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A New Era of Space Exploration Dawns with Artemis I Liftoff

By Bob Granath | November 16, 2022

The ground shook for miles around as NASA’s new mega-rocket, the most powerful in the world, roared to life for the first time, beginning a new era in space exploration. Liftoff of the 32-story-tall Space Launch System, or SLS, is sending a human-rated spacecraft to the Moon for the first time in 50 years. The Orion capsule now is streaking across trans-lunar space on a mission that will take it well beyond the Moon, paving the way for landing the first woman and the first person of color on the lunar surface.

Assembly of NASA’s Mega-Rocket Complete for Trip Beyond Moon

By Bob Granath | January 6, 2022

The most powerful rocket ever built now is fully assembled at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and final preparations are underway to begin the agency’s most ambitious program of exploration. A series of integrated tests are planned prior to the targeted liftoff in March 2022. The Space Launch System (SLS) will send an Orion spacecraft on a mission well beyond the Moon paving the way for landing the first woman and the first person of color on the lunar surface.

Premier Multi-User Spaceport is Home to Diverse Activities

By Bob Granath | December 7, 2021

On Aug. 14, 2017, a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft was launched atop a Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. It was a commercial resupply mission delivering supplies to the International Space Station. Four days later, the agency’s Tracking and Data Relay Satellite-M lifted off on a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

New Vision Ignited Commercial Revolution at Florida’s Spaceport

By Bob Granath | November 17, 2021

Well before the final Space Shuttle touched down in 2011, the burgeoning commercial space industry was expressing interest in expanding business pursuits in space. At the same time, NASA’s Kennedy Space Center found itself in a unique position. For over 30 years most of the center’s resources were dedicated for the expressed purpose of supporting the Space Shuttle Program. Now Kennedy was left with excess facilities and capacity with no program requirements or funding.

NASA Takes Major Steps Toward Launching World’s Largest Rocket

By Bob Granath | January 19, 2021

NASA’s spacecraft designed to return astronauts to the Moon recently reached a major milestone in preparations for its first flight atop the world’s largest rocket, the Space Launch System. The Orion capsule for the agency’s Artemis I mission moved from the manufacturing and assembly stage to processing for flight. This is one of the latest steps forward for the program that will take the first woman and next man to the lunar surface.

New Vistas of Commercial Flight Open with Dawn of Space Age

By Bob Granath | September 14, 2020

This is the second of a two-part series on the history of commercial flight. For years, aerospace corporations took the world to the skies. Now these companies and more are supporting efforts well beyond the Earth’s atmosphere. The Space Age began on Oct. 4, 1957, with the launch of the Sputnik satellite by the Soviet Union. An American satellite, Explorer 1, soon followed, with plans for sending humans into space in the near future.

Iconic Building Remains a Pillar of America’s Spaceport

By Bob Granath | August 18, 2020

The Vehicle Assembly Building, or VAB, is the most recognizable structure at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. It is so big, it can be seen from miles away. Now that the center is a premier, multi-user spaceport, industry partners soon will share the facility. It also is the only building in the world where human spaceflight rockets have been prepared for trips to low-Earth orbit, the Moon and — in the future – to Mars.

ICON Begins Study of Region Where Earth, Space Weather Meet

By Bob Granath | October 11, 2019

NASA’s new Ionospheric Connection Explorer, or ICON, satellite will provide scientists and meteorologists with a better understanding of the dynamic zone high in the atmosphere where terrestrial weather meets weather in space. This is the area through which radio communications and GPS signals travel. Changes in weather can effect both.

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