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☆ She’s the boss: The ‘she-conomy’ boom continues with new business growth
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-15 | by ( Alicia Wallace | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

In 2019, that picture looked quite different: 29% of new business owners were women, according to Gusto. The US Census does not break out new business formation by gender, and the most recent available data on women-owned businesses is from 2021. The business growth and the community impact garnered her a Young Entrepreneur Award from the US Small Business Administration. Filling the (skilled trades) gapYelp also found that in 2023, women opened more new home services businesses than beauty businesses. “There has absolutely been an uptick in interest over the last few years in this [skilled trades] work” by women, Perez said.

Persons: Bernadette Corbeil, “, ”, Corbeil, she’s, ” Tara Lewis, Bernadette Corbeil Yelp, Yelp, Abby Vandenberg, Ventureneer, Geri Stengel, Wells, Marie, Cyr, Marie Saint, leapfrogged, Saint, ” Lewis, workforces, Allie Perez, Perez, didn’t, Blythe Zemel, Ginny Stogner McDavid, Bernadette Corbeil’s, I’ve, ’ ” Organizations: CNN, Artemis Construction, Wells, Marie Saint, Cyr, New York City Public Schools, US Small Business Administration, NYC, of Labor Statistics, National Association of Women, Construction, Alamo City, George Plumbing Company, Texas Women, AFL Locations: Wildwood , Missouri, hyperdrive, ”, New York, SIBSPlace, Rockville Centre , New York, New, Saint, San Antonio, Alamo, happenstance, Harris, In Missouri

☆ South Korea flies solid-fuel rocket amid space race with North Korea
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Hyunsu Yim | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/4] A solid-fuel space rocket is launched during a test flight over the sea near Jeju Island, South Korea, December 4, 2023. The Defense Ministry/Handout via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsSEOUL, Dec 4 (Reuters) - South Korea on Monday successfully conducted a flight of a solid-fuel rocket carrying a satellite over the sea near Jeju Island, the defence ministry said, amid a growing space race with neighbouring North Korea. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carried South Korea's first spy satellite into orbit on Friday from California's Vandenberg Space Force Base. North Korea on Monday denounced what it called Washington's "double standard" over the two Koreas' satellite launches and said such "brigandish" American standards would never be tolerated. A functioning reconnaissance satellite could allow North Korea to remotely monitor U.S., South Korean, and Japanese troops.

Persons: California's, Kim Jong, Hyunsu Yim, hyang Choi, Ed Davies, Gerry Doyle Organizations: The Defense Ministry, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Agency for Defense Development, Korea's Hanwha, Hanwha Systems, SpaceX, California's Vandenberg Space Force, White House, Pentagon, U.S, Thomson Locations: Jeju, South Korea, Rights SEOUL, North Korea, Pyongyang, United States, Korea, Norfolk , Virginia, South

☆ North Korea begins spy satellite operations -KCNA
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SEOUL, Dec 3 (Reuters) - North Korea has begun reconnaissance satellite operations, state news agency KCNA said on Sunday, after the country launched its first military spy satellite last month in a move that drew new sanctions from the U.S. and its allies. North Korea says it successfully launched its first military spy satellite on Nov. 21, transmitting photos of the White House, the Pentagon, U.S. military bases and "target regions" in South Korea. The move raised regional tensions and sparked fresh sanctions from the U.S., Australia, Japan and South Korea. The article also argued that South Korea's own, first military reconnaissance launch this month proved to be self-contradictory. On Friday, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carried South Korea's first spy satellite into orbit from California's Vandenberg Space Force Base.

Persons: KCNA, Kim Myung, Jihoon Lee, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Pyongyang General Control Centre, National Aerospace Technology Administration, White, Pentagon, Korea's, Chiefs of Staff, ., SpaceX, Vandenberg Space Force Base, Thomson Locations: SEOUL, North Korea, U.S, Pyongyang, South Korea, Australia, Japan, Korean, Seoul, Lincoln

South Korea had no military reconnaissance satellites of its own in space and has partially resorted to the United States’ spy satellites to monitor moves by North Korea. The North Korean satellite launch sparked immediate, strong condemnations from the U.S., South Korea and others. North Korea responded angrily, saying it has sovereign rights to launch spy satellites to cope with what it calls increasing U.S. hostilities. Since 2022, North Korea has conducted about 100 ballistic missile tests — part of efforts to modernize its arsenal of weapons targeting South Korea and the United States. South Korea’s spy agency told lawmakers last week that Russia’s technological assistance likely enabled North Korea to place its spy satellite into orbit.

Persons: Sheryll Klinkel, Kim Jong Un, Hyung, Kim Organizations: VANDENBERG, North, California’s Vandenberg Space Force, SpaceX’s, SpaceX, South Korea’s Defense Ministry, South Korean, White, Pentagon, Korean, North Korean, United Nations, North Korea’s Defense Ministry, U.S . Space Command, U.S . Space Forces, Radio Free, Force, Associated Press Locations: South Korea, North Korea, United States, South, Korea, U.S, Radio Free Asia, North, “, Japan, Ukraine, Russia, Seoul

☆ SpaceX launches South Korean spy satellite from California
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Dec 1 (Reuters) - A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying South Korea's first spy satellite launched on Friday from California's Vandenberg Space Force Base, after North Korea successfully launched its own military reconnaissance satellite last month. SpaceX ended its livestream of the mission minutes after liftoff and then recovery of the rocket's core stage booster without showing the South Korean payload's deployment. After two earlier attempts ended in rocket crashes this year, North Korea used its own Chollima-1 launch vehicle to place the Malligyong-1 reconnaissance satellite in orbit. Pyongyang has yet to release any imagery from that satellite, and analysts say its full capabilities are unknown. Reporting by Michael Martina, Joey Roulette and Josh Smith Editing by Chris Reese and Leslie AdlerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: California's, Michael Martina, Joey Roulette, Josh Smith, Chris Reese, Leslie Adler Organizations: SpaceX, California's Vandenberg Space Force Base, North, American, Thomson Locations: North Korea, South Korea, Pyongyang

☆ Rival Koreas race to launch first spy satellites this month
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Josh Smith | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

A still photograph shows what appears to be North Korea's new Chollima-1 rocket being launched in Cholsan County, North Korea, May 31, 2023 in this image released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency and taken from video. KCNA via REUTERS/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsSEOUL, Nov 21 (Reuters) - Both South and North Korea aim to launch their first spy satellites into orbit by the end of the month, entering a race for military capabilities in space. North Korea has notified Japan it plans to launch a satellite between Wednesday and Dec. 1, after two failed attempts to launch spy satellites earlier this year. Seoul plans to use SpaceX to launch four more spy satellites by 2025, and has test launched its own liquid and solid fuel rockets to launch more civilian and military satellites in the future. South Korea's capabilities are more advanced, but it still has to make more progress to see results, Chun said.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong, Kim Hyun, chong, Chun, Panda, Josh Smith, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: North, Korean Central News Agency, REUTERS, Rights, SpaceX, California’s Vandenberg Air Force Base, Carnegie Endowment, International, North Korea's National Aerospace Development Administration, South Korean, United Nations, Thomson Locations: Cholsan County, North Korea, Rights SEOUL, Japan, South Korea, Seoul, Korea, South, U.S, Pyongyang, United States, Washington

☆ North Korea notifies Japan of satellite launch plan between Nov 22 and Dec 1
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Chang-Ran Kim | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

TOKYO, Nov 21 (Reuters) - North Korea has notified Japan it plans to launch a rocket carrying a space satellite between Nov. 22 and Dec. 1 in the direction of the Yellow Sea and East China Sea, Japan's Coast Guard said on Tuesday. If carried out, it would likely mark a third attempt by the nuclear-armed state this year to put a spy satellite into orbit. Japan will work with the United States, South Korea and others to "strongly urge" North Korea not to go ahead with the launch, Kishida said. North Korea has not made a formal announcement of the plan on official media. The North considers its space and military rocket programmes a sovereign right, and analysts say spy satellites are crucial to improving the effectiveness of its weapons.

Persons: Fumio Kishida, Kishida, Kim Jong Un, Vladimir Putin, military's Vandenberg, Chang, Ran Kim, Jack Kim, Christina Fincher, David Gregorio, Sandra Maler Organizations: Japan's Coast Guard, Aegis, United Nations, South, Japan, International Maritime Organization, North, U.S, SpaceX, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, North Korea, Japan, East China, United States, South Korea, Pyongyang, Korea, Tokyo, Seoul

☆ New satellite will detect and share CO2 data from individual facilities
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Companies GHGSat Inc FollowNov 11 (Reuters) - Canadian emissions monitoring company GHGSat on Saturday launched a satellite aimed at detecting carbon dioxide emissions from individual facilities like coal plants and steel mills from space for the first time. The satellite, named Vanguard, launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, GHGSat said. Carbon dioxide accounts for nearly 80% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions from human activities and tends to enter the atmosphere from large industrial sources like power plants. Satellites monitoring carbon dioxide in the atmosphere currently are not focused on facility-level emissions, GHGSat said. The data collected by Vanguard will help substantiate common practices of monitoring and measuring carbon dioxide emissions, according to Stephane Germain, CEO of Montreal-based GHGSat.

Persons: GHGSat, Stephane Germain, Germain, Nichola Groom, Rod Nickel Organizations: Saturday, Vanguard, Vandenberg Space Force, Thomson Locations: California, U.S, Montreal

☆ Blinken to visit South Korea as North Korea, Russia deepen ties
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The Seoul visit comes as the United States and South Korea, along with Japan, have condemned what they say is the supply of arms and military equipment by North Korea to Russia. North Korea is preparing to launch a spy satellite after having failed twice this year to put one in orbit. South Korea's spy agency said last week North Korea was in the final stages of preparations for the launch after apparently receiving technical assistance from Russia. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin is also due to visit South Korea this week on a trip that will include Indonesia and India. In Washington, U.S. and South Korean officials held talks on North Korea's illicit cyber activities that they say fund its unlawful weapons programs, South Korea's foreign ministry said.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Yoko Kamikawa, Toshifumi, military's Vandenberg, Defense Lloyd Austin, Austin, Soo, Choi, Ed Davies, Michael Perry Organizations: Japanese, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, South Korean, SpaceX, U.S, Defense, Blinken, United, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Rights SEOUL, Seoul, Russia, Blinken's, Asia, India, Israel, United States, South Korea, North Korea, Washington, North, Ukraine, Pyongyang, Korea, Moscow, Russia's, South, Indonesia, North Korean, Pacific, Washington , U.S, United Nations

Jeon Ha Gyu, a spokesperson for the South Korean Defense Ministry, told reporters Monday that the country’s first military spy satellite will be launched from California’s Vandenberg Air Force Base on Nov. 30. Under a contract with SpaceX, South Korea plans to launch four more spy satellites by 2025, according to South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration. South Korea currently has no military reconnaissance satellites of its own and relies on U.S. spy satellites to monitor moves by North Korea. South Korea’s spy agency told lawmakers last week that North Korea is likely receiving Russian technological assistance on a spy satellite launch program. The possession of spy satellites is part of ambitious arms build-up plans announced by leader Kim Jong Un in 2021.

Persons: Jeon Ha, Lee Choon Geun, Lee, it’s, Vandenberg, Kim Jong Un, Kim Organizations: South Korean Defense Ministry, California’s Vandenberg Air Force Base, SpaceX’s, SpaceX, South, Korea’s, Administration, North, South Korea’s Science, Technology Policy Institute, National Intelligence Service Locations: SEOUL, South Korea, North Korea, U.S, Korean, Korea, Russia, Ukraine

☆ North Korea media urges stronger nuclear force after U.S. missile test
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( Hyunsu Yim | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

A North Korean military commentator said despite the failure of the test, the presence of South Korean "puppet military gangsters" showed that U.S. nuclear weapons were targeted at North Korea. The commentary also criticised the U.S. and South Korea for various recent military steps including the deployment of U.S. nuclear strategic bombers to South Korea. The U.S. and South Korea also held air exercises involving 130 warplanes from both countries to simulate 24-hour wartime operations last month. South Korea and the United States say their exercises are aimed at maintaining combat readiness to respond to North Korea. North Korea denounces the exercises as preparations by the United States and its South Korean ally to invade it.

Persons: Kim, Hyunsu Yim, Hyonhee Shin, Robert Birsel Organizations: Minuteman, Daylight, Vandenberg Air Force Base, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, U.S, U.S . Air Force, South, North, Democratic People's, DPRK, Korea's Unification Ministry, Thomson Locations: California, U.S, Rights SEOUL, North Korea, United States, Korean, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, South Korea, North, Korea, Japan

☆ North Korea Protests to US Over Minuteman III Missile Test
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

By Hyunsu YimSEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea vowed to continue military action while criticizing the United States over a recent intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test, state media KCNA said on Friday. A South Korean delegation visited the base and observed the ICBM launch in the first such a visit since 2016, according to the country's defence ministry. The article also criticized military moves by the U.S. and South Korea including the deployment of what it described as U.S. nuclear strategic bombers in South Korea. The U.S. and South Korea also held major air exercises involving 130 warplanes from both countries to simulate 24-hour wartime operations last month. North Korea has routinely denounced joint military exercises by Seoul and Washington as rehearsals for war.

Persons: Hyunsu Yim, KCNA Organizations: Democratic People's, Vandenberg Space Force, U.S . Air Force, U.S Locations: Hyunsu Yim SEOUL, North Korea, United States, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, California, Korean, South Korea, Japan, U.S, Seoul, Washington, Korea

☆ U.S. Air Force blows up Minuteman III in test flight after post-launch anomaly
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

An unarmed U.S. Air Force Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile launches during an operational test May 3, 2017, at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. The U.S. Air Force said on Wednesday it had blown up a Minuteman III missile over the Pacific Ocean after an anomaly was detected following its launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The Air Force did not elaborate but said it was forming a launch analysis group to investigate. The nuclear-capable Minuteman III, made by Boeing , is key to the U.S. military's strategic arsenal. About 400 of the missiles are located at Air Force bases in Wyoming, Montana and North Dakota.

Persons: Lauren Linscott Organizations: U.S . Air Force Minuteman III, Vandenberg Air Force Base, The U.S . Air Force, III, Vandenberg Space Force, The Air Force, Air Force Global, Command, Boeing, Air Force Locations: U.S, Calif, The, California, Wyoming , Montana, North Dakota

☆ US must be ready for simultaneous wars with China, Russia, report says
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( Jonathan Landay | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The report from the Strategic Posture Commission comes amid tensions with China over Taiwan and other issues and worsening frictions with Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. A senior official involved in the report declined to say if the panel's intelligence briefings showed any Chinese and Russian nuclear weapons cooperation. The report contrasts with U.S. President Joe Biden's position that the current U.S. nuclear arsenal is sufficient to deter the combined forces of Russia and China. "The United States and its allies must be ready to deter and defeat both adversaries simultaneously," the Strategic Posture Commission said. It should also extend the operational lives of ballistic missile submarines and deploy more tactical nuclear weapons in Asia and Europe.

Persons: Ian Dudley, Madelyn, Jon Kyl, Joe Biden's, Jonathan Landay, Lisa Shumaker Organizations: Minuteman, Daylight, Vandenberg Air Force Base, . Air Force, REUTERS, Rights, Democratic, Republican, Thomson Locations: California, U.S, Handout, United States, Russia, China, Taiwan, Ukraine, Russian, Asia, Europe

☆ Investing in Space: Firefly's successful launch represents a key moment for company's future
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The view from the upper stage of Firefly's Alpha rocket after deploying the Victus Nox satellite in orbit on Sept. 14, 2023. CNBC's Investing in Space newsletter offers a view into the business of space exploration and privatization, delivered straight to your inbox. But a few space insiders knew what was up: Firefly's Alpha rocket, carrying the Space Force's ambitious Victus Nox mission with a satellite built by Millennium. The trio of space organizations was targeting a seemingly absurd 24-hour launch timeline per the Space Force's rapid response goals. First, this was the third Alpha rocket that Firefly's launched.

Persons: CNBC's Michael Sheetz, Firefly's, Bill Weber, Vandenberg, Weber, –, MLV, we'll Organizations: Alpha, CNBC's, Millennium, Safari, Space, Firefly, Northrop Grumman, Northrop Locations: Texas

☆ US Air Force tests nuclear-capable long-range missile
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( Michael Callahan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The US Air Force on Wednesday tested an unarmed nuclear-capable long-range missile, according to the Air Force Global Strike Command. The unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile, equipped with three test reentry vehicles, was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California and traveled 4,200 miles to the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands. An operational test launch of an Air Force Global Strike Command unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., on Wednesday, Sept. 6, at 1:26 a.m. PT. The purpose of the ICBM test launch program is to validate and verify the safety, security, effectiveness, and readiness of the weapon system, according to Air Force Global Strike Command. The other two parts of the triad are the Trident submarine-launched ballistic missile and nuclear weapons carried by long-range strategic bombers.

Persons: Kadielle, ”, Chris Cruise, Pat Ryder Organizations: CNN, US Air Force, Air Force Global Strike Command, Minuteman, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Vandenberg Space Force Base, Kadielle Shaw, . Space Force, Airmen, Guardians, Pentagon, Trident Locations: California, Marshall, Calif, Russia, United States, Hague, ” Brig

☆ Opinion: Hitting the gym or going to yoga? Your workout clothes could be doing more harm than you realize
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Opinion Alden Wicker | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

BPA is an endocrine disruptor, meaning that it mimics or interferes with the body’s hormones. It governs weight management and your energy levels, not to mention your skin’s appearance and your ability to fend off illness. Others have tried to argue that some of the chemicals in clothing fell within the legal and regulatory limits. The signs that something is very, very wrong with our reproductive health and endocrine systems are myriad. After all, you might be undoing the benefits of hitting the gym every day when your workout clothes could be doing so much damage to your health.

Persons: Alden Wicker, Athleta, Alden Wicker Alden Wicker, There’s, bisphenol, Ashley Eskew, “, Thinx, ” Dr, Laura Vandenberg, Down, ”, Shanna, Dr, Graham Peaslee, PFAS, Swan, lipsticks, ‘, ” Eskew, Eskew Organizations: New York Times, Vox, Wired, CNN, Center for Environmental Health, Nike, IKEA, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, CBC, US Environmental Protection Agency, Industry, University of Massachusetts Amherst, of Environmental Health Sciences, Notre, Twitter Locations: Putnam, California, Patagonia, ” North Carolina, Spain

☆ Many Americans think NASA returning to the moon is a waste of time and it should prioritize asteroid hunting instead, a poll shows
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Mariel Borowitz | Teasel Muir-Harmony | The Conversation | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

A new report from the Pew Research Center shows most Americans support NASA but not a moon mission. But the specific priorities of the US space program have often been at odds with public opinion. Although somewhat at odds with the national space agenda, this valuation is not new. In addition, the United Nations' open-ended working group on reducing space threats has been meeting since 2022 to help avoid conflict in space. Countries have been working within the United Nations to develop and implement guidelines for the long-term sustainability of outer space activities.

Persons: LOREN ELLIOTT, Johns Hopkins, Jon Emmerich, Elon Musk, Ryan Saunders, Codie Trimble Organizations: Pew Research Center, NASA, Service, Getty Images, Artemis, Pew, SpaceX, AP, Virgin Galactic, . Air Force, 625th Strategic Communications Squadron, Vandenberg Space Force Base, Intercontinental Ballistic Missile, US Air Force, Staff, ViaSat, United Nations, Space Agency Space Locations: Wall, Silicon, United States, AFP, States, Europe, Japan, Canada, China, Russia, Ukraine War, Ukrainian, Ukraine, United

The Austin-based rocket builder and in-space services company is close to announcing the closure of an oversubscribed capital raise, its CEO Bill Weber told CNBC's Manifest Space. Firefly can currently launch its medium-launch rocket, Alpha, every two months. "Alpha has a demand signature for the next three to four years, which is more than good enough for what we want to do with it," Weber told CNBC. Weber told CNBC the company is also in talks with the intelligence community about classified payloads. The macro environment, which has largely stunned public space companies, will help to decide timing.

Persons: Firefly's, Bill Weber, CNBC's, Weber, Morgan Brennan, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman Organizations: Firefly's Alpha, Vandenberg Space Force Base, Alpha, Firefly Aerospace, CNBC, Spaceflight Inc, Virgin Orbit, U.S . Space Force, Systems, NASA, Lockheed, Antares Locations: Austin, Austin , Texas, North Carolina, Ukraine, Russian

☆ SpaceX to launch the first test payload for a bold new drug development company
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-12 | by ( Jackie Wattles | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +17 min

Its research, company officials hope, could lead to better, more effective drugs — and hefty profits. Varda Space industriesHow it worksVarda’s vision is straightforward: The company’s capsule will launch with an experiment already on board. Varda Space IndustriesDrugs in spaceMuch of the legwork for Varda’s drug experimentation can be done on the ground. The exorbitant price tag of drug research is often passed on to consumers in the form of eye-popping prices, which frequently draws critical headlines. “You’ll see like this entire ecosystem coming up to create this fertile ground for commercialization of space,” Bruey said.

Persons: El, Varda, “ It’s, ”, Will Bruey, ” Varda, what’s, Merck, Keytruda, Varda’s, Covid, that’s, Gabe Ramirez, ” Bruey, Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, “ I’ve, ” Asparouhov, Asparouhov, “, who’s, You’re, Nicholas Cialdella, Bruey, Jon Barr, Mark Herbert, there’s, Eric Lasker, ” Lasker, Varda isn’t, It’s, Paul Reichert, Merck hasn’t, Reichert, Herbert Organizations: El Segundo , California CNN, Citigroup, Varda Space Industries, SpaceX, Vandenberg Space Force, Big pharma, Merck, Bristol Myers Squibb, ISS, Laboratory, Space Station, Rocket, CNN, NASA, Company, Founders Fund, PayPal, Pharmaceuticals, Fortune, Space Industries, US Air Force, Utah Test, pharma, “, Congressional, International Locations: El Segundo , California, California, Los Angeles, Delian, Salt Lake City, ”

☆ Rocket builder Firefly takes on high-speed Space Force mission for crucial next launch
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-06 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

The Alpha rocket for the Space Force's Victus Nox mission stands on the launchpad at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. The mission for the military's Los Angeles-based Space Safari team calls for flying a Millennium Space Systems-built satellite on Firefly Aerospace's Alpha rocket — on remarkably short notice. The Alpha rocket for the Space Force's Victus Nox mission stands on the launchpad at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. Space Force selected Firefly and Millennium for the Victus Nox contract in October, setting off a chain of events starting with the build phase. Firefly's opportunitywatch nowFirefly originally planned to fly a NASA mission on its third Alpha rocket launch, after the company reached space with its second launch in October.

Starship is SpaceX's next-generation rocket crucial for the company's commercial launch business and Musk's aim to start human colonies on Mars. The U.S. offers few such options and export controls would make building a foreign launch site difficult. SpaceX has eyed another Kennedy Space Center launch site for future Starship launches, LC-49, a few miles from LC-39A. But that location is in the midst of a lengthy environmental review that could take years. Plans for that orbital launch site, Spaceport Camden, were nixed by a local referendum after a lawsuit raised concerns about its environmental impact.

☆ SpaceX wins approval to add fifth U.S. rocket launch site
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-25 | by ( Joey Roulette | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

WASHINGTON, April 24 (Reuters) - The U.S. Space Force said on Monday that Elon Musk's SpaceX was granted approval to lease a second rocket launch complex at a military base in California, setting the space company up for its fifth launch site in the United States. Under the lease, SpaceX will launch its workhorse Falcon rockets from Space Launch Complex-6 at Vandenberg Space Force Base, a military launch site north of Los Angeles where the space company operates another launchpad. A Monday night Space Force statement said a letter of support for the decision was signed on Friday by Space Launch Delta 30 commander Col. The new launch site, vacated last year by the Boeing-Lockheed joint venture United Launch Alliance, gives SpaceX more room to handle an increasingly busy launch schedule for commercial, government and internal satellite launches. SpaceX's grant of Space Launch Complex-6 comes as rocket companies prepare to compete for the Pentagon's Phase 3 National Security Space Launch program, a watershed military launch procurement effort expected to begin in the next year or so.

☆ Rare photo captures the moment the keys were turned on a US military 'doomsday' plane to launch an ICBM
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-25 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The US military test-launched a Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile last week. Newly released Air Force photos show the moment an airman turned the keys to initiate the launch. The launch was executed aboard a so-called 'doomsday' plane, and a newly released photo captures the moment an airman turned the keys to initiate the launch. US NavyUS Strategic Command said last week's launch is "part of routine and periodic activities" to ensure that Washington's nuclear capabilities are stable. Several times a year, an ICBM will be pulled from one of the Air Force Global Strike Command missile wings for an Operational Test Launch at Vandenberg.

☆ Mysterious glowing 'SpaceX spirals' in the night sky seem to be linked to rocket launches
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( Rebecca Cohen | Morgan Mcfall-Johnsen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

It's likely a cloud of excess fuel from a SpaceX rocket launched earlier that day. "SpaceX spirals" are rare, but they may be getting more common. These spirals are appearing shortly after SpaceX rocket launches, and are probably residual fuel the rockets released during flight, space physicist Don Hampton told the Associated Press. SpaceX spirals, jellyfish, and smoke rings may happen more oftenThis is the third time in the past year that a Falcon 9 rocket has appeared to produce a SpaceX spiral. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the company's Crew Dragon spacecraft launches at Cape Canaveral, Florida.

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