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May 27, 2020

Airborne 05.27.20: Virgin Orbit Attempt, WACO YMF-5F Cert, AEA 1Q Report

Also: Ligado Takes More Flak, ERAU Makes Return Plans, CG Helo Rescue, UND Plans Restart

It was not the best of days for the team at Virgin Orbit, but it was an educational one. After having to scrub a launch attempt on Sunday, May 24th, due to sensor issues, the VO team, finally had the chance to launch a rocket from the belly of their 747 carrier aircraft, 'Cosmic Girl' on Memorial Day. However, while they finally had the chance to release a rocket in real life, things went bad shortly thereafter. The LauncherOne liquid-fueled two-stage rocket angled skyward about 27°, as expected, at the moment of release. After a 4-second freefall, the first stage engine, NewtonThree, was supposed to ignite and allow the vehicle to accelerate to more than 8,000 miles per hour before stag

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FAA Restricts Airspace (Of Course...) for Upcoming Demo-2 Space Flight

FAA Has Issued Multiple NOTAMS For The Wednesday Launch

The FAA has issued multiple Notice to Airmen (NOTAMS) Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) around Cape Canaveral, Fla., through Wednesday, May 27, 2020. The NOTAMS are in preparation for NASA’s historic manned space flight to the International Space Station aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule. This the first launch of astronauts to Earth orbit on an American-built spacecraft from American soil since 2011. The FAA’s role is to ensure the safety of the airspace by prohibiting all aircraft operations within 30 nautical miles of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center during the reported timeframe unless the operation is exempted. There are three types of NOTAMs: airspace, to close the airs