{"id":21383,"date":"2020-03-11T13:00:18","date_gmt":"2020-03-11T17:00:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=21383"},"modified":"2020-03-11T12:13:17","modified_gmt":"2020-03-11T16:13:17","slug":"space-transport-roundup-mar-11-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=21383","title":{"rendered":"Space transport roundup &#8211; Mar.11.2020"},"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>SpaceX planning for May launch of astronauts on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.spacex.com\/dragon\">Crew Dragon<\/a> to the ISS<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2020\/03\/10\/spacex-aiming-for-may-astronaut-launch-will-reuse-crew-dragon.html\" target=\"_d\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">SpaceX aiming for May astronaut launch, will reuse Crew Dragon &#8211; CNBC<\/a> &#8211;<\/p>\n<div class=\"RenderKeyPoints-list\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"group\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><em>SpaceX is \u201cgunning for May\u201d to launch NASA astronauts on its first spaceflight with crew, president and COO Gwynne Shotwell said Tuesday.<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>She noted that the length of the mission is still under consideration, saying its \u201ckind of TBD right now.\u201d<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>Shotwell also noted that SpaceX is planning to reuse its Crew Dragon capsules, a decision that was in doubt previously.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Find more <a href=\"http:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?cat=5#SpaceX\">SpaceX items below<\/a><\/p>\n<p>** <strong>Update from <\/strong><strong>Boeing and NASA on Starliner problems during the uncrewed test flight<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.nasa.gov\/commercialcrew\/2020\/03\/06\/nasa-update-on-orbital-flight-test-independent-review-team\/\">NASA Update on Orbital Flight Test Independent Review Team \u2013 Commercial Crew Program\/NASA<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>The joint NASA and Boeing Independent Review Team formed following the anomalies during the company\u2019s uncrewed Orbital Flight Test as a part of the agency\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/exploration\/commercial\/crew\/index.html\">Commercial Crew Program<\/a> has completed its initial investigation. The team was tasked with reviewing three primary anomalies experienced during the mission: two software coding errors and unanticipated loss of space-to-ground communication capability. During the investigation, the team identified several technical and organizational issues related to Boeing\u2019s work. Separate from the independent team, NASA reviewed its role in the flight test and identified several areas where the agency can improve its level of participation and involvement into company\u2019s processes.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>While the review team, NASA and Boeing have made significant progress during the last month, more work will be required to inform the agency\u2019s decision of whether Boeing will need to perform another uncrewed test flight of the Starliner system. NASA will determine if a repeat of the flight will be needed after Boeing has presented its detailed resolution and rework plan and NASA has independently assessed the thoroughness of that plan.<\/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\/Tsod8E4bVZc?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>China launches <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/BeiDou\">BeiDou<\/a> navigation satellite on a Long March 3B rocket<\/strong>. Constellation nears completion.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.xinhuanet.com\/english\/2020-03\/09\/c_138859838.htm\">China launches new BeiDou navigation satellite &#8211; Xinhua<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/2020\/03\/long-march-3b-launches-beidou-3g2q\/\">Long March 3B launches Beidou-3G2Q &#8211; NASASpaceFlight.com<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"title style-scope ytd-video-primary-info-renderer\"><strong>China Launches Penultimate BeiDou 3 Navigation System Satellite<\/strong> &#8211; CCTV Video News Agency<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em><span class=\"style-scope yt-formatted-string\" dir=\"auto\">China launched a new satellite of the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) into space from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China&#8217;s Sichuan Province at <\/span><span class=\"style-scope yt-formatted-string\" dir=\"auto\">19:55<\/span><span class=\"style-scope yt-formatted-string\" dir=\"auto\"> Monday (Beijing Time), paving the way for its completion and full global coverage in May. The satellite, the 54th of the BeiDou family, was sent into a geostationary orbit as planned by a Long March-3B carrier rocket. It will go through the orbital transfer, in-orbit test, and test evaluation before it starts its service.<\/span><\/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\/RzqsAG5hIpE?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.BlueOrigin.com\">Blue Origin<\/a> releases more videos showing progress in New Glenn<\/strong> launch system development:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Two <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/BE3U?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#BE3U<\/a> engines will power the upper stage of <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/NewGlenn?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#NewGlenn<\/a>. Fueled by liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen \u2013 these powerful engines are a variant of the <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/BE3PM?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#BE3PM<\/a> flying today on <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/NewShepard?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#NewShepard<\/a>. Here\u2019s a peek at how the test program is going in West Texas. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/SfUKQVEZ5i\">pic.twitter.com\/SfUKQVEZ5i<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Blue Origin (@blueorigin) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/blueorigin\/status\/1237001360798707713?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">March 9, 2020<\/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\">An inside look at our completed mission control in the <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/NewGlenn?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#NewGlenn<\/a> rocket factory. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/65FAhPBbgh\">pic.twitter.com\/65FAhPBbgh<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Blue Origin (@blueorigin) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/blueorigin\/status\/1237725784745230336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">March 11, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>** <strong>Rocket Lab aims for late March for next <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rocketlabusa.com\/electron\/\">Electron<\/a> launch<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rocketlabusa.com\/\">Rocket Lab\u2019s Next Mission to Launch Satellites for NASA, NRO and the University of New South Wales | Rocket Lab<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Rocket Lab, a space technology company and the global leader in dedicated small satellite launch, has announced today that its next mission will deploy payloads for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Canberra Space.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>The launch will take place from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 on New Zealand\u2019s M\u0101hia Peninsula, with a 14-day launch window scheduled to commence from 27 March 2020 NZT. The mission will be Rocket Lab\u2019s 12<sup>th<\/sup>\u00a0Electron launch since the company began launches in May 2017.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>The rideshare mission will launch several small satellites, including the ANDESITE (Ad-Hoc Network Demonstration for Extended Satellite-Based Inquiry and Other Team Endeavors) satellite created by electrical and mechanical engineering students and professors at Boston University. The satellite will launch as part of NASA\u2019s CubeSat Launch Initiative (CSLI) and will conduct groundbreaking scientific study into Earth\u2019s magnetic field. Once in space, the ANDESITE satellite will initiate measurements of the magnetosphere with onboard sensors, later releasing eight pico satellites carrying small magnetometer sensors to track electric currents flowing in and out of the atmosphere, a phenomenon also known as space weather. These variations in the electrical activity racing through space can have a big impact on our lives here on Earth, causing interruptions to things like radio communications and electrical systems. The ANDESITE satellite follows on from Rocket Lab\u2019s first ELaNa (Educational Launch of Nanosatellites) launch for NASA, the ELaNa-19 mission, which launched a host of educational satellites to orbit on Electron in December 2018.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>The mission also carries three payloads designed, built and operated by the NRO. The mission was procured under the agency\u2019s Rapid Acquisition of a Small Rocket (RASR) contract vehicle. RASR allows the NRO to explore new launch opportunities that provide a streamlined, commercial approach for getting small satellites into space, as well as provide those working in the small satellite community with timely and cost-effective access to space. This mission follows Rocket Lab\u2019s first dedicated mission for the NRO, Birds of a Feather, which was launched on 31 January 2020 NZT from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>The ANDESITE and NRO payloads will be joined on the mission by the M2 Pathfinder satellite, a collaboration between the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Canberra Space and the Australian Government. The M2 Pathfinder will test communications architecture and other technologies that will assist in informing the future space capabilities of Australia. The satellite will demonstrate the ability of an onboard software-based radio to operate and reconfigure while in orbit.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>** <a href=\"https:\/\/blackarrow-space.uk\/\"><strong>Black Arrow Space Technologies<\/strong><\/a><strong> in the UK obtains investment<\/strong> to fund launcher development program. Black Arrow<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>is a new British company developing spaceflight technologies designed to launch satellites into orbit. Black Arrow unique offer is their seaborne launch system \u2013 commercial rockets launched from their own Space Ship! This will enable Britain to offer a global service unavailable elsewhere in the world, bypassing many of the issues faced by land launches. Initially, the company aims to launch payloads of up to 500Kg into Polar Low Earth Orbit or 300Kg into Sun Synchronous Orbit. This will support a growing niche in the space market, currently under-served by the international \u2018access to space\u2019 sector. In time, the concept will be developed to enable much larger payloads to be launched to higher altitudes and more trajectories.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Black Arrow Space Technologies has negotiated an agreement with a major investor to fully fund the company development activities, up to the completion of the test launch phase of the project, which is anticipated to take between two and three years.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Design and development work will take place in the Oxfordshire area, with engine test stands and the ship fleet, including the launch vessel and support ships, based in South Wales. It is anticipated that around 300 high-skilled jobs will be created by the time that commercial launches begin. Initial launches are planned to take place from the Atlantic Ocean, South West of Ireland.<\/em><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_21384\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21384\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blackarrow-space.uk\/black-arrow-return-to-flight\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"21384\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?attachment_id=21384\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/BlackArrowRocket_08-1024x5761-1.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"1024,576\" 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=\"Black Arrow Rocket\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;A Black Arrow rocket launches from a sea-going vessel. Credits: Black Arrow&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/BlackArrowRocket_08-1024x5761-1.jpg\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-21384\" src=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/BlackArrowRocket_08-1024x5761-1-500x281.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/BlackArrowRocket_08-1024x5761-1-500x281.jpg 500w, https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/BlackArrowRocket_08-1024x5761-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/BlackArrowRocket_08-1024x5761-1.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-21384\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A Black Arrow rocket launches from a sea-going vessel. Credits: <a href=\"https:\/\/blackarrow-space.uk\/black-arrow-return-to-flight\/\">Black Arrow<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>More at:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/blackarrow-space.uk\/black-arrow-return-to-flight\/\">Black Arrow \u201cReturn To Flight\u201d &#8211; Black Arrow Space Technologies<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.satnews.com\/story.php?number=2129532274\">New British Launch Company&#8230; Launches &#8211; Satnews<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/blackarrow-space.uk\/black-arrow-newsletter-edition-2\/\">New Newsletter available for Download &#8211; March 2020 &#8211; Black Arrow<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>** <strong>Rocket Fuel Injectors &#8211; Things Kerbal Space Program Doesn&#8217;t Teach<\/strong> &#8211; Scott Manley<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em><span class=\"style-scope yt-formatted-string\" dir=\"auto\">Rocket Propellent Injectors are critical parts of the engine design, they take the propellents and mix them so that they can quickly burn in the combustion chamber. Injectors can make or (literally) break a rocket design, and over the years we&#8217;ve seen rocket engines move from injector plate designs to more efficient options as engineers have come to understand what works well. Thanks to Copenhagen Suborbitals for sharing some video of their injectors being tested, I hope get get to see some more flights with these: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/copenhagensuborbitals.com\/\">https:\/\/copenhagensuborbitals.com\/<\/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\/aa4ATJGRqA0?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>Briefs<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thespacereview.com\/article\/3897\/1\">Responsive launch is still not quite ready for prime time &#8211; The Space Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/arstechnica.com\/science\/2020\/03\/rocket-report-psyched-up-for-falcon-heavy-another-sls-launch-delay\/\">Rocket Report: Psyched up for Falcon Heavy, another SLS launch delay | Ars Technica<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.reactionengines.co.uk\/news\/news\/making-beyond-possible-reaction-engines-launches-new-brand-positioning\">Making beyond possible. Reaction Engines launches new brand positioning. &#8211; Reaction Engines<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/2020\/03\/soyuz-falcon-eye-2-launch-delayed-by-a-month\/\">Soyuz ST-A Falcon Eye-2 launch delayed by a month &#8211; NASASpaceFlight.com<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spacenews.com\/small-launch-companies-dont-foresee-price-war\/\">Small launch companies don\u2019t foresee price war &#8211; SpaceNews.com<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a id=\"SpaceX\"><\/a>** <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.spacex.com\">SpaceX<\/a><\/strong>:<\/p>\n<p>**** <strong>SpaceX set to launch another batch of 60 Starlink satellites on March 14th<\/strong>. Liftoff time of the Starlink 5 mission is around 9:36 am EDT (1336 GMT). A static firing on Pad-39A probably will happen on Friday March 13th.<\/p>\n<p>**** <strong>SpaceX Falcon 9 launched CRS-20 cargo mission with final Dragon 1<\/strong> successfully on March 6th. Future cargo missions will use the Dragon 2 vehicles. The first stage booster made a successful landing back at the Cape. This marked the 50th successful landing of a F9 booster.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/2020\/03\/spacex-final-dragon-1-mission-iss\/\">SpaceX launches final Dragon 1 mission to the ISS &#8211; NASASpaceFlight.com<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/2020\/03\/07\/late-night-launch-of-spacex-cargo-ship-marks-end-of-an-era\/\">Late-night launch of SpaceX cargo ship marks end of an era \u2013 Spaceflight Now<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/2020\/03\/09\/photos-falcon-9-launches-and-lands-at-cape-canaveral\/\">Photos: Falcon 9 launches and lands at Cape Canaveral \u2013 Spaceflight Now<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a title=\"CRS-20 Mission\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/spacex\/49635985086\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\" data-context=\"true\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/49635985086_c6742dfee7.jpg\" alt=\"CRS-20 Mission\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" \/><\/a><script async src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>****** <strong>SpaceX Webcast<\/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\/1MkcWK2PnsU?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>Watch SpaceX launch their LAST Dragon 1 Capsule for CRS-20<\/strong> &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/everydayastronaut.com\/falcon-9-block-5-crs-20\/\" target=\"_d\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Everyday Astronaut<\/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\/ewS-rUnGgIA?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 &#8211; CRS20 &#8211; The Last Dragon<\/strong> &#8211; Launch 4K 03-06-2020 &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UC5hWqb0u1eKgYmVryCEyJYA\">USLaunchReport<\/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\/l09-UZUZwbE?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>Cargo Dragon berthed to the ISS<\/strong> on the morning of March 9:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/2020\/03\/09\/astronauts-capture-spacex-cargo-capsule-with-robot-arm-for-final-time\/\">Astronauts capture SpaceX cargo capsule with robot arm for final time \u2013 Spaceflight Now<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/2020\/03\/spacex-final-dragon-1-mission-iss\/\">Final Dragon 1 arrives at the ISS &#8211; NASASpaceFlight.com<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.nasa.gov\/spacestation\/2020\/03\/09\/robotic-arm-captures-dragon-packed-with-science\/\">Robotic Arm Captures Dragon Packed With Science \u2013 Space Station\/NASA<\/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\/WBORp1tbitI?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>Elon Musk spoke about Falcon 9, Crew Dragon, Starship, Starlink, etc<\/strong> during an on-stage interview this week at the Satellite 2020 conference:<\/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\/PGvPze2nhLs?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 raising more money for development projects<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2020\/03\/09\/spacex-raising-500-million-in-new-funding-for-elon-musks-company.html\" target=\"_d\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">SpaceX raising $500 million in new funding for Elon Musk&#8217;s company &#8211; CNBC.com<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>SpaceX is raising half a billion dollars in new funding, according to documents seen by CNBC on Monday, as the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/id\/100987750\">Elon Musk<\/a>\u00a0company continues work on three ambitious projects.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>The company authorized $500.06 million at a price of $220 per share, the documents show, and values SpaceX at around $36 billion\u00a0\u2014 up from\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2019\/05\/31\/spacex-valuation-33point3-billion-after-starlink-satellites-fundraising.html\">$33.3 billion<\/a>\u00a0last year. Notably, the round is\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2020\/02\/21\/spacex-raising-250-million-elon-musks-company-valuation-36-billion.html\">about double the $250 million that SpaceX was looking<\/a>\u00a0to raise, as CNBC reported previously.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>**** <strong>Starship<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>**** Following SN1 pressure test failure last week, a second propellant tank was built and tested over the weekend successfully:<strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">SN2 (with thrust puck) passed cryo pressure &amp; engine thrust load tests late last night<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1237087558376599554?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">March 9, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Can now proceed with test flight vehicles:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Static fire &amp; short flights with SN3, longer flights with SN4, but spooling up the whole Starship\/Raptor production line is really what matters<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1237088353406910465?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">March 9, 2020<\/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-starship-latest-test-uneventful-flight-debut\/\">SpaceX&#8217;s latest Starship test was uneventful and that&#8217;s great news for its flight debut &#8211; Teslarati<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>***** <strong>SN2 Tank Test<\/strong> &#8211; March 8 &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCDkP5NWUhfHXZNhcGr2G2pQ\" target=\"_d\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">SPadre &#8211; YouTube<\/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\/c-YYmL9WDCM?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>******\u00a0 <strong>SpaceX Boca Chica &#8211; Starship SN2 Test Tank Cryo Test<\/strong> &#8211; March.8.2020 &#8211; &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCSUu1lih2RifWkKtDOJdsBA\">NASASpaceflight &#8211; YouTube<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>At SpaceX&#8217;s Boca Chica launch site, the Starship SN2 Test Tank underwent what appears to have been a successful cryo proof test under pressurization. Videos and Photos from Mary (@bocachicagal).<\/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\/QlDBjHa0NkU?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; Post SN2 success, facility grows for more Starships<\/strong> &#8211; March.9.2020 &#8211;\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCSUu1lih2RifWkKtDOJdsBA\">NASASpaceflight &#8211; YouTube<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>As SpaceXers prepare to remove SN2 from the launch site, Starship SN3 is being constructed amid a large scale work on growing production facility in Boca Chica. Videos and Photos from Mary (@bocachicagal).<\/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\/Lvh2j6ypd34?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; Starship Rings on the move amid more constructio<\/strong>n &#8211; March.10.2020 &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCSUu1lih2RifWkKtDOJdsBA\">NASASpaceflight &#8211; YouTube<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Lots happening at Boca Chica as SpaceXers lay the foundations for yet another new facility, while Starship rings dodge the concrete smoothers and SN3 continues to prepare for stacking. Videos and Photos from Mary (@bocachicagal).<\/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\/R0EMN-EoXG4?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;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/gp\/product\/1633885348\/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=1633885348&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=hobbyspace&amp;linkId=7ec96ebea81491302a758ed76d152d6a\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The Case for Space:<br \/>\nHow the Revolution in Spaceflight Opens Up<br \/>\na Future of Limitless Possibility<\/a><\/strong><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=1633885348\" 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=1633885348&amp;asins=1633885348&amp;linkId=dc008bd5d89e31bff68df4b9cbebab8a&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\"><span style=\"display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;\" data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\">\ufeff<\/span><\/iframe><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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 &#8211; CNBC &#8211; SpaceX is \u201cgunning for May\u201d to launch NASA astronauts on its first &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=21383\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Space transport roundup &#8211; Mar.11.2020<\/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_post_was_ever_published":false,"_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":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-21383","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-rockets"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p34aWK-5yT","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":21195,"url":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=21195","url_meta":{"origin":21383,"position":0},"title":"Space Adventures to fly private citizens on SpaceX Crew Dragon","author":"TopSpacer","date":"February 18, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Space Adventures and SpaceX announced today plans to fly four private citizens on a Crew Dragon flight. The Dragon would not go to the ISS but would be a \"free flyer\" mission in which the citizen astronauts would enjoy microgravity and views of Earth in the spacecraft. The spacecraft would\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Future space&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Future space","link":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?cat=82"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Dragon_Carousel_0001_81-500x281.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":21351,"url":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=21351","url_meta":{"origin":21383,"position":1},"title":"Axiom Space contracts SpaceX to take private astronauts to the ISS","author":"TopSpacer","date":"March 5, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"SpaceX gets a second contract for a commercial human mission to low earth orbit on the Crew Dragon just a couple of weeks after the first one: Axiom Space plans first-ever fully private human spaceflight mission to International Space Station HOUSTON \u2013 Today Axiom Space announced it is planning history\u2019s\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Living in Space&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Living in Space","link":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?cat=17"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/cupolaview_iss14_500x366-300x200.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":20036,"url":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=20036","url_meta":{"origin":21383,"position":2},"title":"Space transport roundup &#8211; Oct.26.2019","author":"TopSpacer","date":"October 26, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"A sampling of recent articles, videos, and images dealing with space transport (find previous roundups here): [ Update 2: Unfortunately, the SARGE appeared to once again suffer guidance problems and failed to achieve the target altitude.\u00a0 The booster apparently hit the ground hard when it's parachute did not deploy. At\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Activism&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Activism","link":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?cat=3"},"img":{"alt_text":"Blue Whale-1 - Peregrine Aerospace","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/%EC%8A%A4%ED%81%AC%EB%A6%B0%EC%83%B7-2019-10-21-%EC%98%A4%ED%9B%84-11.42.55-1568x13131-500x419.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":21840,"url":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=21840","url_meta":{"origin":21383,"position":3},"title":"Space transport roundup &#8211; May.14.2020","author":"TopSpacer","date":"May 14, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"A sampling of recent articles, videos, and images dealing with space transport (find previous roundups here): ** Two launches from Cape Canaveral this weekend:\u00a0 Back-to-back launches scheduled from Cape Canaveral this weekend \u2013 Spaceflight Now **** Saturday, May 16th, a ULA Atlas V rocket will take a X-37B spaceplane into\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\/05\/AstronautsPracticeDocking-SpaceX-500x400.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":21529,"url":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=21529","url_meta":{"origin":21383,"position":4},"title":"Space transport roundup &#8211; March.31.2020","author":"TopSpacer","date":"March 31, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"A sampling of recent articles, videos, and images dealing with space transport (find previous roundups here): ** SpaceX contracted by NASA for cargo delivery services to lunar orbit station: NASA Awards Artemis Contract for Gateway Logistics Services | NASA NASA has selected SpaceX of Hawthorne, California, as the first U.S.\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\/spacex-xl-high-orbit_1000x562-500x281.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":21981,"url":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=21981","url_meta":{"origin":21383,"position":5},"title":"Space transport roundup &#8211; June.10.2020","author":"TopSpacer","date":"June 10, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"A sampling of recent articles, videos, and images dealing with space transport (find previous roundups here): ** SpaceX to launch another batch of Starlink satellites on a Falcon 9 rocket this week, the second such launch in June. Liftoff at Cape Canaveral is set for 5:42 am EDT (0942 GMT).\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\/02\/Prometheus_powering_future_launchers_node_full_image_2-220x300.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21383","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=21383"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21383\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21410,"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21383\/revisions\/21410"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=21383"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=21383"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=21383"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}