Will Robinson-Smith – Page 47

SpaceX successfully launches NASA’s PACE mission on polar orbit flight

February 5, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

The mission is the first of the year for NASA’s Launch Services Program, based at the Kennedy Space Center. The Falcon 9 rocket is lifted off from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 1:33 a.m. EST (0633 UTC) on Feb. 8.

NASA’s PACE mission aims to vastly increase understanding of the oceans, atmosphere

February 5, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

The spacecraft named PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) has a nominal operating life of three years with the amount of fuel to potentially have it last a decade. It’s set to launch onboard a Falcon 9 rocket on Tuesday, Feb. 6.

Sierra Space unveils fully integrated Dream Chaser spaceplane amid testing campaign

February 2, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

The cargo transport vehicle is in the middle of shake table testing at NASA’s Armstrong Test Facility in Sandusky, Ohio. It will be the payload onboard United Launch Alliance’s second certification flight of the Vulcan rocket.

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.

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.