SpaceX’s upgraded Starship booster has completed a second and third cryogenic proof test in rapid succession after undergoing repairs to fix damage suffered during the first round of testing. Testing began almost immediately after SpaceX rolled the repaired Super Heavy booster back to the orbital launch site (OLS) on May 6th. After a quick installation on the…
Two members of the “Polaris Program” say that SpaceX could begin training private astronauts for the first private spacewalk in spaceflight history as early as May or June 2022. Revealed earlier this year, the Polaris Program is a sort of hybridization of orbital spaceflight tourism and technology development and has one primary goal: to “rapidly…
SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service has become invaluable to Ukraine amidst the country’s ongoing war against Russia. According to Elon Musk, however, Russia has increased its efforts to disrupt Starlink’s service to Ukraine. Fortunately, Musk also stated that Russia has not been successful so far. Despite the country’s efforts to jam or hack the satellite…
Reports have emerged stating that SpaceX is expanding its onsite solar and battery storage systems at its Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas. The expansion will reportedly add 750 kW of solar and about 4 MWh of energy storage. The solar panels will reportedly be provided by Trina Solar, a veteran in the solar market…
Argentinian Earth observation company Satellogic has signed an agreement with SpaceX to launch at least 68 more satellites on multiple Falcon 9 missions over the next few years. If fully realized, the deal could be worth tens of millions of dollars. It also demonstrates that SpaceX’s Smallsat Rideshare Program remains as viable and competitive as…
SpaceX has returned its newest Super Heavy to Starbase’s orbital launch site (OLS) after rapidly repairing damage the booster suffered during its first round of testing. Super Heavy Booster 7 (B7) left the High Bay it was assembled in for the first time on March 31st and rolled a few miles down the road to…
For the second time in ten days, a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft has undocked from the International Space Station (ISS) and is on its way back to Earth. This time around, four professional Crew-3 astronauts from NASA and ESA boarded Crew Dragon and departed the station after almost six months in orbit, handing off command…
Starlink added a portability option for an additional $25 per month. The feature allows users to bring their satellite dishes with them to use Starlink’s internet service in areas where the company actively provides coverage. “For an additional monthly fee of $25.00, you can move your Starlink to new locations within your continent to receive…
SpaceX appears to have opened the floodgates and begun shipping upgraded ‘Raptor V2’ engines to Starbase en masse in preparation for crucial Starship and Super Heavy testing. The first functional Raptor engine delivery in around half a year and the first Raptor V2 delivery ever appeared to arrive at Starbase on March 30th. About a…
A senior manager says that SpaceX could sustainably launch six or more Crew Dragons per year if the market for private missions grows large enough to demand it. Benji Reed, Senior Director of Human Spaceflight Programs, offered his thoughts on the matter in a press conference following SpaceX’s successfully recovery of Crew Dragon and four…