R.I.P. Scout26
FTFYIt is my opinion that NASA will never get back to the moon. Their mission budget will be slashed during the Harris/Biden administration and their focus will likely be redirected back toward muslim outreach and social justice issues.As for SpaceX and friends, I would be surprised if the regulatory burden isn't magnified beyond financial feasibility and they take their toys to another country.We just can't afford to be sending all that money up in smoke going into space when there are so many social justice programs here that need the money. :'(
https://twitter.com/SpcPlcyOnline/status/1731731958571429944jSupposedly the next Starship test is going to be a propellant transfer demonstration mission.Speculation on Reddit is that it will only be internal on a single Starship, from one tank to another. But it will rely upon the same orbital mechanics principles as used to perform an inter-ship transfer.
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Chris Bergin - NSF repostedTyler Gray@TylerG1998#Capella says that the Acadia-4 satellite will launch on the #Falcon9/Bandwagon-1 mission — Bandwagon being a newer complement for #SpaceX’s Transporter rideshare flights — no earlier than April 2024.Acadia-5 will fly on F9/Transporter-11 no less than two months later.
https://twitter.com/SpcPlcyOnline/status/1731731958571429944Supposedly the next Starship test is going to be a propellant transfer demonstration mission.Speculation on Reddit is that it will only be internal on a single Starship, from one tank to another. But it will rely upon the same orbital mechanics principles as used to perform an inter-ship transfer.
Hubble is in safe mode again.They're still looking into the feasibility of a private mission possibly using a SpaceX Crew Dragon to repair Hubble but NASA has said they will not fund such a mission thus it would have to be privately funded. Hubble glitch renews talk about private servicing mission https://spacenews.com/hubble-glitch-renews-talk-about-private-servicing-mission/
Chris Bergin - NSF repostedTyler Gray@TylerG1998Meanwhile, #JAXA states they are targeting a lunar landing for their #SLIM spacecraft NET January 20, 2024, near the Shioli crater pictured below.A backup landing opportunity is scheduled for around February 16, 2024 if conditions are not optimal during the primary window.
https://twitter.com/TylerG1998/status/1732065252089500089 The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is pleased to announce that the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM), which was launched on September 7, 2023, is currently operating smoothly. While the lunar surface landing was initially scheduled for January or February 2024, based on the smooth progress of operations, it will now be conducted as follows:January 20, 2024 (Saturday)About 12:00 am (JST) Starting descent toward the MoonAbout 12:20 am (JST) Landing on the lunar surfacePlease note that if the landing is not executed at the timing mentioned above, a next opportunity is scheduled around February 16, 2024.SLIM aims to achieve a pinpoint landing with an accuracy of less than 100 meters. This marks an unprecedentedly high-precision landing on a gravitational body such as the Moon, and the results are anticipated to contribute to the programs such as international space exploration that are currently under study.Upcoming schedule leading to the lunar landing： December 25, 2023 Lunar orbit insertion Mid-January, 2024 Commencement of preparations for landing (orbit adjustment) January 19, 2024 Completion of transition to the orbit before landing
Chris Bergin - NSF@NASASpaceflightBooster 10 has wandered outside Mega Bay 1, and the Chopsticks are going up and down.Getting some IFT-3 vibes.http://nsf.live/starbase
Chris Bergin - NSF@NASASpaceflightULA's Vulcan rocket is conducting its WDR (Wet Dress Rehearsal) at SLC-41.Watch live: http://nsf.live/spacecoast
Chris Bergin - NSF@NASASpaceflightIt looks like the build-up to the third flight of Starship will ramp up soon, with a rollout (assuming Ship 28, but it could be Booster 10) on Sunday.Remember, both vehicles have been cryo-tested at Masseys already. They could do another at the launch site, but they could also move to Static Fire testing sooner than previous flows.
Spaceflight Now@SpaceflightNowAt SLC-41 the Vulcan rocket has returned to its assembly building following a wet dress rehearsal attempt on Friday. ULA has provided no updates on the outcome of that test. The countdown entered the final 7 minutes but it's not clear if it proceeded as planned to close to T-0.
Tory Bruno@torybruno#VulcanRocket WDR update: Vehicle performed well. Ground system had a couple of (routine) issues, (being corrected). Ran the timeline long so we didn't quite finish. I'd like a FULL WDR before our first flight, so XMAS eve is likely out. Next Peregrine window is 8 Jan.
Falcon Heavy's USSF-52 X-37B launch pushed to Tuesday due to weatherThe weather may also impact the F9 Starlink launch late tonight as well. In other newsULA says Christmas eve is probably out of the questionhttps://twitter.com/SpaceflightNow/status/1733818816549851149https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1733907494030688486
Road closure 8am-8pm CSTSpeculation that could mean they could be rolling either B10 or S28 or both to the launch site
Square profile pictureSpaceX@SpaceXStanding down from tonight’s Falcon Heavy launch due to a ground side issue; vehicle and payload remain healthy. Team is resetting for the next launch opportunity of the USSF-52 mission, which is no earlier than tomorrow night.
Chris Bergin - NSF@NASASpaceflightTake 2 for Vulcan's WDR.Live: http://nsf.live/spacecoast
