January 14, 2026 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.
- War Department will invest in L3Harris’s missile division
This is a strange deal. Instead of buying solid-rockets from L3Harris, the government appears to be buying part of the company, now called Missile Solutions. Not a good plan in the long run.
- Firefly unveils the upgraded Block II version of its Alpha rocket
The final launch of Block 1 is tentatively scheduled “in a few weeks” and “will test some Block II subsystems.” As Block I had a poor launch record, the sooner it is replaced with an upgrade the better.
- Nimbus Power Systems successfully completes simulated launch test of its fuel cell system
This power system will be used on Blue Origin’s lunar landers, both manned and unmanned.
- A review of historical records finds the pulse of a variable star has shortened by three days
The Space.com headline at the link is garbage, pure clickbait that does not reflect the basic research.
- NASA official admits it is “unlikely” the MAVEN Mars orbiter will be recovered
Engineers will resume their effort to restore contact later this week, after the solar conjunction ends that is presently blocking communications with Mars.
- NASA’s IMAP space telescope reaches its planned L1 position
From here it will study the edge of the solar system and the local space weather produced by the Sun
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.
- War Department will invest in L3Harris’s missile division
This is a strange deal. Instead of buying solid-rockets from L3Harris, the government appears to be buying part of the company, now called Missile Solutions. Not a good plan in the long run.
- Firefly unveils the upgraded Block II version of its Alpha rocket
The final launch of Block 1 is tentatively scheduled “in a few weeks” and “will test some Block II subsystems.” As Block I had a poor launch record, the sooner it is replaced with an upgrade the better.
- Nimbus Power Systems successfully completes simulated launch test of its fuel cell system
This power system will be used on Blue Origin’s lunar landers, both manned and unmanned.
- A review of historical records finds the pulse of a variable star has shortened by three days
The Space.com headline at the link is garbage, pure clickbait that does not reflect the basic research.
- NASA official admits it is “unlikely” the MAVEN Mars orbiter will be recovered
Engineers will resume their effort to restore contact later this week, after the solar conjunction ends that is presently blocking communications with Mars.
- NASA’s IMAP space telescope reaches its planned L1 position
From here it will study the edge of the solar system and the local space weather produced by the Sun
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 the War Dept.
You say it is not a good plan—that’s religion again.
The reason Mike Griffin did what he did is that he was a Hegseth himself in some respects.
He didn’t trust the primes and wanted things in-house…Arsenal Method.
That worked quite well for the ABMA.
The idea is to not take what a salesman offers.
You DON’T let them build what they want to build. Keep suits on the short leash—and folks build what YOU tell them to build—or they will try to foist an albatross around your neck…like EELVs.
My guess is that the War Department just doesn’t trust L3 for…whatever.
I guess we will wait and see.
Further—
Remember….the popular wisdom is that L3 got rid of the best part of itself with only RS-25 (and a few other things)….so War Dept. might fear them like Griffin distrusted the EELV lobby.
If I were half the homer people think I am—I would keep silent and say “you’re right Mr. Z—War Department should buy whatever L3 offers.”
Personally, I think Space Force/War Department SHOULD launch assets atop SLS instead of Starship so they don’t wind up in the Gulf….