October 26, 2023 Quick space links
Courtesy of BtB’s stringer Jay.
- Europe’s smallsat rocket startups issue their own response to a recent Space News article claiming SpaceX’s big rideshare launches was dominating the industry
In essence, they admit SpaceX is making it harder, but also say they can’t begrudge the company’s success. They simply have to do better to compete.
- Sierra Space successfully completes first mission Flight Operations Review for Tenacity Dream Chaser
The paves the way for the first Tenacity flight, hopefully next year.
- The Centaur V for first Vulcan launch has come out of the High Pressure Test Cell for its final touches before shipment
That December 24th launch date is looking better and better.
- Update on ArianeGroup’s demo project to develop reuseable rockets
The Prometheus engine has been doing ongoing tests, while the tanks and landing legs of the Themis demonstrator are being tested.
- Video of Shenzhou capsule docking with Tiangong-3 station
So begins this crew’s six month mission.
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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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.
Courtesy of BtB’s stringer Jay.
- Europe’s smallsat rocket startups issue their own response to a recent Space News article claiming SpaceX’s big rideshare launches was dominating the industry
In essence, they admit SpaceX is making it harder, but also say they can’t begrudge the company’s success. They simply have to do better to compete.
- Sierra Space successfully completes first mission Flight Operations Review for Tenacity Dream Chaser
The paves the way for the first Tenacity flight, hopefully next year.
- The Centaur V for first Vulcan launch has come out of the High Pressure Test Cell for its final touches before shipment
That December 24th launch date is looking better and better.
- Update on ArianeGroup’s demo project to develop reuseable rockets
The Prometheus engine has been doing ongoing tests, while the tanks and landing legs of the Themis demonstrator are being tested.
- Video of Shenzhou capsule docking with Tiangong-3 station
So begins this crew’s six month mission.
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.
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