Armed Polite Society
Main Forums => The Roundtable => Topic started by: WLJ on January 07, 2021, 09:03:40 PM
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Watch SpaceX launch their first mission of 2021!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=canlzf9dyIw
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Less than 10 minutes to go
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Good launch, nailed the 1st stage landing
Stuff never gets old.
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Looks like there's a SN9 flight planned for the 10th
Meanwhile here's SN9 doing a static engine fire test.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dRlxNRWziM&t=102s
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Live feed of another SN9 engine test
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eTKKtNkBUg
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What are your thoughts on SN9 sticking the landing this time?
SN8 burned "engine rich" due to the CH4 header tank not providing enough pressure during the flip maneuver to maintain proper fuel flow. The supposed interim fix is to introduce a helium charged COPV to increase tank pressure, but the long term fix ideally should be further refinement of the Raptor combustion cycle to drive appropriate exhaust levels from the respective preburners into their source tanks.
I think they're going to end up landing it this time, but I'm not really going to consider it a victory, since the craft needs to be able to perform at least 2 landings (one on Mars outbound, and one back on Earth at the return) before it can receive a helium refill. No helium on Mars to speak of. The goal is to be able to operate it by refueling everything it needs on Mars.
I'm sure they'll get there, I think it's already a far more capable design than the DC-X.
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SpaceX is proof we don’t need NASA.
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... I'm not really going to consider it a victory, since the craft needs to be able to perform at least 2 landings (one on Mars outbound, and one back on Earth at the return) before it can receive a helium refill. No helium on Mars to speak of. The goal is to be able to operate it by refueling everything it needs on Mars.
That's a pretty weird standard. There are a ton of things which this craft is not capable of that would be necessary for a round trip to Mars. SN9 isn't intended to have everything figured out to make a round trip, rather it is a small part of that design process.
The victory in my opinion is not in having a system fully developed but in continuous iterative development and improvement.
If SN9 sticks the landing I'll call it a win for sure.
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That's a pretty weird standard. There are a ton of things which this craft is not capable of that would be necessary for a round trip to Mars. SN9 isn't intended to have everything figured out to make a round trip, rather it is a small part of that design process.
They're introducing a dependency for craft operation that isn't present in its intended operational environment. And a huge part of the design of Starship hinged upon autogeneous pressurization and the fully staged closed combustion cycle.
They've got a significant hiccup in that, that needs resolving, before any missions more demanding than Earth-to-Earth can happen.
The failure in fuel pressurization is rather damaging to their aspirations to sell a Human Landing System for Moon operations to NASA's Artemis program.
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The exact same thing could be said for needing a landing pad or concrete pad to take off from.
Not going to have that on the moon or mars.
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The exact same thing could be said for needing a landing pad or concrete pad to take off from.
Not going to have that on the moon or mars.
Hence no flame diverter for the Earth-side tests. Won't have a luxury of one there so it has to be made to work without.
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SpaceX is proof we don’t need NASA.
We need NASA for the big ticket basic science and exploration stuff. Outfits like SpaceX will concentrate on further commercializing space, something NASA cannot do.
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SN9 could fly this week.
SN10 is waiting in the wings
SN15 is already being assembled
Other bits and pieces of news
Starship SN9 Needs 2nd Static Fire Before Test Flight - Upgraded Starship Leaps Ahead Of Old Designs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sw8OCmyY3E4
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11-14 in processing?
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There is some question as to weather they'll finish building 11-14. Musk said on Twitter that 15 has some design changes brought about by what they learned so far that might make 11-14 not worth finishing.
That's what fast iteration will do.
Here's a diagram with the status of all of them so far. https://twitter.com/brendan2908/status/1347834757359439876?s=20
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There is some question as to weather they'll finish building 11-14. Musk said on Twitter that 15 has some design changes brought about by what they learned so far that might make 11-14 not worth finishing.
That's what fast iteration will do.
Here's a diagram with the status of all of them so far. https://twitter.com/brendan2908/status/1347834757359439876?s=20
Musk knows that failure often teaches you far more than success. Improvements are coming on hard and fast now.
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1960s NASA after a failure: Learn from it, fix it, launch
Modern NASA after a failure: Sits in a corner whimpering over it for the next 5 years. What did we do wrong??
SpaceX after a failure: Learn from it, fix it, launch
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1960s NASA after a failure: Learn from it, fix it, launch
Modern NASA after a failure: Sits in a corner whimpering over it for the next 5 years. What did we do wrong??
SpaceX after a failure: Learn from it, fix it, launch but faster
FIFY
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FIFY
And far cheaper
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Yep
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Watch SpaceX Static Fire Starship SN9! [TIME SUBJECT TO CHANGE]
Everyday Astronaut
716 waiting
Scheduled for 1/12/21, 3:00 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgPLtln_Dmw
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Yesterday's static fire got scrubbed so they're going for one today
Live streaming now
Watch SpaceX Static Fire Starship SN9! [TIME SUBJECT TO CHANGE]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tB9ZJfNZSys
LIVE: Starship SN9 Static Fire Testing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyFNIyB-ezc
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Two static fires today
SN9 may be flying within the next few days
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Signs they may be going for a third today
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Signs they may be going for a third today
Punish that launch pad! 3 second blasts of three raptors is toasty.
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Three in one day
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Two of the Raptors needed to swapped out.
At 8:07 you can see the new launch pad being built
SpaceX Boca Chica - Starship SN9 undergoing Raptor Replacement Tasks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89h2JHmMOIs
0:00 - Date Title
0:47 - SN9 Sunrise
2:43 - Crews Move a Container
3:17 - SN10 in the High Bay
3:51 - Work Continues on the New 3mm Test Tank
4:26 - Work Continues at the Orbital Launch Site
7:21 - Starship SN9 on Suborbital Pad B
8:07 - The Orbital Launch Pad
9:15 - SpaceX Removes Raptor 44
9:50 - Starship Suborbital Launch Pad
10:33 - Raptor SN44 Lowered from Starship Aft Section
12:36 - Two Ring Section Moved
14:07 - Raptor SN44 Brought Back to the Production Site
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Watch NASA fire up SLS for the first time!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKdkRLpAOvo
LIVE: SLS Green Run Hot Fire Test
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1bkX9f52NI
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Early shutdown from a gimballing anomaly.
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Early shutdown from a gimballing anomaly.
Yep, and they said it may take weeks to recycle
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Yep, and they said it may take weeks to recycle
*eyeroll* Meanwhile at SpaceX, next day recycle of an abort with three test bursts.
The NASA drone they had kept repeating data, so much data, gotta dig through the data. I lost IQ points listening to that inane drivel.
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By the time NASA gets back to the moon SpaceX will be on Mars.
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Looking on wikipedia, yeah I know it's wikipedia, and comparing the Raptor to the RS-25 on the SLS
Almost the same max thrust (R 500,000lb vs RS-25 512,300lbs)
Raptor is smaller
Raptor is less than half the weight
Raptor has a far higher thrust to weight ratio (200.1 vs 73.1) Like WOW at the difference
Raptor uses liquid methane vs liquid H (both use liquid O as the oxidizer)
Raptor can be relite in flight multiple times
Only real advantage I see RS-25 has over Raptor is that it's a proven design (having been used on the Shuttle) while Raptor is still technically in development. Which begs the question. Why the heck is it taking so long to get SLS flying???
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpaceX_Raptor
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RS-25
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Looking on wikipedia, yeah I know it's wikipedia, and comparing the Raptor to the RS-25 on the SLS
Almost the same max thrust (R 500,000lb vs RS-25 512,300lbs)
Raptor is smaller
Raptor is less than half the weight
Raptor has a far higher thrust to weight ratio (200.1 vs 73.1) Like WOW at the difference
Raptor uses liquid methane vs liquid H (both use liquid O as the oxidizer)
Raptor can be relite in flight multiple times
Only real advantage I see RS-25 has over Raptor is that it's a proven design (having been used on the Shuttle) while Raptor is still technically in development. Which begs the question. Why the heck is it taking so long to get SLS flying???
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpaceX_Raptor
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RS-25
NASA's mission since the 70's has been to keep Americans out of space and to funnel money to select industry corporations. I wish I was joking. Musk is doing an independent end run around NASA and BoeLockMart.
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By the time NASA gets back to the moon SpaceX will be on Mars running at Warp 5.
FTFY
It is my opinion that NASA will never get back to the moon. Their mission budget will be slashed during the Harris/Biden administration and their focus will likely be redirected back toward muslim outreach and social justice issues.
As for SpaceX and friends, I would be surprised if the regulatory burden isn't magnified beyond financial feasibility and they take their toys to another country.
We just can't afford to be sending all that money up in smoke going into space when there are so many social justice programs here that need the money.
:'(
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FTFY
It is my opinion that NASA will never get back to the moon. Their mission budget will be slashed during the Harris/Biden administration and their focus will likely be redirected back toward muslim outreach and social justice issues.
As for SpaceX and friends, I would be surprised if the regulatory burden isn't magnified beyond financial feasibility and they take their toys to another country.
We just can't afford to be sending all that money up in smoke going into space when there are so many social justice programs here that need the money.
:'(
Pretty much this, though I think the impact on SpaceX will be slower in coming. I believe it will take a few years for Musk to realize that the USA federal government doesn't want him around anymore.
NASA should just start mothballing permanently scrapping their manned programs now. They should just concentrate on their unmanned projects and Muslim outreach.
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Looking on wikipedia, yeah I know it's wikipedia, and comparing the Raptor to the RS-25 on the SLS
Almost the same max thrust (R 500,000lb vs RS-25 512,300lbs)
Raptor is smaller
Raptor is less than half the weight
Raptor has a far higher thrust to weight ratio (200.1 vs 73.1) Like WOW at the difference
Raptor uses liquid methane vs liquid H (both use liquid O as the oxidizer)
Raptor can be relite in flight multiple times
Only real advantage I see RS-25 has over Raptor is that it's a proven design (having been used on the Shuttle) while Raptor is still technically in development. Which begs the question. Why the heck is it taking so long to get SLS flying???
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpaceX_Raptor
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RS-25
If you replaced the 4 RS-25's on the SLS with 7 Raptors in a circle (similar to the New Glenn BE-4 engine config), you could truncate the first stage of SLS by a considerable amount since hydrogen requires so much damn volume compared to methane. This winds up reducing the dry mass of the entire stack and you can possibly even get rid of the solids on the side.
Hydrogen is a *expletive deleted*it propellant to use for sea level booster operations. Great ISP but terrible thrust, and volume to contain the necessary hydrogen results in excessive dry mass. Methane is better but not great, RP-1 generates more thrust than either. Sadly, hypergolics and solid rocket motors generate the best sea level thrust.
SLS with a fat array of Merlin 1-D engines running RP-1 would be even better than a Raptor conversion.
I really don't grok the love for the RS-25 out there. The damn things need complete rebuilding from hydrogen embrittlement after every Shuttle flight. Might as well throw them away. And the low thrust of them mandates the need for AsplodeyBois on the side, which killed 7 people on Challenger. SLS still hasn't learned from those lessons, other than putting the capsule on top.
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Watch SpaceX Static Fire Starship SN9! [TIME SUBJECT TO CHANGE]
•Scheduled for Jan 19, 2021 (4:00 I think)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqkE8Q5e2d8
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Waiting on a static fire test and some guy towing a boat just drove pass SN9 while it was being fueled. Police having a talk with the driver.
LIVE: Starship SN9 Static Fire Attempt
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHIcC4TI8A8
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Everyone was expecting an abort but it's not like they can defuel that thing in a few seconds
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Maybe they did abort, appear to be recycling.
Some are saying they may have missed the guy when they cleared the beach area.
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Well if he had a trump flag on the boat they probably should close down the whole state just to be sure.
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Statics fires got canned yesterday for whatever reason that only SpaceX knows so they're going to try today.
If you happen to click on the link right now you can't see anything and I mean nothing thanks to a Pea Soup fog. Solid zero visibility
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bIfzJqAtjE
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Oh wait, I can see......something.
And it's gone.
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Short static fire. Sounded weird but that could be due to the fog
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Short static fire. Sounded weird but that could be due to the fog
Flaming fart in a fogbank. =D
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Boeing software issues
Shades of 737Max
Maybe
SLS Green Run Update! Why the latest news could be VERY bad for NASA and Artemis. EXTREME RANT!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjVt8l3h4bY
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More static fire testing
Live feed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgwQSslNzRg
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More static fire testing
Live feed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgwQSslNzRg
It appears to have been successful this time. Good job, SpaceX!
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T-00:40:00 at time of posting
Lots and lots of Starlinks
LIVE: SpaceX launches a record 143 satellites on Transporter-1 mission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXcnyGHL8Vg
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Good launch
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Seeing them trying to find the craft in the clouds and the sound is still deafening.
I need to go see a launch one of these days.
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Looks like they may try flying SN9 Monday if this any guide.
Live feed starts at 8am
LIVE: Starship SN9 Test Flight
Scheduled for Jan 25, 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPRfJxz-ECE
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Looks like they may try flying SN9 Monday if this any guide.
Live feed starts at 8am
LIVE: Starship SN9 Test Flight
Scheduled for Jan 25, 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPRfJxz-ECE
w00+!1
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Wind not playing nice today. They still have a few hours so hopefully the wind will die down..
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I'm eagerly awaiting the introduction of the hot gas attitude thrusters. They should make that skydiver last minute correction a lot less dramatic and worrisome.
They're also a critical element of the Starship-based Human Landing System proposal that SpaceX has pitched to NASA for Artemis.
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Mother Nature said no launch for you today!
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Mother Nature said no launch for you today!
Pansies. I can fly in that weather.
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Yeah but you have the inflatable autopilot to help you.
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Humans are expendable
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Humans are expendable
Not the humans smart enough to be astronauts. Those are a little more dear to come by.
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Not the humans smart enough to be astronauts. Those are a little more dear to come by.
Not the ones Fly320 is hauling around in that cattle truck with wings >:D
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Here we go again.
Looks like they're going for a flight today
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5kVZlnHZ3o
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They're saying the winds may have scrubbed the flight attempt on the 25th not entirely because of they're effects on SN9 itself but also because the winds exceeded the safety limits for the worker lifts. They noted the forward fins were still tied down and they would have had to get a guy ~100ft+ up in a bucket to remove the cable.
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Many may not realize this is only the upper stage of the system
(https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nextbigfuture.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F11%2FScreen-Shot-2020-11-07-at-10.48.14-AM-730x430.png&f=1&nofb=1)
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Good sign they're going for a launch today is that the fins are free and being tested
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According to the FAA no launch until tomorrow.
(https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Ftse1.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DOIP._eqXmIlRGn0_vsmHMdGILwHaDn%26pid%3DApi&f=1)
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SpaceX is reportedly working with the FAA to get clearance for today.
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According to the chat FAA is saying not today and now the tank farm is venting which usually indicates fueling so stay tuned. Some are speculating Musk is flipping off the FAA. I find that unlikely but it's Musk.
Yep, fueling
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He's firing one up and saying fire the rocket up too.
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Final stages of fueling
Some are saying FAA has given the go ahead
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They still don't have the waiver from the feds.
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Fueled
Engine chill stage
Light this candle!
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They appear to have started engine chill, so they are theoretically ready to go in 15 min (ish). They may have approval. Supposedly they've been working the phones.
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Musk: FAA? Never heard of her.
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People are saying in the chat Spacex is saying they have approval
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Could be Spacex is going for a static test if they didn't actually get approval
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Still no FAA waiver according to the talking heads.
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Darn it. depressurization
Could recycle or could just been a test .
FAA approval were just rumors.
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They were going for a launch but didn't get approval :mad:
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See what happens tomorrow.
Honestly, I think Musk was playing chicken with the FAA
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According to the FAA no launch until tomorrow.
(https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Ftse1.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DOIP._eqXmIlRGn0_vsmHMdGILwHaDn%26pid%3DApi&f=1)
Totally not related to the wallstreet shenanigans and Musk's offer to slap the GS logo on his next rocket if GME hits $1000/share.
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Why does any space launch require FAA approval? I don't need "approval" to go fly, I just have to fit into the system.
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Why does any space launch require FAA approval? I don't need "approval" to go fly, I just have to fit into the system.
Because shut up peasant.
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Because shut up peasant.
Roger that.
<rant on>
It used to be that the FAA worked for pilots. We told them what we intended to do and they made it happen. We also used to fly around without radar or flight following or talking to anyone. Now, every student pilot I hear on the radio is using flight following and asking permission to fly their plane. Damn students use flight following even on a beautiful VMC day in Florida. The idea of self-sufficiency is dying.
<off>
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They need permission in the form of a waiver. The waiver allows the rocket folks to fly their rockets. The FAA will issue NOTAMs and such to warn pilots such as yourself not to fly in the area of rocket launches. A rocket can break your airplane if it bumps into it.
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A rocket can break your airplane if it bumps into it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pn0WdJx-Wkw
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Roger that.
<rant on>
It used to be that the FAA worked for pilots. We told them what we intended to do and they made it happen. We also used to fly around without radar or flight following or talking to anyone. Now, every student pilot I hear on the radio is using flight following and asking permission to fly their plane. Damn students use flight following even on a beautiful VMC day in Florida. The idea of self-sufficiency is dying.
<off>
Yup. FAA and FCC were created out of the need for deconfliction of shared air and EM spectrum. And like everything corrupted by those who seek power it has been turned into an instrument of control.
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They need permission in the form of a waiver. The waiver allows the rocket folks to fly their rockets. The FAA will issue NOTAMs and such to warn pilots such as yourself not to fly in the area of rocket launches. A rocket can break your airplane if it bumps into it.
You're right, of course. It just sounds like the FAA is refusing to do its job and clear the airspace for the launch. That airspace isn't very crowded these days.
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You're right, of course. It just sounds like the FAA is refusing to do its job and clear the airspace for the launch. That airspace isn't very crowded these days.
Sounds like they (SpaceX) just need to issue a, NOTAM?, notice to airmen or some such, "hey, we will try to fly a rocket here during this time frame, please go around" and do their thing. FAA control freaks can pound sand down a rat hole.
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The FAA doesn't ask me before the A-10's come in at tree top level. Why should I need to ask them before I launch a rocket?
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The FAA doesn't ask me before the A-10's come in at tree top level. Why should I need to ask them before I launch a rocket?
Just don't launch one at the A-10s, they can have a bad temper.
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I think the FAA statement is that they have a "safety concern" with the vehicle. Considering the 50/50 chance it will explode on a good day, I'm not sure what that means.
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Lot of tin foil hat talk on the internet over this. Some of it includes talk of Biden, Jeff Bezos, & the Chinese.
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Are they all getting stoned?
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Are they all getting stoned?
I think the internet is stoned at times
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Lot of tin foil hat talk on the internet over this. Some of it includes talk of Biden, Jeff Bezos, & the Chinese.
Nothing the democrats pulled would surprise me. Including throwing up insurmountable regulatory roadblocks to kill SpaceX.
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SpaceX now being investigated for "hiring bias" because they hire U.S. citizens and not foreigners.
ETA: exculpatory evidence being omitted by the national propaganda that I've seen: foreign nationals can't hold security clearances and space rockets are a dual use technology with all sorts of security clearance requirements; if you can build a satellite booster, you can build an ICBM.
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SpaceX starts launching from ships in 5.......4.......3........
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SpaceX starts launching from ships in 5.......4.......3........
Still get FAA oversight because they are a US company.
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Still get FAA oversight because they are a US company.
Oil rig, international waters, FAA has no jurisdiction.
Oh look, Elon just bought two decommissioned oil rigs. Well fancy that. =D
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Oil rig, international waters, FAA has no jurisdiction.
Oh look, Elon just bought two decommissioned oil rigs. Well fancy that. =D
Starting to sound like a James Bond movie.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpQwQx4Q_Dc
Looks like they are still waiting for FAA approval.
Is there a live feed that doesn't have people constantly talking? I just want to keep a feed open and hear it if it launches, maybe here the countdown talk.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpQwQx4Q_Dc
Looks like they are still waiting for FAA approval.
Is there a live feed that doesn't have people constantly talking? I just want to keep a feed open and hear it if it launches, maybe here the countdown talk.
Nerdle cam is normally pretty commentary free.
https://youtu.be/Ky5l9ZxsG9M
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SpaceX starts launching from ships in 5.......4.......3........
Say hello to Deimos and Phobos
SpaceX bought two former Valaris oil rigs to build floating launchpads for its Starship rocket
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/19/spacex-bought-former-valaris-oil-rigs-to-build-starship-launchpads.html
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The uncertainty with the FAA clearance makes the tinfoily hat part of me wonder if the Obiden administration has a hand in this. Can't have private enterprise upstaging the government (read NASA). Everyone knows the government does everything better than private enterprise.
Nevermind that the Obiden administration is likely to gut the major NASA manned flight programs in the near future.
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"Spacex will not be attempting a flight today likely due to lack of FAA approval"
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In other news SN10 has been moved out of the High Bay.
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"Spacex will not be attempting a flight today likely due to lack of FAA approval"
Yup. I don't recall the FAA ever jerking SpaceX around so much before.
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A little tin foil hat voice in me is saying expect an announcement from Biden about NASA taking over SpaceX and maybe even NASA "joining" forces with the Chinese space program as well
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In other news SN10 has been moved out of the High Bay.
It looks like they hired Schmuckatelli Bros. HVAC to do the sheet metal work on SN10's fins.
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Some speculation SpaceX is merely moving along faster than a Govt agency like the FAA can react to. In other words the FAA is the Buick doing 20 in the fast lane.
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Edit
Never mind, got two forums confused in the tabs
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I remember over 10 years ago when Boeing and some Ukrainian consortium was using a converted oil rig (the Odyssey) for satellite launches. It had work done on it in Puget Sound and Vancouver BC, and I think I actually saw it in Puget Sound once.
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Some speculation SpaceX is merely moving along faster than a Govt agency like the FAA can react to. In other words the FAA is the Buick doing 20 in the fast lane.
Can't be letting the common folk be upstaging the great and powerful NASA.
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They're rolling SN10 out to the launch area.
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They're rolling SN10 out to the launch area.
Having two ready to launch at the same time is cool, but it kind of makes it hard to apply lessons learned from one test to the other.
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Yup. I don't recall the FAA ever jerking SpaceX around so much before.
Trump was President.
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Can't be letting the common folk be upstaging the great and powerful NASA.
More like NASA's purpose since 1970 has been to keep Americans out of space.
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Having two ready to launch at the same time is cool, but it kind of makes it hard to apply lessons learned from one test to the other.
A lot of what they're testing is software related. Specifically, parameters for throttle percentage, thrust vector control angles, and aero-flap angle of attack.
That's easily tweaked from SN9 to SN10, with only a few days of configuration and validation through computer modeling.
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(https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nAmLK4RoGtzPT2ssaWM6b8.jpg)
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NASA delays moon lander awards as Biden team mulls moonshot program. (https://www.theverge.com/2021/1/31/22258815/nasa-moon-lander-awards-biden-spacex-blue-origin-moonshot) Story is from "The Verge".
I think we can safely predict where this is going.
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Nothing about a launch today
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Interesting website
https://www.starshipstalker.com/
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Road closures for today cancelled so no flight today.
Road closures scheduled for Feb 2 & 3rd
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NASA delays moon lander awards as Biden team mulls moonshot program. (https://www.theverge.com/2021/1/31/22258815/nasa-moon-lander-awards-biden-spacex-blue-origin-moonshot) Story is from "The Verge".
I think we can safely predict where this is going.
Yup. Need the money for free stuff and diversity training. If the money stays at NASA, it'll be diverted to "climate change". I notice the article continually alluded to 2024 just being one of those made up Trump deadlines impossible to meet - sorta like a certain vaccine.
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If we don't go back, rest assured other countries will.
Leftists are hoping for some Expanse UN style one world government to come about and push this. It's like they think only white men can be nationalistic.
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If we don't go back, rest assured other countries will.
Leftists are hoping for some Expanse UN style one world government to come about and push this. It's like they think only white men can be nationalistic.
Eventually someone will go somewhere in space and actually achieve a profitable mission. At that point, everyone will be trying to get out there. Maybe corporations like SpaceX will do it first without a lot of govt oversight.
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If we don't go back, rest assured other countries will.
Leftists are hoping for some Expanse UN style one world government to come about and push this. It's like they think only white men can be nationalistic.
Something about "he that holds the high ground " comes to mind.
Being at the top of a pretty deep gravity well can be advantageous.
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Mary
@BocaChicaGal
·
1h
I have received an ‘Alert’ notice and there’s a road closure scheduled from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. but no planned evacuation of Boca Chica Village. No SN9 flight tomorrow. #WenHop continues 🔥🚀🔥
@NASASpaceflight
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/EtCXNmqXcAIwmH1.jpg)
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Here we go again
Light this candle!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfHqbahPKpY
SN15 is being stacked in the High Bay as we speak
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News ticker says FAA approval given.
https://www.starshipstalker.com/
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Tank farm activity
Usually means 30 - 60 minutes to launch
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NASA planes airborne
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Some sort of hold now
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Possible range violation :facepalm:
Edit: Some guy in a pickup on the range.
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Possible range violation :facepalm:
Edit: Some guy in a pickup on the range.
We all got to watch him make the "Drive of Shame" off the range.
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The LabPadre video stream is the clearest that I have found so far. Looks really good, lots of detail in the closeup video of the Starship.
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https://www.starshipstalker.com/
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SN10 gets to be the world's most expensive witness plate.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ky5l9ZxsG9M
Launching now.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fb8hB9OIwLY
Better angle.
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Engine chill now.
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Nice view of the crash. It never even fully righted. SN8 performed better. Wonder what went wrong.
Brad
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Oops... They broke their rocket.
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Looks like the 2nd Raptor failed to light
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One engine did not reignite.
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SN10 you're up
SN10: Wut?
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Something flew off during the flip
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Seems like the landing sequence has no room for error at all. At least it didn't hit the other one.
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Looks like it came from the area of the raptors during the relite
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Seems like the landing sequence has no room for error at all.
It should eventually have more room for error than the Falcon 9 landing sequence. The engines on Starship can throttle to the point of allowing hovering. Falcon 9 can't throttle down that low and so it suicide burns every time.
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SN10 you're up
SN10: Wut?
SN9 tried to take a knee after seeing what happened to SN8 but was sent up anyways and went splat. SN10 must be sweating bullets. =D
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SN9 came out leaning and landed leaning
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I think they need to start the maneuver to vertical earlier in their landing regime. It'll cost a couple more seconds in fuel though, which is supposedly about 600 kilograms per second if the engine is at 100% throttle.
That and they really need those hot gas thrusters. Control of orientation is just insufficient with cold gas and TVC only.
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I think they need to start the maneuver to vertical earlier in their landing regime. It'll cost a couple more seconds in fuel though, which is supposedly about 600 kilograms per second if the engine is at 100% throttle.
That and they really need those hot gas thrusters. Control of orientation is just insufficient with cold gas and TVC only.
Frame it with the requirement for two engine half throttle landing. Should allow time and altitude for a single engine full throttle burn to safe landing if one engine fails.
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Frame it with the requirement for two engine half throttle landing. Should allow time and altitude for a single engine full throttle burn to safe landing if one engine fails.
And/or relight the third
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And/or relight the third
Yup, toss that in the program script, but design the maneuver overall to be achievable on a single engine and after losing the time of running through the other two engines failing.
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Wonder if they could use a drogue chute to slow it somewhat and give it more time to deal with issues?
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Wonder if they could use a drogue chute to slow it somewhat and give it more time to deal with issues?
Probably not.
1. It would be a big-*expletive deleted*ss parachute. Here's some people for scale. https://twitter.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1291835348209803264?lang=en
2. It would be an unpredictable dynamic load while it's trying to manuver and balance on it's engines for landing.
Imagine being a tightrope performer who has to hang onto a parachute with one hand, and still maintain their balance.
As to the crash? Not too sad. IIRC, SpaceX crashed roughly 10 Falcon 9's before they started sticking landings consistently.
The only downside was that getting the Falcon 9 to land was "gravy" on an already paying mission that was profitable without recovery and treating it like an expendable rocket.
Probably stings a little more when Starship is meant to be reusable from the get-go. I'd imagine Musk and Co. were only 50/50 on getting a landing out of this test. IIRC, he was like 30/70 for SN8.
And yeah, SN 10 watching... sitting there like...
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Wonder if they could use a drogue chute to slow it somewhat and give it more time to deal with issues?
My understanding is they are avoiding chutes so that the same basic maneuver will work on Mars and the moon. With the obvious throttle adjustments.
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My understanding is they are avoiding chutes so that the same basic maneuver will work on Mars and the moon. With the obvious throttle adjustments.
IIRC most if not all of the Mars landers have used chutes of some sort for slowing. Maybe they could reserve it for landing in 1g for safety sakes
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I'm not Birdman... but my gut reaction is that the chute would cause more problems than it solves.
And with Starship being roughly the size of the Statue of Liberty.... it's one hell of a parachute.
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I'm not Birdman... but my gut reaction is that the chute would cause more problems than it solves.
And with Starship being roughly the size of the Statue of Liberty.... it's one hell of a parachute.
why I said drogue chute, just for slowing it down a bit and give it more time to sort things out.
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Drogue chutes are also used for control
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Any sort of parachute is impractical for this application.
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I'm just saying to help slow it down a bit to gain a couple of seconds or so of time to sort things out and not to land the thing with. Drogue parachutes are a bit different from normal parachutes
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Ah. I see what you're saying about a drogue.
The main issue is when you want to deploy it. During the horizontal belly-flop stage? Or right before the pivot and suicide burn? And then cut it loose? Or hang onto it?
I think terminal velocity for Starship as it falls during the belly flop maneuver is about 150mph or so? No idea if that's just for the 10km high test flights, or if that's what it's always expected to be. You'd have to factor in the complexity of the chute with it's "dead weight" that contributes nothing to the launch to see if it's worth it. I'd imagine that SpaceX engineers have considered every angle to chutes for recovery/landing, and found them wanting.
Fly320's correct me if I'm wrong, but don't commercial airliners come in at about 150-160mph give or take altitude of the airport, weather, and the size/make of the airliner? Granted it's an angled grazing approach, not straight down... but I don't know if Starship falling at terminal velocity is going to benefit from a chute of any size small or large.
I think they actually have enough "control" over Starship per-se. It's just that the Raptor engines have had unexpected failures so the Starship couldn't actually maneuver the way it's software was telling it to.
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I'm just saying to help slow it down a bit to gain a couple of seconds or so of time to sort things out and not to land the thing with. Drogue parachutes are a bit different from normal parachutes
No. For many reasons no.
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No. For many reasons no.
Why?
All they really do is add a bit of drag and act as an air brake. Please make me aware of what I'm over looking here.
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Ah. I see what you're saying about a drogue.
The main issue is when you want to deploy it. During the horizontal belly-flop stage? Or right before the pivot and suicide burn? And then cut it loose? Or hang onto it?
I think terminal velocity for Starship as it falls during the belly flop maneuver is about 150mph or so? No idea if that's just for the 10km high test flights, or if that's what it's always expected to be. You'd have to factor in the complexity of the chute with it's "dead weight" that contributes nothing to the launch to see if it's worth it. I'd imagine that SpaceX engineers have considered every angle to chutes for recovery/landing, and found them wanting.
Fly320's correct me if I'm wrong, but don't commercial airliners come in at about 150-160mph give or take altitude of the airport, weather, and the size/make of the airliner? Granted it's an angled grazing approach, not straight down... but I don't know if Starship falling at terminal velocity is going to benefit from a chute of any size small or large.
I think they actually have enough "control" over Starship per-se. It's just that the Raptor engines have had unexpected failures so the Starship couldn't actually maneuver the way it's software was telling it to.
How fast was Apollo moving when they deployed their drogue chute? Note, drogue not the main chutes.
I'm just wondering if it only gain them a couple of seconds to sort out the engine situation that could be the different between life and death for a lot of people.
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Why?
All they really do is add a bit of drag and act as an air brake. Please make me aware of what I'm over looking here.
*sigh*
It is produces a constantly shifting force vector as it buffets in the turbulent air.
It is largely static in force produced and not variable like the fins.
It will be redundant as the body and fins are already sufficient aerobraking surfaces.
It will act as a large sail for wind causing the craft to roll and translate unpredictably.
It will consume a significant mass fraction in order to be large enough for a vessel of this size.
It will require its own complex deployment system with pyros and mortars to deploy it eating up more mass.
It will be dead weight during most of the mission not providing any ancillary ability (heat radiators in the fins).
...
And that's just what my kerbal flinging amateur rocketry nerd self can come up with. Imagine SpaceX's list of why they chose no chutes.
So, NO PARACHUTES, capiche?
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So, NO PARACHUTES, capiche?
So drogue parachutes are okay then? :P
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So drogue parachutes are okay then? :P
Only for your personal skydiving needs.
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Only for your personal skydiving needs.
Just playing on the fact you left out the word drogue :laugh:
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I'm just saying to help slow it down a bit to gain a couple of seconds or so of time to sort things out and not to land the thing with. Drogue parachutes are a bit different from normal parachutes
A drogue chute would have zero effect on this thing. It's about 125 metric tons. You could use one of those M1 Abrams parachutes that kicks a heavy vehicle out of a C130 on a runway, it wouldn't be worth having. In fact, a chute on the nose, even if it could hold up to the stresses and contribute in a meaningful way, would probably exacerbate the problem here.
The problem is partially the speed, but it's more around the over-correction of orientation due to Thrust Vector Control controlling the maneuver rather than Reaction Control System doing it.
The current RCS on these things is pitiful. It's cold nitrogen compressed gas. It's not nearly enough to spin a steel building 90 degrees in a handful of seconds, and then stop that spin once perfectly vertical.
So what they're doing instead is using the Raptors. When you light those things while it's horizontal, you get a bunch of horizontal velocity while you try and rotate its attitude. That has to be negated. What we see is the rocket rotate about 120 degrees, the TVC overcompensates in the opposite direction and cancels the horizontal velocity, then tries to come back to vertical again.
The center of rotation is closer to the nose fins while it does this. You have to compensate for the angular momentum of nearly the whole ship, plus gravity, all at once.
SpaceX has a goal of putting hot-gas thrusters on this thing. Tiny little methane/oxygen rocket engines similar to Raptor but much lower thrust. Still way higher thrust than cold nitrogen though. Using those will allow the center of rotation to move lower on the vehicle, rely on TVC of the main Raptors less, and reduce complication of the landing burn calculations. And it would also hopefully avoid the over-correction issue entirely. You can't avoid it if you're using your main propulsion engines to rotate the whole craft 90 degrees.
One other problem they're having is maintaining proper fuel pressure. During ascent this thing sucks fuel from the main tanks, right above the engines. But at the landing maneuver, fuel feed is shifted to alternate smaller tanks. One is in the nosecone and the other is nested inside the main tank (can't remember which is O2 or CH4 and it really isn't relevant to the problem). There is less slosh during the horizontal-to-vertical maneuver if a tank is full, and these landing tanks are tiny compared to the launch tanks. The Raptor engine is supposed to be able to autogenously pressurize these fuel tanks with a little bit of exhaust, to keep the fuel supply steady. That's not working quite as expected, so they are augmenting that with COPV canisters filled with nitrogen or helium or something, to boost gas pressure in the landing tanks.
Parachutes are just not the answer to this problem. A parachute of the scale to have any impact on this vehicle would weigh more than several seconds of fuel to burn to impart more authority to the landing maneuver.
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How about pop-out and retractable panels of the actual rocket skin? Rapid deployment, stable aero characteristics, not much extra mass for the trip (just the additional deployment and retraction mechanics) since the skin is part of the ship's normal carry load. Just a little extra drag on the trip down. Only major problem I foresee is hinging the panel since they're part of the curved surfaces of the skin.
Merely suggestive of what I'm getting at:
(https://i.stack.imgur.com/bm29T.jpg)
Don't take that literally, it's just food for thought. We could call them drag panels (not drogue panels.)
Should I send this idea to SpaceX?
Is it patentable?
Terry, 230RN
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Looks like Musk may have more to worry about now
DOJ Targets Elon Musk’s SpaceX For Allegedly Preferring To Hire U.S. Citizens
https://www.dailywire.com/news/doj-targets-elon-musks-spacex-for-allegedly-preferring-to-hire-u-s-citizens?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=mjk
And the drogue chute idea was just that an idea
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Looks like Musk may have more to worry about now
DOJ Targets Elon Musk’s SpaceX For Allegedly Preferring To Hire U.S. Citizens
https://www.dailywire.com/news/doj-targets-elon-musks-spacex-for-allegedly-preferring-to-hire-u-s-citizens?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=mjk
And the drogue chute idea was just that an idea
They probably just don't want to *expletive deleted*ck with any HR schisms regarding ITAR.
And, foreign nationals are more likely to be a security risk. SpaceX doesn't do patents. They rely entirely on internal security for their IP protection.
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Looks like Musk may have more to worry about now
DOJ Targets Elon Musk’s SpaceX For Allegedly Preferring To Hire U.S. Citizens
https://www.dailywire.com/news/doj-targets-elon-musks-spacex-for-allegedly-preferring-to-hire-u-s-citizens?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=mjk
And the drogue chute idea was just that an idea
And so it begins
Guess who also prefers to hire US citizens? The entire *expletive deleted*ing US government. In fact if you don’t already work for the government it’s damn near impossible to get on with them. If you go on USAjobs.gov you will see most of the positions require previous federal service, US citizenship, and have other preferential qualifications.
But god forbid SpaceX implement a tenth of that. No no, bad company!
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I just drank a toast to SN9, may her sacrifice be not in vain.
Be brave SN10, be brave
Okay, maybe I drank too much of a toast :laugh:
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This view just gives me the willies about the whole "belly flop" idea. Hopefully they can get this worked out
https://youtu.be/CTwBllaqcME?t=777
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Yep, something flew out of the hind end of the rocket during the engine ignition sequence. Wonder what it was?
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Yep, something flew out of the hind end of the rocket during the engine ignition sequence. Wonder what it was?
Something important I'd wager. :laugh:
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More on that FAA business
Apparently for SN8's flight back in Dec Musk flipped off the FAA and the FAA didn't take kindly to it.
Before the December test flight, SpaceX had sought a waiver from the Federal Aviation Administration that would have allowed it “to exceed the maximum public risk allowed by federal safety regulations,” the agency said in a statement Tuesday.
But after that waiver was denied, SpaceX proceeded with the flight, violating its launch license in what aerospace and industry officials said was a potentially reckless move that could have posed serious risk to the public’s safety.
As a result of the violation, the FAA directed Elon Musk’s company to investigate the incident and suspend operations that could affect public safety at its launch site in South Texas.
Ultimately, the investigation ended, the FAA approved the company’s remedies and granted it approval to attempt Tuesday’s test.
SpaceX crashes another Starship in test that was delayed over FAA concerns company violated its test license in December
https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/02/02/spacex-test-sn9-faa-license/
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Good views and analysis of what happened from Scott Manley
SpaceX Starship Number 9 Makes Perfect* Flight (*except for the landing which was a huge fireball)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwZl6YV3xYA
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This view just gives me the willies about the whole "belly flop" idea. Hopefully they can get this worked out
https://youtu.be/CTwBllaqcME?t=777
That angle caught my attention also. Just illustrates how low they allow it to go before going vertical and igniting the engines for landing. Also illustrates just how big that thing is.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6oPXnOEEog
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(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EtZJZXdVgAEclyk?format=jpg&name=large)
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https://twitter.com/Gideon21593/status/1357248975145943043/photo/1
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Tweets discussion the three engine idea
https://twitter.com/brendan2908/status/1357447931117248512
https://twitter.com/fael097/status/1357414722497355789?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Eembeddedtimeline%7Ctwterm%5Eprofile%3Afael097%7Ctwcon%5Etimelinechrome&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.starshipstalker.com%2F
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Wondering if they didn't do the three engine config first go around because of supply limits from the current header tanks.
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Wondering if they didn't do the three engine config first go around because of supply limits from the current header tanks.
I think it's just too much blind faith in the Raptor ignition system, and a belief that 3 engines will overpower what they're trying to do.
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I think it's just too much blind faith in the Raptor ignition system, and a belief that 3 engines will overpower what they're trying to do.
Blind faith? The engine is still in unmanned experimental R&D. Blind faith is was Boeing was doing with 737 that cost actual lives.
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Things you find on the internet
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EtQA0_5XAGMpsAx.jpg)
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(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EtIkWQrXEAAu8te.jpg)
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Things you find on the internet
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EtQA0_5XAGMpsAx.jpg)
Experimental rockets have exceptionally short life expectancies. =D
-
Worth remembering that this video is only three years old:
https://youtu.be/bvim4rsNHkQ
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Worth remembering that this video is only three years old:
https://youtu.be/bvim4rsNHkQ
Yep
I need to remember to look up how many rockets NASA has had go boom just on the way up.
SN10 is getting it's Raptors installed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z72Au8Px7mM
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Worth remembering that this video is only three years old:
https://youtu.be/bvim4rsNHkQ
Sticky throttle valve has a wonderfully comedic delay as it tips over and boom.
-
SpaceX Boca Chica: Raptor SN50 Delivered to the Launch Site - SN11 Rolled into the High Bay
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-o01rsgQAw
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Yep
I need to remember to look up how many rockets NASA has had go boom just on the way up.
SN10 is getting it's Raptors installed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z72Au8Px7mM
Talley up how many astronauts they've killed as well. Particularly note the ones they sacrificed on the alter political correctness.
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Talley up how many astronauts they've killed as well. Particularly note the ones they sacrificed on the alter political correctness.
Exactly three with experimental stuff spacecraft and/or rockets. The capsule for Apollo 1 was still in R&D.
Thirteen (?) with a flawed production design.
Untold number in accidents ground side.
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LOL
Starship SN11 is making a run for it into the high bay. FireRocketFire
@NASASpaceflight
https://twitter.com/BocaChicaGal/status/1357735715505897474
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LOL
https://twitter.com/BocaChicaGal/status/1357735715505897474
Highbay ain't gonna save SN Eleven. Nine already tried tried that, even tried grabbing the wall.
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(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EtsieyhXIAAMn1y?format=jpg&name=large)
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SPadre
@SpacePadreIsle
·
40m
Road closure today likely for cryo on Starship SN10, with additional closures Wed-Fri for static fire. Weather deteriorates by Thursday with a cold front. Launch date unknown, determined after successful static fire.
-
LIVE: Starship SN10 Cryogenic Proof Test
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01j90yvN_tA
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Hmmmm
Friday maybe?
Altitude: From the surface up to Unlimited
Effective Date(s):
From February 12, 2021 at 1400 UTC
To February 13, 2021 at 0030 UTC
https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_1_2084.html
(https://tfr.faa.gov/save_maps/small_1_2084.gif)
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SpaceX gets picked to launch the first two elements of the Lunar Gateway
NASA has selected Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) of Hawthorne, California, to provide launch services for the agency’s Power and Propulsion Element (PPE) and Habitation and Logistics Outpost (HALO), the foundational elements of the Gateway. As the first long-term orbiting outpost around the Moon, the Gateway is critical to supporting sustainable astronauts missions under the agency’s Artemis program.
After integration on Earth, the PPE and HALO are targeted to launch together no earlier than May 2024 on a Falcon Heavy rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The total cost to NASA is approximately $331.8 million, including the launch service and other mission-related costs.
NASA Awards Contract to Launch Initial Elements for Lunar Outpost
https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-awards-contract-to-launch-initial-elements-for-lunar-outpost
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I figured Biden would have canceled that by now.
-
I figured Biden would have canceled that by now.
He hasn't finished shredding the Constitution by way of executive order yet. He'll get around to returning NASA to it's proper role of perpetuating climate and social justice next.
-
I figured Biden would have canceled that by now.
Be patient. His team has already signaled that they intend to shut down the Artemis program.
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Mary
@BocaChicaGal
·
1h
An ‘Alert’ notice has been delivered and a road closure has been scheduled for tomorrow Thursday February 11 from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Starship SN10 testing resumes with potentially a static fire test of its three Raptor engines. 🔥🔥🔥
@NASASpaceflight
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Everyday Astronaut
@Erdayastronaut
·
Feb 9
Fun fact about #Starship. By doing the flip around 500m vs higher up like 2,000m, the difference in delta V is ~ 500 m/s! That's a 20 tonne fuel saving, which means basically 20 tonnes MORE you can put into orbit. That's more than a F9 has ever launched, just by flipping later!
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Physic be like that. =D
-
Fun fact about #Starship. By doing the flip around 500m vs higher up like 2,000m, the difference in delta V is ~ 500 m/s! That's a 20 tonne fuel saving, which means basically 20 tonnes MORE you can put into orbit. That's more than a F9 has ever launched, just by flipping later!
Except it's crashed every time thus far.
A single Raptor puts out 2200kN of thrust at full throttle. That's enough thrust to provide a greater than 2:1 thrust to weight ratio of a dry Starship at 100 tons. Granted, a dry Starship has no fuel to put through said Raptor, and the engine reportedly burns about 600kg of propellant/oxidizer per second. The current maneuver at 500 meters needs 20 to 24 tons of fuel/ox to accomplish its goal when landing on 2 engines and performing the entire maneuver in a 20 second window.
Every ten seconds added to the burn is an additional 12 tons of fuel for 2 engines, or 6 tons for a single engine.
Starship's terminal velocity in belly flop orientation is about 100 meters/sec. Starting the burn on a single engine at 2000 meters and initiating the orientation change more slowly on a single engine will cost 15-20 seconds of additional burn time. As the engine gimbals to face downwards, it slows descent of the craft so that it is in air that much longer and needs that much more fuel to avoid falling out of the sky.
That single Raptor, working with 40 tons of fuel and a 100 ton Starship, has a TWR of 1.57. It's going to cancel out 5.7 meters/sec of downward velocity, and that number is going to climb every second since the ship gets lighter from burnt fuel. It'll take 17 seconds to cancel out vertical velocity this way, or about 10.2 tons of fuel. That 17 seconds offers lots of opportunity to assess engine health, and possibly spool the remaining engine(s) for an alternate landing solution.
Two Raptors have a TWR of 3.54 (100 ton craft and 24 tons fuel). Every second that two Raptors fire, they cancel out 25.4 meters/sec of downward velocity, and that number climbs every second as the ship gets lighter. Obviously takes a lot less time to hit 0 m/s from 100 m/s this way (4 seconds, or about 5 tons of fuel). But there's no margin for error.
Right now their whole landing maneuver is a sub-20 second burn, with flip. Musk's big talking point on this was redundancy when it comes to human rating this thing. When you need two engines for the TWR of the finished craft loaded with cargo, and you don't have time in your flight profile to spool the 3rd engine at some point in the landing approach, then you don't have redundancy.
I think paying the 10-20 tons of additional fuel penalty for the additional landing contingencies that a higher flip provides is worth it.
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Chris Edwards
@its_a_me_chris
·
16h
Replying to
@Erdayastronaut
Another fun fact is that you can get even more into orbit by just crashing it
Tip
:rofl:
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Except it's crashed every time thus far.
...
And so what? It is an experimental testbed that hasn't event reached full prototype. Exploding is expected!
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For your rocket exploding viewing pleasure
Rocket Launch Failures and Explosions Compilation (2016-1942)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z99pGVDZhaY
AMAZING Space Rocket Explosions & Failures [HD]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZI-f_M9aEck
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Looks like mother nature is getting a bit silly in southern Texas over the weekend.
Wind is playing havoc with the cameras. They may try a static fire today but if the winds don't let up I highly doubt they'll be doing any flying tomorrow
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Et82eOvXAAQSnK7?format=png&name=900x900)
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That is the same temp they are expected here at work Tuesday morning. We just had a meeting talking about it. Plus, natural gas prices spiked on the daily rate which has management looking at efficiencies and alternatives.
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Wish it was going to be that warm here.
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Cams show the weather sucks there now with rain and high winds. Doubt anything is going to happen until after the week end.
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Kunal Shah
@kunalb11
·
17h
Elon musk may end up running 4+ 500 billion companies simultaneously at a relatively young age.
What I want to really understand: how does he do it? How does he manage context switching? How does he design his Org?
So many questions.
Tip
Kunal Shah
@kunalb11
·
17h
@elonmusk
: answer if you see this, dark lord.
Elon Musk
@elonmusk
Replying to
@kunalb11
I’m an alien
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But a legal one.
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(https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2F2uf0hc1o8rpw1vv8k4e8o825-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fsites%2F3%2F2019%2F03%2FResident_Alien_Thumbnail-800x460.png&f=1&nofb=1)
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Apparently, it benefits a lot of people. The basic principle of modern capitalism is that a person or a company is successful (profitable, etc.) only when it benefits society. This means that people are willing to pay a set price for the services or goods that the company provides.
So society now considers electric cars and space companies useful.
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29 in Boca Chica with 40+mph winds . When I last saw poor SN10, camera is out now, it looked like it wanted to go back into Highbay
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24 now. Wow. Bet there was a run on coats and gloves in Texas. Heard they're having a lot of brown outs, maybe due to all the electric heaters going?
-
24 now. Wow. Bet there was a run on coats and gloves in Texas. Heard they're having a lot of brown outs, maybe due to all the electric heaters going?
News said it was deliberate to not strain the system .... ???
-
News said it was deliberate to not strain the system .... ???
My family in the DFW area reports the same thing. Rolling blackouts that last around two hours.
-
My brother is a bit West of Houston. He just lost power. Hopefully, it is just 2 hours.
The load should be a little lower since a lot of the chemical plants down on the coast are having trouble keeping things running. Not used to sustained freezing temps.
-
I read yesterday where a lot of the power windmills are frozen due to the weather. Probably 50% are offline. That's a pretty good chunk of power for Texas.
-
I read yesterday where a lot of the power windmills are frozen due to the weather. Probably 50% are offline. That's a pretty good chunk of power for Texas.
Don't those wind turbines use grid power to heat the important bits and to keep things running when the wind dies? That's what I read somewhere.
-
Don't those wind turbines use grid power to heat the important bits and to keep things running when the wind dies? That's what I read somewhere.
I was thinking the same thing, but apparently they don't, at least in Texas. Or the cold is such that it is beyond the capacity of the heaters.
-
24 now. Wow. Bet there was a run on coats and gloves in Texas. Heard they're having a lot of brown outs, maybe due to all the electric heaters going?
One of my old shipmates lives in Texas. Their power is out. Their power supplier relies heavily on wind turbines which are apparently frozen up, so much for green energy.
-
Mike Hudgeons
@hudgeons_mike
·
3h
Replying to
@BocaChicaGal
and
@NASASpaceflight
Mary,
Are yall experiencing power outtages down south? Many in DFW are without power. Bless you Mary!!!🤘❤
Tip
Mary
@BocaChicaGal
·
24m
Thankfully, no power outage at Boca Chica. I do believe there are power outages in the surrounding areas though. Several traffic lights are not working in Brownsville.
-
I heard that it was the first time in TX history that all 254 counties were under a Winter Storm Warning.
-
I read yesterday where a lot of the power windmills are frozen due to the weather. Probably 50% are offline. That's a pretty good chunk of power for Texas.
Expected and obvious consequences for one hundred, Alex.
-
I heard that it was the first time in TX history that all 254 counties were under a Winter Storm Warning.
Globular Warmulating ..... :angel: [tinfoil]
-
LIVE: SpaceX Launches 60 Starlink Satellites on Falcon 9
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dro26yN6OZU
-
I heard that it was the first time in TX history that all 254 counties were under a Winter Storm Warning.
Globular Warmulating ..... :angel: [tinfoil]
Globulating Anticlimactic Changulation
-
Lost the booster.
-
In the chat "Booster Lives Matter"
-
2nd stage and payload are fine. Booster went into the drink though
Everyday Astronaut
@Erdayastronaut
·
28m
After stage shut down we did see a little extra spice on the first stage. Wonder if something wasn’t right at this point already. Unfortunately B1059 is now becoming a coral reef. Rest in pieces friend. The new record to break is 24 consecutive landings... 25 remains elusive 🥺
-
LabPadre
@LabPadre
·
40m
Due to a major power infrastructure failure on South Padre Island all LabPadre cams will be down until further notice. We apologize for the inconvenience. #SpaceX #BocaChica #Texas #Starship
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2nd stage and payload are fine. Booster went into the drink though
Two dozen stuck landings in a row before a failure. How's ULA's landing record? >:D
-
2nd stage and payload are fine. Booster went into the drink though
Everyday Astronaut
@Erdayastronaut
·
28m
After stage shut down we did see a little extra spice on the first stage. Wonder if something wasn’t right at this point already. Unfortunately B1059 is now becoming a coral reef. Rest in pieces friend. The new record to break is 24 consecutive landings... 25 remains elusive 🥺
Have they tried naming one Memphis Belle?*
*Yes, I know Hell's Angels did it first, but they don't have a movie, do they?
-
60 more Starlinks deployed.
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1361542266163130369
-
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1361711665864130563
Elon Musk
@elonmusk
Replying to
@Tesla
Covered in snow & ice, roads mostly closed & no power in Austin
11:18 AM · Feb 16, 2021·Twitter for iPhone
-
Be patient. His team has already signaled that they intend to shut down the Artemis program.
Shut down the Artemis program? Are you sure?
What for? Why, then, is NASA selecting contractors for this program?
It's good that Preservance is almost on Mars. Now it cannot be postponed, rescheduled or closed.
Will JWST be cancelled too?
-
Shut down the Artemis program? Are you sure?
What for? Why, then, is NASA selecting contractors for this program?
Yes, I am sure. Read the article a few days ago where the OBiden administration stated they are "re-evaluating" the program. That's typical political speak for impending cancellation.
NASA is still selecting contractors solely because of bureaucratic inertia as the program has not been officially cancelled yet.
Edited to add:
Well, I have to dine on some crow it seems. The Obiden administration has now signaled they will continue supporting NASA's Artemis program. This is a surprising development given that Biden has been dismantling everything else labeled Trump since he took office.
https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2021/02/04/White-House-Biden-supports-NASA-program-to-send-astronauts-to-moon/9021612463940/ (https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2021/02/04/White-House-Biden-supports-NASA-program-to-send-astronauts-to-moon/9021612463940/)
-
Yes, I am sure. Read the article a few days ago where the OBiden administration stated they are "re-evaluating" the program. That's typical political speak for impending cancellation.
NASA is still selecting contractors solely because of bureaucratic inertia as the program has not been officially cancelled yet.
Edited to add:
Well, I have to dine on some crow it seems. The Obiden administration has now signaled they will continue supporting NASA's Artemis program. This is a surprising development given that Biden has been dismantling everything else labeled Trump since he took office.
https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2021/02/04/White-House-Biden-supports-NASA-program-to-send-astronauts-to-moon/9021612463940/ (https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2021/02/04/White-House-Biden-supports-NASA-program-to-send-astronauts-to-moon/9021612463940/)
How else are they going to get the first trans-handicapped-illegal alien-elementary school drop out-POC on the moon to plant the BLM flag for all of man flexible gender kind?
-
Yes, I am sure. Read the article a few days ago where the OBiden administration stated they are "re-evaluating" the program. That's typical political speak for impending cancellation.
NASA is still selecting contractors solely because of bureaucratic inertia as the program has not been officially cancelled yet.
Edited to add:
Well, I have to dine on some crow it seems. The Obiden administration has now signaled they will continue supporting NASA's Artemis program. This is a surprising development given that Biden has been dismantling everything else labeled Trump since he took office.
https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2021/02/04/White-House-Biden-supports-NASA-program-to-send-astronauts-to-moon/9021612463940/ (https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2021/02/04/White-House-Biden-supports-NASA-program-to-send-astronauts-to-moon/9021612463940/)
I think The Angry Astronaut covered the politics of this. In short it's an easy PR and cash grab for everyone hence not killing it.
-
SPadre
@SpacePadreIsle
·
35m
Still no power or water. 🥶 Daughter stuck at DFW airport for days. Going to look for some hot food somewhere. Sure makes you appreciate things!
https://twitter.com/SpacePadreIsle/status/1361816051114258433?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Eembeddedtimeline%7Ctwterm%5Eprofile%3ASpacePadreIsle%7Ctwcon%5Etimelinechrome&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.starshipstalker.com%2F
-
https://youtu.be/Kuy2w0L77Hc (https://youtu.be/Kuy2w0L77Hc)
-
A bit offtopic. But will someone be watching the landing of Preservance?
Could something go wrong? (I hope not)
Are any of you on the list of 11 million names that will be delivered to Mars?
-
A bit offtopic. But will someone be watching the landing of Preservance?
Could something go wrong? (I hope not)
Are any of you on the list of 11 million names that will be delivered to Mars?
Actually I was thinking I should have named this thread Space News and not just limit it to SpaceX. Guess I still can right?
Watching the landing? Was planning on it.
And I'm not.
-
Less than an hour away
LIVE: NASA's Perseverance rover attempts to land on Mars!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sty0e6l3Y3Y
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gm0b_ijaYMQ
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Mars touchdown confirmed!
-
WOOT!!
Hell, I'm still geeked out about the first time they pulled this trick off.
Will NASA get canceled for using all that racist math to make this happen?
-
(https://i.pinimg.com/736x/40/90/90/4090909bc78932b668ec6ddf7ccac732.jpg)
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I was working and missed it.
-
I was working and missed it.
You didn't miss anything. The only video is of the control room. Not very exciting.
-
HiRISE Captured Perseverance During Descent to Mars
https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/images/hirise-captured-perseverance-during-descent-to-mars
(https://d2pn8kiwq2w21t.cloudfront.net/images/jpegPIA24270.width-1600.jpg)
-
Anyone else considered the the fact that Mars is (so far as we know) populated entirely by semiautonomous robots?
:rofl:
-
Anyone else considered the the fact that Mars is (so far as we know) populated entirely by semiautonomous robots?
:rofl:
Hopefully they don't start reproducing.
-
Anyone else considered the the fact that Mars is (so far as we know) populated entirely by semiautonomous robots?
:rofl:
Hopefully the Asgard don't try and contain them in a time dilation bubble that the robots then reverse so they advance a year for every day that goes by in normal space and then the next thing you know you have molecular super robots that can stick their hands in your brain.
-
Hopefully the Asgard don't try and contain them in a time dilation bubble that the robots then reverse so they advance a year for every day that goes by in normal space and then the next thing you know you have molecular super robots that can stick their hands in your brain.
Don't give the lefties any ideas.
-
Hopefully the Asgard don't try and contain them in a time dilation bubble that the robots then reverse so they advance a year for every day that goes by in normal space and then the next thing you know you have molecular super robots that can stick their hands in your brain.
If they were nice robots, that'd damn handy.
Implants so I could surf APS without a computer or phone.
If they were not nice robots, I doubt there would be anything I could do about it anyway.
-
Uh Oh
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/What_NASA_isn't_telling_you_RS..jpg)
-
Road closures for today, could indicate static fire tests.
-
Tank Farm activity
-
How's the wind down that way?
-
(https://i.imgur.com/uvz0E3Z.jpg)
-
Jeff Bezos, like Elon Musk, sees the future of humanity in space. But instead of meaningless (according to Bezos) colonization of Mars, Jeff proposes to explore space using O'Neill cylinders. How to do it and what are the advantages?
I think that both options are meaningless at the current level of technology development.
We still don't have a debris cleanup program. But there are a bunch of ideas on how to send even more garbage there.
-
Jeff Bezos, like Elon Musk, sees the future of humanity in space. But instead of meaningless (according to Bezos) colonization of Mars, Jeff proposes to explore space using O'Neill cylinders. How to do it and what are the advantages?
I think that both options are meaningless at the current level of technology development.
We still don't have a debris cleanup program. But there are a bunch of ideas on how to send even more garbage there.
Debris cleanup will never happen with disposable mentality to everything sent up. The only people who have a prayer of having a valid opinion on the matter right now are SpaceX. BO can keep its trap shut until it makes orbit and has reusable hardware capable of doing so.
About the only viable debris cleanup tech I can envision, available on today's horizon, would be a laser based satellite which tracks space debris and discovers new targets, and with the laser it vaporizes a small portion of the debris to create thrust to push the trash into Earth's atmosphere. The trouble with that is it isn't far off from being considered a weapon. And could even target manned or unmanned operational spacecraft, or even terrestrial targets, with devastating results.
As-is, I think what Musk is doing with Starlink is genius. It's going to make all the GEO comms satellites obsolete when fully deployed. They self-immolate inside of about 5 years, no need for clean up. The rest of the stuff at 400km or lower will eventually fall into Earth's atmosphere on its own. Even the ISS needs periodic boosts or it will fall out of the sky.
The other glorious thing about Musk's plan is it doesn't matter what detractors think. He's paying for it himself. People who support colonization of Mars can buy Starlink internet deliberately to support the effort. For the most part, it's funded by Starlink, by SpaceX launch contracts, and Musk's Tesla stock. No tax money. So naysayer opinions just don't matter.
-
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has already cleared Starship serial number 10 (SN10) for flight, cutting short any potential licensing drama facing SpaceX’s latest high-altitude Starship launch efforts.
https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-starship-third-launch-landing-faa-clearance/
-
Jeff Bezos, like Elon Musk, sees the future of humanity in space. But instead of meaningless (according to Bezos) colonization of Mars, Jeff proposes to explore space using O'Neill cylinders. How to do it and what are the advantages?
I think that both options are meaningless at the current level of technology development.
We still don't have a debris cleanup program. But there are a bunch of ideas on how to send even more garbage there.
Bezos is full of hot air. His space company is older than SpaceX and an arguably closer relationship wit NASA. And how much useful payload has it ever launched? None?
-
Bezos is full of hot air. His space company is older than SpaceX and an arguably closer relationship wit NASA. And how much useful payload has it ever launched? None?
Exactly. That's why I'm wondering why I still see articles mentioning this on the net.
And the idea could be good in the future when this is backed up by the availability of cheap, durable material for the space elevator. (I doubt the space elevator will ever be built.) I think the time has come when private space companies will set the tone for space exploration. (Will seek profit)
-
https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-starship-third-launch-landing-faa-clearance/
Clear. You are a fan. It's not bad. (And most of this company's endeavours are well thought out) But
Otherwise, you would know that there are several dozen projects aimed at developing space tugs, foam trash catchers, and so on.
New space companies and startups (which was also SpaceX 12 years ago) are initially developing methods to clean up what they are going to launch into orbit.
Of course, at the moment the closest space debris cleaner is the reusable space tug (https://www.skyrora.com/space-tug) from Skyrora.
This does not solve the problem with the 50th 2-tonne remnants of rockets in orbit, but it is already a start.
-
Mary
@BocaChicaGal
·
15m
Road closure for today February 24 has been cancelled. 🚀
@NASASpaceflight
Means no testing today.
-
They're swapping an engine.
Last time that happened, the FAA considered the operation to be a completely new rocket and required resubmission of the correct forms in triplicate (you keep the GOLDENROD, not the canary!).
No launch this week most likely.
-
Clear. You are a fan. It's not bad. (And most of this company's endeavours are well thought out) But
Otherwise, you would know that there are several dozen projects aimed at developing space tugs, foam trash catchers, and so on.
New space companies and startups (which was also SpaceX 12 years ago) are initially developing methods to clean up what they are going to launch into orbit.
Of course, at the moment the closest space debris cleaner is the reusable space tug (https://www.skyrora.com/space-tug) from Skyrora.
This does not solve the problem with the 50th 2-tonne remnants of rockets in orbit, but it is already a start.
A "laser broom" has really good promise for deorbiting debris. BLUF: You shoot the leading surface of space debris and it ablates off creating thrust that lowers it's orbit so it finally falls into the atmosphere and burns up.
-
^^^Do we currently have ground-based lasers capable of delivering that much energy to orbital altitude?
-
^^^Do we currently have ground-based lasers capable of delivering that much energy to orbital altitude?
Yeah but that is a bad place to "shoot" from because of angles and atmospheric attenuation. This is the sort of thing you put in a geostationary orbit (or farther) so you can shoot the debris and hit its prograde aspect.
-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voSpOrimkMY
-
Jeff Bezos, like Elon Musk, sees the future of humanity in space. But instead of meaningless (according to Bezos) colonization of Mars, Jeff proposes to explore space using O'Neill cylinders. How to do it and what are the advantages?
I think that both options are meaningless at the current level of technology development.
We still don't have a debris cleanup program. But there are a bunch of ideas on how to send even more garbage there.
The advantages of an O'neill cylinder or other space colonies is you can put them wherever you want. Namely closer to Earth and Cislunar space so they're not cut off by significant light lag for communications, and get the fuller benefit of solar power by being closer to the sun than Mars is. Plus once it's going, you can move it anywhere under low thrust, kind of like mobile city. So if there's a good asteroid going by, you could in theory follow it and go mine it.
Other advantages, you can build them to spin and produce 1 earth G, so no issues with bone density or any other gravity related illnesses or developmental problems in children (assuming bio-tech doesn't come up with alternative answers) And you can cover them in asteroid debris to block any/all solar or cosmic radiation. And with a mass of a small asteroid, you've got almost no lift costs to send people or materials away from there to other destinations in the Solar System. Leaving a space colony would be cheaper than even lifting off from the Moon.
And further down the road, if we never develop tech to move really fast in space, just sending an entire space colony can make long distance trips to the outer solar system, or maybe even someday interstellar, do-able since people would be more willing to go if their entire community and all the comforts of home goes with them.
What is unsaid though is how you actually BUILD such a ginormous tube in space from (presumably) asteroid or Lunar materials. OTOH, we have a pretty good idea of how to dig on Mars or Luna, or use existing caves or lava tubes to hide from radiation. And in theory, the low gravity of Mars or the Moon isn't a show stopper long-term. You could build a city/base as a shallow cone to spin it and create a centrifugal force vector combined with Mars or Lunar gravity to create 1 G like on Earth. And while solar power in Mars orbit or further is not ideal, it still works. Just at less efficiency.
Of course, the correct answer is to try both planetary settlement and space colonies, and see which works best. Since we've really done neither before and it's difficult to extrapolate or simulate all the complex factors in both undertakings.
-
The advantages of an O'neill cylinder or other space colonies is you can put them wherever you want. Namely closer to Earth and Cislunar space so they're not cut off by significant light lag for communications, and get the fuller benefit of solar power by being closer to the sun than Mars is. Plus once it's going, you can move it anywhere under low thrust, kind of like mobile city. So if there's a good asteroid going by, you could in theory follow it and go mine it.
Initially sounds good, but the dV you'd need to match up with a passing asteroid is ENORMOUS.
Humanity would drive itself into heat-death from expending reaction mass to chase asteroids if that were our objective (pushing an O'neil cylinder to match same vector as asteroids).
Sending robotics to slowly mine the asteroid, eject the useless bits into dust gently orbiting the mass, and use some of the asteroid (H2O, N2, Xenon, whatever) as reaction mass to propel the valuable bits to a manufacturing site, is a far better solution. But this is thinking trans-generationally, which doesn't really pan out on high risk new technology space ventures.
-
Mary
@BocaChicaGal
·
45m
I have just received an update that Starship SN10 will not fly until Wednesday March 3. Tomorrow’s attempt has been cancelled. No hop tomorrow. 🔥🚀🔥
@NASASpaceflight
-
Mary
@BocaChicaGal
·
58m
Happy to let y’all know that I have been asked to evacuate for Starship SN10 launch attempt tomorrow. It looks like it will be a beautiful day for a launch. I can’t wait to see SN10 nail the landing!FireRocketFire
@NASASpaceflight
-
Where do those people go when they have to evacuate for a launch? Seems like a real pain to do that.
-
Where do those people go when they have to evacuate for a launch? Seems like a real pain to do that.
Probably not far away.
SpaceX wanted to buy them out but my understanding is that the people who live there at this point are mostly space nerds who live there specifically to be close to the launch complex.
-
^^^I, for one, would love to be able to sit in my yard and watch space launches.
-
Michael Baylor
@nextspaceflight
·
1h
Starship SN10 Wednesday launch status:
- FAA approval ✅
- Temporary Flight Restriction ✅
- Evacuation notice ✅
- Marine hazard zone posted ✅
- Road closure scheduled ✅
- Official confirmation from SpaceX 🟡
Michael Baylor
@nextspaceflight
·
1h
*Official confirmation from SpaceX is not technically required, but it would be a great sign. The company previously confirmed the SN8 and SN9 launch attempts ahead of time.
-
Camera with flashTrevor Mahlmann
@TrevorMahlmann
·
42m
- Official confirmation from SpaceXWhite heavy check mark
-
They're going for a launch today
-
Tank farm activity
-
Rolled it back to Pad Closeouts. Someone in a pickup truck is out near the tank farm from looking at the video. No one is clear on whether it is a SpaceX person investigating a problem, or someone that sneaked into the launch area. From the camera shot, the pickup looks very similar to the one that was chased away during the launch of SN9.
Tank farm activity has stopped. Things are uncertain about launching today at this point.
-
Appears to be SpaceX personnel checking out something at the tank farm.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYZaaz8UbRE
-
Tank farm activity resumed
[popcorn]
-
Looks like they're loading propellant.
-
Looking good at the moment. I sure hope they pull this off successfully today.
-
Tri Venting. Should be about 10 min.
-
Engine chill. Looking good so far.
-
Abort at engine ignite
-
Abort after ignition. Crud.
Out of bounds thrust on one of the engines at startup. Done for the day. Emptying tanks. Maybe next week at a guess.
-
Abort occurred at 0.1 seconds to clamp release
-
Now SpaceX is changing gears, saying they are not officially standing down for the day. They are keeping their livestream up and will determine if they can try again in today's window. They have to evaluate some data before making a final decision.
-
SN11 peaking out of the high bay "No boom?"
-
SpaceX has announced they will recycle the launch and make another attempt today at 1730 EST.
-
SpaceX: We ain't NASA
-
Elon Musk
@elonmusk
·
6m
Launch abort on slightly conservative high thrust limit. Increasing thrust limit & recycling propellant for another flight attempt today.
SpaceX: *expletive deleted*ck it, raise the threshold and full send.
-
NASA has killed more astronauts than SpaceX, so that tends to make them a
little lot more conservative.
-
No lives at risk here unless something goes all out Murphy on us so lets test this thing.
-
Tank farm activity started again
-
Methane venting, waiting for tri-vent engine chill.
-
They are going to reignite all three engines for the flip and burn, but shut down one just before touchdown.
Brief hold, but counting down again.
-
Seemed like a slow liftoff, but she is flying!
-
Nail it
-
Landing legs didn't deploy
-
Stuck the landing, but there is a fire on the ground. Rocket is leaning a little, but doesn't look like it will topple.
-
Landing legs didn't deploy.
Oops.
-
The Leaning Tower of SN10
But on the ground.
-
99% nail it
-
Lit the three engines a little sooner, shut down two, landed on one.
Who needs landing legs as long as you stick a soft touchdown.
Pretty good fire around the base of the rocket.
-
BOOM!
-
Yup... Shame. It came shortly after the fire fighting system was shut down.
My live stream is several seconds behind, not really very live.
Timeline adjusted on my feed. Last step was "Vehicle Safing" The added a new last step "Or Not".
Still, it was the best flight yet. Landing legs did actually deploy, but one or more may have had problems. Musk is known to be less than satisfied with the current landing leg design. SpaceX will get a lot of good data from this flight.
-
Timeline adjusted on my feed. Last step was "Vehicle Safing" The added a new last step "Or Not".
LOL just noticed that
-
Landing legs needs work
-
"Starship SN10 landed on the landing zone, then burned off the excess propellant in a rapid fashion."
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SN11 peaking out of the high bay "No boom?"
(https://i.imgur.com/zoeaeZt.gif)
(https://i.imgur.com/2UExQom.gif)
-
https://youtu.be/_jWbqhP5eJI?t=30367
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Elon Musk
@elonmusk
·
1h
RIP SN10, honorable discharge
-
SN11 peaking out of the high bay "No boom?"
"No, boom." =D
-
"Starship SN10 landed on the landing zone, then burned off the excess propellant in a rapid fashion."
We got everything today: launch, dive, landing, and explosion! Good work SN10.
-
Got my first chance to really get a good look at some videos full screen
1) Looks like the legs did deploy but couldn't tell if it was all of them or not. Plus one or more may not have locked in place.
2) Looking at this video full screen it appears she may have bounced a few times upon touchdown which may or may not have damaged the legs https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1367254064791244800
Either way the legs IMHO need to be far beefier. I know Musk is obsessed with cutting every oz, for very good reasons, but he may have to accept some weight gain in a few areas IMHO.
-
SpaceX has already said several times this isn't the actual landing leg design. These legs are a "placeholder" design while they get more of the vehicle designed and tested. No point in designing robus Mars Capable landing legs until you know if the part of the rocket they attach to is at it's final design.
-
SpaceX has already said several times this isn't the actual landing leg design. These legs are a "placeholder" design while they get more of the vehicle designed and tested. No point in designing robus Mars Capable landing legs until you know if the part of the rocket they attach to is at it's final design.
Aware, just feel if they want to recover their test vehicles intact beefier legs would probably help. I'm sure they would like to at least recover the raptors.
-
What about it!?
@FelixSchlang
·
2h
I'm guessing, we already have a name for Starship #11! Geronimo!
-
https://twitter.com/BocaChicaGal/status/1367483885202857986
-
Scott Manley has his video up
At 04:03 you can see some of the legs just kind of flopping around. 3 appear be locked, 3 not so much.
After that part stay tuned for his analyst of the fire and explosion
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CF9mdMI1qxM
-
Correct me if my understanding is wrong. but what we have here in Starship is a LOX header tank in the nose. After that we have a large empty space in the nose cone which will ultimately be either cargo or human habitat depending on craft version and design. After that we have the methane tank. Between the primary methane tank and the bottom LOX tank, we have the methane header tank. Finally, we have the primary LOX tank and then engines and landing gear at the bottom. The LOX header is in the nose for ballast/balance reasons, since O2 is heavier than CH4 and serves to counterbalance the mass of the engines at the rear.
So there are two header tanks, and two primary tanks.
The task of the primary tanks is to provide fuel for launch and acceleration operations in flight, and to provide fuel storage and plumbing facilities for orbital fuel transfer operations.
The task of the header tanks is to provide fuel for post-belly-flop landing maneuvers, so that the tank is full and slosh is minimized for reliable delivery to the turbopumps.
SpaceX has said before that they intend to expose the primary tanks to vacuum during routine spaceflight. This is supposed to help insulate the header tanks so that their cryogenic payload is easier to maintain on their limited electrical budget in the vehicle. Obviously they had neither the time nor the altitude to accomplish that here, and suffered from an artificially imposed altitude ceiling from the flight plan. They cannot safely burn 100% of the fuel in the primary tanks without damaging the engine turbopumps, and they cannot vent the tanks in Earth atmosphere during the belly flop since there is neither time nor ecological willpower to spray methane into the atmosphere. So these low altitude test flights and landings will all suffer from the drawback of having residual fuel in the primary tanks.
So on a real flight, an energetic explosion like this is considerably less likely because the primary tanks would be empty.
But:
One would hope that the primary tanks are not holding vacuum during reentry to Earth or Mars. Hopefully they're sucking ambient atmosphere in to maintain neutral pressurization during reentry, or being gently pressurized by a suitable inert gas during descent. A jarring impact like seen during yesterday's landing would result in a vacuum container crumpling much more easily than a container at one atmosphere of pressure. And while Raptor offers autogenous pressurization of its fuel tanks via exhaust recirculating, apparently it does not offer enough spare exhaust to 100% pressurize the header tanks without assistance from nitrogen COPV's right now. So it certainly cannot pressurize the much larger primary tanks with O2 or CH4 exhaust from the respective preburners.
-
Mary
@BocaChicaGal
·
1h
Sunrise with Tankzilla at SpaceX Boca Chica launch site.This is the crane that will lift Starship SN11 onto the launch stand as early as Monday, March 8.
https://twitter.com/BocaChicaGal/status/1368185882696708102?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Eembeddedtimeline%7Ctwterm%5Eprofile%3ABocaChicaGal%7Ctwcon%5Etimelinechrome&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.starshipstalker.com%2F
-
https://twitter.com/BocaChicaGal/status/1368185882696708102?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Eembeddedtimeline%7Ctwterm%5Eprofile%3ABocaChicaGal%7Ctwcon%5Etimelinechrome&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.starshipstalker.com%2F
https://twitter.com/BocaChicaGal/status/1368907487211044866 (https://twitter.com/BocaChicaGal/status/1368907487211044866)
-
WLJ, did you see this one?
https://twitter.com/jdeshetler/status/1368749190948425732 (https://twitter.com/jdeshetler/status/1368749190948425732)
-
(https://i.redd.it/yfnskdxwewk61.jpg)
-
Checking SN11's legs
https://twitter.com/austinbarnard45/status/1369353962269274113
-
Last night's Falcon 9 landing went a little better this time
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1369926878497181696
-
Mary
@BocaChicaGal
·
8h
I have received an “Alert” notice and a road closure has been scheduled for Friday, March 12 from 7 a.m. - noon. Possible static fire attempt of Starship SN11’s three Raptor engines as early as tomorrow. 🔥🚀🔥
@NASASpaceflight
-
According the The Angry Astronaut SN10 landed harder than desired because of another header tank issue. The engine started consuming helium out of the header tank pressure system that was installed in SN10 to help solve the low header tank pressure issue that occurred on SN8 (and maybe SN9) and thus wasn't producing the required thrust on landing. They're going for another helium less system on SN11 (11:24 in the video). And they beefed up the landing legs
Why SN11 is the Most Important Starship Test For SpaceX So Far (Rare Footage)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQFlSODBwX0&t=353s
-
SPadre
@SpacePadreIsle
·
30m
Tuesday TFR 🚀
Static fire on call for Monday.
Pretty breezy southerly surface winds Tuesday then shifting NE Wednesday bringing much clearer air for viewing. Nice weather for the remainder of the week so good chance Starship SN11 will fly!
-
https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_1_4748.html
NOTAM Number : FDC 1/4748 Download shapefiles
Issue Date : March 13, 2021 at 1442 UTC
Location : Brownsville, Texas
Beginning Date and Time : March 16, 2021 at 1100 UTC
Ending Date and Time : March 17, 2021 at 0030 UTC
Reason for NOTAM : Space Operations Area
Type : Space Operations
Replaced NOTAM(s) : N/A
Pilots May Contact : HOUSTON (ZHU) ARTCC, 281-230-5560
Jump To: Affected Areas
Operating Restrictions and Requirements
Other Information
Affected Area(s) Top
Airspace Definition:
Region bounded by:
Latitude: Longitude: FRD:
From: 26º00'00"N 97º02'00"W BRO067019
To: 25º58'00"N 97º02'00"W BRO073018.7
To: 25º56'00"N 97º05'00"W BRO079015.8
To: 25º55'00"N 97º06'00"W BRO083014.9
To: 25º55'00"N 97º09'00"W BRO083012.2
To: 25º55'00"N 97º12'00"W BRO084009.5
To: 25º57'00"N 97º14'00"W BRO070007.8
To: 26º02'00"N 97º13'00"W BRO044010.8
To: 26º03'00"N 97º12'00"W BRO042012.1
To: 26º05'00"N 97º07'00"W BRO047016.9
To: 26º04'00"N 97º04'00"W BRO054018.7
To: 26º03'00"N 97º03'00"W BRO058019.1
To: 26º00'00"N 97º02'00"W BRO067019
Altitude: From the surface up to Unlimited
Hmmm
-
Mary
@BocaChicaGal
·
3h
I have received an “Alert” notice and a road/beach closure has been scheduled for tomorrow March 15 from 6 a.m. - noon. Possible static fire attempt of Starship SN11’s 3 Raptor engines tomorrow. 🔥🔥🔥🚀
@NASASpaceflight
-
Eric Berger
@SciGuySpace
·
Mar 14
With this morning's Starlink mission SpaceX has launched a rocket, on average, every eight days in 2021. If you don't know much about rockets, know this: Such a cadence is jaw-dropping for an orbital rocket, especially a large one.
Elon Musk
@elonmusk
·
12h
SpaceX did 2X rest of world payload to orbit last year, probably 3X to 4X this year
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1371256869705109504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Eembeddedtimeline%7Ctwterm%5Eprofile%3Aelonmusk%7Ctwcon%5Etimelinechrome&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.starshipstalker.com%2F
-
The above is just mind-boggling.
-
Especially considering they were mere days from bankruptcy at one point.
-
I read that the 1st stage Falcon 9 booster that was launched this past Sunday morning was the 9th launch/recovery for that booster alone.
-
Tesmanian.com
@Tesmanian_com
Starlink Is Key To Funding SpaceX’s Starship Fleet To Colonize Mars
Elon Musk
@elonmusk
·
13h
Replying to
@Tesmanian_com
Yes
-
I read that the 1st stage Falcon 9 booster that was launched this past Sunday morning was the 9th launch/recovery for that booster alone.
Thought it was six?
-
Thought it was six?
Nope, 9.
https://www.space.com/spacex-starlink-21-internet-satellites-launch-rocket-landing-success (https://www.space.com/spacex-starlink-21-internet-satellites-launch-rocket-landing-success)
-
Nope, 9.
https://www.space.com/spacex-starlink-21-internet-satellites-launch-rocket-landing-success (https://www.space.com/spacex-starlink-21-internet-satellites-launch-rocket-landing-success)
I've missed some stuff. Last I checked on them an F9 had just failed on its sixth recovery.
-
I've missed some stuff. Last I checked on them an F9 had just failed on its sixth recovery.
The pace is frenetic.
2010-2013 - 7 launches
2014 - 6 launches
2015 - 7 launches
2016 - 8 launches and 1 launch pad explosion
2017 - 18 launches
2018 - 20 launches
2019 - 10 launches
2020 - 25 launches
2021 - So Far 7 launches Scheduled - 37 launches
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Falcon_9_and_Falcon_Heavy_launches (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Falcon_9_and_Falcon_Heavy_launches)
-
The pace is frenetic.
2010-2013 - 7 launches
2014 - 6 launches
2015 - 7 launches
2016 - 8 launches and 1 launch pad explosion
2017 - 18 launches
2018 - 20 launches
2019 - 10 launches
2020 - 25 launches
2021 - So Far 7 launches Scheduled - 37 launches
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Falcon_9_and_Falcon_Heavy_launches (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Falcon_9_and_Falcon_Heavy_launches)
Good, gooood!
-
Scrub on the static fire
-
Evidently just two boosters, 1051 and 1049, have each launched 10% of all currently active satellites in orbit.
Two SpaceX boosters account for over 20% of all active satellite launches (by count... not by mass).
https://www.reddit.com/r/SpaceXLounge/comments/m590hw/1051_and_1049_have_each_launched_10_of_all_active/
Obviously the tiny size and packing density of Starlink missions makes that possible. But still... 9 launches each on those two boosters. And they're going to use them until they break. I expect to see an examination/servicing period after the 10th flight of each one, then roll them back into rotation.
I saw this pic on /r/SpaceXMasterRace:
(https://i.redd.it/8zrtvq3kd7n61.png)
1050 completed its primary mission successfully. It's being mocked for successfully diverting itself away from its designated landing zone out to sea safely, and touching down softly despite its hydraulic grid fins malfunctioning and locking up during descent.
One-and-done rockets are history.
-
Rob Dickinson
@Rjdlandscapes
·
Mar 16
Crazy! Full stack flight July?
Elon Musk
@elonmusk
Replying to
@Rjdlandscapes
@Erdayastronaut
and
@SpaceX
That’s our goal
-
Wow, that's ambitious. Hope they make the schedule. I will look forward to seeing that flight whenever it takes place.
-
Good SLS engine test
BN1 stacking as we speak
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0X0womVi7w
-
What is a "full stack?"
-
What is a "full stack?"
I'm assuming he means Starship on the booster which would be ambitious by July and not just a full up booster
(https://qph.fs.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-11a95fb18e1d0f033dd917a1216390bb)
-
In other news, Blue Origin actually admitted recently that they won't have a New Glenn launch article until Q4 of 2022. Which, everyone knows, really means H1 of 2023 if they're lucky.
They're also constantly shifting their deliverable date of BE-4 engines that they are selling to ULA for ULA's new Vulcan rocket, to the right. What was supposed to be Q3 of 2020 (and 2019, and 2018, before that) is now summer of 2021. ULA intends to try to fly a Vulcan by Q4 of 2021. They have a ground support fitment test article out at the Cape right now.
Vulcan is supposed to be configured with two BE-4 engines on its first stage and a variable number of solid rocket motors much like its predecessor the Atlas V. Aerojet Rocketdyne lost in competitive bidding between Blue Origin and AR, when submitting engine designs for ULA's new generation rocket. Since then, BO's delivery schedule has slid to the right by years. Lockheed-Martin is looking at acquiring AR. AR was bidding a kerosene based engine called the AR-1 that has since been shelved. The AR-1 was designed specifically to replace the Atlas V RD-180 engine which is actually provided by Russia's Roskosmos. The RD-180 puts out about 4 meganewtons. Two AR-1 engines put out about 4.4 meganewtons. Two BE-4 engines put out about 4.8 meganewtons.
If LockMart acquires AR, and BO takes longer to deliver on the BE-4 deliverables, watch for pressure to mount on ULA to dramatically reconfigure Vulcan (probably a complete ditch of the vehicle) and focus on the AR-1 as a first stage engine solution. Or use AR-1 as a basis of a new vehicle that focuses on reusability, since ULA has nothing like that and their noises regarding SMART reuse are a joke.
-
In other news, Blue Origin actually admitted recently that they won't have a New Glenn launch article until Q4 of 2022. Which, everyone knows, really means H1 of 2023 if they're lucky.
They're also constantly shifting their deliverable date of BE-4 engines that they are selling to ULA for ULA's new Vulcan rocket, to the right. What was supposed to be Q3 of 2020 (and 2019, and 2018, before that) is now summer of 2021. ULA intends to try to fly a Vulcan by Q4 of 2021. They have a ground support fitment test article out at the Cape right now.
Vulcan is supposed to be configured with two BE-4 engines on its first stage and a variable number of solid rocket motors much like its predecessor the Atlas V. Aerojet Rocketdyne lost in competitive bidding between Blue Origin and AR, when submitting engine designs for ULA's new generation rocket. Since then, BO's delivery schedule has slid to the right by years. Lockheed-Martin is looking at acquiring AR. AR was bidding a kerosene based engine called the AR-1 that has since been shelved. The AR-1 was designed specifically to replace the Atlas V RD-180 engine which is actually provided by Russia's Roskosmos. The RD-180 puts out about 4 meganewtons. Two AR-1 engines put out about 4.4 meganewtons. Two BE-4 engines put out about 4.8 meganewtons.
If LockMart acquires AR, and BO takes longer to deliver on the BE-4 deliverables, watch for pressure to mount on ULA to dramatically reconfigure Vulcan (probably a complete ditch of the vehicle) and focus on the AR-1 as a first stage engine solution. Or use AR-1 as a basis of a new vehicle that focuses on reusability, since ULA has nothing like that and their noises regarding SMART reuse are a joke.
Fits in nicely with this video. The look inside of BO's facility's is, shall we say, rather sad
Blue Origin - 7,845 Days Later and a New Video - Anything Positive? Well...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqT2O2eHE1I
-
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EwzEoj5WQAIPBrk?format=jpg&name=large)
-
It's time to make those bets for SN11...
https://www.reddit.com/r/SpaceXMasterrace/comments/m4r60e/its_time_to_make_those_bets_for_sn11/
(https://preview.redd.it/vjt9kpjccym61.jpg?width=960&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=57cc27b9149a6e8440ab6c0b8deaa73898943c98)
-
It's time to make those bets for SN11...
https://www.reddit.com/r/SpaceXMasterrace/comments/m4r60e/its_time_to_make_those_bets_for_sn11/
(https://preview.redd.it/vjt9kpjccym61.jpg?width=960&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=57cc27b9149a6e8440ab6c0b8deaa73898943c98)
I'll take D4.
-
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1372826575293583366?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Eembeddedtimeline%7Ctwterm%5Eprofile%3Aelonmusk%7Ctwcon%5Etimelinechrome&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.starshipstalker.com%2F (https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1372826575293583366?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Eembeddedtimeline%7Ctwterm%5Eprofile%3Aelonmusk%7Ctwcon%5Etimelinechrome&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.starshipstalker.com%2F)
Marcus House
@MarcusHouse
·
14h
This is why they need that bridge crane. Temporary solution... chop a hole in the top of the high bay for the crane. A very SpaceX'ish fix to the problem. 😉
Elon Musk
@elonmusk
·
6h
The [ahem] reach-around
:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
-
It's time to make those bets for SN11...
https://www.reddit.com/r/SpaceXMasterrace/comments/m4r60e/its_time_to_make_those_bets_for_sn11/
(https://preview.redd.it/vjt9kpjccym61.jpg?width=960&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=57cc27b9149a6e8440ab6c0b8deaa73898943c98)
I'll take all squares. Betting on an airborne explosion.
-
It's time to make those bets for SN11...
https://www.reddit.com/r/SpaceXMasterrace/comments/m4r60e/its_time_to_make_those_bets_for_sn11/
(https://preview.redd.it/vjt9kpjccym61.jpg?width=960&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=57cc27b9149a6e8440ab6c0b8deaa73898943c98)
Are we betting like roulette? I'm guessing it plonks on the border of C2 and C3.
-
:rofl:
https://twitter.com/i/status/1373520044404129792
-
Looks like SN11 had a good static fire today so unless there's something we're not aware of yet SN11 could be flying within the next few of days, tomorrow even.
-
Looks like SN11 had a good static fire today so unless there's something we're not aware of yet SN11 could be flying within the next few of days, tomorrow even.
Burn baby, burn!
-
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/Ej1Zuq0WoAcSbPh.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/Ej1Zuq0XgAI0D0d.jpg)
-
Viv
@flcnhvy
·
13h
Replying to
@elonmusk
@arstechnica
and
@SciGuySpace
“study competitive launch systems from 2030 onward”
... uh, cool. SpaceX will be setting up Mars Base Alpha by then haha
Opening up European launch market to private companies would prob help. With such an absurd amount of politicians involved, result is stagnation by default
Elon Musk
@elonmusk
·
5h
SpaceX will be landing Starships on Mars well before 2030. The really hard threshold is making Mars Base Alpha self-sustaining.
-
What about it!?
@FelixSchlang
·
3h
Very strong upper level winds throughout the week above Boca Chica. We might, but it's uncertain. Fingers Crossed!!!
-
Status on LabPadre shows "no launch today" but there is tank farm activity, not sure why. Maybe another static fire?
-
Someone else wondering the same thing
https://twitter.com/SpacePadreIsle/status/1374416937187352577
-
Mary Retweeted
Michael Baylor
@nextspaceflight
The road closure for Starship SN11's test flight on Wednesday has been canceled. The earliest possible flight date is now Thursday, per road closures.
-
Mary
@BocaChicaGal
I have received an “Alert” notice and a road closure has been scheduled from 7 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 26. According to the Cameron county the closure is for engine testing (static fire) and 10km flight. 🔥🚀🔥@NASASpaceflight
https://twitter.com/BocaChicaGal/status/1375259038057893890?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Eembeddedtimeline%7Ctwterm%5Eprofile%3ABocaChicaGal%7Ctwcon%5Etimelinechrome&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.starshipstalker.com%2F
-
Tank farm activity already
It appears they're going for both a static fire and flight the same day
[popcorn]
-
Cool fog around SS and the tank farm in the moist morning air in addition to the usual morning fog there
-
Static fire
Now waiting if Mary gets an evac order for the village, if she gets one that is a sign it was a good static fire and there should be a flight attempt today
-
Light this candle
Mary
@BocaChicaGal
·
1m
I have been officially asked to evacuate Boca Chica by noon today. It’s a Go for Starship SN11 flight attempt this afternoon. 🔥🚀🔥
@NASA
https://twitter.com/BocaChicaGal/status/1375464984881283075?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Eembeddedtimeline%7Ctwterm%5Eprofile%3ABocaChicaGal%7Ctwcon%5Etimelinechrome&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.starshipstalker.com%2F
-
Wootwoot!
-
Scrub
Could be the weather, started to fog up.
They're saying next try Monday.
-
It just disappeared in the fog
-
Elon Musk
@elonmusk
·
1h
Standing down SN11 until probably Monday. Additional checkouts are needed. Doing our best to land & fully recover.
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1375545176324734978?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Eembeddedtimeline%7Ctwterm%5Eprofile%3ASpacePadreIsle%7Ctwcon%5Etimelinechrome&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.starshipstalker.com%2F
-
Tell him we wanted a belly flop.
-
FTS armed so that means [popcorn]
BTW: My SN11 bingo bet is B2
-
Elon Musk
✔
@elonmusk
Replying to @elonmusk
FAA inspector unable to reach Starbase in time for launch today. Postponed to no earlier than tomorrow.
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1376558233624666120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Eembeddedtimeline%7Ctwterm%5Eprofile%3Aelonmusk%7Ctwcon%5Etimelinechrome&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.starshipstalker.com%2F
*expletive deleted* *expletive deleted* *expletive deleted* *expletive deleted* *expletive deleted* FAA
-
*expletive deleted* *expletive deleted* *expletive deleted* *expletive deleted* *expletive deleted* FAA
Now you know how I feel.
-
:rofl:
https://twitter.com/LPTexas/status/1376558901055918082
-
FAA inspector accidentally turned right at Albuquerque.
-
Turn on the computer and they're going for a launch this morning and you can't even see the darn thing in the fog.
Elon Musk
✔
@elonmusk
Replying to @Erdayastronaut
Tracking to a potential 8am liftoff
Note: 8am CT
-
1:00 minute
-
I can see part of the tank farm!
-
She's flying ... somewhere where that glow is.
-
Big boom and flying debris. Live feed camera even got hit.
-
Great big kaboom during the engine restart. Bits and pieces raining down over the launch site.
-
SN12 you're up! Oh wait
-
I'll take all squares. Betting on an airborne explosion.
Looks like you're the winner
-
I'll take all squares. Betting on an airborne explosion.
Winner winner chicken dinner.
-
Several live streamers cameras took hits. Know of at least one that was taken out.
-
Dang.
NASA would have been frozen in a 5 year study to find out what went wrong. Hope they have no problem continuing.
-
Elon Musk
✔
@elonmusk
Replying to @elonmusk @SpaceX
At least the crater is in the right place!
-
One casualty confirmed. A yucca plant in front of a camera was clobbered by flying debris.
-
Chamber pressure issues on Engine 2 during ascent. May or may not have a connection with the RUD during landing
-
Elon Musk
@elonmusk
·
6m
Looks like engine 2 had issues on ascent & didn’t reach operating chamber pressure during landing burn, but, in theory, it wasn’t needed.
Something significant happened shortly after landing burn start. Should know what it was once we can examine the bits later today.
-
Dang.
NASA would have been frozen in a 5 year study to find out what went wrong. Hope they have no problem continuing.
In his best 300 voice
THIS IS SPACEX!
Elon Musk
✔
@elonmusk
Replying to @Adamklotz_ @SpaceX
SN15 rolls to launch pad in a few days. It has hundreds of design improvements across structures, avionics/software & engine.
Hopefully, one of those improvements covers this problem. If not, then retrofit will add a few more days.
-
http://NWS Brownsville
@NWSBrownsville
If anyone on South Padre Island, or in the Boca Chica area, Port Isabel, Laguna Vista, etc received an abrupt and startling wakeup this morning, this was probably it. Our radar was able to see #SN11 unfortunately explode in mid-air. #RGVwx #txwx
Radar image
https://twitter.com/AShipleyWX/status/1376892768426078211
-
Brady Kenniston
@TheFavoritist
Headphone warning!
Our last views of #Starship #SN11's flight, now with sound!
That's a big boom.
https://twitter.com/TheFavoritist/status/1376895130125414404
-
Bit and pieces of SN11 everywhere
Note the checklist, Crash: Check
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTA0GTgFn5E
-
Starhopper: I've seen some *expletive deleted*it
-
Elon should sell bits of his crashed starships.
I'd buy one for my kids.
-
Elon should sell bits of his crashed starships.
I'd buy one for my kids.
I would too.
-
Hold on declaring a winner of the Starship bingo. Elon did say the crater was in the right spot. Did SN11 blow up in the air or upon impacting the pad? %$#! fog
-
I would too.
Me three
-
:rofl:
Jay L. DeShetler
@jdeshetler
Starships - four visual side-by-side cool clips from Mary, syncing the moment of Raptors' ignition prior to landing. Oh...never mind.....
@NASASpaceflight
@SpaceX
@BocaChicaGal
https://twitter.com/jdeshetler/status/1376939694441697282
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/ExvZyeXUYAIHuSu-RS.jpg)
-
This is CNN
Anna Alexeev
@AlexeevAnna
Replying to
@TheFavoritist
and
@TGMetsFan98
CNN:
"SpaceX hides failing starship program behind thick fog."
12:44 PM · Mar 30, 2021·Twitter for Android
:facepalm:
-
I'm no expert nor do I play one on TV but this don't look good
https://twitter.com/BouncyNinjaaa/status/1376937906259034115
-
I'm no expert nor do I play one on TV but this don't look good
https://twitter.com/BouncyNinjaaa/status/1376937906259034115
Unavailable to me.
-
Unavailable to me.
Hitting "Refresh" a few times usually brings it up for me. Did you try that?
-
Hitting "Refresh" a few times usually brings it up for me. Did you try that?
Yeah I get that with twitter sometimes too
-
If nothnig else Elon does have a sense of humor
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1375652425814704128
-
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/ExwpJXLWQAMZQjv.jpg)
-
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/Exv5ixkWgAkHhIn.jpg)
-
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/ExwXH5iXIAINgAq-rs.jpg)
-
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/Exwa18zWYAIG1en.jpg)
-
SN15 in the High Bay
-
SpaceX Starship SN11 launch and explosion slowmo / binaural audio
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4eawtvznbc
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The Angry Astronaut is doing a live discussion
Is The Raptor The Achilles Heel For Starship?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xN-9dgJm59M
-
https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/piece-of-spacex-rocket-debris-lands-at-washington-state-farm/
If a piece of a rocket landed on my property, I sure as heck would not give it back. Unless it was hazardous.
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Mary Retweeted
Brady Kenniston
@TheFavoritist
SpaceX is planning to rollout Starship SN15 as early as Monday. In preparation for its arrival, a hydraulic ram has been installed at Suborbital Pad A to simulate Raptor forces against its new Thrust Puck.
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The Angry Astronaut is doing a live discussion
Is The Raptor The Achilles Heel For Starship?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xN-9dgJm59M
This is an interesting angle and worthy of discussion, but I just could not digest AA's format for this discussion. Constantly breaking train of thought to thank whatever patron throws a buck into the chatroom is no way to have a content driven presentation, especially when you then have to also add praise for each region of the country/world that each donor is from.
Evidently the mass fractions are so close, and the efficiency of Raptor so high, that this scope of reusability is just not possible with any other chemical rocket engine. Merlin, BE-4, RS-25, F1, whatever. Can't do it without full flow staged combustion. Which has never been done before Raptor.
What we have going on here is on par with the end of the turboprop and the rise of the jet engine, but also at the same time the peak of chemical rocket propulsion. There is just no getting significantly better, without eliminating chemical reaction mass (i.e. that giant container of O2) in favor of some other means of energetic acceleration to enjoy the benefits of Newtonian physics.
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https://www.cnet.com/news/spacex-starship-sn11-test-flight-flies-high-tuesday-then-explodes/
A later statement from SpaceX confirmed that after the landing burn started, "SN11 experienced a rapid unscheduled disassembly," adding that "teams will continue to review data from and work toward our next flight test."
Written by a true maestro of understatement and misinformation.
-
https://www.cnet.com/news/spacex-starship-sn11-test-flight-flies-high-tuesday-then-explodes/
Written by a true maestro of understatement and misinformation.
I thought it stood supreme until I was informed of an actual intentional space maneuver entitled "lithostaging": the intentional removal of spacecraft sections via collision with a hard surface.
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SN11 RUD tied to engine #2 CH4 turbopump per Elon
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Launching another 60 starlinks as I type this
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Aced the launch, aced the landing. Fantastic video from the 1st stage as it was landing on the ship
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Aced the launch, aced the landing. Fantastic video from the 1st stage as it was landing on the ship
I saw that, it was awesome.
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SN15 rolling down the highway
-
Roll on down the highway.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gi0Opxwyino (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gi0Opxwyino)
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Roll on down the highway.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gi0Opxwyino (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gi0Opxwyino)
Godspeed brave starship!
-
Completely fogged in again. Someone better keep Elon away from the launch button.
-
TankWatchers
@WatchersTank
Police cars revolving lightSUPER HEAVY LAUNCH & CATCH TOWER!
A new FAA filling confirms that SpaceX is planning to build a Launch/Catch tower for Super Heavy Booster, the tower will be located at SpaceX's Boca Chica Launch site.
https://twitter.com/WatchersTank/status/1380250360011440128/photo/1
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EyehbybXIAMOhVP?format=jpg&name=small)
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This cool as ______
Hundreds of drones were launched in the night sky in the city of Veliky Novgorod in Russia to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin's journey to space
https://twitter.com/SkyNews/status/1381698639588823040
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Wow. Drone swarm software is really impressive.
-
Wow. Drone swarm software is really impressive.
Yeah, it really is. I bet we'll start seeing those in place of and alongside fireworks shows more and more.
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Yeah but that is a bad place to "shoot" from because of angles and atmospheric attenuation.
Is "shoot" the wrong word for lasers? It works for arrows and bullets...
-
Is "shoot" the wrong word for lasers? It works for arrows and bullets...
You are throwing a lot of photons, so why not?
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Elon Musk
@elonmusk
·
8h
Aiming to launch next week
-
SpaceX
@SpaceX
·
5m
NASA has selected Starship to land the first astronauts on the lunar surface since the Apollo program! We are humbled to help
@NASAArtemis
usher in a new era of human space exploration → http://go.nasa.gov/3tur510
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1383160370248896512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Eembeddedtimeline%7Ctwterm%5Eprofile%3ASpaceX%7Ctwgr%5EeyJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2hvcml6b25fdHdlZXRfZW1iZWRfOTU1NSI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJodGUiLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfX0%3D%7Ctwcon%5Etimelinechrome&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.starshipstalker.com%2F
Michael Baylor
@nextspaceflight
·
56m
Official: SpaceX's Starship is the only vehicle selected to move forward as the Human Landing System for NASA's Artemis program, beating out Blue Origin and Dynetics.
Starship will attempt to land the first humans on the Moon since 1972.
-
:rofl:
https://twitter.com/davfilmsx3/status/1383160468181721092/photo/1
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It flies!
NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter Succeeds in Historic First Flight
https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/nasas-ingenuity-mars-helicopter-succeeds-in-historic-first-flight
-
It flies!
NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter Succeeds in Historic First Flight
https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/nasas-ingenuity-mars-helicopter-succeeds-in-historic-first-flight
That is really cool.
The small rotorcraft made history, hovering above Jezero Crater, demonstrating that powered, controlled flight on another planet is possible.
Was there some thought the laws of physics were different on another planet? Poor word choice.
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That is really cool.Was there some thought the laws of physics were different on another planet? Poor word choice.
Yeah. Of course it's "possible".
More like the "Challenge of controlled flight with an autonomous vehicle with umpteen minutes of light-lag, in an incredibly thin atmosphere."
Flying on Mars will probably always be second fiddle to rovers, aside from small side missions to look at inaccessible places like cliff sides or something. Due to the thin atmosphere and high RPM's needed it'll drain even the best battery tech fast, and create short flight with a long recharge time.
I suspect that NAA is really thinking about this with an eye towards Saturn's moon Titan, where the gravity is lower, but the atmosphere is thicker than Earth's. And the atmosphere is actually useable as fuel. You just need to carry oxygen, which could be gotten pretty easily from the water ice "rocks" laying around. Or possibly the low gravity and high lift from the environment makes nuclear powered flight possible. RTG's should work really well on Titan, because the "cold side" would be really cold and have the benefit of radiative, and conduction/convection cooling to create a nice thermoelectric gradient due to the atmosphere. Or maybe run a Sterling generator. (Need Birdman!)
IIRC, if your space-suit was light enough, and with some extra fabric and struts, I think it's even possible for a human to fly on Titan by flapping their arms due to the low gravity and thick atmosphere.
-
SpaceX won the bid for the NASA Human Landing System for the Artemis missions. Right now they're the sole source provider for a landing craft to ferry humans from the "Lunar Gateway" space station to the moon's surface.
Blue Origin and Lockheed Martin are very frustrated by this, there are hints of legal challenges and back room lobbying to come.
But the selection of a Starship variant craft as the HLS winner is cataclysmic to OldSpace. The shock waves will take several years to subside.
-
Nice to dream about but it's pie in the sky, not like any of it will ever happen.
The funding will be stripped for "more important" things like welfare and slavery *reparations.
*damn you autocorrect.
-
slavery preparations.
It may be a typo but it is not wrong.
-
It may be a typo but it is not wrong.
Yeah. :'(
-
Nice to dream about but it's pie in the sky, not like any of it will ever happen.
The funding will be stripped for "more important" things like welfare and slavery *reparations.
*damn you autocorrect.
It may be a typo but it is not wrong.
And that's how autocorrect takes an uplifting thread and plunges it into the depths of despair.
*************************************
Piece of Wright brothers' 1st plane now on Mars
https://www.livescience.com/wright-brothers-airplane-nasa-mars.html
I heard about that on the radio this afternoon. Thought it was pretty cool, and am glad someone thought to put it there.
-
Nice to dream about but it's pie in the sky, not like any of it will ever happen.
The funding will be stripped for "more important" things like welfare and slavery *reparations.
*damn you autocorrect.
That's why we have so much hope for SpaceX. With projects like Starlink, they're creating their own demand for services, even if NASA gets re-tasked with teaching gender studies to whales or something.
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Do you actually think the government will allow the US private sector to continue in space in competition with CCP? They will be regulated and taxed out of the game.
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Do you actually think the government will allow the US private sector to continue in space in competition with CCP? They will be regulated and taxed out of the game.
Look how close Boca Chica is to the border, and How much of SpaceX's launch and recovery gear is seaborne and connect the dots.
-
Do you actually think the government will allow the US private sector to continue in space in competition with CCP? They will be regulated and taxed out of the game.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51127706571_a379ab5911_w.jpg)
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(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51127706571_a379ab5911_w.jpg)
NASA is junk! It's a piece of junk!
-
Look how close Boca Chica is to the border, and How much of SpaceX's launch and recovery gear is seaborne and connect the dots.
Maybe he can make a deal and help start up the Mexican Aeronautica Espacia Administration'.
https://southpark.cc.com/video-clips/ufig22/south-park-mexican-space-program
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Well, they are sending Tom Cruise to space. (South Park episode 201 is a treasure that never gets aired anymore)
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NASA is junk! It's a piece of junk!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bifOI4MbHVU
-
Watching all the new tanks and such going up at Boca Chica it would be a heck of a mess if a Starship came down in the middle of it all.
-
NASA is junk! It's a piece of junk!
-
NASA Frantically Building Real Moon For Elon To Land On
https://babylonbee.com/news/nasa-frantically-building-real-moon-for-elon-to-land-on
The source indicated he hopes to have construction completed by 2024 when the first manned mission is planned. "That should be enough time to slap together a convincing-looking moon and install a decent space laser inside it," he said.
If not ready, the astronauts will have to use the same sound stage they used for the 1969 landing.
-
Well, they are sending Tom Cruise to space. (South Park episode 201 is a treasure that never gets aired anymore)
They even removed it from the Comedy Central website.
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SN15 static fire
Appeared to be good.
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/E0HPJyUX0AEUhBO.jpg)
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/E0HPJyUX0AEUhBO.jpg)
Nice!
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Thanks. That pic made a less than good day much better.
-
=D
The FAA approves launches of SpaceX’s Starship SN15, SN16, and SN17
https://spaceexplored.com/2021/04/29/the-faa-approves-launches-of-spacexs-starship-sn15-sn16-and-sn17/
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And in case you missed it SpaceX nailed another starlink launch and booster landing last night
-
And in case you missed it SpaceX nailed another starlink launch and booster landing night
Making the impossible into routine. :cool:
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FTS in being installed at this very moment
Flight tomorrow?
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/EyrqdxDWQAACsr7(1).jpg)
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For those interested here's how the last one went.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/EyFNlSTXEAIRf1x(1).jpg)
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Is the bingo based on initial contact with the ground or the final resting place? :rofl:
-
Is the bingo based on initial contact with the ground or the final resting place? :rofl:
Are there multipliers for accurately predicting two or more points of contact?
Brad
-
Watching the weather
-
Is the bingo based on initial contact with the ground or the final resting place? :rofl:
No you can't pick the scrap pile to the upper right.
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I'm going with the row of porta pottys.
-
Extra bonus points if it comes down in Mexico
I guess the Gulf of Mexico is fair game too.
-
If this was NASA this wouldn't be so funny. With every hard landing NASA would have to pause for a year or two while they conduct a $100 million study and then spend $3 billion changing the design of a valve. Elon turns his head and yells "NEXT! and change that %$#! valve by tomorrow morning" while we play landing pad bingo.
-
Road closure has been canceled so a scrub is assumed. Think the weather is the issue
-
And waiting in the wings
https://twitter.com/considercosmos/status/1388311210907537412/photo/1
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Oh crap, we're screwed. Maybe she'll treat it like her border job and never show up.
Vice President Kamala Harris given yet another job, this time chairing the National Space Council
https://twitchy.com/brettt-3136/2021/05/01/vice-president-kamala-harris-given-yet-another-job-this-time-chairing-the-national-space-council/.
-
Yeah we are screwed, musk needs to move offshore.
-
Oh crap, we're screwed. Maybe she'll treat it like her border job and never show up.
Vice President Kamala Harris given yet another job, this time chairing the National Space Council
https://twitchy.com/brettt-3136/2021/05/01/vice-president-kamala-harris-given-yet-another-job-this-time-chairing-the-national-space-council/.
Now she can officially manage the space between Biden's ears.
-
Mary
@BocaChicaGal
·
1h
Just received an Alert notice for Monday, May 3 from noon - 8 p.m. Currently there is no road closure scheduled on the Cameron county website but that can change at any time. #WenHop 🔥🚀🔥
@NASASpaceflight
-
Michael Baylor
@nextspaceflight
·
2h
No hop on Monday! The Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) for May 3 has been removed. TFRs are currently posted for Tuesday and Wednesday, meaning the soonest that Starship SN15 could fly is now May 4.
-
At some point it makes sense to make that airspace its own actively controlled airspace like any other airport. Temporary everything bureaucracy is pointless waste and drag.
-
Scrub. Could be weather
-
Thanks. I have the video up, but the sound turned down. I didn't noticed the title change to note it was scrubbed.
-
Still got a Starlink launch this afternoon.
-
And another good launch and landing. 9th flight for the booster.
-
Did we skip over Spacex bring four astronauts home on a night landing a few days ago?
-
Sort of, thought about posting something but got distracted and then forgot.
-
Forgot what?
You know the thing.
-
They say memory is the second thing to go. Can't remember what the first is.
-
What?
-
Get in the bunker!
Rocket debris from China's space station launch is falling back to Earth — but where?
The Long March 5B rocket's core stage could fall from space any day now.
https://www.space.com/china-space-station-rocket-launch-debris-falling
-
China's Long March 5B rocket is "unpredictably" falling back to Earth...
[tinfoil]
That's what they want you to believe.
[tinfoil]
-
China's Long March 5B rocket is "unpredictably" falling back to Earth...
If it's unpredictable, how are they telling us about it before it happens?
-
Prepping SN15 for launch
-
"Raptor service truck" back to the pad. Could be a scrub or just a check. Still over 4 hours left in the launch window.
-
Tank farm activity. Looks like they're going for it
-
Final countdown
-
Soon!
-
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/x383/WLJohnson1/.highres/mondaymorningsp1.gif)
-
They lit that candle!
-
One way or another it's coming back down
-
Come on outhouses
-
Video keeps cutting out
-
Those raptors do look different
-
On the flop!
-
Upright!
-
A small fire at the base
-
Looks like they stuck the landing!
Small fire under the base of the rocket.
-
Looks like they stuck it
-
Big fire. Crap... Hope there is no big kaboom.
-
Fire looks worrisome
-
Looks like they ran out water. Seems to be two fires. Expecting a big kaboom any time.
ETA: Water cannons back up. Fire looks to be diminished. Water cannons now turning off.
-
Fire may be out
-
Dang, I just grabbed the marshmallows.
-
Someone update the Dragon picture with SN15. =D
-
I'm still holding my breath expecting a KaBoom
-
Looks like it almost missed the pad. Pretty darn close to the water cannon too.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0qJyhXWEAMze73?format=jpg&name=large)
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Still standing
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Elon Musk
@elonmusk
·
29m
Starship landing nominal!
-
I think she landed in square C7
-
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0qbo5iXoAEysP3?format=jpg&name=large)
-
:rofl:
https://twitter.com/WolvesSuperfan/status/1390097530000605188/photo/1
-
Looks like they're sending out crew and equipment to secure SN15
-
In the dark with the lights shinning on it it looks like something from a 50s sci-fi movie.
Crew now on the pad inspecting SN15
-
[tinfoil] :facepalm:
Meh
@Meh01818310
·
59m
Replying to
@Erdayastronaut
and
@marylizbender
Honest question. Do we have any proof they actually executed the belly flop properly? They launched on a cloudy day and the video conveniently cut out during the maneuver
-
Shot of SN15 coming out of the clouds doing the flip
https://twitter.com/Erdayastronaut/status/1390125636417642496
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It's still standing
-
That's some Star Wars grade *expletive deleted*it right there.
-
"Tankzilla" rolling out to the pad
-
:rofl:
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/E0qb_tXWEAYGihc.jpg)
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Looks like they've got SN15 secured.
I was thinking they would have something to latch on to the landing legs and it appears that's just what they may have done while awaiting the arrival of "Tankzilla"
LIVE: Starship SN15 Recovery Operations [No Commentary
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2sgT7O6_LE
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Waiting on someone to give Harris credit since she's now chairing the National Space Council.
-
Looks like some of the heat tiles on the bottom test patch fell off at some point. Excellent feedback for higher altitude tests though.
I'm kind of hoping they try something a bit more "vigorous" with SN15 after they get a chance to examine it thoroughly; Instead of a slow climb to 10k meters, a rapid climb to 100k or as high as they can reasonably get it with only 3 raptors and the max partial fuel complement those 3 engines can lift. Obviously they're not going to be able to SSTO it so I'm still just talking up and down with no horizontal component. But maybe get some data on a little bit of reentry energy, compare temps on bare skin vs shielded sections.
-
Looks like they may be getting ready to move SN16 out.
-
https://twitter.com/thejackbeyer/status/1390388069329776650/photo/1
-
How dare a host not be "woke"!
Elon Musk’s upcoming ‘SNL’ hosting gig causes outrage among stars
https://nypost.com/2021/04/26/elon-musk-hosting-snl-sparks-outrage-from-shows-stars/
Elon Musk's SNL gig 'has upset cast members'
https://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/news/elon-musks-snl-gig-has-upset-cast-members/ar-BB1g5Vqu
-
Noticed only two of the raptors lit during the flip. Did Elon revert back to only lighting two or was there a failure in one of the raptors?
-
Noticed only two of the raptors lit during the flip. Did Elon revert back to only lighting two or was there a failure in one of the raptors?
I don't know, did you ask him?
-
Dear Elon
Why did you only light two raptors during SN16's flip?
And do you have that $500 million you owe me?
Thanks
WLJ
-
Dear Elon
Why did you only light two raptors during SN16's flip?
And do you have that $500 million you owe me?
Thanks
WLJ
I was listening to NASA Spaceflight and they said that it was part of the flight profile. They cannot throttle down the raptors that low so they just turn one off and the other 2 compensate.
https://youtu.be/NPNvB5ComFw?t=33880s (https://youtu.be/NPNvB5ComFw?t=33880s)
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I was listening to NASA Spaceflight and they said that it was part of the flight profile. They cannot throttle down the raptors that low so they just turn one off and the other 2 compensate.
https://youtu.be/NPNvB5ComFw?t=33880s (https://youtu.be/NPNvB5ComFw?t=33880s)
With SN8 & SN9 only two were lit during the initial landing burn. After SN9's raptor failure during the landing burn leaving only one they started lighting all three and then shut off the unneeded third if all three lit once it was known they had two good ones. With SN15 it appears they only lit two this time. Whether that was a revert back to the original way due to higher faith in SN15's revised raptors or it was because of a failure I haven't heard yet.
-
Elon Musk
@elonmusk
·
7h
Might try to refly SN15 soon
-
Elon Musk
@elonmusk
·
7h
Might try to refly SN15 soon
I was wondering if he would do that. Getting more time on it seems logical since it had a nominal flight the first time.
-
Me think AA has been drinking :rofl:
SpaceX SN15 Analysis - Starship Aces Most Critical Test Yet! (Well, 99.9%) AND May Be Reflown!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4KfLhIBdn0
-
60 more Starlinks launched last night. 10th launch and landing for the booster.
https://youtu.be/v7bL5xV8-Ys?t=3166
-
So how many more before they can bring Skynet online?
-
So how many more before they can bring Skynet online?
Or, how many more before he puts enough of those up there to make astrophotography a challenge, trying to shoot between satellite passes? :old:
bob
-
Remeber genisys is skynet.
-
Blue-check hopes Elon Musk dies in a Tesla fire after flashing that notorious ‘white power’ hand gesture during SNL appearance
https://twitchy.com/gregp-3534/2021/05/09/blue-check-hopes-elon-musk-dies-in-a-tesla-fire-after-flashing-that-notorious-white-power-hand-gesture-during-snl-appearance/
Google Musk SNL to see a bunch of SJW articles where they're losing their minds.
-
Blue-check hopes Elon Musk dies in a Tesla fire after flashing that notorious ‘white power’ hand gesture during SNL appearance
https://twitchy.com/gregp-3534/2021/05/09/blue-check-hopes-elon-musk-dies-in-a-tesla-fire-after-flashing-that-notorious-white-power-hand-gesture-during-snl-appearance/
Google Musk SNL to see a bunch of SJW articles where they're losing their minds.
No, I don't think I will. Screw their propaganda.
-
Doing something with 15. Big crane (the one they call Kong I think) on site and currently holding on it.
-
Truck hauling what looked like new landing legs (maybe) headed out to the pad
-
Branging out a 3 pack of Estes rockets.
-
Truck hauling what looked like new landing legs (maybe) headed out to the pad
The disposable interim legs are neat in their own right, the progressing size of holes creates a controlled propagation crumple zone.
-
Some good views of SN15's flight
First time I've seen the landing legs deploy from inside the skirt and pretty good view of touchdown
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CZTLogln34
-
Cool video.
This was recommended on it. Video cuts of all the short hops of the SN craft.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5Vw2ZDe-G0
-
Putting 15 on the launch pad.
Doesn't mean they're going to launch it again but we shall see.
-
China will be attempting a landing on Mars tonight
China prepares for country’s first Mars landing attempt with Tianwen-1
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/05/china-first-mars-landing-attempt-tianwen-1/
-
China will be attempting a landing on Mars tonight
China prepares for country’s first Mars landing attempt with Tianwen-1
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/05/china-first-mars-landing-attempt-tianwen-1/
I don't know why they say attempting, I am pretty sure they will hit the planet. The question is whether or not their rover will be operable after the landing. :)
bob
-
I don't know why they say attempting, I am pretty sure they will hit the planet. The question is whether or not their rover will be operable after the landing. :)
bob
There' always the possibility they could miss it entirely, it's happened.
-
Can't say I'm cheering for the CCP.
-
All the CCP has to do is copy and paste the info they stole from everyone else.
-
China landed, maybe. They're being secretive about it other than saying it landed. https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-57122914
And Rocket Lab lost one last night. Looks like the 2nd stage went wonky. https://youtu.be/idBe7iP7dso?t=5712
-
Rocket Lab's 20th Launch Spins Out Of Control After Successful Booster Flight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ir6l8dgbF9E
-
China landed, maybe. They're being secretive about it other than saying it landed. https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-57122914
And Rocket Lab lost one last night. Looks like the 2nd stage went wonky. https://youtu.be/idBe7iP7dso?t=5712
Well, China is asshoe, so....
=D
-
China landed, maybe. They're being secretive about it other than saying it landed. https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-57122914
Great. Now when the SpaceX crew lands, they're going to get COVID. =)
-
Great. Now when the SpaceX crew lands, they're going to get COVID. =)
And find all the animals eaten :P
-
Another 52 Starlinks launched yesterday.
-
Still have yet to see one photo from the Chinese Mars lander. Well except for maybe one unlabeled photo which may or not be from the lander. Either something has gone wong or they're just being aholes.
-
^^^Things that make me go 'hmmm'.
-
Still have yet to see one photo from the Chinese Mars lander. Well except for maybe one unlabeled photo which mayor not be from the lander. Either something has gone wong or they're just being aholes.
Those aren't mutually exclusive conditions but odds on the former are pretty high.
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https://babylonbee.com/news/china-lands-alluring-female-mars-rover-to-steal-secrets-from-nasa-rover
China Lands Alluring Female Mars Rover To Steal Secrets From NASA Rover
(https://media.babylonbee.com/articles/article-8640-2.jpg)
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Get one more up there and it is robot fighting time.
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Get one more up there and it is robot fighting time.
Robot Wars! On MARS!!!!
The ratings would be through the roof. =D
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Robot Wars! On MARS!!!!
The ratings would be through the roof. astronomical =D
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With the lower gravity, it occurs to me the flipper type robots could launch them a LONG way.
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Blue Origin is insufferable.
Fans of BO on their sub are claiming they're contributing to a new record of the largest number of people in space simultaneously.
Was previously set by one the Shuttles docking with the ISS back in 1995, at the same time a Mir crew was present on that station and another ISS rotation on the way in another Soyuz. 13 people. Been tied a couple times since then but not eclipsed.
The fans of that expensive pogo stick ride are claiming that the people in it are going to "space" and will contribute to a new record of 7 on the ISS, 3 on the Chinese station, and if at least 4 are in New Shepard, then that will make 14 people. Nevermind the damn thing has no horizontal velocity to speak of, the life support on it is so primitive as to be effectively nonexistent, it has no RCS/OMS control capability, no heat shielding, and it cannot dock with anything.
Honestly I find the notion of calling anyone who rides a spacecraft an "astronaut" to be disingenuous. Passengers on ocean craft are not called sailors. And in particular, the "naut" portion of the word means you're in the act of traversing, traveling, or navigating. A weak-ass ballistic craft that can't go anywhere, is not doing any of those things. Even if you pay for an orbital pleasure cruise, such as the Inspiration 4 mission launching this summer on a SpaceX dragon, or the DearMoon mission supposed to launch around 2024 to send a private crew on a Starship on a slingshot around the Moon, if you're not responsible for and capable of controlling the craft and altering its flight profile or repairing its subsystems... you're not an astronaut. My guess is that all 4 of the Inspiration 4 mission will have different levels of competence in those regards and might actually earn the title.
People on New Shepard though, will have the vast responsibility over their bowels, their cameras, and their seat belts. And that's all.
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I like BO's engine designs but everything else about them stinks like last week's diapers. Things like demanding billions from the govt up front when Bezos could easily pay for it out of pocket.
And speak of the devil, this just popped up a few minutes ago.
With the limited funding, NASA said it could afford to pay for only a single company to build its lunar lander and last month it awarded Elon Musk’s SpaceX the contract. As a result, Bezos’s space venture, Blue Origin, lost out after bidding $6 billion, or twice what SpaceX had said it would charge. (Bezos owns The Washington Post.)
Along with Dynetics, the defense contractor that also lost out on the contract, Blue Origin protested NASA’s decision, saying the space agency “executed a flawed acquisition.” It also took to Capitol Hill, lobbying its allies in Congress to force NASA to come up with the additional money and make a second award.
On Wednesday, Sen. Maria Cantwell (D) of Washington state, where Blue Origin is headquartered, came through, introducing legislation that calls for NASA to do just that. The legislation, which passed as an amendment to another bill, would authorize but not appropriate an additional $10 billion to the Artemis program through fiscal 2026. It also calls for NASA to pick a second winner for the contract.
Blue Origin’s loss to SpaceX on the lunar lander contract may get Congress to do something it hadn’t done before: Give NASA extra money
Sen. Maria Cantwell’s legislation would give NASA an additional $10 billion to fund a second lunar lander after SpaceX won a single award
https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/05/12/cantwell-blue-origin-jeff-bezos-nasa/
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Trouble with that is that authorization without appropriation basically dictates that NASA must split the award. And in true "from each according to his ability, to each according to his need" fashion, would mean that 2/3 of the award originally destined for SpaceX would go instead to BO (since SpaceX's bid was ~$3 billion and BO's bid was $6 billion).
I'd just as soon see SpaceX drop out and rescind their bid at that point, and land people on the Moon before NASA and without their participation. *expletive deleted*it on the entire Orion/SLS/Gateway/Lander architecture and publicly eviscerate it for the laughingstock it is.
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BO: Founded Sept 2000
SpaceX: Founded May 2002
We all know what SpaceX has done since it's founding but what has BO done in that time? A few vertical flights and that's it, not a single anything to orbit. Meanwhile Bozo, the richest man in the world BTW, demands more govt money
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BO: Founded Sept 2000
SpaceX: Founded May 2002
We all know what SpaceX has done since it's founding but what has BO done in that time? A few vertical flights and that's it, not a single anything to orbit. Meanwhile Bozo, the richest man in the world BTW, demands more govt money
Now how much NASA money has each taken along with any other grants, subsidies or nondelivery?
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At last: First Photos from China’s Mars Rover #shorts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ep7Hb0_GPbU
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At last: First Photos from China’s Mars Rover #shorts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ep7Hb0_GPbU
I was hoping for decepticons.
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This is an experimental better-than-nothing livestream. Virgin Galactic is attempting its first spaceflight from Spaceport America in New Mexico. There may be gaps in the live video when Jack Beyer, our correspondent in the field, moves between locations.
LIVE: Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity attempts first spaceflight from Spaceport America
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbFPOnyCyZs
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LIVE: Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity attempts first spaceflight from Spaceport America
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbFPOnyCyZs
Now that's a name I haven't heard from in a while.
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https://www.flightradar24.com/VGX03/27cb3f3c
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Camera-man/person/they/them/it/mass of cells/thing is changing positions so don't be surprised they're just showing flightradr24 in the meantime.
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Looks like a good drop and engine burn.
FlightRadar24 shows it at 0ft LOL
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/E2ASz_AVcAkbYIb.jpg)
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Looks like BO (Bezos Odor) issues are going to cost ULA millions and are hosing the DOD as well.
BO's engines were looking good but now not so much
The Angry Astronaut delves into the reasons behind ULA's cancelation of a key military flight in favor of a more expensive Atlas V.
Who is the obvious culprit? Just how bad is the situation with Vulcan Centaur, and what could this mean to NASA and the US Military?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gsjktI7wzQ
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/E2A2ME4XMAIiElW.jpg)
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Isn't Blue Origin using refurbished Russian motors?
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Isn't Blue Origin using refurbished Russian motors?
Not sure. They might be using Hawkmoons refurbished computers.
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Isn't Blue Origin using refurbished Russian motors?
You're thinking of the first engines ULA was offered from Energomash. I think all the refurbs have been expended decades ago. They've been using new manufactured RD-180's from NPO Energomash on the Atlas V.
Blue Origin was supposed to deliver the BE-4 methalox engine for the new ULA Vulcan heavy lifter but they are screwing the pooch hard.
I find it hilarious that due to a law kicking in next year there is an outside chance that ULA may need to buy SpaceX engines; Government paylods will be banned from flying on foreign made engines. So no more RD-180 engined Atlas-V for those, meanwhile they still don't have their engine for the Vulcan ready because Bezos.
This opens the possibility of a Merlin engined Atlas-V/VI or a Raptor engined Vulcan. Since Merlin is mature and SpaceX is looking to move beyond the Falcon rockets I could definitely see Musk making some cash on the back engine of that program selling refurbished single use Merlin's to ULA.
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Technically, Raptor is required to be available for sale to launch service competitors of SpaceX due to some funding SpaceX accepted back in 2016/2017.
http://www.parabolicarc.com/2016/01/18/spacex-air-force-funding-infusion-raptor-engine/
What's interesting about that, is that Raptor is physically so much smaller (smaller radius) than BE-4 but puts out roughly the same thrust. I can't find a published number for the nozzle diameter, but the couple of pathfinder and prototype images I've seen put it at about 2 meters. Raptor is only 1.3 meters diameter. This increases the thrust per square meter available on the bottom of the engine, meaning that instead of having only two BE-4 engines and a series of strap on SRB's, ULA could reconfigure and stretch the first stage tank a bit, and go to 4 or 5 Raptors.
Trouble here from a market perspective, is that the DOD doesn't want all its eggs in one basket. If there's a Raptor problem down the road, it grounds ULA and SpaceX (once they finalize their shift to Starship). ULA wanted BE-4 for market variety.
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Elon could shift gears for a little bit and get a larger faring for the Falcon Heavy up and running and that would allow the FH to take over until SS is available as a launch vehicle in the meantime.
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Elon could shift gears for a little bit and get a larger faring for the Falcon Heavy up and running and that would allow the FH to take over until SS is available as a launch vehicle in the meantime.
Already is, but slower and distributing its cost over several launches because DoD didn't pay them to develop it unlike Vulcan.
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Already is, but slower and distributing its cost over several launches because DoD didn't pay them to develop it unlike Vulcan.
My understanding is that the larger FH faring is not ready yet due to it being a low priority on Elon's to do list since he's so focused on SS. AA's video gets into that some. FH unlike Vulcan is already flying with proven engines but needs a larger faring for many contracts which Elon has said is doable. Maybe with this BO/ULA mess the DOD will be calling Elon and saying "Pretty $$$$$ Please".
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More faring issues. This time with the Ariane 5's effecting the launch of the James Webb Telescope.
Will the James Webb Space Telescope get delayed AGAIN?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNL_3Iirmtk
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More BO news
The man who just bought a 1/2 billion dollar yacht needs what is basically a bailout :facepalm:
NOW THAT Jeff Bezos’s space flight company Blue Origin has lost a multibillion contract to Elon Musk’s SpaceX, Congress is prepping the ground for Bezos to win a contract anyway, ordering NASA to make not one but two awards.
The order would come through the Endless Frontier Act, a bill to beef up resources for science and technology research that’s being debated on the Senate floor this week. An amendment was added to that legislation by Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., to hand over $10 billion to NASA — money that most likely would go to Blue Origin, a company that’s headquartered in Cantwell’s home state.
SENATE PREPARING $10 BILLION BAILOUT FUND FOR JEFF BEZOS SPACE FIRM
https://theintercept.com/2021/05/25/jeff-bezos-blue-origin-senate-bailout/
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Word is SN15 is heading back to the barn.
https://twitter.com/thejackbeyer/status/1397403053968400390?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Eembeddedtimeline%7Ctwterm%5Eprofile%3ABocaChicaGal%7Ctwgr%5EeyJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2hvcml6b25fdHdlZXRfZW1iZWRfOTU1NSI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJodGUiLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3R3ZWV0X2VtYmVkX2NsaWNrYWJpbGl0eV8xMjEwMiI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJjb250cm9sIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH19%7Ctwcon%5Etimelinechrome&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.starshipstalker.com%2F
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Still have yet to see one photo from the Chinese Mars lander. Well except for maybe one unlabeled photo which may or not be from the lander. Either something has gone wong or they're just being aholes.
https://youtu.be/uX2cS8wvQHI?t=91
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Another 60 Starlinks launched and another good landing
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SN15 rolling down the road to the barn https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKfJPq4KbXc
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/E2Vk6oSWYAIY85r.jpg)
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/E2SiAlfX0AAOqYo.jpg)
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*expletive deleted*it
https://twitter.com/katlinegrey/status/1397446169098346496
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What it says
JohnnyBgood
@Casual_Opinion
·
14h
Replying to
@katlinegrey
and
@DJSnM
Can someone translate what the graffiti is saying?
Tip
LT H
@LTH38584255
·
13h
Прежде чем лезть к вездам, человеку нужно научиться жить на земле = Before going to the stars, man must learn to live on Earth
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SN15 rolling down the road to the barn https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKfJPq4KbXc
Okay, not the barn. Went pass the highbay.
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*expletive deleted*it
https://twitter.com/katlinegrey/status/1397446169098346496
Evidently it translates to some of that commie bullshit about fixing problems on Earth first.
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Evidently it translates to some of that commie bullshit about fixing problems on Earth first.
Translation is in my following post
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/E2Ojx-jXEAAZond.jpg)
https://twitter.com/Caspar_Stanley/status/1397140728153788416/photo/1
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To go with the photo in reply #633
Why did SpaceX’s Falcon 9 Make a Visible Shockwave in the Sky? #shorts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlkXVJQ0atE
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/E2Ojx-jXEAAZond.jpg)
https://twitter.com/Caspar_Stanley/status/1397140728153788416/photo/1
Beautiful art. Note the engines won't be that close to each other. Have to leave room for gimballing.
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The outer ring won't gimbal.
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/E2SiAlfX0AAOqYo.jpg)
=D
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Chris G - NSF
@ChrisG_NSF
Recent news of graffiti defacement of a remaining #Buran orbiter in #Baikonur has led to renewed criticisms of lax security at the Kazakh spaceport & calls to transfer ownership of the "Soviet Shuttles" to museums.
From Katya Pavlushchenko (
@katlinegrey
)
https://twitter.com/ChrisG_NSF/status/1397970730000826372
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https://twitter.com/ChrisG_NSF/status/1397970730000826372
Didn't the one Russia have end up wearing a roof because they didn't maintain the building it was in?
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Some Starlink news
Actually wondered if something like this would come up due to Starlinks potential impact on ground based astronomy. It could start getting crowed up there with Starlink + ESA's Oneweb and now China's verision.
Satellite operator Viasat is asking the FCC to stop SpaceX from launching more Starlink satellites as it heads to court to compel a thorough environmental review of the rapidly growing megaconstellation.
On Friday, Viasat formally asked the Federal Communications Commission to stay an April 27 license modification that allows SpaceX to continue building out the broadband constellation, which already numbers more than 1,600 satellites.
Viasat’s bid to stop or at least slow Starlink’s expansion rests on convincing a federal appeals court that the FCC was legally obligated to assess the megaconstellation’s environmental impact before approving SpaceX’s request to more than double the number of satellites it intends to operate from 550 kilometers.
Viasat asks FCC to halt Starlink launches while it seeks court ruling
https://spacenews.com/viasat-asks-fcc-to-halt-starlink-launches-while-it-seeks-court-ruling/
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Some Starlink news
Actually wondered if something like this would come up due to Starlinks potential impact on ground based astronomy. It could start getting crowed up there with Starlink + ESA's Oneweb and now China's verision.
Viasat asks FCC to halt Starlink launches while it seeks court ruling
https://spacenews.com/viasat-asks-fcc-to-halt-starlink-launches-while-it-seeks-court-ruling/
Endless environmental impact studies is how the aholes running the show kill technologies that would reduce our dependence on them. Like with nuclear power or the logging industry.
I expect they really don't give two shits about the environment, they just was government protectionism against a market competitor.
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Endless environmental impact studies is how the aholes running the show kill technologies that would reduce our dependence on them. Like with nuclear power or the logging industry.
I expect they really don't give two shits about the environment, they just was government protectionism against a market competitor.
Not the environment per say but how thousands of low earth orbit satellites will impact ground based astronomy.
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/E2l09ttUUAAvJR-.jpg)
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Cargo Dragon launch
Apparently no static fire before launch this time which is highly unusual if not a first for SpaceX
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKVmkvhheA4
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Cargo Dragon launch
Apparently no static fire before launch this time which is highly unusual if not a first for SpaceX
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKVmkvhheA4
Possible indication of how reliable the Merlin engine has become.
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Possible indication of how reliable the Merlin engine has become.
It was also the first launch of a new booster versus a used one in quite a while. Twenty launches if I am not mistaken.
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It was also the first launch of a new booster versus a used one in quite a while. Twenty launches if I am not mistaken.
But what about the engines on board? Those get swapped around a lot. They could have been reflown.
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LIVE: SpaceX Launches the SXM-8 Communications Spacecraft
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVEe6LYhWbY
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Looks like 16 is going nowhere and may be scrapped while 17 is currently being scrapped since it looks like they're going straight to orbital with SN20
https://youtu.be/fBa3V3WkMs0
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Neat stuff.
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Someone bid $28 million for a 10 minute BO flight. Some are saying it would be funny as heck if it was Musk or Branson.
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Someone bid $28 million for a 10 minute BO flight. Some are saying it would be funny as heck if it was Musk or Branson.
:laugh:
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To add to the above only 3 of those 10 minutes will actually be in micro gravity. So yeah
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:rofl:
https://twitter.com/SpaceXMR/status/1403489727701991430/photo/1
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/E3sjICQXMAIjy8T.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/E3skAxhXIAYpo3K.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/E3skCUkWQAAYgsl.jpg)
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/E3sjICQXMAIjy8T.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/E3skAxhXIAYpo3K.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/E3skCUkWQAAYgsl.jpg)
They've gone to plaid!
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A beautiful piece of fine machinery!
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SN16 rolled out of the High Bay looks like it's headed to the area where 15 is currently sitting.
LIVE: Lift of Starship Orbital Launch Tower Section #5
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WL6Fl8cex3Q
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Also on a live feed
Spacewalk to Install New International Space Station Solar Arrays
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCKsedpraVg
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Launch currently on hold at 30 seconds due to weather
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WE-nD_gozw
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Make that a range violation
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Scrubbed due to range violation. Speculation they couldn't get the range clear before the weather closed in so they scrubbed
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They're saying a plane cause the range violation. Probably Bezos trying to see what a real launch actually looks like
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Damn, missed that they were trying again today. Any idea when the next attempt is?
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06/29/2021 15:40
Stephen Clark Stephen Clark
Elon Musk, SpaceX's founder and CEO, says an aircraft ventured into the keep out zone around the Falcon 9's flight path, triggering the last-minute hold.
06/29/2021 15:04
Stephen Clark Stephen Clark
SCRUB. SpaceX confirms the Falcon 9 launch won’t happen today after a last-minute hold at T-minus 11 seconds due to a “fouled range.” The next opportunity for launch is tomorrow at 2:56 p.m. EDT (1856 GMT).
https://spaceflightnow.com/2021/06/29/falcon-9-transporter-2-mission-status-center/
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Seeing some posts saying it was a Navy P-8 that causes the scrub.
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Live feeds
Tubular Bells: Part One Livestream | Virgin Orbit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgL5pMDktxA
Watch Virgin Orbit launch a rocket from a 747!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05MfomjVKlo
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Flightradar24 track https://www.flightradar24.com/OBT01/283cf815
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If at first you don't succeed
LIVE: SpaceX launches Transporter 2 mission, performs landing at Cape Canaveral
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwJVJU2RAEY
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiWg7L0NJYU
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Absolutely gorgeous landing views
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That landing, tho.
-
SpaceX teams are performing the first rollout of a Super Heavy booster in Starbase, Texas. The prototype vehicle, Booster 3, will go to Test Stand A for testing. Booster 4 is currently slated to be the booster that launches the orbital launch attempt.
LIVE: First ever Super Heavy rollout as Booster 3 heads to launch site
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDnwL2EokhU
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That landing, tho.
Check this out
Tracking footage of Falcon 9 landing on LZ-1
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1410392725996904448
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Check this out
Tracking footage of Falcon 9 landing on LZ-1
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1410392725996904448
Nice. Almost looks like a CGI shot from a scifi movie.
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/E5PUnfMWEAc4DW7.jpg)
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Check this out
Tracking footage of Falcon 9 landing on LZ-1
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1410392725996904448
My first thought was "beautiful"! On second thought "Damn beautiful"!
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/E5PUnfMWEAc4DW7.jpg)
"Please don't explode on me..." -Starhopper
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Jeff who?
LIVE: Virgin Galactic launches Richard Branson to space on Unity 22
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KI2_cpR9Ek
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Interesting that both Branson and Bezos are going up this month, but Musk is staying on the ground. This is where we see if Musk is actually a Bond villain or not, consolidating his power. =D
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I have a rule: Never be the launch customer. That rule is very important in rocketry.
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In the air
One way or another Branson is coming back down.
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Another live feed where they're showing VG's feed at the moment
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3RXPF_B7As
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Coming down
The look on one of the girls faces is like "is that it?" :rofl:
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Back on the ground in one piece.
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Interesting that both Branson and Bezos are going up this month, but Musk is staying on the ground. This is where we see if Musk is actually a Bond villain or not, consolidating his power. =D
He just turned 50 and he has stated in the past that he intends to die on Mars, just hopefully not on impact.
It would not surprise me if he has been grooming a replacement for a few years and he's on either the first or second manned crews to work on the Mars propellant plant.
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Is Musk making a profit with payloads? I know a guy here in STL (I think he would be a good fit here...) who is going "satellite payload" rocket stuff... He is "interesting."
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Coming down
The look on one of the girls faces is like "is that it?" :rofl:
The taller, Anglo-looking woman had been up before.
-
That was an attempt at a double entendre joke
-
LIVE: Super Heavy Booster 3 Cryogenic Proof Testing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0sKS0Ea8xs
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LIVE: Super Heavy Booster 3 Cryogenic Proof Testing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0sKS0Ea8xs
I both do and don't want to see it go pop. =D
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Could be why there are rumors of SpaceX possibly moving super heavy operations to the Cape or using the Cape as a backup.
Based on the environmental review, the FAA could order SpaceX to take down the tower. "It is possible that changes would have to be made at the launch site, including to the integration towers to mitigate significant impacts," the May 6 letter said, adding the FAA learned of the tower's construction "based on publicly available video footage."
U.S. warns SpaceX its new Texas launch site tower not yet approved
https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/faa-warns-spacex-it-has-not-approved-new-texas-launch-site-tower-2021-07-14/
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Could be why there are rumors of SpaceX possibly moving super heavy operations to the Cape or using the Cape as a backup.
U.S. warns SpaceX its new Texas launch site tower not yet approved
https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/faa-warns-spacex-it-has-not-approved-new-texas-launch-site-tower-2021-07-14/
Old news. Mountain out of molehill. It's already resolved.
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Old news. Mountain out of molehill. It's already resolved.
SN flight FAA issues were resolved but it appears the tower issue may, note may, still be on going. But some are now saying it's just a paperwork issue.
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While I wasn't looking they started doing BN3 static fires. Life get in the way of keeping on top of some of this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Cl5wrUffk0
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Jeff Who's turn
LIVE: Blue Origin Launches Jeff Bezos to Space on First Crewed New Shepard Mission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGl8MRJheiA
-
Jeff wearing an ugly as ____ cowboy hat.
They even have one of those Arby ring if you liked your meal bells on the launch pad :rofl: :facepalm:
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"You have to push the button to talk!"
"YOU HAVE TO PUSH THE BUTTON TO TALK!"
:rofl:
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OMG the suck up to Bezos from the BO people [barf]
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A couple of things:
The guy who had "other obligations" is going to be hating life if his name ever gets out. :laugh:
Both Bezos and Branson are essentially taking super expensive carnival rides. Don't get me wrong - I'd go in a heartbeat. The rides though, are only 50 miles up and 10 minutes long. I heard on the TV this morning that Musk plans to (unsure if it's the first ride or later this year) go into orbit. Now that's a ride to space!
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"That's a penis!"
:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
I have to say, that was my thought the first time I saw the spacecraft. Is Bezos one of the rich people that spent a lot of time on Epstein Island? =D
https://twitchy.com/gregp-3534/2021/07/20/flesh-gordon-jeff-bezos-rocket-reminds-people-of-a-male-body-part/
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"That's a penis!"
:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
I have to say, that was my thought the first time I saw the spacecraft. Is Bezos one of the rich people that spent a lot of time on Epstein Island? =D
https://twitchy.com/gregp-3534/2021/07/20/flesh-gordon-jeff-bezos-rocket-reminds-people-of-a-male-body-part/
I came this close to typing "Light this penis" in one of the live chats but I figured I would get banned
-
A couple of things:
The guy who had "other obligations" is going to be hating life if his name ever gets out. :laugh:
Both Bezos and Branson are essentially taking super expensive carnival rides. Don't get me wrong - I'd go in a heartbeat. The rides though, are only 50 miles up and 10 minutes long. I heard on the TV this morning that Musk plans to (unsure if it's the first ride or later this year) go into orbit. Now that's a ride to space!
I think that to be called a "space trip" they need at least one orbit. Branson got close to space but all he really did was ride a rocket plane really high.
Bezos crossed the imaginary line but still just barely got there.
Give me an orbit or stay at home. ;)
bob
-
I have a feeling the first manned Starship will be a spectacle.
"Hold my Tesla and watch this!"
As an aside, I noticed on the live stream that Blue Origin was using Rivian electric trucks to go to the launch pad. Not passive aggressive at all....
-
I have a feeling the first manned Starship will be a spectacle.
"Hold my Tesla and watch this!"
As an aside, I noticed on the live stream that Blue Origin was using Rivian electric trucks to go to the launch pad. Not passive aggressive at all....
Heh, Musk, in his Tesla, bolted inside the starship, riding it to orbit and back again.
Just to put stuff into historical perspective...
VG is working on a multipassenger X-15 (and this actually has potential for niche high speed travel)
BO is working on a refurbishable multipassenger Mercury-Redstone (really expensive thrill ride)
SX is working on a reusable Saturn-V (and has already made a refurbishable Apollo and reusable Titan-IV)
My opinion of BO is they only exist to suck up government money.
-
Well, here we go. Now that private enterprise is heading for space, we need to tax space.
https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/commercial-spaceflight-the-next-frontier-for-taxes
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How they saw the launch in Japan
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/amPKM1X_460swp.webp)
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/a4Em21A_460swp.webp)
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/aEpyWbN_460swp.webp)
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I really hope Elon lights up a fat one when he reaches orbit. Just because. [popcorn] Ultimate dad joke and a first for humanity.
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I really hope Elon lights up a fat one when he reaches orbit. Just because. [popcorn] Ultimate dad joke and a first for humanity.
You could do zero G smoking but the ash and particulate is gonna be a pain to manage. Probably just use a vaporiser.
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Turning the thread slightly political, Bezos gave Van Jones $100 million after landing as a way for "paying back" for the launch. Right after he said "thanks to Amazon employees and customers for paying for my ride". Even libs seem to be going after him for giving money to Jones instead of Amazon employees (or the organizations lefties would prefer the money go to).
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Turning the thread slightly political, Bezos gave Van Jones $100 million after landing as a way for "paying back" for the launch. Right after he said "thanks to Amazon employees and customers for paying for my ride". Even libs seem to be going after him for giving money to Jones instead of Amazon employees (or the organizations lefties would prefer the money go to).
Bezos is all about Bezos.
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Jeff Who?
SpaceX
@SpaceX
·
7h
NASA has selected Falcon Heavy to fly Europa Clipper! Launching in October 2024, this interplanetary mission will study whether Jupiter's icy moon Europa could have conditions suitable for life. http://go.nasa.gov/3iGmYKV
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1418667693016711170
NASA Awards Launch Services Contract for Europa Clipper Mission
https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-awards-launch-services-contract-for-europa-clipper-mission
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BTW: They got the Hubble working again after many said it was dead for good.
NASA Returns Hubble Space Telescope to Science Operations
https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2021/operations-underway-to-restore-payload-computer-on-nasas-hubble-space-telescope
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Looks like the FAA has redefined what an astronaut is, and Bezos didn't make the cut. I believe the new rules came out the day of his launch. I also recall the launch announcer kept calling everyone in the penis "astronauts". =)
https://www.foxbusiness.com/technology/faa-jeff-bezos-not-astronaut-new-criteria
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Looks like the FAA has redefined what an astronaut is, and Bezos didn't make the cut. I believe the new rules came out the day of his launch. I also recall the launch announcer kept calling everyone in the penis "astronauts". =)
https://www.foxbusiness.com/technology/faa-jeff-bezos-not-astronaut-new-criteria
Yeah, bugged me a bit when the launch announcer kept calling each one as Astronaut-Name over and over again. Similar to Famous Daves restaurants where everyone is referred to as Famous-Name.
I can understand the FAA on this because calling them astronauts is akin to calling every passenger on an airliner a pilot and that's really all Bezos was, a passenger. But that's okay, Bezos has got plenty of money for greasing palms to get this changed.
How about we call him Junior Astronaut Bezos like they did in the old days when they allowed little kids to visit the cockpit of an airliner? :rofl:
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I can understand the FAA on this because calling them astronauts is akin to calling every passenger on an airliner a pilot and that's really all Bezos was, a passenger. But that's okay, Bezos has got plenty of money for greasing palms to get this changed.
I agree. Just like in aircraft, you can have "pilot" and "aircrew" and they are all generally "aircrew", astronauts should either be piloting the craft, or doing some job related to operations to be referred to as "astronauts". Bezos, et. al., were essentially passengers on a (really cool) trip.
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(https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Ftse4.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DOIP.qBbIWR4mTqvpZ9Xk_nkJ7QAAAA%26pid%3DApi&f=1)
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And fittingly found on Amazon
Kid even looks like Bezos :rofl:
Jr. Astronaut Suit with Cap
https://www.amazon.com/Aeromax-Astronaut-Embroidered-patches-WHITE/dp/B000FGM3S6/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1AZOTWMP9GWK9&dchild=1&keywords=junior+astronaut&qid=1627136065&sprefix=junior+as%2Caps%2C217&sr=8-2
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Jeff Who?
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1418667693016711170
NASA Awards Launch Services Contract for Europa Clipper Mission
https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-awards-launch-services-contract-for-europa-clipper-mission
ALL THESE WORLDS
ARE YOURS EXCEPT
EUROPA
ATTEMPT NO
LANDING THERE
USE THEM TOGETHER
USE THEM IN PEACE
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And fittingly found on Amazon
Kid even looks like Bezos :rofl:
Jr. Astronaut Suit with Cap
https://www.amazon.com/Aeromax-Astronaut-Embroidered-patches-WHITE/dp/B000FGM3S6/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1AZOTWMP9GWK9&dchild=1&keywords=junior+astronaut&qid=1627136065&sprefix=junior+as%2Caps%2C217&sr=8-2
No adult sizes? What a fricking rip off!
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LabPadre
@LabPadre
You know you have a problem when you call in a duster for mosquitos. #SpaceX #Starbase #BocaChica #Texas #Starship
https://twitter.com/LabPadre/status/1419324078230487048
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/E7LLNllX0Ac7Zkr.jpg)
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Jeff "Not the Astronaut" Bezos waving money at NASA
The world’s richest man appealed to NASA Administrator Bill Nelson in an open letter Monday, offering to cover billions of dollars in the US space agency’s costs. In doing so, Bezos hopes Blue Origin can be reconsidered for a contract to build the vehicle that will land the next astronauts on the moon.
Jeff Bezos offers NASA $2 billion to get Blue Origin back in the moon race
https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/27/tech/jeff-bezos-nasa-intl-hnk/index.html
Blue Origin's $2 Billion offer to NASA is VERY bad for Artemis and competition! Here's why!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufXfshZTo-E
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Work for the first orbital flight continues
29 Raptor Engines Installed on Super Heavy Booster 4 Overnight | SpaceX Boca Chica
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3v3wxg7DI5o
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/E71EbSvUcAEnHkI.jpg)
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/E71EdLhVUAAifFJ.jpg)
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/E7zARpUWEAI65OI.jpg)
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A Boeing Starliner spacecraft is flying the Orbital Flight Test 2 (OFT-2) uncrewed demonstration mission to the Space Station. Liftoff on an Atlas V rocket from SLC-41 at Cape Canaveral SFS, Florida is scheduled for 1:20 pm Eastern (17:20 UTC).
LIVE: Atlas V Launches Starliner OFT-2 for Boeing and NASA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEQwjJW7iI4
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LIVE: Atlas V Launches Starliner OFT-2 for Boeing and NASA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEQwjJW7iI4
Private Video :'(
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Private Video :'(
WTH, they've never done that before.
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Flight was scrubbed and I guess the live feed was too.
Boeing's Starliner launch delayed yet again
Engineers found an unexpected issue with Starliner's propulsion system.
https://www.space.com/boeing-starliner-oft2-nasa-launch-delayed
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https://twitter.com/austinbarnard45/status/1422635216024264707
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Flight was scrubbed and I guess the live feed was too.
Boeing's Starliner launch delayed yet again
Engineers found an unexpected issue with Starliner's propulsion system.
https://www.space.com/boeing-starliner-oft2-nasa-launch-delayed
I feel bad for anyone from NASA that is selected to ride in Starliner. That capsule is a real *expletive deleted*it show.
Kind of hoping that the Dreamchaser wins a cargo contract and continues evolution to function as it was intended: A crewed space plane.
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Meanwhile SN20 is taking shape with 3 atmosphere and 3 vacuum raptors
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/E7663rjXoAUPP5V.jpg)
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It is wonderful to see private industry working on space flight! =D
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Starbase Factory Tour with Elon Musk (Part 1/3) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t705r8ICkRw)
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LIVE: Super Heavy Booster 4 Lifted to Orbital Launch Table
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtTsj02BvlI
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And here I thought this whole time SpaceX was their official name. :facepalm:
Elon Musk
@elonmusk
·
6h
That is the goal. Our official name is actually Space Exploration Technologies. SpaceX is short form.
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They're lifting the booster right now. Amazing views of the engines
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyHVskV5SAI
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/E7-oZsRXMAI72cS.jpg)
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/E7-oZsRWUAISuIU.jpg)
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/E7-oZsSWQAExz6x.jpg)
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A few more boosters and proper timing, I think they could push earth into path of SMOD.
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That's.....a lot of engines.
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Korolev's dream might finally reach space. =)
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I wonder what the lifting capacity of that crane is, and the weight of the rocket.
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That is a Liebherr LR 11350 (https://wiki.labpadre.com/w/Kong) with a 1500 ton capacity.
Super Heavy is estimated to be about 300 tons dry.
(http://spacelaunchreport.com/bfr.html)
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And here's SN20
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/E8BhQgyWEAEbiKy.jpg)
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And already rolling to the pad
LIVE: Starship Rollout as Ship 20 Heads to the Pad for Stacking on Booster 4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzvMbxaj15Y
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/E8BuINmXoAcnXBj.jpg)
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Thought I was seeing things at first but it's being followed by a fuel tank.
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Good views of the tiles. Still big gaps thought. Amazing it's already rolling down the road considering they only just put the nosecone on yesterday.
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(https://img.etimg.com/thumb/msid-77252726,width-300,imgsize-70647,,resizemode-4,quality-100/.jpg)
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Meanwhile a Chinese "private" space flight company, iSpace, had a failure
Chinese commercial rocket Hyperbola-1 fails in Return to Flight attempt
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/08/chinese-commercial-hyperbola-fails-return/
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Looks like they getting ready to stack SN20 on top of BN4
Elon Musk
@elonmusk
Aiming to stack ship on booster today
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/E8DErhlVUAAORur.jpg)
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
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LIVE: Starship Prototype Ship 20 Stacking on Super Heavy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36uoAA13vvA
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Elon Musk
@elonmusk
·
4m
Winds are too high today. Looks like wind speed will be low enough to stack early tomorrow morning.
-
Elon Musk
✔
@elonmusk
Replying to @techvamp
Once Mechazilla is operational, winds will rarely be an issue
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Stacking
LIVE: Starship Prototype Ship 20 Stacked on Super Heavy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4B2_dfvRZ4M
Holy ...............
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/E8G4JVTWQAIRh_u.jpg)
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/E8G5_5wWUAMABVG.jpg)
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Contact
-
That's one tall rocket. I wonder when SpaceX will get their problems with the FAA squared away so they can launch that beast?
-
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/E8G_zVqX0AQjCQn.jpg)
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Speculation this is just a test fit so SN20 may be coming back down.
-
Unstacking
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/E8HaippVIAUZag7.jpg)
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/E8HaippVIAEsnIG.jpg)
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/E8HaippUYAUqcHA.jpg)
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Third launch this week for China
China launches Zhongxing-2E on Long March 3B
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/08/zhongxing-2e-long-march-3b/
-
Want to go to space? Virgin Galactic has reopened ticket sales — for $450,000 each
https://www.wlky.com/article/virgin-galactic-reopens-ticket-sales-for-450-000-per-seat/37236302
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Looks like SN20 is headed back to the barn
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
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Yep, Elon just wanted to see if everything fit together. SN20 is back in the barn getting the rest of the tiles put on. Reminded of a kid playing with lego blocks. :rofl:
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That's one tall rocket. I wonder when SpaceX will get their problems with the FAA squared away so they can launch that beast?
Disregard bureaucrats, acquire orbit. =D
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Thomas Burghardt
@TGMetsFan98
·
19h
SpaceX will acquire communications smallsat operator Swarm Technologies (@SwarmInternet
), according to an FCC request to transfer all of Swarm's licenses to SpaceX.
Swarm is to become a wholly-owned subsidiary of SpaceX.
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topi
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BN4 off the launch pad and headed back to the barn.
Starbase LIVE: 24/7 Starship & Super Heavy Development From SpaceX's Boca Chica Facility
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
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LIVE: Antares Launches Cygnus NG-16 Mission to Resupply Space Station
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rkq_NXEYMNk
-
The next space xproject [tinfoil] :
-
LIVE: Antares Launches Cygnus NG-16 Mission to Resupply Space Station
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rkq_NXEYMNk
I like that they rolled with the computer failure and didn't abort the whole show. *looking at ULA*
-
New Glenn who?
Size comparison between Starship/Super Heavy (left), Saturn V (center) and New Glenn (right)
https://www.reddit.com/r/SpaceXMasterrace/comments/oylehk/size_comparison_between_starshipsuper_heavy_left/
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/13rkrzq0bkf71.png)
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How long has BO been working on the New Glen rocket? Development was started in 2012. First launch was slated for this year, but has been pushed back until first quarter of next year at the earliest.
I'm skeptical of that projected time, too. I guess I'll believe it when I see it.
-
https://gizmodo.com/what-in-the-hell-is-going-on-with-boeing-s-starliner-1847457012
Boeing continues to have issues.
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How long has BO been working on the New Glen rocket? Development was started in 2012. First launch was slated for this year, but has been pushed back until first quarter of next year at the earliest.
I'm skeptical of that projected time, too. I guess I'll believe it when I see it.
https://twitter.com/fael097/status/1423668825900392449?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Eembeddedtimeline%7Ctwterm%5Eprofile%3Afael097%7Ctwgr%5EeyJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2hvcml6b25fdHdlZXRfZW1iZWRfOTU1NSI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJodGUiLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3NwYWNlX2NhcmQiOnsiYnVja2V0Ijoib2ZmIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH19%7Ctwcon%5Etimelinechrome&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.starshipstalker.com%2F
The Kármán Tribune
@KarmanTribune
·
Aug 6
SpaceX Stacks History’s Biggest Rocket As Blue Origin Artist Stacks Photoshop Layers Of Newest Infographic — REPORT: https://futurism.com/blue-origin-salty-infographic-spacex
Rafael Adamy
@fael097
·
Aug 6
Plot twist: Blue Origin is actually a graphic design company
-
How long has BO been working on the New Glen rocket? Development was started in 2012. First launch was slated for this year, but has been pushed back until first quarter of next year at the earliest.
I'm skeptical of that projected time, too. I guess I'll believe it when I see it.
I haven't even seen a picture of the rocket body under construction.
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Elon Musk
@elonmusk
·
7h
Booster & Ship will return to orbital launch pad on Monday (winds allowing). Just finishing off some small plumbing & wiring, which is easier in high bay.
-
LIVE: Starship Rollout as Ship 20 Heads back to the Test Site
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6Mw0cN2hkE
-
How long has BO been working on the New Glen rocket? Development was started in 2012. First launch was slated for this year, but has been pushed back until first quarter of next year at the earliest.
I'm skeptical of that projected time, too. I guess I'll believe it when I see it.
My proceeds from PayPal were $180m. I put $100m in SpaceX, $70m in Tesla and $10m in Solar City.
I had to borrow money for rent. — Elon Musk
-
Sigh
As of now I really really hate BO
NASA "reluctantly agrees" to extend the stay on SpaceX's HLS contract by a week bc the 7GB+ of case-related docs in the Blue Origin suit keeps causing DOJ's Adobe software to crash and key NASA staff were busy at Space Symposium this week, causing delays to a filing deadline. lol
https://twitter.com/joroulette/status/1431299991142809602
-
Sigh
As of now I really really hate BO
https://twitter.com/joroulette/status/1431299991142809602
;/
I guess they're taking the "If you can't win on the facts, bury them with bullshit" approach...
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SpaceX, NASA scrubs CRS-23 mission to ISS due to unacceptable weather
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/08/crs-23-launch/
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Wish Jeff would put in as much effort into building rockets as he is putting in screwing with SpaceX
Amazon calls on FCC to reject SpaceX’s amended second-gen Starlink plan
https://spacenews.com/amazon-calls-on-fcc-to-reject-spacexs-revised-second-gen-starlink-plan/
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Looks like COVID may have an impact on SpaceX's launch schedules but not for the reason you may think
A widespread shortage of liquid oxygen linked to the latest wave of the pandemic could affect SpaceX’s launch schedule, a company executive said Aug. 24.
Speaking on a panel at the 36th Space Symposium here, Gwynne Shotwell, president and chief operating officer of SpaceX, cited difficulties in securing supplies of liquid oxygen as one of its biggest supply chain concerns.
“We’re actually going to be impacted this year with the lack of liquid oxygen for launch,” she said. “We certainly are going to make sure the hospitals are going to have the oxygen that they need, but for anybody who has liquid oxygen to spare, send me an email.”
Liquid oxygen shortage squeezes SpaceX launch plans
https://spacenews.com/liquid-oxygen-shortage-squeezes-spacex-launch-plans/
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Not sure if Bezos' toy rocket belongs in the kids toys dept. Seems like it should be in the adult toys dept. :rofl:
(https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fnewsofamerica.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F08%2FJeff-Bezos-Dick-Rocket-goes-on-sale-for-69.jpg&f=1&nofb=1)
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Should be a soft plush toy :rofl:
-
Not sure if Bezos' toy rocket belongs in the kids toys dept. Seems like it should be in the adult toys dept. :rofl:
(https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fnewsofamerica.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F08%2FJeff-Bezos-Dick-Rocket-goes-on-sale-for-69.jpg&f=1&nofb=1)
Incidentally, MSRP is $69. Make of that what you wish.
-
And for only $26 million you can ride it.
-
Not sure if Bezos' toy rocket belongs in the kids toys dept. Seems like it should be in the adult toys dept. :rofl:
(https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fnewsofamerica.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F08%2FJeff-Bezos-Dick-Rocket-goes-on-sale-for-69.jpg&f=1&nofb=1)
I predict it will not be long before the adult toy version is being made.
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I predict it will not be long before the adult toy version is has being been made.
FIFY.
Click it, if you dare! https://www.avclub.com/now-the-space-race-billionaires-can-compare-their-roc-1847335625
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LIVE: Astra Test Flight (Launch Vehicle 0006)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8Tdm797BzM
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Whoops
-
Freaky looking take off. Rocket went sideways for a bit before slowly rising then broke up after ~2 1/2 minutes of flight.
-
What happened? YouTube doesn't work good on this. Well that would have saved me some typing. :P
-
10 sec before launch https://youtu.be/O8Tdm797BzM?t=5607
-
They kept talking like it was a normal launch like Meh, it's suppose to do that
-
When I saw it rising from the smoke I was like "no *****ing way!" after doing that sideways dance from the pad.
-
When I saw it rising from the smoke I was like "no *****ing way!" after doing that sideways dance from the pad.
Someone didn't calculate the thrust correctly. Or an engine didn't ignite.
In the end, thrust solves problems.
-
Someone didn't calculate the thrust correctly. Or an engine didn't ignite.
In the end, thrust solves problems.
Could have been an engine
But add this into the mix
Watch the area of the pad at the base of rocket right before the smoke cover it. Something from the pad (I think part of the hold down sys) or the rocket or both flies up and hits the rocket. Wonder if they had a release issue.
-
Look at the ground
https://youtu.be/O8Tdm797BzM?t=5830
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What a shame. Very weird launch. That sideways skip doomed the flight in my opinion. Low thrust due to engine bell damage from a hold-down release issue perhaps?
I read recently where one of the private rocket companies was near folding. One more failed launch and they would be done. I don't remember which company it was but this makes me wonder if Astra is the one.
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They lost an engine at T+1s apparently. Absolutely amazing that the rest of the engines had enough gimble and thrust, and the guidance quick acting enough, that it caught itself, drifted until the TWR was regained, and cleared the launch site.
Most older rockets would have just kaboomed right there and taken out the launch stand.
-
Was waiting for Scott Manley to chim in.
According to him they lost 1 of 5 engines and the item smacking the rocket was the race way cover. which may or may not be or part of the cause and/or related.
Why This Rocket Went Sideways Off The Launch Pad
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2jU5W4ehPE
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Meanwhile at SpaceX late last night.
Nailed the launch, nailed the landing.
SpaceX Launches CRS-23 to the Space Station
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eac4loxYK40
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This photo illustrates my biggest concern about launching super heavy at Boca Chica. If that thing goes boom there's going to be lot of broken glass and the very high probability of people being injured. Heaven forbid that thing veers off in that direction.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/E963K-8VkAEL845.jpg)
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This photo illustrates my biggest concern about launching super heavy at Boca Chica. If that thing goes boom there's going to be lot of broken glass and the very high probability of people being injured. Heaven forbid that thing veers off in that direction.
meh. SpaceX's launch site is [checks google maps] 4.99 miles from South Padre Island. Several of the launch complex's at Canaveral are closer to Port Canaveral than that, and the town of Port Canaveral is pretty packed. I think NASA has mostly moved to launch sites farther north these days but there are certainly launch pads built closer to people than 5 miles.
Vandenburg's launchpads are closer to Dependa housing then SpaceX is to SOuth Padre.
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Super is 2x more powerful than anything ever launch at the Cape and you also have to add the Starship sitting on top into the mix
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LIVE: SpaceX Cargo Dragon CRS-23 arrives at the ISS (30 Aug 2021)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjIdYm67vd4
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/E9_RIXnX0AQqnOZ.jpg)
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@SpaceX
·
10h
Landing in the dark through clouds
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1432927540297887747?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Eembeddedtimeline%7Ctwterm%5Eprofile%3Aelonmusk%7Ctwgr%5EeyJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2hvcml6b25fdHdlZXRfZW1iZWRfOTU1NSI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJodGUiLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3NwYWNlX2NhcmQiOnsiYnVja2V0Ijoib2ZmIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH19%7Ctwcon%5Etimelinechrome&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.starshipstalker.com%2F
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Super is 2x more powerful than anything ever launch at the Cape and you also have to add the Starship sitting on top into the mix
Except oxidizer and fuel are kept in separate tanks. The realistic explosive yield of a full Starship/Booster stack is far lower than even one of the Shuttle/SLS boosters.
A failure of Starship will look more like SpaceX's AMOS-6 conflagration/explosion than Challenger's explosion. A waterfall of fire, more than a high energy event.
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Watch Firefly launch their FIRST EVER orbital rocket, Alpha!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HfHAazNM3Q
We will go live at T-60 minutes, so you can use the YouTube notification to know they are 60 minutes from launch] Also stay tuned to our twitter feeds for additional updates - http://twitter.com/erdayastronaut
Firefly Aerospace is the next private rocket company that aims to achieve orbit with its brand new Alpha launch vehicle. Alpha will lift off from Vandenberg Space Force Base, USA, and targets a 300 km low Earth orbit (LEO) in which it will deploy multiple payloads. On board of the FLTA001 DREAM mission will be Firefly’s DREAM payloads, which consist of technical and non-technical payloads, ranging from CubeSats and DNA samples, to pictures of loved ones.
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Boom
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What a shame. At least they got it through Max-Q before it went boom. Not bad for the first attempt to fly the vehicle.
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Amazing first try! So many don't event get off the pad before boom. Looks like this one had a failure causing a major maneuver deviation and the flight termination system (self destruct) was activated.
Range Safety function check: works!
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First launch attempt and they had payload onboard?
I hope the customers got a huge discount and insurance policy.
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Much better video. Couldn't tell much from the live feed last night.
Rocket started tumbling end over end.
Firefly Alpha Rocket Explodes In Flight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NisZvIs4SKk
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First launch attempt and they had payload onboard?
I hope the customers got a huge discount and insurance policy.
Go down to payloads
Firefly Aerospace’s maiden flight of Alpha launch vehicle ends in failure
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/09/firefly-maiden-flight-alpha/
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Ah, they weren't payloads, they were freeloads. =D
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Anomaly = boom.
I like that.
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Herrrrrre's Scott Manley
Appears to be engine failure
Reaver Causes Destruction of FireFly
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erXrnvyuhJs
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They'll do that.
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LIVE: Super Heavy Booster 4 Lifted to Orbital Launch Mount
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IS9MTbrelHM
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LIVE: SpaceX Inspiration4 Launch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuNLtRR1heU
Falcon 9 is launching Inspiration4, the first all-private crewed mission to orbit. The five-hour launch window opens at 8:02 p.m. Eastern (00:02 UTC) from LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida. The mission is a fundraiser for St. Judes Children's Research Hospital. In the spirit of the mission, NASASpaceflight is running a YouTube fundraiser during our launch livestream.
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T- 5 minutes
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/E_XmswKWEAYKzTh.jpg)
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/E_XmsxXXEAUDbTx.jpg)
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LIVE: Dragon Splashdown of Inspiration 4 SpaceX Mission with 4 Private Astronauts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ye3fs5SNRWU
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Inspiration 4 crew is down safe. Recovery crews approaching.
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Three days sure goes by fast.
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So... who among the usual suspects are public in wishing that they had crashed and burned?
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Gotta admit, I'm jealous. I'd love to see the Earth from orbit.
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United Launch Alliance is set to launch NASA’s most powerful Earth-imaging satellite, Landsat 9, on an Atlas V rocket. Liftoff is currently scheduled for 11:12 AM PDT (18:12 UTC) on Monday, September 27, from Space Launch Complex-3 East (SLC-3E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
LIVE: ULA Launches Landsat 9 on Atlas V
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXcwFTJxctA
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LIVE: ULA Launches Landsat 9 on Atlas V
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXcwFTJxctA
I don't remember seeing a launch in weather like that.
-
LIVE: Starship Cryogenic Proof Test of Ship 20
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAjps1Hdko8
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Never mind, looks like they cut it short for some reason.
-
I don't remember seeing a launch in weather like that.
Last time I remember one it was followed shortly by a stainless steel rain storm :facepalm:
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LIVE: Starship Cryogenic Proof Test of Ship 20
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ioe8gJaPz8
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Elon Musk
@elonmusk
Replying to
@LabPadre
Proof was good!
1:40 AM · Sep 30, 2021·Twitter for iPhone
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That's good news. One more step complete.
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Anyone understand Japanese?
Launch time: 8:51:21 pm EDT on 30th (00:51:21 GMT on 1st)
Launch site: Uchinoura Space Center, Japan
Destination: Low Earth Orbit
A Japanese Epsilon rocket will launch the Rapid Innovative Payload Demonstration Satellite 2, or RAISE 2, technology demonstration satellite for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Eight smaller rideshare payloads will also be on this launch.
English translation is not available for this broadcast.
LIVE: Japanese Epsilon rocket launches RAISE 2 mission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cppUTBTj9kw
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Hold for some reason
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Scrub
-
Lots of info in this video
Major Starbase Update: FAA's Environmental Assessment Explained | SpaceX Boca Chica
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTiesMAdlU0
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Astra determines it was a propellant leak which caused an engine failure at liftoff.
Astra completes investigation and schedules next orbital launch attempt
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/10/astra-lv0006-investigation/
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Ship 20 prepares for Static Fire – New Raptor 2 factory rises
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/10/ship-20-static-fire-new-raptor-2-factory/
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5:00 am EDT (09:00 GMT) Live coverage begins.
5:34-6:49 am EDT (09:34-10:49 GMT) Launch window.
Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
Destination: Asteroid Belt
A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket will launch NASA’s Lucy spacecraft. Built by Lockheed Martin and led by the Southwest Research Institute, Lucy will fly by seven Trojan asteroids, a unique family of asteroids that orbit the sun in front of and behind Jupiter. The rocket will fly in the 401 vehicle configuration with a four-meter fairing, no solid rocket boosters, and a single-engine Centaur upper stage.
LIVE: Lucy Trojan asteroid mission launches on Atlas V rocket!+
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3lO6WPSFnY
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Mary
@BocaChicaGal
I have received an ‘Alert’ notice for possible S20 static fire attempt today (10-18). There is a road and beach closure scheduled. The ‘Alert’ notice states Space Test Activities from 4:00 pm - 1:00 am. The county website states closure from 5 pm - midnight. 🤷♀️
@NASASpaceflight
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Astra determines it was a propellant leak which caused an engine failure at liftoff.
Astra completes investigation and schedules next orbital launch attempt
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/10/astra-lv0006-investigation/
Every time I see someone talking about Astra, I confuse it with ARCA, and I think the silly asses had finally actually tried to launch their steam rocket.
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LIVE: Starship Prototype Ship 20 Static Fire Testing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NS0-QttXZ38
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Static fire
-
Some tiles may have fallen off.
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Two static fires last night including the first static fire of an installed Vacuum Raptor.
Meanwhile more Starliner delays, maybe another years worth
NASA and Boeing testing valves to confirm root cause of Starliner issues
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/10/nasa-boeing-testing-valves-starliner/
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Elon Musk
@elonmusk
Replying to
@SpacePadreIsle
If all goes well, Starship will be ready for its first orbital launch attempt next month, pending regulatory approval
12:09 PM · Oct 22, 2021·Twitter for iPhone
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Unlike Jeff Elon does have a sense of humor
/r/SpaceX Masterrace
@SpaceXMR
Petition to name the two Starbase launch towers Barad-dûr and Orthanc #SpaceX https://reddit.com/r/SpaceXMasterrace/comments/qd2uyx/petition_to_name_the_two_starbase_launch_towers/?utm_source=ifttt
Elon Musk
@elonmusk
Replying to
@SpaceXMR
Tries to launch some rockets – accidentally summons dark lord
11:38 AM · Oct 22, 2021·Twitter for iPhone
https://twitter.com/SpaceXMR/status/1451354708132642817
:rofl:
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And...wow
Michael Sheetz
@thesheetztweetz
53–Christopher Phelan of Corpus Christi says "this is environmental racism; this is colonialism."
"This is a weapons system, you're testing a weapons system ... it's going to hurt people, it's going to murder people."
"The only reason they're here is money."
9:30 PM · Oct 20, 2021·TweetDeck
The above came from
Oct 20
The second FAA public hearing on the draft environmental assessment of SpaceX's Starship project in Boca Chica, Texas has begun:
https://twitter.com/thesheetztweetz/status/1450997874108608514
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:rofl:
https://twitter.com/SpaceXMR/status/1451943570391371783
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LIVE: Japanese H-2A launches QZS 1R into Quasi-Zenith Orbit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQ0eTEkNBmk
Launch time: 10:19 pm EDT on 25th (02:19 GMT on 26th)
Launch window: 10:00-11:00 pm EDT on 25th (02:00-03:00 GMT on 26th)
Launch site: Tanegashima Space Center, Japan
Destination: Quazi-Zenith Geosynchronous Orbit (45° inclination)
A Japanese H-2A rocket will launch a replacement satellite for Japan’s Quasi-Zenith Satellite System, which provides regional navigation services over the Asia-Pacific Region. The QZS 1R satellite, built by Mitsubishi Electric Corp., will replace the aging QZS 1 satellite launched in 2010. The H-2A rocket will fly in the “202” configuration with two strap-on solid rocket boosters. Delayed from Oct. 25 by poor weather forecast.
-
Different looking launch setup
-
Turn on Closed Captions and it's coming up with some off the wall translations :rofl:
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Ship 20 has all six Raptors installed and is being prepared for further static fire testing. Meanwhile Mechazilla's chopsticks are coming to life, the Wide Bay rises from the ground, and we bid farewell to Frankencrane.
Ship 20 Readied for Static Fire Testing with Six Raptor Engines | Starship Update (Narrated)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TD5N-SqVaE0
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Crew-2 returns to Earth after six-month stay on the ISS
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/11/crew-2-return-to-earth/
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And BO loses in court
The Court of Federal Claims has ruled against Blue Origin in its suit about the agency’s selection of SpaceX for a single Human Landing System award.
In a one-page filing Nov. 4, Judge Richard A. Hertling granted a motion by the federal government, the defendant in the case, to dismiss the case filed by Blue Origin in August
Federal court rules against Blue Origin in HLS lawsuit
https://spacenews.com/federal-court-rules-against-blue-origin-in-hls-lawsuit/
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Date: November 10, 9:03 p.m. Eastern
Mission: NASA's SpaceX Crew-3 Mission to the International Space Station
Description:
NASA’s SpaceX Crew-3 mission will launch four astronauts aboard a Crew Dragon spacecraft on a Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center to the International Space Station. Assigned to the mission are NASA astronauts Raja Chari, Tom Marshburn, and Kayla Barron, and European Space Agency astronaut Matthias Maurer.
https://www.nasa.gov/launchschedule/
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Mary
@BocaChicaGal
I have received an ‘Alert’ notice and there is a road closure scheduled from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. November 10. Possible Ship 20 static fire tomorrow! 🤩😅🔥
@NASASpaceflight
3:58 PM · Nov 9, 2021·Twitter for iPhone
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LIVE: SpaceX Launches Crew-3 to the Space Station
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvrJkyUIHDk
SpaceX is set to launch the Crew-3 mission to the Space Station on Falcon 9 for NASA. The launch is targeting 9:03 PM EST (2:03 UTC) from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at Kennedy Space Center, Florida.
Article: https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/...
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Another good launch.
Looks like they had a fire on the drone ship after 1st stage landing from the video. Can find any info on what's going on yet.
Edit: just a play of the light
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This should be fun to watch
Rocket Lab is preparing for its Love At First Insight mission that will launch from Launch Complex-1A, Māhia Peninsula, New Zealand. On the Love At First Insight mission, Electron will carry two Earth-observation microsatellites for BlackSky’s constellation into a 430 km low Earth orbit (LEO) at 42° inclination. Moreover, this mission will mark the third planned ocean splashdown recovery attempt of the company and the first time when a helicopter will be involved in the recovery process by observing Electron’s descent.
goes live at 12:00am EST
Watch Rocket Lab attempt to recover an Electron Rocket!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Hli4dy4FBY
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Launch time: NET 12:32 am EST (05:32 GMT)
Launch site: Launch Complex 1A, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
Destination: Low Earth Orbit
A Rocket Lab Electron rocket will launch two small satellites for BlackSky’s commercial fleet of Earth observation spacecraft. Rocket Lab has nicknamed this mission “Love At First Insight.” Delayed from late August, September, and October due to COVID-related restrictions.
LIVE: Electron launches "Love At First Insight"! (11 Nov 2021)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-Xys3qKVjg
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Spinlaunch. A very interesting concept for launching into orbit without using a first stage booster rocket. They've been very low key, kind of hiding under the radar.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAczd3mt3X0 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAczd3mt3X0)
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I just finishing watching that. Currently digesting
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Spinlaunch. A very interesting concept for launching into orbit without using a first stage booster rocket. They've been very low key, kind of hiding under the radar.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAczd3mt3X0 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAczd3mt3X0)
A 10,000g windup is a bit of a doozy but feasible for machines. No squishy payloads there.
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LIVE: Electron launches "Love At First Insight"! (11 Nov 2021)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-Xys3qKVjg
Launch got pushed back to Nov 16.
Launch update: We are holding off on launch today out of an abundance of caution due to an out-of-family ground sensor reading and to allow more time to complete helicopter recovery preparations. The next available launch opportunity is no earlier than Nov 16 UTC.
— Rocket Lab (@RocketLab) November 11, 2021
https://spaceflightnow.com/2021/11/10/rocket-lab-electron-22-mission-status-center/
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Absolutely incredible footage from Chris of #Crew3 at second engine cut off (SECO)!!! Unbelievable
https://twitter.com/Erdayastronaut/status/1458658835263066115?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Eembeddedtimeline%7Ctwterm%5Eprofile%3AErdayastronaut%7Ctwgr%5EeyJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2hvcml6b25fdHdlZXRfZW1iZWRfOTU1NSI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJodGUiLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3NwYWNlX2NhcmQiOnsiYnVja2V0Ijoib2ZmIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH19%7Ctwcon%5Etimelinechrome&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.starshipstalker.com%2F
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Starliner, the gift that keeps on taking
Boeing reports $185 million charge to pay for Starliner delays
https://spaceflightnow.com/2021/10/28/boeing-reports-185-million-charge-to-pay-for-starliner-delays/
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LIVE! SpaceX Crew-3 Approach ISS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LkHSUPwQfA
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Starship prototype Ship 20 is conducting engine testing of its Raptor engines. Exact test details are unconfirmed, but it will potentially include preburner and/or static fire testing. All six engines are currently installed on the vehicle, so there is the possibility of the first static fire test with all six Raptors.
LIVE: Ship 20 Engine Testing with Orbital Starship Prototype
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8ja43uGrdQ
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Pre Burner test. Lots of flame, may have done all 6 engines.
Looks like they're going for more, either another pre burner test or a static fire.
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Static fire.
-
Elon Musk
@elonmusk
Replying to
@NASASpaceflight
Good static fire with all six engines!
1:17 PM · Nov 12, 2021·Twitter for iPhone
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https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1459223181684838403
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This morning while I was still Zzzzzzzzzzzz
Falcon 9 Launch of 53 Starlink Satellites
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6fRtpxwO6U
Looks like another good launch and landing of the booster
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Beautiful launch
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1459496546047717382?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Eembeddedtimeline%7Ctwterm%5Eprofile%3ASpacePadreIsle%7Ctwgr%5EeyJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2hvcml6b25fdHdlZXRfZW1iZWRfOTU1NSI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJodGUiLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3NwYWNlX2NhcmQiOnsiYnVja2V0Ijoib2ZmIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH19&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.starshipstalker.com%2F
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9th flight for the booster.
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9th flight for the booster.
Does anyone know the design life of the boosters? Or is the plan to continue refurbishment for a new launch until it breaks?
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Does anyone know the design life of the boosters? Or is the plan to continue refurbishment for a new launch until it breaks?
Quote from Wikipedia:
SpaceX intentionally limited Block 3 and Block 4 boosters to flying only two missions each,[1][2] but the company indicated in 2018 that they expected the Block 5 versions to achieve 10 flights, each with only minor refurbishment.[3]
And:
While Block 4 boosters were only flown twice and required several months of refurbishment, Block 5 versions are designed to sustain 10 flights with just some inspections.[3]
I do have a vague recollection that SpaceX is looking at flying the current Block 5 boosters beyond ten missions, but I don't recall the number they were shooting for before retirement of an individual booster.
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(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FEK306RWUA8vsVV?format=jpg&name=900x900)
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^^^
:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
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https://www.reddit.com/r/SpaceXMasterrace/comments/qts3e9/elon_isnt_in_the_mood_today/?utm_source=ifttt
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Whoops, posted the wrong link above
The one I meant to post
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1460051518124699650?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Eembeddedtimeline%7Ctwterm%5Eprofile%3Aelonmusk%7Ctwgr%5EeyJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2hvcml6b25fdHdlZXRfZW1iZWRfOTU1NSI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJodGUiLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3NwYWNlX2NhcmQiOnsiYnVja2V0Ijoib2ZmIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH19%7Ctwcon%5Etimelinechrome&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.starshipstalker.com%2F
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Oh good blank grief
A Russian satellite broke up in low Earth orbit in a deliberate test of a Russian antisatellite device that created thousands of pieces of debris.
The satellite, Cosmos-1408, appears to have broken up late Nov. 14 or early Nov. 15 Eastern time, based on commercial and government tracking data. The satellite, weighing about 2,000 kilograms, was launched in 1982 and, now defunct, was last tracked in an orbit about 485 kilometers high.
Early Nov. 15, the seven people on the ISS were instructed to shelter in their Crew Dragon and Soyuz vehicles because of a “debris cloud.” That debris cloud has since made several other close approaches to the station, although no damage was reported. The station’s crew resumed some operations later in the day although parts of the station remain sealed off as a precaution against any impacts.
Russia destroys satellite in ASAT test
https://spacenews.com/russia-destroys-satellite-in-asat-test/
Satellite debris forces space station crew to take shelter; U.S. blames "reckless" Russian missile test
\https://www.cbsnews.com/news/satellite-debris-space-station-crew-take-shelter/
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Musk needs to start a side business doing low Earth orbit clean up. Sell the collected debris back to the country of origin and use the profit to fund the operation. I'd bet there would also be a good collector market for a while as well.
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Musk needs to start a side business doing low Earth orbit clean up. Sell the collected debris back to the country of origin and use the profit to fund the operation. I'd bet there would also be a good collector market for a while as well.
Some companies are doing some testing on that very thing.
New Effort To Clean Up Space Junk Reaches Orbit
https://www.npr.org/2021/03/21/979815691/new-effort-to-clean-up-space-junk-prepares-to-launch
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LIVE: Vega VV20 launches 3 CERES satellites
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWsRUVSjnnU
Launch time: 4:27 am EST (09:27 GMT)
Launch site: ZLV, Kourou, French Guiana
Destination: Low Earth Orbit
An Arianespace Vega rocket, designated VV20, will launch three CERES signals intelligence satellites for the French military. The three small satellites were built by Airbus Defense and Space and Thales Alenia Space. Delayed from Nov 15.
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^^^^
Solid rocket. It was like "And I'm outta here!"
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Thanks Russia
In addition to the 1,500 trackable fragments generated by the test, the event also created hundreds of thousands of smaller pieces that are invisible to Earth-based observers, the U.S. Space Command (USSC), which is responsible for military operations in outer space, said in a statement.
"USSPACECOM's initial assessment is that the debris will remain in orbit for years and potentially for decades, posing a significant risk to the crew on the International Space Station and other human spaceflight activities, as well as multiple countries' satellites," USSPACECOM said in the statement.
In fact, about half of the fragments might fall to Earth "within the next couple of years" but the remainder might remain hurtling through space for "more than a decade," Hugh Lewis, head of the Astronautics Research Group at the University of Southampton, the U.K., and Europe's leading space debris expert told Space.com.
Space debris from Russian anti-satellite test will be a safety threat for years
By Tereza Pultarova about 1 hour ago
The cloud of debris will increase the number of avoidance maneuvers performed by satellite operators all over the world by more than 100% in the next few years.
https://www.space.com/russia-anti-satellite-test-space-debris-threat-for-years
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There are those who have been saying an event like the above could start a chain reaction that could put LEO off limits for decades
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I don't know that I can get pissed at Russia over that, since it's something I could easily see our military doing, at which point they would defend it as important and safe. The ruskies just did it first.
-
LIVE: Electron launches "Love At First Insight"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-Xys3qKVjg
Launch time: 8:20 pm EST (01:20 GMT)
Launch site: Launch Complex 1A, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
Destination: Low Earth Orbit
A Rocket Lab Electron rocket will launch two small satellites for BlackSky’s commercial fleet of Earth observation spacecraft. Rocket Lab has nicknamed this mission “Love At First Insight.” Delayed from late August, September, and October due to COVID-related restrictions. Rocket Lab will be attempting a booster recovery. It will splash down in the ocean under a parachute. There will be a helicopter hovering nearby for the first time, monitoring the descent and splashdown. The "aerial catch" will happen on a future mission.
Scrubbed Nov 11 due to an "out-of-family ground sensor reading". Delayed from Nov 16, early Nov 17 due to weather.
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@Teslarati
· 6h
US President Biden pats GM CEO’s back: “You electrified the entire auto industry. You led.”
https://teslarati.com/tesla-ignored-biden-gm-ceo-ev-leader-video/
by @ResidentSponge
Elon Musk
@elonmusk
Replying to
@mayemusk
Sigh
The article he's reacting to
US President Biden pats GM CEO’s back: “You electrified the entire auto industry. You led.”
https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-ignored-biden-gm-ceo-ev-leader-video/
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Next Week NASA plans to launch its Double Asteroid Redirect Test Mission on a Falcon 9 rocket out of Vandenberg Space Force Base. The DART mission is a technology demonstrator which will test the operation of various new technologies in spaceflight, and ultimately crash the spacecraft into a small asteroid to demonstrate the ability to change the orbit of an object using a kinetic impactor.
NASA's DART Mission Will Move Mountains In Space
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0nZvOm3bNs
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The DART spacecraft launch window begins November 24, 2021. DART will launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. After separation from the launch vehicle and over a year of cruise it will intercept Didymos’ moonlet in late September 2022, when the Didymos system is within 11 million kilometers of Earth, enabling observations by ground-based telescopes and planetary radar to measure the change in momentum imparted to the moonlet.
Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) Mission
https://www.nasa.gov/planetarydefense/dart
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Thanks Russia
Hugh Lewis, head of the Astronautics Research Group at the University of Southampton, the U.K., and Europe's leading space debris expert told Space.com.
Space debris from Russian anti-satellite test will be a safety threat for years
By Tereza Pultarova about 1 hour ago
The cloud of debris will increase the number of avoidance maneuvers performed by satellite operators all over the world by more than 100% in the next few years.
https://www.space.com/russia-anti-satellite-test-space-debris-threat-for-years
I googled this man's name and position and was enormously disappointed that his middle initial was not "E" (it's "G").
-
Coverage going live at 11:00pm EST. Not sure of the planned launch time though.
Hope this one doesn't go sideways off the pad like the last one
Astra Test Flight (Launch Vehicle 0007)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIIlpatVwBE
-
dev
@astrodeven
Main takeaways from Elon’s talk:
-First orbital launch attempt in January/February
-1000 Starships for life to become multi-planetary
-2-3 uncrewed Mars landings before humans
-A dozen Starship launches in 2022
-Launch of commercial payloads in 2023
https://twitter.com/astrodeven/status/1461162253617672197?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Eembeddedtimeline%7Ctwterm%5Eprofile%3ASpacePadreIsle%7Ctwgr%5EeyJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2hvcml6b25fdHdlZXRfZW1iZWRfOTU1NSI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJodGUiLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3NwYWNlX2NhcmQiOnsiYnVja2V0Ijoib2ZmIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH19%7Ctwcon%5Etimelinechrome&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.starshipstalker.com%2F
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Coverage going live at 11:00pm EST. Not sure of the planned launch time though.
Hope this one doesn't go sideways off the pad like the last one
Astra Test Flight (Launch Vehicle 0007)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIIlpatVwBE
Start time keeps getting pushed back. Now shows a little over 10 minutes
-
BTW: The longest Lunar eclipse in almost 600 years is tonight
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Now they say 12:20. Come on I got to sleep
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Finally
Still an hour away from launch though =(
-
They left the gate open....just in case :rofl:
-
Scrub
-
If at first you don't succeed....
Video goes live at 11:00pm EST
Astra Test Flight (Launch Vehicle 0007)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97qhttuqtB4
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Live now
-
Successful launch and flight of Launch Vehicle 0007. They made it into orbit this time. Good job Astra.
-
Successful launch and flight of Launch Vehicle 0007. They made it into orbit this time. Good job Astra.
I fell asleep due to lack of sleep waiting on the launch the night before with the live feed running on the laptop next to me in bed. Woke up for last nights launch a few seconds before the launch and saw it.
Good launch with no sideways dance this time. :laugh:
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I fell asleep due to lack of sleep waiting on the launch the night before with the live feed running on the laptop next to me in bed. Woke up for last nights launch a few seconds before the launch and saw it.
Good launch with no sideways dance this time. :laugh:
I was zonked my own self. Had to work pretty hard to stay awake for the launch.
-
Really good discussion on the Russian ASAT "Test" and the problem of space junk.
NSF Live: Russian ASAT Test w/ Jonathan McDowell.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHP_m-UpF7U
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Slept through this one
Nailed the launch, nailed the landing.
NASA DART - SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches Asteroid Impact Mission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyqzK2hC0sA
SpaceX is preparing to launch NASA’s DART (Double Asteroid Redirect Test) mission onboard a Falcon 9 rocket. DART is a demonstration mission to determine the effects of an intentional impact on an asteroid. DART’s collision with the asteroid moon Dimorphos is set for October 2022.
The launch of the small spacecraft from SLC-4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base is scheduled for November 23rd at 10:21 Pacific Time (6:21 UTC on November 24th).
Read more about DART: https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/...
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There has been an "Incident"
James Webb Telescope Delayed Due to "Incident"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfLoayApkk4
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It's a fantastic piece of technology and it would be wonderful if it all works. But, given its complexity and the 300 or so things that have to go perfectly just during mirror deployment after launch, I'm not going to be surprised if the JWT has problems.
-
There has been an "Incident"
James Webb Telescope Delayed Due to "Incident"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfLoayApkk4
ULA dropping a $2,000,000,000 satellite on the floor immediately sprang to mind.
No, really. A previous shift had removed the mounting bolts holding it to the manipulation frame and then the next shift came in and rotated the frame without checking first. Whump, two billion dollar satellite crashes to the floor.
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(https://i.stack.imgur.com/eJy3b.jpg)
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I misplaced a zero. Mea culpa.
-
LIVE: Starship Static Fire with Ship 20
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdQzA0NICX8
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Bugger. Looks like an abort. Still have a few more hours in the window so maybe they can recycle.
-
There has been an "Incident"
James Webb Telescope Delayed Due to "Incident"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfLoayApkk4
Launching from French Guiana? What's wrong with American Guiana? And why is French Guiana in South America instead of France?
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Falcon 9 is launching 48 Starlink internet satellites and 2 BlackSky Earth observation spacecraft. Liftoff is scheduled for 6:12 p.m. Eastern (23:12 UTC) from SLC-40, Cape Canaveral SFS, Florida.
LIVE: Falcon 9 Launch of 48 Starlink & 2 BlackSky Satellites
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bd5DjagC4s
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Trouble at SpaceX?
Problems increasing production of the Raptor engines that power SpaceX’s Starship vehicle have led to personnel shakeups at the company and a warning from founder Elon Musk that the company risked “bankruptcy” if the company could not resolve them.
“Unfortunately, the Raptor production crisis is much worse than it seemed a few weeks ago,” he wrote. “As we have dug into the issues following exiting prior senior management, they have unfortunately turned out to be far more severe than was reported.”
SpaceX grapples with Raptor production problems
https://spacenews.com/spacex-grapples-with-raptor-production-problems/
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Good launch, nailed the landing
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While you Zzzzz last night
LIVE: Atlas V Launches STP-3 Mission
https://youtu.be/UIZfBycF67Y
Where the flames start coming out the bottom start ~1:59:00
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Last night
REPLAY: Launch of Yusaku Maezawa (#DearMoon) to the ISS on Soyuz MS-20! (8 Dec 2021)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKAn3ENUnGU
And then today
REPLAY: Yusaku Maezawa (#DearMoon) arrives at the ISS! (8 Dec 2021)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQbjRLzKnV8
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LIVE: Electron launches BlackSky 14 & 15 "A Data With Destiny"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4yeSmUsevc
Launch time: 7:02 pm EST on 8th (00:02 UTC on 9th)
Launch site: Launch Complex 1A, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
Destination: Sun-Synchronous Orbit
A Rocket Lab Electron rocket will launch two small second-generation satellites for BlackSky’s commercial fleet of Earth observation spacecraft in a mission designated "A Data With Destiny". Delayed from September and October due to COVID-relayed restrictions. Delayed from Dec 6 due to weather.
ELECTRON ROCKET INFO:
Core components of the 1st, 2nd, and Kick Stage engines are 3D printed!
Engine print time: 24 hours
Height: 17 m
Diameter: 1.2 m
Stages: 2
Nominal Payload: 150 kg
Max Payload: 225 kg
Nominal Sun-Synchronous Orbit: 500 km
Fuel (stage 1 & 2): RP-1 + LOX
1st Stage Engines: 9x Rutherford
1st Stage Initial Thrust: 162 kN (34,500 lbf)
1st Stage Peak Thrust: 192 kN (41,500 lbf)
1st Stage Specific Impulse (ISP): 303 sec
2nd Stage Engine: 1x Rutherford
2nd Stage Total Thrust: 22 kN (5,000 lbf)
2nd Stage Specific Impulse (ISP): 333 sec
Kick Stage Total Thrust: 120N
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Dare it, miss read the time and missed it.
Looks like they nailed it again.
SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches IXPE for NASA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwZVY-oLtHE
A SpaceX Falcon 9 is launching the IXPE mission for NASA. Liftoff is scheduled for 1:00 a.m. Eastern (06:00 UTC) from LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida.
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LIVE: Super Heavy Booster 4 Lift to Orbital Launch Mount
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4Gp5E2ElXs
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(https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/images/tim211227-mainpoycoverfinal-1639414552.jpeg?crop=1.00xw:1.00xh;0,0&resize=640:*)
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:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
Let’s change the rigged tax code so The Person of the Year will actually pay taxes and stop freeloading off everyone else. https://t.co/jqQxL9Run6
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) December 13, 2021
Stop projecting! https://t.co/Kibp6aS9vL
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 14, 2021
You remind me of when I was a kid and my friend’s angry Mom would just randomly yell at everyone for no reason
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 14, 2021
Please don’t call the manager on me, Senator Karen 🙏
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 14, 2021
https://twitchy.com/brettt-3136/2021/12/14/elon-musk-responds-to-sen-elizabeth-warren-accusing-him-of-freeloading-off-everyone-else-and-were-dead/
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LIVE: Booster 4 Cryogenic Proof | First Test With Orbital Launch Mount
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXFVrPFrCJU
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Ship 21 Rolled Out of the Mid Bay | SpaceX Boca Chica
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHTQATW6C94
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LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches Turksat 5B
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoWYFMGmjEM
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https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1472052839316963329
:cool:
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Elon Musk
@elonmusk
·
Dec 17
Replying to
@elonmusk
Each Raptor 1 engine above produces 185 metric tons of force. Raptor 2 just started production & will do 230+ tons or over half a million pounds of force.
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Perhaps Raptor 2 should be named Roc.
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James Webb Telescope to Launch Christmas Eve!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnGhe19f5Ws
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/x383/WLJohnson1/.highres/mondaymorningsp1.gif?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
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And while most of use were Zzzzzzzz
SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches CRS-24 to the Space Station
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfG-qfVzjwY
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LIVE: Booster 4 Cryogenic Proof Testing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1IbMBhococ
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"Dear Lord, please don't let me *expletive deleted*ck up"
LIVE: Launch of NASA's James Webb Space Telescope
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rARTOhbLDg
An Ariane 5 rocket is launching NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). JWST is the largest and most advanced space telescope ever built and will study every phase of cosmic history. Liftoff is scheduled for 7:20 a.m. Eastern (12:20 UTC) from the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana.
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"Dear Lord, please don't let me *expletive deleted*ck up"
LIVE: Launch of NASA's James Webb Space Telescope
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rARTOhbLDg
A successful launch and vehicle separation of the James Webb telescope. The first of many deployment steps was achieved with the successful unfolding of the solar array. Over three hundred more deployment steps must occur before and after the telescope arrives at its LaGrange orbit parking spot.
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Was cool to see the solar array begin deploying just as the second stage camera rotated away.
Also, JWST basic tracking info.
https://www.jwst.nasa.gov/content/webbLaunch/whereIsWebb.html
It's headed out at a leisurely 1.4509 miles (2.3359 Km) per second.
Brad
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From the
Scientific Woke American
The James Webb Space Telescope Needs to Be Renamed
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/nasa-needs-to-rename-the-james-webb-space-telescope/
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~20 min to launch at time of posting
LAUNCHING SOON! OneWeb12 #OneWeb #Arianespace #Roscosmos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8UWiqvTlIY
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First image received from the James Webb
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/zLUmreel.jpg)
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Possible static firing today
https://twitter.com/BocaChicaGal/status/1475659755653849094/photo/1
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First image received from the James Webb
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/zLUmreel.jpg)
And it's out of focus. I wonder if the red streamer attached to that cover is flapping around in the solar wind? :laugh:
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/FHpkZp2WQAcadug_(1).jpg)
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And it's out of focus. I wonder if the red streamer attached to that cover is flapping around in the solar wind? :laugh:
The one I saw was in focus.
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Up To 170 Rogue Planets Discovered In Our Neighborhood
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGYYhOiL5wE
Anton mentioned a new infrared telescope launching soon. I don't know if that was it. Maybe not.
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Well poop
The FAA Airplane
@FAANews
The FAA continues its Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) for the proposed
@SpaceX
Starship/Super Heavy project in Boca Chica, Texas. The new target date for issuing the Final PEA is February 28. Learn more at http://bit.ly/2YcScDe. #FAASpace
https://twitter.com/FAANews/status/1475889390278873088
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How James Webb's Deployments MUST Work
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeiQEG450gc
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The James Webb Space Telescope has successfully completed deploying both pallet structures of its sunshield, notching another milestone in the five-day-long process of unfurling the massive sunshield.
https://www.space.com/news/live/james-webb-space-telescope-updates
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LIVE: Starship Static Fire Test | Ship 20
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AC3tbUnEyfM
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Booster being brought in with a slight tilt.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnt2wZBg89g
-
Bent nozzles, bent landing struts, and bent I-beams on the barge.
Chat is saying they hit bad weather coming in and the booster tried to go for a swim.
-
Looks like they're going for another
LIVE: Starship Static Fire Test | Ship 20
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GP18t7ivstY
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Octagrabber is the hero of this mission although the Merlin engines may disagree. The cores on the legs are spent and the engine bells are wedged in. The booster slide was stopped by the port edge of JRTI near the garage. They fought hard to keep this one standing.
https://twitter.com/julia_bergeron/status/1476273900635971586
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https://twitter.com/GregScott_photo/status/1476532346765647876
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It is now newsworthy and noteworthy when a SpaceX booster catch is suboptimal.
That's pretty spiffy.
-
Not the first time one came into port leaning
From 2016 (video date 2017)
https://youtu.be/RbSgwhV7is0
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Scott Manley
JWST Launches, Angara Fails, Octograbber Gets Into A Fight - Deep Space Update December 29th
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEdykLwmOKE
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Woah
https://twitter.com/PPathole/status/1477346196570066944
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When Aliens Attack! In theaters now!
That looks really spectacular. I saw a rocket plume once when I was living in Phoenix. It was a high altitude launch out of Vandenburg AFB in California. That plume didn't look anywhere near as cool as the one in your linked video.
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:rofl:
Be advised there's a cold weather issue with running Cat 5 to the Starlink dish.
https://twitter.com/ICannot_Enough/status/1477296544265031680
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NASA has just confirmed that the fifth and final layer of the James Webb Space Telescope's heat shield has been successfully tensioned, marking the end of the sunshield deployment work that began last week.
"This is an historic day," NASA scientist Michelle Thaller said during a live webcast. "The first major phase of the deployment of the sunshield has been compete."
Our wrap story on the event will be posted shortly.
https://www.space.com/news/live/james-webb-space-telescope-updates
(https://y.yarn.co/ef3c9d89-d6ff-482f-82a3-2c0b730073bb_text.gif)
-
https://www.space.com/news/live/james-webb-space-telescope-updates
(https://y.yarn.co/ef3c9d89-d6ff-482f-82a3-2c0b730073bb_text.gif)
Woohoo!
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James Webb Space Telescope: Secondary Mirror Deployment - Mission Control Live
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EnlaXnFcGs
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This is the number one critical deployment.
If the sun shields didn't deploy fully it could still operate just not as designed in the infrared.
Ditto for the rising
If the side mirrors don't deploy it could still operate just with a smaller mirror.
If the Secondary Mirror doesn't deploy and lock fully JW is a multi billion dollar hunk of space junk.
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The secondary mirror of NASA's James Webb Space Telescope is now securely latched into place, marking a successful end to today's deployment step. NASA's webcast has ended. You can read our full story by senior writer Tereza Pultarova here.
https://www.space.com/news/live/james-webb-space-telescope-updates
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Falcon 9 is launching 49 Starlink internet satellites. Liftoff is scheduled for 4:49 p.m. Eastern (21:49 UTC) from LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida.
LIVE: Falcon 9 Launch of 49 Starlink Satellites
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NMJAkM1YlU
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Port side mirror segment deployed. Today it's the starboard side mirror segment's turn
-
Starboard mirror segment in place, latching
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Mirror segments fully deployed and latched
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Falcon 9 is launching the Transporter-3 dedicated-rideshare mission. Liftoff is scheduled for 10:25 a.m. Eastern (15:25 UTC) from SLC-40, Cape Canaveral SFS, Florida.
LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Launch and Landing | Transporter-3 Mission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pltcGI-suM
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Nailed the landing back at The Cape
10th launch for this booster
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1481651037291225113?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Eembeddedtimeline%7Ctwterm%5Eprofile%3ASpaceX%7Ctwgr%5EeyJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2hvcml6b25fdHdlZXRfZW1iZWRfOTU1NSI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJodGUiLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3NwYWNlX2NhcmQiOnsiYnVja2V0Ijoib2ZmIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH19%7Ctwcon%5Etimelinechrome&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.starshipstalker.com%2F
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Just missed that launch. Landed in Orlando at 10am.
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Virgin Orbit's turn for the day
In our third commercial launch, Virgin Orbit is pleased to provide livestream coverage of pre-flight operations and launch commentary throughout the day. Join us starting at 1:00pm PT/ 4:00pm ET to follow along with our hosts, mission control, and the Virgin Orbit team.
Above the Clouds Live Stream | Virgin Orbit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEUQksTzGy8
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The bargain bin disco elevator music is killing me
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And it's time for the canned questions.
-
30 minutes to drop
-
LIVE: Stratolaunch Test Flight 3 | World's Largest Aircraft By Wingspan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVkE_W4rWJk
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It could be years, if ever, before SpaceX can fly Starship from Boca Chica. It appears they have run afoul of both the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Parks Service. Each agency has objected to the Programmatic Environmental Assessment being done by the FAA, saying it's not enough. Instead, both agencies say the law requires a full blown Environmental Impact Statement be completed. That is a multiyear process with no guaranteed outcome.
Stories on the situation at the links below.
http://www.parabolicarc.com/2022/01/17/report-spacexs-boca-chica-plans-face-serious-objections-from-fws-nps/ (http://www.parabolicarc.com/2022/01/17/report-spacexs-boca-chica-plans-face-serious-objections-from-fws-nps/)
https://esghound.substack.com/p/the-us-department-of-interior-drops?justPublished=true (https://esghound.substack.com/p/the-us-department-of-interior-drops?justPublished=true)
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Not shocked in the least. Actually have been expecting something along those lines.
Now the question is how long will it take to get the construction and launch facilities for Super Heavy and Star Ship going at the cape? They've already started the process.
-
It could be years, if ever, before SpaceX can fly Starship from Boca Chica. It appears they have run afoul of both the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Parks Service. Each agency has objected to the Programmatic Environmental Assessment being done by the FAA, saying it's not enough. Instead, both agencies say the law requires a full blown Environmental Impact Statement be completed. That is a multiyear process with no guaranteed outcome.
Stories on the situation at the links below.
http://www.parabolicarc.com/2022/01/17/report-spacexs-boca-chica-plans-face-serious-objections-from-fws-nps/ (http://www.parabolicarc.com/2022/01/17/report-spacexs-boca-chica-plans-face-serious-objections-from-fws-nps/)
https://esghound.substack.com/p/the-us-department-of-interior-drops?justPublished=true (https://esghound.substack.com/p/the-us-department-of-interior-drops?justPublished=true)
Ouch. Especially related to NPS. I have been involved in environmental impact statements in which NPS participated. People complain about the EPA all the time, but they are pikers compared to how big of an ahole NPS is regarding the EIS process. They are like the fed.gov arm of the Environmental Defense Center.
-
I am sure the NPS people pushing this can recommend a consultant to do the environmental impact statement. It is run by a friend or relative, but that isn't relevant.
-
SLS is having issues AGAIN and delayed AGAIN.
The government is putting roadblocks in front of SpaceX.
Blue Origin is doing nothing more than flying super rich tourists on a sub orbital D and making CGI videos.
Virgin is only really interested in sub orbital tourist flights and small sat launches.
Rocket Lab small fry at the moment.
United Launch Alliance needs engines. Blue Origin: What engines? Oh those engines! They were lost in Amazon shipping.
China is going to beat us (back) to the moon and then Mars unless something is done quick.
Biden Zzzzzzzzzzzzz
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I predicted this crap a year ago.
FTFY
It is my opinion that NASA will never get back to the moon. Their mission budget will be slashed during the Harris/Biden administration and their focus will likely be redirected back toward muslim outreach and social justice issues.
As for SpaceX and friends, I would be surprised if the regulatory burden isn't magnified beyond financial feasibility and they take their toys to another country.
We just can't afford to be sending all that money up in smoke going into space when there are so many social justice programs here that need the money.
:'(
-
Well in the case of SpaceX all the government really needs to do for the most part is get the _____ out of the way.
-
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpaceX_Starship_offshore_platforms
[insert meme-based sea shanty here]
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E2hxT_gXwAELbLP?format=jpg&name=900x900)
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It could be years, if ever, before SpaceX can fly Starship from Boca Chica. It appears they have run afoul of both the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Parks Service. Each agency has objected to the Programmatic Environmental Assessment being done by the FAA, saying it's not enough. Instead, both agencies say the law requires a full blown Environmental Impact Statement be completed. That is a multiyear process with no guaranteed outcome.
Stories on the situation at the links below.
http://www.parabolicarc.com/2022/01/17/report-spacexs-boca-chica-plans-face-serious-objections-from-fws-nps/ (http://www.parabolicarc.com/2022/01/17/report-spacexs-boca-chica-plans-face-serious-objections-from-fws-nps/)
https://esghound.substack.com/p/the-us-department-of-interior-drops?justPublished=true (https://esghound.substack.com/p/the-us-department-of-interior-drops?justPublished=true)
Matamoros is right across the channel. Maybe Mexico wants to lease some land to SpaceX. Build the rocket in Boca, then drive it across to Mexico to light the fuse.
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Everyday Astronaut
@Erdayastronaut
This is a crazy story!!! Looks like
@SpaceX
isn't the first company to push the boundaries of rocket technology at Boca Chica!!!
https://twitter.com/Erdayastronaut/status/1483484598281674755?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Eembeddedtimeline%7Ctwterm%5Eprofile%3AErdayastronaut%7Ctwgr%5EeyJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2hvcml6b25fdHdlZXRfZW1iZWRfOTU1NSI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJodGUiLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3NwYWNlX2NhcmQiOnsiYnVja2V0Ijoib2ZmIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH19%7Ctwcon%5Etimelinechrome&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.starshipstalker.com%2F
-
Starlink launch tonight ~9pm EST
Don't have any video links yet.
-
Matamoros is right across the channel. Maybe Mexico wants to lease some land to SpaceX. Build the rocket in Boca, then drive it across to Mexico to light the fuse.
I've wondered about that or similar routes for them to continue. Then it might come down to restrictions on exporting technology outside the US.
I just really think the current administration will not allow them to succeed.
-
Found a feed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZPFp_RgJLI
Don't know where the usual NASAspaceflight guys are tonight
-
And there's always SpaceX's feed
https://www.spacex.com/launches/index.html
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A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V is launching the USSF-8 mission for the Space Force. Liftoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Eastern (19:00 UTC) from SLC-41, Cape Canaveral SFS, Florida.
LIVE: Atlas V Launches USSF-8 Mission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDM0B2D0TTI
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Skip to 1:50 if you can't wait
GSE-4 Pressured To Failure Rover2.0 Bathed In Liquid Nitrogen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1Z21JnKHwY
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Why do people (including me) have such a problem with Blue Origin and Jeff Bezos? Well, the list is kinda long...
Blue Orgin UPDATE - Why do people love to hate Jeff Bezos and his creation?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSMeB77lcIo
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Falcon 9 is launching the COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation FM2 mission. Liftoff is scheduled for 6:11 p.m. Eastern (23:11 UTC) from SLC-40, Cape Canaveral SFS, Florida. Following launch, Falcon's first stage booster will return to Cape Canaveral for a landing.
LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Launch and Landing | CSG-2 Mission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXXFVVAoglU
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So.... Earlier than anticipated SpaceX moon "landing". :laugh:
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Weather scrub
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Try Try Again
Falcon 9 is launching the COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation FM2 mission. Liftoff is scheduled for 6:11 p.m. Eastern (23:11 UTC) from SLC-40, Cape Canaveral SFS, Florida. Following launch, Falcon's first stage booster will return to Cape Canaveral for a landing.
LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Launch & Landing | CSG-2 Mission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T41rHlpkb7E
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Try Scrub Try Scrub Again
Weather again
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And another scrub today
Range violation by a Cruise Ship :facepalm:
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Scrub: Weather
Scrub: Weather
Scrub: Cruise Ship
So here we go again
LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Launch & Landing | CSG-2 Mission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNUAW1DT7tY
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Scrub: Weather
Scrub: Weather
Scrub: Cruise Ship
So here we go again
LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Launch & Landing | CSG-2 Mission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNUAW1DT7tY
Scrub: Scrub? =D
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Scrub: Scrub? =D
If there's a technical scrub that will be a scrub scrub and I will blame you for jinxing it. [ar15]
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Looks like you're off the hook
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Spectacular views of the launch and the booster coming back down. Lighting made it extra special.
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/FKd8ZvvWQAg0_lX.jpeg)
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NASASpaceflight
518K subscribers
Falcon 9 is launching the NROL-87 mission. Liftoff is scheduled for 3:18 p.m. Eastern (20:18 UTC) from SLC-4E, Vandenberg SFB, California. Following launch, Falcon's first stage booster will return to Vandenberg for a landing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJp6IgEz8Gk
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Going for 3 in 4 days
Falcon 9 is launching 49 Starlink internet satellites. Liftoff is scheduled for 1:13 p.m. Eastern (18:13 UTC) from LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida.
LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Launch of 49 Starlink Satellites
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25ax6PPeTWI
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Jeff who?
Scheduled to go live at 12:00 ETA ~60 minutes before launch
LIVE: Astra Launches NASA's ELaNa 41 Mission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEYS7d1CHso
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Now says live at 1:15
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14:00
Chat says weather
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14:45
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15:00 sigh
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Finally
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Hold
Range issue being investigated
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Probably some rich bald guy's yacht
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Scrub
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Scrub
Thanks for nothing, NASA! Made me fly lower and slower down to the islands.
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Probably some rich bald guy's yacht
Wouldn't surprise me in the least.
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Lots of activity at Starbase and rumor is Elon will be making a big announcement on Thursday.
Starship Booster 4 Lift - Starbase Preps for Elon's Update
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1F4XS5gd7Fg
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LIVE: Astra Launches NASA's ELaNa 41 Mission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kr5eccZdIyk
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Abort at 13 seconds
Waiting to see if they recycle
edit: Was actually aborted at engine ignition. Clock was showing 13 which was actually +13 and I had a duh moment.
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Recycled to 15:00
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Scrubbed for the day.
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I dozed off waiting.
Telemetry issue from what I just saw.
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Moving S20 to the chopsticks. They may do a lift tonight or tomorrow.
Starbase LIVE: 24/7 Starship & Super Heavy Development From SpaceX's Boca Chica Facility
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
https://www.starshipstalker.com/
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Not good
Scott Manley
@DJSnM
SpaceX has lost as much as 80% of the Starlink satellites launched on Thursday due to a solar storm, combined with the intentionally low deployment orbits used for debris managements.
https://twitter.com/DJSnM/status/1491212294184849408/photo/1
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That bucket lift would get a big fat no from me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
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Not good
https://twitter.com/DJSnM/status/1491212294184849408/photo/1
Lesson learned.
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Could be getting ready to lift
Drones flying so this could be it
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
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Sigh, not yet
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Sigh, not yet.
Methinks they've encountered a few more bugs than they expected. It is the first time they have attempted this procedure, after all.
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They started to do the lift less than 5 minutes after I decided they were probably going to wait until tomorrow and I went to bed :facepalm:
Rewind to 10:00pm and go from there https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
WE HAVE FULL STACK!
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Just the stacking
SpaceX Stacks Starship onto Super Heavy with Chopsticks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMBPHmIhtrg
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Went way faster than I expected
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B4 + SN20 = 4-20
Now did Elon do that on purpose or not?
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B4 + SN20 = 4-20
Now did Elon do that on purpose or not?
No, it's all just proof we're in a simulation.
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But wait there's more on tap for today
Suppose to go live at 15:00 EST
LIVE: Astra Launches NASA's ELaNa 41 Mission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jlQmW7mnYM
Edit: Now says 14:00
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Meanwhile we get to wait for the big announcement from Elon tonight
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Timelapse of SpaceX's first Starship stacking operation using the chopsticks in Starbase.
https://twitter.com/nextspaceflight/status/1491662106042593284
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/FLPSYNGXoAExsF6.jpg)
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But wait there's more on tap for today
Suppose to go live at 15:00 EST
LIVE: Astra Launches NASA's ELaNa 41 Mission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jlQmW7mnYM
Now says 14:00
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Live, T -56:00
Weather is clear
Let's go Astra
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Come on, you can do it.
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Huh oh
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Well *expletive deleted*ck
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Looks like the 2nd stage went out of control
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Last view it was tumbling end over end
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At least I'm hoping that was the camera view from the 1st and not the 2nd.
But silence so far
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On the left camera view (1st stage?) there was an jerk (MECO I suppose), a pause, then a really big jerk right before everything went haywire on the right camera view (2nd stage)
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Yep, they confirmed they lost the 2nd
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Video starts right before Murphy said hi
https://youtu.be/8jlQmW7mnYM?t=3740
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I feel bad for Astra. They are struggling financially from what I heard a while back. I really hope they can get their act together and not have to fold up shop.
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Awaiting Scott Manley's video
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Okay think I have a better grasp of what I'm seeing.
You can see the fairing flex but fail to detach followed by the 2nd stage slamming into it at 2nd stage deployment. Then the 2nd stage fired while still within the fairing crashing through it. https://youtu.be/8jlQmW7mnYM?t=3740
This is what it should have looked like https://youtu.be/8jlQmW7mnYM?t=292
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I should add it appears that unlike on a Falcon 9 where the fairings are attached to the 2nd stage the fairings on Astra's rocket are attached to the 1st stage with the 2nd stage fully contained within.
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NSF Live Special: Elon Musk Gives Starship Update Presentation | Live Reaction & Analysis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8ZVzv9kn2k
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Raptor 2 (left) vs Raptor 1
Note the simplification. Produces ~25% more thrust as well
https://www.teslarati.com/elon-musk-spacex-starship-raptor-2-engine-progress/
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/FLRyFYNXsAARBSt.jpg)
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/FLR1u2TWYAcX1vf.jpg)
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/FLQiXc6WYA0G0Y6.jpg)
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/FLPRejoXMAkodbO.jpg)
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/FLR3lG4WYBIx4pi.jpg)
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/FLR6xsBWYCUEseK.jpg)
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Waiting on Elon
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There he is
Maybe we'll find out what's going on
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Raptor 2 is 1/2 the cost of Raptor 1
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NSF Live Special: Elon Musk Gives Starship Update Presentation | Live Reaction & Analysis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8ZVzv9kn2k
That feeds audio is wacked out.
Better
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3N7L8Xhkzqo
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No real news from the FAA. He has heard maybe approval in March
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1 Raptor per day production rate
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Worse case scenario even if he doesn't get approval there's always the cape.
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He hopes to have 39A and one of the offshore platforms ready later this year
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Scott Manley on the Astra launch
Rocket Launch Doomed After Payload Fairing Won't Open
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLfl6ADRyu0
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Appears to be destacking
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KB4d8Re1tFc
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Hearing the FAA has added another month's delay.
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He is looking at going to Florida. Almost wish he would just buy a small country and say FU FAA and the rest of fed gov.
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He is looking at going to Florida. Almost wish he would just buy a small country and say FU FAA and the rest of fed gov.
What sucks is that he'd never be able to export the Raptor or Merlin blueprints, legally, to his own banana republic.
He'd be able to hire the employees and expatriate those willing to do so and they could re-draft a new engine design, possibly even premised on the Raptor, but it would be an ITAR violation and an act of war to take the established blueprints for the engine and give it to another country without State Dept approval, which would never come.
And he'd be blocked from selling Starlink as an ISP in the US for doing that, out of spite, and lose out on all the NASA/DOD contracts that built SpaceX.
But a fellow can dream.
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Starship Launch Tower in Florida Coming Soon | Cape Update - Narrated
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMUX67Ts-nk
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Antares is launching the Cygnus NG-17 mission to resupply the International Space Station. Liftoff is scheduled for 12:40 p.m. Eastern (17:40 UTC) from LP-0A, Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia.
LIVE: Antares Launches NG-17 to Resupply the Space Station
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JykaTD-iKQ8
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Good launch
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SN22 rolling down the road.
Going to the storage area?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
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Now sitting next to SN15 and 16.
Think they just needed to clear some space in the high bay
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In what some people are calling the Rocket Garden.
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I appreciate your taking the time to make these posts. I'm interested in space flight, but don't have the time to chase down the info you're kind enough to link to.
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Sorry for the late notice
This one caught me by surprise
Live: Starlink Mission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiKOMCRymsw
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My parents are at the Cape watching live.
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Path to Crew Starship Becomes Clear | Starship Update (Narrated)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oHRR1XFrDQ
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All the video feeds are solid white with fog. Good time for a launch. :P
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Stratolaunch Test Flight 4 | World's Largest Aircraft By Wingspan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5sebur_1ok
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T - 18 minutes at time of posting
LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches 50 Starlink Satellites
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RD-KLZDLaho
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnVOfKOzXHE
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Going live in 25 minutes at time of posting
Rocket Lab "The Owl's Night Continues" Launch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjfNJjTyfKY
Rocket Lab’s The Owl’s Night Continues to make first launch from LC-1B at Mahia
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2022/02/the-owls-night-continues/
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Heading somewhere
SpaceX's Deimos Moving Towards Gulf Of Mexico
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkP-5wnEzkU
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LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches 47 Starlink Satellites
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q75aQOy9MJc
Falcon 9 is launching 47 Starlink internet satellites. Liftoff is scheduled for 9:25 a.m. Eastern (14:25 UTC) from LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida.
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Falcon 9 is launching 48 Starlink internet satellites. Liftoff is scheduled for 8:45 a.m. Eastern (13:45 UTC) from SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.
LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches 48 Starlink Satellites
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFpovwQj4qk
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Everyone thought they lost the booster. The camera went blank with the readout showing the booster still at 88km/h at 0.0. Took a minute or so for the camera to come back thankfully showing the booster sitting pretty on the pad.
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WLJ: I've been following the Starship campaign in Boca very closely, and I'm at odds with some other fans regarding one point of development. Was curious if you have any concrete information one way or another on this.
The Tower that was built at Boca is referred to by SpaceX as "Stage 0." Its intention is to facilitate rapid and repeatable integration of Booster to Starship, provide fueling fixtures, get out of the way for launch, then prepare to catch the Booster about 5 minutes after launch and redeposit it on the launch mount again. It can pick up another Starship that is delivered to it by a crane or SPMT and integrate that new Starship into the Booster for a new launch.
The point of disagreement we have is that I argue that the Tower as-is is incapable of catching a Starship, and so Starship will have landing legs until Tower and Starship integration/recovery development is completed to allow for deletion of legs from the second stage vehicle. In support of this, I have found many quotes from SpaceX talking about how the Tower integrates both separate vehicles but when talking about recovery they very specifically say that the Booster is caught by the Tower, neglecting to say anything about the Starship. These are from 2022, very recent.
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1491964480581898241
The launch tower at Starbase will help stack Starship and catch the Super Heavy rocket booster
The opposing argument I face declares that Starship will be caught by the Tower, from the get-go. They cite quotes from Musk from April of 2021, way before the Tower was built, as their evidence. But it's an aspirational quote, where he says he'd prefer to just snatch the ship out of the air in free-fall if he could in the same sentence.
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1379876450744995843?t=sXcMt1RZX7spWlnyi8P-fA
Ideal scenario imo is catching Starship in horizontal “glide” with no landing burn, although that is quite a challenge for the tower! Next best is catching with tower, with emergency pad landing mode on skirt (no legs).
There's a very talented visual artist who has been following Starship closely, Ryan Hansen, who has a youtube channel where he renders things from Boca Chica as observed by NSF and other freelance reporters. He has a fantastic video on the interfaces between the Tower, the Booster, and Starship. And there's absolutely no way that the current Tower/Chopstick design can catch the current Starship design. It's a ball and socket connection that requires IMMENSE precision to engage. It's just not going to happen in propulsive descent.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqCDgjaDWLs
Do you have any source regarding Starship's immediate operational recovery plans? Obviously B4/S20 are both going to be expended into the Gulf and the Pacific, but the next flights should test the Tower for recovery of the booster, and the Starship for reentry integrity and landing approach authority.
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Honestly I'm not entirely sure yet myself but I've not really dug into it but I've heard both techniques being tossed around. The booster has the fixed grid fins for the "chop sticks" to hold while Starship itself has the control fins but watching the recent lift and stack the "chop sticks" they used the ball and socket connections under the fins on Starship. Seriously doubt they could manage that with a SS in motion and I don't think the control fins can support the weight and stress of a catch but I could be wrong on that.
I thinking stick with legs on SS despite the weight penalty. I would hate to see the booster damage or take out the tower in a failed catch leaving a SS with no where to land.
I've taken a wait and see attitude lately when it comes to Elon and SpaceX.
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Updates
NSF Live: SLS prepares to rollout, SpaceX stacks Booster 7, international relations update, & more
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5BAO5ua-8U
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If at first you don't succeed........
Suppose to go live at 11:30am eastern
NASASpaceflight
534K subscribers
Astra is covering some expenses associated with producing this broadcast.
The livestream will begin at approximately T-45 minutes until liftoff. As usual, schedules are fluid due to the various weather and technical factors associated with launch. The broadcast start time will be adjusted as needed. Follow @astra on Twitter for live updates.
LIVE: Astra Launches Spaceflight Astra-1 Mission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQntGP-G2YU
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27 minutes
And they left the gate open. You know, just in case. :rofl:
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Weather hold
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Weather scrub
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If at first you don't succeed try try try try again
suppose to go live at 11:45 EDT
LIVE: Astra Launches Spaceflight Astra-1 Mission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYNXoC1qTLo
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Live!
And the gate is open....very important detail.
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4 minutes
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Good 2nd stage fire
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Don't like the amount of wobbling I'm seeing
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Still no confirmation of payload deployment.
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Kodiak, we have a problem. Still no payload separation.
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Reading on their twitter page they're waiting for it to come within range of a ground station for confirmation. Got to remember Astra doesn't have SpaceX's comm resources.
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Twitter page is now a mess of adolescent postings. Can't tell good from bad now.
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Someone just posted it will be another 30 minutes or so. Don't know how official that is.
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Reports it's headed for Moscow.
Just kidding =(
Good deployment
Way to go Astra!
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Hey, good to hear they had a nominal deployment. That's outstanding. Now they just need to pile on a bunch more successful flights to prove they have what it takes to be a competitive space launch company.
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And we have lift!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDjnExSuAEg
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Stack maybe?
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Reading on their twitter page they're waiting for it to come within range of a ground station for confirmation. Got to remember Astra doesn't have SpaceX's comm resources.
Maybe they could use starlink for telemetry? :laugh:
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We have stack
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SLS rollout set for Thursday
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SLS rollout set for Thursday
I find it funny that at the cost per launch for SLS, a Starship (Cargo variant) could almost carry the money into LEO, if it were loaded as pennies.
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I find it funny that at the cost per launch for SLS, a Starship (Cargo variant) could almost carry the money into LEO, if it were loaded as pennies.
The former is tax payer funded while the latter is privately funded. Usually works out that way.
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But we still don't know if Elon's insane booster catch idea will work as planned or not. I keep thinking I hope they're keeping a spare tower or two around for, you know, just in case
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But we still don't know if Elon's insane booster catch idea will work as planned or not. I keep thinking I hope they're keeping a spare tower or two around for, you know, just in case
They're building a second tower at Cape Canaveral right now. They're pretty committed to the idea of catching it.
I don't think the boosters could damage the tower footings or superstructure, at the speed it should be moving at when it approaches. Much like the F9 droneship landings, the boosters are on a passive ballistic trajectory during freefall that would have them impact hundreds of meters away from anything valuable. It's the final engine ignition that corrects the course to intercept with the landing zone.
I do think and engine failure during approach could result in the booster damaging the Chopstick arms, but even at free-fall from the last 500 meters, with maybe 25-50 tons of fuel onboard (each Raptor engine burns around 600kg of fuel/ox per second while running, and the Booster will land on several engines running simultaneously, perhaps 2-3 tons/sec being consumed) it's still unmixed. The oxygen splash will do horrific things to anything awaiting a chemical reaction, especially when energized by the methane present, but it won't be anything like a Delta II explosion (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_aHEit-SqA). The steel of the booster is far thinner and less reinforced than the steel of the tower.
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They're building a second tower at Cape Canaveral right now. They're pretty committed to the idea of catching it.
I don't think the boosters could damage the tower footings or superstructure, at the speed it should be moving at when it approaches. Much like the F9 droneship landings, the boosters are on a passive ballistic trajectory during freefall that would have them impact hundreds of meters away from anything valuable. It's the final engine ignition that corrects the course to intercept with the landing zone.
I do think and engine failure during approach could result in the booster damaging the Chopstick arms, but even at free-fall from the last 500 meters, with maybe 25-50 tons of fuel onboard (each Raptor engine burns around 600kg of fuel/ox per second while running, and the Booster will land on several engines running simultaneously, perhaps 2-3 tons/sec being consumed) it's still unmixed. The oxygen splash will do horrific things to anything awaiting a chemical reaction, especially when energized by the methane present, but it won't be anything like a Delta II explosion (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_aHEit-SqA). The steel of the booster is far thinner and less reinforced than the steel of the tower.
Yeah the structure would probably be okay. The catch mechanism, plumping etc... not so much.
There is talk of a 2nd tower at Boca as well.
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Yeah the structure would probably be okay. The catch mechanism, pumping etc... not so much.
There is talk of a 2nd tower at Boca as well.
A good idea (the 2nd tower at Boca).
If the goal ever becomes to catch Starship and ditch its landing legs, some form of Abort to LZ must be implemented that allows for catching the booster at the launch LZ (or the booster malfunctioning and making the launch LZ unavailable) but an early stage separation making it possible to recover the Starship at an alternate LZ. Probably need several of those across the Gulf, in Florida, and out into the Atlantic, for different stages of flight.
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Cryo testing of the stack right now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
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SLS rollout scheduled to start at 17:00 EDT. Expected to take 11 hours.
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SLS rollout
Maybe?
What happened to 17:00?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdBFSfz8WmY
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Maybe they're just opening the door.
You know NASA, maybe it takes them 5 hours to open the door :facepalm:
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Maybe they are having trouble with the wheels on the door.
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Maybe they are having trouble with the wheels on the door.
(https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/000/000/681/what-you-did-there-i-see-it.thumbnail.jpg)
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It feels like SpaceX could design, build, test, and blow up a spacecraft in the time it takes NASA to move one from the assembly building to the launchpad.
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Maybe they're just open the door.
You know NASA, maybe it takes them 5 hours to open the door :facepalm:
Maybe the union door operators didn't show up for work today.
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It feels like SpaceX could design, build, test, and blow up a spacecraft in the time it takes NASA to move one from the assembly building to the launchpad.
NASA isn't slated to fly the SLS until sometime in May at the earliest. It's going to be sitting on the pad for quite a while before it flies, assuming it does this year.
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It feels like SpaceX could design, build, test, and blow up a spacecraft in the time it takes NASA to move one from the assembly building to the launchpad.
And have the new and improved version already rolling down the road to the pad
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NASA isn't slated to fly the SLS until sometime in May at the earliest. It's going to be sitting on the pad for quite a while before it flies, assuming it does this year.
If it doesn't fly this year, kiss those billion dollar SRB's good bye. They're already past their 1 year guarantee date from Northrop Grumman, and have been given a special engineering exemption by NG/Orbital techs that already reeks of Challenger era politics.
If the launch gets pushed to 2023, it'll need new SRB's.
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NASA = Not Alotta Space Ability
SRB = Short Rifled Barrel, a.k.a. pistol.
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They found a screw that was torqued to 27.99995 in-lbs instead of the required 28 in-lbs.
NASA: There will be a 6 month delay while this is rectified.
SpaceX: 10,9,8,7..............
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NASASpaceFlight just started their coverage
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_9wtpu8fcI
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"If SLS sees it's shadow there will be 6 more months of delays" :rofl:
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It moves!
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SLS has left the building!
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Someone asked about the crawler's gas mileage: 42 ft per gallon
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Someone asked about the crawler's gas mileage: 42 ft per gallon
better than i expected
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They should have built an EV crawler. Won't someone think of the climate?!?
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On the pad
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mwf-1gSEFaE
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They should have built an EV crawler. Won't someone think of the climate?!?
Should just launch from the building. This is what happens when there are no evil geniuses or slow witted henchmen on your design team.
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Should just launch from the building. This is what happens when there are no evil geniuses or slow witted henchmen on your design team.
So that's what NASA has been missing all these years!
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Meanwhile
Falcon 9 is launching 53 Starlink internet satellites on the record-setting 12th flight of Falcon booster 1051. Liftoff is scheduled for 11:23 p.m. Eastern (3:23 UTC) from SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HorSk_MfhL8
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Due to unfavorable weather, now targeting a new T-0 of 12:42 a.m. ET for our upcoming Falcon 9 launch of Starlink satellites → Spacex Twitter
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A competitor to Starlink will now be flying SpaceX thanks to the Russian/Ukrainian War
OneWeb to fly on competitor SpaceX's rockets
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-60825386
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The FAA has now pushed back the completion of its environmental review to the end of April. Who didn't see this coming? That was a rhetorical question.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/faa-extends-environmental-review-spacex-boca-chica-072946680.html (https://www.yahoo.com/news/faa-extends-environmental-review-spacex-boca-chica-072946680.html)
edited for spelling
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B7 rolled out to the pad
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
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And while I way over slept after a rough night
WATCH: Blue Origin New Shepard-20 Rocket Launch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=870WxIu_rvA
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Falcon 9 is launching the Transporter-4 rideshare mission with 40 satellites onboard. Liftoff is scheduled for 12:24 p.m. Eastern (16:24 UTC) from SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.
LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches Transporter-4 Rideshare Mission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gHXMRXA2eo
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Continuous video for the first stage landing on the drone ship. It didn't blank out like it normally does. That was pretty cool.
-
Rocket Lab - Without Mission A Beat Launch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yU2-0J5w0oE
Rocket Lab is scheduled to launch the “Without Mission A Beat” mission from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 Pad A during a launch window that opens April 1, 2022. The launch is a dedicated mission for BlackSky through global launch services provider Spaceflight Inc.
The T-0 lift-off time for today's mission has been changed! Electron will take to the skies.
Target T-0:
PDT | 05:41 April 02
EDT | 08:41, April 02
UTC | 12:41, April 02
CEST |14:41, April 02
NZDT | 01:41, April 03
Rocket Labs - Electron - Without Mission A Beat - LZ 1 - New Zealand - Space Affairs Livestream
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGSbZ9cPq7g
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Live
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Payload deployment
-
Wait a minute
This came out of nowhere
SpaceX Launch Starlink Sats Mission! Elon Musk gives update on SpaceX! ( Elon Musk CEO )
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4PqH2ZZYEk
Says live but it has to be a recording
-
And then it cuts off
I think someone pushed the wrong button somewhere.
I just checked the launch site (Vandenberg) should be in day light now but video was showing a night launch
-
Comparison of BO and SX engine designs and gets into perhaps why BO may have bit off more than they can chew in theirs.
BE 4 Failure!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zjdAQef3oY
-
SpaceX is targeting Friday, April 8 for Falcon 9’s launch of Axiom Space’s Ax-1 mission to the International Space Station from historic Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The instantaneous launch window opens at 11:17 a.m. ET, 15:17 UTC, with a backup opportunity available on Saturday, April 9 at 10:54 a.m. ET, 14:54 UTC.
Ax-1 Mission | Launch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nLk_Vqp7nw
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Comparison of BO and SX engine designs and gets into perhaps why BO may have bit off more than they can chew in theirs.
BE 4 Failure!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zjdAQef3oY
Raptors on Vulcan is looking more possible. =D
-
A SpaceX Falcon 9 is launching Ax-1 – the first all-private mission to the Space Station. Liftoff is scheduled for 11:17 a.m. Eastern (15:17 UTC) from LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida.
LIVE: SpaceX Launches Axiom-1 Crew to Space Station
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmAv2cyh_nE
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Nice view of SLS on one pad and a fueled and ready to go F9 on another
-
Sigh
Warning AA tends to over dramatize things so when I get more time I will do some digging.
The Sierra Club is claiming victory as the Army Corps of Engineers closes the Starbase permit for expansion for environmental concerns. Why did SpaceX fail to provide the required information in time? Has Elon Musk already decided to move Starship launch operations to the Cape?
Starship may NEVER launch from Boca Chica! Environmental groups claim victory over SpaceX.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IjlMxIMqV0
-
Sigh
Warning AA tends to over dramatize things so when I get more time I will do some digging.
Starship may NEVER launch from Boca Chica! Environmental groups claim victory over SpaceX.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IjlMxIMqV0
I've heard this is a nothing thing. This is just expanding certain buildings on the site.
Corps of Engineers is going to approve just about anything SpaceX wants. But there's no point expanding anything until the FAA gets off their ass and gives a decision on the launch permit.
-
Hear someone has a painting for sale
-
Now booster landings are almost* boring
How Not to Land an Orbital Rocket Booster
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvim4rsNHkQ
*I said almost.
-
Watching
NSF Live: Starship accelerates in Florida, SLS testing delayed, ULA scores record deal, and more
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5bTwGxuAaQ
-
Musk needs to get the Florida launch site up and running soonest. It looks like there will be no more flights approved at Boca Chica because politics.
-
I still say Musk should buy a bunch of Mexican land just south of Boca Chica and launch from there.
-
I still say Musk should buy a bunch of Mexican land just south of Boca Chica and launch from there.
That would be a nice poke in the eye for certain federal agencies.
-
I still say Musk should buy a bunch of Mexican land just south of Boca Chica and launch from there.
ITAR.
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A SpaceX Falcon 9 is launching NROL-85 – a classified mission for the National Reconnaissance Office. Liftoff is scheduled for 6:13 a.m. Pacific (13:13 UTC) from SLC-4E, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. Following launch, the first stage booster will return to the launch site for a landing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZR1pRchcASI
-
Holy cow
With the low cloud cover I couldn't tell if that was a launch or a boom. I seriously thought boom for a bit there.
-
Great video of the stage separation, booster reorientation and boost-back burn. The cold gas thrusters on the booster were very visible, too. Very neat video.
-
*
-
Falcon 9 is launching the Starlink 4-14 mission with 53 internet satellites onboard. Liftoff is scheduled for 11:14 a.m. Eastern (15:14 UTC) from SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.
LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches Starlink 4-14 Mission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Eo6a2fl91U
-
Got move back to 1:15
-
Perfect booster landing with video of the touchdown. Looks like they finally fixed the video cutout problem. Fun watching this flight.
-
SpaceX and NASA are targeting no earlier than Wednesday, April 27 for Falcon 9’s launch of Crew-4, Dragon’s fourth science expedition mission to the International Space Station, from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Launch is targeted for 3:52 a.m. ET (7:52 UTC), with a backup opportunity available on Thursday, April 28.
This will be the first flight of the Dragon spacecraft supporting this mission and the fourth flight for Falcon 9’s first stage booster, which previously launched CRS-22, Crew-3, and Turksat 5B. Following stage separation, Falcon 9’s first stage will land on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
During their time at the orbiting laboratory, the Crew-4 astronauts will conduct over 200 science experiments in areas such as materials science, health technologies, and plant science to prepare for human exploration beyond low-Earth orbit and benefit life on Earth.
The webcast for the Crew-4 mission will go live about four hours before liftoff.
Crew-4 Mission | Launch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orN0PaqQECs
-
Another 4 astronauts in space by SX
Someone said these 4 now make it 26 for SX
Beautiful landing with the booster lighting up the clouds on landing
-
SpaceX has finally gotten the drone ship video feed working well. That's the third clear video of a booster landing.
-
Hey Jeff
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/FQ5NGaMXIAAegh3.jpg)
-
Hey Jeff
Jeff Who?
-
Jeff Who?
That's funny right there. :laugh:
-
SpaceX has finally gotten the drone ship video feed working well. That's the third clear video of a booster landing.
Starlink antennas bolted to the deck. Better tolerance to buffetting and vibration.
-
Video of Dragon’s Draco thrusters moving the spacecraft closer to the @Space_Station
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1519500388738682880
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They're going for a catch tomorrow
Rocket Lab
@RocketLab
Earlier this week the weather said "you shall not pass," but now we're just over 24 hours away from the launch window opening for 'There And Back Again,' our first attempt at catching Electron's 1st stage with a helicopter.
Yes, there will be a webcast: https://youtu.be/6nODVPGHQcc
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1519797942579646464
Rocket Lab - 'There And Back Again' Launch
116 waiting
Scheduled for Apr 29, 2022
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nODVPGHQcc
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And BTW
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FRcLE-sWUAIvffT?format=jpg&name=900x900)
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Well *expletive deleted*ck
Another month
I'm not surprised really.
Eric Berger
@SciGuySpace
It's official now. The FAA has delayed the release of its environmental review of SpaceX's Starship launch site in South Texas until at least May 31.
https://twitter.com/SciGuySpace/status/1520087565650604034
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Eric Berger
@SciGuySpace
In an email sent to reporters just now, the FAA adds the following rationale for the delay. "SpaceX made multiple changes to its application that require additional FAA analysis. The agency continues to review around 18,000 general public comments. "
TechNeo
@TechNeo_
· 1h
Replying to @b280c_2 and @NASASpaceflight
the delays could be largely attributed to SpaceX management filing paperwork with incorrect/outdated info. For example the switch to Raptor 2.0 invalidates a lot of the sound/plume analysis.
-
Political roadblocking. I have higher faith in the integrity of SXT than the US government apparatchiks.
-
Got a double header today
With both a Rocket Lab and a SX launch
SpaceX is targeting Friday, April 29 for a Falcon 9 launch of 53 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The instantaneous launch window is at 5:27 p.m. ET, or 21:27 UTC, and a backup opportunity is available on Saturday, April 30 at 5:05 p.m. ET, or 21:05 UTC.
The first stage booster supporting this mission previously launched GPS III Space Vehicle 04, GPS III Space Vehicle 05, Inspiration4, one Starlink mission, and Ax-1. Following stage separation, Falcon 9’s first stage will return to Earth and land on the Just Read the Instructions droneship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean
.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skNrXnubpwA
LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches Starlink 4-16 Mission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcKP1q-e0_w
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Never mind, just one. Rocket Lab's got pushed to May 1 because of weather.
-
Maybe he should but the FAA next.
-
Maybe he should but the FAA next.
How much are Hunter's paintings going for now?
-
Clearest landing video yet from both views
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Clearest landing video yet from both views
I think the young lady announcer said that was the 117th successful recovery. Might have been consecutive.
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I think the young lady announcer said that was the 117th successful recovery. Might have been consecutive.
Booster went into the drink Feb of last year. The famous "don't land on the Sea Gulls!" incident
List https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Falcon_9_first-stage_boosters
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Rocket Lab
@RocketLab
· 16h
After a busy week of capture testing, and while we wait for weather to improve, we’re taking an additional day for final helicopter and recovery system optimization ahead of our first mid-air capture attempt. We’re now targeting no earlier than 2 May UTC / 3 May NZST for launch
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/FHt7N6rX0AAVUFS.jpg)
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Funny meme except when one considers how many times the FAA has delayed their final environmental evaluation. Personally, I believe the word has come down from Brandon's administration not to issue any flight permits to SpaceX. I think it's due to him owning non-union companies.
Also, there were some rumors floating around that the final approval was imminent, but then Musk bought Twitter shortly after those rumors kicked off. Really, there are lots of reasons for the FJB administration to dislike Musk and beat him up politically.
-
Suppose to start at 3:00 EDT
NSF Live: Starship Environmental Approval Update, Falcon 9 Performs Record Turnaround, and More
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVJIPqq-wgk
-
Suppose to go live at 6:05pm EDT
The “There And Back Again” mission will see Electron deploy 34 satellites to a sun synchronous orbit for a variety of customers including Alba Orbital, Astrix Astronautics, Aurora Propulsion Technologies, E-Space, Spaceflight Inc., and Unseenlabs, and bringing the total number of satellites launched by Electron to 146.
“There And Back Again” is also a recovery mission where, for the first time, Rocket Lab will attempt a midair capture of Electron’s first stage as it returns from space using parachutes and a helicopter.
The window opens at 2235hrs on April 29 UTC (1035hrs on April 30 NZST) and the live webcast will start here approximately 25 minutes before lift-off.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nODVPGHQcc
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Everyday Astronaut is up for the Rocket lab launch and catch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74sXa2qySPM
Watching on Rocket Lab
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nODVPGHQcc
-
[popcorn]
-
They caught it but noticed something unusual, they didn't say what, and then let it go.
-
Rocket Lab Retweeted
Peter Beck
@Peter_J_Beck
·
1h
Incredible catch by the recovery team, can’t begin to explain how hard that catch was and that the pilots got it. They did release it after hook up as they were not happy with the way it was flying, but no big deal, the rocket splashed down safely and the ship is loading it now.
https://twitter.com/Peter_J_Beck/status/1521279458140823552
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https://www.cnbc.com/2022/05/03/spacex-starbase-expansion-plans-will-harm-endangered-species-fws.html
The Piping Plover is a tiny little bird that lives on the Gulf Coast during its southern migration, then returns north to the Plains for its northern migration.
Some eggheads did a visual count, driving a truck around, and somehow think that works as an authoritative means of counting all the birds in the area. Their results are that the Boca Chica area has gone from about 340 of this bird present, down to about 140, over the three year period that SpaceX has been active at Starbase.
They're taking it that the birds are dead, as a result of SpaceX, rather than relocated due to the nuisance of the factory noise and intermittent low altitude launches. Nevermind there hasn't been a launch in over a year, since SN15 landed propulsively and they've been waiting on FAA approval to launch a full stack.
Nevermind that Boca Chica was a quad and 4x4 and dirtbike mecca, and it was a pretty regular occurrence to find out that some quad rider crushed an endangered turtle's head while jumping dunes or such. And all that behavior is gone now that SpaceX is a major high security land holder with a large property exclusion zone. Nevermind that Cape Canaveral functions as a significant nature preserve for Florida, and Boca could as well.
The net result is a mitigated approval from FWS requiring SpaceX to perform some wildlife protection measures to mitigate the impact on this bird, and maybe restrict launches during sensitive times. We'll see how this plays out with the overall FAA potential FONSI approval.
-
Nothing has changed to change my opinion.
FTFY
It is my opinion that NASA will never get back to the moon. Their mission budget will be slashed during the Harris/Biden administration and their focus will likely be redirected back toward muslim outreach and social justice issues.
As for SpaceX and friends, I would be surprised if the regulatory burden isn't magnified beyond financial feasibility and they take their toys to another country.
We just can't afford to be sending all that money up in smoke going into space when there are so many social justice programs here that need the money.
:'(
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In the more general category of aerospace news, Boeing is moving headquarters from Chicago to Arlington, VA. The talking heads see this as an effort to build better relationships with regulators, legislators and the DOD.
https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/boeing-set-move-headquarters-arlington-virginia-sources-2022-05-05/
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https://twitter.com/cbs_spacenews/status/1521887273406640138
Boeing Starliner capsule suffers leprosy of protective covers while being transported for integration to an Atlas V rocket.
"The front fell off." (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3m5qxZm_JqM)
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Woke up too late
Really spectacular views of the landing even if part of the video feed cut off
LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches Starlink 4-17 Mission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGU4_tKx5g4
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Not only Russian tanks and ships exploding
On April 15th a Russian Launch Support System (LSS) launch in 2007 exploded in orbit, apparently something they're known to do, creating another debris cloud
Russian engine exploded in orbit
https://universemagazine.com/en/russian-engine-exploded-in-orbit/
-
Scott Manley updates
Space X updates
Dream Chaser updates
Russian and Chinese launches
More info on the Rocket Lab catch and release
Also some cool video from a Spin Launch (remember them?) test.
and more
SpaceX Planning To Land In Middle of Bahamas - Deep Space Updates - May 10th
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Glpz90RhegM
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NSF now has a live feed from the McGregor test site
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOmmvhDQ2HM
SpaceX's McGregor test site features regular engine firings with test stands for Raptor and Merlin engines. Tests typically occur between 7 am and 9 pm CDT but occasionally happen outside of that window. McGregor Live ensures that you never miss a minute of the action.
Looks like a Raptor (2?) may have had a RUD yesterday. Trying to find a link to yesterday's feed
-
Scott Manley updates
Space X updates
Dream Chaser updates
Russian and Chinese launches
More info on the Rocket Lab catch and release
Also some cool video from a Spin Launch (remember them?) test.
and more
SpaceX Planning To Land In Middle of Bahamas - Deep Space Updates - May 10th
https://www.armedpolitesociety.com/index.php#1
Copypasta error on the link.
-
Copypasta error on the link.
Sigh
Too many tabs open and I am an idiot
Fixed, thanks
-
Not so fast on that phosphine data in Venus's atmosphere
"amplified noise" Whoops
Math Phenomenon Fooled Us Into Believing There Was Life on Venus
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LRajwp_3l0
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Falcon 9 is launching the Starlink 4-13 mission with 53 internet satellites onboard. Liftoff is scheduled for 3:07 p.m. Pacific (22:07 UTC) from SLC-4E, Vandenberg SFB, California.
LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches Starlink 4-13 Mission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icJ-ia5smf0
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I look away for a minute and SpaceX launches another
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFDkWL2Hmh8
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I look away for a minute and SpaceX launches another
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFDkWL2Hmh8
Tends to be their habit. =D
-
lunar eclipse tonight
https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/total-lunar-eclipse-may16-2022/
Penumbral eclipse begins at 1:32 UTC on May 16 (9:32 p.m. EDT on May 15).
Partial eclipse begins at 2:27 UTC on May 16 (10:27 p.m. EDT on May 15).
Totality begins (moon engulfed in Earth’s shadow) at 3:29 UTC on May 16 (11:29 p.m. EDT on May 15).
Totality ends at 4:53 UTC on May 16 (12:53 a.m. EDT).
Partial eclipse ends at 5:55 UTC on May 16 (1:55 a.m. EDT).
Penumbral eclipse ends at 6:50 UTC on May 16 (2:50 a.m. EDT).
Maximum eclipse is at 4:12 UTC on May 16 (12:12 a.m. EDT).
Duration of totality: About 90 minutes.
Note: This total eclipse is central. That means the moon passes centrally through the axis of Earth’s dark (umbral) shadow. The moon is in a near part of its orbit – close to Earth – during the eclipse. It’s a supermoon.
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Woke up, forgot why I woke up, and went back to sleep
SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches Starlink 4-18 Mission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlM0-N7BYTw
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Looks like a Raptor (2?) may have had a RUD yesterday. Trying to find a link to yesterday's feed
SpaceX down time - 68 hours. Bet NASA would have been at least 6 months or more.
Anyway
They avg at least 3 Raptor firing a/day with up to 8 being fired in one day
Why Does SpaceX Blow Up So Many Raptor Engines?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wfc-WYifpIk
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Starliner you're up......Hopefully
Scheduled for May 19, 2022 Boeing is preparing to repeat the first Orbital Flight Test of their Starliner spacecraft, which failed to dock with the International Space Station in 2019 following an issue with the spacecrafts Mission Elapsed Time (MET) clock. The spacecraft will launch atop ULA’s Atlas V N22 rocket, and will dock to the Harmony forward port of the ISS 24 hours later. OFT-2 will demonstrate Starliner’s capability to fly and dock to the ISS.
Watch Boeing and ULA launch Starliner to the ISS!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMG4lG939rc
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Given Boeing's track record of late, I'm going to keep my expectations low.
I remember my teenage years growing up in a small town a few miles east of Seattle. Boeing was a big deal back then, well thought of, admired, a place people aspired to work. Many of our neighbors were Boeing employees. Not so much any more.
-
NSF's live feed
A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket is launching Boeing's Starliner Orbital Flight Test 2 mission for NASA's Commercial Crew Program. Liftoff is scheduled for 6:54 p.m. Eastern (22:54 UTC) from SLC-41, Cape Canaveral SFS, Florida.
LIVE: Atlas V Launches Starliner's Orbital Flight Test 2 (OFT-2)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5KGePUTq_g
-
2 minutes [popcorn]
-
We'll have to see if Starliner's internal clock is blinking 12:00 when it is instructed to do its orbital insertion burn.
-
We'll have to see if Starliner's internal clock is blinking 12:00 when it is instructed to do its orbital insertion burn.
:laugh:
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Gorram Boeing.
The OMS behind the capsule suffered a failure of primary thrusters during the orbital insertion burn.
Then the secondary thrusters also failed during the same burn.
It made orbit with tertiary thruster system.
I'm astounded that NASA is allowing this claptrap pile of garbage anywhere near the ISS, but they are indicating they are still "go" for the remainder of OFT-2.
-
Gorram Boeing.
The OMS behind the capsule suffered a failure of primary thrusters during the orbital insertion burn.
Then the secondary thrusters also failed during the same burn.
It made orbit with tertiary thruster system.
I'm astounded that NASA is allowing this claptrap pile of garbage anywhere near the ISS, but they are indicating they are still "go" for the remainder of OFT-2.
:O
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Two engines failed during flight yet Boeing's Starliner reaches space, all eyes on docking
https://www.indiatoday.in/science/story/two-engines-failed-during-flight-yet-boeing-s-starliner-reaches-space-all-eyes-on-docking-1951804-2022-05-20
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Two engines failed during flight yet Boeing's Starliner reaches space, all eyes on docking
https://www.indiatoday.in/science/story/two-engines-failed-during-flight-yet-boeing-s-starliner-reaches-space-all-eyes-on-docking-1951804-2022-05-20
Not at all surprised, both at the failures, and at Boeing's desperation to carry on with the flight despite the serious failures. I cannot help but think this could put the ISS in jeopardy during the docking process.
-
I give it a 40% chance of actually docking
-
We need a new station anyway.
-
[Animal House]Ramming speed![/animal house]
-
I give it a 40% chance of actually docking
What horrifies me is Boeing's deadlight stare into the abyss and steadfast refusal to accept a failure as a failure and learn from it.
They had a partial parachute failure during the launch abort test of this capsule at White Sands. They called it a success because despite 1 chute failure, they were within tolerances with redundancies of the other chutes. No remedial actions or investigations into the chute failure and Boeing actively ridiculed and rejected the space media and space fandom insistence that the chute failure be better investigated.
Then in OFT-1 they had a cascade of failures, but lobbied very hard to try and have NASA qualify the mission as a successful flight test because they achieved "most" of the bullet point objectives on the mission itinerary. Nevermind they didn't actually achieve the actual purpose of the craft of proving viability of the craft to deliver personnel and cargo to the space station.
The last attempt to launch OFT-2 that was scrubbed, was scrubbed because the OMS was having issues with its valve reliability due to Florida humidity. Who could have foreseen that a spacecraft that launches from Florida would have to be able to overcome high humidity? /sarcasm
Now in OFT-2, despite Boeing and Aerojet-Rocketdyne supposedly having redesigned the OMS system's valves to be able to handle the humidity, they have 2 propulsion failures prior to final target orbit insertion and they're still lobbying to continue the mission. Propulsion mishaps on the part of the Russians in the last 2 years have put the station at serious risk of compromise. It cannot afford or tolerate those type of stresses on its junctions. Starliner's legacy in space is a series of propulsion screw-ups. OFT-1 saw its clock programmed incorrectly and the OMS was hammered by unnecessary microadjustments that overheated its thrusters. Then the re-entry burn was incorrectly programmed(actions given to thrusters with the wrong vectors) but firmware-patched at the last second as the craft was descending... only to wind up nearly crashing into the OMS module during capsule separation for reentry.
-
You know Angry Astronaut wasn't going to pass up making this video :rofl:
Latest glitch with Boeing Starliner! Why is NASA letting this thing dock with ISS?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNfLWZiUkW4
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Place your bets
After launching into orbit on an Atlas V rocket the unmanned Boeing Starliner capsule is set to dock to the International Space Station at 19:10 Eastern, 23:10 UTC on Friday May 20th - 00:10 UTC on Saturday morning May 21st.
LIVE: Approach & Docking of Boeing's Starliner to the International Space Station #OFT2 #Starliner
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLgjtBnmnXk
7 on the ISS right now
Pray NASA doesn't stand for Need Another Seven Astronauts
Again
-
WLJ now has me worried, so I have the live feed going as I do some contract review.
-
Starliner now in sight from ISS and is progressing well.
-
WLJ now has me worried, so I have the live feed going as I do some contract review.
Hey you're the one who posted "[Animal House]Ramming speed![/animal house]" :P
But I think this one fits the situation better
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTAx8r_090o
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Hey you're the one who posted "[Animal House]Ramming speed![/animal house]" :P
But I think this one fits the situation better
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTAx8r_090o
Space X will send help.
https://youtu.be/MXkIuVLnsFE?t=149
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And mark you calendars for the night of May 30th
This could HUGE, upwards of 100,000 or more meteors per hour
https://youtu.be/xQruGEqMWvE?t=1029
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Currently Starliner is 61 meters away from docking.
-
Aborting the docking for now
Delaying an hour or so.
-
Docking burn will be performed at 6:53 CDT
-
(https://images.dailykos.com/images/910696/story_image/CJWqmrXWoAIRLnW.jpg?1611683672)
-
30 minute delay.
Docking ring needs to be reset.
-
Now 7:42 CDT
-
I hope everyone is suited up.
-
Go for final approach
(https://media1.giphy.com/media/NHrsn15JJqPNS/200.gif)
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Contact
-
BOOM!
Just kidding
-
BOOM!
Just kidding
No boom today. Boom tomorrow. There's always a boom tomorrow.
-
No boom today. Boom tomorrow. There's always a boom tomorrow.
Eventually boom. Boom. BOOM!
-
A little late but I don't care
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anwW_5kialI
-
Trying to do a SpaceX like landing with model rockets
Kid could get to orbit before that Jeff Who? guy
Very detailed video
Scout F - Flight 1 - Launch and Landing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miMT44LFUjs
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21X5lGlDOfg
Starliner is expected to land today. Landing operations at 1745 EDT today. It has now undocked and is 500 meters away from the ISS.
-
Darn it SpaceX
While I was out shopping for Bourbon
LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Launch & Landing for Transporter-5 Mission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkBq1JP8qFo
-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21X5lGlDOfg
Starliner is expected to land today. Landing operations at 1745 EDT today. It has now undocked and is 500 meters away from the ISS.
Down and in one piece
No Boom
-
SpaceX Rolls Ship 24 to the Launch Site | Starship Boca Chica
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxKpAJM-BJw
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Progress at The Cape
Include SLS updates
And Blue Jeff Who? Origin
Legs Installed for SpaceX Florida Starship Launch Mount
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2soMBF5z1o
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AA think SX will get approval Tues
FAA WILL approve SpaceX Starship testing at Boca Chica on May 31! Here's why. ANGRY BULLETIN
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSfdrdr6AiQ
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AA think SX will get approval Tues
FAA WILL approve SpaceX Starship testing at Boca Chica on May 31! Here's why. ANGRY BULLETIN
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSfdrdr6AiQ
Nope
More FAA delays and now a lawsuit by The Sierra Club and a Native America group over access to the beach
FAA Update! SpaceX Starship testing delayed by a recent lawsuit in Texas?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pTQuwX20Lc
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Sierra Club Joins Lawsuit Against Texas GLO and Cameron County for Closing Boca Chica Beach for SpaceX
https://www.sierraclub.org/texas/blog/2022/05/sierra-club-joins-lawsuit-against-texas-glo-and-cameron-county-for-closing-boca
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*expletive deleted*ck the charlatan environazis.
-
it is still my opinion that SpaceX will not be allowed to succeed.
-
it is still my opinion that SpaceX will not be allowed to succeed.
Agreed. They will be forced to move flight testing and operations to Cape Canaveral. Once they relocate those operations from Boca Chica, the Brandon administration will throw more road blocks in their way.
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Hey Elon, I have an idea
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1531698272624074752?cxt=HBwWgICzrdbd18EqAAAA&cn=ZmxleGlibGVfcmVjcw%3D%3D&refsrc=email
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Once Boeing kills it's crew the first time, SpaceX will be in a better negotiating position with fed.gov.
-
Once Boeing kills it's crew the first time, SpaceX will be in a better negotiating position with fed.gov.
Probably not. Musk allowing union organizing of his businesses is far more important than astronaut safety.
-
it is still my opinion that SpaceX will not be allowed to succeed.
"Lots of luck on his trip to the moon."
Note in the video how Biden emphasizes "Union Employees" when bringing up other companies
Forbes
@Forbes
#BREAKING: President Biden responds to Elon Musk's "super bad feeling about" the US economy and wants to cut 10% of workforce: "Lots of luck on his trip to the moon."
https://twitter.com/Forbes/status/1532741829963268098
Biden’s response to Elon Musk having a ‘super bad feeling about’ the U.S. economy is just SOOO Biden, and that’s not a good thing (watch)
https://twitchy.com/samj-3930/2022/06/03/bidens-response-to-elon-musk-having-a-super-bad-feeling-about-the-u-s-economy-is-just-sooo-biden-and-thats-not-a-good-thing-watch/
-
Meanwhile some $$$$ tourists are riding Jeff's P Rocket this morning
Blue Origin New Shepard NS-21 Launch | Suborbital space tourism.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LSerY2W3nY
-
Looks like they're having issues getting it up. Holding.
Someone running to the rocket with a big blue pill
-
So, some dicks taking a ride on a dick's dick rocket.
-
Quit calling them astronauts!
Like calling every passenger on a plane pilots
-
It seems that thing stayed on the pad for a few seconds longer than normal after engine ignition. Maybe the blue pill took longer to take effect. It also gimbaled out and away from the pad farther than it has before.
-
May be just me but it looked like they separated way late
-
It seems that thing stayed on the pad for a few seconds longer than normal after engine ignition. Maybe the blue pill took longer to take effect. It also gimbaled out and away from the pad farther than it has before.
Yeah, I noticed that. It wobbled a bit
-
May be just me but it looked like they separated way late
I thought so, too.
-
They said the capsule was "re-entering". Re-entering what? They didn't make it to space, much less orbit.
-
"Oh look at those big windows"
This guy is killing me
-
Yeah, I noticed that. It wobbled a bit
Wobbled quite a bit before it touched down on the landing pad, too.
-
Wobbled quite a bit before it touched down on the landing pad, too.
Seemed to take longer than normal.
Maybe just getting used to watching to F9 landings
-
Stop calling them astronauts!
Even NASA said stop
-
"Our newly minted astronauts"
minted?
;/
-
May be just me but it looked like they separated way late
I thought so, too.
Looked at it again and it appeared they didn't separate until well after separation was marked on the progress bar and fa after I remember from past flights. Camera angle maybe?
Had me wondering what they were going to do if they couldn't get a separation. That is if they could do anything. Not sure the booster can land with the weight of the capsule still on top. Seems like it should but not sure what effect the extra top weight would have.
-
Meanwhile
NASA to buy five additional Crew Dragon flights
https://spacenews.com/nasa-to-buy-five-additional-crew-dragon-flights/
-
Looks like the FAA can designate someone as an astronaut...
https://www.space.com/faa-commercial-astronaut-wings-rule-change
-
Penisnauts
-
Looks like the FAA can designate someone as an astronaut...
https://www.space.com/faa-commercial-astronaut-wings-rule-change
They basically did that so only government employees can be "astronauts."
I agree that BO bafoonery is not worthy of astronauts wings. But take Jared Isaacman and the crew he put together for the Inspiration4 mission. He raised 9 figures for charity (St. Jude's Childrens Hospital), brought 3 people up to orbit that would have never had a chance otherwise, accomplished significant medical research pertaining to human spaceflight (first astronaut with prosthetic bones) and did it all privately. Oh, and they controlled their own craft (at least as much as any NASA astronaut controls a Dragon on the way to ISS) and lived in it for several days. Extensive and arduous training regimen to learn all of the Dragon/Falcon ecosystem.
And the FAA didn't award them astronaut wings.
Isaacman's going up again, to test SpaceX's new EVA umbilical suit. I think in 2023. Highly likely he will be the first human to fly and land on the Starship vehicle, and will be pilot for the Dear Moon mission that SpaceX is trying to accomplish around the same time as the Artemis mission by NASA.
Dude flies jet fighters for fun. Owns his own Mig.
-
And now something different
Live Shenzhou 14 Launch | Mission to Chinese Space Station - Tiangong on Long March 2f Rocket
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VL6Il2VkfBU
-
Not sure why they feel the need for background music
-
Amazed there's that many personnel still at the pad with 30 minutes to go
-
Interesting watching the different way they do launches and their pad setup
-
Really cool how the pad opens up.
-
11 minutes to go and personnel only just now leaving
-
The whole time from launch to now in orbit the three taikonauts have been sitting in their seats holding paper notebooks in front of them while doing absolutely nothing. It's almost comical.
-
I was expecting 400 ft cockroaches
Would have made 2022 bearable
But nope
Back to work
Moon Dust Eaten By Cockroaches After Apollo 11 Is Being Sold Online...Umm What?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=816ru7RhVs8
-
Was starting to have Falcon 9 withdrawn
LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Launch of Nilesat 301
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JVyZo_QTmQ
-
Delays in the next Cargo Dragon launch
Possible hydrazine leak
NASA, SpaceX now targeting June 28 for next Dragon cargo launch after delay
https://www.space.com/spacex-dragon-crs-25-launch-delay-june-28
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Going to drop this here for now since I have a cat wrapped around my arm
Op-ed | FAA Overregulation Threatens America’s Future in Commercial Space
https://spacenews.com/op-ed-faa-overregulation-threatens-americas-future-in-commercial-space/
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And poof! booster
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1534644973567721473?cxt=HBwWgoC-nZ_ek8wqAAAA&cn=ZmxleGlibGVfcmVjcw%3D%3D&refsrc=email
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This is my shocked face
A new mobile launch platform that Bechtel is building for NASA will cost up to four times as much as originally planned and could push back the first launch of an upgraded version of the Space Launch System to the late 2020s, a NASA audit concluded.
Not 2x, not 3x, but 4x :facepalm:
NASA audit reveals massive overruns in SLS mobile launch platform
https://spacenews.com/nasa-audit-reveals-massive-overruns-in-sls-mobile-launch-platform/
-
And speaking of SLS they're doing fueling tests today,
Boom today?
-
And speaking of SLS they're doing fueling tests today,
Boom today?
(https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2F-pzKg7IxhNA%2Fhqdefault.jpg&f=1&nofb=1)
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Hey Hollywood! Want to know how you do a strong female character right? See the above photo. Oh and God sent her.
-
One of the mirror segments on the Jame Webb was hit by a micrometeoroid.
They expected this from time to time would happen.
They're saying they can workaround the damage
James Webb Mirror Damaged, Comet Interceptor Confirmed, NASA Investigates UFOs | Space Bites
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1Pzf4Lavac
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope hit by micrometeoroid but sustains no major damage
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27bEcQ_uffg
-
Note the Russian propaganda shot at Ukraine at 0:56
NASA looking at UFO's, Webb Hit By Meteor & Tiangong Gets New Crew - Deep Space Updates - June 10th
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFBdFYN3k6s
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Got to love youtube click bait headlines
NASA: James Webb Space Telescope hit by asteroid!
-
Astra!
Suppose to go live at 11:30 EDT
Astra Launch of TROPICS-1 for NASA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HztFm2XGO7s
-
15 minute hold
-
Boats in the hazard area
Probably people enjoying a nice day boating with their guns.
-
11 minutes
-
Why are they STILL wearing masks?
-
And a pride flag at the pad :facepalm:
-
Hold
With that pride flag flying hold what exactly?
-
Still holding
-
Here we go again
3 minutes
-
Up
-
2nd stage looked a little wonky at first
-
word is the 2nd stage shut off early
Last view before they cut the camera it appeared to be tumbling.
-
That is unfortunate. I think Astra is done. Too many failures for paying customers.
-
Here's Scott Manley on the launch
NASA TROPICS Satellites Destroyed as Astra Rocket Fails To Reach Orbit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Rq9Z3AqTRM
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Approval!
I think, watching
Live Reaction: FAA Releases Outcome of Starship Environmental Assessment
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXqSpNZNyUc
-
Bunch of conditions but nothing major.
-
Up to $500,000,000 worth of insurance require per launch
-
Still need a launch license
-
So in a nut shell it's
You're approved if......
Also appears they've already met al lot of the conditions
And I think they're limited to 5 launches a year but don't quote me on that
-
(https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2F-pzKg7IxhNA%2Fhqdefault.jpg&f=1&nofb=1)
Who is this? Image link doesn't give me a clue.
-
Who is this? Image link doesn't give me a clue.
"Who am I? I am Susan Ivanova. Commander. Daughter of Andrei and Sofie Ivanov. I am the right hand of vengeance, and the boot that is going to kick your sorry ass all the way back to Earth, sweetheart! I am death incarnate, and the last living thing that you are ever going to see. God sent me."
– Susan Ivanova
Probably more info than you're looking for below
https://babylon5.fandom.com/wiki/Susan_Ivanova
-
And this scene should explain why her picture was posted above
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnR3Tyrg_10
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Scott Manley
@DJSnM
For an environmental report to deserve public trust it must be neutral which effectively means upsetting the the hardcore SpaceX fanbois and the Elon Musk haters equally.
Judging by comments we're close to this.
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1536413886831812615?cxt=HBwWjoCzicaSuNIqAAAA&cn=ZmxleGlibGVfcmVjcw%3D%3D&refsrc=email
Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
SpaceX is happy with the report (which is important to note as an official stance, as opposed to what those of us on the outside think).
https://twitter.com/DJSnM/status/1536417295093751808?cxt=HBwWgICjzffYudIqAAAA&cn=ZmxleGlibGVfcmVjcw%3D%3D&refsrc=email
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Michael Baylor
@nextspaceflight
The FAA has issued a mitigated Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for orbital Starship launches from Boca Chica, Texas – effectively giving an environmental green light to the SpaceX project. The decision could face legal disputes from environmental groups.
https://twitter.com/nextspaceflight/status/1536406403144814592
-
https://twitter.com/nextspaceflight/status/1536406403144814592
Michael Baylor
@nextspaceflight
The FAA has issued a mitigated Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for orbital Starship launches from Boca Chica, Texas – effectively giving an environmental green light to the SpaceX project. The decision could will face legal disputes from environmental groups.
Fixed.
-
"For added fun drink every time I use the word environmental"
Less than 10 minute breakdown of what was in the 5 hr+ NSF video above with very useful maps
He thinks it wil take ~2 month for SX to meet all the 75 mitigations
Starship is GO - FAA Review of Starbase is Complete!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjPMEz-hTbw
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I am not at all surprised by this development. NASA has denied SpaceX permission to launch their Starship from the SpaceX pad under construction at Launch Complex 39A at the Cape.
https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/nasa-denies-spacex-starship-launches-at-cape-canaveral/ (https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/nasa-denies-spacex-starship-launches-at-cape-canaveral/)
Makes me wonder if .gov will actually approve launches at the Boca Chica SpaceX facility. Given the number of conditions attached to the recently completed environmental review, it would be easy for .gov to say that SpaceX has not fulfilled one or more of the conditions when they apply for the FAA to issue a launch license.
-
Tin-Foil-Hat mode on
The day after Elon says he's leaning toward DeSantis for 2024 and the left loses it's mind
Tin-Foil-Hat mode off
Not saying it had anything to do with it but the timing is suspicious.
I understand NASA's concerns but it seems like just a few days ago NASA was okay, with conditions mind you, with SpaceX building starship launch facilitates there then suddenly they're not right after Elon expresses support for Dem enemy #2
-
Meanwhile
First Starship Tower Section Rolls to LC-39A | SpaceX KSC
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRZgFR92Q50
-
LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches Starlink 4-19 Mission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7ggISLWEcU
Falcon 9 is launching the Starlink 4-19 mission with 53 internet satellites onboard. Liftoff is scheduled for 12:08 PM EDT from LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida.
-
NASA is concerned that Starship may break launchpad 39A
https://interestingengineering.com/nasa-worried-about-its-iconic-launch-pad-39a?fbclid=IwAR3PfKN7IgGUIug4LbKH2BDbk8NXlMcpZqNQgpZn2su_j2w0MZkKDhviTcM
-
Meanwhile at 39A
(https://www.spaceupclose.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/IMG_0200_1_SLS-1-roll_Jean-Wright.jpg)
-
NASA is concerned that Starship may break launchpad 39A
https://interestingengineering.com/nasa-worried-about-its-iconic-launch-pad-39a?fbclid=IwAR3PfKN7IgGUIug4LbKH2BDbk8NXlMcpZqNQgpZn2su_j2w0MZkKDhviTcM
Posted about that on the previous page. I'm thinking the administration intends to prevent SpaceX from launching their Starship. They are repeatedly throwing roadblocks and delays in front of SpaceX, causing him to expend his capital for little or no real return at this point. The L39A area launch prohibition is just the latest.
The FAA has stated he will be clear to launch Starship from Boca Chica as long as he meets all of the 75 different conditions they laid out for compliance to receive a license. I believe that was by design as it provides the feds with a lot of opportunities to deny Musk his launch license.
It's abundantly clear they don't like Musk's politics, and that he has successfully prevented unionization of his various companies to date. I suspect they may go after him to shut down his Twitter purchase at some point.
What I don't understand is why Musk, a supposedly smart individual, hasn't figured this out for himself and made it clear he is moving his operations off shore where the feds can't legally impede him.
-
What I don't understand is why Musk, a supposedly smart individual, hasn't figured this out for himself and made it clear he is moving his operations off shore where the feds can't legally impede him.
That was asked on a NSF video and IIRC the answer was that as an American company SX would still be under FAA supervision and regulations. To transfer the company, assets and all, itself to foreign soil would require a metric crap ton of legal hurdles to get through, things like tech transfer laws and such. So unless he wants to start completely from scratch, completely new engine designs and such, he's stuck here
-
Plus his experienced work force is here. Many if not most may not be willing to move to another country
-
I'd expect taking an orbital class rocket out of the country to require ITAR approval as well, something he definitely wouldn't get if the us gov is against him.
He might just be planning to do what he can with starship, and makes tons of money with Falcon 9 and Dragon for two more years to see what happens. Isn't NASA still giving SpaceX some cash for Starship and Super Heavy under the new moon landing program?
-
I'd expect taking an orbital class rocket out of the country to require ITAR approval as well, something he definitely wouldn't get if the us gov is against him.
On a somewhat Babylon Bee style note on that The Harris admin would then declare him building launch vehicles in whatever country a WMD threat and drop a bunch a JDAMs on the factory
-
13th flight for this booster
-
In the live F9 launch video above NSF was asked about the 39A business and according to them SX is also looking at building a SS pad at LC49
-
Or did he say LC40?
-
Meanwhile at 39A
(https://www.spaceupclose.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/IMG_0200_1_SLS-1-roll_Jean-Wright.jpg)
That's LC39B. 39A has been converted to Falcon-only operations for a long time. 39B is the only pad that can support SLS launches right now.
-
I knew that :facepalm:
"Brian" fart on my part
-
Oh wait, that wasn't a fart
-
13th landing for that booster
Perfectly clear video the whole way
-
13th landing for that booster
Perfectly clear video the whole way
Very cool! That was perhaps the best booster landing video ever.
-
https://hotair.com/ed-morrissey/2022/06/17/breaking-spacex-fires-employees-behind-open-letter-campaign-against-musk-n476926
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But wait, there's more
Falcon 9 is launching the SARah-1 mission, Germany's military radar Earth observation satellite. Liftoff is scheduled for 10:19 AM EDT (14:19 UTC) from SLC-4E, Vandenberg SFB, California. First stage 1071-3 landing at LZ-4. SARah-1 is expected to use a 750 km circular x 98.4 deg orbit.
LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches SARah-1 Satellite
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8826cJOcbQ
-
Can't see a thing because of fog
-
Does fog mean boom?
-
Getting SN11 vibes :O
-
No boom today.
-
Nice touchdown of the booster. I wonder how many flights it's made so far?
Noticed how the video of the second stage didn't come up after separation. I would imagine that's because it's a military payload for Germany.
-
Nice touchdown of the booster. I wonder how many flights it's made so far?
Noticed how the video of the second stage didn't come up after separation. I would imagine that's because it's a military payload for Germany.
3rd
And yes
-
3th
And yes
Thirth time huh? ;)
-
Thirth time huh? ;)
I have the Brian damage
-
But wait, there even more
Falcon 9 is launching the Globalstar-FM15 mission. Liftoff is scheduled for 12:27 AM EDT from SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.
LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches Globalstar-FM15 Mission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W40YFNse9TE
-
Even thought the payload was officially for Globalstar lots of speculation there was a secret cargo on board due to the fact they didn't show the 2nd stage again, the 2nd took an unusual track (according to the NSF guys), and the fact a single Globalstar FM15 would have been an unusually light load for a F9
-
Boom today?
LIVE: NASA Conducts Space Launch System (SLS) Wet Dress Rehearsal | Artemis 1 Mission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEhxWboSpM0
-
And there's a hydrogen leak :facepalm:
-
When will they just ask Elon to do everything for them? 2025?
-
Go for countdown.
Note: This is not a launch
-
Countdown was suppose to go down to 0:09
Something triggered a red flag at 0:29 right after the computer handoff at 0:33.
Detanking.
-
LAUNCHING NOW ! Ariane 5 Launch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_t03oaIJOE
-
Hardly showing anything. sigh
-
Hardly showing anything. sigh
They're not real big on onboard video.
-
When will they just ask Elon to do everything for them? 2025?
Tuesday.
My guess would be that they will eventually "nationalize" SpaceX in the interest of national security before he can launch his for Mars. Of course, they'll *expletive deleted*ck it all up when they do.
-
SpaceX pushing on
SpaceX Rolls Out Second Starship Tower Section at Kennedy Space Center
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zzkTY_uVZY
-
They're not real big on onboard video.
For the actual launch the camera just sat there and stared zoomed in at the smoke left by the solid rocket boosters at the pad for a long time. Oh look smoke! Then when they decided to finally show the vehicle ascending it was in small box inserted behind talking heads who acted like they had no clue what was going on.
-
For the actual launch the camera just sat there and stared zoomed in at the smoke left by the solid rocket boosters at the pad for a long time. Oh look smoke! Then when they decided to finally show the vehicle ascending it was in small box inserted behind talking heads who acted like they had no clue what was going on.
I noticed that, too. Very strange presentation of the launch. Not sure why Arianespace seems to be far less enthusiastic about their program than SpaceX is about theirs.
-
More SpaceX
LIVE: SpaceX Rolls Out Booster 7 With 33 Raptors Installed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciDsg3KN6Uw
-
Spaceflight Now
@SpaceflightNow
A NASA spokesperson says the agency has declared the Space Launch System’s countdown dress rehearsals complete. After some additional testing at pad 39B, the rocket will roll back to the Vehicle Assembly Building as soon as next week for launch preps.
https://spaceflightnow.com/2022/06/22/nasa-not-planning-another-artemis-1-countdown-dress-rehearsal/
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Place your bets.
First to orbit
A) SLS
B) SS
First to go boom
A) SLS
B) SS
-
Place your bets.
First to orbit
A) SLS
B) SS
First to go boom
A) SLS
B) SS
Hmm... Not sure. Betting SLS will have problems, but SS might, too, due to its complexity. If SLS goes boom, that program will shut down for a couple of years so NASA can study it to death.
-
If SLS goes boom, that program will shut down for a couple of years so NASA can study it to death.
Meanwhile Elon will turn around and yell "B8 you're up!"
-
Starship has already gone boom.....four times.
SS will also be the first to orbit. I don't think SLS will make the planned Aug launch.
-
Hmm... Not sure. Betting SLS will have problems, but SS might, too, due to its complexity. If SLS goes boom, that program will shut down for a couple of years so NASA can study it to death.
Meanwhile Elon will turn around and yell "B8 you're up!"
Yup.
-
Starship has already gone boom.....four times.
But not the full stack which is what we're talking about here
-
But not the full stack which is what we're talking about here
Big Bada Boom!
-
I'm astounded every few months how irate I get that SpaceX hasn't done anything innovative and awesome recently.
Then I remember that we were stuck the lame-ass Shuttle for 30 years, had zero human launch capacity after that, then this quirky little company came out of nowhere and started landing boosters upright, only to claim they're going to do the same thing but bigger, with the upper boosters too. And they have really only been in the main public limelight for about 6 years, spacenerd limelight for maybe 10-12 years. That's blazing fast in this industry.
But still, I wish the FAA would hurry up and get the hell out of the way so we can see some Starship launches, some on-orbit fuel transfer development, some docking practice between massive objects like Starship, and some experimental Moon and Mars landings. There's an exciting future to get to.
-
I'm astounded every few months how irate I get that SpaceX hasn't done anything innovative and awesome recently
I think a lot of their awesome stuff is being done quietly, almost under the radar. Not that they're being all that secretive, it's just that they don't toot their horn until they are ready to fly something. I like how they show us nearly everything at a launch, even if it goes boom.
-
LIVE: SpaceX Chopsticks Lift Booster 7 with 33 Raptor Engines
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXt0dwWVi6w
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it's just that they don't toot their horn until they are ready to fly something. I like how they show us nearly everything at a launch, even if it goes boom.
Unlike a certain Jeff Who company
-
I think a lot of their awesome stuff is being done quietly, almost under the radar. Not that they're being all that secretive, it's just that they don't toot their horn until they are ready to fly something. I like how they show us nearly everything at a launch, even if it goes boom.
Never seen an Elon Musk presentation, have you?
-
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/FV_YfV9XEAIZfZG.jpg)
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Never seen an Elon Musk presentation, have you?
His presentations aren't all that frequent IIRC. Again, I don't believe SpaceX is being secretive so much as they are just busy working on space. They let us know stuff on occasion when they come up for air.
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His presentations aren't all that frequent IIRC. Again, I don't believe SpaceX is being secretive so much as they are just busy working on space. They let us know stuff on occasion when they come up for air.
They are actually secretive to a necessary degree. They aren't patenting their stuff in order to maintain trade secrets.
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3
LIVE: SpaceX Rolls Out Third Starship Tower Section at Kennedy Space Center
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjnDtH_kW98
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Like sometime out of a scfi movie at the moment
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbBeoReu12E
If you have to rewind go to ~02:38 UTC
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While most of us were Zzzzzzzz
Rocket Lab CAPSTONE Launch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HptHSdDYHrU
NASA's tiny CAPSTONE cubesat launches on pioneering moon mission
https://www.space.com/nasa-capstone-cubesat-moon-launch-success-rocket-lab
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Falcon 9 is launching the SES-22 mission. Liftoff is scheduled for 5:04 PM EDT from SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.
LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches SES-22 Mission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVBIFYo0kRI
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ISRO undertakes PSLV-C53/DS-EO mission on June 30, 2022. The launch is scheduled at 18:00 hours IST from the Second Launch Pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. The countdown of 25 hours leading to the launch begins at 1700 hours IST on June 29, 2022.
Launch of PSLV-C53/DS-EO Mission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0HnrG6xafU
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A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V is launching the USSF-12 mission for the US Space Force. The launch window opens at 6:00 PM EDT (22:00 UTC) from SLC-41, Cape Canaveral SFS, Florida.
LIVE: ULA Atlas V 541 Launches USSF-12
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4LdUzElsKc
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LIVE: ULA Atlas V 541 Launches USSF-12
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4LdUzElsKc
One fewer Atlas V's in the world. And still no Vulcan or New Glenn to take on the load.
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One fewer Atlas V's in the world. And still no Vulcan or New Glenn to take on the load.
Elon should start selling Raptor 2s on Amazon :rofl:
Free shipping with Prime.
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LIVE: ULA Atlas V 541 Launches USSF-12
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4LdUzElsKc
Weather hold
-
Still holding, they're concerned about lightning.
Window is until 8:00 edt
-
Scrub
-
Let's try this again
A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V is launching the USSF-12 mission for the US Space Force. The launch window opens at 6:00 PM EDT (22:00 UTC) from SLC-41, Cape Canaveral SFS, Florida.
LIVE: ULA Atlas V 541 Launches USSF-12 Mission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VV7HYIg1RCA
-
Weather hold but they're expecting it to clear in the next 20-30 minutes
-
Clear to go
Countdown ~23 min
-
From the ULA Atlas 5 launch
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/FWoMUCaWAAE_I8H.jpg)
-
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/FWnqljIXkAAY5yw.jpg)
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And now a little Space X
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/FWrdyF4XoAMvpBk.jpg)
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/FWrdyF4X0AIplxZ.jpg)
-
Beautiful!
-
Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
· Jul 2
The Apollo "Rubber Room" at LC-39.
A bunker is located 40 feet beneath the launch pad. Dome-shaped, built on springs and shock absorbers, to be used in the event of an imminent Saturn V explosion with workers at the pad.
Pics from a KSC friend back in 2009.
Here's the legendary James Burke actually inside the Rubber Room!
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1543619884004921344?cxt=HBwWgMC-5eSGhewqAAAA&cn=ZmxleGlibGVfcmVjcw%3D%3D&refsrc=email
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While most of us were Zzzzzzzz
Rocket Lab CAPSTONE Launch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HptHSdDYHrU
NASA's tiny CAPSTONE cubesat launches on pioneering moon mission
https://www.space.com/nasa-capstone-cubesat-moon-launch-success-rocket-lab
Followup video
Rocket Lab To Send CAPSTONE Satellite To The Moon For NASA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtvMiivrxxA
-
Contact was lost with Capstone but has since been reestablished
https://twitter.com/AdvancedSpace/status/1544704660191465473
-
Starship 24 Rolled To The Launch Site | SpaceX Boca Chica
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEW2hzHGISQ
-
Contact was lost with Capstone but has since be reestablished
https://twitter.com/AdvancedSpace/status/1544704660191465473
That's good news.
-
Falcon 9 is launching the Starlink 4-21 mission with 53 internet satellites onboard. Liftoff is scheduled for 9:11 A.M. Eastern (13:11 UTC) from SLC-40, Cape Canaveral SFS, Florida.
SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches Starlink 4-21 Mission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v19LEHOvcdM
-
Ship 24 Lifted Onto Pad B for Testing | SpaceX Boca Chica
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dr6BwBHT9cw
-
13th flight for this booster
-
Landing video froze
Looked off to me
waiting
okay they say it landed, but it did look off to me for a moment there
-
I still like to see it standing [tinfoil]
-
Falcon 9 is launching the Starlink 3-1 mission with 46 internet satellites onboard. Liftoff is scheduled for 6:39 P.M. Pacific (01:39 UTC) from SLC-4E, Vandenberg SFB, California.
SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches Starlink 3-1 Mission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTkgR2pqD18
-
May want to off the sound I don't think his guy gets out much :O
LIVE: Suborbital launch from Australia to study our cosmic neighbor!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zludvRQQllw
-
Something just went boom at the pad under B7
LIVE: SpaceX Tests Super Heavy Booster 7
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-89xl-v0gs
-
That did not look good
-
Go back to 4:20 CDT to see the boom.
-
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FXanKRqWAAEbbm0?format=jpg&name=large)
-
Video of the boom
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1546605684070006784
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"global warming"
Ray Nogue
@RayNogue
Replying to
@NASASpaceflight
What kind of testing is that? It was clearly a failure and they are lucky it did not blow up the whole tower with pieces spreading 10 miles around, killing hundred of birds. But it seems the pollution was clearly obvious, if that is not global warming and don't know what that is
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Fire at the base of the tower
-
Looks like the fire died down.
-
Different views of the boom
Booster 7 Anomaly Causes Detonation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWeeWMu10A0
-
More
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05Yiw7_JTXY
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At the time B7 was venting a lot of LOX
-
I think booster 7 will be going back to the barn.
-
I think B8 is stacked
-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnR3Tyrg_10
-
Note how it occurred at 4:20
4:20
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*expletive deleted*it another fire
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Hey Musk, you may want to install a fire suppression system. Just saying
-
B7 is still venting LOX
-
Looks like that fire went out
-
Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
·
3h
Holy moly. Well, that was unexpected!
Elon Musk
@elonmusk
·
1h
Yeah, actually not good. Team is assessing damage.
Elon Musk
@elonmusk
Replying to
@planet4589
and
@NASASpaceflight
Cryogenic fuel is an added challenge, as it evaporates to create fuel-air explosion risk in a partially oxygen atmosphere like Earth.
That said, we have a lot of sensors to detect this. More later.
7:46 PM · Jul 11, 2022·Twitter for iPhone
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I believe that's Musk's plane inbound on FR24
Here comes the boss
-
Elon Musk
@elonmusk
Replying to
@Erdayastronaut
@PPathole
and 2 others
Base of the vehicle seems ok by flashlight. I was just out there about an hour ago. We shut down the pad for the night for safety. Will know more in the morning.
-
Bunch of Monty Python references
https://twitter.com/Erdayastronaut/status/1546726628193181696
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Workers at the pad this morning.
Possible road closure starting at 10am CDT
-
Wonder what condition the Raptors are in?
-
Wonder what condition the Raptors are in?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4FfNYjw6qU
-
Hadn't seen anyone actually up on the pad yet but there's a guy going up the stairs and it appears he's checking the steps on the way up
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
-
Heavy equipment moving in appears maybe to resume work on the launch site.
Elon: Break time is over, back to work
-
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FXeVO6jWQAEMU_3?format=jpg&name=large)
-
Pranay Pathole
@PPathole
·
15h
Elon, would it be possible to maybe burn/evaporate the leaks caused before ignition? I guess space shuttle used to do this, they used to setup small sparks under the shuttle's engine section & burn off all the Hydrogen leaks that may have happened before ignition ...
Elon Musk
@elonmusk
·
12h
That is one of the things we will be doing going forward.
This particular issue, however, was specific to the engine spin start test (Raptor has a complex start sequence).
Going forward, we won’t do a spin start test with all 33 engines at once.
-
Pranay Pathole
@PPathole
·
15h
Elon, would it be possible to maybe burn/evaporate the leaks caused before ignition? I guess space shuttle used to do this, they used to setup small sparks under the shuttle's engine section & burn off all the Hydrogen leaks that may have happened before ignition ...
But what happened to welded flanges are better than bolted ones? Starship/Raptor appears to be the leakiest rocket platform ever.
-
Herrrrre's Scott Manley
SpaceX's First 'FAA Approved' Fireball Of 2022 - Post Event Commentary
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dU4B9Xk7x7c
-
Rocket Lab 'Wise One Looks Ahead' Launch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6Nphz4f9oY
-
Elon Musk
@elonmusk
Was just up in the booster propulsion section. Damage appears to be minor, but we need to inspect all the engines. Best to do this in the high bay.
-
But what happened to welded flanges are better than bolted ones? Starship/Raptor appears to be the leakiest rocket platform ever.
The release was intentional as part of the spin up test, they just didn't expect it to find an ignition source before the wind dissipated the mix. Something was missed/overlooked/forgotten and/or malfunctioned at the pad.
If you watch the tests at McGregor they do the same release but just one engine at a time not 33.
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💫Sirine💫🦊🇺🇦
@SirineAti
·
11h
Any updates on how long until orbital flight will happen @elonmusk
??
Elon Musk
@elonmusk
Replying to
@SirineAti
If testing goes well, as soon as next month
12:17 PM · Jul 13, 2022·Twitter for iPhone
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Meanwhile at the Cape
https://twitter.com/thejackbeyer/status/1547325329949073408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Eembeddedtimeline%7Ctwterm%5Eprofile%3ABocaChicaGal%7Ctwgr%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&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.starshipstalker.com%2F
-
NASA's Kennedy Space Center
@NASAKennedy
Tomorrow at 8:44pm ET, @SpaceX
's 25th cargo resupply mission will lift off from Launch Complex 39A. Weather officials continue to predict a 70% chance of favorable weather conditions.
-
Meanwhile at the Cape
https://twitter.com/thejackbeyer/status/1547325329949073408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Eembeddedtimeline%7Ctwterm%5Eprofile%3ABocaChicaGal%7Ctwgr%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&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.starshipstalker.com%2F
LOL. "Something went wrong. Try reloading."
-
LOL. "Something went wrong. Try reloading."
Just checked and I'm getting that on every twitter feed I click on.
-
Yep, appears twitter is down
https://downdetector.com/status/twitter/
-
Twitter didn't kill itself.
-
Is Twitter down? Massive outage reported on social media site
https://abc7.com/twitter-down-right-now-is-detector-over-capacity/12051199/
-
Back up
And this comment was added
Sonic Wind
@SonicWindNo1
·
11h
SpaceX is desperate to make it look like they're making progress on anything and NASA has no incentive to stop free construction on their property.
But yeah NASA isn't going to let them use it for years so all this does is make the Cape's skyline extremely awkward 🤷♂️
"SpaceX is desperate" Guess Jeff posts under the name Sonic Wind now
-
May be getting ready to move B7.
New (right side?) actuator being installed on the chopsticks. Old one was actually removed before the test for servicing which would explain why they haven't moved the chop sticks. Also heard that explaines why the right stick swung sort of freely during the "incident"
Booster transporter also seen headed to the pad.
Note new Raptor 2s arriving
SpaceX Prepares to Roll Back Booster 7 | SpaceX Boca Chica
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liCFYNCOYc0
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SpaceX should have over 60 orbital launches by year's end and that includes some up and coming Falcon heavy and more manned Dragon launches.
Yeah, they're "desperate to make it look like they're making progress on anything"
-
Chopsticks are up and running
-
LIVE: SpaceX Lifts Booster 7 From Orbital Launch Mount With Chopsticks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFmYNF_kcP8
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Falcon 9 is launching Dragon's CRS-25 cargo resupply mission to the Space Station. Liftoff is scheduled for 8:44 P.M. Eastern (00:44 UTC) from LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida.
LIVE: SpaceX Launches CRS-25 Mission to Space Station
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0rDoyqpCkE
-
Live! SpaceX CRS-25 Docking
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53jr-vw0VTg
-
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/blog_spacex_crs25_approach2.jpg)
-
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/FXzc8JCUIAQkc7y.jpg)
-
Scheduled for Jul 17, 2022 SpaceX is targeting Sunday, July 17 for a Falcon 9 launch of 53 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The instantaneous launch window is at 10:20 a.m. ET (14:20 UTC), and a backup opportunity is available on Monday, July 18 at 10:28 a.m. ET (14:28 UTC).
The first stage booster supporting this mission previously launched Dragon’s first crew demonstration mission, the RADARSAT Constellation Mission, SXM-7, and nine Starlink missions. Following stage separation, Falcon 9’s first stage will return to Earth and land on the Just Read the Instructions droneship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
A live webcast of this mission will begin about five minutes prior to liftoff.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VWcjgYfJ9U
-
13th flight for this booster
-
124th F9 1st stage landing.
-
At time of posting road closure is in effect, pad is clear, and the tank farm is active. Could mean S24 testing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
-
Scratch the pad is clear comment. Just noticed some two legged bags of mostly water activity in the pad area.
-
No over pressure notice so that means no static fires.
No sure if that can change later as in can they issue one later?
-
LIVE: Starship 24 Conducts Spin Prime Test
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjGLnqtbjvo
-
I tried to help. I signed up for starlink and paid my deposit today. Might get it sometime early next year. After 27 years of living in the boonies with no tv and no home interwebs.
-
More than the normal people watching the stream. Bet many are waiting on another KaBoom
-
NSF poll
NASASpaceflight • 9 min ago • 3,182 votes
Booster 7 Return
This week
Later
Taken behind the shed and shot
-
Artemis/SLS launch scheduled for Aug 29
Think Elon will try to beat that?
Does he even care?
I personally think there's at least 2-3 months of testing on SX's part still to do even if no more booms. If any issues found and/or another boom during testing it depends on what the problem is/cause the boom and what it damaged to guess on what effect that' would have on the timeline.
Of course Elon could just say ground testing is over and light it. Launching is testing
-
There's been no static fire of the booster. I don't think there's even been a nitrogen load/pressure test of B7 since the downcomer was replaced inside it.
I also don't think there's been a nitrogen load/pressure test of a full stack of B7 with S24 on top of it. I'd expect that to happen prior to loading 7/24 with methalox, to confirm the ability of all structures to manage the load of a full rocket.
Finally, even the Starship hops had several scrubs due to variance between the 3 Raptors used for those hops. 33 Raptors on the booster along with 6 on Starship will result in a lot more opportunity for "out of range" variables to ship computer systems and lots of scrubs.
-
There's been no static fire of the booster. I don't think there's even been a nitrogen load/pressure test of B7 since the downcomer was replaced inside it.
I also don't think there's been a nitrogen load/pressure test of a full stack of B7 with S24 on top of it. I'd expect that to happen prior to loading 7/24 with methalox, to confirm the ability of all structures to manage the load of a full rocket.
Finally, even the Starship hops had several scrubs due to variance between the 3 Raptors used for those hops. 33 Raptors on the booster along with 6 on Starship will result in a lot more opportunity for "out of range" variables to ship computer systems and lots of scrubs.
Why I said "at least" 2-3 month barring problems.
-
Also Raptors 2s have never actually flown. Sill lots of unknowns with the 2s
-
LIVE: Starship 24 Conducts Engine Testing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fkXLP9MgdU
-
Also Raptors 2s have never actually flown. Sill lots of unknowns with the 2s
???
It's the functioning Raptor 1 minus all the excess instrumentation that was needed for the prototype development of said Raptor. Why the doubt in the production model?
-
I was under the impression that there were significant differences between the two. Big differences in the plumbing.
(https://www.teslarati.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Starship-update-2022-SpaceX-Raptor-V1-vs-V2-1-crop-c.jpg)
-
???
It's the functioning Raptor 1 minus all the excess instrumentation that was needed for the prototype development of said Raptor. Why the doubt in the production model?
They're really two different animals. Two is pushing the limits of what current rocket tech can do.
2 is leaner and meaner
Raptor 1 vs Raptor 2
https://everydayastronaut.com/spacex-raptor-engine-comparison/
Raptor 2’s MCC pressure is an astounding 300 bar, up 50 bar from Raptor 1 — the highest MCC pressure of any rocket engine ever. The previous record for the highest MCC pressure was the Russian RD-180, which runs at 267 bar pressure.
(https://everydayastronaut.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Specs-Comparison-1024x576.png)
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For comparison the Saturn V's F-1s were running at 70 bar. They produced so much thrust each by being so freaking big.
(https://qph.cf2.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-ced2134b9bf283b5d04345e31fe21baf)
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I like how he still has the BE-4 on that chart, like it's a real engine and not vaporware.
-
I like how he still has the BE-4 on that chart, like it's a real engine and not vaporware.
Last I saw flight engines were scheduled to be delivered to ULA for testing this month. Assuming that occurs and assuming they pass ULA's tests the first Vulcan Centaur launch could be as early as Dec. Subject to change of course.
Buuuut there could be delays due to issues with the payload.
The large Vulcan rocket is unlikely to make its debut in 2022
https://arstechnica.com/science/2022/06/the-large-vulcan-rocket-is-unlikely-to-make-its-debut-in-2022/
-
Falcon 9 is launching the Starlink 3-2 mission with 46 internet satellites onboard. Liftoff is scheduled for 10:39 a.m. PT (17:39 UTC) from SLC-4E, Vandenberg SFB, California.
SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches Starlink 3-2 Mission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UP-1WXiRbXQ
-
For comparison the Saturn V's F-1s were running at 70 bar. They produced so much thrust each by being so freaking big.
(https://qph.cf2.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-ced2134b9bf283b5d04345e31fe21baf)
One of the best metrics I've always liked about a liquid rocket engine is thrust per square meter of surface area.
The F1 has a diameter of 3.7 meters and generates 6.77MN. That's a surface area of 10.75 square meters or 0.63 MN per square meter.
Raptor2 has a diameter of 1.3 meters and generates 2.00MN. That's a surface area of 1.33 square meters or 1.50 MN per square meter.
BE-4 has a diameter of 1.9 meters (I think, harder to find numbers) and generates 2.4MN. That's a surface area of 2.833 square meters or 0.85 MN per square meter.
Merlin has a diameter of 0.92 meters and generates 0.85MN. That's a surface area of 0.66 square meters or 1.29 MN per square meter.
The RS-25/SSME has a diameter of 2.4 meters and generates 1.86-2.27MN, let's call it 2.0MN. That's a surface area of 4.52 square meters or 0.44 MN per square meter.
The STS SRB's have a diameter of 3.7 meters and generate 14.7MN. That's a surface area of 10.75 square meters or 1.37 MN per square meter.
The thing to keep in mind about a rocket engine is that it has to push the column of mass directly above it. If the mass*gravity is greater than the engine's thrust, it's not going anywhere. The stronger an engine is per square meter, the taller or heavier the column of fuel and payload can be above it, or the wider its column of responsibility can be for the total payload of the rocket.
BE-4 is kind of a depressing engine. Less force-efficient for surface area than Merlin, let alone Raptor2. It's barely half the engine that Raptor2 is.
Raptor2 is insane. More thrust per square meter than a Shuttle SRB.
-
If you are comparing nozzle sizes for both Merlin and Raptor note there are sea-level nozzles and vacuum nozzles for both with the vacuum nozzles being far bigger. The vacuum nozzle Merlin is used on the Falcon 9's upper stage and Starship has both, 3 SL, 3 V (6 engines total) while the booster's 33 engines use SL nozzles only.
The engines don't change as far as I'm aware just the nozzles.
Not sure if BE-4 has both or not.
-
If you are comparing nozzle sizes for both Merlin and Raptor note there are sea-level nozzles and vacuum nozzles for both. The vacuum nozzles are far bigger. The vacuum nozzle Merlin is used on the Falcon 9's upper stage and Starship has both, 3 SL, 3 V (6 engines total) while the booster's 33 engines use SL nozzles only.
The engines don't change as far as I'm aware just the nozzles.
Right. But with the exception of the RS-25, all these I listed are sea level dedicated engines (RS-25 is a hybrid that works in both regimes). The Merlin, BE-4, and Raptor2 consider themselves reusable engines intended for booster functionality in an Earth environment only. So their primary job is to lift a giant mass above them, then return to a landing site and safely recover the booster for another trip. As such, the BE-4 is less capable than Merlin for force per square meter, let alone how impressive Raptor2 is for that task.
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I was trying to add to what you said. Think my wording made it look otherwise :-[
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For comparison
Sea-level nozzles inner
Vacuum nozzles outer
Same engines for both
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/Starship-S20-080421-SpaceX-Elon-Musk-six-Raptors-RVacs-4X-1-crop-1536x952-RS.jpg)
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There's also other factors in Raptors 2 favor, cost, product time, and suppositily better reliability
Don't have the number on hand but IIRC Raptor 2s will be far cheaper and with a far more rapid production rate than both Raptor 1s and BE-4s. I think something like one every 48 hours at half the of cost of R-1s.
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Now I've started wondering about the mass of a fueled Shuttle era SRB versus a similar Raptor2-powered 3.7 meter diameter vehicle.
The SRB contained about 500 metric tons of solid propellant, that I bet per unit of volume is heavier than chilled Methalox.
Wikipedia gives it a volume of 45 meters tall by 3.7 meters diameter, or 483.6 cubic meters. That gives us a rate of 1.03 tons of propellant per cubic meter for the SRB in its solid configuration. The SRB runs for 127 seconds during burn, giving us a burn rate of 3.94 metric tons per second and generating 14.7 MN thrust.
The SuperHeavy booster contains 3400 metric tons of Methalox, is 70 meters tall and a 9 meter diameter with a volume of 4451 cubic meters. That gives us a rate of 0.76 tons of propellant per cubic meter, for volume of Methalox in the right ratio to run in a Raptor. I've heard it reported that a Raptor2 burns about 600kg of propellant per second at full thrust. Seven Raptor2's would generate 14 MN thrust and consume 4200kg methalox per second. 127 seconds of methalox at that rate would be a total volume of 533,400kg methalox, which is 33 tons heavier than an SRB's fuel payload. And we're still 700kN short of the SRB's thrust. Higher fuel consumption per second, more fuel needed, less power produced. But at least it would be reusable, if you could come up with a landing regime for a side-strapped Raptor based booster. Better solution is to use vertical staging with Raptor, as SuperHeavy's design shows.
The Shuttle SRB's really are amazing machines as far as thrust efficiency goes, it's just too bad they are effectively single-use and unthrottleable death traps.
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There's also other factors in Raptors 2 favor, cost, product time, and suppositily better reliability
Don't have the number on hand but IIRC Raptor 2s will be far cheaper and with a far more rapid production rate than both Raptor 1s and BE-4s. I think something like one every 48 hours at half the of cost of R-1s.
I believe they're already past 1:48hours and are shooting for 1:24 hours. Musk wants a $250k cost per unit but they're supposedly somewhere around $500k-$1M per unit right now.
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The Shuttle SRB's really are amazing machines as far as thrust efficiency goes, it's just too bad they are effectively single-use and unthrottleable death traps.
They did fished them out of the ocean and reuse them, sort of.
Considering the fact they had to refurbish over 5,000 parts after each flight, yeah, I see your point.
Now I don't know if that over 5k number is for one or both. I suspect both.
Out of 270 SRBs launched over the Shuttle program, all but four were recovered – those from STS-4 (due to a parachute malfunction) and STS-51-L (Challenger disaster).[4] Over 5,000 parts were refurbished for reuse after each flight. The final set of SRBs that launched STS-135 included parts that had flown on 59 previous missions, including STS-1.[5] Recovery also allowed post-flight examination of the boosters,[6] identification of anomalies, and incremental design improvements.[7]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Shuttle_Solid_Rocket_Booster
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I believe they're already past 1:48hours and are shooting for 1:24 hours. Musk wants a $250k cost per unit but they're supposedly somewhere around $500k-$1M per unit right now.
The reported numbers have been quite fluid. Problem is figuring out what are the real numbers and what are Elon's hoped for numbers.
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They did fished them out of the ocean and reuse them, sort of.
Considering the fact they had to refurbish over 5,000 parts after each flight, yeah, I see your point.
Now I don't know if that over 5k number is for one or both. I suspect both.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Shuttle_Solid_Rocket_Booster
And that is the distinction between reusable and refurbishable. A Falcon-9 is reusable. A space shuttle SRB (and the shuttle itself) is refurbishable.
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They did fished them out of the ocean and reuse them, sort of.
Considering the fact they had to refurbish over 5,000 parts after each flight, yeah, I see your point.
Now I don't know if that over 5k number is for one or both. I suspect both.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Shuttle_Solid_Rocket_Booster
I was recently watching a documentary on the Challenger and it pointed out that fish them out for analysis and refurbishment plan, and how they knew they were having burn through issues at the joints, but the launch schedule was too full to do a redesign.
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And that is the distinction between reusable and refurbishable. A Falcon-9 is reusable. A space shuttle SRB (and the shuttle itself) is refurbishable.
Can remember them claiming a less than 1 week turnaround time then changing that to a 2 week turnaround time during the program's development for the entire vehicle package.
Looked it up. The fastest was 54 days pre Challenger, 88 days post Challenger.
Trying to find a reliable real world avg number But I'm pretty sure it was over 100 days
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Can remember them claiming a less than 1 week turnaround time then changing that to a 2 week turnaround time during the program's development for the entire vehicle package.
What horseshit. It had to be strapped to a train and sent from FL to UT, cleaned and serviced, then strapped on a train back from UT to FL. I don't know if the ATK/Thiokol facility is directly adjacent to a train railyard for delivery of such a payload or if 18 wheelers or SPMT's are then needed as intermediary transport between the railyard and the SRB facility.
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What horseshit. It had to be strapped to a train and sent from FL to UT, cleaned and serviced, then strapped on a train back from UT to FL. I don't know if the ATK/Thiokol facility is directly adjacent to a train railyard for delivery of such a payload or if 18 wheelers or SPMT's are then needed as intermediary transport between the railyard and the SRB facility.
And that's just for the boosters, real world.
NASA was claiming there would be a 2 week turnaround required for the entire package, shuttle and all, during the system's development. Reality often has other ideas. There was a lot of sunshine being blown up people's arses by NASA to secure funding.
According to NASA at the time there was going to be to be a massive fleet of them going up and down like airliners. Yeah, more sunshine.
Got a book I bought while I was down at the cape for the first shuttle launch. Page after page of pie in the sky plans that never happened.
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Speaking of SRBs this just popped up
1,369 waiting Scheduled for Jul 21, 2022 NASA and Northrop Grumman are firing Flight Support Booster 2, an upgraded solid rocket booster for the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. The test is occurring from Northrop Grumman's test facility in Promontory, Utah.
LIVE: Test of Upgraded Space Launch System (SLS) Solid Rocket Booster
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCyEjZErgcY
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SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches Starlink 3-2 Mission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UP-1WXiRbXQ
Scrub
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I had to double check what thread I was in I read SRB as SBR. So I had to reread what I read.
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And that's just for the boosters, real world.
NASA was claiming there would be a 2 week turnaround required for the entire package, shuttle and all, during the system's development. Reality often has other ideas. There was a lot of sunshine being blown up people's arses by NASA to secure funding.
According to NASA at the time there was going to be to be a massive fleet of them going up and down like airliners. Yeah, more sunshine.
Got a book I bought while I was down at the cape for the first shuttle launch. Page after page of pie in the sky plans that never happened.
Meant to add I'm hoping I'm not seeing the same pattern repeated with Elon and Starship because I'm seeing him make similar claims for Starship NASA made for the shuttle before it flew. So if any skepticism comes through in my posts that where it comes from. Once burned and all that.
So far with the Falcons he's come through on what he said he was going to do. Remains to be seen if he can repeat that with Starship
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Speaking of SRBs this just popped up
LIVE: Test of Upgraded Space Launch System (SLS) Solid Rocket Booster
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCyEjZErgcY
First a delay due to test site camera issues
Then a delay due to the FAA. Sounds familiar
Then NSF's camera battery dies
Looks like a go now
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And right on the heels of that
LIVE: Starship 24 Conducts Engine Testing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QWf2Y5ZoAQ
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What horseshit. It had to be strapped to a train and sent from FL to UT, cleaned and serviced, then strapped on a train back from UT to FL. I don't know if the ATK/Thiokol facility is directly adjacent to a train railyard for delivery of such a payload or if 18 wheelers or SPMT's are then needed as intermediary transport between the railyard and the SRB facility.
They got to the cape by river barge once in range of a navigable waterway if I recall correctly.
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And that's just for the boosters, real world.
NASA was claiming there would be a 2 week turnaround required for the entire package, shuttle and all, during the system's development. Reality often has other ideas. There was a lot of sunshine being blown up people's arses by NASA to secure funding.
According to NASA at the time there was going to be to be a massive fleet of them going up and down like airliners. Yeah, more sunshine.
Got a book I bought while I was down at the cape for the first shuttle launch. Page after page of pie in the sky plans that never happened.
Meanwhile they killed off the mature Saturn production line that had just finished working out all the bugs in the system (Apollo 17 was the only one to fly without a major technical issue of some sort) in favor of this spending spree death trap. Just more evidence of total bureaucratic capture of NASA by 1970 (the engineer origins director having been replaced with a politician lackey in '68). Just another way to siphon tax money to corporations after that, but wearing a skinsuit made of American hopes and ambitions as disguise so we wouldn't notice for a while.
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Falcon 9 is launching the Starlink 3-2 mission with 46 internet satellites onboard. Liftoff is scheduled for 10:39 a.m. PT (17:39 UTC) from SLC-4E, Vandenberg SFB, California.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDp_WALyITs
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The booster camera stayed live all the way to landing. The drone ship camera cut out again, though.
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Falcon 9 is launching the Starlink 4-25 mission with 53 internet satellites onboard. Liftoff is scheduled for 9:38 a.m. ET (13:38 UTC) from LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida.
SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches Starlink 4-25 Mission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMj8VCGaE_c
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Now they're just showing off. They nailed the booster landing again.
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China doesn't do booster landings.
https://www.dailywire.com/news/debris-from-china-rocket-to-crash-land-on-earth-but-no-one-knows-exactly-where
Don't look up.
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China doesn't do booster landings.
https://www.dailywire.com/news/debris-from-china-rocket-to-crash-land-on-earth-but-no-one-knows-exactly-where
Don't look up.
I'm not sure this is real news or not. There's a bit of a quasi cold war between the US and China when it comes to space activities, and there have been two instances of the US calling foul on Chinese launches that attain near-orbit of the booster and passively de-orbit later.
Pre-SpaceX, most US launchers would push the booster first stage for only about 4 minutes. The flight profile is mostly vertical to escape thick atmosphere, but after passing through max-Q it will pitch over and begin building horizontal velocity which defines orbital capability. The remaining 4-5 minutes of orbital insertion are done by a second stage as the first stage falls back to Earth, well under 5000mph horizontal velocity and slowing due to wind resistance even in the rarified upper atmosphere.
SpaceX has booster shutdown and separation even earlier in their flight profile.
Seems the Chinese have a long booster burn, near to orbital speed. You know what else has a similar flight profile? The upcoming Artemis 1 mission on the Senate Space Launch System. The core stage with the old RS-25 engines achieves near orbital speed and is roughly calculated to land somewhere in the ocean for each launch, but it also has a passified reentry profile.
I expect Chinese media will be chock full of their equivalent of "zOMG the Americans are lobbing their space trash at us!" after the Artemis 1 launch.
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Russia: See Ya
Russia has announced it will no longer take part in the International Space Station after 2024, instead focusing on creating its own orbital station.
“We will fulfill all our obligations to our partners, but the decision to leave this station after 2024 has been made,” Roscosmos space agency chief Yury Borisov said on Tuesday.
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/leahbarkoukis/2022/07/26/russia-to-withdraw-from-iss-n2610806
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I hope the US has the good sense to abandon the ISS in 2024 as well.
It served its purpose as a useful tool both to explore human space flight and perform science, as well as a mechanism to encourage world peace among superpowers... but with Russia gone and China prohibited from participating, it cannot fulfill the latter mandate and it is antiquated and outdated in regards to the former.
Axiom, Blue Origin (snerk) and others are planning orbital installations of their own. Vacating ISS from orbit will drive more commerce to commercial installations that are newer, sleeker, and less maintenance intensive.
Also, no remaining international "partners" have human spaceflight capability. ESA is handicapped due to the Russia/Ukraine war and cannot acquire Soyuz/Vega hardware, and is caught flat-footed between their Ariane V and Ariane VI vehicles. JAXA was always a low priority program for Japan.
NASA currently spends about $3.1 billion a year on ISS. NASA currently spends about $6.8 billion a year on Artemis and wants to increase that to at least $7.5 billion or higher in the coming years. Leaving the ISS behind makes that quite easy, and allows for NASA to continue LEO operations as a customer of Axiom, Blue Origin (snerk) or some other LEO laboratory operator.
I also believe that bowing out of the ISS program would likely drive ESA to finally develop their own human spaceflight program. It's irked me for years that ESA lacked this capability. I suspect that India's ISRO will beat them to it.
Now is the time though, to support the direction LEO operations needs to go. ISS without Russia will be a financial anchor for the US to carry alone. It also was engineered from the get-go to have certain tasks performed by the Russian modules, and altering procedures such as orbital boosts will result in changes to center of gravity and thrust vectors to the station. It's too old and fatigued for that.
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China doesn't do booster landings.
https://www.dailywire.com/news/debris-from-china-rocket-to-crash-land-on-earth-but-no-one-knows-exactly-where
Don't look up.
Tracking
Expected to come down ~15 hrs from now according to what the guy just said
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0SMa85OwUU
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The Angry Astronaut is running a live tracking.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRw71_YhcDw
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Tracking says reentry ~17:15 UTC (~13:15 EDT) + or - 1 hour
Place your Chinese booster bingo bets
Edit: updated time
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One track shows it landing on Baja California and the west coast of Mexico
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Nothing good will come from it. We had a giant rock miss us yesterday and another will miss today. This thing needed to hit DC yesterday.
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/x383/WLJohnson1/.highres/incoming.jpg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
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Set for 12:30am Aug 2nd
Live! RocketLab NROL-199 Launch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lEZqGgGIlU
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The above was scrubbed due to winds
Meanwhile
Scheduled for Aug 4, 2022 A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket is launching the SBIRS GEO-6 mission for the United States Space Force. The launch window opens at 6:29 a.m. ET (10:29 UTC) from SLC-41, Cape Canaveral SFS, Florida.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTmqGFa4xIo
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Busy morning
The above ULA launch went good
So did RL's
Rocket Lab - Antipodean Adventure Launch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ij94xGiXB5Q
And next up some morning wood from Jeff Who
Live! New Shepard NS-22 Launch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xri6guXj1_k
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And a SpaceX cherry on top
Falcon 9 is launching the KPLO(Korean Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter) mission for the Korea Aerospace Research Institute. The Liftoff is scheduled for 7:08 p.m. ET (23:08 UTC) from SLC-40, Cape Canaveral SFS, Florida.
SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches KPLO
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPUUOsUeblE
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I got to see and handle some SpaceX components being manufactured today. And some heat shield tiles for another space company. Also some remotely piloted military aircraft being constructed.
Very cool stuff.
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Think the booster almost missed the barge. Looked wonky on the way down before the video cut off and the short view we saw afterwards the booster was sitting pretty close to the the edge.
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Lots of debris falling away from the booster when it was at about 140 KM altitude. It didn't look like ice, and at that stage you wouldn't expect any to be left. Looked more like chunks of insulation or wrapping material of some kind. Never saw that before.
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Lots of debris falling away from the booster when it was at about 140 KM altitude. It didn't look like ice, and at that stage you wouldn't expect any to be left. Looked more like chunks of insulation or wrapping material of some kind. Never saw that before.
I've noticed ice flakes floating away at that point before. Their appearance seems to coincide with firing of the thrusters.
Appears to be no different from earlier flights where I've noticed it.
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I've noticed ice flakes floating away at that point before. Their appearance seems to coincide with firing of the thrusters.
Appears to be no different from earlier flights where I've noticed it.
What I saw weren't ice flakes. They looked like long thin chunks of fabric, maybe maybe thermal insulation or piping covers, as they fell away.
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What I saw weren't ice flakes. They looked like long thin chunks of fabric, maybe maybe thermal insulation or piping covers, as they fell away.
I thought that before before but upon closer examination they appeare to me to be thin wispy ice crystals probably formed around piping and such. When the thrusters fire they fall off due to the sudden lateral movements.
I could be wrong.
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At least the booster landed intact, even if a little off center. Sixtieth consecutive successful landing they said on the feed. Pretty nice.
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At least the booster landed intact, even if a little off center. Sixtieth consecutive successful landing they said on the feed. Pretty nice.
If it wasn't for that famous "Save the Seagulls" landing I think the number would be closer to 100 by now or maybe even more.
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Moving B7 back to the pad
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G88b6mzmCuI
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B7 at the pad but not on it.
Chopsticks had a wee bit of a problem last night https://youtu.be/3FHl3Nrsa9Y?t=724
Got the crane on B7 now getting ready to lift. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
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B7 at the pad but not on it.
Chopsticks had a wee bit of a problem last night https://youtu.be/3FHl3Nrsa9Y?t=724
Elon Musk
@elonmusk
·
20h
I love the smell of hydraulic fluid in the morning
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If I'm reading the display right ~40 min to launch.
Who doesn't love loud Indian music while waiting? :rofl:
SSLV-D1/EOS-02 Mission launch is scheduled for Aug 7, 2022 at 9:18 hrs IST from SDSC, Sriharikota
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0tsABQCW1M
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A bit of Astra news
After the last launch failure they've decided to halt launches with the current booster and proceed with a new one but that will mean no launches from them for a while.
Astra Space announced Aug. 4 it is canceling its existing small launch vehicle after its most recent failure and will focus instead on a much larger vehicle that may not be ready to fly customers until 2024.
Astra cancels Rocket 3 to focus on larger vehicle
https://spacenews.com/astra-cancels-rocket-3-to-focus-on-larger-vehicle/
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Not sure whats going on with the above Indian launch. At the last moment data feed appeared to be lost from the payload and the graph appeared to showed it not quite where they wanted it orbit wise before the live feed ended.
This is somewhat confirmed by this video. Despite the word successfully being in the title the reported towards the end does bring up there may be a problem
ISRO successfully launches SSLV as India enters the small satellite launch market | English News
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7Rk908aLuQ
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And right on cue this popped up in my YT feed immediately after posting the above.
SSLV Mission: ISRO Says Satellites No More Usable as Orbit Achieved 'Less Than Expected'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEfbBPADmcc
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SpaceX is conducting engine testing with Super Heavy Booster 7. The vehicle currently has 20 Raptor engines installed. The exact details of the testing have not been confirmed, but the tests could include a spin prime and/or a static fire.
LIVE: SpaceX Conducts Booster 7 Engine Testing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KufFt0JpoWw
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Tanking both B7 & S24 at the same time.
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Tanking both B7 & S24 at the same time.
Germane Advertisement Meme: "SpaceX, 24-7!"
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Back at it today
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2w-2tJ9rm6A
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Meanwhile
Scheduled for Aug 9, 2022 Falcon 9 is launching the Starlink 4-26 mission with 53 internet satellites onboard. Liftoff is scheduled for 6:57 p.m. ET (22:59 UTC) from LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida.
SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches Starlink 4-26 Mission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_C13sMFPq8
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Mary got an over pressure warning so appears there will be a static fire
10 minute sirens just sounded
[popcorn]
Note: Only (only) R2s on the booster at the moment
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Single R2 test
Starlink launch has been delayed a couple of hours
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S24's turn
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Static fire notice for today.
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LIVE: SpaceX Static Fire Testing with Booster 7 & Starship 24
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yMrLiTh6dg
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21 second static fire of 1 R2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0QGJ-ls-n0
Tank farm is still active so maybe another.
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And SX does it again
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SU5FbiCbjic
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Maybe they should have named it Goose instead of Raptor
The Iconic Shutdown Noise of SpaceX's Raptor Engine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbmGzHcHg2M
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Getting ready
Starship Launch Tower Gets Catching Hardware For Boosters and Ships | SpaceX Boca Chica
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOSaqdDd2es
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NASA Rolls Out SLS Rocket for Artemis-1 Launch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBRt1MOEUys
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Issues with at least one of the two engines BO delivered to ULA. Hint: It started leaking fuel on the ULA test stand. :facepalm:
And BO is asking for more money :O ;/ :facepalm:
Blue Orgin BE-4 having MORE problems?! What about Vulcan Centaur?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tr8vjGMSumY
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SpaceX is targeting Friday, August 19 for a Falcon 9 launch of 53 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The instantaneous launch window is at 3:21 p.m. ET (19:21 UTC), and a backup opportunity is available on Saturday, August 20 at 2:59 p.m. ET (18:59 UTC).
The first stage booster supporting this mission previously launched GPS III Space Vehicle 04, GPS III Space Vehicle 05, Inspiration4, Ax-1, Nilesat 301, and three Starlink missions. Following stage separation, Falcon 9’s first stage will return to Earth and land on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M018DAaNd_E
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SpaceX is targeting Friday, August 19 for a Falcon 9 launch of 53 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The instantaneous launch window is at 3:21 p.m. ET (19:21 UTC), and a backup opportunity is available on Saturday, August 20 at 2:59 p.m. ET (18:59 UTC).
The first stage booster supporting this mission previously launched GPS III Space Vehicle 04, GPS III Space Vehicle 05, Inspiration4, Ax-1, Nilesat 301, and three Starlink missions. Following stage separation, Falcon 9’s first stage will return to Earth and land on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M018DAaNd_E
Just another day at the office for SpaceX. =)
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Issues with at least one of the two engines BO delivered to ULA. Hint: It started leaking fuel on the ULA test stand. :facepalm:
And BO is asking for more money :O ;/ :facepalm:
Blue Orgin BE-4 having MORE problems?! What about Vulcan Centaur?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tr8vjGMSumY
BoeLock really screwed up getting in bed with Jeff Who.
Heh, I should build a Vulcan-Centaur in KSP but engine it with Raptors and send screenshots to ULA. =D
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Mostly SX, SLS, but a little BO. Jeff has a lot of catching up to do. :rofl:
Busy Busy Busy
SpaceX And Starbase Full Speed Ahead- Weekly Update #24
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRM0ZOS-b8w
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Road closure down at BC scheduled for tomorrow. B7 could be rolling out of the barn fully engined up and ready to go. [popcorn]
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B7 at the pad https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
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Active tank farm https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdVWTkc0myk [popcorn]
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Over pressure notice and tank farm activity, usually means static fires
Venting near B7 at the moment
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
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Whoops
Go back to 10:25:20 CDT and watch the chopsticks crunch up some scaffolding.
May have to full screen to see clearly.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbBeoReu12E
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Looks like workers arriving at the pad I guess to inspect things.
Someone is going to get a royal arse ripping.
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After depressurizing the lines after the crunch looks like they're back at it. so I guess they figured no harm, to the test at least, done.
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F-22 putting on an airshow at Starbase
A Raptor came to see the Raptors
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Suppose to be some big event tonight at Starbase.
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Party at Starbase
SpaceX + T-Mobile Update
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qzli-Ww26Qs
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F-22 putting on an airshow at Starbase
A Raptor came to see the Raptors
Pilot wanted to see what real speed looks like. =D
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This is what the SpaceX/T-Mobile get-together was all about.
T-M will use Starlink sats to provide service in areas not served by cell phone towers.
Musk also has a Plan B for Starlink 2 Sats if Starship is delayed. They will downsize Starlink 2 Sats a bit to enable them to be launched on F9.
SpaceX and T-Mobile partner for direct-to-cellphone satellite service
https://spacenews.com/spacex-and-t-mobile-partner-for-direct-to-cellphone-satellite-service/
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I wonder what it would take for Starlink to develop the capacity to serve as a standalone cell provider without any (or with very few) cell towers.
If a cell provider just had to deploy and service towers in urban areas and was able to cover the rest of the country (or planet!) with satellite that could be a huge cost savings - especially if they are able to piggy-back on infrastructure SpaceX is deploying anyway. Or, failing that, use Starlink for rural backhaul meaning you could deploy cell towers anywhere there is power instead of having to provide data either through fiber optic or microwave.
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Countdown to the countdown
Still a go for Monday morning
NASA Starts the Countdown Clock for the Artemis I Launch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SkVj3qjJ8o
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Count has some holds built in.
Launch window opens at 08:33 EDT Monday morning
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Count has some holds built in.
Launch window opens at 08:33 EDT Monday morning
Guess I will be watching this one after the fact. (I ain't getting up at 0530!)
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Meanwhile
Falcon 9 is launching the Starlink 4-23 mission with 54 internet satellites onboard. Liftoff is scheduled for 10:22 P.M. Eastern(02:22 UTC) from SLC-40, Cape Canaveral SFS, Florida.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZxdeD6uW4w
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F22 and a P-51 buzzing around the Starbbase area
On a live feed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
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F22 and a P-51 buzzing around the Starbbase area
On a live feed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
Imagine the F-22 trying to fly formation with a Sopwith Camel. :O
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Time for sleep.
Set the coffee maker for two hours before launch
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Up with coffee
Looks like engine 3 is having bleed issues. They're seeing if they can work through it. May just cause a minor time delay.
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F22 and a P-51 buzzing around the Starbbase area
On a live feed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
Every time I see a P-51 flying with a modern fighter, I assume that is Tom Cruise.
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Every time I see a P-51 flying with a modern fighter, I assume that is Tom Cruise.
He does fly his own P-51D. He flew it in Top Gun: Maverick if I am not mistaken.
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He does fly his own P-51D. He flew it in Top Gun: Maverick if I am not mistaken.
You are correct. He owns that 2-seat P-51. The bastard.
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Problem may be resolvable but they running into launch window constraints since it take the engine ~2 hours to chill properly
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You are correct. He owns that 2-seat P-51. The bastard.
And the six tax stamps it would take to properly outfit it would be pocket change to him. >:D
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Scrub
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Looks like weather was starting to be an issue as well.
Next launch window starting Fri 12:48 EDT
Of course that depends on whether or not the problem is fixable by then.
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Scrub Launch System :rofl:
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I gave it a 50/50 chance of launching today anyway.
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I give it a 50/50 chance of launching today anyway.
On accident you mean?
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Typo, gave not give.
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Typo, gave not give.
With the way things have gone for that program I could almost buy an accidental launch. Not a successful one, but ...
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Given the description of the problems in the Fox News article, it's doubtful they can fix things on the pad. I believe they will have to haul the rocket back to the VAB.
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Given the description of the problems in the Fox News article, it's doubtful they can fix things on the pad. I believe they will have to haul the rocket back to the VAB.
Probably means 2 weeks to a month minimum.
Meanwhile Elon would already have the engine halfway out and the new one sitting in the bed of a PU at the pad ready to go in. Okay, lets try again this afternoon.
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Imagine the F-22 trying to fly formation with a Sopwith Camel. :O
You might enjoy "Hawk among the Sparrows" a short story in which a modern fighter jet is thrown back through time and pitted against World War I biplanes. Things don't go quite as you'd expect . . . ;)
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Got to love click bait YT titles
LIVE NEWS: NASA's Artemis 1 launch HUGE EXPLOSION !
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MDHIYzksQE
Even has fake chat messages with stuff like this
The explosion could be felt in 50 km distance!
NASA LIVEOver 25 ambulance cars arrived on the scene!
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This is what the SpaceX/T-Mobile get-together was all about.
T-M will use Starlink sats to provide service in areas not served by cell phone towers.
Musk also has a Plan B for Starlink 2 Sats if Starship is delayed. They will downsize Starlink 2 Sats a bit to enable them to be launched on F9.
SpaceX and T-Mobile partner for direct-to-cellphone satellite service
https://spacenews.com/spacex-and-t-mobile-partner-for-direct-to-cellphone-satellite-service/
Thank you for posting this!
My ride through Colorado was plagued by T-mobile dead zones. Even in small towns. Even in tourist trap small towns, like Ouray.
I came home determined to get a Spot, Garmin or other satellite text communicator device. But in light of this news, I may abstain.
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Thank you for posting this!
My ride through Colorado was plagued by T-mobile dead zones. Even in small towns. Even in tourist trap small towns, like Ouray.
I came home determined to get a Spot, Garmin or other satellite text communicator device. But in light of this news, I may abstain.
It may still be a while till it's up and running. The T-moble deal will only work with Star Link 2.0, which hasn't launched yet, not the current 1.0 or 1.1.
2.0 is bigger and needs something along the size of Starship to launch on. As noted Elon does have a fallback plan in 2.0 lite which will fit on modified F9s if SS is delayed too much.
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Tank Farm activity and an Over Pressure Notice
Could mean static fire
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
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More YT click bait video titles
LIVE NEWS: NASA's Artemis 1 is on FIRE , HUGE EXPLOSION !
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NASA going for a launch of SLS on Sat Sept 3rd
Launch window opens at 14:17 EDT
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Saw something in chat the issue was a faulty temp senor but I don't have confirmation on that.
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Meanwhile just another day, errr night, at the office at SpaceX
150th recovery of a Falcon booster
SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches Starlink 3-4 Mission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRnKgbYsqug
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Overpressure notice and tank farm activity
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztPU5jjIY_g
Updated to another link
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According to TAA NASA reserved more Crew Dragon flights and TAA thinks that means NASA is about to pull the plug the on Starliner
Starliner on Life Support!! PLUS, the latest on the SpaceX Starship static fire from Boca!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJ1ZlD1tclQ
Of note
The entire contract between NASA and SX including all flights bought to 2030: $4.93b
What Boeing has spent so far on Starliner which has yet to make a single manned flight: $4.8b
Also
SX: $65 mil per seat
Starliner: Accordiiing to TAA will have to charge $95 mil per seat just to start breaking even.
Be aware TAA can be rather pessimistic in his videos
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NASASpaceflight
NASA confirms they are making another attempt Saturday, September 3rd. Two hour window opens at 2:17 pm Eastern (18:17 UTC).
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Orange Rocket still a go for launch
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Annnnd another H2 leak.
Orange rocket bad
They're evaluating
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Annnnd another H2 leak.
Orange rocket bad
They're evaluating
Yep, heard that. Betting it won't go today, either.
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Live feed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3iGlIdRHBg
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Watching the closeup images in the live feed. That rocket is more boilerplate than sleek and streamlined. In the fifties and sixties, a lot of attention was paid to streamlining rockets wherever possible to reduce drag. It looks like the designers of the SLS just didn't care. Or maybe they determined it doesn't matter as much. Could be that it's a cost saving measure. Who knows.
Looking at SpaceX designs, they are somewhat similar in the lack of streamlining, though you don't see many actual big honkin' bolt heads hanging out in the breeze like you do with SLS.
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The latest hydrogen leak mitigation effort failed. As this was kind of a "hail Mary" fix, I expect they will announce a scrub shortly. I'm still thinking this thing will be making the journey back to the VAB where its various problems can be more seriously addressed.
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Watching the closeup images in the live feed. That rocket is more boilerplate than sleek and streamlined. In the fifties and sixties, a lot of attention was paid to streamlining rockets wherever possible to reduce drag. It looks like the designers of the SLS just didn't care. Or maybe they determined it doesn't matter as much. Could be that it's a cost saving measure. Who knows.
Looking at SpaceX designs, they are somewhat similar in the lack of streamlining, though you don't see many actual big honkin' bolt heads hanging out in the breeze like you do with SLS.
Could be a better understanding of what streamlining is important and what streamlining isn't and where. Experience and modern computer modeling could be helping in that. Back in the day it was probably a case of streamline everything just to be safe. They have since learn some of it just wasn't worth the extra cost and weight.
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In state of No Go but they're looking at ways to resolve or work around the problem. Not a scrub yet.
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Scrub
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Could be a better understanding of what streamlining is important and what streamlining isn't and where. Experience and modern computer modeling could be helping in that. Back in the day it was probably more of a case of streamline everything just to be safe.
Kind of what I was thinking.
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So I guess the only reason we're doing this program is to get people of the correct color and gender on the moon? Hundreds of billions of dollars for space diversity. Holy hell...
https://twitchy.com/dougp-3137/2022/09/03/fuel-leak-scrubs-artemis-1-launch-again-but-ny-times-reports-eventually-us-will-land-the-first-woman-and-first-person-of-color-on-the-moon/
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So I guess the only reason we're doing this program is to get people of the correct color and gender on the moon? Hundreds of billions of dollars for space diversity. Holy hell...
https://twitchy.com/dougp-3137/2022/09/03/fuel-leak-scrubs-artemis-1-launch-again-but-ny-times-reports-eventually-us-will-land-the-first-woman-and-first-person-of-color-on-the-moon/
What if the Chinese land a Chinese woman first?
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SLS headed back to the barn. Earliest possible launch now Oct 17-31
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What if the Chinese land a Chinese woman first?
Then Elon will welcome her with a cold drink and a ride in a tunnel.
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Another day..uh night at the office for SpaceX
Bullseye on the landing barge
Starlink Mission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NONM-xsKMSs
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What if the Chinese land a Chinese woman first?
Asians are white now remember
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Asians are white now remember
Only when it's politically convenient for the libs.
If they're the victim they're a POC
If they're the villain they're white.
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Meanwhile back on target
Certainly looks like they're NOT taking the day off at SX
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
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Another day..uh night at the office for SpaceX
Bullseye on the landing barge
Starlink Mission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NONM-xsKMSs
SpaceX is making this look easy. Given the frequency and cadence of launches by SpaceX, it's just a matter of time before they suffer a failure during boost phase. I think it will be interesting to see the difference in how SpaceX handles a failure in an established program versus what NASA does.
NASA usually shuts down further launches of vehicles that suffer a problem and studies things for months or even years. I'm betting SpaceX will postpone further launches for a couple or three weeks, find the problem and fix it if necessary, then get back on the launch schedule.
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:laugh:
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SpaceX is making this look easy. Given the frequency and cadence of launches by SpaceX, it's just a matter of time before they suffer a failure during boost phase. I think it will be interesting to see the difference in how SpaceX handles a failure in an established program versus what NASA does.
NASA usually shuts down further launches of vehicles that suffer a problem and studies things for months or even years. I'm betting SpaceX will postpone further launches for a couple or three weeks, find the problem and fix it if necessary, then get back on the launch schedule.
At this point, Falcon 9 Block 5 might be the most fired and most reliable rocket on the planet. It has surpassed Atlas V in that regard, but I'm not familiar enough with Soyuz' various evolutions and forms to say it has surpassed that platform as well.
It is the lowest cost platform ever to launch either unmanned payload or manned vehicles. It has a sufficient cadence and backlog that in the event of a failure it is fairly easy to swap a lower priority/criticality payload onto the next flight in order to prove that a fix is viable to solve the previous problem.
Add to that the fact that they have had the opportunity to examine landed boosters, something never before done with any other rocket, and inspect both engines and superstructure for wear and fatigue, and it is easy to see why the Block 5 iteration is the most reliable rocket in world history.
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Over pressure notice down at BC
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Tank farm activity and over pressure notice
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
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New live feed link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4a7-zRRgqyI
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NASA announced they working toward Sept 23 for a SLS launch
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Asians are white now remember
It would be funny if NASA landed someone on the moon and they blurted out "The First Man on the Moon!".
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The First ey on the Moon
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S24 static fire set fire to the grass around the pad area
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/Screenshot_2022-09-08_173738.png)
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Set a dumpster on fire
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/Screenshot_2022-09-08_174157.png)
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/Screenshot_2022-09-08_174309.png)
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/Screenshot_2022-09-08_174602.png)
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Pretty good grass fire they got going there.
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Fire response test in progress, please stand by. :laugh:
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Still burning
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/Screenshot_2022-09-08_215619.png)
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/Screenshot_2022-09-08_215619.png)
On the bright side, the field wont catch fire again any time soon. :cool:
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(https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/305392097_10160561069128958_7749073824438490931_n.jpg?_nc_cat=1&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=5cd70e&_nc_ohc=fBgcix_cjcMAX89m--4&_nc_ht=scontent-sea1-1.xx&oh=00_AT_jLHOQ2qXmzUK1aN_3N18JJ478FLPGWoB0wD0hZAwq7Q&oe=63201ACE)
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Scheduled for Sep 10, 2022 Falcon 9 is launching the Starlink 4-2 mission with 34 internet satellites and AST SpaceMobile's BlueWalker 3 communications satellite onboard. Liftoff is scheduled for 9:10 p.m. ET (01:10 UTC) from LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ad7CraPir8o
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SpaceX again making it look like just another day at the office
Meanwhile
Another startup is going for their 2nd try
Scheduled for Sep 11, 2022 Firefly Aerospace is the next private rocket company that aims to achieve orbit with its second launch attempt of their brand new Alpha launch vehicle. Alpha will lift off from Vandenberg Space Force Base, USA, and targets a 300 km low Earth orbit (LEO), in which it will deploy multiple payloads. On board of the FLTA002 To The Black mission will be multiple CubeSats and PicoSats, with most of them being copies of satellites that were lost during the failure of Firefly’s FLTA001 DREAM launch.
[4K] Watch Firefly's Second Orbital Launch Attempt Of Their Alpha Rocket!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEbhlxF29BM
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The current NASA project has been, so far, a swing and two (Arte)mis-ses
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In case you hadn't noticed the above Firefly launch was scrubbed
So if at first you don't succeed.....
Set to go live 3:00 pm EDT
[4K] Watch Firefly's Second Orbital Launch Attempt Of Their Alpha Rocket!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pics_iuBv9s
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Overpressure notice and tank farm activity
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
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Meanwhile Jeff's ______ had an issue during launch
Thankfully no one was on board just some experiments.
"It appears we experienced an anomaly on today's flight, this wasn't planned"
Blue Origin capsule blasts away from booster after anomaly during launch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v09RCNChe-w
Blue Origin's New Shepard suffers anomaly during launch, capsule lands safely
https://www.space.com/blue-origin-ns-23-mission-launch-preview
On the bright side it appears the escape system works.
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Link for B7 testing with commentary
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44YbJ-7gnx8
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Scott Manley on the BO whoopsie
He wonders if anyone is going to cancel now. The Gs on that separation looked intense
MaxQ ABORT! - Blue Origin's New Shepard Has Fiery Engine Failure In Flight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoRp7nRIOpo
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New Shephard anomaly on launch causes in-flight abort with passengers onboard.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v09RCNChe-w
Edit: Evidently it didn't have passengers onboard, only experiments as payload.
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In case you hadn't noticed the above Firefly launch was scrubbed
So if at first you don't succeed.....
Set to go live 3:00 pm EDT
[4K] Watch Firefly's Second Orbita Launch Attempt Of Their Alpha Rocket!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pics_iuBv9s
Weather scrub =(
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Meanwhile Jeff's ______ had an issue during launch
Thankfully no one was on board just some experiments.
"It appears we experienced an anomaly on today's flight, this wasn't planned"
Blue Origin capsule blasts away from booster after anomaly during launch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v09RCNChe-w
Blue Origin's New Shepard suffers anomaly during launch, capsule lands safely
https://www.space.com/blue-origin-ns-23-mission-launch-preview
On the bright side it appears the escape system works.
Kind of reminiscent of, "Go at throttle up."
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FAA has grounded the New Shepard while they investigate what happened. SOP
3 "crewed" flight were planned for later this year.
FAA grounds Blue Origin New Shepard after emergency abort during launch
https://www.wesh.com/article/blue-origin-abort/41169216#
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Scheduled for Sep 13, 2022 Falcon 9 is launching the Starlink 4-34 mission with 54 Starlink internet satellites onboard. Liftoff is scheduled for 10:10 PM EDT (02:10 UTC) from SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngQG-iL-gnI
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Comes up as a private video.
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Link was confirmed good and running during countdown but seems after the weather scrub it was taken down for some reason.
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S25 is stacked
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Last night's Starlink launch rescheduled to 21:48 tonight
Haven't seen a link to a video feed yet
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That's a big fat NO from me
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/Screenshot_2022-09-14_094234.png)
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Can you imagine how much that must rock and sway?
Imagine it WLJ!
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/Screenshot_2022-09-14_095308.png)
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That's a big fat NO from me
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/Screenshot_2022-09-14_094234.png)
I went up 125 feet in a cherry picker one time years ago. That one time was quite enough. The forty footers where I used to work wobulated all over the place. I can't imagine what that tall sucker they're using at SpaceX must be like.
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Suppose to go live in a couple of hours
Rocket Lab - The Owl Spreads Its Wings Launch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9aYHnHaFAk
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Suppose to go live in a couple of hours
Rocket Lab - The Owl Spreads Its Wings Launch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9aYHnHaFAk
Live
19 minutes to launch
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According to the streamed video, they had a successful flight to orbit.
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SpaceX is targeting Thursday, September 15 for a Falcon 9 launch of 54 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The instantaneous launch window is at 9:27 p.m. ET (01:27 UTC on September 16).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzWSYJBSAl4
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Weather scrub with 27 seconds to go
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Never seen this before
Big flashing lights on the Orbital Launch Tower, like big warning? alarm? lights. And I don't mean the usual aviation lights.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
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Overpressure notice and tank farm activity. Chopsticks have been moved out of the way, could mean static fire.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fglxsgSY00
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Here we go again
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlQHF_yBkMQ
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After 3? weather scrubs they finally got it off.
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Elon just tweeted 7 engine static fire coming right up
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4qHcAESKbA
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And it appears they set the grass on fire again.
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Elon tweeted B7 coming down to be inspected and possible upgrades, B8 headed to the pad.
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B8 rolling
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And it appears they set the grass on fire again.
Huh. Guess there was some left. :P
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SLS tanking test
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Bu7bWkjvKo
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And it's leaking again :facepalm:
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The leak went to 7% concentration but then dropped to 0.5%. Seven percent is quite worrisome given the lower explosive limit (LEL) for hydrogen is 4%. At 0.5% it shouldn't be a big deal unless it can find an area to collect and concentrate to higher levels.
Used to work with hydrogen gas plumbing many years ago. It required attention to detail for sure. My hydrogen gas leak detector sure got a workout in those days.
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The leak went to 7% concentration but then dropped to 0.5%. Seven percent is quite worrisome given the lower explosive limit (LEL) for hydrogen is 4%. At 0.5% it shouldn't be a big deal unless it can find an area to collect and concentrate to higher levels.
Used to work with hydrogen gas plumbing many years ago. It required attention to detail for sure. My hydrogen gas leak detector sure got a workout in those days.
It didn't exactly drop after going to 7% they completely recycled the LH2 loading and made changes to the start of the loading procedure to see if that would help. Appears to so far have done so. At 36% load still at less than than 1%.
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Bleed kick start test starting
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It didn't exactly drop after going to 7% they completely recycled the LH2 loading and changed the loading procedure to see if that would help. Appears to so far have done so. At 36% load still at less than than 1%.
Gotcha. I have classical music for dogs running in the background, and that made it hard to hear the NASASpaceflight commentary on my laptop.
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They said they will allow it to go up to 10% for up to 5 minutes this time.
They're ramping up the load pressure now trying to find out at what pressures it starts having major issues.
Now at 3.4%.
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tank 47% filled
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LO2 tank 100% 196,000 gallons
LH2 tank 53% 283,000 gallons (538,263 when full)
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100% LH2
Finally!
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Good News: They said the change in the loading procedure did the trick.
Bad News: They said they have no clue why so they don't know if it will work again on launch day.
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Leak shot up, now above 4% but stable.
Despite that they're calling the test a success
Now hurricane worriers
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Leak shot up, now above 4% but stable.
Despite that they're calling the test a success
Where's the kaboom? There's supposed to be an earth shattering kaboom! =|
Brad
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Okay, the above 4% was from is a new different leak :facepalm:
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Where's the kaboom? There's supposed to be an earth shattering kaboom! =|
Brad
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=299knTdX-Wo
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The last Delta IV Heavy
United Launch Alliance (ULA) will launch the NROL-91 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) atop a Delta IV Heavy. Launching from Space Launch Complex 6 at the Vandenberg Space Force base, in California, this mission will mark the final Delta IV Heavy launch from the west coast and the third-to-last Delta IV Heavy launch ever. ULA is retiring both the Delta and Atlas vehicles in favor of Vulcan, which is scheduled to have its maiden launch in Q1 2023.
Vulcan :rofl: Where are my engines Jeff? :rofl:
Scheduled to go live 17:15
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeWKKfHLsGE
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SpaceX's turn
SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches Starlink 4-35 Mission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=as4BSkylK8U
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Attempt to launch SLS on the 27th scrapped due to weather concerns.
May be headed back to the barn for protection.
NASA postpones Artemis 1 launch because of tropical storm
https://spacenews.com/nasa-postpones-artemis-1-launch-because-of-tropical-storm/
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Debating on weather, pun!, or not to roll SLS back.
Suppose to decide by 20:00
Crawler is staged underneath
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NASA has deferred a decision on roll back to today.
Crawler on standby underneath
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Meanwhile DART is on target.
The Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) spacecraft, launched last November, is on a trajectory to collide with Dimorphos, a small asteroid orbiting the larger near Earth asteroid Didymos, at 7:14 p.m. Eastern Sept. 26. The collision will change slightly the orbit of Dimorphos, allowing scientists to measure how effective such a collision, or “kinetic impact,” could be to change the trajectory of any future asteroids that pose a hazard to the Earth.
DART on track for asteroid collision
https://spacenews.com/dart-on-track-for-asteroid-collision/
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SLS headed back to the barn
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFL5BgEO-FY
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Suppose to go live at 18:00
DART Asteroid Impact LIVE with Mission Team
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrxPT8UFJRM
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DART! [popcorn]
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30 seconds
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Impact
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Bullseye in fact
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Some tracks show Ian hitting The Cape dead on others show it to going to the north and west
SLS going into the barn right now.
SpaceX appears to be getting ready.
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That DART mission was amazing. I'm looking forward to the calculations demonstrating on whether or not we can rely upon simple Newtonian physics to nudge potential threats in the future, or if layers of shock absorber on the threat will make that impossible or unreliable.
The images of the target were incredible. I was expecting a coagulation of dust motes, not a collapsed skyscraper of rubble. The jaggedness and size of the rocks on the target was astounding.
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That DART mission was amazing. I'm looking forward to the calculations demonstrating on whether or not we can rely upon simple Newtonian physics to nudge potential threats in the future, or if layers of shock absorber on the threat will make that impossible or unreliable.
The images of the target were incredible. I was expecting a coagulation of dust motes, not a collapsed skyscraper of rubble. The jaggedness and size of the rocks on the target was astounding.
I saw the video, but couldn't tell the scale/size of the rocks. Has anyone overlayed a scale on the photos?
At what angle was the asteroid hit? Probably not head-on, but was it a front quarter or rear quarter or just a t-bone?
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I saw the video, but couldn't tell the scale/size of the rocks. Has anyone overlayed a scale on the photos?
At what angle was the asteroid hit? Probably not head-on, but was it a front quarter or rear quarter or just a t-bone?
I haven't seen an overlay. I was watching live on the NSF youtube feed, and they had a few NASA mission leads on during it. I got the impression that the final two images we were looking at a resolution of under a foot per pixel. The entire object is around 160 meters across, and as the impactor is closing on it during the last 30 seconds you can see solid protrusions that are a good 5-10 meters in size. Spitballing, I'd guess the final full image sent prior to the partial red image, the rock in the center was 3-5 meters across? Andy Cheng suggested it was somewhere between 5-10cm per pixel on the final full image, but we don't know the resolution of the images themselves. I have read one PDF (https://ssed.gsfc.nasa.gov/IPM/2016/abstracts/4043.pdf) that suggests it is 2560 x 2160 pixels. Cheng went on to say the final rocks were beach ball sized, or you could hold in your hands.
We won't know the momentum impact for a few days probably. Cheng suggested it was an incredibly square impact to the center of the target. No word on if the visual center of the target corresponds to the center of mass of it. Density differences could cause funkiness.
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And we're finding that many asteroids including this one aren't the classic big solid rock that usually comes to mind when someone says asteroid but rather many are a loose collection of rocks and gravel, basically rubble with no solid surface to land on. Be interesting to see what effect the impact had.
Here's what happened when we tried landing a sample mission on Bennu
Asteroid Bennu’s Surprising Surface Revealed by NASA Spacecraft
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42EwbQ3afPA
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Scott Manley
Video and images from telescopes showing the plume from the impact. Of particular note are the just released images from DART's partner cube sat starting at 7:00
Asteroid Smashing Looks Like Nothing You Ever Imagined
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hg4DiOmKlVM
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I saw the video, but couldn't tell the scale/size of the rocks. Has anyone overlayed a scale on the photos?
Scott says the photo at 1:14 is about 100 meters across.
https://youtu.be/hg4DiOmKlVM?t=74
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:rofl:
NASA Saves Face By Claiming Female Astronaut Running Spaceship Into Asteroid Was Intentional
https://babylonbee.com/news/nasa-saves-face-by-claiming-female-astronaut-running-spaceship-into-asteroid-was-intentional
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Looks like they made the right choice in hauling SLS back in.
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Looks like they made the right choice in hauling SLS back in.
Agreed. For a while it looked like they were going to let Artemis 1 sit on the pad. A couple of NASA bureaucrats were arguing for that to be done.
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Agreed. For a while it looked like they were going to let Artemis 1 sit on the pad. A couple of NASA bureaucrats were arguing for that to be done.
If it were to be destroyed by a hurricane maybe it would reduce the embarrassment of it constantly failing to launch.
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If it were to be destroyed by a hurricane maybe it would reduce the embarrassment of it constantly failing to launch.
They tried in the VAB, apparently.
https://www.autoevolution.com/news/fire-alarm-rings-in-nasa-vehicle-assembly-building-after-the-artemis-i-rocket-gets-there-199817.html
There was an electrical fire in VAB high bay 3: The SLS bay.
While the orange tank is obviously detanked, Orion is still integrated as well as the SRB's. Orion has a launch escape tower that is a fueled solid rocket system, and the service module attached to Orion I believe is fueled with hypergolics for propulsion use after separation from the ICPS hydrolox stage. Those hypergolics are not detanked at the pad; the VAB is where they are fueled and/or de-fueled. Hypergolics are supposed to be "safe" for long term storage, which is why they're popular for space propulsion of components that are challenging to fuel on the pad or not likely to use their cryogenic load before it warms up.
The SRB's (and Artemis 1 in general) are following in the finest NASA tradition of Challenger; being given excuse after excuse to be used in spite of test failures, expiration dates, and GSE failures. I really expected them to launch in the hurricane with a former Thiokol exec on the phone saying "nah, it'll be fine!" at pre-launch about 10 minutes before explosion of the stack at 60,000 feet altitude. In classic NASA contractor logic, a hurricane would certainly make it hard for leaking GSE hydrogen to pool dangerously anywhere. That's a plus, right?
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https://www.autoevolution.com/news/fire-alarm-rings-in-nasa-vehicle-assembly-building-after-the-artemis-i-rocket-gets-there-199817.html
From the above article
At the time of writing, hurricane Ian is hurtling toward Florida, and it could be a category 4 storm by the time it reaches it. That means winds of up to 156 mph (251 kph) and the potential of making a mess of the place
Think I remember hearing the VAB was rated for 120mph winds
Hurricane Frances blew off a bunch of panels and I think another took off some as well. Don't know what the winds were at the time.
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Thursday morning rocket engines
First BO with their BE-4 firing for over 4 minutes
BlueOrigin #BE4 rocket engine for ULA #VulcanRocket - full firing sequence
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-dr2Df8AaA
Next SX's Raptor 2 showing off it's Rapid Relight
SpaceX Tests Raptor Engine Rapid Relight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BO5Uu6xA3N8
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Other than being a bit soggy the Cape looks fine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnt2wZBg89g
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Possible Hubble service mission in the works?
The press conference about "potential commercial space opportunities for NASA science missions" will begin at 4:30 p.m. EDT (2030 GMT).
The participants in the briefing are:
Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator, NASA's Science Mission Directorate
Kathy Lueders, associate administrator, NASA's Space Operations Mission Directorate
Jessica Jensen, vice president, customer operations and integration, SpaceX
Jared Isaacman, commercial astronaut and commander of Polaris Dawn
Patrick Crouse, Hubble Space Telescope project manager, NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center
SpaceX, NASA and Hubble officials to discuss mysterious new study today: Listen live
https://www.space.com/spacex-nasa-hubble-science-commercial-study-preview
YT https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZ0L2aQgcI4
Listening
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What I've got so far.
They're looking at doing a commercial mission to Hubble with SpaceX's Crew Dragon =D
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Still at the study stage
But one would think it's moving along if they're doing this live teleconference
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And this just popped up
SLS Nov 14
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Jared's prepping to drill on that incoming asteroid that we don't know about yet.
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Looks like Firefly finially got it off the pad last night
Launch is at ~ 1:54:07
Video glitched and it just disappears off the pad :rofl:
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SpaceX is targeting Monday, October 3 for a Falcon 9 launch of 52 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The instantaneous launch window is at 4:56 p.m. PT (23:56 UTC), and a backup opportunity is available on Tuesday, October 4 at 4:35 p.m. PT (23:35 UTC).
The first stage booster supporting this mission previously launched NROL-87, NROL-85, SARah-1, and one Starlink mission. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, which will be stationed in the Pacific Ocean.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcq7xiTOPRg
Edit: scrubbed. Said needed more preflight checks.
Now scheduled for tonight at 19:48. Time and date could change due to focus on Crew dragon launch
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Meanwhile
A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket is launching the SES 20 & 21 communications spacecraft. The launch window opens at 5:36 p.m. ET (21:36 UTC) from SLC-41, Cape Canaveral SFS, Florida.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3w6bkYiZLA
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A rather interesting DART update
The targeted asteroid now has a comet like tail
DART impact gave asteroid Dimorphos a debris tail thousands of miles long (stunning photo)
https://www.space.com/dart-asteroid-impact-debris-tail-photo
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Yeah, I've been waiting for news on the shape and consistency of Didimoon. With it only being about 100 yards across and so loosely compacted, a 4000 mile per hour impact of a vehicle sized penetrator could shatter the whole thing, or spew out a good bit of it into a coma.
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Crew Dragon
Falcon 9 is launching the Crew-5 mission to the Space Station for NASA. Liftoff is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. Eastern (16:00 UTC) from LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida.
SpaceX & NASA Launch Crew-5 to Space Station
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vY0GHqO5_bc
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Picture perfect Crew Dragon launch
But wait, there's more
You're up Starlink
SpaceX is targeting Wednesday, October 5 for a Falcon 9 launch of 52 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The instantaneous launch window is at 4:10 p.m. PT (23:10 UTC).
The first stage booster supporting this mission previously launched NROL-87, NROL-85, SARah-1, and one Starlink mission. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, which will be stationed in the Pacific Ocean.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcq7xiTOPRg
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Sections for a second (third if you count Starbase) launch tower coming together at the Cape. Speculation on which pad it's going to be erected at.
And parts for a third spotted.
And some progress at BO's facility
Another Starship Launch Tower in Florida Soon?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdzgSLkfLJs
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I was unaware of this company that catapults payloads into space. They've just had their 10th successful test launch:
https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/spinlaunch-catapulted-a-nasa-payload
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And SX isn't done
Scheduled to go live 18:30
SpaceX is launching a Falcon 9 carrying the Galaxy 33 and 34 satellites. The launch will occur from CCSFS SLC-40 headed to a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit. The first stage is 1060-14, which will attempt a landing on drone ship A Shortfall Of Gravitas.
SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches Galaxy 33 & 34 Satellites
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpmXpp5I6rg
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Live now
Crew-5 Mission | Approach and Docking
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-GDJC3Ljtc
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Whoa, beautiful shot of the Dragon approaching the station with the moon in the background
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That Russian cosmonaut on broad the crew dragon must feel like he's in something from a scfi movie compared to a Soyuz if you've ever seen the interiors.
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And SX isn't done
Scheduled to go live 18:30
SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches Galaxy 33 & 34 Satellites
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpmXpp5I6rg
Scrub at T -0:30
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Looks like they're getting ready for a lift to the OLM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
Don't know if B7 or B8 (no engines) since both are on site.
They're been working overtime on B7, S24, and the pad so this (speculation on my part) could be the final stack before launch. [popcorn]
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Rocket Lab
suppose to go live at 12:45
Rocket Lab - It Argos Up From Here Launch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TffmQR1K04M
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If at first you don't succeed
Scheduled to go live at 18:30
SpaceX is launching a Falcon 9 carrying the Galaxy 33 and 34 satellites. The launch will occur from CCSFS SLC-40 headed to a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit. The first stage is 1060-14, which will attempt a landing on drone ship A Shortfall Of Gravitas.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQ_SuKr8aGI
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That view at 18:53 WOW!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIgS3dPAbw0
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Hmmm
Amidst a relatively slow week at McGregor, two firings of an unknown engine/thruster were performed on the horizontal test stand. These firings did not match visual or auditory signatures typically seen by Raptors, Merlins, or Super Dracos and may be a new design potentially for Lunar Starship. The horizontal test stand is often used for the first firings of new engines as seen in recent years with Raptor sea level and vacuum development.
Potential Lunar Starship Thruster Fired | This Week at SpaceX McGregor
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46YEqL2KTk8
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MSIB (Marine Safety Information Bulletin) in place down at Boca Chica for Oct 10-14
Could mean static fires or it could mean [popcorn]
https://www.facebook.com/VisitStarbase/photos/a.106958598120916/473313164818789/
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DART declared a success
The space rock orbits a much larger (780m wide; 2,550ft) object called Didymos. Before impact, the time taken for Dimorphos to make one circuit of its sibling was 11 hours and 55 minutes.
The telescope evidence now indicates this orbital period has been reduced to 11 hours and 23 minutes - a change of 32 minutes. This corresponds to Dimorphos moving closer into to Didymos by "tens of metres".
Nasa had defined a minimum successful period change of Dimorphos of 73 seconds or more. The results released on Tuesday show Dart surpassed this benchmark by more than 25 times.
Nasa's Dart spacecraft 'changed path of asteroid'
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-63221577
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DART declared a success
Nasa's Dart spacecraft 'changed path of asteroid'
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-63221577
Hopefully not into a collision course with Earth. Unless it was Moscow or DC?
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Hopefully not into a collision course with Earth. Unless it was Moscow or DC?
Moscow. The Russians will then take out DC after blaming us. A win win
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Stacking
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRfnO4GLafE
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Full stack and tank farm activity
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
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(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fe_go8dWQAM8sYW?format=jpg&name=large)
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(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fe_go8dWQAM8sYW?format=jpg&name=large)
:cool:
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SpaceX Crew 4 Splashdown LIVE!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPjmtw8j-b4
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Scheduled to go live at 22:45
SpaceX is launching a Falcon 9 carrying the Hotbird-13F satellite. The launch will occur from CCSFS SLC-40 headed to a geostationary transfer orbit. The first stage is B1069-3, which will attempt a landing on drone ship Just Read The Instructions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tr69NDrdSfU
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Scheduled to go live at 22:45
SpaceX is launching a Falcon 9 carrying the Hotbird-13F satellite. The launch will occur from CCSFS SLC-40 headed to a geostationary transfer orbit. The first stage is B1069-3, which will attempt a landing on drone ship Just Read The Instructions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tr69NDrdSfU
Launch kept getting pushed back and I fell asleep.
But looks like they got it up and down.
Cool engine plume video
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S25 rolling out to the pad
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
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Scheduled for Oct 20, 2022
Falcon 9 is launching the Starlink 4-36 mission with 54 internet satellites onboard. Liftoff is scheduled for 10:50 a.m. ET (14:50 UTC) from SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.
SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches Starlink 4-36 Mission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8aLGCwrtU8
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And S24 being lifted again
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https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2022/10/us-russia-space-programs-spacex-collaboration-ukraine/671740/
Sad times for the Russian space program.
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While I don't care for Russia's politics, I don't like to see anyone's space program stall.
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Since Russian rockets are now off limits for launching OneWeb Sats OneWeb has turned to SpaceX and India.
Launch of LVM3-M2/OneWeb India-1 Mission from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dao7OrlESmU
OneWeb satellite constellation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OneWeb_satellite_constellation
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Guy doing the announcements on the intercom sounds like a computer voice from the original Star Trek
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Both ships getting frosty
Cryo test
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
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Meanwhile down at The Cape
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/FfycW3LUYAAXg8x-RS.jpg)
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Earlier cryo tests on B7/S24 got halted because a Tesla and a Dodge truck reportedly totaled each other out on the road. Wreck cleared and testing has resumed. Reported no one hurt. Wreck is suppose to be visible on one of the base views but I haven't found it yet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
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Velocity stacks? ;)
Looks like there's a couple that aren't lined up properly. Most are covering the entire outlet (?) below them but there are a couple that don't?
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/0z23zx6ba0f01-rs.jpg)
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SpaceX is targeting Thursday, October 27 for a Falcon 9 launch of 53 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The instantaneous launch window is at 6:14 p.m. PT (01:14 UTC on Friday, October 28), and a backup opportunity is available on Friday, October 28 at 5:52 p.m. PT (00:52 UTC on Saturday, October 29).
The first stage booster supporting this mission previously launched Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich, DART, and five Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, which will be stationed in the Pacific Ocean.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYtH2khNIgU
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/FgHu9rhUoAASjUa.jpg)
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Falcon Heavy launch scheduled for Nov 1st
[popcorn]
Nov. 1Falcon Heavy • USSF 44
Launch time: 1340 GMT (9:40 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket will launch the USSF 44 mission for the U.S. Space Force. The mission is expected to deploy two spacecraft payloads directly into geosynchronous orbit, one of which is the military’s TETRA 1 microsatellite. The Falcon Heavy’s two side boosters will land at Landing Zone 1 and 2 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, and the core stage will be expended. Delayed from late 2020, 2nd quarter of 2021, July 2021, and October 2021 by payload issues. Delayed from early 2022 and June 2022. Delayed from Oct. 28. [Oct. 27]
https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/
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Starship/SuperHeavy maiden flight scheduled for early December.
https://twitter.com/wapodavenport/status/1587094533136957444?cxt=HHwWiIC-ibaEv4YsAAAA
Granted, this is a NET date. Could very easily slip a month or two. But a lot of space fans have been waiting a long time for this. It'll be very interesting if they change the parameters of the original maiden flight plan. Originally the intent was to ditch the booster in the Gulf of Mexico doing a simulated catch against a non-existent tower that only exists in the booster's software. Then the Starship would make a 3/4 pass around the globe and re-enter above the Pacific, also doing a simulated landing over water and being "caught" by another non-existent tower and splashing down in a naval ocean firing range near Hawaii.
Obviously they only have 1 tower and cannot catch both objects, at least inside of a single orbit. In theory they could catch the booster about 8 minutes after launch and have Starship in orbit for several hours while they clear the booster off the tower and onto an SPMT, or at least set back onto the launch mount and clear of the chopstick arms, then bring the Starship in for landing. The problem with that is the fact that the ship would have to transit the western United States during reentry. The potential for debris on populated areas if there is a breakup is non-negligible.
They could go for a westbound launch, but that would then be launching over populated areas. But it would allow for reentry of Starship over the Gulf. I doubt that the full stack has sufficient fuel to perform a LEO insertion with a westbound launch though. Maybe with no payload it could. Still, it puts the booster's flight profile over Mexico or the western US, along with a boost-back to Boca.
I think they're eager to test booster recovery, and reluctant to throw 39 Raptor engines into the ocean. Bringing the booster back from an eastbound launch is relatively risk-free to the public, and should be fairly straightforward for their already established software for Falcon recovery.
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Scheduled for Nov 1, 2022
Falcon Heavy is launching the classified USSF-44 mission to Geostationary Orbit for the United States Space Force. Liftoff is scheduled for 9:41 a.m. Eastern (13:41 UTC) from LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida.
Forum Coverage: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/ind...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wu113S1yy2M
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16 minutes
Foggy
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Two landed boosters.
They're saying the VAB made screeching sounds, they're comparing it to the sound of a bottle rocket, from the sound of boosters sonic booms and landing
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Two landed boosters.
They're saying the VAB made screeching sounds, they're comparing it to the sound of a bottle rocket, from the sound of boosters sonic booms and landing
SLS gnashing its teeth in anger towards the upstart that made it irrelevant before it even flew once.
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/20221101152313_837062-RS.jpeg)
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I caught that duel booster landing earlier today. They make it look like anyone could do it.
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I caught that duel booster landing earlier today. They make it look like anyone could do it.
They may want to secure the camera a bit better next time
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IarFuHNNdUI
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They may want to secure the camera a bit better next time
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IarFuHNNdUI
Obviously some dummy's cellphone on a stand. Wasn't smart enough to set the phone to landscape mode.
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Wasn't smart enough to set the phone to landscape mode.
Normally that bugs me but in this case the vertical nature of the shot captured the boosters coming down better
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SpaceX is targeting Wednesday, November 2 for launch of the Eutelsat HOTBIRD 13G mission to a geosynchronous transfer orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The 116-minute launch window opens at 11:26 p.m. ET (03:26 UTC on November 3). A backup launch opportunity is available on Thursday, November 3, with the same window.
The Falcon 9 first stage booster supporting this mission previously launched CRS-22, Crew-3, Turksat 5B, Crew-4, CRS-25, and one Starlink mission. After stage separation, the first stage will land on the Just Read the Instructions droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McV40hM7aI8
SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches Hotbird-13G Mission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pgdnx9ympQw
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Looks like it's time to play where is the Chinese rocket coming down bingo again
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sw2Q7kgZqC0
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SLS rolling back out tonight
NASA is rolling its Space Launch System (SLS) rocket from the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) to Launch Complex 39B for launch of Artemis I. Liftoff is currently scheduled for Nov. 14.
Updates: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/ind...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jo5Ql4gxjYU
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#USSPACECOM can confirm the People’s Republic of China Long March 5B #CZ5B rocket re-entered the atmosphere over the south-central Pacific Ocean at 4:01am MDT/10:01 UTC on 11/4. For details on the uncontrolled reentry’s impact location, we once again refer you to the #PRC.
— U.S. Space Command (@US_SpaceCom) November 4, 2022
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Rocket Lab is going to give it another go at a catch
Not seeing any live feed links yet.
Rocket Lab will try again Friday to catch an Electron first stage booster after launching from New Zealand with a small Swedish science satellite, six months after the company’s first mid-air recovery attempt.
The launch window for the Electron rocket Friday opens at 1:15 p.m. EDT and extends until 2:30 p.m. EDT (1715-1830 GMT). The mission will be the ninth Rocket Lab launch of the year, and the 32nd flight of an Electron rocket overall.
Rocket Lab’s next launch will feature mid-air booster recovery attempt
https://spaceflightnow.com/2022/11/03/rocket-labs-next-launch-will-feature-mid-air-booster-recovery-attempt/
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Good launch but no catch
Rocket Lab - Catch Me If You Can Launch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVTwEn9GdsA
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Morning launch scrubbed ~15 minutes before launch due to a fire alarm and evac at the control center
SCRUB: Fire Alarm at Cygnus Control Center Scrubs Antares NG-18 Launch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWVoCBKOHtw
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A fire alarm at Northrop Grumman’s control center in Virginia prevented launch of an Antares rocket Sunday to begin a resupply mission to the International Space Station. The launch has been rescheduled for 5:27 a.m. EST (1027 GMT) Monday.
https://spaceflightnow.com/
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No fire alarms this time
Antares Launches Cygnus NG-18 to Space Station
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEZo0qR75Zo
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Nice. Seeing it disappear into the clouds is interesting. Seems like they used to never do a launch if weather conditions were anything short of perfect.
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Noticed this during the launch
Graphical glitch? Intended maneuver? Cygnus made it to orbit after this interesting staging animation during the Antares launch.
https://twitter.com/nextspaceflight/status/1589572047063375872?cn=ZmxleGlibGVfcmVjcw%3D%3D&refsrc=email
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They're talking about maybe having to roll SLS back to the VAB due to TS Nicole. Sigh.
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Suppose to go live at 03:45
87 waiting Scheduled for Nov 10, 2022
United Launch Alliance is launching an Atlas V 401 carrying the JPSS-2 satellite for the NOAA and the LOFTID experiment for NASA. The launch will occur from SLC-3E, Vandenberg SFB, California.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWlmylmCm5o
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Road closure and OP notice.
Could mean booster static fire
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
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Scheduled for Nov 12, 2022
SpaceX is targeting Saturday, November 12 for launch of the Intelsat G-31/G-32 mission to a geosynchronous transfer orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The 120-minute launch window opens at 11:06 a.m. ET (16:06 UTC). A backup launch opportunity is available on Sunday, November 13 with the same window.
The Falcon 9 first stage booster supporting this mission previously launched Dragon’s first crew demonstration mission, the RADARSAT Constellation Mission, SXM-7, and 10 Starlink missions.
A live webcast of this mission will begin about 15 minutes prior to liftoff.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERmF7WvCXuk
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Good launch
No booster landing on this one because they needed every drop of fuel in the booster to send the 2nd stage on it's way and that left no fuel for a landing. According to what I just heard the 2nd had an extra ~1,000 km/h at separation.
15th and final flight for the booster.
Space Launch Now has already updated it's status to expended
Status - Expended
https://spacelaunchnow.me/vehicle/launcher/2/
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B7 14 engine static fire.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjEjt1XLs8E
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/Fhi9vgsXgAUWSwW-RS.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/Fhi9vgvWIAIImmE-RS.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/Fhi9vgrXoAMI4qF-RS.jpg)
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Booster 7 14 Engine Static Fire | SpaceX Boca Chica
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4XzEmbdtLM
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Artemis 1 is a go for Nov 16 at 01:04 EST despite worries over loose insulation and caulk courtesy of Hurricane Nicole. which BTW in case you haven't kept up NASA had made the decision not to roll SLS back into the barn for.
Guess I'll be up all night tonight.
NASA's Artemis 1 moon rocket is go for launch on Nov. 16. Here's how to watch it live.
https://www.space.com/nasa-artemis-1-moon-mission-go-for-launch-watch-live
NASA clears Artemis moon rocket for Wednesday launch
https://spaceflightnow.com/2022/11/14/nasa-clears-artemis-moon-rocket-for-wednesday-launch/
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NSF has started their coverage.
So far we still a go
NASA Launch of Artemis I to the Moon Aboard SLS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvaz66nMEls
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I want my earth shattering kaboom.
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I want my earth shattering kaboom.
Will you settle for a leak?
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At least this leak is in a location where can they send a crew to the pad to try and fix it in the time remaining.
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Red Crew headed to the pad.
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No Smoking sign is lit
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Boom later
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Red Crew at the pad.
Leak is in the launch platform not the rocket
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Red Crew has left the pad.
It was loose heard on comms :facepalm:
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Range radar down
This freaking thing is cursed
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Update on the radar
Bad ethernet switch :facepalm:
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Radar was part of the FTS. Fixed
New T-0 01:45
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Go for launch
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10 minutes
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Space or boom
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It flies!
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https://twitter.com/nextspaceflight/status/1592775531308539906/photo/1
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhqsrgbWIAAp77P?format=jpg&name=small)
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https://twitter.com/NASA_Nerd/status/1592775053019873280
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fhqsd0_XoAM5BXX?format=jpg&name=small)
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https://twitter.com/thejackbeyer/status/1592781188120596480
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https://twitter.com/julia_bergeron/status/1592784020970295296
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FhqyvJ_XgAAnqtn?format=jpg&name=small)
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Meanwhile
Snakes on a sun
Watch a 'solar snake' slither across sun's surface ahead of massive eruption
https://www.space.com/solar-snake-slithers-across-sun-video
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Trans-Luna Injection (TLI) complete.
Yep, have fun with that one. :rofl:
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Doing some planned course corrections now.
Already 40k miles from the earth.
Artemis I Trajectory Burn en Route to the Moon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oeJJDGJQiM
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I stayed up last night to watch the launch. I have to admit it was more out of morbid curiosity than excitement, given all the troubles Artemis 1 had up to this point.
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Every problem they were having last night was not on the rocket itself, the leak was on in the launch platform and the radar was a range issue.
SLS preformed beautifully, don't think you could have asked for better out of the rocket from everything I've seen.
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Good Morning
A Breathtaking View of NASA's SLS Rocket Launch in 4K | LC Press Site View | SLS Rocket
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOUe5RVK6wA
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Scott Manley
Some cool images in this
The BRIGHTEST Rocket Launch In History - SLS Launches Artemis 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GmR5mfD2wE
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SLS Block 1 Artemis I Isolated Launch Views
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLALLUyd-nI
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Lovely
Haven't seen any details in print yet but in the meantime here's this video.
Chinese booster explodes in Low Earth Orbit!! New cloud of debris threatens Starlink and ISS!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2G-dsarGOk
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The US Space Force confirmed on Saturday that a Chinese rocket stage broke up at least 500 kilometers over our heads on Nov. 12, creating some 50 new pieces of space junk around the same altitude as a number of SpaceX Starlink satellites and above where the International Space Station orbits.
The pieces of the Long March 6A could eventually get pulled back down to Earth’s atmosphere, where they would likely burn up completely. But Bassa says that could take a few years. Along the way the debris would pass through the same orbital altitude as the International Space Station.
Yay, more junk to dodge.
A Spent Chinese Rocket Just Mysteriously Broke Apart In Low-Earth Orbit
https://www.forbes.com/sites/ericmack/2022/11/13/a-spent-chinese-rocket-just-mysteriously-broke-apart-in-low-earth-orbit/?sh=5c8cc9541693
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Falcon 9 is launching Dragon's CRS-26 cargo resupply mission to the Space Station. Liftoff is scheduled for 3:54 PM EST (20:54 UTC) from LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01dWSpFQwNo
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Launch coverage is live and they're going for propellant loading despise the weather.
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Weather scrub
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SLS blew the doors off, literally
Huge Artemis 1 moon rocket blew the doors off its launch tower's elevators (video)
https://www.space.com/artemis-1-moon-rocket-damage-launch-pad
(https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PexDM8Urs7yGCxMh7spxsQ-970-80.png)
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SLS blew the doors off, literally
Huge Artemis 1 moon rocket blew the doors off its launch tower's elevators (video)
https://www.space.com/artemis-1-moon-rocket-damage-launch-pad
(https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PexDM8Urs7yGCxMh7spxsQ-970-80.png)
I'm not even angry, I'm impressed.
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Another SX launch up for tonight.
Weather is a factor at the cape since SX had a weather scrub at the cape for CRS-26 earlier.
SpaceX is launching a Falcon 9 carrying the Eutelsat-10B satellite. The launch will occur from CCSFS SLC-40 headed to a geostationary transfer orbit. The first stage is B1049-11, which will not attempt a landing and be expended.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zURkZrW0ius
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That launch made it through the weather. No landing since the booster was expended to maximize burn time.
The earlier one that had a weather scrub is going for it again Tues
SpaceX is targeting Tuesday, November 22 for Falcon 9’s launch of Dragon’s 26th Commercial Resupply Services (CRS-26) mission to the International Space Station from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The instantaneous launch window is at 3:54 p.m. ET (20:54 UTC), and a backup launch opportunity is available on Saturday, November 26 at 2:20 p.m. ET (19:20 UTC), pending range approval.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltY790_MdtM
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B7 pretty much destroyed the concrete under the OLM during the 14 engine static fire and they're having to replace the concrete with a another type.
Weld issues and work on S24
SX work at the cape.
More SLS pad damage info.
And some amazing SLS/Artemis views
Political ad (Sponsor) warning starting at 09:45
At 10:10. Look where they place AP and many others. AP in the middle :facepalm:
SpaceX Starship and SLS Ground System Damage, Artemis 1 Amazing Updates, Eutelsat 10B, CRS-26
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9b7EdsSMzAM
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Falcon 9 is launching Dragon's CRS-26 cargo resupply mission to the Space Station. Liftoff is scheduled for 2:20 PM EST (19:20 UTC) from LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yY-J9q6sRrg
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SpaceX Potential Static Fire of Super Heavy Booster 7
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1QnMzWa7QE
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But wait, there's more
SpaceX Potential Static Fire of Super Heavy Booster 7
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCRZvQ_8E_Q
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Big static fire
If you're up at 3:00am
SpaceX is launching a Falcon 9 carrying HAKUTO-R Mission 1. The launch will occur from CCSFS SLC-40 headed to a high energy elliptical orbit. The first stage is B1073-5, which will land at Landing Zone 1.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nCQTuf98Dw
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Scrubbed, rescheduled to Dec 1, 03:37 EDT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaaF0IgzGSI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nCQTuf98Dw
The missions, rather interesting.
Japanese commercial moon lander, UAE rover ready for launch on SpaceX rocket
https://spaceflightnow.com/2022/11/29/japanese-commercial-moon-lander-uae-rover-ready-for-launch-on-spacex-rocket/
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Booster 7 - 13 Second Static Fire Test | SpaceX Boca Chica
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vLy23jGq7o
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Scrubbed, rescheduled to Dec 1, 03:37 EDT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaaF0IgzGSI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nCQTuf98Dw
The missions, rather interesting.
Japanese commercial moon lander, UAE rover ready for launch on SpaceX rocket
https://spaceflightnow.com/2022/11/29/japanese-commercial-moon-lander-uae-rover-ready-for-launch-on-spacex-rocket/
He's late, he's late, for a very important date!
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Scrubbed again and headed back to the barn.
New launch date unknown at this point
SpaceX rocket trouble postpones Japanese moon lander launch
https://spaceflightnow.com/2022/11/30/spacex-rocket-trouble-postpones-japanese-moon-lander-launch/
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Cue the click bait YT video headlines that pop up in my YT feed.
SpaceX in trouble!
Is this the end of SpaceX?
SpaceX scrapping Falcon9 and is going out of business!
Blue Origin wins!
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=D
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Live now
SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches OneWeb Flight 15
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMbrElubtAA
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Great landing shots of the booster, plus
double triple sonic boom.
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While most of us were Zzzzzzz
SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches HAKUTO-R Mission 1 | B1073-5 RTLS!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nCQTuf98Dw
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(https://i1.kwejk.pl/k/obrazki/2011/12/345ce0babcb44a4accbf18217375aacd.jpg)
Watch NASA's Artemis 1 Orion spacecraft return to Earth for free online today
Orion is scheduled to splash down off the coast of Baja California around 12:40 p.m. EST on Sunday (Dec. 11).
https://www.space.com/nasa-artemis-1-orion-return-earth-preview
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Houston, we have a leak
Soyuz spacecraft leak at space station cancels spacewalk by Russian cosmonauts
https://www.space.com/soyuz-spacecraft-leak-space-station-cancels-spacewalk
Scott Manley is on it with details on the system
Will Leaking Russian Spaceship Leave The Crew Stranded In Space?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbK-6VkTFw8
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SpaceX Engine Testing of Ship 24 on Suborbital Pad B
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdxp-FN4-Hg
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On that live feed
S24 conducted a static fire and lost a bunch of tiles in the process.
B9 is currently on the move.
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One before I had my morning coffee.
SX is upping their on board camera game.
SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches SWOT for NASA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0bQYUlhiUg
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But wait. there's more
SpaceX Falcon 9 launches O3b mPower 1 & 2 Satellites
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIilIqlvJ9k
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And another
Live now
SpaceX Launches Falcon Booster for Record 15th Flight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtPwZ4-hwqo
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Rocket Lab launches first Electron mission from Wallops
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfrhVL03UlI
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Weather scrub
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Yes I know I mess the last two, life sometimes gets in the way.
Anyhow
Scheduled for Jan 3, 2023
Falcon 9 is launching the Transporter-6 mission with 114 rideshare payloads onboard. Liftoff is scheduled for 9:56 AM EST (14:56 UTC) from SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. The first stage is B1060-15 which will attempt an RTLS landing at Landing Zone 1.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXJ6lEGMHs4
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Save us SpaceX, you're our only hope
With the Soyuz capsule that sprung a leak (a few posts up) feared not to flightworthy anymore and the ISS now left without a lifeboat for the Russians on board NASA is looking to SpaceX to, possibly as one option, send up a Crew Dragon or figure out how best to pack in more crew in the currently docked CD to take it's place.
NASA asks SpaceX about International Space Station rescue options
https://www.space.com/nasa-spacex-dragon-international-space-station-rescue
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In case anyone was wondering what the final launch to orbit/deep space count for 2022 was
SpaceX - 61
Blue Origin - 0
SpaceX launch of Israeli satellite marks company’s 61st mission of 2022
https://spaceflightnow.com/2022/12/30/spacex-launch-of-israeli-satellite-marks-companys-61st-mission-of-2022/
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First launch of Booster 7 and Starship 24 is slated for Jan. 31 according to the Port Isabel Press on South Padre Island.
Reading the story, I wonder just how accurate it is. There is nothing on the SpaceX site about the launch, nor is any other source that I can find reporting this.
https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2023/01/05/spacex-boca-chica-plans-largest-launch-in-history/ (https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2023/01/05/spacex-boca-chica-plans-largest-launch-in-history/)
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Yeah I'm waiting to see more concrete info on that.
B7 is suppose to roll back out today.
Meanwhile we got a F9 Heavy launch this week, maybe.
Launch preps underway for first of up to five Falcon Heavy missions this year
https://spaceflightnow.com/2023/01/07/spacex-first-of-up-to-five-falcon-heavy-missions-this-year/
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First launch of Booster 7 and Starship 24 is slated for Jan. 31 according to the Port Isabel Press on South Padre Island.
Reading the story, I wonder just how accurate it is. There is nothing on the SpaceX site about the launch, nor is any other source that I can find reporting this.
https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2023/01/05/spacex-boca-chica-plans-largest-launch-in-history/ (https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2023/01/05/spacex-boca-chica-plans-largest-launch-in-history/)
NSF Live, maybe it'll come up
NSF Live: 2023 Predictions & Coverage of SpaceX Rolling Out Booster 7
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxPnUnN0H5Y
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On NSF live they're making predictions
:rofl: at the 3rd one
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/Screenshot_2023-01-08_160644.png)
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B7 rolling
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They finally got to talking about when and said Elon said end of Feb but March would be better.
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B7 back on the OLM.
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Elon Musk
@elonmusk
·
Jan 7
Replying to @WholeMarsBlog
We have a real shot at late February. March launch attempt appears highly likely.
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Those dates sound far more plausible than what was being reported by the San Isabel news.
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Assuming the Robot Army doesn't take over Starbase first
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Virgin Orbit you're up!
Scheduled for Jan 9, 2023
In our fifth commercial launch, Virgin Orbit is pleased to provide livestream coverage of pre-flight operations and launch commentary throughout the day. Join us starting at 21:15 UTC / 1:15pm PT / 4:15pm ET to follow along with our hosts, mission control, and the Virgin Orbit team. Learn more about our Start Me Up mission by visiting: https://virginorbit.com/start-me-up/
Start Me Up Livestream | Virgin Orbit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Co18HcyqHk
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Looking at the live feed they may be going for a full stack today
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
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The tower wants to give S24 a hug
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Falcon Heavy rolling out to the pad at the Cape.
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Virgin Orbit you're up!
Start Me Up Livestream | Virgin Orbit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Co18HcyqHk
Failed to reach orbit. No details yet
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Scheduled to go live 23:10
Scheduled for Jan 9, 2023
SpaceX is launching a Falcon 9 carrying 40 OneWeb satellites. The launch will occur from CCSFS SLC-40 headed to a polar low Earth orbit. The first stage is B1076-2, which will attempt a landing at Landing Zone 1.
RTLS: SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches OneWeb Flight 16
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvQYm1xLpOg
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Jaw dropping views.
Be sitting down starting at 1:27:02 WOW!
FALCON HEAVY - SpaceX Launches USSF-67
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCitZJD_nn4
Another link for those want to cut to the chase. Be sitting down starting at 1:27:02
https://youtu.be/PCitZJD_nn4?t=5054
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Watched that NASASpaceflight replay last night. That was some incredible video indeed at the 1:27:02 mark.
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Great video. Definitely worth seeing.
I know I have seen the boosters use a land based landing pad, but it never clicked that they had stopped using barges.
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Great video. Definitely worth seeing.
I know I have seen the boosters use a land based landing pad, but it never clicked that they had stopped using barges.
They still use the barges. It depends on the launch direction, fuel use, etc.. on whether they land on a barge or do a return to base.
Fuel use is the big factor because a return to base requires a long burn right after separation long enough to cancel out their horizontal motion and then to get them headed back towards base. A barge landing doesn't require this burn. Some launches they will have enough fuel left to allow a return to base others not.
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One other question: Is this the same Heavy that was crashing a year or two ago? Is that section going to do re-entry at some point?
That video probably explained it all, but I skipped to the launch.
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One other question: Is this the same Heavy that was crashing a year or two ago? Is that section going to do re-entry at some point?
That video probably explained it all, but I skipped to the launch.
Yep, the center booster comes back down but unlike the Chinese where they just let it fall wherever (Chinese Booster Bingo) they aim for a spot in the ocean for that.
They have yet to land the center booster of a heavy. They tried a couple of times but failed, the other heavy launches, including this one, they didn't even try and the center section was expended due to it not having enough fuel left for a landing and in some cases too far down range to try. A few F9 have been expended for this same reason. Landings require fuel and some launches depending on payload and orbit requirements don't leave enough to try.
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Thanks. =)
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSi0iBTJlk4
Alternative view of the launch from the beach.
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They have yet to land the center booster of a heavy.
Slight correction. They have landed one center booster of a heavy, but it was very far downrange and during the return journey to port it fell off the recovery ship.
https://www.geekwire.com/2019/spacex-falcon-heavy-core-booster-falls/
It fell off because the "octaweb" or base of the rocket for a Heavy center core is slightly different than a normal F9 booster, and the "octagrabber" robot they have on the droneship to secure the booster could not at the time grasp a FH center core the same way as it does an F9. I believe that since then they have modified the octagrabber design so it can secure Heavy center cores as well as standard F9 cores.
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Slight correction. They have landed one center booster of a heavy, but it was very far downrange and during the return journey to port it fell off the recovery ship.
https://www.geekwire.com/2019/spacex-falcon-heavy-core-booster-falls/
It fell off because the "octaweb" or base of the rocket for a Heavy center core is slightly different than a normal F9 booster, and the "octagrabber" robot they have on the droneship to secure the booster could not at the time grasp a FH center core the same way as it does an F9. I believe that since then they have modified the octagrabber design so it can secure Heavy center cores as well as standard F9 cores.
I got impression somewhere along the line that was a regular F9 booster that fell overboard. I stand corrected.
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Beautiful sunrise at The Cape
Live now
SpaceX is launching a Falcon 9 carrying the GPS-III-SV06 navigation satellite for the US Space Force. The launch will occur from CCSFS SLC-40 headed to a medium Earth orbit. The first stage is B1077-2, which will attempt a landing on A Shortfall of Gravitas.
LAUNCH: SpaceX Falcon 9 GPS-III-SV06 Mission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hR3qASbKIw
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Slight correction. They have landed one center booster of a heavy, but it was very far downrange and during the return journey to port it fell off the recovery ship.
Didn't think of this until now.
The operation was a success but the patient died :P
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Making it look easy AGAIN
Starlink Mission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNAebzSvWt4
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Live at time of posting
SpaceX Performs Starship Wet Dress Rehearsal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9zI9o3cx48
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Frosty Starship and booster
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Fully fueled Starship and booster sitting on the OLM
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/FnL_iXbWYB4Y_Po.jpg)
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Is that cool, or what? (no pun intended)
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Electron is launching the "Virginia Is For Launch Lovers" mission with three HawkEye 360 satellites onboard. Liftoff is scheduled for a window from 6:00 PM EST to 8:00 PM EST (23:00 to 01:00 UTC) from LC-2, Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia.
Rocket Lab Launches First Electron mission from Virginia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTvq3wXc-iE
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Making it look easy again this morning
SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches Starlink 5-2 Mission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQC2xtsP97s
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S24 destacked and on the move.
If the WDR went well this is expected since there some tidying up work still to be done on it.
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SpaceX is targeting Monday, January 30 at 12:26 p.m. PT (20:26 UTC) for a Falcon 9 launch of 49 Starlink satellites and D-Orbit’s ION SCV009 Eclectic Elena to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
The first stage booster supporting this mission previously launched NROL-87, NROL-85, SARah-1, SWOT, and two Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship stationed in the Pacific Ocean.
A live webcast of this mission will begin about five minutes prior to liftoff.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVxV3-xqJO0
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The above got scrubbed and launched today
And they made it look easy again
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVxV3-xqJO0
Probably the clearest and smoothest video of a landing I recall seeing.
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Easy peasy
SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches Starlink 5-3 Mission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4lkiy4QZ1A
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S24's crane lift points removed, probably a restack coming up
More cladding being installed to the OLM
Water deluge system being assembled
Info on recent F9 launches.
Musk talking about an expendable ver of SS that could launch 250tns to orbit. To put that in prospective that's more than 3 Skylabs (76t each) in 1 launch or the current ISS (420t) in in two launches. For comparison the reusable ver lift cap is 150tns. I've been thinking this would an option at some point.
Tests of a New NASA rocket propulsion system
Work on the the ISS power systems
New ver of a sort of KSP type game info
250 Tonnes to Orbit!?: SpaceX's New Expendable Starship Option
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UutHG8Y2UuQ
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(https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/02/06/12/67374979-11718173-image-a-34_1675686926313.jpg)
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^^^ Definitely looking forward to that.
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Live at 16:50
SpaceX is launching a Falcon 9 carrying the Amazonas Nexus satellite for Hispasat. The launch will occur from CCSFS SLC-40 headed to geostationary transfer orbit. The first stage is B1073-6 which will attempt a landing on Just Read The Instructions.
SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches Amazonas Nexus Satellite
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5EVtJiBZzs
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Now live at 19:50
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Nice booster landing video from the drone ship. No burble at all.
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They make it look like a run to the grocery store.
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Courtesy of /r/SpaceXMasterrace.... gave me lulz.
(https://i.redd.it/rfu3n09b7pga1.png)
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NASASpaceflight
NASASpaceflight
2 hours ago
SpaceX is targeting Thursday for the 33-engine Super Heavy static fire, per Gwynne Shotwell via Jeff Foust. Make sure notifications are enabled so you do not miss our live coverage of the most anticipated Starbase test in years!
https://www.youtube.com/post/UgkxfPdsD1zYyVX0j_HD4u6N9UyqYmyTLSng
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Tank farm activity and venting already [popcorn]
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SpaceX is attempting a 33-engine static fire of its Super Heavy Booster 7 at Starbase in Texas. A road closure is scheduled from 8am CST to 8pm CST and an overpressure notice has been delivered.
SpaceX 33-Engine Static Fire of Booster 7
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kG4AbAcia0
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Place your bets.
a) Scrub
b) partial firing then an abort
c) Most powerful rocket firing in history
d) Biggest boom since the N1
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Hoping for the most coolerest, baderest rocket firing in history.
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I vote for complete run followed by realization that a bunch of ground support equipment has been destroyed.
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Was typing this when you posted :rofl:
Side bet
The OLM (Obitial Launch Mount) survives
a) Yes
b) Yes with minor damage
c) yes with major damage
d) What OLM?
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Survives with major damage.
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Fueling
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That was really cool! Scared the crap out of a ton of birds. May have fried a few.
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Fired
No Boom
No word yet if it was all 33
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That was really cool! Scared the crap out of a ton of birds. May have fried a few.
Think camera perspective made it look like they were a lot closer than they really were
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Only 31 engines fired according to the discussion on the NSF channel.
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Elon Musk
@elonmusk
·
2m
Team turned off 1 engine just before start & 1 stopped itself, so 31 engines fired overall.
But still enough engines to reach orbit!
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I wonder if the one engine that shut itself off automatically was the opposite number of the one the teams shut down?
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Views from drone of Booster 7's static fire test
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1623812763415093249
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Now the big question is, how badly did the acoustic shock damage anything on the rocket or GSE, and will they have to revert to conventional deluge?
I'm very interested to see how the Fondag stood up compared to previous concretes on lesser static fires.
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and will they have to revert to conventional deluge?
The plumbing for a deluge system was delivered a week or so ago just not installed yet.
The video I posted a link to in #1957 shows the parts.
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SpaceX announced the test produced 7.9 millions lbs of thrust which would mean each engine was throttled to ~50%
Beats the Saturn 5 by a touch (7.8) but still short of SLS (8.8?) & N1 (10)
I suspect they're waiting for the deluge system to be installed before going higher.
Lots of updates in the video
This week there’s plenty of great Starship related updates across the board. Especially from Starbase Texas. As the title says, SpaceX Breaks New Ground with Epic Static Fire. And heck yes they did! But how powerful was it really? Yes... diving right into that! Along with visiting Cape Canaveral again with Greg Scott. Falcon 9 is launching more than just Starlink satellites again this week. We’ll also take a look at International Space Station resupply and what to expect from the upcoming Crew-6 mission. A last minute change of plans for the next lunar landing and a bunch more.
SpaceX Breaks New Ground with Epic Static Fire: But how powerful was it really?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLDNSEPme7E
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What appears to be the expendable? ver of SS move to the launch area
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
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Last night
🔴 SpaceX Breaks Pad Turnaround Record on Starlink 5-4 Mission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMGqVWl9nyU
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Last night
🔴 SpaceX Breaks Pad Turnaround Record on Starlink 5-4 Mission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMGqVWl9nyU
The rocket passing through that low level cloud layer is very cool looking.
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From 2015
Jeff Bezos
@JeffBezos
Congrats @SpaceX
on landing Falcon's suborbital booster stage. Welcome to the club!
8:49 PM · Dec 21, 2015
Welcome to the club :rofl:
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Another Russian spacecraft springs a leak
Same system that sprung a leak on another a couple of months ago.
Russian Progress cargo craft at space station springs a leak
https://www.space.com/russia-progress-82-cargo-spacecraft-leak
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SpaceX is targeting Friday, February 17 at 11:12 a.m. PT (19:12 UTC) for a Falcon 9 launch of 51 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. If needed, a backup opportunity is available on Saturday, February 18 at 10:58 a.m. PT (18:58 UTC).
The first stage booster supporting this mission previously launched Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich, DART, and six Starlink missions. Following stage separation, Falcon 9’s first stage will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship stationed in the Pacific Ocean.
A live webcast of this mission will begin about five minutes prior to liftoff
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JILQ2qe-cjI
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SpaceX and NASA are targeting no earlier than Monday, February 27 for Falcon 9’s launch of Dragon’s sixth operational human spaceflight mission (Crew-6) to the International Space Station from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The instantaneous launch window is at 1:45 a.m. ET (6:45 UTC), with a backup opportunity available on Tuesday, February 28 at 1:22 a.m. ET (6:22 UTC).
Crew-6 Mission | Launch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Lu344WNUM4
NASA Space Flight
Goes live at 22:00
SpaceX & NASA Launch Crew-6 to Space Station
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sv16QyIyauY
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Scrub
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Ignition system on the ground.
Technical issue scrubs SpaceX commercial crew launch
https://spacenews.com/technical-issue-scrubs-spacex-commercial-crew-launch/
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SpaceX is targeting Monday, February 27 at 6:13 p.m. ET for a Falcon 9 launch of 21 second-generation Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. If needed, a backup opportunity is available on Tuesday, February 28 at 1:49 p.m. ET (18:49 UTC).
Starlink Mission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oe4S-q_gQaU
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SpaceX now targeting early Thursday for Crew-6 astronaut launch
https://www.space.com/spacex-crew-6-astronaut-launch-march-2
Liftoff is tentatively scheduled for 12:34 a.m. ET on Thursday (March 2).
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Falcon 9 is launching the Crew-6 mission to the Space Station for NASA. Liftoff is scheduled for 12:34 AM EST (05:34 UTC) from LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida. The first stage is B1078-1, which will attempt a landing on Just Read the Instructions.
SpaceX & NASA Launch of Crew-6 to Space Station
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYujVh5LoN0
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SpaceX is targeting Friday, March 3 at 10:38 a.m. PT (18:38 UTC) for a Falcon 9 launch of 51 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
The first stage booster supporting this mission previously launched Crew-1, Crew-2, SXM-8, CRS-23, IXPE, Transporter-4, Transporter-5, Globalstar FM15, ISI EROS C-3 and two Starlink missions. Following stage separation, Falcon 9’s first stage will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship stationed in the Pacific Ocean.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAkApUbevaA
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Remember when I predicted that Jeff Who would give the Amazon Treatment* to United Launch Alliance? Specifically I predicted he would have Blown Orifice stall the engine delivery thus tanking ULA and making them ripe for a cheap buyout.
Looking like the first steps towards that are happening. ULA up for sale now.
*Bring in outside talent, have china copy their *expletive deleted*it, undercut outside talent by only advertising the cheap chinese knockoff at half the price, independent talent goes out of business. Basically amazon just outright steals other people's market research and product development.
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Remember when I predicted that Jeff Who would give the Amazon Treatment* to United Launch Alliance? Specifically I predicted he would have Blown Orifice stall the engine delivery thus tanking ULA and making them ripe for a cheap buyout.
Looking like the first steps towards that are happening. ULA up for sale now.
*Bring in outside talent, have china copy their *expletive deleted*it, undercut outside talent by only advertising the cheap chinese knockoff at half the price, independent talent goes out of business. Basically amazon just outright steals other people's market research and product development.
Wouldn't put that pass Jeff
I saw rumors ULA could be going up for sale but haven't seen confirmation yet.
Amazon ain't doing so hot themselves here lately
Endangered Amazon! Web shopping giant PAUSES construction at huge new HQ2 near DC as bosses continue with deepest ever job cuts
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11817365/Amazon-pauses-construction-huge-new-HQ2-near-DC.html
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Yeah, I've been following that too.
Problem here is, BO does not have a proven engine in the BE-4 given the fact that it has taken them 5+ years to deliver 2 of the gorram things to ULA. And ULA's Vulcan integration tests went on hold after an overpressure event in the LOX turbopump on one of the engines.
Every second that BO screws around with ULA, sabotaging them either accidentally or deliberately, lets SpaceX get that much further ahead on the Starlink constellation. Amazon needs to launch THOUSANDS of satellites to not only catch up with Starlink, but to maintain rights to the radio spectrum they have claimed and orbits they have plotted. The dozen ULA launches they have booked thus far is not even a quarter of what they need to complete their shell.
I can see Amazon buying ULA (not BO... Amazon). They have a satellite groundstation/comms business sector already. By buying ULA, they can work a more sweetheart deal with BO to get engines for a far lower price than ULA was able to do so before, which lowers the cost of each disposable launch. I've also always thought that Vulcan was a stupid rocket; Every configuration needs an expensive GEM-63XL SRB booster or five. There's plenty of room on the base of the rocket to put three, four, or maybe even five BE-4 engines down there rather than only the two that are spec'ed now. This lowers your outlay to Northrop Grumman for every launch. Lighter launches need no SRB's at all, and heavier ones might need a max of 2 or 3. Stretch the first stage tanks by an equivalent amount of mass as the SRB's saved. Vulcan is supposed to be designed to separate the engines from the tanks after MECO, and parachute the engines for helicopter recovery. Push forward with that, proving reuse reliability of the BE-4 engine until New Glenn is finally completed and can land the first stage whole.
I'm going to be really interested to see what happens to Tory Bruno through this. I hope for one of two outcomes... he goes to Lockheed Martin and their Skunkworks boys come out with something that bitchslaps old Jeff Who's face and brings LockMart back into the rocket launch business, or he goes to SpaceX and leads an industry standardization push for satellite buses and payload adapters, destroying much of the bespoke nature of so many satellites that drives up the cost of orbital operations. I'd hate to see him go work for BO. They don't deserve him.
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Japan seems to have the worse luck with rockets
Japan’s H3 rocket launch fails after second stage malfunction
https://spacenews.com/japans-h3-rocket-launch-fails-after-second-stage-malfunction/
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When thinking about how far SpaceX's lead is with Starlink I find it useful to visualize what the constellation looks like.
https://satellitemap.space/
I'm not sure Amazon/BO can afford that many satellites. Elon got a bunch of them up there by ride shareing with paying customers, and that's with Falcon 9's proven reusability keeping the cost down.
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When thinking about how far SpaceX's lead is with Starlink I find it useful to visualize what the constellation looks like.
https://satellitemap.space/
I'm not sure Amazon/BO can afford that many satellites. Elon got a bunch of them up there by ride shareing with paying customers, and that's with Falcon 9's proven reusability keeping the cost down.
Like how you can see strings of Starlinks that haven't spread out yet.
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Will be the first launch of a 3D printed rocket to space.
Terran 1 is launching the Good Luck, Have Fun mission, the first orbital launch attempt from Relativity Space. Liftoff is scheduled for a window from 1 to 4 PM EST (18:00 to 21:00 UTC) from LC-16, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_qTx6KUYXw
Watch Relativity Space launch Terran 1, world's 1st 3D-printed rocket, on debut flight today
https://www.space.com/relativity-space-terran-1-debut-launch-webcast
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Relativity Space is attempting the launch of the Terran 1 vehicle today. Livestream starts in 25 minutes as of this post.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YAlOGZM32U
Notables of this rocket include it being the first 3D printed rocket to attempt to reach space, and also if successful will be the first methane rocket engine to achieve orbit.
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Wow, beat me by seconds, WLJ.
-
Wow, beat me by seconds, WLJ.
But I forgot to note the methane engine aspect of it
-
But I forgot to note the methane engine aspect of it
So they are powering it with evil, globular warmulating producing cow farts?
-
I am interested to see if it survives Max Q.
-
As per what seems to be the norm nowadays they're using overly excited teenage or near teenage girls as commentators.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YAlOGZM32U
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Bet there will be a weather scrub, looks windy.
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Wow, look fresh out of high school
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/Screenshot_2023-03-08_123256.png)
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Much like SpaceX, they're using program leads as commentators for their launches.
Doesn't hurt to use attractive ones.
These are some smart ladies.
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Much like SpaceX, they're using program leads as commentators for their launches.
Doesn't hurt to use attractive ones.
These are some smart ladies.
And making me feel old
Wondering if the one on the left is single? =D
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The older you get, the younger they look. =D
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Go poll is go
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Hold at 1:09 for an issue. May just be being cautious. Waiting for an update.
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Hold at 1:09 for an issue. May just be being cautious. Waiting for an update.
Think just being cautious, last hold they could do without a scrub. From the sound of it probably just using it for extra checks.
Edit: Abort. Looking to see if they can recycle
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Extending the hold due to an automated abort. Assessing recycle options.
-
Recycling
15:45 target time for launch
-
When thinking about how far SpaceX's lead is with Starlink I find it useful to visualize what the constellation looks like.
https://satellitemap.space/
I'm not sure Amazon/BO can afford that many satellites. Elon got a bunch of them up there by ride shareing with paying customers, and that's with Falcon 9's proven reusability keeping the cost down.
Going to the site just now, it shows 397 sats have been launched since the last time I was there, in late JAN. If that's consistent throughout the year, that's a lot of little birdies going into orbit.
What's irritating is that while the website shows between 9-11 sats always in range from my house, the Starlink site still has me as "expanding in 2023". In fact I'm in this little bubble of "expanding" surrounded by "available now". It's rather frustrating.
Also, tangent: Has anyone used the Starlink app and the "check antenna placement" or whatever it's called function? It is always showing some small percentage of obstructions for me, even when I walk out to the middle of my pasture to check it. I'm wondering if the app is glitchy. Or maybe it's part of me being in the "expanding" bubble if the app is advanced enough to consider not just sky, but sats. I'd really like to up my bandwidth when Starlink gives me the thumbs up, but on the other hand, I rather have my current ~16mbps with no interruptions, than 200mbps Starlink with a dozen 5 second interruptions every hour.
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Scrub =(
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Scrub =(
That explains why the countdown clock went away a few minutes ago. I had the audio muted because of the silly musical interlude.
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That explains why the countdown clock went away a few minutes ago. I had the audio muted because of the silly musical interlude.
I was watching NSF's feed.
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Also, tangent: Has anyone used the Starlink app and the "check antenna placement" or whatever it's called function? It is always showing some small percentage of obstructions for me, even when I walk out to the middle of my pasture to check it. I'm wondering if the app is glitchy. Or maybe it's part of me being in the "expanding" bubble if the app is advanced enough to consider not just sky, but sats. I'd really like to up my bandwidth when Starlink gives me the thumbs up, but on the other hand, I rather have my current ~16mbps with no interruptions, than 200mbps Starlink with a dozen 5 second interruptions every hour.
I have Starlink.
Yes, there is always some degree of sky obstruction. Right now for me, it's a tree on the east side of my property. My dish is 20 feet off the ground and above my roof, but I have a 40 foot tall pine tree to the east of it, rooted about 30-40 feet away. North/South there's no obstruction and far to the west there's no obstruction, but that tree blocks a good ~30 degree angle directly east. I don't think you have unobstructed sky horizon to horizon unless you live on top of a mountain or in the middle of the Great Plains. I suspect it has something to do with handoff of your workload from one satellite to the next as they pass overhead, and the degree of time you're expected to reuse the same satellite before fixing on the next. As the constellation grows, that time window may shrink and allow for narrower fields of view and more frequent bounding to the next favorable satellite.
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LIVE! RS-25 Engine Hot Fire Test
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8n1CEAoDtZU
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Making it look easy aaagain
OneWeb Launch 17 Mission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfWFGJMTSqw
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If at first...you know the routine
Relativity is scheduled for its second launch attempt of Terran 1, called "GLHF" (Good Luck, Have Fun), from Launch Complex 16 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Our launch window opens at 1300ET on March 11, 2023. This launch of Terran 1 will not include a customer payload
Terran 1: Launching The World’s First 3D Printed Rocket (Pt. 2)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Tv6pbDCmLk
Edit: NSF link
Relativity Space launches First Terran 1 Rocket
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhnS-eiSBpc
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From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YWYReboz4g
T-0 13:45
Launch window is 13:00-16:00
Upper level winds are a concern at the moment
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Hold at T-00:20:00
Upper level wind violation.
Just a hold not a scrub.
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New target T-0 14:45
Edit: But going by the countdown clock 14:35
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Go poll
Go
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Weather go
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Hold
Fouled range :mad:
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Boat
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New T-0 14:42
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Clock has resumed
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And an abort after engine start. That will mean a scrub for today.
Edit: Never mind, they're seeing if they can recycle today.
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Abort occurred at 0.5 seconds
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Poop or get off the pot. They are blocking my airspace.
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New T-0 15:55 Clock has started.
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Here we go again
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And abort
Scrub for the day
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NASA's SpaceX Crew-5 Mission Splashdown (Official NASA Broadcast)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWXbOtjPXNQ
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Falcon 9 is launching Cargo Dragon's CRS-27 resupply mission to the International Space Station. Liftoff is scheduled for 8:30 PM EDT (00:30 UTC) from LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida. The first stage is B1073-7 which will attempt a landing on A Shortfall of Gravitas.
SpaceX Launches CRS-27 Mission to Resupply the International Space Station
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gn50lzF5G1Q
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Virgin Orbit having financial issues and "pausing" operations.
Employees are told to expect an update in about a week
Virgin Orbit pauses operations
https://spacenews.com/virgin-orbit-pauses-operations/
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Suppose to go live at 17:30 EST
Rocket Lab - 'Stronger Together' Launch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIMaf8X0FlM
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Bored scientist started looking at 30 year old Magellan radar images of Venus during Zoom meetings and discovered possible signs of active volcanoes
Active Volcanoes On Venus Found in 30 Year Old Images!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xs5CXaTjAwY
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SpaceX is targeting Friday, March 17 at 12:26 p.m. PT (19:26 UTC) for a Falcon 9 launch of 52 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. If needed, there is an additional launch opportunity the same day at 4:24 p.m. PT (23:24 UTC). Backup opportunities are also available on Saturday, March 18 at 12:12 p.m. PT (19:12 UTC) and 4:10 p.m. PT (23:10 UTC).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HT2F37M193Y
SpaceX is targeting Friday, March 17 for launch of the SES-18 and SES-19 mission to a geosynchronous transfer orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The 38-minute launch window opens at 7:38 p.m. ET (23:38 UTC). A backup launch opportunity is available on Saturday, March 18 with a 37-minute window opening at the same time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aMf9K_ZaAI
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Why does SpaceX need to launch Starlink from California? Does the more northern latitude help get the sats in the proper orbit easier/sooner/cheaper?
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2 to obit in one day for SpaceX
That's 2 more than Blue Origin has put up in it's entire 23 year history
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Why does SpaceX need to launch Starlink from California? Does the more northern latitude help get the sats in the proper orbit easier/sooner/cheaper?
Easier to do polar orbits from CA than from FL. Used to be impossible in FL due to Cuba, but evidently it's become possible, but still more efficient, from CA.
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What happens when you don't pay the rent
The authorities of Kazakhstan seized the assets of the Baikonur cosmodrome, managed in that Central Asian country by the Russian space agency Roscosmos. This was reported by the Kazakh media, according to which Astana intends to recover debts of about 2 billion rubles (about 25 million euros) disputed in Baikonur.
Kazakhstan seizes assets of Russian agency Roscosmos in Baikonur
https://www.agenzianova.com/en/news/kazakhstan-seizes-roscosmos-assets-in-baikonur/
Kazakhstan Seized Roscosmos Assets at Baikonur...End of an Era?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSqkp-V2nIs
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Guess they will have to ride with China if they want to get back into space. I doubt SpaceX will take an IOU.
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Twitter video shows 13 years of SpaceX launches from Florida in one minute. Rather impressive look at how the launch frequency has increased over the years. Looks like a video game because it's really an animation. You can even see some booster landings in the background.
https://twitter.com/Tyn0e/status/1637390928070451201 (https://twitter.com/Tyn0e/status/1637390928070451201)
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Twitter video shows 13 years of SpaceX launches from Florida in one minute. Rather impressive look at how the launch frequency has increased over the years. Looks like a video game because it's really an animation. You can even see some booster landings in the background.
https://twitter.com/Tyn0e/status/1637390928070451201 (https://twitter.com/Tyn0e/status/1637390928070451201)
Did they do one for Blue Origin?
Oh wait, there's a reason why they're blue
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Did they do one for Blue Origin?
I don't think you can post a fraction of a second video on Twitter.
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If at first you don't succeed.....
Terran 1 is launching the Good Luck, Have Fun mission, the first orbital launch attempt from Relativity Space. Liftoff is scheduled for a window from 10 PM to 1 AM EDT (02:00 to 05:00 UTC) from LC-16, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.
Relativity Space Launches First Terran 1 Rocket
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RDiAdeFPcE
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If at first you don't succeed.....
Relativity Space Launches First Terran 1 Rocket
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RDiAdeFPcE
Successful staging, but it looks like the stage 2 engine suffered an anomaly and failed to reach orbit. Still a pretty cool flight since they proved 3D printed rocket structures can make it through the most difficult part of flight to staging.
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I'll have to go back and watch it. Fell asleep ~10 minutes before the feed started.
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Reaching Max q and beyond to show the craft could handle the stress was their main goal , to orbit would have been the cherry on top.
1st stage appeared to do it's job perfectly but then the 2nd stage demon said hi
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If you listen to NSF much during yesterday's Raporchat it was revealed this was Chris G's last NSF broadcast since he was hired by SpaceX.
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A lot of disappointment on their faces when that engine didn't fire up. Getting past Q was the big part of this flight.
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Falcon 9 is launching the Starlink Group 5-5 mission with 56 internet satellites on board. Liftoff is scheduled for 11:33 AM EDT (15:33 UTC) from SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. The first stage is B1067-10, which will attempt a landing on A Shortfall of Gravitas.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lryNRaZwR58
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SpaceX's 20th launch of the year
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And stuck the landing again.
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Blue Origin figures out why they couldn't get their space penis up.
Blue Origin blames New Shepard mishap on engine nozzle failure
https://spacenews.com/blue-origin-blames-new-shepard-mishap-on-engine-nozzle-failure/
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First crewed Starliner launch gets pushed back a bit to the summer.
First crewed Starliner launch slips again
https://spacenews.com/first-crewed-starliner-launch-slips-again/
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The launch of LVM3-M3/OneWeb India-2 mission is scheduled for March 26, 2023, at 0900 hours IST from the second launch pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre SDSC-SHAR, Sriharikota.
This is the second mission for M/s. Network Access Associates Limited, United Kingdom (OneWeb Group Company) under a commercial agreement with M/s. NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) to launch 72 satellites to Low-Earth Orbits. The first set of 36 satellites was launched in LVM3-M2/OneWeb India-1 mission on October 23, 2022.
In this mission, LVM3 would place 36 OneWeb Gen-1 satellites totaling about 5,805 kg into a 450 km circular orbit with an inclination of 87.4 degrees. This is the sixth flight of LVM3. The LVM3 had five consecutive successful missions, including the Chandrayaan-2 mission.
Launch Status
Go For Launch
Sat • Mar 25th, 2023
11:30 PM EDT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIKIzl-h3Qo
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"Relativity's main goal was to get through Max q
Starship's main goal is to not nuke the pad"
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Falcon 9 is launching the Starlink Group 5-10 mission with 56 internet satellites on board. Liftoff is scheduled for 4:11 PM EDT (20:11 UTC) from SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. The first stage is B1077-4, which will attempt a landing on Just Read the Instructions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyMg3E8nViE
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And within a minute of the F9 launch
EO MKA-4 (Kosmos 25XX)
Soyuz 2.1v
Russian Space Forces
00
MTH
00
DAY
00
HR
14
MIN
10
SEC
Launch Status
Go For Launch
Wed • Mar 29th, 2023
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM EDT
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Launch 10:29 EDT
SpaceX is launching a Falcon 9 carrying 10 satellites for the Space Development Agency. The launch will occur from VSFB SLC-4E headed to a polar low Earth orbit. The first stage is B1075-2, which will attempt a landing at Landing Zone 4.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HykOiPLO3SU
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Scrub at 0:02
Saw the green ignition flash but it appeared the engines didn't light for some reason.
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https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1641270272987676672
Vulcan delayed again, will not fly in May. Structural testing on a test article in Michoud resulted in a failure of a Centaur V upper stage.
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First crewed Starliner launch gets pushed back a bit to the summer.
First crewed Starliner launch slips again
https://spacenews.com/first-crewed-starliner-launch-slips-again/
Update
Starliner crewed test flight delayed to July
https://spacenews.com/starliner-crewed-test-flight-delayed-to-july/
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This morning's scrubbed F9 launch has been rescheduled to tomorrow (Fri) 10:29 EDT
Haven't seen any word yet on what caused the scrub
https://www.space.com/spacex-space-force-tranche-0-launch
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Well crap
In a Securities and Exchange Commission filing, Virgin Orbit announced it was laying off approximately 675 employees, or 85% of its workforce. The company said the layoff was necessary “to reduce expenses in light of the Company’s inability to secure meaningful funding.”
Virgin Orbit lays off most employees
https://spacenews.com/virgin-orbit-lays-off-most-employees/
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This morning's scrubbed F9 launch has been rescheduled to tomorrow (Fri) 10:29 EDT
Haven't seen any word yet on what caused the scrub
https://www.space.com/spacex-space-force-tranche-0-launch
Now says Sat 10:29 EDT. Think the link got the day wrong.
Edit: Changed again to Sun 10:29
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S24 rolling back out to the launch area
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTGvYlZB5BA
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I wonder if the FAA (read: Biden Administration) is going to find some excuse to deny SpaceX a license to launch? Given that they have to conform exactly to each and every one of 74 different conditions set forth by the FAA to receive a license, there are plenty of opportunities for pettiness on .gov's part.
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I'm kind of surprised they haven't found a way to shut him down yet.
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I'm kind of surprised they haven't found a way to shut him down yet.
We can always pay the Chinese for rides now that the Russians are no longer an option.
With the big man getting a cut of course.
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LT 10:29 EDT
SpaceX is launching a Falcon 9 carrying 10 satellites for the Space Development Agency. The launch will occur from VSFB SLC-4E headed to a polar low Earth orbit. The first stage is B1075-2, which will attempt a landing at Landing Zone 4.
RTLS: SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches Tranche 0 Flight 1 - Second Attempt
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qi6YcWK7msA
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Fog is clear everywhere but the launch pad area :facepalm:
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Hmmmm
It appears that the marine notices for Starship’s first orbital flight have been released!
https://twitter.com/Alexphysics13/status/1642028439539425283
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Looks like they're getting ready to stack
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
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Well crap
Virgin Orbit lays off most employees
https://spacenews.com/virgin-orbit-lays-off-most-employees/
Update but it was predicable
Filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
Billionaire Richard Branson's rocket firm Virgin Orbit files for bankruptcy after failing to secure investment
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11936615/Billionaire-Richard-Bransons-rocket-firm-Virgin-Orbit-files-bankruptcy.html
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Sounding like April 10th is the aspirational date for Starship launch. I don't have a link, but some NASA observational aircraft are scheduled for that day, and there's a notice on FAA ATC Command Center supposedly regarding April 10th as a Starship launch. No official-official announcement yet though.
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FAA advisories have been announced for 4-10-23 to 4-12-23 and approval for a total of 5 StarShip Launches this year, through the end of Dec. Maritime exclusion zone have been announced for the same days from 07:45CST (local time zone) until 12:30CST, for each of those days, South and East of the launch area in, far south Texas. A soft splash down in the Gulf is slated for the Booster, and Starship will do the same off the coast of Hawai'i after half an orbit. This will be the first launch of the world's largest rocket, capable of transporting as many as 36 passengers to Mars (100 at at time to the Moon) and lifting as much as 150 TONS (330,000 pounds) each flight with the Cargo version. You will be able to watch the historic flight in many ways, please feel free to join me on the YouTube Live Stream by "The Launch Pad" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIKw8mvJi-I
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Already has the launch listed
https://www.spacelaunchschedule.com/
https://www.spacelaunchschedule.com/launch/starship-orbital-flight-test/
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A new NASA policy makes it unlikely future missions will be named after individuals in response to the controversy surrounding the naming of the James Webb Space Telescope.
The biggest difference in the new policy is language that explicitly discourages naming missions after individuals. “Where possible, limit the practice of naming projects, missions, instruments, etc., after individuals,” it states. “Instead use the theme of unity, inspiration, or the accomplishments of a person as the primary criterion for a project or mission name.”
So I guess no Dylan Mulvaney Bud Light probe to Uranus. Well, not that uranus anyway
NASA policy discourages naming missions after individuals
https://spacenews.com/nasa-policy-discourages-naming-missions-after-individuals/
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Stacking
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
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I seriously think they're trying to time it with the sunrise for a photo op
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I can't wait for them to yeet that thing into orbit. No matter what happens it should be a good show.
One of the things I like about watching SpaceX launches is their willingness to just send it. If NASA blew up a rocket trying to launch it, there would be despair in the launch center, people's careers would be over, and pontificating representatives on TV. SpaceX augers a Starship into the ground and they're like "We got pretty good data out of that. NEXT!"
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Maybe it's just a matter of perspective, but it looks like they're lowering Starship back to its stand. Postponing the stack, maybe?
Looking again, Starship is being lowered to its stand. Not stacking, at least for the moment.
There is a cable or something hanging from the bottom of Starship. Not supposed to be there is my guess. Someone make booboo.
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Definitely coming back down.
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Maybe it's just a matter of perspective, but it looks like they're lowering Starship back to its stand. Postponing the stack, maybe?
Looking again, Starship is being lowered to its stand. Not stacking, at least for the moment.
It is going back down slowly. Maybe something came up.
Do notice a cable hanging from it that could maybe interfere with mating. Maybe someone forgot something. :O
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Wondered about that cable myself. See my edited post above.
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Someone in chat said they say a drone checking out the cable
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Dammit Carl! you had one job!
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Hovered low over the stand for a bit while someone removed the cable. Now going back up.
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I can't wait for them to yeet that thing into orbit. No matter what happens it should be a good show.
One of the things I like about watching SpaceX launches is their willingness to just send it. If NASA blew up a rocket trying to launch it, there would be despair in the launch center, people's careers would be over, and pontificating representatives on TV. SpaceX augers a Starship into the ground and they're like "We got pretty good data out of that. NEXT!"
Somewhere along the path, NASA, our government and the general masses adopted the notion that if a "test" isn't 100% successful, it is an abject failure.
So long as you learn from it and fix the problems for the next "test" it is still progress.
Imagine the progress we would have made if we insisted on a guaranteed 100% successful outcome for all scientific endeavors before test were allowed.
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Somewhere along the path, NASA, our government and the general masses adopted the notion that if a "test" isn't 100% successful, it is an abject failure.
So long as you learn from it and fix the problems for the next "test" it is still progress.
Imagine the progress we would have made if we insisted on a guaranteed 100% successful outcome for all scientific endeavors before test were allowed.
If they don't nuke the launch area with this thing I would count that as a success in of itself.
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That's a neat shot of the underside of Starship. It really contrasts the difference in standard versus vacuum Raptor engines.
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Somewhere along the path, NASA, our government and the general masses adopted the notion that if a "test" isn't 100% successful, it is an abject failure.
Everything NASA does is bloody expensive, single-use, and not easily replaced so they can't do very many large-scale tests prior to going live. Because of this, catastrophic failure can easily mean the loss of a whole project. Add to that the fact that NASA has had high-profile failures that resulted in fatalities.
SpaceX has taken the approach of expecting early failures and from the beginning planning on making launches cheap and common enough that those lessons can actually be applied. Yeah, they blew up some early Starship prototypes and they will probably blow up some more of them. They also crashed an awful lot of Falcon boosters before landing any, but with a couple hundred Falcon 9/Heavy launches under their belt they've not only fixed problems in previous versions but they've built up significant confidence in their customer base. Their acceptance of that risk gives them the freedom to iterate on designs until they consistently work.
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That's a neat shot of the underside of Starship. It really contrasts the difference in standard versus vacuum Raptor engines.
Currently has 6 engine, 3 sea level, 3 vacuum. Elon has said the next model will have 9 for a total of 42 engines. Yes 42.
On December 17th, the CEO revealed the plans, confirming a tweet published three months prior stating that Starship was “begging for an extra 3 engines.” Musk was likely referring to the fact that a 9-engine Starship – combined with upcoming 33-engine Super Heavy boosters – would create a rocket with 42 engines, a number made famous as “the answer to the ultimate question of life [and everything]” in Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy – both of which the CEO vocally enjoys. As ever, it’s thus almost impossible to tell jokes from serious, consequential plans – as is the case with Starship.
https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-starship-upgrade-plans-elon-musk-2021/
That was back in 2021. Believe he has stated it will have 9 since.
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Looking at that thing on my 2nd monitor and thinking are they crazy?
Saturn V - 7.7 million pounds of thrust
SLS - 8.8
N1 - 10 (4 launches but never made it to orbit before going KABOOM!)
Long March 9 - 13 (design still in a bit of flux)
Starship - 16.7
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I'm still in shock from watching SLS going up off the pad. This thing will be nearly 2x that.
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Somewhere along the path, NASA, our government and the general masses adopted the notion that if a "test" isn't 100% successful, it is an abject failure.
So long as you learn from it and fix the problems for the next "test" it is still progress.
Imagine the progress we would have made if we insisted on a guaranteed 100% successful outcome for all scientific endeavors before test were allowed.
Fully expect articles and YT videos to pop up screaming "This is the end of SpaceX" if there is even one issue.
Meanwhile S8 or 9 or 10 will be rolling to the OLM. Assuming the OLM is still there of course. :P If not add a couple of months.
Wonder if it does get to orbit Jeff will tweet another "Welcome to the club" tweet. ;/
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Appears to be having mating issues at a communication (according to NSF) connection. They pulled S24 back up a bit and are now holding.
Drone seems to be checking it out.
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Going back down
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Still having trouble getting things lined up.
Bet Elon is already typing up a how to fix on the next one memo.
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Appears to be stacked now.
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Still not a FAA Lic. but based on the updated road closer notice, 10th, 11th, 12th looks like a Wet Dress, and attempted launch most likely the week of the 17th. (best guess) SpaceX has the amphitheater on South Padre Island reserved for that time frame.
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Light this candle
https://twitter.com/NicAnsuini/status/1643614154903756807/photo/1
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/Fs9KWCuWwAAGJax.jpg)
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FAA advisories have been announced for 4-10-23 to 4-12-23 and approval for a total of 5 StarShip Launches this year, through the end of Dec. Maritime exclusion zone have been announced for the same days from 07:45CST (local time zone) until 12:30CST, for each of those days, South and East of the launch area in, far south Texas. A soft splash down in the Gulf is slated for the Booster, and Starship will do the same off the coast of Hawai'i after half an orbit. This will be the first launch of the world's largest rocket, capable of transporting as many as 36 passengers to Mars (100 at at time to the Moon) and lifting as much as 150 TONS (330,000 pounds) each flight with the Cargo version. You will be able to watch the historic flight in many ways, please feel free to join me on the YouTube Live Stream by "The Launch Pad" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIKw8mvJi-I
I'm curious whether you are affiliated with The Launch Pad, or are just a member and/or subscribed? If you are one of the latter, how does that site compare to NasaSpaceFlight in your opinion? Thanks in advance for any info you provide.
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On Thursday, SpaceX did confirm a forward plan. There will be another WDR in the mix, an opportunity set to be taken next week as the launch date target settles on a window the week after. This would come before the FTS arming.
Currently, the well-publicized April 10 NET (No Earlier Than) target had been ruled out by the cancellation of local road and beach closures, with placeholders for the following two days now likely to be related to the upcoming WDR.
The launch attempt would then follow a week later, around NET April 17, based on SpaceX’s updated info.
Starship into final preps for launch targeting second half of April
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2023/04/starship-targeting-h2-april/
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NSF: SpaceX confirm WDR next week
WDR = Wet Dress Rehearsal
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Now showing the 19th for the launch date.
Just one day short of Elon's fav date.
My guess is there will be a one day delay.
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Elon must be getting things together. I just got my email telling me that my 9 months of waiting are over and my starlink is now available.
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More on VO
Virgin Orbit is proposing a rapid sale of the company or its assets in bankruptcy, hoping to conclude the process before the end of May.
In a motion filed with federal bankruptcy court in Delaware April 7, Virgin Orbit provided a schedule for an “expedited” sale of the launch company through a bidding process that would solicit bids in early May, concluding with an auction on May 18.
Virgin Orbit seeking expedited bankruptcy sale
https://spacenews.com/virgin-orbit-seeking-expedited-bankruptcy-sale/
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Now showing the 19th for the launch date.
Just one day short of Elon's fav date.
My guess is there will be a one day delay.
Back to saying the 17th
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Flight plan
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(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FtdTDniakAAtIOu?format=jpg&name=small)
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/FtdU0nmWIAIaAb3.jpg)
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/FtdU0ntWIAIjQ8C.jpg)
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/FtdU0nlWcAMMGTi.jpg)
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"Excitement guaranteed" would be an excellent name for a band.
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They destacked.B7 & S24 last night for finally checks of S24's engines, install of the FTS etc...
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Install/arming of the FTS means
(https://www.reactiongifs.com/r/2013/12/aVOSkIC.gif)
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Launch scheduled for 08:15
LIVE! Ariane 5 To Launch JUICE Spacecraft
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsHiao7_hYA
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Relativity not letting their first launch's failure to a reach obit stop them and they're going straight to their much larger Terran R design with a reusable 1st stage ala Falcon 9
Terran 1 - 898kg payload to LEO
Terran R - 23,500kg (reusable 1 stage) 33,500kg (expended 1st stage) to LEO
For comparison F9 17,200kg and 22,600kg respectively to LEO (wiki)
Looks like they want to fit in the ground between F9 and FH (64,000kg to LEO)
Oh, and they think they've narrowed down T1's 2nd stage's failure to an oxygen pump
Relativity shelves Terran 1 after one launch, redesigns Terran R
https://spacenews.com/relativity-shelves-terran-1-after-one-launch-redesigns-terran-r/
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Launch scheduled for 08:15
LIVE! Ariane 5 To Launch JUICE Spacecraft
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsHiao7_hYA
Weather scrub
Lightning risk
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Looks like they'll try again tomorrow 08:14
https://www.spacelaunchschedule.com/launch/ariane-5-eca-juice-jupiter-icy-moons-explorer/
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The FAA has, figuratively speaking, shot down any plans SpaceX and Musk may have had to fly Starship this month. The FAA announced today that they have yet to complete their environmental assessment that was started in November 2020. They have stated it will be done by May 31. No license to fly Starship will be issued before the assessment is finished.
We've seen this foot dragging by the FAA before with regard to SpaceX operations in Texas. It still makes me wonder if they ever intended to grant a license in the first place, given the Biden administration's antipathy toward Musk.
Edited to add link to the story from Investor's Business Daily, dated today at 1:34 PM.
https://www.investors.com/news/technology/spacex-faa-blows-out-candle-on-company-starship/ (https://www.investors.com/news/technology/spacex-faa-blows-out-candle-on-company-starship/)
Edited to add that I cannot find confirmation of this anywhere else. Hopefully it's just IBD getting it wrong with old news.
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SpaceX's launch this morning weather scrubbed
Waiting on the JUICE mission launch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvHcGmQPcsI
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The FAA has, figuratively speaking, shot down any plans SpaceX and Musk may have had to fly Starship this month. The FAA announced today that they have yet to complete their environmental assessment that was started in November 2020. They have stated it will be done by May 31. No license to fly Starship will be issued before the assessment is finished.
We've seen this foot dragging by the FAA before with regard to SpaceX operations in Texas. It still makes me wonder if they ever intended to grant a license in the first place, given the Biden administration's antipathy toward Musk.
Edited to add link to the story from Investor's Business Daily, dated today at 1:34 PM.
https://www.investors.com/news/technology/spacex-faa-blows-out-candle-on-company-starship/ (https://www.investors.com/news/technology/spacex-faa-blows-out-candle-on-company-starship/)
Edited to add that I cannot find confirmation of this anywhere else. Hopefully it's just IBD getting it wrong with old news.
Just did a search and the latest info I could find is that they're still going back and forth with the FAA right now.
Schedule for SpaceX’s Starship test flight hinges on FAA regulatory approval
https://spaceflightnow.com/2023/04/13/schedule-for-spacexs-starship-test-flight-hinges-on-faa-regulatory-approval/
FAA director is probably still negotiating color of his new Tesla
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So far so good on JUICE
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Just did a search and the latest info I could find is that they're still going back and forth with the FAA right now.
Schedule for SpaceX’s Starship test flight hinges on FAA regulatory approval
https://spaceflightnow.com/2023/04/13/schedule-for-spacexs-starship-test-flight-hinges-on-faa-regulatory-approval/
FAA director is probably still negotiating color of his new Tesla
IBD has retracted that story.
A story published earlier Thursday incorrectly reported that the Federal Aviation Administration was holding off approval for launch of SpaceX's Starship on its maiden flight.
The story incorrectly stated that the FAA had yet to complete an environmental review. In fact, that review was conducted in 2022.
Reports currently say that SpaceX hopes to launch Starship in coming days, perhaps as early as April 17.
Investor's Business Daily regrets the error.
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IBD has retracted that story.
That's a relief. Given their history, it's certainly plausible that the FAA would mess with SpaceX, but it is good to see that IBD got it wrong.
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https://arstechnica.com/science/2023/04/green-light-go-spacex-receives-a-launch-license-from-the-faa-for-starship/
It's a GO for launch on Monday, 7AM Texas time.
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That is good news. I'll be watching.
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In the immortal words of Alan Shepard
LIGHT THIS CANDLE!
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Making it look easy again
Transporter-7 Mission +
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_OEbfFvdeE
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AA speculating the issue of the launch license at the last minute on a Friday was to not give the environmentists time to react and find a judge to block the launch and perhaps to keep crowds down.
FINALLY!! But why are the FAA and SpaceX only giving 3 days notice? Are crowds a problem?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpDDaABwykU
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Stacking
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wj9RV3TaSWg
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https://www.reddit.com/r/spacex/comments/12n3ug3/a_significant_mishap_of_some_sort_sparks_fell/
Evidently some elevator counterweight, or possibly the counterweight for the "chopsticks." fell last night. Unknown if this will have impact on the launch schedule.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/spacex/comments/12n3ug3/a_significant_mishap_of_some_sort_sparks_fell/
Evidently some elevator counterweight, or possibly the counterweight for the "chopsticks." fell last night. Unknown if this will have impact on the launch schedule.
Don't know what that was but they're stacking right now.
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Toolbox maybe?
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https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1647629006089461761
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/x383/WLJohnson1/.highres/mondaymorningsp1.gif)
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Let's kick this pig!
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NSF going live at 01:01 EDT
Good grief guy's, IMHO a wee bit early.
Launch window starts at 07:00 CT (08:00 EDT)
SpaceX Launches Starship Flight Test
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eN57x2a_waw
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/Ft244rKacAA2Bbg.jpg)
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Laser light show on the Megabay
https://twitter.com/watchstarbase/status/1647430236395700224
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High level winds are a concern for tomorrow
https://twitter.com/AdamCuker/status/1647654651456815104
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Posted by Elon :rofl:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FtPEnSMXwAAt_4z?format=jpg&name=900x900)
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Tank farm spooling up
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WB-57 ready for takeoff
Edit: Now airborne and inbound
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Make that two WB-57s inbound
Both instantly became the most tracked flights on FlightRadar24
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FlightRadar24 show two WB-57s airborne but FlightAware only one
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New T-0 08:20 CT (09:20 EDT)
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Loading propellant now
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Good Morning Boca Chica!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/Screenshot_2023-04-17_081322.png)
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On the NSF chat yesterday they were talking about how many live feed cameras including some of theirs are going to be toast
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Elon Musk
@elonmusk
Cryogenic propellant load of Starship is underway, liftoff in T minus 1 hour
8:18 AM · Apr 17, 2023
·
144.7K
Views
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NSF live feed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eN57x2a_waw
SpaceX https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5QXreqOrTA
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Everyday Astronaut https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Vb9hFqF6i0
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I usually stream SpaceX launches on a laptop. This one is on the large living room flat screen. Only just a little bit excited about this one. =D
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I usually stream SpaceX launches on a laptop. This one is on the large living room flat screen. Only just a little bit excited about this one. =D
NSF live feed on one monitor SX's on the other =D
Getting some nice camera views including some from inside the rocket looking at SS's engines on SX's feed.
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All go at 25 minutes except for a boat in the violation zone but it is reported as leaving.
Amazing no holds.
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I am watching the SpaceX live feed, and they are showing how the base has been built out. I take it they must not be too worried about storms and flooding, seeing how it is built right on the shoreline.
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Just heard that there is a problem with the booster. Didn't catch the whole conversation as I was surfing news sites. Supposedly, if the issue can't be resolved by T0:00, the launch will be converted to a wet dress rehearsal.
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Just heard that there is a problem with the booster. Didn't catch the whole conversation as I was surfing news sites. Supposedly, if the issue can't be resolved by T0:00, the launch will be converted to a wet dress rehearsal.
Pressurization issues
Launch scrubbed
Countdown will continue as a WDR to T-10
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Frozen pressure valve according to Elon
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Next attempt in "48 hours or so"
[looks at calendar] I see what they did there. :laugh:
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Elon Musk
@elonmusk
Learned a lot today, now offloading propellant, retrying in a few days …
9:29 AM · Apr 17, 2023
·
1.1M
Views
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(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ft63V0BXoAAJD7a?format=jpg&name=small)
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(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ft615OfaMAEDcFa?format=png&name=small)
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4/20. Hah!
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Space is Valves are hard. --Boeing, probably
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Damn valves.
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They should get it fixed soon. I understand the repair is an open and close case.
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They should get it fixed soon. I understand the repair is an open and close case.
That makes sense with a valve issue. =)
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SpaceX
@SpaceX
Teams are working towards Thursday, April 20 for the first flight test of a fully integrated Starship and Super Heavy rocket → http://spacex.com/launches/missi
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1648092752893313024
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(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ft8z9KUWcAELf2g?format=jpg&name=small)
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I predicted this back on page 85 :rofl:
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I predicted this back on page 85 :rofl:
Yeah, Elon can say what he wants, but it was always going to be 4/20.
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(https://i.imgur.com/mqZNBXe.jpg)
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Mysterious blue swirl lights up the night sky over Alaska and mesmerises onlookers - but what caused the strange sight?
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-11984579/Mysterious-blue-swirl-lights-night-sky-Alaska-caused-strange-sight.html
"what caused the strange sight?"
SpaceX apparently
(https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/04/18/09/69947975-11984579-It_emerged_during_a_display_of_the_Northern_Lights_where_charged-a-398_1681806762790.jpg)
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https://shop.spacex.com/collections/featured-products/products/starship-torch
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4-20 is out
Aiming for the 21st now
Edit: Reversed, 4-20 is back on the menu
Chris Bergin - NSF Retweeted
Michael Baylor
@nextspaceflight
A TFR for a Starship launch attempt on April 20 has been restored.
Wait for an official update from SpaceX at this point.
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https://twitter.com/wapodavenport/status/1648108362196824067
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https://twitter.com/wapodavenport/status/1648108362196824067
That's a lotta trucks! I thought SpaceX was eventually going to pipe in methane and create their own LOX on site. Did those plans get changed?
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A big enough liquid oxygen plant would probably take a couple years to order and build. I imagine they would need some assurances that the FedGov wouldn't shut them down.
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That's a lotta trucks! I thought SpaceX was eventually going to pipe in methane and create their own LOX on site. Did those plans get changed?
Still planned from what I'm heard.
IIRC someone on NSF said it takes 120 tankers to fully fuel SS
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Elon Musk
@elonmusk
·
6h
Replying to @RGVaerialphotos
The team is working around the clock on many issues. Maybe 4/20, maybe not.
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/Screenshot_2023-04-19_081621.png)
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Space is easy
SpaceX is targeting Wednesday, April 19 at 10:31 a.m. ET (14:31 UTC) for a Falcon 9 launch of 21 second-generation Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. If needed, there is an additional launch opportunity the same day at 11:28 a.m. ET (15:28 UTC). Backup opportunities are also available Thursday, April 20 at 8:23 a.m. ET (12:23 UTC), 9:14 a.m. ET (13:14 UTC), 10:04 a.m. ET (14:04 UTC), and 10:55 a.m. ET (14:55 UTC).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpoMcjTvylk
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https://twitter.com/nextspaceflight/status/1648797064183128065
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FuG0MLhXsAEkrHr?format=jpg&name=small)
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Chris Bergin - NSF Retweeted
Sawyer R.
@thenasaman
Shoutout to the team working on the Orbital Launch Mount in Texas for creating a heart during our @nasaspaceflight
pre-launch update stream! Sending love and good luck back to them and everyone at Starbase.
Our live coverage starts at 12:30am CDT: https://youtube.com/live/uouujjgkR
https://twitter.com/thenasaman/status/1648832006980096000
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OLM venting. Means fueling is about to begin. Either that or Elon is at the OLM smoking a 4-20 special.
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WB-57 rolling
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SpaceX
@SpaceX
·
2m
The Starship team is go for prop load; team is keeping an eye on the weather → http://spacex.com/launches
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Getting frosty
And of course there's fog
Edit: May not be fog if you catch my drift. :rofl:
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NSF live feed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uouujjgkR3A
SpaceX live feed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1wcilQ58hI
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4/20 is a very auspicious date.
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(https://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2lcqr7QJf1qihztbo1_500.gif)
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30 seconds difference between the NSF and SX feeds
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Hold on the count seconds before launch.
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Say for final checks
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AND LAUNCH!!!!
Oh, wait. They said lunch. Somebody must have got the munchies.
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Pressurization issue that has since been resolved
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Say will resume at the T-40 mark
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She's flying!
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6 engines cut out
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Wow! What a launch! Five Raptor engines flamed out, caused some instability during initial flight. Six engines failing. Rocket out of control.
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Spinning
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No FTS command yet.
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Breaking up
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Exploded.
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That was an impressive launch. You could see the rocket drift sideways as it left the pad. It was obvious there was a problem right from the start. Lots of good data for SpaceX to sift through and learn from for the next time.
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You will not be going to space today.
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B8 you're up!
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The red and orange flames coming from the rocket was indicative of more engines failing as time went by. As failures go, it was very impressive. It was quite amazing just how long the rocket structure held together while it was corkscrewing. That was one strong rocket.
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The SpaceX feed was mentioning as it went up that everything after they cleared the tower was a bonus for them. Looks like they had control even with engines out until they started the flip for stage separation. It over rotated and they couldn't get it to stop flipping after that, so they couldn't get Starship off the booster.
They gave it a couple flips then RUD.
Super cool though. Largest rocket ever to lift off, and they said at the beginning it had 10,000,000 lbs of propellant on board.
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The red and orange flames coming from the rocket was indicative of more engines failing as time went by.
Yeah, it looked like it was running engine rich exhaust from the beginning.
Amazing launch regardless.
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It was quite amazing just how long the rocket structure held together while it was corkscrewing. That was one strong rocket.
Was thinking the same thing. Says volumes how strong they built that thing.
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Eventually, SpaceX will work the bugs out and Starship and its boosters will be as reliable as the Falcon 9. That will be ultimately very cool.
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This is the end of SpaceX YT click bait videos in 10,9,8,7.............
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Eventually, SpaceX will work the bugs out and Starship and its boosters will be as reliable as the Falcon 9. That will be ultimately very cool.
Elon had already said this was an obsolete vehicle with all the changes they've already made.
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/FuKXVcQaYAEBkal-RS.jpg)
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Elon had already said this was an obsolete vehicle with all the changes they've already made.
IIRC, he estimated a 50/50 chance this would be a successful flight with Starship reaching splashdown.
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Go home camera, you're drunk
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1649047935567667202
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Wonder if there was an issue with the clamps between SS and the booster not releasing?
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Wonder if there was an issue with the clamps between SS and the booster not releasing?
The way the whole thing was corkscrewing, maybe it jammed the release mechanism.
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The way the whole thing was corkscrewing, maybe it jammed the release mechanism.
I sort of kind of get the impression from a SX tweet (which I can't find now) that they did attempted the flip to start release and maybe that started the corkscrewing. I could have misread the tweet in the excitement of the moment. Corkscrewing could have started before. Will have to go back and read/hear more but it's time for food.
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Reports of stuff kicked up by the engines coming down over Port Isabel
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NSF just said it appeared to them one of the HPUs (Hydraulic Power Units) exploded at T+30.
The HPU control the gimbling of the engines.
Some speculation they may also power he release hooks.
IIRC Elon already ditched HPUs in B9 for electric motor gimbling.
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Elon Musk
@elonmusk
·
1h
Congrats @SpaceX
team on an exciting test launch of Starship!
Learned a lot for next test launch in a few months.
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Dents in some of the outer covers of the tank farm tanks
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This don't look good
It WAS solid concrete under and around the OLM. Now blasted dirt and a crater.
https://twitter.com/NJ_Ebong/status/1649081521079308288
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FuK25XYWwAQgvPq?format=jpg&name=small)
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^^^I wonder if they had a flame/blast diversion trench underneath the launchpad.
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^^^I wonder if they had a flame/blast diversion trench underneath the launchpad.
Nope, just pretty much a flat concrete surface.
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Before
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FuKojS_XoAM1yH4?format=jpg&name=small)
After
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FuK25XYWwAQgvPq?format=jpg&name=small)
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Yep, not even a deluge system. They have one that they haven't installed yet, and I'm sure it will be integrated into repairs. But Musk was really curious if the rocket could work without one at all. Fixatedly curious on the issue. Probably because taking off from Mars or the Moon will require launch from an unprepared surface. While those are Starship-only, evidently they prioritized the test data for SuperHeavy highly enough to risk this type of damage to the launch mount.
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The booster dug it's own flame trench
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Note the date
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FuK4j_hXwAQZtR2?format=jpg&name=900x900)
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NSF was saying their parked camera van got hit.
Someone caught it on camera
https://twitter.com/SemrauDylan/status/1649050806577164293
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Some are speculation blasted concrete may have taken out some of the raptors
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Watch the splashes in the ocean
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1649097087248891904
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Still got work to do Mr. Musk
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That was some hit. May have totaled the van. Of course, it may be a curiosity now, and that could enhance its value.
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As I was motoring around the yard today, cutting what I euphemistically call "grass", I was pondering Musk's choice to use 33 engines in that booster. It seems like he's just increasing the odds of failure by doing that. Many more moving parts and thousands more potential points of failure.
But then it occurred to me that, if he can get his Raptor 2 engines to demonstrate the same reliability as the Merlins used in his Falcon rockets, SpaceX can end up in a really good place. The Raptor 2 engines are much simpler than the Raptor 1 units, and they are cheaper to build. Simpler is generally better from a reliability standpoint.
Having 33 engines could instead provide some built-in redundancy, extra fault tolerance if you will. The booster will be able to lose an engine or four* and still accomplish the mission.
Maybe that's what drove the design choice for so many engines.
* If the booster loses one engine, it really loses two as the opposite engine will likely have to be shut down for balance. If the booster loses two engines, it then really loses four.
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* If the booster loses one engine, it really loses two as the opposite engine will likely have to be shut down for balance. If the booster loses two engines, it then really loses four.
You would think, but that is not what happened today. They lost several engines, but did not shut down opposite ones. It seems like between gimballing and throttling, they can keep some thrust coming from the opposite engine.
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Was the diagonal takeoff toward the ocean intentional to get the rocket away from the pad as soon as possible, or a product of the mismatched thrust?
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Was the diagonal takeoff toward the ocean intentional to get the rocket away from the pad as soon as possible, or a product of the mismatched thrust?
It seemed intentional, or at least they were using words like "nominal" on SpaceX's feed for the first min or so. Beside, while my grasp of Orbital Mechanics isn't great, don't all rockets go kinda diagonal? It's speed rather than altitude that most of that energy is needed for. You gotta get moving sideways fast enough that when you fall, you miss the ground.
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I think cordex is referring to the almost sideslip the rocket did as it lifted off. I doubt that was intentional, instead due to thrust misalignment from losing engines at liftoff.
Rockets usually don't pitch over until they are well away from the pad, a few thousand feet up.
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I think cordex is referring to the almost sideslip the rocket did as it lifted off. I doubt that was intentional, instead due to thrust misalignment from losing engines at liftoff.
Rockets usually don't pitch over until they are well away from the pad, a few thousand feet up.
I bet the lateral transition was intentional. SpaceX's biggest hope with this test launch was to not cause too much damage to "stage zero," also known as the launch tower and mount and ground support equipment.
That thing was going REALLY slow when they got to stage separation. There are times it was courting a TWR way too close to 1.0 with the engine failures. A dismal 2000km/hr at stage separation. Usually a Falcon 9 launch will stage at about 7500 or 8000 km/hr, at an altitude somewhere around 60-65km. They called max Q at about 800 km/hr and an altitude of 9000 meters. F9 hits max Q around 9000 meters also, but it is doing 1300+km/hr when doing so. They called stage separation on this flight at about 30km altitude and velocity of 2000km/hr. That's way too low and slow.
I don't think they got a real Max Q test. This particular build of this vehicle (B24/SS7) hit Max Q for this flight, but it's nowhere near what Max Q is intended to be for this vehicle's designed flight plan.
So it looks like SpaceX isn't going to grab the crown of "first methane rocket engine to orbit." Next up is United Launch Alliance, which is using a methane rocket that some guy named Jeff sold them. Unless of course Tory Bruno finds more excuses to delay the maiden launch of Vulcan.
I don't see SpaceX launching another Starship stack until this fall at the earliest.
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Was the diagonal takeoff toward the ocean intentional to get the rocket away from the pad as soon as possible, or a product of the mismatched thrust?
Most of them do it to some extent to prevent the rocket from falling straight back down onto a very expensive and long to construct pad in case of engine failure. Now how much of that was intentional today is currently open to debate, it did seem a bit excessive. Thought it was going to do the Astra Slide for a moment.
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As I was motoring around the yard today, cutting what I euphemistically call "grass", I was pondering Musk's choice to use 33 engines in that booster. It seems like he's just increasing the odds of failure by doing that. Many more moving parts and thousands more potential points of failure.
But then it occurred to me that, if he can get his Raptor 2 engines to demonstrate the same reliability as the Merlins used in his Falcon rockets, SpaceX can end up in a really good place. The Raptor 2 engines are much simpler than the Raptor 1 units, and they are cheaper to build. Simpler is generally better from a reliability standpoint.
Having 33 engines could instead provide some built-in redundancy, extra fault tolerance if you will. The booster will be able to lose an engine or four* and still accomplish the mission.
Maybe that's what drove the design choice for so many engines.
* If the booster loses one engine, it really loses two as the opposite engine will likely have to be shut down for balance. If the booster loses two engines, it then really loses four.
Don't forget Falcon Heavy has 27 engines.
-
Someone suggest a while back they may have to steel plate the ground underneath the OLM or scrap the current OLM design and go for one with a proper flame diverter. Not sure if the water table there will allow the digging of one. 39A & 39B pad complexes are elevated I believe for this very reason. Technically so is the OLM but it needs something other than concrete underneath it and/or a diverter. I think Elon tried to keep the OLM too simple.
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(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FuLr7TQakAAOd-M?format=jpg&name=4096x4096)
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(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FuLUpcoWYAA64es?format=jpg&name=medium)
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Don't forget Falcon Heavy has 27 engines.
I hadn't thought of that. So 33 engines isn't much of a stretch then.
-
My money is on SpaceX and Musk eventually succeeding. While it wouldn't surprise me to see one or two more RUDs in the test program, their Super Heavy booster and Starship will someday be flying safely and routinely. I am looking forward to more exciting test launches from the Boca Chica Starbase.
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Noticed it appears they still haven't sent people to the launch area and that the OLM is still venting. Could be sign of a leak in the system.
Drone over flying the OLM at the moment
-
I see a flame trench addition to the OLM's future. And the installation of the deluge system, finally.
-
Some are speculation blasted concrete may have taken out some of the raptors
That's entirely possible. The video of chunks blasting the remote camera vehicle and chunks landing offshore lend a lot of credence to that idea.
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I see a flame trench addition to the OLM's future. And the installation of the deluge system, finally.
Don't think they can go too deep there without water table issues. I'm thinking steel plating with a flame diverter. And a water deluge sys of course.
-
Don't think they can go too deep there without water table issues. I'm thinking steel plating with a flame diverter.
Maybe even increase the height of the OLM some amount in addition to the flame diverter and deluge system, if that's possible.
-
And move the tanks further away if that's possible.
I note the NSF feed says road closed until 14:00 (CT I assume). Still seeing venting from the OLM on LabPadre's feed.
Someone said in chat that one is the tank is leaking. Don't know if true.
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Looks like Hopper took some damage
https://twitter.com/WatchersTank/status/1649080855661277184
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FuK2HqaWcAImMwN?format=png&name=900x900)
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Now for the million dollar question: Does this effect in anyway what the FAA thinks?
-
I would bet SpaceX has more than one team of engineers madly working on modifications to whatever launch support equipment broke or was damaged.
-
I'm thinking 6 months min and further FAA review
-
Concrete slabs just aren't going to cut it.
Rapid unscheduled assembly of a flame trench.
https://www.reddit.com/r/SpaceXLounge/comments/12tg7pp/rgv_aerial_photography_reveals_more_damage_to/
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https://twitter.com/ClaassenWarren/status/1649130531316023296/photo/1
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FuLjeVPWcAkweCr?format=jpg&name=large)
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Not an unsolvable problem but it was one many predicted and even with just a few raptors firing at partial power it had already revealed itself. Sorry but this one is on Elon.
Not being pessimistic, far from it, even the brightest need a reminder once in awhile they're only human. I bet he's already got teams working on the problem and on the phone ordering parts.
-
FTFY
It is my opinion that NASA will never get back to the moon. Their mission budget will be slashed during the Harris/Biden administration and their focus will likely be redirected back toward muslim outreach and social justice issues.
As for SpaceX and friends, I would be surprised if the regulatory burden isn't magnified beyond financial feasibility and they take their toys to another country.
We just can't afford to be sending all that money up in smoke going into space when there are so many social justice programs here that need the money.
:'(
My opinion hasn't changed.
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Sorry, I don't mean to beat a dead horse here but
Saturn V (7.7 million lbs of thrust) flame trench.
(https://www.hq.nasa.gov/pao/History/SP-4204/images/m236.gif)
Note how the pad over the trench shields the rocket from blast.
(https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/2015-02-06-03_30_39-Flame-Deflector-SLS-Google-Search-350x233.jpg)
N1 (10 million lbs of thrust) Flame trench(es). Would love to see what's underneath the rocket.
(https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/n1_on_launch_pad_september_1968.jpg)
Starship (16.8 million lbs of thrust)
A concrete slab
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/Starbase-010923-SpaceX-OLS-B7-S24-full-stack-1-crop-2-RS.jpg)
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Seconds!
SpaceX blows up: Starship rocket dramatically explodes seconds after launch
https://www.independent.co.uk/space/starship-explosion-raptor-engine-flight-path-b2323566.html
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Much longer camera view that includes the van getting hit. 1,100ft away from the rocket.
INCOMING!
https://twitter.com/LabPadre/status/1649053476276797440
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Does NASA also put a bunch of water in that trench?
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Does NASA also put a bunch of water in that trench?
It's not standing water, they "spray" (need a stronger word here since it's more like waterfall) water under the engines as they are firing to dampen blast effect and the sound waves. Standing water in the trench would only deflect the sound waves back up.
In the below video imagine the pad and engines being directly over where you see the water being sprayed
Launch Pad Water Deluge System Test at NASA Kennedy Space Center
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNkmwrTjKuo
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The water you see going vertical in the above video is coming from pipes that would be connected to the pad during a launch to supply it's system
As shown in this image
(https://www.nasa.gov/images/content/59090main_water3_lrg.jpg)
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The plumbing and parts for a water deluge system was sitting at Starbase during the launch but Elon elected to launch before it's installation. How much effect it would have had is open to debate.
-
For the deluge system at Cape Canaveral, I always wondered if they use salt water, since an abundant supply is right there, or do they use freshwater. I have read that 300,000 gallons or so of water is used at a typical heavy launch. Saltwater could contribute to corrosion, but then again the launch pad is right at the ocean shoreline and the salt air is already corroding things.
-
My understanding is it's freshwater and in fact just ordinary tap water.
Salt water would add a whole new level of corrosion issues.
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Cars lining up at the road block. Guess they're getting ready to go in.
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Dr. Carsten Dierks
@carsten_dierks
·
30m
#SpaceX Starbase:
Road closure will still last until tomorrow. For debris picking. And the damaged tank farm. There are still liquid gases inside. And nobody can predict the stability of the tanks…
https://twitter.com/carsten_dierks/status/1649482178340724758
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Houston, we have a problem
https://twitter.com/kynthia_j/status/1649455610646200322
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FuQLEEcWYAEPHU4?format=png&name=900x900)
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(https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/342026562_892295342058268_8270591687734517897_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=cMi6v9COqxUAX-8T-yk&_nc_ht=scontent-sea1-1.xx&oh=00_AfBvYXknHF0vXzsZXvjTskx-XVq4WyJW9awl7MOUSGQLjg&oe=64470D76)
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Anyone care to guess how deep that hole is?
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Here's Scott Manley
Not much new here but some info about the engine exhaust color.
I noticed it too but figure if it was an issue someone would mention it.
SpaceX's Massive Rocket Explodes Due to Rapid Unscheduled Digging
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8q24QLXixo
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Probably why the road is still closed.
Screen shot from a live feed.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/Screenshot_2023-04-21_151257.png)
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OLM still puffing.
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Michael Baylor
@nextspaceflight
Live at 4 pm Central with a post-flight reaction and an update on the van. 😅
https://twitter.com/nextspaceflight/status/1649498499195588611
Direct link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omouxjzI17U
CadmonkeyFPV
@CadmonkeyFPV
·
17m
If you can find the offending chunk of debris that sucker punched the van you should auction it off LOL
:rofl:
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Looks like they had a better view from the Mexican side of the border
https://twitter.com/i/status/1649132074261966854
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Anyone care to guess how deep that hole is?
I'm guessing about 20 feet deep?
Makes me wonder how far down the pilings go...
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I'm guessing about 20 feet deep?
Makes me wonder how far down the pilings go...
Someone in chat said 150 ft to bedrock.
Can't confirm that but did find this. Says at least 100 ft
By mid-March, SpaceX had begun clearing away some of the dirt on top, revealing a beefy foundation with 25 two-foot-thick (~1m) piles buried at least 100 ft (30m) deep in the sandy wetlands. Two weeks later, the foundation has been encased in concrete and the framework for massive base is nearly ready for its first concrete pour.
https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-starship-booster-catching-launch-tower-progress/
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https://iamaspacefan.myshopify.com/products/starship-s24-b7-first-flight-test-4-20-t-shirt-unisex
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Water-cooled, steel plate
Elon Musk
@elonmusk
·
3m
Replying to
@SciGuySpace
3 months ago, we started building a massive water-cooled, steel plate to go under the launch mount.
Wasn’t ready in time & we wrongly thought, based on static fire data, that Fondag would make it through 1 launch.
Looks like we can be ready to launch again in 1 to 2 months.
I wouldn't be betting the farm on 1-2 months.
-
https://shop.nasaspaceflight.com/products/oft-a-concrete-way-to-go
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FuROBbmXwAg0B6Y?format=jpg&name=medium)
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Water-cooled, steel plate
I wouldn't be betting the farm on 1-2 months.
Kind of a punch in the nose for the Fondag folks. Their product got a lot of hype in the space news and engineering marketplace for being chosen as the blast platform for this rocket.
-
Fondag®
Highly resistant and robust, Fondag concrete is unshakeable. Nothing stands in its way; neither cold, extreme heat nor corrosion. Even under extreme conditions.
B7: Challenge accepted
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Watching the NSF chat and theirs wasn't the only vehicle that took a hit. They just showed LabP's and the windows are blown out
-
RGV Aerial Photography
@RGVaerialphotos
These are the water cooled steel plates @elonmusk
said would go under the OLM.
Photo, click to enlarge https://twitter.com/RGVaerialphotos/status/1649538716392628225
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RGV Aerial Photography
@RGVaerialphotos
Concrete slab leaning on the helium tanks as seen from our recent flyover.
http://patreon.com/RGVAerial
Photo, click to enlarge https://twitter.com/RGVaerialphotos/status/1649504488045019139
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RGV Aerial Photography
@RGVaerialphotos
This is a view of highway 4 taken during our flyover.
probably one of the few reasons why it remains closed to the public.
Photo https://twitter.com/RGVaerialphotos/status/1649497824457904129
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Someone paragliding, probably towed by a boat just off shore, giving the place a look over
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/Screenshot_2023-04-22_105850.png)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/Screenshot_2023-04-22_105913.png)
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https://twitter.com/RGVaerialphotos/status/1649799431238086656
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/FuVC67uXsAAWbqi-RS.jpg)
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Starbase Watcher 🗸🚀
@watchstarbase
🚀Super Heavy Booster 7 Liftoff, Flying Concrete Slab!🚀
At liftoff, as Super Heavy Booster 7 (B7) began to rise and clear the Orbital Launch Tower (OLT), an intact concrete slab from the base of the Orbital Launch Mount (OLM) flew into the air next to B7.
Video at the link
https://twitter.com/watchstarbase/status/1649834918883778560
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Video at the link
https://twitter.com/watchstarbase/status/1649834918883778560
Wow. :O
I'm in awe at the power of this booster, and at the inadequacy of the launch mount, despite the mount being regarded as a critical component of the rocket itself, called Stage Zero.
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Wow. :O
I'm in awe at the power of this booster, and at the inadequacy of the launch mount, despite the mount being regarded as a critical component of the rocket itself, called Stage Zero.
Water Towers Fondag concrete can fly!
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More at the link https://twitter.com/thejackbeyer/status/1649846072687067136
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/FuVuPALXsAE2YP1-RS.jpg)
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Various blasted cameras
Some fared better than others
https://twitter.com/VickiCocks15/status/1649580943374524416
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TharisXilef
@TharisXilef
·
11m
The starship camera massacre.
-
Before the road opening
Nik Lovell 🇺🇦
@nik_lovell
Road closed... random guy casually walks from beach past damage at @SpaceX
Starbase, gets arrested 🚔
Make sure you have sound on 😄
Video from @LabPadre
Rover 2.0 Cam & Nerdle Cam https://youtube.com/LabPadre
Video https://twitter.com/nik_lovell/status/1649760298394329088
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https://twitter.com/thejackbeyer/status/1649856515807879170
(https://media.makeameme.org/created/concrete-concrete-everywhere-159e17eb9b.jpg)
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(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FuMW0acWYAM1Zc_?format=jpg&name=medium)
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http://Chris Bergin - NSF Retweeted
Max Evans
@_mgde_
They used to ride these babies for MILES!
Seeing such large chunks of concrete and other debris scattered so far and around the pad today really put into perspective the raw power that’s contained within 33 Raptor engines.
Hat for scale.
https://twitter.com/_mgde_/status/1649949648029724673
Any guess on how much that weights?
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Starbase getting hit by a pretty big storm. Chat says 80+ mph winds being reported.
And now a tornado warning
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Click bait headline at the Daiymail. See them from time to time on there.
Pretty clear the person who wrote is suffering from EMDS (Elon Musk Derangement Syndrome)
Elon Musk's doomed Starship rocket sprayed debris over Texas coast and damaged car parked miles away as it obliterated its launch pad on takeoff - as FAA grounds the fleet after explosion
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12004897/Shocking-images-Elon-Musks-doomed-Starship-rocket-spray-debris-Texas-coast.html
What Fleet? And then no mention of any grounding of anything in the body of the article.
The massive 395-foot rocket powered into the air from sunny Boca Chica, Texas Thursday morning, but burst into flames just four minutes after takeoff.
The explosion sent debris flying at thousands of miles an hour, damaging a car parked miles away and sending a dust cloud over the Gulf of Mexico on an otherwise sunny day.
Not unless that car was sitting on a boat in the Gulf of Mexico.
Think the real car they are actually referring to NSF's camera van which was sitting 1K ft away from the pad and they knew it could get damaged. LabPadre's SUV/Van was park right next to it and had it windows blown out and has little dents in it.
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Meanwhile in China something that looks kind of familiar. I've seen this before somewhere.
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1650502386035589121
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Wish.com Starship.
I think Falcon 9 is making people think that landing an orbital rocket is easy.
-
Chopsticks moved so they're working.
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"Ship 27 is making a run for it!"
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1650602438657818624
"Run Forrest run!"
"It has seen enough. Poor hopper must be so traumatized."
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Japanese company ispace is planning to touch down on the moon at 12:40 p.m. EDT (1640 GMT).
A private moon lander will make history when it touches down on April 25. Here's how to watch it live
https://www.space.com/historic-moon-private-landing-ispace-webcast
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Jack Beyer
@thejackbeyer
Vandenberg’s SLC-6 will live on! It’s being leased by… SpaceX!!
https://twitter.com/thejackbeyer/status/1650641554778865666
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FuhBviXXoAAgnew?format=jpg&name=900x900)
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:rofl:
Wife Informs Husband The Minivan Has Suffered A 'Rapid Unscheduled Disassembly'
https://babylonbee.com/news/wife-informs-husband-the-minivan-has-suffered-a-rapid-unscheduled-disassembly
Though disappointed in how the trip turned out, Mr. Benson said the result was not unexpected. "I had placed the odds of her making it without a wreck at about 50/50," explained Mr. Benson. "If she wants to drive all the way to Martin's Cleaners, you've got to start somewhere. We learned a lot today, and we'll be rebuilt and ready for another go in a few months."
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Bloodshot-Eyed, Grinning Elon Musk Says 4/20 Was Awesome And Also Has Anyone Seen His Rocket
https://babylonbee.com/news/bloodshot-eyed-grinning-elon-musk-says-420-was-awesome-and-also-has-anyone-seen-his-rocket
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A private moon lander will make history when it touches down on April 25. Here's how to watch it live
https://www.space.com/historic-moon-private-landing-ispace-webcast
Well poop
Private Japanese spacecraft apparently fails on historic moon landing try
https://www.space.com/ispace-hakuto-r-moon-landing-failure
(https://scitechdaily.com/images/Rocket-Booster-Crash-Moon.gif)
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That's too bad. Would have been pretty cool for a private company to succeed with a soft landing.
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Not unexpected
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has grounded SpaceX’s Starship prototypes as it completes a “mishap investigation” into last week’s dramatic test flight.
FAA Grounds SpaceX's Starship Prototypes Pending 'Mishap Investigation' of Explosive Launch Attempt
https://www.ign.com/articles/faa-grounds-spacexs-starship-prototypes-pending-mishap-investigation-of-explosive-launch-attempt
AA looks at some of the media reactions
FAA grounds Starship! Does Texas or the FAA want to stop SpaceX, or just the media?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJvlKtZUjQk
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Tyler Gray 🚀
@TylerG1998
Evidently, NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) spacecraft will make a pass over the HAKUTO-R landing area in a few minutes’ time.
Don’t know what’ll happen in this regard, but we shall see.
-
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1650957927950475264/photo/1
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FulfEVCagAAyP3z?format=jpg&name=large)
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Falcon 9 launch 09:40 EDT
SpaceX is targeting Wednesday, April 26 at 6:40 a.m. PT (13:40 UTC) for a Falcon 9 launch of 46 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. A backup opportunity is available Thursday, April 27 at the same time.
The first stage booster supporting this mission previously launched Crew-1, Crew-2, SXM-8, CRS-23, IXPE, Transporter-4, Transporter-5, Globalstar FM15, ISI EROS C-3 and three Starlink missions. Following stage separation, Falcon 9’s first stage will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship stationed in the Pacific Ocean.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bdvkb9UEf30
Falcon Heavy 19:29-20:18 EDT
SpaceX is targeting Wednesday, April 26 for a Falcon Heavy launch of the ViaSat-3 Americas mission to geostationary orbit from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Also on board this mission is Astranis's first MicroGEO satellite and Gravity Space’s GS-1 satellites. The 57-minute launch window opens at 7:29 p.m. ET (23:29 UTC). If needed, a backup opportunity is available Thursday, April 27 with the same window.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joqNT2amTpQ
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Falcon 9 launch scrubbed.
"due to probability of landing failure"
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Falcon 9 launch scrubbed.
"due to probability of landing failure"
...and we have now officially arrived in the "reusability is standard" age.
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Wow
My respect for the RS-25s just went up a whole bunch
2,017 seconds equals over 33 minutes!
Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
I was shuffling through RS-25/SSME documentation, because 720 seconds is very long, but not as long as this one!
2,017 second test! Does anyone remember that test? 😮
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1651233447296245760
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FupbohQWYAQuPPW?format=jpg&name=small)
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Now the Falcon Heavy launch is delayed until Thursday
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SpaceX is targeting Thursday, April 27 at 6:40 a.m. PT (13:40 UTC) for a Falcon 9 launch of 46 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5EX1u0fA78
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And typical for Vandi pea soup fog.
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But really cool watching it rise out of the fog
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But really cool watching it rise out of the fog
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1651582444187820033
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SpaceX's Falcon Heavy is launching the ViaSat-3 Americas mission. Liftoff is scheduled for 7:29 PM EDT (23:29 UTC) from LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The center core is B1068-1, and the side cores are B1052-8 and B1053-3. All boosters being used on this mission will be expended.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFw_zbcRtwo
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Rough Riders Show
@RoughRidersShow
Now targeting the end of the Window for tonights Falcon Heavy Viasat-3 mission as weather continues to be poor at KSC. Shot from @NASASpaceflight
Space Coast Live. http://nsf.live/spacecoast
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Chris Bergin - NSF Retweeted
Gav Cornwell
@SpaceOffshore
·
20m
Lighting strike near LC-39A.
The ViaSat-3 mission has been scrubbed.
https://twitter.com/SpaceOffshore/status/1651726072776409088
Philip Whitehouse
@philipwhiuk
·
11m
Per LCC 4.1.1.1/2 - automatic 30 minute hold (barring some specific conditions) if there's a lightning strike within 10nmi of the launch pad/flight path. No choice really.
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https://twitter.com/i/status/1651745897275957248
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1651947668732805121
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FuzlP5DaUAANd8R?format=jpg&name=large)
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JUICE issues
https://twitter.com/ESA_JUICE/status/1651939141955772417
Chris Bergin - NSF Retweeted
ESA's Juice mission
@ESA_JUICE
#ESAJuice deployment status update: our 16 m-long ice-penetrating RIME antenna is not yet fully deployed as planned. Work is ongoing to resolve an issue currently preventing it from being released from its mounting bracket.
Details 👉 http://esa.int/Science_Explor
ESA's Juice mission
@ESA_JUICE
·
1h
Next steps include an engine burn to shake the spacecraft and a series of rotations that will turn #ESAJuice, warming up the mount and antenna which are currently in cold shadows.
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Something was going on at Massey's down at Boca Chica
In case you're wondering that's S25.
https://twitter.com/LabPadre/status/1651750187155574786
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fuwx4inX0AUCWS0?format=jpg&name=small)
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Is case you're also wondering what and where is Massey's
It's the old Massey's gun range that SX recently bought, they're using it for testing now. Many maps will still have it labeled as the gun range.
You can see it on google maps.
It's to the lower left where the horseshoe shaped lake is.
You can see Starbase to the upper right
https://www.google.com/maps/@25.9684928,-97.2111999,7150m/data=!3m1!1e3
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Well poop
Private Japanese spacecraft apparently fails on historic moon landing try
https://www.space.com/ispace-hakuto-r-moon-landing-failure
Ran out of propellant, OOF!
China Clones Starship, Hakuto-R Lithobrakes, & SpaceX's New Launchpad | This Week in Spaceflight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48aF-v5RxLY
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SpaceX is launching a Falcon 9 carrying two O3b mPOWER satellites for SES. The launch window opens at 5:12 pm Eastern (21:12 UTC). The first stage booster will attempt a landing on Just Read the Instructions in the Atlantic Ocean.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEMHLtWDUjo
And just a couple of hours behind
SpaceX is targeting Friday, April 28 for a Falcon Heavy launch of the ViaSat-3 Americas mission to geostationary orbit from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Also on board this mission is Astranis's first MicroGEO satellite and Gravity Space’s GS-1 satellite. The 57-minute launch window opens at 7:29 p.m. ET (23:29 UTC).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joqNT2amTpQ
Weather is not looking favorable though
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Last flight for these boosters, they look a bit worn.
LabPadre Retweeted
Nicky D’Alessandro
@NickyXPhoto
Inside Falcon Heavy’s fairings is one of the largest payloads ever lofted by the company. All 3 booster cores will be fully expended in order to achieve direct geosynchronous orbit for the customer satellites, one of the hardest tasks in the industry.
https://twitter.com/NickyXPhoto/status/1651702688705290240
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FuwESfZXsAUcgbX?format=jpg&name=large)
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Falcon 9 launched and booster landed.
Now hoping the weather holds for the heavy
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Falcon Heavy abort less than a minute from launch. No reason given as yet.
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Falcon Heavy abort less than a minute from launch. No reason given as yet.
Probably Jeff wanted to show Elon his new yacht
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Lots of good views of the damage and other info about SpaceX activity
Of particular note is diagrams and info (guesswork actually as he says) on how the water cooled steel plates under the OLM may be installed and work starting at 07:40
With the dust still settling after SpaceX launched the world’s largest and most powerful rocket; we continue to delve into what we all witnessed a little over a week ago. What is the real damage at Starbase’s Stage Zero, and what needs to be done before towards the next Orbital Flight Test.
You’d think all of that would be plenty enough today, but of course SpaceX not being one to disappoint has continued launching Falcon 9s throughout the week. Also iSpace’s HAKUTO-R Mission made its moon landing attempt during the week. How did that go?
The Starship Damage Left Behind: How are SpaceX Moving Forward?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cT73O9zLko
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Did any of you hear about the lightning strike near the launch tower the other day?
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Did any of you hear about the lightning strike near the launch tower the other day?
Yes, and there have been some neat pictures on the web showing the strikes.
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Scott Manley looks at FTSs
How To Destroy Wayward Rockets - Flight Termination Systems Explained
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yekMWWcpfOA
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Did any of you hear about the lightning strike near the launch tower the other day?
Is the photo in reply 2350 not showing? Because that's the exact same image. Mainly asking to see if some images are showing up for everyone and if not I'll have to do something about that.
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Speaking of FTSs
Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
Elon said it on the Spaces, but it was impressive how it held together while going for a cheeky spin. I bet there were some structural folks with the Starship program who were probably cheering on this part of the test. 🫡
Stabilized video of the rocket tumbling at the link. If I'm reading it right that's AFTER the FTS fired and she's still holding together. Elon is saying they need to fixed that for the FAA but it speaks volumes about just how strong the structure is after many people questioned if it would even hold together in normal flight.
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1652515501136920581
Edit: Someone in the comments said that she didn't break up until somewhere around 45 seconds after the FTS was fired. (can't confirm yet). The FAA can't be too happy about that. I'm in total amazement S24 stayed attached to the B7 for that period of time. That is one strong rocket
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Weather may not be looking good though
SpaceX is targeting Sunday, April 30 for a Falcon Heavy launch of the ViaSat-3 Americas mission to geostationary orbit from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Also on board this mission is Astranis's first MicroGEO satellite and Gravity Space’s GS-1 satellite. The 57-minute launch window opens at 7:29 p.m. ET (23:29 UTC).
One of the side boosters on this mission previously supported Arabsat-6A, STP-2, COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation FM2, KPLO, and three Starlink missions, and the second previously supported launch of Arabsat-6A and STP-2.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFbp6PVbJQA
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NSF feed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFw_zbcRtwo
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FAA getting sued " for failing to fully analyze and mitigate the environmental harms resulting from the SpaceX Starship/Super Heavy launch program at Boca Chica."
How many fact distortions can you find in this article?
Lawsuit Aims to Protect Texas Wildlife Habitat, Beach Access From More Exploding Rockets
Regulators Failed to Address Dangers of SpaceX Launches at Boca Chica
https://abcbirds.org/news/spacex-lawsuit/
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FAA getting sued " for failing to fully analyze and mitigate the environmental harms resulting from the SpaceX Starship/Super Heavy launch program at Boca Chica."
How many fact distortions can you find in this article?
Lawsuit Aims to Protect Texas Wildlife Habitat, Beach Access From More Exploding Rockets
Regulators Failed to Address Dangers of SpaceX Launches at Boca Chica
https://abcbirds.org/news/spacex-lawsuit/
I've always had a gut feeling that the Feds are going to shut down all launches from Boca Chica at some point. I sure hope it doesn't come true.
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SpaceX
@SpaceX
Fairing reentry on the ViaSat-3 mission was the hottest and fastest we've ever attempted. The fairings re-entered the atmosphere greater than 15x the speed of sound, creating a large trail of plasma in its wake
Video
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1653509582046769156
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Was the diagonal takeoff toward the ocean intentional to get the rocket away from the pad as soon as possible, or a product of the mismatched thrust?
Heard an interview with Elon where he said the intent was not to lean off the pad and that the shift was due to loss of thrust.
“It should be aspirationally going straight up.”
He also said that a diagonal launch would cause more damage as it dragged the flame across the launch facility.
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Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
SpaceX's Falcon 9 B1069-7 becomes -8 with its touchdown on the drone ship "A Shortfall Of Gravitas."
SpaceX's 30th launch of the year already. 27th for Falcon 9.
This was SpaceX’s 189th successful landing of an orbital class booster and (amazingly) the 115th consecutive landing.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=fAOD65
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1654028236878127104
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Musk's crew are going to town repairing Starship launch damage at SpaceX Boca Chica. Anyone want to guess when they'll have everything back in shipshape condition? Two months? Three months? More?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8ILy2ubf3g (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8ILy2ubf3g)
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I'll go with 1 month.
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SX found some of LaPadre's camera equipment.
LabPadre
@LabPadre
Sweet news! Looks like we're gonna get some barbequed cams back. This will be interesting. Thanks @SpaceX
https://twitter.com/NickyXPhoto/status/1653927854206332929
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FvPunYUX0AIt-xI?format=jpg&name=medium)
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I'll go with 1 month.
If they keep it up like they are currently I'm thinking they could be ready for a another launch in 2 months baring problems.
The FAA is another question entirely
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/FuLtkKQWcAUAJk8.jpg)
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4,000+ Starlinks
Spaceflight Now
@SpaceflightNow
SpaceX surpassed more than 4,000 Starlink internet satellites in orbit with the launch of a Falcon 9 rocket and another batch of 56 spacecraft Thursday from Cape Canaveral, the company’s fourth mission in less than a week.
📷: @mdcainjr
Read more: https://spaceflightnow.com/2023/05/04/fal
https://twitter.com/SpaceflightNow/status/1654591578453704712
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Rocket Lab 'Rocket Like a Hurricane' Launch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3prw-94wQc
Launch Status
Go For Launch
Sun • May 7th, 2023
9:00 PM - 11:00 PM EDT
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Ran out of propellant, OOF!
China Clones Starship, Hakuto-R Lithobrakes, & SpaceX's New Launchpad | This Week in Spaceflight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48aF-v5RxLY
Hakuto didn't fail, it just spontaneously reclassified its mission from Lunar Lander to Lunar Seismic Experiment. =D
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Where's Jeff?
https://twitter.com/thesheetztweetz/status/1655964103482003456
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FvsqkxGWwAETQZ7?format=jpg&name=900x900)
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Oh here's Jeff
Jeff Bezos
@JeffBezos
Congrats @SpaceX
on landing Falcon's suborbital booster stage. Welcome to the club!
8:49 PM · Dec 21, 2015
You still ain't even in the club Jeff! :rofl:
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Yay!
ESA Operations
@esaoperations
🚨 Shocking RIME update 🚨
The RIME antenna on @ESA_JUICE
is free!!!
This Juice Monitoring Camera GIF shows the moments after the Flight Control Team at ESA #MissionControl fired the remaining 'actuator' on the jammed bracket.
More info: https://esa.int/Science_Explor
https://twitter.com/esaoperations/status/1657069054991925275
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Yay!
https://twitter.com/esaoperations/status/1657069054991925275
Excellent news. It will be interesting to see the mission unfold.
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Excellent news. It will be interesting to see the mission unfold.
Was that a pun?
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Where's Jeff?
https://twitter.com/thesheetztweetz/status/1655964103482003456
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FvsqkxGWwAETQZ7?format=jpg&name=900x900)
Where does ULA fit in?
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Where does ULA fit in?
Did ULA even launch anything in the 1st quarter?
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Did ULA even launch anything in the 1st quarter?
I guess not. Nothing since Nov '22.
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Was that a pun?
Purely unintentional. I realized what I had said after I posted.
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Raptor 3
Elon Musk
@elonmusk
Raptor V3 just achieved 350 bar chamber pressure (269 tons of thrust). Congrats to @SpaceX
propulsion team!
Starship Super Heavy Booster has 33 Raptors, so total thrust of 8877 tons or 19.5 million pounds.
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1657249739925258240
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/FuLtkKQWcAUAJk8_fiXjg9BVRs3nhPDtZ2qnid.jpg)
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Marcus House with his weekly update
SpaceX Unveils Raptor 3 Engine for Starship, and a Space Station with Vast!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uejAVnWPr2k
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This landing rockets and reusing them thing will never work
Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
SpaceX Falcon 9 B1067-11 lands on the drone ship Just Read the Instructions (JRTI) and becomes B1067-12.
This was the 223rd Falcon 9 launch, 165th reflight of a booster, 191st booster landing, and the 117th consecutive booster landing.
The last booster landing failure was on Starlink v1.0 L19 on Feb. 16, 2021!
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1657614954608967680
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117th consecutive booster landing.
This is approaching NASA man-rating capability.
What was the numbers thrown around for LOC with Commercial Crew? 1:270?
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SpaceX Falcon 9 B1067-11 lands on the drone ship Just Read the Instructions (JRTI) and becomes B1067-12.
This was the 223rd Falcon 9 launch, 165th reflight of a booster, 191st booster landing, and the 117th consecutive booster landing.
The last booster landing failure was on Starlink v1.0 L19 on Feb. 16, 2021!
This booster reuse number jumps out at me. That is impressive.
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This booster reuse number jumps out at me. That is impressive.
How's this for impressive?
Alejandro Alcantarilla Romera (Alex)
@Alexphysics13
SpaceX finally confirms they're certifying boosters to fly up to 20 times. This comes about a year since I originally reported this and even after a SpaceX official had told Aviation Week they were cutting it off at 15 flights...
https://twitter.com/Alexphysics13/status/1658225167393234946
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Raptor 3
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1657249739925258240
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/FuLtkKQWcAUAJk8_fiXjg9BVRs3nhPDtZ2qnid.jpg)
Thinking about this photo, I think what SpaceX is doing is methodical and could be termed as slow, but not in comparison to the government agencies we are used to. NASA is risk averse, and when I say risk averse, I mean bureaucratic risk and avoiding any risk of failure. That brings development and upgrades to a glacially slow pace and allows politics to dominate over good engineering. The development speed Elon brings is building multiple rockets so they don't have to build a new one every time one crashes. Along with plowing ahead and not allowing the failure analysis process to paralyze progress.
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Here's Curious Droid with a rather interesting video
If you look at modern-day closeup launch footage you may well feel a little disappointed compared to the older film footage from the Apollo and Space Shuttle days. Why is this?, we have modern digital cameras which are better than the old film cameras of the 60s, 70s, & 80s right?
Look at almost every close-up shot of recent launches from SpaceX and NASA and you will see them looking grossly overexposed almost as soon as the engines start and certainly when the SRBs light up, something that didn't happen on the Apollo and Shuttle footage. In this video, we look at why image quality has gone backward as camera technology has gone forwards and that old in this case isn’t necessarily bad.
Why is Older NASA Launch Film Footage Still the Best?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2t-lEoN2HM
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You'd think automatic exposure compensation would be pretty spot on with modern digital cameras.
Makes me wonder if the modern digital photographer doesn't possess the knowledge or doesn't care about the craft enough.
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You'd think automatic exposure compensation would be pretty spot on with modern digital cameras.
Makes me wonder if the modern digital photographer doesn't possess the knowledge or doesn't care about the craft enough.
It's not an exposure problem per say but the tighter less forgiving dynamic range of digital compared to film.
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https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1659218650900074498
Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
I've bugged Elon enough about this already, but it seems Ship 25 is currently partnered with Booster 9 for the next test flight.
(I got Ship 28 in the office pool, so no gift basket for me).
Screenshot shows Ship 29, Ship 28 and Ship 25 right now:
SpaceX
@SpaceX
·
23m
Ship 25 moved to a suborbital pad at Starbase for an upcoming static fire of its six Raptor engines
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It's not an exposure problem per say but the tighter less forgiving dynamic range of digital compared to film.
It is the medium they chose to use I would think they would choose to optimize the results. There are ways around the dynamic range limitations even with consumer grade digital cameras. A high end set up should be able to do better.
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It is the medium they chose to use I would think they would choose to optimize the results. There are ways around the dynamic range limitations even with consumer grade digital cameras.
Nature of CCD & CMOS sensors vs film. After many years of doing darkroom work and then switching to digital, digital blows out way more in a unrecoverable manner than film. There are images I could recover in the darkroom but couldn't in similar images shot with digital. In the examples shown in the video you can see where the sensor is overwhelmed.
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I started shooting film in the early '80s, started darkroom work in 1990. Still have my own darkroom and multiple film cameras in multiple formats, 35mm, 120, and 4x5 and shoot, develop and print B&W and develop C41 at home. I also shoot digital and have been for a more than a decade.
I know the limitations of both mediums and I also know that the limitations can be worked with and around. For the extreme overexposure we see on the SpaceX "footage" one possible option would be something like this from Sony -
https://pro.sony/en_GL/technology/variable-auto-nd-filter-technology
It can be done, it is still my opinion that the modern digital photographer doesn't possess the knowledge or doesn't care about the craft enough, or they (SpaceX) don't want to spend the money for it.
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It's the nature of electronic sensors issue. When one part of the sensor starts to get overloaded in it's dynamic range it tends to overload the rest of the sensor to the point where there's nothing left to recover.
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Curious Droid put out a correction video.
In the original he stated NASA no longer used high speed film and only shoot in digital now. Well it turns out NASA is still using high speed film in addition to digital but that they just don't normally release it to the public. Well someone requested if it could be released and NASA did release some.
This is a quick update to the last video "Why is Older NASA Launch Film Footage Still the Best?" • Why is Older NASA...
In that, I bemoaned the fact that even though we have supposedly better cameras than the Apollo and Shuttle days, the amazing close-up footage of today’s launches are not seen because digital cameras can't handle the over-exposure situations of the very bright engines and SRB's compared to film.
Well, I just found out that NASA does still use high-speed film to record engineering footage and that this has just become available for the Artemis 1 launch of Nov 2022. So below are the links to the NASA footage on their images website and also the twitter user Go4Gordan who used a freedom of information request to get it released.
Watch the full video for a just over 7 minute best of compilation of some of the eight plus hours of slow-mo footage available set to Mars By Holst.
NASA Film Footage Update & Artemis Launch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jl5yQ6RX_eE
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Took a screen shot that highlights the issue.
With the view shot on digital this was completely blown out.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/Screenshot_2023-05-18_200805.png)
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Even though watching them land never gets old it has almost gotten to the point of reporting the mail got delivered
Making it look easy....again.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzEfuP95Z90
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https://spacenews.com/space-force-looks-at-options-for-relieving-cape-canaveral-launch-congestion/
East-bound launches from California may be happening some day soon. Of course, this would probably only be for reusable vehicles with high degrees of reliability and control redundancy.
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BO chosen as the alternate for the Luna Lander
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1659570111517278208
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BO chosen as the alternate for the Luna Lander
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1659570111517278208
The "alternate."
This will be another CST-100 boondoggle, where SpaceX flies 10 (or more) missions before other guy gets a demo mission accomplished (Crew Dragon has flown 10 manned missions while Boeing's Starliner has yet to have a successful demo mission).
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Sure the final design will be more penis like
Blue Origin release a hi-res version of Blue Moon:
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1659575548790669312
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HV2UoWhV7qs
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Space X is testing out water-cooled steel plates blast diverters.
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1659599720761950208?s=20
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https://spacenews.com/space-force-looks-at-options-for-relieving-cape-canaveral-launch-congestion/
East-bound launches from California may be happening some day soon. Of course, this would probably only be for reusable vehicles with high degrees of reliability and control redundancy.
I can't see the government approving that but on the flip side though that for after obit landings it would be safer for those on the ground since reentry would be over water if approved for such.
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Sure the final design will be more penis like
Blue Origin release a hi-res version of Blue Moon:
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1659575548790669312
Jeff Bezos, Space Grifter!
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I see BO changed to an upper engine design layout from the bottom engine layout of the original design. Not only does this mitigate the lunar dust and crater issue it also gets rid of the ladder of death of the previous layout.
SX plans on having an elevator like setup on their lunar lander which is basically a Starship with the landing/ascent engines on the upper part as well.
BO original design on the left, SX right
Note the ladder on BO's
(https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0173/8204/7844/articles/untitleddesign_1_original_47e487e8-5c4e-4327-875e-a44cdd88c75e.jpg?v=1627351019&width=1000)
BO's new design
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fwf_J1hX0AANbOh?format=jpg&name=small)
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Space X is testing out water-cooled steel plates blast diverters.
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1659599720761950208?s=20
Need some hotdogs and a very long stick
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Marcus House's weekly update.
Includes some footage of what appears testing of the (maybe improved?) FTS at 01:07
SpaceX Starship Static Fire Prep, NASA Blue Origin Announcement of Lunar Lander, and much more
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IXMMqPE3Tk
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SpaceX is targeting Saturday, May 20 at 6:16 a.m. PT (13:16 UTC).) for launch of the Iridium OneWeb mission to a low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
The Falcon 9 first stage booster supporting this mission previously launched Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich, DART, Transporter-7, and seven Starlink missions. After stage separation, the first stage will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, which will be stationed in the Pacific Ocean.
A live webcast of this mission will begin about 15 minutes prior to liftoff
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crdFx4HiSFw
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Poor Iridium.
They were an anchor customer for SpaceX's early days. Their network is prominently used by Garmin and Spot and similar emergency GPS beacons, and it's on the threshold of being made obsolete by Starlink and their partnership with T-mobile that will be backwards compatible with existing phones on the T-mobile network.
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Falcon 9 is launching the Axiom-2 mission with Astronauts Peggy Whitson, John Shoffner, Ali Alqarni, and Rayyanah Barnawi on board. The mission will take 4 astronauts to the International Space Station on Axiom's second all-private astronaut mission to the ISS. Liftoff is scheduled for 5:37 PM EDT (21:37 UTC) from LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida. This is the first space flight by a Saudi female astronaut and the first planned landing of a booster from a crewed mission on land at LZ-1.
SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches Axiom-2 Mission to the International Space Station
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXkvQVSo6dA
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I see BO changed to an upper engine design layout from the bottom engine layout of the original design. Not only does this mitigate the lunar dust and crater issue it also gets rid of the ladder of death of the previous layout.
Well according to Scott Manley's Kerbal model the engines are on the bottom while it's just the fuel tank tanks on top. I though the engines were hiding up there somewhere next to the tanks. So I stand corrected? Maybe?
Why Blue Origin's Lunar Lander Is A Radical Rethink
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpoR87UDnPA
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SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches Axiom-2 Mission to the International Space Station
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXkvQVSo6dA
And the mission in in progress: https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/axiom-space-private-astronauts-headed-to-international-space-station
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They just docked.
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SpaceX is targeting Tuesday, May 23 for Falcon 9’s launch of the ARABSAT BADR-8 mission to a geosynchronous transfer orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The 127-minute launch window opens at 11:25 p.m. ET (03:25 UTC on May 24). If needed, there is a backup opportunity available on Wednesday, May 24 with the same window.
The first stage booster supporting this mission previously launched GPS III Space Vehicle 04, GPS III Space Vehicle 05, Inspiration4, Ax-1, Nilesat 301, OneWeb Launch 17, and seven Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Just Read the Instructions droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
A live webcast of this mission will begin about fifteen minutes prior to liftoff.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0q-0eD5s-sk
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Weather scrub
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Progress MS-23 (84P)
Soyuz 2.1a
Russian Federal Space Agency (ROSCOSMOS)
Launch Status
Go For Launch
Wed • May 24th, 2023
8:56 AM EDT
NOW! ISS Resupply Soyuz Launch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxc00VqRBCA
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Looking at that live feed ^^^^^
30 minutes before launch and there's still a large number of people at the pad. NASA would have a heart attack just thinking about that.
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20 minutes, still there.
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Within minutes after the launch people back at the pad. Need to get some smelling salts for NASA.
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20 minutes, still there.
I want to say that F9 takes about 40 minutes to load propellant. I'm rather surprised that people are around the rocket during fueling.
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Russia osha guy is about the same level as BMW turn signals installer.
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Russia osha guy is about the same level as BMW turn signals installer.
(https://i.pinimg.com/736x/78/3f/96/783f9602919a2910159f1498ff81a997.jpg)
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Live now
Window is from 10:00-18:00 EDT
After a nearly two-year pause in flights, starting after a deviation from controlled airspace during Sir Richard Branson’s flight in July 2021, the Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo VSS Unity is being prepared to make its first powered flight since the eventful Unity 22 mission.
The Unity 25 mission, like Unity 22, will have a full crew complement of six. Two pilots and four Virgin Galactic employees will be on board. The employees will test out the customer experience prior to the beginning of commercial operations.
VSS Unity, slung underneath the VMS Eve White Knight Two mothership, is scheduled to take off from the Spaceport America complex near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico Thursday. After takeoff, VMS Eve will climb to an altitude of approximately 14,325 meters (47,000 feet) before releasing VSS Unity
Unity 25 - Virgin Galactic Return to Flight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bQQ5lxfKGU
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NASA ER-2 (U-2) in the air
Edit: I was looking at Edwards not White Sands. Nevermind.
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Stratolaunch bought VO's 747 (Cosmic Girl)
Not sure what this means for ROC
Stratolaunch Expands Fleet with Virgin Orbit's Modified Boeing 747
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/stratolaunch-expands-fleet-with-virgin-orbits-modified-boeing-747-301834904.html?tc=eml_cleartime
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SpaceX investment in Starship approaches $5 billion
https://spacenews.com/spacex-investment-in-starship-approaches-5-billion/
Article include info on the current lawsuit but of note about what it says about the cost of Starship so far.
The statement did not break out the investment between the launch vehicle itself and infrastructure. SpaceX Chief Executive Elon Musk, in an April 29 online discussion on Twitter, the social media network he also owns, estimated that the company would spend about $2 billion on Starship this year.
“It’ll probably be a couple billion dollars this year, two billion dollars-ish, all in on Starship,” he said, adding that he did not expect to have to raise funding to finance that work. He also said in that conversation that he expected Starship to launch four to five more times this year and “would be surprised” if the company didn’t achieve orbit by the end of the year.
Note 4 or 5 more launches this year =)
for comparisons
In all, the total cost of developing SLS and Orion, as well as a failed rocket predecessor called Ares, is somewhere around $50 billion.
Veteran space watchers wonder if SLS will have a long life now that New Space is nimbly competing with older contractors. SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy costs well north of $100 million per launch. The SLS? About $4 billion per launch, some sources say. And according to veteran space reporter Eric Berger, it’s at least $2 billion per launch.
SLS - $50 billion spent so far and $4 billion per launch :O Yes you read that right. Yes that $50B figure includes Orion and the cancelled Aries but still.
By the numbers: The Space Launch System, NASA’s next Moon rocket
https://www.astronomy.com/space-exploration/by-the-numbers-the-space-launch-system-nasas-next-moon-rocket/
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NASA still not happy with Starliner
NASA safety panel skeptical of Starliner readiness for crewed flight
https://spacenews.com/nasa-safety-panel-skeptical-of-starliner-readiness-for-crewed-flight/
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^^^^
I wonder if that $5Bn number includes Raptor development. That engine is really impressive. Even if $5bn is only the Starship and Super Heavy vehicles it's impressive, if it includes 3 generations of Rapror, it's astonishing.
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^^^^
I wonder if that $5Bn number includes Raptor development. That engine is really impressive. Even if $5bn is only the Starship and Super Heavy vehicles it's impressive, if it includes 3 generations of Rapror, it's astonishing.
To be clear that $5B figure will be what they estimate they will have spent by end of year. Says they have spent a bit over $3B so far.
Not sure if the $3B includes Raptor dev but the article clearly states the $3B figure includes both Starship AND Starbase.
He specifically noted that since a 2014 “record of decision” by the FAA, allowing SpaceX to develop launch facilities at Boca Chica (originally for the Falcon family of launch vehicles), “SpaceX has invested more than $3 billion into developing the Boca Chica launch facility and Starship/Super Heavy launch system.”
Way that reads to me the $3b figure could include Raptor development since Raptor engines are an integral part of Starship.
Doubt NASA could have had the paper study done for Starship and Starbase for $3B
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Elon Musk
@elonmusk
Major launchpad upgrades should be complete in about a month, then another month of rocket testing on pad, then flight 2 of Starship
9:05 PM · May 26, 2023
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109.4K
Views
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Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
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51m
Epic vid and some extra footage.
ALSO: Ship 25 is finally confirmed as flying with Booster 9 on the next test flight.
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More info on HAKUTO-R M1 lander, they found a software bug
The Tokyo-based company said its investigation into the failed landing of its HAKUTO-R M1 lander April 25 concluded that the onboard computer disregarded altitude information from a laser rangefinder on the lander as it passed over a crater rim, leading the lander to conclude it was on the surface when it was still five kilometers above it.
Software problem blamed for ispace lunar lander crash
https://spacenews.com/software-problem-blamed-for-ispace-lunar-lander-crash/
Link includes image of the crash site.
Scott Manley put out a video.
Why Japan's Moon Lander Crashed Due to An Unbelievable Computer Bug
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JlUnOAiMm4
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Falcon 9 is launching the Arabsat 7B mission. Liftoff is scheduled for 11:25 PM EDT (03:25 UTC) from SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. The first stage is B1062, which will attempt a landing on Just Read The Instructions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXrtjnN0mdI
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More SLS news with another set of $ numbers
NASA's spending on the Artemis Moon Program is expected to reach $93 billion by 2025, including $23.8 billion already spent on the SLS system through 2022. That sum represents "$6 billion in cost increases and over six years in schedule delays above NASA’s original projections," the report states.
The $50B figure in the post above included Orion and Aries so IF this article is correct $23.8 has been spend on SLS alone or we have another case of government fiance tracking
NASA's SLS rocket is $6 billion over budget and six years behind schedule
https://www.engadget.com/nasas-sls-rocket-is-6-billion-over-budget-and-six-years-behind-schedule-091432515.html
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"It must be a comet or something"
SpaceX heard around the Gulf Coast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRaiwK-GqHg
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That tilt at launch at 15:31 look familiar?
Starship vs N1... Is Starship doomed to repeat history?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgqZMK22LEk
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https://aviationweek.com/aerospace/commercial-space/ula-delays-vulcan-rocket-engine-hot-fire
Blue Origin's BE-4 engine yet again slowing down ULA's Vulcan rocket, this time with a halted static fire and a roll back to VIF for further inspection. There was a delayed response in the booster ignition sequence that concerned launch technicians.
I really wonder if these two BE-4's attached to this Vulcan will fly. My suspicion is that if they do, ULA will have their first launch failure ever. But if these don't fly, then ULA will have an abysmal cadence for 2023, and will be ineligible for government launch contracts until they somehow do their 3 proof tests of Vulcan with some sort of payload.
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Meanwhile Elon already has 3rd gen Raptors firing on the test stands.
Don't get me wrong if they get the BE-4 going it could be a great engine but right now the safe money is on SpaceX and Raptor.
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Meanwhile Elon already has 3rd gen Raptors firing on the test stands.
Don't get me wrong if they get the BE-4 going it could be a great engine but right now the safe money is on SpaceX and Raptor.
Come this August, the BO BE-4 engines will be four years behind schedule for their first flight. Certainly not a good look for Bezos.
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And Starliner is indefinitely delayed. For problems with parachute systems, mystery screen reboots, and flammable tape.
https://www.cnbc.com/2023/06/01/boeing-further-delays-first-starliner-astronaut-mission-for-nasa.html
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and flammable tape.
1967 called and wants it's tape back.
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https://spacenews.com/dream-chaser-moves-a-step-closer-to-first-launch/
Dreamchaser prototype is looking good. Headed to Plum Brook for vacuum testing, then off to Canaveral for integration and launch.
Of course, that launch is scheduled on top of a ULA Vulcan... powered by Blue Origin BE-4 engines... both of which are experiencing severe and recurring delays.
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Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
Starliner delayed again.
Boeing has found two new issues via the latest review.
1) Parachute System - soft links (made of fabric) load limit data wasn't correct and restest showed failure at a loading point.
2) Wire harnesses covered in tape. The tape is now determined to be flammable.
Boeing is standing down the preps for the CFT mission.
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1664377812684357633
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https://spacenews.com/dream-chaser-moves-a-step-closer-to-first-launch/
Dreamchaser prototype is looking good. Headed to Plum Brook for vacuum testing, then off to Canaveral for integration and launch.
Of course, that launch is scheduled on top of a ULA Vulcan... powered by Blue Origin BE-4 engines... both of which are experiencing severe and recurring delays.
There was talk a couple of years ago of looking into if it could be put on top of a Falcon 9. Elon said yes it could but it would require a payload fairing redesign. Haven't seen anything if SX ever seriously looked into actually doing the redesign since. May be time to look into that again just in case.
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SpaceX is targeting Sunday, June 4 at 8:20 a.m. ET (12:20 UTC) for a Falcon 9 launch of 22 second-generation Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. If needed, backup launch opportunities are available on Monday, June 5 at 5:44 a.m. ET (09:44 UTC), 6:23 a.m. ET (10:23 UTC), and 8:04 a.m. ET (12:04 UTC)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dy68lCXLsGc
NSF feed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hJJUPYKxZo
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But wait, there's more
SpaceX is targeting Sunday, June 4 for Falcon 9’s launch of Dragon’s 28th Commercial Resupply Services (CRS-28) mission to the International Space Station from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The instantaneous launch window is at 12:12 p.m. ET (16:12 UTC) and a backup launch opportunity is available on Monday, June 5 at 11:47 a.m. ET (15:47 UTC) pending range approval.
This is the fifth flight of the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Crew-5, GPS III Space Vehicle 06, Inmarsat I-6 F2, and one Starlink mission. Following stage separation, Falcon 9 will land on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship in the Atlantic Ocean.
CRS-28 is the fourth flight for this Dragon spacecraft, which previously flew CRS-21, CRS-23, and CRS-25 to the space station. After an approximate 42-hour flight, Dragon will autonomously dock with the orbiting laboratory on Tuesday, June 6 at approximately 6:15 a.m. ET (10:15 UTC).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Umx-gjHAXsc
NSF feed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fC2ksjj5qw
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Cargo Dragon flight scrubbed due to winds in the booster recovery zone. They'll try again tomorrow.
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Another go at it.
Falcon 9 is launching Dragon's CRS-28 cargo resupply mission to the Space Station. Liftoff is scheduled for 12:35 PM EST (16:35 UTC) from LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida. The first stage is B1077, which will attempt to land on A Shortfall of Gravitas.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fC2ksjj5qw
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Apparently there are those who think SpaceX's landings are faked.
Normally I would just dismiss this as people just trolling but nowadays?
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1665710441169920006
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Did they fake all the failures also?
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Gav Cornwell
@SpaceOffshore
Fuel loading is underway at SLC-41 as ULA prepares for the Vulcan Flight Readiness Firing. Venting is visible and the flare stack is active.
Expected around/after 6pm ET tonight.
Live: http://nsf.live/spacecoast
https://twitter.com/SpaceOffshore/status/1666505752922521600
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Vulcan Cert-1 Flight Readiness Firing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWn3v4j5aTg
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While we're waiting on the Vulcan test firing more Boeing news
Boeing has been accused in a bombshell lawsuit of making knock-off versions of patented tools for work on NASA rockets, allegedly leading to the leaks that caused numerous embarrassing delays for the historic Artemis I mission.
The federal lawsuit filed on Wednesday by Wilson Aerospace alleges that Boeing stole trade secrets for NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, and built components with 'critical' safety flaws that could endanger astronauts.
The suit said that, after Boeing cancelled a contract with Wilson, the company made its own versions of Wilson's highly specialized tools, including one known as a Fluid Fitting Torque Device.
Wilson alleges in the suit that 'the mismatched tools have caused some fluid leaks that have continually delayed the SLS launch, costing NASA hundreds of millions of dollars while unjustly enriching Boeing through its cost-plus contract with NASA.'
The first NASA mission using the SLS, known as Artemis I, was repeatedly scrubbed last year due to a series of faulty sensor readings and errors in the fueling process, before launching successfully on November 16.
Boeing used 'counterfeit' tools on NASA rockets - causing fuel leaks that repeatedly delayed $4.1B Artemis I launch and 'critical' safety flaws that may endanger astronauts, suit claims
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12171185/Boeing-used-counterfeit-tools-NASA-rockets-lawsuit-claims.html
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Vulcan Cert-1 Flight Readiness Firing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWn3v4j5aTg
(https://i.redd.it/szuiutlfqqa81.jpg)
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T-2.5 minutes
First vertical firing of the BE-4
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Fired, no boom. Jeff can go back to humping his GF
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NSF: No vans were damaged on this test
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NSF: No vans were damaged on this test
That's a relief.
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video
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1666612689643159552
Hopefully the test went well. ULA has bet the farm on these engines.
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#2 for the day
SpaceX is targeting Monday, June 12 for Falcon 9’s launch of the Transporter-8 mission to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The 57-minute launch window opens at 2:19 p.m. PT (21:19 UTC). If needed, there is a backup opportunity Tuesday, June 13 with the same window.
The first stage booster supporting this mission previously launched NROL-87, NROL-85, SARah-1, SWOT, and four Starlink missions. Following stage separation, Falcon 9 will land on Landing Zone 4 (LZ-4) at Vandenberg Space Force Base.
Transporter-8 is SpaceX’s eighth dedicated smallsat rideshare mission. There will be 72 payloads on this flight, including CubeSats, MicroSats, a re-entry capsule, and orbital transfer vehicles carrying spacecraft to be deployed at a later time.
A live webcast of this mission will begin about 15 minutes prior to liftoff.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zO3luySkHQU
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Interesting little video.
Wait for it
Rocket reusability enables increased reliability and launch cadence
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1668399552771297285
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Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
Elon says the next Starship launch is in 6-8 weeks.
And this is where the replies to that timeline are all "No chance, bruv!" 😅
Not impossible. Pad mods are in the final stage now. Ship 25 is about to Static Fire. Install steel plates and deluge system, do some OLM testing. Get the Tank Farm ready to rock and roll. Rollout Booster 9. Static Fire B9. Stack the vehicles. More testing. FAA says "Ye!" Send it.
Quote Tweet
Elon Musk
@elonmusk
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9h
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1668659299197804545?cn=ZmxleGlibGVfcmVjcw%3D%3D&refsrc=email
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I guess a month was too short?
Some of those replies might be right that government interference will stop it before anything else.
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I may be late to the party but I just saw my first starlink satellite train tonight. And I'm mostly okay and the meds seem fine but... The ones in charge ought to publicize this stuff. Because some unbalanced wacko is going to see that and figure that the aliens are here, the end is nigh, time to go bang the neighbor and then settle some old scores. [tinfoil] [popcorn] [ar15]
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Live at time of posting
SpaceX Starship 25 Engine Testing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMRFGRGRU7w
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Marcus House with his weekly update https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIb2lHjHuVA
Of note
Elon time
Water deluge system details
Build site upgrades
B12 being assembled
S28
Moon lander mock up?
ISS news
The week's launches rundown including SX's F9 200th landing
Some JWST news
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NSF updates https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzDBRNOeAow
Of note
Stokes making progress on a fully reusable rocket
After the sell of Virgin Orbit assets news including Cosmic Girl (They're going to change her name =()
ULA Vulcan news, could be more delays. Hint, not the BE-4s.
Cats!
Launches of the week
200th F9 landing!
BepiColombo Mercury flybys
Upcoming launches
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Falcon 9 is launching the Satria mission with the Indonesian Ka-band high throughput communications satellite. The beginning of 3 1/2 hour launch window opens at 5:20PM EDT from SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. The first stage, B1067, is flying for the 12th time and will attempt to land on A Shortfall of Gravitas.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtMOvm6Ivk8
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Live at time of posting
SpaceX Starship 25 Testing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hip5Jih3aOA
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Delta IV Heavy launch last night
Delta IV Heavy Launched the NROL-68 for the National Reconnaissance Office
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxlRPt5uaW4
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Only one more Delta IV planned, right?
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Only one more Delta IV planned, right?
Yep, one more and that's the end of the line for the DIVH.
Scheduled for Q1 2024
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More Starlink last night as well.
Making it look easy, again.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98JQV1czLsA
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Interesting little piece of info on the the DIVH wiki page
Missions thirteen through sixteen were announced by the National Reconnaissance Office.[22] For the final four missions (13-16) including modifications, ULA was awarded US$2.2 billion, or US$440 million per launch.[23] This can be compared with the Falcon Heavy launch price of $90M to $150M. As of June 2023, only one remain before ULA retires the Delta IV Heavy.[24]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delta_IV_Heavy
Pretty rocket but at 3x to 4.8x the cost per launch compared to FH plus the upcoming Vulcun you can see why they're being retired.
Not sure why the wide range of prices for FH but even the highest is far cheaper
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Not sure why the wide range of prices for FH but even the highest is far cheaper
I'm guessing mostly based on how many of the boosters/core can be recovered, but custom fairing is likely to play into it too. A fully expended Falcon Heavy is going to run a lot more than one they are able to plan to recover everything from.
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I'm guessing mostly based on how many of the boosters/core can be recovered, but custom fairing is likely to play into it too. A fully expended Falcon Heavy is going to run a lot more than one they are able to plan to recover everything from.
Ah! Didn't think of that
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I'd bet the wide range in Falcon Heavy pricing is due to whether the center booster is recovered or not. Some launches to higher orbit require expending the center booster rather than recovering it.
Edit: "Missed it by that much." Cordex beat me to it.
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Not only much cheaper but more capable
Numbers from wiki
LEO
DIVH - 63,470lbs
FH - 120,000/140,000lbs (Reuse/Fully expended)
GTO
DIVH - 31,350lbs
FH - 16,000*/59,000lbs
* number seems off to me.
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GTO
DIVH - 31,350lbs
FH - 16,000*/59,000lbs
* number seems off to me.
To recover the boosters, they have to have MECO early enough that the booster doesn't burn up on re-entry. There are basically 3 flight profiles for FH:
1. Expended. Side cores burn to completion and fall to the ocean. Center core burns to completion and falls in the ocean. This gives the greatest reserve to the 2nd stage to push a heavy payload.
2. Downrange booster recovery, center core expended. Side cores cut out with reserve to be recovered on drone ships. Center core burns to completion. Less boost to the 2nd stage.
3. RTLS booster recovery, center core downrange recovery. Side cores reserve even more fuel to cancel out horizontal momentum and return to launch site. Center core reserves fuel to land. Least boost to 2nd stage, it's got a lot of work to do and a heavy payload to do it to.
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SpaceX is targeting Friday, June 23 at 11:35 a.m. ET (15:35 UTC) for a Falcon 9 launch of 56 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. If needed, backup opportunities are available on Saturday, June 24 at 9:05 a.m. ET (13:05 UTC) and 10:46 a.m. ET (14:46 UTC).
The first stage booster supporting this mission previously launched CRS-24, Eutelsat HOTBIRD 13F, OneWeb 1, SES-18 and SES-19, and three Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Just Read the Instructions droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lwAP91Y7Cs
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I saw a Starlink array last night about 9:45PM Central. I'm in SE WI. It's like living in the future . . . .
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Keep having click bait YT videos pop up that from the titles say to show a LIVE SpaceX launch. Check the schedule and none listed. Seeing more and more crap like this on YT.
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Switching over to "Hot Staging" for Starship. That's where the 2nd stage engines fire while the 2nd is still attached to the 1st. Musk says this will allow more than a 10% increase in payload but will require a redesign of the upper part of the 1st to have vents and shielding.
He also notes they have made over a thousand changes to the vehicle
SpaceX changing Starship stage separation ahead of next launch
https://spacenews.com/spacex-changing-starship-stage-separation-ahead-of-next-launch/
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Interesting video
I want to try that slide LOL
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to stand next to a partially fueled Saturn 5 rocket, just hours before the historic Apollo 11 launch, with the looming threat of a catastrophic explosion? Or more importantly, how a group of brave individuals could survive such an ordeal? In this video I will take you inside the abandoned 1960s bunker known as the rubber room, and reveal the incredible measures taken to protect the Apollo crew in the event of a disaster.
NASA’s Hidden Underground Bunker
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89zdHsb2pWU
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Zack Golden
@CSI_Starbase
This morning SpaceX completed the concrete foundation under the Orbital Launch Mount.
Over a period of 10.5 hours, 132 loads of concrete were delivered to the Launch Complex. This is equivalent to almost exactly 1,000 cubic meters.
This will need a few days to cure before the next steps can begin.
https://twitter.com/CSI_Starbase/status/1673350738553221123
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Live at time of posting
SpaceX Ship 25 Static Fire Testing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iv-TSySI6DY
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Suppose t to go live at 10:00 EST
The Galactic 01 mission (formerly known as Unity 23) will be Virgin Galactic's fifth crewed spaceflight and SpaceShipTwo's first commercial mission. It is a research mission for the Italian Air Force. The crew will consist of pilots Frederick Sturckow and Michael Masucci as well as crewmembers Beth Moses, Walter Villadei, Angelo Landolfi, and Pantaleone Carlucci.
Virgin Galactic 01 mission - First Commercial Crew Mission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Su9IbRyS_aE
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:rofl:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/_aX3C1HSccY
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SpaceX plans to roll out the water-cooled steel deluge plate, which will suppress the energy of the Super Heavy booster for the second integrated flight test. The plate will be moved vertically from the production to the launch site and placed below the OLM. The road closure is from 9PM to 11PM central time.
SpaceX Rolls Out Steel Deluge Plate
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXpQCQ0l14U
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Falcon 9 is launching the European Space Agency Euclid Telescope. Liftoff is scheduled to occur from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) in Florida on July 1st at 11:12AM EDT (15:12 UTC). The first stage, B1080, is flying for a second time and will land on A Shortfall Of Gravitas. Euclid is set to survey one third of the sky to uncover the origin and nature of dark matter and dark energy in our universe.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L62bZHVrfy4
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Marcus House with his weekly update
SpaceX Drops Bombshell Upgrade Announcement: Can it really be that good?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOetjCCNZ3w
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/F0MoTRvWAAA6OKF.jpg)
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Marcus House with his weekly update
Lots of good view of the OLM water system install.
Mind-Blowing Transformation at the SpaceX Starship Launch Site!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=740TF0k1V1E
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6 engines on Starship right now but Elon has said it will be going to 9
33 engines on the Booster.
9+33=42
42
42
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I see what he did there...
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The last one to go up was the sixteenth launch and landing for a booster.
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China wins the methane rocket to orbit race.
China’s Landspace reaches orbit with methane-powered Zhuque-2 rocket
https://spacenews.com/chinas-landspace-reaches-orbit-with-methane-powered-zhuque-2-rocket/
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Speaking of methane
BE-4 go BOOM!
Michael Sheetz
@thesheetztweetz
Scoop – One of Blue Origin’s BE-4 rocket engines exploded during a test firing in Texas on June 30, according to CNBC sources.
The engine was to be delivered this month to ULA for Vulcan’s Cert-2 launch. More:
https://twitter.com/thesheetztweetz/status/1678844068703477762
Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin rocket engine explodes during testing
https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/11/jeff-bezos-blue-origin-be-4-rocket-engine-explodes-during-testing.html
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The last one to go up was the sixteenth launch and landing for a booster.
This reusable rocket stuff will never work
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The last one to go up was the sixteenth launch and landing for a booster.
This reusable rocket stuff will never work
Dirty bird
https://twitter.com/_mgde_/status/1679284306408095744
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Another one goes BOOM!
This time a Japanese solid
Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
·
12h
JAXA's Epsilon S solid rocket motor exploded during testing
Boom around the 0:56 mark
https://twitter.com/a2cplus/status/1679654885682479104
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And SpaceX had a scrub last night at the T-0:40 mark. No word on why.
SpaceX aborts Falcon 9 rocket's record-tying 16th launch attempt
https://www.space.com/spacex-falcon-9-starlink-launch-abort-july-2023
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But the Indians had a successful launch of their moon rover
India launches historic Chandrayaan-3 moon rover to land at the lunar south pole
https://www.space.com/india-launches-chandrayaan-3-moon-landing-mission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XA1EkrZVOSM
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Rocket Lab 'Baby Come Back' Launch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AA6WI05yKHM
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Starship Deluge System Tested for the First Time (Partial Test) | SpaceX Boca Chica
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlOkUBSS1LY
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SX had a scrub last night at T-00:05
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1681536105194110977
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SpaceX Rolls Starship Booster 9 at Starbase
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3rt0Iov07s
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One of the raptors numbers was 172
172!
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From the feed
Elon said the launch count has been changed from 6 second from engine start to liftoff to 3 seconds.
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The hot staging ring is not on B9 yet
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SpaceX Lifts Starship Booster 9 to Launch Pad at Starbase
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipxhcn-MiW0
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(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F1h0reWWAAEi6lj?format=jpg&name=4096x4096)
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(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F1h3Xe2WwAUD5ZC?format=jpg&name=medium)
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/F1lhCiZaUAER1kk.jpg)
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Live
SpaceX Test Booster 9 On The Orbital Launch Mount
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwgRixEbFh8
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B9 is a big icicle
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It's still a big icicle.
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SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches Starlink 6-6
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3GGY0N_Hak
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Should get a jellyfish tonight
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Falcon Heavy tonight
SpaceX's Falcon Heavy is launching the EchoStar 24 (Jupiter 3) mission. The 99-minute launch window opens at 11:04 p.m. ET from LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The center core is B1074-1, and the side cores are B1064-3 and B1065-3. The side boosters will land on LZ-1 and LZ-2. The center core will be expended.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bK7L3tN9sWI
Will launch the heaviest payload to geo orbit ever
Ahead of what will be its third flight this year, Falcon Heavy is being prepared for the record-breaking launch of EchoStar 24. Also known as Jupiter 3, this payload will be the heaviest satellite launched to a geostationary transfer orbit, massing 9.2 tonnes. As such, Falcon Heavy will need to expend its center core to gain additional performance, like what has been done on several recent missions.
Falcon Heavy to launch largest ever geostationary satellite
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2023/07/falcon-heavy-echostar-24/
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Falcon Heavy flight was scrubbed. The reason has not been released yet.
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Double headed tonight.
Another go at the FH and a F9 launch tonight
SpaceX is aiming for a potential record-breaking launch doubleheader tonight, July 27. A Falcon 9 rocket is set to lift the next batch of Starlink v2 Mini satellites into orbit from SLC-40. The primary launch opportunity is set for 10:20PM EDT (02:20 UTC) with two backup launch opportunities available at 11:10PM EDT (03:10 UTC) and at 12:01AM EDT (04:01 UTC). The first stage for this mission, B1062, is flying for a 15th time and will land on A Shortfall Of Gravitas.
Meanwhile, from Launch Complex 39A, a Falcon Heavy rocket is set to lift the Hughes Echostar-24/Jupiter 3 satellite into a geosynchronous transfer orbit. The 99 minute launch window opens at 11:04PM EDT (03:04 UTC). Falcon Heavy's side boosters, B1064 and B1065, are flying for a third time and will return to a near-simultaneous landing at SpaceX's Landing Zone 1 and Landing Zone 2 landing pads at the Cape. Falcon Heavy's center core, B1074, is new and will be expended on this flight. The Echostar-24/Jupiter 3 satellite will be the heaviest communications satellite ever to be launched into orbit.
Given the several launch opportunities of this doubleheader, the order of the missions and when they'll launch is very fluid, but this could break the record for shortest time between two launches from the United States. Current record stands at 1 hour and 37 minutes between the launches of Gemini 11 and its Agena Target Vehicle set back in September 12, 1966.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k98cy8gr8sY
Live in 4 hours
July 27 at 9:40 PM
LAUNCH: SpaceX Launches Falcon Heavy Echostar-24 & Falcon 9 Starlink 6-7
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FH launch moved to Fri night so no double header tonight.
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SpaceX
@SpaceX
After initial activation, a full-pressure test of the new Starship flame deflector is planned for Friday
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1684685769406046210
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https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1684795118149128193
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F2GYB7eWsAEMEgZ?format=jpg&name=4096x4096)
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SpaceX
@SpaceX
After initial activation, a full-pressure test of the new Starship flame deflector is planned for Friday
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1684685769406046210
Clear the pad warning given
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SpaceX Starship Full-Pressure Deluge Test
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJwQTFsezJI
Edit:
If you watch that have your volume turned way down
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OLM is wet now. WOW!
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If you watch that have your volume turned way down
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Some SpaceX/Starlink financial news
SpaceX has told investors that it expects to roughly double its revenues in 2023 to upwards of $8 billion (from $4 billion in 2022) as reported earlier in July by The Information.
If SpaceX succeeds in achieving this revenue forecast, Euroconsult estimates that upwards of 40% of these revenues, or $3.2 billion, could be attributable to the broadband connectivity services of Starlink, which are now available across nearly 60 countries and key maritime/ocean areas globally.
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Live at time of posting
SpaceX's Falcon Heavy is launching the EchoStar 24 (Jupiter 3) mission. The 99-minute launch window opens at 11:04 p.m. ET from LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The center core is B1074-1, and the side cores are B1064-3 and B1065-3. The side boosters will land on LZ-1 and LZ-2. The center core will be expended.
LAUNCH: SpaceX Falcon Heavy - EchoStar-24
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XMQhTBx1pI
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Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
ABORT! Rocket Lab Electron aborts at T-0.
And that's a scrub.
RL Livestream:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=IAwEeN
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1685546462128545792
Rocket Lab
@RocketLab
Today's launch was aborted on ignition, so we're standing down 🚀
In the final seconds before lift-off, Electron's flight computer actively monitors a wide range of vehicle performance parameters, and when any of these parameters are violated, the vehicle determines is it not ready for flight and triggers a safe abort. Electron did exactly what it was designed to today, allowing us to try again soon!
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1685547344652365824
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Dr Jitendra Singh
@DrJitendraSingh
In the midst of #Chandrayaan3 mission, #ISRO scales another landmark with the successful launch of PSLV-C56/DS-SAR 🛰. PM Sh @NarendraModi
’s consistent support enables Team @ISRO
to register one success after the other in a serial form.
https://twitter.com/DrJitendraSingh/status/1685462434398846976
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Northrop Grumman Launches the Cygnus NG-19 to the ISS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0PQdwLySAQ
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A SpaceX Falcon 9 is launching the Galaxy-37 satellite to geosynchronous transfer orbit. Liftoff is scheduled to occur from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) in Florida on August 3rd, the two-hour launch window opens at 12:15 AM EDT (04:15 UTC). The first stage, B1077, is flying for a sixth time and will land on SpaceX's droneship Just Read The Instructions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tyvb9wo3IDU
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Live at time of posting
They're not sure what is going on yet
SpaceX Booster 9 Raptor Engine Testing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkZAWzFE5Wg
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Well poop
Astra Space announced Aug. 4 it has laid off a quarter of its workforce and reassigned others from launch vehicle to satellite propulsion development as its cash reserves dwindle.
In a series of statements, the company said it was making a “strategic reallocation of its workforce,” moving 50 engineers from development of its new Rocket 4 vehicle to production of its Astra Spacecraft Engine, while also laying off about 70 employees to reduce costs.
Astra lays off, reassigns employees as it refocuses on satellite propulsion
https://spacenews.com/astra-lays-off-reassigns-employees-as-it-refocuses-on-satellite-propulsion/
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Well poop
Astra lays off, reassigns employees as it refocuses on satellite propulsion
https://spacenews.com/astra-lays-off-reassigns-employees-as-it-refocuses-on-satellite-propulsion/
Bummer, but not totally unexpected given their low number of successful launches. I think only one rocket actually reached orbit and properly deployed its payload.
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:rofl:
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1686050455468621831
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Mary
@BocaChicaGal
I have received an overpressure notice for a potential Booster 9 static fire attempt tomorrow! 🔥🔥🔥🚀
https://twitter.com/BocaChicaGal/status/1688009513645821952
Tomorrow as in today [popcorn]
But I will note it is highly unusual for them to do something like this on a Sunday
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Tank farm activity so they may very well be going for a static fire today. I'm assuming the new steel plate/water system will be on so this could be extra interesting.
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Live
SpaceX Booster 9 Raptor Engine Static Fire
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFKKFt1CQW0
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2.75 seconds fire
4 engines shut down before firing
Needs more work.
Hopefully they got the data they needed
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Instant steam
Interesting effect the engines had on the water flow. You can really see it at 0.25 speed.
Really need to full screen it to see properly
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1688294107721121792
Jack of NSF who was on site said this test sounded far quieter than past SF tests without the deluge system
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August 6 at 10:00 PM
SpaceX Launches Falcon 9 Starlink 6-8
NASASpaceflight
Scheduled for Aug 6, 2023
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is set to lift the next batch of 22 Starlink v2 Mini satellites into orbit from SLC-40. The first stage for this mission, B1078, is flying for the 4th time and will land on A Shortfall Of Gravitas.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L06VtH_5q-k
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8/7/2023 Launch from Vandenberg. Picture from my front yard in Pahrump, NV
(https://i.imgur.com/9KYFESX.png?2)
bob
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Very cool
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B9 rolled back to the Mega Bay
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August 10 at 9:45 AM
Virgin Galactic 02 mission - Second Commercial Crew Mission
NASASpaceflight
801K subscribers
233 waiting Scheduled for Aug 10, 2023
The Galactic 02 mission will be Virgin Galactic's sixth crewed spaceflight and SpaceShipTwo's second commercial mission. The crew comprises pilots CJ Sturckow and Kelly Latimer, Virgin Galactic's chief astronaut instructor Beth Moses, and customers Jon Goodwin, Keisha Schahaff, and Anastatia Mayers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAjDKoeo4TI
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Now that's a trailer
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1689457063687073793
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Just a wee bit creepy considering
Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
Roscosmos is going all out with their Luna-25 coverage:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=cgi2pI
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1689759240372502528
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Hot Staging ring being installed on B9.
And yes there was another Starlink launch last night and two more before that I didn't report. At this point it's gotten so routine it's like reporting the bus stopping at the bus stop. Actually that's a good thing when you think about it.
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I read elsewhere that SpaceX has lifted over 10x the mass that the Chinese have this year.
The Falcon rocket line is going to go down in history as a pivotal achievement, no matter what happens with Starship.
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Meanwhile BO which was founded before SX has yet to lift a single gram into orbit.
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Suppose to be getting ready to test the water system
Live feed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
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Meanwhile BO which was founded before SX has yet to lift a single gram into orbit.
Perhaps they could hire Hunter as a technical advisor.
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Perhaps they could hire Hunter as a technical advisor.
He knows how to get high
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Mariner notice put out for Aug 31st. Hmmmm
Still watching but that and some good views of the Hot Staging Ring being installed.
Marcus House with his weekly update.
SpaceX Drops Bombshell Upgrade, and Starship Flight 2 Date Intention Revealed!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANlOJBXxS24
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https://twitter.com/SciGuySpace/status/1691836079869960374
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F3qbtkWXcAACvy2?format=jpg&name=medium)
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Just a wee bit creepy considering
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1689759240372502528
Update, the moon has a new crater.
Luna-25 crashes into moon after orbit maneuver
https://spacenews.com/luna-25-crashes-into-moon-after-orbit-maneuver/
Russia's Luna-25 spacecraft CRASHES into the Moon after spinning into an uncontrolled orbit: Failure for Kremlin's first lunar mission in 50 years
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12425749/Russias-Luna-25-smashes-moon-failure.html
Here's a Scott Manley video on the long road to making a new moon crater.
Russia's Luna 25 Mission - Making JWST Development Look Smooth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XM8bJsqCLYQ
Now on to watching to see if India's lander is successful. There was a sort of unofficial race between Russia and India to land a lander near the moon's south pole.
Luna-25 was being described in the media as being in a race with India’s Chandrayaan-3 lander to set down near the moon’s south polar region. Chandrayaan-3 successfully lowered its lunar orbit Aug. 19, setting it up for a landing attempt at a similar latitude to Luna 25
Chandrayaan-3’s landing is expected around 8.34 a.m. Eastern Aug. 23. A further mission, the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) by Japan’s space agency JAXA, is scheduled for launch on a H-2A rocket Aug. 25. SLIM is a landing technology demonstrator aiming to make exploration more precise and economical.
https://spacenews.com/luna-25-crashes-into-moon-after-orbit-maneuver/
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Russian sources are already blaming endemic corruption inside the agency for the failure of the mission. Putin is expected to axe top space officials over the disaster.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12425749/Russias-Luna-25-smashes-moon-failure.html
Putin is as we speak spinning the how will they "accidentally" die wheel
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https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12425749/Russias-Luna-25-smashes-moon-failure.html
Putin is as we speak spinning the how will they "accidentally" die wheel
^^^ I'll take 'what is falling out a window' for $ 500, Alex.
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More info
Not sure if it was a software or hardware error yet.
"Rapid Unscheduled Landing" :rofl:
Looking past Luna 25’s lunar landing failure: what’s next?
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2023/08/luna-fails-to-land/
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B9 rolling to the pad with the hot staging ring attached.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-r8hasM9gA4
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Chandrayaan-3 Landing confirmed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FAe7sFGBEI
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They made it. Outstanding! Quite the accomplishment for their space program.
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Chandrayaan-3: India becomes fourth country to land on the moon
https://spacenews.com/chandrayaan-3-india-becomes-fourth-country-to-land-on-the-moon/
India on the moon! Chandrayaan-3 becomes 1st probe to land near lunar south pole
https://www.space.com/india-chandrayaan-3-moon-landing-success
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Meant to get up and watch but wouldn't you know it I way over slept despite going to bed early. :-[
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Live at 18:45 EDT
Rocket Lab 'We Love The Nightlife' Launch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-k2RZO9ghnc
Edit: Now 19:15
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While we're waiting SX is active.
SpaceX Booster 9 Raptor Engine Testing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AC9ZhXhoFWQ
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The mouse that starved
The North Korean government has announced it will attempt to launch another satellite after the loss of a military satellite in May.
North Korean officials informed Japan's Coast Guard that the launch will fly over the Yellow Sea and East China Sea and occur between Aug. 24 and Aug. 31.
North Korea planning to launch a satellite this week amid military tensions
https://www.space.com/north-korea-satellite-launch-attempt-august-2023
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Spaceflight Now
@SpaceflightNow
The Indian space agency has released the first image from the lunar surface taken by its Chandrayaan 3 lander: https://spaceflightnow.com/2023/08/23/liv
https://twitter.com/SpaceflightNow/status/1694379983634919532
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The mouse that starved
North Korea planning to launch a satellite this week amid military tensions
https://www.space.com/north-korea-satellite-launch-attempt-august-2023
Well that went well
North Korea said Aug. 24 its second attempt to launch a spy satellite ended in failure due to an “error in the emergency blasting system” during the third-stage flight.
https://spacenews.com/north-koreas-spy-satellite-launch-fails-again/
"emergency blasting system"
FTS?
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Our government.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Thursday filed a lawsuit against SpaceX accusing the company of discriminating against asylum seekers and refugees in its hiring decisions.
The DOJ alleges that SpaceX "routinely discouraged asylees and refugees from applying and refused to hire or consider them, because of their citizenship status, in violation of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)." According to the suit, SpaceX wrongly claimed that federal regulations related to export controls restricted the company to only hiring U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, also known as green card holders.
The DOJ's announcement noted that the permission granted by the federal government for asylees and refugees to live and work in the U.S. doesn't expire. The agency added that there is no restriction on asylees or refugees working for companies that have to comply with export controls.
https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/doj-files-lawsuit-accusing-spacex-hiring-discrimination-against-refugees-asylum-seekers
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So SpaceX has to comply with one federal law (or is it a regulation?) and break another in the process. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.
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Our government.
https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/doj-files-lawsuit-accusing-spacex-hiring-discrimination-against-refugees-asylum-seekers
I bet it was a Chinese "asylum seeker" that wanted so very badly to either work in Information Systems, metallurgy, or on landing algorithms.
So SpaceX has to comply with one federal law (or is it a regulation?) and break another in the process. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.
Balancing ITAR against this *expletive deleted*it has got to be a nightmare.
One thing I really like about SpaceX is that they don't give a *expletive deleted*it about the patent office. They don't patent anything. But they take their information security very seriously.
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Live in 2 hours
August 24 at 11:30 PM
SpaceX & NASA Launch Crew-7 to Space Station
NASASpaceflight
806K subscribers
107 waiting Scheduled for Aug 24, 2023
SpaceX is launching the Crew-7 mission to the International Space Station. Onboard Crew Dragon Endurance are commander Jasmin Moghbeli (NASA), pilot Andreas Mogensen (ESA), mission specialists Satoshi Furukawa (JAXA) and Konstantin Borisov (Roscosmos). The launch is planned for 3:49 AM local time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRBPZEMTvkA
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Scrub
Now targeting Sat 03:27 EDT
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Posted on the NSF Starbase live feed that a B9 static fire is expected and that a overpressure notice has been put out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
Edit
Live feed with commentary is suppose to go up at 10:45 EDT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSDS93-WiB0
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Someone asked about the DOJ suit and one of the commentators said he was puzzled by it since they all do it to stay ITAR compliant. Speculated SX is being targeted for "some reason" wink wink
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B9 frosty
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They still have some work to do
All 33 fired but 2 shutdown early.
Some views at the llink
SpaceX
@SpaceX
Super Heavy Booster 9 static fire successfully lit all 33 Raptor engines, with all but two running for the full duration. Congratulations to the SpaceX team on this exciting milestone!
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1695158759717474379
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Up and away
SpaceX Launches CREW-7 to International Space Station
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRBPZEMTvkA
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BENGALURU — After claiming to have landed near the south pole of the Moon, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) released what they claim is the first photo taken by their lunar lander. Unfortunately, several critics have called the authenticity of the photo into question as it features Bollywood dancers, an astronaut on a tiger, and a man riding a rocket narrowly escaping an explosion as he backflips onto the lunar surface.
"Hmmmm, If I didn't know better, I'd say this photo was elaborately staged by a Bollywood film crew," said NASA engineer Ron McNeebles. "I'm not a zoologist, but I don't think tigers can breathe in space, can they? It's possible this landing was faked."
https://babylonbee.com/news/india-accused-of-faking-moon-landing-photo-featuring-bollywood-dancers-an-astronaut-on-a-tiger-a-man-riding-a-rocket-narrowly-escaping-explosion-as-he-backflips-onto-lunar-surface
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That was the Babylon Bee BTW. :rofl:
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Marcus House with his weekly update
WOW! Finally the SpaceX 33 Engine Static Fire! Is it ok?, and Chandrayaan-3 Landing Record
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HU76XUh2IDY
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LIVE! SpaceX Crew-7 ISS Docking
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_JVF4UtuLo
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LabPadre
@LabPadre
Midbay falls under the cover of darkness. Out with the old, in with the new. #SpaceX #Starbase
https://twitter.com/LabPadre/status/1695798326912786860
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Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
No Atlas V 551 launch on Tuesday. Rolling back off the pad due to the approaching Tropical Storm Idalia.
Ian Atkinson overviews the now-delayed Atlas V 551 launch and its mission.
https://nasaspaceflight.com/2023/08/ula-nrol-107/
Quote
Square profile picture
ULA
@ulalaunch
·
14h
The launch of the ULA #AtlasV #SILENTBARKER / #NROL107 mission for the @NatReconOfc and @USSF_SSC has been delayed due to the impending tropical storm.
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1696314184282075422
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Russian sources are already blaming endemic corruption inside the agency for the failure of the mission. Putin is expected to axe top space officials over the disaster.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12425749/Russias-Luna-25-smashes-moon-failure.html
Putin is as we speak spinning the how will they "accidentally" die wheel
^^^ I'll take 'what is falling out a window' for $ 500, Alex.
Okay, who had mushroom poisoning?
No idea if this was actually connected in anyway to the Luna-25 program or if the timing really works out but still noteworthy nevertheless.
MUSHROOM HORROR Top Russian rocket scientist dies from ‘mushroom poisoning’ just weeks after Putin’s failed moon landing
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/23721709/russian-rocket-scientist-dead-poisoned-putin/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=sunyoutubestories
Top Russian rocket scientist who had previously assisted foreign colleagues at NASA dies from poisoning after two-week fight for life
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12464851/Top-Russian-rocket-scientist-poisoned.html
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NASASpaceflight
810K subscribers
557 waiting Scheduled for Aug 31, 2023
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is set to lift the next batch of 22 Starlink v2 Mini satellites into orbit at a 43 degree inclination on a southeastern trajectory from SLC-40. The window opens August 31 at 7:31PM EDT and closes at 01:01AM EDT.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jlnFwyLTCE
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Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
Blue Origin's New Glenn website page, titled "The Workhorse for the New Era" has added an updated video of New Glenn ground preps.
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1697404536887931089
Shows an empty launch pad, wake me when BO actually puts a functioning rocket on it.
Don't get me wrong I actually want to see BO succeed, just tired of hearing about their greatest than anything else rocket but so far all we've gotten is almost nothing but CGI videos out of them instead. After 23 years all we have seen stacked let alone fly is a Penis shaped sub orbital amusement park ride for millionaires. 23 years!
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Chris Bergin - NSF reposted
Tyler Gray 🚀
@TylerG1998
In other news, #NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (#LRO) has imaged the likely area of impact of #Roscosmos’ #Luna25 robotic lander. 💥
The spacecraft inadvertently smacked into the surface earlier this month — the result of a technical anomaly while setting up the descent.
https://twitter.com/TylerG1998/status/1697461401260798206
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Speaking of BO
A pension fund has filed suit against the board of directors of Amazon, claiming they “acted in bad faith” in approving launch contracts for the Project Kuiper broadband constellation that awarded billions of dollars to Blue Origin, the company founded by Amazon’s Jeff Bezos.
The suit, a public version of which was filed with Delaware’s Court of Chancery Aug. 28, alleges that Amazon’s board and one of its committees spent “barely an hour” reviewing contracts with Blue Origin and United Launch Alliance, whose Vulcan Centaur rocket uses engines from Blue Origin, before approving them in March 2022. Delaware Business Court Insider first reported the lawsuit.
The suit is filed by the Cleveland Bakers and Teamsters Pension Fund, an Amazon shareholder, and sheds new light on how Amazon selected Blue Origin and ULA, along with Arianespace, for contracts announced in April 2022 to launch the 3,236-satellite constellation. It also suggests that personal animus between Bezos and Elon Musk, founder of SpaceX, prevented Amazon from considering SpaceX for those contracts.
https://spacenews.com/lawsuit-claims-amazons-board-erred-in-awarding-kuiper-launch-contracts-to-blue-origin-and-others/
While it really wasn't any surprise they selected BO I guess someone else may have noticed BO doesn't even have a working launch vehicle. Open question whether or not Elon would have even wanted the contract.
Meanwhile [popcorn]
-
Launch of PSLV-C57/Aditya-L1 Mission from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IcgGYZTXQw
-
Looks like a water spout trying to form on the NSF Starbase live feed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
-
Looked a 2nd one too for a little bit
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/Screenshot_2023-09-02_082254.png)
-
Still watching but early on he has questions whether or not if the deluge sys can keep up
Marcus House with his weekly update
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8iDHNU_LpU
-
Launch of PSLV-C57/Aditya-L1 Mission from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IcgGYZTXQw
The Indians have a decent space program. Maybe they can tutor Jeff Bezos' team on how to launch rockets to orbit.
-
Meanwhile at SpaceX
61st launch for the year and their 260th launch overall
Space Development Agency’s Second Tranche 0 Mission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBeJVN-0t2I
Jeff Bazos: My yacht is bigger.
Edit: Had the wrong link
-
Though they say 265th, maybe I misheard
Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
Diving through the clouds for the 13th time. Falcon 9 B1063.
233rd Falcon recovery.
148th successful recovery of Falcon booster in a row.
SpaceX's 265th mission and 61st of the year.
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1697984055533306206
-
On average they are hitting almost 2 a week. Kind of *expletive deleted*ing impressive.
-
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1697404536887931089
Shows an empty launch pad, wake me when BO actually puts a functioning rocket on it.
Don't get me wrong I actually want to see BO succeed, just tired of hearing about their greatest than anything else rocket but so far all we've gotten is almost nothing but CGI videos out of them instead. After 23 years all we have seen stacked let alone fly is a Penis shaped sub orbital amusement park ride for millionaires. 23 years!
Rocket hell, they don't even have reliable engines yet.
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September 3 at 10:00 PM
SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches Starlink 6-12 Mission
NASASpaceflight
811K subscribers
268 waiting Scheduled for Sep 3, 2023 KENNEDY SPACE CENTER
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is set to lift the next batch of 22 Starlink v2 Mini satellites into orbit at a 43 degree inclination on a southeastern trajectory from LC-39A at Kennedy Space Center. The window opens on September 3, 2023 at 7:07 PM EDT and closes at 11:37PM EDT.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqg4WWYl9E8
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https://twitter.com/julia_bergeron/status/1698530351348412538/photo/1
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F5JkWPdW4AARi03?format=jpg&name=4096x4096)
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LIVE: Return to Earth & Splashdown of SpaceX Crew-6 Dragon #Crew6 #Splashdown #SpaceX
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82by53GF-aE
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https://twitter.com/i/status/1698555253904330917
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SpaceX Rolls Out Ship 25 for Starship - Integrated Flight Test 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sEa6YbY5A4
(https://static1.moviewebimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/homer-simpson.jpg)
-
Appears the transporter has broken down in the middle of the highway :rofl: :facepalm:
(https://png.pngitem.com/pimgs/s/375-3755597_sticker-other-homer-doh-degoute-homer-simpson-doh.png)
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Still there
-
Heavy equipment reported inbound
-
I got to sleep. Guess I'll see if it's moved by morning.
-
Coffee
I'm up, coffee is brewing, and S25 is being hugged by the Chop sticks. Looks like it started rolling again around a half hour after I called it a night.
Coffee
-
SpaceX Stacks Ship 25 on Booster 9 - Integrated Flight Test 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZqaA17T4eI
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Lifting
-
Stacked but then a big wobble. Don't know if it was suppose to do that.
-
All kinds of speculation on wen-flight ranging from within a week to by the end of the month.
Haven't seen any word on FAA approval yet.
-
Space related
Very cool photos
Photographer captures rare 'gigantic jets' of upside-down lightning blasting out of Atlantic hurricane
https://www.space.com/rare-gigantic-jets-of-upside-down-lightning-blasting-out-of-atlantic-hurricane
-
Save us Greta :facepalm:
Stand up, Space Greta
Seeking an impassioned advocate for space sustainability
https://spacenews.com/stand-up-space-greta/
Every once in awhile you see stuff like that on SpaceNews.com.
-
Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
LAUNCH! Japan's HII-A rocket launches the X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM) X-ray telescope and Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) lander.
Overview:
https://nasaspaceflight.com/2023/09/xrism-slim/
JAXA livestream:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=RV59wO
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1699569065323278673
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S25 (No flaps, no tiles) rolling to the launch area on NSF's live feed. Probably to be put on a sub orbital pad for testing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
-
All kinds of speculation on wen-flight ranging from within a week to by the end of the month.
Haven't seen any word on FAA approval yet.
No, they haven't got it yet. I think every time they do something the gov asks them to do they move the goalposts.
-
Info from SpaceX on the first SS flight test
Connection was lost with the primary flight computer (I'm assuming the engines connection to the PFC) which then lead to loss of control of the vehicle
https://www.spacex.com/updates/index.html
Starship and Super Heavy successfully lifted off for the first time on April 20, 2023 at 8:33 a.m. CT (13:33:09 UTC) from the orbital launch pad at Starbase in Texas. Starship climbed to a maximum altitude of ~39 km (24 mi) over the Gulf of Mexico. During ascent, the vehicle sustained fires from leaking propellant in the aft end of the Super Heavy booster, which eventually severed connection with the vehicle’s primary flight computer. This led to a loss of communications to the majority of booster engines and, ultimately, control of the vehicle. SpaceX has since implemented leak mitigations and improved testing on both engine and booster hardware. As an additional corrective action, SpaceX has significantly expanded Super Heavy’s pre-existing fire suppression system in order to mitigate against future engine bay fires.
The Autonomous Flight Safety System (AFSS) automatically issued a destruct command, which fired all detonators as expected, after the vehicle deviated from the expected trajectory, lost altitude and began to tumble. After an unexpected delay following AFSS activation, Starship ultimately broke up 237.474 seconds after engine ignition. SpaceX has enhanced and requalified the AFSS to improve system reliability.
SpaceX is also implementing a full suite of system performance upgrades unrelated to any issues observed during the first flight test. For example, SpaceX has built and tested a hot-stage separation system, in which Starship’s second stage engines will ignite to push the ship away from the booster. Additionally, SpaceX has engineered a new electronic Thrust Vector Control (TVC) system for Super Heavy Raptor engines. Using fully electric motors, the new system has fewer potential points of failure and is significantly more energy efficient than traditional hydraulic systems.
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September 8 at 7:15 PM
SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches Starlink 6-14 Mission
NASASpaceflight
814K subscribers
192 waiting Scheduled for Sep 8, 2023 CAPE CANAVERAL SPACE FORCE STATION
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is set to lift the next batch of 22 Starlink v2 Mini satellites into orbit at a 43 degree inclination on a southeastern trajectory from SLC-40. The window opens September 8 at 7:32 PM EDT (23:32 UTC) and closes September 9 at 12:02 AM EDT (04:02 UTC).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWL0BvwlD6Q
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Chris Bergin - NSF reposted
Tyler Gray 🚀
@TylerG1998
Due to weather in the area, #SpaceX is now working towards a T0 of 11:12 PM EDT (03:12 UTC) for tonight’s launch of #Falcon9 B1076.7 with another batch of #Starlinks.
Attempting a landing on ASOG — PGO ranges from 60-85%.
NSF will cover it live 👉 https://youtube.com/live/MWL0BvwlD
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Hmmm
Marcus House
@MarcusHouse
People seem to be taking this as negative news. This is a good thing. SpaceX has been addressing the issues the entire time. The mishap investigation is now closed and the next step toward the flight licence application can take place. Getting close I feel.
The FAA ✈️
@FAANews
·
22h
We have closed the @SpaceX Super Heavy mishap investigation. The final report cites multiple root causes of the April 20 mishap and 63 corrective actions SpaceX must take. This does not signal resumption of Starship launches at Boca Chica. Full statement: http://bit.ly/45JNMRF.
Elon Musk
@elonmusk
·
11h
Maybe it’s in the mail or something. I don’t know what these actions items are.
Elon Musk
@elonmusk
·
11h
In fairness to the FAA, it is rare for them to cause significant delays in launch.
Overwhelmingly, the responsibility is ours.
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(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F5ja0ADXwAA2GxN?format=jpg&name=4096x4096)
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Chris Bergin - NSF reposted
Tyler Gray 🚀
@TylerG1998
Due to weather in the area, #SpaceX is now working towards a T0 of 11:12 PM EDT (03:12 UTC) for tonight’s launch of #Falcon9 B1076.7 with another batch of #Starlinks.
Attempting a landing on ASOG — PGO ranges from 60-85%.
NSF will cover it live 👉 https://youtube.com/live/MWL0BvwlD
I was doing a Night Vision class in Mulberry FL last night when we that thing went up and for a second the whole class thought WWIII had kicked off. It was crazy bright going up. Under NODS we could even see a fair bit of the boostback and Reentry burns. It was super cool to watch it come down. We saw something that may have been the landing burn too, but it was low on the horizon by then, and may have been something else.
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Chris Bergin - NSF reposted
Square profile picture
ULA
@ulalaunch
The launch of a ULA #AtlasV 551 rocket carrying the #SILENTBARKER/#NROL107 mission, a joint @NatReconOfc
and @SpaceForceDOD
mission has been scrubbed due to an issue found during a prelaunch ordnance circuit continuity check.
ULA
@ulalaunch
·
5h
The launch is now planned for Sun., Sept. 10 at 8:47 a.m. EDT from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. http://bit.ly/av_SILENTBARKER
https://twitter.com/ulalaunch/status/1700438981547352302
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Time to make the coffee
ULA Atlas V 551 Launches NROL-107 SILENTBARKER Mission
NASASpaceflight
815K subscribers
1,282 watching now Started streaming less than 1 minute ago CAPE CANAVERAL SPACE FORCE STATION
ULA Atlas V 551 rocket is set to liftoff from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station with the NROL-107 SILENTBARKER mission from SLC-41. The window opens on September 10 at 8:47 AM EDT (12:47 UTC) and closes at 10:35 AM EDT (14:35 UTC).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfzCMPgcpTA
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Destacking S25 on the NSF live feed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
-
the sounds the chopsticks are making :rofl:
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Elon, buy some grease!
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T-58 minutes at time of posting
Roscosmos - Soyuz 2.1a - Soyuz MS-24 - Launch Site 31/6 - Baikonur - Space Affairs Livestream
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1HDngpJAmY
Soyuz MS-24 is a planned Roscosmos, and NASA crewed Soyuz spaceflight to launch from Baikonur in September 2023 to the International Space Station.
The original three-Russian member crew for this scenario was named in May 2021. American astronaut Loral O'Hara replaced Andrey Fedyaev as part of the Soyuz-Dragon crew swap system of keeping at least one NASA astronaut and one Roscosmos cosmonaut on each crew rotation mission. This ensures both countries have a presence on the station and can maintain their separate systems if either Soyuz or commercial crew vehicles are grounded for an extended period.
These flights differ from those before, as NASA has to pay for the transportation of NASA, ESA, JAXA, and CSA agency astronauts.
They were initially assigned to the Soyuz MS-23 mission but were moved to MS-24 due to the Soyuz MS-22 coolant leak accident that required MS-23 to be launched uncrewed as its replacement.
The crew consists of three crew members:
Soyuz Commander: Oleg Kononenko, Roscosmos
Flight Engineer 1: Nicolai Chub, Roscosmos
Flight Engineer 2: Loral O'Hara, NASA
The lift-off is planned from Launch Site 31/6 (LS-31/6) of the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, currently scheduled for September 15, 2023, 15:44 UTC/GMT, 17:44 CEST, 21:44 Baikonur Local Time.
It is to be expected that the crew will be delivered in a short trek flight in 3 hours to the International Space Station ISS. By docking, the Soyuz crew belongs to the Expedition 69 crew currently onboard the ISS. By undocking Soyuz MS-23, planned for the end of September, all crew members are assigned to ISS Expedition 70 Crew.
The Soyuz MS-24 crew is planned to stay onboard the ISS until March 2024.
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Update from the FAA on Boca Chica and Starship Flight 2.
https://twitter.com/SciGuySpace/status/1702790406151258213
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/F6GP1YDWIAARjY-.jpg)
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September 15 at 11:00 PM
SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches Starlink 6-16 Mission
NASASpaceflight
817K subscribers
79 waiting Scheduled for Sep 15, 2023
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is set to lift the next batch of 22 Starlink v2 Mini satellites into orbit at a 43 degree inclination on a southeastern trajectory from SLC-40. The window opens September 15 at 11:07 PM EDT (03:07 UTC) and closes September 16 at 12:39 AM EDT (04:39 UTC).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZtcZ924kOQ
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May want to keep an eye on these guys. Stoke Space
Chris Bergin - NSF reposted
Tyler Gray 🚀
@TylerG1998
Wen hop? Now hop for #Stoke. 🔥
The company says that their Hopper2 test article successfully took itself up to an altitude of 30 feet, with the flight as a whole lasting 15 seconds. ⬆️⬇️
https://twitter.com/TylerG1998/status/1703573267838038157
Company website
https://www.stokespace.com/
Stoke Space flies reusable upper stage prototype
https://spacenews.com/stoke-space-flies-reusable-upper-stage-prototype/
-
May want to keep an eye on these guys. Stoke Space
https://twitter.com/TylerG1998/status/1703573267838038157
Company website
https://www.stokespace.com/
Stoke Space flies reusable upper stage prototype
https://spacenews.com/stoke-space-flies-reusable-upper-stage-prototype/
Looks similar to a prototype that flew in the 1990's. At least I think it was a 1/3 scale prototype then.
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Apparently more flaming hoops to jump through
Chris Bergin - NSF reposted
Adrian Beil
@BCCarCounters
Confirmations of the FWS in a statement to @NASASpaceflight
:
- The FWS is considering the operation of a water deluge system in Starbase and its environmental effects.
- The FWS has up to 135 days to submit the final biological opinion to the FAA (Started in August).
https://twitter.com/BCCarCounters/status/1703873172997550381
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Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
LAUNCH! Rocket Lab Electron launches mission 41 - a launch for Capella Space - from Launch Complex 1 on the Mahia Peninsula in New Zealand.
Overview:
https://nasaspaceflight.com/2023/09/launch-roundup-091823/
Rocket Lab Livestream:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=AfYFqs
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1704026672993894750
But
Camera cut out at 2nd stage ignition. May have gone BOOM!
Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
FAILURE. Staged, but the second stage appeared to have an issue at ignition. Anomaly has been called.
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1704027512756437279
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Chris Bergin - NSF reposted
Adrian Beil
@BCCarCounters
Confirmations of the FWS in a statement to @NASASpaceflight
:
- The FWS is considering the operation of a water deluge system in Starbase and its environmental effects.
- The FWS has up to 135 days to submit the final biological opinion to the FAA (Started in August).
This teases my cynical humor bone.
Anything within several hundred yards of the rocket is going to be permanently deaf after a launch as a best case scenario, and possibly pulverized by the sound wave as a worst case scenario. Complaining about the use of a freshwater deluge system, which will minimally desalinate by a small percentage the immediate area around the launch mount, is ludicrous.
The water will have no impact on the environment that isn't already impacted by the blast and noise.
But... anything to drag this on for another 4 months! Sheesh.
-
Scoot Manley (very) short look at Rocket Lab's failure.
Sparks shooting out above the engine bell.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/07bs3cT6tYY?feature=share
-
May want to keep an eye on these guys. Stoke Space
https://twitter.com/TylerG1998/status/1703573267838038157
Company website
https://www.stokespace.com/
Stoke Space flies reusable upper stage prototype
https://spacenews.com/stoke-space-flies-reusable-upper-stage-prototype/
Looks similar to a prototype that flew in the 1990's. At least I think it was a 1/3 scale prototype then.
Scott Manley with more info
One engine, 30 nozzles, integrated in a heat shield
Rocket Scientist Combine A Rocket Engine With A Heat Shield - Can They Revolutionize Space Launch?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3V6lfs7xFJM
-
Removing the Hot Staging Ring (HSR) on B9 on the live feed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
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Not sure if this means there's an issue or they're just taking the time to do some more fiddling while they're waiting on a launch license
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Appears the Chinese had a failure of their own. No details of course.
https://www.spacelaunchschedule.com/launch/ceres-1-jilin-1-high-resolution-04b/
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Appears the Chinese had a failure of their own. No details of course.
https://www.spacelaunchschedule.com/launch/ceres-1-jilin-1-high-resolution-04b/
More
Cosmic Penguin
@Cosmic_Penguin
This allegedly is from yesterday’s failed Ceres-1 launch; looks like the failure came early during 1st stage flight. Something definitely blew and then either FTS reacted, or it simply disintegrates.
Rumors has that the sat has up to 0.3 m resolution…
https://bilibili.com/video/BV1qC4y1
https://twitter.com/Cosmic_Penguin/status/1705112658310300013
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Marcus House with his weekly update
Of note is the current estimate of the cost of new RS-25 engines (SLS), upwards of $100 million a pop and one use only in the case of the SLS.
Meanwhile SpaceX's Raptor, which is reusable, cost is estimate to be in the neighborhood of $1 million each.
Let that sink in for a moment. :facepalm:
Does the Starship Flight Test Hang in the Balance?, The Amazing Stoke Space Hop
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=981Ml2JdvGY
-
Watching a live feed of the Osiris-REx sample return and getting the impression from the coverage this is a 99% woman run project. Many look like they weren't even born yet when the project started.
-
Touchdown.
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With the booster landing today Space X now has two with 17 launch's on them.
-
HSR going back on as I type
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
-
Stacking
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qe1yOyZyX8
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In BO news the FAA has closed it investigation into New Shepard mishap
Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
FAA Statement on closure to the New Shepard mishap investigation:
"The FAA has closed the Blue Origin New Shepard 23 mishap investigation. The final report cites the proximate cause of the Sept. 12, 2022, mishap as the structural failure of an engine nozzle caused by higher-than-expected engine operating temperatures. The FAA required Blue Origin implement 21 corrective actions to prevent mishap reoccurrence, including redesign of engine and nozzle components to improve structural performance during operation as well as organizational changes.
During the mishap the onboard launch vehicle systems detected the anomaly, triggered an abort and separation of the capsule from the propulsion module as intended and shut down the engine. The capsule landed safety and the propulsion module was destroyed upon impact with the ground. All debris landed within the designated hazard area. Public safety was maintained at all times with no injuries or public property damage."
Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
Addition notes on the FAA e-mail:
The closure of the mishap investigation does not signal an immediate resumption of New Shepard launches. Blue Origin must implement all corrective actions that impact public safety and receive a license modification from the FAA that addresses all safety and other applicable regulatory requirements prior to the next New Shepard launch.
Background:
The FAA oversaw the Blue Origin-led investigation to ensure the company complied with its FAA-approved mishap plan, the terms and conditions of its license and other regulatory requirements.
The FAA was involved in every step of the mishap investigation and granted NASA and the National Transportation Safety Board official observer status.
The mishap investigation report contains proprietary data and U.S Export Control information and is not available for public release.
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1707140096657408032
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BO has also recently got rid of their CEO Bob Smith, in favor of Dave Limp.
https://www.cnbc.com/2023/09/25/blue-origin-ceo-bob-smith-out-replaced-by-outgoing-amazon-exec-dave-limp.html
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More BO news
BO and Sierra looking to part ways on the Orbital Reef project
Blue Origin, Sierra Space weigh future of Orbital Reef space station as partnership turns rocky
https://www.cnbc.com/2023/09/28/blue-origin-sierra-space-orbital-reef-space-station-in-limbo.html
AA puts the blame petty much all on BO
Blue Orgin dumps NASA contract with Sierra Space?! Plus, ESA and RFA's new ship!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TF8NYMPn4Ns
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Not entirely unexpected but Chandrayaan-3 hasn't woken up after going to sleep during the lunar night
Lunar Daylight Dawns, yet India’s Moon Lander and Rover Have Failed To Wake Up
https://scitechdaily.com/lunar-daylight-dawns-yet-indias-moon-lander-and-rover-have-failed-to-wake-up/
Here's Anton with more info
Waited Long Enough, The India's Moon Mission Is Over. Here's What It Found
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCazCzXHbcA
Meanwhile China is trying to piss on India's moon mission.
Considering we've photographed the lander they're full of *expletive deleted*it but it's not uncommon for China to bad mouth India's space program.
Top Chinese scientist disputes India's Moon landing near south pole
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/science/chinese-scientists-questions-chandrayaan-3-s-landing-near-moon-s-south-pole/story
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AA puts the blame petty much all on BO
Blue Orgin dumps NASA contract with Sierra Space?! Plus, ESA and RFA's new ship!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TF8NYMPn4Ns
I'm underwhelmed with Angry Astronaut and question his assertions/sources. I'm perfectly happy to bag on Jeff Who and Sue Origin just like the next guy, but I don't think he has the engineering rigor or insider information to really dissect issues related to who bailed on who.
Take the video he linked about RFA and their Argo vehicle. He just whimsically asserts that Argo is vehicle agnostic and it has a 3400kg capacity to LEO and is reusable. This is a ridiculous thing to claim since staging altitude and velocity of reusable boosters is in no way standardized at this point, since Falcon 9 is the only game in town and generally stages about 73km but with considerably different (sub)orbital velocities depending on trajectory and where recovery of the booster is planned. Neutron is anticipated to stage higher than Falcon 9, around 90km, but is still in design phase and uses an extremely bespoke and unconventional second stage, where the fairing is attached to the booster stage and the fairing opens to release the 2nd stage and payload at MECO. New Glenn has been getting different design objectives faster than the engineers can satisfy them (redirection to "Jarvis" before the flight of a single prototype) and staging altitude is going to be very difficult to manage with the payload mass they are claiming and second stage reusability they are claiming. The likelihood of all these rockets staging at the same altitude, or within an acceptable range of one another to be compatible with Argo and whatever vaporware booster RFA is claiming they will build, is very small.
When he does start talking about BO and Orbital Reef, he only cites the CNBC article on it, then launches into supposition and snark with no sources for the snark.
Here's the real truth about Orbital Reef: No one in the space industry actually thought it was going to happen anyways, because:
1. The launch provider chosen has yet to lift a single kilogram into LEO
2. The crew capsule provider chosen has yet to lift a single human being into LEO and is years late and over contract cost on their ISS capsule
3. The Bezos animosity towards Musk means BO will not gracefully eat crow like Orbital did in 2014 when Antares failed and shift payloads to another vendor
4. Even if the above points are all hammered out, Axiom is beating everyone to the punch.
There is currently no data to demonstrate the viability of a space station as an economic resource. As such, there's definitely no data to demonstrate the viability of competing space stations and the market's capability to sustain both. Orbital Reef was doomed to fail because it had zero chance of being first (Axiom already has modules in place on the ISS that can be released to serve as its own free-flying station, and it'll just get bigger as they add modules). Axiom has already flown multiple tourist and private science missions to the ISS, using their own attached modules to provide lodging and workspace.
Like I said, I lurvs me some anti-BO banter, but I don't like it in my space news. He intermixes his editorialization with his reporting way too much.
-
I'm underwhelmed with Angry Astronaut and question his assertions/sources. I'm perfectly happy to bag on Jeff Who and Sue Origin just like the next guy, but I don't think he has the engineering rigor or insider information to really dissect issues related to who bailed on who.
I've noted before he has a very bad habit of over dramatizing some things first one way then the other. Doesn't mean he's wrong all the time but it does seem to effect his videos sometimes. I just included him in this case to include a counter viewpoint, right or wrong I don't know yet. Sometimes he is right but you've got to have filters up. To be honest sometimes he irritates the *expletive deleted*it out of me.
-
70
SpaceX
@SpaceX
Falcon 9 launches 22 @Starlink
satellites to orbit from Florida, completing SpaceX’s 70th Falcon launch of the year
-
Reportedly going to be destacking in a bit
Live feed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
-
Another destacking. I wonder if they got word that the launch license isn't going to be released anytime soon. I understand Biden is pissed at Musk again because of his visit to the border. I suppose we'll know when they start hanging blue tarps over the top of the booster after the destacking.
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Could be just taking the time while they wait to do some more tweaking.
On a side note they do have to destack to arm the FTS since the booms can't reach that high. Maybe Musk should have included an access arm or two when they build the tower. Guess they can be added later.
Edit: spelled Musk Muck :rofl:
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In other news Dish got fined for space junk
The United States government has handed out its first-ever fine to a private company that left space debris in orbit.
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a $150,000 fine to satellite television provider DISH for not safely deorbiting its EchoStar-7 satellite. The satellite was launched in 2002, and DISH originally intended to deorbit the spacecraft in May 2022. The satellite ran out of fuel, however, leaving the company no choice but to leave the satellite 100 miles (178 kilometers) short of its designated disposal region high above geostationary orbit. In this region, satellites can remain over one fixed spot on Earth.
The failure to dispose of the satellite at the end of its operational life violated the FCC's Communications Act, the commission wrote in a statement published Monday (Oct. 2.). "This marks a first in space debris enforcement by the Commission, which has stepped up its satellite policy efforts," the FCC pointed out.
FCC issues 1st-ever space debris fine, serves DISH $150k penalty
https://www.space.com/space-debris-fcc-first-fine-dish-deorbit-satellite
China and Russia to the FCC: You have no power here
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Update, the moon has a new crater.
Luna-25 crashes into moon after orbit maneuver
https://spacenews.com/luna-25-crashes-into-moon-after-orbit-maneuver/
Russia's Luna-25 spacecraft CRASHES into the Moon after spinning into an uncontrolled orbit: Failure for Kremlin's first lunar mission in 50 years
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12425749/Russias-Luna-25-smashes-moon-failure.html
Here's a Scott Manley video on the long road to making a new moon crater.
Russia's Luna 25 Mission - Making JWST Development Look Smooth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XM8bJsqCLYQ
Now on to watching to see if India's lander is successful. There was a sort of unofficial race between Russia and India to land a lander near the moon's south pole.
https://spacenews.com/luna-25-crashes-into-moon-after-orbit-maneuver/
Update
In an Oct. 3 statement posted on social media, Roscosmos said that the most likely cause of the crash was “abnormal functioning” of the onboard computer. Specifically, the computer failed to turn on an accelerometer in a device called BIUS-L, which measures the angular velocity of the spacecraft.
As a result, “the on-board control complex received zero signals from the accelerometers of the BIUS-L device,” according to a translation of the Roscosmos statement. “This did not allow, when issuing a corrective pulse, to record the moment the required speed was reached and to timely turn off the spacecraft propulsion system, as a result of which its shutdown occurred according to a temporary setting.”
Russia blames Luna-25 crash on computer glitch
https://spacenews.com/russia-blames-luna-25-crash-on-computer-glitch/
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They should have tried turning it off and back on.
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Virgin Galactic doing another flight but they have ceased doing live views.
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Chris Bergin - NSF reposted
Sawyer R.
@thenasaman
All systems are currently "go" per ULA for the launch of Amazon's first Kuiper internet satellites on Atlas V
Weather remains at 70% go for the Protoflight launch. The 2 hour window opens at 2pm EDT.
Watch live starting at L-1 hour on @NASASpaceflight
https://youtube.com/live/kKCh5qfLy
https://twitter.com/thenasaman/status/1710289883313369443
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Sub orbital test flight from Spain
T-20 minutes at time of posting
Info
SN1 Test Flight
Type: Test Flight
The first flight of PLD Space’s MIURA 1 SN1 technology demonstrator allows the collection of as much data as possible for the validation and design of the technology to be transferred and integrated into MIURA 5. In addition, this first suborbital flight allows ZARM Research Institution to study microgravity conditions, gathering information necessary for scientific experiments in future suborbital flights.
Finally, a PLD Space team shall pick up the rocket in the Atlantic Ocean once splashdown is completed.
https://www.spacelaunchschedule.com/launch/miura-1-sn1-test-flight/
Live feed (in Spanish)
El objetivo de este tercer intento de lanzamiento del demostrador tecnológico MIURA 1 SN1 consistirá en recabar el mayor volumen de información posible para seguir validando gran parte del diseño y la tecnología y procesos que posteriormente se transferirá e integrará en el desarrollo de MIURA 5.
The objective of this third launch attempt of the MIURA 1 SN1 technology demonstrator will be to gather as much information as possible to further validate much of the design and technology that will later be transferred and integrated into MIURA 5.
MIURA1 SN1 Test Flight (El Arenosillo Huelva), October 7th
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jszhirm1CG0
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HSR removed again
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1711366841010946374
And road closed for possible S26 testing
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1711373583430103541
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In an Oct. 3 statement posted on social media, Roscosmos said that the most likely cause of the crash was “abnormal functioning” of the onboard computer. Specifically, the computer failed to turn on an accelerometer in a device called BIUS-L, which measures the angular velocity of the spacecraft.
As a result, “the on-board control complex received zero signals from the accelerometers of the BIUS-L device,” according to a translation of the Roscosmos statement. “This did not allow, when issuing a corrective pulse, to record the moment the required speed was reached and to timely turn off the spacecraft propulsion system, as a result of which its shutdown occurred according to a temporary setting.”
Russia deserves all the failure and bad karma they reap for the crap going on in Ukraine. It's going to sound petty compared to the loss of life and the intrusion into sovereignty, but bombing the AN-225 was just reprehensible. That was a one of a kind aircraft that served the oversized air cargo needs of the entire world. While technically not irreplaceable, it's pretty darn close to it. I doubt the parts set aside for a second AN-225 ever take to the sky, and we'll have to wait for a next generation aircraft to provide comparable capabilities.
Who knows? Maybe the Starship will be the replacement solution instead of an aircraft.
I'd kind of like to see one of the new dirigible airship designs come to fruition for large cargo delivery as well. Especially for remote cargo, and cargo too wide to transport over most land routes.
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Psyche
NASASpaceflight
823K subscribers
4,643 watching now Started streaming 11 minutes ago
A SpaceX Falcon Heavy launches the Psyche mission. The orbiter mission will explore the origin of planetary cores by studying the metallic asteroid 16 Psyche. 16 Psyche is the heaviest known M-type asteroid. The mass of the payload is 2,600 kg.
Instantaneous Launch Window: October 13th at 10:19AM EDT (14:19 UTC)
Orbit: Heliocentric Orbit
Booster: B1064-4 and B1065-4 with a 75-day turnaround - Previously supported: USSF-44 / USSF-67 / EchoStar 24 / B1079 first flight
Recovery: LZ1 and LZ2 for the side boosters / No center core recovery
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lr6XMnH_7RE
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https://twitter.com/_mgde_/status/1712841540937089180
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https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1712870405663547793
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SpaceX up again
NASASpaceflight
824K subscribers
1,854 watching now Started streaming 11 minutes ago
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is set to lift the next batch of 22 Starlink v2 Mini satellites into orbit from SLC-40 in Florida.
Window opens: October 13th at 6:29PM EDT (22:29 UTC)
Window closes: October 13th at 11:01PM EDT (03:01 UTC on the 14th)
Primary T0: October 13th at 7:01:10PM EDT (23:01:10 UTC)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiz0q2B3_oE
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It's nonstop.
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It's nonstop.
Just came across this
Some small companies are accusing SX of pricing below cost but I would like real see data on that. Considering SX is reusing boosters and engines thus greatly lowering costs while everyone else is not there may be some sour grapes in their accusations.
Plus BO has yet to launch a single gram to orbit and ULA is basically almost at a standstill now relying on BO to deliver working engines.
Oh and some think the government should "increased government investment might be needed to bolster competition in the launch market" Yeah
The Accidental Monopoly
How SpaceX became (just about) the only game in town
https://spacenews.com/the-accidental-monopoly/
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Marcus House with his weekly update
Huge SpaceX Starship Progress as Falcon Heavy launches the most metal mission ever with Psyche!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76c8OBsVvOE
05:08 Whoops :rofl: https://youtu.be/76c8OBsVvOE?t=308
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HSR back on and possible road closure scheduled for today. Could mean restacking and maybe even a WDR
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1713752202043326738
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Curious Droid revisits the question could the Saturn V's F-1 engines be built today?
In his original video his answer was maybe but it would be cost prohibitive due to all of the extreme labor that would be involved plus many of the needed skills have been lost over time. Just 5 years later 3D printing has advanced so fast that he now thinks yes and it would be far cheaper than just 5 years ago to do so and there's no real reason why we couldn't.
Could NASA 3D Print a New F-1 Engine?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NI8HEbBhmWk
His original video from 5 years ago.
Why Can't we Remake the Rocketdyne F1 Engine?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovD0aLdRUs0
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HSR back on and possible road closure scheduled for today. Could mean restacking and maybe even a WDR
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1713752202043326738
Names are confusing me today. That is "Starship" ? Falcon Heavy is not the same thing?
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Names are confusing me today. That is "Starship" ? Falcon Heavy is not the same thing?
Starship is the big stainless monster.
Falcon Heavy is a Falcon 9 with two booster cores.
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Thank You. I saw the Falcon Heavy news the other day and I was getting them confused.
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Sigh
Christian Davenport
@wapodavenport
As the consultation with FAA and US Fish and Wildlife over the Starship mishap will likely push into November, further delaying a second launch attempt, SpaceX is calling on Congress to push FAA to issue launch licenses faster - The Washington Post
https://twitter.com/wapodavenport/status/1714280276241899612
The full article
Behind a pay wall of course
SpaceX to the FAA: The industry needs you to move faster
https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/10/17/spacex-congress-licenses-faa-starship/
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S25 coming back down on the live feed.
NSF staff speculating there may be an issue with the quick detach connections based on seeing the QD arm appearing to attempt a connection then back off
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
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Chris Bergin - NSF reposted
Kerbal Space Academy
@KSpaceAcademy
Before you get excited, remember we did a whole @nasaspaceflight
video exploring whether weekly local marine notices are a good indicator of launch date:
https://youtu.be/fdGyRyXgcCU
Starship Hazardous Space Operations notice set for Nov 1st, with backup slots "each day following".
https://twitter.com/KSpaceAcademy/status/1714670157090488806
Don't get excited
Meanwhile most of the space community
(https://reactiongifs.me/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/sheldon-hyperventilating-big-bang-theory.gif)
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Spaceflight Now
@SpaceflightNow
Happening now: The U.S. Subcommittee on Space and Science is holding a hearing titled "Promoting Safety, Innovation, and Competitiveness in U.S. Commercial Human Space Activities."
Follow along for notable updates. 🧵 1/n
https://twitter.com/SpaceflightNow/status/1714704152863900050
Delays to Starship are being brought up
[popcorn]
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https://twitter.com/SpaceflightNow/status/1714704152863900050
Delays to Starship are being brought up
[popcorn]
It wouldn't surprise me if some lefty suggests delaying Starship to level the playing field because [whinge mode] it's so unfair that Musk has been so successful with SpaceX.[/whinge mode]
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8/ Next is Bill Gerstenmaier with @SpaceX
. He opens with a discussion about Starship.
Says Starship has been ready for its next flight for "more than a month, but we are waiting for an FAA license and interagency review."
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Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
Fish and Wildlife Service has been busy around the Starbase orbital launch site all day! Hopefully getting things ticked off a checklist!
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1715095998505083209
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Restack
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
If nothing else SX is getting good at stacking and destacking.
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Now that it's stacked they're messing around with the SS QD and the attachment points on SS
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Marcus House's weekly update
This is a Critical SpaceX Starship Fight, and ISRO success with Gaganyaan!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLaZX9CwWlk
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/Screenshot_2023-10-21_202324_d7bLM6qRwW6oS81EVAYFAS.png)
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A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is set to lift the next batch of 23 Starlink v2 Mini satellites into orbit from SLC-40 in Florida. B1080-4 will attempt landing on A Shortfall of Gravitas.
Window open: October 21st at 10:16PM EDT (02:16 UTC on the 22nd)
Window close: October 22nd at 2:47AM EDT (06:47 UTC)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9vq6unjnYw
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Possible WDR today
Road closed and the tank farm spooling up
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A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is set to lift the next batch of 23 Starlink v2 Mini satellites into orbit from SLC-40 in Florida. B1080-4 will attempt landing on A Shortfall of Gravitas.
Window open: October 21st at 10:16PM EDT (02:16 UTC on the 22nd)
Window close: October 22nd at 2:47AM EDT (06:47 UTC)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9vq6unjnYw
I was shooting a night match last night and caught [crappy] footage of that rocket. Under NODS you can see a whole lot of the sequence. this is the boost back burn of the first stage, and it's really cool, because as it hits the atmosphere it creates a really prominent comet like aura and tale. Please ignore the JR. High school remarks of my fellow shooter.
https://youtu.be/tcLv4DYSAg4
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They did a couple of partial WDRs Sunday then a water deluge test.
Appears today they're maybe doing a full WDR
Live https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAi2Qu52nCU
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Propellant loading
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Getting frosty
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In ULA news they're targeting Christmas eve for the first launch of Vulcan Centaur.
Time to see if BO's BE-4 engine can do the job.
https://spacenews.com/ula-sets-christmas-eve-launch-date-for-first-vulcan-centaur/
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That'll slip.
Second stage re-design, as well as a booster stage that has never flown before. There's going to be SOMETHING off-nominal during countdown that will scrub it.
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Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
Fish and Wildlife Service out in force again this morning. Always a good sign per getting paperwork done!
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1717152997711425539
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SpaceX
@SpaceX
Vehicle is ready for the second test flight of a fully integrated Starship, pending regulatory approval
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1716979627154149710
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Destacking
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
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Adrian Beil
@BCCarCounters
Updated statement from the FWS regarding the Starship status:
- On Oct. 19, FWS reinitiated consultation with the FAA about the Endangered Species Act.
- While the FWS has 135 days to issue an amended opinion, they do not expect to take the full time.
https://twitter.com/BCCarCounters/status/1717561704689668377
Appears on the surface be a reset of the clock back to Oct 19.
Guess we'll have see see how many of the 135 days they actually take.
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They appears to be getting ready to move S26 and remove the HSR...again
Live feed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
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Being in that bucket lift would be a big fat no from me
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S26 rolling
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HSR going back on
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
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Restacking
NSF is noting a stage has been set up, maybe some sort of announcement is coming up.
Live feed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
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FAA has completed their review, now we're waiting on the Fish people who just so happen to be there now.
Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
The Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) folk are back out in force at Starbase this morning.
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1720075623769780630
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Destacking
Maybe , maybe, to arm the FTS?
Live https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
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Destacking
Maybe , maybe, to arm the FTS?
Live https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
Probably not to arm the FTS. With the F&WS folks out there again today, I'm betting they are some ways away from issuing their final report and giving any kind of a go-ahead to the FAA. SpaceX is likely doing whatever is necessary to keep the ship maintained and in shape for launch. I don't imagine it does the equipment any good leaving it exposed to the weather so long while awaiting a launch license.
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https://twitter.com/_mgde_/status/1720941142169022902
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Probably not to arm the FTS. With the F&WS folks out there again today, I'm betting they are some ways away from issuing their final report and giving any kind of a go-ahead to the FAA. SpaceX is likely doing whatever is necessary to keep the ship maintained and in shape for launch. I don't imagine it does the equipment any good leaving it exposed to the weather so long while awaiting a launch license.
I think Starship/Superheavy, as a reusable platform intended to colonize Mars and return from Mars over a 3 year period, is fine sitting where it is for a few months. These are prototype vehicles and not up to snuff for a Martian expedition, but the main construction techniques and materials will carry over from these units to the ones that ultimately fly to Mars.
It would take years for the ocean to rust the 30X stainless blend it's made from.
The stack/destack operations are probably for systems integration checks and GSE support purposes.
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Sign of unannounced, as of yet, progress?
https://twitter.com/Alexphysics13/status/1721724422501884188
Chris Bergin - NSF reposted
Alejandro Alcantarilla Romera (Alex)
@Alexphysics13
A NOTAM has been posted for Mexican airspace for the next launch of SpaceX's Starship rocket. The notice is valid from November 13th to 18th with daily windows running from 7AM CST to 9:39AM CST (13:00-15:39 UTC).
Adrian Beil
@BCCarCounters
Regarding the new closures. Yes they say "No Flight" but I think the likely explanation is the fact, that they cant call it flight closures until necessary paper work is done. But these scream and sound like flight closures for IFT-2.
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Lots of talk on reddit about it probably being Monday the 13th. Eric Berger, the war criminal himself, suggests this day.
Again, SpaceX is holding cards close to chest to prevent environmental activists from launching law suits to delay the project.
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And in other news Virgin Galactic is laying off employees
Chris Bergin - NSF reposted
Michael Sheetz
@thesheetztweetz
Confirmed: Virgin Galactic $SPCE is laying off a yet-undefined number of employees in "a strategic realignment" of resources.
Company reports Q3 results tomorrow after hours, with "additional details" to come.
Memo from CEO Michael Colglazier:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231107369107/en/Virgin-Galactic-Provides-Business-Update
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Julia Bergeron
@julia_bergeron
Late nights and fog can't stop the momentum. The Starlink 6-27 launch brings the SpaceX launch count to 80, so far, in 2023.
@NASASpaceflight
Launch Round-up:
https://nasaspaceflight.com/2023/11/launch
https://twitter.com/julia_bergeron/status/1722123209099682275
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Chris Bergin - NSF reposted
Alejandro Alcantarilla Romera (Alex)
@Alexphysics13
And now a Navigational Hazard Warning has been posted as well for the Gulf of Mexico. Same daily windows from November 13th to November 18th running from 7AM CST to 9:39AM CST.
https://twitter.com/Alexphysics13/status/1722201207333343537
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My guess is we'll see them arming the FTS and then do a stack the day before.
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https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1722092614533718300
SpaceX now has TWO launchpads capable of sending manned capsules into space.
Used to be that LC-39A was the only one, and it also was the only site that could launch Falcon Heavy. I believe since then that Vandenberg has a FH pad capable of polar orbits, but no ecliptic launches of FH are capable there due to the restrictions on US overflight.
Now, SLC-40 also offers the capability of launching manned capsules.
Granted, if an anomaly happens to any Falcon rocket that takes out LC-39A, it will ground Dragon capsules anyways... but at least space transport redundancy is transitioning from being a national tier asset to a corporate tier asset.
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Update on the Electron 2nd stage failure back in September
In case you don't remember this is the one where the last view we had of 2nd stage was of sparks shooting out around the engine bell at 2nd stage firing.
Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
The reason the previous Electron failed, which - as Peter Beck noted - was "a highly complex, improbable, and evasive issue". And heck, he wasn't understating:
"After more than seven weeks of extensive analysis of the mission’s manufacturing, test, and flight data, the findings of the investigation overwhelmingly indicate that an unexpected electrical arc occurred within the power supply system that provides high voltage to the Rutherford engine’s motor controllers, shorting the battery packs that provide power to the launch vehicle’s second stage.
Exhaustive testing and analysis to recreate this failure mode has led to the investigation team’s determination that the arc was likely only made possible by the rare interaction of multiple conditions. Any one of these factors on their own would likely not have caused the failure of the second stage, but when they occur simultaneously in the low-pressure environment of space, they reach the threshold dictated by Paschen’s Law for an arc to form and travel. Paschen's Law is an equation that breaks down the relationship between voltage, pressure environment, distance between electrodes, and presence of gas necessary for an electrical arc to form and travel."
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1722414139300106584
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The 15th is now being tossed around.
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Rocket Lab plans to resume Electron launches in late November
https://spacenews.com/rocket-lab-plans-to-resume-electron-launches-in-late-november/
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Astra has missed a debt payment and appears to be on the verge of bankruptcy. That's unfortunate. Hate to see them in trouble.
https://www.cnbc.com/2023/11/03/astra-defaults-on-debt-agreement-may-not-be-able-to-raise-needed-cash.html (https://www.cnbc.com/2023/11/03/astra-defaults-on-debt-agreement-may-not-be-able-to-raise-needed-cash.html)
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Astra has missed a debt payment and appears to be on the verge of bankruptcy. That's unfortunate. Hate to see them in trouble.
https://www.cnbc.com/2023/11/03/astra-defaults-on-debt-agreement-may-not-be-able-to-raise-needed-cash.html (https://www.cnbc.com/2023/11/03/astra-defaults-on-debt-agreement-may-not-be-able-to-raise-needed-cash.html)
I've been rooting for them, this is sad to see.
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Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
Flight Termination System (FTS) work is taking place today. Obviously won't be "pulling any pins" until just before restack near launch day, but it is another good sign they are staging for next week (NET 15th).
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1722620702820585630
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Chris Bergin - NSF reposted
Adrian Beil
@BCCarCounters
Regarding ongoing speculation about a potential launch license: NSF reached out to FWS and FAA for updates on the progress of the Starship license. No updates as of this morning.
https://twitter.com/BCCarCounters/status/1722643430168219693
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Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
Booster 9 Flight Termination System (FTS) install - the explosives that will destroy the vehicle in case of anomaly.
An improved system from Booster 7 after its FTS trigger resulted in a "It's just a flesh wound!" reaction during the first test flight.
Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
And Ship FTS work too!
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More info on the Viasat failure
Hopefully they figured out what went wrong with the antennae deployment
Boeing built/is building the satellites but another unnamed company built the antennae
Viasat expects to know next week what caused the antenna deployment issue that severely impaired its debut ViaSat-3 broadband satellite over the Americas, the operator’s CEO announced during earnings results Nov. 8.
Mark Dankberg said Viasat would also be getting more information from the antenna’s supplier, which he did not name, on how long it would take to ensure a second, mostly built ViaSat-3 could launch without the issue that reduced the throughput on its first by more than 90%.
Reportedly this failure as well as another is hitting the satellite insurance business hard
Viasat is preparing to file a $421 million insurance claim for ViaSat-3 F1.
A problem the Inmarsat-6 (I-6) F2 spacecraft encountered with its power subsystem while raising orbit after its February launch will also result in a total loss, Dankberg said, and was insured for $349 million.
ViaSat-3 failure investigation to conclude next week
https://spacenews.com/viasat-3-failure-investigation-to-conclude-next-week/
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Live at time of posting T-40:00
SpaceX CRS-29 is a Commercial Resupply Service mission to the International Space Station. The mission is contracted by NASA and will be flown by SpaceX using a Cargo Dragon. Within the cargo travels the ILLUMA-T experiment that tests technology to provide enhanced data communication capabilities on the space station. The booster is B1081, which will fly for the second time and attempt to land on LZ-1.
SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches CRS-29 to the International Space Station
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTHzdQODuJ0
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Stacked with FTS installed on both. Armed? Maybe.
Still no word on launch license but speculation SX made have been given a heads up it was coming.
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Tiles need work, one fell off this morning with Starship doing nothing but just sitting there. :facepalm:
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SpaceX
@SpaceX
·
15m
Starship preparing to launch as early as November 17, pending final regulatory approval → http://spacex.com/launches
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1723158507111711150
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Chris Bergin - NSF reposted
Jack Beyer
@thejackbeyer
Stormy Starship Stack at Starbase... but maybe not for long. Looks like we might see a destack here soon as the hot stage ring stand and a load spreader were moved to the launch site this evening. Follow along live on SBL: http://nsf.live/starbase
@NASASpaceflight
https://twitter.com/thejackbeyer/status/1723174635968102777
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The FTS pyros were loaded yesterday. As far as I'm aware this is the final preparation before an actual launch and is not to be done during any other time.
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But not 100% certain the pins have been pulled
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But not 100% certain the pins have been pulled
Of course not, why would they pull the flight pins more than a couple hours before launch? This is them loading the explosive ordnance used to blow up the rocket if it goes wrong. Ie. they primed a really big bomb, which they don't do for pad tests because nobody wants an intentionally primed to explode bomb on their hands for anything other than actual flight.
As an aside, I got to handle one of those pins at ULA. It's a really cool spring loaded key that takes several deliberate actions and direction changes to remove. Definitely not something you want to fall out on accident. :laugh:
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Of course not, why would they pull the flight pins more than a couple hours before launch?
Because they can't reach the FTS on Starship without destacking since the bucket lifts can't reach that high and there's no access arm to that area. The booster FTS they can reach with the bucket lifts, SS not so much.
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Because they can't reach the FTS on Starship without destacking since the bucket lifts can't reach that high and there's no access arm to that area. The booster FTS they can reach with the bucket lifts, SS not so much.
I'm going to need a hard cite on that because it is not in any way industry practice to design a rocket that requires you to pull the arming pins before you can finish assembling it for launch.
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I'm going to need a hard cite on that because it is not in any way industry practice to design a rocket that requires you to pull the arming pins before you can finish assembling it for launch.
It has been mentioned several times in NSF feeds that SS's FTS is out of reach of the lifts while stacked though I'm open to I misheard.
The lifts do appear to be pretty much at max reaching the HSR on top of the booster.
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Kathy Lueders (starship general manager) yesterday said they destacked to do final prep work including FTS installation.
Edit: direct link to the clip where she mentioned this: https://nitter.net/SpacePadreIsle/status/1702357443890548773#m
https://www.reddit.com/r/SpaceXLounge/comments/16ii4xn/ship_25_being_destacked_to_install_fts_launch/
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Good view of FTS explosives being installed and note he says they must be added before stacking.
Video will start at 8:01
https://youtu.be/v4cQDa8oilQ?t=481
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An access arm on the tower would have been nice.
They do use the QD arm to access the QD connections but the FTS is some ways above it.
Hoping they don't have to use it.
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Destacked while I was out for dinner
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Good view of FTS explosives being installed and note he says they must be added before stacking.
Video will start at 8:01
https://youtu.be/v4cQDa8oilQ?t=481
We seem to be focusing on different things. There are two steps.
One: you load the primer caps and boosters (the initiating explosives). The system is now primed.
Two: you pull the flight pins and insert arming plugs completing the firing circuits. The system is now armed.
Step one is done as a final assembly of a ship for an actual launch.
Step two is done exterior to a fully assembled ship and happens only hours before launch.
Step one would be omitted in any case other than launch; this has been my primary point of news.
Step two is always done very last and does not require anything other than a person on the outside of the rocket to pull pins and insert arming plugs into the empty sockets. This is very much by intention.
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Destacked while I was out for dinner
Well boo. I wonder if they found another bug or if the whole thing was a test rehearsal for the FTS procedures themselves?
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Point I'm trying to make is they can't reach the FTS on SS once stacked, the lifts don't go that high and there's no access arm to it. The FTS on the booster they can reach though.
Now this pure speculation on my part but could there be a remote mechanical pin pulling mechanism? Maybe, and again this is pure speculation, something to pull on down at the QD connections? They do have access there via the QD arm itself.
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Neat video SX put out
https://twitter.com/i/status/1723158118706839819
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Still no word from the FAA and/or FWS
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They're discussing the pins in a currently live NSF chat and what they're saying matches what I've heard before, that the pins are pulled then SS is stacked.
Someone asked in chat if a drone could pull the pins while SS is stacked. the answer was no.
the live chat https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cceYABo-elg
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Come on fish people!
Safe bet the Chinese don't have this problem.
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Come on fish people!
Safe bet the Chinese don't have this problem.
Thanks to overfishing, no they don’t.
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Elon put this up last night
Elon Musk
@elonmusk
Was just informed that approval to launch should happen in time for a Friday launch
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1724271004044644800
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Chris Bergin - NSF reposted
Alejandro Alcantarilla Romera (Alex)
@Alexphysics13
SpaceX's Starship Second Flight Test is now reflected on the FAA ATC Current Operations Plan Advisory.
The first opportunity, as expected, would be no earlier than November 17th with the window opening at 7AM CST (13:00 UTC)
https://twitter.com/Alexphysics13/status/1724224846429655198
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F-2sk9GWMAA0X16?format=png&name=small)
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Bob Bob Bob Bob Where's our launch license Bob?
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/fish2.gif)
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I hadn't noticed they had removed the HSR. Appears they're reinstalling it now
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
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Adrian Beil
@BCCarCounters
The US Fish and Wildlife Service has concluded its investigation into the Deluge System.
Conclusion: It is not expected to change the salinity of the existing mud flats or reduce or modify the piping plover or red knot habitat.
@NASASpaceflight
Link: https://faa.gov/media/72766
A limitation of the system will be the amount of use per year. The deluge system is only allowed to be used 30 times per year.
Adrian Beil
@BCCarCounters
Fish and Wildlife signed this document yesterday.
With this, every part needed for the FAA license is in place. The only missing stone is the signing of the FAA for the launch license modification, which is expected today.
https://twitter.com/BCCarCounters/status/1724821868471808301
Sign the %#$! thing and lets Light This Candle!
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SpaceX says it's a go for Friday
Buuuut, still no official word from the FAA
Probably SX has been told but the FAA still hasn't posted it publicly yet.
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NSF is live on the matter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DB_FzncBgq0
They even did calculations on the chance of Starship hitting a whale. :facepalm:
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What is the scope of this flight? Are they going to orbit or just going high, flying around, and coming back down?
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Launch license is confirmed.
SX is targeting Friday Nov 17. Launch window is, subject to change, 07:00-9:00 CST.
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What is the scope of this flight? Are they going to orbit or just going high, flying around, and coming back down?
Same as the last one.
Not go boom
Clear the tower
Not go boom
Stage separation
Not go boom
Booster is suppose to then perform a landing in the Gulf
Not go boom
SS is suppose to then go sub-orbitial and come down off Hawaii.
Expected to go splash
Baby steps
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Stacking
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Weather Forecast During Launch
The forecast calls for a temperature of 66°F, clear skies, 10% cloud cover and a wind speed of 1mph.
Mission
Integrated Flight Test 2
Type: Test Flight
Second test flight of the two-stage Starship launch vehicle. The booster is expected to separate 170 seconds into flight and return to land approximately 32 km off the shore in the Gulf of Mexico. The second stage will follow a suborbital trajectory and perform an unpowered splashdown approximately 100 km off the northwest coast of Kauai (Hawaii).
Trajectory
View the rocket launch trajectory, velocity, altitude, thrust and much more at FlightClub.io
https://www.spacelaunchschedule.com/launch/starship-integrated-flight-test-2/
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/Screenshot_2023-11-15_165512.png)
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/Screenshot_2023-11-15_165603.png)
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(https://64.media.tumblr.com/126fc1df4e999677f554c471139b3754/tumblr_oq9dm3D8J11relg8bo1_500.gif)
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Good Morning
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/Screenshot_2023-11-16_072222.png)
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NSF is live on the matter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DB_FzncBgq0
They even did calculations on the chance of Starship hitting a whale. :facepalm:
Maritime and marine mammal impact analyses are actually a standard part of all spacelifts and missile tests.
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Maritime and marine mammal impact analyses are actually a standard part of all spacelifts and missile tests.
I figured but what are the odds of SS hitting a whale?
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Starship says hi
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1725132055279747319
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I figured but what are the odds of SS hitting a whale?
Low, because they also do range clearance flights beforehand and if mammal congregations (or dumbass boaters) are spotted in the restricted area in a high debris probability area, they'll delay the launch.
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I wonder what the odds of hitting a whale with a spaceship launch would be if that was their goal?
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I wonder what the odds of hitting a whale with a spaceship launch would be if that was their goal?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCsfHVM5x_I
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People rush out and buy lottery tickets at 1/300,000,000 odds
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I wonder what the odds of hitting a whale with a spaceship launch would be if that was their goal?
Didn't Gewehr98, a former member here, fly on an air force anti-submarine aircraft of some sort? I bet those craft could deliberately hit a whale with an air deployed depth charge or bomb or torpedo.
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NSF reported the HSR stand has been moved to the launch site saying this could a sign of a potential delay.
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Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
Ship Quick Disconnect (SQD) has retracted ahead of destack. LR11000 is going over to the launch site to follow up with removing the Hot Staging Ring.
http://nsf.live/starbase
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SS stand at the pad.
Crap
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Didn't Gewehr98, a former member here, fly on an air force anti-submarine aircraft of some sort? I bet those craft could deliberately hit a whale with an air deployed depth charge or bomb or torpedo.
Gewehr flew on Air Force RC135s and other Air Force variants that did different snooping missions. BobR OTOH flew on US Navy P3 Orions performing maritime surveillance and patrol (lots of ASW during the cold war) for quite a few years. I imagine we could target a whale if we wanted but close targeting isn't really necessary when you have the capability to use nuclear depth charges. ;)
bob
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Launch delayed to Nov 18 per Elon
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Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
Slip to Saturday official now, as Elon has noted and cited the issue is with a grid fin actuator.
Meanwhile, can you spot the human for scale!
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1725234153128354227
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Gewehr flew on Air Force RC135s and other Air Force variants that did different snooping missions. BobR OTOH flew on US Navy P3 Orions performing maritime surveillance and patrol (lots of ASW during the cold war) for quite a few years. I imagine we could target a whale if we wanted but close targeting isn't really necessary when you have the capability to use nuclear depth charges. ;)
bob
Sorry, got my forum members' histories mixed up!
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Issue with a grid fin actuator is what is causing the delay.
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Hoping they get this done in time for a Sat launch. Hearing the weather forecast doesn't look good for next week and then they're bumping into the days surrounding Thanksgiving were are supposedly off limits for launches.
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Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
Meanwhile, at KSC....fire department rolling down the crawlerway and 39A's FSS (Fixed Service Structure) is going rather bonkies with the LEDs. Never seen it acting like a Christmas tree before.
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1725345400192672049
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Woked up and made coffee. Or did I make coffee then wake up?
Anyway
All 4 Actuator replaced and the grid fins tested HSR reinstalled. Waiting for the restacking.
Edit: Correction, NSF says 3
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Stacking
Hopefully for the last time.
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/giphy_ms2rck48y4eFkBRZ1wUaFu.gif)
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Still showing a go for tomorrow
Launch window: 07:00-07:20 CST
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NSF live
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOI35G7cP7o
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Tank farm going
OLM venting
OV-10D Bronco up and patrolling the down range area
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SpaceX
@SpaceX
All systems and weather are go for the second integrated flight test of Starship. Today's webcast will go live ~35 minutes ahead of liftoff → http://spacex.com/launches
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1725834753537188097
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Tanking
WB-57 in the air
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Booster getting frosty
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SpaceX
@SpaceX
Propellant load of Starship’s upper stage is now underway
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T-00:14:00
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NSF replaced Danger Van (the one that got taken out by a chunk of concrete) with Danger Trailer.
See if it survives
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Having to chase some boats out of the zone.
One is Jeff wanting to see what a fully stacked and fueled rocket ready to go looks like
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Planned hold for final checks according to SpX
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Planned hold for final checks. SpaceX says everything looks good.
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And she's away
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Looks like all engines are firing
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Really looks good! All engines still lit! Past MaxQ.
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Hot staging and SS is away!
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Staging and boost back!
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So far looks 100%
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Might have lost the booster during boost back. An unscheduled rapid disassembly.
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SS is in space. All engines are running
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Might have lost the booster during boost back. An unscheduled rapid disassembly.
Maybe hot staging damaged the booster.
Speculation: a FTS test to make the FAA happy?
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That's gotta count as successful for SpaceX, even losing the booster. Impressive as hell.
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Look out Hawaii
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Suck it Jeff
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That's gotta count as successful for SpaceX, even losing the booster. Impressive as hell.
Absolutely. It likely went better than even SpaceX was hoping for.
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Word from SpX the FTS may have triggered on SS
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Maybe hot staging damaged the booster.
Speculation: a FTS test to make the FAA happy?
SpaceX is trying to confirm whether the FTS was triggered late in the burn. If it did, obviously it was after staging. Maybe during boost back.
edit: Maybe FTS on Starship, not the booster. That will be hard to confirm due to few downrange ground stations picking up telemetry. Their best info at this time is the FTS triggered a few seconds after engine cutoff.
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Word is SS's FTS triggered right after engine cutoff.
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Cue the MSM
SpaceX rockets blows ups seconds after launch! Is this the end of SpaceX?
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Seeing loose stuff blowing around but no concrete. No concrete tornado this time
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View of stage separation
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1725863437887242515
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SpaceX is trying to confirm whether the FTS was triggered late in the burn. If it did, obviously it was after staging. Maybe during boost back.
edit: Maybe FTS on Starship, not the booster. That will be hard to confirm due to few downrange ground stations picking up telemetry. Their best info at this time is the FTS triggered a few seconds after engine cutoff.
NSF has a nice video of the booster exploding. They think the FTS may have triggered.
Will post a link as soon as they put it up on twitter.
Edit: As I was posting https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1725872284240347626
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/F_OH3d1aoAAhiF3.jpg)
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So far pad looks fine
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Drone view of liftoff https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1725862657780281349
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So the FTS may have triggered in both the booster and Starship at roughly the same time in their flight profiles. I bet they take a close look at the code that controls the FTS to make sure they didn't make boo-boo.
Even at that, there may have been perfectly legitimate reasons for the FTS to trigger in both rockets.
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Max Evans
@_mgde_
It did the spicy thing: hot staging.
Ship 25 ignites all six Raptor engines to separate from Booster 9.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/F_OI85aXIAA6RnZ.jpg)
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Got to remember what's important here, getting the first woman on the moon
Jim Free
@JimFree
Each test represents a step closer to putting the first woman on the Moon with the #Artemis III Starship human landing system. Looking forward to seeing what can be learned from this test that moves us closer to the next milestone.
Jim Free
@JimFree
Leading NASA's deep space human exploration activities as the Associate Administrator for Exploration Systems Development.
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So the FTS may have triggered in both the booster and Starship at roughly the same time in their flight profiles. I bet they take a close look at the code that controls the FTS to make sure they didn't make boo-boo.
Speculation based on what I've seen so far
There may have been some fear the booster was not coming down exactly where they wanted it to and better safe than sorry. It is a pretty narrow zone.
SS may not gotten into the exact sub-oribal path they wanted and again better safe than sorry. Blow it while it's in an area safe to do so.
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Cue the MSM
SpaceX rockets blows ups seconds after launch! Is this the end of SpaceX?
How right you were. Faux, CNN, and MSN headlines all say the rocket was lost. CNBC headline says the rocket was intentionally destroyed mid-flight. Not going to read their stupid stories.
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In thrust we trust
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/F_OH1u5XsAA2O_2.jpg)
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Look at that! All 33 engines burning brightly! Way to cool!
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Mach diamonds as big as a building
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/F_OJZJjbgAAIikT.jpg)
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One of the ground tanks has a huge dent in it.
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Tanker trucks already waiting at the road block to go in. Is B10 on the move? :O :P =D
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https://twitter.com/i/status/1725879726479450297
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Cars already headed to the pad. That's very good sign.
Edit: People already at the pad area
Edit: Edit: Picking up debris. Looks like loose stuff that got blown around. Not seeing any concrete
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Another view of the hot staging https://twitter.com/i/status/1725880529290248271
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Maybe not FTS?
SpaceX
@SpaceX
The booster experienced a rapid unscheduled disassembly shortly after stage separation while Starship's engines fired for several minutes on its way to space
9:14 AM · Nov 18, 2023
·
280.5K
Views
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1725880148271190388
NSF noted while viewing videos it may have over shot it's rotation for the boost back.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/F_OO6swWwAANQ63.jpg)
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Tiles obviously still need work
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/F_OUsV6bgAEyA86.jpg)
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Chop sticks already moving
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/F_OONJAWYAAXIkK.jpg)
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Danger Trailer is okay.
Note it not surrounded by chunks of concrete :P
https://twitter.com/thejackbeyer/status/1725906587972194802
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Looks scorched but otherwise okay. Definitely an improvement, no 20ft deep crater
https://twitter.com/RGVaerialphotos/status/1725921599575015627/photo/1
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/F_OzZPkXEAAvCq_.jpg)
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Did the main module complete its mission?
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Did the main module complete its mission?
The FTS was triggered on Starship either shortly before or shortly after engine cut off. No word yet as to why
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Here's Scott Manley
His speculation on what happened to the booster matched what some where saying in chats.
He then moves on to Starship itself. He notices there was a puff followed by LOX level dropping faster than the CH4
Also of note is both debris trails were picked by radar.
And also also of note is video from Puerto Rico supposedly showing debris burning up in the atmosphere
Starship & Superheavy Become The Biggest Rocket In Space.... Before Exploding
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hF2C7xE9Mj4
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Hot staging
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1725905127113183535
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/F_OlhMBbcAAElzs.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/F_OliJ5asAAx8Ju.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/F_OlfC1bQAAccq1.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/F_Olf8NbEAE-Aaw.jpg)
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Currently Live
Starship Explosion Footage From The Florida Keys
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWhhWRR_sk0
Edit: You can see it tumbling after the FTS fired
Edit Edit: Wow, at one point you can make out after it broke up the top half (front) section with the flaps
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California Police Attempt To Arrest Elon Musk's Holographic Decoy As Real Musk Escapes On Rocket To Mars
https://babylonbee.com/news/police-arrest-decoy-elon-musk-hologram-as-real-musk-escapes-on-rocket-to-mars
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Click bait YT video popped up in my feed with a title that says SpaceX rocket headed to Mars blows up.
No I didn't click on it
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https://twitter.com/daily_hopper
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/F-kPcFCWMAAy88u.jpg)
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That one ^^^^ and this were both before yesterday's flight
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/F6yRuXvWIAAo3fo.jpg)
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Slow-Mo video of the hot staging
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1726314284488225050
Check out this close up of S25's center(sea level) engines gimballing Wow!
https://twitter.com/INiallAnderson/status/1726317311135822038
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https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1726328010499051579
Elon Musk
@elonmusk
Just inspected the Starship launch pad and it is in great condition!
No refurbishment needed to the water-cooled steel plate for next launch.
Congrats to @Spacex
team & contractors for engineering & building such a robust system so rapidly!
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https://twitter.com/justpaulinelol/status/1726328780674003374
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Rumor is S28 and B10 are up next
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*
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Currently Live
Starship Explosion Footage From The Florida Keys
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWhhWRR_sk0
Edit: You can see it tumbling after the FTS fired
Edit Edit: Wow, at one point you can make out after it broke up the top half (front) section with the flaps
People are running wild with the "The Front Fell Off" jokes
In case you don't get the joke https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3m5qxZm_JqM
And guess what, the front fell off :rofl:
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/the-front-of-starship-falling-after-the-flight-was-v0-k1fczgy6w61c1.webp)
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How's this for misleading?
The headline
SpaceX Starship explodes in second test flight. What's next for crewed lunar missions?
The photo
(https://images.sbs.com.au/dims4/default/bbb4fc7/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4615x2596+140+0/resize/1280x720!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsbs-au-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fa6%2F57%2Fe5b7fdd14ccb830cdb03a84513c7%2Fspacex-rocket-liftoff-starship-texas.jpg&imwidth=1280)
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He should try some CH3NO2 in the next one.
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https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1726386449170501783
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/F_VbEJcbQAAv3Ak.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/F_VbKWca8AAqStq.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/F_VbLfbbYAAj_Mn.jpg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/F_VbIdpa8AAWTbQ.jpg)
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B9/S25 are like "We're outta here!"
https://twitter.com/i/status/1726666641826857261
I'm in awe at how stable it is going up
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https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1727054554947268685
(https://i.pinimg.com/736x/f3/3a/e6/f33ae664f1f56f0594e33d670548dfb7.jpg)
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33 engines working in unison to create a single mach diamond effect. That's impressive.
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/F_toS6rWwAAB8uQ.jpg)
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Looks like Jeff has a tube. No word on the 7 engines supposed to be on the bottom, with the landing leg machinery and avionics.
(https://i.redd.it/2pajvyzv3y2c1.jpg)
Evidently NASA has booked a Class D mission to Mars on New Glenn, scheduled for early August of 2024. Class D are the most tolerant of failure, and failure to hit the launch window will result in a 26 month delay to the mission.
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Meanwhile
· SpaceX's 89th launch of the year and the 10th launch of the month (this matches record)
· 256th Falcon orbital launch since Amos 6, F9's 276th orbital flight.
· SpaceX's 157th launch from SLC-40
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1Y8PIci1O0
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Looks like Jeff has a tube. No word on the 7 engines supposed to be on the bottom, with the landing leg machinery and avionics.
(https://i.redd.it/2pajvyzv3y2c1.jpg)
Evidently NASA has booked a Class D mission to Mars on New Glenn, scheduled for early August of 2024. Class D are the most tolerant of failure, and failure to hit the launch window will result in a 26 month delay to the mission.
Have any BE-4's even flown yet? I'm tracking the first Vulcan launch should be the moon mission this Dec, but are there any other vehicles using a BE-4? Mars in 9 months seems optimistic for an engine that only leaves the ground when it explodes.
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Bezos has had that tube for a year or two judging by all the pictures I have seen of it over time.
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Have any BE-4's even flown yet?
Nope and BO has been pretty tight lipped about any testing. Last test I remember seeing anything on it failed a year or so ago. Seen zip since.
You can watch SpX's engine testing live all day long https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOmmvhDQ2HM
They'll often fire 2 to 5 engines a day
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Bezos has had that tube for a year or two judging by all the pictures I have seen of it over time.
Think maybe that was this mockup https://twitter.com/Blobifi/status/1729296404886299010
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Think maybe that was this mockup https://twitter.com/Blobifi/status/1729296404886299010
That's what they want you to think. [tinfoil] =D
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Have any BE-4's even flown yet?
Yes, but only in bits and pieces a short distance from the test stand.
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Think maybe that was this mockup https://twitter.com/Blobifi/status/1729296404886299010
That's what they want you to think. [tinfoil] =D
The world's biggest fleshlight for the world's biggest.......nevermind, I'm walking, no running, away from that.
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Yes, but only in bits and pieces a short distance from the test stand.
To be fair there are 72 Raptors in the gulf and 6 in the Atlantic right now.
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SpaceX has thrown more engines in the ocean then Blue Origin has manufactured. =D =D
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To be fair there are 72 Raptors in the gulf and 6 in the Atlantic right now.
Yes, and they all flew there under power, thus proving the point.
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Yes, and they all flew there under power, thus proving the point.
Most of them at least =D
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Jokes aside: SpaceX has gotten us used to blowing a few rockets up before you put anything important on them and expect them to work. What are we thinking the odds of the first Vulcan, with the first flight rated BE-4s getting that little lander all the way to the moon next month are? Does ULA have that thing dialed in?
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And with the improvements from all those failures, SpaceX has their normal boosters working very reliably. Because they know there are some design problems you won't find until you try to use them. I appreciate that they are not quite as failure-phobic as other outfits.
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Founded
BO - Sept 2000
SpX - March 2002
Objects place in LEO and beyond.
BO - 0
SpX - > 5,000
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Does ULA have that thing dialed in?
Guess we'll find out next month.....maybe. I'm not holding my breath
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To be fair there are 72 Raptors in the gulf and 6 in the Atlantic right now.
SpaceX has thrown more engines in the ocean then Blue Origin has manufactured. =D =D
And the total $ of these 78 Raptors was less than one, ONE!, NASA produced tax payer founded RS-25
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And the total $ of these 78 Raptors was less than one, ONE!, NASA produced tax payer founded RS-25
I rather doubt that.
Musk has aimed for an aspirational cost of $500k per engine, but those first 78 certainly did not all reach that cost threshold. Even then, the market value of the Raptor as an engine is far higher than its cost... and the market value of an RS-25 is far higher than its cost.
You cannot compare cost of an object to the market price (however convoluted by government procurement) of another.
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I rather doubt that.
Musk has aimed for an aspirational cost of $500k per engine, but those first 78 certainly did not all reach that cost threshold. Even then, the market value of the Raptor as an engine is far higher than its cost... and the market value of an RS-25 is far higher than its cost.
You cannot compare cost of an object to the market price (however convoluted by government procurement) of another.
Last I heard Rs where around 1 mil.
Current NASA figures for new production tax payer funded RS-25s is around $100 mil a pop with hopes to get it down to 70 mil each. Reportedly the original RS-25s used on the shuttle cost ~40 mil each. (probably 1980s dollars.)
SLS has 4 RS-25s plus the boosters. Each SLS launch currently costs $2-3 bil each.
The RS-25s as used on SLS are one use only while Raptors are designed to be reusable. NASA has said SLS is unsustainable. Gee, I wonder why.
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ULA - First BE-4 engined launch scheduled for Dec 23
BO - First BE-4 engined launch scheduled for Aug 24
ULA you go first and let us know if our engines work.
Sign BO
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G WAY TO MARS
Hmmm, wonder what that means? :P
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GAMeXBJWMAAOC75?format=jpg&name=medium)
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ULA - First BE-4 engined launch scheduled for Dec 23
BO - First BE-4 engined launch scheduled for Aug 24
ULA you go first and let us know if our engines work.
Sign BO
How do you think the owners of the Peregrine Moon Lander that's on that rocket are feeling?
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How do you think the owners of the Peregrine Moon Lander that's on that rocket are feeling?
Hoping all the Is are dotted and the Ts crossed on the insurance forms.
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Odds of a BE-4 caused RUD? Maybe 50-50 in my mind at this point without knowing more what went on in testing.
Don't get me wrong I wish both BO and ULA the best on the this.
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Still showing Dec 24th BTW
https://www.spacelaunchschedule.com/launch/vulcan-vc2s-peregrine-lunar-lander-maiden-flight/
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I'm hoping ULA betting the farm on BO engines isn't going to bite them in the arse, that's my biggest fear in this.
I want the the BE-4 to work for ULA's sake at least but I would have liked to have seen at least 1 or 2 test flights before putting a $$$$$ payload on top but that's me.
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I'm hoping ULA betting the farm on BO engines isn't going to bite them in the arse, that's my biggest fear in this.
I want the the BE-4 to work for ULA's sake at least but I would have liked to have seen at least 1 or 2 test flights before putting a $$$$$ payload on top but that's me.
BO's credibility rides on that same first Vulcan launch.
I'd love to be a fly on the wall for the negotiations with BO representatives. Dollars to donuts, Boeing and LockMart have BO at a fixed, non-negotiable price that is not open to renegotiation based on performance of debut Vulcan launches.
It's really a shame, but ULA was buried in the field out back when the first F9 landed, and they didn't pursue an equivalent vehicle. Vulcan isn't that vehicle. SMART is a wish list, not an action item. They have to stage lower to have a reasonable chance of booster re-use, and that means they need to redesign their 2nd stage, which is currently their only competitive advantage. Anything Vulcan can do, F9/FH can also do and at lower cost. And at this point with over 200 consecutive successful LANDINGS in a row, not just launches and insertions, F9/FH is the safe and proven bet while Vulcan is very much the wild card, as well as more expensive. All that keeps them afloat is DOD desire for launch vendor redundancy, which RocketLab is very hungry to take away from ULA in the next year or so. If Neutron can fly for less than Vulcan, it's over for ULA.
My money is on a mission failure for the first Vulcan, though. Jeff's engines seem to be very temperamental, and one particular regime they haven't gotten any flight data on is riding in tandem with several SRB's. There will be a pair of GEM 63XL SRB's strapped alongside Jeff's engines, shaking the *expletive deleted*it out of the whole stack. Those SRB's are each putting out about 450k pounds of thrust (900k total) where the two BE-4's are each putting out about 550k pounds of thrust (1.1 million total). They're big SRB's.
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Speaking of which
Tory Bruno
@torybruno
Our brand new large solid rocket motor storage facility at Camp Blanding FL is starting to fill up. It’ll be SRMs stacked like cord wood soon!
https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1730610105245470749
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And speaking of engines going boom
Something exploded powerfully at the Chinese cosmodrome
https://vpk.name/en/801043_something-exploded-powerfully-at-the-chinese-cosmodrome.html
Edit: had the wrong link for the photos
(https://vpk.name/file/img/dva-sputnikovyh-snimka-vysokogo-razresheniya-pokazyvayushih-ispytatelnyi-stend-na--ikacpx75-1701357121.t.jpg)
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https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/innovation-at-amazon/amazon-project-kuiper-spacex-launch
Amazon orders 3 Falcon 9 launches to support Project Kuiper.
Watch for more orders to come for SpaceX, and more schedule slip for Vulcan and New Glenn.
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https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/innovation-at-amazon/amazon-project-kuiper-spacex-launch
Amazon orders 3 Falcon 9 launches to support Project Kuiper.
Watch for more orders to come for SpaceX, and more schedule slip for Vulcan and New Glenn.
The Amazon article doesn't mention one of the possible reasons why
A lawsuit had been filed over the launch contract
I posted this back in Sept
Speaking of BO
A pension fund has filed suit against the board of directors of Amazon, claiming they “acted in bad faith” in approving launch contracts for the Project Kuiper broadband constellation that awarded billions of dollars to Blue Origin, the company founded by Amazon’s Jeff Bezos.
The suit, a public version of which was filed with Delaware’s Court of Chancery Aug. 28, alleges that Amazon’s board and one of its committees spent “barely an hour” reviewing contracts with Blue Origin and United Launch Alliance, whose Vulcan Centaur rocket uses engines from Blue Origin, before approving them in March 2022. Delaware Business Court Insider first reported the lawsuit.
The suit is filed by the Cleveland Bakers and Teamsters Pension Fund, an Amazon shareholder, and sheds new light on how Amazon selected Blue Origin and ULA, along with Arianespace, for contracts announced in April 2022 to launch the 3,236-satellite constellation. It also suggests that personal animus between Bezos and Elon Musk, founder of SpaceX, prevented Amazon from considering SpaceX for those contracts.
https://spacenews.com/lawsuit-claims-amazons-board-erred-in-awarding-kuiper-launch-contracts-to-blue-origin-and-others/
While it really wasn't any surprise they selected BO I guess someone else may have noticed BO doesn't even have a working launch vehicle. Open question whether or not Elon would have even wanted the contract.
Meanwhile [popcorn]
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If there is one thing SpaceX has done right, they have gotten a lot of experience with rocket engine design and operation with all their smaller rocket operations. Even if you think you have a better design, it is hard to beat that. I guess it is obvious everyone else is catching up (falling further behind at this point as they aren't yet moving).
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https://brycetech.com/briefing
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/Screenshot_2023-12-02_091953.png)
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And speaking of engines going boom
Something exploded powerfully at the Chinese cosmodrome
https://vpk.name/en/801043_something-exploded-powerfully-at-the-chinese-cosmodrome.html
Edit: had the wrong link for the photos
(https://vpk.name/file/img/dva-sputnikovyh-snimka-vysokogo-razresheniya-pokazyvayushih-ispytatelnyi-stend-na--ikacpx75-1701357121.t.jpg)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9wmWZbr_wQ
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quote]Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
And touchdown on A Shortfall of Gravitas.
177th consecutive landing for SpaceX's 91st launch of the year![/quote]
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1731163854820778168
100 here we come
Here's a list of upcoming launches https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/agency/upcoming/1/
Note some say NET (No Earlier Than) so they may or may not launch by the end of the year in fact many are highly doubtful
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Looking at the above chart how long before the admin and certain congress critters start screaming monopoly particularly if BE-4s go boom?
Many in the current administration have it out for Elon in case you hadn't noticed :P
But I wonder how much of that 381,278 is Starlinks?
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Looking at the above chart how long before the admin and certain congress critters start screaming monopoly particularly if BE-4s go boom?
Many in the currently administration have it out for Elon. In case you hadn't noticed :P
But I wonder how much of that 381,278 is Starlinks?
I've already seen articles in MSM and Space media calling SpaceX a monoploy. The groundwork has been laid. The Catch22 for the gov and bankers is that they need SpaceX to launch their stuff right now. Once there are actual other choices and the "issue" is just that SpaceX is an order of magnitude cheaper, I expect we'll see more pushes for price controls or subsidizing of SpaceX competitors to ensure "fairness".
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I've already seen articles in MSM and Space media calling SpaceX a monoploy. The groundwork has been laid. The Catch22 for the gov and bankers is that they need SpaceX to launch their stuff right now. Once there are actual other choices and the "issue" is just that SpaceX is an order of magnitude cheaper, I expect we'll see more pushes for price controls or subsidizing of SpaceX competitors to ensure "fairness".
I know I posted a link to an article along those lines a few pages back.
Edit: here it is
Some small companies are accusing SX of pricing below cost but I would like real see data on that. Considering SX is reusing boosters and engines thus greatly lowering costs while everyone else is not there may be some sour grapes in their accusations.
Plus BO has yet to launch a single gram to orbit and ULA is basically almost at a standstill now relying on BO to deliver working engines.
Oh and some think the government should "increased government investment might be needed to bolster competition in the launch market" Yeah
The Accidental Monopoly
How SpaceX became (just about) the only game in town
https://spacenews.com/the-accidental-monopoly/
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I'm waiting for the evidence that the SpaceX monopoly is harmful. With launch prices falling and SpaceX demonstrating that they are pushing more mass to orbit alone than the global capacity of every nation any time in human history, there's no argument to be made that they are exclusionary. I suspect that if ULA and BO caved this year and declared bankruptcy, SpaceX would be at the auction proceedings to buy their launch pads and would have them converted to send more F9's within 6 months of acquisition, effectively doubling their already astounding upmass capability.
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I'm waiting for the evidence that the SpaceX monopoly is harmful.
I'm with you on that but do you think this administration needs evidence when they have feeeeelings as in Elon Musk bad!?
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I'm waiting for the evidence that the SpaceX monopoly is harmful. With launch prices falling and SpaceX demonstrating that they are pushing more mass to orbit alone than the global capacity of every nation any time in human history, there's no argument to be made that they are exclusionary. I suspect that if ULA and BO caved this year and declared bankruptcy, SpaceX would be at the auction proceedings to buy their launch pads and would have them converted to send more F9's within 6 months of acquisition, effectively doubling their already astounding upmass capability.
As much as I like watching Elon tell Disney to Go *expletive deleted*ck Themselves, I watch too much dystopian sci-fi to be comfortable with allowing one, privately owned company be the only way Humans have to reach the bases we're planning on the Moon and Mars. Even if Elon turns out to be Mostly Harmless, whomever takes over SpaceX next is unlikly to be. I would like to see checks and balences on something as important as putting humans on other planets. Not enough to force a breakup of SpaceX, but enough to be concerned no one else can seem to land a rocket.
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SpaceX has plenty of smart people, move very quickly, and have developed some cool stuff, but I'm not convinced that their tech is so far beyond the capability of the other big players. Granted, those other big players would have to iterate faster and go through their own development cycle, but they could get there I'm sure.
I'm guessing the bigger problem is that there is significant financial incentive for the other big players to continue to build and burn very lucrative single-use rockets.
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SpaceX has plenty of smart people, move very quickly, and have developed some cool stuff, but I'm not convinced that their tech is so far beyond the capability of the other big players. Granted, those other big players would have to iterate faster and go through their own development cycle, but they could get there I'm sure.
I'm guessing the bigger problem is that there is significant financial incentive for the other big players to continue to build and burn very lucrative single-use rockets.
Maybe, but there aren't THAT many big .gov contracts laying around to do nothing with.
I think the real problem is no one is willing to take several years and blow up a couple billion dollars of hardware with no income to get over that initial couple iterations and have a reusable rocket. I guess that's what Blue Origin has been supposedly doing for a while, but I think we all expect a fair amount of crashed New Glenn's before they have a reliable, reusable rocket. Maybe they've got all the kinks worked out in simulations and the thing will work right, who knows.
Talking about financial incentive: I googled it and the internes says SpaceX is currently charging $1520/kg to LEO. Based on that graph up there they could have taken in half a billion or so in Q3.
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FTFY
It is my opinion that NASA will never get back to the moon. Their mission budget will be slashed during the Harris/Biden administration and their focus will likely be redirected back toward muslim outreach and social justice issues.
As for SpaceX and friends, I would be surprised if the regulatory burden isn't magnified beyond financial feasibility and they take their toys to another country.
We just can't afford to be sending all that money up in smoke going into space when there are so many social justice programs here that need the money.
:'(
I still stand by this opinion but I am surprised .gov hasn't found a way to screw Musk over yet.
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If NASA is not involved in space and aeronautics, then what good are they? Disband it or reorganize into specific functions like mission control and launch support.
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And in other space news
Branson says he has no plans to invest anymore money in Virgin Galactic and while they have laid off 18% of their workforce he's says they have "sufficient" funds to keep the company afloat until the Deltas (larger version) comes on line. VG stock dropped 16% on the news.
Richard Branson sends Virgin Galactic shares plunging after he says he’s not putting any more money in
https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/04/business/virgin-galactic-richard-branson-stock-space-tourism-scn/index.html
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https://twitter.com/SpcPlcyOnline/status/1731731958571429944
Supposedly the next Starship test is going to be a propellant transfer demonstration mission.
Speculation on Reddit is that it will only be internal on a single Starship, from one tank to another. But it will rely upon the same orbital mechanics principles as used to perform an inter-ship transfer.
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https://twitter.com/SpcPlcyOnline/status/1731731958571429944j
Supposedly the next Starship test is going to be a propellant transfer demonstration mission.
Speculation on Reddit is that it will only be internal on a single Starship, from one tank to another. But it will rely upon the same orbital mechanics principles as used to perform an inter-ship transfer.
"Page doesn't exist"
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Hubble is in safe mode again.
They're still looking into the feasibility of a private mission possibly using a SpaceX Crew Dragon to repair Hubble but NASA has said they will not fund such a mission thus it would have to be privately funded.
Hubble glitch renews talk about private servicing mission
https://spacenews.com/hubble-glitch-renews-talk-about-private-servicing-mission/
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"Page doesn't exist"
I fat-fingered an extra character into the link by accident. New super-sensitive fancy mechanical keyboard. Link is now fixed in my original post.
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https://twitter.com/SeanKD_Photos/status/1731915027538493669
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/GAj_ZYhXUAAib3D.jpg)
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More business for SpX
Chris Bergin - NSF reposted
Tyler Gray
@TylerG1998
#Capella says that the Acadia-4 satellite will launch on the #Falcon9/Bandwagon-1 mission — Bandwagon being a newer complement for #SpaceX’s Transporter rideshare flights — no earlier than April 2024.
Acadia-5 will fly on F9/Transporter-11 no less than two months later.
https://twitter.com/TylerG1998/status/1732061063099691071
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https://twitter.com/SpcPlcyOnline/status/1731731958571429944
Supposedly the next Starship test is going to be a propellant transfer demonstration mission.
Speculation on Reddit is that it will only be internal on a single Starship, from one tank to another. But it will rely upon the same orbital mechanics principles as used to perform an inter-ship transfer.
If true that makes me think they're going for orbit this time instead of just sub-orbit.
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Hubble is in safe mode again.
They're still looking into the feasibility of a private mission possibly using a SpaceX Crew Dragon to repair Hubble but NASA has said they will not fund such a mission thus it would have to be privately funded.
Hubble glitch renews talk about private servicing mission
https://spacenews.com/hubble-glitch-renews-talk-about-private-servicing-mission/
Musk and Isaacman could repair some public good will by funding it. Polaris 1 and 2 are both doing tethered space walks. And it would be irrevocable proof of the legitimacy of Isaacman as a mission commander and astronaut on par with anyone who ever flew a NASA mission. Big Brass Ones on that boy if he pulls off a charity Hubble repair mission, using a freaking Dragon and Trunk rather than a Space Shuttle.
Then again... it could capture that Space Shuttle Energy if they waited until Polaris 3, and used a Starship (or the HLS prototype) and pulled Hubble into the cargo bay for repairs. People would go wild for that.
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Chris Bergin - NSF reposted
Tyler Gray
@TylerG1998
Meanwhile, #JAXA states they are targeting a lunar landing for their #SLIM spacecraft NET January 20, 2024, near the Shioli crater pictured below.
A backup landing opportunity is scheduled for around February 16, 2024 if conditions are not optimal during the primary window.
https://twitter.com/TylerG1998/status/1732065252089500089
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is pleased to announce that the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM), which was launched on September 7, 2023, is currently operating smoothly. While the lunar surface landing was initially scheduled for January or February 2024, based on the smooth progress of operations, it will now be conducted as follows:
January 20, 2024 (Saturday)
About 12:00 am (JST) Starting descent toward the Moon
About 12:20 am (JST) Landing on the lunar surface
Please note that if the landing is not executed at the timing mentioned above, a next opportunity is scheduled around February 16, 2024.
SLIM aims to achieve a pinpoint landing with an accuracy of less than 100 meters. This marks an unprecedentedly high-precision landing on a gravitational body such as the Moon, and the results are anticipated to contribute to the programs such as international space exploration that are currently under study.
Upcoming schedule leading to the lunar landing:
December 25, 2023 Lunar orbit insertion
Mid-January, 2024 Commencement of preparations for landing (orbit adjustment)
January 19, 2024 Completion of transition to the orbit before landing
https://global.jaxa.jp/press/2023/12/20231205-1_e.html
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Hmmm
Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
Booster 10 has wandered outside Mega Bay 1, and the Chopsticks are going up and down.
Getting some IFT-3 vibes.
http://nsf.live/starbase
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1732174259038945355
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B10 moved to the rocket garden
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Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
ULA's Vulcan rocket is conducting its WDR (Wet Dress Rehearsal) at SLC-41.
Watch live:
http://nsf.live/spacecoast
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1733216706619699657
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Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
It looks like the build-up to the third flight of Starship will ramp up soon, with a rollout (assuming Ship 28, but it could be Booster 10) on Sunday.
Remember, both vehicles have been cryo-tested at Masseys already. They could do another at the launch site, but they could also move to Static Fire testing sooner than previous flows.
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1733262756973813883
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SpX released a short video of IFT-2 that includes some shots I hadn't seen before plus a couple of brief on board shots
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3iHAgwIYtI
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Falcon Heavy's USSF-52 X-37B launch pushed to Tuesday due to weather
The weather may also impact the F9 Starlink launch late tonight as well.
In other news
ULA says Christmas eve is probably out of the question
Spaceflight Now
@SpaceflightNow
At SLC-41 the Vulcan rocket has returned to its assembly building following a wet dress rehearsal attempt on Friday. ULA has provided no updates on the outcome of that test. The countdown entered the final 7 minutes but it's not clear if it proceeded as planned to close to T-0.
https://twitter.com/SpaceflightNow/status/1733818816549851149
Tory Bruno
@torybruno
#VulcanRocket WDR update: Vehicle performed well. Ground system had a couple of (routine) issues, (being corrected). Ran the timeline long so we didn't quite finish. I'd like a FULL WDR before our first flight, so XMAS eve is likely out. Next Peregrine window is 8 Jan.
https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1733907494030688486
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Road closure 8am-8pm CST
Speculation that could mean they could be rolling either B10 or S28 or both to the launch site
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Falcon Heavy's USSF-52 X-37B launch pushed to Tuesday due to weather
The weather may also impact the F9 Starlink launch late tonight as well.
In other news
ULA says Christmas eve is probably out of the question
https://twitter.com/SpaceflightNow/status/1733818816549851149
https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1733907494030688486
Now showing tonight for FH (Monday)
Window - 20:14-20:24 EST
Could be a double headed with a F9 launch tonight as well
Window- 23:03-03:00 EST
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Road closure 8am-8pm CST
Speculation that could mean they could be rolling either B10 or S28 or both to the launch site
Road closure for today revoked
Possible closure tomorrow
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Live
SpaceX Doubleheader: Falcon Heavy - USSF-52 and Falcon 9 - Starlink 6-34
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRUQxHht0BA
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Boooo
Square profile picture
SpaceX
@SpaceX
Standing down from tonight’s Falcon Heavy launch due to a ground side issue; vehicle and payload remain healthy. Team is resetting for the next launch opportunity of the USSF-52 mission, which is no earlier than tomorrow night.
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1734373150019002622
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Well poop, double scrub
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Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
Take 2 for Vulcan's WDR.
Live: http://nsf.live/spacecoast
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1734586914508800293
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Some BO news
Blue Origin has announced plans to launch its New Shepard suborbital vehicle on its first flight since a mishap more than 15 months ago.
Blue Origin announced on social media Dec. 12 that it will launch its New Shepard vehicle no earlier than Dec. 18 from its West Texas test site. The vehicle will carry 33 experiments as well as 38,000 postcards from Club for the Future, the educational nonprofit affiliated with the company. The flight will be uncrewed.
Blue Origin to resume New Shepard suborbital launches
https://spacenews.com/blue-origin-to-resume-new-shepard-suborbital-launches/
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Square profile picture
Space Launch Delta 45
@SLDelta45
UPDATE: The launch window for Falcon 9 Starlink 6-34 now opens at 23:00 EDT on Dec. 12 (04:00 UTC on Dec. 13), and will feature a SOUTHERLY TRAJECTORY.
Falcon Heavy USSF-52 launch window now opens at 20:13 EDT on Dec. 13 (01:13 UTC on Dec. 14).
https://twitter.com/SLDelta45/status/1734619652762796362
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Just released by NASA
Note this was a "Skip Re-entry" which is why it seem to renter more than once
REAL TIME - Artemis 1 Orion Re-Entry
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U88DzZcsubs
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This just poped up.
Still trying to wrap my brain around what I'm seeing.
Chris Bergin - NSF reposted
Ryan Thompson
@JRyanThomp
FCC affirms its earlier denial of @spacex
's application for $885M in funding to support rural broadband deployment (through the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund). Decision and dissenting statements here: https://bit.ly/3RErj45
https://twitter.com/JRyanThomp/status/1734695872263528859
Brendan Carr
@BrendanCarrFCC
Last year, after Elon Musk acquired Twitter, President Biden gave federal agencies the green light to go after him.
And they have.
Today, the FCC adds itself to the growing list of federal agencies engaging in the regulatory harassment of Elon Musk.
https://twitter.com/BrendanCarrFCC/status/1734696706795778126
The doc at the ^link is a bit hard to read on the laptop screen I'm on now but it pretty damning of the Biden admin if true but it's what many have suspected for a while
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F9 launch scrubbed due to winds
FH USSF-52 launch scrubbed until future notice. Haven't seen a reason yet.
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Chris Bergin - NSF reposted
Michael Sheetz
@thesheetztweetz
Confirmed: SpaceX valuation hits $180 billion, based on the latest secondary sale process at $97 a share, per a CNBC source familiar with the discussions.
https://twitter.com/thesheetztweetz/status/1734992891863257350
Michael Sheetz
@thesheetztweetz
SpaceX's latest valuation ranks above the market value of top U.S. defense contractors – including Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman – as well as the most valuable U.S. telecom companies – such as Verizon and AT&T.
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Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
You can take a positive out of this, that it's related to recovery weather conditions.
It wouldn't be an issue... if they threw away the booster after each launch like most do. 🙃
SpaceX
@SpaceX
Due to unfavorable recovery weather conditions in the Atlantic Ocean, we are standing down from today's Falcon 9 launch of Starlink. SpaceX teams will continue to monitor weather and a new launch opportunity will be shared once confirmed on the Range
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight
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Max Evans
@_mgde_
r o l l b a c k
SpaceX personnel at LC-39A prepare Falcon Heavy for rollback into the HIF - additional work is needed before launch.
https://twitter.com/_mgde_/status/1735047466179801354
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GBQmEuKXwAA2N9i?format=jpg&name=medium)
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S28 moved to the launch site.
Appears they're getting ready to lift it onto Sub-Orbit pad B (A is being dismantled)
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Christmas rocket
I was asleep so I missed it.
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1735237892618768506
Full S28 rollout https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ctr4Qf99G8
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Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
Tory notes the Vulcan WDR was successful. Maiden launch tracking January 8.
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1735353676858819008
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Meanwhile at Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab
@RocketLab
Lift-off for #TheMoonGodAwakens! Our 42nd Electron is on its way to space.
Rocket Lab
@RocketLab
Main engine cut-off and separation of Electron’s 1st & 2nd stages completed as planned. The Rutherford engine on Electron’s 2nd stage has ignited and the mission continues to orbit.
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1735512603810820417
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Road closed and the tank farm is active
Spin prime maybe?
Live feed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
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Yup, spin prime
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Somebody is not happy
Several environmental groups announced Dec. 15 that they had filed a supplemental legal claim in federal court regarding licensing of Starship launches from SpaceX’s Starbase site near Brownsville, Texas. Those organizations initially filed suit against the Federal Aviation Administration in May, shortly after the first Starship launch April 20.
In the supplemental complaint, the groups — Center for Biological Diversity, American Bird Conservancy, Carrizo/Comecrudo Nation of Texas, Inc., Save RGV and Surfrider Foundation — allege the FAA failed to properly analyze the environmental impacts of the first Starship launch before issuing a revised license for the second launch that took place Nov. 18.
The environmental groups argue that both FAA and FWS fell short of what was required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to review the environmental impacts of Starship launches. The FAA, it stated in the complaint, “once again failed to take the requisite ‘hard look’ at the impacts of the Starship/Superheavy launch program through a supplemental NEPA analysis.”
Federal agencies caught in environmental crossfire over Starship launches
https://spacenews.com/federal-agencies-caught-in-environmental-crossfire-over-starship-launches/
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B10 rolled to the launch site overnight
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1736755408117637603
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And while we're waiting on B10 to be lifted
Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket is set to return to flight following the NS-23 mission failure on Dec. 18 from the company's Launch Site One in West Texas. NS-24's launch window opens at 8:30 AM CST (14:30 UTC).
By Harry Stranger (@Harry__Stranger
) ⬇️
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1736543477494628421
On a livefeed YT link they're saying launch delayed due to low temps. Waiting on updated time
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulVdKOgRB2Y
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Nevermind
Blue Origin
@blueorigin
·
1m
We're scrubbing #NS24 today due to a ground system issue the team is troubleshooting. We’ll provide a new launch target for this week soon.
https://twitter.com/blueorigin/status/1736773076627378458
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Appears they're getting ready to lift B10 onto the OLM
Launch area alerts are being sounded
NSF live feed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
This link isn't live yet but is scheduled to be so soon
SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches Starlink 6-34 and The Chopsticks Lift Booster 10 Onto the OLM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9YAhEOZQqg
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NASA testing the laser comms on Psyche and what do they transmit? A cat video of course
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/fWa7WWA8YsE?feature=share
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Appears they're getting ready to lift B10 onto the OLM
Launch area alerts are being sounded
NSF live feed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
This link isn't live yet but is scheduled to be so soon
SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches Starlink 6-34 and The Chopsticks Lift Booster 10 Onto the OLM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9YAhEOZQqg
Didn't do the actual lift until this afternoon but B10 on the OLM.
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Mary
@BocaChicaGal
I have received an overpressure notice. Ship 28 static fire attempt today!?!🔥🔥🔥
@NASASpaceflight
https://twitter.com/BocaChicaGal/status/1737442124751077499
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Well poop
Chris Bergin - NSF reposted
Firefly Aerospace
@Firefly_Space
Today’s launch attempt of our Alpha rocket has been scrubbed due to weather conditions. Firefly will work with the range to determine our next launch opportunity – stay tuned for more details. #FLTA004 #FlyTheLighting
https://twitter.com/Firefly_Space/status/1737497640621748344
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Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
SpaceX confirms six engines and full duration. This third flight test flow is going incredibly well, and at some pace.
Next up should be Booster 10 (maybe a Spin Prime first).
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1737605668646101434
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1737603984997933181
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Another OP notice today.
Either a spin prime or static fire or maybe even both for B10
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NSF live coverage of B10 testing today
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJKVjLA1cMg
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B10 getting frosty
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Issue with whatever they were trying to do yesterday so no SP or SF.
Road is closed today but no Over Pressure notice yet.
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Firefly you're up!
T-48:00 at time of posting
Firefly Alpha FLTA004 "Fly the Lightning"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LItoeS3jrHg
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Good Firefly launch
And OP notice issued at Starbase. Hopefully whatever caused the issue(s) yesterday got worked out
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I give up on trying to figure out what is going on, OP noticed issued but road is currently open
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Booster transport stand moved to the OLM, more than likely means they're going to lift B10 off the OLM.
Also the dancefloor was moved to launch area.
What I'm thinking is that they're remove B10 from the OLM and then use the dancefloor to work on the OLM.
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This reusing rockets thing will never work
SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches for a Recordbreaking 19th Time | Starlink 6-32
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEapBYbkogc
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Elon is going all out on new signs
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GCDtPrjXEAA-tlu?format=jpg&name=large)
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Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
The 182nd consecutive landing of a Falcon booster. Also the 15th landing on LZ-4, after the 60th launch from SLC-4E.
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1738912710568329716
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Firefly you're up!
T-48:00 at time of posting
Firefly Alpha FLTA004 "Fly the Lightning"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LItoeS3jrHg
Bad news update on the launch.
Firefly Alpha upper stage malfunction puts payload into wrong orbit
https://spacenews.com/firefly-alpha-upper-stage-malfunction-puts-payload-into-wrong-orbit/
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This reusing rockets thing will never work
SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches for a Recordbreaking 19th Time | Starlink 6-32
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEapBYbkogc
And then on the way back to port
SpaceX
@SpaceX
During transport back to Port early this morning, the booster tipped over on the droneship due to high winds and waves. Newer Falcon boosters have upgraded landing legs with the capability to self-level and mitigate this type of issue
8:29 PM · Dec 25, 2023
·
1.3M
Views
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1739458501703762367
Not clear if this means they actually lost the booster and/or it went in the drink or remained on the drone ship
Wonder if they have video and if they do will they release it?
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Well now it's clear, yes to both
The front fell off
Hey Elon, time for a new paint job on Just Read The Instructions, just saying
Note: you can see the full size images by going to the twitter link
Julia Bergeron
@julia_bergeron
Views of B1058 on the deck of Just Read the Instructions. Starlink 6-32 was the 19th launch and landing of this booster. The crew encountered rough conditions not far from Port Canaveral. Farewell old friend.
@NASASpaceflight
SCL views:
http://nsf.live/spacecoast
https://twitter.com/julia_bergeron/status/1739679232240799985
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GCSU_0xXcAAMuB6?format=jpg&name=4096x4096)
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GCSVK-bXYAANO5h?format=jpg&name=large)
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At least it appears the engines are salvageable
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GCSVK-gXoAAQW_a?format=jpg&name=large)
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GCSVBm3WsAAhwL0?format=jpg&name=large)
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Meanwhile in China
Chris Bergin - NSF reposted
China 'N Asia Spaceflight 🚀𝕏 🛰️
@CNSpaceflight
Long March 3B booster fell in Guangxi
Landed in a village
No word on any casualties
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1739679920425689199
Can you imagine the reaction if that was Spx?
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And the LM 3B uses hypergolic fuel. Most are very very nasty to be around. Yikes
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Not the first time either. They wipe out an entire a village a few years ago. The hypergolic fuel poisoned the area.
Why you shouldn't launch over populated areas but they're so concerned with secrecy most of their launches are from inland areas a good distances from the coast.
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I assumed that when a Falcon booster landed on the unmanned landing barge, a crew went aboard to tack weld the landing legs to the deck for exactly this reason.
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Here's another booster falling from 3 years ago
Slo-mo Chinese launch, booster almost lands on school (7 Sep 2020)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjlB48N7Tus
And from 5 years ago
Spent rocket stage falls on town after Chinese satellite launch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbFOS29vAeQ
There's more
The Chinese don't give a *expletive deleted*it
Note the color of the smoke, usually a sign of hypergolics. Not good.
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I assumed that when a Falcon booster landed on the unmanned landing barge, a crew went aboard to tack weld the landing legs to the deck for exactly this reason.
Maybe this answers your question
Chris Bergin - NSF reposted
Gav Cornwell
@SpaceOffshore
From what we know from various tweets... B1058 lacked self-levelling legs. In rough seas, it's difficult to fully latch all arms of Octagrabber to the booster.
This was true on this final voyage. I can see some chains so it looks like X tried to strap it down where the arms didn't latch (which we've seen many times) but it just wasn't enough for the sea state on this one and became a weak point.
https://twitter.com/SpaceOffshore/status/1739679528916570530
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Kiko Dontchev
@TurkeyBeaver
Super disappointing and sad to lose booster 1058.
Tippy boosters occur when you get a certain set of landing conditions that lead to the legs having uneven loading. Heavy wind or sea state then cause the booster to teeter and slide which can lead to even worse leg loading. In this state, securing with the OG is super challenging and often only partial successful
We came up with self leveling legs that immediately equalize leg loads on landing after experiencing a severe tippy booster two years ago on Christmas (first flight of 1069). The fleet is mostly outfitted, but 1058, given its age, was not. It met its fate when it hit intense wind and waves resulting in failure of a partially secured OG less than 100 miles from home.
One thing is for sure… we will make lemonade out of lemons and learn as much as possible from historic 1058 on our path to aircraft like operations.
https://twitter.com/TurkeyBeaver/status/1739640175183945860
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This should be the launch from which the booster that fell came from.
https://www.spacelaunchschedule.com/launch/long-march-3b-yz-1-beidou-3-m25-m26/
Location of the launch site
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/Screenshot_2023-12-26_150121.png)
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Check out the populated areas directly downrange and they're shooting rockets, hypergolic fueled rockets at that, right over their heads
Like I said, the Chinese don't give a *expletive deleted*it
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/Screenshot_2023-12-26_150845.png)
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I learned of a new device just now: the Octagrabber, used to secure the landed rockets to the barge.
https://space-offshore.com/Octagrabber
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That video was of one of two side boosters on the Long March 3B filmed falling yesterday and apparently they often fall like that into populated areas.
There are 4 side boosters on the LM 3B so where the other two went who knows.
The presence of reddish-brown gas or smoke indicative of nitrogen tetroxide is visible in both, while a yellowish gas, possibly the results of unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) fuel mixing with air, can be seen next to the building.
The first stage and four side boosters of the Long March 3B use the hypergolic propellant combination of hydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide. Both the nitrogen tetroxide oxidizer and UDMH fuel present serious health risks.
The Chinese really do NOT give a *expletive deleted*it.
China launches new Beidou satellites, rocket booster lands near house
https://spacenews.com/china-launches-new-beidou-satellites-rocket-booster-lands-near-house/
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Okay, lets try this Falcon Heavy thing again
Scheduled for Dec 28, 2023
SpaceX's fifth Falcon Heavy of the year is set to liftoff from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center carrying the US Space Force X-37B spaceplane.
Falcon Heavy - USSF-52 (OTV-7)
Window Opens: December 28th at 8:07PM EST (01:07 UTC on the 29th)
Window Closes: December 28th at 8:17PM EST (01:17 UTC on the 29th)
Current T0: December 28th at 8:07PM EST (01:00 UTC on the 29th)
SpaceX Launches Falcon Heavy for the USSF-52 / X-37B Spaceplane
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqeM-CWz2Eo
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Scott Manley takes a detailed look at the Booster 1058 mishap
SpaceX's Loses Its Best Booster - 1058 - 19 Launches, 260 tons!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sG8msSS6Mg
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Okay, lets try this Falcon Heavy thing again
SpaceX Launches Falcon Heavy for the USSF-52 / X-37B Spaceplane
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqeM-CWz2Eo
Live
T-01:24:00 at time of posting
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Good launch of the FH. No views of the 2nd stage due to this being a mil payload.
Next up is a F9 just 3 hours from now.
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OP notice at Starbase and the tank farm is active.
Some confusion at the moment whether it's for S28 or B10 or both
Live https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWYZ90lAUOk
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S28 getting frosty
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S28 static fire
OLM is active so a B10 static fire may be coming up
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Frosty booster
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Static fire and a long one at that.
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They don't seem to be de-tanking like they normally do.
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The firing
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1740827772313128972
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That was a long static test fire, almost ten seconds. Looked cool. Hope it went well.
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That was a long static test fire, almost ten seconds. Looked cool. Hope it went well.
Word is all 33 fired which would make it the first static fire in which all 33 fired. Combine that with all 33 firing on B9 going uphill I think SpX is starting get this Raptor thing to work
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Chris Bergin - NSF reposted
Jerry Pike
@JerryPikePhoto
Falcon Heavy transits the 98.2% illuminated moon on its way to space with the X-37B mini-shuttle
https://twitter.com/JerryPikePhoto/status/1741087490415755554
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Elon! Buy some grease!
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1741204821913346320
BTW: B10 is off the OLM and on a transport stand
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Elon! Buy some grease!
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1741204821913346320
BTW: B10 is off the OLM and on a transport stand
You sure that wasn't someone with bagpipes nearby?
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Ben Cooper
@LaunchPhoto
Bonus photo for the year: an alligator watches a rocket launch. In nearly 20 years of setting up cameras around the pads, I have never captured a gator in an image before. And more than just the eyes, they seem to be watching!
https://twitter.com/LaunchPhoto/status/1741470404995166255/photo/1
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/GCryEq4WYAA3k51.jpg)
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New Year's rocket in India
Haygen Warren
@haygenwarren
India will begin 2024 with the launch of the XPoSat X-ray astronomy satellite aboard a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle.
The PSLV C58 mission is due to lift off at 9:40 AM local time (03:40 UTC) on Monday, Jan. 1.
By William Graham (@w_d_graham
) ⬇️
Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
LAUNCH:
Livestream:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=H10igy
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1741665843593801819
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That Indian rocket just leaps off the pad. No waiting a few seconds for thrust to build up like with liquid fuel rockets that don't have solid fuel boosters.
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B10 rolling down the road
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B10 at the production site getting prepped.
Looks like they may be getting ready to move S28.
A launch could be coming soon, say maybe later this month. So far a time table hasn't been announced
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This is a fun little diversion from the Space X news. I actually felt a swell of emotion at the end. Cool stuff.
https://youtu.be/4QsEPEhq5yk?feature=shared
actually a year or so old, Kip Daugirdas & Mesos rocket launch
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This is a fun little diversion from the Space X news. I actually felt a swell of emotion at the end. Cool stuff.
https://youtu.be/4QsEPEhq5yk?feature=shared
actually a year or so old, Kip Daugirdas & Mesos rocket launch
Very cool. Hopefully they'll come up with a way of stabilizing the camera
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Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
ULA's new rocket is days away from its maiden launch. Vulcan will launch Astrobotic’s Peregrine lunar lander from SLC-41 on January 8, 2024, at 2:18 AM EST.
Overview by Sawyer Rosenstein (@thenasaman
).
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1742609109533257861
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Very cool. Hopefully they'll come up with a way of stabilizing the camera
They would have to keep the rocket from spinning, and that is something very hard to do. Fin alignment, surface finish and surface contour has to be pretty much perfect.
It's also possible they spun the rocket on purpose. That's done sometimes for stabilization, makes it fly straighter.
Though at the Mach 3 plus speed it was moving, doubtful it was spun on purpose.
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They would have to keep the rocket from spinning, and that is something very hard to do. Fin alignment has to be pretty much perfect. It's also possible they spun the rocket on purpose. That's done sometimes for stabilization, makes it fly straighter.
Fully aware of why it was spinning but it would be cool if they could integrate some sort of stabilized section for the camera. It can be done. Now whether or not they can do it on a rocket of that size I don't know.
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Fully aware of why it was spinning but it would be cool if they could integrate some sort of stabilized section for the camera. It can be done. Now whether or not they can do it on a rocket of that size I don't know.
Yes, it can be done, but at what expense and practicality for an amateur rocket? It would probably be easier to improve fin stabilization.
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Long way from the rockets we had back when I was a kid
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Long way from the rockets we had back when I was a kid.
For sure. I started out with the little Estes rockets in junior high. Ended up with my Level 2 NAR certification and can fly up to an 'L' class motor. Got too spendy to go beyond that, but it's still a lot of fun.
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Yes, it can be done, but at what expense and practicality for an amateur rocket?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYl_D-bk3lg
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I've seen that guy's videos before. Really cool stuff. He has way too much fun.
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Not sure if this was posted before. Angry Astronaut posted this a week ago.
Chinese rocket crashes into populated region again!! What's up with the Long March 3B?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDufpRp57ok
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S28 rolling
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The original Voyager 2 images of Uranus and Neptune were enhanced to bring out details and that combined with the challenge of taking the images in such low light for Voyager's camera produced images not quite right color wise and people over the years came to believe those were the actual colors but NASA has released images showing their best estimate of their true colors
On top: images from Voyager 2 of Uranus and Neptune released shortly after the flybys in 1986 and 1989. On the bottom: both reprocessed images used for the study to determine the best estimate of the true colors of both planets. (Image credit: Patrick Irwin)
https://www.foxweather.com/earth-space/what-color-uranus-neptune-really
(https://images.foxweather.com/static.foxweather.com/www.foxweather.com/content/uploads/2024/01/1336/752/low-res.jpeg?ve=1&tl=1)
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Live
They're still shooting for liftoff on the 8th. Launch window opens at 02:18
ULA Rolls Out Vulcan Centaur for Peregrine Mission One
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xi78Xd0b4lo
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Still can't believe they're putting an actual payload and not a dummy one (a wheel of cheese*) on this thing.
*Wheel of Cheese Launched Into Space On Private Spacecraft
https://www.space.com/10459-wheel-cheese-launched-space-private-spacecraft.html
Yes SpX actually launched a wheel of cheese into orbit. And of course there's the famous Red Tesla that was launched on the first Falcon Heavy and is currently in orbit around the sun. It's orbit takes it pass Mars's orbit for a portion of the orbit.
The Tesla can be tracked here https://www.whereisroadster.com/
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(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GDGPLODWUAAYxuG?format=jpg&name=large)
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Looks kinda like an Illudium Q-36 Explosive Space Modulator. >:D
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Live
They're still shooting for liftoff on the 8th. Launch window opens at 02:18
ULA Rolls Out Vulcan Centaur for Peregrine Mission One
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xi78Xd0b4lo
Am I the only one that's going to be cringing a bit watching this launch on BO's motors?
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Am I the only one that's going to be cringing a bit watching this launch on BO's motors?
No you won't be the only one.
Like I said above I can't believe they're risking an actual payload and a Lunar lander at that.
According to weather officials, there's a 85% chance of favorable weather conditions at the time of the launch. The forecast calls for a temperature of 60°F, overcast clouds, 100% cloud cover and a wind speed of 14mph.
https://www.spacelaunchschedule.com/launch/vulcan-vc2s-peregrine-lunar-lander-maiden-flight/
100% cloud cover Hmmm so there's a chance it could pull a SN11* on us and in the dark at that.
*Blowing up out of view in the clouds/fog. Assuming it makes it that far that is.
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My payload comment above goes for New Glenn too which is current set for first launch in Aug*
Type: Planetary Science
Maiden flight of Blue Origin’s New Glenn launch vehicle carrying the Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers (EscaPADE), a dual-spacecraft mission to study ion and sputtered escape from Mars. The spacecrafts’ scientific goals are to understand the processes controlling the structure of Mars’ hybrid magnetosphere and how it guides ion flows; understand how energy and momentum are transported from the solar wind through Mars’ magnetosphere; and understand the processes controlling the flow of energy and matter into and out of the collisional atmosphere.
https://www.spacelaunchschedule.com/launch/new-glenn-escapade-maiden-flight/
*Subject to change of course which is highly likely IMHO
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And to add to this they're still saying ULA is looking for a buyer and BO is the current front runner.
If the rocket goes boom they could be had for cheap(er).
Hmm, now where did I leave that tin-foil hat? Oh, there it is [tinfoil]
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Nice paint job
Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
When you get distracted from tank cutting due to the best tanker arriving at the launch site.
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1744029006289059954
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Live at time of posting
SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches Starlink 6-35
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rXq2YDdYyk
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(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GDHUxEWW8AAySyJ?format=jpg&name=large)
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Goes live 00:45 EST
ULA Launches the First Vulcan Centaur with the Peregrine Moon Lander
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtPoAUuYXHo
United Launch Alliance is launching their first Vulcan Centaur rocket for it´s inaugural flight. The rocket will carry the Astrobotics Peregrine lunar lander, as part of the NASA Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative, and the Artemis program.
Vulcan's first stage is powered by BE-4 engines from Blue Origin, which also will be used on Blue Origin´s New Glenn Rocket. The engines run on methane and liquid oxygen. The second stage is a Centaur V engine, powered by two RL-10 engines. The configuration of this flight is referred to as "VC2S". VC2 indicates, that the rocket will feature two GEM-63XL solid rocket motors attached to it. The S indicates the usage of the standard 15.5-meter fairing.
Peregrine is an Astrobotics lunar lander, delivering 16 customers to the moon's surface and several NASA payloads. The total mass of the payload is 1,283 kg. As a secondary payload, the mission also flies the Celestis Enterprise Flight. It contains more than 150 flight capsules with cremated remains, DNA samples, and messages of greetings from clients worldwide, that will be sent on a journey into space.
Window opens: January 8th at 2:18AM EST (07:18 UTC)
Window closes: January 8th at 3:03AM EST (08:03 UTC)
Current T0: January 8th at 2:18AM EST (07:18 UTC)
Backup opportunities: Jan 9th, 10th, and 11th between 12:11AM EST and 12:15AM EST
Mission: Vulcan's first certification launch with Astrobotic's Peregrine Lander and Celestis Memorial from Space Launch Complex 41, Florida.
Target orbit: Trans-Lunar Injection for Peregrine with a perigee of 490.09km, a characteristic energy of -2.01km2/s2, and an inclination of 30.03 degrees. Centaur will perform a final burn to heliocentric orbit.
Booster serial number: VC001
Rocket configuration: VC2S, Vulcan Centaur with 2 SRBs and a small 5m diameter fairing
Rocket trajectory: Straight east from the Cape
Stats:
· ULA's 158th launch overall and its 1st launch of the year.
· Vulcan's 1st launch, 1st launch in VC2S configuration.
· ULA's 75th launch from SLC-41, 1st Vulcan launch from SLC-41.
· 110th overall launch from SLC-41.
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According to weather officials, there's a 85% chance of favorable weather conditions at the time of the launch. The forecast calls for a temperature of 60°F, overcast clouds, 100% cloud cover and a wind speed of 14mph.
https://www.spacelaunchschedule.com/launch/vulcan-vc2s-peregrine-lunar-lander-maiden-flight/
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T-00:38:00
[popcorn]
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Go for launch
T-00:06:00
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MECO
BE-4s did their job
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Reported the Pad/tower is on fire
Fire extinguishers activated
Edit: Never mind, they just said it's normal for the extinguishers to be activated to wash the soot off from the solids
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Obit
2nd burn in 20 minutes for Lunar injection
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Good TLI burn
Good separation
Peregrine on the way to moon
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Saw some kind of a flamey bit fall away during boost phase and thought, "This could be it, stand by for a RUD!". But nothing happened and no more flamey bits fell off. Good to see that Bezo's engines actually worked for their first launch. I hope they work again on the New Glenn later this year.
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Saw some kind of a flamey bit fall away during boost phase and thought, "This could be it, stand by for a RUD!". But nothing happened and no more flamey bits fell off. Good to see that Bezo's engines actually worked for their first launch. I hope they work again on the New Glenn later this year.
Could have been ice falling away catching the light of the engine.
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Could have been ice falling away catching the light of the engine.
Yup, could have been.
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Meanwhile Peregrine is not behaving
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1744371984757121240
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GDU9ERCXwAA4B6I?format=png&name=900x900)
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(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GDT53SUW0AA0k9M?format=jpg&name=large)
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Blue smiley face from the BE-4 engines between the booster plumes.
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Blue smiley face from the BE-4 engines between the booster plumes.
Yeah, the NSF people noticed that too last night
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(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GDTav4YXsAATXGD?format=jpg&name=large)
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Ruh Roh, it gets worse
https://twitter.com/astrobotic/status/1744389634568724791
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GDVRFniWgAAN8dk?format=png&name=medium)
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(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GDVqz4OWEAAQ6Sv?format=png&name=medium)
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Can't let them see the secret bases.
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Can't let them see the secret bases.
Are those the Nazi bases or the alien bases, or both?
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Nazi Transformers.
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SpaceX is looking at next month for big boomer 3. Forgot to grab a link but starship should be ready this month and expecting approval in February.
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This is my shocked face
Always thought the fly by was doable timetable wise but the landing timetable was a bit ambiguous. Turns out both are going to be delayed by a considable margin due to issues with life support, launch abort sys, and the heat shield.
NASA is postponing the next two Artemis missions, including the first crewed landing on the moon, by nearly a year to address technical issues that could affect the safety of the astronauts on board.
During a Jan. 9 media teleconference, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson announced that Artemis 2, the first crewed mission that will send four astronauts around the moon, had been pushed back from the end of 2024 to no earlier than September 2025. Artemis 3, the first crewed landing, was in turn delayed from late 2025 to no earlier than September 2026.
NASA delays Artemis 2 and 3 missions
https://spacenews.com/nasa-delays-artemis-2-and-3-missions/
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At this point I think NASA would have trouble landing a crew safely in a Walmart parking lot.
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At this point I think NASA would have trouble landing a crew safely in a Walmart parking lot.
$25 billion and 10-15 year later I'm sure they'll could have a plan drawn up
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$25 billion and 10-15 year later I'm sure they'll could have a plan drawn up
To be fair, the landing plan will be as safe as is humanly possible and will have a solid focus on diversity and equity.
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Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
The soon-to-retire Japanese H-2 rocket is set to launch with the IGS-8 military satellite in around 15 minutes.
Livestream:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=2STD1o
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1745663720791920960
Check out that dogleg
Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
SRB Sep.
And check out the dogleg!
Wow
https://twitter.com/i/status/1745669005149421608
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This is my shocked face
Always thought the fly by was doable timetable wise but the landing timetable was a bit ambiguous. Turns out both are going to be delayed by a considable margin due to issues with life support, launch abort sys, and the heat shield.
NASA delays Artemis 2 and 3 missions
https://spacenews.com/nasa-delays-artemis-2-and-3-missions/
This one was entirely predictable and cracks me up that people who follow space didn't see it coming years ago.
The maiden flight of "Orion" on a Delta IV Heavy used no ECLSS at all and had a different heat shield, known to be inferior to the intended one, but they launched it anyways.
The Artemis I mission launched on an SLS block 1 also had an incomplete ECLSS onboard and had reentry problems with its heat shield.
There was no reason to do the DIVH launch if the ECLSS isn't included, and the heatshield was a cobbled together affair.
To my mind, Orion still has never launched. As bad as it sounds, I think Orion needs a maiden manned flight doing a milk run to the ISS, assuming it isn't too large to dock at one of the IDA ports. It'd be awful to waste an SLS on that, though.
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To my mind, Orion still has never launched. As bad as it sounds, I think Orion needs a maiden manned flight doing a milk run to the ISS, assuming it isn't too large to dock at one of the IDA ports. It'd be awful to waste an SLS on that, though.
Yeah, $3-4 billion for a flight to the ISS when SpX can do it for what? $60-100 mil. It's hard to get a firm trustworthy figure
Speaking of costs
In 2011, SpaceX estimated that Falcon 9 v1.0 development costs were on the order of US$300 million.[40] NASA estimated development costs of US$3.6 billion had a traditional cost-plus contract approach been used.[41] A 2011 NASA report "estimated that it would have cost the agency about US$4 billion to develop a rocket like the Falcon 9 booster based upon NASA's traditional contracting processes" while "a more commercial development" approach might have allowed the agency to pay only US$1.7 billion".[42]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falcon_9
Note : That 2011
And it likely would go up even more, way more, since it would probably still be in development
Government vs commercial
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More info on the loss of S25 from SpX
Flight 2 Ship 25 EOM:
"So Flight 2 actually almost made it to orbit. In fact, ironically, if it had a payload, it would have made it to orbit, because the reason that it actually didn't quite make it to orbit was we vented the liquid oxygen, and the liquid oxygen ultimately led to fire and an explosion. Because we wanted to vent the liquid oxygen because we normally wouldn't have that liquid oxygen if we had a payload.
"So ironically, if it had a payload, it would have reached orbit. And so I think we've got a really good shot of reaching orbit with flight three and then a rapid cadence to achieve full and rapid reusability."
Per Elon at a live company update https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1745941814165815717
Sounds like maybe a whoopsy to me
Also some info on Flight 3 and two towers at Starbase at the link
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1745952239984738417
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Here's Marcus House's weekly update
Now We FINALLY Know! The Truth Behind SpaceX Starship's Explosive Mystery!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vw8qwvCS3FU
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Raptor dance
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1745953103927464027
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Update on Peregrine
Sad end
In an update posted on social media Jan. 13, Astrobotic said it has been monitoring the trajectory of Peregrine over the last several days. Its Vulcan Centaur launch placed it on a highly elliptical orbit that took out beyond the orbit of the moon, with the original intent of swinging back around the Earth before going out to, and entering orbit around, the moon.
“Our analysis efforts have been challenging due to the propellant leak, which have been adding uncertainty to predictions of the vehicle’s trajectory,” the company said in a statement. “Our latest assessment now shows the spacecraft is on a path towards Earth, where it will likely burn up in the Earth’s atmosphere.”
The company did not disclose a time or location for the reentry. Independent analysts, using available tracking data, estimate a reentry late Jan. 18 near Australia.
Peregrine lunar lander on Earth reentry trajectory
https://spacenews.com/peregrine-lunar-lander-on-earth-reentry-trajectory/
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Chris Bergin - NSF reposted
Sawyer R.
@thenasaman
The latest forecast from SLD-45 shows a greater than 95% chance of "go" conditions for the launch of Axiom-3!
Since it's a crew mission they're keeping an eye on the weather at abort zones.
Liftoff is set for 5:11pm EST
Watch live preps on SCL: https://youtube.com/live/Jm8wRjD3x
https://twitter.com/thenasaman/status/1747306484289995205
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Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
Static Fire coming up.
Live here: http://nsf.live/spacecoast
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1747401118508863898
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24 hour delay, no word yet on why.
Chris Bergin - NSF reposted
Sawyer R.
@thenasaman
Welp today wasn't the day to launch Axiom 3 and the 4 person crew.
The good news is tomorrow might be that day! The new targeted T-0 is 4:49pm EST on Thursday from LC-39A in Florida.
Weather is 90% favorable
Read up on the mission before launch: https://nasaspaceflight.com/2024/01/axiom-
https://twitter.com/thenasaman/status/1747664540282544241
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Live
SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches Axiom Mission 3 Crew to ISS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHYD95rxU-E
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Japan going for it again. Hope they nail it this time.
Suppose to go live 08:55am EST
Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) is the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) lunar lander mission. The lander will demonstrate precision landing technology.[6] By 2017, the lander was planned to be launched in 2021, but this was delayed until 2023 due to delays in SLIM's rideshare mission, X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM).
It was successfully launched on 6 September 2023 at 23:42 UTC (7 September 08:42 Japan Standard Time). If the mission is successful, Japan will become the 5th country to soft land on the surface of the Moon.
On 1 October 2023, the lander executed its trans-lunar injection burn. It entered orbit around the Moon on 25 December 2023 and is expected to land on 19 January 2024.
JAXA - SLIM MOON LANDING
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SU53KT6x4IQ
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19 minutes
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I really like this graphic they're using, shows you everything the lander is doing.
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It's down
No word yet on in what condition.
Worrying me that's it taking so long
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They just ended the coverage
Still no word and the graphic showed it upside down or on it's side?
Edit: Looking at some post it's suppose to be on it's side.
.
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Still nothing from JAXA
Deep Space Network is showing data flow but not sure if that's data from the carrier or the lander or both since the graphic shows both for that antenna.
https://eyes.nasa.gov/dsn/dsn.html
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Guess this means it's still alive.
But why is JAXA being so tight lipped?
SOURCE
SMART LANDER FOR INVESTIGATING MOON
FREQUENCY BAND
S
DATA RATE
16.38 kb/sec
POWER RECEIVED
-120 dBm
(1.0 x 10-18 kW)
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Listening to a JAXA conference
So far
Soft landed
Solar cell (panels?) is not generating elec
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SU53KT6x4IQ
Edit: Elec problem could be because it landed in a unfavorable attitude. (I find it hard to believe they wouldn't know already yay or nay on that)
If they can't the power going they only have few hours of power.
Edit: So far been mostly softball questions
Edit: shutting down some systems to conserve power
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During the news Conference I've had the DSN website up on the 2nd monitor and haven't noticed any data to or from SLIM for a while.
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Speculation it rolled over with the solar panels facing away from the sun. It did land on a slope. If so it may come back to life after the sun moves to that side in a week or so.
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Some people have way too much time on their hands
Some of the comment are :rofl: gold
Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
Whoa! Aleqsandre Abuselidze (@Aleksmay2003
) shared pictures of his latest hobby project with us - a model of Starship and the launch tower, built from 300,000 matches!
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1749110230053449973
Not very accurate if you ask me
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One of the two rovers, which was ejected immediately before landing and is working, send back a picture of SLIM
Houston Tsukuba we have a problem
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GEq8kYaaYAAioZA?format=jpg&name=small)
JAXA Institute of Space and Astronautical Science
@ISAS_JAXA_EN
The Lunar Excursion Vehicle 2 (LEV-2 / SORA-Q) has successfully taken an image of the #SLIM spacecraft on the Moon. LEV-2 is the world’s first robot to conduct fully autonomous exploration on the lunar surface.
https://twitter.com/ISAS_JAXA_EN/status/1750418819242426394
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The
front nozzle fell off
Japan’s SLIM lands on the Moon upside down, power issues cast doubt on lander’s survival (Updated)
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2024/01/slim-landing/
At a press conference on Jan. 25, 2024, 05:00 UTC, JAXA officials reported that during descent, SLIM had arrived at an altitude of 50 meters, and had slowed to hover. At around this time, the spacecraft suffered an anomaly which caused terminal damage to one of the two main engines. Before the anomaly, officials say that SLIM was targeting a touchdown within 3 or 4 meters of the target.
Because one of #SLIM main engine nozzles fell off, balance was lost, probably leading to the tumble pic.twitter.com/49S5qzxmV9
— Dawoon Jung (@dirkpitt2050) January 25, 2024
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I wonder if this means that the solar cells will not receive sufficient sunlight to charge up the batteries, regardless of the position of the sun.
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I wonder if this means that the solar cells will not receive sufficient sunlight to charge up the batteries, regardless of the position of the sun.
My first thought was whether the little rover might be able to bump it over to a better orientation. I'm guessing not, though.
-
My first thought was whether the little rover might be able to bump it over to a better orientation. I'm guessing not, though.
That was my first thought, too. Further reading about the rover made me think it's too small and not powerful enough to shift the lander.
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That was my first thought, too. Further reading about the rover made me think it's too small and not powerful enough to shift the lander.
Far too small and just not capable
LEV-1 is a small hopper 2.1kg
LEV-2 is a round roller type and barely bigger than baseball being 8cm in dia
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Some talk of if they re-establish power and comms that MAYBE they could tap on the maneuvering thrusters to right it. Haven't seen a firm yay or nay on even if that would work or even possible.
Edit: Looking again at the location of the thrusters highly doubtful
The fact one of the nozzles is missing could indicate it landed harder than expected.
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Okay more images have been released and the lander apparently took a photo of the nozzle falling off during descent following by a loss of thrust. Whoops
Here's Scott Manley
Hilarious Japanese to English translation at 04:48
Japan Finally Reveals What Happened To Their Lunar Lander! And It Really Did Surprise me!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bFiJvbKyPs
Edit: 10:49 Second time an engine of this type has lost a nozzle. They may want to look at that.
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Just get Elon to load up one of his robots and fly up there and get it done.
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The Little Chopper That Could can no more
NASA’s history-making Ingenuity Mars Helicopter has ended its mission at the Red Planet after surpassing expectations and making dozens more flights than planned. While the helicopter remains upright and in communication with ground controllers, imagery of its Jan. 18 flight sent to Earth this week indicates one or more of its rotor blades sustained damage during landing, and it is no longer capable of flight.
After Three Years on Mars, NASA’s Ingenuity Helicopter Mission Ends
https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/after-three-years-on-mars-nasas-ingenuity-helicopter-mission-ends/
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It's alive!
Well, for short while anyway
小型月着陸実証機SLIM
@SLIM_JAXA
Communication with SLIM was successfully established last night, and operations resumed! Science observations were immediately started with the MBC, and we obtained first light for the 10-band observation. This figure shows the “toy poodle” observed in the multi-band observation.
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1751777905515037040
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SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches Cygnus NG-20 to the ISS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyaI5LR150w
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They have been busy the last few days.
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Chris Bergin - NSF reposted
Christian Davenport
@wapodavenport
The FAA is on pace to issue a Starship launch license mid to late February, I’m told, in what is shaping up to be a busy month. Intuitive Machines plans to launch in time for a Feb. 22 lunar landing, which is the same day Crew-8 is scheduled to launch. Caveats about delays, etc.
https://twitter.com/wapodavenport/status/1752867103206420581
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Nerd
@Nerdplysgames
Earlier today the Merlin stand experienced a Rapid Unscheduled Disassembly (RUD). This is unexpected but not surprising for the SpaceX engine test facility.
Could they have done this on purpose?🤔
Continue watching with @NASASpaceflight
's McGregor Live
https://nsf.live/mcgregor
https://twitter.com/Nerdplysgames/status/1753210561989349859
Done on purpose? Don't know
Some SPECULATION it was an engine off B1058 (The booster that fell over on the barge)
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Hey Elon, time for a new paint job on Just Read The Instructions, just saying
They heard me!
Chris Bergin - NSF reposted
Gav Cornwell
@SpaceOffshore
Just Read the Instructions droneship is back home in Florida and sporting a fresh coat of black paint all over. So much better than years of hard-earned battle scars from salt water.😍
The other visual change I've spotted includes the removal of the 'candy cane' exhausts from each thruster unit.
JRTI left for the shipyard with a generator set and a container on the landing deck, which I assume have been installed deep into surrounding GSE at the bow and stern.
https://twitter.com/SpaceOffshore/status/1754570022729474255
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Tower segments on their way to Texas for Starbase tower #2
Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
All aboard. All four Starbase Tower 2 sections are on the barge at KSC's Turn Basin ahead of heading to Texas.
http://nsf.live/spacecoast
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1754879112869511506
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Reportedly B10 will be rolling back out in a bit
SpaceX Rolls Out Booster 10 for Third Starship Flight Test Campaign
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Thkodx2tVKk
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Getting ready to lift B10
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B10 on the OLM.
S28 rolled out and getting ready to stack
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaCWFiUUfwc
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Stacked over night
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Destacked over night
I suspect they were doing test fittings of the QD since there's a lot of scaffolding around it.
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Restacked.
Appears they did some work on the connections
Elon is saying launch in 3 weeks*.
The usual "Elon time" disclaimer applies
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Live at time of posting
SpaceX Performs Wet Dress Rehearsal of Third Starship Flight Stack
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aaw_5EP6F6Y
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B28 on the test stand and B10 rolled back to the Megabay.
Waiting on the FAA
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Chris Bergin - NSF reposted
D. Wise
@derekiswise
SpaceX launched the @Telkomsat
Merah Putih 2 mission this beautiful, clear afternoon.
🎥 - @NASASpaceflight
📺 - https://youtube.com/watch?v=XzYonT
https://twitter.com/derekiswise/status/1760058933262049309
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Hope they did the math.
https://twitter.com/NASA/status/1760483302807368171
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And say hello to New Glenn
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1760499426856948187
Blue Origin
@blueorigin
Meet New Glenn! Our vehicle upended on its launch pad today for the first time. The rocket will remain vertical for at least a week for a series of tests in preparation for its first launch later this year. Thank you to our customers, partners, and everyone else championing efforts to build a road to space for the benefit of Earth. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3UQK8TK
https://twitter.com/blueorigin/status/1760482488940474821/photo/1
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GG581aJXgAEIfIl?format=jpg&name=medium)
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Hope they did the math.
https://twitter.com/NASA/status/1760483302807368171
Suppose to go live at 15:00 EST
First of at least 3 robotic lunar landing missions by Intuitive Machines as part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) Program. The lunar lander, named Odysseus, will fly 6 payloads for NASA and several others for commercial companies to near Malapert. A crater near the Moon's south pole.
The landing is currently scheduled for 5:30 p.m. EST. The vehicle will beginn its descent orbit insertion at 4:17 p.m. ES
Nova C (IM-1) Attempts to Land on the Moon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqFS0IcOrDo
Edit: Changed the go live time
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And say hello to New Glenn
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1760499426856948187
https://twitter.com/blueorigin/status/1760482488940474821/photo/1
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GG581aJXgAEIfIl?format=jpg&name=medium)
Except it's not. No engines, fake interstage and second stage. I'd be shocked if it has functional landing gear hydrauls at this point, either.
I think the new CEO is trying to repair the company's reputation, but they're still a long way from ready to launch.
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I think the new CEO is trying to repair the company's reputation, but they're still a long way from ready to launch.
August is the current target date. We'll see.
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I read earlier that since they are landing at the south poll, the lander will be out of power in about a week.
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Moved the landing back by 55 minutes. Taking one more lap around the moon. Probably checking the math.
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Moved the landing back by 55 minutes. Taking one more lap around the moon. Probably checking the math.
Guy looking at a screen at mission control: Is this number suppose to be in meters or feet?
-
Eric Berger
@SciGuySpace
The FAA says SpaceX has asked for permission to launch Starship at least nine times. This year.
https://twitter.com/SciGuySpace/status/1760701425154183674
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Suppose to go live at 15:00 EST
Nova C (IM-1) Attempts to Land on the Moon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqFS0IcOrDo
Edit: Changed the go live time
Live now
1 hour 20 minutes to touchdown
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6 minutes
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x383/WLJohnson1/giphy_ms2rck48y4eFkBRZ1wUaFu.gif)
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Seems to be taking a long time to establish comms
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Still nothing
-
This is not looking good.
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Signal but weak
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Landed and transmitting just the signal is weak. They think it's a comm issue. Recycling the comms
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Have you tried turning it off and turning it on again?
-
Comms by AT&T
-
Have you tried turning it off and turning it on again?
Actually what's happening
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Intuitive Machines
@Int_Machines
After troubleshooting communications, flight controllers have confirmed Odysseus is upright and starting to send data.
Right now, we are working to downlink the first images from the lunar surface.
8:25 PM · Feb 22, 2024
·
561.9K
Views
https://twitter.com/Int_Machines/status/1760838333851148442
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Intuitive Machines
@Int_Machines
Lunar Surface Day One Update (23FEB2024 0818 CST)
Odysseus is alive and well. Flight controllers are communicating and commanding the vehicle to download science data. The lander has good telemetry and solar charging.
We continue to learn more about the vehicle’s specific information (Lat/Lon), overall health, and attitude (orientation). Intuitive Machines CEO Steve Altemus will participate in a press conference later today to discuss this historic moment. Press conference information will be coordinated with NASA and published shortly.
https://twitter.com/Int_Machines/status/1761032731729739804
Still haven't seen any pictures
-
https://twitter.com/Int_Machines/status/1761032731729739804
Still haven't seen any pictures
The military is still removing the aliens and natives from the pictures.
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Boo
Chris Bergin - NSF reposted
Tyler Gray
@TylerG1998
Per this @ERAU_Daytona
newsletter: the EagleCam system was not deployed during #IM1 #Odysseus’ landing attempt yesterday, but will still be deployed to take photos of the spacecraft on the surface at a later date.
The wait for images continues…
https://news.erau.edu/headlines/eagl
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GHCwBMHWcAAnXp6?format=jpg&name=medium)
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Live Status update
Still on going
It tipped over maybe resting on a rock
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyKB6C9XnfI
-
Laser range finders could not be used because someone forgot to remove the ground safety :rofl: :facepalm:
-
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FIflfGKXIAgeahq?format=jpg&name=medium)
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Holy Cow, it woke up!
Japan’s space agency didn’t expect its wrong-side-up SLIM moon lander to revive itself after powering down for a circuit-chilling lunar night on Feb. 1. But that’s exactly what happened.
“Last night, a command was sent to SLIM and a response received, confirming that the spacecraft has made it through the lunar night and maintained communication capabilities!” the SLIM mission team reported today in a posting to X / Twitter.
Surprise! Japan’s SLIM Moon Lander Wakes Up After a Freezing Night
https://www.universetoday.com/165890/surprise-japan-slim-moon-lander-wakes-up/
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S28 testing
Live at time of posting
SpaceX Tests Ship 28 as Part of the Third Starship Launch Campaign
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6Fr-Whld6U
-
FAA is done with their flight 2 investigation.
Apparently they're happy with the changes SpX has been making.
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1762237916120601028
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Chris Bergin - NSF reposted
Max Evans
@_mgde_
Cryo testing for New Glenn is underway!
Awesome to see so much activity at LC-36 recently.
📸 - @NASASpaceflight
📺 - http://nsf.live/spacecoast
https://twitter.com/_mgde_/status/1762632799473844430
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And B10 is back at the OLM and appears ready to be lifted.
Assuming S26 won't be far behind.
-
This was posted last night
Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
NASA and the Department of Defense are monitoring a potential collision that might occur between NASA's TIMED spacecraft and Russia's Cosmos 2221 satellite shortly.
And from the tracking at the link it was a too close for comfort near miss
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1762722158109679939
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Rocket Lab pushing for first Neutron launch in 2024
https://spacenews.com/rocket-lab-pushing-for-first-neutron-launch-in-2024/
The underlined concerns me a bit for a launch in 2024 but we'll see
“Right now, we have a schedule that closes for a launch by the end of the year,” Peter Beck, chief executive of Rocket Lab, said of Neutron. “But, we’ve got a lot of testing to get through.”
In the call, he outlined the progress the company was making on various components of Neutron, such as avionics and structures, as well as construction of Neutron’s launch pad, Launch Complex 3 on Wallops Island, Virginia. However, the company has yet to start hot-fire tests of the Archimedes engine that will power Neutron.
Beck said Rocket Lab was completing a test stand for Archimedes at NASA’s Stennis Space Center in Mississippi, allowing it “to support an engine by the end of March,” but did not disclose when the company expected to start firing the engine on the stand.
-
S28 ready to stack
-
S28 sitting at the chops sticks.
S29 rolled out last night to the test stand.
-
Came across this rather interesting site on the web
Especially like the deep dive into the Soviet Luna Program and the N1 and it's launches
Home page https://www.russianspaceweb.com/index.html
Focus on the Soviet Lunar Program https://www.russianspaceweb.com/spacecraft_manned_lunar.html
The N1 https://www.russianspaceweb.com/n1.html
Many people like comparing Starship, particularity the booster due to it's somewhat similar engine layout, to the N1
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Not sure what SpX has planned.
S28 is stacked on B10 on the OLM while S29 is parked next to the OLM.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GHnpRAcWQAAKBXD?format=jpg&name=4096x4096)
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S29 is now on the test/sub-orbital mount
Not sure what was going on. Maybe S29 made a run for the OLM hoping to get on.
S28: HA-HA
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S29 is now on the test/sub-orbital mount
Not sure what was going on. Maybe S29 made a run for the OLM hoping to get on.
S28: HA-HA
Surprise third stage!
-
S29 looks a little penguin looking up at S28 in that photo. "I want to fly too"
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(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GHIoHlkXwAANpLT?format=jpg&name=4096x4096)
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SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches SpaceX Crew-8 to the ISS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4t8hBUhqPfs
They're playing the NASA traditional card game while suited up game right now
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(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GHIoHlkXwAANpLT?format=jpg&name=4096x4096)
Doesn't bode well for HLS/Starship and its unmanned demo flight.
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SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches SpaceX Crew-8 to the ISS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4t8hBUhqPfs
They're playing the NASA traditional card game while suited up game right now
Weather scrub which was fine for me since I fell asleep way earlier than normal :P
SpaceX
@SpaceX
Standing down from tonight's launch of Crew-8 due to elevated winds in Dragon's ascent corridor. Now targeting Sunday, March 3 for liftoff
7:52 PM · Mar 2, 2024
·
699.1K
New NSF place holder for tonight's try.
Launch 20:53
SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches SpaceX Crew-8 to the ISS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJ289PotNhc
Edit: Forgot to add launch window is at 22:53 EST
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AA says industry insiders claim BO is on the verge of buying up ULA and thinks this would be bad for the industry and be the death of Vulcan.
I don't know what I think about this yet although I would hate to see ULA get swallowed up.
Bad for NASA! Bad for Spaceflight! If Blue Origin buys ULA, only Jeff Bezos will win!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHEsCcrlPTc
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Live
SpaceX Performs Third Attempt of B10/S28 Wet Dress Rehearsal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1Eg_FltUZk
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SpaceX
@SpaceX
Starship completed its rehearsal for launch, loading more than 10 million pounds of propellant on Starship and Super Heavy and taking the flight-like countdown to T-10 seconds
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1764697392128156144/photo/3
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GH12v0vbYAEhvq5?format=jpg&name=4096x4096)
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GH12v1MbYAEZjyn?format=jpg&name=4096x4096)
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It must have been a very slow news day yesterday. I caught the launch to ISS live on Fox News last night. I can't remember the last time they (or any news outlet) covered a launch. I don't go looking but I normally end up watching on you tube or in the case of a Starlink launch out of Vandenberg I go outside.
bob
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Wow, just wow
https://twitter.com/dwisecinema/status/1764750615966539898
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Doesn't bode well for HLS/Starship and its unmanned demo flight.
It's SpaceX. The first one will fall over, then blow up. It's almost tradition at this point.
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It's SpaceX. The first one will fall over, then blow up. It's almost tradition at this point.
Elon: That was cool, NEXT!
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Coming along
Wonder how long before they get this going for the general public
Elon Musk
@elonmusk
SpaceX just achieved peak download speed of 17Mb/s from satellite direct to unmodified Samsung Android phone
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1764032892663906313
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SpX targeting March 14 for flight 3
Launch window opens at 07:30 CST
[popcorn]
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1765037578343121372
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AA says industry insiders claim BO is on the verge of buying up ULA and thinks this would be bad for the industry and be the death of Vulcan.
I don't know what I think about this yet although I would hate to see ULA get swallowed up.
Bad for NASA! Bad for Spaceflight! If Blue Origin buys ULA, only Jeff Bezos will win!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHEsCcrlPTc
BO buying ULA will guarantee that Amazon won't get Project Kuiper delivered to orbit, will guarantee that Vulcan never flies again, and that RocketLab's Neutron gets the lesser share of NSS launch contracts and SpaceX gets the greater share, where it used to be ULA getting the greater and SpaceX getting the lesser.
Hell, it would probably ground the remaining Atlas V rockets.
BO needs to shut the f up and worry about their own rocket and lists of unfinished projects.
On a positive note, it would signal the final death of Northrop Grumman space division, Boeing and LockMart space devisions, and Aerojet-Rocketdyne space divisions. All it's going to take is one more NewSpace player able to match even half the aggressiveness as SpaceX, getting things rolling. RocketLab/Neutron is that player. I just don't see the DOD, NSA and Space Force trusting ULA run by BO.
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Aiming for the Indian Ocean this time
https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=starship-flight-3
The third flight test of Starship could launch as soon as March 14, pending regulatory approval.
A live webcast of the flight test will begin about 30 minutes before liftoff, which you can watch here and on X @SpaceX. As is the case with all developmental testing, the schedule is dynamic and likely to change, so be sure to stay tuned to our X account for updates.
Starship’s second flight test achieved a number of major milestones and provided invaluable data to continue rapidly developing Starship. Each of these flight tests continue to be just that: a test. They aren’t occurring in a lab or on a test stand, but are putting flight hardware in a flight environment to maximize learning.
The third flight test aims to build on what we’ve learned from previous flights while attempting a number of ambitious objectives, including the successful ascent burn of both stages, opening and closing Starship’s payload door, a propellant transfer demonstration during the upper stage’s coast phase, the first ever re-light of a Raptor engine while in space, and a controlled reentry of Starship. It will also fly a new trajectory, with Starship targeted to splashdown in the Indian Ocean. This new flight path enables us to attempt new techniques like in-space engine burns while maximizing public safety.
This rapid iterative development approach has been the basis for all of SpaceX’s major innovative advancements, including Falcon, Dragon, and Starlink. Recursive improvement is essential as we work to build a fully reusable transportation system capable of carrying both crew and cargo to Earth orbit, help humanity return to the Moon, and ultimately travel to Mars and beyond.
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SpaceX Tests Ship 29 in Preparation for the Fourth Starship Flight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyyjtAfBNLA
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Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
The FTS (Flight Termination System) squad is at the launch site!
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1766113345411637271
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FTS is installed
Now Spx is waiting for final FAA approval for launch
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He shouldn't aim for the Indian Ocean. He should put it on the moon and say screw you all.
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He shouldn't aim for the Indian Ocean. He should put it on the moon and say screw you all.
With a red Tesla on top
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Stacking
And Elon, buy some darn grease!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
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Stacked almost immediately followed by a deluge test
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S29 testing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZD3nI2IJHY
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Whoops
Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
Space One's maiden flight - Japan’s first private-sector orbital launch - ends in a RUD seconds after lift-off.
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1767733139743330479
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Better view of the RUD
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1767734866244755912
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Wonder if this was the same solid fuel booster they had blow up on a test stand not too long ago?
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Think different
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/07/14/national/epsilon-s-test-explosion/
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Here we go again
SpaceX Launches Third Starship Flight Test
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrxCYzixV3s
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Starship made it to orbit! Things looking nominal at the moment. The booster had a glitch during landing however. Great test, great progress, all things considered.
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All 33 burning uphill again.
Love the onboard views
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Sounds like the payload bay door test was successful. The mission is going really well at this point.
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Transfer complete
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Next up is Raptor relight
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Looks like re-entry was not successful. Raptor engines did their thing, but the ship re-entered in multiple pieces maybe. Oh, well. Overall, it was a great flight with lots of data to apply to the next flight.
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I meant to do that :rofl:
Chris Bergin - NSF reposted
D. Wise
@dwisecinema
Sometimes, rockets like Starship decide to turn your stationary remotes into tracking cameras
.
https://twitter.com/dwisecinema/status/1768365547379368385
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(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GIp1ZAjXoAAYICy?format=jpg&name=large)
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https://twitter.com/SeanKD_Photos/status/1768332681765396821
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(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GIpo5isbAAEoeM7?format=jpg&name=4096x4096)
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https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1768268071469539708
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Chris Bergin - NSF reposted
Jay L. DeShetler
@jdeshetler
Shot from a mile away at half speed, ongoing shockwaves can be seen as the Starship IFT-3 continues to climb.
Note the effects on the clouds
https://twitter.com/jdeshetler/status/1768420776007360682
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Enter the Babylon Bee
Surprisingly accurate
How 13 Different News Outlets Covered Elon Musk’s Successful SpaceX Launch
https://babylonbee.com/news/how-13-different-news-outlets-covered-elon-musks-successful-spacex-launch
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Whoops
Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
Space One's maiden flight - Japan’s first private-sector orbital launch - ends in a RUD seconds after lift-off.
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1767733139743330479
I was watching Markus House's Starship update and he covered this Japanese RUD. I hadn't noticed this helo before. Even taking into account depth of focus on the camera, I bet that pilot *expletive deleted*it himself.
(https://i.imgur.com/on2U5Lo.png)
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Raptors in the drink count
105 in the Gulf
6 in the Caribbean
6 in the Indian ocean
Just keeping score :rofl:
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Seeing speculation the swaying of the booster that was seen may have caused the fuel to slosh which may have starved the Raptors of fuel. Three were seen trying to light but went then quickly out. Green was seen which usually indicates engine rich fuel.
Appears they need to work on eliminating the swaying. Maybe a redesign of the grid fins or merely a software fix as it could have been simply a case of chasing the gauges
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Back at the cape it appears work has resume after a long pause on the OLM there as they were working on the OLM legs and they just rolled out the OLM ring to go on top of the legs them.
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It had a pretty awful spin around its long axis. I've heard estimates that it was over 1g if you were fuel inside the tanks, meaning it wouldn't allow propellant to pool at the intake manifolds.
The starship was outgassing like crazy the whole time it was on orbit. They need to work on re-capturing that pressure and turning it back into usable and storable propellant. Even more importantly, they need to work on avoiding unwanted newtonian reactions from the outgassing. They also cannot hope to implement an on orbit fuel depot if they're going to be outgassing like that with both craft.
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The starship was outgassing like crazy the whole time it was on orbit. They need to work on re-capturing that pressure and turning it back into usable and storable propellant. Even more importantly, they need to work on avoiding unwanted newtonian reactions from the outgassing. They also cannot hope to implement an on orbit fuel depot if they're going to be outgassing like that with both craft.
Saw that and was wondering what was happening and whether or not it was on purpose or not. But so far I haven't seen anything. Hopefully Scott Manley when he puts out his usual post flight video will have the answers.
Speculation on my part is that if it was done purpose they were seeing how she maneuvered in space while they had the opportunity
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https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1767733139743330479
I was watching Markus House's Starship update and he covered this Japanese RUD. I hadn't noticed this helo before. Even taking into account depth of focus on the camera, I bet that pilot *expletive deleted*it himself.
(https://i.imgur.com/on2U5Lo.png)
Watching a NSF live talk and they said the FTS was triggered. No word yet on why.
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Now that my head is a little clearer getting somewhat over whatever bug I've had I watched the orbital video again and noticed the roll issues continued during reentry. In fact S28 was going in sideways according to the plasma flow right at the beginning and then again right before comms was lost. Movement of the camera because it was on one of the flaps confused my fuzzy brain at the time.
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Sounds like the FAA wants to smooth out the approval process with SpX
Jack Kuhr 👨🚀
@JackKuhr
The FAA's Kelvin Coleman at Payload's Space Capital event regarding Starship:
"We’re trying to work with them to get them on a different program if you will in terms of how we approve their launches going forward," he said. "We want to get away from the launch by launch approvals and get more into what Part 450 was really designed for, which is an approval of a portfolio of launches."
@jacqfeldscher
https://payloadspace.com/a-tale-of-two-
https://twitter.com/JackKuhr/status/1770181933336797354
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AKA: "We're getting tired of doing the same paperwork every day of the month. Just send us a list of next months' launches and we'll do them all at once."
Imagine, a .gov agency actually trying to streamline things. :O
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OP notice issued
Static fire expected for S29
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wne1VRhgSoc
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Looks like another S29 static fire is in the works
After doing some engine work after the SF Monday another OP notice has been issued for today.
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The last Delta IV Heavy
Suppose to go live at 12:10 EDT
The final launch of the Delta IV Heavy. The United Launch Alliance will launch the NROL-70 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office. This will be the final time that a Delta IV, and a Delta, in general, will fly. NROL-70 is a classified payload for the National Reconnaissance Office.
Window Opens: March 28th at 1:40PM EDT (17:40 UTC)
Window Closes: March 28th at 6:51PM EDT (22:51 UTC)
Mission: Delta IV Heavy launch of NROL-70 for the National Reconnaissance Office
Launch Location: Space Launch Complex 37B, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Earth.
Target orbit: Classified but estimated to be a geosynchronous transfer orbit
Rocket configuration: 9250; Delta Common Booster Core with two Delta Common Booster Core, a 5 meter diameter Delta Cryogenic Second Stage, and no third stage. Fairing is the metallic tri-sector fairing from Titan.
Rocket trajectory: Straight east from the Cape
Stats:
· ULA's 160th launch overall and its 2nd launch of the year.
· Delta's 389th and final launch. Delta-Thor 944th and final launch. 16th and final launch of Delta IV Heavy.
· ULA's 27th launch from SLC-37B, Delta IV Heavy's 11th and final launch from SLC-37B.
· 43rd overall launch from SLC-47B.
The Final Delta IV Heavy: ULA Launches the NROL-70 Mission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmYYhRBCwmU
https://www.spacelaunchschedule.com/launch/delta-iv-heavy-nrol-70/
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Just noticed there's only a 30% chance of favorable weather
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The little sideways lander that could....again!
Chris Bergin - NSF reposted
Alejandro Alcantarilla Romera (Alex)
@Alexphysics13
Yooooooooo!!!
SLIM is back... AGAIN!!
https://twitter.com/Alexphysics13/status/1773167815551295978
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The last Delta IV Heavy
Suppose to go live at 12:10 EDT
The Final Delta IV Heavy: ULA Launches the NROL-70 Mission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmYYhRBCwmU
https://www.spacelaunchschedule.com/launch/delta-iv-heavy-nrol-70/
Scrub
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There is supposed to be a launch out of Vandenberg tonight right after sunset. I may go take a peek. The right after sunset launches are pretty impressive the way way the reflect the setting sun against the black sky.
bob
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There is supposed to be a launch out of Vandenberg tonight right after sunset. I may go take a peek. The right after sunset launches are pretty impressive the way way the reflect the setting sun against the black sky.
bob
Launch info https://www.spacelaunchschedule.com/launch/falcon-9-block-5-starlink-group-7-18/
You might see a jellyfish
A space jellyfish (also jellyfish UFO or rocket jellyfish) is a rocket launch-related phenomenon caused by sunlight reflecting off the high-altitude rocket plume gases emitted by a launching rocket during morning or evening twilight. The observer is in darkness, while the exhaust plumes at high altitudes are still in direct sunlight. This luminous apparition is reminiscent of a jellyfish.[1][2][3] Sightings of the phenomenon have led to panic, fear of nuclear missile strike, and reports of unidentified flying objects
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_jellyfish
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Looks like your flight got bumped to tonight. Not seeing why yet
https://www.spacelaunchschedule.com/launch/falcon-9-block-5-starlink-group-7-18/
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Looks like your flight got bumped to tonight. Not seeing why yet
https://www.spacelaunchschedule.com/launch/falcon-9-block-5-starlink-group-7-18/
Inland quite a ways from Vandenberg , about 300 miles, there was quite a bit of overcast and wind so I wouldn't have seen it. Maybe it will clear up tonight.
bob
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And then bumped to tonight
https://www.spacelaunchschedule.com/launch/falcon-9-block-5-starlink-group-7-18/
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And now bumped to Monday
Mother nature does not want that rocket to launch
https://www.spacelaunchschedule.com/launch/falcon-9-block-5-starlink-group-7-18/
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Missed it but last night B11 was rolled out and put on the OLM
More than likely just for a static fire as there's no hot staging ring installed yet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_wNupzP2ng
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https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1776412650836251053
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1776412789768425751
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SkyshowTV, Unseen Launch Footage from NASA, SpaceX, Virgin Galatic and more
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtfVgkgC3lk
And here's their flight 2 footage
4k - Never seen before: Full Skyshow video of the SpaceX IFT-2 launch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvHY6imbUBo
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The last Delta IV
https://twitter.com/julia_bergeron/status/1777762742306263493
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GKvgHbJXwAA9c9F?format=jpg&name=4096x4096)
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Meanwhile at Starbase
https://twitter.com/i/status/1780338919038435606
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Don't know if any of you have seen this yet.
Elon you crazy bastard
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1776676719258173896
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GKgGBuLXMAIRofe?format=jpg&name=large)
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GKgGBuBWsAAMpbT?format=jpg&name=large)
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Note how much less plumbing there is on R3
I think this has been key to much of SpX's success, push the tech while at the same time making it simpler. Of course the devil is in the details of what you can't see.
A gun analogy came to mind. Watch Ian's video on the RSC-1918 and compare it to an AR-15.
The AR-15 is tech wise far in advance of the RSC but at the same time is much simpler
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6FNkMXECeE
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Marcus House gets into what's going on with Raptor at the 08:56 mark and notes some numbers aren't matching up to what many was expecting.
SpaceX Starship Expectations vs. Reality: Is There a Problem?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L88l52NMhXQ
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StarBoySAR
@StarboySAR
When asked at a hearing what the "Chinese are doing on the backside of the moon" ‐ NASA administrator Bill Nelson demonstrates his incompetence by bizarrely claiming that the far side of the moon is always dark (which it isn't) and that the US is not planing to go there. When asked why the US isn't going there and what would be the benefit of doing so, Nelson responded; We don't know what is on the backside of the moon, it's for the Chinese to discover
However, as for the United States, our decision is that it's more profitable for us to go to the South Pole of the moon, because we think that's where the water is. When asked why, do you think they (the Chinese) made that decision? Nelson said; I have no idea...
https://twitter.com/StarboySAR/status/1782705737086689587
WATCH: NASA Administrator Bill Nelson Shows He Needs Remedial Astronomy Classes
https://twitchy.com/aaronwalker/2024/04/23/watch-nasa-administrator-bill-nelson-shows-he-is-clueless-about-the-moon-n2395434
(https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTcPdTw2cnFTCIR7DC1CMGEw7jB6CS7hf7twIw6uFE1_w&s)
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https://twitter.com/StarboySAR/status/1782705737086689587
WATCH: NASA Administrator Bill Nelson Shows He Needs Remedial Astronomy Classes
https://twitchy.com/aaronwalker/2024/04/23/watch-nasa-administrator-bill-nelson-shows-he-is-clueless-about-the-moon-n2395434
(https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTcPdTw2cnFTCIR7DC1CMGEw7jB6CS7hf7twIw6uFE1_w&s)
Everyone in this administration is a complete incompetent moron.
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https://twitter.com/StarboySAR/status/1782705737086689587
WATCH: NASA Administrator Bill Nelson Shows He Needs Remedial Astronomy Classes
https://twitchy.com/aaronwalker/2024/04/23/watch-nasa-administrator-bill-nelson-shows-he-is-clueless-about-the-moon-n2395434
(https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTcPdTw2cnFTCIR7DC1CMGEw7jB6CS7hf7twIw6uFE1_w&s)
The Chinese are going after the alien bases. Duh!! And the He3 the Nazi's have.
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Tyler Gray
@TylerG1998
·
2h
S/C sep for #Shenzhou18, which should arrive at Tiangong for docking in around 7 hours.
Updated orbital launch count as of Apr. 25:
Earth 🌎 — 78/79
USA 🇺🇸 — 48/48
China 🇨🇳 — 18/18* (1 partial failure)
Russia 🇷🇺 — 6/6
Japan 🇯🇵 — 2/3
Iran 🇮🇷 — 2/2
India 🇮🇳 — 2/2
1/3
Show more
Image
Tyler Gray
@TylerG1998
·
2h
Orbital launches by organization:
🇺🇸 — 41 SpaceX, 5 Rocket Lab, 2 ULA
🇨🇳 — 14 CASC (1 partial failure), 2 CASIC, 1 OrienSpace, 1 CAS Space
🇷🇺 — 5 RKTs-Progress, 1 Khrunichev
🇯🇵 — 2 MHI, 1 Space One ❌
🇮🇳 — 2 ISRO
🇮🇷 — 1 IRGC, 1 ISA
2/3
Tyler Gray
@TylerG1998
Launches by spaceport:
🇺🇸 — 21 CCSFS, 13 Vandy, 9 KSC, 1 Wallops
🇨🇳 — 6 Xichang, 6 Jiuquan, 3 Wenchang, 2 offshore, 1 Taiyuan
🇳🇿 — 4 Māhia
🇷🇺 — 3 Baikonur, 2 Vostochny, 1 Plesetsk
🇯🇵 — 2 Tanegashima, 1 Space Port Kii
🇮🇳 — 2 Satish Dhawan
🇮🇷 — 1 Shahrud, 1 Semnan
https://twitter.com/TylerG1998/status/1783486778239775177
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Tyler Gray
@TylerG1998
Launches by spaceport:
🇺🇸 — 21 CCSFS, 13 Vandy, 9 KSC, 1 Wallops
🇨🇳 — 6 Xichang, 6 Jiuquan, 3 Wenchang, 2 offshore, 1 Taiyuan
🇳🇿 — 4 Māhia
🇷🇺 — 3 Baikonur, 2 Vostochny, 1 Plesetsk
🇯🇵 — 2 Tanegashima, 1 Space Port Kii
🇮🇳 — 2 Satish Dhawan
🇮🇷 — 1 Shahrud, 1 Semnan
Missing the Boca launch of Starship.
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Missing the Boca launch of Starship.
I assume they're not counting that one since no payload was actually put into orbit.
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I assume they're not counting that one since no payload was actually put into orbit.
It had a paid payload. NASA's fuel transfer on orbit experiment.
Nothing was left in orbit, but the mission was paid.
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Hoping the door doesn't blow out
ULA Atlas V Launches Starliner Crew Flight Test
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JI1u80rw5LY
The Boeing Crew Flight Test mission is the first flight of Boeing's Starliner spacecraft with humans onboard. The crew is composed of Commander Barry "Butch" Wilmore and Sunita "Suni" Williams.
Launch on May 6th at 10:34:14PM EDT (02:34:14 UTC on the 7th)
Mission: Atlas V launch with Starliner Calypso to the International Space Station
Launch location: Space Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Earth.
Target orbit: Low Earth Orbit; 72.91-by-181.53 kilometers 51.62 degree inclination
Booster: AV-085
Configuration: N22 - No fairing, 2 solid rocket motors, and 2 RL10 engines on the Centaur upper stage. "Body Guard"
Capsule: Spacecraft 3 (Calypso); 1597d 14h 35min 21s turnaround
Capsule history: OFT-1
Rocket trajectory: Northeast hugging the east coast of the United States
Mission Commander: Butch Wilmore - 3rd spaceflight
Mission Pilot: Sunita Williams - 3rd spaceflight
Stats:
· ULA's 161st launch overall and its 3rd launch of the year
· Atlas V's 100th launch, 3rd launch in N22 configuration
· ULA's 75th launch from SLC-41, 83rd launch of Atlas V from SLC-41
· 3rd orbital flight of a Starliner spacecraft and 1st human spaceflight by Boeing
· This mission will bring up to 2 the total of people sent by Boeing to orbit
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Scrub
Issue with the upper stage. Reportedly LOX valve
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Looks like a static fire of S30 is in the cards for today. S30 is pegged for flight test 5
Suppose to go line ~10:00
SpaceX Static Fires Ship 30 in Preparation for the Fifth Starship Flight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7Ialipbgw4
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Hoping the door doesn't blow out
ULA Atlas V Launches Starliner Crew Flight Test
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JI1u80rw5LY
Going for Friday now
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Looks like a static fire of S30 is in the cards for today. S30 is pegged for flight test 5
Suppose to go line ~10:00
SpaceX Static Fires Ship 30 in Preparation for the Fifth Starship Flight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7Ialipbgw4
Was scrubbed for some reason but another OP notice has been issued for today
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SpaceX Static Fires Ship 30 in Preparation for the Fifth Starship Flight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENxjR--cVHg
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https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/05/the-surprise-is-not-that-boeing-lost-commercial-crew-but-that-it-finished-at-all/
Well, I certainly hope the Starliner's first crewed flight is successful.
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https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/05/the-surprise-is-not-that-boeing-lost-commercial-crew-but-that-it-finished-at-all/
Well, I certainly hope the Starliner's first crewed flight is successful.
A few months later, NASA publicly announced its choice. Boeing would receive $4.2 billion to develop a "commercial crew" transportation system, and SpaceX would get $2.6 billion. It was not a total victory for Boeing, which had lobbied hard to win all of the funding. But the company still walked away with nearly two-thirds of the money and the widespread presumption that it would easily beat SpaceX to the space station.
That aged well :facepalm:
But at least SpaceX was in its natural environment. Boeing's space division had never won a large fixed-price contract. Its leaders were used to operating in a cost-plus environment, in which Boeing could bill the government for all of its expenses and earn a fee. Cost overruns and delays were not the company's problem—they were NASA's. Now Boeing had to deliver a flyable spacecraft for a firm, fixed price.
Boeing struggled to adjust to this environment. Regarding complicated space projects, Boeing was used to spending other people's money. Now, every penny spent on Starliner meant one less penny in profit (or, ultimately, greater losses). This meant that Boeing allocated fewer resources to Starliner than it needed to thrive.
One wonders how much money could be saved and yet still have all the shiny toys the defense industry puts out if SpX's method was applied across the board for govt contractors.
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B11 being lifted on the OLM
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S29 rollout and now at the OLM. Looks like they're preparing to stack
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhJRzQsLZGg
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Chris Bergin - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
Ship 31 appears to have suffered an issue during its cryo testing at Masseys.
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1789823633335943209
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Starliner launch moved back again
Boeing Starliner launch slips to May 21 to verify helium leak fix
https://spaceflightnow.com/2024/05/14/boeing-starliner-launch-slips-to-may-21-to-verify-helium-leak-fix/
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Last night's launch created probably one of if not the best jelly fish ever
I wonder what kind of jelly fish Starship would create if the conditions are this just right
Enjoy
https://x.com/dwisecinema/status/1791693447918985610
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Chris Bergin - NSF reposted
Sean Doherty
@SeanKD_Photos
Ever see a launch pad drive by? New tower segment on its way to Starbase.
https://x.com/SeanKD_Photos/status/1791713750560518368
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Morning wood courtesy of Jeff Bezos
LIVE! Blue Origin NS-25 Crew Launch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_PkumtJ39c
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Would a scrub count as a cock block?
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1 of the 3 parachutes fail to deploy properly.
BO talking head said it's designed to account for that but it looked like a hard landing to me, like really hard.
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Guess they're okay as they're out and talking but that landing did look hard.