Firefly Aerospace Expands Launch Capabilities in Virginia and Sweden

Firefly Aerospace Expands Launch Capabilities in Virginia and Sweden

Firefly Aerospace is making significant strides in expanding its launch capabilities by establishing new sites in both Virginia and Sweden, marking a pivotal moment in the company’s journey and the broader landscape of small satellite launches. The construction of these launch pads is not just about geographic expansion; it symbolizes Firefly’s commitment to meeting the […]

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NASA and NOAA launch GOES-U on SpaceX Falcon Heavy

NASA and NOAA launch GOES-U on SpaceX Falcon Heavy

Falcon Heavy took off from LC-39A at the Kennedy Space Center at 5:26 PM EDT (21:26 UTC) on June 25, carrying the GOES-U satellite. The two-hour launch window opened at 5:16 PM EDT (21:16 UTC), but liftoff occurred ten minutes later as the weather conditions improved to 70% favorable. GOES-U will be placed into a […]

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Rocket Lab reaches 50th Electron mission launch

Rocket Lab reaches 50th Electron mission launch

Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket has achieved remarkable milestones in its development. The vehicle is the first to use an entirely carbon-fiber body, the first to use electric turbopumps, and according to Rocket Lab, is the fastest commercially developed rocket in history to reach 50 launches, taking just seven years and 25 days, narrowly beating this […]

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Starship succeeds on fourth flight test

Starship succeeds on fourth flight test

In the days leading up to the Starship integrated flight test, there was a flurry of activity at SpaceX’s Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas. Teams meticulously prepared the Orbital Launch Pad, fueling systems, and the flight hardware itself – Booster 11 and Ship 29. The booster, standing 71 meters tall and featuring 33 Raptor […]

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SpaceX launches EarthCARE climate satellite for ESA and JAXA

SpaceX launches EarthCARE climate satellite for ESA and JAXA

EarthCARE carries four instruments that work together to study clouds and atmospheric aerosols, enabling a comprehensive understanding of their impact on Earth’s climate. The Atmospheric LIDAR (ATLID) measures the altitudes of cloud tops and aerosols using a laser and telescope. It emits ultraviolet pulses and detects the scattered light to calculate the altitude and infer […]

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Rocket Lab flight carries new solar sail technology

Rocket Lab flight carries new solar sail technology

Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket has successfully launched a potential new way to travel through space. The mission, named “Beginning of the Swarm,” put two payloads into a Sun-synchronous orbit. One of these payloads is NASA’s Advanced Composite Solar Sail System (ACS3), which aims to test a new composite material that can be folded up inside […]

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Updates on Chinese Space Missions: ZhuQue-3 Shifts Position, Tianlong-3 Receives Engine Upgrades, and Successful Launches of Chang Zheng Rockets

Updates on Chinese Space Missions: ZhuQue-3 Shifts Position, Tianlong-3 Receives Engine Upgrades, and Successful Launches of Chang Zheng Rockets

China’s Startup Aerospace Companies Making Strides in the Space Race China’s burgeoning aerospace industry is making significant progress, with several startup companies launching rockets and developing innovative technologies. Two key players in this space race are LandSpace and Deep Blue Aerospace, both of which are advancing their respective rocket programs. Additionally, the Chang Zheng family […]

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