Science
NASA Sets Coverage for Agency’s SpaceX Crew-6 Events, Launch
Credits: Kim Shiflett
NASA will provide coverage of the upcoming prelaunch and launch activities for the agency’s SpaceX Crew-6 mission with astronauts to the International Space Station.
Launch is targeted for 2:07 a.m. EST, Sunday, Feb. 26, from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Dragon spacecraft is scheduled to dock to the space-facing port of the station’s Harmony module at 2:54 a.m., Monday, Feb. 27.
Crew arrival at Kennedy, launch, the postlaunch news conference, and docking coverage will air live on NASA Television, the NASA app, and the agency’s website. NASA also will host audio-only news teleconferences following the agency’s flight and launch readiness reviews. Follow all live events at:
The Crew-6 launch will carry two NASA astronauts, Mission Commander Stephen Bowen and Pilot Warren Hoburg, along with UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Alneyadi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, who will serve as mission specialists to the space station for a science expedition mission.
This is the sixth crew rotation mission with astronauts using the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft on a Falcon 9 rocket to the orbiting laboratory as part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program. This Dragon is named Endeavour.
The deadline has passed for media accreditation for in-person coverage of this launch. NASA’s media accreditation policy is available online. More information about media accreditation is available by emailing: ksc-media-accreditat@mail.nasa.gov.
All media participation in the following news conferences will be remote except where specifically listed below.
NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 mission coverage is as follows (all times Eastern and subject to change based on real-time operations):
Tuesday, Feb. 21
12:30 p.m. (approximately) – Crew arrival media event at Kennedy on NASA Television
- Kelvin Manning, deputy director, Kennedy
- Dana Hutcherson, deputy manager, NASA’s Commercial Crew Program
- Salem AlMarri, director general, Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre
- NASA astronaut Stephen Bowen
- NASA astronaut Warren Hoburg
- UAE astronaut Sultan Alneyadi
- Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev
The event is limited to in-person media only. Follow Commercial Crew and Kennedy Space Center on Twitter for the latest arrival updates.
6 p.m. (approximately) – Flight Readiness Review media teleconference (no earlier than one hour after completion of the review) with the following participants:
- Ken Bowersox, deputy associate administrator, Space Operations Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters in Washington
- Steve Stich, manager, Commercial Crew Program, Kennedy
- Dana Weigel, deputy manager, International Space Station Program, NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston
- Emily Nelson, chief flight director, Johnson
- Jared Metter, director, Flight Reliability, SpaceX
- Adnan AlRais, mission manager UAE Astronaut Mission 2, Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre
Media may ask questions via phone only. For the dial-in number and passcode, please contact the Kennedy newsroom no later than 4 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 21 at: ksc-newsroom@mail.nasa.gov.
Friday, Feb. 24
10:30 p.m. (approximately) – Prelaunch News Teleconference at Kennedy (no earlier than one hour after completion of the Launch Readiness Review) with the following participants:
- Steve Stich, manager, Commercial Crew Program, Kennedy
- Dana Weigel, deputy manager, International Space Station Program, Johnson
- Emily Nelson, chief flight director, Johnson
- Kirt Costello, chief scientist, International Space Station Program, Johnson
- Sarah Walker, director, Dragon Mission Management, SpaceX
- Salem AlMarri, director general, Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre
- Mike McAleenan, launch weather officer, U.S. Space Force 45th Weather Squadron
Media may ask questions via phone only. For the dial-in number and passcode, please contact the Kennedy newsroom no later than 5:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 24, at: ksc-newsroom@mail.nasa.gov.
Saturday, Feb. 25
10:30 p.m. – NASA TV launch coverage begins
Sunday, Feb. 26
2:07 a.m. – Launch
Following conclusion of launch and ascent coverage, NASA coverage of agency’s Crew-6 flight to the space station will continue with audio only, with full coverage resuming at the start of the arrival broadcast. Viewers can continue to listen to real-time audio between Crew-6 and flight controllers at NASA’s Mission Audio stream, which also includes conversations with astronauts aboard the space station and a live video feed from the orbiting laboratory.
4 a.m. (approximately) – Postlaunch news conference on NASA TV
- Ken Bowersox, deputy associate administrator, Space Operations Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters
- Steve Stich, manager, Commercial Crew Program, Kennedy
- Dana Weigel, deputy manager, International Space Station Program, Johnson
- Sarah Walker, director, Dragon Mission Management, SpaceX
- Salem AlMarri, director general, Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre
Media may ask questions in-person and via phone. Limited auditorium space will be available for in-person participation. For the dial-in number and passcode, please contact the Kennedy newsroom no later than 1 a.m., Sunday, Feb. 26, at: ksc-newsroom@mail.nasa.gov.
Monday, Feb. 27
1 a.m. – NASA TV arrival coverage begins
2:54 a.m. – Docking to the space-facing port of the station’s Harmony module
4:35 a.m. – Hatch opening
5:20 a.m. – Welcome ceremony
NASA TV Launch Coverage
NASA TV live coverage will begin at 10:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 25. For NASA TV downlink information, schedules, and links to streaming video, visit:
Audio only of the news conferences and launch coverage will be carried on the NASA “V” circuits, which may be accessed by dialing 321-867-1220, -1240 or -7135. On launch day, “mission audio,” countdown activities without NASA TV launch commentary, will be carried on 321-867-7135.
NASA Website Launch Coverage
Launch day coverage of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 mission will be available on the agency’s website. Coverage will include live streaming and blog updates beginning no earlier than 10:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 25, as the countdown milestones occur. On-demand streaming video and photos of the launch will be available shortly after liftoff. For questions about countdown coverage, contact the Kennedy newsroom at 321-867-2468. Follow countdown coverage on our launch blog at:
https://blogs.nasa.gov/commercialcrew
Launch also will be available on local amateur VHF radio frequency 146.940 MHz and UHF radio frequency 444.925 MHz, FM mode, heard within Brevard County on the Space Coast.
Attend launch virtually
Members of the public can register to attend this launch virtually. NASA’s virtual guest program for this mission also includes curated launch resources, notifications about related opportunities or changes, and a stamp for the NASA virtual guest passport following a successful launch.
Watch, engage on social media
Let people know you’re following the mission on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram by using the hashtags #Crew6 and #NASASocial. You can also stay connected by following and tagging these accounts:
Twitter: @NASA, @NASAKennedy, @NASASocial, @Space_Station, @ISS_Research, @ISS National Lab, @SpaceX, @Commercial_Crew
Facebook: NASA, NASAKennedy, ISS, ISS National Lab
Instagram: @NASA, @NASAKennedy, @ISS, @ISSNationalLab, @SpaceX
Did you know NASA has a Spanish section called NASA en Espanol? Make sure to check out NASA en Espanol on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for more coverage on Crew-6.
Para obtener información sobre cobertura en español en el Centro Espacial Kennedy o si desea solicitar entrevistas en español, comuníquese con Antonia Jaramillo, 321-501-8425, antonia.jaramillobotero@nasa.gov.
NASA will provide a live video feed of Launch Complex 39A approximately 48 hours prior to the planned liftoff of the Crew-6 mission. Pending unlikely technical issues, the feed will be uninterrupted until the prelaunch broadcast begins on NASA TV, approximately four hours prior to launch.
Once the feed is live, you will find it here:
https://youtube.com/kscnewsroom
NASA’s Commercial Crew Program has delivered on its goal of safe, reliable, and cost-effective transportation to and from the International Space Station from the United States through a partnership with American private industry. This partnership is changing the arc of human spaceflight history by opening access to low-Earth orbit and the International Space Station to more people, more science, and more commercial opportunities. The space station remains the springboard to NASA’s next great leap in space exploration, including future missions to the Moon and, eventually, to Mars.
For NASA’s launch blog and more information about the mission, visit:
https://www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew
Source: NASA
News
FAA Certifies Boeing 737-7: What It Means for Airlines and the 737 MAX Program
The FAA has certified Boeing’s new 737-7, clearing the smallest 737 MAX variant for service as Boeing and Southwest prepare for first deliveries.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has certified Boeing’s new 737-7, granting the company an amended type certificate that clears the smallest member of the 737 MAX family for commercial service. The milestone closes a multi-year certification effort and puts the focus on execution: Boeing and launch customer Southwest Airlines say preparations are underway to support first deliveries.
For STM Daily News readers, the headline isn’t just “another plane gets approved.” It’s a signal that Boeing has now cleared a key MAX variant designed for long-range flexibility in a smaller footprint—an aircraft type airlines can use to open or defend routes where demand is strong, but not strong enough to justify a larger narrowbody.
What FAA certification means
An amended type certificate means the FAA has approved the 737-7’s design as compliant with commercial aviation regulations. In practical terms, certification allows airlines to place the aircraft into revenue service once deliveries begin and operator-specific steps—training, manuals, maintenance programs, and entry-into-service planning—are completed.
Boeing also said the FAA updated Boeing Production Certificate No. 700 (PC 700) to include the 737-7, supporting production and delivery activities.
Why the 737-7 matters in the MAX lineup
Boeing positions the 737-7 as the smallest and longest-range member of the 737 MAX family. The company says it typically seats 135 to 160 passengers in a two-class configuration and offers a range of up to 3,800 nautical miles (7,040 km). That combination matters because it gives airlines more options to fly longer “thin” routes—markets where frequency and reach matter more than packing in additional seats.
Boeing also highlights performance for operations out of high-altitude airports and in hot climates, where takeoff performance and payload-range tradeoffs can shape fleet decisions.
Efficiency claims: fuel, emissions, and noise
Boeing says the 737-7, like other 737 MAX jets, reduces fuel use and CO2 emissions by 20% and cuts the noise footprint by 50% compared to the airplanes it typically replaces. For airlines, those improvements typically show up in two ways:
- Route economics: lower fuel burn can improve margins on longer sectors and reduce exposure to fuel-price swings.
- Operational constraints: quieter aircraft can help with airport noise requirements and community pressure, while lower emissions support sustainability targets.
Inside the certification effort
Boeing said the certification program began in 2018 and included more than 1,000 hours of flight and ground testing, extensive system safety analysis, and human factors reviews. The company also noted an updated engine anti-ice system to address a potential condition discovered during flight testing.
Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Stephanie Pope called the certification “important” validation of the airplane’s design and the work of the MAX development team. Mike Sinnett, senior vice president of Product Strategy, Product Development and Development Programs, said Boeing held regular discussions with the FAA and that the process has sharpened the company’s understanding of current regulatory requirements—knowledge Boeing expects will accelerate future development with a renewed emphasis on human factors, safety, and quality.
What to watch next
With certification complete, the next phase is about delivery timing and real-world deployment.
- First deliveries to Southwest: Boeing and Southwest are preparing for delivery of the first airplane, including updates to final configuration.
- Production stability: certification removes a major hurdle, but supply chain health and production cadence will determine how quickly the 737-7 shows up in airline schedules.
- The 737-10 timeline: Boeing reiterated it is working to certify the 737-10 this year, keeping attention on how quickly the final MAX variant clears regulatory review.
The bigger MAX picture
Boeing said the 737 MAX family order book stands at more than 7,200 airplanes, with more than 2,300 delivered through the end of June 2026. The 737-7’s certification adds another deliverable product to that portfolio—one aimed at airlines that want long range without stepping up to a larger gauge.
Bottom line
FAA certification of the 737-7 is a meaningful milestone for Boeing and for airlines looking for a smaller narrowbody with long-range capability. The real test now is operational: turning certification into on-time deliveries and reliable entry into service—while the industry watches Boeing’s push to certify the 737-10.
Related Links
- Boeing 737 MAX family overview (manufacturer background/specs): https://www.boeing.com/commercial/737max/
- FAA Aircraft Certification (how type certification works): https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/air_cert/
- FAA Airworthiness Directives (regulatory actions database): https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/airworthiness_directives
- Southwest Airlines newsroom (launch customer context / fleet updates): https://www.swamedia.com/
- Boeing Commercial Airplanes newsroom (for follow-ups and official updates): https://boeing.mediaroom.com/news-releases?item=130821
📰 Enjoying STM Daily News? Join the conversation!
💬 Leave a comment, share your thoughts, and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest stories, updates, and “News You Can Use This Moment!” delivered to your inbox.
Stay connected with STM Daily News!
Source:
Boeing (PRNewswire), Aug. 3, 2026 — “U.S. FAA certifies new Boeing 737-7 airplane.”
Nature
What in the Heck Is a Sweat Bee? Turns Out, My Wife Wasn’t Making It Up
My wife Rebecca said she thought a sweat bee stung her. I thought she was making it up. Turns out, sweat bees are very real—and their strange name actually makes perfect sense.
It started with a conversation with my wife, Rebecca.
She mentioned that she thought she’d been stung by something called a “sweat bee.”
My immediate reaction was basically:
“What in the heck is a sweat bee?”
I’ll admit it. For a moment, I thought she was making the whole thing up. 😂
A sweat bee? Really?
It sounded like one of those names somebody invents when they don’t know what actually stung them.
“It wasn’t a regular bee. It was a… uh… sweat bee!”
So naturally, I asked ChatGPT the same question: What in the heck is a sweat bee?
Well, Rebecca gets this round.
Sweat bees are absolutely real.
And Yes, They’re Interested in Your Sweat
Sweat bees belong primarily to the Halictidae family, a large group of generally small bees found around the world.
Some are rather ordinary-looking little insects, while others are surprisingly flashy, sporting metallic shades of green, blue, bronze or gold.
But here’s where they earned that wonderfully unfortunate name.
Some sweat bees are attracted to human perspiration.
They’re not after you because they’re angry, and they’re certainly not tiny vampire bees. They’re interested in the salt and minerals in your sweat.
In other words, after you’ve been outside working, gardening, exercising or simply trying to survive a hot summer afternoon, a sweat bee may look at you and think:
“Hey! Free electrolytes!”
Wait…They Can Sting Too?
Unfortunately for Rebecca, there’s another part of her story that checks out.
Female sweat bees can sting.
They’re generally not aggressive and aren’t flying around looking for people to attack. But if one gets trapped against your skin, squeezed or swatted, it may defend itself.
Their sting is generally considered relatively mild compared with those of many other bees and wasps—but “relatively mild” probably isn’t much consolation when you’re the person who just got stung.
So, Rebecca, I officially withdraw my skepticism.
Mostly.
Don’t Declare War on Them
As annoying as having a tiny bee land on your sweaty arm might be, sweat bees are actually beneficial insects.
They’re important pollinators, visiting wildflowers, garden plants and agricultural crops and carrying pollen from flower to flower.
So if one lands on you, gently brushing or blowing it away is probably a better idea than swatting it against your skin.
And that’s today’s unexpected nature lesson.
Sweat bees are real.
They really are attracted to sweat.
The females really can sting.
And, perhaps most importantly…
My wife was right.
There. I said it.
I’m sure I’ll never hear the end of this one. 😂
Related Links
- University of Arizona Cooperative Extension — Arizona Bee Identification Guide — A useful Arizona-focused guide that includes sweat bees and explains their appearance, size, nesting behavior and attraction to salt in perspiration.
- USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service — Native Bees and Their Favorite Flowers — More information about native pollinators and the important role sweat bees play around wildflowers.
- USDA Forest Service — Bee Basics — A broader guide to North American bees, including the colorful metallic members of the sweat bee family.
- Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History — Sweat Bee — See an actual female sweat bee specimen (Augochlorella aurata) and its scientific classification.
📰 Enjoying STM Daily News? Join the conversation!
💬 Leave a comment, share your thoughts, and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest stories, updates, and “News You Can Use This Moment!” delivered to your inbox.
Stay connected with STM Daily News!
News
Joby Aviation and Toyota kick off manufacturing alliance to scale electric air taxi production
Joby Aviation and Toyota launch a joint venture to improve productivity, quality, and cost as they prepare to scale electric air taxi production.
Joby Aviation and Toyota Motor Corporation have launched the initial phase of a strategic manufacturing alliance aimed at accelerating commercial production of electric air taxis—an early step the companies say is designed to make “air mobility for all” a practical, everyday reality.
Announced June 30, 2026, the partnership formalizes a new joint venture that will combine Joby’s electric aviation development with Toyota’s production systems and operational expertise. The near-term focus: building the groundwork for commercial production while pushing improvements in productivity, quality, and cost—key factors as the industry moves from prototypes to scaled manufacturing.
What the joint venture is designed to do
According to the companies, the alliance will initially concentrate on:
- Establishing the foundation for commercial production capability
- Advancing manufacturing excellence with an emphasis on productivity, quality, and cost
- Supporting expansion of Joby’s production capacity as it works toward aircraft certification and prepares for anticipated demand
The announcement positions Toyota’s manufacturing playbook—known globally for lean production and continuous improvement—as a lever to help Joby move from development into repeatable, high-quality output at scale.
Why it matters: eVTOLs need scale, not just flight tests
Electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft have become one of the most closely watched bets in next-generation transportation, but the path to viable air taxi services depends on more than successful test flights. Certification timelines, supply chain readiness, and the ability to produce aircraft consistently (and affordably) are often what separates promising technology from commercial reality.
By forming a joint venture focused on manufacturing readiness, Joby and Toyota are signaling that the next competitive frontier is industrialization—how quickly and reliably eVTOL aircraft can be built to meet safety standards and market demand.
Related Links for Further reading
- Joby Aviation (official): https://www.jobyaviation.com
- Joby Investor Relations / News (official updates & filings): https://ir.jobyaviation.com
- Toyota Newsroom (official): https://www.toyotanewsroom.com
- Toyota Global (corporate overview): https://global.toyota/en
- FAA Advanced Air Mobility / Air Taxis (context): https://www.faa.gov/air-taxis
What executives are saying
Joby founder and CEO JoeBen Bevirt emphasized the long-running relationship between the companies, calling the joint venture a reflection of shared confidence in the opportunity ahead.
“Toyota has been by Joby’s side for nearly a decade, providing invaluable guidance and support as we built the foundation for manufacturing our aircraft,” Bevirt said. “Together, we share a vision of making aerial mobility an everyday reality.”
Toyota Motor Corporation Chairman Akio Toyoda framed air mobility as an extension of the company’s broader mission.
“Since our founding, we’ve been guided by the philosophy of providing mobility for all,” Toyoda said, adding that Toyota views air mobility as “a natural extension of that philosophy—from the ground into the sky.”
About the companies
Joby Aviation (NYSE: JOBY) is a California-based transportation company developing an all-electric eVTOL air taxi. The company intends to operate its own air taxi service in cities worldwide and sell aircraft to other operators and partners.
Toyota (NYSE: TM) has operated in North America for nearly 70 years and says it is focused on sustainable, next-generation mobility through Toyota and Lexus brands. Toyota reports nearly 64,000 employees in North America, 14 manufacturing plants, and more than 1,800 dealerships. The company also noted that its North Carolina plant began assembling automotive batteries for electrified vehicles in 2025.
What to watch for next
For readers tracking the air taxi sector, the next milestones will likely center on:
- Details on how the joint venture will be structured operationally
- Updates on Joby’s certification progress and production ramp timelines
- Signs of how manufacturing improvements translate into cost reductions and throughput
- Additional agreements or expanded collaboration as the alliance progresses
While the companies highlighted expected benefits, they also noted the usual forward-looking risks—such as regulatory certification timelines, market conditions, and the ability to finalize additional agreements.
Source: Toyota Motor North America / PRNewswire (June 30, 2026)
📰 Enjoying STM Daily News? Join the conversation!
💬 Leave a comment, share your thoughts, and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest stories, updates, and “News You Can Use This Moment!” delivered to your inbox.
Stay connected with STM Daily News!
