by David Todd | Jan 6, 2015 | ESA, SpaceX, Technology
Noting the progress that SpaceX is making with its Falcon 9 reusable first stage technology (its first landing attempt is to take place in January), and that India is planning tests of a winged reusable first stage, Europe is, at last, re-examining the case for...
by David Todd | Jan 2, 2015 | China, exploration, Russia, SLS, Soyuz, Space Insurance, SpaceX, Technology, Virgin Galactic
2014 was an interesting space year in many ways. It had elements of great achievement, some notable failures, and confirmed some industry trends that are looking unstoppable. Record breaking year for number of launched payloads Driven mainly by commercial factors and...
by David Todd | Dec 19, 2014 | commercial launch services, Russia, Seradata News, Technology
While the reliability of Orbital Sciences’ Antares rocket’s ancient (if refurbished) NK-33/AJ-26 engines were found wanting, Orbital Sciences Corp has now decided to change these engines in favour of another rocket engine. According to Aviation Week, the...
by David Todd | Dec 1, 2014 | International Space Station, JAXA, Satellites, Seradata News, Technology
On 28 November 2014, the Japanese JEM-RMS robot arm grabbed the 57kg SpinSat (Special Purpose Inexpensive Satellite) and its Cyclops deployer from the Kibo airlock and moved it outside ready for release. The Cyclops then ejected SpinSat into orbit at 1700 GMT that...
by David Todd | Nov 27, 2014 | commercial launch services, Seradata News, SpaceX, Technology
The next flight of the SpaceX Falcon 9v1.1 which is tentatively set to launch the Dragon CRS-5 cargo craft by the end of December 2014 may use a fully reusable first stage – bringing it up to the Falcon 9R standard. During some previous Falcon 9 launches, first stages...
by David Todd | Nov 24, 2014 | commercial launch services, Seradata News, Technology
The market for smaller satellites grows strongly, the quest for low cost launches for satellites at the smaller end of the spectrum has led to various concepts to be considered – as least some of which may come to fruition. On the one hand, dedicated...
