SpaceX

ABL Space Systems announces $10,000 per kilogram pricing of the RS1 launch vehicle

Retrieved on: 
Friday, February 1, 2019
Spaceflight, Outer space, Flight, Elon Musk, Hawthorne, California, Hyperloop, SpaceX, Launch vehicle, Falcon

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Feb. 1, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Today ABL Space Systems announced design updates to its RS1 launch vehicle, an increase in payload capacity, and a decrease in price.

Key Points: 
  • EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Feb. 1, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Today ABL Space Systems announced design updates to its RS1 launch vehicle, an increase in payload capacity, and a decrease in price.
  • RS1 is priced at $12 million per launch, or as low as $10 thousand per kilogram.
  • ABL is planning an RS1 stage test in the second half of 2019, with a target first launch in 2020.
  • ABL Space Systems was founded by former SpaceX engineering leaders in 2017 to develop low-cost launch vehicles for the small satellite industry.

Relativity Wins Direct Contract for Launch Site at Cape Canaveral from the U.S. Air Force

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Thursday, January 17, 2019
Technology, Other Technology, Satellite, Manufacturing, Aerospace, Engineering, Defense, Other Defense, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Spaceflight, Florida, National Register of Historic Places in Brevard County, Florida, Transport, Project Gemini, Spaceport, SpaceX, Missile Row, Atlas V

The Statement of Capability signifies the U.S. Air Forces formal acceptance of Relativity for launch operations in Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

Key Points: 
  • The Statement of Capability signifies the U.S. Air Forces formal acceptance of Relativity for launch operations in Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
  • Relativity joins SpaceX, ULA, and Blue Origin as only the 4th company with a major operational orbital launch site at Cape Canaveral.
  • The LC-16 launch facility was historically used for Titan missile launches, the Apollo moon program, the Gemini program, and Pershing missile launches.
  • Launch infrastructure is in limited supply, and LC-16 is one of the few major launch facilities still available at Cape Canaveral.

Iridium Completes Historic Satellite Launch Campaign

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Friday, January 11, 2019
Spacecraft, Spaceflight, Iridium satellite constellation, Iridium Communications, Satellite constellation, Communications satellite, Satellite, Iridium satellites, SpaceX, Iridium 77

All 10 satellites have successfully communicated with the Iridium Satellite Network Operations Center and are preparing to undergo initial on-orbit testing.

Key Points: 
  • All 10 satellites have successfully communicated with the Iridium Satellite Network Operations Center and are preparing to undergo initial on-orbit testing.
  • This was the eighth and final launch for Iridium's historic launch campaign with SpaceX, seeing a total of 75 new satellites deployed over less than two years.
  • The Iridium satellite constellation is unlike any other in orbit and is the only communications network with pole-to-pole coverage of the entire planet.
  • Iridium is the only mobile voice and data satellite communications network that spans the entire globe.

Maxar's SSL Highlights its U.S. Industry Leadership in Next-Generation Solar Electric Propulsion

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, December 19, 2018
Spaceflight, Ion engines, Transport, Outer space, Spacecraft propulsion, Hall-effect thruster, Electrically powered spacecraft propulsion, SpaceX, SSL, NeXT, Space launch market competition, Satellite

"Through careful and deliberate insertion of next-generation systems, SSL is driving forward the industry's most advanced electric propulsion capabilities," said Dario Zamarian, group president, SSL.

Key Points: 
  • "Through careful and deliberate insertion of next-generation systems, SSL is driving forward the industry's most advanced electric propulsion capabilities," said Dario Zamarian, group president, SSL.
  • This thruster leverages the Power Processing Unit 140 (PPU-140) with multiple gimbaled Hall Effect thrusters to provide 8-kW of electric propulsion.
  • For commercial satellites, electric propulsion helps reduce launch costs and enables the use of larger and more powerful payloads.
  • Rounding out its accomplishments in solar electric propulsion, early next year SSL will enable a unique mission in conjunction with SpaceX and Spaceflight that will bring several payloads to orbit.

HawkEye 360 Announces Successful Launch of First Three Satellites

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Tuesday, December 4, 2018
Spaceflight, Transport, Spaceflight Industries, Falcon, SpaceX, Hawkeye, Satellite, Small satellite, Falcon 9

HERNDON, Va., Dec. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --HawkEye 360 Inc. today announced the successful launch of the company's Pathfinder mission its first cluster of three, formation-flying small satellites aboard Spaceflight's SSO-A: SmallSat Express rideshare on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

Key Points: 
  • HERNDON, Va., Dec. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --HawkEye 360 Inc. today announced the successful launch of the company's Pathfinder mission its first cluster of three, formation-flying small satellites aboard Spaceflight's SSO-A: SmallSat Express rideshare on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
  • The satellites will deliver a unique source of radio frequency (RF) data that HawkEye 360 will use to create first-of-its-kind RF-based analytics.
  • "The successful launch of our Pathfinder satellites is the biggest moment in our company's young history," said John Serafini, CEO, HawkEye 360.
  • "The core of our business is RF analytics, which is dependent upon high-quality, geolocated RF data," said Chris DeMay, CTO and founder, HawkEye 360.

NASA Television to Air Launch of Next Space Station Resupply Mission

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Wednesday, November 28, 2018
Spaceflight, Outer space, Transport, Cargo spacecraft, Elon Musk, Hawthorne, California, Hyperloop, SpaceX, Expedition 57, European Space Agency, International Space Station, NASA

WASHINGTON, Nov. 28, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA commercial cargo provider SpaceX is targeting 1:38 p.m. EST Tuesday, Dec. 4, for the launch of its 16th resupply mission to the International Space Station.

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON, Nov. 28, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA commercial cargo provider SpaceX is targeting 1:38 p.m. EST Tuesday, Dec. 4, for the launch of its 16th resupply mission to the International Space Station.
  • Live coverage will begin on NASA Television and the agency's website Monday, Dec. 3, with prelaunch events.
  • RRM3 demonstrates the storage and transfer of cryogenic fluid, which is critical for propulsion and life support systems in space.
  • When it arrives, Expedition 57 Commander Alexander Gerst of ESA (European Space Agency) and Flight Engineer Serena Aun-Chancellor of NASA will grapple Dragon.

MARS Launches Test Bench Upgrade Program for AWWA C715 Compliance

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, November 27, 2018
Human missions to Mars, Colonization of Mars, Space tourism, SpaceX, SpaceX Mars transportation infrastructure, Mars program, Spaceflight, Outer space

OCALA, Fla., Nov. 27, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --MARS Company, a global leader in water meter testing and technology solutions, announced today that it has launched a new, Test Bench Equipment Upgrade Program upgrade program that includes special incentives enabling customers to upgrade their existing MARS test bench equipment to comply with the new ANSI / AWWA C715-18 industry standard.

Key Points: 
  • OCALA, Fla., Nov. 27, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --MARS Company, a global leader in water meter testing and technology solutions, announced today that it has launched a new, Test Bench Equipment Upgrade Program upgrade program that includes special incentives enabling customers to upgrade their existing MARS test bench equipment to comply with the new ANSI / AWWA C715-18 industry standard.
  • MARS Company continues its industry leadership by offering the ANSI / AWWA C715 Compliance Upgrade Program enabling customers to upgrade their existing MARS test bench equipment to required industry standards.
  • Please contact [email protected] for upgrade program details and a customized quote for your individual test bench system.
  • MARS Company will be exhibiting at AWWA Florida Conference, November 26-29 in Orlando, Florida at booth #417/419.

NASA Highlights Science on Next Resupply Mission to International Space Station

Retrieved on: 
Friday, November 23, 2018
Dragon, Spaceflight, Spacecraft, NASA, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, SpaceX Dragon, SpaceX, Falcon 9, SpaceX CRS-16, SpaceX CRS-13

WASHINGTON, Nov. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA will host a media teleconference at 1 p.m. EST Wednesday, Nov. 28, to discuss select science investigations launching on the next SpaceX commercial resupply flight to the International Space Station.

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON, Nov. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA will host a media teleconference at 1 p.m. EST Wednesday, Nov. 28, to discuss select science investigations launching on the next SpaceX commercial resupply flight to the International Space Station.
  • SpaceX is targeting Dec. 4 for launch of its Dragon spacecraft on a Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) in Florida.
  • To participate in the teleconference, media must contact Kathryn Hambleton at 202-358-1100 or [email protected] by 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov 27, for dial-in information.
  • For launch countdown coverage, NASA's launch blog, and more information about the mission, visit:
    View original content to download multimedia: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nasa-highlights-science-on-next-...

NASA Invites Media to SpaceX Demo-1 Launch

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Wednesday, November 21, 2018
Spaceflight, Transport, NASA, Falcon, Apollo program, Kennedy Space Center, Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39, National Register of Historic Places in Brevard County, Florida, Space Shuttle program, SpaceX, Falcon 9, Countdown

The launch of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft is targeted for Jan. 7, 2019, from historic Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Key Points: 
  • The launch of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft is targeted for Jan. 7, 2019, from historic Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
  • Media prelaunch and launch activities will take place at Kennedy.
  • Media accreditation deadlines are as follows:
    International media without U.S. citizenship must apply by 4 p.m. EST Friday, Dec. 7, for access to Kennedy media activities.
  • For launch countdown coverage, NASA's launch blog, and more information about the mission, visit:
    View original content to download multimedia: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nasa-invites-media-to-spacex-dem...

National Space Council Gets Report on Human Spaceflight in Low-Earth Orbit

Retrieved on: 
Friday, November 16, 2018
Spaceflight, Outer space, Human missions to Mars, SpaceX, Human spaceflight, Space policy, Space transport, NASA, Interplanetary spaceflight, SpaceX Mars transportation infrastructure, Space exploration, Vision for Space Exploration

WASHINGTON, Nov. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA and the Departments of State and Commerce have submitted a report to the National Space Council outlining future opportunities and challenges for human spaceflight in low-Earth orbit (LEO), and its potential economic contributions to the broader field of exploration.

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON, Nov. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA and the Departments of State and Commerce have submitted a report to the National Space Council outlining future opportunities and challenges for human spaceflight in low-Earth orbit (LEO), and its potential economic contributions to the broader field of exploration.
  • The National Space Council requested NASA lead an interagency effort to produce the report, entitled 'A Strategy for Human Spaceflight in Low Earth Orbit and Economic Growth in Space,' during its February meeting.
  • To conduct human spaceflight research in LEO that will advance the technology and systems required for long-duration spaceflight systems, including systems for interplanetary travel and permanent space habitation.
  • NASA will continue to work with its interagency partners to achieve these objectives and milestones with commercial crew and advancement of long-duration human spaceflight systems.