Aerospace

Fake astronaut scams woman for US$30,000 ‘landing fee’ to return to Earth

Police claim that an international romance scam resulted in the theft of thousands of dollars from a Japanese woman.

Police claim that an international romance scam resulted in the theft of thousands of dollars from a Japanese woman. According to a news release from the Shiga Prefectural Police’s Higashi-Omi Police Station from October 7th, the 65-year-old woman in Higashiomi City contacted a man online who claimed to be a Russian astronaut operating on the International Space Station.

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As reported by the outlet, which cited police, the “astronaut” declared his love for the woman and asked her to marry him. When he got back to Earth, he told her they might get married, according to TV Asahi. The scam artist posing as an astronaut requested money from the victim to pay for “landing fees” and rocket costs in order to return to Earth.

Between August and September, the woman sent him five payments totaling roughly $30,000 (4.4 million yen), according to the Yomiuri Shimbun. The Scam artist persisted in demanding money though, so the woman called the police.

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Aerospace

Boeing Transfers Rocket Stage to NASA, Paving Way for Human Moon Mission

Image:Boeing

Boeing has achieved a significant milestone by providing NASA with the second core stage of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket.

This crucial component, crafted at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF), is set to propel the Artemis II crew into lunar orbit, marking humanity’s return to deep space after a 50-year hiatus.

The monumental Boeing-built rocket stage, the largest element of the Artemis II mission, will embark on a journey aboard the Pegasus barge, traveling 900 miles to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.

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Upon arrival, it will be meticulously integrated with other essential Artemis II components, including the upper stage, solid rocket boosters, and NASA’s Orion spacecraft within the iconic Vehicle Assembly Building. This intricate integration process is a vital step toward the eagerly anticipated Artemis II launch, slated for 2025.

“Boeing-built products helped land humankind on the moon in 1969, and we’re proud to continue that legacy through the Artemis generation,” remarked Dave Dutcher, vice president and program manager for Boeing’s SLS program. “Together, with NASA and our industry partners and suppliers, we are building the world’s most capable rocket and paving the way to deep space through America’s rocket factory in New Orleans.”

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The delivery of Core Stage 2 marks a significant achievement in the evolution of the SLS rocket. Towering over 200 feet and powered by four RS-25 engines, this core stage, coupled with two solid-fueled booster rockets, will generate a staggering 8.8 million pounds of thrust. This immense power is crucial to launching Artemis II and future missions into the vast expanse of space.

The SLS rocket stands unparalleled in its capability to transport both crew and substantial cargo to the moon and beyond in a single launch. Its extraordinary capacity will facilitate the delivery of human-rated spacecraft, habitats, and scientific missions to destinations including the moon and Mars, ushering in a new era of space exploration.