Sam

"there's a new serif in town"

Chinese astronauts inspect debris-damaged Shenzhou-20 spacecraft during spacewalk Two Shenzhou-21 astronauts embarked on the mission’s first spacewalk late Monday, inspecting and photographing a damaged spacecraft window which triggered an earlier emergency launch.

Chinese astronauts inspect debris-damaged Shenzhou-20 spacecraft during spacewalk

Two Shenzhou-21 astronauts embarked on the mission’s first spacewalk late Monday, inspecting and photographing a damaged spacecraft window which triggered an earlier emergency launch.

Photo 1. View of the sunset from my veranda

Photo 2. View of drifting snow at ORD

Going from photo 1 to photo 2 in a half of a day is not good. I need to go the other direction.

A fun, far-ranging conversation on where we are at this moment in space exploration, on writing fiction novels, and on finding the ever-elusive meaning of life.
go.ted.com/ZZfWN
Thanks @whitpennrod.bsky.social and TED!

Disney World Golf Named '2026 NGCOA Resort Course of the Year' - Notes from Neverland Walt Disney World Golf has received a prestigious honor from the The National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA). The NGCOA has awarded the resort’s golf courses with the 2026 NGCOA Resort Course ...

Disney World Golf named the 2026 Resort Course of the Year! It really is the Happiest Place on Turf. ⛳️
notesfromneverland.com/walt-disney-...
#golf

Dawn in Cappadocia
#photographer #ballooning

A head-on view of the SR-71 Blackbird while in flight over a grey landscape where some surface details are visible. Original caption from source: « Dryden Flight Research Center EC97-43933-4 Feb 1997 This head-on view is what the aerial tanker boom operator or "boomer" sees as NASA Dryden's SR-71A #844 approaches for refueling. (NASA/Jim Ross) »

A new episode of the Behind The Wings® podcast just dropped: this time, retired test pilot Rogers E. Smith speaks with host Rick Crandall. Fans will delight in Smith's *detailed* description of flying the iconic SR-71 Blackbird. (📸 Jim Ross | NASA) | 🛩️ 🎙️ ⚔️ 📍 🇺🇸 🥇 | 🔗 wingsmuseum.org/resources/po...

Inside the strained union of Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems Carving off its Kansas and Oklahoma operations was a strategic mistake, Boeing execs past and present conclude. Is buying back spirit AeroSystems in the cards?

If you've got 38 minutes to spare, you can *listen* to our foundational report from May 2023 that asked: Is buying back Spirit AeroSystems in the cards for Boeing? theaircurrent.com/industry-str...

(No subscription required, but your subscription make reporting like this possible)

NBAA Forms Coalition to Fight Washington’s Aircraft Luxury Tax Recently passed legislation levies a 10 percent tax on the sale of noncommercial aircraft worth over $500,000.

Washington state enacted a 10% tax on sales of noncommercial aircraft priced over $500,000. The NBAA has formed and is leading a state‑level industry coalition to contest the levy and to deepen engagement with lawmakers and local communities. - More on hype.aero

FCC may bar Chinese telecom companies from connecting to US networks The U.S. Federal Communications Commission said on Monday it may bar three major Chinese telecom companies from connecting to U.S. networks over efforts to prevent robocalls, the latest in a series of actions Washington has taken against Beijing.

FCC may bar Chinese telecom companies from connecting to US networks reut.rs/44irGqR

'We have lost a lot of time.' Former NASA chief says US needs to start over with moon landing plans or risk losing to China "We have stuck to a plan that does not make sense."

"If Artemis 3 is delayed to late 2028, there will have been an average of two years between the first three Artemis program missions. The Apollo program...launched each of its 11 missions an average of once every 4.5 months between 1968 and 1972."
www.space.com/space-explor...

Study quantifies costs of EU Space Act to European and U.S. companies A proposed European Union space law could cost both European and American space companies hundreds of millions of euros in lost revenue annually, according to a new study.

Study quantifies costs of EU Space Act to European and U.S. companies

A proposed European Union space law could cost both European and American space companies hundreds of millions of euros in lost revenue annually, according to a new study.

Wow
Also not shocking.

Fascinating history of Russia's airborne laser ASAT platforms, including this bit about one destroyed in the 80s: "Early one morning two technicians snuck out to the aircraft to siphon alcohol out of its de-icing system so that they could party" 1/2

YouTube video by AP Archive USA - Galileo Spacecraft Jupiter Probe Animation

30 years ago yesterday the Galileo probe entered the atmosphere of Jupiter. I made this animation for NASA Ames using traditional methods, paint on acetate cels and shot on 35mm film. It is real time like the old Apollo news animations. My sequences start at +35 secs
www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUtI...

Here are both Boeing & Airbus press release of their part of the acquisitions of Spirit AeroSystems:

👉🏻 boeing.mediaroom.com/2025-12-08-B...

👉🏻 www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/...

SWISS and Breitling have launched a new watch to mark the arrival and entry into service of the new SWISS Airbus A350.

Price + units made: aeronewsglobal.com/swiss-and-br...

Cruise ship stuck in port after shipping containers carrying bananas fall off cargo ship A cruise ship has been forced to delay its departure after shipping containers carrying bananas fell overboard from a cargo ship off the Isle of Wight.

Cruise ship stuck in port after shipping containers carrying bananas fall off cargo ship

QTPods Service Interruption Extended - AvBrief.com More than 1,000 self serve avgas pump at airports across the country remained inoperable as of 7:30 p.m. EST Saturday after a planned software upgrade

avbrief.com/qtpods-servi...

Wow that sucks. Remember aviators: it’s better to be on the ground wishing you were in the air than to be in the air wishing you were on the ground. Don‘t run out of gas.

#aviation

Stunning footage from earlier today, when the new Kilauea eruption covered the USGS Webcam 3, which is situated in the Halemaʻumaʻu crater near the southern rim of the much larger Kilauea caldera.

This *isn't* what the people of Pompeii saw.

But it's not very far off.

It is a really nice ship. First time sailing on it. (2nd time on this class)
I think the Summit was better than the Millennium that I sailed on before)

Had a fun time at the Martini 🍸 Bar last night. Of course they did a great job with the drinks and flair

Thanks! It has been a good time.
(Should have stated the cost was much more than normal veranda room but less an a suite)

This definitely an odd room. I have not seen other classes of Celebrity ship with this “family room”. It is also not a suite so you don’t get any perks other than just a huge room and HUGE veranda.

First time trying this breakfast. Typically I do Café al Bacio but wanted some fruit today.

#celebritycruise

#cruise #cruising #cruiseship #cruiseships #cruiseshiptravel #travel

#loyaltyprogram

Exclusive: Pilots' union blocks Allegiant Air bid to get US residency for foreign hires​ Allegiant Air's pilots' union is blocking the airline's attempt to secure permanent residency for dozens of foreign pilots from Chile, Australia and Singapore, leaving their immigration status - and the company's staffing - in limbo.

Exclusive: Pilots' union blocks Allegiant Air bid to get US residency for foreign hires reut.rs/4oOZ3Ju

Restored Classic Star Wars: A New Hope Coming to Theaters for 50th Anniversary <p>Star Wars: A New Hope, the film that launched the famous franchise, will return to theaters for its 50th anniversary in 2027. Although previously announced, the official Star Wars website has updated the re-release date. Star Wars: A New Hope Re-Release The film was originally released as just&nbsp;Star Wars&nbsp;on May 25, 1977. Now titled&nbsp;Star Wars: &#8230; <a title="Restored Classic Star Wars: A New Hope Coming to Theaters for 50th Anniversary" class="read-more" href="https://wdwnt.com/2025/12/restored-classic-star-wars-a-new-hope-coming-to-theaters-for-50th-anniversary/" aria-label="Read more about Restored Classic Star Wars: A New Hope Coming to Theaters for 50th Anniversary">Read more</a></p>

Restored Classic Star Wars: A New Hope Coming to Theaters for 50th Anniversary

HHS changed the name of transgender health leader on her official portrait Admiral Rachel Levine was the first transgender person to be confirmed by the Senate to serve in the federal government. Her official portrait at HHS headquarters has been altered.

Admiral Rachel Levine was the first transgender person to be confirmed by the Senate to serve in the federal government. Her official portrait at HHS headquarters has been altered. n.pr/48HypvT

The Keys always seems busy with aviation.