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Argotec signs contract to deliver 15 more satellites

October 16, 2024

Present at the signing were Argotec CEO and founder **David Avino**, European Space Agency Earth Observation Programs Director **Simonetta Cheli**, and Italian Space Agency President **Teodoro Valente**.

Argotec has signed a contract for the delivery of 15 additional Earth Observation (EO) smallsats that will comprise the IRIDE constellation — this is a program desired by the Italian government and is funded by PNRR funds and coordinated by the European Space Agency (ESA).

This is the second batch for the company, which, back in December 2022, was the first to sign on for the delivery of the first 10 satellites, now nearly finished and ready to be launched in the coming months.

The satellites have a mass of about 70 kg and are equipped with a sophisticated on-board computer capable of processing images directly on-orbit. The constellation will provide crucial data for the provision of services, among them monitoring of land consumption, observation of critical land points, coastal protection, precision agriculture, support to Civil Defense and more. The constellation formed by Argotec’s platforms is named HEO (Hawk for Earth Observation) and is widely scalable.

All the satellites will be made in the SpacePark, a Space Factory on the outskirts of Turin, Italy, that will be among the most advanced in Europe and will be officially opened just days from now on October 18th. The company is continuing to grow and structure itself to increase production capabilities, thanks to the know-how of the firm’s engineers and the technological solutions the company has implemented in the SpacePark.

“We are extremely proud to once again be at the forefront of this strategic program for the entire Italian space sector,” said Argotec CEO David Avino. “We have proven once again that we are able to manufacture, validate and deliver excellent products in record time. For us, the signing of this second contract is further recognition of Argotec’s reliability and efficiency. Not only that, the IRIDE program, has been an enabler for investments in the area amounting to 25 million in facilities and over 100 new hires related to the SpacePark project. The goal for the future is to take Made in Italy excellence in the space sector far beyond national borders, consolidating Italian leadership globally.“

SpaceX launches Europa Clipper, NASA’s largest spacecraft to “study an ocean world beyond Earth…mind blowing science”

October 14, 2024

***Launch of Europa Clipper captured by Satnews from SpaceX streaming video.***

On Monday, October 14 at 12:06 p.m. ET Falcon Heavy launched NASA’s Europa Clipper mission from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

This was the sixth and final flight for the first stage boosters supporting this mission, which previously launched NASA’s Psyche one year ago and other missions USSF-44, USSF-52, USSF-67, Hughes JUPITER 3.

This artist’s concept depicts NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft in orbit around Jupiter. The mission is targeting an Oct. 10, 2024, launch.
NASA/JPL-Caltech

Europa Clipper is the largest spacecraft NASA has ever developed for a planetary mission with solar arrays spanning more than 100 feet (~30 meters) when deployed and weighing nearly 13,000 pounds (6,000 kilograms) at launch. Powered by 24 engines, Europa Clipper will make nearly 50 flybys of Jupiter’s icy moon Europa, surveying for conditions suitable to support life. Scientists predict a salty ocean lies beneath Europa’s icy surface which has more water than Earth’s oceans combined. It will take five years to reach Europa, with an anticipated arrival in 2030.

NASA’s Europa Clipper has embarked on its long voyage to Jupiter, where it will investigate Europa, a moon with an enormous subsurface ocean that may have conditions to support life. The spacecraft launched at 12:06 p.m. EDT Monday aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from Launch Pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

NASA

The largest spacecraft NASA ever built for a mission headed to another planet, Europa Clipper also is the first NASA mission dedicated to studying an ocean world beyond Earth. The spacecraft will travel 1.8 billion miles (2.9 billion kilometers) on a trajectory that will leverage the power of gravity assists, first to Mars in four months and then back to Earth for another gravity assist flyby in 2026. After it begins orbiting Jupiter in April 2030, the spacecraft will fly past Europa 49 times.

“Congratulations to our Europa Clipper team for beginning the first journey to an ocean world beyond Earth,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “NASA leads the world in exploration and discovery, and the Europa Clipper mission is no different. By exploring the unknown, Europa Clipper will help us better understand whether there is the potential for life not just within our solar system, but among the billions of moons and planets beyond our Sun.”

Approximately five minutes after liftoff, the rocket’s second stage fired up and the payload fairing, or the rocket’s nose cone, opened to reveal Europa Clipper. About an hour after launch, the spacecraft separated from the rocket. Ground controllers received a signal soon after, and two-way communication was established at 1:13 p.m. with NASA’s Deep Space Network facility in Canberra, Australia. Mission teams celebrated as initial telemetry reports showed Europa Clipper is in good health and operating as expected.

“We could not be more excited for the incredible and unprecedented science NASA’s Europa Clipper mission will deliver in the generations to come,” said Nicky Fox, associate administrator, Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “Everything in NASA science is interconnected, and Europa Clipper’s scientific discoveries will build upon the legacy that our other missions exploring Jupiter — including Juno, Galileo, and Voyager — created in our search for habitable worlds beyond our home planet.”

The main goal of the mission is to determine whether Europa has conditions that could support life. Europa is about the size of our own Moon, but its interior is different. Information from NASA’s Galileo mission in the 1990s showed strong evidence that under Europa’s ice lies an enormous, salty ocean with more water than all of Earth’s oceans combined. Scientists also have found evidence that Europa may host organic compounds and energy sources under its surface.

If the mission determines Europa is habitable, it may mean there are more habitable worlds in our solar system and beyond than imagined.

“We’re ecstatic to send Europa Clipper on its way to explore a potentially habitable ocean world, thanks to our colleagues and partners who’ve worked so hard to get us to this day,” said Laurie Leshin, director, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California. “Europa Clipper will undoubtedly deliver mind-blowing science. While always bittersweet to send something we’ve labored over for years off on its long journey, we know this remarkable team and spacecraft will expand our knowledge of our solar system and inspire future exploration.”

In 2031, the spacecraft will begin conducting its science-dedicated flybys of Europa. Coming as close as 16 miles (25 kilometers) to the surface, Europa Clipper is equipped with nine science instruments and a gravity experiment, including an ice-penetrating radar, cameras, and a thermal instrument to look for areas of warmer ice and any recent eruptions of water. As the most sophisticated suite of science instruments NASA has ever sent to Jupiter, they will work in concert to learn more about the moon’s icy shell, thin atmosphere, and deep interior.

To power those instruments in the faint sunlight that reaches Jupiter, Europa Clipper also carries the largest solar arrays NASA has ever used for an interplanetary mission. With arrays extended, the spacecraft spans 100 feet (30.5 meters) from end to end. With propellant loaded, it weighs about 13,000 pounds (5,900 kilograms).

In all, more than 4,000 people have contributed to Europa Clipper mission since it was formally approved in 2015.

“As Europa Clipper embarks on its journey, I’ll be thinking about the countless hours of dedication, innovation, and teamwork that made this moment possible,” said Jordan Evans, project manager, NASA JPL. “This launch isn’t just the next chapter in our exploration of the solar system; it’s a leap toward uncovering the mysteries of another ocean world, driven by our shared curiosity and continued search to answer the question, ‘are we alone?’”

More About Europa Clipper

Europa Clipper’s three main science objectives are to determine the thickness of the moon’s icy shell and its interactions with the ocean below, to investigate its composition, and to characterize its geology. The mission’s detailed exploration of Europa will help scientists better understand the astrobiological potential for habitable worlds beyond our planet.

Managed by Caltech in Pasadena, California, NASA JPL leads the development of the Europa Clipper mission in partnership with the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, Maryland, for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate in Washington. The main spacecraft body was designed by APL in collaboration with NASA JPL and NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, and NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. The Planetary Missions Program Office at Marshall executes program management of the Europa Clipper mission.

NASA’s Launch Services Program, based at NASA Kennedy, managed the launch service for the Europa Clipper spacecraft.

Learn more about NASA’s Europa Clipper mission here:

SpaceX’s successful Sunday Starship launch — lucky 13, and on first try Mechazilla caught the booster

October 14, 2024

Starship’s fifth flight test lifted off on October 13, 2024, with our most ambitious test objectives yet as we work to demonstrate techniques fundamental to Starship and Super Heavy’s fully and rapidly reusable design.

***All images captured by Satnews during SpaceX streaming video on Sunday, October 13 during Starship’s fifth test***

And on our first try, Mechazilla caught the booster.

Following a successful liftoff, ascent, stage separation, boostback burn, and coast, the Super Heavy booster performed its landing burn and was caught by the chopstick arms of the launch and catch tower at Starbase. Thousands of distinct vehicle and pad criteria had to be met prior to the catch attempt, and thanks to the tireless work of SpaceX engineers, we succeeded with catch on our first attempt.

Ready to catch a booster? starshipthegame.spacex.com

Prior to catch, Starship executed another successful hot-staging separation, igniting its six Raptor engines and completing ascent into outer space. It coasted along its planned trajectory to the other side of the planet before executing a controlled reentry, passing through the phases of peak heating and maximum aerodynamic pressure, before executing a flip, landing burn, and splashdown at its target area in the Indian Ocean. The flight test concluded at splashdown 1 hour, 5 minutes and 40 seconds after launch.

The entire SpaceX team should take pride in the engineering feat they just accomplished. The world witnessed what the future will look like when Starship starts carrying crew and cargo to destinations on Earth, the Moon, Mars and beyond.

Congratulations to the SpaceX team for taking this leap in our quest to make life multiplanetary. And thank you to our customers, Cameron County, spaceflight fans, and the wider community for the continued support and encouragement.

Thousands of distinct vehicle and pad criteria must be met prior to a return and catch attempt of the Super Heavy booster, which will require healthy systems on the booster and tower and a manual command from the mission’s Flight Director. If this command is not sent prior to the completion of the boostback burn, or if automated health checks show unacceptable conditions with Super Heavy or the tower, the booster will default to a trajectory that takes it to a landing burn and soft splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico.

The returning booster will slow down from supersonic speeds, resulting in audible sonic booms in the area around the landing zone. Generally, the only impact to those in the surrounding area of a sonic boom is the brief thunder-like noise with variables like weather and distance from the return site determining the magnitude experienced by observers.

SpaceX’s Starship ready for fifth flight test on Sunday including sonic booms

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Starship’s fifth flight test is targeted to launch on Sunday, October 13. The 30-minute launch window opens at 7 a.m. CT.

A live webcast of the flight test will begin about 35 minutes before liftoff, which you can watch here and on X @SpaceX. You can also watch the webcast on the new X TV app. The launch window will open as early as 7:00 a.m. CT. As is the case with all developmental testing, the schedule is dynamic and likely to change, so be sure to stay tuned to our X account for updates.

Flight 4 was a tremendous success. A fully successful ascent was followed by the first ever booster soft-landing in the Gulf of Mexico and Starship making it through a brilliant reentry, before its own landing burn and splashdown in the Indian Ocean.

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The fifth flight test of Starship will aim to take another step towards full and rapid reusability. The primary objectives will be attempting the first ever return to launch site and catch of the Super Heavy booster and another Starship reentry and landing burn, aiming for an on-target splashdown of Starship in the Indian Ocean.

Learn more at starshipthegame.spacex.com

Extensive upgrades ahead of this flight test have been made to hardware and software across Super Heavy, Starship, and the launch and catch tower infrastructure at Starbase. SpaceX engineers have spent years preparing and months testing for the booster catch attempt, with technicians pouring tens of thousands of hours into building the infrastructure to maximize our chances for success. We accept no compromises when it comes to ensuring the safety of the public and our team, and the return will only be attempted if conditions are right.

Starship will fly a similar trajectory as the previous flight test with splashdown targeted in the Indian Ocean. This flight path does not require a deorbit burn for reentry, maximizing public safety while still providing the opportunity to meet our primary objective of a controlled reentry and soft water landing of Starship.

One of the key upgrades on Starship ahead of flight was a complete rework of its heatshield, with SpaceX technicians spending more than 12,000 hours replacing the entire thermal protection system with newer-generation tiles, a backup ablative layer, and additional protections between the flap structures. This massive effort, along with updates to the ship’s operations and software for reentry and landing burn, will look to improve upon the previous flight and bring Starship to a soft splashdown at the target area in the Indian Ocean.

With each flight building on the learnings from the last, testing improvements in hardware and operations across every facet of Starship, we’re on the verge of demonstrating techniques fundamental to Starship’s fully and rapidly reusable design. By continuing to push our hardware in a flight environment, and doing so as safely and frequently as possible, we’ll rapidly bring Starship online and revolutionize humanity’s ability to access space.

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

October 7, 2024

***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

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Screen-Shot-2024-10-06-at-7.43.02-PM.png — ***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.

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

September 28, 2024

***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.

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.

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

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Screen-Shot-2024-09-26-at-6.17.38-PM-1.png — ***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

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Screen-Shot-2024-09-24-at-6.51.29-PM.png — ***Col. Tyler N. Hague (l) and Aleksandr Gorbunov (r)***

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.

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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

September 23, 2024

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

September 15, 2024

***“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

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Screen-Shot-2024-09-10-at-11.52.40-AM.png — ***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

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Screen-Shot-2024-09-09-at-11.26.53-AM.png — 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.

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

September 12, 2024

***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).

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 12^th 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.

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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

September 8, 2024

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

September 4, 2024

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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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