Russia Debut New Soyuz Rocket With Most Powerful Rocket Engine - Deep Space Updates May 2nd

Here's a summary of the provided YouTube transcript: **Deep Space Updates and Launch Highlights:** * **Starlink Launches:** Three launches from Vandenberg (April 22, 26, 30) and one from Florida (May 1). The April 22nd launch was a twilight event, visible from the West Coast with impressive views in Southern California. * **Rocket Lab Electron:** Launched from Mahia on April 22nd, carrying eight small CubeSats for Japanese universities as part of the Kakushen Rising mission. Notable payloads included OrigamiSat 2 with an unfolding antenna and WASA-SAT 0, constructed with 3D-printed metal and zero screws. * **Russia's Angara 1.2:** Launched April 23rd from Plesetsk into sun-synchronous orbit, deploying four Cosmos satellites (2617-2620). These are likely secret military low-Earth orbit communication or reconnaissance satellites, with indications of propulsion to maintain orbit. * **China's Long March 2D:** Launched April 22nd from Xichang, carrying four Hilawang Jishu Xian satellites (9A-D). These are experimental communication test satellites for a future low-Earth orbit constellation. * **China's Long March 6:** Launched April 26th from Taiyuan, carrying Pakistan's PRSCO3, the third satellite in their remote sensing constellation. * **Soyuz 2.1A:** Launched April 25th from Baikonur, delivering Progress MS34 cargo to the International Space Station, including food, water, oxygen, fuel, and a new Orlan space suit. Soyuz MS32 was de-orbited in preparation. * **Atlas V 551:** Launched April 28th from Cape Canaveral, deploying 29 Amazon Kuiper LEO satellites. This was the seventh of nine planned Atlas V launches for Amazon, as the Vulcan rocket remains grounded for investigation. * **Falcon Heavy:** Made its first launch of 2026 on April 29th from LC-39A, carrying the ViaSat 3 APAC geostationary communication satellite. This launch featured the Falcon Heavy boosters landing on new, more widely spaced pads. A BlackSky reconnaissance satellite captured unique twilight and launch images of the Falcon Heavy. * **Ariane 64:** Launched the next day, carrying 32 Amazon Kuiper satellites. This was the second of 18 launches for ArianeSpace and the last with the P120C boosters for Amazon LEO, with new 140s boosters expected. It was also the first night launch for Ariane 64. * **Soyuz 5 Debut (Suborbital):** April 30th marked the debut of the new Soyuz 5 rocket, intentionally suborbital. This Russian replacement for the Zenit launch vehicle, powered by new RD-171MV engines, is designed to put 18 tons into low-Earth orbit and can use existing Baikonur infrastructure. The flight was successful, with the payload simulator impacting the Pacific. **Key Space Industry Developments:** * **China-Pakistan Astronaut Collaboration:** China has selected two Pakistani astronaut candidates, Muhammad Zishan and Ali Kuramald, for training. One will become the first foreign astronaut to visit the Tiangong space station, signifying a major step in international cooperation for Tiangong. * **China's Space Data Center Investment:** Beijing Orbital Twilight Technology, a private Chinese company, is receiving significant government backing, with $8.4 billion in guaranteed loans for space data center ventures. * **NASA Budget and Lunar Gateway Corrosion:** NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman testified before Congress regarding the proposed budget, which faces cuts from the White House. Both the House and Senate are expected to reverse most cuts, especially to science and education. Isaacman confirmed corrosion issues with the two habitable volumes (European lab module and HALO module) intended for the Lunar Gateway, supplied by Thales Alenia Space. This issue also affects Axiom Space's private station modules. * **Artemis II Crew Public Appearances:** The Artemis II crew has transitioned from post-flight research to public engagements, appearing on shows like Good Morning America and Jimmy Kimmel, and opening the New York Stock Exchange. Hank Green created a website, artemisline.com, to chronologically display images from the mission by calibrating camera timings. * **Sunita Williams Joins VAST:** Retired NASA astronaut Sunita Williams has joined VAST as an astronaut advisor, bringing her extensive spaceflight and spacewalk experience. * **FAA Payload Fees:** Starting April 22nd, the FAA will collect use fees for payloads launched or returned to the US: 25 cents per pound, capped at $30,000 per launch. These fees fund systems to integrate space airspace management into the national airspace system. * **Overview Energy and Meta Collaboration:** Overview Energy, focused on space-based solar power, announced a deal with Meta to beam up to 1 gigawatt of power to future data centers. A demo satellite is planned for 2028, with commercial service by 2030, offering an alternative to launching entire data centers into space. * **ESA's Space Rider Test Model:** The European Space Agency showcased a full-size test model of its Space Rider hardware, a space capsule with aerodynamic surfaces designed for precise, steerable touchdowns using parasails. Full-scale drop tests are planned. * **Japan's Martian Moons Exploration (MMX):** The MMX spacecraft is at Tanegashima Spaceport for a launch later this year on an H3 rocket. It will visit Phobos and Deimos, aiming to collect samples from Phobos to study the origin of Mars' moons. * **Gilmour Space Technologies Investigation:** Gilmore Space concluded its investigation into the maiden flight failure of Australia's Eris orbital rocket. The failure was attributed to electrical and thermal faults in the oxidizer pump system of two hybrid engines, leading to insufficient thrust and the rocket landing back on the pad. * **Soyuz Pad Demolition at Kourou:** The Soyuz launchpad at Kourou, South America, was demolished by new pad owners Maya Space. Soyuz launches from Kourou ceased in 2022 after 26 commercial flights. Maya Space plans to use the site for their two-stage methalox semi-reusable rocket. * **Vantor Images Hubble:** Vantor, an on-orbit imaging company, released a close-up photo of the Hubble Space Telescope from orbit, demonstrating advanced on-orbit imaging capabilities. * **RFA Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) Licensing:** RFA has applied for licensing for its first test flight from SaxaVord Spaceport in Shetland, with a launch window opening no earlier than July 1st. * **Falcon 9 Upper Stage to Impact Moon:** A Falcon 9 upper stage that launched Blue Ghost and Hakuto is projected to collide with the moon on August 6th. While Earth visibility is uncertain due to the impact location on the bright limb of a half moon, the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and Chandrayaan 2 may capture before-and-after images. * **Blue Origin BE-7 Engine and New Glenn Fairing Tests:** Blue Origin released footage of BE-7 flight engine 3 hot-fire testing in a vacuum chamber. They also shared video of the New Glenn fairing from flight number three, showing RCS-controlled attitude, followed by loss of control, but ultimately demonstrating tracking and recovery efforts for future reuse. * **Starship V3 Launch Preparations:** Starship V3 is preparing for launch, with advisories from South America indicating a launch as early as May 12th, with backup days through the 18th. The trajectory is now southbound, inclined at approximately 30 degrees azimuth, passing between Mexico and Cuba. SpaceX released a 25-minute documentary detailing Starship V3 development, including insights into engine tests and high-quality 4K footage of past failures, showcasing the company's transparency.