{"id":20493,"date":"2019-12-11T16:17:28","date_gmt":"2019-12-11T21:17:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=20493"},"modified":"2019-12-11T19:17:09","modified_gmt":"2019-12-12T00:17:09","slug":"space-transport-roundup-dec-11-2019","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=20493","title":{"rendered":"Space transport roundup &#8211; Dec.11.2019"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>A sampling of recent articles, videos, and images dealing with space transport (find <a href=\"http:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?cat=5\">previous roundups here<\/a>):<\/p>\n<p>[ <strong>Update<\/strong>: Statement from Blue about today&#8217;s New Shepard flight: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blueorigin.com\/new-shepard-mission-ns-12-updates\">Blue Origin | New Shepard Mission NS-12 Updates<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>New Shepard had a\u00a0wholly successful\u00a0mission on December\u00a011,\u00a02019.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>This mission was another step towards verifying New Shepard for human spaceflight as we continue to mature the safety and reliability of the vehicle.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>This was the 6th flight for this particular New Shepard vehicle. Blue Origin has so far reused two boosters five times each consecutively, so today marks a record with this booster completing its 6<sup>th<\/sup> flight to space and back.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>This particular rocket has been an operational payload vehicle for several flights, meaning there are no more updates to the system.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Here are some videos Blue posted this afternoon:<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/fmgEKw7s_ag?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/C68OFAJNwBU?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/fvky-qa8518?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<p>]<\/p>\n<p>** <a href=\"http:\/\/www.BlueOrigin.com\"><strong>Blue Origin<\/strong><\/a><strong> flew a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blueorigin.com\/new-shepard\/\">New Shepard<\/a> rocket vehicle today on its 6th mission to over 100 kilometers<\/strong>. The launch was postponed from Tuesday due to bad weather. Here is the webcast video (the liftoff is around the 40:15 point):<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/sUEj4dxPMbI?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<p>An earlier statement from Blue announcing the mission:<\/p>\n<div>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Blue Origin\u2019s next New Shepard mission (NS-12) is currently targeting liftoff tomorrow, December 10<sup>th<\/sup>\u00a0at 8:30 am CST \/ 14:30 UCT. Current weather conditions aren\u2019t as favorable as we\u2019d like, but we\u2019re continuing to keep an eye on the forecast.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>As we move towards verifying New Shepard for human spaceflight we are continuing to mature the safety and reliability of the vehicle.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>It\u2019s the 6th flight for this particular New Shepard vehicle, marking the first time a Blue Origin booster has made this many consecutive flights (the previous booster flew five times consecutively) &#8211; all with minimal refurbishment between flights. This particular rocket has been an operational payload vehicle for several flights, meaning there are no more updates to the system.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>This will also be the 9<sup>th<\/sup>\u00a0commercial payload mission for New Shepard, and we are proud to be flying our 100<sup>th<\/sup>\u00a0customer on board.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Also on the vehicle are thousands of postcards from students around the world for our nonprofit\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/blueorigin.us9.list-manage.com\/track\/click?u=ca4c14684ac1af3f1219b4382&amp;id=71d97bbf2e&amp;e=c97e4915fc\">Club for the Future<\/a>. The Club&#8217;s mission is to inspire future generations to pursue careers in STEM and help visualize the future of life in space.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>You can watch the launch live at\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/blueorigin.us9.list-manage.com\/track\/click?u=ca4c14684ac1af3f1219b4382&amp;id=49429b3a9f&amp;e=c97e4915fc\">BlueOrigin.com<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 the pre-show begins T-30 where Blue will provide more mission details and updates.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>To follow the action, we&#8217;ll be posting live updates on Instagram and Twitter.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Blue Origin\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/blueorigin.us9.list-manage.com\/track\/click?u=ca4c14684ac1af3f1219b4382&amp;id=28937f9029&amp;e=c97e4915fc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Twitter<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/blueorigin.us9.list-manage.com\/track\/click?u=ca4c14684ac1af3f1219b4382&amp;id=9a511a2080&amp;e=c97e4915fc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Instagram<\/a>\u00a0<\/em><br \/>\n<em>Club for Future\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/blueorigin.us9.list-manage.com\/track\/click?u=ca4c14684ac1af3f1219b4382&amp;id=082eda302d&amp;e=c97e4915fc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Twitter<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/blueorigin.us9.list-manage.com\/track\/click?u=ca4c14684ac1af3f1219b4382&amp;id=71cb7c0c77&amp;e=c97e4915fc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em>Instagram<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em><strong>New Shepard Mission NS-12 Notable Payloads Manifested:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><strong>OK Go<\/strong><br \/>\nEarlier this year we\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/blueorigin.us9.list-manage.com\/track\/click?u=ca4c14684ac1af3f1219b4382&amp;id=49adee47f7&amp;e=c97e4915fc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">partnered with rock band OK Go<\/a>\u00a0on a contest called\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/blueorigin.us9.list-manage.com\/track\/click?u=ca4c14684ac1af3f1219b4382&amp;id=f81d423bca&amp;e=c97e4915fc\">Art in Space<\/a>, giving\u00a0high school and middle school\u00a0students a chance to send art experiments into space on our New Shepard vehicle.\u00a0We are sending the two winning art projects on NS-12.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><strong>Columbia University<\/strong><br \/>\nOne of our educational payloads from Columbia University, designed and built by undergraduate students and advised by Dr. Michael Massimino (an astronaut), will study the acute impacts of microgravity environments on cell biology. This is crucial for humans living and working in space.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><strong>OSCAR<\/strong><br \/>\nOSCAR, which was led by principal investigator Dr. Annie Meier, is a recycling technology payload from NASA&#8217;s Kennedy Space Center. It is designed to create a mixture of gasses that could be used for propulsion or life support from common waste on a deep space human exploration mission. This is Blue\u2019s first full-stack payload, meaning there will be more room to do complex studies in flight.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>-Gradatim Ferociter<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>See also: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/2019\/12\/blue-origin-new-shepard-human-flight-12th-test\/\">Blue Origin moving to verify New Shepard for human flight with 12th test launch &#8211; NASASpaceFlight.com<\/a><\/p>\n<p>** <strong>Several orbital launches took place in the past week<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>***<strong> Dec.11<\/strong>:<strong> India launched a PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle)<\/strong> today with a radar imaging spy satellite on board. Liftoff happens at about 23:55 into this ISRO webcast video:<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/jkPawb9YaRw?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en&#038;autohide=2&#038;start=1435&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/2019\/12\/indian-pslv-launch-risat-2br1-military-satellite\/\">Indian PSLV launches RISAT-2BR1 military satellite &#8211; NASASpaceFlight.com<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/2019\/12\/11\/pslv-c48-mission-status-center\/\">Live coverage: India launches second PSLV mission in two weeks \u2013 Spaceflight Now<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[ <strong>Update<\/strong>: So many launches it&#8217;s hard to keep up. I left out this Russian Soyuz\u00a0 2-1b launch on Tuesday, <strong>Dec.10<\/strong>, which successfully put a navigation satellite into orbit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/2019\/12\/soyuz-2-1b-latest-glonass-plesetsk-pad-service\/\">Soyuz 2-1b launches latest GLONASS satellite &#8211; returns Plesetsk pad to service &#8211; NASASpaceFlight.com<\/a><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/JymhZh73vK8?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<p>]<\/p>\n<p>*** <strong>Dec. 7<\/strong>: <em>China launched two Kuaizhou-1A rockets within a few hours<\/em>, putting a total of seven satellites into orbit. This included the Jilin-1 Gaofen-2B remote sensing satellite for the Jilin constellation on the first launch and six smallsats on the second rocket:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.xinhuanet.com\/english\/2019-12\/07\/c_138612692.htm\">China launches new optical remote sensing satellite &#8211; Xinhua<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.xinhuanet.com\/english\/2019-12\/07\/c_138613450.htm\">China sends six satellites into orbit with single rocket &#8211; Xinhua<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/2019\/12\/china-double-kuaizhou-1a-launch-taiyuan\/\">China conducts double Kuaizhou-1A launch from Taiyuan &#8211; NASASpaceFlight.com<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/o15cC5HrTQQ?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<p>*** <strong>Dec. 6<\/strong>: <em>Russian Soyuz sent a Progress cargo vehicle to the ISS<\/em>: <a href=\"https:\/\/tass.com\/science\/1096471\">Russia\u2019s Progress MS-13 space freighter delivered into near-Earth orbit &#8211; TASS<\/a><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/o6pxImZSW3w?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<p>The spacecraft docked with the ISS on Monday.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/2019\/12\/09\/progress-ms-13-docking\/\">Progress docking marks second cargo ship arrival at space station in two days \u2013 Spaceflight Now<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.nasa.gov\/spacestation\/2019\/12\/09\/russian-space-freighter-docks-automatically-to-station\/\">Russian Space Freighter Docks Automatically to Station \u2013 Space Station\/NASA<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>*** <strong>Dec. 6<\/strong>: <em>Rocket Lab launched an Electron rocket for the 10th time<\/em>. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rocketlabusa.com\/news\/updates\/rocket-lab-launches-milestone-tenth-mission-completes-major-success-for-reusable-rocket-program\/\">Seven satellites<\/a> were placed into orbit. In addition, the first stage booster remained intact after plummeting back through the atmosphere in a guided flight all the way to splashdown. This is a positive indication for plans to recover the boosters\u00a0 and reuse them. This Electron was also the first to fly with a fully Autonomous Flight Termination System (AFTS).<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/QK9mQdar5_w?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rocketlabusa.com\/news\/updates\/rocket-lab-launches-milestone-tenth-mission-completes-major-success-for-reusable-rocket-program\/\">Rocket Lab launches milestone tenth mission, completes major success for reusable rocket program &#8211; Rocket Lab<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rocketlabusa.com\/news\/updates\/rocket-lab-debuts-fully-autonomous-flight-termination-system\/\">Rocket Lab Debuts Fully Autonomous Flight Termination System &#8211; Rocket Lab<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spacenews.com\/electron-launches-smallsats-in-test-of-rocket-reusability\/\">Electron launches smallsats in test of rocket reusability &#8211; SpaceNews.com<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>*** <strong>Dec. 5<\/strong>: <em>SpaceX Falcon 9 <a href=\"http:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=20441\">launched a Cargo Dragon<\/a> to the ISS<\/em>. The first stage successfully landed on a platform at sea.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/hZIi5m62wQY?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<p>The Dragon berthed to the station on Dec. 8th.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.nasa.gov\/spacex\/2019\/12\/05\/spacex-successfully-launches-19th-resupply-services-mission-to-space-station\/\">SpaceX Successfully Launches 19th Resupply Services Mission to Space Station \u2013 SpaceX<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.teslarati.com\/spacex-falcon-9-booster-recovery-milestone-dragon\/\">SpaceX just hit a major milestone on its launch to the space station &#8211; Teslarati<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.nasa.gov\/spacestation\/2019\/12\/08\/astronauts-capture-dragon-filled-with-brand-new-science\/\">Astronauts Capture Dragon Filled With Brand New Science \u2013 Space Station\/NASA<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.nasa.gov\/spacestation\/2019\/12\/08\/dragon-attached-to-station-for-month-long-stay\/\">Dragon Attached to Station for Month-Long Stay \u2013 Space Station\/NASA<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The <a href=\"http:\/\/www.USLaunchReport.com\">USLaunchReport.com team<\/a> posted this montage of scenes from before and during the Falcon 9 launch, plus they show the booster at Cape Canaveral and the retracting of the legs.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/XQep7fDjzbg?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<p>** <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.boeing.com\/space\/starliner\/\">Boeing Starliner<\/a> and Atlas V launcher are preparing for launch this month<\/strong>. The uncrewed\u00a0 test flight to the ISS is currently set for Dec.20th at 6:36 am EST from Cape Canaveral: <a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.nasa.gov\/commercialcrew\/2019\/12\/06\/boeing-uncrewed-flight-test-launch-date-update-2\/\">Boeing Uncrewed Flight Test Launch Date Update \u2013 Commercial Crew Program\/NASA<\/a><\/p>\n<p>**** <em>Starliner and Atlas V at SLC-41 for Wet Dress Rehearsal<\/em> &#8211; NASASpaceflight.com<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Q&amp;A from ULA&#8217;s Space Launch Complex 41 viewing Starliner atop its Atlas V Rocket in preparation for the upcoming OFT. More information on Starliner: News Site: <a class=\"yt-simple-endpoint style-scope yt-formatted-string\" spellcheck=\"false\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/?s=Starliner\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/?s=St&#8230;<\/a> Forum Section: <\/em><a class=\"yt-simple-endpoint style-scope yt-formatted-string\" spellcheck=\"false\" href=\"https:\/\/forum.nasaspaceflight.com\/index.php?board=75.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\"><em>https:\/\/forum.nasaspaceflight.com\/ind&#8230;<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/BlKY89sK7l0?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en&#038;autohide=2&#038;start=458&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<p>** <strong>Chinese rocket news items<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<p>**** <strong>Testing of an hydrogen-oxygen engine for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.globalsecurity.org\/space\/world\/china\/cz-8.htm\">Long March-8<\/a><\/strong>, which is expected to fly in 2020 for the first time:\u00a0 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.xinhuanet.com\/english\/2019-12\/02\/c_138600162.htm\">China&#8217;s Long March-8 rocket successfully passes engine test &#8211; Xinhua<\/a><\/p>\n<p>**** <strong>An upper stage solid fuel motor test, this time by the Chinese company <a href=\"http:\/\/www.info-clipper.com\/en\/company\/china\/galaxy-space-communication-technology-co-ltd.cnd964x7r.html\">Galaxy Space<\/a><\/strong> (<span class=\"article-content\">Beijing Xinghe Dongli Space Technology Co. Ltd.<\/span>): <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ecns.cn\/news\/sci-tech\/2019-12-05\/detail-ifzrnvym4351915.shtml\">Chinese private rocket complete the third phase engine thermo ground test &#8211; ecns.cn<\/a><\/p>\n<p>** <strong>Europe&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Space_Rider\">Space Rider<\/a> uncrewed space plane to fly in 2022<\/strong>. The latest ESA budget includes full funding for the project, which has been led by Italy:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spacenews.com\/italy-satisfied-with-outcome-of-esa-ministerial\/\">Italy satisfied with outcome of ESA ministerial &#8211; SpaceNews.com<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thalesgroup.com\/en\/worldwide\/space\/magazine\/pioneering-future-reusable-space-transportation-vehicules\">Pioneering the future of reusable space transportation vehicles | Thales Group<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure id=\"attachment_20510\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20510\" style=\"width: 485px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"20510\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?attachment_id=20510\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Space_Rider_pillars_cropped.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"485,463\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Space Rider\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;ESA&amp;#8217;s Space Rider.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Space_Rider_pillars_cropped.jpg\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20510\" src=\"http:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Space_Rider_pillars_cropped.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"485\" height=\"463\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-20510\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">ESA&#8217;s Space Rider.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>** <strong>Balloons can&#8217;t reach space but balloon tanks can<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/KWExql1xCsM?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<p>**<strong> The <a href=\"https:\/\/isec.org\/\">Int. Space Elevator Consortium<\/a> (SEC) posts an update on space elevator development<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/isec.z2systems.com\/np\/clients\/isec\/viewOnlineEmail.jsp?emailId=0413a1485c90e9ed4ec06fc687c86b620m875212041\">ISEC Newsletter &#8211; Dec.2019\/Jan.2020<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Road to the Space Elevator Era: This International Academy of Astronautics study report (4 years by 30 global space experts) was &#8220;released&#8221; during the IAC [2019] at the Robert Heinlein Prize Trust Booth (publisher). The report has significant inputs from ISEC and our members. Several of the ISEC concepts from our Chief Architect were accepted into the book and stood tall. These would include several of Fitzer&#8217;s Architectural Notes and his concept of a Galactic Harbour being a combination of a transportation infrastructure and an enterprise zone. This internationally endorsed study report again portrays an aggressive approach towards implementation of SEs. ISEC was instrumental in the content of the book and the editing of the content &#8211; as such, this year&#8217;s distribution of the document at the IAC was a &#8220;win-win.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n<p>** <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.spacex.com\">SpaceX<\/a><\/strong>:<\/p>\n<p>**** As usual, lots of activities underway across the wide range of SpaceX projects. Here are four upcoming Falcon 9 launches:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Dec. 16<\/strong>: Launch from Cape Canaveral of the Boeing built JCSAT 18\/Kacific 1 comm-sat for SKY Perfect JSAT Corp. of Japan and Kacific Broadband Satellites of Singapore.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Late Dec<\/strong>: Starlink-2 launch of a batch of 60 operational Starlink satellites.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Jan.4<\/strong>: A &#8220;no-earlier-than&#8217; (NET) date for the in-flight abort test in which a Crew Dragon spacecraft will separate from the Falcon 9 about a minute after to liftoff. This will simulate the<\/li>\n<li><strong>Early Jan<\/strong>: Starlink-3 launch of the third batch of 60 Starlink satellites<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Articles about these flights:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.teslarati.com\/spacex-starlink-satellite-launch-second-announcement\/\">SpaceX announces second Starlink satellite launch in two weeks &#8211; Teslarati<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.teslarati.com\/spacex-crew-dragon-in-flight-abort-launch-date\/\">SpaceX Crew Dragon In-Flight Abort test gets its first firm launch date &#8211; Teslarati<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.nasa.gov\/commercialcrew\/2019\/12\/06\/spacex-in-flight-abort-test-launch-date-update\/\">SpaceX In-Flight Abort Test Launch Date Update \u2013 Commercial Crew Program\/NASA<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>**** <strong>A crewed Dragon flight to the ISS could happen as early as February<\/strong> if the in-flight abort and parachute tests are successful:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/2019\/12\/07\/after-redesigns-the-finish-line-is-in-sight-for-spacexs-crew-dragon\/\">After redesigns, the finish line is in sight for SpaceX\u2019s Crew Dragon spaceship \u2013 Spaceflight Now<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.teslarati.com\/spacex-crew-dragon-parachutes-nasa-astronauts\/\">SpaceX&#8217;s Crew Dragon parachutes are almost ready for NASA astronauts &#8211; Teslarati<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>**** <strong>The Falcon upper stage successfully fired after coasting for a several hours<\/strong> following the release of the Cargo Dragon in last week&#8217;s mission discussed above. Such a capability is required for some types of satellite missions, especially for the military.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spacenews.com\/falcon-9-cargo-mission-for-nasa-demonstrated-long-duration-coast-required-by-u-s-air-force\/\">Falcon 9 cargo mission for NASA demonstrated long-duration coast required by U.S. Air Force &#8211; SpaceNews.com<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/2019\/12\/08\/falcon-9-performs-extended-mission-in-test-for-future-u-s-military-launches\/\">Falcon 9 performs extended mission in test for future U.S. military launches \u2013 Spaceflight Now<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>**** <strong>SpaceX plans to provide <\/strong><strong>low cost launch services for smallsats on a fixed schedule.\u00a0<\/strong> This will mean tough competition for small rocket launch providers. The use of <a href=\"https:\/\/momentus.space\/\">Momentus<\/a> space tugs will also allow smallsats released from the Falcon to reach a wide array of orbits. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fool.com\/investing\/2019\/12\/02\/spacexs-first-rideshare-customer-means-competition.aspx\" target=\"_d\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">SpaceX&#8217;s First Rideshare Customer Means Competition for Northrop &#8211; Motley Fool<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The article exaggerates the threat, though, to Northrop&#8217;s Mission Extension Vehicles (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.northropgrumman.com\/Capabilities\/SpaceLogistics\/Documents\/MEV_Factsheet.pdf\">MEVs<\/a>). These are intended to keep large comm-sats in geostationary orbit in operation after they have run out of station-keeping fuel. The SpaceX and Momentus services are focused on low earth orbit missions for smallsats.<\/p>\n<p>**** <strong>Starlink internet services need low cost ground station equipment<\/strong> if the project is to be financially successful: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2019\/12\/09\/business\/spacex-starlink-antenna-user-terminal-scn\/index.html\" target=\"_d\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">SpaceX wants to be your WiFi provider. This could be the company&#8217;s biggest hurdle &#8211; CNN.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>SpaceX hopes to meet the demands of astronomers to reduce the glow of the Starlink satellites: <a href=\"https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/2019\/12\/09\/spacex-to-experiment-with-less-reflective-satellite-coatings-on-next-starlink-launch\/\">SpaceX to experiment with less-reflective satellite coatings on next Starlink launch \u2013 Spaceflight Now<\/a><\/p>\n<p>**** <strong>Recent Starship activities<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Boca Chica Beach, Texas:\n<ul>\n<li>Disassembly of the Mk.1 lower propulsion section that blew off its top during a pressure test <a href=\"http:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=20311\">on Nov.20th<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Mk.3 Starship assembly started with work on structural bands.<\/li>\n<li>Construction of launch pad, control center, and other facilities.<\/li>\n<li>Arrival of components from the Florida site via SpaceX ship.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Florida:\n<ul>\n<li>Scaling down of Starship assembly activities in favor of focusing on Starship building in Texas<\/li>\n<li>Construction of Super Heavy Booster\/Starship launch facility at Pad 39A at KSC<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Here are articles and videos about these developments:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/2019\/12\/spacex-mk3-texas-florida-starship-builds\/\">SpaceX expediting Mk3 construction in Texas, pausing Florida-based Starship builds &#8211; NASASpaceFlight.com<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.teslarati.com\/spacex-starship-launch-mount-installation-florida\/amp\/\" target=\"_d\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">SpaceX begins Starship launch mount installation at historic Pad 39A in Florida &#8211; TESLARATI<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>**** <strong>Boca Chica, Texas<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>****** <strong>A LabPadre report<\/strong> on events in Boca Chica:<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/w6LH5nhny4E?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<p>****** <strong>Arrival of components from Florida<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>12.08.2019 Go Discovery entered the Brazos Santiago at 7:18 AM local time. Spectacular view of SpaceX bulk head and stands being delivered to Boca Chica complex. Dolphins at the bow at <a class=\"yt-simple-endpoint style-scope yt-formatted-string\" spellcheck=\"false\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=HRJ0NEXMrfM&amp;t=120s\">2:00<\/a> min mark. All images are explicitly owned by LabPadre Media<\/em><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/HRJ0NEXMrfM?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<p>****** <strong>SpaceX Boca Chica &#8211; Taking apart Starship Mk1<\/strong> &#8211; NASASpaceflight<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Disassembly of Starship Mk1 is in the final stages ahead of the stacking of Mk3. Sunrise. Normal speed disasembly, then additional clips in timelapse. Footage and photos from Mary (@bocachicagal) for NSF.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Ef1RZvzAMOU?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<p>****<strong> New SpaceX Launch Control Center at Boca Chica, Texas<\/strong> &#8211; LabPadre &#8211; Dec.3.2019<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>It appears that SpaceX is breaking ground for their new launch control center here at Boca Chica, Texas. Fast paced progress ahead for the push of MK-3. Video Credit: Maria Pointer<\/em><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/-rbjaKP5dkg?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<p>** <strong>Florida Starship facility <\/strong>&#8211; Aerial view via John Winkopp &#8211; Dec.6.2019:<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Aerial view, still not much changed, more equipment on the way out. One large piece of wing root has been placed in the blue container for shipping. All of the sheets of steel that was in the On Deck Area has been shipped out.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/v6c-FhBib84?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>===<\/em><strong><em> Amazon Ad <\/em><\/strong><em>===<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/gp\/product\/147667924X\/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=147667924X&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=hobbyspace&amp;linkId=3b8e83c253c17722a02e7535efd94eb4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Alcohol in Space: Past, Present and Future<\/a><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;\" src=\"\/\/ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/e\/ir?t=hobbyspace&amp;l=am2&amp;o=1&amp;a=147667924X\" alt=\"\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" border=\"0\" \/><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><iframe style=\"width: 120px; height: 240px;\" src=\"\/\/ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;OneJS=1&amp;Operation=GetAdHtml&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;source=ac&amp;ref=tf_til&amp;ad_type=product_link&amp;tracking_id=hobbyspace&amp;marketplace=amazon&amp;region=US&amp;placement=147667924X&amp;asins=147667924X&amp;linkId=b25a7eeecad6d5dd1a409f6d97005f69&amp;show_border=true&amp;link_opens_in_new_window=true&amp;price_color=333333&amp;title_color=0066c0&amp;bg_color=ffffff\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A sampling of recent articles, videos, and images dealing with space transport (find previous roundups here): [ Update: Statement from Blue about today&#8217;s New Shepard flight: Blue Origin | New Shepard Mission NS-12 Updates New Shepard had a\u00a0wholly successful\u00a0mission on December\u00a011,\u00a02019.\u00a0 This mission was another step towards verifying New Shepard for human spaceflight as we &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=20493\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Space transport roundup &#8211; Dec.11.2019<\/span> <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-20493","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-rockets"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p34aWK-5kx","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":15926,"url":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=15926","url_meta":{"origin":20493,"position":0},"title":"Videos: Blue Origin New Shepard reaches new max altitude on latest test flight","author":"TopSpacer","date":"April 30, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"On Sunday, Blue Origin flew an un-crewed New Shepard\u00a0fully reusable rocket vehicle to 107 kilometers (351,000 feet or 66.5 miles), well above the internationally recognized border to space. Before reaching apogee the system split into two parts - the booster and the crew capsule. The booster used its rocket engine\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Rockets&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Rockets","link":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?cat=5"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Liftoff-1024x576.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":17615,"url":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=17615","url_meta":{"origin":20493,"position":1},"title":"Blue Origin flies New Shepard reusable rocket vehicle to edge of space","author":"TopSpacer","date":"January 23, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Blue Origin today successfully flew a New Shepard reusable suborbital rocket vehicle to over 100 km altitude. There were eight research experiments aboard the capsule, which separated from the booster after its engine ended its burn. The booster made a powered landing while the capsule returned via parachutes. The flight\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;micro-g R&amp;D&quot;","block_context":{"text":"micro-g R&amp;D","link":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?cat=95"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/img.youtube.com\/vi\/YUzYCDbDlnc\/0.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":12446,"url":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=12446","url_meta":{"origin":20493,"position":2},"title":"Video: Blue Origin flies its New Shepard rocket to space and back","author":"TopSpacer","date":"April 4, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Blue Origin, the space\u00a0company owned by Jeff Bezos of Amazon.com fame, flew their New Shepard reusable suborbital rocket vehicle for the third time last Saturday. The rocket takes off with the\u00a0rocket booster and crew capsule connected together but just above 100 km in altitude\u00a0the two separate. The crew capsule falls\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Rockets&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Rockets","link":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?cat=5"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/img.youtube.com\/vi\/YU3J-jKb75g\/0.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":16428,"url":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=16428","url_meta":{"origin":20493,"position":3},"title":"Videos: Highlights of the Blue Origin Mission 9 New Shepard flight","author":"TopSpacer","date":"July 21, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Here is a brief video showing highlights of the Blue Origin's New Shepard flight on Wednesday: https:\/\/youtu.be\/aFY_0vIIzQE And this video shows some scenes from a pre-launch briefing: An inside look at the Flight Readiness Review leading up to a successful Mission 9 #nevergetsold pic.twitter.com\/0FHbBjV8Jt \u2014 Blue Origin (@blueorigin) July 19,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Rockets&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Rockets","link":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?cat=5"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/img.youtube.com\/vi\/aFY_0vIIzQE\/0.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":17347,"url":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=17347","url_meta":{"origin":20493,"position":4},"title":"Two rockets set to launch: A SpaceX Falcon 9 and Blue Origin&#8217;s New Shepard","author":"TopSpacer","date":"December 17, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"[ Update Dec.18 #3: : All the launches set for today have been scrubbed: To recap today: Falcon 9: scrubbed due to vehicle issue New Shepard: scrubbed due to ground equipment issue Soyuz: scrubbed due to high upper-level winds Delta 4 Heavy: scrubbed due to high ground-level winds. https:\/\/t.co\/peVmRqm0yK \u2014\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;micro-g R&amp;D&quot;","block_context":{"text":"micro-g R&amp;D","link":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?cat=95"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/img.youtube.com\/vi\/UMtpVS0xM1c\/0.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":16411,"url":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=16411","url_meta":{"origin":20493,"position":5},"title":"Video: Watch Blue Origin&#8217;s New Shepard fly to space from West Texas","author":"TopSpacer","date":"July 18, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"[\u00a0Update 11:31 EDT: The flight was a success. The crew capsule fired its abort engine and the capsule reached nearly 120 km, considerably higher than previous flights. (100 km is generally accepted as the border line to space.) Here are a couple of screen captures from the webcast: There will\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Events&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Events","link":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?cat=37"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Liftoff-1024x768.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20493","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=20493"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20493\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20521,"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20493\/revisions\/20521"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=20493"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=20493"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=20493"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}