What's happening in space (that's interesting)

Ginger_Yellow · 2021-12-12T09:33:09.930Z

That first one is getting into brown dwarf territory I’d have thought.

jpinard · 2021-12-12T09:48:56.099Z

Wow that is incredible!

Eric_Majkut · 2021-12-12T10:17:36.761Z

Think of all the humans that came before us that never got to see this. Wow!

jpinard · 2021-12-13T21:00:44.895Z

BE-4 engines delayed yet again. In future 2022 news, BE-4 engines delayed til 2023.

Something I don’t understand. Why did ULA build their new rocket on the back of an engine that’s never flown?

antlers · 2021-12-13T21:51:46.173Z

They needed a new engine, because the Delta IV was too expensive to fly and the Atlas V uses Russian-built engines. SpaceX, Aerojet and Blue Origin were all working on methane engines. Blue Origin promised to costomize their engine for Vulcan at a bargain price compared to Aerojet.

Tortilla · 2021-12-14T14:57:14.047Z

jpinard:

Why did ULA build their new rocket on the back of an engine that’s never flown?

SpaceX did that twice in the last 20 years.

I think the bigger question is why so many companies developing space technologies overpromise and underdeliver.

abrandt · 2021-12-14T16:32:00.289Z

Tortilla:

SpaceX did that twice in the last 20 years.

And they clearly continue to have issues getting Raptor sorted out.

Tortilla · 2021-12-14T18:25:11.792Z

abrandt:

And they clearly continue to have issues getting Raptor sorted out.

Totally true, but “issues” by SpaceX standards typically means that something is six months behind schedule and relatively on budget. Whereas “issues” from ULA means they want to double the price and need 2-5 more years.

abrandt · 2021-12-14T21:00:51.736Z

Oh absolutely, it’s as if ULA developed all kinds of terrible habits in a world where they faced no competition and could get away with(and profit from) delay after delay.

JMR · 2021-12-15T17:58:09.908Z

Space.com – 15 Dec 21

James Webb Space Telescope launch delayed to Christmas Eve

The launch date has slipped from Dec. 22 to Dec. 24 at the earliest.

jpinard · 2021-12-15T19:02:47.497Z

A communication issue while still on the ground? That doesn’t bode well for the future.

Menzo · 2021-12-15T19:11:47.007Z

At this point I’m going to need to grow additional appendages to cross. Please don’t fuck this up.

jpinard · 2021-12-16T05:46:38.743Z

This is nice news.

interestingengineering.com – 15 Dec 21

Scientists Just Found a 'Significant' Volume of Water Inside Mars' Grand Canyon

Scientists with the European Space Agency have just discovered 'significant' volumes of water in its grand canyon system! This is a major find.

KallDrexx · 2021-12-23T04:09:21.873Z

JMR · 2021-12-23T19:35:34.367Z

twitter.com

NASA Webb Telescope

@NASAWebb

✅ Rollout complete! The James Webb Space Telescope and the @ariane5 rocket it’s riding on are all settled in their final position on Earth. Next step: launch on Dec. 25 at 7:20 am ET (12:20 UTC) to #UnfoldTheUniverse: go.nasa.gov/3FqLt9c 📸: NASA/Bill Ingalls https://t.co/kkk4JDd5tu

6:24 PM - 23 Dec 2021 3.2K 870

scharmers · 2021-12-23T19:46:53.719Z

Prabob this all goes without a hitch

dtolman · 2021-12-23T20:04:24.052Z

I wrote off the JWST a long time ago… if it can make it out of Earth Orbit in one piece, and get the mirror to only partially unfurl, it’ll be more than I’m expecting…

In my mind the Roman Space Telescope is the real Hubble successor…

jpinard · 2021-12-24T00:24:48.896Z

So much is riding on this I think I’d get sick watching it launch. Man I hope this all works.

Menzo · 2021-12-24T01:08:05.712Z

The good news is that the launch is practically the least risky part of the process! There are like 500+ points of potential failure in the deployment process afterwards.

In other words, BUCKLE UP.

Ephraim · 2021-12-25T11:55:14.798Z

Less than 30 minutes now. Everything is green so far. Buckled.