News
NASA Sets Coverage for Axiom Mission 2 Launch: All You Need to Know
NASA to cover Axiom Mission 2 launch on May 21, 5:37 p.m. EDT, featuring private astronauts traveling to ISS aboard SpaceX Dragon.
Last Updated on May 13, 2023 by Daily News Staff
NASA has announced that it will be providing coverage of the upcoming prelaunch and launch activities for Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2), the second private astronaut mission to the International Space Station.
The coverage will be available on NASA Television, the NASA app, and the agency’s website, and will feature some prelaunch and launch activities, as well as docking operations.
The Ax-2 crew members are Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot John Shoffner, and Mission Specialists Ali Alqarni and Rayyanah Barnawi representing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. T
he launch is scheduled for 5:37 p.m. EDT on Sunday, May 21, from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA’s mission responsibility is for integrated operations from the spacecraft’s approach to the International Space Station to the crew’s stay aboard the orbiting laboratory conducting various activities.
NASA coverage of the Ax-2 launch is as follows (all times Eastern and subject to change based on operations):
Monday, May 15
5 p.m. – Flight Readiness Review Teleconference (NASA expects to host the telecon about one hour after the review is complete. The agency will update its space station blog with a specific start time.)
This media briefing will focus on the readiness of the Ax-2 flight to visit the space station, including arrival, docking, in-orbit, and undocking operations at the orbital complex. NASA will provide a live stream of the audio at:
Briefing participants include:
- Ken Bowersox, associate administrator, NASA’s Space Operations Mission Directorate
- Joel Montalbano, manager, NASA’s International Space Station Program
- Angela Hart, manager, NASA’s Commercial Low Earth Orbit Development Program
- Derek Hassmann, chief of mission integration and operations, Axiom Space
- William Gerstenmaier, vice president, Build and Flight Reliability, SpaceX
This event is a teleconference only, and media must register to participate no later than 12 p.m., Monday, May 15. For the call-in details, please contact NASA’s Johnson Space Center newsroom at: 281-483-5111 or jsccommu@mail.nasa.gov.
Saturday, May 20
6 p.m. – Prelaunch News Conference (targeted for one hour following the Launch Readiness Review)
The prelaunch news conference will focus on final preparations for the Ax-2 mission. It will discuss the results of the Launch Readiness Review, which evaluates the mission hardware and its readiness for launch. NASA will provide a live stream of the audio at:
Participants include:
- Joel Montalbano, manager, NASA’s International Space Station Program
- Derek Hassmann, chief of mission integration and operations, Axiom Space
- Mishaal Ashemimry, microgravity research lead, Saudi Space Agency
- Benji Reed, senior director, Human Spaceflight Programs, SpaceX
- Mike McAleenan, 45th Weather Squadron, U.S. Space Force
This briefing will be via teleconference. Media must register to participate in the call by 12 p.m. Wednesday, May 17. For the details and to RSVP, please contact the Axiom Space media team at: media@axiomspace.com.
Sunday, May 21
4:30 p.m. – NASA launch coverage begins
NASA will broadcast the Ax-2 launch on NASA Television, the NASA app, and the agency’s website. Coverage will join the joint Axiom Space and SpaceX broadcast that begins at about 2:10 p.m. at:
https://www.axiomspace.com/live
The broadcast will end after orbital insertion approximately 15 minutes after launch. As it is a commercial launch, NASA will not provide a clean feed for this launch, neither on the NASA Media Channel nor on site at Kennedy.
7 p.m. – Postlaunch Media Briefing (targeted one hour following launch)
Leadership from NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX will participate in a postlaunch media briefing to provide an update on the launch and mission operations.
Participants include:
- Joel Montalbano, manager, NASA’s International Space Station Program
- Matt Ondler, chief technology officer, Axiom Space
- Benji Reed, senior director, Human Spaceflight Programs, SpaceX
This briefing will be via teleconference. Media must register to participate in this call by 12 p.m. Friday, May 19. For the details and to RSVP, please contact the Axiom Space media team at: media@axiomspace.com.
Monday, May 22
7:30 a.m. – NASA docking coverage begins and airs through the conclusion of the welcome ceremony
9:24 a.m. – Docking
11:13 a.m. – Hatch Opening
11:45 a.m. – Crew Welcome Ceremony
For more information about NASA’s low Earth orbit commercialization activities, visit:
https://www.nasa.gov/leo-economy/
Source: NASA
https://stmdailynews.com/category/science/
amusement and theme parks
Mattel Adventure Park and VAI Resort Continue to Grow, But Opening Date Remains Uncertain
Get the latest update on Mattel Adventure Park and VAI Resort in Glendale, Arizona. Construction continues in 2026, but officials have yet to announce an opening date.
GLENDALE, Ariz. — One of Arizona’s most anticipated entertainment developments continues to make visible progress, but visitors eager to experience Mattel Adventure Park and VAI Resort will likely have to wait longer.
Located near State Farm Stadium in Glendale, the massive VAI Resort project and the adjacent Mattel Adventure Park have been under construction for several years. While the development has transformed the skyline west of Phoenix, recent updates indicate that neither attraction currently has a confirmed opening date.
New Reports Suggest Further Delays
Recent reports published in spring 2026 indicate that VAI Resort officials continue to maintain their policy of announcing an opening date approximately nine months before welcoming guests. Because no such announcement has been made, industry observers and local media outlets now believe a 2026 opening is becoming increasingly unlikely.
The uncertainty extends to Mattel Adventure Park, which was originally expected to open in 2022 before being delayed multiple times. After missing its latest target of late 2025, references to a specific opening date were removed from public materials. Park representatives have stated that they currently have no update regarding an opening timeline.
Construction Continues Across the Property
Despite the delays, construction remains active throughout the resort and theme park complex. Visitors traveling along Loop 101 can easily spot the towering Hot Wheels-themed roller coasters that have become some of the most recognizable structures on the site.
Drone footage and construction updates posted throughout 2026 show ongoing work on hotel towers, entertainment venues, infrastructure, and various attractions within Mattel Adventure Park.
The official VAI Resort website continues to promote its future offerings, including luxury accommodations, restaurants, entertainment venues, retail spaces, and the world’s first Mattel Adventure Park.
What Guests Can Expect
When completed, Mattel Adventure Park is expected to feature attractions inspired by some of Mattel’s most recognizable brands, including:
- Barbie™ Beach House
- Hot Wheels™ Bone Shaker™: The Ultimate Ride
- Hot Wheels™ Twin Mill™ Racer
- Thomas & Friends™ attractions
- Masters of the Universe-themed experiences
- Mattel Games-themed attractions and activities
The park will be Arizona’s first fully themed indoor-outdoor amusement park and is designed to offer experiences for guests of all ages.
Meanwhile, VAI Resort is planned to include four hotel towers with approximately 1,100 rooms, a large entertainment district, multiple restaurants, retail shopping, convention facilities, and a state-of-the-art amphitheater designed to host major concerts and events.
A Growing Vision
One factor contributing to the project’s lengthy timeline appears to be the continued expansion of the resort’s scope. Developers have repeatedly described VAI as a destination that has evolved far beyond its original vision, adding new hospitality, dining, entertainment, and retail components over time. Earlier project statements noted that these expansions affected scheduling for the adjacent theme park.
The development remains one of the largest tourism and hospitality projects currently underway in Arizona, with investments estimated at more than $1 billion.
Looking Ahead
For now, both VAI Resort and Mattel Adventure Park remain works in progress. Construction activity continues, new attractions are still being promoted on official websites, and developers have shown no indication that the project has been abandoned. However, without an announced opening date, Arizona residents and visitors will need to remain patient as Glendale’s ambitious entertainment destination moves closer to completion.
While many expected to be riding Hot Wheels coasters by now, the latest updates suggest that the world’s first Mattel Adventure Park is still a destination for the future rather than the present.
Related External Links
- Mattel Adventure Park Official Website
- VAI Resort Official Website
- City of Glendale Economic Development News
- State Farm Stadium Official Website
- Visit Glendale Arizona Tourism Guide
- Epic Resort Destinations
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For generations of Southern Californians, the Vincent Thomas Bridge has been more than a way to cross the Los Angeles Harbor. It has been a landmark, a symbol, and for many of us, a childhood memory.
Growing up in Southern California, I remember trips to San Pedro with my family and the excitement of visiting the waterfront. My parents would often take us to Fisherman’s Wharf, where they would buy fresh crab, shrimp, fish, and sometimes shellfish. Those trips felt like an adventure. The sights, the smells of the harbor, the boats moving through the water, and the activity around the port made San Pedro feel like a completely different world.
But one thing always captured my attention — the Vincent Thomas Bridge.
Standing below that massive green suspension bridge, I would look up in amazement. Seeing cars and trucks traveling high above us across the harbor seemed almost unreal. The bridge stretched across the sky like a piece of modern engineering, connecting San Pedro to Terminal Island while towering over the ships and waterfront below.
Even as a kid, I was fascinated by transportation. I was already drawn to trains and the movement of machines — the way different forms of transportation connected people and places. The Vincent Thomas Bridge fit right into that fascination. It was another example of how engineering could transform a landscape and bring communities together.
Opened in 1963, the Vincent Thomas Bridge became one of the most recognizable structures in the Port of Los Angeles. Named after California Assemblyman Vincent Thomas, who fought for years to make the connection a reality, the bridge represented growth, progress, and the importance of the harbor to Southern California.
Now, more than six decades later, this historic bridge is preparing for a major preservation effort.
The upcoming Vincent Thomas Bridge Deck Replacement Project is designed to extend the life of the structure by replacing the aging roadway deck and upgrading safety features. The bridge itself is not being replaced — instead, crews are preserving this piece of Southern California history so future generations can continue using and experiencing it.
The work will begin with preparation activities in 2026, followed by a planned full closure beginning in late 2026 while the deck replacement takes place. The goal is to reopen the bridge before the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
For some people, a bridge is simply concrete, steel, and cables. But for others, it represents memories.
For me, the Vincent Thomas Bridge brings back memories of family outings, standing near the harbor, looking upward in wonder, and realizing how impressive the world of transportation and engineering could be.
Preserving the bridge is not only about maintaining a roadway. It is about protecting a landmark that has been part of countless Southern California stories — including mine.
The Vincent Thomas Bridge has carried millions of vehicles across the harbor. But it has also carried memories, dreams, and a sense of connection for generations of Angelenos.
And now, it is preparing for its next chapter.
Further Reading & Information
- Caltrans – Vincent Thomas Bridge Deck Replacement Project
- Caltrans – Vincent Thomas Bridge Deck Replacement FAQs
- Port of Los Angeles – Official Website
- LA Waterfront – San Pedro Waterfront Development
- San Pedro – History, Community & Waterfront Information
- California Highways – State Route 47 & Vincent Thomas Bridge History
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News
How healthy is Sodastream?
The SodaStream Sparkling Water Maker is a device that forces carbon dioxide (CO2) gas (stored under pressure in a cylinder) into water, making it sparkling (fizzy)
Sodastream machines have been gaining popularity in recent years as an alternative to store-bought soft drinks. Not only are they more environmentally friendly, but they also offer several health benefits compared to traditional sodas.
Reduced Sugar Intake
One of the most significant health benefits of using a Sodastream machine is reducing sugar intake. Traditional sodas are loaded with sugar, and excessive sugar intake can lead to weight gain, obesity, and other health problems such as Type 2 diabetes. With a Sodastream machine, you can control the amount of sugar you add to your drink, allowing you to enjoy a refreshing beverage without the harmful effects of excessive sugar consumption.
No Artificial Sweeteners
Many store-bought soft drinks contain artificial sweeteners, which can have negative health effects such as headaches and digestive problems. Sodastream machines, on the other hand, allow you to use natural sweeteners such as fruit extracts, honey or agave nectar, giving you a healthier and more natural alternative.
No Preservatives
Another advantage of using a Sodastream machine is that you can avoid preservatives commonly found in store-bought soft drinks. Preservatives such as sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate have been linked to health problems such as cancer and allergies. By making your own drinks, you can avoid these harmful additives and enjoy a healthier, preservative-free beverage.
Eco-Friendly
In addition to the health benefits, using a Sodastream machine is also environmentally friendly. Traditional soft drinks are packaged in plastic bottles or cans, which contribute to environmental pollution. With a Sodastream machine, you can reuse the same bottle multiple times, reducing waste and helping to reduce your carbon footprint.
Variety
Finally, Sodastream machines offer a wide variety of flavors and options, allowing you to customize your drink to your liking. You can mix and match different flavors or create your own unique blends, giving you a healthier and more enjoyable alternative to traditional sodas.
In conclusion, Sodastream machines offer several health benefits compared to traditional store-bought soft drinks. By reducing sugar intake, avoiding artificial sweeteners and preservatives, and being eco-friendly, they offer a healthier and more sustainable alternative to traditional soft drinks. Moreover, with a wide variety of flavors and options, you can customize your drink to your liking, making it a fun and enjoyable way to stay healthy.
