Episode 335: DOWNLINK--Matthew Kuhns, Masten Space Systems
Can you really spray an aluminum landing pad on the moon while you're landing? Come learn with us about the FAST landing pad concept!
The Orbital Mechanics Podcast · The Orbital Mechanics
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Show Notes
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:
— 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.