Another sign that it is probably popping: Gen Z grads can’t get jobs. The scam has been particularly brutal on that generation. It won’t end well.
At Smallsat
This is my first trip to this venerable conference, which for decades was held in Logan, UT, where the university there, Utah State, was a hotbed of this developing technology as a result of innovative faculty. This year it’s at the convention center in Salt Lake City, and it’s huge, as would befit this burgeoning industry. There’s a cavernous exhibit hall with hundreds of exhibitors.
My concern is that the industry may be in a bubble. I’m seeing several vendors for some of the technologies, and it’s not clear to me that they’ll all survive, or how they’ll compete. But that’s the dynamic nature of new tech.
Jim Lovell
We are saddened by the passing of Jim Lovell, commander of Apollo 13 and a four-time spaceflight veteran.
— NASA (@NASA) August 8, 2025
Lovell's life and work inspired millions. His courage under pressure helped forge our path to the Moon and beyond—a journey that continues today. https://t.co/AjT8qmxsZI pic.twitter.com/jBlxzgrmSk
I think there are only five left, four of whom walked on the Moon. Lovell was the only one who circled it twice, but never set foot on it. It’s getting increasingly possible that they’ll all be gone before another person does, thanks to Congress and feckless administrations over the decades.
[Update a while later]
Bob Zimmerman has an obituary.
[Saturday-afternoon update]
Here’s the obit from the New York Times. I don’t think this is right, though: “In a nation battered by domestic turmoil and devastated by Vietnam War casualties, the safe return of the astronauts lifted American spirits and renewed attention to the space program, which had drifted in the aftermath of the first two manned landings on the moon.”
Not really. In fact, it was a wake-up call that if they continued to do lunar missions, it was not unlikely that they would lose a crew, and Apollo 13 was part of the impetus to not fly 18 and 19.
This Appears To Be An Amazing New Flick
Not.
“No One Is Above The Law”
Not even Letitia James.
So much for her gubernatorial dreams.
The Court Packers
It would be hilarious if the Republicans muster up the cajones to expand the court and fill the new seats.
Howard Stern
The sad, pathetic end.
I was never much of a fan.
Commercial Space Station Policy
This is a good change, particularly if it lights fires under other contenders than Vast. But NASA should never have been in the business of “certifying” commercial space facilities. The industry does need to develop some building codes, though.
A Rare Event
Neil de Grasse Tyson says something smart.
I’m so glad we have smart science man to warn us against the dangers of conquering the moon people and taking their cheese https://t.co/ZrFGE6otC8
— Spencer A. Klavan (@SpencerKlavan) August 7, 2025
The Harvard Undergrads
Arnold Kling says to pity them, in the age of AI.
Not sure I can work up that much pity for them, to be honest.