Tag: SpaceX
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SpaceX Dragon to make third ISS visit amid logistics schedule challenges
With less than one week now remaining until the launch of SpaceX’s second operational International Space Station (ISS) resupply mission, preparations to make the orbital outpost ready to receive the Dragon capsule are progressing smoothly. However, resupply flights for the remainder of the year continue to be re-shuffled around a packed and challenging logistics flight…
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SpaceX win another contract ahead of CRS-2 mission
As SpaceX prepare for their next Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) mission, the company is continuing to fill its order book for their Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy fleet. The latest order was announced this week, when contracts were signed for the launch of Spacecom’s AMOS-6 satellite – set to be sent into orbit on a…
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Expanding on Bigelow’s inflatable module for the ISS
NASA managers are set to provide details on the deal they have signed with Bigelow Aerospace for an inflatable module to become part of the International Space Station (ISS). The Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) will be a vital testbed for future applications and may ride to the ISS inside the trunk of a SpaceX…
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SpaceX Crewed Dragon: Pressing home the advantage
With all three Commercial Crew partners providing a status update at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) this week, SpaceX have outlined their path towards launching a crew on their Dragon spacecraft in 2015. With the advantage of already flying cargo missions on a near-human rated Dragon, SpaceX are leading the drive to return domestic crew…
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SpaceX’s Grasshopper successfully conducts a 40 meter leap
SpaceX’s ambitions of creating a full reusable launch vehicle have taken another step forward via the third – and most ambitious to date – test of their Grasshopper test vehicle. The 40 meter leap into the skies at their test facility in Texas – followed by a stable hover and smooth landing – was conducted without…
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SpaceX get their foot in the EELV door with double launch contract win
The United States Air Force (USAF) have awarded SpaceX with two Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV)-class missions to ride on their Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets in 2014 and 2015 respectively. The launches, which fall under Orbital/Suborbital Program-3 (OSP-3), will mark SpaceX’s debut for this class of mission. SpaceX EELV-class Wins: OSP-3 is an…
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AsiaSat sign up Sea Launch as SpaceX backup option
Asia Satellite Telecommunications have signed up Sea Launch to provide the backup option of launching “a future AsiaSat satellite” on their Zenit 3SL. Currently, both AsiaSat 6 and 8 are manifested to ride on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 in 2014, meaning the arrangement with Sea Launch will allow for on-time delivery in the event Falcon 9’s…
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ULA: Launch services customers class reliability as their main consideration
The ever-competitive launch services market has once again been thrown into the spotlight, with SpaceX CEO Elon Musk promoting the low cost of his vehicles, claiming Arianespace’s Ariane 5 has “no chance” of competing with his Falcon rockets on price. However, another big player in the market – the United Launch Alliance (ULA) – believe…
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SpaceX’s Dragon returns to Earth with precious cargo from ISS
SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft has completed its trip back to Earth, carrying with it a valuable load of cargo from its host since October 10, the International Space Station. While the re-entry and splashdown of the Dragon was significant in itself – as it will be only the third time that a Dragon has performed this…
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Dragon enjoying ISS stay, despite minor issues – Falcon 9 investigation begins
SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft is behaving well – bar a couple of minor issues – during its berthed phase of the CRS-1 (SpX-1) mission, as it closes in on its departure at the end of the month. The unberthing will be conducted by the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS), which translated away from the Dragon…