SpaceX and other space news updates

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Ag83
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6:25p, 4/22/26
AG
STS-51A returned two satellites from orbit.
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PJYoung
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10:52a, 4/23/26
AG
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Kenneth_2003
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In reply to rynning • 12:56p, 4/23/26
AG
rynning said:
When this kind of thing happens, will there ever be a day where SpaceX or some company could launch a rocket quickly enough to save it and bring it back to earth?

There are a lot of factors that determine final orbit and what it takes to get there... Bring it back or move it to the proper orbit... Hawg, this should deeper dive your question too....
Lets start from a pure geometry and physics standpoint.

You Get to space by going UP. You STAY in space by going sideways really fast. So for simplicity, I'm going to define a 2dimensional coordinate system. It has Up/Down, and Forward/Backwards. For now we'll ignore Left/Right. So on a piece of paper you have a circle for Earth, and you want to put your space ship in orbit (a bigger circle) around the earth. You launched Straight UP. So gravity will pull you Straight Down. But you start going Forward (sideways) relative to the earth. If you go 1 unit forward in the same amount of time that gravity pulled you 1 Unit down, you're still at the same distance from the center of the earth. You're in orbit. Said another way... In orbit, you're always falling back to Earth (or whatever you're orbiting). The goal is to be going sideways or perpendicular to that planet (mass) fast enough that while you're falling back you're moving away at the same speed.

Clear?

If you launch due east from the equator you'll be in a flat equatorial orbit. If you launch due east from Cape Canaveral you'll be in an orbit with an inclination of 28.6*. This is the flattest orbital plane you can get into from that launch location. From anywhere if you launch due North/South you'll be in a polar orbit.

Ultimately the orbital plane that is chosen is a combination of factors. The steeper (more vertical) the more of the earth you'll pass over. The inclination of the orbital plane represents the maximum latitude your craft will ever overfly. The steeper the inclination the more thrust you'll need from your rocket to lift the same weight. This is because the steeper the incline the less of the earths rotational velocity you get to use to your advantage. The ISS for example represents a lot of tradeoff to find an orbit that the US and Russia could both reach with their capabilities, with the Space Shuttle doing most of the heavy lifting but having to fly to a steeper orbit to reach the minimum from the Russian launch sites.

Oh circularization... Going UP gets you into space, going Sideways keeps you there. Kinda... You need to get 1/4 of the way around and go sideways AGAIN to circularize your orbit. Think of it like throwing a ball. The harder you throw the ball (spaceship) the higher it goes but it's going to fall back down, that's what gravity does. Generally to get you UP and above the atmosphere quickly gets you a lot more of the UP vs the Sideways needed so your orbit ends up very elliptical. So often times there's a circularization burn required to get you more of the sideways once you're out closer to your highest point.

Once in space, once in orbit... You can get higher by going faster. You can lower your orbit by going slower. You can change your plane... But it requires A LOT of extra fuel. So you launch UP, you get yourself going sideways fast enough to stay up there. Now you want to change direction... So now you want to move left or right relative to your current path. You can use small thrust and take a long long long time or you can use big thrust and get there sooner... Whatever left/right motion you put into your craft though will have to be done in the opposite to stop the change. With no "brakes" every change you make uses fuel.

So when Blue Origin didn't get them into the "right" orbit several things could have happened... They could have been going to tweak the orbital plane but most likely were likely needing that second burn to perfect their circularization. Being highly elliptical means they're probably tagging some upper atmosphere twice each time they go around and each one of those is slowing them just a tad.

Edit: ***** The failure to circularize makes the most sense to me. The satellite did have small thrusters on board that could be used for small course corrections and orbit maintenance. But they said they were un able to use them to achieve a stable orbit and the satellite deorbited shortly after. That tells me they were in a highly elliptical orbit and the solar panels caught significant drag during their closest/lowest approaches (known as perigee). *****

Hypothetically, lets say SpaceX wants to go catch them and then move them (can't since the satellite has already reentered). They've got to launch. They can pretty easily get into the same plane since they're both Florida launches. Rendezvous isn't like rear-ending someone on the highway. You launch into a higher altitude orbit by going faster, get ahead, then slow down and lower your orbit, thus letting that vehicle come to you. You're literally trying to jump out of an airplane and parachute into the sunroof of a car screaming down the interstate. But it's all extremely doable. We perfected orbital rendezvous in the 1960s during Gemini, we did it in Lunar orbit when the landing craft came back from the surface, and we do it all the time with the Space Station. So you need extra fuel to get above and ahead of them, then fuel to slow yourself, catch them, then whatever fuel would be needed to move you and them together into the proper orbit... Fuel to get yourself away, then deorbit yourself.

Oh and you need a docking adapter which that satellite didn't have. But it's first and foremost a MASSIVE fuel problem.

One that we're going to watch play out (and work) when we send refueling missions as part of our return to the moon with Artemis.
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aggiehawg
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In reply to Kenneth_2003 • 1:11p, 4/23/26
AG
WOW! Thanks for that in depth explanation. Thanks for putting it into plain language as well because I could follow what you were saying.
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Kenneth_2003
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In reply to aggiehawg • 3:13p, 4/23/26
AG
My pleasure. I had fun writing it out.
Tim Dodd, the Everyday Astronaut, said it well... (and I might be paraphrasing his exact quote)
The concepts of rocket science are generally very simple and easy to understand. It's the math that makes doing it hard.
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SenorLiebre
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In reply to Kenneth_2003 • 4:26p, 4/23/26
AG
One semester each of DiffEq and numerical methods was enough for me. Hats off to those who use this and more for a living.
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jkag89
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8:36p, 4/23/26

Rocket Lab Electron latest launch (I think)
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Kenneth_2003
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In reply to SenorLiebre • 8:44p, 4/23/26
AG
DiffyScrew exposed my complete lack of calculus foundation. I cannot learn in a purely theory world combined with an apparent fundamental lack of understanding of trig from HS...

Computer applications within civil engineering was disguised numerical methods in advanced MatLab...

I'm now a geologist
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txags92
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In reply to Kenneth_2003 • 8:49p, 4/23/26
AG
Kenneth_2003 said:
DiffyScrew exposed my complete lack of calculus foundation. I cannot learn in a purely theory world combined with an apparent fundamental lack of understanding of trig from HS...

Computer applications within civil engineering was disguised numerical methods in advanced MatLab...

I'm now a geologist

DiffEScrew is the reason I am a geologist and not an engineering geologist.
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SenorLiebre
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9:13p, 4/23/26
AG
I took all that math and engineering education (BS ChemE and MS PE) and transmogrified process engineering and systems theory into a wonderful career managing people in the field in drilling and production operations, now in management consulting. I've distilled human behavior and leadership to systems dynamics input/output fundamentals.

But I still geek out on the engineering fundamentals hence my lurking on this thread.
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Burdizzo
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9:16p, 4/23/26
AG
I enjoyed DiffEq so much I took it twice
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normaleagle05
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9:29p, 4/23/26
AG
Ha...y'all are way ahead of me. I took MATH 142 twice and barely came out the other side. Didn't survive long as a mechanical engineering major at all. I'll take history, law, and statistics all day over that.

I'm a registered land surveyor and full time civil engineer hand holder.
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TexAgs91
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9:31p, 4/23/26
AG


Sorry, I had to
No, I don't care what CNN or Miss NOW said this time
Ad Lunam
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txags92
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In reply to TexAgs91 • 9:33p, 4/23/26
AG
TexAgs91 said:


Sorry, I had to

My dad's answer when asked about a career in geology…it makes a great hobby!
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bthotugigem05
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9:39p, 4/23/26
AG
I failed both finance and accounting and now have worked in finance and accounting for the past 18 years somehow
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Kenneth_2003
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In reply to txags92 • 10:30p, 4/23/26
AG
txags92 said:
Kenneth_2003 said:
DiffyScrew exposed my complete lack of calculus foundation. I cannot learn in a purely theory world combined with an apparent fundamental lack of understanding of trig from HS...

Computer applications within civil engineering was disguised numerical methods in advanced MatLab...

I'm now a geologist

DiffEScrew is the reason I am a geologist and not an engineering geologist.


Have we met? If you fancied engineering geology, I presume you were with/under Dr. Marhewson
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txags92
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In reply to Kenneth_2003 • 10:41p, 4/23/26
AG
Kenneth_2003 said:
txags92 said:
Kenneth_2003 said:
DiffyScrew exposed my complete lack of calculus foundation. I cannot learn in a purely theory world combined with an apparent fundamental lack of understanding of trig from HS...

Computer applications within civil engineering was disguised numerical methods in advanced MatLab...

I'm now a geologist

DiffEScrew is the reason I am a geologist and not an engineering geologist.


Have we met? If you fancied engineering geology, I presume you were with/under Dr. Marhewson

I worked as a driller's helper behind the department rig on a $100/day "scholarship" from Mathewson in the early 90s, but I never had a class from him. I had Norm Tilford (RIP) for Eng. Geology. I didn't do a master's degree though I did take a couple of graduate level classes as an undergrad (Domenico's contaminant hydro and Herbert's Aqueous Geochemistry). I went for a career in Env. Geology against the advice of nearly every prof in the department who told me it was a fad that would be dead within 5 years after graduation. And yet here I am still doing it 30+ years later. Who woulda thunk it?
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Kenneth_2003
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In reply to txags92 • 10:51p, 4/23/26
AG
txags92 said:
Kenneth_2003 said:
txags92 said:
Kenneth_2003 said:
DiffyScrew exposed my complete lack of calculus foundation. I cannot learn in a purely theory world combined with an apparent fundamental lack of understanding of trig from HS...

Computer applications within civil engineering was disguised numerical methods in advanced MatLab...

I'm now a geologist

DiffEScrew is the reason I am a geologist and not an engineering geologist.


Have we met? If you fancied engineering geology, I presume you were with/under Dr. Marhewson

I worked as a driller's helper behind the department rig on a $100/day "scholarship" from Mathewson in the early 90s, but I never had a class from him. I had Norm Tilford (RIP) for Eng. Geology. I didn't do a master's degree though I did take a couple of graduate level classes as an undergrad (Domenico's contaminant hydro and Herbert's Aqueous Geochemistry). I went for a career in Env. Geology against the advice of nearly every prof in the department who told me it was a fad that would be dead within 5 years after graduation. And yet here I am still doing it 30+ years later. Who woulda thunk it?

Mathewson got me readmitted after Civil kicked me. I was working under him on an unfunded graduate program (TXDOT declined to expand the scope with the civil PhD) and ultimately got hired off into oil to an Aggie family oil company from 08-17

But if you were working on that rig, then you were with Loyd Morris? One of my best friends father.
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will25u
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7:27a, 4/24/26
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Phatbob
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In reply to will25u • 7:47a, 4/24/26
AG
This is my favorite reply
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OnlyForNow
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In reply to will25u • 7:50a, 4/24/26
AG
So the engine looks really compact, why does it need to be hooked into a giant compressor station?
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Decay
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In reply to OnlyForNow • 8:43a, 4/24/26
AG
OnlyForNow said:
So the engine looks really compact, why does it need to be hooked into a giant compressor station?

Probably just providing the kind of plumbing that can handle engine testing, which I assume you make way more robust and customizable than the very specific and fine tuned parts going to space.
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OnlyForNow
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In reply to Decay • 9:14a, 4/24/26
AG
So kinda figured it had to do with making it laboratory testing and data collection, but in real application I wonder what all it needs besides that little thing sitting on the desk next to him.

Super cool concept.
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Decay
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In reply to OnlyForNow • 9:39a, 4/24/26
AG
OnlyForNow said:
So kinda figured it had to do with making it laboratory testing and data collection, but in real application I wonder what all it needs besides that little thing sitting on the desk next to him.

Super cool concept.

Yeah who knows.
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bthotugigem05
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1:25p, 4/24/26
AG
There's an Aggie company testing some of the same technology, Venus Aerospace.
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nortex97
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3:14p, 4/24/26
AG
The unmasked contempt the NYT has for Elon is only comparable to DJT.

Meanwhile, lfg:

FH launch (viasat) is scheduled for the morning of the 27th, fwiw.
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Decay
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3:46p, 4/24/26
AG
"a move that would have been illegal at public companies"

That's like saying going on green "would have been illegal if the light were red"
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jt2hunt
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In reply to Decay • 4:24p, 4/24/26
AG
Great example!
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txags92
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In reply to nortex97 • 4:45p, 4/24/26
AG
nortex97 said:
The unmasked contempt the NYT has for Elon is only comparable to DJT.

Meanwhile, lfg:

FH launch (viasat) is scheduled for the morning of the 27th, fwiw.

So a guy who owned his own company along with some other investors gave a loan to another company he owned along with some other investors? And it made both companies better, the loans were repaid in full, and none of his other investors had a problem with it? Tell me again what I am supposed to be outraged about because I am not seeing it...
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aezmvp
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In reply to Decay • 4:53p, 4/24/26
Decay said:
"a move that would have been illegal at public companies"

That's like saying going on green "would have been illegal if the light were red"

Next you're going to tell me that private companies under $10mm in assets don't need to file with the SEC! HOW DO RULES EVEN WORK?!?
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Kenneth_2003
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In reply to txags92 • 5:02p, 4/24/26
AG
txags92 said:
nortex97 said:
The unmasked contempt the NYT has for Elon is only comparable to DJT.

Meanwhile, lfg:

FH launch (viasat) is scheduled for the morning of the 27th, fwiw.

So a guy who owned his own company along with some other investors gave a loan to another company he owned along with some other investors? And it made both companies better, the loans were repaid in full, and none of his other investors had a problem with it? Tell me again what I am supposed to be outraged about because I am not seeing it...

It's similar to Trump being bad for banks because he paid his loans back on time despite some potentially questionable collateral valuations that every party to the loan agreed to.

How can you NOT be outraged!!! The horror!!!
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Ag87H2O
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In reply to nortex97 • 5:44p, 4/24/26
AG
nortex97 said:
The unmasked contempt the NYT has for Elon is only comparable to DJT.

The EDS is strong with Kirsten.
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OKCAg2002
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6:07p, 4/24/26
AG
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double aught
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In reply to OKCAg2002 • 8:42p, 4/24/26
AG
That's a really well produced video. Some beautiful shots. Ready for the next flight.
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will25u
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10:06a, 4/25/26
Interesting.



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