Space.com
• Hanneke Weitering, Tariq Malik
On Oct. 7, 2002, NASA’s space shuttle Atlantis lifted off from Kennedy Space Center on STS-112. The mission contributed to building the backbone of the International Space Station, advancing the orbital outpost’s assembly through the shuttle program.
Human Spaceflight & Space Stations
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On Oct. 7, 2002, NASA’s space shuttle Atlantis lifted off from Kennedy Space Center on STS-112. The mission contributed to building the backbone of the International Space Station, advancing the orbital outpost’s assembly through the shuttle program.
Axiom Space expects NASA to soon determine the configuration for a simplified spacesuit the company is developing for the initial Artemis missions. The decision will shape the suit’s design as Axiom works to adapt its approach for early lunar missions.
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NBAA says NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman will join former Space Shuttle Commander Charlie Precourt for a fireside chat at its Oct. 19 Newsmakers Luncheon. Separately, SpaceX Crew-12 astronauts are expected to splash down off California after undocking from the International Space Station.
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ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot and her Crew-12 crewmates are scheduled to undock from the International Space Station on Oct. 7, beginning their return to Earth after an eight-month stay. NASA will also provide coverage of Northrop Grumman’s CRS-24 Cygnus XL departure from the station on Oct. 9.
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Türkiye used the 77th International Astronautical Congress in Antalya to promote its space ambitions and international partnerships. Roketsan is seeking cooperation on launch systems and orbital technologies, while Turkish Aerospace Industries plans to launch its first optical Earth-observation satellite, Hursat-1, in mid-2027; ESA also held high-level meetings with partners.
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Launch coverage points to flights from SpaceX, South Korea and China, including a South Korean Earth-observation payload and a Chinese Long March 12 mission. Separately, SpaceX’s Transporter-18 carried Star Catcher’s orbital power-beaming prototype, while NASA and SpaceX targeted Crew-12’s return and NASA named the Crew-14 astronauts for a spring 2027 mission.
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NASA and SpaceX plan to undock Crew-12 from the International Space Station on Oct. 7, following an eight-month mission that included research, station work and spacewalks. Separately, the four-person Crew-13 crew has arrived at Kennedy Space Center ahead of a planned Oct. 1 launch to the orbiting outpost.
Blue Origin has unveiled a vertically deployed solar array system designed to provide more than 10 kilowatts of power for Moon Base operations at the lunar south pole. The company presented the 20-meter-tall “Power Tower” as a potential energy source for future lunar infrastructure.
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