Weekly Space Hangout - June 7, 2012

TL;DR

This comprehensive analysis explores various topics, including the Venus Transit, commercial space exploration, and the recent SpaceX mission.

Transcript

foreign your internet went down and they came back yep Alan we're back there it is what yeah three two one all together now yeah all right well hi everybody my name is Fraser Kane and I am the publisher of universe today and this is your weekly space hangout for June 7th 2012. we've got a ton of interesting things to talk about including uh the Ven... Read More

Key Insights

• 👻 The Venus Transit event allowed for the study of Venus's atmosphere.
• 😀 The relocation of the spaceship Enterprise faced minor cosmetic damage.
• 👾 NASA is providing grants for the development of space taxis by commercial spaceship builders.
• 👾 SpaceX's success has sparked competition and innovation in the commercial space sector.
• 👾 The future of space exploration includes one-way trips to Mars and interplanetary exploration.
• 🚀 The grasshopper rocket by SpaceX aims to achieve reusability of the first stage.
• 🙈 SpaceX's dominance is yet to be seen, and other aerospace companies can still compete.

Questions & Answers

Q: What was the significance of the Venus Transit event?

The Venus Transit event was significant because it allowed astronomers to study Venus's atmosphere and temperature through the refraction of sunlight. This data will contribute to scientific research.

Q: What was the outcome of the relocation of the spaceship Enterprise?

The relocation of the spaceship Enterprise to the Intrepid Air, Sea, and Space Museum in New York resulted in minor cosmetic damage to one of its wings. The museum states that it is a cosmetic problem, but some observers believe it appears worse.

Q: How is NASA planning to support commercial space exploration?

NASA is planning to provide grants to spaceship builders to develop space taxis for NASA astronauts. The goal is to have these space taxis ready for use by 2015-2017.

Q: Is SpaceX dominating the space launch market?

While SpaceX has achieved significant success, it is not yet dominating the market. Other companies, such as Boeing and Lockheed Martin, are still major players in the industry. Competition and innovation are expected to continue in the commercial space sector.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The analysis covers the Venus Transit event, which was live-streamed with telescopes from around the world capturing the phenomenon.

• The discussion moves on to the relocation of the spaceship Enterprise to the Intrepid Air, Sea, and Space Museum in New York, mentioning the minor cosmetic damage it incurred during transportation.

• The analysis also delves into the future of commercial space exploration, discussing the grants NASA plans to give to spaceship builders and the potential for SpaceX to dominate the market.