Tag: DARPA
-
Capitol Hill budget battle may limit initial funding of some National Security Space Launch missions
A ULA Vulcan rocket during a testing campaign (left) and a Falcon Heavy rocket at liftoff (right). Both launch vehicles were tapped to launch National Security Space Launch (NSSL) missions during the fifth and final ordering year procurement by the U.S. Space Systems Command. Images: ULA, SpaceX The U.S. Space Systems Command revealed the details…
-
NASA joins forces with DARPA on effort to demonstrate nuclear rocket for Mars trips
An artist’s conception shows a nuclear-powered demonstration rocket in space. (DARPA Illustration) The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has taken on NASA as a partner for a project aimed at demonstrating a nuclear-powered rocket that could someday send astronauts to Mars. DARPA had already been working with commercial partners — including Blue Origin, the space…
-
Astra suffers “anomaly” during pre-launch test in Alaska
File photo of Astra’s first orbital-class small satellite launcher during pre-flight testing last month at the Pacific Spaceport Complex at Kodiak Island, Alaska. Credit: DARPA A small satellite launcher built by Astra “experienced an anomaly” Monday on a launch pad at Kodiak Island, Alaska, forcing the cancellation of a planned orbital launch attempt this week,…
-
After last-minute abort, DARPA Launch Challenge ends without a winner
Astra’s small satellite launcher stands vertical at Pacific Spaceport Complex on Kodiak Island, Alaska. Credit: John Kraus/Astra Astra engineers scrubbed a launch attempt Monday at Kodiak Island, Alaska, to assess troubling data from a guidance, navigation and control sensor on the company’s new small satellite launcher, ending a bid to win up to $12 million…
-
Astra scrubs DARPA launch challenge attempt
Astra and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) are still readying for the first launch in a dual-mission “launch challenge”. Astra, the launch contractor, is currently conducting final preparations ahead of the launch of their Rocket 3.0 vehicle, nicknamed “1 of 3”. Both missions will launch from the Pacific Spaceport Complex – Alaska (PSCA)…
-
‘Didn’t quite make it’: Data glitch forces Astra to miss out on $2M DARPA Launch Challenge prize
Astra’s rocket stands on its rapid-deployment launch pad on Alaska’s Kodiak Island. (DARPA via YouTube) The once-stealthy California company known as Astra came within 53 seconds of sending up a rocket to try winning a $2 million prize in the DARPA Launch Challenge today, but ended up scrubbing the launch. If Astra’s “One of Three”…
-
Live coverage: Debut flight of Astra’s satellite launcher scrubbed
Live coverage of the countdown and launch of Astra’s Rocket 3.0, also known as “1 of 3,” from Pacific Spaceport Complex – Alaska in the first of two missions planned through DARPA’s Launch Challenge. Text updates will appear automatically below. Follow us on Twitter. DARPA plans a live webcast of the final countdown and flight of Astra’s Rocket…
-
Fresh out of stealth mode, Astra gearing up for orbital launch from Alaska
Astra employees open the payload fairing last week on the company’s small satellite launcher at Kodiak Island, Alaska, to mate several small payloads ahead of the company’s first orbital launch attempt. Credit: DARPA Some time in the next few days, a California-based company that has quietly toiled to develop a new light-class satellite launcher since…
-
The clock is running for the DARPA Launch Challenge, with Astra chasing $10M prize
Astra launches a test rocket from Pacific Spaceport Complex Alaska in Kodiak. (Astra Photo) The DARPA Launch Challenge has begun, with a once-stealthy space startup called Astra aiming to launch two rockets from an Alaska spaceport within the next month and a half to win a $10 million grand prize. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency…
-
Boeing backs out of DARPA spaceplane program
After receiving more than $150 million in U.S. military funding to design and develop a reusable winged spaceplane named Phantom Express, Boeing said Wednesday it is ending its work on the vehicle, effectively killing a program military officials hoped would offer regular, reduced-cost launch opportunities for small satellites. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency,…