Spaceflight – Spaceflight Now

Italian maker of Vega rocket says launch remains on track for later this month

March 13, 2020

The head of Italian rocket-maker Avio said Thursday that preparations are proceeding without interruption for the launch of a Vega rocket later this month in French Guiana, but officials have adjusted work schedules at the company’s Vega manufacturing plant near Rome in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

Japanese companies agree to buy Spaceflight rideshare launch broker

February 13, 2020

Spaceflight Industries said this week it is selling its rideshare launch business — known as Spaceflight — to a joint venture formed by two Japanese companies.

Rocket Lab’s 10th launch tests booster recovery technology

December 6, 2019

Rocket Lab closed out its 2019 launch schedule Friday with the 10th flight of the company’s Electron small satellite launcher, successfully deploying seven payloads in orbit while demonstrating new re-entry guidance and control technology to move closer to recovering and reusing future boosters.

Live coverage: Rocket Lab launches upgraded Electron booster with seven satellites

November 29, 2019

After scrubbing a launch attempt Nov. 29 due to a problem with a second stage umbilical, Rocket Lab launched seven small satellites on an Electron booster from New Zealand at 3:18 a.m. EST (0818 GMT) Friday. The Electron rocket lifted off with an upgraded first stage carrying new hardware to control the rocket’s re-entry before teams attempt to catch the booster on future missions for refurbishment and reuse.

Japanese company to launch artificial meteor shower satellite

November 28, 2019

A small Japanese satellite scheduled for launch Friday on a Rocket Lab Electron booster will release hundreds of colorful sky pellets to fall into the atmosphere next year, creating an artificial meteor shower that could be visible to millions.