TikTok Astronot

06/25/2026

SpaceX Ship 39 Block 3 (V3)

You’re seeing 1/2 of the new version of the SpaceX Starship, the V3, as it was taken to the launch platform in anticipation of the 12th test launch.

SpaceX’s Ship 39 is the first operational Block 3 (V3) Starship prototype.

As the next major evolution in heavy-lift spaceflight, it boasts upgraded metallic heat shield tiles, Raptor 3 engines, and is engineered to eventually lift over 100 tonnes to orbit! 🚀 💫

06/24/2026

Quick tour of the Apollo 11 Mobile Quarantine Facility (MQF) at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center in Washington, DC.

Why does it say “Centre” instead of “Center”?

Due to the specific NASA Manned Spacecraft Center (now the NASA Johnson Space Center) graphic standards at the time. NASA historically used the British/international English spelling “Centre” on some of its official facility signage, logos, and mission trailers during the Apollo era. 🧑🏻‍🚀 ✨

06/21/2026

Space Shuttle Discovery at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.

05/28/2026

🌖 Moon Base Timeline. 🌙

NASA gave a press conference today on their updated plans to build a base on the surface of the moon.

The moon base is a core part of NASA’s Artemis program of crewed lunar exploration. Artemis aims to establish a permanent human presence on and around the moon over the next decade or so, developing knowledge and skills that can help get astronauts to Mars in the not-too-distant future.

Here’s what that plan looks like

Information Credit: NASA/nasa.gov/moonbase-phases/

03/10/2026

Gemini Spacecraft Diagram - Orbit
Attitude Maneuvering System (OAMS) + Thrust Chamber Assembly (TCA)

TCAs were essential parts of the Gemini spacecraft’s Orbit Attitude + Maneuvering System (OAMS) + the Reentry Control System (RCS).

(Gemini 6 and later) : 1 Fuel tanks (2) - 2 Oxidizer tanks
(2) - 3 Pressurant tanks (2) - 4 Thrust chambers used for translation maneuvering (6) - 5 Thrust chambers used for attitude control (12)

Early Gemini spacecraft used a system with (8) attitude thrusters. Starting with Gemini 6, the system was upgraded to improve precision + redundancy for complex orbital maneuvers.

The 12 attitude thrusters provide rotation around three axes:

Pitch (4 thrusters)
Yaw (4 thrusters)
Roll (4 thrusters)

Early missions used (8) thrusters, which provided basic control. Missions Gemini 6 - 12 added more thrusters to the adapter section to support orbital rendezvous. This allowed for more refined “pulsing” + created redundant pairs.

Because NASA loves redundancy almost as much as it loves explosive bolts. 😁

03/10/2026

Gemini Spacecraft Diagram - Orbit Attitude Maneuvering System (OAMS) + Thrust Chamber Assembly (TCA)

TCAs were essential parts of the Gemini spacecraft’s Orbit Attitude + Maneuvering System (OAMS) + the Reentry Control System (RCS).

(Gemini 6 and later) : 1 Fuel tanks (2) - 2 Oxidizer tanks (2) - 3 Pressurant tanks (2) - 4 Thrust chambers used for translation maneuvering (6) - 5 Thrust chambers used for attitude control (12)

Early Gemini spacecraft used a system with (8) attitude thrusters. Starting with Gemini 6, the system was upgraded to improve precision + redundancy for complex orbital maneuvers.

The 12 attitude thrusters provide rotation around three axes:

Pitch (4 thrusters)
Yaw (4 thrusters)
Roll (4 thrusters)

Early missions used (8) thrusters, which provided basic control. Missions Gemini 6 - 12 added more thrusters to the adapter section to support orbital rendezvous. This allowed for more refined “pulsing” + created redundant pairs.

Because NASA loves redundancy almost as much as it loves explosive bolts. 😁

03/02/2026

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle crashed in Kuwait on Monday morning, with both the pilot and weapons systems officer surviving after ejecting before impact.

• Early reports suggest a Patriot air defense battery may have mistakenly engaged the jet, though no official confirmation has been issued by U.S. Central Command.

02/27/2026

A former U.S. Air Force pilot, Gerald Eddie Brown Jr., has been arrested and charged with violating the Arms Export Control Act.

According to the US Attorney’s Office statement, the 65-year-old veteran is accused of spending over two years in China training pilots for the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF).

Key Details:

* Military Background: Brown served 24 years in the Air Force, where he commanded sensitive units and had extensive experience with nuclear delivery systems and advanced aircraft like the F-35 stealth jet.

* The Allegations: After retiring as a major, Brown allegedly worked as a simulator instructor for U.S. defense contractors before traveling to China in 2023 to provide military training to an adversary.

* National Security Risk: Officials and analysts warn that his actions may have exposed sensitive tactics regarding stealth operations and nuclear delivery, providing China with critical insights into U.S. and allied aerial combat procedures.

* Criminal Links: The case is reportedly connected to a co-conspirator who worked with Su Bin, a Chinese national previously convicted of stealing U.S. military data.

02/26/2026

Eye on the Enter’prize’

The prototype that proved it could be done.

Space Shuttle Enterprise was NASA’s first orbiter — but never flew to space. Rolled out in 1976 and named after the starship from Star Trek after a fan campaign, Enterprise became the prototype that tested the entire Shuttle concept on Earth.

In 1977, she performed the Approach and Landing Tests, separating mid-air from a modified 747 and gliding to runway landings. No engines to reach orbit. No heat shield for reentry. Just pure aerodynamics and engineering validation.

Today, Enterprise rests at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York as a reminder that before glory, there’s LITERALLY groundwork.

02/24/2026

S P A C E ✨