{"id":21632,"date":"2020-04-18T12:30:29","date_gmt":"2020-04-18T16:30:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=21632"},"modified":"2020-04-18T13:41:44","modified_gmt":"2020-04-18T17:41:44","slug":"space-transport-roundup-apr-18-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=21632","title":{"rendered":"Space transport roundup &#8211; Apr.18.2020"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>A sampling of recent articles, videos, and images dealing with space transport (find <a href=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?cat=5\">previous roundups here<\/a>):<\/p>\n<p>** <strong>NASA and SpaceX set <\/strong><strong> target date of <\/strong><strong>May 27th for first launch of astronauts to the ISS on a Crew Dragon<\/strong> vehicle:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.nasa.gov\/commercialcrew\/2020\/04\/17\/launch-date-set-for-first-crew-flight-from-u-s-soil-since-2011\/\">Launch Date Set for First Crew Flight from U.S. Soil Since 2011 \u2013 Commercial Crew Program\/NASA<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/specials\/dm2\/\">NASA DM-2<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>A new era of human spaceflight is set to begin as American astronauts once again launch on an American rocket from American soil to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission_pages\/station\/main\/index.html\">International Space Station<\/a> as part of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/exploration\/commercial\/crew\/index.html\">NASA\u2019s Commercial Crew Program<\/a>. NASA astronauts <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/astronauts\/biographies\/robert-l-behnken\/biography\">Robert Behnken<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/astronauts\/biographies\/douglas-g-hurley\">Douglas Hurley<\/a> will fly on SpaceX\u2019s Crew Dragon spacecraft, lifting off on a Falcon 9 rocket at 4:32 p.m. EDT on May 27, from Launch Complex 39A in Florida, for an extended stay at the space station for the Demo-2 mission. The specific duration of the mission is to be determined.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>As the final flight test for SpaceX, this mission will validate the company\u2019s crew transportation system, including the launch pad, rocket, spacecraft, and operational capabilities. This also will be the first time NASA astronauts will test the spacecraft systems in orbit.<\/em><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_21677\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21677\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.nasa.gov\/commercialcrew\/2020\/04\/17\/launch-date-set-for-first-crew-flight-from-u-s-soil-since-2011\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"21677\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?attachment_id=21677\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/KSC-20200411-PH-SPX01_0003-1024x6831-1.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"1024,683\" 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=\"SpaceX Dragon\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;&amp;#8220;The SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft undergoes final processing at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, in preparation for the Demo-2 launch with NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley to the International Space Station for NASA\u2019s Commercial Crew Program. Crew Dragon will carry Behnken and Hurley atop a Falcon 9 rocket, returning crew launches to the space station from U.S. soil for the first time since the Space Shuttle Program ended in 2011.&amp;#8221; Credit: SpaceX&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/KSC-20200411-PH-SPX01_0003-1024x6831-1.jpg\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-21677\" src=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/KSC-20200411-PH-SPX01_0003-1024x6831-1-500x333.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/KSC-20200411-PH-SPX01_0003-1024x6831-1-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/KSC-20200411-PH-SPX01_0003-1024x6831-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/KSC-20200411-PH-SPX01_0003-1024x6831-1.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-21677\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">&#8220;The SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft undergoes final processing at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, in preparation for the Demo-2 launch with NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley to the International Space Station for NASA\u2019s Commercial Crew Program. Crew Dragon will carry Behnken and Hurley atop a Falcon 9 rocket, returning crew launches to the space station from U.S. soil for the first time since the Space Shuttle Program ended in 2011.&#8221; Credit: SpaceX<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Scenes of NASA astronauts heading to the pad:<\/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\/q4L3w8tCi94?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>Find more <a href=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?cat=5#SpaceX\">SpaceX items below<\/a><\/p>\n<p>** <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/virginorbit.com\/\">Virgin Orbit<\/a> completes final major test before first LauncherOne flight<\/strong> &#8211; Cryogenic Captive Carry Test:<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Our recent cryogenic (LN2) captive carry flight represented the most realistic rehearsal of our launch system and procedures to date, and we couldn\u2019t be happier with the results. Virgin Orbit CEO Dan Hart had a few words to share as we ready ourselves for an orbital launch demonstration next.<\/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\/U7uNxrrlDoo?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>See also <a href=\"https:\/\/spacenews.com\/virgin-orbit-completes-final-major-test-before-first-launcherone-flight\/\">Virgin Orbit completes final major test before first LauncherOne flight &#8211; SpaceNews.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>** <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.virgingalactic.com\">Virgin Galactic<\/a> is holding online STEM sessions regarding various aspects of suborbital spaceflight. <\/strong>This one dealt with how a suborbital spaceplane is designed.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em><span class=\"style-scope yt-formatted-string\" dir=\"auto\">Join this <\/span><a class=\"yt-simple-endpoint style-scope yt-formatted-string\" dir=\"auto\" spellcheck=\"false\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/results?search_query=%23ScienceWithVirginGalactic\">#ScienceWithVirginGalactic<\/a><\/em><span class=\"style-scope yt-formatted-string\" dir=\"auto\"><em> Spacechat as we explain how to design a spaceship so that it can successfully travel to space and back.<\/em> <\/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\/it1sSUL9EL4?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>More about catching an Electron booster<\/strong>. Tim Dodd, the <a href=\"https:\/\/everydayastronaut.com\/\">Everyday Astronaut<\/a>, interviews <a href=\"http:\/\/www.rocketlabusa.com\">Rocket Lab<\/a> CEO Peter Beck: How To Catch A Rocket From Space With A Helicopter (Peter Beck Interview, April 2020)<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em><span class=\"style-scope yt-formatted-string\" dir=\"auto\">Rocket Lab has been making some impressive progress on their efforts to recover the booster stage of their Electron Rockets. I caught up with Rocket Lab CEO and Founder, Peter Beck, and got a run down on some of the exciting things they&#8217;re working on! Need a rundown on how Rocket Lab will catch a rocket with a parachute and a helicopter, and why it hasn&#8217;t been done before? I&#8217;ve got you covered! &#8211; <\/span><\/em><a class=\"yt-simple-endpoint style-scope yt-formatted-string\" dir=\"auto\" spellcheck=\"false\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=ZIaDWCK2Bmk\"><em>https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=ZIaDW&#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\/cdtQfSkrVUU?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>Rocket Lab is winning payload contracts:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/arstechnica.com\/science\/2020\/04\/rocket-lab-just-snagged-a-launch-contract-from-europes-vega-rocket\/\">Latest launch-contract win suggests Rocket Lab now considered highly reliable | Ars Technica<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rocketlabusa.com\/news\/updates\/rocket-lab-to-launch-dedicated-mission-for-japanese-space-industry-start-up-company-synspective\/\">Rocket Lab to Launch Dedicated Mission for Japanese Space Industry Start-up Company Synspective | Rocket Lab<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>** <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/launcherspace.com\/\">Launcher Space<\/a> to test engines for smallsat rocket at NASA Stennis<\/strong> facility: <a href=\"https:\/\/spacenews.com\/launcher-to-test-engines-at-stennis\/\" target=\"_d\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Launcher to test engines at Stennis &#8211; SpaceNews.com<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Small launch vehicle startup Launcher has signed an agreement with the Stennis Space Center to test engines at the Mississippi facility.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>The New York-based company signed a Space Act Agreement with Stennis at the end of March to use the E-1 test stand at the center for tests of its engine, coincidentally named E-2, it is developing for a small launch vehicle.<\/em><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">ANNOUNCEMENT: Launcher has signed a Space Act Agreement with <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NASAStennis?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@NASAStennis<\/a> to locate our full-scale test fire facility at Stennis. The first campaign is expected this summer as part of our <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/AF_SBIR_STTR?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@AF_SBIR_STTR<\/a> contract to test-fire our 22k lbf thrust E-2 engine.<a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/jmHxRsta0z\">https:\/\/t.co\/jmHxRsta0z<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/Q1SgCTULmN\">pic.twitter.com\/Q1SgCTULmN<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 LAUNCHER (@launcher) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/launcher\/status\/1250149968754638848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">April 14, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>The type of engines that will be tested at Stennis:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Launcher E-2 and Launcher E-2 Vacuum Edition side by side: Highest performance, low cost 3D printed liquid &#x1f680; engines for small orbital launch vehicle. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/DT2i7GhLsk\">https:\/\/t.co\/DT2i7GhLsk<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/0CXPpKcLuY\">pic.twitter.com\/0CXPpKcLuY<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 LAUNCHER (@launcher) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/launcher\/status\/1238085718188134400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">March 12, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>** <strong>Germany&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.isaraerospace.com\/\">Isar Aerospace<\/a> raises $17M and opens new facility<\/strong> near Munich for production of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.isaraerospace.com\/spectrum.php\">Spectrum rocket<\/a> for smallsat launch: <a href=\"https:\/\/spacewatch.global\/2020\/04\/isar-aerospace-expands-into-next-generation-rocket-production-facilities-near-munich\/\">Isar Aerospace Expands Into Next-Generation Rocket Production Facilities Near Munich &#8211; SpaceWatch.Global<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>The largely automated produced products that will be integrated at the new facilities are designed for scalability to meet the growing demand for satellite constellation deployment. \u201cWith our new premises, we are increasing the space available to our company for engineering, production and testing to over 15,000 square metres\u201d, says Daniel Metzler, CEO of Isar Aerospace. \u201cIn-house production is an important milestone on the way to our launch vehicle\u2019s maiden flight within the next two years\u201d.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Isar recently arranged to test the engines for the Spectrum at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sscspace.com\/ssc-worldwide\/esrange-space-center\/\">Esrange<\/a> facility in northern Sweden: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sscspace.com\/ssc-signs-contract-with-isar-aerospace\/\">SSC signs contract with Isar Aerospace &#8211; SSC &#8211; Swedish Space Corporation<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Swedish Space Corporation, SSC, and German space tech company Isar Aerospace have signed a long-term contract for testing of a new generation of European rocket engines for minilaunchers at Esrange Space Center in Sweden. The agreement includes a rocket stand for vertical tests and the agreement can be extended to include rocket stage tests with multiple rocket engines.<\/em><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_21668\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21668\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"21668\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?attachment_id=21668\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Spectrum_01jpg.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"729,691\" 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=\"Spectrum Rocket\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Illustration of a Spectrum rocket in flight. Credits: Isar Aerospace&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Spectrum_01jpg.jpg\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-21668\" src=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Spectrum_01jpg-500x474.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"474\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Spectrum_01jpg-500x474.jpg 500w, https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Spectrum_01jpg.jpg 729w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-21668\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Illustration of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.isaraerospace.com\/spectrum.php\">Spectrum rocket<\/a> in flight. Credits: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.isaraerospace.com\/\">Isar Aerospace<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The liquid fueled Aquila engine was developed in-house: \u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.esa.int\/Applications\/Telecommunications_Integrated_Applications\/Technology_Transfer\/Isar_Aerospace_High-performance_rocket_engines\">Isar Aerospace: High-performance rocket engines &#8211; ESA<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>The company team builds upon extensive experience in rocket engine and sounding rocket design and testing from Technical University Munich.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Now hosted at ESA Business Incubation Centre (BIC) Bavaria, Isar Aerospace is currently are working on developing high-performance technologies powered by a combination of hydrocarbon mixtures and liquid oxygen which could make conventional, toxic rocket fuels obsolete.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>** <a href=\"https:\/\/firefly.com\/\"><strong>Firefly<\/strong><\/a><strong> cites progress towards first launch of the <a href=\"https:\/\/firefly.com\/launch-alpha\/\">Alpha rocket<\/a> this summer<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">During these challenging times, Firefly continues to make substantial daily progress on the path to Alpha first flight this summer. Qualification testing of the world\u2019s simplest high-performance rocket engine (\u201cReaver\u201d) is progressing well. Crank it up! <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/bY5IUQuyU7\">pic.twitter.com\/bY5IUQuyU7<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Firefly Aerospace (@Firefly_Space) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Firefly_Space\/status\/1250148539147132933?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">April 14, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>** <strong>The economics of reusable rocket vehicles continues to be disputed<\/strong> by management of companies looking for excuses not to pay for the development of their own reusable rockets.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/aviationweek.com\/special-topics\/sustainability\/economics-rocket-reuse-still-air\">Economics Of Rocket Reuse Still Up In The Air | Aviation Week Network<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.teslarati.com\/spacex-critic-ula-ceo-reusable-rockets-economic-nonsense\/\" target=\"_d\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">SpaceX competitor ULA CEO still questions the economic value of reusable rockets &#8211; Teslarati<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2020\/04\/16\/elon-musk-spacex-falcon-9-rocket-over-a-million-dollars-less-to-insure.html\">Elon Musk: SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket &#8216;over a million dollars less&#8217; to insure &#8211; CNBC<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>** <strong>Northrop Grumman MEV-1 module provides station-keeping propulsion for an Intelsat satellite<\/strong> in geostationary orbit. The satellite is out of propellants for its own propulsion system so the MEV-1 attached itself to the satellites nozzle and will control it for about 5 years. Today the satellite was officially returned to full operation. <a href=\"https:\/\/news.northropgrumman.com\/news\/releases\/intelsat-901-satellite-returns-to-service-using-northrop-grummans-mission-extension-vehicle\">Intelsat 901 Satellite Returns to Service Using Northrop Grumman\u2019s Mission Extension Vehicle | Northrop Grumman<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Intelsat (NYSE: I) today announced that Intelsat 901 has returned to service following the successful docking with the first Mission Extension Vehicle (MEV-1) from Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) and the company\u2019s wholly-owned subsidiary, SpaceLogistics LLC, on February 25 \u2013 the <a href=\"https:\/\/news.northropgrumman.com\/news\/releases\/northrop-grumman-successfully-completes-historic-first-docking-of-mission-extension-vehicle-with-intelsat-901-satellite\">first time that two commercial spacecraft docked in geostationary orbit<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Since the February rendezvous, MEV-1 has assumed navigation of the combined spacecraft stack reducing its inclination by 1.6\u00b0 and relocating IS-901 to its new orbital location. Intelsat then transitioned roughly 30 of its commercial and government customers to the satellite on April 2. The transition of service took approximately six hours. IS-901 is now operating at the 332.5\u00b0E orbital slot and providing full service to Intelsat customers.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Intelsat views life-extension services, like MEV technology, as a cost-effective and efficient way to minimize service disruptions, enhance the overall flexibility of its satellite fleet and better support the evolving needs of its customers.<\/em><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Intelsat&#8217;s IS-901 satellite returned to service this morning after Northrop Grumman&#8217;s MEV-1 life extension spacecraft successfully docked and relocated the satellite to its new orbit. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/search?q=%24NOC&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">$NOC<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/search?q=%24I&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">$I<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Photos from when MEV-1 approached IS-901, with Earth visible in the background: <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/TBuvzT6S1X\">pic.twitter.com\/TBuvzT6S1X<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Michael Sheetz (@thesheetztweetz) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/thesheetztweetz\/status\/1251115320946954241?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">April 17, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>** <strong>Briefs<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/arstechnica.com\/science\/2020\/04\/rocket-report-virgin-orbit-takes-final-step-before-launch-delta-iv-on-track\/?utm_brand=arstechnica&amp;utm_source=twitter&amp;utm_social-type=owned&amp;utm_medium=social\" target=\"_d\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Rocket Report: Russia suspends Soyuz production, OneWeb seeks a rescue | Ars Technica<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.leonarddavid.com\/capsule-waverider-idea-advanced\/\" target=\"_d\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Capsule Waverider Idea Advanced &#8211; Leonard David<\/a> &#8211; &#8220;<em>This new waverider concept is part space capsule, part hypersonic glider that\u2019s capable of surviving a fiery return from outer space before gliding like a surfer on its own shock wave.<\/em>&#8220;<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spacenews.com\/world-view-delays-plans-and-furloughs-staff-because-of-pandemic\/\">World View delays plans and furloughs staff because of pandemic &#8211; SpaceNews.com<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/news.utexas.edu\/2020\/04\/16\/scientific-machine-learning-paves-way-for-rapid-rocket-engine-design\/\">Scientific Machine Learning Paves Way for Rapid Rocket Engine Design &#8211; UT News<\/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 test fired a Falcon 9 on the pad today<\/strong> in preparation for the launch of 60 more Starlink satellites on April 23rd: <a href=\"https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/2020\/04\/17\/spacex-test-fires-rocket-for-starlink-launch-next-week\/\" target=\"_d\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">SpaceX test-fires rocket for Starlink launch next week \u2013 Spaceflight Now<\/a><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">The first stage rocket booster supporting this mission previously supported Crew Dragon\u2019s first flight to the <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Space_Station?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@space_station<\/a>, launch of the RADARSAT Constellation Mission, and the fourth Starlink mission <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/4IMk3kTTaG\">pic.twitter.com\/4IMk3kTTaG<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 SpaceX (@SpaceX) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SpaceX\/status\/1251190726987218944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">April 17, 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\" data-conversation=\"none\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">The fairing previously supported launch of the AMOS-17 mission in August 2019 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/1qNaL0uPLh\">pic.twitter.com\/1qNaL0uPLh<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 SpaceX (@SpaceX) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SpaceX\/status\/1251190731949015040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">April 17, 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\">SpaceX test-fired a Falcon 9 rocket with a previously-flown first stage booster Friday at NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, keeping pace for a launch scheduled next Thursday, April 23, with the next batch of 60 Starlink broadband Internet satellites. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/o6hKSpZgOO\">https:\/\/t.co\/o6hKSpZgOO<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/5xOoXSK8zm\">pic.twitter.com\/5xOoXSK8zm<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Spaceflight Now (@SpaceflightNow) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SpaceflightNow\/status\/1251224184719581195?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">April 17, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>**** <strong>Starship<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>****** <strong>SpaceX has made rapid progress towards assembly of the SN4 Starship<\/strong> prototype. The stacking of all but the nosecone has been completed. <a href=\"https:\/\/forum.nasaspaceflight.com\/index.php?topic=48895.msg2069928#msg2069928\">Dates for closing the road<\/a> that passes near the launch pad have been filed. If the vehicle survives the tank pressure tests, low altitude flights will follow.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.teslarati.com\/spacex-starship-failures-dont-worry-elon-musk\/\">SpaceX&#8217;s recent Starship testing challenges don&#8217;t worry Elon Musk &#8211; Teslarati<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.teslarati.com\/spacex-first-starship-rocket-reuse-sn3-sn4\/\">SpaceX is about to reuse (part of) a Starship rocket &#8211; Teslarati<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.teslarati.com\/spacex-starship-failures-dont-worry-elon-musk\/\">SpaceX&#8217;s recent Starship testing challenges don&#8217;t worry Elon Musk &#8211; Teslarati<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Segments for the SN5 vehicle have been spotted in construction as well.<\/p>\n<p>The following videos mark the day-by-day developments in the SN4 and SN5 construction:<\/p>\n<p>******<strong> April 13<\/strong> &#8211; SpaceX Boca Chica &#8211; Preparing Launch Site for Starship SN4 &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCSUu1lih2RifWkKtDOJdsBA\">NASASpaceflight &#8211; YouTube<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Preparations to ready SpaceX&#8217;s Boca Chica launch pad for the arrival of Starship SN4 are continuing as the engine section prepares for stacking. Video and Photos via Mary (@BocaChicaGal). Edited by Jack Beyer (@thejackbeyer).<\/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\/pNQMxlC0a-k?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> April 14<\/strong> &#8211; SpaceX Boca Chica &#8211; Delivery Day in prep for Starship SN4 &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCSUu1lih2RifWkKtDOJdsBA\">NASASpaceflight &#8211; YouTube<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Delivery Day at SpaceX Boca Chica, a very windy day too, possibly a reason there wasn&#8217;t the completion of Starship SN4 stacking today, but the stage is being set. Video and Photos via Mary (@BocaChicaGal). Edited by Jack Beyer (@thejackbeyer).<\/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\/DBFJsS-8_3o?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>April 15<\/strong> &#8211; SpaceX Boca Chica &#8211; Starship SN4 Engine Section in the VAB for Stacking &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCSUu1lih2RifWkKtDOJdsBA\">NASASpaceflight &#8211; YouTube<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Starship SN4 Aft and Engine Section lifted into the VAB\/Windbreak for final stacking operations at SpaceX Boca Chica. Video and Photos via Mary (@BocaChicaGal). Edited by Jack Beyer (@thejackbeyer).<\/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\/qpC7S1LKFQs?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>April 15<\/strong> &#8211; SpaceX Boca Chica &#8211; Starship SN5 Production &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCSUu1lih2RifWkKtDOJdsBA\">NASASpaceflight &#8211; YouTube<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Bonus video concentrating on the early stages of Starship SN5&#8217;s production, including three bulkheads and barrel sections in preparation at SpaceX Boca Chica. Video and Photos via 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\/cLiN_bCUy8c?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>April 17<\/strong> &#8211; SpaceX Boca Chica &#8211; Starship SN4 Stacked &#8211; SN5 Progress &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCSUu1lih2RifWkKtDOJdsBA\">NASASpaceflight &#8211; YouTube<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Starship SN4 has been stacked inside the SpaceX Boca Chica VAB\/Windbreak, while Starship SN5&#8217;s top bulkhead stepped outside to watch. Video and Photos via Mary (@BocaChicaGal). Edited by Jack Beyer (@thejackbeyer).<\/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\/XaP_J0AmKJk?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> Video reports on Starship<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<p>[ <strong>Update<\/strong>: New Marcus House report:<\/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\/QlpjKLUkaug?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=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCBNHHEoiSF8pcLgqLKVugOw\/videos\">Marcus House<\/a>: SpaceX Starship SN4 News, Goodbye Cargo Dragon 1 and Rocket Lab Mid-Air Recovery Demo<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Today we cover SpaceX Starship SN4 News. We say goodbye to Cargo Dragon 1 and check out Rocket Lab Mid-Air Recovery Demo. After last week&#8217;s loss of the SN3 Starship we\u2019ve been super surprised to see the SN4 come together very rapidly with many of the ship segments s needed for the new build. They really are pumping out these Starship prototypes now faster than what I had even expected. Along with that, we say goodbye to the very last Dragon 1 capsule with its return from the CRS-20 mission. We witnessed some amazing new unseen footage from SpaceX released fresh this week. Just incredible how close this landing was from 2017. Then on top of all that Rocketlab pulls out all the stops with this amazing mid-air recovery demonstration with an Electron test tank and two sleek-looking helicopters capturing it right out of the air.<\/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\/NxekzNG69Ic?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:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/micoforion\/videos\"><strong>mic of orion<\/strong><\/a>: SpaceX Starship SN 4 Progressing Fast<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Remarkable progress on Starship SN-4, dayus after accident with Starship SNM-3 is something that demands respect. Starshi SN-04 isn&#8217;t even in testingh phase work on Starship SN-5 has already started with pre-fabricated rings, sections of the future fuel tanks and even engines will be ready<\/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\/tF0RXz8n4LQ?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\/1733265708\/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=1733265708&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=hobbyspace&amp;linkId=74214a71c15ff3f511948d70514cdda2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">See You In Orbit?:<br \/>\nOur Dream Of Spaceflight<\/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=1733265708\" 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=1733265708&amp;asins=1733265708&amp;linkId=36599dee290dd1287997513688ae2aed&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): ** NASA and SpaceX set target date of May 27th for first launch of astronauts to the ISS on a Crew Dragon vehicle: Launch Date Set for First Crew Flight from U.S. Soil Since 2011 \u2013 Commercial Crew Program\/NASA &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=21632\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Space transport roundup &#8211; Apr.18.2020<\/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":[106],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-21632","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-space-transport-roundup"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p34aWK-5CU","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":16495,"url":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=16495","url_meta":{"origin":21632,"position":0},"title":"Video: NASA announces astronauts for first commercial crew flights to the ISS","author":"TopSpacer","date":"August 3, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"NASA is announcing today the selection of astronauts who will fly to the \u00a0International Space Station\u00a0on the Boeing Starliner and SpaceX Crew Dragon transports, which are scheduled to make the first crew launches next year. The event is webcast from NASA's Johnson\u00a0 Space Center in Houston. [ Here is a\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\/08\/reddit-3-1024x6831-1024x683.png?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":22865,"url":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=22865","url_meta":{"origin":21632,"position":1},"title":"Videos: &#8220;Space to Ground&#8221; + Other ISS reports &#8211; Oct.2.2020","author":"TopSpacer","date":"October 2, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Here is the latest episode in NASA's Space to Ground weekly report on activities related to the International Space Station: https:\/\/youtu.be\/-7aIqgQ_an0 ** Expedition 64 Space Station Crew Departs for Kazakh Launch Site - NASA The International Space Station\u2019s Expedition 64 crew, Soyuz Commander Sergey Ryzhikov of Roscosmos, Flight Engineers Sergey\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;In Space Infrastructure&quot;","block_context":{"text":"In Space Infrastructure","link":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?cat=15"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/bigelow-xbase-_20160808-001-300x232.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":18021,"url":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=18021","url_meta":{"origin":21632,"position":2},"title":"Space transport roundup &#8211; Feb.28.2019","author":"TopSpacer","date":"February 28, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"A sampling of recent items related to traveling to and through space: [ Update 2: ** The SpaceIL lunar lander resumes its engine firings after a computer problem earlier this week caused a firing to be canceled: Beresheet Overcomes Early Glitches, Continues Journey to the Moon | The Planetary Society.\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\/OnPadFeb28-2019-1024x683.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":19929,"url":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=19929","url_meta":{"origin":21632,"position":3},"title":"Space policy roundup &#8211; Oct.14.2019","author":"TopSpacer","date":"October 14, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"A sampling of links to recent space policy, politics, and government (US and international) related space news and resource items that I found of interest (find previous space policy roundups here): Schedule: What\u2019s Happening in Space Policy October 13-19, 2019 \u2013 SpacePolicyOnline.com Commercial crew program: NASA's Bridenstine: SpaceX and Boeing\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Activism&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Activism","link":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?cat=3"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/bigelow-xbase-_20160808-001-300x232.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":21918,"url":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=21918","url_meta":{"origin":21632,"position":4},"title":"Videos: Launch of the first SpaceX Dragon with crew to the ISS","author":"TopSpacer","date":"May 27, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"6:20 pm EDT: The launch was scrubbed at about 15 minutes before liftoff time due to violations of weather constraints. The clouds were starting to clear but not in time for the instantaneous\u00a0 launch window. The next launch opportunity is on Saturday at 3:22 p.m. EDT (19:22 UTC). Followed by\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\/img.youtube.com\/vi\/Aymrnzianf0\/0.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":21902,"url":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=21902","url_meta":{"origin":21632,"position":5},"title":"Videos: &#8220;Space to Ground&#8221; ISS report &#8211; May.22.2020","author":"TopSpacer","date":"May 22, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Here is the latest episode in NASA's Space to Ground weekly report on activities related to the International Space Station: https:\/\/youtu.be\/wL-11DBVB4g ** #LaunchAmerica Boosts Space Station Science - NASA Johnson The International Space Station orbits more than 250 miles above the surface of our planet, offering the only platform for\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;In Space Infrastructure&quot;","block_context":{"text":"In Space Infrastructure","link":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?cat=15"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/bigelow-xbase-_20160808-001-300x232.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21632","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=21632"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21632\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21688,"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21632\/revisions\/21688"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=21632"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=21632"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=21632"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}