Tag: quick space links

Courtesy of BtB’s stringer Jay.

• Short video of Buran being airlifted to Baikonur for its launch in 1988

It is amazing how authoritarian societies so rarely come up with original ideas. Buran and the Energia rocket that launched it definitely included some improvements over the space shuttle, but they were still copies, nonetheless.

 

• Short video showing the retrieval of one of SpaceX’s fast boats, used during Dragon crew splashdown

Simple, efficient, and quick.

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.

Courtesy of BtB’s stringer Jay.

• Video of lunar impact seen from Hiratsuka Observatory in Japan

They estimate the new crater to be about 65 feet wide.

 

• Russians Sergey Prokopiev and Dmitry Petelin will today move their seat harnesses into the new Soyuz capsule, while American Frank Rubio will do it on March 6th

I’m not sure why this wasn’t done immediately, by all three, immediately after the arrival of the Soyuz capsule on February 25, 2023. If there had been a major issue the three men would have either had to scramble to make the new Soyuz usable as a lifeboat, or would have been forced to use the improvised lifeboat arrangement in the Dragon Endurance capsule and the leaking Soyuz capsule, despite having a good vessel available.

 

• A graph showing the steady and slow decay of Hubble’s orbit

The decay was brought up because Hubble now orbits just below SpaceX’s Starlink satellites, and thus some are concerned its work will be hindered by them. I think this is a non-issue. More important is that decay. If Hubble is going to be remain in space, work on a rescue mission must begin soon.

 

• Chinese satellite inspecting American military satellites in geosynchronous orbit

China has launched a number of these classified inspection satellites, designed to surveil other satellites. As long as they do no harm to others, the satellites are doing nothing wrong, or different than what Russia and the U.S. do.

 

• Chinese pseudo-company Sepoch now plans first test launch of its stainless steel rocket in 2025

As Jay notes, “Wow stainless steel! Who would of thought of that?”

 

• Astra identifies the cause of its last launch failure

In reading their conclusions, I came away with the impression that this rocket had a lot of weak links, any one of which could cause a failure. No wonder the company abandoned it after this launch to focus on a new rocket.

Courtesy of BtB’s stringer Jay.

• Rocket Lab creates subsidiary focused entirely on garnering business in Australia

From the press release it sounds as if the company wants to take advantage of the Australian government’s recent increase in space.

 

• Relativity once again touts the live stream of the first launch of its Terran-1 rocket March 8th

The live stream is here. I will embed it on Behind the Black the day of launch.

Courtesy of BtB’s stringer Jay.

• Video of deployment of the 21 upgraded Starlink satellites launched February 27, 2023

A very different method of deployment than used previously.

 

• Virgin Galactic’s fourth quarter financial report

For my readers information only. As Jay writes, “I do not trust any numbers that this company has.”

 

• Rocket Lab announces launch contract with Capella Space

The contract is for four launches, to begin in the second half of this year.

 

• ISRO completes flight acceptance test of rocket engine to be used in Chandrayaan-3 lunar launch

The engine will be used during launch by the upper stage of a version of India’s GSLV rocket. That launch is now scheduled for sometime this summer.

 

• China displays model of proposed Long March 10 rocket, next generation manned capsule, and manned lunar lander

Pure fantasy at this point.

 

• China unveils models of suborbital manned spacecraft

The entire two-stage spacecraft looks like a copy of New Shepard, with the capsule made to look somewhat like a Dragon capsule.

 

• Another version of China’s heavy lift Long March 9 unveiled

Having the ability to change is not in itself a bad thing, but indecisiveness can be a curse. At present it is not clear which it is for this particular Chinese rocket project. Jay’s comment: “Dr. Long [the designer] … can’t decide which plans to steal and build.”

Jay asks forgiveness for the lateness today of these quick links, as he was overwhelmed with work at his real job. I say, no apology required. Thank you Jay!

Courtesy of BtB’s stringer Jay.

• ULA’s CEO: BE-4 engines “have successfully completed pre-qual testing, which goes beyond formal qual, providing an understanding of margins and behavior under unusual conditions.”

He also says inexplicably that the engine’s “formal qual is underway now.” Shouldn’t this have been done before Blue Origin shipped the engines to ULA? Or is there something about rocket prep procedures I don’t understand.

 

• SpaceX: Starlink now available in Rwanda

Jay notes also that his Starlink bill has just gone up 20%, to $120.

 

• All three Rocket Lab launchpads preparing for launch

Two rockets are at Wallops and one in New Zealand.

 

• Japan now working for a new H3 rocket launch attempt before March 10th

Engineers have identified the launch failure on February 17th to “an issue with an engine electrical power supply” in the solid rocket boosters.

Courtesy of BtB’s stringer Jay, who I must also thank for sending me the Twitter links showing the Russian Progress freighter hole.

• Vast Space, which hopes to build a commercial space station, has purchased the orbital tug company Launcher

This acquisition occurred just days after Launcher revealed the complete failure of its first orbital tug in orbit shortly after deployment. Vast will continue Launcher’s tug and rocket engine operations, but abandon its plans to build its own rocket.

 

• Celestis announces that the DNA from the remains of four past presidents will fly on the first launch of ULA’s Vulcan rocket

On this same rocket Celestis is also flying ashes or DNA from many actors or creators from Star Trek.

Courtesy of BtB’s stringer Jay.

• OneWeb and ISRO complete integration of 36 satellites for March launch on India’s GSLV rocket

 

• Firefly touts its growing presence in Texas

The tweet links to an article describing the general growth of Texas’s space industry, much of it coming from companies fleeing California’s Stalinist government regulations.

 

• At press conference about the next Chinese manned mission, a government official reminded reporters that everything “must be censored before release.”

It is kind of funny that this official felt he needed to do this, since every one of those “journalists” knows he or she is really employed by the government and knows everything they write must serve that government. Why underline China’s authoritarian rule?

 

• Russian officials confirm that the launch of an unmanned Soyuz to ISS will take place on February 23rd

There had been some conflicting reports about the exact launch date. This announcement ends that confusion.

 

• All the Starlink satellites presently in orbit

The tweet shows a short video quickly illustrating the present state of the constellation. It almost literally covers the Earth.

Courtesy of BtB’s stringer Jay, except for the last two.

• Soyuz capsule placed inside its payload fairing for a likely February 21th launch

That date, reported by Roscosmos two days ago, is three days earlier than the date listed at the link. Unless something has changed and not been reported, I would favor the earlier reported date.

 

• Images of the new Angara rocket assembly stand at Vostochny

Looks very clean and sleek, but also has taken decades to build.

 

• Damaged Progress to undock from ISS shortly

Live stream is here, scheduled to go live around 6:15 pm Pacific. Following undocking the freighter will be maneuvered so that the leak in its coolant system on its service module can be photographed.

 

• U.S. military is loosening its rules for bidding on its launches

The language in the screen capture at the link is typical bureaucratic blather, but the bottom line is that the military is no longer limiting bidding on launch contracts to just SpaceX and ULA, a foolish program I have begging the military to abandon for years. At this point they will let others bid on missions that are less risk tolerant. Expect with time this policy to loosen even more, as more competition can only save the military money, while providing it more redundancy and capability.

 

• China’s Xuntian Space Telescope, a Hubble-class optical space telescope, is still targeting a ’24 launch

The telescope will orbit close to Tiangong-3, and according to images at the link, will dock with the station for maintenance.

 

• NASA’s corrupt safety panel worries about NASA’s “safety culture” in its Artemis program

Though in this case the panel is likely right, I don’t take anything it says seriously. It has been so wrong so many times in the past, clearly biased against private space while favoring NASA, its analysis is simply worthless. I only include the link to its report now for completeness.

 

• FAA proposes fining SpaceX $175K for not providing “launch collision analysis trajectory data” prior to a August 19, 2022 Starlink launch

SpaceX has 30 days to respond. Considering the increased hostility by the bureaucracy to SpaceX since Biden took office, I think it is understandable to think this is simply another bureaucratic attack for political reasons.

 

• One instrument on the Parker Solar Probe is temporarily down

It appears the problem simply requires a software upload of that instrument, which cannot be done for another few weeks because the spacecraft is in a blackout period due to orbital mechanics.

• Boeing and NASA still aiming for mid-April launch of first manned Starliner mission to ISS

That timeline remains in flux, and will be finalized in early March when they decide on when to begin fueling the service module. Once that happens, they need to launch with 60 days. Expect an actual launch date to announced around then.

Courtesy of BtB’s stringer Jay.

• Free access to ESA Bulletin, their space magazine

 

• China’s present deep space timeline
• 2024 lunar sample return: Chang’e-6
• 2025 asteroid sample return: Tianwen-2
• 2026 lunar south pole: Chang’e-7
• 2028 Mars sample return: Tianwen-3
• 2030 lunar station: Chang’e-8
• 2030 Jupiter/Uranus: Tianwen-4

 

• Ten-minute video outlining the recent history of China’s planned large internet constellations

An excellent summary. If you want to understand why I call all of China’s so-called private companies “pseudo,” watch this video. The earlier constellations planned by two pseudo companies vanished when the government decided something else should be launched instead. Neither company was private, and both were always entirely owned by the government.

 

• Flapless Starship prototype #26 rolled out to suborbital Pad A at Boca Chica for tests

Some have labeled this prototype the “bullet” because it also lacks tiles. SpaceX is clearly designing this for orbital tests without any intention of bringing it back to Earth safely. For all we know, the company might send it on an interplanetary flight for PR purposes.

Courtesy of BtB’s stringer Jay.

• In fourth quarter of 2022 SpaceX placed almost as much mass into orbit as the entire rest of the world combined

For those who think upload mass the important metric, the graph at the link will answer many questions.

 

• Sierra Space touts its Vortex upper stage hydrogen-fueled engine, built in partnership with the Air Force

It is unclear on what rocket or spacecraft this engine will be used. Several years ago, early in development, the company said it would be for its Dream Chaser reusable mini-shuttle, but would use “green” fuels. I am not sure if hydrogen fits that bill.

 

• Engineers/scientists from China’s Academy of Sciences (CAS) go to ESA facility to help complete final tests on joint CAS-ESA solar mission

The mission, dubbed SMILE, will study the solar wind and its interaction with the Earth’s magnetosphere.

 

• Chinese atmospheric monitoring satellite shoots green lasers over Hawaii

The link includes a video of some of those lasers shots. The satellite, Daqi-1, was launched in April 2022. China claims it has no surveillance objectives.

 

• Europe joins the UK in investigating Viasat’s purchase of Inmarsat

The UK opened its own investigation in August 2022. In both cases, a decision against Viasat will likely hurt both companies, who are struggling to meet the new competition from the giant low orbit smallsat constellations like OneWeb and Starlink.

 

• Russia resumes prepping next Soyuz for launch

An inspection of the outside of the spacecraft’s cooling system found no damage or drilled holes. Expect the launch to occur before the end of February, relative close to its previous launch date of February 19th. As this is the lifeboat for three occupants of ISS, delaying its launch increases other risks.

Courtesy of BtB’s stringer Jay, who also clued me into to the updates on the Russian spacecraft leak situation on ISS.

• Blue Origin says it has made both solar cells and electricity transmission wires from simulated lunar soil

The article claims this is a major breakthrough, but I am sincerely underwhelmed. Though eventually such technology might be important for lunar colonists, right now it makes no sense to spend private capital on it. For at least the next two decades, power on the Moon is going to from solar panels shipped there. Other companies such as Astrobotics are developing cheap and easy-to-ship-and-install panels for those first missions, and they, not Blue Origin, are going to reap the profits.

 

• Quick overview of first H3 rocket launch tomorrow from Japan

 

• Pseudo Chinese rocket startup Space Pioneer gearing up for first launch of Tianlong-2 rocket by end of March

If successful, it would be the first liquid fueled rocket by a Chinese pseudo company to reach orbit. Others have tried and failed.

 

• Graphic of Chinese pseudo-company DeepBlue Aerospace’s fleet of rockets under development

Jay sums this up well: “Names of the rockets: Copy#1, Copy#2, Copy#3, Copy-Heavy#4, and of course Super Heavy Copy#5.” I will add that this is all fantasy at this moment.

 

• China’s FAST radio telescope discovers 740 pulsars

The claim is made by the telescope’s chief engineer, which suggests China has still not found a high quality astronomer to manage its science operations.

Courtesy of BtB’s stringer Jay.

• Blue Origin and the fast-food chain Shaq’s Big Chicken sign deal

When you read what this deal really entails, you will laugh. It is typical of the kind of engineering achievements we have come to expect from Blue Origin: Empty PR campaigns having nothing to do with actually building something that will fly in space.

 

• An update on the Epsilon F6 failure last October.

The release at the link is entirely in Japanese. According to Jay, “As of February 3 JAXA has now narrowed the cause of the RCS [reaction control system] failure to blockage of the diaphragm at the helium tank outlet.”

 

• Russian official claims his design bureau (part of Roscosmos) is beginning research on a single-stage-to-orbit rocket

The picture at the link is hilariously pure science fiction. This ain’t happening, ever.

No blacklist column today. Been too busy with personal matters.

Courtesy of BtB’s stringer Jay.

• China holds technical meeting for developing its manned lunar spacecraft

It appears from the tweet that the main topic was the propulsion systems to be used.

 

• Tiangong-3 astronauts preparing for spacewalk, probably in the next day or so.

The tweet provides little information, other than a short uninformative video with stirring music.

 

• Firefly to do first launch for Space Force in May

The contract is part of the Space Force’s effort to have the ability to launch on 24 hours notice. Both Rocket Lab and Virgin Orbit are competing for similar contracts.

 

• Smallsat rocket company officials warn of industry “bloodletting”

Lots of whining about SpaceX, as well as the difficulty of rocket science. Translation: Competition and rocketry demands the best from you. Don’t complain, deliver.

 

• ISRO does drop tests into pool of Gaganyaan manned capsule prototype

Though the manned orbital mission is presently slotted for 2024, it is very unlikely that target date will be met.

 

• SpaceX’s Gwynne Shotwell said at a conference today it will attempt a 33-engine static fire test of Superheavy February 9, 2023

For this last quick link a hat tip to reader Richard M.

Courtesy of BtB’s stringer Jay.

• Why Europe might have backed off sending its astronauts to Tiangong-3

Eric Berger essentially repeats my initial one sentence analysis, just in more detail.

 

• JUICE ready for shipment to launchpad in French Guiana

If all goes as planned, this Jupiter orbiter will arrive at Jupiter in 2029.

 

• February 6th was the fifth anniversary of first Falcon Heavy launch

 

• China’s space tracking ship heads to sea for 2023 launches

Jay thinks the the theme from “Love Boat” would be better background music for the video at the link.

 

• Progress freighter has undocked from Zvezda port, to be replaced by new Progress to be launched on February 9, 2023

Previously the Russians and NASA had said there would be no more dockings at Zvezda’s port to reduce the possibility of more stress fractures to the hull of that module. Apparently, they and NASA have changed their minds. It would be nice to know the reasoning behind that decision.

 

• Old Russian satellite breaks up in orbit, producing 85 pieces of space junk

The breakup was tracked by U.S. Space Defense Squadron, and occurred on January 4, 2023.

Courtesy of BtB’s stringer Jay.

• Scrapping of the ship Blue Origin purchased as a New Glenn 1st stage landing pad is ongoing

Blue Origin abandoned the idea of using this ship for landings last year. What it will do instead however remains entirely unclear.

 

• Polish satellite company signs launch agreement with Virgin Orbit

The press release says this deal calls for multiple satellite launches, but does not specify the number. The deal also suggests that this company thinks Virgin Orbit will survive its present hard times.

 

• Webb found an asteroid by accident during instrument calibration last year

I read this press release this morning, decided the story was mostly NASA fluff designed to sell Webb, and rejected giving it a full post. Discoveries like this happen all the time with all telescopes. Webb didn’t do anything special here. However, Jay is right that it deserves some mention, so here it is as a quick link.

 

• Comparison of three amazing rockets

You must click on the link. Trust me, you will find it worthwhile.

 

• A close-up image of NISAR, a joint NASA-ISRO radar satellite now ready for launch

 

• ISRO releases new details about its Chandrayaan-3 lunar lander

The launch is presently scheduled for the summer of 2023.

 

• China building giant rocket engine test stand

The largest engines for its heavy lift Long March 9 Starship/Superheavy copy will test here.

 

• World View about to go public

Though it has previously touted its desire to launch high altitude balloon tourist flights, it is pushing the surveillance capabilities of its balloons at this time.

Except for the first, all are courtesy of Jay, BtB’s stringer, who trolls Twitter so I don’t have to.

• Quub Emerges from Stealth Mode, Announces Two Air Force Contracts

Quub is the smallsat company created by long time BtB reader Joe Latrell, whose satellite work I featured previously here. The article at the link includes a detailed interview of Latrell.

 

• OneWeb gets $50 million deal with Canadian internet company Galaxy Broadband

This is how OneWeb will compete with Starlink. While Starlink sells its service directly to rural customers, OneWeb can sell its service to the internet providers that already exist on the ground, allowing them to expand and improve their business in those rural areas.

 

• The route China’s spy balloon took to get to the U.S.

This balloon suggests China is significantly ahead of the U.S. in developing this high altitude balloon technology.

 

• Russian engineers and designers to meet to assess the technical future of ISS

The assessment will apparently be entirely engineering in nature, and will tell the Putin government whether these engineers think ISS will be safe to occupy until 2028, or require leaving sooner. Regardless of what they determine, it is very unlikely Russia can launch its own replacement by 2028.

 

• Where do rockets launch from?

The global map at the link provides an excellent overview of present and future spaceports worldwide

Courtesy of BtB’s stringer Jay.

• Branson loans another $10 million to Virgin Orbit

The details, described at the link, suggest serious problems for the company.

 

• African Union Commission inaugurates the headquarters of the African Space Agency in Egypt

None of this really has anything to do with space, rockets, or satellites, but with building bureaucratic empires here on Earth.

Courtesy of BtB’s stringer Jay.

• Sierra Space successfully completes third test of its inflatable LIFE module

The module is intended for use in the Orbital Reef station that Sierra Space is building in partnership with Blue Origin and others.

 

• Former NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley will receive the Congressional Space Medal of Honor for flying on first SpaceX Dragon manned flight

 

• The flight recorder of Long March 2F is able to sustain 20,000G impact

Make sure you look at the picture of the flight recorder at the link. As Jay notes, “Just so you know, if this hits your house, it is not a box of KFC, but the flight recorder of a Shenzhou spacecraft.”

 

• Using a rocket engine in a very unusual way

 

• Top Soyuz rocket manager claims they have completed design of a methane-burning rocket with a reusable booster

If you believe this is going to be built any time in the near future, I have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you cheap.

Courtesy of BtB’s stringer Jay.

• Construction on commercial launch tower a China’s Wenchang spaceport begins

This launchpad will apparently be reserved for use by China’s pseudo-companies.

 

• Europe working to develop its own system for tracking objects in orbit

For decades Europe depended on the American military’s tracking system. Based on this article, it appears it will likely be years yet before Europe’s own system is established, unless Europe decides to hire private enterprise to provide it.

 

• Arianespace still has three Soyuz rockets in storage in French Guiana

It appears that no negotiations are presently under way to return them, which would likely also require the return by the Russians of the OneWeb satellites it confiscated.

 

• Engineers at Chinese pseudo-company Landspace repurposed ultrasonic cleaning machine for crayfish for cleaning cooling channels in rocket nozzles

As much as we tend to disparage China’s ability to independently develop new technology — generally stealing ideas from others — this story illustrates that we must also never underestimate it. These are smart people, and they continue to do marvelous things in space, not all of which are copies.

Courtesy of Jay, BtB’s stringer. Sorry this is posted late, but Diane and I were celebrating our wedding anniversary hiking and then going to a nice Italian restaurant for dinner.

• Boeing and NASA are now targeting mid-April for first manned Starliner mission

 

• Progress to launch February 9th to ISS

The replacement Soyuz follows ten days later.

 

• SpaceX’s Gwynne Shotwell dropped in at ESA’s Brussels conference this week

From the reporter: “Surely nothing more than idle curiosity.”

 

• Chinese satellite company with links in Luxembourg sanctioned by U.S. for providing Ukraine imagery to Russia

Utterly meaningless, as the company’s operations are almost all in China, it launches on Chinese rockets, and most important it is a Chinese pseudo-company, fundamentally supervised by the Chinese government. They certainly are not going to care about U.S. sanctions.

 

• Short animation of Venus’ atmosphere

No information is provided about the source of this imagery, so for all we know, it is entirely fabricated.

Courtesy of BtB’s stringer Jay.

• BepiColumbo and Solar Orbiter release results from their flybys of Venus on August 9-10, 2021

The data mostly provided information about the weak magnetosphere that surrounds Venus

 

• Roscosmos chief in discussions about developing hydrogen-fueled rocket engine

The engine was first proposed as part of a joint Russian-American project but never finished. The project will likely go nowhere, first because hydrogen is not the smartest fuel to use because it is so difficult to handle, and second because it is unlikely Russia has the capability or money to do it right now.

 

• Two Russian executives sentenced to prison terms for corruption involving rocket engine sales to U.S.

As Jay noted, “The usual graft and corruption in Russia.”

 

• OneWeb satellites on the way to India for launch

 

• Chopsticks now fully attached to tower at Cape Canaveral

The crane that lifted the chopsticks has now released them.

 

• First stage of Vulcan is now vertical at ULA assembly building at Kennedy

Next step, stacking the Centaur upper stage, followed by the payloads. Launch is still aiming for the end of March.

Courtesy of BtB’s stringer Jay.

• Arnhem spaceport in Australia hopes to have its first orbital rocket customer launch before the end of 2023

It appears no deal as yet been signed, but it is pushing hard to get customers. In ’22 NASA did three suborbital launches from this site.

 

• Boeing’s Starliner capsule mated to its service module

Boeing and NASA are still targeting April for that first manned demo mission to ISS.

 

• NASA and DARPA form partnership to fly and test a nuclear thermal engine in space by 2027

Whether this promised demo mission will happen is certainly uncertain, as NASA has promised such nuclear engine projects now for decades, none of which ever got past the planning stages. If it happens, however, the technology has the potential to cut travel times to the planets significantly.

 

• Video describing new Japanese startup rocket company

Mostly in Japanese, as is the company’s website. However, the images and some text suggests the company wants to create a range of rockets comparable to the rockets offered by SpaceX and Rocket Lab.

Courtesy of BtB’s stringer Jay.

• Weather looks good for Rocket Lab’s first launch from Wallops tomorrow

The launch window is between 6 and 8 pm Eastern.

 

• ESA head admits it has no plans to fly astronauts to China’s Tiangong-3 space station

He indicated the reasons are both “political” and “budgetary”, which suggests he does not want to threaten his financially beneficial partnership with the U.S. by doing anything with China.

 

• Video touting China’s lunar Chang’e-6’s sample return mission in ’24 and Chang’e 7’s hopper to south pole in ’26

The video is in Chinese.

 

• 2022 was a profitable year for space insurance companies, the third in a row

Jay notes this interesting detail from article: “Many LEO operators including SpaceX are choosing to forgo insuring satellites, not least because the size of their constellations gives them built-in redundancy. The estimated lifetimes of satellites in LEO are also far shorter than their cousins in GEO.”