Thomas Hayden
@thomashayden.bsky.social
Video editor at NASASpaceflight
Interesting Raptor explosion at McGregor tonight. Seemed to happen during startup - timing we've never seen before.
As always this could be intentional (McGregor's the place they do tests to destruction), or just an unhappy raptor.
@nasaspaceflight.com
nsf.live/mcgregor
As always this could be intentional (McGregor's the place they do tests to destruction), or just an unhappy raptor.
@nasaspaceflight.com
nsf.live/mcgregor
November 15, 2025 at 3:43 AM
Interesting Raptor explosion at McGregor tonight. Seemed to happen during startup - timing we've never seen before.
As always this could be intentional (McGregor's the place they do tests to destruction), or just an unhappy raptor.
@nasaspaceflight.com
nsf.live/mcgregor
As always this could be intentional (McGregor's the place they do tests to destruction), or just an unhappy raptor.
@nasaspaceflight.com
nsf.live/mcgregor
The OLM put up a bit of a fight tonight with a small fire inside the ring.
Thankfully no one seems injured and crews were able to quickly extinguish it. They're already back at work cutting it up to make way for the new design!
@nasaspaceflight.com
nsf.live/starbase
Thankfully no one seems injured and crews were able to quickly extinguish it. They're already back at work cutting it up to make way for the new design!
@nasaspaceflight.com
nsf.live/starbase
November 4, 2025 at 1:47 AM
The OLM put up a bit of a fight tonight with a small fire inside the ring.
Thankfully no one seems injured and crews were able to quickly extinguish it. They're already back at work cutting it up to make way for the new design!
@nasaspaceflight.com
nsf.live/starbase
Thankfully no one seems injured and crews were able to quickly extinguish it. They're already back at work cutting it up to make way for the new design!
@nasaspaceflight.com
nsf.live/starbase
SpaceX has had an excellent quarter at McGregor, with a record 48 Falcon 9 second stages tested.
How does this bode for their 170 flight goal this year? Short answer, quite well! Details in thread
@nasaspaceflight.com
nsf.live/mcgregor
How does this bode for their 170 flight goal this year? Short answer, quite well! Details in thread
@nasaspaceflight.com
nsf.live/mcgregor
October 1, 2025 at 1:58 PM
SpaceX has had an excellent quarter at McGregor, with a record 48 Falcon 9 second stages tested.
How does this bode for their 170 flight goal this year? Short answer, quite well! Details in thread
@nasaspaceflight.com
nsf.live/mcgregor
How does this bode for their 170 flight goal this year? Short answer, quite well! Details in thread
@nasaspaceflight.com
nsf.live/mcgregor
Reposted by Thomas Hayden
During a visit to NASA’s Johnson Space Center last March, I was confronted with an environment of fear, uncertainty and discrimination which struck me as a troubling moral issue that also raises serious safety concerns. Read all about it here: www.thespacereview.com/article/5060/1
September 16, 2025 at 9:03 PM
During a visit to NASA’s Johnson Space Center last March, I was confronted with an environment of fear, uncertainty and discrimination which struck me as a troubling moral issue that also raises serious safety concerns. Read all about it here: www.thespacereview.com/article/5060/1
Five Falcon 9 Stage 2's in five days!
Just 3 days, 22 hours, 26 minutes, and 31 seconds from the first to fifth test, highlighting what the McGregor teams are capable of. Typically they test one every two days.
Watch live: nsf.live/mcgregor
@nasaspaceflight.com
Just 3 days, 22 hours, 26 minutes, and 31 seconds from the first to fifth test, highlighting what the McGregor teams are capable of. Typically they test one every two days.
Watch live: nsf.live/mcgregor
@nasaspaceflight.com
August 22, 2025 at 11:53 PM
Five Falcon 9 Stage 2's in five days!
Just 3 days, 22 hours, 26 minutes, and 31 seconds from the first to fifth test, highlighting what the McGregor teams are capable of. Typically they test one every two days.
Watch live: nsf.live/mcgregor
@nasaspaceflight.com
Just 3 days, 22 hours, 26 minutes, and 31 seconds from the first to fifth test, highlighting what the McGregor teams are capable of. Typically they test one every two days.
Watch live: nsf.live/mcgregor
@nasaspaceflight.com
Reposted by Thomas Hayden
As part of an effort to gain better coverage of multiple launch pads under construction at Cape Canaveral, I've ordered a high resolution satellite image that covers many of the Space Coast launch pads and made it freely available to everyone to browse.
Quick thread:
Quick thread:
July 23, 2025 at 11:43 AM
As part of an effort to gain better coverage of multiple launch pads under construction at Cape Canaveral, I've ordered a high resolution satellite image that covers many of the Space Coast launch pads and made it freely available to everyone to browse.
Quick thread:
Quick thread:
Can SpaceX reach 170 Falcon flights?
McGregor tests every 2nd stage, so we can get a look at whether the production/test rate is on track to meet their goal.
The short answer is they're on a solid trajectory - more analysis in thread!
@nasaspaceflight.com
nsf.live/mcgregor
McGregor tests every 2nd stage, so we can get a look at whether the production/test rate is on track to meet their goal.
The short answer is they're on a solid trajectory - more analysis in thread!
@nasaspaceflight.com
nsf.live/mcgregor
July 1, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Can SpaceX reach 170 Falcon flights?
McGregor tests every 2nd stage, so we can get a look at whether the production/test rate is on track to meet their goal.
The short answer is they're on a solid trajectory - more analysis in thread!
@nasaspaceflight.com
nsf.live/mcgregor
McGregor tests every 2nd stage, so we can get a look at whether the production/test rate is on track to meet their goal.
The short answer is they're on a solid trajectory - more analysis in thread!
@nasaspaceflight.com
nsf.live/mcgregor
Reposted by Thomas Hayden
Unless these decisions are reversed, this will be remembered as a disastrous week for @NASA. First, I am not optimistic that whomever this administration nominates next for NASA Administrator will be nearly as qualified or enthusiastic about the agency’s mission as Jared.
1/
1/
June 1, 2025 at 4:12 AM
Unless these decisions are reversed, this will be remembered as a disastrous week for @NASA. First, I am not optimistic that whomever this administration nominates next for NASA Administrator will be nearly as qualified or enthusiastic about the agency’s mission as Jared.
1/
1/
New record!
McGregor's Raptor Horizontal stand has beaten its record of 385 seconds with a test today lasting 460 seconds!
This isn't a McGregor test record (that's held by Tripod's 897 second test) but it's a dominant second place.
@nasaspaceflight.com
nsf.live/mcgregor
McGregor's Raptor Horizontal stand has beaten its record of 385 seconds with a test today lasting 460 seconds!
This isn't a McGregor test record (that's held by Tripod's 897 second test) but it's a dominant second place.
@nasaspaceflight.com
nsf.live/mcgregor
April 12, 2025 at 1:06 AM
New record!
McGregor's Raptor Horizontal stand has beaten its record of 385 seconds with a test today lasting 460 seconds!
This isn't a McGregor test record (that's held by Tripod's 897 second test) but it's a dominant second place.
@nasaspaceflight.com
nsf.live/mcgregor
McGregor's Raptor Horizontal stand has beaten its record of 385 seconds with a test today lasting 460 seconds!
This isn't a McGregor test record (that's held by Tripod's 897 second test) but it's a dominant second place.
@nasaspaceflight.com
nsf.live/mcgregor
25% through the year lets take a look at how McGregor testing is going for Falcon 9's goal of 170 launches!
Starting with MVac, the data is looking great.
This is their surplus compared to 170 tests per year. Blue is 2025, red is 2024
@nasaspaceflight.com
nsf.live/mcgregor
Starting with MVac, the data is looking great.
This is their surplus compared to 170 tests per year. Blue is 2025, red is 2024
@nasaspaceflight.com
nsf.live/mcgregor
April 1, 2025 at 1:45 PM
25% through the year lets take a look at how McGregor testing is going for Falcon 9's goal of 170 launches!
Starting with MVac, the data is looking great.
This is their surplus compared to 170 tests per year. Blue is 2025, red is 2024
@nasaspaceflight.com
nsf.live/mcgregor
Starting with MVac, the data is looking great.
This is their surplus compared to 170 tests per year. Blue is 2025, red is 2024
@nasaspaceflight.com
nsf.live/mcgregor
Reposted by Thomas Hayden
Vulcan has been certified for National Security Launch! Thankyou USSF for your trust. We are proud to serve the NSS mission. And, I am very proud of our team at ULA and all of our partners.
March 26, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Vulcan has been certified for National Security Launch! Thankyou USSF for your trust. We are proud to serve the NSS mission. And, I am very proud of our team at ULA and all of our partners.
Reposted by Thomas Hayden
Workers are tearing down the Starbase High Bay. A new LTM 11200 crane arises to bring down larger pieces as SpaceX makes way for the new, even larger, Gigabay, and two massive prefabricated power buildings are delivered on huge transporters.
youtu.be/iEHs9Sgf_2M
youtu.be/iEHs9Sgf_2M
March 24, 2025 at 12:05 AM
Workers are tearing down the Starbase High Bay. A new LTM 11200 crane arises to bring down larger pieces as SpaceX makes way for the new, even larger, Gigabay, and two massive prefabricated power buildings are delivered on huge transporters.
youtu.be/iEHs9Sgf_2M
youtu.be/iEHs9Sgf_2M
A Raptor 2 giving us some fireworks today, but don't fret! This looks like it could be an intentional test to destruction, along with a few earlier in the year. Perhaps related to changes following Flights 7 and 8?
nsf.live/mcgregor
@nasaspaceflight.com
nsf.live/mcgregor
@nasaspaceflight.com
March 20, 2025 at 1:30 AM
A Raptor 2 giving us some fireworks today, but don't fret! This looks like it could be an intentional test to destruction, along with a few earlier in the year. Perhaps related to changes following Flights 7 and 8?
nsf.live/mcgregor
@nasaspaceflight.com
nsf.live/mcgregor
@nasaspaceflight.com
March 17, 2025 at 3:29 AM
Reposted by Thomas Hayden
Falcon 9 fleet leader B1067 has returned after it's record breaking 26th flight. Pretty soon we'll be celebrating 30!
@nasaspaceflight.com live views of port and goings on at Cape: nsf.live/spacecoast
@nasaspaceflight.com live views of port and goings on at Cape: nsf.live/spacecoast
February 17, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Falcon 9 fleet leader B1067 has returned after it's record breaking 26th flight. Pretty soon we'll be celebrating 30!
@nasaspaceflight.com live views of port and goings on at Cape: nsf.live/spacecoast
@nasaspaceflight.com live views of port and goings on at Cape: nsf.live/spacecoast
Reposted by Thomas Hayden
Peekaboo, I see you Falcon
February 11, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Peekaboo, I see you Falcon
Reposted by Thomas Hayden
Have you ever wondered what comes next when the ISS is retired? We have! NSF's Das was invited to have a look at VAST and their process of building new space stations tour their factory, see some hardware, and meet the folks who are creating the world’s first commercial station
youtu.be/us_V_e0-NVs
youtu.be/us_V_e0-NVs
February 11, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Have you ever wondered what comes next when the ISS is retired? We have! NSF's Das was invited to have a look at VAST and their process of building new space stations tour their factory, see some hardware, and meet the folks who are creating the world’s first commercial station
youtu.be/us_V_e0-NVs
youtu.be/us_V_e0-NVs
Reposted by Thomas Hayden
With its flight 8 partner completing a Static Fire Test, Starship S34 left the warmth of the Mega Bay, and headed into the foggy night to roll back to Masseys for its Static Fire Test, as pre-flight preparations continue.
nsf.live/starbase
nsf.live/starbase
February 10, 2025 at 10:15 PM
With its flight 8 partner completing a Static Fire Test, Starship S34 left the warmth of the Mega Bay, and headed into the foggy night to roll back to Masseys for its Static Fire Test, as pre-flight preparations continue.
nsf.live/starbase
nsf.live/starbase
Reposted by Thomas Hayden
Three days after arriving the launch site for some engine testing, and hours after a successful test. Starship B15 was removed from the Pad A Orbital Launch Mount.
nsf.live/starbase
nsf.live/starbase
February 10, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Three days after arriving the launch site for some engine testing, and hours after a successful test. Starship B15 was removed from the Pad A Orbital Launch Mount.
nsf.live/starbase
nsf.live/starbase
Reposted by Thomas Hayden
The Flight 8 vehicles (B15 and S34) are well into their respective testing campaigns, the Pad B chopstick carriage reeving process is nearly complete, and we’ve spotted hardware being prepared for Starship’s first Starlink mission!
To watch the full Starbase Update:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxIa...
To watch the full Starbase Update:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxIa...
February 10, 2025 at 11:59 PM
The Flight 8 vehicles (B15 and S34) are well into their respective testing campaigns, the Pad B chopstick carriage reeving process is nearly complete, and we’ve spotted hardware being prepared for Starship’s first Starlink mission!
To watch the full Starbase Update:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxIa...
To watch the full Starbase Update:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxIa...
Reposted by Thomas Hayden
Booster 15 has completed a static fire test of its Raptor engines. 🔥🔥🔥
📸 — Mary (BocaChicaGal) for NSF
📸 — Mary (BocaChicaGal) for NSF
February 9, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Booster 15 has completed a static fire test of its Raptor engines. 🔥🔥🔥
📸 — Mary (BocaChicaGal) for NSF
📸 — Mary (BocaChicaGal) for NSF
Aircraft carriers are HUGE!
Here's an approximate visualization of a Starship stack on ex-John F. Kennedy as it entered the Port of Brownsville for scrapping.
~408ft vs ~1,106ft
Apologies (or you're welcome) for the Ship 26 style stack
@nasaspaceflight.com
Here's an approximate visualization of a Starship stack on ex-John F. Kennedy as it entered the Port of Brownsville for scrapping.
~408ft vs ~1,106ft
Apologies (or you're welcome) for the Ship 26 style stack
@nasaspaceflight.com
February 6, 2025 at 4:33 AM
Aircraft carriers are HUGE!
Here's an approximate visualization of a Starship stack on ex-John F. Kennedy as it entered the Port of Brownsville for scrapping.
~408ft vs ~1,106ft
Apologies (or you're welcome) for the Ship 26 style stack
@nasaspaceflight.com
Here's an approximate visualization of a Starship stack on ex-John F. Kennedy as it entered the Port of Brownsville for scrapping.
~408ft vs ~1,106ft
Apologies (or you're welcome) for the Ship 26 style stack
@nasaspaceflight.com
Telemetry time!
Compared to Flight 5, Starship's 7th flight took a lower and slower approach likely thanks to the larger v2 Ship.
At MECO, B14 was traveling about 850km/h slower than B12. The rest of the flight was also slower, including more consistent acceleration on ascent.
Compared to Flight 5, Starship's 7th flight took a lower and slower approach likely thanks to the larger v2 Ship.
At MECO, B14 was traveling about 850km/h slower than B12. The rest of the flight was also slower, including more consistent acceleration on ascent.
January 17, 2025 at 5:23 AM
Telemetry time!
Compared to Flight 5, Starship's 7th flight took a lower and slower approach likely thanks to the larger v2 Ship.
At MECO, B14 was traveling about 850km/h slower than B12. The rest of the flight was also slower, including more consistent acceleration on ascent.
Compared to Flight 5, Starship's 7th flight took a lower and slower approach likely thanks to the larger v2 Ship.
At MECO, B14 was traveling about 850km/h slower than B12. The rest of the flight was also slower, including more consistent acceleration on ascent.
Reposted by Thomas Hayden
Photo I just took of Mars setting behind the Moon
January 14, 2025 at 4:27 AM
Photo I just took of Mars setting behind the Moon
Reposted by Thomas Hayden
A great interview with Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp: www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3aK...
Some notes:
- Working on ramping manufacturing
- Aiming to produce 48 second stages a year in a couple of years
- At least 3-4 boosters a year
- Has aimed to bring more decisiveness to the company
Some notes:
- Working on ramping manufacturing
- Aiming to produce 48 second stages a year in a couple of years
- At least 3-4 boosters a year
- Has aimed to bring more decisiveness to the company
Blue Origin CEO talks to CNBC's Morgan Brennan on the eve of the company's New Glenn rocket launch
YouTube video by CNBC Television
www.youtube.com
January 14, 2025 at 5:39 AM
A great interview with Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp: www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3aK...
Some notes:
- Working on ramping manufacturing
- Aiming to produce 48 second stages a year in a couple of years
- At least 3-4 boosters a year
- Has aimed to bring more decisiveness to the company
Some notes:
- Working on ramping manufacturing
- Aiming to produce 48 second stages a year in a couple of years
- At least 3-4 boosters a year
- Has aimed to bring more decisiveness to the company