Weekly Spaceflight Update: April 19–26th
The week of April 19–26th had a packed schedule of spaceflight activities across the globe. Here’s the complete recap:
Blue Origin | BlueBird-7
On April 19th Blue Origin conducted a New Glenn launch carrying the BlueBird-7 mission. This was the 2nd flight of the booster “Never Tell Me The Odds.” It successfully landed on BO’s recovery vessel ‘Jacklyn’ after deploying the second stage to orbit. Unfortunately, an anomaly occurred during the perigee raising burn and the payload was lost.
Read the mission article → https://www.launchheaven.com/articles/spaceflight/blue-origin-launches-new-glenn
Image Credit: Asher B.
Starlink Group 17-22
On April 19nd a Starlink deployment mission was launched by SpaceX from California. The booster, B1097 supporting this mission flew for the 5th time. It was recovered by “Of Course I Still Love You” and achieved the milestone of 600th landing.
Image Credit: SpaceX
SpaceX | GPS III SV10
On April 21st SpaceX launched the tenth GPS III satellite for the U.S. Space Force. The booster, B1095, supporting this mission flew for the 7th time and was recovered by “Just Read the Instructions.”
Image Credit: SpaceX
Rocket Lab | “Bubbles”
On April 21st Rocket Lab successfully flew its hypersonic “Bubbles” mission from Wallops Island, Virginia.
Image Credit: Kyle H.
Rocket Lab “Kakushin Rising”
On April 22nd Rocket Lab’s second launch of the week carried the “Kakushin Rising” payload from Māhia Peninsula, New Zealand.
Image Credit: RocketLab
SpaceX | Starlink Group 17-14
On April 22nd another Starlink deployment mission was launched by SpaceX from California. The booster, B1100, supporting this mission flew for the 5th time. It was recovered by “Of Course I Still Love You.”
Image Credit: SpaceX
SpaceX releases new documentary series: “Test Like You Fly”
On April 24th SpaceX published its latest video showcasing the company’s “Test Like You Fly” philosophy and recent Starship testing milestones.
Watch the documentary here → https://youtu.be/PHWvbbQGb5g?si=eWebjiQCFdqDxtcC
Credit: SpaceX
Roscosmos Progress MS-34
Russia’s Progress MS-34 cargo spacecraft launched to the International Space Station.
Image Credit: Roscosmos/VCG
SpaceX | Starlink Group 17-16
On April 26th another Starlink deployment mission was launched by SpaceX from California. The booster supporting this mission, B1088, flew for the 15th time. It was recovered by “Of Course I Still Love You.”
Image Credit: SpaceX
