A SpaceX power outage disrupted mission control during a historic private spacewalk, raising concerns over safety, transparency, and potential conflicts of interest.
A September power outage at SpaceX’s California facility caused a loss of ground control for over an hour during a mission that included the first private spacewalk, according to sources. The incident, part of SpaceX's Polaris Dawn mission led by billionaire Jared Isaacman, has not been previously reported.
The outage disabled mission control's ability to command the Dragon spacecraft in orbit, though communication was partially maintained through SpaceX's Starlink satellites. The spacecraft, carrying Isaacman and three others, remained safe, but experts highlight the seriousness of losing command capabilities.
The issue arose from a cooling system leak that caused a power surge, disrupting SpaceX’s mission headquarters and backup procedures. Paperless backup systems further delayed recovery efforts until power was restored. NASA and SpaceX have stated that the problem was resolved before subsequent missions.
The incident raises concerns about oversight and conflicts of interest, especially as Isaacman, nominated to lead NASA, and Elon Musk, poised for a government role, hold influential positions in both the private space sector and regulatory agencies.
Critics argue that the lack of mandatory disclosure for private space mishaps, protected under a Congressional moratorium since 2004, undermines transparency and safety.
Isaacman has pledged to reduce his business ties if confirmed as NASA administrator, but his extensive links to SpaceX remain a potential ethical concern.
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A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched early on Friday, 13 February, from Cape Canaveral, Florida, carrying four astronauts and cosmonauts on an eight-month mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The Crew-12 team includes two Americans, a French astronaut and a Russian cosmonaut.
Elon Musk’s rocket company SpaceX has acquired his artificial intelligence firm xAI, as the billionaire moves to bring more of his technology businesses under one structure.
A SpaceX capsule carrying a four-member crew home from orbit in an emergency return to earth necessitated by an undisclosed serious medical condition afflicting one of the astronauts splashed down safely early on Thursday (15 January) in the Pacific Ocean off California.
SpaceX will gradually lower 4,400 Starlink satellites this year to improve space safety.
Tensions in the region remained high on Tuesday (10 March), as the United States and Iran exchanged increasingly sharp warnings, including threats over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil supplies.
China has urged Afghanistan and Pakistan to resolve their dispute through dialogue after Chinese envoy Yue Xiaoyong met Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, as fighting between the two neighbours entered its eleventh day.
Entry and exit across the state border between Azerbaijan and Iran for all types of cargo vehicles, including those in transit, will resume on 9 March, according to a statement by the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan.
Iranian civilian and military officials have pledged their obedience to the new leader, Ayatollah Seyed Mojtaba Khamenei, with President Masoud Pezeshkian saying his leadership “will herald a new era of dignity and authority for the Iranian nation.”.
Norwegian police are searching for a suspect after an explosion at the U.S. embassy in Oslo on 8 March caused minor damage but no injuries, in what authorities say may have been a deliberate attack linked to the Middle East crisis.
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U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, has addressed the U.N. Security Council, saying the world must consider how effective its engagement with the Taliban-run country is as millions face hunger.
British MPs have rejected a proposal to introduce an Australia-style ban on social media for under-16s, opting instead to give ministers flexible powers to impose restrictions on platforms.
Australia has granted humanitarian visas to five Iranian women footballers who sought asylum, fearing persecution after refusing to sing their national anthem at an Asia Cup match.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 10th of March, covering the latest developments you need to know.
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