Moon 2 Mars Festival
Thursday at 3:00 p.m. on Houston Life, we’re celebrating the Space Center Houston’s Moon2Mars Festival, June 9-12. The first annual Moon2Mars Festival celebrates the future of space from the Moon to Mars. The festival has something for everyone in your family. You can explore a space capsule, get up close with a spacesuit, enjoy food from Wolfgang Puck catering and live musical concerts on an outdoor stage! Joe Sam is live from the Festival Thursday at 3:00 p.m. on KPRC 2.
🔒 FULL INTERVIEW: Apollo 13 astronaut recounts harrowing journey
On April 11, 1970, the Apollo 13 crew left Earth on a Saturn V rocket. Fifty-two years later at 88-years-old, Apollo 13 astronaut, and Lunar Module Pilot Fred Haise, remembers those harrowing moments, describing them vividly in his newly released book, memoir, Never Panic Early: An Apollo 13 Astronaut’s Journey.
The Infinite: Get closer look at International Space Station through The Infinite VR Experience
Houston is the home to human spaceflight, and it is fitting that it would be the first place in the US to feature a one-of-a-kind, multi-sensory, interactive virtual reality experience exploring inside and outside the world’s orbiting space laboratory--the International Space Station.
Baylor College of Medicine’s TRISH Institute to facilitate science on SpaceX Inspiration4 mission
It may not be too long before many everyday people are able to make their way to space. As commercial spaceflight grows within American soil with companies like SpaceX creating milestones for space exploration, Space City is playing a major role in health research to help future missions.
Saturn will reach its closest point to Earth early Monday morning. Here’s how to see it
The ringed planet Saturn, already one of the solar system’s most dazzling sights, will shine bigger and brighter this month. On Monday, August 2, at around 1 a.m. the planet will reach alignment with the Earth and the sun in an event known as “opposition.” During this event, the sixth planet will reach its closest point to Earth and wil shine at its absolute brightest.
FAA opens Houston Space Safety office to help monitor testing programs, commercial space tourism in Texas, New Mexico
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration has opened a safety field office in Houston to increase its oversight of commercial space operations in Texas and New Mexico.
The last supermoon of 2021 -- aka the Strawberry Moon -- is happening this week
If you’ve missed any of the celestial events that have happened this year already -- the Pink Moon in April or the recent solar eclipse, to name a couple -- you’ve got one more chance to witness a rare supermoon this year, and it’s happening this week.
Spidernauts and space dogs: What happens to the creatures of spaceflight
Animal spaceflights paved the way for the first human astronauts and today creatures big and small continue to space travel advancing our knowledge of how the zero-gravity environment impacts all beings and aiding research down on Earth.
51 years later, Apollo 13 astronauts reflect on historic mission
On April 11, 1970, three astronauts and a team here on Earth dared to attempt what was expected to be the third moon landing. However, just shy of 56 hours into the mission, the crew experienced a problem that would turn into a full-fledged effort to get the crew back to Earth alive.
George Observatory reopening this weekend after 2-year renovation
First opened in the fall of 1989, the George Observatory has been closed since 2019. “We are so excited to welcome visitors back to the newly-remodeled George Observatory. While most are in remote areas, the George Observatory is uniquely placed within Brazos Bend State Park. The George Observatory will open to the public every Saturday at 3 p.m. The Gorge Observatory is located inside Brazos Bend State Park at 21901 FM 762 Rd.
Black History Month: Sharon McDougle ‘suited up’ the first black woman to travel into space
HOUSTON – In 1992, Dr. Mae Jemison became the first black woman to travel into space aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour. Her name is Sharon McDougle, a former suit tech for the space shuttle program who talked to Houston Life about her incredible story. Sharon McDougle and Dr. Mae Jemison (Sharon McDougle)McDougle was responsible for processing the orange launch and re-entry pressure suit assemblies worn by all NASA space shuttle astronauts, including Jemison. It was like they didn’t even see me,’” said McDougle, who worked with the Space Shuttle Program for 22 years. Sharon McDougle (Sharon McDougle)“Everybody is trainable, that’s one thing I preach.
Primary Paint Party Opens in Houston giving the community a creative outlet
HOUSTON – Primary Paint Party is a Paint Party Studio and Creative Workspace. This is a space where community members can enjoy themed paint parties with their friends and family, teambuilding with co-workers, or special creative workshops with other artists. This creative space is also home to the unique Prime Art Gallery. Clients are drawn to the unlimited possibilities of art in its Prime state. Unframed Canvas Art is available throughout the Gallery that represents local artists in and around the Houston area.
KPRC 2 reporter Rose-Ann Aragon reflects on memorable stories, her background and the future of space travel
HOUSTON – A passion for storytelling led Rose-Ann Aragon into the world of journalism. KPRC 2's Rose-Ann Aragon on location for the launch of SpaceX Starship Prototype. This was a very memorable experience for Aragon and she enjoyed having a front-row seat to space history. AdKPRC 2's Rose-Ann Aragon talks about her involvement with the Lumikha Arts Showcase. To learn more or to connect with Rose-Ann Aragon, click here.
Houston Spaceport to be home to world’s first commercially built space station
HOUSTON – The Houston Spaceport will be home to the world’s first space station to built by a commercial space company. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner announced Tuesday that Axiom Space will build a 14-acre headquarters at the city’s spaceport next year and provide 1,000 high-paying jobs. Suffredini said the first module of the Axiom space station is set to be launched in late 2024 and will be the first commercial module to be attached to the International Space Station. Once the ISS is retired, the Axiom modules will detach and remain in low-earth orbit. Axiom will also provide commercial missions to the space station, the first of which is expected to launch late next year, Suffredini said.
WATCH LIVE: SpaceX to launch SXM-7 mission from Florida
A Falcon 9 rocket at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Launch Complex 40 with the SiriusXM-7 satellite ready for launch. (Image: SpaceX)CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – SpaceX is preparing for the launch of the SXM-7 mission from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral. The Falcon 9 first stage rocket booster supporting this launch previously supported Crew Dragon’s first flight to the International Space Station (Demo-1), launch of the RADARSAT Constellation Mission and four Starlink launches in 2020. Following stage separation, SpaceX will land Falcon 9′s first stage on the “Just Read the Instructions” droneship, which will be located in the Atlantic Ocean. SpaceX said half of Falcon 9′s fairing previously supported the ANASIS-II mission in July 2020.
Delta IV Heavy rocket launches from Cape Canaveral
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A nighttime rocket launch lit up the skies over Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Thursday. The United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy carrying the NROL-44 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office was originally set to launch about 5:15 p.m., from the Space Launch Complex-37. The launch was rescheduled for 7:09 p.m.You can watch again in the video below:
SpaceX’s Starship SN8 blows up during landing phase of high-altitude test flight
SpaceX’s high-altitude test flight for its prototype Starship SN8 ended in an explosion Wednesday as the spacecraft attempted to land in Boca Chica. It was the first test of its kind for the Starship, running all three raptor engines in an attempt to reach a height of more than 41,000 feet. The prototype came in for a landing at an angle before exploded at what appeared to be touchdown. “Fuel header tank pressure was low during landing burn, causing touchdown velocity to be high & RUD, but we got all the data we needed! Successful ascent, switchover to header tanks & precise flap control to landing point!
‘Most stunning show in 2020′: Social media reacts to SpaceX’s Starship SN8 explosion
Elon Musk, the founder and CEO of SpaceX, marked Wednesday’s test flight of the Starship SN8 a success, despite it blowing up during the landing phase. Can't wait for SN9. @elonmusk @SpaceX #starshipsn8 — nikkcolas (@Nikkcolas) December 9, 2020Congratulations @SpaceX and @elonmusk for the #starshipsn8 launch. It was a spectacular event, the landing was almost a success. SN9 will be the one I guarantee you :D — VAJDAD4M (@vajdad4m) December 9, 2020
First woman, next man on moon will come from these NASA 18
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – NASA has named the 18 astronauts — half of them women — who will train for its Artemis moon-landing program. The first woman and next man on the moon will come from this elite group. Half of the NASA astronauts have spaceflight experience. Two are at the International Space Station right now: Kate Rubins and Victor Glover. The other experienced members on the list include Kjell Lindgren, Anne McClain and Scott Tingle, all former space station residents.
SpaceX aborts first attempt of Starship SN8′s high-altitude test flight
BOCA CHICA, Texas – Space fans will just have to wait another day after SpaceX aborted its first attempt at a high-altitude test flight for its SN8 Starship Prototype in Boca Chica on Tuesday. Starship SN8 is expected to fly more than 41,000 feet into the air, do a now-iconic bellyflop or skydiving-like maneuver and then correct itself just before landing on the launchpad. The spacecraft is a two-stage vehicle that founder Elon Musk hopes will one day take as many as 100 people to Mars. It’s the first Starship to be fully outfitted with a nosecone and flaps. You can watch a replay of the first attempt below.
Gen. Chuck Yeager, first person to break sound barrier, dies at 97
HOUSTON – Gen. Chuck Yeager, a fighter pilot best known as becoming the first person to break the sound barrier, died Monday. Born in West Virginia, Yeager enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1941 and flew during World War II and shot down more than a dozen German planes. On Oct. 14, 1947, Yeager flew a rocket plan called “Glamorous Glennis” over the Mojave Desert to break the sound barrier. Yeager went on to become a trainer of some of the first American astronauts. He made an appearance in the movie “The Right Stuff,” which is about the early days of the American space program.
First attempt of Starship SN8′s high-altitude flight test to take place in South Texas
The two Dragon parking spots are just 15 feet (4.5 meters) or so apart. SpaceX redesigned its cargo ships to be as big as its spacious crew capsules in order to pack more in. The cargo Dragon will remain at the space station for a month, before parachuting into the Atlantic with science samples and discarded gear. The crew Dragon will stay up until spring. ___The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education.
WATCH: NASA, SpaceX launch CRS-21 Dragon cargo spacecraft to International Space Station
The Dragon — packed with Christmas treats and presents — should reach the space station on Monday, joining the Dragon that delivered four astronauts last month. “Dragons everywhere you look,” said Kenny Todd, NASA’s deputy space station program manager. With NASA’s commercial crew program officially under way, SpaceX expects to always have at least one Dragon capsule at the space station. I fear it might mess up my own Christmas,” Todd said late last week. This is SpaceX’s 21st station supply run for NASA since 2012.
South Padre Island expected to be crowded for SpaceX Starship SN8 test launch
SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Texas – The shores at Isla Blanca Park are expected to be the place where hundreds of space enthusiasts and islanders go to watch a test launch across the water at SpaceX’s Starship facility in Boca Chica, Texas. With the Starship SN8 launch teasingly imminent, South Padre Island has found a lot more tourists walking the streets. The view of the SpaceX launch facility just a few miles across the water. “Everybody wants to see it happening,” said James Baxter, a Houston native and South Padre Island transplant. I was so excited!”They don’t think they will leave South Padre Island.
Houstonian creates ultimate space Airbnb in Boca Chica
One Houstonian experienced this first-hand and turned his own vision into reality -- creating the ultimate space pad Airbnb for many space enthusiasts to rent. However, 400 miles away in the rugged terrain of Boca Chica, just 8 miles from the SpaceX Launch Facility, he’s managed to create the ultimate space lover’s experience, Rocket Ranch. The multi-room ranch has a full-kitchen, coffeeroom area, living room and outside amenities, filled with decor space enthusiasts would appreciate. Photos of different planets, milestone space exploration achievements and touches of trivial space gadgets fill the space. This all started when he went to see a SpaceX launch at the Cape.
What’s that thing orbiting the Earth in 90 minutes? A guide to what the International Space Station is, does
This year, the International Space Station celebrated 20 years of having a continuous human presence on it. But what exactly is the International Space Station and what does it do? Over a 13-year period from 1998-2011, different modules were launched into space and attached to each other in orbit by astronauts. That mission was successful to create an initial base, and in subsequent years, other modules were launched into orbit and connected. The ISS is aging -- and if it’s not eventually destroyed or taken down by humans, space obstacles might arise, according to space.com.
The backup plan for SpaceX
On Sunday, Jan. 19, an eight-minute test took place, one all-important test to make sure that if SpaceX should need to abort after launch then the crew could safely make it back down to Earth. credit SpaceXThe capsule, pictured below, fell perfectly and safely to the ocean water. Watch that first as its very interesting and helpful when understanding what really took place. As of this writing the launch itself is at a 60% chance of happening as the sky really needs to be rain- and cloud-free. But its comforting to know that if things do go awry during the launch, there is an emergency plan.
LIVE COVERAGE: Countdown on for historic NASA, SpaceX launch
HOUSTON NASA and SpaceX aim to make history Wednesday with the launch of American astronauts from U.S. soil for the first time in nearly a decade. The launch is scheduled to happen at launchpad 39-A at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, at 3:33 p.m. Central time. You can follow live coverage below and watch live coverage in the video player above once it begins. 10:50 a.m. How the day will unfoldHeres a look at the schedule for today. All times are Central.
How Houstonians are reacting to Wednesdays SpaceX launch scrubbed due to bad weather
HOUSTON Wednesday was supposed to be a historic day for America, as two NASA astronauts geared up for the first space launch in nine years from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. However, due to thunderstorms, the launch was scrubbed just 10 minutes before launch time. Dream big .. on Saturday @elonmusk safety first #SpaceX #LaunchDay take some Texas blends with you too @TexasBlends Josh Kelly (@RealJoshKelly) May 27, 2020Honestly... who in the heck during the attempted #SpaceX launch was singing "No Scrubs" by TLC? #SpaceLaunchLIVE #LaunchAmerica #SpaceX pic.twitter.com/FWcxAGGQeG Jon Rodrigo (@JonRodrigoTV) May 27, 2020The #SpaceX crew waited for three hours to launch. We'll see you again on Saturday afternoon #launchamerica Flux (@therealdjflux) May 27, 2020@elonmusk Although #SpaceX cancelled, its all good.
2 astronauts travel from Houston to Florida before historic manned U.S. launch in 9 years next week
HOUSTON Two astronauts will travel from Houston to Florida on Wednesday, a week before they will participate in the first manned launch from U.S. soil in nearly a decade. NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley will depart Ellington Field aboard a Gulfstream aircraft to travel to Kennedy Space Center. Its an incredible time for NASA, the space program once again launching U.S. crews from Florida," said Hurley. Behnken and Hurley are scheduled to travel to the International Space Station on the SpaceX Demo-2 mission on May 27 at 3:33 p.m. central time. This commercial launch program is really important to us as a station and international community to rotate our astronauts to bring more business to station and more science to station, said Hasbrook.