Tag: spaceflight
The Antares launch was scrubbed at T-12 minutes because one of the the umbilical lines separated prematurely.
The Antares launch was scrubbed at T-12 minutes because one of the umbilical lines to the rocket separated prematurely.
Update: in a press release Orbital Sciences now says they’ve set the tentative new launch date as no earlier than April 19.
The Antares launch was scrubbed at T-12 minutes because one of the umbilical lines to the rocket separated prematurely.
Update: in a press release Orbital Sciences now says they’ve set the tentative new launch date as no earlier than April 19.
The countdown has begun for the first Antares launch. Go here for regular updates.
The countdown has begun for the first Antares launch. Go here for regular updates.
Right now the weather looks to be the biggest question mark, with a 50% chance it will cause the launch to be scrubbed.
The countdown has begun for the first Antares launch. Go here for regular updates.
Right now the weather looks to be the biggest question mark, with a 50% chance it will cause the launch to be scrubbed.
The Antares rocket has been cleared for its first test launch tomorrow at 5 pm (Eastern).
The Antares rocket has been cleared for its first test launch tomorrow at 5 pm (Eastern).
The Antares rocket has been cleared for its first test launch tomorrow at 5 pm (Eastern).
Because its FAA test flight permit will expire on May 23, SpaceShipTwo’s first powered flight has to occur by then and be supersonic.
The competition heats up: Because its FAA test flight permit will expire on May 23, SpaceShipTwo’s first powered flight has to occur by then and be supersonic.
What is unclear to me is how the expiration of this permit could affect future flights. Does Virgin Galactic have to get a new permit to continue test flights? What about the tourist flights that are supposed to follow?
The competition heats up: Because its FAA test flight permit will expire on May 23, SpaceShipTwo’s first powered flight has to occur by then and be supersonic.
What is unclear to me is how the expiration of this permit could affect future flights. Does Virgin Galactic have to get a new permit to continue test flights? What about the tourist flights that are supposed to follow?
Russia under Vladimir Putin has announced a big financial boost from its government to its semi-private space industry.
Putting its money where its mouth is: Russia under Vladimir Putin has announced a big financial boost from its government to its semi-private space industry.
Putting its money where its mouth is: Russia under Vladimir Putin has announced a big financial boost from its government to its semi-private space industry.
Alan Boyle has some more information on SpaceShipTwo’s most recent test flight, and the rumors concerning the ship’s first powered flight.
Alan Boyle has some more information on SpaceShipTwo’s most recent test flight, and the rumors concerning the ship’s first powered flight.
Alan Boyle has some more information on SpaceShipTwo’s most recent test flight, and the rumors concerning the ship’s first powered flight.
A countdown dress rehearsal of the Antares rocket on Saturday was halted when a problem with a valve was discovered.
A countdown dress rehearsal of the Antares rocket on Saturday was halted when a problem with a valve was discovered.
Engineers think they can replace the valve and still launch on Wednesday as scheduled.
A countdown dress rehearsal of the Antares rocket on Saturday was halted when a problem with a valve was discovered.
Engineers think they can replace the valve and still launch on Wednesday as scheduled.
New rumors suggest that the first powered flight of SpaceShipTwo will occur April 22.
The competition heats up: New rumors suggest that the first powered flight of SpaceShipTwo will occur April 22.
The competition heats up: New rumors suggest that the first powered flight of SpaceShipTwo will occur April 22.
The International Astronomical Union has issued a press release condemning the commercial efforts of private companies to issue names for exoplanets.
Turf war! The International Astronomical Union has issued a press release condemning the commercial efforts of private companies to issue names for exoplanets.
Recently, an organisation has invited the public to purchase both nomination proposals for exoplanets, and rights to vote for the suggested names. In return, the purchaser receives a certificate commemorating the validity and credibility of the nomination. Such certificates are misleading, as these campaigns have no bearing on the official naming process — they will not lead to an officially-recognised exoplanet name, despite the price paid or the number of votes accrued.
… [snip]
To make this possible, the IAU acts as a single arbiter of the naming process, and is advised and supported by astronomers within different fields. As an international scientific organisation, it dissociates itself entirely from the commercial practice of selling names of planets, stars or or even “real estate” on other planets or moons. These practices will not be recognised by the IAU and their alternative naming schemes cannot be adopted.
Well la-dee-da, how dare anyone else name anything ever in space!
The truth is, the IAU was originally given this function by astronomers to coordinate the naming of obscure astronomical objects, not to provide the official names for every object and feature that will ever be discovered in space. And though the IAU does tend to favor the choices of discoverers, it has in the past also ignored their wishes. (See for example my book Genesis: the Story of Apollo 8, where the IAU rejected the names chosen by the Apollo 8 astronauts, even though those astronauts were the first to actually go and see these features.)
In the end, the names of important features in space will be chosen by those who live there.
Turf war! The International Astronomical Union has issued a press release condemning the commercial efforts of private companies to issue names for exoplanets.
Recently, an organisation has invited the public to purchase both nomination proposals for exoplanets, and rights to vote for the suggested names. In return, the purchaser receives a certificate commemorating the validity and credibility of the nomination. Such certificates are misleading, as these campaigns have no bearing on the official naming process — they will not lead to an officially-recognised exoplanet name, despite the price paid or the number of votes accrued.
… [snip]
To make this possible, the IAU acts as a single arbiter of the naming process, and is advised and supported by astronomers within different fields. As an international scientific organisation, it dissociates itself entirely from the commercial practice of selling names of planets, stars or or even “real estate” on other planets or moons. These practices will not be recognised by the IAU and their alternative naming schemes cannot be adopted.
Well la-dee-da, how dare anyone else name anything ever in space!
The truth is, the IAU was originally given this function by astronomers to coordinate the naming of obscure astronomical objects, not to provide the official names for every object and feature that will ever be discovered in space. And though the IAU does tend to favor the choices of discoverers, it has in the past also ignored their wishes. (See for example my book Genesis: the Story of Apollo 8, where the IAU rejected the names chosen by the Apollo 8 astronauts, even though those astronauts were the first to actually go and see these features.)
In the end, the names of important features in space will be chosen by those who live there.
Despite a rest, Kepler’s problematic gyroscope is still having problems.
Despite a rest, Kepler’s problematic gyroscope is still having problems.
Three of the wheels are needed for Kepler’s 3.1-foot telescope to have enough sensitivity to detect the minuscule signatures of Earth-sized planets. In an exercise of caution, mission managers switched off Kepler’s reaction wheels for 10 days in January, hoping the break would redistribute lubricant inside the wheel assemblies, reducing friction and allowing the units to cool down.
But friction in wheel no. 4, which has showed friction for much of Kepler’s mission, actually increased in the month following the “wheel rest” period.
The telescope originally had four wheels. One has failed, with a second showing signs of failure. If it goes, the spacecraft will no longer be able to point with enough accuracy to do its primary mission. They might be able to use it to some observations, but its design is such that even these will be of limited value.
Despite a rest, Kepler’s problematic gyroscope is still having problems.
Three of the wheels are needed for Kepler’s 3.1-foot telescope to have enough sensitivity to detect the minuscule signatures of Earth-sized planets. In an exercise of caution, mission managers switched off Kepler’s reaction wheels for 10 days in January, hoping the break would redistribute lubricant inside the wheel assemblies, reducing friction and allowing the units to cool down.
But friction in wheel no. 4, which has showed friction for much of Kepler’s mission, actually increased in the month following the “wheel rest” period.
The telescope originally had four wheels. One has failed, with a second showing signs of failure. If it goes, the spacecraft will no longer be able to point with enough accuracy to do its primary mission. They might be able to use it to some observations, but its design is such that even these will be of limited value.
Vladimir Putin noted today, the anniversary of Yuri Gagarin’s spaceflight, that the new Russian spaceport being built in Vostochny will be open for use by other countries.
The competition heats up: Vladimir Putin noted today, the anniversary of Yuri Gagarin’s spaceflight, that the new Russian spaceport being built in Vostochny will be open for use by other countries.
Putin’s announcement is a bit vague, in that it is not clear whether he means the spaceport could be used by outside private companies or merely that American or European payloads will be launched from the site using Russian rockets. I suspect the latter. Regardless, Putin’s statement both to the Russian public and to the rest of the world illustrates his desire to sell the new spaceport, which in turn will bring Russia business.
Isn’t competition a wonderful thing?
The competition heats up: Vladimir Putin noted today, the anniversary of Yuri Gagarin’s spaceflight, that the new Russian spaceport being built in Vostochny will be open for use by other countries.
Putin’s announcement is a bit vague, in that it is not clear whether he means the spaceport could be used by outside private companies or merely that American or European payloads will be launched from the site using Russian rockets. I suspect the latter. Regardless, Putin’s statement both to the Russian public and to the rest of the world illustrates his desire to sell the new spaceport, which in turn will bring Russia business.
Isn’t competition a wonderful thing?
Has Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter imaged the remains of a Soviet Mars lander from 1971?
Has Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter imaged the remains of a Soviet Mars lander from 1971?
Has Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter imaged the remains of a Soviet Mars lander from 1971?
Boeing this week revealed a new line of small satellites, the smallest weighing less than 9 pounds, for both military and commercial operations.
The competition heats up: Boeing this week revealed a new line of small satellites, the smallest weighing less than 9 pounds, for both military and commercial operations.
This decision tells me that my worries about Boeing’s competitiveness are unfounded. Moreover, the increasing shift to building smaller satellites will once again lower costs and therefore increase the number of customers who can afford the product. The result will be a larger aerospace industry.
The competition heats up: Boeing this week revealed a new line of small satellites, the smallest weighing less than 9 pounds, for both military and commercial operations.
This decision tells me that my worries about Boeing’s competitiveness are unfounded. Moreover, the increasing shift to building smaller satellites will once again lower costs and therefore increase the number of customers who can afford the product. The result will be a larger aerospace industry.
Speaking of the cracks on the first Orion capsule, here’s a story on the capsule’s state of construction.
Speaking of the cracks on the first Orion capsule, here’s a story on the capsule’s state of construction.
Speaking of the cracks on the first Orion capsule, here’s a story on the capsule’s state of construction.
Lockheed Martin will begin intensive stress tests on its Orion capsule on April 22.
The competition heats up: Lockheed Martin will begin intensive stress tests on its Orion capsule on April 22.
Though the article makes no mention of the cracks that had previously been found in that capsule, nor the repair work that was done to fix them, I strongly suspect that these stress tests are aimed at testing these repairs.
The competition heats up: Lockheed Martin will begin intensive stress tests on its Orion capsule on April 22.
Though the article makes no mention of the cracks that had previously been found in that capsule, nor the repair work that was done to fix them, I strongly suspect that these stress tests are aimed at testing these repairs.
Canada’s first earth observation radar satellite, Radarsat-1, went into safe mode more than a week ago and is not expected to recover.
Canada’s first earth observation radar satellite, Radarsat-1, went into safe mode more than a week ago and is not expected to recover.
Radarsat-1 was launched in 1995. Radarsat-2 was launched in 2007, so the older satellite was essentially a back-up anyway.
Canada’s first earth observation radar satellite, Radarsat-1, went into safe mode more than a week ago and is not expected to recover.
Radarsat-1 was launched in 1995. Radarsat-2 was launched in 2007, so the older satellite was essentially a back-up anyway.
India is looking to privatize its commercial launch vehicles.
The competition heats up: India is looking to privatize its commercial launch vehicles.
The competition heats up: India is looking to privatize its commercial launch vehicles.
Boeing is about to begin wind tunnel tests of its CST-100 manned capsule.
The competition heats up: Boeing is about to begin wind tunnel tests of its CST-100 manned capsule.
This is good, but there is something about the pace of development of the CST-100 that seems mighty slow to me. Last September there were indications that Boeing might shelve the project, which were countered in November by word that they were instead considering increasing their investment.
The slow pace suggests to me that management has rejected the latter. It also suggests that while they haven’t shelved the project, they are not pushing it hard, which means that eventually it will die because it will fail to compete with other more ambitious and competitive efforts.
The competition heats up: Boeing is about to begin wind tunnel tests of its CST-100 manned capsule.
This is good, but there is something about the pace of development of the CST-100 that seems mighty slow to me. Last September there were indications that Boeing might shelve the project, which were countered in November by word that they were instead considering increasing their investment.
The slow pace suggests to me that management has rejected the latter. It also suggests that while they haven’t shelved the project, they are not pushing it hard, which means that eventually it will die because it will fail to compete with other more ambitious and competitive efforts.
The words of NASA’s chief: “NASA is not going to the Moon with a human as a primary project probably in my lifetime.”
The words of NASA’s chief: “NASA is not going to the Moon with a human as a primary project probably in my lifetime.”
He’s right. Instead, others will do it. And the ones who do it from the United States, privately financed for profit, will do it quickly, efficiently, and often, three things NASA has not been able to do at all since the 1960s.
The words of NASA’s chief: “NASA is not going to the Moon with a human as a primary project probably in my lifetime.”
He’s right. Instead, others will do it. And the ones who do it from the United States, privately financed for profit, will do it quickly, efficiently, and often, three things NASA has not been able to do at all since the 1960s.
NASA has indicated that the first manned launch using a commercial space carrier has slipped by a year.
NASA has now indicated that the first manned launch using a commercial space carrier has slipped by a year.
The reasons are as yet unclear, though it is suspected that the main cause is the decision by the Obama administration to cut the funds of this program under sequestration. As Clark Lindsey notes, however, there is no reason that some of these private companies won’t go forward and fly other passengers on their spaceships, ahead of the NASA flights. Specifically, SpaceX and its Dragon capsule should easily be ready to go well ahead of 2017, and will likely be earning enough cash from its commercial launches to pay for development even if the NASA subsidies get delayed.
NASA has now indicated that the first manned launch using a commercial space carrier has slipped by a year.
The reasons are as yet unclear, though it is suspected that the main cause is the decision by the Obama administration to cut the funds of this program under sequestration. As Clark Lindsey notes, however, there is no reason that some of these private companies won’t go forward and fly other passengers on their spaceships, ahead of the NASA flights. Specifically, SpaceX and its Dragon capsule should easily be ready to go well ahead of 2017, and will likely be earning enough cash from its commercial launches to pay for development even if the NASA subsidies get delayed.
The first launch of Antares has now been scheduled for April 17.
The first launch of Antares has now been scheduled for April 17.
The first launch of Antares has now been scheduled for April 17.
Antares is on the launchpad, being readied for its first launch in about 10 days.
The competition heats up: Antares is on the launchpad, being readied for its first launch in about 10 days.
The competition heats up: Antares is on the launchpad, being readied for its first launch in about 10 days.
India has delayed the first test flight of its human-rated GSLV Mark 3 rocket until the spring of 2014.
India has delayed the first test flight of its human-rated GSLV Mark 3 rocket until the spring of 2014.
India has delayed the first test flight of its human-rated GSLV Mark 3 rocket until the spring of 2014.
Austria goes to Mars.
More successful glide tests today for SpaceShipTwo, now with its engine attached.
The competition heats up: More successful glide tests today for SpaceShipTwo, now with its engine attached.
They are testing the flight characteristics of the spaceship with the additional engine weight. Once satisfied, they will then move on to powered flights.
The competition heats up: More successful glide tests today for SpaceShipTwo, now with its engine attached.
They are testing the flight characteristics of the spaceship with the additional engine weight. Once satisfied, they will then move on to powered flights.
Legislatures in New Mexico and Texas move forward with bills clarifying future spaceport legalities.
The competition heats up: Legislatures in New Mexico and Texas move forward with bills clarifying future spaceport legalities.
The competition heats up: Legislatures in New Mexico and Texas move forward with bills clarifying future spaceport legalities.
The roll out of Orbital Sciences’ Antares rocket to the launchpad will occur on Saturday, with the test first launch scheduled between April 17-19.
The competition heats up: The roll out of Orbital Sciences’ Antares rocket to the launchpad will occur on Saturday, with the test first launch scheduled between April 17-19.
The competition heats up: The roll out of Orbital Sciences’ Antares rocket to the launchpad will occur on Saturday, with the test first launch scheduled between April 17-19.
“The SLS program should be canceled now to free up approximately $10 billion programmed for this decade.”
I’m both glad and not surprised that some heavy hitters are beginning to say this. As I noted last year, as the commercial space program begins to show success the politics will increasingly favor it over the very expensive and not very productive NASA-built Space Launch System.
Be prepared for SLS to steadily lose political support in the coming years.
I’m both glad and not surprised that some heavy hitters are beginning to say this. As I noted last year, as the commercial space program begins to show success the politics will increasingly favor it over the very expensive and not very productive NASA-built Space Launch System.
Be prepared for SLS to steadily lose political support in the coming years.
India has successfully tested a homebuilt engine to be used in its more powerful geosynchronous launch rocket, set for launch in July.
The competition heats up: India has successfully tested a homebuilt engine to be used in its more powerful geosynchronous launch rocket, set for launch in July. More here.
Previous launches of the GSLV rocket used a Russian-built engine on a second stage. They also ended in failure, not because of the Russian equipment but because of other problems.
The competition heats up: India has successfully tested a homebuilt engine to be used in its more powerful geosynchronous launch rocket, set for launch in July. More here.
Previous launches of the GSLV rocket used a Russian-built engine on a second stage. They also ended in failure, not because of the Russian equipment but because of other problems.