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Now, let’s dive into the latest space news. Unfortunately, the Starliner mission recap will have to wait a little longer as the launch has been officially delayed. The new expected launch date is no earlier than May 17. The delay is due to a valve replacement needed in the rocket, requiring United Launch Alliance to roll it back to the Vertical Integration Facility hangar. As always, those valves can cause some headaches!
Moving on to a startup exclusive, I recently wrote about a five-month-old company called Layup Parts. This startup has just closed a $9 million financing round led by Founders Fund. Layup Parts aims to revolutionize composite parts manufacturing through automation, similar to how Protolabs and Xometry have transformed CNC machining. This funding will help Layup Parts make strides in their mission and potentially disrupt the industry.
If you’re looking for something interesting to watch this week, I highly recommend a 30-minute video by the renowned Everyday Astronaut. The video delves into the first Polaris Dawn mission and explores the new spacesuits designed by SpaceX for private astronauts. It’s a fascinating deep dive into the advancements happening in space exploration.
Now, let’s take a trip down memory lane. Before the International Space Station (ISS) captured our hearts, there was Skylab. Exactly 50 years ago, on May 14, 1973, Skylab was launched on the last Saturn V rocket. Skylab was a small orbiting platform that paved the way for future space stations and experiments. It’s always important to remember the milestones that led us to where we are today in space exploration.
In conclusion, there’s always something exciting happening in the world of space. From mission delays to startup funding rounds and historical anniversaries, the space industry continues to captivate us with its advancements. Stay tuned for more updates and discoveries as we continue our journey into the final frontier.