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. 004 - 01 December 2023

• Auld Lang Syne
• NASA Nails It
• Spotlight: Sara Sabry
• Tai’s Latest Obsession
• Other Things

Tai here.

This week it’s a 2-minute read.

Let’s get started.

Auld Lang Syne

Did you know there's a rocket company in Scotland?

There is, and it's called Skyrora.

They've partnered with Spirit AeroSystems, a UK aerospace company, to collaborate on engines -- giving Spirit access to Skyrora's Skyprint 2, a large hybrid 3D printer.

“The collaboration will see us working closely together on design, manufacture, and testing in order to support Skyrora in both their suborbital and orbital launch ambitions,” said Nick Laird, managing director of space and defense at Spirit AeroSystems.

ESA (European Space Agency) head, Josef Aschbacher, is making domestic launch capability a priority. All parties involved are probably very happy about this.

I know I am. But mostly because I'm happy about anything that gives us more and more ways to get offworld.

Read More About The Upshot

NASA Nails It

America's space agency is now delivering an on-demand streaming service. In their own words the new service will be "ushering in a new world of original content from the space agency for the benefit of all."

Boo-yah.

An actual channel dedicated to space, run by the world’s leading space agency? More please.

The new on-demand streaming service, NASA+, is available to download on most major platforms via the NASA App on iOS and Android mobile and tablet devices, as well as streaming media players Roku and Apple TV.

You can also stream online:

NASA+

Spotlight: Sara Sabry

Now and again I'll spotlight a space hero; someone going above and beyond to pioneer, secure, and/or bring attention to our space future.

Sara Sabry made history as the first Egyptian in space, plus she founded the Deep Space Initiative, a non-profit that aims to increase access to the space industry for people of all backgrounds.

CNN interviewed Sara about her experiences …

Read The Interview

Never forget: Space is the answer.

- Tai

#FortySuns

#40suns

My latest Earth-culture obsession:
Warhammer 40K. That universe speaks to me. My world’s gonna end up like that if they’re not careful. Actually, no, they’ll probably destroy themselves before they can make it into deep space. You guys, however … keep it together long enough, keep your eyes on the prize, “Stay on target,” as that dude in Star Wars said, and you Earthers just might make it far enough to have a real war. Goals, am I right?

Last week's reader feedback:
I agree with you on the coverage of Starship. Now that some of the info from the second launch has had a chance to settle, I’m seeing more facts and positive takes than at first. I noticed a lot of backlash against the traditional media for that instant, knee-jerk negativity they’re so known for. I think some of them realized they should stop and consider what they’re reporting before pouncing on the first sign of blood.

- Matthew

Tai's response:
I doubt that, Matthew, but I appreciate your optimism. One can dream.

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No. 005 - 08 December 2023

• Starship! Part Deux
• More Heavy Lift
• Hubble Help
• My Latest Obsession
• Other Things

Tai here.

Plan to spend 3 minutes on this one.

Let’s get started.

Starship! Part Deux

Couple of updates on the mighty Starship.

First, there’s a new version.

Yep.

According to Payload, SpaceX plans to finish and launch four or five additional Starship Version One prototypes before transitioning to its updated product line. This is hot news.

No specs yet, but we're expecting:

Next-gen Raptor 3 engines.

Nine of those bad boys, as opposed to the current six.

A longer Starship, by 10 or more feet, to accommodate more fuel volume.

Sweet, on all counts.

Second, NASA is saying the next Starship, launch date to be announced, could take a step toward orbital refueling by transferring super-cold propellant from one tank to another inside the Starship craft itself. That would be a precursor to future, more complex demonstrations involving two giant Starships docked together in orbit.

Imagine that.

After a few such demos they should be ready for the moon.

Lastly, a great piece on what’s next for Starship. It’s been interesting for me to research and observe SpaceX’s philosophy of technology development: Test the launch vehicle. Blow it up. Note what went wrong. Fix what went wrong. Repeat until you get something that flies as reliably as an airliner.

Dang if it doesn’t work, and work well.

Starship Is A Few Tests From Its Ultimate Goal

More Heavy Lift

The next entry in the super-important Heavy Lift category is set to launch the wee hours of Christmas Eve. United Launch Alliance (ULA)’s Vulcan Centaur (another interesting name choice; I’m imagining a very logical, pointy-eared horse-man) is queued up and prepping for its first test.

We need more of these. Hey, Blue Origin, you reading this?

Let’s get that New Glenn workhorse up in the air.

As for the Vulcan launch, there’s more. Did you know Roddenberry, his wife Nurse Chapel, Scotty, McCoy and Uhura’s ashes are all going to be aboard?

Your world is so awesome. Nothing like this exists back on Proxima B. No pop culture, no civilian rocket launches – certainly no pop-culture icons to cremate and send into space aboard private rockets.

From me to you: Really appreciate what you have. And by god enjoy it.

Vulcan Cert-1

Hubble Help

That’s enough for this issue on rockets. How about another cool (potential) civilian enterprise?

You’ve heard of the Hubble Telescope. It’s been going way longer than ever planned, even as it’s become a major part of Earth’s observational infrastructure.

It’s also been breaking down.

Hubble has gone into safe mode because of a problem with one of its three operational gyroscopes. It has six, which were installed on the fifth and final shuttle servicing mission in 2009, but three of those have since malfunctioned.

I had no idea it was down to three.

Well, now two.

But here's the neat part. Jared Isaacman, civilian astronaut and veteran of the Inspiration4 mission (plus the upcoming Polaris Dawn), is offering for him and his team to go up and fix it. A private servicing mission to fix an ailing orbital telescope.

Totes bitchin.

Space is getting so real.

(And apologies if I’m still getting the hang of my Earth slang.)

Read More

Thanks for tuning in.

Never forget: Space is the answer.

- Tai

#FortySuns

#40suns

Wonder what’s happening in space?

Now you know.

My latest Earth-culture obsession:

The bagpipes. Yes, you read that right. I’m given to understand people typically fall on one side or the other when it comes to this achingly beautiful instrument: they either love it or they hate it. As a foreigner to this planet I guess I can safely assume the middle ground. Though I’m a lot closer to the ‘love’ group. Listen to Scotland the Brave. Gets me pumped.

Last week’s reader feedback:

In your last newsletter you chose Auld Lang Syne for the heading of your bit on the Scottish rocket company. Did you know that means Old Long Since? It's a song. Mostly taken to mean "for old times' sake".

- Connor

Tai’s response:

I did. I may be new here, but I do my research. I chose that heading because, 1) it's got the right vibe for that region of the world. Gaelic, right? And 2) because I've developed a fondness for the pipes. See my latest obsession above.

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No. 006 - 15 December 2023

• Rocket Stuff
• JT-60SA - A Star Is Born
• From Iran With Love
• My Latest Obsession
• Other Things

Tai here.

What up, people?

Still practicing my lingo.

This week’s Report is a three-minute read.

Let’s get started.

Rocket Stuff

What would The Tai Report be without at least one rocket article?

Today we’ve got a double-header:

ULA Vulcan Update

Fusion Propulsion

ULA may slip.

We were hoping for an early Christmas Eve launch (as in, the wee hours of the 24th), but it looks as if that may shift to January.

You know how I feel about delays.

Still, it happens, and in this case United Launch Alliance is burning the midnight oil to get this first Cert launch in the books.

SpaceNews covers the update …

ULA Vulcan Update

In other rocket news, nuke fusion startup Helicity Space raised a round of moolah to begin developing a new in-space fusion engine.

This is sci-fi stuff right here.

Which, of course, means I love it that much more.

They’re working on a fusion-powered engine that would be way faster than anything we’ve got right now (2 months to Mars vs 7), using a novel technique:

Pulsed Magneto-Inertial Confinement

Yeah, I raised an eyebrow too.

Check out this (yet another) great Payload article for an easy description of just how the heck that works …

New In-Space Fusion Engine

JT-60SA – A Star Is Born

Speaking of fusion and making and containing our own stars on command, a new player in the Fusion Arena came online recently; the Japan-based JT-60SA, the world’s (so far) largest experimental fusion reactor.

It just generated its first plasma.

Fusion, in case you didn’t know, will, in one form or another, be the ultimate clean-energy solution to all Earth’s power needs.

Fusion has the potential to provide the wicked abundance of power needed not only to run the world at the terrific levels of consumption required for humans to level up, it can easily provide clean, pure, awesome power to take civilization far and wide into the solar system.

First, of course, we need to figure it out.

Which is why this new reactor is cool.

Read More

From Iran With Love

Iran recently shot half-a-ton about 80 miles into the air.

More rocket stuff, yes, but I figured this one deserved its own blurb.

The launch was to test a “biological capsule”, or one capable of eventually putting people in orbit. Only three countries – Russia, the United States and China – have independent human spaceflight capabilities, with India working on becoming the fourth.

Now Iran is developing their own capsule …

Iran Aims To Fly Astronauts By 2030

Thanks for tuning in.

Never forget: Space is the answer.

- Tai

#FortySuns

#40suns

Wonder what’s happening in space?

Now you know.

My latest Earth-culture obsession:

Swimming. Like, in actual pools. Little bodies of water built for that purpose alone. Wild. No swimming pools back on Proxima B. This “simple” pleasure has become pretty transformative for me. Still getting used to all the freedoms you Earthers enjoy.

Last week’s reader feedback:

That’s really cool they might send civilian astronauts to fix the Hubble telescope!

- Ian

Tai’s response:

Well, not much has been decided there, Ian, but I agree; the fact that the proposal has even been put forth – and the fact that it’s not a zany idea; it could actually happen, with the right go-aheads – is, to me, the most remarkable part of this story. Mainly it shines a light on how mature the space industry has become.

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No. 007 - 22 December 2023

• Nuke News
• Back In Business
• What We Need
• My Latest Obsession
• Other Things

Tai here.

It’s a holiday weekend, so I’ll keep this one even tighter than usual.

A two-minute read, tops.

Let’s get started.

Nuke News

More great news in the pursuit of abundant power.

Fusion is still a bit away (though it may come faster than we think; so many countries and companies are working on it), but in the meantime good-ol’ fission seems to be getting a much-needed shot in the arm.

Things like a new breed of SMRs (Small Modular Reactor) coming online, along with fissionable fuel that doesn’t melt down, plus the inclusion of fission power in the tax credits available under America's Inflation Reduction Act ...

Now the US has given its blessing for the testing of a new type of reactor -- the first time it's done something like that in over 50 years.

Could we be in for a new Golden Age of nuke power?

America’s Historic Blessing

Back In Business

Blue Origin is back in action after a 15-month hold on launches.

You may recall the last one: William Shatner went to orbit aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard launch vehicle. The recent launch on the 19th was another New Shepard.

The first stage touched down (it’s reusable), and the capsule parachuted safely to ground.

So glad to see one of our major players back in the game.

Check It Out On Space.com

What We Need

What we need are more launches like the above to hone our craft in orbital proximity, getting better at what we do as we push further and further into space.

Here’s a few details from NASA on what was aboard New Shepard …

NASA-Supported Technologies Sent Aloft

Thanks for tuning in.

Never forget: Space is the answer.

- Tai

#FortySuns

#40suns

Wonder what’s happening in space?

Now you know.

My latest Earth-culture obsession:

Your “smart” phones. The way you guys can stay in touch, not just with each other but with the world at large, videos, social stuff … frankly, coming from what we had on Proxima B it’s mind-popping. Our tech was greater than yours in a lot of ways, sure, but this … these little devices are near magical. Not sure yet if that’s more a bad thing than a good, but for the moment I’m obsessed.

Last week’s reader feedback:

A fusion engine, while cool in concept, has a long way to go to actual realization. I think it's best not to get too excited about this one just yet.

- T.L.

Tai’s response:

That's exactly how great things happen: by us getting excited about them. From what I've seen here on Earth, and even on my world, when enough people want something bad enough they make it happen. Of course on my world that mostly meant wanting better ways to conquer each other. Here I see more hope. So what say we keep the excitement high for the things that will build a better future?

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No. 008 - 29 December 2023

• The Promise Of The Rising Sun
• Fun
• Top Launch Companies Of 2023
• Last But Not Least
• My Latest Obsession
• Other Things

Tai here.

This is usually the time of year when people do long recaps.

You know I don’t do long.

However I’ll be hitting a few more things than usual. Figure about 5 minutes for this one.

Let’s get started.

The Promise Of The Rising Sun

Our friends across the Pacific have successfully placed their next probe, called SLIM (Smart Lander for Investigating Moon), nicknamed “Moon Sniper”, in lunar orbit.

January 20th the landing begins. It will make Japan only the 5th country to have successfully landed a probe on the moon, after the United States, Russia, China and India.

A nice, brief rundown of the probe and its objectives is at Phys.org.

Read The Article

Also, for fun, check out the JAXA site.

JAXA

(That's the Japanese Aerospace eXploration Agency.)

Fun

Speaking of fun, by all means we should be having fun with this space thing.

We have a dedication on our Forty Suns site:

Dedicated to the continuum.

This is our playing field.

Have fun while you’re here.

Leave it better than you found it.

Don’t get too serious.

We can have fun while getting things done. SpaceX, Rocket Lab, Relativity Space, NASA – so many companies and agencies making space real are having fun at the same time. From mission names to things they take or send to space, like United Launch Alliance sending up ashes from Star Trek heroes – hell, SpaceX sent a frickin car to space, with a driver in a spacesuit – to insouciance (a lack of seriousness) across the board …

This year let’s keep that going. This year let’s try even more to:

1. Have a little fun.
2. Work together.

Top US Launch Companies Of 2023

As far as end-of-year recaps go, it doesn't get much more relevant than this. At least not when it comes to space.

Once again Ars Technica has published a list of the most accomplished US commercial launch companies (their second such list), hoping it sparks debate, discussion, and appreciation for the challenge of operating a successful rocket company.

I hope so too.

The List

PS - The fact that space has now reached a point where we have a need for a list like this, well, that in itself is cause for celebration.

Last But Not Least

Are we getting closer to science fiction becoming our reality?

The truth is science fiction always becomes our reality. That's just the way it goes. Leonardo Davinci would consider helicopters pretty science-fictiony, for example.

Question is always, how fast do we progress? At what point do we move so fast our newest stuff seems like science fiction?

2023 may have been a harbinger of things to come. My prediction is that from here on out we're all going to be a little amazed with some of the stuff that gets invented and done.

Here are a few from the last twelve months ...

Moments From 2023 That Rivaled Science Fiction

Thanks for tuning in.

Never forget: Space is the answer.

- Tai

#FortySuns

#40suns

Wonder what’s happening in space?

Now you know.

My latest Earth-culture obsession:

Went to Barnes & Noble today. Number one takeaway – and again – reading. Never take books for granted. Number two, so much other pop culture stuff in there. It’s like a nexus for it. Toys, movies, music, all kinds of books … an orgy of entertainment in one store. I’m pretty sure I’ll be going back.

Last week’s reader feedback:

I’ve been reading a lot about the SMRs you talked about in the last issue. So stoked to see where those go! We could even start using them for things like shipping and maybe even trains. I’m loving the way things keep advancing.

 - Jace

Tai’s response:

Technology is indeed on the march. And that’s a great thing. And I agree. With no more tech knowledge than I have (which isn’t much), it seems to me Small Modular Reactors could be used other places to provide clean energy. We’ll see what the future holds. Thanks, Jace. Keep reading.