International Space Station Archives

International nonprofit wants to protect moon sites from space tourism

January 15, 2025

For the first time ever, the World Monuments Fund, whose mission is to preserve cultural heritage sites around the globe, is now setting its sights beyond Earth. The organization, founded in 1996, announced on Wednesday, Jan. 15, that the moon is among 25 at-risk sites, with the expectation that trips to the lunar surface will become the norm in the not-so-distant future.

The WMF warns that moon tourism could someday threaten more than 90 lunar landing and impact sites, including Tranquility Base, where U.S. astronaut Neil Armstrong took his first steps on the moon.

WMF officials said they fear the lunar landscape may be victim to looters looking for souvenirs and private lunar exploration, potentially destroying iconic footprints and tracks that are part of human history if something isn’t done to protect them now.

The organization is urging international collaboration to preserve the moon, but currently no such organization exists, and no one country can lay claim to the Earth’s only natural satellite.

The WMF creates the at-risk list to raise awareness and spur action to preserve important artifacts and sites around the world, and now space.

Blue Origin granted FAA license for New Glenn rocket’s first mission

December 30, 2024

Blue Origin’s newest rocket is one step closer to taking flight. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grant ed Blue Origin a license on Friday, Dec. 27, to launch the New Glenn rocket in its maiden voyage.

The FAA license approval came just hours before Blue Origin completed the New Glenn rocket system’s first fully integrated fire test.

Owner Jeff Bezos posted on X in response to the FAA license.

Next stop launch pic.twitter.com/GQFz4XxEt5
— Jeff Bezos (@JeffBezos) December 28, 2024

“Next stop launch,” Bezos said in a post on X that also featured a video of a rocket test.

New Glenn is reportedly set to lift off on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025.

The first mission is expected to be launching technology related to its Blue Ring program, which is a business venture that reportedly offers spacecraft to the Pentagon.

New Glenn is also expected to conduct a mission for NASA and Amazon’s Project Kuiper.

Project Kuiper involves deploying more than 3,200 low-orbit satellites over roughly a decade to provide global broadband access. Blue Origin is also working on certifying New Glenn with the U.S. Space Force for the National Security Space Launch program.

Pair of astronauts stuck in space at ISS as return to Earth further delayed

December 18, 2024

Boeing Starliner astronauts stuck in space at the International Space Station received news that their return to Earth faces further delays. The two arrived at the ISS more than six months ago for an eight to 10-day voyage.

Multiple mechanical issues with the Starliner forced NASA to return the capsule without Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams in September. The astronauts stayed behind at the ISS due to safety concerns.

The SpaceX Crew-9 Dragon Capsule launched in September was supposed to return Wilmore and Williams home in February 2025.

However, NASA announced on Tuesday, Dec. 17, that they pushed back the date of SpaceX Crew-10’s February launch. Wilmore and Williams’ replacements will travel aboard the SpaceX Crew-10, which is now on track to launch no earlier than late March 2025.

SpaceX Crew-10 team reportedly needs time to “complete processing,” a debriefing on ongoing research and maintenance aboard the ISS before Williams and Wilmore can return to Earth on the Crew-9.

NASA has not revealed how long that may take.

The extended stay in space reportedly prompted concerns for the astronauts’ health. Although, other NASA astronauts have stayed on the ISS longer.

A “Twin Study” kept astronaut Scott Kelly aboard the station for 340 days from 2015-2016. Most recently, astronaut Frank Rubio became the first American to spend more than 365 straight days in space.

Kelly reported several health problems after his time in space, particularly issues with his vision and cognitive abilities.

NASA delays Artemis missions until 2026 and 2027 after heat shield problem

December 5, 2024

NASA’s efforts to put astronauts back on the moon for the first time in more than 50 years are being pushed back. The space agency announced on Thursday, Dec. 5, it found problems with the heat shield on the Orion spacecraft, which will eventually take humans back to the moon as part of its Artemis program.

A NASA investigation revealed the heat shield’s outer layer cracked and charred, with material coming loose. It was apparently caused by an issue with ventilation, causing gas to build up during Orion’s uncrewed mission.

NASA officials say they know what needs to be done to fix the issue, but it will require a change in the trajectory of the spacecraft to safely reenter Earth’s atmosphere, and that means the agency will need more time.

Now, NASA says the Artemis II mission, which involves the crew orbiting the moon but not landing on the lunar surface won’t happen until April 2026 at the earliest, and Artemis III, which will see humans on the moon for the first time since 1972, won’t launch until 2027.

The announcement is another bump in the road for an effort that saw its first uncrewed Artemis mission scheduled for 2016 delayed until 2022. However, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson says the delays are all in the name of safety.

Nelson posted on X, “We are committed to ensuring that when we go, we go safely. That’s what today’s decision is about—that’s how Artemis succeeds.”

Wooden test satellite launched into space for the first time

November 6, 2024

For the first time in history, a satellite made out of wood was launched into space late Monday, Nov. 4. The small box was launched as part of a SpaceX mission bound for the International Space Station.

The satellite will then be released into orbit. Scientists from Kyoto University plan to measure what the vacuum of space does to the material. Without water and air, wood won’t decay like it does on Earth.

“If we can use materials that humans can make and bring them to outer space, people will be able to create a sustainable society,” Takao Doi, an astronaut and current professor at Kyoto University, said. “Therefore, we want to find out if wood can be used in space or not, and that’s why we made this wooden satellite.”

The group is using Japanese magnolia wood, a material known for its high resistance to shattering. Doi says if the satellite works, the group wants to pitch it to Elon Musk’s SpaceX.

Wooden satellites would also reportedly be good for the climate. Once the satellites are decommissioned, they would burn up in the atmosphere, lessening pollution caused by regular metal satellites.

If successful, the group sees a long-term future for wooden projects in space. Doi says the satellite could be a stepping stone towards growing wood for homes on the moon or even Mars some time in the future.

Astronauts celebrate Election Day in space, cast early votes from ISS

November 5, 2024

Did you know it’s possible to cast a ballot from space? Astronauts including Butch Wilmore, Suni Williams and Don Pettit voted early in the 2024 presidential election from the International Space Station.

The astronauts posted an Election Day photo of themselves on Instagram wearing patriotic socks. The caption read, “It doesn’t matter if you are sitting, standing or floating – what matters is that you vote!”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by NASA Astronaut Nick Hague (@astrohague)

They managed to be a part of the more than 1 million people who voted in early in Harris County, Texas, thanks to NASA’s Near Space Network. The network is a constellation of satellites in space that communicate with antennas and Earth.

An encrypted word document gets sent up to their email addresses and they can open the document with their password.

Once the astronauts vote, the ballot is returned, printed and processed with other ballots.

NASA said astronauts have voted in U.S. elections since 1997 when Texas passed a law allowing astronauts to vote from space.

It’s not just from space but Americans overseas are also voting. According to Vote from Abroad, the number is actually higher than it was in 2020.

This group includes military personnel, dual citizens and people born outside the U.S. to American parents.

As elections have gotten tighter, both parties are counting on those abroad votes that could be the margin of victory.

The Democratic National Committee gave Democrats Abroad $300,000 to fund its get-out-the-vote effort.

Former President Donald Trump pledged to end the requirement that Americans living overseas file a U.S. tax return.

However, some have questioned the validity of overseas voting, filing lawsuits in swing states.

US winning in one category when it comes to space race with China

November 4, 2024

The United States and China have ambitious plans for space exploration in the future. In order to achieve these goals, both nations will need to lean heavily on international support, and as reported on Wednesday, Oct. 30, the U.S. has taken the lead over Beijing.

The two adversaries are getting as many nations on board with their plans to explore space as they can. The American-led effort known as NASA’s Artemis program aims to send astronauts back to the moon by 2026. However the ultimate goal is building a lunar space station and launching missions to Mars and beyond.

Meanwhile, China plans to build an International Lunar Research Station with phase one expected to be completed by 2035.

However, the United States is currently notching more wins with Chile, the Dominican Republic, Estonia and Cyprus recently joining its coalition. The U.S. now has 47 nations working together on the mission.

Beijing is behind the U.S. in that respect, touting 13 nations as members of its international agreement with Senegal the latest to join in September. However, experts note, there are still many countries up for grabs to join each country’s respective partnerships.

NASA’s Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy said despite setbacks with the Artemis program, like being overbudget, the diplomatic efforts will continue. The agency sees diplomacy and international cooperation as the key to the future of space exploration.

Astronauts returning home after extended stay on space station

October 24, 2024

Three NASA astronauts and one Russian cosmonaut have departed the International Space Station after an extended 235-day mission. The Crew 8 team arrived on the ISS in March and was originally scheduled to return to Earth in September.

The crew consists of cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin, pilot Mike Barratt, commander Matt Dominick and astronaut Jeanette Epps. Their return was delayed due to the issues concerning the Boeing Starliner capsule and making sure those astronauts had a way back home.

Once a new vehicle arrived on the space station, the Crew 8 members then had to wait out hurricanes impacting Florida before getting the go ahead to leave.

After around 34 hours, the four-person team is expected to splash down Friday afternoon off Florida’s coast in the Gulf of Mexico.

China reveals advanced space suit for upcoming moon landing

October 1, 2024

China is gearing up for its first manned moon landing, and the country’s space agency has just revealed its new spacesuit designed for the mission. After four years of research and development, the lightweight suit is specially built to protect astronauts during their mission.

The lunar environment is harsh, temperatures can swing over 300 degrees on the surface. The moon also lacks an atmosphere, meaning astronauts face intense pressure and solar radiation.

The new suit is said to allow astronauts to walk, climb, drive and even conduct research on the lunar surface. It’s crafted from advanced fabric that shields against heat and lunar dust, and is equipped with protective gloves for “dexterity” and flexible knee joints for movement in low gravity.

The suit also features a panoramic antiglare visor, integrated with communication systems. There’s even a video camera, allowing for clear communication and documentation of their mission.

Beyond functionality, the suit draws design inspiration from Chinese culture. The upper part features red straps that symbolize a balance of strength and grace, much like traditional Chinese armor.

The legs have red stripes representing fiery rocket tails during liftoff. It has a nod to national pride as well, and the China Manned Space Agency has launched a public campaign to name the suit, inviting suggestions that blend traditional culture with modern technology.

This announcement comes as China pushes forward with plans to send astronauts to the moon by the end of the decade. Their mission will involve two Long March 10 rocket launches to carry astronauts and a lunar lander into orbit.

Meanwhile, the U.S. is also aiming to send astronauts back to the moon through NASA’s Artemis program, potentially as soon as 2026, with the goal of establishing a long-term human presence on the lunar surface, which may help prepare for missions to Mars.

SpaceX capsule slated to bring home Starliner astronauts arrives at ISS

September 30, 2024

Two astronauts who have been stuck at the International Space Station since June are one step closer to returning to Earth. The SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule that will ferry NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams home arrived at the ISS Sunday, Sept. 29.

https://twitter.com/NASA_Johnson/status/1840540675919544704

Wilmore and Williams rode Boeing’s Starliner to the ISS in June for what was only supposed to be about a week-long mission. They were unable to return on the vessel due to safety concerns.

Four astronauts were supposed to be part of SpaceX’s mission to the ISS which had already been planned for this month, but instead, two seats were left empty so Wilmore and Williams could get back to Earth.

Still, it will be months before they get to come home. SpaceX’s Dragon capsule is not set to return until February 2025.