Minotaur V « AmericaSpace

Our 'Glowing Moon': LADEE Spacecraft Discovers Neon in Lunar Atmosphere

By Paul Scott Anderson, on August 18th, 2015

Artist’s conception of the LADEE spacecraft orbiting the Moon. Its findings will help scientists to better understand thin exospheres, such as the one our own Moon has. Image Credit: NASA Ames/Dana Berry

The existence of neon gas in our Moon’s ultra-thin atmosphere has been confirmed for the first time, by NASA’s Lunar Atmosphere […]

Mandatory Ascent Abort System Launch Test Lies Ahead Before Orion’s First Crewed NASA SLS Blastoff

By Ken Kremer, on December 30th, 2014

This Orion capsule will soar again to space! Homecoming view of NASA’s first Orion spacecraft after returning to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Dec. 19, 2014, after successful blastoff on Dec. 5, 2014. Credit: Ken Kremer – kenkremer.com

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL — Before our astronauts will ever be allowed to […]

NASA’s LADEE Dust Probe Plunges Deliberately Into Lunar Surface

By Ken Kremer, on April 21st, 2014

Depiction of NASA’s Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE) observatory as it approaches lunar orbit. Credit: NASA Ames/Dana Berry

NASA’s newest Moon probe, the Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE), aimed at studying the moon ultra tenuous atmosphere and dust, has deliberately plunged into the lunar surface after successfully completing its […]

Minotaur-1 Rocket Set to Launch Military Payloads and First High School Satellite

By Ben Evans, on November 19th, 2013

High-angle view of the Minotaur-1 vehicle for the ORS-3 mission during pre-launch checkout. Photo Credit: Ball Aerospace

Bookended by yesterday’s launch of NASA’s Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) mission and the impending departure of India’s Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) from Earth orbit, both bound for the Red Planet, a quieter mission will […]

Ahoy From LOI: NASA's LADEE Spacecraft Enters Lunar Orbit

By Ben Evans, on October 6th, 2013

One month after its launch, a series of “phasing loops” has gradually increased LADEE’s orbit until it was captured by lunar gravity. Today’s Lunar Orbit Insertion (LOI)-1 burn is the first step to achieving a stable orbit around the Moon. Image Credit: NASA / Ames

One month since its launch atop the first […]

'Space Frog' Joins List of Wayward Animal Launch Day Casualties

By Jason Rhian, on September 12th, 2013

Being an animal who calls one of the locations that NASA launches from home can be extremely hazardous to your health. Images courtesy of NASA

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla — The list of animal launch day casualties increased by one (that we’re aware of) this past week with the launch of NASA’s LADEE spacecraft […]

Moon-Bound LADEE Spacecraft Back On Track After Minor Problem

By Mike Killian, on September 10th, 2013

NASA’s latest spacecraft bound for the Moon, LADEE, has encountered and recovered from a glitch on the way to survey the lunar atmosphere. Image Credit: NASA / Ames

NASA’s $280 million Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer mission, or LADEE, is well on its way to the Moon after the compact car-size spacecraft […]

NASA to Share the Universe With Instagram Users Through Its Images

By NASA, on September 10th, 2013

NASA’s LADEE mission begins its journey to the Moon with a spectacular liftoff from Pad 0B at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) on Wallops Island, Va., on 6 September 2013. The mission marked the maiden voyage of the five-stage Minotaur V rocket. Photo Credit: NASA-Wallops/Chris Perry

NASA is launching an official Instagram profile […]

First Minotaur V Rocket Boosts NASA's LADEE Spacecraft on Mission to the Moon

By Ben Evans, on September 7th, 2013

Orbital Sciences Corp. has successfully […]

Luck Be a LADEE: NASA's Next Lunar Mission Ready to Uncover Moon's Mysteries

By Ben Evans, on September 4th, 2013

The Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE) is due for launch in the coming days (liftoff should occur on Sept. 6). Image Credit: NASA.

With just two weeks remaining before its second Antares rocket is due to roar away from Pad 0A at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) on Wallops Island, Va., […]

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