Short Takes – 11-4-24 – Space Geek Edition

Starship Flight 6 might come faster than previous launches. SpaceExplored.com article. Pull quote: “With both pieces of hardware nearing flight readiness, Flight 6 I would expect will be nearly the same as Flight 5 (with likely some changes to operations while in space) and could be ready for flight in December. All this is based on the fact that the company is already in the flight test campaign; an even sooner date could be possible. It is SpaceX, after all.”

NASA warns SpaceX over safety issues after astronaut hospitalization. PopSci.com article. Pull quote: “NASA is concerned SpaceX is prioritizing its mission schedule over safety after a recent ocean landing resulted in the brief hospitalizations of all four astronauts. Former astronaut Kent Rominger admonished the company during an October 31 meeting of the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel, citing a list of recent problems involving both SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon capsule.” Still nothing about why astronauts were taken to hospital.

Launch: The Fundamental Prerequisite for Space Superiority. AirAndSpaceForces.com article. Well thought out discussion. Pull quote: “With so many providers today, the state of U.S. launch appears solid. But the reality is far more complex. Launch is literally “rocket science.” Early failures in development are common, and catastrophic failures are always possible, potentially causing downstream ripple delays across multiple launch systems. Constant attention and investment are required to ensure the necessary levels of confidence, capacity, and cadence for U.S. space launch to deliver the on-orbit architecture the Space Force needs to deter conflict in the future—or win if deterrence fails.”

Watch Rocket Lab launch mystery mission early on Nov. 5. Space.com article. Pull quote: “"Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes" will be Rocket Lab's 12th launch of 2024 and 54th overall. All of these missions have been performed by the 59-foot-tall (18 meters) Electron, which is designed to give small satellites dedicated rides to Earth orbit or beyond. (An Electron launched NASA's CAPSTONE mission, which sent a cubesat to the moon.)”