Tag: CubeSats
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Rocket Lab test launch delayed to early 2018
Credit: Rocket Lab The launch of a light-class booster by Rocket Lab, a U.S.-New Zealand company aiming to provide rides to orbit for small satellites, has been delayed to early next year after technical reviews, repairs and unfavorable weather combined to keep the test flight grounded this week. The mission’s pre-approved 10-day launch window closes…
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Rocket Lab begins new countdown with fix for propulsion system glitch
EDITOR’S NOTE: The Electron launch was scrubbed again Wednesday night (U.S. time), and liftoff has been rescheduled for Thursday night (U.S. time). The 55-foot-tall (17-meter) Electron rocket was raised vertical again on its launch pad in New Zealand ahead of a launch attempt Wednesday (U.S. time). Credit: Rocket Lab With a fix in place for…
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Electron countdown aborted at engine start, next launch attempt Wednesday
Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket launch was aborted moments after engine ignition. Credit: Rocket Lab Rocket Lab counted down to the second test flight of its commercial Electron satellite launcher Monday, U.S. time, but a dramatic computer-commanded abort triggered moments after its engines ignited kept the light-class booster on its New Zealand launch pad for at…
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Live coverage: Rocket Lab’s second Electron launch delayed to early 2018
Live coverage of the countdown and launch of a Rocket Lab Electron rocket from Launch Complex 1 on Mahia Peninsula in New Zealand. Text updates will appear automatically below. Follow us on Twitter. Rocket’s live video webcast begins around 15 minutes prior to launch, and will be available on this page.
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Launch timeline for the Electron rocket’s second test flight
EDITOR’S NOTE: Updated for new launch attempt Jan. 20. Rocket Lab’s light-class Electron launcher is set to take off on its second orbital test flight from New Zealand, aiming to deliver three small shoebox-sized CubeSats into low Earth orbit for Planet and Spire. The two-stage, 55-foot-tall (17-meter) rocket could take off as soon as 8:30…
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Rocket Lab pushes back second Electron launch to Sunday
EDITOR’S NOTE: Updated Dec. 8 to reflect launch delay to Sunday, Dec. 10, U.S. time. Rocket Lab’s second Electron rocket stands vertical at the company’s New Zealand launch site during pre-flight testing. Credit: Rocket Lab Rocket Lab plans to roll out the company’s second light-class Electron rocket to its launch pad in New Zealand on…
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Cygnus cargo craft released from space station, setting up for CubeSat deployments
The Cygnus supply ship was released from the space station’s robotic arm Wednesday. Credit: NASA TV/Spaceflight Now An Orbital ATK Cygnus cargo craft departed the International Space Station on Wednesday, heading for a higher orbit to deploy 14 CubeSats and an eventual de-orbit burn to dispose of more than 6,200 pounds of trash and other…
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Live coverage: Cygnus supply ship readied for station departure
Live coverage of Orbital ATK’s eighth operational Cygnus resupply flight to the International Space Station. Text updates will appear automatically below. Follow us on Twitter.
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UW team wins NASA’s nod for small satellites with magnetic braking systems
Magnetoshell aerocapture could help ease interplanetary spacecraft into orbit. (Credit: MSNW) NASA says it’ll provide resources for a University of Washington research team that’s working on a concept to put small satellites in orbit around other worlds using magnetic interactions. The concept, known as magnetoshell aerocapture, is one of nine university-led technology development projects winning…
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Rocket Lab to launch second orbital-class rocket as soon as next week
Rocket Lab’s second Electron rocket at the company’s New Zealand launch base. Credit: Rocket Lab Rocket Lab has scheduled the launch of its second Electron rocket from New Zealand as soon as Dec. 7, U.S. time, on a test flight that will aim to deploy three small CubeSats in orbit. The two-stage booster has a…