Can SpaceX's Starship save Mars Sample Return?
https://www.planetary.org/articles/can- … ple-return
To Mars and Back: Will NASA’s Ambitious Endeavor Be Worth It?
https://undark.org/2024/03/20/nasa-mars-sample-return/
A mission to retrieve samples from the red planet is in the works. Some scientists wonder if it’s a wise investment.
Final NASA 2024 spending bill defers decision on MSR funding
https://spacenews.com/final-nasa-2024-s … r-funding/
On MSR, where the House and Senate offered vastly different figures, the final bill instead gives NASA flexibility.
there now is another reason not to end NASA's MSR is politics, Tianwen-3 a Chinese planned Mars sample-return mission which could see by NASA beat by China
]]>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwSb8BV-jXQ
Looks well advanced.
]]>GW
]]>Already?
SpaceX launches Starship “hopper” on dramatic test flight
The spacecraft, shaped a bit like R2-D2 from the “Star Wars” movies, appeared to reach its FAA-approved 492-foot (150 meter) altitude limit, moved sideways and slowly descended to touchdown on a nearby landing pad. The approximately one-minute flight was the rocket’s second “untethered” test following a July jump to an altitude of about 65 feet.
https://techcrunch.com/2019/07/24/space … fly-flare/
https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploa … .gif?w=717
Thought that there was going to be a flight to an altitude of 20k
SpaceX launches Starship “hopper” on dramatic test flight
The spacecraft, shaped a bit like R2-D2 from the “Star Wars” movies, appeared to reach its FAA-approved 492-foot (150 meter) altitude limit, moved sideways and slowly descended to touchdown on a nearby landing pad. The approximately one-minute flight was the rocket’s second “untethered” test following a July jump to an altitude of about 65 feet.
https://techcrunch.com/2019/07/24/space … fly-flare/
Thought that there was going to be a flight to an altitude of 20k
]]>Louis-There have been numerous YouTube reports on sightings of circular first stage segments accumulating on the ground at the Florida site. The major factor is availability of sufficient Raptor engines having passed tests at McGregor, TX test facility. This is indeed, and exciting time to be an observer of spaceflight activities.
Here's Elon's Tweet in full:
"Aiming for 20km flight in Oct & orbit attempt shortly thereafter. Starship update will be on Sept 28th, anniversary of SpaceX reaching orbit. Starship Mk 1 will be fully assembled by that time."
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/116 … ive%3Dtrue
The Starship development programme seems is being implemented at a very rapid pace. Maybe my pessimism about meeting the deadline for the 2024 cargo Starship launches was misplaced.
Orbital before the end of the year? That would be remarkable. Would they be able to bring it back to Earth?
Does anyone know where they are with Super-Heavy development? What are the special challenges of developing that First Stage rocket?
This is an interesting post over on Reddit:
https://www.reddit.com/r/spacex/comment … sa_spacex/
Seems like NASA want to bring Space X on board...Again, that could really accelerate the Mars Mission if Space X had full access to NASA's expertise re Rovers, life support, space coms, and space medicine.
]]>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkwgGDRUtqc
First sub-orbital flight by October this year?
I agree with Cloudlicker that it's an inspirational video. This will deffo excite interest.
And another view:
]]>These tests are what would be done on the test stand for parametric value determination of engine to fuel efficiency values. These tests are also a live testing of cycling of tanks rather than test stand, checking of value performance to fuel and pumps and or pressurization systems. It also is a good check of the performing software that controls it all.
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