Weekly insights into spaceflight engineering news, interviews and discussions. Listen in for technical details, corrections from people in the know and "one step deeper" knowledge.
We have decided to sunset the “main show.” We’re going to record next week, July, Sunday, the 6th. We thought about calling this our final episode, but that doesn’t feel quite right. We record at 9 a.m. Pacific, 12 p.m. Eastern. If you aren't already in our discord, you can go to theorbitalmechanics.com/discord, and that'll just redirect you to an invite.
Weird, short episode here, but it still feels weird to not start the show by saying “and I’m Ben.”
So, we’ve had a personal emergency here on the crew. All three of us are fine, and we will let you know more about what’s happened, but for right now, this week’s episode is delayed. Hopefully it’ll be coming out later this week, but I don’t know. It may take a little while for things to get back to normal, but hopefully not too long. We just need a little bit of time to cope, and then we can figure out what our plans are.
Thank you guys for listening, and you know, I miss y’all.
Recap on Starship’s ninth flight and the vehicle’s future. Also, the end of Xodiac and a test of another Chinese reusable booster.
Update on Rocket Lab’s Neutron. Also, China announced Venus sample return mission and an expansion to Tiangong.
Firefly has a nozzle issue. Also, a Lunar Trailblazer alternate mission, and an ISS debris avoidance.
Sierra Space shoots bullets, while Atmos' PHOENIX-1 hits the wrong ocean. Also, an update on Kosmos 482's upcoming fiery destruction.
ISS is entering the riskiest part of its life. It's time for EngineFest 2025! Also, an explosion in Utah and a seat barter agreement.
Jared Isaacman had his senate hearing and is on his way to being confirmed as NASA administrator. Also, a new DSN dish and a new Astroscale customer.
NASA puts out a call for more Private Astronaut Missions. Also, Fram2, and a SpinLaunch payload.
The banner video, a time lapse of Relativity Space’s Stargate printer manufacturing an Iron Bird upper stage, is courtesy of Relativity Space.