Tag: Aerospace

NASA Postpones Return of Boeing Starliner Crew Until March

The Washington Post reports, “The two Boeing Starliner astronauts kept unexpectedly on the International Space Station since June have had their stay extended yet again because the next crew will arrive later than originally anticipated, NASA said this week. Barry ‘Butch’ Wilmore and Sunita Williams were previously expected to return in February after spending several months longer in orbit than planned.”
Full Story (Washington Post)

Airbus A321XLR GTF Engine Receives FAA Certification

Flying Magazine reports, “Pratt & Whitney has received FAA certification for the GTF engine that will power the Airbus A321XLR. According to a Monday news release from Connecticut-based RTX—Pratt & Whitney’s parent company—the engine type certificate was updated to include the A321XLR after being granted Thursday for the PW1100G-JM engine.”
Full Story (Flying Magazine)

Joby Aviation Completes FAA Aerostructure Tests

Aerotime reports, “Joby Aviation has completed a series of major aerostructure tests to gain certification approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). In a press release published on December 17, 2024, the company announced it has completed static load tests on the tail structure of its electric air taxi. These are the first major aerostructure tests done with FAA representatives present for credit.”
Full Story (Aerotime)

SpaceX Conducts Third Falcon 9 Launch in Less Than 24 Hours

Spaceflight Now reports, “SpaceX completed its third Falcon 9 launch in less than 24 hours with a launch for one of its oldest customers: Luxembourg-based communications company, SES. Liftoff of the O3b mPOWER 7 and 8 satellites from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at the Kennedy Space Center happened near sunset at 5:26 p.m. EST (2226 UTC), which was the close of a nearly 1.5-hour-long launch window. It was be the 90th orbital launch from the Florida spaceport comprising of Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.”
Full Story (Spaceflight Now)

 

 

Video

SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches pair of O3b mPOWER satellites from Kennedy Space Center (Launch at 0:59:21 mark)
(Spaceflight Now; YouTube)

Stratolaunch TA-2 Set to Make First Reusable Test Flight

Aviation Week reports, “Stratolaunch is recycling for another attempt at the first reusable test flight of the Talon A hypersonic testbed after aborting a mission off California on Dec. 13. The planned test of the second Talon (TA-2) was to have been the first under Stratolaunch’s five-flight block buy…”
Full Story (Aviation Week – Subscription Publication)

SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches Expedited GPS Mission for U.S. Space Force

Spaceflight Now reports, “The U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command (SSC) and the Space Operations Command (SpOC) shifted the GPS 3 Space Vehicle 07 spacecraft to a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from a United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket due to delays in Vulcan’s certification. The launch, previously known simply as ‘RRT-1,’ actually stands for “Rapid Response Trailblazer.” Onboard was the GPS 3 Space Vehicle (SV) 07 (GPS 3 SV-07). Lockheed Martin, the satellite’s manufacturer, confirmed successful signal acquisition less than two hours after the launch at 7:52 p.m. EST (0052 UTC).”
Full Story (Spaceflight Now)

 

Video

SpaceX launches U.S. Space Force RRT-1 mission from Cape Canaveral on Falcon 9 rocket (Launch at 1:00:51 mark)
(Spaceflight Now; YouTube)

Boom XB-1 Technology Demonstrator Getting Closer to Supersonic Milestone

Aviation Week reports, “Boom Supersonic’s XB-1 technology demonstrator probed deeper into the transonic speed regime during its ninth test flight from Mojave Air & Space Port, California, on Dec. 13, paving the way for an attempt to reach and exceed Mach 1, now targeted for early 2025. Piloted by Boom chief test pilot Tristan “Geppetto” Brandenburg, the XB-1 expanded the altitude envelope to over 27,700 ft., continued tests of the Flutter Excitation System (FES), and reached a maximum speed of Mach 0.87.”
Full Story (Aviation Week)

FAA Working to Streamline Key Commercial Space Launch and Reentry Hurdle

Reuters reports, “The Federal Aviation Administration said Friday it was moving to streamline a key commercial space launch and reentry license hurdle, declaring some flight safety analyses in California, Florida, and Virginia satisfy requirements. The FAA noted the commercial space industry often cites meeting flight safety analysis requirements as a challenge before launches. The FAA said the change reduces the amount of material applicants must submit, and improves FAA technical review efficiency. Companies like SpaceX have complained about delays getting FAA launch licenses.”
Full Story (Reuters)

Silent Barker Spacecraft Expected to Begin Operation in 2025

Aviation Week reports, “The first spacecraft from a joint U.S. Space Force and National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) program to conduct space situational awareness are close to entering operation next year. The Silent Barker spacecraft were launched Sept. 10, 2023, aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Since then, the satellites have been undergoing the test-and-checkout phase, which is nearing completion, U.S. Space Command chief Gen. Stephen Whiting told reporters Dec. 11.”
Full Story (Aviation Week)