Falcon Heavy
NASA looking to launch delayed space science missions in early 2019
NASA hopes to get two long-delayed space science missions launched in the first few months of 2019, one of which will go on one of two back-to-back Falcon Heavy missions.
Falcon Heavy customer Ovzon orders GEO satellite from SSL
Swedish startup Ovzon, which in October bought a Falcon Heavy launch from SpaceX, has now purchased a satellite for that mission from Maxar Technologies’ Space Systems Loral division.
Viasat books Falcon Heavy for ViaSat-3 launch
Fleet operator Viasat of Carlsbad, California, plans to launch a large telecom satellite on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket between 2020 and 2022.
Swedish firm buys Falcon Heavy launch
A Swedish company with plans for a geostationary communications satellite announced Oct. 16 a contract with SpaceX for a Falcon Heavy launch no earlier than the fourth quarter of 2020.
Europa or Enceladus? If NASA switches from SLS to Falcon Heavy, it won’t have to choose
Switching from SLS to the Falcon Heavy may cause some trade-offs in designing both the Europa Clipper and the Europa Lander to fit the smaller rocket. However, the cost savings could be plowed into an Enceladus orbiter.
SpaceX wins $130 million military launch contract for Falcon Heavy
The Falcon Heavy beat United Launch Alliance’s Delta 4 in a competition under the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program.
SpaceX proposing expansion of Florida launch processing facilities
SpaceX plans to significantly expand its footprint at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, a sign that its Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets will play a key role for the company for years to come even as it develops a more powerful vehicle.
Arabsat Falcon Heavy mission slated for December-January timeframe
SpaceX’s first Falcon Heavy launch with a commercial satellite is scheduled to occur around the end of the year, according to customer Arabsat.
Op-ed | Moon Direct: How to build a moonbase in four years
The recent amazing success of the Falcon Heavy launch offers America an unprecedented opportunity to break the stagnation that has afflicted its human spaceflight program for decades. In short, the moon is now within reach.
Efforts underway to ease Florida’s Space Coast launch congestion
The recent launch boom on Florida’s Space Coast is creating some headaches for the companies involved, as well as for NASA and the U.S. Air Force.
On National Security | Lessons from SpaceX about the power of incentives
Whether it’s space or defense technology, successful innovation doesn’t come easy, even for SpaceX. CEO Elon Musk revealed that the company almost terminated the Falcon Heavy program three times after it started in 2011.
As space launch business heats up in Florida, Air Force commander Wayne Monteith tries to break records
U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Wayne Monteith is a military officer who speaks with the enthusiasm of a startup CEO. “When people say the space business is down, they’re not spending much time down here where I have four launches in a month,” he commented.
Foust Forward | SpaceX, Rocket Lab seize the spotlight but miss an opportunity
The images that attracted the most interest from the Falcon Heavy launch, though, had nothing to do with the rocket itself. For several hours after liftoff, SpaceX provided a live feed from cameras mounted on the upper stage, showing its attached payload: a Tesla Roadster sports car with a spacesuited mannequin, dubbed “Starman,” sitting in the driver’s seat.
SN Military.Space | DoD space budget: Billions for next-gen satellites, launch vehicles; New funding lines for ‘rapid acquisitions’
An initial look at the budget documents released on Monday reveals that spending on space is up only modestly but that priorities appear to be shifting.
Mattis incensed there’s still no budget – DepSecDef at Space Command – Military pulling for Falcon Heavy
The budget impasse has been beyond exasperating, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told the House Armed Services Committee on Tuesday. "I cannot overstate the impact to our troops morale over all of this uncertainty."
SpaceX wins accolades for Falcon Heavy success
A rare combination of politicians, space advocates and even competitors lauded SpaceX for its successful inaugural launch of the Falcon Heavy Feb. 6.
