Watch a time-lapse video as the Falcon Heavy is moved into position for prelaunch testing at the Kennedy Space Center’s pad 39A on January 12, 2018. The video runs at 40 times normal speed. This video is made possible by the generous support of Spaceflight Now members. Join today. We appreciate your support.
News
Canada’s MDA buys DigitalGlobe, reveals next-generation WorldView satellite fleet
The acquisition of DigitalGlobe, the owner of several commercial Earth-viewing spacecraft in orbit, by Canada’s MDA Corp. will combine two of the world’s leading radar and optical observation imaging systems into one globe-spanning network and give Space Systems/Loral a firmer foothold in the market for manufacturing Earth observation satellites, officials said Friday.
Mission Reports
Rocket Lab begins new countdown with fix for propulsion system glitch
With a fix in place for a propulsion system alarm that cut short a countdown in the final seconds Monday, U.S. time, Rocket Lab readied an Electron rocket for another try Wednesday night, but unfavorable upper level winds kept the booster grounded. The Electron rocket is awaiting launch on a test flight aiming to deliver three small commercial CubeSats to orbit from a remote New Zealand launch pad.
Falcon 9
Live coverage: NASA planet-hunting satellite launched by SpaceX
SpaceX and NASA launched a planet-hunting satellite Wednesday from Cape Canaveral, two days after calling off a launch attempt to conduct additional guidance, navigation and control analyses. Liftoff occurred at 6:51 p.m. EDT (2251 GMT), and the first stage of the Falcon 9 rocket successfully landed on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean.