Tag: SpaceX
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SpaceX to experiment with less-reflective satellite coatings on next Starlink launch
Artist’s concept of a Starlink satellite with its solar array wing unfurled. Credit: SpaceX SpaceX’s next launch of satellites for the company’s Starlink broadband network — planned in the final days of 2019 — will carry one spacecraft with an experimental coating designed to make it less reflective in orbit, a first step in assuaging…
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Falcon 9 performs extended mission in test for future U.S. military launches
An aft-facing camera on the Falcon 9 rocket’s second stage captured this view of the Dragon spacecraft with its solar panels extended shortly after arriving in orbit Thursday. The upper stage continued its mission and performed a long-duration coast experiment after releasing the Dragon cargo ship. Credit: SpaceX An extended mission for the Falcon 9…
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SpaceX pausing some Starship work in Florida
SpaceX’s Starship Mk1 vehicle at Boca Chica, Texas. This Starship test article was damaged Credit: SpaceX SpaceX says it is temporarily halting some activity on the company’s next-generation Starship program in Florida, allowing teams to focus on building a new Starship test vehicle in Texas. But the company says it has not laid off any…
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SpaceX launches Dragon cargo craft with mighty mice and a tricky shipment for Seattle’s Spaceflight
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from its Florida launch pad, sending a robotic Dragon cargo ship into space. (SpaceX via YouTube) A fresh SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched a recycled robotic Dragon cargo capsule today, carrying 5,700 pounds of supplies, satellites and science to the International Space Station. In contrast with Wednesday’s planned launch…
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CRS-19 Dragon completes journey to the ISS
Following her launch on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, the company’s CRS-19 Dragon spacecraft completed journey to the ISS. The resupply flight launch from Cape Canaveral’s SLC-40 on Thursday before being captured by the Station’s robotic arm on Sunday morning. The launch began the month-long CRS-19 mission which will see Dragon deliver new research and supplies…
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SpaceX expediting Mk3 construction in Texas, pausing Florida-based Starship builds
SpaceX is adjusting its Starship plans to expedite development, after the first prototype vehicles – designated Mk1 and Mk2 – proved not to be flightworthy. The company now wants to build the improved Mk3 prototype as quickly as possible, with the hope that it will be able to perform the first Starship flight. As late…
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Long-duration coast experiment on tap after Falcon 9 launch Thursday
EDITOR’S NOTE: Updated Dec. 4 after scrub. Artist’s illustration of a Falcon 9 rocket’s upper stage. Credit: SpaceX SpaceX will perform a multi-hour experiment on the second stage of a Falcon 9 rocket after the launcher deploys a Dragon supply ship on the way to the International Space Station Thursday, gathering thermal data and other information…
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Live coverage: SpaceX to launch space station resupply craft Wednesday
Live coverage of SpaceX’s preparations for the next Falcon 9 rocket launch from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The mission will launch Dragon resupply mission to the International Space Station. Text updates will appear automatically below. Follow us on Twitter. Credit: Steven Young/Spaceflight Now Check here for live updates on SpaceX…
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SpaceX test-fires Falcon 9 rocket for next space station cargo launch
SpaceX test-fired a Falcon 9 rocket Tuesday at pad 40. Credit: Steven Young/Spaceflight Now A Falcon 9 booster fresh from SpaceX’s factory briefly fired its nine Merlin main engines Tuesday on a Cape Canaveral launch pad, passing a key test before liftoff Dec. 4 with a Dragon supply ship heading for the International Space Station.…
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SpaceX’s Starship Mk1 prototype rocket blows its top at Texas test launch site
SpaceX’s prototype for a Starship meant for trips to the moon and Mars suffered an eruption today on its South Texas launch pad, putting a dent in SpaceX CEO Elon Musk’s ambitious schedule for flight tests. Clouds of vapor issued explosively from the 165-foot-tall rocket’s top during a pressurization test, apparently because of a rupture…