# The Great Ongoing Space Exploration Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Tags:** science-math\ **Created:** [November 16, 2020, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-space-exploration-thread/925703 "2020-11-16T12:18:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 37
**Author:** ![Zakalwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zakalwe/32/270_2.png) [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2023, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-space-exploration-thread/925703/722 "2023-04-17T13:14:05Z")
Launch scrubbed for today. Something about a pressurization issue. Transitioning to a wet-test format. 😢 Minimum 48-hr recycle time. No new launch date set as of now. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2023, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-space-exploration-thread/925703/723 "2023-04-18T01:34:24Z")
I flew past the area on the way from Central America to McAllen then north into the USA this morning at the end of the launch window and was displeased to see no smoke trail into space. We took a big re-route to be west of the launch area and planned climb and first stage return track. I figured either they scrubbed, or exploded in the first ~20K feet. Disappointing to learn the former, but certainly better than the latter. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2023, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-space-exploration-thread/925703/724 "2023-04-18T23:09:32Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > I flew past the area on the way from Central America to McAllen then north into the USA this morning at the end of the launch window This is too cool. (Love the Dope). Any chance you’ll be flying that segment again in two, three, or four days (I imagine), when they’ll launch that mother? ---
**Author:** ![Zakalwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zakalwe/32/270_2.png) [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2023, 10:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-space-exploration-thread/925703/725 "2023-04-19T10:06:35Z")
> **[How to watch SpaceX's 1st Starship space launch live on April 20 for free](https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-orbital-launch-test-flight-livestream)** > > You can watch SpaceX's Starship launch live on April 20 starting at 8:45 a.m. EDT. Liftoff is set for 9:28 a.m. EDT (1328 GMT). Everything you need to know is in the preview, but if you can’t see that: Thursday April 20 Livestream starts at 8:45a. Launch scheduled for 9:28a. ---
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2023, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-space-exploration-thread/925703/726 "2023-04-19T10:57:59Z")
Looks like SpaceX might have caused this unnerving sight over Alaska > **[Mystery spiral seen in Alaskan skies](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-us-canada-65318797)** > > Alaskan skywatchers were stunned by a mysterious spiral connected to SpaceX rocket launch. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2023, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-space-exploration-thread/925703/727 "2023-04-19T11:57:32Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#): > > > [@LSLGuy](#): > > > > I flew past the area on the way from Central America to McAllen then north into the USA this morning at the end of the launch window > > This is too cool. (Love the Dope). Any chance you’ll be flying that segment again in two, three, or four days (I imagine), when they’ll launch that mother? I’m not planned to. Never say never, but the odds are very, very low. Nevertheless, there is a steady stream of airliners normally passing over/near Boca Chica and through the block of airspace reserved for the launch & first stage recovery. This goes on all day every day and well into the evening. All of whom will be re-routed adjacent to the reserved area during the launch window. Some lucky pilots will have a ringside seat. As I commented in the other SpaceX / Starship thread, over the years I’ve seen two Space Shuttle launches and one Falcon 9. Impressive. ---
**Author:** ![nate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nate/32/13085_2.png) [@nate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nate)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2023, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-space-exploration-thread/925703/728 "2023-04-22T05:56:19Z")
That’s awesome. I can’t imagine being out at that time, looking up and seeing that. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2023, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-space-exploration-thread/925703/729 "2023-04-23T17:50:15Z")
> **[From Moon to Mars: NASA’s Grand Plan for Human Exploration](https://scitechdaily.com/from-moon-to-mars-nasas-grand-plan-for-human-exploration/)** > > NASA completed its first Architecture Concept Review to align its Moon to Mars exploration strategy, which includes yearly updates to incorporate new technologies and objectives. The agency aims to establish a long-term human presence on the Moon and... Summary at: > **[m2m-architecture-executive-summary.pdf](https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/m2m-architecture-executive-summary.pdf)** > > 10.88 MB A number of papers at: [https://www.nasa.gov/MoonToMarsArchitecture](https://www.nasa.gov/MoonToMarsArchitecture) Anyone read these? ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2023, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-space-exploration-thread/925703/730 "2023-04-24T19:59:28Z")
> **[A Japanese company is about to attempt a Moon landing](https://arstechnica.com/science/2023/04/a-japanese-company-is-about-to-attempt-a-moon-landing/)** > > This lunar landing is at the vanguard of a number of private landing attempts. ---
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2023, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-space-exploration-thread/925703/731 "2023-04-24T21:12:03Z")
How did I not hear about this before? Will definitely try to tune into live stream tomorrow. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2023, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-space-exploration-thread/925703/732 "2023-04-25T04:02:10Z")
Let’s hope they have better luck than the Israelis. Though I think they’re going to try again. The Japanese lander has a cute robot onboard: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9ImPb8EnPU](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9ImPb8EnPU) Made by Tomy. Who I’m shocked is still around. They made all kinds of cool robots when I was a kid, but never got to have. Always wanted one of these: [![](http://www.theoldrobots.com/book46/OmnibotFamily2a.JPG) ](http://www.theoldrobots.com/book46/OmnibotFamily2a.JPG) ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2023, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-space-exploration-thread/925703/733 "2023-04-25T15:31:45Z")
The Japanese lunar livestream has started: [https://www.youtube.com/results?search\_query=hakuto+r+livestream](https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=hakuto+r+livestream) ---
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2023, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-space-exploration-thread/925703/734 "2023-04-25T15:56:33Z")
Does this thing have a camera or is it just talking heads and animations? ---
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2023, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-space-exploration-thread/925703/735 "2023-04-25T16:37:18Z")
They have shown this wonderful picture the lander took earlier in the mission. [![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FufDmARWcAAf2F9?format=jpg&name=4096x4096) ](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FufDmARWcAAf2F9?format=jpg&name=4096x4096) You’ll see a dark spot on the lower left limb of the Earth. That is actually the shadow of the moon so the picture was taken during an eclipse. An amazing image of a lunar eclipse from just above the surface of the moon itself! ---
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2023, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-space-exploration-thread/925703/736 "2023-04-25T16:56:39Z")
It doesn’t look good for the little lander. Telemetry was lost in the very final stages of its landing sequence. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2023, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-space-exploration-thread/925703/737 "2023-04-25T19:15:48Z")
> **[First ispace lunar lander feared lost](https://spacenews.com/first-ispace-lunar-lander-feared-lost/)** > > Controllers lost contact with a lunar lander developed by a Japanese company moments before its scheduled touchdown, raising fears the spacecraft crashed. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2023, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-space-exploration-thread/925703/738 "2023-04-25T19:24:23Z")
Meanwhile, in the Atlas crater, an alien examines his new toy. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2023, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-space-exploration-thread/925703/739 "2023-04-25T21:42:00Z")
When the alien discovers his young offspring smushed under the lander, there is going to be hell to pay! ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2023, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-space-exploration-thread/925703/740 "2023-04-26T01:45:01Z")
Uh oh! I didn’t think about that. This is really, really, bad. Anyone have SG-1 on their cell? ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2023, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-space-exploration-thread/925703/741 "2023-04-26T19:07:29Z")
> **[After nearly two years, Virgin Galactic’s space plane returns to the sky](https://arstechnica.com/science/2023/04/after-nearly-two-years-virgin-galactics-space-plane-returns-to-the-sky/)** > > The spacecraft takes a step toward commercial spaceflight. Not powered, just gliding. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-space-exploration-thread/925703.md?page=36) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-ongoing-space-exploration-thread/925703.md?page=38)