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RS-25 conducts another hot fire as SLS flight engines line up for EM-1
The RS-25 engine team has conducted the latest engine controller unit (ECU) hot-fire acceptance test on Tuesday in the A-1 test stand at the Stennis Space Center in…
Installation of new flame deflector for SLS begins on 39B
Engineers have begun to install the new Flame Deflector into the Flame Trench of Pad 39B. Following the demolition of the legacy deflector that catered for the Space…
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…
Falcon Heavy prepares for debut flight as Musk urges caution on expectations
Developing rockets is difficult – even when those rockets use existing rocket boosters. Such is the case for SpaceX and the development of the Falcon Heavy. Once operational,…
Farewell LISA – Space Observatory Pathfinder put to sleep
The Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) pathfinder mission has come to an end via the final commanding of the spacecraft. The 16 month mission, has provided the tools…
TDRS-M launch date under review following pre-launch incident
NASA and Boeing are reviewing the status of the TDRS-M launch date following an incident relating to an antenna during the spacecraft’s final launch processing to launch. The spacecraft’s…
Pioneer 10: first probe to leave the inner solar system & precursor to Juno
The first spacecraft to leave the inner solar system sailed into the asteroid belt 45 years ago today, 15 July 1972, on a mission that would mark many…
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…
SLS Upper Stage set to take up residence in the former home of ISS modules
The Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage (ICPS) is now deep into its latest phase of processing, as it prepares to be housed in the Space Station Processing Facility (SSPF) – a…
BepiColombo shaken and stacked ahead Mercury mission
Set for launch next year, the BepiColombo spacecraft is coming to the end of its test phase ahead of being shipped to Kourou, French Guiana in readiness to begin…
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…
Orion deep in processing for EM-1, planning for following missions
As US Vice President Mike Pence visited the Kennedy Space Center (KSC), one of the welcoming party, the Orion crew module, is fast taking shape ahead of its…
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…
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…
Solid production – Booster segments readying for opening SLS launches
Orbital ATK recently provided a peek at current production of Space Launch System (SLS) booster segments at their Promontory Propulsion Systems facility in Northern Utah. Work on the…
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…
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…
SpaceX Doubleheader Part 2 – Falcon 9 conducts Iridium NEXT-2 launch
Just over two days after its successful launch of BulgariaSat-1, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket conducted another launch on Sunday, carrying ten Iridium-NeXT communications satellites into orbit. Falcon lifted…
SpaceX Falcon 9 success with second flight involving BulgariaSat-1 mission
SpaceX launched Bulgaria’s first communications satellite on Friday – the first of two Falcon 9 launches in the space of two days – via the company’s second flight-proven…
NASA preparing letter to Congress to explain EM-1 slip
As NASA’s Exploration Systems Development (ESD) prepares for the upcoming review of its plans for Exploration Mission-1 (EM-1), program management is preparing to formally notify Congress of the…
