NASA has delayed the launch of the SpaceX Crew-1 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) until early-to-mid November, providing additional time for SpaceX to complete hardware testing and data reviews. 
 
Originally scheduled for October 31st, the planned six-month mission was delayed as Elon Musk-run SpaceX evaluates off-nominal behaviour of Falcon 9 first stage engine gas generators observed during a recent non-NASA mission launch attempt. 
 
The SpaceX Crew Dragon Resilience spacecraft will carry four astronauts to the International Space Station as part of NASA`s Commercial Crew Programme. 
 
"With the high cadence of missions SpaceX performs, it really gives us incredible insight into this commercial system and helps us make informed decisions about the status of our missions," said Kathy Lueders, associate administrator of NASA`s Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate. 
 
"The teams are actively working this finding on the engines, and we should be a lot smarter within the coming week," Lueders said in a statement late on Saturday. 
 
NASA`s SpaceX Crew-1 mission will launch NASA astronauts Michael Hopkins, Victor Glover, and Shannon Walker, along with Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) mission specialist Soichi Noguchi, from Launch Complex 39A at NASA`s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. 
 
After launch, Crew Dragon will perform a series of maneuvers culminating with rendezvous and docking with the space station. 
 
That milestone will mark the Crew-1 astronauts` integration with the Expedition 64 astronauts Kate Rubins, as well as Expedition 64 commander Sergey Ryzhikov and flight engineer Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, both of the Russian space agency Roscosmos. 
 
During their stay on the orbiting laboratory, astronauts of Crew-1 will see a range of unpiloted spacecraft including the Northrop Grumman Cygnus, the next generation of SpaceX cargo Dragon spacecraft, and the Boeing CST-100 Starliner on its uncrewed flight test to the station. 
 
They also will conduct a variety of spacewalks and welcome crews of the Russian Soyuz vehicle and the next SpaceX Crew Dragon in 2021, NASA said. 
 
At the conclusion of the mission, Crew Dragon will autonomously undock with the four astronauts on board, depart the space station and re-enter the Earth`s atmosphere. 
&nbsp;

NASA has delayed the launch of the SpaceX Crew-1 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) until early-to-mid November, providing additional time for SpaceX to complete hardware testing and data reviews.

NASA has delayed the launch of the SpaceX Crew-1 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) until early-to-mid November, providing additional time for SpaceX to complete hardware testing and data reviews. Originally scheduled for October 31st, the planned six-month mission was delayed as Elon Musk-run SpaceX evaluates off-nominal behaviour of Falcon 9 first stage engine gas generators observed during a recent non-NASA mission launch attempt. The SpaceX Crew Dragon Resilience spacecraft will carry four astronauts to the International Space Station as part of NASA`s Commercial Crew Programme. "With the high cadence of missions SpaceX performs, it really gives us incredible insight into this commercial system and helps us make informed decisions about the status of our missions," said Kathy Lueders, associate administrator of NASA`s Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate. "The teams are actively working this finding on the engines, and we should be a lot smarter within the coming week," Lueders said in a statement late on Saturday. NASA`s SpaceX Crew-1 mission will launch NASA astronauts Michael Hopkins, Victor Glover, and Shannon Walker, along with Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) mission specialist Soichi Noguchi, from Launch Complex 39A at NASA`s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. After launch, Crew Dragon will perform a series of maneuvers culminating with rendezvous and docking with the space station. That milestone will mark the Crew-1 astronauts` integration with the Expedition 64 astronauts Kate Rubins, as well as Expedition 64 commander Sergey Ryzhikov and flight engineer Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, both of the Russian space agency Roscosmos. During their stay on the orbiting laboratory, astronauts of Crew-1 will see a range of unpiloted spacecraft including the Northrop Grumman Cygnus, the next generation of SpaceX cargo Dragon spacecraft, and the Boeing CST-100 Starliner on its uncrewed flight test to the station. They also will conduct a variety of spacewalks and welcome crews of the Russian Soyuz vehicle and the next SpaceX Crew Dragon in 2021, NASA said. At the conclusion of the mission, Crew Dragon will autonomously undock with the four astronauts on board, depart the space station and re-enter the Earth`s atmosphere.

NASA delays manned SpaceX mission to space station till November

The&nbsp;Pentagon has&nbsp;awarded&nbsp;a $149 million (£114.8 million) contract to build missile-tracking satellites to Elon Musk's SpaceX.

This is the&nbsp;first government contract to build satellites for SpaceX which is&nbsp;an&nbsp;American aerospace manufacturer and space transportation services.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spacex-to-destroy-rocket-in-mock-failure-before-manned-missions-with-nasa-275010">SpaceX to destroy rocket in 'mock-failure' before manned missions with NASA</a>

SpaceX is known for its reusable rockets and astronaut capsules, is ramping up satellite production for Starlink, a growing constellation of hundreds of internet-beaming satellites that chief executive Elon Musk hopes will generate enough revenue to help fund SpaceX’s interplanetary goals.

Under the&nbsp;US&nbsp;Space Development Agency (SDA)&nbsp;contract, SpaceX will use its Starlink assembly plant in Redmond, Washington, to build four satellites fitted with a wide-angle infrared missile-tracking sensor supplied by a subcontractor, an SDA official said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-election-2020-nasa-astronauts-on-spacexs-crew-dragon-will-vote-from-space-331336">NASA astronauts on SpaceX's Crew Dragon will vote from space</a>

Technology company L3 Harris Technologies Inc., formerly Harris Corporation, received $193 million to build another four satellites. Both companies are expected to deliver the satellites for launch by fall 2022.&nbsp;

The awards are part of the SDA’s first phase to procure satellites to detect and track missiles like intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), which can travel long distances and are challenging to track and intercept.&nbsp;

SpaceX in 2019 received $28 million from the Air Force to use the fledgling Starlink satellite network to test encrypted internet services with a number of military planes, though the Air Force has not ordered any Starlink satellites of its own.

The Pentagon has awarded a $149 million (£114.8 million) contract to build missile-tracking satellites to Elon Musk's SpaceX. This is the first government contract to build satellites for SpaceX which is an American aerospace manufacturer and space transportation services.

The Pentagon has awarded a $149 million (£114.8 million) contract to build missile-tracking satellites to Elon Musk's SpaceX. This is the first government contract to build satellites for SpaceX which is an American aerospace manufacturer and space transportation services. Also read: SpaceX to destroy rocket in 'mock-failure' before manned missions with NASA SpaceX is known for its reusable rockets and astronaut capsules, is ramping up satellite production for Starlink, a growing constellation of hundreds of internet-beaming satellites that chief executive Elon Musk hopes will generate enough revenue to help fund SpaceX’s interplanetary goals. Under the US Space Development Agency (SDA) contract, SpaceX will use its Starlink assembly plant in Redmond, Washington, to build four satellites fitted with a wide-angle infrared missile-tracking sensor supplied by a subcontractor, an SDA official said. Also read: NASA astronauts on SpaceX's Crew Dragon will vote from space Technology company L3 Harris Technologies Inc., formerly Harris Corporation, received $193 million to build another four satellites. Both companies are expected to deliver the satellites for launch by fall 2022. The awards are part of the SDA’s first phase to procure satellites to detect and track missiles like intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), which can travel long distances and are challenging to track and intercept. SpaceX in 2019 received $28 million from the Air Force to use the fledgling Starlink satellite network to test encrypted internet services with a number of military planes, though the Air Force has not ordered any Starlink satellites of its own.

Pentagon awards $149 million contract to Elon Musk's SpaceX for missile tracking satellites

Three NASA astronauts on SpaceX's first operational Crew Dragon mission will vote from space in the US election 2020 to be held on November 3.

SpaceX’s Crew Dragon Resilience capsule will carry NASA astronauts Michael Hopkins, Victor Glover, Shannon Walker and Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi to the space station October&nbsp;31 as the company’s first non-test mission after completing a successful two-man preliminary mission last summer.

“All of us are planning on voting from space,” Walker told a news conference, explaining that the three US&nbsp;astronauts will fill out an electronic PDF file aboard the station some 250 miles above Earth and email it to elections officials.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pentagon-awards-united-launch-alliance-spacex-launch-contracts-318987">Pentagon awards United Launch Alliance, SpaceX launch contracts</a>

The crew’s more than six month mission in space, enabled by SpaceX’s new gumdrop-shaped Crew Dragon space capsule, comes as NASA regains its capability of sending astronauts to space after nearly a decade-long dependence on Russia’s Soyuz vehicles.

Meanwhile, another American astronaut Kate Rubins will also vote from space as she is a part of the launch of the Russian Soyuz that will take place on October 14 from the International Space Staion.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spacex-launches-third-batch-of-mini-satellites-into-orbit-272623">SpaceX launches third batch of mini-satellites into orbit</a>

Following tradition from SpaceX’s last crewed mission named “Endeavor,” which ended in August with a successful splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico, Hopkins said the crew chose the name “Resilience” as a tribute to a “challenging” 2020.

“I think all of us can agree that 2020 has certainly been a challenging year,” Hopkins said, adding that SpaceX and NASA have pressed on with launch plans despite a slew of events like the “global pandemic, economic hardships, civil unrest, isolation” that have punctuated this year.

SpaceX made a few tweaks to Crew Dragon’s heat shield and altitude sensors after analyzing data from the summer test flight carrying NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley, the company’s Crew Dragon chief Benji Reed said during a separate press conference on Tuesday.

Three NASA astronauts on SpaceX's first operational Crew Dragon mission will vote from space in the US election 2020 to be held on November 3. SpaceX’s Crew Dragon Resilience capsule will carry NASA astronauts Michael Hopkins, Victor Glover, Shannon Walker and Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi to the space station October 31 as the company’s first non-test mission after completing a successful two-man preliminary mission last summer.

Three NASA astronauts on SpaceX's first operational Crew Dragon mission will vote from space in the US election 2020 to be held on November 3. SpaceX’s Crew Dragon Resilience capsule will carry NASA astronauts Michael Hopkins, Victor Glover, Shannon Walker and Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi to the space station October 31 as the company’s first non-test mission after completing a successful two-man preliminary mission last summer. “All of us are planning on voting from space,” Walker told a news conference, explaining that the three US astronauts will fill out an electronic PDF file aboard the station some 250 miles above Earth and email it to elections officials. Also read: Pentagon awards United Launch Alliance, SpaceX launch contracts The crew’s more than six month mission in space, enabled by SpaceX’s new gumdrop-shaped Crew Dragon space capsule, comes as NASA regains its capability of sending astronauts to space after nearly a decade-long dependence on Russia’s Soyuz vehicles. Meanwhile, another American astronaut Kate Rubins will also vote from space as she is a part of the launch of the Russian Soyuz that will take place on October 14 from the International Space Staion. Also read: SpaceX launches third batch of mini-satellites into orbit Following tradition from SpaceX’s last crewed mission named “Endeavor,” which ended in August with a successful splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico, Hopkins said the crew chose the name “Resilience” as a tribute to a “challenging” 2020. “I think all of us can agree that 2020 has certainly been a challenging year,” Hopkins said, adding that SpaceX and NASA have pressed on with launch plans despite a slew of events like the “global pandemic, economic hardships, civil unrest, isolation” that have punctuated this year. SpaceX made a few tweaks to Crew Dragon’s heat shield and altitude sensors after analyzing data from the summer test flight carrying NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley, the company’s Crew Dragon chief Benji Reed said during a separate press conference on Tuesday.

US election 2020: NASA astronauts on SpaceX's Crew Dragon will vote from space

As the privately built Space-X Falcon 9 rocket took off in triumph, US President Donald Trump made this declaration to the world - “The United States has regained our place of prestige as the world leader. As has often been stated, you can't be number one on Earth if you are number two in space”.

Four months on, and the race for number one has more contenders, with more countries looking to establish their hegemony in space. But they are all united in achieving one goal - isolating Beijing in space exploration projects.

Sweden

Sweden's state-owned space agency has halted its operations with China. The Swedish Space Corporation was contracted to help Chinese satellites operate from its ground stations across the world. It has now decided to not renew the contract.

China has been forbidden from accessing the ground stations of this space agency in Australia, including the Yathragga and Dongara satellite stations in Western Australia.

The space agency fears that China could use its antennas at these stations for military purposes.

United States

In West Asia, the US Space Force has begun its first mission. A squadron of 20 space operators have been stationed at the Al Udeid air base in Qatar.

Their mission is to track enemy manoeuvres and avert conflicts in space. They have been given the power to jam,&nbsp;hack and blind satellites that pose a heavy security risk. The targets will quite possibly be Iran and China's satellite programmes.

NASA is planning to return to the moon. It has unveiled a new exploration project - the 27 billion dollar Artemis programme, the first such plan in 50 years. The space agency plans to put a man &amp; woman on its lunar lander by 2024.

NASA’s announcement comes on the heels of China's next lunar mission. The Chinese regime is quietly preparing for a November launch of the Chang'e 5 mission. The Pentagon fears that China is trying to militarise the moon, and that it could use its satellites to target America's space-based assets.

India

India too is working to thwart any Chinese misadventures in space.

ISRO is gearing up for a Chandrayaan-3 mission in early 2021. It is also readying its first manned space mission - Gaganyaan - expected to launch in two years.

Space warfare is soon set to be a reality, with satellites and data set to be the new weapons.

As the privately built Space-X Falcon 9 rocket took off in triumph, US President Donald Trump made this declaration to the world - “The United States has regained our place of prestige as the world leader.

As the privately built Space-X Falcon 9 rocket took off in triumph, US President Donald Trump made this declaration to the world - “The United States has regained our place of prestige as the world leader. As has often been stated, you can't be number one on Earth if you are number two in space”. Four months on, and the race for number one has more contenders, with more countries looking to establish their hegemony in space. But they are all united in achieving one goal - isolating Beijing in space exploration projects. Sweden Sweden's state-owned space agency has halted its operations with China. The Swedish Space Corporation was contracted to help Chinese satellites operate from its ground stations across the world. It has now decided to not renew the contract. China has been forbidden from accessing the ground stations of this space agency in Australia, including the Yathragga and Dongara satellite stations in Western Australia. The space agency fears that China could use its antennas at these stations for military purposes. United States In West Asia, the US Space Force has begun its first mission. A squadron of 20 space operators have been stationed at the Al Udeid air base in Qatar. Their mission is to track enemy manoeuvres and avert conflicts in space. They have been given the power to jam, hack and blind satellites that pose a heavy security risk. The targets will quite possibly be Iran and China's satellite programmes. NASA is planning to return to the moon. It has unveiled a new exploration project - the 27 billion dollar Artemis programme, the first such plan in 50 years. The space agency plans to put a man & woman on its lunar lander by 2024. NASA’s announcement comes on the heels of China's next lunar mission. The Chinese regime is quietly preparing for a November launch of the Chang'e 5 mission. The Pentagon fears that China is trying to militarise the moon, and that it could use its satellites to target America's space-based assets. India India too is working to thwart any Chinese misadventures in space. ISRO is gearing up for a Chandrayaan-3 mission in early 2021. It is also readying its first manned space mission - Gaganyaan - expected to launch in two years. Space warfare is soon set to be a reality, with satellites and data set to be the new weapons.

Beijing is slowly being isolated, even in space!

Here is a list of world's top-10 most valuable startups

While billions of people have struggling to keep their business afloat in the pandemic this year, the year has been gracious for billionaire Elon Musk.

According to recent reports, Elon Musk has crossed Mark Zuckerberg to become world's third richest man as his net worth increased to&nbsp;$115.4 billion.

The Founder of social media giant Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, is now on the fourth position with a net worth of&nbsp;$110.8 billion.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/three-little-pigs-elon-musk-unveils-neuralink-brain-computer-implants-323802">Also read|&nbsp;'Three little pigs': Elon Musk unveils Neuralink brain computer implants</a>

The SPaceX and Tesla owner saw an increase of&nbsp;nearly $87.8 billion this year due to an increase of almost 500 per cent in Tesla's shares.

The reports by&nbsp;Bloomberg Billionaire Index have also suggested that Musk, who is quite famous and liked on twitter too, has gained the most among all the billionaires.

As per Bloomberg, "Tesla’s $464 billion market value is now more than retail behemoth Walmart."

Musk is now following Jeff Bezos, world's richest man, with a net worth of&nbsp;$202 billion and Bill Gates, the second richest man who has a net worth of&nbsp;$125 billion.

World's richest woman

The year has been good for Jeff Bezos' ex-wife&nbsp;MacKenzie Scott too, as she climbed the ranks to become world's richest woman after she received&nbsp;a 4 per cent stake in Amazon.com Inc. as part of her divorce from founder Bezos. Now, her net worth is $66.4 billion.

While billions of people have struggling to keep their business afloat in the pandemic this year, the year has been gracious for billionaire Elon Musk. According to recent reports, Elon Musk has crossed Mark Zuckerberg to become world's third richest man as his net worth increased to $115.

While billions of people have struggling to keep their business afloat in the pandemic this year, the year has been gracious for billionaire Elon Musk. According to recent reports, Elon Musk has crossed Mark Zuckerberg to become world's third richest man as his net worth increased to $115.4 billion. The Founder of social media giant Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, is now on the fourth position with a net worth of $110.8 billion. Also read| 'Three little pigs': Elon Musk unveils Neuralink brain computer implants The SPaceX and Tesla owner saw an increase of nearly $87.8 billion this year due to an increase of almost 500 per cent in Tesla's shares. The reports by Bloomberg Billionaire Index have also suggested that Musk, who is quite famous and liked on twitter too, has gained the most among all the billionaires. As per Bloomberg, "Tesla’s $464 billion market value is now more than retail behemoth Walmart." Musk is now following Jeff Bezos, world's richest man, with a net worth of $202 billion and Bill Gates, the second richest man who has a net worth of $125 billion. World's richest woman The year has been good for Jeff Bezos' ex-wife MacKenzie Scott too, as she climbed the ranks to become world's richest woman after she received a 4 per cent stake in Amazon.com Inc. as part of her divorce from founder Bezos. Now, her net worth is $66.4 billion.

Elon Musk becomes world's third richest man; Bezos' ex-wife now world's richest woman

The U.S. Justice Department has opened a criminal probe into whether NASA`s former head of human spaceflight gave Boeing Co improper guidance during a lucrative lunar-lander contract competition, two people familiar with the matter said on Friday.

The Justice Department has sent subpoenas to NASA, Boeing and Doug Loverro, who led the agency`s marquee space travel program until he resigned abruptly in May, as part of a grand-jury investigation into the possible violation of federal procurement laws, the sources said.

In the probe, opened in June, prosecutors are focusing on communication between Loverro and Boeing space executive Jim Chilton in late January, during a blackout period for the Human Landing System competition, one of the sources said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nasas-ingenuity-mars-helicopter-recharges-its-batteries-in-flight-320348">Also read:&nbsp;NASA's Ingenuity Mars helicopter recharges its batteries in flight</a>

Representatives for Boeing and Loverro declined to comment. NASA declined to comment on personnel matters and the status of any investigation, but said the agency was confident in its procurement processes.

The probe was earlier reported by the Wall Street Journal.

The investigation, and an earlier probe by a NASA watchdog, has cast a shadow over one of NASA`s most ambitious endeavors: sending humans back to the moon from U.S. soil for the first time in nearly half a century.

In April, NASA bypassed Boeing — an industry juggernaut with deep ties to space travel — and awarded contracts worth a combined $1 billion to Elon Musk`s SpaceX, Amazon.com Inc founder Jeff Bezos` Blue Origin, and Leidos Inc affiliate Dynetics to build lunar landing vehicles that can carry astronauts to the moon by 2024.

Boeing was removed from the competition, NASA said in April, without explaining why.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-drops-racially-charged-nicknames-of-celestial-bodies-319130">Also read:&nbsp;NASA drops racially charged nicknames of celestial bodies</a>

Two people briefed on a NASA watchdog investigation told Reuters Boeing`s removal was over its contact with Loverro.

The sources said NASA`s Office of Inspector General found that Loverro told Boeing during a blackout period the company`s proposal was incomplete and discussed aspects of the bid that were missing.

After discussions with Loverro, Boeing officials submitted another version during the blackout period, raising legal concerns among agency procurement staff, one of the people said.

Loverro abruptly resigned in May after less than a year on the job, telling employees in an email seen by Reuters that he took certain "risks" to meet NASA`s 2024 moon deadline.

"It is clear that I made a mistake in that choice for which I alone must bear the consequences," Loverro said, without explaining the mistake he was referring to.

The U.S. Justice Department has opened a criminal probe into whether NASA`s former head of human spaceflight gave Boeing Co improper guidance during a lucrative lunar-lander contract competition, two people familiar with the matter said on Friday.

The U.S. Justice Department has opened a criminal probe into whether NASA`s former head of human spaceflight gave Boeing Co improper guidance during a lucrative lunar-lander contract competition, two people familiar with the matter said on Friday. The Justice Department has sent subpoenas to NASA, Boeing and Doug Loverro, who led the agency`s marquee space travel program until he resigned abruptly in May, as part of a grand-jury investigation into the possible violation of federal procurement laws, the sources said. In the probe, opened in June, prosecutors are focusing on communication between Loverro and Boeing space executive Jim Chilton in late January, during a blackout period for the Human Landing System competition, one of the sources said. Also read: NASA's Ingenuity Mars helicopter recharges its batteries in flight Representatives for Boeing and Loverro declined to comment. NASA declined to comment on personnel matters and the status of any investigation, but said the agency was confident in its procurement processes. The probe was earlier reported by the Wall Street Journal. The investigation, and an earlier probe by a NASA watchdog, has cast a shadow over one of NASA`s most ambitious endeavors: sending humans back to the moon from U.S. soil for the first time in nearly half a century. In April, NASA bypassed Boeing — an industry juggernaut with deep ties to space travel — and awarded contracts worth a combined $1 billion to Elon Musk`s SpaceX, Amazon.com Inc founder Jeff Bezos` Blue Origin, and Leidos Inc affiliate Dynetics to build lunar landing vehicles that can carry astronauts to the moon by 2024. Boeing was removed from the competition, NASA said in April, without explaining why. Also read: NASA drops racially charged nicknames of celestial bodies Two people briefed on a NASA watchdog investigation told Reuters Boeing`s removal was over its contact with Loverro. The sources said NASA`s Office of Inspector General found that Loverro told Boeing during a blackout period the company`s proposal was incomplete and discussed aspects of the bid that were missing. After discussions with Loverro, Boeing officials submitted another version during the blackout period, raising legal concerns among agency procurement staff, one of the people said. Loverro abruptly resigned in May after less than a year on the job, telling employees in an email seen by Reuters that he took certain "risks" to meet NASA`s 2024 moon deadline. "It is clear that I made a mistake in that choice for which I alone must bear the consequences," Loverro said, without explaining the mistake he was referring to.

US prosecutors probe ex-NASA official, Boeing over space contract: sources

The US Air Force said on Friday it awarded United Launch Alliance (ULA) and Elon Musk`s SpaceX $653 million in combined military launch contracts under the Pentagon's next-generation, multibillion-dollar launch capability program.

The contracts are for launch service orders beginning in 2022 and allocate $337 million to ULA, a joint venture between Boeing Co and Lockheed Martin Corp, and $316 million to SpaceX for the first missions of roughly 34 total that the two rocket firms will support through 2027.

ULA will receive a contract for approximately 60 per cent of those launch service orders using its next-generation Vulcan rocket while Musk's SpaceX, using its Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets, will receive approximately 40 per cent, the Air Force`s acquisition chief Will Roper told reporters on Friday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/spacex-starship-prototype-takes-first-big-step-towards-mars-completes-test-flight-318273">Also read:&nbsp;SpaceX Starship prototype takes first big step towards Mars; completes test flight</a>

The awards are part of the Pentagon's 2014 mandate from Congress to curb its dependency on rockets using Russia’s RD-180 engine and transition to US-made rockets for launching Washington's most sensitive national security payloads to space.

The program, called National Security Space Launch Phase 2, is aimed at "building a competitive industry base that we hope doesn't just help military and national security missions, but that helps our nation continue to compete and dominate in space," Roper added.

"Today’s awards mark a new epoch of space launch that will finally transition the Department off Russian RD-180 engines," Roper said in a statement.

The two companies lay claim to billions of dollars in lucrative military contracts for a span of five years that competitors Blue Origin, the space company of Amazon.com Inc owner Jeff Bezos, and Northrop Grumman also competed for.

Blue Origin Chief Executive Bob Smith said in a statement he was "disappointed" in the Pentagon's decision, adding that the company will continue to develop its heavy-lift New Glenn rocket "to fulfill our current commercial contracts, pursue a large and growing commercial market, and enter into new civil space launch contracts."

The US Air Force said on Friday it awarded United Launch Alliance (ULA) and Elon Musk`s SpaceX $653 million in combined military launch contracts under the Pentagon's next-generation, multibillion-dollar launch capability program.

The US Air Force said on Friday it awarded United Launch Alliance (ULA) and Elon Musk`s SpaceX $653 million in combined military launch contracts under the Pentagon's next-generation, multibillion-dollar launch capability program. The contracts are for launch service orders beginning in 2022 and allocate $337 million to ULA, a joint venture between Boeing Co and Lockheed Martin Corp, and $316 million to SpaceX for the first missions of roughly 34 total that the two rocket firms will support through 2027. ULA will receive a contract for approximately 60 per cent of those launch service orders using its next-generation Vulcan rocket while Musk's SpaceX, using its Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets, will receive approximately 40 per cent, the Air Force`s acquisition chief Will Roper told reporters on Friday. Also read: SpaceX Starship prototype takes first big step towards Mars; completes test flight The awards are part of the Pentagon's 2014 mandate from Congress to curb its dependency on rockets using Russia’s RD-180 engine and transition to US-made rockets for launching Washington's most sensitive national security payloads to space. The program, called National Security Space Launch Phase 2, is aimed at "building a competitive industry base that we hope doesn't just help military and national security missions, but that helps our nation continue to compete and dominate in space," Roper added. "Today’s awards mark a new epoch of space launch that will finally transition the Department off Russian RD-180 engines," Roper said in a statement. The two companies lay claim to billions of dollars in lucrative military contracts for a span of five years that competitors Blue Origin, the space company of Amazon.com Inc owner Jeff Bezos, and Northrop Grumman also competed for. Blue Origin Chief Executive Bob Smith said in a statement he was "disappointed" in the Pentagon's decision, adding that the company will continue to develop its heavy-lift New Glenn rocket "to fulfill our current commercial contracts, pursue a large and growing commercial market, and enter into new civil space launch contracts."

Pentagon awards United Launch Alliance, SpaceX launch contracts

SpaceX on Tuesday successfully completed a flight of less than a minute of the largest prototype ever tested of the future rocket Starship, which the company hopes to use one day to colonize Mars.

"Mars is looking real," SpaceX founder Elon Musk tweeted in response to a fan.

The current Starship prototype is fairly crude: it's a large metallic cylinder, built in a few weeks by SpaceX teams on the Texas coast, in Boca Chica, but it's still smaller than the actual rocket will be.

Several previous prototypes exploded during ground tests, during a learning process of trial and error.

In images shared Tuesday by several space specialists, including the space news website NASASpaceFlight.com, the latest prototype, dubbed SN5, reached an undetermined altitude before descending to land in a cloud of dust, demonstrating good trajectory control.

"And when the smoke cleared, she stood there majestically, after the 150 meter flight!" tweeted NASA's top scientist, Thomas Zurbuchen.

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And when the smoke cleared, she stood there majestically, after the 150 meter flight! 
 
Congrats, <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SpaceX</a> <a href="https://t.co/hjHbUOW8SD">pic.twitter.com/hjHbUOW8SD</a>
— Thomas Zurbuchen (@Dr_ThomasZ) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dr_ThomasZ/status/1290800171123527680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 5, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The so-called "hop test" was planned to reach a 150-meter&nbsp;altitude, but SpaceX has not confirmed any details about the test flight.&nbsp;

In 2019, an earlier prototype, the smaller Starhopper, flew to 150 meters in altitude and returned to land.

The Starship envisioned by Musk will be 120 meters tall and will be able to land vertically on Mars.

"We are going to the Moon, we are going to have a base on the Moon, we are going to send people to Mars and make life multi-planetary," Musk said Sunday, after welcoming two NASA astronauts back from the International Space Station.

The astronauts had traveled in the Dragon capsule developed by SpaceX.

SpaceX on Tuesday successfully completed a flight of less than a minute of the largest prototype ever tested of the future rocket Starship, which the company hopes to use one day to colonize Mars.

SpaceX on Tuesday successfully completed a flight of less than a minute of the largest prototype ever tested of the future rocket Starship, which the company hopes to use one day to colonize Mars. "Mars is looking real," SpaceX founder Elon Musk tweeted in response to a fan. The current Starship prototype is fairly crude: it's a large metallic cylinder, built in a few weeks by SpaceX teams on the Texas coast, in Boca Chica, but it's still smaller than the actual rocket will be. Several previous prototypes exploded during ground tests, during a learning process of trial and error. In images shared Tuesday by several space specialists, including the space news website NASASpaceFlight.com, the latest prototype, dubbed SN5, reached an undetermined altitude before descending to land in a cloud of dust, demonstrating good trajectory control. "And when the smoke cleared, she stood there majestically, after the 150 meter flight!" tweeted NASA's top scientist, Thomas Zurbuchen. And when the smoke cleared, she stood there majestically, after the 150 meter flight! Congrats, @SpaceX pic.twitter.com/hjHbUOW8SD — Thomas Zurbuchen (@Dr_ThomasZ) August 5, 2020 × The so-called "hop test" was planned to reach a 150-meter altitude, but SpaceX has not confirmed any details about the test flight. In 2019, an earlier prototype, the smaller Starhopper, flew to 150 meters in altitude and returned to land. The Starship envisioned by Musk will be 120 meters tall and will be able to land vertically on Mars. "We are going to the Moon, we are going to have a base on the Moon, we are going to send people to Mars and make life multi-planetary," Musk said Sunday, after welcoming two NASA astronauts back from the International Space Station. The astronauts had traveled in the Dragon capsule developed by SpaceX.

SpaceX Starship prototype takes first big step towards Mars; completes test flight

Egypt has invited Elon Musk to visit its famed pyramids after the SpaceX and Tesla founder posted a satirical tweet stating that clearly extra-terrestrials had built the giant monuments.

Egypt has invited Elon Musk to visit its famed pyramids after the SpaceX and Tesla founder posted a satirical tweet stating that clearly extra-terrestrials had built the giant monuments. "Aliens built the pyramids obv," Musk had tweeted, picking up on a theme popular with conspiracy theorists and kicking off a predictable flood of replies ranging from light-hearted to furious. Among the avalanche of one-liners, memes and potshots were some angry messages from nationalistic Egyptians who demanded the eccentric engineer and high-tech billionaire better check his facts. Egyptian International Cooperation Minister Rania al-Mashat, a savvy social media user, however, saw a marketing opportunity to help revive the country's pandemic-battered tourism sector. "I follow your work with a lot of admiration," wrote Mashat, a former tourism minister. "I invite you & Space X to explore the writings about how the pyramids were built and also to check out the tombs of the pyramid builders. Aliens built the pyramids obv — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 31, 2020 × "Mr. Musk, we are waiting for you," she added, inviting the entrepreneur to come and see for himself one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, Egypt's enormous tombs built for pharaohs and their consorts. Musk followed up by posting a link to a BBC article about the history of the giant structures, calling it "a sensible summary" of how they were constructed. The most famous and largest of Egypt's ancient monuments, the Giza Pyramids outside Cairo, reopened to the public last month after a three-month closure forced by the coronavirus pandemic. Egypt's tourism sector suffered a decade of turmoil after the 2011 Arab Spring protests and overthrow of longtime dictator Hosni Mubarak, with militant attacks and political instability keeping many tourists away. The tourism sector, which accounts for a fifth of the country's GDP and employs some three million people, had recovered to draw record visitors, around 13.6 million last year, when the COVID-19 crisis struck.

Egypt invites Elon Musk after 'aliens built pyramids' tweet

NASA astronauts&nbsp;Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley had a successful splash down in the Gulf of Mexico on Sunday 2:48pm.

Behnken and Hurley had a 21-hour overnight journey aboard Crew Dragon "Endeavor", and had a successful landing in the calm waters of&nbsp;Gulf of Mexico, despite warnings of hurricane.

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Good splashdown of Dragon confirmed! Welcome back to Earth, <a href="https://twitter.com/AstroBehnken?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AstroBehnken</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/Astro_Doug?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Astro_Doug</a>! <a href="https://t.co/0vAS3CcK9P">pic.twitter.com/0vAS3CcK9P</a>
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1289996815824117760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 2, 2020</a></blockquote>
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With this, the two astronauts completed their two-months long journey that started on May 31. The mission was important as it was the first time a private company was able to launch a human-controlled spacecraft and bring them back. For NASA, it was the first time since&nbsp;its shuttle program retired in 2011, as since then NASA has relied on Russia's space program to launch its astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS).

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.<a href="https://twitter.com/AstroBehnken?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AstroBehnken</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/Astro_Doug?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Astro_Doug</a> have been lifted out of the water and are aboard the Go Navigator. Welcome home. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LaunchAmerica?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LaunchAmerica</a> <a href="https://t.co/gjqUcLMy8X">pic.twitter.com/gjqUcLMy8X</a>
— NASA (@NASA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA/status/1290004579862667264?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 2, 2020</a></blockquote>
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NASA astronauts are conducting tests and checking the status of the seven-seater spacecraft after a successful spin around the orbit. The craft has been observed to be in a "very healthy" condition&nbsp; in the initial reports.

For the process of splashdown, the on-board thrusters and two sets of parachutes worked autonomously to slow down the capsule. This helped bring the speed of&nbsp;17,500 miles per hour in orbit down to 350 mph upon atmospheric reentry, and eventually 15 mph at splashdown.

During reentry to Earth's atmosphere, the capsule's outer shell withstood temperatures as high as 3,500 Fahrenheit while Behnken and Hurley, wearing SpaceX`s white flight suits strapped inside the cabin, experienced 85 Fahrenheit.

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"To anybody who has touched Endeavour, you should take a moment to just cherish this day." 
 
Touching words from <a href="https://twitter.com/Astro_Doug?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Astro_Doug</a> as <a href="https://twitter.com/AstroBehnken?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AstroBehnken</a> is safely brought out of the spacecraft. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LaunchAmerica?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LaunchAmerica</a> <a href="https://t.co/0yKUWbD9Ed">pic.twitter.com/0yKUWbD9Ed</a>
— NASA (@NASA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA/status/1290017583635234821?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 2, 2020</a></blockquote>
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After spending a night in the space on Saturday en route Earth, the astronauts were woken up to messages from their sons.&nbsp;"Good morning Dragon Endeavor," Hurley's son said in a recorded message sent to the capsule. "I'm happy you went into space but I'm even happier that you're coming back home."

As astronaut Behnken was being brought out of the spacecraft, Doug said, "To anybody who has touched Endeavour, you should take a moment to just cherish this day."&nbsp;

The astronauts met their families and addressed the nation soon after which was live broadcasted by NASA on its Twitter account.

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👀 Views of <a href="https://twitter.com/AstroBehnken?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AstroBehnken</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/Astro_Doug?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Astro_Doug</a> being greeted by family members as they step off the plane at Ellington Field. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LaunchAmerica?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LaunchAmerica</a> <a href="https://t.co/aHNLuD01Xt">pic.twitter.com/aHNLuD01Xt</a>
— NASA (@NASA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA/status/1290071192850911239?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 2, 2020</a></blockquote>
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"We're both super, super proud having been just a small part of the team that accomplished bringing those spaceflights back to the Florida coast and bringing that capability back to America," astronaut Behnken said.&nbsp;

The US President Donald Trump, who was also present at the launch site, congratulated and thanked the NASA and SpaceX team through a tweet. "Great to have NASA Astronauts return to Earth after very successful two month mission. Thank you to all!," he tweeted.&nbsp;

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Great to have NASA Astronauts return to Earth after very successful two month mission. Thank you to all!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1289997897723863040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 2, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Retweeting the splashdown video from NASA, he further added, "Astronauts complete first splashdown in 45 years. Very exciting!"

NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley had a successful splash down in the Gulf of Mexico on Sunday 2:48pm. Behnken and Hurley had a 21-hour overnight journey aboard Crew Dragon "Endeavor", and had a successful landing in the calm waters of Gulf of Mexico, despite warnings of hurricane.

NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley had a successful splash down in the Gulf of Mexico on Sunday 2:48pm. Behnken and Hurley had a 21-hour overnight journey aboard Crew Dragon "Endeavor", and had a successful landing in the calm waters of Gulf of Mexico, despite warnings of hurricane. Good splashdown of Dragon confirmed! Welcome back to Earth, @AstroBehnken and @Astro_Doug! pic.twitter.com/0vAS3CcK9P — SpaceX (@SpaceX) August 2, 2020 × With this, the two astronauts completed their two-months long journey that started on May 31. The mission was important as it was the first time a private company was able to launch a human-controlled spacecraft and bring them back. For NASA, it was the first time since its shuttle program retired in 2011, as since then NASA has relied on Russia's space program to launch its astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS). .@AstroBehnken and @Astro_Doug have been lifted out of the water and are aboard the Go Navigator. Welcome home. #LaunchAmerica pic.twitter.com/gjqUcLMy8X — NASA (@NASA) August 2, 2020 × NASA astronauts are conducting tests and checking the status of the seven-seater spacecraft after a successful spin around the orbit. The craft has been observed to be in a "very healthy" condition in the initial reports. For the process of splashdown, the on-board thrusters and two sets of parachutes worked autonomously to slow down the capsule. This helped bring the speed of 17,500 miles per hour in orbit down to 350 mph upon atmospheric reentry, and eventually 15 mph at splashdown. During reentry to Earth's atmosphere, the capsule's outer shell withstood temperatures as high as 3,500 Fahrenheit while Behnken and Hurley, wearing SpaceX`s white flight suits strapped inside the cabin, experienced 85 Fahrenheit. "To anybody who has touched Endeavour, you should take a moment to just cherish this day." Touching words from @Astro_Doug as @AstroBehnken is safely brought out of the spacecraft. #LaunchAmerica pic.twitter.com/0yKUWbD9Ed — NASA (@NASA) August 2, 2020 × After spending a night in the space on Saturday en route Earth, the astronauts were woken up to messages from their sons. "Good morning Dragon Endeavor," Hurley's son said in a recorded message sent to the capsule. "I'm happy you went into space but I'm even happier that you're coming back home." As astronaut Behnken was being brought out of the spacecraft, Doug said, "To anybody who has touched Endeavour, you should take a moment to just cherish this day." The astronauts met their families and addressed the nation soon after which was live broadcasted by NASA on its Twitter account. 👀 Views of @AstroBehnken and @Astro_Doug being greeted by family members as they step off the plane at Ellington Field. #LaunchAmerica pic.twitter.com/aHNLuD01Xt — NASA (@NASA) August 2, 2020 × "We're both super, super proud having been just a small part of the team that accomplished bringing those spaceflights back to the Florida coast and bringing that capability back to America," astronaut Behnken said. The US President Donald Trump, who was also present at the launch site, congratulated and thanked the NASA and SpaceX team through a tweet. "Great to have NASA Astronauts return to Earth after very successful two month mission. Thank you to all!," he tweeted. Great to have NASA Astronauts return to Earth after very successful two month mission. Thank you to all! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 2, 2020 × Retweeting the splashdown video from NASA, he further added, "Astronauts complete first splashdown in 45 years. Very exciting!"

NASA astronauts successfully reach Earth aboard SpaceX capsule

'Thanks for flying SpaceX': NASA astronauts complete a historic space mission

Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley, the&nbsp;first US astronauts to reach the International Space Station (ISS) in nearly a decade, have successfully undocked from the ISS on Saturday late night.

The SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft is now en route its way back to the Earth.

SpaceX confirmed on Twitter by tweeting, "Separation confirmed. Dragon performing 4 departure burns to move away from the @Space_Station" along with a video.

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Separation confirmed. Dragon performing 4 departure burns to move away from the <a href="https://twitter.com/Space_Station?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Space_Station</a> <a href="https://t.co/ea14fozdO8">pic.twitter.com/ea14fozdO8</a>
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1289706785469677568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 1, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The two American astronauts' capsule is set to undock around 2334 GMT (7:30pm). However, the NASA is still observing the&nbsp;Hurricane Isaias — a category one storm that battered the Bahamas on Friday and was churning toward Florida.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hurricane-might-delay-spacex-nasa-return-trip-from-iss-317469">Also read:&nbsp;Hurricane might delay SpaceX-NASA return trip from ISS</a>

"Conditions are 'Go' at the primary targeted site, off the coast (of) Pensacola, and alternate site off the coast of Panama City in the Gulf of Mexico for splashdown and recovery on Sunday, Aug 2," NASA said in a blog post.

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All my bags are packed, I’m ready to go… <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LandAmerica?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LandAmerica</a> <a href="https://t.co/FvyzeA58sb">pic.twitter.com/FvyzeA58sb</a>
— Bob Behnken (@AstroBehnken) <a href="https://twitter.com/AstroBehnken/status/1289576302333145089?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 1, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Bob Behnken, in an ISS ceremony aboard said that earlier "the hardest part was getting us launched. But the most important part is bringing us home."

SpaceX is also running a live webcast of Crew Dragon's return to Earth.

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Webcast of Crew Dragon’s return to Earth from the <a href="https://twitter.com/Space_Station?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@space_station</a> with <a href="https://twitter.com/AstroBehnken?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AstroBehnken</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/Astro_Doug?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Astro_Doug</a> → <a href="https://t.co/bJFjLCzWdK">https://t.co/bJFjLCzWdK</a> <a href="https://t.co/xZmI41Zw5S">https://t.co/xZmI41Zw5S</a>
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1289671305835327488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 1, 2020</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley, the first US astronauts to reach the International Space Station (ISS) in nearly a decade, have successfully undocked from the ISS on Saturday late night.

Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley, the first US astronauts to reach the International Space Station (ISS) in nearly a decade, have successfully undocked from the ISS on Saturday late night. The SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft is now en route its way back to the Earth. SpaceX confirmed on Twitter by tweeting, "Separation confirmed. Dragon performing 4 departure burns to move away from the @Space_Station" along with a video. Separation confirmed. Dragon performing 4 departure burns to move away from the @Space_Station pic.twitter.com/ea14fozdO8 — SpaceX (@SpaceX) August 1, 2020 × The two American astronauts' capsule is set to undock around 2334 GMT (7:30pm). However, the NASA is still observing the Hurricane Isaias — a category one storm that battered the Bahamas on Friday and was churning toward Florida. Also read: Hurricane might delay SpaceX-NASA return trip from ISS "Conditions are 'Go' at the primary targeted site, off the coast (of) Pensacola, and alternate site off the coast of Panama City in the Gulf of Mexico for splashdown and recovery on Sunday, Aug 2," NASA said in a blog post. All my bags are packed, I’m ready to go… #LandAmerica pic.twitter.com/FvyzeA58sb — Bob Behnken (@AstroBehnken) August 1, 2020 × Bob Behnken, in an ISS ceremony aboard said that earlier "the hardest part was getting us launched. But the most important part is bringing us home." SpaceX is also running a live webcast of Crew Dragon's return to Earth. Webcast of Crew Dragon’s return to Earth from the @space_station with @AstroBehnken and @Astro_Doug → https://t.co/bJFjLCzWdK https://t.co/xZmI41Zw5S — SpaceX (@SpaceX) August 1, 2020 ×

'I am ready to come home': SpaceX Crew Dragon undocks from ISS to return to Earth

The first US astronauts to reach the International Space Station in nearly a decade might not come home this weekend as scheduled because of Hurricane Isaias.

Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley blasted off from Cape Canaveral on May 30 on board a SpaceX Crew Dragon, and are supposed to splash down off the coast of Florida on Sunday afternoon.

For now, undocking remains scheduled for approximately 7:34 pm (2334 GMT) Saturday, and splashdown at 2:42 pm (1842 GMT) on Sunday.

But NASA said it was keeping a watchful eye on Hurricane Isaias -- a category one storm that battered the Bahamas on Friday and was churning toward Florida.

NASA would make a final call about six hours prior to undocking.

The potential splashdown sites are in the Gulf of Mexico and along Florida's Atlantic coast.

The mission marked the first time a crewed spaceship launched into orbit from American soil since 2011 when the Space Shuttle program ended. It was also the first time a private company has flown to the ISS carrying astronauts. 
&nbsp;

The first US astronauts to reach the International Space Station in nearly a decade might not come home this weekend as scheduled because of Hurricane Isaias. Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley blasted off from Cape Canaveral on May 30 on board a SpaceX Crew Dragon, and are supposed to splash down off the coast of Florida on Sunday afternoon.

The first US astronauts to reach the International Space Station in nearly a decade might not come home this weekend as scheduled because of Hurricane Isaias. Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley blasted off from Cape Canaveral on May 30 on board a SpaceX Crew Dragon, and are supposed to splash down off the coast of Florida on Sunday afternoon. For now, undocking remains scheduled for approximately 7:34 pm (2334 GMT) Saturday, and splashdown at 2:42 pm (1842 GMT) on Sunday. But NASA said it was keeping a watchful eye on Hurricane Isaias -- a category one storm that battered the Bahamas on Friday and was churning toward Florida. NASA would make a final call about six hours prior to undocking. The potential splashdown sites are in the Gulf of Mexico and along Florida's Atlantic coast. The mission marked the first time a crewed spaceship launched into orbit from American soil since 2011 when the Space Shuttle program ended. It was also the first time a private company has flown to the ISS carrying astronauts.

Hurricane might delay SpaceX-NASA return trip from ISS

The two US astronauts who reached the International Space Station (ISS) on board the first crewed US spacecraft in nearly a decade will leave for Earth on August 1, NASA's chief said Friday.

"Splashdown is targeted for Aug. 2. Weather will drive the actual date. Stay tuned," tweeted the US space agency's administrator Jim Bridenstine.

Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley took off from Florida aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule on May 30, becoming the first astronauts to hitch a ride to the ISS on board a commercial spaceship, which is under contract with NASA.

It was the first time a crewed spaceship was launched from the United States since 2011 when the space shuttle program was ended.

Between then and this mission, American astronauts traveled exclusively on Russian rockets.

Eventually, Dragon will regularly bring four astronauts to the ISS at a time, from NASA and partner space agencies in Canada, Japan, Europe and potentially Russia.

This will be the first time the SpaceX capsule will make the journey to Earth with astronauts, having successfully completed an uncrewed test run last year.

It will splash down in the Atlantic, like the Apollo capsules did in the 1960s and 1970s.

The two US astronauts who reached the International Space Station (ISS) on board the first crewed US spacecraft in nearly a decade will leave for Earth on August 1, NASA's chief said Friday.

The two US astronauts who reached the International Space Station (ISS) on board the first crewed US spacecraft in nearly a decade will leave for Earth on August 1, NASA's chief said Friday. "Splashdown is targeted for Aug. 2. Weather will drive the actual date. Stay tuned," tweeted the US space agency's administrator Jim Bridenstine. Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley took off from Florida aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule on May 30, becoming the first astronauts to hitch a ride to the ISS on board a commercial spaceship, which is under contract with NASA. It was the first time a crewed spaceship was launched from the United States since 2011 when the space shuttle program was ended. Between then and this mission, American astronauts traveled exclusively on Russian rockets. Eventually, Dragon will regularly bring four astronauts to the ISS at a time, from NASA and partner space agencies in Canada, Japan, Europe and potentially Russia. This will be the first time the SpaceX capsule will make the journey to Earth with astronauts, having successfully completed an uncrewed test run last year. It will splash down in the Atlantic, like the Apollo capsules did in the 1960s and 1970s.

Two US astronauts to come home on SpaceX ship on August 2

SpaceX has delayed the launch of a rocket due to take 57 mini-satellites into space as part of plan to build a global broadband internet system.

The company tweeted that it was postponing the 10th Starlink mission "to allow more time for checkouts." It said it was working to identify a new launch window.

The mission had been postponed before also.

The Falcon 9 rocket taking the satellites was also due to have carried two satellites from BlackSky, a SpaceX customer. Saturday's aborted flight would have been SpaceX's third Starlink satellite launch in less than two months.

Elon Musk's California-based company has so far received US authorization to launch 12,000 satellites in several different orbits, and it has applied to launch as many as 30,000 more.

SpaceX has delayed the launch of a rocket due to take 57 mini-satellites into space as part of plan to build a global broadband internet system. The company tweeted that it was postponing the 10th Starlink mission "to allow more time for checkouts.

SpaceX has delayed the launch of a rocket due to take 57 mini-satellites into space as part of plan to build a global broadband internet system. The company tweeted that it was postponing the 10th Starlink mission "to allow more time for checkouts." It said it was working to identify a new launch window. The mission had been postponed before also. The Falcon 9 rocket taking the satellites was also due to have carried two satellites from BlackSky, a SpaceX customer. Saturday's aborted flight would have been SpaceX's third Starlink satellite launch in less than two months. Elon Musk's California-based company has so far received US authorization to launch 12,000 satellites in several different orbits, and it has applied to launch as many as 30,000 more.

SpaceX delays launch of 57 mini-satellites

After he vowed to sell off&nbsp; his private property, Elon Musk recently sold his 16.000 square-foot mansion in Bel Air.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the mansion was sold for $29 million, 40 per cent over the price at which Musk had acquired it.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/artist-turns-elon-musks-tweets-into-light-hearted-colouring-book-306940" hreflang="en">Artist turns Elon Musk's tweets into light-hearted colouring book</a>

Located at 10911 Chalon Road, the property was bought by William Ding, a Chinese billionaire and the founder of NetEase, a technology company.

The SpaceX co-founder has constantly called for breaking up big corporations and for redistribution of wealth, all the while promoting travel to space, and with grand plans to put humans on Mars!

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I am selling almost all physical possessions. Will own no house.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1256239554148724737?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Musk had bought the property for $17 million in 2012.&nbsp; This is part of Musk’s plans to discard his real estate and to “own no house”.

As part of this plan, the billionaire has listen the neighbouring home on the market for $10 million. Following this, he listen five more houses, for a combined price of a whooping $97.5 million.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/science/spacexs-envisioned-machinery-will-not-only-take-us-to-mars-but-reduce-travel-time-on-earth-tremendously-306615" hreflang="en">SpaceX's envisioned machinery will not only take us to Mars, but reduce travel time on Earth tremendously!</a>

Aiming for a “simpler” life, Musk intends to get rid of all his private properties.

Currently, his company is working on cementing the basics for space travel, to the Moon, and eventually Mars. Additionally, the company is developing hypersonic travel to tremendously cut down on international travel time, reducing most routes to just two hours per flight. According to plans, these futuristic machines will fly just at the edge of the atmosphere, or just outside of it, to tremendously step up the speed.

After he vowed to sell off his private property, Elon Musk recently sold his 16.000 square-foot mansion in Bel Air. The Wall Street Journal reported that the mansion was sold for $29 million, 40 per cent over the price at which Musk had acquired it.

After he vowed to sell off his private property, Elon Musk recently sold his 16.000 square-foot mansion in Bel Air. The Wall Street Journal reported that the mansion was sold for $29 million, 40 per cent over the price at which Musk had acquired it. Also read: Artist turns Elon Musk's tweets into light-hearted colouring book Located at 10911 Chalon Road, the property was bought by William Ding, a Chinese billionaire and the founder of NetEase, a technology company. The SpaceX co-founder has constantly called for breaking up big corporations and for redistribution of wealth, all the while promoting travel to space, and with grand plans to put humans on Mars! I am selling almost all physical possessions. Will own no house. — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 1, 2020 × Musk had bought the property for $17 million in 2012. This is part of Musk’s plans to discard his real estate and to “own no house”. As part of this plan, the billionaire has listen the neighbouring home on the market for $10 million. Following this, he listen five more houses, for a combined price of a whooping $97.5 million. Also read: SpaceX's envisioned machinery will not only take us to Mars, but reduce travel time on Earth tremendously! Aiming for a “simpler” life, Musk intends to get rid of all his private properties. Currently, his company is working on cementing the basics for space travel, to the Moon, and eventually Mars. Additionally, the company is developing hypersonic travel to tremendously cut down on international travel time, reducing most routes to just two hours per flight. According to plans, these futuristic machines will fly just at the edge of the atmosphere, or just outside of it, to tremendously step up the speed.

On a quest for 'simpler life', Elon Musk begins selling his private property

More than his inventions and initiatives, Tesla and SpaceX CEO is also widely known for his tweets. From cryptic messages to jokes to important information, Musk has tweeted about almost everything.

More than his inventions and initiatives, Tesla and SpaceX CEO is also widely known for his tweets. From cryptic messages to jokes to important information, Musk has tweeted about almost everything. To make sure those tweets stay in our memories forever, an artist has turned Elon Musk's tweets into illustration and has compiled those illustrations into a colouring book. Also read| SpaceX's envisioned machinery will not only take us to Mars, but reduce travel time on Earth tremendously! A Colorado-based artist Salina Gomez, aka Ill Ink, has released a colouring book titled The Illuminated Tweets of Elon Musk. View this post on Instagram This is the fun stage, where I get to color some of my favorite pages. I’m a little bit wild and unsophisticated with color. I did study color in college, and I did quite well in the course, but you’d never know it looking at how I colorize things. Seems I’m unable to escape the carnival in my head, which is my default color palette. I should probably do a series of illustrations with “mature” color, just to show that I actually can. If I can ever get the six year old in me to stop running the show for a minute. 🍭🎨🎪🧸 #coloringbook #colouringbook #coloring #coloringpages #colouringpages #elonmusk #yusakumaezawa #dearmoon #masks A post shared by Ill Ink (Salina Gomez) (@ill_ink) on Jun 14, 2020 at 9:30am PDT × The 52-page book has Elon's tweets from July 2016 to May 2020, which are arranged in a chronological order. This, Salina feels, will help the audience understand the changes in Musk’s vision and development. “Musk’s Twitter feed, once I had found it, brought me a lot of joy,” Gomez wrote on her Kickstarter page. “I decided to take on the role of a gonzo editorial cartoonist reading the Musk Twitter Headlines, subjectively interpreting them in a whimsical, positive manner, all the while immersing myself in the Twitterverse experience.” View this post on Instagram Looking back on the beginning of the coloring book project years ago. The Raptor’s first firing was one of the first pages I drew (and colored). This was when the tweets were still on the front of the page. Today @SpaceX will be launching two astronauts to the ISS in the Crew Dragon Demo-2 mission. This is the flight that will determine the Crew’s readiness to transport humans around the solar system. The Raptor engines are pushing this all forward. This is so exciting. One of these days I need to get to a launch to feel it in person. ⚡️🚀 #spacex #crewdragon #elonmusk #interplanetary #coloringbook #colouringbook A post shared by Ill Ink (Salina Gomez) (@ill_ink) on May 27, 2020 at 8:56am PDT × Wanting to keep it light hearted, she said most editorial illustrators focus on serious societal or political issues. However, she wanted to portray Elon Musk's genius ideas in a fun and creative manner, while setting her work apart from the usual work. “I wanted (and needed) to counterbalance the world’s problems with positive and hopeful content. Not only was Elon Musk the perfect person to focus the project’s energy on, I wouldn’t have even come up with the project if it weren’t for him. Musk is a once in a lifetime entrepreneur, engineer and visionary… and I think it is right to say that this book is a byproduct of his profound determination to dream big,” she added. View this post on Instagram Funding secured in just 43 hours. I had no idea this would happen. I was terrified it wouldn’t even get that much in 30 days. You guys I’m so stoked! I’ll be updating Kickstarter here in a second. I literally just pulled up to my studio from a night at work. What a blessing. 🤪💕✨ I’ll be adding a stretch goal to the campaign PLUS a crazy special reward level that will only have room for 3 backers, no extensions on backers on this one. Hold tight and be ready to hit the buy button... 🎯 A post shared by Ill Ink (Salina Gomez) (@ill_ink) on Jun 17, 2020 at 6:57am PDT × In order to fund her project, she has started a kickstarter page online which has helped her gain popularity and funds. Overwhelmed and thankful for all the support that she has received, she has promised to deliver the final project to the people who have backed the project and pledged to buy the book till Christmas. She will be sending out 200 signed copied from October, each costing $30 (Rs 2284).

Artist turns Elon Musk's tweets into light-hearted colouring book

SpaceX is considered one of the most ambitious companies of modern-day! The company have gone even further than anybody’s expectations.

An advertisement for job hiring for the company published on Tuesday revealed how the company is planning to develop floating spaceports to be used as launch sites for SpaceX’s “Super Heavy” launch vehicles.

Tech Crunch first reported how these rockets will be used to move large payloads to Moon, and probably to Mars. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk pointed that these would also be used for travelling on Earth.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/science/spacex-confirms-putting-60-new-starlink-internet-satellites-into-orbit-303249" hreflang="en">SpaceX confirms putting 60 new Starlink Internet satellites into orbit</a>

Musk pointed out that the purpose behind the job posting, originally spotted by Dan Paasch will be to induct new people to help the company achieve this mission.

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SpaceX is building floating, superheavy-class spaceports for Mars, moon &amp; hypersonic travel around Earth <a href="https://t.co/zLJjz43hKw">https://t.co/zLJjz43hKw</a>
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1272972228326379520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 16, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The upcoming Super Heavy rocket boosters, intended to be worked with its Starship spacecraft, will allow hypersonic travel on Earth, which would cut travelling time tremendously. Take this - flights that took over a day will now take only a couple of hours.

The basic goal of SpaceX, which was to put humans on Mars and the Moon, are primarily why such heavy machines are being developed. No official work seems to have begun yet.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/science/spacex-confirms-putting-60-new-starlink-internet-satellites-into-orbit-303249" hreflang="en">SpaceX confirms putting 60 new Starlink Internet satellites into orbit</a>

Musk has reiterated his plans to “make humans an interstellar species”, with the idea to colonise multiple destinations, with Mars and Moon first on the list.

If the plan materialises, not just space but travelling on the planet might become a lot easier! The rationale is to enable travel at the edge of Earth’s atmosphere, which will cut down both on the duration and the fuel cost for the flight. If that happens, one may be able to travel from New York City to Paris in under an hour.

SpaceX is considered one of the most ambitious companies of modern-day! The company have gone even further than anybody’s expectations. An advertisement for job hiring for the company published on Tuesday revealed how the company is planning to develop floating spaceports to be used as launch sites for SpaceX’s “Super Heavy” launch vehicles.

SpaceX is considered one of the most ambitious companies of modern-day! The company have gone even further than anybody’s expectations. An advertisement for job hiring for the company published on Tuesday revealed how the company is planning to develop floating spaceports to be used as launch sites for SpaceX’s “Super Heavy” launch vehicles. Tech Crunch first reported how these rockets will be used to move large payloads to Moon, and probably to Mars. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk pointed that these would also be used for travelling on Earth. Also read: SpaceX confirms putting 60 new Starlink Internet satellites into orbit Musk pointed out that the purpose behind the job posting, originally spotted by Dan Paasch will be to induct new people to help the company achieve this mission. SpaceX is building floating, superheavy-class spaceports for Mars, moon & hypersonic travel around Earth https://t.co/zLJjz43hKw — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 16, 2020 × The upcoming Super Heavy rocket boosters, intended to be worked with its Starship spacecraft, will allow hypersonic travel on Earth, which would cut travelling time tremendously. Take this - flights that took over a day will now take only a couple of hours. The basic goal of SpaceX, which was to put humans on Mars and the Moon, are primarily why such heavy machines are being developed. No official work seems to have begun yet. Also read: SpaceX confirms putting 60 new Starlink Internet satellites into orbit Musk has reiterated his plans to “make humans an interstellar species”, with the idea to colonise multiple destinations, with Mars and Moon first on the list. If the plan materialises, not just space but travelling on the planet might become a lot easier! The rationale is to enable travel at the edge of Earth’s atmosphere, which will cut down both on the duration and the fuel cost for the flight. If that happens, one may be able to travel from New York City to Paris in under an hour.

SpaceX's envisioned machinery will not only take us to Mars, but reduce travel time on Earth tremendously!

After&nbsp;Amazon.com Inc. CEO Jeff Bezos expressed his interest of&nbsp;investing in space exploration,&nbsp;Tesla Inc. Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk has&nbsp;said it’s “time to break up Amazon”.

The tweets from Musk began when a former New York Times reporter uploaded a screenshot of his book,&nbsp;&nbsp;Unreported Truths About COVID-19 and The Lockdown, not getting a complete green signal from Amazon for breaking unlisted guidelines. He claimed that his book was getting censored for no reason at all.

"THEY CENSORED IT! It is based entirely on published government data and scientific papers. It doesn’t say coronavirus isn’t real or doesn’t kill people (in fact, the worst-case death toll is likely to be striking to people). And Amazon won’t run it," he tweeted along with a screenshot of&nbsp;the received mail.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nasa-resumes-human-spaceflight-from-us-soil-with-historic-spacex-launch-302070">Also read:&nbsp;NASA resumes human spaceflight from US soil with historic SpaceX launch</a>

Musk -- (in)famous for his tweets --&nbsp;on that tweet, tagged Jeff Bezos for&nbsp;Alex Berenson, former NYT reporter.

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Time to break up Amazon. Monopolies are wrong!
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An Amazon spokeswoman later told a media organization that the said book was removed in error and the issues is being dealt with. “We have notified the author,” she said in an email.

Last year, a Space Exploration Technologies Corp. executive had told the media that&nbsp;Amazon’s effort to build a constellation of broadband internet satellites was years behind the closely held company. Musk founded SpaceX eight years before Bezos started rival manufacturer Blue Origin, and has recently sent two American astronauts to International Space Station after eight long years.

There has been no comments from Jeff Bezos yet.

(With inputs from agencies)

After Amazon.com Inc. CEO Jeff Bezos expressed his interest of investing in space exploration, Tesla Inc. Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk has said it’s “time to break up Amazon”.

After Amazon.com Inc. CEO Jeff Bezos expressed his interest of investing in space exploration, Tesla Inc. Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk has said it’s “time to break up Amazon”. The tweets from Musk began when a former New York Times reporter uploaded a screenshot of his book, Unreported Truths About COVID-19 and The Lockdown, not getting a complete green signal from Amazon for breaking unlisted guidelines. He claimed that his book was getting censored for no reason at all. "THEY CENSORED IT! It is based entirely on published government data and scientific papers. It doesn’t say coronavirus isn’t real or doesn’t kill people (in fact, the worst-case death toll is likely to be striking to people). And Amazon won’t run it," he tweeted along with a screenshot of the received mail. Also read: NASA resumes human spaceflight from US soil with historic SpaceX launch Musk -- (in)famous for his tweets -- on that tweet, tagged Jeff Bezos for Alex Berenson, former NYT reporter. Time to break up Amazon. Monopolies are wrong! — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 4, 2020 × An Amazon spokeswoman later told a media organization that the said book was removed in error and the issues is being dealt with. “We have notified the author,” she said in an email. Last year, a Space Exploration Technologies Corp. executive had told the media that Amazon’s effort to build a constellation of broadband internet satellites was years behind the closely held company. Musk founded SpaceX eight years before Bezos started rival manufacturer Blue Origin, and has recently sent two American astronauts to International Space Station after eight long years. There has been no comments from Jeff Bezos yet. (With inputs from agencies)

Elon Musk feels it's 'time to break up Amazon'; tweets to Jeff Bezos

SpaceX has confirmed the successful deployment of a new batch of 60 Starlink internet satellites into orbit.

SpaceX, the private rocket company of billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, launched two Americans into orbit from Florida on May 30 in a landmark mission marking the first spaceflight of NASA astronauts from US soil in nine years.

The next day, SpaceX delivered two astronauts to the International Space Station for NASA, following up a historic liftoff with a smooth docking.

And on Wednesday, Starlink satellites were put into the orbit.

"Successful deployment of 60 Starlink satellites confirmed," SpaceX tweeted.

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Successful deployment of 60 Starlink satellites confirmed <a href="https://t.co/adsQIKfT0F">pic.twitter.com/adsQIKfT0F</a>
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1268357720974823425?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 4, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Starlink is SpaceX's ambitious project to launch and operate its own network of broadband satellites, which will provide low-cost Internet to remote locations on a global level.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spacexs-astronaut-riding-dragon-arrives-at-space-station-302203">Also read |&nbsp;SpaceX's astronaut-riding Dragon arrives at space station</a>

SpaceX sent the new batch of Starlink satellites on a different reusable Falcon 9 rocket which became the first orbital class rocket booster to successfully launch and land five times.

"On this mission, we are launching the first Starlink satellite with a deployable visor to block sunlight from hitting the brightest spots of the spacecraft," SpaceX said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nasa-resumes-human-spaceflight-from-us-soil-with-historic-spacex-launch-302070">Also read |&nbsp;NASA resumes human spaceflight from US soil with historic SpaceX launch</a>

The Falcon 9 took off from the same launch pad used by NASA's final space shuttle flight, piloted by Hurley, in 2011. Since then, NASA astronauts have had to hitch rides into orbit aboard Russia's Soyuz spacecraft.

NASA has yet to decide how long Hurley and Behnken will spend at the space station, somewhere between one and four months.

The last time NASA launched astronauts into space aboard a brand new vehicle was 40 years ago at the start of the space shuttle programme.

US President Donald Trump had also hailed the launch as a major advance toward the goal of eventually sending humans to Mars.

(with inputs from Reuters)

SpaceX has confirmed the successful deployment of a new batch of 60 Starlink internet satellites into orbit. SpaceX, the private rocket company of billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, launched two Americans into orbit from Florida on May 30 in a landmark mission marking the first spaceflight of NASA astronauts from US soil in nine years.

SpaceX has confirmed the successful deployment of a new batch of 60 Starlink internet satellites into orbit. SpaceX, the private rocket company of billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, launched two Americans into orbit from Florida on May 30 in a landmark mission marking the first spaceflight of NASA astronauts from US soil in nine years. The next day, SpaceX delivered two astronauts to the International Space Station for NASA, following up a historic liftoff with a smooth docking. And on Wednesday, Starlink satellites were put into the orbit. "Successful deployment of 60 Starlink satellites confirmed," SpaceX tweeted. Successful deployment of 60 Starlink satellites confirmed pic.twitter.com/adsQIKfT0F — SpaceX (@SpaceX) June 4, 2020 × Starlink is SpaceX's ambitious project to launch and operate its own network of broadband satellites, which will provide low-cost Internet to remote locations on a global level. Also read | SpaceX's astronaut-riding Dragon arrives at space station SpaceX sent the new batch of Starlink satellites on a different reusable Falcon 9 rocket which became the first orbital class rocket booster to successfully launch and land five times. "On this mission, we are launching the first Starlink satellite with a deployable visor to block sunlight from hitting the brightest spots of the spacecraft," SpaceX said. Also read | NASA resumes human spaceflight from US soil with historic SpaceX launch The Falcon 9 took off from the same launch pad used by NASA's final space shuttle flight, piloted by Hurley, in 2011. Since then, NASA astronauts have had to hitch rides into orbit aboard Russia's Soyuz spacecraft. NASA has yet to decide how long Hurley and Behnken will spend at the space station, somewhere between one and four months. The last time NASA launched astronauts into space aboard a brand new vehicle was 40 years ago at the start of the space shuttle programme. US President Donald Trump had also hailed the launch as a major advance toward the goal of eventually sending humans to Mars. (with inputs from Reuters)

SpaceX confirms putting 60 new Starlink Internet satellites into orbit

SpaceX delivered two astronauts to the International Space Station for NASA on Sunday, following up a historic liftoff with a smooth docking.

SpaceX, the private rocket company of billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, launched two Americans into orbit from Florida on Saturday in a landmark mission marking the first spaceflight of NASA astronauts from US soil in nine years.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/lets-light-this-candle-spacex-falcon-9-rocket-launched-in-florida-marking-a-historic-moment-302134">Have a look |&nbsp;Let’s light this candle: SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched in Florida marking a historic moment</a>

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from the Kennedy Space Centre at 3:22 p.m. EDT (1922 GMT), launching Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken on a 19-hour ride aboard the company's newly designed Crew Dragon capsule bound for the International Space Station.

<img alt="NASA astronauts Hurley and Bob Behnken are a part of the extended stay at the International Space Station on the SpaceX Demo-2 mission." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1655b257-a798-4dad-86a7-3e8afef32a49" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%283%29_64.jpg" />

With the test pilots poised to take over manual control if necessary, the SpaceX Dragon capsule pulled up to the station and docked automatically, no assistance needed.

The docking occurred just 19 hours after the rocket blasted off.

A few hours before docking, the Dragon riders reported that the capsule was performing fine.

Minutes after launch, the first-stage booster rocket of the Falcon 9 separated from the upper second-stage rocket and flew itself back to Earth to descend safely onto a landing platform floating in the Atlantic.

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/2020/05/31/142548-untitled-design-2.jpg" />

High above the Earth, the Crew Dragon jettisoned moments later from the second-stage rocket, sending the capsule on its way to the space station.

The exhilarating spectacle of the rocket soaring flawlessly into the heavens came as a welcome triumph for a nation gripped by racially-charged civil unrest as well as ongoing fear and economic upheaval from the coronavirus pandemic.

The Falcon 9 took off from the same launch pad used by NASA's final space shuttle flight, piloted by Hurley, in 2011. Since then, NASA astronauts have had to hitch rides into orbit aboard Russia's Soyuz spacecraft.

NASA officials had held off on any celebrations until after Sunday morning's docking and possibly not until the two astronauts are back on Earth sometime this summer.

NASA has yet to decide how long Hurley and Behnken will spend at the space station, somewhere between one and four months.

The last time NASA launched astronauts into space aboard a brand new vehicle was 40 years ago at the start of the space shuttle programme.

(with inputs from Reuters)

SpaceX delivered two astronauts to the International Space Station for NASA on Sunday, following up a historic liftoff with a smooth docking. SpaceX, the private rocket company of billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, launched two Americans into orbit from Florida on Saturday in a landmark mission marking the first spaceflight of NASA astronauts from US soil in nine years.

SpaceX delivered two astronauts to the International Space Station for NASA on Sunday, following up a historic liftoff with a smooth docking. SpaceX, the private rocket company of billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, launched two Americans into orbit from Florida on Saturday in a landmark mission marking the first spaceflight of NASA astronauts from US soil in nine years. Have a look | Let’s light this candle: SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched in Florida marking a historic moment A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from the Kennedy Space Centre at 3:22 p.m. EDT (1922 GMT), launching Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken on a 19-hour ride aboard the company's newly designed Crew Dragon capsule bound for the International Space Station. With the test pilots poised to take over manual control if necessary, the SpaceX Dragon capsule pulled up to the station and docked automatically, no assistance needed. The docking occurred just 19 hours after the rocket blasted off. A few hours before docking, the Dragon riders reported that the capsule was performing fine. Minutes after launch, the first-stage booster rocket of the Falcon 9 separated from the upper second-stage rocket and flew itself back to Earth to descend safely onto a landing platform floating in the Atlantic. High above the Earth, the Crew Dragon jettisoned moments later from the second-stage rocket, sending the capsule on its way to the space station. The exhilarating spectacle of the rocket soaring flawlessly into the heavens came as a welcome triumph for a nation gripped by racially-charged civil unrest as well as ongoing fear and economic upheaval from the coronavirus pandemic. The Falcon 9 took off from the same launch pad used by NASA's final space shuttle flight, piloted by Hurley, in 2011. Since then, NASA astronauts have had to hitch rides into orbit aboard Russia's Soyuz spacecraft. NASA officials had held off on any celebrations until after Sunday morning's docking and possibly not until the two astronauts are back on Earth sometime this summer. NASA has yet to decide how long Hurley and Behnken will spend at the space station, somewhere between one and four months. The last time NASA launched astronauts into space aboard a brand new vehicle was 40 years ago at the start of the space shuttle programme. (with inputs from Reuters)

SpaceX's astronaut-riding Dragon arrives at space station

SpaceX has made history with a manned mission to the International Space station. WION's Palki Sharma gets you a report on the many firsts this American aerospace giant has achieved through its latest mission.

Gravitas: SpaceX Space Station mission | New era in space exploration

Space X has made history with its arrival at the international space station. There are many firsts, it's the first commercially developed spacecraft to put Americans into the Earth's orbit, also, it's the first spaceflight of NASA astronauts in nearly a decade. Naturally, SpaceX founder Elon Musk is beaming with happiness.

SpaceX founder Elon Musk must have been a nervous man. He was at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida.

US President Donald Trump was there too. The privately-built SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket stood upright. Ready for launch after two delays due to bad weather.

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Come the time of reckoning, 3:22 eastern daylight time on May 30. The first commercially designed and built spacecraft took off in triumph and&nbsp;Elon Musk was overjoyed.&nbsp;

After a 19-hour journey, and a tense automatic docking sequence. The capsule attached itself to the international space station as&nbsp;the portal opened.

The two NASA astronauts, Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley were welcomed by the station's crew. This crewed mission has created history.

It's the first time a commercially developed spacecraft has put Americans in space. For all these years space was a hegemony of NASA in the US.

Now, Earth's orbit has welcomed a private player in SpaceX. Also, it's the first spaceflight with NASA astronauts that took-off from US soil in nine years.

Since 2011, NASA astronauts have had to hitch rides into orbit on Russia's Soyuz spacecraft.&nbsp;

Naturally, the US President was all praise&nbsp;for the successful all-American mission, he said: "We have created the envy of the world, and will soon be landing on mars and will soon have the greatest weapons ever imagined in history -- I've already seen designs, and even I can't believe it. The United States has regained our place of prestige as the world leader. As has often been stated, you can't be number one on earth if you are number two in space."

The last time NASA launched astronauts into space aboard a brand new vehicle was 40 years ago. That was at the start of the space shuttle program.

For Musk -- the launch represents another milestone. It is the first time a reusable rocket has been deployed for a space mission. This makes spaceflight less costly and more frequent.

This could pave the way for civilians -- to hop on a ride to space. &nbsp;For now, the two NASA astronauts have begun their month long stay in the orbital laboratory.

Space X has made history with its arrival at the international space station. There are many firsts, it's the first commercially developed spacecraft to put Americans into the Earth's orbit, also, it's the first spaceflight of NASA astronauts in nearly a decade.

Space X has made history with its arrival at the international space station. There are many firsts, it's the first commercially developed spacecraft to put Americans into the Earth's orbit, also, it's the first spaceflight of NASA astronauts in nearly a decade. Naturally, SpaceX founder Elon Musk is beaming with happiness. SpaceX founder Elon Musk must have been a nervous man. He was at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. US President Donald Trump was there too. The privately-built SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket stood upright. Ready for launch after two delays due to bad weather. Come the time of reckoning, 3:22 eastern daylight time on May 30. The first commercially designed and built spacecraft took off in triumph and Elon Musk was overjoyed. After a 19-hour journey, and a tense automatic docking sequence. The capsule attached itself to the international space station as the portal opened. The two NASA astronauts, Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley were welcomed by the station's crew. This crewed mission has created history. It's the first time a commercially developed spacecraft has put Americans in space. For all these years space was a hegemony of NASA in the US. Now, Earth's orbit has welcomed a private player in SpaceX. Also, it's the first spaceflight with NASA astronauts that took-off from US soil in nine years. Since 2011, NASA astronauts have had to hitch rides into orbit on Russia's Soyuz spacecraft. Naturally, the US President was all praise for the successful all-American mission, he said: "We have created the envy of the world, and will soon be landing on mars and will soon have the greatest weapons ever imagined in history -- I've already seen designs, and even I can't believe it. The United States has regained our place of prestige as the world leader. As has often been stated, you can't be number one on earth if you are number two in space." The last time NASA launched astronauts into space aboard a brand new vehicle was 40 years ago. That was at the start of the space shuttle program. For Musk -- the launch represents another milestone. It is the first time a reusable rocket has been deployed for a space mission. This makes spaceflight less costly and more frequent. This could pave the way for civilians -- to hop on a ride to space. For now, the two NASA astronauts have begun their month long stay in the orbital laboratory.

SpaceX becomes first commercial company to launch NASA astronauts

After the launch of&nbsp;Crew Dragon, Donald Trump addressed the attendees in the room and said&nbsp;the United States had regained its place as the world’s leader in space, that US female astronauts will be the first to reach the moon, US&nbsp;astronauts would be the first ones to land on Mars soon. He also claimed that Washington would soon have “the greatest weapons ever imagined in history.”

As Donald Trump made the comment,&nbsp;Vladimir Ustimenko, spokesman for Roscosmos,&nbsp;Russia’s space agency, took to Twitter to describe Trump's comments as nothing but mere hysteria.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spacexs-astronaut-riding-dragon-arrives-at-space-station-302203">Also read:&nbsp;SpaceX's astronaut-riding Dragon arrives at space station</a>

"The hysteria that arose after the successful launch of the Crew Dragon ship is not very clear. What happened was to happen a long time ago. Now, not only Russians will fly to the ISS, but also Americans. So that's great!,"&nbsp; he tweeted.

"It is very important to have at least two possibilities to reach the station. After all, it’s not enough ... Everything happened in space, and you must have at least two transport systems capable of ensuring the presence of crews of different countries on board the ISS," he added.

Roscosmos head Dmitry Rogozin also took to Twitter to congratulate&nbsp;NASA chief Jim Bridenstine for the success. “Bravo! I know how anxious you were for this major event to become a success,” he wrote.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trampoline-is-working-musk-taunts-russian-space-agency-chief-302172">Also read:&nbsp;'Trampoline is working': Musk taunts Russian space agency chief</a>

Rogozin, however, joked and said he appreciated the joke made by Elon Musk, as a reply to&nbsp;his joke that he made in 2014 that the United States should try using a trampoline to get to the ISS. Elon Musk had replied to the 2014 joke by saying, "the trampoline is working”.

Ustimenko said Russia is&nbsp;planning to test two new rockets this year and will be&nbsp;resuming its lunar programme next years.

"This year we will test two new missiles, and next year we will resume our Lunar program. It will be interesting!," he confirmed through his tweet.

After the launch of Crew Dragon, Donald Trump addressed the attendees in the room and said the United States had regained its place as the world’s leader in space, that US female astronauts will be the first to reach the moon, US astronauts would be the first ones to land on Mars soon.

After the launch of Crew Dragon, Donald Trump addressed the attendees in the room and said the United States had regained its place as the world’s leader in space, that US female astronauts will be the first to reach the moon, US astronauts would be the first ones to land on Mars soon. He also claimed that Washington would soon have “the greatest weapons ever imagined in history.” As Donald Trump made the comment, Vladimir Ustimenko, spokesman for Roscosmos, Russia’s space agency, took to Twitter to describe Trump's comments as nothing but mere hysteria. Also read: SpaceX's astronaut-riding Dragon arrives at space station "The hysteria that arose after the successful launch of the Crew Dragon ship is not very clear. What happened was to happen a long time ago. Now, not only Russians will fly to the ISS, but also Americans. So that's great!," he tweeted. "It is very important to have at least two possibilities to reach the station. After all, it’s not enough ... Everything happened in space, and you must have at least two transport systems capable of ensuring the presence of crews of different countries on board the ISS," he added. Roscosmos head Dmitry Rogozin also took to Twitter to congratulate NASA chief Jim Bridenstine for the success. “Bravo! I know how anxious you were for this major event to become a success,” he wrote. Also read: 'Trampoline is working': Musk taunts Russian space agency chief Rogozin, however, joked and said he appreciated the joke made by Elon Musk, as a reply to his joke that he made in 2014 that the United States should try using a trampoline to get to the ISS. Elon Musk had replied to the 2014 joke by saying, "the trampoline is working”. Ustimenko said Russia is planning to test two new rockets this year and will be resuming its lunar programme next years. "This year we will test two new missiles, and next year we will resume our Lunar program. It will be interesting!," he confirmed through his tweet.

Trampoline is working, hysteria is not; Russian space agency taunts Donald Trump

Elon Musk's private rocket company SpaceX is set for a repeat attempt at launching two Americans into orbit&nbsp;from Florida for a mission that would mark the first spaceflight of NASA astronauts from US soil in nine years.

The mission's first launch try on Wednesday was called off with less than 17 minutes remaining on the countdown clock due to stormy weather around the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral. The second try would be undertaken on Saturday (US time).

The forecast for Saturday is likewise precarious. Mission managers plan to make an earlier decision on weather hazards in a bid to avoid unnecessarily wearing out the crew with another suit-up and full day of launch preparations.

Barring weather or other unforeseen problems, the 24-storey-tall SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is due to lift off at 3:22 pm EDT, propelling astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken aloft on a 19-hour ride to the International Space Station.

They will be carried there inside the newly designed Crew Dragon capsule, making its first flight into orbit with humans aboard.

The launch pad is the same one used by NASA's final space shuttle flight, piloted by Hurley, in 2011. Since then, NASA astronauts have had to hitch rides into orbit aboard Russia's Soyuz spacecraft.

For Musk, the launch represents another milestone for the reusable rockets his company pioneered to make spaceflight less costly and frequent. And it would mark the first time that commercially developed space vehicles -- owned and operated by a private entity rather than NASA -- have carried Americans into orbit.

The last time NASA launched astronauts into space aboard a brand new vehicle was 40 years ago at the start of the shuttle programme.

President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence visited the Kennedy Space Center three days ago for the first launch attempt. Trump said he plans to return for Saturday's retry.

If the mission is scrubbed again, the next launch window would be Sunday afternoon, with weather forecasts appearing somewhat more favourable for that day.

(with inputs from Reuters)

Elon Musk's private rocket company SpaceX is set for a repeat attempt at launching two Americans into orbit from Florida for a mission that would mark the first spaceflight of NASA astronauts from US soil in nine years.

Elon Musk's private rocket company SpaceX is set for a repeat attempt at launching two Americans into orbit from Florida for a mission that would mark the first spaceflight of NASA astronauts from US soil in nine years. The mission's first launch try on Wednesday was called off with less than 17 minutes remaining on the countdown clock due to stormy weather around the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral. The second try would be undertaken on Saturday (US time). The forecast for Saturday is likewise precarious. Mission managers plan to make an earlier decision on weather hazards in a bid to avoid unnecessarily wearing out the crew with another suit-up and full day of launch preparations. Barring weather or other unforeseen problems, the 24-storey-tall SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is due to lift off at 3:22 pm EDT, propelling astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken aloft on a 19-hour ride to the International Space Station. They will be carried there inside the newly designed Crew Dragon capsule, making its first flight into orbit with humans aboard. The launch pad is the same one used by NASA's final space shuttle flight, piloted by Hurley, in 2011. Since then, NASA astronauts have had to hitch rides into orbit aboard Russia's Soyuz spacecraft. For Musk, the launch represents another milestone for the reusable rockets his company pioneered to make spaceflight less costly and frequent. And it would mark the first time that commercially developed space vehicles -- owned and operated by a private entity rather than NASA -- have carried Americans into orbit. The last time NASA launched astronauts into space aboard a brand new vehicle was 40 years ago at the start of the shuttle programme. President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence visited the Kennedy Space Center three days ago for the first launch attempt. Trump said he plans to return for Saturday's retry. If the mission is scrubbed again, the next launch window would be Sunday afternoon, with weather forecasts appearing somewhat more favourable for that day. (with inputs from Reuters)

NASA, SpaceX to try again for landmark launch of two astronauts from Florida

In 2014, Russian space agency chief Dmitry Rogozin took a dig at NASA for the lack of US manned flight programme and said, they will "deliver its astronauts to the ISS by using a trampoline".

After six years, Elon Musk and NASA launched two Americans into orbit from Florida on Saturday in a landmark mission. To which Musk responded, "The trampoline is working." SpaceX CEO made this statement alongside NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine. Both men laughed after that. "It's an inside joke," Musk added.

After this launch, Musk's SpaceX became the first private rocket company to send humans into orbit. &nbsp;

Netizens began trolling Dmitry Rogozin for his remarks he made years ago and they compared it to the situation after launch.&nbsp;

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Dmitry Rogozin in 2014: "US should use a trampoline to get into space" <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@elonmusk</a> 2020: "The trampoline is working 🤣" <a href="https://t.co/OKu4JF5i0M">pic.twitter.com/OKu4JF5i0M</a>
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“The trampoline is working” <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@elonmusk</a> joking about a 2014 zing from Roscosmos’ Dmitry Rogozin, “After analyzing the sanctions against our space industry, I suggest to the USA to bring their astronauts to the International Space Station using a trampoline” 😂
— Everyday Astronaut (@Erdayastronaut) <a href="https://twitter.com/Erdayastronaut/status/1266866641704534021?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2020</a></blockquote>
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How do you like it, Dmitry Rogozin?
— Донна Роза де Альвадорец (@deAlvadorec) <a href="https://twitter.com/deAlvadorec/status/1266653331080036352?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2020</a></blockquote>
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After the launch of Falcon 9, Rogozin remained conspicuously silent but his spokesman was forced to react.

"We don't really understand the hysteria sparked by the successful launch of a Crew Dragon spacecraft," spokesman Vladimir Ustimenko said on Twitter.&nbsp;

"What should have happened a long time ago happened," he added.

While Sergey Krikalev,&nbsp;&nbsp;Roscosmos executive director for crewed space programmes, congratulated US for the launch.&nbsp;

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Roscosmos Executive Director on Crewed Space Programs Sergey Krikalev address on the successful Falcon 9 carrier rocket launch with Crew Dragon crewed spacecraft <a href="https://t.co/25pDIdIXLe">pic.twitter.com/25pDIdIXLe</a>
— РОСКОСМОС (@roscosmos) <a href="https://twitter.com/roscosmos/status/1266821703478411265?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2020</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

&nbsp;

In 2014, Russian space agency chief Dmitry Rogozin took a dig at NASA for the lack of US manned flight programme and said, they will "deliver its astronauts to the ISS by using a trampoline".

In 2014, Russian space agency chief Dmitry Rogozin took a dig at NASA for the lack of US manned flight programme and said, they will "deliver its astronauts to the ISS by using a trampoline". After six years, Elon Musk and NASA launched two Americans into orbit from Florida on Saturday in a landmark mission. To which Musk responded, "The trampoline is working." SpaceX CEO made this statement alongside NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine. Both men laughed after that. "It's an inside joke," Musk added. After this launch, Musk's SpaceX became the first private rocket company to send humans into orbit. Netizens began trolling Dmitry Rogozin for his remarks he made years ago and they compared it to the situation after launch. Dmitry Rogozin in 2014: "US should use a trampoline to get into space" @elonmusk 2020: "The trampoline is working 🤣" pic.twitter.com/OKu4JF5i0M — Pranay Pathole (@PPathole) May 31, 2020 × “The trampoline is working” @elonmusk joking about a 2014 zing from Roscosmos’ Dmitry Rogozin, “After analyzing the sanctions against our space industry, I suggest to the USA to bring their astronauts to the International Space Station using a trampoline” 😂 — Everyday Astronaut (@Erdayastronaut) May 30, 2020 × How do you like it, Dmitry Rogozin? — Донна Роза де Альвадорец (@deAlvadorec) May 30, 2020 × After the launch of Falcon 9, Rogozin remained conspicuously silent but his spokesman was forced to react. "We don't really understand the hysteria sparked by the successful launch of a Crew Dragon spacecraft," spokesman Vladimir Ustimenko said on Twitter. "What should have happened a long time ago happened," he added. While Sergey Krikalev, Roscosmos executive director for crewed space programmes, congratulated US for the launch. Roscosmos Executive Director on Crewed Space Programs Sergey Krikalev address on the successful Falcon 9 carrier rocket launch with Crew Dragon crewed spacecraft pic.twitter.com/25pDIdIXLe — РОСКОСМОС (@roscosmos) May 30, 2020 ×

'Trampoline is working': Musk taunts Russian space agency chief

A prototype of SpaceX’s upcoming heavy-lift rocket, Starship, exploded on Friday during ground tests in south&nbsp;Texas&nbsp;as Elon Musk’s space company pursued an aggressive development schedule to fly the launch vehicle for the first time.

The testing explosion was unrelated to SpaceX’s upcoming launch of two Nasa astronauts from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center using a different rocket system, the Falcon 9 with the Crew Dragon capsule fixed on top.

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A prototype of SpaceX’s Starship spacecraft is seen in Boca Chia, Texas, in September. (Image courtesy: Reuters)

A prototype vanished in an explosive fireball at SpaceX’s Boca Chica test site on Friday, as seen in a livestream recorded by the website Nasa Spaceflight. There was no immediate indication of injuries.&nbsp;SpaceX&nbsp;did not&nbsp;respond to a request for comment.

Previously,&nbsp;SpaceX's historic launch to International Space Station was postponed on May 28 due to the bad weather. The decision was taken 20 minutes before the launch. &nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spacexs-crewed-mission-postponed-as-historic-launch-hit-by-bad-weather-301435">SpaceX's crewed mission postponed as historic launch hit by bad weather</a>

Starship, a rocket standing 394 feet tall, is designed to carry humans and 100 tons of cargo to the moon and Mars. It is the space company’s planned next-generation fully reusable launch vehicle, the center of Musk’s ambitions to make human space travel affordable.

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A Starship prototype just exploded in Boca Chica, Texas during static fire testing. SpaceX was granted an FAA license yesterday to conduct suborbital flights, not sure when those first test flights will happen. Video/live feed from <a href="https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NASASpaceflight</a> <a href="https://t.co/dqnQv1lqBV">pic.twitter.com/dqnQv1lqBV</a>
— Joey Roulette (@joroulette) <a href="https://twitter.com/joroulette/status/1266444972573818881?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 29, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The south Texas facility sits beside a small neighborhood that SpaceX has been trying to buy up for testing space, but some residents have pushed back on the company’s offers and have accused Musk’s attorneys of unrealistically low property appraisals.

SpaceX was among the three companies awarded a combined $1bn by Nasa last month to develop rocket systems capable of ferrying cargo and humans to the moon. SpaceX proposed Starship for the award.

The FAA granted the space company a license Thursday to begin Starship’s first suborbital flight tests, though it was unclear when those tests would occur.

A prototype of SpaceX’s upcoming heavy-lift rocket, Starship, exploded on Friday during ground tests in south Texas as Elon Musk’s space company pursued an aggressive development schedule to fly the launch vehicle for the first time.

A prototype of SpaceX’s upcoming heavy-lift rocket, Starship, exploded on Friday during ground tests in south Texas as Elon Musk’s space company pursued an aggressive development schedule to fly the launch vehicle for the first time. The testing explosion was unrelated to SpaceX’s upcoming launch of two Nasa astronauts from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center using a different rocket system, the Falcon 9 with the Crew Dragon capsule fixed on top. A prototype of SpaceX’s Starship spacecraft is seen in Boca Chia, Texas, in September. (Image courtesy: Reuters) A prototype vanished in an explosive fireball at SpaceX’s Boca Chica test site on Friday, as seen in a livestream recorded by the website Nasa Spaceflight. There was no immediate indication of injuries. SpaceX did not respond to a request for comment. Previously, SpaceX's historic launch to International Space Station was postponed on May 28 due to the bad weather. The decision was taken 20 minutes before the launch. Also read: SpaceX's crewed mission postponed as historic launch hit by bad weather Starship, a rocket standing 394 feet tall, is designed to carry humans and 100 tons of cargo to the moon and Mars. It is the space company’s planned next-generation fully reusable launch vehicle, the center of Musk’s ambitions to make human space travel affordable. A Starship prototype just exploded in Boca Chica, Texas during static fire testing. SpaceX was granted an FAA license yesterday to conduct suborbital flights, not sure when those first test flights will happen. Video/live feed from @NASASpaceflight pic.twitter.com/dqnQv1lqBV — Joey Roulette (@joroulette) May 29, 2020 × The south Texas facility sits beside a small neighborhood that SpaceX has been trying to buy up for testing space, but some residents have pushed back on the company’s offers and have accused Musk’s attorneys of unrealistically low property appraisals. SpaceX was among the three companies awarded a combined $1bn by Nasa last month to develop rocket systems capable of ferrying cargo and humans to the moon. SpaceX proposed Starship for the award. The FAA granted the space company a license Thursday to begin Starship’s first suborbital flight tests, though it was unclear when those tests would occur.

SpaceX's Starship rocket prototype explodes during test

SpaceX's historic launch to International Space Station was postponed due to the bad weather. The decision was taken 20 minutes before the launch. &nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nasa-and-spacex-brace-themselves-for-a-historic-launch-301086">NASA and SpaceX brace themselves for a historic launch!</a>

The NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley were strapped in their Crew Dragon capsule and the launchpad platform retracted and rocket fueling underway when launch director Mike Taylor announced, "Unfortunately, we are not going to launch today."&nbsp;

According to officials, lightning and other factors were the reasons for the cancelled launch.&nbsp;

SpaceX will try to re-launch Falcon 9 on Saturday. If they get successful they not only launch the first crewed mission from US soil in almost a decade but also become the privately-owned company to achieve this feat.&nbsp;

Earlier, the manager of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, Kathy Lueders, mission team concluded the launch readiness review for the upcoming mission.

US President Donald Trump, who had come to witness the launch, had to head back to the White House after the launch was called off.&nbsp;

The rocket was set to be launched on &nbsp;4:33 pm (2033 GMT) from the Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A. Neil Armstrong and his Apollo 11 crewmates lifted off from the same spot on their historic journey to the Moon.

The mission is taking place amid coronavirus pandemic so the crew has been quarantined for the past two weeks.&nbsp;

SpaceX's historic launch to International Space Station was postponed due to the bad weather. The decision was taken 20 minutes before the launch. Also read: NASA and SpaceX brace themselves for a historic launch!

SpaceX's historic launch to International Space Station was postponed due to the bad weather. The decision was taken 20 minutes before the launch. Also read: NASA and SpaceX brace themselves for a historic launch! The NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley were strapped in their Crew Dragon capsule and the launchpad platform retracted and rocket fueling underway when launch director Mike Taylor announced, "Unfortunately, we are not going to launch today." According to officials, lightning and other factors were the reasons for the cancelled launch. SpaceX will try to re-launch Falcon 9 on Saturday. If they get successful they not only launch the first crewed mission from US soil in almost a decade but also become the privately-owned company to achieve this feat. Earlier, the manager of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, Kathy Lueders, mission team concluded the launch readiness review for the upcoming mission. US President Donald Trump, who had come to witness the launch, had to head back to the White House after the launch was called off. The rocket was set to be launched on 4:33 pm (2033 GMT) from the Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A. Neil Armstrong and his Apollo 11 crewmates lifted off from the same spot on their historic journey to the Moon. The mission is taking place amid coronavirus pandemic so the crew has been quarantined for the past two weeks.

SpaceX's crewed mission postponed as historic launch hit by bad weather

SpaceX on Wednesday is set to launch two American astronauts, Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken, to the International Space Station (ISS) in a mission called Demo-2.

This would be the first crewed space flight from US soil in nine years and a crucial step towards ending American dependence on Russian rockets.

ISS is currently housing two Russians and one other American.&nbsp;

The Takeoff:&nbsp;

SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule carrying astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken and its Falcon 9 rocket is due to lift off at 4:33 PM&nbsp;EDT (2033 GMT) on Wednesday from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Pad 39A is the same launchpad that was used by NASA’s last space shuttle mission in 2011. 
 
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NASA will have input throughout the countdown, but in the end, it will be SpaceX giving the final go&nbsp;with NASA's concurrence. NASA will stream the launch live on its website, YouTube and other platforms. 
 
Crew Dragon will catch up with the station on Thursday at an altitude of 400 kilometers.

What is SpaceX?

SpaceX is the private rocket company of billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk. The launch represents another milestone for the reusable rockets his company pioneered to make spaceflight less costly and frequent.&nbsp;

SpaceX made history in 2012 when it became the first private entity to dock a cargo capsule to the ISS. If Crew Dragon mission, baptized Demo-2, is successful SpaceX will be the first private company ever to deliver astronauts to the ISS.

Who are the Astronauts?

Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley are the astronauts who will be aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule when it launches on Wednesday.&nbsp;

Hurley, 53, and Behnken, 49, NASA employees under contract to fly with SpaceX, are expected to remain at the space station for several months, assisting a short-handed crew aboard the orbital laboratory.

Behnken and Hurley have been in strict quarantine since May 13 because of the coronavirus pandemic, but they said their actual isolation began as far back as mid-March. 
 
<img alt="Astraunauts" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0892fb1e-71a6-4deb-9bef-7f3ecc4ba509" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Astraunauts.jpg" />

Behnken and Hurley have been training for five years on the Crew Dragon capsule, which features touchscreens as opposed to the switches and buttons of the Apollo capsules of the 1960s.

At the end of the mission, Crew Dragon will splashdown in the ocean like the Apollo capsules did. 
 
President Trump&nbsp;to Attend the Launch

President Donald Trump will become&nbsp;the third US leader to watch the take-off of a human space flight in person, after Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton.&nbsp;

President Trump is&nbsp;trying to reaffirm American domination of space. He has ordered NASA to return to the moon by 2024 and to prepare missions to Mars,&nbsp;an unlikely timetable but one that has given the storied space agency a boost. 
 
Vice President Mike Pence, who is chairman of the National Space Council, also plans to attend Wednesday's launch.&nbsp;

Why Is The Mission Important to NASA and the US?

A successful mission would achieve NASA's&nbsp;top priority&nbsp;of resuming launches of “American astronauts on American rockets from American soil.”&nbsp; 
 
<img alt="US" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f95b5023-8bd2-457d-9146-dfee1579dff5" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/America.jpg" />

Mission's success is a point of national pride for the United States, which has depended on Russian rockets to reach space since its last crewed flight in 2011. If all goes well, the Crew Dragon could then begin regular flights from the United States to the ISS. 
 
Public-Private Partnership

The mission would also mark the first time that commercially developed space vehicles, owned and operated by a private entity rather than NASA, have carried Americans into orbit.

NASA has awarded contracts worth 3.1 billion dollars to SpaceX and 4.9 billion dollars to Boeing in a bid to give the US independent access to space once again.

SpaceX and Boeing are being called upon to carry out six crewed voyages each to the ISS over the next few years. 
 
(With inputs from Reuters and AFP)

SpaceX on Wednesday is set to launch two American astronauts, Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken, to the International Space Station (ISS) in a mission called Demo-2. This would be the first crewed space flight from US soil in nine years and a crucial step towards ending American dependence on Russian rockets.

SpaceX on Wednesday is set to launch two American astronauts, Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken, to the International Space Station (ISS) in a mission called Demo-2. This would be the first crewed space flight from US soil in nine years and a crucial step towards ending American dependence on Russian rockets. ISS is currently housing two Russians and one other American. The Takeoff: SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule carrying astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken and its Falcon 9 rocket is due to lift off at 4:33 PM EDT (2033 GMT) on Wednesday from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Pad 39A is the same launchpad that was used by NASA’s last space shuttle mission in 2011. NASA will have input throughout the countdown, but in the end, it will be SpaceX giving the final go with NASA's concurrence. NASA will stream the launch live on its website, YouTube and other platforms. Crew Dragon will catch up with the station on Thursday at an altitude of 400 kilometers. What is SpaceX? SpaceX is the private rocket company of billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk. The launch represents another milestone for the reusable rockets his company pioneered to make spaceflight less costly and frequent. SpaceX made history in 2012 when it became the first private entity to dock a cargo capsule to the ISS. If Crew Dragon mission, baptized Demo-2, is successful SpaceX will be the first private company ever to deliver astronauts to the ISS. Who are the Astronauts? Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley are the astronauts who will be aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule when it launches on Wednesday. Hurley, 53, and Behnken, 49, NASA employees under contract to fly with SpaceX, are expected to remain at the space station for several months, assisting a short-handed crew aboard the orbital laboratory. Behnken and Hurley have been in strict quarantine since May 13 because of the coronavirus pandemic, but they said their actual isolation began as far back as mid-March. Behnken and Hurley have been training for five years on the Crew Dragon capsule, which features touchscreens as opposed to the switches and buttons of the Apollo capsules of the 1960s. At the end of the mission, Crew Dragon will splashdown in the ocean like the Apollo capsules did. President Trump to Attend the Launch President Donald Trump will become the third US leader to watch the take-off of a human space flight in person, after Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton. President Trump is trying to reaffirm American domination of space. He has ordered NASA to return to the moon by 2024 and to prepare missions to Mars, an unlikely timetable but one that has given the storied space agency a boost. Vice President Mike Pence, who is chairman of the National Space Council, also plans to attend Wednesday's launch. Why Is The Mission Important to NASA and the US? A successful mission would achieve NASA's top priority of resuming launches of “American astronauts on American rockets from American soil.” Mission's success is a point of national pride for the United States, which has depended on Russian rockets to reach space since its last crewed flight in 2011. If all goes well, the Crew Dragon could then begin regular flights from the United States to the ISS. Public-Private Partnership The mission would also mark the first time that commercially developed space vehicles, owned and operated by a private entity rather than NASA, have carried Americans into orbit. NASA has awarded contracts worth 3.1 billion dollars to SpaceX and 4.9 billion dollars to Boeing in a bid to give the US independent access to space once again. SpaceX and Boeing are being called upon to carry out six crewed voyages each to the ISS over the next few years. (With inputs from Reuters and AFP)

SpaceX set for historic launch with NASA's astronauts on board: All you need to know

Space X's Crew Dragon spacecraft is set to launch on Wednesday and will hover its course to the International Space Station (ISS). The rocket will host two NASA astronauts.&nbsp;

It will be the first since 2011 that the American astronauts on an American rocket will launch on American soil. The mission will be called Demo-2.&nbsp;

According to the manager of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, Kathy Lueders, mission team concluded the launch readiness review for the upcoming mission.&nbsp;

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SpaceX and <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NASA</a> completed a full rehearsal of launch day activities with <a href="https://twitter.com/AstroBehnken?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AstroBehnken</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/Astro_Doug?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Astro_Doug</a> ahead of Crew Demo-2 <a href="https://t.co/n3B2BBBmnq">pic.twitter.com/n3B2BBBmnq</a>
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1264332725844013056?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 23, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Falcon 9 and Crew Dragon will lift off from Launch Complex 39A – the same place Saturn V launched humanity to the Moon and from where the first and final Space Shuttle missions lifted off <a href="https://t.co/wOSsbCRqi7">pic.twitter.com/wOSsbCRqi7</a>
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1265060787288043520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 25, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Both NASA and SpaceX have shown a green signal for the launch.&nbsp;

Launch of SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft will take place on Wednesday from the Kennedy Space Center.&nbsp;

President Donald Trump will watch American astronauts blast into orbit from the Kennedy Space Center for the first time in more than a decade, next week.

This means he would be on the Florida coast on Wednesday to watch the event unfold. The USP of this event, however, is that Elon Musk's SpaceX is the conductor and NASA the customer as businesses begin chauffeuring astronauts to the International Space Station.

Vice President Mike Pence, who is chairman of the National Space Council, also plans to attend Wednesday's launch.&nbsp;

NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley will arrive at the ISS, 24 hours after the launch.&nbsp;

Pictures of them in the spacesuit was posted by SpaceX on Instagram. Suit's sleek design left the netizens in awe.&nbsp;

Space X's Crew Dragon spacecraft is set to launch on Wednesday and will hover its course to the International Space Station (ISS). The rocket will host two NASA astronauts.

Space X's Crew Dragon spacecraft is set to launch on Wednesday and will hover its course to the International Space Station (ISS). The rocket will host two NASA astronauts. It will be the first since 2011 that the American astronauts on an American rocket will launch on American soil. The mission will be called Demo-2. According to the manager of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, Kathy Lueders, mission team concluded the launch readiness review for the upcoming mission. SpaceX and @NASA completed a full rehearsal of launch day activities with @AstroBehnken and @Astro_Doug ahead of Crew Demo-2 pic.twitter.com/n3B2BBBmnq — SpaceX (@SpaceX) May 23, 2020 × Falcon 9 and Crew Dragon will lift off from Launch Complex 39A – the same place Saturn V launched humanity to the Moon and from where the first and final Space Shuttle missions lifted off pic.twitter.com/wOSsbCRqi7 — SpaceX (@SpaceX) May 25, 2020 × Both NASA and SpaceX have shown a green signal for the launch. Launch of SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft will take place on Wednesday from the Kennedy Space Center. President Donald Trump will watch American astronauts blast into orbit from the Kennedy Space Center for the first time in more than a decade, next week. This means he would be on the Florida coast on Wednesday to watch the event unfold. The USP of this event, however, is that Elon Musk's SpaceX is the conductor and NASA the customer as businesses begin chauffeuring astronauts to the International Space Station. Vice President Mike Pence, who is chairman of the National Space Council, also plans to attend Wednesday's launch. NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley will arrive at the ISS, 24 hours after the launch. Pictures of them in the spacesuit was posted by SpaceX on Instagram. Suit's sleek design left the netizens in awe.

NASA and SpaceX brace themselves for a historic launch!

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