Mission Reports – Page 3 – Spaceflight Now

Coronavirus concerns force postponement of SpaceX launch with Argentine satellite

March 24, 2020

Concerns about the coronavirus pandemic have prompted officials to postpone the planned March 30 launch of Argentina’s SAOCOM 1B radar observation satellite from Cape Canaveral aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, officials said Tuesday.

Military officials committed to keeping Cape Canaveral open for launches

March 24, 2020

The military-run Eastern Range at Cape Canaveral remains ready to support upcoming launches — including an Atlas 5 flight Thursday — amid the coronavirus pandemic, officials said Tuesday.

Astra suffers “anomaly” during pre-launch test in Alaska

March 24, 2020

A small satellite launcher built by Astra “experienced an anomaly” Monday on a launch pad at Kodiak Island, Alaska, forcing the cancellation of a planned orbital launch attempt this week, according to the company’s co-founder and CEO.

NASA confirms work stoppage on James Webb Space Telescope

March 23, 2020

NASA and Northrop Grumman are “suspending integration and testing operations” on the James Webb Space Telescope in response to the coronavirus pandemic, a decision that officials said is likely to delay the mission’s scheduled launch date in March 2021.

Soyuz rocket successfully launches 34 more OneWeb satellites

March 21, 2020

A Soyuz rocket and Fregat upper stage lifted off Saturday from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, delivering 34 more satellites to orbit for OneWeb’s space-based Internet network in the company’s second launch this year.

Astra readies for possible launch attempt next week

March 21, 2020

After missing out on an opportunity to win up to $12 million in prize money through DARPA’s Launch Challenge earlier this month, Astra is gearing up for another possible orbital launch attempt next week from Alaska, the company’s chief executive said Friday.

Astronaut’s family won’t attend launch next month due to coronavirus threat

March 20, 2020

NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy’s family will be watching remotely from halfway around the world when he blasts off April 9 from Kazakhstan to begin a six-month expedition on the International Space Station.

Amid bankruptcy reports, OneWeb plans launch of 34 more satellites

March 20, 2020

OneWeb is gearing up for launch of 34 more satellites for its broadband Internet network Saturday from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, despite reports that the company might seek bankruptcy protection and stringent restrictions on travel stemming from the coronavirus pandemic.

Facing pandemic, NASA shutters rocket factory, halts SLS and Orion testing

March 20, 2020

NASA announced Thursday that work on the Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket and Orion crew capsule at facilities in Louisiana and Mississippi is being halted due to the spreading coronavirus pandemic, a stoppage that could force further delays on the already behind-schedule and over-budget programs. Meanwhile, NASA officials are making plans to continue working on the agency’s next Mars rover to keep it on schedule for launch later this year, even if the virus forces further closures.

Video: Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from pad 39A (members only)

March 18, 2020

With nine engines firing, a Falcon 9 rocket lifted off Wednesday morning from launch pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida with 60 Starlink satellites on-board.