Stay updated with the latest events in spaceflight.
The Artemis 2 launch vehicle and spacecraft have returned to the launch pad for a launch as soon as April 1. The post Artemis 2 returns to the pad for April launch attempt appeared first on SpaceNews.
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Blue Origin is showcasing the production cadence of its New Glenn heavy-lift rocket at its… The post Blue Origin ramps up New Glenn manufacturing, unveils Orbital Data Center ambitions appeared first on NASASpaceFlight.com.
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NASA’s quiet supersonic X-59 aircraft made its second flight on Friday, kicking off a series of dozens of test flights in 2026. Although the flight duration was abbreviated due to a technical issue, the team was able to collect information that will inform future tests. “Despite the early landing, this is a good day for the team. We collected more data, and the pilot landed safely,” said Cathy Bahm, project manager for NASA’s Low-Boom […]
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NASA’s Artemis II Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft arrived at Launch Pad… The post SLS enters pad flow ahead of historic Artemis II mission appeared first on NASASpaceFlight.com.
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MILAN – Officina Stellare, an Italian manufacturer of advanced opto-mechanical systems, has signed a 1.84 million euro ($2.0 million) contract with the Barcelona-based Institute of Photonic Sciences (ICFO), the company announced March 17. The contract covers the design and construction of an optical ground station for future laser and quantum-encrypted space-to-Earth communications. The infrastructure will […] The post Officina Stellare wins $2 million contract for lasercom ground station in Spain appeared first on SpaceNews.
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Rocket Lab launched the latest in a series of satellites for Japanese radar imaging company Synspective on March 20. The post Rocket Lab launches eighth Synspective radar imaging satellite appeared first on SpaceNews.
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Docking
The Progress MS-33 spacecraft is scheduled to autonomously dock to the Poisk module of the ISS.
Vehicle Testing
Using a small experimental aircraft (RV-X) with a diameter of approximately 1.8 m and a height of approximately 7.3 m, flight tests will be conducted at an altitude of approximately 10 m and covering a horizontal distance of approximately 15 m.
EVA
Two astronauts will replace a high-definition camera on camera port 3, install a new navigational aid for visiting spacecraft, called a planar reflector, on the Harmony module’s forward port, and relocate an early ammonia servicer jumper — a flexible hose assembly that connects parts of a fluid system — along with other jumpers on the station’s S6 and S4 truss.
Founded: 1998-11-20
The International Space Station (ISS) is a space station, or a habitable artificial satellite, in low Earth orbit. Its first component was launched into orbit in 1998, with the first long-term residents arriving in November 2000. It has been inhabited continuously since that date. The last pressurised module was fitted in 2011, and an experimental inflatable space habitat was added in 2016. The station is expected to operate until 2030. Development and assembly of the station continues, with several new elements scheduled for launch in 2019. The ISS is the largest human-made body in low Earth orbit and can often be seen with the naked eye from Earth. The ISS consists of pressurised habitation modules, structural trusses, solar arrays, radiators, docking ports, experiment bays and robotic arms. ISS components have been launched by Russian Proton and Soyuz rockets, and American Space Shuttles.
Founded: 1986-02-20
Mir was a space station that operated in low Earth orbit from 1986 to 2001, operated by the Soviet Union and later by Russia. Mir was the first modular space station and was assembled in orbit from 1986 to 1996. The station served as a microgravity research laboratory in which crews conducted experiments in biology, human biology, physics, astronomy, meteorology and spacecraft systems with a goal of developing technologies required for permanent occupation of space.
Founded: 1973-05-14
Skylab was a United States space station launched and operated by NASA, and occupied for about 24 weeks between May 1973 and February 1974 – the only space station the U.S. has operated exclusively. In 1979 it fell back to Earth amid huge worldwide media attention. Skylab included a workshop, a solar observatory, and other systems necessary for crew survival and scientific experiments. It was launched unmanned by a modified Saturn V rocket, with a weight of 170,000 pounds (77,000 kg). Lifting Skylab into low earth orbit was the final mission and launch of a Saturn V rocket (famous for carrying the manned Moon landing missions). Three missions delivered three-astronaut crews in the Apollo command and service module (Apollo CSM), launched by the smaller Saturn IB rocket. For the final two manned missions to Skylab, a backup Apollo CSM/Saturn IB was assembled and made ready in case an in-orbit rescue mission was needed, but this backup vehicle was never flown.