December 2015 – Spaceflight Now

Russian engine purchase adds to ULA’s Atlas 5 inventory

December 30, 2015 Stephen Clark

Freed from a legal restriction officials said limited its ability to compete for future U.S. military satellite launches, United Launch Alliance has ordered 20 new RD-180 engines from Russia that will keep the Atlas 5 rocket flying into the early 2020s.

China launches eagle-eyed satellite to stare down at Earth

December 29, 2015 Stephen Clark

China launched a high-altitude satellite Monday fitted with a powerful telescope to collect nearly continuous imagery of the Asia-Pacific from geostationary orbit, an apparently unique capability that could help track foreign naval activity, according to Chinese news reports.

European Mars probe arrives at launch site

December 27, 2015 Stephen Clark

Three heavy-duty Antonov cargo planes flew components of Europe’s ExoMars orbiter and lander from Italy to the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazkhastan last week, setting up for a March 14 launch toward the red planet.

Launch of NASA’s next Mars mission delayed until at least 2018

December 27, 2015 Stephen Clark

Persistent problems with a seismometer instrument package will keep NASA’s InSight Mars lander from departing for the red planet during a March launch period, and officials said they will consider shelving the $675 million project if the issues prove too costly to fix.

Proton rocket launches with Russian-European comsat

December 24, 2015 Stephen Clark

A Proton rocket lifted off from Kazakhstan on Thursday with a large European-built telecommunications satellite to broadcast television, radio and other services across Russia and sub-Saharan Africa.

SpaceX rocket landing applauded, but experts say implications TBD

December 23, 2015 William Harwood

The successful launch and landing by the first stage of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket Monday was a significant step toward achieving reusability and, eventually, lowering launch costs, but turning that success into operational reality poses a significant challenge for company founder Elon Musk.

Watch as Progress docks with Space Station bringing a holiday delivery

December 23, 2015 Spaceflight Now

Watch the first spacecraft in a new generation of Russian Progress cargo vehicles arrive at the International Space Station on December 23, 2015, bringing a holiday delivery of more than 5,000 pounds of fuel, water and supplies for the research lab’s six-person crew.

Apollo 11 launch as broadcast live by NASA on July 16, 1969

December 23, 2015 Spaceflight Now

The launch of Apollo 11 on its historic mission to the Moon as it was broadcast live by NASA on July 16, 1969. The legendary commentator Jack King, who passed away in 2015, counts down to liftoff.

Progress spaceship docks with International Space Station

December 23, 2015 Stephen Clark

The first spacecraft in a new generation of Russian Progress cargo vehicles parked at the International Space Station on Wednesday, bringing a holiday delivery of more than 5,000 pounds of fuel, water and supplies for the research lab’s six-person crew.

Photos: Falcon 9 booster stands upright after landing

December 22, 2015 Stephen Clark

SpaceX took a group of reporters and photographers just offshore the Falcon 9 rocket’s landing point Tuesday, a day after the 15-story booster made a pinpoint touchdown after helping send 11 communications satellites into orbit.