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NASA to consider WFIRST launch options after mission passes key review
NASA expects to select a launch vehicle next year to carry the Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope -- a multibillion-dollar flagship astrophysics observatory targeted for cancellation by the Trump administration -- into space in 2025 after the mission passed a key review last month, agency officials said.
AEHF satellite arrives in Florida for first of nearly 20 Space Force launches this year
The sixth and final satellite in the U.S. military’s network of ultra-secure, nuclear-hardened AEHF communications relay stations has arrived in Florida for final preparations for liftoff in March on a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket, the first of nearly 20 U.S. Space Force missions planned for launch in the first year of operations for the new military service.
Long March, Soyuz and Falcon rockets topped 2019’s launch leaderboard
China led the world with 34 orbital launch attempts in 2019 — including two failures — followed by 22 flights from Russian-operated launch pads and 21 satellite delivery missions originating from U.S. spaceports, all of which were successful.
SpaceX offering Starship to NASA for lunar landing missions
SpaceX is eligible to propose using its next-generation Starship vehicle to carry NASA robotic science payloads to the lunar surface, the U.S. space agency announced Monday, on missions that could precede future Starship flights with people on-board. SpaceX is one of five companies NASA selected Monday to join a roster of commercial transportation providers to deliver scientific instruments and technology demonstration packages to the moon as soon as 2022.
Q&A with NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine (members only)
Speaking with Spaceflight Now on the sidelines of the International Astronautical Congress this week, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine offered his assessment on the status of a budget battle to secure funding for the agency's Artemis program, which seeks to achieve the next human landing on the moon by the end of 2024.
VideoBoeing reveals target dates for initial Starliner test flights
Boeing officials said Wednesday that the company is targeting Dec. 17 for the launch of the first unpiloted orbital test flight of the new Starliner crew capsule from Cape Canaveral on a week-long demonstration mission to the International Space Station, a precursor to a mission with astronauts next year.
Intuitive Machines selects SpaceX to launch commercial lunar lander
Intuitive Machines confirmed plans Wednesday to launch a commercial lunar lander aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Florida's Space Coast in 2021 on a mission to deliver multiple payloads to the moon, including up to five science instruments for NASA.
NASA announces funding for moon and Mars mission tech
NASA announced agreements worth a combined $43.2 million with 14 commercial partners Friday -- including Blue Origin and SpaceX -- to fund experiments in propellant and power generation, in-space refueling, efficient propulsion systems, and lunar rover technology.
Spaceport survey finds little damage from Hurricane Dorian
Launch facilities at Cape Canaveral were spared any significant damage as Hurricane Dorian churned northward off Florida's east coast earlier this week, and employees at the spaceport resumed their normal work Friday.
Live coverage: Kennedy Space Center to reopen Friday
After assessing any damage to the spaceport caused by Hurricane Dorian as it narrowly missed Florida's east coast, NASA says the Kennedy Space Center will reopen for normal operations Friday. Teams rolled the Space Launch System's mobile launch platform from pad 39B back into the cavernous Vehicle Assembly Building last week for safekeeping during the storm.