Michael Swartwout

Not a rocket scientist, but plays one on TV. Joined Twitter on a dare. Needs to get out more.

[Michael Swartwout @rocket_prof]

@MattBakerSTL Before the new sod was put in: 2-1-7 (2-0-3 at home)
After the sod replacement: 1-5-3 (1-2-2 at home)
Season-ending injuries: Ostrak, Pompeu
I'm not saying that the sod is technically bad. But is it cursed? Was it grown over a North Carolina burial ground?

[Michael Swartwout @rocket_prof]

A last number, for context. In 2019, there were ~4500 spacecraft in orbit (including non-operational). That's everything launched from 1957, albeit many had deorbited. Proliferated LEO could be at a five-fold increase over the span of 3-4 years. Again: What does this mean? Dunno.

[Michael Swartwout @rocket_prof]

* "Proliferated LEO" = constellations involving dozens of small spacecraft with orbit altitudes from ~400km-1000km. Before 2020, there were 4 with ~500 spacecraft. Today there are ~9 with > 2500 and that number is growing quickly. (30 and 20,000 are target numbers.)

[Michael Swartwout @rocket_prof]

Today's observation: "Proliferated LEO" arrived faster than expected. This will upend the baseline assumptions about doing business in/through space. Upend, how? Dunno. That will take some time to figure out.

[Michael Swartwout @rocket_prof]

My enablers - I mean, "alumni" - have suggested that I tweet out the occasional comment on the space industry. Let's test whether this is a good idea.

[Michael Swartwout @rocket_prof]

(My first tweet was created to be embedded in a work-related website. Hence, the "dare" to join Twitter. Don't hold your breath for more.)

[Michael Swartwout @rocket_prof]

We should continue best-practices regarding CubeSat deorbiting, but the real debris threats continue to be upper stages and debris fragments