Axiom-4 mission postponed again due to Falcon 9 fuel leak, launch halted after liquid oxygen leak during Falcon 9 testThe launch of the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission to the International Space Station (ISS) has been postponed again, after a liquid oxygen (LOX) leak was discovered in the propulsion bay of the Falcon 9 rocket during pre-launch testing. The mission was scheduled to lift off on 11 June 2025 at 5:30 PM IST.&nbsp;SpaceX shared the update on X, saying, “Standing down from tomorrow’s Falcon 9 launch of Ax-4 to the ISS to allow additional time for SpaceX teams to repair the LOX leak identified during post-static fire booster inspections.”&nbsp;The team will now carry out repairs and run validation tests before announcing a new launch date.<h2>ISRO confirms delay, repair work underway</h2>ISRO Chairman Dr V Narayanan also confirmed the delay on X, explaining that a seven-second hot test was conducted on the launch pad as part of regular preparations. During this test, engineers identified the leak.&nbsp;He added that ISRO, Axiom Space, and SpaceX experts jointly decided to correct the issue and validate the system before moving forward with launch approval.&nbsp;The Ax-4 mission has already faced several delays, having been pushed from May 29 to June 8, then June 10, and most recently to June 11. and then now.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Postponement of Axiom 04 mission slated for launch on 11th June 2025 for sending first Indian Gaganyatri to ISS. As part of launch vehicle preparation to validate the performance of booster stage of Falcon 9 launch vehicle, seven second of hot test was carried out on the launch…&mdash; ISRO (@isro) <a href="https://twitter.com/isro/status/1932605652360442184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Shukla’s historic spaceflight postponed</h2>The mission is especially important for India, as it will carry Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian to visit the ISS and the second Indian astronaut in space after Rakesh Sharma in 1984.&nbsp;Shukla will serve as the pilot of the Ax-4 mission. Peggy Whitson from the United States will command the crew, with Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland) and Tibor Kapu (Hungary) joining as mission specialists.<h2>Science experiments on food, nutrition, and algae in space</h2>Once aboard the ISS, Shukla will conduct experiments on food and nutrition in space, in a collaboration between ISRO, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), and NASA.&nbsp;The research will focus on the growth and behaviour of edible microalgae in microgravity and space radiation. The goal is to develop self-sustaining life support systems for long-duration space missions.

Axiom 4 launch to ISS delayed again due to Falcon 9's liquid oxygen leak found during pre launch tests. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's historic spaceflight postponed. repairs underway; New launch date still awaited.

Axiom-4 mission postponed again due to Falcon 9 fuel leak, launch halted after liquid oxygen leak during Falcon 9 test The launch of the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission to the International Space Station (ISS) has been postponed again, after a liquid oxygen (LOX) leak was discovered in the propulsion bay of the Falcon 9 rocket during pre-launch testing. The mission was scheduled to lift off on 11 June 2025 at 5:30 PM IST. SpaceX shared the update on X, saying, “Standing down from tomorrow’s Falcon 9 launch of Ax-4 to the ISS to allow additional time for SpaceX teams to repair the LOX leak identified during post-static fire booster inspections.” The team will now carry out repairs and run validation tests before announcing a new launch date. ISRO confirms delay, repair work underway ISRO Chairman Dr V Narayanan also confirmed the delay on X, explaining that a seven-second hot test was conducted on the launch pad as part of regular preparations. During this test, engineers identified the leak. He added that ISRO, Axiom Space, and SpaceX experts jointly decided to correct the issue and validate the system before moving forward with launch approval. The Ax-4 mission has already faced several delays, having been pushed from May 29 to June 8, then June 10, and most recently to June 11. and then now.

Axiom-4 launch to ISS delayed again due to Falcon 9's liquid oxygen leak found during pre-launch tests. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's historic spaceflight postponed. repairs underway; New launch date still awaited.

Another Axiom-4 mission delay: What caused SpaceX Falcon 9’s oxygen leak before Shubhanshu Shukla’s historic spaceflight?

SpaceX has once again postponed the launch of the Axiom-4 mission carrying India’s Shubhanshu Shukla and three others to the International Space Station, saying that additional time is needed “to repair the LOx leak identified during post static fire booster inspections” on the Falcon 9 rocket.&nbsp;It is the second time that the space mission has been delayed. Earlier, the mission was postponed from June 10 to June 11 due to weather conditions. SpaceX said that a new launch date will be announced later.&nbsp;&nbsp;In a statement, the space company said on X, “Standing down from tomorrow’s Falcon 9 launch of Ax-4 to the Space Station to allow additional time for SpaceX teams to repair the LOx leak identified during post static fire booster inspections."&nbsp;It added, "Once complete – and pending Range availability – we will share a new launch date.”&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Standing down from tomorrow’s Falcon 9 launch of Ax-4 to the <a href="https://twitter.com/Space_Station?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Space_Station</a> to allow additional time for SpaceX teams to repair the LOx leak identified during post static fire booster inspections. Once complete – and pending Range availability – we will share a new launch date <a href="https://t.co/FwRc8k2Bc0">pic.twitter.com/FwRc8k2Bc0</a>&mdash; SpaceX (@SpaceX) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1932599956336173058?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;The Indian Space Research Organisation issued a similar statement regarding the delay of the space mission.&nbsp;“As part of launch vehicle preparation to validate the performance of booster stage of Falcon 9 launch vehicle, seven second of hot test was carried out on the launch pad. It is understood that LOX leakage was detected in the propulsion bay during the test,” ISRO chairman V Narayanan said a statement on X.&nbsp;“Based on the discussion on this topic by ISRO team with the experts of Axiom and SpaceX it has been decided to correct the leak and carry out necessary validation test before clearing for the launch. Hence the launch of Axiom 04 slated for &nbsp;11th June 2025 for sending first Indian Gaganyatri to ISS is postponed,” the statement added.&nbsp;Earlier on Tuesday (Jun 10), the space agencies said they were closely watching weather patterns at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida.&nbsp;

SpaceX said that additional time is needed “to repair the LOx leak identified during post static fire booster inspections” on the Falcon 9 rocket.

SpaceX has once again postponed the launch of the Axiom-4 mission carrying India’s Shubhanshu Shukla and three others to the International Space Station, saying that additional time is needed “to repair the LOx leak identified during post static fire booster inspections” on the Falcon 9 rocket. It is the second time that the space mission has been delayed. Earlier, the mission was postponed from June 10 to June 11 due to weather conditions. SpaceX said that a new launch date will be announced later. In a statement, the space company said on X, “Standing down from tomorrow’s Falcon 9 launch of Ax-4 to the Space Station to allow additional time for SpaceX teams to repair the LOx leak identified during post static fire booster inspections." It added, "Once complete – and pending Range availability – we will share a new launch date.”

SpaceX said that additional time is needed “to repair the LOx leak identified during post static fire booster inspections” on the Falcon 9 rocket.

SpaceX postpones launch of Axiom-4 mission carrying India’s Shubhanshu Shukla again

SpaceX is ready to launch Axiom-4 mission on 11 june, weather 85 per cent favourableFalcon 9 and Dragon set for liftoff on 11 JuneSpaceX has confirmed that all systems are ready for the Axiom Mission 4 to the International Space Station (ISS). The launch is scheduled for Wednesday, 11 June 2025 at 8:00 AM ET (which is 5:30 PM IST) from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.&nbsp;In a post on X, SpaceX shared a picture of Falcon 9 and Dragon at sunrise and stated that weather conditions are 85 per cent favourable for liftoff. However, teams are closely watching high winds in the ascent corridor. If needed, a backup launch window is available on Thursday, 12 June at 7:37 AM ET.&nbsp;A live webcast will begin two hours before the launch on X (@SpaceX) and the X TV app.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Falcon 9 and Dragon at sunrise ahead of tomorrow’s launch of <a href="https://twitter.com/Axiom_Space?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Axiom_Space</a>’s Ax-4 mission. Weather is 85% favorable for liftoff, with teams continuing to monitor high-winds in the ascent corridor → <a href="https://t.co/LU1wyD7X9s">https://t.co/LU1wyD7X9s</a> <a href="https://t.co/eCgQdX7pXo">pic.twitter.com/eCgQdX7pXo</a>&mdash; SpaceX (@SpaceX) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1932462979800293810?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Dragon and Falcon 9 ready for flight</h2>This is the first mission for the Dragon spacecraft assigned to Ax-4, while the Falcon 9 rocket booster has flown once before for a Starlink mission. After separating from the rocket, the first stage will attempt to land at Landing Zone 1 (LZ-1) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.&nbsp;The Ax-4 crew will travel to the ISS for a 14-day stay, during which they will carry out around 60 scientific experiments. These include research on human health, Earth observation, and life and material sciences.<h2>Axiom Mission 4 crew and India’s role</h2>The Ax-4 crew consists of four astronauts from four different countries. The team includes:&nbsp;Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla from India (Pilot)&nbsp;Peggy Whitson from the United States (Commander)&nbsp;Sławosz Uznański from Poland (Mission Specialist)&nbsp;Tibor Kapu from Hungary (Mission Specialist)&nbsp;Shubhanshu Shukla becomes the first Indian astronaut in over 41 years to travel to space, making this a key moment for India’s growing presence in global space missions.<h2>Axiom Mission 4</h2>Axiom Mission 4 is the fourth private mission organised by Axiom Space to the International Space Station. It brings together astronauts from four countries and aims to expand international scientific collaboration in space.&nbsp;The mission will test technologies and conduct research that could help shape future space travel, including Axiom’s goal to build the world’s first commercial space station in the coming years.

SpaceX will launch Axiom Mission 4 to the ISS on 11 June 2025 at 8:00 am ET. India’s Shubhanshu Shukla joins the international crew, marking a historic return for India to space after 41 years. The weather is 85% favorable.

SpaceX is ready to launch Axiom-4 mission on 11 june, weather 85 per cent favourable Falcon 9 and Dragon set for liftoff on 11 June SpaceX has confirmed that all systems are ready for the Axiom Mission 4 to the International Space Station (ISS). The launch is scheduled for Wednesday, 11 June 2025 at 8:00 AM ET (which is 5:30 PM IST) from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. In a post on X, SpaceX shared a picture of Falcon 9 and Dragon at sunrise and stated that weather conditions are 85 per cent favourable for liftoff. However, teams are closely watching high winds in the ascent corridor. If needed, a backup launch window is available on Thursday, 12 June at 7:37 AM ET. A live webcast will begin two hours before the launch on X (@SpaceX) and the X TV app.

SpaceX will launch Axiom Mission 4 to the ISS on 11 June 2025 at 8:00 am ET. India’s Shubhanshu Shukla joins the international crew, marking a historic return for India to space after 41 years. The weather is 85 per cent favorable.

Axiom Mission 4: SpaceX set for 11 June launch from Florida

‘We pray for his safe return’: Shubhanshu Shukla’s parents ahead of Ax-4 launchIndia’s return to human spaceflight after 40 yearsGroup Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is preparing to launch into space as part of Axiom Space’s Ax-4 mission, scheduled for 10 June at 8:22 am ET. In India, it will be 5:52 pm IST. The launch will take place from NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket.&nbsp;This mission marks India’s return to human spaceflight after 40 years, since Rakesh Sharma’s journey in 1984. Along with Shukla, astronauts from Poland and Hungary will also join the mission to the International Space Station (ISS). This will be the first time that any of these countries will send a government-backed astronaut to the ISS.&nbsp;According to reports from Axiom Space, the Ax-4 mission reflects growing international cooperation in low-Earth orbit and aims to promote global partnerships in space exploration. Both ISRO and the ISS have acknowledged the mission on their official platforms. SpaceX confirmed that launch day rehearsals have been successfully completed.<h2>Proud parents speak from Lucknow’s Triveni Nagar</h2>As the launch date approaches, emotions are high in Triveni Nagar, Lucknow, where Shukla’s family lives. In a report by ANI, his mother, Asha Shukla, said, “We are proud of him and pray for his safe return.” She added that he has always made the family proud, and they are hopeful for a successful mission.&nbsp;His father, Shambhu Dayal Shukla, echoed this pride, saying the entire neighbourhood and city are following the mission closely. “The nation is watching. Posters of him are everywhere,” he said. He also recalled a recent proud moment when the family attended a felicitation ceremony with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Thiruvananthapuram.<h2>Neighbours call Shukla a role model</h2>Shukla’s neighbours and community members see him as a local hero. Several locals told ANI that his achievement had brought recognition and honour to their area. Some residents called it the proudest moment for Triveni Nagar, saying it had inspired local children to dream big and aim for careers in science and space.&nbsp;The Ax-4 mission is expected to spend around 14 days aboard the ISS, during which the astronauts will carry out scientific, commercial, and educational activities.

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is set to launch on the Ax-4 mission with SpaceX on June 10, marking India’s return to human spaceflight after 40 years. His family in Lucknow proudly awaits his journey to the ISS.

‘We pray for his safe return’: Shubhanshu Shukla’s parents ahead of Ax-4 launch India’s return to human spaceflight after 40 years Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is preparing to launch into space as part of Axiom Space’s Ax-4 mission, scheduled for 10 June at 8:22 am ET. In India, it will be 5:52 pm IST. The launch will take place from NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket. This mission marks India’s return to human spaceflight after 40 years, since Rakesh Sharma’s journey in 1984. Along with Shukla, astronauts from Poland and Hungary will also join the mission to the International Space Station (ISS). This will be the first time that any of these countries will send a government-backed astronaut to the ISS. According to reports from Axiom Space, the Ax-4 mission reflects growing international cooperation in low-Earth orbit and aims to promote global partnerships in space exploration. Both ISRO and the ISS have acknowledged the mission on their official platforms. SpaceX confirmed that launch day rehearsals have been successfully completed. Proud parents speak from Lucknow’s Triveni Nagar As the launch date approaches, emotions are high in Triveni Nagar, Lucknow, where Shukla’s family lives. In a report by ANI, his mother, Asha Shukla, said, “We are proud of him and pray for his safe return.” She added that he has always made the family proud, and they are hopeful for a successful mission. His father, Shambhu Dayal Shukla, echoed this pride, saying the entire neighbourhood and city are following the mission closely. “The nation is watching. Posters of him are everywhere,” he said. He also recalled a recent proud moment when the family attended a felicitation ceremony with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Thiruvananthapuram. Neighbours call Shukla a role model Shukla’s neighbours and community members see him as a local hero. Several locals told ANI that his achievement had brought recognition and honour to their area. Some residents called it the proudest moment for Triveni Nagar, saying it had inspired local children to dream big and aim for careers in science and space. The Ax-4 mission is expected to spend around 14 days aboard the ISS, during which the astronauts will carry out scientific, commercial, and educational activities.

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is set to launch on the Ax-4 mission with SpaceX on June 10, marking India’s return to human spaceflight after 40 years. His family in Lucknow proudly awaits his journey to the ISS.

ISRO’s Shubhanshu Shukla: Family in Lucknow proud and emotional ahead of June 10 SpaceX Ax-4 launch

President Donald Trump and Elon Musk's friendship has gone south. This relationship has shifted repeatedly over the past decade, moving from early opposition to public endorsement and, most recently, back to criticism. Here's a rundown of how US President Donald Trump and Elon Musk landed here:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Without me, Trump would have lost the election, Dems would control the House and the Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate.&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1930667528696828120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>2016 :</h2>In the lead-up to the 2016 US presidential election, Elon Musk publicly criticised Donald Trump’s suitability for office while speaking to media, "I feel a bit stronger that he is not the right guy. He doesn’t seem to have the sort of character that reflects well on the United States." Musk, at the time supported Hillary Clinton. Though, after Trump’s victory, he agreed to serve briefly on two White House advisory boards before eventually stepping down in June 2017 following the US withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement. He posted on social media: “Climate change is real. Leaving Paris is not good for America or the world.”&nbsp;<h2>2020: Public Praise from Trump</h2> Despite their earlier differences, Trump, in 2020, publicly praised Musk, even calling him one of the great geniuses' of the modern age and admiring SpaceX’s rocket technology. "Great guy. He’s one of our great brains. We like great brains. And Elon has done a fantastic job", he said. Musk, during this period maintained distance from partisan politics.&nbsp;<h2>2022: Political Shift and Conflict</h2> In May 2022, Musk openly distanced himself from the Democratic Party, criticising it as divisive. He accepted that he had voted for Biden in 2020 but would refrain from supporting Democrats in future. However, in July 2022, Trump attacked Musk at a rally, calling him a 'bulls*** artist'. Musk responded by telling Trump to 'sail into the sunset.' Shortly after, Musk acquired Twitter (now X) and reinstated Trump’s previously suspended account. The reinstatement occurred four days after Trump announced his third presidential campaign.&nbsp;<h2>2023–2024: Endorsement and Deepening Involvement</h2> In May 2023, Musk appeared with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to launch his presidential bid. However, after Trump survived an assassination attempt in a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania in July 2024, Musk endorsed him and became a key campaign supporter. He posted on social media platform X: “I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery", publicly supporting Trump. The SpaceX CEO also reportedly donated over $270 million to Trump-aligned super PACs and was present at Mar-a-Lago on election night.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery <a href="https://t.co/ZdxkF63EqF">pic.twitter.com/ZdxkF63EqF</a>&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1812256998588662068?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>In August-October 2024:</h2> In August, Musk and Trump held a conversation on 'X' and both congratulated each other in a wide-ranging chat. Later, Elon expressed that he is 'Willing to serve' the government. In October he even attended Trump's rally in Pennsylvania wearing a 'Make America Great Again' cap which was the slogan of the Trump campaign.&nbsp;<h2>Late 2024–Early 2025:</h2>&nbsp;&nbsp;After Trump’s win, Musk was appointed to co-lead the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) alongside Vivek Ramaswamy, who later left the role. This department was created via an executive order and Musk became a regular presence at Cabinet meetings even accompanying the President. “Together, these two wonderful Americans will pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies,” Trump said in a statement at the time.&nbsp;<h2>January 2025: &nbsp;</h2>At the inauguration of Donald Trump, Musk received lavish praise from the President. "We have a new star. A star is born. Elon!" said Trump.&nbsp;<h2>March-May 2025:</h2> DOGE became highly controversial because it implemented large-scale staff cuts and spending reductions. Musk later concluded his 130-day government role in May 2025, claiming to have saved $175 billion.&nbsp;<h2>June 2025: Fallout and Public Break</h2> In early June, Musk denounced Trump’s key legislative proposal, the 'One Big Beautiful Bill' Act, calling it excessive and damaging, a 'disgusting abomination' that will explode federal budget deficits.&nbsp;'Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it,' Musk said on X. This criticism escalated quickly into an all-out online brawl between Trump and Musk. As President threatened to pull back money in government contracts for Musk's companies, Musk claimed Trump couldn't have won the elections without him.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I’m sorry, but I just can’t stand it anymore. This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination. Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it.&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1929954109689606359?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

He even continued to make further claims, eventually dropping a bombshell that the Jeffery Epstein files were not released in full because Donald Trump was involved in the case. Currently, Tesla’s stock have dropped by over 50 per cent, with trade policy instability cited as a factor. Their once-close alliance has again devolved into public discord. &nbsp;

In early June, Musk denounced Trump’s key legislative proposal, the One Big Beautiful Bill, calling it excessive and damaging, a disgusting abomination that will explode federal budget deficits.

President Donald Trump and Elon Musk's friendship has gone south. This relationship has shifted repeatedly over the past decade, moving from early opposition to public endorsement and, most recently, back to criticism. Here's a rundown of how US President Donald Trump and Elon Musk landed here:

In early June, Musk denounced Trump’s key legislative proposal, the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’, calling it excessive and damaging, a 'disgusting abomination' that will explode federal budget deficits.

Elon Musk and Donald Trump’s feud of the century: A timeline of how their turbulent friendship crumbled

ISRO’s Shubhanshu Shukla is set to make history with SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket as part of the Axiom Mission 4 to the International Space Station. Falcon 9, from its reusable design to its role in transforming global space missions, this rocket is redefining the future of space travel.

ISRO’s Shubhanshu Shukla is set to make history with SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket as part of the Axiom Mission 4 to the International Space Station. Falcon 9, from its reusable design to its role in transforming global space missions, this rocket is redefining the future of space travel.

ISRO’s Shubhanshu Shukla: What is SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket, which will launch Indian astronauts to ISS?

Elon Musk on Thursday (Jun 5) said that SpaceX will begin decommissioning its Dragon spacecraft. This comes after US President Donald Trump threatened to terminate the billionaire’s government subsidies and contracts amid their war of words over the tax bill.&nbsp;“In light of the President’s statement about cancellation of my government contracts, SpaceX will begin decommissioning its Dragon spacecraft immediately,” Musk wrote on X.&nbsp;Trump earlier said, “The easiest way to save money in our Budget, Billions and Billions of Dollars, is to terminate Elon’s Governmental Subsidies and Contracts. I was always surprised that Biden didn’t do it!”&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">In light of the President’s statement about cancellation of my government contracts, <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SpaceX</a> will begin decommissioning its Dragon spacecraft immediately <a href="https://t.co/NG9sijjkgW">pic.twitter.com/NG9sijjkgW</a>&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1930718684819112251?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

SpaceX’s Crew Dragon is currently the only US spacecraft that is certified for ferrying NASA astronauts to and from the International Space Station under a contract worth over $4.9 billion. The gumdrop-shaped capsule flies atop a Falcon 9 rocket and splashes down in the ocean. Its variant, Cargo Dragon, delivers supplies to the ISS for astronauts.&nbsp;<h2>NASA to continue working on Trump’s vision for space future</h2>&nbsp;After Musk’s announcement to decommission the spacecraft, NASA spokeswoman Bethany Stevens said that the agency will continue to work on the president’s vision for the future of space.&nbsp;“NASA will continue to execute upon the President’s vision for the future of space,” Stevens said on X. “We will continue to work with our industry partners to ensure the President’s objectives in space are met.”&nbsp;NASA had hoped to certify Boeing's Starliner for crewed missions. However, the program has been met with severe delays. In a recent test flight last year, the spacecraft faced failure after it experienced propulsion issues en route to the orbital lab with its first astronaut crew.&nbsp;The two astronauts, Sunita Williams and Butch Willmore, were brought home aboard SpaceX Dragon spacecraft earlier this year. Starliner, on the other hand, returned empty after being deemed not safe for carrying the astronauts back home.&nbsp;<h2>SpaceX’s Crew Dragon</h2>&nbsp;Crew Dragon’s certification in 2020 ended the reliance on Russian Soyuz rockets to carry astronauts to space after the Space Shuttle program ended in 2011.&nbsp;Apart from NASA missions, Crew Dragon also flies private missions, with the most recent being Fram2, which carried tourists over the Earth’s poles.&nbsp;The next scheduled launch for the spacecraft is the Axiom-4 mission on Tuesday (Jun 10). The Crew Dragon will carry astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary to the space station.&nbsp;Meanwhile, as the rift between Trump and Musk grows wider, Tesla shares have also plummeted more than 15 per cent on Thursday, recording a loss of over $100 billion in market capitalisation.

“In light of the President’s statement about cancellation of my government contracts, SpaceX will begin decommissioning its Dragon spacecraft immediately,” Musk wrote on X.

Elon Musk on Thursday (Jun 5) said that SpaceX will begin decommissioning its Dragon spacecraft. This comes after US President Donald Trump threatened to terminate the billionaire’s government subsidies and contracts amid their war of words over the tax bill. “In light of the President’s statement about cancellation of my government contracts, SpaceX will begin decommissioning its Dragon spacecraft immediately,” Musk wrote on X. Trump earlier said, “The easiest way to save money in our Budget, Billions and Billions of Dollars, is to terminate Elon’s Governmental Subsidies and Contracts. I was always surprised that Biden didn’t do it!”

“In light of the President’s statement about cancellation of my government contracts, SpaceX will begin decommissioning its Dragon spacecraft immediately,” Musk wrote on X.

Trump-Musk row: SpaceX CEO announces decommissioning of Dragon spacecraft

SpaceX Starship flight 9 launched from Starbase, Texas, on 27 may 2025. The 400-foot rocket reached space, completed stage separation, and returned its super heavy booster. Shared live, the flight adds to Starship's progress toward moon and Mars missions.


SpaceX Starship flight 9 launched from Starbase, Texas, on 27 may 2025. The 400-foot rocket reached space, completed stage separation, and returned its super heavy booster. Shared live, the flight adds to Starship's progress toward moon and Mars missions.

SpaceX flight 9 marks progress toward Moon and Mars goals (See photos)

Starbase, SpaceX's town in Texas, might soon oust several residents from their properties. According to a notice, residents may lose the right to continue using their property as they do today, according to a memo, CNBC reported. The company town is considering a new zoning ordinance and citywide map, as per the notice.&nbsp;It further proposes that Starbase would become a “Mixed Use District,” with “residential, office, retail, and small-scale service" uses of properties. The report suggests that a public hearing is being planned for June 23, where the proposed zoning will be discussed, along with a new map for the town.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/deep-space-radio-signals-cosmic-mystery-object-pulsar-magnetar-1748517706567">44 minutes apart, 2 minutes every time: Something from deep space is sending signals to Earth</a>&nbsp;Kent Myers, the new city administrator for Starbase, informed about the meeting, according to ValleyCentral.com.&nbsp;<h2>SpaceX officials run the town of Starbase</h2>&nbsp;Stabase was officially turned into a "type-C municipal corporation" earlier this month. The change was done after Elon Musk’s aerospace and defence contractor won a local election. All officials running the town are either current SpaceX employees or former staff.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/venus-asteroids-earth-nuclear-bomb-nasa-warning-1748417986834">Evil twin? Venus sheltering 'invisible' asteroids that can wipe off humanity with a minuscule change in course</a>&nbsp;It currently has 500 people, of whom 260 are direct employees of SpaceX. The rest are all related to the staff members of the space tech company. The company owns 1.6 square miles of land in Starbase, but the main attraction here is the launch facility from which SpaceX tests its huge rocket, Starship.&nbsp;<h2>Why does SpaceX have an entire town?</h2>&nbsp;Having a town dedicated to the company on the Texas Gulf Coast lets SpaceX build and test the rocket without the need for any permissions. Its first city commission meeting is scheduled for Thursday. Notably, on Tuesday (May 27), a Starship rocket exploded during a test launch, the third time in a row. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), there were "no reports of public injury or damage to public property".&nbsp;Starship's ninth test flight saw the vehicle break up over the Indian Ocean 46 minutes after launch. Its eighth flight also exploded in March, and the seventh one also failed in January.&nbsp;Notably, Starship has gained permission from the FAA to increase its launches per year from five to 25. The rocket has been designed to carry 100 people to Mars as part of Musk's vision for future humans. He has his eyes set on sending humans to the red planet and is planning to build a colony there. As per reports, he wants to land the first humans on Mars early next decade. &nbsp;

Residents of Starbase might soon have to forego certain rights over their properties. SpaceX employees run the town of Starbase.

Starbase, SpaceX's town in Texas, might soon oust several residents from their properties. According to a notice, residents may lose the right to continue using their property as they do today, according to a memo, CNBC reported. The company town is considering a new zoning ordinance and citywide map, as per the notice. It further proposes that Starbase would become a “Mixed Use District,” with “residential, office, retail, and small-scale service" uses of properties. The report suggests that a public hearing is being planned for June 23, where the proposed zoning will be discussed, along with a new map for the town. Also Read: 44 minutes apart, 2 minutes every time: Something from deep space is sending signals to Earth Kent Myers, the new city administrator for Starbase, informed about the meeting, according to ValleyCentral.com. SpaceX officials run the town of Starbase Stabase was officially turned into a "type-C municipal corporation" earlier this month. The change was done after Elon Musk’s aerospace and defence contractor won a local election. All officials running the town are either current SpaceX employees or former staff. Also Read: Evil twin? Venus sheltering 'invisible' asteroids that can wipe off humanity with a minuscule change in course It currently has 500 people, of whom 260 are direct employees of SpaceX. The rest are all related to the staff members of the space tech company. The company owns 1.6 square miles of land in Starbase, but the main attraction here is the launch facility from which SpaceX tests its huge rocket, Starship. Why does SpaceX have an entire town? Having a town dedicated to the company on the Texas Gulf Coast lets SpaceX build and test the rocket without the need for any permissions. Its first city commission meeting is scheduled for Thursday. Notably, on Tuesday (May 27), a Starship rocket exploded during a test launch, the third time in a row. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), there were "no reports of public injury or damage to public property". Starship's ninth test flight saw the vehicle break up over the Indian Ocean 46 minutes after launch. Its eighth flight also exploded in March, and the seventh one also failed in January. Notably, Starship has gained permission from the FAA to increase its launches per year from five to 25. The rocket has been designed to carry 100 people to Mars as part of Musk's vision for future humans. He has his eyes set on sending humans to the red planet and is planning to build a colony there. As per reports, he wants to land the first humans on Mars early next decade.

Residents of Starbase might soon have to forego certain rights over their properties. SpaceX employees run the town of Starbase.

SpaceX employees run this town which might soon have new rules and a new map

Space tourism is growing as private companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin offer trips beyond Earth. Pioneered by billionaires like Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk, it’s a costly adventure with both risks and rewards. As tech advances, prices may drop and space travel could expand.

Space tourism is growing as private companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin offer trips beyond Earth. Pioneered by billionaires like Bezos and Musk, it’s a costly adventure with both risks and rewards. As tech advances, prices may drop and space travel could expand.

Why is space tourism becoming a new hobby for billionaires?

SpaceX’s Starship exploded over the Indian Ocean just 30 minutes after launch, but the test still showed major progress. With more flights planned soon, the mission to make space travel cheaper and reach.

SpaceX’s Starship exploded over the Indian Ocean just 30 minutes after launch, but the test still showed major progress. With more flights planned soon, the mission to make space travel cheaper and reach.

What SpaceX learnt from Starship’s crash over the Indian ocean?

Elon Musk’s SpaceX faced yet another setback after a bumpy test flight of prototype Starship, which exploded over the Indian Ocean on Tuesday (May 27).&nbsp;The Starship Flight 9 started spinning out of control after the rocket experienced a fuel leak. The world’s biggest and most powerful launch vehicle lifted off around 6:36 pm (2336 GMT) from the company’s Starbase facility in Texas.&nbsp;The first-stage Super Heavy booster exploded instead of executing its planned splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico.&nbsp;In the live feed, the upper-stage spaceship was seen failing to open its doors to deploy a payload of Starlink satellite “simulators”.&nbsp;While the Starship flew further than the earlier two attempts, it experienced leaks and started spinning out of control. Mission teams vented fuel to reduce the expected explosion.&nbsp;“As if the flight test was not exciting enough, Starship experienced a rapid unscheduled disassembly. Teams will continue to review data and work toward our next flight test,” SpaceX said on X.&nbsp;“With a test like this, success comes from what we learn, and today’s test will help us improve Starship’s reliability as SpaceX seeks to make life multiplanetary,” it added.&nbsp;SpaceX CEO said, “Starship made it to the scheduled ship engine cutoff, so big improvement over last flight! Also, no significant loss of heat shield tiles during ascent. Leaks caused loss of main tank pressure during the coast and re-entry phase. Lot of good data to review.”&nbsp;He added, “Launch cadence for next 3 flights will be faster, at approximately 1 every 3 to 4 weeks.”&nbsp;This comes after two failed flights earlier this year, Flight 7 in January and Flight 8 in March. Although SpaceX successfully managed to return its Super Heavy booster back to Earth, the Ship stage of the rocket failed soon after liftoff.

The first-stage Super Heavy booster exploded instead of executing its planned splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico.

Elon Musk’s SpaceX faced yet another setback after a bumpy test flight of prototype Starship, which exploded over the Indian Ocean on Tuesday (May 27). The Starship Flight 9 started spinning out of control after the rocket experienced a fuel leak. The world’s biggest and most powerful launch vehicle lifted off around 6:36 pm (2336 GMT) from the company’s Starbase facility in Texas. The first-stage Super Heavy booster exploded instead of executing its planned splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico. In the live feed, the upper-stage spaceship was seen failing to open its doors to deploy a payload of Starlink satellite “simulators”. While the Starship flew further than the earlier two attempts, it experienced leaks and started spinning out of control. Mission teams vented fuel to reduce the expected explosion. “As if the flight test was not exciting enough, Starship experienced a rapid unscheduled disassembly. Teams will continue to review data and work toward our next flight test,” SpaceX said on X. “With a test like this, success comes from what we learn, and today’s test will help us improve Starship’s reliability as SpaceX seeks to make life multiplanetary,” it added. SpaceX CEO said, “Starship made it to the scheduled ship engine cutoff, so big improvement over last flight! Also, no significant loss of heat shield tiles during ascent. Leaks caused loss of main tank pressure during the coast and re-entry phase. Lot of good data to review.” He added, “Launch cadence for next 3 flights will be faster, at approximately 1 every 3 to 4 weeks.” This comes after two failed flights earlier this year, Flight 7 in January and Flight 8 in March. Although SpaceX successfully managed to return its Super Heavy booster back to Earth, the Ship stage of the rocket failed soon after liftoff.

The first-stage Super Heavy booster exploded instead of executing its planned splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico.

Elon Musk’s Starship Flight 9 explodes over Indian Ocean, SpaceX calls it ‘rapid unscheduled disassembly’

The spacecraft, which is designed for low Earth orbit, is fully reusable. It can also fly to the moon and Mars.

The spacecraft, which is designed for low Earth orbit, is fully reusable. It can also fly to the moon and Mars.

In pics | SpaceX set to launch Starship Flight 9 after two failed flight this year

People in Los Angeles were rattled by a sudden sonic boom on Saturday night. It was a loud explosion that caught residents unawares at around 10:45 pm. What scared them the most was that a noticeable shaking followed the sound. People thought it was an earthquake, but it was actually a visitor from space of man-made origin. The loud noise was made by Elon Musk's SpaceX Dragon capsule returning to Earth.&nbsp;The boom and the rattling were heard from Santa Monica to Fresno. People flocked to social media to know more about what shook their homes, hoping to find the answers. Some feared that it was an explosion. The incident was so scary that some social media users thought they were witnessing the end of times, with one of them stating it was likely "my last day on Earth."&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/universe-just-recorded-its-most-powerful-sonic-booms-in-stephans-quintet-778628">Universe just recorded its most powerful sonic booms in Stephan’s Quintet</a> &nbsp;&nbsp;Another quipped that the explosion was so loud that he thought they were all about to go out "like dinosaurs."&nbsp;<h2>SpaceX Dragon capsule returned to Earth</h2>&nbsp;NASA reported that a SpaceX Dragon capsule had returned to Earth. It had carried approximately 6,700 pounds of supplies for the International Space Station (ISS). It made its reentry after undocking from the ISS at 9:05 am on Friday.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/jupiter-was-an-even-bigger-monster-billions-of-years-ago-1747903607663">Jupiter was an even bigger monster billions of years ago, Amalthea and Thebe hold clues</a>&nbsp;<h2>Warning issues about sonic boom in Los Angeles</h2>&nbsp;After about 36 hours, the capsule splashed down into the Pacific Ocean off the California coast. SpaceX had posted a warning about an hour before the descent that the Dragon capsule would "announce its arrival with a brief sonic boom". However, the sonic boom came as a surprise to most residents of Los Angeles.&nbsp;SpaceX and NASA have joined hands to ensure critical cargo and supplies reach the International Space Station. Spacecraft commonly return to Earth at supersonic speed, and this one was also monitored as routine.&nbsp;Loud noises in the area near the Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County have become common in the area. SpaceX and the US Space Force have admitted that such noises have become common due to frequent rocket launches and landings in the area.&nbsp;Concerns have been raised about the sonic booms, with appeals being made to limit them. However, military officials have dismissed them. Notably, SpaceX is planning over 90 launches from the base by 2026. &nbsp;

A loud boom, followed by a rattling, triggered an earthquake scare in Los Angeles on Saturday night. Panicked people flocked to social media to search for answers. What was it?

People in Los Angeles were rattled by a sudden sonic boom on Saturday night. It was a loud explosion that caught residents unawares at around 10:45 pm. What scared them the most was that a noticeable shaking followed the sound. People thought it was an earthquake, but it was actually a visitor from space of man-made origin. The loud noise was made by Elon Musk's SpaceX Dragon capsule returning to Earth. The boom and the rattling were heard from Santa Monica to Fresno. People flocked to social media to know more about what shook their homes, hoping to find the answers. Some feared that it was an explosion. The incident was so scary that some social media users thought they were witnessing the end of times, with one of them stating it was likely "my last day on Earth." Also Read: Universe just recorded its most powerful sonic booms in Stephan’s Quintet Another quipped that the explosion was so loud that he thought they were all about to go out "like dinosaurs." SpaceX Dragon capsule returned to Earth NASA reported that a SpaceX Dragon capsule had returned to Earth. It had carried approximately 6,700 pounds of supplies for the International Space Station (ISS). It made its reentry after undocking from the ISS at 9:05 am on Friday. Also Read: Jupiter was an even bigger monster billions of years ago, Amalthea and Thebe hold clues Warning issues about sonic boom in Los Angeles After about 36 hours, the capsule splashed down into the Pacific Ocean off the California coast. SpaceX had posted a warning about an hour before the descent that the Dragon capsule would "announce its arrival with a brief sonic boom". However, the sonic boom came as a surprise to most residents of Los Angeles. SpaceX and NASA have joined hands to ensure critical cargo and supplies reach the International Space Station. Spacecraft commonly return to Earth at supersonic speed, and this one was also monitored as routine. Loud noises in the area near the Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County have become common in the area. SpaceX and the US Space Force have admitted that such noises have become common due to frequent rocket launches and landings in the area. Concerns have been raised about the sonic booms, with appeals being made to limit them. However, military officials have dismissed them. Notably, SpaceX is planning over 90 launches from the base by 2026.

A loud boom, followed by a rattling, triggered an earthquake scare in Los Angeles on Saturday night. Panicked people flocked to social media to search for answers. What was it?

Screeching sound blasts Los Angeles, followed by a strange rattling. What was it?

SpaceX launched 23 more Starlink satellites into orbit late on Tuesday (May 20) night, just 24 hours after a last-minute abort halted the initial attempt.

SpaceX launched 23 more Starlink satellites into orbit late on Tuesday (May 20) night, just 24 hours after a last-minute abort halted the initial attempt.

In Pics | SpaceX launches Falcon 9 with 23 Starlink satellites, a day after last-minute abort

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is preparing to head to space as part of the Ax-4 mission. His recent training involved simulating space like low pressure conditions to prepare for emergencies in orbit.

ISRO's Shubhanshu Shukla goes through toughest space training for Ax-4 mission! Know all about it

Residents in a small part of southern Texas are voting on whether to turn their neighbourhood into a brand-new city, one that would give Elon Musk&rsquo;s SpaceX something close to its own government. The new city would be called Starbase, and it sits right where SpaceX carries out its rocket launches in Texas.
<h2>What the vote is about?</h2>
The election is being held among a few hundred people living in what is now known as Boca Chica. If passed, the vote would officially create a city government, allowing the area to make its own local rules.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-mocks-elon-musk-after-white-house-exit-9026163" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">'Kissing my a**': Trump mocks 'buddy' Elon Musk after his alleged White House exit</a>
Most of the people eligible to vote are SpaceX employees and their families, which makes the outcome almost certain. Starbase is expected to be approved.
<h2>How would this benefit Musk?</h2>
By creating Starbase, Musk gains a level of control rarely seen in modern-day business. While he won&rsquo;t technically be in charge, the town would be run almost entirely by SpaceX staff. That means the company, and by extension, Musk&nbsp;would have significant influence over how things are done in the city.
It also gives SpaceX more freedom to manage day-to-day operations, including road closures during rocket launches, without relying as much on outside authorities. According to statements submitted by SpaceX workers, this new setup would improve &ldquo;logistics and coordination&rdquo;.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ice-cream-lincoln-bedroom-video-games-elon-musks-100-days-in-trump-admin-amid-reports-of-his-white-house-exit-9023602" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">'Ice cream, Lincoln bedroom, video games: Elon Musk's 100 days in Trump admin amid reports of his White House exit</a>
<h2>Who&rsquo;s running the town?</h2>
Starbase would be led by people already high up at SpaceX. The candidate for mayor, Bobby Peden, is the vice-president of test and launch operations and has been with the company since 2013. He is running unopposed.
Two others from the company, an engineering manager and a senior director of environmental health and safety, are running for city commissioner roles. Like Peden, both are standing without opposition.
<h2>What does Starbase look like?</h2>
Starbase is a small area near the Mexican border, close to the Gulf of Mexico. It&rsquo;s lined with palm trees, prefabricated homes and shiny airstream trailers. A massive golden bust of Musk, nine feet tall, stands in the middle of it all. A plaque below calls him &ldquo;ELON aka Memelord&rdquo;.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/elon-musk-tesla-ceo-regrets-supporting-donald-trump-in-united-states-9029278" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">'Yes...but cut that part': Elon Musk quips when asked if he regrets supporting Donald Trump</a>
Not everyone is impressed. Vandals recently damaged the statue, peeling off parts of the foam and fibreglass.
<h2>Local concerns over Starbase</h2>
Although the town is likely to be created, not everyone is happy about it. Locals have raised concerns about rising living costs and reduced beach access during rocket tests. Since SpaceX moved into Cameron County about ten years ago, rents have gone up nearly 15%.
Community organiser Bekah Hinojosa spoke out against the plan, telling Politico, &ldquo;They&rsquo;re claiming they&rsquo;re bringing economic incentives, but the rent is going up, the roads are crumbling.&rdquo;
&ldquo;It is getting harder to live here,&rdquo; she added. &ldquo;All this seems to benefit is fancy restaurants with SpaceX clientele.&rdquo;
Hinojosa said, &ldquo;It&rsquo;s the richest man on the planet using us as a testing ground. Elon Musk is on his way to colonising Mars. First, he&rsquo;s trying to colonise this community.&rdquo;
Watch: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/tesla-board-searches-for-a-new-ceo-to-replace-musk-wsj-report-9023876" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Tesla board searches for a new CEO to replace Musk: WSJ report</a>
<h2>A new kind of company town</h2>
If the vote succeeds, Musk&rsquo;s influence over Starbase will look a lot like the company towns of the Gilded Age, where businesses controlled everything from housing to local laws. Though Musk won&rsquo;t have an official role, his company will effectively run the town.

World: By creating Starbase, Musk gains a level of control rarely seen in modern-day business. While he won’t technically be in charge, the town would be run almost entirely by SpaceX staff.

Residents in a small part of southern Texas are voting on whether to turn their neighbourhood into a brand-new city, one that would give Elon Musk’s SpaceX something close to its own government. The new city would be called Starbase, and it sits right where SpaceX carries out its rocket launches in Texas. What the vote is about? The election is being held among a few hundred people living in what is now known as Boca Chica. If passed, the vote would officially create a city government, allowing the area to make its own local rules. Also read: 'Kissing my a**': Trump mocks 'buddy' Elon Musk after his alleged White House exit Most of the people eligible to vote are SpaceX employees and their families, which makes the outcome almost certain. Starbase is expected to be approved. How would this benefit Musk? By creating Starbase, Musk gains a level of control rarely seen in modern-day business. While he won’t technically be in charge, the town would be run almost entirely by SpaceX staff. That means the company, and by extension, Musk would have significant influence over how things are done in the city. It also gives SpaceX more freedom to manage day-to-day operations, including road closures during rocket launches, without relying as much on outside authorities. According to statements submitted by SpaceX workers, this new setup would improve “logistics and coordination”. Also read: 'Ice cream, Lincoln bedroom, video games: Elon Musk's 100 days in Trump admin amid reports of his White House exit Who’s running the town? Starbase would be led by people already high up at SpaceX. The candidate for mayor, Bobby Peden, is the vice-president of test and launch operations and has been with the company since 2013. He is running unopposed. Two others from the company, an engineering manager and a senior director of environmental health and safety, are running for city commissioner roles. Like Peden, both are standing without opposition. What does Starbase look like? Starbase is a small area near the Mexican border, close to the Gulf of Mexico. It’s lined with palm trees, prefabricated homes and shiny airstream trailers. A massive golden bust of Musk, nine feet tall, stands in the middle of it all. A plaque below calls him “ELON aka Memelord”. Also read: 'Yes...but cut that part': Elon Musk quips when asked if he regrets supporting Donald Trump Not everyone is impressed. Vandals recently damaged the statue, peeling off parts of the foam and fibreglass. Local concerns over Starbase Although the town is likely to be created, not everyone is happy about it. Locals have raised concerns about rising living costs and reduced beach access during rocket tests. Since SpaceX moved into Cameron County about ten years ago, rents have gone up nearly 15%. Community organiser Bekah Hinojosa spoke out against the plan, telling Politico, “They’re claiming they’re bringing economic incentives, but the rent is going up, the roads are crumbling.” “It is getting harder to live here,” she added. “All this seems to benefit is fancy restaurants with SpaceX clientele.” Hinojosa said, “It’s the richest man on the planet using us as a testing ground. Elon Musk is on his way to colonising Mars. First, he’s trying to colonise this community.” Watch: Tesla board searches for a new CEO to replace Musk: WSJ report A new kind of company town If the vote succeeds, Musk’s influence over Starbase will look a lot like the company towns of the Gilded Age, where businesses controlled everything from housing to local laws. Though Musk won’t have an official role, his company will effectively run the town.

‘He’s trying to colonise’: Elon Musk to add his own city, ‘Starbase’, to his empire - Here’s all you need to know

President Donald Trump’s ambitious missile defense program, dubbed the “Golden Dome,” aims to deploy 1,000 satellites to protect America from nuclear threats. With Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Starlink playing a key role, the US is entering a new era of space-based military defense, costing trillions but promising unmatched security.

Trump's Golden Dome: 1,000 satellites to shield America from nukes

Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma is the first and the only Indian astronaut. Sharma flew to the Soviet Salyut 7 space station in April 1984. Very soon, a second Indian will be flying to space. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, an Indian Air Force fighter pilot, is slated to fly to the International Space Station next month.

Indian astronaut to pilot Axiom-4: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla to fly to space in May

#GRAVITAS | Elon Musk's SpaceX is on a mission to orbit Earth from pole to pole -a novel trajectory in which no humans have traveled before. On Monday, it launched a crew of four private astronauts led by a Crypto entrepreneur. Watch this video to find out more.

Elon Musk Sends Private Crew Of 4 For Polar Exploration

SpaceX on Monday (Mar 31) launched the first human space flight directly over Earth's polar regions. It is a privately funded orbital mission involving four astronauts, including mission commander Chun Wang, vehicle commander Jannicke Mikkelsen, vehicle pilot Rabea Rogge and mission specialist and medical officer Eric Philips.&nbsp;
SpaceX shared video which showed the powerful Falcon 9 rocket roaring upward and beginning its journey toward Earth's North and South Poles.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/are-nasa-boeing-to-be-blamed-for-sunita-williams-butch-willmores-extended-space-stay-astronauts-respond-8911400">Are NASA, Boeing to be blamed for Sunita Williams &amp; Butch Willmore&rsquo;s extended space stay? Astronauts respond</a>
SpaceX, the American space technology company, owned by billionaire Elon Musk, said that the Dragon spacecraft supporting this mission previously flew Crew-1 to and from the International Space Station (ISS), Inspiration4, the first all-civilian mission to orbit and Polaris Dawn, the first commercial mission to conduct an extra-vehicular activity from Dragon.&nbsp;
The space company informed that this will be the sixth flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Crew-9, RRT-1, Firefly Blue Ghost Mission 1 and two Starlink missions.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/spider-eggs-on-mars-nasa-scientists-spot-strange-mysterious-object-on-red-planet-see-close-up-image-8905669">Spider eggs on Mars? NASA scientists spot strange, mysterious object on Red Planet - see close-up image</a>&nbsp;
Watch the video here:&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet publive-iframes-block publive-Twitter-block" contenteditable="false" width="600" height="400" id="PL_blockquote_block-m8xvu336-7qct27ut-6s634kd7">
Liftoff of Fram2 and the <a href="https://twitter.com/framonauts?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@framonauts</a>! <a href="https://t.co/XBL5juCnHQ">pic.twitter.com/XBL5juCnHQ</a>
&mdash; SpaceX (@SpaceX) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1906886541164855662?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 1, 2025</a></blockquote>
<h2>What are mission objectives?&nbsp;</h2>
Dragon and the crew will fly over Earth's polar regions for the first time and investigate the planet from a polar orbit during their multi-day trip.&nbsp;
Additionally, they will carry out 22 research projects aimed at improving humanity's capacity for extended space travel and to get a better understanding of health in space.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/nasa-finds-largest-carbon-molecules-on-mars-hinting-at-ancient-life-8888503">NASA finds largest organic molecules on Mars, hinting at ancient life</a>
The crew of Fram2 intends to grow mushrooms in microgravity, conduct workout research to preserve muscle and skeletal mass and take the first x-ray in space during its time in orbit.&nbsp;
The crew also intends to successfully return to Earth and then leave the Dragon spacecraft without further medical or operational support, which will aid researchers in assessing astronauts' capacity to carry out functional activities without assistance following both brief and extended space missions.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/explained-how-india-and-japan-will-execute-chandrayaan-5lupex-moon-mission-8897124">Explained: How India and Japan will execute Chandrayaan-5/LUPEX Moon mission</a>
(With inputs from agencies)

Science and Tech | World | Dragon and the crew will fly over Earth's polar regions for the first time and investigate the planet from a polar orbit

SpaceX on Monday (Mar 31) launched the first human space flight directly over Earth's polar regions. It is a privately funded orbital mission involving four astronauts, including mission commander Chun Wang, vehicle commander Jannicke Mikkelsen, vehicle pilot Rabea Rogge and mission specialist and medical officer Eric Philips. SpaceX shared video which showed the powerful Falcon 9 rocket roaring upward and beginning its journey toward Earth's North and South Poles. Also read: Are NASA, Boeing to be blamed for Sunita Williams & Butch Willmore’s extended space stay? Astronauts respond SpaceX, the American space technology company, owned by billionaire Elon Musk, said that the Dragon spacecraft supporting this mission previously flew Crew-1 to and from the International Space Station (ISS), Inspiration4, the first all-civilian mission to orbit and Polaris Dawn, the first commercial mission to conduct an extra-vehicular activity from Dragon. The space company informed that this will be the sixth flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Crew-9, RRT-1, Firefly Blue Ghost Mission 1 and two Starlink missions. Also read: Spider eggs on Mars? NASA scientists spot strange, mysterious object on Red Planet - see close-up image Watch the video here: Liftoff of Fram2 and the @framonauts! pic.twitter.com/XBL5juCnHQ — SpaceX (@SpaceX) April 1, 2025 What are mission objectives? Dragon and the crew will fly over Earth's polar regions for the first time and investigate the planet from a polar orbit during their multi-day trip. Additionally, they will carry out 22 research projects aimed at improving humanity's capacity for extended space travel and to get a better understanding of health in space. Also read: NASA finds largest organic molecules on Mars, hinting at ancient life The crew of Fram2 intends to grow mushrooms in microgravity, conduct workout research to preserve muscle and skeletal mass and take the first x-ray in space during its time in orbit. The crew also intends to successfully return to Earth and then leave the Dragon spacecraft without further medical or operational support, which will aid researchers in assessing astronauts' capacity to carry out functional activities without assistance following both brief and extended space missions. Also read: Explained: How India and Japan will execute Chandrayaan-5/LUPEX Moon mission (With inputs from agencies)

Liftoff of Fram2: SpaceX launches private astronauts on mission to orbit Earth from pole to pole - WATCH

Just days after successfully bringing back astronauts Sunita Williams and Crew-9 from the International Space Station, SpaceX is preparing for a groundbreaking mission.&nbsp;
The Fram2 mission, set to launch on March 31, 2025, from NASA&rsquo;s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, will be the first human spaceflight to travel over Earth&rsquo;s polar regions.
A Falcon 9 rocket will carry the Crew Dragon capsule, which will host four international astronauts on an unprecedented journey.
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<h2>Global crew takes the lead</h2>
The mission&rsquo;s crew is made up of first-time space travellers, led by: Chun Wang (Malta) &ndash; Mission Commander Jannicke Mikkelsen (Norway) &ndash; Vehicle Commander Rabea Rogge (Germany) &ndash; Mission Pilot Eric Philips (Australia) &ndash; Mission Medical Officer
Inspired by the Norwegian exploration vessel Fram, which ventured into the Arctic and Antarctic in the 19th century, the team aims to push new frontiers in human spaceflight.
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<h2>Scientific exploration beyond traditional orbits</h2>
Fram2 will break from conventional flight paths by entering a 90-degree orbit, steeper than the 51.6-degree orbits of past crewed missions. Over a three-to-five-day journey, the astronauts will conduct 22 cutting-edge experiments on spaceflight and human biology. Among the key objectives:
-First-ever X-ray imaging of humans in space.
-Growing mushrooms in microgravity for potential Mars missions.Studying Strong.
-Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancements (STEVE), a mysterious polar light phenomenon.
-The mission will also feature the Fram2Ham competition, allowing amateur radio operators worldwide to decode images sent from space.
<h2>SpaceX&rsquo;s growing role in private spaceflight</h2>
Fram2 joins a series of private space missions led by SpaceX. Previous missions include: Ax-1, Ax-2, and Ax-3 &ndash; Organised by Axiom Space, these missions carried private astronauts to the International Space Station. Inspiration 1 and 2 &ndash; These free-flying missions saw private astronauts perform assisted spacewalks in Earth&rsquo;s orbit. With Fram2, SpaceX continues to expand the possibilities of commercial human spaceflight, pushing beyond traditional mission profiles.

SCIENCE & TECH | A Falcon 9 rocket will carry the Crew Dragon capsule, which will host four international astronauts on an unprecedented journey.

Just days after successfully bringing back astronauts Sunita Williams and Crew-9 from the International Space Station, SpaceX is preparing for a groundbreaking mission. The Fram2 mission, set to launch on March 31, 2025, from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, will be the first human spaceflight to travel over Earth’s polar regions. A Falcon 9 rocket will carry the Crew Dragon capsule, which will host four international astronauts on an unprecedented journey. Also Read | Teenage girls were victims of human sacrifice ritual in Turkey 5,000 years ago Global crew takes the lead The mission’s crew is made up of first-time space travellers, led by: Chun Wang (Malta) – Mission Commander Jannicke Mikkelsen (Norway) – Vehicle Commander Rabea Rogge (Germany) – Mission Pilot Eric Philips (Australia) – Mission Medical Officer Inspired by the Norwegian exploration vessel Fram, which ventured into the Arctic and Antarctic in the 19th century, the team aims to push new frontiers in human spaceflight. Also Read | Partial Solar Eclipse 2025: Time, when, where and how to watch event live in India Scientific exploration beyond traditional orbits Fram2 will break from conventional flight paths by entering a 90-degree orbit, steeper than the 51.6-degree orbits of past crewed missions. Over a three-to-five-day journey, the astronauts will conduct 22 cutting-edge experiments on spaceflight and human biology. Among the key objectives: -First-ever X-ray imaging of humans in space. -Growing mushrooms in microgravity for potential Mars missions.Studying Strong. -Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancements (STEVE), a mysterious polar light phenomenon. -The mission will also feature the Fram2Ham competition, allowing amateur radio operators worldwide to decode images sent from space. SpaceX’s growing role in private spaceflight Fram2 joins a series of private space missions led by SpaceX. Previous missions include: Ax-1, Ax-2, and Ax-3 – Organised by Axiom Space, these missions carried private astronauts to the International Space Station. Inspiration 1 and 2 – These free-flying missions saw private astronauts perform assisted spacewalks in Earth’s orbit. With Fram2, SpaceX continues to expand the possibilities of commercial human spaceflight, pushing beyond traditional mission profiles.

SpaceX's Fram2 mission set for first human flight over Earth's polar regions

A mesmerizing blue spiral appeared over Europe, leaving people in awe. The stunning phenomenon was caused by a SpaceX rocket re-entry, creating a dazzling cosmic whirlpool. Social media lit up with breathtaking images of the rare event.

Mysterious blue spiral lights up European night sky after SpaceX launch

Elon Musk&rsquo;s companies are set to benefit massively from a wave of new federal contracts and support across several key US government departments, as the Trump administration continues to align policies with Musk&rsquo;s interests, as per The New York Times report.
<h2>A new era of influence</h2>
Appointed by President Trump to lead a cost-cutting effort, Musk is running a group called the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has overseen the dismissal of nearly 100,000 federal workers and the shutdown of various agencies. While the exact scope of his power is unclear, his growing influence is undeniable.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/trump-backs-musks-claim-of-white-genocide-in-south-africa-grok-fact-check-calls-them-out-8883153">Trump backs Musk's claim of &lsquo;white genocide&rsquo; in South Africa, Grok fact-check calls them out</a>
<h2>SpaceX embedded across government</h2>
Across the government, Musk&rsquo;s aerospace company SpaceX is becoming deeply embedded.
<ul>
<li>The Pentagon is exploring the use of SpaceX rockets to rapidly transport military equipment around the globe.</li>
<li>NASA is being pushed, partly due to Musk&rsquo;s lobbying, to shift focus towards Mars exploration&mdash;a move that could see SpaceX winning major contracts to send the first humans to the red planet.</li>
<li>The FAA and White House have begun installing Starlink satellite internet terminals, expanding Musk&rsquo;s presence inside federal systems.</li>
</ul>
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/political-nonsense-elon-musks-father-defends-son-says-he-was-friends-with-black-servants-during-apartheid-8881788">'Political nonsense': Elon Musk's father defends son, says he was 'friends' with Black servants during apartheid</a>
According to The New York Times, this expansion comes not only from Trump&rsquo;s directives but also from the placement of Musk&rsquo;s allies and former employees in influential government positions.
The New York Times report said, &ldquo;Even if Trump had never given Musk and his employees a government role&mdash;or if former President Joseph R. Biden Jr. had been elected to a second term&mdash;SpaceX would have continued to secure new government work. What has changed is the overall value of the work expected to be delivered to SpaceX.&rdquo;
<h2>Federal contracts</h2>
SpaceX was already a top federal contractor, with $3.8 billion in contracts secured in fiscal year 2024 across 344 deals. But that figure is expected to grow significantly under current policies prioritising private space companies for key services such as:
<ul>
<li>Satellite manufacturing</li>
<li>Communications infrastructure</li>
<li>Government transport missions</li>
</ul>
One major step includes the FAA&rsquo;s recent approval to double SpaceX&rsquo;s Falcon 9 rocket launches at Cape Canaveral, from 48 to 120 per year.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/slimy-billionaire-elon-musk-blasted-for-buying-votes-in-wisconsin-court-election-as-trump-backs-brad-schimel-8880989">'Slimy billionaire': Elon Musk blasted for &lsquo;buying votes&rsquo; in Wisconsin court election as Trump backs Brad Schimel</a>
During the Biden administration, SpaceX&rsquo;s Starlink satellite internet service was mostly excluded from federal rural broadband funding. That changed with the appointment of Howard Lutnick as Commerce Secretary. At his confirmation hearing, Lutnick vowed to change how $42 billion in broadband funds are distributed.
&ldquo;Let&rsquo;s use satellites, let&rsquo;s use wireless, and let&rsquo;s use fibre,&rdquo; Lutnick said. &ldquo;And let&rsquo;s do it the cheapest, most efficiently we can.&rdquo; This shift allows Starlink to fully compete for rural broadband deals nationwide.
<h2>Ethical concerns </h2>
Musk&rsquo;s reach inside the government has raised ethical red flags. SpaceX employees embedded in federal agencies, including the Federal Aviation Administration, have been granted ethics waivers allowing them to participate in decisions that may directly benefit SpaceX.
One employee, Theodore Malaska, posted on X that FAA systems are now integrating Starlink satellites to relay weather data to pilots, technology that could bring further revenue to Musk&rsquo;s company. Though the FAA claims only eight Starlink terminals are currently in use, others have appeared in White House offices and at the General Services Administration.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-makes-rare-admission-on-musks-conflicts-of-interest-says-certainly-you-wouldnt-show-the-businessman-china-war-plans-8878296">Trump makes rare admission on Musk&rsquo;s conflicts of interest, says 'wouldn&rsquo;t show' businessman China war plans</a>
Federal law prohibits employees from making decisions that benefit their financial interests or give the appearance of a conflict. While Musk has claimed he is not personally involved in securing contracts, the whole situation raises unprecedented questions about influence and access.
After a fatal collision between a military helicopter and a civilian plane in January, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy brought in SpaceX teams to help modernise air traffic systems. Musk soon criticised Verizon for delays in implementing the FAA&rsquo;s updated network, calling it a &ldquo;serious risk to air travellers&rdquo;. With Starlink now being considered as an alternative, SpaceX could secure a foothold in another critical infrastructure system.
Musk&rsquo;s influence comes after he donated nearly $300 million to Donald Trump&rsquo;s 2024 campaign and later joined the administration as a cost-cutting&nbsp;adviso.
Blair Levin, a former FCC official, told NYT, &ldquo;The odds of Elon getting whatever Elon wants are much higher today. He is in the White House and Mar-a-Lago. No one ever anticipated that an industry competitor would have access to those kinds of levers of power.&rdquo;
NASA, which has already paid SpaceX over $13 billion in contracts over the past decade, may hand over even more in future deals. These have included cargo and astronaut missions and launching the agency&rsquo;s largest space probes.
Now, Trump has nominated Jared Isaacman, a billionaire entrepreneur who paid SpaceX to fly to orbit twice, as the new head of NASA. Isaacman&rsquo;s firm, Shift4 Payments, previously held a stake in SpaceX, earning $25 million before selling it off. In his ethics filings, Isaacman promised to sever all remaining financial ties to the company.
He will join Michael Altenhofen, another former SpaceX staffer who became a senior NASA adviser in February.
(With inputs from agencies)

World: While Musk has claimed he is not personally involved in securing contracts, the whole situation raises unprecedented questions about influence and access.

Elon Musk’s companies are set to benefit massively from a wave of new federal contracts and support across several key US government departments, as the Trump administration continues to align policies with Musk’s interests, as per The New York Times report. A new era of influence Appointed by President Trump to lead a cost-cutting effort, Musk is running a group called the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has overseen the dismissal of nearly 100,000 federal workers and the shutdown of various agencies. While the exact scope of his power is unclear, his growing influence is undeniable. Also read: Trump backs Musk's claim of ‘white genocide’ in South Africa, Grok fact-check calls them out SpaceX embedded across government Across the government, Musk’s aerospace company SpaceX is becoming deeply embedded. The Pentagon is exploring the use of SpaceX rockets to rapidly transport military equipment around the globe. NASA is being pushed, partly due to Musk’s lobbying, to shift focus towards Mars exploration—a move that could see SpaceX winning major contracts to send the first humans to the red planet. The FAA and White House have begun installing Starlink satellite internet terminals, expanding Musk’s presence inside federal systems. Also read: 'Political nonsense': Elon Musk's father defends son, says he was 'friends' with Black servants during apartheid According to The New York Times, this expansion comes not only from Trump’s directives but also from the placement of Musk’s allies and former employees in influential government positions. The New York Times report said, “Even if Trump had never given Musk and his employees a government role—or if former President Joseph R. Biden Jr. had been elected to a second term—SpaceX would have continued to secure new government work. What has changed is the overall value of the work expected to be delivered to SpaceX.” Federal contracts SpaceX was already a top federal contractor, with $3.8 billion in contracts secured in fiscal year 2024 across 344 deals. But that figure is expected to grow significantly under current policies prioritising private space companies for key services such as: Satellite manufacturing Communications infrastructure Government transport missions One major step includes the FAA’s recent approval to double SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket launches at Cape Canaveral, from 48 to 120 per year. Also read: 'Slimy billionaire': Elon Musk blasted for ‘buying votes’ in Wisconsin court election as Trump backs Brad Schimel During the Biden administration, SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service was mostly excluded from federal rural broadband funding. That changed with the appointment of Howard Lutnick as Commerce Secretary. At his confirmation hearing, Lutnick vowed to change how $42 billion in broadband funds are distributed. “Let’s use satellites, let’s use wireless, and let’s use fibre,” Lutnick said. “And let’s do it the cheapest, most efficiently we can.” This shift allows Starlink to fully compete for rural broadband deals nationwide. Ethical concerns Musk’s reach inside the government has raised ethical red flags. SpaceX employees embedded in federal agencies, including the Federal Aviation Administration, have been granted ethics waivers allowing them to participate in decisions that may directly benefit SpaceX. One employee, Theodore Malaska, posted on X that FAA systems are now integrating Starlink satellites to relay weather data to pilots, technology that could bring further revenue to Musk’s company. Though the FAA claims only eight Starlink terminals are currently in use, others have appeared in White House offices and at the General Services Administration. Also read: Trump makes rare admission on Musk’s conflicts of interest, says 'wouldn’t show' businessman China war plans Federal law prohibits employees from making decisions that benefit their financial interests or give the appearance of a conflict. While Musk has claimed he is not personally involved in securing contracts, the whole situation raises unprecedented questions about influence and access. After a fatal collision between a military helicopter and a civilian plane in January, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy brought in SpaceX teams to help modernise air traffic systems. Musk soon criticised Verizon for delays in implementing the FAA’s updated network, calling it a “serious risk to air travellers”. With Starlink now being considered as an alternative, SpaceX could secure a foothold in another critical infrastructure system. Musk’s influence comes after he donated nearly $300 million to Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign and later joined the administration as a cost-cutting adviso. Blair Levin, a former FCC official, told NYT, “The odds of Elon getting whatever Elon wants are much higher today. He is in the White House and Mar-a-Lago. No one ever anticipated that an industry competitor would have access to those kinds of levers of power.” NASA, which has already paid SpaceX over $13 billion in contracts over the past decade, may hand over even more in future deals. These have included cargo and astronaut missions and launching the agency’s largest space probes. Now, Trump has nominated Jared Isaacman, a billionaire entrepreneur who paid SpaceX to fly to orbit twice, as the new head of NASA. Isaacman’s firm, Shift4 Payments, previously held a stake in SpaceX, earning $25 million before selling it off. In his ethics filings, Isaacman promised to sever all remaining financial ties to the company. He will join Michael Altenhofen, another former SpaceX staffer who became a senior NASA adviser in February. (With inputs from agencies)

‘Elon getting whatever Elon wants’: How Musk’s $300 million bet on Trump could make him billions

Elon Musk might love controversy, but love him or hate him, you cannot escape him. The billionaire has built a massive legacy in the fields of car manufacturing, space and now even social media. This is why those vying to reach heights in their career would never dare to say no to a job offer from one is his companies.
Forget a full-time job, being an intern at his establishments also comes with massive perks, especially if you get a chance to enter SpaceX, his space company. Reports suggest that interns are given a "shocking" amount of money at SpaceX as compared to interns anywhere else in the United States.&nbsp;
The stipends offered to interns at SpaceX vary depending on the role and your field of education. Roles are available in technology, engineering, design, and even business operations, so you have various entry points that can get you placed inside the biggest private space company.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/lost-continent-discovered-under-antarctica-and-india-8872820" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Pieces of lost continent found under Antarctica and India point to one thing</a>
According to the website Space Crew, active students are offered paid internships at SpaceX, just like associate engineer opportunities open for graduates. The company also offers perks, such as relocation assistance, 'gourmet' food options at the company, health insurance coverage, and even a free gym membership.
<h2>Intern salaries at SpaceX, according to a company review website</h2>
However, the most attractive part is the monetary compensation. According to reviews on Glassdoor, the average SpaceX intern makes around $63,716 (Rs 54 lakh) per year, or $5,309 (Rs 4.5 lakh) per month. According to the report, this is 57 per cent more than the average stipends for internships in the US.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/what-are-the-strongest-signs-that-suggest-life-on-mars-8849703" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">What are the strongest signs of ancient life on Mars, scientists discuss</a>
Shockingly, the annual compensation for an intern at SpaceX is just $2,000 less than what an average American makes in a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The website cites the example of a Business Operations Internship advertisement where an intern is being offered between $43,680 (Rs 37 lakh) and $54,080 per year. For a Graduate Engineer, the salary is between $83,200 and $100,100 per year.&nbsp;
<h2>What NASA pays</h2>
In contrast, NASA does not pay anywhere near what SpaceX offers. Graduates applying for the highest-paying roles at NASA during the Fall/Spring Internship Session get $14,400 as part of a 16-week program.&nbsp;

What do interns make at SpaceX? The figures will shock you. Some of the interns make almost the same as an average American in a full-time job at other companies. World Trending

Elon Musk might love controversy, but love him or hate him, you cannot escape him. The billionaire has built a massive legacy in the fields of car manufacturing, space and now even social media. This is why those vying to reach heights in their career would never dare to say no to a job offer from one is his companies. Forget a full-time job, being an intern at his establishments also comes with massive perks, especially if you get a chance to enter SpaceX, his space company. Reports suggest that interns are given a "shocking" amount of money at SpaceX as compared to interns anywhere else in the United States. The stipends offered to interns at SpaceX vary depending on the role and your field of education. Roles are available in technology, engineering, design, and even business operations, so you have various entry points that can get you placed inside the biggest private space company. Also Read: Pieces of lost continent found under Antarctica and India point to one thing According to the website Space Crew, active students are offered paid internships at SpaceX, just like associate engineer opportunities open for graduates. The company also offers perks, such as relocation assistance, 'gourmet' food options at the company, health insurance coverage, and even a free gym membership. Intern salaries at SpaceX, according to a company review website However, the most attractive part is the monetary compensation. According to reviews on Glassdoor, the average SpaceX intern makes around $63,716 (Rs 54 lakh) per year, or $5,309 (Rs 4.5 lakh) per month. According to the report, this is 57 per cent more than the average stipends for internships in the US. Also Read: What are the strongest signs of ancient life on Mars, scientists discuss Shockingly, the annual compensation for an intern at SpaceX is just $2,000 less than what an average American makes in a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The website cites the example of a Business Operations Internship advertisement where an intern is being offered between $43,680 (Rs 37 lakh) and $54,080 per year. For a Graduate Engineer, the salary is between $83,200 and $100,100 per year. What NASA pays In contrast, NASA does not pay anywhere near what SpaceX offers. Graduates applying for the highest-paying roles at NASA during the Fall/Spring Internship Session get $14,400 as part of a 16-week program.

Intern salaries at SpaceX can rival what an average American earns. 'Just $2,000 less than...'

Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are back on Earth safely after the SpaceX dragon capsule carrying them made a remarkable splashdown on Tuesday. So did Nick Hague and Aleksandr Gorbunov but their homecoming was rather quiet. Watch this video to find out more.

2 NASA astronauts accompanied Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore on their trip back on Earth

First images of NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore emerged as they finally returned to Earth on Tuesday after an unexpected nine-month stay at International Space Station (ISS). They received immediate medical care and were carried away on stretchers.

Astronauts Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore return home after 9 months in space

The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft successfully undocked from the International Space Station as NASA astronauts Sunita Williams, and Butch Wilmore along with their crew return to Earth.

SpaceX Dragon spacecraft undocks from ISS in mission to get stranded NASA astronauts back to Earth

Four members of NASA's SpaceX Crew-9 mission—NASA astronauts Nick Hague, Suni Williams, Butch Wilmore, and cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov—undock from the International Space Station and begin their journey home to Earth. Crew-9's SpaceX Dragon spacecraft is scheduled to undock from the International Space Station

NASA SpaceX Crew-9: Williams and Wilmore undock from ISS, begin journey home

NASA's Crew-10 mission arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) on Sunday (Mar 16). The Dragon spacecraft, which was launched aboard the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, is scheduled to bring back stranded astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Willmore on Wednesday (Mar 19).
The time-lapse video of the spacecraft&rsquo;s docking at the orbital ISS was shared by NASA astronaut Don Pettit.
&ldquo;Close Encounter but not of the third kind,&rdquo; Pettit wrote on X while sharing the video, &ldquo;Crew 10 docking to Space Station.&rdquo;
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sunita-williams-homecoming-nasas-spacex-crew-10-docks-at-iss-stranded-astronauts-to-return-on-8859295">Sunita Williams&rsquo; homecoming: NASA&rsquo;s SpaceX Crew-10 docks at ISS, stranded astronauts to return on...</a>
Crew-10&rsquo;s Crew Dragon capsule, Endurance, completed docking with the Harmony module on the space station early Sunday morning (Mar 16) at 12:04 a.m. ET while the two spacecraft were 260 miles (418 kilometres) above the Atlantic Ocean.
The Dragon spacecraft, which was launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on Friday (Mar 14), carried four astronauts to the ISS.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Close Encounter but not of the third kind; Longer version of Crew 10 docking to <a href="https://twitter.com/Space_Station?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Space_Station</a> <a href="https://t.co/20ZxPglB1K">pic.twitter.com/20ZxPglB1K</a>
&mdash; Don Pettit (@astro_Pettit) <a href="https://twitter.com/astro_Pettit/status/1901249942758281460?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2025</a></blockquote>

<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Crew-10 joins space station members</h2>
The four crew members included NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov.&nbsp;
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/what-is-baby-feet-nasas-sunita-williams-and-butch-wilmore-to-face-after-returning-to-earth-8857975">What is 'Baby Feet,' NASA's Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore likely to experience after returning to Earth?</a>
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s such a great honour for us to be part of this program,&rdquo; Crew-10 mission specialist Takuya Onishi of JAXA said shortly after docking. &ldquo;We have a lot of exciting work ahead of us that we are looking forward to. Again, thank you very much to everybody who helped us to get here.&rdquo;
Crew-10 astronauts have joined the Expedition 72 crew aboard the space station and are expected to stay there for about six months. Following the handover of duties, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore will return to Earth along with NASA&rsquo;s Nick Hague and Roscosmos&rsquo; Aleksandr Gorbunov.
<h2>Sunita Williams and Butch Willmore to return</h2>
While Hague and Gorbunov have been staying at the ISS since late September, Williams and Wilmore became stranded on the space orbital lab in June after their Boeing's Starliner spacecraft faced thruster malfunctions.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/stranded-nasa-astronauts-sunita-williams-butch-wilmore-to-return-to-earth-soon-after-nine-months-in-space-on-iss-long-awaited-return-from-iss-begins-with-crew-10-launch-8854593">'Stranded' NASA astronauts Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore to return to Earth soon; SpaceX's swap team launches to ISS</a>
While Starliner&rsquo;s mission was expected to last 10 days, the two astronauts were forced to extend their stay as the spacecraft was deemed too risky to carry the astronauts back home.
Hague, Williams, Wilmore, and Gorbunov are expected to return to Earth in the Crew-9 Dragon on Wednesday (Mar 19), according to NASA officials.
(With inputs from agencies)

Science & Tech | Science | World | The time-lapse video of the spacecraft's docking at the orbital ISS was shared by NASA astronaut Don Pettit.

NASA's Crew-10 mission arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) on Sunday (Mar 16). The Dragon spacecraft, which was launched aboard the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, is scheduled to bring back stranded astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Willmore on Wednesday (Mar 19). The time-lapse video of the spacecraft’s docking at the orbital ISS was shared by NASA astronaut Don Pettit. “Close Encounter but not of the third kind,” Pettit wrote on X while sharing the video, “Crew 10 docking to Space Station.” Also read | Sunita Williams’ homecoming: NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 docks at ISS, stranded astronauts to return on... Crew-10’s Crew Dragon capsule, Endurance, completed docking with the Harmony module on the space station early Sunday morning (Mar 16) at 12:04 a.m. ET while the two spacecraft were 260 miles (418 kilometres) above the Atlantic Ocean. The Dragon spacecraft, which was launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on Friday (Mar 14), carried four astronauts to the ISS. Close Encounter but not of the third kind; Longer version of Crew 10 docking to @Space_Station pic.twitter.com/20ZxPglB1K — Don Pettit (@astro_Pettit) March 16, 2025 Crew-10 joins space station members The four crew members included NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov. Also read | What is 'Baby Feet,' NASA's Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore likely to experience after returning to Earth? “It’s such a great honour for us to be part of this program,” Crew-10 mission specialist Takuya Onishi of JAXA said shortly after docking. “We have a lot of exciting work ahead of us that we are looking forward to. Again, thank you very much to everybody who helped us to get here.” Crew-10 astronauts have joined the Expedition 72 crew aboard the space station and are expected to stay there for about six months. Following the handover of duties, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore will return to Earth along with NASA’s Nick Hague and Roscosmos’ Aleksandr Gorbunov. Sunita Williams and Butch Willmore to return While Hague and Gorbunov have been staying at the ISS since late September, Williams and Wilmore became stranded on the space orbital lab in June after their Boeing's Starliner spacecraft faced thruster malfunctions. Also read | 'Stranded' NASA astronauts Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore to return to Earth soon; SpaceX's swap team launches to ISS While Starliner’s mission was expected to last 10 days, the two astronauts were forced to extend their stay as the spacecraft was deemed too risky to carry the astronauts back home. Hague, Williams, Wilmore, and Gorbunov are expected to return to Earth in the Crew-9 Dragon on Wednesday (Mar 19), according to NASA officials. (With inputs from agencies)

Watch | Stunning visuals show SpaceX’s Crew-10 Dragon capsule docking at International Space Station

NASA's SpaceX Crew-10 mission has docked at the International Space Station (ISS) on Sunday (Mar 16) after undertaking about a 29-hour long journey. The spacecraft will soon bring back stranded NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore to earth.
The Dragon spacecraft was launched aboard the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida at 7.03 pm ET on Friday (Mar 14). The Dragon docked on the ISS at 12:04 am on Sunday (Mar 16).
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/what-is-baby-feet-nasas-sunita-williams-and-butch-wilmore-to-face-after-returning-to-earth-8857975">What is 'Baby Feet,' NASA's Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore likely to experience after returning to Earth?</a>
<h2>NASA&rsquo;s SpaceX Crew-10 docking</h2>
NASA announced that the hatch of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft opened March 16 at 1:35 am ET, following which the members of the Crew 10 entered the space station to join the astronauts aboard.
The four crew members included NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov.&nbsp;
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/stranded-nasa-astronauts-sunita-williams-butch-wilmore-to-return-to-earth-soon-after-nine-months-in-space-on-iss-long-awaited-return-from-iss-begins-with-crew-10-launch-8854593">'Stranded' NASA astronauts Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore to return to Earth soon; SpaceX's swap team launches to ISS</a>
Crew-10 astronauts have joined the Expedition 72 crew of NASA astronauts Nick Hague, Don Petitt, Suni Williams, and Butch Wilmore, as well as Roscosmos cosmonauts Aleksandr Gorbunov, Alexey Ovchinin, and Ivan Vagner. This brings a total crew strength at the space station to 11 people.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
All the hugs. 🫶 The hatch of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft opened March 16 at 1:35 a.m. ET and the members of Crew-10 entered the <a href="https://twitter.com/Space_Station?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Space_Station</a> with the rest of their excited Expedition 72 crew. <a href="https://t.co/mnUddqPqfr">pic.twitter.com/mnUddqPqfr</a>
&mdash; NASA's Johnson Space Center (@NASA_Johnson) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA_Johnson/status/1901149221610271099?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2025</a></blockquote>

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The Crew-10 members will become part of the Expedition 72 after taking over duties from the returning members. They will stay on the space station for roughly about six months.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/when-will-nasa-astronaut-sunita-williams-return-to-earth-after-it-gets-delayed-again-check-new-date-and-time-8850209">NASA astronaut Sunita Williams will return to Earth on THIS date | Check here</a>
<h2>Stranded NASA astronauts to return to Earth</h2>
Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore will now finally return to earth with Hague and Gorbunov after the crew 'handover' period.
&ldquo;Houston, thanks for tuning in early morning. Great to see our friends arrive,&rdquo; said Sunita Williams on the arrival of Crew-10.
The astronauts are expected to depart from the ISS for Earth on Wednesday (Mar 19) as early as 8 am.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/sunita-williams-returns-to-earth-physical-effects-to-expect-8844997">Sunita Williams to get 'baby feet' after returning to Earth. What does it mean?</a>
What was scheduled to be a 10-day mission in space turned out to be a nearly 10-month expedition after NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore were stranded on the space station.&nbsp;
The duo embarked on the journey aboard the Boeing Starliner on June 5, 2024. However, they were unable to return after the spacecraft experienced thruster malfunctions during its approach and docking manoeuvres.
Following an extensive investigation on ground by NASA and Boeing, the spacecraft was deemed too risky to carry the astronauts back home, resulting in their unexpected extended stay at the space station.
(With inputs from agencies)

World | Science & tech | The Dragon spacecraft was launched aboard the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida at 7.03 pm ET on Friday (Mar 14). The Dragon docked on the ISS at 12:04 am on Sunday (Mar 16).

NASA's SpaceX Crew-10 mission has docked at the International Space Station (ISS) on Sunday (Mar 16) after undertaking about a 29-hour long journey. The spacecraft will soon bring back stranded NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore to earth. The Dragon spacecraft was launched aboard the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida at 7.03 pm ET on Friday (Mar 14). The Dragon docked on the ISS at 12:04 am on Sunday (Mar 16). Also read | What is 'Baby Feet,' NASA's Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore likely to experience after returning to Earth? NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 docking NASA announced that the hatch of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft opened March 16 at 1:35 am ET, following which the members of the Crew 10 entered the space station to join the astronauts aboard. The four crew members included NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov. Also read | 'Stranded' NASA astronauts Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore to return to Earth soon; SpaceX's swap team launches to ISS Crew-10 astronauts have joined the Expedition 72 crew of NASA astronauts Nick Hague, Don Petitt, Suni Williams, and Butch Wilmore, as well as Roscosmos cosmonauts Aleksandr Gorbunov, Alexey Ovchinin, and Ivan Vagner. This brings a total crew strength at the space station to 11 people. All the hugs. 🫶 The hatch of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft opened March 16 at 1:35 a.m. ET and the members of Crew-10 entered the @Space_Station with the rest of their excited Expedition 72 crew. pic.twitter.com/mnUddqPqfr — NASA's Johnson Space Center (@NASA_Johnson) March 16, 2025 The Crew-10 members will become part of the Expedition 72 after taking over duties from the returning members. They will stay on the space station for roughly about six months. Also read | NASA astronaut Sunita Williams will return to Earth on THIS date | Check here Stranded NASA astronauts to return to Earth Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore will now finally return to earth with Hague and Gorbunov after the crew 'handover' period. “Houston, thanks for tuning in early morning. Great to see our friends arrive,” said Sunita Williams on the arrival of Crew-10. The astronauts are expected to depart from the ISS for Earth on Wednesday (Mar 19) as early as 8 am. Also read | Sunita Williams to get 'baby feet' after returning to Earth. What does it mean? What was scheduled to be a 10-day mission in space turned out to be a nearly 10-month expedition after NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore were stranded on the space station. The duo embarked on the journey aboard the Boeing Starliner on June 5, 2024. However, they were unable to return after the spacecraft experienced thruster malfunctions during its approach and docking manoeuvres. Following an extensive investigation on ground by NASA and Boeing, the spacecraft was deemed too risky to carry the astronauts back home, resulting in their unexpected extended stay at the space station. (With inputs from agencies)

Sunita Williams’ homecoming: NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 docks at ISS, stranded astronauts to return on...

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