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.
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. from any other book seller, or direct from my ebook publisher, ebookit.
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.
- 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.
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. from any other book seller, or direct from my ebook publisher, ebookit. 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
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.