SpaceX's first all-civilian mission to launch on Sep 15

by Argus News

San Francisco, Sep 5: SpaceX, run by tech billionaire Elon Musk-run, is all set to launch to orbit its first all-civilian mission ‘Inspiration4 on September 15.

"#Inspiration4 and @SpaceX have completed our flight readiness review and remain on track for launch!" the Inspiration4 mission team said in a tweet.

Early this year in February, SpaceX announced the charity-driven mission named Inspiration4, which will be commanded by tech entrepreneur Jared Isaacman and will have three others.

They will orbit the planet aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule every 90 minutes along a customised flight path. Upon conclusion of the three-day journey, Dragon will re-enter Earth's atmosphere for a soft water landing off the coast of Florida.

The 37-year-old Isaacman is founder and CEO of integrated payment processing company Shift4 Payments and a trained pilot.

Billionaire Issacman purchased the flight as part of an effort to raise millions for St Jude Children's Research Hospital. He has given St. Jude two seats on the Inspiration4 mission and has committed to give $100 million to St. Jude.

He is joined by Haley Arceneaux, Sian Proctor and Chris Sembroski, Space.com reported.

Arceneaux, a childhood bone cancer survivor and St. Jude physician's assistant, was chosen to represent the charity, while Proctor and Sembroski were selected as part of a global contest for a trip on the flight.

Inspiration4 will blast off from NASA's Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on September 15.

However, the exact liftoff time will be determined just a few days before launch, the report said.

Since the Dragon will not visit the International Space Station, unlike previous Crew Dragon missions, its docking port was removed and replaced with a dome window.

The window, inspired by the Cupola on the International Space Station, will provide the crew with incredible views of Earth, according to the Inspiration4 team.

Issacman, Arceneaux, Proctor and Sembrowski are set to arrive at Kennedy Space Center on September 9, ahead of their planned launch, the report said.

The Inspiration4 mission marks SpaceX's latest private astronaut mission.

The company's Ax-1 mission, also planned for the end of 2021, hosts a crew of four private astronauts paying $55 million each for an eight-day trip to the ISS.

In 2018, Musk also announced Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa will hitch a ride around the moon on SpaceX's new rocket system Starship, which is under development.

(IANS)

Khandapada MLA Soumya Patnaik, Remuna Legislator Sudhansu Parida Expelled From BJD

by Hemanta Pande

Bhubaneswar, Sep 21: In a major political development in Odisha, the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Thursday expelled two party MLAs- Khandapada MLA Soumya Ranjan Patnaik and Remuna MLA Sudhanshu Sekhar Parida for 'anti-people activities'.

BJD president and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik informed that both the MLAs have been expelled for their alleged anti-people activities.

In an official release on the expulsion of the Remuna MLA, the BJD president said, "Sri Sudhansu Sekhar Panda, when he was Managing Partner of M/s Nigamananda Associates, Balasore, in connivance with others misappropriated government subsidy, meant for farmers, of more than Rs.3 crores during the period from 2017-18 to 2019-20. This matter is being inquired into by the State Vigilance on the orders of the Honorable Lokayukta."

Similarly, on the Khandapada MLA, the BJD president said, "On an FIR by an ex-employee of Sambad Newspaper a case under sections 506/467/468/471/420/120-B IPC has been registered against him and others by Economic Offence Wing (EOW) Odisha. Further many ex-employees of Sambad newspaper have made similar allegations with EOW Odisha. It is a serious case of organized bank fraud involving loan worth crores of Rupees taken in the name of more than 300 employees Sambad by using fraudulent means and forged documents."

Read: Odisha News

Indian Visa Services In Canada Suspended Till Further Notice

by Manisha Das

Ottawa, September 21: The Indian Mission in Canada on Thursday suspended visa services till further notice citing operational reasons, according to BLS International.

BLS International Services Limited is an Indian outsourcing service provider for government and diplomatic missions worldwide. The company manages visa, passport, consular, attestation and citizen services.

As per BLS International , interested visa applicants have been advised to keep checking the BLS website for further updates on the issue.

"Important notice from Indian Mission: Due to operational reasons, with effect from 21 September 2023, Indian visa services have been suspended till further notice. Please keep checking BLS website for further updates," the BLS website said.

This comes amid strain in India-Canada relations after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday alleged that the Indian government was behind the fatal shooting of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Najjar, who was a designated terrorist in India, was gunned down outside a Gurdwara, in a parking area in Canada's Surrey, British Columbia on June 18.

Trudeau during a debate in the Canadian Parliament, claimed his country's national security officials had reasons to believe that "agents of the Indian government" carried out the killing of the Canadian citizen, who also served as the president of Surrey's Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara.

The allegations made by the Canadian Prime Minister and foreign minister were rejected by the Ministry of External Affairs in India which dubbed the statements as absurd.

"We have seen and reject the statement of the Canadian Prime Minister in their Parliament, as also the statement by their Foreign Minister. Allegations of Government of India's involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated" the statement said.

On Wednesday, Indian nationals, students in Canada and those planning on travelling to the country were advised to exercise caution. Indian nationals and Indian students in Canada were advised to avoid travelling to regions and potential venues in Canada that have seen growing anti-India activities, according to a release issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

Indian students in Canada have been particularly advised to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant.

(ANI)

Also Read: National News

Jimmy Kimmel Tests Positive For COVID-19

by Manisha Das

Los Angeles, September 21: Talk show host Jimmy Kimmel has been diagnosed with COVID-19.

Taking to X (formerly called Twitter), Kimmel shared his health update and also informed fans about the cancellation of his "Strike Force Three" live show.

“Well, Las Vegas, I got Covid, and sadly, we need to cancel this weekend’s Strike Force Three show,” Kimmel posted

“I could never live with myself if I got my hometown friends sick. Thanks to all who purchased tickets, everyone will get full refunds and we will try to reschedule if possible," he added.

After learning about Kimmel's ill-health, fans chimed in the comment section and wished for his speedy recovery.

"Take care Kimmel," a social media user commented.
"Wish you a speedy recovery," another one wrote.

As per US-based publication Variety, “Strike Force Three” was scheduled to take place at the Dolby Live at Park MGM in Las Vegas on September 23. The event was announced by Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon and Stephen Colbert.

The event, which would have united the three late night hosts onstage for the first time ever, was born out of the “Strike Force Five” podcast that the trio launched alongside Seth Meyers and John Oliver on August 30.

(ANI)

Also Read: Entertainment News

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SpaceX's first all-civilian mission to launch on Sep 15

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