Will Robinson-Smith – Spaceflight Now

Weather clears in time for SpaceX Starlink launch

September 14, 2023 Will Robinson-Smith

SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 11:38 p.m. EDT (0338 UTC), sending 22 Starlink satellites up to low Earth orbit.

Most powerful Atlas 5 rocket launches national security mission

September 10, 2023 Will Robinson-Smith

ULA’s Atlas 5 rocket supporting the NROL-107 mission for the Silentbarker program launched Sunday, Sept. 10 at 8:47 a.m. EDT (1247 UTC) from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

FAA concludes Starship mishap investigation, 63 corrective actions needed before second flight

September 8, 2023 Will Robinson-Smith

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced Friday the conclusion its mishap investigation into the first integrated test flight of SpaceX’s reusable Starship launch vehicle. It stressed SpaceX has 63 corrective actions that need to be taken before Starship can make a second test flight.

Atlas 5 rocket returns to pad for spy satellite agency launch from Cape Canaveral

September 8, 2023 Will Robinson-Smith

United Launch Alliance’s Atlas 5 rocket made its way back to the pad at Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Thursday morning for a mission carrying national security mission payloads, collectively codenamed Silentbarker. Liftoff has been rescheduled for at 8:47 a.m. EDT (1247 UTC).

Musk declares Starship is ready for its second test flight, following stacking

September 6, 2023 Will Robinson-Smith

Another SpaceX Starship rocket stands fully integrated against the South Texas horizon and company-founder Elon Musk said from his perspective, they’re ready to launch. However, the Federal Aviation Administration has not yet issued a launch licence.

SpaceX notches 60th launch of the year with Starlink mission, one shy of tying record

August 31, 2023 Will Robinson-Smith

SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket for the company’s 60th orbital launch of the year. The Starlink Group 6-13 mission lifted off at 10:21 p.m. EDT on Thursday, Aug. 31 (0221 UTC on Sept. 1), with a batch of 22 Starlink V2 Mini satellites headed to low Earth orbit.

Tropical Storm Idalia delays national security Atlas 5 launch from Cape Canaveral

August 29, 2023 Will Robinson-Smith

A tropical storm barreling towards the Florida peninsula caused United Launch Alliance (ULA) to stand down from an Atlas 5 launch planned for Tuesday on a mission for the National Reconnaissance Office.

Space Perspective unveils balloon manufacturing facility supporting tourism missions

August 22, 2023 Will Robinson-Smith

An upcoming player in the space tourism game offered a look inside their Florida manufacturing site as they continue to ramp up towards customer flights in 2024. Space Perspective is offering a balloon-based opportunity for customers to experience the overview effect in a manner less jarring than launching aboard a rocket or a space plane.

Crew-7 mission to the Space Station given green light for launch by NASA, partners

August 22, 2023 Will Robinson-Smith

NASA, SpaceX and its international partners met at the Kennedy Space Center on Monday and gave the go ahead for the launch of the seventh operational Crew Dragon mission to the space station.

Russia’s Luna 25 lander crashes on the Moon

August 20, 2023 Will Robinson-Smith

Russia’s first mission to the Moon for nearly 50 years ended in failure when the Luna 25 spacecraft crashed onto the surface, the Russian space agency Roscomos said Sunday.