February 2015 – Page 2 – Spaceflight Now

SES satellites could be first to launch from Texas spaceport

February 25, 2015 Stephen Clark

Two communications satellites owned by SES are booked to fly into orbit — possibly from South Texas — on a pair of Falcon 9 rockets in 2017, giving SpaceX two payloads that could be assigned to launch from the new commercial spaceport, officials said Wednesday.

Falcon Heavy rocket hangar rises at launch pad 39A

February 25, 2015 Stephen Clark

SpaceX began erecting a new hangar at a former space shuttle launch pad in Florida last week, moving the historic facility closer to launching astronauts again.

SMAP observatory unfurls large science antenna structure

February 25, 2015 Justin Ray

Deploying its marquee element in space Tuesday, NASA’s new Soil Moisture Active Passive spacecraft took a major step towards realizing its science potential.

Russian space agency endorses ISS until 2024

February 24, 2015 Stephen Clark

Russia plans to stay part of the International Space Station partnership until 2024, then undock its modules to create a standalone base in orbit, the Russian space agency announced Tuesday.

NASA receives proposals for new planetary science mission

February 24, 2015 Stephen Clark

The proposals are in for a new NASA mission for launch in 2021 to explore the solar system, and scientists have submitted concepts for probes to the moon, planets, asteroids and comets for a chance to win $450 million in federal funding.

On This Date…

February 24, 2015 Justin Ray

Photos from this weekend’s spacewalk

February 23, 2015 Stephen Clark

Check out photos taken by two astronauts who ventured outside the International Space Station on Saturday, running more than 300 feet of wiring that will eventually be connected to new docking ports to receive commercial spaceships built by Boeing and SpaceX.

100th Merlin 1D engine flies on Falcon 9 rocket

February 22, 2015 Stephen Clark

Depending on how you count it, SpaceX launched its 100th kerosene-fueled Merlin 1D rocket engine on a Falcon 9 rocket Feb. 11, underscoring what it says is an accelerated flight regime for the centerpiece of the company’s propulsion shop.

ATV’s re-entry camera returned no images

February 22, 2015 Stephen Clark

A camera packed inside Europe’s Automated Transfer Vehicle failed to transmit images from inside the disposable supply ship as it plunged through Earth’s atmosphere Feb. 15 and broke apart over the South Pacific Ocean, the European Space Agency said Friday.

On This Date…

February 22, 2015 Justin Ray