June 2024 – Spaceflight Now

SpaceX launches multiple satellites for the NRO from Vandenberg Space Force Base

June 29, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

The mission is described as the second launch supporting the National Reconnaissance Office’s (NRO) “proliferated architecture.” Liftofff from Vandenberg Space Force Base happened at 8:14 p.m. PDT (11:14 p.m. EDT, 0314 UTC).

Starliner landing now on indefinite hold for more tests, but NASA insists crew not ‘stranded’ in space

June 29, 2024 William Harwood

The problem for NASA and Boeing is that the Starliner’s service module, which houses the helium lines, thrusters and other critical systems, is discarded before re-entry and burns up in the atmosphere. Engineers will not be able to study the hardware after the fact and as a result, they want to collect as much data as possible before NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams head home.

SpaceX launches 350th Falcon 9 rocket on a Starlink flight from Cape Canaveral

June 27, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

The mission will push the Falcon 9 first stage booster, B1062, into the flight leader position with this 22nd flight. Liftoff of the Starlink 10-3 mission is set for 7:14 a.m. EDT (1114 UTC).

SpaceX launches final NOAA GOES weather satellite on Falcon Heavy rocket

June 25, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

The geostationary orbital satellite is the fourth and final in the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites-R (GOES-R) series. Liftoff happened at 5:26 p.m. EDT (2126 UTC).

SpaceX completes Falcon 9 double launch day with Starlink mission from Vandenberg Space Force Station

June 23, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

The mission marked SpaceX’s second launch of the day. Liftoff happened at 8:47 p.m. PDT (11:47 p.m. EDT, 0347 UTC).

SpaceX marks record 20th flight with Falcon 9 payload fairing half on Starlink mission

June 22, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

SpaceX swapped out the Falcon 9 vehicle after a last-second abort at engine ignition during a launch attempt on June 14. Liftoff of the Starlink 10-2 mission happened at 1:15 p.m. EDT (1715 UTC) on Sunday.

NASA again delays Starliner undocking, return to Earth

June 22, 2024 William Harwood

NASA and Boeing managers have again decided to extend the Starliner crew capsule’s stay at the International Space Station, passing up a June 26 re-entry to allow more time for analysis and testing to make sure helium leaks and thruster failures are fully understood, officials said late Friday.

Rocket Lab successfully launches its 50th Electron rocket

June 20, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket made history by reaching its 50th launch faster than any other commercially developed orbital launch vehicle. Liftoff from New Zealand took place at 6:13 a.m. NZST on Friday, June 21 (2:13 p.m. EDT, 1813 UTC on Thursday, June 20).

SpaceX launches 20 Starlink satellites on Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Station

June 18, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket Tuesday evening, following the scrub of a planned mission for satellite communications company, SES, from Florida. The Starlink 9-1 mission sent another batch of its Starlink satellites to low Earth orbit, which included another 13 with direct to cell (DTC) capabilities.

NASA moves Starliner landing to June 26 to collect more test flight data

June 18, 2024 William Harwood

The additional docked time will give Starliner commander Barry “Butch” Wilmore and co-pilot Sunita Williams more time to help out aboard the station while flight controllers and engineers continue scrutinizing telemetry and finalizing plans for re-entry with five known helium leaks in the capsule’s propulsion system and unexpected, presumably now-resolved issues with multiple maneuvering jets.