Yes, we do need to be able to reconstitute quickly, but rapid launch is not the solution. The solution is to base in ELEO.
Category Archives: Space
Developing Space
In which I am interviewed by SpaceTech Gulf.
[Late-morning update]
How Starship will change humanity.
It’s a similar theme to my piece from a couple years ago.
Metal-Ceramic Alloys
This seems like a pretty big materials breakthrough.
The End Of The Silicon Valley Dream
Reflections from Joel Kotkin.
Another Delay
Might be weather. That pushes it to at least Friday.
[Wednesday-evening update]
Yes, as noted in comments, apparently the launch is back on for tomorrow morning. Elon must have really wanted to do it on 4/20.
[Bumped]
[Late-evening update]
[Thursday-morning update]
Well, the excitement happened. It will be interesting to see the post mortem, but just getting off the pad and through max-Q were major milestones for the first flight of such a beast.
[Afternoon update]
Here‘s Eric Berger’s take.
And more thoughts from Blake Powers.
Marina Koren’s story on Elon’s explosive day.
Ariane 6
This was perfectly predictable, and I (and others) predicted it. It was obsolete from its inception.
Starship Is Still Not Understood
I missed this the first time around, about a year and a half ago, but it parallels many of the points that I made in my piece at The New Atlantis about the same time.
[Update late morning]
Airbus seems to be getting serious about space. I don’t see how the centrifuge helps all that much, though. The radius is too small for significant gravity, though it would help a lot to put the plumbing in it.
How To Watch Starship
Some tips, and commentary from Bob Zimmerman.
[Monday-morning update]
OK, the guaranteed excitement didn’t happen today. But to be fair, the guarantee only applied if they actually got to T-0. Anyway, they should be able to resolve the pressurization issue for the next attempt.
Make Your Flight-Test Predictions
[Late-afternoon update]
Go for Monday. SpaceX has gotten their launch license.
That means I have to get up at an ungodly hour to see the launch (window opens at 0500 PDT).
What’s Been Happening AT Starbase
A deep dive.