Episode 335: DOWNLINK--Matthew Kuhns, Masten Space Systems

The Orbital Mechanics Podcast

Spaceflight news

— Astraaaaaa! (space.com) (spacenews.com) (en.wikipedia.org)

— Astra issued an update after we recorded this episode (twitter.com/thesheetztweetz) (HT DeltaV: twitter.com/thesheetztweetz)

Short & Sweet

— Tyvak wins contract for very low-earth orbit mission (spacenews.com)

— European startup tests aerospike engine (spacenews.com)

— Satellite maneuvers to avoid near collision around Moon (cnet.com)

Questions, comments, corrections

— ThrustMe paper (nature.com)

— From the intro: ASAT test (spaceflightnow.com) (youtube.com) (HT Andrew Z: airforcemag.com)

Interview -- Matthew Kuhns, Head of R&D at Masten Space Systems

— Masten in-Flight Alumina Spray Technique (masten.aero)

— This study was a 2020 NIAC Phase I selection (nasa.gov) (researchgate.net)

— Tests were run on a modified car lift (youtube.com)

— The FAST concept is similar to the High Velocity Oxygen Fuel spray coating technique (sciencedirect.com)

— Find more about Matthew and Masten:

— linkedin.com

— matthewkuhns.com

— masten.aero

This week in SF history

— 26 Nov, 1965. Launch of Astérix, the first French satellite (pt deux?!) (en.wikipedia.org)

— Next week (11/30 - 12/6) in 1990. The antihero.