U.S.-built Antares rocket passes hotfire test February 23, 2013 - 17:38 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The new medium-sized rocket intended for missions to the International Space Station successfully completed the final ground test on Friday February 22 evening, its developer said, according to RIA Novosti. Preliminary analysis of data from the 29-second hotfire test of the Antares launch vehicle indicate that its engines and fueling systems are fully operational, Orbital Sciences Corporation said. The result paves the way for the inaugural flight of the rocket, which is expected to take place in early May, the Virginia-based company said on its website. The hotfire test was initially slated for February 14, but aborted 1.5 seconds before start due to nitrogen purge issues. The Antares, initially known as Taurus II, is an expendable launch vehicle with a maximum payload of 5,000 kilograms. It is expected to deliver Cygnus unmanned spacecraft to the International Space Station for NASA, which has no low Earth orbital spacecraft after the retirement of the Space Shuttle in 2011.   Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot".   Partner news |  Latest news Armenia considers Cyprus as one of its main partners in EU - envoy  Armenia considers Cyprus one of its main partners in the European Union, Ambassador Tigran Mkrtchyan has said.Armenian, Albanian Foreign Ministers discuss ties, regional issues Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan had a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Albania Igli Hasani.POLITICO: Baku lobbying agains detained Karabakh ex-leader abroad Azerbaijan is lobbying agains former Nagorno-Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan, according to POLITICO.Armenia confirms will attend NATO summit in Washington Armenia has confirmed its participation in the NATO summit in Washington, a spokesperson has confirmed. |
