Technology Archives - Rocket Rundown

SpaceX successfully test fit a Starship upper stage with a Super Heavy booster the first time ahead of its maiden orbital demonstration mission.

SpaceX stacks the tallest rocket in history

August 6, 2021

A colossal crane has successfully stacked a Starship upper stage on top of a Super Heavy booster for the first time completing the integration...

Thrusters aboard Russian new Multipurpose Laboratory Module fired unexpectedly just hours after the module docked with the International Space Station.

New space station module malfunctions hours after docking

July 29, 2021

Hours after docking with the International Space Station, the Russian Multipurpose Laboratory Module unexpectedly fired its thrusters which pushed the station out of its...

In preparation for its 2025 Solar Cruiser mission, NASA is preparing to launch a solar sail technology demonstrator aboard Artemis 1.

Solar sail asteroid explorer to launch aboard Artemis 1

July 16, 2021

NASA's Artemis 1 mission to the Moon will carry a solar sailing CubeSat as part of an array of secondary payloads.Artemis 1 is the...

NASA is preparing to switch key Hubble hardware later this week to bypass a fault in the telescope’s payload computer.

NASA prepare to switch Hubble to backup hardware

July 12, 2021

NASA is preparing to switch key systems aboard the Hubble Space Telescope to backup hardware to bypass a fault that crippled it.On June 13,...

NASA has yet to find a solution to a computer memory module problem that forced the Hubble Space Telescope’s science instruments into safe mode on June 13.

Is this the end for Hubble?

June 19, 2021

An issue with the onboard computer that runs NASA's Hubble Space Telescope continues to persist with no immediate solution.On June 13, NASA's Hubble Space...

After almost two years on the surface of Mars, InSight’s solar panels have become covered in fine Martian dirt that needs to be cleared if it is going to remain operational.

NASA InSight lander gets 2% power boost after dirt shower

June 10, 2021

A counterintuitive plan to clear dust from the solar panels of NASA's InSight lander has been successful resulting in a 2% power boost.NASA's InSight...

The Lockheed-GM Lunar Terrain Vehicle is being developed to allow the partnership to compete for a NASA Artemis contract.

Lockheed and General Motors to develop Moon rover

May 27, 2021

Lockheed Martin and General Motors have partnered to develop a Moon rover for NASA's Artemis program that could operate autonomously with or without humans...

The Prometheus rocket engine is designed to be capable of producing 1000 kN of thrust aboard core, booster or upper stages.

ESA sign €135 million contract for low-cost 3D printed rocket engine

May 18, 2021

The European Space Agency has signed a contract with French aerospace firm ArianeGroup to continue the development of a low-cost 3D-printed rocket engine.The €135...

The Chinese Space Station Telescope will carry out large sky surveys enabling scientist to solve the mysteries of the stars and very deep space.

Flagship-class Chinese telescope will operate alongside space station

April 21, 2021

A new optical space telescope China is developing to survey the sky will work in concert with the country's planned space station enabling it...

General Atomics, Blue Origin, and Lockheed Martin have been awarded DARPA contacts to develop a nuclear thermal propulsion demonstration mission.

DARPA selects contractors to develop nuclear thermal propulsion system

April 13, 2021

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has selected General Atomics, Blue Origin, and Lockheed Martin to develop a nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) demonstration.DARPA announced...