Jonathan Shaban, Spectrum News 13 Photojournalist

15/01/2025

NASA, Firefly Aerospace, and SpaceX are targeting 1:11am ET Jan. 15 for the launch of Firefly's Blue Ghost Mission 1 to the lunar surface.

Weather is currently 90% “GO” for liftoff from Launch Complex 39A.

Tune in for the live launch broadcast, starting at 12:30am ET: https://go.nasa.gov/42fu5CG

14/01/2025

Ellis Road to be widened as early as 2026.

The long-awaited Brevard County Ellis Road widening project is a step closer to construction, and work could begin as early as spring 2026, thanks to a collaborative partnership to close the funding gap for the much-needed $62 million project.

The widening of Ellis Road has been in development for over two decades and has been the No. 1 transportation priority for Brevard County and the Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization for the past decade. Ellis Road is a vital connection between Interstate 95, economic generators, and the Melbourne Orlando International Airport, and an important gateway for the 20,000 employees who work in the vicinity. The planned project would widen Ellis Road to four lanes, and add a median, from John Rodes Boulevard to west of Wickham Road.

With rising construction costs and limited availability for grant funding, the widening project faced a $25 million funding gap during the 2024-2025 transportation planning process. Brevard County, the SCTPO, FDOT Central Florida, and the cities of Melbourne and City of West Melbourne - Government formed a collaborative partnership with each contributing toward the remaining funding needed.

Full press release: http://www.brevardfl.gov/communications/viewrelease/9488

14/01/2025

“So You’re Telling Me There’s A Chance”

Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket is now targeting no earlier than January 16th for its debut launch, with a three-hour launch window opening at 1:00 a.m.

This inaugural mission, designated NG-1, will feature the Blue Ring Pathfinder as its primary payload, marking New Glenn’s first National Security Space Launch (NSSL) certification flight. The mission will test Blue Ring’s core flight systems, ground infrastructure, and operational capabilities.

The Blue Ring Pathfinder is part of the Defense Innovation Unit’s (DIU) Orbital Logistics prototype effort, funded to support future Department of Defense (DoD) missions. The demonstrator payload includes:

A communications array,
Power systems,
A flight computer integrated into a secondary payload adapter ring.
During the mission, the Pathfinder will validate communications capabilities, in-space telemetry, tracking and command hardware, and radiometric ground-based tracking systems. These systems will play a critical role in the future development of the Blue Ring production space vehicle.

The Pathfinder payload will remain aboard New Glenn’s second stage for the mission's six-hour duration, testing its systems while orbiting Earth.

In a groundbreaking attempt, Blue Origin will also strive to recover its reusable first-stage booster, nicknamed “So You’re Telling Me There’s A Chance.” This marks the first-ever attempt by a space launch provider to land a booster on its maiden flight, occurring approximately nine minutes after liftoff.

Watch the live broadcast here - https://www.blueorigin.com/missions/ng-1

13/01/2025

Launch Scrub.

"We’re moving our NG-1 launch to no earlier than Thursday, January 16. The three-hour launch window opens at 1 a.m. EST (0600 UTC)."
- - - - - - -
Blue Origin going for their second attempt tonight, but weather forecasts are calling for a 70% violation during the potential launch window.

13/01/2025

13/01/2025

Update - Blue Origin standing down from this launch attempt

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Teams are working through “multiple anomalies” as they are counting down to their target launch times.

3:15am
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2:48am.
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2:27 am
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2:07 am
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1:52 am
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Blue Origin is now targeting 1:30. Watch their live coverage below. Go Blue Origin.

LIVE NOW: Tune in to watch the NG-1 webcast at BlueOrigin.com/missions/ng-1

13/01/2025

Reports of an individual laying on RR tracks was stuck by a Brightline train near the Fee Ave crossing in Melbourne.

12/01/2025

UPDATED WITH NEW LAUNCH DATE/TIME

“So You’re Telling Me There’s A Chance”

Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket is now targeting no earlier than January 16th for its debut launch, with a three-hour launch window opening at 1:00 a.m.

This inaugural mission, designated NG-1, will feature the Blue Ring Pathfinder as its primary payload, marking New Glenn’s first National Security Space Launch (NSSL) certification flight. The mission will test Blue Ring’s core flight systems, ground infrastructure, and operational capabilities.

The Blue Ring Pathfinder is part of the Defense Innovation Unit’s (DIU) Orbital Logistics prototype effort, funded to support future Department of Defense (DoD) missions. The demonstrator payload includes:

A communications array,
Power systems,
A flight computer integrated into a secondary payload adapter ring.
During the mission, the Pathfinder will validate communications capabilities, in-space telemetry, tracking and command hardware, and radiometric ground-based tracking systems. These systems will play a critical role in the future development of the Blue Ring production space vehicle.

The Pathfinder payload will remain aboard New Glenn’s second stage for the mission's six-hour duration, testing its systems while orbiting Earth.

In a groundbreaking attempt, Blue Origin will also strive to recover its reusable first-stage booster, nicknamed “So You’re Telling Me There’s A Chance.” This marks the first-ever attempt by a space launch provider to land a booster on its maiden flight, occurring approximately nine minutes after liftoff. https://www.blueorigin.com/missions/ng-1?utm_source=hoobe&utm_medium=social

11/01/2025

Due to unfavorable weather conditions at sea for a booster landing. Blue Origin is now target a three hour launch window beginning at 1 AM on January 13 for the launch of their New Glenn Rocket.

10/01/2025

Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket is set to make its debut launch on January 12 at 1:00 a.m., marking a significant milestone for the company.

The NG-1 mission will carry the Blue Ring Pathfinder payload, designed to test core flight systems, ground operations, and overall mission capabilities. This launch also serves as the first certification flight for the National Security Space Launch program.

A key objective of the mission is achieving a safe orbital insertion. The company also plans to attempt the ambitious task of landing the booster offshore in the Atlantic Ocean.

“This is our first flight, and we’ve prepared rigorously,” said Jarrett Jones, Senior Vice President of New Glenn. “However, no amount of ground testing or simulations can replace the experience of flying this rocket. It’s time to fly. Whatever the outcome, we’ll learn, refine, and improve for the next launch.”

09/01/2025

At 6:04PM the IRCSO was notified of a Brightline train vs Pedestrian crash in the area of the 12th Street railroad crossing. The crossing is on 12th Street between US1 Hwy 1 and Old Dixie Hwy. The pedestrian was struck and sustained a severe injury to her arm. Deputies reacted quickly with life saving techniques applying a tourniquet to her almost completely severed arm. The pedestrian is an adult female who was walking on/near the tracks. The pedestrian is being flown to a trauma center.

Deputies and railroad officials are on scene working to determine the cause of the crash. As of now there are no roadway closures.

09/01/2025

Governor Ron DeSantis expresses his support for the idea of relocating NASA headquarters to Florida's Space Coast in Brevard County.

09/01/2025

NASA has partnered with the University of Central Florida, University of Florida and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, to establish the Florida University Space Research Consortium. Supported by Space Florida, this collaboration aims to foster joint projects between the consortium and NASA.

Story - https://mynews13.com/fl/orlando/news/2025/01/08/nasa-now-partnering-with-3-universities-in-advancing-space-research

08/01/2025

An additional 700 acre prescribed burn today.

07/01/2025

The Brevard Renaissance Fair has a new home at Castle Park, located at 3190 New York Avenue in Melbourne, FL.

Preparations are in full swing, with crews constructing castle-inspired architecture that will serve as the gateway for future festivals.

The 2025 Brevard Renaissance Fair will run on weekends from January 18th to February 23rd.

For more details and ticket information, visit the official website - https://brevardrenaissancefair.com

07/01/2025

St Sebastian River Preserve State Park has a 200 acre prescribed burn in the Southeast section of the property.

07/01/2025

Manatees spotted swimming in the C-54 canal near the Manatee Overlook in the St. Sebastian River Preserve.

Manatees depend on the warmer water temperature in the colder months, because they cannot tolerate water below 68-degrees for long periods.

Manatees are prone to cold-stress syndrome, which is like hypothermia and can get sick.

The Manatee Overlook is located at the very east end of 990 Buffer Preserve Dr, Fellsmere, FL 32948

05/01/2025

Yesterday, Travion Dean was arrested regarding the homicide of 20-year-old Aniya Sheppard. Dean decided to take a little vacation to Jamaica after the shooting death of Sheppard and as a result he was welcomed back into the United States by Customs and Border Patrol Agents as well as our members of the US Marshals Service Task Force.

This investigation started on November 4th, when a citizen reported an unresponsive female lying on Eber Road. As deputies responded to the scene, they quickly learned that Sheppard was shot multiple times and as a result, succumbed to her injuries. As Agents went to work, they determined that Sheppard had been staying with Dean at a local hotel and were observed on surveillance video the morning of the incident, leaving together. The two then got into a rideshare vehicle and were dropped off in the area of Eber and Hollywood.

Through investigative means, it was determined they were together in the area during the time the shooting occurred. Dean, shortly after, took another rideshare back to the hotel and was later seen on video leaving the hotel with some of the victim’s belongings. Conveniently, Dean then took a vacation to Jamaica not long after this, but unlucky for him, our Agents had an arrest warrant with his name on it patiently awaiting his return home where he was charged with 1st Degree Premeditated Murder with No Bond!!

I could not be more proud of the quick and diligent actions of our Homicide Agents and Crime Scene Investigators for their work on this case, and as always, our partners at Customs and Border Patrol for the warm welcome to our friend Dean upon his return. Of course, we offered Dean our own rideshare services via the US Marshals Service Task Force directly from Fort Lauderdale Airport straight to Ivey’s Iron Bar Lodge where he will get to meet his new friends in Cellblock A.

There are no words to describe why people make these heinous decisions in life, but I know that I am grateful for the amazing men and women of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office who help bring justice to these victims and their families in the worst moments of their lives. We continue to pray for Aniya’s family and friends as they navigate through these times.

Sheriff Wayne Ivey