Tag: Falcon 9
-
SES-8 heads to Florida for next Falcon 9 v1.1 launch
The Orbital-built SES-8 telecommunications satellite has begun its road journey to Florida ahead of its November 1 (NET) launch atop of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 v1.1 launch vehicle. The satellite is rolling to the Cape Canaveral area on the back of a truck, ahead of processing and integration with the upgraded F9 that is preparing for…
-
SpaceX successfully launches debut Falcon 9 v1.1
SpaceX have enjoyed a huge success via the launch the first flight of its new Falcon 9 v1.1 rocket on Sunday, carrying an array of payloads including Canada’s CASSIOPE technology demonstration satellite. Liftoff took place from Vandenberg Air Force Base at the start of a three-hour window that opened at 09:00 local time (16:00 UTC).…
-
Falcon 9 v1.1 successfully conducts second Hot Fire
SpaceX’s newly upgraded Falcon 9 v.1.1 has successfully completed a second Hot Fire test – also known as a Static Fire – ahead of its debut mission to launch the Cassiope satellite into orbit. Launch from SpaceX’s Space Launch Complex – 4 (SLC-4) at Vandenberg is now targeting a window that opens on September 29,…
-
SpaceX: From Bothering Bovines to Revolutionizing Rockets
SpaceX are continuing to make progress on several key projects as they head into a busy period of launches. With the debut launch of their Falcon 9 v1.1 rocket still on for September, an eye to the future for both their launch vehicles and spacecraft was highlighted over recent days, with the most spectacular event…
-
SpaceX awarded first European government contract via SARah missions
In a milestone launch contract award for SpaceX, the Californian company will use of its two Falcon 9 v1.1 rockets to loft Germany’s second-generation radar reconnaissance satellite system into orbit in the latter half of this decade. The launch contract for the three-satellite SARah Constellation marks SpaceX’s first deal with a European government. Falcon 9…
-
SpaceX Falcon 9 lined up to launch RADARSAT Constellation
SpaceX have announced the award of a reservation contract that lines them up as the launch service provider for three satellites that will make up the RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM). The agreement with MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (MDA) calls for the satellites to ride uphill on a Falcon 9 in 2018. SpaceX/MDA Agreement: The…
-
SpaceX’s new Falcon 9 v1.1 begins to arrive in California
Following the successful conclusion to acceptance testing in Texas, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 v1.1 – an upgraded version of the Falcon 9, which also aims to become fully reusable – has begun to arrive at its Californian launch site at Vandenberg Air Force Base. The rocket is scheduled to debut with the CASSIOPE mission in early…
-
Dragon Roadmap: From domestic crew independence to humans on Mars
SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft is continuing to make solid progress during the early years of its incremental roadmap, a path that has a firm focus on sending humans to Mars. With successful Commercial Cargo missions already under its belt, Dragon is already targeting the role of transporting NASA crews to the International Space Station (ISS). Rise…
-
Reducing risk via ground testing is a recipe for SpaceX success
SpaceX have noted they are happy with the technical progress being made on their new Falcon 9 v.1.1 (F 9-R) launch vehicle, as they prepare their next generation rocket for its role in upcoming launches and the future goal of creating a fully reusable launch system. UPDATE: SpaceX provided an update on Thursday evening, noting…
-
Testing times for SpaceX’s new Falcon 9 v.1.1
Engineers at SpaceX’s Rocket Development and Test Facility in McGregor, Texas are continuing to conduct a series of firings of the company’s upgraded Falcon 9 v.1.1 launch vehicle – which is scheduled to debut this summer. Testing on the core stage – with its new Merlin 1D engines – has proven to be challenging, due…