Commerce Department’s New Remote Sensing Regulations Make a Surprising Amount of Sense
It’s worth reading Jeff’s article on these changes. They make so much sense that I almost have nothing to say about it.
Northrop Grumman Receives $2.37 Billion Contract for OPIR Development and Procurement
Roper has been the chair of the Space Acquisition Council, which has been trying to find ways to get funding out into the industry during the pandemic to help contractors of all sizes. They’ve moved much slower than I would have expected when hearing about the Council in the early days, but seems like the news will start flowing now. Starting with what is essentially advancing funds that were already planned is nice, but I’m expecting to see some splashier funding setups soon enough.
Episode T+158: Doug Loverro Resigns, and a Bit About the Artemis Accords
The head of human spaceflight at NASA resigned last week, just before the most important crewed launch the agency has seen in a decade. However, it appears as though the resignation is related to the Artemis program and its landers. I give some thoughts on the implications of the departure, and also cover a recent development in international space politics—the Artemis Accords.
Episode 30 - There’s Always Money in the VAB
Jake and Anthony are joined by Jason Davis of The Planetary Society to talk about NASA’s human landing systems, SpaceX’s upcoming DM-2 launch, and to debate whether or not Tom Cruise will make a cool movie on the ISS.
Episode 30 - There’s Always Money in the VAB
Jake and Anthony are joined by Jason Davis of The Planetary Society to talk about NASA’s human landing systems, SpaceX’s upcoming DM-2 launch, and to debate whether or not Tom Cruise will make a cool movie on the ISS.
First Two Gateway Elements to Launch Together
The decision was primarily communicated as a way to eliminate technical risk and complexity, but it certainly plays well on the political and budgetary side of things, too. The convergence of political factors this year are a nightmare for NASA’s budget outlook, not to mention the federal budget generally.
#184 - Space News with Off Nominal
This week we are joined by our Space Podcasting buddies from across the pond to talk about what happened in a really busy space news week. Anthony and Jake take time out from MECO and WEMARTIANS and their joint show Off Nominal to share their wisdom and humour.
Thank You to April Supporters!
Very special thanks to the 402 of you out there supporting Main Engine Cut Off for the month of April. MECO is entirely listener- and reader-supported, so your support keeps this blog and podcast going, growing, and improving, and most importantly, it keeps it independent.
Episode T+157: Blue Origin, Dynetics, and SpaceX Win NASA Lunar Lander Contracts
NASA announced three contract awards for the Artemis Progam’s Human Landing System—a Blue Origin-led team, Dynetics, and SpaceX’s Starship. I talk through some thoughts on each landing system and what the future might hold for NASA, regarding both politics and decisions.
ISS Crew Trains For Medical Emergency…Totally Planned Previously, Right?
Probably not a bad idea, because of those positive tests for COVID-19 at Baikonur. Luckily they’ve been up there for a while and all seems fine.
Episode T+156: Sean Mahoney, CEO of Masten Space Systems
Sean Mahoney, CEO of Masten Space Systems joins me to talk about everything they’ve been up to lately, from flights of their terrestrial vehicles out in Mojave, NASA’s Lunar CATALYST program, their recent Commercial Lunar Payload Services task order award, and some other projects like DARPA’s XS-1, the Broadsword engine, and XEUS.
SpaceX Posts Lengthy Starlink Visibility Update
Coinciding with a presentation to an astrophysics decadal survey committee meeting, SpaceX posted a bunch of information (and really nice visualizations of Starlink satellites) about what they’re doing to work with astronomers on the visibility issue. It’s wonderful to have this amount of information put in one place, straight from the source.
Episode T+155: Peter Beck on the Pandemic’s Effect on the Industry and Rocket Lab’s Busy Few Months
Peter Beck, Founder, CEO, and CTO of Rocket Lab returns to the show to talk about how the industry is dealing with the pandemic, and to update us on their busy past few months, including their acquisition of Sinclair Interplanetary, flying missions to the Moon and beyond, and their work towards reusability.
Exolaunch Signs on for SpaceX’s SSO Rideshare
Speaking of rideshares, SpaceX continues to fill that first rideshare flight to sun-synchronous orbit.
Synspective Switches from Vega Rideshare to Rocket Lab Dedicated Flight
Rocket Lab taking advantage of a bad situation in French Guiana and showing United Launch Alliance how to do it at the same time.
OneWeb’s Bankruptcy-to-Spectrum Sale Timing Was Not Accidental
Caleb Henry, for SpaceNews, with a paragraph written so well it stopped me in my tracks. A must-read on OneWeb’s bankruptcy and the strategy of its timing with regards to its upcoming spectrum sale.
Episode T+154: Tim Ellis, CEO and Cofounder of Relativity
Tim Ellis, CEO and Cofounder of Relativity joins me for an in-depth discussion about Relativity’s status and work towards their first launch. We cover everything from their company vision, funding, new headquarters, wider fairing, customer backlog, potential west coast launch site, and dive into the details of Stargate and Relativity’s materials work.
Episode 29 - Go Full Goldin
Jake and Anthony take on a long-standing debate: worm or meatball? The NASA Worm is back, so in honor of that, we talk about our most and least favorite logos in space, including missions, organizations, and companies. And some Soviet propaganda.
Episode 29 - Go Full Goldin
Jake and Anthony take on a long-standing debate: worm or meatball? The NASA Worm is back, so in honor of that, we talk about our most and least favorite logos in space, including missions, organizations, and companies. And some Soviet propaganda.
Masten Wins Commercial Lunar Payload Services Task Order, Heading to the Moon in 2022
I’m so thrilled for Masten. I’ve long admired their work, and it’s wonderful to see them become part of a quick moving, big budget, and prestigious program like CLPS. I really hope they shine with XL-1 and can use that momentum to push themselves with bigger and better vehicles.