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June 2022:Dark Clouds: The secret meteorological satellite program (part 4)In the concluding installment of his history of military weather satellite programs, Dwayne Day examines what happened when an NRO weather satellite program was transferred to the Air Force, including the problems that jeopardized its ability to monitor the weather. NASA rents the runway for its new spacesuitsNASA needs new spacesuits for both the space station and Artemis lunar missions, but has struggled to develop new suits on its own. Jeff Foust reports on how NASA is taking a services approach instead, working with two companies to lease new suits from them. Escaping Gravity and the struggle to reshape NASAFormer NASA deputy administrator Lori Garver has written a book about her time at the agency. Rand Simberg reviews the book with a focus on Garver’s efforts to put NASA on a new course that leveraged commercial capabilities. Why the space industry needs a space collegeThe growth of the space industry is creating new demands on the education system to train workers. Dylan Taylor and Keith Cowing discuss a concept for a “space college” that is both physical and virtual to more effectively train the next generation of the space workforce. Every single contribution countsImproving diversity, equality, and inclusion is becoming a growing priority for the aerospace industry. Timo Pesonen describes one initiative the European Commission is taking to address this issue. A step closer for StarshipThe FAA last week published its final environmental review of SpaceX’s proposed Starship orbital launches from Texas. Jeff Foust reports on the findings of the review and the steps that remain before the company is finally ready to attempt a launch. NASA to launch three rockets from Northern Territory in boost for Australian space effortsOver the next month NASA will perform three sounding rocket launches from an Australian commercial spaceport. Melissa de Zwart says these launches are signs of growth for the country’s space industry that could soon lead to orbital launches. Gaia mission: five insights astronomers could glean from its latest dataThe European Space Agency released last week a new set of data from its Gaia mission, tracking the positions of a billion stars. Adam McMaster and Andrew Norton explain how that data could be used in fields from planetary science to cosmology. Review: The Sky Is for EveryoneThe number of women in astronomy has grown significantly in recent decades despite many personal and professional obstacles. Jeff Foust reviews a book where dozens of female astronomers discuss their triumphs and tribulations in the field. Dark Clouds: The secret meteorological satellite program (part 3)In the early 1960s the NRO started a project to fly weather satellites to determine if targets of its reconnaissance satellites were clouded over. Dwayne Day examines the development of that project and how it found uses beyond supporting spy satellites. Learning to let go of space missionsNASA’s InSight Mars lander is likely in its final months as its power levels decline, and other missions are facing their own near-death experiences. Jeff Foust reports on how NASA is emphasizing not how long a mission lasts, but what goals it achieved. The Russian space threat and a defense against it with guardian satellitesRussia has developed, and in some cases tested, a wide range of antisatellite weapons and related systems. Matthew Mowthorpe outlines those efforts and a potential approach to defending satellites against them. Review: Far Side of the MoonOver the last half century, it’s become increasingly clear how stressful the Apollo program was the families of the astronauts. Jeff Foust reviews a book that examines one marriage pushed to its limits but, unlike so many others, survived. Will the economy deflect the trajectory of space startups?Space startups have enjoyed significant growth and investment over the last several years. Jeff Foust reports that broader economic issues, from supply chain problems to inflation and interest rates, could slow down that growth, at least for some companies. Our Mars rover mission was suspended because of the Ukraine war: here’s what we’re hoping for nextEuropean scientists and engineers were wrapping up work on the Rosalind Franklin rover when ESA cancelled its launch on a Russian rocket as part of the ExoMars mission. Andrew Coates discusses how the project is dealing with that setback as it looks for an alternative means to launch the rover. What the Voyager space probes can teach humanity about immortality and legacyThe twin Voyager spacecraft are heading out of our solar system, equipped with Golden Records offering a message from humanity. James Edward Huchingson describes how they may offer humans a sense of immortality, if they’re ever found by another civilization. Review: Life in SpaceThere is a steady stream of life sciences research taking place on the International Space Station today, but it took a long time to achieve that. Jeff Foust reviews a book that examines space life sciences work at NASA during the shuttle and early station programs, including the various obstacles those efforts faced. May 2022:Cubesats to the MoonIn mid-June, NASA will launch a cubesat mission to test the stability of the halo orbit around the Moon it plans to use for the Artemis program. Jeff Foust explains how the mission, and others planned for launch this year, are also validations of the growing capabilities of cubesats. National Reconnaissance Program crisis photography concepts, part 1: A six-pack of CoronaIn the 1960s, the NRO was caught off-guard by events like the Cuban Missile Crisis where its imaging satellites could provide little assistance. Joseph T. Page II examines one concept studied in response to such events that could have provided more responsive reconnaissance. How Ukraine could help Europe boost its space sectorUkrainian space companies are continuing work more than three months after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Viktor Serbin, CEO of a Ukrainian space startup, discusses how companies like his can boost Europe’s space ambitions. Boeing’s commercial crew vehicle is finally (almost) ready for crewBoeing’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft landed in New Mexico last week, wrapping up its second uncrewed test flight. Jeff Foust reports that NASA and Boeing both feel confident that, after years of delays, the commercial crew vehicle is now just about ready to carry astronauts. For Starliner, better late than neverBoeing’s CST-100 Starliner launched last week on its second uncrewed test flight to the ISS, nearly two and a half years after a truncated first mission. Jeff Foust reports on that launch and docking, and the road ahead for the commercial crew vehicle. Barnstorming the Moon: the LEM Reconnaissance ModuleDuring the early years of the Apollo program, NASA considered a variety of approaches to scout potential landing sites. Philip Horzempa examines one proposal that would have turned the Lunar Module into a reconnaissance satellite.
How the India and France Space Strategic Dialogue can address multi-dimensional concerns in 2020sEarlier this month the governments of France and India agreed to start a formal dialogue on space policy issues. Harini Madhusudan examines how this fits into the longer history of space relations between the two countries and what topics they may discuss. Review: Space ForcesPeople living in space has been a long-running dream of space advocates that predates the Space Age. Jeff Foust reviews a book that explores the various rationales offered over the years for settling space. Chinese military thinking on orbits beyond GEOMilitary interest in the region of space beyond geostationary Earth orbit, such as cislunar space, is growing. Kristin Burke examines how that region of space is treated in Chinese academic military papers and its implications for space security. “Times are changing”: NASA looks to move beyond the traditional contractNASA administrator Bill Nelson called traditional cost-plus contracts a “plague” on the agency during a congressional hearing earlier this month. Jeff Foust reports on how the agency is looking to make greater use of fixed-price contracts and competition, and the challenges it faces doing so. All the myriad worldsWhat’s your favorite moon in the solar system? (You do have one, right?) Dwayne Day offers his favorite moons, based not just on science but also the stories they tell. Kosmos 482: questions around a failed Venera lander from 1972 still orbiting Earth (but not for long)Fifty years ago, the Soviet Union launched a mission to Venus that was stranded in Earth orbit. Marco Langbroek examines what’s known about the last element of that mission still in orbit and when it’s likely to reenter. The future of Mars science missionsThe planetary science decadal survey final report released last month recommended flagship missions to the outer solar system but also endorsed continued work on Mars Sample Return. Jeff Foust reports other Mars exploration recommendations in the report are still shrouded in uncertainty, such as a radar mapping mission that NASA wants to stop funding. Anti-satellite weapons: the US has sworn off tests, and Australia should follow suitThe United States announced last month it would not perform destructive direct-ascent ASAT tests and encouraged other nations to join it. Cassandra Steer explains why Australia should join the ASAT testing ban despite a lack of plans by the country’s military to develop ASATs. Raising the flag on the Moon and Mars: future human space exploration in Japan (part 2)In the concluding part of his examination of Japanese space exploration policy, Makusu Tsuizaki discusses how lessons learned from the ISS could support new plans for human exploration of the Moon and Mars. Review: The Universe: A BiographyThere are no shortage of biographies of figures in the space community, but what about a bigger subject? Jeff Foust reviews a book that offers a straightforward history of the origin and development of the universe, billed as a biography. Lessons from a new era of destinationsA crew of private astronauts returned from an extended stay on the International Space Station last week. Jeff Foust reports the mission offers lessons for NASA and industry as they move ahead into a new era of commercial space stations, if geopolitics don’t get in the way. Act now on contingencies for Russian non-participation in ISSRussia’s threats to exit the International Space Station raise questions about its long-term future. Srikanth Raviprasad and Steve Hoeser argue that NASA needs to be taking steps to prepare for that possibility and ensure a smooth transition to commercial stations. Raising the flag on the Moon and Mars: future human space exploration in Japan (part 1)Japan, a major partner in the International Space Station program, is gearing up to cooperate on lunar exploration through Artemis. Makusu Tsuizaki examines some of the policy and budgetary issues involving Japan’s space exploration plans. Review: The Sky AboveIn the 1990s, the shuttle was flying frequently, providing many flight opportunities for NASA astronauts. Jeff Foust reviews a memoir by a former NASA astronaut who flew on four shuttle missions in that era after taking a long path to becoming an astronaut. April 2022:War at sea, seen from aboveThe sinking of a Russian cruiser by a Ukrainian missile was monitored from space, in part by commercial satellites. Dwayne Day compares that event with the role space assets played 40 years ago in the Falklands. A small ban of ASATs, a giant leap for space securityVice President Harris announced last week that the United States would no longer perform tests of destructive direct-ascent ASAT weapons. Jeff Foust reports that while the ban has limited practical effects, it could be a step forward for multilateral efforts to develop norms of behavior in space. Space blocs: The future of international cooperation in space is splitting along lines of power on EarthThere’s a new trend of groups of countries working together in space, from regional space agencies to the Artemis Accords. Svetla Ben-Itzhak examines what it means for prospects of conflict in space. Review: The End of AstronautsFor years, space advocates have agreed that there’s a role for both humans and robots in exploring the solar system. Jeff Foust reviews a book that tries to make the argument that advances in robots now make them better suited for expeditions beyond Earth orbit than astronauts. A second chance at the MoonNASA announced last month it will hold a new competition to select a second lunar lander for the Artemis program alongside SpaceX’s Starship. Jeff Foust reports this gives companies that lost the first time a second shot, but perhaps with different designs and different partners. Investing in these innovations will get us to Mars and beyondThe further exploration of the solar system, including human missions to Mars, requires more than just new launch vehicles. Dylan Taylor discusses some other enabling technologies for missions to Mars and beyond. How solar storms can destroy satellites with easeIn February, most of a batch of newly launched Starlink satellites reentered after a solar storm. Piyush Mehta explains how an increasingly active Sun poses a range of threats to the ever-growing population of satellites in orbit. Review: Never Panic EarlyIt’s been 52 years since Fred Haise and his Apollo 13 crewmates safely returned to Earth after disaster struck en route to the Moon. Jeff Foust reviews Haise’s long-awaited autobiography that shows he was defined by more than his single spaceflight. A megaconstellation megadealAmazon announced last week the biggest commercial launch deal ever, purchasing up to 83 launches over five years from three companies, a deal worth several billion dollars. Jeff Foust reports on the details of the contracts and what it means for a launch industry already suffering from a lack of supply. Red and black: The secretive National Reconnaissance Office finally faces the budgeteersIn its early years, the NRO avoided budgetary scrutiny by the White House and Congress. Dwayne Day looks at what happened as policies changed and the NRO came into the crosshairs of the Office of Management and Budget. What is China doing at the lunar distant retrograde orbit?The orbiter from China’s Chang’e-5 lunar sample return mission continues operations well after it returned samples to Earth. Kristin Burke explores why that spacecraft may now be operating in a distant retrograde orbit around the Moon. Review: Return to SpaceA documentary that premiered on Netflix last week takes viewers behind the scenes of 2020’s Demo-2, the first crewed orbital launch from the US since the end of the shuttle. Jeff Foust examines what that access reveals about the preparations for NASA and SpaceX’s historic flight. Review: NASA Missions to MarsThe Perseverance rover is just the latest in a series of NASA missions to Mars dating back to the 1960s. Jeff Foust reviews a book that offers a pictorial history of those missions and what might come in the future. Dark clouds: The secret meteorological satellite program (part 2)In the second part of his study of early military weather satellite efforts, Dwayne Day examines how the US Army supported work by RCA on weather satellite programs that led to proposals for satellites to assist reconnaissance spacecraft. Space travelers by any other nameOne group of private individuals flew suborbitally on New Shepard last week while another group is set to fly to the International Space Station later this week. Jeff Foust reports on the perceptions of such individuals and what the industry is doing to make the experience seem less exclusive. Keep space dialogue going, astronautics federation saysRussia’s invasion of Ukraine has pushed many space ties to the breaking point. Philippe Cosyn describes how one organization wants to keep peaceful cooperation in space going despite what’s happening on Earth. Effective altruism, corporate responsibility, and space sustainabilityCompanies in the aerospace and defense industry say they are taking steps to address environmental and sustainability issues. Layla Martin finds flaws in their arguments and a need for them to be more responsible, particularly when it comes to space sustainability. Review: Voyager: Photographs from Humanity’s Greatest JourneyOne of the reasons the Voyager spacecraft are so revered is the images they provided of the planets and moons of the outer solar system. Jeff Foust reviews a book that offers a sampling of those images, in many cases reprocessed. March 2022:Dark clouds: The secret meteorological satellite program (part 1)Since before the launch of Sputnik, the US military considered the role satellites could play in “weather reconnaissance”. In the first installment of a multi-part examination of that effort, Dwayne Day explores early studies of military weather satellites. The launch market squeezeFor all the talk of a glut of small launch vehicles, supply of larger launch vehicles is now very constrained, thanks in part to the withdrawal of the Soyuz from the commercial market. Jeff Foust reports on what companies and organizations are doing to cope, including, in one case, turning to a competitor for help launching its satellites. Red Heaven: China sets its sights on the stars (part 3)In the conclusion of his three-part analysis of China’s space program, Jason Szeftel examines if China can revamp its space program to more effectively compete with the US and, specifically, SpaceX. Launch failures: fairingsAn Astra launch in February failed when the rocket’s payload fairing did not separate properly. Wayne Eleazer discusses how such failures, while rare over the years, are not unprecedented. SLS crawls towards its first launchNASA’s Space Launch System rolled out to the launch pad for the first time last week for a countdown test ahead of a launch later this summer. Jeff Foust reports on that milestone in the vehicle’s long-delayed development amid broader concerns about the state of the Artemis program. Red Heaven: China sets its sights on the stars (part 2)In the second installment of a three-part article, Jason Szeftel examines the changes in China’s space industry in response to the United States and whether those changes can make it competitive with the likes of SpaceX. Financing space-derived data as commoditiesWhen the major assets of space companies are spacecraft that cannot easily be repossessed in the event of default, it can be difficult to secure some kinds of financing. Lucien and Paul Rapp propose one solution that treats the data those spacecraft generate as commodities. Reviews: Space films at SXSWThe South by Southwest festival in Texas this month included space content that went beyond panel discussions. Jeff Foust reviews some of the space-themed films screened at the event, from documentaries to flights of fancy. Missions to Mercury: From Mariner to MESSENGERESA’s BepiColombo mission is on its way to orbit Mercury, the latest in a handful of missions to explore the innermost planet. Dwayne Day examines the challenges such missions faced and efforts to develop lower-cost spacecraft to make those missions technically and fiscally feasible. Regulatory issues for a growing launch industryThe commercial launch industry has become far more dynamic in recent years in the US, with more companies performing more launches. Jeff Foust reports on some of the regulatory issues they face, from revised licensing regulations to a turf battle among federal agencies. Red Heaven: China sets its sights on the stars (part 1)China’s plans for sending humans to the Moon once looked like a version of NASA’s approach. Jason Szeftel, in the first of a three-part article, discusses how those plans have changed as China watched SpaceX reshape the launch market. Review: Imaging Our Solar SystemSince the beginning of the Space Age, spacecraft have returned images of the Moon, Mars, and other worlds in our solar system beyond Earth. Jeff Foust reviews a book that examines how that photography evolved from the crude images of the earliest missions to the megapixel mosaics of modern-day missions. The moral equivalent of war: a new metaphor for space resource utilizationIf using the resources of the solar system is the only way to save humanity, as some argue, why aren’t we pursuing this field with more urgency? Jack Reid examines if a better argument is needed. A FAB approach to Mars explorationPlanetary scientists are anxiously awaiting the latest decadal survey and its implications for future missions. Jeff Foust reports on how some, looking to preserve future Mars missions within limited budgets, see potential for a new line of low-cost landers that make use of new technologies and new partnerships. Guarding Gateway’s goodness: protecting a steppingstone’s genuine utilityMany consider NASA’s planned lunar Gateway as ineffective and a waste of resources. Bob Mahoney explains how the Gateway, at least as originally envisioned more than two decades ago, can be essential to exploration of the Moon and beyond. Review: ImpactWhile some look up to search for large asteroids that could be potentially hazardous, others look down at meteorites left behind by past impacts. Jeff Foust reviews a book that explores the history of our studies of meteorites and their scientific significance. February 2022:The ending of an era in international space cooperationRussia’s invasion of Ukraine has had reverberations affecting civil and commercial spaceflight. Jeff Foust reports on those reactions and responses, and how it may only hasten the drifting apart of Russia and the West in space. What would FDR do?Cooperation between Russia and the West continues on the International Space Station for now. Robert Oler argues it’s time to reconsider even that. Prophets of the High FrontierSpace advocates have been evangelizing the promise of space-based solar power for decades, but without much progress. Dwayne Day wonders if that means those prophecies are false or just premature. The Starlink-China Space Station near-collision: Questions, solutions, and an opportunityThe American and Chinese governments continue to disagree about two cases last year where China claimed Starlink satellites passed close to their space station. Chen Lan examines what’s known about the incidents and offers a path forward. Review: Discovering MarsMars is the subject of extensive study by spacecraft missions today, just as it was in centuries past by Earthbound astronomers. Jeff Foust reviews a book that offers a detailed history of observations of Mars, from the earliest astronomers to the latest rovers. Arms control in outer space won’t workRussia’s ASAT test in November renewed calls for a ban on such weapons. Brian Britt argues that a comprehensive ban on ASATs is doomed to fail because of problems of definitions, verification, and attribution. Front line on the TELINT Cold War: The Tell Two missions collecting rocket and satellite telemetry during the 1960sDuring part of the Cold War, the US Air Force used a modified version of a B-47 aircraft to collect telemetry from Russian launches and spacecraft. Dwayne Day examines what is known about the “Tell Two” program. Smallsat launch and the real worldSometimes conference panels can stir real debate and disagreement, particularly on hot topics like launch. Jeff Foust reports on a couple panels from a recent conference that features sharp exchanges on smallsat launch capabilities. Building Musk’s path to MarsElon Musk outlines his development plans for Starship, which he says will enable the transport of people and cargo to Mars. John Strickland discusses what else is needed to establish a long-term human presence on Mars beyond a transportation system. Starship status checkElon Musk gave an update last week on the status of SpaceX’s Starship vehicle, the first such presentation in more than two years. Jeff Foust reports on the issues the company has to overcome before that vehicle is finally ready to head to orbit.
Nuclear thermal propulsion is key to keeping peace in spaceBoth NASA and DARPA are working on nuclear thermal propulsion technologies for tests as soon as the middle of the decade. Alex Gilbert explains why this technology is essential not just to space exploration but also security. America’s moral obligation to develop astroelectricityArguments for developing space-based solar power have been based on topics ranging from geopolitics to climate change. Mike Snead describes how there is also a moral imperative to develop such energy sources to uplift society. Review: Picturing the Space Shuttle: The Early YearsFifty years after President Nixon formally authorized its development, the shuttle’s legacy persists. Jeff Foust reviews a book that examines the early history of the shuttle program through a camera lens. Defining European space ambitionsRepresentatives of the European Union and European Space Agency will gather next week for a one-day “space summit” to discuss potential future space projects. Jeff Foust reports on what will be on the agenda, from a European human spaceflight program to a broadband constellation. FROG: The Film Read Out GAMBIT programAn alternative to the KH-11 reconnaissance satellite briefly considered by the NRO was a version of the GAMBIT satellite called FROG. Dwayne Day examines what has come to light about FROG in declassified documents. What to really worry about when a rocket stage crashes on the MoonAn upper stage from a Falcon 9 launch several years ago will crash on the far side of the Moon next month, an event that’s attracted considerable public attention. David Rothery argues that the concern is not with this particular impact but with planetary protection issues with other objects crashing onto the Moon. Are space movie studios sci-fi fantasies?Last month, two ventures announced plans to develop studios on commercial space stations for producing movies and other entertainment. Jeff Foust wonders if there’s enough demand for space-based entertainment to hold the plots of those plans together. January 2022:The NRO and the Space ShuttleOne of the few remaining gaps in the history of the shuttle program was how it was affected and used by the National Reconnaissance Office. Dwayne Day finds new insights into that relationship from recently declassified documents. Building a commercial space sustainability ecosystemDespite growing concerns about the threat posed by space debris, there’s been little action by governments recently to tackle the issue. Jeff Foust reports on how more companies are getting involved in tracking debris, forecasting potential collisions, and preparing to deorbit satellites and debris. Reconsidering the efficacy of an “Incidents in [Outer] Space Agreement” for outer space securitySome have proposed an agreement analogous to the Incidents on the High Seas Agreement to improve space security. Michael Listner reexamines an earlier proposal he made along those lines and finds new flaws in the concept. Review: Through the Glass Ceiling to the StarsThere are many reasons astronauts write their memoirs, from adding to the historical record to simply getting people to stop bugging them about writing one. Jeff Foust reviews a book that offers an inspirational account from the astronaut who was the first woman to command a shuttle mission. Space policy, geopolitics, and the ISSThe International Space Station has survived several decades of ups and downs in relations between Russia and the West. Jeff Foust reports that partnership could face its toughest challenge yet amid fears Russia is preparing to invade Ukraine. A phoenix dying in Samos ashes: The SPARTAN reconnaissance satellite programIn the 1960s there was a short-lived effort to resurrect a cancelled reconnaissance satellite program under the codename SPARTAN. Dwayne Day examines the technical and other challenges that effort faced. Cold War Pony Express in the western PacificA recent essay described how the US Air Force used ships, among other means, to track Soviet launches and missile tests. Mike Beuster recalls his experience serving on one of those ships in the 1970s. Review: Becoming Off-WorldlyWith commercial human spaceflight ramping up after years of delays, there are more opportunities for people to fly to space. Jeff Foust reviews a book that examines the experience of going to space and what people need to do to plan for such a trip. Stealing secrets from the ether: missile and satellite telemetry interception during the Cold WarDuring the Cold War, the US operated ground stations around the world, including places like Iran and Pakistan, to monitor telemetry from Soviet launches. Dwayne Day explores what’s known about these projects thanks to a recently declassified official history. When SPACs are attackedOne of the major developments in commercial space last year was the series of companies that went public through mergers with “blank-check” companies called SPACs. Jeff Foust reports those companies are facing new problems as public corporations while SPACs themselves run into difficulties. Liability and insurance framework for manufacturers of space objects in IndiaIndia’s government is working to open up its space industry to private players, reforms that bring with it a variety of challenges. Three legal experts discuss issues involving liability and insurance regarding that reform effort. Review: Not Yet ImaginedAs the James Webb Space Telescope goes through its commissioning, the Hubble Space Telescope keeps chugging along, more than three decade after its launch. Jeff Foust reviews a history of the operations of that famous space observatory. Blacker than a very black thing: the HEXAGON reconnaissance satellite signals intelligence payloadsThe last, failed launch of a HEXAGON reconnaissance satellite in 1986 had been thought to carry a deployable subsatellite like many other previous such missions. Dwayne Day explains how new historical evidence points to a different payload and a previously unknown NRO program. New year, new (and overdue) rocketsThis year could see the first flights of many small and large launch vehicles, if they can stick to their schedules. Jeff Foust reports on the status of several such rockets, and the issues that caused their inaugural launches to be delayed. Steady growth beyond the skies: five trends in outer space from 2021Last year was an active one in spaceflight, from space tourism to Mars rovers. Harini Madhusudan examines some of the biggest trends of the last year and their implications for 2022 and beyond. Review: Flashes of CreationAstronomers plan to use the newly launched James Webb Space Telescope to peer back into the distant early universe to see the first stars and galaxies formed after the Big Bang. Jeff Foust review a book that recounts the debate among astronomers decades ago about the Big Bang model as shaped by two leading astronomers on opposite sides of that debate. Transfer of tensionThe Christmas morning liftoff of the James Webb Space Telescope was only the start of its long-awaited deployment process. Jeff Foust reports on the progress since launch getting the $10 billion space telescope into operation. Blackbirds and black satellites: the A-12 OXCART as a satellite launcherIn the early 1960s, Lockheed proposed using the A-12 aircraft, the forerunner to the SR-71, as an air-launch system. Dwayne Day examines that proposal and why it failed to take off. China says Elon Musk’s Starlink is “phenomenal,” but what is the real message?In a message to the United Nations last month, the Chinese government complained that it had to maneuver its space station twice to avoid close approaches by Starlink spacecraft. Michelle Hanlon and Josh Smith discuss some of the space law issues raised by that diplomatic note. Review: Shatner in SpaceOne of the biggest personalities to fly to space last year was William Shatner, aka Capt. Kirk from Star Trek. Jeff Foust reviews a show that takes viewers behind the scenes of his flight on Blue Origin’s New Shepard. Home |
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