Aerospace Program Audits & Delays
Articles on audits, delays, and program reviews of aerospace projects including NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, Starliner, Orion, SLS, and related contractor-led space initiatives.
NASA Commercial Crew Program Insights Shape New Specs for Private Space Stations
NASA's latest planning document sets explicit safety, technical, and operational standards for private space stations, building on lessons from the NASA Commercial Crew Program.
Space Force Procurement: Lessons From the NASA Commercial Crew Program
The US Space Force has made a massive budgetary shift, pivoting from a $5.6 billion launch plan to a, potentially, $30 billion procurement initiative. This move signals a departure from legacy, single-contractor reliance toward a more competitive, market-driven approach. Examining the strategic shift, the impact of increased launch demand, and the lessons learned from similar procurement models like the NASA commercial crew program.
The Myth of Certainty: Why the NASA Commercial Crew Program and Others Can't Escape Slippage
A commentary on the endemic nature of delays in the rocket industry, focusing on the NASA Commercial Crew Program and the broader reality that launch dates are rarely hit.
NASA Commercial Crew Program: The Draft RFP That Changed Everything
An analysis of NASA's latest draft request for proposals, detailing the agency's requirements for private partners tasked with developing and operating commercial space stations as the ISS approaches retirement.
Beyond 2030: Navigating the Future After Crew Dragon
An analysis of NASA's dependency on SpaceX's Crew Dragon and exploring long-term alternatives for manned spaceflight beyond the next decade.
Why Scientists Are Finally Taking UAPs Seriously: AI, Security, and the Human Cost
How artificial intelligence, national security imperatives, and psychological insight are transforming UAP research from fringe curiosity into a critical pillar of science and public trust.
FAA Clears SpaceX Starship to Fly Again: What Went Wrong With the Booster and How It Was Fixed
The FAA has cleared SpaceX to resume Starship test flights after the company identified and fixed the probable cause of its Super Heavy booster's failure during a May 2026 flight, with the next launch targeting July 16 carrying first third-generation Starlink satellites.
New Navigation Satellites in Low Earth Orbit Could Provide 100 Times Stronger Signal Than GPS
Exploring next-generation navigation satellite systems in low Earth orbit that promise dramatically stronger signal strength compared to traditional GPS constellations, potentially revolutionizing positioning and navigation capabilities.
The Next Gap Is Already in the Sky: What Happens When Falcon 9 Rears Down
With SpaceX shifting focus to Starship and Boeing’s Starliner stuck in certification limbo, a new U.S. human spaceflight gap looms as the ISS nears retirement in 2030—leaving no reliable domestic ride to orbit.
Smallsat Bottleneck: SpaceX Rideshare Crunch Opens a Canadian Pathway for Isar Aerospace
As SpaceX Transporter launch slots fill up through 2026, small satellite operators face a capability squeeze, driving German startup Isar Aerospace to secure a firm launch contract at Canada's Spaceport Nova Scotia.
Amazon's Space Internet Bet: 396 Satellites In, Starlink Still King
Amazon's Leo constellation hit 396 satellites after a July 2 Atlas V launch, but the company still faces a missed FCC deadline and a 26x gap versus Starlink's fleet. With an $11.5B Globalstar acquisition adding direct-to-device ambitions, Amazon is playing a longer game — but the broadband race is already halfway over.