Weekly Space Report: Driving On Towards Test Flight 13

SCANALYZER The Happening World
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Highlights:

  • Booster 20 heads to Massey’s, with transporter failure on the way

  • Ship 40

  • Pad 2 no significant functional problems.

  • Gateway to Mars wall falls

  • Pad 2 booster clamps removed, presumably for inspections

  • Lighter catch rails installed, with fewer dampers.

  • Mechazilla arms exercised (tuned?) with new rails

  • Pad 1 progress, tank farm expansion

  • Natural gas liquefaction plant plans

  • Pad 1 new launch mount spotted at build site

  • Build article B18.3 survives many new tests at Massey’s

  • Multiple other test articles

  • Droneship heads to Florida with launch mount parts

  • Falcon 9: Starlink 17-41, Starlink 17-47, Starlink 10-43

  • Stoke Space update with video

  • Vast reports new European headquarters with new mission announcements

  • Space Station Core Module dropped by NASA in favor of commercial solutions

  • New Glenn follow up. Good news on ground systems other than the pad itself. Many pieces can be repaired in place.

  • Transporter-erector will not be replaced. Previously planned alternate to be built instead.

  • ULA Vulcan Leo Atlas 7 mission launch

  • Discussion/speculation on Amazon Leo launch schedule without New Glenn.

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I recall at one of the NSS meetings in Southern California back of the late '80s Andy Cutler answering questions from the audience about why our chapter in San Diego was pushing so hard on outlawing NASA from competing in launch services.

Paraphrasing:

“Because I don’t want to be standing up here old and gray telling you I was right and you were wrong.”

Andy is dead. I am old and gray.

And by the way I give Andy credit for fixing the net asset tax rate to the national debt rate when I was talking to him about my idea in the wake of my testimony before Congress.