ISS
NASA approves Dec. 20 Starliner test flight
NASA gave its approval Dec. 12 to proceed with the launch later this month of Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner commercial crew spacecraft on an uncrewed test flight to the International Space Station.
Falcon 9 launches Dragon cargo spacecraft to ISS
A SpaceX Falcon 9 successfully launched a Dragon cargo spacecraft bound for the International Space Station Dec. 5 on a mission that will also perform a test of the rocket’s upper stage.
NASA faces spacewalk schedule crunch
NASA space station managers are still trying to find ways to squeeze in at least three spacewalks into a crowded schedule before the station’s crew drops to three people in February.
NASA proposes to buy seat on short-duration commercial ISS flight
NASA announced Nov. 26 that it is interested in buying a seat on a future commercial mission to the International Space Station, the latest move in the agency’s broader low Earth orbit commercialization efforts.
Inspector general report says NASA risks losing access to the ISS in 2020
NASA’s inspector general warned in a new report that, because of commercial crew delays, utilization of the International Space Station will drop sharply in 2020 and that NASA runs the risk of losing access entirely by next fall.
NASA prepares for complex series of spacewalks to repair AMS
Two astronauts are set to begin a series of spacewalks this week to repair an instrument outside the International Space Station that was never designed to be serviced in orbit.
Astronaut preparing for ISS mission with reduced crew
A NASA astronaut flying to the International Space Station next spring could be the only American on the station for an extended period because of uncertainty in the status of commercial crew vehicles.
FOMS reports high-quality ZBLAN production on ISS
Fiber Optic Manufacturing in Space (FOMS) Inc. presented the results Nov. 7 of its successful campaign to produce optical fiber on the International Space Station.
Antares launches Cygnus cargo spacecraft on first CRS-2 mission
Northrop Grumman Antares rocket successfully launched a Cygnus cargo spacecraft on a mission to the International Space Station Nov. 2, kicking off a new era in cargo delivery for the station.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries mulls upgraded H3 rocket variants for lunar missions
As Japan prepares to join NASA’s Artemis lunar program, the country’s largest rocket manufacturer says it could upgrade the H3 rocket debuting next year to deliver cargo to the moon as soon as 2025.
DLR, Teledyne begin hyperspectral imaging from ISS
The German Space Agency DLR and Teledyne Brown Engineering of Huntsville, Alabama, have started operation of a jointly funded hyperspectral imager attached to the exterior of the International Space Station.
NASA astronauts complete repairs on historic spacewalk
Two NASA astronauts successfully replaced a faulty battery charger during the agency’s first all-female spacewalk Oct. 18, an event that at times appeared to go better in orbit than on the ground.
NASA reshuffles spacewalk schedule after hardware failure
NASA will postpone the remainder of an ongoing series of spacewalks at the International Space Station to upgrade batteries for its power system after a related component malfunctioned and needs to be replaced.
NASA looks to support development of commercial space stations
As NASA releases a draft solicitation to support development of commercial space stations, a former agency administrator is calling on industry to step up its investment in and use of such facilities.
NASA prepares for ISS spacewalks and seeks input on lunar spacesuits
As NASA gears up for a lengthy series of spacewalks to perform repairs on the International Space Station, the agency is seeking input on plans to produce a new generation of spacesuits needed for the moon.
ISS National Lab work continues amid NASA review
An independent review of the nonprofit organization that operates the portion of the International Space Station designated a national lab has not affected its day-to-day work, an organization official said Sept. 16.
