Main Engine Cut Off

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

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