October 2014 – Spaceflight Now

First stage propulsion system is early focus of Antares investigation

October 31, 2014

The first sign of failure during the doomed launch of an Orbital Sciences Corp. Antares rocket from Virginia came from the rocket’s first stage about 15 seconds after liftoff.

Pilot dies in crash of Virgin Galactic rocket plane

October 31, 2014

Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo rocket plane crashed during a powered test flight over California’s Mojave Desert on Friday, leaving one pilot dead and another seriously injured.

Initial damage assessment shows Antares pad intact

October 31, 2014

Initial inspections of the Antares rocket’s launch pad in Virginia revealed the facility escape major damage after sustaining nearly a direct hit from the booster as it fell to the ground in flames seconds after liftoff.

Orbital Sciences hopes to quickly find cause of rocket failure

October 30, 2014

A day after an explosion that destroyed an Orbital Sciences Antares rocket carrying a space station cargo ship, officials said Wednesday they hope to zero in on the likely cause of the mishap within a week or so, based on a detailed review of telemetry, analysis of video and inspection of debris.

An eyewitness account: Wallops Island is burning

October 30, 2014

First, you see the rocket sputter, then pause suspended in mid-air and crash back to Earth in a blinding ball of flame. If you still have your wits, you brace for the blast wave.

Video: Atlas 5 GPS 2F-8 Launch Highlights

October 30, 2014

Video highlights of the 50th Atlas 5 flight. The United Launch Alliance rocket carried the eighth Global Positioning System (GPS 2F-8) satellite for the U.S. Air Force.

Rocket cameras dazzle on 50th Atlas 5 rocket launch

October 30, 2014

Onboard video cameras captured critical events during the 50th Atlas 5 rocket launch, beaming back views in stunning clarity of staging and spacecraft separation.

50th Atlas 5 rocket puts up new GPS satellite

October 29, 2014

Launching for the 50th time, an Atlas 5 rocket flew a milestone mission Wednesday in deploying a Global Positioning System satellite for the worldwide utility.

Video: Atlas 5 Rocket launches with GPS Satellite

October 29, 2014

The 50th Atlas 5 rocket lifts off From Cape Canaveral carrying a GPS satellite.

Reporters run for cover as Antares rocket explodes

October 29, 2014

An Antares rocket explodes at Wallops Island moments after launch sending reporters and photographers at the press site running for cover.