On Thursday I flew to space, and what a ride it was! From the hurtling ascent, to the jam-packed 3 minutes of otherworldly microgravity to get our real work done, to the washboard deceleration of entry, and then the steep glide to a greased landing, it was simultaneously thrilling, fulfilling, and enchanting. And, there’s no contest, it was the single best work day I have ever had!

My rookie spaceflight is so close now that it’s hard to believe–its time is really here. We plan to fly on Thursday, launching aboard Virgin Galactic’s Unity spacecraft. As the flight nears, I’m hearing from a lot of friends and colleagues, with both questions and good wishes for the mission, which I really love. One colleague, a talented physicist named Setthivoine (Sett) You at Helicityspace Corporation (where I serve as an advisor) recently asked me in jest to verify for him that the world is indeed round. So I told him I’d do that, and adding that “bonus” science to my research and training mission.

Virgin Galactic’s Galactic 05 suborbital mission I am flying on, still set for November 2nd, is the fifth commercial suborbital revenue mission for Virgin Galactic. Among myself and the other revenue customers on the flight, we’ve been referring to the mission as “High 5!”. And if it does, I’m pretty sure you’ll see some high 5’s among us on flight day!

Keith’s note: First we hear that Blue Origin and Sierra Space partnership for a commercial space station (Orbital Reef) is falling apart. Now we hear that Northrop Grumman is going to end its independent effort and is going to join with the Voyager Space/Nanoracks team. What was once 4 different space station ideas with NASA funding is now suddenly two i.e. Axiom Space and Voyager Space/Nanoracks/Northrop Grumman. The question is whether this helps NASA as budgets tighten or frees up more funds to make things happen faster. Or both. Or neither. Stay tuned. Keith’s 11 October update: both @BlueOrigin and @Sierra Space tweeted that they are still working together, But it took more than a week for them to get around to doing so. Hmmm ….

“The closure of the mishap investigation does not signal an immediate resumption of Starship launches at Boca Chica. SpaceX must implement all corrective actions that impact public safety and apply for and receive a license modification from the FAA that addresses all safety, environmental and other applicable regulatory requirements prior to the next Starship launch.” More

Keith’s note: According to an FAA posting in the Federal Register: “This proposed rule would incorporate various changes required by the United States Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act of November 2015. This proposed rule would provide regulatory clarity to applicants seeking licenses for space flight operations involving government astronauts by adding two new subparts to the human space flight regulations containing requirements for operators with government astronauts with and without safety-critical roles on board vehicles.” More

“Today, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is launching a rulemaking committee to examine the development and cost of possible future regulations for commercial human spaceflight occupant safety. The agency is taking this action due to the increase in commercial space activities and the impending end of the Congressional prohibition on commercial human spaceflight regulations in October 2023. The committee is expected to gather recommendations from industry and other stakeholders to help the FAA plan, conceive, and implement—when the time is right—a well-informed, thoughtful, regulatory regime for commercial human spaceflight occupant safety. Recommendations will be submitted to the FAA next summer.” More.

Keith’s note: I spoke with CGTN tonight about the launch of LandSpace’s ZQ 2 / Rosefinch 2 – the first rocket to put a payload into space using Methane/Oxygen engines and the various missions heading to the south pole of the Moon. [Audio]

Keith’s note: Virgin Galactic pulled off an apparently flawless flight into space today – two pilots took four commercial passengers into space, they did their science thing, looked out the window at apogee and got a nice dose of the Overview Effect, came home, and are probably eating lunch right now. I did a quick post flight interview on Deutsche Welle TV about the flight: Audio. Update: I was back on DW again at 4:00pm EDT to talk about this flight. Audio

Keith’s note: The first launch of SpaceX Starship was halted on monday 17 April 2023 after a pressurization issue arose in the first stage. SpaceX decided to continue with the preparation – as a “wet dress” down to the T-0:10 mark so as to allow its team to exercise its procedures. The next launch attempt will likely be in 48 hours be on Thursday 20 April according to SpaceX. When the launch occurs – successful or not – this will mark a tectonic paradigm shift in how we access space. There is no indication that NASA understands what is about to happen. More