Cosmic Chicago

Chicago’s independent Space news outlet.

[Bethany Stevens @NASASpox]

Roscosmos has paused Friday’s structural repair efforts inside the Zvezda service module transfer tunnel, known as PrK, as more measurements and data is assessed. Given this development, NASA has instructed the crew members inside the Dragon spacecraft to end the safe haven procedures and return to planned operations aboard the International Space Station. We look forward to working with Roscosmos on a collaborative approach to address the leaks.

[Bethany Stevens @NASASpox]

The Zvezda service module transfer tunnel, known as PrK, has suffered from cracks and leaks for some time, and has been mitigated by Roscosmos as much as possible to date. The cracks have always been a concern that NASA watches very closely. NASA and Roscosmos have been working to determine the root cause of the cracks, and Roscosmos manages the issue through operational mitigation measures and periodic partial-repair efforts.

Following new leaks, Roscosmos has elected to proceed with a more extensive repair operation on Friday, June 5. Out of an abundance of caution, NASA has directed all four of the agency's SpaceX Crew-12 members and NASA astronaut Chris Williams to assume an elevated safety posture in the Dragon spacecraft while the repair is underway.

We continue to work with our Russian counterparts, along with the rest of the international community that supports the space station, to arrive at a more permanent resolution.

[Blue Origin @blueorigin]

NG-3 Update: We have confirmed payload separation. AST SpaceMobile has confirmed the satellite has powered on. The payload was placed into an off-nominal orbit. We are currently assessing and will update when we have more detailed information.

[Blue Origin @blueorigin]

Second stage engine cutoff confirmed. New Glenn’s second stage and payload are now in orbit.

[Blue Origin @blueorigin]

BOOSTER TOUCHDOWN! “Never Tell Me The Odds” has done it again!

[Blue Origin @blueorigin]

New Glenn’s first main engine cut-off and stage separation both confirmed! The booster will begin coasting for approximately four minutes. Coming up, second stage ignition.

[Blue Origin @blueorigin]

LIFTOFF! New Glenn clears the tower at LC-36, carrying @AST_SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 7 satellite.

[Blue Origin @blueorigin]

Hold cleared. New T-0 7:25 a.m. EDT / 11:25 UTC.

[Blue Origin @blueorigin]

Entered a hold prior to terminal count. New T-0 forthcoming.

[Blue Origin @blueorigin]

LIVE NOW: Tune in to watch the NG-3 webcast!
https://t.co/n8WKJoiH8s

[Blue Origin @blueorigin]

Check out the New Glenn-3 mission timeline.

[Blue Origin @blueorigin]

Here’s a glimpse of the New Glenn-3 flight profile.

[Blue Origin @blueorigin]

Today's New Glenn launch window opens at 6:45 a.m. EDT/10:45 UTC. Join us for the webcast beginning 30 minutes before launch at https://t.co/TRUdJLGeBb.

[NASA Artemis @NASAArtemis]

The astronauts. Their ride around the Moon.

The Artemis II astronauts pose for a group photo after viewing their Orion spacecraft — which they named Integrity — in the well deck of USS John P. Murtha following their splashdown.

[NASA @NASA]

Artemis II may have splashed down, but our photos and videos from the mission are still rolling in! Keep an eye on the latest: https://t.co/rzM1P0QbOl

[NASA @NASA]

LIVE: After their journey around the Moon, our @NASAArtemis II astronauts are back on Earth. Agency leaders are discussing today's splashdown and answering media questions in a live news conference. https://t.co/eZ8oPw2xLI

[NASA @NASA]

Big smiles from Christina and Victor on the deck of the USS John P. Murtha, as they waited to be escorted for their routine post-mission medical checks.

[NASA @NASA]

All four of the Artemis II astronauts have been successfully extracted from the Orion spacecraft following splashdown and are now on the USS John P. Murtha. Next up, they will be escorted to the medical bay where they will undergo post-mission medical evaluations.

[Cosmic Chicago @CosmicChicago]

The crew of #Artemis II now out of the Orion spacecraft.

[NASA @NASA]

Welcome home Reid, Victor, Christina, and Jeremy! 🫶

The Artemis II astronauts have splashed down at 8:07pm ET (0007 UTC April 11), bringing their historic 10-day mission around the Moon to an end.