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| Image credit: Rocket Lab |
Launch of "Happily Ever Faster"
Rocket Lab launched an Electron out of Māhia in New Zealand at 0328 UTC, or 1528 local time (NZST). The mission, named "Happily Ever Faster", delivered an Earth observation satellite to orbit for a confidential customer. The US Space Force's satellite catalogue has identified it as Global 36, part of BlackSky's Gen 3 Earth imaging constellation. This was the 95th flight of Electron. [Source: Rocket Lab]
UPDATE: BlackSky have confirmed they were the customer. [Source: BlackSky]
International Space Station Activities
The crew of the International Space Station carried out routine research and maintenance. [Source: NASA]
Rocket Lab Challenges Decision to Award Mars Mission to Blue Origin
Ten days ago, NASA awarded Blue Origin the contract to build and launch the Mars Telecommunications Orbiter (MTO). Rocket Lab, who were also bidding for the contract, today issued a formal protest to the US Government Accountability Office, who have been known to overturn contracts following protests in the past. Rocket Lab argues that the award decision and the punitive review of their proposal were mishandled. The outcome of the challenge will depend on the strength of Rocket Lab's evidence. [Source: Rocket Lab]
Tianlong-3 Failure Report
Chinese private company Space Pioneer have released a report into the failure of the maiden flight of their reusable Tianlong-3 rocket, which was terminated shortly after launch back in April. They concluded it was caused by vented oxygen combusting with exhaust gases and starting a fire in the first stage. Tianlong-3 is also infamous for an incident where it broke free of its test stand and accidentally launched during a not-so-static fire test back in 2024. The company have not yet announced when the next launch attempt will take place, or whether a booster recovery will be attempted. [Source: Space Pioneer]
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