Space Travel – Lifeboat News: The Blog

Nov 29
2023

Awesome photo of Earth and the Moon captured by Orion from deep space

In an extraordinary feat of engineering and international collaboration, the Orion spacecraft, a part of NASA’s Artemis I mission, has achieved a remarkable milestone in space exploration. The spacecraft ventured some 267,000 miles from Earth and roughly 40,000 miles from the Moon, surpassing the distance record set by the Apollo 13 mission over half a century ago.

In this photo, the Orion capsule, along with the Earth and the Moon, appeared to be posing for a ‘family portrait.’ This iconic image marks a pivotal moment in the mission’s journey, symbolizing the culmination of years of meticulous planning and execution.

Orion’s journey from Earth began a year ago, on November 16, 2022, when NASA’s mega Moon rocket, the Space Launch System, lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA. The uncrewed Orion spacecraft was placed into Earth orbit, marking the beginning of a new era in lunar exploration.

Nov 28
2023

It’s a year since NASA’s Orion capsule entered record books

A year has passed since NASA’s Artemis I mission sent the new Orion spacecraft all the way to the moon, and then beyond, setting a new record in the process.

Nov 28
2023

Virgin Galactic announces state-of-the-art spaceship hub in Arizona

Explore Virgin Galactic’s Mesa facility, a cutting-edge hub poised to revolutionize spacecraft manufacturing, boosting space travel capabilities and economic growth.

Virgin Galactic.

This move, detailed in a recent company release, outlines Virgin Galactic’s ambitious plans for its next-generation Delta class spaceships, aiming to boost production and flight frequency significantly.

Nov 26
2023

I’m sending my name to Jupiter’s moon Europa on a NASA spacecraft — and here’s why you should, too

NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft is headed to one of Jupiter’s largest moons. It’s bringing along a microchip filled with human names.

Nov 25
2023

Canada’s newest astronauts get their first missions to space

One will fly to the Space Station with the first operational launch of Boeing’s Starliner, while the other will play a important role in upcoming missions to the Moon.

Nov 24
2023

‘Mateship’ or ‘Kakirra’? Australia turns to public to name its 1st moon rover

The Australian Space Agency has revealed its shortlist of names for the country’s first lunar rover — and you can help choose the winner by casting your vote.

In partnership with NASA, the agency’s Australian-made, semi-autonomous rover is slated to launch to the moon as part of a future Artemis mission by as early as 2026. The rover will have the ability to pick up lunar rocks and dust, then bring the specimens back to a moon lander operated by NASA.

Nov 24
2023

Heatherwick Studio unveils undulating mixed-use district in Tokyo

Aiming to create a city district that provides access to nature and a diversity of spaces, Heatherwick Studio designed Azabudai Hills to contain residential buildings, retail and restaurant spaces, a school, two temples, art galleries, offices and 24,000 square metres of public green space.

The 81,000-square-metre-development was informed by timber pergola structures with a gridded roof structure that extends like hilltops to create curving forms extending to ground level.

Heatherwick Studio added trees, flowers and meandering routes between the building and on the sloping roofs, aiming to create spaces that invite exploration and encourage social gatherings.

Nov 23
2023

SpaceX delivers Thanksgiving turkeys in outer space

The Thanksgiving meal will commemorate NASA’s 50th year of celebrating the holiday in space.

NASA TV

The Expedition 70 crew will savor a lavish holiday feast, thanks to the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, which delivered supplies on November 11.

Nov 23
2023

Falcon 9 Flies, As SpaceX Heads for 10-Launch Month, 100-Launch Year

@SpaceX has launched its eighth Falcon 9 mission of November, as it heads towards its first 10-launch month and conceivably its first 100-launch year.

Nov 23
2023

Virgin Galactic sets dates for first commercial space flights

After multiple delays, billionaire Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic is finally ready to begin commercial space flights — and you can snag a ticket for $450,000.

The background: In June 2021, Virgin Galactic became the first spaceline to secure permission from the FAA for commercial space flights, suggesting that it was pulling ahead of rivals Blue Origin and SpaceX in the space tourism arena.

While both of those companies planned to use rockets to send crewed capsules into space, Virgin Galactic’s idea was to put people in a spaceplane — a vehicle that can fly through Earth’s atmosphere like a plane, but also navigate space like a spacecraft.