Swapna Krishna

#space | #science | #startrek | #gaming | #scicomm |  #tech | #scifi
Freelance space editor, Inverse. Occasionally: Fast Company, Wired, NPR, Science Friday, StarTrek dot com 
Author of A POCKET GUIDE TO STARGAZING (Chronicle Books, 2023) and co-editor of SWORD STONE TABLE (Vintage, 2021).

I live outside Philly.

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skrishna_at_wandering.shop@mostr.pub

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Last Notes

2024-09-07 12:18:14

Boeing Starliner touched down successfully at 10:01 PM MT/12:01 AM ET at White Sands, closing out a troubled and complicated mission. The future of the Starliner program is unclear; it remains to be seen whether Boeing will need to do a second crewed flight test.

2024-08-19 00:14:18

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@npub1uw8…88kr 💛💛💛 thank you!

2024-08-18 13:44:32

NASA still hasn't decided on how Boeing Starliner astronauts will return.
But recent developments, and NASA's mention of an "unsuited return" have led to a lot of questions about why the launch and entry suits aren't compatible between Boeing and SpaceX. Let's dive into what that unsuited return means, how launch and entry suits are used, and why NASA didn't mandate compatibility here.
#space #starliner #boeing #spacex #nasa #iss
https://youtu.be/pFjOIf8Kd5I

2024-08-17 13:03:57

I have gotten or seen about a million questions about (1) spacesuits not being compatible across Boeing and SpaceX and (2) loss of crew odds/how NASA looks at risk and I will have a video explaining and analyzing both these things in the next couple of days.

2024-08-16 18:31:37

If you want to read about what exactly Perseverance found on Mars, but video isn’t your thing — newsletter is out now!!
https://www.adastraspace.com/p/perseverance-rover-cheyava-falls-life-on-mars
https://wandering.shop/@skrishna/112972046892238986

2024-08-16 13:57:13

Did the Perseverance rover find life on Mars???
No.
But it DID make a very interesting discovery that could be relevant to the search for ancient microbial life on the red planet!! Here's more:
https://youtu.be/MdYuRUN_qk4
Newsletter @ 11 am ET: adastraspace.com
#mars #space #science #perseverance #nasa

2024-08-16 12:34:58

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@npub1wu5…qx7r Congratulations!

2024-08-15 15:30:53

NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick took a two-minute time lapse of the aurora from the ISS, and the video is stunning.
Watch, and listen to me break down why we're seeing so much aurora activity right now!
#space #science #aurora #nasa
https://youtu.be/qQaPHNK2VKM

2024-08-15 13:36:04

Very excited that the video I've been sitting on for like two weeks about "did Perseverance find life on Mars" will actually go up today as I play catch up (kid is out of camp this week.)
Newsletter at 11 am ET tomorrow! Subscribe here: adastraspace.com

2024-08-09 16:52:43

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@npub14fx…jp2v Balance

2024-08-07 20:43:31

NASA confirmed at a press conference today that the agency has been working on a contingency plan to bring home Boeing Starliner astronauts on a SpaceX Crew Dragon.
Nothing has been decided yet, but how would that rescue plan work, and why is NASA having such difficulty making this decision?
Newsletter tomorrow at 11 am ET: adastraspace.com
#space #nasa #boeing #spacex #starliner
https://youtu.be/8N_DujsfNpY

2024-08-07 13:14:31

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@npub1y9d…z308 All I have to do to be sure NASA will announce something we've been waiting on is just step away from my desk.

2024-08-06 22:12:09

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@npub1uw8…88kr I may email you next week about these new Starlink satellites that are even brighter than the previous ones because what even

2024-08-06 20:53:00

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@npub1e0s…n6zr I don’t think we will hear anything definitive before next week. But there is a press conference tomorrow.

2024-08-06 20:51:37

HAHA this absolutely happened. Press conference tomorrow at 12:30 pm ET. I don’t think there will be any definitive information but NASA is going to get hammered.
https://wandering.shop/@skrishna/112916759443282075

2024-08-06 19:36:53

Leaving in a few minutes to pick up my kid from camp, very excited for NASA to announce a Starliner press conference for tomorrow for the 40 minutes today I’m not at my desk because that is ABSOLUTELY what always happens.

2024-08-05 20:30:19

If you want to get up to speed on the Boeing Starliner/SpaceX Crew Dragon possible rescue situation, I have the newsletter version ready for you!
https://www.adastraspace.com/p/boeing-starliner-spacex-rescue-nasa
https://wandering.shop/@skrishna/112906210784726108

2024-08-05 11:18:50

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@npub1e0s…n6zr last I heard it was a software issue, the engine is fine, and they were going to fix it and perform the burn

2024-08-04 22:54:14

I have a full summary of what's been going on with Boeing Starliner, the rumors about a SpaceX Crew Dragon rescue, and what could be going on behind the scenes at NASA.
If you've been following this situation closely, this may not have any new information for you -- but if you want to get caught up, you're in the right place.
Newsletter tomorrow at 11 am ET: adastraspace.com
#space #science #nasa #boeing #starliner #iss #spacex
https://youtu.be/WyZMRTWWw3I

2024-08-04 17:43:12

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@npub1tp4…th9p For real

2024-08-04 17:27:07

A Cygnus resupply spacecraft launched oday, but it’s looking like there’s an issue. Launch went great, but there was some sort of leak before launch they were working and now it looks as though Cygnus hasn’t performed two engine burns successfully.

2024-08-03 12:30:19

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@npub16y6…0u3j their years of experience building reliable safe aircraft maybe? 🫠🫠🫠

2024-08-03 12:29:08

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@npub1cfq…4mry 😬🫠😂

2024-08-03 02:29:13

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@npub1jkp…7jxu Well, so NASA’s Orion capsule can absolutely maneuver and dock with the ISS but I don’t know that they’d build capsules just for ISS crew switches…so the likely answer is none. It’ll be just SpaceX.

2024-08-03 02:26:58

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@npub1x30…upec HAHA they’ll probably gain a few based on how long they’ve been up there

2024-08-03 02:04:55

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@npub1jkp…7jxu they’d come home on a SpaceX crew Dragon

2024-08-03 02:04:28

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@npub1nwz…ppp9 yes, as I explain at length in my video.

2024-08-03 02:04:05

Gotta love Boeing. Posting this on a Friday night absolutely screams confidence, Boeing.
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/112/895/632/438/778/671/original/4031218c740c618a.jpeg

2024-08-02 19:46:41

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@npub10x5…00q7 yes! they can bring it back empty and bring the crew home on another vehicle

2024-08-02 17:41:36

Here's the newsletter if you prefer that! (and yes there's an RSS feed -- scroll to the bottom, you'll find the link)
https://www.adastraspace.com/p/will-happen-iss-deorbited-2030
https://wandering.shop/@skrishna/112892735976092407

2024-08-02 17:15:51

It’s looking increasingly likely that Boeing Starliner astronauts will come home on a SpaceX Crew Dragon. If that happens, that’ll be the end of the Starliner program.
To be clear, nothing is certain — but the lack of updates from NASA (and the agency’s lack of transparency) is pretty loud here.

2024-08-02 16:08:04

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@npub1x8n…cv3g Has to be brought down somewhere it won't hurt anyone

2024-08-02 13:59:12

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@npub1e0s…n6zr I'm genuinely heartbroken (there's one point I definitely tear up in the video haha)

2024-08-02 13:47:24

NASA will retire the ISS at the end of the decade. It will be brought down and laid to rest in the ocean.
But WHY do we need to retire it? Why can’t we save the space station, keep using it or have it as a museum?
#space #science #iss #nasa #spacex
Newsletter @ 11 am ET: adastraspace.com
https://youtu.be/qlMmoaP_OE8

2024-08-01 13:18:17

I didn't intend to tackle this huge subject this week, but I started writing...and couldn't stop!! This week's issue of Ad Astra (video + newsletter) will be all about the ISS deorbit -- why we can't leave it up there as a museum, why we can't bring it down and save some large pieces, why we can't repurpose it, as well as how the deorbit will happen.
Sign up here: https://www.adastraspace.com

2024-07-30 17:24:58

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@npub1f4r…jgmq THANK YOU I have been looking for something like this for days and haven't been able to find it

2024-07-30 13:54:38

Geomagnetic storm watch has been extended through August 1! We've got some massive CMEs headed towards us, let's hope for a good aurora show tonight/tomorrow night!!
https://wandering.shop/@skrishna/112870646512199403

2024-07-29 18:36:26

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@npub1dfn…52v4 Thank you! Everything was great -- I was off work to spend (fun) time with family and friends!!

2024-07-29 16:29:39

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@npub1e0s…n6zr Thanks!!!

2024-07-29 16:29:20

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@npub1353…9yd0 We had clouds for the last one, so I'm hoping we'll be able to see this one!

2024-07-29 16:10:15

(Also hello everyone, I've been off work for like the past three weeks and it's not fun being back at my desk on a Monday, woof)

2024-07-29 16:09:46

Aurora alert! The northern lights might be visible further south than usual tonight and tomorrow night -- the view line could very possibly be further south than this.
https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/communities/aurora-dashboard-experimental
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/112/870/646/212/792/610/original/acf81cf31ca1ab6a.jpeg

2024-07-12 20:50:46

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@npub1qjs…xp6v the unprocessed images are black and white. They assign colors to filters based on wavelength of light. They do this to every JWST/Hubble photo.

2024-07-12 18:17:20

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@npub1qjs…xp6v Every single JWST image is processed. This is a combination of near-infrared and mid-infrared filters, but if you're referring to things added that aren't actually there...NASA doesn't do that.

2024-07-12 16:32:19

Deep Space Network is talking to BOTH Voyager spacecraft right now!
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/112/774/475/655/975/672/original/b3310a9e11fad0fd.png

2024-07-12 16:04:15

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@npub1hwa…h6qq Yes!! I love towards the bottom of the penguin, you can see two face-on spiral galaxies that look perfect

2024-07-12 14:06:51

JWST's second anniversary image is here! This is a distorted spiral galaxy at the center and an elliptical galaxy to the left of it. They're called the Penguin and the Egg.
#space #science #jwst
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/112/773/903/682/447/594/original/95d141d59e5c1783.jpeg

2024-07-12 13:55:52

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@npub1uw8…88kr Of course!!!

2024-07-12 13:55:46

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@npub18sv…w89y YEP. Absolutely correct.

2024-07-12 13:04:38

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@npub1uw8…88kr This means a lot coming from you! Thank you!

2024-07-12 13:00:07

SpaceX is having a trash issue: Specifically, multiple pieces of debris have landed across North American as a result of Crew Dragon re-entries. No one's been hurt, but it's a serious issue.
https://youtu.be/Ndqzl6zUw4Q
Newsletter at 11 am et: adastraspace.com
#space #spaceflight #spacex

2024-07-09 18:23:54

I may be taking a week or two of a break from videos/posting!! We are having an HVAC issue and I have no a/c in my studio in 100 degree F heat.

2024-07-05 15:00:57

Boeing Starliner astronauts are still at the ISS. There currently is no return date. Are they stranded???
The short answer is no, but the longer answer is more complicated. Here's the rundown of the situation with Boeing Starliner right now:
#boeing #starliner #nasa #space #spaceflight #iss
https://youtu.be/rxY5m_paA3o

2024-07-03 20:35:04

Just scheduled my Friday newsletter, which is ALL about what's happening with Boeing Starliner. If you're interested in learning more, my space newsletter goes out every Friday at 11 AM ET. Sign up here:
https://www.adastraspace.com
#space #boeing #nasa #spaceflight #starliner

2024-06-29 11:44:19

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@npub1xd8…8qee exactly this. People are less willing to trust because it’s Boeing

2024-06-28 19:06:33

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@npub1ys0…77pq That's the big thing with Perplexity -- it does cite its sources which is why people recommend it for research (I do NOT recommend it fwiw)

2024-06-28 19:03:35

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just for funsies, FYI, the trunk of Dragon is what's been showing up in NC/Canada and not burning up in the atmosphere (story coming on that soon from me hopefully) 🙃

2024-06-28 19:00:28

On the press conference today, Bill Spetch confirms that the vehicle for the ISS de-orbit will be of Dragon "heritage" design. There will be modifications to the trunk).
Also confirms the entire ISS will be brought down at once, it won't be disassembled in any way.
https://wandering.shop/@skrishna/112684918880514493

2024-06-28 18:28:48

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There is audible frustration with the "astronauts are stranded" stories, but also an acknowledgment that they haven't been communicative enough with the press and are therefore partially to blame for people trying to put the pieces together on their own
#space #spaceflight #boeing #starliner #nasa

2024-06-28 18:25:27

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@npub1rrm…q6jr Update: This is indeed a moot point now. They addressed this in detail at the press conference today!

2024-06-28 18:22:44

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Mark Nappi, Boeing: “We don't understand these issues enough to fix them permanently," re: the helium leak and thruster failures, which is why they're taking this extra time #space #spaceflight #boeing #starliner #nasa

2024-06-28 18:16:38

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@npub1hz7…mh8n I really really wish it were

2024-06-28 18:16:27

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“We're currently targeting the end of July for the next EVA."
Also, confirmation that the leak source for the most recent spacewalk attempt was an umbilical.
#space #spaceflight #boeing #starliner #nasa

2024-06-28 18:13:53

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They will not set a return date for Starliner until they complete the testing.
#space #spaceflight #boeing #starliner #nasa

2024-06-28 18:13:30

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Thruster failure update:
Still working through data after hot fire test. They're doing a lot of testing.
#space #spaceflight #boeing #starliner #nasa

2024-06-28 18:11:01

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Helium leak update:
Reminder, we aren't leaking any helium while docked. Leak rates went down in last leak check. They are continuing to collect data.
Need about 7 hours of helium to undock and re-enter, they have 10 times that margin.
#space #spaceflight #boeing #starliner #nasa

2024-06-28 18:06:39

“There are no new issues to report today…the vehicle at Station is in good shape. I want to make it clear that Butch and Suni are not stranded in space."
They are continuing to gather data, but there are no new issues with Starliner, and they will be returning home on that spacecraft, according to NASA.
#space #spaceflight #boeing #starliner #nasa

2024-06-28 17:35:19

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@npub106z…kgh7 That's the thing!! If it messes this up, what happens when I ask it about quantum mechanics

2024-06-28 16:46:17

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@npub1pxr…vn4m the point is it's not reliable. If you ask a question and get two substantively different results, that's not good.

2024-06-28 16:38:50

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(To be clear, I know the launch date of the Hubble Space Telescope, I just was testing this thing out and clearly it did not pass muster)

2024-06-28 16:32:39

This AI has been recommended to me by multiple people as a research shortcut. This was the result the first time I used it. I think I'll stick with my own research, thanks.
https://infosec.exchange/@maxeddy/112695100425199824
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/112/695/204/628/248/639/original/60763561e0c4e28d.png

2024-06-28 14:08:17

NASA has had a spacesuit problem for awhile, but it's gotten worse in recent weeks. Here's what's going on with the spacesuits (or EMUs) on the ISS:
Newsletter @ 11 am ET, sign up: adastraspace.com
#space #nasa #iss #spaceflight
https://youtu.be/uXBiWrwAnkE

2024-06-28 13:43:32

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@npub1x7x…tvmk It's definitely a situation of their own making

2024-06-28 13:08:04

SUPER interesting. They're going to get hammered at this press conference today (which I will for sure be calling into) because everyone has maintained no one is worried about the spacecraft's ability to safely return the astronauts (and those I have talked to privately have said there shouldn't really be a concern either). But…then why this long of a delay?
#space #nasa #boeing #starliner
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/112/694/400/180/880/309/original/ac0fa961bcd22c0e.png

2024-06-26 22:20:14

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@npub1x7x…tvmk 😬😬😬😬😬

2024-06-26 20:56:47

NASA announced today that SpaceX was selected to develop the vehicle that will de-orbit the ISS in 2030.
#space #nasa #spacex #iss

2024-06-22 20:03:39

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@npub1p9v…zsjy SO MUCH tape!!!!

2024-06-22 13:04:03

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@npub1a0s…36q7 I’ve done in depth stories on Orion’s heat shield, thanks!

2024-06-22 11:49:44

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@npub1a0s…36q7 they went through literal years of checks on this vehicle, heat shield has been checked!

2024-06-22 11:41:27

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@npub1jv7…mncm hold on I can check odds for you, I have them. NASA requires this.

2024-06-22 11:38:57

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@npub1duw…e398 what everyone else has said here is accurate!!

2024-06-22 01:36:25

Boeing Starliner’s return was delayed again. It will not happen before July 2. There’s no reason to think the vehicle won’t be able to bring crew home but…this is just getting more and more embarrassing for Boeing.
#space #nasa #boeing #spaceflight

2024-06-18 16:48:31

Takeaways from the Boeing Starliner press conference:
- Landing is currently scheduled for June 26
- They’re swapping out a crew member for the upcoming EVAs due to the afore mentioned spacesuit discomfort issue
- They are still trying to figure out the helium leaks and thrustuer issues
- There's a landing opportunity every 4 days, so if they have to delay again (weather could be an issue), that's important to note
#space #science #nasa #boeing #starliner

2024-06-18 16:06:37

New Boeing Starliner undocking targeted for Wednesday June 26
#nasa #boeing #starliner #space

2024-06-18 12:48:24

THIS PHOTO 😭
Matthew Dominick shared this on the bird site, it’s of Boeing Starliner, with the aurora visible on Earth, as taken from the ISS
#space #nasa #iss #science
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/112/637/699/728/560/872/original/39d2a71891911d2f.jpeg

2024-06-18 12:43:24

The U.S. and India will partner on the first NASA-ISRO joint effort between astronauts at the ISS. No real details, but this is something I will be keeping my eye on!
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/06/17/joint-fact-sheet-the-united-states-and-india-continue-to-chart-an-ambitious-course-for-the-initiative-on-critical-and-emerging-technology/
#space #science #india #nasa #isro

2024-06-18 00:54:10

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@npub1zqe…9kfp I’ll take it

2024-06-17 23:30:47

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@npub1zkt…6djl 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

2024-06-17 19:34:17

GUESS WHO IS SENDING BACK DATA FROM ALL FOUR OF ITS OPERATIONAL SCIENCE INSTRUMENTS??
Voyager 1 we love you!
#space
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/112/633/633/446/777/471/original/2aa8169bc905a7ea.png

2024-06-17 16:51:57

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@npub1hvh…ph3x envisioning otters in space and i'm here for it

2024-06-17 12:50:39

Took a week off, now it's time to catch up on everything I missed. Boeing Starliner's return to Earth was delayed, I think because of more helium leaks. Will read up on that and everything else from last week!

2024-06-07 13:25:39

Space news roundup for the week going out at 11 am ET! Sign up for my newsletter, Ad Astra, here: https://www.adastraspace.com/
And yes, of COURSE I have an RSS feed: https://rss.beehiiv.com/feeds/BX2SPZ0naG.xml

2024-06-06 22:56:02

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@npub1gqn…kjud I’ve heard similar things from people I have spoken to who are or were at SpaceX.

2024-06-06 21:32:43

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@npub1gqn…kjud without clicking, let me guess: gwynne shotwell?
(she's the reason I don't abhor SpaceX)

2024-06-06 17:34:30

Docking happening now.

2024-06-06 17:23:15

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@npub1zvm…0vtv I definitely make mistakes, especially when I'm live posting one thing while working on another (thanks Starliner and Starship. It's normal!

2024-06-06 17:18:08

Starliner is at a 10m hold and waiting for better lighting for the spacecraft’s cameras

2024-06-06 17:04:53

I was posting yesterday about my frustration about people “correcting” me on here when what I said wasn't incorrect.
This is not one of those cases. This is one of the corrections I appreciate because I do make mistakes!!!!! Thank you! (I originally said 4 thrusters)
https://hessen.social/@urwumpe/112570640197643434

2024-06-06 16:39:29

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@npub1qnp…yjlr thank you!

2024-06-06 16:24:51

Starliner go for docking with the ISS.