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In light of the recent Schiaparelli lander failure, I discuss the differences between missions supported by financial and political capital, and how those differences will play out in the next era of space exploration. ExoMars completes crucial orbit insertion, hope lost for lander | NASASpaceFlight.com Schiaparelli descent data: decoding underway / ExoMars / Space Science / Our Activities / ESA mobile Arbitrary Spin and Damage Control - Main Engine Cut Off MRO image of Schiaparelli – after / 10 / 2016 / Images / ESA Multimedia / ESA Online Videos Main Engine Cut Off Weekly, Issue #1 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

I took a trip down to Wallops Island, Virginia this week for the launch of OA-5—the return to flight for Antares, sending Cygnus up to the ISS on a resupply mission. I recorded this episode on the long drive home afterwards, and talked about what Antares’ return means for Orbital ATK and what their future may hold—both good and bad. My video of the launch of OA-5, complete with incredible audio My photos of the launch of OA-5 Antares launches Cygnus on return-to-flight mission - SpaceNews.com Talking Space Gene J. Mikulka Aerojet Rocketdyne Makes Case for AR1 - Main Engine Cut Off Aerojet Rocketdyne Announces Expansion at NASA’s Stennis Space Center in Mississippi - Main Engine Cut Off T+19: SpaceX’s Manifest, Flight-Proven Hardware, Blue Origin Updates, and Antares’ Engines - Main Engine Cut Off T+6: Orbital ATK’s Next-Gen Vehicle, Falcon 9 Proving Its Reusability, and ULA’s Tough Future - Main Engine Cut Off Video from Orbital ATK Featuring Cygnus-Derived Habitats - Main Engine Cut Off NASA Releases RFI fo

Gwynne Shotwell, President of SpaceX, spoke at two events and dropped some tidbits about the Falcon 9 investigation, future versions of the vehicle, and what kind of discount they would offer for “flight-proven” stages. I break down the new info, and discuss their reusability discount. SpaceX's Shotwell on Falcon 9 inquiry, discounts for reused rockets and Silicon Valley's test-and-fail ethos - SpaceNews.com Shotwell says SpaceX “homing in” on cause of Falcon 9 pad explosion - SpaceNews.com The SpaceX Discount 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

After a few busy weeks of Blue Origin and SpaceX news, I spend some time talking about ULA’s RapidLaunch program and how they are working to get competitive within the commercial market. WeMartians Podcast Episode 13: Making Humans Multiplanetary (feat. Anthony Colangelo) - Live Now! | WeMartians | Follow humanity's journey to Mars OA-5 Schedule and Coverage Plans - Main Engine Cut Off ULA Branding Their Emptying Manifest - Main Engine Cut Off ULA says it could accommodate additional Atlas 5 launch next year - SpaceNews.com BE-4 Test, Decision on Vulcan Could Slip to 2017 - Main Engine Cut Off ULA, Air Force agree on Vulcan rocket certification process - SpaceNews.com Email feedback to anthony@mainenginecutoff.com Follow @WeHaveMECO Subscribe on iTunes, Overcast, or elsewhere Support Main Engine Cut Off on Patreon

Elon Musk took the stage at the IAC this week and unveiled SpaceX’s architecture for their planetary exploration and colonization plans. Jake from WeMartians and I discuss our initial reactions to and takeaways from the event. WeMartians | Follow humanity's journey to Mars Mars | SpaceX Making Humans a Multiplanetary Species - YouTube Full Presentation Slides (PDF) IAC - International Astronautical Congress | September 26th - 30th 2016 Guadalajara, Mexico Email feedback to anthony@mainenginecutoff.com Follow @WeHaveMECO Support Main Engine Cut Off on Patreon

SpaceX is set to make an announcement next week at the IAC 2016 regarding their Mars colonization architecture. I talk about what we know, what I expect to see, and what I hope is included in their plans. IAC - International Astronautical Congress | September 26th - 30th 2016 Guadalajara, Mexico IAC 2016 ENG on Livestream WeMartians | Follow humanity's journey to Mars Inevitable SpaceX FUD - Main Engine Cut Off I am Elon Musk, CEO/CTO of a rocket company, AMA! Gwynne Shotwell at SmallSat: First Raptor Shipped to McGregor - Main Engine Cut Off t/Space Vision for Space Exploration Presentation (PDF, 6.9MB) Email feedback to anthony@mainenginecutoff.com Follow @WeHaveMECO Support Main Engine Cut Off on Patreon

Blue Origin surprised us all by previewing their massive next rocket, New Glenn. I discuss the few details we know, how New Glenn could fit into the market, what questions need to be answered, and many other things to consider in the wake of the announcement. I also touch on some plans I’ve got to cover SpaceX’s upcoming Mars announcement in tandem with Jake from WeMartians. Blue Origin Previews New Glenn - Main Engine Cut Off Blue Origin Naming—Past, Present, Future - Main Engine Cut Off Blue Origin introduce the New Glenn orbital LV | NASASpaceFlight.com How Relevant is New Shepard to Orbital Launch? | Selenian Boondocks Details on Blue Origin Launch Site and Recovery - Main Engine Cut Off T+7: Bezos and Musk at Code Conference, and a Hard Look at Vulcan’s Economics - Main Engine Cut Off Email feedback to anthony@mainenginecutoff.com Follow @WeHaveMECO Support Main Engine Cut Off on Patreon

Mike Johnson, Chief Designer at NanoRacks, joined me this week to talk about his incredibly interesting career in spaceflight, the past and future of NanoRacks, their NextSTEP proposal, and a handful of other topics. Mike Johnson | NanoRacks' Chief Technology Officer To boost commercial activity, NASA may add private airlock to ISS | Ars Technica NanoRacks To Catalyze Concepts for Deep Space Habitats NextSTEP Partners Develop Ground Prototypes to Expand our Knowledge of Deep Space Habitats T+17: NextSTEP Habitat Prototypes, and the Zombie Centaur - Main Engine Cut Off NextSTEP Pushes Forward to Ground Prototypes - Main Engine Cut Off Some More Details on NanoRacks’ Centaur Wet Workshop Concept - Main Engine Cut Off NASA Funds Plan to Turn Used Rocket Fuel Tanks Into Space Habitats - IEEE Spectrum Email feedback to anthony@mainenginecutoff.com Follow @WeHaveMECO Support Main Engine Cut Off on Patreon

SpaceX has a busy manifest as they close out 2016, including SES-10 which will fly with a “flight-proven” first stage. A few bits of info have come out regarding Blue Origin’s future plans—including flying diverse payloads on New Shepard, and construction of their factory in Florda. Antares’ return-to-flight launch date is still a mystery, and I have a theory about its future engines. It’s Official: SpaceX Will Launch SES-10 With Reused Core - Main Engine Cut Off A Look at SpaceX’s Remaining 2016 Manifest - Main Engine Cut Off SpaceX successfully launches JCSat-16 satellite, faces crowded end-year manifest - SpaceNews.com SpaceX to Move Post-Recovery Operations to Port Canaveral - Main Engine Cut Off SpaceX Dragon 2 Parachute Drop Test - Main Engine Cut Off Blue Origin’s New Shepard as Generic Booster - Main Engine Cut Off Blue Origin's Sweet Spot: An Untapped Suborbital Market for Private Spaceflight Blue Origin Pours Concrete For Rocket Factory At Kennedy Space Center’s Exploration Park | Orbital ATK Condu

Dr. Robert Zubrin, President of The Mars Society, creator of Mars Direct, and author of The Case for Mars is on the show this week to discuss Mars exploration and colonization internationally, within NASA, and at SpaceX. The Mars Society The Case for Mars, by Robert Zubrin Mars Direct - 1st Public Presentation 5/28/1990 - YouTube Mars Society President Tours Russia | News & Announcements | The Mars Society To Mars! - Dr. Robert Zubrin - TEDx Moscow - YouTube Email feedback to anthony@mainenginecutoff.com Follow @WeHaveMECO Support Main Engine Cut Off on Patreon

NASA selected six companies, as part of the NextSTEP program, to develop ground prototypes of deep space habitats, and the Centaur could live on as a wet workshop. Orbital ATK pushed OA-5 to late September. SpaceX landed yet another stage on the ASDS, and have up to 9 more launches planned for 2016. NextSTEP Pushes Forward to Ground Prototypes - Main Engine Cut Off NextSTEP Partners Develop Ground Prototypes to Expand our Knowledge of Deep Space Habitats OA-5 Slips to Late September - Main Engine Cut Off OA-5 Mission Page Gwynne Shotwell at SmallSat: First Raptor Shipped to McGregor - Main Engine Cut Off A Look at SpaceX’s Remaining 2016 Manifest - Main Engine Cut Off SpaceX successfully launches JCSat-16 satellite, faces crowded end-year manifest - SpaceNews.com Email feedback to anthony@mainenginecutoff.com Follow @WeHaveMECO Support Main Engine Cut Off on Patreon

Moon Express gained government approval for their upcoming mission to win the Google Lunar X Prize. And I go on a rant about artificial gravity and how NASA shrugs it off as unnecessary. Moon Express wins U.S. government approval for lunar lander mission - SpaceNews.com NASA exploration focuses on Deep Space Hab systems and crew health | NASASpaceFlight.com Gerstenmaier Shrugs Off Artificial Gravity - Main Engine Cut Off Email feedback to anthony@mainenginecutoff.com Follow @WeHaveMECO Support Main Engine Cut Off on Patreon

The roadmap for SLS got a little murkier this week thanks to some additional details in the GAO report regarding its cost and schedule. SpaceX test fired a landed core three times in three days last week, paving the way for reuse of the CRS-8 core. GAO Report Indicates EM-2 Plans to Fly Crew - Main Engine Cut Off U.S. GAO - NASA Human Space Exploration: Opportunity Nears to Reassess Launch Vehicle and Ground Systems Cost and Schedule NASA updates status and timetable of ambitious Asteroid Redirect Mission | NASASpaceFlight.com MSFC propose Aerojet Rocketdyne supply EUS engines | NASASpaceFlight.com Landed Falcon 9 First Stage Test Firing - YouTube SpaceX Conducts Full-Duration Static Fire of JCSAT-14 Core - Main Engine Cut Off SpaceX test fires returned Falcon 9 booster at McGregor | NASASpaceFlight.com Next Space Station Cargo Launch From Virginia Targeted for August | NASA Email feedback to anthony@mainenginecutoff.com Follow @WeHaveMECO Support Main Engine Cut Off on Patreon

Before Mars and exploration-centric talk, I talk about Orbital ATK’s agreement for exclusive use of LMP-103S. Then I take a hard look at the post-EM-1 roadmap for SLS, and theorize some potential uses for SpaceX’s giant Mars-bound rocket—lovingly referred to as the Big F…alcon… Rocket (BFR). Orbital ATK and ECAPS Sign Agreement for Exclusive Use of LMP-103S - Main Engine Cut Off Orbital ATK News Room EM-1 Still on for Late 2018, SLS’ Second Flight Still A Mystery - Main Engine Cut Off First SLS mission on schedule for fall 2018 launch - SpaceNews.com Battle of the Heavyweight Rockets – SLS could face Exploration Class rival | NASASpaceFlight.com Email feedback to anthony@mainenginecutoff.com Follow @WeHaveMECO Support Main Engine Cut Off on Patreon

SpaceX had a great night launching the CRS-9 mission, and it’s all good signs for their future. The Senate hearing, as I predicted, was focused on maintaining the status quo. US and Russian engineers and scientists have some ideas on the future of international space policy. Good Signs from SpaceX’s CRS-9 Success - Main Engine Cut Off Post-Launch Status of SpaceX Resupply Mission to the ISS - YouTube Elon Musk’s Post-Landing Tweet Senate committee seeks stability for NASA programs in next administration - SpaceNews.com Senate Committee Seeks Stability for NASA Programs in Next Administration - Main Engine Cut Off U.S. and Russian Scientists Are Making Plans to Go Back to the Moon Together US and Russia: Back to the Moon Together? - Main Engine Cut Off Email feedback to anthony@mainenginecutoff.com Follow @WeHaveMECO Support Main Engine Cut Off on Patreon

Ted Cruz called a hearing on NASA’s space exploration policy in the next president’s administration. The president of France’s CNES discussed some policy statements, and I went on a rant about his thoughts on Ariane 6 and its competition. Cruz Calls Hearing on Future of Space Under New Administration - Main Engine Cut Off Cruz Calls Hearing on Future of Space Under New Administration - Press Releases - U.S. Senate Committee On Commerce, Science, & Transportation U.S. Senate Committee On Commerce, Science, & Transportation France’s CNES Backs Space Station, Hedges Bets on Reusable Rockets - Main Engine Cut Off France’s CNES backs space station, hedges bets on reusable rockets - SpaceNews.com Meet Adeline, Airbus’ Answer To SpaceX Reusability - SpaceNews.com Email feedback to anthony@mainenginecutoff.com Follow @WeHaveMECO Support Main Engine Cut Off on Patreon

SpaceX printed a public notice in Florida Today on July 3rd outlining plans for LZ-1 expansion. Sierra Nevada Corporation and the United Nations signed a Memorandum of Understanding regarding future use of Dream Chaser by UN member countries. China solidified partnerships with The Netherlands and Poland, continuing the growth of the China-ESA relationship. Public Notice of SpaceX’s LZ-1 Expansion Plans - Main Engine Cut Off Sierra Nevada Corporation Enters Talks with the Un... | Sierra Nevada Corporation | SNC SNC works with U.N. on global space program Dutch radio antenna to depart for the moon on Chinese mission Poland signs space partnership deal with China, eyes increased industry cooperation - SpaceNews.com Email feedback to anthony@mainenginecutoff.com Follow @WeHaveMECO Support Main Engine Cut Off on Patreon

This week I talked to Logan Kamperschroer, a Graduate Research Assistant at the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics at Purdue University. Logan’s research focuses on hypergolic rocket fuels—specifically the push to move away from the toxic storable propellants (hydrazine and its derivatives) to “greener” alternatives. We talked about the current state of storable propellants, and where things are going in the near future. Logan Kamperschroer Hypergolic Propellants Laboratory | Home SpaceX Pad Abort Test - YouTube LMP-103S: New Process for Production of High Purity ADN (PDF) AF-M315E: GPIM AF-M315E Propulsion System Sigma-Aldrich Email feedback to anthony@mainenginecutoff.com Follow @WeHaveMECO Support Main Engine Cut Off on Patreon

The ExoMars 2020 rover received a funding boost and a reassessed schedule, the 2016 orbiter/lander set its sights on Mars, NASA and ESA coordinated a practice communication session, and China opens up to the international space community. European Space Agency still backing Mars rover project - BBC News Mars Express chats with Curiosity: Practice makes perfect | Mars Express ESA - Robotic Exploration of Mars: ExoMars sets sights on the Red Planet China prepares assembly of its space station, invites collaboration through U.N. - SpaceNews.com Email feedback to anthony@mainenginecutoff.com Follow @WeHaveMECO Support Main Engine Cut Off on Patreon

Masten Space Systems released a video of test flights of their two latest vehicles. Blue Origin was awarded a NASA Flight Opportunities contract, is planning the 4th flight of New Shepard, and began clearing land for their factory just outside Kennedy Space Center. Introducing Xodiac and XaeroB | Masten Space Systems Xeus | Masten Space Systems Lunar CATALYST | NASA NASA SBIR & STTR Program Homepage Blue Origin joins NASA’s suborbital research flight program - SpaceNews.com Jeff Bezos on Twitter: “Trying for 4th flight of same hardware this Friday. Live webcast at https://www.blueorigin.com #GradatimFerociter” Jeff Bezos on Twitter: ”Flight to test one-chute-out failure scenario & push envelope on booster maneuvers #GradatimFerociter” Blue Origin clearing land for massive rocket factory Email feedback to anthony@mainenginecutoff.com Follow @WeHaveMECO Support Main Engine Cut Off on Patreon