Space Tourism, Space Transport and Space Exploration News
December 15, 2023
ROCKET SCIENCE
China's Shenlong space plane embarks on another secretive mission in space



Sydney, Australia (SPX) Dec 15, 2023
In a significant advancement for China's space technology, the successful launch of a Long March 2F carrier rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Northwest China's vast Gobi Desert has marked a new chapter. This event is particularly noteworthy as it is believed to have placed the Shenlong (Divine Dragon) space plane into orbit. The Shenlong project, enveloped in mystery and thought to be a product of collaboration between the People's Liberation Army and the China Aerospace Science a ... read more

DRAGON SPACE
China's space programme: Five things to know
Beijing (AFP) Dec 14, 2023
When Chang'e-3 became the first Chinese craft to land on the Moon 10 years ago, it kicked off nationwide celebrations - and a decade of major successes for a rapidly accelerating space programme. ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
US launch of new Vulcan Centaur rocket delayed until January
Washington (AFP) Dec 14, 2023
The maiden liftoff of a new American rocket called Vulcan Centaur has been delayed from Christmas Eve to January 8, United Launch Alliance, the company developing it, said Thursday. ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
New rockets set to launch in 2024
Washington (AFP) Dec 15, 2023
Several new European and American rockets are set for blast off in 2024, at a time the aerospace industry faces a shortage of launch vehicles fueled by the rise of satellite constellations. ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
Rocket Lab Sets Launch Date for iQPS's 'The Moon God Awakens' Mission
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Dec 14, 2023
In a significant development in the realm of space launches and Earth observation, Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (NASDAQ: RKLB), a global leader in launch services, is gearing up for its 42nd Electron missio ... more
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ROCKET SCIENCE


UK's Orbex secures funding for carbon-neutral spaceport development

ROCKET SCIENCE
Next-generation methane rocket to be more powerful
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Dec 12, 2023
Beijing-based private space company LandSpace has unveiled the ZQ-3 carrier rocket, a new addition to its lineup that promises significant advancements in rocket technology. The announcement, made b ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
France 2030 boosts HyPrSpace and Partners with 35M Euro for Micro-Launcher Development
Paris, France (SPX) Dec 13, 2023
HyPrSpace, in collaboration with Telespazio France and CT Ingenierie, has recently secured a significant funding boost of euro 35 million for the Agile Space Access Development Project #1 (PADA1). T ... more
DRAGON SPACE
Long March rockets mark their 500th spaceflight
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Dec 12, 2023
China's Long March rocket family has achieved a milestone with its 500th spaceflight, using a Long March 2D carrier rocket to deploy several remote-sensing satellites. This event, which took place o ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
Neumann Space Achieves Milestone with First Molybdenum-Fueled Thruster Test in Space
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Dec 12, 2023
Neumann Space, an Australian-based innovator in space technology, has recently made headlines with the successful completion of the first series of on-orbit tests of its Neumann Drive, a leading pro ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
NASA Teams Prepare Moon Rocket-to-Spacecraft Connector for Assembly
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Dec 12, 2023
The Space Launch System (SLS), NASA's super-heavy lift rocket designated for the Artemis II mission, is rapidly approaching a significant milestone. Teams at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in H ... more

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ROCKET SCIENCE


Maritime Launch secures additional funding for Canada's first commercial spaceport

ROCKET SCIENCE
LandSpace's methane-propelled rocket marks another milestone
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Dec 11, 2023
Beijing-based private aerospace company LandSpace has achieved a new milestone with the successful second flight of its methane-propelled carrier rocket, the ZQ 2-Y3. This launch, which took place o ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
KAIST Partners with Rocket Lab for NeonSat-1 Launch
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Dec 08, 2023
Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) has secured a launch services agreement that will see the deployment of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology's (KAIST) Earth observation satelli ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
An incredible pace of SpaceX launch cadence continues with the launch of a Falcon 9 rocket
Space Coast FL (SPX) Dec 07, 2023
SpaceX sent up 23 Starlink satellites during a mission from Florida's Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS). Liftoff from Launch Complex 40 (LC-40) occurred at 12:07 a.m. EST (0507 UTC) on Spac ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
Professionals Satellite YPSat Ready for Electromagnetic Compatibility Testing
Berlin, Germany (SPX) Dec 07, 2023
ESA's Young Professionals Satellite (YPSat) is making significant progress as it approaches its crucial phase of electromagnetic compatibility testing. The YPSat project, led entirely by ESA Young P ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
NASA identifies probable reason for OSIRIS-REx capsule parachute deployment issue
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Dec 07, 2023
NASA's OSIRIS-REx sample return capsule successfully touched down under parachute in Utah's desert on September 24, 2023, delivering a container filled with rocks and dust from the near-Earth astero ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE


China's sea-based rocketry expands with Smart Dragon 3's success

ROCKET SCIENCE
Sidus Space and Bechtel join forces for Artemis Mobile Launcher 2
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Dec 06, 2023
Sidus Space (NASDAQ: SIDU), a notable player in the Space and Data-as-a-Service sector, has recently announced its expanded involvement in the NASA Artemis missions. The company disclosed that it ha ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
Iran hails capsule launch as step towards human spaceflight
Tehran (AFP) Dec 6, 2023
Iran has launched a capsule designed to carry living beings in a step towards sending astronauts into space, state media reported Wednesday - the latest test of aerospace technology criticised by the West. ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
NASA Continues Progress on Artemis III Rocket Adapter with Key Joint Installation
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Dec 05, 2023
In a significant advancement for NASA's Artemis III mission, engineers and technicians at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, have recently achieved a major milestone. They have ... more
DRAGON SPACE
CAS Space expands into Guangdong with new rocket engine testing complex
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Dec 05, 2023
CAS Space, a prominent Beijing-based rocket company under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, marked a significant milestone on Saturday with the commencement of construction on a new rocket engine tes ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
NASA Tests In-Flight Capability of Artemis Moon Rocket Engine
Bay St. Louis MS (SPX) Dec 01, 2023
NASA conducted the third RS-25 engine hot fire in a critical 12-test certification series Nov. 29, demonstrating a key capability necessary for flight of the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket during ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
NASA, small companies eye new cargo delivery, heat shield technologies
Washington DC (SPX) Nov 30, 2023
Two small businesses are benefitting from NASA's expertise as they develop heat shield technologies, cargo delivery systems, and new protective materials for spacecraft and space stations in the gro ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
Firefly Aerospace completes first Miranda Engine hot fire test
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Nov 30, 2023
Firefly Aerospace, Inc., has marked a significant achievement in its propulsion technology with the completion of the first hot fire test of the Miranda engine. This pivotal development comes just o ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
First launch of Europe's Ariane 6 rocket planned for mid-2024
Paris (AFP) Nov 30, 2023
The European Space Agency announced on Thursday that the long-delayed first launch of its next-generation Ariane 6 rocket will take place between June 15 and July 31 next year. ... more
DRAGON SPACE
China's Lunar Samples on Display in Macao to Inspire Future Explorers
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Nov 29, 2023
Macao has initiated a series of public activities aimed at spreading knowledge about China's space, marine, and polar explorations, reflecting a growing interest in these advanced scientific fields ... more
DRAGON SPACE
China Manned Space Agency Delegation Highlights SARs' Role in Space Program
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Nov 29, 2023
In a significant acknowledgment of regional contributions to national space efforts, a delegation from the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), led by Deputy Director Lin Xiqiang, praised the involveme ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
Boosting rocket reliability at the material level
Boston MA (SPX) Nov 29, 2023
The success of the SpaceX Falcon 9 reusable launch vehicle has been one of the most remarkable technological achievements of the last decade. Powered by SpaceX's Merlin engine, the Falcon 9 booster ... more
DRAGON SPACE
Wenchang Set to Become China's Premier Commercial Space Launch Hub by Next Year
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Nov 28, 2023
Wenchang, a city in South China's Hainan province, is rapidly establishing itself as the forefront of China's burgeoning commercial space industry. The city, known for the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
Ariane 6 Core Stage fires up for long-duration test
Paris, France (SPX) Nov 24, 2023
In a significant step towards the maiden flight of Ariane 6, the collaborative efforts of ArianeGroup, the French Space Agency (CNES), and the European Space Agency (ESA) culminated in the successfu ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
Report Forecasts Significant Growth in Hypersonic Flight Market by 2030
London, UK (SPX) Nov 24, 2023
A recent report titled "Hypersonic Flight Market by Vehicle Type (Hypersonic Aircraft, Hypersonic Spacecraft), Industry (Military, Space, Commercial), Component (Propulsion, Aerostructure, Avionics) ... more
DRAGON SPACE
Shanghai Sets Sights on Expanding Space Industry with Ambitious 2025 Goals
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Nov 23, 2023
Shanghai, a growing center for technological advancement, has unveiled a bold plan to develop a comprehensive industrial chain for commercial rocket production, aiming to reach an annual production ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
US 'strongly condemns' N. Korean space launch
Washington (AFP) Nov 21, 2023
The White House on Tuesday strongly condemned North Korea over its space launch, calling it a "brazen violation" of UN sanctions that could destabilize the region. ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
SpaceX Starship disintegrates after successful stage separation
Washington DC (UPI) Nov 18, 2021
SpaceX's Starship spacecraft test launch ended with "rapid unscheduled disassembly," Saturday when the booster stage and spacecraft disintegrated shortly after completing a successful stage separation. ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
Heat Shield demo passes the test dubbed 'Just flawless'
Hampton VA (SPX) Nov 20, 2023
A little more than a year ago, a NASA flight test article came screaming back from space at more than 18,000 mph, reaching temperatures of nearly 2,700 degrees Fahrenh ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
Starship Test Flies Higher: SpaceX Marks Progress Despite Late Test Incident
Starbase TX (SPX) Nov 19, 2023
In a significant advancement for SpaceX's ambitious space program, the company successfully conducted the second test launch of Starship, the largest rocket ever built, aimed at future missions to Mars. Despite a largely successful flight, the test faced a challenge at the eight-minute mark. ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
Progress in Starship test launch, but ship and booster explode
Starbase, United States (AFP) Nov 18, 2023
SpaceX on Saturday made progress in the second test launch of its mammoth Starship rocket, with the booster separating from the spaceship, but both then exploding shortly after over the ocean. ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
SpaceX poised for second launch of mega Starship rocket
Starbase, United States (AFP) Nov 18, 2023
SpaceX is poised Saturday for the second test launch of Starship, the largest rocket ever built that Elon Musk hopes will one day colonize Mars, while NASA awaits a modified version to land humans on the Moon. ... more
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