NASA audit reveals massive overruns in SLS mobile launch platform
Original Publication Date: 2022-06-09 19:53:07+00:00
A new mobile launch platform that Bechtel is building for NASA will cost up to four times as much as originally planned. Mobile Launcher (ML) 2 will be used for launches of the Block 1B version of the SLS starting with the Artemis 4 mission. The first launch of an upgraded version of the Space Launch System could be in the late 2020s.
DoD space agency to acquire 10 satellites for experiments in low Earth orbit
Original Publication Date: 2022-06-12 14:34:33+00:00
The Space Development Agency is looking to acquire as many as 10 satellites. This new procurement of satellites - known as the NExT experimental testbed - replaces a previous SDA program called T1DES. SDA wants the experimental payloads deployed between March 2024 and March 2025.
Xenesis signs launch pact with Evolution Space
Original Publication Date: 2022-06-10 19:01:59+00:00
Launch startup Evolution Space signed a memorandum of understanding to launch a small satellite constellation. Under the $120 million deal, Evolution will conduct five suborbital and 25 orbital launches. Mojave, Calif.-based Evolution is taking an iterative approach to developing small solid rockets.
Gaia sees strange stars in most detailed Milky Way survey to date
Gaia is ESA's mission to create the most accurate and complete multi-dimensional map of the Milky Way. Gaia's data release 3 contains new and improved details for almost two billion stars in our galaxy. The catalog includes new information including chemical compositions, stellar temperatures, colors, masses, ages and the speed at which stars move towards or away from us.
'Obi-Wan Kenobi' episode three boasts plenty of action, but old Ben isn't the Jedi he once was
Original Publication Date: 2022-06-13 10:49:32+00:00
Episode three of 'Obi-Wan Kenobi' is all about Darth Vader's return. James Earl Jones has reprised his role as the Dark Lord's menacing voice. But although Obi-Wan and Vader finally cross laser swords, this probably isn't the rematch you've been hoping for. Here's our hot take on the series' most action-packed episode yet.
Photos: Artemis 1 rocket hauled to launch pad for another countdown rehearsal - Spaceflight Now
Original Publication Date: 2022-06-12 00:00:00
NASA's Artemis 1 moon rocket rolled out to pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center on June 6. The rollout began at 12:15 a.m. EDT (0415 GMT) with the departure of the Space Launch System. The rocket and its mobile launch platform rode NASA's diesel-powered crawler-transporter for the 4.2-mile journey to pad 39B.
Live coverage: Astra rocket fails shortly after liftoff from Cape Canaveral - Spaceflight Now
Original Publication Date: 2022-06-12 00:00:00
The rocket that flew Sunday is the smallest orbital-class launcher currently in service worldwide. Astra held the countdown more than 90 minutes to resolve a concern about the conditioning of liquid oxygen on the rocket. The two TROPICS satellites were each about the size of a loaf of bread or a shoebox.
NASA to purchase five more Dragon crew missions from SpaceX - Spaceflight Now
Original Publication Date: 2022-06-10 00:00:00
NASA says it plans to buy five more crew rotation missions on SpaceX's fleet of Dragon spaceships. The five additional Dragon missions help ensure NASA maintains two independent crew transpiration providers. SpaceX and Boeing alternating astronaut missions every six months once the agency certifies Boeing's Starliner capsule for the job.
Astra to begin three-launch campaign with NASA hurricane research satellites - Spaceflight Now
Original Publication Date: 2022-06-10 00:00:00
Astra is preparing to launch the first of three dedicated missions for NASA this weekend. The first of the three TROPICS missions is set for liftoff during a two-hour window opening at 12 p.m. EDT (1600 GMT) Sunday. Forecasters predict stormy weather at the launch site, with a greater than 50% chance conditions could prevent liftoff.
U.S. Space Force orders eight launches from ULA and SpaceX - Spaceflight Now
Original Publication Date: 2022-06-10 00:00:00
The U.S. Space Force recently ordered five military satellite launches from United Launch Alliance and three from SpaceX. The awards valued at $846 million for missions scheduled to fly in the next two years. The task orders maintain the split between ULA and SpaceX for the U.S. Military's National Security Space Launch, or NSSL, missions.
NASA TV International Space Station Channel
President Obama's first lady Michelle Obama is the first lady of the United States. She is married to former President George H.W. Bush. Obama's first lady, Michelle Obama, is the former first lady of the U.S. And former first lady of South Africa. She is the first woman to be a U.S. President.
Lena Delta Wildlife Reserve As Seen From Orbit
Lena Delta Wildlife Reserve is located in the delta of the Lena River in Sakha Republic, in the far north of eastern Siberia. The reserve is home to more than 1,000 species of wild animals. The reserve is one of the most biodiverse places in the world.
NASASpaceFlight.com
China launched the Shenzhou 14 mission to their Tiangong space station on Sunday morning, June 5, at 02:44 UTC. The crewed launch of three taikonauts took place from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in China, with the Shenzhou spacecraft being taken to orbit by a Chang Zheng 2F (CZ-2F) rocket.
Commercial Archives
The first of three flights to launch the TROPICS satellites for NASA lifted off on Sunday during at 1:43 PM EDT (17:43 UTC) Astra's LV0010 vehicle launched from SLC-46 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. After a nominal first stage burn, the upper stage engine shut down early.
International Archives
Lockheed Martin has completed the first-time power-up of the Orion capsule for the Artemis 2 mission. Orion is the first capsule that will be tasked with carrying humans into space. The company also provided updates on the other three capsules, and three European Service Modules, currently in various stages of their respective flows.
Chinese Long March 3B Launches APStar-6C Communications Satellite - Spaceflight101
Long March 3B rocket lifted off from Xichang Satellite Launch Center on Thursday. Rocket carried APStar-6C communications satellite for APT Satellite Holdings to join their constellation of Geostationary Communications Satellites. The satellite will deliver VSAT services, video distribution, Direct-to-Home television and high-throughput cellular backhaul.
Blue Origin's New Shepard Reaches new Heights in latest Test Flight - Spaceflight101
Blue Origin returned to its West Texas testing grounds on Sunday for the eighth flight of its reusable New Shepard launch system. The mission was designed to expand the vehicles operational envelope by sending it to a peak altitude of 107 Kilometers, a new record for New Shepard. Sunday's flight marked the second for this particular set of hardware, following up on the successful December 2017 mission that debuted 'Crew Capsule 2.0'
ISS Updates - Spaceflight101 - International Space Station
A veteran NASA spacewalker and an EVA rookie from Japan ended their week with nearly six hours of work outside the International Space Station. The restoration of the Station's Mobile Servicing System started last year and continued in January to provide Canadarm2 with a new pair of grappling hands.