News Archive / Organizations

• Virgin Orbit’s LauncherOne system achieves orbit

  Cullen DesforgesJanuary 18th, 2021

  After several hours filled with hopeful anticipation, California-based Virgin Orbit successfully air-launched its LauncherOne rocket Jan. 17 over the Mojave Desert.

• Hot fire test of NASA’s SLS Rocket ends prematurely, placing 2021 launch date into question

  Derek RichardsonJanuary 17th, 2021

  For the first time, NASA fired up the core stage for its Space Launch System rocket, which is designed to send humans into deep space. However, an anomaly prompted the engines to shut down much earlier than planned.

• NASA adds New Glenn to Launch Services Program

  Nicholas D'AlessandroJanuary 14th, 2021

  Last month, the U.S. space agency awarded a NASA Launch Services contract to Blue Origin and its New Glenn rocket.

• SpaceX launches latest satellite for SiriusXM Radio

  Cullen DesforgesDecember 13th, 2020

  On Dec. 13, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket successfully lifted off from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, carrying the SXM-7 satellite to a geostationary transfer orbit.

• Following extensive delays, ULA successfully launches NRO satellite

  Matt HaskellDecember 11th, 2020

  Following a series of scrubs, delays and aborts, United Launch Alliance's Delta IV Heavy rocket finally took to the skies at 8:09 p.m. EST, Dec. 10, lofting the NROL-44 payload into a geostationary transfer orbit.

• Starship makes successful first, high altitude test flight

  Nicholas D'AlessandroDecember 11th, 2020

  At 4:45 p.m. CDT Dec. 9, 2020, the SpaceX Starship prototype SN8 finally launched in an unprecedented and long-awaited flight test of the vehicle. 

• 15-kilometer test flight approaching for Starship SN8

  Nicholas D'AlessandroDecember 2nd, 2020

  The most complex test yet for SpaceX's Starship design, prototype SN8, is fast approaching, according to road closure notices from Cameron County, Texas.

• SpaceX Successfully launches first operational crewed mission

  Matt HaskellNovember 16th, 2020

  At 7:27 PM EST on November 15, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket topped with a Crew Dragon capsule containing 4 astronauts lifted off from Kennedy Space Center’s LC-39A in Florida.

• “All Systems Go”: Schedule of Crew-1 launch countdown events

  Sean CostelloNovember 15th, 2020

  Following the confirmation by SpaceX via Twitter, that “All systems are go for tonight’s launch at 7:27 p.m. EST”, SpaceFlight Insider has produced this handy reference of the key countdown events and their approximate times.

• NASA and SpaceX set to launch first operational Crew Dragon mission

  Matt HaskellNovember 15th, 2020

  Following up on the successful launch and return of NASA Astronauts in May, SpaceX is on the cusp of flying the first certified operational mission of their Crew Dragon capsule.

• ULA successfully launches NRO-101 mission into evening Florida sky

  Sean CostelloNovember 13th, 2020

  With the tell-tale crackle of three GEM 63 solid rocket boosters, a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket leapt from Cape Canaveral’s Space Launch Complex 41 pad at 5:32 p.m. EST this evening, carrying a top-secret National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) payload skyward.

• Breakdown of Crew-1 Flight Plan: an inside look

  Cullen DesforgesNovember 13th, 2020

  On Tuesday November 10, teams at SpaceX and NASA completed the final launch readiness review for the first operational mission of the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft.

• ULA set for second launch attempt of classified NRO payload

  Matt HaskellNovember 13th, 2020

  United Launch Alliance is set to re-attempt the launch of their Atlas V rocket and its NROL-101 payload for the National Reconnaissance Office on Friday evening. 

• Crew-1’s dress rehearsal complete; countdown to launch continues

  Sean CostelloNovember 12th, 2020

  With less than 48 hours until the scheduled liftoff of Falcon 9 and NASA’s Crew-1 mission, all systems appear go on Florida’s Space Coast.

• GPS III-SV04 takes flight atop new Falcon 9 booster, B1062

  Theresa CrossNovember 7th, 2020

  On November 5 at 6:24 p.m. EST, SpaceX successfully launched the fourth in a series of third-generation global positioning satellite, departing from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station’s Space Launch Complex 40.

• ULA set to launch classified spy satellite atop Atlas V, featuring first GEM 63 boosters

  Matt HaskellNovember 4th, 2020

  United Launch Alliance is set to launch their Atlas V rocket on Wednesday evening, November 4, launching the highly classified NROL-101 spy satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office from Cape Canaveral.

• SpaceX marks their 100th successful flight during Starlink launch

  Matt HaskellOctober 24th, 2020

  On Saturday Oct 24, A SpaceX Falcon 9 took to the stars from Cape Canaveral with another batch of Starlink satellites, marking the company’s 100th successful launch. 

• Boeing wins contract award for next generation SATCOM satellites

  Cullen DesforgesOctober 24th, 2020

  In a press release earlier this month, Boeing announced the award of a developmental contract for the next generation communications satellite on behalf of the United States Space Force.

• ISS Expedition 63 crew returns home safely

  Cullen DesforgesOctober 22nd, 2020

  On October 21, 2020, the Soyuz MS-16 spacecraft carrying the Expedition 63 crew members departed the International Space Station, successfully returning NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy, and Russian Cosmonauts Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner back to planet Earth at a landing site in Kazakhstan.

• GHGSat releases PULSE, an online tool to visualize worldwide methane gas concentration

  Sean CostelloOctober 21st, 2020

  Accessible at no-cost for public and community use, GHGSat’s newly released PULSE project brings methane gas concentration data within reach of anyone seeking to explore their interactive, online worldwide map. In this screenshot taken by the author during a tour of the PULSE platform, Dr. Sarah Gallagher with the Canadian Space Agency is explaining how […]