Exploring The Frontier Of Space
Rebuilt and better than ever, NASA’s Morpheus prototype lander successfully flew its first free-flight test at Kennedy Space Center today. Stationed on custom-built launch pad, Morpheus ignited its environmentally-friends oxygen and methane powered engine at approximately 1:30 p.m. EST for a short test hop to check out its systems before the Morpheus Team undertakes more […]
An International Launch Services (ILS) Proton Breeze M successfully placed the Inmarsat-5 F1 (I-5 F1) satellite into a super-synchronous (geo-stationary) transfer orbit (SSTO) today. The spacecraft was launched for Inmarsat, the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services. I-5 F1 is the first of three Inmarsat next-generation Global Xpress® satellites scheduled to launch before […]
A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying a payload for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) lifted off from Space Launch Complex-3 at Vandenber AFC on Dec. 5 at 11:14 p.m. PST. Designated NROL-39, the mission is in support of national defense and also carried several secondary CubeSat payloads for government and civilian customers.
Making its commercial debut, an upgraded Falcon 9 rocket blasted away from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral today on SpaceX’s first mission to deliver a satellite to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO). Deploying a communications satellite for SES S.A., the launch marks a significant milestone for the once upstart company’s pursuit of the commercial […]
NASA commercial crew partner Blue Origin of Kent, Wash., announced it has tested a new, hydrogen- and oxygen-fueled engine designed to lift the company’s crewed Space Vehicle on future missions out of Earth’s atmosphere. Blue Origin is one of the American companies developing next generation rockets and spacecraft capable of carrying humans to low-Earth orbit.
A Long March 3B rocket blasted off from the mountains of southern China today, carrying with it the first spacecraft intended to land on the Moon since 1976 (the Soviet Union’s Luna 24). Nestled inside the Chang’e 3 spacecraft is a 260 pound rover named Yutu, China’s first land-mobile explorer. Chang’e 3 follows the country’s […]
SpaceX is hoping for a special Thanksgiving after the maiden flight of the company’s upgraded Falcon 9 rocket was scrubbed in its first launch attempt today. It would mark the first Thanksgiving Day space launch from Cape Canaveral since 1959. SpaceX hopes to have better luck than NASA did on that day – that launch […]
With a thunderous roar, NASA’s Mars Atmoshere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) spacecraft rocketed into space today on time at 1:28 p.m. EST and the opening of a 20-day launch period. Nestled atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V-401 rocket, MAVEN lifted off from from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral AFS and quickly sliced through […]
The Mercury Monument stands outside of Complex 14 was dedicated on this day 49 years ago. The monument shows the number 7 (in honor of the “Original Seven” astronauts) inside of the astronomical symbol for the planet Mercury. Underneath the slab is a time capsule that contains artifacts related to Project Mercury, including photos, film […]
Last week, Sierra Nevada conducted the first free-flight test of its Dream Chaser passenger carrying spacecraft. During the test, involving a non-spaceworthy atmospheric test vehicle, Dream Chaser was carried aloft to a 12,500 foot altitude by helicopter and released to perform a glide test back to the runway at Edwards AFB. The purpose of the […]