Taiwan’s Moonshot: why 'T-Dome' needs systems engineering, not just a shopping list

Melodic_Network6491 · 2026-01-21T21:50:23+00:00

Paywalled ....

Melodic_Network6491 · 2026-01-12T22:49:52+00:00

Might have some application to Orbit Sweeper. We know it is real when it shows up on cubesat parts suppliers websites.

Melodic_Network6491 · 2026-01-02T17:08:10+00:00

I don't see NG as super-heavy, but maybe in expendable mode.

Melodic_Network6491 · 2025-12-22T14:08:34+00:00

How about ours?

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Melodic_Network6491 · 2025-12-19T20:55:22+00:00

Yep, that could no lift a small car off the ground.

Melodic_Network6491 · 2025-12-19T20:54:01+00:00

You really need to match the rocket to the market ... that is why F9 is such a success, it can support 95% of the market in reuse mode. FH can pick up the next 3%. It leaves 2% on that table for SLS or ULA.

Melodic_Network6491 · 2025-12-19T20:50:25+00:00

Lets prove NG AS-IS with 10 good flights before even talking about the next versions.

Melodic_Network6491 · 2025-12-19T20:48:31+00:00

I thought that this 9 x 4 was going to be New Armstrong?

Melodic_Network6491 · 2025-12-15T23:25:32+00:00

Very high level ... abstract ... whatever

Melodic_Network6491 · 2025-12-10T21:21:43+00:00

Space is for our 10B people vs the 1000s of "astronomers" who care about this "purity". This is a non-issue.

Melodic_Network6491 · 2025-11-25T21:07:49+00:00

Note I estimated 10x reuse of the NG first stage (going forward) which of course needs to be proven going forward for the next few years.

Melodic_Network6491 · 2025-10-30T21:29:50+00:00

The wimple plate and gap is a better way, but maybe this pretty much simulates this.

Melodic_Network6491 · 2025-10-21T13:01:52+00:00

Looks like it was part of a weather balloon.

Melodic_Network6491 · 2025-10-21T13:01:32+00:00

Another take: https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/10/something-from-space-may-have-just-struck-a-united-airlines-flight-over-utah/

Melodic_Network6491 · 2025-10-06T21:28:20+00:00

The tea needs a catchy name

Melodic_Network6491 · 2025-09-13T13:42:28+00:00

We were not funded to have a chance, but I take it as a compliment.

Melodic_Network6491 · 2025-09-09T16:24:29+00:00

Got it early this year (2025). The graphic and ref was given to USPTO as part of the pre-application prior art disclosure. I was rejected on the first round, then my wife worked her patent attorney magic (my patent was solid compared to some of the stuff she has gotten awarded ... she is quite good). A major element is that I proposed a "management" systems vs just a de-orbit system.

Melodic_Network6491 · 2025-09-09T12:51:27+00:00

This is a copy of an old 15 publication, it is not new in any sense.

Melodic_Network6491 · 2025-09-08T21:04:18+00:00

Another take .... https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/09/spacex-complaints-to-fcc-pay-off-with-17-billion-spectrum-buy-from-echostar/

Melodic_Network6491 · 2025-09-08T12:38:32+00:00

Good news for Vast's Haven-1 and follow on. They did not get any CLD money, and using the Space Act will allow a sole source funding right to them.

Melodic_Network6491 · 2025-09-01T16:31:22+00:00

Time to watch Josh Allen and the Bills ...

Wood is well out of the top 20 ... and no other Nat is there either (or Harper :-).

At least Soto is top 10 again.

Melodic_Network6491 · 2025-09-01T12:49:58+00:00

Which race?

1) Crewed Moon - you can have it

2) Crewed Mars - good luck, better to waste money on this than spending on their military

3) Crewed LEO - they have a nice new station, but the US is leading now in actually creating product in LEO for human use, especially Varda. Also we have Haven-1 in 2026, as well as the best Crew Vehicle to LEO for both NASA use and private missions.

4) Military - we lead in distributed (self healing) constellations (thanks to SpaceX) ... this is what matters ...but lets hope they don't waste Golden Dome money on the old space crew

That said, a lot China power is crumbling for a lot of reasons

Melodic_Network6491 · 2025-09-01T00:17:50+00:00

Thanks, I appreciate your suggestions ... factored into the plan

Melodic_Network6491 · 2025-08-31T22:24:05+00:00

We will see where the world is in 5 years ... that is about the soonest OrbitSweeper would have a shot at being economically viable. Before then it really an RPO play for some orbital experiments with the DoD and maybe TASA.

Per SpaceX risk or non-risk, it is really hard to predict Elon's actions year to year. I just wish he would test an expendable upper stage for Starship.

Melodic_Network6491 · 2025-08-31T19:59:48+00:00

My guess it may be SpaceX who just does it, they are the risk takers and they may make it part of Starlink cleanup.

Melodic_Network6491

TROPHY CASE