orbit

Liftoff is scheduled for Monday (Sept. 28) at 8:15 a.m. EDT (1215 GMT).

A satellite engine that uses atmospheric gases as fuel shows promise in laboratory tests and modeling, but its performance on a mission remains unproven.

Starship achieved orbit on its first attempt and successfully delivered Starlink V3 satellites to space for the first time → https://t.co/LwJ4g6dNZ3

Mission goes ahead despite some fears an initial engine failure after the Texas launch would scupper the attempt

SpaceX’s uncrewed Starship reached Earth orbit for the first time on its 14th test flight, launched from Starbase in south Texas on Sept. 28. One of the spacecraft’s six engines shut down early during ascent, but…

Google's Project Suncatcher is launching AI servers into dawn-dusk orbits that take advantage of the earth's equatorial bulge to ride the terminator line.

For two decades, largely in service to the International Space Station, NASA has sought to foster an "economy" in low-Earth orbit. Twenty years ago, with a program to develop private spacecraft for cargo delivery to the space station, NASA sought to "stimulate efforts within the private sector to develop and operate safe, reliable, and cost-effective commercial space transportation systems." In recent years this has expanded to creating an entire commercial ecosystem in orbit, with transportation, space stations, manufacturing, tourism, and more, such that NASA is one of many customers in the market. In April 2024, the space agency explicitly laid out its philosophy: "NASA supports a robust commercial space economy that advances American industry and promotes technological discovery through in-space work and research. NASA remains committed to fostering innovation and collaboration within the American space industry." Read full article Comments