One of the coolest parts of these launches in my opinion is being able to watch the booster return and land. Check out this series of progression photos from yesterdays Falcon 9 booster return!
Photos by me for @thelaunchpadnetwork
#spacex #nasa #falcon9 #iss #rocketlaunch
After two weather scrubs, attempt 3 made for a beautiful launch of CRS-34 with a perfect landing at LZ-40 for booster B1096-6.
Photos by me for @thelaunchpadnetwork
#nasa #spacex #cargodragon #iss #rocketlaunch
NEWS - Former NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine has officially been appointed CEO of Quantum Space, marking a major leadership shift in the growing national security space sector.
Bridenstine who led NASA from 2018 to 2021 and helped launch the Artemis Program; is stepping in at a critical moment as the company scales its capabilities in defense and commercial space operations.
At the center of that vision is Ranger, the company’s next-generation spacecraft platform, designed to operate across:
• Low Earth Orbit
• Medium Earth Orbit
• Geostationary Orbit
• Cislunar space
Ranger is built for dynamic space operations, featuring:
🚀 Advanced maneuverability
🔁 On-orbit refueling
🧩 Modular design for multiple mission types
The platform is being positioned for roles including:
• Space domain awareness
• Satellite servicing & life extension
• Defense and counter-space operations
Launch of Ranger Prime targeted NET Q2 2027.
📈 Quantum Space is gaining momentum:
• $80M raised in Series A funding
• Manufacturing readiness achieved for Ranger Prime
• First launch targeted no earlier than Q2 2027
Bridenstine’s leadership signals a continued shift toward closer integration between commercial space companies and national security priorities.
#SpaceNews #NASA #SpaceForce #Artemis #SpaceExploration
🚨NEW DISCOVERY🚨Astronomers have discovered a thin atmosphere around a tiny Kuiper Belt object once thought too small to have one.
The object, (612533) 2002 XV93, is only about 500 km across. For comparison, Pluto, the only similar object known to have an atmosphere is nearly five times larger.
📅 On January 10, 2024, scientists observed a rare alignment where the object passed in front of a distant star. Instead of the star instantly disappearing, its light faded gradually; revealing the presence of a thin atmosphere bending the light.
Led by Ko Arimatsu, the team used multiple observation sites across Japan, including contributions from amateur astronomers to confirm the result.
This atmosphere likely can’t last more than ~1,000 years, meaning it was formed recently possibly by
🌋 Cryovolcanic activity or 💥 A recent impact
Even more surprising: the James Webb Space Telescope sees no surface gases, deepening the mystery.
#Pluto #JWST #KuiperBelt #SpaceNews #Astronomy
🚨BREAKING: SpaceX Targeting NET May 12 for Starship Flight 12.
SpaceX is now targeting NET May 12 for the next Starship test flight (the first v3 flight), with a launch window opening at 5:30 PM CDT (22:30 UTC) until 7:43 PM CDT (00:43 UTC).
🧭 New Flight Trajectory
For the first time, Starship will NOT fly the same corridor between Florida and Cuba.
Instead, Flight 12 appears set to take a more southern, inclined path, threading a narrow corridor between:
- Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula
- Cuba
- Cayman Islands
- Jamaica
- Haiti
- Dominican Republic
Despite the shift in launch corridor, the mission will still target a splashdown in the Indian Ocean, passing through airspace near:
- Madagascar
- Mauritius
- Australia
🗓 Backup Opportunities
May 13, 15, 16, 17, and 18 available if needed.
🚀 A new path. A new test. Another step forward.
FOLLOW for latest Starship Flight 12 updates
#Starship #SpaceX #Flight12 #Space #Moon Mars Spaceflight
It doesn’t get much better than this! Launch of a Falcon Heavy from LC-39A carrying a ViaSat 3 satellite. Couldn’t have been given a better morning for launch!
Photos by me for @thelaunchpadnetwork
#falconheavy #spacex #kennedyspacecenter #viasat #rocketlaunch
Second time’s the charm! Liftoff of Falcon Heavy from LC-39A carrying a ViaSat 3 satellite. Couldnt have asked for a better morning for launch!
Photo by me for @thelaunchpadnetwork
#falconheavy #spacex #kennedyspacecenter #viasat #rocketlaunch
LIFTOFF! ULA Atlas V has successfully launched 29 Amazon LEO satellites to Low Earth Orbit from the Florida Space Coast #launch #atlasv #amazon #ula #space
🚨NEW FALCON HEAVY LAUNCH DATE SET🚨
SpaceX is now targeting Wednesday, April 29 for the return of Falcon Heavy with the ViaSat-3 F3 mission.
The 85-minute launch window opens at 10:13 a.m. ET
Following a weather delay, teams are preparing for Falcon Heavy’s first launch in over a year.
FOLLOW for latest Falcon Heavy launch update!
#FalconHeavy #SpaceX #LaunchUpdate #Space
🚨FALCON HEAVY SCRUBBED🚨
SpaceX has aborted today’s Falcon Heavy launch attempt due to unfavorable weather conditions.
The highly anticipated return of Falcon Heavy will now shift to a new launch opportunity as teams continue to monitor conditions along Florida’s Space Coast.
FOLLOW for latest Falcon Heavy launch update!
#FalconHeavy #SpaceX #Scrub #Weather #ViaSat3
Final preparations are underway ahead of tomorrow morning’s Falcon Heavy launch. Liftoff is scheduled for 10:21 a.m. with weather currently at 70% favorable for launch.
Photos by me for @thelaunchpadnetwork
#spacex #falconheavy #kennedyspacecenter #rocketlaunch #rocket
