SpaceX isn’t the only company recovering rockets for reuse. Story here. Rocket Lab out of New Zealand is doing the same, thought differently and on a much smaller rocket.
Speaking of SpaceX, they had another launch over the weekend as well. Space launches are becoming a weekly, if not daily occurrence. This is great news. (post in memory of Mike Nofsinger)
Story here. This makes perfect sense. You’d never get enough solar power for large scale power generation. Until we get fusion, a nuclear fission reactor is the only reasonable way to power large scale human development on the Moon and Mars. (post in memory of Mike Nofsinger)
Is still chugging along. I remember as a kid the photos from Voyager 1 and 2. They are an inspiration for us to keep exploring. (post in memory of Mike Nofsinger)
ESA loses another rocket and 2 satellites. Story here. If you needed any more proof of the superiority of private enterprise, SpaceX is example #1. (post in memory of Mike Nofsinger)
It appears that the ESA’s competitor to the SpaceX Falcon 9 won’t fly until mid-2022. Heck, at that point, Elon and company will be on their way to Mars. (post in memory of Mike Nofsinger)
SpaceX may use its future Starship to clean up orbital debris on its way back and forth to the Moon and Mars. Story here. Is there anything Elon can’t do? (post in memory of Mike Nofsinger)
Sitting here watching the Dragon Crew-1 capsule docking with the ISS. Missing Mike Nofsinger and wishing I could be sharing this joy. I know he and I would be texting back and forth.
The US is officially back in the manned space flight business now that NASA has certified the SpaceX Dragon capsule for regular use. Story here. The first regular launch carrying 3 US and 1 Japanese astronaut for NASA and JAXA respectively is scheduled to take place tomorrow night at 7:49 p.m.
Even more interestingly, next year SpaceX will fly an entirely private crew to the ISS for a company called Axiom Space. Story here. (Post in memory of Mike Nofsinger, who I so wish was still around to talk to him about all this.)
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)
Next Tuesday, if all goes well, a NASA mission will sample an asteroid and then return the retrieved sample to earth. JAXA has done the same thing already and its probe is on its way back to earth with the sample.
The information that we gain will tell us many things, including whether or not such mining might be economically feasible. It should also help in determining the best way to deflect such a body should one be found to be on a collision course with earth. (post in memory of Mike Nofsinger, who would find this way cool)
