Marcia Dunn

Boeing has launched astronauts for the first time after years of delays. Two NASA test pilots blasted off aboard Boeing’s Starliner capsule from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Wednesday. They’re headed to the International Space Station for a weeklong stay. It was their third launch attempt, coming after a pair of rocket-related delays. Starliner’s first test flight without a crew in 2019 failed to reach the space station, so Boeing had to repeat it. Then the company had to fix a slew of capsule problems. SpaceX has been launching astronauts since 2020, but NASA wants a backup taxi service.

National News |
Boeing launches NASA astronauts for the first time after years of delays

June 5, 2024 at 12:06 p.m.

Boeing has launched astronauts for the first time after years of delays. Two NASA test pilots blasted off aboard Boeing’s Starliner capsule from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Wednesday. They’re headed...

Mission managers say last-minute computer trouble has nixed the latest launch attempt for Boeing’s first astronaut flight. Two NASA astronauts were strapped into the company’s Starliner capsule and awaiting liftoff Saturday when the countdown was halted. With only a split second to take off, there was no time to work the latest trouble and the launch was called off. Officials say they could try again as early as Wednesday. If it doesn’t blast off this coming week, then that would be it until mid-June in order to move the rocket off the pad and replace batteries. NASA wants a backup to SpaceX, which has been flying astronauts since 2020.

Science |
Boeing’s first astronaut flight called off at the last minute in latest setback

June 1, 2024 at 6:01 p.m.

Mission managers say last-minute computer trouble has nixed the latest launch attempt for Boeing’s first astronaut flight. Two NASA astronauts were strapped into the company’s Starliner capsule and awaiting liftoff...

Boeing is now aiming for its first astronaut launch at the beginning of June, after spending the past few weeks struggling with more problems on the space capsule.

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Boeing’s 1st astronaut flight now set for June after a review of small leak on new capsule

May 24, 2024 at 2:06 p.m.

Boeing is now aiming for its first astronaut launch at the beginning of June, after spending the past few weeks struggling with more problems on the space capsule.

An unusually strong solar storm hitting Earth produced stunning displays of color in the skies across the Northern Hemisphere, with no immediate reports of disruptions to power and communications. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued a rare severe geomagnetic storm warning when a solar outburst reached Earth on Friday afternoon, hours sooner than anticipated. The effects of the Northern Lights, which were prominently on display in the U.K., were due to last through the weekend and possibly into next week. The agency says the sun is producing strong solar flares and has hurled at least seven outbursts of plasma our way. NOAA has alerted operators of power plants and spacecraft in orbit to take precautions.

Science |
Solar storm hits Earth, producing colorful light shows across Northern Hemisphere

May 11, 2024 at 5:15 a.m.

An unusually strong solar storm hitting Earth produced stunning displays of color in the skies across the Northern Hemisphere, with no immediate reports of disruptions to power and communications. The...

It’s the first flight of Boeing’s Starliner capsule with a crew on board, a pair of NASA pilots who will check out the spacecraft during the test drive and a weeklong stay at the space station.

Science |
Boeing is on the verge of launching astronauts aboard new capsule, the newest entry to space travel

May 4, 2024 at 11:50 a.m.

It’s the first flight of Boeing’s Starliner capsule with a crew on board, a pair of NASA pilots who will check out the spacecraft during the test drive and a...

Monday’s total solar eclipse will make landfall along Mexico’s Pacific coast and cross into Texas and 14 other U.S. states, before exiting over Canada.

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What to know about next week’s total solar eclipse in the US, Mexico and Canada

April 2, 2024 at 9:04 a.m.

Monday’s total solar eclipse will make landfall along Mexico’s Pacific coast and cross into Texas and 14 other U.S. states, before exiting over Canada.

The sun is about to pull another disappearing act across North America, turning day into night during a total solar eclipse.

Science |
April’s total solar eclipse is a month away. Here’s why it’s worth the watch.

March 13, 2024 at 8:14 a.m.

The sun is about to pull another disappearing act across North America, turning day into night during a total solar eclipse.

A toppled moon lander is still beaming back pictures, as its nears the final hours of its life. Intuitive Machines posted the latest photos of the moon's unexplored south polar region Tuesday.

Science |
Toppled moon lander sends back more images, with only hours left until it dies

February 27, 2024 at 11:44 a.m.

A toppled moon lander is still beaming back pictures, as its nears the final hours of its life. Intuitive Machines posted the latest photos of the moon's unexplored south polar...

A private U.S. lunar lander is expected to stop working Tuesday, its mission cut short after landing sideways near the south pole of the moon. Intuitive Machines, the Houston company that built and flew the spacecraft, said Monday that sunlight will likely stop shining on the solar panels Tuesday morning. That’s two to three days short of the week or so that NASA and other customers had been counting on. Last Thursday, the lander became the first U.S. spacecraft to land on the moon in more than 50 years. Photos from a NASA satellite around the moon show it landed within a mile of its target.

Science |
Sideways moon landing cuts mission short, private US lunar lander will stop working Tuesday

February 26, 2024 at 12:23 p.m.

A private U.S. lunar lander is expected to stop working Tuesday, its mission cut short after landing sideways near the south pole of the moon. Intuitive Machines, the Houston company...

A private lander has made the first U.S. moon landing in more than 50 years. Intuitive Machines' lander touched down Thursday, but left flight controllers scrambling before gaining better contact. Tension mounted in the company's Houston control center when there was no immediate word from the lander following the designated touchdown time. A faint signal finally was acquired. Once communication was improved, the company confirmed the lander was upright and starting to send back data. The landing put the U.S. back on the moon for the first time since NASA's Apollo moonwalkers.

National News |
Private lander makes first US moon landing in more than 50 years

February 22, 2024 at 9:37 p.m.

A private lander has made the first U.S. moon landing in more than 50 years. Intuitive Machines' lander touched down Thursday, but left flight controllers scrambling before gaining better contact....

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