Virgin Galactic Founder Richard Branson says he is only “months away” from launching suborbital space tourism flights aboard SpaceShipTwo: Sir Richard Branson has claimed his latest venture Virgin Galactic is just “months away” from launching its ambitious space programme…. So far about 700 people have bought tickets, including Ashton Kutcher and Stephen Hawking. “We hope to transform the way people live,” he said. “Only 500 people have been up in […]
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Doug Messier
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA (Sept. 17, 2013, B612 PR) – The world’s first privately funded deep space telescope mission, the B612 Foundation’s SENTINEL MISSION, has announced new support and additions to its Board of Directors, Strategic Advisory Board and increased financial support keeping the mission on track to launch in July 2018.
“The third quarter of 2013 was successful for us in many ways, as we received both welcome financial support, including a seven figure contribution, as well as added another wave of highly successful individuals to our team: the Strategic Advisory Board, Founding Circle and Board of Directors,” said Dr. Ed Lu, Co-Founder and CEO of the B612 Foundation. “These are the forward thinkers who are stepping up to ensure the security of our planet. We are very appreciative.”
The crew of Shenzhou-10 after 15 days in space. (Credit: CNSA)
China is opening up its human spaceflight program to foreign astronauts:
We would like to train astronauts from other countries and organizations that have such a demand, and we would be glad to provide trips to foreign astronauts,” said Yang Liwei, deputy director of China Manned Space Agency. We will also welcome foreign astronauts who have received our training to work in our future space station.”
Cygnus Mission Update Via Orbital Sciences Corporation Following a successful launch earlier today, Cygnus will perform 10 demonstrations during its four-day in-orbit journey to rendezvous with the International Space Station. Cygnus successfully completed its first Delta V burn to raise its orbit which lasted approximately 7 minutes. All systems continue to behave normally. The next major event will be the performance of a free drift and abort demonstration scheduled for 9:30 […]
Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls
WALLOPS ISLAND, Virg. (NASA PR) — NASA commercial space partner Orbital Sciences Corporation of Dulles, Va., successfully launched its Cygnus cargo spacecraft aboard its Antares rocket at 10:58 a.m. EDT Wednesday from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Pad-0A at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.
This is the first time a spacecraft launched from Virginia is blazing a trail toward the International Space Station, heralding a new U.S. capability to resupply the orbiting laboratory.
Illustration of Cygnus in orbit. (Credit: Orbital Sciences Corporation)
Cygnus Mission Summary
Company: Orbital Sciences Corporation
Launch Vehicle: Antares
Payload: Cygnus cargo freighter
Destination: International Space Station
Launch Date: Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2013
Berthing at ISS: Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013
Launch Site: Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS), Wallops Island, Virginia
Orbit: LEO
Program: NASA Commercial Orbital Transportation Systems (COTS)
Mission Description: Inaugural test flight of the first Cygnus cargo freighter to the International Space Station under NASA’s COTS program. Cygnus will carry 1,300 lbs. of cargo to astronauts aboard the orbiting laboratory.
Antares successfully placed a Cygnus freighter into orbit this morning in a picture-perfect launch from Wallops Island, Virginia. Cygnus is now flying on its own and preparing to deploy its solar panels on its way to deliver cargo to the International Space Station. The vehicle is set for rendezvous and berthing at ISS on Sunday morning. UPDATE #1: Controllers have deployed Cygnus’ solar arrays and initiated its propulsion system. The […]
Orbital is targeting a 10:58 a.m. EDT launch from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. Launch is on-track with a 75 percent chance of favorable weather. The demonstration flight to the International Space Station will deliver about 1,300 pounds of cargo, including food and clothing, to the Expedition 37 crew. Follow the launch live.
Atlas V launch. (Credit: Pat Corkery, United Launch Alliance)
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., Sept. 18, 2013 (ULA PR) – A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket carrying the Advanced Extremely High Frequency-3 (AEHF-3) satellite for the United States Air Force lifted off from Space Launch Complex-41 here at 4:10 a.m. EDT today. This was ULA’s 9th launch of an ambitious 12 mission schedule for the year and marks the 40th Atlas V mission and the 75th launch for ULA.
Artist’s conception of an XS-1 vehicle. (Credit: DARPA)
WASHINGTON, DC (Sept. 17, 2013, DARPA PR) — Commercial, civilian and military satellites provide crucial real-time information essential to providing strategic national security advantages to the United States. The current generation of satellite launch vehicles, however, is expensive to operate, often costing hundreds of millions of dollars per flight. Moreover, U.S. launch vehicles fly only a few times each year and normally require scheduling years in advance, making it extremely difficult to deploy satellites without lengthy pre-planning. Quick, affordable and routine access to space is increasingly critical for U.S. Defense Department operations.
To help address these challenges, DARPA has established the Experimental Spaceplane (XS-1) program. The program aims to develop a fully reusable unmanned vehicle that would provide aircraft-like access to space. The vehicle is envisioned to operate from a “clean pad” with a small ground crew and no need for expensive specialized infrastructure. This setup would enable routine daily operations and flights from a wide range of locations. XS-1 seeks to deploy small satellites faster and more affordably, while demonstrating technology for next-generation space and hypersonic flight for both government and commercial users.