Will Robinson-Smith – Page 26

ESA completes swan song of its Vega rocket with Sentinel-2C launch

September 3, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

The European Space Agency (ESA) will soon focus on the Vega-C rocket as its small launch vehicle. Liftoff happened Wednesday, Sept. 4, at 10:50 p.m. GFT (9:50 p.m. EDT, 0150 UTC).

SpaceX launches 21 Starlink satellites on Falcon 9 return to flight mission

August 31, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

The mission was scheduled to launch less than an hour before a Starlink flight from Vandenberg Space Force Base. Liftoff happened at 3:43 a.m. EDT (0743 UTC).

SpaceX set a launch turnaround record with back-to-back, coast-to-coast Falcon 9 launches

August 31, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

Liftoff of the Starlink 9-5 mission from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) happened at 1:48 a.m. PDT (4:48 a.m. EDT, 0848 UTC). This was the second of two back-to-back overnight launches.

FAA grounds SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket following landing mishap

August 28, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

This is the second time in as many months that the workhorse vehicle for SpaceX has been grounded. The Federal Aviation Administration is awaiting a report from SpaceX that will include any needed corrective actions.

SpaceX Falcon 9 booster collapses in a fireball on the droneship, ending a streak of 267 successful landings

August 28, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

The mission comes on the heels of SpaceX having to stand down from launching the Polaris Dawn astronaut mission due to weather concerns. The lost booster, tail number B1062, was aiming for a record 23rd landing on the droneship ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas’ when it collapsed and exploded.

Launch delay: SpaceX pushes Polaris Dawn astronaut launch due to splashdown weather concerns

August 26, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

The crew trained for more than two-and-a-half years to prepare for their spacewalk and an on-orbit Starlink demonstration. Launch is now no earlier than Friday, Aug. 30, weather permitting.

SpaceX completes static fire test of its Falcon 9 rocket in preparation for the Polaris Dawn astronaut mission

August 25, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

The ignition test of the nine Merlin engines at the base of the rocket came after the four crew members step through a dry dress rehearsal of their launch day activities. The T-0 for ignition happened at 6:38 a.m. EDT (1038 UTC).

NASA to announce final determination on how to conclude Starliner Crew Flight Test

August 24, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson is set to discuss the agency’s decision following a rare mid-mission, agency-level flight readiness review. A press conference will begin no earlier than an hour following the conclusion of the discussion.

Polaris Dawn astronauts, set to perform first commercial spacewalk, arrive in Florida ahead of launch

August 20, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

The four astronauts, led by businessman Jared Isaacman, will fly onboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon Resilience. Liftoff is targeting no earlier than Monday, August 26.

SpaceX launches new Falcon 9 rocket on Starlink mission following ‘water intrusion’ issue

August 20, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

The mission came a little more than 12 hours after SpaceX performed a static fire test of the rocket Monday night. Liftoff of the Starlink 10-5 mission happened at 9:20 a.m. EDT (1320 UTC).