March 17, 2025 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.
- South Korean rocket startup Innospace touts video of tests of its rocket strongback
It is targeting a July 2025 first launch attempt.
- Rocket Lab touts its fairing design for its new Neutron rocket
Rather than separating, the fairings are integral to the reusable first stage, and merely hinge open.
- China opens its Mars sample return mission to international participation
Considering the mess the NASA/ESA sample return mission is in, it might make sense for neutral countries to consider hitching a ride with China.
- China shows off graphic of its own Webb copycat space telescope
Merely a powerpoint slide. Nothing real as yet.
- NASA touts Lucy’s next asteroid rendezvous
The release cites some theories about the age of the asteroid, but mostly it touts Lucy.
- ISRO gets approval from government for joint Chandrayaan-5 mission with Japan
Includes an Indian lander and a Japanese rover landing somewhere in the south polar regions of the Moon. Expect more information by tomorrow.
- On this day in 1958 the U.S. launched its second satellite, Vanguard 1.
It was the first to be solar powered. It is also still in orbit, and is expected to remain so for at least another 150-plus years.
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.
- South Korean rocket startup Innospace touts video of tests of its rocket strongback
It is targeting a July 2025 first launch attempt.
- Rocket Lab touts its fairing design for its new Neutron rocket
Rather than separating, the fairings are integral to the reusable first stage, and merely hinge open.
- China opens its Mars sample return mission to international participation
Considering the mess the NASA/ESA sample return mission is in, it might make sense for neutral countries to consider hitching a ride with China.
- China shows off graphic of its own Webb copycat space telescope
Merely a powerpoint slide. Nothing real as yet.
- NASA touts Lucy’s next asteroid rendezvous
The release cites some theories about the age of the asteroid, but mostly it touts Lucy.
- ISRO gets approval from government for joint Chandrayaan-5 mission with Japan
Includes an Indian lander and a Japanese rover landing somewhere in the south polar regions of the Moon. Expect more information by tomorrow.
- On this day in 1958 the U.S. launched its second satellite, Vanguard 1.
It was the first to be solar powered. It is also still in orbit, and is expected to remain so for at least another 150-plus years.
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
Quub is launching on their second flight, currently scheduled for September. I love SpaceX but we need some competition. Without it I fear the future doesn’t look so bright.
All of the renders and information Rocket Lab has released about Neutron, from the very beginning, have suggested an integral fairing system, where they are always attached; but the system has definitely been evolving as design work proceeds. And this is easily the most insight we have had into it. Really great views of it in operation in this video!
I feel very confident in Neutron’s prospects. I think they have a fighting chance of carving out some of the medium launch market for themselves. They just need to get it to a launch pad now.
Perhaps fairings could do double duty in replacing grid fins.
From The Babylon Bee*
(*Fake News You Can Trust)
“Federal Judge Orders Astronauts Be Returned To Space Station”
“U.S. — A district judge has issued a ruling saying Trump lacked the Constitutional authority to pick up two astronauts who have been stranded at the International Space Station for several months.”
https://babylonbee.com/news/judge-orders-astronauts-be-returned-to-space-station
Joe: SpaceX didn’t rise to its current commanding position overnight. All of its possible NewSpace competitors are younger companies – many much younger. I figure it might take at least another decade for any genuine competition – at scale – to materialize. If 2035 arrives without any obvious Avis to SpaceX’s Hertz, then you may have some cause for concern.
Joe: “I love SpaceX but we need some competition. Without it I fear the future doesn’t look so bright.”
I think the fact that Musk is a visionary will moderate any cutthroat behavior toward competitors, and maintain a strong service culture. That may sound naive, but how many true visionaries do we have in U.S. industry?
My vote: one.
Joe,
“I love SpaceX but we need some competition. Without it I fear the future doesn’t look so bright.”
I agree. It is a shame that Virgin Orbit went out of business and that so many other small launchers around the world are having such a hard time getting licenses for their first launches. There are several potential small launchers, but until they can become operational, they remain only potential.
SpaceX’s Smallsat Rideshare Program keeps smallsat companies flying, but it has limits that can be solved by the small launch companies. One limitation is the wait for enough payloads for a ride share flight to be practical. Having other companies can provide the flexibility and availability that smallsat companies need.
I hope you can tell us how well your September mission goes.
@ Ray Van Dune,
There are many visionaries in US industry and business. None of them get the attention that Musk does. Few of them get anywhere near the success he does either. But millions of people start their own businesses and vision is necessary to do that. It doesn’t have to be Mars or World Peace to be uplifting and forward looking.
Also, vision must not be in conflict with successful business or the business will never reach the point of supporting that vision.