Recent comments in /f/space

TuckerCarlsonsOhface t1_jeg72wr wrote

Reply to Here’s what went wrong with Virgin Orbit by cnbc_official

> While Virgin Orbit touted a flexible and alternative approach to launch small satellites, the company was unable to reach the rate of launches necessary to generate the revenue it sorely needed.

I mean, even if there were tons of companies clamoring to shoot a satellites into space, how much repeat business would there be? It doesn’t seem like a sustainable income source no matter what. It’s not like the average person on the street is like “I should get one of my own satellites up there.”

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cnbc_official OP t1_jeg3hh1 wrote

Reply to Here’s what went wrong with Virgin Orbit by cnbc_official

Not too long ago, Virgin Orbit was in rarified air among U.S. rocket builders, and executives were in New York celebrating its public stock debut.

The scene was true to the marketing pizazz that has helped Sir Richard Branson build his Virgin empire of companies, showcasing with a rocket model in the middle of Times Square.

The deal, facilitated by a so-called blank check company, gave Virgin Orbit a valuation of nearly $4 billion. But that moment in December 2021 – when the craze surrounding public offerings centered on special purpose acquisition companies, or SPACs, was dying out – previewed the pain to come.

Now, Virgin Orbit is on the brink of bankruptcy. The company on Thursday halted operations and laid off nearly all of its staff. Its stock was trading around 20 cents Friday, leaving it with a market value of about $74 million.

Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/03/31/virgin-orbit-what-went-wrong.html

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danielravennest t1_jeg38mi wrote

Reply to comment by AvcalmQ in Path forward begins to emerge for Thirty Meter Telescope, which would be larger than any other current optical telescope and would sit atop the dormant volcano Mauna Kea in Hawaii. by clayt6

The physical construction will be by a variety of suppliers, everything from basic excavation and concrete to very fancy optics. It won't be just one company. It also won't start for years, as they haven't even settled where to build it. In the mean time you can work on other telescopes currently under construction.

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Rhoihessewoi t1_jeg1y6z wrote

Reply to Path forward begins to emerge for Thirty Meter Telescope, which would be larger than any other current optical telescope and would sit atop the dormant volcano Mauna Kea in Hawaii. by clayt6

BTW, the European Southern Observatory (ESO) agency is building a 39.3-metre-diameter telescope at the moment in Chile. The "Extremely Large Telescope". First light is planned for 2028

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extremely_Large_Telescope

But 30 meter is not bad either.

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