Mission | Common News Update

Nov22019 by adminNo Comments

Watch: Antares rocket launches in ISS resupply mission

Nov. 2 (UPI) -- Northrop Grumman launched its Antares rocket Saturday from Wallops Island, Va., carrying 8,000 pounds of supplies and research to the International Space Station. The rocket propelled the company's 12th Cygnus spacecraft resupply mission to the ISS. Liftoff happened at 9:59 a.m. at the NASA Wallops Flight Facility. The NG-12 is expected to rendezvous with the ISS on Monday. It was the heaviest payload yet for both Antares and Cygnus, at 8,200 pounds. The cargo includes supplies for more than 30 experiments -- live rats, a Zero-G oven to bake cookies, a protective vest for use during solar events, and a magnetic spectrometer to search for dark matter and anti-matter. Northrop Grumman said the NG-12 launch is the first time the company will have to Cygnus spacecraft orbiti...

Oct192019 by adminNo Comments

European SolO probe ready to take on audacious mission

Science

The European spacecraft that aims to take the closest ever pictures of the Sun is built and ready for launch.The Solar Orbiter, or SolO, probe will put itself inside the orbit of Planet Mercury to train its telescopes on the surface of our star.Other instruments will sense the constant outflow of particles and their embedded magnetic fields. Scientists hope the detailed observations can help them understand better what drives the Sun's activity.This goes up and down on an 11-year cycle. It's sure to be a fascinating endeavour but it's one that has direct relevance to everyone on Earth.The energetic outbursts from our star have the ability to damage satellites, harm astronauts, degrade radio communications, and even knock power gr...

Sep52019 by adminNo Comments

Canada departs U.N. peacekeeping mission in Mali

Business

Sept. 4 (UPI) -- Canada announced the conclusion of its peacekeeping mission in Mali as over 200 soldiers prepared to return home. About 1,250 Canadian Armed Forces members were deployed during the year-long mission, known as Operation Presence-Mali. Their involvement in the ongoing United Nations-led mission included medical evacuation and logistic and transport capabilities. "The professionalism of Canadian Armed Forces members was on display throughout the past year in Mali," Lt. Gen. Mike Rouleau, commander Canadian Joint Operations Command, said at departure ceremonies on Sunday. "I am beyond impressed with the work our people have done to support peace operations in Africa." Canadian forces have been in Gao, Mali, since July 2018, and delivered 370,000 pounds of cargo during 4,000 ...

Aug182019 by adminNo Comments

Houston has a problem: NASA snubs city’s bid to lead next moon mission

Technology

It may have been one of the first words ever uttered on the moon, but Houston has been snubbed by NASA as the base of operations for the development of the next lunar lander.Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, has been chosen to lead preparations for the planned expedition, beating out competition from Johnson Space Center in the Texan city. The latter managed the iconic Apollo quest 50 years ago, and state congressmen hoped that legacy would see it chosen for the next mission, which is aiming to send a woman to the moon for the first time by 2024. ...

Aug72019 by adminNo Comments

Raytheon contracted for changes to LCS escort mission module

Business

Aug. 6 (UPI) -- Raytheon has been contracted by the U.S. Navy for a variety of changes on mission modules for the littoral combat ship, including testing, training and alterations to improve use. The $ 8.6 million contract, announced Monday by the Department of Defense, covers services and deliverables to achieve weight reduction on the Escort Mission Module towed systems. The deal also covers associated dry-end components for the LCS's Anti-Submarine Warfare Mission Package. The LCS, a two-variant class of ship meant to operate in near-shore areas as well as it can in open seas, is designed as a modular vessel that can be reconfigured for specific missions. This is accomplished by swapping out one of three overall mission packages designed for surface warfare, mine countermeasures or an...