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Historical Spaceflight / Re: Apollo LM handbook

« Last post by catdlr on Today at 07:30 am »

it says LM not LEM on the title page


[Tony - Thread title corrected]

What's funny is that the document is also misspelled.

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Missions To The Moon (HSF) / MOVED: LM handbook

« Last post by catdlr on Today at 07:22 am »

This topic has been moved to Historical Spaceflight.

https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=64110.0

3

General Discussion / Re: Flight crew assignments

« Last post by marcdrnl on Today at 07:16 am »

Note official communication by NASA but GCTC released pictures of Crew-13 in training :

Luke Delaney, Joshua Kurtryk and Jessica Watkins were seen. The Russian cosmonaut hasn't been seen
https://www.gctc.ru/main.php?id=7470

4

Blue Origin / Re: Blue Origin General Discussion - Thread 7

« Last post by ThatOldJanxSpirit on Today at 07:01 am »

Now how TW will perform?  That's a big unknown. I still don't understand how they're going to deal with cloud cover. There are many days where cloud cover is nearly 100%. Is there a technological breakthrough hiding here?  Because even 90% uptime is not good enough.

There is some interesting work out there. I searched under ‘free space optical communications’ and
‘laser filaments’.

This approach is to use a high power femto second laser to drill a self focusing laser filament through the cloud. This acts as clear channel for the communications laser. All I could find is low TRL cloud chamber work, but there seems to be some promise.

This gives a flavour. There are other active research groups out there.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0030399220310240#:~:text=Optics%20&%20Laser%20Technology,rate%20of%20ultrashort%20pulse%20laser.

5

SpaceX Facilities and Fleets / Re: SpaceX Florida - Overall (Roberts Road to 39A and LC-49)

« Last post by catdlr on Today at 06:43 am »

RGV Aerophotography just conducted its inaugural flyover of KSC, providing us with remarkable close-up images of 39A-B, LC49, and LC40. The level of detail captured is extraordinary, arguably the most comprehensive overview of the facilities I have encountered. All of the Starship launch site was gone over in detail, and a comparison to Stabecase was provided. 

A patron member, generous enough to do the job using a small aircraft with approvals, was used along with the same type of cameras to capture the images. He had to both fly and take images.

Hopefully, a public summary video will be made available by midweek. Stay tuned.

As promised, the First RGV detail Flyover of KSC launch pads (LC-39A & B, LC39-Starship, LC40, and LC49) will premiere tomorrow at 1 PM ET

6

Rocket Lab / Re: Rocket Lab’s Mars Telecommunications Orbiter

« Last post by TrevorMonty on Today at 06:27 am »

I’d think Blue is the likely winner. I get RocketLab has escapade, but Blue Ring has several in production so most likely to hit the timeline. They also will likely have several launched on their own dime to ensure they work before needing to send one to mars. That almost gives the gov some “free” trials. Plus now proven in house launch to bid with.

Most of bidders have experience building satellites and deep space probes. I image few will be using flight proven buses. Blue isn't known for their satellites so what heritage do they bring to table.

Price won't be only factor in selection, probability of success would be the most important factor followed by price.

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Space Science Coverage / Astronomy & Planetary Science Thread

« Last post by Star One on Today at 06:25 am »

Hidden magma oceans could shield rocky exoplanets from harmful radiation

New research suggests that molten rock deep inside so-called super-earths may generate powerful magnetic fields necessary for sustaining life

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1113289

Related paper:

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41550-025-02729-x

Study suggests pathway for life-sustaining conditions in Europa’s ocean

A recent study by geophysicists at Washington State University offers insight into how nutrients may reach the subsurface ocean of Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons and a leading candidate for extraterrestrial life in the solar system.

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1113015

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Historical Spaceflight / Re: The Saturn-V Propulsion System

« Last post by catdlr on Today at 06:03 am »

The 30 Seconds Saturn Five Was Not Allowed to Fail

Jan 23, 2026  #ApolloProgram #NASA #SaturnV
For the first 30 seconds after liftoff, Saturn Five lived under a rule that sounds impossible: it was not allowed to shut down.
Even if something went wrong.
Even if guidance failed.

Because cutting the engines too early could send a fully fueled rocket falling back into the launch complex.
This video explores the most unforgiving window of the Apollo launch sequence, where Emergency Detection System logic, engine cutoff inhibits, and abort constraints forced Saturn Five to keep flying—sometimes even when failure was already unfolding.

Using real Apollo-era engineering analysis, we break down why early shutdown could be more dangerous than continuing thrust, how the first 30 seconds shaped Saturn Five’s abort logic, and why launch safety was governed by geometry, not intuition.

This is not a story about explosions.

 It’s a story about why some failures were allowed—because stopping was worse.

9

Rocket Lab / Re: Rocket Lab Neutron - Updates

« Last post by catdlr on Today at 05:32 am »

Comment and links to three Videos:

https://twitter.com/EShoreSpaceflt/status/2014909041256935522

EasternShoreSpaceflight
@EShoreSpaceflt
·
Rocket Lab Neutron “Hungry Hippo” — Full Wallops Journey Videos 🦛🚀

Today was a long one — from an early morning start all the way to sunset — but it was absolutely worth it. As promised, here are the videos from today’s Hungry Hippo adventure.

• Video 1: Shows the Neutron Hungry Hippo fairing arriving, with pusher tugs guiding the barge into the inlet.
• Video 2: Picks up as the tugs push the fairing toward the NASA North Dock, followed by the crane lift off the barge and onto the blue transport trailer.
• Video 3: Captures one of my favorite moments: the fairing crossing the Wallops causeway. I filmed a similar sequence for the second stage test stand, and seeing the fairing make that same trip was just as impressive. The video wraps up with a short clip of the fairing entering the Rocket Lab AIC.

It’s always incredible to see something this large move through the island, and even better to be able to document and share it.
Thanks for following along — enjoy the videos, and have a great evening.

@NASASpacefligh

Neutron “Hungry Hippo” Arrives by Sea - 4k Video:




Hungry Hippo Fairing Lifted at NASA Wallops - 4k Video:




Hungry Hippo Crosses the Causeway - 4k Video:

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Other Launchers (Korean, Brazilian etc.) / Re: SCRUB: Isar Spectrum flight 2 - Andøya - 21 January 2026 (20:00 UTC)

« Last post by Elektro88 on Today at 05:07 am »

Yesterdays Aurora.
Rocket on the stand at about 1315.

Hi Remes!
I was wondering if you had already found a good viewing spot for the next launch date.

Based on previous posts a possible viewpoint could be at around 6 km!?
https://maps.app.goo.gl/cJhszZqZQkskkcbUA?g_st=ipc (6 km Viewpoint)

I also found another spot at roughly 4 km, marked in blue:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Wp6sTz4mMvMMEm9r7?g_st=ipc (4 km Viewpoint in blue, concern zones as per Andoya Spaceport link: https://andoyaspace.no/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/asx-danger-area-land.png)

Do you know if it’s actually allowed to stay there during the launch, or has the police already advised people not to be in that area during launch operations?

Thanks a lot!