Space and Science BS Thread

We were never allied with Russia but we still formed that partnership along with the ESA. Not insisting it’s even a good idea just that the possibility would irk him. 50 years ago they were more allied but now it’s more of a Mexican standoff only as immediate neighbors they have to be more outwardly polite to them than to us. Push come to shove, yes, but the idea is to nudge or induce rather than shove. What projects were part of any partnership would be based on mutual benefit/support and more likely to be assurances of aid or sharing docking protocols. In any case the necessity for the NASA/Roscosmos collaboration is basically over anyway so if we want new partners it’s high time to develope them. That ESA needs a new partner is certain.

 

After decades of the Space Race and Cold War, the world was surprised when Apollo-Soyuz was announced…


Edit to add:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo–Soyuz
Some interesting nuggets in this article.

 

That's true. Hadn't thought of that.

Too bad SpaceX doesn't partner with ESA.

 

Give it some time…

 

Honestly partnerships are overrated oftentimes. They drive up the cost, project times, and the decentralization hurts more than it helps. Yes countries cooperating is usually a good thing, but space is not as hard as it used to be, and companies like SpaceX, rocket lab, virgin galactic, and yes even blue origin are proving that. I'd even argue that the partnerships have been holding space back more than helping it in the last decade or 3.

 

https://twitter.com/KillianPhoto/status/1498786441148649473?s=20&t=cHxDhzFeCpNOviMA68Ud5A

Spectacular..

 

Here we go, from yesterday. This is viewing the southeastern corner of the complex, where the secondary pad for Starship will be.

 

More good news for SpaceX.

https://www.reuters.com/world/russia-halts-deliveries-rocket-engines-us-2022-03-03/

 

https://twitter.com/oneweb/status/1499317405029437447?s=21

 

Currently the only user of the RD-180 is the Atlas V, and they have all the needed engines on-hand, so I’m not sure who Rogozin thinks he’s cutting off here.

 

The NG Antares….
https://twitter.com/nextspaceflight/status/1499406611260997633?s=21

 

Right, forgot about the RD-181. I thought I saw something about them having parts on hand for two more launches, but I can’t remember for sure.

 

https://youtu.be/yOnPBE1rZNY

 

It's mostly propaganda. Those in the know will know it's BS, but idiots in charge might not.

Reminds me of this.

https://youtu.be/aXQ2lO3ieBA

 

https://twitter.com/russianspaceweb/status/1499740433123061770?s=21
It’ll be interesting to see if they get their satellites back…


Edit: & money. From this week’s Rocket Report:
It has pre-purchased launches on Soyuz rocket for all six of those missions, and it is now not clear where the company will go from here. The only orbital rocket with excess capacity to pick up those launches this year is the Falcon 9, built by competitor SpaceX.

 

Only a speck in the grand scheme of things…
https://twitter.com/setiinstitute/status/1499769900864266243?s=21

 

Neat gif, gives a great sense of the size of an F9 & there’s the bonus of honk from the transport
https://twitter.com/jennyhphoto/status/1499821985064390656?s=21

 

Crew-4 Mission shortened:
https://www.esa.int/Science_Explora...evised_flight_plan_brings_change_for_Samantha

Berger breaks it down in this tweet thread. Let me know if you need it broken out.

https://twitter.com/sciguyspace/status/1499754565297704972?s=21

 

Just imagine what you would feel with that in the rear view mirror. I wonder at what point one goes from feeling extreme altitude to separation. Is it the moment you break orbit?

 

Cool pic of the morning:
https://twitter.com/totalspace360/status/1500827127549149195?s=21