All articles tagged with #rocketlaunch
SpaceX successfully launched 24 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit from Vandenberg using a new Falcon 9 rocket, which was also recovered successfully, marking a rare debut for a new booster in the company's extensive launch history.
SpaceX is preparing for the seventh launch of its Starship megarocket, with the upper stage now ready for testing at the Starbase facility in South Texas. The integrated test flight is expected around January 11, 2025, as indicated by NASA's communication with the FAA. This launch will be the first Starship flight of 2025, following four successful launches in 2024. The fully reusable Starship, which includes the Super Heavy booster and the Ship upper stage, is crucial for NASA's Artemis 3 mission to the moon.
Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket is nearing its maiden launch, with recent milestones including the integration of its stages and a successful hot fire test of the second stage's BE-3U engines. The rocket, now fully assembled, is undergoing final tests and awaiting regulatory approval for its launch. Blue Origin is also expanding its manufacturing capabilities, including facilities for its Blue Moon lunar landers, as it prepares for future missions.
Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket has been positioned on the launch pad at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, in preparation for its inaugural flight, potentially occurring in late 2024. The rocket, which features a fully reusable first-stage booster, will carry the Blue Ring spacecraft on a National Security Space Launch certification mission called DarkSky-1. The New Glenn rocket comes in two- or three-stage variants and is designed to support various mission needs. The launch was initially planned for October 2024 with NASA's ESCAPADE Mars probes, but was postponed due to cost concerns.
SpaceX's sixth test flight of its Starship megarocket was a visual spectacle, witnessed not only by spectators on the ground but also by astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS). NASA astronaut Don Pettit captured stunning images of the launch plume from space, while the Earth-imaging company Sen recorded high-resolution footage using 4K cameras on the ISS. The launch, which took place from SpaceX's Starbase in Texas, marked a successful continuation of Starship's testing, although the booster stage was safely splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico instead of being caught by the launch tower's arms.
SpaceX has completed propellant load testing and preflight checkouts for the sixth test flight of its Starship megarocket, scheduled for November 19. The launch, designated Integrated Test Flight-6 (IFT-6), will see the Super Heavy booster attempt a mid-air catch during its landing burn, a maneuver previously successful in October. This test is crucial for Starship's operational qualification, as it will involve reigniting one of its Raptor engines in space, a capability needed for future missions to the moon and Mars. NASA is closely monitoring the progress, as delays could impact the Artemis program's timeline.
SpaceX has successfully stacked its sixth Starship megarocket at the Starbase site in South Texas, preparing for a test flight scheduled for November 19, 2024. The fully assembled rocket, comprising the Super Heavy booster and the Ship upper-stage spacecraft, stands nearly 400 feet tall, making it the largest and most powerful rocket ever built. This mission is part of SpaceX's efforts to develop a fully reusable spacecraft to support lunar and Martian exploration, with NASA already selecting Starship for its Artemis lunar missions.
Blue Origin is preparing for the maiden flight of its New Glenn rocket, having recently stacked its two stages at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The rocket, featuring a reusable first-stage booster, is set to launch in November from Cape Canaveral, carrying the Blue Ring spacecraft on a National Security Space Launch mission. The New Glenn stands taller than SpaceX's Falcon 9 and is designed to support both commercial and government missions. A static hot fire test of its BE-4 engines is the next step in its development.
SpaceX is set to launch the KoreaSat-6A telecom satellite using a Falcon 9 rocket from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, marking the 23rd flight for this rocket's first stage, tying a reuse record. The launch is scheduled for today, with the booster expected to return to Cape Canaveral Space Force Station shortly after liftoff. The KoreaSat-6A, built by Thales Alenia Space, will replace the current KoreaSat-6 and provide satellite services to South Korea. This mission underscores SpaceX's focus on rapid rocket reuse.
SpaceX is preparing for its sixth Starship test flight on November 18, following the successful launch and booster catch of Flight 5. The Federal Aviation Administration has already approved this mission, which will include a suborbital flight and a splashdown in the Indian Ocean. Flight 6 aims to demonstrate a relight of a Raptor vacuum engine and test new thermal protection materials. This will be the last flight of the Block 1 version of the Ship upper stage, with future versions featuring significant upgrades. SpaceX is also focusing on improving booster catch reliability and addressing issues identified in previous flights.
SpaceX is set to launch its Starship rocket for the sixth time on November 18, following a successful previous mission. This test will replicate earlier objectives, including catching the Super Heavy booster and achieving a controlled splashdown of the Starship upper stage. The Federal Aviation Administration has approved this launch alongside the previous one, allowing for a quicker launch cadence. The test will also include new upgrades and tests, such as relighting a Raptor engine in orbit and testing new thermal protection materials. A live webcast will be available for viewing.
United Launch Alliance (ULA) is set to launch its Vulcan rocket for the first time on January 8, carrying the Astrobotic Peregrine lunar lander and a Celestis Memorial Spaceflight payload. The Vulcan rocket, which has been in development for nearly a decade, will be powered by a combination of solid rocket boosters and methane/oxygen-fueled engines. This launch is a certification mission for ULA, and the success of the Vulcan is critical for future National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program missions. ULA has a busy launch schedule ahead, with plans to increase its launch rate significantly in the coming years.
United Launch Alliance (ULA) is set to launch its first Vulcan Centaur rocket on January 8, 2024, from Cape Canaveral, carrying the Peregrine moon lander for NASA's CLPS initiative. This marks a significant milestone for ULA as it seeks to re-establish itself in the competitive launch market dominated by companies like SpaceX. The Vulcan Centaur has faced delays and challenges, including an explosion during testing, but now has a backlog of 70 launches. ULA is also exploring rocket reusability and adapting the Vulcan for different types of missions. Amidst these developments, rumors of ULA's potential sale, with interest from companies including Blue Origin, add to the anticipation surrounding the upcoming launch.
United Launch Alliance (ULA) has rolled out its first Vulcan rocket to the launch pad at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, marking a significant milestone after a decade of development. The 202-foot-tall rocket is scheduled for its inaugural flight on Monday at 2:18 am EST, carrying a commercial robotic Moon lander developed by Astrobotic. The Vulcan is set to replace ULA's Atlas and Delta rockets and has already secured over 70 missions before its first flight, including contracts with the US military and Amazon for its Project Kuiper broadband network. This launch is critical for ULA as it puts its record of 100 percent mission success on the line.
United Launch Alliance's Vulcan Centaur rocket has been transported to the launch pad at Cape Canaveral, set for its inaugural launch on January 8, 2024. The mission will send the Peregrine lander, a private robotic lunar lander developed by Astrobotic, to the moon as part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services program. The Vulcan Centaur aims to replace ULA's Atlas V and Delta IV rockets and will carry various science payloads, including some private ones, despite some controversy over the inclusion of human remains capsules.