Christian Davenport
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Now @ASU, Author of ROCKET DREAMS: www.amazon.com/Rocket-Dreams-Bezos-Inside-Trillion-Dollar/dp/0593594118/ and THE SPACE BARONS amzn.to/2BA4PKL
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Articles by Christian Davenport
EDITORIAL | What does Musk’s SpaceX IPO freak show say about us?
Story audio is generated using AI If you’re reading this, congratulations: you are officially closer to having the net worth of billionaire Amazon boss Jeff Bezos than he is to having the net worth of South African-born American trillionaire Elon Musk.
GPS is key to the global economy. It’s also surprisingly easy to attack.
The pilots flying into Denver International Airport could tell something was wrong. In urgent calls to air traffic controllers, they reported that the Global Positioning System they used to navigate was going haywire, forcing them to rely on backup systems for more than a day. The Federal Aviation Administration issued a warning to air traffic in the area.
GPS is key to the global economy. It’s also surprisingly easy to attack.
GPS is key to the global economy. It’s also surprisingly easy to attack. 1 of 3 The pilots flying into Denver International Airport could tell something was wrong. In urgent calls to air traffic controllers, they reported that the Global Positioning System they used to navigate was going haywire, forcing them to rely on backup systems for more than a day. The Federal Aviation Administration issued a warning to air traffic in the area.
GPS is key to the global economy. It’s also surprisingly easy to attack.
GPS is key to the global economy. It’s also surprisingly easy to attack. (washingtonpost.com) GPS is key to the global economy. It’s also surprisingly easy to attack. By Christian Davenport 2025123110000200 The pilots flying into Denver International Airport could tell something was wrong. In urgent calls to air traffic controllers, they reported that the Global Positioning System was going haywire, forcing them to rely on backup navigation systems for more than a day.
Why US and Chinese satellites are 'dogfighting' in orbit
The American patrol satellite had the targets in its sights: two recently launched Chinese spacecraft flying through one of the most sensitive neighborhoods in space. Like any good tactical fighter, the American spacecraft, known as USA 270, approached from behind, so that the sun would be at its back, illuminating the quarry. But then one of the Chinese satellites countered by slowing down.
Military satellites dogfighting as tensions escalate in orbit
Now To check President Trump’s growing grip on the judiciary in the midterms or to advance a legislative agenda in 2029, Democrats need to answer a very difficult question: How can the party keep winning in states like North Carolina, become competitive again in Ohio and expand the electoral map to …
Inside Trump’s Golden Dome: High-stakes debate over missile-defense shield Original
Inside Trump’s Golden Dome: High-stakes debate over missile-defense shield (washingtonpost.com) Inside Trump’s Golden Dome: High-stakes debate over missile-defense shield By Christian Davenport; William Neff; Aaron Steckelberg 2025102909003100 Since ordering the Pentagon in January to erect a U.S. missile defense shield partly based in space, President Donald Trump has claimed that it would be completed by the end of his term and cost $175 billion.
Out of this world: Inside the Space Force as it prepares for a new kind of war
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii — It looked more like a satellite television dish than a weapon. But the antenna could fire enough electromagnetic energy to fry the satellite 22,000 miles away. That was not the plan for tonight’s attack, however. Instead, the salvo would be more covert — millisecond pulses of energy that would subtly disrupt the satellite’s signals, which U.S. military forces were using to communicate in the Pacific Ocean.
Inside the Space Force as it prepares for a new kind of war
Inside the Space Force as it prepares for a new kind of war (washingtonpost.com) Inside the Space Force as it prepares for a new kind of war By Christian Davenport 2025091910001700 JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii — It looked more like a satellite television dish than a weapon. But the antenna could fire enough electromagnetic energy to fry the satellite 22,000 miles away. That was not the plan for tonight's attack, however.
Inside the Space Force as it prepares for a new kind of war
Radomes at Ka’ena Point Space Force Station in Waialua, Hawaii. (Matt McClain/The Washington Post) JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii — It looked more like a satellite television dish than a weapon. But the antenna could fire enough electromagnetic energy to fry the satellite 22,000 miles away. That was not the plan for tonight’s attack, however.
How SpaceX turned a Texas marsh into the world’s most watched spaceport
EDITOR’S NOTE: Starbase is SpaceX’s massive rocket development site and the home of Starship — the vehicle Elon Musk envisions as humanity’s path to Mars and that many in the U.S. civil space program see as a way back to the moon. But Starbase started as little more than an impossible stretch of empty land […] The post How SpaceX turned a Texas marsh into the world’s most watched spaceport appeared first on SpaceNews. Read more from original source...
How SpaceX turned a Texas marsh into the world’s most watched spaceport
EDITOR’S NOTE: Starbase is SpaceX’s massive rocket development site and the home of Starship — the vehicle Elon Musk envisions as humanity’s path to Mars and that many in the U.S. civil space program see as a way back to the moon. But Starbase started as little more than an impossible stretch of empty land along the South Texas coast. The following is an excerpt from Christian Davenport’s new book Rocket Dreams, released today (Sept.
Excerpt: How the Artemis program got its name
The following is an excerpt from Davenport’s book, “Rocket Dreams: Musk, Bezos and the Inside Story of the New, Trillion-Dollar Space Race,” released by Crown Currency on Sept. 16. In May 2019, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine convened a meeting with his top communications aides. Just a couple months earlier, Vice President Mike Pence had sent shockwaves through the space industry by proclaiming American astronauts would return to the moon by 2024, and a woman would be among them.
SpaceX built a docker from bike parts. The story explains its dominance.
SpaceX built a docker from bike parts. The story explains its dominance. (washingtonpost.com) SpaceX built a docker from bike parts. The story explains its dominance. By Christian Davenport 2025091510000100 This story is adapted from Christian Davenport's book "Rocket Dreams: Musk, Bezos and the Inside Story of the New, Trillion-Dollar Space Race," which is being released Tuesday.
NASA, SpaceX launch a crew of astronauts to space station
NASA and SpaceX successfully launched another crew to the International Space Station on Friday, a mission that comes as the space agency is losing about one-fifth of its workforce as part of the White House’s plan to cut federal spending. A Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 11:43 a.m. from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. On board the Dragon spacecraft were NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, as well as Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui and Russian Oleg Platonov.
NASA, SpaceX launch a crew of astronauts to space station
NASA, SpaceX launch a crew of astronauts to space station (washingtonpost.com) NASA, SpaceX launch a crew of astronauts to space station By Christian Davenport 2025080116504700 NASA and SpaceX successfully launched another crew to the International Space Station on Friday, a mission that comes as the space agency is losing about one-fifth of its workforce as part of the White House's plan to cut federal spending. A Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 11:43 a.m. from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
NASA workforce cuts raise fears about safety for space missions
NASA workforce cuts raise fears about safety for space missions (washingtonpost.com) NASA workforce cuts raise fears about safety for space missions By Christian Davenport 2025073010001100 NASA and SpaceX are scheduled to launch another crew of astronauts to the International Space Station on Thursday in the sort of mission that has given the U.S. space program an aura of triumph.
Elon Musk’s SpaceX Starship explodes on test stand Original
Elon Musk’s SpaceX Starship explodes on test stand (washingtonpost.com) Elon Musk’s SpaceX Starship explodes on test stand By Christian Davenport 2025061913355000 SpaceX's Starship spacecraft exploded ahead of an engine test late Wednesday, sending a large fireball into the South Texas sky and dealing another major setback to Elon Musk's company. It was the fourth time the company has lost a Starship spacecraft this year.
NASA postpones launch while it investigates space station leaks
NASA postpones launch while it investigates space station leaks (washingtonpost.com) NASA postpones launch while it investigates space station leaks By Christian Davenport 2025061216154200 NASA said Thursday it was postponing a launch of private astronauts to the International Space Station while it works with its Russian counterparts to investigate persistent leaks on the orbiting laboratory.
NASA and Pentagon push for SpaceX alternatives as Trump and Musk feud
NASA and Pentagon officials moved swiftly this past week to urge competitors to Elon Musk’s SpaceX to more quickly develop alternative rockets and spacecraft after President Donald Trump threatened to cancel Space X’s contracts and Musk’s defiant response.
The NASA science missions that would be axed in Trump’s 2026 budget
President Donald Trump’s fiscal 2026 budget request, if approved by Congress, would killmany of NASA’s plans for robotic exploration of the solar system. Gone, too, would be multiple space-based missions to study Earth, the sun and the rest of the universe. Among the planets that would get less attention are Venus, Mars and Jupiter. But the planet facing the biggest drop in scrutiny from space is our own. The Trump budget proposal calls for reducing Earth science funding by 53%.
The NASA science missions that would be axed in Trump’s 2026 budget
The NASA science missions that would be axed in Trump’s 2026 budget (washingtonpost.com) The NASA science missions that would be axed in Trump’s 2026 budget By Joel Achenbach; Christian Davenport 2025060810000300 President Donald Trump's fiscal 2026 budget request, if approved by Congress, would kill many of NASA's plans for robotic exploration of the solar system. Gone, too, would be multiple space-based missions to study Earth, the sun and the rest of the universe.
NASA, Pentagon Push For SpaceX Alternatives Amid Trump's Feud With Musk
NASA and Pentagon officials moved swiftly this past week to urge competitors to Elon Musk's SpaceX to more quickly develop alternative rockets and spacecraft after President Donald Trump threatened to cancel Space X's contracts and Musk's defiant response.
NASA, Pentagon push for SpaceX alternatives amid Trump’s feud with Musk Original
NASA, Pentagon push for SpaceX alternatives amid Trump’s feud with Musk (washingtonpost.com) NASA, Pentagon push for SpaceX alternatives amid Trump’s feud with Musk By Christian Davenport 2025060716213700 NASA and Pentagon officials moved swiftly this past week to urge competitors to Elon Musk's SpaceX to more quickly develop alternative rockets and spacecraft after President Donald Trump threatened to cancel Space X's contracts and Musk's defiant response.
Musk-Trump rupture poses a serious threat to NASA and Pentagon programs
Musk-Trump rupture poses a serious threat to NASA and Pentagon programs (washingtonpost.com) Musk-Trump rupture poses a serious threat to NASA and Pentagon programs By Christian Davenport 2025060522463300 Elon Musk's threat, which he later retracted, to cut off NASA's use of SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft would be a huge blow to NASA, depriving the space agency of the only American vehicle capable of transporting astronauts to the International Space Station and dramatically changing how NASA...
Trump withdraws Jared Isaacman’s nomination as NASA administrator
Trump withdraws Jared Isaacman’s nomination as NASA administrator (washingtonpost.com) Trump withdraws Jared Isaacman’s nomination as NASA administrator By Christian Davenport 2025053120084400 Jared Isaacman, President Donald Trump's pick to be NASA administrator, has been rescinded, the president posted online Saturday night. Isaacman, a billionaire entrepreneur, had been approved by the Senate Commerce Committee and was preparing for a vote in the full Senate as early as next week.
Jared Isaacman told his nomination as NASA administrator will be withdrawn
Now White House pulls nomination for Trump's pick to lead NASA The White House is pulling the nomination for billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman, President Trump's pick to lead NASA, just days before a Senate … 13 hours ago White House plans to pull nomination for NASA administrator Jared Isaacman has a long-running relationship with Elon Musk.
Back at SpaceX, Musk says in interview DOGE became D.C.’s ‘whipping boy’
Back at SpaceX, Musk says in interview DOGE became D.C.’s ‘whipping boy’ (washingtonpost.com) Back at SpaceX, Musk says in interview DOGE became D.C.’s ‘whipping boy’ By Christian Davenport 2025052723424300 STARBASE, Tex. — Elon Musk, returning to SpaceX on Tuesday for a test flight of his Starship spacecraft, said in an interview that slashing the size of federal government proved far tougher than he expected and lamented the intense criticism leveled at the U.S. DOGE Service, which he has led.
SpaceX loses another Starship on test flight as Musk seeks to renew focus
SpaceX loses another Starship on test flight as Musk seeks to renew focus (washingtonpost.com) SpaceX loses another Starship on test flight as Musk seeks to renew focus By Christian Davenport 2025052717093500 STARBASE, Tex. — SpaceX launched its Starship rocket Tuesday evening in a mission that came after two failures and as Elon Musk, returning to his companies after a controversial stint in the White House, looks to inject renewed energy into his space venture.
NASA nominee faces political turbulence over Mars missions
As President Donald Trump’s pick to be NASA administrator, Jared Isaacman is going to have to navigate Washington politics, budget constraints and a looming fight over the future of the space agency - a precarious position that may make his historic spacewalk last year, the first by a civilian astronaut, seem easy by comparison.
NASA nominee faces political turbulence over Mars missions
NASA nominee faces political turbulence over Mars missions (washingtonpost.com) NASA nominee faces political turbulence over Mars missions By Christian Davenport 2025042012002400 As President Donald Trump's pick to be NASA administrator, Jared Isaacman is going to have to navigate Washington politics, budget constraints and a looming fight over the future of the space agency — a precarious position that may make his historic spacewalk last year, the first by a civilian astronaut, seem easy by...
Massive Cuts To NASA Science Proposed In Early White House Budget Plan
NASA's science budget could be cut nearly in half under an early version of President Donald Trump's budget proposal to Congress, a move that would terminate billions of dollars' worth of ongoing and future missions, according to two individuals with direct knowledge of the administration's plan.
Massive cuts to NASA science proposed in early White House budget plan
NASA’s science budget could be cut nearly in half under an early version of President Donald Trump’s budget proposal to Congress, a move that would terminate billions of dollars’ worth of ongoing and future missions, according to two individuals with direct knowledge of the administration’s plan.
Massive cuts to NASA science proposed in early White House budget plan
Massive cuts to NASA science proposed in early White House budget plan (washingtonpost.com) Massive cuts to NASA science proposed in early White House budget plan By Joel Achenbach; Christian Davenport 2025041113545600 NASA's science budget could be cut nearly in half under an early version of President Donald Trump's budget proposal to Congress, a move that would terminate billions of dollars' worth of ongoing and future missions, according to two individuals with direct knowledge of the...
Trump’s pick to lead NASA says his ties to Elon Musk won’t influence space agency
Jared Isaacman, the billionaire entrepreneur and astronaut and President Donald Trump’s choice to become the next NASA administrator, said Wednesday that despite his ties to Elon Musk’s SpaceX, he would treat the company that flew him to space twice like any other contractor and would not allow Musk to have any undue influence on the space agency.
Trump’s NASA pick says ties to Musk won’t influence space agency
Trump’s NASA pick says ties to Musk won’t influence space agency (washingtonpost.com) Trump’s NASA pick says ties to Musk won’t influence space agency By Christian Davenport 2025040917285700 Jared Isaacman, the billionaire entrepreneur and astronaut and President Donald Trump's choice to become the next NASA administrator, said Wednesday that despite his ties to Elon Musk's SpaceX, he would treat the company that flew him to space twice like any other contractor and would not allow Musk to...
Pentagon may turn to Musk’s SpaceX for military satellites
Pentagon may turn to Musk’s SpaceX for military satellites (washingtonpost.com) Pentagon may turn to Musk’s SpaceX for military satellites By Christian Davenport 2025040716015500 Elon Musk's SpaceX could significantly expand its share of military business as the Pentagon, faced with Trump administration budget constraints, considers overhauling a program to deploy hundreds of missile-tracking satellites. In a Capitol Hill hearing last month, Sen.
Astronauts return aboard SpaceX Dragon after nine-month saga in space
The spacecraft carrying NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore splashed down Tuesday evening in the Gulf of Mexico after a 286-day odyssey that started with a harrowing technical problem that forced NASA to swap vehicles and extend the mission from about eight days to nine months. Williams and Wilmore flew back to Earth with NASA’s Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, who together are known as Crew-9, in a SpaceX Dragon capsule.
Live updates: NASA astronauts set to land in SpaceX capsule after 9 months in space
After nine months on the International Space Station, a total of 286 days in space to be exact, NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore are expected to splash down in their SpaceX Dragon capsule off the coast of Florida at about 6 p.m. Tuesday. Their mission, a test flight of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, was initially supposed to last about eight days. But it was extended after the Starliner suffered thruster problems and NASA decided to bring the astronauts home via SpaceX.
Recap: NASA astronauts return in SpaceX capsule after 9 months in space
3 hours ago Top Isro Scientist On What Sunita Williams' And Crew 9 Return Means For India A top ISRO scientist has highlighted the significance of Sunita Williams' and the Crew-9 team's return, emphasizing that it is a moment of pride for India. Their journey underscores the growing collaboration between NASA and international space agencies, and Sunita Williams' success as an Indian-origin astronaut continues to inspire future generations of scientists and space enthusiasts in India.
After an extended stay in space, NASA astronauts are about to fly home
NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore are expected to return home Tuesday after a 286-day space odyssey that started with harrowing technical problems that forced NASA to swap out one spacecraft for another and extend the mission from about eight days to nine months. Williams and Wilmore are flying back to Earth with NASA’s Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, who together are known as Crew-9, in a SpaceX Dragon capsule.
NASA, SpaceX ready second launch attempt to replace stuck astronauts
SpaceX on Friday evening is scheduled to make a second attemptto launch a crew to replace NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore, whose unexpected nine-month stay on the International Space Station has become one of the biggest dramas the space agency has faced in years. The launch of the next rotation of astronauts to the orbiting laboratory was initially scheduled for Wednesday evening, but it was called off because an issue with one of the clamps that hold the rocket down.
NASA crew reaches orbit on mission to replace stuck astronauts
5 hours ago How 3D printing will help astronauts survive on the Moon and Mars 3D printers will make the tools, structures and habitats space pioneers need to survive in a hostile alien environment. Throughout history, when pioneers set out across uncharted territory to settle in distant lands, they carried with them only the essentials: tools, seeds and clothing.
What to know about NASA’s mission to bring home astronauts stuck on ISS
When NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore left Earth last summer, they were expected to spend about eight days on the International Space Station. But technical issues have meant they’re still stuck in space nine months later. A new mission that would allow the astronauts to return was set to launch on Wednesday, but that has now been delayed to Friday evening — the latest twist in a mission beset by technical issues and political controversy.
Two astronauts have been stuck in space for 9 months. What to know.
6 hours ago Another total lunar eclipse won't be visible in the U.S. until March 2026, according to NASA. A total lunar eclipse will be viewable in the United States overnight into Friday morning, so some may want to pull an all-nighter to catch a good look at the rare celestial event, also known as the "blood …
Stuck NASA astronauts prepare to return after nine months in space
Sunita Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore, the NASA astronauts whose mission aboard the International Space Station was extended from about eight days to nine months, are finally set to come home. The return will have to wait a little longer, however. On Wednesday evening, their replacements were set to launch to the orbiting laboratory on a SpaceX rocket and Dragon spacecraft, a key step toward allowing Wilmore and Williams to return to Earth.
Stuck NASA astronauts prepare to return after nine months in space
Sunita Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore, the NASA astronauts whose mission aboard the International Space Station was extended from about eight days to nine months, are finally set to come home. On Wednesday evening, their replacements were set to launch to the orbiting laboratory on a SpaceX rocket and Dragon spacecraft, a key step toward allowing Wilmore and Williams to return to Earth.
NASA astronauts set to finally return home after nine months in space
Sunita Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore, the NASA astronauts whose mission aboard the International Space Station was extended from about eight days to nine months, are finally set to come home. On Wednesday evening, their replacements are set to launch to the orbiting laboratory on a SpaceX rocket and Dragon spacecraft, a key step toward allowing Wilmore and Williams to return to Earth.
Intuitive Machines’ spacecraft landed in a moon crater and ended up on its side
Intuitive Machines’ robotic spacecraft landed in a crater 250 meters from its intended landing site on the moon and wound up on its side, the company said Friday, ending the company’s second lunar landing attempt prematurely. Images downloaded from the Athena spacecraft confirmed what officials had feared since it descended toward a large plateau near the moon’s south pole Thursday: The spacecraft was on its side unable to continue to generate power through its solar panels.
Intuitive Machines attempts second private-sector moon landing in four days
Intuitive Machines, a Houston-based company, is set to attempt its second moon landing, a year after its spacecraft became the first American vehicle to reach the lunar surface since the end of the Apollo era in 1972. The landing attempt, which is scheduled for 12:32 p.m. Eastern time Thursday, comes four days after another commercial space company, Firefly Aerospace, successfully landed its spacecraft on the moon.
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