Tag: Private

Rocket Lab Launches Earth-observing Radar Satellite to Orbit in 6th Mission for Japanese Company iQPS

SPACE reports, “Rocket Lab launched its sixth mission for the Japanese Earth-imaging company iQPS this afternoon (Nov. 5) from its seaside pad in New Zealand. An Electron rocket carrying the QPS-SAR-14 satellite, nicknamed Yachihoko-I, lifted off from Rocket Lab’s New Zealand site today at 2:51 p.m. EST (1951 GMT; 8:51 a.m. on Nov. 6. local New Zealand time).”
Full Story (SPACE)

Video

Rocket Lab launches Japanese Earth-observation satellite. (Launch occurs at the 00:10 mark)
VideoFromSpace; YouTube
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Axiom-4 Mission Astronauts Aboard ISS Conducting Research Experiments and Outreach Events

SPACE reports, “As the Axiom-4 mission approaches its two-week mark before returning to Earth, the private space mission crew discusses science and pierogis. The crew of Axiom-4 (Ax-4) have been aboard the International Space Station (ISS) since their SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule docked there on June 26.”
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Rocket Lab Electron Rocket Launches Private Japanese Earth-observing Satellite

SPACE reports, “Rocket Lab launched an Earth-observing satellite for the Japanese company iQPS early Saturday morning (May 17). An Electron rocket lifted off from Rocket Lab’s New Zealand site on Saturday at 4:17 a.m. EDT (0817 GMT; 8:17 p.m. local New Zealand time).”
Full Story (SPACE)

Video

Rocket Lab electron rocket launches private Japanese Earth-observing satellite. (Launch occurs at 19:29)
(Rocket Lab; YouTube)

NASA Requests Proposals for Private Astronaut Space Station Mission

Aviation Week reports, “NASA has requested proposals from American-led companies for two private astronaut missions to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of its ongoing strategy to transition the scientific development activities underway aboard the orbital lab to commercially owned and operated successors.”
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Rocket Lab’s Next Electron Launch Window Opens February 4

Yahoo Finance reports, “Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (‘Rocket Lab’ or the ‘Company’) (Nasdaq: RKLB), a leading launch provider and space systems company, today announced it has scheduled the next Electron launch for Kinéis, a global Internet-of-Things (IoT) connectivity provider. The ‘IOT 4 You and Me’ mission is scheduled to launch during window that opens on February 4th NZDT.
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Rocket Lab to Launch a Private Earth-imaging Satellite This Morning

SPACE reports, “Rocket Lab plans to launch an Earth-observing radar satellite this morning (Dec. 20). An Electron rocket is scheduled to lift off from Rocket Lab’s New Zealand site today, during a 75-minute window that opens at 9:00 a.m. EDT (1400 GMT; 3:00 a.m. on Dec. 21 local New Zealand time).”
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Update from SPACE at 9:45 a.m. ET: “Today’s launch attempt was scrubbed with around 17 minutes left in the countdown. Rocket Lab has not yet set a new launch date.”

NASA SpaceX Crew-8 Mission to Launch Friday

Flying Magazine reports, “NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 mission is set to launch via a Falcon 9 rocket Friday, ferrying three space agency astronauts and a Roscosmos cosmonaut to the International Space Station (ISS).” The four Crew-8 members are “NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, and Jeanette Epps, as well as Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin.” The targeted launch time is 12:04 a.m. EST Friday, from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Full Story (Flying Magazine)

SpaceX Delays Crew-8 Launch to Feb. 28

SPACE reports “NASA’s next astronaut launch will delay nearly a week to let a moon mission leave Earth first.” NASA will launch the Crew-8 astronauts on Feb. 28, to “deconflict” from the expected launch date of a robotic moon mission with agency…
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