SpaceX launches another 53 Starlink satellites
Capitalism in space: SpaceX today successfully launched another 53 Starlink satellites using its Falcon 9 rocket, the first stage successfully flying and landing for the sixth time.
That first stage had flown only three weeks ago, thus completing the fastest turnaround yet.
The leaders in the 2022 launch race:
17 SpaceX
12 China
5 Russia
2 ULA
2 Rocket Lab
The U.S. now leads China 24 to 12 in the national rankings.
The support of my readers through the years has given 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. Four years ago, just before the 2020 election I wrote that Joe Biden's mental health was suspect. Only in this year has the propaganda mainstream media decided to recognize that basic fact.
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. Even today NASA and Congress refuse to 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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Capitalism in space: SpaceX today successfully launched another 53 Starlink satellites using its Falcon 9 rocket, the first stage successfully flying and landing for the sixth time.
That first stage had flown only three weeks ago, thus completing the fastest turnaround yet.
The leaders in the 2022 launch race:
17 SpaceX
12 China
5 Russia
2 ULA
2 Rocket Lab
The U.S. now leads China 24 to 12 in the national rankings.
The support of my readers through the years has given 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. Four years ago, just before the 2020 election I wrote that Joe Biden's mental health was suspect. Only in this year has the propaganda mainstream media decided to recognize that basic fact.
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. Even today NASA and Congress refuse to 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.
Please consider supporting my work here at Behind the Black.
You can support me either by giving a one-time contribution or a regular subscription. There are five 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:
5. 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. And if you buy the books through the ebookit links, I get a larger cut and I get it sooner.
Hey, Rogozin, how does that broomstick feel?
This never gets old.
What does get old however, is the announcer girl telling us, during every single launch, that kerosene produces soot.
It is absolutely amazing how routine this has become. Three week turnaround!
This also marks the first time SpaceX has executed six launches in the same month – and a new record on refurbishment turnaround, too. Just 21 days!
At these rates, The U.S. could have about 70 orbital launches this year, but China may have only around 40. SpaceX is on track for more than 50 launches, and is nicely ahead of China.
To draw from what Robert said in another post: this “demonstrates the priceless value of leaving ownership to American companies.”
https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/axiom-signs-deal-with-the-uae-to-fly-one-astronaut-to-iss-in-23/
Edward: Based on a more recent statement from SpaceX, they are now aiming for 60 launches this year. All told, U.S. companies have predicted a total of 108 launches in ’22. I think it very likely that the total will easily top 70, and could even approach 100.
Robert,
For SpaceX to reach 60 they will have to increase their cadence by 25% from now to the end of the year. This may be a stretch goal for themselves, but I think we will be impressed enough for them to reach 52.
Edward: I agree.