Elon Musk’s SpaceX can now launch military and spy satellites for the US May 27, 2015 Private company SpaceX has received certified approval from the US to send military and spy satellites into space. The decision comes after two years of reviews by the US Air Force, and founder Elon Musk described it as an “important step” in bringing competition to National Security Space launch. “We thank the Air Force [...]
SpaceX shows off its Dragon abort system for keeping humans safe in space missions May 6, 2015 SpaceX flexed some rocket muscle today, as it attempted to show Nasa how safely it can send humans up into space via a cargo ship. The US aerospace company, founded by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, tested the abort system aboard its Dragon capsule, which it hopes to eventually use for transporting humans to and from [...]
This video posted by Elon Musk shows SpaceX’s Falcon rocket booster very nearly landing on a tiny platform in the middle of the ocean April 15, 2015 Disappointment all round at SpaceX HQ yesterday, when a rocket booster launched by the company didn't quite touch down properly on a pad – dubbed "Just Read the Instructions" thanks to the mantra printed on it – floating 50 miles out to sea. The rocket booster, which had just come from launching an International Space [...]
SpaceX lands $1bn investment from Google and Fidelity January 20, 2015 SpaceX, the California-based rocket company, said it received a $1bn investment from Google and Fidelity. Google and Fidelity will together own just under 10 per cent of the company, which gives SpaceX a total valuation of $10bn. SpaceX, which is based by Tesla founder Elon Musk, said it will use the funding for innovation in [...]
Global internet users mapped: Google mulls SpaceX investment to bring developing world online January 20, 2015 Google is considering an investment in Elon Musk’s company SpaceX, as part of a plan to deliver internet by satellite to the developing world and other areas that lack coverage. The deal has not been finalised, but would value SpaceX at around the $10bn (£6.6bn) mark, and would be a significant boost to the aim [...]
SpaceX rocket landing: Why did Elon Musk’s mission go wrong? January 10, 2015 Today, the American firm SpaceX launched a rocket into space. After releasing its cargo up in the direction of the International Space Station (ISS), the rocket started to change direction and headed back down to Earth. The plan was to eventually land the Falcon 9 rocket on a launch pad just off the coast [...]
SpaceX launch Q&A: Expert explains the science behind landing a reusable rocket January 8, 2015 Tomorrow morning at 10:09am, SpaceX will launch its Falcon 9 rocket towards the International Space Station (ISS). Once far enough into space, the rocket will release its Dragon cargo and gradually turn around to go back on itself. Then, for the first time ever, scientists will try to land a rocket on Earth. [...]
Elon Musk reveals all in Reddit AMA shortly before SpaceX rocket launch cancelled January 6, 2015 Elon Musk, Silicon Valley’s enigmatic answer to Richard Branson, had an interesting day yesterday. The soon-to-be-divorced (from English actress Talulah Riley, again) SpaceX founder was due to send one of his rockets, Falcon X, to the International Space Station – then safely land it back on earth to be used again, a first in rocket [...]
SpaceX Falcon 9 mission to International Space Station is put on hold until Friday January 6, 2015 SpaceX's plan to send a rocket up into space and then land it safely back on Earth has been aborted until Friday. The mission, which involves sending a cargo to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard rocket Falcon X, was almost ready to go this morning when a technical issue meant it had to [...]
Elon Musk’s SpaceX rocket landing: Here’s what you need to know about Friday’s International Space Station mission January 6, 2015 On Friday, SpaceX will attempt to return a rocket to Earth for the first time ever. The Falcon 9 vessel will be launched into space, from where it will release its Dragon cargo spacecraft towards the International Space Station (ISS). It will then change direction and come back down towards Earth. The attempted landing [...]