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Main Engine Cut Off

Latest episodes

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Dec 1, 2023 • 17min

T+265: Headlines, featuring Starship IFT-2, Dragonfly, and Ariane 6

A special (free!) airing of this week’s episode of MECO Headlines. Starship IFT-2, Dragonfly, Ariane 6, ISS happenings, launches, and more.This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 35 executive producers—Donald, Pat from KC, David, Theo and Violet, Dawn Aerospace, Steve, SmallSpark Space Systems, Jan, Chris, Bob, Tyler, Stealth Julian, Kris, Russell, Pat, Fred, Craig from SpaceHappyHour.com, Tim Dodd, the Everyday Astronaut, Will and Lars from Agile Space, Lee, Warren, Harrison, Brandon, Joonas, The Astrogators at SEE, Matt, Ryan, Joel, Frank, Benjamin, and four anonymous—and 835 other supporters.TopicsAfter upgrades, Starship achieves numerous successes during second test flight - NASASpaceFlight.comStarship/Super Heavy lifts off on second flight - SpaceNewsAriane 6 completes long-duration static-fire test - SpaceNewsESA sets mid-2024 date for first Ariane 6 launch - SpaceNewsNASA’s Dragonfly to Proceed with Final Mission Design Work - NASA ScienceNASA postpones Dragonfly review, launch date - SpaceNewsSpace Station – Off The Earth, For The EarthDragon Kicks Off Robotics and Science Activities on Station – Space StationRobotics Activities Continue; Crew Completes an Array of Research – Space StationAging, Human Research Studies Ahead of Next Cargo Mission – Space StationChina launches new-gen Haiyang ocean monitoring satellite - SpaceNewsLaunch Roundup: Starship, Falcon 9, and Chang Zheng-2C this week - NASASpaceFlight.comSatTrackCam Leiden (b)log: North Korea successfully launches the Malligyong-1 reconnaissance satelliteChina conducts launch to test satellite internet capabilities - SpaceNewsLaunch Roundup: SpaceX on pace to hit 100 launches in 2023, Soyuz to launch Bars-M - NASASpaceFlight.comThe ShowLike the show? Support the show!Email your thoughts, comments, and questions to anthony@mainenginecutoff.comFollow @WeHaveMECOFollow @meco@spacey.space on MastodonListen to MECO HeadlinesListen to Off-NominalJoin the Off-Nominal DiscordSubscribe on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn or elsewhereSubscribe to the Main Engine Cut Off NewsletterArtwork photo by NASAWork with me and my design and development agency: Pine Works
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Nov 13, 2023 • 23min

T+264: ESA’s Interest in Space Stations, Virgin Galactic Bails on VSS Unity

ESA is looking to start a commercial cargo program while looking further ahead to commercial space stations by signing an agreement with Airbus and Voyager. Virgin Galactic is laying off 20% of its staff and ending VSS Unity flights in just a few months.This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 35 executive producers—Russell, Joonas, Kris, SmallSpark Space Systems, Tim Dodd, the Everyday Astronaut, Jan, Chris, David, Warren, Stealth Julian, Craig from SpaceHappyHour.com, Pat from KC, Frank, Donald, Pat, Fred, Dawn Aerospace, Ryan, Steve, Tyler, Brandon, Harrison, Theo and Violet, Will and Lars from Agile Space, Joel, The Astrogators at SEE, Lee, Benjamin, Bob, Matt, and four anonymous—and 821 other supporters.TopicsVoyager Space and Airbus create commercial space station joint venture - SpaceNewsESA to start commercial cargo program - SpaceNewsAirbus and Voyager sign agreement with ESA on Starlab commercial space station - SpaceNewsVirgin Galactic lays off staff as it focuses on next-generation suborbital vehicle - SpaceNewsVirgin Galactic to halt Unity suborbital flights by mid-2024 - SpaceNewsVirgin Galactic’s president explains how VSS Unity is now flying frequently | Ars TechnicaThe ShowLike the show? Support the show!Email your thoughts, comments, and questions to anthony@mainenginecutoff.comFollow @WeHaveMECOFollow @meco@spacey.space on MastodonListen to MECO HeadlinesListen to Off-NominalJoin the Off-Nominal DiscordSubscribe on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn or elsewhereSubscribe to the Main Engine Cut Off NewsletterArtwork photo by NASAWork with me and my design and development agency: Pine Works
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Oct 31, 2023 • 33min

T+263: Space Policy Roundup (with Marcia Smith)

Marcia Smith of SpacePolicyOnline.com joins me for a roundup of space policy topics—the House Speaker mayhem, the outlook for budgets over the next year, what to do about the ISS and its related expenses, and a lot more.This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 35 executive producers—Frank, Kris, Tyler, Fred, Lee, Pat from KC, Dawn Aerospace, Stealth Julian, Craig from SpaceHappyHour.com, Theo and Violet, Steve, Benjamin, Warren, Pat, Donald, Joel, David, Ryan, Will and Lars from Agile Space, Bob, The Astrogators at SEE, Tim Dodd, the Everyday Astronaut, Jan, SmallSpark Space Systems, Joonas, Brandon, Harrison, Matt, Chris, Russell, and four anonymous—and 838 other supporters.TopicsSpacePolicyOnline.com – Your first stop for news, information and analysis about civil, military and commercial space programsShutdown Averted, Government Funded Until November 17 – SpacePolicyOnline.comSpeaker Mike Johnson: “The People’s House is Back in Business” – SpacePolicyOnline.comNASA Safety Panel Issues Clarion Call for ISS Deorbit Tug – SpacePolicyOnline.comNASA Upbeat About Future of Mars Sample Return Despite IRB-2 Report – SpacePolicyOnline.comSpaceX Warns Government Regulations Slowing Starship, Could Let China Get Ahead – SpacePolicyOnline.comNASA IG Skeptical of Major SLS Cost Savings From Services Contract – SpacePolicyOnline.comThe ShowLike the show? Support the show!Email your thoughts, comments, and questions to anthony@mainenginecutoff.comFollow @WeHaveMECOFollow @meco@spacey.space on MastodonListen to MECO HeadlinesListen to Off-NominalJoin the Off-Nominal DiscordSubscribe on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn or elsewhereSubscribe to the Main Engine Cut Off NewsletterArtwork photo by Stoke SpaceWork with me and my design and development agency: Pine Works
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Oct 27, 2023 • 43min

T+262: Printing a Meniscus in the BioFabrication Facility (with Dr. Molly Mulligan and Dr. Ken Savin of Redwire)

Dr. Molly Mulligan and Dr. Ken Savin of Redwire join me to talk about successfully 3D bioprinting the first human knee meniscus on the International Space Station in their BioFabrication Facility, how this work fits into the near and far future of both health and the space market at large, and to discuss a wide-ranging set of related topics.This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 35 executive producers—Donald, Lee, Fred, Kris, Benjamin, Pat, Jan, Chris, Craig from SpaceHappyHour.com, Will and Lars from Agile Space, The Astrogators at SEE, Harrison, Joonas, Steve, Theo and Violet, Bob, Joel, Tim Dodd, the Everyday Astronaut, David, Pat from KC, Ryan, Russell, Stealth Julian, Brandon, Warren, Tyler, Dawn Aerospace, Matt, Frank, SmallSpark Space Systems, and four anonymous—and 837 other supporters.TopicsRedwire Space | Heritage + InnovationRedwire BioFabrication Facility Successfully Prints First Human Knee Meniscus on ISS, Paving the Way for Advanced In-Space Bioprinting Capabilities to Benefit Human Health | Redwire SpaceNG-18 Research: RedWire BioFabrication Facility - YouTubeThe ShowLike the show? Support the show!Email your thoughts, comments, and questions to anthony@mainenginecutoff.comFollow @WeHaveMECOFollow @meco@spacey.space on MastodonListen to MECO HeadlinesListen to Off-NominalJoin the Off-Nominal DiscordSubscribe on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn or elsewhereSubscribe to the Main Engine Cut Off NewsletterArtwork photo by Stoke SpaceWork with me and my design and development agency: Pine Works
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Oct 23, 2023 • 52min

T+261: Agile Space (with CEO Chris Pearson and Chief Engineer Lars Osborne)

Chris Pearson (CEO) and Lars Osborne (Chief Engineer) of Agile Space join me to talk about what they’re working on, how the company has gotten to where it is today, and what’s in store for the future.This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 35 executive producers—Pat from KC, Chris, Benjamin, Pat, Jan, Joonas, The Astrogators at SEE, Tyler, Dawn Aerospace, Bob, Fred, Joel, Donald, Frank, Lee, Craig from SpaceHappyHour.com, Matt, Stealth Julian, Russell, Brandon, SmallSpark Space Systems, Kris, Harrison, David, Ryan, Will and Lars from Agile Space, Steve, Theo and Violet, Tim Dodd, the Everyday Astronaut, Warren, and four anonymous—and 835 other supporters.TopicsAgile Space IndustriesChris Pearson takes the reins at Agile Space Industries - SpaceNewsAgile raises $13 million to expand production - SpaceNewsAgile Qualifies a Thruster for Lunar Landings - PayloadThe ShowLike the show? Support the show!Email your thoughts, comments, and questions to anthony@mainenginecutoff.comFollow @WeHaveMECOFollow @meco@spacey.space on MastodonListen to MECO HeadlinesListen to Off-NominalJoin the Off-Nominal DiscordSubscribe on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn or elsewhereSubscribe to the Main Engine Cut Off NewsletterArtwork photo by Stoke SpaceWork with me and my design and development agency: Pine Works
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Oct 19, 2023 • 23min

T+260: Northrop Grumman Changes Plans, Starlab, Orbital Reef, and Leadership Changes

Northrop Grumman has changed plans—they’ve ended their own space station project, and will contribute to Starlab. At the same time, Blue Origin and Sierra Space are reconsidering their Orbital Reef plans, amidst changing leadership and raising money.This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 35 executive producers—Jan, Frank, The Astrogators at SEE, Tim Dodd, the Everyday Astronaut, Joonas, David, Lars from Agile Space, Matt, Harrison, Theo and Violet, Kris, Pat, Stealth Julian, Lee, Bob, Ryan, Russell, Steve, Dawn Aerospace, Donald, Joel, Will from Agile, Benjamin, Brandon, Craig from SpaceHappyHour.com, Chris, Tyler, Pat from KC, Warren, Fred, SmallSpark Space Systems, and four anonymous—and 833 other supporters.TopicsNorthrop Grumman to join Voyager Space commercial space station project - SpaceNewsBlue Origin, Sierra Space Orbital Reef space station in limboSierra Space raises $290 million - SpaceNewsJeff Bezos finally got rid of Bob Smith at Blue Origin | Ars TechnicaThe ShowLike the show? Support the show!Email your thoughts, comments, and questions to anthony@mainenginecutoff.comFollow @WeHaveMECOFollow @meco@spacey.space on MastodonListen to MECO HeadlinesListen to Off-NominalJoin the Off-Nominal DiscordSubscribe on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn or elsewhereSubscribe to the Main Engine Cut Off NewsletterArtwork photo by Stoke SpaceWork with me and my design and development agency: Pine Works
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Sep 12, 2023 • 57min

T+259: Tom Marotta, The Spaceport Company

Tom Marotta of The Spaceport Company joins me to talk about what they’re working on, their vision for the future of spaceflight, spaceport operations, the demonstration they did in May, the FAA and its interaction with private companies, reentry licensing, and a whole host of other topics.This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 34 executive producers—Steve, Bob, Stealth Julian, David, Harrison, Lee, Jan, Joonas, Ryan, Theo and Violet, Frank, Chris, Pat, Lars and Will from Agile Space, Kris, Donald, SmallSpark Space Systems, Dawn Aerospace, Matt, Pat from KC, Tyler, Craig from SpaceHappyHour.com, Joel, Tim Dodd (the Everyday Astronaut), Fred, Benjamin, The Astrogators at SEE, Russell, Warren, and four anonymous—and 833 other supporters.TopicsTom Marotta (@thomasmarotta) / XTom Marotta | LinkedInThe Spaceport CompanyThe Spaceport Company: Overview | LinkedInThe Spaceport Company (@TheSpaceportCo) / XThe Spaceport Company- Full Length Launch ProRes HQ 4 - YouTubeThe Spaceport Company demonstrates offshore launch operations - SpaceNewsCape Congestion: World's busiest spaceport stretched to its limits - SpaceNewsThe Space Review: The spaceport bottleneckChinese Ceres-1 rocket reaches orbit with first sea launch - SpaceNewsThe High Frontier: An Easier Way: Marotta, Tom, Globus, Al: 9781719231749: Amazon.com: BooksThe ShowLike the show? Support the show!Email your thoughts, comments, and questions to anthony@mainenginecutoff.comFollow @WeHaveMECOFollow @meco@spacey.space on MastodonListen to MECO HeadlinesListen to Off-NominalJoin the Off-Nominal DiscordSubscribe on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn or elsewhereSubscribe to the Main Engine Cut Off NewsletterArtwork photo by ISROWork with me and my design and development agency: Pine Works
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Sep 8, 2023 • 1h 5min

T+258: The Six, by Loren Grush (Off-Nominal 123 - An Exciting Time)

Jake and Anthony are joined by Loren Grush of Bloomberg to talk about her new book, The Six: The Untold Story of America’s First Women Astronauts.This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 34 executive producers—Frank, Chris, Joel, Fred, Tim Dodd (the Everyday Astronaut), Steve, David, Craig from SpaceHappyHour.com, Kris, Theo and Violet, Joonas, Lee, Bob, Stealth Julian, Pat, SmallSpark Space Systems, Harrison, Benjamin, Lars and Will from Agile Space, Ryan, Dawn Aerospace, Warren, The Astrogators at SEE, Tyler, Russell, Pat from KC, Matt, Jan, Donald, and four anonymous—and 842 other supporters.TopicsOff-Nominal Campaign for Relay FM/St. JudeLoren Grush - BloombergLoren Grush (@grushcrush) • Instagram photos and videosLoren Grush (@lorengrush) / TwitterOff-Nominal - YouTubeEpisode 123 - An Exciting Time (with Loren Grush) - YouTubeThe Six | Book by Loren Grush | Official Publisher Page | Simon & SchusterThe Space Shuttle Columbia tragedy: a conversation with my parents who worked the accident - The VergeThe ShowLike the show? Support the show!Email your thoughts, comments, and questions to anthony@mainenginecutoff.comFollow @WeHaveMECOFollow @meco@spacey.space on MastodonListen to MECO HeadlinesListen to Off-NominalJoin the Off-Nominal DiscordSubscribe on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn or elsewhereSubscribe to the Main Engine Cut Off NewsletterArtwork photo by ISROWork with me and my design and development agency: Pine Works
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Aug 31, 2023 • 54min

T+257: Chandrayaan-3, Luna-25, and the Deep Space Network (with Scott Tilley)

Scott Tilley, space enthusiast and expert in Chandrayaan-3 and Luna-25, discusses ISRO's success, the mystery behind Luna-25, challenges of finding evidence, and the limitations of the Deep Space Network.
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Aug 25, 2023 • 32min

T+256: The Kuiper Logjam

In this podcast, the host discusses Amazon's Project Kuiper and their decision to switch launch vehicles. They explore the limitations of Atlas V rockets and the financial transactions involved. They also talk about FCC guidelines for satellite launches and the challenges surrounding upcoming rocket flights.

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