Weekly Space Report: Butch's Harrowing Starliner Narrative

Highlights:

  • Booster 14 returns to production site Mega Bay 1 for final prep

  • Pad B flame trench parts and pipes moving into place, ridge piece identified.

  • Production site demolition continuing for future Giga Bay. Lots to remove.

  • New booster aft section with unusual new plumbing spotted. Joined by related pieces.

  • New test components being built similar to those for the current boosters, but with tweaks presumably for the new booster design.

  • Ship 39 header sphere noticed, with “V3” markings

  • Ship 37 rings and other parts coming together. Nearly complete.

  • Booster 17 cryo testing begins at Massey’s.

  • Flight proven Booster 15 returns to the Mega Bay for unknown work.

  • Falcon 9: Starlink 11-11

  • Jared Isaacman begins confirmation hearings for NASA administrator

  • NASA continuing efforts to save the Starliner program.

  • Butch Wilmore’s interview with Eric Berger throws big shade on Starliner.

  • Spinlaunch pivots to internet satellite constellation production, called “Meridian”.

  • Soyuz MS-27 launches to the ISS with NASA astronauth Jonathan Kim aboard.

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