January 2015 – Page 7 – Spaceflight Now

NASA kicks off SLS engine testing in Mississippi

January 13, 2015 Stephen Clark

A powerful space shuttle-era rocket engine ignited for more than eight minutes on a test stand in Mississippi last week, kicking off hotfire testing for NASA’s Space Launch System mega-rocket after contamination and computer woes kept the engine silent several months longer than planned.

Astronauts eager to dig in to fresh delivery of supplies, gifts

January 12, 2015 Stephen Clark

Astronauts on the International Space Station are eager to begin unpacking 2.6 tons of supplies and experiments — including a package of belated Christmas gifts — after delivery aboard a SpaceX Dragon cargo capsule Monday.

NASA water mapper set for move to the launch pad

January 12, 2015 Justin Ray

Making a scientific measurement of planet Earth on a global scale never before attempted by NASA is the objective of an environment satellite to be mounted atop its booster rocket Tuesday in California.

Video: Dragon arrives at space station

January 12, 2015 Justin Ray

The cargo-carrying SpaceX Dragon spacecraft arrives at the International Space Station and is grappled by Canadarm2 to complete a two-day journey since launch.

Video: Falcon launch replays

January 12, 2015 Justin Ray

Isolated camera angle replays of Saturday morning’s predawn SpaceX Falcon 9 launch of the Dragon capsule to the International Space Station.

Photos: SpaceX’s rocket landing platform back in port

January 11, 2015 Stephen Clark

SpaceX’s ocean-going rocket landing pad — dubbed the autonomous spaceport drone ship — is back in port after a Falcon 9 rocket booster crashed on the platform during an experimental flyback maneuver following Saturday’s successful liftoff with supplies for the International Space Station.

Video: Saturday’s SpaceX launch

January 11, 2015 Justin Ray

Watch the NASA Television live coverage of Saturday’s predawn Falcon 9 launch that delivered the Dragon spacecraft into orbit.

Photos: Falcon 9 rocket climbs away from Cape Canaveral

January 10, 2015 Stephen Clark

Crowned with a commercial cargo capsule with 5,100 pounds of provisions and experiments, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket took off from Cape Canaveral on Saturday, sending the Dragon supply ship on a two-day trek to the International Space Station. See photos of the predawn liftoff.

Despite botched landing, a lot went right with SpaceX’s booster flyback

January 10, 2015 Stephen Clark

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 booster accomplished a delicate maneuver after a glowing predawn launch from Cape Canaveral on Saturday, autonomously navigating its away to a modified barge the size of a football field hidden in darkness beneath a blanket of low clouds, before it crashed and broke apart.

Dragon successfully launched, rocket recovery demo crash lands

January 10, 2015 Stephen Clark

A commercial Dragon spaceship soared into orbit from Cape Canaveral on Saturday in pursuit of the International Space Station, but the automated craft’s Falcon 9 booster crash landed after flying back to Earth in a daring test of futuristic reusable rocket technologies.