Tag: Demonstration

Slingshot 1 Provides Aerospace Corp with Demonstration of Satellite Integration

Space News reports that through the Slingshot 1 mission, the Aerospace Corp. “has demonstrated how open standards and nonproprietary interfaces can help streamline satellite integration and operation.” Aerospace Slingshot Payload Operator David Hinkley said that after more than a year of on-orbit operations, Slingshot “has been a huge success.” The 19 Slingshot payloads “were developed independently and integrated in a couple of weeks prior to launch in July 2022 of the 12-unit cubesat on a Virgin Orbit LauncherOne rocket.” Speedy integration “was possible thanks to Handle, a modular plug-and-play interface that allows payloads to draw power from the satellite bus and to communicate with the satellite and other payloads.”
Full Story (Space News)

SpaceX’s Next Starship Flight Expected to Include Propellant Transfer Demonstration for NASA

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CNBC reports, “SpaceX could attempt a key demonstration for NASA during the third test flight of its towering Starship rocket.” According to a NASA official, “the next Starship flight is expected to include ‘a propellant transfer demonstration,’ though an agency spokesperson noted Tuesday the plan is subject to change, as is often the case in the space industry.” NASA spokesperson Jimi Russell said in a statement, “NASA and SpaceX are reviewing options for the demonstration to take place during an integrated flight test of Starship and the Super Heavy rocket. However, no final decisions on timing have been made.”
Full Story (CNBC)