Main Engine Cut Off

Richard Duke from the Surrey Space Center joins me to talk about their RemoveDEBRIS mission, which launched last year and carried out 4 different tests focused on space debris removal and management.This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 38 executive producers—Kris, Pat, Matt, Jorge, Brad, Ryan, Nadim, Peter, Donald, Lee, Chris, Warren, Bob, Russell, John, Moritz, Joel, Jan, David, Grant, Mike, David, Mints, Joonas, Robb, Tim Dodd the Everyday Astronaut, Frank, Julian and Lars from Agile Space, Tommy, Adam, Sam, and six anonymous—and 308 other supporters.Surrey Space Centre | University of SurreyRemoveDEBRIS | University of SurreyRemdeb Mission Highlights - YouTubeRemoveDebris Mission - YouTubeSurrey Nanosats SSC Mission Delivery Team - YouTubeLike the show? Support the show!Email your thoughts, comments, and questions to anthony@mainenginecutoff.comFollow @WeHaveMECOListen to MECO HeadlinesJoin the Off-Nominal DiscordSubscribe on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Spotify, Google Play,

Peter Beck, Founder, CEO, and CTO of Rocket Lab, joins me to talk about what they’ve been up to with Electron and Photon, as well as some of their new offerings like ground station support through KSAT and Photon missions to the Moon.This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 38 executive producers—Kris, Pat, Matt, Jorge, Brad, Ryan, Nadim, Peter, Donald, Lee, Chris, Warren, Bob, Russell, John, Moritz, Joel, Jan, David, Grant, Mike, David, Mints, Joonas, Robb, Tim Dodd the Everyday Astronaut, Frank, Julian and Lars from Agile Space, Tommy, Adam, Sam, and six anonymous—and 296 other supporters.Peter Beck (@Peter_J_Beck) | TwitterRocket Lab | Frequent and reliable access launch is now a reality | Rocket LabRocket Lab (@RocketLab) | TwitterRocket Lab - YouTubeRocket Lab | Electron - satellite launch vehicle | Rocket LabPhoton | Rocket LabRocket Lab successfully launches ninth Electron mission, deploys payload to highest orbit yet | Rocket LabRocket Lab partners with Kongsberg Satellite Services for

Artemis and international politics were on display on the first day of IAC 2019, followed by strange-yet-politically-minded partnerships on the second day.This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 38 executive producers—Kris, Pat, Matt, Jorge, Brad, Ryan, Nadim, Peter, Donald, Lee, Chris, Warren, Bob, Russell, John, Moritz, Joel, Jan, David, Grant, Mike, David, Mints, Joonas, Robb, Tim Dodd the Everyday Astronaut, Frank, Julian and Lars from Agile Space, Tommy, Adam, Sam, and six anonymous—and 295 other supporters.Pence calls for American-led cooperation in space exploration - SpaceNews.comBlue Origin | Blue Origin Announces National Team for NASA’s Artemis Human Landing SystemBlue Origin teams up with Lockheed Martin and more for human lunar lander design - The VergeLike the show? Support the show!Email your thoughts, comments, and questions to anthony@mainenginecutoff.comFollow @WeHaveMECOListen to MECO HeadlinesJoin the Off-Nominal DiscordSubscribe on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts,

A few bits of follow-up on Starship to GTO, the Bridenstine-Musk show at SpaceX HQ, and flying to polar orbits from Florida.Meetup alert! Sunday, October 20, 2019 in Washington, DC. Hang out with me, Jake, and a ton of amazing people of space the night before IAC 2019 kicks off. Details at events.offnominal.space.This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 39 executive producers—Kris, Pat, Matt, Jorge, Brad, Ryan, Nadim, Peter, Donald, Lee, Chris, Warren, Bob, Russell, John, Moritz, Joel, Jan, David, Grant, Mike, David, Mints, Joonas, Robb, Tim Dodd the Everyday Astronaut, Frank, Rui, Julian, Lars, Tommy, Adam, Sam, and six anonymous—and 284 other supporters.SpaceX targets 2021 commercial Starship launch - SpaceNews.comWATCH LIVE: Elon Musk and NASA chief give an update on SpaceX's astronaut spacecraft – 10/10/2019 - YouTube45th Space Wing commander: Changes underway to support commercial launch - SpaceNews.comMichael Baylor on Twitter: “The official government website states that Cape Canaveral

Jake Robins, host of WeMartians and my co-host on Off-Nominal, joins me for Part 2 of our conversation about SpaceX’s 2019 Starship update. Part 1 can be found over on WeMartians.Meetup alert! Sunday, October 20, 2019 in Washington, DC. Hang out with me, Jake, and a ton of amazing people of space the night before IAC 2019 kicks off. Details at events.offnominal.space.This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 39 executive producers—Kris, Pat, Matt, Jorge, Brad, Ryan, Nadim, Peter, Donald, Lee, Chris, Warren, Bob, Russell, John, Moritz, Joel, Jan, David, Grant, Mike, David, Mints, Joonas, Robb, Tim Dodd the Everyday Astronaut, Frank, Rui, Julian, Lars, Tommy, Adam, Sam, and six anonymous—and 276 other supporters.65 - Starship on Course (feat. Anthony Colangelo) - WeMartians Podcast — Part 1 of our Starship conversationJake Robins (@JakeOnOrbit) | TwitterHome - WeMartians PodcastOff-NominalStarship | SpaceXStarship Update - YouTubeJim Bridenstine on Twitter: “My statement on @SpaceX’s announcement

I’ve got a special preview of MECO Headlines for the main feed this week, with news on Orion, NASA’s FY2020 budget, NEOCam’s legacy, Starship, and more.This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 39 executive producers—Kris, Pat, Matt, Jorge, Brad, Ryan, Nadim, Peter, Donald, Lee, Chris, Warren, Bob, Russell, John, Moritz, Joel, Jan, David, Grant, Mike, David, Mints, Joonas, Robb, Tim Dodd the Everyday Astronaut, Frank, Rui, Julian, Lars, Tommy, Adam, Sam, and six anonymous—and 272 other supporters.HeadlinesOff-Nominal Events: Meetup in DC—Sunday, October 20th!NASA Commits to Long-term Artemis Missions with Orion Production | NASASenate appropriators advance bill funding NASA despite uncertainties about Artemis costs - SpaceNews.comNASA to develop mission to search for near-Earth asteroids - SpaceNews.comElon Musk on Twitter: “Three Raptors on a Starship”Elon Musk on Twitter: “Adding the rear moving fins to Starship Mk1 in Boca Chica, Texas”BocaChicaGal photosLauncherOne: Shaping Up and Shipping

Kurt Klaus, Chair of the Lunar Exploration Analysis Group’s Commercial Advisory Board, joins me to talk about NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services program, and the wider potential for commercial flights to the Moon and beyond.This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 39 executive producers—Kris, Pat, Matt, Jorge, Brad, Ryan, Nadim, Peter, Donald, Lee, Chris, Warren, Bob, Russell, John, Moritz, Joel, Jan, David, Grant, Mike, David, Mints, Joonas, Robb, Tim Dodd the Everyday Astronaut, Frank, Rui, Julian, Lars, Tommy, Adam, Sam, and six anonymous—and 271 other supporters.Mr. Kurt K. KlausLunar Exploration Analysis Group (LEAG)Commercial Lunar Payload Services | NASANASA Selects First Commercial Moon Landing Services for Artemis | NASANASA Selects 12 New Lunar Science, Technology Investigations | NASANASA Selects Experiments for Possible Lunar Flights in 2019 | NASAEpisode T+129: Steve Altemus and Dr. Tim Crain, Intuitive Machines - Main Engine Cut OffEmail your thoughts, comments, and questio

SpaceX updated their SmallSat launch offering—dropping the price and increasing the number of flights. It certainly looks like they’ll be a force to be reckoned with in the small launch market. This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 39 executive producers—Kris, Pat, Matt, Jorge, Brad, Ryan, Nadim, Peter, Donald, Lee, Chris, Warren, Bob, Russell, John, Moritz, Joel, Jan, David, Grant, Mike, David, Mints, Joonas, Robb, Tim Dodd the Everyday Astronaut, Frank, Rui, Julian, Lars, Tommy, Adam, Sam, and six anonymous—and 269 other supporters. SpaceX - Smallsat Program SpaceX revamps smallsat rideshare program - SpaceNews.com SpaceX plans 24 Starlink launches next year - SpaceNews.com Email your thoughts, comments, and questions to anthony@mainenginecutoff.com Follow @WeHaveMECO Listen to MECO Headlines Join the Off-Nominal Discord Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn or elsewhere Subscribe to the Main Engine Cut Off Newsletter Buy shirts and R

Andrew Rush, CEO of Made in Space, joins me to talk about their big new NASA contract for Archinaut One and the history, present, and future of in-space manufacturing. This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 40 executive producers—Kris, Pat, Matt, Jorge, Brad, Ryan, Jamison, Nadim, Peter, Donald, Lee, Chris, Warren, Bob, Russell, John, Moritz, Joel, Jan, David, Grant, Mike, David, Mints, Joonas, Robb, Tim Dodd the Everyday Astronaut, Frank, Rui, Julian, Lars, Tommy, Adam, Sam, and six anonymous—and 265 other supporters. Made In Space | Build Above NASA Funds Demo of 3D-Printed Parts Made, Assembled in Orbit | NASA Made In Space Awarded NASA Contract For Robotic Manufacturing And Assembly Flight Demo Mission | Made In Space Archinaut One Solar Array Deployment - YouTube Made In Space, Inc. Completes Successful Ground-Based Manufacturing & Assembly Testing For Archinaut Program | Made In Space Archinaut NASA seeks to break the “tyranny of launch” with in-space manufacturing | Ars Technica

SmallSat was last week which meant a flurry of announcements. This year was launch heavy, so I break down some announcements from SpaceX, Arianespace, and Rocket Lab. This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 40 executive producers—Kris, Pat, Matt, Jorge, Brad, Ryan, Jamison, Nadim, Peter, Donald, Lee, Chris, Warren, Bob, Russell, John, Moritz, Joel, Jan, David, Grant, Mike, David, Mints, Joonas, Robb, Tim Dodd the Everyday Astronaut, Frank, Rui, Julian, Lars, Tommy, Adam, Sam, and six anonymous—and 259 other supporters. SmallSat - Home SpaceX - Smallsat Program Arianespace’s “GO-1” mission will provide small satellites with a direct flight to geostationary orbit - Arianespace Rocket Lab Announces Reusability Plans For Electron Rocket | Rocket Lab Electron Is Going Reusable - YouTube Here’s why Rocket Lab changed its mind on reusable launch | Ars Technica Can Rocket Lab really catch a rocket with a helicopter? - YouTube PDG Aviation Services - Mid Air Recovery - YouTube The Search for the Sm

Steve Altemus, President & CEO, and Dr. Tim Crain, VP of Research & Development, from Intuitive Machines join me to talk about their Nova-C lander, the Commercial Lunar Payload Services program, and their task order from NASA for a landing on the Moon in July, 2021. This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 41 executive producers—Kris, Pat, Matt, Jorge, Brad, Ryan, Jamison, Nadim, Peter, Donald, Lee, Jasper, Chris, Warren, Bob, Russell, John, Moritz, Joel, Jan, David, Grant, Mike, David, Mints, Joonas, Robb, Tim Dodd the Everyday Astronaut, Frank, Rui, Julian, Lars, Tommy, Adam, Sam, and six anonymous—and 253 other supporters. Intuitive Machines NASA Selects Intuitive Machines for Robotic Return to the Moon in 2021 | Intuitive Machines Commercial Lunar Payload Services | NASA NASA Selects First Commercial Moon Landing Services for Artemis | NASA NASA: Private Houston company working on moon landing | khou.com Back to the moon: Johnson Space Center to play key role in NASA’s mission to

NASA terminated OrbitBeyond’s CLPS task order, opened CLPS up to more providers, and announced exciting partnerships with Blue Origin, SpaceX, and others. This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 41 executive producers—Kris, Pat, Matt, Jorge, Brad, Ryan, Jamison, Nadim, Peter, Donald, Lee, Jasper, Chris, Warren, Bob, Russell, John, Moritz, Joel, Jan, David, Grant, Mike, David, Mints, Joonas, Robb, Tim Dodd the Everyday Astronaut, Frank, Rui, Julian, Lars, Tommy, Adam, Sam, and six anonymous—and 253 other supporters. NASA Partners on Blue Moon and Starship, and Shuffles CLPS Providers - Main Engine Cut Off Commercial lunar lander company terminates NASA contract - SpaceNews.com NASA Announces Next Phase of Commercial Lunar Payload Services | NASA Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) On-Ramping - Federal Business Opportunities: Opportunities NASA Announces Industry Partnerships to Advance Moon, Mars Technology | NASA NASA agrees to work with SpaceX on orbital refueling technology | Ars Tech

I share some thoughts on three important stories from this week: NASA quietly announced their intention to sole source the Gateway habitat to Northrop Grumman, Starhopper made its first flight, and Lockheed Martin invested in ABL Space Systems. This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 40 executive producers—Kris, Pat, Matt, Jorge, Brad, Ryan, Jamison, Nadim, Peter, Donald, Lee, Jasper, Chris, Warren, Bob, Russell, John, Moritz, Joel, Jan, David, Grant, Mike, David, Mints, Joonas, Robb, Tim Dodd the Everyday Astronaut, Frank, Rui, Julian, Lars, Tommy, Adam, and six anonymous—and 253 other supporters. NASA to sole source Gateway habitation module to Northrop Grumman - SpaceNews.com NASA selects Maxar to build first Gateway element - SpaceNews.com SpaceX’s Starship prototype has taken flight for the first time | Ars Technica Lockheed Martin Ventures Invests in ABL Space Systems - Main Engine Cut Off ABL Space Systems Increases Payload, Cuts Price, Drops Ursa Major - Main Engine Cut Off Email you

Two top NASA human exploration leaders—Bill Gerstenmaier and Bill Hill—have been ousted from their positions. I break down what this means for NASA and its plans, where things could go from here, and ponder whether these changes really matter. This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 39 executive producers—Kris, Pat, Matt, Jorge, Brad, Ryan, Jamison, Nadim, Peter, Donald, Lee, Jasper, Chris, Warren, Bob, Russell, John, Moritz, Joel, Jan, David, Grant, Mike, David, Mints, Joonas, Robb, Tim Dodd the Everyday Astronaut, Frank, Rui, Julian, Lars, Tommy, and six anonymous—and 244 other supporters. NASA administrator on recent personnel shakeup: ‘There’s no turmoil at all’ - The Verge Contractors continue to win award fees despite SLS and Orion delays - SpaceNews.com Artemis cost estimate won’t be ready until 2020 - SpaceNews.com Sirangelo leaves NASA after exploration reorganization scrapped - SpaceNews.com Main Engine Cut Off Shop — Apollo National Park Email your thoughts, comments, and question

Andrew Jones returns to the show to update us on China’s various efforts. We talk Chang’e-4 and Yutu-2, the mysterious Long March 5 delay, and what the future of Chinese launch may look like. This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 39 executive producers—Kris, Pat, Matt, Jorge, Brad, Ryan, Jamison, Nadim, Peter, Donald, Lee, Jasper, Chris, Warren, Bob, Russell, John, Moritz, Joel, Jan, David, Grant, Mike, David, Mints, Joonas, Robb, Tim Dodd the Everyday Astronaut, Frank, Rui, Julian, Lars, Tommy, and six anonymous—and 244 other supporters. Andrew Jones (@AJ_FI) | Twitter Andrew Jones | The Planetary Society Andrew Jones - SpaceNews.com Chang’e-4 may have discovered material from the Moon’s mantle | The Planetary Society China’s moon, Mars and space station missions may be facing delays - SpaceNews.com Chinese commercial launch sector regulations released, new launch vehicle plans unveiled - SpaceNews.com Andrew Jones on Twitter: “Fantastic! This is yesterday's solar eclipse as seen from lun

NASA put out a draft RFP for Gateway Logistic Services, the House Armed Services’ Committee weighs in on the US Air Force launch contracting drama, and a new company building small geostationary satellites has emerged. This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 40 executive producers—Kris, Pat, Matt, Jorge, Brad, Ryan, Jamison, Nadim, Peter, Donald, Lee, Jasper, Chris, Warren, Bob, Russell, John, Moritz, Joel, Jan, David, Grant, Mike, David, Mints, Joonas, Robb, Tim Dodd the Everyday Astronaut, Frank, Rui, Julian, Lars, Heather, Tommy, and six anonymous—and 247 other supporters. NASA to seek proposals for Gateway logistics - SpaceNews.com House Armed Services’ space launch legislation revised in 11th-hour deal - SpaceNews.com The Search for the Small GEO Sweet Spot - Main Engine Cut Off Former ABS execs form small GEO builder Saturn Satellite Networks - SpaceNews.com Astranis lands anchor customer for its first small GEO satellite - SpaceNews.com Firefly’s Orbital Transfer Vehicle Email your th

NASA made a series of announcements about their ISS commercialization effort and the first Commercial Lunar Payload Services missions, and Firefly unveiled their Orbital Transfer Vehicle. And there’s a really interesting connection between all three stories. This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 40 executive producers—Kris, Pat, Matt, Jorge, Brad, Ryan, Jamison, Nadim, Peter, Donald, Lee, Jasper, Chris, Warren, Bob, Russell, John, Moritz, Joel, Jan, David, Grant, Mike, David, Mints, Joonas, Robb, Tim Dodd the Everyday Astronaut, Frank, Rui, Julian, Lars, Heather, Tommy, and six anonymous—and 243 other supporters. NASA Opens International Space Station to New Commercial Opportunities | NASA NASA Selects First Commercial Moon Landing Services for Artemis | NASA Firefly’s Orbital Transfer Vehicle Noosphere Ventures | Technology Knowledge Humanity Email your thoughts, comments, and questions to anthony@mainenginecutoff.com Follow @WeHaveMECO Listen to MECO Headlines Join the Off-Nominal Discor

NSSL, LSA, OMG! Last week, SpaceX filed a lawsuit against the US Air Force over the Launch Service Agreement development contracts. We’re mere months away from bids being due for the National Security Space Launch Phase 2 launch contracts, so I figured now would be a good time to take a step back to explain what these programs are, why they matter, and why SpaceX is filing this lawsuit at this moment in time. This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 40 executive producers—Kris, Pat, Matt, Jorge, Brad, Ryan, Jamison, Nadim, Peter, Donald, Lee, Jasper, Chris, Warren, Bob, Russell, John, Moritz, Joel, Jan, David, Grant, Mike, David, Mints, Joonas, Robb, Tim Dodd the Everyday Astronaut, Frank, Rui, Julian, Lars, Heather, Tommy, and six anonymous—and 251 other supporters on Patreon. Crunch time: Rocket companies in all-out battle for Air Force award - SpaceNews.com SpaceX’s Redacted Filing (PDF, 4.2 MB) SpaceX launches new legal battle against U.S. Air Force - SpaceNews.com Email your thoughts, co

NASA and the White House released a summary of the FY2020 budget amendment this week, alongside the new name: Project Artemis. I talk through some political fallout, what the future may hold, and the chaos elements that are Blue Moon and Starship. This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 40 executive producers—Kris, Pat, Matt, Jorge, Brad, Ryan, Jamison, Nadim, Peter, Donald, Lee, Jasper, Chris, Warren, Bob, Russell, John, Moritz, Joel, Jan, David, Grant, Mike, David, Mints, Joonas, Robb, Tim Dodd the Everyday Astronaut, Frank, Rui, Julian, Lars, Heather, Tommy, and six anonymous—and 249 other supporters on Patreon. America to the Moon by 2024, NASA’s FY 2020 Budget Amendment Summary (PDF, 510 KB) Artemis - Main Engine Cut Off NASA Taps 11 American Companies to Advance Human Lunar Landers | NASA Administration Asks For Authority to Shift Money Within NASA to Pay for Moon Program - SpacePolicyOnline.com The uphill battle NASA faces to sell its Moon plan to Congress - The Verge Blue Origin | B

Dr. Mike Baine, Chief Engineer of Axiom Space, joins us to talk through Axiom’s plans for commercial low Earth orbit space stations. This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 40 executive producers—Kris, Pat, Matt, Jorge, Brad, Ryan, Jamison, Nadim, Peter, Donald, Lee, Jasper, Chris, Warren, Bob, Russell, John, Moritz, Joel, Jan, David, Grant, Mike, David, Mints, Joonas, Robb, Tim Dodd the Everyday Astronaut, Frank, Rui, Julian, Lars, Heather, Tommy, and six anonymous—and 243 other supporters on Patreon. Downlink Axiom Space Axiom Space | About Axiom Space Project Morpheus : Home Project Morpheus : Video Archive Intuitive Machines Email your thoughts, comments, and questions to anthony@mainenginecutoff.com Follow @WeHaveMECO Listen to MECO Headlines Join the Off-Nominal Discord Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn or elsewhere Subscribe to the Main Engine Cut Off Newsletter Buy shirts and Rocket Socks from the Main Engine Cut Off Shop Supp