Articles by Spaceflight Now
Rocket Lab Electron rocket lifts off with space debris removal mission
A small satellite that will inspect a discarded rocket body in orbit lifted off Sunday/Monday on a mission to develop techniques for removing space debris. The satellite built by Japan-based Astroscale launched atop a Rocket Lab Electron from the Mahia Peninsula in New Zealand at 3:52 a.m. NZDT (9:52 a.m. EST / 1452 UTC).
The first Vulcan rocket launches commercial moon lander from Cape Canaveral
Watch live coverage as the United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur rocket will launches on its inaugural flight with the Peregrine commercial robotic lunar lander for Astrobotic. Liftoff from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station is scheduled for 2:18 a.m. EST (0718 UTC) at the opening of a 45-minute launch window.
Members Bonus Content: Remains of Falcon 9 booster 1058 return to port (4K video)
Raw 4K footage from Port Canaveral as the drone ship ‘Just Read the Instructions’ returns with the remains of Falcon 9 Booster 1058. The first-stage landed of the ocean-going platform on Dec. 23 after successfully completing its record-breaking 19th flight. But less than 100 miles from port, high winds and rough seas caused the booster to topple over. Its top half broke off and fell into the ocean.