DutchSpace
@dutchspace
Multipurpose spacecraft wrangler for @esa.int Opinions my own.
Watched the new SpaceX critical path video, the Starship dinghy cam and COPV torpedo sure makes for interesting viewing... Although what they are doing is impressive, working as advertised it does not, at least not so far... Apparently lucky number IFT-13 is tomorrow, so lets see what happens...
Around the Moon and back, we had some visitors at work today, ESTEC was however a lot closer ! and they even brought the little guy along 😊
Well well well, look what we have here, its X-37 ALTV, still alive and kicking in 2026 :) Seen here at Vandenberg on June 25th during the 2nd Space Launch Squadron Change of Command ceremony Source: US Space Force. #X37
Het is Komkommertijd in Formule 1, en the "art" of political signaling is well understood by certain people... I bet even including the alpha tauri box... Source: Telegraaf reporter Erik van Haren. #F1
Rare SkyNet 4B images (note a certain antenna in the retracted state...) #V27
Old Ariane 4 pad shots in hi-res are still rarer than hens teeth... #V52
As others have suggested, including @planet4589.bsky.social this could be from CZ-3B-Y113 (67247) Indeed the Long March 3B upper-stage seems to have spherical tanks, although I haven't found an image showing said tanks in-situ yet.. Source: @planet4589.bsky.social and the LM-3B User's Manual
Meanwhile, in Skippy land, 6 interesting objects found on the Forrest Beach in North Queensland.... Possible propellant tanks ? Source: Queensland's fire department
Oh, and someone at Red Bull has got some splainin' to do 🫣 (if this is a second time the rear wing failed, thats somewhat understandable....)
To my American friends, happy 4th ! Do let us know when the adults are back in the room, we'll be here...
I know its a matter of taste, and nothing wrong celebrating your independence, but this to me is just hideous, sorry.
At least we have a take-off picture :) Source: news.northropgrumman.com/spacecraft/n...
Aircraft is RTB, now we all F5 the only NASA blog post page to see if there are updates....
Stargazer is up, possible new launch attempt for Pegasus XL for the Swift boost mission...
Pad refurb in full swing at Blue Origin's LC-36... Source: NSF on the other site.
Not much news coming out of Sierra Space about Dream Chaser, however this post on the 16th is rather interesting "is in Colorado for final modifications and mission-specific upgrades"
Swift boost mission next week... I like this mission, fingers crossed it all works out !
Nice RFA One image at Saxavord (seeming only posted to crappy linkedin in...)
So this StarFall mission, I find it rather curious that the amount of information coming out of SpaceX is VERY limited, for a supposed "commercial" mission.... Other then, it launched, and was deployed, no statements, no images, no splash-down confirmation, no nothing...