A sampling of recent articles, videos, and images dealing with space transport (find previous roundups here):
[ Update: Videos of the rocket action that took place on Tuesday:
** Successful Ariane V launch of the “TIBA-1, for Thales Alenia Space and Airbus Defence and Space on behalf of the Government of Egypt; and GX5 for the operator Inmarsat”:
https://youtu.be/mX0M73MJrjk
** A Indian PSLV successfully launched the Cartosat-13 remote sensing satellite and 13 commercial smallsats from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh :
** The static test of the Falcon 9 that will launch the upcoming Cargo Dragon mission to the ISS went well:
Falcon 9 static fire test complete — targeting December 4 launch from Pad 40 in Florida for Dragon’s nineteenth resupply mission to the @Space_Station
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) November 26, 2019
]
** Russia launched an unspecified military payload on a Soyuz-2.1v rocket on Monday:
- Soyuz 2-1v lofts mystery military satellite – NASASpaceFlight.com
- Soyuz-2.1v missile successfully launched from Plesetsk with a military satellite – Russian Military News (Google Translate)
- Russia launches space surveillance satellite – Spaceflight Now
** Chinese launched two Bei Dou navigation satellites on a Long March 3B rocket on Saturday:
- China sends two BeiDou satellites – Xinhua
- Chinese bolster navigation system with dual Beidou launch – NASASpaceFlight.com
- China launches two more Beidou navigation satellites – Spaceflight Now
And the booster fell on a village: Once again, a Chinese rocket has doused a village with toxic fuel | Ars Technica
This is the aftermath downrange following a Chinese Long March 3B launch from Xichang early Saturday. And that yellow smoke is very toxic hypergolic propellant. Source: https://t.co/VEh5X8Ors0 pic.twitter.com/22IVIpyJOk
— Andrew Jones (@AJ_FI) November 23, 2019
** Ariane V to launch TIBA 1 and Inmarsat GX5 comm-sats on Tuesday Nov.26th. The mission has endured several weather delays. Liftoff is set for 4:09 pm EST (2109 GMT, 6:09 pmFrench Guiana time). TIBA-1 was developed for the Govt. of Egypt byThales Alenia Space and Airbus Defence and Space. The GX5 satellite os for the Inmarsat. This launch will be the 250th launch of the Ariane family of rockets. The first launch was in 1979.
- Live coverage: Arianespace delays Ariane 5 launch to Tuesday – Spaceflight Now
- Flight VA250: Ariane 5 with TIBA-1 and Inmarsat GX5 – Delayed 24-hours due to weather conditions – Arianespace
- Flight VA250: Arianespace will orbit TIBA-1 and Inmarsat GX5 with Ariane 5 – Arianespace
- Flight VA250 Press Kit (pdf)
- Ariane 5 launch with TIBA-1 and Inmarsat GX5 reset to Tuesday – NASASpaceFlight.com

** Boeing Starliner crew spacecraft stacked onto Atlas 5 launcher. An uncrewed test flight to the ISS is currently set for Dec. 17th.
- Boeing’s first space-ready Starliner crew capsule meets its Atlas 5 launcher – Spaceflight Now
- Starliner arrives at launch pad in major pre-flight milestone – NASASpaceFlight.com
- Boeing CST-100 Starliner in Place at Space Launch Complex 41 – Commercial Crew Program/NASA
** Both Commercial Crew teams have important tests coming soon: Boeing Starliner and SpaceX Crew Dragon crew capsules on track for back-to-back launches – Teslarati
In the last two weeks alone, both companies have checked off major milestones while preparing their human-rated spacecraft for flight, and – with a little luck over the next few weeks – Starliner and Crew Dragon processing could align for back-to-back launches in the last few weeks of 2019.
** India to launch PSLV with Cartosat-3 imaging satellite plus 13 commercial smallsats. Liftoff now set for November 27, 2019 at 0928 hrs from Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR, Sriharikota
- PSLV-C47 / Cartosat-3 Mission – ISRO
- Launch Kit at a glance – ISRO
- PSLV-C47 Gallery – ISRO
- 12 SuperDove Satellites Hitching a Ride to Orbit on the PSLV – Planet.com

** Rocket Lab prepares for the 10th (‘Running Out Of Fingers’) Electron rocket launch. Liftoff is set for 07:56 UTC on November 28th: Next Generation Electron Booster on the Pad for Rocket Lab’s 10th Mission – Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab, the global leader in dedicated small satellite launch, announced today that its next mission will launch multiple microsatellites in a rideshare mission representing five different countries. The launch window for Rocket Lab’s tenth flight, named ‘Running Out Of Fingers,’ will open 25th November NZDT and take place from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 on New Zealand’s Māhia Peninsula.
Onboard this rideshare mission are six spacecraft comprised of 5cm PocketQube microsatellites from satellite manufacturer and mission management provider Alba Orbital. The final payload on board was procured by satellite rideshare and mission management provider Spaceflight for ALE Co., Ltd (ALE), a Tokyo-based company creating microsatellites that simulate meteor particles.
Electron’s first stage will not be recovered from this mission, however the stage includes new hardware and sensors to inform future recovery efforts. As part of a first stage block upgrade, Electron’s booster will include guidance and navigation hardware, including S-band telemetry and onboard flight computer systems, to gather data during the first stage’s atmospheric re-entry. The stage is also equipped with a reaction control system to orient the booster during its re-entry descent.
Rocket Lab’s Founder and CEO, Peter Beck, says increasing launch frequency for small satellite operators is the key driver behind Rocket Lab’s reusability program.
A new antenna will help with the booster recovery plans:
Say hi to LC-1’s newest range tracking asset. This 5.0m diameter dish gives us the ability to track Electron to Stage 2/ Stage 3 separation from LC-1. It also allows us to retask other tracking assets to support the recovery of Electron’s 1st stage as we work towards reusability. pic.twitter.com/h4yrwBHC9X
— Rocket Lab (@RocketLab) November 26, 2019
** Firefly Aerospace qualifies stage 2 propulsion system for Alpha rocket:
Great work by the entire Firefly team to complete qualification of the Alpha 2nd stage. This build of the stage ran a total of 949 seconds during the qual campaign, including two Mission Duty Cycles and a successful relight after a simulated coast. On to Stage 1 Qualification! pic.twitter.com/IvzgFkPvlJ
— Firefly Aerospace (@Firefly_Space) November 26, 2019
** Development of ULA‘s ground-breaking ACES upper stage/space tug slowed, presumably due to lack of support from Boeing and/or Lockheed-Martin, which jointly own ULA: ULA gets vague on Vulcan upgrade timeline – SpaceNews.com
As United Launch Alliance prepares for the maiden flight of its Vulcan Centaur rocket, the company no longer has a clear timeline for a major second-stage upgrade.
ULA is preparing to launch Vulcan Centaur in 2021. The rocket features a new first stage powered by BE-4 engines from Blue Origin and an improved version of the Centaur upper stage currently used on ULA’s Atlas 5.
ULA had planned as recently as 2018 to replace Centaur with ACES, short for the Advanced Cryogenic Evolved Stage, in 2023. ACES would have the ability to operate in space for weeks instead of hours, enabling transport between orbits and more missions beyond Earth, while also increasing how much Vulcan could lift.
** ArianeGroup to upgrade Ariane 6 but not to reusability level: Five upgrades ArianeGroup wants Europe to consider for Ariane 6 – SpaceNews.com
Bonguet declined to say how much funding ArianeGroup is seeking at the ministerial. But the company has already started several Ariane 6 upgrades in anticipation of future ESA support, he said. Gaining ESA funding at the ministerial would ensure Ariane 6 continues to evolve in its early years. Bonguet listed five improvements ArianeGroup will seek funding for at the ministerial.
More about Ariane 6 development:
- Ariane 6 parts come together, Europe’s Spaceport prepares – ESA
- The Ariane 6 Launch System Development Update – Stefano Bianchi et al – IAC 2019 (pdf)
** UP Aerospace launches SpaceLoft XL rocket from Spaceport America on Nov.22. The rocket carried experiments sponsored by NASA’s Flight Opportunities program. From the latest Flight Opportunities newsletter:

Blast off! The @UPAerospace SL-14 has launched from the @Spaceport_NM Vertical Launch Area. 🚀 #SpaceportAmerica #rocketlaunch pic.twitter.com/1D3hx9hpcG
— Spaceport America (@Spaceport_NM) November 22, 2019
** Space plane projects in Germany and Japan: Advanced technology, investment clearing way for spaceliners – SpaceNews.com
Development of spaceplanes for suborbital tourism, satellite launches and point-to-point terrestrial transportation are benefiting from advanced technology, panelists said at the Space Tech Expo Europe here.
“It was completely different 30 years ago,” said Koichi Yonemoto, co-founder and chief technical officer of Space Walker, a Japanese startup developing a suborbital spaceplane to launch satellites and, later, carry tourists. “At that time, everyone wanted to do single stage to orbit. To do that, you need a very efficient air-breathing engine. We did not have such an engine.”
*** POLARIS Raumflugzeuge (POLARIS Spaceplanes) of Germany is developing the Aurora Launcher, a two-stage system with a reusable suborbital winged rocket vehicle and an expendable upper-stage.
-
- Two-Stage-To-Orbit, 1150 kg LEO payload
- Reusable main-stage, small expendable upper-stage
- LOX/kerosene propulsion
- Conventional runway take-off & landing
- Based on >30 years of research on rocket-propelled spaceplanes in Germany

** Japan’s SPACE WALKER developing a suborbital Space Plane:
- Japan-made Spaceplane Aimed For In 2020s – InnovationExpositer.com
- SPACE WALKER press release (Japanese) – Oct.1.2019 (Google Translation)
SPACE WALKER was established in December 2017 with the aim of designing and developing sub-orbital space planes and providing operational services with the aim of creating a future where anyone can travel to space as easily as riding a plane. Currently, we are working on the development of a sub-orbital space plane for scientific experiments scheduled to be launched in 2022 with a technology partner company (* 2).
As of October 15, 2018, the angel round for the purpose of maintaining the development team structure and the basic concept of the aircraft was completed, and we received support from many people including Chairman Kasahara of Mixi Inc. We have been working on development with technology partners.
As of September 30, 2019, we have raised 370 million yen [US$3,405,850] in total from the Angel Round in less than two years since our establishment in December 2017.
Through this funding, we will strongly advance the research and development of a sub-orbital space plane technology demonstration machine that will be launched in 2022.
** Watch China’s Chang’e 4 spacecraft land on the Moon:
The full length high resolution video of Chang’e 4 soft landing on the far side of the moon on 3 January 2019.
ℹ:https://t.co/DqZFQzjy7R pic.twitter.com/HAqAh5Nw0C
— LaunchStuff (@LaunchStuff) November 25, 2019
** Progress on construction of Blue Origin facilities for New Glenn at the Cape:
BLUE ORIGIN: Work is steady on both the New Glenn complex beside the existing BO building & the work on the LC @ #NASA. New Glenn rockets will be transported to LC-36 for liftoff, but launch control for missions will be handled from the top floor of the New Glenn factory. #Space pic.twitter.com/J2EAaoNFYq
— Greg Scott 🚀🚢😎 (@GregScott_photo) November 26, 2019
** Virgin Galactic aspires to long distance point-to-point travel : Virgin Galactic’s real goal may be point-to-point travel around Earth | Ars Technica.
However, it must be pointed out that the rocket performance required to go halfway around the world on a ballistic flight is only slightly less than going into orbit. So VG will need to achieve a substantial upgrade from the suborbital SpaceShipTwo to a P2P vehicle.
** SpaceX:
*** SpaceX to launch Falcon 9 with Cargo Dragon on CRS-19 mission to the ISS. Liftoff currently set for Wednesday, Dec.4th at 12:51 pm EST (1751 GMT) from Cape Canaveral.
- SpaceX Will Launch Mighty Mice, Wild Physics and More to Space Station Next Month | Space.com
- SpaceX Launching Research for Better Earth Images, Easier Leak Checks | NASA
- NASA Highlights Science on 19th SpaceX Resupply Mission to ISS | NASA
A static test firing of the F9 engines is expected today:
SpaceX has raised a Falcon 9 rocket vertical at Cape Canaveral’s Complex 40 launch pad in preparation for a hold-down test-firing later today. The rocket is set for launch Dec. 4 on a resupply flight to the International Space Station. LIVE UPDATES: https://t.co/r74BsOCSlP pic.twitter.com/tYtZtLFtUx
— Spaceflight Now (@SpaceflightNow) November 26, 2019
We have a booster on the pad at LC-40 currently awaiting static fire ahead if the CRS-19 resupply mission on 12/4. #CRS19 pic.twitter.com/n1SMen8hNG
— Julia (@julia_bergeron) November 26, 2019
See also Live coverage: Falcon 9 raised vertical at Cape Canaveral for static fire test – Spaceflight Now.
*** Next Starlink launch set for late December: SpaceX Starlink satellite constellation aims to become world’s largest after next launch – Teslarati
The same day that several dozen Starlink-1 satellites finished the climb up to their operational orbits, SpaceX announced media accreditation for its next Starlink launch, presumed to be Starlink-2. According to SpaceX, the mission is targeted for the last two weeks of December 2019, a schedule that will tighten as it gets closer. Previously expected to launch in early November, as few as two weeks after Starlink-1, Starlink-2 has suffered similar delays but still appears to be on track for 2019.
***More about the destruction of the Mk.1 demo Starship during pressure tests:
- SpaceX has lost its first Starship prototype—is this a big deal? | Ars Technica
- SpaceX Starship blew its top during rocket fueling test (updated) – Teslarati
- SpaceX’s first Starship prototype ruptures during cryogenic test – Spaceflight Now
*** Work at Boca Chica transitioning to Mk.3 construction:
Workers are clearing up the remains of Starship Mk1, while preparing Boca Chica for the launch of future Starships, including Mk3, for which monolithic rings are already being machined on site, likely for this Mk3 vehicle. Footage and photos from Mary (@bocachicagal) for NSF. Edited by Jack Beyer (@thejackbeyer). Learn about Starship Mk1: UPDATES: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/ind… ARTICLES: https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/?s=St…
*** SpaceX Starship Mk1: Funeral for a Bulkhead – Super Heavy Pad Construction
Multiple videos and photos of the recovery of the Mk1 Bulkhead that went flying during the test failure this week. Plus a view of the Super Heavy and Starship Launch Pads, the latter still with some debris yet to be removed. Footage from Mary (@bocachicagal) for NSF.
*** More views of Boca Chica activities:
*** Florida Starship activity:
**** MK2 orbital demo Starship may be moving soon to the Kennedy Space Center:
The big move of @SpaceX #Starship #MK2 appears to be happening soon. (credit @Andy_trains screen capture) There was activity at the barge loading point last week. There have been taking scaffolding out of the lower section. pic.twitter.com/zZ4SPlVGPm
— John Winkopp (@John_Winkopp) November 24, 2019
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