ariane
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Crucial Rocket Parts End Up Crushed in a Landfill, Imperilling Satellite Mission
The final mission of the European Space Agency’s Vega rocket has encountered a bizarre setback. Key propellant tanks required for its last flight were found damaged in a landfill, jeopardizing the scheduled 2024 launch. It’s common for wallets to go missing. Same for car keys and mobile phones. It happens. But for two propellant tanks…
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SpaceX Fuels Starship as ULA’s Vulcan Readies for Christmas Launch—Plus More Rocket News
It’s been an unusually busy week in spaceflight, with the chatter restricted to rockets still on the ground. In a particularly festive update, United Launch Alliance (ULA) is gearing up for the launch of its Vulcan Centaur rocket on Christmas Eve. In what should serve as a thrilling finale to the year, United Launch Alliance…
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It Was a Rough Week for Rockets
It was an unfortunate week for the rocket industry, with three distinct setbacks occurring and challenging the plans of three different aerospace companies across the globe. U.S.-based Rocket Lab, private Chinese launch provider Galactic Energy, and Europe’s Arianespace all endured face-palming disappointments this week, with two rockets failing outright and one continually unable to get…
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Delayed Rockets From ULA and Europe Inch Closer to First Flights
It’s been a tough year for rockets trying to fly for the first time. Two of the newest additions to the medium to heavy-lift launch vehicles, Ariane 6 and Vulcan Centaur, have been struggling to make their debuts, suffering multiple delays over the past three years. There is some hope, however, that their inaugural launches…