2024 – Page 27 – Spaceflight Now

Collins Aerospace completes key spacesuit testing milestone

February 1, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

The company, a subsidiary of RTX, is designing a new spacesuit that can be used on board the International Space Station. The suit was contracted as part of NASA’s Exploration Extravehicular Activity Services contract.

Rocket Lab launches first recovery Electron mission of 2024

January 31, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

The mission, nicknamed “Four of a Kind” was also deemed a successful recovery mission. Liftoff of the Electron rocket from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand occurred at 19:34 UTC.

Polaris Dawn astronauts discuss training for historic commercial spacewalk

January 31, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

Two of the four crew members will exit a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft using spacesuits currently under development. The launch is set for no earlier than early 2024.

SpaceX launches Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus spacecraft on its way to the Space Station

January 30, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

The mission, dubbed NG-20, marks the first of three planned flights of Cygnus aboard a Falcon 9 rocket. Liftoff occurred at 12:07 p.m. EST (1707 UTC).

Second Falcon 9 of the night carries Starlink satellites from West Coast

January 29, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

The Falcon 9 launch was the second in a back-to-back series for the company Sunday evening. Liftoff occurred at 9:57 p.m. PST (12:57 a.m. EST, 0557 UTC).

SpaceX launches first of planned back-to-back Falcon 9 Starlink missions

January 28, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

A Falcon 9 rocket launched from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center at 8:10 p.m. EST (0110 UTC). A second Falcon 9 is due to soar skyward from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California later tonight.

Despite engine malfunction, powered-down Japanese moon lander achieves major goals

January 25, 2024 William Harwood

One of two engines powering a Japanese moon lander during its descent to the surface Jan. 19 suffered a malfunction of some sort just 160 feet above the lunar surface that sharply reduced its power, the Japanese space agency said Thursday.

Japanese moon lander touches down, but crippled by mission-ending power glitch

January 19, 2024 William Harwood

A robotic Japanese moon lander touched down on the lunar surface Friday, but it immediately suffered a power glitch of some sort that prevented its solar cells from generating the electricity needed to keep it alive in the harsh lunar environment.

Astrobotic’s Peregrine lunar lander ends mission in fiery reentry

January 19, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

The first U.S. lander bound for the Moon since 1972 burned up in Earth’s atmosphere on Thursday. The unfortunate ending for Astrobotic’s spacecraft was deemed the most responsible choice given its hopes of reaching the Moon were dashed less than a day after it launched.

SpaceX Falcon 9 flies from California on 5th try with Starlink satellites

January 19, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

SpaceX launched a batch of Starlink internet satellites from California on Tuesday after four earlier tries were scrubbed. Liftoff of the Starlink 7-11 mission occurred at 4:35 p.m. PST (7:35 p.m. EST, 0035 UTC).