Main Engine Cut OffT+59: Jake Robins
Jake Robins of the WeMartians Podcast joins me to discuss the state and future of the Mars exploration program, lean sample return, and more.
452 results for “NASA”
Falcon 9 Block 4
Block 4 of the Falcon 9 is debuting with the launch of CRS-12, and Block 5 will debut on the uncrewed Dragon 2 demo mission.
T+56: Small Launchers and Advanced Propulsion
Rocket Lab completed their investigation into what went wrong on their first launch, Virgin Orbit’s carrier 747 arrived in Long Beach, and I discuss a few NASA-backed advanced propulsion projects.
AR1 Costs Climbing Past $228 Million
The total AR1 agreement is valued at $804 million, so it’s just about halfway there. Worth noting that the Falcon 9 launch vehicle was developed for $390 million. And that includes the cost of Falcon 1 development.
NASA Contracts with BWXT for Nuclear Thermal Propulsion Project
Cutting travel time to Mars from six to four months is not unique to nuclear thermal propulsion, and more importantly, getting there two months faster is pretty pointless without the most important piece: a lander.
The Continuing Mystery Saga of USA 276
USA 276 is making another close approach to the ISS, and yet again, there is a lot of activity around the ISS when it happens.
The TDRS-M/CRS-12 Shuffle
There’s a bit of a logjam out at the Cape: the launch dates of TDRS-M and CRS-12 fell very close to each other, and they’re both high-priority missions for NASA. This situation sheds some light on future SpaceX operations in Florida.
T+54: Eric Berger
Eric Berger returns to the show to talk about Elon Musk and SpaceX’s crusade against cost-plus contracting, the end of Red Dragon, where NASA policy is heading, and what SpaceX may have in store for the Air Force’s next round of development contracts.
T+53: Loren Grush
Loren Grush of The Verge joins me to talk about Falcon Heavy, SpaceX cancelling Dragon 2 propulsive landings, Red Dragon riding off into the sunset, Moon Express, US space policy, and a whole lot more.