2015 – Page 67 – Spaceflight Now

Ariane 5 launch postponed by faulty connector

April 14, 2015 Stephen Clark

Arianespace has postponed this week’s launch of an Ariane 5 rocket with two European communications satellites to replace a faulty fluid connector between the launcher and its mobile launch platform, officials said Tuesday.

ULA chief explains reusability and innovation of new rocket

April 14, 2015 Justin Ray

United Launch Alliance will salvage the main engines through a mid-air recovery plan and reuse them again aboard the company’s new Vulcan rocket, saving 90 percent in booster propulsion costs, the company announced Monday.

Nearby storms keep Falcon 9 rocket grounded

April 13, 2015 Stephen Clark

Hazardous anvil clouds approaching from a nearby thunderstorm forced SpaceX to abort the takeoff of a Falcon 9 launcher Monday, delaying the start of an International Space Station resupply mission and a bold attempt to recover the rocket intact on an ocean-going platform.

Video: Animation of Vulcan launch

April 13, 2015 Justin Ray

This animation depicts United Launch Alliance’s new Vulcan rocket blasting off.

Artwork: ULA Vulcan rocket revealed

April 13, 2015 Justin Ray

These are artist’s concepts and press conference briefing slides from the United Launch Alliance unveiling of its new Vulcan rocket to debut in 2019.

ULA unveils its future with the Vulcan rocket family

April 13, 2015 Justin Ray

Meet the Vulcan, the next-generation rocket family brought to you by United Launch Alliance that comes with a bold reusability plan, multiple configurations for medium- to heavy-lift, all-American engines and serves as the eventual replacement for the historic Atlas and Delta rocket lines.

Photos: Falcon 9 rocket awaits launch from Florida

April 13, 2015 Stephen Clark

SpaceX’s 20-story Falcon 9 rocket counts down to launch from Cape Canaveral on Monday with 2.2 tons of gear and experiments for the International Space Station.

SpaceX drone ship in position for daring rocket landing

April 13, 2015 Stephen Clark

Buoyed by lessons from past attempts and a forecast for calm seas, SpaceX engineers expect a good shot at landing a Falcon 9 booster on a stationary platform in the Atlantic Ocean on Monday after liftoff from Cape Canaveral.

ULA plans to introduce new rocket one piece at a time

April 13, 2015 Stephen Clark

United Launch Alliance is expected to reveal its design for a next generation satellite launcher Monday, outlining a 20-year roadmap to develop a new methane-powered first stage booster, an advanced space tug and a reusable rocket engine.

Live coverage: Dragon cargo craft arrives at space station

April 13, 2015 Stephen Clark

Loaded with mice, plant specimens and the International Space Station’s first espresso machine, a SpaceX Dragon cargo capsule arrived at the complex Friday with a fresh delivery of supplies. ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti grappled the spacecraft with the station’s robot arm at 6:55 a.m. EDT (1055 GMT).