Tag: SpaceX
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Iridium marks new satellite network, 20 healthy satellites & 55 more to launch
With just 20 satellites of the Iridium Next constellation in orbit, Iridium Communications’ six remaining launches with SpaceX over the next year will place their entire 75 satellite network into polar orbit. The new constellation replaces an aging network and promises innovative, everyday telecommunications applications from airplane location services to maritime distress/communication to public global…
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Third time’s the charm as SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket launches Intelsat 35e satellite
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket rises from its Florida launch pad, carrying the Intelsat 35e satellite into orbit. (SpaceX via YouTube) SpaceX finally launched the Intelsat 35e telecommunications satellite today atop a Falcon 9 rocket after two earlier attempts were aborted at T-minus-9 seconds. Those two attempts, on Sunday and Monday, were called off by SpaceX’s…
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Dragon capsule returns home with animals and station equipment
The Dragon spacecraft was lifted onto a boat for a trip back to port in Southern California following Monday’s predawn splashdown. Credit: SpaceX SpaceX’s Dragon spaceship, carrying more than 4,100 pounds of cargo and research specimens, descended to a predawn splashdown Monday in the Pacific Ocean southwest of Los Angeles, completing the first re-flight of…
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SpaceX Falcon 9 launches with Intelsat 35e at the third attempt
SpaceX successfully conducted the launch of an expendable Falcon 9 on Wednesday. In what was the third attempt to launch, the mission lofted the Intelsat 35e communications satellite from Florida’s 39A at the Kennedy Space Center at 19:38 Eastern. As pre-planned, the booster wasn’t recovered. SpaceX Launch: The launch was the tenth Falcon 9 mission…
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Live coverage: SpaceX’s Dragon supply ship ends month-long mission
Live coverage of the departure of SpaceX’s Dragon supply ship from the International Space Station and its splashdown in the Pacific Ocean with several tons of experiment samples and cargo. Text updates will appear automatically below; there is no need to reload the page. Follow us on Twitter.
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Reused Dragon returns to Earth after month-long science bonanza
After 30 days in space and 28 days berthed to the International Space Station, SpaceX’s first ever reused Dragon capsule has unberthed from the Station ahead of a Monday afternoon reentry and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean for recovery. Over the course of its month-long stay, Dragon delivered several thousand pounds of scientific experiments and equipment…
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Recycled SpaceX Dragon capsule makes history with its second splashdown
The re-entry of SpaceX’s Dragon capsule shows up as an orange flash against the backdrop of a shadowed Earth in this view from the International Space Station. The station’s robotic arm is silhouetted against the atmosphere’s glow. Click on the image for a larger version. (NASA Photo via Twitter / Jack Fischer) SpaceX already proved…
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Prototype solar array jettisoned as Dragon capsule prepares for trip home
Updated at 10 p.m. EDT June 30 (0200 GMT July 1). An experimental solar wing sent to the International Space Station earlier this month was jettisoned from the orbiting lab’s robotic arm after engineers were unable to fully retract the array. The disposal followed an otherwise successful test of the power panel’s novel roll-out deployment…
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SpaceX returns two boosters, fires up a third for Static Fire test
In what is another glimpse into what could become SpaceX’s regular launch cadence, another Falcon 9 is deep into preparations for launch. Aiming to be the third Falcon 9 to launch in nine days, SpaceX conducted a Static Fire test Thursday on the rocket set to loft the Intelsat 35e spacecraft into space on July…
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Commercial Crew providers making “significant progress” toward first flights
As the mid-way point of 2017 arrives, both of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program service providers are making significant progress toward the first uncrewed test flights of their Dragon and Starliner capsules. At their second quarter 2017 meeting, the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel noted this progress while also discussing outstanding concerns regarding the program and vehicles…