Space Tourism, Space Transport and Space Exploration News
December 20, 2024
DRAGON SPACE
China's space journey continues apace



Beijing, China (SPX) Dec 20, 2024
The first-ever samples retrieved from the moon's far side, an iconic feat achieved by China's most recent lunar expedition, Chang'e 6, were on display at the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, which took place in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, from Nov 12 to 17. This was the first time the valuable lunar substances had been shown to the public since they were brought back to Earth in June. The Chang'e 6 mission, representing the world's first attempt to bring back sampl ... read more

ROCKET SCIENCE
Venus Aerospace ignites VDR2 engine in major milestone
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Dec 20, 2024
Venus Aerospace, a prominent innovator in hypersonic technology, has successfully ignited its VDR2 engine, achieving a critical milestone in its development of advanced high-speed propulsion. The VD ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
First integration of European reusable stage demonstrator Themis
Berlin, Germany (SPX) Dec 18, 2024
ArianeGroup has successfully completed the initial mechanical integration of Themis, the European reusable launcher first stage demonstrator, at its Les Mureaux facility in France. Standing 28 ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
Fit for service Themis reusable rocket stage reaches key development milestone
Paris, France (SPX) Dec 18, 2024
In December 2024, Europe's Themis reusable rocket first-stage demonstrator successfully completed a critical 'full fit-check' at ArianeGroup's Les Mureaux facility in France. This significant ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
Orion Spacecraft Tested in Ohio After Artemis I Mission
Cleveland OH (SPX) Dec 18, 2024
Making the voyage 1.4 million miles around the Moon and back - the farthest a spacecraft built for humans has ever gone - the Orion spacecraft has faced a battery of tests over the years. Though Ori ... more
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ROCKET SCIENCE
Rocket Lab delivers second spacecraft and completes third for Varda Space Industries
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Dec 18, 2024
Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) has successfully delivered its second Pioneer spacecraft to Vandenberg Space Force Base and finalized production and testing of a third spacecraft for Varda Space ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
Second Ariane 6 components assembled at Europe's Spaceport
Paris, France (SPX) Dec 20, 2024
The assembly of Europe's second Ariane 6 rocket, designated VA263, is underway at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana following the arrival of its primary components. The core and upper stages were ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
Vega poised for expanded operations and next-gen development
Paris, France (SPX) Dec 20, 2024
ESA has signed a series of contracts with Avio to enhance the operational capacity of the Vega-C rocket and push forward the development of its successor, Vega-E. These agreements aim to increase th ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
Japanese start-up says space rocket launch attempt fails
Tokyo (AFP) Dec 18, 2024
A start-up aiming to become Japan's first private firm to put a satellite into orbit said Wednesday that the second launch attempt of its Kairos rocket failed shortly after lift-off. ... more

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DRAGON SPACE
Shenzhou XIX crew completes successful spacewalk outside Tiangong station
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Dec 18, 2024
Shenzhou XIX mission crew members completed their first extravehicular activity (EVA) on Tuesday, working for nearly nine hours outside the Tiangong space station, the China Manned Space Agency repo ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
SpaceX Launches SES O3b mPOWER Satellites to Expand Global Communications Network
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Dec 18, 2024
SpaceX successfully launched the SES O3b mPOWER mission on Tuesday afternoon, delivering two advanced communications satellites into medium Earth orbit (MEO). Liftoff occurred at 5:26 p.m. ET from L ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
Trump-Musk alliance should boost 'space economy'
Washington DC (UPI) Dec 18, 2024
Next year could be a transformative one for U.S. space exploration, as the election of Donald Trump to the presidency and his close relationship with SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk promises to cha ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
FAA issues License Authorization for SpaceX Starship Flight 7
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Dec 18, 2024
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a license modification permitting SpaceX to conduct multiple missions of its Starship/Super Heavy vehicle under the Flight 7 mission profile. The ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
Japanese startup's space rocket launch fails
Tokyo (AFP) Dec 18, 2024
A space rocket built by a Japanese startup blasted off on Wednesday but was later seen spiralling downwards in the distance as the company said the launch attempt had failed. ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
China successfully tests XZY 1 verification rocket engine
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Dec 13, 2024
China's XZY 1 verification rocket has successfully completed a static firing test at Haiyang Oriental Aerospace Port in Shandong province, marking a major milestone for the nation's aerospace innova ... more
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ROCKET SCIENCE
Undeterred by Friday the 13th, SpaceX plans pair of launches
Washington DC (UPI) Dec 13, 2024
SpaceX plans to launch 23 Starlink communications satellites into low-Earth orbit from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California Friday morning, weather permitting. ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
Artemis II core stage positioned for integration
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Dec 13, 2024
NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) Moon rocket core stage is now vertical inside High Bay 2 of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The maneuver was completed on Tu ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
Equatorial Launch Australia shifts focus to new Queensland spaceport site
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Dec 13, 2024
Equatorial Launch Australia (ELA) has announced the immediate cessation of operations at the Arnhem Space Centre in the Northern Territory, citing unresolved lease negotiations. The company will rel ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
China Long March 8A prepares for first flight in January 2025
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Dec 13, 2024
The Long March 8A rocket, developed to become China's primary launch vehicle for medium- and low-Earth orbit missions, is set to make its maiden flight in January 2025, as announced by the China Aca ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
NASA's crew capsule had heat shield issues during Artemis I
Grand Forks, ND (SPX) Dec 13, 2024
Off the coast of Baja California in December 2022, sun sparkled over the rippling sea as waves sloshed around the USS Portland dock ship. Navy officials on the deck scrutinized the sky in search of ... more
DRAGON SPACE
China boosts Lunar and Mars mission capabilities with advanced Long March rockets
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Dec 10, 2024
China's Long March 10, the next-generation manned launch vehicle, is set to significantly enhance the nation's lunar mission capabilities, increasing its lunar transfer orbit payload capacity from 8 ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
Blue Ring Pathfinder payload ready for integration on New Glenn first mission
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Dec 10, 2024
Blue Origin has announced that its Blue Ring Pathfinder payload is prepared for integration ahead of the inaugural flight of its New Glenn rocket, NG-1, slated for later this year. This mission will ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
PLD Space secures euro 11 million loan to advance MIURA 5 launch site
Madrid, Spain (SPX) Dec 10, 2024
PLD Space, the Spanish aerospace company specializing in reusable space launchers, has obtained euro 11 million in financing from COFIDES to propel the development of its MIURA 5 rocket launch site ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
Rocket Lab conducts hypersonic suborbital test launch for DoD
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Dec 10, 2024
Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) has successfully executed a suborbital hypersonic mission in November, advancing technology testing for the Department of Defense under the Multi-Service Advanced ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
SpaceX launches 23 more Starlink satellites
Washington DC (UPI) Dec 8, 2024
SpaceX early Sunday launched 23 Starlink spacecraft from Florida's Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
China's new Long March rockets to enable lunar and Mars missions
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Dec 08, 2024
China's next-generation Long March 10 carrier rocket will significantly boost the nation's capacity for manned lunar exploration, increasing its lunar transfer orbit payload from 8.2 tonnes to 27 to ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
Rocket Lab prepares to launch Synspective EO satellite
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Dec 06, 2024
Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) has confirmed the launch window for its next Electron mission, which will deploy Synspective's latest Earth observation satellite. This mission is part of an ongo ... more
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ROCKET SCIENCE
Double success for Europe as Sentinel-1C and Vega-C take flight
Paris, France (SPX) Dec 06, 2024
The European Space Agency (ESA) has successfully launched the Sentinel-1C satellite aboard the Vega-C rocket, signifying a major milestone for Europe's space ambitions. The Sentinel-1C mission, part ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
Iran launches heaviest space payload into orbit: media
Tehran (AFP) Dec 6, 2024
Iran successfully launched on Friday its heaviest space payload, which includes a satellite and a space tug, using a domestically developed satellite carrier, official media reported. ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
Europe's Vega-C rocket launches satellite into orbit after delays
Kourou (AFP) Dec 6, 2024
Europe's new Vega-C rocket launched Thursday from French Guiana and put a satellite into orbit in its first takeoff since a failed flight two years ago. ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
SpaceX reaches milestone with 300th successful booster landing
Washington DC (UPI) Dec 5, 2024
SpaceX reached another milestone for the reusability of its first-stage boosters as it launched another round of Starlink satellites from California. ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
Vega-C set for launch marking its return to service
Paris, France (SPX) Dec 05, 2024
ESA's Vega-C rocket has been fully assembled at Europe's Spaceport and is prepared for liftoff. The final component, including the Sentinel-1C satellite payload, was placed atop the 35-meter rocket ... more
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