SpaceX

by Sandra Erwin — January 7, 2021 Missile tracking layer concept. Credit: L3Harris SDA statement: “The reevaluation confirmed the original selection decision that the SpaceX and L3Harris Technologies' proposals offered the best value to the government.” WASHINGTON — Following a series of contract protests, the Space Development Agency again awarded…

Home News Spaceflight A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the new Turksat 5a telecommunications satellite into orbit from Cape Canaveral, Florida on Jan. 7, 2021. (Image: © SpaceX) Update for 8:30 p.m. ET: SpaceX is now targeting a liftoff time of 9:15 p.m. EST (0215 GMT), the company announced…

by Jeff Foust — January 7, 2021 Momentus is postponing the launch of its first Vigoride tug, which was to be a payload on a SpaceX rideshare launch later this month, because of delays in a FAA-led interagency review. Credit: Momentus WASHINGTON — In-space transportation provider Momentus is delaying its…

by Sandra Erwin — January 6, 2021 DARPA is developing a prototype line of cost-effective reconnaissance satellites that will set up shop in low Earth orbit, as part of a program called Blackjack. Credit: DARPA The satellites are part of the Blackjack program, an effort led by DARPA and the…

The SpaceX Dragon that arrived to the International Space Station on the company’s 21st resupply services mission for NASA is scheduled to depart on Monday, Jan. 11, loaded with 5,200 pounds of scientific experiments and other cargo.Read More

A trio of Martian missions, February Mars will welcome the arrival of not one, not two, but three missions—each launched and operated by a different nation. There’s the Hope orbiter by the United Arab Emirates, the Perseverance rover launched by NASA, and the Tianwen-1 mission (with orbiter, lander, and rover) launched by…

The members of the SpaceX Crew-3 mission to the International Space Station. Pictured from left are NASA astronaut Raja Chari, European Space Agency astronaut Matthias Maurer, and NASA astronaut Tom Marshburn. Credit: NASA/ESARookie NASA astronaut Raja Chari — a former U.S. Air Force fighter pilot — veteran physician-astronaut Tom Marshburn,…

by Jeff Foust — December 28, 2020 Viasat requested the FCC to perform an environmental review of a proposed modification of SpaceX's Starlink license, arguing that a categorical exemption to federal environmental laws for satellites didn't apply to a megaconstellation like Starlink. Credit: SpaceX Updated 7:30 a.m. Eastern Dec. 29…

Home News Spaceflight SpaceX's Starship SN8 launches on its first high-altitude flight from the company's Boca Chica site in South Texas on Dec. 8, 2020. (Image: © SpaceX) SpaceX had a pretty good year. Elon Musk's company launched 26 missions in 2020, breaking its previous calendar-year record of 21, which…

A Falcon 9 rocket lifts off on the NROL-108 mission Dec. 19 from pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Credit: SpaceXTracking information released by the U.S. military indicates two government payloads rode a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket into orbit Dec. 19 on the NROL-108 mission, a dedicated…