December 10, 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.
- Axiom Space and KBR successfully complete first uncrewed thermal vacuum test of the spacesuit
These tests are to make sure it can survive the Moon’s harsh environment. The suit has already been tested manned underwater.
- Muon Space wins $1.9 million military contract to develop its infrared sensors for missile tracking
It apparently is adapting the sensors it uses for commercial “global thermal detection” applications.
- Startup Lunar Outpost selected to fly NASA dust experiment on second manned lunar landing, Artemis-4
This contract is not for its big manned lunar lander. NASA hasn’t yet awarded that contract. It is for its small red-wagon-sized MAPP rover, which will position itself away from the manned lander when it lifts off to measure the dust produced at lift-off.
- On this day in 1964, the last ASSET re-entry engineering test vehicle launched from Cape Canaveral
It tested re-entry profiles for the military’s proposed X-20 Dyna-Soar spaceplane program, which was canceled shortly thereafter without ever having flown a mission.
- On this day 1978 the Pioneer Venus Probe sent five probes into the atmosphere of Venus
The data confirmed the data from 14 previous Soviet and American spacecraft: Venus’ atmosphere is hellishly hot and dense with a layer of sulfuric acid.
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.
- Axiom Space and KBR successfully complete first uncrewed thermal vacuum test of the spacesuit
These tests are to make sure it can survive the Moon’s harsh environment. The suit has already been tested manned underwater.
- Muon Space wins $1.9 million military contract to develop its infrared sensors for missile tracking
It apparently is adapting the sensors it uses for commercial “global thermal detection” applications.
- Startup Lunar Outpost selected to fly NASA dust experiment on second manned lunar landing, Artemis-4
This contract is not for its big manned lunar lander. NASA hasn’t yet awarded that contract. It is for its small red-wagon-sized MAPP rover, which will position itself away from the manned lander when it lifts off to measure the dust produced at lift-off.
- On this day in 1964, the last ASSET re-entry engineering test vehicle launched from Cape Canaveral
It tested re-entry profiles for the military’s proposed X-20 Dyna-Soar spaceplane program, which was canceled shortly thereafter without ever having flown a mission.
- On this day 1978 the Pioneer Venus Probe sent five probes into the atmosphere of Venus
The data confirmed the data from 14 previous Soviet and American spacecraft: Venus’ atmosphere is hellishly hot and dense with a layer of sulfuric acid.
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


On rocket plumes
https://phys.org/news/2025-12-nasa-moon-mission-plume-surface.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSwjArhsdI8
Neutron’s carbon fiber forms
https://www.teslarati.com/rocket-lab-reusable-neutron-rocket-first-hardware/
On steel
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1tBdgABSTvo
SLS overview of Artemis I & II
https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/sls-5558-artemis-ii-sls-reference-guide.pdf
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/20240003963/downloads/Final%20-%20JANNAF%202024%20Paper.pdf