Tag: SpaceX
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Japanese Scientists Develop Wooden Satellite to Tackle Environmental Concerns
Japanese scientists have unveiled an innovative solution to address environmental concerns surrounding space debris with the creation of LignoSat, a spacecraft crafted primarily from timber. Developed by researchers at Kyoto University in collaboration with Sumitomo Forestry, the satellite aims to explore the viability of using biodegradable materials in space technology. “We were astounded by wood’s…
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India Successfully Launches INSAT-3DS Meteorological Satellite
India achieved another milestone in its space exploration efforts with the successful launch of the INSAT-3DS meteorological satellite. The satellite was launched aboard a 51.7-meter-long Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre. The GSLV lifted off at 7:05 a.m. Eastern on Feb. 17, delivering the INSAT-3DS into geosynchronous transfer orbit. The…
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SpaceX takes a proactive step toward responsible behavior in orbit
SpaceX announced this week that it will voluntarily bring down about 100 of its first-generation Starlink satellites, which provide broadband Internet from low-Earth orbit, as part of its commitment to “space sustainability.” The satellites are presently operational and serving Internet customers. However, in a statement, the company said, “The Starlink team identified a common issue…
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Rocket Report: Falcon 9 flies for 300th time; an intriguing launch from Russia
Welcome to Edition 6.31 of the Rocket Report! Photographers at Cape Canaveral, Florida, noticed a change to the spaceport’s skyline this week. Blue Origin has erected a full-size simulator of its New Glenn rocket vertically on its launch pad for a series of fit checks and tests. Late last year, we reported Blue Origin was…
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SpaceX launches military satellites tuned to track hypersonic missiles
Two prototype satellites for the Missile Defense Agency and four missile-tracking satellites for the US Space Force rode a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket into orbit Wednesday from Florida’s Space Coast. These satellites are part of a new generation of spacecraft designed to track hypersonic missiles launched by China or Russia and perhaps emerging missile threats…
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SpaceX’s 300th Falcon 9 rocket launches Starlink satellites from California
The Starlink 7-14 mission lifts off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Feb. 15, 2024. Image: SpaceX. SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket flew its 300th mission on Thursday Feb. 16, lifting off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at 1:34 p.m. PST (4:34 p.m. EST, 2134 UTC) carrying another batch of satellites for…
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SpaceX launches Falcon 9 rocket with national security satellites from Cape Canaveral
A Falcon 9 rocket supporting the USSF-124 mission for the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and Space Development Agency (SDA) launches from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Image: Adam Bernstein/Spaceflight Now SpaceX launched its eighth Falcon 9 rocket on a National Security Space Launch (NSSL) mission on Wednesday evening. The launch, named United…
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SpaceX, Intuitive Machines launches robotic lander to the Moon
Intuitive Machines’ Nova-C lander, named ‘Odysseus,’ displayed prior to encapsulation inside a pair of SpaceX Falcon 9 payload fairings. Image: SpaceX Update 2:10 p.m. EST: The Nova-C lander successfully separated from the spacecraft and teams were able to acquire signal with the lander. A launch pad billed as the Apollo program’s “Moonport” once again honored…
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Starship Flight 3 Fully Stacked for WDR testing
SpaceX is making good progress on Flight 3 readiness with a full stack on the pad and road closures coming up for a possible Wet Dress Rehearsal (WDR) for Booster 10 and Ship 28. SpaceX continues to work on future flight vehicles, on the path towards achieving operational status with Starship. Flight 3 Full Stack…
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NASA launches a billion-dollar Earth science mission Trump tried to cancel
NASA’s latest mission dedicated to observing Earth’s oceans and atmosphere from space rocketed into orbit from Florida early Thursday on a SpaceX launch vehicle. This mission will study phytoplankton, microscopic plants fundamental to the marine food chain, and tiny particles called aerosols that play a key role in cloud formation. These two constituents in the…