Tag: Astroscale
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ADRAS-J mission takes methodical first steps toward the commercial removal of space debris
The recent increase in launches to meet growing demands for communications and observation satellites is adding more and more spacecraft to orbit every year. This is especially true in the more congested low-Earth orbit (LEO). With a sharp focus on making space safe and sustainable for the current as well as future generations, organizations such…
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Rocket Lab’s Electron Launches Astroscale’s ADRAS-J Satellite for Space Cleanup
Astroscale’s ADRAS-J spacecraft, launched aboard a Rocket Lab Electron from New Zealand’s Launch Complex 1, aims to rendezvous with and inspect a spent upper stage in low Earth orbit, setting the stage for its eventual removal. This mission marks Rocket Lab’s second launch of the year, following the deployment of four satellites for NorthStar Earth…
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Privately-funded mission takes off to begin space debris cleanup trials
The ELSA-d mission’s servicer and chaser satellites (bottom and top) during ground testing last year. Credit: Astroscale A commercial mission developed by the Japanese company Astroscale rocketed into space on a Russian Soyuz launcher Monday with 37 other payloads, ready to kick off an orbital “dance” with two small spacecraft demonstrating how satellite sweepers might…
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Live coverage: Soyuz launches with 38 satellites
Live coverage of the countdown and launch of a Russian Soyuz rocket on a rideshare mission with 38 international satellites. Text updates will appear automatically below. Follow us on Twitter. [tabby title=”Roscosmos webcast”] [tabby title=”GK Launch Services webcast”] [tabbyending] Roscosmos’s live video stream begins at approximately 0515 GMT (1:15 a.m. EDT) and will be available on…
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Soyuz rocket with special paint scheme rolls out to Baikonur launch pad
A Soyuz-2.1a rocket stands on the launch pad at Site 31 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan ahead of liftoff Saturday. Credit: Roscosmos Sporting a new blue and white paint scheme to mark the upcoming 60th anniversary of the first human spaceflight, a Russian Soyuz rocket loaded with 38 international satellites has rolled out to its…
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Guidance error reportedly led to Russian launch failure
EDITOR’S NOTE: Updated Dec. 1 with news that Soyuz rocket launches will be permitted to continue as scheduled. Multiple replays of Tuesday’s launch of a Soyuz-2.1b rocket from the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia’s Far East. Liftoff occurred at 0541 GMT (12:41 a.m. EST; 2:41 p.m. local time at Vostochny). Russian officials could complete their investigation of a…
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Russian weather satellite and 18 secondary payloads lost after rocket failure
A Soyuz-2.1b rocket lifts off Tuesday from the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia’s Far East. Credit: Roscosmos A new Russian weather observatory and the first prototype for Telesat’s planned network of 100-plus broadband communications satellites in low Earth orbit were among 19 spacecraft lost after a Fregat rocket stage ran into trouble soon after liftoff aboard…
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Soyuz rocket set for launch from Russia’s new cosmodrome
A Soyuz-2.1b rocket is set for launch at 0541:46 GMT (12:41:46 a.m. EST) Tuesday from the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia’s Far East. Credit: Roscosmos A Soyuz rocket is scheduled to lift off Tuesday from a launch pad in Russia’s Far East with a new Russian weather satellite and 18 secondary payloads from companies and institutions…