Main Engine Cut Off

Last week was rough for the Space Launch System. An issue with weld tooling was discovered, with some serious consequences, and then a LOX tank dome was dropped and damaged beyond repair. To top it off, NASA announced that EM-1 will fly without crew, and is delayed until 2019. This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 12 executive producers—Pat, Matt, Jorge, Brad, Ryan, Laszlo, Jamison, Guinevere, and four anonymous—and 46 other supporters on Patreon. NASA will not put a crew on EM-1, cites cost – not safety – as main reason | NASASpaceFlight.com SLS Core Stage team recovering from consequences of weld pin change | NASASpaceFlight.com NASA investigating damaged SLS tank section - SpaceNews.com Options for Staging Orbits in Cis-Lunar Space (PDF, 4.7MB) The Deep Space Gateway, Cislunar Staging Orbits, and Momentum - Main Engine Cut Off Email your thoughts and comments to anthony@mainenginecutoff.com Follow @WeHaveMECO Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Google Play, Stitcher, or elsewhere Sub

Eric Berger, Senior Space Editor at Ars Technica, joins me to talk SLS/Orion, New Space vs. Old Space, space policy in the Trump administration, and why the fight might not be settled until 2020. This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 10 executive producers—Pat, Matt, Jorge, Brad, Ryan, Laszlo, and four anonymous—and 46 other supporters on Patreon. Eric Berger (@SciGuySpace) | Twitter Eric Berger | Ars Technica Senior official: NASA will delay first flight of new SLS rocket until 2019 | Ars Technica EM-1 Officially Slips to 2019 - Main Engine Cut Off New Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act Coming Soon™ - Main Engine Cut Off Inside NASA’s daring $8 billion plan to finally find extraterrestrial life | Ars Technica The world’s two most powerful telescopes are glorious—and vulnerable | Ars Technica Email your thoughts and comments to anthony@mainenginecutoff.com Follow @WeHaveMECO Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Google Play, Stitcher, or elsewhere Subscribe to the Main Engine Cut

As the award date approaches for the 2018 Air Force launch vehicle development contracts, we keep hearing from Congress about how they would like to see it go. And I discuss the future of Antares and the Next-Generation Launch Vehicle in light of the continuing flights of Cygnus on Atlas V. This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 9 executive producers—Pat, Matt, Jorge, Brad, Ryan, and four anonymous—and 42 other supporters on Patreon. House Members Ask Air Force to Fund Vehicles, Not Components - Main Engine Cut Off House members ask Pentagon to stay the course on launch vehicle development - SpaceNews.com Thornberry Walks Back Vulcan Intervention - Main Engine Cut Off The Alabama Launch Alliance - Main Engine Cut Off Cygnus, Antares, Atlas V, and NGL - Main Engine Cut Off Email your thoughts and comments to anthony@mainenginecutoff.com Follow @WeHaveMECO Subscribe on iTunes, Overcast, or elsewhere Subscribe to the Main Engine Cut Off Newsletter Buy shirts and Rocket Socks from the Main Engi

SpaceX made history this week by launching SES-10 with a previously-flown first stage. I discuss implications of this achievement, the things we learned from Elon Musk in the post-flight press briefing, and the doubters, as always. This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 8 executive producers—Pat, Matt, Jorge, Brad, Ryan, and three anonymous—and 41 other supporters on Patreon. SES-10 Hosted Webcast - YouTube Press event with Elon Musk - Everyday Astronaut SES, SpaceX, and the Steady Beat of Progress - Main Engine Cut Off One More Step - Main Engine Cut Off SpaceX’s reusability effort faces one more big challenge — Space Intel Report Email your thoughts and comments to anthony@mainenginecutoff.com Follow @WeHaveMECO Subscribe on iTunes, Overcast, or elsewhere Subscribe to the Main Engine Cut Off Newsletter Support Main Engine Cut Off on Patreon

The last two weeks have been filled with a bunch of smaller stories—SpaceX’s GPS III bid win and upcoming SES-10 launch, ULA’s decision on Vulcan’s engines and Congress’ potential meddling, and the ISS beyond 2024. This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 6 executive producers—Pat, Matt, Jorge, Brad, and two anonymous—and 39 other supporters on Patreon. SpaceX Wins GPS III Launch, More Info on Phase 1A - Main Engine Cut Off Issue #15 - Main Engine Cut Off The Alabama Launch Alliance - Main Engine Cut Off Thornberry Walks Back Vulcan Intervention - Main Engine Cut Off BE-4 Hydrostatic Bearings - Main Engine Cut Off Space Subcommittee Hearing- The ISS after 2024: Options and Impacts | Committee on Science, Space, and Technology Email your thoughts and comments to anthony@mainenginecutoff.com Follow @WeHaveMECO Subscribe on iTunes, Overcast, or elsewhere Subscribe to Main Engine Cut Off Weekly Support Main Engine Cut Off on Patreon

This week, Blue Origin shed some more light on New Glenn—by way of an animation, launch agreements, and a talk by Jeff Bezos at Satellite 2017—and the first fully-assembled BE-4 shipped to their test site in Texas for a hot firing. I discuss the new details we learned and how New Glenn will fit into the industry in the 2020s. This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 6 executive producers—Pat, Matt, Jorge, Brad, and two anonymous—and 36 other supporters on Patreon. Introducing New Glenn - YouTube New Glenn Specs, Customers, and More - Main Engine Cut Off Eutelsat signs up for Blue Origin’s New Glenn launcher - Eutelsat Corporate Blue Origin on Twitter: “Five more launches for #NewGlenn! Excited to announce our second commercial customer #OneWebForAll” Jeff Bezos on Twitter: “1st BE-4 engine fully assembled. 2nd and 3rd following close behind. #GradatimFerociter” Decision on Vulcan engine could slip to 2017 - SpaceNews.com Blue Origin Sheds a Bit of Light on Its Rocket Program - Commercial Spac

This week is all about #hotdrama, with two surprise media briefings: one from NASA on a potential crewed EM-1, and one from SpaceX on a privately-crewed journey around the Moon—riding on a Dragon 2 and Falcon Heavy—at the end of 2018. I discuss the implications of both, and go on a rant about SpaceX and “focus.” This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 5 executive producers—Pat, Matt, Jorge, Brad, and one anonymous—and 34 other supporters on Patreon. NASA study to examine crewed SLS/Orion mission in 2019 - SpaceNews.com NASA measuring risks and “significant” cost of crew on maiden SLS launch | Ars Technica SpaceX to Send Privately Crewed Dragon Spacecraft Beyond the Moon Next Year | SpaceX If you think NASA is frustrated with SpaceX, you’re probably right | Ars Technica Email your thoughts and comments to anthony@mainenginecutoff.com Follow @WeHaveMECO Subscribe on iTunes, Overcast, or elsewhere Subscribe to Main Engine Cut Off Weekly Support Main Engine Cut Off on Patreon

Robert Lightfoot, the Acting NASA Administrator, sent a memo to the agency on the possibility of putting a crew on EM-1. I discuss the potential fallout from this idea and where the SLS/Orion program may be heading in the future. This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 5 executive producers—Pat O, Matt, Jorge, Brad, and one anonymous—and 31 other supporters on Patreon. Acting NASA Administrator Lightfoot Memo: Agency Update – Feb. 15, 2017 A bolder, risk-taking NASA? Agency looking at Orion crew launch in 2019 | Ars Technica NASA developing contingency plan for commercial crew delays - SpaceNews.com S.2617 - 114th Congress (2015-2016): MANIFEST for Human Spaceflight Act of 2016 | Congress.gov | Library of Congress Issue #14 - Main Engine Cut Off The Intricate Dance of Orion, SLS, Commercial Crew, and Soyuz - Main Engine Cut Off The NASA-Boeing-Soyuz Transaction - Main Engine Cut Off Email your thoughts and comments to anthony@mainenginecutoff.com Follow @WeHaveMECO Subscribe on iTunes, Overc

This week, NASA officially announced that NanoRacks will be adding an airlock onto the International Space Station to add capabilities and capacity to their already-up-and-running business. That announcement, along with some early insight into NASA policy in 2017, got me thinking about commercial opportunities within government programs, beyond Commercial Cargo and Crew. This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 4 executive producers—Pat O, Matt Giraitis, Jorge Perez, and one anonymous—and 28 other supporters on Patreon. NASA Announces Acceptance of NanoRacks Airlock Proposal - Main Engine Cut Off T+20: Mike Johnson, Chief Designer at NanoRacks on NanoRacks’ History, NextSTEP, and Wet Workshops - Main Engine Cut Off Issue #13 - Main Engine Cut Off NextSTEP Pushes Forward to Ground Prototypes - Main Engine Cut Off NASA Releases RFI for EM-2 Payload - Main Engine Cut Off Video from Orbital ATK Featuring Cygnus-Derived Habitats - Main Engine Cut Off Email your thoughts and comments to anthony@mai

Marcia Smith of SpacePolicyOnline.com saw a draft of the 2017 NASA Transition Authorization Act, and it contains some very interesting changes from the 2016 version that bounced around Congress last year. I discuss what some of these changes may mean in the light of Commercial Crew delays, NASA RFIs regarding SLS and Orion, and continued Russian reliability issues. This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 4 executive producers—Pat O, Matt Giraitis, Jorge Perez, and one anonymous—and 28 other supporters on Patreon. The Intricate Dance of Orion, SLS, Commercial Crew, and Soyuz - Main Engine Cut Off What's Happening in Space Policy January 30 - February 3, 2017 Senate Floor Action on New NASA Authorization Act Could be Imminent As Russian Space Industry Tumbles, the Kremlin Steps In — Again — Parabolic Arc Doug Messier on the State of the Russian Space Industry - Main Engine Cut Off As Trump takes over, NASA considers alternatives to its Orion spacecraft | Ars Technica Issue #4 - Main Engine Cut

Four members of the House of Representatives sent letters to DARPA and the Pentagon this week to file a complaint about a program in conflict with the 2010 National Space Policy. It’s a situation reminiscent of the debate over commercial use of retired ICBMs as low-cost launch vehicles, except this time, Orbital ATK is on the other side. I discuss the current issues and how their resolution may affect future policy decisions. This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 4 executive producers—Pat O, Matt Giraitis, Jorge Perez, and one anonymous—and 28 other supporters on Patreon. Elon Musk on Twitter: “@gdoehne Expendable. Future flights will go on Falcon Heavy or the upgraded Falcon 9.” Issue #11 - Main Engine Cut Off Orbital ATK For and Against Government Subsidies - Main Engine Cut Off DARPA satellite-servicing project comes under congressional fire - SpaceNews.com Current debate on ICBM use a throwback to the 1990s - SpaceNews.com Email feedback to anthony@mainenginecutoff.com Follow @WeHaveME

SpaceX is off to a strong start in 2017 with a very successful launch of Iridium-1 and a promising next few weeks. I also discuss the very interesting story developing between NASA, Boeing, and Russia regarding Soyuz flights to the ISS. This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 3 executive producers—Pat O, Matt Giraitis, and one anonymous—and 26 other supporters on Patreon. Iridium-1 Hosted Webcast - YouTube John Insprucker on propellant loading - Iridium-1 Hosted Webcast - YouTube SpaceX’s Early 2017 Cadence - Main Engine Cut Off The NASA-Boeing-Soyuz Transaction - Main Engine Cut Off NASA considering Boeing offer for additional Soyuz seats - SpaceNews.com Boeing and Energia negotiating Sea Launch settlement - SpaceNews.com Email feedback to anthony@mainenginecutoff.com Follow @WeHaveMECO Subscribe on iTunes, Overcast, or elsewhere Subcribe to Main Engine Cut Off Weekly Support Main Engine Cut Off on Patreon

While we don’t yet have hard details on which direction NASA programs are headed during the Trump administration, we have started to get some hints. The leadership of the Congressional subcommittees that NASA depends on will be largely unchanged, and Boeing and SpaceX were each promised 4 more Commercial Crew flights. I also talk a little bit about how the Air Force One and F-35 situations apply to NASA programs. This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 3 executive producers—@spacepat_o, Matt Giraitis, and one anonymous—and 26 other supporters on Patreon. Texas Remains Powerful Space Influence as House Appropriations, Senate Commerce Announce Subcommittee Chairs Culberson Promises NASA Resources It Needs Despite Tough Budget Year Mission Awards Secure Commercial Crew Transportation for Coming Years | NASA Results of Progress MS-04 Investigation - Main Engine Cut Off Progress MS-04 fails to reach orbit Aerojet Rocketdyne Announces Expansion at NASA’s Stennis Space Center in Mississippi - Main

SpaceX wrapped up their investigation into the Amos-6 explosion, and the news is mixed. I discuss their findings, their path back to flight, and some other 2016-2017 odds and ends. This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 3 executive producers—@spacepat_o, Matt Giraitis, and one anonymous—and 25 other supporters on Patreon. Anomaly Updates | SpaceX OneWeb gets $1.2 billion in SoftBank-led investment - SpaceNews.com Virgin Galactic ends 2016 with second SpaceShipTwo glide flight - SpaceNews.com Email feedback to anthony@mainenginecutoff.com Follow @WeHaveMECO Subscribe on iTunes, Overcast, or elsewhere Subcribe to Main Engine Cut Off Weekly Support Main Engine Cut Off on Patreon

Inmarsat, under regulatory pressure to get flying, decided to take a mid-2017 launch slot on Ariane 5, moving away from Falcon Heavy. Everyone thinks it’s a big deal, but for the wrong reason. And SpaceX’s Commercial Crew flights have been delayed, but we did find out that NASA’s Safety Technical Review Board approved their plan to load crew before fueling. That is a big deal. This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 3 executive producers—@spacepat_o, Matt Giraitis, and one anonymous—and 25 other supporters on Patreon. Inmarsat Switches to Ariane 5 from Falcon Heavy - Main Engine Cut Off SpaceX Commercial Crew Delay and Propellant Loading - Main Engine Cut Off Email feedback to anthony@mainenginecutoff.com Follow @WeHaveMECO Subscribe on iTunes, Overcast, or elsewhere Subcribe to Main Engine Cut Off Weekly Support Main Engine Cut Off on Patreon

A Progress launch failed on its way to the ISS, so I discuss how this may affect the politics of the ISS and NASA going forward. And then I get into some thoughts on satellite servicing in general, and specifically surrounding Restore-L and Orbital ATK’s Mission Extension Vehicle. This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 3 executive producers—@spacepat_o, Matt Giraitis, and one anonymous—and 25 other supporters on Patreon. Progress launch to space station fails - SpaceNews.com Progress MS-04 fails to reach orbit Stage III of the Soyuz rocket Issue #7 - Main Engine Cut Off SSL, Orbital ATK, and Satellite Servicing - Main Engine Cut Off NASA’s Restore-L contract nudges SSL closer to in-orbit servicing - SpaceNews.com NASA Awards Contract for Refueling Mission Spacecraft | NASA The Space Show, Mon, 10/31/2016 - 14:00 | General James B. Armor Mission Extension Services - Orbital ATK Email feedback to anthony@mainenginecutoff.com Follow @WeHaveMECO Subscribe on iTunes, Overcast, or elsewhere Subcr

Tory Bruno took to the stage to announce RocketBuilder, their new way to market and sell Atlas V launch services. I discuss my initial thoughts about it and what the announcement means for ULA going forward in the commercial market. Initial Thoughts on RocketBuilder - Main Engine Cut Off Introducing RocketBuilder - YouTube Press Conference: ULA Unveils Website to Transform How Launch Services are Selected - YouTube T+24: ULA’s RapidLaunch and Commercial Market Competitiveness - Main Engine Cut Off ULA Branding Their Emptying Manifest - Main Engine Cut Off Email feedback to anthony@mainenginecutoff.com Follow @WeHaveMECO Subscribe on iTunes, Overcast, or elsewhere Subcribe to Main Engine Cut Off Weekly Support Main Engine Cut Off on Patreon

All signs point to SpaceX nearing a return-to-flight mission for Falcon 9. I discuss what to watch for in the months ahead, and read some email. SpaceX prime Falcon 9 rockets for December return | NASASpaceFlight.com With rockets on the move, SpaceX still aiming for 2016 return to flight | Ars Technica Matt Desch on Twitter: “A beautiful sight. Stage 1 arriving in California for our launch. Soon, very soon... Rainbow was a nice (and fitting) touch! #IridiumNEXT” Chris B - NSF on Twitter: “SpaceX ramping up to RTF. Falcon 9 S1 spotted en route to Vandy (Iridium NEXT). Next S1 and S2 (Echostar-23?) on the McGregor test stands.” Main Engine Cut Off Weekly, Issue #5 The Space Review: Enabling a Mars settlement strategy with the Hercules reusable Mars lander Space Shuttle Decision, 1965-1972, by T. A. Heppenheimer Email feedback to anthony@mainenginecutoff.com Follow @WeHaveMECO Subscribe on iTunes, Overcast, or elsewhere Subcribe to Main Engine Cut Off Weekly Support Main Engine Cut Off on Patreon

Following up on last show’s topic, there are signs that NASA may be moving away from Orion in the future. I discuss how I see NASA modernizing their exploration roadmap, politically, in the next administration. As Trump takes over, NASA considers alternatives to its Orion spacecraft | Ars Technica Alternative NASA Exploration Crew Vehicles - Main Engine Cut Off Issue #4 - Main Engine Cut Off Email feedback to anthony@mainenginecutoff.com Follow @WeHaveMECO Subscribe on iTunes, Overcast, or elsewhere Subcribe to Main Engine Cut Off Weekly Support Main Engine Cut Off on Patreon

NASA released an RFI for small scientific payloads bound for the lunar surface, meant to “address strategic knowledge gaps” associated with human missions to the Moon. I talk about how this could indicate a shift of the SLS/Orion roadmap, and how NASA may be focusing on lunar surface missions in order to build more political capital for the program of record. Lunar Commercial Cargo Lite - Main Engine Cut Off NASA signals interest in extending commercial spaceflight to the Moon | Ars Technica Lunar CATALYST | NASA Eric Berger on Twitter T+27: Financial vs. Political Capital and Mission Sustainability - Main Engine Cut Off Moon Village: humans and robots together on the Moon / DG's news and views / About Us / ESA T+20: Mike Johnson, Chief Designer at NanoRacks on NanoRacks’ History, NextSTEP, and Wet Workshops - Main Engine Cut Off Email feedback to anthony@mainenginecutoff.com Follow @WeHaveMECO Subscribe on iTunes, Overcast, or elsewhere Subcribe to Main Engine Cut Off Weekly Support Main Engine Cut Off on P