The Europa Clipper began its 1.8-billion-mile, 5½-year journey to Jupiter with a flawless launch from LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center at 12:06 p.m. EDT on October 14, 2024 (see photo above by Burt Dicht). The weather couldn’t have been better, with a 99% chance of favorable conditions. Against a brilliant blue sky, the SpaceX Falcon Heavy soared, leaving behind a stunning contrast as it climbed toward space (photo below by Burt Dicht).

This mission marks NASA’s bold attempt to study Europa, Jupiter’s intriguing ocean moon. Previous missions, such as the Galileo probe, found strong evidence of a salty ocean beneath Europa’s thick ice crust. Scientists believe that organic compounds—vital ingredients for life—may be hiding there. To uncover Europa’s secrets, the Europa Clipper carries NASA’s most advanced suite of scientific instruments, designed to study the moon’s interior structure, composition, and geology.

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) spearheaded the mission’s development, working closely with the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL). Key contributions also came from NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Marshall Space Flight Center, and the Kennedy Space Center. International partners played an essential role too: Airbus built the solar arrays in the Netherlands, and critical instrument testing took place in Germany. In total, over 4,000 people from across the globe contributed to launching Europa Clipper toward its distant target.

One of the most exciting tools aboard the spacecraft is an ice-penetrating radar system called the “Radar for Europa Assessment and Sounding: Ocean to Near-surface”—or REASON, as NASA’s fondness for acronyms dictates. This instrument will bounce radar waves off any liquid water under the ice, generating a detailed, CT scan-like view of Europa’s frozen shell. The spacecraft also carries a mass spectrometer to sample and analyze the moon’s atmosphere and a magnetometer to study Jupiter’s magnetic field as it interacts with Europa.

With its antennas and solar arrays deployed, Europa Clipper will be the largest spacecraft NASA has ever built for planetary exploration—stretching over 100 feet in length and 58 feet across. The massive solar arrays are essential to power the spacecraft’s systems, as sunlight at Jupiter is only 4% as strong as what reaches Earth.

During the 5½-year journey, mission teams will test and calibrate Europa Clipper’s instruments and subsystems to ensure everything works perfectly when it reaches Jupiter. A direct route isn’t possible, so the spacecraft will use gravity assists from Mars and Earth to gain the speed needed to arrive in April 2030. One of the toughest challenges of the mission is surviving Jupiter’s magnetic field, which is 20,000 times stronger than Earth’s and will bombard the spacecraft with high doses of radiation.

To protect Europa Clipper’s sensitive electronics, engineers developed a specially shielded vault to house the critical components. Even with this defense, the spacecraft will still experience radiation exposure equivalent to millions of chest X-rays. Time spent within Jupiter’s radiation belt will be carefully limited to extend the mission’s lifespan.

The launch of Europa Clipper marks the start of an ambitious quest to answer one of humanity’s most profound questions: Does life exist beyond our Earth? This mission is not just a marvel of engineering but a testament to global collaboration and scientific curiosity, bringing together thousands of people from around the world to push the frontiers of space exploration.

When Europa Clipper arrives at Jupiter in 2030, it won’t simply be another spacecraft exploring a distant moon. It will carry with it the hopes and dreams of everyone who believes in exploration—and the idea that our greatest discoveries are still waiting just beyond the horizon.

Witnessing Europa Clipper’s historic launch, especially with my engineering background, was a powerful reminder that humanity’s finest achievements stem from curiosity, perseverance, and the shared belief that the next great discovery is always just within reach. Go Europa Clipper!

Image: Aleksandr Gorbunov (l) and Nick Hague (r) at the crew walkout; Crew-9 liftoff from SLC-40, CCSFS on Sept 28 at 1:17 pm EDT. Photos by Burt Dicht.

By Burt Dicht
NSS Managing Director of Membership

It is not often that a blog post turns out to be as prophetic as my previous post on the 45th Weather Squadron (Weathering the Launch on September 28). In that post I highlighted the squadron’s crucial role in supporting space launches—just as their skills were put to the test for Crew-9’s scheduled liftoff later that day. As the countdown began, storm patterns loomed near Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS), adding an air of uncertainty with the launch scheduled for 1:17 p.m. EDT from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40)

The weather didn’t look favorable, and everyone—including the SpaceX and NASA launch teams, and thousands of spectators—watched the sky, hoping for a break. Remarkably, thanks to precise monitoring and decision-making by the 45th Weather Squadron and the launch teams, the skies cleared just in time for a flawless, on-time liftoff. The squadron’s expertise in forecasting and managing launch weather conditions was on full display, ensuring the success of Crew-9’s journey to the International Space Station (ISS).

The Crew-9 mission is a scheduled rotation flight to the ISS, utilizing the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule Freedom and Falcon 9 rocket. On board were NASA astronaut Nick Hague, serving as commander, and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov as mission specialist. This mission marked another significant milestone, as SLC-40 was now added to the list of operational pads sending astronauts to space, alongside LC-39A and SLC-41.

Once in orbit, the Crew-9 astronauts joined Expedition 72, temporarily boosting the ISS crew count to eleven. They joined astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, who had been aboard the station since June following their Boeing Starliner launch. With NASA’s decision to return the Starliner to Earth without a crew, Wilmore and Williams will return with Crew-9 in February 2025 aboard the Crew Dragon capsule.

Notably, the mission originally included astronauts Zena Cardman and Stephanie Wilson rounding out the 4-person crew. However, due to mission changes that required returning Wilmore and Williams to Earth on the Crew Dragon, they will be rescheduled for future flights. That meant Hague and Gorbunov had to shoulder a larger workload during the launch. During a post launch press conference, NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy congratulated and thanked the NASA and SpaceX teams as well as the international partners for working together to make this a successful launch.

For me, one of the most emotional moments of the event was witnessing the astronaut  walkout, a tradition where the crew exits the Operations and Checkout building to greet their families. This powerful display of the human side of space exploration underscores the courage and determination of the astronauts embarking on these missions.

After a smooth journey, Crew-9 docked with the ISS at 5:30 p.m. EDT on September 29, 2024. Now fully integrated into Expedition 72, the crew will spend the next five months conducting crucial scientific research and experiments in microgravity. Crew-9’s success is yet another testament to the strong partnership between NASA and SpaceX, driving forward humanity’s presence in space and advancing space development.

NASA Post Launch Press Conference. From left: Pam Melroy, NASA Deputy Administrator; Ken Bowersox, Associate Administrator, NASA’s Space Operations Mission Directorate; Dana Hutcherson, Deputy Program Manager, Commercial Crew Program, NASA Kennedy; Dina Contella, Deputy Manager, International Space Station Program, NASA Johnson; Sarah Walker, Director, Dragon Mission Management, SpaceX. Photo by Burt Dicht.

The chartered Gulfstream jet touched down at the Kennedy Space Center’s Space Shuttle Landing Facility on Saturday, September 21, around 1:30 p.m. EDT. Onboard were NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, the two-person team of Crew-9, preparing for their rotation flight to the International Space Station (ISS).

Crew-9 is scheduled to launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on Thursday, September 26, at 2:05 p.m. EDT from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The mission has been significantly altered due to a major shift in crew dynamics following the return of the Boeing Starliner capsule.

Originally, astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, who launched to the ISS on the Starliner in June, were expected to remain in orbit for just 8 days. However, technical issues with the spacecraft led Boeing and NASA to extend their stay. Finally, safety concerns guided the decision to return the Starliner without its crew with Wilmore and Williams remaining on the ISS. The Starliner spacecraft made a successful landing at White Sands Space Harbor on September 6. As a result, Wilmore and Williams needed a way to return home, which will now be facilitated by Crew-9 in February 2025 on the Crew Dragon spacecraft.

This change left Crew-9 with a unique challenge: Hague and Gorbunov will launch as a two-person crew, rather than the usual four, as astronauts Zena Cardman and Stephanie Wilson, who were originally slated to join them, will remain on Earth and will be scheduled for other missions.

The transition from a larger crew to just two presented training challenges, which Hague and Gorbunov discussed with the press shortly after their arrival. Hague, an active-duty colonel in the U.S. Space Force, will serve as the Crew-9 commander and Gorbunov, a former engineer for Rocket Space Corp. Energia, will be the mission specialist. Both astronauts praised the SpaceX-NASA collaboration, crediting the team for ensuring their mission readiness despite the changes. They also acknowledged the vital contributions of Cardman and Wilson, whose involvement in the mission preparation was described as “instrumental.”

A significant part of Crew-9’s mission includes ensuring Wilmore and Williams are well-prepared for their return aboard the Crew Dragon spacecraft. Hague and Gorbunov will be carrying additional supplies, including SpaceX pressure suits and clothing for the returning astronauts, along with other essentials.

In the days leading up to the launch, Hague and Gorbunov will finalize preparations and practice emergency egress procedures at SLC-40. The launch pad, originally built for uncrewed rockets, was recently modified to support crewed missions, further expanding SpaceX and NASA’s capabilities for human spaceflight.

When asked how their education and experience prepared them for the mission, Hague and Gorbunov confidently shared that their extensive background in rocket launches and mission readiness has them fully prepared. Now, all that remains is for the weather to cooperate for a flawless liftoff.

Gulfstream carrying Crew 9 arrives at Kennedy Space Center.

Kennedy Space Center Deputy Director Kelvin Manning welcomes Crew-9.

Top photo: Crew 9 – Nick Hague (commander) and Alexander Gorbunov (mission specialist).

Photo credits: Burt Dicht

Image: Starliner firing maneuvering thrusters as it departs the International Space Station. Credit: NASA

The National Space Society (NSS) congratulates NASA, Boeing and the Starliner team on the safe return of its Starliner spacecraft, while supporting the decision to have the two astronauts who piloted the Starliner to the International Space Station (ISS) return on a later SpaceX Crew Dragon flight.

Starliner ‘s Crew Test Flight, the first to be flown by astronauts, launched on June 5 with an expected mission duration of eight days but quickly ran into difficulties with helium leaks in its propellant pressurization system and problems with the thrusters themselves. Extended firing appeared to result in thruster shutdowns. Starliner did, however, successfully deliver Sunita Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore to the ISS.

Boeing and NASA immediately began investigating the issues with Starliner while the crew was integrated into ISS activities, but soon realized that the spacecraft’s problems were going to take time to fully understand. Starliner’s stay was extended, and then extended again, while Boeing tested the thrusters at their test facilities. However, safety concerns remained about returning the crew on the spacecraft.

NASA ultimately decided to have Williams and Wilmore extend their stay on the ISS and to return Starliner to Earth uncrewed. NSS lauds NASA’s conservative approach to this decision and the work of the Starliner team to clarify the issues with the spacecraft. While Boeing had confidence in the Starliner’s ability to return the crew safely, the company ultimately configured the spacecraft for a robotic reentry and landing. Starliner successfully returned to Earth just after midnight, Eastern Time, on September 7.

NSS fully supports the “safety forward” approach for human spaceflight that was demonstrated by NASA on this mission. It also wholeheartedly supports the need for multiple spaceflight systems for crew delivery to and from space and the ISS. Both NASA and Boeing are to be congratulated on working through this challenging flight test. NSS hopes that Boeing will continue in their efforts to develop Starliner into a fully operational system.

All spaceflight systems require extensive testing before becoming flight certified for human crews, and they are sometimes grounded while solutions are found. It’s important to have options with more than one provider and to embrace dissimilar systems for spaceflight. The successful resolution of this Starliner test is one more indication of the success of NASA’s decision to support commercial operators through programs such as Commercial Crew.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL, UNITED STATES, September 9, 2024 — The National Space Society (NSS) has published a position paper concerning NASA’s announced plan to cancel the VIPER (Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover) mission to the Moon. VIPER has been in the works since 2018 and was intended to investigate the useful resources thought to exist at the lunar south pole.

In July, NASA announced its plans to cancel the mission due primarily to cost overruns and concerns with the planned lunar lander. The original budget of the mission was $433.5 million for the rover and another $235.6 million for launch and lunar landing services to be provided by commercial partners Astrobotic and SpaceX. As of NASA’s announcement, the VIPER rover, being developed by the agency’s Ames Research Center in Mountain View, California, had exceeded the agency’s budget-growth limits, costing $450 million to date. This was the stated reason for the cancellation, which would save an estimated $84 million, or about one-eighth of the projected total mission cost.

NASA has offered to accept solicitations from private entities to complete and send the VIPER rover system to the Moon “at no cost to the government,” in its current form and without any disassembly.

NSS supports the continuation of the VIPER mission, whether led solely by NASA or in collaboration with commercial partners. However, with VIPER’s future uncertain, NSS additionally proposes that NASA consider adopting a different approach to lunar exploration, as outlined in the NASA-funded Evolvable Lunar Architecture (ELA) report from 2015, which advocates for a fleet of multiple small, low-cost commercial rovers sourced from multiple commercial providers. This approach would eliminate the risk of single-mission failure and promote redundancy. It would also allow for exploration over a wider range of the lunar surface and enhance the chances of success.

The cancellation of VIPER would be a tremendous blow to not just NASA and its commercial partners but would also cripple NASA’s larger goals. VIPER is a cornerstone of NASA’s Artemis program and directly supports the long-term goals of sustainable lunar exploration and resource utilization. Without VIPER, the Artemis program risks falling short of its transformative potential, reducing it to little more than a repeat of the Apollo missions.

Read the NSS Position Paper.

Thursday, Augusts 15, 2024, 9:00 pm to 10:15 pm EDT

Bringing Columbia Home:
The Untold Story of a Lost Space Shuttle and Her Crew

Register for this Space Forum

With:

Join the next NSS Space Forum to hear the inspiring story of the extraordinary efforts to recover the remains of the Space Shuttle Columbia and her crew after the tragic accident on February 1, 2003. In their book, Bringing Columbia Home: The Untold Story of a Lost Space Shuttle and Her Crew, co-authors Michael Leinbach and Jonathan Ward chronicle the tragic loss of the Space Shuttle Columbia during its STS-107 mission and the massive recovery effort that ensued, involving thousands of people from NASA, the FBI, local law enforcement, and volunteers.

The Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated upon reentry into the Earth’s atmosphere, killing all seven astronauts on board. The disaster was caused by damage to the shuttle’s left wing leading edge, which occurred during launch when a piece of foam insulation from the external tank struck the wing, creating a breach that allowed hot gases to penetrate and weaken the internal structure, causing the shuttle to break apart.

During the space forum, Mike and Jonathan will describe the details of the search that covered more than 2,000 square miles across Texas and Louisiana, where debris was scattered. They will share personal stories from those involved in the recovery, highlighting their dedication, resilience, and the strong sense of community and teamwork. As with most tragedies that involve the interplay between human activities and technology, Mike and Jonathan will also reflect on the lessons learned from the Columbia disaster, both in terms of technical and organizational changes at NASA that led to improvements in shuttle and spaceflight safety.

Don’t miss this important space forum that looks back on a  national space tragedy while providing an inspirational message of honoring both the crew of STS-107 and the story of those who “Brought Columbia Home.” Register for the space forum today using the links in  this message.

As a special bonus, NSS has secured four copies of “Bringing Columbia Home.” These books will be signed by co-authors Mike Leinbach and Jonathan Ward and will be given away as virtual door prizes.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Mike Leinbach was the final Shuttle Launch Director at NASA’s John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Florida. He was responsible for overall shuttle launch countdown policy, planning, and execution activities in the last eleven years of the program. Mike’s NASA career began in 1984 when he joined the agency as a structural engineer. He quickly rose through the ranks, initially leading design efforts for critical launch pad systems. By 1988, he became a NASA Test Director, overseeing daily operations at the Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex.

In 1991 Mike was named Shuttle Test Director, conducting the terminal countdown and launch of seventeen shuttle missions. In August 2000 he became the Launch Director and led the Launch Team for all Shuttle missions from then to the end of the program in 2011, serving as the person to give the final “Go!” for launch.

In 2003, following the tragic breakup of Space Shuttle Columbia, Mike led the initial debris recovery efforts in Texas and Louisiana. He spearheaded the Columbia Reconstruction Team, which meticulously analyzed the collected debris to determine the cause of the accident. His innovative suggestion to loan the debris to academic institutions has contributed to the development of safer spacecraft. Following his retirement from NASA in November 2011, Mike transitioned to overseeing human space operations for United Launch Alliance ((ULA), where he helped to integrate ULA ‘s Atlas V rocket with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew program.

Mike collaborated with author Jonathan Ward on the project “Bringing Columbia Home,” which chronicles the recovery efforts and legacy of the Columbia disaster. This project underscores his commitment to honoring the memory of the Columbia crew and advancing the field of space exploration. His many service awards include the Presidential Rank Award, NASA’s Exceptional Service Medal, and NASA’s Medal for Outstanding Leadership.

Jonathan Ward is the author of four space history books, a cruise ship astronomer and enrichment speaker, and an avid astrophotographer. Jonathan’s most recent book, “Through the Glass Ceiling to the Stars,” was written in collaboration with astronaut Eileen Collins, the first American woman to pilot and command space missions. Jonathan and Eileen have given book signings and presentations about Collins’ life and spaceflight missions at regional and national conferences across the US. A feature-length documentary “Spacewoman,” based on the book and produced by Haviland Digital, is scheduled for release in 2025.

Jonathan is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and a NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador. Jonathan spends about half the year at sea as a space exploration lecturer and astronomer on ocean cruises. In the past two years he has been featured on Viking, Cunard, Atlas, Silversea, Celebrity, and Oceania voyages.

While he would not call himself a “thrill-seeker,” Jonathan does like to travel, explore, re-invent himself, and push himself out of his comfort zone to broaden his personal knowledge in his areas of interest. This has led to such diverse experiences as taking a zero-G flight, skydiving, and singing on two GRAMMY-winning albums with the National Symphony at “the Other Kennedy Center” (for the Performing Arts). He resides in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Register today to reserve your seat and ask your questions. Use the link below.

Register for this Space Forum

Register no later than August 15 at 8 pm EST

Past NSS Space Forums and Town Halls may be viewed here.

From the Ocean to the Moon

By Burt Dicht, NSS Managing Director of Membership
Photo credits: Burt Dicht

Waiting for the unloading of a barge might not sound like an exciting way to spend a morning under the hot Florida sun along the space coast. However, this particular barge, NASA’s Pegasus, was carrying an impressive cargo: the 212-foot-long core stage that will power the Artemis II mission on its journey to the Moon in September 2025. At around 9 a.m. EDT on July 24, Kennedy Space Center (KSC) workers from Exploration Ground Systems (EGS) began carefully moving the massive rocket out of its protective shelter, revealing the RS-25 engine nozzles. At that moment, I realized that this slow-moving, meticulously choreographed operation was going to be fascinating to watch.

The Artemis II Core Stage had arrived about 24 hours earlier on the Pegasus after a 900-mile voyage that included traversing the open ocean and intercoastal waterways from NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF) near New Orleans. The Pegasus is a specially designed barge owned by NASA, originally used to transport space shuttle external tanks to KSC. It had to be modified and refurbished to accommodate the core stage, which is more than 50 feet longer than the shuttle tanks.

Upon arrival, the Pegasus was guided by two tugboats into the KSC Turn Basin, where it was docked for unloading. The core stage was then moved using a Self-Propelled Module Transporter (SPMT). These multi-wheeled transporters are designed to move large and heavy loads with precise maneuverability. The journey from the barge to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), which spanned more than half a mile and required several turns, was made possible by the SPMTs. It was impressive to see this enormous 27.6-ft diameter, 188,000-lb orange rocket make its way to the VAB.

The entire move took about three hours, with many media personnel and KSC employees watching the slow yet thrilling journey. Over the next several weeks, the core stage will be processed before being lifted vertically into the VAB’s high bay 3, where it will eventually be mated with the other Artemis II components, including the Orion spacecraft and the Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs). This work is part of a highly integrated process to ready Artemis II for its lunar mission next year.

An essential part of this process is the Rotation, Processing, and Surge Facility (RPSF) at KSC, located near the VAB. The RPSF receives and processes the solid rocket booster segments for Artemis before they are moved to the VAB for stacking. This facility, constructed during the shuttle program, consists of a large open area called the high bay and contains several work stands and platforms to provide access to hardware during processing. During my tour of the facility, I had the opportunity to see the aft segments of the SRBs that will be used for Artemis II. In a nearby building called the surge facility, I could clearly see another SRB segment with the distinctive NASA worm logo.

Meeting and talking with the talented members of the Artemis team was as impressive as seeing the Moon rocket hardware. I had the privilege of speaking with former NASA astronaut Doug Hurley. Doug retired from NASA in 2021 and now works for Northrop Grumman’s (NG) Propulsion Systems, the manufacturer of the Artemis SRBs, where he serves as Senior Director for Business Development. Doug, a former marine aviator and a 20+ year NASA veteran, flew as a pilot on STS-127, STS-135 (the final shuttle flight), and as the commander of SpaceX DM2 mission, the first crewed flight of the Crew Dragon spacecraft.

Doug views his new role in private industry as an extension of his career-long efforts to advance national security and the human space program. We discussed the performance of the SRBs on Artemis I, which he reported worked perfectly, burning out within 0.4 seconds of each other. He noted that while the SRB technology required no significant changes, they are continuously looking to improve processes and procedures. The Artemis SRBs are remodeled and refurbished from the shuttle program, and there are currently enough SRB segments to support missions through Artemis VIII. Doug expressed optimism about the Artemis program and, as an astronaut, looked forward to the next “small steps” on the Moon. For me personally, this experience was both exciting and inspirational, fueling dreams and the possibilities of our return to the Moon in the coming years.

Two high school interns funded by NASA’s Neurodiversity Network (N3) presented their work from Summer 2023 at the recent National Space Society (NSS) International Space Development Conference (ISDC-2024), held in Los Angeles, CA (May 23-26, 2024). Both interns were mentored by Dr. Pascal Lee, Planetary Scientist at the SETI Institute and Chair of the Mars Institute, who accompanied them to the conference.

Intern Finn Braun, who is now a high school junior, co-authored the paper “An ATV for the Moon” with Dr. Lee. He worked with a CAD program to develop the concept, which might be of interest to NASA’s Artemis Program in the future. Intern Krista Heinemann, who has now graduated high school, co-authored the paper “New location for the ‘Noctis Landing’ candidate human landing site on Mars” in which she used NASA data about the Noctis Landing site provided by Dr. Lee to refine a possible landing location for future human missions to the surface of Mars. In addition to the oral presentations they gave, Braun and Heinemann lead-authored technical publications reporting their research. Braun and Heinemann were part of the 2023 N3 intern cohort, which included 19 other high school students, each paired with a NASA Subject Matter Expert as a mentor. The N3 internship program is now beginning its fourth summer with a new cohort of 21 additional interns.

On April 24th, NSS member, scholar and disability activist, Dr. Austin Mardon, FRCGS, IAA, was honored with the prestigious NASA Excellence in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) medal. This award celebrates his outstanding efforts in fostering inclusivity within the realm of space exploration and beyond during the course of his career. Dr. Mardon, renowned for his academic expertise and tireless advocacy, stands as an inspiration in the pursuit of a more inclusive world.

The award (photo below) was presented by Casey Swails, NASA Deputy Associate Administrator, and accepted on Dr. Mardon’s behalf by Jill Smyth, Counselor, Space Affairs, Embassy of Canada to the United States at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC.

Photo credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky

Dr. Mardon is not only an educator but a multifaceted explorer whose contributions span geography, planetary science, and theology. With over 360 scholarly papers, 300 books, and numerous other publications to his name, Dr. Mardon is one of Canada’s most prolific academic scholars. His groundbreaking work on meteorites and comets has garnered acclaim from prestigious institutions such as Nature Journal, the Science Journal, and NASA. Holding professorships at both the University of Alberta and the University of Lethbridge, he has left an indelible mark on academia.

Reflecting on his journey, Dr. Mardon expressed gratitude for the honor bestowed upon him by NASA, remarking, “It felt like coming home.” This sentiment encapsulates the profound significance of this recognition, symbolizing the culmination of a lifetime dedicated to advancing inclusivity and accessibility.

Dr. Mardon’s path to success has been fraught with challenges. In 1986, he embarked on a groundbreaking expedition to Antarctica funded by NASA, where he unearthed over 700 meteorites, earning him the Antarctic Service Medal. However, the harsh conditions of the expedition left him physically and mentally debilitated. Despite these setbacks, Dr. Mardon persevered, continuing his academic pursuits and contributing significantly to astronomical science.

Mardon Antarctic camp. Credit: Austin Mardon.

“I haven’t done as much as I wanted but I am very proud,” he continued, reminiscing on the challenges throughout his journey. “I applied in Canada to be an astronaut when I was a young man before I got sick, so to receive a NASA medal at my age after everything that has happened is a lot.”

Tragedy struck Dr. Mardon again in 1991 when he was diagnosed with schizophrenia. Undeterred by his condition and physical limitations resulting from frostbite, he pursued a Ph.D. in geography and emerged as a leading advocate for disability rights. Over the past three decades, he has championed mental health awareness and accessibility, earning accolades such as the Order of Canada and the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) Medal of Honour.

Beyond his academic achievements, Dr. Mardon’s impact extends to fostering opportunities for student growth. As President and Founder of the Antarctic Institute of Canada, he has spearheaded initiatives to empower students from diverse backgrounds, providing over $4 million CAD in funding. Through collaborations with government agencies and youth empowerment organizations, Dr. Mardon has facilitated employment opportunities for over 600 students, nurturing the next generation of scholars and activists.

Furthermore, Dr. Mardon’s advocacy extends to space exploration, where he collaborates with Mission: AstroAccess to promote the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in space missions. His efforts are paving the way for increased diversity and representation within the astronaut corps, ensuring that space exploration is accessible to all.

In recognition of his remarkable achievements and unwavering dedication to diversity and inclusion, Dr. Austin Mardon stands as a deserving recipient of the NASA DEIA Medal. His tireless activism and contributions to academia serve as a testament to the transformative power of inclusivity in shaping the future of space exploration and beyond. As his legacy continues to inspire generations to come, Dr. Mardon remains a beacon of hope and progress in the quest for a more inclusive world.

The National Space Society extends heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Austin Mardon on his illustrious career and recent recognition with the prestigious NASA Excellence in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) medal.

In a milestone achievement, private company Intuitive Machines succeeded in scoring the first U.S.-backed landing on the lunar surface since Apollo 17 departed in 1972. The privately-developed lander, dubbed Odysseus, made a soft landing near the lunar south pole at 6:23 Eastern Time on February 22. The program is a part of NASA’s private-public Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, which also underwrote last month’s Peregrine lunar landing mission, flown by Astrobotics on a ULA Vulcan rocket. While that spacecraft launched successfully, it did not ultimately land on the Moon, with its propulsion system failing en route.

After a smooth cruise to the Moon, initiated with a launch by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket that left Earth on February 15, the Intuitive Machines Odysseus lander prepared to depart lunar orbit earlier on the 22nd. But that’s when the mission got exciting.

As flight controllers prepared to initiate the landing, it became clear that Odysseus’ laser rangefinders, designed to allow the spacecraft to determine its altitude and horizontal velocity, weren’t working as planned. A NASA experimental payload called NDL, a Doppler lidar laser ranging system, was pressed into service during an additional orbit, and soon a revised landing procedure was underway. This was an impressive example of quick thinking and cooperation between NASA and Intuitive Machines.

At 6:11 p.m. ET, controllers fired the braking rockets to initiate the spacecraft’s descent, and the flight center became quiet as technicians called out mission milestones. Twelve minutes later, Odysseus touched down safely.

“What a triumph! Odysseus has taken the Moon,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson after confirmation of a successful touchdown. “This feat is a giant leap forward for all of humanity. Stay tuned!”

Intuitive Machines Mission Director Tim Crain soon added specifics: “What we can confirm without a doubt is, our equipment is on the surface of the Moon and we are transmitting.”

The mission is not yet entirely in the clear yet, however. Expected communications from the lander did not initially reach Mission Control, and as of Thursday evening, Intuitive Machines teams were working the problem in an attempt to ascertain the operational status of the lander, which was scheduled to operate for about a week until the onset of lunar night (the Moon’s day/night cycle is roughly two weeks in duration).

This does not diminish the laudable success of the first privately designed and flown mission to the lunar surface, however.

“The successful landing of Intuitive Machines’ Odysseus on the Moon is a milestone in private-public partnerships in spaceflight,” said Dale Skran, COO of the National Space Society. “While we wish Intuitive Machines the best of luck in full operation of their lander, success has already been achieved. This new way of doing business is opening the final frontier in ways scarcely imaginable just a decade ago. Odysseus, just by landing on the Moon using a methane-liquid oxygen (LOX) engine—another first—made a giant step toward our future in space. Methane-LOX engines are key to a permanent human presence on both the Moon and on Mars.

One of the commercial payloads attached to Odysseus is an art piece created by Jeff Koons. NSS Director of Creative Arts and CEO of 4Space, Chantelle Baier, said, “It has been great working with Jeff to place this unique artwork permanently on the Moon. NSS looks forward to similar projects that will connect people to our common future in space.”

Updates on the status of the mission are expected in the coming days. NSS congratulates both Intuitive Machines and NASA for reaching this important milestone and looks forward to further public-private successes in the future.