{"id":20565,"date":"2019-12-16T21:19:51","date_gmt":"2019-12-17T02:19:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=20565"},"modified":"2019-12-16T21:19:51","modified_gmt":"2019-12-17T02:19:51","slug":"space-transport-roundup-dec-16-2019","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=20565","title":{"rendered":"Space transport roundup &#8211; Dec.16.2019"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>A sampling of recent articles, videos, and images dealing with space transport (find <a href=\"http:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?cat=5\">previous roundups here<\/a>):<\/p>\n<p>** Several orbital launches are taking place this week:<\/p>\n<p>**** <strong>SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 this evening with the JCSAT 18\/Kacific 1 comm-sat<\/strong>\u00a0 from Cape Canaveral. The first stage booster successfully landed on the \u201cOf Course I Still Love You\u201d droneship. SpaceX\u2019s two fairing recovery vessels, \u201cMs. Tree\u201d and \u201cMs. Chief,\u201d did not capture the fairings in their nets but did grab them from the water:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Ms. Tree and Ms. Chief narrowly missed catching the fairing halves\u2014team is working to recover them for potential use on a future flight<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 SpaceX (@SpaceX) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SpaceX\/status\/1206741550694158338?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 17, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>A fairing taken from the water has in fact been reused on one F9 flight (Starlink launch on November 11, 2019).<\/p>\n<p>Here are scenes from today&#8217;s launch:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Liftoff! <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/dPuCfa89Sc\">pic.twitter.com\/dPuCfa89Sc<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 SpaceX (@SpaceX) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SpaceX\/status\/1206728397449125888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 17, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Main engine cutoff and stage separation confirmed <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/il9Y0BNxHd\">pic.twitter.com\/il9Y0BNxHd<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 SpaceX (@SpaceX) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SpaceX\/status\/1206729188624883713?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 17, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Falcon 9 first stage has landed on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship \u2013 the third landing of this booster <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/K1x0K2oFgq\">pic.twitter.com\/K1x0K2oFgq<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 SpaceX (@SpaceX) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SpaceX\/status\/1206730725182984193?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 17, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Successful deployment of JCSAT-18\/Kacific1 confirmed! <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/fGf3hGakVE\">pic.twitter.com\/fGf3hGakVE<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 SpaceX (@SpaceX) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SpaceX\/status\/1206736856693395456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 17, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>This was the third flight of this booster, which flew in May and July of this year. Turn-around times are getting shorter. This was also the 47th successful recovery of a Falcon booster counting the side boosters for the three Falcon Heavy flights.<\/p>\n<p>More about today&#8217;s mission:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/2019\/12\/spacex-falcon-9-launch-jcsat-18-kacific-1\/\">SpaceX Falcon 9 launches JCSAT-18\/Kacific-1 &#8211; NASASpaceFlight.com<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.geekwire.com\/2019\/spacex-launches-double-duty-telecom-satellite-doubles-rocket-reusability\/\" target=\"_d\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">SpaceX launches double-duty satellite and doubles down on rocket reuse \u2013 GeekWire<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/2019\/12\/16\/falcon-9-jcsat-18-kacific-1-mission-status-center\/\">Live coverage: SpaceX readies rocket for commercial satellite launch Monday \u2013 Spaceflight Now<\/a><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: white;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.spacex.com\/sites\/spacex\/files\/jcsat18kacific1_mission_press_kit.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mission press kit (pdf)<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>More <a href=\"#SpaceX\">SpaceX items below<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>**** <strong>A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.arianespace.com\/vehicle\/soyuz\/\">Russian Soyuz<\/a> is set to launch from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.arianespace.com\/spaceport-facility\/\">Arianespace launch facility<\/a> in Kourou<\/strong>, French Guiana on Tuesday with four satellites: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.arianespace.com\/mission\/ariane-flight-vs23\/\">Soyuz Flight VS23 \u2013 Arianespace<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>The COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation satellite for the Italian Space Agency and Minister of Defence will be the primary passenger of this flight, along with the Characterising Exoplanet Satellite (CHEOPS) on behalf of the European Space Agency (ESA). Three auxiliary payloads also will be on board: ANGELS and EyeSat for the French CNES space agency; and OPS-SAT for Tyvak (on behalf of ESA).<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Liftoff is set for 3:54:20 am (8:54:20 GMT).\u00a0 See also:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.arianespace.com\/mission-update\/vs23-soyuz-launch-review\/\">Soyuz receives the \u201call clear\u201d for Arianespace\u2019s December 17 liftoff \u2013 Arianespace<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/2019\/12\/17\/soyuz-vs-23-mission-status-center\/\">Live coverage: Soyuz set to launch Italian radar satellite, ESA exoplanet telescope \u2013 Spaceflight Now<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>**** <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.boeing.com\/space\/starliner\/\">Boeing<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ulalaunch.com\/missions\/commercial-crew\">ULA<\/a> plan to launch an uncrewed <a href=\"http:\/\/www.boeing.com\/space\/starliner\/\">Starliner<\/a> spacecraft to the ISS this Friday<\/strong>, Dec. 20th at 6:36 am EST ( 1136 GMT) from Cape Canaveral on an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ulalaunch.com\/rockets\/atlas-v\">Atlas V rocket<\/a><span class=\"strong\">. This will be the first space flight of a Starliner, one of the two Commercial Crew vehicles sponsored by NASA along with the SpaceX Crew Dragon. The Atlas V for the first time will include a Centaur upper stage outfitted with two RL-10 LOX\/Liquid Hydrogen engines rather than the usual single engine configuration. (Two engine Centaurs have flown before on other rockets.) <\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/content\/commercial-crew-boeing-orbital-flight-test-uncrewed\">Commercial Crew Boeing Orbital Flight Test (Uncrewed) | NASA<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ulalaunch.com\/missions\/atlas-v-oft\">Updates &#8211; Atlas V Starliner &#8211; United Launch Alliance (ULA) Rocket Launch<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.nasa.gov\/commercialcrew\/2019\/12\/16\/boeing-and-nasa-approach-milestone-orbital-flight-test\/\">Boeing and NASA Approach Milestone Orbital Flight Test \u2013 Commercial Crew Program\/NASA<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/press-release\/nasa-to-provide-coverage-of-boeing-orbital-flight-test-for-commercial-crew\">NASA to Provide Coverage of Boeing Orbital Flight Test | NASA<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbsnews.com\/news\/boeing-starliner-capsule-cleared-for-milestone-uncrewed-test-flight-to-space-station\/\">Boeing&#8217;s Starliner capsule cleared for milestone uncrewed test flight to space station &#8211; CBS News<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/2019\/12\/12\/nasa-gives-go-ahead-for-starliner-test-flight-to-space-station\/\">NASA gives go-ahead for Starliner test flight to space station \u2013 Spaceflight Now<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ulalaunch.com\/docs\/default-source\/launch-booklets\/mobrochure_oft.pdf?sfvrsn=fed62d4_4\">Atlas V Starliner &#8211; Orbital Flight Test &#8211; ULA Brochure (pdf)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/everydayastronaut.com\/atlas-v-n22-cst-100-starliner-orbital-flight-test-uncrewed\/\">Atlas V N22 | CST-100 Starliner Orbital Flight Test (Uncrewed) &#8211; Everyday Astronaut<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure id=\"attachment_20567\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20567\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/press-release\/nasa-to-provide-coverage-of-boeing-orbital-flight-test-for-commercial-crew\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"20567\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?attachment_id=20567\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/49173041263_f12a59f657_k_01.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"985,554\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Boeing&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket, topped by the Boeing CST-100 Starliner spacecraft, stand on Space Launch Complex 41 at Florida&#039;s Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Dec. 4, 2019. The vehicle was in place on the launch pad for Boeing&#039;s wet dress rehearsal ahead of the upcoming Orbital Flight Test, an uncrewed mission to the International Space Station for NASA&#039;s Commercial Crew Program.&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1575417600&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;Copyright 2019 The Boeing Company&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;AFS-8\/101&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"AFS-8\/101\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket, topped by the Boeing CST-100 Starliner spacecraft, stand on Space Launch Complex 41 at Florida&amp;#8217;s Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Dec. 4, 2019. The vehicle was in place on the launch pad for Boeing&amp;#8217;s wet dress rehearsal ahead of the upcoming Orbital Flight Test, an uncrewed mission to the International Space Station for NASA&amp;#8217;s Commercial Crew Program.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/49173041263_f12a59f657_k_01.jpg\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-20567\" src=\"http:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/49173041263_f12a59f657_k_01-500x281.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/49173041263_f12a59f657_k_01-500x281.jpg 500w, https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/49173041263_f12a59f657_k_01-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/49173041263_f12a59f657_k_01.jpg 985w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-20567\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">&#8220;A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket, topped by the Boeing CST-100 Starliner spacecraft, stand on Space Launch Complex 41 at Florida&#8217;s Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Dec. 4, 2019. The vehicle was in place on the launch pad for Boeing&#8217;s wet dress rehearsal ahead of the upcoming Orbital Flight Test, an uncrewed mission to the International Space Station for NASA&#8217;s Commercial Crew Program.&#8221; &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/press-release\/nasa-to-provide-coverage-of-boeing-orbital-flight-test-for-commercial-crew\">NASA<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>**** <strong>China launched two Beidou navigation satellites on Monday<\/strong> on a Long March 3B and plans to launch a Long March 4B rocket on Friday with the CBERS 4A (China-Brazil Earth Resources Satellite) remote sensing spacecraft.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.xinhuanet.com\/english\/2019-12\/16\/c_138635857.htm\" target=\"_d\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">China launches two new BeiDou satellites &#8211; Xinhua<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/2019\/12\/china-near-global-coverage-latest-launch-beidou-3m-satellites\/\">China nears global coverage with the latest launch of Beidou-3M satellites &#8211; NASASpaceFlight.com<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>** <strong>BE-3U Hotfire engine test<\/strong> &#8211; Blue Origin<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>We\u2019re currently testing the newest member of the BE-3 family, BE-3U (upper stage), a variant of the BE-3PM propelling New Shepard. With a back-to-back turbine assembly and a larger nozzle, BE-3U is optimized to operate in the vacuum of space and generates 710 kN (160,000 lbf) thrust in vacuum. Two BE-3U engines power New Glenn\u2019s restartable upper stage, enabling the full range of customer missions including direct injection to geostationary orbit. Building on years of operational experience and rigorous testing, BE-3U will be one of the best understood rocket engines when it launches into space.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/HRiAEPpQzT0?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<p>** <a href=\"http:\/\/www.rocketlabusa.com\"><strong>Rocket Lab<\/strong><\/a>&#8216;s<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rocketlabusa.com\/launch\/launch-sites\/\"> launch pad facility<\/a> at Wallops Island, Virginia<\/strong> to see first liftoff in spring of 2020. The LC-2 pad at the <a href=\"https:\/\/vaspace.org\/\">Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS)<\/a> is essentially complete. It will be used primarily for US defense payloads.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spacenews.com\/rocket-lab-inaugurates-u-s-launch-site\/\">Rocket Lab inaugurates U.S. launch site &#8211; SpaceNews.com<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.geekwire.com\/2019\/rocket-labs-virginia-launch-pad-open-business-air-force-first-customer\/\">Rocket Lab\u2019s Virginia launch pad is open for business \u2013 GeekWire<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/vu-ZisFbjFo?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<p>** <strong>China&#8217;s space program has a lot riding on the next launch of the<\/strong><strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/en.m.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Long_March_5\">Long March 5<\/a><\/strong>. The first launch put a satellite into orbit but at a lower altitude than planned. The second launch failed completely. The space station project and space science missions beyond earth orbit need the LM-5: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scmp.com\/news\/china\/science\/article\/3041408\/why-chinas-next-long-march-5-rocket-mission-will-be-about\">Why China\u2019s next Long March 5 rocket mission will be about restoring national pride | South China Morning Post<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>A Long March 5 rocket is expected to blast off from a site in southern China this month carrying not only a next-generation communications satellite, but the hope that the mission will restore pride in the programme after a series of setbacks.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>One of the sources who confirmed the plan said that the atmosphere at Wenchang Space Launch Centre on the northern tip of Hainan Island was \u201cso tense there seems to be a shortage of oxygen\u201d.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>The Long March 5 \u2013 also known as the CZ-5 \u2013 is the largest launch vehicle in China\u2019s space fleet. It can carry 25 tonnes into low Earth orbit, typically 645-1,610km (400-1,000 miles) from the surface.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>** <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gspacetech.com\/\"><strong>Gilmour Space Technologies<\/strong><\/a><strong> partnering with the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.australianspaceagency.com.au\/\">Australian Space Agency<\/a><\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spacewatch.global\/2019\/12\/gilmour-space-technologies-and-australian-space-agency-sign-cooperation-agreement\/\">Gilmour Space Technologies and Australian Space Agency Sign Cooperation Agreement &#8211; SpaceWatch.Global<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.manmonthly.com.au\/Space+agency+signs+with+local+rocket+manufacturer\">Space agency signs with local rocket manufacturer &#8211; ManMonthly.com.au<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>There doesn&#8217;t appear to be any funding involved; just general cooperation and support:<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>While the development of rockets has not been in the realm of the Australian space sector in the past, Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, Karen Andrews, highlighted how recent investments broadens the Australian space industry.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>\u201cThis new partnership shows the breadth of capabilities being developed in Australia, supporting our mission to develop and grow the Australian space industry over the next ten years,\u201d said Andrews.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Gilmour is developing the<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>ERIS launch vehicles [which] will deliver up to 450 kg to LEO, with ERIS-S (up to 200 kg to 500 km SSO) followed by ERIS-L (450 kg to 180-500 km SSO).\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p>The propulsion systems for the ERIS vehicles are based on &#8221; Gilmour&#8217;s new and proprietary hybrid rocket engine&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>**<strong> Munich-based <a href=\"https:\/\/www.isaraerospace.com\/\">Isar Aerospace<\/a> raises $17M for small rocket launch system<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/spacewatch.global\/2019\/12\/european-launch-company-isar-aerospace-closes-17-million-series-a-funding-round\/\">European Launch Company ISAR Aerospace Closes $17 Million Series A Funding Round &#8211; SpaceWatch.Global<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Isar is developing the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.isaraerospace.com\/spectrum.php\">Spectrum rocket<\/a> which<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>&#8230; is a two-stage launch vehicle that is specifically designed for satellite constellation deployment. Payload capabilities of up to 1&#8217;000kg to low-earth orbit and a multi-ignition second stage engine enable flexible access to space for major satellite systems. Spectrum is designed to handle the most challenging mission parameters and offers engine-out capability on the first stage for highest mission success.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>From the SpaceWatch.Global article:<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Over the past year, Isar Aerospace has been developing its Spectrum rocket at unmatched speed. The development is fully on track for first launch in late 2021 while key milestones such as propulsion system hotfire testing and agreements for launch site access have been achieved. <span lang=\"DE\">\u201cAt Airbus Ventures we\u2019re proud to add Isar Aerospace to our global portfolio of innovative launch systems,\u201d remarks Airbus Ventures Financial Officer and EMEA team member Claas Carsten Kohl. Mathieu Costes, Airbus Ventures Partner adds \u201cWe\u2019re pleased to entrust Daniel and his outstanding team, bringing impressive new technologies and approaches to the challenges of Low Earth Orbit, to represent our first deal in Germany. Together with our investment round co-leader Earlybird and under the continuing guidance of Bulent Altan we\u2019re pleased to help draw together the ecosystems of new space excellence in both Germany and in the wider Airbus universe.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p>** <strong>More about the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leoaerospace.com\/\" target=\"_d\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Leo Aerospace<\/a> balloon launch systems<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.universetoday.com\/144178\/using-balloons-to-launch-rockets\/\" target=\"_d\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Using Balloons to Launch Rockets &#8211; Universe Today<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Since the turn of the century, space exploration has changed dramatically thanks to the unprecedented rise of commercial aerospace (aka. NewSpace). With the goal of leveraging new technologies and lowering the costs of launching payloads into space, some truly innovative and novel ideas are being put forth. This includes the idea of using balloons to carry rockets to very high-altitudes, then firing the payloads to their desired orbits.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Also known as \u201cRockoons\u201d, this concept has informed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.leoaerospace.com\/about\">Leo Aerospace<\/a>\u2018s fully-autonomous and fully-reusable launch system \u2013 which consists of a high-altitude aerostat (balloon) and a rocket launch platform. With the first commercial launches slated for next year, the company plans to use this system to provide regular launch services to the microsatellite (aka. CubeSat) market in the coming years.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>See also the <a href=\"http:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=20441\">earlier item here<\/a> about Leo.<\/p>\n<p>** <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vector-launch.com\/\">Vector Launch<\/a> in final death throes<\/strong>:\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/spacenews.com\/vector-files-for-chapter-11-bankruptcy\/\">Vector files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy &#8211; SpaceNews.com<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Small launch vehicle company Vector filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Dec. 13 as part of an agreement that could see some of its satellite technology assets sold to Lockheed Martin.<br \/>\n&#8230;<br \/>\nVector had been one of the leading companies in the small launch vehicle market until August, when the company said that a \u201csignificant change in financing\u201d led it to pause operations and lay off nearly all of its more than 150 employees. Jim Cantrell, Vector\u2019s chief executive, also left the company at the time. That announcement came just two days after the company won an Air Force launch contract.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>According to industry sources familiar with the company, the August layoffs were triggered when one of the company\u2019s major investors, venture fund Sequoia, withdrew its support for the company because of concerns about how the company was managed. That came as Vector was working on a new funding round, and Sequoia\u2019s decision had a domino effect, causing other investors to back out. Sequoia didn\u2019t respond to a request for comment in August about any role it played in Vector\u2019s problems.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>** <strong>Update on second Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo rocketplane<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">We&#8217;ve completed the installation of the feather onto the next spaceship in <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/virgingalactic?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@VirginGalactic<\/a>\u2019s fleet. The feather gives SpaceShipTwo the ability to change shape in space, ensuring a safe, aerodynamically controlled re-entry into the Earth\u2019s atmosphere. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/X3gIoHFEUv\">https:\/\/t.co\/X3gIoHFEUv<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/XaGqJyqYQX\">pic.twitter.com\/XaGqJyqYQX<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 TheSpaceshipCompany (@TheSpaceshipCo) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TheSpaceshipCo\/status\/1206610576262225920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 16, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>** <strong>The secretive Astra launch company plans a test flight<\/strong> of the company&#8217;s rocket sometime between mid-February and the end of March: <a href=\"https:\/\/apps.fcc.gov\/oetcf\/els\/reports\/STA_Print.cfm?mode=current&amp;application_seq=97081&amp;RequestTimeout=1000\">OET Special Temporary Authority Report<\/a><\/p>\n<p>A snapshot of their rocket:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">.<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Erdayastronaut?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@Erdayastronaut<\/a> Look at the &#8220;Stealth&#8221; rocket I found in Alameda, CA tonight. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/qkLaCuPm4a\">pic.twitter.com\/qkLaCuPm4a<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Some Rando (@Alex_J_Band) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Alex_J_Band\/status\/1195877796670656512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">November 17, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><a id=\"SpaceX\"><\/a>** <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.spacex.com\">SpaceX<\/a><\/strong>:<\/p>\n<p>**** <strong>SpaceX adds more engine test stands at the McGregor, Texas facility<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/2019\/12\/spacex-activate-additional-test-stands-busy-2020\/\">SpaceX set to activate additional test stands ahead of busy 2020 &#8211; NASASpaceFlight.com<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>SpaceX\u2019s McGregor test facility is about to open two new test stands to accommodate increased Raptor engine production and a busy Falcon 9 manifest in 2020. Recent aerial images of the McGregor Texas-based facility show that both of the test stands are nearly ready for activation \u2013 with the first firings expected to occur this month.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>**** <a href=\"https:\/\/www.keplercommunications.com\/\"><strong>Kepler Communications<\/strong><\/a><strong> launching two batches of smallsats for an Internet of Things (IoT) constellation on Falcon 9<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.spacex.com\/smallsat\">rideshare flights<\/a>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.keplercommunications.com\/newsroom\/press-releases\/post\/kepler-communications-selects-spacex-to-launch-two-batches-of-its-nanosatellite-constellation\">Kepler Communications Selects SpaceX to Launch Two Batches of its Nanosatellite Constellation &#8211; Kepler<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spacenews.com\/kepler-books-spacex-rideshare-for-leo-satellites\/\">Kepler books SpaceX rideshare for LEO satellites &#8211; SpaceNews.com<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Kepler:<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Kepler announced today that it has selected SpaceX as launch partner to deliver a portion of its first Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellation into space onboard SpaceX\u2019s reusable Falcon 9 launch vehicle.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Kepler has procured 400 kg of launch capacity from SpaceX for the deployment of multiple satellites. These spacecraft incorporate both a high-capacity Ku-band communications system and a narrowband payload, for both high-speed data transfers and for low-power direct-to-satellite IoT connectivity.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>This will be the first time the two companies are partnering for a LEO deployment, and it will be a historical event as it marks Kepler\u2019s first use of SpaceX\u2019s new SmallSat Rideshare Program, which will see the launch of multiple small spacecraft into sun-synchronous orbit (SSO).<\/em><\/p>\n<p>**** <strong>The team at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.USLaunchReport.com\">www.USLaunchReport.com<\/a> watches the booster recovered from the latest Starlink launch<\/strong> transported from Port Canaveral to the hangar to prepare for another launch:<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/4_4uORaelMo?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<p>**** <em><strong>Starship<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p>****** <strong>Tim Dodd, the <a href=\"https:\/\/everydayastronaut.com\/\">Everyday Astronaut<\/a>, discusses the issue of a Starship abort system:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/v6lPMFgZU5Q?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<p>****** <strong>SpaceX Boca Chica Launch Control Cente<\/strong>r &#8211; December 15, 2019 &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/NASASpaceflight.com\">NASASpaceflight.com<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>As SpaceX&#8217;s Boca Chica steel machine keeps pumping out monolithic rings for Starship Mk3, groundwork is being laid for SpaceX&#8217;s Launch Control Center (LCC). Footage and photos from Mary (@bocachicagal) for NSF.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/BKLxxIiWhcA?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<p>****** <strong>SpaceX Boca Chica &#8211; Foundations of a Starship Production Factory<\/strong> &#8211; Dec. 14, 2019 &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/NASASpaceflight.com\">NASASpaceflight.com<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>As the gutting of Mk1&#8217;s remains is ongoing, workers are working on foundations for what will be a number of buildings that will be producing sections for a fleet of Starships and Super Heavy boosters. Footage and photos from Mary (@bocachicagal) for NSF. Edited by Brady Kenniston (@TheFavoritist)<\/em><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/kufqDLFLxEo?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>== <em>Amazon Ad<\/em> ==<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/gp\/product\/B071G3QMS2\/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=B071G3QMS2&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=hobbyspace&amp;linkId=f5526e5d1c26aa69f16fe78a9ece7406\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">LEGO Ideas NASA Apollo Saturn V 21309<br \/>\nOuter Space Model Rocket for Kids and Adults, Science Building Kit<br \/>\n(1900 pieces)<\/a><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;\" src=\"\/\/ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/e\/ir?t=hobbyspace&amp;l=am2&amp;o=1&amp;a=B071G3QMS2\" alt=\"\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" border=\"0\" \/><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><iframe style=\"width: 120px; height: 240px;\" src=\"\/\/ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;OneJS=1&amp;Operation=GetAdHtml&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;source=ac&amp;ref=tf_til&amp;ad_type=product_link&amp;tracking_id=hobbyspace&amp;marketplace=amazon&amp;region=US&amp;placement=B071G3QMS2&amp;asins=B071G3QMS2&amp;linkId=ebb9238717fd2b3e2654757c9a85c78a&amp;show_border=true&amp;link_opens_in_new_window=true&amp;price_color=333333&amp;title_color=0066c0&amp;bg_color=ffffff\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A sampling of recent articles, videos, and images dealing with space transport (find previous roundups here): ** Several orbital launches are taking place this week: **** SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 this evening with the JCSAT 18\/Kacific 1 comm-sat\u00a0 from Cape Canaveral. The first stage booster successfully landed on the \u201cOf Course I Still Love &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=20565\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Space transport roundup &#8211; Dec.16.2019<\/span> <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-20565","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-rockets"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p34aWK-5lH","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":19109,"url":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=19109","url_meta":{"origin":20565,"position":0},"title":"Space transport roundup &#8211; June.25.2019","author":"TopSpacer","date":"June 25, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Following up on\u00a0 yesterday's roundup, the SpaceX Falcon Heavy successfully reached orbit and deployed a big batch of satellites on board. Three ISS crew members also made it back to Earth safely via their Soyuz spacecraft. ** SpaceX Falcon Heavy completes the company's \"most difficult launch ever\", as described by\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Rockets&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Rockets","link":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?cat=5"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/48124299366_ebee34a5d9_k1-1024x1024.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":20961,"url":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=20961","url_meta":{"origin":20565,"position":1},"title":"Space transport roundup &#8211; June.29.2020","author":"TopSpacer","date":"January 29, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"A sampling of recent articles, videos, and images dealing with space transport (find previous roundups here): ** SpaceX successfully launched a fourth batch of 60 Starlink satellites today from Cape Canaveral. The first stage booster landed safely and one of the two nosecone fairings was caught in a net on\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Rockets&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Rockets","link":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?cat=5"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/200128-F-F3456-10021-500x281.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":17661,"url":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=17661","url_meta":{"origin":20565,"position":2},"title":"Space access roundup &#8211; Jan.29.2019","author":"TopSpacer","date":"January 29, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"A sampling of items regarding rockets, spaceships, etc: ** China's Long March 5, the country's largest heavy lift rocket, is set to launch again this year : China Plans Return-to-Flight of Long March-5 Booster - LeonardDavid.com An essential launcher for China\u2019s future space station and Moon exploration plans is being\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Rockets&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Rockets","link":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?cat=5"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/img.youtube.com\/vi\/18znl22Tlrg\/0.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":22569,"url":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=22569","url_meta":{"origin":20565,"position":3},"title":"Space transport roundup &#8211; Aug.21.2020","author":"TopSpacer","date":"August 21, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"A sampling of recent articles, videos, and images dealing with space transport (find previous roundups here): ** SpaceX launches Falcon 9 with 58 Starlink broadband sats and 3 earth imaging sats for Planet. The first stage booster flying on its 6th flight made a successful landing on an ocean platform.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Rockets&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Rockets","link":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?cat=5"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/hls_integrated_docking_new_web_1000x562-500x281.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":17030,"url":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=17030","url_meta":{"origin":20565,"position":4},"title":"Video: Gwynne Shotwell of SpaceX interviewed by Matt Desch of Iridium","author":"TopSpacer","date":"November 8, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"At a symposium held this week by AOPA (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association) dealing with the organization's high school STEM initiatives, there was an on-stage interview with SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell by Iridium CEO Matt Desch: SpaceX President and COO Gwynne Shotwell talks about successes and failures in their rocket\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Rockets&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Rockets","link":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?cat=5"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"\/\/ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/e\/ir?t=hobbyspace&l=am2&o=1&a=B07FYWM41W","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":19446,"url":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=19446","url_meta":{"origin":20565,"position":5},"title":"Space transport roundup &#8211; Aug.14.2019","author":"TopSpacer","date":"August 14, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"A sampling of recent articles, videos, and images dealing with space transport: ** Chinese startup LinkSpace reaches highest altitude yet for the company's VTOL rockets. RLV-T5 rocket flies to 300 meters and then returns for a powered landing. Chinese space startup revs up for reusable rocket race - Reuters Chinese\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Rockets&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Rockets","link":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?cat=5"},"img":{"alt_text":"ULA Vulcan with Dream Chaser - Exploded View","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/dreamchaservulcanexp_side1-1024x639.png?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20565","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=20565"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20565\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20574,"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20565\/revisions\/20574"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=20565"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=20565"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=20565"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}