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<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" xmlns:georss="http://www.georss.org/georss" xmlns:geo="http://www.w3.org/2003/01/geo/wgs84_pos#" > <channel> <title>SpaceFlight Insider</title> <atom:link href="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /> <link>https://www.spaceflightinsider.com</link> <description>For the inside line on Space Flight news</description> <lastBuildDate>Wed, 22 Jul 2020 01:35:58 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en-US</language> <sy:updatePeriod> hourly </sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency> 1 </sy:updateFrequency> <generator>https://wordpress.org/?v=5.3.2</generator> <site xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">58607372</site> <item> <title>Spacewalkers set the stage for future ISS additions</title> <link>https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/missions/iss/spacewalkers-set-the-stage-for-future-iss-additions/</link> <comments>https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/missions/iss/spacewalkers-set-the-stage-for-future-iss-additions/#respond</comments> <pubDate>Wed, 22 Jul 2020 01:02:42 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Derek Richardson]]></dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[ISS]]></category> <category><![CDATA[bob behnken]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Chris Cassidy]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Crew Dragon]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Demo-2]]></category> <category><![CDATA[expedition 63]]></category> <category><![CDATA[International Space Station]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Lead Stories]]></category> <category><![CDATA[NASA]]></category> <category><![CDATA[US EVA-68]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/?p=136546</guid> <description><![CDATA[NASA astronauts Chris Cassidy and Bob Behnken completed their fourth spacewalk in less than a month to upgrade the International Space Station, setting the stage for future additions to the 20-year-old outpost. The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/missions/iss/spacewalkers-set-the-stage-for-future-iss-additions/">Spacewalkers set the stage for future ISS additions</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com">SpaceFlight Insider</a>. ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="attachment_136548" style="width: 1290px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-136548" class="wp-image-136548" src="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/behnken_cassidy_pic.jpg" alt="NASA astronaut Bob Behnken, left, and Chris Cassidy work to remove protective coverings on the port designated to host the NanoRacks airlock later this year. Credit: NASA" width="1280" height="720" srcset="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/behnken_cassidy_pic.jpg 900w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/behnken_cassidy_pic-300x169.jpg 300w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/behnken_cassidy_pic-655x368.jpg 655w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/behnken_cassidy_pic-768x432.jpg 768w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/behnken_cassidy_pic-640x360.jpg 640w" sizes="(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px" />Spacewalkers Bob Behnken, left, and Chris Cassidy work to remove protective coverings on the port designated to host the NanoRacks airlock later this year. Credit: NASA</div> NASA astronauts Chris Cassidy and Bob Behnken completed their fourth spacewalk in less than a month to upgrade the International Space Station, setting the stage for future additions to the 20-year-old outpost. Lasting 5 hours, 29 minutes, U.S. EVA-68 was dedicated to installing a robotics storage unit and preparing various locations for new parts for the outpost. This includes items such as a commercial research airlock and advanced solar arrays. <h3>Spacewalkers replace batteries during first three outings</h3> The first three<a href="https://www.orbital-velocity.com/news/astronauts-complete-2-battery-replacement-spacewalks-at-least-2-more-planned-for-july"> spacewalks in this series</a> each lasted around six hours and occurred on June 26, July 1 and July 16. Those, also performed by Cassidy and Behnken, were primarily focused on finishing a years-long process of replacing the aging nickel-hydrogen batteries on the station’s exterior truss with more-efficient lithium-ion batteries. <img class="alignright wp-image-136550" src="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/50062200002_abe5664b7d_o-655x437.jpg" alt="""</p" srcset="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/50062200002_abe5664b7d_o-655x437.jpg 655w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/50062200002_abe5664b7d_o-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/50062200002_abe5664b7d_o-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/50062200002_abe5664b7d_o-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/50062200002_abe5664b7d_o-1280x854.jpg 1280w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/50062200002_abe5664b7d_o-640x427.jpg 640w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/50062200002_abe5664b7d_o.jpg 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 655px) 100vw, 655px" /> Those three spacewalks replaced batteries on the S6 truss segment. Previous spacewalks dating back to January 2017 focused on the P4, P6 and S4 truss segments. In total 48 nickel-hydrogen batteries were expected to be replaced with 24 lithium-ion units and 24 adapter plates. They were brought to the ISS in sets of six via four Japanese Kounotori spacecraft, the most recent, Kounotori 9, arrived in <a href="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/missions/iss/crew-dragon-endeavour-docks-with-international-space-station/">May 2020</a>. All but one lithium-ion battery was installed successfully. During a 2019 spacewalk, it was<a href="https://www.space.com/spacewalking-astronauts-replace-old-station-batteries-exp59.html"> discovered</a> that one of the new units failed. An older nickel-hydrogen battery was re-installed in its place while a future spacewalk is scheduled to install a new lithium-ion battery, which has since been delivered to the outpost. <h3>US EVA-68</h3> It was expected the S6 truss battery replacement work would take four spacewalks. However, Cassidy and Behnken completed all of their tasks, plus some get-aheads, in only three outings. So the fourth spacewalk on July 21, 2020, was used to lay the groundwork for future spacewalks and hardware installation. Once the duo opened the airlock and switched their space suits — Extravehicular Mobility Units — to battery power at 11:12 UTC, their first task was to install a new protective storage unit called Robotic Tool Stowage or<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2020/nasa-s-robot-hotel-gets-its-occupants"> RiTS</a> on the Mobile Base System. Affectionately called the “robot hotel,” the device is designed to house equipment accessories for the Canadian Space Agency’s Dextre robotic “ hand,” also called the<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/elements/special-purpose-dextrous-manipulator/"> Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator</a>. <iframe class='youtube-player' width='640' height='360' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/JOvXR9dJ1Gg?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&autohide=2&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent' allowfullscreen='true' style='border:0;'></iframe> Video courtesy of Orbital Velocity “RiTS provides thermal and physical protection for tools stored on the outside of station, not only freeing up room on board but also allowing the Canadian Space Agency’s Dextre robot to access them more quickly,” said RiTS Hardware Manager Mark Neuman in a July 21 NASA news release. Two units of a tool called the Robotic Leak Locator, or RELL, were the first occupants to the RiTS robotic hotel, according to NASA “RELL is a great example how robots with the right tools can simplify life for astronauts,” Neuman said. “Dextre can use RELL to detect ammonia leaks, eliminating the need for astronauts to perform the same task during a spacewalk.” <img class="alignleft wp-image-136553" src="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/rell_and_rits-655x491.jpg" alt="""</p" srcset="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/rell_and_rits-655x491.jpg 655w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/rell_and_rits-300x225.jpg 300w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/rell_and_rits-768x576.jpg 768w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/rell_and_rits-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/rell_and_rits-1280x960.jpg 1280w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/rell_and_rits-640x480.jpg 640w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/rell_and_rits.jpg 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 655px) 100vw, 655px" /> Both RiTS and RELL, as well as lessons learned in robotic servicing on the ISS, could be used on deep space destinations, such as NASA’s planned Lunar Gateway outpost later this decade. <h3>H-fixture removal work</h3> Once RiTS was installed and its occupants checked into their quarters, Cassidy and Behnken moved onto the second set of tasks, removing “H-fixtures” on the base of two solar arrays — mast canisters — on the port side of the ISS, according to NASA. These were originally used for ground processing of the arrays before they were launched and are no longer needed. In their place is expected to be installed a piece of equipment to hold new solar arrays within the next several years. Called iROSA, or<a href="https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/20190032191.pdf"> ISS Roll Out Solar Array</a>, these power-generating devices are designed to improve and augment the existing eight arrays, which collectively take up a space larger than an American football field. As they are aging — the oldest pair was launched in 2001 with the other three launched between 2006 and 2009. Each iROSA is expected to be placed in front of the legacy arrays, according to NASA, and be attached via a modification kit installed onto the same mount the H-fixtures are on. While each iROSA will shadow about two-thirds of the legacy arrays, the setup is expected to “increase power performance compared to the legacy ISS solar array.” <div id="attachment_136555" style="width: 1290px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-136555" class="wp-image-136555" src="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/iRosa_future-655x371.jpg" alt="The location of the six iROSA devices that are expected to be installed within the next several years. Credit: NASA" width="1280" height="725" srcset="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/iRosa_future-655x371.jpg 655w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/iRosa_future-300x170.jpg 300w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/iRosa_future-768x435.jpg 768w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/iRosa_future-640x362.jpg 640w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/iRosa_future.jpg 1268w" sizes="(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px" />The location of the six iROSA devices that are expected to be installed within the next several years. Credit: NASA</div> Ultimately, six iROSA devices will be delivered via three SpaceX Dragon cargo launches starting as early as 2021, according to NASA. Only two H-fixtures were removed during U.S. EVA-68. A total of six need to be removed for all six iROSA modification kits to be installed. One H-fixture was originally scheduled to be removed during the July 1 spacewalk. However, complications prevented its removal and required teams on the ground to re-evaluate their procedures and develop a way to pry them away from the canister. <div id="attachment_136556" style="width: 460px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-136556" class="wp-image-136556" src="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IMG_0588-879x485-1-655x361.jpg" alt="A rendering of the Bishop airlock on the port side of the Tranquility module. Credit: NanoRacks" width="450" height="248" srcset="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IMG_0588-879x485-1-655x361.jpg 655w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IMG_0588-879x485-1-300x166.jpg 300w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IMG_0588-879x485-1-768x424.jpg 768w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IMG_0588-879x485-1-640x353.jpg 640w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IMG_0588-879x485-1.jpg 879w" sizes="(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px" />A rendering of the Bishop airlock on the port side of the Tranquility module. Credit: NanoRacks</div> <h3>Preparing for Bishop</h3> The final major set of tasks planned for this spacewalk involved the removal of coverings on the port-side berthing cone on the Tranquility module. This was done to make way for a new commercial research airlock — NanoRacks’ Bishop airlock. Bishop is designed to allow for large volumes of equipment to be transferred outside the outpost. This would include CubeSats and commercial and government-sponsored experiments,<a href="https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2020/07/21/behnken-and-cassidy-conclude-ten-spacewalks-each/"> according to NASA</a>. This location was previously the home for the PMA-3 docking adapter. In 2017 it was moved to the space-facing port of the Harmony module to prepare for a second international docking adapter, which has since been installed. Bishop is expected to be sent to the ISS inside the SpaceX CRS-21 mission as early as fall 2020. Before heading in, the duo also routed Ethernet cables and removed a lens filter cover from an external camera, NASA said. Overall, this was the 10th spacewalk for Cassidy and Behnken, four of which occurred in the last month. <div id="attachment_136558" style="width: 1290px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-136558" class="wp-image-136558" src="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/50068043713_41710d401a_5k-655x437.jpg" alt="A view of the Crew Dragon spacecraft as seen by the spacewalking astronauts during an outing earlier in July. Credit: NASA" width="1280" height="854" srcset="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/50068043713_41710d401a_5k-655x437.jpg 655w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/50068043713_41710d401a_5k-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/50068043713_41710d401a_5k-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/50068043713_41710d401a_5k-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/50068043713_41710d401a_5k-1280x854.jpg 1280w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/50068043713_41710d401a_5k-640x427.jpg 640w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/50068043713_41710d401a_5k.jpg 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px" />A view of the Crew Dragon spacecraft as seen by the spacewalking astronauts during an outing earlier in July. Credit: NASA</div> Cassidy’s career spacewalking time now stands at 54 hours, 51 minutes. Behnken, meanwhile, is now at 61 hours, 10 minutes. This places them at ninth and fourth, respectively for most overall time spent outside a spacecraft. The duo also tied the record for the most spacewalks ever conducted by NASA astronauts — 10 each. The others are Michael Lopez-Alegria and Peggy Whitson. Additionally, this was the 231 spacewalk in support of ISS assembly and maintenance since 1998. According to NASA, spacewalkers have now spent a total of 60 days, 12 hours and 3 minutes outside the outpost. <div id="attachment_136560" style="width: 460px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-136560" class="wp-image-136560" src="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/49967417433_9e8c9d279a_k-655x436.jpg" alt="NASA astronauts Bob Behnken, left, and Doug Hurley shortly after they arrived aboard the ISS on May 31, 2020. Credit: NASA" width="450" height="300" srcset="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/49967417433_9e8c9d279a_k-655x436.jpg 655w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/49967417433_9e8c9d279a_k-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/49967417433_9e8c9d279a_k-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/49967417433_9e8c9d279a_k-1536x1023.jpg 1536w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/49967417433_9e8c9d279a_k-1280x853.jpg 1280w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/49967417433_9e8c9d279a_k-640x426.jpg 640w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/49967417433_9e8c9d279a_k.jpg 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px" />NASA astronauts Bob Behnken, left, and Doug Hurley shortly after they arrived aboard the ISS on May 31, 2020. Credit: NASA</div> <h3>Preparing to return to Earth</h3> With these spacewalks completed, the next major milestone for Behnken is to return to Earth with Doug Hurley. The two launched to the ISS on May 30 inside the Demo-2 Crew Dragon capsule is to return to Earth. This was the first human spaceflight from Florida since July 2011. Demo-2 is a test mission. While Hurley and Behnken helped augment the Expedition 63 crew, increasing its total size to five people, the duo’s other objectives were to evaluate Crew Dragon. This included, among other things, a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kw64FUpCNCA&" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">habitability test with four people</a> and a safe-haven test with the spacecraft sealed off from the outpost for 24 hours. With all of the major objectives at the ISS completed, only one major thing remains for the Demo-2 crew — returning home. As things stand now, the Demo-2 crew is expected to undock from the ISS on Aug. 1 and re-enter Earth’s atmosphere a day later on Aug. 2 to splash down off the coast of Cape Canaveral, Florida. A successful splashdown will allow NASA to finish going over the results of the mission, certifying it for operational use. The first such mission is set to occur some six weeks after splashdown with the launch of the Crew-1 mission. Crew-1 is slated to see NASA astronauts Michael Hopkins, Victor Glover and Shannon Walker, as well as Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi, fly to the ISS for a six-month stay. <iframe class='youtube-player' width='640' height='360' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/QGjfPYL9uQ8?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&autohide=2&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent' allowfullscreen='true' style='border:0;'></iframe> Video courtesy of NASA The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/missions/iss/spacewalkers-set-the-stage-for-future-iss-additions/">Spacewalkers set the stage for future ISS additions</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com">SpaceFlight Insider</a>. ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/missions/iss/spacewalkers-set-the-stage-for-future-iss-additions/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">136546</post-id> </item> <item> <title>SpaceX successfully catches both Anasis-2 fairing halves</title> <link>https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/organizations/space-exploration-technologies/spacex-successfully-catches-both-anasis-2-fairing-halves/</link> <comments>https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/organizations/space-exploration-technologies/spacex-successfully-catches-both-anasis-2-fairing-halves/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2020 15:55:38 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Matt Haskell]]></dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[SpaceX]]></category> <category><![CDATA[ANASIS 2]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Fairing]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Lead Stories]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Recovery]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/?p=136531</guid> <description><![CDATA[For the very first time in the history of the storied spaceflight provider SpaceX, both Falcon 9 payload fairing halves have been successfully caught mid-flight by the companies twin recovery ships. In a tweet put out by company CEO and owner Elon Musk, he stated “Both fairing halves caught from space by SpaceX ships!” The […] The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/organizations/space-exploration-technologies/spacex-successfully-catches-both-anasis-2-fairing-halves/">SpaceX successfully catches both Anasis-2 fairing halves</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com">SpaceFlight Insider</a>. ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="attachment_136534" style="width: 1310px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-136534" class="size-full wp-image-136534" src="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Fairing.jpeg" alt="" width="1300" height="867" srcset="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Fairing.jpeg 1300w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Fairing-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Fairing-655x437.jpeg 655w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Fairing-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Fairing-1280x854.jpeg 1280w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Fairing-640x427.jpeg 640w" sizes="(max-width: 1300px) 100vw, 1300px" />File photo of a Falcon 9 fairing half, resting in the net of one of two SpaceX fairing recovery ships as it arrives in Port Canaveral. Ms. Chief and Ms. Tree both caught fairing halves mid-air on July 20, 2020, following the launch of the ANASIS 2 mission. Photo: Theresa Cross, SpaceFlight Insider</div> For the very first time in the history of the storied spaceflight provider SpaceX, both Falcon 9 payload fairing halves have been successfully caught mid-flight by the companies twin recovery ships. In a tweet put out by company CEO and owner Elon Musk, he stated “Both fairing halves caught from space by SpaceX ships!” The tweet marks the culmination of several attempts to recover the fairings, which up until now has been a daunting task, one which has never occurred in the history of spaceflight. Making this possible is an elaborate system of thrusters and a large steerable parafoil. As the fairing begins to fall back after it is jettisoned from the rocket, the fairing is positioned in such a way to maximize survivability and slow the descent. Each composite fairing half costs just over $3 million to manufacture, which would otherwise fall from space and into the ocean. <div id="attachment_136533" style="width: 460px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-136533" class="wp-image-136533" src="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Ships-300x200.jpeg" alt="" width="450" height="300" srcset="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Ships-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Ships-655x437.jpeg 655w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Ships-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Ships-1280x854.jpeg 1280w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Ships-640x427.jpeg 640w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Ships.jpeg 1300w" sizes="(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px" />File photo of ‘GO Ms. Chief’, one of two SpaceX fairing recovery ships, alongside in Port Canaveral. Ms. Chief and Ms. Tree both caught fairing halves mid-flight on July 20, 2020, following the launch of he ANASIS 2 mission. Photo: Theresa Cross, SpaceFlight Insider</div> The company uses twin recovery ships dubbed “GO Ms. Tree” and “GG Ms. Chief” (pronounced ‘mystery’ and ‘mischief’, respectively) which are fitted with large cargo nets stretched across steel arms that significantly widen the boats target area. The ships move in conjunction with the parafoil fitted to the fairing halves in order to position themselves underneath the falling fairing for the optimal catch opportunity. The company has enjoyed limited success in its previous attempts, which began in 2017. In these earlier attempts, they caught a single fairing half 3 times, and on multiple other occasions fished the fairings out of the water and ultimately reused them on following flights, a continuation of the company’s goal to reuse as much as possible in order to further drive costs down. Ideally, each ship would catch the fairing mid-flight, preventing it from coming into contact with salt water; this greatly reduces the time and cost for refurbishment. Mid-flight catches can also significantly reduce the possibility of damages to the fairing. The July 20, 2020 mission also saw the successful recovery of the Falcon 9 first stage booster, which had previously launched American astronauts from US soil for the first time since the conclusion of the Space Shuttle program; it will likely be flown a third time. The payload, a South Korean military satellite, was placed into orbit successfully. <div id="attachment_136535" style="width: 1310px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-136535" class="size-full wp-image-136535" src="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/13FB6729-C021-46BC-B252-598B92828E09.jpeg" alt="" width="1300" height="867" srcset="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/13FB6729-C021-46BC-B252-598B92828E09.jpeg 1300w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/13FB6729-C021-46BC-B252-598B92828E09-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/13FB6729-C021-46BC-B252-598B92828E09-655x437.jpeg 655w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/13FB6729-C021-46BC-B252-598B92828E09-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/13FB6729-C021-46BC-B252-598B92828E09-1280x854.jpeg 1280w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/13FB6729-C021-46BC-B252-598B92828E09-640x427.jpeg 640w" sizes="(max-width: 1300px) 100vw, 1300px" />Liftoff of the ANASIS 2 mission, July 20, 2020. Photo: Theresa Cross, SpaceFlight Insider</div> While video or images of the recovery haven’t yet been released by SpaceX, (we believe to be likely due to the ships’ far offshore position) we can show you video (below) from a successful recovery, caught in August, 2019. Time will tell if this success is based on modifications made following the two most recent failed attempts to recover the fairings, or if it was simply pure luck. Keep tuned to Spaceflight Insider for further updates. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"> Rocket fairing falling from space (higher res) <a href="https://t.co/sa1j10qAWi">pic.twitter.com/sa1j10qAWi</a> — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1158968745227780096?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 7, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>   UPDATE: SpaceX has posted links to a pair of fairing capture videos <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"> Videos of yesterday’s catch of both fairing halves <a href="https://t.co/yzTDFzlulL">pic.twitter.com/yzTDFzlulL</a> — SpaceX (@SpaceX) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1285632260721573890?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 21, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"> <a href="https://t.co/4VHZr8gK6D">pic.twitter.com/4VHZr8gK6D</a> — SpaceX (@SpaceX) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1285632635335782401?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 21, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/organizations/space-exploration-technologies/spacex-successfully-catches-both-anasis-2-fairing-halves/">SpaceX successfully catches both Anasis-2 fairing halves</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com">SpaceFlight Insider</a>. ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/organizations/space-exploration-technologies/spacex-successfully-catches-both-anasis-2-fairing-halves/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>1</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">136531</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Minotaur IV sucessfully sends NROL-129 into blue, Virginia skies</title> <link>https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/organizations/northrop-grumman/minotaur-iv-sucessfully-sends-nrol-129-into-blue-virginia-skies/</link> <comments>https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/organizations/northrop-grumman/minotaur-iv-sucessfully-sends-nrol-129-into-blue-virginia-skies/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Wed, 15 Jul 2020 16:22:41 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Steve Hammer]]></dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Northrop Grumman]]></category> <category><![CDATA[US Space Force]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Wallops Flight Facility]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Lead Stories]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Minotaur IV]]></category> <category><![CDATA[NRO]]></category> <category><![CDATA[NROL-129]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Virginia Space]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/?p=136468</guid> <description><![CDATA[Virginia based Northrop Grumman today launched classified mission NROL-129 for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) aboard a Minotaur IV rocket from launchpad 0B at The Mid Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS), adjacent to NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Wallops Island, Virginia. The countdown clock was held at T-minus 16 minutes for 46 minutes, allowing for multiple […] The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/organizations/northrop-grumman/minotaur-iv-sucessfully-sends-nrol-129-into-blue-virginia-skies/">Minotaur IV sucessfully sends NROL-129 into blue, Virginia skies</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com">SpaceFlight Insider</a>. ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="attachment_136470" style="width: 1210px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-136470" class="size-full wp-image-136470" src="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC_3729v2.jpg" alt="Minotaur IV Rocket NROL-129 Launch" width="1200" height="650" srcset="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC_3729v2.jpg 1200w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC_3729v2-300x163.jpg 300w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC_3729v2-655x355.jpg 655w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC_3729v2-768x416.jpg 768w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC_3729v2-640x347.jpg 640w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" />Delayed but not denied, a Northrop Grumman Minotaur IV rocket successfully lifted the four-spacecraft NROL-129 payload into Low-Earth Orbit from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport, Wallops Island, VA. Liftoff was delayed by boat traffic in the hazard area, occurring at 9:46 am, July 15, 2020. Photo: Steve Hammer, SpaceFlight Insider</div> Virginia based Northrop Grumman today launched classified mission NROL-129 for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) aboard a Minotaur IV rocket from launchpad 0B at The Mid Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS), adjacent to NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Wallops Island, Virginia. The countdown clock was held at T-minus 16 minutes for 46 minutes, allowing for multiple boats to be cleared from the downrange hazard area. Support for the launch, which occurred at 9:46 am, 46 minutes into today’s launch window, was provided by the United States Space Force (USSF) Space and Missile Systems Center’s (SMC) Launch Enterprise Program. <div id="attachment_136459" style="width: 665px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-136459" class="wp-image-136459 size-large" src="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/107773902_2751005438464166_2513653455405212065_o-655x437.jpg" alt="" width="655" height="437" srcset="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/107773902_2751005438464166_2513653455405212065_o-655x437.jpg 655w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/107773902_2751005438464166_2513653455405212065_o-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/107773902_2751005438464166_2513653455405212065_o-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/107773902_2751005438464166_2513653455405212065_o-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/107773902_2751005438464166_2513653455405212065_o-1280x854.jpg 1280w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/107773902_2751005438464166_2513653455405212065_o-640x427.jpg 640w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/107773902_2751005438464166_2513653455405212065_o.jpg 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 655px) 100vw, 655px" />The classified payload for NROL-129 was the first mission to be flowed through the new payload processing facility at Wallops Island, prior to liftoff at 9:46 am, July 15, 2020. Photo: NRO</div> The SMC, located at Los Angeles Air Force Base in El Segundo, California, is the center of excellence for acquiring and developing military space systems. SMC’s portfolio includes space launch, global positioning systems, military satellite communications, a defense meteorological satellite control network, range systems, space-based infrared systems, and space situational awareness capabilities. Today’s mission consisted of lofting four classified spacecraft, developed and built to be operated by the NRO. The NRO is the U.S. Government agency in charge of designing, building, launching, and maintaining America’s reconnaissance, as well as operating associated data processing facilities in support of national security. The agency uses a variety of satellites in its hybrid approach designed to provide global coverage. The launch of the NROL-129 mission supports the NRO’s overarching national security goal by providing data to the intelligence community and the Department of Defense. <div id="attachment_136469" style="width: 665px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-136469" class="wp-image-136469 size-large" src="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC_1173v2-655x655.jpg" alt="" width="655" height="655" srcset="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC_1173v2-655x655.jpg 655w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC_1173v2-300x300.jpg 300w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC_1173v2-204x204.jpg 204w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC_1173v2-640x640.jpg 640w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC_1173v2.jpg 750w" sizes="(max-width: 655px) 100vw, 655px" />Distant clouds form a backdrop to the initial seconds of flight for this Minotaur IV rocket, launched July 15, 2020 in support of the NROL-129 mission. Photo: Steve Hammer, SpaceFlight Insider</div> “I am thrilled with today’s successful launch for our NRO mission partner, and look forward to our additional missions with Northrop Grumman,” stated Lt. Col. Ryan Rose, chief of SMC Launch Enterprise’s Small Launch and Targets Division. “This was the first USSF mission and the first dedicated NRO mission from WFF and we look forward to continuing to launch national priority satellites for our NRO mission partner.” The mission took to the mostly clear and blue coastal skies atop the 78ft tall, Northrop Grumman four stage Minotaur IV launch vehicle. The first three stages employ solid fuel motors provided by the government from decommissioned Peacekeeper ICBMs, while the upper stage is a Northrop Grumman commercial Orion 38 motor. It has a payload capacity of up to 3814 lbs, and is part of the wider Minotaur family of rockets, all built and operated by Northrop Grumman. The Mid Atlantic Regional Spaceport is located in the northern portion of Virginia’s Eastern Shore on Wallops Island. The complex consists of three launchpads. Antares rockets, which are used to resupply the International Space Station as a part of NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) program, utilize Pad 0A, while Pad 0B is used for the Minotaur family of launch vehicles. A new Launch Complex-2 was recently built to support the Rocket Lab Electron satellite launch vehicle, expanding the island’s rich history as a flight facility with over 16,000 rockets having been launched since 1945. The NROL-129 launch was awarded in 2017 and was originally planned for fall 2019. It was subsequently delayed to February 15 and March 31 and was the first Minotaur to launch from Wallops Island since NASA’s LADEE mission headed to the Moon in the fall of 2013. Today’s launch was the second launch from MARS in 2020, with the next NRO mission from MARS scheduled for 2nd quarter of  2021.   The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/organizations/northrop-grumman/minotaur-iv-sucessfully-sends-nrol-129-into-blue-virginia-skies/">Minotaur IV sucessfully sends NROL-129 into blue, Virginia skies</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com">SpaceFlight Insider</a>. ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/organizations/northrop-grumman/minotaur-iv-sucessfully-sends-nrol-129-into-blue-virginia-skies/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>1</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">136468</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Northrop Grumman set to loft NROL-129 atop Minotaur IV</title> <link>https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/organizations/northrop-grumman/northrop-grumman-set-to-loft-nrol-129-atop-minotaur-iv/</link> <comments>https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/organizations/northrop-grumman/northrop-grumman-set-to-loft-nrol-129-atop-minotaur-iv/#respond</comments> <pubDate>Wed, 15 Jul 2020 00:24:15 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Sean Costello]]></dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Northrop Grumman]]></category> <category><![CDATA[US Space Force]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Wallops Flight Facility]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Lead Stories]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Minotaur IV]]></category> <category><![CDATA[NRO]]></category> <category><![CDATA[NROL-129]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Wallops Island]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/?p=136455</guid> <description><![CDATA[Teams from Northrop Grumman, the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and the Mid-Atlantic Spaceport (MARS) are all reporting as being poised and ready to launch the NROL-129 mission tomorrow, July 15, 2020, atop a Minotaur IV rocket. Even the weather appears to be supportive, with the latest forecast indicating only a 10% chance of violating acceptable […] The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/organizations/northrop-grumman/northrop-grumman-set-to-loft-nrol-129-atop-minotaur-iv/">Northrop Grumman set to loft NROL-129 atop Minotaur IV</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com">SpaceFlight Insider</a>. ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="attachment_136456" style="width: 1210px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-136456" class="size-full wp-image-136456" src="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC_1014-001.jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="800" srcset="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC_1014-001.jpg 1200w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC_1014-001-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC_1014-001-655x437.jpg 655w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC_1014-001-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DSC_1014-001-640x427.jpg 640w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" />The Northrop Grumman Minotaur IV NROL-129 launch vehicle sits ready on Pad 0B at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport on Wallops Island, VA, July 14, 2020. Photo: Steve Hammer, SpaceFlight Insider</div> Teams from <a href="https://www.northropgrumman.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Northrop Grumman</a>, the <a href="https://www.nro.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">National Reconnaissance Office</a> (NRO) and the <a href="https://www.vaspace.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Mid-Atlantic Spaceport </a>(MARS) are all reporting as being poised and ready to launch the NROL-129 mission tomorrow, July 15, 2020, atop a Minotaur IV rocket. Even the weather appears to be supportive, with the latest forecast indicating only a 10% chance of violating acceptable launch weather constraints, with the limited concern lying with a risk of low clouds. Due to the secure nature of the NRO mission, payload and flight path, Northrop Grumman staff were unable to advise on the exact length of tomorrow’s launch window, but it has been confirmed to open for a launch from Wallops Island Launch Pad 0B at 9:00 am Eastern Daylight Time. If for any reason the launch does not occur as planned on July 15, a backup window has been secured with the range for the same timings on July 16. <div id="attachment_136459" style="width: 509px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-136459" class="wp-image-136459" src="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/107773902_2751005438464166_2513653455405212065_o.jpg" alt="" width="499" height="333" srcset="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/107773902_2751005438464166_2513653455405212065_o.jpg 1600w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/107773902_2751005438464166_2513653455405212065_o-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/107773902_2751005438464166_2513653455405212065_o-655x437.jpg 655w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/107773902_2751005438464166_2513653455405212065_o-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/107773902_2751005438464166_2513653455405212065_o-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/107773902_2751005438464166_2513653455405212065_o-1280x854.jpg 1280w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/107773902_2751005438464166_2513653455405212065_o-640x427.jpg 640w" sizes="(max-width: 499px) 100vw, 499px" />The classified payload for NROL-129 was the first mission to be flowed through the new payload processing facility at Wallops Island. Photo: NRO</div> During an exclusive pre-launch interview with Northrop Grumman’s Kurt Eberly, Director, Small and Medium Space Launch, SpaceFlight Insider learned that tomorrow’s mission will be the first to fly after having been flowed through a brand-new payload processing facility on Wallops Island, VA. “It’s a really great facility, right here on Wallops Island. It has several high bays, has a clean room, has fueling capability, has classified processing capabilities – [Virginia Space] has really brought a lot of new capability to the Wallops range, by collaborating with the NRO and developing this new payload processing facility.”   The NROL-129 Minotaur is also the first 100% NRO-dedicated mission to fly from Wallops Island, following a mixed-customer launch of <a href="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/organizations/northrop-grumman/northrop-grummans-ng-12-paints-the-sky-in-honor-of-an-american-legend/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Cygnus NG-12</a> last fall, which included the release of NRO CubeSats following launch aboard an Antares rocket. Eberly, who has been working professionally to support rocket launches since 1991, also provided some detail about the background of the vehicle which will carry tomorrow’s payload to orbit – the venerable Minotaur IV. The Minotaur family of rockets make use of surplus rocket motors which were retired from prior military programs as a result of various treaties and changes in the defense landscape. In the case of NROL-129’s Minotaur IV, the first three (of four) stages are former Peacekeeper missile system components, which would have been cast and cured in Utah between 1988 and 1990; the fourth stage is powered by an Orion 38 (38-inch diameter) motor. When asked about what it took to proceed toward tomorrow’s launch in the era of the 2020 novel coronavirus / COVID-19 pandemic, Eberly shared that workplace innovation and a strong commitment to the health and safety of all personnel were the cornerstones for success. “Northrop Grumman puts the health and safety of our workforce in front of everything else, including the health and safety of the partners that we work with – our spaceport partners, the NASA host range and of course our customer”. Expanding on the strategic methods employed, he continued “First, we performed a review of all of our operations – folks who could contribute from home, are at home. For those people who are required onsite, everyone needs to stay six feet away from each other, and everyone needs to be wearing a mask and other appropriate PPE.” <div id="attachment_136462" style="width: 1290px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-136462" class="size-full wp-image-136462" src="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Minotaur.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" srcset="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Minotaur.jpg 1280w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Minotaur-300x169.jpg 300w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Minotaur-655x368.jpg 655w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Minotaur-768x432.jpg 768w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Minotaur-640x360.jpg 640w" sizes="(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px" />This launch visibility map shows the approximate locations where people on the Atlantic seaboard might catch a glimpse of the NROL-129 rocket in flight. Rings are listed by seconds after liftoff, in good seeing conditions. Credit: NASA</div> Acknowledging that there would invariably be operations which required people to be closer than six feet, Eberly described their innovative approach to the challenge: “We created a senior review board, a panel of three folks who review any proposed close distance operations. At first, they challenge the staff to make sure that it really is required, that they be close together. We have found in numerous instances that if [the teams] just think about it more creatively, they come up with a way to do it while maintaining distance.” Once the countdown picks up, and even following liftoff, launch teams will be monitoring the flight’s telemetry as usual, but also from a safe distance. “In collaboration with the Wallops range, we’ve skipped every other console position in the control rooms and we’ve occupied an additional control room that wouldn’t normally be used. We also have stood up an engineering backroom at our base of operations in Chandler, Arizona. It’s going to have live telemetry and com links to the nets out here in Wallops, allowing us to keep some folks back in Chandler who would normally have traveled to the launch site.” Summarizing the situation before returning to the work of the day prior to a launch, Eberly concluded: “The rocket’s ready, the spacecrafts are ready. We had the launch readiness review on Monday and all parties brought their status and reported readiness to proceed. Credit to the teams for being able to stay on track and keep the schedule.” Watch SpaceFlight Insider for updates on the NROL-129 launch, flight and mission, as well as for additional reports on the topic of Northrop Grumman’s updated avionics within the Minotaur design. The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/organizations/northrop-grumman/northrop-grumman-set-to-loft-nrol-129-atop-minotaur-iv/">Northrop Grumman set to loft NROL-129 atop Minotaur IV</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com">SpaceFlight Insider</a>. ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/organizations/northrop-grumman/northrop-grumman-set-to-loft-nrol-129-atop-minotaur-iv/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">136455</post-id> </item> <item> <title>OneWeb to receive USD $1 Billion from United Kingdom, Bharti Global</title> <link>https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/organizations/oneweb/oneweb-to-receive-usd-1-billion-from-united-kingdom-bharti-global/</link> <comments>https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/organizations/oneweb/oneweb-to-receive-usd-1-billion-from-united-kingdom-bharti-global/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Wed, 08 Jul 2020 08:00:05 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Theresa Cross]]></dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[General News]]></category> <category><![CDATA[OneWeb]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Bharti Global]]></category> <category><![CDATA[investment]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Lead Stories]]></category> <category><![CDATA[UK]]></category> <category><![CDATA[united kingdom]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/?p=136413</guid> <description><![CDATA[On July 3, OneWeb announced that a consortium of Her Majesty’s Government (through the UK Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy) and Bharti Global Limited had committed to provide more than USD$1 billion to acquire OneWeb and fund the full restart of its business operations.OneWeb, the global communications company which was founded […] The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/organizations/oneweb/oneweb-to-receive-usd-1-billion-from-united-kingdom-bharti-global/">OneWeb to receive USD $1 Billion from United Kingdom, Bharti Global</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com">SpaceFlight Insider</a>. ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="attachment_134504" style="width: 1310px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-134504" class="size-full wp-image-134504" src="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/OneWeb_IMG_2707.jpg" alt="OneWeb Factory" width="1300" height="867" srcset="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/OneWeb_IMG_2707.jpg 1300w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/OneWeb_IMG_2707-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/OneWeb_IMG_2707-655x437.jpg 655w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/OneWeb_IMG_2707-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/OneWeb_IMG_2707-1280x854.jpg 1280w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/OneWeb_IMG_2707-640x427.jpg 640w" sizes="(max-width: 1300px) 100vw, 1300px" />The OneWeb Satellites factory was formally opened during a ribbon cutting in Merritt Island, Fla. in July, 2019. Photo: Matt Haskell, SpaceFlight Insider</div> On July 3, OneWeb <a href="https://www.oneweb.world/media-center/oneweb-announces-hmg-and-bharti-global-limited-consortium-as-winning-bidders-in-court-supervised-sale-process" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">announced</a> that a consortium of Her Majesty’s Government (through the UK Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy) and Bharti Global Limited had committed to provide more than USD$1 billion to acquire OneWeb and fund the full restart of its business operations.OneWeb, the global communications company which was founded by Greg Wyler, had recently <a href="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/space-flight-news/oneweb-announces-layoffs-files-for-bankruptcy-following-latest-launch/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">filed for bankruptcy protection</a>. Among the factors leading to OneWeb’s spring challenges, management referenced the COVID-19 pandemic for impacting its ability to raise capital. The company had to lay off 85% of its 531 employees prior to filing for Chapter11 relief. The company’s remaining employees were left to manage the 74 currently launched satellites. OneWeb had seen an increasingly significant interest in their high-speed low-latency connectivity services, drawing attention from governments, aviation industries, automotive and the maritime industries to name just a few. <div id="attachment_136415" style="width: 410px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-136415" class="wp-image-136415" src="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/OneWeb-Sat.png" alt="" width="400" height="224" srcset="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/OneWeb-Sat.png 1070w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/OneWeb-Sat-300x168.png 300w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/OneWeb-Sat-655x366.png 655w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/OneWeb-Sat-768x429.png 768w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/OneWeb-Sat-640x358.png 640w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" />An artist’s illustration of a OneWeb satellite on orbit. Credit: OneWeb</div> OneWeb is headquartered in the UK, while their manufacturing capability remains in a <a href="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/missions/commercial/oneweb-and-airbus-open-facility-for-mass-production-of-communication-satellites/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">recently opened Cape Canaveral, FL facility</a>. The $500 million dollar investment by the British government, alongside a similar amount from Bharti Global LTD, which is part of a group controlling the third largest mobile operator in the world, is to provide a revenue base to contribute to its future success. This acquisition will enable the company to move forward with and complete a global satellite constellation and offer the UK other strategic opportunities across a broader range of applications in conjunction with allies around the globe. The investment is still subject to creditor, court approval and regulatory clearances, but it is expected to close by the end of 2020. Still, despite the positive announcement, questions remain – on both sides of the Atlantic: Darren Jones, an Member of Parliament from Bristol, England <a href="https://twitter.com/darrenpjones/status/1279022647720935424" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">tweeted</a>, “The Government is expected to invest £0.5bn, buying a largely US-based bankrupt satellite company, in place of its original commitment to fund a UK-manufactured sovereign capability. I’ve written to the Secretary of State to ask how this decision has been made.” UK Ambassador Dame Karen Pierce and U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for International Security and Non-proliferation, Christopher Ford, recently signed the US-UK Technology Safeguards Agreement. Executed on June 16, 2020, the Agreement means that US space and technology companies throughout the supply chain can contribute to and benefit from the commercial opportunities offered by the UK space sector, which already employs some 42,000 people and generates an income of £14.8 billion each year. The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/organizations/oneweb/oneweb-to-receive-usd-1-billion-from-united-kingdom-bharti-global/">OneWeb to receive USD $1 Billion from United Kingdom, Bharti Global</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com">SpaceFlight Insider</a>. ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/organizations/oneweb/oneweb-to-receive-usd-1-billion-from-united-kingdom-bharti-global/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>1</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">136413</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Commercial spaceflight advocate outlines revolution in the field</title> <link>https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/missions/commercial/commercial-spaceflight-advocate-outlines-revolution-in-the-field/</link> <comments>https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/missions/commercial/commercial-spaceflight-advocate-outlines-revolution-in-the-field/#comments</comments> <pubDate>Tue, 07 Jul 2020 20:32:32 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Laurel Kornfeld]]></dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Commercial]]></category> <category><![CDATA[commercial spaceflight]]></category> <category><![CDATA[ISS]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Moon]]></category> <category><![CDATA[SpaceX]]></category> <category><![CDATA[The Range]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/?p=136366</guid> <description><![CDATA[Bruce Pittman of NASA’s Space Portal Office, a 35-year advocate for commercial spaceflight, outlined his vision of the endeavor over the next 42 months in a June webinar run by NASA’s Night Sky Network. Titled “A Revolution in Commercial Space Development: The Next 42 Months,” Pittman’s talk began with a historic perspective starting with NASA’s […] The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/missions/commercial/commercial-spaceflight-advocate-outlines-revolution-in-the-field/">Commercial spaceflight advocate outlines revolution in the field</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com">SpaceFlight Insider</a>. ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="attachment_136375" style="width: 1610px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-136375" class="wp-image-136375 size-full" src="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Cygnus-and-Dragon.jpg" alt="" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Cygnus-and-Dragon.jpg 1600w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Cygnus-and-Dragon-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Cygnus-and-Dragon-655x437.jpg 655w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Cygnus-and-Dragon-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Cygnus-and-Dragon-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Cygnus-and-Dragon-1280x854.jpg 1280w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Cygnus-and-Dragon-640x427.jpg 640w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px" />Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus is grabbed by the ISS Canadarm2 robotic arm. SpaceX’s Dragon is visible behind the arm, attached to the ISS Unity module. Photo Credit: NASA Commercial Space Image Gallery</div> Bruce Pittman of NASA’s <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/ames/partnerships/spaceportal" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Space Portal Office</a>, a 35-year advocate for commercial spaceflight, outlined his vision of the endeavor over the next 42 months in a June webinar run by NASA’s <a href="https://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Night Sky Network</a>. Titled “A Revolution in Commercial Space Development: The Next 42 Months,” Pittman’s talk began with a historic perspective starting with NASA’s retiring of the space shuttle in 2009. The decision to end the shuttle program was actually made in 2004 and announced by then-President George W. Bush after construction of the International Space Station (<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ISS</a>) was completed. It left the space agency in a difficult situation because the shuttle was used regularly to bring both astronauts and supplies to the space station. Early Stages of Public-Private Partnership: <div id="attachment_136374" style="width: 330px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-136374" class="wp-image-136374 size-full" src="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Bruce-Pittman.jpeg" alt="" width="320" height="448" srcset="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Bruce-Pittman.jpeg 320w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Bruce-Pittman-214x300.jpeg 214w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" />Bruce Pittman of NASA’s Space Portal team. Photo Credit: NASA Ames</div> Pittman, the Director of Commercial Space Development at <a href="https://www.offworld.ai" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">OffWorld Inc.</a>, is currently working as a contractor in the Space Portal Office. Emphasizing that he was speaking for himself and not for NASA in an official capacity, he referenced how he had joined NASA’s newly-formed Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/commercial-orbital-transportation-services-cots" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">COTS</a>) program, which was allocated $500 million over a five-year period to to develop partnerships with commercial companies for the transportation of supplies and eventually astronauts to the ISS. “Partnering with private industry shifts some risk and funding government takes to private companies but gives private companies more flexibility,” he said. The program’s first contracts were awarded to <a href="https://www.spacex.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">SpaceX</a> and the <a href="https://news.northropgrumman.com/news/releases/company-profile-for-orbital-sciences-corporation-6698282" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Orbital Sciences Corporation</a>. SpaceX is the launch provider which has developed the <a href="https://www.spacex.com/vehicles/falcon-9/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Falcon 9</a> rocket and the <a href="https://www.spacex.com/vehicles/dragon/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Dragon</a> supply capsule while Orbital Sciences Corporation, now part of <a href="https://www.northropgrumman.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Northrop Grumman</a>, is the firm which produced the <a href="https://www.northropgrumman.com/space/antares-rocket/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Antares</a> rocket and <a href="https://www.northropgrumman.com/space/cygnus-spacecraft/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Cygnus</a> vehicle. Falcon 9 made its first flight in 2010 and its first docking at the ISS two years later. Since then, it has doubled its initial performance. But its most notable feature is its reusability.   The space shuttle never flew more than nine times a year, mostly because refurbishing it and readying it for new flights took a long time. By introducing reusability, SpaceX has made frequent launches a reality. In terms of the capsule, the Dragon returns to Earth by landing in the ocean, where a ship carries it back to land. In contrast, Cygnus can transport just one load of supplies to the ISS because it burns up on re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere. To date, SpaceX has conducted 20 cargo flights to the space station while Antares and Cygnus delivered 14. “SpaceX has been driving innovation in the aerospace industry,” Pittman stated, noting that both they and <a href="https://www.boeing.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Boeing</a> contracted with NASA in 2014 to carry astronauts to and from the ISS. In May of this year, SpaceX famously conducted the first launch of American astronauts from American soil using American rockets in nine years via the Crew Dragon. Boeing conducted an un-crewed test of its <a href="http://www.boeing.com/space/starliner/launch/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Starliner</a>, also designed to ferry astronauts to and from the ISS, but experienced some problems during that test. The company will likely launch its first crewed flight next year, Pittman said. “This opens a new era of commercial space development and private access to space,” he emphasized. The US has been paying Russia $81 million per seat per launch to send American astronauts to the ISS over the last nine years, he noted. Benefits of Using Private Companies: In contrast to NASA, private companies can own and operate their own systems. The government’s role is simply that of a client. Commercial spaceflight will allow private companies to fly astronauts, including space tourists, completely independent of NASA. <a href="https://bigelowaerospace.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bigelow Aerospace</a> (who in March 2020 laid off its entire workforce) currently has one of its expandable modules on the space station, and <a href="https://www.axiomspace.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Axiom Space</a> negotiated the right to dock its own module there in 2024. Actor Tom Cruise plans to ride with Axiom to the space station, where he hopes to film a movie. Private companies are also launching their own satellites. SpaceX also leads in that area, having launched the <a href="https://www.starlink.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Starlink</a> system, a series of low-Earth orbit communications satellites that provide broadband Internet to all locations on Earth. These satellites, which fly below the ISS, will have laser interconnects that will enable them to communicate with one another. “The market for this could be in the $20-$30 billion dollar range, especially for undeveloped areas,” Pittman emphasized. <a href="https://www.planet.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Planet</a>, a private company that images the Earth every day to facilitate global change, launched approximately 250 extremely small satellites and three higher-resolution satellites, all of which take detailed pictures of every part of Earth’s solid surface every day. By this fall, 21 of the latter group will be in orbit. This technology makes it possible to closely observe crucial developments, such as deforestation in the Amazon. Commercial spaceflight is also making it easier for non-NASA individuals to access the ISS. The US portion of the space station has been made into a national science laboratory operated but not owned by NASA, Pittman said. Science experiments now being conducted include research in the life sciences, fiber optics, and 3D printing. The latter marks the start of manufacturing items in space. Two 3D printers currently on the ISS are printing beating heart tissue from human stem cells in microgravity. Eventually, scientists will be able to print kidneys, lungs, and livers as well. “In space, you can print whatever shape that you want, and it will stay where you put it.” <div id="attachment_136376" style="width: 665px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-136376" class="wp-image-136376 size-large" src="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Three-D-Printing-on-ISS-655x491.jpg" alt="" width="655" height="491" srcset="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Three-D-Printing-on-ISS-655x491.jpg 655w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Three-D-Printing-on-ISS-300x225.jpg 300w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Three-D-Printing-on-ISS-640x480.jpg 640w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Three-D-Printing-on-ISS.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 655px) 100vw, 655px" />NASA astronaut Andrew Morgan setting up BioFabrication Laboratory on ISS using 3D printer. Photo Credit: NASA</div> Beyond the ISS, commercial spaceflight is also facilitating the development of robots, tethers, and a mission extension vehicle that can extend the life of satellites. Over the next 18 months, private companies will roll out new launch vehicles and capsules, such as the <a href="https://www.ulalaunch.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ULA</a> <a href="https://www.ulalaunch.com/rockets/vulcan-centaur" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Vulcan</a>, which will replace the <a href="https://www.ulalaunch.com/rockets/atlas-v" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Atlas V</a>,the <a href="https://www.blueorigin.com/new-glenn/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">New Glenn</a>, and SpaceX‘s <a href="https://www.spacex.com/vehicles/starship/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Starship</a>.  Pittman foresees launch vehicles having “point to point suborbital capability,” meaning they will be able to launch from offshore platforms and travel long distances, such as going from London to Sidney in 51 minutes. This will be used only for cargo until until flight safety for people is demonstrated, which he expects to occur by the end of the decade. The Moon and Mars: Private companies are facilitating a new era in lunar exploration as well. NASA has two programs in this area. One, the Commercial Lunar Payload Service (<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/content/commercial-lunar-payload-services" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CLPS</a>) program, calls for robotic return to the Moon. This includes private landers, a water exploration rover, and various other robotic payloads. The other program is aimed at landing humans on the Moon. NASA has allocated nearly$1 billion to three companies–<a href="https://www.dynetics.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Dynetics</a>, SpaceX, and <a href="https://www.blueorigin.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Blue Origin</a>–to design vehicles capable of returning astronauts to the Moon by 2024. For the more distant future, Elon Musk of SpaceX and Jeff Bezos of Blue Origin have much bigger plans. Musk wants to build a city on Mars, for which SpaceX is developing the Starship, which will be capable of carrying 100 people to the Red Planet. Bezos envisions millions of people living in space and rezoning the Earth for solely residential and light industrial activity. Commercial spaceflight will be a subject of discussion at the National Space Society‘s (<a href="https://space.nss.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">NSS</a>) <a href="https://adayinspace.nss.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Day in Space</a> virtual event, scheduled for July 16, Pittman said. Registration is now open for this free event. <iframe class='youtube-player' width='640' height='360' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/hZB9S6l2R-A?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&autohide=2&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent' allowfullscreen='true' style='border:0;'></iframe> The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/missions/commercial/commercial-spaceflight-advocate-outlines-revolution-in-the-field/">Commercial spaceflight advocate outlines revolution in the field</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com">SpaceFlight Insider</a>. ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/missions/commercial/commercial-spaceflight-advocate-outlines-revolution-in-the-field/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>2</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">136366</post-id> </item> <item> <title>SpaceX set to launch third GPS-III satellite, SV03</title> <link>https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/organizations/space-exploration-technologies/spacex-set-to-launch-third-gps-iii-satellite-sv03/</link> <comments>https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/organizations/space-exploration-technologies/spacex-set-to-launch-third-gps-iii-satellite-sv03/#respond</comments> <pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2020 17:48:51 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Matt Haskell]]></dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[SpaceX]]></category> <category><![CDATA[US Air Force]]></category> <category><![CDATA[GPS III]]></category> <category><![CDATA[GPS III SV03]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Lead Stories]]></category> <category><![CDATA[SLC 40]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/?p=136343</guid> <description><![CDATA[SpaceX is poised to launch the next satellite in the GPS-III series atop its proven Falcon 9 rocket on Tuesday, marking the newest launch of the new satellite constellation. This flight marks the third for the new GPS-III constellation, the first having been flown by SpaceX in December, and second by United Launch Alliance, during […] The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/organizations/space-exploration-technologies/spacex-set-to-launch-third-gps-iii-satellite-sv03/">SpaceX set to launch third GPS-III satellite, SV03</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com">SpaceFlight Insider</a>. ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="attachment_136344" style="width: 1310px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-136344" class="size-full wp-image-136344" src="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/106496548_1610711832409543_2467753010695182907_n.jpg" alt="GPSIIISV03 SLC-40 Pad" width="1300" height="671" srcset="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/106496548_1610711832409543_2467753010695182907_n.jpg 1300w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/106496548_1610711832409543_2467753010695182907_n-300x155.jpg 300w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/106496548_1610711832409543_2467753010695182907_n-655x338.jpg 655w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/106496548_1610711832409543_2467753010695182907_n-768x396.jpg 768w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/106496548_1610711832409543_2467753010695182907_n-1280x661.jpg 1280w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/106496548_1610711832409543_2467753010695182907_n-640x330.jpg 640w" sizes="(max-width: 1300px) 100vw, 1300px" />The GPS III Space Vehicle 03 payload is safely encapsulated and awaiting liftoff, set to fly on June 30, 2020 atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 booster. Photo: Matt Haskell, SpaceFlight Insider</div> SpaceX is poised to launch the next satellite in the GPS-III series atop its proven Falcon 9 rocket on Tuesday, marking the newest launch of the new satellite constellation. This flight marks the third for the new GPS-III constellation, the first having been flown by <a href="http://www.spacex.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">SpaceX</a> in December, and second by United Launch Alliance, during the retirement flight of the Delta IV Medium rocket. Built by Lockheed Martin, #GPSIII is a new series of 10 satellites, offering significant improvement over the previous generation of satellites, GPS-2F; improvements include 8 times the jamming resistance capability, and a signal 3 times as accurate. With a design life of 25 years, the satellites also have a lifespan 25% longer than the previous generation. The new satellites also serve to maintain the active lifespan of the Navstar Global Positioning System, a constellation of 31 operational satellites. <div id="attachment_136346" style="width: 210px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-136346" class="wp-image-136346 size-medium" src="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/3P7A1536-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" srcset="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/3P7A1536-200x300.jpg 200w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/3P7A1536-436x655.jpg 436w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/3P7A1536-768x1153.jpg 768w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/3P7A1536-640x961.jpg 640w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/3P7A1536.jpg 866w" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" />Falcon9 Booster 1060.1 awaits liftoff of the GPSIIISV03 mission, June 30, 2020. Photo: Theresa Cross, SpaceFlight Insider</div> Unique to this launch is a special dedication by the <a href="https://www.patrick.af.mil/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">45th Space Wing</a>, honoring the late Space Force Colonel Thomas Falzarano, Commander of the 21st Space Wing at Peterson AFB, who recently passed away after 26 years of dedicated service to the country, the USAF, and space flight. In honor of his passing, the 45th Space Wing has decided to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/45thSpaceWing/photos/a.10150123411430012/10164099463565012/?type=3&theater" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">dedicate this launch to his memory</a>, and will feature a tribute to his memory on their FaceBook and media channels approximately 30 minutes before launch. The launch is scheduled for 3:56pm EST, and will feature an offshore recovery attempt on the companies newly upgraded drone ship,  “Just Read The Instructions,” which was used for the successful recovery of Starlink L7 following a lengthy period of upgrade, which included a transfer from the Vandenberg west coast launch site. The latest weather reports for today’s launch indicate a 60 percent chance of go, with the concerns for violation citing the cumulus cloud rule, anvil cloud rule, and surface electricity field level rule. Stay tuned to Spaceflight Insider for continued updates on the launch and the GPS program. <div id="attachment_136347" style="width: 1310px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-136347" class="wp-image-136347 size-full" src="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/069A1627.jpg" alt="" width="1300" height="866" srcset="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/069A1627.jpg 1300w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/069A1627-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/069A1627-655x436.jpg 655w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/069A1627-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/069A1627-1280x853.jpg 1280w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/069A1627-640x426.jpg 640w" sizes="(max-width: 1300px) 100vw, 1300px" />GPS-III SV03 payload fairing, atop Falcon 9 B1060.1. Photo: Theresa Cross, SpaceFlight Insider</div> The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/organizations/space-exploration-technologies/spacex-set-to-launch-third-gps-iii-satellite-sv03/">SpaceX set to launch third GPS-III satellite, SV03</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com">SpaceFlight Insider</a>. ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/organizations/space-exploration-technologies/spacex-set-to-launch-third-gps-iii-satellite-sv03/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">136343</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Pluto’s subsurface ocean may date back to planet’s formation</title> <link>https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/missions/solar-system/plutos-subsurface-ocean-may-date-back-to-planets-formation/</link> <comments>https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/missions/solar-system/plutos-subsurface-ocean-may-date-back-to-planets-formation/#respond</comments> <pubDate>Mon, 29 Jun 2020 13:44:51 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Laurel Kornfeld]]></dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Solar System]]></category> <category><![CDATA[dwarf planets]]></category> <category><![CDATA[habitability]]></category> <category><![CDATA[ocean]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Pluto]]></category> <category><![CDATA[The Range]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/?p=136284</guid> <description><![CDATA[Scientists who recently studied the detailed images of Pluto’s surface returned by NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft in July 2015 have found evidence that the dwarf planet’s subsurface ocean may have been around since Pluto’s formation over four billion years ago. Pluto has long been thought to have begun its life as a cold icy rock […] The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/missions/solar-system/plutos-subsurface-ocean-may-date-back-to-planets-formation/">Pluto’s subsurface ocean may date back to planet’s formation</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com">SpaceFlight Insider</a>. ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="attachment_136287" style="width: 1051px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-136287" class="wp-image-136287 size-full" src="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Pluto-2.png" alt="" width="1041" height="1041" srcset="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Pluto-2.png 1041w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Pluto-2-300x300.png 300w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Pluto-2-655x655.png 655w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Pluto-2-204x204.png 204w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Pluto-2-768x768.png 768w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Pluto-2-640x640.png 640w" sizes="(max-width: 1041px) 100vw, 1041px" />Pluto as imaged by New Horizons. Image Credit: NASA/JHUAPL/SwRI</div> Scientists who recently studied the detailed images of Pluto’s surface returned by NASA’s <a href="http://pluto.jhuapl.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">New Horizons</a> spacecraft in July 2015 have found evidence that the dwarf planet’s <a href="https://www.inverse.com/science/pluto-hot-star" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">subsurface ocean</a> may have been around since Pluto’s formation over four billion years ago. Pluto has long been thought to have begun its life as a cold icy rock far from the Sun. Its underground liquid ocean was believed to have been created significantly later through heat generated by the radioactive decay of rock, which melted part of its icy shell. But now, new evidence in the form of Pluto’s varied surface features suggests it formed as a hot world with a liquid ocean beneath its surface. That heat may have been the product of violent impacts on proto-Pluto, combined with decay of radioactive elements in its rocks. Every impacting object would have generated more heat through the release of gravitational energy. If Pluto had begun its life cold and subsequently experienced gradual heating from the radioactive decay of internal rock, its surface would show evidence of compression because water contracts as it melts. On the other hand, if Pluto had started out hot, part of its subsurface ocean would have frozen over time, producing visible features created by expansion of its surface. Analysis of New Horizons images shows only the latter, extensional features such as a system of ridges and troughs, and cracks in its icy shell, noted Carver Bierson, a graduate student at the University of California Santa Cruz (<a href="https://www.ucsc.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">UC</a>), who led the study. <div id="attachment_136286" style="width: 720px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-136286" class="wp-image-136286 size-full" src="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Evidence-of-Expansion-on-Plutos-Surface.jpg" alt="" width="710" height="540" srcset="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Evidence-of-Expansion-on-Plutos-Surface.jpg 710w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Evidence-of-Expansion-on-Plutos-Surface-300x228.jpg 300w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Evidence-of-Expansion-on-Plutos-Surface-655x498.jpg 655w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Evidence-of-Expansion-on-Plutos-Surface-640x487.jpg 640w" sizes="(max-width: 710px) 100vw, 710px" />Arrows indicate extensional faults on Pluto’s surface. Image Credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Southwest Research Institute/Alex Parker</div> “We see lots of evidence of expansion, but we don’t see any evidence of compression, so the observations are more consistent with Pluto starting with a liquid ocean,” Bierson said. “For a long time, people have thought about the thermal evolution of Pluto and the ability of an ocean to survive to the present day,” explained Frances Nimmo, also of UC Santa Cruz. “Now that we have images of Pluto’s surface from NASA’s New Horizons mission, we can compare what we see with the predictions of different thermal evolution models.” Both ancient and recent extensional features are visible in surface images, she added. Because of the speed at which New Horizons was traveling during the flyby, its instruments could photograph only about <a href="https://www.space.com/pluto-hot-formation-subsurface-ocean.html#xenforo-comments-32089" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">half</a> of its northern hemisphere in high resolution. There could be compression features in the areas that weren’t imaged, but that will remain a mystery until a second spacecraft is sent to map the rest of the planet. A hot start would produce a liquid underground ocean from the very beginning, possibly rendering Pluto habitable for microbial life. Today, Pluto has a surface temperature of minus 380 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 228 degrees Celsius) or 45 degrees Kelvin, making it one of the solar system’s coldest worlds. Bierson noted Pluto’s geology acts as a record of its history, confirming it formed violently enough to generate sufficient heat to warm its interior and create the subsurface ocean. Also key to whether Pluto began its life cold or hot is the rate at which it formed. If Pluto formed in a period of less than 30,000 years, it probably started out hot. However, if it took several million years to form through accretion, the only way it could have had a hot start is if the energy of large impacting objects is buried underneath its surface. “How Pluto was put together in the first place matters a lot for its thermal evolution. If it builds up too slowly, the hot material at the surface radiates energy into space, but if it builds up fast enough, the heat gets trapped inside,” Nimmo <a href="https://phys.org/news/2020-06-evidence-hot-scenario-early-ocean.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">stated</a>. A hot start means Pluto could have been habitable for microbial life for a long time. It also raises the question as to whether other Kuiper Belt dwarf planets might also have subsurface oceans that are just as old. “Even in this cold environment so far from the Sun, all these worlds might have formed fast and hot, with liquid oceans,” Bierson said. A paper about the study has been published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41561-020-0595-0" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Nature Geoscience</a>. <div id="attachment_62320" style="width: 910px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-62320" class="wp-image-62320 size-full" src="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Pluto-Extensional-Faults.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="244" srcset="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Pluto-Extensional-Faults.jpg 900w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Pluto-Extensional-Faults-300x81.jpg 300w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Pluto-Extensional-Faults-768x208.jpg 768w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Pluto-Extensional-Faults-655x178.jpg 655w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" />More of Pluto’s extensional faults are visible here. Image Credit: NASA/JHUAPL/SwRI</div>   The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/missions/solar-system/plutos-subsurface-ocean-may-date-back-to-planets-formation/">Pluto’s subsurface ocean may date back to planet’s formation</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com">SpaceFlight Insider</a>. ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/missions/solar-system/plutos-subsurface-ocean-may-date-back-to-planets-formation/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">136284</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Perseverance mission scientist outlines rover’s instruments, mission</title> <link>https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/missions/perseverance-mission-scientist-outlines-rovers-instruments-mission/</link> <comments>https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/missions/perseverance-mission-scientist-outlines-rovers-instruments-mission/#respond</comments> <pubDate>Tue, 23 Jun 2020 14:29:13 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Laurel Kornfeld]]></dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Missions]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Solar System]]></category> <category><![CDATA[helicopter]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Lead Stories]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Mars]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Perseverance]]></category> <category><![CDATA[rovers]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/?p=136252</guid> <description><![CDATA[One month before the scheduled launch of NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover, Roger Wiens, who serves as both principal investigator of its SuperCam laser instrument and as co-investigator of its SHERLOC team, discussed the mission’s science instruments and its purpose in a virtual webinar presented by the Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI). In a presentation titled […] The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/missions/perseverance-mission-scientist-outlines-rovers-instruments-mission/">Perseverance mission scientist outlines rover’s instruments, mission</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com">SpaceFlight Insider</a>. ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="attachment_136253" style="width: 1610px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-136253" class="wp-image-136253 size-full" src="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/1-PIA23764-RoverNamePlateonMars.jpg" alt="" width="1600" height="900" srcset="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/1-PIA23764-RoverNamePlateonMars.jpg 1600w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/1-PIA23764-RoverNamePlateonMars-300x169.jpg 300w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/1-PIA23764-RoverNamePlateonMars-655x368.jpg 655w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/1-PIA23764-RoverNamePlateonMars-768x432.jpg 768w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/1-PIA23764-RoverNamePlateonMars-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/1-PIA23764-RoverNamePlateonMars-1280x720.jpg 1280w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/1-PIA23764-RoverNamePlateonMars-640x360.jpg 640w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px" />Illustration depicting Perseverance on Mars’ surface. Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech</div> One month before the scheduled launch of NASA’s <a href="https://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Perseverance</a> Mars rover, Roger Wiens, who serves as both principal investigator of its SuperCam laser instrument and as co-investigator of its SHERLOC team, discussed the mission’s science instruments and its purpose in a virtual webinar presented by the Lunar and Planetary Institute (<a href="https://www.lpi.usra.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">LPI</a>). In a presentation titled “NASA’s Perseverance Rover and the Prospect of Round-Trip Robotic Missions,” Wiens, of the <a href="https://www.lanl.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Los Alamos National Laboratory</a>, outlined the details of the first-ever Mars sample return mission in the context of the space agency’s decades-long exploration of the Red Planet. Perseverance and the History of Mars Rover Exploration: Beginning with <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/mars-pathfinder" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sojourner</a>, NASA’s first Mars rover, which landed on the Red Planet in 1997, and continuing with <a href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/mars-exploration-rover-spirit-mer-spirit/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Spirit</a> and <a href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/mars-exploration-rover-opportunity-mer/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Opportunity</a> in 2004 and <a href="https://mars.nasa.gov/msl/home/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Curiosity</a> in 2012, Mars rover missions have progressed from focusing on simple to more complex aspects of the planet’s surface. Wiens described Curiosity as a “precursor to Perseverance,” noting the former carried over 150 pounds of payload, made up of 10 science instruments and a drill. <div id="attachment_136256" style="width: 301px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-136256" class="wp-image-136256 size-medium" src="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Roger-Wiens-291x300.png" alt="" width="291" height="300" srcset="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Roger-Wiens-291x300.png 291w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Roger-Wiens.png 365w" sizes="(max-width: 291px) 100vw, 291px" />Roger Wiens, principal investigator of SuperCam and co-investigator of SHERLOC. Photo Credit: Los Alamos National Laboratory</div> Perseverance, which will be collecting soil samples and storing them on the Martian surface for return by a future mission, is equipped with seven instruments, a helicopter, and caches to collect the samples. Its primary mission is to assess Mars’ biological potential, search for organic and biological materials, characterize the geology of the landing site, study past habitability and the role played by ancient surface water, and characterize hazards human astronauts will face on the planet. Scheduled to land on Mars on February 18, 2021, Perseverance will touch down in Jezero Crater, where a lake existed 3.5 billion years ago. This crater is smaller than Gale Crater, Curiosity‘s landing site, but its inlet and outlet valleys and delta region make it an ideal place to search for life. “We need to optimize the instruments on the rover because of the limits in time and size,” Wiens explained, noting the various instruments will conduct a range of rapid to slow and detailed analyses. A large number of samples collected will be subject to rapid analysis while a smaller number of samples will undergo more careful analysis and just a few samples will be analyzed in great detail.     First Helicopter on Mars: The initial idea of sending a helicopter with the rover was rejected in proposal reviews. The helicopter was added only after the director of <div id="attachment_136255" style="width: 410px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-136255" class="wp-image-136255 size-full" src="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Ingenuity-Helicopter.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="225" srcset="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Ingenuity-Helicopter.jpg 400w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Ingenuity-Helicopter-300x169.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" />Illustration of Ingenuity, which will conduct the first powered flight on Mars. Image Credit:</div> NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (<a href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">JPL</a>) requested it be sent as a technical demonstration for future missions. Mounted on the rover’s underside, the helicopter, named <a href="https://mars.nasa.gov/technology/helicopter/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ingenuity</a>, will be capable of flying once a day for up to 300 meters. It can fly for at least one and one half minutes and operate autonomously. “Helicopters open up new ways to explore the Red Planet,” Wiens emphasized, noting the presence of caves on the Martian surface. These are lava tubes that stretch for miles, and their main openings are holes at the top through which no rover can enter. A helicopter can study these caves, and Wiens expects they will be used on future missions to search the caves for organic materials. On Earth, most life forms in caves are so primitive that they do not use photosynthesis. This is why caves are an ideal place to search for microbial life on Mars, Wiens said. Science Instruments: Similar to ChemCam on Curiosity, SuperCam, positioned on top of the rover, is equipped with three spectrometers. Capable of taking images and analyzing chemical composition and mineralogy, it will search for organic materials in surface rocks and soil. SHERLOC, which stands for Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman and Luminescence for Organics and Chemicals, is a spectrometer that will conduct fine-scale imaging and use an ultraviolet laser to search for organic compounds. Mounted on a turret at the end of the rover’s robotic arm, it has a companion camera called WATSON, which will study rocks up close. Placed inside the rover, the Mars Oxygen ISRU Experiment, or MOXIE, is a demonstration of technology that future astronauts can use to produce oxygen, crucial for both breathing and making rocket fuel. MEDA, or the Mars Environment Dynamics Analyzer, will measure wind speed and direction, atmospheric pressure, relative humidity, air and ground temperatures, and ultraviolet radiation. Its sensors will be placed in various locations outside and inside the rover. RIMFAX, the Radar Imager for Mars’ Subsurface Experiment, will use ground-penetrating radar to study layers of rock beneath the rover up to 60 meters down. Its radar antenna is placed on the rover’s lower rear.  Also mounted on the turret at the end of the robotic arm will be the Planetary Instrument for X-ray Lithochemistry or PIXR. This instrument will measure the amount and distribution of chemical elements in Martian rocks as part of the search for evidence of ancient microbial life. MastCam-Z is the camera that will be mounted on Perseverance‘s mast. Equipped with numerous filters to cover a range of wavelengths, it is capable of zooming in on features, taking 3D pictures and video, and capturing panoramic color instruments. Positioned at the rover’s front, the large drill will take surface samples that will be placed in hermetically sealed tubes currently installed inside the rover. At various locations, the rover will collect samples and drop the tubes on the ground. To prevent sample loss in the event the rover dies, tube samples will be dropped individually.  Locations where the tubes are placed will then be photographed extensively. Sometime around 2027, another rover equipped with a fetch rover to collect the samples, will touch down on the site. A Mars ascent vehicle will launch the samples into low-Earth orbit, where they will be transferred to another spacecraft that will return them to Earth for study.   <div id="attachment_136254" style="width: 1412px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-136254" class="wp-image-136254 size-full" src="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Perseverance_Mars_Rover_Instrument_Labels-web.jpg" alt="" width="1402" height="791" srcset="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Perseverance_Mars_Rover_Instrument_Labels-web.jpg 1402w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Perseverance_Mars_Rover_Instrument_Labels-web-300x169.jpg 300w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Perseverance_Mars_Rover_Instrument_Labels-web-655x370.jpg 655w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Perseverance_Mars_Rover_Instrument_Labels-web-768x433.jpg 768w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Perseverance_Mars_Rover_Instrument_Labels-web-1280x722.jpg 1280w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Perseverance_Mars_Rover_Instrument_Labels-web-640x361.jpg 640w" sizes="(max-width: 1402px) 100vw, 1402px" />Perseverance and its seven science instruments. Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech</div> The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/missions/perseverance-mission-scientist-outlines-rovers-instruments-mission/">Perseverance mission scientist outlines rover’s instruments, mission</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com">SpaceFlight Insider</a>. ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/missions/perseverance-mission-scientist-outlines-rovers-instruments-mission/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">136252</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Locked and Loaded: Artemis I’s muscle delivered to KSC</title> <link>https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/organizations/nasa/locked-and-loaded-artemis-is-muscle-delivered-to-ksc/</link> <comments>https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/organizations/nasa/locked-and-loaded-artemis-is-muscle-delivered-to-ksc/#respond</comments> <pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2020 23:12:47 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator><![CDATA[SpaceFlight Insider]]></dc:creator> <category><![CDATA[Human Spaceflight]]></category> <category><![CDATA[NASA]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Artemis 1]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Lead Stories]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Nothrop Grumman]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Orion]]></category> <category><![CDATA[SLS]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Space Launch System]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/?p=136162</guid> <description><![CDATA[NASA, still riding high on regaining the ability to launch astronauts to low-Earth-orbit is now preparing to turn the dial up to eleven. LEO is nice and all - but flying to the Moon is way better. The agency is pulling this pieces to achieve just that. The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/organizations/nasa/locked-and-loaded-artemis-is-muscle-delivered-to-ksc/">Locked and Loaded: Artemis I’s muscle delivered to KSC</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com">SpaceFlight Insider</a>. ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="attachment_136170" style="width: 1610px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-136170" class="size-full wp-image-136170" src="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/sls-70mt-dac3-orange-launch-uhr2_adj_tw_sm.jpg" alt="Artist's rendering of NASA's Space Launch System lifting off from Launch Complex 39B. Image Credit: NASA" width="1600" height="522" srcset="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/sls-70mt-dac3-orange-launch-uhr2_adj_tw_sm.jpg 1600w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/sls-70mt-dac3-orange-launch-uhr2_adj_tw_sm-300x98.jpg 300w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/sls-70mt-dac3-orange-launch-uhr2_adj_tw_sm-655x214.jpg 655w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/sls-70mt-dac3-orange-launch-uhr2_adj_tw_sm-768x251.jpg 768w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/sls-70mt-dac3-orange-launch-uhr2_adj_tw_sm-1536x501.jpg 1536w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/sls-70mt-dac3-orange-launch-uhr2_adj_tw_sm-1280x418.jpg 1280w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/sls-70mt-dac3-orange-launch-uhr2_adj_tw_sm-640x209.jpg 640w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px" />Artist’s rendering of NASA’s Space Launch System lifting off from Launch Complex 39B. Image Credit: NASA</div> KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. — NASA, still riding high after regaining the ability to launch astronauts to low-Earth-orbit (LEO), is now preparing to turn the dial up to eleven. LEO is nice and all – but flying to the Moon is way better. The agency is pulling together the pieces to achieve just that. Sending a spacecraft with astronauts and the required flight and support systems some 239,000 miles (384,633 kilometers) away from Earth requires muscle. Enter the solid rocket boosters or ‘SRBs’ of the Space Launch System (SLS). The segments for the two rocket boosters that will be used on <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/feature/around-the-moon-with-nasa-s-first-launch-of-sls-with-orion" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Artemis I</a> have been delivered to KSC, in anticipation of the Nov. 1, 2021 flight of the Artemis I mission.  “New technologies and material upgrades enable the boosters to meet the high performance demands of SLS, the most powerful rocket NASA has built to date,” said Charlie Precourt, vice president, propulsion systems, Northrop Grumman. “Our technology will help propel the first woman and the next man to the Moon.” <div id="attachment_136173" style="width: 1610px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-136173" class="size-full wp-image-136173" src="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/DSC_0068a.jpg" alt="A train of railcars with segments of boosters for NASA's Space Launch System trundle toward Kennedy Space Center and, eventually, orbit. Photo Credit: Northrop Grumman / NASA" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/DSC_0068a.jpg 1600w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/DSC_0068a-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/DSC_0068a-655x437.jpg 655w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/DSC_0068a-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/DSC_0068a-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/DSC_0068a-1280x854.jpg 1280w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/DSC_0068a-640x427.jpg 640w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px" />A train of railcars with segments of boosters for NASA’s Space Launch System trundle toward Kennedy Space Center and, eventually, orbit. Photo Credit: Northrop Grumman / NASA</div> Each SLS rocket is designed to be able to deliver an estimated 8.8 million pounds of thrust. A majority of that “umph” comes from two SRBs. Similar to the boosters used on NASA’s now-retired fleet of Space Shuttles, the duo can be described as pillars of thrust as they provide some 75 percent of the punch needed to send the Lockheed Martin-built Orion spacecraft on its flight to lunar orbit. In terms of exploring deep space, NASA has opted for an “if it’s not broke, don’t fix it” mentality, opting to leverage materials and a system that has some thirty years of experience tucked under its belt.  It takes more than experience to get to the Moon however. Whereas the space shuttles employed four-segment SRBs, SLS will use five segment versions. It’s hoped that by using “flight-proven” systems such as these SRBs, that it will lower costs while increasing reliability.  <div id="attachment_136177" style="width: 410px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-136177" class="wp-image-136177" src="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/7054-orbital_atk_qm2_static_test_fire-mark_usciak.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="267" srcset="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/7054-orbital_atk_qm2_static_test_fire-mark_usciak.jpg 1300w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/7054-orbital_atk_qm2_static_test_fire-mark_usciak-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/7054-orbital_atk_qm2_static_test_fire-mark_usciak-655x437.jpg 655w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/7054-orbital_atk_qm2_static_test_fire-mark_usciak-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/7054-orbital_atk_qm2_static_test_fire-mark_usciak-1280x854.jpg 1280w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/7054-orbital_atk_qm2_static_test_fire-mark_usciak-640x427.jpg 640w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" />Northrop Grumman’s five-segment motor design successfully completed its second of two qualification phase (full-duration) firings on June 28, 2016. The expanded solid rocket boosters will be used on the first flights of NASA’s new super heavy-lift Space Launch System rocket, or SLS. Photo Credit: Mark Usciak / SpaceFlight Insider</div> Lengthy testing is being undertaken to all components designed to fly into the black of space, especially in cases where changes have been proposed since the design’s prior service; this ensures that everything will work as advertised. The five segment booster design is no exception, with Northrop Grumman having tested  each element to certify that these SRBs are ready for flight come next year.  Precourt is the man taking point of Northrop Grumman’s development of these new boosters, and pulled no punches in detailing the potential of SLS in general and Artemis I in particular. “NASA’s Artemis program is a nationwide effort that reignites space exploration,” Charlie Precourt, vice president, Northrop Grumman Propulsion Systems told SpaceFlight Insider. “We at Northrop Grumman are proud to provide the propulsion that will help NASA get boots back on the Moon.” <div id="attachment_136190" style="width: 1610px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-136190" class="size-full wp-image-136190" src="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Stacking-the-SLS-Boosters.jpg" alt="" width="1600" height="1200" srcset="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Stacking-the-SLS-Boosters.jpg 1600w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Stacking-the-SLS-Boosters-300x225.jpg 300w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Stacking-the-SLS-Boosters-655x491.jpg 655w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Stacking-the-SLS-Boosters-768x576.jpg 768w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Stacking-the-SLS-Boosters-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Stacking-the-SLS-Boosters-1280x960.jpg 1280w, https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Stacking-the-SLS-Boosters-640x480.jpg 640w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px" />With the booster segments now on KSC property, teams from the Northrop Grumman Corporation, NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems and SLS will be able to begin stacking the SLS boosters. Illustration Credit: NASA</div>   <iframe class='youtube-player' width='640' height='360' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/XcPtQYalkcs?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&autohide=2&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent' allowfullscreen='true' style='border:0;'></iframe> Video courtesy of NASA     The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/organizations/nasa/locked-and-loaded-artemis-is-muscle-delivered-to-ksc/">Locked and Loaded: Artemis I’s muscle delivered to KSC</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.spaceflightinsider.com">SpaceFlight Insider</a>. ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/organizations/nasa/locked-and-loaded-artemis-is-muscle-delivered-to-ksc/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">136162</post-id> </item> </channel> </rss>