Welcome back to Max Q! We’ve got some exciting news to share with you in this issue:
- Discover why creating parachutes for space is such a challenge
- Learn about a lawsuit alleging safety concerns at Blue Origin
- Find out the latest from Loft Orbital, Relativity Space, and more
SpaceX recently acquired parachute supplier Pioneer Aerospace for $2.2 million, highlighting the immense difficulty in creating space-rated parachutes. This move comes after the parent company of Pioneer Aerospace declared bankruptcy. The InformationReportedthe news.
The acquisition by SpaceX reflects the challenges involved in producing parachutes that can withstand the extreme conditions of space. “Space is hard, but space parachutes are much harder,” said Abhi Tripathi, director of mission operations at UC Berkeley’s Space Sciences Laboratory.
Image Credits: SpaceX
In a separate development, the former program manager of Blue Origin’s BE-4 rocket engines has filed a lawsuit against the company, alleging retaliation for speaking out about safety concerns.
According to the complaint filed in the Los Angeles County Superior Court, program manager Craig Stoker raised concerns about safety and a hostile work environment at Blue Origin over a 7-month period. Stoker’s efforts to address these issues were met with resistance, culminating in the lawsuit.
Jeff Bezos, September 17, 2014 in Washington, DC. Image Credits: Getty Images
Other notable news includes Amazon’s purchase of 3 Falcon 9 launches from SpaceX to facilitate the deployment of its Project Kuiper mega-constellation, Loft Orbital’s introduction of “virtual missions,” and the response of Relativity Space CEO Tim Ellis to recent comments made by another aerospace executive. There’s certainly a lot happening in the space industry!
