John Holst
@illdefined.space
Analyzing the activities, business, and outcomes of the space sector (and more). Sometimes my writing makes sense.
To make it extremely clear: this post contains my own observations and analysis. It does not represent anyone I work for.
Wither, European Launch? www.illdefined.space/wither-europ...
I have no answers, only more questions, about Europe’s launch rate.
1/3
Wither, European Launch? www.illdefined.space/wither-europ...
I have no answers, only more questions, about Europe’s launch rate.
1/3
Wither, European Launch?
I have no answers, only more questions, about Europe’s launch rate.
www.illdefined.space
September 28, 2025 at 3:48 PM
To make it extremely clear: this post contains my own observations and analysis. It does not represent anyone I work for.
Wither, European Launch? www.illdefined.space/wither-europ...
I have no answers, only more questions, about Europe’s launch rate.
1/3
Wither, European Launch? www.illdefined.space/wither-europ...
I have no answers, only more questions, about Europe’s launch rate.
1/3
Reposted by John Holst
According Dr. Robert Atlas, the elimination of NOAA's AOML as proposed in their 2026 budget would result in a 20-40% decrease in hurricane forecast accuracy, costing the economy an estimated $10 billion each hurricane season. Sobering numbers on what's at stake.
July 9, 2025 at 6:40 PM
According Dr. Robert Atlas, the elimination of NOAA's AOML as proposed in their 2026 budget would result in a 20-40% decrease in hurricane forecast accuracy, costing the economy an estimated $10 billion each hurricane season. Sobering numbers on what's at stake.
Reposted by John Holst
amtrak’s marketing team gets it
June 21, 2025 at 12:21 PM
amtrak’s marketing team gets it
Reposted by John Holst
The Leaf Sheep eats algae, retains the chlorophyll, and uses it to photosynthesize sunlight in a process known as "kleptoplasty".
It's a solar-powered sea slug! 😁
It's a solar-powered sea slug! 😁
June 19, 2025 at 5:42 PM
The Leaf Sheep eats algae, retains the chlorophyll, and uses it to photosynthesize sunlight in a process known as "kleptoplasty".
It's a solar-powered sea slug! 😁
It's a solar-powered sea slug! 😁
Uhhhh, this is the same Honda that builds bikes and cars: global.honda/en/topics/20...
Honda Conducts Successful Launch and Landing Test of Experimental Reusable Rocket | Honda Global Corporate Website
Honda Global | Honda R&D Co., Ltd., a research and development subsidiary of Honda Motor Co., Ltd., today conducted a launch and landing test of an experimental reusable rocket*1 (6.3 m in length, 85 ...
global.honda
June 17, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Uhhhh, this is the same Honda that builds bikes and cars: global.honda/en/topics/20...
Some classic lines in here: www.duffelblog.com/p/trump-decl...
Trump declines parade march, citing sudden bone spur flare-up
Insists he's ‘more injured than most heroes’ after learning parade route involves walking.
www.duffelblog.com
June 14, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Some classic lines in here: www.duffelblog.com/p/trump-decl...
Reposted by John Holst
Thinking up plans so evil, he's even disturbed himself
June 9, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Thinking up plans so evil, he's even disturbed himself
Reposted by John Holst
Listen on my purrs ye mighty, and despair
Meet Ozymandias.
He doesn't know it yet, but once he's had his second jab, he's going to be the new Magdalen College kitten.
He doesn't know it yet, but once he's had his second jab, he's going to be the new Magdalen College kitten.
May 13, 2025 at 10:25 PM
Listen on my purrs ye mighty, and despair
2025 Space Industry Observations and an Update
A busy start to 2025 points to more records being broken by the year’s end. Will anyone other than SpaceX make a profit?
open.substack.com/pub/illdefin...
A busy start to 2025 points to more records being broken by the year’s end. Will anyone other than SpaceX make a profit?
open.substack.com/pub/illdefin...
2025 Space Industry Observations and an Update
A busy start to 2025 points to more records being broken by the year’s end. Will anyone other than SpaceX make a profit?
open.substack.com
April 18, 2025 at 2:35 PM
2025 Space Industry Observations and an Update
A busy start to 2025 points to more records being broken by the year’s end. Will anyone other than SpaceX make a profit?
open.substack.com/pub/illdefin...
A busy start to 2025 points to more records being broken by the year’s end. Will anyone other than SpaceX make a profit?
open.substack.com/pub/illdefin...
Reposted by John Holst
Very interesting paper about the launcher market by Emma Gatti and Andrea D'Ottavio!
I think it is a must read for everyone interested in the economics of reusable launch vehicles.
#SpaceX Falcon 9 vs. Ariane 6
1/n
I think it is a must read for everyone interested in the economics of reusable launch vehicles.
#SpaceX Falcon 9 vs. Ariane 6
1/n
The Missing Rocket: An Economic and Engineering Analysis of the Reusability Dilemma in the European Space Sector
Intereconomics is an academic journal that publishes articles by experts on current economic and social policy issues affecting Europe.
www.intereconomics.eu
April 15, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Very interesting paper about the launcher market by Emma Gatti and Andrea D'Ottavio!
I think it is a must read for everyone interested in the economics of reusable launch vehicles.
#SpaceX Falcon 9 vs. Ariane 6
1/n
I think it is a must read for everyone interested in the economics of reusable launch vehicles.
#SpaceX Falcon 9 vs. Ariane 6
1/n
ICYMI: a media thread: 🧵
Post: Making Life Better? 2024 Communications and Remote Sensing
So many satellites... Does more mean better products and services? Or is there tunnel vision going on?
1/20
Post: Making Life Better? 2024 Communications and Remote Sensing
So many satellites... Does more mean better products and services? Or is there tunnel vision going on?
1/20
April 13, 2025 at 5:03 PM
ICYMI: a media thread: 🧵
Post: Making Life Better? 2024 Communications and Remote Sensing
So many satellites... Does more mean better products and services? Or is there tunnel vision going on?
1/20
Post: Making Life Better? 2024 Communications and Remote Sensing
So many satellites... Does more mean better products and services? Or is there tunnel vision going on?
1/20
Cubesat Customers–The Worst of Both Worlds?
To be clear, it's not that the cubesat customers are terrible. At least, I don't think they are.
illdefinedspace.substack.com/p/cubesat-cu...
To be clear, it's not that the cubesat customers are terrible. At least, I don't think they are.
illdefinedspace.substack.com/p/cubesat-cu...
Cubesat Customers–The Worst of Both Worlds?
To be clear, it's not that the cubesat customers are terrible. At least, I don't think they are. 🤔
illdefinedspace.substack.com
April 11, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Cubesat Customers–The Worst of Both Worlds?
To be clear, it's not that the cubesat customers are terrible. At least, I don't think they are.
illdefinedspace.substack.com/p/cubesat-cu...
To be clear, it's not that the cubesat customers are terrible. At least, I don't think they are.
illdefinedspace.substack.com/p/cubesat-cu...
ICYMI: a media thread: 🧵
Post: Stacking the Deck: Rocket Lab’s Flatellite
Here are some guesses and suggestions for Rocket Lab’s newest satellite rendering.
1/20
Post: Stacking the Deck: Rocket Lab’s Flatellite
Here are some guesses and suggestions for Rocket Lab’s newest satellite rendering.
1/20
April 6, 2025 at 5:30 PM
ICYMI: a media thread: 🧵
Post: Stacking the Deck: Rocket Lab’s Flatellite
Here are some guesses and suggestions for Rocket Lab’s newest satellite rendering.
1/20
Post: Stacking the Deck: Rocket Lab’s Flatellite
Here are some guesses and suggestions for Rocket Lab’s newest satellite rendering.
1/20
Making Life Better? 2024 Communications and Remote Sensing
So many satellites... Does more mean better products and services? Or is there tunnel vision going on?
open.substack.com/pub/illdefin...
So many satellites... Does more mean better products and services? Or is there tunnel vision going on?
open.substack.com/pub/illdefin...
Making Life Better? 2024 Communications and Remote Sensing
So many satellites... Does more mean better products and services? Or is there tunnel vision going on?
open.substack.com
April 4, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Making Life Better? 2024 Communications and Remote Sensing
So many satellites... Does more mean better products and services? Or is there tunnel vision going on?
open.substack.com/pub/illdefin...
So many satellites... Does more mean better products and services? Or is there tunnel vision going on?
open.substack.com/pub/illdefin...
ICYMI: a media thread: 🧵
Post: Maginot Line in Space: U.S. Missile Defense
U.S. missile defense is a dream. Whether from a fever or other conditions, history can help ground it.
1/21
Post: Maginot Line in Space: U.S. Missile Defense
U.S. missile defense is a dream. Whether from a fever or other conditions, history can help ground it.
1/21
March 30, 2025 at 5:14 PM
ICYMI: a media thread: 🧵
Post: Maginot Line in Space: U.S. Missile Defense
U.S. missile defense is a dream. Whether from a fever or other conditions, history can help ground it.
1/21
Post: Maginot Line in Space: U.S. Missile Defense
U.S. missile defense is a dream. Whether from a fever or other conditions, history can help ground it.
1/21
Stacking the Deck: Rocket Lab’s Flatellite
Here are some guesses and suggestions for Rocket Lab’s newest satellite rendering.
open.substack.com/pub/illdefin...
Here are some guesses and suggestions for Rocket Lab’s newest satellite rendering.
open.substack.com/pub/illdefin...
Stacking the Deck: Rocket Lab’s Flatellite
Here are some guesses and suggestions for Rocket Lab’s newest satellite rendering.
open.substack.com
March 28, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Stacking the Deck: Rocket Lab’s Flatellite
Here are some guesses and suggestions for Rocket Lab’s newest satellite rendering.
open.substack.com/pub/illdefin...
Here are some guesses and suggestions for Rocket Lab’s newest satellite rendering.
open.substack.com/pub/illdefin...
A good thread of a terrible one.
To be clear, Signal isn't cleared for classified conversations. Operational security isn't clean based on the use of the messaging app, the inclusion of the reporter in the chain, etc.
To be clear, Signal isn't cleared for classified conversations. Operational security isn't clean based on the use of the messaging app, the inclusion of the reporter in the chain, etc.
Wow. "The reason I knew this is that Pete Hegseth, the secretary of defense, had texted me the war plan at 11:44 a.m. The plan included precise information about weapons packages, targets, and timing." www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
March 24, 2025 at 6:30 PM
A good thread of a terrible one.
To be clear, Signal isn't cleared for classified conversations. Operational security isn't clean based on the use of the messaging app, the inclusion of the reporter in the chain, etc.
To be clear, Signal isn't cleared for classified conversations. Operational security isn't clean based on the use of the messaging app, the inclusion of the reporter in the chain, etc.
ICYMI: a media thread: 🧵
Post: Citation Needed: DOGE and Space
No one got to space through efficiency only. Even rocket engines balance performance with efficiency.
(I'm not posting these to Twitter anymore for obvious reasons.)
1/21
Post: Citation Needed: DOGE and Space
No one got to space through efficiency only. Even rocket engines balance performance with efficiency.
(I'm not posting these to Twitter anymore for obvious reasons.)
1/21
March 23, 2025 at 5:17 PM
ICYMI: a media thread: 🧵
Post: Citation Needed: DOGE and Space
No one got to space through efficiency only. Even rocket engines balance performance with efficiency.
(I'm not posting these to Twitter anymore for obvious reasons.)
1/21
Post: Citation Needed: DOGE and Space
No one got to space through efficiency only. Even rocket engines balance performance with efficiency.
(I'm not posting these to Twitter anymore for obvious reasons.)
1/21
Maginot Line in Space: U.S. Missile Defense
U.S. missile defense is a dream. Whether from a fever or other conditions, history can help ground it.
open.substack.com/pub/illdefin...
U.S. missile defense is a dream. Whether from a fever or other conditions, history can help ground it.
open.substack.com/pub/illdefin...
Maginot Line in Space: U.S. Missile Defense
U.S. missile defense is a dream. Whether from a fever or other conditions, history can help ground it.
open.substack.com
March 21, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Maginot Line in Space: U.S. Missile Defense
U.S. missile defense is a dream. Whether from a fever or other conditions, history can help ground it.
open.substack.com/pub/illdefin...
U.S. missile defense is a dream. Whether from a fever or other conditions, history can help ground it.
open.substack.com/pub/illdefin...
Some interesting thoughts in the attached article...
I don't know how rockets work in detail so I would be interested in some opinions on this
I just found this. The thrust of his argument seems to be that Starship design is in a bind where they must reduce weight, and the only way left to do it (and he argues they have been doing it) is to cut safety factors in the design.
www.planetearthandbeyond.co/p/starship-w...
www.planetearthandbeyond.co/p/starship-w...
March 16, 2025 at 11:42 PM
Some interesting thoughts in the attached article...
ICYMI: a media thread: 🧵
Post: Europe’s Need for Space Sovereignty: Spacecraft
There’s a divergence happening between Europe’s spacecraft/services industry and its launch services.
1/22
Post: Europe’s Need for Space Sovereignty: Spacecraft
There’s a divergence happening between Europe’s spacecraft/services industry and its launch services.
1/22
March 16, 2025 at 5:16 PM
ICYMI: a media thread: 🧵
Post: Europe’s Need for Space Sovereignty: Spacecraft
There’s a divergence happening between Europe’s spacecraft/services industry and its launch services.
1/22
Post: Europe’s Need for Space Sovereignty: Spacecraft
There’s a divergence happening between Europe’s spacecraft/services industry and its launch services.
1/22
Citation Needed: DOGE and Space
No one got to space through efficiency only. Even rocket engines balance performance with efficiency.
open.substack.com/pub/illdefin...
No one got to space through efficiency only. Even rocket engines balance performance with efficiency.
open.substack.com/pub/illdefin...
Citation Needed: DOGE and Space
No one got to space through efficiency only. Even rocket engines balance performance with efficiency.
open.substack.com
March 14, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Citation Needed: DOGE and Space
No one got to space through efficiency only. Even rocket engines balance performance with efficiency.
open.substack.com/pub/illdefin...
No one got to space through efficiency only. Even rocket engines balance performance with efficiency.
open.substack.com/pub/illdefin...
ICYMI: a media thread: 🧵
Post: Europe’s Need for Space Sovereignty: Launch
European leaders really, really, really need to up their space sovereignty. So far, they have just kept talking a big game.
1/21
Post: Europe’s Need for Space Sovereignty: Launch
European leaders really, really, really need to up their space sovereignty. So far, they have just kept talking a big game.
1/21
March 9, 2025 at 5:01 PM
ICYMI: a media thread: 🧵
Post: Europe’s Need for Space Sovereignty: Launch
European leaders really, really, really need to up their space sovereignty. So far, they have just kept talking a big game.
1/21
Post: Europe’s Need for Space Sovereignty: Launch
European leaders really, really, really need to up their space sovereignty. So far, they have just kept talking a big game.
1/21
Europe’s Need for Space Sovereignty: Spacecraft
There’s a divergence happening between Europe’s spacecraft/services industry and its launch services.
illdefinedspace.substack.com/p/europes-ne...
There’s a divergence happening between Europe’s spacecraft/services industry and its launch services.
illdefinedspace.substack.com/p/europes-ne...
Europe’s Need for Space Sovereignty: Spacecraft
There’s a divergence happening between Europe’s spacecraft/services industry and its launch services.
illdefinedspace.substack.com
March 7, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Europe’s Need for Space Sovereignty: Spacecraft
There’s a divergence happening between Europe’s spacecraft/services industry and its launch services.
illdefinedspace.substack.com/p/europes-ne...
There’s a divergence happening between Europe’s spacecraft/services industry and its launch services.
illdefinedspace.substack.com/p/europes-ne...
ICYMI: a media thread 🧵
Post: The Ill-Defined Space Spacecraft Market and Service Analysis, Pt. 2: 2024
What kind of payloads are space operators from four nations deploying? It's clearer when Starlink is excluded.
1/21
Post: The Ill-Defined Space Spacecraft Market and Service Analysis, Pt. 2: 2024
What kind of payloads are space operators from four nations deploying? It's clearer when Starlink is excluded.
1/21
March 2, 2025 at 6:09 PM
ICYMI: a media thread 🧵
Post: The Ill-Defined Space Spacecraft Market and Service Analysis, Pt. 2: 2024
What kind of payloads are space operators from four nations deploying? It's clearer when Starlink is excluded.
1/21
Post: The Ill-Defined Space Spacecraft Market and Service Analysis, Pt. 2: 2024
What kind of payloads are space operators from four nations deploying? It's clearer when Starlink is excluded.
1/21