orbit

Atomos Space’s first mission on orbit is a trial by fire

by

Few missions more acutely embody the maxim “space is hard” than Atomos Space’s first demonstration mission, which the company has managed to pull back from the brink of disaster — more than once. That demonstration mission, dubbed Mission-1, launched to orbit on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on March 4. The objectives of the mission … Read more

Firefly’s Alpha Rocket Put a Satellite in the Wrong Orbit

by

Following a successful liftoff, Firefly’s Alpha rocket seems to have misplaced its payload due to a second stage anomaly. First Full-Color Images From Webb Space Telescope The small rocket launched on Friday, December 22, at 12:32 p.m. ET from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The mission, called “Fly the Lightning,” was carrying a … Read more

Japanese spacecraft reaches moon’s orbit, beams back images

by

After more than three months of whizzing through space, Japan’s lunar lander arrived at the moon on Christmas. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency — NASA’s Japanese counterpart known as JAXA for short — announced that its moon mission had achieved a major milestone on Dec. 25, successfully inserting into an oval-shaped orbit around the lunar … Read more

Firefly’s Alpha rocket reaches orbit for the fourth time

by

Firefly Aerospace sent its Alpha rocket to orbit this morning, with the company carrying a payload from Lockheed Martin to space. However, the company has yet to update the public on whether it successfully deployed the satellite to its destination orbit – which could suggest an issue with the rocket’s second stage. Today’s launch marks … Read more

China’s Spaceplane Just Released Six Mysterious Objects in Orbit

by

China’s Shenlong robotic spaceplane, on its third mission, has added a new layer of intrigue to its space activities by deploying six unidentified objects into Earth’s orbit. Astronomers Could Soon Get Warnings When SpaceX Satellites Threaten Their View Shenlong, meaning “Divine Dragon,” embarked on its third mission on December 14, successfully deploying six objects into … Read more

In Orbit Aerospace wants to be the third party logistics provider for science and industry

by

Two year old space startup In Orbit Aerospace wants to be the third party logistics provider for  Earth to space commerce – and to get there, the company just closed a new agreement to validate key technical capabilities on the International Space Station. The El Segundo, California-based company is developing orbital platforms and re-entry vehicles … Read more

Iran says it sent a capsule with animals into orbit as it prepares for human missions

by

Iran says it sent a capsule into orbit carrying animals as it prepares for human missions in coming years ByThe Associated Press December 6, 2023, 3:00 AM TEHRAN, Iran — Iran said Wednesday it sent a capsule into orbit carrying animals as it prepares for human missions in coming years. A report by the official … Read more

Orbit Books Presents Free Talks With Sci-Fi/Fantasy Writers

by

Image: Orbit Books Orbit Books, an imprint of Hachette, has developed a free virtual event series for aspiring science-fiction and fantasy writers. Attendees can attend any of the 14 sessions—which are spread out over six weeks in October and early November—for free. The topics range from nitty gritty advice on worldbuilding to a panel on … Read more

NASA’s Crew-7 mission has launched 4 astronauts into orbit

by

SpaceX launched its Falcon 9 rocket from Kennedy House Heart this morning at 3:27AM ET, NASA introduced as we speak. The rocket pushed 4 astronauts on NASA’s Crew-7 mission into orbit earlier than a scheduled Sunday morning dock with the Worldwide House Station (ISS). The mission brings astronauts from 4 international locations to the ISS … Read more