Space

Wednesday morning, after years of delays and billions in cost overruns, the Space Launch System rocket thundered skyward, rising from Kennedy Space Center on 8.8 million pounds (4 million kilograms) of thrust and hitting 100 mph (160 kph) within seconds.

“Right now, there’s nothing preventing us” from attempting a launch on Wednesday, said NASA’s Jim Free, an associate administrator.

Students at Canterbury School of Fort Myers made contact with the International Space Station. Canterbury is one of eight schools in the world to have this opportunity right now.

During a press conference on Thursday, space agency officials said they were eyeing Sept. 23 or Sept. 27 as possible dates for the launch.

The first attempt earlier in the week was also marred by escaping hydrogen, but those leaks were elsewhere on the 322-foot rocket.

With the next step in America’s return to the moon set for Monday, Florida’s aerospace agency views the launch of the unmanned Artemis 1 mission as reinforcing the importance of space-related business around Cape Canaveral.

The Song of the Day for July 8 features "Mr. Spaceman" by The Byrds and tells how Roswell, New Mexico became a hot town in the Cold War.

A phenomenon that takes place every year and a half or so brings dozens to the James and Barbara Moore Observatory on a late Sunday night to view the first total lunar eclipse of 2022.

The site, south of Cape Canaveral, is one of six finalists — and the only one in Florida — to serve as the U.S. Space Command headquarters.

NASA’s next Mars rover is on its way to the red planet after launching Thursday morning from Cape Canaveral. The spacecraft hitched a ride into space on...