NASA & World Space Exploration...News, Views, Photos & videos

iewgnem said:

Well technically theres a way, 15 refuels for each of the 20 refuels needed to refuel HLS in NRLO for returnto LEO, so 300 missions

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That is the "redo" I was talking about. HLS in its current shape (without heatshield) can not reenter atomasphere (back to earth). Adding heatshield and fuel for the return leg need insane amount of refuel. It is theoretically possible but practically stupid to do.

Unlike China’s focused national program, our efforts are fragmented among NASA, the Department of Energy and the Department of Defense — each of which expects someone else to take the lead.

The solution is clear: Congress must establish a dedicated national space solar power program led by the U.S. Space Force, with clear leadership and adequate funding. The investment required — likely several billion dollars of public and private money over the next decade — pales in comparison to the strategic and economic benefits at stake.

But let's gut NASA/DoE more in the name of 'efficiency' #DOGE

Eu funding for satellites in 3 orbits for secure connectivity:
- 18 satellites in medium Earth orbit (8,000 km) for Ka-band
- 264 satellites in "LEO High" (1,200 km) for Ku- and Ka-band
- 10+ satellites in "LEO Low" (400-750 km) for future tech

1-year design phase, critical review in 2028, launches in 2029-2030.
13 Ariane 64 launches: 10 for LEO High, 3 for MEO. LEO Low on other vehicles.

Europe realizing they can't rely on the US for everything

solarz said:

Re: World Space Exploration..Past..Present & Future!



I've heard it be said that the US's landing on the moon was an "aberration" of sorts: an achievement that was way beyond what was technologically feasible at the time. It is somewhat akin to the Vikings landing on North America: long boats vs the caravels of Columbus.

As such, I think we are now progressing at a more natural pace. Achieving markers such as Mars landings might be interesting for the press, but is of little value scientifically unless we are also able to *do something* there.

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Quite so!

gpt said:

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Unlike China’s focused national program, our efforts are fragmented among NASA, the Department of Energy and the Department of Defense — each of which expects someone else to take the lead.

The solution is clear: Congress must establish a dedicated national space solar power program led by the U.S. Space Force, with clear leadership and adequate funding. The investment required — likely several billion dollars of public and private money over the next decade — pales in comparison to the strategic and economic benefits at stake.

But let's gut NASA/DoE more in the name of 'efficiency' #DOGE

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hmm, is US going to make military doing business? Like China in the 1980s and Iran and North Korean today (alledged by US)? What a time we are in!

Boeing Starliner crew's return to Earth from International Space Station delayed yet again​

Two astronauts who traveled to the International Space Station aboard Boeing's

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more than six months ago will not return to Earth until at least March 2025, NASA announced Tuesday.

Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams

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aboard the Starliner back in June. Their trip was initially only to last about eight to 10 days, but multiple issues with the Starliner prompted a concerned NASA, out of caution,

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and return the capsule to Earth empty in September.

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That same month, a SpaceX Crew-9 Dragon capsule with a

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and two empty seats launched to the space station with the intention of returning Wilmore and Williams aboard it in February 2025.

However, NASA said in a news release Tuesday that Wilmore and Williams' replacements, traveling aboard the SpaceX Crew-10, would be launching to the space station "no earlier than late March 2025," meaning that would be the earliest that Wilmore and Williams will return to Earth.

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There is no chance the US will be back to the moon before China does.

SpaceX ended 2024 with 134 launches of the Falcon 9.
Manufacturing prowess aside, the Space Force has launched the "One Falcon Initiative" at Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg, processes aimed at further reducing the turnaround times between launches.

gpt said:

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SpaceX ended 2024 with 134 launches of the Falcon 9.
Manufacturing prowess aside, the Space Force has launched the "One Falcon Initiative" at Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg, processes aimed at further reducing the turnaround times between launches.

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I think the impressive thing is that they have been continually able to scale up their launch cadence. 134 Falcons in 2024, 96 in 2023, 61 in 2022, 31 in 2021 and 25 in 2020. So from 2020 to 2024 they increased the number of yearly launches by 5.35x! I think this is supported by the good infrastructure they have at Cape Canaveral, Kennedy and Vandenburg. In 2020, Vandenburg hosted 1 rocket launch, in 2024 it hosted 47. In fact, Canaveral, Vandenburg and Kennedy are the three busiest launch facilities in the world now. Canaveral hosted 67, Vandenburg 47 and Kennedy 26.

I am interested to see how the build out of Vulcan and New Glenn go. I am not sure what there launch manifest looks like going forward, but you have to assume they must be aiming for around 15 to 20 launches a year within the next couple of years. Shoutout to Electron as well, since they launched 14 rockets this year!

solarz said:

I've heard it be said that the US's landing on the moon was an "aberration" of sorts: an achievement that was way beyond what was technologically feasible at the time.

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Not really. It was clearly technology feasible as they managed to do it on multiple occasions. The problem was cost within the greater scope of the Cold War. Adjusting for inflation, the program cost $280 billion and employed ~400,000 people. Each launch cost around $2.3 billion. They had plans for a follow on the involved building nuclear rockets, moon bases, etc. Had the budget and political support been available, I think they might have pulled it off, but once the budget was cut and political support dried up NASA had to pivot.

SlothmanAllen said:

I think the impressive thing is that they have been continually able to scale up their launch cadence. 134 Falcons in 2024, 96 in 2023, 61 in 2022, 31 in 2021 and 25 in 2020. So from 2020 to 2024 they increased the number of yearly launches by 5.35x! I think this is supported by the good infrastructure they have at Cape Canaveral, Kennedy and Vandenburg.

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World class facilities one thing but falcons requiring minimal refurbishment beyond legs and avionics checkouts is the key. They're not performing some black magic or forcing 100hr shifts (at least not at Canaveral or Vandenberg), it's just a highly competent team working with a really robust design.


In other news, Elon is taking a lot of heat for suggesting US should deviate from its 'Moon-to-Mars' plan.