Latest news with #rocket
Daily Mail
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Louis Tomlinson shares alarm as singer spots mystery object in the night sky - but do YOU know what it is?
Louis Tomlinson was left stunned as he spotted an unidentified object in the sky on Friday night, taking to social media to share his concern with fans. The singer, 33, took to his Instagram Stories to share a video of the unusual object as he shared his alarm over the discovery. With the sun setting in the background, a large white plume could be seen hurtling through the atmosphere. Louis did not shy away from sharing his confusion as he filmed the bizarre occurrence. The concerned One Direction star captioned the video: 'Honestly what the f**k is this???!' But can you guess what the unusual object is? It is believed to be the latest SpaceX rocket, which was launched from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in Southern California on Friday night. According to local media, Elon Musk's company launched its Falcon 9 rocket just before 9pm, with Louis joining many other locals in catching a glimpse of its take off. Much similar footage was shared to social media at the time of the launch after Arizonians were warned they would be able to see the low-Earth orbit. Dobbins Lookout, Papago Park, Fountain Hills and Cave Creek were some of the lookout points where the phenomenon was visible from. The rocket successfully added 24 new Starlink satellites from its Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Elon recently said that SpaceX's 'default plan' was to 'launch several Starships to Mars at the end of next year'. These missions would also have no crews and would see if the vehicles could successfully land on Mars. The billionaire said he's hoping his company will launch a total of five starships to Mars in 2026. Elsewhere, Louis - who is dating Zara McDermott - announced this week that he was quitting the Elon-owned social media platform X due to 'conspiracy chat' about his personal life. The musician said comments about his new relationship with Zara, his son and even his late mother Johannah Deakin have driven him off the social media platform. Louis and former Love Island star Zara went public with their romance earlier this year after her split from Made In Chelsea star Sam Thompson. He referenced his son Freddie, eight, in the post shared to X as he confirmed his exit from the social media site - which is owned by Elon. Louis shares Freddie with his ex Briana Jungwirth. The pair welcomed their son in 2016 following a brief fling. Meanwhile, Louis tragically lost his mum Johannah in 2016 to leukaemia when she was just 43 years old. Louis penned in his post: 'The last few months have made it impossible to be on here. 'All the conspiracy chat about my relationship, my son or even stretching sometimes to opinions on my Mum. 'It's just too much and too hurtful for me to see! Thank you to everyone who always has my back!' Back in May, he had posted saying: 'Haven't really used this (X) much for a while. Seems to be such a weird place these days... 'Anyway feeling really good about the next record. Staying positive.' Louis and Zara's relationship appears to be going from strength to strength, with the former Love Island star supporting him at his Zurich concert last week. In a TikTok video shared by user @katiexstyles, Zara could be seen singing and dancing along to one of Louis' songs from a private box.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Science
- Daily Mail
France names space rocket Orbital BAGUETTE One (and can you spot the clever nod to Star Wars?)
France has officially entered the space race with a rocket named Orbital Baguette One. The country known for wine, cheese and existential cinema is now hoping to take over the cosmos with a crusty carb-themed spacecraft. The name is not just a nod to one of France's most iconic exports, but also a wink to Star Wars, with the OB-1 abbreviation paying a playful tribute to Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi. While rockets steeped in fantasy, such as Pegasus, Antares, and Atlas V, have dominated the space race, the French have decided to take a more boulangerie chic approach when choosing a name. Backed by President Emmanuel Macron and developed by a start-up called HyPrSpace, founded in 2019, Baguette One is a small, reusable suborbital launcher that promises cheap and eco-friendly satellite transport. A test flight is scheduled from a French military base, with a bigger version, Orbital Baguette One, to follow. Co-founder Sylvain Bataillard said the company wanted to be 'serious but not sinister' when picking the name. The rocket uses what HyPrSpace calls 'revolutionary hybrid propulsion,' powered by a mix of liquid and solid propellants, some made from recycled plastic. There are no turbo-pumps, and the chamber is pressurised with helium, which the company says helps keep costs low. Despite the playful branding, the project has serious backing. France's government has already handed over €35 million, with another €400 million up for grabs if initial launches succeed. The defence ministry is giving up military bases in southwest France and Provence for testing, making this the first rocket launch from mainland France. According to The Times, TV presenters on TF1 had a hard time trying to keep a straight face when reporting on the project this week, especially after showing an AI image of a baguette on a launchpad. But with global demand for satellite launches booming, no one is laughing at the potential. The Novaspace consultancy predicts more than 26,000 satellites will be launched by 2032. HyPrSpace wants to corner a slice of that market with its microlauncher, which it describes as a satellite 'taxi' offering flexible lift-off dates at half the usual cost. Most small rockets charge €40,000 per kilogram. Baguette One aims to do it for around €20,000. While SpaceX continues to dominate and Europe lags behind, France is hoping its crusty challenger will rise to the occasion. OB-1 may sound like a bakery joke, but Macron's government is betting it could be the future of French space travel.
The Independent
3 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Satellite imagery reveals changes at North Korea's rocket launch site
New satellite imagery has revealed that a maritime pier has been constructed at North Korea 's key rocket station. The Sohae Satellite Launching Station is known for hosting North Korea's latest spy satellite launches and other rocket tests. Satellite operator ICEYE, which analysed the imagery, said that the pier "enables transport of larger rocket components than previously possible via rail". Larger components would allow the site to host rockets that can travel longer distances. In 2022, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspected the facility and ordered it to be modernised and expanded to ensure that various rockets, including those capable of carrying military spy satellites, could be launched, state media reported. The facility has been used to put a satellite in orbit and also to test various missile components, including rocket engines and space launch vehicles that South Korean and U.S. officials say require similar technology to that used in intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM). An image from July 9 also shows the pier with a newly constructed jetty and vessels indicating potential operational status, according to ICEYE, a sign that could help enhance Sohae's logistical capabilities. ICEYE added that it took about 28 months from initial reports to develop and complete the pier. Work to expand the road and rail infrastructure throughout the facility continues, according to 38 North, a Washington -based North Korea monitoring programme. Satellite images, taken from December to July by the commercial satellite firm Planet Labs, also show what appears to be a pier under construction on the shore. Pyongyang 's latest attempt to launch a military spy satellite at the Sohae site failed in May 2024, but Kim has vowed to never give up the space reconnaissance project that he views as crucial for national self-defence against enemy threats. North Korea successfully placed its first spy satellite in orbit in November 2023. As part of growing military ties with Moscow, North Korea is likely getting help from Russia on its satellite programme in exchange for sending troops to support Russia in its war against Ukraine, South Korean officials have said. North Korea says its military activities, including nuclear weapons, are its sovereign right and only for self-defence. It accused the United States and its allies of threatening it with "hostile policies" such as military drills and sanctions.
Reuters
3 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
New pier completed at North Korea rocket launch site, satellite imagery shows
July 17 (Reuters) - Satellite imagery indicates that a new maritime pier has been completed at North Korea's key rocket station, where the latest spy satellite launches and other rocket tests have been conducted, satellite operator ICEYE said. The pier at the Sohae Satellite Launching Station seen via the imagery "enables transport of larger rocket components than previously possible via rail", ICEYE said in findings provided to Reuters. Larger components would allow the site to host rockets that can travel longer distances. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in 2022 inspected the Sohae facility and ordered it to be modernised and expanded to ensure that various rockets, including those capable of carrying military spy satellites, could be launched, state media said. The facility has been used to put a satellite in orbit and also to test various missile components including rocket engines and space launch vehicles that South Korean and U.S. officials say require similar technology to that used in intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM). An image from July 9 also shows the pier with a newly constructed jetty and vessels indicating potential operational status, according to ICEYE, a sign that could help enhance Sohae's logistical capabilities. ICEYE added that it took about 28 months from initial reports to develop and complete the pier. Work to expand the road and rail infrastructure throughout the facility continues, according to 38 North, a Washington-based North Korea monitoring programme. Satellite images, taken from December to July by the commercial satellite firm Planet Labs, also show what appears to be a pier under construction on the shore. Pyongyang's latest attempt to launch a military spy satellite at the Sohae site failed in May 2024 but Kim has vowed to never give up the space reconnaissance project that he views as crucial for national self defence against enemy threats. North Korea successfully placed its first spy satellite in orbit in November 2023. As part of growing military ties with Moscow, North Korea is likely getting help from Russia on its satellite programme in exchange for sending troops to support Russia in its war against Ukraine, South Korean officials have said. North Korea says its military activities, including nuclear weapons, are its sovereign right and only for self defence. It accused the United States and its allies of threatening it with "hostile policies" such as military drills and sanctions.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Rocket Lab Soars 8% as Launch Wins and EU Deal Keep the Momentum Going
Rocket Lab (RKLB, Financials) jumped 8% on Monday; it's the latest boost in what's been a stellar two-month stretch for the space infrastructure company. After nearly doubling in that time, shares are now up 63% year to datedriven by back-to-back launch successes and a headline partnership with the European Space Agency. Last month alone, Rocket Lab launched its 66th, 67th, and 68th missions; two of those happened within just 48 hours from the same sitean impressive feat that signals both operational maturity and growing demand. The company's Electron rocket, built for rapid and cost-efficient payload delivery, continues to fly constellations into orbit; it's no longer about one satellite at a time. CEO Peter Beck, a New Zealand native who founded Rocket Lab in 2006, told CNBC the company now produces one rocket every 15 days; he's not losing sleep over demand. Since going public via SPAC merger in 2021, the Long Beach-based firm has grown into a $19 billion player in the increasingly crowded launch market. Competition is heating up; Rocket Lab is carving out its niche alongside heavyweights like Elon Musk's SpaceX and up-and-comer Firefly Aerospace, which just filed to go public. But for now, Rocket Lab is riding highfueled by real-world launches, strong partnerships, and an industry that's expanding fast. This article first appeared on GuruFocus.
