Quote from: Kabloona on 02/01/2018 03:47 amQuote from: darkenfast on 02/01/2018 03:42 amAll joking aside (and it really is kind of funny), they'd probably be best off sinking it in deep water. It won't tow well, (because it's not a solid-fuel booster that was a lot stronger), they don't have the right kind of equipment and personnel out there, and the Port probably won't want them bringing it back in in that condition.Right about now Elon's probably hoping it will sink on its own and save them the trouble. Problem was, they couldn't just leave it floating there.Just fire a few shots at the tanks from a safe distance to make sure they aren't pressurized anymore, then run it over with the ship in the middle. Drag on board whatever is still floating then.I agree that trying to tow it is not worth the time and effort and would be just a complex way to sink it sooner or later anyway.
Quote from: darkenfast on 02/01/2018 03:42 amAll joking aside (and it really is kind of funny), they'd probably be best off sinking it in deep water. It won't tow well, (because it's not a solid-fuel booster that was a lot stronger), they don't have the right kind of equipment and personnel out there, and the Port probably won't want them bringing it back in in that condition.Right about now Elon's probably hoping it will sink on its own and save them the trouble. Problem was, they couldn't just leave it floating there.
All joking aside (and it really is kind of funny), they'd probably be best off sinking it in deep water. It won't tow well, (because it's not a solid-fuel booster that was a lot stronger), they don't have the right kind of equipment and personnel out there, and the Port probably won't want them bringing it back in in that condition.
I believe it would be easier to just detonate the booster with the already on board Termination System. I don't know how it works exactly, but even if it depends on the existence of fuel on the tanks, I guess the mere gaseous remains of the fuel on the tank would suffice to do the trick.
IMO the most likely explanation for the stage surviving tip-down, apart from the sea state (which is probably the leading factor), is the presence of deployed legs.
The Fuel fumes are less dangerous than inside a gasoline tank in your car, and the fuel tank is normally pressurized with an inert gas (Helium for Falcon 9).No oxidizer, no boom.
Quote from: eeergo on 02/01/2018 08:34 amIMO the most likely explanation for the stage surviving tip-down, apart from the sea state (which is probably the leading factor), is the presence of deployed legs. This might be true except for the fact that every attempt (even the water ones) had legs. The very first one that the 'crowd-sourced' debugging of the video here on this site clearly shows landing leg deployment.
It’s 300 odd miles out at sea and the only thing keeping it intact is the internal pressure left in the tanks, like an unopened Soft drink can. I don’t think it stands a chance, once that pressure leaks out the thin walls will be crushed, even without trying to tow that thing with the landing gear drag anchors. Shame, as it is the first rocket we know off that has survived an ocean landing...
Quote from: zodiacchris on 02/01/2018 06:43 amIt’s 300 odd miles out at sea and the only thing keeping it intact is the internal pressure left in the tanks, like an unopened Soft drink can. I don’t think it stands a chance, once that pressure leaks out the thin walls will be crushed, even without trying to tow that thing with the landing gear drag anchors. Shame, as it is the first rocket we know off that has survived an ocean landing... I've seen a picture (I believe on this forum) of either a Titan or Titan II first stage that more or less landed undamaged intact in the ocean. It was pulled alongside a recovery ship. Some of our resident members with a better recall may know the photograph I'm referring to.
Quote from: Kabloona on 02/01/2018 03:47 amQuote from: darkenfast on 02/01/2018 03:42 amAll joking aside (and it really is kind of funny), they'd probably be best off sinking it in deep water. It won't tow well, (because it's not a solid-fuel booster that was a lot stronger), they don't have the right kind of equipment and personnel out there, and the Port probably won't want them bringing it back in in that condition.Right about now Elon's probably hoping it will sink on its own and save them the trouble. Problem was, they couldn't just leave it floating there.Because of ITAR?
The engines are full of salt water -- is this worth recovering for some non-engine related engineering lessons, or more for the boats to learn to deal with a rocket which fell off the barge? Or is there another reason this is valuable to get to land and review?
2018-013A 43178 PAYLOAD SES-16/GOVSAT-1 2018-013B 43179 ROCKET BODY FALCON 9 R/B I guess no public TLEs are to be expected for this NATO linked military satellite