Articles by Amy Thompson

A United Launch Alliance Delta IV Medium rocket, the last of its kind, launches the GPS III Magellan navigation satellite for the U.S. Air Force from Space Launch Complex 37 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on Aug. 22, 2019.

Delta IV Medium Rocket, the Last Of Its Kind, Launches GPS Satellite for US Air Force

By Amy Thompson

The last Delta IV Medium rocket ever to fly successfully launched the second GPS III Magellan navigation satellite for the U.S. Air Force Thursday (Aug. 22).

A scene from the Netflix series "Stranger Things."

'Stranger Things' Science: What If You Needed to Know Planck's Constant to Save the World?

By Amy Thompson

Season 3 of the Netflix hit series "Stranger Things" again shows the series' appreciation for science, giving a staple of quantum mechanics an important cameo.

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying the U.S. Air Force's Advanced Extremely High Frequency 5 military communications satellite lifts off from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on Aug. 8, 2019.

Atlas V Rocket Launches Advanced Communications Satellite for US Military

By Amy Thompson

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket took to the skies early this morning (Aug. 8), delivering a highly advanced communications satellite into space for the U.S. Air Force.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches the Amos-17 communications satellite from Florida on Aug. 6, 2019.

Twice-Flown SpaceX Rocket Launches Huge Communications Satellite

By Amy Thompson

SpaceX successfully launched its ninth space mission of the year today (Aug. 6), delivering an Israeli communications satellite into orbit.

SpaceX will use the first stage of this Falcon 9 rocket, shown here launching the Es'Hail 2 satellite in November 2018, to launch the Israeli Amos-17 communications satellite from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Liftoff is now targeted for Aug. 6.

SpaceX Aims for Tuesday Launch of Israeli Communications Satellite Amos-17

By Amy Thompson

SpaceX is now targeting Tuesday (Aug. 6) for its next launch of a Falcon 9 rocket. It will launch the Israeli communications satellite Amos-17.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches a robotic Dragon cargo capsule toward the International Space Station on July 25, 2019. The launch was the second for the rocket's first stage, and the third for this Dragon capsule.

SpaceX Launches Used Dragon Capsule on Historic 3rd Cargo Run to Space Station

By Amy Thompson

The robotic spacecraft is hauling about 5,000 lbs. (2,270 kilograms) of supplies to the orbiting lab.

SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon cargo capsule stand poised to launch toward the International Space Station on July 24, 2019. The launch attempt was nixed because of bad weather.

Bad Weather Delays SpaceX Cargo Mission to Space Station

By Amy Thompson

SpaceX’s next cargo mission to the International Space Station has been delayed by at least 24 hours due to poor weather conditions.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches a Dragon cargo ship on the CRS-17 cargo delivery mission for NASA from Cape Canaveral, Air Force Station, Florida on May 4, 2019.

SpaceX to Launch Used Dragon Cargo Ship for NASA on July 24

By Amy Thompson

SpaceX's Starhopper prototype is seen during testing operations at the company's launch site in Boca Chica, Texas near Brownsville, Texas in this photo released by CEO Elon Musk on April 7, 2019.

SpaceX Test-Fires 'Starhopper' Starship Prototype, Creates Big Fireball

By Amy Thompson

The Tuesday (July 16) test, which lasted approximately 5 seconds, seemed to be successful despite bright orange flames engulfing the vehicle after its single Raptor engine fired.

The One More Orbit crew back on the ground at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida after their record-setting flight.

Retired NASA Astronaut Terry Virts, Aviators Set World Circumnavigation Speed Record to Honor Apollo 11

By Amy Thompson

Virts and his team accomplished the feat in less than 47 hours.

The Planetary Society’s LightSail 2 captured this picture of Earth’s limb on July 6, 2019, at 12:41 a.m. EDT from a camera mounted on its dual-sided solar panels. The spacecraft was headed into orbital sunset at the time, and the sun is visible to the right. The photo is unmodified and shows a number of lens flare artifacts caused by sunlight scattering around the camera optics. LightSail 2’s dual fisheye cameras have fields of view of about 180 degrees, causing the arcs in the corners and some distortion.

LightSail 2 Beams 1st Photos Home from Orbit! How to Track the Little Satellite.

By Amy Thompson

The Planetary Society's solar-sailing spacecraft LightSail 2 beamed back its first views of Earth on Sunday (July 7). And you can keep close tabs on the little satellite — here's how.

A blue tarp on the deck of the ship GO Ms. Tree covers the first payload fairing SpaceX has ever managed to pluck out of the sky.

SpaceX Fairing-Snagging Ship Returns to Shore with Epic Catch (Photos)

By Amy Thompson

Onlookers adorned the shoreline of Florida's Port Canaveral on Thursday (June 27) as SpaceX's net-equipped ship returned home with the space hardware that it plucked from the sky two days earlier.

SpaceX's Starship is under construction at a Florida steel site.

SpaceX's 'Starship' Prototype Coming Together in Florida (Photos)

By Amy Thompson

Deep in the heart of the Florida Space Coast's industrial area, a Mars-colonizing spaceship is being built.

The new "green" propellant being tested on a cubesat is actually salmon-colored.

NASA's New Salmon-Colored 'Green' Fuel Is a Much Safer Propellant

By Amy Thompson

SpaceX's next Falcon Heavy launch will carry a satellite designed to test a new type of rocket fuel, the first ever "green" propellant in space. Only it's not so green.

SpaceX's first Falcon Heavy rocket on the launchpad before its February 2018 flight.

SpaceX Eyes New Feats With Falcon Heavy Launch Tonight

By Amy Thompson

SpaceX's megarocket, the Falcon Heavy, is poised for flight. Perched atop NASA's historic Pad 39A, the behemoth will lift off sometime during a 4-hour window that opens late tonight (June 24).

The SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket made its first commercial launch on April 11, 2019.

SpaceX Test-Fires Falcon Heavy Megarocket for Its 1st Night Launch

By Amy Thompson

SpaceX is gearing up for the next flight of the company's megarocket, the Falcon Heavy.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket emerges from thick fog as it launches three Radarsat satellites for Canada from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on June 12, 2019.

Used SpaceX Rocket Launches 3 Radarsat Satellites, Aces Foggy Landing

By Amy Thompson

SpaceX successfully launched its seventh space mission of the year today (June 12), delivering a trio of Earth-observing satellites into orbit.

A thrice-flown SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches the company's first 60 Starlink satellites into orbit from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida on May 23, 2019.

SpaceX Launches 60 Starlink Satellites on Thrice-Flown Rocket, Sticks Landing

By Amy Thompson

Thousands more will follow, if all goes according to plan.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches the CRS-17 Dragon cargo mission to the International Space Station for NASA from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on May 4, 2019.

SpaceX Dragon Launches NASA Cargo to Space Station, Aces Predawn Rocket Landing

By Amy Thompson

SpaceX successfully launched its 17th commercial cargo mission to the International Space Station today (May 4), then stuck a rocket landing on a ship at sea.

A new SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and previously flown Dragon cargo ship stand atop their launch site at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida to launch the CRS-17 cargo mission for NASA.

SpaceX Delays Dragon Cargo Ship Launch for NASA Due to Drone Ship Glitch

By Amy Thompson

SpaceX’s next cargo mission to the International Space Station has been delayed by at least 24 hours due to technical issues.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches the company's robotic Dragon cargo capsule toward the International Space Station on Aug. 14, 2017. This same Dragon is scheduled to launch on another resupply run early Friday (May 3).

SpaceX Will Launch a Dragon Cargo Ship for NASA Before Dawn Saturday! Here's How to Watch.

By Amy Thompson

A used SpaceX Dragon cargo capsule is scheduled to launch on a robotic resupply mission to the International Space Station Friday (May 3) at 3:11 a.m. EDT. Watch it live here.

SpaceX's first Crew Dragon capsule arrives in port after a successful March 2019 test flight. An April 20 Crew Dragon engine test suffered an anomaly, SpaceX says.

SpaceX Crew Dragon Capsule Suffers Anomaly During Engine Test

By Amy Thompson

A SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft suffered an anomaly during an engine test in Florida Saturday (April 20), company officials said.

People watch as the SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket lifts off from launch pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on April 11, 2019 in Titusville, Florida. The rocket is carrying a communications satellite built by Lockheed Martin into orbit.

SpaceX Falcon Heavy Sticks Triple Rocket Landing with 1st Commercial Launch

By Amy Thompson

SpaceX's Falcon Heavy successfully launched its first operational mission today (April 10), more than a year after its demo mission catapulted a red Tesla and a dummy nicknamed Starman into space.

SpaceX's Falcon Heavy launches on its first-ever flight, a Feb. 6, 2018, test mission. The rocket's second launch is scheduled for April 9.

SpaceX Fires Up Falcon Heavy Ahead of Rocket's 2nd-Ever Launch Next Week

By Amy Thompson

SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket performed a static fire test today (April 5), helping pave the way for a planned April 9 launch for the huge rocket.

SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule cruises into Port Canaveral, Florida on March 9 aboard the recovery ship GO Searcher.

SpaceX's 1st Crew Dragon Arrives in Port After Historic Mission (Photos)

By Amy Thompson

SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule cruised into port Saturday night, wrapping up the spacecraft's first test flight to the International Space Station. See photos here.