Florida’s Space Coast Gears Up for Potential Record-Breaking Year in Rocket Launches
Florida’s Space Coast is gearing up for a potentially record-breaking year in orbital rocket launches, with 48 launches already completed in the first half of the year. SpaceX has been a dominant player, with upcoming missions including the Türksat 6A satellite launch, United Launch Alliance USSF-51 mission, and SpaceX ISS Resupply Mission. Stay tuned for more updates on these exciting launches!
Firefly Aerospace and Northrop Grumman Collaborate on New Reusable Rocket
Firefly Aerospace and Northrop Grumman are collaborating on a new medium-lift rocket, the Medium Launch Vehicle (MLV), with a recoverable booster for reuse. The rocket’s return-to-launch-site propulsive landing aims to enhance competitiveness in pricing, aligning Firefly with Rocket Lab, Relativity Space, and Stoke Space in the pursuit of rocket reusability. The MLV is set to join the ranks of launch providers for national security missions, with plans for downrange landings on barges at sea.
SpaceX Falcon Heavy Launch Successfully Lifts NOAA Weather Satellite GOES-U into Orbit
Get live coverage of the SpaceX Falcon Heavy Launch by FLORIDA TODAY’s Space Team as a triple-core SpaceX rocket lifts the NOAA weather satellite GOES-U into orbit from Kennedy Space Center’s Pad 39A. Boosters will return to SpaceX landing sites with sonic booms expected. Learn about the latest addition to NOAA’s GOES-R series and how it aims to enhance storm detection capabilities. Follow updates on the crowds at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and NASA’s coverage of the launch.
SpaceX Successfully Launches 49th Starlink Mission
SpaceX successfully launches 49th Starlink mission, deploying 49th group 6 satellites. The first-stage booster completes its 20th flight and lands on the droneship, A Shortfall of Gravitas. The mission adds to SpaceX’s growing constellation of internet satellites, bringing global internet coverage closer to reality.
SpaceX Conducts Static Fire Test of Starship Megarocket
SpaceX conducts static fire test with Super Heavy booster in preparation for next Starship launch. The 33-engine Starship first stage was tested at the Starbase site in South Texas. SpaceX founder Elon Musk targets next month for the fourth-ever Starship launch. Stay updated with the latest space news and rocket launches by subscribing to the Space.com Newsletter.
SpaceX Launches Commercial Direct to Cell Starlink Constellation
SpaceX has launched six Direct to Cell Starlink spacecraft on the Falcon 9 rocket, marking the second time this year. The successful deployment of 21 total satellites, including the DTC Starlinks, paves the way for the establishment of the first direct-to-cell constellation by August. With ambitious goals to launch 7,500 DTC Starlinks and send 28 satellites to low Earth orbit in a single launch, SpaceX is expanding its satellite network and connectivity services.
Criticism of Elon Musk’s Mars Colonization Plan
Elon Musk’s plan to colonize Mars has been criticized by the Royal Astronomer, Lord Rees of Ludlow, as a ‘dangerous illusion.’ Critics argue that the practical obstacles, including the exorbitant cost, technological limitations, and the inhospitable conditions on Mars, make this vision unrealistic. The debate raises questions about the prioritization of resources and efforts in addressing pressing issues on Earth, particularly in the context of climate change.
SpaceX Launches Doubleheader Falcon 9 Rocket Mission
SpaceX successfully launched a doubleheader Falcon 9 rocket mission to deploy satellites and expand its Starlink constellation, with one launch carrying the Eutelsat 36D satellite and the other launching 23 Starlink satellites. Weather conditions forced the postponement of a third SpaceX launch in California. Despite the challenges, SpaceX’s ambitious launch schedule and successful missions demonstrate the company’s commitment to advancing satellite deployment and space exploration.
Space Coast Sets New Record for Orbital Missions in 2023
The Space Coast in Florida has set a new record for orbital missions in 2023, with a total of 72 launches from both Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The pace of launches is expected to increase significantly by the end of 2024, potentially reaching a rate of nearly twice weekly, with as many as 111 missions being possible. As of March 30, 2024, there have been 22 Space Coast launches, with 15 from Cape Canaveral and 7 from KSC. Of these, 21 were conducted by SpaceX (comprising 21 Falcon 9s) and 1 by ULA (utilizing 1 Vulcan). Additionally, there have been 2 human spaceflight missions: Ax-3 and Crew-8.
Chunks of SpaceX’s Exploded Starship Selling for Thousands on eBay
Chunks of SpaceX’s exploded Starship are being sold for thousands of dollars each on eBay, with recovered ceramic heat shield tiles becoming a lucrative secondary market for unique souvenirs. Lucky individuals have stumbled upon perfectly preserved heat shield tiles on the beaches near SpaceX’s testing facilities in Boca Chica, Texas, and are capitalizing on the opportunity by selling them for prices ranging from $30 for a broken tile to well over $2,000 for a mostly intact one. With one tile listed for a whopping $7,500 on eBay, the potential profits are attracting sellers eager to cash in on these unique space artifacts.