The military’s perspective on X-37B
The military’s perspective on the X-37B.
Tag: engineering
Falcon 9 set for Wednesday launch
It appears that the next attempt to launch Falcon 9/Dragon is now set for Wednesday.
The sad fate of the first 747
Orbital status of Akatsuki at Venus uncertain
The status of the Japanese probe Akatsuki in its attempt to go into orbit around Venus remains uncertain. The engines fired as scheduled, but radio signal was not regained at the scheduled time. Engineers are analyzing the spacecraft’s position now to see if it was successfully inserted into orbit.
Falcon 9/Dragon launch likely delayed to at least Thursday
The Falcon 9/Dragon test launch is likely delayed to at least Thursday. Key quote:
During reviews of vehicle closeout photos this morning, engineers found a possible crack in the second stage engine nozzle. If the nozzle needs to be replaced, the first launch opportunity would be Friday or Saturday. Officials called “remote” a possibility that the problem could be resolved in time to fly Wednesday.
An update of the Chinese manned space program
Some educated speculations about the next manned mission in the Chinese space program.
Programming caused Russian rocket failure
Engineers say that the cause of the Russian rocket failure yesterday appears to have been a programming error.
‘Akatsuki’ probe set to try and enter Venus’s orbit
The Japanese spacecraft, Akatsuki, is set to enter orbit around Venus tomorrow.
Proton launch failure dooms Glonass navigation satellites
Bad news for the Russian space industry: A Proton rocket, carrying three Russian Glonass navigation satellites (their version of our GPS) failed at launch, crashing into the Pacific.
SpaceShipTwo flies again
It appears that yesterday SpaceShipTwo flew another successful test flight.
SpaceX static test a success
From Clark Lindsey, with video: The static test firing of the Falcon 9 rocket today was a success. Actual launch is planned for Tuesday.
Falcon 9 first stage test firing aborted
In preparation for its Tuesday test launch, SpaceX attempted a static test firing of the Falcon 9 rocket early today, only to abort at the last second. They plan another attempt on Saturday and still hope to launch on Tuesday.