On Track for a Double Header – NOT! –Updated Again

December 12, 2023Posted inAviation and Space News, Falcon Heavy, Space News, SpaceX
A Falcon Heavy Roars From The PAd
Starlink Falcon 9 Launch

FMN Photos by Mark Stone and Charles Boyer

UPDATE #2 : The USSF-52 launch has now been pushed to Wednesday night, the 13th. Weather forecast is not good, so stay on top of this one! Starlink still on for tonight…for now.

UPDATE: after a disappointing “Double Scrub” on the 11th, both launches have been rescheduled for same times tonight, Dec. 12th. Weather for the Falcon Heavy is 80% “go”, and 65% “go” for the Starlink mission, according to the SLD-45 Weather Squadron’s latest forecast.

B-21 Raider, The U.S. Air Force’s Newest Bomber. What do we know so far?

December 12, 2023Posted inAviation
Artist's Rendering B-21
Developed with the next generation of stealth technology and an open systems architecture, the B-21 Raider will serve as the backbone of America’s bomber fleet. (Photo Credit: Northrop Grumman)

The first test flight of the Air Force’s newest bomber, the B-21 Raider, took place on Friday November 10, 2023, and was witnessed by a group of amatuer photographers, according to a story carried by Reuters News Service.

New Vulcan Rocket Gets Dressed For Success

December 9, 2023Posted inSpace News, United Launch Alliance, Vulcan
A pelican flies in front of ULA's Vulcan Rocket during wet dress rehearsal.
A pelican, oblivious to ULA’s new Vulcan rocket being fueled during a wet dress rehearsal, continues its flight plan undisturbed. Image by Richard P Gallagher

Cape Canaveral, FL. Yesterday’s wet dress rehearsal of the United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan rocket was a significant event in the lead-up to its inaugural launch. The Vulcan rocket was rolled out to Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on December 6, 2023, in preparation for this extensive practice countdown​​​​.

Looking For The Perfect Gift For The Space Aficionado In The Family?

December 8, 2023Posted inAviation and Space News, Florida News, History, Space News
This Rocketsyne S-3D rocket engine is for sale
1960 Rocketdyne S-3D engine for sale
Photo: Live Auctions

Christmas shopping can often seem like a thankless task for someone looking for that perfect gift for a friend or a loved one. If you have a space lover on your list, that can be even harder — what to buy for someone whose head is above the clouds? Fortunately, the folks at Live Auctioneers have put something up for auction that meets all those criteria: a fully restored Rocketdyne S-3D engine. If you have deep pockets, this might be just what you are looking for!

Commercial Spaceflight Industry Experiences Consolidation in 2023 – Is It A Good Thing?

December 8, 2023Posted inFlorida News, Space News
A Delta IV Heavy Launches from ULA in 2023
A ULA Delta IV launches in 2023. The company is reportedly now up for grabs. Photo: Mark Stone/FMN

Florida is experiencing a significant surge in its capabilities to support the expanding space industry, thanks to an influx of billions of dollars dedicated to enhancing and expanding spaceports. A 2023 trend of consolidation in the commercial spaceflight industry may be helping to support that.