Earth Observation – Page 23

All-new Falcon 9 rocket tested in Florida as SpaceX preps for back-to-back launches

December 1, 2018 Stephen Clark

An all-new SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket fired its engines Friday night on launch pad 40 at Cape Canaveral, the opening act in a busy weekend of SpaceX launch preps leading up to a pair of blastoffs Sunday and Tuesday from California’s Central Coast and Florida’s Space Coast, respectively.

On-board camera replay of PSLV’s deployment of 31 smallsats

November 30, 2018 Stephen Clark

India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle released 31 satellites into two different orbits Thursday, and on-board cameras captured dazzling views of the smallsats flying away from the rocket’s upper stage high above Earth.

Indian rocket launches 31 satellites

November 29, 2018 Stephen Clark

India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle lifted off Thursday and deployed in orbit a hyperspectral Earth-imaging satellite designed to assess vegetation, soil conditions and pollution in rich detail, then maneuvered to a lower altitude to release 30 more smallsats, including reinforcements for Planet and Spire’s commercial Earth-observing constellations.

Live coverage: PSLV launches cluster of international satellites

November 28, 2018 Stephen Clark

An Indian Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle lifted off at 0427 GMT Thursday (11:27 p.m. EST Wednesday) with 31 satellites from nine countries, with most of the smallsats coming from U.S. customers.

SpaceX postpones California launch to wait for better weather

November 27, 2018 Stephen Clark

SpaceX has postponed Wednesday’s scheduled launch from California’s Central Coast with 64 smallsats, electing to keep the Falcon 9 rocket on the ground until at least Sunday to wait for improved weather conditions.

Moroccan spy satellite launched aboard Vega rocket

November 21, 2018 Stephen Clark

A Vega launcher lifted off Tuesday night from a spaceport at the edge of South America’s Amazon rainforest, climbed into orbit on the power of four Italian- and Ukrainian-built rocket stages, and successfully deployed a French-built, Moroccan-owned military surveillance satellite nearly 400 miles above Earth.

Live coverage: Vega rocket launches with Moroccan spy satellite

November 20, 2018 Stephen Clark

A Moroccan military reconnaissance satellite secretly built in France lifted off Tuesday night aboard a European Vega rocket in Kourou, French Guiana. The launch occurred at 8:42 p.m. EST (0142 GMT).

SpaceX postpones rideshare launch from California

November 17, 2018 Stephen Clark

SpaceX has ordered additional inspections on a Falcon 9 rocket at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, a decision that is expected to keep the launcher grounded for several days until after the Thanksgiving holiday, officials said Saturday.

Rocket Lab delivers seven payloads to orbit, plans next launch in December

November 11, 2018 Stephen Clark

Rocket Lab’s Electron booster launched six small satellites and a drag sail demonstrator to orbit Sunday from New Zealand, a success on the company’s first commercial mission that officials said should pave the way for a launch carrying NASA CubeSats next month and up to 16 flights of the light-class rocket next year.

Live coverage: Rocket Lab launches six CubeSats and drag sail demo

November 10, 2018 Stephen Clark

Rocket Lab’s first operational launch took off from Mahia Peninsula in New Zealand at 10:50 p.m. EST Saturday (0350 GMT Sunday). The Electron rocket is carrying six CubeSats and a tech demo payload into orbit for customers in the United States, Australia, and Germany.