Europe is back in space. Running years behind schedule, Europe’s Ariane 6 rocket blasted off on its maiden flight, Tuesday, July 9, from the European Space Agency‘s launch site in French Guiana. The flight deployed three sets of micro-satellites for research purposes, prompting European space officials to declare the trip a success.  However, the mission didn’t go entirely as planned. The final batch of payloads —…

Four NASA volunteers concluded a yearlong Mars simulation at Houston’s Johnson Space Center on Saturday, July 6, as part of the agency’s first Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog (CHAPEA) mission. Stationed in a 3D-printed, 1,700-square-foot habitat since June 25, 2023, crew members Kelly Haston, Anca Selariu, Ross Brockwell and Nathan Jones endured conditions similar…

President Joe Biden’s first broadcast interview following the debate leaves top House Democrats still seeking a change. And, Hurricane Beryl makes landfall in Texas, bringing dangerous winds and rain along the coast. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Monday, July 8, 2024. Several House Democrats call for Biden to step aside during…

NASA has the end of the International Space Station (ISS) in its sights as it deals with a historic lawsuit concerning space junk originating from the station. NASA awarded SpaceX nearly $1 billion to make the vehicle that will take the ISS out of its orbit when it’s time to retire in a few years.  The…

Editor’s note: After Straight Arrow News and several other outlets reported on Boeing’s Revolver Hypersonic Missile Launcher, a Boeing spokesperson clarified that the rendering was not created by Boeing and the company does not have the launcher in development. This story has been updated to correct the previous inaccuracy on July 1 at 11:35 a.m.…

Ukraine is using U.S.-supplied Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) against Russia to decimate sensitive sites deep behind enemy lines. A video of a recent Ukrainian attack shows four ATACMS launchers, each firing two long-range missiles. Videos circulating on Russian social media show the impact of those missiles. One video, taken from the window of a…

Boeing is delaying the return of two NASA astronauts from the International Space Station (ISS), following problems with helium leaks and thrusters. NASA announced on Tuesday, June 18, that the efforts to get them home may have the two astronauts in space longer than anticipated. The initial plan was for astronauts Barry Wilmore and Sunita…

The two NASA astronauts on the Boeing Starliner spacecraft were welcomed aboard the International Space Station (ISS) Thursday, June 6. Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams will spend two weeks on the space station. The Starliner docked after successfully completing a key test flight for Boeing — despite issues with the spacecraft’s thrusters.  The hatch between the capsule and the space station…

President Joe Biden comments on his son’s federal gun trial during a wide-ranging interview. And Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu planned a visit to D.C. to address Congress. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Friday, June 7, 2024. President says he would not pardon Hunter Biden in federal gun trial As the prosecution is set…

Boeing’s Starliner Atlas V rocket successfully launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Wednesday, June 5, carrying two NASA astronauts. This followed two previously failed attempts. The capsule reached orbit about 12 minutes after liftoff. Now, NASA says the Starliner mission is facing new issues en route to the International Space Station (ISS).  NASA reported two…