SpaceX Launch Today: What's the Real Deal?

Another Day, Another "Giant Leap" for... Advertising?

So, November 5th, 2025. Mark it on your calendars, folks. SpaceX is slinging another 29 Starlink satellites into the sky, and ULA is launching some "ultra-high-capacity broadband spacecraft" for Viasat. Cool. Cool cool cool.

Except, let's be real. Does anyone actually care anymore?

I mean, remember when space launches were, like, a thing? A shared moment of awe and wonder? Now it's just... another Tuesday. Another batch of satellites clogging up low Earth orbit so we can stream cat videos in 4K. Yay?

The "Space Race" to... Sell More Bandwidth?

This Atlas V launch is supposed to be visible in Georgia, South Carolina, maybe even North Carolina. Big deal. They're practically advertising this thing like it's a new Marvel movie. "Don't miss the spectacle!" they scream. But the spectacle is just a byproduct, ain't it? The real reason they want eyeballs is to boost Viasat's stock price. According to ULA Atlas V rocket launch in Florida may be visible in Georgia, South Carolina, the launch may be visible in other states as well.

And don't even get me started on the weather forecasts. "Greater than 95 percent chance for favorable weather." Seriously? Since when did meteorologists become PR flacks for the space industry? I bet you anything that "95 percent" is rounded up from, like, 87.

SpaceX is touting its reusable Falcon 9 booster, B1094, making its fifth trip. "Sustainability!" they cry. Okay, fine. But how much carbon is this "sustainable" rocket spewing into the atmosphere? Nobody seems to be tracking that little detail.

A Rumble in My Tummy... and My Skepticism

"A rocket launch can be a treat for the ears, too: On the Space Coast, a ‘rumble’ can be heard or window-shaking can be expected in some parts of Brevard County after liftoff." Oh, joy. More noise pollution so some billionaire can add another zero to his bank account. I get that it's exciting for some people, but the romanticism of space travel is getting old fast. At this point, it's just a logistical supply chain to support our insatiable data demands.

And ULA's "visibility map"? Please. It's a marketing tool disguised as a public service. They want you to post pictures on X (formerly known as Twitter, remember that dumpster fire?) so they can get free advertising.

The Space Coast is becoming the new Hollywood, offcourse. Only instead of churning out superhero movies, they're launching satellites.

The Great Orbital Garbage Patch

So, we're launching all these satellites. And then what? They just stay up there forever? Orbiting hunks of space junk? I wonder how long until we're dealing with Kessler Syndrome on a scale that makes "Gravity" look like a documentary. Then again, maybe I'm being too cynical. Maybe this is all part of some grand plan to colonize Mars and escape the inevitable climate apocalypse.

Nah.

I'm just tired of the hype. Tired of the endless stream of "innovations" that are really just thinly veiled attempts to extract more money from our wallets. Give me a break.

Just Another Brick in the Wall (of Satellites)