Author Topic: Links To Recent News/Informative Posts On Our Forum  (Read 9108 times)

Online gongora

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We tend to use long-running threads here instead of creating a new thread for every article/tweet/bit of news that comes along.  This has benefits and drawbacks.  Our structure keeps related information grouped where you can (usually) find it.  It does not give you a heads up that the new post on page 50 of a thread you don't normally follow is actually new information you might want to know.

What this thread is for:
Quoting posts with important/interesting/new bits of information that have been posted on the forum, so that people will know the information exists and what thread they can visit to see more about it.  This thread should not have a lot of posts per day.

What this thread is not for:
  • A bunch of pictures or running commentary for a current/recent launch.  We have mission threads for that.
  • Multiple posts on the same thing.  If Elon starts sending out Tweets and they end up being multiple posts in the appropriate thread, just quote the first one in here.  Posts here should mark the start of a conversation, not the whole thing.  If multiple threads are involved then maybe one post here per thread being referenced might be appropriate.
  • Frequent updates on ongoing programs.  That's what the individual threads are for.  Starting a new prototype?  Fine here.  Adding another 5 feet to the prototype they've been working on for months?  Don't need to mention it in this thread.
  • "Please read my blog post on anti-gravity."

  • Depending on how busy this thread ends up being, we may also make another companion thread where mods can further curate the amount of information being presented.  This will be a work in progress for a while.

    Offline Lar

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    Re: Links To Recent News/Informative Posts On Our Forum
    « Reply #1 on: 07/11/2019 08:25 pm »
    A few notes (we were batting this around for a bit before it got posted)
    - this is an experiment, if it works, great. If not, not.
    - Posts that don't quote a post from  the relevant thread are not on topic and will likely be deleted
    - If your post quotes a post in an update thread (which we expect might be in a fair few cases) please ALSO give a link to the corresponding discussion thread as a courtesy.
    « Last Edit: 07/11/2019 08:26 pm by Lar »
    "I think it would be great to be born on Earth and to die on Mars. Just hopefully not at the point of impact." -Elon Musk
    "We're a little bit like the dog who caught the bus" - Musk after CRS-8 S1 successfully landed on ASDS OCISLY

    Offline Hog

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    Re: Links To Recent News/Informative Posts On Our Forum
    « Reply #2 on: 07/12/2019 01:56 pm »
    William H. Gerstenmaier is the associate administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington, is out, demoted.

    https://twitter.com/SpcPlcyOnline/status/1149114143527636996

    Paul

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    Re: Links To Recent News/Informative Posts On Our Forum
    « Reply #3 on: 07/12/2019 01:59 pm »
    NASA head announces new countrywide search to fill Gerst's former post.

    https://twitter.com/spcplcyonline/status/1149452112583176192

    Quote
    Read Bridenstine's memo announcing a search for candidates to replace  Gerstenmaier and Hill.  https://spacepolicyonline.com/news/bridenstine-opens-search-for-gerstenmaier-hill-successors/
    Paul

    Online gongora

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    Re: Links To Recent News/Informative Posts On Our Forum
    « Reply #4 on: 07/13/2019 01:38 pm »
    "According to the plan, the Tiangong-2 Space Laboratory has completed all the expansion tests and will opportunistic deorbit and reentry the atmosphere on Beijing time July 19, 2019. A small amount of residual load will fall into the scheduled safe waters of the south Pacific Ocean (160 to 90 degrees West, 30 to 45 degrees South). "

    Zhongnanhaiology?

    Confirmed to take place on July 19. http://en.cmse.gov.cn/art/2019/7/13/art_73_33192.html

    China set to carry out controlled deorbiting of Tiangong-2 space lab, by Andrew Jones, July 12, 2019
    Quote
    [China Manned Space Engineering Office] CMSEO announced a quiz competition (Chinese) Friday through its WeChat social media platform account, testing knowledge of launch times and mission details, to mark the ‘return of Tiangong-2’. No date for the planned re-entry was stated by CMSEO, which manages China’s human spaceflight endeavors.
    Intriguing.  What is the PRC equivalent of "Kremlinology"?

    Online gongora

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    Re: Links To Recent News/Informative Posts On Our Forum
    « Reply #5 on: 07/22/2019 02:07 am »
    [CBS] Extended transcript: SpaceX CEO Elon Musk on putting boots on the moon and Mars
    Quote
    In this extended transcript of Time magazine editor-at-large Jeffrey Kluger's interview with Elon Musk for "CBS Sunday Morning," the founder and CEO of SpaceX discusses the aerospace company's ambitions for flying humans to the moon and Mars, the importance of reusability in rockets, the advantage sof being a privately-owned company shooting for the stars, and the inspiration of Douglas Adams.

    Transcript of the Time interview.

    Online gongora

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    Re: Links To Recent News/Informative Posts On Our Forum
    « Reply #6 on: 08/09/2019 11:39 pm »
    Vector replacing CEO and has reportedly laid off some (or all?) staff.

    LA Times business reporter:

    https://twitter.com/smasunaga/status/1159938892805492739

    Quote
    Tucson launch company Vector says CEO Jim Cantrell is no longer with the company, effective today, and that John Garvey has assumed CEO role.

    Edit to add:

    https://twitter.com/sciguyspace/status/1159939834321997825

    Quote
    Jim Cantrell is out as @vectorlaunch chief executive. I have not been able to confirm (well sourced) rumors of serious financial trouble with the micro-launch company. Story imminent.

    https://arstechnica.com/science/2019/08/sources-say-the-rocket-company-vector-may-be-in-financial-trouble/
    « Last Edit: 08/09/2019 11:41 pm by gongora »

    Online gongora

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    Re: Links To Recent News/Informative Posts On Our Forum
    « Reply #7 on: 08/09/2019 11:41 pm »
    SpaceX adding another fairing catching ship in Florida.

    Might need a new thread, or perhaps better to broaden this one:

    https://twitter.com/spacexfleet/status/1159960168320372737

    Quote
    INTRODUCING....! GO Ms. Chief !!

    Mr. Tree's sister ship has been renamed from Capt. Elliot to GO Ms. Chief and is en-route to Port Canaveral to join the SpaceX Fleet!

    She will arrive at midnight tonight.

    So.. @elonmusk... is this your plan for catching both fairing halves?

    Online gongora

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    Re: Links To Recent News/Informative Posts On Our Forum
    « Reply #8 on: 09/05/2019 01:57 pm »
    Vega Flight VV15: Findings of the Independent Inquiry Commission’s investigations

    The Independent Inquiry Commission, tasked with analyzing the failure of Vega Flight VV15, submitted its findings on Wednesday, September 4, 2019.

    Co-chaired by the Inspector General of the European Space Agency (ESA); and the Senior Vice President, Technical and Quality of Arianespace; the Commission was appointed on Thursday, July 11, 2019. According to its assigned task, after having analyzed the flight data, the Commission identified possible causes for the anomaly and drew up recommendations for Vega to resume launches under the requisite conditions of safety, security and reliability.

    The Commission identified the anomaly’s most likely cause as a thermo-structural failure in the forward dome area of the Z23 motor. Based on this, the Commission has proposed:

    An exhaustive verification plan of its findings,
    A set of corrective actions on all subsystems, processes and equipment concerned.
    After these actions are completed, the resumption of Vega launches is planned by the first quarter of 2020, enabling a return to the string of 14 successful launches already recorded by Vega.

    Flight data analysis
    The Vega launcher lifted off as scheduled on July 10, 2019 at 10:53 p.m. (local time in French Guiana). At precisely 130s 850ms after liftoff – and shortly after ignition of the second stage (Zefiro 23) –an anomaly occurred on the launcher, leading to the premature end of the mission.

    The work of the Independent Inquiry Commission is based on the following:

    A complete analysis of measurements recorded during Flight VV15.
    The study of documents concerning Vega’s production, quality and technical history, including the 14 successful Vega launches to date.
    Investigations at different production and operational sites involving the staff from the prime contractor, Avio.
    These investigations confirm that all preparation and countdown operations for the VV15 launch, as well as the flight conditions until after the ignition of the Zefiro 23 second stage (Z23) proceeded normally. In particular:

    The operation of the P80 first stage (engine ignition, atmospheric phase, P80 propulsion and separation) was nominal; all parameters were as expected and in line with those from preceding flights.
    The ignition and powered phase of the Z23 stage was nominal during the first 14s 25ms and all parameters were as expected and in line with those for preceding flights.
    The anomaly occurred at 130s 850ms, based on the following observations:

    At 130s 850ms, a sudden and violent event occurred on the Z23 motor.
    This event led to a breakup of the launcher in two main parts: the Z23; and the assembly composed of the fairing, satellite, flight adapter, AVUM and the Zefiro 9 stage (Z9).

    After this event, the key telemetry measurements and observations were as follows:

    At 135s: the upper assembly trajectory started to deviate from the nominal one.
    At 213s 660ms: in accordance with the safety procedures in force at the Guiana Space Center, a neutralization command was sent by range safety authorities, and was confirmed as executed by analysis of telemetry data.
    At 314s 25ms: telemetry data and signals from the launcher were no longer received by ground radar and telemetry stations.
    The mission came to a premature end, without causing any damage to people or property.

    Causes of the anomaly and work plan
    Based on these observations, and additional analyses concerning the few milliseconds around the anomaly, the Commission has performed a systematic and exhaustive analysis of the possible causes. The Commission identified as the most likely cause of the anomaly a thermo-structural failure in the forward dome area of the Z23 motor. Other possible causes such as inadvertent activation of the Z23 neutralization system have been found unlikely.

    Furthermore, after specific investigations, the Independent Inquiry Commission did not find any evidence of a malicious act.

    The Commission has proposed:

    An exhaustive verification plan of its findings based on analyses and tests,
    A set of corrective actions on all subsystems, processes and equipment concerned.
    This action plan shall enable a resumption of Vega launches under all requisite conditions of reliability by the first quarter of 2020. A key point will validate the effective implementation of Independent Inquiry Commission recommendations prior to flight resumption and submit its final conclusions to ESA and Arianespace.

    Daniel Neuenschwander, ESA Director of Space Transportation, said: “In the past weeks, members of the inquiry commission have done a remarkable job, with the support of the prime contractor Avio. I want to encourage all the teams to implement corrective measures for the reliable return to flight of Vega, securing Europe’s full autonomy of access to space.”

    Stéphane Israël, Arianespace CEO added: “I would like to thank the co-chairs of the Independent Inquiry Commission, as well as all members. Their work on identifying the causes of the Flight VV15 anomaly, and the well-defined actions to be carried out from now until the end of the year, will pave the way for a resumption of Vega launches as from the first quarter of 2020, under the requisite conditions of reliability. Along with our industrial partner Avio, we will be doing everything in our power to reconnect with the 14 successful launches already recorded by our light launch vehicle.”

    Source: http://www.arianespace.com/press-release/vega-flight-vv15-findings-of-the-independent-inquiry-commissions-investigations/

    Online gongora

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    Re: Links To Recent News/Informative Posts On Our Forum
    « Reply #9 on: 10/09/2019 08:19 pm »
    Notice that the slide in the above post says "Cape Canaveral." That is not an error. The launch site for this mission has been changed to the Cape.

    https://twitter.com/nextspaceflight/status/1182025275573510146

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    Re: Links To Recent News/Informative Posts On Our Forum
    « Reply #10 on: 01/20/2020 11:44 pm »
    https://twitter.com/EMSpeck/status/1219401329686274049
    Quote
    SpaceX is no longer targeting Tuesday for the next #Starlink launch. New date TBD.

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    Re: Links To Recent News/Informative Posts On Our Forum
    « Reply #11 on: 04/06/2020 10:10 pm »
    https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2020/04/06/boeing-starliner-test-repeat/

    Quote
    Boeing will refly botched test flight of its Starliner spacecraft
    Quote
    The repeat is expected to come in October or November, meaning Boeing won’t meet its goal of a manned flight this year

    https://twitter.com/boeingspace/status/1247279990242250753

    Quote
    We’ve decided to fly a second Orbital Flight Test because we are committed to the safety of those who design, build and ultimately will fly on #Starliner.

    Read the full statement here: https://boeing.mediaroom.com/2020-04-06-Boeing-Statement-on-Starliners-Next-Flight

    https://boeing.mediaroom.com/2020-04-06-Boeing-Statement-on-Starliners-Next-Flight

    Quote
    Boeing Statement on Starliner's Next Flight

    ARLINGTON, Va., April 6, 2020— The Boeing Company is honored to be a provider for the Commercial Crew mission.  We are committed to the safety of the men and women who design, build and ultimately will fly on the Starliner just as we have on every crewed mission to space.  We have chosen to refly our Orbital Flight Test to demonstrate the quality of the Starliner system. Flying another uncrewed flight will allow us to complete all flight test objectives and evaluate the performance of the second Starliner vehicle at no cost to the taxpayer.  We will then proceed to the tremendous responsibility and privilege of flying astronauts to the International Space Station.

    # # #

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    Re: Links To Recent News/Informative Posts On Our Forum
    « Reply #12 on: 04/21/2020 09:15 pm »
    https://twitter.com/thesheetztweetz/status/1252701510254964737

    Quote
    The wings for Sierra Nevada Corporation’s Dream Chaser spaceplane arrived this month at the company’s Colorado production facility, marking the beginning of the spacecraft’s hardware integration phase.

    Edit to add:

    https://www.sncorp.com/press-releases/snc-dream-chaser-wing-arrival/

    Quote
    SNC’S DREAM CHASER® SPACEPLANE WINGS ARRIVE IN COLORADO

    Wings Add Form and Function to “America’s Spaceplane™”

    SPARKS, Nev., April 21, 2020 – Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), the global aerospace and national security leader owned by Eren and Fatih Ozmen, uncrated both wings for its Dream Chaser spaceplane this month at the company’s Louisville, Colorado production facility. The wings’ arrival kicks off the much-anticipated integration phase of a beautiful and critical differentiator for Dream Chaser, the world’s only spaceplane owned by a private company and under contract with NASA.

    “The wings are here and now we truly have butterflies in anticipation of this integration phase for Dream Chaser,” said SNC President Eren Ozmen. “Our spaceplane looks and functions unlike anything else in space – more technologically advanced but with all the heritage of the space shuttle program in its design. Dream Chaser’s first flight will be a soaring moment for all of us.”

    The arrival kicks off the integration of the complex Wing Deployment System (WDS) as part of the continued assembly and integration of the vehicle. With their innovative folding design, the wings are stowed in the fairing ahead of launch. After the launch vehicle separates, the WDS deploys the wings and locks them into place. Dream Chaser’s steeply angled wings function as stabilizers for the lift generated by the body of the vehicle.

     “The wings for Dream Chaser presented an interesting design challenge,” said Dream Chaser program director John Curry. “Not only must they survive in low-Earth orbit like a satellite, but they need to be operational in Earth’s atmosphere, like an aircraft.” Just like the structural body for Dream Chaser, the wings were manufactured by Lockheed Martin in Texas, a subcontractor to SNC, and are single bonded composite structures. This state-of-the-art technology saves weight without compromising strength and stiffness. 

    Dream Chaser is under contract with NASA for at least six cargo resupply and return service missions to the International Space Station under the Commercial Resupply Services 2 (CRS-2) contract.  The Dream Chaser and attached Shooting Star transport vehicle can carry up to 12,000 pounds of supplies and other cargo, and returns delicate science to Earth with a gentle runway landing. 

    About Dream Chaser Spacecraft
    Owned and operated by SNC, the Dream Chaser spacecraft is a reusable, multi-mission space utility vehicle. It is capable of transportation services to and from low-Earth orbit and is the only commercial, lifting-body vehicle capable of a runway landing. The Dream Chaser Cargo System was selected by NASA to provide cargo delivery and disposal services to the International Space Station under the Commercial Resupply Services 2 (CRS-2) contract. All Dream Chaser CRS-2 cargo missions are planned to land at Kennedy Space Center’s Shuttle Landing Facility.

    About Sierra Nevada Corporation
    Owned by Chairwoman and President Eren Ozmen and CEO Fatih Ozmen, SNC is a trusted leader in solving the world’s toughest challenges through best-of-breed, open architecture engineering in Space Systems, Commercial Solutions, and National Security and Defense. SNC is recognized among the three most innovative U.S. companies in space, as a Tier One Superior Supplier for the U.S. Air Force, and as one of America’s fastest growing companies. SNC’s 55-year legacy of state-of-the art civil, military and commercial solutions includes delivering more than 4,000 space systems, subsystems and components to customers worldwide, and participation in more than 450 missions to space, including Mars.

    ###

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    Re: Links To Recent News/Informative Posts On Our Forum
    « Reply #13 on: 05/28/2020 09:03 pm »
    https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/1266110233648214018

    https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/1266110629431185409

    Quote
    The FAA’s Office of Commercial Space Transportation has issued a launch license to SpaceX enabling suborbital flights of its Starship prototype from Boca Chica: bit.ly/2XboGdV

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    Re: Links To Recent News/Informative Posts On Our Forum
    « Reply #14 on: 05/13/2021 07:59 pm »
    https://twitter.com/nextspaceflight/status/1392915876643438592

    Finally we know something!!!

    Why they aren't going to attempt a landing on the pad?

    Expecially for the raptors.

    Is  possible that some agency denied a ground landing attempt for SH? IMO it is possible, because the flight profile will prove a complete RTLS?

    Could, if they splash down softly, the SH and the SS be recovered and inspected? (obviusly salt water will prevent any reuse).

    BTW, this is my 307th post. Thanks to everyone of this beautiful community!

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    Re: Links To Recent News/Informative Posts On Our Forum
    « Reply #15 on: 07/30/2021 04:42 pm »
    https://www.gao.gov/press-release/statement-blue-origin-dynetics-decision

    Quote
    Press Release
    Statement on Blue Origin-Dynetics Decision

    The following is a statement from Kenneth E. Patton, Managing Associate General Counsel for Procurement Law at GAO, regarding today’s decision resolving the protests filed by Blue Origin Federation, LLC, and Dynetics, Inc. – A Leidos Company, B-417839 et al., Friday, July 30, 2021.

    On Friday, July 30, 2021, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) denied protests filed by Blue Origin Federation, LLC, of South Kent, Washington, and Dynetics, Inc.-A Leidos Company, of Huntsville, Alabama.  The protesters challenged their non-selection for awards and the award of optional contract line item numbers to Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX), of Hawthorne, California, under Option A to Appendix H of Broad Agency Announcement (the announcement) No. NNH19ZCQ001K.  Broad Agency Announcements typically provide for the acquisition of basic and applied research for new and creative research or development solutions to scientific and engineering problems.  The rules for these procurements are not the same as those for standard competitive federal procurements, as agencies generally enjoy broader discretion in selecting the proposals most suitable to meeting their research and development needs when utilizing broad agency announcement procedures.  The announcement was issued by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), for a demonstration mission for a human landing system for lunar exploration. 

    NASA made award to SpaceX for a total evaluated price of $2,941,394,557.  After noting that SpaceX submitted the lowest-priced proposal with the highest rating, and that the offers submitted by Blue Origin and Dynetics were significantly higher in price, NASA also concluded that the agency lacked the necessary funding to make more than one award.   

    In the challenge filed at GAO, the protesters argued that the agency was required to make multiple awards consistent with the announcement’s stated preference for multiple awards.  Alternatively, the protesters alleged that the agency was required to open discussions, amend, or cancel the announcement when NASA, after the receipt of proposals, determined that it had less funding than it needed to support multiple HLS awards.  The protesters also argued that NASA unreasonably evaluated all three of the proposals.  Finally, the protesters argued that NASA improperly waived a mandatory solicitation requirement for SpaceX.

    In denying the protests, GAO first concluded that NASA did not violate procurement law or regulation when it decided to make only one award.  NASA’s announcement provided that the number of awards the agency would make was subject to the amount of funding available for the program.  In addition, the announcement reserved the right to make multiple awards, a single award, or no award at all.  In reaching its award decision, NASA concluded that it only had sufficient funding for one contract award.  GAO further concluded there was no requirement for NASA to engage in discussions, amend, or cancel the announcement as a result of the amount of funding available for the program.  As a result, GAO denied the protest arguments that NASA acted improperly in making a single award to SpaceX.   

    GAO next concluded that the evaluation of all three proposals was reasonable, and consistent with applicable procurement law, regulation, and the announcement’s terms. 

    Finally, GAO agreed with the protesters that in one limited instance NASA waived a requirement of the announcement for SpaceX.  Despite this finding, the decision also concludes that the protesters could not establish any reasonable possibility of competitive prejudice arising from this limited discrepancy in the evaluation.     

    GAO’s decision expresses no view as to the merits of these proposals.  Judgments about which offeror will most successfully meet the government’s needs are reserved for the procuring agencies, subject only to statutory and regulatory requirements.  GAO’s bid protest process is handled by GAO’s Office of General Counsel and examines whether procuring agencies have complied with procurement laws and regulations.

    Today’s decision was issued under a protective order because the decision may contain proprietary and source selection sensitive information.  GAO has directed counsel for the parties to promptly identify information that cannot be publicly released so that GAO can expeditiously prepare and release a public version of the decision.  When the public version of the decision is available, it will be posted to our website, “www.gao.gov.”

    For more information, please contact Kenneth E. Patton at 202-512-8205, Ralph O. White at 202-512-8278, or Sarah Kaczmarek at 202-512-4800.  More information about GAO’s Bid Protest process is also available on the GAO website.

    #####

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