The Weekly Rocket Report #33
06/30/2024-07/06/2024
Ricky Whitmore
Space Writer
Hello all and welcome back to the Weekly Rocket Report! We had a much slower week this week compared to the whirlwind of last week. Nonetheless we are back, and we are breaking down the launches for you.
The week began Tuesday with Falcon 9 launching MTG-S1/Sentinel-4A. This satellite is a European geostationary satellite designed to monitor trace gas and aerosol concentrations in the atmosphere. Following stage separation the rocket’s first stage returned to Earth, landing on the drone ship “Just Read The Instructions”.
Falcon 9 launches MTG-S1/Sentinel-4A. Image Credit: SpaceX.
Early Wednesday morning saw another Falcon 9 launch, this time launching Starlink Group 10-25. The 27 satellites were successfully deployed to orbit, and the booster landed back down range on the drone ship “A Shortfall of Gravitas”.
Thursday morning saw the first launch out of China in quite some time. Long March 4C blasted off carrying Shiyan 28 B-01. Officially labeled a “space environment detection” satellite, its true purpose is unknown.
The final launch of the week was a launch from Soyuz 2.1a. Progress MS-31 launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome carrying over 7,000 kilograms of food, supplies, and equipment bound for the International Space Station. This particular launch carried a different paint job, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Apollo/Soyuz Test Program.
The design for the 50th anniversary of the Apollo/Soyuz Test Program. Prior to Soyuz 2.1a launching Progress MS-31. Photo Credit: Roscosmos.
And there we are everyone, all the launches for the week. I had been looking forward to the Progress launch, always enjoy watching launches from historic Baikonur Cosmodrome. Next week looks pretty dry as of now, with only one launch scheduled. Could change, could not, either way we will be back to discuss it all next week. Of note, to all my fellow Americans, I hope you all enjoyed the 4th of July!
As always feel free to write to me at rickyew2112@gmail.com, or find me on X @Rickyew2112
Sic Itur Ad Astra
(Thus They Journey to the Stars)