SpaceX is set to launch its first Starfall Demo mission this Tuesday aboard its Falcon 9 rocket.
The mission will test a new cargo return vehicle (pictured below) designed to bring materials back to Earth from orbit.
Unlike SpaceX’s Cargo Dragon, which primarily returns cargo from the ISS, Starfall is being developed as a dedicated cargo return system that could provide a faster and potentially lower-cost way to bring materials back from space.
The one-hour launch window opens at 6:43 AM ET from Florida with a backup opportunity available at the same time on Wednesday, June 24.
The official FIFA World Cup ball went to space!
We're working to inspire the next generation by showing how space exploration inspires innovation in sports science — and everyday life. Learn more: https://t.co/CWbI8MFDtp
Super! 💫
Data from @chandraxray has uncovered possible remains of a supernova in the middle of our Milky Way galaxy. If confirmed, this supernova piece would be one of the closest to our galaxy’s central black hole that we have ever found. https://t.co/gI5TfSJ45E
The U.S. State Department has signed a two-year Memorandum of Understanding with SpaceX to use @Starlink to enhance international disaster preparedness and U.S. humanitarian response efforts worldwide, the State Department announced.
"The two-year MOU leverages Starlink, an American innovation, to restore critical communications when crises and natural disasters damage infrastructure. The Department’s Bureau of Disaster and Humanitarian Response will coordinate with Starlink to provide rapid connectivity to emergency responders, humanitarian organizations following disasters, and people in need. Communication can mean the difference between life and death. This cooperation harnesses reliable connectivity to support disaster response teams and help save lives around the world."
Could life be possible elsewhere in the Milky Way?
@NASARoman will soon launch to help answer this and other questions about our galaxy. Now, we’ve got a question for you: will you send your name on this epic journey? Get your boarding pass today: https://t.co/cCYHk2YwFl
If you submitted an indication of interest for @SpaceX IPO shares, you will need to confirm your indication of interest after the IPO has officially been priced, which is currently expected tomorrow evening (June 11th). Confirming an indication changes your indication to an order to buy shares at the offer price that SpaceX sets.
Keep in mind that you will have a short window of time to confirm your indication of interest. Some participating brokerages are saying that public the window may open late in the evening and close as early as 7 AM ET the following morning (June 12). Brokerages should notify you once the window opens with time-sensitive instructions on how to affirm your conditional offer. If you fail to confirm your indication of interest, you will not be allocated any IPO shares. Make sure your account is fully funded so you can purchase the shares you are allocated.
You will find out how many IPO shares you have been allocated (if any) the morning of June 12th before the market opens at 9:30 AM ET.
NOTE: Exact timing could change for any of these things, so just keep an eye out for an alerts, notifications or emails from your brokerage.
Hold my hand?
In this Hubble view, two galaxies known collectively as NGC 5331 are seen just beginning to "link" their spiral arms.
This galactic interaction is unfolding about 450 million light-years away, in the constellation Virgo.
Read more: https://t.co/V0qJECHPZ7
SpaceX was founded to make life multiplanetary. We’ve been able to expand that mission with our Starlink constellation and AI solution
Learn more → https://t.co/PSCyWrMUYI
Starlink V3 satellites have >10X bandwidth of V2 and there’ll be >10X launched, which means >100X more bandwidth.
Also, altitude will be 350km vs 550km, so min latency can be cut in half.
Light travels 300km/ms in space, so physics round trip min latency drops to <5ms.
All personnel are accounted for and safe. It’s too early to know the root cause but we’re already working to find it. Very rough day, but we’ll rebuild whatever needs rebuilding and get back to flying. It’s worth it.
NASA is aware of the anomaly that occurred tonight at Launch Complex 36 involving Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Spaceflight is unforgiving, and developing new heavy-lift launch capability is extraordinarily difficult. We will work with our partners to support a thorough investigation of this anomaly, assess near-term mission impacts, and get back to launching rockets.
We will provide information on any impacts to the Artemis and Moon Base programs as it becomes available.
Weather data is a national security imperative.
.@USSF_SSC is building a hybrid architecture, combining robust government systems like the Weather System Follow-On-Microwave satellite with commercial innovations from partners.
More: https://t.co/WOHEabQRoq
Soon... full moon!
The next full moon will light the night skies on Sunday, May 31. If you've ever wanted to take a great picture of the Moon, check out our Lunar Photography Guide for tips and tricks: https://t.co/wp8uMt6pVP
The entire event yesterday, launching missions, landers, rovers, tech demos building a Moon Base, and sci-fi capabilities like MoonFall, brought to you by those who Dare Mighty Things. Just the very beginning. What a time 🇺🇸