NASA’s Starliner spacecraft, piloted by Sunita Williams, was scheduled to launch to the International Space Station (ISS) on Saturday, but the mission was called off at the last minute due to a technical issue. The launch has now been rescheduled for Sunday.
Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, scheduled to carry two astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS), has once again seen its launch delayed, this time by at least 24 hours. The postponement comes after a series of setbacks, including a faulty pressure valve and other engineering issues. Boeing has been eager to gain a foothold in the lucrative space business, but has faced competition from SpaceX, which has successfully used its Crew Dragon capsule to send astronauts to the ISS.
Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams is set to make history as she prepares for her third space mission on Saturday. Williams, along with NASA astronaut Barry ‘Butch’ Wilmore, will pilot Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, marking the first crewed flight for the spacecraft under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. The mission aims to test the spacecraft’s systems and its ability to transport astronauts to and from the International Space Station (ISS). If successful, Starliner will become an additional vehicle for NASA’s crewed missions to the ISS. Williams, a former record holder for most spacewalks by a woman, will become the first to board the spacecraft alongside Wilmore. The debut crew launch flight is scheduled to lift off from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center around 10 pm Indian Standard Time. The spacecraft is expected to reach the ISS on Sunday, where the astronauts will conduct a series of tests and remain for nearly a week before returning to Earth on June 10th.
Boeing Space’s Starliner spacecraft and United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V rocket have been transported to the launchpad at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, marking a significant milestone towards the first crewed flight of the Starliner. Despite previous delays due to technical issues, this Saturday’s launch appears to be on track, potentially marking the first time astronauts will board the Starliner for a voyage to the International Space Station.
The US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, has announced that NASA will soon begin training Indian astronauts as part of a joint effort to send an Indian astronaut to the International Space Station (ISS) by the end of this year. This mission is part of the US’s commitment made to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to the US in 2023. The training will begin this year or next, and the joint effort will be part of the NISAR project, a joint Earth-observing mission between NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Ambassador Garcetti also praised the efficiency of the Indian space agency, highlighting the low-cost lunar mission, Chandrayan-3. Additionally, he mentioned the possibility of nuclear reactor projects in India after the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections.
The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago has unveiled a captivating new exhibit featuring a SpaceX Dragon capsule that has made history with its remarkable journeys to the International Space Station (ISS). The CRS-12 Dragon, which embarked on two successful missions in 2017 and 2019, stands as a testament to the groundbreaking advancements in commercial spaceflight. This awe-inspiring exhibit showcases the capsule’s pivotal role in paving the way for astronaut launches from U.S. soil in 2020, marking a new era in space exploration.
NASA has announced another delay in the first crewed launch of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS). The launch, which was initially scheduled for May 20th, has now been pushed back to June 1st, 2023. This is the third delay for the mission, which was originally set to take astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to the ISS for a week-long visit.
Boeing’s highly anticipated Starliner spacecraft’s maiden crewed launch has been postponed again, this time to May 21. The original launch date of May 6 was delayed due to an issue with a pressure regulation valve on the Atlas V rocket. Despite replacing the valve, engineers have detected a small helium leak on the Starliner’s service module, prompting additional testing before the launch. NASA and Boeing are working to address the issue and complete necessary spacecraft testing to ensure a successful launch.
The International Space Station (ISS), the third brightest object in the night sky, graced the skies of Chennai on May 10th. Following NASA’s announcement of the ISS’s visibility in Indian cities, residents witnessed the awe-inspiring spectacle and captured its presence on social media. The ISS’s appearance drew much excitement, with users sharing their joy at witnessing the celestial marvel with their bare eyes. Despite the cloudy weather, the ISS’s brightness made it a sight to behold, appearing as a moving star. Additional sightings are expected in Chennai on May 11th at 5.02 am, May 12th at 4.14 am and 7.08 pm, May 13th at 5 am, and May 14th at 4.14 am.
Marking a historic milestone in culinary innovation, DoubleTree by Hilton has sent its iconic chocolate chip cookie to space, becoming the first food ever baked in the cosmos. This pioneering experiment, conducted aboard the International Space Station (ISS), aimed to enhance the comfort and hospitality of long-duration space travel.
The groundbreaking venture, initiated in 2019, placed DoubleTree at the forefront of space exploration as the first hospitality company to engage in ISS research. Partnering with Zero G Kitchen and Nanoracks, DoubleTree developed a space-friendly oven to bake the cookie, which successfully orbited Earth in 2020 for testing. The cookie’s aroma filled the ISS, creating a comforting and familiar touch in the vastness of space.
Upon its return, the DoubleTree cookie embarked on a journey from the Johnson Space Center to the National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia. It is now proudly displayed in an air-tight exhibition box, commemorating its historic mission.
Shawn McAteer, DoubleTree by Hilton’s brand leader, highlighted the significance of the spacefaring cookie, reflecting the brand’s unwavering commitment to hospitality and innovation. He noted that DoubleTree’s mission aligns with Hilton’s long-standing fascination with space exploration, harkening back to Barron Hilton’s ambitious plans for a lunar-based hotel during the Space Race.
Visitors to the Udvar-Hazy Center can marvel at the space-baked DoubleTree cookie, a testament to the ingenuity and culinary exploration that enhances the human experience in space. Those seeking a terrestrial treat can indulge in a warm, original DoubleTree chocolate chip cookie or an allergy-friendly version at any DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in the United States, including the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Sterling – Dulles Airport, conveniently located near the museum.
