Commercial
On Atlantis’ anniversary, USA’s future space fleet closing in on maiden flights
The long-awaited return of American astronauts launching on US spacecraft, a capability last seen when Atlantis closed out the Shuttle Program in 2011, is set to return next…
Starliner meets milestones as ULA switches Atlas booster for maiden flight
As Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner crew transportation vehicle for NASA continues to meet its processing milestones at the Kennedy Space Center and various test sites around the country, United…
SpaceX’s CRS-11 Dragon captured by Station for a second time
For the first time since 2011, a previously-flown spacecraft has arrived at the International Space Station. The CRS-11 Dragon from SpaceX – which was previously used on the…
Rocket Lab’s Electron conducts inaugural flight from New Zealand
The U.S.-based Rocket Lab corporation has entered the commercial launch market with the maiden flight of its Electron rocket on Thursday morning (UTC). The small-scale launcher will cater…
Vector Space aims to expand launch ranges with minimal infrastructure pads
Vector Space Systems, a startup small satellite launch service, is hoping to revolutionize the launch market not just through a dramatic reduction in cost for launch operations for…
Vector Space completes first test flight, aims for small sat market expansion
Vector Space has conducted a crucial test of their Vector-R rocket that the company hopes will expand the small satellite launch market via small-scale launchers. As SpaceX has…
Orbital ATK highlights advancements to Cygnus for CRS-2 contract flights
With their OA7- mission underway and currently berthed at the International Space Station, Orbital ATK is pressing forward with plans for the series of CRS-1 extended contract missions…
S.S. John Glenn, OA-7 Cygnus resupply ship, arrives at Station
Orbital ATK’s Cygnus OA-7 resupply craft, the S.S. John Glenn, was berthed at the ISS Saturday morning. The OA-7 Cygnus – packed with equipment and supplies for the…
Commercial Crew on tight but achievable timeline for crewed flights in 2018
The long and arduous process of achieving commercial crew transportation services to space is closing in on an important milestone. At a recent update to the NASA Advisory…
SLC-41 completes EES installation ahead of Starliner missions
An Emergency Egress System (EES) has completed its installation into the Crew Access Tower (CAT) at Space Launch Complex -41 (SLC-41) in preparation for Atlas V launches with…
Chute tests for Starliner as ASAP worry about RD-180 certification
Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft is progressing through a series of parachute drop tests, refining the technology for returning the spacecraft back home safely. However, NASA’s safety advisory body has…
SpaceX debuts Falcon 9 launch from 39A with CRS-10 Dragon mission
SpaceX has conducted its first launch from the Kennedy Space Center since the end of the Space Shuttle program, with a Falcon 9 flying from the historic Launch…
ISS set for first commercial airlock for external payloads and cubesats
The International Space Station (ISS) is set to gain another addition in 2019, with the announcement of a milestone being achieved with the goal of launching a commercial…
Sierra Nevada prepares for spring landing test of Dream Chaser
Continuing on a developmental track as part of its CRS-2 contract award from NASA, the Sierra Nevada Corporation has shipped the Engineering Test Article of their Dream Chaser…
Starliner Space Suit – a modified Boeing Blue version of ACES – revealed
Boeing has revealed the space suit astronauts will wear on missions aboard the Starliner spacecraft. Formerly known as CST-100, the Boeing spacecraft is one of two commercial crew…
Busy December to mark end of year global launch salvo
Up to 15 orbital launches are set to take place during a very busy December, not counting the opening mission of the month that resulted in the loss…
SpaceX conducts Falcon 9 test; AMOS-6 investigation narrows
As SpaceX narrows on a second stage COPV (Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessel) as the cause of the AMOS-6 static fire pad failure on 1 September, the company is…
OA-5 Cygnus completes journey to the ISS
Orbital ATK’s latest Cygnus resupply ship completed rendezvous and capture operations with the International Space Station (ISS) on Sunday morning. The OA-5 Cygnus – packed with equipment and…
Antares 230 successfully returns with launch of OA-5 Cygnus
Orbital ATK’s Antares rocket returned to flight in a new configuration on Monday, two years after its previous mission ended in an explosion seconds after liftoff. Monday’s launch…
Atlas V and Starliner reveal new configuration to mitigate aerodynamic issues
After months of speculation into changes relating to the OML (Outer Mold Line) for the Atlas V and Starliner design, United Launch Alliance (ULA) and Boeing finally revealed…
