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: First there was "Endeavour." Next came, "Resilience," "Endurance" and "Freedom." And now there is "Grace." Ax-4 commander Peggy Whitson revealed the name of SpaceX's fifth and last Dragon crew capsule to be built as she and her crewmates entered orbit aboard the new spacecraft. Whitson said that "Grace" as a name reflected the "elegance of spaceflight" and is the "act of good work for the benefit of every human everywhere."
: In a movie where one of the main characters is a green and purple fireproof slug-like alien, it might be surprising to see a picture-perfect rendering of a NASA spacecraft. That is the case though, in "Elio," the new Disney-Pixar film out in theaters now. Serving both as a plot device and a metaphor for the titular boy's search, the inclusion of (spoiler!) the Voyager probe is one way that Elio's extraterrestrial adventure is based in real spaceflight.
: Nate D. Sanders Auctions in Los Angeles has opened bidding on the Sally Ride Estate Collection, the first public offering of items once belonging to the first American woman in space. The more than 50 lots include artifacts and related memorabilia spanning Ride's career with NASA, including her two space shuttle flights. Among the highlights are flight suits, NASA letters and two diaries she kept during her second space mission.
: Marc Garneau became the first Canadian astronaut to fly in space in 1984. On Wednesday (June 4), he died at the age of 76 after a short illness. One of Canada's first six astronauts chosen in 1983, Garneau launched on three NASA space shuttle missions (STS-41G, STS-77 and STS-87), was appointed president of the Canadian Space Agency, served 15 years in Canada's Parliament and was the Minister of Transport.
: At one point it was a real possibility that Peggy Whitson would be in space when she was inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame. After a launch delay, she was still absent but only because she was in quarantine awaiting her fifth liftoff. The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex went forward with the public ceremony on Saturday (May 31), inducting Peggy Whitson in absentia and Bernard Harris, the first Black spacewalker.
: The first NASA astronaut to wear a watch into space chose a custom Breitling as his timepiece. Now, 63 years later, the luxury watchmaker is paying tribute to the late pilot on his 100th birthday. The $42,000 Navitimer B02 Chronograph 41 Cosmonaute Scott Carpenter Centenary features nods to the May 1962 Mercury-Atlas 7 mission, including a deep blue dial evoking the color of Earth. The wristwatch is a limited edition of 50.
: More than 40 years ago, Poland, Hungary and India sent their first countrymen into space as part of the former Soviet Union's Interkosmos program. Now, all three nations have sent citizens into orbit again, this time together on a commercial mission to the International Space Station. Led by former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, the Axiom Space Ax-4 crew is Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, Tibor Kapu and Shubhanshu Shukla.
: After six weeks of renovations, the Cape Canaveral Space Force Museum reopened the Sands Space History Center. A ribbon cutting on Tuesday (June 17) welcomed the public back to the center. Although most of the exhibitions are from before the closure, a new display focuses on the 75th anniversary of the first launch from Florida in July 1950. The Sands Space History Center is free to enter and open six days per week.
: Estes Industries and United Launch Alliance (ULA) have partnered on a new 1:100 scale model of the Vulcan rocket. Standing more than two feet tall, the Estes ULA Vulcan is ready to fly out out of the box. Powered by either a D or E-class model engine, the Vulcan can fly as high as 300 feet before descending under two parachutes. The $79.99 kit is also intended for desktop or shelf display with a stand and mock BE-4 engines included.
: A baby swan will fly to the International Space Station, joining a crew of international astronauts. The Axiom Mission 4 zero-g indicator is "Joy," a plush swan that by beginning to float will signal to Peggy Whitson, Shubhanshu Shukla, Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski and Tibor Kapu that they have safely reached low Earth orbit. The crew selected a swan because of what it represents in the Indian, Polish and Hungarian cultures.
: The Royal Mint of Belgium and Royal Dutch Mint have each struck new euro coins to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the European Space Agency (ESA). The separate, but similarly-themed coin releases each feature ESA's official 50th anniversary logo, either on the coin or on the included coincard (holder). The 2.50 and 50 cent euro coins (or their cards) also depict Europe from space. The Belgian and Dutch coins list for €10 and €8.95.
: COSI, or the Center of Science and Industry, in Columbus, Ohio has launched its latest hands-on science kit for students with the help of the John Glenn College of Public Affairs at The Ohio State University. The John Glenn Inspiration Learning Lunchbox has projects such as launching rockets and mapping orbits themed around Glenn's role as an astronaut. It also draws from his time as a senator with civic engagement activities.
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