Eric Berger
@sciguyspace.bsky.social
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Senior Space Editor, Ars Technica. Likes rockets.
I went in-depth here on Bridgit Mendler and Northwood Space. There's a lot of bad news out there, but this is one of the most uplifting stories I've reported on in awhile.
arstechnica.com/space/2025/0...
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She was a Disney star with platinum records, but Bridgit Mendler gave it up to change the world
“The space industry has a ground bottleneck, and the problem is going to get worse.”…
https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/06/she-was-a-disney-star-with-platinum-records-but-bridgit-mendler-gave-it-up-to-change-the-world/
5 months ago
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Geoff Brumfiel
5 months ago
NASA to end work in nuclear thermal and nuclear electric propulsion for deep space exploration.
arstechnica.com/space/2025/0...
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Some parts of Trump’s proposed budget for NASA are literally draconian
“That’s exactly the kind of thing that NASA should be concentrating its resources on.”…
https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/06/some-parts-of-trumps-proposed-budget-for-nasa-are-literally-draconian/
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Major shakeup at NASA's premiere science facility. Effective June 1, Laurie Leshin is resigning as director of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
6 months ago
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Scientists, would you consider the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer to be a success? Is the tracking layer upgrade worth it? If you don't want to comment publicly, feel free to message me instead. Not looking for on-the-record quotes.
6 months ago
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Did you know that SpaceX asked the FBI to investigate the ULA sniper theory back in 2016? Until last week, I did not.
arstechnica.com/space/2025/0...
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SpaceX pushed “sniper” theory with the feds far more than is publicly known
“It came out of nowhere, and it was really violent.”…
https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/05/spacex-pushed-sniper-theory-with-the-feds-far-more-than-is-publicly-known/
6 months ago
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Don Pettit wants to go back to space again. And you know what, he should.
arstechnica.com/space/2025/0...
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What’s it like to be 70 years old in space? “All those little aches and pains heal up.”
“When the flight docs say I’m ready to go back, I’m ready to do it.”…
https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/04/meet-the-astronaut-who-celebrated-his-70th-birthday-by-thudding-into-the-planet/
7 months ago
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Ars Technica
7 months ago
Despite recent comments from the Secretary of Transportation, if Katy Perry wants to call herself an astronaut, there's no one who can tell her she's not.
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Trump official to Katy Perry and Bezos’ fiancée: “You cannot identify as an astronaut”
It turns out the FAA now takes no role in identifying who is an astronaut.
https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/04/so-is-katy-perry-now-an-astronaut-or-what/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=aud-dev&utm_social-type=owned
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Jonathan McDowell
7 months ago
Soyuz MS-26 has begun its return to Earth, undocking from the ISS Rassvet module at about 2157:33 UTC Apr 19 with crewmembers Ovchinin, Vagner and Pettit
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Matt Lanza
7 months ago
Losing 200 employees to early resignations with no sign of backfilling will be a detriment to public safety nationally.
add a skeleton here at some point
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This really is an extinction level event for NASA's science programs.
arstechnica.com/space/2025/0...
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Trump White House budget proposal eviscerates science funding at NASA
“This would decimate American leadership in space.”…
https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/04/trump-white-house-budget-proposal-eviscerates-science-funding-at-nasa/
7 months ago
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Maria Varmazis
7 months ago
I love love love this shoutout to the Mission Control team from Wilmore here in this great
@sciguyspace.bsky.social
piece:
arstechnica.com/space/2025/0...
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You probably won't believe how desperate Starliner's flight to the space station got last summer ...
arstechnica.com/space/2025/0...
7 months ago
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United Launch Alliance gets some great news: Vulcan is officially certified for national security launches.
8 months ago
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What’s going on with Jared Isaacman’s nomination to lead NASA?
arstechnica.com/space/2025/0...
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Momentum seems to be building for Jared Isaacman to become NASA administrator
“We believe that Jared Isaacman is uniquely qualified to lead NASA.”…
https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/03/momentum-seems-to-be-building-for-jared-isaacman-to-become-nasa-administrator/
8 months ago
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Jonathan O'Callaghan
8 months ago
Hi space people, I'm looking for non-NASA experts to comment on the MAV portion of Mars Sample Return, and why it's so challenging to take off from Mars. If that's you, or you know someone, do get in touch. jdaoca[at]gmail[dot]com Thanks!
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Sarah Hörst
8 months ago
NASA started terminating grants :(
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Kevin M. Gill
8 months ago
Sol 1453 (tosol!) WATSON closeups of rock near the Mars Perseverance Rover. White balanced.
flic.kr/p/2qTv2F3
flic.kr/p/2qTtR8Q
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Eric Berger
Andrew
8 months ago
Thank you to
@sciguyspace.bsky.social
for putting words to the “ick” I’ve been feeling about the language around bringing the Starliner astronauts home.
https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/03/can-nasa-remain-nonpartisan-when-basic-spaceflight-truths-are-shredded/
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Can NASA remain nonpartisan when basic spaceflight truths are shredded? - Ars Technica
“Let’s bring them home NOW, Sir!”…
https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/03/can-nasa-remain-nonpartisan-when-basic-spaceflight-truths-are-shredded/
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Oliver Morton, Eater of Sun
8 months ago
A giant step back for womankind? On February 28th the main Artemis page at nasa. gov read as follows
web.archive.org/web/20250313...
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You sit on a throne of lies.
arstechnica.com/space/2025/0...
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Can NASA remain nonpartisan when basic spaceflight truths are shredded?
“Let’s bring them home NOW, Sir!”…
https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/03/can-nasa-remain-nonpartisan-when-basic-spaceflight-truths-are-shredded/
8 months ago
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Then they came for the Brookies ...
arstechnica.com/space/2025/0...
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Popular program to promote women becoming aerospace engineers is at risk
“Ten years ago this was embraced by everyone, and seen as a win-win for all.”…
https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/03/popular-program-to-promote-women-becoming-aerospace-engineers-is-at-risk/
8 months ago
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Jonathan O'Callaghan
8 months ago
Somewhat ridiculously, Saturn now has 128 new moons, bring its total to 274. These are mostly tiny rocks, a few miles across, that orbit the planet backwards – but they might be evidence of a recent smashup in the planet's orbit. Story by me in The New York Times
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/11/s...
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Saturn Gains 128 New Moons, Bringing Its Total to 274 (Gift Article)
The objects around the ringed planet are tiny, but some of them may have formed relatively recently in the solar system’s history.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/11/science/saturn-new-moons.html?unlocked_article_code=1.3E4.vGXZ.-cvJ3-Ynaf6N&smid=url-share
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It has been an uncharacteristically messy start to the year for the world's leading spaceflight company, SpaceX. Why?
arstechnica.com/uncategorize...
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After years of acceleration, has SpaceX finally reached its speed limit?
SpaceX has long had a hard-charging culture. Is it now charging too hard?
https://arstechnica.com/uncategorized/2025/03/after-years-of-acceleration-has-spacex-finally-reached-its-speed-limit/
8 months ago
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So long, Solar System.
arstechnica.com/space/2025/0...
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White House may seek to slash NASA’s science budget by 50 percent
“It would be nothing short of an extinction-level event for space science.”…
https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/03/white-house-may-seek-to-slash-nasas-science-budget-by-50-percent/
8 months ago
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Albedo is nearing the launch of its first atmosphere-skimming satellite.
arstechnica.com/space/2025/0...
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How low can you go? Firm near launch of atmosphere-skimming satellite.
Flying closer to Earth delivers higher-resolution imagery, but there’s a catch.
https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/03/how-low-can-you-go-firm-near-launch-of-atmosphere-skimming-satellite/
8 months ago
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"We need an off-ramp for reliance on the SLS.” Quite the turn here from an influential voice in space policy.
arstechnica.com/space/2025/0...
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Long-time advocate of SLS rocket says it’s time to find an “off-ramp”
“A revised Artemis campaign plan should be a high priority for the new NASA Administrator.”…
https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/02/long-time-advocate-of-sls-rocket-says-its-time-to-find-an-off-ramp/
9 months ago
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Loren Grush
9 months ago
Spoke with Pam Melroy, NASA's former deputy administrator, about the claim that the agency was offered an earlier return of Butch and Suni from the International Space Station: “An offer to bring the crew home early, it never came to headquarters."
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
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Ex-NASA Leader Never Heard Musk Offer of Early Astronaut Return
NASA’s top officials never received an offer from Elon Musk’s SpaceX to bring home two US astronauts marooned in space earlier than planned, the agency’s former deputy administrator told Bloomberg.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-02-24/ex-nasa-leader-never-heard-musk-offer-of-early-astronaut-return?srnd=undefined
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New NASA appointments. • JSC’s Vanessa Wyche named NASA’s acting Associate Administrator • Jackie Jester named Associate Administrator for Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs at HQ • Kathy Koerner to retire, Lori Glaze to replace her as acting associate administrator for ESDM
9 months ago
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We are going to find a lot more asteroids like 2024 YR4, and that’s a good thing!
arstechnica.com/space/2025/0...
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Asteroid 2024 YR4 is going to miss Earth, but the story doesn’t end there
“The YR4 episode is just the beginning.”…
https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/02/asteroid-2024-yr4-may-be-a-dud-but-we-will-soon-find-many-more-threats/
9 months ago
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In a remarkable statement Thursday, SpaceX founder Elon Musk said the International Space Station should be deorbited "as soon as possible." Here's what I think this all means.
arstechnica.com/space/2025/0...
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Elon Musk recommends that the International Space Station be deorbited ASAP
“There is very little incremental utility. Let’s go to Mars.”…
https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/02/elon-musk-recommends-that-the-international-space-station-be-deorbited-asap/
9 months ago
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Here's the story with more information on NASA's reprieve from cutting more than 1,000 employees today.
add a skeleton here at some point
9 months ago
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I am hearing *unconfirmed* discussion that NASA was spared from today's probationary employee cuts at the 11th hour. Working to verify.
9 months ago
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A dark and painful day at a space agency that brings so much light and joy to the world.
arstechnica.com/space/2025/0...
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By the end of today, NASA’s workforce will be about 10 percent smaller
A dark and painful day at a space agency that brings so much light and joy to the world.
https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/02/by-the-end-of-today-nasas-workforce-will-be-about-10-percent-smaller/
9 months ago
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Humans to Mars is back on the menu for NASA.
arstechnica.com/space/2025/0...
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NASA nominee previews his vision for the agency: Mars, hard work, inspiration
Jared Isaacman says NASA should invest a “reasonable amount of resources” in Mars.
https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/02/nasa-nominee-previews-his-vision-for-the-agency-mars-hard-work-inspiration/
9 months ago
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jamelle
9 months ago
the single most un-american and anti-constitutional statement ever uttered by an american president
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Blue Mood.
arstechnica.com/space/2025/0...
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Citing too much “bureaucracy,” Blue Origin to cut 10 percent of its workforce
“We grew and hired incredibly fast in the last few years.”…
https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/02/citing-too-much-bureaucracy-blue-origin-to-cut-10-percent-of-its-workforce/
9 months ago
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Noctilucent clouds on Mars, as human eyes have never seen them before. Amazing.
arstechnica.com/space/2025/0...
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Curiosity spies stunning clouds at twilight on Mars
The noctilucent clouds only appear in some locations on Mars, near the equator.
https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/02/curiosity-spies-stunning-clouds-at-twilight-on-mars/
9 months ago
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Some news.
arstechnica.com/space/2025/0...
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Boeing has informed its employees that NASA may cancel SLS contracts
The White House has not made a final decision yet on the large rocket.
https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/02/boeing-has-informed-its-employees-that-nasa-may-cancel-sls-contracts/
9 months ago
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Here's the latest twist in the saga of Butch and Suni.
arstechnica.com/space/2025/0...
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NASA moves up target to return Butch and Suni, but not for political reasons
NASA can no longer wait on the development of a new Crew Dragon vehicle.
https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/02/nasa-moves-up-target-to-return-butch-and-suni-but-not-for-political-reasons/
9 months ago
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Eric Berger
Jakub Janovsky
9 months ago
I swear, the European aerospace insdustry is (except for Airbus airliners) run by morons and saboteurs...
arstechnica.com/space/2025/0...
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Europe has the worst imaginable idea to counter SpaceX’s launch dominance
This plan, if it ever gets off the ground, seems destined to fail.
https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/02/europe-has-the-worst-imaginable-idea-to-counter-spacexs-launch-dominance/
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This concern was heightened late Friday when Petro announced that a longtime SpaceX employee named Michael Altenhofen had joined the agency "as a senior advisor to the NASA Administrator."
arstechnica.com/space/2025/0...
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Concern about SpaceX influence at NASA grows with new appointee
Morale at the space agency is absurdly low, sources say.
https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/02/as-nasa-flies-into-turbulence-the-agency-could-use-a-steady-hand/
9 months ago
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Colin Carlson
9 months ago
I went to post about the National Japanese American Memorial in D.C., which is beautiful but usually missed by tourists. It is a deeply staggering admission of guilt and a warning to future Americans. I went to link to the inscriptions and- Well, they took the site down.
www.nps.gov/places/japan...
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Eric Berger
Jon Ostrower
10 months ago
CNN carrying FAA statement just now that confirms the collision of a CRJ and a Black Hawk helicopter near DCA tonight.
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Geoff Brumfiel
10 months ago
BREAKING: a plane has gone down in the Potomac on approach to Reagan National Airport in Washington DC. Reports that it collided with a helicopter.
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WTF, man.
arstechnica.com/space/2025/0...
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Why did Elon Musk just say Trump wants to bring two stranded astronauts home?
“We will do so.”…
https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/01/why-did-elon-musk-just-say-trump-wants-to-bring-two-stranded-astronauts-home/
10 months ago
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Blue Origin has roared into orbit, finally. So what's next for the company everyone wants to see emerge as a viable competitor to SpaceX?
arstechnica.com/features/202...
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With successful New Glenn flight, Blue Origin may finally be turning the corner
“This is the very beginning of the Space Age.”…
https://arstechnica.com/features/2025/01/after-the-success-of-new-glenn-blue-origin-to-focus-on-launching-frequently/
10 months ago
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Don Pettit is a national treasure.
arstechnica.com/space/2025/0...
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A NASA astronaut may have just taken the best photo from space—ever
During his third stay in orbit, Pettit is absolutely killing it.
https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/01/a-nasa-astronaut-may-have-just-taken-the-best-photo-from-space-ever/
10 months ago
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They're scrubbing the launch attempt of New Glenn this morning. Not sure when it will be made official.
10 months ago
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I spoke with an affable, but anxious Jeff Bezos on the eve of his company's first orbital launch attempt.
arstechnica.com/uncategorize...
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Bezos on eve of New Glenn launch: ‘If something goes wrong, we’ll pick ourselves up’
“There are some things that can only be tested in flight.”…
https://arstechnica.com/uncategorized/2025/01/bezos-on-eve-of-new-glenn-launch-if-something-goes-wrong-well-pick-ourselves-up/
10 months ago
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I'm not saying it's aliens, but ...
arstechnica.com/space/2025/0...
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A glowing ring of metal fell to Earth, and no one has any idea what it is
The large ring weighs nearly half a ton and does not match a returning rocket.
https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/01/a-glowing-ring-of-metal-fell-to-earth-and-no-one-has-any-idea-what-it-is/
10 months ago
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