NASA delays Artemis 3 Moon mission to 2027, ceding momentum to China

NASA delays Artemis 3 Moon mission to 2027, ceding momentum to China

FPI / December 13, 2024 Geostrategy-Direct By Richard Fisher Once again, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has delayed the Artemis-III return-to-the-Moon-mission, this time to mid-2027, again ceding momentum to China, which could begin occupying the Moon as early as 2029. This latest delay was announced by NASA Administrator Bill Nelson during a Dec. […]

China’s 60 orbital launches seen increasing with reusable launchers in 2025

China’s 60 orbital launches seen increasing with reusable launchers in 2025

FPI / December 6, 2024 Geostrategy-Direct By Richard Fisher On Dec. 3 China launched its 60th space mission for 2024; But with one month to go China may not reach its goal of 100 orbital launches but may surpass its record of 67 launches for 2023. However, annual launch rates may soon well surpass 100 […]

High strategy: NASA-China Moon race quickens

High strategy: NASA-China Moon race quickens

FPI / November 29, 2024 Geostrategy-Direct By Richard Fisher Both the United States and China have issued recent markers demonstrating progress in their respective programs to put people on the Moon, affirming an accelerating race to occupy the Moon for strategic and economic gain. In a Nov. 19 press release, the U.S. National Aeronautics and […]

China showcases X-band radar, pointing to its own missile, space defense

China showcases X-band radar, pointing to its own missile, space defense

FPI / November 22, 2024 Geostrategy-Direct By Richard Fisher Number 8 in “President Trump’s 20 Core Promises” states: “Prevent World War Three, restore peace in Europe and in the Middle East, and build a great iron dome missile defense shield over our entire country — all made in America.” However, the revelation of a new […]

China reveals 2030 launch plans for its reusable ‘Starship’ at Zhuhai Airshow

China reveals 2030 launch plans for its reusable ‘Starship’ at Zhuhai Airshow

FPI / November 15, 2024 Geostrategy-Direct By Richard Fisher Look out SpaceX, the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), China’s leading state-owned rocket and space company, plans to start testing by 2030 a reusable first-stage version of its 10.6-meter diameter Long March-9 superheavy space launch vehicle (SLV), which is about the same size as […]

The French Haolong space plane with Chinese Communist characteristics

The French Haolong space plane with Chinese Communist characteristics

FPI / November 8, 2024 Geostrategy-Direct By Richard Fisher If they are still around, some aging engineers from France’s former Aerospatiale space company and the Dassault aircraft company should be proud: Their innovative Hermes small space plane program that was cancelled in 1992, could soon fly, but as a reusable Chinese space cargo transport. During […]

International Space Station may be first space crisis for new administration

International Space Station may be first space crisis for new administration

FPI / November 1, 2024 Geostrategy-Direct By Richard Fisher An increasing leak rate for atmosphere, precautions that keep the non-Russian astronauts in the American portion, and doubts about Russia’s ability or willingness to support its portion all contribute to the possibility that the International Space Station (ISS) could become an early “space crisis” prompting the […]

After achieving major milestone, SpaceX quickly faces many more

After achieving major milestone, SpaceX quickly faces many more

FPI / October 18, 2024 Geostrategy-Direct By Richard Fisher In the early morning of Oct. 13, Elon Musk’s SpaceX Corporation achieved an amazing milestone in its quest to become the leading agent in man’s projection to the Moon and Mars. However there are many more milestones ahead in order to secure that position. Roughly 6 […]

Spain follows the Elon Musk template with PLD Space

Spain follows the Elon Musk template with PLD Space

FPI / October 11, 2024 Geostrategy-Direct By Richard Fisher Consider this proven formula for private sector business success in space: 1) Find a motivated, charismatic leader; 2) Develop a family of modular and reusable space launch vehicles (SLVs) to reduce production/launch costs and generate public and private sector business; and 3) Set your sights on […]

China’s lunar ambitions: Spacesuits and slingshot payload deliveries to Earth

China’s lunar ambitions: Spacesuits and slingshot payload deliveries to Earth

FPI / October 4, 2024 Geostrategy-Direct By Richard Fisher The seriousness of China’s buildup to its first manned Moon mission, perhaps before 2030, was emphasized by three recent revelations: A new Lunar manned spacesuit; a new facility to simulate low gravity lunar landings; and a proposal for “cyclotron” low-cost launch of payloads from the Moon […]