All Space articles
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NewsStratolaunch bids for rocket-drop 747 as Virgin Orbit assets are carved up
Three companies have successfully bid for assets of Virgin Orbit, with aerospace firm Stratolaunch picking up the modified Boeing 747-400 which was used to carry air-dropped satellite launch vehicles. Virgin Orbit entered US bankruptcy protection earlier this year, weeks after the 747’s first attempt to launch satellites from the UK ...
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News
NASA selects Blue Origin to build second Artemis lunar lander
Private spaceflight company Blue Origin joins reusable rocket pioneer SpaceX on NASA’s Artemis programme to return humans to the lunar surface, with both companies under contract to develop spacecraft capable of landing astronauts on the moon.
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News
Several prospective bidders for Virgin Orbit aim to maintain company’s operations
Over 30 expressions have interest have been submitted for troubled air-launch specialist Virgin Orbit, with several looking to continue the company’s operations. Virgin Orbit filed for US Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection about a month ago, weeks after suffering a satellite launch failure during its inaugural sortie from the UK’s Spaceport ...
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News
SpaceX Starship, largest rocket ever built, explodes minutes after take-off
SpaceX’s Starship system – a heavy-lift rocket and reusable flight vehicle designed to ferry crew and cargo beyond Earth’s orbit – exploded over the Gulf of Mexico 4min after a test launch on Thursday.
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News
Pentagon to fund expansion of rocket motor production at Aerojet Rocketdyne
The US Department of Defense (DoD) will provide rocket engine manufacturer Aerojet Rocketdyne with some $215 million to modernise facilities and expand production at three sites across the USA.
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News
Virgin Orbit files for bankruptcy 16 months after going public
Space-launch start-up Virgin Orbit filed for bankruptcy protection in a US court on 4 April, a move coming 16 months after the company became publicly traded amid wide fanfare.
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News
India conducts runway landing test of reusable spacecraft
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully conducted a runway test landing of a developmental reusable spacecraft.
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News
Virgin Orbit launch failure inquiry indicates engine overheat after fuel-filter dislodged
Virgin Orbit has started modifying its air-dropped rocket vehicle after analysis indicated that abnormal heating of the second-stage engine, following a filter displacement, caused loss of thrust during the company’s failed inaugural UK satellite launch. Investigators have analysed data suggesting that a fuel filter in the LauncherOne vehicle – dropped ...
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News
Virgin Orbit begins investigating failed inaugural UK satellite launch
Virgin Orbit has started an investigation after the inaugural UK launch of a satellite from a carrier aircraft ended in failure when the rocket – having been successfully dropped – did not reach orbit. The modified Boeing 747-400 had departed the south-west UK’s Newquay airport, which has been designated as ...
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In depth
US aerospace industry powers launch of NASA’s first Artemis moon mission
Numerous US defence contractors supplied critical components for Artemis I, including rocket engines, solid state boosters and the space capsule that will eventually carry human astronauts.
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News
US 'spaceplane' returns to Earth after 908 days in orbit
The US Space Force’s reusable spacecraft known as the Boeing X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle has now completed six missions, logging 1.3 billion miles flown and over 3,700 days in space.
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News
NASA hopeful for 2 September Artemis 1 launch, but readiness uncertain
NASA is hopeful its Artemis 1 rocket will be ready for launch on 2 September, though plans remain uncertain following an engine-cooling problem that led the agency to scrub today’s planned launch.
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News
NASA delays planned launch of Artemis 1 rocket
NASA called off its planned 29 August launch of the Artemis 1 rocket due to an engine-bleed problem, raising the prospect that the launch may be delayed until 2 September.
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News
UK alliance takes aim at commercial space industry
A partnership between Telespazio and Thales Alenia Space aims to boost commercial space activity in the UK.
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News
Virgin Orbit boosts 747 launcher fleet with L3Harris deal
L3Harris Technologies is to acquire a pair of Boeing 747-400s for Virgin Orbit as the small satellite launch specialist boosts its fleet of modified jumbo jets to meet increasing customer demand.
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News
UK MoD launches space-based surveillance push with Carbonite+ contract
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has ordered the first part of a future space-based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance constellation, with Surrey Satellite Technology (SSTL) awarded £22 million ($27.9 million) to provide the Carbonite+ spacecraft.
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Interview
Why Apollo 16’s Charlie Duke is still a lunar rover
Apollo 16 astronaut Charlie Duke says private spaceflight encourages smaller firms to think big and develop technologies the whole world could benefit from in future.
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News
ANA, Virgin Orbit to use Japan as Asian base for 747 RocketOne launches
ANA Holdings plans to enter the space launch business through a tie up with Virgin Orbit, which has developed the capability to launch its LauncherOne rocket from a 747-400.
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News
US FAA grounds Virgin Galactic over mishap investigations
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has grounded Virgin Galactic as it completes an investigation into an incident involving SpaceShipTwo during its July 11 flight.
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In depth
Why the UK Space Command has skyrocketing ambitions
Among the organisational changes made by the UK Ministry of Defence since the last DSEI show in September 2019, the establishment of a dedicated Space Command is one of the most significant recent developments.
