Galileo Goes Rocket-Shopping

The European Union seems to be accepting the reality that Ariane 6 won’t be ready to launch its new generation of Galileo satellites. The one available option won’t surprise anyone.

Follow-Up: Ukraine and Arianespace

There is a Dark Side to Ukraine’s use of commercial space companies. And, a space economist has questions about last week’s article.

Arianespace: The Only Fish in the Pond (and Keeping It That Way)

Is a launch company that can’t field rockets for new customers still a launch company? If not, should European leadership still be taking its advice?

Space Industry Opportunities and Follies

I’ve got neither the looks nor the brains, but there are a lot of opportunities. Beware, though, folly is opportunity’s constant companion.

Revisiting a Few 2022 Space Activities

This article is just the first of my 2022 space industry examinations. The next will examine industry trends.

Space Exploration Obstacles and “Miracle” Solutions

Ill-defined property laws aren’t the only reason prospectors haven’t staked and mined claims in space. They may not even be the most relevant. Here’s a reason with significant mass behind it.

The Cake is a Lie: Europe’s Ariane 6 Delays

ArianeGroup, ESA, and the EU need more sense of urgency to help Europe gain its space sovereignty. So where is the promised cake?

Third Mover Disadvantage: ArianeGroup & Reusability

ArianeGroup’s love/hate relationship with rocket reusability continues. It loves government money thrown its way, parroting political purposes, as it grudgingly ventures into reusability development.

From Modular & Flexible to “A Necessary Step”

Nearly two weeks ago a European Union (EU) Commissioner, Thierry Breton, mentioned the European Ariane...

SpaceX’s Cyclical Problem

Two years ago, the German magazine “Der Spiegel” interviewed Ariane Group’s Alain Charmeau (translation of that interview, here). The interview initially focused on the development of and launch plans for Arianespace’s newest rocket, the Ariane 6 (which might be launched in 2020). However, during the interview, “Der Spiegel” mentioned the fact that SpaceX’s Falcon 9… Continue reading SpaceX’s Cyclical Problem