rocket science

Virgin Galactic Spaceplane Makes First Powered Flight Since Deadly 2014 Disaster

Earlier today, the VSS Unity went supersonic during crewed tests, reaching speeds of 1,220 miles per hour. It’s the first powered flight of Virgin Galactic’s new SpaceShipTwo aircraft, and the first flight since the 2014 disaster in which a pilot was killed and a co-pilot severely injured. After detaching from the carrier mothership VMS Eve,…

Space & Spaceflight George Dvorsky Apr 5

SpaceX Payload Fairing Survives Despite Missing Recovery Net by ‘a Few Hundred Meters’

Early today, a Falcon 9 rocket delivered the PAZ radio communications satellite, along with a pair of SpaceX-owned internet satellites, to low-Earth orbit. It was an otherwise routine launch and deployment, save for the attempt to recover the rocket’s payload fairing—a feat that’s never been tried before. Normally, SpaceX tries to recover the first stage…

Space & Spaceflight George Dvorsky Feb 22

Watch SpaceX’s Second Attempt to Launch Experimental Internet Satellites Live Right Here [Updating]

SpaceX is set to launch a pair of experimental internet mini-satellites after yesterday’s launch was cancelled due to high winds. You can watch today’s launch of the Falcon 9 live right here starting at 9:00 a.m. Eastern (6:00 a.m. Pacific). Update: The Falcon 9 successfully launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California at 9:17…

Space & Spaceflight George Dvorsky Feb 22

Watch SpaceX Launch Its Experimental Internet Satellites Live Right Here [Update: Launch Postponed Until Tomorrow]

After a four-day delay, SpaceX is now set to launch a pair of experimental mini-satellites as part of its planned 4,000-satellite strong Starlink constellation. You can watch the launch live right here starting at 9:14 a.m. EDT (6:14 a.m. PDT). In addition to the two experimental satellites, dubbed Microsat 2a and 2b (1a and 1b…

Space & Spaceflight George Dvorsky Feb 21

Falcon Heavy Now Officially the Most Powerful Rocket in the World

SpaceX made history Tuesday afternoon by launching its first Falcon Heavy—and Elon Musk’s personal Tesla Roadster—into space, ushering in a new era for the aerospace company. At 3:45 pm EDT, and with just 15 minutes left in today’s launch window, the Falcon Heavy thundered upwards from launchpad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape…

Space & Spaceflight George Dvorsky Feb 6

Watch SpaceX Launch Its Falcon Heavy Rocket Live Right Here [Updating]

The Falcon Heavy rocket is finally set to make its historic debut after seven years in development. You can watch the launch right here starting at 1:10 pm EDT. Assuming everything goes smoothly today, SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy will become the most powerful operational rocket in the world, capable of delivering 140,000 pounds to Low Earth…

Space & Spaceflight George Dvorsky Feb 6

SpaceX’s Best Hope for Sending People to Mars Will Launch This Week

At approximately 1:30 pm ET on Tuesday February 6th, SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket is set to embark on its long-anticipated debut flight. Capable of lifting 140,660 pounds to Low Earth Orbit, it will be the most powerful operational rocket in the world. Well, that’s assuming it doesn’t blow up on launch or come careening back…

Space & Spaceflight George Dvorsky Feb 3

Seemingly Doomed SpaceX Rocket Surprises Elon Musk by Surviving Ocean Landing Test

Yesterday, SpaceX delivered a government satellite to orbit using its Falcon 9 rocket. Typically, these rockets return to Earth to live another day, but on this occasion, the company wanted to test an experimental landing system. The Falcon 9 was meant to end this mission in a watery grave, but the rocket unexpectedly managed to…

Space & Spaceflight George Dvorsky Feb 1

Lost Spy Satellite Won’t Kill SpaceX’s Relationship With Air Force

We still don’t know what happened to Zuma, a secretive spy satellite that failed to reach orbit after launching from Cape Canaveral earlier this month. SpaceX has consistently claimed that its Falcon 9 rocket worked perfectly—a claim with added credence, now that the U.S. Air Force has said it’s not going to dismiss the rocket…

Space & Spaceflight George Dvorsky Jan 23

Elon Musk Tweets Best Photos Yet of SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy Rocket

Earlier this morning, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk tweeted photos of the company’s much-hyped Falcon Heavy rocket. Based on these first good looks, we’d say this beast is right on schedule for next month’s inaugural launch, despite a series of delays. Should all go well, the Falcon Heavy will take off from Cape Canaveral at some…

Space & Spaceflight George Dvorsky Dec 20

SpaceX Set to Make History Next Week During Supply Mission to the ISS

On December 12, SpaceX will launch a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, sending an uncrewed Dragon cargo capsule filled with supplies to the International Space Station. No big deal, except that two components, both the first stage rocket and the spacecraft, have already flown on previous missions. That’s never…

Space & Spaceflight George Dvorsky Dec 8

NASA Will Use a Previously-Flown SpaceX Rocket for Its Next Supply Mission

In what will be a historic first for the US space agency, NASA has agreed to send supplies to the International Space Station aboard a previously used Falcon 9 rocket booster. On Friday December 8th, SpaceX will launch 2.5 tons of supplies to the ISS from pad 40 at Florida’s Cape Canaveral, and it’ll do…

Space & Spaceflight George Dvorsky Dec 1

SpaceX Launches Investigation After Rocket-Engine Explodes During Tests (Updated)

On Sunday, a rocket-engine exploded during ignition tests at the SpaceX facility in Texas. The incident marks a setback for the company in what has otherwise been a pretty good year. As The Washington Post reports, the explosion happened during a “qualification test” of a new Merlin engine, which SpaceX uses on its Falcon 1…

Tech News George Dvorsky Nov 8

Watch a Simulated Launch of the Rocket That Will Get Us to Mars and Beyond

NASA engineers are currently hard at work developing Space Launch System 1—what will be the biggest, most powerful rocket ever built. The inaugural launch of this behemoth won’t happen any earlier than 2019, but NASA has released a spectacular simulation of the launch to whet our appetites. If we’re ever going to send humans and…

Sploid George Dvorsky Nov 8

NASA Rocket Scientists Carve the Most Incredible Pumpkins

Here’s the thing about NASA’s rocket scientists: They’re smart. And maybe a little weird. When you get literal rocket scientists to channel their energy into something silly like a pumpkin carving contest, the results are bound to be incredible. Seriously: Two groups at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory has been running their pumpkin carving contest since…

Sploid Ryan F. Mandelbaum Nov 2

Watching a SpaceX Rocket Land on a Drone Barge Never Gets Old

We usually see rocket launches and landings from above. But there’s something about seeing the whole thing happen from the ground-up that’s just so much better. SpaceX just put up a little video clip showing its latest rocket landing from the perspective of the Of Course I Still Love You drone barge. It’s a solid…

Tech News Ria Misra Jun 3

Watch Chewie Interview a Rocket Scientist About Advanced Propulsion Systems

Certain aspects of the Star Wars universe (FTL travel, force magic) are clearly impossible. But some technologies, like extremely high-powered thrusters and even lightsabers, may one day be feasible. This month, the University of Michigan released “Chillin’ with Chewie,” a 5-video series in which everyone’s favorite Wookie warrior interviews a range of experts about all…

Tech News Maddie Stone Dec 12

We’re One Step Closer to Green Rocket Fuel

Is it possible to have an eco-conscious rocket? While that may seem like a laughable concept, NASA is testing new green propellants to replace hydrazine, the current toxic and corrosive standard moseying around space. Nearly every satellite depends on hydrazine, the highly toxic and corrosive fuel that played a starring role in The Martian. NASA…

Tech News Mika McKinnon Nov 4

A Single Weak Strut Caused That SpaceX Rocket to Blow Up

Every strut counts, as they say. On June 28th, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying a Dragon capsule stuffed full of supplies for the International Space Station blew up in mid-air, minutes after launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Today, Elon Musk revealed the cause: A single, flimsy strut. As Musk told members of the press…

Space & Spaceflight Maddie Stone Jul 20

Boeing Dreams of an Engine Powered by Lasers and Nuclear Explosions

Since we seem to be on the topic of fantastical power sources today, it’s my solemn duty to inform you that respected airplane manufacturer Boeing has aspirations to build a jet engine powered by lasers and nuclear explosions. At least, that’s what Boeing’s recently approved patent application with the US Patent and Trademark Office would…

Tech News Maddie Stone Jul 11

Virgin Galactic Spaceplane Makes First Powered Flight Since Deadly 2014 Disaster

SpaceX Payload Fairing Survives Despite Missing Recovery Net by ‘a Few Hundred Meters’

Watch SpaceX’s Second Attempt to Launch Experimental Internet Satellites Live Right Here [Updating]

Watch SpaceX Launch Its Experimental Internet Satellites Live Right Here [Update: Launch Postponed Until Tomorrow]

Falcon Heavy Now Officially the Most Powerful Rocket in the World

Watch SpaceX Launch Its Falcon Heavy Rocket Live Right Here [Updating]

SpaceX’s Best Hope for Sending People to Mars Will Launch This Week

Seemingly Doomed SpaceX Rocket Surprises Elon Musk by Surviving Ocean Landing Test

Lost Spy Satellite Won’t Kill SpaceX’s Relationship With Air Force

Elon Musk Tweets Best Photos Yet of SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy Rocket

SpaceX Set to Make History Next Week During Supply Mission to the ISS

NASA Will Use a Previously-Flown SpaceX Rocket for Its Next Supply Mission

SpaceX Launches Investigation After Rocket-Engine Explodes During Tests (Updated)

Watch a Simulated Launch of the Rocket That Will Get Us to Mars and Beyond

NASA Rocket Scientists Carve the Most Incredible Pumpkins

Watching a SpaceX Rocket Land on a Drone Barge Never Gets Old

Watch Chewie Interview a Rocket Scientist About Advanced Propulsion Systems

We’re One Step Closer to Green Rocket Fuel

A Single Weak Strut Caused That SpaceX Rocket to Blow Up

Boeing Dreams of an Engine Powered by Lasers and Nuclear Explosions

Bring Your Artemis II and ‘Project Hail Mary’ Excitement Back Down to Earth With this LEGO Technic Set of the the Sun, Earth, and Moon, Now at All-Time Low

Artemis 2 Day 10: Follow the Mission With Our Live Updates 🔴

Maul’s Lightsabers in ‘Shadow Lord’ Are Powered by Sam Witwer’s Screams

ASUS ROG Xbox Ally Hits Its Lowest Price on Amazon, Now Bundled With 3 Months of Xbox Game Pass as Stock Runs Low

Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 1) Quietly Drops to Black Friday Pricing for the First Time This Year, Now a More Affordable AI Smart Glasses Pick

Sony Raises PlayStation 5 Slim Disc Edition Prices, but Amazon Still Sells It at the Old Price

Andy Weir Wrote a New ‘Project Hail Mary’ Adventure, Just Not in the Way You’d Expect

Samsung 990 EVO Plus SSD 2TB Drops to $0.17 per GB, a Rare Low While Storage Costs Trend Upward

Asus Zenbook A16 Review: Start Considering Snapdragon on PC, for Real

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Ecovacs Winbot W3 Omni Review: Window Cleaning Robots Have a Long Way to Go

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