Thursday, December 19

Launches

China’s Gravity-1 Rocket Finally Launches Into Space
Launches

China’s Gravity-1 Rocket Finally Launches Into Space

China's Gravity-1 space vehicle finally launched into space. At 12:30 AM EST, the rocket lifted off a stationed ship in the Yellow Sea.When Gravity-1 reached space, it deployed it's payloads. These were three Yunyao-1 commercial satellites. According to Orienspace, the mission was a success.The rocket can carry a lot of weight, about 13,300 pounds to be exact. While that seems like a lot, the company isn't done yet. They are working on developing Gravity-2, which will feature a liquid-fueled core stage and rocket boosters. According to OrienSpace, that will launch sometime in 2025.This marks the fourth mission for China in 2024. Interested when more launches happen? View our space calendar.Image Source: Xinhua
India’s XPoSat X-Ray Astronomy Satellite Launches Into Space
ISRO, Launches

India’s XPoSat X-Ray Astronomy Satellite Launches Into Space

To start the new year off, India has launched an astronomy satellite called XPoSat from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre.At 9:10am in India, the 460-kilogram XPoSat spacecraft launched into space. The spacecraft will help test the human spaceflight program, as well as a potential joint crewed mission with NASA.The XPoSat has two instruments to help conduct X-ray polarimetry measures. Astronomers will use this data to study neutron stars, as well as black holes and supernova.In 2024, the company accomplished a total of 220 orbital launches worldwide. They expect to double thier launch rate in 2024, with 12 to 14 launches already planned.Image Source: ISRO
SpaceX X-37B Launch Delayed Until December 11
SpaceX, Launches

SpaceX X-37B Launch Delayed Until December 11

Recent weather conditions have delayed the SpaceX X-37B launch until Monday, December 11th. Using a Falcon Heavy, the space plane will launch from Complex-39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.The X-37N space plane is a top-secret plane, which is operated by the U.S. space Force. Since it's mostly classified, we don't know much about it. However, military officials have stated the plane is mainly for "testing technologies for future spacecraft and carrying experiments up to space and back to earth.If all goes well and the SpaceX X-37B launch is successful, this will mark another successful mission using the Falcon Heavy. As of today, the Falcon Heavy has had 8 launches.