SpaceX’s Starship goes orbital, deploying first next-gen Starlinks
Starship had already flown 99 percent of the way to low-Earth orbit. Monday’s flight added the last bit.
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Stephen Clark
Space Reporter
Exposed on public author pages
Stephen Clark is a space reporter at Ars Technica, covering private space companies and the world’s space agencies. With more than a decade of experience covering spaceflight and space science, Stephen writes about the nexus of technology, science, policy, and business on and off the planet. He worked full-time for Spaceflight Now, a leading space industry news publication, for 14 years, including five years as editor, covering the end of the space shuttle program and the rise of commercial spaceflight. Stephen is based in Texas, and studied business and journalism at the University of Texas at Austin.
Recent stories by
Stephen Clark
With PRIMA, NASA will try to build a billion-dollar space telescope in record time
NASA’s PRIMA mission will use spare parts from Webb to do major science at a lower cost.
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NASA chief: I’m only interested in “good deals” from international partners
“There was absolutely a time where we were trying to make everyone happy.”
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The Roman telescope has enough gas for 22 years, double NASA’s expectations
The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is the first NASA observatory designed for in-space refueling.
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For the first time, the US military confirms it has deployed weapons in orbit
“The United States now has on-orbit space control weapons capable of defending the joint force.”
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Some satellite companies still have an appetite for boutique launch services
“Dedicated launch is pretty essential for us for most of our missions.”
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Could United Launch Alliance’s money problems finally force its owners to sell?
ULA is preparing to resume launching the Vulcan rocket in the coming weeks.
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Europe will go it alone on Venus mission after NASA yanks radar instrument
Europe is looking inward, and perhaps to China, as the White House tries to cancel some NASA partnerships.
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German company becomes first in Europe to launch fully commercial orbital rocket
“We achieved within a few years what had taken the European space industry decades before.”
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After 8 years, Europe’s BepiColombo mission is on final approach to Mercury
“Fundamentally, we want to learn about the origins of this planet and how it came to be like it is.”
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Rocket Report: Engines installed for Artemis III; Long March 6C breakup in LEO
Two of Europe’s leading launch startups announced new fundraising this week.
Stephen Clark
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Is Russia’s rival to Starlink failing? Here’s what we know.
At least three of the first 32 Rassvet satellites likely suffered outright failures, and more may be in trouble.
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Without new landers or rovers, it’s helicopters or bust for NASA’s Mars program
NASA’s cost estimate for SR-1 Freedom is $2.1 billion, but that doesn’t include the helicopters.
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NASA’s next “great observatory” begins mission to widen our view of the Universe
“We would need over half a million 4K TVs to fully display the single Roman image from our largest survey.”
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The world’s busiest spaceport is about to get a lot quieter, at least for now
SpaceX aims to launch Starship from Florida by the end of the year. 2027 seems more likely.
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Trump’s space transportation policy calls for new spaceport on federal land
“We probably need another site that’s capable of heavy and super heavy launch capability.”
Stephen Clark
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Rocket Report: SpaceX makes its mark on the Moon; ULA names new boss
Taiwan’s effort to develop its own satellite launcher hit a setback this week.
Stephen Clark
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NASA calls off mission to rescue Swift gamma-ray observatory
Without a rescue, NASA’s Swift Observatory is expected to reenter the atmosphere later this year.
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The floodgates are open after another Chinese company lands a reusable rocket
“We will put the booster back into service for another flight as soon as possible.”
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Against all odds, SpaceX finally tugs Starship into port after 24 days at sea
“A team of SpaceX engineers is on their way to conduct additional analysis on the vehicle.”
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The Moon’s shadow raced across the heart of Spain, and I was there to see it
Here’s what it was like watching a total solar eclipse 90 minutes north of Madrid.
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Here’s how engineers plan to save the satellite sent to save NASA’s Swift mission
“We believe that a capture of Swift, an attempted capture of Swift, is very much in the cards.”
Stephen Clark
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Space Force-backed mission does its best impression of Top Gun in orbit
“Dogfighting in space doesn’t quite have the drama of an aerial dogfight.”
Stephen Clark
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Attitude control issues leave Swift rescue mission spinning in orbit
“Preliminary investigation shows that two of Link’s three reaction wheels currently are not operable.”
Stephen Clark
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SpaceX eyes tower catch for next Starship after auspicious end to 13th flight
SpaceX will likely attempt to catch Starship back at the launch pad on its next flight.
Stephen Clark
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Wildfire forces evacuation of NASA’s Deep Space Network complex in Spain
“Any potential damage will be assessed when it is safe to do so.”
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This is the world’s most advanced robotic servicing satellite—that we know about
“These are things that tend to be really hard.”
Stephen Clark
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Rocket Report: Lightning strikes in China; Starship launch on deck
Relativity Space announced plans to build a second rocket factory near Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Stephen Clark
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Next Space Force chief throws cold water on the idea of space privateers
It turns out some of Benjamin Franklin’s opinions from 240 years ago are still relevant today.
Stephen Clark
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The Space Force is now seeking to buy up to $30 billion in rocket launches
The Trump administration is asking the Space Force to do a lot. This will require more launches.
Stephen Clark
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India’s first privately developed rocket reaches orbit on dramatic debut launch
“On the first attempt, reaching orbit, I never thought it was possible.”
Stephen Clark
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The Pentagon’s Space Development Agency hasn’t moved as fast as anyone would like
“Missiles are being launched at the joint force every single day in [Operation] Epic Fury.”
Stephen Clark
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SpaceX scrubs Starship launch after some of its engines didn’t start
“Now offloading propellant. Next launch attempt hopefully in a few days.”
Stephen Clark
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Could China and Russia really destroy Starlink? Only with a boomerang.
“We will likely have similar concerns and discussions when China fields its Starlink-like constellation.”
Stephen Clark
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SpaceX is gearing up for Starship’s 13th test flight later this week
This flight will put Starship under higher pressure and test out new Starlink satellites in orbit.
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China recovered its first reusable rocket and showed a new way to do it
“Clearly, they admire the work that’s being done by SpaceX and are trying to replicate it.”
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