Category: Space
-
International Docking Adapter successfully installed
The International Docking Adapter (IDA) that was transported to the International Space Station (ISS) in the trunk of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft was successfully installed to the end of the Pressurized Mating Adapter 2 (PMA-2) during a spacewalk today. Astronauts Jeff Williams and Kate Rubins performed a 5 hour 58 minute spacewalk to complete the…
-
Cargo Vehicles arrive at ISS
Following the two successful launches over the weekend the International Space Station now has two additional vehicles attached. Monday evening the Progress MS-03/64P vehicle completed it’s mission with a picture perfect docking to the Pirs module. And early this morning ISS Commander Jeff Williams and Flight Engineer Dr. Kate Rubins successfully captured the Dragon CRS-9 spacecraft. Three…
-
SpaceX CRS 9 launches
The second launch of International Space Station Cargo this weekend was completed successful this morning following the successful delivery to orbit of the Dragon capsule. Following a smooth countdown the Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 12:45:29 am EDT today propelling the Dragon capsule to orbit, the first stage then returned to the Cape for…
-
Progress 64P launches
In the first of two International Space Station Cargo launches this weekend the Russian Progress 64P was successfully delivered to orbit today by it’s Soyuz booster. Following a smooth countdown the Soyuz rocket lifted off at 5:41pm EDT. This is the third flight of the MS version of the Progress Cargo vehicle and will be…
-
SpaceX launches Eutelsat/ABS satellites
SpaceX continued it’s launch campaign today with the successful launch and deployment of the Eutelsat 117 West B and ABS-2A satellites. The two Boeing built spacecraft utilize an all electric propulsion system allowing them to be launched on a single Falcon 9 vehicle. Unfortunately the first stage didn’t survive the landing attempt, as explained by…
-
SpaceX continues 2016 launch campaign
SpaceX continued it’s 2016 campaign with the successful launch of the Thaicom 8 satellite this evening. Originally scheduled for yesterday 5/26 the launch was postponed to allow more time to investigate an issue found during the countdown. @SpaceX There was a tiny glitch in the motion of an upper stage engine actuator. Probably not a…
-
SpaceX nails the GTO Landing
SpaceX successfully launched the JCSAT 14 satellite this week for SKY Perfect JSAT, and once again landed the Falcon 9 first stage on the ASDS “Of Course I Still Love You”. Unlike the landing during the CRS-8 mission this was more complicated due to the speed of the first stage booster at separation. According to…
-
SpaceX CRS-8 launches successfully – First Stage Lands
Ten months after the failed CRS-7 launch SpaceX resumed their servicing missions to the International Space Station today with the successful launch of their Dragon spacecraft. Following a smooth countdown the Falcon 9 lifted off at 4:43 pm EDT to begin a 10 minute climb to orbit. As with previous launches SpaceX also attempted to…
-
Progress MS-02 launches to ISS
The Russian Progress MS-02 spacecraft launched successfully today beginning a two day journey to dock with the International Space Station. Roscosmos elected to do the two day journey to allow time to fully test all the upgraded systems on the newer MS version of the vehicle. The first Soyuz MS crewed mission is due to launch…
-
ULA launches Cygnus OA-6 to ISS
Last night United Launch Alliance (ULA) launched an Orbital ATK Cygnus spacecraft towards the International Space Station (ISS). This is the second Cygnus that has launched on an Atlas V rocket and will be the heaviest payload the Atlas V has ever launched. Even with the heavier payload ULA didn’t require any Solid Rocket Boosters as…