Launch – Page 35 – Spaceflight Now

Atlas 5 rocket back on the launch pad for national security mission

November 12, 2020 Stephen Clark

A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket made its third trip to a Cape Canaveral launch pad Thursday, rolling into position for liftoff Friday afternoon with a classified payload for the U.S. government’s spy satellite agency.

Live coverage: ULA launches Atlas 5 rocket with cargo for spysat agency

November 12, 2020 Stephen Clark

A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket launched from Cape Canaveral with a classified payload for the National Reconnaissance Office at 5:32 p.m. EST (2232 GMT) Friday. The launcher debuted new Northrop Grumman-built solid rocket boosters.

Falcon 9 rocket fires up in crucial test before weekend crew launch

November 11, 2020 Stephen Clark

SpaceX test-fired a Falcon 9 rocket Wednesday afternoon at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, clearing a major hurdle before it launches Saturday night — weather permitting — with a four-person crew heading for the International Space Station.

Photos: Falcon 9 rocket rolled out to pad 39A for Crew-1 launch

November 11, 2020 Stephen Clark

SpaceX raised a 215-foot-tall Falcon 9 rocket on pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida this week, shortly after the launcher rolled out of the company’s hangar with a Crew Dragon spaceship to ferry four astronauts to the International Space Station.

NASA formally certifies SpaceX’s Crew Dragon for “operational” astronaut flights

November 10, 2020 Stephen Clark

NASA officials gave approval Tuesday for SpaceX to begin regular crew rotation flights to the International Space Station with the launch of four astronauts set for Saturday from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, signaling a transition from development to operations for the human-rated Dragon spacecraft.

Photos: Crew Dragon and Falcon 9 ready for rollout to pad 39A

November 9, 2020 Stephen Clark

SpaceX’s Crew Dragon “Resilience” spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket — stretching 215 feet long — are ready for rollout to pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in preparation for the launch of four astronauts Saturday night to the International Space Station.

Photos: Crew-1 astronauts greeted at Kennedy Space Center

November 8, 2020 Stephen Clark

Crew Dragon commander Mike Hopkins, pilot Victor Glover, and mission specialists Shannon Walker and Soichi Noguchi flew to the Kennedy Space Center on a NASA-chartered private jet Sunday, ready for a final week of training, refresher courses, and some time off before their launch to the International Space Station.

Crew Dragon astronauts arrive in Florida for launch preparations

November 8, 2020 Stephen Clark

With eyes on Tropical Storm Eta approaching South Florida, the four astronauts set to launch next Saturday on a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft arrived at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on Sunday after flying from their home base in Houston.

Live coverage: Crew launch delayed to Sunday

November 8, 2020 Stephen Clark

NASA and SpaceX have delayed the launch of the Crew Dragon “Resilience” spacecraft from the Kennedy Space Center until 7:27 p.m. EST Sunday (0027 GMT Monday) to wait for improved downrange weather and sea conditions, and better onshore winds at the launch site.

New Chinese rocket successful in debut launch

November 8, 2020 Stephen Clark

A new four-stage rocket operated by the Chinese launch company Galactic Energy succeeded on its inaugural flight Saturday, delivering a data relay microsatellite to an orbit 300 miles above Earth.