Important Innovations

SpaceX 1st Fully Operational Flight for NASA Takes Off                                                 Source:  NASA 4 US Astronauts on SpaceX Resilience                                                       Source:  Space X SpaceX CEO Musk Has Moderate Symptoms of COVID SpaceX's 1st operational flight for NASA to the ISS with 4 US astronauts onboard just successfully launched in a capsule named Resilience.  This launch is historic.  It will be the first time in 60 years that NASA handed over the keys for a fully operational launch of NASA astronauts to a US private space company. Ironically, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk could not be in person for the historic moment.  He says he has a moderate case of COVID-19.  NASA would not allow him to be at NASA or near the astronauts as he is in COVID quarantine. Musk Questions the COVID Test Technology SpaceX and Tesla CEO Musk believes he most likely has a moderate case of COVID-19.  As he had two positive and two negatives results on COVID testin

Egypt To Launch 1st Communications Satellite on Friday Source: Egyptian Space Agency TIBA-1 to Provide Egypt Call and Internet Full Service Egypt is sending its first communications satellite into orbit on Friday.  The government believes this will improve its communications infrastructure and internet services and also attract new investors.  The satellite will work along with existing land and telecommunications infrastructure.  Egypt believes that a strong communications network is essential to its economic growth.  Interestingly, the satellite called TIBA-1's coverage area includes nearby Arab and African nations.  The Egyptian government may sell those areas new satellite services. Launch Date Friday The Friday launch of Egypt's first communications satellite will take place from a space center in French Guiana in one of Europe's Arianespace rockets.  The satellite is 5.6 tons and was made by Airbus and Thales Alenia Space.  It will stay in orbit

New Tech: Launching Satellites From 747 Aircraft Source:  Virgin Orbit Virgin Orbit's Air Launch System Richard Branson's Virgin Orbit just successfully tested its modified 747 aircraft - Cosmic Girl - that can fire off a rocket containing a satellite and place it in orbit.  The company is planning on its first commercial launch by the end of this summer.  For a great news blog, go to Important Innovations Collection: Launching Satellites From 747 Planes : Richard Branson's Virgin Orbit  Air Launch System Source:  Virgin Orbit's  747 with rocket under its wing Close to Commercial ...

Another Big NASA Contract Win for Space X Source:  NASA IXPE Mission Groundbreaking Astrophysics Mission Space X has been awarded the launch contract for NASA's IXPE mission.  The mission involves the launch of a spacecraft containing three highly advanced space telescopes.  NASA says the telescopes will provide astronomers details on some of the most exotic astronomical objects in the universe - black holes, neutron stars and pulsars.  For more on this amazing mission, go to Important Innovations Collection: Space X Wins Exciting NASA Contract : Space X Will Rocket NASA Telescopes to Detail The Most "Exotic Objects" in Space Source:  NASA IXPE Mission Black Holes, Ne...

24 Satellites Onboard to Advance Science & Tech Source:  NOAA Satellite Image of SpaceX Falcon Heavy  So Far, So Good and Elon Musk Is In Orbit Entrepreneur and inventor Elon Musk's company SpaceX acknowledges that this is one of their most difficult launches ever.  They just launched their Falcon Heavy rocket and it is zooming into space from Cape Canaveral, Florida.  The mission is highly complicated as it is delivering 24 satellites to a variety of orbits over multiple hours.  It's the epic commuter space trip with so many time and location destinations. Fascinating Destinations and Missions on This SpaceX Trip On board the SpaceX rocket, 25% of the satellites are for weather and climate date collection.  Other satellites includes those to test cleaner, greener and more efficient spacecraft fuels.  There's also a NASA atomic clock and a non-profit organization's attempt to advance solar sailing technology.  This mission is loaded with exciting technolo

SpaceX Aces First Commercial Launch Source:  SpaceX Falcon Heavy Launch Falcon Heavy - World's Most Powerful Rocket SpaceX's first commercial mission for its Falcon Heavy rocket could not have gone better.  For owner Elon Musk it provided a dramatic demonstration of SpaceX's capabilities.  The world's most powerful rocket - Falcon Heavy - successfully launched and sent a commercial satellite for Arabsat of Saudi Arabia into orbit.  Then, Falcon Heavy's three booster rockets safely landed back on earth. It's was a great victory.  For a great news blog with more details, go to Important Innovations Collection: SpaceX Big Victory for Elon Musk : Successful Launch of World's Most Powerful Rocket Source:  Falcon Heavy Lift-Off Took Off With the Force of 18 Passenger Jets Sp...

DARPA Launches Small Experimental Satellite Launch by New Zealand-based Startup Rocket Lab The successful launch and orbit of the DARPA experimental satellite happened today.  The satellite is testing a new platform of radio communications for small spacecraft.  It's called a "membrane reflective-array antenna."  For a great news blog on this, go to Important Innovations Collection: DARPA in Orbit : DARPA's Experimental Satellite Now in Orbit Source:  Rocket Lab's Launch of DARPA Satellite New Zealand's Rocket Lab The...