News Archive / Missions

• SpaceX launches 3rd Starlink mission in under a week

  Theresa CrossMay 18th, 2022

  In less than a week, SpaceX orbited three batches of Starlink satellites, one from each of its launch pads on both coasts of the United States.

• Pluto’s ice volcanoes may still be active today

  Laurel KornfeldMay 14th, 2022

  A new study of Pluto's surface returned by the New Horizons spacecraft in 2015 has confirmed the presence of ice volcanoes on the dwarf planet's surface.

• The people of Artemis: Brad McCain

  Scott JohnsonMay 12th, 2022

  Brad McCain is the vice president and deputy general manager for the Test and Operations Support Contract at Jacobs, the prime contractor for NASA's EGS.

• Winter is coming for NASA’s Ingenuity Mars helicopter

  Cullen DesforgesMay 11th, 2022

  The end could potentially be near for NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter as Martian winter and dust storms wreak havoc on the drone's vital systems.

• SpaceX orbits Starlink satellites in pre-dawn launch

  Theresa CrossMay 6th, 2022

  A SpaceX Falcon 9 launched 53 Starlink satellites to low Earth orbit at 5:42 a.m. EDT May 6, 2022, from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

• SpaceX flies same Falcon 9 first stage in 3 weeks

  Theresa CrossApril 29th, 2022

  In the latest SpaceX Starlink internet satellite mission, the company set a new launch-to-launch turnaround record for a Falcon 9 first stage.

• Crew-4 arrives at International Space Station in Dragon ‘Freedom’

  Derek RichardsonApril 28th, 2022

  Less than 16 hours after launching from Florida, the Crew-4 astronauts arrived at the International Space Station to begin a five-month stay aboard the outpost.

• Freedom soars: Crew-4 astronauts launch to Space Station

  Theresa CrossApril 27th, 2022

  In a beautiful early-morning liftoff, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 sent Dragon Freedom with four Crew-4 astronauts into space for a multi-month mission aboard the International Space Station.

• Crew-4 astronauts set to fly to International Space Station

  Theresa CrossApril 27th, 2022

  The astronauts of the Crew-4 mission are set to fly to the International Space Station in a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft less than two days after the completion of the all-private Axiom Space mission.

• All-private Axiom Space astronauts return to Earth

  Derek RichardsonApril 25th, 2022

  Four private Axiom Space astronauts returned to Earth in a SpaceX Dragon capsule after spending two weeks aboard the International Space Station performing science and outreach activities.

• The People of Artemis: Chris Cianciola, NASA Space Launch System deputy manager

  Scott JohnsonApril 23rd, 2022

  During the rollout of NASA's Artemis 1 Space Launch System moon rocket, Spaceflight Insider had the opportunity to speak with the SLS deputy manager.

• NASA to return the SLS rocket to Vehicle Assembly Building

  Theresa CrossApril 21st, 2022

  NASA is set to return the Space Launch System back to the Vehicle Assembly Building next week for repairs on the rocket and mobile launcher.

• Futuristic-looking van to transport Artemis astronauts to pad

  Cullen DesforgesApril 20th, 2022

  The dawning of a new era in American human spaceflight will also bring about the debut of a new series of transport vehicles for Artemis astronauts.

• NASA’s Ingenuity Mars helicopter logs 25th flight

  Cullen DesforgesApril 18th, 2022

  NASA’s Ingenuity Mars helicopter logged its 25th flight as it works to catch up with the Perseverance rover, which is heading toward an ancient river delta.

• NASA moving forward with modified fueling test for SLS rocket

  Theresa CrossApril 13th, 2022

  NASA said it is modifying the wet dress rehearsal for the giant SLS rocket in advance of the uncrewed Artemis 1 mission around the Moon.

• Amazon signs contracts for 83 rocket launches

  Theresa CrossApril 12th, 2022

  Last week, Amazon announced one of the most significant rocket deals within the commercial space market in order to build its Kuiper internet constellation.

• All-private Axiom Space astronauts dock with Space Station

  Derek RichardsonApril 9th, 2022

  Four private Axiom Space astronauts docked to the International Space Station after launching atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket less than 24 hours earlier.

• Ceres may have formed in the outer solar system

  Laurel KornfeldApril 3rd, 2022

  Ceres is located in the asteroid belt, but its makeup and large water content suggest it formed in the outer solar system where other dwarf planets orbit.

• The People of Artemis: Jeremy Parsons, NASA Exploration Ground Systems Deputy Manager

  Scott JohnsonApril 2nd, 2022

  During the rollout of NASA's Artemis 1 SLS rocket, Spaceflight Insider spoke with Exploration Ground Systems Deputy Program Manager Jeremy Parsons.

• 50-year-old Apollo Moon samples unsealed for the first time

  Theresa CrossApril 1st, 2022

  Moon rock and dust samples collected by Apollo 17 astronauts in 1972, “sealed for posterity” 50 years ago, were unlocked from their celestial time capsule.