News
NASA Sets Coverage for Next SpaceX Resupply Launch to Space Station
Last Updated on March 9, 2023 by Daily News Staff
NASA and SpaceX are targeting 8:30 p.m. EDT Tuesday, March 14, to launch the company’s 27th commercial resupply mission to the International Space Station. Liftoff will be from Launch Complex 39A at the NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Launch timing is dependent upon the undocking and return of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-5.
Live launch coverage will air on NASA Television, the NASA app, and the agency’s website, with prelaunch events starting Monday, March 13. Follow all events at:
The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft will deliver new science investigations, supplies, and equipment for the international crew, including NASA’s HUNCH Ball Clamp Monopod, a student manufactured project that can make filming in space easier, and the JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) Tanpopo-5 investigation which studies the origin, transportation, and survival of life in space and on extraterrestrial planets.
Dragon will also deliver the final two experiments from the National Institutes for Health and International Space Station National Laboratory’s Tissue Chips in Space initiative. Both studies, Cardinal Heart 2.0 and Engineered Heart Tissues-2, use small devices containing living cells that mimic functions of human tissues and organs to advance the development of treatments for cardiac dysfunction.
Arrival to the station is scheduled for 8 a.m. EDT on Thursday, March 16. The spacecraft will dock autonomously to the forward-facing port of the station’s Harmony module.
Dragon is expected to spend about a month attached to the orbiting outpost before it returns to Earth with research and return cargo, splashing down off the coast of Florida.
The deadline has passed for media accreditation for in-person coverage of this launch. The agency’s media accreditation policy is available online. More information about media accreditation is available by emailing: ksc-media-accreditat@mail.nasa.gov.
Full coverage of this mission is as follows (all times Eastern):
Monday, March 13
8 p.m. – Prelaunch media teleconference (no earlier than one hour after completion of the Launch Readiness Review) with the following participants:
- Phil Dempsey, transportation integration manager, International Space Station Program
- Dr. Meghan Everett, deputy chief scientist, NASA’s International Space Station Program Research Office
- Sarah Walker, director, Dragon Mission Management, SpaceX
- Mike McAleenen, launch weather officer, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s 45th Weather Squadron
Audio of the teleconference will stream live on the agency’s website:
Media may ask questions via phone only. For the dial-in number and passcode, please contact the Kennedy newsroom no later than 5 p.m. EDT on Monday, March 13, at: ksc-newsroom@mail.nasa.gov.
Tuesday, March 14
11 a.m. – Science media teleconference with the following participants:
- Dr. Meghan Everett, deputy chief scientist, NASA’s International Space Station Program Research Office
- Shane Johnson, former HUNCH student and current research assistant at the University of Texas at Austin, who will discuss the HUNCH Ball Clamp Monopod experiment
- Dr. Mita Hajime, professor at the Fukuoka Institute of Technology and principal investigator for the Tanpopo-5 experiment
- Dr. Ralf Moeller, microbiologist at the German Aerospace Center in Cologne, Germany, and principal investigator of the BIOFILMS study
- Devin Mair, Johns Hopkins university doctoral candidate, who will discuss Engineered Heart Tissues-2
- Dr. Dilip Thomas, post-doctoral researcher at the Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, who will discuss the Cardinal Heart 2.0 investigation
- Logan Torres, engineer at IRPI in Wilsonville, Oregon, who will discuss the CapiSorb Visible System study
Audio of the teleconference will stream live on the agency’s website:
Media may ask questions via phone only. For the dial-in number and passcode, please email Lora Bleacher no later than 8 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, March 14 at: lora.v.bleacher@nasa.gov.
8 p.m. – NASA TV launch coverage begins
8:30 p.m. – Launch
Thursday, March 16
5:30 a.m. – NASA TV coverage begins for Dragon docking to space station
7:07 a.m. – Docking
Coverage is subject to change based on real-time operational activities. Follow the International Space Station blog for updates.
NASA launch coverage
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, the full mission broadcast can be heard on -1220 and -1240, while the countdown net only can be heard on -7135 beginning approximately one hour before the mission broadcast begins.
On launch day, a “tech feed” of the launch without NASA TV commentary will be carried on the NASA TV media channel.
NASA website launch coverage
Launch day coverage of the mission will be available on the NASA website. Coverage will include live streaming and blog updates beginning no earlier than 8 p.m. EDT Tuesday, March 14, 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 for updates.
Attend launch virtually
Members of the public can register to attend this launch virtually. Registrants will receive mission updates and activities by email. NASA’s virtual guest program for this mission also includes curated launch resources, notifications about related opportunities, and a virtual guest passport stamp 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 #Dragon and #CRS27. You can also stay connected by following and tagging these accounts:
Twitter: @NASA, @NASAKennedy, @NASASocial, @Space_Station, @ISS_Research@ISS National Lab
Facebook: NASA, NASAKennedy, ISS, ISS National Lab
Instagram: @NASA, @NASAKennedy, @ISS, @ISSNationalLab
Learn more about NASA’s SpaceX commercial resupply missions at:
Para obtener información sobre cobertura en español en el Centro Espacial Kennedy o si desea solicitar entrevistas en español, comuníquese con Antonia Jaramillo at: antonia.jaramillobotero@nasa.gov or 321-501-8425.
Source: NASA
Automotive
Hyundai Unveils All-New Tucson With Bold New Look, Smarter Hybrid Tech
Hyundai has unveiled the all-new Tucson, bringing bolder styling, a next-generation hybrid targeting up to 42 mpg, AI-powered infotainment and the rugged new XRT PRO.
Hyundai’s popular compact SUV gets a major makeover with a targeted 42 mpg hybrid, AI-powered infotainment and a more adventurous XRT PRO model.
Hyundai is preparing the Tucson for its next chapter, unveiling an all-new version of its popular SUV with a dramatically revised design, next-generation hybrid technology and a new digital experience built around artificial intelligence.
Hyundai Motor Company introduced the all-new Tucson in New York City against the Manhattan skyline, calling the redesigned model its “boldest SUV” yet.
For buyers, however, the bigger story may be what lies beneath the new styling. Hyundai is combining improved hybrid efficiency, more advanced infotainment and additional off-road capability in an effort to make the Tucson equally comfortable handling weekday commuting, family duty and weekend adventures.
A Bolder Tucson Takes Shape
The new Tucson adopts Hyundai’s “Art of Steel” design philosophy, giving the SUV a more muscular and purposeful appearance.
Rather than simply updating the outgoing Tucson, Hyundai appears to be pushing the model toward a stronger SUV identity while maintaining the everyday practicality that has helped make the Tucson one of the company’s most important global vehicles.
The new exterior is complemented by a redesigned cabin emphasizing space, storage and easier-to-use controls. Hyundai says the interior includes flexible storage solutions and available relaxation features designed to make longer trips more comfortable.
That combination could be important in a compact SUV segment where shoppers increasingly expect vehicles to serve several roles at once — commuter, family vehicle, road-trip machine and recreational vehicle.
Hybrid Targets Up to 42 MPG
One of the most significant changes is Hyundai’s Next-generation Hybrid System.
Hyundai says the new system is targeting fuel economy of up to 42 mpg, while also attempting to preserve responsive driving performance.
If that target carries through to production specifications and official fuel-economy testing, it could make the Tucson Hybrid particularly attractive to drivers who want SUV practicality without moving to a fully electric vehicle.
The strategy also reflects a broader automotive trend. Hybrids have increasingly become an important middle ground for consumers looking to reduce fuel consumption without changing their driving and charging habits.
Final EPA fuel-economy figures and U.S.-market specifications will ultimately determine how the new Tucson compares with its competitors.
Pleos Connect Brings AI Into the Cabin
Technology is another major focus of the redesign.
The Tucson introduces Hyundai’s Pleos Connect next-generation infotainment platform, which incorporates Gleo AI, an expanding app marketplace and a redesigned user interface.
Hyundai describes Pleos Connect as an evolving digital platform rather than simply a conventional infotainment system.
That could allow the Tucson’s capabilities to expand over time as software, applications and connected services develop.
The important question for drivers will be whether all that technology actually makes everyday tasks easier. Automakers continue adding increasingly sophisticated screens and software to their vehicles, but intuitive controls and minimal driver distraction remain just as important as the number of available features.
Tucson XRT PRO Heads Further Off the Pavement
Hyundai is also expanding the Tucson’s adventurous side with the introduction of the Tucson XRT PRO.
The more rugged model adds enhanced off-road technologies, including Hyundai’s first Smart Terrain Assist, or STA.
The system is designed to help the vehicle adapt to changing terrain and provide drivers with additional confidence when leaving paved roads.
The XRT PRO could broaden the Tucson’s appeal among buyers who like the practicality of a compact crossover but want more capability for camping, outdoor recreation and light off-road travel.
More detailed specifications will help determine just how far the XRT PRO moves beyond the appearance-oriented adventure packages commonly offered in the compact SUV market.
A Major Vehicle in Hyundai’s Bigger Product Push
The importance of the new Tucson extends beyond a single model.
“Millions of families around the world count on the Hyundai TUCSON, and this is the best one we have ever built,” Hyundai Motor Company President and CEO José Muñoz said during the announcement.
Muñoz also said the Tucson begins what Hyundai describes as the most ambitious product offensive in its history.
The automaker plans to introduce more than 100 new or refreshed vehicles globally by 2030, including 58 in North America.
That makes the Tucson something of an opening act for Hyundai’s next generation of vehicles.
The Tucson Enters Its Next Era
Compact SUVs remain some of the most versatile vehicles on the market, and Hyundai appears determined to keep the Tucson competitive by improving several areas simultaneously rather than relying on styling alone.
A targeted 42-mpg hybrid powertrain could appeal to fuel-conscious drivers. Pleos Connect and Gleo AI represent Hyundai’s push toward increasingly software-driven vehicles. Meanwhile, the new XRT PRO gives the Tucson lineup a more adventurous option.
There are still important details to come, including complete U.S. specifications, EPA-certified fuel economy, trim levels, pricing and availability.
But Hyundai’s message is already clear: the next Tucson is intended to be more than a routine redesign.
It is being positioned as a showcase for where Hyundai believes the modern SUV is headed — bolder in appearance, smarter inside and more efficient underneath.
Source: Hyundai Motor Company. Specifications and fuel-economy figures discussed by Hyundai are preliminary and may vary by market. Final U.S. specifications and EPA ratings may differ.
Sources & Related Links
- Hyundai Motor Company — Official All-New Tucson Announcement
Hyundai’s original newsroom announcement covering the redesign, next-generation hybrid system, Pleos Connect, Gleo AI and Tucson XRT PRO. Hyundai
Hyundai Motor: All-New Tucson Official Announcement - Hyundai — All-New Tucson Highlights
Official product page with more detail on the “Art of Steel” design, Pleos Connect, 17-inch display, app marketplace, hybrid technology and XRT PRO. Hyundai
Explore the All-New Tucson - Hyundai USA — Tucson
Hyundai’s U.S. consumer page for Tucson information, specifications, trims and future model updates.
Hyundai USA: Tucson - PR Newswire — All-New Hyundai Tucson Press Release
The syndicated release announcing the new Tucson and Hyundai’s target of up to 42 mpg for its next-generation hybrid system. PR Newswire
Read the Original PR Newswire Release - Car and Driver — 2027 Hyundai Tucson
Independent coverage with additional U.S.-market specifications, including powertrain, interior, cargo and XRT Pro information. Car and Driver
Car and Driver: 2027 Hyundai Tucson Details - Road & Track — 2027 Hyundai Tucson
Additional independent coverage of the Tucson redesign, hybrid powertrain, Pleos Connect and XRT Pro off-road features. Road & Track
Road & Track: New Hyundai Tucson Details
Consumer Corner
Jeep Goes Back to 1945 With the 2027 Wrangler JL-2A
Jeep is looking back more than 80 years with the 2027 Wrangler JL-2A, a Rubicon-based special edition inspired by the Willys CJ-2A, the first Jeep designed specifically for civilian use.
Last Updated on October 5, 2026 by Daily News Staff
The special-edition Wrangler pays tribute to the Willys CJ-2A, the vehicle that helped transform the wartime Jeep into an American civilian icon.
More than 80 years after the first civilian Jeep rolled onto farms, ranches and roads across America, Jeep is reaching deep into its history for a new special-edition Wrangler.
The 2027 Jeep Wrangler JL-2A is a modern tribute to the Willys CJ-2A, introduced in 1945 as the first Jeep vehicle developed specifically for civilian use.
Rather than simply adding a heritage badge to a modern Wrangler, Jeep has incorporated colors, wheels, interior materials and design details inspired by the vehicle that helped establish the civilian Jeep nearly eight decades ago.
The JL-2A is also the 11th installment in Jeep’s Twelve 4 Twelve series of special-edition vehicles.
From the Battlefield to Civilian America
The story behind the JL-2A begins at the end of World War II.
The military Willys MB had earned a reputation for ruggedness during the war, but Willys-Overland saw an opportunity for the basic concept beyond military service.
In July 1945, the company introduced the Willys CJ-2A.
The letters “CJ” stood for Civilian Jeep, and the CJ-2A adapted the military Jeep formula for farmers, ranchers, industrial workers and everyday civilian users.
Changes included a tailgate, larger headlights and a rear power takeoff that allowed the Jeep to operate certain agricultural and industrial equipment. The CJ-2A also helped establish the familiar seven-slot grille that would eventually become one of Jeep’s most recognizable design elements.
It wasn’t just a utilitarian machine, either.
Willys offered memorable postwar color combinations such as Harvest Tan with Sunset Red wheels and Pasture Green with Autumn Yellow wheels.
Those colorful early Jeeps provided much of the inspiration for the new JL-2A.
A 1945 Look on a Modern Wrangler
The 2027 Wrangler JL-2A is based on the modern Wrangler Rubicon, meaning the retro styling is paired with serious off-road hardware.
One of its most noticeable features is a set of exclusive 17-inch retro-style wheels finished in Joose, accompanied by orange front and rear tow hooks. The combination recalls the bright Sunset Red wheels found on some original CJ-2As.
The wheels are paired with standard 33-inch BFGoodrich KO2 All-Terrain tires.
Jeep is also bringing back Gobi exterior paint for 2027. The tan-like color is particularly appropriate for this edition because it echoes the Harvest Tan finish offered on the original CJ-2A.
Other available colors include ’41, Bright White, Sting Gray, Ghost and Joose.
Body-color fender flares and a three-piece hardtop give the JL-2A a relatively clean exterior appearance, while Dark Metallic Grey accents update the Wrangler’s familiar seven-slot grille.
Jeep Takes the Retro Theme Inside
Jeep has carried the historical theme into the cabin with a color and material combination never previously offered on a Wrangler.
The seats are covered in Nappa Heritage Tan leather, complemented by Bison Brown on the door panels, lower instrument panel and center console.
Desert Orange stitching ties the interior to the brightly colored exterior wheels and tow hooks.
There are also several details specifically aimed at Jeep history enthusiasts.
A satin-chrome Willys-Overland shifter medallion pays tribute to the company’s roots, while heritage-inspired HVAC vent graphics incorporate the seven-slot grille and a Willys silhouette.
Perhaps the most interesting detail is found at the rear.
Jeep has created a swing-gate plaque based on the dashboard data-plate artwork of the original CJ-2A. It includes farm and factory imagery recalling the original civilian Jeep’s role as a working vehicle rather than simply a recreational off-roader.
Modern conveniences haven’t been forgotten. The JL-2A includes remote start, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, universal garage-door opener and a front TrailCam with an integrated washer.
How Much Will the Wrangler JL-2A Cost?
Jeep says the JL-2A package will carry an MSRP of $4,995.
According to the automaker, that puts the special edition just $115 above a comparably equipped Wrangler Rubicon, making the package largely about choosing its unique heritage-inspired appearance and equipment rather than paying a substantial premium solely for a limited-edition name.
Orders are scheduled to open in October 2026.
Jeep has not presented the JL-2A as a recreation of the CJ-2A. Underneath the nostalgic colors and Willys-inspired details is a thoroughly modern Wrangler Rubicon.
And that may be the point.
More Than 80 Years of Civilian Jeep History
The original CJ-2A represented a turning point for Jeep.
A vehicle concept born from wartime necessity found a second life in civilian America, where Jeeps became farm equipment, work vehicles, recreational 4x4s and eventually lifestyle vehicles.
The CJ line evolved through multiple generations before eventually giving way to the Wrangler nameplate in the 1980s.
The 2027 Wrangler JL-2A connects those two ends of Jeep’s history — from the simple postwar CJ-2A built to work the back forty to today’s technology-packed Wrangler designed to tackle the trail.
More than eight decades separate them, but park the two side by side and the family resemblance would be difficult to miss.
Source: Stellantis / Jeep, September 12, 2026
A Civilian Legend Reimagined: Jeep Brand Introduces 2027 Jeep Wrangler JL-2A PR Newswire
Jeep Official Website:
Jeep Official Website
STM Daily News
Woman Charged With Felony Animal Cruelty in Santa Ana Puppy Killing
Santa Ana Puppy Killing: Prosecutors have filed felony charges against a 75-year-old Anaheim woman accused of deliberately running over and killing her puppy, Blackey, in Santa Ana.
Last Updated on October 3, 2026 by Daily News Staff
SANTA ANA, Calif. — A 75-year-old Anaheim woman accused of deliberately running over and killing her puppy on a Santa Ana street has now been formally charged with felony animal cruelty, marking a major development in a case that drew widespread attention after surveillance video was released by police.
The Orange County District Attorney’s Office announced Friday, October 2, that Hanh Minh Nguyen, 75, of Anaheim, has been charged with one felony count of animal cruelty, one felony count of animal abuse by a caretaker, and a felony enhancement alleging the personal use of a weapon — a vehicle — to kill the animal.
Nguyen was arrested by Santa Ana police on Thursday, October 1, after investigators used automated license plate reader technology to identify the green Honda Odyssey seen in surveillance footage from the September 8 incident. Police subsequently located Nguyen and found the minivan at her Anaheim residence.
According to the District Attorney’s Office, Nguyen was released from custody after posting $20,000 bail. She is scheduled to appear at the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana on November 2, 2026, in Department C55.
Surveillance video led to investigation
The case began on September 8 at approximately 9:15 a.m., when Santa Ana Animal Services officers responded to a report of a dead black-and-white male pit bull-mix puppy on West Park Lane.
Surveillance footage obtained during the investigation showed a woman removing the puppy from a minivan and placing food near the driver’s side of the vehicle. Authorities allege the woman then slowly drove forward as the puppy approached the food, running over the animal with the vehicle’s rear tire before leaving the scene.
The puppy, identified by authorities as Blackey, died.
The District Attorney’s Office describes Blackey as a 9-week-old puppy. Earlier statements and local news reports described him as approximately 9 months old.
Santa Ana police released surveillance footage of the incident on September 30 and appealed to the public for help identifying the driver.
Within a day, investigators said automated license plate reader technology helped them trace the Honda Odyssey to Nguyen. Police found the vehicle in her garage and took her into custody.
Police previously said Nguyen acknowledged owning and abandoning Blackey. According to the Los Angeles Times, a Santa Ana Police Department spokesperson said Nguyen told detectives she had left the puppy because he had been annoying her boyfriend by biting his shoes and belongings. Police said she acknowledged abandoning the dog but did not admit to intentionally running him over.
Prosecutors file felony charges
The filing of felony charges moves the case beyond the initial police investigation and into the Orange County court system.
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer condemned the alleged killing in announcing the charges and said his office intends to prosecute acts of violence against animals.
Deputy District Attorney Danica Drotman of the Orange County District Attorney’s Animal Cruelty Unit is prosecuting the case.
Nguyen is accused of the offenses and has not been convicted. The allegations against her will now be addressed through the court process.
Her next scheduled court appearance is November 2.
STM Daily News will continue following the case and provide updates as additional information becomes available.
Source and Related Links
- Orange County District Attorney — October 2 charging announcement
- The DA’s release is the strongest source for this update. It provides case number 26CF4923, the exact charges, $20,000 bail, November 2 court date and the prosecutor assigned to the case. Orange County District Attorney
- For corroborating coverage, CBS Los Angeles reports the arrest, use of automated license-plate readers and the subsequent felony charges. CBS News
- CBS Los Angeles — arrest and charges update
- NBC Los Angeles — felony charges update
