Highlights from the Cosmos: Key Space Discoveries You Might Have Overlooked This Week (Dec. 23)

SpaceX rocket launch summary: Live updates from RRT-1 mission Monday from Cape Canaveral

Launch summary: Scroll down to check live updates from the Monday, Dec. 16, liftoff of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral for the classified RRT-1 mission.

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STARCOM commander delivers Florida Tech commencement address, cautions about high-tech space risks

When Space Force Maj. Gen. Timothy Sejba entered the military nearly three decades prior, he recalled how “space was genuinely a friendly domain.” However, in the past five years, he remarked that space threats posed by America’s rivals represent potential risks to our military and national economy.

Sejba oversees STARCOM, which is shifting its base from Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado, to Patrick Space Force Base. This military transition will introduce hundreds of military and civilian positions to Brevard County.

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SpaceX sends Space Force GPS satellite into orbit during Monday launch from Cape Canaveral

After adjacent rain moved westward off Cape Canaveral, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lit up the Monday night sky at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, lifting a Lockheed Martin-constructed GPS III satellite into orbit for the Space Force

SpaceX’s RRT-1 mission — standing for Rapid Response Trailblazer — took off at 7:52 p.m. EST from Launch Complex 40. The 229-foot-tall rocket placed the satellite into orbit 12,550 miles from Earth.

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Meeting fresh deadline and management: NASA Artemis II crew showcases SLS rocket advancement

Confronted with increasing ambiguity regarding the future of Artemis, NASA this week displayed the advancements of the Artemis II Space Launch System (SLS) moon rocket to reporters, introducing the crew and asserting that the rocket was prepared to be assembled.

On Monday, the Artemis II astronauts occupied positions at the core of their rocket while discussing progress towards their upcoming mission.

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Launch summary: SpaceX Florida rocket launch Tuesday afternoon deploys SES satellites

Launch summary: Scroll down for updates on the launch of SES o3b mPOWER satellites, which lifted off atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 at 5:26 p.m. on Dec. 17 from Kennedy Space Center Pad 39A.

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Busy 24 hours: Tuesday SpaceX rocket launch from Florida carries SES satellite

The Falcon 9 rocket’s recognizable roar resonated Tuesday throughout Brevard County during what was the second instance in just under 24 hours.

After finally launching the postponed RRT-1 mission for the Space Force off the launch pad Monday night, the next mission involved O3b mPOWER satellites for communications firm SES. Overcast weather hung over the Space Coast — delaying the liftoff until the very end of the launch window. Ultimately, the rocket lifted off at 5:26 p.m. from Kennedy Space Center Pad 39A, transporting the two satellites into orbit.

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Starliner astronauts receive extended duration on ISS as NASA’s Crew-10 faces delays

The journey continues for the Starliner astronauts who arrived at the International Space Station in June, as they received an additional month added to their time in space before they can return.

NASA announced on Tuesday the postponement of the launch of Crew-10, which consequently means the return of Crew-9 will also be deferred. The Starliner duo, Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, were initially scheduled to return in February 2025 aboard that Crew-9 Dragon after the troubled Starliner was brought back to Earth without them. They will now need to wait until at least late March to return, transforming a journey intended for 10 days into one exceeding nine months.

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‘Transformative’ $1.8 billion space building project could begin next month at Cape Canaveral

Next month, an undisclosed aerospace company hopes to commence large-scale construction on over $1.8 billion worth of heavy-lift rocket facilities at Cape Canaveral, with completion potentially occurring within 18 months to two years.

“This is one of those initiatives that will significantly change the region, the state, and the nation,” Space Florida Presidentand CEO Rob Long proclaimed during a Wednesday afternoon special assembly regarding the extensive endeavor — designated as Project Hinton.

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NASA’s Bill Nelson lauds agency’s personnel and achievements during final days as administrator

The Apollo 16 astronauts from NASA set off for the moon on April 16, 1972. Two days later, on the Space Coast, a promising 29-year-old attorney from Melbourne named Bill Nelson declared his intention to campaign for a seat in the Florida House in the forthcoming Democratic primary.

“Today, I am declaring my candidacy in hopes of embarking on a life of public service where I can contribute with the abilities bestowed upon me by God,” Nelson expressed to supporters during the press conference — receiving coverage from TODAY, the forerunner of FLORIDA TODAY.

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What to know ahead of the SpaceX rocket launch from Cape Canaveral Friday night

SpaceX aims to illuminate the Friday night sky with the Space Coast’s 91st launch this year!

SpaceX has verified that the launch timing is now set between midnight and 2:28 a.m. Saturday, factoring in anticipated weather conditions at both the launch site and the booster recovery area.

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Blue Origin New Glenn launch date approaches as rocket undergoes testing at Cape Canaveral

On Thursday afternoon, the colossal 320-foot-tall New Glenn rocket rested on Launch Pad 36 at Cape Canaveral, steam billowing from it — signifying that fuel was being infused into the rocket.

Blue Origin’s anticipated wet dress rehearsal may have commenced, where New Glenn would be fueled, though not launched. After several hours of steam releasing from the rocket, all actions ceased − indicating the conclusion of the test.

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Scrub summary: SpaceX rocket launch from Cape Canaveral cancels just prior to liftoff

Scrub summary: Live updates from the Falcon 9 mission which was scrubbed just before liftoff early Saturday, Dec. 21.

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Early scrub! SpaceX halts launch of Astranis satellites from Cape Canaveral

SpaceX planned to attempt again on Saturday night to launch the Astranis mission, known as From One to Many − currently the liftoff date is uncertain.

As of shortly before 9 p.m. Saturday, an unusual early scrub has been announced. SpaceX was slated to try again in the early hours of Sunday, but rocket complications seem to have arisen following Friday’s abort.

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Starting in January, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will cease cash acceptance

In our constantly changing environment, the local attraction, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, is shifting away from cash transactions.

Starting Jan. 6, the visitor complex will no longer accept cash at registers throughout the park. This initiative is intended to facilitate “a more seamless and secure guest experience.”

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For the latest updates from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, visit floridatoday.com/space.

Rick Neale is a Space Journalist at FLORIDA TODAY. Reach out to Neale at Rneale@floridatoday.com. Twitter/X: @RickNeale1