Orbital Sciences launched a Pegasus booster from its Lockheed L-1011 TriStar carrier over the Atlantic on 4 December, placing seven Orbcomm subsidiary satellites into orbit. It was the fourteenth consecutive successful Pegasus launch, with the number of Orbcomm satellites in space reaching 35.
Source: Flight International
Orbital launch pioneer SpaceX is being contracted by the American space agency NASA to develop a so-called “US Deorbit Vehicle” that can safely return the International Space Station to Earth via controlled re-entry.
BAE Systems has completed its acquisition of Ball Aerospace, with the move further strengthening its US business presence.
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory has retired its Mars helicopter Ingenuity after the craft suffered damage upon landing.
