Michael Duitsman
@duitsmanms.bsky.social
Research Associate at CNS/MIIS. Rocket propulsion and radiological security (usually not at the same time). Opinions my own. Faves/RTs ≠ endorsements
A more interesting question to me is what went wrong. I see three possible failure modes.
1) Guidance failure.
2) Engine failure.
3) Thrust vector control (TVC) system failure.
1) Guidance failure.
2) Engine failure.
3) Thrust vector control (TVC) system failure.
November 28, 2025 at 7:31 PM
A more interesting question to me is what went wrong. I see three possible failure modes.
1) Guidance failure.
2) Engine failure.
3) Thrust vector control (TVC) system failure.
1) Guidance failure.
2) Engine failure.
3) Thrust vector control (TVC) system failure.
I include Sarmat because Russia needs a new test silo for that missile, after the previous test silo at Plesetsk was destroyed. It's not clear to me if the RVSN will rebuild the Plesetsk silo, or modify an existing silo elsewhere.
November 28, 2025 at 7:31 PM
I include Sarmat because Russia needs a new test silo for that missile, after the previous test silo at Plesetsk was destroyed. It's not clear to me if the RVSN will rebuild the Plesetsk silo, or modify an existing silo elsewhere.
No clue. I mean, they cost someone a pretty penny at some point, but they're of no use to anyone at the club, apparently.
November 21, 2025 at 6:10 AM
No clue. I mean, they cost someone a pretty penny at some point, but they're of no use to anyone at the club, apparently.
Last I checked, the free table at my local club had a bunch of Walthers/Faller/Kibri building kits on it.
November 20, 2025 at 12:37 AM
Last I checked, the free table at my local club had a bunch of Walthers/Faller/Kibri building kits on it.
With no air or vacuum brakes, either.
November 9, 2025 at 11:30 PM
With no air or vacuum brakes, either.
As a OO gauge modeler, the tariffs have made me very reluctant to buy new stuff. I used to love DHL, but the service fees they tag on to the tariffs are insane.
October 5, 2025 at 9:12 PM
As a OO gauge modeler, the tariffs have made me very reluctant to buy new stuff. I used to love DHL, but the service fees they tag on to the tariffs are insane.
Another news story (although the dates are weird, this one is from the day after the RGO story and is about the expedition leaving for Novaya Zemlya)
region29.ru/2025/08/15/6...
region29.ru/2025/08/15/6...
Экспедиция РГО и Минобороны РФ отправилась на Новую Землю
В Арктике началась третья по счету экспедиция, организованная совместными усилиями Русского географического общества и Министерства обороны. Ученые направляются на Новую Землю для исследования арктиче...
region29.ru
August 19, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Another news story (although the dates are weird, this one is from the day after the RGO story and is about the expedition leaving for Novaya Zemlya)
region29.ru/2025/08/15/6...
region29.ru/2025/08/15/6...
It could be related to the Russian Geographical Society expedition that was up near the northern end of Severniy island last week. rgo.ru/activity/red...
Исследователи РГО уточнили подводный рельеф акватории Новой Земли
Завершился летний сезон арктической экспедиции
rgo.ru
August 19, 2025 at 6:20 PM
It could be related to the Russian Geographical Society expedition that was up near the northern end of Severniy island last week. rgo.ru/activity/red...
Accurascale J67/68/69. I *may* have gone a little nuts and bought three of them.
July 14, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Accurascale J67/68/69. I *may* have gone a little nuts and bought three of them.
The highlight of that bizarre charade was definitely "We love you, god," with Rubio's thousand yard stare as the runner-up.
June 22, 2025 at 2:15 AM
The highlight of that bizarre charade was definitely "We love you, god," with Rubio's thousand yard stare as the runner-up.
Wait, I think he's right. Looking at slow motion, it starts at the top of the tank. bsky.app/profile/punk...
So Starship Ship 36 just detonated *before* the static fire test - fueled and waiting for the test. Looks like the top tank lets go and sets off the whole stack. It would be bad enough if it let go during the static fire test, but it just blew up. And it's cooking off the fuel tanks on the pad.
June 19, 2025 at 5:09 AM
Wait, I think he's right. Looking at slow motion, it starts at the top of the tank. bsky.app/profile/punk...
I made a joke in the office last week, "Mr. President, we have enough Marines to invade Baltimore or Bandar Abbas, but not both."
I'd prefer it remain a joke.
I'd prefer it remain a joke.
June 17, 2025 at 12:10 AM
I made a joke in the office last week, "Mr. President, we have enough Marines to invade Baltimore or Bandar Abbas, but not both."
I'd prefer it remain a joke.
I'd prefer it remain a joke.
The Atlantic Trident air exercise starts tomorrow in Europe, and @vcdgf555.bsky.social is reporting on Twitter that the tankers are most likely repositioning flights (based on altitude).
Still don't like the vibes, though.
Still don't like the vibes, though.
June 16, 2025 at 2:19 AM
The Atlantic Trident air exercise starts tomorrow in Europe, and @vcdgf555.bsky.social is reporting on Twitter that the tankers are most likely repositioning flights (based on altitude).
Still don't like the vibes, though.
Still don't like the vibes, though.
Fox News and the Israelis are also implying that something is coming. bsky.app/profile/vcdg...
Eylon Levy, former Spokesman for the State of Israel: There is very bad news coming.
June 16, 2025 at 2:06 AM
Fox News and the Israelis are also implying that something is coming. bsky.app/profile/vcdg...
Comparison with debris from a previous strike
June 13, 2025 at 2:30 AM
Comparison with debris from a previous strike
Good thread to watch bsky.app/profile/vcdg...
New thread. Israel and Iran.
1/
1/
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Sounds of explosions heard in Iran's capital, Tehran.
June 13, 2025 at 12:24 AM
Good thread to watch bsky.app/profile/vcdg...