A comprehensive rundown on its future, and that of Commercial Crew in general.
Two Billion Dollars?
Why would the National Space Council need that much money? What would they spend it on?
Tiny Fast Drones
I’ve been worrying about this development for decades. Looks like it’s on the doorstep. It won’t just be used by militaries. Just another nail in the coffin of privacy.
The NASA Budget Battle
Bob Zimmerman has the latest. Space policy will continue to be a mess until someone with vision for it is put into place (and probably even then). It’s not at all clear that Duffy knows which end the fire comes out of.
A Dyspeptic Futurist
Jeff Foust read what appears to be a dumb book so you don’t have to.
Rebuilding Pacific Palisades
Yes, we knew this was coming. And I too am happy to call it sinister.
Science Fiction
What if it’s our best window to the future? A discussion with David Brin.
He’s more down on lunar resources than I am, but I agree with his critique of Artemis.
The New Interim Administrator
Thoughts from Eric Berger on Sean Duffy’s additional job.
Unlike many on this platform, speaking as a space-policy expert, I have no idea whether it will hurt NASA to lose those 2000+ GS13-GS15 "senior executives," or if Duffy will be able to provide any more "leadership" than Janet Petro. I simply know too little about who they are.
— Rand Simberg (@Simberg_Space) July 10, 2025
[Afternoon update]
Speaking of interim administrators, here’s an interesting interview with Jared Isaacman.
Gettysburg
Today is the anniversary of the third day of the battle.
The Battle of Gettysburg: Day 3 🧵
— Manifest History (@ManifestHistory) July 3, 2025
1/ On July 3, 1863, Gettysburg reached its climax, with 140,000 troops locked in a desperate struggle. From Culp’s Hill to the fields south of town, Day 3’s battles—culminating in Pickett’s Charge—produced over 15,000 casualties, deciding the… pic.twitter.com/jVvFZhHIQR
Vicksburg fell the next day, on the Fourth of July, marking the beginning of the end for the South. Vicksburg refused to celebrate the holiday for seven decades.
AI, Emerson, The Diamond Age, and Education
Thoughts on how to make kids more self reliant, from Neils Stephenson and Ferguson (except the latter is a Niall).