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Space Science Coverage / Re: Nancy Roman Space Telescope (WFIRST)

« Last post by catdlr on Today at 05:29 pm »

The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope: Years in the Making - Steps from Discovery

Scheduled for Jul 16, 2025
Speakers: Dr Kristen McQuinn of the Space Telescope Science Institute, Robyn Sanderson of the University of Pennsylvania

The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is NASA’s next large strategic mission. In this event, Dr. Kristen McQuinn (Space Telescope Science Institute) will tell us how Roman is set to chart the depths of space and time and forge the path towards Earth 2.0. Additionally, Dr. Robyn Sanderson (University of Pennsylvania) will tell us how Roman has the potential to discover what dark matter is—or isn't—by observing nearby galaxies.

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SpaceX Facilities and Fleets / Re: Starship Static Fire stand on OLM structure

« Last post by catdlr on Today at 05:28 pm »

Have we seen anything that looks like SQD plumbing?

Is SpaceX crazy enough to use the chopsticks to raise the Ship up to fill it with the actual SQD and then lower it to the stand for the actual static fire?

Only if this new test ring is not intended to sit directly on/in the OLM ring, but instead on (yet to be seen) extended legs, a-la the Saturn IB 'milkstool'.

The Ship would be suspended on the chopsticks with nothing under it while it is being filled. It would then be lowered onto the stand. Yes, this is insane, but no long legs are needed. I can't believe they will do this, but we have not yet seen any other plumbing.

I have to go back in time to the Chopsticks water bag lifting test to see the max lift load.  Can anyone figure out the approximate weight of a Starship with full Ox2 and partial (10%) methane fuel loads?

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Space Policy Discussion / Re: Talking with Jared Isaacman about NASA and the future - Everyday Astronaut

« Last post by clongton on Today at 05:28 pm »

https://twitter.com/rookisaacman/status/1942294532202078437

A bit of clarification--though I don’t think my circumstances are particularly interesting or consequential. That said, and regardless of the points below, the President is entitled to assemble the leadership team he believes will best serve his administration.

I have been relatively apolitical--a right-leaning moderate--and my political donations across both parties (though 10x more to Republicans) were disclosed in writing, with rationale, before my nomination was ever submitted to the Senate.

As for the perceived conflict--I only know Elon professionally, but having flown to space twice on SpaceX rockets, I have a firsthand appreciation for what he and his companies have accomplished. It is also worth pointing out that SpaceX remains the only way American astronauts have been able to travel to and from orbit since the Space Shuttle was retired in 2011. I hold no direct or indirect equity in SpaceX--or in any aerospace or defense company for that matter. Like all nominees, I signed an ethics letter and would have honored it.

Personally, I don’t regret anything--it was an honor to even be considered by the President. I loved DC and my brief time in the arena. The real disappointment is the time lost by Senators and staff who invested six months into a confirmation process that was ultimately withdrawn. This leaves NASA without a confirmed leader for what may stretch on for over a year. That is not ideal for the world’s most accomplished space agency--or for America--especially as our geopolitical rivals move at impressive speeds to overtake our edge in the high ground of space. Hopefully, a new nominee will emerge soon as NASA needs leadership during this uncertain time.

I have been lucky to live the American Dream and if you know anything about me--you know this was never about political ambition, personal gain or enriching others. I love my country and I care deeply about America’s competitiveness and leadership in space. 🇺🇸

Trump explains why he withdrew Isaacman's nomination:

Additionally, Elon asked that one of his close friends run NASA and, while I thought his friend was very good, I was surprised to learn that he was a blue blooded Democrat, who had never contributed to a Republican before. Elon probably was, also. I also thought it inappropriate that a very close friend of Elon, who was in the Space Business, run NASA, when NASA is such a big part of Elon’s corporate life. My Number One charge is to protect the American Public!

https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114808616176041421

Mr. Isaacman's post on X directly contradicts some of the things Mr. Trump said.

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SpaceX Starship Program / Re: SpaceX Starship/Super Heavy Engineering General Thread 5

« Last post by Nomadd on Today at 05:21 pm »

 I'm flashing back to the old idea of converting Shuttle tanks to space stations. Some pretty credible people talked about it, but I was pretty sure it was not remotely feasible. Skylab seemed to pull it off, but I never did know if using the 3rd stage for it was really better, cheaper of faster than starting from scratch. Not saying it wasn't, I just have no knowledge of the project.
 In any case, does anybody have more than a poota estimate of what single use Starship would cost?

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Other Launchers (Korean, Brazilian etc.) / Re: Maritime Launch Services

« Last post by catdlr on Today at 05:19 pm »

NordSpace and ProtoSpace

Can Canada get itself to orbit? These two companies are trying to make it happen

Jul 8, 2025
Canada's NordSpace and ProtoSpace are driving the country's innovative space industry with the goal of achieving the first orbital rocket launch from Canadian soil. NordSpace CEO Rahul Goel and ProtoSpace Chairman Doug Milbourn speak with Space.com.

https://www.youtube.com/@NordSpace-CA
https://www.youtube.com/@utsprotospace

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SpaceX Falcon Missions Section / Re: SpaceX rideshare payload - Astrolab lunar FLEX rover - NET December 2026

« Last post by catdlr on Today at 05:17 pm »

Entering the Lunar Rover Simulation: FLEX LTV Sim

Jul 8, 2025  #space #lunarterrainvehicle #Astrolab
It’s time to enter the simulation. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the simulator of our FLEX lunar rover developed by our partners at Odyssey Space Research, LLC!

The setup has controls for simulating everything from rover chassis height to headlights, and provides features such as persistent rover tracks in lunar regolith and tracking of the driving path on the display.

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Virgin Spaceflight / Re: Virgin Galactic Astronauts, Training & Operations

« Last post by catdlr on Today at 05:14 pm »

We Build Spaceships: Flight Controls

Jul 8, 2025
Inside Flight Controls: Pilot Andy Edgell and Flight Controls Tech Fellow David Klyde dive into how we design, build, and test our spaceship’s flight controls in this episode of We Build Spaceships.

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Space Policy Discussion / Re: Talking with Jared Isaacman about NASA and the future - Everyday Astronaut

« Last post by Proponent on Today at 05:13 pm »

Thank you, that is revealatory about how space policy is being made at the very highest level. Unfortunately, the irrationality and misdirected values reflected are frightening. If making monetary contributions to Republican candidates is, very inappropriately, a requirement for a NASA administrator, then why the covfefe didn't Trump check up on that before nominating Isaacman in the first place? If Musk "probably was, also" (apparently overlooking the $200+ million spent on Trump's election - no wonder Musk complains about ingratitude!), how in the world did Trump approve him for the sweeping appointment to DOGE? If Isaacman's "very close" friendship with Musk (if such is even the case -- Isaacman claims the contrary) is disqualifying, then why, again, did he ever nominate Isaacman? I will stop there, in the interest of staying on topic.

We all know that the real reason (for the withdrawal of Isaacman's nomination) is retaliation for Musk speaking out against the Big Beautiful Bill.

Even if Trump errs and dissembles in his explanation of the withdrawal of Isaacman's nomination, it is striking that he finds it acceptable to publicly state that 1) monetary contributions to Republican candidates are a more important qualification for a NASA administrator than competence, and 2) he was so lackadaisical as to fail to notice Isaacman's failure to satisfy that key criterion until months after nominating him. This nonchalant attitude toward the leadership of NASA, to put it politely, bodes ill.

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SpaceX Facilities and Fleets / Re: Starship Static Fire stand on OLM structure

« Last post by DanClemmensen on Today at 05:09 pm »

Have we seen anything that looks like SQD plumbing?

Is SpaceX crazy enough to use the chopsticks to raise the Ship up to fill it with the actual SQD and then lower it to the stand for the actual static fire?

Only if this new test ring is not intended to sit directly on/in the OLM ring, but instead on (yet to be seen) extended legs, a-la the Saturn IB 'milkstool'.

The Ship would be suspended on the chopsticks with nothing under it while it is being filled. It would then be lowered onto the stand. Yes, this is insane, but no long legs are needed. I can't believe they will do this, but we have not yet seen any other plumbing.

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ULA - Delta, Atlas, Vulcan / Re: The Burn Sequence - With Tory Bruno - Series

« Last post by catdlr on Today at 05:07 pm »

The Burn Sequence Episode 2: Jim Bridenstine

Jul 8, 2025  The Burn Sequence
The second episode of the Burn Sequence featuring special guest Jim Bridenstine, former NASA Administrator and Managing Partner, The Artemis Group discuss space technology, global rivals, our future among the stars and much more.