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Trump to attend Demo-2 launch, but fewer other guests
While both the president and vice president plan to attend the Demo-2 commercial crew launch, there will be far fewer people attending the first American human orbital spaceflight in nearly a decade than once expected.
SpaceX Demo-2 commercial crew mission passes flight readiness review
NASA has given SpaceX approval to proceed with final preparations for the first commercial crew mission with astronauts on board, although there is still work to complete ahead of the planned May 27 launch.
Commercial crew launch preparations continue despite leadership shakeup
Preparations for the launch of a SpaceX commercial crew test flight with two NASA astronauts on board are continuing despite the unexpected departure of the head of the agency’s overall human spaceflight program.
NASA renames WFIRST space telescope after pioneering woman astronomer
NASA announced May 20 it is renaming a major space telescope under development after an astronomer who led the agency’s early work in space-based astronomy, even as the mission remains under threat of cancellation.
NASA human spaceflight head Loverro leaves agency
Doug Loverro, the NASA official responsible for human spaceflight programs, left the agency May 18 after less than six months on the job.
Navy’s solar power satellite hardware to be tested in orbit
The results of the experiment could drive the design of a dedicated spacecraft to capture solar power in space.
NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility to partially reopen
NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans will partially reopen May 18, allowing some mission-critical personnel to resume working there for the first time in two months.
NASA announces Artemis Accords for international cooperation in lunar exploration
NASA will ask countries that seek to cooperate on the agency’s Artemis lunar exploration program to follow a series of principles that the agency says is intended to support a “safe, prosperous and peaceful” future in space.
NASA advisers skeptical of agency’s ability to meet 2024 lunar landing goal
Members of a NASA advisory committee expressed doubts that the agency can return humans to the moon by 2024 as currently planned, as well as concerns about the approach the agency is using to develop lunar landers.
First SLS launch now expected in late 2021
NASA now expects the first launch of the Space Launch System to take place in late 2021, with the coronavirus pandemic at least partially contributing to the latest delays.
NASA refines plans for launching Gateway and other Artemis elements
NASA is making several changes to its plans to return humans to the surface of the moon by 2024, including launching the first two elements of the lunar Gateway together and adding a critical demonstration to the first crewed Orion flight.
Space Force troops preparing for possibility of having to rescue NASA astronauts
The unit known as Detachment 3 is responsible to rescue astronauts if they have to abort the mission.
NASA signs deal for additional Soyuz seat
NASA will pay more than $90 million for an additional seat on a Soyuz spacecraft launching to the International Space Station this fall, an insurance policy in the event of any additional commercial crew delays.
UAE to select next astronauts in January
The United Arab Emirates plans to double the size of its astronaut corps by early next year with the selection of two new astronauts from a pool of more than 4,000 applicants.
National security space conference to propose plan to boost industrial base
A group with more than 150 government and industry officials will recommend greater investments in space technology and education.
NASA hires NOAA official as new Earth science director
NASA has selected an official with NOAA’s satellite division to lead its Earth science programs, a search that took more than a year to complete.
