Firefly Aerospace is gearing up for its fifth launch tonight, carrying NASA payloads into orbit. The mission, named ‘Noise of Summer,’ will deploy eight CubeSats, including a test of an inflatable antenna, a cosmic ray detector, and missions designed by high school students to study Earth’s climate. The launch was originally scheduled for Monday but was scrubbed due to a ground systems issue. The company is confident that the rocket and payloads are ready for launch.
NASA’s Mars Odyssey Orbiter has completed an incredible milestone, reaching 100,000 orbits around Mars after 23 years of exploration. The orbiter has been instrumental in mapping Martian minerals, identifying landing sites for future missions, and relaying data from rovers like Perseverance and Curiosity. It has also captured stunning images of Olympus Mons, the tallest volcano in the solar system, and even photographed the Ingenuity helicopter during its historic flights. This long-lasting mission continues to provide valuable scientific insights about the red planet.
