Space and Science BS Thread

If folks are interested in the history of the KSC, I remember this book to be excellent! Just don't press me on the details now..

https://www.abebooks.com/History-Ke...MI9d_fg7256gIVA-21Ch23nw8IEAQYASABEgIK8_D_BwE

 

Another piece (maybe) removed from the base of the jenga tower that is the SLS..

https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/07/house-budget-for-nasa-frees-europa-clipper-from-sls-rocket/

 

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1281270417311686656?s=20

 

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1281942134736617472?s=20

More time for checkouts...

For you guys in the know, does this imply poor planning?

 

with Rocket Lab's recent failure, I think SpaceX is being extra cautious.

 

I read somewhere they're also looking to reuse more first stages to increase the viability of Starlink and their general launch services model. It would make sense to take some time to do more tresting on the refurbished first stages if that's the plan.

It almost seems like they want to use more new first stages for NASA and manned missions then use the refurbished ones for Starlink or commercial contracts.

 

A current assessment of Heavy Lift vehicles under development:

https://arstechnica.com/science/202...ts-we-hoped-to-see-fly-in-2020-actually-will/

Who will fly first? Of course I’m thinking SpaceX. If not SH, Starship FTW.

 

Yeah starship will have a prototype test hop sometime this year, but I'm pretty sure the full stack won't happen and no stack, no orbit.

 

I appreciate what you’re saying.

Like the article said, I think once they get Starship figured out, Super Heavy will be rapidly develpoed and flown.

I think Elon is super motivated to have Starship be the first manned vehicle to retun to the moon.

Whoever’s first, it’s a pretty interesting time to witness

 

Taikonauts and cosmonauts on the moon in the 2030s?

https://arstechnica.com/science/202...aises-china-says-nasa-moon-program-political/

 

Bird's of a feather. Watch, at some point after landing both nations will renounce the moon treaties and make claims.

 

Yes, but starship (moon optimized) doesn't have the dV to get to the moon without refueling, which means most of the architecture needs to be operational before it can do that. That's why the timeline is ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

We've already said our bit with the Atermis Accords.

Better tl;dr.. https://www.universetoday.com/14610...ration-and-commercial-activities-on-the-moon/

Mind you, you can't damage the operations of someone else's national equipment, and I'm sure they'll have some sort of 'first come' regime going... But this is the current US position.

 

Lunar optimized Tacoma heading to the moon?

https://arstechnica.com/science/202...itat-may-be-an-rv-like-rover-built-by-toyota/

 

Toyota Land Space Cruiser?

 

What are the biggest size tires it can fit without rubbing?
(At least I can say I was the first to ask and that I truly searched with no luck!)

 

Will there be a TRD package?

 

In a stunning turn of events , here’s a leaked photo of a prototype:

 

So here’s an update for the Starlink beta test.

https://arstechnica.com/information...a-emerge-along-with-photos-of-user-terminals/

The good news for me is I’m in the correct latitude and have wide unobstructed views to Polaris

The bad, I’m on the other side of the country as is described in the article

If all this is true, there’s also provisions to keep experience w Starlink confidential...