All articles tagged with #reusable spacecraft
Inversion Space, a California-based startup, is developing a reusable space vehicle called Arc to deliver cargo from low Earth orbit to anywhere on Earth within an hour, targeting military and global logistics applications, with plans to deploy a constellation of these vehicles by 2028.
The Leto Titan Cosmos, a futuristic spacecraft designed by Oscar Viñals, aims to transport astronauts to Mars in just 39 days, significantly faster than current estimates. Inspired by NASA's Space Shuttle, the spacecraft is designed to be 100% reusable, versatile, and cost-effective, capable of various missions including satellite deployment and asteroid mining. It features advanced propulsion systems and materials to withstand atmospheric reentry, promising to revolutionize space travel by reducing mission durations and enhancing crew comfort. However, the project faces challenges such as securing financial backing and collaboration with aerospace experts.
China's reusable spaceplane has released an unidentified object into orbit, which could indicate the end of its 164-day mission. The U.S. Space Force is tracking the object, speculated to be either a subsatellite or ejected hardware. The spaceplane, developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, has previously released mysterious objects during its missions, with little information disclosed about their purposes.
China's experimental reusable spaceplane has released an unknown object into orbit during its third mission, which has been ongoing since December 14, 2023. The U.S. Space Force cataloged the object, and experts speculate it could be a subsatellite or hardware for testing proximity and capture maneuvers. The mission, shrouded in secrecy, aims to develop capabilities similar to the U.S. X-37B spaceplane, with potential for reduced costs and increased mission frequency.
SpaceX has successfully conducted a static fire test of its Starship upper-stage prototype, Ship 28, equipped with six advanced Raptor engines. The test, performed at the Starbase facility in South Texas, marks another milestone for the ambitious Starship project, which aims to create a reusable spacecraft for human and cargo transportation to destinations like the Moon and Mars.
China has successfully launched a reusable robotic spacecraft for the third time since 2020, as part of its secretive orbital test flights aimed at developing reusable technologies and reducing space mission costs. The uncrewed spacecraft, launched atop a Long March 2F rocket, will operate in orbit for a period of time before returning to a designated landing site in China. The specific technologies being tested and the details of the space experiments were not disclosed. China's development of a reusable spacecraft coincides with the United States' autonomous spaceplane program, the X-37B. The launch of the X-37B was postponed due to weather and technical issues, and China is expected to launch its spacecraft, known as Shenlong, around the same time as the X-37B. The development of reusable spacecraft is crucial for increasing the frequency and lowering the costs of spaceflight.
ArianeGroup has begun testing a prototype of its Smart Upper Stage for Innovative Exploration (SUSIE), a versatile spacecraft designed to enhance European independence in spaceflight. The two-meter-tall, 100-kilogram demonstrator is the first step in ArianeGroup's roadmap to validate the concept, with testing expected to continue until Q2 2025. The full-sized SUSIE, measuring 12 meters tall and with a payload capacity of seven tons, aims to launch atop an Ariane 64 rocket and can carry cargo or up to five astronauts. It is designed to be fully reusable and capable of precision landings using engines or a parachute. The development team is focusing on practical hardware-based testing, including parachute and abort tests, and consultations have been held with European astronauts and Airbus on the human-machine interface. The timeline for a smaller commercial cargo version of SUSIE could be ready for 2028, meeting the deadline set by the European Space Agency (ESA) for the European reusable cargo system contest.
The United States Space Force's secretive X-37B space plane, built by Boeing, is preparing for its seventh mission, scheduled to launch on December 7. The upcoming mission will be the first to use a Falcon Heavy rocket, a more powerful launch vehicle than previous missions. While many details about the X-37B's activities and payloads remain classified, it is known that the upcoming mission will involve operating in new orbital regimes and conducting experiments related to space domain awareness technologies and the effects of radiation. One known experiment is NASA's Seeds-2, which will expose seeds to space radiation during a long-duration flight to study the impact on plants.
The United States Space Force is preparing for the seventh mission of its secretive X-37B space plane, which is set to launch on December 7. Built by Boeing, the X-37B is a quarter-scale derivative of the Space Shuttle and has flown a total of six missions since its first launch in 2010. While some details of the upcoming mission have been revealed, such as operating in new orbital regimes and carrying experiments related to space domain awareness technologies and radiation effects, most of the payloads and activities remain classified. The X-37B's mission highlights the Space Force's commitment to innovation and advancing space operations.
The European Space Agency's (ESA) Space Rider program has entered its validation and testing phase, with a planned maiden flight in the third quarter of 2025. Space Rider is a reusable uncrewed robotic laboratory that aims to provide affordable and independent access to space for commercial customers. It will transport payloads to various orbital altitudes and inclinations, allowing for technology demonstrations and science experiments. After spending two months in orbit, Space Rider will autonomously land on Earth with a precision of 150 meters. The program has faced delays due to funding and the need to comply with the Geo-return mechanism. Despite the setbacks, there is significant interest in Space Rider, with over 40 applications received for the first flight.
China plans to launch a reusable spacecraft by 2027, with a capacity for seven astronauts, which will play a critical role in the country's space station and crewed moon landing mission.
China's reusable space plane, similar to the US's Boeing X-37B, has landed after a nine-month mission, during which it released an unidentified "object" into orbit, according to a report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Experts believe the plane may have a satellite removal capability, such as a robotic arm, and could be used for repairing damaged satellites or removing orbital debris. However, the Chinese government has released very little information about the craft, leaving its design, capabilities, and performance hazy.
China's reusable space plane has landed for the second time after a successful nine-month mission in orbit. The craft is similar to the US X-37B and is believed to have military potential. During its most recent mission, the Chinese space plane released an "object" into orbit, which disappeared in January and reappeared in March, indicating that the plane may have satellite removal capabilities. The exact purpose of the mission remains unclear, but experts speculate that the craft could be used for repairing damaged satellites or removing orbital debris.
China's reusable space plane has landed for the second time after a successful nine-month mission in orbit. The craft is similar to the US Boeing X-37B and is believed to have military potential. During its most recent mission, the Chinese space plane released an "object" into orbit, which disappeared in January and reappeared in March, indicating that the plane may have satellite removal capabilities. However, the exact purpose of the mission remains unclear, and the Chinese government has released very little information about the craft's design, capabilities, and performance.
China's mysterious space plane, similar to the US Boeing X-37B, has successfully launched and recovered a reusable spacecraft after nine months in orbit. The Chinese government has released little information about the craft, but experts believe it may have military potential and satellite removal capabilities, such as a robotic arm. The craft released an "object" into orbit in October, which disappeared in January and reappeared in March, indicating possible satellite removal capabilities. The primary purpose of the craft remains unclear.