# ula (blogs) — RSS Amplifier Recent posts from the 2 feeds in the RSS Amplifier directory that cover ula. Page: Feed: --- ## [Behind the Track — How a bank ad song became a classic hit](https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/behind-the-track-how-a-bank-ad-song-became-a-classic-hit/) _2026-08-21 · Robert Zimmerman · Behind The Black – Robert Zimmerman_ An evening pause: The unlikely story behind yesterday’s evening pause. Hat tip Cotour. ## [August 20, 2026 Quick space links](https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/august-20-2026-quick-space-links/) _2026-08-20 · Robert Zimmerman · Behind The Black – Robert Zimmerman_ Courtesy of BtB’s stringer Jay. This post is also an open thread. I welcome my readers to post any comments or additional links relating to any space issues, even if unrelated to the links below. Note: X now requires log in to view videos with sound. You can get around this by clicking on the three dots at the top ## [ESA cancels planned upper stage upgrade for Ariane-6](https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/esa-cancels-planned-upper-stage-upgrade-for-ariane-6/) _2026-08-20 · Robert Zimmerman · Behind The Black – Robert Zimmerman_ The first Ariane-6 rocket launch in 2024 It appears that back in 2025 but only revealed recently the European Space Agency (ESA) canceled the planned upper stage upgrade for Ariane-6, dubbed Icarus, that the rocket’s builder ArianeGroup had been developing. This decision has now been confirmed by ESA. The decision appears to have been partly because of a desire to ## [Blue Origin might be expanding its operations in Texas](https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/blue-origin-might-be-expanding-its-operations-in-texas/) _2026-08-20 · Robert Zimmerman · Behind The Black – Robert Zimmerman_ Because of reports in May that Blue Origin is considering building a major manufacturing plant in the town of Hutto north of Austin, both Hutto and county officials have put together incentive packages to convince Blue Origin to make the move. Snell said Williamson County’s 10-year total incentives include a 100% tax abatement on real property and a 50% abatement ## [Astronomers map fastest orbit so far of a star circling the Milky Way’s central supermassive black hole](https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/astronomers-map-fastest-orbit-so-far-of-a-star-circling-the-milky-ways-central-supermassive-black-hole/) _2026-08-20 · Robert Zimmerman · Behind The Black – Robert Zimmerman_ Using data gathered since 2023 by the GRAVITY instrument on the Very Large Telescope in Chile, astronomers have now mapped the orbit a star circling Sagittarius A\*, the Milky Way’s central supermassive black hole, every 8.7 years that when it zips past on its closest approach is moving more than 15,500 miles per second, about 8% of the speed of ## [Hypersonic missile startup Castelion raises $1 billion in private investment capital](https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/hypersonic-missile-startup-castelion-raises-1-billion-in-private-investment-capital/) _2026-08-20 · Robert Zimmerman · Behind The Black – Robert Zimmerman_ A new hypersonic missile startup, dubbed Castelion and founded by three former SpaceX executives, has now raised $1 billion in private investment capital. The Series C financing announced Aug. 19 includes $800 million in equity and a $250 million committed revolving credit facility. The equity round was co-led by JPMorganChase’s Strategic Investment Group, Andreessen Horowitz and funds managed by… ## [Private company and local officials working to establish Arizona landing range for orbital spacecraft](https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/private-company-and-local-officials-working-to-establish-arizona-landing-range-for-orbital-spacecraft/) _2026-08-20 · Robert Zimmerman · Behind The Black – Robert Zimmerman_ A private group called Space Rising is now in discussions with local officials to establish an Arizona landing range for orbital spacecraft near the city of Sierra Vista. Space Rising, the private group behind the Blueprint, told ABC15 Mornings Anchor Kaley O’Kelley their group is now working with Sierra Vista Mayor Clea McCaa and Tony Boone, the city’s Director of ## [Rocket Lab completes its ninth launch for Japanese radar satellite company Q-Shu](https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/rocket-lab-completes-its-ninth-launch-for-japanese-radar-satellite-company-q-shu/) _2026-08-20 · Robert Zimmerman · Behind The Black – Robert Zimmerman_ Rocket Lab this morning successfully placed its ninth launch for the Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space (IQPS or Q-shu), its Electron rocket lifting off from one of its two launchpads in New Zealand. The rocket company has contract for a total of 18 launches with Q-Shu, and now has nine to go. SpaceX had planned a Starlink launch shortly ## [Louisiana governor to announce SpaceX land purchase next week?](https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/louisiana-governor-to-announce-spacex-land-purchase-next-week/) _2026-08-20 · Robert Zimmerman · Behind The Black – Robert Zimmerman_ Pecan Island SpaceX facility? It now appears that Louisiana’s governor Jeff Landry is planning a big event next week when, according to anonymous sources, he will announce the purchase by SpaceX of that 130K acre plot of land presently owned by Exxon and near the unincorporated village of Pecan Island on the state’s south coast. Gov. Jeff Landry is inviting ## [The Carpenters – We’ve only just begun](https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/the-carpenters-weve-only-just-begun/) _2026-08-20 · Robert Zimmerman · Behind The Black – Robert Zimmerman_ An evening pause: Performed live 1971. ## [Open directory of blogs (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/IkixDr429qeE) _2026-08-20 · **Sponsored**_ Drop URLs or OPML — get per-blog pages plus machine-readable JSON, OPML, text ## [August 19, 2026 Quick space links](https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/august-19-2026-quick-space-links/) _2026-08-19 · Robert Zimmerman · Behind The Black – Robert Zimmerman_ Courtesy of BtB’s stringer Jay, plus one from reader Nate P. This post is also an open thread. I welcome my readers to post any comments or additional links relating to any space issues, even if unrelated to the links below. Note: X now requires log in to view videos with sound. You can get around this by clicking on ## [Katalyst and NASA cancel any attempt to catch and raise the orbit of Gehrels-Swift](https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/katalyst-and-nasa-cancel-any-attempt-to-catch-and-raise-the-orbit-of-gehrels-swift/) _2026-08-19 · Robert Zimmerman · Behind The Black – Robert Zimmerman_ Artist rendering of Link (on left) about to attach to Gehrels-Swift. Click for original image. In parallel announcements today by both the satellite repair startup Katalyst and NASA, due to continuing attitude thruster issues the decision has been made to forego any attempt by Katalyst’s Link spacecraft to grab the Gehrels-Swift space telescope and raise its orbit. From the NASA ## [Space Force targets replacing its older DMSP weather satellites by 2028](https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/space-force-targets-replacing-its-older-dmsp-weather-satellites-by-2028/) _2026-08-19 · Robert Zimmerman · Behind The Black – Robert Zimmerman_ According to a report today at Air and Space Force magazine, the Space Force now intends to maintain its old DMSP weather satellite constellation through 2028, replacing it slowly with two different government-designed smallsat constellations as well as commercial weather satellite constellations. The service had anticipated decommissioning the three remaining Defense Meteorological Satellite… ## [“Honeycomb terrain” on Mars](https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/honeycomb-terrain-on-mars/) _2026-08-19 · Robert Zimmerman · Behind The Black – Robert Zimmerman_ Click for original image. Cool image time! The picture to the right, cropped, reduced, and sharpened to post here, was taken on June 30, 2026 by the high resolution camera on Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO). It shows what the scientists label as “honeycomb terrain,” though to think that explains what we are looking at is to live in a fantasy ## [New images detail damage caused by Ukrainian attack on Russia’s Soyuz-2 rocket factory](https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/new-images-detail-damage-caused-by-ukrainian-attack-on-russias-soyuz-2-rocket-factory/) _2026-08-19 · Robert Zimmerman · Behind The Black – Robert Zimmerman_ Click for original image. New satellite images obtained by Business Insider now provide better visual evidence of the damage created by the Ukrainian missile attack on August 15, 2026 on Russia’s Soyuz-2 rocket factory, located in the city of Samara about 550 miles inside Russia. The pictures to the right show the factory before and after. The top satellite picture ## [SpaceX launches more Starlink satellites](https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/spacex-launches-more-starlink-satellites-17/) _2026-08-19 · Robert Zimmerman · Behind The Black – Robert Zimmerman_ SpaceX last night successfully placed another 24 Starlink satellites in orbit, its Falcon 9 lifting off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The first stage (B1097) completed its 12th flight (43 days after its previous mission), landing on a drone ship in the Pacific. This was also SpaceX’s 100th launch in 2026, which set no records, but highlights the ## [China today finally succeeds in vertically soft-landing a first stage](https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/china-today-finally-succeeds-in-vertically-soft-landing-a-first-stage/) _2026-08-19 · Robert Zimmerman · Behind The Black – Robert Zimmerman_ The pseudo-Chinese company Landspace today not only successfully launched its new Zuque-3 rocket (essentially a copy of SpaceX’s Falcon 9), placing a low-orbit communications satellite into orbit, it also finally succeeded in landing the first stage vertically at a down range landing zone. The screen capture to the right show the stage just before touch down. As you can see, ## [August 18, 2026 Zimmerman/Batchelor podcast](https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/august-18-2026-zimmerman-batchelor-podcast/) _2026-08-19 · Robert Zimmerman · Behind The Black – Robert Zimmerman_ Embedded below the fold. To listen to all of John Batchelor’s podcasts, go here. ## [Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine – 1-2-3](https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/gloria-estefan-miami-sound-machine-1-2-3/) _2026-08-19 · Robert Zimmerman · Behind The Black – Robert Zimmerman_ An evening pause: Diane and I recently saw a beautiful live production of “On Your Feet: the story of Emilio & Gloria Estafan,” produced by the Arts Express theater in Tucson. Before this I was completely unaware of their work, other than being vaguely familiar with some songs, though not by name. Though obviously sugar-coated in some ways (especially in ## [LRO snaps picture of crater created by Falcon 9 impact on Moon](https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/lro-snaps-picture-of-crater-created-by-falcon-9-impact-on-moon/) _2026-08-18 · Robert Zimmerman · Behind The Black – Robert Zimmerman_ Before and after images. Click for original. The science team for NASA’s Lunar Reconniassance Orbiter (LRO) today released high resolution before and after pictures of the location on the Moon where a Falcon 9 upper stage crashed on August 5, 2026. They were able to locate the impact point using data provided by South Korea’s Danuri lunar orbiter, which took ## [International money transfers (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/4IP6zM6bXTTA) _2026-08-18 · **Sponsored**_ Send money to other countries and manage multi‑currency balances online. ## [August 18, 2026 Quick space links](https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/august-18-2026-quick-space-links/) _2026-08-18 · Robert Zimmerman · Behind The Black – Robert Zimmerman_ Courtesy of BtB’s stringer Jay. This post is also an open thread. I welcome my readers to post any comments or additional links relating to any space issues, even if unrelated to the links below. Note: X now requires log in to view videos with sound. You can get around this by clicking on the three dots at the top ## [The map that named the New World](https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/essays-and-commentaries/the-map-that-named-the-new-world-2/) _2026-08-18 · Robert Zimmerman · Behind The Black – Robert Zimmerman_ One of the great mysteries of the New World is its name. Why were both continents named after a relatively unknown Italian merchant by the name of Amerigo Vespucci, rather than the great explorers who are much more well known for discovering and exploring its shores in the 1490s? Even as a child I wondered about this mystery. My teachers ## [EU sanctions five more Russian aerospace executives for their part in the Ukraine War](https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/eu-sanctions-five-more-russian-aerospace-executives-for-their-part-in-the-ukraine-war/) _2026-08-18 · Robert Zimmerman · Behind The Black – Robert Zimmerman_ Though the action is mostly symbolic, the European Union (EU) on August 7, 2026 imposed personal sanctions on five executives who head important Russian aerospace companies, as part of an expanded effort by the EU to oppose Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine. On Aug. 7, the European Union added five Russian defense industry executives to its sanctions list, including Viktor ## [Webb data suggests early galaxies had more low-mass stars than predicted](https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/webb-data-suggests-early-galaxies-had-more-low-mass-stars-than-predicted/) _2026-08-18 · Robert Zimmerman · Behind The Black – Robert Zimmerman_ The uncertainty of science: Using infrared spectroscopic data obtained from the Webb Space Telescope of nine massive galaxies, astronomers have found that they appear to contain far more low-mass stars than ever predicted. The team studied nine massive, mature galaxies that ceased forming stars billions of years ago, combining extremely deep JWST spectra with previous ground-based observations… ## [Scientists: Mars’ moon Deimos is a rubble pile shaped by a major impact](https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/scientists-mars-moon-deimos-is-a-rubble-pile-shaped-by-a-major-impact/) _2026-08-18 · Robert Zimmerman · Behind The Black – Robert Zimmerman_ Based on computer models using data both from the earliest close-up imagery from the Viking orbiters in the 1970s as well from recent data from Europe’s Hera asteroid probe during a fly-by in 2025, scientists now believe Mars’ smaller moon Deimos is a rubble-pile asteroid whose smooth surface was shaped by a major impact sometime in its past. You can ## [ULA names new CEO while L3Harris fires its boss](https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/ula-names-new-ceo-while-l3harris-fires-its-boss/) _2026-08-18 · Robert Zimmerman · Behind The Black – Robert Zimmerman_ Two major aerospace companies made major changes in their top management since yesterday. First, the United Launch Alliance (ULA), formed from a partnership of the rocket divisions of Lockheed Martin and Boeing, finally named a permanent CEO after its long time chief Tory Bruno left in December 2025 to work at Blue Origin. United Launch Alliance (ULA) today named veteran ## [Eelkool](https://www.ula.edu.ee/et/uudised/eelkool) _2026-08-18 · Rando Pajuste · Uuemõisa Lasteaed-Algkool_ Eelkool Rando Pajuste T, 18.08.2026 - 11:37 ## [Australian government issues $1.75 million grant to study spaceport concept in Western Australia](https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/australian-government-issues-1-75-million-grant-to-study-spaceport-concept-in-western-australia/) _2026-08-17 · Robert Zimmerman · Behind The Black – Robert Zimmerman_ Australian spaceports: operating (red dot) and proposed (red “X”) The Australian government has awarded a Perth-based company, Space Angel, a $1.75 million grant to study whether it will be practical or possible to build a commercial spaceport in that country’s largely empty Western Australia province. The company will receive $1.75 million, which it will match, to carry out site assessments ## [Weightlessness doesn’t appear to impact the heart’s ability to beat](https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/weightlessness-doesnt-appear-to-impact-the-hearts-ability-to-beat/) _2026-08-17 · Robert Zimmerman · Behind The Black – Robert Zimmerman_ While long term exposure to weightlessness has been found to impose a strain on the bones, muscles, back, and vision, new research on ISS using mice strongly suggests that it does not affect the heart’s ability to operate, on a fundamental level. Researchers analyzed heart cells from five mice that were on board the International Space Station for 38.5 days. ## [China launches earth observation satellite for the UAE](https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/china-launches-earth-observation-satellite-for-the-uae/) _2026-08-17 · Robert Zimmerman · Behind The Black – Robert Zimmerman_ China yesterday evening successfully launched an earth observation satellite for the United Arab Emirates (UAE), its Long March 2C rocket lifting off from its Taiyuan spaceport in northeast China. Though the satellite was apparently built by the National Space Science and Technology Center at the United Arab Emirates University, this launch raises American security questions. Much of the UAE’s… ## [Screen Share With Real Control (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/GxtyTdBaBFic) _2026-08-17 · **Sponsored**_ Collaborative screen sharing with simultaneous remote control — open source, like Screenhero. ## [Sight-seeing at Vandenberg while upgrading ULA’s Vulcan launchpad](https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/essays-and-commentaries/sight-seeing-at-vandenberg-while-upgrading-ulas-vulcan-launchpadupgrading-ulas-launchpad-at-vandenberg/) _2026-08-17 · Robert Zimmerman · Behind The Black – Robert Zimmerman_ The following report was provided by Jay, Behind the Black’s stringer who furnishes me the daily “Quick Space Links.” He describes his experience working at Vandenberg for ULA two weeks ago. ———————– I was called upon to be the commissioning engineer for our company’s SLC-3 project for ULA at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. We have been doing critical infrastructure ## [China launches nine more Guowang satellites](https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/china-launches-nine-more-guowang-satellites/) _2026-08-16 · Robert Zimmerman · Behind The Black – Robert Zimmerman_ At almost the same time that SpaceX was doing two launches last night from opposite coasts, China was launching another nine satellites for its Guowang (Satnet) constellation, its Long March 12 rocket lifting off from its coastal Wenchang spaceport. Though China’s state run press made no mention of the number of satellites in the payload, all previous Long March 12 ## [SpaceX launches twice on opposite coasts](https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/spacex-launches-twice-on-opposite-coasts/) _2026-08-16 · Robert Zimmerman · Behind The Black – Robert Zimmerman_ SpaceX today completed two launches from opposite coasts, with both launches taking place at almost the same time. First SpaceX launched eight Globalstar telecommunications satellites into orbit, its Falcon 9 rocket lifting off from Cape Canaveral Space Force station in Florida. The two fairings halves were both reused, but the announcer only stated that one has completed its 8th flight. ## [Ukrainian missiles hit Russia’s only Soyuz-2 rocket factory](https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/ukrainian-missiles-hit-russias-only-soyuz-2-rocket-factory/) _2026-08-15 · Robert Zimmerman · Behind The Black – Robert Zimmerman_ Click for source. Using its Flamingo missiles, the Ukraine last night successfully damaged and possibly destroyed Russia s factory where it builds the Soyuz-2 rockets, located in the city of Samara about 550 miles northeast of the Ukrainian border. The image to the right shows the impact point, Building 106A of the the Progress Rocket Space Centre in Samara, which is ## [August 14, 2026 Zimmerman/Batchelor podcast](https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/august-14-2026-zimmerman-batchelor-podcast/) _2026-08-15 · Robert Zimmerman · Behind The Black – Robert Zimmerman_ Embedded below the fold. To listen to all of John Batchelor s podcasts, go here. ## [The History Archive – The Mistake That Built Heathkit, and the America That Buried It](https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/the-history-archive-the-mistake-that-built-heathkit-and-the-america-that-buried-it/) _2026-08-15 · Robert Zimmerman · Behind The Black – Robert Zimmerman_ An evening pause: This bit of technological history forms a sad bookend to that of the Cox .049 engine evening pause from several weeks ago. ## [August 14, 2026 Quick space links](https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/august-14-2026-quick-space-links/) _2026-08-14 · Robert Zimmerman · Behind The Black – Robert Zimmerman_ Courtesy of BtB s stringer Jay. This post is also an open thread. I welcome my readers to post any comments or additional links relating to any space issues, even if unrelated to the links below. Note: X now requires log in to view videos with sound. You can get around this by clicking on the three dots at the top ## [Floating flakes on the flanks of Mount Sharp on Mars](https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/floating-flakes-on-the-flanks-of-mount-sharp-on-mars/) _2026-08-14 · Robert Zimmerman · Behind The Black – Robert Zimmerman_ Click for full resolution image. Cool image time! The picture to the right, reduced to post here, was taken on August 9, 2026 by the Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) on the rover Curiosity. This camera, designed to take close-ups like this of objects on the ground, is located at the end of Curiosity s robot arm. According to the science ## [Elon Musk’s private jet visits south Louisiana](https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/elon-musks-private-jet-visits-south-louisiana/) _2026-08-14 · Robert Zimmerman · Behind The Black – Robert Zimmerman_ Pecan Island SpaceX facility? It appears Elon Musk s private jet landed in south Louisiana at Lafayette Regional Airport early this week, along with another larger plane also believed to be linked to SpaceX operations. Both planes arrived on August 10, 2026 and left later that day. Their appearance fueled more speculation that SpaceX is going to purchase a 130K acre ## [Victor Borge – Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2](https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/victor-borge-hungarian-rhapsody-no-2/) _2026-08-14 · Robert Zimmerman · Behind The Black – Robert Zimmerman_ An evening pause: I searched hard and long and cannot find out when this was performed or the name of the other pianist. This piece is extremely challenging, and to do it this well for humor! is mind-boggling. Hat tip wamphyr. ## [August 13, 2026 Quick space links](https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/august-13-2026-quick-space-links/) _2026-08-13 · Robert Zimmerman · Behind The Black – Robert Zimmerman_ Courtesy of BtB s stringer Jay. This post is also an open thread. I welcome my readers to post any comments or additional links relating to any space issues, even if unrelated to the links below. Blue Origin begins construction on a second launchpad at Cape Canaveral The company leases Launch Complex 36. LC-36A is what they have been using and ## [The whittling away of Mars’ biggest volcanic ash field](https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/the-whittling-away-of-mars-biggest-volcanic-ash-field/) _2026-08-13 · Robert Zimmerman · Behind The Black – Robert Zimmerman_ Click for original image. Cool image time! The picture above, cropped to post here, was taken on July 2, 2026 by the high resolution camera on Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO). The science team labels this layers in a low spot in Aeolis Mensae. Aeolis Mensae is a high plateau of volcanic ash, part of the vast Medusae Fossae Formation, the ## [Texas suspends issuing new grants to internet companies for providing broadband to rural areas](https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/texas-suspends-issuing-new-grants-to-internet-companies-for-providing-broadband-to-rural-areas/) _2026-08-13 · Robert Zimmerman · Behind The Black – Robert Zimmerman_ It all stinks! The Texas Broadband Development Office (BDO) has now suspended issuing any new grants under the federal government s Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program (supposedly designed to encourage rural broadband access) because of objections raised by state legislators from both parties. The suspension appears linked to comprehensive performance review initiated by the… ## [Space Force buys two more Mira orbital tugs from Impulse Space](https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/space-force-buys-two-more-mira-orbital-tugs-from-impulse-space/) _2026-08-13 · Robert Zimmerman · Behind The Black – Robert Zimmerman_ Impulse Space s Mira tug. Payloads are attached to the space on top. The Space Force has extended its contract with the company Impulse Space, buying two more of its Mira orbital tugs to fly its program aimed at developing the capability of flying missions very fast to meet sudden new military actions. The U.S. Space Force has added $28 million ## [Poland upset by new Starlink restrictions; threatens cutting off funding for Ukrainian Starlink](https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/poland-upset-by-new-starlink-restrictions-threatens-cutting-off-funding-for-ukrainian-starlink/) _2026-08-13 · Robert Zimmerman · Behind The Black – Robert Zimmerman_ UPDATE: My guess at the end of this post below was correct. SpaceX responded quickly to Poland s complaint and restored full service to Poland. Poland s foreign minister Radoslaw Sikorski on August 12, 2026 threatened to cut off a $50 million per year fee his nation pays to Starlink that apparently pays for half of the Starlink terminals in the ## [August 12, 2026 Zimmerman/Batchelor podcast](https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/august-12-2026-zimmerman-batchelor-podcast/) _2026-08-13 · Robert Zimmerman · Behind The Black – Robert Zimmerman_ Embedded below the fold. To listen to all of John Batchelor s podcasts, go here. ## [Starbuck – Moonlight Feels Right](https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/the-evening-pause/starbuck-moonlight-feels-right/) _2026-08-13 · Robert Zimmerman · Behind The Black – Robert Zimmerman_ An evening pause: An American ode to moonlight, performed live 2015. Hat tip Ferris Akel. ## [August 12, 2026 Quick space links](https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/august-12-2026-quick-space-links/) _2026-08-12 · Robert Zimmerman · Behind The Black – Robert Zimmerman_ Courtesy of BtB s stringer Jay. This post is also an open thread. I welcome my readers to post any comments or additional links relating to any space issues, even if unrelated to the links below. Time-lapse video covering 20 years that shows the multiple stars orbiting the Milky Way s central supermassive black hole, Sagittarius A\* The data comes from an ## [State Department invites India to partner in NASA’s Artemis program](https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/state-department-invites-india-to-partner-in-nasas-artemis-program/) _2026-08-12 · Robert Zimmerman · Behind The Black – Robert Zimmerman_ India s Bharatiya Antariksh Station as outlined in 2024. Click for original image. According to several stories in the Indian press today, the U.S. State Department yesterday invited India to partner in NASA s Artemis program. NASA has formally invited India to join its Moon Base programme, which aims to establish a sustained human presence near the lunar South Pole. The invitation ## [Firefly wins extension of launch contract with Lockheed Martin](https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/firefly-wins-extension-of-launch-contract-with-lockheed-martin/) _2026-08-12 · Robert Zimmerman · Behind The Black – Robert Zimmerman_ Firefly announced yesterday that Lockheed Martin has awarded it a two year contract extension on a multi-launch contract using its upgraded Alpha-2 rocket. The extension raises the number of launches to as many as 25, through 2031. The Alpha-2 rocket, first revealed in January 2026, is replacing the first version that completed its last launch in March. It will have