SpaceX Falcon 9 mission to International Space Station is put on hold until Friday January 6, 2015 SpaceX's plan to send a rocket up into space and then land it safely back on Earth has been aborted until Friday. The mission, which involves sending a cargo to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard rocket Falcon X, was almost ready to go this morning when a technical issue meant it had to [...]
Elon Musk’s SpaceX rocket landing: Here’s what you need to know about Friday’s International Space Station mission January 6, 2015 On Friday, SpaceX will attempt to return a rocket to Earth for the first time ever. The Falcon 9 vessel will be launched into space, from where it will release its Dragon cargo spacecraft towards the International Space Station (ISS). It will then change direction and come back down towards Earth. The attempted landing [...]
Airbus climbs on board mission to send humans into space… for £310m December 11, 2014 Airbus has signed a contract with the European Space Agency (ESA) to build part of the US Orion vehicle, which is being designed to carry humans into space. The aircraft manufacturer will design a back section of the new spaceship – the part responsible for propelling it up into space. It will also carry [...]
Space, sea and saving humanity: Five of the most expensive, mind-blowing science missions ever untertaken November 25, 2014 From the discovery of penicillin to the invention of the computer, science has been fundamental to the survival and progression of humankind over the last few centuries. It has completely changed the way we live and thrive in the modern world, with the transformation set to continue – it would be difficult for anyone [...]
The astronauts with expensive taste: Caviar and special espresso machine sent up for a New Year’s Eve party in space November 24, 2014 While we're down here singing Auld Lang Syne as the clock strikes midnight, three astronauts at the International Space Station (ISS) will welcome in the new year over a meal of caviar, lemons and Lavazza coffee. Samantha Cristofetti, Anton Shkaplerov and Terry Virt successfully docked at the space port this morning, and will be [...]
Orbital Sciences Corp share price plunges: Nasa video shows Antares space station rocket explosion October 29, 2014 Shares in Orbital Sciences Corp have fallen faster than its Antares rocket in US pre-market trading overnight, dropping as much as 16 per cent after its mission to the International Space Station exploded spectacularly seconds after launch. The unmanned rocket was taking 5,000 pounds of supplies to the space station, but exploded shortly after it [...]
Pea shoots and TV equipment: Here’s what Nasa’s exploded Antares rocket was carrying October 29, 2014 The rocket that blew up seconds after its launch last night might have been unmanned, but that doesn't mean the mission's failure hasn't cost Nasa and Orbital Sciences, the company behind it, dear. The Antares Rocket was the third time Orbital has been contracted by Nasa to resupply the International Space Station (ISS), and as [...]
Day trip to the moon, anyone? Scientists say the average person would be “fine” in space September 18, 2014 Astronauts are a very healthy bunch – before being sent up into space they must go through rigorous physical training and pass a multitude of medical tests. Even when on a mission there's no respite – the International Space Station is equipped with its very own treadmill to keep them in tip top form at [...]
Elon Musk’s SpaceX wins Nasa commercial flight contract September 17, 2014 It’s a good day for PayPal founder Elon Musk; his SpaceX corporation has been selected by Nasa as one of the two firms to design crew capsules for transporting astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS). The Commercial Crew Development programme has awarded SpaceX and Boeing a combined sum of $6.2bn to develop the capsules. [...]
Boeing and SpaceX will share a $6.8bn space taxi Nasa contract September 16, 2014 NASA yesterday revealed Boeing and SpaceX will share a $6.8bn (£4.2bn) contract to fly astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS). Massive aerospace and defence company Boeing will get $4.2bn from Nasa to use its CST-100 capsule to ferry astronauts to the ISS. Meanwhile SpaceX, founded in 2002 by former Paypal entrepreneur and Tesla Motors [...]