SpinLaunch—yes, the centrifuge rocket company—is making a hard pivot to satellites
"Launch has generally been more of a cost center than a profit center."
Eric Berger
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Eric Berger
Senior Space Editor
eric.berger@arstechnica.com
Eric Berger is the senior space editor at Ars Technica, covering everything from astronomy to private space to wonky NASA policy, and author of two books: Liftoff, about the rise of SpaceX; and Reentry, on the development of the Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon. Eric has an astronomy degree from the University of Texas and a master's in journalism from the University of Missouri. He previously worked at the Houston Chronicle for 17 years, where the paper was a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 2009 for his coverage of Hurricane Ike. A certified meteorologist, Eric founded Space City Weather and The Eyewall, and lives in Houston. Connect with Eric on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Recent stories by
Eric Berger
Rocket Report: Next Starship flight to reuse booster; FAA clears New Glenn
"The first Super Heavy reuse will be a step towards our goal of zero-touch reflight."
Eric Berger
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193
Starliner’s flight to the space station was far wilder than most of us thought
"Hey, this is a very precarious situation we're in."
Eric Berger
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394
Tuesday Telescope: A close-up of the magical camera at the end of a robotic arm
Wait, the Daily Telescope is back? Sort of.
Eric Berger
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52
Europe’s quest to finally land on Mars takes another turn
Nearly 20 years have passed since the European Space Agency committed to ExoMars.
Eric Berger
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32
NASA to put Starliner’s thrusters through an extensive workout before next launch
"We’ll continue to work through certification toward the end of this year."
Eric Berger
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75
As NASA faces cuts, China reveals ambitious plans for planetary exploration
These grand Chinese plans come as NASA faces budget cuts.
Eric Berger
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65
After a spacecraft was damaged en route to launch, NASA says it won’t launch
"Following initial evaluation, there also is damage to the cargo module."
Eric Berger
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Most Read
With Vulcan’s certification, Space Force is no longer solely reliant on SpaceX
US Space Force to United Launch Alliance: "I have been and always shall be your friend."
Eric Berger
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Firm wins Space Force funding to provide an “aircraft carrier” in orbit
Taking tactically responsive space to the next level. Literally.
Eric Berger
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Momentum seems to be building for Jared Isaacman to become NASA administrator
"We believe that Jared Isaacman is uniquely qualified to lead NASA."
Eric Berger
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109
Trump White House drops diversity plan for Moon landing it created back in 2019
"We’re updating our language regarding plans to send crew to the lunar surface."
Eric Berger
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202
Rocket Report: Falcon 9 may smash reuse record; Relativity roving to Texas?
"It is what he has always dreamt of."
Eric Berger
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225
Can NASA remain nonpartisan when basic spaceflight truths are shredded?
"Let's bring them home NOW, Sir!"
Eric Berger
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Crew-10 launches, finally clearing the way for Butch and Suni to fly home
Crew 9 could return as early as next Wednesday.
Eric Berger
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To avoid the Panama Canal, Relativity Space may move some operations to Texas
"We are exploring options to expand our manufacturing capabilities."
Eric Berger
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Athena landed in a dark crater where the temperature was minus 280° F
"You lose it, and then what do you do? You don't give up. You go back in."
Eric Berger
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What happens when DEI becomes DOA in the aerospace industry?
"Ten years ago this was embraced by everyone, and seen as a win-win for all."
Eric Berger
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382
If Starlink is turned off in Ukraine, are there any good alternatives?
"OneWeb customers say that when the service is working great, it's great."
Eric Berger
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253
Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt is the new leader of Relativity Space
"I think we’re seeing some tension on how we would optimize Terran R."
Eric Berger
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59
What’s behind the recent string of failures and delays at SpaceX?
SpaceX has long had a hard-charging culture. Is it now charging too hard?
Eric Berger
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400
NASA officials undermine Musk’s claims about “stranded” astronauts
"We were looking at this before some of those statements were made by the president."
Eric Berger
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233
After less than a day, the Athena lander is dead on the Moon
"The mission has concluded and teams are continuing to assess the data collected."
Eric Berger
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143
White House may seek to slash NASA’s science budget by 50 percent
"It would be nothing short of an extinction-level event for space science."
Eric Berger
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290
Rocket Report: Starship fails for a second time; what’s to blame for Vulcan delays?
"During Starship's ascent burn, the vehicle experienced a rapid unscheduled disassembly."
Eric Berger
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Intuitive Machines’ second attempt to land on the Moon also went sideways
"I would like to get more data before we can determine the orientation."
Eric Berger
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Yes, we are about to be treated to a second lunar landing in a week
"Of course, everybody's wondering, are we gonna land upright?"
Eric Berger
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62
NASA just lost yet another one of its low-cost planetary missions
It's increasingly unlikely that Lunar Trailblazer will deliver quality science.
Eric Berger
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67
Butch Wilmore says Elon Musk is “absolutely factual” on Dragon’s delayed return
"We came up prepared to stay long, even though we plan to stay short."
Eric Berger
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296
The modern era of low-flying satellites may begin this week
Flying closer to Earth delivers higher-resolution imagery, but there's a catch.
Eric Berger
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Long-time advocate of SLS rocket says it’s time to find an “off-ramp”
"A revised Artemis campaign plan should be a high priority for the new NASA Administrator."
Eric Berger
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283
Asteroid 2024 YR4 is going to miss Earth, but the story doesn’t end there
"The YR4 episode is just the beginning."
Eric Berger
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140
Elon Musk recommends that the International Space Station be deorbited ASAP
"There is very little incremental utility. Let’s go to Mars."
Eric Berger
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Mere weeks after Starship’s breakup, the vehicle may soon fly again
The FAA has not concluded its investigation, but a resolution is expected soon.
Eric Berger
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246
The odds of a city-killer asteroid impact in 2032 keep rising. Should we be worried?
"Humanity has never tried to stop an asteroid impact for real."
Eric Berger
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228
In a last-minute decision, White House decides not to terminate NASA employees
It was not immediately clear what changed.
Eric Berger
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