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Blue Origin moves New Shepard-27 launch again, now it’s Friday, hopefully

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Although Blue Origin’s previous attempt on Monday to launch the unmanned New Shepard-27 was scrubbed the new tentative date is Friday, October 11, at 9:00 AM EDT (13:00 UTC) from Launch Site One in West Texas. The scrub was the result of the crew‘s discovery when troubleshooting an issue on the launch vehicle that resulted in overrunning the launch window.

On Monday the announcement came from the decision makers…
“We’re going to scrub the launch for today. They’re troubleshooting a vehicle issue that will basically take us outside our available launch window,” Joel Eby, creative director at Blue Origin, said during the company’s launch webcast on Monday.

“Always disappointing to get to this point,” Eby added. “But, you know, we want to make sure all these systems are completely ready to go and be certain about the launch conditions for flight.”

The forecast calls for a temperature of 65°F, clear skies, 0% cloud cover and a wind speed of 2 mph.

Blue Origin moves New Shepard-27 launch to Thursday

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Blue Origin will attempt another launch of their NS-27 uncrewed verification flight debuting Blue Origin’s second human-rated vehicle to meet growing customer demand on Thursday, October 10th, at 6:00 AM – 1:30 PM PDT. On Monday the flight was scrubbed due to technical difficulty.

On Monday the announcement came from the decision makers…
“We’re going to scrub the launch for today. They’re troubleshooting a vehicle issue that will basically take us outside our available launch window,” Joel Eby, creative director at Blue Origin, said during the company’s launch webcast on Monday.

“Always disappointing to get to this point,” Eby added. “But, you know, we want to make sure all these systems are completely ready to go and be certain about the launch conditions for flight.”

The new crew capsule is named RSS Kármán Line. The vehicle features technology upgrades to improve the vehicle’s performance and reusability, an updated livery, and accommodations for payloads on the booster.

The launch will take place at West Texas Suborbital Launch Site/ Corn Ranch which has witnessed the launch of 26 rockets, including 0 orbital launch attempts.

The weather currently is cooperative if the launch takes place on Thursday, as the forecast calls for a temperature of 65° F, clear skies, 0% cloud cover and a wind speed of 4 mph.

Blue Origin’s New Shepard plans Wednesday launch after Monday’s technical issue scrub

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Blue Origin will attempt another launch of their NS-27 uncrewed verification flight debuting Blue Origin’s second human-rated vehicle to meet growing customer demand on Wednesday, October 9th, at 6:00 AM – 1:30 PM PDT. On Monday the flight was scrubbed due to technical difficulty.

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Blue Origin’s NS-27 will fly 12 payloads — 12 research payloads, five of them on the booster and seven inside the capsule. Payloads include new navigation systems developed for New Shepard and New Glenn; two different LIDAR sensors for the Lunar Permanence program; ultra-wideband proximity operations sensors flying as part of a NASA TechFlights grant with Blue Origin’s Space Systems Development group; and a commercial payload that is a reproduction of black monoliths from 2001: A Space Odyssey. The monoliths are flying on behalf of Spacemanic for a special edition printed by Croatian publisher Amaranthine Books. 

Eight of the vehicle’s 26 flights to date have been crewed using the same New Shepard vehicle — the Booster 4/RSS First Step combo. This second human-rated spacecraft will enable “expanded flight capacity to better meet growing customer demand,” according to the the company’s statement.

The new crew capsule is named RSS Kármán Line. The vehicle features technology upgrades to improve the vehicle’s performance and reusability, an updated livery, and accommodations for payloads on the booster.

The launch will take place at West Texas Suborbital Launch Site/ Corn Ranch which has witnessed the launch of 26 rockets, including 0 orbital launch attempts.

The forecast calls for a temperature of 66° F, clear skies, 0% cloud cover and a wind speed of 6 mph.

Bezos scrubs Blue Origin’s uncrewed NS-27 mission on Monday

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Jeff Bezos‘ plan to launch the uncrewed NS-27 mission Monday morning (October 7), to send a New Shepard rocket-capsule combo on a brief trip to suborbital space were scrubbed due to technical issues. A new date has not yet been announced that will launch from the company’s West Texas site.

“We’re going to scrub the launch for today. They’re troubleshooting a vehicle issue that will basically take us outside our available launch window,” Joel Eby, creative director at Blue Origin, said during the company’s launch webcast on Monday.

“Always disappointing to get to this point,” Eby added. “But, you know, we want to make sure all these systems are completely ready to go and be certain about the launch conditions for flight.”

12:14 PM CDT

We’re standing down on today’s launch attempt to troubleshoot a vehicle issue that would’ve taken us beyond our launch window. New launch target forthcoming.

10:25 AM CDT

New Shepard is going through final checks in advance of today’s uncrewed verification flight. We’re running a bit ahead of schedule. The NS-27 launch window will open at 11:00 AM CDT / 16:00 UTC. Webcast begins 15 minutes prior to liftoff on blueorigin.com/live. 

Blue Origin’s New Shepard ready to test NS-27 the newest booster on Monday’s launch

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On Monday, October 7th, at 6:00 AM – 1:30 PM PDT, Blue Origin plans the launch of the twenty-seventh flight of New Shepard from West Texas Suborbital Launch Site/ Corn Ranch , which will be flying unmanned as a test for the newest booster. NS-27 will fly 12 payloads—five on the booster and seven inside the crew capsule.

NS-27 will mark the debut of the second human-rated New Shepard vehicle, which consists of a first stage known as Booster 5 and a crew capsule named RSS Kármán Line. (The Kármán line is the 62-mile-high boundary that many people regard as the start of outer space.)

The new crew capsule is named RSS Kármán line. The vehicle features technology upgrades to improve the vehicle’s performance and reusability, an updated livery, and accommodations for payloads on the booster.

West Texas Suborbital Launch Site/ Corn Ranch has witnessed the launch of 26 rockets, including 0 orbital launch attempts, while Corn Ranch, Van Horn, Texas, has been the site for 26 rocket launches.

The forecast calls for a temperature of 64°F, clear skies, 0% cloud cover and a wind speed of 3mph.

Blue Origin Debuts Second Human-Rated New Shepard Rocket To Meet Demand

Blue Origin’s next New Shepard flight, NS-27, will debut our second human-rated vehicle, enabling expanded flight capacity to better meet growing customer demand. The launch window for the uncrewed verification flight opens on Monday, October 7, at 8:00 AM CDT / 1300 UTC. The webcast will begin 15 minutes before liftoff on BlueOrigin.com. 

The new crew capsule is named RSS Kármán Line. The vehicle features technology upgrades to improve the vehicle’s performance and reusability, an updated livery, and accommodations for payloads on the booster. New Shepard remains one of the most sustainable rockets ever to fly to space. Nearly 99% of New Shepard’s dry mass is reused, including the booster, capsule, engine, landing gear, and parachutes. 

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New Shepard’s second human-rated vehicle.

NS-27 will fly 12 payloads — five on the booster and seven inside the crew capsule. Payloads include new navigation systems developed for New Shepard and New Glenn; two different LIDAR sensors for the Lunar Permanence program; ultra-wideband proximity operations sensors flying as part of a NASA TechFlights grant with Blue Origin’s Space Systems Development group; and a commercial payload that is a reproduction of black monoliths from 2001: A Space Odyssey. The monoliths are flying on behalf of Spacemanic for a special edition printed by Croatian publisher Amaranthine Books. 

The mission will also carry tens of thousands of student-designed postcards on behalf of Club for the Future, Blue Origin’s STEAM-focused nonprofit whose mission is to inspire and mobilize future generations to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. The organization has engaged more than 43 million students globally since its founding in 2019.

SpaceX sends off ESA’s Hera planetary defense mission to study NASA’s astroid redirection

Photo captured on Monday, October 7, by Satnews from SpaceX’s video stream

Florida’s weather held steady on Monday, October 7, enabling SpaceX to launch the ESA Hera mission to interplanetary transfer orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

This was the 23rd and final launch for this Falcon 9 first stage booster, which previously launched Crew-1, Crew-2, SXM-8, CRS-23, IXPE, Transporter-4, Transporter-5, Globalstar FM15, ISI EROS C-3, Korea 425, Maxar 1, ASBM, and 10 Starlink missions.

Hera is a planetary defense mission that will study the impact NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission spacecraft had on the Dimorphos asteroid, which Falcon 9 launched in November 2021. Hera will provide valuable data for future asteroid deflection missions and science to help humanity’s understanding of asteroid geophysics as well as solar system formation and evolutionary processes.

SpaceX to launch ESA’s Hera to study Didymos asteroid on Monday, weather permitting

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This artist’s concept shows ESA’s Hera spacecraft and its CubeSats in orbit around the Dimorphos moonlet. NASA has selected 12 participating scientists to join the Hera mission.

On Monday, October 7th, at 7:52 AM – 8:27 AM PDT from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral, SpaceX plans to launch Hera, for the European Space Agency, on a space mission in its Space Safety program. The weather could present a challenge.

Its primary objective is to study the Didymos binary asteroid system that was impacted by DART and contribute to validation of the kinetic impact method to deviate a near-Earth asteroid in a colliding trajectory with Earth. It will measure the size and the morphology of the crater created by and momentum transferred by an artificial projectile impacting an asteroid, which will allow measuring the efficiency of the deflection produced by the impact. It will also analyze the expanding debris cloud caused by the impact.

According to weather officials, there’s a 15% chance of favorable weather conditions at the time of the launch. The forecast calls for a temperature of 75°F, moderate rain, 100% cloud cover, a wind speed of 16mph and 2.56in of rain.

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NASA has selected 12 participating scientists to join ESA’s (European Space Agency) Hera mission. Hera will study the binary asteroid system Didymos, including the moonlet Dimorphos, which was impacted by NASA’s DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) spacecraft on September 26, 2022. The objectives of DART and Hera collectively aim to validate the kinetic impact method as a technology to deflect an asteroid on a collision course with Earth, if one is ever discovered, and to learn more about the near-Earth asteroids that are the source of this natural hazard. 

Hera is scheduled to arrive at the Didymos/Dimorphos binary asteroid system at the end of 2026, where it will gather otherwise unobtainable data about the mass and makeup of both bodies and assess the changes caused by the DART spacecraft’s kinetic impact.  

The goal of NASA’s Hera Participating Scientist Program is to support scientists at U.S. institutions to participate on the Hera mission and address outstanding questions in planetary defense and near-Earth asteroid science. The participating scientists will become Hera science team members during their 5-year tenure with the mission.

The newly selected participating scientists are:

  • Bonnie Buratti – NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Southern California
  • Ingrid Daubar – Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
  • Carolyn Ernst – Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory
  • Dawn Graninger – Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
  • Mark Haynes – NASA JPL
  • Masatoshi Hirabayashi – Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta
  • Tim Lister – Las Cumbres Observatory, Goleta, California
  • Ryan Park – NASA JPL
  • Andrew Rivkin – Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory
  • Daniel Scheeres – University of Colorado, Boulder
  • Timothy Titus – U.S. Geological Survey, Flagstaff, Arizona 
  • Yun Zhang – University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

DART was the first planetary defense test mission from NASA’s Planetary Defense Coordination Office, which oversees the agency’s ongoing efforts in planetary defense. International participation in DART and Hera, including the Hera Participating Scientist Program, has been enabled by an ongoing worldwide collaboration in the planetary defense research community known as the Asteroid Impact and Deflection Assessment.

DART was designed, built, and operated by the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, Maryland, for NASA’s Planetary Defense Coordination Office, which oversees the agency’s ongoing efforts in planetary defense.

ULA’s Vulcan launches second certification flight for U.S. Space Force “all rockets are not created equal”

A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan rocket carrying the Cert-2 mission lifts off from Space Launch Complex-41 at 7:25 a.m. EDT, marking the completion of Vulcan’s second and final certification flight. Photo by United Launch Alliance

United Launch Alliance (ULA) ushers in a new era of space capabilities with the successful launch of its second certification flight (Cert-2) of the next generation Vulcan rocket on Oct. 4 at 7:25 a.m. EDT from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

“The success of Vulcan’s second certification flight heralds a new age of forward-looking technology committed to meeting the ever-growing requirements of space launch and supporting our nation’s assured access to space. We had an observation on one of our solid rocket boosters (SRB) that we are reviewing but we are overall pleased with the rocket’s performance and had a bullseye insertion,” said Tory Bruno, ULA’s president and CEO. “Vulcan provides high performance and greater affordability while continuing to deliver our unmatched reliability and orbital precision for all our customers across the national security, civil and commercial markets.”

The Cert-2 mission carried experiments and demonstrations associated with future capabilities of Centaur V, the world’s highest-performing upper stage designed to further deliver on ULA’s unrivaled legacy of reliability and precision. Centaur V provides 2.5 times the energy and 450 times the endurance of its predecessors, enabling the most complex orbital insertions within the most challenging and clandestine orbits.

“Vulcan is built with the strength of a national workforce whose unmatched dedication and innovation has modernized the very best of our industry-leading heritage,” said Mark Peller, vice president of Vulcan Development. “The foundation of Vulcan’s purpose-built design rests on the best of what we’ve learned from more than 130 combined years of launch experience with Atlas and Delta.”

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The Cert-2 mission served as the second of two certification flights required for the U.S. Space Force’s certification process and ULA has now completed all requirements for certification. ULA continues to work closely with the U.S. Space Force as they take the next few weeks to review the data and compare it to ULA’s first certification mission to ensure that the vehicle performed as expected and there are no additional items that need review. Once the evaluation is complete to the Space Force’s standards, the Vulcan rocket will be certified to launch national security missions. 

“The team will continue to modify our infrastructure as we work towards an accelerated launch cadence to meet our customers’ manifest requirements while building off today’s successful launch and developing future Vulcan upgrades, including SMART reuse plans for downrange, non-propulsive recovery of Vulcan engines,” said Bruno.

ULA has sold more than 70 Vulcan launches to date, including 38 missions for Amazon’s Project Kuiper and multiple national security space launch missions as the part of the country’s Phase 2 launch procurement.

All rockets are not created equal. ULA is the nation’s most experienced, reliable and accurate launch service provider delivering unmatched value, a tireless drive to improve, and commitment to the extraordinary. Vulcan’s inaugural launch marked the beginning of a new era of space capabilities and provides higher performance and greater affordability while offering the world’s only high energy architecture rocket to deliver any payload, at any time, directly to any orbit. 

ULA’s Vulcan calm before the Cert-2 Friday launch… weather permitting

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Sunset: Vulcan Cert-2
The United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan rocket sits on the pad at Space Launch Complex-41 (SLC-41) at Cape Canaveral at sunset in advanced of the Cert-2 flight test. Photo Credit: United Launch Alliance
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Everything continues to progress towards the ULA Vulcan launch carrying the Cert-2 mission. The mission is planned to lift off on Friday, October 4 from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The launch is planned for 6:00 a.m. EDT. Today’s forecast shows an 80 percent chance of favorable weather conditions for launch. 

Launch Forecast Summary:

  • Overall probability of violating weather constraints: 20%
  • Primary concerns: Cumulus Cloud Rule
  • Overall probability of violating weather constraints for 24-hour delay: 25%
  • Primary concern: Cumulus Cloud Rule

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In The Beginning…
Booster Transport: Vulcan Cert-2
The United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan Certification-2 (Cert-2) booster is transported from ULA’s Rocket Factory in Decatur, Alabama to R/S RocketShip to begin its journey to the launch site at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station., Florida. Photo credit: United Launch Alliance

Weather still 80% GO

In the countdown’s first weather briefing, the 45th Weather Squadron at the Space Force’s Space Launch Delta 45 reports that conditions at Cape Canaveral are looking favorable for the flight of Vulcan. The forecast calls for an 80 percent chance of acceptable conditions at liftoff time. 

All conditions are GO at the current moment, and the outlook for launch time includes scattered clouds and high cirrus, good visibility, easterly winds of 13 to 18 knots and a temperature near 80 degrees F. 

Brief coastal rain showers pose the primary concern for violating the launch weather rules during the window.

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Countdown activities continue on schedule at the Space Launch Complex-41 pad and inside the Advanced Spaceflight Operations Center for liftoff just over 9 hours from now. The ULA engineering teams at the Cape Canaveral launch site and Denver headquarters are not working any issues that would preclude a predawn liftoff at 6:00 a.m. EDT (1000 UTC).

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Vulcan countdown begins

United Launch Alliance initiated the launch countdown at 7:40 p.m. EDT (2340 UTC) for the second flight of the Vulcan rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. This important mission will fulfill flight test obligations and complete its certification process with the U.S. Space Force to carry national security payloads starting later this year.

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The countdown started from T-minus 8 hours, 50 minutes but will span more than 10 hours from now through liftoff with two pre-planned built-in holds scheduled in the count. One 30-minute pause is reserved prior to fueling at T-minus 4 hours, 30 minutes; the other 60-minute hold occurs prior to the Terminal Count at T-minus 7 minutes.

Activities are on schedule for liftoff from Space Launch Complex-41 at 6:00 a.m. EDT (1000 UTC). There is a three-hour window, extending to 9:00 a.m. EDT (1300 UTC), for liftoff to occur.

Power up of the Vulcan and Centaur V stages is now underway to energize the rocket for the start of today’s countdown procedures to begin launch day testing and final preparations for fueling operations. 

Over the next few hours, final preps for the Centaur V liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen systems will be performed, along with the first stage pneumatics, propulsion and hydraulic preps, a test of the rocket’s guidance system, flight control testing of both stages and checks made of internal batteries. Validations will also be performed on the GPS Metric Tracking system used to follow the rocket as it flies downrange and the S-band telemetry relay system.

Our live, play-by-play updates from Vulcan Launch Control will begin at 12 midnight EDT (0400 UTC) as we prepare for loading cryogenic propellants into the rocket.

Weather 80% GO for Friday’s launch

The forecast from the Space Force’s Space Launch Delta 45 weather squadron and Launch Weather Officer Brian Belson for Friday morning’s launch of Vulcan indicates an 80 percent chance of acceptable conditions during the three-hour window.

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“A large area of high pressure is expected to slowly move across the eastern seaboard through Saturday, bringing onshore winds and fast-moving, light coastal shower activity to the Spaceport Friday and Saturday morning. Although a few storms that develop inland may move near the Cape in the early morning hours, they are unlikely to be a concern by the opening of the launch window,” the weather team says.

“Additionally, any thunderstorms that develop off the coast should move further offshore, making the Cumulus Clouds Rule the most likely weather constraint violation for both the primary and backup day.”

The launch time forecast for 6 a.m. EDT (1000 UTC) includes scattered clouds and high cirrus, good visibility, easterly winds 13 to 18 knots and a temperature near 80 degrees F.

If the launch moves to the backup opportunity on Saturday for some reason, there is a 75 percent chance of meeting the weather rules with similar conditions.

ULA says GO! signs Launch Readiness Certificate for Friday’s Vulcan Cert-2 mission launch

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Wondering if you can see the Vulcan rocket launch? This visibility map shows when and where your best chances are to see Cert-2 as it lifts off Friday at 6 a.m. EDT (1000 UTC) from Cape Canaveral. Credit ULA

The Launch Readiness Review (LRR) is GO for Friday’s liftoff of the United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket on the Certification-2 (Cert-2) flight test.

Liftoff is scheduled for 6:00 a.m. EDT (1000 UTC) from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.The LRR, led by ULA Launch Director Eric Richards, was completed this morning at the Advanced Spaceflight Operations Center (ASOC).

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Image from ULA

Leadership from ULA and the Space Force assessed the readiness of the rocket, payload and mission assets, discussed the status of pre-flight processing work, heard technical overviews of the countdown and flight, and previewed the weather forecast that projects a 75 percent chance of meeting the launch rules.

At the conclusion of the meeting, senior leaders were polled and gave a ready status for launch, then signed the Launch Readiness Certificate. 

The Vulcan VC2S rocket, designated V-002, stands 202 feet (61.6 meters) tall and will launch an inert payload into deep space while fulfilling certification requirements with the Space Force to perform future national security missions.

ULA will offer live reports from launch control in our automatically refreshing blog beginning Friday at 12 midnight EDT (0400 UTC). The launch webcast starts at 5:40 a.m. EDT (0940 UTC).

Everything continues to progress towards the ULA Vulcan launch carrying the Cert-2 mission. The mission is planned to lift off on Friday, October 4 from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The launch is planned for 6:00 a.m. EDT. Today’s forecast shows an 80 percent chance of favorable weather conditions for launch. 

Launch Forecast Summary:

  • Overall probability of violating weather constraints: 20%
  • Primary concerns: Cumulus Cloud Rule
  • Overall probability of violating weather constraints for 24-hour delay: 25%
  • Primary concern: Cumulus Cloud Rule

ULA L-3 Update Vulcan Cert-2 mission ready for launch

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Detanking just about done. A good day of WDR (Wet Dress Rehearsal) Credit ULA

Everything continues to progress towards the ULA Vulcan launch carrying the Cert-2 mission. The mission is planned to lift off on Friday, October 4 from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The launch is planned for 6:00 a.m. EDT. 

The Cert-2 mission serves as the second of two certification flights required for the U.S. Space Force’s certification process. Vulcan continues the legacy of Atlas as the world’s only high energy architecture rocket and ushers in a new, innovative capability to meet the ever-growing requirements of space launch. 

Today’s forecast shows a 75 percent chance of favorable weather conditions for launch. 

Launch Forecast Summary:

  • Overall probability of violating weather constraints: 25%
  • Primary concerns: Cumulus Cloud Rule
  • Overall probability of violating weather constraints for 24-hour delay: 25%
  • Primary concern: Cumulus Cloud Rule

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Vulcan rolls out for Wet Dress Rehearsal preparing to launch on second certification mission (CERT-2)

A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan VC2S rocket will launch the second certification (Cert-2) mission from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, on Friday, October 4, 2024 during a window of 6:00 to 9:00 a.m. EDT. The Cert-2 mission includes an inert payload and demonstrations associated with future Centaur V technologies. This is the second of two test flights required for ULA’s certification process with the U.S. Space Force.

It’s rollout day. ULA is making final preparations for Cert-2 rollout day at Cape Canaveral!

The second #VulcanRocket will move to Space Launch Complex-41 for this week’s Wet Dress Rehearsal (WDR) prior to the launch no earlier than Friday at 6 a.m. EDT (1000 UTC).

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Payload Mate: Vulcan Cert-2
United Launch Alliance (ULA) hoists the Cert-2 mission payload atop the Vulcan rocket in the Vertical Integration Facility-G (VIF-G) adjacent to Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Photo credit: United Launch Alliance

This week’s Wet Dress Rehearsal (WDR) will see the #Cert2 #VulcanRocket loaded with a million pounds of cryogenic propellants at Space Launch Complex-41 and put through a complete countdown procedure as part of certification.

For #Cert2 flight, the #VulcanRocket is flying in the Vulcan VC2S variant. It uses two BE-4 methane-fueled main engines, two GEM 63XL solid rocket boosters, dual RL10C-1-1A engines on the Centaur V upper stage and a standard-length, 5.4m Out-of-Autoclave (OoA) payload fairing.

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GO Vulcan! GO Centaur! GO Cert-2! 


ULA to launch Vulcan second certification mission, and continues the legacy of Atlas

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The United Launch Alliance second Vulcan certification flight (Cert-2) is scheduled for no earlier than (NET) October 4 from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, during a window of 6:00 to 9:00 a.m. EDT.

The Cert-2 mission serves as the second of two certification flights required for the U.S. Space Force’s certification process. Vulcan continues the legacy of Atlas as the world’s only high energy architecture rocket and ushers in a new, innovative capability to meet the ever-growing requirements of space launch. 

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Centaur V stacking: Vulcan Cert-2
United Launch Alliance (ULA) hoists its Centaur V upper stage atop the Vulcan Cert-2 booster into the Vertical Integration Facility (VIF) adjacent to Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Photo credit: United Launch Alliance

The Cert-2 mission includes an inert payload and demonstrations associated with future Centaur V technologies. This is the second of two test flights required for ULA’s certification process with the U.S. Space Force.

SpaceX, at zero to 4,000 mph in less than three minutes, begins NASA’s Crew-9 astronauts’ journey on way to ISS

Photo captured live on Saturday, September 28, by Satnews from SpaceX’s video stream.

Cape Canaveral’s weather cooperated on September 28, despite hurricane Helene, making it possible at 1:17 ET for SpaceX to send NASA’s Crew 9 astronauts, NASA astronaut Nick Hague, commander, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, mission specialist, off to the ISS to hook up in about 28 hours.

The ritual began as the pair entered the White Room and continued the tradition of signing their names on the NASA meatball logo on the wall. Hague and Gorbunov will be the first names on the wall since this is the first human spaceflight mission from Space Launch Complex-40. The White Room is an area at the end of the crew access arm that connects to the spacecraft — the term dates to the Gemini program and the white paint used on the room.  

As the crew entered the Dragon spacecraft, their seats were in the upright position. Once the crew was securely inside, the seats rotated into a reclined position for launch just before launch teams closed Dragon’s side hatch.  

Photo captured live on Saturday, September 28, by Satnews from SpaceX’s video stream.

Crew-9 is now the first human spaceflight to launch from Space Launch Complex-40 which was scheduled to fly in August, however the mission was pushed back for NASA and Boeing to analyze the Starliner situation so that there would be a place for Dragon to dock.

Space Launch Complex-40 carries decades of history dating back to the 1960s when Titan rockets launched from the pad for the United States Air Force. SpaceX leased the launch site in 2007 for the company’s Falcon 9 rockets, but this is the first time a human spaceflight mission will launch from the pad.

In 2023, teams at SpaceX built a tower, a crew access arm, and an emergency escape system for future crewed missions. The emergency system involves chutes instead of egress baskets like those used at Launch Complex 39A and B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. 

And at last, picking up speed quickly the crew was successfully sent into orbit as the Dragon separated. Godspeed.

Photo captured live on Saturday, September 28, by Satnews from SpaceX’s video stream.

During their time on the orbiting laboratory, the crew will conduct over 200 scientific experiments and technology demonstrations to prepare for human exploration beyond low-Earth orbit and to benefit humanity on Earth.

SpaceX’s Saturday launch of the Crew-9 astronauts’ mission tenuous due to Helene

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Falcon and Crew Dragon capsule are stacked at sunrise ahead of this weekend’s launch of Crew-9
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SpaceX and NASA are targeting no earlier than Saturday, September 28, at 1:17 p.m. EDT due to Tropical Storm Helene, for Falcon 9’s launch of Dragon’s ninth operational human spaceflight mission (Crew-9) to the International Space Station from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The instantaneous launch is at 1:17 p.m. ET, with a backup opportunity available on Sunday, September 29 at 12:54 p.m. ET if needed.

Crew-9 will be the first human spaceflight to launch from Space Launch Complex-40 which was scheduled to fly in August, however the mission was pushed back for NASA and Boeing to analyze the Starliner situation so that there would be a place for Dragon to dock.

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AccuWeather Saturday Forecast

  • 90°Hi
  • RealFeel® 100°
  • RealFeel Shade™ 98°
  • Max UV Index 2 Lo
  • Wind SSW 10 mph
  • Wind Gusts 23 mph
  • Probability of Precipitation 96%
  • Probability of Thunderstorms 58%
  • Precipitation 0.32 in
  • Rain 0.32 in
  • Hours of Precipitation 4
  • Hours of Rain 4
  • Cloud Cover 95%

At landfall Thursday evening – between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. EDT – Helene will have maximum sustained winds of 130-135 mph, with much stronger gusts to at least 150 mph and an AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 160 mph.

The StormMax gust is a Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale of at least 157 mph. At this intensity, many trees will be uprooted, roofs will be removed and some structures may totally fail.

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The impacts of a hurricane go well beyond its potentially destructive winds. The AccuWeather RealImpact™ Scale for Hurricanes incorporates storm surge, flooding, rainfall, population density and economic impacts in addition to maximum winds. Due to complications from torrential rainfall, these impacts occur not only along the coast but hundreds of miles inland.

SpaceX preps for Saturday’s Crew-9 mission of two astronauts to conduct experiments and demonstrations on ISS

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Col. Tyler N. Hague (l) and Aleksandr Gorbunov (r)
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SpaceX and NASA are targeting no earlier than Saturday, September 28 due to Tropical Storm Helene, for Falcon 9’s launch of Dragon’s ninth operational human spaceflight mission (Crew-9) to the International Space Station from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The instantaneous launch is at 1:17 p.m. ET, with a backup opportunity available on Sunday, September 29 at 12:54 p.m. ET if needed.

A live webcast of this mission will begin about one hour prior to liftoff, which you can watch here and on X @SpaceX. You can also watch the webcast on the new X TV app.

The Dragon spacecraft supporting this mission previously flew the Crew-4, Ax-2, and Ax-3 missions to and from the International Space Station. Following stage separation, Falcon 9’s first stage will land on Landing Zone 1 (LZ-1) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

During their time on the orbiting laboratory, the crew will conduct over 200 scientific experiments and technology demonstrations to prepare for human exploration beyond low-Earth orbit and to benefit humanity on Earth.

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Col. Tyler N. Hague was selected by NASA as an astronaut in 2013. The Kansas native earned a Bachelor of Science in astronautical engineering from the United States Air Force Academy in 1998, and a Master of Science in aeronautical and astronautical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2000.

Selected as an astronaut by NASA in 2013, Hague completed astronaut candidate training in July 2015. During his first mission to the International Space Station in 2018, he and his crewmate Alexey Ovchinin, of the Russian space agency Roscosmos, experienced a catastrophic rocket booster malfunction that resulted in the launch abort of their Soyuz MS-10.

In 2019, Hague launched on Soyuz MS-12 and served as Flight Engineer on the International Space Station for 203 days during Expedition 59 and 60. During 2020-2022, Hague completed a developmental rotation with the United States Space Force, serving as the new military service’s Director of Test and Evaluation at The Pentagon in Washington D.C.

He returned to NASA in August 2022 to work on the Boeing Starliner Program. Hague is currently training for his second spaceflight, where he will serve as commander for NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 mission.

Aleksandr Vladimirovich Gorbunov served as a Lieutenant of the Air Force of the Aerospace Forces of the Russian Armed Forces and worked as an engineer for Energia, supporting cargo spacecraft launches.

He was selected to join the Roscosmos Cosmonaut Corps in 2018. He is scheduled to make his first flight to space on SpaceX Crew-9 in September 2024 and will serve as a flight engineer on the International Space Station during Expedition 72.

NASA selects launch provider for the new NOAA QuickSounder mission

NASA has selected Firefly Aerospace, Inc. of Cedar Park, Texas, to provide launch services for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) QuickSounder mission.

The selection is part of NASA’s Venture-Class Acquisition of Dedicated and Rideshare (VADR) launch services contract. This contract allows the agency to make fixed-price indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity awards during VADR’s five-year ordering period, with a maximum total value of $300 million across all contracts.

The QuickSounder mission will support NOAA’s next generation satellite architecture for its future low Earth orbit program, which will provide mission-critical data for the agency’s National Weather Service, the nation’s weather industry, and other users worldwide.

QuickSounder is the first small satellite in NOAA’s Near Earth Orbit Network (NEON). A collaborative effort between NASA and NOAA, NEON will provide a new approach to developing a new global environmental satellite system by quickly building small to medium-sized satellites with Earth-observing instruments for weather forecasting, disaster management, and climate monitoring. QuickSounder has a launch readiness date of February 2026.

NASA will manage the development and launch of the satellites for NOAA. As the mission lead, NOAA provides funding, technical requirements, and will manage post-launch operations. NASA and NOAA will work with commercial partners to design and build the network’s spacecraft and instruments.

Kudos to SpaceX bringing ’em home safely as Polaris Dawn’s commercial astronauts return from successful mission

“Splashdown of Dragon confirmed! Welcome back to Earth,” SpaceX posted.

After nearly five days on orbit, Dragon and the Polaris Dawn crew safely splashed down at 3:36 a.m. ET on Sunday, September 15 off the coast of Dry Tortugas, Florida, completing the first human spaceflight mission of the Polaris Program.

During their multi-day mission to orbit the passengers completed the first spacewalk of private astronauts, using spacesuit technology developed by SpaceX, and ascended to 1,400 kilometers, the highest orbit with humans since the Apollo 17 moon mission.

Speaking to mission control in Hawthorne, California during the spacewalk, Isaacman said “Back at home we all have a lot of work to do, but from here — looks like a perfect world”.

Isaacman became only the 264th person to perform a spacewalk since the former Soviet Union scored the first in 1965, and SpaceX’s Sarah Gillis the 265th. Until now, all spacewalks were done by professional astronauts.

Re-entering earth’s atmosphere, the spacecraft neared temperatures of 1,900C (3,500 degrees Fahrenheit), caused by the intense pressure and friction of pushing through the air at around 7,000mph (27,000kph).

The Dragon capsule made splashdown off the coast of Florida shortly after 03:37 local time (07:37 GMT), in an event stream lived by SpaceX.

“We are mission complete,” Isaacman radioed as the capsule bobbed in the water, awaiting the recovery team. Within an hour, all four were out of their spacecraft, pumping their fists with joy as they emerged onto the ship’s deck.

NASA said the mission represented “a giant leap forward” for the commercial space industry.

They tested laser-based communications with Starlink a satellite broadband provider, and conducted 36 research studies and experiments from 31 partner institutions designed to advance both human health on Earth and during long-duration spaceflight, and test Starlink laser-based communications in space.

All photos were captured on Sunday, September 15, by Satnews from SpaceX’s video stream.

SpaceX’s Success at last as Polaris Dawn soars to the highest orbit with humans since the Apollo 17

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All three photos were captured on Tuesday, September 10, by Satnews from SpaceX’s video stream.

SpaceX announced that on Tuesday, September 10 at 5:23 a.m. ET, Falcon 9 launched Polaris Dawn to low-Earth orbit from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

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It’s OK to write on these walls. The astronauts sign their names adding to the autographs of former brave astronauts. Photo captured on Tuesday, September 10, by Satnews from SpaceX’s video stream.

During their multi-day mission to orbit the passengers will attempt the first spacewalk of private astronauts, using spacesuit technology developed by SpaceX, and ascend to 1,400 kilometers, the highest orbit with humans since the Apollo 17 moon mission.

They will also test laser-based communications with Starlink a satellite broadband provider, and conduct 36 research studies and experiments from 31 partner institutions designed to advance both human health on Earth and during long-duration spaceflight, and test Starlink laser-based communications in space.

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Following stage separation, Falcon 9’s first stage landed on the Just Read the Instructions droneship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.

SpaceX is standing on Tuesday for Polaris Dawn launch, so far

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September 15 – 18, 2021 INSPIRATION4 MISSION
After three days orbiting Earth, Dragon and the Inspiration4 crew – the world’s first civilian mission to orbit – safely splashed down off the coast of Florida at 7:06 p.m. EDT on Saturday, September 18, 2021, completing their first multi-day low Earth orbit mission.

After delays too numrous to mention at SpaceX’s website today they officially announced that:
SpaceX is targeting Tuesday, September 10 at 3:38 a.m. ET for Falcon 9’s launch of Polaris Dawn to low-Earth orbit from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. There are two additional launch opportunities within the four-hour window at 5:23 a.m. ET and 7:09 a.m. ET. If needed, backup opportunities are available on Wednesday, September 11 at the same times.

According to weather officials, there’s a 40% chance of favorable weather conditions at the time of the launch. The forecast calls for a temperature of 80°F, moderate rain, 100% cloud cover, a wind speed of 6mph and 1.95in of rain.

A live webcast of this mission will begin about 3.5 hours prior to liftoff, which you can watch here and on X @SpaceX.

UPDATE: SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn no-go on Monday potential new launch date

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A new date, Tuesday, September 10th, from 12:38 AM – 4:09 AM PDT, has been named for the Polaris Dawn mission sending astronauts from LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida that will attempt the first spacewalk of private astronauts, using spacesuit technology developed by SpaceX. SpaceX teams will continue to monitor weather for favorable launch and return conditions.

They will also conduct 36 research studies and experiments from 31 partner institutions designed to advance both human health on Earth and during long-duration spaceflight, and test Starlink laser-based communications in space.

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The forecast calls for a temperature of 81°F, light rain, 100% cloud cover, a wind speed of 9mph and 0.96 in of rain.

UPDATE: SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn commercial astronauts’ mission delayed now ’til Monday… or later

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A new date, Monday, September 9th, from 12:38 AM – 4:09 AM PDT, has been named for the Polaris Dawn mission sending astronauts from LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida that will attempt the first spacewalk of private astronauts, using spacesuit technology developed by SpaceX. The Crew Dragon will return to a splashdown at sea, which is why the indefinite delays due to turgid ocean waters from huge storms and record rainfall that is not conducive for a human landing.

This is the first of the 3 “Polaris” series missions paid for by billionaire Jared Isaacman. This is his second trip to space. He will be joined on the all-private mission by pilot Scott “Kidd” Poteet, and SpaceX employees Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon. The mission will include the first private citizen spacewalk and ascend to 1,400 kilometers, the highest orbit with humans since the Apollo 17 moon mission. They will also test laser-based communications with Starlink a satellite broadband provider.

The first stage booster B1083 is making its fourth flight and will land on the drone ship “A Shortfall of Gravitas” about nine and a half minutes after launch.

Delayed from November and December 2022, March 2023, April 2024, early summer 2024, August 26 and 27. And again delayed from August 28 until September 9 or later due to poor recovery weather at the end of the planned mission timeline.

SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn commercial astronauts’ mission launch date moved again

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A new date, Saturday, September 7th, from 12:38 AM – 4:09 AM PDT, has been named for the Polaris Dawn mission sending astronauts who will attempt the first spacewalk of private astronauts, using spacesuit technology developed by SpaceX from LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida. They will also test laser-based communications with Starlink a satellite broadband provider.

The risks are serious as the crew will attempt to achieve the highest orbit of Earth ever recorded since the Apollo program and will pass through heavy radiation and risk potentially significant damage from small space rocks and debris.

During their multi-day mission to orbit, Dragon and the crew will participate in the first-ever extravehicular activity (EVA) by commercial astronauts wearing SpaceX-developed EVA suits. Additionally, they will conduct 36 research studies and experiments from 31 partner institutions designed to advance both human health on Earth and during long-duration spaceflight, and test Starlink laser-based communications in space.

Despite numerous delays Jared Isaacman stressed the importance of safety first.

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Jared Isaacman

  • Birthday: 02/11/1983
  • Role: Commander
  • Nationality: American
  • First Flight: 09/16/2021
  • Last Flight: 09/16/2021

Jared Isaacman is an American businessman and pilot. He is the co-founder and CEO of Harbortouch, a payment processor and manufacturer of payment-processing hardware.

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Scott Poteet

  • Birthday: 01/01/1970
  • Role: Pilot
  • Nationality: American

Scott “Kidd” Poteet is a retired United States Air Force Lieutenant Colonel who served 20 years in various roles that include Commander of the 64th Aggressor Squadron, USAF Thunderbird #4 Demonstration Pilot, USAF Weapons School Graduate, Operational Test & Evaluation Pilot, and Flight Examiner. Kidd is a command pilot with over 3,200 flying hours in the F-16, A-4, T-38, T-37, T-3, and Alpha Jet. Kidd has logged over 400 hours of combat time during Operations Northern Watch, Southern Watch, Joint Guardian, Freedom’s Sentinel, and Resolute Support.

Following his Air Force career, Kidd served in various roles to include Director of Business Development at Draken International and VP of Strategy at Shift4 (NYSE: FOUR). He most recently served as the Mission Director of Inspiration4. Kidd is also an accomplished collegiate runner and triathlete, competing in 15 Ironman triathlons since 2000, which includes four Ironman World Championships in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.

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Anna Menon

  • Role: Mission Specialist
  • Nationality: American

Anna Menon is a Lead Space Operations Engineer at SpaceX, where she manages the development of crew operations and serves in mission control as both a Mission Director and crew communicator. During her tenure at SpaceX, she has led the implementation of Dragon’s crew capabilities, helped create the crew communicator operator role, and developed critical operational responses to vehicle emergencies such as a fire or cabin depressurization. Anna served in mission control during multiple Dragon missions, such as Demo-2, Crew-1, CRS-22, and CRS-23.

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Sarah Gillis

  • Birthday: 01/01/1990
  • Role: Mission Specialist
  • Nationality: American

Sarah Gillis is a Lead Space Operations Engineer at SpaceX, responsible for overseeing the company’s astronaut training program. This includes the development of mission-specific curriculum and training execution for both NASA and commercial astronauts who fly aboard the Dragon spacecraft. She prepared NASA astronauts for the Demo-2 and Crew-1 missions as well as directly trained the Inspiration4 astronauts. She is an experienced mission control operator, who has supported real-time operations for Dragon’s cargo resupply missions to and from the International Space Station as a Navigation Officer, and as a crew communicator for Dragon’s human spaceflight missions.

SpaceX’s new launch date for Polaris Dawn’s mission that includes risks for astronauts

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SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn mission is now looking at Friday as the launch date. The company had originally received permission from the Federal Aviation Administration to launch early Wednesday morning, with a backup date of Thursday morning, but according to the FAA, the launch will now wait until early Friday morning from 12:38 AM – 4:09 AM PDT.

While the Polaris Dawn’s crew will attempt the first spacewalk of private astronauts, using spacesuit technology developed by SpaceX, they will also test laser-based communications with satellite broadband provider Starlink. CEO Elon Musk plans this as part of an effort to pave the way for travel to places including Mars.

The risks are very real as the crew will attempt to achieve the highest orbit of Earth ever recorded and will pass through heavy radiation and risk potentially significant damage from small space rocks and debris.

During their multi-day mission to orbit, Dragon and the crew will attempt to reach the highest Earth orbit ever flown since the Apollo program and participate in the first-ever extravehicular activity (EVA) by commercial astronauts wearing SpaceX-developed EVA suits. They will also conduct 36 research studies and experiments from 31 partner institutions designed to advance both human health on Earth and during long-duration spaceflight, and test Starlink laser-based communications in space.

SpaceX files new launch schedule with FAA for Polaris Dawn as first available window opens

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A new launch date for SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn Mission is set after crews were delayed several times due to system checks, a helium leak, and most recently, unfavorable weather. SpaceX filed a new launch schedule with the Federal Aviation Administration, with the first window opening at 3:38 a.m. on Wednesday, September 4.

This is a project that has suffered numerous delays over years, from November and December 2022, March 2023, April 2024, early summer 2024, August 26 and 27.

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Then the most recent delay from August 28 due to poor recovery weather at the end of the planned mission timeline.

Scott Poteet from Durham, New Hampshire, is the mission pilot. In a post on X, Poteet said he’s hopeful for a clear launch day.

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Weather conditions are anticipated to be clear for a projected launch date of Polaris Dawn, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket that will launch Crew Dragon spacecraft on September 1 at 3:38 a.m. EDT (0738 UTC) from LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida. This is a project that has suffered numerous delays over years, from November and December 2022, March 2023, April 2024, early summer 2024, August 26 and 27.

Then the most recent delay from August 28 due to poor recovery weather at the end of the planned mission timeline.n

During their multi-day mission to orbit, Dragon and the crew will endeavor to reach the highest Earth orbit ever flown since the Apollo program and participate in the first-ever extravehicular activity (EVA) by commercial astronauts wearing SpaceX-developed EVA suits. They will also conduct 36 research studies and experiments from 31 partner institutions designed to advance both human health on Earth and during long-duration spaceflight, and test Starlink laser-based communications in space.

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The Polaris Dawn crew will combine their expertise, knowledge, and passion for spaceflight to further human space exploration. This will be the first human spaceflight for Mission Pilot Kidd Poteet, Mission Specialist Sarah Gillis, and Mission Specialist and Medical Officer Anna Menon. The Polaris Dawn mission will be commanded by billionaire Jared Isaacman, making his second trip to space. He will be joined on the all-private mission by pilot Scott “Kidd” Poteet, and SpaceX employees Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon. The first stage booster B1083 is making its fourth flight and will land on the drone ship “A Shortfall of Gravitas” about nine and a half minutes after launch. The Crew Dragon will return to a splashdown at sea. Billionaire, Mission Commander Jared Isaacman previously flew to space as commander of Inspiration4. This will also be the first time two SpaceX employees will be part of a human spaceflight crew, providing valuable insight to future missions on the road to making life multiplanetary.

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The first stage booster B1083 is making its fourth flight and will land on the drone ship “A Shortfall of Gravitas” about nine and a half minutes after launch. The Crew Dragon will return to a splashdown at sea.

The Dragon spacecraft supporting this mission previously flew Crew-1 to and from the International Space Station, and Inspiration4, the first all-civilian mission to orbit. This will be the fourth flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Crew-8 and two Starlink missions. Following stage separation, Falcon 9’s first stage will land on the Just Read the Instructions droneship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.

SpaceX sends BlueBirds flying as AST SpaceMobile’s largest satellite communications array launches in low Earth orbit

Photo captured on Thursday, September 12, by Satnews from SpaceX’s video stream.

On Thursday, September 12 at 4:52 a.m. ET, Falcon 9 launched AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 1-5 mission to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

The first five commercial satellites, called BlueBirds, each featuring the largest ever commercial communications arrays to be deployed in low Earth orbit, represent a significant milestone in AST SpaceMobile’s mission to bridge the digital divide and provide reliable cellular broadband service to billions worldwide in partnership with mobile network operators (MNOs).

Photo captured on Thursday, September 12, by Satnews from SpaceX’s video stream.

This was the 13th flight for the Falcon 9 first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Crew-6, O3b mPOWER, USSF-124, and nine Starlink missions, making it the 347th successful landing.

SpaceX to launch AST SpaceMobile BlueBird satellites, “each the largest communications array ever deployed in low Earth orbit”

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(NASDAQ: ASTS), the company building the first space-based cellular broadband network accessible directly by standard smartphones designed for both commercial and government use, today provided an interim business update. The launch of AST SpaceMobile’s upcoming satellites is targeted on or after September 12th from Cape Canaveral, Florida and over $155.0 million in proceeds is expected from its previously-announced redemption of warrants, resulting in over $440.0 million in cash on a pro forma basis as of June 30, 2024.

The first five commercial satellites, called BlueBirds, each featuring the largest ever commercial communications arrays to be deployed in low Earth orbit, represent a significant milestone in AST SpaceMobile’s mission to bridge the digital divide and provide reliable cellular broadband service to billions worldwide in partnership with mobile network operators (MNOs).

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This large array of antennas is designed to reach standard smartphones directly at cellular broadband speeds for voice, data and video and other non-communications government applications. After launch, the BlueBird satellites are planned to offer non-continuous cellular broadband service across the United States and in select markets globally. This initial service, based on premium low band spectrum, is planned to support beta test users for AT&T and Verizon, and will target approximately 100% nationwide coverage from space with over 5,600 coverage cells in the United States.

“This is a pivotal moment for AST SpaceMobile as we bring our vision to enhance cellular connectivity globally, with the support of our strategic partners and the unwavering commitment of our team,” said Abel Avellan, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of AST SpaceMobile. “As we shift our manufacturing focus to increase Block 2 production of the active payload systems and other components for the first 17 Block 2 satellites, we are excited to bring this revolutionary technology to the world. We believe space-based broadband cellular connectivity will revolutionize how people connect, empowering communities and driving economic growth on a global scale.”

The exact timing of orbital launch is subject to change based on a number of factors, including launch readiness of the launch provider, weather conditions, and other factors, many of which are beyond our control.

Members of the public will be able to watch a live broadcast on the launch day on AST SpaceMobile’s YouTube channel.

NASA and Boeing welcome the uncrewed “Starliner’s safe return” to Earth

NASA and Boeing welcomed Starliner back to Earth following the uncrewed spacecraft’s successful landing at 10:01 p.m. MDT Sept. 6, 2024,
at the White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico.

NASA and Boeing safely returned the uncrewed Starliner spacecraft’s return to Earth following its landing at 10:01 p.m., MDT, on September 6th at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico, concluding a three-month long flight test to the International Space Station (ISS).

“I am extremely proud of the work our collective team put into this entire flight test, and we are pleased to see Starliner’s safe return,” said Ken Bowersox, associate administrator, Space Operations Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “Even though it was necessary to return the spacecraft uncrewed, NASA and Boeing learned an incredible amount about Starliner in the most extreme environment possible. NASA looks forward to our continued work with the Boeing team to proceed toward certification of Starliner for crew rotation missions to the space station.”

The flight on June 5 was the first time astronauts launched aboard the Starliner. It was the third orbital flight of the spacecraft, and its second return from the orbiting laboratory. Starliner now will ship to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida for inspection and processing.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and leadership participate in a live news conference on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, at the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston where they provided an update about NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test.
Credit: NASA

NASA’s Commercial Crew Program requires a spacecraft to fly a crewed test flight to prove the system is ready for regular flights to and from the orbiting laboratory. Following Starliner’s return, the agency will review all mission-related data.

“We are excited to have Starliner home safely. This was an important test flight for NASA in setting us up for future missions on the Starliner system,” said Steve Stich, manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. “There was a lot of valuable learning that will enable our long-term success. I want to commend the entire team for their hard work and dedication over the past three months.”

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams launched on June 5 aboard Starliner for the agency’s Boeing Crewed Flight Test from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. On June 6, as Starliner approached the space station, NASA and Boeing identified helium leaks and experienced issues with the spacecraft’s reaction control thrusters. Following weeks of in-space and ground testing, technical interchange meetings, and agency reviews, NASA made the decision to prioritize safety and return Starliner without its crew. Wilmore and Williams will continue their work aboard station as part of the Expedition 71/72 crew, returning in February 2025 with the agency’s SpaceX Crew-9 mission.

The crew flight test is part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. The goal of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program is safe, reliable, and cost-effective transportation to and from the International Space Station and low Earth orbit. This already is providing additional research time and has increased the opportunity for discovery aboard humanity’s microgravity testbed, including helping NASA prepare for human exploration of the Moon and Mars.

Godspeed as Arianespace’s Vega soars on its grand finale launch for ESA’s Sentinel-2C mission

Arianespace’s Vega successful soared from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, on its last journey on Wednesday, September 4th, 2024 at 10.50 p.m. local time (September 5th, at 1.50 a.m. UTC, 3.50 a.m. CEST).

This mission, called “VV24”, will place its passenger, the Copernicus Sentinel-2C satellite, into Sun-Synchronous Orbit at an altitude of around 780 km. Spacecraft separation will occur 57 minutes after lift-off. Sentinel-2C is part of the European Commission’s Copernicus Earth Observation program, the world’s most advanced Earth observation system.

Copernicus provides continuous, independent, and reliable Earth observation data and services to public authorities, companies and citizens around the globe. The program is co-funded by the EU and ESA. The Copernicus Sentinel-2C satellite, with its wide swath, high-resolution, and multi-spectral imaging capabilities, will support a broad range of operational applications including agriculture, water quality monitoring, natural disaster management (e.g. wildfires, volcanoes, floods), and methane emissions detection.

For agriculture, the mission helps to monitor crop health, predict yields and enable precision farming. Images are used to detect crop type, and to determine biophysical variables such as leaf area index, leaf chlorophyll content and leaf water content to monitor plant growth and health.

Sentinel-2C reached French Guiana on July 18th, 2024 on board Canopée, the first sail-assisted cargo ship, pioneering environmental responsibility in industrial shipping. The satellite’s arrival in Kourou marked the beginning of the launch campaign led by Arianespace teams. The satellite underwent a precise series of pre-launch tests in preparation for its lift-off, leading to the Launch Readiness Review (LRR) on September 2nd, 2024.

The completion of the LRR triggerd the approval for proceeding to the launch countdown. Before the upcoming launch of Sentinel-2C, which was designed and built by a consortium of around 60 companies led by Airbus Defence and Space, Sentinel-1A, Sentinel-2A, Sentinel-1B and Sentinel-2B were successfully launched by Arianespace.

The VV24 mission once again highlights Arianespace’s commitment to space for a better life on Earth, as well as ensuring Europe’s independent access to space. The Vega rocket, designed to send into different orbits mainly light Earth observation and scientific payloads, was launched for the first time from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana in February 2012.

In all, counting this final upcoming VV24 mission, Vega will have carried out a total of 22 launches throughout its years in service and the mission will mark the handover to the Vega C launcher, scheduled to return to flight by the end of 2024. The Vega program is the result of the cooperation of 10 European countries. It has been developed under the leadership of ESA, with Italy (ASI) as the first contributor, Avio Spa (Colleferro, Italy) as a prime contractor delivering a ready to lift-off launcher to Arianespace, which will remain its operator up to Vega Flight 29 (VV29).

Arianespace scrubs grand finale launch of ESA’s Vega for Sentinel-2C mission, plans new date

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ESA released the announcement:
Next launch: Vega, VV24: “Due to electrical issues on the ground links, the launch chronology was interrupted and additional checks are being conducted to confirm a new launch attempt 5 September 02:50 BST/03:50 CEST (4 September, 22:50 local time) from Kourou, French Guiana. The launcher and its passenger, Sentinel-2C, are in stable and safe conditions.”

Arianespace announced that the mission is scrubbed for a Tuesday night launch attempt and is working towards an opportunity on Wednesday, Sept. 4.

Vega was the very first rocket entirely managed by ESA, built to send small satellites into low Earth orbit. Designed by Avio, who is also the prime contractor, the rocket is operated by Arianespace. Vega consists of four stages, the first three propelled by solid propellant motors and the last stage uses liquid propulsion.

The Vega inaugural flight took place in February 2012. In all, including this final upcoming VV24 mission, Vega will have launched 22 times during its years in service, taking more than 100 missions to space from dozens of European institutions but also customers around the world.

Sentinel-2C will be the last liftoff for the Vega rocket which specializes in launching such small scientific and Earth observation spacecraft to sun-synchronous orbits, flying over the poles of Earth and following the Sun.  Fittingly the Sentinel-2A and Sentinel-2B satellites were also launched on Vega marking a logical conclusion to Vega’s stellar roster of satellites launched.

The European Space Agency (ESA) is preparing to complete its transition to its Vega-C rocket with the final launch of its first-generation Vega rocket. The mission, dubbed VV24, will carry an Earth-imaging satellite to a sun-synchronous orbit.

Arianespace readies for last Vega rocket launch to send Sentinel-2C on multispectral imager mission

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Image: ESA

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The Copernicus Sentinel-2C satellite is ready for liftoff on 4 September 2024 (3 September Kourou time) from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.

The launch will be on ESA WebTV on 4 September from 03:30 CEST to watch the satellite soar into space on the last Vega rocket to be launched from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. Sentinel-2C is scheduled to liftoff at 03:50 CEST.

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The Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission provides high-resolution optical imagery for a wide range of applications including land, water and atmospheric monitoring. The mission is based on a constellation of two identical satellites flying in the same orbit but 180° apart: Sentinel-2A and Sentinel-2B. Together, they cover all of Earth’s land and coastal waters every five days.

The satellites each carry a high-resolution multispectral imager that generates optical images in the visible, near-infrared and shortwave-infrared part of the electromagnetic spectrum. From their altitude of 786 km, they provide continuous imagery in 13 spectral bands with resolutions of 10 m, 20 m and 60 m, with a large swath width of 290 km.

Sentinel-2C is the third in the Sentinel-2 series. Once commissioned in orbit, it will replace its predecessor, Sentinel-2A. Later, Sentinel-2D will replace Sentinel-2B. This all ensures the continuity of imagery for Copernicus Services and beyond.

More information about Sentinel-2

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Vega was the very first rocket entirely managed by ESA, built to send small satellites into low Earth orbit. Designed by Avio, who is also the prime contractor, the rocket is operated by Arianespace. Vega consists of four stages, the first three propelled by solid propellant motors and the last stage uses liquid propulsion.

The Vega inaugural flight took place in February 2012. In all, including this final upcoming VV24 mission, Vega will have launched 22 times during its years in service, taking more than 100 missions to space from dozens of European institutions but also customers around the world.

Sentinel-2C will be the last liftoff for the Vega rocket which specializes in launching such small scientific and Earth observation spacecraft to sun-synchronous orbits, flying over the poles of Earth and following the Sun.  Fittingly the Sentinel-2A and Sentinel-2B satellites were also launched on Vega marking a logical conclusion to Vega’s stellar roster of satellites launched.

This final launch marks the handover of Vega to the upgraded Vega-C. Vega for years ensured that Europe has a versatile, independent access to space, complementing the Ariane family of rockets to launch any satellite to any orbit — continuing with Vega-C and Ariane 6. 

More information about Vega

SpaceX’s Musk, “Great work…” successful bi-coastal Starlink smallsat launches with three point landings one hour apart  

Photo captured of Falcon 9 on Saturday, August 31, by Satnews from SpaceX’s video stream.

SpaceX was informed it could resume flying the Falcon 9 rocket, after the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) announcement on August 30.

A predawn Florida launch on Saturday, August 31 at 3:43 a.m. ET, where Falcon 9 launched 21 Starlink satellites, including 13 with Direct to Cell capabilities, to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

Photo captured of Falcon 9 on Saturday, August 31, by Satnews from SpaceX’s video stream.

This was the 18th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched CRS-24, OneWeb 1, SES 18 & 19, Eutelsat HOTBIRD-F1, and now 14 Starlink missions.

Photo captured of Falcon 9 on Saturday, August 31, by Satnews from SpaceX’s video stream.

On Saturday, August 31 Starlink 9-5 mission lifted off just 65 minutes later at 1:48 PDT (4:48 a.m. EDT/0848 GMT) from Vandenberg’s Space Launch Complex 4 East. The mission delivered another 21 Starlink satellites, including 13 more Direct to Cell satellites, into orbit on what was the ninth flight of its Falcon 9 booster. It touched down on SpaceX’s drone ship Of Course I Still Love You in the Pacific Ocean.

Photo captured of Falcon 9 on Saturday, August 31, by Satnews from SpaceX’s video stream.

This was the ninth flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Crew-7, CRS-29, NROL-186, EarthCARE, Transporter 10, PACE, and now three Starlink missions.

SpaceX plans two Starlink smallsat launches Friday as FAA permits flights ‘provided all other license requirements are met’

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Photo captured of fiery demise of Falcon 9 on Wednesday, August 28, by Satnews from SpaceX’s video stream.

The SpaceX Falcon 9 vehicle may return to flight operations while the overall investigation of the anomaly that occured on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, remains open, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration said on Friday, August 30, 2024. The FAA grounded the Falcon 9 after failing an attempt to land back on Earth resulting in flames during a routine Starlink mission, forcing the company’s second grounding this year.

SpaceX is targeting Friday, August 30 for a Falcon 9 Group 9-5 launch of 21 Starlink satellites, including 13 with Direct to Cell capabilities, to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Liftoff is targeted for 9:58 p.m. PT, with backup opportunities available until 1:48 a.m. PT.

The forecast calls for a temperature of 65°F, scattered clouds, 37% cloud cover and a wind speed of 12mph.

A live webcast of this mission will begin about five minutes prior to liftoff, which you can watch here and on X @SpaceX.

This is the ninth flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Crew-7, CRS-29, NROL-186, EarthCARE, Transporter 10, PACE, and two Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, which will be stationed in the Pacific Ocean.

Friday/Saturday, August 30-31, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 will launch Starlink smallsats Group 8-10 at 12:43 am – 2:39 am PDT from Space Launch Complex 40 Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Space Launch Complex 40 has witnessed the launch of 258 rockets, including 258 orbital launch attempts, while Cape Canaveral, FL, USA, has been the site for 971 rocket launches.

According to weather officials, there’s a 85% chance of favorable weather conditions at the time of the launch. The forecast calls for a temperature of 82°F, clear skies, 5% cloud cover and a wind speed of 10mph.