Final Ultrasecure AEHF Military Comsat Launches on Atlas V on 1st US Space Force Mission: Photos

ULA Atlas V rocket carrying the Advanced Extremely High Frequency AEHF-6 jam resistant military communications satellite on the 1^st mission for the U.S. Space Force blasts off on March 26, 2020 at 4:18 p.m. ET from Space Launch Complex-41 on Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida on a national security mission securely connecting US troops globally with US national leadership. Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com

27 March 2020

Ken Kremer – - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM 

CAPE CANAVERAL SPACE FORCE STATION, FL – The sixth and final satellite in a constellation of critical and ultra secure military communications satellites for the nations warfighters – namely the Advanced Extremely High Frequency- 6 (AEHF-6) comsat – streaked to geostationary transfer orbit Thursday afternoon March 26 on the venerable Atlas V on the first mission for the newly established U.S. Space Force.

Read the entire story at Space UpClose:
https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/03/final-ultrasecure-aehf-miltary-comsat-launches-on-atlas-v-on-1st-us-space-force-mission-photos/

ULA Atlas V Poised for Afternoon Liftoff with Nuclear Hardened AEHF-6 Milcomsat for US Air Force Despite Coronavirus Threat: Photos

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying the AEHF-6 milcomsat for the U.S. Air Force is poised for afternoon liftoff to GTO on Mar. 26, 2020 at 2:57 p.m. ET from Space Launch Complex-41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida on a national security mission. Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com

25 March 2020

Ken Kremer – - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM 

CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, FL – In what may be the last launch for awhile from the military run Eastern range at Cape Canaveral due to ever expanding threats from the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, the most powerful version of the venerable Atlas V rocket manufactured by rocket builder United Launch Alliance (ULA)  is poised for liftoff Thursday afternoon, March 26 to GTO with the nuclear hardened AEHF-6 military communications satellite connecting U.S national security commanders with troops deployed in the field for the U.S. Air Force.


Read the entire story at Space UpClose:
https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/03/ula-atlas-v-poised-for-afternoon-liftoff-with-nuclear-hardened-aehf-6-milcomsat-for-us-air-force-despite-coronavirus-threat-photos/

NASA, SpaceX Target May for 1st Crew Dragon Launch with Astronauts to ISS - But Will it Happen?

NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken familiarize themselves with SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, the spacecraft that will transport them to the International Space Station as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. Their upcoming flight test is known as Demo-2, short for Demonstration Mission 2. The Crew Dragon will launch on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.  Credits: NASA

20 March 2020

Ken Kremer – - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM 

CAPE CANAVERAL, FL – NASA and SpaceX have jointly announced that they are targeting May - roughly two months or so from now - for the first launch of the private Crew Dragon ferry ship with two agency astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) on the Demo-2 mission from the Florida Space Coast. That is if it can go forward amidst the skyrocketing coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic disrupting virtually every aspect of life on Planet Earth right now 

https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/03/nasa-spacex-target-may-for-1st-crew-dragon-launch-with-astronauts-to-iss-but-will-it-happen/

NASA Administrator Statement Responding to Coronavirus Pandemic with Facility Closings and Artemis Mission Impacts

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine gives remarks on the agency’s Artemis program, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, announcing assembly completion in front of the 1st core stage for NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) moon rocket at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans. Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com

19 March 2020

Ken Kremer – - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM 

CAPE CANAVERAL, FL – Like everyone else NASA is feeling the ever growing impact of the coronavirus pandemic across the globe as known cases and deaths climb precipitously as more cases of COVID19 are diagnosed among the NASA workforce.

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine issued a new statement today, Thursday, March 19, that moves  the agency’s Michoud Assembly Facility and Stennis Space Center to Stage 4 of the NASA Response Framework, and virtually closes them on Friday, March 20 to all but emergency and safety personnel.

https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/03/nasa-administrator-statement-responding-to-coronavirus-pandemic-with-facility-closings-and-artemis-mission-impacts/

SpaceX Starlink Soars to Orbit on 1st 5th Launched Falcon 9 on 2nd Try Despite Engine Failure: Photos

Daytime streak 30 second single image shows SpaceX blastoff of 1st 5th launched Falcon 9 soaring past fluttering US Flag and Countdown clock to orbit on 6th #Starlink mission from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, FL at 816 a.m. March 18, 2020 – as seen from KSC press site. With media colleagues practicing social distancing!! Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com

18 March 2020

Ken Kremer – - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL – After engine troubles scrubbed the first try on Sunday, SpaceX engineers finally launched the 1^st 5^th launched Falcon 9 on the 2^nd try from the Florida Space Coast and the next batch of 60 Starlink broadband satellites successfully achieved orbit – but only after one of the nine first stage Merlin engines shut down prematurely and the recycled booster failed to achieved a landing on the ocean going droneship.

https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/03/spacex-starlink-soars-to-orbit-on-1st-5th-launched-falcon-9-on-2nd-try-despite-engine-failure-photos/

SpaceX Resets Falcon 9 Starlink Liftoff to March 18 After Engine Abort: Watch Live/Photos

SpaceX Falcon 9 stands vertical at Launch Complex-39A on NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, FL prior to 6^th Starlink mission targeted for launch March 18, 2020 at 8:16 a.m. ET – Up Close view as seen from crawlerway and hangar pad 39A.  Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com

17 March 2020

Ken Kremer – - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL – SpaceX is retargeting the next Falcon 9 Starlink launch to Wednesday morning, March 18, 2020 following Sunday morning’s automatically aborted liftoff of the ‘flight-proven’ rocket moments after the first stage engines dramatically ignited for the planned blastoff of the next Starlink mission from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, FL under picture perfect skies at the Florida Space Coast.


https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/03/spacex-resets-falcon-9-starlink-liftoff-to-march-18-after-engine-abort-watch-live-photos/

SpaceX Aborts Falcon 9 Starlink Liftoff After Engine Ignition: Photos

SpaceX Falcon 9 rockets aborts after 1^st stage engine ignition at 9:22 a.m. ET on March 15, 2020 at Launch Complex-39A on NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, FL for 6^th Starlink mission - as seen from KSC Press Site.  Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com

15 March 2020

Ken Kremer – - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM 

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL – Today’s Sunday morning liftoff of a ‘flight-proven’ SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket was automatically aborted moments after the first stage engines ignited for the planned blastoff of the next Starlink mission at 9:22 a.m. ET (1322 GMT) March 15 at Launch Complex-39A (LC-39A) on NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, FL under picture perfect skies at the Florida Space Coast.

https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/03/spacex-aborts-falcon-9-starlink-liftoff-after-engine-ignition-photos/

SpaceX Poised for Record Setting Liftoff of 1st 5th Launched Falcon 9 on Starlink Mission Sunday March 15: Watch Live/Pad Photos

SpaceX Falcon 9 stands vertical at Launch Complex-39A on NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, FL prior to 6^th Starlink mission targeted for launch March 15, 2020 at 9:22 a.m. ET – Up Close view as seen from crawlerway and hangar pad 39A.  Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com

14 March 2020

Ken Kremer – - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL – The SpaceX team is poised for the record setting liftoff of the 1^st 5^th launched Falcon 9 first stage on the sixth Starlink mission slated for Sunday morning March 15 from the Florida Space Coast – amidst the ever growing coronavirus pandemic that has forced closures of public places, school and travel hubs all across the US and the world but not  forced a rocket cancellation

https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/03/spacex-poised-for-record-setting-liftoff-of-1st-5th-launched-falcon-9-on-starlink-mission-sunday-march-15-watch-live-pad-photos/

SpaceX Completes Static Fire Test for Next Starlink, Launch Reset to Sunday Morning March 15: Photos

SpaceX conducts successful static fire test of Falcon 9 first stage engines at 6:30 p.m. EST on March 13 with exhaust spewing out from the flame trench at Launch Complex-39A on NASA’s Kennedy Space Cemter for 6^th Starlink mission targeted for launch March 15, 2020 at 9:22 a.m. ET – as seen from the Max Brewer Bridge along the Indian River, Titusville.  Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com

13 March 2020

Ken Kremer – - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM 

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL - After multiple delays SpaceX engineers finally completed a successful static fire test of the Falcon 9 first stage engines on Friday the 13^th this evening for the upcoming sixth Starlink launch on Sunday from the Florida Space Coast on a milestone mission– amidst the ever growing coronavirus pandemic that has forced closures of public places, school and travel hubs all across the US and the world but not  forced a rocket cancellation

https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/03/spacex-completes-static-fire-test-for-next-starlink-launch-reset-to-sunday-morning-march-15-photos/

ExoMars 2020 Rover and Lander Delayed to 2022 Launch

Artists concept of the joint ESA/Roscosmos ExoMars 2020 mission showing the ESA rover newly named after distinguished scientist Rosalind Franklin and the science landing platform named ‘Kazachok’. ExoMars 2020 launch postponed from July 2020 to August 2022 on a Russian Proton rocket to land on Mars in 2023. Credit: ESA

12 March 2020

Ken Kremer  --SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM 

CAPE CANAVERAL, FL – In light of ongoing problems with the complex parachute landing system and travel restrictions caused by the spreading coronavirus pandemic the joint European/Russian ExoMars rover/lander mission scheduled for launch to Mars this summer has been postponed two years to 2022. 

https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/03/exomars-2020-rover-and-lander-delayed-to-2022-launch/

Perseverance – 7th Grader Chosen to Name NASA's Mars 2020 Rover

Alex Mather, the student whose submission, Perseverance, was chosen as the official name of the Mars 2020 rover, reads his essay entry, Thursday, March 5, 2020, at Lake Braddock Secondary School in Burke, Va. Perseverance is currently at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida being prepared for launch this summer. Photo Credit: NASA/Aubrey Gemignani

9 March 2020

Ken Kremer – - SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM 

CAPE CANAVERAL, FL – Perseverance – that’s the outstanding winning name NASA has chosen to name the Mars 2020 rover based on an outstanding essay submitted by 7^th grader Alex Mather of Virginia for NASA’s nationwide contest where kindergarten through 12^th grade students across the United States submitted essays to "Name the Rover." 

https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/03/perseverance-7th-grader-chosen-to-name-nasas-mars-2020-rover/

Astronauts Capture SpaceX Dragon Cargo Ship for Final Time with Robotic Arm after ISS Arrival

ISS astronauts maneuver the Canadian-built robotic arm to reach out and grapple the SpaceX CRS-20 Dragon resupply ship on March 9, 2020 during an orbital sunrise while both spacecraft were soaring into an orbital sunrise 264 miles above Earth for berthing at the station following launch on March 6.   Credit: NASA TV/Ken Kremer/Space UpClose

9 March 2020

Ken Kremer – -  For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM 

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER/CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, FL – Astronauts have captured a SpaceX Dragon cargo ship with the robotic arm for the final time after the vessel arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) this morning, Monday, March 9 two days after blastoff from the Florida Space Coast.

https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/03/astronauts-capture-spacex-dragon-cargo-ship-for-final-time-with-robotic-arm-after-iss-arrival/

Final SpaceX Dragon 1 Streaks to Space on Fantastic Midnight Cargo Delivery Carrying NASA Science to ISS: Photos

SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft streaks to orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida in this 9 min long duration single image at 11:50 p.m. EST March 6, 2020 – as seen from the KSC Press Site with water reflections in the Turn Basin. Dragon will deliver more than 2 tons of NASA cargo and science investigations to the International Space Station.  Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com

7 March 2020

Ken Kremer – - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER/CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, FL – The final SpaceX Dragon 1 spacecraft streaked to space on a fantastic midnight launch and cargo deliver run carrying over two tons of NASA science and supplies to the International Space Station (ISS) Friday, March 6 from the Florida Space Coast.

https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/03/final-spacex-dragon-1-streaks-to-space-on-fantastic-midnight-cargo-delivery-carrying-nasa-science-to-iss-photos/

Fabulous Fiery Sunset Greets Final SpaceX Dragon 1 Vertical On Falcon 9 for NASA Cargo Flight to ISS Friday March 6: Watch Live/Photos

Fiery sunset as SpaceX Dragon CRS-20 cargo freighter atop Falcon 9 rocket at Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida poised for launch slated for March 6, 2020. Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com

6 March 2020

Ken Kremer – - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER/CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, FL – A fabulous fiery sunset greeted the final SpaceX Dragon 1 spacecraft after it went vertical atop the ‘fight-proven’ Falcon 9 that will hurl it to orbit on a NASA contracted cargo launch to the International Space Station (ISS) Friday night, March 6 from the Florida Space Coast. 

Read the entire story at Space UpClose:
https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/03/fabulous-fiery-sunset-greets-final-spacex-dragon-1-vertical-on-falcon-9-for-nasa-cargo-flight-to-iss-friday-march-6-watch-live-photos/

Do You Want to Be a NASA Astronaut and Fly to the Moon and Mars? Apply Now!

NASA's new class of astronauts – the first to graduate since the agency announced its Artemis program – appear on stage during their graduation ceremony at the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston on Jan. 10, 2020. The class includes 11 NASA candidates, as well as two Canadian Space Agency (CSA) candidates, selected in 2017. They will join the active astronaut corps, beginning careers in exploration that may take them to the International Space Station, on missions to the Moon under the Artemis program, or someday, Mars. Pictured from left are: Kayla Barron of NASA, Zena Cardman of NASA, Raja Chari of NASA, Matthew Dominick of NASA, Bob Hines of NASA, Warren Hoburg of NASA, Jonny Kim of NASA, Joshua Kutryk of CSA, Jasmin Moghbeli of NASA, Loral O’Hara of NASA, Jessica Watkins of NASA, Jennifer Sidey-Gibbons of CSA, and Frank Rubio of NASA.  Credits: NASA  

3 March 2020

Ken Kremer - - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM 

CAPE CANAVERAL, FL – Who amongst you wants to be a NASA astronaut and try out for the only occasionally offered opportunity fly to try out and fly on new human missions of exploration and discovery to the Moon and Mars as part of Project Artemis??

Well NOW is your chance !! Apply to #BeAnAstronaut for the entire of March only !!

Read the entire story at Space UpClose:

https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/03/do-you-want-to-be-a-nasa-astronaut-and-fly-to-the-moon-and-mars-apply-now/

Falcon 9 Static Fire Test puts SpaceX on Course for NASA Cargo Launch to ISS with Final Original Dragon

SpaceX conducts successful sunset static fire test of Falcon 9 first stage engines at 11 a.m. EST on March 1, with exhaust funneled away at Space Launch Complex-40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station for NASA CRS-20 resupply mission to the ISS targeted for launch March 6.  As seen from the Indian River lagoon in Titusville, FL. Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com 

1 March 2020

Ken Kremer – - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM

TITUSVILLE, FL- A successful static fire test today of a recycled Falcon 9 rocket puts SpaceX on course for a NASA contracted cargo launch on March 6 to the International Space Station (ISS) on what marks the final flight of the original version of the unpiloted Dragon resupply spaceship from the Florida Space Coast. 

Read the entire story at Space UpClose:

https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/03/falcon-9-static-fire-test-puts-spacex-on-course-for-nasa-cargo-launch-to-iss-with-final-original-dragon/