Space. The Final Frontier.

[skippy1999]

https://www.npr.org/2021/11/07/1053383188/a-broken-toilet-on-spacex-capsule-means-astronauts-will-return-to-earth-in-diape

It’s tough in space. They are scheduled to return today. Another crew to launch Wednesday although that has been delayed several times now.

We saw the capsule enter the atmosphere the other night before it splashed down off of Pensacola's coast, was really cool.

[Natsinpwc]

So Elon Musk gave Ukraine access to Starlink. Great!  A terminal for access costs only $500 and the service is a mere $99 per month. 

[imref]

So Elon Musk gave Ukraine access to Starlink. Great!  A terminal for access costs only $500 and the service is a mere $99 per month. 

Probably a safe assumption that he isn’t charging them.

[Natsinpwc]

Probably a safe assumption that he isn’t charging them.

I guess he will have to ship the terminals?

[imref]

I guess he will have to ship the terminals?

he already did, they arrived yesterday

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/28/world/europe/elon-musk-satellite-internet-ukraine.html

[Natsinpwc]

he already did, they arrived yesterday

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/28/world/europe/elon-musk-satellite-internet-ukraine.html

The Russians are going to love those.

[Five Banners]

The Russians are going to love those.

It’s interesting that while many things have been shut down, much of the communication has not been jammed, blocked, or destroyed.

[Natsinpwc]

It’s interesting that while many things have been shut down, much of the communication has not been jammed, blocked, or destroyed.

It is surprising. I’m sure they’ve been trying.

[Natsinpwc]

Was watching the space launch countdown on the Roku streaming. Went to look out the window to see it live and the realized that the streaming was at least a minute behind reality.

[Natsinpwc]

Lunar eclipse starting. Should peak around 11:30.

[imref]

5 AM local time is best viewing (dc area)

https://www.livescience.com/2022-peak-planetary-alignment

[Natsinpwc]

Artemis 1 scheduled to go this morning but an engine issue has the countdown stopped. I believe the launch window today goes through 10:30. Friday is the next window.

[imref]

I’m following https://spaceflightnow.com/2022/08/29/artemis-1-launch-live-coverage/

[imref]

Scrubbed

[Natsinpwc]

Scrubbed till Friday. 

[Natsinpwc]

Non zero chance of launch Friday per NASA.  My guess would be this is postponed for a while. Not sure when the next windows are after Friday and Monday. 

[imref]

Hydrogen leak discovered while fueling. Looks like another scrub today

[Natsinpwc]

Hydrogen leak discovered while fueling. Looks like another scrub today

Launch team has recommended they scrub it so that will be official soon. Maybe Monday? Seem to be lots of issues with this new rocket.

[imref]

spaceflight now:

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson says the Artemis 1 mission management team will meet this afternoon to discuss the next steps for the launch campaign. They will determine whether to make another launch attempt Monday or Tuesday, or roll the Space Launch System moon rocket back to the Vehicle Assembly Building for repairs and re-testing.

If the rocket has to return to the VAB, the Artemis 1 launch will be delayed to October. The next launch period opens Sept. 19 and closes Oct. 4, but it's more likely the the flight would be pushed back to a launch period opening Oct. 17.

"We'll go when we're ready," Nelson said. "This is part of our space program -- be ready for scrubs."

[Natsinpwc]

Artemis launch delayed from Nov 14 to Nov 16 due to Nicole.

[imref]

Artemis launch delayed from Nov 14 to Nov 16 due to Nicole.

NASA decided to leave Artimis on the launch pad. It is designed to handle winds up to 85mph. The just recorded an 88mph gust.

[Natsinpwc]

NASA decided to leave Artimis on the launch pad. It is designed to handle winds up to 85mph. The just recorded an 88mph gust.

Son is visiting and just moved his car into the parking garage in our building. Almost could not get the door to the building open from the wind. Think the storm is just south of us. Looks like we are through most of the rain but much of the wind seems on the back side of the storm?

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Son is visiting and just moved his car into the parking garage in our building. Almost could not get the door to the building open from the wind. Think the storm is just south of us. Looks like we are through most of the rain but much of the wind seems on the back side of the storm?

Wind on the back side?  Reminds me of the campfire cookout scene from Blazing Saddles.

[imref]

winds hit 100 MPH on the launch pad. And if the mission gets pushed back into December, the booster rockets may not be usable.

https://www.space.com/nasa-artemis-1-moon-rocket-boosters-expire-december

Ugh

[Natsinpwc]

winds hit 100 MPH on the launch pad. And if the mission gets pushed back into December, the booster rockets may not be usable.

https://www.space.com/nasa-artemis-1-moon-rocket-boosters-expire-december

Ugh

Forgot to check the expiration date on the package.