{"id":21746,"date":"2020-05-03T13:53:07","date_gmt":"2020-05-03T17:53:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=21746"},"modified":"2020-05-04T10:25:43","modified_gmt":"2020-05-04T14:25:43","slug":"space-transport-roundup-may-3-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=21746","title":{"rendered":"Space transport roundup &#8211; May.3.2020"},"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 selected three commercial teams for the design of a human lunar lander:\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/press-release\/nasa-names-companies-to-develop-human-landers-for-artemis-moon-missions\" target=\"_d\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">NASA Names Companies to Develop Human Landers for Artemis Missions | NASA<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>NASA has selected three U.S. companies to design and develop human landing systems (HLS) for the agency\u2019s\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/artemis\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Artemis<\/a>\u00a0program, one of which will land the first woman and next man\u00a0on the surface of the Moon by 2024.\u00a0NASA\u00a0is\u00a0on track for sustainable human exploration of the Moon for the first time in history.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>The human landing system\u00a0awards\u00a0under the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/nextstep\/humanlander2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships (NextSTEP-2)<\/a>\u00a0Appendix H Broad Agency Announcement (BAA)\u00a0are\u00a0firm-fixed price, milestone-based contracts.\u00a0The total\u00a0combined\u00a0value\u00a0for all awarded contracts\u00a0is $967 million for the\u00a010-month\u00a0base period.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p>The general plan is for an HLS system to operate initially with the Orion spacecraft launched by a SLS. with astronauts on board. Later, the lander will dock to the Gateway station in high lunar orbit.<\/p>\n<p>For these three HLS (Human Landing Systems) program contracts,<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>NASA\u2019s commercial partners will refine their lander concepts through the contract base period ending in February 2021. During that time, the agency will evaluate which of the contractors will perform initial demonstration missions. NASA will later select firms for development and maturation of sustainable lander systems followed by sustainable demonstration missions. NASA intends to procure transportation to the lunar surface as commercial space transportation services after these demonstrations are complete. During each phase of development, NASA and its partners will use critical lessons from earlier phases to hone the final concepts that will be used for future lunar commercial services.<\/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\/dlHJAKIaALg?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>Here is an audio recording of the teleconference on April 30th in which the announcement was made:<\/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\/I0uMmoZco1w?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<p>The three systems are described in<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/nasa-selects-blue-origin-dynetics-spacex-for-artemis-human-landers\">NASA Selects Blue Origin, Dynetics, SpaceX for Artemis Human Landers &#8211; NASA<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/secureservercdn.net\/198.71.233.197\/b13.8cb.myftpupload.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/HLS-SourceSelection-Stmt.pdf\">Source Selection Statement &#8211; NextSTEP-2 Appendix H: Human Landing System &#8211; April.28.2020 (pdf)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/nextstep\/humanlander2\">NextSTEP H: Human Landing System | NASA<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.blueorigin.com\">Blue Origin<\/a> National Team (incl Blue, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Draper)<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_21760\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21760\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/nasa-selects-blue-origin-dynetics-spacex-for-artemis-human-landers\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"21760\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?attachment_id=21760\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/blueorigin_hls_lander_de_ae_moon.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"985,554\" 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;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"blue Origin HLS Lander\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Artist concept of the Blue Origin National Team crewed lander on the surface of the Moon. Credits: Blue Origin&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/blueorigin_hls_lander_de_ae_moon.jpg\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-21760\" src=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/blueorigin_hls_lander_de_ae_moon-500x281.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/blueorigin_hls_lander_de_ae_moon-500x281.jpg 500w, https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/blueorigin_hls_lander_de_ae_moon-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/blueorigin_hls_lander_de_ae_moon.jpg 985w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-21760\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Artist concept of the Blue Origin National Team crewed lander on the surface of the Moon. Credits: Blue Origin<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>$579M\u00a0<\/strong> for further design work on the &#8220;Integrated Lunar Vehicle&#8221; (ILV), a 3 stage system that includes a transfer stage to power the system from the Gateway station or Orion in high lunar orbit to low lunar orbit, a lander stage, and an ascent stage. Each of the ILV stages will launch on either a Blue Origin New Glenn rocket or a ULA Vulcan and then be assembled in orbit.<\/li>\n<li>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.blueorigin.com\/news\/nasa-selects-blue-origin-national-team-to-return-humans-to-the-moon?utm_source=social&amp;utm_medium=youtube&amp;utm_campaign=HLS&amp;utm_content=blue_043020\" target=\"_d\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">NASA Selects Blue Origin National Team to Return Humans to the Moon &#8211; Blue Origin<\/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\/und5nNosJI0?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=\"https:\/\/www.dynetics.com\/\">Dynetics<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dynetics.com\/newsroom\/news\/2020\/dynetics-to-develop-nasas-artemis-human-lunar-landing-system\">several partners<\/a><\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>$253M <\/strong>for design of a 2-stage modular system for descent and ascent. The modules will launch separately on ULA Vulcan rockets.<\/li>\n<li>There would be two propellant modules ( Modular Propellant Vehicles or MPVs) and one crew module (called the Descent\/Ascent Element or DAE). The propellant modules, or &#8220;drop tanks&#8221; would be discarded during the descent to the lunar surface after the propellants were consumed.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dynetics.com\/newsroom\/news\/2020\/dynetics-to-develop-nasas-artemis-human-lunar-landing-system\">Dynetics To Develop NASA&#8217;s Artemis Human Lunar Landing System &#8211; Dynetics<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>The Dynetics Human Landing System concept includes a single element providing the ascent and descent capabilities, with multiple modular propellant vehicles prepositioned to fuel the engines at different points in the mission. The crew cabin sits low to the surface, enabling a short climb for astronauts entering, exiting, or transporting tools and samples. The DHLS systems supports both docking with Orion and with Gateway, and will get a fuel top-off before descending to the surface. After the surface expedition, the entire vehicle will return for crew transfer back to Orion.<\/em><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_21761\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21761\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/nasa-selects-blue-origin-dynetics-spacex-for-artemis-human-landers\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"21761\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?attachment_id=21761\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/dynetics-human-lander_1000x562.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"1000,562\" 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=\"Dynetics Human Lander\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Artist concept of the Dynetics Human Landing System on the surface of the Moon. Credits: Dynetics&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/dynetics-human-lander_1000x562.jpg\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-21761\" src=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/dynetics-human-lander_1000x562-500x281.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/dynetics-human-lander_1000x562-500x281.jpg 500w, https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/dynetics-human-lander_1000x562-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/dynetics-human-lander_1000x562.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-21761\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Artist concept of the Dynetics Human Landing System on the surface of the Moon. Credits: Dynetics<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.spacex.com\">SpaceX<\/a> Lunar Starship:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>$135M<\/strong> for design of a Starship customized for transport between lunar orbit and the surface. Other Starships will support the lunar vehicle&#8217;s mission. Reusable Super Heavy boosters will send Starships into earth orbit.<\/li>\n<li>The Lunar Starship has no thermal protection or reentry control surfaces as it will be used only for going back and forth between lunar orbit and the lunar surface.<\/li>\n<li>The Lunar Starship will initially rendezvous in earth orbit with another Starship that will provide propellants to power the trip to the Moon. Other Starships will supply propellants to this depot Starship.<\/li>\n<li>After refilling its tanks, the lunar Starship will go to lunar orbit. When NASA&#8217;s Gateway station is orbiting the Moon, the SpaceX Starship will dock with it.<\/li>\n<li>A problem with the standard Starship design for lunar missions is that the powerful Raptor engines would make deep craters in the surface while landing and taking off. Some of the dust and small rocks from the blast could even be accelerated into orbit due to the Moon&#8217;s low gravity and become hazardous debris for spacecraft there. The images of the Lunar Starship show thruster ports just above the mid-line of the vehicle. Presumably, these propulsion units provide sufficient thrust for landing while generating plumes that mostly disperse by the time they reach the ground and avoid the cratering and debris problems.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/2020\/05\/01\/nasa-identifies-risks-in-spacexs-starship-lunar-lander-proposal\/\">NASA identifies risks in SpaceX\u2019s Starship lunar lander proposal \u2013 Spaceflight Now<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.teslarati.com\/spacex-moon-starship-step-towards-mars\/\">SpaceX&#8217;s Moon Starship is a brilliant step towards reusable Mars rockets &#8211; Teslarati<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>From NASA&#8217;s PR:<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Starship is a fully reusable launch and landing system designed for travel to the Moon, Mars, and other destinations. The system leans on the company\u2019s tested Raptor engines and flight heritage of the Falcon and Dragon vehicles. Starship includes a spacious cabin and two airlocks for astronaut moonwalks.<\/em><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_21759\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21759\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/nasa-selects-blue-origin-dynetics-spacex-for-artemis-human-landers\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"21759\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?attachment_id=21759\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/starship_moon_astronauts.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"985,554\" 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;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Starship Moon\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Artist concept of the SpaceX Starship on the surface of the Moon. Credits: SpaceX&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/starship_moon_astronauts.jpg\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-21759\" src=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/starship_moon_astronauts-500x281.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/starship_moon_astronauts-500x281.jpg 500w, https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/starship_moon_astronauts-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/starship_moon_astronauts.jpg 985w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-21759\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Artist concept of the SpaceX Starship on the surface of the Moon. Credits: SpaceX<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>More reports on NASA&#8217;s announcement:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/arstechnica.com\/science\/2020\/04\/nasa-awards-lunar-lander-contracts-to-blue-origin-dynetics-and-starship\/\">NASA awards lunar lander contracts to Blue Origin, Dynetics\u2014and Starship | Ars Technica<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/arstechnica.com\/science\/2020\/05\/nasa-is-counting-on-a-lot-of-unproven-rockets-for-its-artemis-plan\/\">NASA is counting on a lot of unproven rockets for its Artemis plan | Ars Technica<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.popularmechanics.com\/space\/moon-mars\/a32332363\/artemis-lunar-lander\/?utm_medium=social-media&amp;utm_campaign=socialflowTWPOP&amp;utm_source=twitter&amp;src=socialflowTW\" target=\"_d\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">NASA&#8217;s Lunar Lander Begins to Take Shape | Artemis Moon Mission &#8211; Popular Mechanics<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>** <strong>Virgin Galactic does drop-glide test of SpaceShipTwo Unity from <a href=\"http:\/\/www.spaceportamerica.com\">Spaceport America<\/a><\/strong> in New Mexico.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">SpaceShipTwo Unity is attached to our mothership, VMS Eve and the vehicles are preparing to conduct a glide flight from our Gateway to Space facility at Spaceport America, New Mexico. We will be issuing a blog and updates upon landing. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/50gmKmURhb\">pic.twitter.com\/50gmKmURhb<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Virgin Galactic (@virgingalactic) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/virgingalactic\/status\/1256226273296343040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">May 1, 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\">SpaceShipTwo Unity takes to the skies attached to the mothership, VMS Eve for our first glide flight from Spaceport America. Unity is piloted by Dave Mackay and CJ Sturckow while in the cockpit of VMS Eve is Mike Masucci and Kelly Latimer. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/MmkW4Uehsa\">pic.twitter.com\/MmkW4Uehsa<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Virgin Galactic (@virgingalactic) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/virgingalactic\/status\/1256237502018605057?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">May 1, 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\">Today\u2019s glide flight is being conducted under a set of stringent operational protocols to ensure safety against COVID-19. These protocols include changes to the work areas and procedures to enforce social distancing as advised by state guidelines as well as universal mask useage <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/a0wVUSx2Bj\">pic.twitter.com\/a0wVUSx2Bj<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Virgin Galactic (@virgingalactic) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/virgingalactic\/status\/1256240660786618368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">May 1, 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\">SpaceShipTwo Unity completes a runway landing at Spaceport America, New Mexico finishing its first free flight in New Mexico airspace. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/iJ1sD1cAmW\">pic.twitter.com\/iJ1sD1cAmW<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Virgin Galactic (@virgingalactic) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/virgingalactic\/status\/1256256041995698178?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">May 1, 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\">Our mothership, VMS Eve, has landed at Spaceport America, New Mexico.<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Virgin Galactic (@virgingalactic) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/virgingalactic\/status\/1256260398371799040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">May 1, 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\">Today SpaceShipTwo Unity completed its first glide flight from Spaceport America. This is the first time our spaceship has flown freely in New Mexico and completes a vital milestone in its flight test program. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/0MSv7H90GY\">https:\/\/t.co\/0MSv7H90GY<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/UMuVf9FcsE\">pic.twitter.com\/UMuVf9FcsE<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Virgin Galactic (@virgingalactic) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/virgingalactic\/status\/1256284093563777025?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">May 1, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>A video released today:<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>This glide flight marks the inaugural solo flight of VSS Unity in New Mexico and as such is an important flight test milestone in preparation for commercial service.<\/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\/tzS6quajWnw?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:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.virgingalactic.com\/articles\/virgin-galactics-spaceshiptwo-completes-first-flight-from-spaceport-america\/\">Virgin Galactic\u2019s SpaceShipTwo Completes First Flight From Spaceport America &#8211; Virgin Galactic<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/mailchi.mp\/spaceportamerica\/virgin-galactics-vss-unity-soars-over-spaceport-america?e=73c948a234\">Virgin Galactic\u2019s VSS Unity Soars Over Spaceport America &#8211; Spaceport America &#8211; May 1, 2020 (pdf)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.geekwire.com\/2020\/virgin-galactics-spaceshiptwo-makes-first-gliding-test-flight-new-mexico\/\">SpaceShipTwo makes its first gliding test flight over New Mexico \u2013 GeekWire<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spacenews.com\/spaceshiptwo-makes-first-flight-from-spaceport-america\/\">SpaceShipTwo makes first flight from Spaceport America &#8211; SpaceNews.com<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>** <strong>Virgin Galactic STEM session &#8220;Science With Virgin Galactic | Flying a spaceship&#8221;<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<p><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><span class=\"style-scope yt-formatted-string\" dir=\"auto\"> Spacechat as our Lead Test Pilot, Mark &#8216;Forger&#8217; Stucky explains what a flight test is and why we have to do it.<\/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\/WBDl3zWifC8?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 rolled out Long March 5B heavy launch system <\/strong>to pad for a wet dress rehearsal. A test flight could happen as early as May 5th. <a href=\"https:\/\/spacenews.com\/long-march-5b-rolled-out-for-crewed-spacecraft-space-station-test-launch\/\">Long March 5B rolled out for crewed spacecraft, space station test launch &#8211; SpaceNews.com<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>The primary goal of the test flight is testing the Long March 5B for launching to low Earth orbit (LEO). If successful, launch of the \u2018Tianhe\u2019 core module for China\u2019s space station could take place as soon as early 2021.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>The payload for the test launch\u2014a prototype new-generation crewed spacecraft\u2014will be loaded with nearly 10 tons of propellant. This will both make the spacecraft analogous to a 20-ton-plus space station module and allow the prototype to reach higher orbits and test a high-speed reentry. <\/em><\/p>\n<p>** <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.rocketlabusa.com\">Rocket Lab<\/a> rolls Electron out to the pad at the Wallops Island, Virginia commercial spaceport<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rocketlabusa.com\/news\/updates\/electron-roll-out-complete-at-launch-complex-2-ahead-of-upcoming-u-s-space-force-mission\/\">Electron Roll-Out Complete at Launch Complex 2 Ahead of Upcoming U.S. Space Force Mission | Rocket Lab<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"BasicParagraph\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Rocket Lab, a space technology company and the global leader in dedicated small satellite launch, has rolled an Electron launch vehicle out to the Launch Complex 2 pad at the <a href=\"https:\/\/vaspace.org\/\">Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport<\/a> in Wallops, Virginia for the first time. The milestone is one of the final steps ahead of Rocket Lab\u2019s first launch from Launch Complex 2 \u2013 a dedicated mission in partnership with the Department of Defense\u2019s Space Test Program and the Space and Missile Systems Center\u2019s Small Launch and Targets Division.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"BasicParagraph\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Rocket Lab engineers and technicians carried out a range of successful integrated systems tests to verify launch systems on Electron and on the ground systems at Launch Complex 2. The critical checks included raising Electron vertical on the Launch Complex 2 pad for the first time, activating and tuning pad fluid systems, power and communication checkouts as well as RF testing with the range. The test campaign concluded with a hot ignition test of the nine Rutherford engines on Electron\u2019s first stage.<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"BasicParagraph\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>The STP-27RM mission will launch a single micro-sat from the Air Force Research Laboratory\u2019s Monolith program, which is designed to determine the ability of small satellites to support large aperture payloads to monitor space weather. The mission is being coordinated by the U.S. Space Force\u2019s Space and Missile Systems Center and is scheduled to launch no earlier than the third quarter of 2020.<\/em><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_21754\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21754\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rocketlabusa.com\/news\/updates\/electron-roll-out-complete-at-launch-complex-2-ahead-of-upcoming-u-s-space-force-mission\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"21754\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?attachment_id=21754\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Small1-scaled.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"2560,1706\" 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;TREVOR MAHLMANN\\rTREVOR.MAHLMANN@GMAIL.COM&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;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Electron on Pad in Virginia\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Small1-1024x683.jpg\" class=\"wp-image-21754 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Small1-500x333.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Small1-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Small1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Small1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Small1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Small1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-21754\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Rocket Labs Electron rocket goes vertical on the pad at the Wallops Island spaceport for the first time. Credits: Rocket Lab<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>See also:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2020\/05\/03\/rocket-lab-ceo-space-industry-in-coronavirus-slog.html\" target=\"_d\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Rocket Lab CEO: Space industry in coronavirus &#8216;slog&#8217; &#8211; CNBC<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/2020\/04\/rocket-lab-first-electron-lc-2-q3-2020-launch\/\">Rocket Lab rolls out first Electron at LC-2 ahead of Q3 2020 launch &#8211; NASASpaceFlight.com<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/michaelbelfiore.com\/2020\/04\/29\/rocket-lab-the-other-game-changing-launch-company\/\">Rocket Lab: The OTHER Game-Changing Launch Company | Michael Belfiore<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>** <strong>Briefs<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sncorp.com\/press-releases\/sncs-dream-chaser-tenacity-spaceplane\/\">SNC\u2019s \u201cDream Chaser Tenacity\u201d: First Orbital Vehicle of Dream Chaser\u00ae Spaceplane Fleet Reflects National Mood &#8211; Sierra Nevada Corp.<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/arstechnica.com\/science\/2020\/05\/rocket-report-starship-set-for-static-fire-test-meet-the-dorado-booster\/\">Rocket Report: Starship set for static fire test, meet \u201cThe Dorado\u201d booster | Ars Technica<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/isec.z2systems.com\/np\/clients\/isec\/viewOnlineEmail.jsp?emailId=87f11f1d2cd17cf53a8d94d9e8f16e6d8m96641287f\">ISEC (Int. Space Elevator Consortium) Newsletter &#8211; May 2020<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">==================<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Check out the<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thelurioreport.com\/\"><strong>The Lurio Report<\/strong><\/a><br \/>\nfor news and analysis of key developments in NewSpace<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">The latest issue:<br \/>\n<em><strong>Masten Goes Lunar, Rocket Lab, New Space and a Virus<br \/>\nVol. 15, No. 3, May 2, 2020<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Space Frontier Foundation Award for NewSpace Journalism<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">==================<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"SpaceX\"><\/a>** <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.spacex.com\">SpaceX<\/a><\/strong>:<\/p>\n<p>**** <strong>On Friday, NASA and SpaceX hosted three online panel presentations about the upcoming crew demonstration mission<\/strong>. The Falcon 9 is set to launch on May 27th with the first two astronauts to ride on a Crew Dragon to orbit.<\/p>\n<p><em>****** <\/em><strong>NASA\u2019s SpaceX Demo-2 Commercial Crew and International Space Station Overview News Conference<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em> With the first mission to return human spaceflight launches to American soil now targeted to lift off May 27, NASA highlighted the historic flight with a series of news conferences Friday, May 1. The first gave overviews of NASA\u2019s Commercial Crew and International Space Station programs and included NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, NASA Commercial Crew program manager Kathy Lueders, NASA International Space Station program manager Kirk Shireman and SpaceX president and chief operating officer Gwynne Shotwell.<\/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\/MUd2x8Yr6jo?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> NASA\u2019s SpaceX Demo-2 Mission Overview<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>With the first mission to return human spaceflight launches to American soil now targeted to lift off May 27, NASA highlighted the historic flight with a series of news conferences Friday, May 1. The second gave a detailed overview of the mission and its milestones and included NASA Commercial Crew program deputy manager Steve Stich, NASA Demo-2 Flight Director Zeb Scoville and SpaceX director of crew mission management Benji Reed.<\/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\/NVqy7wnkaEI?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>NASA\u2019s SpaceX Demo-2 Crew News Conference <\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>With the first mission to return human spaceflight launches to American soil now targeted to lift off May 27, NASA highlighted the historic flight with a series of news conferences Friday, May 1. The third included Demo-2 crew members Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley offering their thoughts on the upcoming mission and taking questions from reporters called in from around the world.<\/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\/Uab-trHm9ms?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:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/spacex-dragon-crewed-flight-demo-2-uphill-battle.html\">&#8216;Uphill battle&#8217;: SpaceX overcame obstacles on road to historic 1st crew launch | Space.com<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/2020\/05\/nasa-spacex-may-track-end-gap\/\" target=\"_d\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">NASA, SpaceX enters the critical month of May on track to end the gap &#8211; NASASpaceFlight.com<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.nasa.gov\/commercialcrew\/2020\/05\/01\/excitement-builds-for-nasas-spacex-demo-2-return-of-crewed-flight-from-u-s-soil\/\">Excitement Builds for NASA\u2019s SpaceX Demo-2, Return of Crewed Flight from U.S. Soil \u2013 Commercial Crew Program\/NASA<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/press-release\/nasa-to-provide-coverage-of-spacex-commercial-crew-test-flight-with-astronauts\">NASA to Provide Coverage of SpaceX Commercial Crew Test Flight | NASA<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/specials\/dm2\/\">NASA DM-2<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>** <strong>Final parachute test for Crew Dragon completed successfully<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">27th and final test of Crew Dragon\u2019s upgraded Mark 3 parachutes complete \u2013 one step closer to flying <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NASA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@NASA<\/a> astronauts <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/AstroBehnken?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@AstroBehnken<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Astro_Doug?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@Astro_Doug<\/a> to the <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Space_Station?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@space_station<\/a> and safely returning them back home to Earth <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/tY9jKKwzFi\">pic.twitter.com\/tY9jKKwzFi<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 SpaceX (@SpaceX) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SpaceX\/status\/1256299740653858819?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">May 1, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>[ <strong>Update<\/strong>: See also: <a href=\"https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/2020\/05\/03\/spacex-aces-last-dragon-parachute-test-before-crew-launch\/\">SpaceX aces last Dragon parachute test before crew launch \u2013 Spaceflight Now<\/a>]<\/p>\n<p>** <strong>SpaceX releases new video of in-flight abort test<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em><span class=\"style-scope yt-formatted-string\" dir=\"auto\">On Sunday, January 19, SpaceX successfully completed an in-flight test of Crew Dragon\u2019s launch escape capabilities from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This test, which did not have NASA astronauts onboard the spacecraft, demonstrated Crew Dragon\u2019s ability to reliably carry crew to safety in the unlikely event of an emergency on ascent.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Falcon 9 and Dragon lifted off at 10:30 a.m. EST, or <span class=\"style-scope yt-formatted-string\" dir=\"auto\">15:30<\/span><span class=\"style-scope yt-formatted-string\" dir=\"auto\"> UTC, with the abort sequence initiating approximately one and a half minutes into flight. Crew Dragon&#8217;s eight SuperDraco engines powered the spacecraft away from Falcon 9 at speeds of over 400 mph. Following separation, Dragon&#8217;s trunk was released and the spacecraft&#8217;s parachutes were deployed, first the two drogue parachutes followed by the four upgraded Mark III parachutes. Dragon safely splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean and teams successfully recovered the spacecraft onto SpaceX&#8217;s recovery vessel.<\/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\/DJ70N5HahDU?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>Preparations underway for first operational Dragon crew mission (Crew-1)<\/strong> set for the fall:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Once Demo-2 is complete, and the SpaceX and NASA teams have reviewed all the data for certification, SpaceX will launch Crew Dragon\u2019s first six-month operational mission (Crew-1) later this year. The Crew-1 spacecraft is in production and astronaut training is well underway <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/SVMQMkK6AB\">pic.twitter.com\/SVMQMkK6AB<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 SpaceX (@SpaceX) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SpaceX\/status\/1256251100782448640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">May 1, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>**** <strong>Starlink 6 booster processed quickly after return to Port Canaveral<\/strong>: A video via <a href=\"http:\/\/www.USLaunchReport.com\">www.USLaunchReport.com<\/a> \/ <a href=\"http:\/\/www.VeteransSpaceReport.com\">www.VeteransSpaceReport.com<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Booster lift and Leg retraction have been sped up to 400x. Transport is in real-time. There are still folks that have not seen this before.<\/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\/FwVl2ZYt7QY?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:\/\/www.teslarati.com\/spacex-rocket-durability-leg-retraction\/\">SpaceX retracts latest rocket&#8217;s landing legs in impressive feat of durability &#8211; Teslarati<\/a><\/p>\n<p>** <strong>Fourth Falcon Heavy launch set for the summer will carry military payloads<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/2020\/04\/27\/falcon-heavy-on-track-for-design-validation-milestone-before-late-2020-launch\/\">Falcon Heavy set for design validation milestone before late 2020 launch \u2013 Spaceflight Now<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>The U.S. Space Force expects to complete design validation on SpaceX\u2019s Falcon Heavy rocket by July, ahead of the launch of the military\u2019s first high-priority national security mission on the heavy-lifter late this year.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>The launch of multiple military payloads to an orbit more than 20,000 miles above Earth will mark the fourth flight of a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket, the most powerful launcher currently flying anywhere in the world.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>The mission is designated USSF-44, renamed from AFSPC-44 after the establishment of the U.S. Space Force in December.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>SpaceX won a military contract in February 2019 to launch the USSF-44 mission from pad 39A at NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. In documents published by the military during the procurement process, the Space and Missile Systems Center, or SMC \u2014 then part of the Air Force \u2014 suggested the USSF-44 launch will loft two payloads into a circular geosynchronous orbit more than 22,000 miles above the equator.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>**** <strong>Starship<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>****** <strong>The SN4 prototype<\/strong> is sitting on the launch pedestal and has had a single Raptor engine installed. A static firing test is expected sometime in the next few days. A brief hop to 150 meters or so should then follow within a few days after that.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, the sections of the SN5 prototype appear nearly complete and ready for stacking. This vehicle will probably also have two wing-like control surfaces attached. The first test flight is expected to go to around 20 km.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">SN5 gets a CH4 header tank, common dome section stacked, and a first, the new nosecone has been de-stacked. Something is getting scraped&#x1f605;Hopefully it won&#8217;t need a whole new nosecone.<br \/>\n&#x1f4f8; by <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BocaChicaGal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@BocaChicaGal<\/a> for <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NASASpaceflight?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@NASASpaceflight<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/5qC0eR4RpF\">https:\/\/t.co\/5qC0eR4RpF<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SpacePadreIsle?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@SpacePadreIsle<\/a> &#x1f4ab; <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/tOaY5FrABf\">pic.twitter.com\/tOaY5FrABf<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Rafael Adamy (@fael097) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/fael097\/status\/1256353544577392640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">May 1, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>**** <strong>Daily video reports on activities at Boca Chica<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<p>****** Last night and early this morning, the SN4 site was busy as they the crew attempted a wet dress rehearsal, which involved filling the tanks with actual propellants &#8211; liquid methane and liquid oxygen &#8211; for the first time. Methane vapor was burnt off in a flare near the pad, giving the scene a primeval look. <strong>Starship SN4 Wet Dress Testing at SpaceX Boca Chica<\/strong> &#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\/aYxpo9-Fog4?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>Apr.28.2020<\/strong>: SpaceX Boca Chica &#8211; SN4 preps for static fire as new Starship builds make progress &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCSUu1lih2RifWkKtDOJdsBA\">NASASpaceflight &#8211; YouTube<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Starship SN4 is set to perform a single-engine static fire later this week ahead of a planned hop to 150 meters. Meanwhile, back at the production site, SpaceX is working on additional prototypes including a nosecone pathfinder. 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\/pEmFs_kg6kQ?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>Apr.29.2020<\/strong>: SpaceX Boca Chica &#8211; Dual Starship Flows for SN4 and SN5 &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCSUu1lih2RifWkKtDOJdsBA\">NASASpaceflight &#8211; YouTube<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>SpaceX is working on at least two Starships at Boca Chica, with SN4 preparing for a Static Fire test at the launch site and SN5 build-up at the production site. Highlights include the SN5 Dome Skirt Bulkhead mate. 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\/emVqBvzBpuc?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>May.1.2020<\/strong> &#8211; SpaceX Boca Chica &#8211; Starship SN4 spotted with a Raptor, nosecone prototypes make progress &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCSUu1lih2RifWkKtDOJdsBA\">NASASpaceflight &#8211; YouTube<\/a><br \/>\n<em>A beehive of activity at SpaceX&#8217;s Texas Starship factory today. SN4 being readied for static fire and hop with a single Raptor engine, work on the build site progresses, and SN5 takes shape. Photos and Video by Mary (@BocaChicaGal) for NASASpaceflight.com. Edited by Jack Bayer (@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\/crBTqLxxD2Q?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>May.1.2020<\/strong> &#8211; SpaceX Boca Chica Starship SN4 and SN5 Update Friday May 1 &#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\/Ywx-ycN0tkk?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>May.2.2020<\/strong> &#8211; SpaceX Boca Chica &#8211; Starship SN4 enters test day &#8211; SN5 pre-stack ops &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCSUu1lih2RifWkKtDOJdsBA\">NASASpaceflight &#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\/6IyffP24_qc?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>Webcast reports<\/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\/MAQeI_h5P8U?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>NSF Live: Starship SN4 update from the launch site, NASA awards contracts for crewed lunar landers<\/strong> &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCSUu1lih2RifWkKtDOJdsBA\">NASASpaceflight &#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\/OG7-XyKgNdA?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>NASA Artemis Lunar Lander Selection Surprises Many (In a good way)<\/strong> &#8211; 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\/_t6pLNEXh18?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>Tim Dodd, the Everyday Astronaut, compares NASA&#8217;s Space Launch System (SLS) to the SpaceX Starship<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span class=\"style-scope yt-formatted-string\" dir=\"auto\"><em><strong>SLS VS Starship: Why do both rockets exist?!<\/strong> <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span class=\"style-scope yt-formatted-string\" dir=\"auto\"><em>NASA just announced the lunar landers for the Artemis program and to everyone\u2019s surprise, SpaceX\u2019s MASSIVE Starship is actually one of the landers NASA chose alongside Blue Origin and Dynetics. And this is bringing up a lot of questions, some of which we\u2019ll answer in my next video, \u201cShould NASA just cancel SLS and use Starship and \/ or other commercial launchers for Artemis?\u201d. But today I think we need to settle a lot of debates here first about these two rockets and now more than ever, it\u2019s time we truly pit them head to head.<\/em> <\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em><span class=\"style-scope yt-formatted-string\" dir=\"auto\">LINKS:<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=KA69Oh3_obY&amp;t=350s\">05:50<\/a> &#8211; What Makes a Vehicle a Super Heavy Lift Launcher<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=KA69Oh3_obY&amp;t=540s\">09:00<\/a> &#8211; The History of SLS and Orion <\/em><\/li>\n<li><em><a dir=\"auto\" spellcheck=\"false\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=KA69Oh3_obY&amp;t=1085s\">18:05<\/a> &#8211; The Progress and Inventory of SLS\/Orion and Starship<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em><a dir=\"auto\" spellcheck=\"false\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=KA69Oh3_obY&amp;t=1650s\">27:30<\/a> &#8211; The Philosophies of Starship and SLS<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em><a dir=\"auto\" spellcheck=\"false\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=KA69Oh3_obY&amp;t=2095s\">34:55<\/a> &#8211; Starship VS SLS <\/em><\/li>\n<li><em><a dir=\"auto\" spellcheck=\"false\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=KA69Oh3_obY&amp;t=2510s\">41:50<\/a> &#8211; Conclusion<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/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\/KA69Oh3_obY?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>&nbsp;<\/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\/0989135519\/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=0989135519&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=hobbyspace&amp;linkId=5203723e716aff942564e0553e7de329\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em><strong>Safe Is Not an Option<\/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=0989135519\" 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=0989135519&amp;asins=0989135519&amp;linkId=77da9ee9c40bd2d5bdefcfdd25afd5da&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 selected three commercial teams for the design of a human lunar lander:\u00a0 NASA Names Companies to Develop Human Landers for Artemis Missions | NASA NASA has selected three U.S. companies to design and develop human landing systems &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=21746\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Space transport roundup &#8211; May.3.2020<\/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":[5,106],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-21746","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-rockets","category-space-transport-roundup"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p34aWK-5EK","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":22981,"url":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=22981","url_meta":{"origin":21746,"position":0},"title":"Space policy roundup &#8211; Oct.19.2020","author":"TopSpacer","date":"October 19, 2020","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 18-24, 2020 \u2013 SpacePolicyOnline.com SpaceCom 2020 - Accelerating the Global Business of\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&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":18795,"url":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=18795","url_meta":{"origin":21746,"position":1},"title":"Space policy roundup &#8211; May.17.2019","author":"TopSpacer","date":"May 17, 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: NASA's Artemis return to the Moon program: NASA administrator on new Moon plan: \u2018We\u2019re doing this in a way that\u2019s never been done before\u2019 -\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Activism&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Activism","link":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?cat=3"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"\/\/ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/e\/ir?t=hobbyspace&l=am2&o=1&a=1633885348","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":21751,"url":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=21751","url_meta":{"origin":21746,"position":2},"title":"Space policy roundup &#8211; May.4.2020","author":"TopSpacer","date":"May 4, 2020","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 May 3-9, 2020 \u2013 SpacePolicyOnline.com NASA Artemis: NASA Names Companies to Develop Human\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&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":21842,"url":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=21842","url_meta":{"origin":21746,"position":3},"title":"Space policy roundup &#8211; May.15.2020","author":"TopSpacer","date":"May 15, 2020","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): NASA lunar programs: NASA advisers skeptical of agency\u2019s ability to meet 2024 lunar landing goal - SpaceNews.com A 2024\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Activism&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Activism","link":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?cat=3"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"\/\/ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/e\/ir?t=hobbyspace&l=am2&o=1&a=1734462205","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":21899,"url":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=21899","url_meta":{"origin":21746,"position":4},"title":"Space policy roundup &#8211; May.22.2020","author":"TopSpacer","date":"May 22, 2020","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): NASA management: Here\u2019s why NASA\u2019s chief of human spaceflight resigned\u2014and why it matters | Ars Technica NASA\u2019s human spaceflight\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&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":23805,"url":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=23805","url_meta":{"origin":21746,"position":5},"title":"Space policy roundup &#8211; Apr.19.2021","author":"TopSpacer","date":"April 19, 2021","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 April 18-24, 2021 \u2013 SpacePolicyOnline.com Space Tourism Conference \u2013 Profiting from the Space\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Activism&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Activism","link":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?cat=3"},"img":{"alt_text":"Jupiter","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/heic2017a1.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\/21746","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=21746"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21746\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21772,"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21746\/revisions\/21772"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=21746"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=21746"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=21746"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}