We use cookies on this website. By continuing to use this site without changing your cookie settings, you agree that you are happy to accept our privacy policy and for us to access our cookies on your device.
Transcript/Script THE WEEK IN SPACE (TV)
HEADLINE: 3D-Printed Rocket Falls Far Short of Orbit
TEASER: Uncrewed mission sees initial success before terminal failure
PUBLISHED AT: 3/23/23
BYLINE: Arash Arabasadi
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Washington
VIDEOGRAPHER: AP/ SPACEX/ RELATIVITY SPACE/ NASA/ JAIME HERNANDEZ
SCRIPT EDITORS: Reifenrath, Bowman
VIDEO SOURCE (S): AP/ SPACEX/ RELATIVITY SPACE/ NASA/ JAIME
HERNANDEZ
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV X RADIO __
TRT: 2:39
NOTE:
VID APPROVED BY: Reifenrath
TYPE: TVPKG
UPDATE: ))
((INTRO))
[[A 3D-printed rocket goes up before crashing right back down. Plus, a new spacesuit
designed with women in mind, and mysterious objects streak the California-night sky.
VOA’s Arash Arabasadi brings us The Week in Space.]]
((NARRATOR)) ((Mandatory CG: SpaceX))
We begin this week, as we often do, with private spaceflight company SpaceX
successfully blasting off from Earth. From Vandenberg Space Force Base in California,
the space-launch juggernaut sent another batch of its Starlink satellites into orbit,
marking the 77th mission in support of the global broadband network. This was the first
of two launches on the same day.
((NARRATOR)) ((mandatory CG: SpaceX + YouTube logo))
And this was the second, from Space Launch Complex 40 at Florida’s Cape Canaveral.
The two missions on the same day marked SpaceX’s 18th and 19th missions so far this
year. ((end courtesy))
((NARRATOR)) ((mandatory cg RELATIVITY SPACE))
In other news, American aerospace manufacturer Relativity Space launched a rocket
primarily made from 3D-printed parts. The company sought to place its first metal 3D-
print in orbit 200 kilometers up. But after about three minutes of flight, things went south.
The rocket’s upper stage appeared to ignite and shut down, bringing the mission to a
watery close in the Atlantic Ocean.
The California-based company came within a half-second of launching earlier this
month, but onboard flight computers canceled the countdown. Despite the failed tests
and recent failed launch to orbit, the company’s CEO sees a bright future ahead. ((end
courtesy))
[RADIO TRACK: Relativity Space CEO Tim Ellis ahead of the first launch attempt
speaking with the Associated Press.]
((Tim Ellis, Relativity Space CEO))
“This is the world’s first 3D-printed rocket. It is by far the most amount of 3D-printed
content of any other product ever made that we’re aware of. So it’s the largest 3D-
printed object in the world out of metal. So lots of firsts on 3D printing and
demonstrating the viability of that technology.”
((NARRATOR)) ((mandatory cg RELATIVITY SPACE))
CEO Tim Ellis added that the company’s rocket may potentially be the first rocket to use
liquid oxygen and liquid methane as propellants, which could provide cleaner-burning
options for fuel.
((NARRATOR)) ((mandatory cg NASA))
Also this week, and falling right in the middle of Women’s History Month in the U.S.,
Axiom Space and NASA revealed the next generation of spacesuits to be worn in lunar
exploration. The suits are more flexible than previous versions and are a better fit for
women astronauts. The suits will ultimately be white like their predecessors to keep
moonwalkers cool, but here an outer layer shields the prototype’s proprietary design.
((NARRATOR)) ((mandatory cg: JAIME HERNANDEZ))
Finally this week, California sky gazer Jaime Hernandez captured this video of objects
streaking the night sky. Answering an online poll about the mysterious objects,
astronomer Jonathan McDowell said he’s 99-point-9-percent sure the streaks were
burning space debris from hardware once used to relay information to the International Space Station.
Arash Arabasadi, VOA News
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)
Washington D.C.
Embargo DateMarch 23, 2023 16:18 EDT
Byline
Arash Arabasadi, VOA News.
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English