The orbital module of the Chinese Shen Zhou 2 spacecraft re-entered the Earth's atmosphere on 24 August after 260 days in orbit. The re-entry capsule had landed on 16 January, six days after the launch of the second test flight of the spacecraft aboard a Long March 2F booster from Jiuquan. The orbital module made several orbital manoeuvres in preparation for a manned flight, which is expected in late 2002.
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.
