{"id":20634,"date":"2019-12-31T15:00:26","date_gmt":"2019-12-31T20:00:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=20634"},"modified":"2019-12-31T15:49:22","modified_gmt":"2019-12-31T20:49:22","slug":"space-transport-roundup-dec-31-2019","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=20634","title":{"rendered":"Space transport roundup &#8211; Dec.31.2019"},"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>China&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Long_March_5\">Long March 5<\/a> heavy lift rocket placed a satellite into geostationary transfer orbit<\/strong> last Friday in a successful return to flight following a failure on the second launch of the system in 2017.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/2019\/12\/long-march-5-critical-rtf-mission\/\">Long March 5 conducts critical Return To Flight mission &#8211; NASASpaceFlight.com<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/2019\/12\/27\/successful-long-march-5-launch-paves-way-for-new-chinese-space-missions\/\">Successful Long March 5 launch paves way for new Chinese space missions \u2013 Spaceflight Now<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.chinadaily.com.cn\/a\/201912\/27\/WS5e060979a310cf3e355812a1.html\">China&#8217;s largest satellite enters orbit &#8211; Chinadaily.com.cn<\/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\/LPHPKeFLecg?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<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">China&#8217;s largest rocket, the Long March-5, returned to flight in a dazzling nighttime launch in Hainan Province <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/o25EBwB49E\">pic.twitter.com\/o25EBwB49E<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 China Xinhua News (@XHNews) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/XHNews\/status\/1210909999775600641?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 28, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>China can now proceed with a series of important launches including a Mars rover in July, a new crew spacecraft in September, and the Chang&#8217;e 5 lunar sample return mission in late 2020. The LM-5 is also needed for the\u00a0 launch of modules for a new space station that begins assembly in 2021.<\/p>\n<p>** <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.istellartech.com\/\" target=\"_d\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Interstellar Technologies<\/a> to carry out the<\/strong><strong> fifth launch of an <\/strong><strong>suborbital <\/strong><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.istellartech.com\/technology_en\/momo_en\">MOMO<\/a> rocket<\/strong> in Japan. The liftoff planned forlast\u00a0 Saturday was <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/natsuroke\/status\/1211049322848104450\">scrubbed<\/a>:<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>MOMO-F5 sounding rocket countdown has been halted due to range safety and technical issue. Launch is scrubbed for this window.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Next launch attempt is <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/natsuroke\/status\/1211790889439285248\">currently set<\/a> for January 1st. Get updates on the next launch attempt at <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/natsuroke\/status\/1211046015974772736\">Interstellar Technologies, Inc. (@natsuroke) | Twitter<\/a><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_20636\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20636\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/natsuroke\/status\/1211037905012981760\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"20636\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?attachment_id=20636\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/OnPad_1.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"1200,900\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" 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=\"MOMO on Pad\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;MOMO on pad&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/OnPad_1-1024x768.jpg\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-20636\" src=\"http:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/OnPad_1-500x375.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/OnPad_1-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/OnPad_1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/OnPad_1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/OnPad_1.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-20636\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">MOMO-F5 on pad<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"ja\">\u73fe\u5728\u3001\u5c04\u5834\u3067\u306f\u683c\u7d0d\u5eab\u304b\u3089\u5c04\u70b9\u3078\u306e\u6a5f\u4f53\u306e\u79fb\u52d5\u304c\u5b8c\u4e86\u3057\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/MOMO5%E5%8F%B7%E6%A9%9F?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#MOMO5\u53f7\u6a5f<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/MomoF5?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#MomoF5<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/InterstellarTechnologies?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#InterstellarTechnologies<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/rjTotGSCeO\">pic.twitter.com\/rjTotGSCeO<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 \u306a\u3064\u306e\u30ed\u30b1\u30c3\u30c8\u56e3\u516c\u5f0f\/Interstellar Technologies, Inc. (@natsuroke) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/natsuroke\/status\/1210959970599985154?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 28, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>The event will be live-streamed.<\/p>\n<p>** <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/starlinerupdates.com\/starliner\/\">Boeing Starliner<\/a> Calypso returned unscathed by launch and reentry<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/starlinerupdates.com\/starliner-data-collected-ahead-of-spacecraft-move\/\">Starliner Data Collected Ahead of Spacecraft Move &#8211;\u00a0 Boeing<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spacenews.com\/starliner-in-good-shape-after-shortened-test-flight\/\">Starliner in good shape after shortened test flight &#8211; SpaceNews.com<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Boeing emphasized the good condition of the spacecraft, which showed \u201clittle scorching\u201d from reentry and used only a fraction of its onboard propellant reserved for reentry, which the company said confirmed aerodynamic models of the spacecraft. The interior of the Starliner cabin appeared the same after landing as it did before its Dec. 20 launch from Cape Canaveral, the company noted, evidence that \u201cthe Starliner\u2019s fully operational life support system functioned as intended and the layout of the interior is well-suited to support crew members in the future.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>The statement, though, provided no updates on the timer problem <a href=\"https:\/\/spacenews.com\/starliner-lands-in-new-mexico\/\">that turned what was originally an eight-day mission into a two-day one without a planned docking at the International Space Station<\/a>. The spacecraft\u2019s mission elapsed timer, which is set by communicating with its Atlas 5 rocket prior to liftoff, was off by 11 hours. That caused the spacecraft to think it was on the wrong phase of its mission after separation from the rocket\u2019s upper stage, triggering thruster firings that used excessive amounts of fuel until ground controllers could take over and turn off the thrusters.<\/em><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_20639\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20639\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/starlinerupdates.com\/starliner-data-collected-ahead-of-spacecraft-move\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"20639\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?attachment_id=20639\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Landing_1.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"1200,723\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" 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=\"Starliner After Landing\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Starliner &amp;#8220;Calypso after landing at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Landing_1-1024x617.jpg\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-20639\" src=\"http:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Landing_1-500x301.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"301\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Landing_1-500x301.jpg 500w, https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Landing_1-1024x617.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Landing_1-768x463.jpg 768w, https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Landing_1.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-20639\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Starliner &#8220;Calypso&#8221; after landing at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>** <a href=\"https:\/\/virginorbit.com\"><strong>Virgin Orbi<\/strong><\/a><strong>t nears first flight of the <a href=\"https:\/\/virginorbit.com\/technology\/\">LauncherOne<\/a><\/strong> rocket: <a href=\"https:\/\/virginorbit.com\/in-one-year-and-out-the-other\/\">In One Year and Out the Other | Virgin Orbit<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Now, we\u2019re getting ready to shift all of our operations to the customized 747 that serves as our fully mobile launch site. Parked at \u201cthe hammerhead,\u201d a part of the taxiway adjoining the primary runway at the Mojave Air and Spaceport, we\u2019ll do the final mate of the rocket to Cosmic Girl and run through our rehearsals again.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>In January, we plan to have Chief Test Pilot Kelly Latimer and the rest of our flight crew guide us through one more taxi test with the mated rocket and an additional captive carry test with our orbital flight hardware. Then, we\u2019ll be ready to light this candle and conduct our launch demonstration.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>For years, everything\u2019s been building: our team, our market, our technical expertise, and our enthusiasm. As 2019 draws to a close, we\u2019re stronger and smarter than we\u2019ve ever been before, and feeling ready to rock. To stay in the loop, follow us on <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Virgin_Orbit\">Twitter<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/virginorbit\/\">Facebook<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/virgin.orbit\/\">Instagram<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/17982385\/admin\/\">LinkedIn<\/a>.<\/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\/PrRvqVhX-xA?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>** <a href=\"https:\/\/firefly.com\/\"><strong>Firefly Aerospace<\/strong><\/a><strong> also nearing debut of the <a href=\"https:\/\/firefly.com\/launch-alpha\/\">Alpha<\/a><\/strong> smallsat launcher:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Firefly has begun Alpha Stage 1 Qualification testing, the last major milestone of Alpha development. We&#8217;ve installed the stage, which includes four Reaver engines, on Firefly\u2019s TS2. We&#8217;ll begin hotfire testing soon, culminating in multiple 165 sec full mission duty cycle tests. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/lUULGH3gHo\">pic.twitter.com\/lUULGH3gHo<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Firefly Aerospace (@Firefly_Space) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Firefly_Space\/status\/1211669188688990213?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 30, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>** <strong>The Chinese SIASAIL-I sail passes deployment tests<\/strong> following launch <a href=\"https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/2019\/09\/12\/china-launches-earth-observing-satellites-solar-sail-experiment\/\">last September<\/a>. The sail, developed by the Shenyang Institute of Automation (SIA), was packed within a CubeSat and successfully deployed in orbit. Although structurally the same as a <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Solar_sail\">solar sail<\/a>, this sail test\u00a0 is apparently aimed not at demonstrating net solar propulsion but at acceleration of spacecraft de-orbiting by increasing the drag through the minute amount of atmosphere\u00a0 in low earth orbit.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.chinadaily.com.cn\/a\/201912\/27\/WS5e05eff1a310cf3e3558128c.html\">Solar sail in earth orbit is big breakthrough for China &#8211; Chinadaily.com.cn<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.xinhuanet.com\/english\/2019-12\/30\/c_138667092.htm\">China&#8217;s first solar sail verifies key technologies in orbit &#8211; Xinhua<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>From China Daily:<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>[Liu Jinguo, deputy director of the SIA Space Automation Technology Research Office, ]l\u00a0 said that they managed to fold the flexible membrane and put it into the deployment machine, which is smaller than a billiard ball.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>After the satellite platform is put into orbit, scientists carry out technical verification through two-stage deployment. At the first stage, the solar sail body is pushed out of the satellite platform and turned 90 degrees. The second stage is to erect masts and gradually spread the sail. The unfolded solar sail is about 0.6 square meters, which is equivalent to the size of eight Macbook airs laptop computers.<\/em><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_20647\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20647\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.chinadaily.com.cn\/a\/201912\/27\/WS5e05eff1a310cf3e3558128c.html\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"20647\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?attachment_id=20647\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/5e05eff1a310cf3e97adf51e1.jpeg\" data-orig-size=\"951,581\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" 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=\"SIASAIL-1\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Illustration of SIASAIL-1 with sail deployed. Credits: SIA &amp;#038; China Daily.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/5e05eff1a310cf3e97adf51e1.jpeg\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-20647\" src=\"http:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/5e05eff1a310cf3e97adf51e1-500x305.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"305\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/5e05eff1a310cf3e97adf51e1-500x305.jpeg 500w, https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/5e05eff1a310cf3e97adf51e1-768x469.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/5e05eff1a310cf3e97adf51e1.jpeg 951w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-20647\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Illustration of SIASAIL-1 before and after sail deployment. Credits: SIA &amp; <a href=\"http:\/\/www.chinadaily.com.cn\/a\/201912\/27\/WS5e05eff1a310cf3e3558128c.html\">China Daily<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">China&#8217;s first solar sail verifies key technologies in orbit<a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/bo6vU6fvWO\">https:\/\/t.co\/bo6vU6fvWO<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/lX1rx7i5hT\">pic.twitter.com\/lX1rx7i5hT<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Andrew Jones (@AJ_FI) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/AJ_FI\/status\/1211921997707522048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 31, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>** <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.planetary.org\/explore\/projects\/lightsail-solar-sailing\/\">LightSail 2<\/a>: Fulfilling a Dream<\/strong> &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.planetary.org\/\">Planetary Society<\/a> &#8211; This solar sail did demonstrate net solar propulsion.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Carl Sagan dreamed of solar sailing before founding The Planetary Society in 1980. Now our members have helped us fulfill that dream.<\/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\/ZQF-Da4qWCc?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>Bob Zimmerman reviews the rocket industry in the past year<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/behindtheblack.com\/behind-the-black\/essays-and-commentaries\/the-state-of-the-global-rocket-industry-in-2019\/\">The state of the global rocket industry in 2019 | Behind The Black<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>First and foremost 2019 showed a decline in total launches from 2018, with global launches dropping from 111 to 97. The 2019 totals were also about 30% below the number of launches predicted by the various countries and launch companies that are now active.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Does this drop in launches mean that the rocket industry is in decline? Not at all. The 97 launches last year were also the most launches in a single year since 1990, when the Soviet Union existed and routinely puffed up the totals each year with many unnecessary launches prompted by their bloated communist bureaucracy. (See <a href=\"https:\/\/behindtheblack.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/launches2019-1.png\">last year\u2019s graph<\/a> for the yearly numbers going back to 1980.)<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>More important, the numbers this year are based on a much more robust launch industry, made up of many more sound competing constituents, both public and private.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>And he concludes:<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Thus, it appears that 2020 could herald the beginning of a very aggressive worldwide space industry, achieving more launches each year than ever accomplished in any year since Sputnik launched in 1957.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>** <strong>A video roundup of launches in 2019 from Cape Canaveral<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Good news: If you enjoy rockets and covertly dancing at your desk so no one else notices, this year&#8217;s launch roundup is for you <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/wsYEGBh9TA\">pic.twitter.com\/wsYEGBh9TA<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Emre Kelly (@EmreKelly) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/EmreKelly\/status\/1211720956550533120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 30, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>** <strong>Global rocket launch scores for 2019<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Space Launches in 2019: 101 launches were attempted, 97 missions made orbit and were cataloged. By country:<br \/>\n-China(32)1x fail<br \/>\n-Russia(25)<br \/>\n-USA(21)<br \/>\n-NZ\/<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/RocketLab?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@RocketLab<\/a>(6)<br \/>\n-Europe\/<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/esa?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@ESA<\/a>(6)1x fail<br \/>\n-India(6)<br \/>\n-Iran(3)2x fails<br \/>\n-Japan(2)<br \/>\nVia: <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/NiKz0uoHP8\">https:\/\/t.co\/NiKz0uoHP8<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/mpn5GXvmiV\">pic.twitter.com\/mpn5GXvmiV<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Dave Dickinson (@Astroguyz) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Astroguyz\/status\/1212040650201403393?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 31, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>** <strong>Solar electric propulsion for the Gateway station<\/strong>: <a href=\"http:\/\/fiso.spiritastro.net\/telecon\/Tilley-Lee_12-11-19\/\">The Maxar Power and Propulsion Element: Third Generation Commercial Solar Electric Propulsion<\/a>, Scott Tilly &amp; Ty Lee , MAXAR Technologies &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/fiso.spiritastro.net\/archivelist.htm\">Future In-Space Operations (FISO)<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/fiso.spiritastro.net\/telecon\/Tilley-Lee_12-11-19\/Tilley-Lee_12-11-19.pdf\">Slides (pdf)<\/a><\/p>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-20634-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"http:\/\/fiso.spiritastro.net\/telecon\/Tilley-Lee_12-11-19\/Tilley-Lee.mp3?_=1\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/fiso.spiritastro.net\/telecon\/Tilley-Lee_12-11-19\/Tilley-Lee.mp3\">http:\/\/fiso.spiritastro.net\/telecon\/Tilley-Lee_12-11-19\/Tilley-Lee.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p>** <strong>A compact history of the <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Ariane_%28rocket_family%29\">Ariane family of rockets<\/a><\/strong> from Scott Manley:<\/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\/DFbzvbkoEYs?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.spacex.com\">SpaceX<\/a><\/strong>:<\/p>\n<p>**** <strong>Falcon 9 launch of Starlink 2<\/strong> with the second set of 60 satellites is set for this Friday, Jan. 3rd at 10:24 pm EST (0324 GMT on 4th from Cape Canaveral<span class=\"strong\">. It appears that the static firing test on the pad may happen on the day before rather than the usual several days prior. This is consistent with their efforts to speed up the launch pace. The company hopes to do Starlink launches about twice a month in 2020.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p>**** <strong>SpaceX is trying the make the Starlink satellites less brigh<\/strong>t so as to ameliorate their impact on astronomy: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.orlandosentinel.com\/space\/os-bz-spacex-starlink-3-advance-20191231-jj5inyxltvbjhfiamdwzrypw7a-story.html\">SpaceX set to launch less reflective Starlink satellite &#8211; Orlando Sentinel<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"crd clln--it\" data-type=\"text\">\n<div class=\" crd--cnt \">\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>A launch planned for Friday from the Space Coast will test a possible solution. SpaceX will experiment with a non-reflective coating on the bottom of one satellite in its next batch of 60, scheduled to lift off from launch complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station at 11:20 p.m.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"crd clln--it\" data-type=\"text\">\n<div class=\" crd--cnt \">\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>The Astronomical Society has had numerous conversations with SpaceX since the first Starlink launch, on May 23, to discuss how to make the satellites less intrusive. Even now, at their operating altitude of about 550 kilometers, they are still right on the edge of visibility to the unaided eye.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"crd clln--it\" data-type=\"text\">\n<div class=\" crd--cnt \">\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">But for research-grade telescopes? They\u2019re \u201cferociously bright,\u201d Hall said. That means they\u2019re getting in the way of data collection, with the streaks of light ruining the scientific quality of images.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>**** <strong>CRS-19 Cargo Dragon set to depart from the ISS<\/strong> next Sunday, Jan. 5th. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/live\">NASA.gov\/live<\/a> will broadcast the departure starting at 9:15 p.m. EST.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/press-release\/nasa-tv-to-air-us-cargo-ship-departure-from-space-station-0\">NASA TV to Air US Cargo Ship Departure from Space Station | NASA<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.nasa.gov\/spacestation\/2019\/12\/30\/crew-packing-dragon-cargo-craft-and-researching-flames-in-space\/\">Crew Packing Dragon Cargo Craft and Researching Flames in Space \u2013 Space Station\/NASA<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.nasa.gov\/spacestation\/2019\/12\/26\/beam-and-dragon-work-dna-studies-before-station-lifts-orbit\/\">BEAM and Dragon Work, DNA Studies Before Station Lifts Orbit \u2013 Space Station\/NASA<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.teslarati.com\/spacex-cargo-dragon-solar-eclipse-photobombed\/\">SpaceX&#8217;s Dragon spacecraft photobombed in orbit by solar eclipse &#8211; Teslarati<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure id=\"attachment_20648\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20648\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.nasa.gov\/spacestation\/2019\/12\/30\/crew-packing-dragon-cargo-craft-and-researching-flames-in-space\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"20648\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?attachment_id=20648\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/blog_iss061e0679731.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"900,506\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" 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=\"CRS-19 Cargo Dragon\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;The SpaceX Dragon resupply ship approaches the International Space Station on Dec. 8, 2019.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/blog_iss061e0679731.jpg\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-20648\" src=\"http:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/blog_iss061e0679731-500x281.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/blog_iss061e0679731-500x281.jpg 500w, https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/blog_iss061e0679731-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/blog_iss061e0679731.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-20648\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The CRS-19 Cargo SpaceX Dragon approaches the International Space Station on Dec. 8, 2019. Credits: <a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.nasa.gov\/spacestation\/2019\/12\/30\/crew-packing-dragon-cargo-craft-and-researching-flames-in-space\/\">NASA<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>****<strong> Elon linked on Twitter to a SpaceX-made Falcon 9 Crew Dragon simulation from 2011<\/strong> that I <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=sSF81yjVbJE&amp;feature=emb_logo\">posted on Youtube<\/a>:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">8 years later, the simulation is mostly real<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1211488530251370496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 30, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately, I believe the licensees of the Muse soundtrack will benefit from the big bump in views rather than I.<\/p>\n<p>**** <strong>Elon pointed to a new animation<\/strong> of a Crew Dragon mission to the ISS released this week:<\/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\/sZlzYzyREAI?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>Crew Dragon with astronauts on board could launch as soon as February<\/strong> but NASA reviews will take months (and that&#8217;s assuming the in-flight abort test goes well):<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Crew Dragon should be physically ready &amp; at the Cape in Feb, but completing all safety reviews will probably take a few more months<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1211497049906196480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 30, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>See also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teslarati.com\/spacex-elon-musk-crew-dragon-astronaut-launch-schedule\/\">SpaceX&#8217;s Crew Dragon astronaut launch debut schedule revealed by Elon Musk &#8211; Teslarati<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>**** <strong>Starship<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>****** <strong>Elon posted a lot of info on development of the Starship<\/strong> on Tweeter in the past few days. Here&#8217;s a sampling:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Orbital vehicle in Texas<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Was up all night with SpaceX team working on Starship tank dome production (most difficult part of primary structure). Dawn arrives \u2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/SzyDSYUYOu\">pic.twitter.com\/SzyDSYUYOu<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1210649166407438336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 27, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><strong>The next vehicle<\/strong>, which will be referred to as SN1 rather than Mk.3, could be flying by March:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Flight is hopefully 2 to 3 months away<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1210756338348744705?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 28, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>See also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teslarati.com\/spacex-elon-musk-starship-most-difficult-part\/\">SpaceX&#8217;s Elon Musk works through holidays on Starship&#8217;s &#8220;most difficult part&#8221; &#8211; Teslarati<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Forming and attaching stainless steel structures<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">We use that process for the Raptor nozzle jacket. The knuckles of this dome are stamped in Michigan with a 4000 ton car body press, which costs much less for same outcome.<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1211539123758141445?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 30, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Almost everything is different. These parts are stamped vs manually bump-formed &amp; TIP TIG welded vs flux core. Higher precision, stronger joints &amp; 20% mass reduction.<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1211541778639343616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 30, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-conversation=\"none\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Best would probably be an autogenous laser weld, but we need more precise parts &amp; fixtures. Hopefully get that done in 2020.<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1211542871138017280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 30, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><strong>Pressurizing the tanks to push propellants into the turbo-pumps<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">No, will be autogenous from the start, tapping hot CH4 &amp; O2 from Raptor<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1211544795316928512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 30, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Autogenous refers to using a gaseous form of a propellant itself for pressurizing the tank rather than using a separate inert gas like helium. The high pressure composite pressure vessels (COPVs) to hold helium were involved in both Falcon 9 explosions. Helium is also quite expensive now.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Spin start from COPVs so the ox &amp; fuel turbines spool up super fast in unison. A precise start with full flow staged combustion is very important.<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1211549054427111424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 30, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><strong>Controlling the side flaps on the Starship<\/strong> as it returns through the atmosphere.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Direct drive using several Tesla Plaid motors in parallel for SN1. Simpler, lighter &amp; more fault tolerant. Rear flaps each need ~1.5 megawatts. It\u2019s like moving the entire wing of an aircraft!<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1211556824442425344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 30, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>**** <strong>Boca Chica viewing<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>****** <strong>New structures in construction<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teslarati.com\/spacex-tesla-tent-factory-starship-production-hub\/\">SpaceX borrows Tesla&#8217;s tent factory strategy for new Starship production HQ &#8211; Teslarati<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Confirmed yesterday morning by CEO Elon Musk, SpaceX has copied Tesla\u2019s approach to factory expansion and is building a giant tent to upgrade its South Texas Starship production facilities.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>A big step towards more traditional aerospace-style manufacturing facilities, SpaceX has contracted the same company used by Tesla to create a fourth general assembly line (GA4) in a giant tent outside its Fremont, CA factory in 2018. Instead of Model 3s, however, Sprung Instant Structures (Sprung for short) is rapidly raising a large tent that will eventually allow SpaceX to fabricate and weld more Starship parts and sections in an enclosed environment, an improvement from the current practice of building prototypes out in the harsh environment of coastal Texas.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>In typical fashion, Musk believes that the new enclosed production facilities \u2013 just a collection of shipping crates as of December 18th \u2013 could be ready to begin manufacturing Starship parts as early as next month, and the progress Sprung has made makes it unusually hard to fault his optimism.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>****** <strong>SpaceX Boca Chica &#8211; Starship Domes &#8211; Hopper attention &#8211; December 30, 2019<\/strong> &#8211; &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/NASASpaceflight.com\">NASASpaceflight.com<\/a><strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>More views of the Starship Domes (Bulkheads) while the facilities continue to grow and even Hopper gains some attention at the launch site. 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\/tuyBurVrEXw?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 class=\"title style-scope ytd-video-primary-info-renderer\">****** <strong>SpaceX Boca Chica &#8211; Big Tops and Bulkheads<\/strong> &#8211; December 29, 2019 &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/NASASpaceflight.com\">NASASpaceflight.com<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>More work is taking place on the Starship SN1 Bulkheads as assembly of additional &#8220;Big Top&#8221; production facilities continues. Footage and photos from Mary (@bocachicagal) for NSF. Opens with some photos taken from Sam Sun (@birdsnspace) plane flyover.<\/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\/AM1PLZONE44?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>****** Flyover on Dec. 27<\/strong> &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/LabPadre\/videos\">LabPadre<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>12.27.2019 The long awaited SpaceX Boca Chica Flyover. Excellent over head close ups of Rocket Shipyard and Landing\/Launch site.<\/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\/fvUbh5mtk9A?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, Texas 2019 review &#8211; LabPadre<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>This video is brought to you by Isla Grand Beach Resort, Sapphire Condominiums, and Orbital Media Networks. All images are filmed at the Pointer property and 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\/pNRHlcofU6c?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;\">== <strong><em>Amazon Ad<\/em><\/strong> ==<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/gp\/product\/1426220057\/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=1426220057&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=hobbyspace&amp;linkId=811d54246d72bdb81bf217376d6a29e7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em><strong>Moon Rush: The New Space Race<\/strong><\/em><\/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=1426220057\" alt=\"\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" border=\"0\" \/><\/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=1426220057&amp;asins=1426220057&amp;linkId=6bc0ea2574961bc5c5407b80191a5cf2&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): ** China&#8217;s Long March 5 heavy lift rocket placed a satellite into geostationary transfer orbit last Friday in a successful return to flight following a failure on the second launch of the system in 2017. Long March 5 conducts &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=20634\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Space transport roundup &#8211; Dec.31.2019<\/span> <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","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-20634","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-rockets"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p34aWK-5mO","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":23898,"url":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=23898","url_meta":{"origin":20634,"position":0},"title":"Space transport roundup &#8211; Part 2: Everybody Else &#8211; May.18.2021","author":"TopSpacer","date":"May 18, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Here is a sampling of recent articles, videos, and images dealing with space transport (find previous roundups here). Today's Part 1 Roundup focused on\u00a0 SpaceX. Part 2 here reports on other companies and organizations. ** Rocket Lab Electron second stage fails in launch attempt; First stage recovered from sea. Two\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\/2021\/05\/RecoveredFirstStage-May2021_750x1000-375x500.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":22709,"url":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=22709","url_meta":{"origin":20634,"position":1},"title":"Space transport roundup &#8211; Sept.15.2020","author":"TopSpacer","date":"September 15, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"A sampling of recent articles, videos, and images dealing with space transport (find previous roundups here): ** Astra Space attempts orbital launch but fails during first stage boost phase. Following several scrubbed attempts over the past few months to launch Rocket 3.1, the vehicle lifted off from the pad at\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\/2020\/09\/Launch-Photo-2-1024x5761-1-500x281.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":18395,"url":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=18395","url_meta":{"origin":20634,"position":2},"title":"Space transport roundup &#8211; April.4.2019","author":"TopSpacer","date":"April 4, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"A sampling of recent articles, videos, and images dealing with space transport: [ Update 2: The SpaceIL Beresheet spacecraft successfully entered lunar orbit this morning following a 6 minute firing of its engine: An Israeli lander is now orbiting the Moon ahead of a lunar landing next week - The\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Rockets&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Rockets","link":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?cat=5"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"\/\/ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/e\/ir?t=hobbyspace&l=am2&o=1&a=1944648453","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":23455,"url":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=23455","url_meta":{"origin":20634,"position":3},"title":"Space transport roundup &#8211; Feb.1.2021","author":"TopSpacer","date":"February 1, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"A sampling of recent articles, videos, and images dealing with space transport (find previous roundups here): SpaceX intended to fly the Starship SN9 prototype last Thursday and again on Friday but the vehicle remained grounded due to a failure to obtain a FAA license. The exact reason for the refusal\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\/2021\/01\/ns14-cc-descent-mountains_web_1000x585-500x293.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":21383,"url":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=21383","url_meta":{"origin":20634,"position":4},"title":"Space transport roundup &#8211; Mar.11.2020","author":"TopSpacer","date":"March 11, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"A sampling of recent articles, videos, and images dealing with space transport (find previous roundups here): ** SpaceX planning for May launch of astronauts on Crew Dragon to the ISS: SpaceX aiming for May astronaut launch, will reuse Crew Dragon - CNBC - SpaceX is \u201cgunning for May\u201d to launch\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\/2020\/03\/BlackArrowRocket_08-1024x5761-1-500x281.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":20588,"url":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=20588","url_meta":{"origin":20634,"position":5},"title":"Space transport roundup &#8211; Dec.21.2019","author":"TopSpacer","date":"December 21, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"A sampling of recent articles, videos, and images dealing with space transport (find previous roundups here): ** Boeing Starliner crew spacecraft sent into wrong orbit due to a timing clock glitch shortly after deployment from Atlas V upper stage: NASA Statement on Boeing Orbital Flight Test | NASA The test\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\/2019\/12\/138648241_15769139846721n1-500x333.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20634","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=20634"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20634\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20666,"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20634\/revisions\/20666"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=20634"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=20634"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=20634"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}