Behind The Black – Robert Zimmerman

Courtesy of BtB’s stringer Jay.

• Japanese planetary probe company Ispace to go public

The company plans to list its shares on the Toyko stock exchange, prior to the landing of Hakuto-R1 on the Moon in April.

• Asteroid discovered with potential to hit Earth in 2046

At present the risk, even if it hit the Earth, is small. The asteroid’s size is estimated roughly to be about 150 feet across, with a less than 1 in 600 chance of a collision even in 2046.

Courtesy of BtB’s stringer Jay.

• Blue Origin faces two discrimination lawsuits

Both suits accuse the company of weeding out older employees, exclusively based on age. I wonder if many of those older workers simply had the knowledge and experience to realize working for Blue Origin was turning out to be a dead end.

• Rocket Lab schedules next Electron launch from Wallops for March 11th

• China’s government amends its space regulations to require controlled de-orbit of all rocket stages

This regulation means the core stage of future Long March 5B must be controllable, and will not crash randomly somewhere on Earth. We shall see.

• Kazakhstan takes possession of launchpad Russia hoped to use for its as yet unlaunched Soyuz-5 rocket

The Soyuz-5 was to replace the Ukraine’s Zenit rocket, but has been plagued by delays. This action by Kazakhstan, as yet unconfirmed, would likely kill the project, as the rocket now has no launchpad.

Courtesy of BtB’s stringer Jay.

• Rocket engine builder Ursa Major to provide engines to Vector Launch

It is unclear if this Vector is the same Vector rocket startup that failed the first time because its own engines were underpowered. If so, the new management has changed course, since previously it has said it would still build its own engines, but of a different design.

• Dream Chaser is no longer scheduled to fly on Vulcan flight #2

Rumors suggest the removal is due to delays at Sierra Space getting Dream Chaser ready for flight. Sadly this is becoming a pattern, as the mini-shuttle is well behind schedule.

• New Glenn’s first launch likely delayed until 2025

No surprise, as Blue Origin more and more seems to be an unserious company that cannot get anything done fast or on schedule.

• A new trailer for Russian movie that had scenes shot on ISS

All in Russian unfortunately. The release date is now April 20th.

• ESA’s chief reaffirms its support of the Ukraine, despite blaming its Vega-C rocket failure on Ukrainian nozzles

Josef Aschbacher essentially grovels in response to the Ukrainian government’s objection to that investigation’s conclusions.

Courtesy of BtB’s stringer Jay.

• Branson pumps another $5 million into Virgin Orbit

Branson has now invested $60 million in Virgin Orbit since November 2022 in order to keep the company above water because delays with licensing at the UK bureaucracy prevented it from doing further launches in 2022. No launches, no revenue. And we now know for sure this is his reason, because his investment deal allows him to pull that money out at any time. Expect him to do so once Virgin Orbit begins flying again and making money.

• The Ukraine disputes ESA’s finding that its nozzles caused Vega-C launch failure

The Ukrainian space agency says ESA’s finding was premature and require further investigation. This conclusion might even be correct, in that ESA desperately needs to get its Vega rockets flying again with Ariane 6 not yet ready and Ariane 5 about to be retired.

• Ispace touts new liquid-fueled engine and new rocket variations

Since this company has had three straight launch failures with its solid-fueled rocket, it seems there is a lot of fantasy in this PR.

• China officially approves Tianwen-2 asteroid sample return mission

After dropping off its sample return capsule to Earth the spacecraft will then head to visit a comet.

• Agreement not yet reached between NASA and Roscosmos on additional astronaut barter flights

The original agreement covered only two flights, two Americans on two Soyuz flights and two Russians on two Dragon flights, and has now been completed. It is expected however that this deal will be extended.

• NASA shifts away from flying astronauts on suborbital flights of Blue Origin or Virgin Galactic

This decision is for lots of reasons, many related to safety and training needs. For example, these suborbital companies do not require flight suits, something NASA astronauts must wear. Thus, doing flights without the suits is somewhat pointless.