Photo by: SpaceX

SpaceX

November: What's New in Space Exploration This Month?

It’s a November to remember in space. Here are some exciting space exploration highlights to look forward too!

November 03, 2020

1. SpaceX will launch another satellite for the U.S. Space Force

On November 5, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is set to launch a fourth third-generation navigation satellite known as GPS 3 SV04 for a Global Positioning System in connection with Space Force. It will blast off from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.

2. NASA’s SpaceX Crew-1 mission scheduled to launch this month

The assigned NASA astronauts for SpaceX’s first operational crewed mission are Crew Dragon commander Michael Hopkins, pilot Victor Glover, and mission specialist Shannon Walker along with mission specialist Soichi Noguchi from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). These four astronauts are currently scheduled to launch on November 15 in a brand-new Crew Dragon spacecraft from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center for a six month stay aboard the International Space Station. NASA astronaut Kate Rubins, Cosmonaut Sergey Ryzhikov, and Cosmonaut Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, who arrived to the ISS on October 14, plan to welcome the four space explorers on November 16 when they dock with the station in their Crew Dragon capsule, Resilience.

NASA’s SpaceX Crew-1 astronauts participate in crew equipment interface testing at SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne, California, on Sept. 24, 2020.

Photo by: NASA/SpaceX

NASA/SpaceX

NASA’s SpaceX Crew-1 astronauts participate in crew equipment interface testing at SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne, California, on Sept. 24, 2020.

3. A $23 million-dollar space toilet aboard the ISS awaits remaining crew members

Last month, NASA launched an expensive Universal Waste Management System to the International Space Station. The crew of Expedition 63 installed the compact and self-contained white cylinder in anticipation for the seven crew members of Expedition 64. It is said to be a better experience for female astronauts who need to use the loo. NASA astronauts Kate Rubins and Shannon Walker will be the judge of its improved design.

Photo by: NASA

NASA

4. Crew Dragon commander Michael Hopkins is joining the U.S. Space Force

It has been announced that a swearing-in ceremony may happen in orbit as NASA astronaut and U.S. Air Force colonel, Michael Hopkins, is set to become the first active astronaut member in the newly formed military branch of Space Force. Space Force was established within the Air Force on December 20, 2019, under the United States Space Force Act.

Photo by: Robert Markowitz/NASA

Robert Markowitz/NASA

5. Virgin Galactic welcomes two more pilots as it readies for commercial spaceflight

Jameel Janjua and Patrick Moran are joining six others for training at Spaceport America to possibly become the world’s first commercial suborbital spaceship pilots. Both test pilots have military and commercial flight experience.

Next Up

This All-Civilian Space Mission Wants to Achieve the Highest Human Orbit Ever

Last year marked a fascinating turning point in the history of spaceflight. For the first time ever, more civilians went into space than professional ones. The private companies Virgin Galactic, Blue Origins, and SpaceX all offer seats for sale, with missions as brief as just a few minutes to as long as a few days.

William Shatner Becomes Oldest Man to Travel to Space After Successful Blue Origin Space Flight

On the morning of October 13, William Shatner joined the crew of New Shepard for its second crewed flight, NS-18. Due to a few holds, the scheduled 10A liftoff was delayed by about 50 minutes from Blue Origin's Launch Site One in Texas. Despite the delays, liftoff and touchdown went off without a hitch, making Star Trek star William Shatner the oldest man to go to space.

NASA Has a New Supersonic Jet and It’s Super-Quiet

There’s more to NASA than space. The agency’s full acronym stands for National Aeronautics and Space Administration. I’ve covered plenty of interesting stories in the space sector, so it’s time to the aeronautics side some love too.

Check Out NASA’s DART Mission

It’s like “Armageddon” but in real life.

Countdown to Launch: NASA and SpaceX Crew-2 Mission

Liftoff set for Friday, April 23, at 5:49A EDT marks the second operational flight of SpaceX’s Crew Dragon. Four space explorers are heading to the International Space Station for a six-month stay. It will take them 23 hours to reach their destination.

Liftoff of NASA and SpaceX Crew-2!

The NASA and SpaceX Crew-2 mission launched on Friday, April 23 at 5:49A ET from the NASA Launch Complex 39A. This historic milestone marks the second operational mission of SpaceX’s Crew Dragon. Onboard was NASA astronaut Shane Kimbrough, NASA astronaut Megan McArthur, ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet, and JAXA astronaut Akihiko Hoshide. After a 23-hour journey, Crew-2 successfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS) on April 24 at 5:08A ET. Here's everything that happened from launch day to the Crew-2's arrival at the ISS. (Updated April 24, 2021)

NASA's New Rocket is Taller than the Statue of Liberty

The massive space launch system was unveiled last week. Following successful completion of upcoming simulation tests, NASA will set a date for the first of the Artemis II lunar missions.

25 Years In the Making, the James Webb Telescope Is Coming to Science Channel

The world’s most powerful observatory - the James Webb Space Telescope – is set for launch later this month after more than 25 years of development and construction. Science Channel, the leader of all things space, will take viewers inside this incredible feat of technology and its launch with two specials airing Tuesday, December 21 at 10 PM ET/PT with a Post-Launch Special to air Sunday, December 26 at 10 PM ET/PT.

6 Months in Space Permanently Ages Bones by 10 Years

Astronauts on long-term space missions can experience bone loss equivalent to two decades of aging. New research suggests more weight-bearing exercises in space could help offset that decline.

The James Webb Space Telescope Launches!

Finally! It was initially proposed way back in 1998 and named the James Webb Space Telescope in 2002. After a decade of delays and over 10 billion dollars past its original budget, NASA’s next great observatory finally launched from the European Space Agency’s Guiana Space Centre in South America.

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