Will Robinson-Smith – Page 33

SpaceX launches first batch of satellites for the NRO’s reconnaissance satellite constellation

May 21, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

Little has been said officially about the satellites, which have been described as part of the agency’s “proliferated architecture.” Liftoff happened at the opening of the launch window at 1 a.m. PDT (4 a.m. EDT, 0800 UTC).

NASA, Boeing further delay Starliner Crew Flight Test launch amid ongoing helium leak review

May 17, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

The shift in launch date is to allow more time to build in redundancy to account for the helium leak. The launch is currently scheduled for no earlier than Saturday, May 25, at 3:09 p.m. EDT (1909 UTC).

SpaceX launches Falcon 9 booster on record-breaking 21st flight

May 17, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

This was SpaceX’s 51st Falcon 9 launch of 2024. Liftoff from Space Launch Complex 40 happened at 8:32 p.m. EDT (0032 UTC).

SpaceX launches 50th Falcon 9 rocket of 2024 on Starlink mission

May 14, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

The mission featured the launch of the next 13 Starlink satellites that included Direct to Cell capabilities. Liftoff from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) happened at 11:39 a.m. PDT (2:39 p.m. EDT, 1839 UTC).

Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser prepares for pre-launch journey to the Cape

May 14, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

Many eyes are on both the payload and the rocket as the Department of Defense awaits its turn to launch missions with ULA’s Vulcan rocket.

SpaceX reaches nearly 6,000 Starlink satellites on orbit following Falcon 9 launch from Cape Canaveral

May 12, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

The milestone comes as a result of the 34th dedicated Starlink launch of the year for SpaceX. Liftoff from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station happened at 8:53 p.m. EDT (0053 UTC).

News from the Press Site: New SpaceX spacesuits and China’s Chang’e 6 reaches orbit around the Moon

May 10, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

In this week’s edition of News from the Press Site, Spaceflight Now’s Will Robinson-Smith is joined by Jeff Foust, senior writer at Space News, and Bill Harwood, space consultant for CBS News.

SpaceX flies 13 more Direct to Cell Starlink satellites on Falcon 9 rocket launch from Vandenberg SFB

May 8, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

The Starlink 8-2 mission from the company’s West Coast launch pad features 13 more satellites boasting a Direct to Cell capability. Liftoff from Vandenberg Space Force Base happened at 9:30 p.m. PDT (12:30 a.m. EDT, 0430 UTC) on Thursday.

SpaceX breaks Space Shuttle pad record with Falcon 9 Starlink mission

May 8, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

SpaceX’s launch of the Starlink 6-56 mission will move the company past the total number of Space Shuttle Program missions from Launch Complex 39A. Liftoff is set for 2:42 p.m. EDT (1842 UTC).

Atlas 5 valve repair will delay Starliner’s first crewed mission to May 17 at the earliest

May 8, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

United Launch Alliance (ULA) is set to roll its Atlas 5 rocket and the Starliner spacecraft back to the Vertical Integration Facility on Wednesday to begin working on the problematic valve. The new launch date is no earlier than Friday, May 17, at 6:16 p.m. EDT (2016 UTC).