AWChicago

[AWChicago @AndyWChicago]

@DJSnM @blueorigin Dont Stop Me Now

[AWChicago @AndyWChicago]

@Robotbeat @Orbital_Perigee Ahhh, still wonder about the viability and usefulness of a large, X-37 style upper stage. Could be a good fit on top of one or the other New Glenn. Would be interesting to at least see it modeled out as an option. There are upsides to using runways.

[AWChicago @AndyWChicago]

@Robotbeat @Orbital_Perigee Blue has discussed the fact they are doing evaluative observations and taking other steps to move toward reusable fairings. Certainly logical they would also be considering this for 9 x 4 up front. Whatever they do for 7 x 2 should also fit on 9 x 4 for dense, smaller payloads.

[AWChicago @AndyWChicago]

@SciGuySpace A lot of people still don’t seem to comprehend the skills, capabilities and resources they have for quickly rebuilding the parts of the pad needing it and recertifying the others. They may even exceed SpaceX in some areas, whether you believe it or not. Need to widen your scope.

[ISS National Lab @ISS_CASIS]

👀 Kall Morris Inc.’s REACCH system capturing a target object during testing on the ISS.

Instead of a single small satellite test, the team completed 172 test runs, validating the system for debris removal and in-orbit relocation: https://t.co/HiLLKs1lGj

#SpaceDebris #ISS

[AWChicago @AndyWChicago]

@DrPhiltill It will almost doubtlessly cause a lot of disruption, but I always like to bring up the fact that there is so much needed work undone in our society, people will still have more than enough to do for a very long time. True, even if many less humans are required for each task.

[AWChicago @AndyWChicago]

@Lori_Garver @NASA Understand, but they are still the most powerful operational rocket engines in the world. Still wonder if someday it will become practical to design next gen versions that are recoverable again & more economical to refurb. Up to Northrop though to risk it as a commercial venture.

[AWChicago @AndyWChicago]

@SciGuySpace One additional point, everyone keeps forgetting Blue has operated New Shepard and been doing engine development for a very long time. Though not on this scale, they have had to deal with investigations, explosions and lost vehicles before. Granted, SpaceX has blown more stuff up.

[AWChicago @AndyWChicago]

@SciGuySpace Key points continue to be 1) Blue Origin is a far larger and deeper organization than the SpaceX of 2016 was. 2) It is already engaged with an army of contractors on other projects, including large complex pad infrastructure. 3) It’s leaders are top tier logistics experts.

[AWChicago @AndyWChicago]

@charlesboyer No one should underestimate how fast they can build things or how skilled they are at managing this kind of logistics op. Lots of money lost for every month of delay will help drive results. They have finances, people, & contractors only matched by SpX.

[AWChicago @AndyWChicago]

@SciGuySpace The other factor at play here is the huge cost of delay, which makes extra spending to get everything operational as soon as possible a very logical business decision. Execs who built the largest company in the world by revenue can manage this with the now huge resources of Blue.

[AWChicago @AndyWChicago]

@SciGuySpace Yes, it’s a different company and industry, but I need to keep reminding people these executives have built a gargantuan company in Amazon, one that moves extremely quickly on huge global construction projects, all with immense scale. They can and will marshall whatever is needed

[AWChicago @AndyWChicago]

@davill @SciGuySpace As I said, it’s now a huge organization with a ton of resources. These executives know what they’re doing when it comes to moving quickly & decisively on large complex projects with challenges. Don’t confuse their prior measured R&D pace with current operational capabilities.

[AWChicago @AndyWChicago]

@GregWAutry @DrPhiltill They will all work together as needed and as is possible. Also betting the new or existing pad will be operational a lot sooner than most people think. Won’t take a year.

[AWChicago @AndyWChicago]

@DrPhiltill @grok Remembering the all up tests of the Saturn 5 1st stage inside a test stand, as well as SLS. Both were amazingly fired for full flight duration, neither failed those particular tests. I’m guessing the massive resources Blue has will get a pad running far faster than most think.

[AWChicago @AndyWChicago]

Blue Origin is already moving quickly with a tremendous amount of resources. Remember Blue is not a startup, they have thousands and thousands of employees, as well as an army of contractors. Their seasoned executives know also how to plan and react to sudden, complex challenges

[Dave Limp @davill]

We have regained some access to Launch Complex 36 and are actively investigating the hotfire anomaly. We will start clearing the pad soon and have a good rebuild plan in place. The booster and GS2s in the integration facility appear healthy from quick looks.

[Dave Limp @davill]

We have regained some access to Launch Complex 36 and are actively investigating the hotfire anomaly. We will start clearing the pad soon and have a good rebuild plan in place. The booster and GS2s in the integration facility appear healthy from quick looks.

[AWChicago @AndyWChicago]

@Lori_Garver @mnmcsofgp @realhomerhickam @NASA @SpaceX Appreciate the way things turned out, but always bristled at criticism for keeping SLS/Orion in parallel. We had no idea commercial could be so successful, especially w super-heavy. Still haven’t hit full stride there yet (but will). And the Orion portion may live on til 2035-40+

[AWChicago @AndyWChicago]

@Robotbeat Both were smooth flights. If ULA/Northrop can speed up getting those big solids working reliably Vulcan may be able to help take up a little more of the launch capacity slack over these next 6-12 months. They are otherwise more ready to increase cadence than they used to be.

[AWChicago @AndyWChicago]

@DaugsWyatt @SpaceDavenport Executives at Blue Origin also built the largest company in the world by revenue, with thousands of global warehouses a massive logistics network and huge numbers of data centers. They also have vastly more money, personnel and resources than 2016 SpaceX. They’ll make it happen.