March 16th - March 22nd

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Innospace launches world’s 1st hybrid rocket

S. Korean startup’s liftoff marks first space vehicle launch by country’s private sector. Congratulations Força Aérea Brasileira (FAB), Agência Espacial Brasileira and INNOSPACE. The South Korean Hanbit-tlv rocket took off today from the Alcântara Launch Center. The takeoff took place at 2:52, local time, and took on board a 100% Brazilian payload, in an operation called Astrolabium.

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French rocket company begins testing at Shetland Island spaceport

SaxaVord Spaceport, the rocket launch facility on the Shetland Islands, has hosted French orbital launch company Latitude as it carries out the first test campaign of its Navier engine. The Navier engine is built using 3D printing and designed to power the startup's Zephyr orbital rocket launcher in its maiden launch planned for 2024, which would be the first french orbital launcher since 1975.

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Russia spaceport faces trouble while Kazkahstan freezes assets

Authorities in Kazakhstan impounded Russian assets at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, escalating a post-Soviet feud over the legendary base from which mankind first touched the stars. Baikonur is pivotal to the Russian space program. Even though it isn't physically in Russia, it has been leased by the Kremlin since Kazakhstan became independent when the Soviet Union collapsed.

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Spaceport Prestwick: New partnership announcement

Spirit AeroSystems and Astraius have announced a collaboration to enhance future satellite launch capabilities from Prestwick Spaceport. UK-headquartered Spirit AeroSystems and Kansas, US-based Astraius have announced today a collaboration to enhance future satellite launch capabilities from Prestwick Spaceport. During a visit to the Spaceport by Scottish Government Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism, and Enterprise Ivan McKee, the companies marked the announcement with a signing ceremony.

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Spaceport Cornwall focusing on growth after Virgin Orbit pauses operations

Spaceport Cornwall has said it will continue to focus on growing the space cluster, after Virgin Orbit announced it was stopping its operations for now. Richard Branson’s US satellite launch firm is working to secure additional funding for future launches, and in the meantime has furloughed staff with an update coming in a few weeks. The news comes after the company’s attempt to make British space history by launching a rocket into orbit from UK soil ended in failure, after suffering an “anomaly” during the flight at the start of the year.

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NEW Weekly Jargonbusters: A Quick Guide for Spaceport Related Lingo!

Term: Launch Rod (noun):

A stiff rod, whose diameter can be from 1/8" to 1" depending on the size and weight of the rocket, along which a rocket flies for the first few feet of its travel. The launch rod stabilizes the rocket's flight while it builds up air speed.

Term: Launch Lug (noun):

A tube attached to the side of the rocket to accommodate a launch rod, to stabilize the rocket while building up air speed.

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