The first flight of the most powerful rocket ever was not the success that Elon Musk and his company hoped for, but the launch achieved several milestones toward future journeys.
Category: Rocket Science and Propulsion
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SpaceX Test Launches Its Starship Rocket: How to Watch
The new moon and Mars vehicle built by Elon Musk’s company will conduct a test flight to space as early as Monday morning.
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Richard Branson’s Virgin Orbit Files for Bankruptcy
The satellite launch company, founded by Richard Branson, announced sweeping cuts last week as it struggled to recover from a high-profile rocket failure in January.
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Virgin Orbit’s Failed Launch Is a Blow to the Company
The New York Times – Business:Richard Branson’s satellite launch company, which hasn’t recovered since a January mishap in Britain, has laid off nearly all its employees.
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Relativity Space’s 3-D Printed Rocket Fails Just After Launch
The New York Times – Business:Relativity Space, a private company with ambitions for sending people to Mars, made it off the launchpad, but the vehicle experienced problems during the second stage of its flight.
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Virgin Orbit Offers More Details on Rocket Failure
The New York Times – Business:More than 110 miles above earth, the rocket’s second-stage engine prematurely shut down before entering orbit, causing the loss of nine satellites.
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Virgin Orbit’s Failed Launch a Setback for U.K.’s Space Industry
The New York Times – Business:When a Virgin Orbit rocket fell short of orbit, it dealt a blow to Britain’s space program and the companies whose satellites were lost in the mission.
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Britain Is on the Verge of Its First Satellite Launch
The New York Times – Business:A rocket launched from a Virgin Orbit jumbo jet is expected to put satellites into orbit, a step for Britain into the space launch business.
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31 Hours Inside SpaceX Mission Control
The New York Times – Travel:A reporter got an inside look at SpaceX’s attempt to launch and land three rockets in less than two days in October, part of the company’s bid to make spaceflight appear almost routine.
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China to Launch 3 Astronauts to New Space Station: How to Watch
The New York Times – Business:The crew will set off from a secretive desert launch center to rendezvous with fellow astronauts aboard Tiangong, the country’s newly completed outpost in orbit.
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NASA Launched and Landed LOFTID, an Inflatable Flying Saucer Heat Shield
The New York Times – Business:The LOFTID mission tested a novel approach to guiding spacecraft through the extreme heat of returning from orbit, which could be used to put people on Mars.
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China Lucks Out Again as Out-of-Control Rocket Booster Falls in the Pacific
The New York Times – Travel:For the fourth time, the country’s space program used a 23-ton launcher that made an uncontrolled re-entry back to Earth, prompting nervous sky-watching and airspace closures in Europe.