SpaceX

Blogs about SpaceX activities

The Cygnus XL cargo spacecraft blasting off atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket to start its NG-24 mission (Image NASA+)

A few hours ago, Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus XL spacecraft blasted off atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral on its NG-24 or CRS NG-24 mission. After about 15 minutes, it successfully separated from the rocket’s last stage and set on its course. This is the 4th resupply mission to the International Space Station with various payloads launched using the Falcon 9 rocket while waiting for the new version of Northrop Grumman’s Antares rocket to be ready. It’s also the 2nd to see the use of the new version of the Cygnus cargo spacecraft.

Artist's concept of the Moon base (Image NASA)

Yesterday, NASA held its Ignition event, featuring a series of announcements regarding its space program. Announcements were expected from new Administrator Jared Isaacman and other agency managers in connection with the Artemis program, to clarify the agency’s intentions regarding the return of astronauts to the Moon. From this perspective, the intention that was announced is to accelerate the pace of missions, also in order to build a permanent base on the Moon. In this new vision, the Lunar Gateway project might be abandoned, although officially, it remains relevant in the long term.

The program for missions to Mars was also part of the event. In this case, the Space Reactor-1 Freedom (SR-1 Freedom) mission was introduced, to be conducted using a spacecraft that will use nuclear electric propulsion, scheduled for launch in December 2028. A fleet of Skyfall helicopters is programmed to be on board, intended to continue exploration of the red planet.

The Dragon cargo spacecraft departing the International Space Station to end its CRS-33 mission (Image NASA+)

A little while ago, SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft ended its CRS-33 (Cargo Resupply Service 33) mission for NASA splashing down smoothly off the coast of California. The Dragon left the International Space Station about 12 hours earlier. The Dragon spacecraft had reached the International Space Station on August 25, 2025. For SpaceX, it was the 50th mission to the Station, including the Dragon cargo and Crew Dragon crewed missions.

Views of the Crew Dragon Freedom spacecraft docking with the International Space Station in its Crew-12 mission (Image NASA+)

A few hours ago, SpaceX’s Crew Dragon Freedom spacecraft docked with the Harmony module of the International Space Station, completing the first part of its Crew-12 or SpaceX Crew-12 mission that began with its launch about 34 hours earlier. After checking that the pressure gets properly balanced, the hatch will be opened to allow Andrey Fedyaev, Jack Hathaway, Jessica Meir, and Sophie Adenot to enter the Station and start their mission.

The Crew-12 mission crew: Andrey Fedyaev, Jack Hathaway, Jessica Meir, and Sophie Adenot.

A little while ago, SpaceX’s Crew Dragon Freedom spacecraft blasted off atop a Falcon 9 rocket from the Kennedy Space Center in its Crew-12 or SpaceX Crew-12 mission. After almost exactly ten minutes, it successfully separated from the rocket’s last stage and went en route to carry out its mission. This is the 12th crewed mission of the Crew Dragon spacecraft within the normal rotation of the International Space Station crew.