News tagged with rocket launch

Man who warned of Challenger disaster dies at 73

The man who warned his employer of the equipment quirk that led to the deadly explosion of the space shuttle Challenger has died. Roger Boisjoly was 73.

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

created Feb 07, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 3

Feb 13 set as new date for Europe's Vega rocket

The European Space Agency (ESA) said on Friday that the first launch of a long-awaited light rocket, Vega, which had been pencilled for February 9, would take place on February 13.

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

created Feb 03, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

EU signs orders for eight new Galileo space satellites

The EU on Thursday signed contracts with German and French engineering firms to build and launch another eight satellites for its Galileo geopositioning system.

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

created Feb 02, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 1

Russia blames radiation for space probe failure

The head of Russia's space agency said Tuesday that cosmic radiation was the most likely cause of the failure of a Mars moon probe that crashed to Earth this month, and suggested that a low-quality imported ...

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

created Jan 31, 2012 | popularity 4 / 5 (2) | comments 4

First Vega rocket assembled on launch pad

(PhysOrg.com) -- ESA’s new Vega rocket is now fully assembled on its launch pad. Final preparations are in full swing for the rocket’s inaugural flight from Europe’s Spaceport. The launch window ...

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

created Jan 30, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (3) | comments 0

NASA's J-2X engine kicks off 2012 with powerpack testing

(PhysOrg.com) -- A new series of tests on the engine that will help carry humans to deep space will begin next week at NASA's Stennis Space Center in southern Mississippi. The tests on the J-2X engine bring ...

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

created Jan 26, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (3) | comments 0

Vega rocket ready for first flight

Final checkout of Europe’s new Vega launcher was completed last Friday, marking another milestone towards its maiden flight from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

created Jan 20, 2012 | popularity 4.5 / 5 (4) | comments 1

Mars probe to crash into ocean Sunday: Russia

Russia's space agency on Wednesday pinpointed the likely trajectory of its stranded Mars probe, Phobos-Grunt, predicting it would crash into the Indian Ocean west of Jakarta later this week.

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

created Jan 11, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Russia hints at foul play in its space failures

The head of Russia's beleaguered space programme hinted on Tuesday that foreign powers may be behind the string of failures that struck his agency in the past year.

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

created Jan 10, 2012 | popularity 4.5 / 5 (4) | comments 7

Europe's Vega rocket launch set for early February

The maiden voyage of Europe's Vega rocket, designed to launch small payloads of about 1.5 tonnes into low-Earth orbit, is set for February 9, the head of the European Space Agency said Monday.

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

created Jan 09, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 2

Satellites: Europe's Arianespace sets 13 launches for 2012

European satellite launch operator Arianespace said on Thursday it had scheduled 13 missions for 2012, the first year in which it would deploy rockets in all three categories of payload.

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

created Jan 05, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0

China lays out five-year space plans

China said Thursday cleaner fuel will power its next-generation rockets, which will launch heavy cargoes into space, bringing nearer plans to build a space station and put a man on the moon.

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

created Dec 29, 2011 | popularity 4.8 / 5 (16) | comments 14

Russian spacecraft delivers 3 to orbiting station

A Soyuz spacecraft safely delivered a Russian, an American and a Dutchman to the International Space Station on Friday, restoring the permanent crew to six members for the first time since September.

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

created Dec 25, 2011 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 5

Russian satellite hits Siberia's 'Cosmonaut Street'

A fragment of a Russian satellite that crashed into Siberia in the latest setback for Russia's space programme hit a residential house on a street named after cosmonauts, officials said Saturday. ...

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

created Dec 24, 2011 | popularity 5 / 5 (3) | comments 5

NASA's first J-2X engine rockets through first round of testing; development continues strong

(PhysOrg.com) -- The best tech gift for propulsion engineers at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala.? It's NASA's first new human-rated rocket engine to be developed in 40 years. The J-2X engine ...

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

created Dec 22, 2011 | popularity 5 / 5 (12) | comments 13