Main Engine Cut Off

The long-awaited news is finally here! ULA and SpaceX have won the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 2 launch contracts from the US Department of Defense, which leaves Blue Origin’s New Glenn and Northrop Grumman’s OmegA out in the cold. I talk through what this means for each company and launch vehicle, and where things will go from here on all sides of the issue.This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 39 executive producers—Brandon, Matthew, Simon, Lauren, Melissa, Kris, Pat, Matt, Jorge, Brad, Ryan, Nadim, Donald, Lee, Chris, Warren, Bob, Russell, John, Moritz, Joel, Jan, Grant, David, Joonas, Robb, Tim Dodd (the Everyday Astronaut!), Frank, Julian and Lars from Agile Space, Tommy, Adam, and seven anonymous—and 398 other supporters.TopicsU.S. Department Of Defense > Contracts For Aug. 7, 2020Pentagon picks SpaceX and ULA to remain its primary launch providers - SpaceNewsAir Force to end agreements with Blue Origin and Northrop Grumman, prepares for launch contract protests - SpaceNewsULA, SpaceX Win NSSL Phase 2 Awards – SpacePolicyOnline.comHouse and Senate Make Progress on the FY2021 NDAA – SpacePolicyOnline.comNational Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 2 Launch Service Procurement (LSP) Request for Proposal (RFP) FA8811-19-R-0002 - GovTribeAir Force funding three new rockets to compete with SpaceX but only intends to buy launch services from two providers - SpaceNewsAir Force requests bids for space launch services, will select two companies in 2020 - SpaceNewsEpisode T+79: Orbital ATK’s OmegA, NASA’s Bridenstine - Main Engine Cut OffThe ShowLike the show? Support the show!Email your thoughts, comments, and questions to anthony@mainenginecutoff.comFollow @WeHaveMECOListen to MECO HeadlinesJoin the Off-Nominal DiscordSubscribe on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn or elsewhereSubscribe to the Main Engine Cut Off NewsletterBuy shirts and Rocket Socks from the Main Engine Cut Off ShopMusic by Max Justus

Phillip Hargrove, a Launch Vehicle Trajectory Analyst at NASA joins me to talk about NASA’s Launch Services Program. We discuss how LSP interacts with mission teams like Mars 2020 Perseverance, launch providers like United Launch Alliance and SpaceX, and what kind of work they tackle in their unique role tying it all together.This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 39 executive producers—Brandon, Matthew, Simon, Lauren, Melissa, Kris, Pat, Matt, Jorge, Brad, Ryan, Nadim, Donald, Lee, Chris, Warren, Bob, Russell, John, Moritz, Joel, Jan, Grant, David, Joonas, Robb, Tim Dodd (the Everyday Astronaut!), Frank, Julian and Lars from Agile Space, Tommy, Adam, and seven anonymous—and 398 other supporters.TopicsOff-Nominal - YouTubeOff-Nominal32 - Well Within the Kill Zone | Off-NominalEpisode 32 - Well Within the Kill Zone (with Richard Garriott) - YouTubePhillip H (@FlightMastrPhil) / TwitterLaunching Rockets | NASAPhillip H on Twitter: “LOL you can see me and @MicWoltman walking across the street in the last 8 seconds. This was right after we got there and we realized “oh...that’s @torybruno @JimBridenstine and @Dr_ThomasZ “ and then “oh...that’s an interview” 🏃🏾‍♂️😂 #oops”Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover - NASA MarsWatch the Launch of Mars 2020 Perseverance with us! - WeMartians PodcastLow-Earth Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator (LOFTID) | NASAJoint Polar Satellite SystemNASA Awards IXPE Launch to SpaceX for $50.3 Million - Main Engine Cut OffNASA Awards Psyche Launch to SpaceX, Who Now Has Its First Mars Launch on the Books - Main Engine Cut OffSpaceX to Fly to Polar Orbit from Florida - Main Engine Cut OffEpisode T+136: Starship to GTO, SSO from Florida - Main Engine Cut OffSpaceX Selected for PACE Launch to SSO from Cape Canaveral - Main Engine Cut OffCape Canaveral Prepares for First Polar Launches in 60 Years   - Scientific AmericanThe ShowLike the show? Support the show!Email your thoughts, comments, and questions to anthony@mainenginecutoff.comFollow @WeHaveMECOListen to MECO HeadlinesJoin the Off-Nominal DiscordSubscribe on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn or elsewhereSubscribe to the Main Engine Cut Off NewsletterBuy shirts and Rocket Socks from the Main Engine Cut Off ShopMusic by Max Justus

Two members of the Astrobotic team join me for a conversation: Laura Klicker, Payload Systems Management Lead, and Daniel Gillies, Mission Director for the Griffin/VIPER mission. We talk about Astrobotic’s first Peregrine mission coming up next year, the very exciting VIPER mission to the south pole of the Moon in 2023, payload management across multiple flights, the technical aspects of their various vehicles, and a whole lot more.This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 38 executive producers—Brandon, Matthew, Simon, Lauren, Kris, Pat, Matt, Jorge, Brad, Ryan, Nadim, Donald, Lee, Chris, Warren, Bob, Russell, John, Moritz, Joel, Jan, Grant, David, Joonas, Robb, Tim Dodd (the Everyday Astronaut!), Frank, Julian and Lars from Agile Space, Tommy, Adam, and seven anonymous—and 397 other supporters.TopicsAstroboticCareers | AstroboticPeregrine Lander | AstroboticGriffin Lander | AstroboticAstrobotic Awarded $79.5 Million Contract to Deliver 14 NASA Payloads to the Moon | AstroboticAstrobotic Awarded $5.6 Million NASA Contract to Deliver Autonomous Moon Rover | AstroboticAstrobotic Awarded $199.5 Million Contract to Deliver NASA Moon Rover | AstroboticAstrobotic to Develop New Commercial Payload Service for NASA’s Human Landing System | AstroboticThe ShowLike the show? Support the show!Email your thoughts, comments, and questions to anthony@mainenginecutoff.comFollow @WeHaveMECOListen to MECO HeadlinesJoin the Off-Nominal DiscordSubscribe on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn or elsewhereSubscribe to the Main Engine Cut Off NewsletterBuy shirts and Rocket Socks from the Main Engine Cut Off ShopMusic by Max Justus

Caleb Henry of SpaceNews returns to the show to talk about the OneWeb acquisition and related fallout, Starlink antennas, the ongoing C-band drama including the satellite-buying bonanza, and he helps us understand the FCC-GPS-Ligado situation.This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 38 executive producers—Brandon, Matthew, Simon, Lauren, Kris, Pat, Matt, Jorge, Brad, Ryan, Nadim, Donald, Lee, Chris, Warren, Bob, Russell, John, Moritz, Joel, Jan, Grant, David, Joonas, Robb, Tim Dodd (the Everyday Astronaut!), Frank, Julian and Lars from Agile Space, Tommy, Adam, and seven anonymous—and 397 other supporters.TopicsCaleb Henry, SpaceNewsCaleb Henry (@CHenry_SN) / TwitterBritish government and Bharti Global buy OneWeb, plan $1 billion investment to revive company - SpaceNewsBritish military finalizes Skynet-6A contract with Airbus - SpaceNewsWyler claims breakthrough in low-cost antenna for OneWeb, other satellite systems - SpaceNewsNew details and images emerge of SpaceX’s Starlink user antennas and planned beta testing - The VergeSatellite Bonanza: Ten GEO Satellites Ordered in Prep for C-Band Clearing, More Coming - Main Engine Cut OffIntelsat orders four satellites from Maxar, two from Northrop Grumman, for C-band clearing - SpaceNewsBoeing, Northrop Grumman win SES C-band satellite orders - SpaceNewsSES files $1.8 billion claim against Intelsat over splitting C-Band Alliance - SpaceNewsCoalition of GPS user groups joins fight against FCC’s Ligado decision - SpaceNewsThe ShowLike the show? Support the show!Email your thoughts, comments, and questions to anthony@mainenginecutoff.comFollow @WeHaveMECOListen to MECO HeadlinesJoin the Off-Nominal DiscordSubscribe on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn or elsewhereSubscribe to the Main Engine Cut Off NewsletterBuy shirts and Rocket Socks from the Main Engine Cut Off ShopMusic by Max Justus

To start, there’s exciting news! My son is due at the end of August, and so I’ll be taking some time off after he arrives. Before that, I wanted to check in on two storylines.Professional shit-stirrer Dmitry Rogozin made it pretty clear that Russia is not interested in the Artemis Program, while various countries around the world partner with NASA on it. And we’re only a few weeks out from the NSSL Phase 2 awards and there is some related budgetary considerations being debated, so it’s a good time to circle back on that.This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 38 executive producers—Brandon, Matthew, Simon, Lauren, Kris, Pat, Matt, Jorge, Brad, Ryan, Nadim, Donald, Lee, Chris, Warren, Bob, Russell, John, Moritz, Joel, Jan, Grant, David, Joonas, Robb, Tim Dodd (the Everyday Astronaut!), Frank, Julian and Lars from Agile Space, Tommy, Adam, and seven anonymous—and 392 other supporters.TopicsRogozin Not Interested in Cooperating with U.S. on Lunar Program, Prefers China – SpacePolicyOnline.comSpace Exploration Transcends All Terrestrial Borders – Administrator Jim BridenstineNASA Administrator Signs Declaration of Intent with Japan on Artemis | NASABuilding the next Canadarm - Canada.caAustralian Government Commits to Join NASA in Lunar Exploration | NASANASA Artemis AccordsEpisode T+158: Doug Loverro Resigns, and a Bit About the Artemis Accords - Main Engine Cut OffAir Force awards launch vehicle development contracts to Blue Origin, Northrop Grumman, ULA - SpaceNewsULA, SpaceX, Blue Origin, Northrop Grumman submit bids for national security launch procurement contract - SpaceNewsSmith encouraged by Senate NDAA proposal to increase funding for space launch technology - SpaceNewsIndependent study of launch market says U.S. Air Force should support three domestic providers - SpaceNewsThe ShowLike the show? Support the show!Email your thoughts, comments, and questions to anthony@mainenginecutoff.comFollow @WeHaveMECOListen to MECO HeadlinesJoin the Off-Nominal DiscordSubscribe on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn or elsewhereSubscribe to the Main Engine Cut Off NewsletterBuy shirts and Rocket Socks from the Main Engine Cut Off ShopMusic by Max Justus

NASA recently established the Suborbital Crew office within the Commercial Crew Program, which will focus on developing a plan to fly personnel on suborbital spaceflights. At the same time, Virgin Galactic signed an agreement with NASA to provide private orbital spaceflights to the ISS.This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 38 executive producers—Brandon, Matthew, Simon, Kris, Pat, Matt, Jorge, Brad, Ryan, Nadim, Peter, Donald, Lee, Chris, Warren, Bob, Russell, John, Moritz, Joel, Jan, Grant, David, Joonas, Robb, Tim Dodd (the Everyday Astronaut!), Frank, Julian and Lars from Agile Space, Tommy, Adam, and seven anonymous—and 385 other supporters.TopicsNASA Developing a Plan to Fly Personnel on Suborbital Spacecraft | NASAVirgin Galactic to fly Italian Air Force research mission - SpaceNews.comVirgin Galactic Signs Space Act Agreement with NASA for Private Orbital Spaceflight to the International Space Station (ISS) - Virgin GalacticThe ShowLike the show? Support the show!Email your thoughts, comments, and questions to anthony@mainenginecutoff.comFollow @WeHaveMECOListen to MECO HeadlinesJoin the Off-Nominal DiscordSubscribe on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn or elsewhereSubscribe to the Main Engine Cut Off NewsletterBuy shirts and Rocket Socks from the Main Engine Cut Off ShopMusic by Max Justus

Grant Bonin, Senior Vice President of Business Development at Spaceflight joins me to talk about everything they’ve been up to lately, including being acquired, signing deals with SpaceX for rideshares on Starlink missions and on dedicated flights to SSO, signing deals with new launch companies and international providers, and a lot more including manifesting satellites, last-mile services, and about what makes Spaceflight unique.This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 38 executive producers—Brandon, Matthew, Simon, Kris, Pat, Matt, Jorge, Brad, Ryan, Nadim, Peter, Donald, Lee, Chris, Warren, Bob, Russell, John, Moritz, Joel, Jan, Grant, David, Joonas, Robb, Tim Dodd (the Everyday Astronaut!), Frank, Julian and Lars from Agile Space, Tommy, Adam, and seven anonymous—and 385 other supporters.Topicsdonate.offnominal.spaceGrant Bonin (@grantbonin) / TwitterGrant Bonin - SpaceflightWelcome to Spaceflight Grant! - SpaceflightSpaceflight Industries Signs Definitive Agreement to Sell Spaceflight, its Rideshare Launch Services Provider, to Japan’s Mitsui & Co., Ltd and Yamasa Co., Ltd. - SpaceflightSpaceflight Inc. Acquisition Finalized - SpaceflightSpaceflight to Launch Its First Rideshare Payloads on a SpaceX Starlink Mission - SpaceflightSpaceflight Inc. Signs Multi-Launch Agreement with SpaceX for Rideshare Services - SpaceflightSpaceflight Readies 28 Payloads for Inaugural Rideshare Launch on Arianespace’s Vega - SpaceflightSpaceflight Inc. Closes 2019 with Three Successful Launches in One Week Across Three Continents - SpaceflightFirefly Aerospace and Spaceflight Inc. Sign Launch Services Agreement - SpaceflightReality Rating | SpaceFundSynergy Ornithocket (@ornithocket) / TwitterThe ShowLike the show? Support the show!Email your thoughts, comments, and questions to anthony@mainenginecutoff.comFollow @WeHaveMECOListen to MECO HeadlinesJoin the Off-Nominal DiscordSubscribe on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn or elsewhereSubscribe to the Main Engine Cut Off NewsletterBuy shirts and Rocket Socks from the Main Engine Cut Off ShopMusic by Max Justus

Mark Wiese, Manager of NASA’s Gateway Deep Space Logistics, joins me to talk about the logistics architecture for Gateway and, specifically, the selection of SpaceX and Dragon XL for missions in the future. He even lets me get really nerdy and responds to some of my complaints and questions from past episodes!This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 38 executive producers—Brandon, Matthew, Simon, Kris, Pat, Matt, Jorge, Brad, Ryan, Nadim, Peter, Donald, Lee, Chris, Warren, Bob, Russell, John, Moritz, Joel, Jan, Grant, David, Joonas, Robb, Tim Dodd (the Everyday Astronaut!), Frank, Julian and Lars from Agile Space, Tommy, Adam, and seven anonymous—and 384 other supporters.TopicsMark Wiese (@MW_go4launch) / TwitterMark D. Wiese, Manager, Deep Space Logistics, Gateway Program | Kennedy Biographies | NASAAbout Gateway Deep Space Logistics | NASANASA Awards Artemis Contract for Gateway Logistics Services | NASASource Selection Statement for the Gateway Logistics Services ContractEpisode T+152: SpaceX’s Dragon XL Wins Gateway Logistics Services Contract - Main Engine Cut OffNASA Seeks Information for Gateway Cargo Delivery ServicesGateway Logistics Services - Main Engine Cut OffEpisode T+124: Gateway Logistics Services, FY2020 NDAA, and Small GEO Satellites - Main Engine Cut OffGateway Logistics Services - Draft RFP - beta.SAM.govThe ShowLike the show? Support the show!Email your thoughts, comments, and questions to anthony@mainenginecutoff.comFollow @WeHaveMECOListen to MECO HeadlinesJoin the Off-Nominal DiscordSubscribe on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn or elsewhereSubscribe to the Main Engine Cut Off NewsletterBuy shirts and Rocket Socks from the Main Engine Cut Off ShopMusic by Max Justus

Northrop Grumman was awarded $187 million for the Gateway Habitat design, which caps off NASA’s 2020 budget work for Artemis components. Additionally, Kathy Lueders was named head of human spaceflight at NASA, which is huge and fantastic news. We take a look at the Artemis program’s acquisitions so far and the road ahead under Lueders’ leadership.This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 38 executive producers—Brandon, Matthew, Simon, Kris, Pat, Matt, Jorge, Brad, Ryan, Nadim, Peter, Donald, Lee, Chris, Warren, Bob, Russell, John, Moritz, Joel, Jan, Grant, David, Joonas, Robb, Tim Dodd (the Everyday Astronaut!), Frank, Julian and Lars from Agile Space, Tommy, Adam, and seven anonymous—and 377 other supporters.Topicsdonate.offnominal.spaceLet’s Make Space Better. | Off-NominalOrigins: Jim Bridenstine | Off-NominalWeMartians PodcastNASA to sole source Gateway habitation module to Northrop Grumman - SpaceNews.comNASA Awards Northrop Grumman Artemis Contract for Gateway Crew Cabin | NASANASA selects Maxar to build first Gateway element - SpaceNews.comFirst Two Gateway Elements to Launch Together - Main Engine Cut OffKathy Lueders Selected to Lead NASA’s Human Spaceflight Office | NASAEpisode T+158: Doug Loverro Resigns, and a Bit About the Artemis Accords - Main Engine Cut OffEpisode T+159: SpaceX Demo-2 Carries Crew to ISS - Main Engine Cut OffNASA Selects Blue Origin, Dynetics, SpaceX for Artemis Human LandersNASA Awards Artemis Contract for Gateway Logistics Services | NASAThe ShowLike the show? Support the show!Email your thoughts, comments, and questions to anthony@mainenginecutoff.comFollow @WeHaveMECOListen to MECO HeadlinesJoin the Off-Nominal DiscordSubscribe on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn or elsewhereSubscribe to the Main Engine Cut Off NewsletterBuy shirts and Rocket Socks from the Main Engine Cut Off ShopMusic by Max Justus

It happened! American astronauts on American rockets from American soil. Bob and Doug successfully launched, docked to the ISS, and joined Expedition 63. I talk about what this means for SpaceX, NASA, space policy, and where things go from here.This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 37 executive producers—Brandon, Matthew, Kris, Pat, Matt, Jorge, Brad, Ryan, Nadim, Peter, Donald, Lee, Chris, Warren, Bob, Russell, John, Moritz, Joel, Jan, Grant, David, Mints, Joonas, Robb, Tim Dodd (the Everyday Astronaut!), Frank, Julian and Lars from Agile Space, Tommy, Adam, and six anonymous—and 371 other supporters.TopicsNASA Astronauts Launch from America in Test of SpaceX Crew Dragon | NASAStation Welcomes First SpaceX Crew Dragon with Astronauts | NASASpaceX DM-2 Launch! Hang out and watch the prep, launch, and early orbital operations. - YouTubeCrew Demo 2 (Launch) - YouTubeCrew Demo 2 (Approach and Docking) - YouTubeMain Engine Cut Off on Twitter: “Fantastic clip, and a wonderful event from Dragon this morning”After troubled first flight, Boeing will refly Starliner without crew | Ars TechnicaMichael Baylor on Twitter: “SpaceX has been given NASA approval to fly flight-proven Falcon 9 and Crew Dragon vehicles during Commercial Crew flights starting with Post-Certification Mission 2, per a modification to SpaceX's contract with NASA.”Michael Sheetz on Twitter: “Axiom Space CEO Mike Suffredini said his company's private trip to the ISS with SpaceX is scheduled for October 2021, so Demo-2 helped ‘our customers know that it's going to be real.’ Axiom plans to announce the 3 passengers in a month or so.”Space Adventures Announces Agreement with SpaceX to Launch Private Citizens on the Crew Dragon Spacecraft - Space AdventuresCurrent and former NASA leadership share credit for commercial crew - SpaceNews.comThe ShowLike the show? Support the show!Email your thoughts, comments, and questions to anthony@mainenginecutoff.comFollow @WeHaveMECOListen to MECO HeadlinesJoin the Off-Nominal DiscordSubscribe on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn or elsewhereSubscribe to the Main Engine Cut Off NewsletterBuy shirts and Rocket Socks from the Main Engine Cut Off ShopMusic by Max Justus