A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Kennedy Space Center on Aug. 7 carrying 57 new Starlink broadband satellites—all outfitted with visors to cut Sun glint that interferes with astronomical observations—and two BlackSky Global imaging satellites.
With the recent COVID-19 outbreak it’s been particularly challenging for the aviation sector in many ways, including major aviation events being cancelled. So, it’s great news to hear that The MEBAA 2020 Show is set to go ahead in December.
Boeing does not expect to issue more debt to raise funds at this time, the company’s chief financial officer said Aug. 5, but management will “keep all our options open” through the "dynamic" COVID-19 and 737 MAX crises .
The U.S. Space Force’s 30th Space Wing and entities in California have entered into an agreement to develop a spaceport and boost commercial launch activity at Vandenberg AFB on the state’s Pacific coast.
German aerospace center DLR and MTU Aero Engines plan to cooperate on development of a zero-emissions hydrogen fuel-cell power train for flight testing in a 19-passenger Dornier Do 228 regional aircraft, from 2026.
SpaceX will fly a pair of SES’s new satellites on a Falcon 9 rocket in 2022, with an option for a second flight for an undisclosed third satellite. ULA will launch another two SES spacecraft on an Atlas V, also in 2022, SES announced.
A new event is being launched by Routes which will provide an innovative platform for the aviation industry to rebuild air services in the post-pandemic era.
Astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken praised the NASA/SpaceX team behind their test flight and expressed hope the public/private partnership continues to thrive.
As it incorporates lessons learned from the abbreviated debut flight of its LauncherOne small satellite rocket, Virgin Orbit said Aug. 3 it is planning for a second demonstration mission before year’s end, with NASA agreeing to use the launch to put 11 experimental cubesats into orbit.
