Bob Jacobs
@bnjacobs.bsky.social
Retired NASA communications executive. Multimedia superfreak. Author. Former journalist. Explorers Club Fellow. National Press Club Member. Avatar picture is younger than I appear.
Not as sexy as a rover, but vital if you’re going to communicate from the Red Planet.
NASA has awarded up to $700 million to Blue Origin for a new #Mars Telecommunications Orbiter, and the company's CEO says the spacecraft is already in production. www.geekwire.com/2026/blue-or... #Space
Blue Ring for a Red Planet: Blue Origin wins $700M from NASA for Mars Telecommunications Orbiter
Blue Origin has won a contract worth up to $700 million to boost NASA's telecommunications capability in Martian orbit.
www.geekwire.com
September 4, 2026 at 11:01 AM
Not as sexy as a rover, but vital if you’re going to communicate from the Red Planet.
Mars or bust.
Recent #ExoMars tests successfully demonstrated landing leg deployment and backshell separation, key milestones on the path to a safe touchdown for the Rosalind Franklin rover on Mars in 2030. 🔴
🔗 esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Exploration/ExoMars
🔗 esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Exploration/ExoMars
September 4, 2026 at 10:57 AM
Mars or bust.
For the 40th anniversary of the Moon landing video, I was fortunate to have Peter Cullen as our narrator. He was kind, generous, and genuinely excited. I am deeply saddened by his passing. My heart goes out to his family and his legions of fans around the world.
youtu.be/GNJpoP642wc?...
youtu.be/GNJpoP642wc?...
The Journeys of Apollo
YouTube video by NASA
youtu.be
August 27, 2026 at 11:55 PM
For the 40th anniversary of the Moon landing video, I was fortunate to have Peter Cullen as our narrator. He was kind, generous, and genuinely excited. I am deeply saddened by his passing. My heart goes out to his family and his legions of fans around the world.
youtu.be/GNJpoP642wc?...
youtu.be/GNJpoP642wc?...
Dear aviation industry and some reporters… stop using “near miss.” A near miss is a collision or a hit! Please use “close call” or “narrow escape.” And while “runway incursion” may be technically correct aviation terminology, it’s industry-speak. When communicating, clarity matters.
June 23, 2026 at 11:18 PM
Dear aviation industry and some reporters… stop using “near miss.” A near miss is a collision or a hit! Please use “close call” or “narrow escape.” And while “runway incursion” may be technically correct aviation terminology, it’s industry-speak. When communicating, clarity matters.
My thoughts are with the @blueorigin team tonight. Grateful there were no injuries. This is exactly why you test on the ground — to find the failures here so they never happen in flight. Spaceflight is built on pushing systems, and if something breaks, learn from it, fix it, and fly again.
BREAKING: Blue Origin's New Glenn blows up at Launch Complex-36 while attempting to static fire.
May 29, 2026 at 3:20 AM
My thoughts are with the @blueorigin team tonight. Grateful there were no injuries. This is exactly why you test on the ground — to find the failures here so they never happen in flight. Spaceflight is built on pushing systems, and if something breaks, learn from it, fix it, and fly again.
Yep, got a Covid booster. Also have been vaccinated for the flu, shingles, pneumonia, and even the measles.
May 26, 2026 at 7:18 PM
Yep, got a Covid booster. Also have been vaccinated for the flu, shingles, pneumonia, and even the measles.
This Memorial Day, we honor the Americans who gave their lives in service to our nation. Their courage and sacrifice helped secure the freedoms that make exploration, discovery, and progress possible. As we push farther into the skies and beyond, we carry forward their legacy of service.
May 25, 2026 at 5:10 PM
This Memorial Day, we honor the Americans who gave their lives in service to our nation. Their courage and sacrifice helped secure the freedoms that make exploration, discovery, and progress possible. As we push farther into the skies and beyond, we carry forward their legacy of service.
I know there’s something special about today, but I can’t quite put my bantha on it… 🤣
May 4, 2026 at 11:16 AM
I know there’s something special about today, but I can’t quite put my bantha on it… 🤣
The National Cathedral in LEGO, including the famous Space Window. Fortunately, the real thing is close by for reference. No touching.🤣
May 1, 2026 at 7:44 PM
The National Cathedral in LEGO, including the famous Space Window. Fortunately, the real thing is close by for reference. No touching.🤣
You made it there, no doubt you’ll make it anywhere 👋 @Astro_Reid @AstroVicGlover @Astro_Christina @Astro_Jeremy
May 1, 2026: NASA's Artemis II crew, including astronauts Koch, Glover, Wiseman, and Hansen, rings the Nasdaq closing bell after their lunar mission.
www.nasa.gov/image-article/nasa-artemis-ii-crew-rings-nasdaq-closing-bell/
www.nasa.gov/image-article/nasa-artemis-ii-crew-rings-nasdaq-closing-bell/
May 1, 2026 at 7:32 PM
You made it there, no doubt you’ll make it anywhere 👋 @Astro_Reid @AstroVicGlover @Astro_Christina @Astro_Jeremy
Another thank you to Dr. Nicky Fox for joining me at the Washington Space Business Roundtable for a terrific conversation about NASA’s Science future direction. The WSBR team works hard, as does its sponsors, for a number of education initiatives.
April 25, 2026 at 12:39 AM
Another thank you to Dr. Nicky Fox for joining me at the Washington Space Business Roundtable for a terrific conversation about NASA’s Science future direction. The WSBR team works hard, as does its sponsors, for a number of education initiatives.
It was a great conversation today with NASA’s Dr. Nicky Fox at the Washington Space Business Roundtable. Moderating a space science discussion is a joy when you’re surrounded by some of the brightest in aerospace.
April 23, 2026 at 3:19 AM
It was a great conversation today with NASA’s Dr. Nicky Fox at the Washington Space Business Roundtable. Moderating a space science discussion is a joy when you’re surrounded by some of the brightest in aerospace.
The crew of Artemis II, NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, are welcomed home at a ceremony held at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston after their historic 10-day mission around the Moon and back.
April 12, 2026 at 2:53 AM
The crew of Artemis II, NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, are welcomed home at a ceremony held at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston after their historic 10-day mission around the Moon and back.
The remnants of battle were easy to find. The kite eating trees feasted on the inexperienced and unlucky.
March 29, 2026 at 3:55 PM
The remnants of battle were easy to find. The kite eating trees feasted on the inexperienced and unlucky.
You can’t live in DC and not go see the cherry blossoms 🌸
March 29, 2026 at 3:45 PM
You can’t live in DC and not go see the cherry blossoms 🌸
My best birthday wishes to the multitalented @WilliamShatner. A friend and true spacefarer. Here’s to another enjoyable trip around the sun, Bill.
March 22, 2026 at 1:15 PM
My best birthday wishes to the multitalented @WilliamShatner. A friend and true spacefarer. Here’s to another enjoyable trip around the sun, Bill.
And don’t miss TIME’s latest cover.
January 30, 2026 at 12:23 PM
And don’t miss TIME’s latest cover.
Which Orion seat would you want for Artemis II? See where the crew will be assigned.
January 30, 2026 at 12:20 PM
Which Orion seat would you want for Artemis II? See where the crew will be assigned.
I went to hear him speak about the importance of science communications a couple of times. Tried to get him to speak with NASA. Couldn't get him interested and never really got a reason. But I applaud his dedication to breaking down science so everyone can be involved.
January 28, 2026 at 8:08 PM
I went to hear him speak about the importance of science communications a couple of times. Tried to get him to speak with NASA. Couldn't get him interested and never really got a reason. But I applaud his dedication to breaking down science so everyone can be involved.
Reposted by Bob Jacobs
#OTD 40 years ago 🌠
STS-51-L launched on January 28, 1986. Today, we commemorate the crew: Christa McAuliffe, Gregory Jarvis, Judith Resnik, Francis ("Dick") Scobee, Ronald McNair, Michael Smith, and Ellison Onizuka.
STS-51-L launched on January 28, 1986. Today, we commemorate the crew: Christa McAuliffe, Gregory Jarvis, Judith Resnik, Francis ("Dick") Scobee, Ronald McNair, Michael Smith, and Ellison Onizuka.
January 28, 2026 at 1:01 PM
#OTD 40 years ago 🌠
STS-51-L launched on January 28, 1986. Today, we commemorate the crew: Christa McAuliffe, Gregory Jarvis, Judith Resnik, Francis ("Dick") Scobee, Ronald McNair, Michael Smith, and Ellison Onizuka.
STS-51-L launched on January 28, 1986. Today, we commemorate the crew: Christa McAuliffe, Gregory Jarvis, Judith Resnik, Francis ("Dick") Scobee, Ronald McNair, Michael Smith, and Ellison Onizuka.
Today, #NASARemembers.
Spaceflight is an inherently dangerous endeavor—one where only mission success is acceptable. Things can and do go wrong. But when it matters most, failure is not an option. But when tragedy does occur, we owe it to those we’ve lost to ensure their sacrifice was not in vain.
Spaceflight is an inherently dangerous endeavor—one where only mission success is acceptable. Things can and do go wrong. But when it matters most, failure is not an option. But when tragedy does occur, we owe it to those we’ve lost to ensure their sacrifice was not in vain.
January 22, 2026 at 7:16 PM
Today, #NASARemembers.
Spaceflight is an inherently dangerous endeavor—one where only mission success is acceptable. Things can and do go wrong. But when it matters most, failure is not an option. But when tragedy does occur, we owe it to those we’ve lost to ensure their sacrifice was not in vain.
Spaceflight is an inherently dangerous endeavor—one where only mission success is acceptable. Things can and do go wrong. But when it matters most, failure is not an option. But when tragedy does occur, we owe it to those we’ve lost to ensure their sacrifice was not in vain.
Whether you love the vehicle or question it, there’s something undeniably stirring about watching a rocket bound for the Moon roll out to the pad. For a moment, the debates over budgets and priorities fall away, replaced by a shared focus on the mission itself: extending humanity’s reach.
January 20, 2026 at 9:47 PM
Whether you love the vehicle or question it, there’s something undeniably stirring about watching a rocket bound for the Moon roll out to the pad. For a moment, the debates over budgets and priorities fall away, replaced by a shared focus on the mission itself: extending humanity’s reach.
Each year I’m included I want to pinch myself and wonder what I would tell that wide-eyed child who was a fan in Nashville growing up. I’m honored.
January 1, 2026 at 12:20 AM
Each year I’m included I want to pinch myself and wonder what I would tell that wide-eyed child who was a fan in Nashville growing up. I’m honored.