Help Shape the Future of Space Exploration

Join The Planetary Society Now

Join our eNewsletter for updates & action alerts

Blogs

Blog Archive

A Big Day for Commercial Spaceflight

Posted by Jason Davis on 2013/09/29 11:42 CDT

On Sunday, Orbital Sciences Corporation's Cygnus resupply spacecraft was berthed to the ISS, while SpaceX's upgraded Falcon 9 lifted off from the California coast.

A Russian Guide to Wednesday's Союз Старт (Soyuz Launch)

Posted by Jason Davis on 2013/09/24 11:28 CDT | 6 comments

Follow along with Roscosmos during the launch of Soyuz TMA-10M using this list of common Russian flight terms.

Cygnus Aborts Station Approach, Will Retry Tuesday

Posted by Jason Davis on 2013/09/22 05:46 CDT

The private spacecraft Cygnus was forced to abort its first attempt to berth with the International Space Station Sunday morning due to a software glitch.

Antares and Cygnus blast off to International Space Station

Posted by Jason Davis on 2013/09/18 11:09 CDT | 1 comments

Orbital Sciences Corporation's Antares rocket lifted off from the Virginia coast this morning, successfully carrying the first operational Cygnus resupply spacecraft into orbit.

Cygnus ready to spread its wings, fly to ISS

Posted by Jason Davis on 2013/09/16 01:43 CDT

Orbital Sciences Corporation's Cygnus spacecraft will launch to the International Space Station Wednesday atop an Antares rocket.

Expedition 36 crew returns to Earth

Posted by Jason Davis on 2013/09/10 11:45 CDT | 3 comments

NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy and cosmonauts Pavel Vinogradov and Alexander Misurkin returned to Earth following a five-and-a-half month stay aboard the International Space Station.

Dream Chaser mini-shuttle prepares for free flight tests

Posted by Jason Davis on 2013/08/15 03:42 CDT | 3 comments

Sierra Nevada Corporation's Dream Chaser spacecraft recently completed a series of range and taxi tow tests, which pave the way for free flights that could begin this fall.

Japan sends fourth cargo craft to International Space Station

Posted by Jason Davis on 2013/08/05 06:01 CDT

Japan’s HTV-4 resupply vessel is en route to the International Space Station following a Sunday launch from the Tanegashima Space Center.

Interpreters: the ties that bind international spaceflight

Posted by Jason Davis on 2013/07/24 02:34 CDT | 1 comments

An interview with Elena Kozhukhov, a veteran Russian interpreter who supports the International Space Station.

Spacewalk ends early following helmet water leak

Posted by Jason Davis on 2013/07/16 12:09 CDT

A spacewalk outside the International Space Station Tuesday ended early after a water leak inside astronaut Luca Parmitano’s helmet created a potentially dangerous situation.

Russians start workweek with stroll outside ISS

Posted by Jason Davis on 2013/06/25 11:59 CDT | 1 comments

Cosmonauts Fyodor Yurchikhin and Alexander Misurkin performed a six-and-a-half hour spacewalk outside the International Space Station on Monday.

ESA launches fourth cargo spacecraft to ISS

Posted by Jason Davis on 2013/06/06 11:57 CDT | 1 comments

An Ariane 5 rocket carrying the Automated Transfer Vehicle Albert Einstein lifted off from French Guiana Wednesday.

Express Soyuz sends new crew to station

Posted by Jason Davis on 2013/05/29 08:21 CDT | 1 comments

Fyodor Yurchikhin, Karen Nyberg and Luca Parmitano lifted off in their Soyuz TMA-09M at 4:31 p.m. EDT and arrived at the International Space Station six hours later.

Soyuz capsule carrying Hadfield and company lands safely in Kazakhstan

Posted by Jason Davis on 2013/05/14 11:15 CDT | 2 comments

A Soyuz capsule carrying Roman Romanenko, Chris Hadfield and Tom Marshburn landed safely in Kazhakstan after 146 days in space.

International Space Station with Space Shuttle Endeavour

Station suffers ammonia leak; Saturday spacewalk likely (rolling updates)

Posted by Jason Davis on 2013/05/10 01:25 CDT | 2 comments

Following an ammonia leak reported Thursday morning, NASA is planning a spacewalk to investigate a radiator on the P6 truss.

Antares ready for inaugural flight

Posted by Jason Davis on 2013/04/11 09:48 CDT | 5 comments

Orbital Sciences Corporation is ready to send their Antares rocket system on its inaugural flight.

Dragon overcomes issues, arrives at Station

Posted by Jason Davis on 2013/03/04 09:16 CST | 2 comments

SpaceX's Dragon capsule has arrived at the International Space Station following a wild Friday in which the capsule's thrusters experienced an issue.

Dragon reaches orbit, but experiences propellant valve issue

Posted by Jason Davis on 2013/03/01 11:41 CST | 1 comments

SpaceX's CRS-2 mission began successfully, but hit a snag when a thruster propellant valve failed to work properly.

Human spaceflight update: the modules edition

Posted by Jason Davis on 2013/01/16 10:41 CST | 2 comments

NASA made Wednesday a big day for human spaceflight following the official announcements of two new partnerships with Bigelow Aerospace and the European Space Agency.

New crew arrives at station for holidays

Posted by Jason Davis on 2012/12/21 11:26 CST

The ISS is back to a six-person crew following the arrival of NASA astronaut Tom Marshburn, Canadian Space Agency astronaut Chris Hadfield and Russian Federal Space Agency cosmonaut Roman Romanenko.