Sydney, Australia (SPX) Apr 25, 2024 - ExPace Technology Corporation, based in Hubei province, is developing a new reusable rocket powered by liquid oxygen-methane engines. This initiative represents a shift towards more sustainable space technologies. The new engine, capable of generating a thrust of 70 metric tons, has successfully completed ignition and vertical takeoff and landing tests, confirms Zhao Shuang, marketing director at ExPace. This company is a subsidiary of China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp (CASIC), a state-owned enterprise involved in space technology. Reusable engin ..read more

Paris, France (SPX) Apr 26, 2024 - On April 24, automated guided vehicles moved the Ariane 6 central core, which includes the main and upper stages, at a speed of 3 km/h from the launcher assembly building to the launch pad 800 meters away. The central core's placement on the launch pad involved coordinated actions using two AGVs and a crane equipped with a lifting beam. This allowed for the upright positioning of the central core onto the Ariane 6 launch table. On April 25 and 26, the launcher's two boosters were transported to the launch pad using a specially designed truck. These boosters ..read more

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Apr 26, 2024 - Every part of a launch vehicle, launch pad, and ground operation equipment is subjected to the high acoustic load generated during lift-off. Therefore, many extreme measures are taken to try to suppress this acoustic environment by damping with a water deluge system and diverting engine plumes away from the vehicle via flame trenches. Even single decibel reductions of the acoustic levels can translate into a sizable reduction of acoustic loadings, certification needs, operational costs, and even vehicle weight. Therefore, lowering the acoustic level via var ..read more

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Apr 22, 2024 - Inversion, established in 2021 to innovate rapid terrestrial delivery via reentry vehicles, has set Ray, its pilot technology demonstrator, for an upcoming launch aboard SpaceX's Falcon 9. Slated for the Transporter-12 Rideshare mission, Ray is scheduled to ascend no earlier than October 2024. This venture aims to refine crucial technologies for a forthcoming advanced vehicle under development by Inversion. Justin Fiaschetti, Co-Founder and CEO of Inversion, shared, "Ray was developed at a minimal cost while we continue to invest in our future vehicles. Its ..read more

Sydney, Australia (SPX) Apr 25, 2024 - Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB), a prominent player in the launch services and space systems industry, has successfully launched two satellites into distinct orbits 500km apart during its 47th Electron mission. The mission, named "Beginning Of The Swarm" (B.T.S.), commenced with a launch from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand at 10:32 NZST on April 24th, 2024. The mission carried payloads for the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) and NASA. Initially, the Electron rocket deployed KAIST's NEONSAT-1 into a 520km ..read more

Washington DC (UPI) Apr 25, 2024 - The crew of the first Boeing Starliner space mission on Thursday arrived at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida ahead of the spacecraft's debut manned mission on May 6. Veteran NASA astronauts Barry "Butch" Wilmore and Sunita "Suni" Williams will be commander and pilot of the Crew Flight Test mission to the International Space Station. The Boeing CST-100 Starliner is set to lift off on May 6 atop an Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The CFT mission has been delayed for about four years because of various issues with the St ..read more

Paris, France (SPX) Apr 25, 2024 - On 24 April 2024, Europe's new rocket, Ariane 6, was vertically positioned on the launch pad for its first space journey. The rocket's central core, comprising the main and upper stages, was moved from the launcher assembly building to the launch pad, located approximately 800 meters away, using four automated vehicles. At the launch site, a coordinated effort involving two automated vehicles and a crane with a lifting beam vertically lifted the central core. It was then placed on the launch table and rotated to align the stages' fluid connections with the l ..read more

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Apr 24, 2024 - NASA has unveiled a new electric propulsion system designed for small spacecraft, aimed at supporting both planetary exploration and extending the operational life of existing satellites. This system is part of NASA's broader initiative to commercialize technology, potentially allowing the agency to procure this critical technology from industry partners for future missions. The propulsion system, developed at NASA Glenn Research Center, is based on the NASA-H71M sub-kilowatt Hall-effect thruster. This technology is pivotal for small spacecraft requiring hi ..read more

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Apr 23, 2024 - NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams have entered pre-flight quarantine as they prepare for the upcoming Boeing Crew Flight Test to the International Space Station, scheduled for Monday, May 6. The quarantine is part of the flight crew health stabilization protocol, a routine procedure implemented before all manned space missions to ensure astronauts' health and safety. This precaution helps to prevent potential illness from reaching the space station. During this period, the astronauts' interactions are heavily restricted, though they are still ..read more

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Apr 26, 2024 - Maritime Launch Services Inc. (Cboe: MAXQ, OTCB: MAXQF) and The Spaceport Company have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to lease a containerized tracking and telemetry station (TTS) for the inaugural orbital launch from Canada, with options to purchase additional units for future launches. "This agreement allows us to provide Maritime Launch customers alternatives for on-site and downrange support for space launch operations from Spaceport Nova Scotia," said Stephen Matier, President and CEO. "It's important that our clients receive all their service needs a ..read more