March 2020 – Page 4 – Spaceflight Now

Soyuz rocket launches with Russian navigation satellite

March 16, 2020 Stephen Clark

A Soyuz booster and Fregat upper stage carried a Russian Glonass navigation satellite into orbit Monday from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Russian space officials said.

China announces failure in first launch of new Long March 7A rocket

March 16, 2020 Stephen Clark

A Chinese Long March 7A rocket failed to place a secret payload into orbit Monday, casting doubt on planned flights by the country’s other launchers that use similar engines.

Launches from French Guiana suspended due to coronavirus

March 16, 2020 Stephen Clark

Launch campaigns at the European-run spaceport in French Guiana — a home base for Ariane 5, Soyuz and Vega rockets — have been suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, Arianespace said Monday.

SpaceX launch aborted in final second before liftoff

March 15, 2020 Stephen Clark

The countdown for a planned launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida automatically aborted in the last second before liftoff Sunday after an on-board computer detected unexpected data during an engine power check.

Timeline for Falcon 9 launch of Starlink satellites

March 15, 2020 Stephen Clark

Follow the key events of the Falcon 9 rocket’s ascent to orbit with 60 satellites for SpaceX’s Starlink broadband network.

NASA no longer counting on Gateway for 2024 moon landing

March 14, 2020 Stephen Clark

NASA is modifying plans to send astronauts back to the moon in 2024 by taking the Gateway — a mini-space station to be assembled in lunar orbit — out of the critical path in favor of a simplified architecture, according to the agency’s chief of human spaceflight.

SpaceX set to fly Falcon 9 booster for fifth time on Starlink launch Sunday

March 13, 2020 Stephen Clark

The launch of 60 Starlink Internet satellites aboard a Falcon 9 rocket Sunday from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida will mark SpaceX’s first mission to fly a Falcon first stage for a fifth time, and the second to launch with a reused payload fairing.

Video: Falcon 9 rocket test-fired at pad 39A (members only)

March 13, 2020 Stephen Clark

SpaceX test-fired a Falcon 9 rocket Friday in preparation for launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida carrying 60 more Starlink satellites into orbit.

Italian maker of Vega rocket says launch remains on track for later this month

March 13, 2020 Stephen Clark

The head of Italian rocket-maker Avio said Thursday that preparations are proceeding without interruption for the launch of a Vega rocket later this month in French Guiana, but officials have adjusted work schedules at the company’s Vega manufacturing plant near Rome in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

Watch a live view of launch pad 39A (members only)

March 13, 2020 Spaceflight Now

Watch live as SpaceX prepares to launch its sixth batch of Starlink broadband satellites atop a Falcon 9 from launch complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center.