Episode 1604: Starship Flight 3 Recap; Safely Watch the April 8 Solar Eclipse

We’re giving up on new ways to describe how busy it is now in the world of space-related news. Nonetheless, we still have a Starship Flight 3 recap, a look at the next (and last) Delta IV Heavy launch, and we also focus on the upcoming total solar eclipse. But first, in the News Roundup, even more, including:

• Crew 7 returns from the ISS;
• RocketLab’s Electron booster launches the “Owl Night Long” mission for Japan-based Synspective;
• Japan-based Space One launch vehicle explodes during first launch;
• SpaceX’s controversial land-swap deal in Texas;
• The White House releases NASA 2025 budget on the heels of the final fiscal year 2024 spending bill for NASA, NOAAandFAA;
• NASA network of small moon rovers gets ready for work on IM-2 mission;

The Post-Delta-IV-Heavy Future of Launch Complex 37

Next, the team discusses some possible alternatives for the future of Space Launch Complex 37 on Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. The USAF conducted a public hearing (both in-person and online, which Gene attended) to discuss the two options. One is for SpaceX to take over LC-37 and convert it for use by the Starship Super Heavy. The other is to establish a new LC-50, to be located between SpaceX’s LC-40 and ULA’s LC-41.  Charles Boyer from “Talk of Titusville” outlines the entire plan here. 

How to Safely Enjoy the Upcoming Solar Eclipse

According to the site TimeandDate , the first sign of a partial eclipse in North America is to start at 15:42 UTC (that's 11:42 AM EDT) on April 8, 2024, and will end about 20:52 UTC or 4:52 PM EDT. 

NASA has a good site as well if you are looking for when to look in your area, NASA’s Eclipse Explorer can give you information about your town to see if you are in the path of totality. So can a moving map animation at greatamericaneclipse.com.

And if you get rained out or clouded over? Never fear, NASA TV will be providing coverage.

Starship Flight 3 Recap

Finally, the team recaps their impressions of the third test flight of Starship Super Heavy. While both booster and ship were prematurely lost (which, by regulation, requires that SpaceX conduct another Mishap Investigation), there were a number of notable achievements to highlight on this test flight. There were a number of lowlights as well. We discuss it all.

Please be sure to let us know your thoughts on the topics we discuss. You can always reach us at mailbag@TalkingSpaceOnline.com. You now have a way to easily send us a voice recording that we may use on the show: just click on the blue microphone icon at the bottom right of any page at TalkingSpaceOnline.com.

Show recorded 03-17-2024.

Host: Larry Herrin

Panelist(s): Gene Mikulka and Mark Ratterman (Dr. Kat Robison and Sawyer Rosenstein will return)

Podcast Editor: Larry Herrin

TalkingSpaceOnline.com episode page photo credits:

CADRE Mars Yard Tests: NASA/JPL-CalTech

View from Booster as it heads back down during Starship Flight 3: SpaceX (screengrab)