Month: March 2021

Space Chat with Space.com: Tune in Fridays for science, space and more!

NeRD

This Friday (Mar. 5), Space Chat will explore commercial space initiatives like Inspiration4, which aim to send commercial astronauts to space.  This week, Space.com senior writer Chelsea Gohd will be discussing and answering questions about commercial space initiatives like Inspiration4 which is currently running a campaign to raise money for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. The campaign doubles as a contest for one of four seats in a future launch to space, with two of the four seats already being filled.  Every Friday at 1 p.m. EDT (17000 GMT), Gohd…

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The ‘Alien’ Xenomorph has invaded Fornite (Ripley and her cat, too!)

NeRD

[embedded content] The Xenomorph and Ripley from the iconic science fiction film “Alien” have landed Fortnite, but act fast. You can only get them in the battle royale game for a limited time. The famed “Alien” characters popped into Fortnite item shop Thursday (Feb. 25) to join the games current Chapter 2: Season 5, which features the Mandalorian from “Star Wars” lore.  The new skins could rotate out of the shop soon and are available individually or in two packs: a bundle with the Xenomorph and Ripley (with her cat…

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Rocket Lab just unveiled plans for a big new rocket called Neutron that could fly astronauts

NeRD

The private launch company Rocket Lab unveiled its plans to launch a big, new rocket called Neutron by 2024 on Monday (March 1), turning away from its longstanding commitment to launch tiny satellites exclusively on small boosters. The pivot comes as the company prepares to go public following a planned merger with Vector Acquisition Corporation. Scaling up from the company’s standby Electron rocket marks the second recent change of plans toward long-scorned opportunities and is meant to take advantage of burgeoning interest in establishing megaconstellation networks of satellites, like SpaceX’s…

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Scrub! SpaceX aborts Falcon 9 launch of 60 Starlink satellites

NeRD

[embedded content] Update for 8:40 p.m. ET: SpaceX aborted the launch of its Falcon 9 rocket carrying 60 Starlink satellites at the T-1 minute, 24 seconds mark. The next launch opportunity will be Monday, March 1, at 8:15 p.m. EST (0315 March 2 GMT). A veteran SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch 60 new Starlink internet satellites into orbit Sunday (Feb. 28) and you can watch it live here. Liftoff is at 8:37 p.m. EST (0137 March 1 GMT).  Tonight’s launch has been delayed several times due to weather and…

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