Nuclear Powered Dune Buggy Perseverance Rover Ready for Red Planet Blastoff July 30

ULA Atlas V rocket with NASA’s Mars Perseverance rover stands tall inside the Vertical Integration Facility (VIF) at Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, FL. The Atlas V 541 rocket will liftoff on Thursday, July 30. The two-hour window opens at 7:50 a.m. EDT. Credit: ULA

28 July 2020

Ken Kremer - - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM

CAPE CANAVERAL, FL –  NASA and rocket partner United Launch Alliance (ULA) have given the GO to proceed with final launch preparations for the agency’s $2.7 Billion Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover following a successful conclusion to the Launch Readiness Review (LRR) held this morning at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida. The goal is to search for signs of past microbial life.

https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/07/nuclear-powered-dune-buggy-perseverance-rover-ready-for-red-planet-blastoff-july-30/

NASA's Mars Perseverance Rover Gets Plutonium Power Source Installed for July 30 Liftoff

The electricity needed to operate NASA’s Mars 2020 Perseverance rover is provided by a power system called a Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator, or MMRTG. The MMRTG will be inserted into the aft end of the rover between the panels with gold tubing visible at the rear, which are called heat exchangers. Essentially a nuclear battery, an MMRTG uses the heat from the natural radioactive decay of plutonium-238 to generate about 110 watts of electricity at the start of a mission. Credit: NASA/JPL-CalTech

25 July 2020

Ken Kremer - - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM

CAPE CANAVERAL, FL –  NASA’s next mission to the Red Planet the $2.7 Billion Mars 2020 Perseverance rover now has the nuclear power it needs to explore for many years to come – and the liftoff is targeted for July 30 from the Florida Space Coast is now just days away.

https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/07/nasas-mars-perseverance-rover-gets-plutonium-power-source-installed-for-july-30-liftoff/

Mars 2020 Exploration Mission Guide from RocketSTEM and Space UpClose: Free Download

Mars 2020 Exploration Mission Guide from RocketSTEM magazine and Space UpClose space news website

29 July 2020

Ken Kremer - - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL – Enjoy our “Mars 2020 Exploration Mission Guide” about NASA’s  Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover and Ingenuity Helicopter brought to you by the journalists at RocketSTEM magazine and Space UpClose space news website.

https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/07/mars-2020-exploration-mission-guide-from-rocketstem-and-space-upclose-free-download/

China Launches Ambitious Tianwen-1 Robotic Mission to Orbit, Land and Rove the Red Planet

A Chinese Long March 5 rocket lifts off July 23, 2020 from the Wenchang Space Launch Center on Hainan Island with the Tianwen-1 Mars mission from the China National Space Administration (CNSA). Credit: Xinhua

24 July 2020

Ken Kremer - - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM

CAPE CANAVERAL, FL – China has successfully launched its first fully indigenous mission to Mars - the extremely ambitious Tianwen-1 robotic mission designed to orbit, land and rove on the Red Planet - aimed at comprehensively investigating its climate, atmosphere and geology and search for signatures of water as well as snapping numerous images.

https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/07/china-launches-ambitious-tianwen-1-robotic-mission-to-orbit-land-and-rove-the-red-planet/

2x Recycled SpaceX Booster from Korean Milsat Launch Triumphant Return to Port Canaveral with NASA Worm Intact from 1st Human Launch: Photos

Glorious sunrise arrival of 2x launched/landed SpaceX Falcon 9 1st stage booster atop the JRTI droneship towed by tug Lauren Foss and SpaceX fleet past Jetty Park Pier into Port Canaveral channel at 7 a.m. ET on July 24, 2020. From Falcon 9 Anasis-II launch for South Korean military on July 20, 2020 from Space Launch Complex-40 on Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, FL. Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com

24 July 2020

Ken Kremer - - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM

PORT CANAVERAL, FL – Continuing a string of complete successes the 2x launched and landed SpaceX Falcon 9 booster from Mondays Falcon 9 rocket launch of South Korea’s first dedicated military satellite July 20, 3.5 days ago, triumphantly returned to Port Canaveral during a glorious sunrise this morning, Friday, July 24, atop the JRTI droneship to a wonderful welcome from the Sunshine State on Florida’s Space Coast.

https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/07/2x-recycled-spacex-booster-from-korean-milsat-launch-returns-to-port-canaveral-with-nasa-worm-intact-from-1st-human-launch-photos/

SpaceX Duo of Payload Fairings Caught by Boats from Korean Satellite Launch Return to Port Canaveral: Photos

One of dual mid-air caught payload fairing halves from same nose cone hoisted at 8:45 a.m. ET July 22, 2020 off SpaceX GO Ms.Tree ship and placed onto cradled transporter just hours after overnight arrival into Port Canaveral. From Falcon 9 lift off carrying Anasis-II for the South Korean military on July 20, 2020 from Space Launch Complex-40 on Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, FL.  Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com

22 July 2020

Ken Kremer - - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM

PORT CANAVERAL, FL –  The first ever dual payload fairings  halves caught by SpaceX boats from the same launched nose cone – originating from Mondays Falcon 9 rocket launch of South Korea’s first dedicated military satellite July 20 - returned to Port Canaveral overnight in darkness and were subsequently hoisted off mere hours later this morning Wednesday, July 22, onto cradled transporters after daylight dawned and driven away in rapid succession - presumably for eventual reuse.

https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/07/spacex-duo-of-payload-fairings-caught-by-boats-from-korean-satellite-launch-return-to-port-canaveral-video-photos/

SpaceX Launches South Korea’s 1st Dedicated Military Satellite, Catches Both Fairings: Photos

SpaceX Falcon 9 lifts off carrying Anasis-II for the South Korean military at 5:30 p.m. ET on July 20, 2020 from Space Launch Complex-40 on Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, FL. Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com

20 July 2020

Ken Kremer - - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM

CAPE CANAVERAL SPACE FORCE STATION, FL –  SpaceX successfully delivered South Korea’s first dedicated military satellite dubbed Anasis-II to orbit Monday afternoon aboard a historic recycled Falcon 9 rocket - and then landed the 1^st stage booster and captured both payload fairings thereby concluding a totally successful mission on a picture perfect day on the Florida Space Coast.

https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/07/spacex-launches-south-koreas-1st-dedicated-military-satellite-catches-both-fairings-photos/

SpaceX Falcon 9 Set for Blastoff with Anasis-II for South Korean Military: Watch Live/Photos

Up Close view of nose cone and mission logo atop SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket prior to launch of Anasis-II on July 20, 2020 for the South Korean Military on Space Launch Complex-40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, FL. Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com

20 July 2020

Ken Kremer - - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM

CAPE CANAVERAL SPACE FORCE STATION, FL –  After multiple launch delays involving two different rockets from two different pad due to weather and technical issues SpaceX is set to resume launches of their workhorse Falcon 9 booster later today from the Florida Space Coast with a secure communications satellite mission for the South Korean military forces.

https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/07/spacex-falcon-9-set-for-blastoff-with-anasis-ii-for-south-korean-military-watch-live-photos/

Hope – Historic 1st Emirates Mission Hurled to Mars

The United Arab Emirates’ Hope Probe lifts off from Tanegashima Space Center, Japan, in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan at 01:58am UAE Time July 20, 5:58 p.m. ET July 19 on a seven-month journey to the Red Planet. Credit: UAE/MHI

20 July 2020 

Ken Kremer – - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM

CAPE CANAVERAL, FL – Hope – the history making first Emirates mission to Mars was hurled skywards Sunday, July 19 on a Japanese rocket to begin a seven month interplanetary journey bound for the Red Planet and designed to study  the planets weather and climate and inspire the nations young people to study science.

https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/07/hope-historic-1st-emirates-mission-launches-to-mars/

1st Arab Mission to Mars Set for Liftoff July 19: Watch Live

Artists concept of UAE Hope Mars Orbiter. Credit: UAE

19 July 2020 

Ken Kremer – - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM

CAPE CANAVERAL, FL – The first Arab mission to Mars that is sponsored by the government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) ) is set for liftoff today, Sunday, July 19, on a Japanese rocket after a series weather delays postponed the mission to study the planets weather and climate by nearly a week already from July 14.

Complete article here:
https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/07/1st-arab-mission-to-mars-set-for-liftoff-july-19-watch-live/

NASA Delays James Webb Space Telescope Launch Date 7 Months to October 2021

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope in the clean room at Northrop Grumman, Redondo Beach, California, in July 2020. Launch has been delayed to October 2021. Credits: NASA/Chris Gunn

18 July 2020 

Ken Kremer – - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM

CAPE CANAVERAL, FL – NASA has once again delayed the launch of the  mammoth James  Webb Space Telescope (JWST) by seven months and is now targeting liftoff for Oct. 31, 2021, from French Guiana, due to impacts from the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, as well as technical challenges.

Complete article here:
https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/07/nasa-delays-james-webb-space-telescope-launch-date-7-months-to-october-2021/

NASA Announces Aug. 1 Target for SpaceX Crew Dragon Astronauts Return to Earth from ISS

The SpaceX Crew Dragon from the Demo-2 mission and Japan’s HTV-9 resupply ship figure prominently in this photograph as they are docked at the International Space Station taken during the July 1, 2020 spacewalk by NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Chris Cassidy to upgrade the power system. Crew Dragon is targeted to undock on Aug. 1 for Return to Earth.  Credit: NASA

17 July 2020 

Ken Kremer - - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM

CAPE CANAVERAL, FL – NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine has announced by tweet that the two-man veteran crew of NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley will return to Earth in approximately two weeks and depart the International Space Station on Aug. 1 inside their history-making SpaceX Demo-2 Crew Dragon Endeavour test vehicle and splashdown the next day Aug. 2 – weather permitting.

Complete article here:
https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/07/nasa-announces-aug-1-target-for-spacex-crew-dragon-astronauts-return-to-earth-from-iss/

How to See Spectacular Comet NEOWISE Now in the Evening Sky Before it Speeds Away for 6800 Years: Photos

Comet NEOWISE as photographed at about 9 p.m. ET on July 16, 2020 in Titusville, FL with a tail. Located in the northwest evening skies below the Big Dipper approximately 20 degrees above the horizon.  Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com

17 July 2020

Ken Kremer - - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM

TITUSVILLE, FL –  Recently discovered Comet NEOWISE (C/2020 F3)  is now putting on a dazzling display in the early evening for skywatchers in the Northern Hemisphere and its right at prime time roughly 45 minutes or so after sunset showing off a spectacular tail to boot !!   – as it passes through the inner solar system, weather permitting of course.

Complete article here:
https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/07/how-to-see-spectacular-comet-neowise-now-before-it-speeds-away-for-6800-years-photos/

Minotaur IV Launches 1st Classified NRO mission from NASA Wallops

The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) successfully launched its first dedicated mission from NASA Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia, at 09:46 a.m. EDT on July 15, 2020. Credit: NASA/NRO

15 July 2020

Ken Kremer - - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM

CAPE CANAVERAL, FL –  A Northrop Grumman Minotaur IV rocket successfully launched a top secret mission with four classified payloads for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) this morning and its was the first ever from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility on the Virginia Space Coast shore.

Complete article here:
https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/07/minotaur-iv-launches-1st-classified-nro-mission-from-nasa-wallops/

SpaceX Scrubs Dual Falcon 9 Launches of Starlink and Anasis-2 in 3 Days for Technical Issues, Targets TBD

ANASIS-II communications satellite prepared for shipment from manufacturing site at Airbus cleanroom in Toulouse, France in June 2020 to launch site at Cape Canaveral in Florida on SpaceX Falcon 9. Credit: Airbus

13 July 2020

Ken Kremer - - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER/TITUSVILLE, FL –  SpaceX was forced to scrub the dual Falcon 9 launches of the 10^th batch of the company’s own Starlink satellites as well as the Anasis-2 mission for the South Korean military in the course of just three days from the Florida Space Coast this past week on Saturday, July 11 and Tuesday, July 14.

Complete article here:
https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/07/spacex-scrubs-dual-falcon-9-launches-of-starlink-and-anasis-2-in-3-days-for-technical-issues-targets-tbd/

We Persevere: Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover Video

Video Caption:   NASA's next Mars rover has a name – Perseverance. Like every exploration mission before, our rover is going to face challenges, and it’s going to make amazing discoveries.  The time at hand is hard. We have already surmounted many obstacles on our way to Red Planet, but as humans we will not give up. We will always persevere. Targeted for launch in July 2020, NASA’s Mars Perseverance rover will search for signs of habitable conditions on Mars in the ancient past and for signs of past microbial life itself.  Directed by Theodore Melfi

12 July

Ken Kremer – - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM

CAPE CANAVERAL, FL – NASA has released a new promotional video about NASA’s next Mission to Mars – the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover.

Complete article here:
https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/07/we-persevere-mars-2020-perseverance-rover-video/

NASA's Mars Perseverance Rover Joined to ULA Atlas V Rocket

The payload fairing, or nose cone, containing the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover sits atop the motorized payload transporter that will carry it to Space Launch Complex 41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The image was taken on July 7, 2020. Credits: NASA/KSC

10  July 2020

Ken Kremer – - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM

CAPE CANAVERAL, FL – Making significant progress after multiple delays NASA's Perseverance Mars rover has at last been joined to the top of the mighty United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket that will hurl it from our Home Planet to the Red Planet as soon as the end of this month – on a breathtaking mission dedicated to the search for signs of life beyond Earth.   

Complete article here:
https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/07/nasas-mars-perseverance-rover-joined-to-ula-atlas-v-rocket/

All Legs Retracted on Recovered SpaceX Falcon 9 Booster from GPS Launch: Photos

SpaceX recovered Falcon 9 1st stage B1060.1 gets a truly cleansing bath from the late afternoon torrential deluge of rain and thunder on July 7, 2020 with 2 landing legs retracted atop JRTI droneship at Port Canaveral, FL. Left leg had retracted but fell unexpectedly – from GPSIIISV03 launch. Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com

9  July 2020

Ken Kremer - - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM

PORT CANAVERAL, FL – After delays due to weather and the weekend the SpaceX crane crew got to work Tuesday, July 7, retracting the landing legs on the recovered SpaceX Falcon 9 booster from the spectacular GPS III navsat satellite launch for the US Space Force that had returned to Port Canaveral atop the JRTI droneship for a glorious 4^th of July welcome to Florida’s Space Coast.

Complete article here:

https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/07/all-legs-retracted-on-recovered-spacex-falcon-9-booster-from-gps-launch-photos/

Dismal Weather Forces SpaceX Starlink Launch Scrub, Retargeted to July 11: Photos

SpaceX Falcon 9 for 10th Starlink comsat launch stands vertical at Launch Complex-39A on NASA’s Kennedy Space Center below dismal weather that forced launch scrub on July 8 as it was vigorously venting liquid oxygen (LOX) in final minutes of countdown – now retargeted to July 11, 2020. Credit: Jean Wright/spaceupclose.com

9 July 2020

Ken Kremer - - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER/TITUSVILLE, FL –  A late morning front with dismal weather pushed into the Florida Space Coast Wednesday morning as expected dumping torrential rain and lightning strikes in and around the Cape and thus forced another multiday scrub by the SpaceX team to the launch of the next batch of their Starlink broadband internet satellites to the weekend from the Kennedy Space Center.

Complete article here:
https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/07/dismal-weather-forces-spacex-starlink-launch-scrub-retargeted-to-july-11-photos/

SpaceX Set to Try Again with Next Starlink Falcon 9 Launch July 8: Watch Live/Photos

SpaceX Falcon 9 for 10th Starlink comsat launch stands vertical at Launch Complex-39A on NASA’s Kennedy Space Center for launch targeted for July 8, 2020. Credit: Jean Wright/spaceupclose.com

7 July 2020

Ken Kremer - - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER/TITUSVILLE, FL –  SpaceX is set to try again to for the next launch of their Starlink broadband internet satellite constellation tomorrow at Noon, July 8, after engineers decided to scrub the launch a week and a half ago with  less than 3 hours before the planned liftoff June 26, of the veteran 5x recycled Falcon 9.

Complete article here:

https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/07/spacex-set-to-try-again-with-next-starlink-falcon-9-launch-watch-live-photos/

Recovered SpaceX Booster from GPS Launch Returns to Port Canaveral for Glorious 4th of July Welcome, As Another Departs for Starlink: Photos

Boosters and Bathers reflect in Atlantic Ocean waters as recovered/landed SpaceX Falcon 9 1st stage B1060.1 towed past Jetty Park pier at 830 AM ET arrives back at Port Canaveral on a glorious 4th of July Saturday morning. From GPS III Space Vehicle 03 navigation satellite launch June 30, 2020. Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com

4  July 2020

Ken Kremer - - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM

PORT CANAVERAL, FL – It was a  busy morning of comings and goings for the SpaceX Naval Fleet on our nations birthday – as the recovered SpaceX Falcon 9 booster from the spectacular GPS III navsat satellite launch for the US Space Force 3.5 days ago returned to Port Canaveral this morning atop the JRTI droneship for a glorious 4^th of July welcome to Florida’s Space Coast, all as the firms other droneship OCISLY departed minutes earlier for the upcomimg July 8^th launch of the rescheduled Starlink internet mission.

Complete article here:

https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/07/recovered-spacex-booster-from-gps-launch-returns-to-port-canaveral-for-glorious-4th-of-july-welcome-photos/

Another Significant Launch Delay for NASA’s Mars 2020 Rover to NET July 30

More than 10 million names were etched onto a microchip, which was placed aboard Perseverance on March 16, 2020. Launch is for no earlier than July 30, 2020 atop the ULA Atlas V 541 rocket from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Credit: NASA/JPL

2 June 2020

Ken Kremer – - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM

CAPE CANAVERAL, FL – NASA’s flagship $2.4 Billion Mars 2020 Perseverance rover mission has suffered another significant delay to her launch from the Florida Space Coast to the Red Planet - dedicated to the search for signs of life beyond Earth.   

Complete article here:

https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/07/another-significant-launch-delay-for-nasas-mars-2020-rover-to-net-july-30/

SpaceX Falcon 9 Successfully Launches NextGen GPS Navigation Satellite for US Space Force/Lands Booster: Photos

9 Merlin 1D engines generate tremendous exhaust from 1.7 million pounds of liftoff thrust as SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket soars off Space Launch Complex-40 at 4:10 p.m. ET June 30, 2020 for successful delivery of Lockheed Martin built GPS III Space Vehicle 03 navigation satellite to medium Earth orbit for US Space Force from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, FL.  Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com

30 Jun 2020

Ken Kremer - - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM

CAPE CANAVERAL SPACE FORCE STATION, FL – A brand new SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket successfully launched the third in the advanced new series of Global Positioning Systems III (GPS III) navigation satellites for the U.S. military and the new U.S. Space Force and delivered it to its intended medium Earth orbit (MEO) this afternoon, Tuesday, June 30 from the Florida Space Coast – but only after the weather improved and upper altitude winds relented just enough to allow for the beautiful event at the last possible moment of the window.  

https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/06/spacex-falcon-9-successfully-launches-nextgen-gps-navigation-satellite-for-us-space-force-lands-booster-photos/

SpaceX Falcon 9 Poised for June 30 Liftoff with Advanced GPS Navigation Satellite for US Space Force: Photos/Watch Live

Up Close view of nose cone and mission logo atop SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket prior to launch of GPS III SV03 mission on June 30, 2020 for the US Space Force on Space Launch Complex-40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, FL. Credit: Ken Kremer/kenkremer.com/spaceupclose.com

30 Jun 2020

Ken Kremer - - For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM

CAPE CANAVERAL SPACE FORCE STATION, FL – A new SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is poised for liftoff carrying the newest GPS III series navigations satellite for the U.S. military and the Space Force to orbit for a launch planned today Tuesday afternoon June 30 – weather permitting.

https://www.spaceupclose.com/2020/06/spacex-falcon-9-poised-for-june-30-liftoff-with-advanced-gps-navigation-satellite-for-us-space-force-photos-watch-live/