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| Image credit: NASA/Jessica Meir |
Launch of Guowang Group 22
CASC/SAST launched a Long March 12 (Chang Zheng 12) from Wenchang in Hainan at 0244 UTC, or 1044 local time (CST). It was carrying Guowang Group 22, a batch of nine satellites for the Chinese state-owned internet constellation. This was the 6th flight of the Long March 12. [Source: SAST]
Launch of CentiSpace-1 Group 05
ExPace, a subsidiary of the state-owned China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), launched a Kuaizhou 11 from Jiuquan in Gansu at 0358 UTC, or 1158 local time (CST). It was carrying CentiSpace-1 Group 05, a batch of eight navigation satellites operated by the company Future Navigation. This was the 6th flight of the Kuaizhou 11. [Source: ExPace]
Launch of BlueBird 8 to 10
SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral in Florida at 0639 UTC, or 0239 local time (EDT). It was carrying BlueBird 8, 9, and 10, a batch of three satellites for AST SpaceMobile's cellular broadband constellation. This was the 653rd flight of the Falcon 9, and the 29th flight of booster B1077, which successfully landed on the droneship A Shortfall of Gravitas in the Atlantic Ocean. [Source: SpaceX]
Launch of Amazon Leo LE-03
ESA launched an Ariane 6 from Kourou in French Guiana at 1221 UTC, or 0921 local time (GFT). It was carrying Amazon Leo LE-03, a batch of 36 satellites for the internet constellation. The rocket was in its 64 configuration, meaning it had four strap-on boosters. The boosters are newly upgraded, allowing for four additional satellites compared to previous missions. This was the 8th flight of the Ariane 6. [Source: Arianespace]
Splashdown of CRS-34
The Cargo Dragon serving the CRS-34 mission, which departed the International Space Station yesterday, splashed down in the Pacific Ocean under its parachutes at 1211 UTC, returning various science experiments from the station back to Earth. [Source: NASA]
Announcement of Relativity Space Mars Orbiter
Relativity Space have announced they will be developing a commercial Mars orbiter in partnership with NASA, as part of their new Interplanetary Sciences Program. It will include various instruments for the scientific study of Mars, as well as acting as a communications relay. The spacecraft is planned to be launched in late 2028 on the company's Terran R reusable rocket, which has yet to fly. [Source: Relativity Space]
International Space Station Activities
NASA published their daily blog post on the crew's activities aboard the
International Space Station. The astronauts conducted routine research and
maintenance, and prepared for the next spacewalk. [Source:
NASA]
