June 21, 2023 Quick space links
Courtesy of BtB’s stringer Jay.
- UK rocket startup Skyrora begins engine tests
Skyrora has been around since 2018, but has yet to reach orbit. We shall see if this development leads to that first orbital launch.
- AST SpaceMobile successfully completes tests using an ordinary cellphone working with its BlueWalker-3 satellite
The tests achieved 10MB download speeds.
- ESA briefing this week on status of Ariane-6 provided no update on launch date
The lack of any schedule is not good, suggesting the final work required is going to take a longer than expected. This might also be why France and Arianespace have suddenly begun signing launch contracts with independent rocket startups. They realize they need to do whatever they can to generate some alternatives.
- Chinese pseudo-rocket company CAS-Space signs deal with French startup
It appears the French company acts as broker, finding rockets for payloads wanting to fly. China is now allowing it to sell space on CAS-Space’s rockets as well.
- NASA tweet: “Together with BoeingSpace, we are taking the necessary time to finalize the path forward for #Starliner’s Crew Flight Test.”
From Jay: “You can drop this story if you want. I included it since the people on Twitter are ragging on it.” I agree, the tweet is a joke, and thus deserves ragging. If by including it here we encourage more such ragging of NASA and Boeing then my job here is done.
Readers!
Please consider supporting my work here at Behind the Black. Your support allows me the freedom and ability to analyze objectively the ongoing renaissance in space, as well as the cultural changes -- for good or ill -- that are happening across America. Fourteen years ago I wrote that SLS and Orion were a bad ideas, a waste of money, would be years behind schedule, and better replaced by commercial private enterprise. Only now does it appear that Washington might finally recognize this reality.
In 2020 when the world panicked over COVID I wrote that the 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. Only in the past year have some of our so-called experts in the health field have begun to recognize these facts.
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:
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Courtesy of BtB’s stringer Jay.
- UK rocket startup Skyrora begins engine tests
Skyrora has been around since 2018, but has yet to reach orbit. We shall see if this development leads to that first orbital launch.
- AST SpaceMobile successfully completes tests using an ordinary cellphone working with its BlueWalker-3 satellite
The tests achieved 10MB download speeds.
- ESA briefing this week on status of Ariane-6 provided no update on launch date
The lack of any schedule is not good, suggesting the final work required is going to take a longer than expected. This might also be why France and Arianespace have suddenly begun signing launch contracts with independent rocket startups. They realize they need to do whatever they can to generate some alternatives.
- Chinese pseudo-rocket company CAS-Space signs deal with French startup
It appears the French company acts as broker, finding rockets for payloads wanting to fly. China is now allowing it to sell space on CAS-Space’s rockets as well.
- NASA tweet: “Together with BoeingSpace, we are taking the necessary time to finalize the path forward for #Starliner’s Crew Flight Test.”
From Jay: “You can drop this story if you want. I included it since the people on Twitter are ragging on it.” I agree, the tweet is a joke, and thus deserves ragging. If by including it here we encourage more such ragging of NASA and Boeing then my job here is done.
Readers!
Please consider supporting my work here at Behind the Black. Your support allows me the freedom and ability to analyze objectively the ongoing renaissance in space, as well as the cultural changes -- for good or ill -- that are happening across America. Fourteen years ago I wrote that SLS and Orion were a bad ideas, a waste of money, would be years behind schedule, and better replaced by commercial private enterprise. Only now does it appear that Washington might finally recognize this reality.
In 2020 when the world panicked over COVID I wrote that the 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. Only in the past year have some of our so-called experts in the health field have begun to recognize these facts.
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.
RIDE! is an interesting company. We almost worked with them but there were some business issues that kept it from happening. I wish them luck working on this project.