Tag: SpaceX
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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).…
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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,…
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Countdowns and Testing – Commercial Space steps up a gear
Several commercial space companies are in the midst of critical testing and launch preparations. While the increase in activity is aimed at successfully achieving differing mission objectives, the overall drive is one based on private companies becoming the new gate keepers of Low Earth Orbit (LEO), freeing NASA to set sail for deep space destinations.…
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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…
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NASA planners switch next SpaceX Dragon mission to 2014
Planners within the ISS program have manifested the next two Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) missions. Both Orbital’s CRS-1 (ORB-1) and SpaceX’s CRS-3 (SpX-3) missions were initially provided with the same orbital place-holder in December, prior to this week’s decision to allow Cygnus to fly ahead of Dragon, with the latter moving to NET January 17,…
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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…
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NASA Outlines its Plans for Commercial Crew Certification
In a recent conference with its industry partners, NASA outlined the next phase of its strategy to enable the certification of commercial crew transportation systems to and from the International Space Station (ISS). The goal is to return domestic launch and transportation capability by the year 2017. Certification Strategy: Phase 1 of the certification…
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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…
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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…
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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…