3189

Tardigrades will become our legacy to the galaxy. Send them out in every direction.

3190

Unless of course, they are the galaxy’s legacy to us.

3191

Given the age of our galaxy…it’s a likely possibility, just probably in a more photosynthetic and simpler form.

3192

Guess it’s time we start hiring Space Cops.

3193

Space (Special Victims) Force! Coming this August!

3194

She’s not the only one:

3195
3196

SpaceX Starhopper hop today aborted shortly after T-0. Looked like the engine never successfully started.

3197

Looks like all went well this time. Looked very impressive.

3198
3199

“It costs how much to land it? Shit! We can spend that on the wall!”

3200

I have a question. Why does starhopper have those ridiculously massive lander legs that go all the way up the side? That looks like a ton of unnecessary extra weight. Or is that whole contraption just a cheap way to test an engine?

3201

I don’t think they are worried about excess weight; I think the device is carrying ballast. It is just a cheap way to test an engine; specifically that the new Raptor engine can be throttled and gimbaled sufficiently to control and soft-land a spacecraft, the same way that the Merlin engines used on the Falcon-9’s are.

It’s career as a vehicle is done; it’s now going to be converted to a static test stand for the engines.

3202

Ahhh that makes a lot more sense then.

3203

They are in the process of building two real Starship prototypes that they intend to fly to space and/or orbit, one in Texas and one in Florida. I think those will have at least 3 engines each. They are targeting flights with those later this year, but it’s hard to say how realistic that is.

Florida construction site:

How they’re handling the legs/fins should be more clear after the next promised presentation, currently estimated as September:

3204

Thor platform.

3205

The vehicle they tested is not as tall as the what is planned in the end. The final rocket will be taller by many more meters.

3206

Will Europa Clipper be delayed?
http://nasawatch.com/archives/2019/08/moon-2024-goal.html

3207

Do you know a kid space enthusiast? NASA is accepting 150-word essays from kids in grades K-12 to name the next Mars rover, which will launch in 2020. Deadline to submit a name and essay: November 1, 2019. More info and sign up here: https://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/participate/name-the-rover/

3208

This is awesome! Makes me wish my kids were younger.