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Space Week Roundup: Space Coast Pause, New Images of Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS, Starliner Plan

07:14 PM, 12/01/2025
Space Week Roundup: Space Coast Pause, New Images of Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS, Starliner Plan

Launch activity on Florida's Space Coast slowed over Thanksgiving after the region recorded its 101st orbital launch on Nov. 22. NASA released new images of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, the third known comet from beyond our solar system. NASA also announced a revised plan to certify Boeing’s Starliner, including an uncrewed demonstration planned for spring 2026, while astronaut Chris Williams launched to the ISS for an eight-month mission as the station marked 25 years of continuous human presence.

A quieter-than-usual week on Florida's Space Coast — following the region's 101st orbital launch on Nov. 22 — gave residents and visitors a rare pause in local launch activity. While Cape Canaveral typically averages about two launches per week, the Thanksgiving holiday stretched the gap between missions to more than a week.

Fresh images of an interstellar visitor: NASA released a new set of images of comet 3I/ATLAS, only the third known comet observed in Earth's neighborhood that originated beyond our solar system. The fast-moving interstellar object, likely much older than Earth, has captured public interest while it streaks through and soon exits our solar system.

Starliner certification plan: After challenges during a June 2024 crewed flight test that delayed the safe return of two astronauts, NASA announced a revised plan to certify Boeing's Starliner for crewed missions. The agency intends to pursue additional testing and an uncrewed demonstration flight targeted for spring 2026 as part of the path to certification.

Thanksgiving launch and crew movements: On Thanksgiving Day, NASA astronaut Chris Williams launched aboard a Roscosmos Soyuz from Kazakhstan alongside two Russian crewmates. Williams will serve an eight-month stint aboard the International Space Station (ISS), which recently celebrated 25 years of continuous human presence in orbit.

Thanksgiving menu aboard the ISS: Crew members aboard the ISS enjoyed an upgraded holiday spread, including clams, oysters, crab meat, quail and smoked salmon alongside traditional trimmings — a far cry from the Apollo-era turkey salad long joked about in astronaut lore.

Podcasts and milestones: The Space Beat podcast hit its 100th episode. Hosts reflected on the Falcon 9 mission that pushed Brevard County into triple digits for annual orbital launches and discussed NASA’s updated Starliner roadmap.

SpaceX returns to launch operations: After the holiday pause, SpaceX resumed Falcon 9 operations from Florida with back-to-back Starlink missions on Dec. 1 and Dec. 2. The first launch window opened at midnight and ran until 4 a.m. from pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center.

Launch recap and live updates: Live coverage and a detailed recap documented the Dec. 1 Falcon 9 liftoff carrying the Starlink 6-86 payload from Cape Canaveral, offering step-by-step mission milestones and recovery outcomes.

Improved astronaut recovery gear: A new inflatable hexagonal rescue raft, colored orange and yellow, is designed specifically for astronaut recovery after offshore splashdowns. Former U.S. Air Force Reserve command chief Shane Smith described the raft as rigid and medically functional — more like a stand-up paddleboard than a soggy life raft — enabling chest compressions and other treatments in rough conditions.

For further updates on launches and station activities, follow space news outlets and agency releases. By Rick Neale.

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