.NET Rocks! Space Geek Out 2025
Dec 25, 2025
Join an exhilarating discussion about the past year in space! Explore the fascinating interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS and its debunked alien theories. Marvel at SpaceX's record-breaking Falcon 9 flights and the challenges facing the Starship program. Learn about the aging International Space Station and the exciting prospects of new space stations. Dive into lunar missions, like Firefly's Blue Ghost lander, and unravel mysteries revealed by the James Webb Space Telescope. It's a thrilling overview of a remarkable year for space exploration!
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Verify Extraordinary Claims
- Don't treat sensational internet claims as fact; verify with observations and multiple instruments.
- Richard explains 3I/ATLAS is an interstellar comet, observable only with telescopes, not an alien craft.
Record Year For Launches
- 2025 set a new global launch record with 318 launches and 307 successes, led by SpaceX's dominance.
- SpaceX flew 165 Falcon 9s and accelerated cadence with pad turnarounds as short as 55 hours.
Reusability Is Driving Volume
- Falcon 9 reusability keeps improving, with one booster achieving 32 landings.
- Starlink drove high launch cadence and contributed to rapid satellite growth and subscriber gains.