Will Robinson-Smith – Page 52

‘Cleanest first flight,’ ULA president reflects on inaugural Vulcan launch and future of program

February 12, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

ULA President and CEO Tory Bruno described the first flight of the Vulcan launch as remarkable in his career. He said hardware for Vulcan’s next flight will head down to Florida soon.

SpaceX launches Starlink mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base

February 7, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

SpaceX launched the Starlink 7-13 mission on Friday, Feb. 9, at 4:34 p.m. PST (7:34 p.m. EST, 0034 UTC).

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).