johnmpowell.bsky.social
@johnmpowell.bsky.social
Dad, spaceship and submarine builder, balloon flyer, violist and lover of old black and white scifi.
Project Hazel reimaged. Hazel was a SR-71 competitor in 1958. It was a designed to be a completely inflated, foldable, Mach 3, 150k feet cruise aircraft. Yes, it was a balloon. It's amazing what you can learn from old programs.
December 19, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Project Hazel reimaged. Hazel was a SR-71 competitor in 1958. It was a designed to be a completely inflated, foldable, Mach 3, 150k feet cruise aircraft. Yes, it was a balloon. It's amazing what you can learn from old programs.
Little red wagon thruster work. Last night we did three MHD test firings. All were calibration and data tests. We're working on getting the firings as uniform as possible before the next step in the development.
December 19, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Little red wagon thruster work. Last night we did three MHD test firings. All were calibration and data tests. We're working on getting the firings as uniform as possible before the next step in the development.
The gang working away on the back deck of the submarine.
December 18, 2025 at 5:11 PM
The gang working away on the back deck of the submarine.
Today is an engine firing and submarine training day at JP Aerospace.
December 18, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Today is an engine firing and submarine training day at JP Aerospace.
Video! youtu.be/fdfTCBRwijI
This is the updated animation for the Airship to Orbit launch system. We put in all the new updates & we show how this huge crazy project works. This is just an animation but we're building it in the real world, one mission at a time.
This is the updated animation for the Airship to Orbit launch system. We put in all the new updates & we show how this huge crazy project works. This is just an animation but we're building it in the real world, one mission at a time.
December 16, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Video! youtu.be/fdfTCBRwijI
This is the updated animation for the Airship to Orbit launch system. We put in all the new updates & we show how this huge crazy project works. This is just an animation but we're building it in the real world, one mission at a time.
This is the updated animation for the Airship to Orbit launch system. We put in all the new updates & we show how this huge crazy project works. This is just an animation but we're building it in the real world, one mission at a time.
Bellavia heading out.
December 13, 2025 at 1:44 AM
Bellavia heading out.
Back to engine work on our little red wagon test stand. Last night we did two MHD firings, #135 and #136. No new breakthroughs, these were getting baseline data and testing sensors.
December 12, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Back to engine work on our little red wagon test stand. Last night we did two MHD firings, #135 and #136. No new breakthroughs, these were getting baseline data and testing sensors.
Gemini 6 seen from Gemini 7.
These were two seater 'sports car' spacecraft. They were hugely successful. Today the US is focused on big capsules. Little ones are cool too.
These were two seater 'sports car' spacecraft. They were hugely successful. Today the US is focused on big capsules. Little ones are cool too.
December 10, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Gemini 6 seen from Gemini 7.
These were two seater 'sports car' spacecraft. They were hugely successful. Today the US is focused on big capsules. Little ones are cool too.
These were two seater 'sports car' spacecraft. They were hugely successful. Today the US is focused on big capsules. Little ones are cool too.
New Video! youtube.com/shorts/ZXBEZ...
Space Kitten! Just a fun clip from a mission we flew a few years ago.
Space Kitten! Just a fun clip from a mission we flew a few years ago.
December 9, 2025 at 2:32 AM
New Video! youtube.com/shorts/ZXBEZ...
Space Kitten! Just a fun clip from a mission we flew a few years ago.
Space Kitten! Just a fun clip from a mission we flew a few years ago.
Monday morning. 100,000 feet, the no man's land between the sky and space.
Love my job.
Love my job.
December 8, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Monday morning. 100,000 feet, the no man's land between the sky and space.
Love my job.
Love my job.
New Video Short: youtube.com/shorts/yZwYj...
Inside the Ascender 9 airship envelope.
Inside the Ascender 9 airship envelope.
December 8, 2025 at 5:56 AM
New Video Short: youtube.com/shorts/yZwYj...
Inside the Ascender 9 airship envelope.
Inside the Ascender 9 airship envelope.
New Video Short: youtube.com/shorts/6qZTh...
Where we are and where we're going.
Where we are and where we're going.
December 7, 2025 at 4:22 AM
New Video Short: youtube.com/shorts/6qZTh...
Where we are and where we're going.
Where we are and where we're going.
Never stands still. We got the latest CAD work on our sub and last night the modifications already made them out of date. If all your drawings are up to date you're not innovating fast enough.
December 5, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Never stands still. We got the latest CAD work on our sub and last night the modifications already made them out of date. If all your drawings are up to date you're not innovating fast enough.
New YouTube Short: youtube.com/shorts/DVRXp...
Just a quick peek at airship valve development.
Just a quick peek at airship valve development.
December 3, 2025 at 8:47 PM
New YouTube Short: youtube.com/shorts/DVRXp...
Just a quick peek at airship valve development.
Just a quick peek at airship valve development.
Starry Night
The H1 Orbital Airship under power.
Video about the H1 and the program building it:
youtu.be/fdfTCBRwijI?...
The H1 Orbital Airship under power.
Video about the H1 and the program building it:
youtu.be/fdfTCBRwijI?...
December 3, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Starry Night
The H1 Orbital Airship under power.
Video about the H1 and the program building it:
youtu.be/fdfTCBRwijI?...
The H1 Orbital Airship under power.
Video about the H1 and the program building it:
youtu.be/fdfTCBRwijI?...
Good Morning Earth! It's Monday, start building your spaceship!
December 1, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Good Morning Earth! It's Monday, start building your spaceship!
From the Adventures of Bellavia.
We updating the CAD work on our submarine. I couldn't help playing with the images a bit. The CAD work is in solid works, the stills from edrawing pro, water scene from Pollo AI and all put together in Canva.
We updating the CAD work on our submarine. I couldn't help playing with the images a bit. The CAD work is in solid works, the stills from edrawing pro, water scene from Pollo AI and all put together in Canva.
November 30, 2025 at 6:01 PM
From the Adventures of Bellavia.
We updating the CAD work on our submarine. I couldn't help playing with the images a bit. The CAD work is in solid works, the stills from edrawing pro, water scene from Pollo AI and all put together in Canva.
We updating the CAD work on our submarine. I couldn't help playing with the images a bit. The CAD work is in solid works, the stills from edrawing pro, water scene from Pollo AI and all put together in Canva.
We’re always digging through the archives, studying and sometime recreating forgotten tech, concepts or approaches. I’m amazed what there is to learn from old forgotten programs. Sometimes it’s too good not to share.
Here’s a sneak peek at a video we’re working on from one such program.
Here’s a sneak peek at a video we’re working on from one such program.
November 27, 2025 at 6:04 PM
We’re always digging through the archives, studying and sometime recreating forgotten tech, concepts or approaches. I’m amazed what there is to learn from old forgotten programs. Sometimes it’s too good not to share.
Here’s a sneak peek at a video we’re working on from one such program.
Here’s a sneak peek at a video we’re working on from one such program.
New Video: youtube.com/shorts/NGkn2...
Chinook over Sam's Club
Chinook over Sam's Club
November 27, 2025 at 1:37 AM
New Video: youtube.com/shorts/NGkn2...
Chinook over Sam's Club
Chinook over Sam's Club
Looking up, looking down.
At Area 42 on a launch site upkeep run. The site is remote and is powered by solar. There are three separate arrays. This one on an equipment container powers the main building.
At Area 42 on a launch site upkeep run. The site is remote and is powered by solar. There are three separate arrays. This one on an equipment container powers the main building.
November 26, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Looking up, looking down.
At Area 42 on a launch site upkeep run. The site is remote and is powered by solar. There are three separate arrays. This one on an equipment container powers the main building.
At Area 42 on a launch site upkeep run. The site is remote and is powered by solar. There are three separate arrays. This one on an equipment container powers the main building.
Area 42 at Sunset.
John V. and I spent a couple of days at the launch site doing facilities maintenance. Nothing beats sunsets in the high Sierras.
John V. and I spent a couple of days at the launch site doing facilities maintenance. Nothing beats sunsets in the high Sierras.
November 26, 2025 at 3:39 AM
Area 42 at Sunset.
John V. and I spent a couple of days at the launch site doing facilities maintenance. Nothing beats sunsets in the high Sierras.
John V. and I spent a couple of days at the launch site doing facilities maintenance. Nothing beats sunsets in the high Sierras.
Check it out: YouTube: youtu.be/G4GIIHrSBCI
Submarines and space bound airships, both are all about the plumbing. The Space Valve Video!
Submarines and space bound airships, both are all about the plumbing. The Space Valve Video!
November 24, 2025 at 5:59 AM
Check it out: YouTube: youtu.be/G4GIIHrSBCI
Submarines and space bound airships, both are all about the plumbing. The Space Valve Video!
Submarines and space bound airships, both are all about the plumbing. The Space Valve Video!
Just a moment in Submarine test four.
We're semi submerged with internal power at 95%.
We're semi submerged with internal power at 95%.
November 24, 2025 at 3:23 AM
Just a moment in Submarine test four.
We're semi submerged with internal power at 95%.
We're semi submerged with internal power at 95%.
Space Kitten Christmas edition Mug!!!
The perfect Christmas gift for the spacer in your life!
(and for you too!)
dark-sky-market.myshopify.com/collections/...
The perfect Christmas gift for the spacer in your life!
(and for you too!)
dark-sky-market.myshopify.com/collections/...
November 23, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Space Kitten Christmas edition Mug!!!
The perfect Christmas gift for the spacer in your life!
(and for you too!)
dark-sky-market.myshopify.com/collections/...
The perfect Christmas gift for the spacer in your life!
(and for you too!)
dark-sky-market.myshopify.com/collections/...
Video: youtu.be/HRiFf-lxc-s?...
America's OTHER Space Program
America's OTHER Space Program
November 21, 2025 at 11:05 PM
Video: youtu.be/HRiFf-lxc-s?...
America's OTHER Space Program
America's OTHER Space Program