November 2021 – Page 5 – Spaceflight Now

Ariane 5 fairing cleared for Webb launch after “perfect” performance on last flight

November 7, 2021 Stephen Clark

The payload fairing on the most recent Ariane 5 launch last month worked perfectly, according to the European Space Agency, helping clear concerns about the shroud before liftoff of the James Webb Space Telescope on the next Ariane 5 flight in December.

High winds delay Crew 2 return to Earth until later Monday

November 7, 2021 William Harwood

Faced with high winds in the Gulf of Mexico, NASA managers decided to pass up a Sunday undocking and Monday morning splashdown for four returning space station astronauts, opting instead to aim for a landing Monday night when better weather is expected.

NASA aims to bring station crew home Monday, before replacements launch

November 6, 2021 William Harwood

NASA and SpaceX decided Friday to bring four space station astronauts back to Earth Monday to close out a 199-day mission, pressing ahead with re-entry and splashdown two days before the planned launch of their replacements Wednesday aboard another Crew Dragon spacecraft.

NASA shows off finished SLS moon rocket, Webb telescope

November 5, 2021 Stephen Clark

Two of NASA’s flagship missions finally nearing launch, representing more than $50 billion in U.S. government investment over multiple decades, were displayed to news media Friday at spaceports in Florida and French Guiana.

China launches Earth observation satellite to support sustainable development

November 5, 2021 Stephen Clark

An Earth observation spacecraft developed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences launched Thursday on top of a Long March 6 rocket, beginning a mission Chinese officials said is dedicated to supporting the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Blue Origin loses lawsuit, allowing NASA to move ahead with SpaceX moon lander

November 4, 2021 Stephen Clark

A federal judge on Thursday dismissed a lawsuit filed by Blue Origin over NASA’s award of a $2.9 billion lunar lander contract to SpaceX, clearing the way for the agency to move forward in a partnership with Elon Musk’s space company on a craft to transport astronauts to the surface of the moon.

Month: November 2021

Ariane 5 fairing cleared for Webb launch after “perfect” performance on last flight

High winds delay Crew 2 return to Earth until later Monday

NASA aims to bring station crew home Monday, before replacements launch

NASA shows off finished SLS moon rocket, Webb telescope

China launches Earth observation satellite to support sustainable development

Blue Origin loses lawsuit, allowing NASA to move ahead with SpaceX moon lander

NASA rules out weekend Crew Dragon launch, may bring station crew home first

Astra plans next orbital launch attempt from Alaska

China launches two classified military satellites

Crew Dragon launch delayed by “minor medical issue” with an astronaut