Author Topic: SpaceX McGregor Testing Updates and Discussion (Thread 4)  (Read 531488 times)

Offline vaporcobra

As of today, latest booster is vertical and ready for a test at McGregor, courtesy of Keith Wallace.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/spacexgroup/permalink/10156104342806318/
Block 5?

Very likely Block 4. I'd guess that this is the booster for PAZ or SES-16.

Offline IanThePineapple

As of today, latest booster is vertical and ready for a test at McGregor, courtesy of Keith Wallace.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/spacexgroup/permalink/10156104342806318/
Block 5?

Very likely Block 4. I'd guess that this is the booster for PAZ or SES-16.

I'd guess SES-16, not much about PAZ has been heard in a while...

Online gongora

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Re: SpaceX McGregor Testing Updates and Discussion (Thread 4)
« Reply #542 on: 12/13/2017 01:54 pm »
I'd guess SES-16, not much about PAZ has been heard in a while...

PAZ is supposed to ship to Vandenberg this month.

Offline IanThePineapple

I'd guess SES-16, not much about PAZ has been heard in a while...

PAZ is supposed to ship to Vandenberg this month.

Ok then, thanks for the info! Any info on the rumored Starlink prototypes flying with PAZ?

Offline vaporcobra

I'd guess SES-16, not much about PAZ has been heard in a while...

PAZ is supposed to ship to Vandenberg this month.

Ok then, thanks for the info! Any info on the rumored Starlink prototypes flying with PAZ?

Their FCC license was granted a few weeks ago with the same orbits mentioned, appears unchanged.

Online FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: SpaceX McGregor Testing Updates and Discussion (Thread 4)
« Reply #545 on: 12/13/2017 07:11 pm »
Quote
Happened to catch a #SpaceX engine test driving home. Wanted to show #Waco locals what it’s like nearby. Imagine the bass cranked up in person, though. 🚀 #STEM #wacotown @2MacTown

https://twitter.com/abbygarrettx/status/940960976073101312

Offline Jakusb

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Re: SpaceX McGregor Testing Updates and Discussion (Thread 4)
« Reply #546 on: 12/15/2017 10:56 am »
As of today, latest booster is vertical and ready for a test at McGregor, courtesy of Keith Wallace.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/spacexgroup/permalink/10156104342806318/
Block 5?

Very likely Block 4. I'd guess that this is the booster for PAZ or SES-16.

I'd guess SES-16, not much about PAZ has been heard in a while...

SES-16 is reported to go on flight-proven core

Offline Jakusb

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Re: SpaceX McGregor Testing Updates and Discussion (Thread 4)
« Reply #547 on: 12/31/2017 01:09 pm »
I would expect a new core @McGregor anytime now, if not already.
It should have some very distinct new visible features.. ;)
Please keep an eye out if in the neighborhood. Of course in a save and non-trespassing manner.

Offline AncientU

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Re: SpaceX McGregor Testing Updates and Discussion (Thread 4)
« Reply #548 on: 12/31/2017 01:19 pm »
I would expect a new core @McGregor anytime now, if not already.
It should have some very distinct new visible features.. ;)
Please keep an eye out if in the neighborhood. Of course in a save and non-trespassing manner.

First Block 5?
"If we shared everything [we are working on] people would think we are insane!"
-- SpaceX friend of mlindner

Offline Jakusb

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Re: SpaceX McGregor Testing Updates and Discussion (Thread 4)
« Reply #549 on: 12/31/2017 06:10 pm »
I would expect a new core @McGregor anytime now, if not already.
It should have some very distinct new visible features.. ;)
Please keep an eye out if in the neighborhood. Of course in a save and non-trespassing manner.

First Block 5?

Ps: I did not claim any core is on route. Just that I expect one to be anytime now, given earlier timings for earlier cores.

So please keep an eye out for if one sees one on route or @McGregor.

Offline meekGee

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Re: SpaceX McGregor Testing Updates and Discussion (Thread 4)
« Reply #550 on: 12/31/2017 06:55 pm »
I would expect a new core @McGregor anytime now, if not already.
It should have some very distinct new visible features.. ;)
Please keep an eye out if in the neighborhood. Of course in a save and non-trespassing manner.

First Block 5?

Ps: I did not claim any core is on route. Just that I expect one to be anytime now, given earlier timings for earlier cores.

So please keep an eye out for if one sees one on route or @McGregor.

If there's anyone that should have a good feel for their rhythm, it's gotta be you...
ABCD - Always Be Counting Down

Offline Ronsmytheiii

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Re: SpaceX McGregor Testing Updates and Discussion (Thread 4)
« Reply #551 on: 01/01/2018 08:27 am »
Looking over the McGregor area on the Planet satellite imagery program, looks like SpaceX has been working on the abandoned second flame trench. Looks like they drained it near September 30th, and since then have expanded the apron on top of the trench, as well as adding roads to connect to the main site:

I attached a screenshot below of the September 30th image, the red on the map is the work that has been done on the site by December 21st:

https://goo.gl/z6585F


Online FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: SpaceX McGregor Testing Updates and Discussion (Thread 4)
« Reply #552 on: 01/07/2018 06:16 am »
My emphasis:

Quote
Pretty hard to see, but this pic is from my mom’s back porch in the country ~30 mi away from #SpaceX rocket testing facility. Merlin plume lights up the sky during low cloud cover! You can hear it from that far away, too. Exciting!🚀 #wacotown #waco #falcon9 #STEM

https://twitter.com/abbygarrettx/status/949829902085361670

Offline Inoeth

So the big thing we're all waiting to see at McGreggor will be a Block V core- which given the possibility that it could be flying on a mission in February or March would make me think that we could see it any day now... since there's usually a month in between testing in TX and going to it's final launch site...

Offline cuddihy

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Re: SpaceX McGregor Testing Updates and Discussion (Thread 4)
« Reply #554 on: 02/08/2018 09:52 pm »
Thanks for the pointer to this thread Analog Man.  Bump — has anyone seen any testing here in the last month?
Hope we see Block 5 progressing through soon.

Offline cuddihy

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Re: SpaceX McGregor Testing Updates and Discussion (Thread 4)
« Reply #555 on: 02/11/2018 02:17 am »
My schedule-fu says there is a Block V at the site right now...I don’t have any photographic evidence though, just going off Elon & Gwynn’s stated timeline to say I’d expect one there now unless it’s slid to the right.
« Last Edit: 02/11/2018 02:18 am by cuddihy »

Offline Inoeth

Between people's core-spotting abilities and that during the pre-FH interviews and whatnot, I'm pretty sure Elon mentioned Block V in 'a couple months from now' - I think it was with Loren Grush of The Verge tho I may be mistaken on that... So it may not be there yet and it could have slid a couple months- which could be why Crew Dragon missions slid a couple months- tho it should be soon enough. Keep up updated on the latest major testings at McGregor... especially anything visible regarding Raptor

Offline jpo234

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Re: SpaceX McGregor Testing Updates and Discussion (Thread 4)
« Reply #557 on: 02/11/2018 09:43 am »
My schedule-fu says there is a Block V at the site right now...I don’t have any photographic evidence though, just going off Elon & Gwynn’s stated timeline to say I’d expect one there now unless it’s slid to the right.
B1046 is supposed to be the first B5 core, flying after Hispasat (1044) and TESS (1045).
« Last Edit: 02/11/2018 09:45 am by jpo234 »
You want to be inspired by things. You want to wake up in the morning and think the future is going to be great. That's what being a spacefaring civilization is all about. It's about believing in the future and believing the future will be better than the past. And I can't think of anything more exciting than being out there among the stars.

Offline jpo234

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Re: SpaceX McGregor Testing Updates and Discussion (Thread 4)
« Reply #558 on: 02/27/2018 05:44 am »
First Block 5 booster spotted on the test stand at McGregor

Hat tip to Craig_VG: The test in the second image is unrelated to the Block 5 booster.

Credit: Keith Wallace on Facebook

Edit: Higher Resolution + Firing
Edit 2: Not a Block 5 test in progress.
« Last Edit: 02/27/2018 03:35 pm by jpo234 »
You want to be inspired by things. You want to wake up in the morning and think the future is going to be great. That's what being a spacefaring civilization is all about. It's about believing in the future and believing the future will be better than the past. And I can't think of anything more exciting than being out there among the stars.

Offline Craig_VG

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Re: SpaceX McGregor Testing Updates and Discussion (Thread 4)
« Reply #559 on: 02/27/2018 03:23 pm »
Important to note to people just scrolling through, the test is coming from the small site and not the booster in the previous image.

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