Orbital Sciences renames Taurus II rocket "Antares"
Posted: Tue, Dec 13, 2011, 7:24 AM ET (1224 GMT)
Orbital Sciences Corporation announced Monday that it is renaming the Taurus II rocket it is developing to launch cargo missions to the ISS to "Antares". Company officials explained that a rocket the "scale and significance" of the Taurus II, the largest rocket developed by the company, deserved its own name. The name change also avoids any confusion with the different, smaller Taurus XL rocket, which suffered failures in its last two launch attempts. Antares will initially be used to launch Cygnus cargo spacecraft to the ISS under a contract with NASA, although the company seeks to use the rocket for other medium-class payloads as well. The first Antares launch, a demonstration mission, is planned for early 2012.
Orbital Sciences Corporation announced Monday that it is renaming the Taurus II rocket it is developing to launch cargo missions to the ISS to "Antares". Company officials explained that a rocket the "scale and significance" of the Taurus II, the largest rocket developed by the company, deserved its own name. The name change also avoids any confusion with the different, smaller Taurus XL rocket, which suffered failures in its last two launch attempts. Antares will initially be used to launch Cygnus cargo spacecraft to the ISS under a contract with NASA, although the company seeks to use the rocket for other medium-class payloads as well. The first Antares launch, a demonstration mission, is planned for early 2012.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Monday, September 28
An endangered wild cat faces a new threat: SpaceX’s expansion in Texas
NBCNews.com — 4:43 am ET (0843 GMT) FAA Clears SpaceX For Starship 14 Flight
Aviation Week — 4:41 am ET (0841 GMT) SpaceX sends Starship into orbit
The Economist — 4:40 am ET (0840 GMT) SpaceX prepares to send Starship rocket to orbit for first time
CNBC — 4:40 am ET (0840 GMT) Orbital Shift: India's space sector undergoing biggest transformation
The Economic Times (India) — 4:38 am ET (0838 GMT) |
