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Tag: SpaceX

Nov112019 by adminNo Comments
SpaceX faces competitors in race to build internet-satellite constellation

SpaceX faces competitors in race to build internet-satellite constellation

Science
Nov. 11 (UPI) -- On Monday, SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled to deliver 60 small satellites into orbit. The new batch of satellites will bring the Starlink constellation population to 120. As part of its satellite internet operation, SpaceX plans to launch some 12,000 satellites over the next half-decade. SpaceX isn't the only company trying to build a satellite constellation capable of providing global internet coverage. Last winter, OneWeb launched six small satellites. Tests confirmed the mini constellation produces a serviceable signal, and the company expects to launch another 60 satellites in early 2020. OneWeb, which is targeting an initial constellation population of 650, and later 2,000, expects to begin offering service in the Arctic by the end of 2020 and global coverage ...
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Sep292019 by adminNo Comments
Musk’s SpaceX unveils new Starship for private trips in space, then moon

Musk’s SpaceX unveils new Starship for private trips in space, then moon

Science
Sept. 29 (UPI) -- SpaceX owner Elon Musk unveiled a new prototype of a spacecraft for private trips to the moon on the 11th anniversary Saturday night of his company's first successful orbital launch of a rocket. The new Starship version called Mark 1 and a Super Heavy booster will send up to 100 people in space, then the moon and ultimately Mars. Also on display was Raptor, a full-flow, staged combustion rocket engine powered by cryogenic methane and liquid oxygen. "This is, I think, the most inspiring thing I have ever seen," Musk told about 200 SpaceX employees, guests and reporters at the company's site near Boca Chica Village, just outside Brownsville, Texas. "Wow, what an incredible job by such a great team to build this incredible vehicle. I'm so proud to work with such a great te...
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Aug282019 by adminNo Comments
‘Starhopper’: SpaceX engine testbed makes minute-long jump

‘Starhopper’: SpaceX engine testbed makes minute-long jump

Science
Media playback is unsupported on your device The American rocket company SpaceX conducted a successful flight of its "Starhopper" testbed on Tuesday.The vehicle lifted 150m into the air, moved sideways and then gently put itself back down onto the ground.Starhopper is part of an effort to develop a new engine that will burn liquid methane in contrast to the kerosene in the firm's current engines.This motor, known as the Raptor, will power SpaceX's next-generation Starship and Superheavy rockets.Tuesday's one-minute test, which took place at Boca Chica in Texas, was the second hop for the vehicle after a modest 18m jump in July.Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) licensing had previously limited activity to no more than 25m above the ground. ...
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