SpaceX and fairing recovery

It appears that SpaceX has determined that catching the fairings prior to their hitting the water isn’t worth the extra effort. (Post in memory of Mike Nofsinger)

Not just SpaceX

Rocket Lab is racking up some impressive statistics for its space launch business. Good. The more private companies we have doing this the better chance we’ll get out there sooner and we;; ahead of our national competitors. (Post in memory of Mike Nofsinger)

China is serious

Are we? Story here. (Post in memory of Mike Nofsinger)

Starlink

SpaceX has launched another 60 Starlink satellites.  The plan is to provide worldwide satellite broadband access.  Apparently, you can already sign up to beta test the service.  It is reportedly pretty good.   In a rare miss, the booster failed to land on the recovery ship.  That booster had already flown 6 previous times.  Amazing.

Can’t say I am sad about this

Normally, I am rooting for all space exploration attempts.  However, I can’t say I am sad about this.

Nice try, SpaceX

SpaceX launched their Starship SN9 test vehicle on a 10km high test flight.  All went according to plan until the landing, which for the second time ended in an explosion.  Looks like they are having the same teething troubles they had trying to land the first stage of the Falcon rockets.  I hope they get the problems ironed out, and soon.

SpaceX does it again

Private enterprise in space

SpaceX strikes again.  Once again showing that private enterprise can be just as responsive, if not more responsive to safety issues.  Hell, at this point I am ready to simply sell NASA to SpaceX. (Post in memory of Mike Nofsinger)

A private space mission to Venus

And it isn’t SpaceX.  This is interesting.  Things are now happening in space that I thought we would have seen back in the 1980s  I am happy that I get to see it before I die. (post in memory of Mike Nofsinger)

Chinese space news

China recently had a failure of their solid rocket fueled satellite launch vehicle.  However, this article does serve to point out the steps China is taking to become a major player in satellite launch business.