Category Archives: Business

Business, Political Commentary, Space, Technology and Society

Business As Usual

February 21, 2026 Rand Simberg 11 Comments

After overnight data showed an interruption in helium flow in the SLS interim cryogenic propulsion stage, teams are troubleshooting and preparing for a likely rollback of Artemis II to the VAB at @NASAKennedy. This will almost assuredly impact the March launch window. @NASA will…
— NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman (@NASAAdmin) February 21, 2026

Looks like April now (at best). Also looks like Starship 3 before Artemis II.

[Update a few minutes later]

pic.twitter.com/vcpmgCB90q
— Petr Kraus (@PetrKraus42) February 21, 2026

[Afternoon update]

Sorry, second X post fixed now.

Business, Media Criticism, Political Commentary, Space, Technology and Society

Brutal

February 19, 2026 Rand Simberg 32 Comments

The new NASA administrator’s assessment of both NASA and Boeing’s performance on Commercial Crew:

Below is the note that I sent to the NASA workforce today as we release the report on the Starliner Crew Flight Test Investigation.

We will achieve success through extreme ownership, immense competence, and decisive action. pic.twitter.com/UoXI25PFOQ
— NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman (@NASAAdmin) February 19, 2026

[Late-afternoon update]

I don’t think that “Yikes!” really covers the waterfront here:

A sort of summary page I found in the Starliner PDF. Highlights are my own on things I find the most interesting. pic.twitter.com/rlzEn3J8tx
— Ken Kirtland IV (@KenKirtland17) February 19, 2026

Here‘s Eric Berger’s story.

[Evening update]

Thoughts from Bob Zimmerman.

Business, Economics, Political Commentary, War Commentary

The Manchurian Candidate

February 16, 2026 Rand Simberg Leave a comment

Why Xi wants Gavin.

Business, Economics, Political Commentary, Space, Technology and Society

About That Wet Dress Rehearsal

February 16, 2026 Rand Simberg 7 Comments

Jared responds to Eric Berger:

I will just say we are leaning forward with transparency, sharing the blemishes and the successes, because for a program as costly and important to national security as Artemis, the public is entitled to the facts.

– The confidence test related to the seals we repaired and…
— NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman (@NASAAdmin) February 14, 2026

He remains hostage to the politics, until Starship has shown its mettle. Also…