Comments on: March 17, 2025 Quick space links

By: john hare

john hare — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 08:05:16 +0000

@ 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.

By: Edward

Edward — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 22:16:42 +0000

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.

By: Ray Van Dune

Ray Van Dune — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 20:25:37 +0000

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.

By: Dick Eagleson

Dick Eagleson — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 07:57:05 +0000

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.

By: James Street

James Street — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 05:48:44 +0000

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

By: Jeff Wright

Jeff Wright — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 02:56:47 +0000

Perhaps fairings could do double duty in replacing grid fins.

By: Richard M

Richard M — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 02:09:34 +0000

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.

By: Joe

Joe — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 00:46:06 +0000

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.