May 9, 2023 Quick space links
Courtesy of BtB’s stringer Jay.
- An review of Blue Origin activities at its launch site at Cape Canaveral
The article claims the company is picking up the pace of its operations, but neither Jay or I noticed that much of great significance. More is happening, but not to the extent that should make anyone hold their breath.
- Virgin Orbit receives more than thirty indications of interest under bankruptcy procedures
What is important is that several of these offers want to keep the company intact and operating as is. If they win, then Virgin Orbit as a launch company survives.
- Water park built behind Wenchang launch pads:
It is unclear what this “park” is exactly. It appears to be some sort of water control system surrounded by landscaping.
- Short video showing the present global satellite coverage of SpaceX’s Starlink constellation
There are now about 4,000 satellites in orbit.
- Graph showing 1st quarter orbital launches vs payload mass
Not surprisingly, SpaceX has put 10x more mass into orbit than its nearest two competitors, China and Russia.
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.
- An review of Blue Origin activities at its launch site at Cape Canaveral
The article claims the company is picking up the pace of its operations, but neither Jay or I noticed that much of great significance. More is happening, but not to the extent that should make anyone hold their breath.
- Virgin Orbit receives more than thirty indications of interest under bankruptcy procedures
What is important is that several of these offers want to keep the company intact and operating as is. If they win, then Virgin Orbit as a launch company survives.
- Water park built behind Wenchang launch pads:
It is unclear what this “park” is exactly. It appears to be some sort of water control system surrounded by landscaping.
- Short video showing the present global satellite coverage of SpaceX’s Starlink constellation
There are now about 4,000 satellites in orbit.
- Graph showing 1st quarter orbital launches vs payload mass
Not surprisingly, SpaceX has put 10x more mass into orbit than its nearest two competitors, China and Russia.
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.
In the Starlink video, how can there be any static points? These are shown above the article circle. Perhaps these are not satellites
P.s.Bob please email to my address for an Evening Pause , my copy of your email is not responding.
* arctic circle
Chris, there are currently a few Starlink sats in near-polar orbits. That’s what you are seeing above the Arctic Circle.
For a live interactive presentation of Starlink satellites, have a look at https://satellitemap.space which is where that video originated.
Chris: I emailed you on Wednesday (May 10t). Did you get it?
A quick calculation from the graph in the last link shows that in the first quarter SpaceX launched 80% of the mass that was taken to orbit.