February 8, 2023 Quick space links
Courtesy of BtB’s stringer Jay.
- China holds technical meeting for developing its manned lunar spacecraft
It appears from the tweet that the main topic was the propulsion systems to be used.
- Tiangong-3 astronauts preparing for spacewalk, probably in the next day or so.
The tweet provides little information, other than a short uninformative video with stirring music.
- Firefly to do first launch for Space Force in May
The contract is part of the Space Force’s effort to have the ability to launch on 24 hours notice. Both Rocket Lab and Virgin Orbit are competing for similar contracts.
- Smallsat rocket company officials warn of industry “bloodletting”
Lots of whining about SpaceX, as well as the difficulty of rocket science. Translation: Competition and rocketry demands the best from you. Don’t complain, deliver.
- ISRO does drop tests into pool of Gaganyaan manned capsule prototype
Though the manned orbital mission is presently slotted for 2024, it is very unlikely that target date will be met.
- SpaceX’s Gwynne Shotwell said at a conference today it will attempt a 33-engine static fire test of Superheavy February 9, 2023
For this last quick link a hat tip to reader Richard M.
Readers!
Every February I run a fund-raising drive during my birthday month. This year I celebrate my 72nd birthday, and hope and plan to continue writing and posting on Behind the Black for as long as I am able.
I hope my readers will support this effort. As I did in my November fund-raising drive, I am offering autographed copies of my books for large donations. Donate $250 and you can have a choice of the hardback of either Genesis: the Story of Apollo 8 or Conscious Choice: The origins of slavery in America and why it matters today and for our future in outer space. Donate $200 and you can get an autographed paperback copy of either. IMPORTANT! If you donate enough to get a book, please email me separately to tell me which book you want and the address to mail it to.
Please consider supporting my work here at Behind the Black. My analysis of space, politics, and culture, taken from the perspective of an historian, is almost always on the money and ahead of the game. For example, in 2020 I correctly predicted that the COVID panic was unnecessary, that the virus was apparently simply a variation of the flu, that masks were not simply pointless but if worn incorrectly were a health threat, that the lockdowns were a disaster and did nothing to stop the spread of COVID. Every one of those 2020 conclusions has turned out right.
Your help allows me to do this kind of intelligent analysis. I take no advertising or sponsors, so my reporting isn't influenced by donations by established space or drug companies. Instead, I rely entirely on donations and subscriptions from my readers, which gives me the freedom to write what I think, unencumbered by outside influences.
You can support me either by giving a one-time contribution or a regular subscription. There are four ways of doing so:
1. Zelle: This is the only internet method that charges no fees. All you have to do is use the Zelle link at your internet bank and give my name and email address (zimmerman at nasw dot org). What you donate is what I get.
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3. A Paypal Donation or subscription:
4. Donate by check, payable to Robert Zimmerman and mailed to
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P.O.Box 1262
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You can also support me by buying one of my books, as noted in the boxes interspersed throughout the webpage or shown in the menu above.
Courtesy of BtB’s stringer Jay.
- China holds technical meeting for developing its manned lunar spacecraft
It appears from the tweet that the main topic was the propulsion systems to be used.
- Tiangong-3 astronauts preparing for spacewalk, probably in the next day or so.
The tweet provides little information, other than a short uninformative video with stirring music.
- Firefly to do first launch for Space Force in May
The contract is part of the Space Force’s effort to have the ability to launch on 24 hours notice. Both Rocket Lab and Virgin Orbit are competing for similar contracts.
- Smallsat rocket company officials warn of industry “bloodletting”
Lots of whining about SpaceX, as well as the difficulty of rocket science. Translation: Competition and rocketry demands the best from you. Don’t complain, deliver.
- ISRO does drop tests into pool of Gaganyaan manned capsule prototype
Though the manned orbital mission is presently slotted for 2024, it is very unlikely that target date will be met.
- SpaceX’s Gwynne Shotwell said at a conference today it will attempt a 33-engine static fire test of Superheavy February 9, 2023
For this last quick link a hat tip to reader Richard M.
Readers!
Every February I run a fund-raising drive during my birthday month. This year I celebrate my 72nd birthday, and hope and plan to continue writing and posting on Behind the Black for as long as I am able.
I hope my readers will support this effort. As I did in my November fund-raising drive, I am offering autographed copies of my books for large donations. Donate $250 and you can have a choice of the hardback of either Genesis: the Story of Apollo 8 or Conscious Choice: The origins of slavery in America and why it matters today and for our future in outer space. Donate $200 and you can get an autographed paperback copy of either. IMPORTANT! If you donate enough to get a book, please email me separately to tell me which book you want and the address to mail it to.
Please consider supporting my work here at Behind the Black. My analysis of space, politics, and culture, taken from the perspective of an historian, is almost always on the money and ahead of the game. For example, in 2020 I correctly predicted that the COVID panic was unnecessary, that the virus was apparently simply a variation of the flu, that masks were not simply pointless but if worn incorrectly were a health threat, that the lockdowns were a disaster and did nothing to stop the spread of COVID. Every one of those 2020 conclusions has turned out right.
Your help allows me to do this kind of intelligent analysis. I take no advertising or sponsors, so my reporting isn't influenced by donations by established space or drug companies. Instead, I rely entirely on donations and subscriptions from my readers, which gives me the freedom to write what I think, unencumbered by outside influences.
You can support me either by giving a one-time contribution or a regular subscription. There are four ways of doing so:
1. Zelle: This is the only internet method that charges no fees. All you have to do is use the Zelle link at your internet bank and give my name and email address (zimmerman at nasw dot org). What you donate is what I get.
2. Patreon: Go to my website there and pick one of five monthly subscription amounts, or by making a one-time donation.
3. A Paypal Donation or subscription:
4. Donate by check, payable to Robert Zimmerman and mailed to
Behind The Black
c/o Robert Zimmerman
P.O.Box 1262
Cortaro, AZ 85652
You can also support me by buying one of my books, as noted in the boxes interspersed throughout the webpage or shown in the menu above.
Typo: it’s Gwynne Shotwell.
Michael McNeil: Thank you. Fixed.
Since these rocket companies are also raising money they really do need to be honest about their market prospects. Still better than a crypto currency exchange.