China eyes increased orbital launches after introducing reusable launchers in 2025

China eyes increased orbital launches after introducing reusable launchers in 2025

Special to CosmicTribune.com, December 4, 2024 Geostrategy-Direct By Richard Fisher On Dec. 3 China launched its 60th space mission for 2024; But with one month to go China may not reach its goal of 100 orbital launches but may surpass its record of 67 launches for 2023. However, annual launch rates may soon well surpass […]

The sky, Dec. 2-8, featuring M31, the Andromeda Galaxy

The sky, Dec. 2-8, featuring M31, the Andromeda Galaxy

Special to CosmicTribune.com, December 3, 2024 Excerpts from weekly Sky&Telescope report. MONDAY, DECEMBER 2 ■ Two faint fuzzies naked-eye. The Andromeda Galaxy (M31) and the Perseus Double Cluster are two of the most famous deep-sky objects. They’re both cataloged as 4th magnitude, and in a moderately good sky you can see each with the unaided eye. Binoculars make them easier. […]

The sky, Nov. 25-Dec. 1, starring the Andromeda Galaxy and Perseus Double Cluster

The sky, Nov. 25-Dec. 1, starring the Andromeda Galaxy and Perseus Double Cluster

Special to CosmicTribune.com, November 25, 2024 Excerpts from weekly Sky&Telescope report. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25 ■ The Andromeda Galaxy (M31) and the Perseus Double Cluster are two of the most famous deep-sky objects. They’re both cataloged as 4th magnitude, and in a fairly good sky you can see each with the unaided eye. Binoculars make them easier. Did you […]

High strategy: The NASA-China race to the Moon quickens

High strategy: The NASA-China race to the Moon quickens

Special to CosmicTribune.com, November 27, 2024 Geostrategy-Direct By Richard Fisher Both the United States and China have issued recent markers demonstrating progress in their respective programs to put people on the Moon, affirming an accelerating race to occupy the Moon for strategic and economic gain. In a Nov. 19 press release, the U.S. National Aeronautics […]

China at Zhuhai showcases its X-band radar pointing to missile, space defense

China at Zhuhai showcases its X-band radar pointing to missile, space defense

Special to CosmicTribune.com, November 20, 2024 Geostrategy-Direct By Richard Fisher Number 8 in “President Trump’s 20 Core Promises” states: “Prevent World War Three, restore peace in Europe and in the Middle East, and build a great iron dome missile defense shield over our entire country — all made in America.” However, the revelation of a […]

The sky, Nov. 18-24: Mars is brightening

The sky, Nov. 18-24: Mars is brightening

Special to CosmicTribune.com, November 18, 2024 Excerpts from weekly Sky&Telescope report. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18 ■ The waning gibbous Moon rises within an hour after dark this evening. Watch for it to come up lower left of Jupiter. Another couple hours and Castor and Pollux will stand in good view to the Moon’s lower left, while Orion sparkles about […]

China at Zhuahai showcases 2030 launch plans for its reusable ‘Starship’

China at Zhuahai showcases 2030 launch plans for its reusable ‘Starship’

Special to CosmicTribune.com, November 13, 2024 Geostrategy-Direct By Richard Fisher Look out SpaceX, the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), China’s leading state-owned rocket and space company, plans to start testing by 2030 a reusable first-stage version of its 10.6-meter diameter Long March-9 superheavy space launch vehicle (SLV), which is about the same size […]

The sky, Nov. 10-17: Moon occults part of Pleiades late Friday

The sky, Nov. 10-17: Moon occults part of Pleiades late Friday

Special to CosmicTribune.com, November 10, 2024 Excerpts from weekly Sky&Telescope report. SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10 ■ The waxing gibbous Moon shines quite near Saturn this evening for the Americas. In fact, its dark limb will occult Saturn for southern Florida, Central America, the Caribbean, and parts of South America. For instance, seen from Miami, Saturn will slowly disappear at […]

The French Haolong space plane with Chinese Communist characteristics

The French Haolong space plane with Chinese Communist characteristics

Special to CosmicTribune.com, November 6, 2024 Geostrategy-Direct By Richard Fisher If they are still around, some aging engineers from France’s former Aerospatiale space company and the Dassault aircraft company should be proud: Their innovative Hermes small space plane program that was cancelled in 1992, could soon fly, but as a reusable Chinese space cargo transport. […]

The sky, Nov. 3-10: Jupiter’s Great Red Spot Friday

The sky, Nov. 3-10: Jupiter’s Great Red Spot Friday

Special to CosmicTribune.com, November 4, 2024 Excerpts from weekly Sky&Telescope report. SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3 ■ If you know a place with a very low view to the southwest horizon, bring binoculars after sunset to try for the very thin crescent Moon close to Antares. They’re deep in the bright twilight and thick air near the horizon! Look […]