Vastly Bigger Space Things, BONG Grounded On 4/20 - Deep Space Updates - April 22nd 2026

Here's a summary of the provided transcript: **Recent Rocket Launches and Orbital Deployments:** * **Starlink:** Three Starlink launches occurred: one from Florida on April 14th, and two from Vandenberg on April 15th and April 19th. * **China's Kinetic 1:** On April 14th, a Kinetic 1 solid rocket launched three Gillan Gaen 7 Earth observation satellites into sun-synchronous orbit from Jichuan, providing high-resolution imaging. * **Russian Soyuz 2.1b:** A surprise launch on April 16th deployed eight Cosmos military satellites (2609-2616) into sun-synchronous orbit from Plesetsk. This marked the debut of the Soyuz 2.1b with the Volga upper stage, a smaller and cheaper "space tug" capable of distributing payloads into different orbits. * **China's Long March 4C:** On April 17th, a Long March 4C launched the Duche payload into sun-synchronous orbit from Jichuan. This high-precision Earth observation satellite monitors atmospheric data like greenhouse gases and pollution for China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment. * **Blue Origin New Glenn Mishap:** On April 19th, the third flight of New Glenn aimed to launch Bluebird 7. The booster successfully separated and landed on the barge "Jacqueline." However, the payload was deployed into the wrong orbit due to an engine problem in the upper stage. The Bluebird payload has since de-orbited, and the upper stage is also believed to have been de-orbited by Blue Origin to be a "good orbital citizen." The FAA has declared a mishap, grounding New Glenn for several months for investigation. * **SpaceX Falcon 9 (GPS 3-10):** On April 21st, a Falcon 9 launched the last GPS 3 satellite, named Hedy Lamarr, into medium Earth orbit from Cape Canaveral. This mission also revealed that the drone ship "Just Read the Instructions" will now handle Starship Super Heavy work, potentially impacting Falcon 9 launch cadence due to only one remaining East Coast barge for Falcon 9 recoveries. * **Rocket Lab Electron (HASTE):** A HASTE launch, code-named "Bubbles," carried a payload for hypersonic testing. Details are limited, but the launch was confirmed. **SpaceX Starship and Business Developments:** * **Super Heavy Flight 12 Preparations:** SpaceX conducted the first full 33-engine static fire with Raptor 3 engines for Super Heavy V3, following extensive testing. The booster has been removed from the launch mount for final preparations, with a May launch looking likely. * **IPO Documentation and Cursor Acquisition:** SpaceX's IPO documentation is progressing, with reports of $1.75 billion. The documents include language advising investors that "space data centers may not be commercially viable or even possible." SpaceX also made an unusual $10 billion deal with AI company Cursor for services, with an exclusive right to acquire them later for $60 billion, a move considered significant so close to a potential IPO. **Artemis 2 Mission and Crew Experiences:** * **Public Fascination and Data Brokers:** The Artemis 2 mission generated significant public interest, including scrutiny of the crew's personal experiences. This led to a discussion about data brokers who collect personal information from various sources and sell it, highlighting the importance of data protection services. * **Post-Flight Activities:** The crew conducted post-flight tests, including practicing movement in lunar space suits, to learn from their 10-day journey. Candid iPhone videos from the flight were released, offering a personal perspective on the mission, including a video of Earth setting behind the moon and a crew member's reaction to a wake-up song. * **Astronauts for America:** A group of over 100 astronauts launched "Astronauts for America," a non-partisan organization dedicated to upholding the Constitution and restoring public trust in American democracy by focusing on shared values rather than divisions. **International and Commercial Space Ambitions:** * **China's Reusable Long March 10B:** China rolled out its Long March 10B reusable rocket for final pre-launch testing. This 5-meter diameter rocket, comparable to Falcon Heavy, is intended for China's lunar program and features a unique wire-snag recovery system for its booster. * **China's Qinghao Cargo Spacecraft:** China announced success in rendezvous and proximity operation tests for its Qinghao (Lightboat) prototype cargo spacecraft, a low-cost resupply vessel for the Tiangong space station. * **Rocket Lab Hall Effect Thrusters:** At the Space Symposium, Rocket Lab announced their Gauss Hall effect thrusters, capable of working with Xenon or Krypton, providing 40 millinewtons of thrust with 700-800 watts of power. They aim to produce 200 units annually, noting the absence of ITAR restrictions for international sales. * **Amazon Acquires Globalstar:** Amazon announced the acquisition of Globalstar for $11.57 billion to bolster its Amazon Leo constellation. This acquisition gives Amazon control over the satellite service used by Apple for emergency text messaging on its phones. Amazon also unveiled phased array antennas for airliners. * **US Space Nuclear Power Initiative:** The White House Office of Science and Technology launched the National Initiative for American Space Nuclear Power, involving NASA, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Energy to develop space nuclear power capabilities for orbital and lunar operations. * **Blue Origin's West Coast Launch Site:** The Space Force announced that Blue Origin is expected to bid on Space Launch Complex 14 at Vandenberg, establishing New Glenn's first West Coast launch site. * **Blue Origin's Blue Moon Lander Testing:** The Endurance Blue Moon Mark 1 lander successfully completed thermal vacuum chamber testing at Johnson Space Center and is now at Cape Canaveral for dress rehearsals, including fueling and separation tests. * **Vast's Large Docking Ring:** Vast unveiled a large docking adapter with a 2.9-meter internal passageway, significantly larger than the International Docking Adapter, designed for joining large space stations and featuring soft capture and powered bolts. * **Voyager Space's Private Astronaut Mission:** Voyager Space signed an agreement with NASA for a private astronaut mission to the ISS in 2028, becoming the third provider after Axiom and Vast. **Aviation and Space Suit Developments:** * **NASA X-59 Supersonic Flight Testing:** NASA's X-59 aircraft is progressing with test flights, successfully demonstrating landing gear retraction, a crucial step towards its goal of supersonic flight with reduced sonic booms. * **Hermes Quarterhorse Mark 2.1:** Hermes' Quarterhorse Mark 2.1, a prototype for a Mach 5 private jet, has also achieved takeoff, landing, and landing gear retraction, with FAA permission granted for supersonic flight testing. * **Axiom Space Suits and Audit Report:** Axiom announced nearing completion of the critical design review for their AX EMU lunar space suits, with test flights hoped for in 2027. However, NASA's Office of Inspector General released a critical audit report warning that these suits might not be ready for 2028, highlighting challenges in the program. Axiom is currently the sole company in the lunar and next-generation space suit development. **Deep Space Missions:** * **Voyager 1 Status:** Voyager 1 continues its journey, expected to reach one light-day from Earth later this year. To conserve power, another scientific instrument (low-energy ion detector) has been shut down, leaving only the magnetic field system and plasma wave detector. A critical motor for the ion counter remains active to prevent it from freezing. * **New Horizons Milestone:** New Horizons has now traveled further from Pluto than it was when it launched, continuing its journey into the outer solar system. **Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope:** * **Full Assembly Unveiled:** NASA held a press conference to unveil the fully assembled Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope at Goddard Space Flight Center. This wide-field infrared observatory, designed for dark energy studies and exoplanets, is on track for launch later this year on a Falcon Heavy.