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

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.aeroThis 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.