Rocket enjoyer | Professionally Autistic | Writer @proximareport | 🪶#1 New Armstrong fan 🟦
Sol system
Joined May 2022
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Sethcomics retweeted
Floor it!
NASA’s Psyche spacecraft has fired up its thrusters and is accelerating to the metal-rich asteroid of the same name. Learn more about Psyche’s solar-powered propulsion system, which uses electromagnetic fields to steadily deliver thrust: go.nasa.gov/4jAR2bY
ALT Photo of a Hall thruster identical to those on NASA’s Psyche operating in a vacuum chamber at JPL during tests. A ring of blue light emits a hazy stream of glowing material. The blue light is generated by xenon ions being accelerated through an electromagnetic field, which gives the spacecraft a gentle but steady acceleration. NASA/JPL-Caltech
Sethcomics retweeted
America is in for a busy spaceflight year next year. Not only is Artemis III happening alongside lunar landing milestones, but six brand-new rockets are also planning to make their debut flights. The real question is: Who will actually fly?
All these rockets have been delayed from their previously set targets, except for New Glenn 9x4 ,(only because it never had one); the longest delayed one is Rocket 4 which was supposed to debut 5 years earlier.
Neutron is one I find most interesting because, due to its delays, it has let Stoke Space’s Nova catch up to potentially beat it to flying, as well as Terran R, which not only had a complete redesign but almost ran out of money at one point.
Which of these do you think will fly next year and who do you think will fly first?
Sethcomics retweeted
The next chapter of human lunar exploration will unfold near the Moon’s South Pole.
This interactive lets you tour the region where the Moon Base will take shape and explore its distinctive lighting, rugged terrain, and notable landmarks.
Launch the interactive: nasa.gov/moonbase-environmen…
ALT Still image from an interactive visualization showing two white lunar vehicles on a rugged, cratered surface with the blackness of space above. The vehicle near the center has a raised dish antenna. Long shadows stretch across the uneven terrain. Credit: NASA
Sethcomics retweeted
SpaceX has released a new Starship tower catch animation for the upcoming Flight 15!
Sethcomics retweeted
Update on the HLS provider timelines from NASA
Short Overview:
Still targeting early 2028 for Artemis 4 and late 2028 for Artemis 5.
Starship cargo lander expected in 2032 and Mk2 cargo lander in 2033.
NASA provided an image of the CONOPS for Artemis 3 which is currently targeting NET Q3 2027.
Starship uncrewed landing demo still targeting NET Q4 2027. Blue Origin uncrewed Mk2 landing demo NET Q1 2028.
Starship Milestones:
First cape flight in Q4 2026 (currently NET Dec 10th). Completed HLS "Cabin 1" in Q4 2026 (ground testing cabin). This will have operations testing in Q1 2027 and airlock demonstrations in Q2.
Prop demo in Q1 2027, first launch from LC-37 also in 2027 - I personally believe 37a will be ready in Q2 or Q3.
Tank presurizations upgraded in Q2/Q3.
The first uncrewed landing demo tanker launch in Q3 with the landing demo in Q4.
Blue Origin Milestones:
New Glenn return to flight Q4 2026. First Blue Moon Mk1 landing in Q1 2027. Second Mk1 landing in Q4 2027 with the viper rover. Third Mk1 landing in Q1 2028 with an LTV (Lunar Terrain Vehicle) for Artemis 4.
Artemis 3 crew vehicle hardware complete in Q1 2027 with launch in Q2/Q3 2027.
LC36B (9x4 Pad) complete in Q3 2027 with the first NG 9x4 launch in Q4.
Source: ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/…
Sethcomics retweeted
Module 6 is back on the Vehicle Access Tower. The crane configuration for lifting and placing these modules is a delicate work of art. This CC 8800 heavy lift crane uses counterweight positioned behind the crane to significantly increase lifting performance.
Sethcomics retweeted
Stage 2 has officially left the rocket factory for the last time. 😢🫡
Now in Moses Lake, WA, it will undergo cryo proof testing and then a hotfire campaign with its Andromeda engine before shipment to our launch site in Cape Canaveral, FL.
ALT Stage 2 at Kent, WA rocket factory
ALT Stage 2 shipping from Kent to Moses Lake test site
ALT Stage 2 delivered to Mose Lake test site
ALT Stage 2 mounted on test stand to being final testing
Sethcomics retweeted
The first Starship to return to its launch site, Ship 40's journey took it across air, space, and sea. Now that it is vertical alongside three other Starships in a Megabay at Starbase, it will provide first-of-its-kind data on a flown Starship heatshield, Raptor engines, avionics, and more.
Sethcomics retweeted
One week until the launch window opens for @JAXA_en's Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission.
Our Pneumatic Sampler, or P-Sampler, will soon be heading to Phobos aboard the MMX spacecraft. Designed to use high-pressure nitrogen gas to collect Phobos regolith, it will support the study of Mars’ moons and their origins.
Learn more about P-Sampler: bit.ly/47k14qF
Sethcomics retweeted
From the downcomer going into the stage 1 tank to stage 2 completing its wet dress rehearsal at Stennis, September brought progress across every discipline.
🔩 Build: The downcomer was installed into the stage 1 flight tank. The interstage completed drilling and was passed off to the Tender Loving Crusher ahead of structural testing. Engine production continues to ramp, with articles for flights 2 and 3 well into manufacturing.
🧪 Test: With all 13 engines installed, the thrust structure transitioned into integrated gimbal testing. At Stennis, stage 2 completed a wet dress rehearsal on the A2 stand, building towards the first hot fire test.
🏗️ Launch: The east lightning protection tower reached its full height of 530 feet, the east launch table structural steel is complete, and permanent 480-volt power has been energized at the pad.
