Private space group launches solar sail orbiter

Posted at: Tue Jun 21st, 2005

PASADENA, Calif. (Reuters) - A privately funded and experimental spacecraft blasted off on Tuesday from a Russian submarine in a venture funded by space enthusiasts who see their solar-driven orbiter as a way to reinvigorate a race to the stars.

Countdown Goes Smoothly for Solar Sail-Propelled Spacecraft

Posted at: Tue Jun 21st, 2005

All is set for the launch of The Planetary Society’s Cosmos 1 solar sail. The submarine has taken position at a pre-selected spot in the Barents Sea. The nominal launch time is 3:46 p.m. Eastern time (19:46 GMT). Liftoff the rocket won’t be immediately confirmed. Th...

Cosmos 1: Sailing on sunlight

Posted at: Tue Jun 21st, 2005

Scientists believe "sun-sailing" craft may in the future be able to reach sufficiently high speeds to make travel around the Solar System viable. The probe is due to be launched on Tuesday evening at 2045 GMT from a Russian Delta III class submarine in a Volna rocket, a converted for...

Guinness Recognizes NASA Scramjet

Posted at: Tue Jun 21st, 2005

NASA has been officially recognized for setting the speed record for a jet-powered aircraft by Guinness World Records. NASA set the record in November during the third and final flight of the experimental X-43A scramjet (supersonic-combustion ramjet) project.

NASA Shuttle Team Confident in Discovery's July Launch Target

Posted at: Tue Jun 21st, 2005

CAPE CANAVERAL - The team at Kennedy Space Center is confident Discovery and Atlantis will be ready in time to launch the return-to-flight mission in July as planned, NASA officials told community leaders at a breakfast Friday.