The Mad Spaceball

It’s been a long time since I’ve written for my blog. A big part of it is that my job at Quilty Analytics took a lot of time and energy. But I’m changing that now.

I’ve created a new site: Ill-Defined Space. You are welcome to go take a peek. All content will be accessible for the first few weeks.

Here’s what that site will be all about:

Ill-Defined Space provides analysis of activities,…

It’s been awhile since I’ve written anything on this site. It’s been a long while. The reason for that is simple: I have a new job as a senior analyst (and occasional consultant), and I want to make sure what I write on this site doesn’t step on the things I’m writing about in my new job.

And there’s a lot of writing in my new job. I was writing in my old job, too, but this new job requires MORE…

May 3, 2019: Weekly Spatial Resolutions

The Long March 5–it just keeps coming up this week. Image from Skyrocket.de (likely from CNSA). This site contains my opinions and ideas only, not the opinions or ideas of any organization I work for. It’s my idea playground, and I’m inviting you in. Welcome!

Why China launches its rockets inland, while everyone else sticks to coastlines

The answer in this article may not surprise those following…

April 26, 2019: Weekly Spatial Resolutions

A few weeks ago, but still cool looking! Image from Spacex. This site contains my opinions and ideas only, not the opinions or ideas of any organization I work for. It’s my idea playground, and I’m inviting you in. Welcome!

A Cremated Cat Will Be ‘Buried’ in Space for the First Time

A mere $5000 is what it takes to send very little of a loved one, whether human or pet, to orbit. Depending on your…

April 5, 2019: Weekly Spatial Resolutions

Raptor engine test without the Starhopper. The video below is the test with the engine in the Starhopper. This site contains my opinions and ideas only, not the opinions or ideas of any organization I work for. It’s my idea playground, and I’m inviting you in. Welcome! Image from Elon Musk’s Twitter feed.

Micah Zenko on the Dangers of the US Threat-Industrial Complex

Why is this non-space…

See! China knows how to launch rockets. Just not this week. This site contains my opinions and ideas only, not the opinions or ideas of any organization I work for. It’s my idea playground, and I’m inviting you in. Welcome! Image from Bing image search.

Chinese startup OneSpace fails in first orbital launch attempt

This company’s CEO likened his company to being China’s SpaceX. Which is certainly…

March 22, 2019: Weekly Spatial Resolutions

Don’t worry, this is about space. But if you don’t get some of it, you really need to watch “The Princess Bride.” Seriously!! Image from Bing.

Can the U.S. Save Alcantara, Brazil’s Cursed Spaceport?

Everyone KNOWS the best, most thoughtful articles begin with a question. At least that’s what Popular Mechanics thinks.

To answer the question, though: probably. Should the U.S. do so? No. Even if a…

March 15, 2019: Weekly Spatial Resolutions

The Soyuz–working as it should. This site contains my opinions and ideas only, not the opinions or ideas of any organization I work for. It’s my idea playground, and I’m inviting you in. Welcome! Image from Nasa.

Clue linking mysterious Boeing 737 Max disasters came from space

The article in the link above does read a little bit like a press release for the company responsible for the aircraft…

March 8, 2019: Weekly Spatial Resolutions

Because the Ariane 5 is old enough to be in a museum. The one in the photo above is in a museum. This site contains my opinions and ideas only, not the opinions or ideas of any organization I work for. It’s my idea playground, and I’m inviting you in. Welcome! My image.

Will SpaceX Shut Europe Out of the Space Launch Market?

This article’s author seems to think there is a possibility Arianespace…

February 22, 2019: Weekly Spatial Resolutions

Is it for science or war? Do you have to believe either narrative? This site contains my opinions and ideas only, not the opinions or ideas of any organization I work for. It’s my idea playground, and I’m inviting you in. Welcome! Image from b14643.de. American Enterprise Will Beat China in Outer Space

I tend to subscribe to this premise. Not just for China, but for the United States in the space…

February 15, 2019: Weekly Spatial Resolutions

Because in space, someone might be trying to steal your underpants for profit. This site contains my opinions and ideas only, not the opinions or ideas of any organization I work for. It’s my idea playground, and I’m inviting you in. Welcome! Image from Criticalhit.net. Australia: well placed to join the Moon mining race … or is it?

The article talks about the reasons why Australia might want to…

February 8, 2019: Weekly Spatial Resolutions

Kepler’s FOR and FOV. Image from NASA. This site contains my opinions and ideas only, not the opinions or ideas of any organization I work for. It’s my idea playground, and I’m inviting you in. Welcome!  Kepler’s Final Image Reveals A Galaxy Full Of Possibilities

The old planet-hunting satellite has been retired for a few months, but the imagery it collected remains for scientists and researchers…

February 1, 2019: Weekly Spatial Resolutions

When we flew over walls instead of built them. This site contains my opinions and ideas only, not the opinions or ideas of any organization I work for. It’s my idea playground, and I’m inviting you in. Welcome!  CIA And Skunk Works Secretly Planned To Turn The A-12 Spy Plane Into A Space Launch Mothership

An A-12 airplane, one that preceded and likely inspired the SR-71, was studied a long time…

January 25, 2019: Weekly Spatial Resolutions

Zuckerberg the next Elon? Does not compute! This site contains my opinions and ideas only, not the opinions or ideas of any organization I work for. It’s my idea playground, and I’m inviting you in. Welcome! Image from Quickmeme.com. Is Mark Zuckerberg The Next Elon Musk? Facebook Reveals Space Plans

Is the writer of this article even familiar with Musk’s activities? The evidence, based on the…

January 18, 2019: Weekly Spatial Resolutions

Space Force is ripe for this sort of thing. This site contains my opinions and ideas only, not the opinions or ideas of any organization I work for. It’s my idea playground, and I’m inviting you in. Welcome! Image from Gawker Netflix’s ‘Space Force’ brings Steve Carell back to TV ‘Office’ comedy

Space Command naturally lends itself to this kind of satire. A lot of space operations require sitting…

January 11, 2019: Weekly Spatial Resolutions

How is this connected to space? Read on. This site contains my opinions and ideas only, not the opinions or ideas of any organization I work for. It’s my idea playground, and I’m inviting you in. Welcome! Image from Bing search. Astronaut Accidentally Calls 911 from Space

This is funny. As the image above shows, there are worse reasons to dial 911.

HawkEye 360 Announces Successful Launch of First…

January 4, 2019: Weekly Spatial Resolutions

Because it seems like the future is here (or at least in Boca Chica, Texas). Image from Elon Musk’s Twitter feed, posted December 24, 2018. This site contains my opinions and ideas only, not the opinions or ideas of any organization I work for. It’s my idea playground, and I’m inviting you in. Welcome! Image from NASA site. Taking off: Work accelerates at Boca Chica launch site

Some of you might…