Space Exploration

[Grand Vol]

I'm really liking Bill Nelson as NASA administrator so far.

Much like Bridenstein, he's a Washington political animal that knows how to conduct business.

The difference is, he doesn't have a hostile Congress to deal with.

 

[twoffo]

I'm really liking Bill Nelson as NASA administrator so far.

I’m hesitant to get my hopes up but he seems to be doing well so far. At this point I don’t care if they burn 6 billion on the National Team lander so long as they don’t hobble SpaceX.

 

[Grand Vol]

I’m hesitant to get my hopes up but he seems to be doing well so far. At this point I don’t care if they burn 6 billion on the National Team lander so long as they don’t hobble SpaceX.

To me, it seems like that's exactly what's happening. The "old hats" of Boeing, ULA, Lockheed, Northrop-Grumman etc hate the fact they've got egg on their face from a relative upstart in SpaceX that's doing it faster, cheaper and with greater efficiency.

There's a lot of prestige on the line with this lander contract with our without Bezos being involved. But it really goes beyond the Artemis missions into the Commercial Crew systems and you can bet your backside Boeing has been politicking behind the scenes against SpaceX and calling in favors from politicians they've bought off over the years. All I can say Boeing better nail this next Starliner mission. I'm not sure what excuses they (or Congress) can use if they flub it up again. Because if it goes wrong (again) someone in Congress better start asking "Exactly WTF did you do with our $4.2 billion over the last decade?"

And if I was in Congress, I'd make sure they never got another dime of a NASA contract until they un-**** themselves.

 

[twoffo]

 

[SpaceCoastVol]

 

[CagleMtnVol]

This sounds interesting...

 

[OrangeTsar]

SpaceX once again makes the miraculous seem commonplace with yet another flawless launch, orbital insertion, and booster landing. Never gets old watching these things. Landing back at the Cape makes the visuals even more stunning

 

[OrangeTsar]

I mean that first stage basically free falls from 140 km up and manages to land right in the center of the landing pad. That is unbelievable. Yes I know it makes trajectory adjustments on the way down, but that is still crazy precision. And it’s speed reaches zero right as the legs touch the ground

 

[twoffo]

 

[OrangeTsar]

And then it suddenly dawns on you that the thing falling from the sky is the height of a 10 story building

 

[chatsworth_vol]

It's coming down so fast you can't believe it's not going to crash, and then settles down as gently as can be. Them people know their crap.

 

[twoffo]

It just barely fits.

 

[LouderVol]

It just barely fits.

Twss

 

[OrangeTsar]

That booster move is going to be something to see. Will be watching the live feeds for sure. Texas Tank Watchers Assemble!!!

 

[CagleMtnVol]

It's yuge!!!

 

[SpaceCoastVol]

SpaceX once again makes the miraculous seem commonplace with yet another flawless launch, orbital insertion, and booster landing. Never gets old watching these things. Landing back at the Cape makes the visuals even more stunning

Sounded like a shotgun blast at my house.

 

[OrangeTsar]

Sounded like a shotgun blast at my house.

Did you get the double sonic boom clearly?

 

[OrangeTsar]

I really hope to get to the Cape for the next Falcon Heavy launch

 

[Matt2496]

 

[twoffo]

Will Branson or Bezos reach space first?

 

[CagleMtnVol]

 

[CagleMtnVol]

 

[twoffo]

The newest droneship:

 

[CagleMtnVol]

The newest droneship:

 

[Orangeburst]

Just amazing..That could deliver one large Dominoes Pizza pie.