Michael Sheetz Profile picture
Jan 31, 2022 8 tweets 3 min read Read on X
NASA released the source selection statement behind its recent Commercial LEO Destinations contract awards (cumulatively worth ~$416 million), giving more insight into the private station proposals that won and lost. sam.gov/opp/8cb537fda3…

Thread:
As a reminder, the three CLD contract winners:

Nanoracks (Starlab) - $160m
Blue Origin (Orbital Reef) - $130m
Northrop Grumman - $125.6m
cnbc.com/2021/12/02/nas…
11 companies submitted proposals, and 9 of those proposals were evaluated:

Nanoracks
Space Villages
Northrop Grumman
Blue Origin
Orbital Assembly
ThinkOrbital
Maverick
SpaceX
Relativity
NASA on Nanoracks' Starlab: Operational after a single launch but has "ambitious proposed launch date."

"A very significant level of private investment" but still lacks "detail on its financing plan."
NASA on Northrop Grumman's station:

"High technical maturity" and "use of existing flight hardware," but has "a weak marketing strategy" and proposes "very low private investment."
NASA on Blue Origin's Orbital Reef:

"Robust proposed research capabilities" and "use of proven Amazon logistics approach" with "a significant level of private investment," but has some "low technically mature elements" and asked for "more funds than NASA stated is available."
NASA on SpaceX, which proposed converting an HLS Starship into a space station:

"Comprehensive and proven safety and risk management approach" as well as "strong financial resources," but "a lack of definition" to the concept and "high dependence on HLS" program success.
NASA on Relativity's space station proposal:

"Reusable and returnable lab" and "frequent" short missions, but "low technical maturity" for mass 3D-printing approach and included "launch vehicle development" in the proposal.

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More from @thesheetztweetz

Apr 29, 2023
Elon Musk is holding a Twitter Spaces discussion on SpaceX's first Starship launch.

Thread: Image
Musk: "The outcome was roughly in what I expected, and maybe slightly exceeding my expectations, but roughly what I expected, which is that we would get clear of the pad."
Musk: "I'm glad to report that the pad damage is actually quite small" and should "be repaired quickly."
Read 36 tweets
Apr 29, 2023
After the dramatic first Starship Super Heavy launch, a look at SpaceX's monster rocket program – with the good (prototypes in the wings), the bad (destruction and debris at and around the launchpad) and the unknown (regulator investigations underway):
cnbc.com/2023/04/29/spa…
NASA chief @SenBillNelson: “I have asked, so I can report to you ... SpaceX is still saying that they think it will take at least two months to rebuild the launchpad and concurrently about two months to have their second vehicle ready to launch."
cnbc.com/2023/04/29/spa…
@SenBillNelson Nelson effectively defended SpaceX before a Congressional committee on Thursday, explaining how the company is "hardware rich:"

"They launch, if something goes wrong they figure out what it is, they go back and they launch it again."
cnbc.com/2023/04/29/spa…
Read 4 tweets
Apr 29, 2023
SpaceX is preparing to launch for the 29th time this year, and the second time this evening, with a Falcon Heavy rocket carrying satellites for Viasat and Astranis.

This rocket is expendable, so its boosters will not be recovered.

Watch live:
Falcon Heavy is standing tall to launch in a little over 10 minutes
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Read 4 tweets
Apr 28, 2023
SpaceX is about to launch for the 28th time this year, carrying a pair of satellites for @steviecSES' O3b mPOWER constellation.

This Falcon 9 booster is launching its second mission to date.

Watch live:
@steviecSES Liftoff for Falcon 9
@steviecSES Falcon 9's booster lands
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Mar 30, 2023
SpaceX is about to go for its 22nd launch of the year, carrying 10 satellites for the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 0 mission.

Watch live:
Abort called at T-3 seconds.
SpaceX launch director: Assessing the situation, Falcon 9 is healthy.
Read 5 tweets
Mar 15, 2023
The annual #SATShow rocket roundtable, moderated today by @Sandra_I_Erwin, with:

ULA CEO Tory Bruno
SpaceX VP of Commercial Sales Tom Ochinero
Arianespace CEO Stephane Israel
Rocket Lab $RKLB Senior Director Richard French
Blue Origin VP of Commercial Sales Ariane Cornell
@Sandra_I_Erwin @SATELLITEDC @ulalaunch @torybruno @RocketLab @blueorigin @arianecornell @arianespaceceo @Arianespace @SpaceX French: $RKLB spacecraft components and integrated satellite systems business combines with launch, "working to bring the lowest total cost ... back to customers."

"Really exciting to see our diversifying revenue and being able to stabilize the lumpiness of launch."
@Sandra_I_Erwin @SATELLITEDC @ulalaunch @torybruno @RocketLab @blueorigin @arianecornell @arianespaceceo @Arianespace @SpaceX *Bruno asks the crowd if they like the red paint job on Vulcan*

"Only one yes? That's it, sorry."
Read 26 tweets

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