Astronauts, cosmonaut arrive at Kennedy Space Center ahead of NASA, SpaceX Crew-8 launch Spaceflight Now – Spaceflight Now

The four members of the SpaceX Crew-8 mission pose in front of the NASA Gulfstream plane at Space Floridas Launch and Landing Facility. (Left to right) Roscosmos Cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin and NASA Astronauts Jeanette Epps, Matthew Dominick and Michael Barratt. Image: Adam Bernstein/Spaceflight Now

Set against a bright, blue Florida skyline, the three astronauts and one cosmonaut who make up the SpaceX Crew-8 mission touched down at NASAs Kennedy Space Center Sunday afternoon.

The crews Gulfstream cruised in for a landing at the Space Florida Launch and Landing Facility at about 1:45 p.m. (1845 UTC). They were greeted on the tarmac by, Jennifer Kunz, a KSC Associate Director, and Dana Hutcherson, Deputy Director Commercial Crew.

Coming out here to the Cape, every time, Im a kid in a candy store, said Matthew Dominick, a NASA astronaut and the commander of the Crew-8 mission.

While the upcoming mission will be the first spaceflight for Dominick, he worked for NASA for seven years leading up this launch.

Its an incredible time to be involved in spaceflight. Who wouldve though five or six years ago that this would be the fifth flight of Endeavour that we get to go on? Who wouldve though five or six years ago that the competition for launch or the constraint to launch would be a launch pad? Dominick said, referring to the recent launch of the IM-1 robotic mission to the Moon. We delayed our launch a few days because theres stiff competition to get out there to 39A. Its not a rocket constraint, its a pad constraint.

Hes leading a trio that include two additional NASA astronauts, Michael Barratt and Jeanette Epps, and Roscosmos cosmonaut, Alexander Grebenkin. They will launch to the orbiting outpost no earlier than Friday, March 1 at 12:04 a.m. EST (0504 UTC).

Barratt is returning to launch at KSC for the first time since his final flight as a member of STS-133 in 2011. He said its remarkable to be back now in the era of the Commercial Crew Program and be preparing to launch atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and inside a Crew Dragon spacecraft.

The fact that this spaceport is so busy, so vibrant is just an amazing thing, Barratt said. Its just an absolute pleasure to see Kennedy Space Center being the thriving spaceport that it is. Were very honored to be a part of that. I cannot wait to get back to that magnificent station, I cant wait to fly this new spaceship and I cant wait to to fly with this crew.

Like Dominick and Grebenkin, Epps will be making her first trip to space on this mission. Shes experienced pivots from flying on a Russian Soyuz to then Boeing Starliner and finally to her current assignment on Crew-8.

Its overwhelming to me how many people contributed to this. So, I just want to thank everyone whos been involved, Epps said. Im very grateful for this flight. Ive trained for Soyuz, Ive trained for Boeing, Ive trained for a lot of vehicles, but Im honored to fly with this crew on the Dragon Endeavour.

Endeavor will be making its 5th flight into space on this mission, marking its position as the flight leader in the SpaceX spacecraft fleet. Five missions is the most that NASA has certified a Dragon to fly to date.

A new Dragon spacecraft is expected to enter the fleet sometime in 2024.

Read the original post:

Astronauts, cosmonaut arrive at Kennedy Space Center ahead of NASA, SpaceX Crew-8 launch Spaceflight Now - Spaceflight Now

This Week In Space podcast: Episode 98 Inside NASA with Pam Melroy – Yahoo News

On Episode 98 of This Week In Space, Tariq and Rod discuss what NASA's up to with the agency's Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy.

This week, NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy, who is also a former astronaut, commander of the space shuttle, and US Air Force test pilot, joins us for a very special episode. We discussed the recently announced delays to the Artemis lunar landing program, NASA's long-term goals on the Moon, the overall trajectory of human spaceflight, Pam's favorite memories of her time in space, and perhaps our favorite moment her "gentle" rejoinder to a male pilot who hadn't had much experience flying with "ladies"! Be sure to join us for this exclusive interview.

Download or subscribe to this show at:https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space.

Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT athttps://twit.tv/clubtwit

TOP TELESCOPE PICK:

Looking for a telescope to see planets and comets? We recommend theCelestron Astro Fi 102as the top pick in ourbest beginner's telescope guide.

Finally, did you know you can launch your own SpaceX rocket? Model rocket maker Estes' stunning scale model of a Falcon 9 rocket that you can pick up now. The launchable model is a detailed recreation of the Falcon 9 and retails for $149.99. You can save 10% by using the code IN-COLLECTSPACE at checkout, courtesy of our partners collectSPACE.com.

This Week in Spacecovers the new space age. Every Friday we take a deep dive into a fascinating topic. What's happening with the new race to the moon and other planets? When will SpaceX really send people to Mars?

Join Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik fromSpace.comas they tackle those questions and more each week on Friday afternoons. You can subscribe today on your favorite podcatcher.

Originally posted here:

This Week In Space podcast: Episode 98 Inside NASA with Pam Melroy - Yahoo News

Argentina: Santa Fe Province approves online gambling and sports betting – Yogonet International

The Senate of the Province of Santa Fe sanctioned on Thursday 14 several bills sent by the Executive Power, headed by Governor Maximiliano Pullaro. Among these proposals was the one that regulates the activity of online gambling.

During the Extraordinary Session N 1 of the 141st Period, presided over by Vice Governor Gisela Scaglia, online gambling was enabled when the Senate accepted the preliminary approval from the Chamber of Deputies, without modifications.

The approved initiative "establishes a regulation for the development and exploitation of the activity of games of chance, sports betting, and sports forecasts, online or with virtual modality, which are carried out through digital, electronic, computerized, telematic, interactive, telecommunication means and platforms, and those to be developed in the future", the Senate stated.

Bill 52.665, promoted by Deputy Fabin Basta -currently Pullaro's Minister of Government- and introduced by his peer Marcelo Gonzlez (both from UCR Evolucin), was approved by the Chamber of Deputies on Thursday, November 30.

With a wide majority in the Lower House and unanimity in the Upper House, the new regulation comes to overcome Decree 1451 of November 20, 2020, which, with the signature of then Governor Omar Perotti, enabled online gambling under the idea that it was only a "modality" of an already existing legalization.

During the pandemic, the opposition did not understand it this way since, from their point of view, the powers of the provincial Legislature had been subjugated. Three years ago, Pullaro and Basta, at that time deputies, initiated a lawsuit against Perotti, which now the online gambling law will probably make the issue become "abstract".

Although the idea of Basta and Gonzlez's project was to correct Perotti's regulation, the initiative has some novelties, such as the authorization of sports betting, the increase of the tax from 10% to 15% of the gross results, and a special containment to the agencies, to whom a part of the benefits will be allocated.

In addition, 50% of the money raised will be allocated to campaigns for the prevention and awareness of compulsive gambling.

Visit link:

Argentina: Santa Fe Province approves online gambling and sports betting - Yogonet International

Chrystia Freeland definitely running in the next election amid Liberal freefall in polls – True North

Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland confirmed her plans to run in the next federal election and even predicted a Liberal win.

Freeland, who has been a member of Parliament since 2013 and a member of Trudeaus cabinet since 2015, deflected questions about her ambitions for the Liberal partys leadership.

I am focused first and foremost on supporting Canadians right now, Freeland said in an interview with CTV.

Recent polling by Ipsosshows that 72% of Canadians think Trudeau should step down as party leader. Even 33% of Canadians who plan to vote Liberal want Trudeau to step down, up from 28% in September. Of all potential replacements, Freeland received the most positive reviews in the poll.

Freeland sidestepped the question but said the Liberals can absolutely win the next election.

I am also absolutely supporting our Prime Minister, who is leading our team doing a really, really great job, she added.

Freeland said that while journalists never believe her, her focus is not on the polls but her neighbours.

When you are put by your fellow Canadians in a position like mine, your job is to wake up every day and think, what are the problems people have? And what can I try to do today to make it better? Thats what I focus on, said Freeland.

Throughout the interview, Freeland discussed the economic challenges being faced by Canadians. She said that in her personal life, the thing that brings the challenge home to her most is that her church has a food bank every Wednesday, where the lines have been getting longer. True North previously reported that food banks across Canada were near a breaking point.

Facing questions about her political future after a decade in office, speculation had arisen about Freeland possibly pursuing an international role post-politics. However, when queried about these prospects, she firmly stated her intention to continue her political career in Canada.

Im definitely running in the next election. Up to my neighbours to decide whether I get re-elected, Freeland said.

Read more:

Chrystia Freeland definitely running in the next election amid Liberal freefall in polls - True North

Three robotic missions target Moon landings over one week in January Spaceflight Now – Spaceflight Now

Intuitive Machines engineers loading the IM-1 mission Nova-C lunar lander into its custom container in Houston, TX. Image: Intuitive Machines

In a blend of interesting circumstances and happenstance, two private companies and Japans space agency are all poised to land on the Moon in the back half of January 2024.

The Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Astrobotic and Intuitive Machines are all exercising distinct launch and landing options to reach the lunar surface. But all three have announced timelines that would see them land on the Moon within days of each other, if everything stays on track at this point.

While avoiding further timeline slipping is far from a certainty, Earths satellite could see its busiest month ever in terms of new spacecraft arriving.

As it happens, the last lander scheduled to launch could be the first to touch down on the Moon. Intuitive Machines Nova-C lander is targeting liftoff between Jan. 12-16 and is set to land at the Moons South Pole (80.297S, 1.2613E) on either Jan. 19 or 21.

A spokesperson for Intuitive Machines said the landing opportunity for both days is in the afternoon in EST.

Trent Martin, the Vice President of Lunar Access at Intuitive Machines, told Spaceflight Now in an Oct. 27 interview that they have instantaneous launch opportunities each day during their January window. He said because their lander needs to be fueled at the launch pad, crews will perform a wet dress rehearsal several days ahead of launch.

We will do a full fuel of our vehicle to ensure that we have the timeline down because we do a late fueling at the pad. We fuel with liquid oxygen and liquid methane, and we want to fuel as late as possible, Martin said. SpaceX has been very accommodating and theyre providing us a service that gives us liquid oxygen, liquid methane. Theyll fill up until the very last minute so that were as full as possible, so that we have the highest chance of success at landing on the Moon.

This mission along with the Peregrine lander will mark the first two fulfilled contracts under NASAs Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program.

Onboard the Nova-C lander for NASA are the following:

This mission also features a CubeSat payload called EagleCam from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, which will be launched from the lander when its about 30 meters above the surface.

The camera itself is actually multiple cameras, four cameras. So as this 1U CubeSat tumbles, its taking video imagery as it falls to the surface. And so from that, within a day or two, well have video of us landing on the Moon, Martin said. So, Im super excited about that one because that will be the first time that anyones ever actually recorded themselves landing on another planetary body.

Intuitive Machines announced on Monday that its Nova-C lander for the IM-1 mission arrived at the Cape in Florida ahead of its launch next month.

Double landing possibility

JAXAs Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) is spending the longest in space, having launched back on Sept. 7, but depending on the timing of the IM-1 landing, it could touch down on the same day from a Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) standpoint.

According to a statement from JAXA on Tuesday, SLIM is set to begin its descent to the lunar surface at 12:00 a.m. JST on Jan. 20 (1500 UTC on Jan. 19) and touchdown at 12:20 a.m. JST (1520 UTC).

The next big milestone in SLIMs journey is coming up on Dec. 25 when it enters into lunar orbit. JAXA stated that the 200kg dry mass (700kg wet mass) lander will achieve a full degree of success if it is able to land within a 100-square-meter target using its vision-based navigation system.

The target landing site for SLIM is the SHIOLI crater near the Sea of Nectar, located at 13.3S, 25.2E. The lander is designed to operate until lunar sunset occurs.

Its payloads include the Multi-Band Spectral Camera (MBC), which will examine the composition of surrounding rocks, and a small probe called the Lunar Excursion Vehicle 2 (LEV-2), which separates from the main spacecraft just before landing and performs photo imaging.

To satisfy the limited size of the vehicle to be [mounted] on SLIM, we had to downsize LEV-2. However, downsizing causes a decrease in running performance, said Hirano Daichi, one of the researchers involved with LEV-2, in a statement. In order to deal with this problem, we designed the vehicle to be a spherical object with expandable wheels and a stabilizer using the transforming technologies for toys.

Moreover, we adopted the robust and safe design technology for childrens toys, which reduced the number of components used in the vehicle as much as possible and increased its reliability, he added.

Peregrine takes flight soon

The next lander to launch and the last one scheduled to land in January is Astrobotics Peregrine lunar lander. Liftoff aboard a United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket is set for 1:49 a.m. EST (0649 UTC) on Dec. 24. If needed, there are backup opportunities at 1:53 a.m. EST (0653 UTC) on Dec. 25 and 2:08 a.m. EST (0708 UTC) on Dec. 26.

The mission will launch the lander on a translunar injection.

We will be close to Earth, but on a trajectory that will more or less intersect with the Moons orbit. Its at that point, and this is within about an hour or so of launch, were going to separate from the launch vehicle and our lander and Astrobotics mission begins, said John Thornton, Astrobotic CEO, during a media teleconference on Nov. 29.

According to a Nov. 14 presentation by Dr. Joel Kearns, NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration, the landing window for the Peregrine Mission-1 landing is at 3:30 a.m. EST (0830 am UTC) on Jan. 25.

Once they land, Thornton said Peregrine will operate for about 10 days at which point the Sun will set on that part of the Moon, after which he said it will likely become to cold to operate.

In time, we are developing capability to survive that night, but on these first missions, were really focused on the hard enough problem, which is landing on the Moon in the first place, he said.

As with the IM-1 mission, PM-1 will also host a slate of NASA payloads as a participant in the CLPS program. During the teleconference, Thornton said he mostly only thinks about the other companies trying to land on the Moon when asked about it by press, adding that many players are needed for the lunar economy to be a successful venture.

We need this industry to succeed. We need the CLPS program to succeed. That is the number one priority for us, Thornton said. Of course, there is some level of competition with our competitors, but at the end of the day, its really secondary. The most important is the industry and most important is landing success.

Read this article:

Three robotic missions target Moon landings over one week in January Spaceflight Now - Spaceflight Now