SpaceX launches 5 Iridium and 16 OneWeb satellites
SpaceX early today successfully used its Falcon 9 rocket to put five Iridium and sixteen OneWeb satellites into orbit, lifting off from Vandenberg Space Force Base.
The first stage successfully completed its eleventh flight, landing on a drone ship in the Pacific. The two fairings completed their third and sixth flights respectively.
The leaders in the 2023 launch race:
33 SpaceX (with a launch scheduled for tomorrow)
18 China
6 Russia
4 Rocket Lab (with a launch scheduled for tomorrow)
American private enterprise now leads China 37 to 18 in the national rankings, and the entire world combined 37 to 30. SpaceX now trails the entire world combined, including American companies, by only 33 to 34.
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.
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SpaceX early today successfully used its Falcon 9 rocket to put five Iridium and sixteen OneWeb satellites into orbit, lifting off from Vandenberg Space Force Base.
The first stage successfully completed its eleventh flight, landing on a drone ship in the Pacific. The two fairings completed their third and sixth flights respectively.
The leaders in the 2023 launch race:
33 SpaceX (with a launch scheduled for tomorrow)
18 China
6 Russia
4 Rocket Lab (with a launch scheduled for tomorrow)
American private enterprise now leads China 37 to 18 in the national rankings, and the entire world combined 37 to 30. SpaceX now trails the entire world combined, including American companies, by only 33 to 34.
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.
16 OneWeb satellites in total.
Dick Eagleson: Ugh. I even wrote down the correct number on my scratchpad. Typing it correctly however into my computer was apparently a struggle. Now fixed. Thank you.
The Rocket Lab launch has been moved to Monday night/Tuesday morning. One AM EDT, to be specific.
Knowing that there is more open space in LEO space, I was always concerned about collisions between orbital launchers and constellation satellites.
As more constellations and constellation satellites proliferate, I’m getting the sense that our predicative computing power abilities were already good enough in the beginning.
As more constellations are added, the later companies have to accept the extra costs of increasing collision insurance liabilities which will eventually limit the number of satellite constellations.
SpaceX got there first, lowest risk. The follow on constellation companies have somewhat different financial calculations to make.
.National/Regional space agencies/their pseudo companies have noncompetitive business models because of their political choices.
I was going to say “certain national agencies” but no government-based space employment system agency is being able to compete.
I would assume any government project to establish bases on the moon and Mars would automatically assume Embassy statuses.
Embassies don’t have local citizens
Sovereignty of the free citizens of Luna and of Mars require self reliance and no Earth government largess.
The sovereigns of Luna and Mars can democratically legislate the methods of creating private corporations and other legal entities free form the politicized encumbrances of Terrestrial predators. It should be done ahead of time. Creating such documents in the U.S.are protected free speech. Until you allow them to not be.
Immigrants to the US have certain limited Rights. Same for immigrants to Luna and Mars. Which Terrestrial court has actual standing on the moon, or Mar’s.
You stand there first, you get to decide.
As long as you can keep it. 2nd Amendment, anyone?
Man, what a rambling rant.
RZ, I really want to swear, but I’m not going to because it isn’t necessary for this audience, just for the listening overlords.
I’m not paranoid, I’m simply untrusting.
It’s a free country. They don’t have to like me, I don’t have to like me.
Makes for an interesting court transcript.
http://www.transterrestrial.com/2023/05/21/human-missions-to-mars/
I’m now feeling somewhat more comfortable in my positions. That shouldn’t imply that I didn’t accept some discomfort for having opinions about important stuff.
Misery loves company, I guess.
GaryMike
” . . . the whole point of swearin’ is that it ain’t appropriate.”
Kaylee
‘Jaynestown’ Firefly 2002
The date difference of the quoted posts being what they are means you’ve actually followed me.
I’m not discounting that it wasn’t just another mind fart passed out into the either.
If i said it in the past (link please),I will own it.
I understand that changing my mind is a personal act of contrition. If i were so inclined.
I consider swearing to be a situational tool. Some people don’t like it, I do. They, in public places, can’t decide for me.
Rolling Stones: “You don’t always get what you want….”
1st Amendment
I’ve learned that some people have a far narrower definition of appropriate.
(Pardon me if this becomes a double post. I’m going to offer that it was all my fault.).
The website is telling me I can’t post because my email is invalid.
How can I able to log on and post?
“Ugh. I even wrote down the correct number on my scratchpad.”
4 out of 3 people struggle with math.