Author: Ken Kremer

Watch for Ken’s continuing onsite coverage of NASA, SpaceX, ULA, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and more space and mission reports direct from Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida and Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. Stay tuned here for Ken's continuing Earth and Planetary science and human spaceflight news. Dr. Kremer is a research scientist and journalist based in the KSC area, active in outreach and interviewed regularly on TV and radio about space topics. Ken’s photos are for sale and he is available for lectures and outreach events.

China Chang’e-5 Moon Lander Returned 1.7 Kilograms Lunar Rock Samples to Earth

For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM CAPE CANAVERAL, FL – China’s ambitious Chang’e-5 moon landing probe successfully brought back over 1.7 kilograms (3.8 pounds) of soil and rock samples gathered from the lunar surface, said the China National Space Administration (CNSA) which operated the groundbreaking mission. “Chang’e-5 probe retrieved about 1,731 grams of samples from the moon, according to the China National

Video: Return and Resurgence of US Human Space Flight with Space Journalists Dr. Ken Kremer and Jean Wright on ‘Stay Curious’ Dec. 14 Hosted by American Space Museum

For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM AMERICAN SPACE MUSEUM, TITUSVILLE, FL – Watch our live discussion of current space missions and launches focusing on the return and resurgence of NASA Human Spaceflight from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on the Dec. 14 edition of the ‘Stay Curious’ daily weekday space show presented the American Space Museum, Titusville, FL, direct from the

NASA and ESA Name 3 Astronauts to SpaceX Crew-3 Mission to ISS Launching 2021

For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM CAPE CANAVERAL, FL –  NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) have selected a trio of astronauts to fly on the SpaceX Crew-3 mission launching to the International Space Station in late 2021. The multinational trio consist of NASA astronauts Raja Chari and Tom Marshburn, who will serve as commander and pilot, respectively, and ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer from Germany,

NASA Announces 18 Artemis Astronauts for Initial Moon Missions

For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM CAPE CANAVERAL, FL –  After a long wait and numerous inquiries NASA is closing out 2020 with the exciting announcement of the first 18 astronauts named to formed to the core of NASA’s Artemis Team that will “help pave the way for the next astronaut missions on and around the Moon as part of the Artemis program.” The Artemis

Earthrise from Apollo 8 on Christmas Eve

Taken aboard Apollo 8 by Bill Anders, this iconic picture shows Earth peeking out from beyond the lunar surface as the first crewed spacecraft circumnavigated the Moon, with astronauts Anders, Frank Borman, and Jim Lovell aboard on Christmas Eve on Dec. 24, 1968. Credit: NASA/Apollo 8/Bill Anders For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM TITUSVILLE, FL –  Earthrise!! on Christmas Eve!! On the

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays Well Wishes from Astronauts Aboard the International Space Station

For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM TITUSVILLE, FL –  Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays well wishes abound from the astronauts and cosmonauts living and working aboard the International Space Station to all the people of Earth! “Astronauts and cosmonauts who happen to be in space during the holidays have found their own unique ways to celebrate the occasions. In the early years

SpaceX Dazzles with Record Setting Launch of Clandestine NROL-108 National Security Spy Satellite for the NRO: Photos

For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL –  SpaceX dazzled to the end with the beautiful and spectacular breakfast time Saturday launch of the clandestine NROL-108  national security spy satellite payload for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) on a five time recycled Falcon 9 booster, just in time to shirk away looming dark clouds overtaking the Florida Space Coast

SpaceX Scrubs Falcon 9 Launch to Check 2nd Stage Sensor, Resets Liftoff to Dec. 19: Photos/Watch Live

For SpaceUpClose.com & RocketSTEM KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL –  SpaceX scrubbed Thursday mornings, Dec. 17,  Falcon 9 launch attempt of a clandestine NRO spysat in the final minute of the countdown when a second stage sensor indicated slightly high pressure in the liquid Oxygen (LOX) tank – under truly gloomy weather conditions at Florida’s Spaceport that completely obscured the view