{"id":23707,"date":"2021-04-08T19:25:59","date_gmt":"2021-04-08T23:25:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=23707"},"modified":"2021-04-08T19:25:59","modified_gmt":"2021-04-08T23:25:59","slug":"space-transport-roundup-april-8-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=23707","title":{"rendered":"Space transport roundup &#8211; April.8.2021"},"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>Apr.8: The Starship prototype SN15 moved to launch site<\/strong>. The vehicle has many upgrades according to Elon Musk. A test flight could happen within a week or two. I certainly hope it achieves the first successful landing of a Starship (without a post touchdown explosion) after rising to high-altitude (~10km).<\/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\/b0tpApLtukc?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.7: Falcon 9 puts another batch of 60 Starlinks into orbit<\/strong>. This is the tenth SpaceX Falcon 9 mission in 2021. The total number of Starlink satellites in orbit is increased to 1,378. The first stage booster made its 7th successful landing. And it makes for the 79th booster landing to date. Both fairing halves were also previously flown.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Falcon 9\u2019s first stage has landed on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/9a7LUPYZue\">pic.twitter.com\/9a7LUPYZue<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 SpaceX (@SpaceX) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SpaceX\/status\/1379837350977540101?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">April 7, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>More at:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/2021\/04\/spacex-launch-starlink-l23\/\">SpaceX launches Starlink v1.0 L23 mission &#8211; NASASpaceFlight.com<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spacenews.com\/spacex-launches-another-set-of-starlink-satellites-as-it-nears-global-coverage\/\">SpaceX launches another set of Starlink satellites as it nears global coverage &#8211; SpaceNews<\/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\/Uy9Jn-3vuPs?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>Mar.30: Starship SN11 lifted off in dense fog, flew to 10 km, descended back into fog bank, and then exploded just before landing<\/strong>. The fog prevented the usual eruption of replays of a Starship explosion across the Web but also kept anyone from seeing exactly what happened. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.spacex.com\/vehicles\/starship\/\">SpaceX website<\/a> offered this info:<\/p>\n<div class=\"text-column\">\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>On Tuesday, March 30, SpaceX launched its fourth high-altitude flight test of Starship from Starbase in Texas. Similar to previous high-altitude flight tests, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/playlist?list=PLBQ5P5txVQr9_jeZLGa0n5EIYvsOJFAnY\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Starship<\/a> Serial Number 11 (SN11) was powered through ascent by three Raptor engines, each shutting down in sequence prior to the vehicle reaching apogee \u2013 approximately 10 km in altitude. SN11 performed a propellant transition to the internal header tanks, which hold landing propellant, before reorienting itself for reentry and a controlled aerodynamic descent.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Shortly after the landing burn started, SN11 experienced a rapid unscheduled disassembly. Teams will continue to review data and work toward our next flight test.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>On Twitter, Elon initially provided some hints of what happened:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Looks like engine 2 had issues on ascent &amp; didn\u2019t reach operating chamber pressure during landing burn, but, in theory, it wasn\u2019t needed.<\/p>\n<p>Something significant happened shortly after landing burn start. Should know what it was once we can examine the bits later today.<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1376891464333017090?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">March 30, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>On April 5th, he revealed the results of subsequent analysis:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Ascent phase, transition to horizontal &amp; control during free fall were good.<\/p>\n<p>A (relatively) small CH4 leak led to fire on engine 2 &amp; fried part of avionics, causing hard start attempting landing burn in CH4 turbopump.<\/p>\n<p>This is getting fixed 6 ways to Sunday.<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1379022709737275393?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">April 5, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>For the Falcon 9, SpaceX has always emphasized that the nine engines on the first stage are shielded from one another such that even a catastrophic failure of one will not affect the others and prevent destruction of the rocket. There have in fact been a couple of in-flight engine failures and the boosters continue to fly nonetheless. (The <a href=\"https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/2021\/03\/01\/component-fatigue-caused-early-shutdown-of-merlin-engine-on-last-spacex-launch\/\">most recent case<\/a> occurred in February and did prevent the booster from successfully landing.)\u00a0 The Raptors do not appear to be shielded in the prototypes flow so far and perhaps this &#8220;hard start&#8221;, i.e. engine explosion, was so violent that no practical shielding could have prevented the obliteration of the vehicle anyway.<\/p>\n<p>More about Elon&#8217;s comments:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/2021\/04\/05\/musk-says-methane-leak-doomed-latest-starship-test-flight\/\">Musk says methane leak doomed latest Starship test flight \u2013 Spaceflight Now<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spacenews.com\/engine-explosion-blamed-for-latest-starship-crash\/\">Engine explosion blamed for latest Starship crash &#8211; SpaceNews<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Here is the SpaceX webcast video:<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/gjCSJIAKEPM?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 view of the debris field:<\/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\/CPHh3NPgLEw?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>Elon is already looking ahead to the next upgrades:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Next major technology rev is at SN20. Those ships will be orbit-capable with heat shield &amp; stage separation system. Ascent success probability is high.<\/p>\n<p>However, SN20+ vehicles will probably need many flight attempts to survive Mach 25 entry heating &amp; land intact.<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1376898630582419461?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">March 30, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>See also:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/arstechnica.com\/science\/2021\/03\/spacex-loses-another-starship-prototype-as-landing-sequence-fails\/\">SpaceX loses another Starship prototype as landing sequence fails | Ars Technica<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/arstechnica.com\/science\/2021\/03\/spacex-may-attempt-to-launch-starship-sn11-on-friday\/\">SpaceX working toward early Tuesday morning Starship launch &#8211; Ars Technica<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spacenews.com\/spacex-crashes-another-starship-prototype\/\">SpaceX crashes another Starship prototype &#8211; SpaceNews<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2021\/03\/30\/spacex-launches-starship-sn11-but-appears-to-crash-on-landing-attempt.html\">FAA to investigate crash of SpaceX\u2019s Starship prototype during landing attempt &#8211; CNBC<\/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\/MoEv0dkWlvA?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 news and info on the <em><strong><a href=\"#SpaceX\">Starship program and other SpaceX activities below&#8230;<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p>** <strong>Reusable orbital launch systems are now in development by several companies<\/strong> around the world. As demonstrated by the successful reuse of the Falcon 9 first stages, reusability is key to lowering launch prices significantly and competing successfully with SpaceX.<\/p>\n<p>Some of the companies are even aiming to recover and reuse not only the first stage of their two stage rockets but the second stage as well. There is essentially a kilogram loss in payload mass for every kilogram added to enable the return and recovery of a second stage. SpaceX decided to pursue development of full reusability with the Starship system rather than reduce the F9&#8217;s payload capability with a reusable upper stage. As a rocket scales up in size, the impact on the total payload from reusability diminishes. Attaining full reusability with a small or a mid-range launch system and still offering a commercially viable payload capability is quite a challenge. The companies aiming for full reusability are currently keeping their design plans secret.<\/p>\n<p>Here is a list of several companies aiming for reusable launchers:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rocketlabusa.com\">Rocket Lab<\/a>:\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rocketlabusa.com\/rockets\/electron\/\">Electron<\/a> &#8211; Parachute return and retrieval of the Electron&#8217;s first stage booster from the ocean was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rocketlabusa.com\/about-us\/updates\/rocket-lab-launches-16th-mission-completes-booster-recovery\/\">demonstrated last November<\/a>. A description of the Electron&#8217;s reuse strategy: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rocketlabusa.com\/about-us\/updates\/how-to-bring-a-rocket-back-from-space\/\">How to bring a rocket back from space | Rocket Lab<\/a>. &#8220;<em>The stage held up remarkably well \u2013 not bad after experiencing the trip to space and back in just 13 minutes. The carbon composite structure was completely intact.<\/em>&#8221; This stage is not to be reused. After one more ocean recovery, the company plans this year to snag a booster before it touches the ocean by snagging its parachute with a helicopter. This booster would then be a candidate for reuse.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rocketlabusa.com\/rockets\/neutron\/\">Neutron<\/a> &#8211; &#8220;<em>features a reusable first stage designed to land on an ocean platform, enabling a high launch cadence and decreased launch costs for customers.<\/em>&#8221; See <a href=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=23557\">previous roundup<\/a> for the Neutron announcement.\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/arstechnica.com\/science\/2021\/03\/with-the-neutron-booster-rocket-lab-shows-its-not-afraid-of-taking-on-spacex\/\">Rocket Lab will directly challenge SpaceX with its proposed Neutron launcher | Ars Technica<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.relativityspace.com\/\">Relativity Space<\/a> &#8211; Terran R medium lift rocket would be fully reusable. (The company&#8217;s first rocket, the small-lift <a href=\"https:\/\/www.relativityspace.com\/terran\">Terran 1<\/a>, will have no reusable stages.)\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2021\/02\/26\/relativity-space-unveils-plans-for-a-new-much-larger-and-fully-reusable-rocket\/?guccounter=1&amp;guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&amp;guce_referrer_sig=AQAAADlF5OhgibZdtZARjMVfYgMzlN56u2lYAu9U2cGSRVSRrQZEXqcMOuDTldfg_IUmy6NluKkg-Acgqc0SYctq1xrIcsShoulng5id7M0B9cMxiryd5vu1WMhbk08vsqiV-RlWBSZjlVsdcJOy3Mb3Y_zWkcqneigqF7Fjqy6_v1OM\">Relativity Space unveils plans for a new, much larger and fully reusable rocket | TechCrunch<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2021\/02\/25\/relativitys-reusable-terran-rocket-competitor-to-spacexs-falcon-9.html\" target=\"_d\" rel=\"noopener\">Relativity&#8217;s reusable Terran rocket competitor to SpaceX&#8217;s Falcon 9 &#8211; CNBC<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/orbex.space\/\">Orbex<\/a>:\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/orbex.space\/vehicle\">Prime<\/a> &#8211; The two stage Prime smallsat launcher will have a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aerospacetestinginternational.com\/news\/engine-testing\/re-usable-and-sustainable-rocket-to-launch-from-uk-spaceport.html\">reusable first stage booster<\/a>. &#8220;<em>The Prime rocket was designed to be re-usable, incorporating a novel recovery and reusability system<\/em>.&#8221;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pldspace.com\/en\/\">PLD Space<\/a> &#8211;\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pldspace.com\/en\/miura-1\">MIURA 1<\/a> &#8211; reusable suborbital rocket currently in development<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pldspace.com\/en\/miura-5\">MIURA 5<\/a> &#8211; orbital rocket (300-500 kg to LEO)\u00a0 with reusable first stage.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.stoke-space.com\/\">Stoke Space<\/a> &#8211; Stock claims first and second stage reusability with &#8220;<em>zero refurbishment with 24-hour turnaround<\/em>&#8220;. No public info on the design of the second stage.\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2021\/02\/25\/stoke-space-wants-to-take-reusable-rockets-to-new-heights-with-9m-seed\/\">Stoke Space aims to take reusable rockets to new heights with $9M seed | TechCrunch<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.geekwire.com\/2021\/stoke-space-raises-9-1-million-create-new-breed-reusable-upper-stage-rockets\/\">Stoke Space raises $9.1M for a new breed of reusable upper stages &#8211; GeekWire<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spacenews.com\/stoke-raises-seed-round-to-work-on-fully-reusable-rockets\/\">Stoke raises seed round to work on fully reusable rockets &#8211; SpaceNews<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sbir.gov\/sbirsearch\/detail\/1705099\">SBIR Phase I: Integrated propulsion solution to enable reusable upper stages of space vehicles | SBIR.gov<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>** <strong>Will Blue learn vertical landing the SpaceX way?<\/strong> SpaceX&#8217;s success at landing F9 boosters remains an amazing feat to watch. Eric Berger talks about how this capability has changed his thinking on what is possible with rockets and spaceflight: <a href=\"https:\/\/arstechnica.com\/science\/2021\/04\/spacex-landed-a-rocket-on-a-boat-five-years-ago-it-changed-everything\/\">SpaceX landed a rocket on a boat five years ago\u2014it changed everything | Ars Technica<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>SpaceX learned to do vertical landing with test hops of the <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/SpaceX_reusable_launch_system_development_program#Grasshopper\">Grasshopper demonstrator<\/a> at their <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/SpaceX_launch_facilities#SpaceX_Rocket_Development_and_Test_Facility,_McGregor,_Texas\">McGregor, Texas\u00a0 facility <\/a>and by setting stages down softly onto the ocean surface on Falcon 9 missions.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.blueorigin.com\/\">Blue Origin<\/a> intends to land the first stage of its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blueorigin.com\/new-glenn\/\">New Glenn<\/a> rocket on a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.geekwire.com\/2020\/ahoy-jacklyn-jeff-bezos-names-blue-origins-rocket-recovery-ship-mom\/\">ship at sea<\/a>. Blue <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blueorigin.com\/news\/new-glenns-progress-towards-maiden-flight\">recently announced<\/a> that the first New Glenn flight would not happen before the end of 2022. I&#8217;m wondering, though, if in the meantime they will do some short hops of a first stage prototype like the <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/SpaceX_reusable_launch_system_development_program#Grasshopper\">Grasshopper<\/a>. The ship will be sailing to provide what Blue claims will be more stable pad than the SpaceX stationary platforms. However, landing on a moving target still looks like a tough challenge, especially without any practice even with landing on solid ground.<\/p>\n<p>** <strong>Mar.30: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.virgingalactic.com\/\">Virgin Galactic<\/a> rolls out VSS Imagine, the first of the next generation SpaceShip III vehicles<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.virgingalactic.com\/articles\/virgin-galactic-unveils-vss-imagine-the-first-spaceship-iii-in-its-growing-fleet\/\">Virgin Galactic Unveils VSS Imagine, The First SpaceShip III In Its Growing Fleet &#8211; Virgin Galactic<\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><em>SS Imagine will commence ground testing, with glide flights this summer<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>Breakthrough livery design allows Imagine to mirror the surrounding environment as it moves from Earth to Space<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>Manufacturing ramps up on next SpaceShip III in the fleet, VSS Inspire<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Virgin Galactic today unveiled the Company\u2019s first Spaceship III in its growing fleet, VSS Imagine. The spaceship showcases Virgin Galactic\u2019s innovation in design and astronaut experience. Imagine also demonstrates progress toward efficient design and production, as Virgin Galactic works to scale the business for the long-term. VSS Imagine will commence ground testing, with glide flights planned for this summer from Spaceport America in New Mexico.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>The breakthrough livery design, finished entirely with a mirror-like material, reflects the surrounding environment, constantly changing color and appearance as it travels from earth to sky to space. Along with providing thermal protection, this dynamic material is naturally appealing to the human eye, reflecting our inherent human fascination with space and the transformative experience of spaceflight.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Leveraging a modular design, the SpaceShip III class of vehicles are built to enable improved performance in terms of maintenance access and flight rate. This third generation of spaceship will lay the foundation for the design and manufacture of future vehicles.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>As VSS Imagine begins ground testing, manufacturing will progress on VSS Inspire, the second SpaceShip III vehicle within the Virgin Galactic fleet. The introduction of the Spaceship III class of vehicles is an important milestone in Virgin Galactic\u2019s multi-year effort that targets flying 400 flights per year, per spaceport.<\/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\/UKiLv95mIVo?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-galactic-unveils-new-suborbital-spaceplane\/\">Virgin Galactic unveils new suborbital spaceplane &#8211; SpaceNews<\/a><\/p>\n<p>** <strong>Mar.25: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.arianespace.com\/mission\/soyuz-flight-st30\/\">Arianespace\/Russian Soyuz<\/a> puts 36 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oneweb.world\/\">OneWeb<\/a> satellites into orbit<\/strong>: The launch from the <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Vostochny_Cosmodrome\">Vostochny Cosmodrome<\/a> in northern Russia brings the total number of OneWeb satellites in low earth orbit to 146 . The goal is 648 satellites to provide Internet services globally. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.arianespace.com\/press-release\/soyuz-st30-success\/\">Flight ST30: Arianespace successfully deploys OneWeb constellation satellites &#8211; Arianespace<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Arianespace has launched 146 OneWeb satellites to date. Soyuz successfully orbited the initial six from French Guiana during February 2019. In February and March 2020, Arianespace and its Starsem affiliate successfully launched 68 OneWeb satellites from Baikonur Cosmodrome, as well as an additional batch of 36 satellites from the Vostochny Cosmodrome during December 2020.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Pursuant to an amended launch contract with OneWeb, Arianespace will perform 14 more Soyuz launches through 2021 and 2022. These launches will enable OneWeb to complete the deployment of its full global constellation of low Earth orbit satellites by the end of 2022.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Internet services above 50 degrees north latitude should be available by the end of this year.<\/p>\n<p>See also:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.oneweb.world\/media-center\/successful-launch-marks-key-milestone-for-onewebs-five-to-50-ambition\">Successful Launch Marks Key Milestone for OneWeb\u2019s \u2018Five to 50\u2019 Ambition | OneWeb<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/2021\/03\/arianespace-starsem-oneweb-fifth\/\">Arianespace and Starsem to continue OneWeb constellation deployment with fifth launch &#8211; NASASpaceFlight.com<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/I8Jey76akIk?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><!--more--><\/p>\n<p>** <strong>Mar.22: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rocketlabusa.com\/\">Rocket Lab<\/a> launches Electron with 6 satellites<\/strong> from a variety of organizations. The largest satellite was the 56 kg Blacksky Global 9 earth imaging spacecraft for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blacksky.com\/\">BlackSky Inc<\/a>. Following deployment of the satellites, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rocketlabusa.com\/satellites\/\">Photon<\/a> kick stage began the Pathstone mission to demonstrate its capabilities as a platform for deep space operations. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rocketlabusa.com\/about-us\/updates\/rocket-lab-successfully-launches-19th-electron-deploys-100th-satellite\/\">Rocket Lab Successfully Launches 19th Electron, Deploys 100th Satellite &#8211; Rocket Lab<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Following the deployment of the final customer payload on this mission the Kick Stage was reconfigured to Photon, Rocket Lab\u2019s in-house built spacecraft. Photon Pathstone is equipped with new power management, thermal control, and attitude control subsystems that will be utilized for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rocketlabusa.com\/missions\/lunar\/\">CAPSTONE mission<\/a> to the Moon for NASA later this year. Photon Pathstone is also testing on orbit new deep-space radio capability, an upgraded RCS (reaction control system), and sun sensors and star trackers.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>More at:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/2021\/03\/rocket-lab-photon-pathfinder\/\">Rocket Lab launches Photon pathfinder on They Go Up So Fast &#8211; NASASpaceFlight.com<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/2021\/03\/23\/testbed-for-nasa-moon-mission-rides-to-orbit-with-six-other-satellites\/\">Testbed for NASA moon mission rides to orbit with six other satellites \u2013 Spaceflight Now<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spacenews.com\/rocket-lab-launches-smallsat-rideshare-mission\/\">Rocket Lab launches smallsat rideshare mission &#8211; SpaceNews<\/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\/u5wmrGriVX0?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 preview of Rocket Lab&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rocketlabusa.com\/missions\/lunar\/\">Capstone<\/a> lunar mission<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em><span class=\"style-scope yt-formatted-string\" dir=\"auto\">Rocket Lab is excited to be launching CAPSTONE this year for @NASA in support of <\/span><a class=\"yt-simple-endpoint style-scope yt-formatted-string\" dir=\"auto\" spellcheck=\"false\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/hashtag\/artemis\">#Artemis<\/a><span class=\"style-scope yt-formatted-string\" dir=\"auto\">\u200b<\/span><span class=\"style-scope yt-formatted-string\" dir=\"auto\">. Electron and Photon will deploy this pathfinding satellite to a never-before-used cislunar orbit near the Moon<\/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\/WWvrXtPK6gI?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>An interview with Rocket Lab CEO and founder Peter Beck<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/mainenginecutoff.simplecast.com\/episodes\/183?share=true\">T+183: Peter Beck on Neutron, Going Public, and Eating Hats | Main Engine Cut Off<\/a> &#8211;<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/peter_j_beck\">Peter Beck<\/a>, Founder, CEO, and CTO of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rocketlabusa.com\/\">Rocket Lab<\/a>, joins me to talk about going public, their new, bigger launch vehicle, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rocketlabusa.com\/rockets\/neutron\/\">Neutron<\/a>, updates to their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rocketlabusa.com\/rockets\/electron\/\">Electron<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rocketlabusa.com\/satellites\/\">Photon<\/a> offerings, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=agqxJw5ISdk\">eating hats<\/a>, and avoiding eating hats in the future.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/player.simplecast.com\/3b674530-c6ef-483b-82e5-93f7e697a30e?dark=false\" width=\"100%\" height=\"200px\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless=\"\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>** <strong>Mar.22: Russian <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Soyuz-2#Soyuz-2.1a\">Soyuz-2.1a<\/a> launches South Korea&#8217;s CAS500-1 remote sensing satellite<\/strong> and 37 other satellites including <a href=\"https:\/\/astroscale.com\/\">AstroScale<\/a>&#8216;s ELSA-d demo debris removal spacecraft. The liftoff from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan on Monday morning followed a scrubbed attempt last Saturday. With the aid of the <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fregat\">Fregat upper stage<\/a>, the satellites were deployed into three polar orbits with slightly different altitudes and inclinations.<strong><br \/>\n<\/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\/J1nfIV-4_e8?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.nasaspaceflight.com\/2021\/03\/russia-rideshare-mission-commercial-soyuz\/\">Russia launches multi-satellite rideshare mission on commercial Soyuz flight &#8211; NASASpaceFlight.com<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/tass.com\/science\/1268573\">Soyuz-2.1a rocket with 38 satellites from 18 countries launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome &#8211; Science &amp; Space &#8211; TASS<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/tass.com\/science\/1268617\">Russia\u2019s Soyuz-2.1a carrier rocket delivers South Korea\u2019s satellite into orbit &#8211; TASS<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>** <strong>Mar.31: Chinese Long March-4C rocket sends Gaofen-12 02 Earth observation satellite<\/strong> into orbit.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.xinhuanet.com\/english\/2021-03\/31\/c_139848078_2.htm\">China launches new Earth observation satellite &#8211; Xinhua<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/2021\/03\/gaofen12-2-satellite-launch\/\">China launches second Gaofen 12 Earth observation satellite &#8211; NASASpaceFlight.com<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/gwx_zgrr4MY?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>Mar.13: Chinese Long March 4C rocket launches three Yaogan-31 remote sensing satellites<\/strong> into orbit from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/2021\/03\/yaogan-31-04-launch\/\">China lofts three military Yaogan satellites in Chang Zheng 4C launch &#8211; NASASpaceFlight.com<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/d6A3GzJE7wY?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>Mar.11: China&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Long_March_7\">Long March 7A<\/a> launches successfully <\/strong>from Wenchang Spacecraft spaceport located in southeastern China on Hainan Island. The modernized, liquid-fueled (keroscene and liquid oxygen) vehicle failed in its third launch a year ago. The payload was the Shiyan 9\/Xinjishu Yanzheng-6-02 satellite, described by Chinese sources as an experimental spacecraft but otherwise little information released.<strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/2021\/03\/china-launches-chang-zheng-7a-rocket-on-its-return-to-flight-mission\/\">China launches Chang Zheng 7A rocket on its Return To Flight mission &#8211; NASASpaceFlight.com<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.chinadaily.com.cn\/a\/202103\/12\/WS604ab900a31024ad0baaeab4_2.html\">China launches medium-lift Long March-7A carrier rocket &#8211; Chinadaily.com.cn<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/2021\/03\/12\/chinas-long-march-7a-rocket-successful-on-second-flight\/\">China\u2019s Long March 7A rocket successful on second flight \u2013 Spaceflight Now<\/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\/KLfVCzk9t0Q?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>Update on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.relativityspace.com\/\">Relativity Space<\/a> development of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.relativityspace.com\/terran\">Terran 1<\/a> rocket<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/arstechnica.com\/science\/2021\/03\/relativity-space-printed-its-terran-1-rockets-second-stage-in-a-few-weeks\/\">Relativity Space printed its Terran 1 rocket\u2019s second stage in a few weeks | Ars Technica<\/a><strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>In an interview, Relativity CEO Tim Ellis said the company recently printed the second stage that will be used on the inaugural flight of the Terran 1 rocket, which is presently scheduled to take place before the end of 2021. The stage was printed at a rate of about 1 linear foot per day, so in printer time it took about three weeks in total to produce the 20-foot tall second stage.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>&#8220;We&#8217;re now confident in this build process,&#8221; Ellis said. &#8220;Not only is the second stage now completed, but we&#8217;re 75 percent of the way through printing the rocket&#8217;s first stage.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>With the printing complete, the company has begun installing an Aeon vacuum engine, avionics, and a separation system for the first stage. The California-based company intends to ship the second stage to its facilities at Stennis Space Center, in Mississippi, for testing this summer. Assuming a successful test campaign, the stage will then be moved to Florida, where it will be integrated with the first stage for launch.<\/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\/ZFhniqvugGs?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.sncorp.com\/space-systems\/\">Sierra Nevada <\/a>offers a vision of a commercial space station serviced by DreamChaser<\/strong> vehicles: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sncorp.com\/press-releases\/snc-details-for-leo-commercialization-and-commercial-space-station\">Ozmens\u2019 SNC Announces Details for Commercial Space Station and LEO Commercialization &#8211; Sierra Nevada.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>SNC released<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>&#8230; development plans for its low-Earth orbit (LEO) space station \u2013 leveraging its transportation and destination technologies \u2013 releasing new images, details and video of the unique concept in support of LEO commercialization.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>The space station is a configuration of multiple large inflatable LIFE&#x2122; habitats that can be serviced by both cargo and crew carrying Dream Chaser<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> spaceplanes.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>\u201cThere is no scalable space travel industry without a spaceplane,\u201d said SNC\u2019s Chairwoman and owner Eren Ozmen. \u201cDream Chaser and its runway landing offer the scalable, preferred solution for humans and science in support of a vibrant LEO economy.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>&#8230; <\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>The Dream Chaser, America\u2019s Spaceplane<sup>\u00ae<\/sup>, is a reusable, multi-mission space utility vehicle. Dream Chaser Tenacity&#x2122; spaceplane and the Shooting Star&#x2122; transport vehicle will begin providing cargo delivery and disposal services to the International Space Station under NASA\u2019s Commercial Resupply Services 2 (CRS-2) contract late next year.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>The LIFE habitat is a three story, 27-foot large inflatable fabric environment that launches on a conventional rocket and inflates on-orbit. The LIFE habitat is undergoing a NASA soft-goods certification this year and the full size ground prototype developed under NASA\u2019s NextSTEP-2 contract is in the process of being transferred from Johnson Space Center in Texas to Kennedy Space Center in Florida for further testing on short-and long-term habitation. SNC\u2019s Astro Garden<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> system also provides fresh food within the habitat.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>\u201cNASA has asked private industry to come to the table with alternatives to the International Space Station,\u201d said Janet Kavandi former NASA astronaut and SSG executive vice president of SNC\u2019s Space Systems. \u201cSNC intends to lead in LEO commercialization, building on NASA\u2019s efforts to date and welcoming additional public and private partners worldwide.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Dream Chaser\u00ae spaceplane closer to launch in 2022: First Dream Chaser orbital vehicle is being assembled in Louisville, Colorado. Thermal protection tiles being installed on vehicles exterior\/wings will attached summer 2021 <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/FutureofSpace?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#FutureofSpace<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Space?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#Space<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/oCg9796Xml\">pic.twitter.com\/oCg9796Xml<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Sierra Nevada Corporation (@SierraNevCorp) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SierraNevCorp\/status\/1377343824905728001?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">March 31, 2021<\/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\">\u201cSNC intends to lead in LEO commercialization, building on NASA\u2019s efforts to date and welcoming additional public and private partners worldwide\u201d says <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/JanetKavandi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@janetkavandi<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/FutureofSpace?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#FutureofSpace<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Space?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#Space<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/UUoNu0YYkl\">pic.twitter.com\/UUoNu0YYkl<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Sierra Nevada Corporation (@SierraNevCorp) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SierraNevCorp\/status\/1377339565455773697?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">March 31, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>**<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.c6launch.ca\/\"> C6 Launch Systems<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ursamajortechnologies.com\/\">Ursa Major Technology<\/a> open engine test stand at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.spaceportamerica.com\">Spaceport America<\/a><\/strong> in New Mexico. C6 is developing a rocket for smallsat delivery to orbit. They will use Ursa Major&#8217;s staged combustion engines for the rocket&#8217;s propulsion system.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lcsun-news.com\/story\/news\/local\/spaceport\/2021\/03\/16\/spaceport-america-rocket-c-6-launch-systems-test-stand\/4711257001\/\">Spaceport America welcomes C6 Launch Systems, unveils rocket test stand &#8211; Las Cruces Sun<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lascrucesbulletin.com\/stories\/coming-back-with-a-launch-company,6088\">Coming back with a launch company &#8211; Las Cruces Bulletin<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.c6launch.ca\/spaceport-america-and-c6-launch-systems-sign-agreement\/\">Spaceport America and C6 Launch Systems Sign Agreement &#8211; C6 Launch Systems Inc.<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.spaceportamerica.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/C6-Launch-Media-Kit-Spaceport-America.pdf\">C6 Launch Media Kit &#8211; C6\/Spaceport America (pdf)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>From Las Cruces Sun:<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Designed and built by Highland Enterprises of Las Cruces, the stand will support static testing of engines of various sizes, and while it does not move or produce a dramatic silhouette against the San Andres Mountains, the new piece of infrastructure represented a step into a post-pandemic year for the spaceport. <\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>C6 Launch, an Ontario-based startup launching small satellites, invested $200,000 to develop the test stand and conduct launches at the facility, but the frame is a permanent piece of infrastructure that will be available for other clients as well.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>The company hopes to begin testing a rocket engine, developed by Ursa Major Tech in Colorado, next week. The engine had not yet arrived, but the fuel and oxygen tanks&#8217; test system was in place.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>From the Media Kit:<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>We know that the industry urgently needs new reliable, dedicated smallsat launch capacity. We are on track to deliver payloads up to 30 kg into SSO and custom orbits with suborbital flights by mid-2022 and orbital flights in 2023. &#8230;<\/em><\/p>\n<p>And<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>C6 Launch, Spaceport America, and Ursa Major partnered to test all systems (avionics, engine controls, communications, and ground controls) through a series of hot-fire engine burns in March and April. The tests will confirm the design of fundamental components as a major step in building the launch vehicle. C6 spent the last eight months designing and building the entire test system with support from Spaceport America and Ursa Major. The Vertical Launch Pad at Spaceport America will be the site of the test. Spaceport will also provide logistical support to the team. C6, through its affiliated U.S.-based corporation (CLS 7691 LLC), purchased the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ursamajortechnologies.com\/engines\">Hadley engine from Ursa Major<\/a>. Ursa Major will also provide a team of propulsion engineers to assist the American employees of CLS in the tests<\/em><\/p>\n<p>This report includes videos about the Spaceport and the C6 test stand: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.koat.com\/article\/new-mexico-has-chance-to-make-history\/35857342\">New Mexico has chance to make history with Spaceport America &#8211; KOAT.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/TDQgTKRGAZY?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/bwl8fv1lhd4?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>Update on development of a hydrogen gas gun for orbial space access at the Green Launch Company<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/thespaceshow.com\/guest\/dr.-john-hunter\">Dr. John Hunter<\/a> spoke on <a href=\"https:\/\/thespaceshow.com\/show\/16-mar-2021\/broadcast-3658-dr.-john-hunter\">The Space Show on Tuesday, Mar.16.2021<\/a> about the &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/greenlaunch.space\/\"><em>Green Launch Company<\/em><\/a><em>, their technology, pros and cons, competition and more<\/em>&#8220;.<\/p>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-23707-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/thespaceshow.com\/sites\/default\/files\/shows\/3658-BWB-2021-03-16.mp3?_=1\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/thespaceshow.com\/sites\/default\/files\/shows\/3658-BWB-2021-03-16.mp3\">https:\/\/thespaceshow.com\/sites\/default\/files\/shows\/3658-BWB-2021-03-16.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p>See also a slide presentation on the project: <a href=\"https:\/\/greenlaunch.space\/research-history\/\">Research &amp; History &#8211; Green Launch<\/a>. And here is one of the company&#8217;s videos:<\/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\/bRVH4C1svSo?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:\/\/orbex.space\/\"><strong>Orbex<\/strong><\/a><strong> and<a href=\"https:\/\/www.skyrora.com\"> Skyrora <\/a>get support from ESA for launcher development<\/strong>. The UK based companies will receive 7.45 million euros and 3 million euros respectively. Both have raised substantial private funding and gotten UK government support as well.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.esa.int\/Enabling_Support\/Space_Transportation\/ESA_boost_for_UK_space_transportation_initiatives\">ESA boost for UK space transportation initiatives &#8211; ESA<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/orbex.space\/news\/european-space-agency-awards-orbex-7-45-million\">European Space Agency Awards Orbex \u20ac7.45 Million | Orbex<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.skyrora.com\/post\/skyrora-boosted-by-european-space-agency-funding\">Skyrora boosted by European Space Agency funding &#8211; Skyrora<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spacenews.com\/esa-awards-e10-45-million-to-two-uk-launch-startups\/\">ESA awards \u20ac10.45 million to two UK launch startups &#8211; SpaceNews<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.skyrora.com\/\">Skyrora<\/a> in Scotland is developing the three stage <a href=\"https:\/\/www.skyrora.com\/skyrora-xl\">Skyrora-XL<\/a>. First launch is targeted for 2022.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/orbex.space\/\">Orbex<\/a> is developing the two stage Prime rocket and is aiming for a first flight in early 2022. The vehicle will launch from a Scottish site.<\/p>\n<p>** <strong>Briefs<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Regulation:\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aviationtoday.com\/2021\/03\/23\/faa-streamlines-commercial-space-launch-and-re-entry-with-new-rule\/\">FAA Streamlines Commercial Space Launch and Re-Entry with New Part 450 Rule &#8211; Aviation Today<\/a>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.govinfo.gov\/content\/pkg\/FR-2020-12-10\/pdf\/2020-22042.pdf\">Streamlined Launch and Reentry License Requirements- Federal Registry (pdf)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spacenews.com\/fcc-proposes-to-allocate-spectrum-for-commercial-launches\/\">FCC proposes to allocate spectrum for commercial launches &#8211; SpaceNews<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fiercewireless.com\/wireless\/fcc-mulls-setting-aside-spectrum-for-space-launches\">FCC mulls setting aside spectrum for space launches &#8211; FierceWireless<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Commercial human spaceflight:\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/arstechnica.com\/science\/2021\/04\/finally-were-seeing-some-small-but-real-steps-toward-space-tourism\/\">Two steps forward: Virgin Galactic\u2019s new ship and Dragon\u2019s diverse crew | Ars Technica<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/future-of-space-tourism-op-ed\">The future of space tourism: op-ed | Space.com<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbsnews.com\/news\/spacex-civilian-crew-launch-september\/\">SpaceX plans to launch non-professional &#8220;everyday people&#8221; to orbit in September &#8211; CBS News<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Small payload commercial launchers:\n<ul>\n<li>Launch industry:\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/space-force-first-small-rocket-launch-2021-photos\">See the Space Force&#8217;s 1st small rocket launch of 2021 in these photos | Space.com<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/ablspacesystems.com\/\">ABL Space Systems<\/a>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/arstechnica.com\/science\/2021\/04\/abl-space-has-never-launched-a-rocket-but-it-just-landed-a-huge-contract\/\">ABL Space has never launched a rocket, but it just landed a huge contract | Ars Technica<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spacenews.com\/lockheed-martin-makes-block-buy-of-launches-from-abl-space-systems\/\">Lockheed Martin makes block buy of launches from ABL Space Systems &#8211; SpaceNews<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spacenews.com\/abl-space-systems-raises-170-million\/\">ABL Space Systems raises $170 million &#8211; SpaceNews<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2021\/03\/25\/abl-space-raises-170m-from-t-rowe-fidelity-at-1point3-billion-valuation.html\">ABL Space raises $170M from T Rowe, Fidelity at $1.3 billion valuation &#8211; CNBC<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/firefly.com\/\">Firefly<\/a>:\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/firefly-aerospace-alpha-rocket-launch-2021\">Firefly Aerospace readies Alpha rocket for 2021 debut launch, ramps up operations | Space.com<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gspacetech.com\/\" target=\"_d\" rel=\"noopener\">Gillmour Space Tech:<\/a>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gspacetech.com\/post\/gilmour-space-to-launch-fleet-satellites-in-2023\" target=\"_d\" rel=\"noopener\">Gilmour Space to launch Fleet satellites in 2023 &#8211; Gillmour Space<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/launcherspace.com\/\">Launcher<\/a>:\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spacenews.com\/launcher-opens-california-facility-to-develop-small-launch-vehicle\/\">Launcher opens California facility to develop small launch vehicle &#8211; SpaceNews<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.relativityspace.com\/\">Relativity Space<\/a>:\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spacenews.com\/relativity-space-to-launch-a-u-s-military-mission-to-low-orbit-in-2023\/\">Relativity Space wins U.S. military contract for 2023 launch &#8211; SpaceNews<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rfa.space\/\">Rocket Factory Ausburg<\/a> (RFA),\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ohb.de\/en\/news\/2021\/ohb-sweden-signs-launch-service-agreement-with-rocket-factory-augsburg\">OHB Sweden signs Launch Service Agreement with Rocket Factory Augsburg &#8211; OHB<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/articles\/2021-03-31\/rocket-startups-craft-bespoke-launchers-to-join-new-space-race\">Rocket Startups Craft Bespoke Launchers to Join New Space Race &#8211; Bloomberg<\/a> &#8211; Also profiles <a href=\"https:\/\/www.isaraerospace.com\/\">Isar Aerospace<\/a> &amp; <a href=\"https:\/\/hyimpulse.de\/en\/\">HyImpulse Technologies<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rocketlabusa.com\">Rocket Lab<\/a>:\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spacenews.com\/blacksky-strikes-deal-with-rocket-lab-to-launch-eight-more-satellites-in-2021\/\">BlackSky strikes deal with Rocket Lab to launch eight more satellites in 2021 &#8211; SpaceNews<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.stoke-space.com\/\">Stoke Space<\/a>:\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2021\/02\/25\/stoke-space-wants-to-take-reusable-rockets-to-new-heights-with-9m-seed\/\">Stoke Space aims to take reusable rockets to new heights with $9M seed | TechCrunch<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vayaspace.com\/\">VAYA Space<\/a> &#8211; formerly Rocket Crafters:\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.upi.com\/Science_News\/2021\/03\/31\/Rocket-Crafters-rebrands-Vaya-Space-Sid-Gutierrez\/5591617132237\/\">Florida rocket company rebrands, plans bigger rocket &#8211; UPI.com<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vayaspace.com\/post\/what-s-in-a-name\">What&#8217;s in a Name &#8211; Vaya<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.blueorigin.com\">Blue Origin<\/a>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bizjournals.com\/orlando\/news\/2021\/03\/29\/blue-origin-to-expand-rocket-manufacturing-facilit.html\">Jeff Bezos\u2019 Blue Origin to expand Florida facility for rocket manufacturing &#8211; Orlando Business Journal<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/centers\/armstrong\/feature\/nasa-blue-origin-to-bring-lunar-gravity-conditions-closer-to-earth.html\" target=\"_d\" rel=\"noopener\">NASA, Blue Origin to Bring Lunar Gravity Conditions Closer to Earth | NASA<\/a> &#8211; Rotation of the capsule to simulate lunar gravity for experiments during free flight phase.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.al.com\/news\/2021\/03\/inside-the-alabama-stop-on-blue-origins-journey-to-the-moon.html\">Inside the Alabama stop on Blue Origin\u2019s journey to the moon &#8211; al.com<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Australia:\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/southernlaunch.space\/\">Southern Launch<\/a>:\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.innovationaus.com\/southern-launch-gets-first-aussie-launch-licence\/\">Southern Launch gets first Aussie launch licence &#8211; InnovationAus<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>China:\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.chinadaily.com.cn\/a\/202103\/11\/WS604954dea31024ad0baae4fa.html\">Four Long March 11 launches by sea planned &#8211; Chinadaily.com.cn<\/a><\/li>\n<li>LinkSpace:\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spacewatch.global\/2021\/03\/spacewatchgl-opinion-the-resurrection-of-linkspace\/\">Opinion: The Resurrection of LinkSpace? &#8211; SpaceWatch.Global<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>More on Chinese\u00a0 commercial rockets in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UC3UXwB0UbUIg4z4vssUHPBw\/videos\" target=\"_d\" rel=\"noopener\">Dongfang Hour<\/a> video below .<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Europe:\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/arstechnica.com\/science\/2021\/03\/european-leaders-say-an-immediate-response-needed-to-the-rise-of-spacex\/\">Europe is starting to freak out about the launch dominance of SpaceX | Ars Technica<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.esa.int\/Enabling_Support\/Space_Transportation\/ESA_defines_elements_of_future_European_space_transportation_solutions\">ESA defines elements of future European space transportation solutions &#8211; ESA<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spacewatch.global\/2021\/03\/esa-to-look-into-the-future-of-space-transportation\/?utm_source=rss&amp;utm_medium=rss&amp;utm_campaign=esa-to-look-into-the-future-of-space-transportation\">ESA to look into the future of space transportation &#8211; SpaceWatch.Global<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spacenews.com\/vega-rocket-passes-readiness-review-for-april-return-to-flight\/\">Vega rocket passes readiness review for April return to flight &#8211; SpaceNews<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Russia:\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/tass.com\/science\/1274197\">Russia developing conceptual designs of super-heavy carrier rockets &#8211; TASS<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/tass.com\/science\/1274307\">Russian rockets almost completely made from domestic components \u2014 Roscosmos &#8211; TASS<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/tass.com\/science\/1274379\">Soyuz-MS two-orbit rendezvous path to ISS to take less than three hours &#8211; expert &#8211; TASS<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/tass.com\/science\/1274903\">Two Soyuz-MS spacecraft to fly to ISS under three-hour scheme this year &#8211; TASS<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>\u00a0Spaceports:\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.santafenewmexican.com\/news\/local_news\/new-mexico-spaceports-new-director-hopes-to-launch-new-era\/article_8c553c2a-80ef-11eb-a632-67166475647e.html\">New Mexico spaceport&#8217;s new director hopes to launch new era &#8211; santafenewmexican.com<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Space tugs\/Servicing spacecraft:\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ulalaunch.com\">ULA<\/a>&#8216;s <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Advanced_Cryogenic_Evolved_Stage\">ACES<\/a> (<span dir=\"ltr\">Advanced Cryogenic Evolved Stage<\/span>)\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spacenews.com\/bruno-the-next-big-thing-for-ula-is-a-long-endurance-upper-stage\/\">Bruno: The next big thing for ULA is a long-endurance upper stage &#8211; SpaceNews<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.ulalaunch.com\/docs\/default-source\/upper-stages\/the-advanced-cryogenic-evolved-stage-(aces)-a-low-cost-low-risk-approach-to-space-exploration-launch.pdf\"><span dir=\"ltr\">The Advanced Cryogenic Evolved Stage (ACES)- <\/span><span dir=\"ltr\">A Low-Cost, Low-Risk Approach to Space Exploration <\/span><\/a><span dir=\"ltr\">Launch, J. F. LeBar and E. C. Cady, AIAA (pdf)<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spaceflight.com\/sherpa\/\">Sherpa-LTC<\/a> &#8211; Spaceflight Inc:\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spaceflight.com\/spaceflight-inc-awarded-nasa-llited-launch-contract\/\">Spaceflight Inc. Awarded NASA LLITED Launch Contract &#8211; Spaceflight<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.geekwire.com\/2021\/atmosphere-monitoring-satellites-will-ride-spaceflights-new-breed-space-tug\/\">Atmosphere-monitoring satellites to ride on Spaceflight space tug &#8211; Geekwire<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>AstroScale ELSA-d:\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/astroscale.com\/astroscale-celebrates-successful-launch-of-elsa-d\/\">Astroscale Celebrates Successful Launch of ELSA-d &#8211; Astroscale<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/2021\/03\/22\/privately-funded-mission-takes-off-to-begin-space-debris-cleanup-trials\/\">Privately-funded mission takes off to begin space debris cleanup trials \u2013 Spaceflight Now<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spacenews.com\/mev-2-servicer-closing-in-on-intelsat-10-02-docking-attempt\/\">Northrop\u2019s MEV-2 servicer closing in on Intelsat-10-02 docking attempt &#8211; SpaceNews<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spacenews.com\/space-startup-using-soviet-era-technology-to-build-satellite-servicing-vehicle\/\">Startup using Soviet-era technology to build satellite servicing vehicle &#8211; SpaceNews<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Propulson &amp; transport technologies:\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spacenews.com\/phase-four-wins-air-force-contract-for-electric-thruster-development\/\">Phase Four wins Air Force contract for electric thruster development &#8211; SpaceNews<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bwxt.com\/news\/2021\/04\/01\/BWXT-Awarded-Additional-Nuclear-Thermal-Propulsion-Work-for-NASA\" target=\"_d\" rel=\"noopener\">BWXT Awarded Additional Nuclear Thermal Propulsion Work for NASA &#8211; BWXT.com<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/custom.cvent.com\/216E523D934443CA9F514B796474A210\/files\/f3a0901104c64639b204aa78bbdae875.pdf\">Pulse Plasma Rocket (PPR) &#8211; Howe Industries (pdf)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spacenews.com\/inmarsat-gets-funding-to-develop-satellite-based-telemetry-relay-network-for-rocket-launches\/\">Inmarsat gets funding to develop satellite-based telemetry relay network for rocket launches &#8211; SpaceNews<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2021\/03\/18\/co-founded-by-a-leader-of-spacexs-missions-operations-epsilon3-wants-to-be-the-os-for-space-launches\/\">Co-founded by a leader of SpaceX\u2019s missions operations, Epsilon3 wants to be the OS for space launches | TechCrunch<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Exotic tech:\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/isec.z2systems.com\/np\/clients\/isec\/viewOnlineEmail.jsp?emailId=957e41ddd4324a05f59f7962b83f2c189m225132957\">ISEC Newsletter &#8211; April 2021 &#8211; Int. Space Elevator Consortium (ISEC)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=XIT1uZIe6F8\">LSI Interstellar Initiative Grants Kickoff Meeting [Video]<\/a> &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCkNppFDvZZ9XhTMBCGFUmdQ\/videos\">Limitless Space Institute at YouTube<\/a>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.limitlessspace.org\/\">Limitless Space Institute<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.limitlessspace.org\/grant-initiatives\/\">Interstellar Initiatives \u2013 LSI<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.uni-goettingen.de\/en\/3240.html?id=6192\">Breaking the warp barrier for faster-than-light travel &#8211; Georg-August-Universit\u00e4t G\u00f6ttingen<\/a>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/iopscience.iop.org\/article\/10.1088\/1361-6382\/abe692\">Breaking the warp barrier: hyper-fast solitons in Einstein\u2013Maxwell-plasma theory &#8211; IOPscience<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/arxiv.org\/abs\/2006.07125\">Breaking the Warp Barrier: Hyper-Fast Solitons in Einstein-Maxwell-Plasma Theory &#8211; arxiv.org<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Large throwaways:\n<ul>\n<li>Ariane 6:\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.esa.int\/ESA_Multimedia\/Images\/2021\/04\/Ariane_6_pre-flight_plumbing_tests\">Ariane 6 pre-flight &#8216;plumbing&#8217; tests &#8211; ESA<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.esa.int\/Enabling_Support\/Space_Transportation\/Early_combined_tests_mimic_Ariane_6_liftoff\">Early combined tests mimic Ariane 6 liftoff &#8211; ESA<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.arianespace.com\/press-release\/arianespace-signs-long-term-supply-agreement-with-avio-for-10-additional-vega-c-launchers\/\">Arianespace signs long-term supply agreement with Avio for 10 additional Vega C launchers &#8211; Arianespace<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.arianespace.com\/press-release\/st30-announce\/\">Flight ST30: Arianespace to hit its stride with next OneWeb launch &#8211; Arianespace<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/RuagSpace\/status\/1376821513366700034\">RUAGSpace on Twitter:<\/a>\n<ul>\n<li>Big <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/milestone?src=hashtag_click\">#milestone<\/a>: After six years of development, our first payload fairing for the future <a dir=\"ltr\" role=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Ariane6?src=hashtag_click\" data-focusable=\"true\">#Ariane6<\/a> is on its way to the Kourou spaceport in French Guiana, to be delivered to <a dir=\"ltr\" role=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ArianeGroup\">@ArianeGroup<\/a>. The payload fairing will be used for the combined tests of the new <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/launcher?src=hashtag_click\">#launcher<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>SLS\/Orion\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/2021\/03\/troubled-childhood-orion-trio-preparing-flight\/\">Following troubled childhood, Orion trio preparing for flight &#8211; NASASpaceFlight.com<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spacenews.com\/aerojet-not-concerned-about-any-changes-to-artemis-program\/\">Aerojet not concerned about any changes to Artemis program &#8211; SpaceNews<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Student\/Amateur rockets:\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/mailchi.mp\/spaceportamerica\/new-mexico-tech-students-to-launch-at-spaceport-america?e=73c948a234\">New Mexico Tech Student Rocketry Team to Launch at Spaceport America &#8211; Spaceport America<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>\u00a0History:\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.planetary.org\/space-policy\/sts-program-development-cost\">How Much Did it Cost to Create the Space Shuttle &#8211; The Planetary Society<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.planetary.org\/articles\/bob-crippen-first-space-shuttle-flight\">Space Shuttle Astronaut Bob Crippen Describes Columbia&#8217;s First Flight: &#8220;A Moment of Pure Excitement&#8221; &#8211; Planetary Society<\/a> (<a href=\"https:\/\/omny.fm\/shows\/planetary-radio-space-exploration-astronomy-and-sc\/the-first-space-shuttle-pilot-bob-crippen-on-the-4.mp3\">audio<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/spaceshipone-test-pilot-brian-binnie-book-interview\">Test pilot Brian Binnie recounts his historic flight on SpaceShipOne and the future of private space travel in new book &#8211; Space.com<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>\u00a0Misc:\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/arstechnica.com\/science\/2021\/03\/rocket-report-russia-developing-a-space-plane-europe-frets-about-spacex\/\">Rocket Report: Russia developing a space plane, Europe frets about SpaceX | Ars Technica<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spectrum.ieee.org\/tech-talk\/aerospace\/space-flight\/students-lunar-pad-could-help-nasa-return-to-the-moon\">Students&#8217; Lunar Pad Could Help NASA Return to the Moon &#8211; IEEE Spectrum<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spacenews.com\/ruag-international-transforms-into-space-focused-beyond-gravity\/\">RUAG International transforms into space-focused &#8216;beyond gravity\u2019 &#8211; SpaceNews<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Webcasts\/Podcasts<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/thespaceshow.com\/show\/30-mar-2021\/broadcast-3665-michelle-evans\"><strong>The Space Show &#8211; Tuesday, Mar.30.2021<\/strong><\/a><strong> &#8211;\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/thespaceshow.com\/guest\/michelle-evans\">Michelle Evans<\/a><\/strong> discussed &#8220;<em>her discovery and the subsequent expansion of her <a href=\"http:\/\/mach25media.com\/\">Mach25media.com<\/a> website regarding the X-15 rocket plane. Many additional topics were discussed.<\/em>&#8220;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-23707-2\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/thespaceshow.com\/sites\/default\/files\/shows\/3665-BWB-2021-03-30.mp3?_=2\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/thespaceshow.com\/sites\/default\/files\/shows\/3665-BWB-2021-03-30.mp3\">https:\/\/thespaceshow.com\/sites\/default\/files\/shows\/3665-BWB-2021-03-30.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/exosaero.com\/2021\/03\/31\/forward-thinking-founders-podcast-feature\/\"><strong>Forward Thinking Founders Podcast Feature &#8211; EXOS Aerospace<\/strong><\/a> &#8211; &#8220;<em>EXOS Aerospace CEO was featured on the Forward Thinking Founders Podcast hosted by Mat Sherman! John Quinn shared about \u201cCreating Reusable Rocket<\/em>s&#8221;.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/share.transistor.fm\/e\/2bcaa2de\" width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless=\"\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/copenhagensuborbitals.com\/webcast\/\"><strong>Webcast\u00a0 &#8211; BPM5 static test April 4 th and 5 th \u2013 Copenhagen Suborbitals<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"hestia-title\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em><span lang=\"en-US\">We are thrilled to announce that this Easter, the entire CS crew will be spending the holidays testing our latest engine development technology on the test bench! And it is not just going to be just a couple of test shots, it will be the busiest test weekend ever in CS history with 15 engine tests planned over two days!<\/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\/r3ZjTpxpI1I?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>And an overview of their engine injectors:<\/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\/YTwZnmnL85s?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p class=\"title style-scope ytd-video-primary-info-renderer\"><strong>Fusion, Fission, Antimatter and the Roadmap to Interstellar<\/strong> &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCBsL9XY5JTuAarBNIoeL0eQ\/about\">Space Matters<\/a><strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"title style-scope ytd-video-primary-info-renderer\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em><span class=\"style-scope yt-formatted-string\" dir=\"auto\">Join us this week as we discuss the road to <\/span><a class=\"yt-simple-endpoint style-scope yt-formatted-string\" dir=\"auto\" spellcheck=\"false\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/hashtag\/goinginterstellar\">#goinginterstellar\u200b<\/a><span class=\"style-scope yt-formatted-string\" dir=\"auto\">\u200b<\/span><span class=\"style-scope yt-formatted-string\" dir=\"auto\">, with leaders in the industry. Get first hand insight from Dr. Ryan Weed of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.positrondynamics.com\/\">Positron Dynamics<\/a>, Dr. Troy Howe, and Dr. Steve Howe of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.howeindustries.net\/\">Howe Industries<\/a>, our own Jeff Greason of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.el-sky.com\/\">Electric Sky<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/tauzero.aero\/\">Tau Zero Foundation<\/a>, and Dr. Gerald Jackson of <a href=\"http:\/\/hbartech.com\/\">HBar Technologies<\/a>.<\/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\/th4ISGnhcLs?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"title style-scope ytd-video-primary-info-renderer\"><strong>China Private Launch Companies Forging Ahead, Expace Liquid-Fueled Rockets, Geely in Nansha<\/strong> &#8211; Ep 27 &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UC3UXwB0UbUIg4z4vssUHPBw\/videos\" target=\"_d\" rel=\"noopener\">Dongfang Hour &#8211; YouTube<\/a> &#8211; Updates on Chinese commercial rocket companies:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.landspace.com\/\">LandSpace<\/a> tested<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>its TQ-11 methalox engine for 4000s, its longest run so far (more than 1 hour!). This follows a batch of tests which included: simulating different regimes of flight, mixing ratios, autogenous pressurization &amp; thrust vectoring. The TQ-11 is the engine that will be powering the upperstage of the ZQ-2 small to medium lift reusable (at some point) rocket.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.i-space.com.cn\/\">iSpace<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em> tested its Jiaodian-1 liquid methalox engine during a 500s test, throttling the engine significantly (50%-100%) to simulate vertical take-off vertical landing.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>JZJY tested<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>their Longyun engine, which the 80t methalox 1st stage rocket engine developed by the company, and aims to be reusable multiple times.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>CAS Space, a\u00a0 spin-off of the Chinese\u00a0Academy of Sciences (CAS),\u00a0 tested<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>a small 23kg VTVL prototype for future sea-based launch and landing. The test was mostly about testing the flight control characteristics: stability, robustness, horizontal and vertical movements.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/ExPace\"> Expace<\/a>, a spinoff from <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/China_Aerospace_Science_and_Technology_Corporation\">CASIC<\/a>, the main Chinese government rocket maker, now has a factory for mass manufacturing the <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Kuaizhou\">Kuaizhou<\/a> solid-fueled rockets (basically missiles modified for orbital launch). Unexpectedly, the company is expanding into liquid propulsion systems.<\/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\/3Ymj3VnUcJA?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;\">=================<\/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>Blue Spends, Rocket Lab\u2019s Growth, Space Tourism<br \/>\nVol. 16, No. 2, March 16, 2021<\/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>As indicated by the Falcon 9 Starlink launch reported above and the previous three Starlink launches described below, SpaceX is off to a very busy year.\u00a0 At the current rate, the Starlink constellation should reach global operational size in the next few months.<\/p>\n<p>The upcoming Crew-2 Dragon mission to the station is a major milestone for the company. There could be three Crew Dragon flights to orbit in 2021 counting the Inspiration4 private crew mission discussed below and the Crew-3 mission to the ISS in October.\u00a0 The Crew-1 team currently on the Station is scheduled to return to Earth in the Dragon Resilience on April 28th.<\/p>\n<p><strong>*** Liftoff of the Crew-2 mission to the ISS<\/strong> is targeted for April 22nd at 6:11 am EDT (1011 GMT)<span class=\"strong\"> from <\/span>LC-39A pad at Kennedy Space Center. The crew on the\u00a0 Dragon <em>Endeavour<\/em> will include Shane Kimbrough and Megan McArthur from NASA, Thomas Pesquet from ESA, and Aki Hoshide of JAXA.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/2021\/04\/spacex-nasa-preparations-crew-2\/\">SpaceX and NASA entering final preparations for Crew-2 launch &#8211; NASASpaceFlight.com<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.nasa.gov\/commercialcrew\/2021\/03\/29\/nasa-spacex-continue-crew-2-mission-reviews-while-preparing-for-crew-1-return\/\">NASA, SpaceX continue Crew-2 mission reviews while preparing for Crew-1 return \u2013 Commercial Crew Program\/NASA<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/join-the-crew-2-virtual-nasa-social-to-experience-the-second-commercial-crew-rotation\">Join the Crew-2 Virtual NASA Social | NASA<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>*** <strong>SpaceX Dragon moved from one ISS port to another<\/strong> in preparation for the Crew-2 arrival. On Monday, April 5th, US astronauts Victor Glover, Mike Hopkins and Shannon Walker along with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/?s=JAXA\">JAXA<\/a> astronaut Soichi Noguchi made the short trip together in the Resilience. The four had to travel together in case there was an emergency of some sort that prevented re-docking to the station and they needed to return to earth. (There must always be sufficient transport capability at the station to return all crew to Earth.) The move will allow the robot Canadarm2 to reach the CRS-22 Cargo Dragon&#8217;s trunk after it docks to the PMA-3\/IDA-3 port in June.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/2021\/04\/05\/spacexs-crew-dragon-capsule-swaps-docking-ports-on-international-space-station\/\">SpaceX\u2019s Crew Dragon capsule swaps docking ports on space station \u2013 Spaceflight Now<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.nasa.gov\/commercialcrew\/2021\/04\/05\/nasa-spacex-relocate-crew-1-dragon-more-crewed-flight-preps-continue\/\" target=\"_d\" rel=\"noopener\">NASA, SpaceX Relocate Crew-1 Dragon; More Crewed Flight Preps Continue \u2013 Commercial Crew Program\/NASA blogs<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/arstechnica.com\/science\/2021\/04\/four-astronauts-took-a-dragon-for-a-spin-on-monday-morning\/\">Four astronauts took a Dragon for a spin on Monday morning | Ars Technica<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/2021\/04\/dragon-resilience-performs-port-relocation\/\">Dragon Resilience performs port relocation to clear way for future vehicles &#8211; NASASpaceFlight.com<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/jKfkGD7Pbik?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:\/\/inspiration4.com\/\"> Inspiration4<\/a> mission completes <a href=\"https:\/\/inspiration4.com\/crew\">crew<\/a> selection with announcement of final two members<\/strong>. The target date of the three day flight to low earth orbit has also been moved up: <a href=\"https:\/\/inspiration4.com\/news-release\/Final-Crew-Members-Named\">Final Crew Members Named for World\u2019s First All-Civilian Mission to Space &#8211; Inspiration4<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>The mission is being targeted for no earlier than Sept. 15, 2021. It will launch from historic Launch Complex 39A at NASA\u2019s Kennedy Space Center in Florida and will be carefully monitored at every step by SpaceX mission control as the spacecraft orbits the planet every 90 minutes along a customized flight path. The crew is targeting an approximate 540 km orbit, flying further than any human since Hubble, for an expected mission duration of approximately three days. In advance of the mission, the crew is working closely with SpaceX and multiple organizations to identify scientific research opportunities they can support while in orbit. Upon conclusion of the multi-day journey, Dragon will reenter Earth\u2019s atmosphere for a soft water landing off the coast of Florida.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Here is a video of the announcement event:<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Inspiration4, the world\u2019s first all-civilian mission to space, today announced the final two members of the four-person crew that will undertake a historic voyage to the stars later this year. Representing the mission pillar of Generosity is Christopher Sembroski of Seattle, WA, and representing the mission pillar of Prosperity is Dr. Sian Proctor of Phoenix, AZ. Both will join previously announced crew member Hayley Arceneaux representing the mission pillar of Hope, under the command of Shift4 CEO Jared Isaacman. SpaceX\u2019s Falcon 9 rocket will launch the crew aboard a Dragon spacecraft later this year. Watch the full crew introduction from the SpaceX hangar at historic Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.<\/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\/4bkx2ENyAAs?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=\"http:\/\/www.collectspace.com\/news\/news-033021a-inspiration4-spacex-crew-winners.html\">Contest-winning crew members named for Inspiration4 all-civilian spaceflight | collectSPACE<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/2021\/03\/30\/final-two-passengers-named-for-first-all-civilian-mission-to-orbit-earth\/\">Final two passengers named for first all-civilian mission to orbit Earth \u2013 Spaceflight Now<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbsnews.com\/news\/spacex-civilian-crew-launch-september\/\">SpaceX plans to launch non-professional &#8220;everyday people&#8221; to orbit in September &#8211; CBS News<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>** <strong>The Inspiration4 crew will enjoy a great view through a new all glass cupola<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/2021\/3\/31\/22358313\/spacex-crew-dragon-glass-dome-window-space-tourists\" target=\"_d\" rel=\"noopener\">SpaceX is adding a glass dome on Crew Dragon for 360 views of space &#8211; The Verge<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/spacex-crew-dragon-cupola-window-inspiration4\">SpaceX&#8217;s Dragon spaceship is getting the ultimate window for private Inspiration4 spaceflight | Space.com<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">A new view for crew <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/iSVwUyJT5R\">pic.twitter.com\/iSVwUyJT5R<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 SpaceX (@SpaceX) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SpaceX\/status\/1376902938635870209?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">March 30, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>*** <strong>After two year slowdown, Falcon 9 launches from Vandenberg AFB to become more frequent<\/strong> this summer as SpaceX begins sending more Starlink satellites into polar orbit. <a href=\"https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/2021\/04\/06\/spacex-to-ramp-up-vandenberg-launch-cadence-with-starlink-missions\/\">SpaceX to ramp up Vandenberg launch cadence with Starlink missions \u2013 Spaceflight Now<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>After a lull in launches from America\u2019s primary West Coast rocket base, SpaceX is set to resume a regular cadence of missions from Vandenberg Air Force Base as soon as July to deploy Starlink internet satellites into polar orbits, SpaceX\u2019s president and industry officials said.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>The launches from Vandenberg will allow SpaceX\u2019s ever-growing Starlink network to fill in coverage gaps and provide internet connectivity over the poles.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX\u2019s president and chief operating officer, said Tuesday that the company plans to start launching more Starlink satellites into polar orbit this summer. So far, nearly all of the Starlink satellites launched by SpaceX have gone into 341-mile-high (550-kilometer) orbits tilted at an inclination of 53 degrees to the equator.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>** <strong>Mar.24: SpaceX launches fourth Falcon 9 mission of March and ninth of 2021.<\/strong> As with the other missions this month, the rocket put 60 Starlink satellites into orbit. The first stage landed safely on an ocean platform. This was the 6th flight of this booster. The two fairing halves had also flown previously. <strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This was the 25th <a href=\"https:\/\/www.starlink.com\">Starlink<\/a> mission overall, including two early missions that deployed prototype Starlink satellites as secondaries. Of the 1385 Starlink satellites <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Starlink#Launches\">launched so far<\/a>, 1321 are currently in orbit, after 64 were de-orbited. The official goal for initial global Internet service requires 1,584 satellites. The company is expected, however, to continue a regular pace of launches to reach up to 12,000 satellites. A <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Starlink#V1.5_and_V2.0\">second generation satellite design<\/a> is expected to start launching soon. These will presumably have inter-satellite laser communications capabilities, which have been tested on some current 1st generation satellites in orbit.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/2021\/03\/falcon-9-starlink-l22-liftoff\/\">Falcon 9 Starlink v1.0 L22 launches from Cape Canaveral SLC-40 &#8211; NASASpaceFlight.com<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/2021\/03\/24\/spacex-launches-25th-mission-to-build-out-starlink-internet-network\/\">SpaceX launches 25th mission for Starlink internet network \u2013 Spaceflight Now<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spacenews.com\/spacex-marks-anniversary-of-first-launch-with-starlink-mission\/\">SpaceX marks anniversary of first launch with Starlink mission &#8211; SpaceNews<\/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\/a15czI9B91c?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>Mar.14: Third Falcon 9 launch of the Month with 60 more Starlinks<\/strong>: The booster on its 9th mission landed successfully.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>The Falcon 9 first stage rocket booster supporting this mission previously supported launch of Crew Dragon\u2019s first demonstration mission, RADARSAT Constellation Mission, SXM-7, and five Starlink missions. Following stage separation, SpaceX will land Falcon 9\u2019s first stage on the \u201cOf Course I Still Love You\u201d droneship, which will be located in the Atlantic Ocean. Falcon 9\u2019s fairing previously flew on the Transporter-1 mission.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>The 9th flight of the booster was a major milestone for the reusability of the F9 stages yet such milestones are happening almost monthly. The high launch rate needed to implement the Starlink constellation will test the reuse capability of the boosters to the max. Perhaps within a year we will see a booster on a 20th flight.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/2021\/03\/spacex-starlink-first-booster-fly-nine\/\">SpaceX&#8217;s Falcon 9 booster flies for 9th time as Starlink constellation grows &#8211; NASASpaceFlight.com<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spacenews.com\/spacex-sets-new-booster-reuse-mark-with-starlink-launch\/\">SpaceX sets new booster reuse mark with Starlink launch &#8211; SpaceNews<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Development and constant improvements of the boosters and their support equipment are key to expanding their reuse capabilities. The remotely controlled Octagrabber, for example, allows for safer securing of a booster on its floating platform after landing. This enables launches during weather and sea conditions that prevented launches previously: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/2021\/03\/spacex-fairing-recovery-octagrabber\/\">SpaceX evolving fairing recovery plans, taking advantage of Octagrabber in pursuit of rapid reusability &#8211; NASASpaceFlight.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/JKf45ATgATc?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>Mar.11: Second Falcon 9 launch <\/strong><strong> in March puts 60 more<\/strong><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.starlink.com\/\"> Starlink<\/a> satellites into orbit<\/strong>. <strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/2021\/03\/11\/spacex-adds-more-satellites-to-starlink-internet-fleet\/\">SpaceX adds more satellites to Starlink internet fleet \u2013 Spaceflight Now<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/2021\/03\/spacex-launch-starlink-v1-l20\/\">SpaceX successfully launches Starlink v1.0 L20 mission &#8211; NASASpaceFlight.com<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spacenews.com\/spacex-launches-starlink-satellites-and-expands-international-service\/\">SpaceX launches Starlink satellites and expands international service &#8211; SpaceNews<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>With the L20 mission complete, the company has now orbited &#8220;1,265 Starlink satellites to date, and 310 since the start of the year&#8221;. There could be two more Starlink missions this month as well. At the current rate, the goal of 1,584 satellites for a baseline operational global system should be reached by this summer. This will mean that any spot on earth, except near the poles, will always have at least one satellite in view. However, SpaceX will continue to add satellites since the number of users within a given antenna spot area on the ground that can connect at the minimal service level ( ~150 Mbps, ~20 microsecond delay times) is limited.<\/p>\n<p>*** <strong>Starship<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s really a full time job to keep up with the wide range of Starship related activities. The SN11 prototype flight was the biggest single event since the <a href=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=23557\">last roundup<\/a> but there were many other developments happening in parallel. \u00a0 For example,\u00a0 recently we saw<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>BN1<\/strong> Super Heavy Booster stacked.<\/li>\n<li><strong>First sections of SN20<\/strong> were observed. This could be the first Starship to attempt an orbital flight.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Ground storage tanks<\/strong> built nearly identically to the Starship propellant tanks section.\u00a0 Several are to be placed near the launch pads and one has been moved there in the past week: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teslarati.com\/spacex-starship-launch-pad-custom-storage-tanks\/\">SpaceX is building launch pad tanks out of Starship parts and that&#8217;s a big deal &#8211; Teslarati<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong>The High bay<\/strong> got an overhead crane.<\/li>\n<li><strong>SN15 rolled out today<\/strong> (see item at top).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In the next few weeks, we will see<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>SN15 may do a flight test<\/strong> by mid-April: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/2021\/04\/starship-sn15-rollout-raptor-testing\/\">Starship SN15 prepares to rollout as Raptor testing ups a gear &#8211; NASASpaceFlight.com<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong>Progress on the Orbital launch facility<\/strong> structures. Perhaps the launch tower will start growing vertically. (See Elon Musk&#8217;s comments below\u00a0 about the tower.)<\/li>\n<li><strong>BN2<\/strong> stacking.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>**** <strong>Raptor engine refinement and testing continues at a rapid pace<\/strong>. The <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/SpaceX_Raptor\">Raptor engines<\/a> are among the highest performing <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/SpaceX_Raptor#Comparison_to_other_engines\">engines in history<\/a> in terms of the overall score of thrust, thrust-to-weight, and specific impulse . The design uses the <a title=\"Staged combustion cycle\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Staged_combustion_cycle#Full-flow_staged_combustion_cycle\">Full Flow Staged Combustion<\/a> cycle, which leads to extremely high pressures and temperatures that are very demanding for the structural materials, the pumps, etc. Nevertheless, the Raptors must also be robustly reusable and need little or no refurbishment between flights. Throttling down the thrust for hovering and landing is also another tough requirement.<\/p>\n<p>The Starship prototypes have provided the first test flights of the Raptors. Clearly, there have been difficulties, though some of the failed landings were due to the systems that feed propellants to\u00a0 the engines rather than the engines themselves. The SN11 failure discussed above, though, appears to be due directly to the explosive failure of a Raptor.<\/p>\n<p>The next Starship prototype SN15 is a next-gen design with many improvements throughout and the Raptors are also said to be upgraded. This will include the &#8220;6 ways to Sunday&#8221; fixes.<\/p>\n<p>The engines are manufactured at the SpaceX factory in California and then tested at the McGregor, Texas facilities. Here is a photo of two Raptors, one with a nozzle optimized for sea-level operation and the other with a nozzle for vacuum. An orbit-grade Starship will have three of each type.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">New &amp; improved version!<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1379055622042353667?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">April 5, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>**** <strong>Super Heavy BN1 stacked but only as a learning experience<\/strong>.\u00a0 Appears that the giant tube will not even be moved to the launch pad to test the ground support equipment.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">BN1 is a manufacturing pathfinder, so will be scrapped. We learned a lot, but have already changed design to BN2.<\/p>\n<p>Goal is to get BN2 with engines on orbital pad before end of April. It might even be orbit-capable if we are lucky.<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1376902791906611200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">March 30, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>**** <strong>Intensive work on the Orbital Launch Pad area continues<\/strong> as seen in some of the videos below. These include an extensive layout of piping, tanks, buildings, vehicle launch mounts, etc. Below are FAA documents that include maps and descriptions of the facilities. It will be interesting to see how SpaceX deals with launching the largest operational rocket in history within the limits of the Boca Chica Beach environmental agreements.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.leonarddavid.com\/faa-scoping-report-spacex-starship-super-heavy-launcher\/\">FAA Scoping Report: SpaceX Starship\/Super Heavy Launcher &#8211; Leonard David<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.faa.gov\/space\/stakeholder_engagement\/spacex_starship\/\">SpaceX Starship Super Heavy Project at the Boca Chica Launch Site &#8211; FAA<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>**** <strong>Elon\u00a0 reiterates plan to catch Starship booster with launch tower<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Starship booster, largest flying object ever designed, will be caught out of sky by launch tower. Big step forward, as reflight can be done in under an hour.<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1379874956343828485?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">April 7, 2021<\/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\">Just one skyscraper catching another nbd haha<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1380258637977804801?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">April 8, 2021<\/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\">Load points just below the grid fins<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1380259201436422145?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">April 8, 2021<\/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\">Shock absorption is built into tower arms. Since tower is ground side, it can use a lot more mass to arrest booster downward momentum.<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1380260058026532864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">April 8, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>**** <strong>Boca Chica action is just getting started<\/strong>. Elon aims to ramp it up another order of magnitude or so:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Starbase will grow by several thousand people over the next year or two<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1376908285677297671?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">March 30, 2021<\/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\">Agreed! We\u2019re not super far, as Magic Valley Utility can give us almost all wind-power, which will be used for LOX (78% of propellant mass)\/N2\/argon distillation. We\u2019re also aiming to increase solar power from 1MW to 10MW, paired with Tesla Megapacks, for continuous power.<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1376906474459389952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">March 30, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>**** <strong>Elon Musk commented on landing issues and potential fixes<\/strong> regarding the SN10 flight but before the SN11 flight discussed above took place. Unfortunately, the Raptor engine eruption obviated an attempt to try out the landing fixes. Here is a sampling of the exchange on Twitter:<strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1369379914139451406\">Elon Musk on Twitter:<\/a>\n<ul>\n<li>&#8220;<em><span class=\"css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0\">SN10 engine was low on thrust due (probably) to partial helium ingestion from fuel header tank. Impact of 10m\/s crushed legs &amp; part of skirt. Multiple fixes in work for SN11.<\/span><\/em>&#8220;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NASASpaceflight\/status\/1369380834772475906\">Chris B &#8211; NSF on Twitter:<\/a> &#8220;<em>This is a tricky one given that I believe said helium pressurization was added to the CH4 header tank to mitigate what happened with SN8. That&#8217;s why it&#8217;s a test program, of course.<\/em>&#8221;\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1369382210894237705\">Elon Musk on Twitter:<\/a> &#8220;<em>Fair point. If autogenous pressurization had been used, CH4 bubbles would most likely have reverted to liquid. Helium in header was used to prevent ullage collapse from slosh, which happened in prior flight. My fault for approving. Sounded good at the time.<\/em>&#8220;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Erdayastronaut\/status\/1369383194248814607\">Everyday Astronaut on Twitter:<\/a> &#8220;<em>Are there baffles in future designs to prevent slosh?<\/em>&#8221;\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1369438991943151620\">Elon Musk on Twitter<\/a>: &#8220;<em>There were baffles, but one may have acted like a straw to suck bubbles in from above liquid\/gas level. Something similar happened on an early Falcon 1 flight, resulting in unexpectedly high liquid oxygen residuals at main engine cutoff.<\/em>&#8220;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/tobyliiiiiiiiii\/status\/1369439147149131777\">Toby Li on Twitter:<\/a> &#8220;<em>Has the SpaceX team concluded with a better landing leg design for Starship?<\/em>&#8221;\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1369458403248988160\">Elon Musk on Twitter:<\/a> &#8220;Might just catch the ship with the launch tower, same as booster&#8221;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Erdayastronaut\/status\/1369485777357377544\">Everyday Astronaut on Twitter: <\/a>&#8220;<em>Starship\u2019s belly flop terminal velocity is already only like 75 m\/s&#8230; what if&#8230; remove the 30 tones of landing prop, add 10 more tones of flaps, get that down to like 50 m\/s and just use the world\u2019s largest and most ridiculous net?<\/em> &#8221;\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1369489056350883840\">Elon Musk on Twitter: <\/a>&#8220;<em>Yeah, we talked about that internally. Could just have it land on a big net or bouncy castle. Lacks dignity, but would work. But, optimized landing propellant is only ~5% of dry mass, so it\u2019s not a gamechanger.<\/em>&#8220;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>**** <strong>SpaceX tried to snag a launch contract for a Starship flight: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/spacenews.com\/spacex-bid-on-launch-of-nasa-cubesat-mission\/\">SpaceX bid on launch of NASA cubesat mission &#8211; SpaceNews<\/a>. Not a big contract but a little money is better than no money. It would also have been a way to demo the Starship&#8217;s satellite deployment capability.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>An intriguing possibility is that SpaceX instead offered its Starship vehicle under development. That vehicle has an FAA launch license today only for its current series of suborbital test flights. The FAA is also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.faa.gov\/space\/stakeholder_engagement\/spacex_starship\/\">performing an environmental assessment of SpaceX\u2019s Boca Chica, Texas, site<\/a> for orbital launches of that vehicle. The agency recently published a \u201cscoping summary report\u201d outlining public comments it received in the scoping process of the assessment, but did not issue a schedule for the release of a draft version of the environmental assessment.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Starship would appear to be massively oversized for TROPICS. When launched with a booster called Super Heavy, Starship will be able to place more than 100 metric tons into low Earth orbit. SpaceX has previously suggested, though, that the Starship upper stage alone may be able to reach orbit, but without a significant payload. That could be sufficient for TROPICS, whose combined mass is about 56 kilograms.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>**** <strong>SpaceX&#8217;s Cocoa, Florida facility still does support work for Starship and other programs<\/strong> after ceasing construction of Starship prototypes: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/2021\/04\/new-permits-spacex-cidco-roberts\/\">New permits shed light on activity at SpaceX\u2019s Cidco and Roberts Road facilities &#8211; NASASpaceFlight.com<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Building and testing SpaceX\u2019s next generation launch system, Starship, has primarily been conducted at the village of Boca Chica, Texas. But just a couple years ago, Starship hardware was also being built at a SpaceX facility on Cidco Road in Cocoa, Florida, near America\u2019s most active spaceport at Cape Canaveral.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Today, only a single Starship nosecone section remains at the site, but new permits have been filed showing that the facilities at both Cidco and Roberts Road in Florida still hold very active roles in the Starship program.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>**** <strong>SpaceX narrowing down possible locations on Mars for the first settlement<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/behindtheblack.com\/behind-the-black\/essays-and-commentaries\/spacex-narrows-mars-landing-site-for-starship-to-four-prime-locationsspacex-downselects-mars-landing-site-for-starship-to-four-prime-locations\/\">SpaceX narrows Mars landing site for Starship to four prime locations &#8211; Behind the Black<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hou.usra.edu\/meetings\/lpsc2021\/pdf\/2420.pdf\">SpaceX Starship Landing Sites on Mars &#8211; 2ndLunarandPlanetaryScienceConference2021 (pdf)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>The red spots covering some stars are the big story: SpaceX has narrowed its choice for its Starship landing site to four prime locations (indicated by the bright red spots) and three backup locations (indicated by the dark red spots). The images under the red spots numbered 2, 4, and 6 were linked to in my November 2019 post. The images under red spots marked by a \u201cD\u201d are earlier images taken by MRO when SpaceX was researching a potential Dragon landing site. The images under red spots labeled 1P and MRO are subsequent images taken by MRO since November 2019, with the 1P image previously linked to in a post in April 2020 entitled <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/behindtheblack.com\/behind-the-black\/essays-and-commentaries\/the-icy-phlegra-mountains-mars-future-second-city\/\"><em>\u201cThe icy Phlegra Mountains: Mars\u2019 future second city.\u201d<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hou.usra.edu\/meetings\/lpsc2021\/pdf\/2420.pdf\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"23742\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?attachment_id=23742\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/MapOfArcadiaPlanita-LandingSites.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"1370,620\" 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=\"Map Of Arcadia Planita &amp;#8211; Landing Sites\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/MapOfArcadiaPlanita-LandingSites-1024x463.jpg\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-23742\" src=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/MapOfArcadiaPlanita-LandingSites-500x226.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"226\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/MapOfArcadiaPlanita-LandingSites-500x226.jpg 500w, https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/MapOfArcadiaPlanita-LandingSites-1024x463.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/MapOfArcadiaPlanita-LandingSites-768x348.jpg 768w, https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/MapOfArcadiaPlanita-LandingSites.jpg 1370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a>****<strong> Some Videos of recent activities at Boca Chica Beach, Texas<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>**** <strong>Mar.30:\u00a0<\/strong> <strong>SpaceX Boca Chica Build Site Flyover<\/strong> &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/c\/RGVAerialPhotography\/videos\" target=\"_d\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">RGV Aerial Photography<\/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\/8XBIe718wCI?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.4: <em>Thrust Simulation Ram Installed for SN15 Testing | SpaceX Boca Chica<\/em><\/strong> &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCSUu1lih2RifWkKtDOJdsBA\">NASASpaceflight &#8211; YouTube<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>SpaceX is planning to rollout Starship SN15 as early as Monday. In preparation for its arrival, a hydraulic ram has been installed at Suborbital Pad A to simulate Raptor forces against its new Thrust Puck. Video &amp; Photos from Mary (@BocaChicaGal). Edited by Brady Kenniston (@TheFavoritist)<\/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\/EJhtZPDciV8?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.4:<\/strong> <strong>SpaceX Starship Boca Chica 2021 004 03 Debris Cleanup Easter Prep<\/strong> &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCBfhGiuA7g8Uz0_V5rcJi4g\" target=\"_d\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">StarshipBocaChica\/Maria Pointer &#8211; YouTube<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Dedicated to my husbands sister Mary &#8216;Liz&#8217; who lost her battle tonight. She was a dedicated sister and follower to our video&#8217;s and hoped she would experience a launch with her grandkids. R.I.P. Liz. Miss you so much. In this Video: Sights from the Production Shipyard covers all things tank and simulators. What is that noise that sounds like a motor hum or harmonic power tool? Also, leave comments and identifiers of what you pick out to help with our descriptions for others. Thanks, this was a miracle we got this out as is. When driving by the hard check point, we get instructions to proceed to beach without stopping. On the BocaChica Beach you&#8217;ll experience the Easter traditional weekend family gatherings of the locals. I had a picnic with friends and caught up on news watching the waves. Down here I climbed a dune and took pictures of the east side of launch site on top of the dunes. &#8230;<br \/>\n<\/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\/MwB9kX26nEE?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.5<\/strong>: <em><strong>GSE Tank &amp; Crane Rolled Out to the Launch Pad | SpaceX Boca Chica<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0 &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCSUu1lih2RifWkKtDOJdsBA\">NASASpaceflight &#8211; YouTube<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>SpaceX rolled out their current largest crane, &#8220;Tankzilla&#8221;, along with the first of the GSE tanks for the Orbital Launch Site. Tankzilla will also be tasked with lifting Starship SN15 onto the launch mount when it is rolled out later this week. Video &amp; Photos from Mary (@BocaChicaGal) and the NSF Robotic Camera Team. Edited by Brady Kenniston (@TheFavoritist)<\/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\/R_r7vDXJf0s?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.6: <em>GSE Tank 1 Lifted Into Position &#8211; Thrust Ram Installed on Suborbital Pad A | SpaceX Boca Chica<\/em><\/strong> &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCSUu1lih2RifWkKtDOJdsBA\">NASASpaceflight &#8211; YouTube<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>The thrust simulation rams were installed on Suborbital Pad A in preparation for SN15&#8217;s arrival at the launch site, GSE Tank 1 was lifted onto its mount at the orbital launch site, and construction on the foundation for the integration tower continued. Video and Pictures from Mary (@BocaChicaGal). Edited by Nic Gautschi (@NGautschi).<\/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\/nqzqIKrcPxk?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.7: <em>Orbital Class Starship SN20 Dome Spotted | SpaceX Boca Chica<\/em><\/strong> &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCSUu1lih2RifWkKtDOJdsBA\">NASASpaceflight &#8211; YouTube<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>As Starship SN15 prepares to roll to the launch site, the Forward Dome of SN20 has been spotted, with this vehicle set to be an Orbital Class Starship. Video and Pictures from Mary (@BocaChicaGal). Edited by Theo Ripper (@TheoRipper).<\/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\/FUoy_nsrtNg?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>**** Other Starship reports<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<p>****<strong> Apr.3<\/strong>:\u00a0SpaceX Starship Explodes Before Landing &amp; Starship SN15 is fully stacked, Inspiration 4 update &#8211;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCBNHHEoiSF8pcLgqLKVugOw\"> Marcus House<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>It has been a bit of an odd kind of week with Starship serial number 11\u2019s launch in the fog. That SpaceX Starship Explodes before landing &amp; Starship SN15 is fully stacked. Some pretty awesome ideas to share around a future orbital propellant depot idea, a sweet rundown of a new Starship 3D printed model, and we also have a few great Inspiration 4 update items to talk about.<\/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\/Yb1ZI9NLmn8?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.5: <em>What&#8217;s Next for SpaceX in Boca Chica | NSF Explains<\/em><\/strong> &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCSUu1lih2RifWkKtDOJdsBA\">NASASpaceflight &#8211; YouTube<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Ian Atkinson explains what&#8217;s next for SpaceX in Boca Chica after Starship SN11 failed to land. 2021 appears to be a pivotal year for the Starship team as they push toward a milestone orbital flight. Video from Mary (@BocaChicaGal), Jack Beyer (@TheJackBeyer), and the NSF Robotic Camera Team. Edited by Nic Gautschi (@NGautschi)<\/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\/29IYxORFA3c?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>Other SpaceX news<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/2021\/03\/spacex-fairing-recovery-octagrabber\/\">SpaceX evolving fairing recovery plans, taking advantage of Octagrabber in pursuit of rapid reusability &#8211; NASASpaceFlight.com<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/labusinessjournal.com\/news\/2021\/mar\/15\/these-4-programs-fuel-spacex-ambitions\/\">These 4 Programs Fuel SpaceX\u2019s Ambitions | Los Angeles Business Journal<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.spaceflightinsider.com\/organizations\/nasa\/new-artwork-released-for-spacexs-dragon-xl-spacecraft\/\">New artwork released for SpaceX&#8217;s Dragon XL spacecraft &#8211; SpaceFlight Insider<\/a><\/li>\n<li>FAA issues:\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-space-exploration-congress-faa\/faa-requiring-inspector-on-site-for-spacex-launches-idUSKBN2BL2W5\">FAA requiring inspector on site for SpaceX launches | Reuters<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spacenews.com\/congress-raises-concerns-about-faas-handling-of-starship-launch-license-violation\/\">Congress raises concerns about FAA\u2019s handling of Starship launch license violation &#8211; SpaceNews<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.borderreport.com\/hot-topics\/trade\/faa-public-survey-reveals-praise-concerns-about-spacex-activities\/\">FAA public survey reveals concerns among residents about SpaceX activities &#8211; BorderReport.com<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.leonarddavid.com\/faa-scoping-report-spacex-starship-super-heavy-launcher\/\">FAA Scoping Report: SpaceX Starship\/Super Heavy Launcher &#8211; Leonard David<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.faa.gov\/space\/stakeholder_engagement\/spacex_starship\/\">SpaceX Starship Super Heavy Project at the Boca Chica Launch Site &#8211; FAA<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Other legal issues:\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2021\/03\/29\/elon-musk-spacex-should-comply-with-doj-subpoena-in-hiring-probe-judge-says.html\">Elon Musk&#8217;s SpaceX should comply with DOJ subpoena in hiring probe, judge says &#8211; CNBC<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Texas activities:\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kens5.com\/article\/news\/special-reports\/at-the-border\/spacex-and-its-rocket-launches-in-south-texas-are-subjects-of-fandom-and-frustration-depending-on-who-you-ask\/273-b5754541-f68a-40ec-b375-0a2784c520ea\">SpaceX and its rocket launches in South Texas are subjects of fandom and frustration, depending on who you ask | kens5.com<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.valleycentral.com\/news\/local\/brownsville-residents-express-concern-about-gentrification-caused-by-spacex\/\">Brownsville residents express concern about gentrification caused by SpaceX | KVEO-TV<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.teslarati.com\/spacex-texas-dozen-falcon-starship-engine-tests\/\">SpaceX Texas test HQ fires up a dozen Falcon, Starship rocket engines in six hours &#8211; Teslarati<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/arstechnica.com\/science\/2021\/03\/spacex-reveals-the-grand-extent-of-its-starport-plans-in-south-texas\/\">SpaceX reveals the grand extent of its starport plans in South Texas | Ars Technica<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Starlink:\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2021\/04\/06\/spacexs-shotwell-no-plan-for-tiered-starlink-internet-pricing.html\">SpaceX&#8217;s Shotwell: No plan for tiered Starlink internet pricing &#8211; CNBC<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.teslarati.com\/spacex-starlink-terminal-production-costs-gwynne-shotwell\/\">SpaceX\u2019s Starlink terminal production costs have dropped over 50%, reveals president &#8211; Teslarati<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.satellitetoday.com\/broadband\/2021\/04\/06\/spacexs-shotwell-says-starlink-will-reach-every-rural-u-s-household-in-5-years\/\">SpaceX&#8217;s Shotwell Says Starlink Will Reach Every Rural U.S. Household in 5 Years &#8211; Via Satellite &#8211;<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2021\/03\/25\/onewebs-different-approach-to-satellite-internet-vs-elon-musks-spacex-starlink.html\">OneWeb&#8217;s different approach to satellite internet vs. Elon Musk&#8217;s SpaceX Starlink &#8211; CNBC<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2021\/03\/22\/elon-musks-spacex-starlink-in-talks-with-uks-project-gigabit.html\">Elon Musk&#8217;s SpaceX Starlink in talks with UK&#8217;s Project Gigabit &#8211; CNBC<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.teslarati.com\/elon-musk-starlink-worlds-worst-internet\/\">Elon Musk&#8217;s Starlink is coming to a country with one of the world&#8217;s worst internet connections &#8211; Teslarati<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/elon-musk-and-amazon-are-battling-to-put-satellite-internet-in-your-backyard-11616212827\">Elon Musk and Amazon Are Battling to Put Satellite Internet in Your Backyard &#8211; WSJ<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2021\/03\/12\/spacex-prepares-for-air-force-test-of-starlink-satellite-internet.html\">SpaceX prepares for Air Force test of Starlink satellite internet &#8211; CNBC<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spacenews.com\/spacex-takes-aim-at-satellite-mobility-operators-with-starlink-expansion\/\">SpaceX takes aim at satellite mobility operators with Starlink expansion &#8211; SpaceNews<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/2021\/3\/8\/22319761\/spacex-starlink-fcc-internet-cars-boats-aircraft\">SpaceX moves to beam Starlink internet into trucks, boats, and aircraft &#8211; The Verge<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.geekwire.com\/2021\/spacex-seeks-fcc-ok-extend-starlink-satellite-data-service-vehicles-boats-planes\/\">SpaceX wants to put Starlink antennas on moving vehicles &#8211; Geekwire.com<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Payload contracts:\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spaceflightnow.com\/2021\/03\/10\/ula-spacex-split-military-launch-contract-awards\/\">ULA, SpaceX split military launch contract awards \u2013 Spaceflight Now<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spacenews.com\/space-force-awards-ula-spacex-contracts-for-four-national-security-missions\/\">Space Force awards ULA, SpaceX contracts for four national security missions &#8211; SpaceNews<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Reentry show:\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/2021\/3\/26\/22351956\/oregon-washington-meteor-shower-explanation-spacex-falcon-9-rocket-debris\">SpaceX rocket debris creates a fantastic light show in the Pacific Northwest sky &#8211; The Verge<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/arstechnica.com\/science\/2021\/03\/a-falcon-9-rockets-second-stage-just-burnt-up-over-seattle\/\">A Falcon 9 rocket making an uncontrolled re-entry looked like an alien armada | Ars Technica<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>===<\/em><strong><em> Amazon Ads <\/em><\/strong><em>===<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/gp\/product\/0062979973\/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=0062979973&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=hobbyspace&amp;linkId=5305a6da9e3c3e6c4bbc2baaa02b3aa1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Liftoff: Elon Musk and the Desperate Early Days<br \/>\nThat Launched SpaceX<\/a><\/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=0062979973&amp;asins=0062979973&amp;linkId=a3aa52cc12ee9dab96103a5e6374001a&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<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>==<\/em><em>==<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/gp\/product\/B00LI61AVS\/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=B00LI61AVS&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=hobbyspace&amp;linkId=a452ae713a2705fbb157b319e73f66b2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The X-15 Rocket Plane:<br \/>\nFlying the First Wings into Space<\/a><\/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=B00LI61AVS&amp;asins=B00LI61AVS&amp;linkId=f8abc027c6e37bd75c3accebbaa0d91c&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): ** Apr.8: The Starship prototype SN15 moved to launch site. The vehicle has many upgrades according to Elon Musk. A test flight could happen within a week or two. I certainly hope it achieves the first successful landing of &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=23707\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Space transport roundup &#8211; April.8.2021<\/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-23707","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-6an","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":26651,"url":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=26651","url_meta":{"origin":23707,"position":0},"title":"Roundup: Reusable rocket vehicles &#8211; May.8.2024","author":"TopSpacer","date":"May 8, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Below is a collection of news and updates on reusable rocket powered vehicles in operation and in development. See also these previous roundups: Mar.27.2024 Feb.26.2024 Nov.17.2023 Such technology should eventually lead to space transports with aircraft-like operation. That is, orbital flight and return followed by rapid reflight with minimal preparation.\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\/2024\/05\/PerformanceComparison-MuskTalk-2024-04-04_1000x606-500x303.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":19367,"url":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=19367","url_meta":{"origin":23707,"position":1},"title":"Space transport roundup &#8211; Aug.2.2019","author":"TopSpacer","date":"August 2, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"A sampling of recent articles, videos, and images dealing with space transport: ** LightSail-2 successfully propelled in low earth orbit by solar light: LightSail 2 Spacecraft Successfully Demonstrates Flight by Light | The Planetary Society Years of computer simulations. Countless ground tests. They've all led up to now. The Planetary\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Rockets&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Rockets","link":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?cat=5"},"img":{"alt_text":"Grid Fins on Long March 2C.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/yaogan-30-05-cz2c-grid-fins-CASC-879x6731.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":23804,"url":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=23804","url_meta":{"origin":23707,"position":2},"title":"Space transport roundup &#8211; Part 1: SpaceX &#8211; May.18.2021","author":"TopSpacer","date":"May 18, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Here is a sampling of recent articles, videos, and images dealing with space transport (find previous roundups here). Here Part 1 focuses on\u00a0 SpaceX. Part 2 reports on news from other space transportation companies and organizations around the world. ** Multiple developments across the board at SpaceX since the last\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Rockets&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Rockets","link":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?cat=5"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/OrbitalStageLaunch-FCC-filing-500x325.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":14151,"url":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=14151","url_meta":{"origin":23707,"position":3},"title":"Videos: Reuse of the SpaceX rocket &#8220;is a really big deal!&#8221;","author":"TopSpacer","date":"April 6, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"The\u00a0Everyday Astronaut\u00a0explains why last week's re-flight of a SpaceX Falcon 9 first stage booster that flew last year was a major advance towards affordable access to space: https:\/\/youtu.be\/sJki4pTfJMo Loren Grush gives her take on the event: SpaceX makes aerospace history with successful launch and landing of a used rocket -\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Education&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Education","link":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?cat=22"},"img":{"alt_text":"SES-10 Mission | Falcon 9 First Stage Landing","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/c1.staticflickr.com\/4\/3831\/32996435084_6099659456.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":18503,"url":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=18503","url_meta":{"origin":23707,"position":4},"title":"Space transport roundup &#8211; April.16.2019","author":"TopSpacer","date":"April 16, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"A sampling of recent articles, videos, and images dealing with space transport: ** Northrop-Grumman Antares set to launch Cygnus cargo vehicle to the ISS from Wallops Island, Virginia on Wednesday, April 17th at 4:46 p.m. EDT (2046 GMT): U.S. Resupply Ship Poised for Launch as Crew Studies Life Science \u2013\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\/04\/33744244598_a8266fedaf_o1-958x1024.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":24176,"url":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?p=24176","url_meta":{"origin":23707,"position":5},"title":"Space transport roundup: Part 2 &#8211; SpaceX &#8211; July.28.2021","author":"TopSpacer","date":"July 28, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"This roundup provides a sampling of recent articles, videos, and images dealing with space transport (find previous roundups here). Part 2 here focuses on SpaceX while Part 1 reports on activities and news of other space transportation companies and organizations around the world. There were no Starship prototype flights since\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Rockets&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Rockets","link":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/?cat=5"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/eVTOL-logistics-supply-equip-troop-handling1-500x281.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\/23707","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=23707"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23707\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23759,"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23707\/revisions\/23759"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=23707"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=23707"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hobbyspace.com\/Blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=23707"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}