As I watched the recent SpaceX launch where they caught their Starship rocket booster with what they are calling “chopsticks” for the first time ever as it returned to Earth, I couldn’t help but be in awe of the incredible engineering feat that this represents. The mere fact that humanity has reached a point where we are able to witness something like this – the precise and seemingly effortless catch of a massive rocket booster after it has completed its mission in space – is truly mind-blowing.
One of the most significant implications of this achievement is the potential for drastically reducing the costs of space launches.… Continue reading
Being an astronaut is a dream that many of us have harbored at some point in our lives. The idea of being amongst the stars, exploring the unknown, and pushing the boundaries of human capability is nothing short of awe-inspiring. However, the recent news of the Boeing Starliner returning to Earth without astronauts is not only disappointing but also deeply concerning.
Imagine being up there in space, counting down the days until you reunite with your loved ones and finally step foot back on Earth, only to watch as your ride home departs without you. It’s a scenario that feels like a punch to the gut; a betrayal of trust and a reminder of just how fragile our existence is in the vast emptiness of space.… Continue reading
Two US astronauts are supposedly stranded in space on board Boeing’s Starliner capsule – or so the headlines would have you believe. However, upon closer inspection, it seems that this is not entirely accurate. The astronauts are, in fact, docked at the International Space Station (ISS) and are not aimlessly floating in space. They are safe and not in any immediate danger.
The issue at hand seems to be related to a malfunction in a part of the spacecraft that does not return to Earth with them. While there are concerns about the repairs needed to bring the Starliner back up to 100%, NASA and Boeing have emphasized that this problem does not present a concern for their return mission.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker