gekko

doing the math for you since 1994

Tag: SpaceX

  • The Great Space Switcheroo: A Cosmic Comedy of Perspectives

    The Great Space Switcheroo: A Cosmic Comedy of Perspectives

    —

    by

    gekko
    in

    Well, folks, the astronauts are back on terra firma as of March 18, 2025, and the saga of Suni Williams, Butch Wilmore, and their two cosmic compadres has officially touched down—both literally and figuratively. What started as a quick eight-day jaunt aboard Boeing’s Starliner turned into an eight-month ISS sleepover, thanks to some pesky thrusters…

  • Debris Trajectories from Starship 7 Test Flight

    Debris Trajectories from Starship 7 Test Flight

    —

    by

    gekko
    in

    The seventh test flight of SpaceX’s Starship ended prematurely on January 16, 2025, with an explosion of the upper stage (Ship 33) over the Turks and Caicos Islands. When an event like this occurs, accurately predicting the trajectory of debris is crucial for public safety, environmental impact assessment, and scientific inquiry. This article explores the…

  • Advancements in Heat Shield Technology for Safe Spacecraft Re-entry

    Advancements in Heat Shield Technology for Safe Spacecraft Re-entry

    —

    by

    gekko
    in

    Explore the evolution of heat shield technology, crucial for safe spacecraft re-entry, from NASA’s early ablative materials to SpaceX’s advanced designs.

  • Small Steps, Giant Leaps: The Dawn of Commercial Spacewalks

    Small Steps, Giant Leaps: The Dawn of Commercial Spacewalks

    —

    by

    gekko
    in

    Witness a new milestone in private space exploration as the Polaris Dawn crew successfully completes the first-ever commercial spacewalk from a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, 400 km above Earth. This historic mission, led by Commander Jared Isaacman, paves the way for future human spaceflight and encapsulates the spirit of courage and discovery.