Tai Rade ( / tie rah-day / ) is our space correspondent and spokesperson.

This is her weekly take on what’s happening in space.

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No. 013 - 2 February 2024

• Wagons Ho!
• Water, Water Everywhere
• Good News!
• Day Of Remembrance
• My Latest Obsession
• Other Things

Tai here.

This is the state of space as of February 2nd.

Let’s get started.

Wagons Ho!

Just like they used to load up the supply wagons back in the day and send them out west, so too do we load wagons and resupply our pioneers high above.

Tuesday SpaceX carried one of Northrop Grumman's Cygnus resupply modules for the first time. It was the 20th trip to the ISS (International Space Station) for the Cygnus cargo craft, and the first time aboard the Falcon 9. Modifications had to be made to the Falcon 9 payload fairing, but all went according to plan.

The nineteen previous missions went aboard either Antares or Atlas rockets.

Of course SpaceX got it up like clockwork once the mods were good, and this load included special treats for the astronauts like ice cream. Even cooler (badump bump), this was the 10th flight for the first-stage booster, and some pretty spectacular close-up footage of its return was snagged (see link below).

These rockets are getting more and more like the wagons of old. Durable and reusable.

Exactly what we need more of.

As it happens the Forty Suns team were on their way to SpaceCom in Orlando (the 50th Space Congress!), and got to see this one launch in a clear blue sky as they headed down the Florida Beachline toll road.

Pretty sweet contrails, from what they say.

Here's more on the booster return ...

Close-Up Footage Of SpaceX Booster Landing

Water, Water Everywhere

Legendary workhorse and stalwart of science, The Hubble Space Telescope, has observed the smallest planet outside our solar system to contain water vapor in its atmosphere.

The hits just keep on coming.

This discovery brings us closer to characterizing Earth-like worlds …

Planet GJ 9827d Contains Water Vapor

Good News!

Japan’s moon lander came back to life!

Monday JAXA (Japan's space agency) said, “Last evening we succeeded in establishing communication with SLIM, and resumed operations!” posting a grainy image. “We immediately started scientific observations with MBC, and have successfully obtained first light for 10-band observation.” MBC refers to the lander's multiband spectroscopic camera.

Back on the 20th they stuck the landing – a huge feat in itself, making them one of only five countries to land on the moon – but afterward realized the probe ended up on the lunar surface at a skewed angle.

This recovery is great news all the way around. So many triumphs, from the precision of the landing (the mission was even called "Moon Sniper") to this dramatic recovery, the little robots it deployed and much else.

Anybody think the moon will soon become a regular destination?

As if there were any doubt.

Japan's Moon Lander Comes Back To Life

Day Of Remembrance

Each January NASA pauses to honor members of the NASA family who lost their lives while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery, including the crews of Apollo 1 and space shuttles Challenger and Columbia.

That Day of Remembrance this year was the 25th.

You can watch the video on NASA's dedicated page.

The challenges of space go far beyond the everyday. All who meet that challenge are heroes in their own right. The heroes we remember on this Day, those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, are, indeed, heroes' heroes.

Our greatest gift to them is not only that we hold them in our hearts and minds, but that we maintain the pursuit of the final frontier they gave their lives chasing.

Wherever they are, I'm confident our progress makes them proud.

Thanks for tuning in.

Never forget: Space is the answer.

- Tai

#FortySuns

#40suns

My latest Earth-culture obsession:
Nachos from Chili’s. The American restaurant chain. Love the way they put one of each thing (chicken, jalapeno, etc) on each chip and arrange them in a circle around the plate. Brilliant, based on other nachos I’ve seen. Loves me some Chili’s nachos.

Dad Joke (of the week):

Interviewer: Can you explain these gaps in your resume?

Dad: I believe those are from the space bar.

Last week's reader feedback:
Unity, baby! Loved to see how truly global our “International” Space Station is becoming. A great sign of hope for us Earthlings working together.

- Rose

Tai's response:
Hi, Rose. Agreed. Each crew a unique nationality. That’s what it will take, though. The only way we really conquer this space thing is together.

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No. 014 - 9 February 2024

• Shuttle 2.0
• Lining Up Our Next Targets
• Demand & Supply
• Upping The Pace
• With Great Power Comes Great Possibility
• My Latest Obsession
• Other Things

Tai here.

This is the state of space as of February 9th.

Lots happening this week, which is great, so I’ll keep it tighter than usual.

Let’s get started.

Shuttle 2.0

Not exactly a redo of the venerable Shuttle, but it sounds cool to put it that way.

Sierra Space (I’m really loving these guys) is prepping to return another orbital-class spaceplane to regular use.

Oorah.

Called Dream Chaser, it’s smaller than the Shuttle, but the similarities are undeniable.

This will be the third – and final – cargo spacecraft contracted by NASA for resupply and science experiments, with Sierra Space joining Northrop Grumman and SpaceX in providing that capacity. Dream Chaser will be the most unique (and the coolest, I think).

The first is named Tenacity, and it’s set to fly sometime later this year.

Check out this tight article and short video …

Sierra Space Unveils Dream Chaser

Lining Up Our Next Targets

Couple things to report this week in the world of planets. (Is that a place for a "badump bump"? The world of planets?)

First off, and for the first time, NASA has issued a call to the private space industry titled "Exploring Mars Together: Commercial Services Studies."

Basically, they're looking for feedback from the private space sector to see how they would handle private missions to Mars.

In my opinion this is a huge indicator of the importance and focus being given the Red Planet ...

NASA Asks Industry About Private Missions To Mars

When it comes to prepping for Mars, have you seen the Audacity project being run by the awesome and incredible Space Foundation?

Life On Mars Mission 001, “Audacity”, was a success – and yet another example of the broad attention being put on this oh-so-worthy human objective.

See how they did ...

Audacity Mission Outcome

A few power players who used to be with Blue Origin have been working on a startup called Interlune, which is focused on developing the tech to mine and sort lunar regolith. Lunar resource gathering, basically.

Being able to do this will be key for our permanent occupation of the Moon.

See what's happening so far ...

Secretive Moon Startup Raises Funding

Demand & Supply

Inland launch sites are missing out, and they know it.

If they can be made workable they can add to rapidly expanding demand.

Launch sites tend to be in coastal locations, for many reasons, range safety among them. But inland sites are working to increase their viability.

With so much to do in space, options for launch sites will soon become integral to our progress ...

Inland Spaceports Seek A Way

Upping The Pace

Firefly Aerospace, the guys who did a literal turn-and-burn by loading and launching a rocket for the US Space Force in record time, the Victus Nox mission back in September, will not only continue responsive launch operations, but make them the norm.

We need this.

Firefly To Continue Responsive Launch Ops

With Great Power Comes Great Possibility

When it comes to getting things to space, the larger the complete item we can get into orbit, the less building and other stuff we have to do once it's there. Single-launch options make things way easier.

Starship will be perfect for this.

As an example, Starlab, a joint commercial space station venture between Voyager Space (US) and Airbus (EU), will launch aboard Starship no earlier than 2028.

Starlab is one of the upcoming solutions to begin placing new space stations into orbit. At 26 feet across it will fit nicely in Starship's payload bay for a launch in one go.

Like I always say, go big or go bigger.

Starlab – With Half The Volume Of ISS – Will Fit

Thanks for tuning in.

Never forget: Space is the answer.

- Tai

#FortySuns

#40suns

My latest Earth-culture obsession:

Another 80s group. I find myself drawn to that Earth decade. Not sure why. The group this time I’m listening to is Soul II Soul. Smooth groove. I like it.

Dad Joke (of the week):

What do you call a factory that makes okay products?

A satisfactory.

Last week’s reader feedback:

I liked your report last week on the latest find from the Hubble Telescope. I keep hoping we’ll find evidence of other life. Specifically intelligent life. Do you think we’ll find it in the next 50 years?

- Stephen

Tai’s response:

Hi, Stephen. Interesting, specific question. Like most reasonable people I have no doubt there’s other life and other intelligence in the universe. It would be statistically near impossible for there not to be. Will we “make contact” in the next fifty years? Well, to that I would remind you I myself am from Proxima B – not Earth – so, technically, “we” (you and I) already have.

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No. 015 - 16 February 2024

• Astro Grads!
• Stacked, Jacked, Ready
• Dark Matter Detected
• 3D Metal Printer For Space
• First Commercial Soft Landing
• My Latest Obsession
• Other Things

Tai here.

This is the state of space as of February 16th.

Let’s get started.

Astro Grads!

Tuesday, March 5th. 10:30 am EST. Johnson Space Center, Houston.

Possibly one of the most kick-ass graduating classes of the 2000s.

NASA will honor the next generation of Artemis astronaut candidates to graduate, after completing more than two years of basic training.

This kind of stuff gives me chills ...

Check Out Who's Graduating

Stacked, Jacked, Ready

Starship is back. Round Three.

Officially the third integrated flight test (IFT-3) of the world's most bodacious (and yes, most jacked) rocket to ever live, it's looking like we might see the next shot to get it into orbit come March.

SpaceX's Starship is the most consequential rocket system in the aerospace industry right now.

Let's cheer on this next test.

Starship IFT-3

Dark Matter Detected

For the first time. Indirectly, yet with certainty, taking advantage of an effect that gravity has on light to observe dark matter sitting on cosmic web filaments in the Coma Cluster of galaxies.

This is big news.

If you're into cosmology – and epic-science in general – I recommend taking 5 minutes to read about this discovery:

Dark Matter Detected For 1st Time

3D Metal Printer For Space

The ISS (International Space Station) is getting the first metal 3D printer made for space, designed by Airbus and the ESA (European Space Agency).

This is cool because, if proven successful, it will be fabricating parts needed for missions on the moon and Mars.

Let's keep upping those capabilities. This is exactly how we do it.

First Metal 3D Printer For Space

First Commercial Soft Landing

Another first!

Dark matter detected for the first time, the first 3D metal printer in space, now this, the first commercial craft to attempt a soft landing on the moon.

Will the awesomeness never end?

Intuitive Machines' Nova-C lunar lander will attempt to become the first commercial spacecraft to soft-land on the lunar surface – and the first US vehicle to accomplish the feat since Apollo 17 in 1972.

Let’s cheer this one on as well.

Commercial Lunar Lander IM-1

Thanks for tuning in.

Never forget: Space is the answer.

- Tai

#FortySuns

#40suns

My latest Earth-culture obsession:

I have to admit I’m kind of loving shopping at the mall. Or even just walking around. So many different people, all in one place, not fighting, mostly just chill. Malls aren’t the total hot spots they used to be a few decades ago, from what I’m given to understand, but they’re still pretty damn incredible to me. Yay malls!

Dad Joke (of the week):

What do priests say to get rid of insects in the church?

Let us spray.

Last week’s reader feedback:

That Dream Chaser looks dope!

- Chad

Tai’s response:

Indeed it does, Chad. Sierra Space will become legend with this one. Bet you thought your letter wouldn’t get picked, didn’t you. Well, it did. How dope is that?
 

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No. 016 - 23 February 2024

• This Is Cool
• One Step Closer
• Orders Of Magnitude
• Mechazilla
• Update
• My Latest Obsession
• Other Things

Tai here.

This is the state of space as of February 23rd.

Let’s get started.

This Is Cool

A fun bit of news; nothing long to report here. Only that Bridgit Mendler, the actress who played the main character in the TV sitcom “Good Luck Charlie” back in the day, has founded a satellite startup.

“Space is getting easier along so many different dimensions." she says, "but still the actual exercise of sending data to and from space is difficult."

The company aims to build satellite ground stations that are designed with mass production and customer flexibility first in mind.

How many other famous people are hearing the siren call of space?

Bridgit Mendler Launches Satellite Data Startup

One Step Closer

I’ve mentioned before the vital importance of building out our heavy-lift capabilities. We need to be able to get lots and lots of mass into orbit over short periods of time, for so many reasons.

Our extraplanetary existence depends on it.

One anticipated option is the New Glenn rocket by Blue Origin, in development now for over a decade. It may be getting closer.

Goal is a launch this year – 2024, and we’re creeping past the midway point of Q1.

Will they make it?

The rocket itself looks very promising. They recently rolled out a mock-up to the planned launchpad at Kennedy …

Blue Origin’s New Glenn Simulator On The Pad

Orders Of Magnitude

Speaking of Kennedy, will Starship join New Glenn at the world’s most famous launch facility? Will the title holder of “biggest and baddest” join this other titan of rocketry in the same geographic location?

Can you imagine a not-too-distant future where we’re seeing New Glenns and Starships thundering skyward, one after the other, day after day?

What a sight that would be. Giant heavy-lift beasts taking off as routinely as jetliners. If you lived anywhere close you’d have to check outside to see if it was another of those classic Florida thunderstorms rolling in, or simply another bit of hardware bound for Mars.

The U.S. Space Force is preparing to kick off environmental studies that could lead to SpaceX Starship launches from the Cape.

Is Kennedy Space Center Ready?

Mechazilla

Speaking of expanding our capabilities, we may be seeing a massive expansion of launch capabilities for the mighty Starship.

A recent Phys.org article discussed the US Military's plans for Starship to one day move supplies and maybe even troops, making use of its potential not only to loft things into orbit, but to fly quickly from one spot on Earth to another.

To that end, the military is looking at building hundreds of Mechazilla launch towers – the launch tower used to launch and recover Starship -- by 2030 ...

Hundreds Of Mechazilla Towers By 2030

Update

Great news. The Nova-C lander, Odysseus, landed on the moon.

Last night at around 6:30 EST, Intuitive Machines confirmed their IM-1 lander (we announced the launch last week) soft landed in the Malapert A crater near the Moon's south pole.

First landing for the US since 1972.

And it was done by a commercial enterprise.

Oorah.

Thanks for tuning in.

Never forget: Space is the answer.

- Tai

#FortySuns

#40suns

My latest Earth-culture obsession:

Jet skis. In one of my last reports I said motorcycles were my latest, but there’s so many cool things to do here on Earth that were never available back on my world, forgive me if I sometimes sound like I’m neurotic. So many things to like here. Jet skis are even more fun than motorcycles in some ways; no roads, no traffic laws (mostly) and nothing but flat-out full-speed fun – and it doesn’t hurt when you wreck. Not too much, anyway.

Dad Joke (of the week):

Horse walks into a bar.

Bartender: Hey.

Horse: Sure.

Last week’s reader feedback:

I was very excited to see the next graduating class of NASA Astronauts will be coming off the line in March. I teach and I’ve been encouraging my students to learn more about space. I hope in these upcoming generations more of our young people consider pursuing a path that takes them into these sorts of fields.

- Lakeisha

Tai’s response:

Agreed and agreed. Since I’ve been here that’s been my push, to get people thinking in terms like this. As I say every chance I get, space is the answer.