Mitsubishi Electric – Spaceflight Now

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

October 15, 2019 Stephen Clark

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.

Photos: Falcon 9 takes off from launch pad 39A with Es’hail 2 comsat

November 19, 2018 Stephen Clark

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket boosted by a recycled first stage fired into the skies over the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Nov. 15, and these photos show the start of the 229-foot-tall launcher’s journey into orbit.

SpaceX launches Qatar’s Es’hail 2 communications satellite

November 15, 2018 Stephen Clark

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket darted into a partly cloudy sky over Florida’s Space Coast with a roar Thursday afternoon, carrying the Japanese-built Es’hail 2 communications satellite into space to beam commercial video and data services across the Middle East and expand connectivity for Qatar’s military.

Video: Press site view of Falcon 9’s launch with the Es’hail 2 satellite (members only)

November 15, 2018 Stephen Clark

Watch a video replay of Thursday’s liftoff of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, carrying the Es’hail 2 communications satellite into orbit.

Falcon 9 launch timeline with Es’hail 2

November 15, 2018 Stephen Clark

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket is set for liftoff from Cape Canaveral on Thursday, heading due east over the Atlantic Ocean to deliver the Es’hail 2 communications satellite into orbit around 32 minutes later.

Photos: Previously-flown Falcon 9 booster ready for another launch

November 15, 2018 Stephen Clark

A Falcon 9 rocket powered by a first stage booster recovered after a launch in July is being readied for another flight Thursday from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Live coverage: SpaceX launches communications satellite for Qatar

November 15, 2018 Stephen Clark

SpaceX conducted its first launch from Florida in more than two months Thursday, when a Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center with the Qatari Es’hail 2 communications satellite at 3:46 p.m. EST (2046 GMT). The Falcon 9’s reused first stage landed on SpaceX’s drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean.

Video: Falcon 9 fires engines at pad 39A ahead of Es’hail 2 launch (members only)

November 13, 2018 Stephen Clark

Watch a video replay of Monday night’s hotfire of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The rocket is set for launch Thursday with Qatar’s Es’hail 2 communications satellite.

SpaceX fires Falcon 9 booster on pad 39A, aims for comsat launch Thursday

November 13, 2018 Stephen Clark

SpaceX test-fired a Falcon 9 rocket Monday night at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, clearing the way for a launch Thursday with Qatar’s Es’hail 2 communications satellite, the first daytime liftoff from Florida’s Space Coast in more than six months.

Live coverage: Falcon 9 rocket test-fired at Kennedy Space Center

November 12, 2018 Stephen Clark

SpaceX test-fired a previously-flown Falcon 9 rocket Monday evening on pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, setting the stage for a launch later this week carrying the Japanese-built, Qatari-owned Es’hail 2 communications satellite to orbit.