50 years ago today, the space age began when the Soviet Union launched the world’s first artificial satellite. That little silver ball started something quite amazing – literally the beginning of the transformation of humanity into a space-faring society. But, looking back over the last 50 years, we have to … Continue reading
Category Archives: Military Space Programs
Will the Chinese ASAT test lead to better access to space?
Writing at TCS Daily, Rand Simberg seems to think so. The piece is a good roundup of what has happened and what it means.
China tests anti-satellite weapon
According to this report from Aviation Week, on January 11 the Chinese used a ballistic missile with a kinetic kill vehicle warhead to shoot down one of their own aging weather satellites, in what appears to have been a successful anti-satellite weapons system test. The weather satellite was in a … Continue reading
SpaceX provides update on activites
Elon posted a brief update on his company’s website not only promising some interesting data but covering news worthy developments on several fronts. July 6, 2006 Update My apologies for the long delay in providing an update. Between the Falcon 1 return to flight, Falcon 9 development and the NASA … Continue reading
Lunar science fiction reviews
As you all probably know, Ken Murphy has been posting here on this blog, reviews of non-fiction, space-related books. What you may not know is on our companion forums, he has also be providing us with reviews of with lunar centric fictional books. If it has a lunar theme, it … Continue reading
Space access topic of the day on The Space Show
Our friend David Livingston will be hosting a round-table discussion which will include the topics of rockets, engineering, and cost effective space access on his Radio/Podcast program, The Space Show. The LIVE broadcast will take place Sunday, April 9. 2006, from noon-1:30PM PDT (yeah, that pesky daylight savings time has … Continue reading
SpaceX posts new photos and video of ill-fated Falcon launch
SpaceX have posted new still photos as well as video of last weekend’s failed Falcon launch. The views don’t show the rocket crash back into the sea, but what they do show is the beginnings of a beautiful launch. Alas, that day it was not to be, but there will … Continue reading
Busy times at Andrews Space, Inc
Andrews Space has announced two new contracts in the last couple of weeks. One is an award from DARPA to test components of their in flight propellant generation system, ACES. the other is to test thermal protection concepts for a ballute re-entry system, which they have been studying under an … Continue reading
Satellite “returns to launch site”
Kimbal Musk relates an amazing story at kwajelein atoll and rockets. When Falcon 1 crashed into the sea, its Air Force Academy payload was clearly unimpressed with the change in destination, and decided to find a better resting place than the ocean floor: “Amazingly, the satellite was thrown high into … Continue reading
DNA doddles, and some space stuff too
Despite crash, Genesis appears to be to have at least a partial payoff. “We’ve managed to actually pull something out of this. We’ve done it,” said the mission’s chief scientist Don Burnett, from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). A failed parachute deployment put doubt in the recovery of samples … Continue reading
Space advocates beware journalists with agendas
Sorry outside distractions kept me from posting recently so I’m going to do a bit of catch up. First up, is an article that appears to have taken a wonky turn posted a couple days ago on Wired News. Okay kids, adjust your tinfoil hats and take a look… “The … Continue reading
Falcon 1 launch window opens
SpaceX has issued an update on a new launch window for the maiden flight of their Falcon 1 rocket. The five day window is less than a month away and another static fire test is planned a few days prior to that window as well. The tentative launch window for … Continue reading
The LA Times: A Lunar Look
A tip of the hat goes to LaunchBlog for pointing out this Los Angeles Times, Sunday feature article. The article provides an extensive look at the various countries and their developing lunar programs.
Successful hold-down firing for Falcon-1
[Updated] After a frustrating day of glitches during their wet dress rehearsal yesterday, SpaceX have today successfully sorted out their gremlins: We were very happy to be able to execute a flight countdown all the way to lighting the engine. Although there wasn’t a launch this time, we made a … Continue reading
Kimbal Musk: “reporting live and crazy”
Elon Musk’s brother Kimbal posted a new report from the Kwajalein Atoll and in the process discusses the various definitions of the word “Crazy.” When other rocket companies need something done, they requisition the right forms, talk to the right people, go back to the right forms, try again with … Continue reading
Falcon1 attempts to leave the nest
Stay tuned folks, either Rob or I (possibly both) will be on hand to provide semi-live coverage of the Falcon1 launch. [remove] old date, date[/remove]…[insert] new date, date, (see above) [/insert] — ED: that post of the date change was accurate for about 10 mins. it seems. My wife will … Continue reading
The Space Review: this week’s articles
Eric Hedman thinks that alt.space startups should be asking themselves some tough questions to enhance their business plans and chances of success. Jeff Foust reviews the latest space IMAX movie, about the Spirit and Opportunity Mars rovers, in Review: Roving Mars in IMAX. Andrew Turner describes the Aquarius system, which … Continue reading
UPDATE: SpaceX prepares Falcon 1 for February launch date
After the scrub of the December 19th launch attempt, Elon Musk CEO of SpaceX announced the decision to fly a whole new first stage to Hawaii via C-5 just in time to catch the barge from there to Kwaj a few days before New Year’s Eve. The new stage would … Continue reading
China’s lunar probe construction begins
The Chinese lunar probe Chang’e I and its launch vehicle are now under construction. This announcement came at a press briefing by Jin Zhuanglong, spokesman for State Commission of Space, Technology and Industry for National Defense.
The Space Review: this week’s articles
Grant Bonin asks the question: Are heavy lift launch vehicles the best technology for opening space to humankind? He makes a cogent argument as to why they may not be. Sam Dinkin reminds us of some radical but prescient predictions from Wiley Lay’s book, Rockets, Missiles, & Space Travel – … Continue reading
Falcon 1 launch live coverage
This is the final word on the subject for now, so I might as well let Elon have it… Posted December 19, 2005 at 4:40 p.m. (pst) Here is the apparent cause of structural damage (further analysis may change the conclusion): Due to high winds, we placed the countdown on … Continue reading
New Falcon 1 Launch Date Set
Falcon 1′s Tropical Island Aerie SpaceX has firmed up the date and time for their launch attempt of the Falcon 1 rocket. With the various complications that arose to scrub the initial launch attempt now resolved, the Falcon 1 is scheduled to lift-off from the Kwajalein Atoll of the Marshall … Continue reading
Vandenberg, more than just pretty missiles
U.S. Air Force Colonel Jack Weinstein, commander of the 30th Space Wing and the Western Range at Vandenberg Air Force Base, said, it’s very easy to get focused on the booster going into orbit, “but the tail in order to do that is really huge.” Responsive space also means cutting … Continue reading