NSF Live: Starship accelerates in Florida, SLS testing delayed, ULA scores record deal, and more

[jaredmulconry]

It's awesome to see Alex taking on a larger role of supporting NASA Spaceflight's content. I've enjoyed their writing thus far, they made a great member of the stream team today.

[kevinmcgovern]

ICPS helium check valve: I’ve worked on these. Generally the replacement and subsequent ops checks are pretty straightforward and the mfr. geeks would know about replacing it. While I think the SLS is generally a waste, it’s entirely understandable NASA has a steepish learning curve for both vehicle and ground prep before lighting it. IMHO, they ought to give us a NET time to launch they KNOW they can beat to be able to launch “earlier than they expected” and restore some public confidence in the sucker.

[catbertz]

Great appearance Alex! You warmed up fast and blended nicely with Tom and Chris. Looking forward to more of your work. 🍺🙂

[biffpope]

Great content today. Really enjoyed Alex as well!

[arnoldsmith]

missed this live but watching the replay good stuff

[williamturner]

Can we please get a fast forward video of starlink mounting and taking off over and over as SLS sits there?

[IiIytIi]

Great & really well informed host and guests

[jamieoconnor]

Alex did a great job, very knowledgeable! Look forward to seeing him again

[aravailspace]

Sorry that I didn't get to watch Alex's first NSF Live, well, live; but I definitely enjoyed watching it after the fact. A lot of great conversations this week! Can't wait to see all of these big rockets come to fruition. #AlexFanClub

[halsnyder]

SLS has a schedule? Don’t get me wrong, I really hope to see it fly!

[Chriss]

in florida, do you think spacex will build a large tank farm near the pad, or does it need to be farther away than in texas? and please give us an update on what cranes spacex has in florida to stack the tower.

[larryking]

Wally Schirra was the first person to fly on three types of vehicles - Mercury (Sigma 7, MA-8), Gemini (Gemini 6), and Apollo (Apollo 7)

[mikepeterson]

I think it's hilarious that Kuiper is contracted to launch on 3 different systems, but only 1 of the systems has flight-tested engines so far. Sorry, not sorry, it's yet another excellent illustration (or render) of BO's chops. Where are the engines, Jeff? (Sorry, Tory!)

Edit: Oops, wow, NONE of the systems have flight-tested engines!

[familyatsea]

They've poured enough pads for 9 tower segments at Roberts road, so they plan to build all the launch tower segments and assemble them at one time. I'm sure this is because of the launch schedule - with a launch almost every week, and cranes being very expensive.

[zapfanzapfan]

I may have missed some part. Did they analyze the NASA budget proposal?

[randomphil]

Every-time I look at SLS on the stand I’m just left wondering how is it standing up, it just looks like it’s standing on its engines lol.

[stanthemann]

Maybe all these valve issues across the Artemis program can be a positive. If NASA/BOEING would make list of their valve supplier(s) folks could be sure to eliminate those contractors from using such suspect valves in any system in THEIR own products. Kind of a Consumer Reports utility on bad valve technology. Maybe some good yet comes from SLS/ Starliner debacle? Real upside: Great work from NSF crew, as always.

[mglenadel]

Has anyone else noticed that there are 9 sets of the 4 concrete pads used to build the launch tower sections? Doesn't Boca Chica's tower have 8 (seven full-size and the capping block only two truss segments tall)?

[earlpottinger]

Talk about Crew Dragon is not certified for long term use, well guess what! Neither is Orion. No Orion craft has operated long term with people.

[halsnyder]

New Glenn = big Falcon rocket? Seems like a larger Falcon 9 but… 8 years late?