Category Archives: Space

Business, Economics, Humor, Media Criticism, Political Commentary, Satire, Social Commentary, Space, Technology and Society

Data Centers: Pro Or Con?

August 29, 2026 Rand Simberg 1 Comment

A completely rational, unbiased explanation.

We asked AI to give us the unbiased facts about AI data centers: pic.twitter.com/BCp8pesK0q
— The Babylon Bee (@TheBabylonBee) August 25, 2026

Business, Economics, Education, History, Space, Technology and Society

The Business Of American AI

August 29, 2026 Rand Simberg Leave a comment

Is it sustainable?

“…the US AI companies remind me a lot of 1970s era Detroit with the Chinese companies today playing the role of Toyota, Honda and so on. At least Detroit had mostly depreciated the majority of its factories and the like and wasn’t in the middle of building massive new ones.”

Not clear to me what this implies for the viability of space data centers.

Business, Economics, Space, Technology and Society

Starlink Out Of The Cape

August 28, 2026 Rand Simberg 9 Comments

Why is SpaceX really ending those flights?

I agree that Elon wants to see more competition in the industry, and it’s time for the other companies to step up. A prevailing theme of Smallsat this week was the seeming dearth of launch opportunities. If I get my new venture off the ground, it will be a personal concern to me as well.

Business, Economics, History, Political Commentary, Space, Space History, Technology and Society

Solid Rocket Motors

August 25, 2026 Rand Simberg 16 Comments

A brief history of their misbegotten use in spaceflight, by frequent-commenter Mike Puckett.

[Update late afternoon Mountain time]

I want to share my own condolences to Mike on the loss of his beloved cat. But it sounds like she had a good run.

Administrative, Business, General, Space, Technology and Society

Off The Air

August 22, 2026 Rand Simberg 3 Comments

We’re driving up to Salt Lake City for the Smallsat Conference. Staying in Mesquite, NV tonight, then Park City for the first half of the week. I’ll have laptop, but not sure how much posting I’ll be doing. Comments are open.

Business, Economics, Law, Political Commentary, Space, Technology and Society

Space Transportation Policy

August 21, 2026 Rand Simberg 15 Comments

The president has issued a memorandum. I’m skimming it right now, but new policy was definitely needed with the upcoming planned cadence of launch, landing, and entry.