News Archive
Browse every article published on Spaceflight Now, from launch reports and mission previews to spacecraft development coverage. Use the filters to narrow by topic or search by keyword.
Matching Articles
606 articles
With successful splashdown, SpaceX retires first version of Dragon spacecraft
For the final time, a SpaceX Dragon cargo capsule was released from the International Space Station's robotic arm Tuesday and splashed down hours later in Pacific Ocean southwest of Los Angeles. Beginning later this year, SpaceX will fly upgraded Dragon freighters that will dock automatically with the space station and parachute into the Atlantic Ocean east of Florida.
Next GPS launch delayed by coronavirus concerns; X-37B launch remains on track
U.S. military officials said Tuesday the launch of the next satellite for the GPS navigation network -- planned for April 29 on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket -- has been delayed to no earlier than June 30 to avoid exposing launch crews to the COVID-19 viral disease. However, the next launch of the military's X-37B spaceplane remains on track for liftoff in May on a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket, officials said.
Space companies rally to supply medical equipment amid pandemic
While production of rockets and satellites continues across much of the space industry amid the coronavirus pandemic, engineers at several space companies -- including SpaceX, Virgin Orbit and Blue Origin -- have started working on medical devices and protective equipment in response to shortages in hospitals across the United States.
VideoLive coverage: Dragon supply ship departs space station
A SpaceX Dragon cargo freighter departed the International Space Station Tuesday for return to Earth, wrapping up the 20th and final visit to the orbiting research complex for the current version of SpaceX's supply ship before an upgraded Dragon starts launching later this year. Release from the space station's robotic arm occurred at 9:06 a.m. EDT (1306 GMT), followed by splashdown in the Pacific Ocean at 2:50 p.m. EDT (1850 GMT).
VideoVideo: Astronauts participate in Crew Dragon launch day dress rehearsal
NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken, assigned to fly SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft on its first piloted mission into orbit, participated in a dress rehearsal of their suit-up procedures and a trip to launch pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Jan. 17, 2020.
Photos: Astronauts train to ride a Dragon into space
Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken, two veteran space shuttle fliers, are gearing up to fly a privately-developed SpaceX Dragon capsule into orbit this year. These photos chronicle their recent training.
Crew training continues for SpaceX’s first launch with astronauts
During a visit to Cape Canaveral this week, NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken strapped in to the SpaceX crew capsule they will ride into orbit as soon as mid-to-late May. Next week, the astronauts will be in Houston to continue training for an extended stay on the International Space Station that could last two-to-three months.
Video: Slidewire basket crew egress system tested at pad 39A
SpaceX tested astronaut slidewire escape baskets and fire suppression capabilities Friday at launch pad 39A in Florida, demonstrating systems that would be activated in the event of an emergency before liftoff of a crewed mission.
Pandemic prompts few changes to busy month on space station
U.S. and Russian vehicles ferrying crews and cargo will continue traveling to and from the International Space Station this month, sustaining the orbiting lab in its 20th year of continuous human occupation amid an escalating pandemic on Earth.
NASA, JAXA assign two more astronauts to second piloted Crew Dragon flight
Veteran astronauts Soichi Noguchi and Shannon Walker have been assigned to fly to the International Space Station on SpaceX's second piloted Crew Dragon mission later this year, joining commander Mike Hopkins and astronaut Victor Glover on a planned six-month expedition in orbit.