China launches new heavy rocket

At the end of 2019, China launched a new heavy lift rocket.  This rocket is said to form the basis of the Chinese plans to have their own space station as well as launch missions to Mars.  The US better stop dragging its feet. (post in memory of Mike Nofsinger)

Small thinking

In this story, the plans of the ESA and NASA are discussed in regard to getting samples of Martian soil back here for study….by 2031.  This is the perfect example of the small thinking that infects NASA. By 2031, Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos will have people on Mars, while the government spaceflight agencies diddle around. (post in memory of Mike Nofsinger)

Odd space news

Story here.  There is something deeply weird in Japanese culture right now.  It is as if the men have forgotten or lost interest in pursuing a spouse in any normal fashion. A 44 year old billionaire ought to not have much trouble finding female companionship. Jeff Bezos didn’t have any problem and he was married at the time. (post in memory of Mike Nofsinger)

Now all we have to do….

is figure out a way to get there.   A nice first step might be having people on the moon and Mars!  Actually, since the planet appears to be tidally locked, it might not be there best candidate, but we ought to have a look at some point. (post in memory of Mike Nofsinger)

Interesting space travel technology

Story here.  In the words of the great Instapundit, faster please. (post in memory of Mike Nofsinger)

We’ve got to get off of this rock

As regular readers know, spaceflight and exploration is one of the areas where I frequently link to news stories.  I am adamant that we need to get the US back into manned spaceflight and we need to get humanity out into the solar system.  It is stories like this that are one of the reasons why.  Sooner or later we are going to get smacked hard.  It would be better if we weren’t all in one place when that happens. (post in memory of Mike Nofsinger)

Boeing Starliner

NASA has put out a statement on the recent Boeing Starliner uncrewed mission test.  The mission failed to dock with the ISS because it failed to achieve the required orbit.  This statement makes clear that another uncrewed mission might be required by NASA, but it has not been decided yet. (post in memory of Mike Nofsinger)

SpaceX, on to Mars

More space news.  It looks like 2020 could turn out to be a banner year in spaceflight, much like 1961 and 1969.  I’ve waited about 45 years for this to happen.  I am glad to see it finally happening. (post in memory of Mike Nofsinger)

Space 2020

Here is a very nice rundown of all the space launches expected for 2020.  This looks to be a banner year for spaceflight including the return of the US putting its own astronauts in space again. (about damn time!)

Also, we are getting another close fly-by today.  We need a better system to detect these near Earth asteroids.

 

(post in memory of Mike Nofsinger, who is gone, but not forgotten.)

F*ck

Damn.  We need to get this done and get it right now. ( Post in memory of Mike Nofsinger who would be really pissed off right now.)