Author: starpathwp-production
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China Set for First Attempt to Recover Rocket First Stage With Zhuque-3 Launch
China is set to attempt the recovery of a rocket’s first stage for the first time on Nov. 29, according to an airspace closure notice issued by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). The launch is scheduled to take place from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, with the designated landing zone for the first…
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China Unveils Action Plan to Boost Commercial Space Firms and Overseas Expansion
China’s space agency has released a two-year action plan aimed at accelerating the growth of its commercial space sector and encouraging private companies to expand overseas and participate in international cooperation, according to a policy document issued this week. The plan, released by the China National Space Administration (CNSA) on Tuesday, calls on Chinese commercial…
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Soyuz MS-28 Delivers New Crew to International Space Station
A Russian Soyuz spacecraft carrying two Roscosmos cosmonauts and one NASA astronaut successfully launched to the International Space Station on Thursday, Nov. 27, marking the final crewed mission to the orbiting laboratory under Expedition 73. The Soyuz MS-28 mission lifted off at 09:27 UTC atop a Soyuz 2.1a rocket from Site 31/6 at the Baikonur…
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Acme Space to Test Balloon-Rocket Hybrid Vehicle in 2026 Ahead of Orbital Manufacturing Plans
London-based Acme Space said it plans to begin flight testing its balloon-rocket hybrid launch vehicle in the new year, as it prepares for commercial in-orbit manufacturing missions targeted for 2027. The company said it is already working with two unnamed pharmaceutical firms to develop protein crystal growth payloads for its first operational flights. The vehicle,…
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Before a Soyuz launch Thursday someone forgot to secure a 20-ton service platform
A Soyuz rocket launched on Thursday carrying Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergei Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikayev, as well as NASA astronaut Christopher Williams, for an eight-month mission to the International Space Station. The trio of astronauts arrived at the orbiting laboratory without incident. However, on the ground, there was a serious problem during the launch with the…
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ESA and Norway Move Toward Establishing Arctic Space Centre in Tromsø
The European Space Agency (ESA) and Norway have signed a letter of intent to explore the establishment of an ESA Arctic Space Centre in Tromsø, a move aimed at strengthening Europe’s scientific, environmental and strategic capabilities in the High North. The agreement was announced on Nov. 27 during ESA’s ministerial conference. Under the plan, a…
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SpaceX launches 140 spacecraft on Transporter-15 rideshare mission
A glimpse of the 140 payloads onboard SpaceX’s Transporter-15 mission. Image: SpaceX Update Nov. 28, 5:45 p.m. EST (2345 UTC): SpaceX deployed all payloads designed to separate from the rocket. The second time proved to be the charm as SpaceX successfully launched 140 payloads onboard its Falcon 9 rocket at Vandenberg Space Force Base Friday…
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Booster 19 stacking begins as SpaceX pushes forward from B18 anomaly
Following the anomaly with Booster 18, SpaceX is pushing ahead with the construction of Booster 19 and the subsequent testing of the Block 3 test tanks. However, ahead of Flight 12, there are still many milestones to finish, including building a new booster and completing the new launch pad. Booster 18, Booster 19, B18.1, and…
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Copernicus Sentinel-5A Releases First Images Highlighting Worldwide Air Quality Tracking
Copernicus Sentinel-5A has returned its first images – including a global map of ozone, maps of nitrogen dioxide over the Middle East and South Africa, formaldehyde over parts of Africa, and emissions of sulphur dioxide from an active volcano in Russia – showcasing the mission’s powerful capability to monitor atmospheric gases worldwide. Sentinel-5A is an advanced…