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.
NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams completed an unexpectedly long 286-day mission on the ISS, returning to Earth aboard a SpaceX capsule after delays caused by technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner.
NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are finally heading back to Earth after spending nine unexpected months aboard the ISS due to issues with Boeing’s Starliner. Their long-awaited return on a SpaceX Crew Dragon caps a mission filled with delays, challenges, and global attention.
A SpaceX capsule has delivered four astronauts to the ISS for NASA’s latest crew rotation, allowing Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to return after nine months stranded due to a faulty Boeing Starliner capsule. Their scheduled departure on Wednesday has drawn political attention.
NASA and SpaceX have delayed the launch of a replacement crew meant to return stranded astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to Earth from the International Space Station.
The speaker of the lower house of Ireland's parliament defeated a no confidence motion laid down by the main opposition parties as expected on Tuesday after maintaining the support of the coalition government.
Canada will retaliate if the U.S. imposes tariffs, Prime Minister Mark Carney warned on Tuesday.
U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi has directed prosecutors to pursue the death penalty in the federal case against Luigi Mangione, who is charged in connection with the death of UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson. Mangione denies state charges and faces a separate federal indictment.
The head of IATA downplayed concerns that potential US trade tariffs would disrupt the ongoing surge in travel demand. While acknowledging added uncertainty, he suggested that Trump’s policies might ultimately benefit the airline industry by promoting consolidation and regulatory changes.
Portugal's centre-right Democratic Alliance (AD) leads in a new opinion poll, but still falls short of a parliamentary majority ahead of the May 18 snap election. The AD’s support rose to 34.4%, while the Socialist Party (PS) trails at 27.8%.
Aid groups in Myanmar’s worst-hit areas urgently need shelter, food, and water after a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake killed over 2,700 people. Rescue efforts face challenges due to ongoing civil war, damaged infrastructure, and restricted aid access, with the toll expected to rise.
As the world shifts toward clean energy at an ever-accelerating pace, large economies are scrambling to secure reliable supply chains for rare earth minerals. These minerals, once seen as mere industrial components, have become a political tool in the global power struggle
Russian forces carried out a drone attack on Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, late Wednesday, injuring at least twenty one people and causing structural damage, according to Ukrainian officials.
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen was banned from running for public office for five years after being convicted of embezzlement, ruling her out of the 2027 presidential race. She received a four-year prison sentence, with two years suspended, and a €100,000 fine. Le Pen plans to appeal.
The Armenian armed forces attempted three reconnaissance drone flights over Azerbaijan Army positions near Gerenzur, but all were successfully intercepted. Meanwhile, Armenian units repeatedly fired on Azerbaijani positions from multiple regions, escalating tensions in the area.
The speaker of the lower house of Ireland's parliament defeated a no confidence motion laid down by the main opposition parties as expected on Tuesday after maintaining the support of the coalition government.
Canada will retaliate if the U.S. imposes tariffs, Prime Minister Mark Carney warned on Tuesday.
U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi has directed prosecutors to pursue the death penalty in the federal case against Luigi Mangione, who is charged in connection with the death of UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson. Mangione denies state charges and faces a separate federal indictment.
Portugal's centre-right Democratic Alliance (AD) leads in a new opinion poll, but still falls short of a parliamentary majority ahead of the May 18 snap election. The AD’s support rose to 34.4%, while the Socialist Party (PS) trails at 27.8%.
The European Union is prepared to retaliate against U.S. tariffs but prefers a negotiated resolution, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said. She warned that U.S. tariffs would fuel inflation and harm jobs while urging the EU to remove internal trade barriers.
The speaker of the lower house of Ireland's parliament defeated a no confidence motion laid down by the main opposition parties as expected on Tuesday after maintaining the support of the coalition government.
Canada will retaliate if the U.S. imposes tariffs, Prime Minister Mark Carney warned on Tuesday.
U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi has directed prosecutors to pursue the death penalty in the federal case against Luigi Mangione, who is charged in connection with the death of UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson. Mangione denies state charges and faces a separate federal indictment.
The head of IATA downplayed concerns that potential US trade tariffs would disrupt the ongoing surge in travel demand. While acknowledging added uncertainty, he suggested that Trump’s policies might ultimately benefit the airline industry by promoting consolidation and regulatory changes.
Portugal's centre-right Democratic Alliance (AD) leads in a new opinion poll, but still falls short of a parliamentary majority ahead of the May 18 snap election. The AD’s support rose to 34.4%, while the Socialist Party (PS) trails at 27.8%.
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