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 ...
Dec 15, 2016•17 min•Ep. 33
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...
Dec 08, 2016•24 min•Ep. 32
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 ...
Dec 01, 2016•20 min•Ep. 31
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 : “Spac...
Nov 23, 2016•33 min•Ep. 30
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 el...
Nov 16, 2016•33 min•Ep. 29
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 Lun...
Nov 02, 2016•29 min•Ep. 28
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 / 1...
Oct 26, 2016•30 min•Ep. 27
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 T...
Oct 19, 2016•37 min•Ep. 26
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 Th...
Oct 12, 2016•30 min•Ep. 25
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 lau...
Oct 05, 2016•23 min•Ep. 24
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@mainenginecut...
Sep 28, 2016•58 min•Ep. 23
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 ...
Sep 21, 2016•41 min•Ep. 22
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...
Sep 14, 2016•33 min•Ep. 21
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...
Sep 07, 2016•52 min•Ep. 20
SpaceX has a busy manifest as they close out 2016, including SES-10 which will fly with a “flight-proven” first stage . A few bits of info have come out regarding Blue Origin’s future plans—including flying diverse payloads on New Shepard , and construction of their factory in Florda . Antares’ return-to-flight launch date is still a mystery , and I have a theory about its future engines. It’s Official: SpaceX Will Launch SES-10 With Reused Core - Main Engine Cut Off A Look at SpaceX’s Remaining...
Aug 31, 2016•30 min•Ep. 19
Dr. Robert Zubrin, President of The Mars Society , creator of Mars Direct , and author of The Case for Mars is on the show this week to discuss Mars exploration and colonization internationally, within NASA, and at SpaceX. The Mars Society The Case for Mars, by Robert Zubrin Mars Direct - 1st Public Presentation 5/28/1990 - YouTube Mars Society President Tours Russia | News & Announcements | The Mars Society To Mars! - Dr. Robert Zubrin - TEDx Moscow - YouTube Email feedback to anthony@maine...
Aug 24, 2016•35 min•Ep. 18
NASA selected six companies, as part of the NextSTEP program, to develop ground prototypes of deep space habitats , and the Centaur could live on as a wet workshop. Orbital ATK pushed OA-5 to late September . SpaceX landed yet another stage on the ASDS, and have up to 9 more launches planned for 2016. NextSTEP Pushes Forward to Ground Prototypes - Main Engine Cut Off NextSTEP Partners Develop Ground Prototypes to Expand our Knowledge of Deep Space Habitats OA-5 Slips to Late September - Main Eng...
Aug 17, 2016•29 min•Ep. 17
Moon Express gained government approval for their upcoming mission to win the Google Lunar X Prize. And I go on a rant about artificial gravity and how NASA shrugs it off as unnecessary. Moon Express wins U.S. government approval for lunar lander mission - SpaceNews.com NASA exploration focuses on Deep Space Hab systems and crew health | NASASpaceFlight.com Gerstenmaier Shrugs Off Artificial Gravity - Main Engine Cut Off Email feedback to anthony@mainenginecutoff.com Follow @WeHaveMECO Support M...
Aug 10, 2016•27 min•Ep. 16
The roadmap for SLS got a little murkier this week thanks to some additional details in the GAO report regarding its cost and schedule. SpaceX test fired a landed core three times in three days last week, paving the way for reuse of the CRS-8 core. GAO Report Indicates EM-2 Plans to Fly Crew - Main Engine Cut Off U.S. GAO - NASA Human Space Exploration: Opportunity Nears to Reassess Launch Vehicle and Ground Systems Cost and Schedule NASA updates status and timetable of ambitious Asteroid Redire...
Aug 03, 2016•18 min•Ep. 15
Before Mars and exploration-centric talk, I talk about Orbital ATK’s agreement for exclusive use of LMP-103S . Then I take a hard look at the post-EM-1 roadmap for SLS , and theorize some potential uses for SpaceX’s giant Mars-bound rocket —lovingly referred to as the Big F…alcon… Rocket (BFR). Orbital ATK and ECAPS Sign Agreement for Exclusive Use of LMP-103S - Main Engine Cut Off Orbital ATK News Room EM-1 Still on for Late 2018, SLS’ Second Flight Still A Mystery - Main Engine Cut Off First S...
Jul 27, 2016•26 min•Ep. 14
SpaceX had a great night launching the CRS-9 mission, and it’s all good signs for their future. The Senate hearing, as I predicted, was focused on maintaining the status quo . US and Russian engineers and scientists have some ideas on the future of international space policy. Good Signs from SpaceX’s CRS-9 Success - Main Engine Cut Off Post-Launch Status of SpaceX Resupply Mission to the ISS - YouTube Elon Musk’s Post-Landing Tweet Senate committee seeks stability for NASA programs in next admin...
Jul 20, 2016•25 min•Ep. 13
Ted Cruz called a hearing on NASA’s space exploration policy in the next president’s administration. The president of France’s CNES discussed some policy statements , and I went on a rant about his thoughts on Ariane 6 and its competition. Cruz Calls Hearing on Future of Space Under New Administration - Main Engine Cut Off Cruz Calls Hearing on Future of Space Under New Administration - Press Releases - U.S. Senate Committee On Commerce, Science, & Transportation U.S. Senate Committee On Com...
Jul 13, 2016•23 min•Ep. 12
SpaceX printed a public notice in Florida Today on July 3rd outlining plans for LZ-1 expansion . Sierra Nevada Corporation and the United Nations signed a Memorandum of Understanding regarding future use of Dream Chaser by UN member countries. China solidified partnerships with The Netherlands and Poland , continuing the growth of the China-ESA relationship. Public Notice of SpaceX’s LZ-1 Expansion Plans - Main Engine Cut Off Sierra Nevada Corporation Enters Talks with the Un... | Sierra Nevada ...
Jul 06, 2016•25 min•Ep. 11
This week I talked to Logan Kamperschroer , a Graduate Research Assistant at the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics at Purdue University. Logan’s research focuses on hypergolic rocket fuels —specifically the push to move away from the toxic storable propellants (hydrazine and its derivatives) to “greener” alternatives. We talked about the current state of storable propellants, and where things are going in the near future. Logan Kamperschroer Hypergolic Propellants Laboratory | Home SpaceX P...
Jun 29, 2016•28 min•Ep. 10
The ExoMars 2020 rover received a funding boost and a reassessed schedule , the 2016 orbiter/lander set its sights on Mars , NASA and ESA coordinated a practice communication session , and China opens up to the international space community . European Space Agency still backing Mars rover project - BBC News Mars Express chats with Curiosity: Practice makes perfect | Mars Express ESA - Robotic Exploration of Mars: ExoMars sets sights on the Red Planet China prepares assembly of its space station,...
Jun 22, 2016•18 min•Ep. 9
Masten Space Systems released a video of test flights of their two latest vehicles. Blue Origin was awarded a NASA Flight Opportunities contract , is planning the 4th flight of New Shepard , and began clearing land for their factory just outside Kennedy Space Center. Introducing Xodiac and XaeroB | Masten Space Systems Xeus | Masten Space Systems Lunar CATALYST | NASA NASA SBIR & STTR Program Homepage Blue Origin joins NASA’s suborbital research flight program - SpaceNews.com Jeff Bezos on T...
Jun 15, 2016•13 min•Ep. 8
Some interesting tidbits emerged from interviews with Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk at Code Conference. And a hard look at the economics of United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan . Jeff Bezos | Full interview | Code Conference 2016 Elon Musk | Full interview | Code Conference 2016 Vulcan Centaur and Vulcan ACES - United Launch Alliance ULA needs commercial customers to close Vulcan rocket business case – Spaceflight Now Orbital ATK beats out Aerojet in ULA booster selection – Spaceflight Now Re-engined Anta...
Jun 08, 2016•25 min•Ep. 7
Orbital ATK shared some more details about their next-generation launch vehicle, SpaceX is working out their certification process for reflown stages , and how these events affect the industry and other competitors in the near future. Details of Orbital ATK’s proposed heavy launcher revealed – Spaceflight Now SpaceX to brief underwriters on the road to Falcon 9 reusability - SpaceNews.com First Stage: The Air Force looks at reusability | SpaceNews Magazine SpaceX on Twitter : “Yesterday, our nex...
Jun 01, 2016•16 min•Ep. 6
Orbital ATK and Lockheed Martin unveiled proposals for space stations around the Moon by 2020 , and Mars by 2028 . ExoMars 2016 completed a functionality analysis test ahead of its October arrival at Mars. China revealed plans for its third space station , and is set to launch a new rocket , with a new spacecraft, from a new launch site in June. Orbital ATK Advocates Cislunar Outpost as America's Next Step in Human Space Exploration | Orbital ATK News Room Mars Base Camp · Lockheed Martin Orbita...
May 25, 2016•17 min•Ep. 5
Boeing announced a 6 month delay in the schedule for their CST-100 crew vehicle. SpaceX’s Dragon 2 is in the lead to be the first Commercial Crew vehicle to fly. The most recently-returned Falcon 9 took a ton of damage on its way back to the drone ship and won’t fly again, but will provide a ton of data for SpaceX to use to make improvements to future Falcon 9 stages. Boeing delays first crewed CST-100 flight to 2018 - SpaceNews.com Starliner’s first complete hull mated at Kennedy; crew launch d...
May 18, 2016•14 min•Ep. 4
