spacekate.bsky.social - Profile | ThreadSky | a Reddit-style client for Bluesky

Taking a quick break from horrid news and stupidness.

submitted 1 day ago • 4 comments

Mission Update USSF/Boeing X-37B orbiting as USA 349 on Mission OTV 7 Landed at Vandenberg SFB earlier today orbitalfocus.uk/2023#210

submitted 1 day ago • 0 comments

Let me be clear. This would end space science in the US. A 50% cut will scramble everything, and the chaos will result in a greater than 50% cut in science. If this happens, China will lap us in a couple of years. www.planetary.org/press-releas... #planetsci #planetaryscience #astronomy

submitted 2 days ago • 12 comments

Anyone with direct knowledge of space insurance/claims care to weigh in? I understand launches need insurance to gain licenses - will SpaceX be getting claims for financial damage caused to airlines having to reroute/ground planes? Did any claim for Starship’s 7th launch?

submitted 2 days ago • 1 comment

Did a pre-rec with Five News about Starship. I did try to tell them there had also been a (partially successful) lunar landing, and that a European rocket nailed its second flight, but Starship was what they wanted…

submitted 2 days ago • 1 comment

There are reports The White House is considering a 50% cut to NASA’s science programs, and 25% of its overall budget, which would be catastrophic for both current and planned missions. But, there is still time for the administration to reconsider. Read our full statement ⬇️

submitted 2 days ago • 15 comments

Webb has wowed yet again 🤩 The NASA/ESA/CSA space telescope has captured extraordinary detail in this dramatic system of actively forming stars. Read more 👉 www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed... 🔭🧪

submitted 2 days ago • 26 comments

This photo was released today by Intuitive Machines, seemingly taken by their Athena IM-2 mission lander. The lander clearly tipped over, but otherwise looks OK. But it can't recharge, so is functionally dead. As far as I know, this is the first photo ever taken from the lunar south polar region.

submitted 2 days ago • 14 comments

The question is, where over the world is Starship about to burn up. I think it made it well out into the Atlantic... but did it make it back over land?

submitted 2 days ago • 2 comments

Stayed above ground long enough to see Starship launch, booster get caught, and assumed I had time to get home before re-entry. Got to bottom of escalator and ship already lost.

submitted 2 days ago • 6 comments

Out of theatre/dinner and on my way home, and what’s this, Starship launch coverage has started? Don’t want to be underground when/if they launch, but might be.

submitted 2 days ago • 0 comments

And with that I best get out of the house to get to the theatre. Will have to catch up on the press conference later, but feel free to tag me with important news. #IM2

submitted 3 days ago • 1 comment

#IM2 - What they do have: Athena IS on the lunar surface, powering down unrequired systems, they are solar charging and they are trying to determine the orientation of the vehicle, IM-2 mission control DOES have communications. Press Conference expected at 4:00 PM EST, They are ending coverage.

submitted 3 days ago • 2 comments

#IM2 - Link to the mission press kit - 97e97b55-dd53-4bc9-92cd-8e2cbfc75af8.usrfiles.com/ugd/97e97b_5...

submitted 3 days ago • 0 comments

The team is powering down everything they can on the vehicle. #IM2

submitted 3 days ago • 0 comments

Helluva way to learn about the lunar regolith

submitted 3 days ago • 3 comments

Vehicle orientation is in question apparently... waiting for confirmation... #IM2

submitted 3 days ago • 1 comment

‘We know the engine is off, we are sending commands to the vehicle, we are generating power….Waiting to find out what the status is’. #IM2

submitted 3 days ago • 0 comments

“We are charging”. Still working on finding you where they stand with the vehicle status. #IM2

submitted 3 days ago • 0 comments

They haven't confirmed if they are on the surface 100% yet, but they have commanded the vehicle into the landed state after a data review. The flight team is trying to get a photo now to confirm the state of the lander.

submitted 3 days ago • 1 comment

And good sep for CSO-3 #VA263 #CSG #CSO3

submitted 3 days ago • 0 comments

meanwhile IM2 picture during PDI around 10 km above the surface source: IM2 live stream

submitted 3 days ago • 0 comments

#IM2 - Dr. Tim Crain saying that they are down but trying to determine the spacecraft condition. Feed lines are being inerted, engines are no longer running, CEO Steve Altumus has stepped into the control room 22 min since PDI, landing estimated time 12:31 PM EST

submitted 3 days ago • 0 comments

“Looks like we’re down, I’d like to evaluate that situation” #IM2

submitted 3 days ago • 0 comments

Hmmm speed increasing, distance from moon in minus numbers and T- time to landing gone from the #IM2 stream. Is this an LOS issue or has something happened?

submitted 3 days ago • 0 comments

Loss of Signal as #IM2 approaching pitch over.

submitted 3 days ago • 0 comments

Powered Descent Initiative - PDI has started the 11 minute burn. #IM2

submitted 3 days ago • 2 comments

🚀 Liftoff for Ariane 6 from Europe's Spaceport! Ariane 6 carries the CSO-3 satellite for DGA & CNES on behalf of the French Air and Space Force's Space Command.

submitted 3 days ago • 11 comments

Athena/IM-2: Standing by for powered descent initiation; starting with PDI, the spacecraft's main engine will fire all the way to touchdown, adjusting thrust levels and steering as required to reach the targeted landing site

submitted 3 days ago • 0 comments

Looking at the circular #IM2 Mission Control room, I again find myself wondering about the ease of use, since everyone has their backs to everyone else. No way for everyone to see a person standing at ‘front’ of room without all turning, if ever needed.

submitted 3 days ago • 0 comments

#IM2 There are also 2 commercial rovers flying on the mission here's an explanation of both

submitted 3 days ago • 0 comments

Moon chores are going well, just finished our vacuuming: fireflyspace.com/news/blue-gh...

submitted 3 days ago • 1 comment