Category: Commercial
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Delta 4 launches latest GPS satellite
In the first of six launches scheduled over the next four days a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta 4 lifted off from Cape Canaveral carrying the latest Global Positioning Satellite (GPS). The satellite is the ninth Block 2F to be launched and was successfully placed into orbit following the on-time launch. Below are some screen…
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TurkmenSat 1 launch delayed
The launch of the TurkmenSat 1 satellite has been delayed due to a problem with the launch vehicle. Originally scheduled for 21st the Falcon 9 static fire test was planned for today. Waiting for word from SpaceX on when the new test will be performed. SpaceX’s Gwynne Shotwell reported that it was due to helium pressure…
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Commercial Resupply Contracts 2
Last September NASA released a request for proposals (RFP) for a second record of contracts to resupply the International Space Station (ISS) through 2024. The proposals were due by November 14 with the awards expected in May this year. At the time of the RFP both Orbital Sciences (now Orbital ATK) and SpaceX were flying…
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Beyond ISS – Part One
Introduction In six or maybe ten years the International Space Station (ISS) will come to the end of its operational life. To ensure that we can continue the permanent occupation of space that has been going on since 31 October 2000 we need to define what happens beyond ISS. Given how long it takes to plan, fund…
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What does the future hold for Antares
Following the failure last year of the Antares rocket during the Orb3 resupply mission to the International Space Station Orbital ATK have had to select a different rocket engine for the rocket. They have elected to use the RD-181 engine from Russia company NPO Energomash, they are expecting the first pair to be delivered later…
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SpaceX Dual Satellite Launch
SpaceX hit another milestone this week with their first Dual Satellite launch, following a smooth countdown the Falcon 9’s engines roared to life for an on-time launch on the first attempt. The first stage completed its job and the Merlin Vacuum (MVac) engine took over to deploy the vehicle to its initial orbit. After a…
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SpaceX launches DSCOVR spacecraft
Following a three day delay due to a faulty radar and uncooperative weather SpaceX successfully launched the long delayed Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) spacecraft, for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), this week. This was the first deep space mission for SpaceX and the Falcon 9 with the DSCOVR spacecraft travelling to the Sun-Earth Lagrangian Point…
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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 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…