Tag: Northrop Grumman
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Lockheed Martin powers up Artemis 2 Orion, updates status on other capsules
Lockheed Martin has completed the first-time power-up of the Orion capsule for the Artemis 2 mission — the first Orion capsule that will be tasked with carrying humans. As work continues on that capsule, Lockheed Martin — the prime contractor for the Orion spacecraft — provided updates on the other three capsules, and three European…
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Lockheed Martin powers up Artemis 2 Orion, updates status on other capsules
Lockheed Martin has completed the first-time power-up of the Orion capsule for the Artemis 2 mission — the first Orion capsule that will be tasked with carrying humans. As work continues on that capsule, Lockheed Martin — the prime contractor for the Orion spacecraft — provided updates on the other three capsules, and three European…
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James Webb telescope completes optical alignment, ready for final instrument calibration phase of commissioning
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has entered a new phase of its commissioning process as NASA announces that the observatory has completed its mirror alignment and focusing process and is ready to move into the instrument calibration ahead of full science operations later this year. “These remarkable test images from a successfully aligned telescope…
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Northrop Grumman Cygnus NG-17 arrives at ISS
Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus NG-17 spacecraft has arrived at the International Space Station on Monday, less than two days after it launched on the Antares 230+ rocket from Pad 0A at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. The Enhanced Cygnus spacecraft on this mission is named the S.S. Piers Sellers, in honor of the former NASA astronaut.…
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James Webb Space Telescope fully deploys, Northrop Grumman marks sunshield success
At 18:17 UTC on January 8, 2022, the joint NASA, ESA (European Space Agency), and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) successfully deployed the starboard wing of its massive 6.5-meter mirror — marking the end of the observatory’s intense and critical deployment sequence. The feat capped an impressive series of engineering accomplishments,…
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Blue Origin’s team wins a $130M share of NASA funding for commercial space stations
An artist’s conception shows the Orbital Reef space station with a single-person spacecraft and Boeing’s Starliner space taxi flying nearby, and Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser space plane docked to a port. (Orbital Reef Illustration) Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin space venture and its partners have won a $130 million award to jump-start the design of their…
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Blue Origin and four other companies win millions to keep lunar lander dreams alive
An artist’s conception shows an astronaut stepping onto the lunar surface. (NASA Illustration) Months after losing out to SpaceX, Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin space venture and two of its partners in a lunar lander project will be getting fresh infusions of financial support from NASA, thanks to a follow-up program aimed at boosting capabilities for…
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Northrop Grumman discusses Antares NG-16’s eventful countdown, talks future missions
On August 10, the S.S. Ellison Onizuka launched on an Antares 230+ rocket from Pad-0A at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility. The NG-16 countdown was hampered with helium and ground computer issues leading up to the final T0 mark. But teams at Northrop Grumman were able to launch at the end of the launch window at…
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NG-16 arrives at ISS, Northrop Grumman talks Cygnus’ future use
After a 36 hour phasing profile, the S.S. Ellison Onizuka cargo ship, part of Northrop Grumman’s NG-16 mission, has arrived at the International Space Station (ISS). Safely in the grip of Canadarm2, Cygnus was attached to the nadir port of the Unity (Node-1) module for the multi-month cargo delivery and removal process. Speaking before the…
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NASA, Northrop Grumman designing new BOLE SRB for SLS Block 2 vehicle
NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) program and booster element prime contractor Northrop Grumman are developing an upgrade to the current Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs). The SLS Booster Obsolescence and Life Extension (BOLE) program is in the detailed design phase prior to firing its first ground-test development motor in 2024, followed by a preliminary design review…