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: Unlike the events that unfold on "For All Mankind," almost all of the Soviet Union's space history has changed at the start of the new spinoff series "Star City." So, can it still be called an alternate history? Eagle- (seagull?) eyed viewers may spy more of our reality in the Apple TV show than the audience at large may know. And that is the point, says "Star City" showrunners Matt Wolpert and Ben Nedivi in an interview with collectSPACE.
: A new set of five wristwatches embeds the motion of time into scenes from space history. Xeric's Asterisk Space Missions Collection, now available for pre-order, uses illustrator Peter Greenwood's artwork, not just as decoration but as a replacement for the hands on a watch's dial. As such, a Gemini capsule spins, an Apollo spacecraft soars and a Mars rover's dial ticks up, while a shuttle lifts off and an astronaut gazes at the future.
: For the past 11 years, the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution or MAVEN spacecraft provided new insight into why Mars' atmosphere had gone missing. Now, six months after it fell silent, the probe has been declared lost by NASA. Beyond its primary area of study, MAVEN also discovered new auroras, measured "atmospheric sputtering" and served as a communications relay, sending data back to Earth from rovers and a lander.
: The public is invited to visit NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC to tour through a newly-installed selection of space artifacts, models, murals and moon rocks. Stretching the "Golden Age of Space Exploration," as described by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, the displays extend to the Artemis program and the agency's work to return astronauts to the lunar surface. A shop is also open (don't miss the NASA-themed donuts).
: The Artemis II astronauts did not exceed the speed record set by the Apollo 10 crew in 1969, but they did inspire a new version of a related, venerable patch. Reid Wiseman was the first member of the crew to be seen wearing the "Mach 39" update to the 40-year-old Mach 25 design, which dates back to the former space shuttle's start. The Orion spacecraft on the new emblem replaces the winged orbiter that soared on the "25" original.
: At an event held in New York on Sunday (June 7), Axiom Space and its design partner, Italian fashion house Prada, revealed the LCVG, or liquid cooling and ventilation garment, for the next suit to be worn on the moon. The AxEMU "spaghetti suit" directs cool water through a series of tubes sewn into the fabric to keep the astronaut comfortable (hence the pasta-inspired nickname). It also washes carbon dioxide out of the helmet.
: NASA on Tuesday (June 9) revealed the four astronauts who will fly on the Artemis III mission, currently targeted for next year. Randy Bresnik will be the first space shuttle veteran to fly on Orion as the mission's commander. As pilot, Luca Parmitano is the first ESA astronaut on an Artemis crew. Frank Rubio, mission specialist, already holds a U.S. time-in-space record. And Andre Douglas, mission specialist, was Artemis II back-up.
: The next time you see an Ariane 6 rocket launch, a new coin might help you remember that its payload fairing (or nose cone) came from Switzerland. The "European Space Agency ESA" silver coin was issued by Swissmint to recognize the contributions by the country to Europe's space projects. On the obverse of the limited edition coin is Earth, the moon and Mars; on the reverse is an Ariane 6 rocket jettisoning its fairing halves.
: SpaceX on Friday (June 12) is now valued at over $2 trillion after the largest IPO (initial public opening) in history. To mark the momentous day, the company is offering several new collectibles through its online shop, including a SPCX mission patch and a Raptor engine bell (that really rings!). Also available are a tote bag, an adjustable cap and a t-shirt. The stock closed at $161 per share on Friday, up 19% on the Nasdaq Stock Market.
