Main Engine Cut Off

Brian Weeden of the Secure World Foundation joins me to talk about the technical and political fallout of Russia’s recent anti-satellite weapons demonstration, the history of anti-satellite weapons and testing, the geopolitical situation surrounding the topic, and what the future of space debris tracking and management looks like.

This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 40 executive producers—Brandon, Simon, Lauren, Kris, Pat, Matt, Jorge, Ryan, Donald, Lee, Chris, Warren, Bob, Russell, Moritz, Joel, Jan, David, Joonas, Robb, Tim Dodd (the Everyday Astronaut!), Frank, Julian and Lars from Agile Space, Tommy, Matt, The Astrogators at SEE, Chris, Aegis Trade Law, Fred, Hemant, Dawn Aerospace, and seven anonymous—and 712 other supporters.

Topics

• Brian Weeden (@brianweeden) / Twitter
• Dr. Brian Weeden | Secure World
• Promoting Cooperative Solutions for Space Sustainability | Secure World
• Global Counterspace Capabilities | Secure World
• SWF Releases Updated Compilation of Anti-satellite Testing in Space | Secure World
• T+201: Russia’s Reckless and Awful Anti-Satellite Operation - Main Engine Cut Off

The Show

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Russia recklessly carried out an anti-satellite operation on a large, defunct satellite in one of the most heavily-used and most important sections of Earth orbit. I share my thoughts on the operation, Russia’s status in the space industry at large, and what the technical and political fallout may be coming out of this.

This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 40 executive producers—Brandon, Simon, Lauren, Kris, Pat, Matt, Jorge, Ryan, Donald, Lee, Chris, Warren, Bob, Russell, Moritz, Joel, Jan, David, Joonas, Robb, Tim Dodd (the Everyday Astronaut!), Frank, Julian and Lars from Agile Space, Tommy, Matt, The Astrogators at SEE, Chris, Aegis Trade Law, Fred, Hemant, Dawn Aerospace, and seven anonymous—and 703 other supporters.

Topics

• Russia destroys satellite in ASAT test - SpaceNews
• Russia Confirms ASAT Test, Denies Debris Threat – SpacePolicyOnline.com
• SWF Releases Updated Compilation of Anti-satellite Testing in Space | Secure World
• 2021 Russian satellite intercept - YouTube
• SpaceNav on Twitter: “Updated orbital element distribution from the COSMOS 1408 ASAT event.”
• Op-ed | Lessons to learn from Russia’s Nudol ASAT test - SpaceNews
• Why India’s ASAT Test Was Reckless – The Diplomat

The Show

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• Music by Max Justus
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Commercial space station mania! Blue Origin, Sierra Space, Boeing, and Redwire announced Orbital Reef, while Nanoracks and Lockheed Martin announced Starlab, all in the run up to the expected awards as part of NASA’s Commercial Low-Earth Orbit Destinations program.

This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 40 executive producers—Brandon, Simon, Lauren, Kris, Pat, Matt, Jorge, Ryan, Donald, Lee, Chris, Warren, Bob, Russell, Moritz, Joel, Jan, David, Joonas, Robb, Tim Dodd (the Everyday Astronaut!), Frank, Julian and Lars from Agile Space, Tommy, Matt, The Astrogators at SEE, Chris, Aegis Trade Law, Fred, Hemant, Dawn Aerospace, and seven anonymous—and 702 other supporters.

Topics

• Nanoracks and Lockheed Martin partner on commercial space station project - SpaceNews
• Blue Origin and Sierra Space announce plans for commercial space station - SpaceNews
• Orbital Reef
• Announcing Orbital Reef - Your Address in Orbit - YouTube
• Blue Origin and Sierra Space Leading Team to Build “Orbital Reef” Business Park in Space – SpacePolicyOnline.com
• T+195: Blue Origin’s Project Jarvis, Suborbital Flights, and Nauka Fallout (with Eric Berger) - Main Engine Cut Off
• Senate Committee Told U.S. Space Leadership Requires Continued Presence in Low Earth Orbit – SpacePolicyOnline.com
• Industry Input Sought on Commercial Destinations in LEO | NASA

The Show

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• Music by Max Justus
• Artwork photo by SpaceX

I took a half-hour ride out to the National Aerospace Training and Research (NASTAR) Center to take a tour with Glenn King, (COO, Director of Advanced Pilot & Space Training, and recent Netflix star) about their training, what they’ve been up to lately in this busy season of people going to space, and what the future may hold for spaceflight training. We tour their altitude chamber, spatial disorientation device, and high performance human centrifuge along with its various cockpits.

This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 41 executive producers—Brandon, Simon, Lauren, Melissa, Kris, Pat, Matt, Jorge, Ryan, Donald, Lee, Chris, Warren, Bob, Russell, Moritz, Joel, Jan, David, Joonas, Robb, Tim Dodd (the Everyday Astronaut!), Frank, Julian and Lars from Agile Space, Tommy, Matt, The Astrogators at SEE, Chris, Aegis Trade Law, Fred, Hemant, Dawn Aerospace, and seven anonymous—and 691 other supporters.

Topics

• Audio Gear as of March 7, 2020
• National Aerospace Training and Research Center - NASTAR Center
• Orbital and Suborbital Human Spaceflight Training Programs - Space Training - NASTAR Center
• Argentinian man with disability hopes to go into outer space - Disability Insider
• Inspiration4 - Inspiration4 crew completes centrifuge training
• Countdown: Inspiration4 Mission to Space - Netflix

The Show

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• Music by Max Justus
• Artwork photo by SpaceX

Ryan McDevitt, CEO of Benchmark Space Systems joins me to talk all about what Benchmark has been up to lately, what mobility-as-a-service means for the industry, and their partnership with Orbit Fab.

This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 41 executive producers—Brandon, Simon, Lauren, Melissa, Kris, Pat, Matt, Jorge, Ryan, Donald, Lee, Chris, Warren, Bob, Russell, Moritz, Joel, Jan, David, Joonas, Robb, Tim Dodd (the Everyday Astronaut!), Frank, Julian and Lars from Agile Space, Tommy, Matt, The Astrogators at SEE, Chris, Aegis Trade Law, Fred, Hemant, Dawn Aerospace, and seven anonymous—and 683 other supporters.

Topics

• Benchmark Space Systems
• Benchmark Space Systems unveils in-space mobility-as-a-service business - SpaceNews
• Satellite propulsion startup Benchmark eyes growth in military market - SpaceNews
• Orbit Fab
• Orbit Fab and Benchmark Space Systems to partner on in-space refueling technologies - SpaceNews
• Orbit Fab to launch propellant tanker to fuel satellites in geostationary orbit - SpaceNews

The Show

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• Music by Max Justus
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At a town hall this week, NASA announced that the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate will be split in two: the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, led by Jim Free, and the Space Operations Mission Directorate, led by Kathy Lueders. I discuss what this change might mean for the future of NASA’s human spaceflight program, and why I think it’s not something to worry about if you’re a Kathy Lueders stan.

This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 42 executive producers—Brandon, Matthew, Simon, Lauren, Melissa, Kris, Pat, Matt, Jorge, Ryan, Donald, Lee, Chris, Warren, Bob, Russell, Moritz, Joel, Jan, David, Joonas, Robb, Tim Dodd (the Everyday Astronaut!), Frank, Julian and Lars from Agile Space, Tommy, Matt, The Astrogators at SEE, Chris, Aegis Trade Law, Fred, Hemant, Dawn Aerospace, and seven anonymous—and 683 other supporters.

Topics

• NASA Town Hall on Human Spaceflight - YouTube
• NASA splits human spaceflight directorate into two organizations - SpaceNews
• NASA to split leadership of its human spaceflight program | Ars Technica

The Show

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• Music by Max Justus
• Artwork photo by ESA

Last week, Firefly made their first flight attempt of Alpha, and Astra launched their latest vehicle, LV0006. Though both ended in failure, it’s a good time to check in on them and other small launchers that will debut soon like, ABL’s RS1 and Relativity’s Terran 1, and how they may all compete with each other.

This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 42 executive producers—Brandon, Matthew, Simon, Lauren, Melissa, Kris, Pat, Matt, Jorge, Ryan, Donald, Lee, Chris, Warren, Bob, Russell, Moritz, Joel, Jan, David, Joonas, Robb, Tim Dodd (the Everyday Astronaut!), Frank, Julian and Lars from Agile Space, Tommy, Matt, The Astrogators at SEE, Chris, Aegis Trade Law, Fred, Hemant, Dawn Aerospace, and seven anonymous—and 662 other supporters.

Topics

• Firefly Alpha failure blamed on premature engine shutdown - SpaceNews
• Jack Beyer (@thejackbeyer) / Twitter
• Firefly Alpha FLTA001 - YouTube
• Firefly partners with Aerojet Rocketdyne, mulls AR1 engine for Beta launch vehicle - SpaceNews
• T+177: NASA VCLS 2, Relativity, Astra, and Firefly - Main Engine Cut Off
• Astra Rocket 3.3 launch fails - SpaceNews
• Astra Conducts Test Launch | Astra
• Lockheed Martin makes block buy of launches from ABL Space Systems - SpaceNews
• Lockheed Martin pitching mid-size satellite bus to DoD for remote sensing  - SpaceNews
• ABL, Astra, Relativity selected to compete for U.S. Space Force responsive launch contracts - SpaceNews
• Virgin Orbit to expand launch business, move into satellite services - SpaceNews
• Relativity raises $650 million round, announces Terran R rocket - SpaceNews
• Relativity to open a huge factory that measures up to its grand ambitions | Ars Technica

The Show

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• Music by Max Justus
• Artwork photo by ESA

Eric Berger of Ars Technica returns to the show to talk about the recent crewed suborbital flights by Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin, Blue Origin’s Project Jarvis and their future work, and what the chaotic arrival of Nauka means for the future of the ISS and international space politics.

This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 43 executive producers—Brandon, Matthew, Simon, Lauren, Melissa, Kris, Pat, Matt, Jorge, Ryan, Donald, Lee, Chris, Warren, Bob, Russell, Moritz, Joel, Jan, Grant, David, Joonas, Robb, Tim Dodd (the Everyday Astronaut!), Frank, Julian and Lars from Agile Space, Tommy, Matt, The Astrogators at SEE, Chris, Aegis Trade Law, Fred, Hemant, Dawn Aerospace, and seven anonymous—and 618 other supporters.

Topics

• Eric Berger
• Eric Berger | Ars Technica
• Liftoff: Elon Musk and the Desperate Early Days That Launched SpaceX
• Here’s why Richard Branson’s flight matters—and, yes, it really matters | Ars Technica
• Blue Origin successfully completes its first human launch [Updated] | Ars Technica
• Despite Tuesday’s flight, Jeff Bezos is running out of time to save Blue Origin | Ars Technica
• Blue Origin has a secret project named “Jarvis” to compete with SpaceX | Ars Technica
• Bezos says he is now willing to invest in a Moon lander—here’s why | Ars Technica
• Nauka module’s near miss raises concerns about future of space station | Ars Technica

The Show

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• Music by Max Justus
• Artwork photo by Roscosmos

Richard Branson flew to space aboard SpaceShipTwo on Virgin Galactic’s Unity 22, and Jeff Bezos flew to space aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard 16. I share my thoughts on the flights, the vehicles, and how I’m currently looking at suborbital tourism and why it does or doesn’t matter.

This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 42 executive producers—Brandon, Matthew, Simon, Lauren, Melissa, Kris, Pat, Matt, Jorge, Ryan, Donald, Lee, Chris, Warren, Bob, Russell, Moritz, Joel, Jan, Grant, David, Joonas, Robb, Tim Dodd (the Everyday Astronaut!), Frank, Julian and Lars from Agile Space, Tommy, Matt, The Astrogators at SEE, Chris, Aegis Trade Law, Fred, Hemant, and seven anonymous—and 628 other supporters.

Topics

• Virgin Galactic's First Fully Crewed Spaceflight #Unity22 - YouTube
• Virgin Galactic on Twitter: “Take-off! The #Unity22 crew including @RichardBranson leave Spaceport America, New Mexico for #VirginGalactic’s first fully-crewed spaceflight.”
• T+163: Suborbital Crew, Virgin Galactic to ISS - Main Engine Cut Off
• T+105: Jonathan McDowell - Main Engine Cut Off
• Virgin Galactic flight test director Mark Stucky leaves company
• New Shepard First Human Flight - YouTube
• First Human Flight Post-Flight Press Conference - YouTube
• Slopes Ski & Snowboard - Track Your Winter Adventures

The Show

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• Music by Max Justus
• Artwork photo by NASA

Marcia Smith of SpacePolicyOnline.com joins me for a round up of space policy news, including how the Biden and Nelson administrations are doing so far, things that are being overlooked or sidelined, the Senate’s NASA Authorization bill, NASA’s Human Landing System contract and the battle for funding, the space tourism learning period, and we finish with a quick look at what China and Russia have been up to lately.

This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 41 executive producers—Brandon, Matthew, Simon, Lauren, Melissa, Kris, Pat, Matt, Jorge, Ryan, Donald, Lee, Chris, Warren, Bob, Russell, Moritz, Joel, Jan, Grant, David, Joonas, Robb, Tim Dodd (the Everyday Astronaut!), Frank, Julian and Lars from Agile Space, Tommy, The Astrogators at SEE, Chris, Aegis Trade Law, Fred, Hemant, and seven anonymous—and 613 other supporters.

Topics

• SpacePolicyOnline.com – Your first stop for news, information and analysis about civil, military and commercial space programs
• Marcia Smith (@SpcPlcyOnline) / Twitter
• Op-ed | NOAA is stalling U.S. space traffic management - SpaceNews
• FAA Introduces New System to Clear Airspace More Quickly Around Launches and Reentries – SpacePolicyOnline.com
• Space Force Gets $2 Billion Boost in FY2022 Request – SpacePolicyOnline.com
• Biden Budget Retains Goal of Putting Astronauts Back on Moon by 2024 – SpacePolicyOnline.com
• Senate Passes NASA Authorization, SSA Legislation as Part of Sweeping China Competition Bill – SpacePolicyOnline.com
• NASA Offers $45M to Solve Risks for Astronaut Moon Landing Services
• Nelson Sees Jobs Bill as Solution to HLS and Other Funding Needs – SpacePolicyOnline.com
• China, Russia Lay Out Joint Plans To Explore the Moon While China Launches First Crew to Tianhe – SpacePolicyOnline.com
• Putin Wants Continued Space Cooperation With U.S. – SpacePolicyOnline.com

The Show

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• Buy shirts and Rocket Socks from the Main Engine Cut Off Shop
• Music by Max Justus
• Artwork photo by NASA