Steven Clark says it could happen.
Category Archives: Space
Twenty-Two Years On
Here is what I wrote in the immediate aftermath of the loss of Columbia. You can follow the link to “Next Post” at the bottom to see subsequent posts in the subsequent days. My first speculative guess (TPS damage) turned out to be correct.
[Update a while later]
A golden oldie from that time.
Onward To Mars
Recommendations for fixing NASA from Bob Zubrin (I haven’t read the whole thing yet).
Off The Air
I’m at DFW, on my way to Orlando via West Palm Beach, to attend the Global Spaceport Alliance, Space Mobility, and SpaceCom conferences, so posting will probably be light.
Off The Air
I’m flying to Orlando tomorrow for three space conferences through Thursday. I’ll take my laptop, but posting may be sporadic.
Jared Isaacman
Demystifying him.
This reminds me of the last time Hubble needed repairs two decades ago, and Sean O’Keefe didn’t want to risk a crew on it after Columbia. When Mike Griffin came in, he reversed the decision. I won’t be surprised if the same thing happens this time.
Phil McALister
What he would have done differently on Commercial Crew.
A Civilizational Fork In The Road
Glenn Reynolds says seize the day.
Mars
Elon Musk speaking ahead of President Donald Trump: “It is thanks to you that the future of civilization is assured. We're going to have safe cities — finally — secure borders, sensible spending. Basic stuff. And we're going to take DOGE to Mars!” pic.twitter.com/jO7NRSzcAP
— America (@america) January 20, 2025
This is the most visionary president on space policy since Ronald Reagan.
[Late-afternoon update]
New IFT-7 Schedule
From SpaceX: “SpaceX is targeting Thursday, January 16 for the seventh flight test of Starship from Starbase in Cameron County, Texas. The 60-minute test window opens at 4:00 p.m. CT. “
[Thursday-afternoon update]
This is the moment of RUD and start of reentry.
— John Ringo SF Author (@Jringo1508) January 16, 2025
The incredible part to me a cuspal Boomer/X is ACTUALLY SEEING THIS NEARLY LIVE FROM A FREAKING CRUISE SHIP AND THE TURKS AND CAICOS.
We already live in a science fiction future, people. This is why my job IS SO FREAKING HARD! https://t.co/KVyCDIrS1a
[Friday-morning update]
The booster flight was a success, the ship flight was 1/4 successful, hence cup being ~5/8 full.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 17, 2025
New ship forward flaps, higher thrust engines and tile adherence on ascent were tested.
Improved heat shield performance was the only major thing that wasn’t tested, along with the…
For those wondering where this is pic.twitter.com/YxYlNlGoXU
— gabo (@0bgabo) January 16, 2025
[Bumped]