Tag: SpaceX
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AsiaSat sign up Sea Launch as SpaceX backup option
Asia Satellite Telecommunications have signed up Sea Launch to provide the backup option of launching “a future AsiaSat satellite” on their Zenit 3SL. Currently, both AsiaSat 6 and 8 are manifested to ride on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 in 2014, meaning the arrangement with Sea Launch will allow for on-time delivery in the event Falcon 9’s…
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ULA: Launch services customers class reliability as their main consideration
The ever-competitive launch services market has once again been thrown into the spotlight, with SpaceX CEO Elon Musk promoting the low cost of his vehicles, claiming Arianespace’s Ariane 5 has “no chance” of competing with his Falcon rockets on price. However, another big player in the market – the United Launch Alliance (ULA) – believe…
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SpaceX’s Dragon returns to Earth with precious cargo from ISS
SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft has completed its trip back to Earth, carrying with it a valuable load of cargo from its host since October 10, the International Space Station. While the re-entry and splashdown of the Dragon was significant in itself – as it will be only the third time that a Dragon has performed this…
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Dragon enjoying ISS stay, despite minor issues – Falcon 9 investigation begins
SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft is behaving well – bar a couple of minor issues – during its berthed phase of the CRS-1 (SpX-1) mission, as it closes in on its departure at the end of the month. The unberthing will be conducted by the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS), which translated away from the Dragon…
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SpaceX’s CRS-1 Dragon arrives at the ISS for successful berthing
The first official commercial resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS) successfully passed the critical phase of its arrival at the orbital outpost, as SpaceX’s CRS-1 Dragon was “tamed” by the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) ahead of schedule, at 6:56am Eastern. The vehicle was then successfully berthed to the Harmony module. Dragon Berthing (milestones will…
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Dragon safely en route to ISS as SpaceX review Falcon 9 ascent issues
SpaceX’s Dragon is continuing its journey to the International Space Station (ISS) on its debut Commercial Resupply Mission (CRS-1/SpX-1). Meanwhile, evaluations are taking place into the failure of Engine 1 – possibly related to the failure of the Merlin 1C fuel dome – and the unsuccessful delivery of the first Orbcomm satellite to its preferred…
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Falcon 9 launches Dragon on CRS-1 mission to the ISS
SpaceX have launched the first mission of the Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) programme Sunday night, with the Dragon spacecraft beginning its third mission atop a Falcon 9 carrier rocket. Liftoff from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station was on scheduled – and at the first attempt – at 20:35 EDT (00:35 UTC on Monday). The Falcon…
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Falcon 9 hot fires its engines as the ISS prepares for Dragon’s arrival
SpaceX ignited all nine engines on their Falcon 9 launch vehicle on Saturday, a key test ahead of what remains an October 7 launch from Cape Canaveral. The Falcon 9 will be tasked with lofting the Dragon spacecraft on its first Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) mission to the International Space Station (ISS), which has been…
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SpaceX conduct successful WDR on their latest Falcon 9
Preparations for SpaceX’s debut Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) mission to the International Space Station (ISS) in October are on track, following Friday’s successful Wet Dress Rehearsal (WDR). The test was carried out on their Falcon 9 launch vehicle, minus its Dragon passenger, at Cape Canaveral’s Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40). SpaceX CRS-1 (SpX-1): This latest mission…
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NASA safety panel now satisfied with SpaceX anomaly resolution team
NASA’s Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel (ASAP) have gone on record to say they are satisfied with SpaceX’s explanations, relating to their “fast” scrub turnaround for Falcon 9’s May launch. After claiming they were initially concerned with the pace of the turnaround, the ASAP members were reassured via overviews provided to them by NASA and SpaceX’s Mission Assurance manager.…