July 12, 2023 Quick space links
Courtesy of BtB’s stringer Jay.
- Satellite imagery of Vega-C second stage after static fire test failure on June 28, 2023
The pictures do not show any obvious damage that I can spot.
- China unveils proposed plan for first manned lunar mission before 2030
The plan calls for separate rockets, one for the manned ascent/descent Earth capsule, and the second for the lunar lander/ascent spacecraft. The two will rendezvous and dock in lunar orbit. This is all engineering by powerpoint at this point, though based on China’s track record I’d give it more credence than most of NASA’s recent promises.
- Israel’s Beresheet-2 future uncertain with loss of major donor
The donor backed out in May, and there has been no word whether the non-profit SpaceIL has found any replacement funds.
Courtesy of BtB’s stringer Jay.
- Satellite imagery of Vega-C second stage after static fire test failure on June 28, 2023
The pictures do not show any obvious damage that I can spot.
- China unveils proposed plan for first manned lunar mission before 2030
The plan calls for separate rockets, one for the manned ascent/descent Earth capsule, and the second for the lunar lander/ascent spacecraft. The two will rendezvous and dock in lunar orbit. This is all engineering by powerpoint at this point, though based on China’s track record I’d give it more credence than most of NASA’s recent promises.
- Israel’s Beresheet-2 future uncertain with loss of major donor
The donor backed out in May, and there has been no word whether the non-profit SpaceIL has found any replacement funds.