Coverage
News
NASA & JAXA Astronaut added to first Operational Dragon Mission
Space X's first rotational Crew Mission to the International Space Station, following DM-2, has just added two new Members, making the total roster, a crew of four. This will make the first time more than three humans have launched to Low Earth Orbit since Space Shuttle Atlantis's final mission in 2011.On the morning of March 31st, 2020, NASA & JAXA (Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency) respectively released Press Statements announcing the additions of American Astronaut, Shannon Walker, and J
AEHF-6 Success; First US Space Force mission to orbit
On a clear Thursday afternoon, after a 1 hour and 21 minute delay, at 4:18 p.m. a United Launch Alliance Atlas V in the 551 configuration, raced into orbit with the first official payload for the newly formed United States Space Force.The payload in question was the Advanced Extremely High Frequency 6 (AEHF-6) satellite, a highly advanced jam-resistant communication satellite built by Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman. This was the sixth and final one to complete the global constellation and
ULA is launching the first satellite for the U.S. Space Force
United Launch Alliance is ready to launch the first National Security Space Mission for the newly rebranded, United States Space Force. The AEHF 6 satellite is developed by Lockheed Martin and provides improved global, survivable, and protected communications for strategic command and tactical warfighters.At 2:57pm EDT, ULA is launching their largest Atlas V variant, the 551. This rocket has a large 5 meter fairing and 5 Solid Rocket Boosters strapped to the sides of the first stage. The Atlas V
Space X will fly NASA cargo to Gateway on new Dragon XL
In a stunning and unexpected announcement on March 27th, 2020, NASA Administrator, Jim Bridenstine, made the online announcement via twitter that the agency has selected Private Aerospace Company, Space X to be the first to fly Cargo Re-supply missions to NASA's Lunar Orbiting Gateway, in association with the new Artemis spaceflight program. The twitter thread by Administrator Bridenstine goes on to explain that, similarly to the ISS Commercial Re-Supply contracts already awarded by NASA, the A
Space X SAOCOM-1B Delayed indefinitely; COVID-19
The first rocket launch to be severely affected by COVID-19 is now officially upon us. On March 24th; Launch Services Provider, Space X and Argentinian customer, CONAE, announced that their upcoming mission to Low Earth Orbit is now postponed indefinitely.In a statement released to the press, The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation and the National Commission for Space Activities (CONAE), detail their reasons for scrubbing SAOCOM-1B, which was slated for liftoff from Cape Canaveral at
KSC Employee tests positive for COVID-19
While the world is fighting a global pandemic, it has been shown that no sector of society has gone unaffected, not even our nations aerospace industry.On Sunday March 22nd, an employee of Jacob’s Space Exploration Group, a NASA subcontractor based out of Kennedy Space Center, was tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. He was out of work for over a week but it is unknown if he had contracted the virus while still at work as he had no symptoms at the time. Management is currently working with th
NASA halts SLS production and testing
A statement from NASA's Administrator Jim Bridenstine was released yesterday, March 19th, stating that the agency's Michoud Assembly Facility and Stennis Space Center are moving to Stage 4 today, March 20th. It's the 4th and final stage of NASA's Response Framework that limits the amount of in-person activities taking place at the facilities. This move to Stage 4 was made, because of the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the area near the facilities and one confirmed case on their Stennis Space
SpaceX successfully deploys 60 Starlink satellites despite engine failure
This morning at 8:16am EDT, SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This launch was the 5th launch of operational Starlink satellites as well as the 5th reuse of a Falcon 9 first stage, a first in the Aerospace industry. The Falcon 9 launched nominally from 39A and ascended through Maximum Aerodynamic Pressure beautifully. A few moments before MECO, Main Engine Cut Off, there was a bright flash from one of the engines. This w
Following Launch Pad Abort; StarLink-5 set to fly
After a long awaited mission was set to liftoff, an issue occurred that caused only the second ever abort of a SpaceX Falcon 9 after main engine ignition but before liftoff. On March 15th, 2020 at 9:22 am, SpaceX was to lift its fifth batch of 60 version 1 Starlink Satellites into Low Earth Orbit. However, this was no ordinary launch, as it marked the first time a booster was to be re-flown for a fifth time, getting it halfway to its ten-flight lifespan.After a successful static fire on March 13
Starlink launch postponed until Wednesday morning
On Sunday morning, SpaceX attempted to launch their Falcon 9 rocket with 60 Starlink satellites encapsulated in the fairing. The sequence proceeded nominally until the engines ignited and "out of family data" triggered an abort shutting down the engines. SpaceX reported that it was an issue that occurred during the engine power check that happens right before the rocket is released from the launchpad. They are now targeting 8:16am EDT on Wednesday from LC-39a at the Kennedy Space Center in Flori
SpaceX is setting another reusability record this morning
This morning at 9:22am EDT, SpaceX will be launching another batch of Starlink satellites, adding to their ever-growing constellation of internet satellites. The satellites will be launched on a Falcon 9 rocket from LC-39a at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. On this mission, the first stage is being used for the 5th time in a row, another reusability first for SpaceX, no other first stage booster has exceeded 4 launches yet. This booster previously supported its first mission in July of 2018
SpaceX is launching their final Cargo Dragon spacecraft tonight
Tonight at 11:50pm ET, SpaceX will be launching their final Cargo Dragon spacecraft, ending the second round of the Commercial Resupply Service (CRS) contract with NASA. Dragon is currently loaded with roughly 4,500 pounds of supplies and payloads, including materials to support more than 250 research investigations being conducted on the ISS currently. This particular Dragon previously supported the CRS-10 and CRS-16 missions and the booster supported the CRS-19 mission. After launch, the first
SpaceX is launching their final Cargo Dragon spacecraft tonight
Tonight at 11:50pm ET, SpaceX will be launching their final Cargo Dragon spacecraft, ending the second round of the Commercial Resupply Service (CRS) contract with NASA. Dragon is currently loaded with roughly 4,500 pounds of supplies and payloads, including materials to support more than 250 research investigations being conducted on the ISS currently. This particular Dragon previously supported the CRS-10 and CRS-16 missions and the booster supported the CRS-19 mission. After launch, the first
Static Fire complete; Final Cargo Dragon Prepares to fly to ISS
Private Aerospace Company, Space X is currently making preparations for their next Commercial Re-supply flight to the ISS for NASA. What many do not realize, is that CRS-20 is actually one of Space X's most historical missions to date! Here's why: On the morning of March 1st, 2020, Space X announced via Twitter that Falcon 9 successfully ran a Static Fire test on Pad-40, a test in which all 9 of Falcon's first stage engines ignite and fire for a few-second duration. A pre-launch wet dress rehear