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Solar Orbiter launch delayed to Feb. 7
Officials have delayed the launch of a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket with the European-built Solar Orbiter spacecraft from Cape Canaveral by two days to Feb. 7, a ripple effect from time spent fixing a minor issue last week during a launch vehicle countdown dress rehearsal.
ULA team completes countdown practice run before Solar Orbiter launch
United Launch Alliance teams loaded super-cold liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen into an Atlas 5 rocket Friday at Cape Canaveral during a countdown dress rehearsal for a planned launch next month with the Solar Orbiter mission, a robotic spacecraft to study the origins of the solar wind and image the sun's poles for the first time.
Photos: Solar Orbiter encapsulated inside launch shroud
The Airbus-built Solar Orbiter spacecraft has been closed up inside the payload fairing of a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket in preparation for liftoff from Cape Canaveral in February on a joint mission between the European Space Agency and NASA.
Atlas 5 for Solar Orbiter launch returns to assembly building for inspections
United Launch Alliance moved its next Atlas 5 rocket off its Florida launch pad Wednesday for inspections after a cooling duct unexpectedly disconnected before a planned countdown rehearsal to prepare for liftoff next month with the joint U.S.-European Solar Orbiter mission. The roll back to the Vertical Integration Facility at Cape Canaveral's Complex 41 launch pad could delay Solar Orbiter's liftoff, which was scheduled for Feb. 5
NASA invites public to vote on name for Mars 2020 rover
NASA has announced the nine finalists for the name of the space agency's next Mars rover -- scheduled for launch in July -- and invited the public to vote on the candidates before making a final selection in the coming months.
Stacking of ULA’s next Atlas 5 rocket begins at Cape Canaveral
United Launch Alliance teams began stacking an Atlas 5 rocket inside a vertical hangar at Cape Canaveral Monday in preparation for an early February launch with the Solar Orbiter spacecraft, a joint U.S.-European probe that will take the first pictures of the sun's poles.
Photos: Boeing’s Starliner ends shortened mission with landing in New Mexico
Boeing's Starliner spacecraft parachuted to an airbag-cushioned landing in New Mexico on Dec. 22 to conclude an abbreviated two-day test orbital test flight that accomplished many objectives, but missed a planned rendezvous and docking with the International Space Station.
Photos: Atlas 5 blasts off at dawn with Boeing’s Starliner crew capsule
Take a look back on the liftoff of Boeing's Starliner spacecraft on its first orbital test flight Dec. 20 aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket with these photos showing the capsule streaking into space at dawn.
Boeing’s first commercial crew capsule christened ‘Calypso’
Fresh from its inaugural test flight in space, Boeing's first reusable Starliner crew capsule has been named "Calypso" by NASA astronaut Suni Williams, who will command the same vehicle on its next trip into orbit.
Boeing’s Starliner capsule lands after missing rendezvous with space station
An unpiloted demonstration flight of Boeing's Starliner crew capsule ended prematurely Sunday with a smooth airbag-cushioned predawn landing in New Mexico after a timing glitch prevented it from docking with the International Space Station, leaving some test objectives incomplete as NASA begins analyzing data to determine if astronauts should fly on the next Starliner mission.