SpaceX and other space stuff

[Volker Kirstein]

First private mission to Venus could open new avenues for space exploration

*snorts derisively*

Because the private sector has done such a great job with "virgin lands with resources" in the past.

 

[Winslow]

Because the private sector has done such a great job with "virgin lands with resources" in the past.

Yes, one should ensure one's private sector exercises the utmost care when coming into contact with virgin...



...oh, wait.

 

[Jon Clegg]

This time for sure!
LIVE: Astra Launches NASA's ELaNa 41 Mission - YouTube

 

[Jon Clegg]

Or not...

 

[StereoPlayer]

Or not...

They’re gonna try again…

 

[Volker Kirstein]

This time for sure!

I'm starting to think Astra is an overly complex scheme for laundering money by failing to launch.

Also, Astra's live coverage sucks big hairy donkey nuggets.

 

[Jon Clegg]

It's amazing to me how close those United Rentals trailers are to the rocket. Imagine the filling out the insurance claim if something goes awry:

"Rocket side-slipped over equipment, incinerating it."

 

[Winslow]

"Rocket side-slipped over equipment, incinerating it."

Now that would be fun to see!

 

[Winslow]

Had a very brief moment of puzzlement until the HD picture loaded, and I could see the logo more clearly...

On the other hand, one of those two entities has a longer standing, and more reliable, association with space.

 

[Jon Clegg]

Scrub-a-dub-dub

 

[Winslow]

Astra is covering some expenses associated with producing this broadcast.

"...seeing as we're not spending a whole lot on rocket fuel at the moment."

 

[ahc]

NASA chooses Lockheed Martin to build rocket to launch from Mars

 

[Volker Kirstein]

 

[bholder]

still gettin' serious airtime:

Mars helicopter Ingenuity aces 19th flight after historic Red Planet weather delay

I didn't read the whole thing too closely, but the weather delay was the first ever for weather on another planet, haha! The dust storm caused an air pressure drop of 7% (low pressure storm system just like Earth), which actually took it below Ingenuity's required air pressure for flight. So they had to wait it out...

 

[StereoPlayer]

They are gearing up to lift SS20 with the tower arms.

 

[Winslow]

still gettin' serious airtime:

 

[bholder]

They are gearing up to lift SS20 with the tower arms.

I haven't been following all the prep work too closely, does it look like they're actually getting any closer to flying? Can't wait...

 

[StereoPlayer]

I haven't been following all the prep work too closely, does it look like they're actually getting any closer to flying? Can't wait...

Very slow work there. The FAA is holding up some things too. Elon is supposedly having a presentation on Thursday, 8:00 pm
Possibly they are doing a full stack for that as well as testing the arms and quick disconnects.

 

[bholder]

Very slow work there. The FAA is holding up some things too. Elon is supposedly having a presentation on Thursday, 8:00 pm
Possibly they are doing a full stack for that as well as testing the arms and quick disconnects.

As I was just saying on Twitter re: German bureaucracy on Giga Berlin's permit: "Any sufficiently advanced bureaucracy is indistinguishable from cold molasses on a winter day." - me

 

[Winslow]

They are gearing up to lift SS20 with the tower arms.

"Man Baskets" needs to be a band name.

And @Volker Kirstein, re: Astra's presentation earlier in the week, I agree they may not be as slick as SpaceX, but they're still not as paint-drying dull as four dudes circle-[discoursing] around a webcam feed. Bless them for keeping an eye on things, but hoo boy...