NASA and other global space programs (excluding Indian) news, Updates and Discussions

[skywatcher]

New player joins the game
An Orienspace Gravity-1 rocket made it to orbit on its first launch attempt from a barge on 11 Jan 2023.
Gravity-1 is a solid orbital launcher with a payload capacity of 6.5 tonne to LEO.

Highlights:
Orienspace is a private space launch startup founded in 2020.
This launch is partially sponsored by HLA, a local fast fashion brand.
It is currently the world's largest solid orbital launcher.
Successful sea launch on first orbital flight attempt.

 

[skywatcher]

First stage of Blue Origin's sub-super heavy New Glenn transferred to launch site.
Its first orbital flight is targeted for Aug 2024(if not delayed)

 

[skywatcher]

What's up for coming weeks?
1.17 Jan 2024 CNSA Long March 7 Tianzhou-7 cargo mission to CSS
2.17 Jan 2024 SpaceX Falcon 9 AX-3 private crewed mission to ISS
3 29 Jan 2024 SpaceX Falcon 9 Cygnus NG-20 cargo mission to ISS
4 (TBD)Jan 2024 ABL RS-1 second orbital launch attempt
5 15 Feb 2024 JAXA H3 return to flight
6.15 Feb 2024 Roscosmos Soyuz MS-26 cargo mission to ISS
7. (TBD)Feb 2024 SpaceX Starship orbital launch attempt
8. (TBD)Feb 2024 SpaceX Falcon 9 IM-1 lunar lander
9. (TBD)Feb 2024 SpaceX Falcon 9 crewed mission to ISS
Anything else?

 

[skywatcher]

JAXA claimed a successful lunar soft landing. But something is wrong with the solar panels.

 

[skywatcher]

JAXA claimed a successful lunar soft landing. But something is wrong with the solar panels.
View attachment 237203

We don't know what is going on. But it seems it's not something good. Anyway, it's a landing success according to JAXA standards

 

[skywatcher]

At least 4 more (private) lunar landers to launch this year.

Stay tuned.

 

[skywatcher]

What's up for coming weeks?
1.17 Jan 2024 CNSA Long March 7 Tianzhou-7 cargo mission to CSS
2.17 Jan 2024 SpaceX Falcon 9 AX-3 private crewed mission to ISS
3 29 Jan 2024 SpaceX Falcon 9 Cygnus NG-20 cargo mission to ISS
4 (TBD)Jan 2024 ABL RS-1 second orbital launch attempt
5 15 Feb 2024 JAXA H3 return to flight
6.15 Feb 2024 Roscosmos Soyuz MS-26 cargo mission to ISS
7. (TBD)Feb 2024 SpaceX Starship orbital launch attempt
8. (TBD)Feb 2024 SpaceX Falcon 9 IM-1 lunar lander
9. (TBD)Feb 2024 SpaceX Falcon 9 crewed mission to ISS
Anything else?View attachment 236182

What's up for coming weeks?
1.17 Jan 2024 CASC Long March 7 Tianzhou-7 cargo mission to CSS
2.17 Jan 2024 SpaceX Falcon 9 AX-3 private crewed mission to ISS
3.29 Jan 2024 SpaceX Falcon 9 Cygnus NG-20 cargo mission to ISS
4.(TBD)Jan 2024 ABL RS-1 second orbital launch attempt
5.10 Feb 2024 SpaceX Falcon 9 Nova-C lunar lander

6.15 Feb 2024 JAXA H3 return to flight
7.15 Feb 2024 Roscosmos Soyuz MS-26 cargo mission to ISS
8. (TBD)Feb 2024 SpaceX Starship orbital launch attempt
9. (TBD)Feb 2024 SpaceX Falcon 9 Crew-8 crewed mission to ISS
10.1 March 2024 ULA Delta 4 Heavy final Delta 4 Heavy launch
11.18 March 2024 CASC Long March 8 Queqiao-2 lunar relay and Tiandu lunar constellation
12.21 March 2024 Roscosmos Angara A5 first Angara A5 launch with real payload
13.21 March 2024 Roscosmos Soyuz MS-25 crew mission to ISS
14.(TBD)Mar 2024 SpaceX Falcon 9 Cygnus NG-21 cargo mission to ISS
15.(TBD)Mar 2024 Firefly Alpha orbital launch

16.(TBD)Mar 2024 Gilmour Space Eris first launch of an Australian developed launch vehicle

17.(TBD)Mar 2024 ISRO HLVM 3 Gaganyaan 1 first uncrewed Gaganyaan flight test
18.(TBD)Mar 2024 Skyroot Aerospace Vikram 1 first private Indian launch vehicle

19.1 Apr 2024 ULA Atlas 5 Boeing starliner first crewed test flight
20.(TBD)Apr 2024 SpaceX Falcon 9 Polaris Dawn crewed mission
21.(TBD)Apr 2024 ULA Vulcan First Dream Chaser cargo mission to ISS
22.(TBD)May 2024 CASC Long March 5 Chang'e 6 lunar sample return(from far side of the Moon)+Pakistan's first lunar orbiter ICECUBE-Q
23.18 May 2024 CASC Long March 2F Shenzhou-18 crewed mission to CSS
24.(TBD)May 2024 Skyrora Skyrora XL First private British launch vehicle

Anything else?

 

[skywatcher]

Iran's light lift solid rocket Qaem-100 conducted a successful orbital flight today

This is the second orbital flight attempt of Qaem-100 after previous failure.

 

[skywatcher]

Iran's light lift solid rocket Qaem-100 conducted a successful orbital flight todayView attachment 237431
This is the second orbital flight attempt of Qaem-100 after previous failure.
View attachment 237432

Finally, both Iran & Israel have reliable orbital flight capability

 

[skywatcher]

14 people in space now

 

[skywatcher]

Update:
30 Jan 2024 SpaceX Falcon 9 Cygnus NG-20 cargo mission to ISS
14 Feb 2024 SpaceX Falcon 9 Nova-C lunar lander
15 Feb 2024 JAXA H3 return to flight
15 Feb 2024 Roscosmos Soyuz MS-26 cargo mission to ISS
(TBD)Feb 2024 SpaceX Starship orbital launch attempt
(TBD)Feb 2024 SpaceX Falcon 9 Crew-8 crewed mission to ISS
1 March 2024 ULA Delta 4 Heavy final Delta 4 Heavy launch
18 March 2024 CASC Long March 8 Queqiao-2 lunar relay and Tiandu lunar constellation
21 March 2024 Roscosmos Angara A5 first Angara A5 launch with real payload
21 March 2024 Roscosmos Soyuz MS-25 crewed mission to ISS
(TBD)Mar 2024 ABL RS-1 second orbital launch attempt
(TBD)Mar 2024 SpaceX Falcon 9 Cygnus NG-21 cargo mission to ISS
(TBD)Mar 2024 Firefly Alpha orbital launch
(TBD)Mar 2024 Gilmour Space Eris first launch of an Australian developed launch vehicle
(TBD)Mar 2024 ISRO LVM 3 Gaganyaan 1 first uncrewed Gaganyaan flight test
(TBD)Mar 2024 Skyroot Aerospace Vikram 1 first private Indian launch vehicle
1 Apr 2024 ULA Atlas 5 Boeing starliner first crewed test flight
(TBD)Apr 2024 SpaceX Falcon 9 Polaris Dawn crewed mission
(TBD)Apr 2024 ULA Vulcan First Dream Chaser cargo mission to ISS
(TBD)May 2024 CASC Long March 5 Chang'e 6 lunar sample return(from far side of the Moon)+Pakistan's first lunar orbiter ICECUBE-Q
18 May 2024 CASC Long March 2F Shenzhou-18 crewed mission to CSS
(TBD)May 2024 Skyrora Skyrora XL first private British launch vehicle

Anything else?

 

[skywatcher]

Update:
14 Feb 2024 SpaceX Falcon 9 Nova-C lunar lander
15 Feb 2024 JAXA H3 return to flight
15 Feb 2024 Roscosmos Soyuz MS-26 cargo mission to ISS
(TBD)Feb 2024 SpaceX Falcon 9 Crew-8 crewed mission to ISS
1 March 2024 ULA Delta 4 Heavy final Delta 4 Heavy launch
9 March 2024 Space One Kairos first private Japanese launch vehicle
18 March 2024 CASC Long March 8 Queqiao-2 lunar relay & Tiandu lunar constellation
21 March 2024 Roscosmos Angara A5 first Angara A5 launch with real payload
21 March 2024 Roscosmos Soyuz MS-25 crewed mission to ISS
(TBD)Mar 2024 SpaceX Starship orbital launch attempt
(TBD)Mar 2024 ABL RS-1 second orbital launch attempt
(TBD)Mar 2024 SpaceX Falcon 9 Cygnus NG-21 cargo mission to ISS
(TBD)Mar 2024 Firefly Alpha orbital launch
(TBD)Mar 2024 Gilmour Space Eris first launch of an Australian developed launch vehicle
(TBD)Mar 2024 ISRO LVM 3 Gaganyaan 1 first uncrewed Gaganyaan flight test
(TBD)Mar 2024 Skyroot Aerospace Vikram 1 first private Indian launch vehicle
14 Apr 2024 ULA Atlas 5 Boeing starliner first crewed test flight
(TBD)Apr 2024 SpaceX Falcon 9 Polaris Dawn crewed mission
(TBD)Apr 2024 ULA Vulcan First Dream Chaser cargo mission to ISS
(TBD)May 2024 CASC Long March 5 Chang'e 6 lunar sample return(from far side of the Moon)+Pakistan's first lunar orbiter ICECUBE-Q
18 May 2024 CASC Long March 2F Shenzhou-18 crewed mission to CSS
(TBD)May 2024 Skyrora Skyrora XL first private British launch vehicle

Anything else?

 

[skywatcher]

All the 10 lunar missions in 2024

8 Jan 2024 US Peregrine lunar lander & rovers
14 Feb 2024 US IM-1 lunar lander(en route)
18 Mar 2024 CN Queqiao-2 lunar orbiters
May 2024 CN Chang'e 6 lunar sample return & Pakistan's orbiter
Q3 2024 US Blue Ghost lunar lander
Nov 2024 US Griffin lunar lander
Nov 2024 US VIPER lunar rover
Q4 2024 US IM-2 lunar lander & rovers
Q4 2024 US Lunar Trailblazer lunar orbiter
Q4 2024 JP Hakuto-R Mission 2 lunar lander & rover


We don't know who rebooted this weird craze for moon but it's boring really.

 

[skywatcher]

All the 10 lunar missions in 2024

8 Jan 2024 US Peregrine lunar lander & rovers
14 Feb 2024 US IM-1 lunar lander(en route)
18 Mar 2024 CN Queqiao-2 lunar orbiters
May 2024 CN Chang'e 6 lunar sample return & Pakistan's orbiter
Q3 2024 US Blue Ghost lunar lander
Nov 2024 US Griffin lunar lander
Nov 2024 US VIPER lunar rover
Q4 2024 US IM-2 lunar lander & rovers
Q4 2024 US Lunar Trailblazer lunar orbiter
Q4 2024 JP Hakuto-R Mission 2 lunar lander & rover


We don't know who rebooted this weird craze for moon but it's boring really.View attachment 241484

It's sad no country is interested in sending an orbiter to Uranus or Neptune by 2030.

 

[skywatcher]

Intuitive Machines claims successful lunar landing

“We are on the surface and we are transmitting. Welcome to the moon,” Intuitive Machines’ CEO Steve Altemus said from mission control.

There was a delay, as expected, between the landing and when engineers were able to assess its success.

A few minutes after the expected landing time, Intuitive Machines’ mission control was still trying to reconnect communications with the spacecraft to confirm whether it landed. The company’s mission control ultimately picked up a signal and announced its lander was on the surface.

“What we can confirm, without a doubt, is that our equipment is on the surface of the moon and we are transmitting. So congratulations, IM-1,” Tim Crain, Intuitive Machines’ CTO and IM-1 mission director, said.

We don't know what is really going on for the first private lunar lander

 

[skywatcher]

IM-1 lunar lander tipped over on its side

IM-1 lunar lander tipped over on its side

The Intuitive Machines Nova-C lunar lander likely tipped over when touching down on the moon Feb. 22 and is now resting on its side.

spacenews.com

 

[skywatcher]

Unprecedented 300+ orbital launches in 2024

US: 170+

SpaceX aims to launch 144 missions next year

The company wants to keep increasing its already-impressive launch cadence.

www.space.com

China: 100+

China's 2024 space plans include 100 launches and moon sample return mission

China's 2024 space plans include 100 launches and moon sample return mission China is planning a national record 100 orbital launches in 2024, according to the country’s main space contractor.

spacenews.com

Rest of the world: <50

 

[mokoman]

IM-1 lunar lander tipped over on its side

IM-1 lunar lander tipped over on its side

The Intuitive Machines Nova-C lunar lander likely tipped over when touching down on the moon Feb. 22 and is now resting on its side.

spacenews.com

View attachment 241810

named the lander Beresheet , ended up veryshit

 

[DumbPilot]

Looks like the US has followed Russian footsteps and lost its way to the moon.

if anything the US is just getting started

 

[skywatcher]

Major events for the rest of 2024

3 Mar 2024 SpaceX Falcon 9 Crew-8 crewed mission to ISS
9 March 2024 Space One Kairos first private Japanese launch vehicle
14 March 2024 ULA Delta 4 Heavy final Delta 4 Heavy launch
20 March 2024 CASC Long March 8 CNSA Queqiao-2 lunar orbiters
21 March 2024 Roscosmos Soyuz MS-25 crewed mission to ISS
(TBD)Mar 2024 SpaceX Starship orbital launch attempt
(TBD)Mar 2024 ABL RS-1 second orbital launch attempt
(TBD)Mar 2024 SpaceX Falcon 9 Cygnus NG-21 cargo mission to ISS
(TBD)Mar 2024 Firefly Alpha orbital launch attempt
(TBD)Mar 2024 Gilmour Space Eris first private Australian launch vehicle
(TBD)Mar 2024 Skyroot Aerospace Vikram 1 first private Indian launch vehicle
1 Apr 2024 Roscosmos Angara A5 flight test
22 Apr 2024 ULA Atlas 5 Boeing starliner first crewed test flight
(TBD)Apr 2024 SpaceX Falcon 9 Polaris Dawn crewed mission
(TBD)Apr 2024 ULA Vulcan first Dream Chaser cargo mission to ISS
3 May 2024 CASC Long March 5 Chang'e 6 lunar sample return & Pakistan's first lunar orbiter ICECUBE-Q
18 May 2024 CASC Long March 2F Shenzhou-18 crewed mission to CSS
(TBD)May 2024 Skyrora Skyrora XL first private British launch vehicle
3 June 2024 Roscosmos Soyuz Progress cargo mission to ISS
(TBD) 2024 RFA One first flight first private German launch vehicle
(TBD)June 2024 Arianespace Ariane 6 first orbital flight
(TBD)June 2024 ISRO LVM 3 Gaganyaan 1 first uncrewed Gaganyaan flight test
(TBD)June 2024 Vulcan Centaur first Dream Chaser cargo mission to ISS
(TBD)July 2024 Space Pioneer Tianlong-3 first orbital flight
(TBD)Aug 2024 New Glenn first orbital flight with NASA ESCAPADE Mars orbiters
(TBD)Aug 2024 SpaceX Falcon 9 Crew-9 crewed mission to ISS
11 Sept 2024 Roscosmos Soyuz MS-26 crewed mission to ISS
(TBD)Q3 2024 SpaceX Falcon 9 Firefly Blue Ghost lunar lander
8 Oct 2024 SpaceX Falcon 9 ESA Hera Asteroid orbiter
10 Oct 2024 SpaceX Falcon Heavy NASA Europa Clipper Jupiter orbiter
(TBD) Oct 2024 SpaceX Falcon 9 AX-4 crewed mission
11 Nov 2024 Long March 2F Shenzhou-19 crewed mission to CSS
(TBD)Nov 2024 Long March 7 Tianzhou-8 cargo mission to CSS
(TBD)Nov 2024 SpaceX Falcon Heavy Griffin & Viper lunar lander & rover
(TBD)Nov 2024 Galactic Energy Pallas-1 first orbital flight
30 Dec 2024 Rocket Lab Electron Photon & Venus Life Finer Venus flyby & entry
(TBD)Dec 2024 CASC Long March 12 first orbital flight
(TBD)Dec 2024 Perigee Aerospace Blue Whale 1 first private South Korean launch vehicle
(TBD)Dec 2024 ISRO LVM 3 Gaganyaan 2 second uncrewed Gaganyaan flight test
(TBD)Dec 2024 SpaceX Falcon 9 Hakuto-R 2 lunar lander & rover
(TBD)Dec 2024 Deep Blue Aerospace Nebula-1 first orbital flight

Anything else?