Tag: United States
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SpaceX Launches Classified USSF-153 Mission for U.S. Space Force
SpaceX launched the classified USSF-153 mission for the U.S. Space Force aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, at 8:42 a.m. Pacific time on September 10. The mission carried an undisclosed number of national-security spacecraft toward an unannounced orbit. The Falcon 9 lifted off from Space Launch Complex 4 East and…
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SpaceX Pairs Booster 22 and Ship 42 for Flight 15 Cryogenic Testing
SpaceX has moved Super Heavy Booster 22 from Mega Bay 1 to the Massey’s test site at Starbase, where Ship 42 has joined it for cryogenic proof testing ahead of their planned pairing on Starship Flight 15. The mission could launch roughly one month after Flight 14 if the preceding flight meets its objectives and…
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NASA Adds Relativity Space’s Terran R to Launch Services Roster
NASA added Relativity Space’s Terran R rocket to its NASA Launch Services II contract on September 9, making the still-unflown vehicle eligible to compete for future agency launch orders. The award expands NASA’s pool of launch providers as Relativity prepares Terran R for its first flight from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in late 2026.…
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Space Force Clears Critical Design Review for 10 BAE Systems MEO Missile-Tracking Satellites
The U.S. Space Force has completed the critical design review for the first two orbital planes of its Epoch 2 medium Earth orbit missile-warning and tracking constellation, Space Systems Command announced Sept. 8. The review covers 10 satellites being developed with BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems and clears the program to begin spacecraft assembly,…
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NASA Seeks Industry Proposals for Lunar Power, Oxygen and Manufacturing Systems
NASA issued a solicitation on September 8 seeking industry-led proposals to mature five technologies needed for sustained operations at the lunar South Pole, including vertical solar arrays, oxygen production from regolith, radioisotope power, in-space manufacturing and advanced nanomaterials. The initiative is intended to close infrastructure gaps that would otherwise limit the duration and independence of…
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U.S. Space Command Conducts First Multi-Orbit Dynamic Satellite Maneuver Exercise
U.S. Space Command has completed its first exercise dedicated to dynamically maneuvering operational spacecraft across low Earth orbit, medium Earth orbit and geosynchronous orbit, testing how military satellites in multiple orbital regimes could be repositioned as part of a coordinated operation. The exercise used actual spacecraft rather than relying solely on simulations. U.S. Space Command…
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Rocket Lab Releases Germanium-Free IMM Apex Space Solar Cell With 31.5% Efficiency
Rocket Lab released its IMM Apex space solar cell for production on September 8, offering a Beginning of Life conversion efficiency of 31.5% while eliminating the germanium substrate used in conventional multi-junction cells. The company said the product is 40% lighter than comparable cells and is intended to reduce satellite manufacturers’ exposure to rising germanium…
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Stoke Space Raises $1 Billion, Targets Early 2027 Debut for Fully Reusable Nova Rocket
Stoke Space announced on September 8 that it completed the initial closing of a $1 billion Series E financing round, bringing its total capital raised to $2.3 billion. The Kent, Washington-based company will use the funding to prepare its fully reusable Nova Pathfinder rocket for a first orbital launch in early 2027, expand production and…
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Artemis III Booster Stacking Reaches Four of Five Segments as Orion Heat Shield Fix Is Confirmed
NASA has stacked the fourth of five major assemblies on each of the twin solid rocket boosters for Artemis III and completed installation of all four RS-25 engines on the mission’s Space Launch System core stage at Kennedy Space Center. The processing milestones come as a five-month review of the Artemis II Orion heat shield…
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SpaceX Expands Starbase as Flight 14 Vehicles Complete Testing
SpaceX is expanding assembly, testing and launch infrastructure across Starbase, Texas, as Ship 41 and Booster 21 move through final checkout for Starship Flight 14. Recent aerial imagery shows simultaneous work at Massey’s test site, the Gigabay assembly building and both orbital launch pads, while hardware for Flight 15 and later vehicles is already entering…