I think SpaceX is still deciding if ASDS or RTLS before announcing.
I think SpaceX is still deciding if ASDS or RTLS before announcing.If the west coast ASDS is ready to go, might be the most interesting choice.This stage won't be nearly as valuable as full thrust ones (tank sizes different at a minimum, *maybe* engines are incompatible).Lowest cost to perfect ASDS landing. If it fails, they loose a stage that might not have been that useful anyways.Anyhow, one week from launch we should know this at least on the L2 side of things. Late next Monday (Jan, 11th).However if that stage could run at full thrust, it might make the best launch until it breaks test article (don't need extra RP1/LOX capacity to launch with just a Stage 2 simulator on top).
Although, and I don't think this is likely, a perfect use for the V1.1 core would be the in-flight abort test for D2 later this year.
Only on the 2nd page of the party thread with 12 days to go till launch? Interest in this launch is much lower than past ones.
I recall one of my friends saying during the Shuttle's second launch that it would soon be just like watching a train leave a station and everyone would lose interest. It never quite happened, but if SpaceX get up to 20 launches a year, will everyone eagerly track every one?
Quote from: wannamoonbase on 01/05/2016 12:52 pmAlthough, and I don't think this is likely, a perfect use for the V1.1 core would be the in-flight abort test for D2 later this year.Didn't they aim for a grasshoper2 in new mexico with the next core?
Quote from: dror on 01/05/2016 02:25 pmQuote from: wannamoonbase on 01/05/2016 12:52 pmAlthough, and I don't think this is likely, a perfect use for the V1.1 core would be the in-flight abort test for D2 later this year.Didn't they aim for a grasshoper2 in new mexico with the next core?I haven't heard that idea in sometime. I question the value of that testing program once you can do it with operational flights and know it works.Regarding flights becoming routine. I think I can follow every launch and recovery until it gets above 1 per week. That is likely 4+ years away at the soonest.
Providing they land this core, I can see it being tested until destruction, in New Mexico. As Dev2 is slated for the in-flight Abort & this may give an idea on how many re-flights are possible.
RE: not much party thread activity given 12 days to launch...Since the CRS-7 loss I think there is less giddy party blather (proposed acronym: GPB), and more serious discussion/debate. As a result, the party threads lose readers and participation. SOooo, we need to up the blather quotient. Can someone do an analysis on which pieces of GPB are most commented and liked? just sayin'
Quote from: CraigLieb on 01/05/2016 06:53 pmRE: not much party thread activity given 12 days to launch...Since the CRS-7 loss I think there is less giddy party blather (proposed acronym: GPB), and more serious discussion/debate. As a result, the party threads lose readers and participation. SOooo, we need to up the blather quotient. Can someone do an analysis on which pieces of GPB are most commented and liked? just sayin' I don't know what to think about this. Elon doesn't approve creation of redundant acronyms
I would feel in even more of a party mood if Estes or SpaceX would put out a flying semi-scale Falcon 9 FT, 1.1, or Falcon Heavy. Or even if Revell were to make a 1/72 or 1/144 Falcon 9/1.1/FT/FH or Dragon v2. I know that Apogee in CO put out a model rocket that lands on its legs, recent events have made me a little interested in getting this rocket.....