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NASA's LOFTID inflatable heat shield demonstrator sits on the deck of a recovery ship shortly after its splashdown on Nov. 10, 2022.

Boots on Mars: Artemis 1 launch and heat shield test take NASA closer

By Mike Wall published

NASA's Artemis 1 moon launch and LOFTID heat shield test successfully demonstrated hardware that could be key to landing astronauts on Mars.

Artemis
The United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket lifting of from Vandenberg Space Force Base on November 10, 2022.

Powerful JPSS-2 weather satellite launches with Mars heat shield test on final Atlas V flight from West Coast

By Josh Dinner last updated

An Atlas V lifted off early Thursday morning (Nov. 10) carrying the JPSS-2 weather satellite and an inflatable heat shield demonstrator to orbit.

Satellites
loftid heat demonstrator with earth in behind

NASA's inflatable flying saucer aces Mars heat shield reentry test

By Elizabeth Howell published

LOFTID soared into space and back again Thursday (Nov. 10), safely splashing down in the Pacific Ocean on a crucial test of aeroshell technology for eventual human Mars missions.

Mars
The United Launch Alliance Atlas V payload fairing containing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Joint Polar Satellite System-2 satellite arrives at the vertical integration facility at Space Launch Complex-3 at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Oct. 18, 2022. 

Watch Atlas V rocket launch powerful JPSS-2 weather satellite early Thursday

By Josh Dinner last updated

The JPSS-2 weather satellite and LOFTID landing-tech demonstrator are scheduled to lift off early Thursday morning (Nov. 10), and you can watch the action live.

Satellites
The United Launch Alliance Atlas V payload fairing containing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Joint Polar Satellite System-2 satellite arrives at the vertical integration facility at Space Launch Complex-3 at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Oct. 18, 2022. 

Launch of advanced JPSS-2 weather satellite delayed to Nov. 10

By Mike Wall last updated

JPSS-2 and the LOFTID technology demonstration will now launch no earlier than Nov. 10, in part because a battery on the upper stage of their Atlas V rocket ride needs to be replaced.

Satellites
The United Launch Alliance Atlas V payload fairing containing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Joint Polar Satellite System-2 satellite arrives at the vertical integration facility at Space Launch Complex-3 at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Oct. 18, 2022. 

Advanced Earth-monitoring JPSS-2 satellite is 'go' for liftoff on Nov. 1

By Mike Wall last updated

The powerful JPSS-2 satellite is go for liftoff early Tuesday morning (Nov. 1) — provided the weather cooperates.

Satellites
Artist's illustration of NASA's Illustration of Low-Earth Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator (LOFTID) in orbit.

Next-generation inflatable Mars landing gear to get a test during launch on Nov. 1

By Mike Wall published

Technology that could help humanity land heavy hardware on Mars will get an in-space test early next week.

Mars
A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket launches the SES-20 and SES-21 communications satellites from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Oct. 4, 2022.

Atlas V rocket launches 2 communications satellites to orbit

By Mike Wall published

An Atlas V rocket lifted off Tuesday evening (Oct. 4) from Florida's Space Coast, carrying two commercial communications satellites to orbit.

Satellites
eye of Hurricane Ian from space station

Astronaut looks inside eye of Hurricane Ian from space as storm weakens over Florida (photos)

By Elizabeth Howell last updated

An International Space Station astronaut photographed Hurricane Ian as the powerful storm battered Florida. NASA, SpaceX and others have postponed launches from the Space Coast.

Climate Change
A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV Heavy rocket carrying a critical payload for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) lifted off with the NROL-91 mission from Space Launch Complex-6 on Sept. 24

See the mighty Delta IV Heavy rocket's final West Coast launch in these stunning photos

By Brett Tingley last updated

The massive United Launch Alliance Delta IV rocket put on a show in its last flight from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

Launches & Spacecraft
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