SpaceKate
@spacekate.bsky.social
Space journalist, rocket chaser, storyteller. Advocate for diversity and women in STEM. ISU SSP12. Alter-ego of @radiokate.com
www.youtube.com/@NTKSpace
www.youtube.com/@NTKSpace
Pinned
SpaceKate
@spacekate.bsky.social
· Nov 17
Need To Know Space
"Space is hard". At least that's what they say in the business. Space journalist Kate Arkless Gray (@SpaceKate) is here to help you get your head around rocket science, answer some of the questions yo...
www.youtube.com
I promise I’ll get posting more space-y stuff soon. I’ve been recovering from surgery this week, but hoping normal service will resume shortly. In the meantime, take a look at www.youtube.com/@ntkspace which I’m trying to build up. Ta!
In answer to The Register’s Richard Speed, ESA DG Josef Aschbacher says they had good news from NASA two days ago, confirming their contributions to the Rosalind Franklin rover. They say an autumn 2028 launch is feasible and are aiming for that.
November 27, 2025 at 1:52 PM
In answer to The Register’s Richard Speed, ESA DG Josef Aschbacher says they had good news from NASA two days ago, confirming their contributions to the Rosalind Franklin rover. They say an autumn 2028 launch is feasible and are aiming for that.
Quick maths from @nasaspaceflight.com reporter who points out @esa’s Human and Robotic Spaceflight programme is undersubscribed by around €800m. That’s quite the shortfall.
November 27, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Quick maths from @nasaspaceflight.com reporter who points out @esa’s Human and Robotic Spaceflight programme is undersubscribed by around €800m. That’s quite the shortfall.
Reposted by SpaceKate
Artemis IV the earliest - and not to the surface. Two German astros - Gerst and Maurer - have repeatedly expressed their desire to go to the Moon, so I reckon it'll be one of them. But when A IV flies is very much TBD, of course.
November 27, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Artemis IV the earliest - and not to the surface. Two German astros - Gerst and Maurer - have repeatedly expressed their desire to go to the Moon, so I reckon it'll be one of them. But when A IV flies is very much TBD, of course.
Oh interesting - decision made at ESA Ministerial Council that the first European to head to the Moon will be German. Interested in more details.
November 27, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Oh interesting - decision made at ESA Ministerial Council that the first European to head to the Moon will be German. Interested in more details.
Excited to experience #DubaiAirShow for the first time and looking forward to their space track and pavilion. If you’re going to be there too, drop me a message and say hello! :)
November 17, 2025 at 4:28 AM
Excited to experience #DubaiAirShow for the first time and looking forward to their space track and pavilion. If you’re going to be there too, drop me a message and say hello! :)
Awesome work from Blue Origin landing their first stage booster on the second ever attempt and a great looking launch of New Glenn. #NG2
November 13, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Awesome work from Blue Origin landing their first stage booster on the second ever attempt and a great looking launch of New Glenn. #NG2
Been a bit quiet as I’ve been travelling. First to Hanoi to run a SpaceWise Academy, currently in Oman, next stop Dubai where we’re taking an astronaut to meet students in a bunch of schools.
November 11, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Been a bit quiet as I’ve been travelling. First to Hanoi to run a SpaceWise Academy, currently in Oman, next stop Dubai where we’re taking an astronaut to meet students in a bunch of schools.
Reposted by SpaceKate
Two cosmonauts from the Soyuz MS-27 crew are preparing for a 5.5-hour spacewalk today. Hatch opening is set for 16:50 UTC (12:50 p.m. EDT).
DETAILS, UPDATES: russianspaceweb.com/iss-vkd64.html
DETAILS, UPDATES: russianspaceweb.com/iss-vkd64.html
October 16, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Two cosmonauts from the Soyuz MS-27 crew are preparing for a 5.5-hour spacewalk today. Hatch opening is set for 16:50 UTC (12:50 p.m. EDT).
DETAILS, UPDATES: russianspaceweb.com/iss-vkd64.html
DETAILS, UPDATES: russianspaceweb.com/iss-vkd64.html
Woohoo! *Finally* the Apollo 10 capsule - the only Apollo capsule not in the US - is in the (new, free) *space* gallery at the Science Museum. I’ve waited a long time for this.
September 20, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Woohoo! *Finally* the Apollo 10 capsule - the only Apollo capsule not in the US - is in the (new, free) *space* gallery at the Science Museum. I’ve waited a long time for this.
Sad that former astronaut Garrett Reisman needed to write this, but very very glad he did, and I hope people take note. www.thespacereview.com/article/5060/1
The Space Review: I’m a former astronaut: NASA workers are afraid, and safety is at risk
www.thespacereview.com
September 17, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Sad that former astronaut Garrett Reisman needed to write this, but very very glad he did, and I hope people take note. www.thespacereview.com/article/5060/1
Got a UKSA notification today about “Six innovative new projects that will use satellite tech and AI to transform how Britain tackles climate change” (no, it doesn’t mention how). Total funding £1.5million - “supporting Government’s Industrial Strategy” “driving innovation, accelerating growth” etc
September 15, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Got a UKSA notification today about “Six innovative new projects that will use satellite tech and AI to transform how Britain tackles climate change” (no, it doesn’t mention how). Total funding £1.5million - “supporting Government’s Industrial Strategy” “driving innovation, accelerating growth” etc
Indeed.
"Now let's talk about Mars" the hosts say on the SpaceX livestream, but let's not say a word about the $4 billion contracts we hold with NASA to send astronauts to the Moon
August 25, 2025 at 11:57 PM
Indeed.
Reposted by SpaceKate
SpaceX is now targeting Monday, August 25 for Starship’s 10th flight test. The 60-minute launch window from the company’s Starbase in Texas opens at 6:30 p.m. CT. Elon Musk says Sunday’s launch attempt was scrubbed to fix a “ground side liquid oxygen leak.”
August 25, 2025 at 8:02 AM
SpaceX is now targeting Monday, August 25 for Starship’s 10th flight test. The 60-minute launch window from the company’s Starbase in Texas opens at 6:30 p.m. CT. Elon Musk says Sunday’s launch attempt was scrubbed to fix a “ground side liquid oxygen leak.”
Reposted by SpaceKate
IFT-10: SCRUB! SpaceX post on X: "Standing down from today's tenth flight of Starship to allow time to troubleshoot an issue with ground systems"; we'll stand by for an update on when the company might make another launch attempt
August 24, 2025 at 11:14 PM
IFT-10: SCRUB! SpaceX post on X: "Standing down from today's tenth flight of Starship to allow time to troubleshoot an issue with ground systems"; we'll stand by for an update on when the company might make another launch attempt
Reposted by SpaceKate
IFT-10: SpaceX reports propellant loading is underway
August 24, 2025 at 11:03 PM
IFT-10: SpaceX reports propellant loading is underway
When UK Space Agency is merged with DSIT, will Harwell stop being the HQ? It still bugs me that without a car you reach the cutting edge of British space via a slow local bus from Didcot Parkway. Last time I was there it broke down. (The bus that is..)
August 20, 2025 at 5:24 PM
When UK Space Agency is merged with DSIT, will Harwell stop being the HQ? It still bugs me that without a car you reach the cutting edge of British space via a slow local bus from Didcot Parkway. Last time I was there it broke down. (The bus that is..)
“It’s noteworthy how much of the language used to describe the introduction of the UK Space Agency as an executive agency is again being used to strip it of its limited independence.” 💯 europeanspaceflight.com/uk-space-age...
UK Space Agency to Lose Limited Autonomy to Government Streamlining
The UK Space Agency will lose its executive agency status in April 2026 as it is absorbed into DSIT, a move aimed at removing duplication and reducing bureaucracy.
europeanspaceflight.com
August 20, 2025 at 11:20 AM
“It’s noteworthy how much of the language used to describe the introduction of the UK Space Agency as an executive agency is again being used to strip it of its limited independence.” 💯 europeanspaceflight.com/uk-space-age...
UK Space Agency to be merged with Dept of Science, Innovation and Technology - but will still retain its name as a unit in DSIT. Will this bring different gov stakeholders together to drive UK space - or distract from progress? gov.uk/government/new…#UKspacece
https://gov.uk/government/new…
August 20, 2025 at 5:47 AM
UK Space Agency to be merged with Dept of Science, Innovation and Technology - but will still retain its name as a unit in DSIT. Will this bring different gov stakeholders together to drive UK space - or distract from progress? gov.uk/government/new…#UKspacece
Reposted by SpaceKate
En route to the intriguing metallic asteroid Psyche, NASA's spacecraft of the same name looked back toward Earth...
...and got this view of our planet and its Moon as two tiny lights, floating in the great depths of space. 🔭🧪
www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/nasas-p...
...and got this view of our planet and its Moon as two tiny lights, floating in the great depths of space. 🔭🧪
www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/nasas-p...
August 19, 2025 at 8:26 PM
En route to the intriguing metallic asteroid Psyche, NASA's spacecraft of the same name looked back toward Earth...
...and got this view of our planet and its Moon as two tiny lights, floating in the great depths of space. 🔭🧪
www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/nasas-p...
...and got this view of our planet and its Moon as two tiny lights, floating in the great depths of space. 🔭🧪
www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/nasas-p...
Reposted by SpaceKate
Edinburgh book fest = astro-author friends come to visit🥳
Lovely Portobello tea with Dr Sheila Kanani @saturnsheila.bsky.social. If you've got 8-12yos in your life check out her latest "Can you get music on the moon?" It's jam-packed with wow inc Rosetta's singing comet and deafening bat volume! 🤗 🔭
Lovely Portobello tea with Dr Sheila Kanani @saturnsheila.bsky.social. If you've got 8-12yos in your life check out her latest "Can you get music on the moon?" It's jam-packed with wow inc Rosetta's singing comet and deafening bat volume! 🤗 🔭
August 19, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Edinburgh book fest = astro-author friends come to visit🥳
Lovely Portobello tea with Dr Sheila Kanani @saturnsheila.bsky.social. If you've got 8-12yos in your life check out her latest "Can you get music on the moon?" It's jam-packed with wow inc Rosetta's singing comet and deafening bat volume! 🤗 🔭
Lovely Portobello tea with Dr Sheila Kanani @saturnsheila.bsky.social. If you've got 8-12yos in your life check out her latest "Can you get music on the moon?" It's jam-packed with wow inc Rosetta's singing comet and deafening bat volume! 🤗 🔭
Reposted by SpaceKate
Glad the Apollo 13 movie is getting reruns lately.
This scene is even more moving today: right, Tom Hanks playing Jim Lovell; left, cameo appearance by actual Jim Lovell (1928 Mar 25 - 2025 Aug 7).
This scene is even more moving today: right, Tom Hanks playing Jim Lovell; left, cameo appearance by actual Jim Lovell (1928 Mar 25 - 2025 Aug 7).
August 8, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Glad the Apollo 13 movie is getting reruns lately.
This scene is even more moving today: right, Tom Hanks playing Jim Lovell; left, cameo appearance by actual Jim Lovell (1928 Mar 25 - 2025 Aug 7).
This scene is even more moving today: right, Tom Hanks playing Jim Lovell; left, cameo appearance by actual Jim Lovell (1928 Mar 25 - 2025 Aug 7).
Reposted by SpaceKate
Via @apnews.com - Apollo 13 Lunar Mission Commander James Lovell Dies at 97 apnews.com/article/jame...
Apollo 13 moon mission leader James Lovell dies at 97
Astronaut James Lovell, who was commander of the 1970 Apollo 13 mission that managed to get back to earth safely after an oxygen tank explosion, has died. He was 97.
apnews.com
August 8, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Via @apnews.com - Apollo 13 Lunar Mission Commander James Lovell Dies at 97 apnews.com/article/jame...
Oh no, I’ve just heard that Jim Lovell has died. The only human to go to the Moon twice and never set foot upon it. God speed sir.
August 8, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Oh no, I’ve just heard that Jim Lovell has died. The only human to go to the Moon twice and never set foot upon it. God speed sir.