Tag: ISS
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SpaceX conducts additional Falcon 9 improvements ahead of busy schedule
SpaceX engineers are busily processing the Falcon 9 fleet for a salvo of missions that will mark the company’s return from the CRS-7 failure. The replacement of helium bottle support struts – one of which is suspected to have caused the CRS-7 mishap in June – is being conducted alongside additional changes, as SpaceX prepare…
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Soyuz TMA-18M docks to increase ISS crew size to nine
The Soyuz TMA-18M spacecraft has docked with the International Space Station on Friday, following its Wednesday launch via a Soyuz FG rocket. Soyuz TMA-18M delivered one new Expedition crewmember to ISS – while the two TMA-18M Flight Engineers will return to Earth with Soyuz TMA-16M on 11 September – temporarily raising the crew size of the…
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Enhanced Cygnus to help Orbital ATK meet CRS contract by 2017
The first flight of Orbital ATK’s Enhanced Cygnus resupply craft for the International Space Station is set to launch in December atop an Atlas V rocket. Helping Orbital ATK return to flight operations, the Enhanced Cygnus spacecraft will allow the company to meet their initial CRS cargo up-mass contract with NASA in just four more missions. Enhanced Cygnus: December’s upcoming…
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HTV-5 arrives at the ISS following successful berthing
The Japanese H-II Transfer Vehicle-5 (HTV-5) resupply spacecraft successfully arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) on Monday. Following its launch into space from the Tanegashima space center Wednesday. HTV-5 arrived at the orbital outpost for capture at 6:28 AM EDT, ahead of an berthing at 10:02 AM EDT – marking a welcome delivery of…
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HTV-5 Kounotori sets sail for the ISS
Japan’s HTV-5 spacecraft “Kounotori 5” has launched en route to the International Space Station on Wednesday – lofted by a H-IIB rocket from the Tanegashima Space Center in Southern Japan at 11:50.49 GMT (07:50.49 EDT; 20:50.49 JST). HTV-5 is set to deliver a cargo of food, hygiene items, internal and external spare parts, and scientific experiments…
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Boeing’s CST-100: Progress to Commercial Crew and funding uncertainties
Boeing has successfully completed numerous critical milestones in the first half of 2015 for their CST-100 capsule and commercial crew launch services plan for NASA as the aerospace company continues on its intricate path toward a scheduled crewed flight debut in 2017 – despite numerous funding shortfalls and future funding uncertainties from the United States Congress. CST-100 progress and completed milestones: Since completing their…
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RS-41: Cosmonaut duo complete the only Russian spacewalk of 2015
While the astronauts in the US segment of the International Space Station (ISS) are working on returning their spacesuits to full service, the Russian segment conducted another, somewhat routine, extravehicular activity (EVA). RS EVA-41, the only Russian spacewalk of 2015, began at 10:20 a.m. Eastern on Monday and completed all of the tasks ahead of…
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Cygnus set for December Atlas V ride ahead of Antares return
Orbital ATK’s Cygnus spacecraft is set to return to International Space Station (ISS) resupply duties in December, hitching a ride on an Atlas V, prior to resuming operations with the modified Antares rocket in 2016. Cygnus has been out of action since the CRS-3/OrB-3 failure that occurred in October 2014 – with the full investigation…
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Suffredini leaves NASA – $490m heads to Roscosmos
The International Space Station (ISS) Program has named Kirk Shireman as its new manager, following the departure of Mike Suffredini. The news came hours after NASA administrator Charlie Bolden modified the Agency’s contract with Roscosmos, to the tune of an extra $490m, to cover projected delays to the Commercial Crew Program. New ISS Chief: Mr. Shireman –…
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Italian veteran Paolo Nespoli to return to the ISS
The European Space Agency (ESA) has announced Paolo Nespoli is to return to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2017. The veteran Italian astronaut will be making his third trip to the orbital outpost, following missions in 2007 and 2010 – the latter concluding with stunning and unique photography of Shuttle Endeavour docked to the…