SSI News
China launches female taikonaut on Shenzhou 9 which docks successfully
China has successfully launched its Shenzhou 9 spacecraft into orbit. The flight took place from the Jiuquan launch site at 1037 GMT on 16 June. The spacecraft was carrying three Chinese atronauts {“Taikonauts”) into orbit: Jing Haipeng, Liu Wang and Liu Yang – China’s first female astronaut.
China ready to launch Shenzhou 9 manned spacecraft.
China plans to launch the Shenzhou 9 spacecraft from the Jiuquan Space Launch Centre in China at 1037 GMT on 16 June. The craft is to carry three taikonauts, Jing Haipeng, Liu Wang, and Liu Yang. Jing Haipeng is to command the crew and will be making his second flight...
Nustar satellite successfully launched.
NASA's NuStar satellite was successfully launched at 1600 GMT on 13 June by a Pegasus launch vehicle dropped from the L1011 launch aircraft. For this launch the L1011 aircraft was deployed to Kwajalein Atoll in the Pacific Ocean.The NuStar craft is to use telescopes...
Space Shuttle prototype Enterprise gets a prang
During its move from the Smithsonian’s Udvar-Hazy exhibition near Dulles Airport in Washington DC, the Space Shuttle atmospheric glide test prototype had a prang on its last leg of its journey to its new home at the Intrepid Air and Space Museum in New York City. Apparently, on its barge trip, Enterprise’s wingtip struck the side of a bridge as as the barge drifted into it. Thankfully, the damage is repairable.
Speculation that Intelsat 19 solar array jam was caused by Sea Launch interaction
Despite concerns over the jammed solar array of the spacecraft Intelsat 19 which uses the same Space Systems/Loral-built LS-1300 bus design as its SES 5 satellite, SES has decided to go ahead with the SES 5 launch on a Proton. This has only been delayed slightly to 20 June given that extensive solar array checks had already been made.
The real Venus Transit: NASA releases high definition video from SDO
NASA has released a high definition video taken by the Solar Dynamics Observatory showing the Venus Transit in all its glory.
Her Majesty’s Jubilee benefits from HDTV – on satellite or otherwise
Having already done 60 years good service, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II further did her duty and attended the four major days of the celebration of her Diamond Jubilee, through sun, wind and rain (well mainly the latter two).
On a lighter note: Much rarer than a Venus Transit
For those of you that missed this year’s Venus Transit (the cloud over London did not really play ball on the morning of 6 June) here is another kind of Transit: A Ford Transit.
“Sticky” Space Systems/Loral solar array issue is likely to cause launch delays
The recent news that Intelsat 19 has not deployed one of its solar arrays correctly is not a one off incident. The satellite is the third recently launched Space Systems/Loral 1300 design spacecraft that has been troubled by “sticky solar arrays”.
Thoughts on Rep Wolf’s commercial crew statement
Representative Frank Wolf, representative from Virginia's 10th congressional district, has long been ardently opposed to a competitive contracting process for NASA's commercial crew programme. Because Rep. Wolf chairs the House subcommittee on commerce, justice and...
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