Tag: SpaceX
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Falcon 9 preparing to stretch her legs via Grasshopper trials
The prospect of a Falcon 9 v1.1 first stage returning to terra firma following launch is continuing to advance along a path towards reality, as the SpaceX team push forward with testing on the system’s landing legs at their Texas test facility. Photos of the Grasshopper 2 (GH2) test vehicle have surfaced, showing the leg…
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SpaceX test parachute system for Commercial Crew Dragon
NASA confirmed on Friday that SpaceX’s Commercial Crew Dragon program successfully conducted a parachute test – as part of the Commercial Crew Integrated Capability (CCiCap) contract with NASA – in December. The test evaluated how the Dragon parachute system would function in the event of an emergency on the launch pad or during ascent. Dragon Parachute Test:…
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SpaceX win contract to loft JCSAT-14 via Falcon 9
Hot on the heels of their first two Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO) missions, SpaceX have been awarded the launch contract for the mission to loft the JCSAT-14 communications satellite to its GTO destination. The award from SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation of Japan calls for the satellite to ride uphill on a Falcon 9 v1.1 rocket in the…
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SpaceX Falcon 9 v1.1 Thaicom-6 launch slips to January 6
Following the successful completion of the Static Fire test on their Falcon 9 v1.1 at Cape Canaveral on Saturday, SpaceX was preparing for a January 3 launch of the Thaicom-6 satellite. However, due to an issue with the Falcon 9’s fairing, the launch has been slightly delayed to No Earlier Than (NET) target of January…
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SpaceX enter negotiations to breathe new life into Pad 39A
Launch Pad 39A – vacated since the end of the Space Shuttle Program (SSP) – took a step towards welcoming new vehicles to its flame trench, following the NASA announcement confirming they have entered negotiations with SpaceX for the use of the famous launch complex. The path towards talks was cleared after the GAO denied…
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NASA chooses SpaceX for launchpad lease, passing over Bezos-backed Blue Origin
In a victory for Elon Musk and a blow to Jeff Bezos, NASA said today that it has entered negotiations with SpaceX to hammer out an agreement that would allow the spaceflight company to lease the historic Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center. The news comes just one day after the Government Accountability Office ruled…
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Falcon 9 v1.1 successfully lofts SES-8 in milestone launch
SpaceX launched their Falcon 9 v1.1 rocket on Tuesday, ahead of successfully lofting the SES-8 satellite into its Geostationary Transfer Orbit. In what was the debut of SpaceX’s upgraded Falcon 9 rocket from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral, the third launch attempt enjoyed a smooth countdown, launching at the start of the launch window at 17:41…
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Falcon 9 v1.1 aiming for Thanksgiving launch of SES-8
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 v.1.1 rocket is currently being realigned for a Thanksgiving launch attempt on Thursday, following its scrub on Monday. Three attempts were made inside the 66 minute window to launch the SES-8 satellite from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral, in what is SpaceX’s debut of the upgraded rocket from their Florida base. Realigning Falcon…
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SpaceX Falcon 9 v1.1 conducts first Hot Fire at SLC-40
SpaceX have conducted the first Wet Dress Rehearsal (WDR) and Hot Fire (Static Fire) test of their upgraded Falcon 9 v1.1 launch vehicle at their Florida launch site. The rocket is still targeting a November 25 launch date, tasked with lofting the SES-8 satellite from SLC-40 into a geostationary transfer orbit. Falcon 9 v1.1 Florida…
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SpaceX’s CRS-3 Dragon recruited for ISS spacesuit relay
SpaceX’s next Dragon mission to the International Space Station (ISS) will involve the delivery of a replacement Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU), allowing for the return of a faulty suit on the same vehicle when it returns to Earth. Notably, the returning suit won’t be Luca Parmitano’s EMU, after its water leak issues were resolved via successful troubleshooting efforts.…