Stephen C. Smith

Lipstick on a Pig NASA's new Project Artemis launch cadence relies on the Space Launch System suddenly becoming more efficient. Here's why that's unlikely to happen.

#Space #NASA

My latest #Substack looks at NASA's #Artemis cadence and architecture revisions and why I'm skeptical they'll work. Read "Lipstick on a Pig" for free at the link. Also please consider signing up for a free subscription.

wordsmithfl.substack.com/p/lipstick-o...

Justice Department targets Cuban officials, aims for indictments The Justice Department has formed a working group to examine bringing federal charges against officials or entities within Cuba’s government.

#Politics #Trump #Cuba

BREAKING from @washingtonpost.com: Trump told a group of south Florida Republicans today that Cuba is his next target, and that he's directed #DOJ to come up with criminal charges to justify an invasion like he did with Maduro and Venezuela.

wapo.st/4cxpv7S

I think we went mad a long time ago. Congressional Republicans have shown they won't stop him, so he's gone full sociopath. He doesn't give a f*** any more. He's going to do everything he can to enrich himself and become a dictator.

#Economy #Iran

From the AAA Fuel Prices webpage ... Out and about today, I noticed long queues at the discount warehouse gas stations. I think people are starting to panic-buy.

Because we drive an electric vehicle, we're unaffected so long as it doesn't affect the power utility's operating costs.

Trump tells CNN Cuba is soon going to fall: ‘I’m going to put Marco over there’ | CNN Politics President Donald Trump told CNN Friday morning that Cuba “is going to fall pretty soon.”

#Politics #Trump #Cuba

Trump told #CNN today that he's going to overthrow the Cuban government and put Marco Rubio in charge.

www.cnn.com/2026/03/06/p...

Trump Demands Iran Surrender as War Upends Global Markets Washington doesn’t want to negotiate an end to the conflict and will only accept “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Friday. Qatar warned that a protracted war could “bring down...

#Politics #Trump #Iran

Trump demands that Iran "unconditionally surrender." 🤣🤣🤣

finance.yahoo.com/news/trump-d...

Kristi Noem is out.

anntelnaes.substack.com/p/kristi-noe...

US loses 92K jobs in February February's payrolls sharply missed economists' expectations, Labor Department data released Friday showed, with 92,000 positions lost.

#Politics #Economy #Trump

Breaking from Yahoo Finance: The US economy lost a net 92,000 jobs in February. Unemployment up to 4.4%.

finance.yahoo.com/news/us-lose...

U.S. Gas Prices, Up 11% in a Week, Pile Pressure on Trump

#Politics #Trump #Iran

From #NYTimes: Gas prices up 34 cents (11%) in the last week.

www.nytimes.com/2026/03/06/b...

Qatar energy minister warns war will force Gulf to halt energy exports within weeks, FT says Qatar expects all Gulf energy producers to shut down exports within weeks if the Iran conflict continues and drives oil to $150 a barrel, ​the country's Energy Minister Saad al-Kaabi told the Financia...

#Iran

From Financial Times via #Reuters: #Qatar energy minister says Gulf energy producers will shut down within weeks if the Iran war continues. Oil could reach $150 / barrel.

www.reuters.com/world/middle...

Trump says Kristi Noem is stepping down as homeland security secretary The president said he would nominate Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin to replace her.

#Politics #Trump

BREAKING from @nbcnews.com: Kristi Noem fired as Homeland Secretary.

Oklahoma senator Markwayne Mullin will be nominated to replace her.

www.nbcnews.com/politics/tru...

Return to Launch The rise of Cape Canaveral’s “second space age” and the nation’s expansion of spacefaring initiatives in the twenty-first centuryReturn to Launch is ...

#Space #NASA

I just received my first invitation to speak about my space history book, "Return to Launch." It would be in DC.

The publisher once again is offering a preorder discount. Effective March 26 it will be $38, but with the promo code 31DC326 it's $25.

floridapress.org/978168340656...

SpaceX Starlink Launch, Amateur Smartphone Video, March 4, 2026 YouTube video by Space SPAN (Space Policy and News)

#Space #SpaceX #Starlink #CCSFS

Amateur smartphone video of this morning's spectacular "jellyfish" launch.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9n19...

#Space #SpaceX #Starlink #CCSFS

A spectacular "jellyfish" launch this morning just before sunrise from Cape Canaveral. These are amateur photos with my smartphone.

FRANCE 24 English – LIVE – International Breaking News & Top stories - 24/7 stream • FRANCE 24 YouTube video by FRANCE 24 English

France 24 English is an excellent resource for European perspectives on the #Iran war. Watch live at the link.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ap-U...

Trump Says US Will Escort, Insure Oil Tankers Amid Iran War Trump said Tuesday that the US International Development Finance Corporation would offer insurance “at a very reasonable price” to help ensure the flow of energy and other commercial trade in the Gulf...

#Iran

From Yahoo Finance: In response to Iran saying it will sink any ships trying to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, #Trump says the US Navy will escort those ships and offer insurance.

What could go wrong?

finance.yahoo.com/news/trump-s...

I do believe that's the Christine Chapel from Futurama.

Kash Patel’s latest firings ousted agents with expertise in Iran The FBI director gutted a specialized, global espionage unit of counterintelligence agents, just days before Operation Epic Fury.

#Iran

From #MSNOW: The #FBI agents Kash Patel fired last week for being on the staff that investigated Trump's classified documents case? They were part of "an elite counter espionage unit" responsible for tracking Iranian threats in the US.

www.ms.now/news/kash-pa...

For the life of me, I can't find those singing plants anywhere at Home Depot.

Security Alert: Shelter in Place - U.S. Mission to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, (Mar. 3, 2026) - U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Saudi Arabia

#Iran

BREAKING: The US embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia has been hit by drone strikes, according to multiple media outlets.

This is the US State Department warning Americans in Saudi Arabia to shelter in place.

sa.usembassy.gov/security-ale...

Cartoon: The downward spiral As always, if � you find value in this work I do, please consider helping me keep it sustainable by joining my weekly newsletter, � Sparky’s List! � You can get it in your inbox or read it on ...

in which I attempt to summarize the current moment

www.dailykos.com/stories/2026...

Three US fighter jets accidentally shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses, CENTCOM says Explosions have been heard in multiple Gulf cities including Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha, while Israel and Hezbollah are trading blows as the war with Iran widens. Follow for live coverage.

#Iran

From #CNN: Several US aircraft accidentally shot down by Kuwait air defenses.

www.cnn.com/world/live-n...

NASA chief Jared Isaacman discusses major changes to Artemis program to get it "back on track" YouTube video by CBS News

#Space #NASA #Artemis

Jared Isaacman yesterday on #CBSNews.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VwR...

Statement from Dario Amodei on our discussions with the Department of War A statement from our CEO on national security uses of AI

#Anthropic tells Pete Hegseth to suck it, won't drop their safeguards so #DOD can use the company's #AI to conduct domestic surveillance.

www.anthropic.com/news/stateme...

Trump, seeking executive power over elections, is urged to declare emergency Activists who say they are in coordination with the White House are circulating a draft executive order that would unlock extraordinary presidential power over voting.

#Politics #Trump

From @washingtonpost.com: Pro-Trump activists are drafting an executive order for him to declare a state of emergency so he can take over elections.

wapo.st/3N5cpEn

Trump administration’s third-country deportation policy unlawful, judge finds The ruling could make it more difficult for the government to send migrants to countries that are not their own.

#Politics #Trump

Breaking from @washingtonpost.com: Boston federal judge rules that it's illegal for Trump to send migrants to countries where they're not citizens.

wapo.st/3OLE5i1

A culture reset at NASA is underway. Will it stick this time? | Federal News Network NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman wants to shift away from a heavy contractor workforce, and instead hire and train feds to deliver better outcomes.

Via #FederalNewsNetwork - A Culture Reset at NASA is Underway. Will it Stick This Time? - federalnewsnetwork.com/federal-repo...

Landshark III - SNL YouTube video by Saturday Night Live

@stephaniemiller.bsky.social I didn't know that Lily Tomlin was in the land shark sketch!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnfX...

Russia Attacks Ukraine, EuroNews Breaking News, February 25, 2022 (0600-1300 EST) YouTube video by News from the Past

#Ukraine #Russia

Four years ago today ... EuroNews reports on the Russian invasion of Ukraine. A different perspective from the US news media.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8h4...

Russia Attacks Ukraine, CNN, Februrary 25, 2022, 6 PM - 9 PM EST (Vol 7) YouTube video by News from the Past

#Ukraine #Russia

Four years ago today ... #CNN reports from the war zone.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaaQ...