STEM News Tip: Space Launch News
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- Published: Wednesday, 20 January 2021 07:00
Some brief highlights of space technology news this week:
- NASA’s latest test of the SLS rocket engines ended early this past weekend, prompting investigations. These engines are the core driving component of the planned Artemis lunar mission. It appears that the issue is not with the engines themselves, but with the testing code for the engine’s steering hydraulics. A date for revised testing has not yet been set.
Read more at Science Alert and space.com
- Meanwhile in commercial launches, SpaceX is setting new records this week for spacecraft reusability. A launch planned for today will be the eighth flight of the first stage of this Falcon rocket, which just returned from its previous flight less than six weeks ago. The rocket will carry more Starlink communication satellites, which have aroused controversy for their potential impact on light pollution and space debris in the event of failure.