November 27, 2023 Quick space links
Courtesy of BtB’s stringer Jay.
- European Safran and American Terran Orbital partner to work jointly on satellite propulsion systems
Safran is an old big space defense contractor, It wants American business, and by linking with startup Terran Orbital it gets its foot in the door. Terran Orbital in turn gets enormous resources to tap into, and its own foot in Europe’s door.
- Astra obtains $2.7 million in new financing
The status of this company is right now entirely unknown. It is not clear how this financing impacts the proposal of the company’s founders to buy up the stock and take Astra private. Nor is it clear how this financing satisfies other loans that have already expired and had to be paid. Based on the article, it seems to me that the company will soon have to shut down due to lack of cash.
- NASA administrator Bill Nelson is in India talking space and getting photo ops
Nelson is there for show. Any agreements being discussed were negotiated by underlings, who actually know what is going on.
- ISRO touts Vikram’s laser reflector, which is still usable by scientists though the lander is dead
The reflector is similar to one’s used on Apollo, and allows scientists to precisely measure distances and timing by reflecting a laser beam off it.
- Today is the 60th anniversary of the first successfull Atlas-Centaur launch
It was also the first use of a hydrogen-fueled engine in space.
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 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.
- European Safran and American Terran Orbital partner to work jointly on satellite propulsion systems
Safran is an old big space defense contractor, It wants American business, and by linking with startup Terran Orbital it gets its foot in the door. Terran Orbital in turn gets enormous resources to tap into, and its own foot in Europe’s door.
- Astra obtains $2.7 million in new financing
The status of this company is right now entirely unknown. It is not clear how this financing impacts the proposal of the company’s founders to buy up the stock and take Astra private. Nor is it clear how this financing satisfies other loans that have already expired and had to be paid. Based on the article, it seems to me that the company will soon have to shut down due to lack of cash.
- NASA administrator Bill Nelson is in India talking space and getting photo ops
Nelson is there for show. Any agreements being discussed were negotiated by underlings, who actually know what is going on.
- ISRO touts Vikram’s laser reflector, which is still usable by scientists though the lander is dead
The reflector is similar to one’s used on Apollo, and allows scientists to precisely measure distances and timing by reflecting a laser beam off it.
- Today is the 60th anniversary of the first successfull Atlas-Centaur launch
It was also the first use of a hydrogen-fueled engine in space.
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 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
Readers: the rules for commenting!
No registration is required. I welcome all opinions, even those that strongly criticize my commentary.
However, name-calling and obscenities will not be tolerated. First time offenders who are new to the site will be warned. Second time offenders or first time offenders who have been here awhile will be suspended for a week. After that, I will ban you. Period.
Note also that first time commenters as well as any comment with more than one link will be placed in moderation for my approval. Be patient, I will get to it.