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US President Donald Trump has requested SpaceX to facilitate the return of astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore from the International Space Station, after months of delays.

Donald Trump requests SpaceX to bring stranded astronauts back from ISS

US President Donald Trump has requested SpaceX to facilitate the return of astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore from the International Space Station, after months of delays.

Billionaire Elon Musk on Tuesday revealed that US President Donald Trump had requested his assistance in facilitating the return of two astronauts, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who have been aboard the International Space Station (ISS) since June 2024.&nbsp;
Musk expressed frustration over the prolonged delay in their return, which he attributed to the current administration. Despite NASA&rsquo;s collaboration with SpaceX months earlier for their return, the astronauts remained stranded.
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> has asked <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SpaceX</a> to bring home the 2 astronauts stranded on the <a href="https://twitter.com/Space_Station?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Space_Station</a> as soon as possible. We will do so. Terrible that the Biden administration left them there so long.
&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1884365928038563880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 28, 2025</a></blockquote>
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
"The @POTUS has asked @SpaceX to bring home the 2 astronauts stranded on the @Space_Station as soon as possible. We will do so," Musk wrote in a post on X, emphasizing how "terrible" it was that the astronauts were left in space for such a long period.
Trump expressed optimism about the mission, stating, "Elon will soon be on his way. Hopefully, all will be safe. Good luck Elon!!!" His message, posted on Truth Social, did not specify the exact timing of the mission.
<iframe class="truthsocial-embed" style="max-width: 100%; border: 0;" src="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/113909188940119917/embed" width="600" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
&nbsp;
While Musk voiced concerns over the delay, NASA has maintained that the astronauts were never in danger, confirming that they were healthy and in good spirits.
Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams had launched to the ISS aboard Boeing's Starliner spacecraft in June 2024, initially expected to stay for only 10 days.
However, after a problematic journey and arrival, NASA and Boeing took several weeks to address issues with the spacecraft. Ultimately, it was deemed too risky to return the astronauts aboard the Starliner.
In August 2024, NASA officially requested SpaceX to return the astronauts as part of the Crew-9 mission.
SpaceX, led by Musk, has been running regular ISS crew rotations every six months, and the astronauts were assigned to Crew-9.
To accommodate their return, NASA adjusted the Crew-9 mission, removing two of the four astronauts initially scheduled to fly aboard SpaceX's Dragon capsule in September.
As a result, only an astronaut and cosmonaut were launched on that mission, with Williams and Wilmore slated for their return at the end of the expedition in February 2025.
However, in December, another delay was announced as SpaceX needed more time to prepare the new Dragon spacecraft for the upcoming Crew-10 mission. This meant the Crew-9 mission, including Williams and Wilmore, would not return until late March, after Crew-10 had reached the ISS.
Musk&rsquo;s recent post, however, hinted that the Crew Dragon capsule, named 'Freedom,' might make an early departure from the ISS, potentially bringing the two astronauts back sooner than initially planned.

SpaceX's Starship completed its seventh test flight with a successful catch of the Super Heavy booster using the launch tower’s chopstick arms. However, the upper stage failed mid-flight, disintegrating over the Atlantic due to an oxygen/fuel leak.

SpaceX catches Starship booster again, but upper stage explodes

SpaceX's Starship completed its seventh test flight with a successful catch of the Super Heavy booster using the launch tower&rsquo;s chopstick arms. However, the upper stage failed mid-flight, disintegrating over the Atlantic due to an oxygen/fuel leak.

Hours after Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin nailed its first-ever orbital mission, SpaceX seized back the spotlight on Thursday as its latest test of Starship, its gargantuan next-generation megarocket, ended with the upper stage dramatically disintegrating over the Atlantic.
In terms of sheer excitement, Elon Musk's company didn't disappoint, underscoring its technical prowess by catching the first stage booster in the "chopstick" arms of its launch tower for a second time.
But the triumph was short-lived when teams lost contact with the upper stage vehicle. SpaceX later confirmed it had undergone "rapid unscheduled disassembly," the company's euphemism for an explosion.
A taller, improved version of the biggest and most powerful launch vehicle ever built blasted off from the company's Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas, at 4:37 pm (2237 GMT) for its seventh test.
The gleaming prototype rocket is key to Musk's ambitions of colonizing Mars, while NASA hopes to use a modified version as a human lunar lander.
Around seven minutes after liftoff, the Super Heavy booster decelerated from supersonic speeds -- generating sonic booms -- before descending gracefully into the launch tower's waiting arms, prompting an eruption of applause from ground control teams.
The maneuver was first successfully executed in October, but not November, when Super Heavy made a controlled splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico instead.
Soon after the latest booster catch, however, announcers on a live webcast confirmed the upper stage vehicle had been lost following a propulsion anomaly.
The FlightAware tracker showed several planes in the Atlantic altering course near the Turks and Caicos Islands, while users on X shared dramatic footage purportedly capturing the spaceship breaking apart in a fiery cascade during atmospheric re-entry.
"Success is uncertain, but entertainment is guaranteed!" Musk wrote on X, sharing one of the clips. He added the cause of the explosion appeared to be an "oxygen/fuel leak" and that the company would take corrective steps.
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) spokesperson said the agency "briefly slowed and diverted aircraft around the area where space vehicle debris was falling."
&nbsp;
- Well wishes -
Ahead of the SpaceX launch, Blue Origin's massive New Glenn rocket reached orbital space for the first time, marking a potential turning point in the commercial space race.
SpaceX has long dominated orbital launches with its Falcon 9 rocket, securing contracts from private companies, the Pentagon and NASA.
In contrast, Blue Origin had been limited to short hop suborbital flights with its smaller New Shepard rocket -- but could now look to erode SpaceX's market share.
Although the two tech titans have had a contentious past, Musk congratulated Bezos "on reaching orbit on the first attempt," and Bezos returned the goodwill a few hours later.
"Good luck today @elonmusk and the whole spacex team!!" the Amazon founder wrote on X.
NASA's outgoing chief Bill Nelson meanwhile offered his congratulations to SpaceX for the booster catch, adding: "Spaceflight is not easy."
For this flight, SpaceX announced it had made numerous upgrades, and increased Starship's size by a few feet to 403 feet (123 meters) tall. New Glenn stands 320 feet (98 meters) tall.
While its Falcon rockets remain steadfast workhorses, SpaceX has made clear it sees Starship as its future.
The first three test flights ended in dramatic explosions, resulting in the loss of vehicles. However, SpaceX has rapidly iterated on its design, reflecting its "fail fast, learn fast" philosophy.
Musk is now aiming to drastically ramp up the frequency of tests, requesting permission from the FAA to carry out 25 in 2025, compared to just four in 2024.
The agency is holding public meetings on potential environmental and regulatory concerns, amid accusations that SpaceX has harmed ecologically sensitive areas and violated wastewater regulations.
But with Musk now part of Trump's inner circle, the billionaire may find a smoother path under the incoming administration.
Meanwhile, Bezos and fellow tech mogul Mark Zuckerberg are set to attend the president-elect's inauguration on Monday, signaling warming ties.

Elon Musk's net worth soared to $447B, marking him as the first to exceed $400B. Key factors included SpaceX's massive valuation and Tesla's robust stock performance, cementing Musk as a leading financial and innovative force.

Elon Musk Net Worth Surges to $447 Billion

Elon Musk's fortune is $140 billion ahead of Jeff Bezos, the second-richest person on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and founder of SpaceX, has become the first individual in history to amass a net worth of $400 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
A recent share sale at SpaceX played a key role in this milestone, contributing roughly $50 billion to Musk&rsquo;s wealth and boosting SpaceX&rsquo;s valuation to $350 billion, making it the world&rsquo;s most valuable private company. This increase, combined with a surge in Tesla&rsquo;s stock price, pushed Musk&rsquo;s net worth to $447 billion.
Tesla shares hit an all-time high of $415, driven by investor optimism about the company&rsquo;s future in electric vehicles and clean energy. Musk&rsquo;s fortune has also been buoyed by broader market trends, particularly following the election of President-elect Donald Trump, with Tesla shares climbing 65% since his victory. Investors have been hopeful about regulatory changes under the new administration that could benefit Tesla, including potential updates to self-driving car regulations and tax policies.
In addition to SpaceX and Tesla, Musk&rsquo;s artificial intelligence company, xAI, has seen its valuation double to $50 billion since its May funding round, as the company works on developing advanced AI technologies.
While Musk&rsquo;s financial successes are unprecedented, he has encountered some setbacks. A Delaware court recently struck down his $100 billion Tesla pay package, a rare legal challenge. Nevertheless, this ruling is unlikely to affect Musk&rsquo;s standing as the world's wealthiest person.
As of December 10, Musk's fortune is $140 billion ahead of Jeff Bezos, the second-richest person on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Since early November, Musk has added about $136 billion to his wealth, cementing his position at the top of the global billionaire rankings.

 SpaceX launched a two-person crew to the International Space Station, the start of a mission to bring home two NASA astronauts, Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore, stuck in orbit after flying on Starliner spacecraft. But the mission is not likely to 

SpaceX Launches Rescue Mission For Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore

 SpaceX launched a two-person crew to the International Space Station, the start of a mission to bring home two NASA astronauts, Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore, stuck in orbit after flying on Starliner spacecraft. But the mission is not likely to be successful until next year. The capsule rocketed toward orbit to fetch the test pilots whose Boeing spacecraft returned to Earth empty earlier this month because of safety concerns. The switch in rides left it to NASA’s Nick Hague and Russia’s Alexander Gorbunov to retrieve Wilmore and Williams.


&nbsp;SpaceX launched a two-person crew to the International Space Station, the start of a mission to bring home two NASA astronauts, Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore, stuck in orbit after flying on Starliner spacecraft.&nbsp;

&nbsp;SpaceX launched a two-person crew to the International Space Station, the start of a mission to bring home two NASA astronauts, Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore, stuck in orbit after flying on Starliner spacecraft. But the mission is not likely to be successful until next year. The capsule rocketed toward orbit to fetch the test pilots whose Boeing spacecraft returned to Earth empty earlier this month because of safety concerns. The switch in rides left it to NASA&rsquo;s Nick Hague and Russia&rsquo;s Alexander Gorbunov to retrieve Wilmore and Williams.

SpaceX's Starship, the world's most powerful rocket, lost its way when it re-entered the atmosphere over the Indian Ocean during its third test flight.

World's most powerful rocket Starship 'lost' after 'successful' test flight 

SpaceX's Starship, the world's most powerful rocket, lost its way when it re-entered the atmosphere over the Indian Ocean during its third test flight.

Starship, the world's most powerful rocket, flew further and faster than ever before during its third test flight Thursday, although it was eventually lost as it re-entered the atmosphere over the Indian Ocean, SpaceX said.
Lift-off from the company's Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas came around 8:25 am local time (1325 GMT) and was carried live on a webcast that was watched by millions on social media platform X.
The sleek mega rocket is vital to NASA's plans for landing astronauts on the Moon later this decade -- and Elon Musk's hopes of colonizing Mars someday.
"Congrats to @SpaceX on a successful test flight!" tweeted NASA administrator Bill Nelson following the test.
All eyes were on Thursday's launch after two prior attempts ended in spectacular explosions. But that's not necessarily a bad thing: The company has adopted a rapid trial-and-error approach in order to accelerate development, and the strategy has brought it numerous successes in the past.
Objectives met&nbsp;
When the two stages of Starship are combined, the rocket stands 397 feet (121 meters) tall -- beating the Statue of Liberty by a comfortable 90 feet.
Its Super Heavy Booster produces 16.7 million pounds (74.3 Meganewtons) of thrust, almost double that of the world's second most powerful rocket, NASA's Space Launch System -- though the latter is now certified, while Starship is still a prototype.
Starship's third launch test in its fully stacked configuration was its most ambitious yet and the company said it was able to meet many of its objectives.
These included opening and closing Starship's payload door to test its ability to deliver satellites into orbit.
High definition footage from an onboard camera showed Starship coasting in space, with the curve of the Earth visible in the background. It hit a top speed of more than 26,000 kilometers per hour (16,000 mph) and achieved an altitude of more than 200 kilometers above sea level.
Starship flew halfway around the globe, then began its descent over the Indian Ocean, with engineers cheering as its heat shield composed of 18,000 hexagonal tiles glowed red hot.
But ground control stopped receiving signals and announcers declared the vessel "lost" before it could achieve its final goal of splashing down. The lower-stage booster also failed to make a successful water landing, and as a result, the Federal Aviation Administration said it was opening a "mishap" investigation.
"Starship will make life multiplanetary," Musk, the company's billionaire founder, posted on X afterward, emphasizing the progress made.
Real world testing
The first so-called "integrated" test came in April 2023. SpaceX was forced to blow up Starship within a few minutes of launch, because the two stages failed to separate.
The rocket disintegrated into a ball of fire and crashed into the Gulf of Mexico, sending a dust cloud over a town several miles (kilometers) away.
The second test in November 2023 fared slightly better: The booster separated from the spaceship, but both then exploded over the ocean, in what the company euphemistically called a "rapid unscheduled disassembly."
It currently costs SpaceX around $90 million to build each Starship, according to a report by the research company Payload published in January.
SpaceX's strategy of carrying out tests in the real world rather than in labs has paid off in the past.
Its Falcon 9 rockets have come to be workhorses for NASA and the commercial sector, its Dragon capsule sends astronauts and cargo to the International Space Station, and its Starlink internet satellite constellation now covers dozens of countries.
But the clock is ticking for SpaceX to be ready for NASA's planned return of astronauts to the Moon in 2026, using a modified Starship as the lander vehicle.
China is approaching in the rear view mirror, targeting 2030 to land its first crew on the Moon.
Not only does SpaceX need to prove it can launch, fly and land Starship safely -- it must eventually also show it can send multiple "Starship tankers" into orbit to refuel, at supercooled temperatures, a main Starship for its onward journey to the Moon.

Millions tuned in to witness the 3rd and historic launch of SpaceX's Starship on Thursday.

SpaceX completes launch of Starship megarocket, reaches orbital speed

Millions tuned in to witness the third and historic launch of SpaceX's Starship on Thursday.

SpaceX's mega rocket blasted off on another test flight Thursday, aiming to make it halfway around the world this time.
The first two flights last year lasted mere minutes before blowing up over the Gulf of Mexico.
Starship, the biggest and most powerful rocket ever built, soared from the southern tip of Texas near the Mexican border and headed out over the gulf. No people or satellites were on board.
The rocket and futuristic-looking spacecraft towers 397 feet (121 meters), easily exceeding NASA's past and present moon rockets.
SpaceX's Elon Musk was shooting for a shorter, hourlong flight on the latest demo, with the Indian Ocean as the spacecraft's finish line. He noted that the company made thousands of upgrades and fixes to improve the odds.
NASA watched with keen interest: The space agency needs Starship to succeed in order to land astronauts on the moon in the next two or so years. This new crop of moonwalkers &mdash; the first since last century's Apollo program &mdash; will descend to the lunar surface in a Starship, at least the first couple times.&nbsp;
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SpaceX's lawsuit contends the NLRB's structure breaches federal law by allowing the removal of members and judges solely for cause, not at will. 

SpaceX challenges US labor board in lawsuit over alleged illegal firings

SpaceX's lawsuit contends the NLRB's structure breaches federal law by allowing the removal of members and judges solely for cause, not at will.&nbsp;

Elon Musk's SpaceX has initiated legal action against the US National Labor Relations Board following accusations of illegal dismissals of employees. The lawsuit comes in response to the NLRB's claim that workers were terminated by the aerospace manufacturer for allegedly criticizing CEO Elon Musk as a "distraction and embarrassment."
In a federal court filing in Brownsville, Texas, SpaceX contended that the NLRB's structure is unconstitutional and urged the suspension of the case. The company challenged the NLRB's constitutionality, stating that the board's arrangement violates the US Constitution.
The NLRB asserted that SpaceX violated federal labor laws by firing eight employees in 2022. These workers were allegedly terminated for signing a letter that accused Musk of making sexist remarks against company policies.
SpaceX's lawsuit argued that the NLRB's structure is unconstitutional because federal law permits the removal of board members and administrative judges only for cause, not at will. The legal action aims to halt the progression of the NLRB case.
This legal maneuver echoes a prior instance where SpaceX successfully suspended an administrative case by the US Department of Justice, which alleged the company's unlawful refusal to hire refugees and asylum recipients.
Previously, a federal judge in Brownsville, where the recent case was filed, halted the administrative case in November. The judge cited the US Constitution, emphasizing that administrative judges at the Justice Department must be appointed by the president, not by the attorney general, as is the current practice.
Notably, besides SpaceX, the NLRB faces a similar lawsuit from a Starbucks Corp employee contesting the unionization of her New York store. The worker filed a lawsuit in October after the NLRB denied her petition for an election to dissolve the union. However, the agency has not yet responded to this particular lawsuit.
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SpaceX is preparing to launch another batch of Starlink satellites on Friday, carring 56 starlink satellites this time.

SpaceX to launch 56 Starlink satellites on Friday, here is how to watch live stream

<h2>SpaceX is preparing to launch another batch of Starlink satellites on Friday, carring 56 starlink satellites this time.</h2>

Following the successful launch of 47 Starlink satellites on June 22, SpaceX is preparing to launch another batch of Starlink satellites on Friday, June 23. This time, SpaceX intends to send 56 Starlink satellites into orbit at 9:56 a.m. EDT or 7:26 PM IST using a Falcon 9 rocket. The launch will take place at Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) located at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Approximately eight minutes after liftoff, the Falcon 9's first stage will descend onto a drone ship named A Shortfall of Gravitas in the Atlantic Ocean. The deployment of the Starlinks is expected to occur around 65 minutes after liftoff. Viewers can watch the live coverage on Space.com or directly through SpaceX's streaming service. &nbsp;

SpaceX is gearing up for another live broadcast of a significant launch, this time involving its 47 Starlink internet satellites.

SpaceX to launch 47 Starlink satellites on June 22, here is how to watch live stream

SpaceX is gearing up for another live broadcast of a significant launch, this time involving its Starlink internet satellites

SpaceX to launch 47 Starlink satellites on Thursday, here is how to watch live stream

<h2>SpaceX is gearing up for another live broadcast of a significant launch, this time involving its Starlink internet satellites</h2>

SpaceX is gearing up for another significant launch event, and this time it involves the deployment of its Starlink internet satellites. Mark your calendars for June 22nd, Thursday, at 3:19 a.m. EDT or 12:49 PM IST, when a Falcon 9 rocket will take off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
The launch will witness the deployment of 47 Starlink spacecraft, adding to the growing constellation of satellites that aims to provide global broadband coverage.
<h3>When and Where to Watch Live Stream of SpaceX 47 Starlink spacecraft Launch</h3>
To catch all the action, viewers can tune in to the live coverage on Space.com or directly through SpaceX's streaming service.
The coverage will begin five minutes before liftoff, ensuring you don't miss any crucial moments.
One of the highlights of this launch is the Falcon 9's first stage landing. After the satellite deployment, the first stage will make a controlled landing on the droneship.
Witness the precision and engineering prowess of SpaceX as the booster lands safely, paving the way for future reuse.
Join space enthusiasts and technology enthusiasts alike as they eagerly anticipate this milestone event.
Stay connected to the latest developments in space technology and witness the deployment of these innovative Starlink satellites, bringing us closer to a more connected world.

 NASA has picked the Starship spacecraft to ferry astronauts to the Moon in late 2025

Watch: SpaceX Starship, world's biggest rocket, explodes during first flight test

SpaceX's Starship, the most powerful rocket ever built, exploded on Thursday during the first test flight of the spacecraft designed to send astronauts to the Moon, Mars and beyond. 

&nbsp;NASA has picked the Starship spacecraft to ferry astronauts to the Moon in late 2025

SpaceX's Starship, the most powerful rocket ever built, exploded on Thursday during the first test flight of the spacecraft designed to send astronauts to the Moon, Mars and beyond.
The gigantic rocket successfully blasted off at 8:33 am Central Time (1333 GMT) from Starbase, the private SpaceX spaceport in Boca Chica, Texas.
The Starship capsule had been scheduled to separate from the first-stage rocket booster three minutes into the uncrewed flight but separation failed to occur and the rocket blew up.
"As if the flight test was not exciting enough, Starship experienced a rapid unscheduled disassembly before stage separation," SpaceX tweeted.
Despite the failure to complete the full flight test, SpaceX declared it a success.
"We cleared the tower which was our only hope," said Kate Tice, a SpaceX quality systems engineer.
"With a test like this, success comes from what we learn, and today&rsquo;s test will help us improve Starship&rsquo;s reliability as SpaceX seeks to make life multi-planetary," SpaceX tweeted.
The US space agency NASA has picked the Starship spacecraft to ferry astronauts to the Moon in late 2025 -- a mission known as Artemis III -- for the first time since the Apollo program ended in 1972.
Starship consists of a 164-foot (50-meter) tall spacecraft designed to carry crew and cargo that sits atop a 230-foot tall first-stage Super Heavy booster rocket.
SpaceX conducted a successful test-firing of the 33 massive Raptor engines on the first-stage booster in February but the Starship spacecraft and the Super Heavy rocket were being flown together for the first time.
The integrated test flight was intended to assess their performance in combination.
SpaceX founder Elon Musk had warned ahead of the launch that technical issues were likely and sought to play down expectations for the inaugural test flight.
"It's a very risky flight," he said. "It's the first launch of a very complicated, gigantic rocket.
"There's a million ways this rocket could fail," Musk said.

The cause of the spiral was excess fuel being released from a SpaceX rocket that was launched around 3 hours earlier.

Watch: spiral formation among aurora lights seen in Alaska sky

The cause of the spiral was excess fuel being released from a SpaceX rocket that was launched around 3 hours earlier.

A video of an unusual spiral formation appearing among northern lights or aurora in the skies over Alaska has taken the internet by storm.
The spiral was seen in the sky on 15 April 2023, as per reports.
Despite wild speculation on social media, the cause of the spiral was excess fuel being released from a SpaceX rocket that was launched around 3 hours earlier.
When the fuel is released at high altitudes, it freezes. If it catches the sunlight, and people on Earth are standing in darkness, they can see it appear like a big cloud, a scientist told the Associated Press.

Last-minute problem keeps SpaceX rocket, astronauts grounded

SpaceX mission to send 6-member crew into space cancelled in the last minute

Strapped into the capsule atop the Falcon rocket were two NASA astronauts, one Russian cosmonaut and one astronaut from the United Arab Emirates.

Last-minute technical trouble forced SpaceX to call off Monday's attempt to launch four astronauts to the International Space Station for NASA.
The countdown was halted with just two minutes remaining until lift-off from Kennedy Space Centre. With just a split second to blast off, there was no time to deal with the problem, which involved the engine ignition system.
SpaceX did not immediately say when it would try again. The next attempt could come as early as Tuesday, although poor weather was forecast.
Strapped into the capsule atop the Falcon rocket were two NASA astronauts, one Russian cosmonaut and one astronaut from the United Arab Emirates.
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When informed by SpaceX that the fuel would start to be drained from the rocket, commander Stephen Bowen replied: &ldquo;We'll be sitting here waiting.&rdquo; It was expected to take nearly an hour.
Bowen and his crew &mdash; including the first astronaut from the United Arab Emirates assigned to a months-long mission, Sultan al-Neyadi &mdash; will replace another SpaceX crew that flew to the space station in October.&nbsp;

The booster remained anchored to the pad as planned during the test. There were no signs of major damage to the launch tower.

Watch: SpaceX test fires powerful giant Starship spacecraft

SpaceX test fires powerful giant Starship spacecraft

The booster remained anchored to the pad as planned during the test. There were no signs of major damage to the launch tower.

SpaceX is a big step closer to sending its giant Starship spacecraft into orbit, completing an engine-firing test at the launch pad on Thursday.
Thirty-one of the 33 first-stage booster engines ignited for about 10 seconds in south Texas. The team turned off one engine before sending the firing command and another engine shut down _ "but still enough engines to reach orbit!" tweeted SpaceX's Elon Musk.
Musk estimates Starship's first orbital test flight could occur as soon as March if testing goes well.
The booster remained anchored to the pad as planned during the test. There were no signs of major damage to the launch tower.
NASA is counting on Starship to land astronauts on the moon in a few years, while rich businessmen already are booking lunar flybys. Farther down the road, Musk wants to use the mammoth Starships to send crowds to Mars.

Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX president and COO, said that Starlink services were being provided to Ukraine for humanitarian purposes, and not to be weaponised.

Elon Musk's SpaceX stopping Ukraine military from using Starlink satellite internet for drones: reports

SpaceX is stopping Ukraine military from using Starlink satellite internet for drone combat: reports


Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX president and COO, said that Starlink services were being provided to Ukraine for humanitarian purposes, and not to be weaponised.

Elon Musk's company SpaceX has taken steps to restrict the Ukrainian military's ability to control drones using its Starlink satellite internet services, as per a Reuters report.
Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX president and COO, said that Starlink services were being provided to Ukraine for humanitarian purposes, and not to be weaponised.
She said that Ukrainians leveraged satellite internet connectivity in "ways that were unintentional and not part of any agreement". Shotwell said that the company was fine with Ukrainian military using Starlink for communications, but the intent was never to have it used for "offensive purposes".
Meanwhile, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sought Western support for his country in surprise visits to Britain and France on 8 February 2023, pushing for fighter jets to battle Russian invaders in a dramatic speech to the UK Parliament, and then flying to Paris to meet the French and German leaders over dinner at the Elysee Palace.
The embattled leader's European tour and pleas for more advanced weapons came as Ukraine braces for an expected Russian offensive and hatches its own plans to retake land held by Moscow's forces. Western support has been key to Kyiv's surprisingly stiff defence, and the two sides are engaged in grinding battles.
(With AP inputs)
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A satellite named after Argentina's World Cup winning Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has been launched by Elon Musk's company SpaceX.

Satellite named after Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez launched by SpaceX

Elon Musk's SpaceX has launched a satellite named after Argentina's goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez

Here's the full story.

The two new low-orbit Innova Space satellites, named 'Dibu Mart&iacute;nez' and 'Juana Azurduy', will join 'General San Mart&iacute;n', the Argentinian company&rsquo;s first satellite, which was launched last January.

A satellite named after Argentina's World Cup-winning Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has been launched by Elon Musk's company SpaceX.
The satellite that's named after Martinez's nickname 'Dibu' was made by Argentina's satellite company Innova Space.
The two new low-orbit Innova Space satellites, 'Dibu Mart&iacute;nez' and 'Juana Azurduy' will join 'General San Mart&iacute;n', the Argentinian company&rsquo;s first satellite, which was launched last January.
Martinez was one of the heroes of Argentina's FIFA World Cup triumph and was awarded the Golden Glove at the end of the tournament as well.
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Former SpaceX employees sue Elon Musk for firing them unfairly

At least eight former SpaceX employees have approached the National Labor Relations Board in US over their firing alleging that the move was illegal.

At least eight former SpaceX employees have approached the National Labor Relations Board in US over their firing alleging that the move was illegal.

Billionaire Elon Musk has been sued by his former employees whom he allegedly fired in June this year.
At least eight former SpaceX employees have approached the National Labor Relations Board in US over their firing alleging that the move was illegal.
The employees have levelled unfair labour practice charge against Musk saying he is opposed to criticism, as per a report by The Guardian.
Employees were fired after they reportedly drafted a letter criticising their boss for his 'harmful Twitter behaviour'and sexual harassment allegations.
The 'open letter' which was shared internally within SpaceX leadership was largely condemning the poor work culture at the organisation.
The letter stated that Musk's online behaviour was an embarrasment and "a frequent source of distraction."&nbsp;
One of the female employees in the letter also specified how SpaceX did not take any action over her sexual harassment complaint.
Musk was accused of making inappropriate gestures and offering the woman "a horse in exchange for sex"
Though the allegations were refuted by Musk who outrightly said that "the incident never happened."
Also watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/business-news/elon-musk-fires-employee-on-twitter-over-this-reason-1668510069737">Elon Musk fires employee on Twitter over this reason</a>

Let's see how Indian startup Skyroot Aerospace's technology compares to the first attempts by now-established space companies like Elon Musk's SpaceX and Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin.

Comparison: India's first private space rocket versus SpaceX's Falcon 1, Blue Origin's New Shepard

Let's see how Indian startup Skyroot Aerospace's technology compares to the first attempts by now-established space companies like Elon Musk's SpaceX and Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin.

India is set to cross another major milestone in space. The country's first rocket launch by a private space company is expected to happen soon. So how does Indian startup Skyroot's rocket technology match up with veterans of the private space sector like SpaceX and Blue Origin?
It's just a matter of days before history is scripted in India. Skyroot Aerospace is expected to launch its Vikram-S rocket between 12 and 16 November. The space vehicle will carry 3 customer satellites in suborbital flight. The mission named 'Prarambh', or beginning, will be conducted from Sriharikota spaceport. The mission's main objective is to test and validate Skyroot's technology. The final launch date will be decided according to weather conditions.
India is famous for producing top-notch space technologies at much lower costs than other countries. Does Skyroot Aerospace live up to the expectation? Let's see how it compares to the first attempts by established space companies like Elon Musk's SpaceX and Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin.
ALSO WATCH | <a href="https://www.editorji.com/in-depth/the-hook/isro-mittal-challenging-spacex-musk-in-satellite-internet-india-s-heaviest-rocket-to-launch-oneweb-sats-1665512449392">ISRO-Mittal challenging SpaceX-Musk in satellite internet?</a>
We're taking a look at Skyroot's Vikram 1 rocket - named after the founder of Indian space program, Vikram Sarabhai - SpaceX's Falcon 1 rocket, and Blue Origin's New Shepard - named after the first American to go to space, Alan Shepard.
The Vikram 1 is a modular vehicle for launching small satellites. Similarly, the Falcon 1 was meant to carry small satellites. The New Shepard carries astronauts and research payloads.
The Vikram 1 can carry a payload of 290 to 480 kg, depending on the orbit that they are to be placed in. The Falcon 1 could carry a payload of 1,010 kg to the low Earth orbit. The New Shepard can carry 408 kg payloads to a height of 100 km, which is above the Karman Line where outer space begins.
The Vikram 1 is powered by solid fuel propulsion engines named after Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. The Falcon 1 was powered by the Merlin, which was a 2-stage LOX-kerosene engine. Meanwhile, the Blue Engine 3 powers the take-off and descent of the New Shepard.
ALSO WATCH | <a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/alien-messages-when-human-telescopes-detected-mysterious-signals-from-space-china-sky-eye-1655473861688">Alien messages? When human telescopes detected mysterious signals from space</a>
Skyroot says that what makes the Vikram 1 special is that it can be assembled and launched from any facility within 24 hours. It is also the lowest-costing rocket in its segment. The Falcon 1 had a similar USP - that of launching small satellites at a lower cost than others. The New Shepard boasts of being fully autonomous, therefore not needing any pilots. Also, it is a re-usable sub-orbital vehicle.
While the Vikram's maiden launch is expected soon, the Falcon 1 had its first test-flight in March 2006, which ended in failure. However, it successfully reached orbit after launch in September 2008. The first test flight of the New Shepard took place in 2012, and it carried humans to space successfully in July 2021.
Skyroot is a very young company, but it has achieved a lot in a short time.
The company was founded in 2018 by Pawan Chandana and Bharath Daka with seed capital from Mukesh Bansal. In 2020, it became the first private Indian company to successfully test-fire a full-scale liquid propulsion engine. The same year, it earned the title of being the first private Indian firm to successfully build and test-fire a solid rocket stage. In 2021, Skyroot was the first Indian company to successfully test-fire a 3D-printed cryogenic engine. Earlier this year, the company successfully completed full-duration test-firing of Vikram 1's rocket stage.
Skyroot is hardly the only startup trying to do its bit to conquer space.
There have reportedly been more than 100 active space startups in India since 2012. One of them, Agnikul Cosmos, recently tested its semi-cryogenic engine. In June this year, Digantara launched a space-based 'space weather system'. A company called Dhruva designs space missions, and builds infrastructure for India and foreign clients. Numer8 and Vassar Labs study climate change and its impact, while Skylo helps farmers. Private firms are also expected to build and operate ISRO's small satellite launch vehicles soon.
Having successful space companies making cutting-edge technologies is an obvious commercial advantage. But with developed countries looking to militarise space, a booming domestic space industry will help India counter much richer nations hoping to strengthen their hegemony.

Report: SpaceX to seek permit for Starlink services in India

Report: SpaceX to seek permit for Starlink services in India

The Economic Times has reported that Elon Musk&rsquo;s SpaceX is set to seek a permit to launch satellite internet services in India under its Starlink brand. The report said SpaceX will also seek statutory approvals from the Department of Telecommunications to set up local gateways for landing rights and market access.
SpaceX and DoT did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment after regular hours.
Bharti Group-backed OneWeb and Reliance Jio&rsquo;s satellite arm have already applied for the permit.

India's heaviest space rocket GSLV-Mk III is set to make commercial debut soon with ISRO being contracted to place OneWeb's internet satellites in orbit.

ISRO-Mittal challenging SpaceX-Musk in satellite internet? India's heaviest rocket to launch OneWeb sats

India's heaviest space rocket GSLV-Mk III is set to make commercial debut soon with ISRO being contracted to place OneWeb's internet satellites in orbit.

ISRO versus SpaceX. Sunil Bharti Mittal versus Elon Musk. The race to create a constellation of internet satellites around the Earth is heating up, and India is lengthening its strides.
ISRO LAUNCH
October 2022 is likely to see a historic launch by India's space agency ISRO. India's heaviest space rocket is set to make commercial debut soon. ISRO is reportedly preparing the GSLV-Mk III for its first fully commercial mission.
The GSLV-Mk III rocket will carry satellites of UK-based company OneWeb. ISRO's commercial arm NSIL had signed the contract with OneWeb. The launch is expected to take place on 22 October 2022, according to sources quoted by news agency PTI.
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The ISRO mission is another step in OneWeb's plan to cover the Earth with a blanket of satellites.
WHAT IS ONEWEB?
OneWeb is a global communications start-up headquartered in London. It is working on building a satellite constellation all around the Earth to provide high-speed internet across the globe. Satellite internet is envisioned as a way to bring remote areas online as this method does not need the installation of costly ground infrastructure.
OneWeb had already placed 428 of 648 satellites in low-Earth orbit by February 2022. Its internet services are currently available in the UK, Canada, Alaska, and the Arctic region.
INDIA LINK, SPACEX CHALLENGE
OneWeb has a big India connection. Airtel founder Sunil Bharti Mittal is the largest shareholder in OneWeb. The $15 billion Bharti Group owns around 40% stake in the UK company.
With its satellite internet plan, OneWeb is taking on a titan of the space industry - Elon Musk's SpaceX. SpaceX has a division called Starlink which is on the same mission - deploying satellites to provide internet connectivity. However, Starlink has a head-start. It has already put more than 3,400 satellites in Earth's orbit, compared to OneWeb's 428.
To challenge SpaceX, OneWeb and French satellite company Eutelsat recently announced a merger which would create a formidable front in the industry.
OneWeb also plans to complete its own constellation by next year. And India has gained a coveted spot in the mission, at Russia's cost. OneWeb cancelled its contracts with Russia after Moscow attacked Ukraine. In March 2022, OneWeb suspended its launches from Russia's Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
Subsequently, OneWeb signed a contract with ISRO for satellite launches. 36 OneWeb satellites are set to be placed in orbit in the October mission. This will be the company's 14th launch. Another satellite launch is expected to take place in 2022, while 3 launches are expected in 2023 to complete the OneWeb constellation.
INDIA'S 'SPECIAL' ROCKET
ISRO is using the GSLV-Mk III rocket, which is considered quite special. It has achieved full success in all its missions so far. The GSLV-Mk III has been used in four launches so far - in 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019. It was used to launch the 2019 Chandrayaan-2 mission. The rocket will also play a big part in India's first human spaceflight. It is being modified for Gaganyaan mission astronauts.
The GSLV-Mk III, also called Launch Vehicle Mark 3, is India's heaviest space rocket. It weighs 640 tonnes, and stands at a height of almost 44 metres. It is a 3-stage rocket.
The first stage consists of burning solid fuel kept in two strap-on tanks. It uses an S200 solid motor which is among the world's largest such engines. The objective of this stage is lift-off, and making the spacecraft escape Earth's atmosphere.
The second stage consists of a liquid fuel core booster. It uses twin liquid engines with 115 tonnes of propellant. These provide thrust after the strap-on tanks are exhausted and detach themselves from the spacecraft.
The third stage is high thrust cryogenic. It uses a made-in-India cryogenic engine. This provides the last-mile boost for placing the satellites in orbit.
SATELLITE INTERNET: THE FUTURE?
The satellites this Indian rocket will carry might represent the future of internet connectivity.
Space internet works with service providers sending an internet signal to the satellite. The satellite then relays this to the satellite dish placed at the customer's home or office. The dish is connected to a modem, and finally the user's computer gets access to internet.
This method has many advantages, but some disadvantages too.
Satellite internet can help connect 70% of rural India which currently doesn't enjoy internet access. However, it is very expensive, and the high cost can be prohibitive in rural areas.
However, another advantage is that with satellite internet, there is no need to lay fibre optic cables or set up mobile towers, which themselves are time-consuming and expensive. But satellite internet speeds are still slower than fibre-optic cables.
One possibility is that costs for users may fall as the industry matures, and technology improves. It would also have to overcome challenges like higher latency than cable internet, and services getting affected due to severe weather.
Internet access can completely transform Indian villages - from helping children study, to improving farming techniques.
India should capitalise on the OneWeb mission, and gain a foothold in the satellite internet industry while it is still nascent, to secure maximum advantage.

SpaceX has delivered a fresh crew to the International Space Station for NASA, including the first Russian to launch from the U.S. in 20 years.
The crew of four also includes the first Native American woman to orbit the Earth.
The capsule docked Thursday, a day after blasting off. And crew members were all smiles as they each came through the hatch then hugged the crew waiting for them at the International Space Station.
It's the first time in 20 years that a Russian hitched a ride to the station from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, theresult of a new crew exchange agreement.
The new arrivals will replace four astronauts who will return in their own SpaceX capsule next week.
A Russian cosmonaut who caught a U.S. lift to the International Space Station arrived at her new home Thursday for a five-month stay, accompanied by a Japanese astronaut and two from NASA, including the first Native American woman in space.
The SpaceX capsule pulled up to the station a day after launching into orbit.
The linkup occurred 260 miles (420 kilometers) above the Atlantic, just off the west coast of Africa.
Cosmonaut Anna Kikina joins two Russians already at the orbiting outpost. She'll live and work on the Russian side until March, before returning to Earth in the same SpaceX capsule.
Riding along with Kikina: Marine Col. Nicole Mann, a member of the Wailacki of the Round Valley Indian Tribes in California, Navy Capt. Josh Cassada and Japan's Koichi Wakata, the only experienced space flier of the bunch with five missions.
As the capsule closed in, the space station residents promised the new arrivals that their bunks were ready and the outside light was on.
Mann and her crew will replace three Americans and one Italian who will return in their own SpaceX capsule next week after almost half a year up there.
Until then, 11 people will share the orbiting lab.
NASA astronaut Frank Rubio arrived two weeks ago. He launched on a Soyuz rocket from Kazakhstan, kicking off the cash-free crew swapping between NASA and the Russian Space Agency.
They agreed to the plan last summer in order to always have an American and Russian at the station.
Until Elon Musk's SpaceX started launching astronauts two years ago, NASA was forced to spend tens of millions of dollars every time an astronaut flew up on a Soyuz.

Video: SpaceX delivers four-member crew to International Space Station 

The crew of four also includes the first Native American woman to orbit the Earth.

SpaceX has delivered a fresh crew to the International Space Station for NASA, including the first Russian to launch from the U.S. in 20 years.
The crew of four also includes the first Native American woman to orbit the Earth.
The capsule docked Thursday, a day after blasting off. And crew members were all smiles as they each came through the hatch then hugged the crew waiting for them at the International Space Station.
It's the first time in 20 years that a Russian hitched a ride to the station from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, theresult of a new crew exchange agreement.
The new arrivals will replace four astronauts who will return in their own SpaceX capsule next week.
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A Russian cosmonaut who caught a U.S. lift to the International Space Station arrived at her new home Thursday for a five-month stay, accompanied by a Japanese astronaut and two from NASA, including the first Native American woman in space.
The SpaceX capsule pulled up to the station a day after launching into orbit.
The linkup occurred 260 miles (420 kilometers) above the Atlantic, just off the west coast of Africa.
Cosmonaut Anna Kikina joins two Russians already at the orbiting outpost. She'll live and work on the Russian side until March, before returning to Earth in the same SpaceX capsule.
Riding along with Kikina: Marine Col. Nicole Mann, a member of the Wailacki of the Round Valley Indian Tribes in California, Navy Capt. Josh Cassada and Japan's Koichi Wakata, the only experienced space flier of the bunch with five missions.
As the capsule closed in, the space station residents promised the new arrivals that their bunks were ready and the outside light was on.
Mann and her crew will replace three Americans and one Italian who will return in their own SpaceX capsule next week after almost half a year up there.
Until then, 11 people will share the orbiting lab.
NASA astronaut Frank Rubio arrived two weeks ago. He launched on a Soyuz rocket from Kazakhstan, kicking off the cash-free crew swapping between NASA and the Russian Space Agency.
They agreed to the plan last summer in order to always have an American and Russian at the station.
Until Elon Musk's SpaceX started launching astronauts two years ago, NASA was forced to spend tens of millions of dollars every time an astronaut flew up on a Soyuz.

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