June 4, 2026 Quick space links
BtB’s stinger Jay reported no links worth posting. Below is one link that reader Nate P. posted in the comments earlier today. This post remains 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.
- France’s The Exploration Company is teasing a new, reusable, Heavy-lift launch vehicle called Yrene
Expect further details in about a week.
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
Jared Isaacman discussing the Blue Origin launch pad cleanup on Fox Business today: “We are decoupling the lander from the launcher and the launchpad itself. What does that mean? It means NASA is laser focused on the lander.”
https://x.com/i/status/2062549870498509043
Wait, what?
A whole lot of people are asking just what Isaacman means. Are they thinking of trying to launch the Blue Moon lander on another rocket? If so, which one?
It is clear Isaacman is clearly implying they are looking for a different rocket to launch it. Whether one exists and is available remains the larger question.
Falcon Heavy is the only one that can be used for both Mark 1 and 2 landers, but it can only be hauled up to LEO.
Hello Bob,
Yes, it would seem so? But the only obvious alternatives would seem to be (with some modifications) Falcon Heavy and Vulcan Centaur (VC4 or VC6). If that’s what they’re thinking of. (I assume they don’t want to bank on Starship just yet.)
Amusingly, the SLS fanboys on X are giving Jared heavy static because, they whine, Isaacman just cancelled the one other obvious super heavy lifter that could deliver a big lunar lander – SLS Block 1B. To his credit, Jared pushed right back, hard:
https://x.com/i/status/2062662126842327083
Isaacman could also point out that there is as yet no fairing or adapter for a cargo configuration of SLS. And last I heard, the trade study for what it would cost NASA to develop and build those ran to about a billion dollars. (Because of course it did.)
P.S. Jared had a follow up post responding to a query about what the confidence level is for either HLS lander being ready in some form for Artemis III: “We are announcing the Artemis III crew next week. Tune in, because we will also be providing a confidence update on the mission.” That will be worth hearing.
https://x.com/i/status/2062665288814829633
The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope (formerly called WFIRST) has a launch date now: August 30.
https://x.com/i/status/2062286509965775063
Jared Isaacman keeps reminding us that it’s ahead of schedule and under budget. Which is worth noting, I guess, given the history of NASA space telescopes.