Space Explored

Stay updated with the latest space news from NASA, SpaceX, Boeing, ULA, and other organizations that are advancing humanity's journey into space. This is part of the 9to5 Network, which includes @9to5Mac and @ElectrekCo.

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Are suborbital tourism flights getting old?

1 week ago | spaceexplored.com | Seth Kurkowski

This week Blue Origin launched its NS-31 mission carrying a crew of six above the Karman Line for a short 11-minute flight. The flight was historic for being the first all-female spaceflight since 1963 and was marketed as a feminist movement, but some have doubts it did anything. So, are PR stunt suborbital spaceflights getting old? Or is it just Blue Origin’s take on them? Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket lifted off from its West Texas launch site at 8:30 AM CT with the NS-31 crew.
Starbase GigaBay preparations underway

1 week ago | spaceexplored.com | Seth Kurkowski

For the last few weeks, SpaceX has been clearing land for its next massive project in Starbase, Texas: GigaBay. In its way was the old Stargate facility and High Bay, both of which are in various stages of demolition. In its place will be Starbase’s largest structure, a processing facility that will be able to process as many as a dozen Starships at a time. The first stages of GigaBay’s construction were the removal of SpaceX’s HighBay.
5 takeaways from Jared Isaacman's confirmation hearing

1 week ago | spaceexplored.com | Seth Kurkowski

Last week, Jared Isaacman sat in front of his first Congressional hearing in what is expected to be his new career as NASA Administrator. On Wednesday, Isaacman sat in front of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee for his confirmation hearing, answering any questions the Senators wished before they voted on giving him the job or not. Here are five things we could expect from potential Administrator Isaacman if he is confirmed.
NASA Administrator hopeful commits to the Moon, but will set priority on Mars

2 weeks ago | spaceexplored.com | Seth Kurkowski

The Artemis Program political drama continues as Jared Isaacman, nominee for NASA Administrator, shares his support for returning to the Moon to build up the capabilities to get to Mars. This sounds very similar to NASA’s already-established Moon-to-Mars program, which has been the main talking point over the last eight years when asked about going to Mars. However, this goes against what has been publicly stated about the direction of the nation’s space program.
Blue Origin finally get their defense launch contracts

2 weeks ago | spaceexplored.com | Seth Kurkowski

After lobbying the option into existence, Blue Origin has finally been awarded launches under the Space Force‘s National Security Space Launch Phase 3 Lane 2 contract. The New Glenn has only launched once so far, and we’re still awaiting word on when and what the rocket’s second launch will be.
Jared Isaacman's first Senate committee hearing will be this Wednesday

2 weeks ago | spaceexplored.com | Seth Kurkowski

Jared Isaacman has finally received his call to be interviewed by the Senate for his new job as NASA Administrator, much more delayed than we originally thought. This will kick off the intense process before Isaacman can officially begin managing the agency. Jared Isaacman, founder of payment processing company Shift4 and benefactor/commander of the Inspiration4 and Polaris Dawn missions to space, will go before the Senate’s Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on Wednesday.
Starship Flight 9 to see first reused booster

2 weeks ago | spaceexplored.com | Seth Kurkowski

SpaceX announced that its Starship Flight 9 mission will see the rocket’s first taste of reusability with the booster from Flight 7. The company also announced that a vast majority of the Raptor engines that flew on the booster will return for flight as well. Thursday morning, SpaceX fired up the engines on Booster 14 on Launch Pad A for a first-of-its-kind static fire. While every Starship test is usually exciting, this one was the relight of an already flown booster.
SpaceX's Starship added to NASA's approved launcher list

3 weeks ago | spaceexplored.com | Seth Kurkowski

Last week NASA announced that it has added SpaceX’s Starship rocket to its NASA Launch Services II contract, giving future access to NASA missions when the agency and rocket are ready. However, Starship’s current status will need to move forward in development much further before it will likely be able to compete for contracts. NASA Launch Services is the agency’s program to acquire launch services for its various scientific missions.
Former SpaceXer brings in largest space seed round for next generation spacecraft

3 weeks ago | spaceexplored.com | Seth Kurkowski

Jeff Thornburg, former SpaceX VP that oversaw the development of Starship‘s Raptor engine, announced today that his company, Portal Space Systems, has raised $17.5 million in seed funding. The company plans to finish development and launch its first Supernova satellite system that is powered by an engine that comes with the benefits of nuclear propulsion, without the reactor.
What's next for ULA's Vulcan rocket?

3 weeks ago | spaceexplored.com | Seth Kurkowski

Last week, the US Space Force announced it had certified ULA‘s Vulcan rocket for use on national security space launches, a major win for the company’s bottom line. However, the multi-month delay means Vulcan will not be ULA’s next launch, but the company still has big plans for this year. Last week the Space Force announced that it has finally certified the ULA Vulcan rocket just over a year after the rocket’s inaugural launch.