Tag: 39A
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SpaceX readies for installation of LC-39A Crew Access Arm, previews Crew Dragon
Just two weeks after the announcement of the NASA astronauts who will fly the company’s DM-2 and Crew-1 flights, SpaceX has provided more information and access to the Crew Dragon and now stands ready to install the Crew Access Arm – through which astronauts will board Dragon – at LC-39A at the Kennedy Space Center.…
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SpaceX’s Pad 39A undergoing upgrades for Dragon 2 crew launches
Pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) is preparing for a return to crew launches, with modifications taking place to prepare the Fixed Service Structure (FSS) for the installation of the Crew Access Arm (CAA) and associated crew support equipment. The gantry – that astronauts will use to ingress Dragon 2 spacecraft – is…
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Bangabandhu-1 sucessfully launched by first Block 5 Falcon 9 – SpaceX’s goal of affordable access to space
SpaceX has conducted the debut launch of the final variant of its powerhouse Falcon 9 rocket, the Block 5 -which will continue to further SpaceX’s already realized goal of providing low-cost, affordable access to space for countries that have not been able to afford such missions before. The mission launched from LC-39A at the Kennedy…
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First Block 5 Falcon 9 static fires ahead of Bangabandhu-1 launch
The first Block 5 Falcon 9 completed a static fire test at Launch Complex 39A on Friday evening, although SpaceX appeared to waiting on the results of a data review before confirming the path to launch. On Monday, SpaceX confirmed they were re-scheduling the launch to May 10. The vehicle – notably including core 1046,…
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Falcon Heavy success paves the way for open access to space beyond Earth
It’s been said before, but it bears repeating: Tuesday was a momentous and historic day in the history of space exploration as SpaceX successfully conducted the maiden flight of its Falcon Heavy rocket – a heavy lift vehicle capable of placing 140,000 lbs into Low Earth Orbit. But beyond the sheer numbers of its capabilities,…
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Falcon Heavy comes to life as SpaceX conduct Static Fire test
SpaceX achieved a major milestone on Wednesday, firing up the 27 engines at the base of Falcon Heavy in an event that will help solidify the target launch date for the rocket’s maiden voyage – which will send Elon Musk’s Tesla Roadster on a journey to heliocentric Mars orbit. Falcon Heavy’s first ever Static Fire…
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SpaceX launches clandestine Zuma satellite – questions over spacecraft’s health
SpaceX launched its first mission of 2018, involving the secretive Zuma spacecraft. The launch took place on Sunday and while SpaceX note the performance of the rocket was nominal, there are growing questions over the fate of the spacecraft, with some reports it has failed. The secrecy surrounding the Zuma launch resulted in the launch…
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Falcon Heavy preparing for Static Fire test
SpaceX has been ticking off the milestones towards the maiden flight of its Falcon Heavy rocket, with the latest achievement resulting in the vehicle making her first trip to the launch pad. Via a process known as “Fit Checks”, this flow milestone allows for a test run of rollout and erection on Pad 39A ahead of…
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SpaceX aims for late-December launch of Falcon Heavy
A major question for SpaceX’s end of year manifest appears to be gaining some answers as the company aims to debut its Falcon Heavy rocket in the late-December time period. The schedule for Falcon Heavy has been a fluid campaign as operations to bring SLC-40 back into operation took major priority this year following the…
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SpaceX Falcon 9 successfully launches Koreasat 5A
SpaceX has launched the Koreasat-5A communications satellite for South Korea’s KT SAT on Monday, with a Falcon 9 lifting off from the Kennedy Space Center to carry the satellite into geosynchronous transfer orbit. Launch occurred on time at 15:34 local time (19:34 UTC), at the opening of a two-hour, 24-minute window. Landing of the first…