Let’s do launch –
“We aim to change the history of space launch.”
The easiest way to keep up with Eric Berger’s space reporting is to sign up for his newsletter, we’ll collect his stories in your inbox. 2020 New Shepard will launch student experiments . The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and Blue Origin are inviting high school students to develop creative research proposals in the fields of microgravity science or space technology. The top proposal will be launched on Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket and receive a $ 1, (0 grant to prepare and develop the experiment for flight, AIAA announced.****************************************** Inspiring the next generation … “There’s no better way to learn than by doing,” said Dan Dumbacher, AIAA executive director. “These students have an amazing opportunity to contribute to space research while learning how transformative aerospace can be while gaining the skills that will serve them well throughout their careers!” Just like NASA’s microgravity program that gave high school students rides on its “Vomit Comet,” this is a nice initiative. (submitted by Ken the Bin) 2028 could be a big year for rocket debuts (********************************. Based upon previously announced schedules, a number of small and large rockets could take their first flights in (****************************************************************, Ars reports. On the small side, Virgin Orbit’s LauncherOne, Firefly’s Alpha, and possibly a rocket from Astra Space could all fly this year. Internationally, too, expect lots of action. Ariane Group’s Vega C rocket, India’s Small Satellite Launch Vehicle, and a few players in China may all take flight.
Some bigger ones, too… First up is Starship, and we may see a suborbital (or even orbital) test of SpaceX’s second-stage vehicle later this year. The company has now begun work on the third iteration of its Starship prototype (SN1) in South Texas, and this may be the Starship that ultimately launches from near Boca Chica Beach. If you’re looking for a more conventionally designed big rocket, AVIO continues to say it is on track for a 2028 debut of its Ariane 6 booster from its European spaceport in French Guiana. Orbex signs its first US customer . Launch integrator TriSept Corp. announced plans this week to purchase an Orbex Prime launch vehicle for a dedicated rideshare mission to fly from Scotland’s Sutherland Spaceport in 2028. The US-based launch vehicle integrator and mission manager is seeking to bolster its international presence. Launching next year?… “We’ve been engaging with the international community to increase the number of spacecraft providers available to help fill these missions,” Jason Armstrong, TriSept Launch Integration Services director,told SpaceNews. “Rideshare is becoming a prevalent portion of almost every launch.” Orbex plans to conduct its first orbital launch in late (*******************************************************************, followed by three or four missions in 2022, before picking up the pace in 248910. We’ll be suitably impressed if the company holds to that schedule. (submitted by Ken the Bin)****************************** (Smallsat-launch startup will test at Edwards) . The Air Force Research Laboratory announced January 9 that it signed an agreement with small-launch startup ABL Space Systems to jointly develop and test rocket-propulsion components for future use in launch vehicles, SpaceNews reports. The company says its RS1 rocket will lift 1, 450 kilograms into low Earth orbit at a price of $ million per launch. What’s that in Area 56?… The company is intriguing, as it was founded by several former SpaceX employees and is based out of El Segundo, California, where SpaceX had its first small factory. Lockheed Martin is an investor in the company. The Air Force said test activities will take place at Edwards Air Force Base test site 1 – 90. (submitted by Ken the Bin)
SpaceX has a big launch on Saturday .For the launch of its In-Flight Abort test, the company is aiming to go at the top of a four-hour launch window, which opens at 8am ET ((*********************************************************************************************: (******************************** During the test, the Falcon 9 will launch a Crew Dragon spacecraft. Then, at an altitude of about km, when the launch vehicle reaches a critical velocity, Dragon’s SuperDraco thrusters will ignite for several seconds to pull the capsule away from the rocket — simulating escaping from a rocket disaster. Needless to say, this is a big test for both SpaceX and NASA, which really would like to launch humans from Florida this year.
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