Congrats to SpaceX (yet again)

SpaceX launches, orbits and recovers the first all civilian space crew.  This is big.  Also, nice to see St. Jude getting some donations from the flight.  I’ll say it again. Thanks God for Elon Musk!

The Chinese are serious about space

And we need to be too.

Example 1

Example 2

Now, none of this is stuff the US hasn’t done, but the Chinese have already caught up technologically in a lot of areas.  There is no reason to believe that they won’t catch up in space, and quickly.

Space stuff

ULA and Blue Origin are having trouble delivering engines for their new launch platform.

The Chinese are looking to build a moon lander.  Hopefully Elon will get there before them.

A Russian rocket is going to fall out of orbit and burn up. (metaphor alert)

(All links in memory of Mike Nofsinger who would love the crap out of all of this.)

Bezos joins the billionaire space club

Congrats Jeff. (post in memory of Mike Nofsinger)

ISS gets an upgrade

The ISS is getting a new Russian science module.  The interesting part to me is that instead of adding to the ISS, the old science module will be detached and de-orbited.(post in memory of Mike Nofsinger)

Chinese space success

I noted here that the Chinese had launch their first manned space mission in 5 years. The three man crew successfully reached the Chinese space station module.  The race is on. (post in memory of Mike Nofsinger)

Space race

The space race is on.  China just launched the first three astronauts to the first module of their space station.  They will spend the next few years constructing it.  China is serious and we need to be too. (post in memory of Mike Nofsinger)

A private space mission

A December crew dragon mission will take a private space crew to the ISS.  The times we live in. (post in memory of Mike Nofsinger who would be on the list for sure.)

Big, if true.

Elon Musk claims that SpaceX is cranking out a Raptor rocket engine every 48hrs.  If that is true it is an amazing production feat.  It is also what is required to get to the level of spaceflight that the US needs. (post in memory of Mike Nofsinger)

There is no assurance of safety in space

Space is an inherently dangerous place.  This was demonstrated in a small way by this story.  In addition, the story contains a nice summary of Canada’s space contributions.