Hello and welcome to TechCrunch Space. I hope everyone had a great Independence Day. Let’s get to the news!
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Last week was a bit quieter in terms of news – which was to be expected, given the holidays – but I was still very excited about it. Partnership between two startups to bring AI-capable computing power to space. San Francisco-based Aethero is developing the computing system, and the Cosmic Shielding Corporation is providing a new radiation shielding material. The payload will be launched into orbit in a few days, and I will certainly be following the progress in the coming months.
SpaceX’s ambitious plans to launch its Starship megarocket up to 44 times a year from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center are causing a stir among some of its competitors. SpaceX may have even more ambitious plans for a second launch pad right next door: Space Launch Complex (SLC)-37 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS).
Launch of the week
Congratulations to Firefly Aerospace for launching its Alpha rocket for the fifth time last Wednesday. The mission delivered eight CubeSats into orbit for NASA, which funded the mission as part of its Venture Class Launch Services (VCLS) Demo 2 program to support the development of small launch vehicles. Watch the launch below.
What we are looking at
I got my hands on an advanced copy of “Wild and wild space,” the new space documentary directed by Ross Kauffman and based on a book by space journalist Ashlee Vance. I’m considering writing a full review, but what I will say is: It’s a riotous ride. There are many, many quotable lines, like Rocket Lab CEO Peter Beck’s: “I’m not cut out to build shit.” The film hits HBO on July 17. It’s worth a watch.
