I used to write frequently, but now it’s just occasionally.
Formerly: A List Apart, Cognition, Main Engine Cut Off.
This language is surely the byproduct of ULA lobbying for funding that can be used for Centaur V and ACES, but I would absolutely support a program focused on upper stages.
“At four-months 20 days between Zuma and Iridium NEXT-6/GRACE-FO, this will be the fastest Falcon 9 first stage turnaround between flights to date.”
Alan Boyle, for GeekWire, with a handful of BE-4 updates, including some behind-the-scenes insight on ULA’s decision and the testing issue last year.
Chris Gebhardt, for NASASpaceflight, on a very cool aspect of the upcoming OA-9E mission.
The name “Taco Bell Space Station” would do a hell of a lot more to get public buy-in for a space program than “Lunar Orbiting Platform—Gateway,” that’s for sure.
Awkward and clunky. The name isn’t great, either.
Quieter than the SEPTA buses that drive by my front door here in Philadelphia. I’ll be keeping an eye on this.
In the Flexible Path era, NASA has always been flexible on both the vision and the details. That is why the human exploration program is floundering.
Very special thanks to the 176 of you out there supporting Main Engine Cut Off on Patreon for the month of March. Your support keeps this blog and podcast going, and most importantly, it keeps it independent.
Chris Gebhardt of NASASpaceflight wrote a great rundown of Orbital ATK’s Next Generation Launcher that included a great little nugget of info at the end.