September 2017 – Page 3 – Spaceflight Now

China’s Tianzhou 1 supply vehicle re-enters atmosphere

September 22, 2017 Stephen Clark

The Chinese Tianzhou 1 resupply and refueling freighter re-entered Earth’s atmosphere Friday, burning up as designed after a five-month mission demonstrating servicing techniques for China’s future space station.

Replenishment satellite launched into Russia’s Glonass navigation fleet

September 22, 2017 Stephen Clark

A Soyuz rocket added a new satellite to Russia’s Glonass navigation network Friday with an on-target delivery nearly 12,000 miles above Earth.

OSIRIS-REx asteroid mission receives gravitational boost from planet Earth

September 22, 2017 Stephen Clark

NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft, en route to asteroid Bennu to retrieve samples and return them to scientists, slingshot past Earth on Friday, using gravity to change its trajectory for a rendezvous with its target late next year.

Scientists firm up flyby plan for New Horizons’s next destination

September 21, 2017 Stephen Clark

Now more than two years outbound from its historic encounter with Pluto, NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft is on target for a fleeting flyby less than 2,200 miles from 2014 MU69, an icy, city-sized world set to become the most distant object ever visited, just after midnight Jan. 1, 2019, on the U.S. East Coast. Scientists now say the probe may be able to pursue another destination some time in the 2020s.

Six firm launch contracts booked with Arianespace

September 20, 2017 Stephen Clark

Arianespace has received its first two confirmed launch contracts for Europe’s new Ariane 6 rocket, and the company recently announced four more launch bookings to loft communications and weather satellites into orbit aboard Ariane 5 and Soyuz boosters from French Guiana.

Live coverage: Atlas 5 countdown and launch journal

September 19, 2017 Justin Ray

A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket powered away from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California tonight to place a classified surveillance satellite into space for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office. Follow the ascent in our live journal.

Preview: ULA milestone launch for National Reconnaissance Office set

September 19, 2017 Justin Ray

United Launch Alliance, a union of Atlas and Delta rockets formed a decade ago for U.S. government spacelift needs, will conduct its 25th deployment mission for the country’s spy satellite agency Thursday night.

Japan’s MHI wins deal to launch satellite for Inmarsat

September 19, 2017 Stephen Clark

Inmarsat has selected Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to launch the first of two planned sixth-generation communications satellites on an H-2A rocket in 2020, giving the Japanese launcher its second commercial win in the global market to loft large geostationary telecom craft.

Northrop Grumman to purchase Orbital ATK for $9.2 billion

September 19, 2017 Stephen Clark

Northrop Grumman announced Monday plans to acquire Orbital ATK, a company with a portfolio ranging from satellite manufacturing and orbital servicing to launch vehicles, missile defense and munitions, for approximately $9.2 billion, a combination officials promised will lead to better products at lower prices.

Dragon capsule splashes down in Pacific with space station cargo

September 17, 2017 Stephen Clark

Returning home from more than a month in orbit, a SpaceX Dragon supply ship departed the International Space Station and parachuted into the Pacific Ocean on Sunday with nearly two tons of research specimens and hardware, including mice sent up to investigate how spaceflight affects eyesight and locomotion.