An update on SpaceX and CRS-10

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An update on SpaceX and CRS-10

The Sept. 1 launch pad explosion of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, which destroyed the Amos-6 satellite perched atop, will likely affect the currently planned November 2016 launch of a SpaceX Dragon capsule.

The mission, CRS-10, was tentatively scheduled for a Nov. 11 launch from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. However, in addition to an investigation that could take months, repairs must also be made to SLC-40.

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ISS spacewalkers retract thermal radiator, install HD cameras

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ISS spacewalkers retract thermal radiator, install HD cameras

Two members of Expedition 48, NASA astronauts Jeff Williams and Kate Rubins, ventured outside the station for the second time in as many weeks. Their task was to retract an unused thermal radiator, install a new light bulb and attach high definition cameras on the truss of the International Space Station.

The Sept. 1 spacewalk started at 7:53 a.m. EDT (11:53 GMT), after the Quest airlock had completely depressurized and the two astronauts spacesuits' switched to battery power. Williams was designated the lead spacewalker, EV-1, and wore red stripes on his suit. Comparatively, Rubins, EV-2, wore white stripes.

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International Space Station "tricorder" sequences DNA in space for first time

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International Space Station "tricorder" sequences DNA in space for first time

In a situation reminiscent of one on Star Trek, DNA was successfully sequenced on the International Space Station for the first time.

The Biomolecule Sequencer experiment, which was launched to the outpost via a SpaceX Dragon capsule in July 2016, was conducted by NASA astronaut and Expedition 48 flight engineer Kate Rubins. The investigation consisted of samples of mouse, virus and bacteria DNA and a candy-bar-sized hand-held device called MinION.

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The new Orbital Velocity

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The new Orbital Velocity

Welcome to the brand-new Orbital Velocity website! With this upgrade, there is more room to grow and to add more information. The next six months is going to be geared toward about two blog posts a week, plus a video. These new videos will be called Space Bytes: bite-sized chunks of information that gives you what you need to know about a particular topic.

The first series of Space Bytes will be on the topic of the visiting vehicles for the International Space Station. They will go with the Visiting Vehicle tab on the top of the website. The goal is to have a whole section of the website that gives the reader everything they need to know about each spacecraft that visits the ISS.

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SpaceX: launching, landing and berthing into history

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SpaceX: launching, landing and berthing into history

Over the last few days, SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket, delivered a Dragon cargo ship to the International Space Station and, as a bonus, successfully landed the first stage of the booster on a platform in the Atlantic Ocean. It's safe to say that this was one of the best weeks in the NewSpace company's history.

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