T+146: Loren Grush on Commercial Crew, Starlink, NASA Authorization, and More

Loren Grush of The Verge joins me to talk about a whole host of current topics—SpaceX’s in-flight abort test, Starliner’s shaky first test and its fallout, space traffic, Starlink, the NASA Authorization bill, and why ”Space is hard” is the worst mantra.This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 37 executive producers—Brandon, Kris, Pat, Matt, Jorge, Brad, Ryan, Nadim, Peter, Donald, Lee, Chris, Warren, Bob, Russell, John, Moritz, Joel, Jan, Grant, Mike, David, Mints, Joonas, Robb, Tim Dodd the Everyday Astronaut, Frank, Julian and Lars from Agile Space, Tommy, Adam, and six anonymous—and 329 other supporters.TopicsLoren Grush (@lorengrush) | TwitterLoren Grush Profile and Activity - The VergeVerge Science - YouTubeSpaceX successfully tests escape system on new spacecraft — while destroying a rocket - The VergeBoeing and NASA are forming an investigation team to figure out cause of spacecraft mishap - The VergeStarliner’s thruster performance receiving close scrutiny from NASA | Ars TechnicaStop saying ‘space is hard’ - The VergeThe era of satellite-repairing robots is here - YouTubeLeoLabs, Inc. on Twitter: “Our latest update this morning for IRAS / GGSE 4 shows a 12m miss distance, with a Probability of Collision (Pc) back to 1 in 100.”Mesmerizing graph shows uncomfortably close encounters between space junk - The VergeSpaceX successfully launches its fourth batch of internet-beaming Starlink satellites - The VergeHouse Draft NASA Authorization Bill is the Greatest Hits of Terrible, Dead-End Space Policy - Main Engine Cut OffA proposed House bill is threatening to rework NASA’s Moon plans - The VergeChristian Davenport on Twitter: “Show of force? NASA Administrator @JimBridenstine is at the House space subcommittee mark up. Says he’s here ‘because it’s open to the public.’”The ShowLike the show? Support the show!Email your thoughts, comments, and questions to [email protected] @WeHaveMECOListen to MECO HeadlinesJoin the Off-Nominal DiscordSubscribe on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn or elsewhereSubscribe to the Main Engine Cut Off NewsletterBuy shirts and Rocket Socks from the Main Engine Cut Off ShopMusic by Max Justus