39 Scientists have calculated the speed of meteoroid impacts on Mars using seismic measurements taken by NASA’s retired InSight lander during its mission. Two companion studies published June 28 independently estimate significantly higher speeds than previously inferred from images taken by spacecraft orbiting the Red Planet. The studies show that seismic measurements promise to be … Read more
29 SpaceX’s preparations for Starship Flight 5 continue to focus on replacing Ship 30’s heat shield, while crews prepare to deploy Booster 12 for a static fire this coming week. Meanwhile, long-term planning revolves around the construction of Pad B at the launch site. Orbital Launch Platform B SpaceX is busy building Orbital Launch Pad … Read more
58 We are entering the second half of 2024, the first week of July has already started with the third launch of the Japanese H3 rocket in the early morning hours of Monday UTC. This was discussed in our previous launch overview. The coming week continues with two more Starlink missions from SpaceX, bringing the … Read more
9 Using the joint NASA, European Space Agency (ESA) and Canadian Space Agency (CSA) James Webb Space Telescope, a group of scientists have discovered a variety of never-before-seen features in Jupiter’s upper atmosphere. The features were found in the atmospheric region above the iconic Great Red Spot, a high-pressure area in Jupiter’s atmosphere that creates … Read more
14 The Starship program is testing with a possible tower capture in mind for the system’s next flight, a goal that seems more within reach after Flight 4’s successful soft landing on the ocean. In addition to a booster test section – Booster 14.1 – that will move to the orbital launch pad, a second … Read more
29 After a week in which Tropical Storm Alberto delayed the Florida launch schedule in high seas, wind and rain, SpaceX hopes to get back on track this week with launches planned for all three active Falcon launch pads, including a Valk heavy. By the end of the week, the Japan Aerospace and Exploration Agency … Read more
37 Capping off a rare week without launches and full of stumbling blocks, the space industry appears to be returning to its planned course of action with four launches from around the world. This week is expected to mark Electron’s 50th launch, and SpaceX and CASC continue to dominate the launch calendar. SpaceX begins the … Read more
3 Following the highly successful milestones achieved by Booster 11 and Ship 29 on Flight 4 of SpaceX’s spaceship, engineers are already implementing the lessons learned leading up to the next flight, including large-scale changes to the Thermal Protection System (TPS). Although Elon Musk believes the next flight will take place in a month, Flight … Read more
32 China’s Chang’e 6 landed on the far side of the moon and sampled it, while the Shenzhou-18 crew performed a record-breaking spacewalk at the Tiangong Space Station. In addition, ten more rockets have been launched from the country in recent weeks. Chang’e 6 lands on the far side of the moon China’s sixth unmanned … Read more
6 In recent months, Blue Origin has been busy realizing many of its projects as the target dates approach. The new Glenn is getting closer to launch, facilities are being expanded, BE-4 engines have been delivered to ULA, and the New Shepard has returned to crewed flights.New Glenn As the September launch of NASA’s EscaPADE … Read more