October 2020 – SoCal Aerospace News Network

Dr. K. Renee Horton has overcome challenges in becoming a NASA engineer. One of her professors empowered with negative words, but Horton knew better. Having graduated high school at 16, …

NASA astronauts Shannon Walker, Victor Glover and Mike Hopkins and astronaut Soichi Noguchi of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency comprise crew of NASA's Crew-1 mission - Courtesy SpaceX

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NASA and SpaceX Set Next Astronaut Launch for November 14

October 28, 2020October 28, 2020 - by Scott Rathman

NASA and SpaceX expect to launch the first crew rotation mission to the International Space Station on Nov. 14 at 7:49 p.m. ET. A media teleconference will be held by …

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine (on screen) and European Space Agency Director General Jan Wörner - Courtesy NASA

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NASA and ESA Enter Agreement in First of Anticipated Collaborations on Artemis Gateway

October 27, 2020October 27, 2020 - by Donna Balancia

NASA and the European Space Agency have signed an agreement committing the space agencies to collaborate on the Gateway component of Moon mission, Artemis, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said in …

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Water on The Moon May Be More Accessible Than Previously Believed: SOFIA

October 26, 2020October 26, 2020 - by Donna Balancia

Researchers have located water on the south side of the lunar surface, according to studies newly released by NASA and published in the journal Nature today. In addition, water ice …

SpaceX Makes 100th Flight from Florida - Courtesy SpaceX

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SpaceX Celebrates 100th Flight with Latest Starlink Mission

October 25, 2020October 25, 2020 - by Donna Balancia

SpaceX made its 100th flight Saturday, sending yet another fleet of Starlink satellites into orbit with a successful launch from Cape Canaveral. A Falcon 9 rocket departed Cape Canaveral Air …

Redhorse Corp wins JAICS contract - Courtesy Redhorse

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Redhorse Corp. of San Diego Wins $100M Air Force Contract for AI Development

October 22, 2020 - by Donna Balancia

Redhorse Corporation of San Diego was among five companies to receive a blanket five-year, $100 million contract from the Air Force Joint Artificial Intelligence Center for staffing on artificial intelligence, …

Movers and Shakers

OSIRIS-REx Completes Remarkable Touch-And-Go on Asteroid, Collects Samples

October 21, 2020October 22, 2020 - by Scott Rathman

NASA spacecraft OSIRIS-REx completed a remarkable 6-second touch-and-go, collecting samples from asteroid Bennu, which is more than 200 million miles away from Earth. The high-stakes mission saw OSIRIS-REx touch the …

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Firefly Aerospace Conducts Successful Test of Alpha Launch Vehicle Set for Vandenberg

October 21, 2020 - by Donna Balancia

Firefly said it executed a successful acceptance test of the first stage of its Alpha launch vehicle in preparation for its inaugural flight later this year. The company also executed …

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Report: Relativity Space and Lockheed Martin Team on 3D Rockets for NASA

October 20, 2020October 20, 2020 - by Donna Balancia

Relativity Space, an LA-based launch startup, has teamed with Lockheed Martin on 3D-printed rockets for NASA’s Tipping Point program, it was announced. As reported in TechCrunch, the mission is a test …

Falcon 9 Booster lands on recovery vessel - Courtesy SpaceX

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SpaceX Accomplishes Yet Another Starlink Satellite Mission with Falcon 9 Launch and Return

October 18, 2020 - by Donna Balancia

SpaceX accomplished yet another successful Starlink launch Sunday and followed up with a precise landing of the Falcon 9 booster to its recovery ship in the Atlantic Ocean. Falcon 9 …