An Orbital Sciences' (OSC) Pegasus XL booster air launched from the company's Lockheed TriStar carrier aircraft over the Pacific Ocean on 2 April successfully placed NASA's Transition Region and Coronal Explorer (TRACE) satellite into low Earth orbit. The 212kg TRACE will be used to investigate the connection between the sun's magnetic fields and the heating of its corona.
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.
