Electric Propulsion – Spaceflight Now

Starlink ‘train’ traces path across twilight skies

November 14, 2019

The 60 Starlink satellites deployed Monday by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket have traced paths across twilight skies around the world this week, but their brightness is expected to dim as the spacecraft — designed to beam broadband signals down to Earth — spread out and climb to higher altitudes.

Photos: Falcon 9 launches with 60 Starlink satellites

November 13, 2019

A Falcon 9 rocket carrying the heaviest payload ever launched by SpaceX took off Monday morning from Cape Canaveral with 60 satellites for then company’s Starlink broadband network.

Successful launch continues deployment of SpaceX’s Starlink network

November 11, 2019

Sixty upgraded satellites for SpaceX’s Starlink broadband network rocketed into orbit Monday from Florida’s Space Coast, debuting performance enhancements and notching new firsts in SpaceX’s list of rocket reuse accomplishments.

Falcon 9 launches Starlink satellites (members only)

November 11, 2019

SpaceX launches a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 60 broadband satellites into orbit for the company’s Starlink constellation as seen from the Kennedy Space Center Press Site.

Timeline for Falcon 9 launch of Starlink satellites

November 11, 2019

Follow the key events of the Falcon 9 rocket’s ascent to orbit 60 satellites for SpaceX’s Starlink broadband network.

Live coverage: SpaceX launches Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral

November 11, 2019

SpaceX’s first launch since August took off from Cape Canaveral at 9:56 a.m. EST (1456 GMT) to carry 60 broadband satellites into orbit for the company’s Starlink network. The Starlink satellites rode together on top of a Falcon 9 rocket with a previously-flown first stage and a reused payload fairing.

SpaceX readies upgraded Starlink satellites for launch

November 10, 2019

New satellites for SpaceX’s Starlink broadband network set for launch Monday from Cape Canaveral will debut several performance and safety upgrades, but they do not include changes to reduce the brightness of the satellites, a modification SpaceX says it will introduce on future Starlink craft to mitigate their impacts on ground-based astronomy.

Aerojet Rocketdyne, Firefly to collaborate on propulsion

October 28, 2019

Firefly Aerospace and Aerojet Rocketdyne have announced a strategic partnership to collaborate on rocket propulsion, an agreement that could lead to Firefly’s use of Aerojet’s AR1 engine in a new medium-lift launcher.

Japanese satellite re-enters atmosphere after experiments in ultra-low orbit

October 15, 2019

An experimental Japanese satellite has ended its mission after proving it could operate at super-low altitudes, testing an Earth-imaging camera and using ion propulsion to fight against aerodynamic drag at an altitude of 112 miles.

NASA chooses Maxar to build keystone module for lunar Gateway station

May 24, 2019

NASA has selected Maxar Technologies for a $375 million contract to design, build and launch the core element of a mini-space station in orbit around the moon that will double as a deep space research outpost and a staging point for future human expeditions to the lunar surface.