Space news (or propaganda) was highlight at China’s 2024 National People’s Congress

Space news (or propaganda) was highlight at China’s 2024 National People’s Congress

Special to CosmicTribune.com, March 13, 2024 Geostrategy-Direct By Richard Fisher Chinese officials and astronauts played their usual role touting advances in China space program during the March 6 to 10 National People’s Consultative Congress (NPC), as it serves to highlight the military-technical leadership of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Female Chinese astronaut Wang Yaping, whose […]

The sky: March 19-17, featuring the Moon and Jupiter on the 13th

The sky: March 19-17, featuring the Moon and Jupiter on the 13th

Special to CosmicTribune.com, March 9, 2024 Excerpts from weekly Sky&Telescope report. SATURDAY, MARCH 9 ■ Sirius is the overwhelmingly brightest star of Canis Major. In a very dark sky the Big Dog’s realistic stick figure is fairly plain to see — the dog is in profile, prancing to the right on his hind legs, with Sirius as […]

China’s Moon pressure is mounting following private sector U.S. failures

China’s Moon pressure is mounting following private sector U.S. failures

Special to CosmicTribune.com, February 28, 2024 Geostrategy-Direct By Richard Fisher The second United States attempt to send an unmanned Moon Lander to the Moon apparently will end in mission termination on Feb. 27, while China on Feb. 23 revealed new information and projected confidence in its ability to send astronauts to the Moon before 2030. […]

The sky: February 18-25; Venus and Mars in close conjunction early on the 22nd

The sky: February 18-25; Venus and Mars in close conjunction early on the 22nd

Special to CosmicTribune.com, February 18, 2024 Excerpts from weekly Sky&Telescope report. SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18 ■ Canopus, the second-brightest star after Sirius, happens to lie almost due south of Sirius: by 36°. That’s far enough south that it never appears above your horizon unless you’re below latitude 37° N (southern Virginia, southern Missouri, central California). And near there, you’ll […]

Xi Jinping prioritizes ‘nurturing’ China’s ‘private’ space sector

Xi Jinping prioritizes ‘nurturing’ China’s ‘private’ space sector

Special to CosmicTribune.com, February 14, 2024 Geostrategy-Direct By Richard Fisher The not-so-secret “secret” of the global “private” space sector is that successful private space companies usually achieve success due to the demand and subsidies provided by governments. President Ronald Reagan promoted the ambition that commercial space operators would someday vastly eclipse government space operations and […]

The sky: February 12-18; Watch the Moon and Jupiter on 14th

The sky: February 12-18; Watch the Moon and Jupiter on 14th

Special to CosmicTribune.com, February 12-17, 2024 Excerpts from weekly Sky&Telescope report. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12 ■ Orion stands his highest in the south by about 8 p.m. Under Orion’s feet, and to the right of Sirius, hides Lepus the Hare. Like Canis Major, this is a constellation with a connect-the-dots that really looks like what it’s supposed to be. […]

How to understand Russia’s statement on military cooperation with China in space

How to understand Russia’s statement on military cooperation with China in space

Special to CosmicTribune.com, Feb. 7, 2024 Geostrategy-Direct By Richard Fisher As China and Russia have increased their open conventional military cooperation, and have explored covert nuclear military cooperation, it is likely that both have been pursuing military cooperation in space. On Feb. 1 the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted a press release titled, “Press […]

The sky: February 4-11; Subtle sights in the mid-winter nights

The sky: February 4-11; Subtle sights in the mid-winter nights

Special to CosmicTribune.com, February 4, 2024 Excerpts from weekly Sky&Telescope report. SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4 Today is the center of winter; we cross the midpoint between the December solstice and the March equinox at 10:16 a.m. EST (15:16 UT). That minute is the very bottom of the wheel of the year, astronomically speaking. In ancient Gaelic cultures this day […]

The sky: January 29-February 4; Center of winter

The sky: January 29-February 4; Center of winter

Special to CosmicTribune.com, January 29, 2024 Excerpts from weekly Sky&Telescope report. MONDAY, JANUARY 29 ■ After dark the Great Square of Pegasus sinks low in the west, balancing on one corner. Meanwhile, the Big Dipper climbs up in the north-northeast, tipping up on its handle. ■ Algol shines at its minimum light, magnitude 3.4 instead of its usual […]

The sky: January 22-28; Full moon and springtime Leo in the East

The sky: January 22-28; Full moon and springtime Leo in the East

Special to CosmicTribune.com, January 22, 2024 Excerpts from weekly Sky&Telescope report. MONDAY, JANUARY 22 ■ The gibbous Moon shines in a starry area of the winter sky. Face east in early evening. Upper left of the Moon sparkles bright Capella. A little farther upper right of the Moon is orange Aldebaran. Lower left of the Moon are Castor […]

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