Tag: Boeing
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Stars aligning for Boeing crew launch in April
The long-awaited crewed launch of Starliner has gained increased positivity that its latest launch date will remain on target, following numerous slips since the maiden uncrewed flight to the International Space Station (ISS). While NASA postponed the NET launch date for the Starliner crew flight test (CFT) is now set for April 14, 2024 due…
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SpaceX Launches Third Pair of O3b mPower Satellites for SES Despite Electrical Issues
SpaceX successfully launched a third pair of O3b mPower satellites for Luxembourg-based operator SES on November 12. The Falcon 9 rocket carrying SES’s satellites lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, at 4:08 p.m. Eastern, heading towards medium Earth orbit (MEO). The Boeing-built satellites separated from the rocket about two hours later. SES…
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Blue Origin’s chief architect lifts the veil on stealth moon startup at Pathfinder Awards
Blue Origin chief architect Gary Lai talks about his past and his future in the space business at the Pathfinder Awards banquet at Seattle’s Museum of Flight. (Photo by Ted Huetter / The Museum of Flight) Gary Lai’s resume features his status as chief architect and pioneer spaceflier at Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin space venture…
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Boeing ramps up final assembly to complete Artemis II SLS Core Stage by year end
Following a cost-saving summer slowdown, NASA Space Launch System (SLS) Core Stage prime contractor Boeing is again working two shifts a day at the Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF) in New Orleans to complete final testing and checkout of the unit that will help send NASA astronauts back to the Moon on the Artemis II mission.…
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CEO of rocket-maker ULA makes a sales pitch—for the whole company
It sure sounds like United Launch Alliance is up for sale. Tory Bruno, the rocket builder’s CEO, said this week that anyone who purchased ULA would reap the rewards of the company’s “transformation” over the last few years, a course change primarily driven by geopolitics and the competitive threat of SpaceX. While Bruno did not…
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Boeing says it can’t make money with fixed-price contracts
Boeing released its third-quarter results on Wednesday, and there were promising numbers showing increasing revenues and narrowing losses as the multinational corporation continues its economic recovery. However, amid these improving results, Boeing’s financials continued to be dragged down by its Defense, Space & Security division. This division, which includes missile production for the military and…
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Boeing confident in achieving six flights to the ISS despite Starliner delay
Boeing’s Starliner Crewed Flight Test (CFT) which will carry astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita “Suni” Williams to the International Space Station (ISS) is now delayed to next year, with the earliest chance for launch in March. However, Boeing is still confident it will complete the six crewed flights ordered by NASA despite the planned…
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Boeing has now lost $1.1 billion on Starliner, with no crew flight in sight
A difficult summer for the Starliner program continued this week, with Boeing reporting additional losses on the vehicle’s development and NASA saying it’s too early to discuss potential launch dates for the crewed spacecraft. Throughout this spring, NASA and Boeing had been working toward a July launch date of the spacecraft, which will carry two…
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Viasat’s new broadband satellite could be a total loss
A new Viasat communications satellite launched in April has been crippled by a problem when unfurling its huge mesh antenna. The problem jeopardizes Viasat’s much-needed refresh to its space-based Internet network that would let it better compete with newer broadband offerings from companies like SpaceX and OneWeb. Viasat confirmed the antenna problem Wednesday after it…
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ISS finishes initial iROSA upgrade with two EVAs this month
The International Space Station’s iROSA (ISS Roll-Out Solar Array) solar panel upgrade, started in 2021, has finished its initial upgrade plan with the successful installation of the last two arrays this month. The arrays for the 1A and 1B power channels were brought to ISS aboard the CRS-28 Cargo Dragon flight and then installed in…