Tag: USAF
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Rocket Lab launches STP-27RD test satellite trio for the DoD
Rocket Lab launched their Electron rocket for its second launch of 2019. In its sixth overall mission, Electron launched the SPARC-1, Falcon ODE, and Harbinger satellites into orbit, as part of the Space Test Program (STP). The launch took place at 6:00 UTC, from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 (LC-1) in New Zealand, following a…
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Space surveillance craft launched by Delta 4 rocket
A Delta 4 rocket roars away from Cape Canaveral’s launch complex 37 carrying a pair of covert satellites. Photo: Steven Young/Spaceflight Now CAPE CANAVERAL – A pair of covertly developed inspector satellites to monitor collision threats and nefarious activities in geosynchronous orbit for U.S. Strategic Command blasted off Monday aboard a Delta 4 rocket. The…
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SpaceX’s roadmap for innovating the global launch market
SpaceX President and COO Gwynne Shotwell recently outlined how SpaceX’s justifications for suing the United States Air Force (USAF) represent and advance SpaceX’s broader ambitions. Ms. Shotwell’s remarks, which were at a presentation at the Atlantic Council international affairs think tank in Washington, D.C., also outlined SpaceX’s current progress in securing and innovating in the…
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X-37B lands successfully following 220 days in space
The US Air Force’s X-37B has successfully returned back to Earth on Friday morning, landing at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California at 9:16am GMT. Also known as the Orbital Test Vehicle 1 (OTV-1), its maiden voyage involved 220 days on orbit, conducting experiments and testing its systems, before carrying out the first autonomous re-entry…
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First Minotaur IV launches with Hypersonic Test Vehicle
An Orbital Minotaur IV rocket has made its maiden flight on Thursday – with lift off from Space Launch Complex 8 at the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California occurring at 4pm local time (Pacific). The rocket is set to fly a suborbital trajectory, carrying a prototype hypersonic reentry vehicle. Launch Preview: Like other members of the Minotaur family…