Commercial Space – Page 117

ULA announces takeover of commercial Atlas 5 launch sales

January 24, 2018 Stephen Clark

United Launch Alliance announced Monday that the company will assume responsibility for commercial marketing and sales for Atlas 5 rocket missions, taking over for a Lockheed Martin division that previously sold Atlas 5 launch services on the commercial market.

Organizers confirm no teams will win Google Lunar X Prize

January 24, 2018 Stephen Clark

None of the teams who have spent the last decade chasing a $20 million grand prize by placing a privately-funded lander on the moon will meet a deadline at the end of March to claim the award, the organizers of the Google Lunar X Prize announced Tuesday.

Hold-down firing nudges Falcon Heavy rocket closer to first liftoff

January 24, 2018 Stephen Clark

SpaceX’s first Falcon Heavy rocket fired up 27 main engines Wednesday on launch pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, sending a crackling rumble across the swampy spaceport and moving the heavy-lifter a step closer to its oft-delayed maiden flight as soon as next week.

Falcon Heavy hot fire as seen from Kennedy Space Center Press Site

January 24, 2018 Spaceflight Now

Video of the Falcon Heavy engine test firing at launch pad 39A as seen from the Kennedy Space Center Press Site.

Watch the Falcon Heavy roar to life

January 24, 2018 Spaceflight Now

SpaceX ignited the engines of its Falcon Heavy at 12:30 p.m. EST (1730 GMT) on Jan. 24 as it prepares for the maiden flight of the three-core rocket.

Build-up of Ariane 5 rocket complete for launch Thursday

January 23, 2018 Stephen Clark

The first Ariane 5 rocket scheduled for launch in 2018 has been topped off with two communications satellites for SES and Yahsat, moving the European booster closer to liftoff Thursday from a tropical launch pad in French Guiana with payloads to serve commercial and scientific missions.

Video: Falcon Heavy undergoes fueling test at pad 39A

January 21, 2018 Stephen Clark

SpaceX’s first Falcon Heavy rocket was loaded with propellants Saturday at Kennedy Space Center’s launch pad 39A, as engineers make progress preparing for a hold-down engine firing, and eventually liftoff of the huge commercial launcher.

Rocket Lab delivers nanosatellites to orbit on first successful test launch

January 21, 2018 Stephen Clark

Rocket Lab’s privately-developed Electron launcher soared into orbit from New Zealand on Saturday, U.S. time, a success that puts the company’s founder said will hasten dedicated, frequent and affordable rides to space for small satellites.

Video: Rocket Lab achieves orbit on historic launch from New Zealand

January 21, 2018 Stephen Clark

Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket took off from a picturesque commercial launch base in New Zealand on Saturday, U.S. time, on a test flight that delivered three CubeSats into orbit on the company’s first successful satellite deployment.

Rocket Lab test launch halted by ship traffic, deteriorating weather

January 20, 2018 Stephen Clark

An attempt to place three small satellites in orbit on an experimental test flight was halted Friday after two ships strayed into a keep-out zone offshore Rocket Lab’s privately-owned launch base in New Zealand, delaying the Electron booster’s second demonstration mission at least 24 hours.