2015 – Page 87 – Spaceflight Now

ESA re-entry vehicle could pave way for reusable launcher

February 10, 2015 Stephen Clark

European engineers are eager to test an experimental re-entry demonstrator Wednesday to validate technologies for future robotic exploration probes, winged space planes, and reusable rocket boosters.

17 years later, Gore makes case for viewing Earth from deep space

February 9, 2015 Stephen Clark

After waiting nearly two decades for dream to become reality, former Vice President Al Gore said Sunday the mission he fostered in 1998 — finally ready for launch this week — will have important scientific and social impacts in humanity’s relationship with Earth.

SpaceX plans a busy day Tuesday

February 9, 2015 Stephen Clark

Tuesday is shaping up to be a busy day for SpaceX, with liftoff of a Falcon 9 rocket carrying a space weather satellite, an experimental booster flyback maneuver to test reusable launch technologies, and the splashdown of a Dragon capsule returning from the International Space Station.

Falcon 9 countdown halted by faulty radar tracker

February 9, 2015 Stephen Clark

A problem with a U.S. Air Force tracking radar kept a Falcon 9 rocket crowned with a NOAA space weather observatory grounded Sunday, forcing a long-delayed mission to stay on Earth an extra day.

Video: SpaceX Falcon 9 countdown aborted

February 9, 2015 Justin Ray

The SpaceX Falcon 9 launch countdown with the Deep Space Climate Observatory is halted due to a problem at T-minus 2 minutes, 26 seconds.

Video: Vice President Al Gore attends DSCOVR launch

February 8, 2015 Justin Ray

Vice President Al Gore addresses the media at Kennedy Space Center shortly before the scheduled launch of the Deep Space Climate Observatory.

Photos: SpaceX rocket standing on launch pad

February 8, 2015 Stephen Clark

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket stands on Cape Canaveral’s Complex 40 launch pad ahead of a Feb. 8 launch attempt with NOAA’s Deep Space Climate Observatory.

New challenges await SpaceX’s next rocket landing attempt

February 7, 2015 Stephen Clark

A rocket recovery team positioned off Florida’s East Coast is standing by for liftoff Sunday of a Falcon 9 launcher with a space weather satellite, but the demanding trajectory of the flight adds more unknowns to the company’s dicey endeavor to land the booster on a ship at sea.

Storied space weather observatory finally ready for launch

February 7, 2015 Stephen Clark

The world’s most distant weather outpost is set for liftoff from Cape Canaveral on Sunday aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, launching to a point a million miles from Earth to warn forecasters of solar storms that could disrupt global air traffic, satellite navigation and power grids.

Live coverage: Falcon 9 soars into space with DSCOVR

February 7, 2015 Stephen Clark

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket blasted off Wednesday carrying NOAA’s Deep Space Climate Observatory, the world’s most distant weather satellite heading for a point a million miles from Earth. Launch from Cape Canaveral occurred at 6:03 p.m. EST (2303 GMT).