Boeing’s Orbital Express spacecraft has conducted a “fully autonomous fly-around-and-capture of its NextSat client spacecraft.” In April the company’s Autonomous Space Transport Robotic Operations servicing spacecraft demonstrated the ability to transfer propellant and a battery from one spacecraft to another. This time ASTRO separated from, circled around, and re-mated with the Ball Aerospace NextSat.
Officials at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Fla., said the range is “fully mission capable” to support launches following a major May 28 mishap involving Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket.