Author: ChrisDMarshall
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SpaceX successfully concludes CRS-5 mission
Despite having to again delay the launch of the DSCOVR mission, this time due to higher than acceptable upper level winds, they still had a successful conclusion to another mission that has been in space for the last month. The Dragon capsule that was docked to the International Space Station as part of there Commercial…
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ULA Delta 2 launches SMAP
Following a 48 hour delay due to higher than allowed upper level winds and an issue with debonding of insulation on the first stage the United Launch Alliance Delta 2 rocket lifted off from Vandenberg today carrying NASA Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) satellite. SMAP will provide a capability for global mapping of soil moisture and…
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ULA launches MUOS 3 Satellite
United Launch Alliance started it’s 2015 launch schedule with a beautiful launch from Space Launch Complex (SLC) 41 last night. The most powerful version of there Atlas V family this rocket had a single core and five solid boasters. The launch was delayed several times due to weather violations but was able to launch within…
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New Horizons Flyby Activity begins
NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft which has been travelling towards Pluto since its launch in 2006 has now entered the flyby activity phase of the mission. While closest approach will not be until July 14th the spacecraft will be performing plenty of different activities before then, as it races towards the dwarf planet. Due to the…
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Dragon at the International Space Station
Following Saturday’s beautiful launch of the Falcon 9 and two days of rendezvous maneuvers the SpaceX Dragon vehicle arrived at the ISS early this morning. This is the sixth time that Dragon has visited the station, once under the COTS development program and five times under the cargo resupply contract (CRS) awarded to SpaceX. The…
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Is US Manned Space Program falling behind?
Since the Space Shuttle completed it’s last flight the US has had to rely on Russia to launch manned missions to the International Space Station, and this will continue for at least two more years. There are currently two countries with the ability to launch manned missions Russia and China, there are five others US,…
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SpaceX CRS-5 mission on it’s way to ISS
Following a smooth countdown this morning the Falcon 9’s engines roared to live to carry the Dragon spacecraft to orbit, Follow successful separation from the second stage the solar array’s deploy and the spacecraft is now heading to the International Space Station to deliver 1.8 metric tonnes of supplies. Elon Musk tweeted two updates on…