​​Venture Class Rockets: First Class Flights ​​for CubeSats

​​For years, tiny CubeSat satellites could only fly into space as hitchhikers, riding along with larger, primary payloads. Now, thanks to Venture Class Launch Services, these small packages of big science are getting their own rides into space on dedicated rockets -- and on their own terms. Rocket Lab , and Virgin Orbit, are the two companies poised to propel CubeSats from coach class to first class. Music Courtesy of Gothic Storm Music.​

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​SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft

​A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft launch on the company's 16th commercial resupply mission to the International Space Station, and ten CubeSats are prepared for their first-class ride into space aboard Rocket Lab USA's Electron rocket.

NOAA'S GEOSTATIONARY OPERATIONAL SATELLITE-S 

NOAA’s Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-S, next in a series of advanced weather satellites, has been secured inside the payload fairing that will protect it during its climb to space, and TESS, a spacecraft destined to search for exoplanets, is one step closer to liftoff after its arrival at the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility.

first annual Swarmathon challenge

Students from across the country compete in the first annual Swarmathon challenge, and NASA selects Orbital ATK to begin negotiations on an agreement to assembly and test a new series of rockets in the Vehicle Assembly Building.

Orbital ATK Cygnus

The Orbital ATK Cygnus spacecraft is taking shape for its upcoming commercial resupply flight to the International Space Station, and NASCAR driver Carl Edwards visited Kennedy ahead of the Daytona 500.

NASA's commercial crew

NASA’s four Commercial Crew astronauts join in a topping-off ceremony for the Crew Access Tower at Space Launch Complex 41. Also, a wearable technology known as IDEAS is showcased at a demonstration in Orlando. Written by Steven Siceloff

NASA's Launch Services Program

NASA's Launch Services Program, based at Kennedy, is preparing to launch the Jason-3 mission from Vandenberg AFB in California to monitor changes in the world's oceans. Written by Steven Siceloff

2016 offers for space exploration

Take a look at what 2016 offers for space exploration and NASA's Kennedy Space Center in this episode kicking off the new year of Inside KSC!  Written by Steven Siceloff -  Produced by Frank Michaux

Atlas V rocket launches Orbital ATK's Cygnus spacecraft

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket launches Orbital ATK's Cygnus spacecraft loaded with supplies to the International Space Station. Also, representatives of NASA's international partners saw the Commercial Crew facilities coming together at KSC.

platform segment destined for the Vehicle Assembly Building arrives at Kennedy

The platform is designed to support the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft as they are processed for deep space missions. Also, the SAGE III instrument was brought to Kennedy for processing ahead of launch to the International Space Station next year where it will monitor Earth's atmosphere.