October 20, 2025 Quick space links
Courtesy of BtB’s stringer Jay. This post is also an open thread. I welcome my readers to post any comments or additional links relating to any space issues, even if unrelated to the links below.
- SpaceX releases video of Superheavy splash down on 11th flight
Interestingly the video cuts off before the stage hits the water. It also appears that the booster was simulating a tower chopstick catch, so that its engines shut down significantly above the water
- Arianespace delays first Ariane 6-4 flight to 2026
This is the most powerful version of Ariane-6, with four side boosters. No reason was given for the delay, but officials indicated it will be the first Ariane-6 launch next year.
- Interesting explanation on how JWST corrects electronic distortions
Good work, but it is important to remember the correction adds one more layer of human manipulation to the data, which must raise reasonable questions about any conclusions drawn from it.
- Was there an issue with the second SpaceX launch yesterday?
I noticed the same thing, that the video ended prematurely and the normal callouts for engine cutoff and nominal orbit were not announced. At the same time, the stage’s velocity did not stop abruptly, but slowed to zero in a manner similar to all other times the engines shut down.
On Christmas Eve 1968 three Americans became the first humans to visit another world. What they did to celebrate was unexpected and profound, and will be remembered throughout all human history. Genesis: the Story of Apollo 8, Robert Zimmerman's classic history of humanity's first journey to another world, tells that story, and it is now available as both an ebook and an audiobook, both with a foreword by Valerie Anders and a new introduction by Robert Zimmerman.
The print edition can be purchased at Amazon or from any other book seller. If you want an autographed copy the price is $60 for the hardback and $45 for the paperback, plus $8 shipping for each. Go here for purchasing details. The ebook is available everywhere for $5.99 (before discount) at amazon, or direct from my ebook publisher, ebookit. If you buy it from ebookit you don't support the big tech companies and the author gets a bigger cut much sooner.
The audiobook is also available at all these vendors, and is also free with a 30-day trial membership to Audible.
"Not simply about one mission, [Genesis] is also the history of America's quest for the moon... Zimmerman has done a masterful job of tying disparate events together into a solid account of one of America's greatest human triumphs."--San Antonio Express-News
Courtesy of BtB’s stringer Jay. This post is also an open thread. I welcome my readers to post any comments or additional links relating to any space issues, even if unrelated to the links below.
- SpaceX releases video of Superheavy splash down on 11th flight
Interestingly the video cuts off before the stage hits the water. It also appears that the booster was simulating a tower chopstick catch, so that its engines shut down significantly above the water
- Arianespace delays first Ariane 6-4 flight to 2026
This is the most powerful version of Ariane-6, with four side boosters. No reason was given for the delay, but officials indicated it will be the first Ariane-6 launch next year.
- Interesting explanation on how JWST corrects electronic distortions
Good work, but it is important to remember the correction adds one more layer of human manipulation to the data, which must raise reasonable questions about any conclusions drawn from it.
- Was there an issue with the second SpaceX launch yesterday?
I noticed the same thing, that the video ended prematurely and the normal callouts for engine cutoff and nominal orbit were not announced. At the same time, the stage’s velocity did not stop abruptly, but slowed to zero in a manner similar to all other times the engines shut down.
On Christmas Eve 1968 three Americans became the first humans to visit another world. What they did to celebrate was unexpected and profound, and will be remembered throughout all human history. Genesis: the Story of Apollo 8, Robert Zimmerman's classic history of humanity's first journey to another world, tells that story, and it is now available as both an ebook and an audiobook, both with a foreword by Valerie Anders and a new introduction by Robert Zimmerman.
The print edition can be purchased at Amazon or from any other book seller. If you want an autographed copy the price is $60 for the hardback and $45 for the paperback, plus $8 shipping for each. Go here for purchasing details. The ebook is available everywhere for $5.99 (before discount) at amazon, or direct from my ebook publisher, ebookit. If you buy it from ebookit you don't support the big tech companies and the author gets a bigger cut much sooner.
The audiobook is also available at all these vendors, and is also free with a 30-day trial membership to Audible.
"Not simply about one mission, [Genesis] is also the history of America's quest for the moon... Zimmerman has done a masterful job of tying disparate events together into a solid account of one of America's greatest human triumphs."--San Antonio Express-News
NASAspaceflight.com is down, and Space News is behind a paywall, but a Space News headline suggests NASA is opening up the Artemis III lander contract to other suppliers because SpaceX is so far behind schedule.
That should start some lively discussion.
They cut off the SH footage to not show the explosion;)
The booster descent was stopped at an altitude high enough that the subsequent free fall impact would guarantee a large explosion. This was to avoid any part of the wreckage being able to remain afloat and drift into Mexican waters.
And yes, SpaceX tries to avoid release of video of the explosions, so as to not help the anti-SpaceX crowd publish it. NSF got a video of the blast and showed it at least once in real-time that I saw, before SpaceX asked / told them to can it.
NSF is very out front with complying with SpaceX desires re what to show and not to show, and thus they enjoy a good level of open photographic access.