Space – Page 3
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In depth60 years on, why Yuri Gagarin remains an orbital hero
Sixty years ago, Yuri Gagarin became the first man to orbit the Earth from space – and one of the 20th century’s most famous figures. This is an edited version of Flight’s 20 April 1961 report on the event.
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NewsNASA to fly Ingenuity helicopter on Mars within three weeks
NASA is planning for Ingenuity, its Mars helicopter, to fly within the next three weeks, engineers say on 23 March.
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NewsSpaceX Starship lands upright, then explodes
SpaceX’s Starship Serial Number 10 (SN10) prototype rocket landed safely under its own power after a test flight that took it to an altitude of 33,000ft. Eight minutes later, it blew up.
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NewsNASA’s Mars helicopter ‘Ingenuity’ arrives on the red planet
NASA is preparing to fly the first unmanned robotic rotorcraft on another planet after its latest rover successfully landed on the planet’s surface on 18 February.
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NewsSpaceX Starship rocket crashes during test flight
A SpaceX prototype rocket crashed on landing after conducting a test flight.
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NewsVirgin Orbit successfully launches rocket from 747-400
Virgin Orbit has successfully lofted its LauncherOne rocket into space after launching it from a Boeing 747-400.
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NewsItaly’s space sector seeks new frontiers despite Vega blow
An early cosmic pioneer, Italy is determined to continue playing a central role in emerging fields such as reusable space transportation.
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NewsFAA finalises new commercial spaceflight rules
The US Federal Aviation Administration has finalised new rules it says streamline oversight of commercial spaceflight, enabling continued expansion of the commercial space industry.
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InterviewArianespace powers on with launches amid challenging 2020
Arianespace has had a challenging 2020 owing to the coronavirus pandemic, but has managed to keep launches going, as it looks toward 2021 and the long-awaited first flights of the Ariane 6 and Vega C rockets. Vivian Quenet has been managing director and head of sales for Arianespace in the ...
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NewsPentagon, SpaceX may demo rocket delivery of cargo in 2021
The US Transportation Command has partnered with Space Exploration Technologies Corporation to study delivering tens of thousands of kilograms worth of cargo to anywhere on Earth within about an hour using the aerospace company’s vertical landing rockets.
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AnalysisWhy the sky is no limit for RAF’s space ambitions
Like its key allies, the UK is increasingly reliant on space-based assets for daily life in ordinary civil society and for the perfornance of its military forces. So, the Royal Air Force’s operating domain now extends from the ground to far beyond the atmosphere
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OpinionWhy Virgin Galactic is still attracting investment despite continued losses
Having taken 15 years and counting to get its rocketplanes in service, Virgin Galactic is now talking about supersonic jet travel; don’t book a flight just yet, but keep an eye on the share price
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NewsSpaceX Crew Dragon splashdown signals US human spaceflight return
The USA has returned to the human spaceflight business following the successful return to earth of the SpaceX Crew Dragon today, carrying NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley.
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NewsWhy mastering the Moon is vital before missions to Mars
Despite previous scepticism about renewed lunar exploration, the space industry increasingly believes a return to the Moon is a key part of any broader strategy.
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In depthNASA and Lockheed to begin X-59 supersonic jet tests in 2021
Engineers at NASA and Lockheed Martin have a wealth of experience and historical data – and a lot of public money – to help them build a low-boom supersonic jet. But until the X-59 actually breaks the sound barrier, whether they have opened the door to a Mach-plus renaissance will be an open question
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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