News – Page 70 – Spaceflight Now

SpaceX Falcon 9 launches 22 Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral

August 26, 2023 Spaceflight Now

SpaceX launched its second Falcon 9 mission of the day, sending 22 second-generation Starlink satellites into orbit on Saturday at 9:05 p.m. EDT (0105 UTC). It followed the successful launch of a four-member crew to the International Space Station earlier in the day.

SpaceX launches first all-international crew to space station

August 26, 2023 William Harwood

Running a day late, a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule carrying a NASA commander, a Danish co-pilot, a Japanese astronaut and a Russian cosmonaut rocketed into orbit early Saturday and set off after the International Space Station for a six-month tour of duty.

Electron rocket uses previously-flown engine for launch radar-imaging satellite

August 24, 2023 Spaceflight Now

Rocket Lab launched its 40th Electron mission Wednesday, Aug. 23, after a switch to a recoverable rocket, which was fitted for the first time with a previously-flown engine. The rocket lifted off from the company’s privately-owned spaceport on the North Island of New Zealand, carrying a radar-imaging satellite, at 7:45 p.m. EDT (11:45 a.m. NZST on the 24th / 2345 UTC).

Mission Status Center: surprise switch to recoverable booster for 40th Electron mission

August 23, 2023 Spaceflight Now

Rocket Lab announced on Wednesday its 40th Electron mission was switching to a recoverable rocket, fitted for the first time with a previously flown engine. The surprise move came after two launch scrubs blamed on engine sensor glitches. The rocket lifted off from the company’s privately-owned spaceport on the North Island of New Zealand at 7:45 p.m. EDT (11:45 a.m. NZST on the 24th / 2345 UTC).

India’s Chandrayaan 3 makes successful lunar landing

August 23, 2023 Spaceflight Now

India successfully landed its Chandrayaan 3 robotic probe on the surface of the Moon Wednesday. The Chandrayaan 3 lander touched down near the South Pole of the Moon at about 8:33 a.m. EDT (6:03 p.m. IST).

Russia launches cargo ship to the International Space Station

August 23, 2023 Spaceflight Now

A Russian Progress cargo ship blasted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on Tuesday at 9:08 p.m. EDT (0108 UTC on Aug. 23) carrying supplies and equipment to the International Space Station.

Space Perspective unveils balloon manufacturing facility supporting tourism missions

August 22, 2023 Will Robinson-Smith

An upcoming player in the space tourism game offered a look inside their Florida manufacturing site as they continue to ramp up towards customer flights in 2024. Space Perspective is offering a balloon-based opportunity for customers to experience the overview effect in a manner less jarring than launching aboard a rocket or a space plane.

West Coast Falcon 9 launches SpaceX’s 100th Starlink mission

August 22, 2023 Spaceflight Now

After delays caused by Hurricane Hilary, SpaceX launched its 100th Starlink mission on Tuesday. A Falcon 9 carrying 21 second-generation Starlink satellites lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at 2:37 a.m. PDT (5:37 a.m. EDT / 0937 UTC).

Crew-7 mission to the Space Station given green light for launch by NASA, partners

August 22, 2023 Will Robinson-Smith

NASA, SpaceX and its international partners met at the Kennedy Space Center on Monday and gave the go ahead for the launch of the seventh operational Crew Dragon mission to the space station.

Falcon 9 test-fired ahead of space station crew launch

August 21, 2023 Spaceflight Now

SpaceX test fired a Falcon 9 rocket Tuesday ahead of Friday’s planned 3:50 a.m. EDT (0750 UTC) liftoff on the Crew 7 mission to the International Space Station.