Space – Page 4
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NewsFor Virgin Orbit, partial success is major milestone
First attempt to fly Virgin Group’s satellite launch system ends after 9s with engine shutdown, but wealth of data and smooth run through ground operations routine offers encouragement
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News‘Anomaly’ scuppers Virgin Orbit maiden rocket launch
Virgin Orbit failed in its first attempt at launching a rocket into orbit from the wing of a modified Boeing 747-400 owing to an “anomaly”, but the company says it is pressing ahead with further tests. The California-based company, part of Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group, conducted the maiden ...
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NewsBranson to sell shares in Virgin Galactic to help troubled travel businesses
Richard Branson’s Virgin Group is looking to sell some of its stake in Virgin Galactic to help raise proceeds to support its troubled leisure, holiday and travel businesses.
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NewsRocket Lab demonstrates catching piece of falling rocket in mid-air with helicopter
As part of the demonstration, Rocket Lab dropped the test stage from a light helicopter over the ocean. The stage’s fall was slowed by a parachute. A second helicopter swooped in and snagged the parachute’s drogue line with a specially designed grappling hook at about 5,000ft.
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In depthPost-Brexit UK ‘needs global space strategy’
As Britain loosens its ties with Europe, it will find itself having to protect the space-reliant aspects of its national security and economic interests in a world characterised by an accelerating US-China space race
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In depthTaking its place with the cosmic elite
From its early satellite ventures to its latest attempt to land on the Moon, the country has long seen space as a crucial component of its security, industrial strategy and national prestige
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In depthLaunch race reaches UK
London is adding the missing link of access to orbit to its plan to turn the country into a world space power
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In depthFor Reaction Engines, cool is the key
Radical rocket concept could propel the next-generation of hypersonic transports
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In depthAriane 6, Vega C fuel Europe's new launch era
Light and heavy rocket upgrades make a family built for cost, performance and versatility
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OpinionCan UK fund its space-launch ambitions?
The year 1962 dawned with two space powers: the USA and the USSR. Come that spring and the UK also joined the club with its Ariel 1 satellite, sadly lost not three months later to a US high-altitude nuclear detonation.
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NewsAirbus Defence & Space and Singapore to collaborate on automatic aerial refueling
Airbus Defence & Space and Singapore will collaborate on the development, certification and implementation of an automatic aerial refueling capability for the A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT). A flight-test campaign for the new system is already under way, with certification expected in 2021, says Airbus. Source: Airbus ...
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OpinionCould return to the Moon prove a step too far?
By the end of this year or early next, we should get a look at the future of deep-space travel. It will not carry a crew, but NASA’s Artemis I around-the-Moon-and-back flight will demonstrate the capsule, life-support system and mighty Space Launch System rocket being designed and tested to carry ...
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NewsAmerica establishes sixth military branch: US Space Force
The US Space Force (USSF) was established as the sixth military branch of the US armed forces on 20 December 2019 when President Donald Trump signed the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act.
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In depthVirgin Galactic gains its wings
It’s been a busy year for Virgin Galactic, the Richard Branson-led bid to shape the future of human spaceflight. After some 15 years in development marked by delays and two fatal accidents – one on the ground and one in flight – 2019 opened with the hangover of celebrations from ...
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NewsVirgin Galactic displays fire retardant space suit
Virgin Galactic unveiled space suits at the show that it will give to private astronauts travelling aboard its SpaceShipTwo.
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In depthGallery of the best images from the 2019 Dubai airshow
All the best images from the 2019 Dubai Airshow, captured from on the ground in the United Arab Emirates. Catch up on all the latest news, in-depth analysis and opinion from the show here.
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AnalysisUAE's bold vision for space
No-one could accuse the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of lacking a long-term vision for space. The country has a project to put settlers on Mars by 2117. Its recent achievements and immediate objectives are impressive too. The Gulf nation has just sent an astronaut to the International Space Station (ISS), ...
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NewsSolar-powered Hawk30 completes 1.5h second flight
HAPSMobile’s Hawk30 solar-powered, high-altitude platform completed its second test flight in the last two months when it touched down after a 1.5h flight at NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center in Southern California.
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UK space sector eyes future outside EU
Echoing ongoing speculation about the United Kingdom’s post-Brexit future as an economic and diplomatic player, the county’s future as a space power remains uncertain.
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New Air Force secretary confirmed by US Senate
The US Senate confirmed Barbara Barrett as the 25th Secretary of the Air Force.