Tag: Launch
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Rocket Lab preps for first commercial satellite launch
File photo of a test-firing of Rocket Lab’s Rutherford engine. Credit: Rocket Lab Rocket Lab’s first full-up commercial launch is set for April 19, U.S. time, from the company’s privately-operated launch base in New Zealand with three U.S.-owned satellites to collect weather data. The next Electron launch will loft two satellites owned by Spire Global…
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Three Gaofen Earth observation satellites launched by China
A Long March 4C rocket lifted off March 31 with three Gaofen 1-series Earth observation satellites. Credit: CCTV China has launched its 10th space mission of the year, deploying three civilian-operated Earth observation satellites with cameras to help monitor natural disasters, survey natural resources and assist in infrastructure planning. The Earth-imaging satellites lifted off on…
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ISRO loses contact with new communications satellite
GSAT 6A before encapsulation inside the GSLV Mk.2 rocket’s payload fairing. Credit: ISRO Ground controllers have lost contact with an Indian communications satellite launched last week, and Indian news reports suggest engineers believe the spacecraft’s power system is at fault. The GSAT 6A communications satellite completed two orbital adjustment maneuvers following its launch Thursday aboard…
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Mysterious Russian reconnaissance satellite successfully launched
A small spacecraft built for the Russian military lifted off Thursday on top of a modified Soyuz booster, beginning a mission to reportedly test a compact Earth-imaging platform that could be used on future spy satellites. The lightweight payload rode a Soyuz 2-1v rocket into orbit from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, a space base around 500…
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Watch a replay of SpaceX’s fifth launch for Iridium
A SpaceX Falcon 9 launcher rocketed into orbit Friday from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, climbing away from a hillside launch complex just after sunrise with 10 Iridium communications satellites. The 229-foot-tall (70-meter) rocket lifted off at 7:13:51 a.m. PDT (10:13:51 a.m. EDT; 1413:51 GMT) from Space Launch Complex 4-East at Vandenberg. The…
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Iridium messaging network gets another boost from SpaceX
EDITOR’S NOTE: Updated at 5:30 p.m. EDT (2130 GMT) with NOAA statement. A Falcon 9 rocket climbs away from Space Launch Complex 4-East at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, on Friday. Credit: SpaceX Ten more satellites for Iridium’s commercial communications network flew into orbit Friday aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base…
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Live coverage: Falcon 9 rocket lifts off with fifth set of Iridium Next satellites
Live coverage of the countdown and launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California with 10 next-generation Iridium communications satellites. SpaceX’s live video coverage begins at approximately 6:58 a.m. PDT (9:58 a.m. EDT; 1358 GMT). Text updates will appear automatically below; there is no need to reload the page. Follow…
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Live coverage: Falcon 9 rocket lifts off with fifth set of Iridium Next satellites
Live coverage of the countdown and launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California with 10 next-generation Iridium communications satellites. SpaceX’s live video coverage begins at approximately 6:58 a.m. PDT (9:58 a.m. EDT; 1358 GMT). Text updates will appear automatically below; there is no need to reload the page. Follow…
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Photos: Falcon 9 rocket stands vertical at Vandenberg
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket set to loft the fifth batch of Iridium Next mobile communications satellites stands vertical on Space Launch Complex 4-East at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. The two-stage rocket, towering 229 feet (70 meters) tall, is set for liftoff at 7:13:51 a.m. PDT (10:13:51 a.m. EDT; 1413:51 GMT) Friday with 10…
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Launch timeline for Iridium’s fifth launch with SpaceX
Follow the key events of the Falcon 9 rocket’s ascent to orbit with the fifth set of 10 next-generation satellites for Iridium’s voice and data relay fleet. The 229-foot-tall (70-meter) rocket will lift off Friday at 7:13:51 a.m. PDT (10:13:51 a.m. EDT; 1413:51 GMT) Friday from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. SpaceX will not…