

Main Engine Cut Off
Anthony Colangelo
MECO is opinion and analysis of spaceflight, exploration, policy, and strategy, by Anthony Colangelo.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 30, 2019 • 30min
T+138: Peter Beck, Founder of Rocket Lab
Peter Beck, Founder, CEO, and CTO of Rocket Lab, joins me to talk about what they’ve been up to with Electron and Photon, as well as some of their new offerings like ground station support through KSAT and Photon missions to the Moon.This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 38 executive producers—Kris, Pat, Matt, Jorge, Brad, Ryan, Nadim, Peter, Donald, Lee, Chris, Warren, Bob, Russell, John, Moritz, Joel, Jan, David, Grant, Mike, David, Mints, Joonas, Robb, Tim Dodd the Everyday Astronaut, Frank, Julian and Lars from Agile Space, Tommy, Adam, Sam, and six anonymous—and 296 other supporters.Peter Beck (@Peter_J_Beck) | TwitterRocket Lab | Frequent and reliable access launch is now a reality | Rocket LabRocket Lab (@RocketLab) | TwitterRocket Lab - YouTubeRocket Lab | Electron - satellite launch vehicle | Rocket LabPhoton | Rocket LabRocket Lab successfully launches ninth Electron mission, deploys payload to highest orbit yet | Rocket LabRocket Lab partners with Kongsberg Satellite Services for Electron and Photon ground station support | Rocket LabRocket Lab to deliver payloads to the Moon and beyond with Photon | Rocket LabRocket Lab | Become a pioneerLike 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

Oct 28, 2019 • 17min
T+137: Artemis Politics, United Lander Alliance
Artemis and international politics were on display on the first day of IAC 2019, followed by strange-yet-politically-minded partnerships on the second day.This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 38 executive producers—Kris, Pat, Matt, Jorge, Brad, Ryan, Nadim, Peter, Donald, Lee, Chris, Warren, Bob, Russell, John, Moritz, Joel, Jan, David, Grant, Mike, David, Mints, Joonas, Robb, Tim Dodd the Everyday Astronaut, Frank, Julian and Lars from Agile Space, Tommy, Adam, Sam, and six anonymous—and 295 other supporters.Pence calls for American-led cooperation in space exploration - SpaceNews.comBlue Origin | Blue Origin Announces National Team for NASA’s Artemis Human Landing SystemBlue Origin teams up with Lockheed Martin and more for human lunar lander design - The VergeLike 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

Oct 12, 2019 • 18min
T+136: Starship to GTO, SSO from Florida
A few bits of follow-up on Starship to GTO, the Bridenstine-Musk show at SpaceX HQ, and flying to polar orbits from Florida.Meetup alert! Sunday, October 20, 2019 in Washington, DC. Hang out with me, Jake, and a ton of amazing people of space the night before IAC 2019 kicks off. Details at events.offnominal.space.This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 39 executive producers—Kris, Pat, Matt, Jorge, Brad, Ryan, Nadim, Peter, Donald, Lee, Chris, Warren, Bob, Russell, John, Moritz, Joel, Jan, David, Grant, Mike, David, Mints, Joonas, Robb, Tim Dodd the Everyday Astronaut, Frank, Rui, Julian, Lars, Tommy, Adam, Sam, and six anonymous—and 284 other supporters.SpaceX targets 2021 commercial Starship launch - SpaceNews.comWATCH LIVE: Elon Musk and NASA chief give an update on SpaceX's astronaut spacecraft – 10/10/2019 - YouTube45th Space Wing commander: Changes underway to support commercial launch - SpaceNews.comMichael Baylor on Twitter: “The official government website states that Cape Canaveral is the launch site for SAOCOM 1B, and I have verified that this is not an error. SAOCOM 1A was launched out of Vandenberg last October.”Flight Club on Twitter: “This one’s better. 97°”Canaveral’s Polar Express - Main Engine Cut OffEmail 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 ShopLike the show? Support the show!Music by Max Justus

Oct 8, 2019 • 31min
T+135: Jake Robins on Starship
Jake Robins, host of WeMartians and my co-host on Off-Nominal, joins me for Part 2 of our conversation about SpaceX’s 2019 Starship update. Part 1 can be found over on WeMartians.Meetup alert! Sunday, October 20, 2019 in Washington, DC. Hang out with me, Jake, and a ton of amazing people of space the night before IAC 2019 kicks off. Details at events.offnominal.space.This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 39 executive producers—Kris, Pat, Matt, Jorge, Brad, Ryan, Nadim, Peter, Donald, Lee, Chris, Warren, Bob, Russell, John, Moritz, Joel, Jan, David, Grant, Mike, David, Mints, Joonas, Robb, Tim Dodd the Everyday Astronaut, Frank, Rui, Julian, Lars, Tommy, Adam, Sam, and six anonymous—and 276 other supporters.65 - Starship on Course (feat. Anthony Colangelo) - WeMartians Podcast — Part 1 of our Starship conversationJake Robins (@JakeOnOrbit) | TwitterHome - WeMartians PodcastOff-NominalStarship | SpaceXStarship Update - YouTubeJim Bridenstine on Twitter: “My statement on @SpaceX’s announcement tomorrow”Jim Bridenstine on Twitter: “I had a great phone call with @elonmusk this week, and I’m looking forward to visiting @SpaceX in Hawthorne next Thursday. More to come soon!”Off-Nominal EventsEmail 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 ShopLike the show? Support the show!Music by Max Justus

Sep 27, 2019 • 17min
T+134: Headlines (with news on Orion, NEOCam, and more)
I’ve got a special preview of MECO Headlines for the main feed this week, with news on Orion, NASA’s FY2020 budget, NEOCam’s legacy, Starship, and more.This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 39 executive producers—Kris, Pat, Matt, Jorge, Brad, Ryan, Nadim, Peter, Donald, Lee, Chris, Warren, Bob, Russell, John, Moritz, Joel, Jan, David, Grant, Mike, David, Mints, Joonas, Robb, Tim Dodd the Everyday Astronaut, Frank, Rui, Julian, Lars, Tommy, Adam, Sam, and six anonymous—and 272 other supporters.HeadlinesOff-Nominal Events: Meetup in DC—Sunday, October 20th!NASA Commits to Long-term Artemis Missions with Orion Production | NASASenate appropriators advance bill funding NASA despite uncertainties about Artemis costs - SpaceNews.comNASA to develop mission to search for near-Earth asteroids - SpaceNews.comElon Musk on Twitter: “Three Raptors on a Starship”Elon Musk on Twitter: “Adding the rear moving fins to Starship Mk1 in Boca Chica, Texas”BocaChicaGal photosLauncherOne: Shaping Up and Shipping Out | Virgin OrbitSoyuz ferries three crew members to space station – Spaceflight NowFresh batteries, experiments on the way to the International Space Station – Spaceflight NowTwo more satellites launched into China’s Beidou navigation fleet – Spaceflight NowRussia launches missile warning satellite – Spaceflight NowKeep an eye on upcoming launches with rocketlaunch.live.Show InfoEmail 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 ShopLike the show? Support the show!Music by Max Justus

Sep 17, 2019 • 34min
T+133: Kurt Klaus on CLPS
Kurt Klaus, Chair of the Lunar Exploration Analysis Group’s Commercial Advisory Board, joins me to talk about NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services program, and the wider potential for commercial flights to the Moon and beyond.This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 39 executive producers—Kris, Pat, Matt, Jorge, Brad, Ryan, Nadim, Peter, Donald, Lee, Chris, Warren, Bob, Russell, John, Moritz, Joel, Jan, David, Grant, Mike, David, Mints, Joonas, Robb, Tim Dodd the Everyday Astronaut, Frank, Rui, Julian, Lars, Tommy, Adam, Sam, and six anonymous—and 271 other supporters.Mr. Kurt K. KlausLunar Exploration Analysis Group (LEAG)Commercial Lunar Payload Services | NASANASA Selects First Commercial Moon Landing Services for Artemis | NASANASA Selects 12 New Lunar Science, Technology Investigations | NASANASA Selects Experiments for Possible Lunar Flights in 2019 | NASAEpisode T+129: Steve Altemus and Dr. Tim Crain, Intuitive Machines - Main Engine Cut OffEmail 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 ShopLike the show? Support the show!Music by Max Justus

Sep 12, 2019 • 10min
T+132: SpaceX SmallSat Updates
SpaceX updated their SmallSat launch offering—dropping the price and increasing the number of flights. It certainly looks like they’ll be a force to be reckoned with in the small launch market.
This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 39 executive producers—Kris, Pat, Matt, Jorge, Brad, Ryan, Nadim, Peter, Donald, Lee, Chris, Warren, Bob, Russell, John, Moritz, Joel, Jan, David, Grant, Mike, David, Mints, Joonas, Robb, Tim Dodd the Everyday Astronaut, Frank, Rui, Julian, Lars, Tommy, Adam, Sam, and six anonymous—and 269 other supporters.
SpaceX - Smallsat Program
SpaceX revamps smallsat rideshare program - SpaceNews.com
SpaceX plans 24 Starlink launches next year - SpaceNews.com
Email your thoughts, comments, and questions to anthony@mainenginecutoff.com
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Music by Max Justus

Aug 31, 2019 • 43min
T+131: Andrew Rush, CEO of Made in Space
Andrew Rush, CEO of Made in Space, joins me to talk about their big new NASA contract for Archinaut One and the history, present, and future of in-space manufacturing.
This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 40 executive producers—Kris, Pat, Matt, Jorge, Brad, Ryan, Jamison, Nadim, Peter, Donald, Lee, Chris, Warren, Bob, Russell, John, Moritz, Joel, Jan, David, Grant, Mike, David, Mints, Joonas, Robb, Tim Dodd the Everyday Astronaut, Frank, Rui, Julian, Lars, Tommy, Adam, Sam, and six anonymous—and 265 other supporters.
Made In Space | Build Above
NASA Funds Demo of 3D-Printed Parts Made, Assembled in Orbit | NASA
Made In Space Awarded NASA Contract For Robotic Manufacturing And Assembly Flight Demo Mission | Made In Space
Archinaut One Solar Array Deployment - YouTube
Made In Space, Inc. Completes Successful Ground-Based Manufacturing & Assembly Testing For Archinaut Program | Made In Space
Archinaut
NASA seeks to break the “tyranny of launch” with in-space manufacturing | Ars Technica
NASA Administrator and Made In Space CEO share vision for on-orbit manufacturing, assembly - SpaceNews.com
Email your thoughts, comments, and questions to anthony@mainenginecutoff.com
Follow @WeHaveMECO
Listen to MECO Headlines
Join the Off-Nominal Discord
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn or elsewhere
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Music by Max Justus

Aug 14, 2019 • 22min
T+130: SmallSat Launch Roundup
SmallSat was last week which meant a flurry of announcements. This year was launch heavy, so I break down some announcements from SpaceX, Arianespace, and Rocket Lab.
This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 40 executive producers—Kris, Pat, Matt, Jorge, Brad, Ryan, Jamison, Nadim, Peter, Donald, Lee, Chris, Warren, Bob, Russell, John, Moritz, Joel, Jan, David, Grant, Mike, David, Mints, Joonas, Robb, Tim Dodd the Everyday Astronaut, Frank, Rui, Julian, Lars, Tommy, Adam, Sam, and six anonymous—and 259 other supporters.
SmallSat - Home
SpaceX - Smallsat Program
Arianespace’s “GO-1” mission will provide small satellites with a direct flight to geostationary orbit - Arianespace
Rocket Lab Announces Reusability Plans For Electron Rocket | Rocket Lab
Electron Is Going Reusable - YouTube
Here’s why Rocket Lab changed its mind on reusable launch | Ars Technica
Can Rocket Lab really catch a rocket with a helicopter? - YouTube
PDG Aviation Services - Mid Air Recovery - YouTube
The Search for the Small GEO Sweet Spot - Main Engine Cut Off
Episode T+123: The Noosphere of Influence - Main Engine Cut Off
Episode T+124: Gateway Logistics Services, FY2020 NDAA, and Small GEO Satellites - Main Engine Cut Off
Main Engine Cut Off Shop — Starhopper Ale
Email your thoughts, comments, and questions to anthony@mainenginecutoff.com
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Music by Max Justus

Aug 5, 2019 • 48min
T+129: Steve Altemus and Dr. Tim Crain, Intuitive Machines
Steve Altemus, President & CEO, and Dr. Tim Crain, VP of Research & Development, from Intuitive Machines join me to talk about their Nova-C lander, the Commercial Lunar Payload Services program, and their task order from NASA for a landing on the Moon in July, 2021.
This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 41 executive producers—Kris, Pat, Matt, Jorge, Brad, Ryan, Jamison, Nadim, Peter, Donald, Lee, Jasper, Chris, Warren, Bob, Russell, John, Moritz, Joel, Jan, David, Grant, Mike, David, Mints, Joonas, Robb, Tim Dodd the Everyday Astronaut, Frank, Rui, Julian, Lars, Tommy, Adam, Sam, and six anonymous—and 253 other supporters.
Intuitive Machines
NASA Selects Intuitive Machines for Robotic Return to the Moon in 2021 | Intuitive Machines
Commercial Lunar Payload Services | NASA
NASA Selects First Commercial Moon Landing Services for Artemis | NASA
NASA: Private Houston company working on moon landing | khou.com
Back to the moon: Johnson Space Center to play key role in NASA’s mission to the moon, beyond | Community Impact Newspaper
Project Morpheus : Home
Project M (NASA) - Wikipedia
Email your thoughts, comments, and questions to anthony@mainenginecutoff.com
Follow @WeHaveMECO
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Join the Off-Nominal Discord
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn or elsewhere
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Buy shirts and Rocket Socks from the Main Engine Cut Off Shop
Like the show? Support the show!
Music by Max Justus