Tag: Lockheed-Martin
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Software Glitch Doomed Firefly Aerospace’s Rocket Mission, Investigation Reveals
Firefly Aerospace disclosed on February 20th that a critical software malfunction sabotaged the upper stage of its Alpha rocket during a December launch, thwarting a planned second burn and stranding its payload in a low orbit. According to a statement issued by Firefly, an anomaly in the guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) software hindered the…
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UK Ministry of Defense Awards Contracts to Lockheed Martin and Rhea Group for Satellite Control Systems
The U.K. Ministry of Defense has recently announced significant strides in its ISTARI project, a pioneering initiative aimed at bolstering the nation’s intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities through a constellation of advanced satellites. In a move underscoring its commitment to this endeavor, the Ministry awarded contracts worth approximately $2.5 million each to aerospace giants…
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Here’s a first look at United Launch Alliance’s new Vulcan rocket
United Launch Alliance’s first Vulcan rocket prepares to emerge from the Vertical Integration Facility at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. United Launch Alliance United Launch Alliance’s first Vulcan rocket prepares to emerge from the Vertical Integration Facility at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. United Launch Alliance ULA’s fully stacked Vulcan rocket…
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Firefly suffers second stage anomaly on “Fly the Lightning” mission
Just on the heels of its success in integrating and launching a payload to orbit within 27 hours for the Space Force, Firefly Aerospace flew again — this time with a dedicated flight for Lockheed Martin. The Alpha FLTA004 mission lifted off from Space Launch Complex 2 West (SLC-2W) at California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base…
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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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NASA spacecraft returns to Earth with pieces of an asteroid
Monday update: This story has been updated with comments from OSIRIS-REx officials about the drogue parachute. A small capsule carrying pristine specimens from an asteroid parachuted to a landing in the Utah desert Sunday, capping a seven-year voyage through the Solar System to bring home samples for eager scientists seeking clues about the origins of life.…
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NASA’s asteroid sampling mission is on course for landing this weekend
A NASA spacecraft will complete a round-trip journey to an asteroid this weekend, returning to Earth after a seven-year voyage to bring back unspoiled rock specimens from an alien world that could yield insights into the formation of life. The landing Sunday at 8:55 am local time in Utah (10:55 am EDT or 14:55 UTC)…
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ULA conducts NROL-107 launch, last Atlas NRO mission
United Launch Alliance (ULA) launched its Atlas V with the classified NROL-107 Silent Barker mission set on Sunday, following several days, including a rollback due to a hurricane threat. For this demanding mission, sending the payload to a near-geosynchronous orbit, Atlas V flew in its most powerful active configuration: Atlas V 551. NROL-107 Silent Barker…
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Lockheed Martin, NASA lining up next Orion spacecraft for Artemis III and IV
Orion prime contractor Lockheed Martin has the spacecraft for NASA’s Artemis III and IV lunar landing missions in production alongside the Artemis II vehicle that is going into final assembly at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida. Simultaneous assembly and test of three Orions is becoming the norm, as the Orion program works towards…
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Lockheed Martin, NASA working around the clock to finish Artemis II Orion assembly and hold 2024 launch date
The Orion spacecraft for the Artemis II mission is nearing final assembly and testing at prime contractor Lockheed Martin’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) production facility. After a final standalone test on the Orion crew module (CM), it is expected to be mated to the service module (SM) in mid-September. If there are no problems in…