September 30, 2024 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.
- Kennedy spaceport preparing new launchpad for “small-lift launch vehicles”
The launchpad is being designed to have common use infrastructure for multiple companies.
- Australian rocket startup Gilmour Space completes dress rehearsal countdown of its Eris rocket
The countdown stopped at T-10 seconds. They are getting ready for the first test orbital launch off the eastern coast of Australia.
- Honeybee Robotics completes thermal testing of its vertical solar panel system
The concept is to deploy on the lunar surface to provide a power grid for all operations.
- NASA inspector general to conduct an investigation into the agency’s commercial crew program
In a sane world you would assume this investigation is prompted by the problems with Starliner, but we don’t live in a sane world. It is just as likely that the knives are also out for SpaceX.
- China holds a conference to discuss lunar rover “off-road technologies”
Consider it a workshop for the people designing the manned rovers China will deploy on the lunar surface when it begins landing people there in the 2030s.
- This week in 2022 Juno did the closest fly-by of the Jupiter moon Europa in two decades
See this 2022 post for details of the fly-by. See this 2023 post and this 2024 post for what the scientists learned, and this second 2024 post for a contrary conclusion.
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.
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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. 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.
- Kennedy spaceport preparing new launchpad for “small-lift launch vehicles”
The launchpad is being designed to have common use infrastructure for multiple companies.
- Australian rocket startup Gilmour Space completes dress rehearsal countdown of its Eris rocket
The countdown stopped at T-10 seconds. They are getting ready for the first test orbital launch off the eastern coast of Australia.
- Honeybee Robotics completes thermal testing of its vertical solar panel system
The concept is to deploy on the lunar surface to provide a power grid for all operations.
- NASA inspector general to conduct an investigation into the agency’s commercial crew program
In a sane world you would assume this investigation is prompted by the problems with Starliner, but we don’t live in a sane world. It is just as likely that the knives are also out for SpaceX.
- China holds a conference to discuss lunar rover “off-road technologies”
Consider it a workshop for the people designing the manned rovers China will deploy on the lunar surface when it begins landing people there in the 2030s.
- This week in 2022 Juno did the closest fly-by of the Jupiter moon Europa in two decades
See this 2022 post for details of the fly-by. See this 2023 post and this 2024 post for what the scientists learned, and this second 2024 post for a contrary conclusion.
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.
That “common use” launch pad seems like a good idea at first, but as you pointed out with ESA doing the same thing, the devil will be in the details on just how adaptable those standard interfaces are. If, for example, the fuel and support gantries are somewhat adjustable for where they attach, and have the possibility of the parts that actually come into interface with the rocket being swapped out quickly, then this is a good thing. But if it is instead “your rocket must be this tall, this wide, and have mating points of this type at this location”, well then, not so much.
The 15 minute burn of a Raptor means you could do stage-and-half.
“Persia, Say Goodbye”
https://youtu.be/XSl0W-NsL98
(3:10)
“Trump says he’s spoken to Musk about getting Starlink for areas damaged by Helene”
“Trump visited Valdosta, Ga., where he toured storm damage and expressed support for those dealing with the aftermath. The former president indicated he would also visit North Carolina, which was battered by the hurricane in recent days as well.”
“‘I just spoke to Elon … we want to get Starlink hooked up because they have no communication whatsoever. Elon will always come through. We know that,’ Trump added.”
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4907620-trump-musk-starlink-hurricane/
WRT the 15 minute Raptor test, I wonder if it broke or if they simply rran out of fuel to keep going?
Arrow-3 Missile Defense System
(range: 1000 KM,)
https://youtu.be/JXz85MNVQ6o
8:13
No private company would base a business on a common infrastucture launch pad but it is an idea that is so crazy it just might work. If there are people with cash to burn and a desire to build a rocket the NASAPAD might just push them to scratch that itch.
Having a common strap on abort destruct system would be nice to help wildcat devices get a chance.