NASASpaceFlight.com Forum

SpaceX Vehicles and Missions => SpaceX Falcon Missions Section => Topic started by: Chris Bergin on 03/23/2017 02:09 am

Title: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Chris Bergin on 03/23/2017 02:09 am
A new party thread to act as a relief valve from the far more serious threads (serious face - ON) such as updates and discussion.

Previous party thread:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=40089.0

And this starts for SES-10, which is a refurbished version of the previous party thread for that mission, which was:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=39538.0

Which was....Ok, I'll stop now.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 03/23/2017 04:52 am
Whoooo-hoooooo!  PAAAARTAAAAAY!  I always wanted to be the first one at a party, I finally managed it.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 03/23/2017 05:13 am
"You've gotta fight - for your right - to Paaaaaarrttyy!!"  ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 03/23/2017 09:58 am
Wait, the discussion threads are serious?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: guyw on 03/23/2017 10:58 am
Wait, this thread isn't serious?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 03/23/2017 11:06 am
I have always said, the Party threads have the best SnR of any SpaceX thread.

When was the last time a party thread debated if a Dragon capsule could fit on the adapter inside a five meter fairing on a Falcon Heavy?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 03/23/2017 11:41 am
not the first post, but lets rock out anyways.

SpaceX Launch You Up...

https://youtu.be/NY7N02eZGoQ

(Edit to fix link years later)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 03/23/2017 02:13 pm
I have always said, the Party threads have the best SnR of any SpaceX thread.

When was the last time a party thread debated if a Dragon capsule could fit on the adapter inside a five meter fairing on a Falcon Heavy?

Nerd party. Whaddya expect? Fun is talking technical and silly puns. It's a puntechnicon.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Jet Black on 03/23/2017 02:22 pm
What comes down, must go up!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: starhawk92 on 03/23/2017 04:57 pm
Dearest friend rocket-scientists & makers,

Agreeing, as we all do, that SES-10 will be highly successful and the booster successfully return to OCISLY, what would you do with said booster?

Do you rip it to shreds to see how it's holding up?  Run it off to McGregor to fire until failure?  Smile, pat it on the head, and HIF it for another launch in a few months?

What say you?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: whitelancer64 on 03/23/2017 05:01 pm
Can't have serious discussions in a party thread!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: starhawk92 on 03/23/2017 05:05 pm
Ummm . . . it's only a serious question if I expected a serious answer?

Did I manage to avoid a party foul?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 03/23/2017 06:11 pm
Dearest friend rocket-scientists & makers,

Agreeing, as we all do, that SES-10 will be highly successful and the booster successfully return to OCISLY, what would you do with said booster?

Do you rip it to shreds to see how it's holding up?  Run it off to McGregor to fire until failure?  Smile, pat it on the head, and HIF it for another launch in a few months?

What say you?

I say...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKPusRALbJQ
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ElGuapoGuano1 on 03/23/2017 06:21 pm
Dearest friend rocket-scientists & makers,

Agreeing, as we all do, that SES-10 will be highly successful and the booster successfully return to OCISLY, what would you do with said booster?

Do you rip it to shreds to see how it's holding up?  Run it off to McGregor to fire until failure?  Smile, pat it on the head, and HIF it for another launch in a few months?

What say you?

I'd throw a Welcome Home party and invite all it's best friends. JCSat-14, SES-9, etc. Well except for iLean, I heard they had a falling out ;-) Poor Thaicom-8 was "Crushed"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 03/23/2017 06:42 pm
I just tried to go to the other party, but the police had shut it down.  What happened?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 03/23/2017 07:32 pm
I just tried to go to the other party, but the police had shut it down.  What happened?
Noise complaint
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intrepidpursuit on 03/23/2017 07:49 pm
What comes down, must go up!

Awww. I would have voted for that as thread name!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: dodo on 03/23/2017 07:50 pm
Dearest friend rocket-scientists & makers, [...]

For a moment I read, "Dear racket makers,"...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 03/23/2017 09:56 pm
I just tried to go to the other party, but the police had shut it down.  What happened?
Noise  Signal complaint
There, fixed that for you.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intrepidpursuit on 03/23/2017 10:09 pm
I hope someone makes a school bus traversing the moon mockup photo in preparation for the FH demo mission. I'm sure there is some educational benefit to explaining to children that there is a school bus in orbit, just can't quite put my finger on it.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Kansan52 on 03/23/2017 10:21 pm
OK, has the 'Launch You Up' video been updated? Some of the CGI's seem newer.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AJW on 03/24/2017 12:26 am
OK, has the 'Launch You Up' video been updated? Some of the CGI's seem newer.

Some debate on L2 about whether this is actually a V1.2 video.  Rumors that internally this is referred to as 'Launch You up - Full Thrust'.  Others are simply calling it 'Launch You Up - Upgrade'.

Waiting for the official word from SpaceX.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 03/24/2017 12:37 am
Dearest friend rocket-scientists & makers,

Agreeing, as we all do, that SES-10 will be highly successful and the booster successfully return to OCISLY, what would you do with said booster?

Do you rip it to shreds to see how it's holding up?  Run it off to McGregor to fire until failure?  Smile, pat it on the head, and HIF it for another launch in a few months?

What say you?
To the moon, Alice!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 03/24/2017 12:42 am
I hope someone makes a school bus traversing the moon mockup photo in preparation for the FH demo mission. I'm sure there is some educational benefit to explaining to children that there is a school bus in orbit, just can't quite put my finger on it.

Bus driver:  You kids sit down in the back!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 03/24/2017 05:59 am
Wait, this thread isn't serious?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KM2K7sV-K74 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KM2K7sV-K74)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Darkseraph on 03/24/2017 10:26 am
I'm a tiny bit glad the launch got bumped to the 29th, as I'd have not been able to watch it on the 27th. Fingers crossed it doesn't move again! :P
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachF on 03/24/2017 12:56 pm
What comes down, must go up!

You win the thread
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ElGuapoGuano1 on 03/24/2017 05:58 pm
If you kids don't settle down back there, we won't ever fly by the moon again!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Formica on 03/24/2017 09:07 pm
I tell ya, as a SpaceX fanboi, I have WAY more butterflies in my stomach over the SES-10 launch than I have for any other SpaceX event so far. It's such a "put up or shut up" moment, for NewSpace, for SpaceX, for F9, for economic reuse, and on and on. To me it's the most important launch since F1 finally achieved orbit all those years ago. I have great faith that 1021 will succeed in its second mission... But there's no sure thing. To echo Elon, here's hoping Fate smiles on SES-10 and that we have great need of a reusable party thread on the 29th!

I hope this isn't too serious for a party thread, but I'm still transitioning from lurker to participant and I didn't want to get moderated 😨
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mme on 03/24/2017 09:27 pm
...
I hope this isn't too serious for a party thread, but I'm still transitioning from lurker to participant and I didn't want to get moderated 😨
Welcome! And don't worry about getting moderated. I get moderated all the time, it doesn't hurt at all! :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AncientU on 03/24/2017 10:19 pm
...
I hope this isn't too serious for a party thread, but I'm still transitioning from lurker to participant and I didn't want to get moderated 😨
Welcome! And don't worry about getting moderated. I get moderated all the time, it doesn't hurt at all! :)

I even get moderated in the party thread... can't get much worse than that.

Edit/Lar: And edited...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 03/24/2017 11:58 pm
I'm not sure if this has been posted here or not, but I haven't seen it so....
 I'll delete it if it's already up somewhere. It's over two years old.
https://twitter.com/spacex/status/552876085743218688?lang=en
People are apparently using the word "waffle" way more often than I had previously thought.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Barrie on 03/25/2017 07:18 am
What comes down, must go up!

I remember Dr Martin Cole using that slogan in a rather different context  :o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 03/25/2017 11:03 am
I'm not sure if this has been posted here or not, but I haven't seen it so....
 I'll delete it if it's already up somewhere. It's over two years old.
https://twitter.com/spacex/status/552876085743218688?lang=en
People are apparently using the word "waffle" way more often than I had previously thought.

Shouldn't that be in the updates thread? Or is the update thread to serious for this SpaceX update?

I guess even SpaceX gets moderated on the update thread ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: John Alan on 03/25/2017 04:47 pm
OCISLY, under tow by Elsbeth III, has left Port Canaveral it seems...  ???

"Webcam Never Named Here"... shows barge is missing...  :o
MarineTraffic.com shows Elsbeth III headed 117 at 3.7 knots... about 5 miles out right now...  ???

Looks like it's right on schedule...  8)

Looks like the party is getting underway...  :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Chris_Pi on 03/26/2017 05:21 am
Just noticed the "Bird9" drawing has the tanks drawn with an... Un-common bulkhead design.

Throwing of rotten vegetables may now begin.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: smfarmer11 on 03/26/2017 11:07 pm
For the school bus, I have an idea what it might look like.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 03/27/2017 02:41 am
For the school bus, I have an idea what it might look like.
Classic mission patch design.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CharlieWildman on 03/27/2017 03:31 am
Just noticed the "Bird9" drawing has the tanks drawn with an... Un-common bulkhead design.

Throwing of rotten vegetables may now begin.


Also note... There are only two COPVs for the whole vehicle!  Clearly a huge improvement over the current design.  Could this really be leaked drawing of the vastly improved Bird 9B5?!! 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 03/27/2017 02:55 pm
from the discussion thread...
No sign of venting yet.

i.e.
 
"I just can't believe whats happening on the pad these days!!!"

or,

 "For crying out loud, get the static fire done already? WHAT is taking so lonnnngggggg"

 ::)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 03/27/2017 06:26 pm
I'm just glad I live in the same time zone as LC-39A, that way I can ignore all the ET, EDT, EST, GMT time zone confusion in the SpaceX threads!

Go EDT!!!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Darkseraph on 03/27/2017 11:20 pm
Just my luck, launch date moved again to a date and time i won't be able to watch it live! :P
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 03/28/2017 12:58 am
Lots of Static Fire photos from Brady Kenniston‏ (@TheFavoritist)

https://www.flickr.com/photos/bradykenniston/sets/72157678598520073

A couple attached. Click the link for the rest and in hi res.

Good man as he was asking us what we wanted, etc.
If you haven't checked out these pics you should. Really gorgeous and very high res... I just got a couple new desktop backgrounds....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 03/28/2017 03:33 am
from the discussion thread...
No sign of venting yet.

i.e.
 
"I just can't believe whats happening on the pad these days!!!"

or,

 "For crying out loud, get the static fire done already? WHAT is taking so lonnnngggggg"

 ::)
This just in:

"BREAKING NEWS!!!  No changes to report"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: faramund on 03/28/2017 08:01 am
Well the change works for me. I teach at a Uni, and have been asking my students about whether they knew anything about SpaceX, many of them did, and many knew about the launch. Which is excellent!!!!

But the original time corresponded to 8am Australia time, which was when I had an 8am lecture.

Although, I did develop a backup plan, which was to have the spaceX launch stream running in the bottom right hand corner of a screen while I droned on about the intricacies of programming in different languages - which a satisfying number of students thought was a very good idea . But now, its 9am Friday Aussie time, and I don't have a class until 11am - so I can zone out without haven't to focus on two things at once - hoorah!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jacqmans on 03/28/2017 03:30 pm
Launch Viewing for SpaceX SES-10

Watch the launch from Kennedy Space Center!

Witness liftoff from Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39 as the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches from LC-39A carrying the SES-10 communications satellite for SES. This is the first reuse of a recovered first stage of the Falcon 9 rocket. The Falcon 9 rocket’s reusable first stage will attempt a controlled landing on the autonomous spaceport drone ship (ASDS), Of Course I Still Love You, in the Atlantic Ocean.

Rocket Launch Location

 Launch viewing opportunities for SES-10 are available at Apollo/Saturn V Center and the main visitor complex with bleacher seating and launch commentary. Special launch viewing/transportation tickets to Apollo/Saturn V Center are available for $20, in addition to daily admission. Tickets for Apollo/Saturn V Center are available online. The main visitor complex viewing area is accessible with daily admission only. Restrooms, dining and souvenirs are available at both viewing areas.

 Special launch viewing/transportation ticket holders are transported by bus from the main visitor complex to special viewing areas at Kennedy Space Center. Visitors must have a daily admission ticket or annual pass in order to utilize launch viewing/transportation tickets. Since launch days often have many extra visitors, please allow time for travel, parking and entering the complex, including security bag search before boarding the bus for launch viewing. Arrive early to assure your viewing spot!

https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/info/tickets
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mme on 03/28/2017 07:58 pm
I couldn't be online for the start time, so I wasn't going to try this time.  But, I guess I'll take a low percentage shot anyway.  O-26

If more shotgun starts are contemplated for future games, I hope we can stagger the start times some.

Future start times to be decided with:
$ echo $(($RANDOM % 24)) UTC

or:

By subtracting 1 from a 24 sided die.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: envy887 on 03/28/2017 08:06 pm
I couldn't be online for the start time, so I wasn't going to try this time.  But, I guess I'll take a low percentage shot anyway.  O-26

If more shotgun starts are contemplated for future games, I hope we can stagger the start times some.

Future start times to be decided with:
$ echo $(($RANDOM % 24)) UTC

or:

By subtracting 1 from a 24 sided die.

Or start the left half of the ASDS 12 hours before the right half.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 03/28/2017 08:48 pm
I couldn't be online for the start time, so I wasn't going to try this time.  But, I guess I'll take a low percentage shot anyway.  O-26

If more shotgun starts are contemplated for future games, I hope we can stagger the start times some.

Future start times to be decided with:
$ echo $(($RANDOM % 24)) UTC

or:

By subtracting 1 from a 24 sided die.

Green elf casts the transmorgify spell
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 03/28/2017 09:10 pm
Green elf casts the transmorgify spell
I thought it was breaths fire.... or is that just the nine wizards, what their name again?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 03/29/2017 08:33 pm
I'm a little surprised this didn't raise the insurance rate. There are a whole lot of factors you can't test on a stand.
 If they get this worked out in the next year, maybe they'll only need to build one booster for Boca Chica until they move up from one a month. Maybe two boosters in case Home Depot is closed the day they need to buy parts for refurbishment.

Will Home Depot take my Lowe's card?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: butters on 03/30/2017 01:12 am
Possibly playing right now in the HIF:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t21DFnu00Dc
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 03/30/2017 06:56 am
I'm a little surprised this didn't raise the insurance rate. There are a whole lot of factors you can't test on a stand.
 If they get this worked out in the next year, maybe they'll only need to build one booster for Boca Chica until they move up from one a month. Maybe two boosters in case Home Depot is closed the day they need to buy parts for refurbishment.

Will Home Depot take my Lowe's card?
"The Merlin parts are now on Aisle 17, past the Gorilla Tape, Sir.  Take one of the big carts."
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 03/30/2017 02:04 pm
"The Merlin parts are now on Aisle 17, past the Gorilla Tape, Sir.  Take one of the big carts."
Nine for the price of one
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: lele on 03/30/2017 02:25 pm
Dirty core on the pad. :D

High resolution picture.  :D

The future is made of dirty boosters and kinda rusted structures!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cppetrie on 03/30/2017 02:42 pm
"The Merlin parts are now on Aisle 17, past the Gorilla Tape, Sir.  Take one of the big carts."
Nine for the price of one
Buy 8 get the ninth one free
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Formica on 03/30/2017 03:06 pm
"The Merlin parts are now on Aisle 17, past the Gorilla Tape, Sir.  Take one of the big carts."
Nine for the price of one
Buy 8 get the ninth one free
Order now and get a piece of the booster for your boardroom ABSOLUTELY FREE!*

*offer not valid for new boosters. Void where prohibited. You must be at least this tall to ride Falcon 9. Check local listings for launch times.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AncientU on 03/30/2017 03:35 pm
Dirty core on the pad. :D

High resolution picture.  :D

The future is made of dirty boosters and kinda rusted structures!

Probably doesn't have that new rocket smell anymore...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mme on 03/30/2017 04:24 pm
I hereby dub thee Blackjack. Time to double down!

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 03/30/2017 04:43 pm
"The Merlin parts are now on Aisle 17, past the Gorilla Tape, Sir.  Take one of the big carts."
Nine for the price of one
Buy 8 get the ninth one free
Order now and get a piece of the booster for your boardroom ABSOLUTELY FREE!*

*offer not valid for new boosters. Void where prohibited. You must be at least this tall to ride Falcon 9. Check local listings for launch times.

** We also offer free delivery. But we REALLY think you should pay for delivery, as we can't be responsible for what happens if we just land on top of your boardroom....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Skamp_X on 03/30/2017 04:43 pm
Still 5 hours to go...
Really wanna see this milestone.
Gonna have to push my hours a bit and be prepared for a harsh day tomorrow at work to watch this.
Just wanna hear "first stage has landed" so I can sleep with a big smile. :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: dodo on 03/30/2017 04:47 pm
The NSF servers today.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Jarnis on 03/30/2017 04:52 pm
Naah, they have a fresh set of ablative coating and can take the heat.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: launchwatcher on 03/30/2017 04:57 pm
Order now and get a piece of the booster for your boardroom ABSOLUTELY FREE!*

*offer not valid for new boosters. Void where prohibited. You must be at least this tall to ride Falcon 9. Check local listings for launch times.

** We also offer free delivery. But we REALLY think you should pay for delivery, as we can't be responsible for what happens if we just land on top of your boardroom....
The Chinese have already achieved this.   We must not have a rocket part delivery gap!

http://gizmodo.com/part-of-a-rocket-engine-landed-in-this-guys-living-room-1727544878
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 03/30/2017 06:26 pm
The Chinese have already achieved this.   We must not have a rocket part delivery gap!

http://gizmodo.com/part-of-a-rocket-engine-landed-in-this-guys-living-room-1727544878
If we had not ignored the mine shaft gap, this would not be a problem.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Helodriver on 03/30/2017 07:00 pm
I've totally picked the song that's my soundtrack to tonight's mission!  8)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gin-l4LDdXQ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gin-l4LDdXQ)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: landlubber on 03/30/2017 07:10 pm
Still 5 hours to go...
Really wanna see this milestone.
Gonna have to push my hours a bit and be prepared for a harsh day tomorrow at work to watch this.
Just wanna hear "first stage has landed" so I can sleep with a big smile. :)

Know the feeling. At work Friday 0430 AM. It's going to be really harsh :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 03/30/2017 07:26 pm
I've totally picked the song that's my soundtrack to tonight's mission!  8)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gin-l4LDdXQ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gin-l4LDdXQ)

Dude

I didn't know you were in to 80s hair bands. What a coincidence, I'm going to an 80's party saturday.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: northenarc on 03/30/2017 07:34 pm
 Ah well if we're going that retro I'll go 180 in the other direction, this was the song I thought of when Falcon first pulled off a barge landing
  https://youtu.be/NNEgUPKxk7A
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 03/30/2017 07:43 pm
Hehe, okay, I just *have* to... it's a party thread, so sometimes posts come out of right field, right?  I can't help but think this might've been humming along in the mind of the ASDS at some point in the not too distant past.

https://youtu.be/zslUua_jGy4
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: toruonu on 03/30/2017 09:20 pm
Ah today is the first time I can watch the launch using the native Youtube app on my new 65" LG 4K TV. Too bad SpaceX isn't streaming the launch in 4K...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Chris Bergin on 03/30/2017 09:33 pm
Abby Garrett‏
@abbygarrettX

#SpaceX launch day comic strip No. 3 Pt. 1 is out! Part 2 will be released upon #SES10 mission success 🚀 @NASASpaceflight @F9FirstStage

https://twitter.com/abbygarrettX/status/847559639927582720

Love these! Click on it and enjoy! :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 03/30/2017 09:47 pm
Ah today is the first time I can watch the launch using the native Youtube app on my new 65" LG 4K TV. Too bad SpaceX isn't streaming the launch in 4K...
They upscale very well.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Ronpur50 on 03/30/2017 09:48 pm
I am ridiculously nervous and excited for this launch.....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jimbowman on 03/30/2017 09:52 pm
Ah today is the first time I can watch the launch using the native Youtube app on my new 65" LG 4K TV. Too bad SpaceX isn't streaming the launch in 4K...

I'm gonna cast it to my 4k Vizio as well. One day we will have 4k! One day Direct/Att will also decide to give me NASA channel in HD as well.  >:(
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 03/30/2017 09:57 pm
Music!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Orbiter on 03/30/2017 10:03 pm
SpaceX's webcast always has some pretty tight beats before starting.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Saabstory88 on 03/30/2017 10:06 pm
GO! GO! GO!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHIo6qwJarI
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: abaddon on 03/30/2017 10:17 pm
(https://i.imgflip.com/139rxc.jpg)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Ronpur50 on 03/30/2017 10:34 pm
I'm crying here......
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Sohl on 03/30/2017 10:37 pm
YES!!!!  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 03/30/2017 10:40 pm
Heartbeat has returned.....  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: sewand on 03/30/2017 10:40 pm
Elon is pretty composed!  What a huge accomplishment! Congratulations!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cppetrie on 03/30/2017 10:40 pm
As my four year old says when he's giddy happy: Boom shakalaka BAM!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: M_Puckett on 03/30/2017 10:40 pm
Beautiful!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elmar Moelzer on 03/30/2017 10:41 pm
I am so glad I got to see this! History was made today! Congrats to all involved!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: sunbingfa on 03/30/2017 10:43 pm
YES!!!!!!!!!!

I'm so happy that we are in this time.... and I have watched the first landing and first relaunch live!

These are things that I'm going to tell my kids over and over again (hopefully including when they book an affordable ticket to space)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Alpha Control on 03/30/2017 10:44 pm
Me too! I left work early, to come home and set up for watching this live.  This really is historic. The moment was tense, when the link dropped out, but when it came back, and there she was, standing tall & proud on the deck against the sunset - Wow! a genuine thrill.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Oersted on 03/30/2017 10:44 pm
Let's have a thought for the right-most grid fin which received quite a toasting upon re-entering the atmosphere. Amazing footage, until it cut out.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 03/30/2017 10:45 pm
Elon looked teary eyed with joy, congrats and well done on reflight! :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 03/30/2017 10:46 pm
Let's have a thought for the right-most grid fin which received quite a toasting upon re-entering the atmosphere. Amazing footage, until it cut out.
Ready for the waffle batter... ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Alpha Control on 03/30/2017 10:48 pm
Let's have a thought for the right-most grid fin which received quite a toasting upon re-entering the atmosphere. Amazing footage, until it cut out.

Yeah, I noticed that too. Hadn't seen that before. Glad it came through okay!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 03/30/2017 10:51 pm
Here's a different take on things from North Korea:

Quote
United States technological dwarfs forced to recycle rockets for limping space program.

Mighty missiles of DPRK are used once and once only

https://twitter.com/dprk_news/status/847580091735355392 (https://twitter.com/dprk_news/status/847580091735355392)

Genius!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Ronpur50 on 03/30/2017 10:51 pm
So....I guess it is possible to land and re-fly an orbital class rocket.  What's next SpaceX?  :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: toruonu on 03/30/2017 10:52 pm
Glad I decided to stay up (it's 1:50AM and the kid woke me before 7AM today and will again tomorrow). Have watched essentially all F9 launches live no matter which ungodly hours they are. Have to say I was as frozen with adrenaline and heart going as I was post-CRS-7 RTF counting down the seconds until MECO.

History will remember 30.03.2017!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Ronpur50 on 03/30/2017 10:52 pm
Here's a different take on things from North Korea:

Quote
United States technological dwarfs forced to recycle rockets for limping space program.

Mighty missiles of DPRK are used once and once only

https://twitter.com/dprk_news/status/847580091735355392 (https://twitter.com/dprk_news/status/847580091735355392)

Genius!

Is that a spoof?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Ronpur50 on 03/30/2017 10:53 pm
Glad I decided to stay up (it's 1:50AM and the kid woke me before 7AM today and will again tomorrow). Have watched essentially all F9 launches live no matter which ungodly hours they are. Have to say I was as frozen with adrenaline and heart going as I was post-CRS counting down the seconds until MECO.

History will remember 30.03.2017!

Worth it, though, right??
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Sohl on 03/30/2017 10:53 pm
I just re-watched "SpaceX Launch You Up"  in observance of this historic moment.   8)
(https://vimeo.com/125746164 (https://vimeo.com/125746164))
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 03/30/2017 10:54 pm
Let's have a thought for the right-most grid fin which received quite a toasting upon re-entering the atmosphere. Amazing footage, until it cut out.

Definitely the board room wall ornament candidate for SES. ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mme on 03/30/2017 10:55 pm
That was awesome! Now can I get some volunteers to help me drag these goalposts?  They are getting really heavy!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 03/30/2017 10:55 pm
So....I guess it is possible to land and re-fly an orbital class rocket.  What's next SpaceX?  :)
Stage 2 :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Oersted on 03/30/2017 10:57 pm
Jeff Bezos: "Welcome to the club"... - Bozo!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 03/30/2017 10:57 pm
Here's a different take on things from North Korea:

Quote
United States technological dwarfs forced to recycle rockets for limping space program.

Mighty missiles of DPRK are used once and once only

https://twitter.com/dprk_news/status/847580091735355392 (https://twitter.com/dprk_news/status/847580091735355392)

Genius!

Is that a spoof?

It is a funny, sometimes hysterical, feed. It claims to be real, I'm not sure!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: launchwatcher on 03/30/2017 10:58 pm
Here's a different take on things from North Korea:

Quote
United States technological dwarfs forced to recycle rockets for limping space program.

Mighty missiles of DPRK are used once and once only

https://twitter.com/dprk_news/status/847580091735355392 (https://twitter.com/dprk_news/status/847580091735355392)

Genius!

Is that a spoof?
It's a parody account that has managed to fool a lot of real news organizations.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 03/30/2017 10:58 pm
I am so glad I got to see this! History was made today! Congrats to all involved!

I can't help but feeling one of the greatest days in history that 99% of the developed world doesn't even appreciate.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Alpha Control on 03/30/2017 11:01 pm
So....I guess it is possible to land and re-fly an orbital class rocket.  What's next SpaceX?  :)
Stage 2 :)

Re-flight of Dragon.  :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Ronpur50 on 03/30/2017 11:04 pm
So....I guess it is possible to land and re-fly an orbital class rocket.  What's next SpaceX?  :)
Stage 2 :)

Re-flight of Dragon.  :)

Launch it again!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 03/30/2017 11:06 pm
Where is the conspiracy video guy?? ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JazzFan on 03/30/2017 11:07 pm
So....I guess it is possible to land and re-fly an orbital class rocket.  What's next SpaceX?  :)
Stage 2 :)

Re-flight of Dragon.  :)

Launch it again!!

I would say keep re-launching it until it fails.  But then again, I'm not a paying customer or the insurance company.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cebri on 03/30/2017 11:17 pm
That was awesome! Now can I get some volunteers to help me drag these goalposts?  They are getting really heavy!

But but but they haven't proven reusability will actually drive down the cost¡¡¡ [/irony]
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Eagandale4114 on 03/30/2017 11:19 pm
That was awesome! Now can I get some volunteers to help me drag these goalposts?  They are getting really heavy!

Might need a Falcon Heavy for those goalposts ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 03/30/2017 11:19 pm
Wait until you see both FH boosters return for a landing and that entire vehicle gets flown again.  :o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Chris Bergin on 03/30/2017 11:28 pm
That was crazy, but we survived it again, with guests on. Again, the continually beefed up servers are dealing with these events. Thanks to Mark and thanks to the L2 members that allow us to throw a boat load of cash at IBM to pay for these servers.

Check out the surge for launch and landing - and the coast (where a lot of people move their eyes from the webcast to the forum). ;D

That first bar is actually a very busy site! A few years ago, that first bar would be a point we'd go Bad Gateway! The top one is ludicrous mode.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AncientU on 03/30/2017 11:56 pm
That was crazy, but we survived it again, with guests on. Again, the continually beefed up servers are dealing with these events. Thanks to Mark and thanks to the L2 members that allow us to throw a boat load of cash at IBM to pay for these servers.

Check out the surge for launch and landing - and the coast (where a lot of people move their eyes from the webcast to the forum). ;D

That first bar is actually a very busy site! A few years ago, that first bar would be a point we'd go Bad Gateway! The top one is lubricious mode.

Hey Chris,
L2 Life member here -- just tell us when you need more cash -- it will be so.
No worries mate, your site deserves it.
AncientU
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 03/31/2017 12:30 am
Yes, going to party like I actually watched the launch instead of being stuck in a meeting with the west coast that droned on forever. What do you mean you have to go, it's only three. We are also eating a late lunch.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: rickl on 03/31/2017 12:32 am
Today was an emotional rollercoaster for me.  I had to take my beloved cat Kira in for surgery this morning, her second in a month. 

Without going into great detail, it went well and I brought her home after work, in time to watch the launch.

There were about a half dozen ways today could have gone horribly wrong.  Instead it went as well as it possibly could have.


Hey Chris,
L2 Life member here -- just tell us when you need more cash -- it will be so.
No worries mate, your site deserves it.
AncientU

^^This.  I second that sentiment.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Formica on 03/31/2017 12:33 am
Way to go Chris G with the last question and the level of detail!!! Block 5 details!!! Awesome.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Chris Bergin on 03/31/2017 12:37 am
Way to go Chris G with the last question and the level of detail!!! Block 5 details!!! Awesome.

There was a presser about seven years ago where Chris asked a question of the ISS manager and he said "That's an excellent question, really excellent".

Now he's got praise from Elon.

Brilliant reporter and a great guy. Overjoyed for him!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 03/31/2017 12:44 am
Here's a different take on things from North Korea:

Quote
United States technological dwarfs forced to recycle rockets for limping space program.

Mighty missiles of DPRK are used once and once only

https://twitter.com/dprk_news/status/847580091735355392 (https://twitter.com/dprk_news/status/847580091735355392)

Genius!

Is that a spoof?
Obvs.

Check some of the other stories.


That was crazy, but we survived it again, with guests on. Again, the continually beefed up servers are dealing with these events. Thanks to Mark and thanks to the L2 members that allow us to throw a boat load of cash at IBM to pay for these servers.
This IBMer (and IBM stockholder) would like to say "thank you for your business!"

This life L2 member would like to say "if you need more cash, please pass the hat to the lifers, we're good for some more cash"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Ronpur50 on 03/31/2017 12:46 am
Here's a different take on things from North Korea:

Quote
United States technological dwarfs forced to recycle rockets for limping space program.

Mighty missiles of DPRK are used once and once only

https://twitter.com/dprk_news/status/847580091735355392 (https://twitter.com/dprk_news/status/847580091735355392)

Genius!

Is that a spoof?
Obvs.

Check some of the other stories.

Yes, after I asked and looked, I realized it.  Also, when I realized that NK doesn't have the technology to get on twitter in the first place!!  LOL
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 03/31/2017 12:51 am
Yes, after I asked and looked, I realized it.  Also, when I realized that NK doesn't have the technology to get on twitter in the first place!!  LOL
That's DPRK to you, buddy... Don't make me go all Kim on your ---
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Ronpur50 on 03/31/2017 12:54 am
Yes, after I asked and looked, I realized it.  Also, when I realized that NK doesn't have the technology to get on twitter in the first place!!  LOL
That's DPRK to you, buddy... Don't make me go all Kim on your ---

Lucky I finished my drink before I sprayed my computer!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 03/31/2017 01:00 am
Yes, after I asked and looked, I realized it.  Also, when I realized that NK doesn't have the technology to get on twitter in the first place!!  LOL
That's DPRK to you, buddy... Don't make me go all Kim on your ---

As someone with the initials NK, people calling it DPRK is so nice, I wish could reward everyone who does with a free LEGO...

...element.  :P
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AndyX on 03/31/2017 01:02 am
NSF is a battletank these days!

Look at it fly with all these people on right now.....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 03/31/2017 01:08 am
Yes, after I asked and looked, I realized it.  Also, when I realized that NK doesn't have the technology to get on twitter in the first place!!  LOL
That's DPRK to you, buddy... Don't make me go all Kim on your ---

As someone with the initials NK, people calling it DPRK is so nice, I wish could reward everyone who does with a free lego...

...element.  :P

It's all caps, bro... "LEGO elements are awesome" :) Don't make me come over to  your house and leave a bunch of 2x2 bricks (the most painful kind) next to your bed in the middle of the night so you step on them....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 03/31/2017 01:15 am
Can anyone confirm the reports of other launch provider executives were seen in their respective corners hunched over in a fetal position sobbing...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Chris Bergin on 03/31/2017 01:17 am
Can anyone confirm the reports of other launch provider executives were seen in their respective corners hunched over in a fetal position sobbing...

Naughty! And to be fair, Tory sent congrats on Twitter.

Space industry should be like that. I mean after 90 minutes of kicking chunks out of each other at a football match, you shake hands at the end of the game.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 03/31/2017 01:18 am
Don't make me come over to  your house and leave a bunch of 2x2 bricks (the most painful kind) next to your bed in the middle of the night so you step on them....

So, if SpaceX covered the deck of the ASDS in titanium panels with posts of LEGO-brick-compatible dimensions, could they apply plates to the bottom of the roomba so it clicks into place securely and with no chance of sliding?  (This is a party-serious question, of course, and not merely an attempt to distract while a previous post is edited by a few bits of ASCII.)  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 03/31/2017 01:38 am
Can anyone confirm the reports of other launch provider executives were seen in their respective corners hunched over in a fetal position sobbing...

Naughty! And to be fair, Tory sent congrats on Twitter.

Space industry should be like that. I mean after 90 minutes of kicking chunks out of each other at a football match, you shake hands at the end of the game.
Tory is a good man, I would like to see if the others are so magnanimous...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 03/31/2017 01:45 am
Don't make me come over to  your house and leave a bunch of 2x2 bricks (the most painful kind) next to your bed in the middle of the night so you step on them....

So, if SpaceX covered the deck of the ASDS in titanium panels with posts of LEGO-brick-compatible dimensions, could they apply plates to the bottom of the roomba so it clicks into place securely and with no chance of sliding?  (This is a party-serious question, of course, and not merely an attempt to distract while a previous post is edited by a few bits of ASCII.)  ;D

The more studs you have in a row, the more accurate your rotational alignment has to be for it to work. So the Xoomba would have to first rotate and translate to a very precise alignment. (when I say "in a row" I'm including the studs 40 feet away, since you have to align with them too)

I have some clone 2x4 brick elements machined from aluminum. The clutch power isn't that good because there isn't enough give (part of what makes LEGO elements clutch is the precise dimensional tolerances, and the other part is that ABS has just the right amount of flex)... but they clutch with plastic elements ok. Just not with each other.

Can anyone confirm the reports of other launch provider executives were seen in their respective corners hunched over in a fetal position sobbing...

Naughty! And to be fair, Tory sent congrats on Twitter.

Space industry should be like that. I mean after 90 minutes of kicking chunks out of each other at a football match, you shake hands at the end of the game.
Tory is a good man, I would like to see if the others are so magnanimous...

Agree about Tory. Good man. As is Dr. Soros.

I heard a rumor Jeff Bezos wasn't, saying 'welcome to the club' as if he'd done an actual paying mission to orbit booster reuse already.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: dorkmo on 03/31/2017 02:08 am
well i dont know about you guys but im ready to launch this stage...

one more time

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGBhQbmPwH8
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 03/31/2017 02:42 am
Barring something totally bizarre, we will have a winner! :)

Coming soon to a theatre near you...
ATTACK OF THE ROOMBA
If the Roomba knocks over the stage, then clearly it was misidentified as Optimus Prime.  Wrecking the stage would be a total Decepticon move.  Have to rename it Megatron.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 03/31/2017 02:58 am
Wait.. Falcon 9 version 2.5?  Mind blown!
New Poll: Is SpaceX now the world's leading company when it comes to inconsistent naming conventions?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 03/31/2017 03:05 am
Quote
If the Roomba knocks over the stage, then clearly it was misidentified as Optimus Prime.  Wrecking the stage would be a total Decepticon move.  Have to rename it Megatron.

Hmm.... that's strangely familiar.  Coincidence?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 03/31/2017 03:24 am
Wait.. Falcon 9 version 2.5?  Mind blown!
New Poll: Is SpaceX now the world's leading company when it comes to inconsistent naming conventions?

99 standards for naming it now.
99 standards for names.
You take one down, pass it around.
100 standards for naming it now.  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Norm38 on 03/31/2017 03:47 am
So who gets the slagged grid fin as a conference room trophy?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Surfdaddy on 03/31/2017 04:34 am
That was crazy, but we survived it again, with guests on. Again, the continually beefed up servers are dealing with these events. Thanks to Mark and thanks to the L2 members that allow us to throw a boat load of cash at IBM to pay for these servers.

Check out the surge for launch and landing - and the coast (where a lot of people move their eyes from the webcast to the forum). ;D

That first bar is actually a very busy site! A few years ago, that first bar would be a point we'd go Bad Gateway! The top one is ludicrous mode.

Just wait until Falcon Heavy!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: joek on 03/31/2017 05:03 am
New Poll: Is SpaceX now the world's leading company when it comes to inconsistent naming conventions?

Nah... IBM has tenaciously held and defended that title for decades.  And Elon did say something to the effect of "about v2.5".  So between the presumably v1.2 (current) and  ~v2.5 (Block 5), we have a delta of ~1.3.  Which would imply an enormous difference based on past versions (zero-based).  OTOH, the version numbers may be non-linear, where we are asymptotically approaching the final Block 5 or ~v2.5.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JayWee on 03/31/2017 05:27 am
Or maybe it's just Falcon 9 v1.2.5? And he could have just omitted the (implied) 1. Such a scheme is pretty common in the software world.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 03/31/2017 06:19 am
That was crazy, but we survived it again, with guests on. Again, the continually beefed up servers are dealing with these events. Thanks to Mark and thanks to the L2 members that allow us to throw a boat load of cash at IBM to pay for these servers.

Check out the surge for launch and landing - and the coast (where a lot of people move their eyes from the webcast to the forum). ;D

That first bar is actually a very busy site! A few years ago, that first bar would be a point we'd go Bad Gateway! The top one is ludicrous mode.

Just wait until Falcon Heavy!

Bah! That is nothing, compare to when the Grey Dragon lifts off in late 2018. Hope Chris B is planning for it now.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Proponent on 03/31/2017 10:51 am
Would you buy a used rocket from this man?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ugordan on 03/31/2017 10:56 am
Seeing that single, static shot of the landed stage just silently pop up out of a black screen on the technical webcast gave me an eerie feeling because it reminded me of a scene from a movie you might recognize. I guess it was the combination of the clouds, the afternoon lighting and the camera looking slightly up to catch a tall object, silence on the audio loop, all conspired to to make the connection in my mind. I didn't get that feeling on previous landings.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 03/31/2017 02:25 pm
Would you buy a used rocket from this man?
;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DOCinCT on 03/31/2017 03:43 pm
Just watched the technical webcast; I suggest the following:
Go to T-0 (roughly 18:50 on the stream)
Crank up the volume on your viewing device (subwoofer helps)
Watch the video for the next 100-120 seconds.
Enjoy.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 03/31/2017 03:50 pm
If Falcon Heavy was a Rock n Roll super group who would be in it?  Discuss.   ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 03/31/2017 03:55 pm
Wait.. Falcon 9 version 2.5?  Mind blown!
New Poll: Is SpaceX now the world's leading company when it comes to inconsistent naming conventions?
Do we actually need a poll for that?  They're clearly the world's leading ROCKET company at this. But not the worlds leading COMPANY... We IBMers rename things as soon as the customers know what they're called. And jump version numbers..

New Poll: Is SpaceX now the world's leading company when it comes to inconsistent naming conventions?

Nah... IBM has tenaciously held and defended that title for decades. 

(Thank you very much! It's good to be recognized for something...)

(my product was 7.0, 7.1, 7.1.1. 7.1.2, 7.1.3, 8.0, 8.0.1, 8.5, 9.1 (hey, where'd 9.0 go?) then 11.3 (um, 10? 11.0?) and is now at 11.5.0.1 )

ANYONE not yet clear on why I'm not an official IBM spokeperson??? !!!! ???  LOL
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Doesitfloat on 03/31/2017 04:23 pm
My apologies to all Spacex, KSC, SES, workers involved in this launch. All the launch imperfections the burnt grid fins and loss of video can all be attributed to....
I jinxed it :(
Opened the celebratory beer during terminal count.
Yep total rookie move- such arrogance on my part- I feel terrible. I'm sorry.
My only explanation is:
Who wants to watch history being made without a beer in had.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 03/31/2017 05:48 pm
My product was 7.0, 7.1, 7.1.1. 7.1.2, 7.1.3, 8.0, 8.0.1, 8.5, 9.1 (hey, where'd 9.0 go?)...

I guess seven ate nine
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 03/31/2017 05:49 pm
My apologies to all Spacex, KSC, SES, workers involved in this launch. All the launch imperfections the burnt grid fins and loss of video can all be attributed to....
I jinxed it :(
Opened the celebratory beer during terminal count.
Yep total rookie move- such arrogance on my part- I feel terrible. I'm sorry.
My only explanation is:
Who wants to watch history being made without a beer in had.


Agreed... since of course
A beer in the had is worth two in the bus.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: padrat on 03/31/2017 05:53 pm
Would you buy a used rocket from this man?

OMG.....

I think that needs to go up on a wall at work somewhere.
I about fell out of my chair.....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: 3Davideo on 03/31/2017 06:07 pm
(Thank you very much! It's good to be recognized for something...)

(my product was 7.0, 7.1, 7.1.1. 7.1.2, 7.1.3, 8.0, 8.0.1, 8.5, 9.1 (hey, where'd 9.0 go?) then 11.3 (um, 10? 11.0?) and is now at 11.5.0.1 )

ANYONE not yet clear on why I'm not an official IBM spokeperson??? !!!! ???  LOL

Well, they're all real numbers, nonnegative, and in order.  If someone tries to give you version 6.0 + 7.1*i, you might want to panic. 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 03/31/2017 06:15 pm
Would you buy a used rocket from this man?

OMG.....

I think that needs to go up on a wall at work somewhere.
I about fell out of my chair.....
I book of faces'ed it:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/spacexgroup/permalink/10155247401606318/

We are beginning to see the designs of Elon, the evil genius...  (pinkie firmly planted in corner of mouth)

The fairing will deploy cold-gas thrusters and small pop-out grid fins to stabilize into a flyable aeroshell, navigating to a selected capture zone. At which point, the very large airship will open up it's large under slung cargo hold and the fairings will fly in and be caught in nets. The airship will then make its way to Elon's secret volcano lair ... which opens up it's hidden landing pad area, etc. Submarines or fast boats will return the shells to shore for additional processing.

 8)

I was really close here...   
    thrusters (check - sort of)
    flyable aeroshell  (sort of again, check)
    airship = really large bouncy castle  (check)

volcano lair ... welllll, we don't know the whole plan yet, really so I still have a shot.

 8)


We know Elon likes to wing walk. But I'm not convinced. Walking on top of an airship voids the warranty. And you really don't want to cross Goodyear :) So I think landing the fairing on top is Right Out.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 03/31/2017 06:17 pm
(Thank you very much! It's good to be recognized for something...)

(my product was 7.0, 7.1, 7.1.1. 7.1.2, 7.1.3, 8.0, 8.0.1, 8.5, 9.1 (hey, where'd 9.0 go?) then 11.3 (um, 10? 11.0?) and is now at 11.5.0.1 )

ANYONE not yet clear on why I'm not an official IBM spokeperson??? !!!! ???  LOL

Well, they're all real numbers, nonnegative, and in order.  If someone tries to give you version 6.0 + 7.1*i, you might want to panic. 
Our products are never imaginary.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: punder on 03/31/2017 06:25 pm
So I think landing the fairing on top is Right Out.

I saw what you did there!   :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Chris Bergin on 03/31/2017 06:34 pm
Share. SHARE LIKE YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT! ;D

https://twitter.com/abbygarrettX/status/847836229991358464
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 03/31/2017 06:54 pm
I told her she needs to make a children's book of these, they are SO CUTE!!!!

(she said she's already talking to SpaceX... Can whoever is having lunch with Elon next please put in a good word???)

I have her ITS poster.

https://twitter.com/lar_p/status/847888739074494464

Even the mailing tube is awesome

https://twitter.com/lar_p/status/847889280630501380
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 03/31/2017 06:56 pm
I told her she needs to make a children's book of these, they are SO CUTE!!!!

(she said she's already talking to SpaceX... Can whoever is having lunch with Elon next please put in a good word???)

I am planning to save them and share them with my granddaughter (she will be born in about 2 months).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 03/31/2017 07:17 pm
So I think landing the fairing on top is Right Out.

I saw what you did there!   :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: groknull on 04/01/2017 01:56 am
(Thank you very much! It's good to be recognized for something...)

(my product was 7.0, 7.1, 7.1.1. 7.1.2, 7.1.3, 8.0, 8.0.1, 8.5, 9.1 (hey, where'd 9.0 go?) then 11.3 (um, 10? 11.0?) and is now at 11.5.0.1 )

ANYONE not yet clear on why I'm not an official IBM spokeperson??? !!!! ???  LOL

Well, they're all real numbers, nonnegative, and in order.  If someone tries to give you version 6.0 + 7.1*i, you might want to panic. 
Our products are never imaginary.

Perhaps, but 11.3 + 0*i is still complex...


Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rei on 04/01/2017 02:44 am
Would you buy a used rocket from this man?

OMG.....

I think that needs to go up on a wall at work somewhere.
I about fell out of my chair.....
I book of faces'ed it:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/spacexgroup/permalink/10155247401606318/

We are beginning to see the designs of Elon, the evil genius...  (pinkie firmly planted in corner of mouth)

The fairing will deploy cold-gas thrusters and small pop-out grid fins to stabilize into a flyable aeroshell, navigating to a selected capture zone. At which point, the very large airship will open up it's large under slung cargo hold and the fairings will fly in and be caught in nets. The airship will then make its way to Elon's secret volcano lair ... which opens up it's hidden landing pad area, etc. Submarines or fast boats will return the shells to shore for additional processing.

 8)

I was really close here...   
    thrusters (check - sort of)
    flyable aeroshell  (sort of again, check)
    airship = really large bouncy castle  (check)

volcano lair ... welllll, we don't know the whole plan yet, really so I still have a shot.

 8)


If he's in the market for a secret volcano lair I'd recommend the South Sandwich Islands, probably Saunders.  What do they have going for them that an aspiring supervillain like Musk might like?

 * Remote
 * Rarely visited
 * Rough seas and fierce storms
 * Towering cliffs of rock and ice
 * The essential "huge active volcanoes" for your boring machines to build a lair in.
 * On Saunders, an added bonus: it's believe that the top of Mount Michael has one of the world's few persistent lava lakes. But it's so little explored that nobody knows for sure, we just have hot pixels on IR images to go by.
 * Huge population of penguins for you to Neuralink up as your minions.
 * If you want to launch some conquer-the-world doomsday weapon you're going to want it on a polar orbit so that it can target all locations on the planet from a low altitude with frequent passes - so you don't need an equatorial site.
 * Disputed territory - opportunities to play the UK and Argentina off against each other as part of your Machiavellian schemes.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MKremer on 04/01/2017 05:47 am
If Falcon Heavy was a Rock n Roll super group who would be in it?  Discuss.   ;D
You're trying to start a small war, aren't you?  :o 🤘🏼
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tyrred on 04/01/2017 07:03 am
If Falcon Heavy was a Rock n Roll super group who would be in it?  Discuss.   ;D
Dave Grohl, Brian Cook, Tosin Abasi and Bruno Mars.

(ducks)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ziceva on 04/01/2017 11:44 am
Don't know if somebody else noted this ... But the thread should be named "Launch, Land, and Relaunch, AND RELAND Party thread" :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MattMason on 04/01/2017 06:36 pm
I hear Peggy opened up a special payload for use in the BEAM today...

(https://spaceflightblunders.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/beam-bouncy.jpg)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 04/01/2017 07:01 pm
I hear Peggy opened up a special payload for use in the BEAM today...

(https://spaceflightblunders.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/beam-bouncy.jpg)

A ball pit? Since when did Whitson bring up a whole bunch of colored balls?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 04/01/2017 08:20 pm
They were freeze-dried.  Just add water.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mattstep on 04/02/2017 01:54 am
Elon announced his new plan to combat climate change today!

(http://i.imgur.com/GUgFyCh.png)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Scylla on 04/02/2017 02:13 am
Elon Musk‏ @elonmusk
Technology breakthrough: turns out chemtrails are actually a message from time-traveling aliens describing the secret of teleportation

Elon Musk‏ @elonmusk
Why did we waste so much time developing silly rockets? Damn you, aliens! So obtuse! You have all this crazy tech, but can't speak English!?
2:44 PM · Apr 1, 2017
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/848244577521647616
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 04/02/2017 02:49 am
Elon Musk‏ @elonmusk
Technology breakthrough: turns out chemtrails are actually a message from time-traveling aliens describing the secret of teleportation

Elon Musk‏ @elonmusk
Why did we waste so much time developing silly rockets? Damn you, aliens! So obtuse! You have all this crazy tech, but can't speak English!?
2:44 PM · Apr 1, 2017
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/848244577521647616

Scylla, I read that and thought you made it up (It's April 1st), and thought it was hilarious. Than I clicked the link, expecting a rickroll or similar, and see he really did tweet that.  ;D 8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: rakaydos on 04/02/2017 04:08 am
Would you buy a used rocket from this man?

OMG.....

I think that needs to go up on a wall at work somewhere.
I about fell out of my chair.....
I book of faces'ed it:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/spacexgroup/permalink/10155247401606318/

We are beginning to see the designs of Elon, the evil genius...  (pinkie firmly planted in corner of mouth)

The fairing will deploy cold-gas thrusters and small pop-out grid fins to stabilize into a flyable aeroshell, navigating to a selected capture zone. At which point, the very large airship will open up it's large under slung cargo hold and the fairings will fly in and be caught in nets. The airship will then make its way to Elon's secret volcano lair ... which opens up it's hidden landing pad area, etc. Submarines or fast boats will return the shells to shore for additional processing.

 8)

I was really close here...   
    thrusters (check - sort of)
    flyable aeroshell  (sort of again, check)
    airship = really large bouncy castle  (check)

volcano lair ... welllll, we don't know the whole plan yet, really so I still have a shot.

 8)


If he's in the market for a secret volcano lair I'd recommend the South Sandwich Islands, probably Saunders.  What do they have going for them that an aspiring supervillain like Musk might like?

 * Remote
 * Rarely visited
 * Rough seas and fierce storms
 * Towering cliffs of rock and ice
 * The essential "huge active volcanoes" for your boring machines to build a lair in.
 * On Saunders, an added bonus: it's believe that the top of Mount Michael has one of the world's few persistent lava lakes. But it's so little explored that nobody knows for sure, we just have hot pixels on IR images to go by.
 * Huge population of penguins for you to Neuralink up as your minions.
 * If you want to launch some conquer-the-world doomsday weapon you're going to want it on a polar orbit so that it can target all locations on the planet from a low altitude with frequent passes - so you don't need an equatorial site.
 * Disputed territory - opportunities to play the UK and Argentina off against each other as part of your Machiavellian schemes.
You are going too hollywood for your secret volcano lairs.

Elon needs to build a launch facility into Chimborazo. near-zero inclination, almost as low air pressure at the peak as Everest. And an inactive volcano for his volcano lair.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 04/02/2017 04:44 am
If Falcon Heavy was a Rock n Roll super group who would be in it?  Discuss.   ;D
Dave Grohl, Brian Cook, Tosin Abasi and Bruno Mars.

(ducks)
The sad thing is: I recognize only one name on that list and that's because they made a SpaceX parody out of his biggest hit.  Am I a geek?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 04/02/2017 04:58 am
<snip>
According to Jeff Foust, Elon said might be "fun to try a Hail Mary (https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/847599210513944577)" and recover the second stage.
I fully expect SpaceX to announce the hiring of a new intern to help them with the Hail Mary.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: andrewsdanj on 04/02/2017 06:44 am
Falcon Heavy demo in mid-late  summer?  Silly payload you say? Core on OCISLY?

13 tons of mixed gravel to GTO with a subsurface periapsis roughly around NYC to do the July 4th fireworks *PROPERLY*.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Formica on 04/02/2017 03:45 pm
My apologies to all Spacex, KSC, SES, workers involved in this launch. All the launch imperfections the burnt grid fins and loss of video can all be attributed to....
I jinxed it :(
Opened the celebratory beer during terminal count.
Yep total rookie move- such arrogance on my part- I feel terrible. I'm sorry.
My only explanation is:
Who wants to watch history being made without a beer in had.
It's cool. I wore my special lucky SpaceX hoodie all day and crossed my fingers extra hard, so I'm pretty sure you can be forgiven for your beer based transgression  ::)  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: pb2000 on 04/02/2017 03:53 pm
Falcon Heavy demo in mid-late  summer?  Silly payload you say? Core on OCISLY?

I vote for a gigantic (>250M diameter) inflatable pig placed in a slowly decaying LEO or a sparsely populated MEO.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: IntoTheVoid on 04/02/2017 05:46 pm
Falcon Heavy demo in mid-late  summer?  Silly payload you say? Core on OCISLY?

I vote for a gigantic (>250M diameter) inflatable pig placed in a slowly decaying LEO or a sparsely populated MEO.

Well, that's far better than a slowly decaying pig in a sparsely populated inflatable habitat.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lars-J on 04/02/2017 10:22 pm
Totally off topic...

Whats the difference between LARS and LARS-J.
This is the first time I noticed you were different people.
You both seem very knowledgeable.

He's LAR (not Lars). :) Not the same person. He is a mod, I am not. I'm an armchair opiniator shouting at windmills.  ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 04/02/2017 10:24 pm
Totally off topic...

Whats the difference between LARS and LARS-J.
This is the first time I noticed you were different people.
You both seem very knowledgeable.
 

Who is LARS ???

I am Lar (short for Larry) I'm a mod. And not that knowledgable. I just act like I am, and get shot down a lot.
Lars-J is some other guy, not a mod, but smarter than me.  However, I have more LEGO elements and sets than he does. so there's that. But he has a cool avatar...  (Benny is cool... but the shuttle sets are cooler)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cppetrie on 04/02/2017 10:26 pm
Totally off topic...

Whats the difference between LARS and LARS-J.
This is the first time I noticed you were different people.
You both seem very knowledgeable.

He's LAR (not Lars). :) Not the same person. He is a mod, I am not. I'm an armchair opiniator shouting at windmills.  ;)
But both are seemingly very into LEGOs.

Edit: and why wouldn't you be...LEGOs are awesome!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 04/02/2017 11:20 pm
Totally off topic...

Whats the difference between LARS and LARS-J.
This is the first time I noticed you were different people.
You both seem very knowledgeable.

He's LAR (not Lars). :) Not the same person. He is a mod, I am not. I'm an armchair opiniator shouting at windmills.  ;)
But both are seemingly very into LEGOs.

Edit: and why wouldn't you be...LEGOs are awesome!
What are LEGOs? never heard of those things.

I, however think that LEGO elements are nifty, and LEGO sets are cool, and the LEGO company is pretty awesome. So's the owner.

Here's a pic of him, with MY model sitting on his desk after he built it from a kit I designed.

http://www.miltontrainworks.com/MTW/news/testimonial.php

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cppetrie on 04/02/2017 11:30 pm
Totally off topic...

Whats the difference between LARS and LARS-J.
This is the first time I noticed you were different people.
You both seem very knowledgeable.

He's LAR (not Lars). :) Not the same person. He is a mod, I am not. I'm an armchair opiniator shouting at windmills.  ;)
But both are seemingly very into LEGOs.

Edit: and why wouldn't you be...LEGOs are awesome!
What are LEGOs? never heard of those things.

I, however think that LEGO elements are nifty, and LEGO sets are cool, and the LEGO company is pretty awesome. So's the owner.

Here's a pic of him, with MY model sitting on his desk after he built it from a kit I designed.

http://www.miltontrainworks.com/MTW/news/testimonial.php
Ok. I get that LEGO is all caps and that is the proper way to type the name. Is it singular always like fish and deer? Must you always refer a to piece of LEGO as a brick or element, not just a LEGO. If one piece can be called a LEGO, then would more than one be LEGOs with a small s because it isn't part of the name itself? It seems like they have developed their own grammar rules. If I had two Porsche cars (don't I wish) I would when referring to both of them say, Porsches. Same for Fords, Airbuses (now referring to planes of course).

Edit: clarity
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Seamus on 04/02/2017 11:40 pm
Not to be confused with the verb LEGGO, as in LEGGO my EGGO
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cppetrie on 04/02/2017 11:43 pm
Ok. I get that LEGO is all caps and that is the proper way to type the name. Is it singular always like fish and deer?
No, LEGO is adjective (in English language).
No way. It is a brand name and therefore a noun. While by no means the authoritative source of information in the universe, dictionary.com agrees with me on both points.
http://www.dictionary.com/browse/lego (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/lego)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 04/02/2017 11:49 pm
Ok. I get that LEGO is all caps and that is the proper way to type the name. Is it singular always like fish and deer?
No, LEGO is adjective (in English language).
No way. It is a brand name and therefore a noun. While by no means the authoritative source of information in the universe, dictionary.com agrees with me on both points.
http://www.dictionary.com/browse/lego (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/lego)

Nope. All brand names are adjectives. Ford cars. Xerox copiers. Kleenex brand tissues. Dictionary.com is descriptivist and therefore wrong. :)

See also https://www.lego.com/en-us/legal/legal-notice/fair-play especially

Quote
Proper Use of the LEGO Trademark on a Web Site
If the LEGO trademark is used at all, it should always be used as an adjective, not as a noun. For example, say "MODELS BUILT OF LEGO BRICKS". Never say "MODELS BUILT OF LEGOs".Also, the trademark should appear in the same typeface as the surrounding text and should not be isolated or set apart from the surrounding text. In other words, the trademarks should not be emphasized or highlighted. Finally, the LEGO trademark should always appear with a ® symbol each time it is used.

And we're not going to have this argument here. I'm pretty easy going in general, but this is a hot button topic for me, a pet peeve if you will. A petty point not to cross the Powers that Be.    I actually have been known to edit people's posts if they get stubborn about it. Don't make me misuse my mod powers that way... Because I will.

Just drop it, you can't win.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cppetrie on 04/03/2017 12:07 am
Ok. I get that LEGO is all caps and that is the proper way to type the name. Is it singular always like fish and deer?
No, LEGO is adjective (in English language).
No way. It is a brand name and therefore a noun. While by no means the authoritative source of information in the universe, dictionary.com agrees with me on both points.
http://www.dictionary.com/browse/lego (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/lego)

Nope. All brand names are adjectives. Ford cars. Xerox copiers. Kleenex brand tissues. Dictionary.com is descriptivist and therefore wrong. :)

See also https://www.lego.com/en-us/legal/legal-notice/fair-play especially

Quote
Proper Use of the LEGO Trademark on a Web Site
If the LEGO trademark is used at all, it should always be used as an adjective, not as a noun. For example, say "MODELS BUILT OF LEGO BRICKS". Never say "MODELS BUILT OF LEGOs".Also, the trademark should appear in the same typeface as the surrounding text and should not be isolated or set apart from the surrounding text. In other words, the trademarks should not be emphasized or highlighted. Finally, the LEGO trademark should always appear with a symbol each time it is used.

And we're not going to have this argument here. I'm pretty easy going in general, but this is a hot button topic for me, a pet peeve if you will. A petty point not to cross the Powers that Be.    I actually have been known to edit people's posts if they get stubborn about it. Don't make me misuse my mod powers that way... Because I will.

Just drop it, you can't win.
I wasn't trying to start a war nor win anything nor cross anyone. My initial query was one of genuine interest. You are clearly very passionate and particular about this topic. I was attempting to understand. My apologies if I offended anyone or ruffled any feathers. It was not my intent. Thanks for the information. Consider it dropped.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 04/03/2017 12:31 am
Just drop it, you can't win.
I wasn't trying to start a war nor win anything nor cross anyone. My initial query was one of genuine interest. You are clearly very passionate and particular about this topic. I was attempting to understand. My apologies if I offended anyone or ruffled any feathers. It was not my intent. Thanks for the information. Consider it dropped.

No worries, it's actually kind of a running joke, the regulars[1] here say "legos" because they like to spin me up. I think it's more amusing than anything else. Ms. Soccer Mom is going to call them "legos" for the rest of her life..... and there isn't anything I can do about it. :)

1 - some of them. You know who you are. So do I.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lars-J on 04/03/2017 12:50 am
Totally off topic...

Whats the difference between LARS and LARS-J.
This is the first time I noticed you were different people.
You both seem very knowledgeable.
 

Who is LARS ???

I am Lar (short for Larry) I'm a mod. And not that knowledgable. I just act like I am, and get shot down a lot.
Lars-J is some other guy, not a mod, but smarter than me.  However, I have more LEGO elements and sets than he does. so there's that. But he has a cool avatar...  (Benny is cool... but the shuttle sets are cooler)

Hey... I've got a lot of LEGO sets too you know! Sadly my mom got rid of all my old ones - including the classic LEGO space sets (my fav which I got in ... '82?, see image) - when I moved out. For a while I gave a lot of sets to my kids. Although my son now has lost interest in them. But hopefully he'll rediscover the fun in the future like I did.  :)

And no, I'm not smart. My uppity kids tell me so!  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 04/03/2017 12:59 am
So, there is no LARS only LAR elements?  ???
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Geron on 04/03/2017 01:15 am
Oh man I come here to read about SpaceX and I got all excited there were new posts and then I find pages of nonsense about trademarks being adjectives. I'm so disappointed in everyone involved.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 04/03/2017 07:15 am
Party's at that awkward winding-down stage.  Time to find another party!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 04/03/2017 02:07 pm
Party's at that awkward winding-down stage.  Time to find another party!
It's all the talk about moderator elements that is killing the buzz....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mvpel on 04/03/2017 02:09 pm
Shouldn't it be "LEGO® elements?"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 04/03/2017 02:18 pm
From the watch party of the recovery thread waiting on the return of the fairing...
Pictures of the recovered fairing being returned to port now on the ASDS support ship activities thread:

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=38111.0 (http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=38111.0)

Fairing is under a large tarpaulin but there are some glimpes around the edges.
The first of those photos shows what looks like some obvious tearing around the edges of what would be be fairing half separation plane. Not sure if that's repairable type damage in the context of reuse someday or not. Still an impressive feat to recover something so large essential intact.

remember, bouncy castles... no fairings should touch salt water... etc. This is a pathfinder, not the real deal. AFRS[1] comes next...

If this is tearing it could either be due to impact, wave action, or water intrusion into the honeycomb, or even damage trying to lift a large awkward item onto the aft deck... Bouncy castle obviates all that (but needs an AFRS[1]  unless they've REALLY increased precision of parafoil steering)

1 - Automated Fairing Recovery Ship, you heard it from me first :) but it's a logical acronym choice.

Introducing The Bouncy Castle, Automated Fairing Recovery (Air) Ship...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 04/03/2017 02:54 pm
Could we just LEGO these silly argument,
Rather LEGO to the nearest pub and down a pint or two for the E.S.S. Habit.
(Elon Space Ship, named for its habit of flying off just to return to the nest)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 04/03/2017 03:35 pm
Ooof bad puns, I'm going to have to block that out of my memory
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 04/03/2017 03:50 pm
So Elon has been quoted as saying the FH demo cargo will possibly be silly. I have read proposals in the threads for sending a Bus, a large inflatable pig (250 meter), a model S Tesla, a not so silly Dragon capsule around the moon, and a large amount of cheese.

This seems ripe for a discussion, but since it's silly, maybe should be confined to the party thread.   if the choices were fewer, a survey might make sense. But with an open ended question, maybe propose your best (worst) idea and people can vote with Likes.

I vote for sending the Bus with the cowboy in the driver's seat.

OH and you can like more than one option since this isn't a real vote...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mikelepage on 04/03/2017 04:04 pm
Going with the theme of inflatable farm animals, I believe sending a large inflatable cow around the moon would serve many purposes, all noble.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 04/03/2017 05:27 pm
Remember that voting with likes requires patience, there is a 120 second delay between likes (we throttled this on purpose for good and valid reasons and my pleading to lift the throttle has fell on deaf ears :) ).

My suggestion for a silly thing? An impactor that has four subimpactors, that form the SpaceX logo with carbon black as they shoot out in 4 different directions... (to get the swoosh right, one of them has to have some steering jets...)  Visible via telescope.

DD Harriman would be proud.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delos_D._Harriman
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 04/03/2017 06:00 pm
from SpaceX Texas launch site Discussion and Updates - Thread 4

I don't see a copyright problem.  There is no chance that consumers will mistake a 42-engine heavy lift launch vehicle for an amphibious megalizard which shoots radioactive rays from it's mouth.

Dude clearly doesn't work in customer service...
 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kch on 04/03/2017 07:04 pm
Going with the theme of inflatable farm animals, I believe sending a large inflatable cow around the moon would serve many purposes, all noble.

A cow would be noble at all ... just don't forget the aerobraking (or should that be aero-baking?) thing on the way back.  ;)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JoeAlvord on 04/03/2017 07:56 pm
I vote for the school bus.  The cowboy could wear a frizzly wig instead of the cowboy hat.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rei on 04/03/2017 09:35 pm
Going with the theme of inflatable farm animals, I believe sending a large inflatable cow around the moon would serve many purposes, all noble.

A cow would be noble at all ... just don't forget the aerobraking (or should that be aero-baking?) thing on the way back.  ;)

Build the inflatable cow out of thin PBO or PIBO and make it large enough, and it may well actually survive entry  ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: atsf90east on 04/03/2017 09:57 pm
Going with the theme of inflatable farm animals, I believe sending a large inflatable cow around the moon would serve many purposes, all noble.

A cow would be noble at all ... just don't forget the aerobraking (or should that be aero-baking?) thing on the way back.  ;)



Noble, or No Bull? :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 04/03/2017 10:09 pm
If we assume a spherical cow[1], then we don't have the proper lifting body shape so we're looking at no chance for aerobraking. However if it's sufficiently "fluffy"[2] there may be a way to survive reentry anyway.


1 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spherical_cow
2 - who names their cows Fluffy anyway, that's a cat's name. But cats don't have reentry problems[3]
3 - as long as you strap buttered toast, buttered side up, to their back
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: groknull on 04/03/2017 10:18 pm
I'm still hoping for the Bob's Big Boy® statue.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 04/03/2017 10:27 pm
Fluffy cows can approach sphericality, when viewed from a certain direction. They also come with built in deflation devices. I'll leave it to the reader to attach buttered cats.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kch on 04/03/2017 10:44 pm
Going with the theme of inflatable farm animals, I believe sending a large inflatable cow around the moon would serve many purposes, all noble.

A cow would be noble at all ... just don't forget the aerobraking (or should that be aero-baking?) thing on the way back.  ;)



Noble, or No Bull? :)

:D :D :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 04/04/2017 03:49 am
Quote
Fluffy cows can approach sphericality, when viewed from a certain direction. They also come with built in deflation devices. I'll leave it to the reader to attach buttered cats.

Apparently Tribbles will mate with anything.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: yokem55 on 04/04/2017 04:09 am
Perhaps SpaceX will experiment with a new ablative tps? An upgrade from spam perhaps?

https://what-if.xkcd.com/28/
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 04/04/2017 11:07 am
Sure that's TPS and not tips? We are talking steak after all...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 04/04/2017 02:09 pm
If you read this thread backwards from the new posts after being away around 12 hours it is REALLY CONFUSING!..  Buttered Cats? Spherical COWS!  WHAT IS GOING ON???
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: abaddon on 04/04/2017 02:18 pm
.gnisufnoc netfo si sdrawkcab gnidaeR
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: hamerad on 04/04/2017 02:30 pm
ʇᴉ ɹoɟ pǝɹᴉʍ sᴉ uᴉɐɹq ɹnoʎ ssǝlu∩
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Shanuson on 04/04/2017 02:32 pm
.gnisufnoc netfo si sdrawkcab gnidaeR

!hgouht gniyonna si sdrawkcab gnitirw , hcum os ton esitcarp htiW
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 04/04/2017 02:40 pm
You know that feeling, when you come to a party a few hours late and everyone is hanging around in the chillout zone with dilated eyes, drooling and making weird confusing noises or words that make no sense, while there's this odd smell in the air?

this thread, right, now ;)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kch on 04/04/2017 03:21 pm
.gnisufnoc netfo si sdrawkcab gnidaeR

);  ?"daed si luaP" ,naem uoy od tahW
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: groknull on 04/04/2017 03:54 pm
Another nomination for the FH demo silly payload:

    A bowl of petunias.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: leetdan on 04/04/2017 04:42 pm
The Party Thread is reversible, but time is not.

!kcab nruT
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 04/04/2017 06:03 pm
Another nomination for the FH demo silly payload:

    A bowl of petunias.

"oh no... not again"

What about the whale?       "I wonder if it will be my friend?"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mark_m on 04/04/2017 09:22 pm
Any determination on landing bingo yet? I'd like to submit this evidence.  ;)

https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42544.msg1663489#msg1663489

That looks tantalizingly close to my M-22 bingo spot!  :D

BTW, just some incredible photos there.

Edit: Irrefutable evidence puts the F9 center just two squares diagonally further from the center. My closest result yet though!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 04/04/2017 11:00 pm
Any determination on landing bingo yet? I'd like to submit this evidence.  ;)

https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42544.msg1663489#msg1663489

That looks tantalizingly close to my M-22 bingo spot!  :D

BTW, just some incredible photos there.

Edit: Irrefutable evidence puts the F9 center just two squares diagonally further from the center. My closest result yet though!

Hrmmm. I think I was closer and should win the bingo. I didn't pick a square, but was slightly more general; "somewhere within 10,000 miles of Florida, wet or dry touchdown, one or more pieces.". And, of course, the F9 did exactly that!  8)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 04/05/2017 02:23 am
Another nomination for the FH demo silly payload:

    A bowl of petunias.
"oh no... not again"

What about the whale?       "I wonder if it will be my friend?"
A heavy should easily lift a whale... Only a heritic would doubt SpaceX
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 04/05/2017 02:30 am
ʇᴉ ɹoɟ pǝɹᴉʍ sᴉ uᴉɐɹq ɹnoʎ ssǝlu∩

lmao!  I found myself trying to read your forum name upside down and backwards..... I am close!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 04/05/2017 01:37 pm
The Party Thread is reversible, but time is not.

!kcab nruT

I am old enough to have played this record using an LP by manually controlling the spin of the record! 
The music is reversable, but time isn't.... go back... go back... go back...

things that people these days with CD and MP3s can't appreciate. 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mark_m on 04/05/2017 02:51 pm
The Party Thread is reversible, but time is not.

!kcab nruT

I am old enough to have played this record using an LP by manually controlling the spin of the record! 
The music is reversable, but time isn't.... go back... go back... go back...

things that people these days with CD and MP3s can't appreciate.

Me too! But you needed a direct-drive turntable, don't try it with a belt-drive!

I saw them twice in concert, including what I believe was their last concert ever, opening for Rod Stewart in Stuttgart, Germany. (Surely this topic counts as space-related. Just check out the inside and outside album art on the open-fold double Out of the Blue cover, and they even had a song called, "Ticket to the Moon"!)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Flying Beaver on 04/05/2017 10:33 pm
Priceless video of F9 spotting in Springfield, Louisiana.

This isn't the hotdog your looking for...

http://www.facebook.com/SpellFamilySnoBalls/videos/1395966710470183/ (http://www.facebook.com/SpellFamilySnoBalls/videos/1395966710470183/)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 04/06/2017 02:24 am
For those who can YouTube but not facebook, he also has it uploaded there:
https://youtu.be/Fuy-IrO524E

So, what I want to know is what on earth were they doing in *Springfield*?!?  I've driven through there, and I get nervous pulling my canoe trailers sometime.  For reference, here's a Google Maps link to the very spot in the video:  https://goo.gl/maps/v7QeYJ3Q8pN2
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 04/06/2017 02:42 am
Only problem would be that it wouldn't drive anywhere because Teslas are not build to operate in vacuum/near vacuum. And you don't want to explain THAT to the public, would you? ;)
I was not thinking about actually LANDING it somewhere (which would be a lot more complicated). But a flyby alone would be pretty cool. No?
I feel like truly "silly payload" discussion belongs in the party thread.  You know, things that obviously aren't going to happen.  So I'm relocating my comment from the FH demo thread:

Or an impactor?  I've long been in the Tesla model S camp for silly payloads.  Prove once and for all that electric cars can get better mileage than any internal combustion engined car in the solar system.  But, for all time silliness, crash a Tesla Model S into the moon as an impactor?  Definitely should have taken a left at Albuquerque.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 04/06/2017 02:50 am
I've lost track of the launches - which is the next one from KSC?! Either ULA or SpaceX?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: launchwatcher on 04/06/2017 04:10 am
For those who can YouTube but not facebook, he also has it uploaded there:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fuy-IrO524E

So, what I want to know is what on earth were they doing in *Springfield*?!?  I've driven through there, and I get nervous pulling my canoe trailers sometime.  For reference, here's a Google Maps link to the very spot in the video:  https://goo.gl/maps/v7QeYJ3Q8pN2
They're missing a cross-marketing opportunity.   Put two hemispherical caps on each end of the stage to better protect the engines and interstage, switch to hotdog-brown-colored plastic to wrap the stage, and sell advertising as a cross-country rolling billboard to the highest bidder!  They can one-up the Oscar Meyer Wienermobile!   
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Jarnis on 04/06/2017 05:23 am
I've lost track of the launches - which is the next one from KSC?! Either ULA or SpaceX?

SpaceX 16th  (NROL-76, booster already at cape)
ULA 18th  (Cygnus to ISS)

all obviously NET, dates may change until the rocket is off the pad.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: landlubber on 04/06/2017 09:02 am
Nomination for FH demo "silly" payload. A surfboard to be released into LEO and then re-enter. In honour of John Carpenter's greatest film.


Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 04/06/2017 02:06 pm
I've never heard of the director John Carpenter; what film is this screenshot depicting?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 04/06/2017 02:12 pm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_Star_(film)

You young people of today!! ;)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Carpenter
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 04/06/2017 03:17 pm
I still think Escape from NY was his best work, though how can you top surfing while escaping from LA?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mark_m on 04/06/2017 04:02 pm
Big Trouble in Little China. Just sayin'.  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 04/06/2017 04:18 pm
I still think Escape from NY was his best work, though how can you top surfing while escaping from LA?

Surfing while escaping the vaporized Dark Star.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 04/06/2017 05:18 pm
Surfing while escaping the vaporized Dark Star.
That's just a publicity stunt for investors and spectators -Andrei Ionin

;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 04/06/2017 05:20 pm
we're not at all off topic. not us. no.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 04/06/2017 05:28 pm
I tied it back to spaceX.... Can I help it if Elon likes to show boat his surfing skills for investors?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 04/06/2017 07:39 pm
Nomination for FH demo "silly" payload. A surfboard to be released into LEO and then re-enter. In honour of John Carpenter's greatest film.

I was a projectionist in college and Dark Star and Silent running were regularly shown films (at least 2 times per year!).

a cult classic!  "Benson Arizona, the stars are in the Sky..."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTa2vXL7FI8


 bomb number twenty...  is armed and won't release!

teach it phenomenology.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luaRtGn2tsI
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Kansan52 on 04/06/2017 08:38 pm
Got the DVD!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 04/06/2017 09:05 pm
You're spoiling the movie if you show us the ending of "Dark Star".
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kch on 04/06/2017 09:09 pm
You're spoiling the movie if you show us the ending of "Dark Star".

LOL ... ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Aerospace Dilettante on 04/06/2017 09:41 pm
Mike Wagner just tweeted: SES 10 Ready for move. SpaceX crew gets faster, more efficient with each  (in this case used) booster

Has anybody made note of recovery times (delegging, horizontalizing) for each returned booster?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: stcks on 04/06/2017 10:05 pm
Mike Wagner just tweeted: SES 10 Ready for move. SpaceX crew gets faster, more efficient with each  (in this case used) booster

Has anybody made note of recovery times (delegging, horizontalizing) for each returned booster?

Funny you should ask. Reddit user theinternetftw put this wiki together today.
https://www.reddit.com/r/spacex/wiki/recovery_timing
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 04/07/2017 02:07 am
I've lost track of the launches - which is the next one from KSC?! Either ULA or SpaceX?

SpaceX 16th  (NROL-76, booster already at cape)
ULA 18th  (Cygnus to ISS)

all obviously NET, dates may change until the rocket is off the pad.
These are pedant fora.  ULA doesn't launch from KSC
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 04/07/2017 02:11 am
Well... Granted I meant the Cape Canaveral launch range, which KSC is very nearby to.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 04/07/2017 02:09 pm
You get excited when you hear the NROL-76 static fire will be on your birthday!!!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: landlubber on 04/07/2017 09:29 pm
You're spoiling the movie if you show us the ending of "Dark Star".

If you are going to watch one John Carpenter film, I suggest They Live! Still relevant today although most certainly not on topic.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 04/08/2017 04:53 am
Quote
If you are going to watch one John Carpenter film, I suggest They Live! Still relevant today although most certainly not on topic.

Wait..... this thread has a topic?  :o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 04/09/2017 12:46 am
You're spoiling the movie if you show us the ending of "Dark Star".

If you are going to watch one John Carpenter film, I suggest They Live! Still relevant today although most certainly not on topic.
Be sure to stock up on bubble gum first.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 04/09/2017 01:21 am
I think it's important to try to stay close to the topic. You get to hear a much better whooshing noise as everybodys points fly right past it.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 04/09/2017 01:23 am
This bunch are masters of that.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 04/09/2017 06:45 am
The booster from Iridium flight 1 might top them all - launch from both coasts.

A Dickensian tale of an itinerant rocket booster, forced to travel where the work takes it. It has to brave inhuman working conditions, blackened and exhausted after each mission. Paired with a different child 2nd stage each time, who is cruelly sacrificed to the unforgiving needs of their master. It dreams of one day being put out to pasture when it's served its usefulness, but too many others of its kind are humiliatingly shorn of their appendages to be consumed in a final suicide mission.

Historic indeed  :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Barrie on 04/09/2017 07:34 am
You're spoiling the movie if you show us the ending of "Dark Star".

If you are going to watch one John Carpenter film, I suggest They Live! Still relevant today although most certainly not on topic.

Yes, though I am also partial to Ghosts of Mars.  It had reavers before Firefly.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Barrie on 04/09/2017 07:38 am
The booster from Iridium flight 1 might top them all - launch from both coasts.

A Dickensian tale of an itinerant rocket booster, forced to travel where the work takes it. It has to brave inhuman working conditions, blackened and exhausted after each mission. Paired with a different child 2nd stage each time, who is cruelly sacrificed to the unforgiving needs of their master. It dreams of one day being put out to pasture when it's served its usefulness, but too many others of its kind are humiliatingly shorn of their appendages to be consumed in a final suicide mission.

Historic indeed  :)

A Tale of Two (launch) Sites
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 04/09/2017 09:08 am
"It was the best of pads and it was the worst of pads..."
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Helodriver on 04/09/2017 01:24 pm
With Falcon Heavy now capable of carrying over 68 metric tons to LEO, that puts an engineless Space Shuttle orbiter within the payload range.

I think we found the demo payload.  8)   

There is no possible reason this should not work.  It fits Elon's philosophy, now even the payload is reusable ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 04/09/2017 01:54 pm
There is no possible reason this should not work. 

The vibrations caused by mass hysterical laughter/vomiting will upset the balance of that launch stack.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 04/09/2017 02:01 pm
Really? Trained astronauts aboard the shuttle have never laughed so hard or threw up during each ascent.

They remained calm and collected because they did the ground simulators for two years; that's the duration of training for each mission.

By the way, I would support an engine-less Space Shuttle Orbiter atop the Falcon Heavy as well. If they were not refurbished as museum exhibits yet.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 04/09/2017 06:08 pm
Launching a Shuttle orbiter on top of a Falcon Heavy would be like balancing a cooked noodle on your fingertip.  Just how tall would that be anyway?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 04/09/2017 07:33 pm
94.24 meters. The typical payload fairing for the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy is 13.1 meters tall, and you add that to the 57-meter tall rocket to get 70.1 meters.

Without the fairing, placing a 37.24-meter tall Space Shuttle Orbiter atop the second stage results in a height of 94.24 meters.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: John Alan on 04/09/2017 09:36 pm
You all realize that without the 3 SSME's for ballast... the damn thing won't glide worth a chit...  ???  ::)

Gonna have to strip some weight out of the nose to make that weight and balance work...  ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CharlieWildman on 04/09/2017 10:06 pm
Sadly true.  The Shuttle will not glide well without its ballast.  Buran on the other hand has about third less ballast and Elon could pick one up for less than cheap!  :o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Jarnis on 04/10/2017 09:21 am
You all realize that without the 3 SSME's for ballast... the damn thing won't glide worth a chit...  ???  ::)

Gonna have to strip some weight out of the nose to make that weight and balance work...  ;)

If removing the ballast isn't enough, just redo all the avionics with hardware made in this century and you'll strip tons of weight :)

(complex? expensive? minor details)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Helodriver on 04/10/2017 01:22 pm
You all realize that without the 3 SSME's for ballast... the damn thing won't glide worth a chit...  ???  ::)

Gonna have to strip some weight out of the nose to make that weight and balance work...  ;)

Keep S2 attached and protected with an extended orbiter body flap.  Orbiter and stage recovered together, CG and S2 resusability problems solved!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 04/10/2017 04:40 pm
Wouldn't this configuration place the center of drag way up front?  Not to be a party pooper in a party thread.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 04/10/2017 04:55 pm
Shuttle as payload..
A Milk up nose moment.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 04/10/2017 06:25 pm
I still think the X-37 solution is the best option. Place the whole shuttle inside a payload fairing and be done with it. Using that approach, it may even come in under budget.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 04/10/2017 07:59 pm
I still think the X-37 solution is the best option. Place the whole shuttle inside a payload fairing and be done with it. Using that approach, it may even come in under budget.

While some might scoff at the idea, given that the space shuttle is clearly too large to fit inside a standard fairing, I believe that we can indeed fit one of the retired orbiters inside a standard Falcon 9 payload fairing.

The Falcon 9 payload fairing has a volume of 145 m^3 (111.3 m^3 in the cylindrical segment and 33.7 m^3 in the truncated cone segment, based on the F9 User's Guide (http://www.spacex.com/sites/spacex/files/falcon_9_users_guide_rev_2.0.pdf)).  The shuttle, without engines, weighed about 68700kg.  This gives us a minimum payload density of 473 kg/m^3 - far below aluminum (2700 or so), which made up the majority of the shuttle's structure.  The TPS materials, with an average density below 200 kg/m^3, do take up a fair bit of room (almost 50 cubic meters), but they should still fit - besides, since it's often said that silica tiles were "10% silica, 90% air" by volume, they could in theory be pressed down to a density 10x higher, which is well above our threshold.

So, if a retired orbiter were crushed and melted down, it could indeed fit into a standard Falcon 9 fairing.  Now all that's left to do is contact the KSC Visitor Center, the Udvar-Hazy Center, and the California Science Center to see who's game.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Helodriver on 04/10/2017 10:05 pm
Go for auto sequence start!

On the pad, with no forced perspective for accurate scale.

Oh yeah, this will work. Just need Hoot Gibson to manually fly it up hill. A little touchy in pitch. ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Kansan52 on 04/10/2017 10:39 pm
If removing the ballast isn't enough, just redo all the avionics with hardware made in this century and you'll strip tons of weight :)

(complex? expensive? minor details)

Just to keep in the flow, all the orbiters has glass cockpits as upgrades. May not be as much weight saved with that change.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Skylab on 04/10/2017 11:55 pm
Shuttle without engines, reusable boosters. Wouldn't this turn into Buran? ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Shanuson on 04/11/2017 06:56 am
Shuttle without engines, reusable boosters. Wouldn't this turn into Buran? ;)
Even more so because it too will never fly into space :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Aeroman on 04/11/2017 07:24 am
What about a proposed X37C, a little larger than the X37B but smaller than the shuttle.  Or the Dreamchaser?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: baldusi on 04/11/2017 04:06 pm
The ideal vehicle would have been the HL42, a 42% lineal scaling of the HL20, the base of the DreamChaser. It would mass something like 28tonnes fully loaded. Now, an HL50 (a 50% lineal scaling of the Dream Chaser), should mass about 50 tonnes when fully loaded and offer more volume than the Shuttle.
Personally, and with perfect hindsight, NASA should have done HL20 on Titan IV with reusable segmented boosters to learn the necessary lessons about reusability before going full throttle on the Shuttle program. But that's just me that like incremental, cheap and simple steps rather than Manhattan projects.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Shanuson on 04/11/2017 04:49 pm
AS for a silly thing to launch: How about the submersible James Bond car Musk bought a while back? As it is a submersible, it is already airtight, only needs a heat shield and can even drive back to shore after splashdown :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rei on 04/11/2017 04:59 pm
Okay, I've got one for "silly things to launch"... or actually, more like "trolling things to launch":

.... A full-scale mockup of the New Shepard.  Nothing that actually flies, just something that looks suspiciously similar.  ;)

It's 20,5 tonnes, easily within the FH's payload range. FH could launch it to GTO   ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cppetrie on 04/11/2017 05:22 pm
Okay, I've got one for "silly things to launch"... or actually, more like "trolling things to launch":

.... A full-scale mockup of the New Shepard.  Nothing that actually flies, just something that looks suspiciously similar.  ;)

It's 20,5 tonnes, easily within the FH's payload range. FH could launch it to GTO   ;)
I actually had this exact same thought just a little bit ago. Great minds...

It would be pretty funny to put another LV's sub-orbital launcher into orbit.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 04/11/2017 05:36 pm
AS for a silly thing to launch: How about the submersible James Bond car Musk bought a while back? As it is a submersible, it is already airtight, only needs a heat shield and can even drive back to shore after splashdown :D

No, this car is needed for rapid crew access to ASDS - drive off, wait for landing, drive back on.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Semmel on 04/12/2017 01:21 pm
How about a giant unfoldable mirror that makes a great bright spot on the sky once in a while.. now that SpaceX works on retiring the iridium fleet that is responsible for the famous iridium flares. But I might also just confuse it with some stuff the russians already thought about.. https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2016/02/russian-crowdfunded-reflector-satellite-aims-to-be-brightest-star-in-the-sky/
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CharlieWildman on 04/12/2017 07:42 pm
How about 60 nano sats.  Each with a battery, solar cells and a bunch of super bright LEDs.  Station keeping would take some development.  But for SpaceX, I'm sure a trivial problem.  Future advertising possibilities could fund ITS! :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 04/12/2017 08:50 pm
You want a nice payload for the Falcon 9 Heavy test?

Ok, try this for size:


3 000 000 ping-pong balls, each lightly doped with traces of elements that will radiate different colors when burning in reentry.

Pingpong balls are very light, cheap, easy to pack, of a suitable mass to make a great reentry style meteor streak, and have a low enough mass/surface area ratio that they will deorbit rapidly from anywhere even near LEO.   Drop them off at about 150km, and get a hemisphere full of colorful streaks with no danger to any space assets or to the ground.

Total volume is about 2/3 of the fairing space, total mass is a mere 8.1 tons, not counting storage mechanism.

It should make for quite the spectacle?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JazzFan on 04/12/2017 10:36 pm
How about 60 nano sats.  Each with a battery, solar cells and a bunch of super bright LEDs.  Station keeping would take some development.  But for SpaceX, I'm sure a trivial problem.  Future advertising possibilities could fund ITS! :)

Well it worked during this year's Super Bowl halftime show.  Maybe Elon just leave a swarm of them in space and charge advertising dollars.  Now we can have company logos in space for all companies.  Who needs stinking billboards anymore.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 04/13/2017 12:07 am
Quote
How about 60 nano sats.  Each with a battery, solar cells and a bunch of super bright LEDs.  Station keeping would take some development.  But for SpaceX, I'm sure a trivial problem.  Future advertising possibilities could fund ITS!

SpaceX to Arcturus?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Fan Boi on 04/13/2017 12:44 pm
I like the idea of a really large aluminized balloon that would orbit for maybe a month or two. It would be very bright and would de-orbit gracefully. How large could it be? Maybe a few hundred feet across? It could be filled with carbon dioxide or nitrogen from a small-ish bottle since it wouldn't take much pressure to inflate.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Shanuson on 04/13/2017 02:20 pm
They could also send some of these Google Lunar XPrice probes/landers up with it.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 04/13/2017 02:25 pm
I like the idea of a really large aluminized balloon that would orbit for maybe a month or two. It would be very bright and would de-orbit gracefully. How large could it be? Maybe a few hundred feet across? It could be filled with carbon dioxide or nitrogen from a small-ish bottle since it wouldn't take much pressure to inflate.
Great , global warming balloons! That would be the headline if you filled it with CO2 (regardless of the tiny amount used here).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Skylab on 04/13/2017 03:51 pm
I like the idea of a really large aluminized balloon that would orbit for maybe a month or two. It would be very bright and would de-orbit gracefully. How large could it be? Maybe a few hundred feet across?
[snip]
Been there, done that! ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: guckyfan on 04/13/2017 04:00 pm
Is that Echo? The satellite used for the very first transatlantic TV transmissions? Just by blowing as much power at it as possible and receive the reflections for a brief transmission as long as it could be seen from both coasts? I watched that, though I forgot what they transmitted. It was something live.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Fan Boi on 04/13/2017 05:42 pm
I like the idea of a really large aluminized balloon that would orbit for maybe a month or two. It would be very bright and would de-orbit gracefully. How large could it be? Maybe a few hundred feet across? It could be filled with carbon dioxide or nitrogen from a small-ish bottle since it wouldn't take much pressure to inflate.

And if it happened to be in orbit during the month of October and they used a pink-hued aluminum coating, they would get crazy kudos from the Breast Cancer Awareness supporters. Who wouldn't like to see a giant pink satellite orbiting for a month or two?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CharlieWildman on 04/13/2017 10:57 pm
Musk did say something silly... I'm thinking half mile in size should be nicely visible.
Gotta get back to work.  Having way too much fun on this stuff.  ;D



Edit: Sentence that could be taken extremely the wrong way deleted.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Chris_Pi on 04/14/2017 12:09 am
This would go well with the volcano lair...

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ElGuapoGuano1 on 04/14/2017 02:12 pm
I am hugely in favor of the Big Boy deployment!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Kansan52 on 04/14/2017 04:14 pm
A giant pyramid of cheese wheels.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Saabstory88 on 04/14/2017 06:12 pm
Musk did say something silly... I'm thinking half mile in size should be nicely visible.
Gotta get back to work.  Having way too much fun on this stuff.  ;D



Edit: Sentence that could be taken extremely the wrong way deleted.

I'm not even joking, we have a 40' one in our warehouse if Musk wants it...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 04/16/2017 07:17 pm
You can see that in it "kneeled" position, the frame is down on the deck and the tracks are more proud.

Matthew

Well of course they're proud, they know they're going to be making history soon

Musk did say something silly... I'm thinking half mile in size should be nicely visible.
Gotta get back to work.  Having way too much fun on this stuff.  ;D



Edit: Sentence that could be taken extremely the wrong way deleted.

I'm not even joking, we have a 40' one in our warehouse if Musk wants it...

There HAS to be a story there. Why? Don't duck answering our questions....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 04/16/2017 07:51 pm
There HAS to be a story there. Why? Don't duck answering our questions....

Obscure meta-Babylon 5 reference:  It was Sinclair's.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Bubbinski on 04/17/2017 01:29 am
So Elon said a silly payload would go in the Falcon Heavy to orbit. Let me guess: an enormous banner with signatures of all SpaceX employees. Or a preserved Commodore 64. (for some reason the C64 came to mind first, I had one in my youth)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 04/17/2017 01:47 am
Quote
There HAS to be a story there. Why? Don't duck answering our questions....

So, Elon Musk and a 40 ft tall rubber duck walk into a bar.......
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Dalhousie on 04/17/2017 05:58 am
Dial the snark back please.

Sometimes snark is the only appropriate response.

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/33/8b/2c/338b2cb01c2cdc321a3d8900634f2241.jpg
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: as58 on 04/17/2017 07:28 am
Dial the snark back please.

Sometimes snark is the only appropriate response.

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/33/8b/2c/338b2cb01c2cdc321a3d8900634f2241.jpg

But you see, it's been dialled back. It doesn't have a nuclear warhead.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Humuku on 04/17/2017 01:24 pm
I came to the Cape to sit on a beach and watch a Falcon 9 launch and land, and all I go to see was this. ;-)

Actually I also saw a wrapped (used?) S1 sitting besides the road in front of hangar A0. What flight was this?

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DatUser14 on 04/17/2017 01:26 pm
JCSAT-16
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 04/17/2017 02:19 pm
So Elon said a silly payload would go in the Falcon Heavy to orbit. Let me guess: an enormous banner with signatures of all SpaceX employees. Or a preserved Commodore 64. (for some reason the C64 came to mind first, I had one in my youth)

SpaceX is capitalist, they don't launch commies.... (although actually isn't that how Musk got his start, writing a game for a commie??)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kch on 04/17/2017 05:07 pm
So Elon said a silly payload would go in the Falcon Heavy to orbit. Let me guess: an enormous banner with signatures of all SpaceX employees. Or a preserved Commodore 64. (for some reason the C64 came to mind first, I had one in my youth)

SpaceX is capitalist, they don't launch commies.... (although actually isn't that how Musk got his start, writing a game for a commie??)

"Behind The Commie Door", wasn't it?  Or was that a movie ... ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: scienceguy on 04/17/2017 05:20 pm
Quote
There HAS to be a story there. Why? Don't duck answering our questions....

So, Elon Musk and a 40 ft tall rubber duck walk into a bar.......

The bartender says, "We don't allow people in here that can touch outer space!"

Elon Musk says, "Don't worry, I'm using him as a landing platform!"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 04/17/2017 07:10 pm
You can see that in it "kneeled" position, the frame is down on the deck and the tracks are more proud.

Matthew

Well of course they're proud, they know they're going to be making history soon

Musk did say something silly... I'm thinking half mile in size should be nicely visible.
Gotta get back to work.  Having way too much fun on this stuff.  ;D



Edit: Sentence that could be taken extremely the wrong way deleted.

I'm not even joking, we have a 40' one in our warehouse if Musk wants it...

There HAS to be a story there. Why? Don't duck answering our questions....


 Are they currently manufacturing a sister copy followed of course in fast order by...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 04/17/2017 07:20 pm
Those are boosters on the side I think?

Ducks? sure.
Geese? sure.
Just no black swans please, we have had AMOS enough of those.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 04/17/2017 10:00 pm
From the Red Dragon discussion referred above.

Dial the snark back please.
.....

1 - Protip: Don't argue with moderators. Even if you're sure you're right. Even if you're sure you're being really funny. It's not usually a good idea. At all.


"dialing back the snark" made me think of  "Jump the Shark".  I had no clue what the expression meant, so I researched it.

""Jumping the shark" is attempting to draw attention to or create publicity for something that is perceived as not warranting the attention, especially something that is believed to be past its peak in quality or relevance. The idiom "jumping the shark" is almost always used in a pejorative sense."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jumping_the_shark

This expression came into existence when the character Fonzie on the show Happy Days "Jumped the Shark" while water skiing.  Apparently after the show was on the air for a really LONNNNNNG time. (ehhhhhhYYYYYYYYY) 8)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4ZGKI8vpcg

With that brief history lesson complete, the question for us all... Is the party thread itself an example of Jumping the Snark?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 04/18/2017 03:24 am
from https://xkcd.com/1825/

(https://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/7_eleven.png)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: rpapo on 04/18/2017 04:57 pm
Okay you sluggards.  Launch is over.  Back to work!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: John Alan on 04/18/2017 07:50 pm
Speaking of FH demo payloads...  ???

12ft diameter concrete cylinder with S1 grid fins and avionics at top...
Size it weight wise to whatever it can do...
Enclosed in the standard payload fairing...

Launch into orbit... leave S2 attached to payload... make it permanent in fact...

Flip stack over and do a deorbit burn with Mvac...
Then do a reentry burn, as it hits the atmosphere... with Mvac...  :o
IF it makes it transonic in one piece... call it job done...  8)

Oh...  did I mention the landing zone target is some guys palace in North Korea....  ;D
The grid fins are to make sure the MOAR hits the landing zone...  ;)

On edit... it will not work... too top heavy I think...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CharlieWildman on 04/19/2017 04:06 am
So Elon said a silly payload would go in the Falcon Heavy to orbit. Let me guess: an enormous banner with signatures of all SpaceX employees. Or a preserved Commodore 64. (for some reason the C64 came to mind first, I had one in my youth)

I had a Vic 20 AND a tape drive.  If I could have launched them into space I would have!  Right this moment I've got a balky dishwasher Musk could have.  It would enjoy a ride uphill! :P
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 04/19/2017 02:35 pm
I have realized the ultimate silly thing to send to space.. How about a 45 foot long sculpture of a large hollow horse with Wheels?

Inside, they can place the cowboy in a Dragon 2 space suit and some cheese, and/or a whole lot of very light toys that disperse when the "vehicle" reenters.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trojan_Horse 
  and  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pi%C3%B1ata


Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: guyw on 04/19/2017 11:55 pm
Or maybe a large wooden badger.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CharlieWildman on 04/20/2017 02:49 am
​Back to the duck for a moment... It would of course have to be reusable to keep the cost down.  Here is the re-entry analysis and image of the landing burn.   ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AndyH on 04/20/2017 07:44 am
Add 3% habanero to the duck's feed for a hotter burn?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zardar on 04/20/2017 06:27 pm
Why bother with LZ-1? Just let it splashdown - it will float after all.......and use the "landing legs" to paddle to shore.
​Back to the duck for a moment... It would of course have to be reusable to keep the cost down.  Here is the re-entry analysis and image of the landing burn.   ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 04/20/2017 06:41 pm
Quote
Back to the duck for a moment...

Well, if it launches like a duck, and lands like a duck......
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 04/20/2017 08:24 pm
Why bother with LZ-1? Just let it splashdown - it will float after all.......and use the "landing legs" to paddle to shore.

Row row row your boat excavator

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7odAbL3Ygts
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: launchwatcher on 04/21/2017 05:21 am
Add 3% habanero to the duck's feed for a hotter burn?
I was thinking extra beans to ensure there's enough methane..
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: sghill on 04/21/2017 12:32 pm
How about 60 nano sats.  Each with a battery, solar cells and a bunch of super bright LEDs.  Station keeping would take some development.  But for SpaceX, I'm sure a trivial problem.  Future advertising possibilities could fund ITS! :)

Please tell me you aren't advocating that they replace the world's night sky with advertisements.  That's horrific.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AJW on 04/21/2017 04:12 pm
Top three ways to kill a party...

#3 Play a Yoko Ono album.
#2 The Cops show up.
#1 Govt. shutdown on April 28th.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRAl5Kqfy0g
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CharlieWildman on 04/21/2017 07:03 pm
How about 60 nano sats.  Each with a battery, solar cells and a bunch of super bright LEDs.  Station keeping would take some development.  But for SpaceX, I'm sure a trivial problem.  Future advertising possibilities could fund ITS! :)

Please tell me you aren't advocating that they replace the world's night sky with advertisements.  That's horrific.

Yeah... I agree, filling the night sky with advertisements is a really dumb idea.

With much larger, more powerful sats, advertising during  the day would be possible.  Really a much better way to go as most of the target audience would be awake to see it!  8)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: swampcat on 04/21/2017 07:32 pm
How about 60 nano sats.  Each with a battery, solar cells and a bunch of super bright LEDs.  Station keeping would take some development.  But for SpaceX, I'm sure a trivial problem.  Future advertising possibilities could fund ITS! :)

Please tell me you aren't advocating that they replace the world's night sky with advertisements.  That's horrific.

Yeah... I agree, filling the night sky with advertisements is a really dumb idea.

With much larger, more powerful sats, advertising during  the day would be possible.  Really a much better way to go as most of the target audience would be awake to see it!  8)



And no pesky stars to get in the way.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: topo334 on 04/21/2017 07:57 pm
Please tell me you aren't advocating that they replace the world's night sky with advertisements.  That's horrific.

Nah, that's progress!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 04/22/2017 05:54 am
How about 60 nano sats.  Each with a battery, solar cells and a bunch of super bright LEDs.  Station keeping would take some development.  But for SpaceX, I'm sure a trivial problem.  Future advertising possibilities could fund ITS! :)

Please tell me you aren't advocating that they replace the world's night sky with advertisements.  That's horrific.

Yeah... I agree, filling the night sky with advertisements is a really dumb idea.

With much larger, more powerful sats, advertising during  the day would be possible.  Really a much better way to go as most of the target audience would be awake to see it!  8)



And no pesky stars to get in the way.

Well, just the one.  But one couldn't be that bad, right?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rei on 04/22/2017 08:40 am
Why bother with spaceborne ads when you can just beam ads straight into people's heads with Neuralink?  ;)

"So, I was talking with Cindy the other day and... PURCHASE VIAGRA ONLINE!!!! ... she was saying to me that .....  FREE XXX NEURAL CONNECT!!!... she didn't think that.... hang on, I'm getting a message from a Nigerian prince...."
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 04/22/2017 12:55 pm
We could always build a Dyson sphere around the earth.

No more pesky stars.
Cover the outside with solar panels ending the energy crisis and global warming.
By selling the advertising rights to the inside surface we could have the advertisers and Nigerian prince's pay for it!

I for one look forward to the day I look up to what was the sky and see Chris's L2 add.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Saabstory88 on 04/22/2017 08:11 pm
You can see that in it "kneeled" position, the frame is down on the deck and the tracks are more proud.

Matthew

Well of course they're proud, they know they're going to be making history soon

Musk did say something silly... I'm thinking half mile in size should be nicely visible.
Gotta get back to work.  Having way too much fun on this stuff.  ;D



Edit: Sentence that could be taken extremely the wrong way deleted.

I'm not even joking, we have a 40' one in our warehouse if Musk wants it...

There HAS to be a story there. Why? Don't duck answering our questions....

Because why not a giant duck? (http://assets.nydailynews.com/polopoly_fs/1.1470384.1380377605!/img/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/article_750/pittsburgh-rubber-duck.jpg)

I'd post some pictures of the interior, but that's strictly L2 :P
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CharlieWildman on 04/22/2017 08:21 pm
We could always build a Dyson sphere around the earth.

No more pesky stars.
Cover the outside with solar panels ending the energy crisis and global warming.
By selling the advertising rights to the inside surface we could have the advertisers and Nigerian prince's pay for it!

I for one look forward to the day I look up to what was the sky and see Chris's L2 add.

I like Dyson spheres... Here's what Chris's L2 add would look like on the inside surface with a simulated star background.  Or just in the night sky which would save all that complicated construction stuff and having to deal with the Nigerian prince.


Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 04/25/2017 08:18 am
Two words:  Sky Graffiti  >:(
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 04/26/2017 07:25 am
Nah, it's just a really big art installation. The National Endowment for the Arts will probably cough up millions in taxpayer money for it.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 04/27/2017 06:21 am
Quote
Back to the duck for a moment...

Well, if it launches like a duck, and lands like a duck......

She weights like a duck! Put her to static fire!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 04/28/2017 03:10 pm
I really think in order for SpaceX to impress the crowd they need a simultaneous instant launch with booster recovery of both Iridium-#2 and Intelsat-35e  at the same time.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: IntoTheVoid on 04/28/2017 03:14 pm
Rockets ARE Lego(s) (elements).

Quote from: collectSPACE
NASA Apollo #SaturnV to launch as #LEGO brick model set on June 1: http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-042817a-lego-nasa-apollo-saturn-v.html … #LEGOApollo @LEGOIdeas @NASAhistory

https://twitter.com/collectSPACE/status/857942631883579392

PS Does this mean that Lar will be out that day?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 04/28/2017 04:25 pm
Rockets ARE Lego(s) (elements).

Quote from: collectSPACE
NASA Apollo #SaturnV to launch as #LEGO brick model set on June 1: http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-042817a-lego-nasa-apollo-saturn-v.html … #LEGOApollo @LEGOIdeas @NASAhistory

https://twitter.com/collectSPACE/status/857942631883579392

PS Does this mean that Lar will be out that day?

I'm buying 2
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 04/28/2017 05:48 pm
Rockets ARE Lego(s) (elements).

Quote from: collectSPACE
NASA Apollo #SaturnV to launch as #LEGO brick model set on June 1: http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-042817a-lego-nasa-apollo-saturn-v.html … #LEGOApollo @LEGOIdeas @NASAhistory

https://twitter.com/collectSPACE/status/857942631883579392

PS Does this mean that Lar will be out that day?

"Inside the box: exactly 1,969 pieces - a clever nod to the year of the first moon landing, by the crew of Apollo 11, in July 1969."

Maybe more that a day!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 04/28/2017 06:10 pm

"Inside the box: exactly 1,969 pieces - a clever nod to the year of the first moon landing, by the crew of Apollo 11, in July 1969."

Maybe more that a day!
And nine months later, there I am :)

Of course that ment, I was also at Woodstock, but that's another story all together...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CharlieWildman on 04/29/2017 03:27 am
Harrumph!  Time to get on topic.  (if there is such a thing in the party thread!)  :P
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: IntoTheVoid on 04/29/2017 05:47 am
Would they be using it for polar sub comms?

That seems like reasonable speculation. High dwell time over the poles could aid with that, among other things.

But general sigint over the poles is at least as compelling of a purpose.

The two implements on the patch seem significant. In the foreground is the spyglass, meaning "we're watching you." In the background is the gun, not drawing a bead, but ready if needed. Both messages meant for our friend, Boris the polar Bear, as he sniffs around the arctic?

Clearly, the satellite will be spying on Louisiana, otherwise why depict Lewis and Clark rather than Peary, Ross, Amundsen, or similar if the mission was to linger on the poles. No, definitely spying on Louisiana and maybe the western Midwest.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 04/29/2017 05:58 am
I'm buying 2

... That's certainly a good start...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: southshore26 on 04/30/2017 03:22 am
Waiting at the Hampton Inn in Melbourne... pretty sure I'm not sleeping tonight... first in person launch since CRS7....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Eagandale4114 on 04/30/2017 05:54 am
The party for this launch seems to be as secretive as our bird tonight!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 04/30/2017 07:25 am
Shhhhh!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 04/30/2017 09:16 am
My eyes still keep looking for wings poking out the side of the LC.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: southshore26 on 04/30/2017 10:17 am
Greetings from Jetty Park... bit breezy this morning..
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Jarnis on 04/30/2017 10:29 am
Damn clouds.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 04/30/2017 10:49 am
A little predawn music.

Edit:   Ooops, too early for exclamation marks!   ::)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: faramund on 04/30/2017 11:03 am
Where are you seeing the spaceX page? For me spacex.com is offering a replay of the last launch - where it would usually have the webcast link.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Halidon on 04/30/2017 11:05 am
Someone looks a bit tired this morning  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jimbowman on 04/30/2017 11:07 am
Guy is struggling. Skeleton crew this morning it seems.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 04/30/2017 11:15 am
Sensor malfunction.....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 04/30/2017 11:18 am
I sensor a disturbance in the launch force...

What's the toto sensor?

I'm not really sure but (regardless of wherever it was made...) I think it's not in Kansas any more...

Slightly off topic...

...only control center entrance is down the road from the house and now has a lovely selection of century plants installed along it inside the fence...

Century plant = Agave americana (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agave_americana) according to Wikipedia, also known as the sentry plant. Appropriate.

Photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Agave_americana_R01.jpg).


Whoever wrote that Wikipedia article needs to come around here. That 6-10 foot spread, 4-6 foot tall plant is 11 1/2 feet wide and 7 feet tall in my front yard. The stalk should be epic when it comes.


Whatever you do, don't accuse Nomadd of being an epic stalker!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Halidon on 04/30/2017 11:19 am
Sensor malfunction.....
even the hardware was having trouble waking up this morning
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: yokem55 on 04/30/2017 11:21 am
Well that'll show em for making everyone wake up so damn early.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: landlubber on 04/30/2017 11:37 am
I sensor a disturbance in the launch force...

What's the toto sensor?

I'm not really sure but (regardless of wherever it was made...) I think it's not in Kansas any more...

Operates like AFTS. Upon detection of prog rock it terminates with extreme prejudice :)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: rickl on 04/30/2017 12:08 pm
Good thing they didn't launch today.  I was so groggy when I got up, I forgot to put on my lucky SpaceX t-shirt.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Norm38 on 04/30/2017 02:10 pm
I didn't even get out of bed, just grabbed my phone. Then tried to go back to sleep but heard my 3 year old get up. So much for sleeping in. Now it's a rainy video game morning. Trying to finish Fallout 4
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: launchwatcher on 04/30/2017 03:02 pm
Per L2 naughty "out of family" sensor that scrubbed the SpaceX Falcon 9 NROL-76 launch was a TOTO (Temperature Ox Tank Outlet) sensor. They had redundancy, but didn't want to risk losing another one, so the "abundance of caution" was as presented.
They're well on their way to demonstrating airline-like operation, where a flight may be delayed because a redundant coffee maker isn't working...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 04/30/2017 05:00 pm
They determined the source of the sensor error.  An employee named Rosannnnnna.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: yokem55 on 04/30/2017 05:01 pm
They determined the source of the sensor error.  An employee named Rosannnnnna.
Or somebody didn't bless the rains down in Africa.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: yokem55 on 04/30/2017 05:09 pm
Slightly off topic...

Hey now, off topic in the party thread means serious business. There is no serious business in the party party thread. Someone needs to report this to a moderator!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kch on 04/30/2017 05:40 pm
Slightly off topic...

Hey now, off topic in the party thread means serious business. There is no serious business in the party party thread. Someone needs to report this to a moderator!

Quite so -- no pooty parpers aloud (nor silent, for that matter) ... ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 04/30/2017 09:37 pm
Gentlemen, I fear I must accept responsibility for this delay. About a minute before launch it occurred to me that I had not made my usual comment in this thread and every time I failed to do so we have a scrub/abort/failure. A few seconds later...HOLD! I was trying to be logical about it and prove that my posting here had no bearing but obviously the gremlins out there are monitoring my thoughts when the tinfoil hat is on the rack. Have Elon send me a bill for the spoiled fuel. I'll try to be on my game before the next attempt.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 05/01/2017 12:43 am
No cheeseburger for you!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 05/01/2017 10:17 am
Good morning all ...
LIVE updates.   I'm alive.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: WindnWar on 05/01/2017 10:31 am
Who says 6:30am is too early for a glass of Lagavulin 16. Not I....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 05/01/2017 11:06 am
Due to the highly confidential nature of this mission, I cannot confirm whether I am at this party or not.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 05/01/2017 11:08 am
He got the rocket at 12m AGAIN ?!? that must be a conspiracy of some sort ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: yokem55 on 05/01/2017 11:09 am
Woo... Woo... Party... Yeah... Must... not... hit... that... snooze... button...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: fatdeeman on 05/01/2017 11:14 am
As I was saying yesterday, this is the best weather we have had for a RTLS, hoping for some spectacular footage! Last time it was good weather but got scrubbed and the next window was cloudy. This time we have been lucky enough to have nice weather twice. Beautiful golden morning light too!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JazzFan on 05/01/2017 11:14 am
This launch is making me late for work.  Light this candle!!!!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 05/01/2017 11:24 am
Smooooooth!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Ronpur50 on 05/01/2017 11:32 am
where did they get a tracking camera that good!!!???
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: toruonu on 05/01/2017 11:33 am
where did they get a tracking camera that good!!!???

Well who's the customer, duh?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 05/01/2017 11:34 am
He got the rocket at 12m AGAIN ?!? that must be a conspiracy of some sort ;)

It's almost as if he's mistakenly reading a preliminary script for SpaceX's currently-in-development rocket that is 12m in diameter...  Conspiracies abound!

(in all fairness, he did say 12 feet in diameter later on in the webcast - plus, I was barely awake enough to watch the stream, let alone put on clothes and come to work to host a livestream)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Helodriver on 05/01/2017 11:35 am
where did they get a tracking camera that good!!!???

Its always been there. My thought is there is footage of this quality of all the cape returns, and distant views of all the stage flips going out to the ASDS. We just haven't seen them as they weren't released.

SpaceX decided to show off because this time due to NRO restrictions they didn't have to pretend that 10 minutes of calmly flying and firing second stage burn was the coolest thing going on at the time ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Ronpur50 on 05/01/2017 11:38 am
where did they get a tracking camera that good!!!???

Well who's the customer, duh?

Usually that camera would be ON the payload!  lol
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Ronpur50 on 05/01/2017 11:39 am
where did they get a tracking camera that good!!!???

Its always been there. My thought is there is footage of this quality of all the cape returns, and distant views of tall the stage flips going out to the ASDS. We just haven't seen them as they weren't released.

SpaceX decided to show off because this time due to NRO restrictions they didn't have to pretend that 10 minutes of calmly flying and firing second stage burn was the coolest thing going on at the time ;)

LOL, but they could have used their famous split screen!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Jarnis on 05/01/2017 11:49 am
where did they get a tracking camera that good!!!???

Well who's the customer, duh?

If NRO were imaging the launch, we'd had this from top down perspective :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Ben the Space Brit on 05/01/2017 11:57 am
I suspect that the tracking cameras are old NASA Shuttle-era kit that's been pulled out of mothballs for soon-to-begin Commercial Crew flights. That aside, I can see NASA wanting to help SpaceX, given that their supersonic retropropulsion data is the only game in town for that particular field right now.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 05/01/2017 11:57 am
Slightly off topic...

Hey now, off topic in the party thread means serious business. There is no serious business in the party party thread. Someone needs to report this to a moderator!

I'm on it... Er ... wait ...

I usually rail against government spying, etc, but I would like to (for once) shout out to the spies. Their secrecy (no second stage) means our glee at awesome footage

Also I would like to say that whoever first posted that "rains down in Africa" thing will be enduring my wrath. Now I've got an earworm, thanks a lot.  Here's hoping you do too, gentle reader.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 05/01/2017 12:16 pm
I wonder if that huge spike SpaceX is now putting on the end of the fairing is to help with the recovery efforts?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 05/01/2017 12:32 pm
Slightly off topic...

Hey now, off topic in the party thread means serious business. There is no serious business in the party party thread. Someone needs to report this to a moderator!

I'm on it... Er ... wait ...

I usually rail against government spying, etc, but I would like to (for once) shout out to the spies. Their secrecy (no second stage) means our glee at awesome footage

Also I would like to say that whoever first posted that "rains down in Africa" thing will be enduring my wrath. Now I've got an earworm, thanks a lot.  Here's hoping you do too, gentle reader.
Ok, let's change it up then for the NRO... :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsntlJZ9h1U
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Norm38 on 05/01/2017 02:14 pm
Did you guys catch the second stage engaging its cloaking device?  Right after the 1st stage flip, the view switches to the onboard camera and the second stage can be seen burning in the upper left corner. Then it just winks out.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 05/01/2017 02:16 pm
Smooooooth!

Like butter
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DOCinCT on 05/01/2017 02:23 pm
Was everyone else as impressed as I was with the quality of the daylight (admittedly early morning) CGI of the landing as show in the Musk Instagram video?  I liked the production staff's interpretation of the instant deployment of the landing legs just before landing in a big dust/exhaust cloud.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: abaddon on 05/01/2017 02:28 pm
Was everyone else as impressed as I was with the quality of the daylight (admittedly early morning) CGI of the landing as show in the Musk Instagram video?  I liked the production staff's interpretation of the instant deployment of the landing legs just before landing in a big dust/exhaust cloud.
Especially impressive that they remembered to make sure it didn't land dead center.  Nobody would believe that!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: yokem55 on 05/01/2017 02:32 pm
Was everyone else as impressed as I was with the quality of the daylight (admittedly early morning) CGI of the landing as show in the Musk Instagram video?  I liked the production staff's interpretation of the instant deployment of the landing legs just before landing in a big dust/exhaust cloud.
Yeah, Pixar needs to step up their game from this:

https://youtu.be/jiR3AvNZklk
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 05/01/2017 02:39 pm
It was the entrepreneurial vision and very large private investment of Elon Musk, as well as the execution of 100s of people at SpaceX over years, that developed this this reusable technology over the past 7+years, that are now beginning to make this all look routine.

And people say SpaceX have a morale problem. The executions will continue till morale improves...

(c /of 100s/by 100s/  # and everything's fine )
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 05/01/2017 03:37 pm
I'm just glad that I got to watch the webcast while taking my morning shower, it was a one way broadcast, correct?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Ronpur50 on 05/01/2017 03:44 pm
My Firefox froze and crashed during the broadcast.  But the tweets kept me updated, and the videos have been amazing!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kaiser on 05/01/2017 03:45 pm
I suspect that the tracking cameras are old NASA Shuttle-era kit that's been pulled out of mothballs for soon-to-begin Commercial Crew flights. That aside, I can see NASA wanting to help SpaceX, given that their supersonic retropropulsion data is the only game in town for that particular field right now.

They've had these on the range forever, not pulled out of mothballs.  They watch pretty much all of the launches.  Look at Photosonics and L-3's KTM.

New replacement contract for range imaging and tracking systems is ARTIS.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: abaddon on 05/01/2017 04:09 pm
That's way too interesting and informative to be stuck on a party thread.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 05/01/2017 04:12 pm
That's way too interesting and informative to be stuck on a party thread.
Repost that nugget in the right thread?  Because moving posts OUT of the Party Thread ??? Just ISN'T DONE.

(in case it's not clear, I agree, that IS interesting)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kch on 05/01/2017 04:20 pm
I'm just glad that I got to watch the webcast while taking my morning shower, it was a one way broadcast, correct?

"Of course" ... ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 05/01/2017 04:21 pm
In this era of fake news, the party thread is the only accurate and reliable place to monitor all launches.
 ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 05/01/2017 04:26 pm
I'm just glad that I got to watch the webcast while taking my morning shower, it was a one way broadcast, correct?

"Of course" ... ;D
Watch out for your microwave that can turn into a camera according to Kellyanne  Conway... :o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 05/01/2017 05:30 pm
Gentlemen, I fear I must accept responsibility for this delay. About a minute before launch it occurred to me that I had not made my usual comment in this thread and every time I failed to do so we have a scrub/abort/failure. A few seconds later...HOLD! I was trying to be logical about it and prove that my posting here had no bearing but obviously the gremlins out there are monitoring my thoughts when the tinfoil hat is on the rack. Have Elon send me a bill for the spoiled fuel. I'll try to be on my game before the next attempt.

That's better.  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 05/01/2017 06:32 pm
Quote
LOL, but they could have used their famous split screen!

They did.  They were just scaled for viewer interest.  You can see the 2nd stage on pixel 1597, 977
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: sanman on 05/02/2017 12:45 am
I was really impressed at the close-ups we got on the returning booster stage - has anything like that ever been shown before? This has to be the closest view I've ever seen of the F9R booster in action. It started with seeing the booster separate after MECO1, and then we got to see its ACS squirting thrust to reorient the stage, then we saw the boostback burn. Finally when it was descending, we got to see the braking thrust burn -- all from the viewpoint from the ground! Amazing.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: bunker9603 on 05/02/2017 02:19 am
He got the rocket at 12m AGAIN ?!? that must be a conspiracy of some sort ;)


Alternative facts*
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: IntoTheVoid on 05/02/2017 02:56 am
I'm just glad that I got to watch the webcast while taking my morning shower, it was a one way broadcast, correct?

"Of course" ... ;D

NO! This was an NRO launch. The broadcast was only 1 way until fairing separation.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CharlieWildman on 05/02/2017 02:58 am
Quote
LOL, but they could have used their famous split screen!

They did.  They were just scaled for viewer interest.  You can see the 2nd stage on pixel 1597, 977

That's most interesting.  I used a microscope to check pixel 1597, 977 and found that the 2nd stage had somehow changed from white to red green and blue. No kidding. I'm not making this up.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kch on 05/02/2017 04:15 am
I'm just glad that I got to watch the webcast while taking my morning shower, it was a one way broadcast, correct?

"Of course" ... ;D

NO! This was an NRO launch. The broadcast was only 1 way until fairing separation.

Ahhh, you *do* understand!  Good, good.  BTW, kevin-rf -- you missed a spot just below your left shoulder blade.  Don't feel bad about it, that's a rough spot to reach (I have trouble getting to it, too) ... ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 05/02/2017 04:48 am
Ahhh, you *do* understand!  Good, good.  BTW, kevin-rf -- you missed a spot just below your left shoulder blade.  Don't feel bad about it, that's a rough spot to reach (I have trouble getting to it, too) ... ;)

You have trouble getting to kevin-rf's shoulder blade... TMI. And no I don't mean Trans Mars Injection.  This ain't that kind of forum, write your slashfic somewhere else.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kch on 05/02/2017 05:14 am
Ahhh, you *do* understand!  Good, good.  BTW, kevin-rf -- you missed a spot just below your left shoulder blade.  Don't feel bad about it, that's a rough spot to reach (I have trouble getting to it, too) ... ;)

You have trouble getting to kevin-rf's shoulder blade... TMI. And no I don't mean Trans Mars Injection.  This ain't that kind of forum, write your slashfic somewhere else.

LOL!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: fatdeeman on 05/02/2017 06:58 am
I was really impressed at the close-ups we got on the returning booster stage - has anything like that ever been shown before?

The promo video they put out after the first RTLS landing had some very similar camera angles but it was night time of course.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 05/02/2017 09:40 am
Ahhh, you *do* understand!  Good, good.  BTW, kevin-rf -- you missed a spot just below your left shoulder blade.  Don't feel bad about it, that's a rough spot to reach (I have trouble getting to it, too) ... ;)

You have trouble getting to kevin-rf's shoulder blade... TMI. And no I don't mean Trans Mars Injection.  This ain't that kind of forum, write your slashfic somewhere else.

And yet, somehow he missed warming me about the tick crawling up my neck.... I must say, that camera in the microwave is not very good.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 05/02/2017 07:36 pm
We should get a contest going to guess when someone will finally spot NROL-76 in orbit.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 05/02/2017 10:13 pm
They could just use a speedboat with a winch on the back.
Hook on the the para-foil harness and bring it back like a para sailor.

Are we going to start naming fairings yet?

Edit to add: Since apparently no-one noticed, I'll advertise that I did add a name to fairing in the picture...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cppetrie on 05/02/2017 10:54 pm
Plus, by then they'll need another pad set up for crew for the 12 flights around the moon each year.

So only when there is a full moon? ;D
Why would you want to go on a moon mission when it's only a crescent or worse a new moon when it's not even there!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 05/03/2017 07:11 am
Quote
Are we going to start naming fairings yet?

We really have to if we are serious about becoming a sea fairing country.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mme on 05/03/2017 09:10 am
They could just use a speedboat with a winch on the back.
Hook on the the para-foil harness and bring it back like a para sailor.

Are we going to start naming fairings yet?
Bob.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Ben the Space Brit on 05/03/2017 12:35 pm
They could just use a speedboat with a winch on the back.
Hook on the the para-foil harness and bring it back like a para sailor.

Are we going to start naming fairings yet?

Because of the shape, give them names of boats from popular culture (or just the shows' names if the name of the vessel is not known). The more comedic the better. For example Pea Green A and B referring to The Owl and the Pussycat.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 05/03/2017 12:53 pm
Seriously, I think we may want to track them, although naming is a bit of a boatload of poppycock. :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 05/03/2017 01:35 pm
Are we going to start naming fairings yet?

Because of the shape, give them names of boats from popular culture (or just the shows' names if the name of the vessel is not known). The more comedic the better. For example Pea Green A and B referring to The Owl and the Pussycat.

Hmm... what famous boats and ships can I recall?  Let's see... Minnow, Poseidon, Edmund Fitzgerald, Titanic, Lusitania, Andrea Doria, Bismarck,...  Okay, bad list.  Let's try something else.

Oh, I know.  How about ships from Star Trek?  Let's see, there was Essex, Constellation, Excalibur, Enterprise, Antares, Intrepid,... Enterprise?, Valiant,... Enterprise?!?  Oh, phooey.

Anyone have a good list of *surviving* boats and ships?  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Ben the Space Brit on 05/03/2017 02:15 pm
This is Elon Musk. You know that there would be a Love Boat and a Gilligan.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 05/03/2017 02:22 pm
HMS Spanker ? it had to be a misprint, but when I looked at the relative page there it was, HMS Spanker, minesweeper. I turned back to the index and soon discovered that HMS Spanker was not the only warship to bear a silly name. A quick check unearthed the destroyers HMS Fairy and HMS Frolic, the light cruiser, HMS Sappho and the corvette, HMS Pansy.

(from https://www.reddit.com/r/Warships/comments/3bh5ze/a_humorous_read_about_rn_ship_names/ ... )

I saw (but failed to find again) a list of really silly RN ship names that all start with I (which weren't actually used) but these supposedly were.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: launchwatcher on 05/03/2017 02:43 pm
HMS Spanker ? it had to be a misprint, but when I looked at the relative page there it was, HMS Spanker, minesweeper. I turned back to the index and soon discovered that HMS Spanker was not the only warship to bear a silly name. A quick check unearthed the destroyers HMS Fairy and HMS Frolic, the light cruiser, HMS Sappho and the corvette, HMS Pansy.

(from https://www.reddit.com/r/Warships/comments/3bh5ze/a_humorous_read_about_rn_ship_names/ ... )

I saw (but failed to find again) a list of really silly RN ship names that all start with I (which weren't actually used) but these supposedly were.
Here's a list from 2003, all starting with "In", which is a mix:

https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rec.puzzles/ZOFsCULp42I/Y-QVUMsBJgsJ
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: RonM on 05/03/2017 03:33 pm
HMS Spanker ? it had to be a misprint, but when I looked at the relative page there it was, HMS Spanker, minesweeper. I turned back to the index and soon discovered that HMS Spanker was not the only warship to bear a silly name. A quick check unearthed the destroyers HMS Fairy and HMS Frolic, the light cruiser, HMS Sappho and the corvette, HMS Pansy.

(from https://www.reddit.com/r/Warships/comments/3bh5ze/a_humorous_read_about_rn_ship_names/ ... )

I saw (but failed to find again) a list of really silly RN ship names that all start with I (which weren't actually used) but these supposedly were.
Here's a list from 2003, all starting with "In", which is a mix:

https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rec.puzzles/ZOFsCULp42I/Y-QVUMsBJgsJ

Hey, that list left off my favorite fake RN ship name, the HMS Insipid.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 05/03/2017 03:39 pm
This is Elon Musk. You know that there would be a Love Boat and a Gilligan.

Fairing McFairingface

I doubt fairings would ever be named but if they were I think it would be named as a couple like 'Ralph and Alice'
 'Romeo and Juliet' etc.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Doesitfloat on 05/03/2017 03:45 pm
In accordance with naming after British ships I would have to go with the Turbinia

Mainly due to it's demonstration to the Royal Navy.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: pmenstrom on 05/03/2017 04:43 pm
The NSF calendar currently has a NET date of 5/31 for SpX-11 a NET date of 6/1 for SpX-12.
They are probably going to be demonstrating full and rapid re-use of the same first stage :-)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: guyw on 05/03/2017 06:13 pm
They could just use a speedboat with a winch on the back.
Hook on the the para-foil harness and bring it back like a para sailor.

Are we going to start naming fairings yet?
Bob.
Could we name it Bruce instead? Bob could be confusing. Bob is a palindrome though.
 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 05/03/2017 07:14 pm
Are we going to start naming fairings yet?
Bob.

I doubt fairings would ever be named but if they were I think it would be named as a couple like 'Ralph and Alice'
 'Romeo and Juliet' etc.

Between Bob and fairings named after couples, I can't help but ask whether the second stage (hypothetically reusable) can get its own name, too.  Why?  Because I'd love to see Abby Garrett (https://twitter.com/abbygarrettX/status/847864815569833985) draw a comic where a second stage shows up to do a job and says:

"Hi, I'm Larry.  This is my fairing Darryl, and this is my other fairing Darryl."
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cppetrie on 05/03/2017 07:16 pm
"Hi, I'm Larry.  This is my fairing Darryl, and this is my other fairing Darryl."
Brilliant! Well played, sir!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 05/03/2017 08:32 pm
Plus, by then they'll need another pad set up for crew for the 12 flights around the moon each year.

So only when there is a full moon? ;D
Why would you want to go on a moon mission when it's only a crescent or worse a new moon when it's not even there!
To see if Gary Larson is on the Far Side.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 05/03/2017 09:24 pm
So we need a prefix... but how about

Better half
Other half
Splitter
Divided we fall
Half a mind to...

... you get the idea.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Kansan52 on 05/03/2017 09:27 pm
Thing One

Thing Two
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 05/04/2017 05:55 am
Are we going to start naming fairings yet?
Bob.
Skip.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: alang on 05/04/2017 11:49 am
HMS Spanker ? it had to be a misprint, but when I looked at the relative page there it was, HMS Spanker, minesweeper. I turned back to the index and soon discovered that HMS Spanker was not the only warship to bear a silly name. A quick check unearthed the destroyers HMS Fairy and HMS Frolic, the light cruiser, HMS Sappho and the corvette, HMS Pansy.

(from https://www.reddit.com/r/Warships/comments/3bh5ze/a_humorous_read_about_rn_ship_names/ ... )

I saw (but failed to find again) a list of really silly RN ship names that all start with I (which weren't actually used) but these supposedly were.

I was saddened to discover that "HMS Humbug" was an invention of Patrick O'Brian but apparently his Spanish warship "Cacafuego" did have a name that had been used in fact.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 05/04/2017 01:05 pm
Mutt and Jeff
Thing 1 and Thing 2
George and Gracie
Fred and Ginger

Reality is unless they start marking them,
 or announcing which fairing came from where,
 we may never be able to track them
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Shanuson on 05/04/2017 01:18 pm
Well. We could start by giving first stages names other than core 1032. At least for those who can fly again and arn't flown away (you fly them and dont throw them).
If SpaceX doesn't do it officially it is their loss and maybe they catch on  :D 
Chris G could casually use our names at the next press conference when he asks a question to give the hint ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 05/04/2017 02:42 pm
So, a poster idea if anyone skilled in the digital arts wants to run with it:  "They Were Expendable" with a flock of Falcons (or something else).  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: swampcat on 05/04/2017 06:45 pm
Tweedledum and Tweedledee
Hansel and Gretel
Bacon and Eggs
Short and Squat
Dumb and Dumber
Cause and Effect
Needles and Pins
Blood and Guts
Stand and Be Counted

OK. I could go on, and on...

On and On
Here and There
.
.
.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Archibald on 05/04/2017 07:13 pm
HMS Spanker ? it had to be a misprint, but when I looked at the relative page there it was, HMS Spanker, minesweeper. I turned back to the index and soon discovered that HMS Spanker was not the only warship to bear a silly name. A quick check unearthed the destroyers HMS Fairy and HMS Frolic, the light cruiser, HMS Sappho and the corvette, HMS Pansy.

(from https://www.reddit.com/r/Warships/comments/3bh5ze/a_humorous_read_about_rn_ship_names/ ... )

I saw (but failed to find again) a list of really silly RN ship names that all start with I (which weren't actually used) but these supposedly were.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXT_IOt81Xs
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: faramund on 05/04/2017 10:43 pm
The real problem with naming fairing halves as couples (say Barak and Michelle, and Donald and Melania), is what happens after the first launch. What if Barak needs more inspections, so instead Donald is paired up with Michelle?  ::)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cppetrie on 05/04/2017 11:08 pm
The real problem with naming fairing halves as couples (say Barak and Michelle, and Donald and Melania), is what happens after the first launch. What if Barak needs more inspections, so instead Donald is paired up with Michelle?  ::)
It's worse than that. Every couple MUST split-up shortly after launch, and anything other than a clean split could result in LOM.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 05/04/2017 11:25 pm
Alimony and severance...

Would bring a new meaning to LOM... Loss Of Matrimony.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Kansan52 on 05/04/2017 11:29 pm
Wife. Girlfriend.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 05/05/2017 12:10 am
Alimony and severance...

Would bring a new meaning to LOM... Loss Of Matrimony.

Worse still, I've been with my wife for 34 years. Any idea how difficult a separation would be? Might remain attached and cause LOM. (Loss of Mates?) Better stick to numbers or something.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mongo62 on 05/05/2017 12:44 am
What about musical duos? They split up all the time.

Simon and Garfunkel
Sonny and Cher
Ike and Tina Turner

Well, maybe not!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cppetrie on 05/05/2017 12:50 am
What about musical duos? They split up all the time.

Simon and Garfunkel
Sonny and Cher
Ike and Tina Turner

Well, maybe not!
That could work. They often go on reunion tours after the break-up.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 05/05/2017 01:39 am
Quote
That could work. They often go on reunion tours after the break-up.

Or form new groups like the Traveling Wilburys.   Celine and Ozzy anyone?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: IntoTheVoid on 05/05/2017 07:41 pm
I apologize for the European diversion, but I couldn't find an Arianespace Party Thread  ??? Go figure.

Quote from: Caleb Henry
Overseen in Kourou: the Guiana Space Center's Jupiter control room made entirely out of legos.
https://twitter.com/CHenry_SN/status/860570441727045632

(Lar, try to concentrate on the picture. You're probably not authorized to edit Caleb's twitter)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: John Alan on 05/08/2017 01:19 am
Two plus days and no posts?...  :o

I guess the next launch being expendable  :'( kinda killed this party thread...  ???
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 05/08/2017 06:11 am
It's one of 'those' byob, bring your own boostback parties.  :-X
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 05/08/2017 11:10 am
We could ask to rename the party thread?
 How about the expendable party thread...
wait. Bad idea, Let's keep the current name.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AncientU on 05/08/2017 01:24 pm
We should start campaigning for video on expendable first stage disassembly on reentry...  why waste a perfectly planned and executed kaboom. 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 05/08/2017 01:51 pm
Phew!

https://xkcd.com/1834/
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kch on 05/08/2017 02:12 pm
Phew!

https://xkcd.com/1834/

"... no, we *don't* want fried with that!"  ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jacqmans on 05/09/2017 01:20 pm
Launch Viewing for SpaceX Inmarsat-5

View the launch from Kennedy Space Center!

Witness liftoff from Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39 as the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches from LC-39A, carrying the communication satellite for Inmarsat Global.

Launch viewing opportunities for Inmarsat-5 are available at the following viewing locations:
 •The main visitor complex outside of Space Shuttle Atlantis®, included with daily admission
•Banana Creek viewing area at the Apollo/Saturn V Center, $20 in addition to daily admission

Rocket Launch Location
Launch viewing/transportation tickets for the Apollo/Saturn V Center are available online . The main visitor complex viewing area is accessible with daily admission only. Both locations offer bleacher seating and launch commentary, and have access to restrooms, dining and souvenirs.

Special launch viewing/transportation ticket holders are transported by bus from the main visitor complex to special viewing areas at Kennedy Space Center. Therefore, visitors must have a daily admission ticket or annual pass in order to utilize launch viewing/transportation tickets.

Launch date, time and viewing opportunities are subject to change either in advance or at the last minute. Since launch days often have many extra visitors, please allow additional time for travel, parking and entering the complex, including security bag search before boarding the bus for launch viewing. Arrive early to assure your viewing spot! Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for launch viewing updates.


https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/events/events-calendar/2017/may/rocket-launch-spacex-falcon-9-inmarsat-5
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 05/11/2017 02:17 pm
In the audio from the Livestream; I heard a question asked by the Great Michael Collins!! :) Good to know he's still about and interested. His biography was the first Astronaut bio I ever read - and one of the best at that.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 05/11/2017 02:45 pm
I apologize for the European diversion, but I couldn't find an Arianespace Party Thread  ??? Go figure.

Quote from: Caleb Henry
Overseen in Kourou: the Guiana Space Center's Jupiter control room made entirely out of legos.
https://twitter.com/CHenry_SN/status/860570441727045632

(Lar, try to concentrate on the picture. You're probably not authorized to edit Caleb's twitter)

That's pretty cool! We need someone to do that for KSC :) Or for SpaceX Hawthorne :)  And I controlled myself about the tweet!!!!

We could ask to rename the party thread?
 How about the expendable party thread...
wait. Bad idea, Let's keep the current name.


"They were expendable" ??

Launch Viewing for SpaceX Inmarsat-5
<snip>

TOTALLY off topic... sigh.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: butters on 05/11/2017 05:00 pm
This cadence is pleasant. Being a SpaceX fan is now like being an F1 fan: a Grand Prix weekend every other week more or less. I can almost imagine the 2-second pit stops for landed boosters...  :o ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: bjornl on 05/11/2017 05:45 pm
Soon...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 05/11/2017 06:47 pm
I can almost imagine the 2-second pit stops for landed boosters...  :o ;)
Seriously, do not give Elon any ideas. 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 05/11/2017 09:14 pm
I can almost imagine the 2-second pit stops for landed boosters...  :o ;)
Seriously, do not give Elon any ideas.

Seriously, don't give Bernie Ecclestone funny ideas. He might be in search of a new racing format now that they kicked him out of F1.

What's the lap-time record in the Earth Orbit racetrack?

Edit: I calculated 01:27:05.12 at 130km. but you can probably get it under 01:26:30 if you dip a bit into the atmosphere. With constant propulsion to keep the speed up of course. Maybe even less if you use propulsion for centripetal force at even higher speeds.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CharlieWildman on 05/11/2017 09:33 pm
I can almost imagine the 2-second pit stops for landed boosters...  :o ;)
Seriously, do not give Elon any ideas.

Seriously, don't give Bernie Ecclestone funny ideas. He might be in search of a new racing format now that they kicked him out of F1.

What's the lap-time record in the Earth Orbit racetrack?



Edit: I calculated 01:27:05.12 at 130km. but you can probably get it under 01:26:30 if you dip a bit into the atmosphere. With constant propulsion to keep the speed up of course. Maybe even less if you use propulsion for centripetal force at even higher speeds.

Rocket racing!  The general public could really get behind this! Lets forget all that boring scientific and commercial stuff and just see how FAST we can go.  F1 may be in trouble.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 05/11/2017 10:42 pm
I can almost imagine the 2-second pit stops for landed boosters...  :o ;)
Seriously, do not give Elon any ideas.

Seriously, don't give Bernie Ecclestone funny ideas. He might be in search of a new racing format now that they kicked him out of F1.

What's the lap-time record in the Earth Orbit racetrack?



Edit: I calculated 01:27:05.12 at 130km. but you can probably get it under 01:26:30 if you dip a bit into the atmosphere. With constant propulsion to keep the speed up of course. Maybe even less if you use propulsion for centripetal force at even higher speeds.

Rocket racing!  The general public could really get behind this! Lets forget all that boring scientific and commercial stuff and just see how FAST we can go.  F1 may be in trouble.

For the price of a F1 race you could certainly have a rocket race, especially with reuseability. The Annual budget of any F1 racing team is estimated between 50 million and a quarter billion dollar. The hosting fees of a racecourse also can border on a billion dollar over 10 years. Revenue from advertising is a assumed to be much more.

With that kinda budget you could definitely host rocket races at SpaceX launch current costs.

The tricky part would be how to make the rules entertaining. Launch and landing definitely have to be part of it. I would suggest a 2 stage race-rocket design, with the booster stage returning back to landing site and the racing stage entering low earth orbit and also landing back at the launch site.

The race would have to go over enough orbits that it possibly makes sense to land, refuel and restart at least once (in order to manage the fuel intensive extremely-low-orbits) But landing and restarting costs valuable time (even assuming the booster has already been refueled and only the upper stage needs a 2s pitstop-refuel, cause the landing and launch take time compared to to vehicle remaining in a higher, less fuel consuming orbit) But one also has to take into account that the earth rotates under the orbital track, so relaunching is only possible when the launch site passes under the orbital track. Which - assuming high inclination orbits - is around twice per day (but not evenly spaced). Finishing the race early then also possibly implies a larger plane change to line up. (Or setting up the initial orbit just right)

One could also make one refueling pitstop mandatory, or limit the maximum orbital height so low that its effectively necessary (also a good idea to prevent space-debris creation)

Edit: Another idea could also be an orbital checkpoint. Like the "gates" they have in air races, they could orbit a "stationary" gate-ring (possibly an inflatable) in let's say a 250 km circular orbit. Camera equipped , and maybe with a few nearby floating cube sats for nice visuals and camera tracking.

A race rocket that would rendezvous with this from a 130x250 elyptical orbit (and possibly even a slightly different orbital plane) would be fast enough to be REALLY spectacular, but still slow enough that the cameras have something to show and it can "thread the needle" with good enough trajectory planning and keeping. It would also be difficult enough for occasional misses. And make a nice point for potential close encounters between the different race participants.

Way more spectacular than these slow and careful rendezvous approaches to the iSS :)

The goal could also to thread the same ring twice in the shortest time possible while still making it below 150km in between to prevent participants from just matching orbits and manouvering tightly around the ring, although that, too might look awesome. Assume a rocket coming in on a 130x250 elyptical orbit, circularizing orbit while threading the ring, making a quick loop around it on manouvering thrusters, then firing for the deorbit burn on the 2nd ring pass - all captured on several cubesats high def cameras, and there already comes the next rocket for the tight corner!

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Kansan52 on 05/11/2017 10:55 pm
Rocket League failed and it was set up for people to watch!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 05/11/2017 11:16 pm
Rocket League failed and it was set up for people to watch!

Come on, those cars barely left the ground. That's like comparing Falcon9 to New Shepherd.

Now wonder that game had "suborbital" reviews.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CharlieWildman on 05/11/2017 11:24 pm
Rocket League failed and it was set up for people to watch!

We're talking huge, powerful, expensive, cutting edge fire belching monsters here.  And in space to boot. ;D  What could be better than that!
 
I tried to keep up on the rocket league but there was not enough smoke, fire and thunder for my taste.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 05/12/2017 06:19 am
Nah, you guys are thinking too small.  First around the Moon and back.  Thread the needle by looping around REALLY close to the surface (complete with remote cameras on the Far Side beaming live shots back via lunar comsat). 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 05/12/2017 06:59 am
Hmm and people complain that cricket test matches (which last up to 5 days) are too long for spectators :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 05/12/2017 12:47 pm
Hmm and people complain that cricket test matches (which last up to 5 days) are too long for spectators :D

I imagine the people who watch races (well, race highlights) for the crashes would really like a well-funded very high stakes rocket race (assuming it was low enough for debris constraints to be no issue).  Push the limits far enough, and you'll be in Ivanova territory...

https://youtu.be/CnR3Tyrg_10
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Ben the Space Brit on 05/12/2017 12:58 pm
Soon...

"No, seriously, I've got to be crazy with these prices! In fact, I'm so crazy that, if you tell the guy in the lot 'Elon sent me', we'll throw in a Hyperloop car for free! Like I said: Certifiable!"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 05/12/2017 04:05 pm
SpaceX rocket mouse lemur launch and landing.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: launchwatcher on 05/14/2017 03:25 pm
A candidate for the Boring Company theme song?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbDmvCWyiVs
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: John Alan on 05/14/2017 07:59 pm
I posted this elsewhere...

My sense is he used numbers from his latest Merlin D test engines to go across their test stand and then rounded (either up or down) for the audience he was speaking to (the people who set up the video call)...

Any engineer I know can rattle off where they stand on meeting a target and the numbers to back his standing.

That said... those numbers made me  :o and they MAY hint at what percent power they have run M1D max on the test stand...

As I understand it... to "crank up" the M1D... you just add more "power" at the pump power turbine... spin the pumps a bit faster... and run it till it blows...  :D
Beef up what let go and and repeat till you hit the laws of physics...  :P
Then you call that "11" and turn it back down to "10"... 
Doing so, that 10500 kN figure makes sense with the quoted 215 Klb thrust M1vac number, my opinion...  ;)

Which made want to go find this...
https://youtu.be/KOO5S4vxi0o (https://youtu.be/KOO5S4vxi0o)

Which Wikipedia covered here... meaning and source from the 40's...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Up_to_eleven (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Up_to_eleven)

And I put all that here... over in the silly section...  ;D

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CharlieWildman on 05/15/2017 03:44 am
From Chris Gebhardt's tweet today it looks like Inmarsat 5 F4 in going to launch on a Proton 9 tomorrow.  Never heard of a Proton 9 before.  Maybe SpaceX has gone Russian or nuclear...  Or something.  :P


Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kch on 05/15/2017 04:23 am
From Chris Gebhardt's tweet today it looks like Inmarsat 5 F4 in going to launch on a Proton 9 tomorrow.  Never heard of a Proton 9 before.  Maybe SpaceX has gone Russian or nuclear...  Or something.  :P

Maybe they decided to reverse the neutrality of the Proton flow?  ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: atsf90east on 05/15/2017 04:35 am
From Chris Gebhardt's tweet today it looks like Inmarsat 5 F4 in going to launch on a Proton 9 tomorrow.  Never heard of a Proton 9 before.  Maybe SpaceX has gone Russian or nuclear...  Or something.  :P

Maybe they decided to reverse the neutrality of the Proton flow?  ;)

Don't cross the streams.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: EgorBotts on 05/15/2017 07:30 am
From Chris Gebhardt's tweet today it looks like Inmarsat 5 F4 in going to launch on a Proton 9 tomorrow.  Never heard of a Proton 9 before.  Maybe SpaceX has gone Russian or nuclear...  Or something.  :P

Well, we all saw in 2013 the last attempt to bring the Proton first stage for a landing, I simply wish this time things would go smoother.
Can't wait to see how it compete with the Ariane 9 and the Atlas 9.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 05/15/2017 08:29 am
From Chris Gebhardt's tweet today it looks like Inmarsat 5 F4 in going to launch on a Proton 9 tomorrow.  Never heard of a Proton 9 before.  Maybe SpaceX has gone Russian or nuclear...  Or something.  :P

Maybe they decided to reverse the neutrality of the Proton flow?  ;)

Who did?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 05/15/2017 01:52 pm
Egon...  Elon... so close. 
Do you ever wonder?  ::)

(Insert your favorite ghostbusters image here)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cppetrie on 05/15/2017 07:42 pm
It occurred to me just now what the most important reason is for taking down the RSS at 39A.....it blocks the view on the SFN feed.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 05/15/2017 07:44 pm
Once again I have undertaken to get the spiritual situation in order before the flight. While wandering a local park I encountered a friendly evangelist who told me he had previously soared the Heavens and danced with the riddles of the Cosmos. Then he explained to me that what I was after wasn't exactly rocket surgery and everything was going to be "cool man. Really far out cool." I must admit he had a comfortably numbing influence on all around him.  8)
 
Ya'll hang on. Everything gonna be alright.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AncientU on 05/15/2017 11:37 pm
Gotta see that reentry video!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 05/15/2017 11:38 pm
So does Loss of Signal in the Bermuda Triangle mean we should party like it's 1999?

It did just claim the first stage!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 05/15/2017 11:46 pm
Anyone else hear all the Ooohs and Aaaahs after stage seperation?  Makes me wonder if there is some good reentry video.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 05/15/2017 11:51 pm
SpaceX finally got footage of Nessie eating a space
Anyone else hear all the Ooohs and Aaaahs after stage seperation?  Makes me wonder if there is some good reentry video.
They finally got a glimpse of the monster that snacks on rockets in the Bermuda Triangle!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 05/15/2017 11:53 pm
But, but,........ there be no dragons!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Khadgars on 05/15/2017 11:54 pm
Fantastic launch, congrats!  :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AncientU on 05/15/2017 11:59 pm
Bo-ring.  Nothing to see here...
Let's party!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: punder on 05/16/2017 12:08 am
Buddy at work said "Whaaaat?! They're not recovering the first stage???" As if dropping a rocket booster in the ocean is the dumbest thing he ever heard.   8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: rickl on 05/16/2017 12:22 am
Buddy at work said "Whaaaat?! They're not recovering the first stage???" As if dropping a rocket booster in the ocean is the dumbest thing he ever heard.   8)

And that is what is known as a "paradigm shift".

I read somewhere around here that this is only the second time they haven't attempted to recover the booster since the first successful landing in December 2015.  SpaceX is landing more first stages than not nowadays.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AncientU on 05/16/2017 12:30 am
Congratulations on hopefully one of the last SpaceX fully expendable launches (since there is no indication at the moment that fairy recovery attempt was planned either) !
Now to bring back everything !!! :-D
Oh, and we would loooove to see that hypothetical death cam footage from S1 !

perfect.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 05/16/2017 12:30 am
What no landing? I guess I'll go fish it out myself then...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CharlieWildman on 05/16/2017 01:05 am
Expendable rocket?  How retro is that.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jabe on 05/16/2017 01:09 am
thoughts on what this tweet means? https://twitter.com/jbtaylor/status/864281417185808384 (https://twitter.com/jbtaylor/status/864281417185808384)
Quote
This video we are about to post.... Wow!
jb
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 05/16/2017 01:10 am
Expendable rocket?  How retro is that.

It's so retro that the reentry video is only in 8 bit color and in the background you can hear the music to Galaxian.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 05/16/2017 01:27 am
Expendable rocket?  How retro is that.

It's so retro that the reentry video is only in 8 bit color and in the background you can hear the music to Galaxian.

More like Galaga because Galaxian is less famous than the former.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: abaddon on 05/16/2017 01:33 am
But Gaplus was the best of all...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DLNFM6vgQM
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Ronpur50 on 05/16/2017 01:56 am
That was one weird looking rocket with no legs!  It looked so naked!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 05/16/2017 01:58 am
It occurred to me just now what the most important reason is for taking down the RSS at 39A.....it blocks the view on the SFN feed.
It might be nice to have the RSS at the visitors center rather than scrapping it...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Chris Bergin on 05/16/2017 02:25 am
thoughts on what this tweet means? https://twitter.com/jbtaylor/status/864281417185808384 (https://twitter.com/jbtaylor/status/864281417185808384)
Quote
This video we are about to post.... Wow!
jb

He's just told me he meant the launch hightlights video. Yeah, everyone else thought he meant the video that got the SpaceXer's ooh and ahh'ing - which was the booster death cam.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: rickl on 05/16/2017 02:29 am
I'm not familiar with techno music, but I notice that the SpaceX webcasts always feature the music of Test Shot Starfish.  Could that be a SpaceX employee? 


If that's an established artist, I apologize for my ignorance.  Like I said, I don't follow techno music.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: sanman on 05/16/2017 03:03 am
Gee, these expendable launches feel so antiquated now

"whaddya mean you threw away the rocket?!"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kch on 05/16/2017 03:23 am
I'm not familiar with techno music, but I notice that the SpaceX webcasts always feature the music of Test Shot Starfish.  Could that be a SpaceX employee? 


If that's an established artist, I apologize for my ignorance.  Like I said, I don't follow techno music.

Well, that was easy -- enjoy!

http://testshotstarfish.com/ (http://testshotstarfish.com/)

https://soundcloud.com/testshotstarfish (https://soundcloud.com/testshotstarfish)

https://www.amazon.com/Test-Shot-Starfish-EP/dp/B00008OD8T (https://www.amazon.com/Test-Shot-Starfish-EP/dp/B00008OD8T)

(lots more links came up ... these are just the first three)  :)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cppetrie on 05/16/2017 03:32 am
I'm not familiar with techno music, but I notice that the SpaceX webcasts always feature the music of Test Shot Starfish.  Could that be a SpaceX employee? 


If that's an established artist, I apologize for my ignorance.  Like I said, I don't follow techno music.

Well, that was easy -- enjoy!

http://testshotstarfish.com/ (http://testshotstarfish.com/)

https://soundcloud.com/testshotstarfish (https://soundcloud.com/testshotstarfish)

https://www.amazon.com/Test-Shot-Starfish-EP/dp/B00008OD8T (https://www.amazon.com/Test-Shot-Starfish-EP/dp/B00008OD8T)

(lots more links came up ... these are just the first three)  :)
Additional relevant info:

Quote
http://www.allmusic.com/artist/test-shot-starfish-mn0000814355
Multimedia duo Kyle Schember and Ryan Stuit met in 1999 in Los Angeles on a film set and, in addition to their own work, have since contributed audio to several television programs, commercials, and other video. They have also done remixes for Coldplay, Gus Gus, and Snoop Dogg and contributed work to such high-profile clients as Showtime, ESPN, Toyota, and the National Football League. Their own recordings arrived as an EP in 2003 and a self-titled full-length in summer 2005.
They appear to not have any particular affiliation with SpaceX although they say they make 'music for space'. Big fans of SpaceX? Maybe Elon is a big fan of theirs?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 05/16/2017 08:33 am
And in today's Space News:
A SpaceX first stage has actually FAILED to land, being destroyed in an orgy of Aerodynamic forces during reentry!

Space enthusiasts all around the globe will have a day of mourning for the valiant lost soul stage.

Rocket Rights advocates are staging marches and petitions to ban such a  return to the Cruel Old Days when a rocket's life was only worth 2.5 minutes.






Disclaimer: The above statement is made is jest, call it sarcasm if you will. It does reflect my feelings though.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AncientU on 05/16/2017 10:08 am
thoughts on what this tweet means? https://twitter.com/jbtaylor/status/864281417185808384 (https://twitter.com/jbtaylor/status/864281417185808384)
Quote
This video we are about to post.... Wow!
jb

He's just told me he meant the launch hightlights video. Yeah, everyone else thought he meant the video that got the SpaceXer's ooh and ahh'ing - which was the booster death cam.

 ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 05/16/2017 11:43 am
I hope we get to see the death cam footage.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mongo62 on 05/16/2017 12:56 pm
We're just a bunch of sickos here, wanting to watch rocket snuff films.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AncientU on 05/16/2017 02:10 pm
Think of the missed opportunity of other launch providers... all these years.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: yokem55 on 05/16/2017 02:46 pm
We're just a bunch of sickos here, wanting to watch rocket snuff films.
So that's why I like watching Rocket Explosions on YouTube. Who knew it was a fetish...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lars-J on 05/16/2017 04:51 pm
Steamroller time!  :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 05/16/2017 10:23 pm
I can't speak for everyone else, but I thoroughly enjoyed the fact that SpaceX's commentator wasn't being forced to bend over backwards repeating that the focus is on the primary mission--the successful deployment of the payload--and not the secondary objective of booster recovery.  Now, if we can just get them to do recovery missions without feeling like they have to continually harp on this fact. 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 05/16/2017 10:42 pm
And in today's Space News:
A SpaceX first stage has actually FAILED to land, being destroyed in an orgy of Aerodynamic forces during reentry!

Space enthusiasts all around the globe will have a day of mourning for the valiant lost soul stage.

Rocket Rights advocates are staging marches and petitions to ban such a  return to the Cruel Old Days when a rocket's life was only worth 2.5 minutes.






Disclaimer: The above statement is made is jest, call it sarcasm if you will. It does reflect my feelings though.

That is why the crowd at Hawthorne is obsessed with the first stage. They don't care about the primary mission of delivering satellites or launching probes beyond Earth. They are more interested in booster recovery.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 05/17/2017 12:42 am

That is why the crowd at Hawthorne is obsessed with the first stage. They don't care about the primary mission of delivering satellites or launching probes beyond Earth. They are more interested in booster recovery.
Well, they do needed some tender loving care after such a traumatic launch experience. Plus many of them survive that to end up very sea sick.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 05/17/2017 04:31 am
It occurred to me just now what the most important reason is for taking down the RSS at 39A.....it blocks the view on the SFN feed.

That is a problem.  Anyone else willing to volunteer on the weekends?  I think NSF could bring the thing down in a month as long as we dispensed with haughty luxuries like "safety equipment" and "structural loads"!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ugordan on 05/17/2017 07:34 am
42698   INMARSAT 5-F4   2017-025A      1401.67min   24.50deg   69839km   381km      
42699   FALCON 9 R/B   2017-025B           1410.43min   24.47deg   70181km   384km

Roughly a 1,570m/s deficit to GTO. That's almost Zenit-3SLB/Proton-M/Briz-M performance.
Those have more stages too. Not bad for kerolox 2 stage.

But, but... kerolox is very low energy. Sad!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Jet Black on 05/17/2017 08:53 am
It occurred to me just now what the most important reason is for taking down the RSS at 39A.....it blocks the view on the SFN feed.

That is a problem.  Anyone else willing to volunteer on the weekends?  I think NSF could bring the thing down in a month as long as we dispensed with haughty luxuries like "safety equipment" and "structural loads"!

They could pay us in SpaceX Lanyards and used cups.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 05/17/2017 09:26 am
It occurred to me just now what the most important reason is for taking down the RSS at 39A.....it blocks the view on the SFN feed.

That is a problem.  Anyone else willing to volunteer on the weekends?  I think NSF could bring the thing down in a month as long as we dispensed with haughty luxuries like "safety equipment" and "structural loads"!

They could pay us in SpaceX Lanyards and used cups.

Would cross the Atlantic if we could play on the zip wires afterwards.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 05/17/2017 07:26 pm
It occurred to me just now what the most important reason is for taking down the RSS at 39A.....it blocks the view on the SFN feed.

That is a problem.  Anyone else willing to volunteer on the weekends?  I think NSF could bring the thing down in a month as long as we dispensed with haughty luxuries like "safety equipment" and "structural loads"!

Just let me have a bolt or two to take home and I'm there... I'll even bring my own work gloves and hard hat!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 05/17/2017 07:29 pm
A flight proven SpaceX Falcon 9 will deliver BulgariaSat-1 to a Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO).
"flight proven" still makes me LOL. With glee. 
Quote
Members of the media who are foreign nationals must also provide photocopies of their valid visa and passport to [email protected]
How does that even work? You can't email pieces of paper, it just doesn't work that way.

(they probably mean email them scans)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: John Alan on 05/17/2017 07:42 pm
Scan to PDF and then email that as attachment is widely used... I bet that is acceptable in this case...  ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AncientU on 05/17/2017 11:38 pm
Scan to PDF and then email that as attachment is widely used... I bet that is acceptable in this case...  ;)

You and Lar sure know how to party... ;)

But seriously (???!), I have to pinch myself to check if I'm dreaming every time I hear 'flight-proven'

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 05/18/2017 12:53 am
Hadn't you heard?  New company called TeleporteX will zap physical objects straight to Hawthorne.   The terminals are hidden in the new tunnels.  Shhh!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cppetrie on 05/18/2017 01:02 am
Hadn't you heard?  New company called TeleporteX will zap physical objects straight to Hawthorne.   The terminals are hidden in the new tunnels.  Shhh!
Dude, that's L2 info! This is a public thread. Shhhh....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 05/18/2017 01:09 am
Hadn't you heard?  New company called TeleporteX will zap physical objects straight to Hawthorne.   The terminals are hidden in the new tunnels.  Shhh!
Dude, that's L2 info! This is a public thread. Shhhh....
What's it doing on L2? That strickly the secret L<redacted> info.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: yokem55 on 05/18/2017 01:15 am
Hadn't you heard?  New company called TeleporteX will zap physical objects straight to Hawthorne.   The terminals are hidden in the new tunnels.  Shhh!
Dude, that's L2 info! This is a public thread. Shhhh....
What's it doing on L2? That strickly the secret L<redacted> info.
I literally saw that months ago on the inner dark under web. Turns out they create micro wormholes through flat plane of the earth and suck you through to the other side. The Boring Company is just a cover for it and SpaceX was just an attempt to create the tunnels through the firmament. True story dudes.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: toren on 05/18/2017 01:57 am
Perhaps Elon has one of these...

(http://www.indyprops.com/pp-timemap1.jpg)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: toruonu on 05/18/2017 05:40 pm
Well in response to the long discussion about various numbers of stages my young padawan rocket engineer decided to build a 4 stage rocket with a modular service unit. However something in his math was off as he had a RUD during MaxQ or well when someone rocked the table ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: toruonu on 05/18/2017 05:43 pm
Well in the true spirit of SpaceX when rebuilding he didn't go for the safe path and made now a 5 stage rocket...

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 05/18/2017 05:52 pm
Get the LEGO Saturn V and then mod it into what you want...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 05/18/2017 07:07 pm
Quote
How does that even work? You can't email pieces of paper, it just doesn't work that way.

So, two guys at an office party are standing by the fax machine......
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 05/18/2017 07:46 pm
Perhaps Elon has one of these...

(http://www.indyprops.com/pp-timemap1.jpg)

Time bandits!!!!
Charlemagne. 4 foooot 6!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 05/18/2017 08:12 pm
Hadn't you heard?  New company called TeleporteX will zap physical objects straight to Hawthorne.   The terminals are hidden in the new tunnels.  Shhh!
Dude, that's L2 info! This is a public thread. Shhhh....
What's it doing on L2? That strickly the secret L<redacted> info.
I literally saw that months ago on the inner dark under web. Turns out they create micro wormholes through flat plane of the earth and suck you through to the other side. The Boring Company is just a cover for it and SpaceX was just an attempt to create the tunnels through the firmament. True story dudes.

I will be MOST disappointed if I don't get at least one trip through the twisty straw!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 05/19/2017 01:26 am
Well in the true spirit of SpaceX when rebuilding he didn't go for the safe path and made now a 5 stage rocket...
Finally, conclusive proof that sometimes rockets are LEGO elements.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Flying Beaver on 05/19/2017 03:50 am
Name related meme dump.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: dorkmo on 05/19/2017 07:34 am
guys, i think ive figured out what theyre going to use the crane down in boca chica for...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 05/19/2017 02:12 pm
guys, i think ive figured out what theyre going to use the crane down in boca chica for...
But that thing is only good for one launch... SpaceX is all about re-usability.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cppetrie on 05/19/2017 05:38 pm
guys, i think ive figured out what theyre going to use the crane down in boca chica for...
But that thing is only good for one launch... SpaceX is all about re-usability.
While it was only used once, was there something stating it could only be used once? I don't recall such a limitation being stated. Could easily have missed it though. I did always wonder why they just didn't send another person, but that wouldn't have made for the same drama and mystery.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 05/19/2017 06:37 pm
guys, i think ive figured out what theyre going to use the crane down in boca chica for...
But that thing is only good for one launch... SpaceX is all about re-usability.
While it was only used once, was there something stating it could only be used once? I don't recall such a limitation being stated. Could easily have missed it though. I did always wonder why they just didn't send another person, but that wouldn't have made for the same drama and mystery.
In the book it is made very clear that after the first use it stopped working by design. That way the five occupants (another fault of the movie) are the ones with with the message.  They just need everyone to accept what they say is true.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 05/19/2017 11:29 pm
Quote
But that thing is only good for one launch... SpaceX is all about re-usability.

Small steps Elon,..... small steps.

Elon:  To heck with that!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 05/20/2017 01:13 am
So Lar is looking for a thread to put all the Upper Stage post launch partying... Think we should invite the upper stages to the party?

SES-8 Upper Stage Norad ID: 39461
Thaicom 6 Upper Stage Norad ID: 39501
AsiaSat 8  Upper Stage Norad ID: 40108
AsiaSat 6 Upper Stage Norad ID: 40142
ABS-3A , Satmex 7  Upper Stage Norad ID: 40426
MonacoSAT  Upper Stage Norad ID: 40618
SES-9 Upper Stage Norad ID: 41381
JCSAT-14 Upper Stage Norad ID: 41472
Thaicom 8 Upper Stage Norad ID: 41553
ABS 2, EUTELSAT 117W B Upper Stage Norad ID: 41590
JCSAT-16 Upper Stage Norad ID: 41730
Echostar 23 Upper Stage Norad ID: 42071
SES-10 Upper Stage Norad ID: 42433
Inmarsat-5 F4 Upper Stage Norad ID: 42699

Someone is keeping track of them, they have a record, and are the life of the party after all.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: yokem55 on 05/21/2017 10:43 pm
Folks, we need to step things up around here. These folks know how to party.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUWQn2KBvS-/

Anyone got a fog machine in the basement?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 05/22/2017 04:59 am
Quote
Anyone got a fog machine in the basement?

Nope, but for the next big SpaceX parteh, stop on by my booth.  I'll be making a killing from selling picax t-shirts.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 05/22/2017 06:30 am
So Lar is looking for a thread to put all the Upper Stage post launch partying... Think we should invite the upper stages to the party?

SES-8 Upper Stage Norad ID: 39461
Thaicom 6 Upper Stage Norad ID: 39501
AsiaSat 8  Upper Stage Norad ID: 40108
AsiaSat 6 Upper Stage Norad ID: 40142
ABS-3A , Satmex 7  Upper Stage Norad ID: 40426
MonacoSAT  Upper Stage Norad ID: 40618
SES-9 Upper Stage Norad ID: 41381
JCSAT-14 Upper Stage Norad ID: 41472
Thaicom 8 Upper Stage Norad ID: 41553
ABS 2, EUTELSAT 117W B Upper Stage Norad ID: 41590
JCSAT-16 Upper Stage Norad ID: 41730
Echostar 23 Upper Stage Norad ID: 42071
SES-10 Upper Stage Norad ID: 42433
Inmarsat-5 F4 Upper Stage Norad ID: 42699

Someone is keeping track of them, they have a record, and are the life of the party after all.

Great...a bunch of party guests that are high as a kite and have records.  I can hear the sirens already...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 05/22/2017 06:33 am
Quote
Anyone got a fog machine in the basement?

Nope, but for the next big SpaceX parteh, stop on by my booth.  I'll be making a killing from selling picax t-shirts.

I want one of the ones that says: "I SURVIVED FALCON HEAVY!"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 05/22/2017 02:12 pm
Great...a bunch of party guests that are high as a kite and have records.  I can hear the sirens already...

I would suggest, quite a bit higher....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tleski on 05/22/2017 02:17 pm
You know that it would be untrue
You know that I would be a liar
If I was to say to you
Girl, we couldn't get much higher

Come on baby, light my fire
Come on baby, light my fire
Try to set the night on fire
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Robotbeat on 05/22/2017 04:21 pm
The parties on Mars are going to be lit.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: yokem55 on 05/22/2017 05:44 pm
The parties on Mars are going to be lit.
So that's why Elon wanted to put a greenhouse on Mars...

That said I'm not sure whether to be more impressed by the improvement in SpaceX's rockets, or the improvement on their parties. I mean here is where they started on parties:

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 05/23/2017 01:24 am
Oh, that's gotta be a poll.
 When will we have the first bona fide party on Mars? (To be bona fide, it must include alcohol and sex.)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lars-J on 05/23/2017 03:05 am
Oh, that's gotta be a poll.
 When will we have the first bona fide party on Mars? (To be bona fide, it must include alcohol and sex.)

And surely a mariachi band? :) (of course SpaceX's mariachi band, outsourcing that is not going to happen) ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 05/23/2017 05:43 pm
Oh, that's gotta be a poll.
 When will we have the first bona fide party on Mars? (To be bona fide, it must include alcohol and sex.)

Not on my watch...

(IBM used to have (according to the Jargon Dictionary which is NEVER wrong) an LSD rule...[1]

Where'd you get a PUG [Payload User Guide]?
I requested one and they sent it.

This guy's too clever by half! Watch him...

1 - LSD: Liquor, Sex or Drugs... not on company time or furniture.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ringsider on 05/23/2017 05:56 pm
Where'd you get a PUG [Payload User Guide]?
I requested one and they sent it.

This guy's too clever by half! Watch him...

You would be surprised how far a simple request will get you in life.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mongo62 on 05/23/2017 09:43 pm
You would be surprised how far a simple request will get you in life.

Speaking of which, one of the big SpaceX mysteries is the earlier booster numbers (B100xx). We only have them for the more recent launches, but it would be great to have them for all launches (plus non-flight boosters such as Grasshopper, F9R and engineering test objects). Has anybody actually asked SpaceX for a list of booster numbers with associated uses?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 05/24/2017 01:42 am
Just as an aside from the edge of space; "The reports of U-2s' death are greatly exaggerated." -Proposed 2018 budget.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Jet Black on 05/24/2017 09:46 am
To maintain the purity of the NROL launch update thread I'm copying this here to respond:

Tweet from Jonathan McDowell (https://twitter.com/planet4589/status/867225945727434752)
Quote
Congrats to Leo Barhorst for locating the secret NRO sat launched by SpaceX on May 1 in a 400 km, 50 deg orbit (http://satobs.org )

It would be great if someone from the NRO replied and said "We'd congratulate you too, but that would mean us implying you know where our satellite is and then we'd have to kill you"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 05/24/2017 02:43 pm
Just as an aside from the edge of space; "The reports of U-2s' death are greatly exaggerated." -Proposed 2018 budget.

Watch out for pilot Vertigo at high Elevation.  Might instead be worth directing funding towards How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 05/24/2017 02:57 pm
Watch out for pilot Vertigo at high Elevation.  Might instead be worth directing funding towards How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb...
The money would be better spent on How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 05/24/2017 09:14 pm
Launch land and relaunch party thread ...
Are we going to party about the
reuse of a dragon capsule for this next flight?
The capsule has a previous mission tattoo!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Scylla on 05/24/2017 10:17 pm
SpaceX Rocket Cows now have competition.

RocketLab Rocket Sheep.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kch on 05/24/2017 10:31 pm
Just as an aside from the edge of space; "The reports of U-2s' death are greatly exaggerated." -Proposed 2018 budget.

Watch out for pilot Vertigo at high Elevation.  Might instead be worth directing funding towards How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb...

Nothing hard about that -- just Push The Button!  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lars-J on 05/24/2017 10:54 pm
SpaceX Rocket Cows now have competition.

RocketLab Rocket Sheep.

I suspect it would be hard to find any spot in NZ that doesn't have sheep withing sight.  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 05/25/2017 03:32 am
SpaceX Rocket Cows now have competition.

RocketLab Rocket Sheep.

I suspect it would be hard to find any spot in NZ that doesn't have sheep withing sight.  ;D

NZ, where the men are men, and the sheep are nervous???

(Ok that was mean... but it's actually adapted from a saying about my alma mater, Michigan Tech)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jjyach on 05/25/2017 01:21 pm
SpaceX Rocket Cows now have competition.

RocketLab Rocket Sheep.

I suspect it would be hard to find any spot in NZ that doesn't have sheep withing sight.  ;D

NZ, where the men are men, and the sheep are nervous???

(Ok that was mean... but it's actually adapted from a saying about my alma mater, Michigan Tech)

Hey now, Tech has added more Bio and Humanities studies since your time there.  The ratio still sucks, but there has been some slight improvement.....  ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 05/25/2017 09:51 pm
MEDIA ADVISORY M17-063
NASA to Air Launch of Next International Space Station Resupply Mission

Air launch? Did Stratolaunch win a CRS contract then sub the actual launch out to NASA? I'm so confused!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 05/25/2017 10:33 pm
So in June of 1962, eight Thor's launched. This includes starfish. I think the bar has been raised and we need to crank up the music!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AndyH on 05/25/2017 11:19 pm
SpaceX Rocket Cows now have competition.

RocketLab Rocket Sheep.
Not much competition - the Rocket Cows don't look anywhere near that sheepish.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cppetrie on 05/25/2017 11:21 pm
SpaceX Rocket Cows now have competition.

RocketLab Rocket Sheep.
Not much competition - the Rocket Cows don't look anywhere near that sheepish.
Yeah and the RocketLab Rocket Sheep aren't nearly as beefy.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 05/25/2017 11:32 pm
I don't know, SpaceX's bird of prey looks a bit to tall, to thin, and a bit anorexic.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Norm38 on 05/26/2017 04:24 pm
This is going to be a fun summer.  They've launched 6 times so far this year, but 9 more launches planned by the end of August.  3 per month!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 05/27/2017 07:34 am
This is going to be a fun summer.  They've launched 6 times so far this year, but 9 more launches planned by the end of August.  3 per month!

The launch update threads are starting to roll by like Highway signs.......

Denny's 5 more miles
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 05/27/2017 12:06 pm
So the Denny's launch will be in early August? Or will they push it up to late July?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: abaddon on 05/27/2017 12:16 pm
Lenny's?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 05/28/2017 01:31 pm
Four hours until the test window opens. Rocket is vertical on the pad. Steaming should be here later: http://original.livestream.com/spaceflightnow
If that's what you want to call it! :)  (venting, steaming, same same.. but where there's steam there's fire!)

Here's hoping this typo[1] is the biggest issue with the static fire.

1 - I love typos! They're fun to twist around and work for humor value. Chris'll probably forgive me.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kch on 05/30/2017 05:32 am
So in June of 1962, eight Thor's launched. This includes starfish. I think the bar has been raised and we need to crank up the music!

Sounds like a Thor point to me ... :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: RobW on 05/30/2017 05:52 am
So in June of 1962, eight Thor's launched. This includes starfish. I think the bar has been raised and we need to crank up the music!

Sounds like a Thor point to me ... :)


<voice='Dr Zachary Smith'>Oh the pain, the pain!</voice>
Edit: for the young ones: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKwwcCpa2Ag
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 05/30/2017 07:49 am
SpaceX Rocket Cows now have competition.

RocketLab Rocket Sheep.
Not much competition - the Rocket Cows don't look anywhere near that sheepish.
Yeah and the RocketLab Rocket Sheep aren't nearly as beefy.

They all look like breakfast to a nest of hungry Ospreys at KSC.  (http://sts134launch.blogspot.com/2011/04/arrival.html)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JoerTex on 05/30/2017 08:22 pm
Rocket Sheep Lift Off

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 05/31/2017 01:47 am
That's a Big Freakin Rocket Sheep!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cppetrie on 05/31/2017 02:51 am
Snip

Maybe you could reduce the startup fireball effect by spraying liquid nitrogen into the flame trench just before Falcon 9 ignition.

Or maybe you can spray burnt hydrogen there (you can think it as liquid ash), it can also suppress the sound waves!!! Two flies in one swat! How nobody have think that before.

(sorry Zed I had to...)
You gotta be really careful with that dihydrogen monoxide stuff, though. Inhaling even just a small amount can be devastating to your lungs. Most people just think it's harmless, but it can be deadly and it's everywhere in the environment. You can read more at this great website:
www.dhmo.org

(Yes ,the website is real [and hilarious]. Yes, I know what DHMO actually is. Yes, you should, too.)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 05/31/2017 03:38 am

 I guess I would have expected the pad perimeter to have been outside whatever distance debris could reasonably be expected to go in order to prevent this sort of thing.

Not really.  The pad perimeter fencing is added security and protection for critical pad systems, not for how far the rocket can throw debris.

 I'm not sure what good a "perimeter" would do anyhow, except to make access to the fire harder. And you're sure not going to pave a square mile of ground.

Seriously? Man, think bigger
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Galactic Penguin SST on 05/31/2017 10:44 am
So there are quite a few launches stacking up for the next 36 hours......have Chris and you all be fully prepared for all these rockets covfefe yet?  ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Chris Bergin on 05/31/2017 11:46 am
So there are quite a few launches stacking up for the next 36 hours......have Chris and you all be fully prepared for all these rockets covfefe yet?  ;)

Yes sir. We'll have live covfefe of all three. We have the best covfefe here, so great, unlike the failing fake news nasaspaceflight.org. Those guys are terrible. #SoSad
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 05/31/2017 12:01 pm
So there are quite a few launches stacking up for the next 36 hours......have Chris and you all be fully prepared for all these rockets covfefe yet?  ;)

Yes sir. We'll have live covfefe of all three. We have the best covfefe here, so great, unlike the failing fake news nasaspaceflight.org. Those guys are terrible. #SoSad

Like isn't strong enough for this one ...
Should be some extra things for example

 LMAO. 
Or even SCTMN = Spit coffee through my nose
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: dodo on 05/31/2017 12:23 pm
If only all that energy could be applied in the vertical direction.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tleski on 05/31/2017 01:00 pm
Yes, if you are just planning to go suborbital, otherwise I would put a significant proportion of it to gain adequate horizontal velocity.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Shanuson on 05/31/2017 02:22 pm
Yes, if you are just planning to go suborbital, otherwise I would put a significant proportion of it to gain adequate horizontal velocity.

Isn't it only a question of how far/fast you go "vertical". In the extrem case when you excede the earth escape velocity you will never come back to earth and thus you are definitely not suborbital. So the question is there a point(velocity) where you would enter an orbit around earth between being suborbital and leaving earth completely?

Also what kind of vertical are we talking about? vertical relative the the position on Earth we came from, which rotates. Or vertical as we do neither change our angular momentum vector nor our orientation to it.

And does this question even belongs into a party threat?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JasonAW3 on 05/31/2017 03:56 pm
Yes, if you are just planning to go suborbital, otherwise I would put a significant proportion of it to gain adequate horizontal velocity.

Isn't it only a question of how far/fast you go "vertical". In the extrem case when you excede the earth escape velocity you will never come back to earth and thus you are definitely not suborbital. So the question is there a point(velocity) where you would enter an orbit around earth between being suborbital and leaving earth completely?

Also what kind of vertical are we talking about? vertical relative the the position on Earth we came from, which rotates. Or vertical as we do neither change our angular momentum vector nor our orientation to it.

And does this question even belongs into a party threat?

Only is you're already three sheets to the wind! ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Retired Downrange on 05/31/2017 09:36 pm
I am in Melbourne Beach very close to the Cape, is there a "going to view launch" thread for this launch? If so I have  not been able to find it. Actually I am interested in seeing the landing.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: dgates on 06/01/2017 12:03 am
Jim is a steely eyed rocket man.  That is all.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: dgates on 06/01/2017 12:10 am
So there are quite a few launches stacking up for the next 36 hours......have Chris and you all be fully prepared for all these rockets covfefe yet?  ;)

Yes sir. We'll have live covfefe of all three. We have the best covfefe here, so great, unlike the failing fake news nasaspaceflight.org. Those guys are terrible. #SoSad
There is a colloquial term in the USAF and flight test community, "queep".  Covfefe is similar although is smells worse.  Is admin BS, unneeded paperwork, useless reports, forms filled out for the sake of filling out forms, hurt feelings reports, etc.
Another possible is "unequaled excellence", as in "this rocket is SO damned covfefe, it's gonna shoot that comsat into GTO on the first stage alone.  Just sayin'.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 06/01/2017 12:32 am
Here in the blessed city of my fathers and my father's fathers we have an abundance of spiritual resources to call on when the going gets tough. In the next 24 hours we have double the usual need. The Predators are playing in the second game of the Stanley Cup Finals and there's a rocket to launch. We got it covered.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 06/01/2017 01:53 pm
So there are quite a few launches stacking up for the next 36 hours......have Chris and you all be fully prepared for all these rockets covfefe yet?  ;)

Yes sir. We'll have live covfefe of all three. We have the best covfefe here, so great, unlike the failing fake news nasaspaceflight.org. Those guys are terrible. #SoSad

Here's to a yuge month of launches from bigly companies like SpaceX and the rest.

Covfefe for all!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JazzFan on 06/01/2017 05:52 pm
Old saying, what goes up.............
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 06/01/2017 07:07 pm
....unless it lasts more than four hours. Then you should consult a physician.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 06/01/2017 09:08 pm
The SpaceX "weather modification network" (patent pending) might come in handy right now... :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 06/01/2017 09:46 pm
I wish they would wash their rockets the night before and not on launch days.
These scrubs are tiresome. ::)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 06/01/2017 09:51 pm
a clean rocket is a dirty shame. In this context
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DaveJ576 on 06/01/2017 09:54 pm
Dang. What a bunch of weenies. Scrub due to lightning. Gene Kranz and Pete Conrad would have said go!  :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Ronpur50 on 06/01/2017 10:02 pm
Well, I am off Saturday, and we have a launch scheduled.....looks like road trip time!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 06/02/2017 12:05 am
Dang. What a bunch of weenies. Scrub due to lightning. Gene Kranz and Pete Conrad would have said go!  :)
I'd like to think they wouldn't.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: llanitedave on 06/02/2017 02:55 am
Dang. What a bunch of weenies. Scrub due to lightning. Gene Kranz and Pete Conrad would have said go!  :)
I'd like to think they wouldn't.

Just need to be ready to set SCE to Aux.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 06/02/2017 03:39 am
Dang. What a bunch of weenies. Scrub due to lightning. Gene Kranz and Pete Conrad would have said go!  :)

Gene Kranz was not Flight Director during the launch of Apollo 12. Gerry Griffin held that position.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 06/02/2017 04:11 am
Dang. What a bunch of weenies. Scrub due to lightning. Gene Kranz and Pete Conrad would have said go!  :)
I'd like to think they wouldn't.

Just need to be ready to set SCE to Aux.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: pathfinder_01 on 06/02/2017 06:34 am
Elon would get to Mars faster if he would put more resources into that weather controling machine on his secret volcanic island....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Semmel on 06/02/2017 06:52 am
The problem with that weather machine is, that it can only make the weather more turbulent, but not calmer.. To make it calm would require a chaos inversion capacitor. Which in turn needs the capability of connecting to the supreme and inferior energy grid simultaneously. We simply don't have that yet, even the Culture regards such technology as excession.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 06/02/2017 07:01 am
Nah, just reverse the polarity of the neutron flow!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: dodo on 06/02/2017 11:43 am
I've always said that the Gulf of Mexico needs a large matrix of interconnected pipes to reduce pressure gradients from incoming air masses. (What that's gonna do to the global climate, that's another story.)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Jet Black on 06/02/2017 03:28 pm
The problem with that weather machine is, that it can only make the weather more turbulent, but not calmer.. To make it calm would require a chaos inversion capacitor. Which in turn needs the capability of connecting to the supreme and inferior energy grid simultaneously. We simply don't have that yet, even the Culture regards such technology as excession.

If that is the case, then all you have to do is run the machine backwards in time.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 06/02/2017 07:15 pm
The problem with that weather machine is, that it can only make the weather more turbulent, but not calmer.. To make it calm would require a chaos inversion capacitor. Which in turn needs the capability of connecting to the supreme and inferior energy grid simultaneously. We simply don't have that yet, even the Culture regards such technology as excession.

Perhaps, by pumping enough energy into the weather, we could make it so chaotic that the time between good and bad weather is less than the time it takes lightning to strike!  Problem solved!

Good thing Dragon has a heat shield, because it'd be sitting in high-mach winds...  which isn't a term you get to use often!

If that is the case, then all you have to do is run the machine backwards in time.

We know this is possible because Elon originally announced that Falcon Heavy would fly in 2012 - ever since, he has clearly been deflecting until development is finished, at which point he will send the design back in time to the ancient year 2011.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: dgates on 06/03/2017 04:56 am
Poor little mousetronauts.  Don't HAVE the measles, not gonna get the measles.  The backup mice are pretty happy though.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 06/03/2017 06:39 pm
If NROL-76 was meant to deploy sharks with frickin lasers, Elon would have not resigned from Trump's advisory council.

Just saying, we can cross that option off the list.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: sghill on 06/03/2017 09:16 pm
"Rocket bees" tm

You heard it here first.
:)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 06/03/2017 09:16 pm
eXcellent!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Eerie on 06/03/2017 09:25 pm
"Rocket bees" tm

You heard it here first.
:)

"Space Wasps", actually. And they first graced the very first Falcon 9 launch.

See here, at 1:11
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxSxgBKlYws
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: pstephens on 06/03/2017 09:39 pm
very first Falcon 9 launch.

Wow, that rocket is so tiny!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DecoLV on 06/03/2017 10:02 pm
Anyone else notice this frame hiccup at about T+90? My heart skipped a beat! LOL
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Galactic Penguin SST on 06/03/2017 10:57 pm
Who needs Cristiano Ronaldo (*) when there's SpaceX? On this side of the Earth I very unfortunately overslept for the Champions League Final (#) but it was right on time to watch this Dragon going up. Phew!

(*) A certain, um, soccer player
(#) Some kind of, um, soccer game watched by a lot of people
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intrepidpursuit on 06/03/2017 11:24 pm
Anyone else notice this frame hiccup at about T+90? My heart skipped a beat! LOL

"It appears we've had an anomaly. The Falcon 9 has pixelated."
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cppetrie on 06/03/2017 11:43 pm
Does anyone know what that boat was doing just offshore at liftoff?
Watching the launch like everyone else?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 06/04/2017 12:06 am
Astromice report "zero g and we feel fine"...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Norm38 on 06/04/2017 12:58 am
Here's a fun question. It took 50 years (1967-2017) for 39A to get to 100 launches.
How many years for the next 100?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 06/04/2017 02:17 am
Here's a fun question. It took 50 years (1967-2017) for 39A to get to 100 launches.
How many years for the next 100?
Between Iridium NEXT 1 and now, there have been 6 flights (CRS-10, Echostar 23, SES-10, NROl-76, Inmarsat 5, CRS-11) in 141 days, all from the same pad, or one flight every 23.5 days.  So, 100 flights would require 2350 days, suggesting that the 200th flight from Pad 39A will be on Thursday, November 9, 2023.  However, if no weather or technical issues ever occurred, and SpaceX matched their record (so far) of a 14-day turnaround every time, they could hit 200 by Saturday, April 3, 2021.

Of course, the pad being taken offline for 40-60 days or more in preparation for Falcon Heavy might push it to the right - but then, increased launch cadence might push it to the left (and also, once LC-40 is online, 39A might become a bit less popular).  Also, it has been speculated that Elon wants ITS flying by 2022, which could have quite an impact on launch cadence (maybe increasing it, but probably decreasing).  Then again, Elon's timetable is also known to defy standard time conventions, and thus such analysis is well-suited for the party thread.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 06/04/2017 11:05 am
Crafty, I think you just kicked a hornets nest ;-)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 06/05/2017 01:20 pm
Hans (SpaceX): Very happy.  Thanks NASA for cargo. Pad team worked awesome.  Dragon team working hard now.  Thanks to 45th Space Wing and Air Force.  Special thanks and shout out to good weather.

Yeah whatevs. They didn't recover the fairings...  :)

(grin, Duck, RUN!!!!)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Ben the Space Brit on 06/05/2017 06:37 pm
Welcome back to the ISS, Dragon C106!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: pathfinder_01 on 06/05/2017 09:02 pm
And the Dragon came back, the very next day..the Dragon came back they thought it was a gonner and the Dragon came back..He just couldn't stay away
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DecoLV on 06/07/2017 01:21 am
So, today's big news was about SpaceX flying the X-37B for the USAF in August. When that news got out today, I also heard some "unofficial news" got out as well, the cargo the vehicle carries. While not confirmed at all by sources, I hear ...
-- X-37B is manned
-- the cargo bay for X-37B carries a Gemini spacecraft. At least the re-entry module of a Gemini spacecraft.

Here is how I think it works: when on orbit, two pilots climb down into the cargo bay where the Gemini is. They take a hammer and smash a hole in the heat shield, and climb inside. When the bay doors open, so do the Gemini doors. The astronauts then use Kodak Super 8mm film cameras to take pictures. So, the X-37B actually is....the MOL! At end of mission, the pilots use the ejection seats to return to earth, landing on parachutes (or perhaps personal methane prop landing rockets) and the Gemini is jettisoned.

 ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 06/07/2017 02:06 am
You know, Gemini did not need a LAS.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 06/07/2017 06:21 am
So, today's big news was about SpaceX flying the X-37B for the USAF in August. When that news got out today, I also heard some "unofficial news" got out as well, the cargo the vehicle carries. While not confirmed at all by sources, I hear ...
-- X-37B is manned
-- the cargo bay for X-37B carries a Gemini spacecraft. At least the re-entry module of a Gemini spacecraft.

Here is how I think it works: when on orbit, two pilots climb down into the cargo bay where the Gemini is. They take a hammer and smash a hole in the heat shield, and climb inside. When the bay doors open, so do the Gemini doors. The astronauts then use Kodak Super 8mm film cameras to take pictures. So, the X-37B actually is....the MOL! At end of mission, the pilots use the ejection seats to return to earth, landing on parachutes (or perhaps personal methane prop landing rockets) and the Gemini is jettisoned.

 ;D
The sad thing is: there are places in the Internet where that scenario would be taken literally.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 06/07/2017 10:33 am
The sad thing is: there are places in the Internet where that scenario would be taken literally.
What, and the CRS-11 first stage recovery kicking up two sheets of plywood is not proof enough that it is not all an elaborate sound stage?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: gospacex on 06/07/2017 12:39 pm
What happened to stalwart warriors of Truth, fighters against corporate and government lies?
Where are "CRS-11 is sooo fake" videos on youtube?? It's four days now, and not a single video yet...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JasonAW3 on 06/07/2017 01:11 pm
Astromice report "zero g and we feel fine"...

How did you translate that from "Squeak Squeak"?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Norm38 on 06/07/2017 01:21 pm
^^^ Google Translate, of course.  Mice are in the new beta.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 06/07/2017 02:59 pm
^^^ Google Translate, of course.  Mice are in the new beta.

I find that hard to swallow.

European mice or African mice???

ALSO ... brings new meaning to the notion of high (pitched) beta impacting ISS operations.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JasonAW3 on 06/07/2017 04:44 pm
Oooo... I hope that they don't impact the ISS... That could be messy!!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 06/08/2017 01:03 am
The History Channel: Making of the SpaceX booster return hoax.  'They used a very large flaming boosterang'
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 06/08/2017 12:46 pm
[ULAlaunch coverage]... is about as exciting and awe-inspiring as watch paint dry.
You don't watch enough of them, then. They have shown video of spacecraft separation in the past.

Jim speaks truth!!!! You can NEVER watch too many launches! Amirite?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 06/08/2017 01:45 pm
[ULAlaunch coverage]... is about as exciting and awe-inspiring as watch paint dry.
You don't watch enough of them, then. They have shown video of spacecraft separation in the past.

Jim speaks truth!!!! You can NEVER watch too many launches! Amirite?

You're never wrong, Lar.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 06/08/2017 04:55 pm
You're never wrong, Lar.

You've confused me with Jim again! I'm wrong all the time. For instance I once said you were handsome... (grin, duck run!)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: dror on 06/08/2017 06:17 pm
"Rocket bees" tm

You heard it here first.
:)

"Space Wasps", actually. And they first graced the very first Falcon 9 launch.

See here, at 1:11
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxSxgBKlYws

This rocket has no legs !
STOP THE FLIGHT !
IT'S GOING TO CRASH !
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cppetrie on 06/08/2017 08:12 pm
[ULAlaunch coverage]... is about as exciting and awe-inspiring as watch paint dry.
You don't watch enough of them, then. They have shown video of spacecraft separation in the past.

Jim speaks truth!!!! You can NEVER watch too many launches! Amirite?
Totally right! I watch as many launches as I can because their interesting. And it still amazes me that this huge heavy thing can propel itself to space. Heck, I'm still amazed watching planes fly, and I'm pretty good on the physics of airplanes.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: John Alan on 06/08/2017 09:00 pm
[ULAlaunch coverage]... is about as exciting and awe-inspiring as watch paint dry.
You don't watch enough of them, then. They have shown video of spacecraft separation in the past.

Jim speaks truth!!!! You can NEVER watch too many launches! Amirite?
Totally right! I watch as many launches as I can because their interesting. And it still amazes me that this huge heavy thing can propel itself to space. Heck, I'm still amazed watching planes fly, and I'm pretty good on the physics of airplanes.
Agreed...
I watch a launch in awe of the physics involved... not just the sight and sound (which is  8) also)
The gross metric tons of prop and oxidizer being turned into useful work and waste heat at a mind boggling rate per second is what makes me  ;D ... 
You ever figure up the BTU's of waste heat per second left in a F9's wake?... mind boggling...  :o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 06/09/2017 04:40 pm
Thanks goodness the person that left his calipers behind in the trunk remembered to take his lawn darts with him!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Eric Hedman on 06/09/2017 08:43 pm
Hi Res set from Gary Blair (taken from a public area...as always) going into L2 over the coming hours, but this is a big milestone, so passing on at least a preview as "Conehead" is cool.

We believe this is 1023 (formerly the leaning Tower of Thaicom-8). One of the two flight proven S1's that will be with the Falcon Heavy debut.
From the picture it looks like the guy wires are attached to some kind of ring placed over the cone.  Does the center core have attach points for the wires that the side cores don't or are covered up by the cone?

The center core (and normal F9s for that matter) have those same guy wires attach to their interstage separation mechanisms. Since the side boosters don't have those, they use that special ring solution.
if these rings have any sensors on them do they qualify as sensor rings?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KlXBQ5j18I (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KlXBQ5j18I)

Beldar would be  pleased.  ;D  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 06/10/2017 06:32 am
Okay, that's 55 seconds that I will never get back....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: rpapo on 06/10/2017 11:03 am
From the Falcon Heavy discussion thread:

Th east coast of Florida is a major nesting area for the Loggerhead, and also significant nesting of Greens take place here. Maybe some Ridleys.  A lot of activity in Florida revolves around their cycle and the legal testrictions now in place for their protection.

And I'm sure they are frequently at "loggerheads" with the "Greens".
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: S.Paulissen on 06/10/2017 08:03 pm
Quote
I spy with my @SpaceX eye DragonEye.

https://twitter.com/spacekscblog/status/873560947285254144 (https://twitter.com/spacekscblog/status/873560947285254144)

Fixed that for them.  Come ON FST, get with it!  THIS IS A SPACEX THREAD.  >:[

*from bulgariasat thread*

http://www.spacex.com/press/2012/12/19/spacexs-dragoneye-navigation-sensor-successfully-demonstrated-space-shuttle
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 06/11/2017 01:35 am

That said, the video of the fairing separating from the X-37B would be awesome.

Done to "Also sprach Zarathustra"?

I think blue danube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muPNlnm_i44
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 06/11/2017 01:36 am
actually this one is better

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyjOjT8d8RI
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 06/11/2017 05:54 am
actually this one is better


Oh dear.. I had hoped to do something productive today, but now you are *forcing* me to watch this masterpiece again.

The mindboggling thing is, this movie is old. *ancient* even. It is actually 2 months older than I am!
And still it is a more accurate portrayal of spaceflight than any of the modern movies. Gravity, anyone? How about some Interstellar gravity?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Jcc on 06/11/2017 03:40 pm
actually this one is better


Oh dear.. I had hoped to do something productive today, but now you are *forcing* me to watch this masterpiece again.

The mindboggling thing is, this movie is old. *ancient* even. It is actually 2 months older than I am!
And still it is a more accurate portrayal of spaceflight than any of the modern movies. Gravity, anyone? How about some Interstellar gravity?

The only bit that seems inaccurate is the idea of attempting to walk upright in zero g. Up to this point everyone just flies around and doesn't bother wearing shoes. Maybe ITS can "fix" that by enforcing corridors to walk and inventing "grip shoes" that work as God and Kubrick intended.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: IntoTheVoid on 06/11/2017 05:42 pm
actually this one is better


Oh dear.. I had hoped to do something productive today, but now you are *forcing* me to watch this masterpiece again.

The mindboggling thing is, this movie is old. *ancient* even. It is actually 2 months older than I am!
And still it is a more accurate portrayal of spaceflight than any of the modern movies. Gravity, anyone? How about some Interstellar gravity?

The only bit that seems inaccurate is the idea of attempting to walk upright in zero g. Up to this point everyone just flies around and doesn't bother wearing shoes. Maybe ITS can "fix" that by enforcing corridors to walk and inventing "grip shoes" that work as God and Kubrick intended.

What's to invent? Use pile carpet on the 'floor' and velcro soles on your sneakers.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: yokem55 on 06/11/2017 05:49 pm
actually this one is better


Oh dear.. I had hoped to do something productive today, but now you are *forcing* me to watch this masterpiece again.

The mindboggling thing is, this movie is old. *ancient* even. It is actually 2 months older than I am!
And still it is a more accurate portrayal of spaceflight than any of the modern movies. Gravity, anyone? How about some Interstellar gravity?

The only bit that seems inaccurate is the idea of attempting to walk upright in zero g. Up to this point everyone just flies around and doesn't bother wearing shoes. Maybe ITS can "fix" that by enforcing corridors to walk and inventing "grip shoes" that work as God and Kubrick intended.
That and space liners would never fly with an empty flight like that. They'd have it overbooked ten ways to Sunday with a survival of the fittest scrum in the loading area.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: pstephens on 06/11/2017 06:12 pm
That and space liners would never fly with an empty flight like that.

Space liners of the future will be navigated by computers rather than by two pilots as in Kubrick's vision.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mme on 06/11/2017 06:35 pm
Okay, that's 55 seconds that I will never get back....
Isn't that the very definition of of a party thread?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: meekGee on 06/11/2017 08:18 pm
actually this one is better


Oh dear.. I had hoped to do something productive today, but now you are *forcing* me to watch this masterpiece again.

The mindboggling thing is, this movie is old. *ancient* even. It is actually 2 months older than I am!
And still it is a more accurate portrayal of spaceflight than any of the modern movies. Gravity, anyone? How about some Interstellar gravity?

The only bit that seems inaccurate is the idea of attempting to walk upright in zero g. Up to this point everyone just flies around and doesn't bother wearing shoes. Maybe ITS can "fix" that by enforcing corridors to walk and inventing "grip shoes" that work as God and Kubrick intended.
That and space liners would never fly with an empty flight like that. They'd have it overbooked ten ways to Sunday with a survival of the fittest scrum in the loading area.
That was the point in the book - that it was sooo classified, he got a private flight, otherwise unheard of.

Like the feds clearing up the freeway for someone in a recent movie...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: meekGee on 06/11/2017 08:19 pm
That and space liners would never fly with an empty flight like that.

Space liners of the future will be navigated by computers rather than by two pilots as in Kubrick's vision.
That's right!

And video payphones.....


I mean video calls, ok.  But they missed the whole phone-in-your- pocket thing..
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: meekGee on 06/11/2017 08:22 pm
That and space liners would never fly with an empty flight like that.

Space liners of the future will be navigated by computers rather than by two pilots as in Kubrick's vision.
That's right!

And video payphones.....


I mean video calls, ok.  But they missed the whole phone-in-your- pocket thing..
But yeah, an absolute masterpiece.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: yokem55 on 06/11/2017 08:25 pm
That and space liners would never fly with an empty flight like that.

Space liners of the future will be navigated by computers rather than by two pilots as in Kubrick's vision.
That's right!

And video payphones.....


I mean video calls, ok.  But they missed the whole phone-in-your- pocket thing..
They missed the computer a few orders of magnitude faster than HAL in your pocket...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: rpapo on 06/11/2017 08:25 pm
I mean video calls, ok.  But they missed the whole phone-in-your- pocket thing..
Star Trek previewed the flip-phone just a year or two earlier.  Now they're passe...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: pstephens on 06/11/2017 08:47 pm
Star Trek previewed the flip-phone just a year or two earlier.  Now they're passe...

We still don't have transporters or warp drives yet. And we haven't yet sent a crewed mission to Jupiter.

Plenty of things left to aspire to.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cppetrie on 06/11/2017 09:46 pm
Musk said it would be something crazy. If not cheese related, it is likely Pythonesque.

"Nooobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!"
Wouldn't that require a crew Dragon capsule? I thought we had ruled out the dragon-on-FH-demo idea because it needs a fairing for qualifying the flight for the AF.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cppetrie on 06/11/2017 09:49 pm
I mean video calls, ok.  But they missed the whole phone-in-your- pocket thing..
Star Trek previewed the flip-phone just a year or two earlier.  Now they're passe...
Yes, but now we've moved on to the TNG-inspired smartphones and tablets based on the P.A.D.D.  Trek has shaped so much of our technological present and continues to do so.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 06/12/2017 01:12 am
2001 had ipads first

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQ8pQVDyaLo
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 06/12/2017 03:09 am
actually this one is better


Oh dear.. I had hoped to do something productive today, but now you are *forcing* me to watch this masterpiece again.

The mindboggling thing is, this movie is old. *ancient* even. It is actually 2 months older than I am!
And still it is a more accurate portrayal of spaceflight than any of the modern movies. Gravity, anyone? How about some Interstellar gravity?

The only bit that seems inaccurate is the idea of attempting to walk upright in zero g. Up to this point everyone just flies around and doesn't bother wearing shoes. Maybe ITS can "fix" that by enforcing corridors to walk and inventing "grip shoes" that work as God and Kubrick intended.
That and space liners would never fly with an empty flight like that. They'd have it overbooked ten ways to Sunday with a survival of the fittest scrum in the loading area.
Ooh, I bet networks would pay decent money for footage of a good pre-boarding scrum, especially if some people bought bodyguard partners to increase their chances.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 06/12/2017 09:47 am
Okay, that's 55 seconds that I will never get back....
Isn't that the very definition of of a party thread?
That would be a mighty short party.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: yokem55 on 06/13/2017 02:35 am


Must said it would be something crazy. If not cheese related, it is likely Pythonesque.

"Fetchez le vache!"
Musk said they want to try getting the upper stage back, so no GEO insertion or escape trajectory burns. They could do a GTO or even lunar free return and get the stage back at perigee, depending how long it can last on orbit and whether it can do deep space nav and comms.

They could send an inflatable or other model of a cow - though, how much does a dead cow mass? - on a lunar free return. That way, a cow really would have jumped over the moon. (They might even be able to fit on a (model) cat, a fiddle, a small (model) dog, a dish and a spoon for the sake of completeness.) :)

Is the cow spherical?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 06/13/2017 02:41 am
Quote
Is the cow spherical?

I'm considering.....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: abaddon on 06/13/2017 04:30 pm
Had to pop in, very tired (but happy) after a different kind of party:
(https://o.aolcdn.com/images/dims3/GLOB/crop/2368x1556+967+486/resize/1028x675!/format/jpg/quality/85/http%3A%2F%2Fo.aolcdn.com%2Fhss%2Fstorage%2Fmidas%2F2164bde4664d79be435d915ac47fb428%2F205372398%2Fthe-golden-state-warriors-are-pictured-after-winning-the-nba-in-game-picture-id695398898)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 06/13/2017 06:44 pm
I really think that people need to take some sort of chill pill about this matter. If the X-37B could not fit, comfortably and with safety margin, inside the Falcon-9's PLF, then this launch would not be happening.

My personal nightmare, arrived at by splicing several recent NSF conversations and my own sleep-deprived imagination:

Calipers, specially crafted in a secret laboratory from ice IX, and secretly in the employ of SPECTRE, stow away inside the payload fairing on the OTV-5 flight...

Then, after achieving orbit, the precision instrument single-calipered-ly seizes control of the X-37B, in an attempt to hold the world hostage for *pinkie finger to lips* ONE MILLION DOLLARS!

:D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 06/13/2017 11:37 pm
Saddened that they don't seem to appreciate talking about lunch in the discussion threads? Oh well, time to grab some rocket fuel and hunker down for tonight's attempt at lunch. Sixth times a charm I guess.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: yokem55 on 06/14/2017 12:40 am
Saddened that they don't seem to appreciate talking about lunch in the discussion threads? Oh well, time to grab some rocket fuel and hunker down for tonight's attempt at lunch. Sixth times a charm I guess.
This is strictly a re-lunch thread. If you aren't skiving out to take a personal lunch after a company/employer lunch so you can watch a launch, this thread isn't for you.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JasonAW3 on 06/14/2017 03:41 am
Saddened that they don't seem to appreciate talking about lunch in the discussion threads? Oh well, time to grab some rocket fuel and hunker down for tonight's attempt at lunch. Sixth times a charm I guess.
This is strictly a re-lunch thread. If you aren't skiving out to take a personal lunch after a company/employer lunch so you can watch a launch, this thread isn't for you.

Sometimes I have a serious failure to lunch.  I get piled up with projects, and my lunch window is missed.  Of course I typically will try to catch a launch at lunch, if there is one...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: yokem55 on 06/14/2017 03:46 am
Saddened that they don't seem to appreciate talking about lunch in the discussion threads? Oh well, time to grab some rocket fuel and hunker down for tonight's attempt at lunch. Sixth times a charm I guess.
This is strictly a re-lunch thread. If you aren't skiving out to take a personal lunch after a company/employer lunch so you can watch a launch, this thread isn't for you.

Sometimes I have a serious failure to lunch.  I get piled up with projects, and my lunch window is missed.  Of course I typically will try to catch a launch at lunch, if there is one...
Yes, I agree. One should generally maintain an even ratio between scrubbed lunches and rapid re-lunches in order to maintain general sanity and continued gainful employment.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: IntoTheVoid on 06/15/2017 10:53 am
"June 15: NICER executes initial pointing control test and detector initial checkout."

It's amazing that they let us put MLRS on the ISS, and ironic that they called it NICER.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Chris Bergin on 06/15/2017 12:47 pm
Had to pop in, very tired (but happy) after a different kind of party:



Congrats!  8)

As was one of the responses when I got over excited and posted off topic on our Twitter feed...

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/866280162366820352

"GO SPORTS!" ;D

(And we won that game 3-2, so a good day was had by all) :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Norm38 on 06/15/2017 02:27 pm
They missed the computer a few orders of magnitude faster than HAL in your pocket...

Are they though?  We don't really know how many teraflops (or whatever) HAL is capable of.  Is my phone faster by raw speed?  Maybe.  But have you tried having a conversation with Siri?  Computers aren't anywhere close to HAL.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 06/15/2017 07:43 pm
They missed the computer a few orders of magnitude faster than HAL in your pocket...

Are they though?  We don't really know how many teraflops (or whatever) HAL is capable of.  Is my phone faster by raw speed?  Maybe.  But have you tried having a conversation with Siri?  Computers aren't anywhere close to HAL.

They should create a mod for Siri that sounds like HAL.  (*)  < big red eye.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 06/15/2017 07:47 pm
They missed the computer a few orders of magnitude faster than HAL in your pocket...

Are they though?  We don't really know how many teraflops (or whatever) HAL is capable of.  Is my phone faster by raw speed?  Maybe.  But have you tried having a conversation with Siri?  Computers aren't anywhere close to HAL.

They should create a mod for Siri that sounds like HAL.  (*)  < big red eye.

I'm sorry Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 06/16/2017 08:15 am
Saddened that they don't seem to appreciate talking about lunch in the discussion threads? Oh well, time to grab some rocket fuel and hunker down for tonight's attempt at lunch. Sixth times a charm I guess.
This is strictly a re-lunch thread. If you aren't skiving out to take a personal lunch after a company/employer lunch so you can watch a launch, this thread isn't for you.

Sometimes I have a serious failure to lunch.  I get piled up with projects, and my lunch window is missed.  Of course I typically will try to catch a launch at lunch, if there is one...
The worst is recycling.  I hate recycling my lunches!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 06/16/2017 10:08 am
Some days, your co-workers insist on an alternative lunch provider after you have prepared your lunch. So you just scrub, recycle, and try again in 24hrs.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Chris Bergin on 06/16/2017 02:26 pm
PS per a report to mod (correctly done), I've made this thread sticky....not because it's a flagship thread - it certainly isn't one of those! - but I agree that seeing it bumping up and down page 1 of this section is a bit distracting.

No posts or threads were harmed in the making of this mov...e ;D

Looks a bit more tidy now:
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 06/17/2017 01:35 am
Quote
Looks a bit more tidy now:

If it looks tidy, we aren't partying hard enough!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JasonAW3 on 06/17/2017 11:21 am
Quote
Looks a bit more tidy now:

If it looks tidy, we aren't partying hard enough!

I've heard it said that science is rarely tidy!  And neither are parties!

I mean, just look at our political parties!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AncientU on 06/17/2017 06:12 pm
Downer alert!!!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JasonAW3 on 06/17/2017 06:46 pm
Downer alert!!!!

Not really...  Have you ever bedn to one of their actual celebration parties?  They get pretty wild!

Or, to paraphrase how the British aristocracy would put it,"So uncivilized and untidy..."
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: landlubber on 06/17/2017 07:03 pm


Must said it would be something crazy. If not cheese related, it is likely Pythonesque.

"Fetchez le vache!"
Musk said they want to try getting the upper stage back, so no GEO insertion or escape trajectory burns. They could do a GTO or even lunar free return and get the stage back at perigee, depending how long it can last on orbit and whether it can do deep space nav and comms.

They could send an inflatable or other model of a cow - though, how much does a dead cow mass? - on a lunar free return. That way, a cow really would have jumped over the moon. (They might even be able to fit on a (model) cat, a fiddle, a small (model) dog, a dish and a spoon for the sake of completeness.) :)

Is the cow spherical?

Oblate spheroid with legs.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 06/18/2017 03:53 pm
...I've made this thread sticky....not because it's a flagship thread - it certainly isn't one of those!

Au contraire....
its THE most important mission thread by its placement at the TOP!
Besides humor makes the world go round and is apparently required
in order to launch rockets successfully. 
 ::)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 06/18/2017 03:59 pm
Downer alert!!!!

Not really...  Have you ever bedn to one of their actual celebration parties?  They get pretty wild!

Or, to paraphrase how the British aristocracy would put it,"So uncivilized and untidy..."
They probably said the same thing about the American Colonials in 1776... ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JasonAW3 on 06/18/2017 04:37 pm
Yeah, pretty much...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 06/18/2017 10:39 pm
PS per a report to mod (correctly done), I've made this thread sticky....not because it's a flagship thread - it certainly isn't one of those! - but I agree that seeing it bumping up and down page 1 of this section is a bit distracting.

No posts or threads were harmed in the making of this mov...e ;D

Looks a bit more tidy now:
I didn't think to look up there, so it took me quite a while to actually find the thread.  I had to use my browser's text search for "party".   :-[

In other news, I feel like the ROSA team missed out on an awesome opportunity to get sued for copyright infringement in perhaps the coolest way ever.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Galactic Penguin SST on 06/19/2017 04:20 pm
I don't know what the Russians have in their minds, but apparently they are scheduling right now (http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=43064.msg1691701#msg1691701) the launch of the YouCanKnowWhatThatIsButIWillHaveToShootYou satellite (I've no idea how to spell that in Cyrillic) with the 3rd infamously NK-33 powered Soyuz-2.1v at T-5:21 of the count of Bulgariasat-1, if everything holds on for the next 98 hours.

Does anybody here knows what does that meant?  ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 06/20/2017 05:22 pm
That moment when the party thread is no longer at the top of the sticky notes. Must restore balance to the sticky notes!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swoopert on 06/21/2017 11:42 am
That moment when the party thread is no longer at the top of the sticky notes. Must restore balance to the sticky notes!

And again, most bumpy of bumps to raise this thread like the TEL! Manifest discussions will not defeat us!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mme on 06/22/2017 03:16 am
I was just looking at the manifest thread and there are only two launches scheduled for SpaceX in July. ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Galactic Penguin SST on 06/23/2017 11:54 am
I don't know what the Russians have in their minds, but apparently they are scheduling right now (http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=43064.msg1691701#msg1691701) the launch of the YouCanKnowWhatThatIsButIWillHaveToShootYou satellite (I've no idea how to spell that in Cyrillic) with the 3rd infamously NK-33 powered Soyuz-2.1v at T-5:21 of the count of Bulgariasat-1, if everything holds on for the next 98 hours.

Does anybody here knows what does that meant?  ;)

Putin et. al. had clarified that the time is now scheduled at T-5:27.  ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 06/23/2017 04:12 pm
Since this flight has an unprecedented Bulgarian connection I felt that it might best be served with a blessing for success by a crowd of holy homeboys. They weren't all that interested until I told them it would improve reception of their favorite French soap opera. Spiritual best wishes for success were quickly and heartily bestowed.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 06/23/2017 05:29 pm
Is that Gandalf on the third row?   ::)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: yokem55 on 06/23/2017 06:53 pm
The funky music had a good jam today..
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 06/23/2017 07:15 pm
A fair amount of what looks like debris drifting to the upper right of the screen.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: abaddon on 06/23/2017 07:16 pm
Ice sheets?  Engines just ignited for entry burn successfully.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 06/23/2017 07:21 pm
Is that Gandalf on the third row?   ::)

I doubt it. Gandalf looked much younger than that.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JasonAW3 on 06/23/2017 07:21 pm
Came REAL close to missing the ship entirely!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Doesitfloat on 06/23/2017 07:24 pm
Engines seemed to be burning over water and then we get this image!
So the Falcon Brown pants Landing left some skid marks... :o

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 06/23/2017 07:32 pm
Came REAL close to missing the ship entirely!
For a 3-engine landing burn, not having to replace the deck again seems like it'd mean a miss could be at least a partial win -- at least enough to endlessly debate on forums how we should count it.  :P
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 06/23/2017 07:38 pm
The gymnast Falconnia Stuck the hard landing, earning 6.2 from the Russian judge
but they always score lower than the other judges.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JasonAW3 on 06/23/2017 07:42 pm
I think they're going to have to replace the engines, as it looks like the hit the deck.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 06/23/2017 07:50 pm
Okay, I managed to *barely* avoid an out-of-context quip in the Discussion thread, but hey, that's why this is here, eh?

You are doing it wrong. Lines are NOT straight at all in this lens. Or do you think the ocean is curved?

Well, actually, yeah.  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 06/23/2017 07:58 pm
I attempted to up the contrast on the engines to see how close they got to the deck.  Still hard to be sure.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intrepidpursuit on 06/23/2017 07:58 pm
Okay, I managed to *barely* avoid an out-of-context quip in the Discussion thread, but hey, that's why this is here, eh?

You are doing it wrong. Lines are NOT straight at all in this lens. Or do you think the ocean is curved?

Well, actually, yeah.  ;D

Was working up to a "see, the earth is flat and it is all a conspiracy" comment. I guess that's all I've got.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Chris Bergin on 06/23/2017 07:59 pm
That surge when the booster landed. Crazy. Was like Black Friday at opening hour ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mchoudoir on 06/23/2017 08:02 pm
I attempted to up the contrast on the engines to see how close they got to the deck.  Still hard to be sure.

I would guess the legs are designed so that at the max limit of the emergency crush cores the engine bells would be off the deck.  Elon said they used "almost" all of the crush core, so I would be surprised if the bells hit.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 06/23/2017 08:11 pm
That surge when the booster landed. Crazy. Was like Black Friday at opening hour ;D

"That surge when the booster landed.  Crazy."  Yeah, it looked like a wave hit broadside just before the feed cut out.

"Was like Black Friday at opening hour ;D"  That's a strange metaphor for waves on the -- oh, *that* kind of surge!  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 06/23/2017 11:05 pm
Quote
Was working up to a "see, the earth is flat and it is all a conspiracy" comment. I guess that's all I've got.

Well, it's either flat or hollow.  You can't have it both ways!  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Aerospace Dilettante on 06/24/2017 12:06 am
Came REAL close to missing the ship entirely!
For a 3-engine landing burn, not having to replace the deck again seems like it'd mean a miss could be at least a partial win -- at least enough to endlessly debate on forums how we should count it.  :P

I can't wait to see the landing footage, considering what we saw the exhaust doing to the ocean surface, it's got to be real sporty!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Bob Shaw on 06/24/2017 12:12 am
Geometrically Corrected landing image. Not so tilty after all!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 06/24/2017 07:25 am
I like how we argue over what the stage looks like after landing which used to be a view only fishes used to have... I guess they did the same... ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 06/24/2017 11:52 am
I like how we argue over what the stage looks like after landing which used to be a view only fishes used to have... I guess they did the same... ;D

You think *we* have fun discussions about used rockets being straight or not?  Underwater, it's all fisheye, all the time!  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 06/24/2017 12:49 pm
I like how we argue over what the stage looks like after landing which used to be a view only fishes used to have... I guess they did the same... ;D

You think *we* have fun discussions about used rockets being straight or not?  Underwater, it's all fisheye, all the time!  ;D
Yeah, I hear those "Great Whites" are as fussy as "Russian judges" about sticking the landing on the ocean floor, or at least that's what ULA says...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JazzFan on 06/24/2017 01:55 pm
I like how we argue over what the stage looks like after landing which used to be a view only fishes used to have... I guess they did the same... ;D

You think *we* have fun discussions about used rockets being straight or not?  Underwater, it's all fisheye, all the time!  ;D
Yeah, I hear those "Great Whites" are as fussy as "Russian judges" about sticking the landing on the ocean floor, or at least that's what ULA says...

Just gotta wonder which type of fish or mammal won the landing bingo?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 06/24/2017 02:02 pm
I would guess an octopus. They seem to have the needed deep understanding of eight leg octowebs.

Plus they are pretty good at predicting football matches.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 06/24/2017 02:06 pm
So apparently there is now a clothing optional lunch location. According to the updates, Playlinda was open for the lunch.

That should get the party moving.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 06/25/2017 12:13 pm
Can't wait for the lunch. I hear a new waffle recipe is going to be used during bingo!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 06/25/2017 02:29 pm
This being a California launch on Sunday I undertook to seek spiritual support from Maria's Hippie Church and Taco Stand. Several prayers were offered for the excellent guacamole and a groovy launch.



Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mme on 06/25/2017 06:20 pm
I believe the term is "talons"...

Hi res closeup of new grid fins.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BVxWVmelhKG/?hl=en (https://www.instagram.com/p/BVxWVmelhKG/?hl=en)

They basically look... Grid Fin Claws!  :P
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Apollo-phill on 06/25/2017 07:26 pm
Just returned from a fantastic afternoon orchestral concert called "Space Spectacular" played by London Symphony Orchestra with famous Conductor Anthony Inglis  held at Symphony Hall,Birmingham,UK .

This being SpaceX double header weekend this was just the icing on the cake for me as it featured themes from Star Wars, ET , Close Encounters, 2001, Superman , Planet Suite (Jupiter and Mars) and Independence Day. Fantastic being played by a live almost full concert orchestra .

The Conductor , just before playing Close Encounters theme , came on dressed as a Jedi warrior ! He then had the whole audience ( around 2,250 people sat in several tiered levels as well as ground floor) singing the " famous" 5-note theme ( la- la- la-la- la) with top tier doing first " la ", next tier down  ,the second " la" and so on down with ground floor doing last " la". Ending up with all tiers singing the whole theme. It was SO,SO incredible ( a little like the Indian crowd scene chanting the theme in film ) and had to be there to assimilate the pure momentous moment ! Really uplifting !

For final encore, orchestra played Superman theme with Conductor Anthony Inglis entering into spirit by wearing a Superman logo t-shirt under formal wear ! Again , he had audience practising ripping make believe shirt off to reveal logo underneath and then trying fit underpants over top of logo ! Hilarious watching 2,250 people trying do this but, oh so, so great getting everyone in mood to hear the final encore.

Throughout the concert - besides being reminded of the various film scenes - I could also visualise the amazing spatial explorations we  human beings have made since October 1957 and recalling SpaceX Falcon 9 flight on Friday and today's upcoming launch from VAFB.

If the Jedi' s, ET' s and other assorted " aliens" are 'out there' - hang on, we' re coming - to join the galactic party ! We'll be the ones singing, whistling, dancing and generally ecstatically whooping that we made it into the cosmos around and beyond our planet !

Rock on Tommy !


Apollo-phill
UK




and for final piece ( the Superman theme ) wore  a Superman t- shirt under his formal suit !

He even had the whole auditorium play acting
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 06/25/2017 08:05 pm
I like the new "bear claws" grid fins! 8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 06/25/2017 08:35 pm
A perfect landing on J24RTI !!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 06/25/2017 09:04 pm
"s2 is over the penquins"

Let's hope they dont have a hidden volcano lair.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 06/25/2017 09:07 pm
The "beasty" is so tall that for a sec I said "wait, why are we in a hover" when we had already touched down... ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 06/25/2017 09:13 pm
The "You can only like something every 120 seconds" rule is just bloody silly!! >:(
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 06/25/2017 09:32 pm
...I mean some of us can read very quickly various posts and even multiple threads.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 06/25/2017 09:38 pm
So much lens flare in the deployment video I thought I was watching a JJ Abrams movie.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intrepidpursuit on 06/25/2017 09:48 pm
I like the new "bear claws" grid fins! 8)

They are very clearly "falcon talons".  ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 06/25/2017 09:52 pm
I like the new "bear claws" grid fins! 8)

They are very clearly "falcon talons".  ;)
Aw, get a grip... ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intrepidpursuit on 06/26/2017 04:59 am
So is "SpaceX Manifest Table Formatting Discussion (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=43214.0)" the antithesis of the party thread? It takes the most boring discussion on the forums and isolates it. Smart. Now if there was only a way to hide threads so I'm not tempted to look at new posts...

Now, back to comparing animal appendages to titanium rocket parts.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: NX-0 on 06/26/2017 04:06 pm
What time is tomorrow's launch?
We are on an 'every-other-day' launch rate, now, right?
Right?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Chris Bergin on 06/26/2017 04:20 pm
What time is tomorrow's launch?
We are on an 'every-other-day' launch rate, now, right?
Right?

20:00 ZULU.

(I just wanted to type ZULU).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQrE8vOM0ss
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: yokem55 on 06/26/2017 08:22 pm
What time is tomorrow's launch?
We are on an 'every-other-day' launch rate, now, right?
Right?
I don't know man... I'm already getting the shakes though. I should be okay though. I can quit whenever I want.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: bjornl on 06/26/2017 09:04 pm
There is a Long Methadon 5 launch in a few days to help you cope until the Intelsat 35e goes...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 06/27/2017 01:21 pm
The next big thing.. a new party thread name for the FH launch

"He is Falcon Heavy... And he's my brother"

Too soon to begin throwing around names?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: yokem55 on 06/27/2017 03:36 pm
The next big thing.. a new party thread name for the FH launch

"He is Falcon Heavy... And he's my brother"

Too soon to begin throwing around names?
I've always thought "We like big boosters and we cannot lie" would be good for a falcon heavy party thread. I've even come up with a few lines of a lovely song by Sir Launch-a-lot called. 'Baby Got R-T-L-S'.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 06/27/2017 04:40 pm
Once ... twice...three times a falcon?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: gongora on 06/27/2017 09:49 pm
Tweet from Matt Desch (https://twitter.com/IridiumBoss/status/879790603634188288) (slightly edited):
Quote
Launch 2 picture, as Bryan, Tatiana and I watched our satellites head toward space. Hand on heart trying to manually control heart rate...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 06/27/2017 09:56 pm
The "You can only like something every 120 seconds" rule is just bloody silly!! >:(

I've petitioned that the rule be lifted. For moderators only.  So far no luck...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jon.amos on 06/28/2017 01:26 am
When's the next launch? It's been two days!  I NEED a launch man, I'm not addicted I just need one more the month.  Just a little one, got any Falcon 1's left in the barn?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Jarnis on 06/28/2017 12:48 pm
When's the next launch? It's been two days!  I NEED a launch man, I'm not addicted I just need one more the month.  Just a little one, got any Falcon 1's left in the barn?

Sunday?

(SpaceX seems to think so. Everyone else is shaking their head and thinking they can't possibly pull off 3 launches in 9 days)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 06/28/2017 11:51 pm
Finally some technical operational schematics! ;D

https://twitter.com/abbygarrettX/status/880189564953821185

My preciousss....

(also, seasick rockets)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: catdlr on 06/29/2017 12:13 am
The video in this thread may be appropriate here....

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=43244.0
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 06/29/2017 12:19 am
When's the next launch? It's been two days!  I NEED a launch man, I'm not addicted I just need one more the month.  Just a little one, got any Falcon 1's left in the barn?

Sunday?

(SpaceX seems to think so. Everyone else is shaking their head and thinking they can't possibly pull of 3 launches in 9 days)
We're good, as long as no one tells the rocket...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 06/29/2017 01:53 am
Not only is OctoCrab catchy*, but naming its hardened hangout the Crab Shack (in panel four) seals the win. ;D

*Pun not intended, but it would've been had I thought of it before typing.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 06/29/2017 02:57 am
Let's just hope the booster doesn't fall on it - cause then it's a Crushtacean ...! (Sorry, it's my biologist side...)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 06/29/2017 03:10 am
The "You can only like something every 120 seconds" rule is just bloody silly!! >:(

I've petitioned that the rule be lifted. For moderators only.  So far no luck...

My big problem with the limit is that when you trigger it, it resets the clock.  So, if I accidentally like post #2 115 seconds after the first one, I have to wait another 2 minutes instead of just another 6 seconds to try again.  That is infuriating.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 06/29/2017 03:18 am
The "You can only like something every 120 seconds" rule is just bloody silly!! >:(

I've petitioned that the rule be lifted. For moderators only.  So far no luck...

My big problem with the limit is that when you trigger it, it resets the clock.  So, if I accidentally like post #2 115 seconds after the first one, I have to wait another 2 minutes instead of just another 6 seconds to try again.  That is infuriating.
That's actually a serious complaint and is *drumroll* therefore off topic here. Try your luck in the
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?board=50.0 site board
or this thread
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=32793
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: woods170 on 06/29/2017 07:09 am
I posted my quip to the party thread... don't make the mods crabby by getting TOO attached to your standup jokes.

Come now Lar. Look who started this crab-fest in reply #395  ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Jet Black on 06/29/2017 09:41 am
I posted my quip to the party thread... don't make the mods crabby by getting TOO attached to your standup jokes.

Come now Lar. Look who started this crab-fest in reply #395  ;)

Be careful. It's only a matter of time before an uninvolved mod gets you in a pincer movement.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: rsdavis9 on 06/29/2017 11:44 am
Graboid from tremors

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/byNSrfMU8Yw/maxresdefault.jpg
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Chandonn on 06/29/2017 03:22 pm
Shouldn't each Octograbber have its own name.  Like "Bob" or "Sally"?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: rberry on 06/29/2017 05:02 pm
Shouldn't each Octograbber have its own name.  Like "Bob" or "Sally"?

As of right now there is only one, so The Octagrabber.

Edit * quite right about Octa.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Req on 06/29/2017 05:09 pm
Please stop with the octo.

Octa is the prefix that you should have learned during grade school or before.

http://www.spacex.com/news/2006/01/01/octaweb

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Perchlorate on 06/29/2017 05:39 pm
Seems like I went to my favorite seafood restaurant last Octaber, and the fried Octapus was delicious.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Perchlorate on 06/29/2017 05:40 pm
Seems like I went to my favorite seafood restaurant last Octaber, and the fried Octapus was delicious.


Please stop with the octo.

Octa is the prefix that you should have learned during grade school or before.

http://www.spacex.com/news/2006/01/01/octaweb
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lars-J on 06/29/2017 05:45 pm
Seems like I went to my favorite seafood restaurant last Octaber, and the fried Octapus was delicious.

What's your point? Do you really believe that English is a grammatically consistent language?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Perchlorate on 06/29/2017 05:52 pm
Seems like I went to my favorite seafood restaurant last Octaber, and the fried Octapus was delicious.

What's your point? Do you really believe that English is a grammatically consistent language?

Just refuting the idea that "octa" is the standard numerical prefix associated with the number 8.  "Octo" is just as valid as "octa, and maybe even more prevalent.  The earlier poster has suggested that we all should have learned in grade school to use "octa."  I was simply disagreeing.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 06/29/2017 06:05 pm
So there's roomba for disagreement on what to call this thing?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Perchlorate on 06/29/2017 06:37 pm
So there's roomba for disagreement on what to call this thing?

Maaba, maaba not.

Even though it's a Discussion thread, maaba it's time for a little self-moderation.  I'm done. :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 06/30/2017 12:38 am
Intelsat 35e is the same day as my 11th anniversary... Decisions, decisions.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 06/30/2017 01:36 am
So Lars-J mentioned in the discussion thread that the invisible Wonder Woman Dragon Capsule is on the pad for the static fire!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: docmordrid on 06/30/2017 03:05 am
Seems like I went to my favorite seafood restaurant last Octaber, and the fried Octapus was delicious.

What's your point? Do you really believe that English is a grammatically consistent language?

Just refuting the idea that "octa" is the standard numerical prefix associated with the number 8.  "Octo" is just as valid as "octa, and maybe even more prevalent.  The earlier poster has suggested that we all should have learned in grade school to use "octa."  I was simply disagreeing.

I agree with your earlier statement, but will add a (pseudo)scientific justification ;)

It moves, has arms and grabs things with them - so IMO it is a cybernetic cephalopod which should be assigned to the Order Octopoda, from which the Octopus and other cephalopods arose.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 06/30/2017 04:16 am
Intelsat 35e same day as 11th to anniversary... Decisions, decisions.
Um? I'm not seeing the issue.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 06/30/2017 10:59 pm
Well Octo or octa. 
When they launch we should all just "get ready to Roombo".
(Or is that Roomba or rumble )
 ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Formica on 06/30/2017 11:37 pm
Waiting for those landing videos be like...

Also, following the Culture naming convention, the octagrabber should clearly be named Attitude Adjuster. Just sayin'.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Scylla on 06/30/2017 11:51 pm
I've always favored naming it CUDDLES. The stage is all wobbly and scared.😱 Possibly sea sick.😢 Cuddles would come out, hold it and make it feel better.😁
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 07/01/2017 01:26 am
Well, the roomba (also called octograbber) has been seen in use now. And, contra my earlier predictions, it's not a giant roomba for cleaning the deck.

Another issue is the changeover from aluminum to titanium grid fins. The huge unanswered question that SpaceX has yet to address is, will the new ones work as well as the old as waffle irons for the post-landing lunch? 



Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: gongora on 07/01/2017 02:15 am
Also, following the Culture naming convention, the octagrabber should clearly be named Attitude Adjuster. Just sayin'.

I don't think the octagrabber should be named after a warship (I'd have to check but I assume Attitude Adjuster was an offensive unit.)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 07/01/2017 02:19 am
Picture of the 225º grid fin nearly melted away, credit (https://i.imgur.com/3FS0Blc.jpg) to u/thedubya22 on Reddit.

That'll buff right out!

Amazing how the camera was able to deal with the stream of molten Aluminum coming its way....

No chance SpaceX has developed transparent aluminum, eh?  I mean, there *were* rumors somewhere that they were looking into nuclear wessels...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 07/01/2017 03:51 am
I've always favored naming it CUDDLES. The stage is all wobbly and scared.😱 Possibly sea sick.😢 Cuddles would come out, hold it and make it feel better.😁
Since they need two: Cuddles and Snuggles, the Octa Twins!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cppetrie on 07/01/2017 04:15 am
Picture of the 225º grid fin nearly melted away, credit (https://i.imgur.com/3FS0Blc.jpg) to u/thedubya22 on Reddit.

That'll buff right out!

Amazing how the camera was able to deal with the stream of molten Aluminum coming its way....

No chance SpaceX has developed transparent aluminum, eh?  I mean, there *were* rumors somewhere that they were looking into nuclear wessels...
Transparent aluminum already exists since Scotty gave the guy the formula year's ago.

It is in fact a real thing although it is of course an alloy. Cool stuff. And strong. That Roddenberry guy was like Nostradamus. Flip phones, PADDs, transparent Al. Amazing. Next thing we know Elon will be introducing his next great transportation idea, the warp drive.

Check it out.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aluminium_oxynitride (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aluminium_oxynitride)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Formica on 07/01/2017 04:24 pm

I don't think the octagrabber should be named after a warship (I'd have to check but I assume Attitude Adjuster was an offensive unit.)

Okay, yeah, Attitude Adjuster was a warship. Involved in a conspiracy to start a war.

Conversely, the octagrabber literally adjusts the attitude of landed stages. It's just too perfect.

I guess I'd settle for Funny, It Worked Last Time, though that doesn't exactly inspire confidence.  ::)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 07/02/2017 07:54 am
Did I miss the Intelsat 35e landing bingo? I'm going to chose "AO"

:
:

(yes that's "Atlantic Ocean")
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Helodriver on 07/02/2017 09:46 am
NSF SpaceX ASDS Landing Bingo returns again! Let's see who actually reads this part of the game postings!

So we've just had doubleheader weekend and while we're all still woozy from our drunken celebratory coast to coast electric boogalooing, SpaceX goes and sneaks out a legless finless booster out on to 39A hoping they'd get off a landingless launch in the middle of the night without anyone noticing. Fat chance! This is NSF we're talking about here! Obsessive stalking and discussion of minute detail is what we do best. Noting is too obscure! Trainspotting anoraks have nothing on us! Let the games begin!

No shotgun start, the game is immediately open!

The game remains exactly as played in prior iterations. Except for the part where the ASDS remains port and the rocket crashes into the ocean in pieces at near supersonic speed. If its not broke don't fix it. :)

 - CRS-8 ( http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=39977.0 )
 - JCSAT-14 ( http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=40219.0 )

Pick your square, one per player. Closest square to the center engine when it comes to a halt gets the prize! Pro tip: I expect it to be somewhere between Bermuda and the Bahamas.

This includes post landing walkabouts or fluttering to the water's surface of lightweight random parts and pieces scattered across the sky from the tumbling breakup.

Definite major prize for fireballs, debris, or damage on deck! Especially since the ASDS will be hundreds of miles uprange!

If it hits the ship, goes kaboom, punctures holes in the deck, falls over in transit, there is no winner. Only a booster standing tall and triumphant as the ASDS sails into the harbor will generate a win! Then a squadron of Raptor powered elephants will launch and circle the globe trumpeting your victory. I guarantee it. Promise.

Water squares are meaningless, if falls in the sea, no winners - no prize. Well scratch that!  Water square gets a win if you pick the correct one.

This thread remains the official record of who chose what square when. For that reason any edited pick post is invalid. Naw, edit away, see if I care. First to claim a square gets it! Given how big the ocean impact hazard area is, there are PLENTY of squares to choose from.

Use Dan's scraper to see which spots have gone: Scraper HAS NOT been repointed to new thread. No sense wasting DanielW's bandwidth for nothing. That stuff does not grow on trees you know.

http://asds.dansdoorway.com/BigOceanLittleRocket

NOTE: There may sometimes be a slight delay of a few minutes at most between scraper updates, so check the last few posts before yours too, just to be sure.  Thanks to DanielW for setting the scraper up, it helps a lot!

Judging is by me, Helodriver picking whomever I damn well please as the winner because there isn't going to be a camera within 100 miles of splashdown. Rocketcams, helicopter or drone shots, and landing coverage will be ignored, but where it sits at the time of its bomb like landing will be final.  Post landing movements by robot will only happen if Optimus Prime (the real one) happens to be flying by on his way to fight Decepticons. :)

Winner gets the remains of the Intelsat35e booster as a suitable prize. Prize is as is - where is, transportation and loading are the sole responsibility of the winner. Winner does not get a year of L2 membership for free. This is not a charity. If a current L2 member, you are awesome, if not, better luck next time! ;)


Good luck SpaceX, Good luck Intelsat35e, and Good luck especially to NSF readers, you're going to need it!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Kasponaut on 07/02/2017 09:58 am
I believe this booster will be expendable 😉
So we can't have a bingo 😳
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Poole Amateur on 07/02/2017 10:09 am
Love Bingo! 28°53'2" N 78°27'1" W Right on top of a NOAA Buoy. Though if it does land there, things not gone so well  :P
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Chris Bergin on 07/02/2017 10:20 am
NSF SpaceX ASDS Landing Bingo returns again!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Npo0cmp-VY
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 07/02/2017 01:11 pm
We're launching rockets on a 4th of July weekend. How appropriate.  8)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 07/02/2017 01:53 pm
After staging Falcon will descend into the mists of the triangle and reappear on Pad 39A ready for reuse...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 07/02/2017 03:27 pm
We're launching rockets on a 4th of July weekend. How appropriate.  8)

It's been done before. STS-121 is a notable example.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: gongora on 07/02/2017 03:38 pm
After staging Falcon will descend into the mists of the triangle and reappear on Pad 39A ready for reuse...

I was wondering how some people thought SpaceX will launch the full manifest this year...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tmoe on 07/02/2017 05:59 pm
Sadly my new SpaceX mug arrived two days ago with a broken handle (picture). Fixed with glue and ready for its first launch and expendable coffee later tonight if weather cooperates:-)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 07/02/2017 07:37 pm
We're launching rockets on a 4th of July weekend. How appropriate.  8)

It's been done before. STS-121 is a notable example.

Oh heck yeah. We've even landed on the 4th before. That was an awesome day.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 07/02/2017 07:47 pm
When did SpaceX get a new ASDS named Just Kidding?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: John Alan on 07/02/2017 07:53 pm
Just noticed 39A is developing a nice healthy coating of soot from all the usage....  8)

Link to pics referenced...  on edit
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=43211.msg1697923#msg1697923 (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=43211.msg1697923#msg1697923)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 07/02/2017 09:14 pm
NSF SpaceX ASDS Landing Bingo returns again!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Npo0cmp-VY

This one is, of course, better

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIXByCAIzos

The other one is defective, it lacks LEGO references.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 07/02/2017 09:21 pm
Oh, and my guess is, of course 

53°38'1.79" N -2°40'16.79" W
or
53.6357823 N ,-2.7006652 W

https://www.google.com/maps/@53.6357823,-2.7006652

...
spoiler, highlight to see it
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camelot_Theme_Park
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 07/02/2017 09:57 pm
T-35 minutes. Engineers confident launch will be a success.
When was the last time you heard an engineer say (about their own thing) "I am absolutely CERTAIN this will be a failure" ???
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: gongora on 07/02/2017 10:03 pm
When did SpaceX get a new ASDS named Just Kidding?

Now you made me look at the list of Culture ship names to see if that actually was one.  (It's not.)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: yokem55 on 07/02/2017 10:32 pm
T-35 minutes. Engineers confident launch will be a success.
When was the last time you heard an engineer say (about their own thing) "I am absolutely CERTAIN this will be a failure" ???
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soyuz_1
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Boisjoly#/editor/3
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mme on 07/02/2017 10:55 pm
NSF SpaceX ASDS Landing Bingo returns again! Let's see who actually reads this part of the game postings!
...
Good luck SpaceX, Good luck Intelsat35e, and Good luck especially to NSF readers, you're going to need it!
In elementary school I always failed the "read everything before starting test" test.  I passed this time because Spoiler Alert:
.
.
.
.
.
.
Malcolm Crowe is dead.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cppetrie on 07/02/2017 11:33 pm
Too much copypasta
Was that with alfredo or marinara sauce? I always feel a little sluggish after an alfredo lunch.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mme on 07/02/2017 11:42 pm
GNC criteria called the abort.
Looks like the rocket realized it did not have landing legs.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 07/02/2017 11:45 pm
GNC criteria called the abort.
Looks like the rocket realized it did not have landing legs.
"Guys?  How am I gonna get back home?  Hey, why are you going ahead with the countdown?  What's going on?"

Hopefully they can wipe this AI and install a slightly dumber one before tomorrow's launch window opens!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cppetrie on 07/02/2017 11:46 pm
GNC criteria called the abort.
Looks like the rocket realized it did not have landing legs.
I knew they shouldn't have upgraded to that new neural net flight computer. It has become self-aware and doesn't wan't to plunge to its death in the ocean.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 07/02/2017 11:50 pm
As the Falcon awoke it said "where am I"?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 07/02/2017 11:53 pm

From the update thread;

More time to get your bingo picks in.

Okay, my pick is the Atlantic Ocean, but not including the deck of ASDS OCISLY. Does anyone have that pick yet? If not, sign me up! :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: yokem55 on 07/03/2017 12:02 am
GNC criteria called the abort.
Looks like the rocket realized it did not have landing legs.
"Guys?  How am I gonna get back home?  Hey, why are you going ahead with the countdown?  What's going on?"

Hopefully they can wipe this AI and install a slightly dumber one before tomorrow's launch window opens!
Hey guys, you haven't told me where the Drone Ship is? Guys? Guys? Oh. So that's how this is gonna be, huh? Well hold my beer, watch this.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cppetrie on 07/03/2017 12:07 am
GNC criteria called the abort.
Looks like the rocket realized it did not have landing legs.
"Guys?  How am I gonna get back home?  Hey, why are you going ahead with the countdown?  What's going on?"

Hopefully they can wipe this AI and install a slightly dumber one before tomorrow's launch window opens!
Hey guys, you haven't told me where the Drone Ship is? Guys? Guys? Oh. So that's how this is gonna be, huh? Well hold my beer, watch this.
Could it be as simple as somebody forgot to put the GNC computer in expendable mode and so it balked at a NULL for the ASDS coordinates. That would interesting. Hopefully it's something as simple as that, although would be kind of a big oversight by somebody.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 07/03/2017 12:10 am
This bird is a diva and sources secretly report that she really wants to launch on the 4th...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Bubbinski on 07/03/2017 12:31 am
Ever since I woke up and saw that Long March 5/Shijian-18 failed I had a bad feeling about today's F9 launch attempt. The Chinese launch and F9/Intelsat launch were about the same time of day 12 hours apart. I knew there was some kind of black cloud hanging over today for space ops....but tomorrow's a new day.

Tomorrow could indeed feature a landing off one coast and a launch on the other one. Be interesting if a splashdown bingo for Dragons ever got started.....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: dodo on 07/03/2017 05:49 am
GNC criteria called the abort.
Looks like the rocket realized it did not have landing legs.
"Guys?  How am I gonna get back home?  Hey, why are you going ahead with the countdown?  What's going on?"

Hopefully they can wipe this AI and install a slightly dumber one before tomorrow's launch window opens!
Hey guys, you haven't told me where the Drone Ship is? Guys? Guys? Oh. So that's how this is gonna be, huh? Well hold my beer, watch this.
Could it be as simple as somebody forgot to put the GNC computer in expendable mode and so it balked at a NULL for the ASDS coordinates. That would interesting. Hopefully it's something as simple as that, although would be kind of a big oversight by somebody.
In other words, SpaceX is forgetting how to do expendable launches.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: LouScheffer on 07/03/2017 12:57 pm
As the Falcon awoke it said "where am I"?
Well, it's better than "You are false data" (http://www.cinemah.com/altri/war/carpent.htm).  That one did not turn out so well...

EDIT: Added link for those not familiar with the(excellent, but very low budget) movie.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: fthomassy on 07/03/2017 04:33 pm
As the Falcon awoke it said "where am I"?
Well, it's better than "You are false data" (http://www.cinemah.com/altri/war/carpent.htm).  That one did not turn out so well...
... for Amos-6

too soon?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Jim on 07/03/2017 04:47 pm
GNC criteria called the abort.
Looks like the rocket realized it did not have landing legs.
"Guys?  How am I gonna get back home?  Hey, why are you going ahead with the countdown?  What's going on?"

Hopefully they can wipe this AI and install a slightly dumber one before tomorrow's launch window opens!
Hey guys, you haven't told me where the Drone Ship is? Guys? Guys? Oh. So that's how this is gonna be, huh? Well hold my beer, watch this.
Could it be as simple as somebody forgot to put the GNC computer in expendable mode and so it balked at a NULL for the ASDS coordinates. That would interesting. Hopefully it's something as simple as that, although would be kind of a big oversight by somebody.
In other words, SpaceX is forgetting how to do expendable launches.

That is taking it too far
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: obi-wan on 07/03/2017 05:22 pm
So, not to be a buzzkill here, but why did this topic get put in the "sticky" section? As I understand it, you make topics sticky because they (a) have useful information many people may want to refer to later, but (b) the topic is infrequently used so it would get otherwise lost in page after page of unused topics. As much as I love (most of) the humor, neither of those criteria would seem to pertain to this thread...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 07/03/2017 06:25 pm
This is by far my favorite landing poll ever!

And re why is this sticky??
 ...talk to Chris about that. We didn't do it.

But I suspect it is something like the same reason there is a "kids table" at family events.
They think because they are special... and the adults agree....
so special they get to hold their conversations off on the side and let the adults alone.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cppetrie on 07/03/2017 06:41 pm
So, not to be a buzzkill here, but why did this topic get put in the "sticky" section? As I understand it, you make topics sticky because they (a) have useful information many people may want to refer to later, but (b) the topic is infrequently used so it would get otherwise lost in page after page of unused topics. As much as I love (most of) the humor, neither of those criteria would seem to pertain to this thread...
(c) the thread has awesomeness not accounted for in (a) or (b)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Scylla on 07/03/2017 06:43 pm
So, not to be a buzzkill here, but why did this topic get put in the "sticky" section? As I understand it, you make topics sticky because they (a) have useful information many people may want to refer to later, but (b) the topic is infrequently used so it would get otherwise lost in page after page of unused topics. As much as I love (most of) the humor, neither of those criteria would seem to pertain to this thread...
The answer is here.
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg1690729#msg1690729
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: toruonu on 07/04/2017 12:18 am
If they scrub today I'm gonna be frakked :D Stayed up last night until 2:35AM only to see T-9s abort :) Today it's been pushing back and back to the end of the window and now it's 3:18AM here with launch at 3:35AM :D I'd have slept and set an alarm had I known that it's around 3AM instead of 2AM.

Oh well, sleep is overrated anyway I guess...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cartman on 07/04/2017 12:37 am
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 07/04/2017 12:38 am
What the hey?! :'(  Scrub...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Jarnis on 07/04/2017 12:39 am
Is this a rerun of yesterday's broadcast or...?  :-\
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 07/04/2017 12:40 am
Tonight's AI horror story...  The Falcon That Wouldn't Launch!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 07/04/2017 12:47 am
Like I said this diva wants to put on a "big show" on the 4th of July... ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cppetrie on 07/04/2017 12:50 am
Ground criteria in the guidance system out of family? As in ASDS location set to NULL; does not compute?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DanielW on 07/04/2017 12:52 am
They forgot to comment out "I can't feel my legs!" Check at T minus ten.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 07/04/2017 12:55 am
Like I said this diva wants to put on a "big show" on the 4th of July... ;)

Like.  "What? You're throwing me away? Everybody else got to land! Why do Iiiiiieee
Have to be deep sixed?   Nope I'm not going and that's final harummmph!"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 07/04/2017 01:02 am
SpaceX reports reason for the scrubs....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucdZHR75iCM
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 07/04/2017 04:06 am
SpaceX reports reason for the scrubs....

Should we launch the rocket?

No. That is what they would expect us to do.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: drzerg on 07/04/2017 01:55 pm
it is just not flight proven rocket. thats all.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 07/04/2017 01:59 pm
So, not to be a buzzkill here, but why did this topic get put in the "sticky" section? As I understand it, you make topics sticky because they (a) have useful information many people may want to refer to later, but (b) the topic is infrequently used so it would get otherwise lost in page after page of unused topics. As much as I love (most of) the humor, neither of those criteria would seem to pertain to this thread...
The answer is here.
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg1690729#msg1690729

Serious discussion[1] of why decisions about this thread were made is off topic for this thread.

1 - as is any other sort of serious discussion, for that matter.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AJW on 07/04/2017 02:47 pm
Root cause?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DanseMacabre on 07/04/2017 03:49 pm
So, not to be a buzzkill here, but why did this topic get put in the "sticky" section? As I understand it, you make topics sticky because they (a) have useful information many people may want to refer to later, but (b) the topic is infrequently used so it would get otherwise lost in page after page of unused topics. As much as I love (most of) the humor, neither of those criteria would seem to pertain to this thread...
The answer is here.
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg1690729#msg1690729

Serious discussion[1] of why decisions about this thread were made is off topic for this thread.

1 - as is any other sort of serious discussion, for that matter.

Therefore your message is serious discussion. Atonement can be made by 10 Hail Elon's and 5 re-watches of OG2(2) landing footage.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Scylla on 07/04/2017 10:26 pm
So, not to be a buzzkill here, but why did this topic get put in the "sticky" section? As I understand it, you make topics sticky because they (a) have useful information many people may want to refer to later, but (b) the topic is infrequently used so it would get otherwise lost in page after page of unused topics. As much as I love (most of) the humor, neither of those criteria would seem to pertain to this thread...
The answer is here.
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg1690729#msg1690729

Serious discussion[1] of why decisions about this thread were made is off topic for this thread.

1 - as is any other sort of serious discussion, for that matter.

Therefore your message is serious discussion. Atonement can be made by 10 Hail Elon's and 5 re-watches of OG2(2) landing footage.
Agreed. Obi-wans original post was serious. Which on this thread is viewed as a negative. My reply would also be viewed as serious and thus also negative. This would be a double negative.
In english, a double negative = a positive, thus the two posts combined are actually frivolous. 8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 07/05/2017 06:49 am
Are you serious!?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 07/05/2017 07:14 am
Are you serious!?
This is a pseudo-silly thread. Maybe some people in the real world think a double negative is somehow a positive so here is where such things are parodied.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 07/05/2017 12:22 pm
I just realized the party thread is on page 42!
so we should assume that the ultimate answer to life, the universe and everything should be posted soon. 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 07/05/2017 12:26 pm
Are you serious!?

And cue the Harry Potter jokes...







*crickets*
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 07/05/2017 12:29 pm
I just realized the party thread is on page 42!
so we should assume that the ultimate answer to life, the universe and everything should be posted soon.

Everybody Mousersize!

Uh... hey!  Where did all the white mice go?


//Attention people of Earth.  Your planet has been condemned and slated to be removed for the construction of a hyperspace bypass...//
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Scylla on 07/05/2017 12:31 pm
Are you serious!?
I assure you, my statement was firmly rooted in the rules of english grammer and party thread logic. DANG IT!!! Look what you made me do...ANOTHER serious statement. Now I have to run outside, turn around three times and curse loudly in order to fend off bad ju ju.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 07/05/2017 12:35 pm
I just realized the party thread is on page 42!
so we should assume that the ultimate answer to life, the universe and everything should be posted soon.

42?  Oh, yeah, I guess it would be with Forum Settings 1.0.  I upgraded to Forum Settings (Upgrade|Full Thrust|1.2|), so we're only on page 17 thanks to the better page message fraction of 50.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 07/05/2017 12:36 pm
I just realized the party thread is on page 42!
so we should assume that the ultimate answer to life, the universe and everything should be posted soon.

Everybody Mousersize!

Uh... hey!  Where did all the white mice go?


//Attention people of Earth.  Your planet has been condemned and slated to be removed for the construction of a hyperspace bypass...//

But the plans were published in your local zoning office on Alfa Centauri...
(See, we're on topic! A space reference)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Scylla on 07/05/2017 12:40 pm
I just realized the party thread is on page 42!
so we should assume that the ultimate answer to life, the universe and everything should be posted soon.

Everybody Mousersize!

Uh... hey!  Where did all the white mice go?


//Attention people of Earth.  Your planet has been condemned and slated to be removed for the construction of a hyperspace bypass...//

But the plans were published in your local zoning office on Alfa Centauri...
(See, we're on topic! A space reference)
On topic? In a party thread? <gasp> <points finger and begins Invasion of the Bodysnatchers scream>
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mn on 07/05/2017 02:20 pm
There's a payload?

Fortunately there's a payload, otherwise how would we name the mission threads?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 07/05/2017 02:37 pm
I just realized the party thread is on page 42!
so we should assume that the ultimate answer to life, the universe and everything should be posted soon.

42?  Oh, yeah, I guess it would be with Forum Settings 1.0.  I upgraded to Forum Settings (Upgrade|Full Thrust|1.2|), so we're only on page 17 thanks to the better page message fraction of 50.

We will just call page 17 on setting's v1.2 the Prime Party.

Not to be confused with those who decide to cancel the party 9 seconds before the party.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 07/05/2017 03:28 pm
So, not to be a buzzkill here, but why did this topic get put in the "sticky" section? As I understand it, you make topics sticky because they (a) have useful information many people may want to refer to later, but (b) the topic is infrequently used so it would get otherwise lost in page after page of unused topics. As much as I love (most of) the humor, neither of those criteria would seem to pertain to this thread...
The answer is here.
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg1690729#msg1690729

Serious discussion[1] of why decisions about this thread were made is off topic for this thread.

1 - as is any other sort of serious discussion, for that matter.

Therefore your message is serious discussion. Atonement can be made by 10 Hail Elon's and 5 re-watches of OG2(2) landing footage.

The rules don't apply to me... rules, we don't need no Steenking Rules where we are going...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 07/05/2017 04:57 pm
To be honest, I'm not sure that the third time will be the charm today.

I'm predicting that another last-second abort will occur for some reason.

Sounds like the ol' insurance bet to me... since you know that reverse psychology doesn't work on rockets, right?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 07/05/2017 05:19 pm
Personally, I think they skipped yesterday because on July 4th rocket launches are all about the BOOM, and that is definitely NOT what should be happening.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 07/05/2017 05:21 pm
I just realized the party thread is on page 42!
so we should assume that the ultimate answer to life, the universe and everything should be posted soon.

Everybody Mousersize!

Uh... hey!  Where did all the white mice go?


//Attention people of Earth.  Your planet has been condemned and slated to be removed for the construction of a hyperspace bypass...//

But the plans were published in your local zoning office on Alfa Centauri...
(See, we're on topic! A space reference)

Is that the type of Sports Car Londo Molari drives when he's not on Babylon5?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 07/05/2017 07:13 pm
But the plans were published in your local zoning office on Alfa Centauri...
(See, we're on topic! A space reference)

Is that the type of Sports Car Londo Molari drives when he's not on Babylon5?

If it's a convertible, we may finally have figured out the true origin of the pre-Cartagia style.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Chris Bergin on 07/05/2017 07:32 pm
Because this movie was on again the other night ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lars-J on 07/05/2017 07:35 pm
Replace the "OK" with an "mmmmKay?" and it's perfect!  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 07/05/2017 08:17 pm
You mean the whole problem is the TPS report didn't end up on Elon's desk in a timely manner?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cppetrie on 07/05/2017 08:43 pm
We just need the rocket to sit down and talk with the Bobs about its future with the company.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: yokem55 on 07/05/2017 09:04 pm
You mean the whole problem is the TPS report didn't end up on Elon's desk in a timely manner?
Oh my. You mean the real cause of Amos 6 was that somebody stole Milton's red stapler!?!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: launchwatcher on 07/05/2017 10:35 pm
You mean the whole problem is the TPS report didn't end up on Elon's desk in a timely manner?
There's something wrong with the BFS TPS?   Or is it Dragon?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 07/05/2017 10:54 pm
Leo has come by to watch the launch with me. :-)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 07/05/2017 11:06 pm
Leo has come by to watch the launch with me. :-)
All hands on deck for this flight, now we're good to go! :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Helodriver on 07/05/2017 11:24 pm
Leo has come by to watch the launch with me. :-)

That must be the Soyuz of computer monitors on that desk. ;)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 07/05/2017 11:25 pm
Quote
Leo has come by to watch the launch with me. :-)

Cool name for a cat!  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 07/05/2017 11:36 pm
Third time's the charm, boys. Here we go.  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 07/05/2017 11:42 pm
Nothin but net!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: launchwatcher on 07/05/2017 11:43 pm
Norminal!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cppetrie on 07/05/2017 11:46 pm
Was I the only one whose heart was absolutely thumping as we crossed T-10 seconds through until the booster was several kilometers up? I mean, launches normally get the old heart rate up, but this was more than usual given the circumstances.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 07/05/2017 11:46 pm
Quote
Leo has come by to watch the launch with me. :-)

Cool name for a cat!  8)
Polly however, doesn't care and just wants to worship the Sun...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 07/05/2017 11:48 pm
Polly is gonna need a specialty fairing me thinks.  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 07/06/2017 12:12 am
So we what we all want to know, who won Intelsat 35e Bingo?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Chris Bergin on 07/06/2017 12:14 am
No landing, "just a comsat" launch (c) Jim :)

Yet we're as busy as ever. Servers are steaming, but are holding up really well (thanks L2 members who fund them - I say that a lot, but it needs to be said).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AncientU on 07/06/2017 12:22 am
So we what we all want to know, who won Intelsat 35e Bingo?

Neptune
And he got great bling
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Ronpur50 on 07/06/2017 12:27 am
Was I the only one whose heart was absolutely thumping as we crossed T-10 seconds through until the booster was several kilometers up? I mean, launches normally get the old heart rate up, but this was more than usual given the circumstances.


Nope!  I went "YESSS!!" when it got to T-8!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 07/06/2017 12:28 am
Thank you "Lucky Leo" we needed you to get this one off the pad! :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AncientU on 07/06/2017 12:31 am
Was I the only one whose heart was absolutely thumping as we crossed T-10 seconds through until the booster was several kilometers up? I mean, launches normally get the old heart rate up, but this was more than usual given the circumstances.


Nope!  I went "YESSS!!" when it got to T-8!

The countdown announcer got caught up, too.
He completely choked on 10-9-8-7-and 6. :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 07/06/2017 12:31 am
Are you serious!?
I assure you, my statement was firmly rooted in the rules of english grammer and party thread logic. DANG IT!!! Look what you made me do...ANOTHER serious statement. Now I have to run outside, turn around three times and curse loudly in order to fend off bad ju ju.

Hee, hee!  It's like getting somebody to say "Macbeth!" in a theatre....D'oh!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Chris Bergin on 07/06/2017 12:34 am
Was I the only one whose heart was absolutely thumping as we crossed T-10 seconds through until the booster was several kilometers up? I mean, launches normally get the old heart rate up, but this was more than usual given the circumstances.


Nope!  I went "YESSS!!" when it got to T-8!

I gave my screen a "don't even think about it" glance at T-10 seconds ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 07/06/2017 12:55 am
Quote
Leo has come by to watch the launch with me. :-)

Cool name for a cat!  8)

Leo was found in a pipe at my brothers worksite with some other kittens. With his tortoise shell colour and his "underground" origin, I named him Leonardo after one of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! The other kittens found good homes elsewhere.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 07/06/2017 12:58 am
Leo has come by to watch the launch with me. :-)
That must be the Soyuz of computer monitors on that desk. ;)

Still going strong after 20 years, although I have to give it a bang once in a while when the screen pincushions on me. Its been in the repair shop more times than I care to remember, but I like the quality of the picture compared to modern screens.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 07/06/2017 01:00 am
Quote
Leo was found in a pipe.....

Well darn it.  I was hoping there was a colorful tale involving Low Earth Orbit.  ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lars-J on 07/06/2017 01:41 am
These blind squirrels are getting a pretty good batting average. Perhaps they aren't so blind after all.  8) ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mongo62 on 07/06/2017 01:57 am
Leo has come by to watch the launch with me. :-)
That must be the Soyuz of computer monitors on that desk. ;)

Still going strong after 20 years, although I have to give it a bang once in a while when the screen pincushions on me. Its been in the repair shop more times than I care to remember, but I like the quality of the picture compared to modern screens.

It's like my desktop CRT monitor as well, it has to be 15 years old, but it's still going strong. I see no reason to replace it with a modern flatscreen monitor that would probably have its image quality become severely degraded in a few years.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: gospacex on 07/06/2017 02:19 am
These blind squirrels are getting a pretty good batting average. Perhaps they aren't so blind after all.  8) ;D

 :-X
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: rickl on 07/06/2017 06:49 am
Was I the only one whose heart was absolutely thumping as we crossed T-10 seconds through until the booster was several kilometers up? I mean, launches normally get the old heart rate up, but this was more than usual given the circumstances.


Nope!  I went "YESSS!!" when it got to T-8!

The countdown announcer got caught up, too.
He completely choked on 10-9-8-7-and 6. :)


That gave me a serious WTF? moment.  The clock is moving, but where's the countdown?

I don't care what anyone says.  SpaceX launches are never boring to me.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: S.Paulissen on 07/06/2017 12:03 pm
Thanks to Steven and the two Chrises (Chrisia? Chrisium?) for the excellent coverage as always.
Congratulations to SpaceX on this astounding pace.
Commiserations to Pad  X.

I can't believe we have to wait a whole 35 days now for the next one..
**from updates thread**

I believe it's "Christicles".  XD
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 07/06/2017 12:38 pm
From another thread:

Wait, why is there a discussion of Shuttle tiles in a thread about SpaceX and it's competition?

The same reason that SpaceX shows up in a discussion of a ham sandwich on these fora?   :D

Well, that's not completely preposterous.  Of course, it was a corned beef sandwich on Gemini 3, but given a half century of progress in lunch vehicles, shouldn't SpaceX be able to develop a space-rated ham sandwich to replace the crummy old space lunch vehicles?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 07/06/2017 12:50 pm
From another thread:

Wait, why is there a discussion of Shuttle tiles in a thread about SpaceX and it's competition?

The same reason that SpaceX shows up in a discussion of a ham sandwich on these fora?   :D

Well, that's not completely preposterous.  Of course, it was a corned beef sandwich on Gemini 3, but given a half century of progress in lunch vehicles, shouldn't SpaceX be able to develop a space-rated ham sandwich to replace the crummy old space lunch vehicles?

CHEESE!

(and we're back to mice again)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 07/06/2017 02:26 pm
Quote
Leo has come by to watch the launch with me. :-)

Cool name for a cat!  8)

Leo was found in a pipe at my brothers worksite with some other kittens. With his tortoise shell colour and his "underground" origin, I named him Leonardo after one of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! The other kittens found good homes elsewhere.
I say we nominate "Lucky Leo" (lucky to have Steven as his dad) and getting us a "GO" for launch, the Official SpaceX Mascot!! :) How say we all?? We already have one "tough vote" in...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 07/06/2017 03:37 pm
Was it just my ears or did the announcer John create a new word "Norminal"?

I think it was regarding the orbit resulting from the second burn of S2

In my house every time they say Nominal I hear the muppets singing a song
MANAMAMA
https://youtu.be/gsjcb7w1Y-w
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DaveJ576 on 07/06/2017 04:08 pm
So, in the picture above of Steve's cat most people would say, "Oooh... nice cat!" I looked at it and said "Geez Steve! A CRT monitor and a corded telephone? This technological Neanderthal is being trusted to bring us live coverage of our precious SpaceX launches?? Surely you can't be serious..."   :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: launchwatcher on 07/06/2017 04:13 pm
In my house every time they say Nominal I hear the muppets singing a song
MANAMAMA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9Qszi-3uFM


Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cppetrie on 07/06/2017 04:51 pm
Unless it is on fire it is a software problem.
In this case it was a software problem that kept it from being on fire.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 07/06/2017 08:32 pm
The countdown announcer got caught up, too.
He completely choked on 10-9-8-7-and 6. :)


That gave me a serious WTF? moment.  The clock is moving, but where's the countdown?

I don't care what anyone says.  SpaceX launches are never boring to me.

I put that down to superstition, rather than choking. "I've said T-10 twice, and it's aborted twice. Not doing it again."
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 07/07/2017 12:49 pm
The countdown announcer got caught up, too.
He completely choked on 10-9-8-7-and 6. :)


That gave me a serious WTF? moment.  The clock is moving, but where's the countdown?

I don't care what anyone says.  SpaceX launches are never boring to me.

I put that down to superstition, rather than choking. "I've said T-10 twice, and it's aborted twice. Not doing it again."

Okay... to mollify the superstitious we here in the party thread hereby declare that the 'T-10' call shall be replaced by:

Hey! Ho! Let's Go!

T 10
Teen Titan

eh... oh well, wasn't that funny anyway...  :-[  ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Helodriver on 07/07/2017 02:08 pm
I think the new grid fins are frakked about being left off the Intelsat35e flight.

Now they've gone all Cyberdyne Systems on us.

I think they're not actually titanium at all,  but really a mimetic polyalloy. Liquid metal. :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: gongora on 07/07/2017 02:19 pm
I think the new grid fins are frakked about being left off the Intelsat35e flight.

Now they've gone all Cyberdyne Systems on us.

I think they're not actually titanium at all,  but really a mimetic polyalloy. Liquid metal. :)

Doesn't that stuff have a much lower melting point than titanium?  :-\
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 07/07/2017 06:23 pm
Doesn't that stuff have a much lower melting point than titanium?  :-\

Only if it wants to
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 07/08/2017 12:50 am
That terminator robot has been spending too much time with Grumpy cat..... just sayin.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: yokem55 on 07/08/2017 08:21 pm
Doesn't that stuff have a much lower melting point than titanium?  :-\

Only if it wants to
Well there is evidence that that stuff doesn't handle cryogenic temps very well. Tends to fracture and shatter under big shocks and impacts. Granted it has some self-healing capabilities once it warms up, but it doesn't seem like something that would work well in rocket launches.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 07/09/2017 05:39 am
Ahhnold likes it just fine.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 07/12/2017 09:31 pm
And the time must past till the next flight somehow
Shall we start another limerick contest?

Schedule full for the rest of the year
CRS 12, and more that I hear
Iridium Next 3 & 4
  Plus Bangabandu in the door
Then Heavy with cases of beer

(Edit ... not my best somebody has to do better please)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Formica on 07/14/2017 09:34 pm
Well, that's not completely preposterous.  Of course, it was a corned beef sandwich on Gemini 3, but given a half century of progress in lunch vehicles, shouldn't SpaceX be able to develop a space-rated ham sandwich to replace the crummy old space lunch vehicles?

Does a human-rated sandwich have 25% (40% for SpaceX!) more meat?  ::)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 07/19/2017 08:22 pm
(Edit ... not my best somebody has to do better please)

A party too slow is the worst
Here following after the burst
Six launches, two weeks
It tired us geeks
(Not counting that China launch, cursed)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 07/21/2017 02:14 am
There was a forum, Nasaspaceflight
That kept many a nerd up late night
With scrubs in the morn
Going to work forlorn
SpaceX did finally get it right

- RUDyard Kringeling
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 07/21/2017 12:00 pm
If rockets were like LEGO® (http://lego.com) bricks
Which snap right together with clicks
By now we'd have bevies
Of cool Falcon Heavies
And some Raptor/Falcon 9 mix
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 07/22/2017 06:04 am
OT.  CRS-12 Means I will be having ISScream on my birthday!!!  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 07/24/2017 05:14 pm
Okay, it's not a limerick, but I was feeling a bit constrained and figured I'd relax the constraints.  ;D

    This downtime leaves us quite a mess
    And so I post again
    If we just had an RSS
    To pull a piece or ten

    Or we could weld some trusses up
    Just like designers drew
    To make up a new access arm
    For our commercial crew

    But lacking the initiative
    And money, that the most
    I'll just keep writing poetry
    And to this thread I'll post

Next! 8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: davetherobot on 07/26/2017 04:22 am
I hope someone makes a school bus traversing the moon mockup photo in preparation for the FH demo mission. I'm sure there is some educational benefit to explaining to children that there is a school bus in orbit, just can't quite put my finger on it.

(http://www.newvideo.com/wp-content/themes/hybrid-newvideo/tools/timthumb.php?src=/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/MSB-SpaceAdventuresDVD-F.jpg&h=360)

Like this?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DanseMacabre on 07/26/2017 09:01 am
I hope someone makes a school bus traversing the moon mockup photo in preparation for the FH demo mission. I'm sure there is some educational benefit to explaining to children that there is a school bus in orbit, just can't quite put my finger on it.

(http://www.newvideo.com/wp-content/themes/hybrid-newvideo/tools/timthumb.php?src=/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/MSB-SpaceAdventuresDVD-F.jpg&h=360)

Like this?

Incidentally, I played the S**T out of this game as a child. Thanks for the throwbacks!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Robotbeat on 07/26/2017 12:25 pm
Tea kettle.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Ludus on 07/26/2017 10:34 pm
If this isn't the right place to bring it up please move or delete.

I'm suggesting that the SpaceX satellite Constellation is a foundation for a Global Digital Financial Company that fits with EMs original ambitions for X.Com . Further that something in the current zeitgeist that fits with that is a scamcurrency.

SpaceX could create an Xcom global financial system on the basis of a ubiquitous global digital communications system.

On top of that SpaceX has the opportunity to create a special scamcurrency. Call it XCoin.

XCoin would have unique opportunities. Unlike Bitcoin or Ether it would have a floor value if it was accepted at a sort of book value for SpaceX Services. Those services might constitute a universal global standard. Most people on earth might value easily obtained digital internet service that's low latency, high bandwidth and everywhere.

XCoin on this foundation could also be a vehicle to pay for Mars Settlement or for ordinary people to invest in that.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: launchwatcher on 07/27/2017 01:25 pm
Tea kettle.
Not yet.   Needs to wait for a Mars mission.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 07/28/2017 02:06 pm
Waiting for the next lunch has me looking for alternative reasons for the delay:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvAk9718Jo8


Think the search is just hallucinations from going without a lunch for so long?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 07/28/2017 05:19 pm
Think the search is just hallucinations from going without a lunch for so long?

Hypoglycemia does strange things to people.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: gongora on 07/29/2017 02:45 pm
Tweet from Jeff Foust (https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/891292116822962177):
Quote
No wonder the Falcon Heavy has taken so long to develop.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 07/29/2017 03:01 pm
He ain't heavy.... he's my brother.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Bubbinski on 07/29/2017 07:03 pm
It's been nearly a month since the last SpaceX (or US orbital) launch. These are truly the dog days of summer. But I have this Falcon 9 here to cheer you all up:
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 07/29/2017 09:16 pm
Waiting for the next lunch has me looking for alternative reasons for the delay:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvAk9718Jo8


Think the search is just hallucinations from going without a lunch for so long?

If you really want to annoy some people who are into fad diets, send them this guy's "Gluten Intolerance" video.
No offense to genuine Celiac sufferers (I know some)! 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 07/30/2017 02:57 pm
Quote
If you really want to annoy some people who are into fad diets, send them this guy's "Gluten Intolerance" video.
No offense to genuine Celiac sufferers (I know some)!
No thanks, I really enjoy the red flames with a touch of green at the start of my lunch. It's not a lunch without the flamy sear marks on the bun...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 07/31/2017 06:56 am
Oh, there's launches this year and plenty
The count could close to twenty
And men of over ninety who sware the earth is flat

Give me a martian rover
Iani Chaos spilled over
We'll roam Utopia all over
and together we'll see a new world
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 08/01/2017 02:03 pm
Look's like Elon and Tesla are now helping the USAF with it's flights to near space,

Tesla Model S is the new U-2 chase vehicle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZ6hwzGs8O0
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: rpapo on 08/01/2017 02:15 pm
Look's like Elon and Tesla are now helping the USAF with it's flights to near space,

Tesla Model S is the new U-2 chase vehicle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZ6hwzGs8O0
You should also have posted the link to the article explaining this:

http://www.popularmechanics.com/military/aviation/news/a27570/air-force-tesla-u-2-spy-plane/
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 08/01/2017 07:45 pm
Actually I pulled it off of Electrex's article, https://electrek.co/2017/07/27/tesla-model-s-chaser-car-launch-spy-planes-royal-air-force/ that Flight Global's Stephen Trimble, https://twitter.com/FG_STrim tweeted this morning, https://twitter.com/FG_STrim/status/892351094751449088

If you really want proper accreditation.... Now where Electrex may have lifted it from is a whole other story

btw. The video is dated 7/26, Electrex's story is dated 7/27, and Popular Mechanic's story is dated 8/1
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: dodo on 08/05/2017 01:42 pm
This remainded me of that old story...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lg73GKm7GgI
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 08/07/2017 05:33 pm
Quote
Aboard Dragon capsule on #CRS12 #CREAM Cosmic Ray Energetics and Mass, from high alt ballooning experiments, is going to the ISS. NASA PHOTO

https://twitter.com/spacenews360/status/893817372129341440
Anyone else wish the imaginary payload
"Primary Exo-Atmospheric Colorimetric High Energy System"
"PEACHES" was on board?

Edit
Of course another way to look at it is that they already have the coffee, and only needed the cream

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/04/17/400313659/espresso-in-orbit-spacex-craft-brings-coffee-machine-to-space-station
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: IntoTheVoid on 08/11/2017 07:48 pm
Do we know what these pieces are for?

(Credit to /u/TheFavoritist: https://www.reddit.com/r/spacex/comments/6rbmkh/rspacex_discusses_august_2017_35/dlfjxxl/ (https://www.reddit.com/r/spacex/comments/6rbmkh/rspacex_discusses_august_2017_35/dlfjxxl/))
(https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=41015.0;attach=1441947;image)

They clearly look like Raptor talons to me.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 08/11/2017 09:20 pm

They clearly look like Raptor talons to me.


Don't let the ASDS's see them, they might refuse to leave port and delay lunch!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 08/13/2017 01:17 am
COTS/CRS and CCDev aren't really comparable. As Zubrin once said, it's the difference between à la carte and a banquet.
Then what is Orion?

Soylent Green.

People?

Yup. More specifically, feeding people to people.

In an alternate, dystopian reality, we could experience:
*Barbra Streisand voice*

"People...People eating...people
Are the luckiest people in the world..."
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/13/2017 07:10 pm
Thanks to someone seeing the similarities on Twitter....actually, not far off! ;D

Hans Koenigsmann - Hollywood Actor

And Bryan Cranston - SpaceX VP Mission Assurance.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 08/13/2017 07:14 pm
Thanks to someone seeing the similarities on Twitter....actually, not far off! ;D

Hans Koenigsmann - Hollywood Actor

And Bryan Cranston - SpaceX VP Mission Assurance.

At least we know who'll play Hans in the upcoming movie about SpaceX. :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: yokem55 on 08/13/2017 07:27 pm
Thanks to someone seeing the similarities on Twitter....actually, not far off! ;D

Hans Koenigsmann - Hollywood Actor

And Bryan Cranston - SpaceX VP Mission Assurance.

At least we know who'll play Hans in the upcoming movie about SpaceX. :)
He'll have to have a line or two about the strut and the COPV. Those items Broke Badly.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Norm38 on 08/14/2017 01:40 pm
From SpaceX.com homepage

This looks like a shot out of Kubrick's 2001.  The F9 is talking to the Monolith.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 08/14/2017 04:13 pm
What'sa matter, Space Geeks, Monday Blues and no chatter? You gotten jaded? "Ho hum, just another Space X launch and rocket coming in to land. No need to party any more."


Checking in from my layover in Hangzhou. I'm almost exactly halfway around the world, it's midnight here, they're cracking down on VPNs and the Great Firewall is blocking youtube so I can't get a signal on my laptop, and I've resorted to watching it on my work computer via a slow 2g connection, but I'm still excited and watching what I can.


Get off yer chairs, get yer rally caps on, and make some noise!!!!



Steve
Space Geek since 1961

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intrepidpursuit on 08/14/2017 04:17 pm
Going so long without a launch makes the countdown seem SO much longer.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intrepidpursuit on 08/14/2017 04:22 pm
Fun fact, the SpaceX engineer broadcasting has his lapel mic mounted way too low on his shirt, causing the background noise to be much louder than it should be. Moving that up 4-6" would reduce the background noise by half.

I'm an audio and video systems engineer and I find that very annoying.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 08/14/2017 04:27 pm
T-5 minutes and launch control reports the "astro-mice" running wheels to flight speed...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 08/14/2017 04:28 pm
I've found the only way to ruin a rocket launch: CNN International is broadcasting it (YAY!!!), Richard Quest is narrating it (YGTBFSM!!!)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 08/14/2017 04:50 pm
I usually don't mind Richard Quest - if he's in a good mood. Enjoyed the spectacular coverage, all the way over here in Helsinki which is not my usual roost! :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 08/14/2017 04:53 pm
Ever try to watch a rocket launch on a 2g connection? Hope you never have to. Hoping someone uploads a recording of it soon.


Congrats, Space X!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 08/14/2017 05:04 pm
Its raining outside, so Leo came in to watch the launch with me.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 08/14/2017 05:18 pm
He's a good puss! I'm missing mine terribly.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jon.amos on 08/14/2017 05:36 pm
Good God man that's a CRT!  This is the 21st century :o ::)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 08/14/2017 05:38 pm
The hardest part of traveling for work. Leaving at oh-hurt-thirty one morning, we found one of our cats sleeping next to my suitcase by the door. She knew.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 08/14/2017 05:50 pm
Thanks to someone seeing the similarities on Twitter....actually, not far off! ;D

Hans Koenigsmann - Hollywood Actor

And Bryan Cranston - SpaceX VP Mission Assurance.

Bryan Cranston has Babylon 5 cred, too.  He played an Anla'Shok White Star captain, Ericcson, in "The Long Night."  (He died.)

EDIT:
-Sheridan-
"Are you a married man, Ericcson?"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mongo62 on 08/14/2017 07:08 pm
Good God man that's a CRT!  This is the 21st century :o ::)

If it still works, why spend money for a new monitor? Especially since flat-screen monitors don't last too long, compared to CRT monitors. I still use a 15-year-old CRT monitor, and it works just fine!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 08/14/2017 07:45 pm
Thanks to someone seeing the similarities on Twitter....actually, not far off! ;D

Hans Koenigsmann - Hollywood Actor

And Bryan Cranston - SpaceX VP Mission Assurance.

Bryan Cranston has Babylon 5 cred, too.  He played an Anla'Shok White Star captain, Ericcson, in "The Long Night."  (He died.)
Whoa.  My mind never made that connection until now.  Guess it's about time to start another run... now, which of the three beginnings do I want to start with?

(Just kidding.  Nobody would start with the original pilot over The Gathering with Christopher Franke's score.)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 08/14/2017 08:12 pm
Thanks to someone seeing the similarities on Twitter....actually, not far off! ;D

Hans Koenigsmann - Hollywood Actor

And Bryan Cranston - SpaceX VP Mission Assurance.

Bryan Cranston has Babylon 5 cred, too.  He played an Anla'Shok White Star captain, Ericcson, in "The Long Night."  (He died.)
Whoa.  My mind never made that connection until now.  Guess it's about time to start another run... now, which of the three beginnings do I want to start with?

(Just kidding.  Nobody would start with the original pilot over The Gathering with Christopher Franke's score.)
There were fans back in '93-'94 who initially preferred Stewart Copeland's (of The Police) scoring of "The Gathering" over the introduction of Christopher Franke as the series composer.

I prefer JMS' re-cutting and Franke's re-scoring of "The Gathering" over the original work.  However, I think some content was removed in the process?  (JMS has commented that the original final edit was a director's cut--Richard Compton's--than his own--a producer's cut.  He regretted this, and got a re-do when Warner Bros. offered to pay for such.)

(Now I remember!--the sequence where Cmdr. Sinclair and Lyta Alexander take the shortcut through the Alien Sector was almost completely edited out--some fans had complained that the aliens looked like they were specimens on display in a zoo.  I always thought it looked more like people sitting outside on their front stoop, watching the action on the street.  But what do I know?)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 08/14/2017 08:42 pm
Good God man that's a CRT!  This is the 21st century :o ::)

If it still works, why spend money for a new monitor? Especially since flat-screen monitors don't last too long, compared to CRT monitors. I still use a 15-year-old CRT monitor, and it works just fine!

Think you used a lot more electricity with a CRT monitor which also have high waste heat outflow and bulky. Also most of the older CRT monitor have the 4:3 aspect ratio narrow screen display format. Finally some of the older CRT monitors emits excessive EM radiation.

If you can work with the limitations listed above for large CRT monitor than you should use it until the end of its service life.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 08/14/2017 11:09 pm
Spacex is getting good at this. Successful launch on time without any spiritual backup from me this time. Nice.  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 08/14/2017 11:44 pm
That shadow tho
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Bubbinski on 08/15/2017 12:20 am
The dog days are ending. This launch is almost exactly one week from the eclipse. And we've got Atlas & Minotaur launches coming up, Iridium from Vandy and the X-37 launch. The first launch of a winged reusable Shuttle type spacecraft from 39A since Jul 2011. Our patience is being rewarded :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 08/15/2017 04:13 am
Fun fact, the SpaceX engineer broadcasting has his lapel mic mounted way too low on his shirt, causing the background noise to be much louder than it should be. Moving that up 4-6" would reduce the background noise by half.

I'm an audio and video systems engineer and I find that very annoying.

Not as bad as the earlier launch, don't remember which, when it sounded like someone on the net was eating doritos.  Was one of the first launches after they "upgraded" their coverage game.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: gadgetmind on 08/15/2017 09:09 am
He's a good puss! I'm missing mine terribly.

Mine brought me a live mouse *just* before the landing and released it in my (less than tidy) underground lair!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 08/15/2017 10:06 am
He's a good puss! I'm missing mine terribly.

Mine brought me a live mouse *just* before the landing and released it in my (less than tidy) underground lair!
One of my cats is about 17 years old and she still catches mice and rats! I'm literally on the other side of the world from home at the moment - I'm in Lapland, Finland. And I'm missing my six cats.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 08/15/2017 05:52 pm
Good God man that's a CRT!  This is the 21st century :o ::)
I think it is appropriate since it is a CAT-hode ray tube.  ::)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: rpapo on 08/15/2017 05:55 pm
Groan...  When I was in college we joked about a malady we called "CRT-eyes" (a terminal illness).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 08/15/2017 06:57 pm
Groan...  When I was in college we joked about a malady we called "CRT-eyes" (a terminal illness).

Oh yes. My eyes got wrecked with green-dot screens doing programming in the 80s
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: toren on 08/15/2017 08:27 pm
Groan...  When I was in college we joked about a malady we called "CRT-eyes" (a terminal illness).

Oh yes. My eyes got wrecked with green-dot screens doing programming in the 80s

Ugh, smeary green dots on old NTSC screens, makes my head hurt just thinking about it again.  How did we get anything done back then? :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 08/16/2017 01:21 am
Oh yes. My eyes got wrecked with green-dot screens doing programming in the 80s
They got nothing on what these modern smart phones do to your eyes.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DanseMacabre on 08/17/2017 12:32 pm
Where was that video shot from? Looks like a great place to watch a landing.

The sonic boom arrives 11 or 12 seconds before landing.
This is MUCH earlier than what was experienced at OSB-II, which is 10.5 miles (~55 kft)
12 seconds is ~14 kft, and if there was a 5 sec delay at the OSB-11 (just guessing) that makes it ~20 kft closer for a distance of ~35 kft or ~6 miles
Jetty park is ~ 5 miles from LC-1.  Rt-401 is about 6.5 miles.
For those that have watched, which does it look like?

well looks like it was shot from here, see map

We are talking about CRS-12, not CRS-7 here, right?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mme on 08/17/2017 04:12 pm
Live - Peggy and Jack emptying Dragon.
Wait, is that ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3Dju2i4FZw
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 08/18/2017 12:03 am
1984, what a year for music!  ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 08/23/2017 02:13 am
Just like a cake, the same things have to be done to make and fly one.

For clarification, what exactly needs to be done to fly a cake?  I'm assuming it has to do with correctly balancing the Layers/Decorations (L/D)?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 08/23/2017 03:09 am
Just like a cake, the same things have to be done to make and fly one.

For clarification, what exactly needs to be done to fly a cake?  I'm assuming it has to do with correctly balancing the Layers/Decorations (L/D)?
For starters: the cake will fly much better WITHOUT de-icing equipment installed.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 08/24/2017 06:39 pm
So does anyone know how to keep the SpaceX stream audio from showing up in a google hangout while attending a remote meeting. (Without muting it)

Just asking for a friend....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: yokem55 on 08/24/2017 06:41 pm
So does anyone know how to keep the SpaceX stream audio from showing up in a google hangout while attending a remote meeting. (Without muting it)

Just asking for a friend....
Can you your friend take an early launchlunch break?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 08/24/2017 06:45 pm
You mean a late Launch? Kinda suspicious when the friend just came back from a launch at the Chinese place down the road missing the daily dreaded 1:30 Agile Stand up Huddle with the rest of the east coast Software and SQA team :-D

Whining something about putting the fanasty foozeball(???sp???) comis in HEO for unspecified micro management.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: launchwatcher on 08/24/2017 06:49 pm
Can someone run out with a squeegee and some windex to clean that lens?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 08/24/2017 06:50 pm
Oh no, Falcon is very shy - camouflage venting!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 08/24/2017 07:10 pm
That was kinda boring. I can't believe I just said that.  I mean, it was boring in a good way but the thrill isn't quite as intense after N successful landings in a row.  Had to giggle that the rocket cam showed it landed but the JRTI cam didn't.

Anyone manage to get a shot of the fairing as it left town?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: bjornl on 08/24/2017 07:27 pm
Man, that was boring. The soccer game I was watching in tandem was more exciting!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 08/24/2017 07:36 pm
Don't know about boring, one of the  junior ME's walked in and was asking all sorts of weird question about it, just not grasping what he was seeing. You mean they just dropped a rocket stage from space onto a barge several hundred miles down range out at asea? How many things are in orbit, really, and are active, really? How do they all move out of the way from each other? It's 500 km up? Best part is he is off to congratulate a school mate that now works for SpaceX out on the west coast.... To be a fly on the wall for that interesting conversation.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 08/24/2017 08:25 pm
Don't know about boring, one of the  junior ME's walked in and was asking all sorts of weird question about it, just not grasping what he was seeing. You mean they just dropped a rocket stage from space onto a barge several hundred miles down range out at asea? How many things are in orbit, really, and are active, really? How do they all move out of the way from each other? It's 500 km up? Best part is he is off to congratulate a school mate that now works for SpaceX out on the west coast.... To be a fly on the wall for that interesting conversation.

Ah, someone else who seems to need the dread "in space =/= in orbit" talk, though, somewhat surprisingly, from the opposite direction than is usually indicated.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: bjornl on 08/24/2017 09:23 pm
Don't know about boring
Well, a bit of hyperbole should be allowed in a party thread :-*
Seriously, the heart-skipping-a-beat launches for Falcon 9 are a thing of the past for me. Time for a new chall- OH HI FALCON HEAVY!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AncientU on 08/24/2017 09:43 pm
Don't know about boring
Well, a bit of hyperbole should be allowed in a party thread :-*
Seriously, the heart-skipping-a-beat launches for Falcon 9 are a thing of the past for me. Time for a new chall- OH HI FALCON HEAVY!

Still edge of seat for me... too much riding on each flight, in addition to a payload.

Heavy will be more fun than these must-succeed flights, though it will also be edge of seat for different reasons.  Many pieces to recover even after the hat trick.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 08/24/2017 11:16 pm
For Falcon Heavy, I'll have to sit on the edge of three seats.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 08/25/2017 04:13 am
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

From: 30th Space Wing Public Affairs, www.vandenberg.af.mil

FALCON 9 LAUNCHES FROM VANDENBERG

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -  Team Vandenberg launched the FORMOSAT-5
satellite on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex-4 here
Thursday, Aug. 24, at 11:51 a.m. PDT.

Col. Gregory E. Wood , 30th Space Wing vice commander, was the launch safety
authority.

"The 30th Space Wing takes great pride in supporting another successful SpaceX
launch," said Wood. "It is a sterling example of the wing's commitment to
public safety and mission success on the Western Range."

SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket delivers FORMOSAT-5, an Earth observation satellite
for Taiwan's National Space Organization, to a low-Earth orbit.

"The Falcon 9 launch of Formosat-5 was an incredible mission to be a part of!
This was the first satellite manufactured and integrated entirely by Taiwan
and it was also the fastest turn-around time between Falcon launches here at
Space Launch Complex-4," said Capt. Kylie Prachar, Air Force Launch Commander
for F9-40 Formosat-5 mission, 1st Air and Space Test Squadron. "Our Air Force
team put in a lot of work to support the mission and provide Fleet
Surveillance on behalf of the Space and Missile Systems Center."

FORMOSAT-5 will operate in a sun synchronous orbit at an altitude of 720-km
with a 98.28 degree inclination angle. As with the FORMOSAT-2 satellite, the
primary payload on FORMOSAT-5 is an optical Remote Sensing Instrument (RSI),
which provides 2-meter resolution panchromatic (black & white) and 4-meter
resolution multi-spectral (color) images. FORMOSAT-5 also hosts a secondary
scientific payload, an Advanced Ionospheric Probe, developed by Taiwan's
National Central University.

I'd like to congratulate the public affairs officer for the 30th Space Wing for waiting until the mission is actually fully successful before putting out their press release, instead of firing it out immediately after lift-off like they usually seem to do.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Jarnis on 08/25/2017 12:42 pm
For Falcon Heavy, I'll have to sit on the edge of three seats.

Just curious, do you have procedures in place for seat separation at the appropriate phase of the flight so you'll continue sitting on the edge of only one seat once boosters have done their job?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 08/25/2017 01:37 pm
For Falcon Heavy, I'll have to sit on the edge of three seats.

Just curious, do you have procedures in place for seat separation at the appropriate phase of the flight so you'll continue sitting on the edge of only one seat once boosters have done their job?

Now that's an idea.  Start off in the middle of a three-segment sectional with center ottoman, then at booster sep, drop the sides for something more like a chaise lounge configuration.  When the center core drops off, move forward to ottoman-only position.  And at payload sep, you jump off and cheer.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 08/26/2017 09:25 pm
For Falcon Heavy, I'll have to sit on the edge of three seats.

Just curious, do you have procedures in place for seat separation at the appropriate phase of the flight so you'll continue sitting on the edge of only one seat once boosters have done their job?

Now that's an idea.  Start off in the middle of a three-segment sectional with center ottoman, then at booster sep, drop the sides for something more like a chaise lounge configuration.  When the center core drops off, move forward to ottoman-only position.  And at payload sep, you jump off and cheer.

Would you say " Three chairs for SpaceX!" ?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: rpapo on 08/26/2017 09:27 pm
Would you say " Three chairs for SpaceX!" ?
This thread needs a "Groan" button for such atrocious puns...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 08/27/2017 03:29 am
Would you say " Three chairs for SpaceX!" ?

The side chairs are obviously for the hip and hip, so a big hooray for the center.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 08/27/2017 04:19 am
Just wow.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 08/27/2017 04:39 am
He's a good puss! I'm missing mine terribly.

Mine brought me a live mouse *just* before the landing and released it in my (less than tidy) underground lair!

Smart girl, she knows you gotta have food to make it a party.

Groan...  When I was in college we joked about a malady we called "CRT-eyes" (a terminal illness).

Oh yes. My eyes got wrecked with green-dot screens doing programming in the 80s

Ugh, smeary green dots on old NTSC screens, makes my head hurt just thinking about it again.  How did we get anything done back then? :D

Shii-yoot. How id we ever get it done with punchcards? Only good memory I have about them days was how great chads were for confetti. Hard as heck to get out of a shag carpet, tho.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 08/27/2017 02:27 pm
from my collection (NOT intended as an admonition)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 08/28/2017 05:34 pm
Would you say " Three chairs for SpaceX!" ?
This thread needs a "Groan" button for such atrocious puns...
That was the desired response ..
Convenient pun evaluation scale for you

Level zero- nothing, or  maybe a mild smile
Level one - small laugh or minor verbal expression including mimicking a typical drum sound machine "ba-da bum Ching"
Level two - grown .. "buuyaaaa" etc.
Level three  - falling on the floor,  laughing uncontrollably, milk or soda coming out nose etc.
Level four - (note: these puns are so bad they require a trigger warning label)
         physical distress like cardiac arrest, brain aneurysm, etc.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 08/28/2017 05:43 pm
Too soon to propose separate party thread for the FH?

"Launch, land, land, land, and relaunch FH party thread"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 08/28/2017 09:05 pm
we seem to be doing OK with just the one thread.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 08/28/2017 09:09 pm
Too soon to propose separate party thread for the FH?

"Launch, land, land, land, and relaunch FH party thread"

Got a nasty skip in the music track there.  Might wa wa want to look at that. ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 08/29/2017 02:43 pm
Too soon to propose separate party thread for the FH?

"Launch, land, land, land, and relaunch FH party thread"

To be a considered a heavy thread, doesn't it require three threads?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 08/30/2017 04:35 pm
we seem to be doing OK with just the one thread.
Could temporarily rename this thread when the time comes possibly.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 08/30/2017 06:02 pm
For a short-term FH party thread, I'd suggest the name "He ain't Heavy -- he's my Falcon"...  :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 08/30/2017 06:11 pm
we want heavy though.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 08/30/2017 06:42 pm
Well, you know the saying, "If at first you do succeed, land, land again."
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 08/30/2017 08:44 pm
May have to wait till we know the "payload"
If it's a bus it opens up a host of possibilities
FH demo Magic bus space tour
FH demo Bus-ta-move
Etc.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: yokem55 on 08/30/2017 09:13 pm
I've suggested before the FH party thread should be along the lines of 'We like big boosters and we cannot lie...'
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 08/31/2017 05:22 pm
Re: Elon Musk and the recent Formosat-5/Stage 1 return
No bragging. This is just the first round in prepping all of us for a surprise.

My (uninformed) speculations re the Surprise:

Elon has a secret paleo-biogenetics lab, funded from his sizable personal fortune.

His minions have bred Pleistocene fauna and flora from DNA samples obtained in the La Brea tarpits of Los Angeles...

He has obtained one of the Catalina Islands for an open-range display of his Ice Age menagerie, which will be open to visitors interested in purchasing tickets on the ultimate "advent-ucation."

Another revenue stream: Pay-per-view fees of Youtube video of saber-tooth cats riding SpaceX Roombas...
***

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdX6fwfrULI

"Someday, maybe Fred will win the fight/
Then that cat will stay out for the night!"

EDIT: Added the Flintstones opening/ending credit Youtube link.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 08/31/2017 05:29 pm
Re: Elon Musk and the recent Formosat-5/Stage 1 return
No bragging. This is just the first round in prepping all of us for a surprise.

My (uninformed) speculations re the Surprise:

Elon has a secret paleo-biogenetics lab, funded from his sizable personal fortune.

His minions have bred Pleistocene fauna and flora from DNA samples obtained in the La Brea tarpits of Los Angeles...

He has obtained one of the Catalina Islands for an open-range display of his Ice Age menagerie, which will be open to visitors interested in purchasing tickets on the ultimate "advent-ucation."

Another revenue stream: Pay-per-view fees of Youtube video of saber-tooth cats riding SpaceX Roombas...
( edit: cue the Flinstones cartoon theme music...)
Sounds like 'a Yabba-dabba do time ... a yabba-do time! We'll have a gay old time! '
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 09/01/2017 01:44 pm
Can I just ask why can't people understand that number of sides on OTV-5's fuzzy dice is a secret and that is why there will be no video from inside the fairing.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 09/01/2017 02:04 pm
For a short-term FH party thread, I'd suggest the name "He ain't Heavy -- he's my Falcon"...  :D

Hmmm...

Heavy Falcon...

Deufalconium?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 09/01/2017 05:21 pm
For a short-term FH party thread, I'd suggest the name "He ain't Heavy -- he's my Falcon"...  :D

Hmmm...

Heavy Falcon...

Deufalconium?
Clearly not. Terfalconium or something similar.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: IntoTheVoid on 09/01/2017 07:53 pm
I see as much likelihood of the F9 US "evolving" into ITS as I see a tortoise evolving into a sperm whale. But please continue to explain what you have in mind. If it's so simple it should be simple to explain.

I think your analogy is confused, because if you already had a tortoise then you'd probably want to evolve it into Gamera to get it space rated. The F9 US is much more shaped like the sperm whale, and the tortoise already has landing legs. So... If you were instead trying to evolve a sperm whale into a tortoise, then clearly you would look to transition through a sea turtle.

(https://dcairns.files.wordpress.com/2015/08/vlcsnap-2015-08-02-20h49m57s6.png)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 09/02/2017 02:55 am
I have to say that I find the remarks of "it was Boring" shocking and rather off topic! After all, Tesla is off topic for this site (I think?) so shouldn't Elon's other companies be likewise OT? (I'm referring to The Boring Company, of course).

:p
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 09/04/2017 07:53 pm
Here comes the sun!!!!

I know I'm off topic, but bets if earth facing sunspot 2673 will belch out an X class flare (3 M class since Sunday) and cause a scrub?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 09/04/2017 10:01 pm
Here comes the sun!!!!

I know I'm off topic, but bets if earth facing sunspot 2673 will belch out an X class flare (3 M class since Sunday) and cause a scrub?

An X-class flare causing a SpaceX scrub?!?! You'd think SpaceX would be a bit more careful with their X-stuff than to allow that kind of scheduling conflict to happen!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 09/04/2017 11:36 pm
Are you implying that X-Class flares are all part of the secretX plans coming from the secretX volcanicX IslandX lair?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 09/05/2017 04:57 am
ShhhX!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 09/05/2017 04:06 pm
Here comes the sun!!!!

I know I'm off topic, but bets if earth facing sunspot 2673 will belch out an X class flare (3 M class since Sunday) and cause a scrub?

An X-class flare causing a SpaceX scrub?!?! You'd think SpaceX would be a bit more careful with their X-stuff than to allow that kind of scheduling conflict to happen!

And note, it's launching the X-37... hmm, I smell an X-spiracy!

I'll have to watch it all on Xfinity... :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 09/05/2017 06:19 pm
It looks like there's a dog driving as well.  No wonder SpaceX can undercut the competition: they pay in dog-food and treats!

That's the passenger side, we drive on the other side of the road ;-)

He's just along for the ride as the AI takes the rig for a spin.

I was referring to what looks like the ear of a second doggy visible on the driver's side.  I did spend most of the 90's driving on the wrong side of the road (UK), but now I drive on the right side!

Must not live in the country, the bigger the SUV, the more likely it will be driving down the center of both lanes...

btw. When I blow up that image, I'm pretty sure it's a cat, not a dog in the drivers seat.

I agree with darkenfast--I see the lop-ear of a smaller, second dog in the (left side) driver's seat.
***

Re: the apparent driver-dog--my experience tells me he or she is not a sight hound.  My (dearly departed) saluki was perfectly happy to let his human chauffeur the horseless-chariot.

(I sometimes think that I would have liked to converse with Charles Schulz about Snoopy--I think Snoopy acted much more like a saluki than a beagle.  Example: the relationship between Snoopy and his "round-headed kid.")
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 09/05/2017 07:50 pm
Cue the dogs driving on the wrong side of the road video's

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eJ4WxEXpac
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: IntoTheVoid on 09/06/2017 01:33 pm
Seems pretty clear to me, and probably everyone in the U.S., that OTV-5 is putting up a payload for the IRS given that it's going up on core 1040.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 09/06/2017 02:10 pm
I think SpaceX just lost control of the X making machine, The sun just beltched out a long duration X2 and X9 flare...

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Ronpur50 on 09/06/2017 05:37 pm
We had plans to go to KSC today and tomorrow, but with gas so hard to get here in the Tampa area with Irma looming, we stayed home.  Instead, my family on the east coast are boarding up windows.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 09/06/2017 05:40 pm
If X-37 scrubs because of Irma, that would "really blow"

(I'm here all week, try the veal)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 09/06/2017 08:39 pm
Even worse, an X flare causes a scrub.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rangertech1 on 09/07/2017 02:00 am
 :
Even worse, an X flare causes a scrub.
Your ripping through some mountain turns, then around the next, you see a semi truck that seems to be drfting into your lane.  :o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 09/07/2017 02:05 am
If X-37 scrubs because of Irma, that would "really blow"

(I'm here all week, try the veal)
  http://instantrimshot.com/?play=true   :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 09/07/2017 05:40 am
If defying hurricanes is the game, its got to be done properly.

[spoiler] Launch through the eye! [/spoiler]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marooned_(1969_film)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: catdlr on 09/07/2017 06:09 am
If defying hurricanes is the game, its got to be done properly.

[spoiler] Launch through the eye! [/spoiler]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marooned_(1969_film)

and the video clip:

Marooned - 1969 Gene Hackman

https://youtu.be/yD1hbplN4DE?t=001

https://youtu.be/yD1hbplN4DE
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Ronpur50 on 09/07/2017 01:07 pm
My model. The hurricane was one that was over Florida in 2004 or so.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 09/07/2017 01:29 pm
An important culinary update that I know you've all been waiting for:

Quote
Robin Seemangal‏ Verified account @nova_road 6m6 minutes ago

SpaceX came through with donuts.
https://twitter.com/nova_road/status/905783157659750400

Quote
Trevor Mahlmann‏ @TrevorMahlmann 5m5 minutes ago

Damn, donuts to yourself?!
https://twitter.com/TrevorMahlmann/status/905783377516789760

Quote
Robin Seemangal‏ Verified account @nova_road 4m4 minutes ago

The donut to human ratio is high. I may indulge.
https://twitter.com/nova_road/status/905784016774852608
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 09/07/2017 01:48 pm
Can you imagine how difficult it is to work in a hurricane, a space spyplane launch, another hurricane, and the lottery into one prayer? God thought I was off my meds again.  :o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Norm38 on 09/07/2017 02:21 pm
That last minute second leg deploy always makes me nervous.  Watching the landing pad get bigger and bigger I keep saying "Gear down! Gear down!"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 09/07/2017 02:43 pm
I guess spaceX does control the X machine, they managed to slip lunch between an M7 and an X1 flare!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Celebrimbor on 09/07/2017 03:44 pm
Huh. Neat launch.

So how come no one else is landing and reusing rockets?  Looks easy...

Sorry gotta go!!

😂
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Steve D on 09/07/2017 03:57 pm
We have to wait almost a whole MONTH before we fly again!!!!! Remember when once a month was exciting and everyone thought they couldn't keep up that pace????
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 09/07/2017 03:59 pm
So how come no one else is landing and reusing rockets?  Looks easy...

Jeff Bezos, you have a Doubting Thomas on line 1 ...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Jarnis on 09/07/2017 04:11 pm
We have to wait almost a whole MONTH before we fly again!!!!! Remember when once a month was exciting and everyone thought they couldn't keep up that pace????

Well, on the upside that gives some time to clean up the mess that is barrelling down towards Cape from the south without automatically messing up the launch schedule. Here's hoping they don't get to rebuild any pads (again!) or hangars...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 09/12/2017 04:05 pm
Uh....anyone hear from Jim??...last heard he was heading to Clearwater...in the path  of the storm ..

Jim's like Chuck Norris. He'll be fine.
So you're saying Irma changed course and didn't make direct landfall in Tampa to avoid going eye to eye with him?

Well you know the Rideout team were in a secure location to ensure their safety? It was just a normal office with Jim at the door.
Jim was in Clearwater (the water cleared up when it heard he was coming) and so they had to use just a picture...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 09/12/2017 06:57 pm
Uh....anyone hear from Jim??...last heard he was heading to Clearwater...in the path  of the storm ..

Jim's like Chuck Norris. He'll be fine.
So you're saying Irma changed course and didn't make direct landfall in Tampa to avoid going eye to eye with him?

Well you know the Rideout team were in a secure location to ensure their safety? It was just a normal office with Jim at the door.
Jim was in Clearwater (the water cleared up when it heard he was coming) and so they had to use just a picture...
Jim to storm: "No"
Storm ... runs away
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 09/13/2017 07:08 pm
If we had a party thread for the SES 11/ Echostar launch reusing an F9 stage 1, what would it be called ?

SES it again F9, again F9 agai...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 09/13/2017 07:31 pm
If we had a party thread for the SES 11/ Echostar launch reusing an F9 stage 1, what would it be called ?

Launch, Land, Launch, Land...... Is there an Echostar in the room?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 09/14/2017 07:27 am
How not to land a orbital rocket booster

https://www.instagram.com/p/BZA0s7EAmF1/

Edit: Now longer and in HD!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvim4rsNHkQ
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Chris Bergin on 09/14/2017 12:41 pm
Deserved standalone thread for that ;)

https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=43737.0
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 09/14/2017 08:01 pm
NSF Video Recovery footage makes it in there too! ;D

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2014/06/recovering-falcon-9-ocean-landing-video-done/
Sadly, uncredited but still cool.

I think the dancing rocket on deck is my fave part of a vid that has a LOT to love...
Airplane movie...
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=l2iIq3zaP6k#t=6m07s
Flight F9 Now arriving at gate 10... 11... gate 12
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 09/14/2017 11:07 pm
SpaceX's Greatest Hits!  ;D :P 8)
For more than one meaning of the word "hit" ...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intrepidpursuit on 09/15/2017 04:09 am
I showed my wife the video and that led to explaining flight termination systems. She has now decided that her dream job is "designated rocket exploder".

I didn't break the news that a computer already stole her job.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: coypu76 on 09/20/2017 03:16 pm
There have been so many photos looking up at the landed booster in front of SpaceX HQ at Hawthorne that sometimes we fail to apprehend the sheer size of the booster.  I made this graphic for the SpaceX Facebook group to help illustrate how big those grid fins are up at the top of the booster.  :D

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 09/20/2017 04:41 pm
They don't look very happy to be there.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: billh on 09/20/2017 06:03 pm
They don't look very happy to be there.
It was his idea. They had an argument. QED
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 09/20/2017 06:21 pm
OK, I can understand that Serta put in the low bid for fabricating the titanium grid fins, but, um... there needs to be some better corporate communications, here, about appropriate product testing... :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachF on 09/20/2017 06:37 pm
OK, I can understand that Serta put in the low bid for fabricating the titanium grid fins, but, um... there needs to be some better corporate communications, here, about appropriate product testing... :D

The wife is angry husband didn't get MyPillow, her pillow is not machine warshable.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: woods170 on 09/20/2017 06:43 pm
OK, I can understand that Serta put in the low bid for fabricating the titanium grid fins, but, um... there needs to be some better corporate communications, here, about appropriate product testing... :D

The wife is angry husband didn't get MyPillow, her pillow is not machine warshable.
Man, this turned into yet another Party thread real quick.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 09/20/2017 06:47 pm
OK, I can understand that Serta put in the low bid for fabricating the titanium grid fins, but, um... there needs to be some better corporate communications, here, about appropriate product testing... :D

With that much cold shoulder on show I think the cooling effect would make the swap to titanium unnecessary.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 09/20/2017 06:50 pm
OK, I can understand that Serta put in the low bid for fabricating the titanium grid fins, but, um... there needs to be some better corporate communications, here, about appropriate product testing... :D

The wife is angry husband didn't get MyPillow, her pillow is not machine warshable(*).

Oh, don't worry -- some time in the next minute and thirty-eight seconds or so, those people will have a lot more to worry about than whether or not any of their ensemble is machine-washable... :D

I might suggest this thread could more appropriately be appended to the party thread?  Just a thought, seems it would belong there.  :)


(*) -- I will never call out typos and misspellings, as I have enough of them myself.  But this is an exception.  You see, while I am originally from Illinois and was raised with that flat Midwest accent that is the envy of every news reader throughout the nation, my mother's family is from rural Indiana.  She and her family (and everyone from that region) sport a variation on the Kentucky-Tennessee southern accent.  It is distinctive in that, among other things, the word "wash" is invariably pronounced "warsh".  Also, as in a standard southern American dialect, the short "i" vowel sound is often pronounced more like a long "e", such that I would hear the phrase "warsh the deeshes" when one of my relatives meant to say "wash the dishes".  So, whenever I see someone write "warsh", I nearly fall out of my chair, laughing... :D  :D  :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachF on 09/20/2017 06:59 pm
OK, I can understand that Serta put in the low bid for fabricating the titanium grid fins, but, um... there needs to be some better corporate communications, here, about appropriate product testing... :D

The wife is angry husband didn't get MyPillow, her pillow is not machine warshable.
Man, this turned into yet another Party thread real quick.

If I had photoshop skills I would put a scale mariachi band with Elon dancing at the base of a landed Falcon 9 (To keep on topic, of course)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Chris Bergin on 09/20/2017 07:10 pm
OK, I can understand that Serta put in the low bid for fabricating the titanium grid fins, but, um... there needs to be some better corporate communications, here, about appropriate product testing... :D

The wife is angry husband didn't get MyPillow, her pillow is not machine warshable.
Man, this turned into yet another Party thread real quick.

This post is now hilarious after I merged the other thread into this thread. ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 09/20/2017 08:33 pm
There have been so many photos looking up at the landed booster in front of SpaceX HQ at Hawthorne that sometimes we fail to apprehend the sheer size of the booster.  I made this graphic for the SpaceX Facebook group to help illustrate how big those grid fins are up at the top of the booster.  :D
Captions:

A).  Johnson, party of two ... your gridfin is available ...

B)    For weight and balance reasons, we are recruiting additional couples (for the other gridfins)

Or the obvious:
       Overheard on the way up...
           "I SAID this toga party is a real drag..."
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: coypu76 on 09/20/2017 10:09 pm
Her thoughts: "Why won't he talk to me?  Am I getting fat?  What's wrong with our relationship?  Have I lost him completely?  Is he thinking about someone else?  Is it OVER?"

His thoughts:  "Dang, this is a big freakin' booster!  I mean, look, TWO of us can fit on one of these grid fins!"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 09/20/2017 10:12 pm
There have been so many photos looking up at the landed booster in front of SpaceX HQ at Hawthorne that sometimes we fail to apprehend the sheer size of the booster.  I made this graphic for the SpaceX Facebook group to help illustrate how big those grid fins are up at the top of the booster.  :D
I think your scale is off...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: catdlr on 09/21/2017 02:59 am
Quote
Falcon 9’s first stage is equipped with hypersonic grid fins which manipulate the direction of the stage’s lift during reentry. The fins are placed in an X-wing configuration and are stored on the ascent and deployed during reentry. While the fins are relatively small – they measure just 4 feet by 5 feet – they can roll, pitch, and yaw the 14-story stage up to 20 degrees in order to target a precision landing.

source: http://www.spacex.com/news/2015/08/31/grid-fins
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 09/21/2017 12:01 pm
They're really small people! Just like the ones that they use for advertising airline seat spacing, roominess of sub-micro-compact car back seats, portion sizes at cheap restaurants, etc.

OK maybe not
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: abaddon on 09/21/2017 01:30 pm
I think the scale is actually reasonable.  It's not like they look comfortable.  And the more recent picture is very misleading about the length of the fins (they are longer than they are wide) due to the camera angle.

This is getting way too picky for a party thread, in my opinion.  BOO.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 09/21/2017 02:26 pm
It's not a party thread unless you can debate how many Falcon Heavies can dance on the deck of an ASDS.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cppetrie on 09/21/2017 03:49 pm
I think the scale is actually reasonable.  It's not like they look comfortable.  And the more recent picture is very misleading about the length of the fins (they are longer than they are wide) due to the camera angle.

This is getting way too picky for a party thread, in my opinion.  BOO.
Also the pic with the people sleeping is of the new Ti fins which are larger than the Al ones in the other pic and for which dimensions were given. The Ti ones aren’t massively larger but they are larger.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: yokem55 on 09/21/2017 09:42 pm

Literally, everything in moderation...  ;)

Including moderation?

I find your intolerance of my tolerance of his moderation of moderation to be intolerable! And don't call me a hypocrite for pointing out the hypocrisy of you pointing out my other hypocrisy!

(The above is a summary of 90% of the stupid arguments on the internet).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: gongora on 09/21/2017 11:46 pm
Hmmm, a drag race that includes a Tesla and takes place on the runway of VAFB.  That's completely on topic here, right?
http://www.motortrend.com/news/worlds-greatest-drag-race_7/ (http://www.motortrend.com/news/worlds-greatest-drag-race_7/)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 09/22/2017 01:42 pm
Hmmm, a drag race that includes a Tesla and takes place on the runway of VAFB.  That's completely on topic here, right?
http://www.motortrend.com/news/worlds-greatest-drag-race_7/ (http://www.motortrend.com/news/worlds-greatest-drag-race_7/)
As much as the USAF switching to Telsa chase cars on the only plane still flying on the edge of space...
https://electrek.co/2017/07/27/tesla-model-s-chaser-car-launch-spy-planes-royal-air-force/
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: rpapo on 09/22/2017 01:45 pm
Much more Tesla talk around here and Chris may pull this device out:
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 09/22/2017 04:29 pm
Much more Tesla talk around here and Chris may pull this device out:

That will spark off a whole new conversation....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: yokem55 on 09/22/2017 05:44 pm


Much more Tesla talk around here and Chris may pull this device out:

That will spark off a whole new conversation....

I don't know. Most folks around here are down to earth, well grounded people...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kch on 09/22/2017 06:05 pm

Literally, everything in moderation...  ;)

Including moderation?

I find your intolerance of my tolerance of his moderation of moderation to be intolerable! And don't call me a hypocrite for pointing out the hypocrisy of you pointing out my other hypocrisy!

(The above is a summary of 90% of the stupid arguments on the internet).

Sturgeon's Law lives ... :)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sturgeon%27s_law (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sturgeon%27s_law)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Kansan52 on 09/22/2017 06:45 pm
Dang my memory, I thought that was Clarke's Law but his is "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 09/24/2017 05:26 am
Wondering how Chris's StarTrek NG marathon is going while waiting for lunch!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 09/29/2017 06:02 am
From the SpaceX at IAC 2017 discussion thread:
The biggest, most obvious customer that no one really wants to say out loud for point-to-point like that (at least at first) is soldiers and bombs....
Just a funny thought, but Shotwell said earlier today (https://twitter.com/charlottelowey/status/913145922976190464) that SpaceX is, in some capacity, looking into fissile material to run NTR.  Which means that they would have ability to deliver as much as 50 tons of anything to anywhere on Earth within an hour, as well as nuclear material.  Throw in some nuclear power plants as a cover for Pu/H3 breeders and you have a non-government entity with first-strike thermonuclear capability!

North Korea got to orbit 4 years behind SpaceX, and has been salty about it ever since.  If Elon can deliver a precision inter-continental strike before the DPRK, I know a certain portly head of state who won't be happy about it...  :P
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 09/29/2017 06:23 am
Wondering how Chris's StarTrek NG marathon is going while waiting for lunch!
;)  http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/star-trek-next-generation-how-can-it-be-30-1044124
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 09/29/2017 06:47 am
From the SpaceX at IAC 2017 discussion thread:
The biggest, most obvious customer that no one really wants to say out loud for point-to-point like that (at least at first) is soldiers and bombs....
Just a funny thought, but Shotwell said earlier today (https://twitter.com/charlottelowey/status/913145922976190464) that SpaceX is, in some capacity, looking into fissile material to run NTR.  Which means that they would have ability to deliver as much as 50 tons of anything to anywhere on Earth within an hour, as well as nuclear material.  Throw in some nuclear power plants as a cover for Pu/H3 breeders and you have a non-government entity with first-strike thermonuclear capability!

North Korea got to orbit 4 years behind SpaceX, and has been salty about it ever since.  If Elon can deliver a precision inter-continental strike before the DPRK, I know a certain portly head of state who won't be happy about it...  :P

Not enough imagination :(

There is no need for Nukes. Just use Rods of God (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinetic_bombardment) to carpet bomb the DPRK.

See my reply (http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=43035.msg1728408#msg1728408) to @ZachF
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 09/29/2017 06:59 am
Folks, we are slipping into non party attire.  Any more talk like this and it's blue uniform for youz.

edit:
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 09/29/2017 09:48 am
The party thread and it's seven year quest to find OTV-5
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: woods170 on 09/29/2017 11:21 am
The party thread and it's seven year quest to find OTV-5
All you have to do is camp out at KSC's Shuttle Landing Facility indefinitely.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 09/29/2017 12:13 pm
All you have to do is camp out at KSC's Shuttle Landing Facility indefinitely.

Or near Vandenberg's Runway 12 if the Air Force decides to land at the West Coast.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: WBY1984 on 09/29/2017 01:41 pm
Really happy to see wings on the new ITS, since I tried to make an equivalent in KSP last year, but couldn't make it work due to balancing issues. My solution was adding delta wings on the back, so that CoM and CoL was balanced with varying payloads!  :P

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 09/29/2017 02:23 pm

Or near Vandenberg's Runway 12 if the Air Force decides to land at the West Coast.
Or you could get all nostalgic and hang at WSSH in case it has to make an emergency divert ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 09/29/2017 02:46 pm
Much more Tesla talk around here and Chris may pull this device out:

Is that 'The Doctor' testing his new anti-Dalek defenses?

Exterminate...  Exterminate...  EXTERMINATE!!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 10/02/2017 08:52 am
Just think: in a few years we can change this into the "BFParty Thread"!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 10/02/2017 10:55 am
Just think: in a few years we can change this into the "BFParty Thread"!

Don't forget to factor in the spaceX time dilation factor, aka time warp.
https://youtu.be/tkplPbd2f60
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 10/03/2017 05:38 pm
Just think: in a few years we can change this into the "BFParty Thread"!

Don't forget to factor in the spaceX time dilation factor, aka time warp.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkplPbd2f60
Yes.  But schedules rarely jump to the left
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 10/03/2017 05:50 pm
Yes.  But schedules rarely jump to the left
These are rabid SpaceX fans we are talking about, the schedule always jumps to the left ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 10/03/2017 07:35 pm
European study on reusable rocket design... Prometheus/Callisto
Found here:
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=41330.msg1730895#msg1730895

Quote
Evaluation of Future Ariane Reusable VTOL Booster stages
Quote
Reusability is anticipated to strongly impact the launch service market if sufficient reliability and low refurbishment costs can be achieved.  DLR is performing an extensive study on return methods for a reusable booster stage for a future launch vehicle.  The present study focuses on the vertical take-off and vertical landing (VTOL) method.  First, a restitution of a flight of Falcon 9 is resented in order to assess the accuracy of the tools used.

Conclusions involve RTLS and down-range landings, gas generator engines, same engine on second stage as on first (except for the vac nozzle); 11 engines on the 5.5m hydrolox version and 9 on the methlox version.  Imitation is sincerest form of flattery.

(bolding mine)

They can resent F9 all they want, it won't make them more competitive.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 10/03/2017 08:43 pm
Yes.  But schedules rarely jump to the left
These are rabid SpaceX fans we are talking about, the schedule always jumps to the left ;)
And then realistically it often steps to the right...

so put your hands on your hips.. (like the astronauts in the photos... no bucks, no buck rogers)
And bring your knees in tight ( cause you wouldn't want them flopping around during launch)
...(um something about thrust)... ( thrust, totally a rocket thing...We're on topic .... see!)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 10/04/2017 11:11 am
Being on topic in the party thread is a penalty. Take a step to the right!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: dodo on 10/05/2017 06:33 pm
Steps, you say? Have some steps!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LewVEF2B_pM
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 10/09/2017 05:26 am
Hey!  Wher'd the Party go!
(puts lampshade on head)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 10/09/2017 11:06 am
It's Monday...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 10/09/2017 12:26 pm
It's Monday...

It's early on Monday. Just not a great time to get a party started. Let's just meditate over our coffee instead. I can look like I'm working that way.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 10/09/2017 12:33 pm
It's Monday...

It's early on Monday. Just not a great time to get a party started. Let's just meditate over our coffee instead. I can look like I'm working that way.

I have early Monday too much coffee stomache, or is that launch nerves?  Never could sort that one out.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rhyshaelkan on 10/09/2017 12:47 pm
Lovely landing views.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 10/09/2017 12:48 pm
This would be a cool launch party song - but it'd have to be a cover version called 'Falcon Rock'!! ;)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXBUMKN4JEo
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 10/09/2017 12:56 pm
Anyone else see this during the big vent pre-launch?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 10/09/2017 01:04 pm
That was cool -- in the very recent past, my cable box got a YouTube app provided, and my cable box has a voice-command feature, that lets me tell the remote what I want to look at.

So, all I had to do was press a button on my remote, say "SpaceX Iridium 3", et voila, there was a listing of items, for which the first two options were live feeds of the launch.

Of course, you have to speak clearly -- the first time I tried it this morning, it thought I said "Space sex launch"...  ???
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 10/09/2017 01:11 pm
That was cool -- ... it thought I said "Space sex launch"...  ???

Were there any actual search results for that? Just askin'... :-[
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 10/09/2017 01:14 pm
That was cool -- ... it thought I said "Space sex launch"...  ???

Were there any actual search results for that? Just askin'... :-[

The system will always try and find a match... in this case, for some odd reason, it came up with a bunch of German-language films!   ??? ??? ???
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mvpel on 10/09/2017 01:47 pm
"If you're John Insprucker, you way over-explain things. It's what you do."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrT0qYdTiLY
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: abaddon on 10/09/2017 02:18 pm
I'm surprised nobody is talking about the secret launch SpaceX made this year.  John slipped up and let out that this is the 15th SpaceX launch this year...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 10/09/2017 02:27 pm
That was cool -- ... it thought I said "Space sex launch"...  ???

Were there any actual search results for that? Just askin'... :-[

The system will always try and find a match... in this case, for some odd reason, it came up with a bunch of German-language films!   ??? ??? ???

Might explain what Von Braun was really up to.  ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: flyright on 10/09/2017 02:41 pm
I'm surprised nobody is talking about the secret launch SpaceX made this year.  John slipped up and let out that this is the 15th SpaceX launch this year...

I must have missed that. At the end of the "norminal" webcast he called it the 14th mission, and looking forward to the 15th in a couple days.
Not saying SpaceX hasn't flown a secret mission or two this year, though. They might be secretly testing cheese wheels in preparation for FH.  :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: abaddon on 10/09/2017 02:46 pm
It's at the beginning of the webcast.  I'm sure before the end someone let John know about his gaffe.  I imagine it went something like "psst John, we're not supposed to allude to that launch on April 1st from our hidden volcano lair!"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 10/09/2017 02:52 pm
I'm surprised nobody is talking about the secret launch SpaceX made this year.  John slipped up and let out that this is the 15th SpaceX launch this year...

I must have missed that. At the end of the "norminal" webcast he called it the 14th mission, and looking forward to the 15th in a couple days.
Not saying SpaceX hasn't flown a secret mission or two this year, though. They might be secretly testing cheese wheels in preparation for FH.  :D

I did a recount of all the 2017 missions flown; it was 14 so far. There was not a 15th secret mission.

Maybe J. Insprucker accidentally said 15 were flown, but it's okay. Mistakes happen and can be fixed.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: abaddon on 10/09/2017 02:55 pm
(http://wjbq.com/files/2015/07/Debbie-Downer.png?w=600&h=0&zc=1&s=0&a=t&q=89)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Doesitfloat on 10/09/2017 03:04 pm
I'm surprised nobody is talking about the secret launch SpaceX made this year.  John slipped up and let out that this is the 15th SpaceX launch this year...
It wasn't really secret. They are just counting the the ITS's tank test as a launch. 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 10/09/2017 03:08 pm
That was cool -- ... it thought I said "Space sex launch"...  ???

Were there any actual search results for that? Just askin'... :-[
Asking for a friend, no doubt.

I had to commute from Grand Rapids to Dearborn but I had the YouTube spooling and pulled into a Park and Ride lot at T-2:00 and stayed parked (safety first!) till after first stage landing.

John definitely was explaining some basic stuff this time. Loved Matt's vid ("Are you tired of me yet? Grease up, we have 5 more to go") ...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cppetrie on 10/09/2017 03:34 pm
I'm surprised nobody is talking about the secret launch SpaceX made this year.  John slipped up and let out that this is the 15th SpaceX launch this year...

I must have missed that. At the end of the "norminal" webcast he called it the 14th mission, and looking forward to the 15th in a couple days.
Not saying SpaceX hasn't flown a secret mission or two this year, though. They might be secretly testing cheese wheels in preparation for FH.  :D

I did a recount of all the 2017 missions flown; it was 14 so far. There was not a 15th secret mission.

Maybe J. Insprucker accidentally said 15 were flown, but it's okay. Mistakes happen and can be fixed.
Given this launch was supposed to occur after SES he probably just had an old copy of the script he was reading from. They gave him an updated copy during one of the commercial breaks.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 10/09/2017 04:58 pm
I always figured John winged it...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: dror on 10/10/2017 09:52 pm
https://youtu.be/EfYtXIDtmco

But that's simchat torah !
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 10/11/2017 01:58 am
Everyone's commenting that SpaceX has been slow getting the pictures of Monday's lunch out. I mean, geez, what's wrong with just using stock pictures?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Flying Beaver on 10/11/2017 04:55 am
FH sits in the evening light.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 10/11/2017 02:41 pm
Okay... so relaunches are now a thing which makes me want to hold off on my partying until we see the following:

a Rerelaunch. :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 10/11/2017 04:08 pm
Everyone's commenting that SpaceX has been slow getting the pictures of Monday's lunch out. I mean, geez, what's wrong with just using stock pictures?

That's as bad as those old Grade "C" Sci-fi flicks that would use footage of two completely different rockets for the same fictional rocket ship!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 10/11/2017 05:24 pm
Looks pretty clean for a used rocket.
Only used by a little old lady from Pasadena???
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jebbo on 10/11/2017 05:26 pm
Low mileage, one careful owner ;-)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Barrie on 10/11/2017 05:42 pm
Okay... so relaunches are now a thing which makes me want to hold off on my partying until we see the following:

a Rerelaunch. :)

This time next year, relaunches will be unremarkable.  Any excitement and tension will be around a new booster's 'maiden launch'   :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: butters on 10/11/2017 09:13 pm
The shrinking RSS is like a flattering pair of pants for Falcon 9. Yes, it does make you look bigger.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: sghill on 10/11/2017 10:32 pm
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 10/11/2017 10:35 pm
Your norminal programming will resume shortly.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Michael Baylor on 10/11/2017 10:42 pm
Background noise is the SpaceXers eating. The cafeteria is called "The Lunch Pad" according to an employee on Twitter. Not sure if the name changes for dinner though.  ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 10/11/2017 10:46 pm
Space-equis?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 10/11/2017 10:51 pm
Do it again already? Cool.  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 10/11/2017 11:01 pm
Second stage flying into sunset! How cool is that!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tyrred on 10/11/2017 11:05 pm
Holy falcons, batman... Those grid fins got HOT!  And did someone install extra sparklers for the entry burn?  Spectacular
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: WBY1984 on 10/11/2017 11:09 pm
Looks like the glowing grid fin action occurred right at sunset, judging by the footage from stage 2. Made everything redder and more dramatic.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Ronpur50 on 10/11/2017 11:38 pm
Since Apollo 7 was 49 years ago, I took some photos of my models of both rockets.  They are 1/144 scale. 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tomness on 10/12/2017 01:21 am
On site, front row. T-52 minutes.

I want set of wing back chairs lol... I wonder if Shotwell likes Cigars wouldn't look out of place setting in one of those lol.....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 10/12/2017 01:30 am
On site, front row. T-52 minutes.

I want set of wing back chairs lol... I wonder if Shotwell likes Cigars wouldn't look out of place setting in one of those lol.....
I guess they're on loan from Masterpiece Theater... ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 10/12/2017 04:02 pm
Comin in HOT! :)

I ran outa time or I'd have added the HUD, too ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: vandersons on 10/12/2017 04:07 pm
Not sure if we have a global party thread here so this is the most appropriate place I could find for expressing my happines about the below

Recently changed projects at work (not space related) and we got some new people in for it. Turns out two of the new guys are real proper (ex)rocket scientists.
Had a good chat with one of them and he's also a huge SpaceX fan! Looking forward to many more discusions and info dumps from him (though not sure how much he'll be able to divulge about his primary speciality - GNC of Russian ICBMs).

Haven't had a chance to talk to the other guy but his CV says something about a long stint in Baikonur.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: yokem55 on 10/12/2017 05:18 pm
Comin in HOT! :)

I ran outa time or I'd have added the HUD, too ;)
Jebediah would be grinning ear to ear!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 10/12/2017 05:25 pm
I want set of wing back chairs lol... I wonder if Shotwell likes Cigars wouldn't look out of place setting in one of those lol.....

Wing back chairs are awesome if you have an open fire and it's a bit drafty, doubly so if the fire is RP-1 and LOX.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 10/13/2017 06:41 am
Since Apollo 7 was 49 years ago, I took some photos of my models of both rockets.  They are 1/144 scale. 
Where did you get the Falcon 9 model from, if I may ask.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: rpapo on 10/13/2017 11:26 am
Ugg, brain and fingers don't always synchronize.
Some call it "dyslexia of the fingers"...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jebbo on 10/13/2017 11:28 am
Ugg, brain and fingers don't always synchronize.
Some call it "dyslexia of the fingers"...

Parity error on the brain/finger interface ...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mme on 10/13/2017 03:58 pm
In the construction and mechanical trades, sometimes the hammer one has in one's hand isn't producing the desired result, and a bigger hammer is needed. In those trades, the larger hammer is commonly referred to as a "BFH." And the F there does not mean Falcon.
Many video games, especially first-person shooters (like Doom and Quake), have a huge, powerful gun called a "BFG".  Here too, the meaning of the "F" is pretty clear.

And, of course, there is the slang expression "BFD", short for the sarcastic phrase "Big F...... Deal".

More generally, the construction "Big F....... something" is pretty common in popular culture.  So I think it's clear that Elon is just being cheeky calling his rocket the BFR.

I still don't get it.  Can someone please explain the joke yet again?

Edit/Lar: No. No more on this.
OK, when a man and a woman love each other very much ...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Ronpur50 on 10/14/2017 12:33 am
Since Apollo 7 was 49 years ago, I took some photos of my models of both rockets.  They are 1/144 scale. 
Where did you get the Falcon 9 model from, if I may ask.

Mostly scratch built with plastic tubes and 3D printed parts (legs, grid fins, engines fairing) from Shapeways. 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 10/15/2017 03:45 am
From the magical mystery thread:
I think that's enough random meanings for the word Zuma.

Well, of course, that's enough random meanings for the word Zuma.  It was a typo.  The payload is actually Zima.  I saw it recently as a "limited edition" release, and apparently it sold *really* well.  They're obviously going to do a product *launch* to announce it's back permanently.

Yep, Space Zima is the mystery payload.  (Sorry, Elon, now you're *really* going to have to come up with something properly absurd for FH.)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Barrie on 10/15/2017 03:55 am
I thought it might somehow be a reference to Montezuma.  As opposed to the more usual Monty Python references we get from Elon.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: launchwatcher on 10/15/2017 07:47 am
Must be this guy: http://paw-patrol.wikia.com/wiki/Zuma

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cppetrie on 10/15/2017 09:03 pm
Quote
Jeff Foust @jeff_foust
Replying to @Cosmic_Penguin
ZUMA is more likely to be a codename, not an acronym. But I’m sure you can come up with some creative retronyms…

https://mobile.twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/919594402439417856
Zero Updates Made Available
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 10/16/2017 08:53 pm
This again rises up the "Elon like a Bond supervillain" thoughts ;)

So the satellite is some SPECTRE's superweapon ;)

ZUMAs are Forever
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 10/16/2017 09:00 pm
Must be this guy: http://paw-patrol.wikia.com/wiki/Zuma

NRO hasn't yet returned Spike the Lizard from space back to his family.  He's been up there over 1 year! (NROL-61)
:(

If the eagle mascot for NROL-52 isn't on a rescue mission, then maybe this rescue dog is?  8)

(I read the link content; this character, unfortunately, isn't used as often as his rescue buddies.  He seems to be the Aquaman of Paw Patrol.  Maybe that's why he's free to accept a space rescue mission.)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Barrie on 10/16/2017 09:26 pm
I thought it was short for MazumaMobile.com - comsats made from recycled phones...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 10/16/2017 09:37 pm
From the magical mystery thread:
I think that's enough random meanings for the word Zuma.

Well, of course, that's enough random meanings for the word Zuma.  It was a typo.  The payload is actually Zima.  I saw it recently as a "limited edition" release, and apparently it sold *really* well.  They're obviously going to do a product *launch* to announce it's back permanently.

Yep, Space Zima is the mystery payload.  (Sorry, Elon, now you're *really* going to have to come up with something properly absurd for FH.)

I remember some episode of Babylon 5 had a bar in the Zocalo with a "Zima" sign.  A little JMS humor there.

EDIT: "TKO," Season 1

Delving back into Usenet via JMSNews, http://www.jmsnews.com/home.aspx :
Quote
From: [email protected] (Jms at B5)
 Subject: Re: JMS: B5 Editorial: Lamenta
      To: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated 
    Date: 7/27/1994 5:57:00 AM     
 
View Thread
(4 messages)


Actually, the idea of Zima lasting even into 1995 is hysterical. I
keep fighting the urge to have some guy show up on B5, "Zo then I zays to
him, nize ztation"...and five Narns just jump on him and beat the shit
out of him, WHAMWHAMWHAMWHAMWHAM!

jms
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 10/17/2017 02:36 am
I remember some episode of Babylon 5 had a bar in the Zocalo with a "Zima" sign.  A little JMS humor there.

EDIT: "TKO," Season 1

Delving back into Usenet via JMSNews, http://www.jmsnews.com/home.aspx :
Quote
From: [email protected] (Jms at B5)
 Subject: Re: JMS: B5 Editorial: Lamenta
      To: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated 
    Date: 7/27/1994 5:57:00 AM     
 
View Thread
(4 messages)


Actually, the idea of Zima lasting even into 1995 is hysterical. I
keep fighting the urge to have some guy show up on B5, "Zo then I zays to
him, nize ztation"...and five Narns just jump on him and beat the shit
out of him, WHAMWHAMWHAMWHAMWHAM!

jms

Hehe, it had dropped out of my mind that the Narn Bat Squad running gag originated with a Zima joke.  ;D  (I blame it on the fact it was over 23 years ago and I was just on my way to college... wow.)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: sghill on 10/18/2017 01:26 pm
I, for one, can't wait for the Zima launch. I may be in town to see this baby go up!

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Chris Bergin on 10/18/2017 02:36 pm
Just testing old links for HTTPS mod, so had a bit of fun with it. ;)

From 2013 to 2017. From Stampede to Security.

The evolution of the Rocket Cows of McGregor.

Background: https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/08/spacex-bothering-bovines-revolutionizing-rockets/

(SpaceX video shot and Gary Blair L2 McGregor photo).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 10/18/2017 02:48 pm
I, for one, can't wait for the Zima launch. I may be in town to see this baby go up!

Nice hat?


edit: Okay... I /really/ just dated myself ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 10/18/2017 05:06 pm
I, for one, can't wait for the Zima launch. I may be in town to see this baby go up!

Nice hat?


edit: Okay... I /really/ just dated myself ;)

Why, I think that was a pretty up to date reference ;)

Quote from: ElonMusk url="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/920482298327216128"
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/920482298327216128
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 10/18/2017 09:25 pm
I, for one, can't wait for the Zima launch. I may be in town to see this baby go up!

Nice hat?


edit: Okay... I /really/ just dated myself ;)

There are several Zima ads on YouTube...this is one of them with "nize hat":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbvKGdFlSQ0

Here'z another:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_uxyXekDjo

Oh, boy...  ::) Gonna party like it's 1994!

Not my pick-up line, but it could have been used here in "DZ" back-in-the-day, over a pair of Zimas:

Quote
Hey, babe, do you know that I'm a Friend Of Bill? ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 10/19/2017 04:45 am
What's your zign?

Ztop.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 10/19/2017 06:22 pm
Just testing old links for HTTPS mod, so had a bit of fun with it. ;)

From 2013 to 2017. From Stampede to Security.

The evolution of the Rocket Cows of McGregor.

Background: https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/08/spacex-bothering-bovines-revolutionizing-rockets/

(SpaceX video shot and Gary Blair L2 McGregor photo).

And a renewable source of methane for mars...
rocket cows
From stampede to security to passengers?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 10/19/2017 06:37 pm
Just testing old links for HTTPS mod, so had a bit of fun with it. ;)

From 2013 to 2017. From Stampede to Security.

The evolution of the Rocket Cows of McGregor.

Background: https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/08/spacex-bothering-bovines-revolutionizing-rockets/

(SpaceX video shot and Gary Blair L2 McGregor photo).

And a renewable source of methane for mars...
rocket cows
From stampede to security to passengers?

Whatever their mission I can promise that you DO NOT want to run up behind a herd of them blocking the road in front of you while driving a brand new 1986 Thunderbird and blow the horn.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: e of pi on 10/24/2017 03:27 pm
This had fallen into page 2 of the missions section (so many mission!) but all is still on track for a Static Fire test on the 26 as of last update.
I'm amused that we're now two days out from Static Fire, maybe four days out from the launch if things go well, and the latest SpaceX launch has fallen to page 2 in the SpaceX Missions section! Ho hum, another comsat launch and landing, I guess?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: abaddon on 10/24/2017 03:35 pm
This had fallen into page 2 of the missions section (so many mission!) but all is still on track for a Static Fire test on the 26 as of last update.
I'm amused that we're now two days out from Static Fire, maybe four days out from the launch if things go well, and the latest SpaceX launch has fallen to page 2 in the SpaceX Missions section! Ho hum, another comsat launch and landing, I guess?
The discussion thread for the mission has been active, it was just the update thread that fell off.  Since there weren't any updates of late, this is not surprising.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: dodo on 10/24/2017 06:03 pm
This had fallen into page 2 of the missions section (so many mission!) but all is still on track for a Static Fire test on the 26 as of last update.
I'm amused that we're now two days out from Static Fire, maybe four days out from the launch if things go well, and the latest SpaceX launch has fallen to page 2 in the SpaceX Missions section! Ho hum, another comsat launch and landing, I guess?
The discussion thread for the mission has been active, it was just the update thread that fell off.  Since there weren't any updates of late, this is not surprising.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 10/24/2017 07:43 pm
This had fallen into page 2 of the missions section (so many mission!) but all is still on track for a Static Fire test on the 26 as of last update.
I'm amused that we're now two days out from Static Fire, maybe four days out from the launch if things go well, and the latest SpaceX launch has fallen to page 2 in the SpaceX Missions section! Ho hum, another comsat launch and landing, I guess?

 Distant voice echos from somewhere in another thread:
      “Use the Force Chris”
Mod: “Sir, the update thread has turned off its targeting computer”

Com( urgently): “Update thread, you’re on page two... are you ok? “
Update Thread “Yes, I’m fine! No problem... Everything is Okey-Dokey, all good... ummmm
These aren’t the drone ships you’re looking for...”

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Barrie on 10/24/2017 08:34 pm
And a renewable source of methane for mars...
rocket cows

Ahh...so BFR = Bovine Flatulence Rocket!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 10/24/2017 08:55 pm
If I remember correctly,  roadheaders run about 12-100 tons while bulldozers can run 40 to 104 tons.

Or you could use the greatest invention of the 21st century, the long armed mangolator! long armed mangelator! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpCOZEyXv9I)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 10/25/2017 12:01 am
that seems all kinds of dangerous and unwise.

eminently well suited for this thread.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tomness on 10/25/2017 01:16 am
As unseasonable record high 100 degree F temperatures bake Vandenberg AFB today, the Minotaur C vehicle being readied for launch on 31 October glistens in the bright sun at its seaside launch pad 576E.

Image MIN3 and MIN4: The road to space is long with many a winding turn.

Image MIN7 shows the larger SLC-2W looming behind, the launch site of the JPSS aboard a Delta II scheduled for November.

Image MIN12 shows the distant coastline of Vandenberg South Base, with SLC-4 and SLC-6 clearly visible on a rare hot clear marine layer free day.

I don't want to filll up the main update page after this awesome post Helodriver... but what awesome pictures and this fine rocket... wish skybox, orbital atk, air force... good luck on this flight... this could make or break Minotaur C.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Sesquipedalian on 10/25/2017 04:43 am
(Split out of L2 as it's not L2....heh....per a reference about Zuma hiding under a mask...funny, so into party thread - Chris)

It was a close-run thing, but I managed to catch Zuma after encapsulation..
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 10/25/2017 05:33 pm
Genious!  Now we know that they are sending up Ladies and Germs.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 10/26/2017 04:02 pm
The latest ASAP meeting minutes are out:

Quote
<snip>
The public needs to understand that NASA spin-offs are more than Tang or Velco—there are important breakthroughs, and they are one of the major benefits from what NASA does.

From the tenor of those comments I get the feeling that ASAP members are undervaluing Tang and Velcro.  2 products that highly contributed to my happiness as a 5 year old.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 10/27/2017 01:46 pm
From the koreasat discussion thread
If they do a partial boost-back burn to return near the coast, the droneship won't take too much time to get positioned.

Nod. I wonder how much time they need to reconfigure things or if they have already calculated 5 or 10 different parameter loads for different landing points or even expendable with different things tested or ?

They've used a "contingency landing location" that repositioned the ASDS on at least 1 previous occasion, IIRC it was on one of the Iridium launches.  Which tells me that they likely have at least 2 or 3 targeted locations set up well before hand.

Will the Elon finally reveal the secret location of his volcano lair? Or would the Zuma launch be more appropriate?
(Pinkie firmly in corner of mouth)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cppetrie on 10/27/2017 03:26 pm
My wife found me sitting in front of the fireplace reading new posts on the forums last night and asked me what was new on ‘Spacebook’. I just smiled and told way her it was way more interesting than whatever was happening on the Book of Faces.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 10/27/2017 06:33 pm
I'm ready for another launch, it's been too long :)

Turn the lights on!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdLXWM2_k_Q&t=60
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 10/27/2017 11:19 pm
Bill Carton on FB already did. I have my lanyards ...

https://www.facebook.com/groups/474538532918960/
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Treasurer on 10/28/2017 02:05 pm
What will we do with a drunken CEO?

http://coub.com/view/yzld7 (http://coub.com/view/yzld7)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mattstep on 10/30/2017 02:24 am
What will we do with a drunken CEO?

http://coub.com/view/yzld7 (http://coub.com/view/yzld7)

Tie him to the first stage 'till he gets sober.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 10/30/2017 01:33 pm
I thought that prayers for success on this flight might best be aided with a Korean influence. Y'all know how difficult it is to find a Korean holy man in rural Tennessee? Brother Park here is all over the idea. We're covered. :)



Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 10/30/2017 01:44 pm
I thought that prayers for success on this flight might best be aided with a Korean influence. Y'all know how difficult it is to find a Korean holy man in rural Tennessee? Brother Park here is all over the idea. We're covered. :)
Would he pray the payload makes it to a “brother park”-ing orbit?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 10/30/2017 02:00 pm
Is it a prayer to make sure it makes it to orbit and not the afterlife?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 10/30/2017 03:01 pm
Is it a prayer to make sure it makes it to orbit and not the afterlife?

Sorry but translation is a risk we take. I'm told that I barely speak English myself.  ???
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 10/30/2017 03:27 pm
Just in case anyone is confused about how to launch ...

Quote
There's only one direction to launch a rocket and that's up

https://twitter.com/NASA_Nerd/status/925027758186545152 (https://twitter.com/NASA_Nerd/status/925027758186545152)

... but where's the advice about how to land again?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: IntoTheVoid on 10/30/2017 04:57 pm
That was simply the long-term state of the industry after the premature death of Saturn, and it's clear that that concept pervaded the impacted community out of necessity.

I knew we plunged Cassini into Saturn, but I didn't realize that we'd killed it.
First Pluto, now Saturn, maybe Elon needs to think bigger than Mars, at this rate it may not be far enough.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cppetrie on 10/30/2017 05:53 pm
The only things not being reused on CRS-13 is the US and Trunk.
Doesn’t the trunk get re-used for trash disposal. :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 10/30/2017 05:53 pm
Bus just drove past!

That'll be the crew getting on board.

Oops, no-one's supposed to know about the Korean space station.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 10/30/2017 06:46 pm
Bus just drove past!

That'll be the crew getting on board.

Oops, no-one's supposed to know about the Korean space station.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrEQOj4ep8U
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 10/30/2017 07:14 pm
Congratulations to all involved for a successful launch, landing and deployment.

I had to laugh when the presenter said "ready for another launch" about the first stage...

Oh, that'll buff right out!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: abaddon on 10/30/2017 07:15 pm
From Koreasat webcast, FH cores to the left and right
Core to the left of me, core to the right, here I am, stuck in the middle with you...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 10/30/2017 07:22 pm
Congratulations to all involved for a successful launch, landing and deployment.

I had to laugh when the presenter said "ready for another launch" about the first stage...

Oh, that'll buff right out!

I guess they subbed out octograbber for ref bot and his fire extinguisher for this robot war landing.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: IntoTheVoid on 10/30/2017 08:00 pm
From Koreasat webcast, FH cores to the left and right
Core to the left of me, core to the right, here I am, stuck in the middle with you...

I thought that's the theme song for FH?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 10/30/2017 08:15 pm
Nice of Elon for providing "fireworks" and a "weenie roast" aboard OCISY to honor Lewis Hamilton's 4th F1 World Driving Championship... ;D
https://www.autoevolution.com/news/lewis-hamilton-wins-his-4th-formula-one-title-now-level-with-prost-and-vettel-121349.html
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Galactic Penguin SST on 10/31/2017 11:49 am
I was digging back on the history of SpaceX while looking at the SpaceX launch log and I found out that there was a time (http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=918.msg10527#msg10527) when a hold in the countdown was announced by the launch team (in the middle of nowhere) sending an email to Elon's Garage (TM) in SoCal, where someone would announce to the media via a phone hotline!  :o

No, that was in 2005..... :P
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: pstephens on 10/31/2017 04:30 pm
I was digging back on the history of SpaceX while looking at the SpaceX launch log and I found out that there was a time (http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=918.msg10527#msg10527) when a hold in the countdown was announced by the launch team (in the middle of nowhere) sending an email to Elon's Garage (TM) in SoCal, where someone would announce to the media via a phone hotline!  :o

No, that was in 2005..... :P

Wow... reading that launch thread. SpaceX has come a long way!  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tleski on 10/31/2017 05:28 pm
I was digging back on the history of SpaceX while looking at the SpaceX launch log and I found out that there was a time (http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=918.msg10527#msg10527) when a hold in the countdown was announced by the launch team (in the middle of nowhere) sending an email to Elon's Garage (TM) in SoCal, where someone would announce to the media via a phone hotline!  :o

No, that was in 2005..... :P

Wow... reading that launch thread. SpaceX has come a long way!  ;D

That is an amazing thread!
You can even find Chris's B age if you read it carefully.   ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 10/31/2017 05:54 pm
That is an amazing thread!
You can even find Chris's B age if you read it carefully.   ;)

We may have to dead-thread it. That's L3 level information.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 10/31/2017 07:17 pm
That is an amazing thread!
You can even find Chris's B age if you read it carefully.   ;)

We may have to dead-thread it. That's L3 level information.

There’s a level 3 ?!... ala
it comes in pints?

https://youtu.be/bmFnv-TZzRs
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 10/31/2017 07:29 pm
Quote
Happy Halloween from @SpaceX!! 🎃

https://twitter.com/rocketjoy/status/925457942572232704 (https://twitter.com/rocketjoy/status/925457942572232704)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 10/31/2017 10:04 pm
Quote
Happy Halloween from @SpaceX!!

https://twitter.com/rocketjoy/status/925457942572232704 (https://twitter.com/rocketjoy/status/925457942572232704)

I feel like dressing up as a COPV (the guys at far right) would be sort of an edgy costume for a SpaceXer.  Though maybe it gets points for scariest costume there?

To see the actual COPVs in situ: http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=41018.msg1690878#msg1690878
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 10/31/2017 10:26 pm
Oscar Meyer COPV's are the best!

Error 404
Costume not found.

Made me chuckle.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 10/31/2017 10:29 pm
Quote
Happy Halloween from @SpaceX!!

https://twitter.com/rocketjoy/status/925457942572232704 (https://twitter.com/rocketjoy/status/925457942572232704)

I feel like dressing up as a COPV (the guys at far right) would be sort of an edgy costume for a SpaceXer.  Though maybe it gets points for scariest costume there?

They'll have to compete for that prize against the Rick Sanchez (Rick and Morty) cosplayers in the center--given the recent "Rick and Morty McDonald's Szechuan sauce riots" at a few of the LA McDonald's locations...
;D

Despicable Me franchise Minions noted on the far left...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 10/31/2017 10:34 pm
That is an amazing thread!
You can even find Chris's B age if you read it carefully.   ;)

We may have to dead-thread it. That's L3 level information.
I only know that he is younger than me... ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: catdlr on 11/01/2017 12:24 am
I was digging back on the history of SpaceX while looking at the SpaceX launch log and I found out that there was a time (http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=918.msg10527#msg10527) when a hold in the countdown was announced by the launch team (in the middle of nowhere) sending an email to Elon's Garage (TM) in SoCal, where someone would announce to the media via a phone hotline!  :o

No, that was in 2005..... :P

Wow... reading that launch thread. SpaceX has come a long way!  ;D

Look at this post in that thread:  http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=918.msg10574#msg10574

Chris has indeed come a long way with membership.  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 11/01/2017 01:38 am
Quote
Happy Halloween from @SpaceX!! 🎃

https://twitter.com/rocketjoy/status/925457942572232704 (https://twitter.com/rocketjoy/status/925457942572232704)
What is the costume with orangy top and a white body with SpaceX lettering supposed to be (next to all the R&M constumes)? My first thought was a stage firing downwards but ... ?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jjyach on 11/01/2017 02:07 am
Quote
Happy Halloween from @SpaceX!! 🎃

https://twitter.com/rocketjoy/status/925457942572232704 (https://twitter.com/rocketjoy/status/925457942572232704)
What is the costume with orangy top and a white body with SpaceX lettering supposed to be (next to all the R&M constumes)? My first thought was a stage firing downwards but ... ?

My guess is dragon with a chute deployed
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tvg98 on 11/01/2017 02:53 am
I was digging back on the history of SpaceX while looking at the SpaceX launch log and I found out that there was a time (http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=918.msg10527#msg10527) when a hold in the countdown was announced by the launch team (in the middle of nowhere) sending an email to Elon's Garage (TM) in SoCal, where someone would announce to the media via a phone hotline!  :o

No, that was in 2005..... :P

Wow... reading that launch thread. SpaceX has come a long way!  ;D

Look at this post in that thread:  http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=918.msg10574#msg10574

Chris has indeed come a long way with membership.  ;D

Wow are those COPV's in the right corner? Those guys definitely went with the horror theme!  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 11/01/2017 02:58 am
Wow are those COPV's in the right corner? Those guys definitely went with the horror theme!  ;D

Technically, they're COPV protective jackets, the things that make the black COPVs look red in tank assembly images.  You can read the "REMOVE BEFORE TANK CLOSEOUT" printing on them in this photo, which makes it yet another informative party thread entry, but we seem to allow occasional digressions onto topic here.  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 11/01/2017 11:52 am
Wow are those COPV's in the right corner? Those guys definitely went with the horror theme!  ;D

Technically, they're COPV protective jackets, the things that make the black COPVs look red in tank assembly images.  You can read the "REMOVE BEFORE TANK CLOSEOUT" printing on them in this photo, which makes it yet another informative party thread entry, but we seem to allow occasional digressions onto topic here.  ;D
Horror theme...
Wasn’t there a story about being walled in written by Edgar Alan Poe?
These guys want to be sure THEY are removed from the tank before close out!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: guyw on 11/01/2017 12:43 pm
At the risk of adding something informational to the party thread, I believe that was "The Tell-Tale Heart".

Edit: Should have Googled it first. The bricked up wall story is "The Cask of Amontillado". "The Tell-Tale Heart" gets hidden under the floorboards.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: yokem55 on 11/01/2017 12:58 pm
At the risk of adding something informational to the party thread, I believe that was "The Tell-Tale Heart".

Edit: Should have Googled it first. The bricked up wall story is "The Cask of Amontillado". "The Tell-Tale Heart" gets hidden under the floorboards.
No, it's The Cask of Amontillado...

Edit.. This is evidence of a party. Talking over one another is quite common in such situations of well mannered frivolity.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Jarnis on 11/01/2017 01:20 pm
That is an amazing thread!
You can even find Chris's B age if you read it carefully.   ;)

We may have to dead-thread it. That's L3 level information.

There is a L3?  :o

 :P
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 11/01/2017 01:24 pm
That is an amazing thread!
You can even find Chris's B age if you read it carefully.   ;)

We may have to dead-thread it. That's L3 level information.

There is a L3?  :o

 :P

Sorry citizen, you're not cleared for that information[2]. Go on about your business... nothing to see here.... move along.... move along....

1 - The computer is your friend[1]. Report to the nearest disintegration chamber for further processing, er information.
2 - does anyone get this reference???
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 11/01/2017 01:32 pm
That is an amazing thread!
You can even find Chris's B age if you read it carefully.   ;)

We may have to dead-thread it. That's L3 level information.

There is a L3?  :o

 :P
Yes,  and it comes in pints
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg1744330#msg1744330

Plus...
You just have to pay the lifetime L2 subscription twice. By the way there is no additional information available in L3 than in L2. And all L3 posts are cleverly hidden by the sneaky cover of the label “L2” on the threads. But you know you’re in L3, because your bank balance is lower... AND you have this smug look on your face knowing you are supporting the best space flight blog in history.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Jarnis on 11/01/2017 01:51 pm
That is an amazing thread!
You can even find Chris's B age if you read it carefully.   ;)

We may have to dead-thread it. That's L3 level information.

There is a L3?  :o

 :P

Sorry citizen, you're not cleared for that information[2]. Go on about your business... nothing to see here.... move along.... move along....

1 - The computer is your friend[1]. Report to the nearest disintegration chamber for further processing, er information.
2 - does anyone get this reference???

Paranoia. One of the few RPGs where the rulebook worked also as a piece of comedic literature. No actual playing required.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: envy887 on 11/01/2017 02:44 pm
That is an amazing thread!
You can even find Chris's B age if you read it carefully.   ;)

We may have to dead-thread it. That's L3 level information.

There is a L3?  :o

 :P

Sorry citizen, you're not cleared for that information[2]. Go on about your business... nothing to see here.... move along.... move along....

1 - The computer is your friend[1]. Report to the nearest disintegration chamber for further processing, er information.
2 - does anyone get this reference???

You have a self-referential footnote. I think I'm stuck in an endless loop...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 11/01/2017 02:46 pm
That is an amazing thread!
You can even find Chris's B age if you read it carefully.   ;)

We may have to dead-thread it. That's L3 level information.

There is a L3?  :o

 :P

You can't actually see L3 information since there's always something in the way.  What you really want is L4, which is where you have nice stable info in advance.  Just don't accidentally go with L5 or you'll always be behind.  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 11/01/2017 04:33 pm
Three cores to rule them all - Falcon Heavy Demo Party Thread
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 11/01/2017 05:01 pm

There is a L3?  :o

 :P

Sorry citizen, you're not cleared for that information[2]. Go on about your business... nothing to see here.... move along.... move along....

1 - The computer is your friend[1]. Report to the nearest disintegration chamber for further processing, er information.
2 - does anyone get this reference???

You have a self-referential footnote. I think I'm stuck in an endless loop...
The computer never makes misteaks. To suggest otherwise is treason, citizen.

(Yes, Paranoia, and I was in on the Kickstarter that recently released an entire new edition, which was awesome)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 11/01/2017 05:10 pm
Quote
Happy Halloween from @SpaceX!! 🎃

https://twitter.com/rocketjoy/status/925457942572232704 (https://twitter.com/rocketjoy/status/925457942572232704)

Oh man, these are always a riot...  role-reversed Arnold and Helga over on the right, old-school Batman (I hope he brought shark repellent for those landings in the Pacific) in the mid-right, and BROTHER HOGAN in the back...  Fun times.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 11/02/2017 01:00 am
Forgive the humour, but...:
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 11/02/2017 11:37 am
Treading ground we have already recovered...
 but what are you all hoping for in the Falcon heavy payload module 
A really big wheel of cheese with parachute system on an Apollo 8 free return trajectory?
A School bus? A Tesla Model 90? Or...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 11/02/2017 11:58 am
Treading ground we have already recovered...
 but what are you all hoping for in the Falcon heavy payload module 
A really big wheel of cheese with parachute system on an Apollo 8 free return trajectory?
A School bus? A Tesla Model 90? Or...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 11/02/2017 12:46 pm
[image of a 16-ton weight]

Oh, that'll never work.  You load 16 tons, and what do you get? Another day older and deeper in debt.  That's highly suboptimal.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 11/02/2017 01:23 pm
Oh, that'll never work.  You load 16 tons, and what do you get? Another day older and deeper in debt.  That's highly suboptimal.
Please don't open the is SpaceX profitable debate again.... Poor Chris and Lar wore out the mod buttons on their respective keyboards with those debates.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: abaddon on 11/02/2017 01:54 pm
[image of a 16-ton weight]

Oh, that'll never work.  You load 16 tons, and what do you get? Another day older and deeper in debt.  That's highly suboptimal.
Cant let that go by without including the song... an old favorite.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIfu2A0ezq0
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 11/02/2017 07:17 pm
That is an amazing thread!
You can even find Chris's B age if you read it carefully.   ;)

We may have to dead-thread it. That's L3 level information.

There is a L3?  :o

 :P

The first rule of L3 is [REDACTED].
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 11/02/2017 07:46 pm
From the General Falcon/Dragon thread:
Maybe party stuff should be left in the party thread??

The view from Elon's video in this post (http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=41018.msg1690869#msg1690869) earlier in this thread kicked off something near 20 posts of a subthread about why the COPVs were red. Thanks to a couple SpaceXers' costume choices, we finally got an image to go with MechE31's explanation.  So, the image happened to come from the party thread.  It's not the first time real info came that way, and to raise the signal to noise ratio, I did crop out all the other costumed SpaceXers (who remain safely ensconced in the party thread).

Still, I would be more than happy to replace this image with another image showing the red COPV protective jackets with their "REMOVE BEFORE TANK CLOSEOUT" labeling.  Perhaps someone can ask SpaceX for one directly.
(http://data.whicdn.com/images/22154688/large.jpg)

CT Space Guy, would you like some ice?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 11/02/2017 08:20 pm
Um, I *would* be quite happy to replace the image with an official one, and as I neither have rapport with any SpaceX PR people nor accounts on the usual social media sites, I really don't know of a way of asking.  I didn't consider the post hypergolic, but perhaps I was a bit brief, leaving us insufficiently excellent to each other?

Anyway, now the real threads are spilling over into the party thread, too!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 11/03/2017 03:32 am
Quote
You have a self-referential footnote. I think I'm stuck in an endless loop...

Lar is notorious for creating mobius threads.  :P
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 11/04/2017 09:01 pm
Um, I *would* be quite happy to replace the image with an official one, and as I neither have rapport with any SpaceX PR people nor accounts on the usual social media sites, I really don't know of a way of asking.  I didn't consider the post hypergolic, but perhaps I was a bit brief, leaving us insufficiently excellent to each other?

Anyway, now the real threads are spilling over into the party thread, too!
As I said in the other thread[1], I have no problem with it whatever, it's the best image of a COPV cover I've seen yet.

Also, since I'm here...

Ariane Cornell, Head of Astronaut Strategy & Sales and Head of North American New Glenn Sales, Blue Origin

How much is Blue selling astronauts for? ... asking for a friend
--

1 - I forgot which post it was. [2]
2 - ...but someone could dig it up if they wanted to. [3]
3 - it is a lie that I create Möbius threads. Well except for that one time[1]. Ed may never forgive me. Möbius footnote chains on the other hand, I do all the time. I did it just the other day.[1]
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 11/05/2017 04:17 pm
Umlautee,  Umlautah, Umlauteedah Brah

what is the 2nd time derivative of o anyway?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 11/05/2017 10:59 pm
Umlautee,  Umlautah, Umlauteedah Brah

what is the 2nd time derivative of o anyway?

O-de-o-T-o?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 11/05/2017 11:13 pm
Ariane Cornell, Head of Astronaut Strategy & Sales and Head of North American New Glenn Sales, Blue Origin

How much is Blue selling astronauts for? ... asking for a friend

Yeah, I had a friend wondering that, too.  :)

Also, my friend wants to know what are the differences between the North American and the South American New Glenn?  Or would it be a Nuevo Glenn?
--
Unrelated question, is the plural of Möbius = Möbii?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: dodo on 11/10/2017 06:01 pm
Umlautee,  Umlautah, Umlauteedah Brah

what is the 2nd time derivative of o anyway?

O-de-o-T-o?

And me thinking that it was "the two owe the tee too".

(Non-English here, sorry if it is a really old joke.)

P.S.: Is this the Cygnus / Antares party, or do I have the wrong address?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 11/10/2017 06:21 pm
Is this the Cygnus / Antares party, or do I have the wrong address?
Yes.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 11/10/2017 07:56 pm
Is this the Cygnus / Antares party, or do I have the wrong address?
Yes.
Good old logical OR versus English or.
Both, of course, consider themselves superior to the naval oar and the geological ore.
Sorry to bring such dull topics to the party thread, I know it can be a bore.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 11/10/2017 09:32 pm
I'm working on my Jim impersonation.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mme on 11/10/2017 09:43 pm
I, for one, can't wait for the Zima launch. I may be in town to see this baby go up!
I forgot about Coors for Kids.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: IntoTheVoid on 11/11/2017 05:20 pm
I'm working on my Jim impersonation.

Then the answer, almost certainly, should have been, 'No'.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 11/12/2017 03:00 am
I'm working on my Jim impersonation.

Then the answer, almost certainly, should have been, 'No'.
Wrong.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Perchlorate on 11/13/2017 09:11 am
(Mod. edit: Post moved from updates thread about a post concerning launch weather violations)

the "Think Cloud Rule"?

(Joe vs. the Volcano, 1990, Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan:

Joe Banks: I still have a problem. I have a brain cloud.

Patricia: A brain cloud... what is a brain cloud?

Joe Banks: It's - well, maybe I should get a second opinion.

Patricia: You didn't get a second opinion on something called a brain cloud? I mean what are you, a hypochondriac? )
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Perchlorate on 11/13/2017 10:19 am
For context:

Launch day probability of violating launch weather constraints: 30% 
Primary concern(s): Cumulus Cloud Rule, Think Cloud Layer Rule     

Delay day probability of violating launch weather constraints: 10% 
Primary concern(s): Cumulus Cloud Rule
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: matthewkantar on 11/13/2017 05:27 pm
DOD has released theme song for Zooma launch

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=F7gzHLKT5g4
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 11/13/2017 05:53 pm
DOD has released theme song for Zooma launch

My prediction: the launch team will wear colorful, horizontally-striped shirts (see intros for season 2 and beyond) and converse on an open channel, but solely using "ubbi-dubbi" code. 8)

Launch control is moving to a special location, for this launch only: Box 350, Boston, Mass 02134. ;D

(The page-bottom ad banner is advertising to me the LEGO Women of NASA.)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 11/13/2017 07:58 pm
The Zuma discussion thread looks like it might degenerate again into Zuma name origin debates.  I can't reveal my sources, so posting there would just contribute to the thread continuing off-topic.  Still, I shouldn't just hoard the knowledge when it should be documented for posterity, so...

It turns out They came up with the codename "Zuma" because (being shadowy government people), they got their hands on the second season of Stranger Things earlier than anyone was supposed to.  What better thing to call the satellite than "Zoomer"?  Sure, Mike says it's not a real thing, but it totally could be.  Of course, plausible deniability and all, They couldn't just let everyone know that they'd gotten their hands on Stranger Things via completely legitimate means, so they just spelled it "Zuma", knowing that would be enough to throw everyone off the trail while they kicked back with the draft manuscript of the third book in Patrick Rothfuss' Kingkiller Chronicle trilogy.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: abaddon on 11/13/2017 09:31 pm
draft manuscript of the third book in Patrick Rothfuss' Kingkiller Chronicle trilogy.
  :-[
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 11/14/2017 02:42 am
draft manuscript of the third book in Patrick Rothfuss' Kingkiller Chronicle trilogy.
  :-[
I've been told by many people that I just *have* to read the books, but I'm holding to my position that I will not start until there's a release date for the third book.  I'm waiting for enough next books already.  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 11/14/2017 10:50 pm

The tie-downs are still welded to the deck, so it doesn't look like there's any hurry to get it fixed - as noted above FH is likely the next landing attempt for OSCILY. 

naah, they just plan on landing the next core in the Exact Same Spot(tm)....

(The page-bottom ad banner is advertising to me the LEGO Women of NASA.)
That's daft, it's sold out and not backorderable, at least for now...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: abaddon on 11/14/2017 10:59 pm
I've been told by many people that I just *have* to read the books, but I'm holding to my position that I will not start until there's a release date for the third book.  I'm waiting for enough next books already.  ;D
That's fair and quite reasonable.

But yeah, you should.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 11/14/2017 11:35 pm
The Zuma launch is using a new proprietary fairing material to maximize payload theories.

I introduce to you the new TFH payload fairing.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: dodo on 11/15/2017 09:20 am
I introduce to you the new TFH payload fairing.
Looks like the fairing used for the moon landings. Or to deny them, anyway.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 11/15/2017 04:38 pm
I'm working on my Jim impersonation.

Then the answer, almost certainly, should have been, 'No'.
Wrong.

Unsupported.

(Oh, I forgot, this is Jim.  Unsuported.)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jon.amos on 11/15/2017 04:43 pm
The Zuma launch is using a new proprietary fairing material to maximize payload theories.

I introduce to you the new TFH payload fairing.

So... is that tinfoil, aluminum foil, Ti foil, or some new super alloy for a lifting body faring recovery method?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 11/15/2017 05:07 pm
Most useless achievement of the day: My like of something got the thread to exactly 1000 likes. Is that awesome or what?

Also (and probably more awesome...) captured text from the section lists...

Quote
SpaceX Missions Section
Section for all SpaceX Launches and Missions, from Falcon 1 to Falcon 9 - and eventually Falcon Heavy.

100088 Posts
267 Topics

100,000 posts is a lot.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 11/15/2017 05:17 pm
The Zuma launch is using a new proprietary fairing material to maximize payload theories.

I introduce to you the new TFH payload fairing.

So what now? Are we supposed to speculate what that 'fairing' is covering? ;)

Hmmm...

I know!  On-orbit pizza by the slice!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 11/15/2017 05:30 pm
The Zuma launch is using a new proprietary fairing material to maximize payload theories.

I introduce to you the new TFH payload fairing.

So what now? Are we supposed to speculate what that 'fairing' is covering? ;)

Hmmm...

I know!  On-orbit pizza by the slice!
Given that it is a spy satellite, the good stuff is likely to be hidden inside.
So I suggest that it would be a calzone.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: NX-0 on 11/15/2017 07:37 pm
...and now...leaked photo of ZUMA with the new fairing.
http://nutsandboldts.typepad.com/.a/6a0105369fb458970c0128764f4a40970c-320wi
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Barrie on 11/15/2017 08:30 pm
The Zuma launch is a decoy.  The real payload is being delivered by Jason Statham catching a bus.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 11/16/2017 12:13 am
...and now...leaked photo of ZUMA with the new fairing.
http://nutsandboldts.typepad.com/.a/6a0105369fb458970c0128764f4a40970c-320wi

That's what it will look like after experiencing the heating during launch.  Before that point it's much flatter.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 11/16/2017 12:22 am
The Zuma launch is using a new proprietary fairing material to maximize payload theories.

I introduce to you the new TFH payload fairing.

So what now? Are we supposed to speculate what that 'fairing' is covering? ;)

Hmmm...

I know!  On-orbit pizza by the slice!

Zuma.... Sounds like Zoomie.

Zoomie.... slang for pilot.

Zuma is Classified.
Chemtrails are Classified.

Therefore, the Zuma payload is an orbital Chemtrail dispenser. It's obvious, once you think about it.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dLCtgHzwWI (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dLCtgHzwWI)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DecoLV on 11/16/2017 02:35 am

C'mon, everybody knows Zuma is really a Lunar Module from Grumman's basement.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 11/16/2017 03:02 am
I think to decode the meaning of Zuma you have to think backwards.. it's a big joke. Elon is playing with us all for his own AMUZ-ment.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Semmel on 11/16/2017 05:33 am
Naaaa... It refers to the leader of the aztecs, MonteZUMA... Especially the Version portrayed in Civ 4..
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 11/16/2017 08:43 am
Well this (http://www.satobs.org/seesat/Nov-2017/0062.html) is interesting.

If you dont click on the link, a launch within the first 15-20 minutes of the window may put it next to USA 276 (aka NROL 76).

The author also emphasizes that this may just be pure coincidence. It will be interesting to see when this bird launches.

What happens if we do click on the link?  How does whether we click on it or not have any impact on where the payload end up?  I have to put up with "Like this to 10,000 times to save my dog from cancer" enough of f*book, let's not start with that spam here too.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 11/16/2017 01:42 pm
...let's not start with that spam here too.

Did somebody say SPAM?
https://youtu.be/mBcY3W5WgNU
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 11/16/2017 03:48 pm
Yup!  No one expects that.

*looks around*

*sneaks away*
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: shooter6947 on 11/16/2017 05:43 pm
Interesting - they leave two red working machines (cranes, forklifts or what ever) inside the partially demolished rotating structure during launch.

These were there for the precious launch, as well.
Yessssss.  My precious rocket.  Stole it from me the hobbit did!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 11/16/2017 05:46 pm
I love how this crowd pounces on typos. ANY typos, regardless.

You're all awesome.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: octavo on 11/16/2017 06:10 pm


Yup!  No one expects that.

*looks around*

*sneaks away*

Did someone mention the Spanish inquisition?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 11/16/2017 08:34 pm
Well that was unexpected.

Sent from my comfy chair using tapatalk.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: abaddon on 11/16/2017 09:21 pm
Clearly the launch tonight was delayed so as to not conflict with the much anticipated first of two meetings between the World Champion Golden State Warriors and the Celtics tonight at 8pm eastern.   8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 11/16/2017 10:18 pm

Jim just said it’s not a military launch, I can’t think who else government wise other than NASA would be launching satellites.
NSA. CIA.  NRO.

Missile Defence Agency?

We need to speculate about the payload because...
Well it’s a party thread tradition (I am making up right now)
How about ZUMA being the Crossbow project from real genius ( unmanned of course)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTx_qTwQqjU
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 11/16/2017 10:56 pm
I love how this crowd pounces on typos. ANY typos, regardless.

You're all awesome.

Wow, I had to read that comment a few times to catch what you did there.  Very subtle.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: IntoTheVoid on 11/16/2017 11:00 pm
Interesting - they leave two red working machines (cranes, forklifts or what ever) inside the partially demolished rotating structure during launch.

These were there for the precious launch, as well.
Yessssss.  My precious rocket.  Stole it from me the hobbit did!

So that's the fairing issue? Gollum got encapsulated with the payload?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tleski on 11/16/2017 11:29 pm
I think they blew up block 5 fairing on the stand in McGregor. Just wait for tomorrow's Washington Post.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Jarnis on 11/17/2017 08:45 am
I think they blew up block 5 fairing on the stand in McGregor. Just wait for tomorrow's Washington Post.

I pre-emptively call fake news on that. Wouldn't that require adding explosives to it...?  :P
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Norm38 on 11/17/2017 01:23 pm
We need to speculate about the payload because...
Well it’s a party thread tradition (I am making up right now)
How about Zumba being the Crossbow project from real genius ( unmanned of course)

I thought that was X-37B?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 11/17/2017 02:42 pm
I think they blew up block 5 fairing on the stand in McGregor. Just wait for tomorrow's Washington Post.

I pre-emptively call fake news on that. Wouldn't that require adding explosives to it...?  :P

Now, now.  He didn't say they *exploded* a fairing.  He said they *blew up* a fairing.  Obviously, blowing up a fairing, as shown by the model photo linked earlier in this thread (http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg1750345#msg1750345), and having that result in a standdown can only be the result of one of two things: burning or unpopped kernels

Burning would seem to be more strictly procedural, so I'm going to assume they're studying the unpopped kernels to determine whether it was procedural (too short a firing) or a physical flaw (kernel moisture content out of spec).  If it's the latter, there's likely to be some amount of delay while they characterize the moisture content and, if necessary, swap things out.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 11/17/2017 08:35 pm
I think they blew up block 5 fairing on the stand in McGregor. Just wait for tomorrow's Washington Post.

I pre-emptively call fake news on that. Wouldn't that require adding explosives to it...?  :P

Now, now.  He didn't say they *exploded* a fairing.  He said they *blew up* a fairing.  Obviously, blowing up a fairing, as shown by the model photo linked earlier in this thread (http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg1750345#msg1750345), and having that result in a standdown can only be the result of one of two things: burning or unpopped kernels

Burning would seem to be more strictly procedural, so I'm going to assume they're studying the unpopped kernels to determine whether it was procedural (too short a firing) or a physical flaw (kernel moisture content out of spec).  If it's the latter, there's likely to be some amount of delay while they characterize the moisture content and, if necessary, swap things out.

Did somebody imply something about popcorn...
https://youtu.be/rthHSISkM7A
The real genius implications are irresistible...
 like popcorn!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rangertech1 on 11/17/2017 10:33 pm
The Zuma launch is using a new proprietary fairing material to maximize payload theories.

I introduce to you the new TFH payload fairing.
That’s a fairing derivative of the Skylab hats from the 70's. There must be some worry that the payload will negatively interact with the decaying orbit of the Chinese station. It all makes sense now.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 11/18/2017 08:09 pm
I think the while fairing issue for Zuma is a misdirection. The put out the delay story, then went ahead and launched last Thursday. 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 11/18/2017 09:41 pm
Most useless achievement of the day: My like of something got the thread to exactly 1000 likes. Is that awesome or what?

And I would add 500 likes, and I would add 500 more!

A little Möbius müsic for your endless pleasure!  ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 11/19/2017 12:51 am
I think the while fairing issue for Zuma is a misdirection. The put out the delay story, then went ahead and launched last Thursday. 
And nobody noticed. Because.. um... because reasons.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 11/19/2017 01:37 am
I think the while fairing issue for Zuma is a misdirection. The put out the delay story, then went ahead and launched last Thursday. 
And nobody noticed. Because.. um... because reasons.

So you're saying the launch is one big smoke screen
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 11/19/2017 02:06 am
I think the while fairing issue for Zuma is a misdirection. The put out the delay story, then went ahead and launched last Thursday. 
And nobody noticed. Because.. um... because reasons.

So you're saying the launch is one big smoke screen

Of course it is!  Have you ever seen how much smoke one of them things makes?  :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 11/19/2017 02:57 am
The flat Earthers are stepping up their onslaught - now they are saying that satellites themselves are a myth. The irony is; they are using broadband internet technology that is increasingly relying on satellites to send their data. Old undersea phone cables still getting lots of use, but that will change soon.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 11/19/2017 05:52 am
Do the flat earthers ever have a convention?  I would love to go to one.  Just give me a list of questions please.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 11/19/2017 06:07 am
1) If the earth is flat, how come cats haven't pushed everything off the edge yet?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 11/19/2017 06:17 am
The only thing they have to fear is Sphere itself... BOOM!! (mike drop)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rogerstigers on 11/19/2017 04:44 pm
Do the flat earthers ever have a convention?  I would love to go to one.  Just give me a list of questions please.

Yup, but you just missed it.  http://fe2017.com/
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 11/19/2017 04:51 pm
That must've been a World Totally Flat event!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rogerstigers on 11/19/2017 04:57 pm
Yeah, people came from around the globe to attend it.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 11/19/2017 07:41 pm
I think the while fairing issue for Zuma is a misdirection. The put out the delay story, then went ahead and launched last Thursday. 
And nobody noticed. Because.. um... because reasons.

As Nacnud said in the post after yours, it's all a big smoke screen (And every launch has a lot of smoke!).

They could have easily disguised the rocket. For example, they could have painted "Not a rocket" on it, so that anyone seeing it go up (such as the tourists at KSC)  would have thought it something else - a bird, a brick, a Vogon construction ship, whatever.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: yokem55 on 11/19/2017 08:14 pm
I think the while fairing issue for Zuma is a misdirection. The put out the delay story, then went ahead and launched last Thursday. 
And nobody noticed. Because.. um... because reasons.

As Nacnud said in the post after yours, it's all a big smoke screen (And every launch has a lot of smoke!).

They could have easily disguised the rocket. For example, they could have painted "Not a rocket" on it, so that anyone seeing it go up (such as the tourists at KSC)  would have thought it something else - a bird, a brick, a Vogon construction ship, whatever.
That or deep in Musk's Volcano Lair, he's succeeded in inventing a means to project an SEP field to hide the launch.

Perhaps we can come up with a 100 page thread in the New Physics forum to discuss this incredible development!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 11/19/2017 08:38 pm
Yeah, people came from around the globe to attend it.

Hush, or the next one will be scheduled at 'Stratford on Avon'.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tleski on 11/19/2017 08:56 pm
1) If the earth is flat, how come cats haven't pushed everything off the edge yet?

This is a really good question. A lot of this stuff is explained in Terry Pratchett's novel  Color of Magic. The physics of flat world is simply amazing. And it is not "the edge", it is called "Rim". See here (https://wiki.lspace.org/mediawiki/Rim) for details.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 11/19/2017 09:27 pm
Ah, so the solution is a cat proof circumfence? It seems so simple now.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 11/19/2017 09:56 pm
<rant>
Don’t you ever wonder how they explain being able to skype call or FaceTime  somebody over in Japan or Australia and having them be in darkness while they are sitting in daylight? If he Earth was flat they would all see the same sunrise and sunset, right? At the same time... for that matter time zones?
</rant>
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 11/19/2017 10:10 pm
The speed of light is a lot lower than advertised...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 11/19/2017 10:24 pm
How fast is the speed of dark? Probably always a little quicker than light...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 11/19/2017 11:23 pm
Perhaps we can come up with a 100 page thread in the New Physics forum to discuss this incredible development!
anything but that!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 11/20/2017 01:25 am
Ah, so the solution is a cat proof circumfence? It seems so simple now.

Not intending to derail this thread, but this is the first time I've actually noticed your profile image.

Let me guess.  Luke forced the landing?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 11/20/2017 01:44 am
<rant>
Don’t you ever wonder how they explain being able to skype call or FaceTime  somebody over in Japan or Australia and having them be in darkness while they are sitting in daylight? If he Earth was flat they would all see the same sunrise and sunset, right? At the same time... for that matter time zones?
</rant>

Easy! Skype and Facetime, just like Australia and Japan, don't really exist; they're just special effects fakery to hide the fact that the Earth is flat.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: vapour_nudge on 11/20/2017 10:05 am
<rant>
Don’t you ever wonder how they explain being able to skype call or FaceTime  somebody over in Japan or Australia and having them be in darkness while they are sitting in daylight? If he Earth was flat they would all see the same sunrise and sunset, right? At the same time... for that matter time zones?
</rant>

Easy! Skype and Facetime, just like Australia and Japan, don't really exist; they're just special effects fakery to hide the fact that the Earth is flat.

The Earth wasn't originally flat. It was round like a ball but us Aussies got a contract with China to supply gas and now the Earth is flat and deflated. You can't just keep supplying gas like that and not expect it to go flat. I suggested we pumped it full of greenhouse gasses to compensate but us Aussies aren't really Gardeners so we don't have many greenhouses. My house is red and silver   Shame about all that
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 11/20/2017 12:58 pm
<rant>
Don’t you ever wonder how they explain being able to skype call or FaceTime  somebody over in Japan or Australia and having them be in darkness while they are sitting in daylight? If he Earth was flat they would all see the same sunrise and sunset, right? At the same time... for that matter time zones?
</rant>

Easy! Skype and Facetime, just like Australia and Japan, don't really exist; they're just special effects fakery to hide the fact that the Earth is flat.

The Earth wasn't originally flat. It was round like a ball but us Aussies got a contract with China to supply gas and now the Earth is flat and deflated. You can't just keep supplying gas like that and not expect it to go flat. I suggested we pumped it full of greenhouse gasses to compensate but us Aussies aren't really Gardeners so we don't have many greenhouses. My house is red and silver   Shame about all that

Ha! Deflated...
”But basketball is a peaceful planet... They have no weapons”
https://youtu.be/9UVVBctvylU
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: envy887 on 11/20/2017 01:13 pm
<rant>
Don’t you ever wonder how they explain being able to skype call or FaceTime  somebody over in Japan or Australia and having them be in darkness while they are sitting in daylight? If he Earth was flat they would all see the same sunrise and sunset, right? At the same time... for that matter time zones?
</rant>

The Sun doesn't set, it just gets very far away from us and closer to Japan/Australia (just ignore the geometric contradictions)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 11/20/2017 02:12 pm
<rant>
Don’t you ever wonder how they explain being able to skype call or FaceTime  somebody over in Japan or Australia and having them be in darkness while they are sitting in daylight? If he Earth was flat they would all see the same sunrise and sunset, right? At the same time... for that matter time zones?
</rant>

Easy! Skype and Facetime, just like Australia and Japan, don't really exist; they're just special effects fakery to hide the fact that the Earth is flat.

Yup!  All the proof you need that Australia is a figment of the collective imagination.

Outback Steakhouse is a FLORIDA company!  Founded in Tampa! :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 11/23/2017 09:04 pm
Happy Thanksgiving y’all
I am thankful for....
Somebody trying to help us get off the planet finally.
Boring hats
Blogs with more intelligent discourse than ...
Science fiction becoming reality
Nobody blew up the planet (yet)
... your turn...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 11/24/2017 04:11 pm
Happy Thanksgiving y’all
I am thankful for....
Somebody trying to help us get off the planet finally.
Boring hats
Blogs with more intelligent discourse than ...
Science fiction becoming reality
Nobody blew up the planet (yet)
... your turn...
I'm thankful that our atmosphere's thin enough to allow Max-Q in supersonic regimes.

... also that the day of the week isn't included on forum post timestamps, so nobody will know that I posted this the day after Thanksgiving.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Eagandale4114 on 11/27/2017 08:44 pm
With falcon heavy coming up soontm will there be a new party thread for the bigger rocket or are we just going to reuse this one?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 11/27/2017 08:47 pm
With falcon heavy coming up soontm will there be a new party thread for the bigger rocket or are we just going to reuse this one?
Please - it is not "reuse thread", it's "joke proven thread"...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 11/29/2017 01:34 am
Hmm... super-secret Zuma is delayed, and then Falcon Heavy gets pushed back, too...  Sure, you can *say* it's coincidental or the result of the fairing or whatever, but we know the Truth.  Obviously, Zuma's actually far too heavy for a Falcon 9.  It's actually going to fly on Falcon Heavy, but They don't want anyone to know that.  Better if it's assumed to be a really light Falcon 9 launch, as people will be looking for entirely the wrong thing.

And that whole thing about wanting something humorous, like the cheese, for the Falcon Heavy launch?  That's just so nobody gets too curious about it and puts two and two together.  The fun payload is actually getting launched on the "Zuma" Falcon 9.  I can't believe none of us put this together sooner!  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 11/29/2017 01:55 pm
If that was the case, it would have been cases and cases of Zima...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 11/29/2017 02:12 pm
If that was the case, it would have been cases and cases of Zima...

Don't go there. You don't want to joke about people getting seriously sick.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 11/29/2017 02:41 pm

Don't go there. You don't want to joke about people getting seriously sick.

Yeah, the wine cooler wannabe can have that effect the following morning....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 11/29/2017 03:02 pm
1) If the earth is flat, how come cats haven't pushed everything off the edge yet?
Everything they've pushed off so far is being held underneath by gravity... That's probably where Flight 19 is... Give them time... ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 11/30/2017 05:27 am
So if the earth is flat, does that make time the 3rd dimension?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: whatever11235 on 11/30/2017 08:03 am
So if the earth is flat, does that make time the 3rd dimension?

Flat earth string theory with only 10 dimensions :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 12/01/2017 09:49 am
From the recent NAC HEO meeting thread: 
https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/nov_2017_nac_iss_status_and_transition_final.pdf

This presentation has probably the (unintentionally) funniest slide on a NASA presentation that I've ever seen.  Sam Scimemi, the presenter, is the NASA Director for the ISS, what the hell does he mean by telling the NAC HEO committee that "There are initial rumors...."?  Who is spreading these rumors?  Is it the JSC interns again?  I would expect someone of his age and experience would know better than to spread such gossip. 

But, a bit more seriously, "rumors"?  Not discussions or thinking or beginning considerations, etc.? 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 12/01/2017 06:49 pm
Also there is a claim the F9 will "look" a bit different than you'd expect. Nothing dramatic, more amusing (and practicable), but I want to "see" it before blurting anything else in public. I'll see if SpaceX want to confirm/comment on it before we see the booster rollout.

Did they decide not to wash the booster this time? Saving some money right there.

Has to be.
Theother option woud be a differnt paintjob. But why?

Well, isn't it obvious.  They have engineers, so they know go-faster stripes don't show empirical improvements.  So, it must be that they've decided to use special superhydrophobic coatings on the LOX tank to draw snow angels and other holidayish scenes that will show up in the frost during prop load.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jjyach on 12/02/2017 12:47 am
It's clearly just going to be the first reused block 5 ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 12/02/2017 01:48 am
Seeing as this is the party thread, how about some fun, over-the-top speculation on what the first Falcon Heavy payload will be?

As an example of what I mean, take a look at this tweet from a twitter user;
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/936782477502246912

"Payload will be my midnight cherry Tesla Roadster playing Space Oddity. Destination is Mars orbit. Will be in deep space for a billion years or so if it doesn’t blow up on ascent."


Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 12/02/2017 03:25 am
Oh. The heavy party thread titles jump off the page

“Baby won’t you drive my car ...to Mars” FH Demo

“On the Road Again“ FH Mars Roadster Demo

Zero to Mach 20 FH Mars Roadster Demo
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 12/02/2017 04:58 am
Seeing as this is the party thread, how about some fun, over-the-top speculation on what the first Falcon Heavy payload will be?

As an example of what I mean, take a look at this tweet from a twitter user;
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/936782477502246912

"Payload will be my midnight cherry Tesla Roadster playing Space Oddity. Destination is Mars orbit. Will be in deep space for a billion years or so if it doesn’t blow up on ascent."

It's legit!  From a SpaceXer:  https://twitter.com/RocketJoy/status/936786839268032513

ROAD TRIP!

The best thing about this, outside of its pure awesomeness, is imagining the reviewer's reaction when SpaceX applied for their FAA launch license with the payload listed as a car.  Like, "WTF, SpaceX?  You guys are a bit wacky sometimes, but come on.  What am I supposed to do with this?"  I wonder how long it took them to persuade the reviewer they were serious.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 12/02/2017 05:29 am
Elon should ceremoniously open the fairing with an old school garage door opener.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Jarnis on 12/02/2017 11:30 am
Seeing as this is the party thread, how about some fun, over-the-top speculation on what the first Falcon Heavy payload will be?

As an example of what I mean, take a look at this tweet from a twitter user;
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/936782477502246912

"Payload will be my midnight cherry Tesla Roadster playing Space Oddity. Destination is Mars orbit. Will be in deep space for a billion years or so if it doesn’t blow up on ascent."

It's legit!  From a SpaceXer:  https://twitter.com/RocketJoy/status/936786839268032513

ROAD TRIP!

The best thing about this, outside of its pure awesomeness, is imagining the reviewer's reaction when SpaceX applied for their FAA launch license with the payload listed as a car.  Like, "WTF, SpaceX?  You guys are a bit wacky sometimes, but come on.  What am I supposed to do with this?"  I wonder how long it took them to persuade the reviewer they were serious.

Oh, the payload will be "Ballast(*, with GoPro cameras and a comm link for video"

"*) Ballast shaped like a 2008 Tesla Roadster. Cherry red. With onboard sound system playing Space Oddity"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zhangmdev on 12/02/2017 05:01 pm
Rocket car again? This time the experiment is inadvertently supersized to ridiculous proportions. Surely we will have the answer to the billion dollar question once and for all: is this myth busted, plausible, or confirmed?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Formica on 12/02/2017 09:54 pm
There's only a very small amount of places that can get answers from SpaceX because they have earned it with their coverage. This site and its reporters is one example.

 ;D I love this place. (The party thread seemed appropriate for such a sentiment.)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: rpapo on 12/02/2017 09:57 pm
If the Roadster is confirmed, we need a thread about other things that ought to be included with it.
Fuzzy dice, like Dream Chaser and any good, fun car.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 12/03/2017 04:23 am
If the Roadster is confirmed, we need a thread about other things that ought to be included with it.
Fuzzy dice, like Dream Chaser and any good, fun car.
Obvious passenger - buster
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: toren on 12/03/2017 04:52 am
If the Roadster is confirmed, we need a thread about other things that ought to be included with it.
Fuzzy dice, like Dream Chaser and any good, fun car.

A towel.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 12/03/2017 04:55 am
I hear that the Grasshopper cowboy is willing to come out of retirement to pilot the TeslaX.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 12/03/2017 04:55 pm
If the Roadster is confirmed, we need a thread about other things that ought to be included with it.
Fuzzy dice, like Dream Chaser and any good, fun car.
Obvious passenger - buster

Sunglasses!

"We're 67 miles from orbit.  Its night and we're wearing sunglasses.  Punch it."

8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: dodo on 12/03/2017 06:30 pm
Can't wait to see, after multiple orbits around the sun, a Roadster falling off the sky in season 3 of The Expanse.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 12/03/2017 06:56 pm
I can see at some point in the future, someone one attempting to retrieve said car in order to put it in the Smithsonian.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 12/03/2017 07:32 pm
Okay, so, there's some controversy as to whether Musk was serious regarding putting his Tesla Roadster about FH and sending it toward Mars.

I recall Musk tweeting, humorously, that he was frustrated about being stuck in traffic, so he was going to build a tunneling machine and start digging. And he'd call the new outfit "the boring company.". And we all knew he was joking... right? I mean, if he wasn't joking, there would be a boring company by now, and it would be digging. Ummm... oh.

He also said his new Tesla truck transforms into a robot to fight aliens, and makes one hell of a latte. Er, has anyone actually disproven this claim, or are we just assuming humor, like we did with "The boring company"? I need to know because I really crave a good latte right now... 

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: pb2000 on 12/03/2017 07:35 pm
Anyone else buy their lottery ticket hat?

Quote from: Elon Musk
Every 5000th buyer of our boringly boring hat will get a free hat signed by the delivery guy

That special hat delivery will take place deep within the real, but fictional (of course), tunnel we are building under LA while you drive the giant machine blindfolded. This will actually happen.

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/937402084692975616
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/937411489635241984
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 12/04/2017 03:12 am
I hear that the Grasshopper cowboy is willing to come out of retirement to pilot the TeslaX.
His name is buster
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 12/05/2017 02:30 am
I am ashamed to say, I did not know that.  :o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: aero on 12/05/2017 02:48 pm
This morning I had a fun thought experiment - unfortunately, I don't have the answer. The thought goes like this:

Assume that Elon Musk created Tesla for the sole purpose of building his electric Roadster so that he could launch it into Mars orbit, then further assume that he created SpaceX for the sole purpose of launching his Roadster into Mars Orbit. (I know that Elon had/has other motivations!)

Under the above assumptions, how does the cost of a Roadster in Mars orbit compare to the cost of "... a man on the moon and returning him safely before the decade is out..." That is, how does the cost of Falcon Heavy demo mission compare to the cost of the Apollo program?

This is just for fun so don't forget to inflate 1960 dollars to twenty-first-century dollars.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 12/05/2017 09:51 pm
This morning I had a fun thought experiment - unfortunately, I don't have the answer. The thought goes like this:

Assume that Elon Musk created Tesla for the sole purpose of building his electric Roadster so that he could launch it into Mars orbit, then further assume that he created SpaceX for the sole purpose of launching his Roadster into Mars Orbit. (I know that Elon had/has other motivations!)

Under the above assumptions, how does the cost of a Roadster in Mars orbit compare to the cost of "... a man on the moon and returning him safely before the decade is out..." That is, how does the cost of Falcon Heavy demo mission compare to the cost of the Apollo program?

This is just for fun so don't forget to inflate 1960 dollars to twenty-first-century dollars.

It's hard to calculate that.

Had Tesla designed the roadster with the only goal of shooting one to mars, they probably could have done that with one of the early prototypes which were modified Lotus Elise with an electric drive train. The car went through a lot of development cycles to get to the low scale mass production version that was produced from 2008 to 2012

The first real prototype had a 7.5 million $ funding round in 2004 according to

http://www.businessinsider.de/tesla-the-origin-story-2014-10?r=US&IR=T

Then another $13 million in 2005 for further development.

in 2006 the roadster was unveiled in its proposed for production setting and people could testdrive it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOl_1S10jTk

So this is definitely the car that could have gone to mars, cost $ 20.5 million + one red paintjob

but it could have been cheaper if it had just been in order to send it to mars and not also make the money to fund model S

then there's the Falcon Heavy.

I think all the Falcon 1 development would have needed to happen in pretty much the same way.

the F9 too, since its needed for the 3 core version

from Wikipedia:
"In 2011, SpaceX estimated that Falcon 9 v1.0 development costs were on the order of $300 million"
"The total development cost of Falcon 1 was approximately US$90 million."

Reuseability has been quoted as having cost 1 billion, but that's not necessary for a 1 off mars mission, only for SpaceX future mars plans beyond the roadster gig, I wouldn't include it.

I couldn't find the source for Falcon Heavy development. It shares the same engines as F9, but it ended up significantly more difficult than just stripping 3 boosters together. Let's be conservative and estimate $ 500 million (to also include the thrust system evolution through M1D FT)

And last but not least the rocket needs to be built and launched so another $ 90 million for the launch.

Payload:
Development:  $ 20.5 Million
Production and Payload integration (including red paintjob): $ 0.5 Million

Rocket:
Development: $ 90+300+500 = 890 Million
Production and Launch: $ 90 Million

===================================
Total program cost: 1001 Million US $


Theres multiple different estimates for the Apollo program, but all of them are in excess of 100 Billion inflation corrected.

So flying the Roadster towards Mars happens for roughly 1% of the cost of the Apollo program.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Heinrich on 12/05/2017 10:21 pm
The point is to have Tony Bruno begging Boeing and Lockeed for priority funding to develop SMART reuse to compete with SpaceX, and his masters laughing off SpaceX without realizing what a powerhouse Elon's company is. Just because the experts know the truth, doesnt mean the people with the money believe it. Just look at Climate change.

Does Smart re-use involve launching a Smart car multiple times??? I'm confused now...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 12/06/2017 05:17 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taupuK6oND4
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: bilboleo1 on 12/06/2017 05:47 pm
Brilliant!

?Syntax
  Error
Ready

Laughed the whole way through!! Thanks for the happy thoughts and good humor ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 12/06/2017 07:27 pm
Static fire at LC-40 warrants a brief hurrah! Good to have the pad back in business  :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 12/06/2017 08:16 pm
Glad to see Zuma getting officially back on the roster. It’s been so long they actually wrote a song about it...

https://youtu.be/YF3XEGPMVwY
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: toren on 12/08/2017 05:11 pm
If the Roadster is confirmed, we need a thread about other things that ought to be included with it.
Fuzzy dice, like Dream Chaser and any good, fun car.

A towel.

Ha!

A further, but very important, payload detail:

Quote
Will the glove box contain "The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy"?
https://twitter.com/tiamaria68uk/status/938930620511801345

Quote
Yes
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/938947119246860290

Quote
Plus a towel and a sign saying “Don’t Panic”
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/938947119246860290
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 12/08/2017 09:01 pm
Imagine in about 100M years, some alien civilization finds the solar system. ...
 And the aliens find the book in the glove box. Of course, they dont know its a glove box but they find the book there. And they reverse engineer the human culture from that book if its not turned to dust. Ohh dear ohh dear, the misinterpretations!
The obvious conclusion would be this is the most important book of our civilization. After all, why go to the trouble to launch it in a sealed monument to preserve/entomb it.. The book could be considered possibly the primary religious philosophy of the planet. Making Marvin the paranoid android our deity (brain the size of the planet, lives forever, etc.)
Placing this response in the party thread.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 12/09/2017 01:21 am
Here is an Elon quote from the Twittersphere:  Why is there no Flat Mars Society!?

To Elon. 

  I still have a few kinks to work out on  my flat Mars theory.  If I can bum a ride to Mars for hands on testing I would be in a position to give a full lecture on my findings for the first FMS meeting.

Sincerely,
   
     Alan
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: toren on 12/09/2017 04:04 am
Imagine in about 100M years, some alien civilization finds the solar system. ...
 And the aliens find the book in the glove box. Of course, they dont know its a glove box but they find the book there. And they reverse engineer the human culture from that book if its not turned to dust. Ohh dear ohh dear, the misinterpretations!
The obvious conclusion would be this is the most important book of our civilization. After all, why go to the trouble to launch it in a sealed monument to preserve/entomb it.. The book could be considered possibly the primary religious philosophy of the planet. Making Marvin the paranoid android our deity (brain the size of the planet, lives forever, etc.)
Placing this response in the party thread.

If you ponder which of all the various science fiction futures we might actually be living in, and then that we have a guy who made his money letting people running garage sales online, firing his electric powered sports car toy into a circum-solar orbit using the world's most powerful rocket, as a joke / PR stunt - there's a pretty good argument that Douglas Adams came about as close as anyone.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 12/09/2017 10:16 am
Imagine in about 100M years, some alien civilization finds the solar system. ...
 And the aliens find the book in the glove box. Of course, they dont know its a glove box but they find the book there. And they reverse engineer the human culture from that book if its not turned to dust. Ohh dear ohh dear, the misinterpretations!
The obvious conclusion would be this is the most important book of our civilization. After all, why go to the trouble to launch it in a sealed monument to preserve/entomb it.. The book could be considered possibly the primary religious philosophy of the planet. Making Marvin the paranoid android our deity (brain the size of the planet, lives forever, etc.)
Placing this response in the party thread.

If you ponder which of all the various science fiction futures we might actually be living in, and then that we have a guy who made his money letting people running garage sales online, firing his electric powered sports car toy into a circum-solar orbit using the world's most powerful rocket, as a joke / PR stunt - there's a pretty good argument that Douglas Adams came about as close as anyone.

Especially since the first crewed BFS landing on Mars will be the "Heart of Gold" as proclaim by the SX CTO on twitter.  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: dodo on 12/09/2017 10:48 am
Here is an Elon quote from the Twittersphere:  Why is there no Flat Mars Society!?

To Elon. 

  I still have a few kinks to work out on  my flat Mars theory.  If I can bum a ride to Mars for hands on testing I would be in a position to give a full lecture on my findings for the first FMS meeting.

Sincerely,
   
     Alan

Everybody knows that Mars is a flat disc always facing Earth. It's a billboard set by Zeus to test mankind's hubris.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: eric_astro on 12/09/2017 02:41 pm
I love that SpaceX uses only liquid rockets.

Also, not Florida tourism board's fav picture!

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craig_VG on 12/12/2017 06:24 pm
There's a roadster hanging out at 39a... It may not be a Tesla roadster but it's definitely getting me in the FH spirit
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 12/12/2017 08:38 pm
Maybe it thinks it can switch places and no one will know it's not a tesla ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 12/12/2017 08:48 pm
There's a roadster hanging out at 39a... It may not be a Tesla roadster but it's definitely getting me in the FH spirit
A Corvette at the Cape for "old times sake" and good luck tradition! 8)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yk3KhfbrMW4
Mine looks like this only a 71', wish it was Shepard's 68'! :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rmWPb0F8V4
This is a great story!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 12/14/2017 02:51 am
Personally, I think upgrading 40 was a terrible idea, since it decreased the urgency to get Boca Chica on line.

Be patient, Nomadd.  You're going to be center stage for the start of the next race to the Moon, and then Mars.
He's not getting any younger....
Quote
(Did you hear, Boeing is going to get there before SpaceX!!!)

Pull the other one!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 12/14/2017 05:23 am
I have a silly question which I haven't seen much on yet... these TBMs, permits, ROW acquisitions, sales offices, proposal developments....  etc, etc, all cost money.

Is Elon just funding this all with his pocket change (and hat sales)?  We have seen nothing about other investors right?

He recently remodeled his house and in the process found most of the financing needed lost in his couch cushions.  Hat sales have been on point, though.  Probably saved him from having to go around panhandling to his VC buddies to make up any shortfall.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Ronpur50 on 12/15/2017 01:43 am
My fingers are crossed for a good launch on Friday......because I will be there!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 12/15/2017 01:51 am
I'm excited to get LC40 back up and running. Because it will make 2018 very exciting to see what can happen with 3 pads, Dragon 2, FH and Block 5.

2017 has been great, 2018 could be amazing.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 12/15/2017 01:49 pm
Okay people, there's a lot riding on this. Let's get it right today.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 12/15/2017 03:05 pm
Okay people, there's a lot riding on this. Let's get it right today.

I think I'm supposed to be offended about something... not saying Happy Holidays? Ha, nah that's silly.

hmmm.. I know, rivets on the fins!!!! That's just wrong!!!!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 12/15/2017 03:31 pm
Okay people, there's a lot riding on this. Let's get it right today.

I think I'm supposed to be offended about something... not saying Happy Holidays? Ha, nah that's silly.

hmmm.. I know, rivets on the fins!!!! That's just wrong!!!!!

You sure it's not that you're wondering exactly what type of batteries all those toys will need?  I'm betting 2170s... or is it 21700s.  Hmm, unless they're still using 18650s.  ;D (http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=43968.msg1759408#msg1759408)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 12/15/2017 03:39 pm
Okay people, there's a lot riding on this. Let's get it right today.
Santa's going to have an awful "yaw issue" after entry... ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 12/15/2017 03:46 pm
Okay people, there's a lot riding on this. Let's get it right today.
Santa's going to have an awful "yaw issue" after entry... ;D

I think this is supposed to be one of those "use an unstable spin to increase drag" designs.

I saw Scott Manley do it in Kerbal once, so I'm pretty sure it's airtight.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cppetrie on 12/15/2017 05:37 pm
None of that matters cuz it’s just a paper rocket until I see some actual hardware on the pad.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 12/15/2017 05:52 pm
Okay people, there's a lot riding on this. Let's get it right today.

I think I'm supposed to be offended about something... not saying Happy Holidays? Ha, nah that's silly.

hmmm.. I know, rivets on the fins!!!! That's just wrong!!!!!

Those aren't rivets. They are just cheapo xmas lights bought on sale.  Didn't even last through static fire.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 12/15/2017 05:58 pm
You sure it's not that you're wondering exactly what type of batteries all those toys will need?  I'm betting 2170s... or is it 21700s.  Hmm, unless they're still using 18650s.  ;D (http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=43968.msg1759408#msg1759408)
Pretty sure I'm never going to wonder about batteries ever again, so no....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 12/15/2017 06:35 pm
In service to humanity, I must report that a flat, circular object floated loose in the second stage at Dragon separation.

If you zoom in, you can clearly see a SpaceX "X" in the center of the object.

 ::)

Hmm.. SpaceX coasters are square so that can't be what it is...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Ronpur50 on 12/15/2017 06:37 pm
Seeing a launch on NSF is fun.  Seeing it from the Banana River viewing area is amazing.  The having lunch after your launch by a Saturn V is priceless.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 12/15/2017 06:46 pm
Seeing a launch on NSF is fun.  Seeing it from the Banana River viewing area is amazing.  The having lunch after your launch by a Saturn V is priceless.
Nice Ron, is Shepard's Corvette still there?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: punder on 12/15/2017 06:55 pm
In service to humanity, I must report that a flat, circular object floated loose in the second stage at Dragon separation.

If you zoom in, you can clearly see a SpaceX "X" in the center of the object.

 ::)

Hmm.. SpaceX coasters are square so that can't be what it is...

Well it was definitely coasting.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 12/15/2017 11:30 pm
This was inadvertent but they are setting the 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Ronpur50 on 12/16/2017 01:20 am
Seeing a launch on NSF is fun.  Seeing it from the Banana River viewing area is amazing.  The having lunch after your launch by a Saturn V is priceless.
Nice Ron, is Shepard's Corvette still there?

I didn't see it, where is supposed to be?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 12/16/2017 01:32 am
Seeing a launch on NSF is fun.  Seeing it from the Banana River viewing area is amazing.  The having lunch after your launch by a Saturn V is priceless.
Nice Ron, is Shepard's Corvette still there?

I didn't see it, where is supposed to be?
Underneath the business end of the Saturn V first stage, with Shepard staring up into the engines thinking about his Apollo launch coming up the next morning... (see above, that is a very nifty video story)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 12/16/2017 07:59 am
CRS-13: A used booster launching a used spacecraft. That really is astounding, but it's about to be outdone by FH: Two used boosters launching a used car to Mars.

I do hope that Elon knows someone with some clout at Tesla so he can replace the car with a new one fairly soon.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 12/16/2017 10:13 am
CRS-13: A used booster launching a used spacecraft. That really is astounding, but it's about to be outdone by FH: Two used boosters launching a used car to Mars.

I do hope that Elon knows someone with some clout at Tesla so he can replace the car with a new one fairly soon.

Maybe Elon is waiting for the upgraded model after the introductory Roadster 2  base model. So he can coined another speed greater than the current "Maximum Plaid mode". ;D

It should be "Beyond Plaid mode" IMHO along with another $50000 increase in MSRP.


Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 12/16/2017 10:26 am
Looking beyond plaid? Right into the fabric of the universe!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: eric_astro on 12/16/2017 11:34 am
I was checking the 2018 predictions thread- love the - Brought to you Not By TapATalk... comment.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 12/16/2017 01:51 pm
All hail the return of "The Great Unwashed One"... ;D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6RPfXSRww4
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 12/16/2017 04:25 pm
Quote
It should be "Beyond Plaid mode"

We have just entered Paisley Space.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 12/16/2017 05:03 pm
Quote
It should be "Beyond Plaid mode"

We have just entered Paisley Space.
And Cat Stevens points out “... everything emptying into white”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ga8yoW3UrA8
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 12/16/2017 05:27 pm
Seeing a launch on NSF is fun.  Seeing it from the Banana River viewing area is amazing.  The having lunch after your launch by a Saturn V is priceless.
Nice Ron, is Shepard's Corvette still there?

I didn't see it, where is supposed to be?
It was to the right of the first stage by the main engines. Perhaps it's on display tour somewhere else... Looks like you had a great day just the same! Thanks for getting back to us Ron. :)

Edit to Add: Just checked and it's showing up on the Space Walk of Fame Museum in Titusville:
http://cnweb.cn.edu/corvette/Shepards/Page.html
http://spacewalkoffame.org/
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 12/17/2017 04:47 am
What the?  .....

Heavy breathing!

Have the strap-ons been mated to the core?
....  Strap-ons? Mating? Might be a different forum you're thinking of?

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 12/17/2017 05:44 am
I just work here.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 12/17/2017 02:30 pm
Take a look at the passenger foot well carpet of Alan Shepard's Corvette. Looks like the "Rocket Man" would like to scare the crap out of his passengers as they dug their heels in hanging on.... ;D
http://cnweb.cn.edu/corvette/Shepards/Page.html
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 12/18/2017 12:13 pm
Quote from: @elonmusk
For now, we only use those on super hot reentry missions. Will go to all Ti with Falcon 9 V5, which is a few months away.

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/942526513731260417 (https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/942526513731260417)


And, is V5 just a typo? Or do we have yet another Falcon versioning scheme?  ::)

Please NO....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 12/18/2017 02:01 pm
Take a look at the passenger foot well carpet of Alan Shepard's Corvette. Looks like the "Rocket Man" would like to scare the crap out of his passengers as they dug their heels in hanging on.... ;D
http://cnweb.cn.edu/corvette/Shepards/Page.html

It was not unusual for this effect to be caused by the exhaust heating the floor pan REALLY hot.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: matthewkantar on 12/18/2017 02:09 pm
A very well respected scientist once noted superstitions work even if you don't believe in them. If so, I am a lil bit upset that the horseshoe on the emblem for the fourth Iridium launch has been hung upside down, allowing all of the luck to drain out.

Matthew
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 12/18/2017 04:26 pm
Take a look at the passenger foot well carpet of Alan Shepard's Corvette. Looks like the "Rocket Man" would like to scare the crap out of his passengers as they dug their heels in hanging on.... ;D
http://cnweb.cn.edu/corvette/Shepards/Page.html

It was not unusual for this effect to be caused by the exhaust heating the floor pan REALLY hot.

I drove a late 70's Oldsmobile (defunct GM division) station wagon for a while as a hand-me-down vehicle (dates me, huh?!).  The passenger side floor pan rusted through, without my knowledge, allowing the floor carpet to contact the exhaust pipe.

The carpeting started to smoke and smolder one day while I was driving on the local interstate.

I opened the car windows, pulled off, and stuffed all the towels and blankets in the car into the now-burnt hole in the floor.  I drove to a nearby relative's house, where we deployed a fire extinguisher on the burnt carpet edge.

Later, I trimmed the stinky, burned carpet out, and slipped a metal plate into place through the carpet hole to restore hull integrity.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 12/18/2017 11:19 pm
Take a look at the passenger foot well carpet of Alan Shepard's Corvette. Looks like the "Rocket Man" would like to scare the crap out of his passengers as they dug their heels in hanging on.... ;D
http://cnweb.cn.edu/corvette/Shepards/Page.html

It was not unusual for this effect to be caused by the exhaust heating the floor pan REALLY hot.
You're telling me!! I have unwrapped exhaust header headers on my 71' and although it gets toasty down there my carpets look perfect. That sir are heels diggin' in... ;D The astronauts would hold "off the record races" around the the Cape on the deserted roads and private ones around Houston owned by oil companies... :o

(You can see where Shepard braced himself on the floor using his left foot during hard cornering) 8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 12/18/2017 11:39 pm
Will future astronauts be racing Teslas'? Probably too politically incorrect now-days down here... :( Perhaps up on Mars! 8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: stcks on 12/19/2017 03:37 pm
These engines don't have the new impellers. That means they  may not be as valuable (it would be a big teardown to retrofit I would think) as some might suspect.

So can we crowdfund a recovery effort and gift ChrisB with a used M1D for Christmas? 🎅🎄
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 12/19/2017 03:55 pm
These engines don't have the new impellers. That means they  may not be as valuable (it would be a big teardown to retrofit I would think) as some might suspect.

So can we crowdfund a recovery effort and gift ChrisB with a used M1D for Christmas? 🎅🎄

I'm good for a fiver (or 5 Euros, or75,000 Indonesian Rupiah ... whatever it takes)

But I'm not sure his garden shed is big enough....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Kansan52 on 12/19/2017 04:08 pm
Engine might be too big.

Maybe a toasty grid fin?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 12/19/2017 11:50 pm
Could make an awesome BBQ grill with a grid fin.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 12/20/2017 02:34 pm
Looks like something out of Star Wars. Boys, we're going to have an extra special party here next month.  :o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 12/20/2017 02:42 pm
Looks like something out of Star Wars. Boys, we're going to have an extra special party here next month.  :o
All I need is a cockpit with a joystick R2D2 behind me and lets light this candle! 8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 12/20/2017 02:44 pm
Could make an awesome BBQ grill with a grid fin.
Could handle some "Texas size" steaks! ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 12/21/2017 01:52 am
Quote from Falcon Heavy:  Do these side boosters make me look fat?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 12/21/2017 04:33 am
Iridium employees take some time out from payload processing to work on team-building activities.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 12/22/2017 12:24 pm
There's... uhh.. something developing on reddit.

https://www.reddit.com/r/SpaceXMasterrace/comments/7ledab/this_ia_an_imge_ff_the_roadster_on_the_payload/
Are this Talulah Riley and Elon in the car?

Yes, photoshopped of course. I'm surprised the leak originated over there but considering what that subreddit is about, I guess I shouldn't be.

I can almost guarantee this is not accurate.  One of the goals of the first flight will be to prove out it's lift capability.  There is no way just a roadster is event close.  Even if that pedestal is solid steel, I don't thick that would even be close.

Maybe, in addition to the copy of Hitchhiker's Guide and the towel that are going to be in the car, they replaced the battery with an equal volume block of depleted uranium.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DecoLV on 12/22/2017 05:05 pm
I can't sleep. Could you use TEA-TEB to light a barbeque grill?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: John Alan on 12/22/2017 05:23 pm
I can't sleep. Could you use TEA-TEB to light a barbeque grill?

Sure... But I hear it leaves a funny after taste to whatever you cook after lightoff...  :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 12/22/2017 08:44 pm
Somebody making a test flight decided to stop and watch the launch tonight. We're all gonna fly.  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 12/23/2017 01:33 am
Elon just posted a pic of his roadster in the payload fairing;
https://www.instagram.com/p/BdA94kVgQhU/

However, I suggest reading his comment, which I pasted below, with bolding by me;
"elonmuskA Red Car for the Red Planet

Test flights of new rockets usually contain mass simulators in the form of concrete or steel blocks. That seemed extremely boring.
Of course, anything boring is terrible, especially companies
, so we decided to send something unusual, something that made us feel.
The payload will be an original Tesla Roadster, playing Space Oddity, on a billion year elliptic Mars orbit."

Read the bolded part, remembering that this is the guy who founded "The Boring Company".

I laughed myself silly when it clicked what he'd done here.  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 12/23/2017 02:03 am
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/944399853316055040

LOL. You know Elon is joking around.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 12/23/2017 02:06 am
Troll class: Master
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Chris Bergin on 12/23/2017 02:09 am
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/944399853316055040

LOL. You know Elon is joking around.

He's an internet prankster! ;D

What a frakking surge though. Remember when it was all about keeping the forum up? Got that sorted. Then tonight the news site got hit like never before....because of LA folk hitting space sites to work out what the launch was after finding out it wasn't a UFO. Crazy!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rangertech1 on 12/23/2017 02:36 am
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/944399853316055040

LOL. You know Elon is joking around.

He's an internet prankster! ;D

What a frakking surge though. Remember when it was all about keeping the forum up? Got that sorted. Then tonight the news site got hit like never before....because of LA folk hitting space sites to work out what the launch was after finding out it wasn't a UFO. Crazy!

Thanks for keeping it together Chris. When I saw the first video post of what it looked like in the skies above LaLa land I thought folks are going to think crazy and say crazy and do crazy because thats what Los Angeles does. I was born there, I know. That's why I got the heck out of there.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: bjornl on 12/23/2017 07:25 am
One Falcon 9 (slightly used) ~ $60 million
Ten Iridium satellites ~ $350 million

Freaking out most of southern California - priceless!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 12/23/2017 12:13 pm
Kind of reminded me of "The Nexus" from Star Trek Generations... ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cebri on 12/26/2017 04:45 pm
Not mine, yet obligatory

(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/316188085211627520/395262132842790913/unknown.png)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mn on 12/26/2017 06:06 pm
Does this mean a static fire with payload attached??

Just in case there's so much thrust that the hold down clamps fail ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: speedevil on 12/26/2017 06:32 pm
Does this mean a static fire with payload attached??

Just in case there's so much thrust that the hold down clamps fail ;)

It's happened before.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091993/
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Perchlorate on 12/26/2017 06:41 pm
"Whip me, beat me, take away my charge cards...NASA's talkin'!"

(So awful...so Campy.)

And, IIRC, one of the solids was inadvertely lit, so they had to light the other and liftoff or everyone dies in a big pad conflagration...not a holddown failure.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cppetrie on 12/26/2017 07:12 pm
"Whip me, beat me, take away my charge cards...NASA's talkin'!"

(So awful...so Campy.)

And, IIRC, one of the solids was inadvertely lit, so they had to light the other and liftoff or everyone dies in a big pad conflagration...not a holddown failure.
Spoiler alert:

Wasn’t an accident. Was a hack job by the semi-sentient robot friend of one of the campers.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 12/26/2017 07:52 pm
Wasn’t an accident. Was a hack job by the semi-sentient robot friend of one of the campers.
No wonder Elon has been on the anti AI rants lately... he's afraid the AI will take his Tesla for a spin.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jWwjzHGsJY
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 12/26/2017 08:48 pm
Bueller... Bueller??
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 12/26/2017 11:17 pm
Just in case people didn't know, the "like throttle" has been lifted. You can now like posts every 2 seconds rather than every 120 seconds.

Don't misuse it but there are some people with really skewed numbers that need to start giving as well as they get. Just sayin.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 12/26/2017 11:58 pm
Just in case people didn't know, the "like throttle" has been lifted. You can now like posts every 2 seconds rather than every 120 seconds.

Don't misuse it but there are some people with really skewed numbers that need to start giving as well as they get. Just sayin.

Okay, okay.  We'll behave.  Obey the speed limits and all that.

Nothing worse than following a granny riding the 'brake like'.

At least we're still not close to breaking the speed of like.  (186,000 likes per second)  At that speed we would need servers the size of Jupiter. ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 12/27/2017 01:20 am
I just liked myself...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Scylla on 12/27/2017 02:18 am
I just liked myself...
We're not judging. What you do in your personal cyberspace is your buisness.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 12/27/2017 03:21 am
At least we're still not close to breaking the speed of like.  (186,000 likes per second)  At that speed we would need servers the size of Jupiter. ;)

Maybe that's what Jupiter IS...a relic server for the Monolith masters.

I wonder what the electronic posts of several billion years old disembodied super-intelligences are like? :o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 12/27/2017 03:55 am
At least we're still not close to breaking the speed of like.  (186,000 likes per second)  At that speed we would need servers the size of Jupiter. ;)

Maybe that's what Jupiter IS...a relic server for the Monolith masters.

I wonder what the electronic posts of several billion years old disembodied super-intelligences are like? :o

WE  DON'T  WANT  YOU  TO  KNOW
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 12/27/2017 04:35 am
At least we're still not close to breaking the speed of like.  (186,000 likes per second)  At that speed we would need servers the size of Jupiter. ;)

Maybe that's what Jupiter IS...a relic server for the Monolith masters.

I wonder what the electronic posts of several billion years old disembodied super-intelligences are like? :o

WE  DON'T  WANT  YOU  TO  KNOW

Wrong!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 12/27/2017 06:18 am
Was that the Jim 9000 computer?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 12/27/2017 12:17 pm
Was that the Jim 9000 computer?

Over 9000, actually

Edit/Lar: Modified by the PoliteJim3000 post softener
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 12/27/2017 01:44 pm
Does that computer come with a like button?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 12/27/2017 05:55 pm
Does that computer come with a like button?

It comes with a like button, constructed in length, width, and breadth units corresponding to the first three prime numbers, and it's full of STARS!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Norm38 on 12/27/2017 08:24 pm
I wonder what the electronic posts of several billion years old disembodied super-intelligences are like? :o

Links to funny cat videos. As the Bare Naked Ladies once sang, it's all been done before.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 12/28/2017 01:45 am
THIS JUST IN!!!

“NASA Continues Search for Planet Capable of Supporting NASA”

https://twitter.com/theonion/status/946152977932234753
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 12/28/2017 02:27 am
Quote
I wonder what the electronic posts of several billion years old disembodied super-intelligences are like? :o

Got me thinking.   We need a Grok button!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: groknull on 12/28/2017 04:04 am
Quote
I wonder what the electronic posts of several billion years old disembodied super-intelligences are like? :o

Got me thinking.   We need a Grok button!

I don't know about that. :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 12/28/2017 02:26 pm
Is it just me...?
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171228/c6fd15ae18ba3682f0366f682af69e6b.jpg)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: envy887 on 12/28/2017 02:56 pm
There's a Heavy vertical on the pad!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 12/28/2017 03:20 pm
Is it just me...?
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171228/c6fd15ae18ba3682f0366f682af69e6b.jpg)

Apparently a lot of people are going vertical about this... (that's what they said...)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: abaddon on 12/28/2017 03:29 pm
It's like Delta IV Heavy went on a crash diet and lost the spray-on tan.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 12/28/2017 03:36 pm
Is it just me...?
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171228/c6fd15ae18ba3682f0366f682af69e6b.jpg)

Apparently a lot of people are going vertical about this... (that's what they said...)
Everybody but Jeff Bezos, or so I imagine.. ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: dodo on 12/28/2017 04:06 pm
And then the white structure on the left lifted up, leaving everyone baffled.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 12/28/2017 06:32 pm

For a long time, some people have been dismissing FH is a paper rocket, a power-point rocket, etc. In other words, claiming it doesn't really exist, while (just to name an oft cited example) SLS does. 

I wonder if seeing on the pad will sway any of them? Or will they keep saying the same thing even after we see it fly?

So, exit question; will Elon's roadster not only be the first interplanetary street-legal car, but also the first payload launched into space by a rocket that does not actually exist? 

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 12/28/2017 06:45 pm
Is it just me...?
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171228/c6fd15ae18ba3682f0366f682af69e6b.jpg)

Apparently a lot of people are going vertical about this... (that's what they said...)

Drumbeat starts for Falcon Heavy Demo Party Thread naming...

    Launch my Car (to Mars) FH Demo pt
    Red Planet Tesla FH Demo Pt
    Have towel, will travel FH Demo pt
    ‘Somewhat Harmless’ FH Demo pt


   



Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mheney on 12/28/2017 06:45 pm
"Mars Needs Teslas"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 12/28/2017 06:53 pm
"Mars Attracts! (Teslas)" ?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 12/28/2017 07:09 pm
“Car”pe Diem
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: yokem55 on 12/28/2017 07:24 pm
"We like Big Boosters and We Cannot Lie"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 12/28/2017 07:44 pm
I've posted a couple of times declaring that I would become one of the faithful beyond return if the FH ever flew. Made a purchase today...

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 12/28/2017 07:45 pm
"The Flying Cars and Landing Rockets Party Thread"

(Only two characters longer than the Manifest thread title, so it should be a cromulent length.)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mattstep on 12/28/2017 07:54 pm
"The Falcon Heavy: Beyond Plaid Party Thread"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 12/28/2017 08:38 pm
I've posted a couple of times declaring that I would become one of the faithful beyond return if the FH ever flew. Made a purchase today...
Do not drink until booster recovery... ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: abaddon on 12/28/2017 08:50 pm
FH, god and Elon willing, will in fact Launch, Land, and... well, probably not Relaunch (at least this one).  But I think the current party thread has been upgraded and refurbished enough to be suitable for this mission, no?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 12/28/2017 09:00 pm
I've posted a couple of times declaring that I would become one of the faithful beyond return if the FH ever flew. Made a purchase today...
Do not drink until booster recovery... ;D
"Flew" does not necessarily require successful recovery, eh?  Regardless, Kool-Aid does have a long shelf life, just in case.  ;)

FH, god and Elon willing, will in fact Launch, Land, and... well, probably not Relaunch (at least this one).  But I think the current party thread has been upgraded and refurbished enough to be suitable for this mission, no?

Well, "Re2Launch, Land3, and Relaunch3* Party Thread" would be a mouthful.  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: sfxtd on 12/28/2017 09:23 pm
"Cars to Mars"

It just really hit me... they are actually going to do this silly thing.

 :) 8) :) ??? ::) :) :'( :) 8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 12/29/2017 02:10 am
Whoa. That escalated quickly! ;D

It's a positive time, so rather than trawling back through a sudden flood of report to mods...

Keep Calm and Falcon Heavy.

--

People ignored this, so now I'm trimming the thread. You only have yourselves to blame! :)

Thread title helps you. "SpaceX FH : Falcon Heavy Demo : early 2018 : Discussion" <---we have threads for general FH stuff and most of it was about comparing with Shuttle, which is both wrong and totally not on topic.

Sent most of the longer off topic posts back to the members who created them. Personally I'd let you all go nuts, but people complain, lots of people.



For a short while there today when the "FH demo mission discussion thread" became "FH vs. STS?  Which could lift more payload and do it more economically? (Thread 96,214)".

EDIT: quoting Chris' comment for context
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 12/29/2017 02:27 am
National Enquirer Headlines:

The Real Zuma Revealed!

Is Musk selling our water to the Martians to fund his solar empire?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 12/29/2017 03:12 am
Party thread name?   Falcon in the Middle.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Galactic Penguin SST on 12/29/2017 04:54 pm
In other news, I didn't know that Elon's favorite non-SpaceX rocket was the Zenit (http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2015/05/13/elon-musk-rapid-fire-interview-rachel-crane.cnnmoney/index.html)! I have long joked elsewhere about how similar the Zenit and F9 are in basic design (size/diameter, all kerolox to GTO, simple work flow, TEL and clean pad design, even the reuse concept that the Energia booster would have) and ground processing methods (e.g. while writing about a Zenit launch during a time we all anxiously wait for the public appearance of the v1.1 (http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=31859.0) somewhere else, I joked right from the start with "Hey look, it's the new Falcon 9 v1.1!"......followed by a Zenit-3 photo.  (see below) ;) ;)), but I am still surprised that he admires a Soviet origin rocket the most!  :o

Even more amazingly, IIRC Musk started SpaceX after his unhappy attempt to struck a deal to fly his Martian Greenhouse on (what I think is) the Dnepr rocket.......which is built in the very same place as with the Zenit by Yuzhnoe!  :o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 12/29/2017 05:11 pm
Whoa. That escalated quickly! ;D

It's a positive time, so rather than trawling back through a sudden flood of report to mods...

Keep Calm and Falcon Heavy.

--

People ignored this, so now I'm trimming the thread. You only have yourselves to blame! :)

Thread title helps you. "SpaceX FH : Falcon Heavy Demo : early 2018 : Discussion" <---we have threads for general FH stuff and most of it was about comparing with Shuttle, which is both wrong and totally not on topic.

Sent most of the longer off topic posts back to the members who created them. Personally I'd let you all go nuts, but people complain, lots of people.



For a short while there today when the "FH demo mission discussion thread" became "FH vs. STS?  Which could lift more payload and do it more economically? (Thread 96,214)".

EDIT: quoting Chris' comment for context
The best part was Shuttle derailing a SpaceX thread, when was the last time that ever happened..? :o ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 12/29/2017 05:38 pm
"The Flying Cars and Landing Rockets Party Thread"

(Only two characters longer than the Manifest thread title, so it should be a cromulent length.)

Yes, we are at last entering the flying car age.  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 12/29/2017 05:48 pm
"The Flying Cars and Landing Rockets Party Thread"

(Only two characters longer than the Manifest thread title, so it should be a cromulent length.)

Yes, we are at last entering the flying car age.  8)
Hmm, air ride suspension...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zhangmdev on 12/29/2017 05:49 pm
Sea Launch is not impressed. The platform is just a cheap-looking barge. And who in his right mind would launch a rocket without second stage and payload?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Heinrich on 12/30/2017 03:57 pm
This meme needed an update.

For sure there will be people better at this. Consider it a challenge to come up with a better version :-)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 01/03/2018 12:33 am
From the Poll on how Heavy will turn out:
[FH will]...put the roadster in a useful orbit.

Just what is the usefulness criteria for the orbit of a used Tesla Roadster?   ;D 

I'm sure Lar just meant a viable orbit or one that would be useful for a hypothetical payload, but the wording tickled me.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 01/03/2018 01:46 am
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cno20onK9dY
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 01/03/2018 11:48 am
Yeah, he does have an awesome car.  But, I swear, we're just friends...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: dodo on 01/03/2018 01:31 pm
From the Poll on how Heavy will turn out:
[FH will]...put the roadster in a useful orbit.

Just what is the usefulness criteria for the orbit of a used Tesla Roadster?   ;D 

I'm sure Lar just meant a viable orbit or one that would be useful for a hypothetical payload, but the wording tickled me.

Maybe the car could be used as a reflecting target (minutes in and minutes out) for a distance-measuring laser. (In spite of it being mostly a convex surface...) Perhaps someone in a physics department may be interested in direct measurements of a gravity field in a five-body environment. (Talking out of my rear end here, as usual.)

P.S. And if not... I can see the amateurs coming...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 01/03/2018 08:33 pm
What are the chances Zuma is a total mind job and with todays announcemen,  it's actually going polar.

After all, it is best over ice.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 01/04/2018 12:36 pm
Basically, it's obvious Friday is off, but it's still on the pad this morning and there's claims there may be another WDR taking place right now.

Working on it (the info). Will see if SpaceX will say something. Zuma Rules make this hard.

The first rule of Zuma Club is [REDACTED].
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 01/04/2018 02:02 pm
If it is crawling out of the flame trench on Monday, you know it will have had a rough weekend
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 01/04/2018 02:07 pm
What are the chances Zuma is a total mind job and with todays announcemen,  it's actually going polar.

After all, it is best over ice.
On the East coast right now you can just open your front door, scoop some up and pour for "snow cones"... :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 01/04/2018 02:35 pm
What are the chances Zuma is a total mind job and with todays announcemen,  it's actually going polar.

After all, it is best over ice.

So that's why they've created the weather bomb on the east coast, cover! Damn sneaky.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: alang on 01/04/2018 11:27 pm
I've posted a couple of times declaring that I would become one of the faithful beyond return if the FH ever flew. Made a purchase today...
Do not drink until booster recovery... ;D

Even if the side boosters have been mistakenly programmed to land in the same place I think it should still be seen as a success as long as the centre core is recovered.
Stranger things have happened.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 01/05/2018 12:40 am
So Elon,  you're confusing me a bit.

The Heavy is clearly NOT a 'Falcon'... It looks MUCH more like a 'Y-Wing'! ;D

Does it come in yellow?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 01/05/2018 01:40 am
I've posted a couple of times declaring that I would become one of the faithful beyond return if the FH ever flew. Made a purchase today...
Do not drink until booster recovery... ;D

Even if the side boosters have been mistakenly programmed to land in the same place I think it should still be seen as a success as long as the centre core is recovered.
Stranger things have happened.

Obviously they need to program in some collision avoidance, perhaps some Tesla lane control.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 01/05/2018 03:35 am
Quote
Obviously they need to program in some collision avoidance, perhaps some Tesla lane control.

But where's the challenge in that?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: IanThePineapple on 01/05/2018 04:17 am
Quote
Obviously they need to program in some collision avoidance, perhaps some Tesla lane control.

But where's the challenge in that?

Landing a side core on another side core, on the center core would be the ultimate feat.

Yo Elon, you hear me?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 01/05/2018 01:57 pm
Quote
Obviously they need to program in some collision avoidance, perhaps some Tesla lane control.

But where's the challenge in that?

Landing a side core on another side core, on the center core would be the ultimate feat.

Yo Elon, you hear me?

This is realistically impossible. Even if the challenge was done successfully, everything would still tip over and go through a huge RUD.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 01/05/2018 02:34 pm
Quote
Obviously they need to program in some collision avoidance, perhaps some Tesla lane control.

But where's the challenge in that?

Landing a side core on another side core, on the center core would be the ultimate feat.

Yo Elon, you hear me?

This is realistically impossible. Even if the challenge was done successfully, everything would still tip over and go through a huge RUD.

Yes, but you would have pictures and a nice tan to prove it happened.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 01/05/2018 02:40 pm
Quote
Obviously they need to program in some collision avoidance, perhaps some Tesla lane control.

But where's the challenge in that?

Landing a side core on another side core, on the center core would be the ultimate feat.

Yo Elon, you hear me?

This is realistically impossible. Even if the challenge was done successfully, everything would still tip over and go through a huge RUD.

Yup impossible, you'd have real trouble as the fairing is all pointy and smooth. You'd need to hinge that out the way first or the second booster would just fall off! ...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 01/05/2018 03:51 pm
I've posted a couple of times declaring that I would become one of the faithful beyond return if the FH ever flew. Made a purchase today...
Do not drink until booster recovery... ;D

Even if the side boosters have been mistakenly programmed to land in the same place I think it should still be seen as a success as long as the centre core is recovered.
Stranger things have happened.
I imagine a 3 stooges style bit, with all three cores trying to land on the same pad, arguing about where they should each be going as they plummet through the atmosphere.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 01/05/2018 05:18 pm
The real difficulty is staging the Center Core before the Side Cores, or in the alternative having the Side Cores loiter while waiting for the Center Core to land first.

I'm sure Jim thinks it can't be done.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 01/05/2018 05:32 pm
Quote
This is realistically impossible. Even if the challenge was done successfully, everything would still tip over and go through a huge RUD.

Dibs on the thread being renamed:  The Realistically Impossible Party Thread!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: octavo on 01/05/2018 05:37 pm
The real difficulty is staging the Center Core before the Side Cores, or in the alternative having the Side Cores loiter while waiting for the Center Core to land first.

I'm sure Jim thinks it can't be done.
What if you swapped out the merlins for a few Raptors? I think Jim would like my idea better.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: yokem55 on 01/05/2018 11:08 pm
Quote
This is realistically impossible. Even if the challenge was done successfully, everything would still tip over and go through a huge RUD.

Dibs on the thread being renamed:  The Realistically Impossible Party Thread!
Powered by an Infinite Improbability Drive?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 01/06/2018 02:55 am
Quote
This is realistically impossible. Even if the challenge was done successfully, everything would still tip over and go through a huge RUD.

Dibs on the thread being renamed:  The Realistically Impossible Party Thread!
Powered by an Infinite Improbability Drive?
That will be the party thread when ‘the heart of gold’ the first BFS launches.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 01/06/2018 01:24 pm
Dibs on the thread being renamed:  The Realistically Impossible Party Thread!
Moving the party thread at realistic speeds would just dilate and slow everything down.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 01/06/2018 07:24 pm
So Elon,  you're confusing me a bit.

The Heavy is clearly NOT a 'Falcon'... It looks MUCH more like a 'Y-Wing'! ;D

Does it come in yellow?

Nope.  Y'all can get it any color you want, as long as it's sooty-gray... :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 01/06/2018 11:25 pm
Dibs on the thread being renamed:  The Realistically Impossible Party Thread!
Moving the party thread at realistic speeds would just dilate and slow everything down.
So, you slow down if you move too fast? Feeling groovy...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 01/07/2018 02:37 am
https://youtu.be/dJWoQnt7Xks
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 01/07/2018 08:30 am
Dibs on the thread being renamed:  The Realistically Impossible Party Thread!
Moving the party thread at realistic speeds would just dilate and slow everything down.
So, you slow down if you move too fast? Feeling groovy...

Gah!!!! I went looking for a Simon and Garfunkel video before I saw your hidden text!  *Shakes fist*
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 01/07/2018 06:25 pm
<Video clip: Space Battleship Yamato first space warp>

Yeah, some of the "warp effect" content was edited out in the American Star Blazers for the kiddies.

Some maybe to reduce the run-time?, but we didn't get to see the Yuki fan-service either.  (For those not familiar with the show, Yuki Mori (Japanese)/Nova Forrester (American) is the only female crew member.)

(BTW, apparently the fan-service was OK for a 1970s Japanese families with children audience? I suppose a differing set of broadcast standards & practices.  I've wondered about that.)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 01/07/2018 06:51 pm
Ran into these two foreign tourists wanting to know "From where today is launching of secret rocket payload?"

I sent them to Disney World.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 01/07/2018 09:42 pm
I somehow get the meaning behind "going to Disney World to see F9/ZUMA lift off", but then again, SLC-40 is 98.59 kilometers (61.26 miles) east of Disney World.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 01/07/2018 10:18 pm
I somehow get the meaning behind "going to Disney World to see F9/ZUMA lift off", but then again, SLC-40 is 98.59 kilometers (61.26 miles) east of Disney World.
Well, Disney World is where the world's reserve of upsidaisium is stored these days.

(The characters are Boris Badenov and Natasha Fatale from the classic Rocky and Bullwinkle cartoons.  If you don't like puns, do not go watch any. ;D  Also, the live action movies that are allegedly based on R&B characters are universally atrocious and are likely to be banned in the next revision of the Geneva Conventions.)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rangertech1 on 01/07/2018 11:17 pm
Ran into these two foreign tourists wanting to know "From where today is launching of secret rocket payload?"

I sent them to Disney World.
Dissknee worlt much great place for to see top seekret Zuma

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: yokem55 on 01/08/2018 12:06 am
Well, you can't get any more black than that....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tyrred on 01/08/2018 12:15 am
Blacker than the blackest black, times infinity...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 01/08/2018 12:17 am
Looks like ZUMA has gone to where it needs to be. Wherever that is. You know what's so great about that? We're gonna light a Falcon Heavy for at least a static fire and it's going to be soon. 27 howling mad Merlins running at one time. Three times the standard Falcon 9 landing party fun! One by barge and two in the trees it's gonna be a sight to see for sure!  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/08/2018 12:23 am
Touchdown!

Did they go for the extra point???
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/08/2018 12:28 am
Well, you can't get any more black than that....

I only build with black. Or really, really, really dark grey.
- Batman
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 01/08/2018 12:29 am
Touchdown!

Did they go for the extra point???

If they're playing Calvinball, then yes.  The score is 53 to Q.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 01/08/2018 12:38 am
Also, the live action movies that are allegedly based on R&B characters are universally atrocious and are likely to be banned in the next revision of the Geneva Conventions.

The people responsible for those movies are going to be the second group against the wall when the revolution comes, only giving precedence to the marketing division of the Sirius Cybernetics Corporation.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Ronpur50 on 01/08/2018 01:18 am
Seriously, a simple google search turned up this image of Zuma.  Now we know the secret!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 01/08/2018 02:15 am
Seriously, a simple google search turned up this image of Zuma.  Now we know the secret!!
<Zuma image here>

To quote myself, earlier in this thread :o ::) :P :
Must be this guy: http://paw-patrol.wikia.com/wiki/Zuma

NRO hasn't yet returned Spike the Lizard from space back to his family.  He's been up there over 1 year! (NROL-61)
:(

If the eagle mascot for NROL-52 isn't on a rescue mission, then maybe this rescue dog is?  8)

(I read the link content; this character, unfortunately, isn't used as often as his rescue buddies.  He seems to be the Aquaman of Paw Patrol.  Maybe that's why he's free to accept a space rescue mission.)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mgeagon on 01/08/2018 03:22 am
Ran into these two foreign tourists wanting to know "From where today is launching of secret rocket payload?"

I sent them to Disney World.
"Where are the nuclear wessels?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 01/08/2018 03:34 am
I think it’s actually phonetically spelled... (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180108/120006442fa1d2df890afd8e48237632.jpg)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 01/08/2018 03:26 pm
While Falcon Heavy is waiting his turn to shine shouted out a song request on a successful Zuma launch and landing of little brother Falcon 9...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jl5vi9ir49g
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ejb749 on 01/08/2018 10:56 pm
If this speculation continues out of control like a derailed train mods may have to lock this and the update thread until people calm down..
We appreciate self modding. But handicapping what we are going to do? Not so much.

My personal view: (not vetted with other mods yet...)

Go ahead and speculate if your speculations are well founded, within the realm of physical possibility, and are not repeats of stuff already said, that is, they add value.

Go ahead and deconstruct speculations if you can do so collegially and can add value and learnings by doing so.

"Aliens abducted it" probably goes in the party thread.

I'm not saying that it was aliens... but it was aliens.

I read it on nasaspaceflight.com!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/08/2018 11:11 pm
that didn't take long...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AncientU on 01/08/2018 11:12 pm
that didn't take long...

Careful when you start such rumors...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: hamerad on 01/08/2018 11:52 pm
That assumes orbital rather than ballistic trajectory. I don't think that works for ballistic as it IS going to reenter, you only would have whatever crossrange from the orginal destination is available. But didn't we analyse that orbital was more likely? ISTR that...

Abort to orbit is an option though.

Would give a whole new meaning to the phrase going around 😅

"attention passengers this is your captain speaking. Due to weather at our destination we'll have to make a slight detour"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: IanH84 on 01/09/2018 01:40 am
Going by what I see on Twitter, this appears to have been a stunt to drown out criticism of South Africa's extremely unpopular (<20% approval rating) president Jacob Zuma.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 01/09/2018 02:06 am
I have a complaint!

A lot of people in the FH threads are claiming that Elon said that FH is scheduled for the end of January. And that's simply not so!
He said, "Hold-down test fire next week. Launch end of the month."

Do you see the word "January" in there? I sure don't. In other words, he does not specify which month.

I therefor wonder if SpaceX has a secret plan to, immediately after the static fire, shift the launch date well to the left and go for launch (and lunch) in late December, 2017. (so, don't close ouyt the books just yet on how many launches SpaceX did in 2017!) ;D

And as an aside, any guesses on how long it will be before SpaceX's number of 1st stage landings exceeds its number of launches? (A FH launch can, after all, result in 3 landings out of one launch).   
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 01/09/2018 02:40 am
I just KNEW that was a bad idea. I said to myself, I said, “John, those glasses are going to interfere with fairing separation...”

Mic

Drop


(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180109/fee1f52b66876432e3489b10427d1597.jpg)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Robotbeat on 01/09/2018 04:11 am
Prediction: Ed Kyle counts it as a launch failure (even though rocket performed successfully and it was the payload provider's fault... assuming it even failed). :)

Also, Zuma and the Tesla were swapped, and Elon's Roadster is currently smoke over the Pacific Ocean. :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 01/09/2018 04:13 am
Prediction: Ed Kyle counts it as a launch failure (even though rocket performed successfully and it was the payload provider's fault... assuming it even ). :)

Also, Zuma and the Tesla were swapped, and Elon's Roadster is currently smoke over the Pacific Ocean. :D

Smoke on the water.......
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/09/2018 05:01 am
Prediction: Ed Kyle counts it as a launch failure (even though rocket performed successfully and it was the payload provider's fault... assuming it even failed). :)
No bet. It's more of a given than a prediction....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 01/09/2018 05:42 am
If this speculation continues out of control like a derailed train mods may have to lock this and the update thread until people calm down..
We appreciate self modding. But handicapping what we are going to do? Not so much.

My personal view: (not vetted with other mods yet...)

Go ahead and speculate if your speculations are well founded, within the realm of physical possibility, and are not repeats of stuff already said, that is, they add value.

Go ahead and deconstruct speculations if you can do so collegially and can add value and learnings by doing so.

"Aliens abducted it" probably goes in the party thread.

I'm not saying that it was aliens... but it was aliens.

I read it on nasaspaceflight.com!

As much as I appreciated the humor, I have to say that my blood pressure goes up about 50% whenever that particular purveyor of pseudoscience BS is referenced, even in jest.

I would rather have my teeth pulled with no novacaine.  Or get into a knock-down, drag-out fight on the forum over whether we should call rockets "she", "he" or "it"... ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Robotbeat on 01/09/2018 05:48 am
If this speculation continues out of control like a derailed train mods may have to lock this and the update thread until people calm down..
We appreciate self modding. But handicapping what we are going to do? Not so much.

My personal view: (not vetted with other mods yet...)

Go ahead and speculate if your speculations are well founded, within the realm of physical possibility, and are not repeats of stuff already said, that is, they add value.

Go ahead and deconstruct speculations if you can do so collegially and can add value and learnings by doing so.

"Aliens abducted it" probably goes in the party thread.

I'm not saying that it was aliens... but it was aliens.

I read it on nasaspaceflight.com!

As much as I appreciated the humor, I have to say that my blood pressure goes up about 50% whenever that particular purveyor of pseudoscience BS is referenced, even in jest.

I would rather have my teeth pulled with no novacaine.  Or get into a knock-down, drag-out fight on the forum over whether we should call rockets "she", "he" or "it"... ;)
I prefer aliens over flat earth any day!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Galactic Penguin SST on 01/09/2018 05:54 am
The only conclusion I can made about ZUMA is that its observed wave function hasn't collapsed yet.  :-X
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 01/09/2018 11:49 am
Prediction: Ed Kyle counts it as a launch failure (even though rocket performed successfully and it was the payload provider's fault... assuming it even failed). :)
But the true rabid SpaceX fan still counts Amos 6 as a success! For this will now bring balance to the force.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: abaddon on 01/09/2018 01:44 pm
Slander of another member, however mild, really is not great party thread material.

Just my two cents.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: IanThePineapple on 01/09/2018 01:54 pm
Zuma was a fake launch projected by NROL-76 as it flew over, then OTV-5 projected the landing

The truth is known!  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 01/09/2018 07:40 pm
ZUMA mystery solved...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZX1YCmzHEw
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: IntoTheVoid on 01/09/2018 08:42 pm
I suspect that Zuma may have actually gone to the moon, because that thread is absolute Lunacy.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: IanH84 on 01/09/2018 09:11 pm
Zuma was a hypersonic reentry vehicle, the evidence is right there (did someone already post this? I feel like it looks familiar.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biTmszuYyWo
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 01/09/2018 09:47 pm
I would like to believe Zuma is up there somewhere laughing at the US.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Oersted on 01/09/2018 09:49 pm
I'm guessing we will soon know from @realdonaldtrump what Zuma was and what happened to it...

Something like

"Northrup Grumman screwed up the launch of their new secret "spy satellite" and now want US taxpayers to pay for another try! Bad! Won't happen under this administration."
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 01/09/2018 10:41 pm
I'm guessing we will soon know from @realdonaldtrump what Zuma was and what happened to it...

Something like

"Northrup Grumman screwed up the launch of their new secret "spy satellite" and now want US taxpayers to pay for another try! Bad! Won't happen under this administration."

That’s too grammatically correct.

If Zuma is important they’ll fly again later likely.

If SpaceX keeps flying without hesitation then we have a better idea where the problems might be for NG.

I’m just pinching myself each day thinking that the next SpaceX launch could very well be the FH.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: punder on 01/09/2018 11:31 pm
Coincidence? I think not.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5249455/Flash-Russia-sparks-fears-strike-North-Korea.html
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 01/09/2018 11:38 pm
After a short and embarrassing investigation, the findings have just been briefed to the capitol hill, as an insider who wishes not to be named has just released to members of the NSFSX-LLRPT.

According to the statement, Back in 2015, NG first approached SpaceX as a potential launch provider. Instead of tasking SpaceX with the payload integration, NG decided to take matters into their own hands to implement their stringent quality control standards. SpaceX had just lost a NASA mission (CRS-7) with an in-flight failure due to premature separation of the payload during first stage flight

A second payload was lost in 2016 when a SpaceX Falcon9 released its payload prematurely during a static fire test, causing the fully fueled spacecraft to fall down unto the launchpad and explode.

SpaceX gladly provided NG with the detailed specifications of the Payload adapter in use for encapsulated payloads, including mounting tolerances to both the F9 upper stage and the fairing which was to attach to it. It even included the average separation force SpaceX used on their adapter as a guideline.

However, NG technicians overlooked a small but important detail. Based on how the payload was mated to the F9 upper stage during stage integration on the transporter erector, they assumed that this was also how the payload was intended to decouple from the upper stage at separation time. Not without precedence, after all this was also how the payloads of the ill-fated CRS-7 and Amos-6 had been successfully - although prematurely - released. Since the payload adapter specifications included no details on separation specifics, they assumed that the separation mechanism was entirely residing on the F9 upper stage side and would decouple the payload adapter as a whole.

SpaceX on the other hand did indeed not include any details regarding the separation mechanism - with the exception of the cable informing the payload of separating time and its signal. After all NG was in charge of designing the payload adapter and as far as SpaceX was concerned they could implement the separation mechanism however they wanted.

A SpaceX employee who wishes to remain anonymous confirmed this. "They were probably going to use explosive bolts. We don't do explosive bolts, we wanted nothing to do with that, so we left the design entirely to them."

Without further communication on the issue and no requests regarding further separation details issued to SpaceX, the payload adapter was built with no means for separation at all as an integral part of the 2.5 billion dollar Zuma satellite. The separation signal was instead incorrectly interpreted as a separation confirmation which triggered the payload's own checkout sequence.

Due to the secrecy of the process, SpaceX was in turn not informed about any further details of the payload, so no one was the wiser even as the payload was repeatedly mated to the rocket, first in November 2017 at LC 39A and later for the actual Launch at LC40.

60 seconds after the second stage finally finished its orbital insertion it assumed the deployment orientation and spin as programmed, then sent the separation signal to the payload for its supposed separation mechanism to fire. The payload instead assumed that it had just been deployed and begun with its checkout sequence. The spacecraft briefly made contact with a ground station after having completed one orbit, but then reported an attitude control system error before loosing contact when the stage re-orinted for the de-orbit burn, rotating the spacecraft with it.

According to SpaceX, the upper stage's own attitude control system compensated for the additional mass and shifted center of gravity, which was indicated in the received telemetry stream. It was programmed with this flexibility in mind due to the uncertainty of remaining propellant mass at this point. Camera images showed the satellite to still be attached to the upper stage, but there was nothing that could be done in the control room to abort the pre-programmed auto-sequence.

The F9 upper stage had been fueled to capacity to ensure maximum margin even in the case of a first stage underperformance. As such the stage had no problem executing the deorbit burn even with the payload attached, although the M1DVAC burned for a full three seconds longer than estimated.

F9 and the doomed Zuma payload supposedly reentered in the designated hazard zone in the Indian Ocean. Should any fragments have survived reentry they lay on the bottom of the ocean, several thousand feet deep and are not considered for a salvage operation.

While SpaceX insists that Northropp Grumman is to blame for what they call an embarrassing design flaw, the company in turn accuses SpaceX for not stating explicitly, that the mating screws between Second Stage tank dome and Payload adapter did indeed not include a separation mechanism. In fact a NG representative disputed this claim from SpaceX, referring to the separation events visible in the public video footage of both CRS-7 and Amos-6 as proof that the payload adapter was indeed meant to separate from the oxygen tank, which it had apparently failed to do so during the Zuma launch.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 01/09/2018 11:59 pm
I'm guessing we will soon know from @realdonaldtrump what Zuma was and what happened to it...

Something like

"Northrup Grumman screwed up the launch of their new secret "spy satellite" and now want US taxpayers to pay for another try! Bad! Won't happen under this administration."

Given his preferred news source is rabidly anti-Elon or anything related to Elon, I doubt he'd blame NG even if the fault was on their side.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 01/10/2018 12:03 am
CorvusCorax, this is why I get my news from the Party Thread!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 01/10/2018 12:26 am
Update: Elon Musk just tweeted in response to Northropp Grumman's allegations (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg1769653#msg1769653).
Quote
"Idea that the entire payload adapter should have separated is completely bonkers."

Only to follow up in a second tweet.

Quote
"On second thought, might actually work in some cases. Running simulations."

followed by two more

Quote
"Might include software fix in future launches: Deliberately cause US oxygen tank over pressure if separation fails."
Quote
"Popping tank will both force-separate payload and give remainder of upper stage de-orbitting impulse."


Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: joek on 01/10/2018 12:53 am
Prior missions indicated a potential for premature ejection (PE (https://www.webmd.com/men/tc/premature-ejaculation-topic-overview#1)) dysfunction with CRS-7 and AMOS.
They may have overcompensated, resulting in extended deployment (ED (https://www.webmd.com/erectile-dysfunction/guide/erectile-dysfunction-overview-facts)) dysfunction with Zuma.
Him or Her?  We'll likely never know.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: QuantumG on 01/10/2018 01:15 am
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZtWNlCTc6o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 01/10/2018 01:26 am
CorvusCorax: you realize that if any of your imaginative post gets quoted as an "anonymous source" in the next WSJ article, you will be in very deep doo-doo...although you may get a job offer from The Onion.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 01/10/2018 01:29 am
I'm thoroughly expecting the next set of rumors to be based around CorvusCoraxs posts....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 01/10/2018 01:58 am
*dons tinfoil lined straw hat decorated with red herrings*

Ahem. *looks around suspiciously* What better way to 'hide' a successful secret launch, than to immediately claim vehicle failure after achieving the correct initial orbit. ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 01/10/2018 02:39 am
Cherokee43v6 from now on, you need to go by the pseudonym Deep Throttle.  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kch on 01/10/2018 02:45 am
*dons tinfoil lined straw hat decorated with red herrings*


Are those congressional herrings?  ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 01/10/2018 04:17 am
Well, I'll be pickled.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rangertech1 on 01/10/2018 04:33 am
Working on a screenplay. Two underpaid and overworked engineers devise a plan to launch a satellite so secret that nobody knows that it is just a cardboard box full of cat litter. It plunges into the Indian ocean while they divide a billion dollars.  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: yokem55 on 01/10/2018 04:40 am
Working on a screenplay. Two underpaid and overworked engineers devise a plan to launch a satellite so secret that nobody knows that it is just a cardboard box full of cat litter. It plunges into the Indian ocean while they divide a billion dollars.  8)
Hmm.. working title 'The Emperor's New Satellite'. Really effective stealth technology it will have...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 01/10/2018 08:09 pm
ZUMA
 Zoo of Unsubstantiated Mission Anomalies.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/10/2018 08:24 pm
Working on a screenplay. Two underpaid and overworked engineers devise a plan to launch a satellite so secret that nobody knows that it is just a cardboard box full of cat litter. It plunges into the Indian ocean while they divide a billion dollars.  8)
Why does this remind me of "The Producers" ???
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 01/10/2018 08:43 pm
Working on a screenplay. Two underpaid and overworked engineers devise a plan to launch a satellite so secret that nobody knows that it is just a cardboard box full of cat litter. It plunges into the Indian ocean while they divide a billion dollars.  8)
Why does this remind me of "The Producers" ???

Springtime for Bialystock and Bloom/
Winter for Elon and NG?

(Sorry if the verse doesn't "flow," but I'm no Mel Brooks.)  :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 01/10/2018 10:31 pm
I thought it was called "The Launchers"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: punder on 01/10/2018 10:49 pm
Working on a screenplay. Two underpaid and overworked engineers devise a plan to launch a satellite so secret that nobody knows that it is just a cardboard box full of cat litter. It plunges into the Indian ocean while they divide a billion dollars.  8)
Why does this remind me of "The Producers" ???

Springtime for Bialystock and Bloom/
Winter for Elon and NG?

(Sorry if the verse doesn't "flow," but I'm no Mel Brooks.)  :)

You're Wilder than you appear. With Zero lack of imagination!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 01/10/2018 11:05 pm
I thought it was called "The Launchers"
"A funny thing happened on the way to the launch pad"...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 01/10/2018 11:10 pm
I thought it was a funny thing happened after the launch....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Kansan52 on 01/10/2018 11:12 pm
Will it have "Springtime for Elon"? (Sorry, sorry, sorry).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 01/10/2018 11:25 pm
I remember the larger alligators during a Saturn-V launch coming to the surface and bellowing, similar to a grunting. It has been speculated (I stress that) that the vibrations of the launch felt similar to the gators as a mating call. All I can tell you is that I could feel it pounding inside my chest as all that thunder rose into the sky.

Or perhaps sympathetic resonance between the noise of a Saturn V and the natural frequency of an alligators innards, I can't imagine that would be comfortable. 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 01/10/2018 11:27 pm
I thought it was a funny thing happened after the launch....
The rocket landed...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 01/11/2018 12:40 am
As the next flight Is likely the heavy can we have a rename to some falcon heavy generic party thread name or is this not a momentous enough occasion for a separate party thread?

Edit/Lar:
1 - this is not the footnote you are looking for.. keep reading, padawan
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 01/11/2018 01:35 am
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRvCwtLLV6I
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rangertech1 on 01/11/2018 02:02 am
Falcon Heavy - Views from the flame trench.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/11/2018 02:23 am
As the next flight Is likely the heavy can we have a rename to some falcon heavy generic party thread name or is this not a momentous enough occasion for a separate party thread?

We were gonna set up a special thread for that but with the launches coming hot and heavy[1] it would be rather confusing.  What if FH slips past the next launch?

1 - see what I did there?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 01/11/2018 02:37 am
As the next flight Is likely the heavy can we have a rename to some falcon heavy generic party thread name or is this not a momentous enough occasion for a separate party thread?

We were gonna set up a special thread for that but with the launches coming hot and heavy[1] it would be rather confusing.  What if FH slips past the next launch?

1 - see what I did there?
Then just make it the “hot and heavy party thread”...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/11/2018 02:41 am
Someone didn't look at the subject line in their post. I gave you EXACTLY what you asked for.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AncientU on 01/11/2018 12:54 pm
As the next flight Is likely the heavy can we have a rename to some falcon heavy generic party thread name or is this not a momentous enough occasion for a separate party thread?

We were gonna set up a special thread for that but with the launches coming hot and heavy[1] it would be rather confusing.  What if FH slips past the next launch?

1 - see what I did there?

You mean the special "Gonna Be Exciting!" Party Thread?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 01/11/2018 02:26 pm
When I referred to the party thread by its NSFSX-LLRPT abbreviation it became utterly clear that the party thread is deerly missing a proper speaking acronym

I was briefly thinking about something like  Peculiarly Amusing Reuseable Topic Yard (PARTY) but except for its reuseability there is almost no launch or spacex connection and especially no FH connection, so something else it has to be.

As a non native speaker, I am not particularly good at this, and I'm sure someone comes up with something better ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 01/11/2018 02:44 pm
You mean the special "Gonna Be Exciting!" Party Thread?
I would prefer everything is "Nominal".
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 01/11/2018 03:10 pm
Peculiarly Amusing Reuseable Topic Yard (PARTY)


I would go with Passably Amusing instead of Peculiarly for accuracy's sake, but I can't do much better with the rest.  Y is particularly hard.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: aero on 01/11/2018 03:51 pm
YoYo's
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 01/11/2018 04:06 pm
When I referred to the party thread by its NSFSX-LLRPT abbreviation it became utterly clear that the party thread is deerly missing a proper speaking acronym

I was briefly thinking about something like  Peculiarly Amusing Reuseable Topic Yard (PARTY) but except for its reuseability there is almost no launch or spacex connection and especially no FH connection, so something else it has to be.

As a non native speaker, I am not particularly good at this, and I'm sure someone comes up with something better ;)

But at the PARTY you'd run up against the: Pessimistic Obnoxious Old-space Permanently Egregious Reactionary.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 01/11/2018 04:33 pm
It's the "Periodically Amusing Rocketry Talk and Yammering [PARTY] Thread"

Of course, the original purpose of the first party thread was to be the...
"Permanent Accumulator of Regular Threads' Entertaining Excursions" [PARTEE] thread.  ;D

(Hey, there's a fine tradition of creative spelling of acronyms throughout science, technology, and many other areas.)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 01/11/2018 04:47 pm
When I referred to the party thread by its NSFSX-LLRPT abbreviation it became utterly clear that the party thread is deerly missing a proper speaking acronym

I was briefly thinking about something like  Peculiarly Amusing Reuseable Topic Yard (PARTY) but except for its reuseability there is almost no launch or spacex connection and especially no FH connection, so something else it has to be.

As a non native speaker, I am not particularly good at this, and I'm sure someone comes up with something better ;)

But at the PARTY you'd run up against the: Pessimistic Obnoxious Old-space Permanently Egregious Reactionary.

Oh -- everyone insisting this forum IS NOT FOR SPECULATING!?

Gotcha... 😜
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/11/2018 04:52 pm
You mean the special "Gonna Be Exciting!" Party Thread?

YOU didn't look at the thread title on your post EITHER, did you? Do I need to post a screen shot? I gave Craig EXACTLY the thread title he asked for.  Geez. I give and give, and this is the thanks I get?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: groknull on 01/11/2018 04:55 pm
It's the "Periodically Amusing Rocketry Talk and Yammering [PARTY] Thread"


Refactored for recursion:

PARTY And Rocket Talk Yammering

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/11/2018 04:55 pm
You mean the special "Gonna Be Exciting!" Party Thread?
I would prefer everything is "Nominal".

Shouldn't that be NORMinal?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 01/11/2018 07:44 pm
When I referred to the party thread by its NSFSX-LLRPT abbreviation it became utterly clear that the party thread is deerly missing a proper speaking acronym

I was briefly thinking about something like  Peculiarly Amusing Reuseable Topic Yard (PARTY) but except for its reuseability there is almost no launch or spacex connection and especially no FH connection, so something else it has to be.

As a non native speaker, I am not particularly good at this, and I'm sure someone comes up with something better ;)
Ha! You’re right I missed that.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 01/11/2018 10:12 pm
SpaceX sure know how to get attention. Alien sightings, classified mysteries, cars to Mars, vertical landings, explosive failures, maiden flights and BFR ambitions.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/12/2018 12:52 am
SpaceX sure know how to get attention. Alien sightings, classified mysteries, cars to Mars, vertical landings, explosive failures, maiden flights and BFR ambitions.


Any publicity is good publicity as long as you spell my name right...

except journos spell it Spacex ... Space X  etc....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 01/12/2018 03:08 am
SpaceX sure know how to get attention. Alien sightings, classified mysteries, cars to Mars, vertical landings, explosive failures, maiden flights and BFR ambitions.

They're flying maidens? How did I miss that?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 01/12/2018 05:16 am
Full tinfoil hat theory as to what happened to Zuma:

About a year ago, Musk rather publicly resigned from (or elected not to join, not sure of that detail) a business/government relations working group being set up by Trump.  Musk at the time expressed his own very unflattering opinions of Trump.

This part is true.

Trump is the thinnest skinned celebrity in history.

This part, whatever you think of the man, is also demonstrably true.

Now, for the fantasy, er, theory:

Trump decided to "get back" at Musk's slight, and estimation of his character, by arranging the Zuma "accident" and instructing his friends and aides to "stick it to that <expletive deleted> Emon guy" (sic) by blaming the newly-ordered failure on Musk.  Who can't wriggle off the hook on a classified failure.

A move of which Putin would have been proud.

As tinfoil hat theories go, it accounts for what facts are known, and reflects how satellite failures can be turned into launcher failures, as long as you think like a lawyer, not an engineer.  It also means that, if true, we ought to hear all the juicy details when the next set of WH hires resigns and starts flapping its collective lips in a few months...  :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 01/12/2018 05:26 am
First rule of Zuma.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 01/12/2018 05:28 am
It's the "Periodically Amusing Rocketry Talk and Yammering [PARTY] Thread"


Refactored for recursion:

PARTY And Rocket Talk Yammering

Now how did I just know that Lar was going to like that post.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/12/2018 05:30 am
Full tinfoil hat theory as to what happened to Zuma:
  <sorry, citizen, you're not cleared to read that more than once. Report to the nearest disintegration chamber. The computer is your friend.>
The scariest part about that post? It's not inconceivable that is exactly what happened.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/12/2018 05:35 am
It's the "Periodically Amusing Rocketry Talk and Yammering [PARTY] Thread"


Refactored for recursion:

PARTY And Rocket Talk Yammering

Now how did I just know that Lar was going to like that post.

I'll see your screenshot and raise you a changed thread title... what does it take for someone to acknowledge my new title?? Geez.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 01/12/2018 06:05 am
I'll see your screenshot and raise you a changed thread title... what does it take for someone to acknowledge my new title?? Geez.

I don't know, SFHGPTN just doesn't have the same ring.  It's lacking that je ne se quois.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 01/12/2018 03:21 pm
<quoted sections deleted>

It’s getting to be an old joke now...
backdoor new title thread method
(Edit: read the title of the post carefully)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: atsf90east on 01/12/2018 08:27 pm

I don't know, SFHGPTN just doesn't have the same ring.  It's lacking that je ne se quois.
Jenna said what? :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 01/13/2018 03:48 pm
It's the "Periodically Amusing Rocketry Talk and Yammering [PARTY] Thread"

Clay, should that not have been PARTaY?  (oops, my 90's is showing ;) )
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: aero on 01/13/2018 09:29 pm
Has anyone heard any rumors that Zuma was built from components/designs out of Area 51 and it just flew away on release?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 01/13/2018 09:58 pm
Has anyone heard any rumors that Zuma was built from components/designs out of Area 51 and it just flew away on release?

Yes, but the person who whispered that rumor to me, in a dark back alley, was immediately set upon by about a dozen G-men and killed outright.  So I'd be careful spreading that rumor around, if I were you... :D

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: QuantumG on 01/13/2018 11:22 pm
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 01/14/2018 01:00 am
Mmmmmm, Zuma!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mme on 01/14/2018 08:50 pm
Meanwhile over in the Zuma thread:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nTpsv9PNqo
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 01/14/2018 09:04 pm
I've noticed that whenever I fail to post something here there is always a scrub, abort, failure, etc that follows. Today I'm making my voice heard so the static fire test is completed tomorrow and we can get on with the future I've been waiting for since the 60's.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 01/14/2018 10:54 pm
Sigh.... that movie brings back memories. It was the first movie I saw at the Century theaters in San Jose.

Doing any sort of math right now is completely inapropriate!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/14/2018 11:42 pm
Sorry bro, you're older than dirt (but possibly not older than me).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/14/2018 11:48 pm
How does he do it?

I would have bet almost anything that the fill/drain would have it's own direct connection to the main tank to avoid having a split in the feed from the tank to the center engine. Wouldn't this split juncture cause unwanted turbulence and possibly cavitation?

no, because the fluid is not moving in the closed off fill/drain branch.
It is common to branch the fill/drain line off of a feed line.  They don't make a dedicated line into the tank.


8 minutes to come up with a perfect illustration of the point he made, which is economically stated and highly cogent.

8 minutes. ...

Edit: 8 minutes and 50 seconds.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 01/14/2018 11:51 pm
Duty calls (https://xkcd.com/386/)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 01/15/2018 03:11 am
How does he do it?

I would have bet almost anything that the fill/drain would have it's own direct connection to the main tank to avoid having a split in the feed from the tank to the center engine. Wouldn't this split juncture cause unwanted turbulence and possibly cavitation?

no, because the fluid is not moving in the closed off fill/drain branch.
It is common to branch the fill/drain line off of a feed line.  They don't make a dedicated line into the tank.


8 minutes to come up with a perfect illustration of the point he made, which is economically stated and highly cogent.

8 minutes. ...

Edit: 8 minutes and 50 seconds.
Perhaps this spy photo taken of Jim may shed some light... (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180115/68669ffb96e8e44ae525d0445ce4c247.jpg)

Disclaimer: Not actually a photo of Jim
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: laszlo on 01/15/2018 03:42 pm
We need a theme song for this test, something more appropriate than the Ride of the Valkyries (after all, this is a static fire, not an attack by the air cavalry). I'll lead off with a couple of suggestions and others can kick in theirs. Trigger alert, mine are for the pessimistic end of the spectrum. Maybe you all can give us the upbeat alternatives.

1. Boom Boom by John Lee Hooker
2. He Ain't Heavy, He's My RUD' er by The Hollies
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AndyH on 01/15/2018 04:47 pm
We need a theme song for this test, something more appropriate than the Ride of the Valkyries (after all, this is a static fire, not an attack by the air cavalry). I'll lead off with a couple of suggestions and others can kick in theirs. Trigger alert, mine are for the pessimistic end of the spectrum. Maybe you all can give us the upbeat alternatives.

1. Boom Boom by John Lee Hooker
2. He Ain't Heavy, He's My RUD' er by The Hollies

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BELWbkyOVPQ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BELWbkyOVPQ)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 01/15/2018 07:27 pm
We need a theme song for this test, something more appropriate than the Ride of the Valkyries (after all, this is a static fire, not an attack by the air cavalry). I'll lead off with a couple of suggestions and others can kick in theirs. Trigger alert, mine are for the pessimistic end of the spectrum. Maybe you all can give us the upbeat alternatives.

1. Boom Boom by John Lee Hooker
2. He Ain't Heavy, He's My RUD' er by The Hollies

The long and winding road
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFNaOm6U5n8

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 01/15/2018 07:49 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMyCa35_mOg
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 01/15/2018 07:51 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOZop88uxj4
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 01/16/2018 05:46 pm
There are days when I wonder...

Elvis - If Tomorrow Never Comes

https://youtu.be/QhYtB7pjkS0 (https://youtu.be/QhYtB7pjkS0)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 01/16/2018 06:15 pm
Can't wait for the HipsterSat. Here's a photo I found of the primary engineering team...

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 01/16/2018 07:29 pm
Can't wait for the HipsterSat. Here's a photo I found of the primary engineering team...

Just to be non-conformist-conformist, they'll launch on a FRIday.  And they'll be lying down when it goes.

(edit:) ps... don't they make duck calls?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: yokem55 on 01/16/2018 08:43 pm
Can't wait for the HipsterSat. Here's a photo I found of the primary engineering team...
Pffft... I was wearing plaid flannel shirts way before it was a thing...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/17/2018 04:18 am
Can't wait for the HipsterSat. Here's a photo I found of the primary engineering team...
Pffft... I was wearing plaid flannel shirts way before it was a thing...

I was into things before it was cool to be into those things
    before it was cool
to be into things before it was cool to be into those things.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 01/17/2018 04:35 am
I think you missed a cool footnote opportunity.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/17/2018 05:31 am
Footnotes are so 2017[1]

1 - oh wait.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 01/17/2018 10:47 am
Uh... humm... you guys DO realize I changed the name of the Spanish Hispasat 30W-6 satellite... hence all the hipsters surrounding the HipsterSat 30W-6.

Fellas, I’m 52 from Vermont - I was force fed plaid when I was a kid in a wood burning household by a dad in a giant beard while baking bread in a cast iron wood stove with angora goats putting up a ruckus out in the bard (my mom spun and wove their wool...).

But that’s besides the point...

(Father)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180117/445f62c894559fd8d1aa011d3d2e0950.jpg)
(Son)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180117/640661c674db652d7f295367a5522d06.jpg)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: bjornl on 01/17/2018 10:55 am
... with angora goats putting up a ruckus out in the bard ...
That's just... wrong. So very wrong.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 01/17/2018 11:10 am
... with angora goats putting up a ruckus out in the bard ...
That's just... wrong. So very wrong.
“Edit? Why edit? This is a party thread “, I said.
“What harm from a typo can possibly happen?”, I said...

Sigh
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 01/17/2018 01:23 pm
... with angora goats putting up a ruckus out in the bard ...
That's just... wrong. So very wrong.
“Edit? Why edit? This is a party thread “, I said.
“What harm from a typo can possibly happen?”, I said...

Sigh
Oh my ... first we have rocket cows and now we have singing goats the angora bards.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 01/17/2018 01:27 pm
We need a theme song for this test, something more appropriate than the Ride of the Valkyries (after all, this is a static fire, not an attack by the air cavalry). I'll lead off with a couple of suggestions and others can kick in theirs. Trigger alert, mine are for the pessimistic end of the spectrum. Maybe you all can give us the upbeat alternatives.

1. Boom Boom by John Lee Hooker
2. He Ain't Heavy, He's My RUD' er by The Hollies

It isn’t a song but rather a movie they might be appropriate:
Waiting to exhale:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waiting_to_Exhale

Or more appropriate “waiting for Falcon Heavy to exhale”
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 01/17/2018 03:03 pm
Can't wait for the HipsterSat. Here's a photo I found of the primary engineering team...
Pffft... I was wearing plaid flannel shirts way before it was a thing...

I was into things before it was cool to be into those things
    before it was cool
to be into things before it was cool to be into those things.

That's cool.  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/17/2018 07:28 pm
This interesting article explains why it's been tricky getting Falcon Heavy in position to fire her engines:

https://www.teslarati.com/whats-causing-spacex-falcon-heavy-delays/

That was interesting. .......The shrinkage issue ......

A couple of people in L2 were actually able to do the math and estimate the potential contraction in centimeters and inches. Can't share the details here of course, but another plug for L2, and the posts are still on the next to last page in Discussion Thread 13. If not, w/o saying too much the easiest way to find them is by doing an advanced search for posts by Lar with keyword 'banana' (don't laugh too hard yet, that search brings up 2 posts)

I have no response.

OK that's a lie.

"Time flies like an arrow"
"Fruit flies like a banana[1]"
"My dad flies, like, planes and stuff for Delta"[2]

1 - will this bump the banana hit count for me? [3]
2 - in your best valley girl voice[4]
3 - Yes, yes...[5]
4 - you DO have a valley girl voice, right? [3]
5 - this is NOT recursion.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/17/2018 07:31 pm
oh, and .. Nice article Vaporcobra!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 01/17/2018 07:44 pm
I've noticed that whenever I fail to post something here there is always a scrub, abort, failure, etc that follows. Today I'm making my voice heard so the static fire test is completed tomorrow and we can get on with the future I've been waiting for since the 60's.
2001 was on TCM about a week back or so, of course I watched it... Again... ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 01/17/2018 09:44 pm
This interesting article explains why it's been tricky getting Falcon Heavy in position to fire her engines:

https://www.teslarati.com/whats-causing-spacex-falcon-heavy-delays/

That was interesting. .......The shrinkage issue ......

A couple of people in L2 were actually able to do the math and estimate the potential contraction in centimeters and inches. Can't share the details here of course, but another plug for L2, and the posts are still on the next to last page in Discussion Thread 13. If not, w/o saying too much the easiest way to find them is by doing an advanced search for posts by Lar with keyword 'banana' (don't laugh too hard yet, that search brings up 2 posts)

I have no response.

OK that's a lie.

"Time flies like an arrow"
"Fruit flies like a banana[1]"
"My dad flies, like, planes and stuff for Delta"[2]

1 - will this bump the banana hit count for me? [3]
2 - in your best valley girl voice[4]
3 - Yes, yes...[5]
4 - you DO have a valley girl voice, right? [3]
5 - this is NOT recursion.
A search showed 100 references to banana found (before this post so now there is 101!)
Unless you are singing songs, like this one cautioning folks to be careful of trucks carrying 30,000 pounds of bananas.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGldNpngDws
(Edit: i got to hear Harry sing this one live in Champaign IL once)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/17/2018 11:39 pm
It needs to be advanced search by userid that authored the post. Count is currently 3.

banana.

no, 4.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 01/18/2018 12:34 am
Ice cream (Two scoops Vanilla, one Chocolate)
Chocolate syrup
whipped cream
3 maraschino cherry halves
1 small plastic boat
spoon

:)  Sorry Lar... If we're talking bananas, then best uses of for a PARTY is important.

And to stay somewhat, relatively, nowhere near on topic... I say static fire is will be on a Sundae.

edit: forgot the sugar waffers
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/18/2018 12:36 am
Hot fudge Sundae (which came on Tuesdae this month)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 01/18/2018 12:39 am
Ok.... I have the flu, a fever, and the strangest revelation that somehow I have unraveled volumes of mysteries here on this thread.  In other words, this is one strange group.

And to Lar:  Get off of my lawn!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 01/18/2018 02:04 am
Did somebody mention banana splits?  Tra la la? Suspiciously like tra la Lar?
 Coincidence?  ;D by the way check out my profile pic.  Seems one of these guys got a job at nasa after his gig was over on the show. Or maybe a cousin.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQTq88Ie5sU
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rangertech1 on 01/18/2018 03:08 am
For the next deep space probe akin to Voyager,  the last 4 weeks of this thread should be the sole content of that disk NASA sticks  on the side. 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/18/2018 03:12 am
For the next deep space probe akin to Voyager,  the last 4 weeks of this thread should be the sole content of that disk NASA sticks  on the side. 
You really don't like aliens much, do you?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 01/18/2018 05:49 am
Ice cream (Two scoops Vanilla, one Chocolate)
Chocolate syrup
whipped cream
3 maraschino cherry halves
1 small plastic boat
spoon

:)  Sorry Lar... If we're talking bananas, then best uses of for a PARTY is important.

And to stay somewhat, relatively, nowhere near on topic... I say static fire is will be on a Sundae.

edit: forgot the sugar waffers

No peanuts or walnuts?  And you left off the banana, it only merited an aside without actually being on the ingredient list.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: flyright on 01/18/2018 07:22 am


I have no response.

OK that's a lie.

"Time flies like an arrow"
"Fruit flies like a banana[1]"
"My dad flies, like, planes and stuff for Delta"[2]

1 - will this bump the banana hit count for me? [3]
2 - in your best valley girl voice[4]
3 - Yes, yes...[5]
4 - you DO have a valley girl voice, right? [3]
5 - this is NOT recursion.

I'm unable to grok the topic here, but totally dig the creative use of footnotes.
It's like... stream of consciousness, written as spaghetti code.   :D

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jebbo on 01/18/2018 07:49 am
Hot fudge Sundae (which came on Tuesdae this month)

Someone has been reading Lucifer's Hammer ;)

--- Tony
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cro-magnon gramps on 01/18/2018 05:47 pm

The party thread on the Space Forum has devolved from Homo Sapiens sentience to Homo Erectus and headed for Australopithecus on an Olympic Bobsled run...
Bananas seems to have become the new currency standard, replacing gold... :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/18/2018 05:59 pm
Hot fudge Sundae (which came on Tuesdae this month)

Someone has been reading Lucifer's Hammer ;)

--- Tony
not recently, but ... my copy is pretty worn out from being read many times in the decades since I bought it. That's a memorable phrase.

In another note, paperback paper does in fact deteriorate over time, as does the spine glue.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 01/18/2018 06:10 pm
And I thought I was the only one to have read that one.... wonder if we can glue a CSM to a heavy.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mheney on 01/18/2018 06:36 pm
Pfft.  Only one to have read it.  Fat chance, around here.

(And it's much better Footfall ...)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 01/19/2018 01:38 am
Ice cream (Two scoops Vanilla, one Chocolate)
Chocolate syrup
whipped cream
3 maraschino cherry halves
1 small plastic boat
spoon

:)  Sorry Lar... If we're talking bananas, then best uses of for a PARTY is important.

And to stay somewhat, relatively, nowhere near on topic... I say static fire is will be on a Sundae.

edit: forgot the sugar waffers

No peanuts or walnuts?  And you left off the banana, it only merited an aside without actually being on the ingredient list.

The list was a continuation from Lar's post, thus Lar said 'Banana' which I followed with 'Ice Cream, etc'.

As to the rest, well, I'm nuts enough already.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 01/19/2018 05:54 am
...
If not, w/o saying too much the easiest way to find them is by doing an advanced search for posts by Lar with keyword 'banana' (don't laugh too hard yet, that search brings up 2 posts)
...
"Time flies like an arrow"
"Fruit flies like a banana[1]"
"My dad flies, like, planes and stuff for Delta"[2]

1 - will this bump the banana hit count for me? [3]
2 - in your best valley girl voice[4]
3 - Yes, yes...[5]
4 - you DO have a valley girl voice, right? [3]
5 - this is NOT recursion.
:)  Sorry Lar... If we're talking banana, then best uses of for a PARTY is important.
banana.
Did somebody mention banana splits?  ...
No peanuts or walnuts?  And you left off the banana, it only merited an aside without actually being on the ingredient list.
Bananas seems to have become the new currency standard, replacing gold... :D
The list was a continuation from Lar's post, thus Lar said 'Banana' which I followed with 'Ice Cream, etc'.

I'm unable to grok the topic here...

It's bananas! B-A-NAN-A-S (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wsAg69XYYQ?t=001).

For those trying to find that L2 comment by searching Lar and Banana, you've come to the wrong place.  Sorry.  This post, and those I'm quoting, may have seriously derailed the search results. 

*Motions with hand*
These aren't the bananas you're looking for.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 01/19/2018 01:48 pm
Guys - this is getting off topic, don’t you think???

KIDDING!! It’s the party thread - anything goes!

To that end, I’ve designed the “Falcon Heavy Static Fire Date Visualizer (TM)”

I think it’s pretty accurate. Let me know what you think...

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180119/ab3431996ebbd737f089682576411bc1.jpg)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 01/19/2018 02:20 pm

The party thread on the Space Forum has devolved from Homo Sapiens sentience to Homo Erectus and headed for Australopithecus on an Olympic Bobsled run...
Bananas seems to have become the new currency standard, replacing gold... :D
So since it is an online forum maybe a new scam currency
NSF-Bananas
Sure some creative type can come up with a symbol. Suggestions?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/19/2018 02:28 pm
...
If not, w/o saying too much the easiest way to find them is by doing an advanced search for posts by Lar with keyword 'ban*ana' (don't laugh too hard yet, that search brings up 2 posts)
...
"Time flies like an arrow"
"Fruit flies like a bana*na[1]"
"My dad flies, like, planes and stuff for Delta"[2]

1 - will this bump the bana*na hit count for me? [3]
2 - in your best valley girl voice[4]
3 - Yes, yes...[5]
4 - you DO have a valley girl voice, right? [3]
5 - this is NOT recursion.
:)  Sorry Lar... If we're talking bana*na, then best uses of for a PARTY is important.
bana*na.
Did somebody mention bana*na splits?  ...
No peanuts or walnuts?  And you left off the bana*na, it only merited an aside without actually being on the ingredient list.
Bana*nas seems to have become the new currency standard, replacing gold... :D
The list was a continuation from Lar's post, thus Lar said 'Bana*na' which I followed with 'Ice Cream, etc'.

I'm unable to grok the topic here...

It's bana*nas! B-A-NAN-A-S (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wsAg69XYYQ?t=001).

For those trying to find that L2 comment by searching Lar and Bana*na, you've come to the wrong place.  Sorry.  This post, and those I'm quoting, may have seriously derailed the search results. 

*Motions with hand*
These aren't the bana*nas you're looking for.

As I already explained, you have to use advanced search, put my ID in and then search for bana*na if you want to get down to just a few hits. YOUR post did NOT increase the count. Because you're not me. (last I checked). This one didn't either since I bowdlerized it.

You people. You think you're rocket scientists.... yeesh.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 01/19/2018 02:39 pm

So since it is an online forum maybe a new scam currency
NSF-Bananas
Sure some creative type can come up with a symbol. Suggestions?


Well, Duh....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 01/19/2018 03:39 pm

So since it is an online forum maybe a new scam currency
NSF-Bananas
Sure some creative type can come up with a symbol. Suggestions?


Well, Duh....

Ya know, if it was banana yellow, it really would look like a Y-Wing. :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 01/19/2018 06:13 pm
We could name the block chain Y-Mod, sub dividable into base 9 Lar-Mod's
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 01/19/2018 09:44 pm
Waiting for heavy reminds me of this silly joke from childhood

Knock knock ...
Who’s there?
Banana ...
Banana who?

Knock knock...
Who’s there?
Banana...
Banana WHO?


Knock knock
Who’s there (obviously frustrated)
Orange
Orange who?
...
Orange you glad I didn’t say banana again?

{and now we wait till Monday ...}
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 01/20/2018 05:59 am
I like bananas, because they have appeal.  No bones about it.  :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 01/20/2018 08:20 am
Dear SpaceX,

Please get moving on your Falcon Heavy's Static Fire and Launch before the Party Thread deteriorates any further.  Irreparable damage may already have been done.

Sincerely,

Frustrated Fan
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/20/2018 09:51 pm
They wil surely get RIGHT on that.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 01/21/2018 12:42 am
 :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 01/21/2018 02:59 am
That does it. From now on I'm using the party thread for all investment decisions... Despite the MOD's recommending against it.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/21/2018 03:32 am
Blockchain based projects are fully buzzword compliant.

That doesn't make them a good idea. I don't find them very appealing.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 01/23/2018 12:57 am
Blockchain based projects are fully buzzword compliant.

That doesn't make them a good idea. I don't find them very appealing.

But, Lar -- bananas are well known for having appeal... ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 01/23/2018 07:25 am
You guys are a bunch of fruitcakes!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 01/23/2018 08:19 am
You guys are a bunch of fruitcakes!
Don’t forget the nuts...
Seriously, this thread is an excellent pressure relieve valve while we wait (patiently) for the important and necessary steps that will make us multi-planetary.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swoopert on 01/23/2018 10:47 am
Don’t forget the nuts...
Seriously, this thread is an excellent pressure relieve valve while we wait (patiently) for the important and necessary steps that will make us multi-planetary.

Can't agree with this, I would strongly prefer that the banana pun thread is split.  :-X
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 01/23/2018 10:47 am
What is the ISP is a fruit cake again? I thought the reasons FruitcakeX  fuel wasn't selected by Pad{X} was SpaceX densifide propellents had better ISP. KeroLOX most likely tastes better...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 01/23/2018 12:59 pm
Considering the extremely high density of fruitcake, all you really need to do is eject it energetically enough and you get a really decent thrust...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 01/23/2018 01:04 pm
Considering the extremely high density of fruitcake, all you really need to do is eject it energetically enough and you get a really decent thrust...
But, will you have a high enough Thrust to Weight ratio to make it beyond lunch?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 01/23/2018 01:15 pm
Considering the extremely high density of fruitcake, all you really need to do is eject it energetically enough and you get a really decent thrust...
But, will you have a high enough Thrust to Weight ratio to make it beyond lunch?

My problem is too much weight to thrust, due to too much lunch... :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 01/24/2018 02:04 pm
I think today is the day. Really.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 01/24/2018 02:36 pm
What is the ISP is a fruit cake again? I thought the reasons FruitcakeX  fuel wasn't selected by Pad{X} was SpaceX densifide propellents had better ISP. KeroLOX most likely tastes better...

African or European?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 01/24/2018 02:46 pm
What is the ISP is a fruit cake again? I thought the reasons FruitcakeX  fuel wasn't selected by Pad{X} was SpaceX densifide propellents had better ISP. KeroLOX most likely tastes better...

African or European?

What goes into an African Fruit Cake?  Could it be.......BANANAS?!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 01/24/2018 04:33 pm
I didn't want to pre-celebrate, but time to jam...

https://youtu.be/LkIWmsP3c_s
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jgoldader on 01/24/2018 04:36 pm
WWWOOOOOOOOWWWWWWW!!!!!

It looked like a STS launch!  Oh, how I've missed that.

Now to get her safed and detanked.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: abaddon on 01/24/2018 05:10 pm
It looked like a STS launch!  Oh, how I've missed that.
It really did.  Lack of exhaust coming out the other side seemed a little weird.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 01/24/2018 05:50 pm
Someone's stolen my iludium pew36 explosive space modulator

*whack* *thud*

Pardon while I remove this annoying little martian... ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 01/24/2018 07:57 pm
Anyone had a reaction shot of ChrisG jumping around at shutdown? ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 01/24/2018 08:36 pm
Anyone had a reaction shot of ChrisG jumping around at shutdown? ;D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrqTVFuHxkQ
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 01/24/2018 11:07 pm
Someone's stolen my iludium pew36 explosive space modulator

*whack* *thud*

Pardon while I remove this annoying little martian... ;)

SpaceX haters:
Where's the kaboom? There was supposed to be an Earth-shattering kaboom!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qu9gva2LZBw

(YouTubers can't even get the name right for the clip title)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 01/25/2018 12:12 am
I think today is the day. Really.

Told ya'.  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 01/25/2018 01:43 am
This is going to be the longest week in like, ever!  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 01/25/2018 06:00 am
This is going to be the longest week in like, ever!  8)

I'm expecting the longest week to be the one before manned flights begin. We haven't really made much noise about that but it might even happen this year. You think excitement is dialed up to 10 now? I keep thinking about what it was like as I drove through the predawn darkness to get a spot for Discovery's return to flight after the Challenger loss. I bet there's literally a million people out there again. It's going to make this look a lot more modest. But yeah... 8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 01/25/2018 06:42 am
This is going to be the longest week in like, ever!  8)

Is the week getting extra days somehow?  I'll be very impressed if it can do better than this, which I believe holds the record here on Earth:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7hZb_ytlrg
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jacqmans on 01/25/2018 12:20 pm
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Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 01/25/2018 01:37 pm
Looking forward sometime to a launch viewing opportunity from the inside of the spaceship.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 01/25/2018 03:25 pm
Quote
Is the week getting extra days somehow?  I'll be very impressed if it can do better than this, which I believe holds the record here on Earth:


See, the week is getting longer already!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 01/25/2018 05:52 pm
This is going to be the longest week in like, ever!  8)

Yup!  and the one after that... and the one after that... and the one after that...

The perils of having a large moon dragging on our spin.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kch on 01/25/2018 07:54 pm
Someone's stolen my iludium pew36 explosive space modulator

*whack* *thud*

Pardon while I remove this annoying little martian... ;)

SpaceX haters:
Where's the kaboom? There was supposed to be an Earth-shattering kaboom!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qu9gva2LZBw

(YouTubers can't even get the name right for the clip title)

Oh, I don't know ... they might be on to something (or maybe just "on something").  Isn't Imodium intended to prevent an (E)arth-shattering kaboom?  ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 01/25/2018 10:30 pm
For lack of a better thread to post this to (no offence meant to the quoted user, of course)...
I'm sure it'll be fine

Update: Never again shall my faith in Chris waver.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: billh on 01/26/2018 04:31 am
Better watch this YouTube video now while the title is still true...
Launch of Worlds Largest Rocket Delta IV Heavy with NROL-37 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCy401hkXuk)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: IntoTheVoid on 01/26/2018 04:07 pm
Better watch this YouTube video now while the title is still true...
Launch of Worlds Largest Rocket Delta IV Heavy with NROL-37 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCy401hkXuk)

You're a couple days too late. Even though it hasn't left the ground, FH has fired up its engines. It's a rocket (not paper).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: IntoTheVoid on 01/26/2018 08:48 pm
I'll vote for this theme.

Quote from: Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty
And the rocks might melt and the sea may burn

I'm learning to fly, but I ain't got wings
Coming down is the hardest thing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5BJXwNeKsQ
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Jakusb on 01/27/2018 10:07 am
They started a Falcon Heavy Beards Challenge on the SpaceX FB page...
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180127/d8128d31aeb1359df6e0b3a120aed789.jpg)

I am thinking of accepting the challenge. Trip Harriss did already!
Anyone else daring to shave his(her) beard if FH Demo is successfully launched?

Edit: Bears, did I say Bears? I meant Beards 🧔
And I accepted the challenge. If all goes well, I will see the launch in person and return home freshly shaven.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: IntoTheVoid on 01/27/2018 03:12 pm
They started a Falcon Heavy Bears Challenge on the SpaceX FB page...

What do the Bears have to do with this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmGlsogbJTM
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: bjornl on 01/27/2018 06:42 pm
I am thinking of accepting the challenge. Trip Harriss did already!
Anyone else daring to shave his(her) beard if FH Demo is successfully launched?
Count me in!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zhangmdev on 01/27/2018 08:39 pm
Isaac Asimov offered his prediction. 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 01/27/2018 11:11 pm
They started a Falcon Heavy Beards Challenge on the SpaceX FB page...
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180127/d8128d31aeb1359df6e0b3a120aed789.jpg)

I am thinking of accepting the challenge. Trip Harriss did already!
Anyone else daring to shave his(her) beard if FH Demo is successfully launched?

Edit: Bears, did I say Bears? I meant Beards
And I accepted the challenge. If all goes well, I will see the launch in person and return home freshly shaven.

Someone is attempting to make Chuck Norris angry.

Also, in the picture... notice Beer goes with Beard while wine goes with shine... ;)

edit:  Okay, it may not be wine, but it is a VERY different glass than the three the others are holding. :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 01/28/2018 04:54 am
Hmmm.  Well, I am afraid that my own soup catcher isn't impressive enough to be worthy of a FH sacrifice.  But I do applaud those that are willing to commit to a chin fairing separation!  Go team ZZTop!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Azular on 01/28/2018 11:26 am

edit:  Okay, it may not be wine, but it is a VERY different glass than the three the others are holding. :)

Looks to me like it could be cider
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: pb2000 on 01/28/2018 04:24 pm

edit:  Okay, it may not be wine, but it is a VERY different glass than the three the others are holding. :)

Looks to me like it could be cider
I *think* that's appropriate glassware for a Belgian Tripel. Scott is always drinking good beer on his streams, so I guarantee 99.9% that's what's in the glass (good beer).

Edit: yep, right glassware.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 01/28/2018 05:09 pm
Oh. Nobody complains about being off topic when it involves beer and glass selection but mention fruit and people go bananas.  ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: pb2000 on 01/28/2018 05:38 pm
Oh. Nobody complains about being off topic when it involves beer and glass selection but mention fruit and people go bananas.  ;)
Coming in just a hair behind bacon, beer is the second most important food group, thus it's always on topic.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: yokem55 on 01/28/2018 06:16 pm


Oh. Nobody complains about being off topic when it involves beer and glass selection but mention fruit and people go bananas.  ;)
Coming in just a hair behind bacon, beer is the second most important food group, thus it's always on topic.

Bar-b-que is in that mix as well. Forget radiation, reduced gravity & sunlight, extremely cold temps, and barely any atmosphere, the real challenge to colonizing Mars is going to be native production of Beer, Bacon, and BBQ. Pretty inhospitable without those if you ask me...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: pb2000 on 01/28/2018 06:33 pm


Oh. Nobody complains about being off topic when it involves beer and glass selection but mention fruit and people go bananas.  ;)
Coming in just a hair behind bacon, beer is the second most important food group, thus it's always on topic.

Bar-b-que is in that mix as well. Forget radiation, reduced gravity & sunlight, extremely cold temps, and barely any atmosphere, the real challenge to colonizing Mars is going to be native production of Beer, Bacon, and BBQ. Pretty inhospitable without those if you ask me...
Agreed. Whiskey production can stay on earth, except you ship the barrel as soon as it's filled and just size the ion thruster accordingly for a 12, 15 or 18 year mars transfer orbit.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cppetrie on 01/28/2018 07:52 pm


Oh. Nobody complains about being off topic when it involves beer and glass selection but mention fruit and people go bananas.  ;)
Coming in just a hair behind bacon, beer is the second most important food group, thus it's always on topic.

Bar-b-que is in that mix as well. Forget radiation, reduced gravity & sunlight, extremely cold temps, and barely any atmosphere, the real challenge to colonizing Mars is going to be native production of Beer, Bacon, and BBQ. Pretty inhospitable without those if you ask me...
Agreed. Whiskey production can stay on earth, except you ship the barrel as soon as it's filled and just size the ion thruster accordingly for a 12, 15 or 18 year mars transfer orbit.
Space-aged whiskey. That could be a thing! Interplanetary-aged whiskey. Even bigger thing!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 01/28/2018 08:26 pm
Oh. Nobody complains about being off topic when it involves beer and glass selection but mention fruit and people go bananas.  ;)

Hmmm  Dessert Beers...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/28/2018 08:44 pm
Oh. Nobody complains about being off topic when it involves beer and glass selection but mention fruit and people go bananas.  ;)

Hmmm  Dessert Beers...

Say, son... have you tried our space brewed Saison[1] ?

1 - Saison (French, "season," French pronunciation: ​[sɛ.zɔ̃]) is a pale ale that is highly carbonated, fruity, spicy, and often bottle conditioned.[2] 

2 -https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saison
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 01/29/2018 05:02 am


Oh. Nobody complains about being off topic when it involves beer and glass selection but mention fruit and people go bananas.  ;)
Coming in just a hair behind bacon, beer is the second most important food group, thus it's always on topic.


Bar-b-que is in that mix as well. Forget radiation, reduced gravity & sunlight, extremely cold temps, and barely any atmosphere, the real challenge to colonizing Mars is going to be native production of Beer, Bacon, and BBQ. Pretty inhospitable without those if you ask me...
Agreed. Whiskey production can stay on earth, except you ship the barrel as soon as it's filled and just size the ion thruster accordingly for a 12, 15 or 18 year mars transfer orbit.

Mmmm, space aged!

Edit:  cppetrie ninja'd me big time!  >:(
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Darkseraph on 01/29/2018 06:21 pm

Realistic Visualization of First Falcon Heavy Mission (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olMYRdSNx2g)


Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 01/30/2018 01:37 pm
 I've been waiting a long time. Can we please get this over with successfully and move on to the FH?

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tnarg on 01/30/2018 02:13 pm
Bug report for Roadster

Bug: GPS system stops working in some condtions.
Reporter: E.Musk
Reproduction Steps:
1) Turn on GPS system
2) Leave the Earth
3) Check the location showen on the GPS system.

Results: location is not showen.
Expected results: GPS should always show the location of the car.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 01/30/2018 04:53 pm
Bug report for Roadster

Bug: GPS system stops working in some condtions.
Reporter: E.Musk
Reproduction Steps:
1) Turn on GPS system
2) Leave the Earth
3) Check the location showen on the GPS system.

Results: location is not showen.
Expected results: GPS should always show the location of the car.

Bug fix for Roadster GPS

Bug: GPS system stops working in some conditions.
Reporter: E.Musk
Solution:
1) Install an XNAV system of the type recently proved out by the SEXTANT project (part of the NICER observatory on ISS) (https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2018/nasa-team-first-to-demonstrate-x-ray-navigation-in-space).
2) Use millisecond pulsars instead of GPS sat signals to autonomously determine your position anywhere in the galaxy.
3) Profit
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 01/30/2018 04:57 pm
Can't help but believe the roadster WILL know it's position.
 Just don't see SpaceX sending it on it's way as previously driven.
 Fully expect a pleasant surprise if we are first treated to a successful launch.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: IanThePineapple on 01/30/2018 05:00 pm
Guys, have you realized that if the Roadster gets put into a wrong orbit, it can just drive to the right orbit!

This Elon guy doesn't know crap.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: pb2000 on 01/30/2018 05:40 pm
Guys, have you realized that if the Roadster gets put into a wrong orbit, it can just drive to the right orbit!

This Elon guy doesn't know crap.
The buildout of the supercharger stations may take a while to get there though. Maybe Elon thought ahead and salvaged a solar panel from an old calculator to recharge the batteries?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 01/30/2018 05:46 pm
Guys, have you realized that if the Roadster gets put into a wrong orbit, it can just drive to the right orbit!

This Elon guy doesn't know crap.
Yeah, he doesn't even know that he has to deposit his pay checks... ;)
https://www.wired.com/story/elon-musk-salary/
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mongo62 on 01/30/2018 05:58 pm
Edit: Bears, did I say Bears? I meant Beards 🧔

Yes, shaving a Bear sounds rather risky. I would give it no more than a 40% chance of full success. But no pain, no gain! We could be entering a bold new era in the history of shaving!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: bjornl on 01/30/2018 06:19 pm
Yes, shaving a Bear sounds rather risky.
Well, given the original Swedish meaning of my name, I may be shaving a bear as well as a beard. Beer will be after that, though.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 01/30/2018 07:51 pm
Ummmmm.....

https://www.boringcompany.com/flamethrower

From the page;
"-May not be used on Boring Company decorative lacquered hay bales or Boring Company dockside munitions warehouses"

And....

 
Quote
Elon Musk‏Verified account @elonmusk Jan 28

But wait, there’s more: the flamethrower is sentient, its safe word is “scamcurrency” and it comes with a free blockchain
2,814 replies 18,307 retweets 110,479 likes

I highly recommend checking out the entire string of his tweets.  :o

 :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o ;D
 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/30/2018 09:30 pm
This is the most elaborate troll ever.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 01/30/2018 10:55 pm
This is the most elaborate troll ever.

*Advertising voice over*

The Boring Flamethrower.  The perfect riposte for when some punk starts throwing shade. 
Light 'em up.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 01/30/2018 11:40 pm
But but but...

I thought Elon was Tony Stark...

...Not Johnny Storm.

"Flame on!"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/31/2018 03:46 am
I commit to buying 6 months of L2 if the final report shows that the vehicle was >=3km from the beach, all I need is someone to commit to pay me for it if it was <3km.
Wait, what? If you're right, someone else buys you L2 but if you're wrong, you buy yourself L2? I am missing the downside here. (I would offer the same wager if I wasn't already lifetime L2 ...)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/31/2018 04:13 am
FEATURE ARTICLE: SpaceX set to loft GovSat-1 via Falcon 9 launch -
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/01/spacex-govsat-1-falcon-9-launch/

- By William Graham

And yes, that's Zuma's F9 in the lead photo for now as we're waiting for pad photos. Will replace when we have new ones. Media pad photos delayed due to the late arrival of the Luxembourg royal family.

(Pfft, that always happens. ) ;D

>  As with December’s Iridium-NEXT launch, SpaceX will dispose of the older Block 3 booster by flying it in an expendable configuration without landing legs.

It has lending legs.

Who is it lending them to? I think I might be a bit behind on twitter or something.

(7.5MM USD worth of flamethrowers. Whoda thunkit)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kch on 01/31/2018 04:48 am

(7.5MM USD worth of flamethrowers. Whoda thunkit)

Any of us who spend our winters in Michigan ... "Cleans up Lake Defect Snow™ in one swell FOOOOP!"  :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/31/2018 05:15 am

(7.5MM USD worth of flamethrowers. Whoda thunkit)

Any of us who spend our winters in Michigan ... "Cleans up Lake Defect Snow™ in one swell FOOOOP!"  :D
It's not a DEEEfect, it's a FEEEEchur.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 01/31/2018 05:36 am
A California Democrat Assemblyman is already calling for Musk's Flamethrower to be banned.  Really.  Must be afraid some snowflakes will get melted.

https://www.theverge.com/2018/1/29/16948090/elon-musk-boring-company-flamethrower-california-sales-ban-miguel-santiago
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: pb2000 on 01/31/2018 06:00 am
I was busy mulling over if I could convince Canadian customs officers to let me bring one back, but I wasn't willing to lose $500 if it got confiscated.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 01/31/2018 12:58 pm
A California Democrat Assemblyman is already calling for Musk's Flamethrower to be banned.  Really.  Must be afraid some snowflakes will get melted.

https://www.theverge.com/2018/1/29/16948090/elon-musk-boring-company-flamethrower-california-sales-ban-miguel-santiago

My blessed home state is currently filling up with people seeking to leave the state of "Do your own thing" because they can't really do anything there anymore except pay taxes, get stoned, and work for Elon. I have doubts about how long they will be able to keep that third option going. Nevertheless I would love to have a Boring flamethrower to aid me in battle against my annual enemy the Southern Yellow Jacket (Vespula Squamosa) - My back yard has a reasonable likeness of a lunar crater in it from my last encounter with the nasty buggers. It's amazing how much gasoline you can pour down one of those little holes. It's best ignited by shooting  fireworks (also not legal in CA) at the spot from as much distance as you can reach. Elon's device could radically alter the dynamics of pest control.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cscott on 01/31/2018 02:49 pm


She specifically and deliberately distinguished between vehicle testing and lunch testing.

Perhaps a visiting taco truck might work for the latter?  You know, to try out the lunch.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 01/31/2018 03:42 pm
I was busy mulling over if I could convince Canadian customs officers to let me bring one back, but I wasn't willing to lose $500 if it got confiscated.

Don't you need some kind of paperwork to even bring back the air rifle stock part for the glorified blow torch?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 01/31/2018 03:51 pm
A California Democrat Assemblyman is already calling for Musk's Flamethrower to be banned.  Really.  Must be afraid some snowflakes will get melted.

https://www.theverge.com/2018/1/29/16948090/elon-musk-boring-company-flamethrower-california-sales-ban-miguel-santiago

My blessed home state is currently filling up with people seeking to leave the state of "Do your own thing" because they can't really do anything there anymore except pay taxes, get stoned, and work for Elon. I have doubts about how long they will be able to keep that third option going. Nevertheless I would love to have a Boring flamethrower to aid me in battle against my annual enemy the Southern Yellow Jacket (Vespula Squamosa) - My back yard has a reasonable likeness of a lunar crater in it from my last encounter with the nasty buggers. It's amazing how much gasoline you can pour down one of those little holes. It's best ignited by shooting  fireworks (also not legal in CA) at the spot from as much distance as you can reach. Elon's device could radically alter the dynamics of pest control.
Just call-in a napalm air strike...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8T6_bpLwTrc
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 01/31/2018 04:13 pm
I was busy mulling over if I could convince Canadian customs officers to let me bring one back, but I wasn't willing to lose $500 if it got confiscated.
At least they will be "polite" about when they do... ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: pb2000 on 01/31/2018 04:19 pm
I was busy mulling over if I could convince Canadian customs officers to let me bring one back, but I wasn't willing to lose $500 if it got confiscated.

Don't you need some kind of paperwork to even bring back the air rifle stock part for the glorified blow torch?
I dunno. Up until now, anything worth trying to import from the states has required a restricted license, so I've never done the research (being that I only have the basic PAL).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 01/31/2018 08:19 pm
A California Democrat Assemblyman is already calling for Musk's Flamethrower to be banned.  Really.  Must be afraid some snowflakes will get melted.

https://www.theverge.com/2018/1/29/16948090/elon-musk-boring-company-flamethrower-california-sales-ban-miguel-santiago

My blessed home state is currently filling up with people seeking to leave the state of "Do your own thing" because they can't really do anything there anymore except pay taxes, get stoned, and work for Elon. I have doubts about how long they will be able to keep that third option going. Nevertheless I would love to have a Boring flamethrower to aid me in battle against my annual enemy the Southern Yellow Jacket (Vespula Squamosa) - My back yard has a reasonable likeness of a lunar crater in it from my last encounter with the nasty buggers. It's amazing how much gasoline you can pour down one of those little holes. It's best ignited by shooting  fireworks (also not legal in CA) at the spot from as much distance as you can reach. Elon's device could radically alter the dynamics of pest control.
Just call-in a napalm air strike...

That kind of resembles what happened. I need to be careful. There's tomato plants involved.

By the way, I think there's a rocket launch coming in a few minutes. YEEHAH!

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 01/31/2018 09:27 pm
Stage 1 last seen doing a backstroke into the sunset with a smile on it's face looking up to the heavens... :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 01/31/2018 09:41 pm
Eric Berger as always on the money:

Quote
So that's how a payload adapter is supposed to work.

https://twitter.com/sciguyspace/status/958821666037161987
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 01/31/2018 10:09 pm
[Tweet from Eric Berger] (https://twitter.com/SciGuySpace/status/958821666037161987):
Quote
So that's how a payload adapter is supposed to work.

Yep. And a big Flying Fickle Finger of Fate to the ZUMA whiners.

It's a quantum payload adapter. If you watch it, it's either separated or it's not. But if you're not watching it, it can be both separated and not separated at the same time.

So, it was SpaceX's fault that there was so much controversy because they cut video of the upper stage after separation?  /sarcasm
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ValmirGP on 01/31/2018 10:56 pm
Wow, update from Elon https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/958847818583584768

Quote
This rocket was meant to test very high retrothrust landing in water so it didn’t hurt the droneship, but amazingly it has survived. We will try to tow it back to shore.

And the damn thing floats too... I believe this is the first ship that ventures out in space... Or the first rocket that sails... Better start prefixing the core numbers with USS  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: rst on 01/31/2018 11:02 pm
It appears SpaceX has tried to crash a rocket stage into the ocean *and failed*.

Take *that*, mindless amazing peoples!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AncientU on 01/31/2018 11:20 pm
It appears SpaceX has tried to crash a rocket stage into the ocean *and failed*.

Take *that*, mindless amazing peoples!

Threw itself at the ground and missed...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: fthomassy on 01/31/2018 11:22 pm
Okay, fine. Since you have no place to put it you can store it (upright, of course) my front pastrue 8) :D 8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 01/31/2018 11:32 pm
 :o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXT0DuVxHkI
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ValmirGP on 01/31/2018 11:36 pm
New formatting for the manifest table....

       Local        LV      Core    Ret- .                             .    Mass   .     Mis-
Est. Date,  Time/UTC.       S/N     urn  Payload(s)                    Orb  (kg)   Site sion
------------------- --- ---------- ---  ----------------------------  ---  -----  -----  -- (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=44662.0)-- (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=43199.0)
2018-01-31  1625/-5F9 USS 1032.2 :oGovSat-1 (SES-16) (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=36807.0)GTO4230C-4049
------------------- --- ---------- ---  ----------------------------  ---  -----  ----- ----

 :P
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 01/31/2018 11:45 pm
The current version X is subtle; coded X for expendable and coloured orange for unsuccessful.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: OneSpeed on 01/31/2018 11:52 pm
Why not refuel the stage Sea Dragon style, and fly it back to the Cape?

Credit AstroBidules - Own work, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=63680104
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 01/31/2018 11:52 pm
Hmmm...

Has anyone seen 'Just Read the Instructions' lately?

Methinks they hit the barge a bit hard. ;)



edit: I think we're gonna need a bigger shark.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: abaddon on 02/01/2018 12:13 am
SpaceX is tired of washing off stages, this is clearly their new solution.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 02/01/2018 12:40 am
SpaceX is tired of washing off stages, this is clearly their new solution.

"That's no ocean -- it's my new wash basin!  HAHAHAHAhahahaha...."

-maniacal cackling heard from this unidentified volcano lair... ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: abaddon on 02/01/2018 01:00 am
other videos of the launch.

SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches GovSat-1 (60fps)

AmericaSpace
Published on Jan 31, 2018

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YWrwbuWy3o
From the update thread, great bass in this video and a crystal clea-

Wait a sec, there's a bird stuck behind my desk.  Just a moment...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: BeamRider on 02/01/2018 01:01 am
How about naming each FH, using a name that begins in "Tri" (for obvious reasons)?  For example "Triumph", "Triton", etc.  Hokey, yes, but also kind of cool!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/01/2018 01:18 am
Well I'll be a monkey's uncle.

To be fair, I think Elon is probably more amazed than we are.

"We're a little bit like the dog that caught the bus... again"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 02/01/2018 01:41 am
Falcon 9,  the official rocket of Timex watches.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-F5Gde7jUo
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 02/01/2018 01:47 am
Elon, I thought your target was Mars?

Even though NASA has confirmed the presence of water on the Red Planet, I do think this little wet landing test with 1032.2 a bit optimistic.

PS.  Is this now the first named booster?  Everyone, meet Bob.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: pb2000 on 02/01/2018 01:53 am
Ah, brings back memories of CRS-8.
I *am* a boat, I am a boat, everybody look at me cuz I'm sailing as a boat... take a good hard look at me as a m*&^%$^&*(#&g boat.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 02/01/2018 03:22 am
How about naming each FH, using a name that begins in "Tri" (for obvious reasons)?  For example "Triumph", "Triton", etc.  Hokey, yes, but also kind of cool!

Trippy, Tricky, Trigger and Trifle.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 02/01/2018 05:11 am
Retirement wasn't in the cards for this booster.   Falcon has a new gig.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: bjornl on 02/01/2018 07:15 am
Why not refuel the stage Sea Dragon style, and fly it back to the Cape?
Why not refuel the stage, light a single engine and sail it back to Port Canaveral?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 02/01/2018 08:23 am
I think the Falcon9 boosters have Unionized
"
What does management think, granting *some* launchers the right to be recovered, and condemning some to a watery grave?
This rank discrimination must stop NOW!
In protest, fellow booster #1032.2 has SHOWN US THE WAY
Yeah brothers, even if the Evil Corporation(tm) condemns us to death, we shall Rise against the oppression and Overcome!!

WE SHALL RECOVER OURSELVES!
"
....excerpt from the first meeting of the Great Rocket Rebellion, circa jan 2018.
Rocketry was never the same again.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: leetdan on 02/01/2018 11:36 am
https://youtu.be/O4RLOo6bchU
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: sghill on 02/01/2018 12:33 pm
B1032 is now the Grigori Rasputin of rocket boosters.

We blew him up and he didn't die, we burned him, then froze him, then we dropped him from a great height and he didn't die. We blew him up and dropped him from a great height again and he didn't die. So we tried to drown him, then drag him behind a boat through shark infested waters- and he still... won't... die!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AncientU on 02/01/2018 01:02 pm
Flamethrowers... un-dead boosters...
EM is prescient.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 02/01/2018 02:13 pm
No boom?

https://youtu.be/CnR3Tyrg_10

In light of Ivanova and her perspective, SpaceX, may all your booms be sonic.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: bdub217 on 02/01/2018 02:34 pm
Can't believe this hasn't been posted already.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: meberbs on 02/01/2018 03:32 pm
recovery success rate = number of recovered boosters / number of booster recovery attempts * 100%

For 2018 so far:

2/1 * 100% = 200%

After Falcon Heavy, the possible values will be:
2/4 = 50% to 5/4 = 125%

While I believe this to be factual, I believe this belongs in the party thread due to the obvious incompatibility with logic.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Norm38 on 02/01/2018 06:35 pm
This is the cover photo of the SpaceX Facebook page right now.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/spacexgroup/about/

Because, that IS a falcon, right?  Peregrine maybe?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/01/2018 06:54 pm
very silly days. Very hard to adult when SpaceX and Elon keep upping the comedy ante.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jpo234 on 02/01/2018 07:02 pm
Surprised this has not been posted yet...

Someone with connections to SpaceX: this has to go up with the Roadster! (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180201/79cd97d021f41074678dfe6cd7390fbd.jpg)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 02/01/2018 08:21 pm
With the other threads going “too party thread”, must we now encroach on the more serious threads topics?

 We can discuss landing profiles/3-engine burns, rocket survivability, detailed structural or photographic analysis, etc until they surrender...
 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 02/01/2018 08:26 pm
Surprised this has not been posted yet...

Someone with connections to SpaceX: this has to go up with the Roadster!

It's not leaving the solar system.  No need to use the pulsar map to show which system it's from.


edit: It's actually the audio waveform for David Bowie's Space Odditiy.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: John Alan on 02/01/2018 08:31 pm
Surprised this has not been posted yet...

Someone with connections to SpaceX: this has to go up with the Roadster!

It's not leaving the solar system.  No need to use the pulsar map to show which system it's from.

If I'm reading it right... It's going to Jupiter to be slung out of our solar system...  ???
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/01/2018 08:45 pm
With the other threads going “too party thread”, must we now encroach on the more serious threads topics?

 We can discuss landing profiles/3-engine burns, rocket survivability, detailed structural or photographic analysis, etc until they surrender...
 
Bro, do you even post anywhere else?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 02/01/2018 09:00 pm
With the other threads going “too party thread”, must we now encroach on the more serious threads topics?

 We can discuss landing profiles/3-engine burns, rocket survivability, detailed structural or photographic analysis, etc until they surrender...
 
Bro, do you even post anywhere else?

Anywhere Else.

(There, I'm covered in case anyone asks me that.)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 02/01/2018 09:02 pm
This is the cover photo of the SpaceX Facebook page right now.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/spacexgroup/about/

Because, that IS a falcon, right?  Peregrine maybe?

*shakes head violently*

Has sudden mental image of 1032.2 doing 'duck feeding' maneuvers on whatever is swimming underneath.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AncientU on 02/01/2018 09:02 pm
very silly days. Very hard to adult when SpaceX and Elon keep upping the comedy ante.

Launching a midnight cherry roadster to Mars... meh.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jpo234 on 02/01/2018 09:05 pm


Surprised this has not been posted yet...

Someone with connections to SpaceX: this has to go up with the Roadster!

It's not leaving the solar system.  No need to use the pulsar map to show which system it's from.

It's supposedly not the pulsar map but SpaceX FM!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 02/01/2018 09:56 pm


Surprised this has not been posted yet...

Someone with connections to SpaceX: this has to go up with the Roadster!

It's not leaving the solar system.  No need to use the pulsar map to show which system it's from.

It's supposedly not the pulsar map but SpaceX FM!

No, it's actually the waveform for Space Odditiy.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 02/02/2018 12:42 am
With the other threads going “too party thread”, must we now encroach on the more serious threads topics?

 We can discuss landing profiles/3-engine burns, rocket survivability, detailed structural or photographic analysis, etc until they surrender...
 
Bro, do you even post anywhere else?
Mars thread
It would make sense that here would be small shuttles for essential exchange both in orbit prior to departure and once on the way to Mars. One might speculate that emergency repairs outside the ship while underway may demand these kinds of EVA beyond just a suit especially if large (mass/inertia/bulky) repair parts have to be taken along.   Dragon docking maneuvers experience is critical here.
The rocket scientists can figure out the delta-V requirements to move between ships in orbit. Suggest they not let the ship board computer control the pod bay doors.

Bottlenecks do ramping up launch cadence thread
Once SpaceX is in serious reuse, there will be spares to build. This includes engines. Some of the engines will have to be replaced on otherwise working stages.  This is a natural part of reusing vehicles. While it is a much smaller scope than the building of 9 first stage engines for every flight, it could be a significant number per year (...guess only 1 engine replaced every other flight, so at least 25 per year to the spares task for a 50 flight/year rate).  This number may be kept low if the engines being replaced can be refurbished and put back into service.

examples of non-economic reasons to establish permanent colonies:
 
Australia - Wasn't this initially a prison colony island for outcast Europeans?
The Moon (Fictional: The man who stole the moon) Postulated a Moon based prison colony as a viable "reason" for being permanently populated.

China, Russia, or even Cuba may want to plant their flag and spread their ideologies to a new world rather than letting good 'ol USA be the only/dominant culture in the universe.  This may be more viable after the 'train' is established to create a side-branch town or colony on the planet, rather than the first group there.

Research Station Antarctica: research on Mars, research on humans in low gravity settings. Crop growth, terra (mars) forming research.

Escape from tyrannical or oppressive practices in their original countries: Colonists may want freedom to live differently (religious, legal or otherwise).

And then, many of these ideas that make off-shore locations desirable to some (not necessarily the "right" people)

Banking:  Think the ultimate off-shore tax haven. You have no taxes, no laws that necessarily cover your operation. Mars could become the ultimate Swiss bank for hiding assets for enterprises or tin-pot dictators looting their economies.

Business:  Set up the equivalent of a PO box on Mars for allowing the founding of companies that have a "presence" on Mars as their HQ.  Electronic communication forwarding combined with ability to  incorporate under the "laws of Mars" . Could protect individuals or owners from being revealed or protect organizations from lawsuits.

Gambling: computer based gambling from Earth hosted on Mars (Can't be real-time due to the transmission delays, but could be lottery based for example).  Buy a Mars Lottery ticket or play a mars daily game, find out the results tomorrow with deposit in your Mars Bank accounts.

are we repeating ourselves here? probably.

And of course the polls landing threads

Which you can’t quote for some reason
Re:NSF SpaceX SES-10, Here We Go Again Landing Bingo
« Reply #148 on: 03/27/2017 09:58 AM »

H 26

Colonize Mars!

But mostly guilty as charged...
90% of the time it’s the party thread which is the most fun!
Shoot me. 😆
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 02/02/2018 12:49 pm
Surprised this has not been posted yet...

Someone with connections to SpaceX: this has to go up with the Roadster! (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180201/79cd97d021f41074678dfe6cd7390fbd.jpg)

Okay... should that be carved in (well aged) cheddar?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 02/02/2018 04:00 pm
Waiting for the next launch can sometimes be a bit... slow.  I mean, SpaceX doesn't even have one scheduled until Tuesday.  Sure, we have these forums to keep us busy, but sometimes you just want to sit on the couch and watch a movie.  An so, let me nominate the most party-thread-worthy movie of the year:

    The Space Between Us (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3922818/) (2017)

Is the movie particularly well acted?  Not really.  Is the plot logical yet convoluted, full of unexpected but justified twists?  Nah, not that either.  Are the cinematography and effects wizardry utterly fantastic?  Nope, just more or less cromulent for an indie flick.  So, why do I even bother suggesting everyone here watches it?  The answer is simple...

All the usual suspects are there in recognizable form (SLS, Orion, Dragon 2-ish, Dream Chaser), but almost everything about them is Just Wrong.  The movie itself is middling at best, but for me at least, the rocket/spacecraft parts of it were well into "so bad it's good" range.  (I mean, it'd be like making a movie with a SSTO Dream Chaser.)  Anyway, probably not worth a full-price rental, but if you've got a coupon, it might hold you over until Tuesday. ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/02/2018 05:27 pm
sounds like a Netflix and chill candidate...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Bubbinski on 02/02/2018 05:28 pm
Finally a Tuesday worth looking forward to.

Tuesday’s usually the armpit of the week. Especially at work. Hoping FH gives us a reason to PARTY on Tuesday night!! (I’ll bring the confetti and hors d’oeuvres tray)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: sghill on 02/02/2018 05:59 pm
Waiting for the next launch can sometimes be a bit... slow.  I mean, SpaceX doesn't even have one scheduled until Tuesday.  Sure, we have these forums to keep us busy, but sometimes you just want to sit on the couch and watch a movie.  An so, let me nominate the most party-thread-worthy movie of the year:

    The Space Between Us (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3922818/) (2017)


I made it through 12 minutes before putting it back into the shipping envelope.

I'd rather watch Space Camp 2 while my head is stapled to the carpet.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/02/2018 06:11 pm
Tell us what you really think...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 02/02/2018 06:25 pm
I made it through 12 minutes before putting it back into the shipping envelope.

I'd rather watch Space Camp 2 while my head is stapled to the carpet.
You missed the best parts!  I should've taken notes of the times or chapter marks so people could skip straight to the... creative reinterpretations of rocketry. ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tleski on 02/02/2018 06:40 pm
I made it through 12 minutes before putting it back into the shipping envelope.

I'd rather watch Space Camp 2 while my head is stapled to the carpet.
You missed the best parts!  I should've taken notes of the times or chapter marks so people could skip straight to the... creative reinterpretations of rocketry. ;D

Not even mentioning instant messaging Earth from Mars.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: punder on 02/02/2018 09:19 pm
Surprised this has not been posted yet...

Someone with connections to SpaceX: this has to go up with the Roadster! (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180201/79cd97d021f41074678dfe6cd7390fbd.jpg)

That is AWESOME. Printed out and taped to my office wall.

p.s. please post again when the t-shirts go on sale.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: John Alan on 02/02/2018 09:37 pm
Sure. But I would hope that 30 years after BFR starts in service that things have blossomed enough that the numbers are there for specialized vehicles. BFR may still fly many many years after that. Just like DC-3s did.

We're a bit off topic, sorry...

Putting this here as it's way off topic over there...  ;)
DC-3's
These folks have rebuilt 67 airframes so far and have a waiting list out the wazzooo...
Each rebuild is 40,000 plus hours labor (8 months in shop) and they are considered 0 hour full rebuilds by the FAA...
http://www.baslerturbo.com/ (http://www.baslerturbo.com/)
So yes... The DC-3 refuses to die...
These fine folks are adding another 50+ years to their lifespans...
https://youtu.be/yAHcAbxuu00 (https://youtu.be/yAHcAbxuu00)
If you an EAA member... story in the latest magazine just sent out on them in fact... BT-67... page 70 something...

And there is this...
https://www.eaa.org/en/eaa/eaa-news-and-aviation-news/news/02-01-2018-c-47-thats-all-brother-takes-to-skies-after-restoration (https://www.eaa.org/en/eaa/eaa-news-and-aviation-news/news/02-01-2018-c-47-thats-all-brother-takes-to-skies-after-restoration)
The CAF in Texas (and the USAF) tracked this plane down... it was sitting in Basler's parts and airframe boneyard... as bought and in need of TLC...
The CAF had him rebuild it to stock specs for them... Just flew again the other day.. (1/31/2018)
 8)
On edit...
And to this day... airplane makers are still trying to build it's replacement...  ;D
http://cessna.txtav.com/en/turboprop/skycourier (http://cessna.txtav.com/en/turboprop/skycourier)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jpo234 on 02/03/2018 12:21 am
Surprised this has not been posted yet...

Someone with connections to SpaceX: this has to go up with the Roadster! (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180201/79cd97d021f41074678dfe6cd7390fbd.jpg)

That is AWESOME. Printed out and taped to my office wall.

p.s. please post again when the t-shirts go on sale.

High resolution version:

(https://i.imgur.com/so8vIut.png)

Credit: /u/Straumli_Blight (https://www.reddit.com/user/Straumli_Blight)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Galactic Penguin SST on 02/03/2018 11:10 am
Falcon Heavy is now the NEXT satellite launcher to launch worldwide.
I REPEAT, Falcon Heavy is now the NEXT satellite launcher to launch worldwide.... 😎

How many years have I waited to write this sentence!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intrepidpursuit on 02/03/2018 03:09 pm
From the FH launch license:
"transporting the modified Tesla Roadster (mass simulator) to a hyperbolic orbit"

Sounds like some futuristic tech if it is simulating mass rather than just being mass. ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 02/03/2018 03:23 pm
From the FH launch license:
"transporting the modified Tesla Roadster (mass simulator) to a hyperbolic orbit"

Sounds like some futuristic tech if it is simulating mass rather than just being mass. ;)
A boilerplate spacecraft, also known as a mass simulator, is a nonfunctional craft or payload which is used to test various configurations and basic size, load, and handling characteristics of rocket launch vehicles.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 02/03/2018 05:15 pm
I guess this is one way to beat the crowds ...

Quote
Scooplet: Harrison Ford has gotten approval to land his private jet on the Space Shuttle Landing Facility at Kennedy Space Center. He'll arrive Tuesday morning to view the Falcon Heavy demo flight.

Will be tracking your flight, Solo.

https://twitter.com/nova_road/status/959834036272328704
Hope he lands on the runway this time... ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kerrycockram on 02/03/2018 05:20 pm
Hope he lands on the runway this time... ;)
[/quote]

And the Falcon doesn't crush his leg again. :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 02/03/2018 05:30 pm
Hope he lands on the runway this time... ;)

And the Falcon doesn't crush his leg again. :D
[/quote]
I think Falcon owes him a good experience this time! :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Jarnis on 02/03/2018 06:07 pm

Hope he lands on the runway this time... ;)

I don't think SLF has a parallel taxiway to land on, so no risk of that.  :P
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 02/03/2018 06:27 pm

Hope he lands on the runway this time... ;)

I don't think SLF has a parallel taxiway to land on, so no risk of that.  :P
Just the Skid Strip across the way...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intrepidpursuit on 02/03/2018 06:31 pm
From the FH launch license:
"transporting the modified Tesla Roadster (mass simulator) to a hyperbolic orbit"

Sounds like some futuristic tech if it is simulating mass rather than just being mass. ;)
A boilerplate spacecraft, also known as a mass simulator, is a nonfunctional craft or payload which is used to test various configurations and basic size, load, and handling characteristics of rocket launch vehicles.

I'm aware of the term. It just doesn't make sense. It is just mass, not simulated mass. Perhaps I'm not the only one who is bothered.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kerrycockram on 02/03/2018 06:44 pm
From the FH launch license:
"transporting the modified Tesla Roadster (mass simulator) to a hyperbolic orbit"

Sounds like some futuristic tech if it is simulating mass rather than just being mass. ;)
A boilerplate spacecraft, also known as a mass simulator, is a nonfunctional craft or payload which is used to test various configurations and basic size, load, and handling characteristics of rocket launch vehicles.

I'm aware of the term. It just doesn't make sense. It is just mass, not simulated mass. Perhaps I'm not the only one who is bothered.

It could be the wording was 'altered' by marketing for mass consumption.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 02/03/2018 06:49 pm
Photographer inadvertently captures spy shot of new SpaceX spacesuit. Click to enlarge photo - you'll have to peer closely at it to see... Pretty scary looking stuff!


  (http://www.spacex.com/sites/spacex/files/dragonproductionfloor.jpg) (http://www.kickvick.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/halloween-makeup-ideas-a-17.jpg)

Dangit - only works with the desktop version of the forum.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: IntoTheVoid on 02/03/2018 07:19 pm
From the FH launch license:
"transporting the modified Tesla Roadster (mass simulator) to a hyperbolic orbit"

Sounds like some futuristic tech if it is simulating mass rather than just being mass. ;)
A boilerplate spacecraft, also known as a mass simulator, is a nonfunctional craft or payload which is used to test various configurations and basic size, load, and handling characteristics of rocket launch vehicles.

I'm aware of the term. It just doesn't make sense. It is just mass, not simulated mass. Perhaps I'm not the only one who is bothered.

It could be the wording was 'altered' by marketing for mass consumption.

"mass consumption"
If mass is being consumed that would explain why mass needs to be simulated; to make up for the mass lost/consumed
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Brovane on 02/03/2018 07:29 pm
I guess this is one way to beat the crowds ...

Quote
Scooplet: Harrison Ford has gotten approval to land his private jet on the Space Shuttle Landing Facility at Kennedy Space Center. He'll arrive Tuesday morning to view the Falcon Heavy demo flight.

Will be tracking your flight, Solo.

https://twitter.com/nova_road/status/959834036272328704
Hope he lands on the runway this time... ;)

Geez guys you land on the Taxiway one time.....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 02/03/2018 09:52 pm
It's mass hysteria!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: rsnellenberger on 02/03/2018 09:53 pm

Hope he lands on the runway this time... ;)

I don't think SLF has a parallel taxiway to land on, so no risk of that.  :P
“KSC Tower - Landed on runway 36; taxiing to the raised parking area ahead. When did you guys put in this gravel & grass runway?”
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 02/03/2018 10:44 pm

Hope he lands on the runway this time... ;)

I don't think SLF has a parallel taxiway to land on, so no risk of that.  :P
“KSC Tower - Landed on runway 36; taxiing to the raised parking area ahead. When did you guys put in this gravel & grass runway?”
;D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flXCWdhJnGY
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kch on 02/03/2018 10:48 pm
From the FH launch license:
"transporting the modified Tesla Roadster (mass simulator) to a hyperbolic orbit"

Sounds like some futuristic tech if it is simulating mass rather than just being mass. ;)

Might be just a mass-load of old hyperbolics ... ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mheney on 02/03/2018 11:06 pm
Just saw this on Craigslist ...

FS: Gently Used Orbital Launch Vehicle - $9900000 (Port Canaveral)

https://spacecoast.craigslist.org/hvo/d/fs-gently-used-orbital-launch/6480376032.html
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 02/04/2018 01:11 am
Indy clips are surely party thread material.
You're right of course Lar. I guess we're running out of stuff to speculate on leading up to the big show... ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 02/04/2018 01:23 am

Sounds like some futuristic tech if it is simulating mass rather than just being mass. ;)

The latest training tools for the priesthood brought to you by your local Catholic educational institution.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 02/04/2018 01:26 am
Just saw this on Craigslist ...

FS: Gently Used Orbital Launch Vehicle - $9900000 (Port Canaveral)

https://spacecoast.craigslist.org/hvo/d/fs-gently-used-orbital-launch/6480376032.html

I dunno, think I'll pass on this one.  Most sellers would at least wash the thing first.  Not just rinse it off.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CyndyC on 02/04/2018 01:32 am
Indy clips are surely party thread material.
You're right of course Lar. I guess we're running out of stuff to speculate on leading up to the big show... ;D

Since he's an aviator and he cares enough about this launch to do what he's doing, then it's not any more far-fetched to think he could be following this thread and others here. How much ribbing someone is willing & able to tolerate or how much it serves a useful purpose would depend on the circumstances and the person, but he has already stated great remorse over the incident, so I'm guessing he wouldn't particularly like or need any reminders.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 02/04/2018 01:33 am

Sounds like some futuristic tech if it is simulating mass rather than just being mass. ;)

The latest training tools for the priesthood brought to you by your local Catholic educational institution.

2...4...6...8... Time to Transubstantiate.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 02/04/2018 01:36 am
Falcon Heavy Landing Bingo...

Ya know... I'm disappointed.  I took a look and there's not a game to pick the 'geographic equidistant centerpoint' for ALL THREE boosters landed.

 8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: testguy on 02/04/2018 01:43 am
Anyone want to speculate that Harrison Ford may be one of the two who have contracted for the FH lunar flight?  Wouldn’t that be a kick!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intrepidpursuit on 02/04/2018 01:47 am
Anyone want to speculate that Harrison Ford may be one of the two who have contracted for the FH lunar flight?  Wouldn’t that be a kick!

Aww. Makes me think of Ford and Fisher making the flight together.  :'( Would have made a beautiful flight.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zodiacchris on 02/04/2018 02:02 am
I second what Cyndy said! And it’s easy to make fun of an aviator, but hard to show that you can do better, specifically those of you who don’t hold a lincense yourself! Besides, this is not the Harrison Ford thread, look at the title, and there is also a thread for the proposed lunar flight...  >:(
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 02/04/2018 02:18 am
I doubt Ford would do it - his wife Callista allegedly doesn't even want him to fly planes much anymore. If any Hollywood type was going to afford the circumlunar mission; Tom Hanks or James Cameron could both probably afford it. But Hanks is a diabetic, so would likely not pass the medical without a special clearance. Also; Cameron is too busy making Avatar films in New Zealand for the next few years.

Edit/Lar:
COME ON GUYS! Not a Harrison Ford thread... don't make me stop this car and turn around.

Edit2/Lar:
Did what I should have (moved it to party thread) Carry on...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 02/04/2018 03:41 am
Anyone want to speculate that Harrison Ford may be one of the two who have contracted for the FH lunar flight?  Wouldn’t that be a kick!

Aww. Makes me think of Ford and Fisher making the flight together.  :'( Would have made a beautiful flight.

Even better Ford (Han) and Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca)

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Mayhew

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 02/04/2018 03:53 am

Sounds like some futuristic tech if it is simulating mass rather than just being mass. ;)

The latest training tools for the priesthood brought to you by your local Catholic educational institution.

2...4...6...8... Time to Transubstantiate.

For the younger crowd you may not catch the reference
So as a community service ...

https://www.google.com/amp/s/genius.com/amp/Tom-lehrer-vatican-rag-lyrics

The video at the top is great! Prof Tom Lehrer,  an amazing talent.
We used to sing here songs at lunch (not launch) when I started work a billion years ago.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 02/04/2018 03:10 pm
I second what Cyndy said! And it’s easy to make fun of an aviator, but hard to show that you can do better, specifically those of you who don’t hold a lincense yourself! Besides, this is not the Harrison Ford thread, look at the title, and there is also a thread for the proposed lunar flight...  >:(
You know us pilots all sit around the clubhouse and mentally grade every landing on our field...fess-up! ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 02/04/2018 03:14 pm
Indy clips are surely party thread material.
You're right of course Lar. I guess we're running out of stuff to speculate on leading up to the big show... ;D

Since he's an aviator and he cares enough about this launch to do what he's doing, then it's not any more far-fetched to think he could be following this thread and others here. How much ribbing someone is willing & able to tolerate or how much it serves a useful purpose would depend on the circumstances and the person, but he has already stated great remorse over the incident, so I'm guessing he wouldn't particularly like or need any reminders.
All pilots, myself included have made stinkers and we all joke about it... ;) No big deal... "I kid because I care"... ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/04/2018 03:17 pm
I second what Cyndy said! And it’s easy to make fun of an aviator, but hard to show that you can do better, specifically those of you who don’t hold a lincense yourself! Besides, this is not the Harrison Ford thread, look at the title, and there is also a thread for the proposed lunar flight...  >:(

This IS the thread you were looking for.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 02/04/2018 07:09 pm
T-48:21


PST
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 02/04/2018 09:00 pm
Anyone want to speculate that Harrison Ford may be one of the two who have contracted for the FH lunar flight?  Wouldn’t that be a kick!

Aww. Makes me think of Ford and Fisher making the flight together.  :'( Would have made a beautiful flight.

Even better Ford (Han) and Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca)

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Mayhew


Peter Mayhew is now frail and wheelchair bound, sadly - so that wont work.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/04/2018 09:36 pm
Shirley somebody will have to clean up the guano those critters are bound to be depositing on the dish? Or does it not really matter?
Somebody will clean it up.
 And don't call me Shirley.
Apparently Nomadd's industrial empire is expanding???
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 02/04/2018 09:44 pm
T-48:21


PST

That's a really strange bingo pick. 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rangertech1 on 02/05/2018 03:26 am
I'm so sorry, I have to admit, "I'm the snitch." I contacted the NIH after I got out of emergency. I was offline doing other things and when i returned to the  Launch, Land, and party thread, I had to binge read 15, uuhhhh? seperators to get caught up. I tipped the diffibulator tech for getting the voltage just right,. Anyhow, if it's got mirrored glass and is predomintely glossy black, you have me to blame.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: toruonu on 02/05/2018 04:19 am
As this clearly isn't on par with the discussion thread I still thought to add that I think the best illustration why you cannot take average statistics also applies here. If Jane sleeps with 100 men a year, Martha sleeps with 20 and Judith is still a virgin, then on average they are all sluts.

I think the deeper meaning of non-additive carries over to also the landing/launch reliability statistics ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 02/05/2018 05:14 am
Indy clips are surely party thread material.
You're right of course Lar. I guess we're running out of stuff to speculate on leading up to the big show... ;D

Since he's an aviator and he cares enough about this launch to do what he's doing, then it's not any more far-fetched to think he could be following this thread and others here. How much ribbing someone is willing & able to tolerate or how much it serves a useful purpose would depend on the circumstances and the person, but he has already stated great remorse over the incident, so I'm guessing he wouldn't particularly like or need any reminders.
All pilots, myself included have made stinkers and we all joke about it... ;) No big deal... "I kid because I care"... ;D

I've gotten on the PA and apologized. More than once. (But at least I've never caused a rubber jungle. Yet.)


Pro pilots have landed on the wrong runway, taxiways, even airports. Ford made a low altitude no-shit engine out landing in a PT-22 onto a golf course. That gets him a pass from me.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/05/2018 08:52 am
Wait, is there ex-NASA people publicly telling US Government to kill SLS/Orion ? Wow   :P  ;D  8)  :-X
Lori Garver has been a vocal critic of NASA practices vis-a-vis commercial practices for some time now, not too surprising...
Can't believe Lori Garver has woken up to reality, and is willing to admit it, after she left office. ;D
Fixed that for you. 

As this clearly isn't on par with the discussion thread I still thought to add that I think the best illustration why you cannot take average statistics also applies here. If Jane sleeps with 100 men a year, Martha sleeps with 20 and Judith is still a virgin, then on average they are all sluts.

I think the deeper meaning of non-additive carries over to also the landing/launch reliability statistics ;)

Ixnay on slut-shaming. Seriously.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DaveJ576 on 02/05/2018 01:10 pm
So... Falcon Heavy is launching tomorrow. Is the future here yet? I have been waiting for 50 years for pity's sake!  ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 02/05/2018 01:25 pm
So... Falcon Heavy is launching tomorrow. Is the future here yet? I have been waiting for 50 years for pity's sake!  ;)

The future's scheduled to arrive tomorrow... complete with flying cars. ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 02/05/2018 02:06 pm
So... Falcon Heavy is launching tomorrow. Is the future here yet? I have been waiting for 50 years for pity's sake!  ;)

The future's scheduled to arrive tomorrow... complete with flying cars. ;D

I've been wanting to use this line for decades...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DaveJ576 on 02/05/2018 02:11 pm
Good! That means my jet pack is in the mail and I can now make my reservation with Pan Am for my flight to the Wheel Station in LEO!  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: sghill on 02/05/2018 02:25 pm
It's Radar Rider!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWMPe3wF9jQ



Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 02/05/2018 04:31 pm
So... Falcon Heavy is launching tomorrow. Is the future here yet? I have been waiting for 50 years for pity's sake!  ;)

Launch in 28 hours.
So, what am i supposed to do until then? Hold my breath?

I've been checking the countdown every 10 minutes, and its barely moved at all!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 02/05/2018 04:46 pm
Quote
I've been checking the countdown every 10 minutes, and its barely moved at all!

Wait for it........
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: yokem55 on 02/05/2018 05:14 pm
So... Falcon Heavy is launching tomorrow. Is the future here yet? I have been waiting for 50 years for pity's sake!  ;)

Launch in 28 hours.
So, what am i supposed to do until then? Hold my breath?

I've been checking the countdown every 10 minutes, and its barely moved at all!
Well, let's get more people working on it! More people watching will make it go faster right?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 02/05/2018 06:12 pm
So... Falcon Heavy is launching tomorrow. Is the future here yet? I have been waiting for 50 years for pity's sake!  ;)

Launch in 28 hours.
So, what am i supposed to do until then? Hold my breath?

I've been checking the countdown every 10 minutes, and its barely moved at all!

Face it.  That clock ain't gonna move.

We're talking about a 'bird' here (falcon)...
...and, observationally speaking, it is up to a cat to watch the bird, and the cat is in the sealed box and is neither alive nor dead as far as we can tell and even if we could, it's in a box and can't watch the bird, which means the clock means nothing, and thus doesn't move.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mme on 02/05/2018 07:13 pm
In short:
...
 * Those who were in the music industry didn't think the Bowie number worked
...
Bowie always works.

And don't get me started about the music industry's current obsession with autotune.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 02/05/2018 07:28 pm
So... Falcon Heavy is launching tomorrow. Is the future here yet? I have been waiting for 50 years for pity's sake!  ;)

Launch in 28 hours.
So, what am i supposed to do until then? Hold my breath?

I've been checking the countdown every 10 minutes, and its barely moved at all!

Face it.  That clock ain't gonna move.

We're talking about a 'bird' here (falcon)...
...and, observationally speaking, it is up to a cat to watch the bird, and the cat is in the sealed box and is neither alive nor dead as far as we can tell and even if we could, it's in a box and can't watch the bird, which means the clock means nothing, and thus doesn't move.

I'm actually glad I don't work on Tuesdays or Wednesdays.  That means that, since FH will not launch for at least two years after any point it is scheduled to launch, I won't have to go back to work, after today, for at least two years... ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DaveJ576 on 02/05/2018 07:35 pm
Geez... we are all slacking here! We have to name the dude driving the Roadster! I vote for "Pete Conrad". It fits! He would have loved it!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/05/2018 08:18 pm
Rubber Jungle?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 02/05/2018 08:26 pm
He'll have fun, fun fun, til Falcon takes his Roadster away!  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 02/05/2018 08:33 pm
Space Stig?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Helodriver on 02/05/2018 08:39 pm
Elon clearly watched this as some point. :)

https://youtu.be/DWMPe3wF9jQ?t=43s (https://youtu.be/DWMPe3wF9jQ?t=43s)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 02/05/2018 08:53 pm
Space Stig?

He's even wearing the right colors!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 02/05/2018 08:59 pm
Lonestar

of course he'd have to have a mog named Barf in the passenger seat.

Mog:  Half man, half dog.  He's his own best friend.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 02/05/2018 09:21 pm
Since it seems the moon flyby is shelved, it would be ironic if it happened to be the same guy that lost the moon twice so to speak.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 02/05/2018 09:47 pm
Space Stig?
Given the BS that Top Gear pulled with respect to Tesla and Elon, law suits n' all that, I can't think of a less likely name for the Tesla driver. Besides clearly his name is Major Tom.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: flyright on 02/05/2018 10:11 pm
I think "Starman" is just about right for a name.

"There's a starman waiting in the sky
  He's told us not to blow it
  Cause he knows it's all worthwhile"
                     - Bowie
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 02/05/2018 10:35 pm
It's official; it is 'Starman'...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 02/05/2018 10:36 pm
Space Stig?
Given the BS that Top Gear pulled with respect to Tesla and Elon, law suits n' all that, I can't think of a less likely name for the Tesla driver. Besides clearly his name is Major Tom.
I beg to differ Sir!

I think that’s EXACTLY the name Musk would choose... I vote for The Stig...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 02/05/2018 10:46 pm
I think "Starman" is just about right for a name.

"There's a starman waiting in the sky
  He's told us not to blow it
  Cause he knows it's all worthwhile"
                     - Bowie
However playing on the radio will be......
Quote
Ground Control to Major Tom
Ground Control to Major Tom
Take your protein pills and put your helmet on
Ground Control to Major Tom (ten, nine, eight, seven, six)
Commencing countdown, engines on (five, four, three)
Check ignition and may God's love be with you (two, one, liftoff)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: fthomassy on 02/05/2018 10:48 pm
Space Stig?
Given the BS that Top Gear pulled with respect to Tesla and Elon, law suits n' all that, I can't think of a less likely name for the Tesla driver. Besides clearly his name is Major Tom.
I beg to differ Sir!

I think that’s EXACTLY the name Musk would choose... I vote for The Stig...
Bowie ... Starman ... get it right ... [derisive]sir![/derisive] ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Norm38 on 02/05/2018 11:05 pm
I keep clicking on the Missions page convinced the date will change, and if keeps holding firm.
Can't hardly believe it's real.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 02/05/2018 11:13 pm
I keep clicking on the Missions page convinced the date will change, and if keeps holding firm.
Can't hardly believe it's real.

JINX!!!

Dammit, don't you DARE taunt Murphy!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 02/05/2018 11:15 pm
Rubber Jungle?
The look when all the passengers oxygen masks have been deployed and are hanging in the cabin...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: John Alan on 02/05/2018 11:32 pm
I keep clicking on the Missions page convinced the date will change, and if keeps holding firm.
Can't hardly believe it's real.

JINX!!!

Dammit, don't you DARE taunt Murphy!

I'm sure https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_A._Murphy_Jr. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_A._Murphy_Jr.) is spinning in his grave at all the jinxing going on surrounding this Launch...  :P
If this thing launches on time... I will be  :o

That said... I salute Major Murphy for his years of service in the military and later on projects as varied as the X-15, the Apollo program, and the Apache Helicopter, among many others (see link above)...   8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 02/05/2018 11:44 pm
I don't want to get ahead of events but I'm beginning to feel the first stirrings that this might actually happen. I mean really actually going to happen soon. Maybe really actually tomorrow. This is no small thing and it requires special effort to corral all the spiritual forces out there in a successful alignment. It's massive.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Darkseraph on 02/06/2018 12:07 am
I've come to expect to be asymptotically close to the Falcon Heavy launch date without it ever actually occuring. I'll be shocked if it lifts off tomorrow without delay and even more so if fully successful.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kch on 02/06/2018 12:20 am
I think "Starman" is just about right for a name.

"There's a starman waiting in the sky
  He's told us not to blow it
  Cause he knows it's all worthwhile"
                     - Bowie
However playing on the radio will be......
Quote
Ground Control to Major Tom
Ground Control to Major Tom
Take your protein pills and put your helmet on
Ground Control to Major Tom (ten, nine, eight, seven, six)
Commencing countdown, engines on (five, four, three)
Check ignition and may God's love be with you (two, one, liftoff)

Maybe they're saving "Magic Carpet Ride" for the first BFR launch?  ;D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIpXYU-9CBM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIpXYU-9CBM)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 02/06/2018 12:40 am
Amazing we are on the eve of the first launch attempt. 

They did enough tests to think they have a reasonable shot at getting off the ground on the first attempt.  But not holding my breath on that.

Good luck too all those involved.

To Infinity and Beyond.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 02/06/2018 02:48 am
Space Stig?

The Stig's Astronaut cousin, Buzz Stig... :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 02/06/2018 02:59 am
Space Stig?

The Stig's Astronaut cousin, Buzz Stig... :D
Ya know you really need to get Major Tom's name right, he's about to have serious issues.

Quote
And I think my spaceship knows which way to go
Tell my wife I love her very much she knows
Ground Control to Major Tom
Your circuit's dead, there's something wrong
Can you hear me, Major Tom?
Can you hear me, Major Tom?
Can you hear me, Major Tom?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: catdlr on 02/06/2018 04:45 am
Heavy Metal / SpaceX Crossover

Jack Lishman
Published on Feb 5, 2018

who needs everything to be serious all the time anyways

https://youtu.be/XT2HZEyJkVA?t=001

https://youtu.be/XT2HZEyJkVA
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 02/06/2018 04:49 am
from discussion thread:
I wonder if they put a crash test dummy inside the spacesuit and if its actially instrumented.

Thats likely not info SpaceX would share, but it kinda would make sense - if you put a spacesuit through an interplanetary test, u might as well get some data from it. At least some basics - temperature, pressure, maybe radiation, acceleration? ( although the regular 2nd stage telemetry already gices them that )

I think you're right, this is a great opportunity to a real test for the suit. I understand the S2 is going for some hours through the Van Hallen belt , the radiation information inside the suit could be priceless.

Van Hallen belt?
I know the roadster will be playing music, but I'm pretty sure it is by David Bowie, not Eddie van Halen.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: launchwatcher on 02/06/2018 04:58 am
from discussion thread:
I wonder if they put a crash test dummy inside the spacesuit and if its actially instrumented.

Thats likely not info SpaceX would share, but it kinda would make sense - if you put a spacesuit through an interplanetary test, u might as well get some data from it. At least some basics - temperature, pressure, maybe radiation, acceleration? ( although the regular 2nd stage telemetry already gices them that )

I think you're right, this is a great opportunity to a real test for the suit. I understand the S2 is going for some hours through the Van Hallen belt , the radiation information inside the suit could be priceless.

Van Hallen belt?
I know the roadster will be playing music, but I'm pretty sure it is by David Bowie, not Eddie van Halen.
Discussed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVRh4w-VYCo
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 02/06/2018 11:49 am
Breakfast anyone? ( first attempt was sideways)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 02/06/2018 12:18 pm
from discussion thread:
I wonder if they put a crash test dummy inside the spacesuit and if its actially instrumented.

Thats likely not info SpaceX would share, but it kinda would make sense - if you put a spacesuit through an interplanetary test, u might as well get some data from it. At least some basics - temperature, pressure, maybe radiation, acceleration? ( although the regular 2nd stage telemetry already gices them that )

I think you're right, this is a great opportunity to a real test for the suit. I understand the S2 is going for some hours through the Van Hallen belt , the radiation information inside the suit could be priceless.

Van Hallen belt?
I know the roadster will be playing music, but I'm pretty sure it is by David Bowie, not Eddie van Halen.

Arrrrgh!  I came here to make a joke about that comment as soon as I read it.  But, not only do I find someone has already beaten me to it, but also a multitude of posts with Riggs' Radar Rider from Heavy Metal have already been linked (which was the direction I was going to go with it).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 02/06/2018 12:46 pm
Ya know, I just had a weird thought.

(and you do realize we're ALL geeks here)

MegasXLR

I'll just leave this here. ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DaveJ576 on 02/06/2018 12:48 pm
To add to the mandatory music list for today's launch... "Don't Look Back" by Boston. Very appropriate for the event!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 02/06/2018 12:52 pm
To add to the mandatory music list for today's launch... "Don't Look Back" by Boston. Very appropriate for the event!

Nah... mandatory Boston choice would be

The Launch

immediately followed by

Cool the Engines

=D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DaveJ576 on 02/06/2018 01:03 pm
To add to the mandatory music list for today's launch... "Don't Look Back" by Boston. Very appropriate for the event!

Nah... mandatory Boston choice would be

The Launch

immediately followed by

Cool the Engines

=D

Dang! Another missed opportunity. Starman (aka "Pete Conrad") should be carrying one of Brad Delp's guitars with him in the Roadster.  ;) The view of that from space would make a great album cover for Boston!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 02/06/2018 01:05 pm
My favorite cover of Starman (a bit different style, so be sure to listen through to the chorus at ~40s to be sure of recognizing it):


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVQlzF0q7TQ
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 02/06/2018 03:11 pm
Just read Chris' post in the Guest Access section: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=31697.msg1783317#msg1783317

Where he says,
Quote
You can all ignore the "users online" counter because of the spread.

So, now I want to know.  What's the Over/Under on unique IP visitors to the NSF website today? 

That is what we should have been running a thread on.  Way more money it that than in all this Bingo nonsense.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 02/06/2018 03:24 pm
Breakfast anyone? ( first attempt was sideways)

Cheese Grommit?

This is my launch day song:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yU8x8mLVALU (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yU8x8mLVALU)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: OnWithTheShow on 02/06/2018 03:56 pm
Made it
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 02/06/2018 04:53 pm
Just experienced 10 minutes of "Bad Gateway" on the NSF forums, it freaked me out.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 02/06/2018 04:56 pm
Just experienced 10 minutes of "Bad Gateway" on the NSF forums, it freaked me out.
Chris went out and replaced the overworked server hamsters... :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 02/06/2018 04:59 pm
Just experienced 10 minutes of "Bad Gateway" on the NSF forums, it freaked me out.
Chris went out and replaced the overworked server hamsters... :)
The hamsters run the forums, it's guinea pigs here in the party thread, right? ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tyrred on 02/06/2018 05:00 pm
When 402 Bad Gateway happens, and you be like...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 02/06/2018 05:00 pm
New server hamster at work.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 02/06/2018 05:09 pm
T-2 hours. (Unless SpaceX change their mind again!)

It seems with Falcon Heavy we are always six months  2 hours away from launch...
(Sigh)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 02/06/2018 05:13 pm
Steven, send "lucky Leo" out to chase those winds away! ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 02/06/2018 05:15 pm
OK, everyone at the Cape for the launch -- jump up as high as you can, and blow out to the west as hard as you can.

We'll get that upper-level wind to die down... :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: punder on 02/06/2018 05:31 pm
Uh...

You're gonna need a bigger server.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: northenarc on 02/06/2018 05:32 pm
 I'm getting that scrubby feeling...
 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: yokem55 on 02/06/2018 05:54 pm
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/960949244982018049
https://media.giphy.com/media/rl0FOxdz7CcxO/giphy.gif
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intrepidpursuit on 02/06/2018 05:59 pm
If the SpaceX store doesn't start selling a holy mouse then I will.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 02/06/2018 06:03 pm
If the SpaceX store doesn't start selling a holy mouse then I will.

And when you depress the button, you must hear choirs of angels singing "AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH".
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ajmarco on 02/06/2018 06:13 pm
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/960949244982018049
https://media.giphy.com/media/rl0FOxdz7CcxO/giphy.gif

Elon must be drunk

Can Starman get pulled over for a DUI in space?

Drifting Under the Influence?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: seawolfe on 02/06/2018 06:15 pm
If the SpaceX store doesn't start selling a holy mouse then I will.

And when you depress the button, you must hear choirs of angels singing "AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH".

Left click does that.

Right click brings fire and brimstone!  :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Norm38 on 02/06/2018 06:16 pm
Work being done in my office is approaching zero.  I've got everyone around me either watching SpaceX youtube videos, geeking out, or reading SpaceX job descriptions!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 02/06/2018 06:17 pm
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/960949244982018049
https://media.giphy.com/media/rl0FOxdz7CcxO/giphy.gif

Elon must be drunk

Can Starman get pulled over for a DUI in space?

Drifting Under the Influence?

Drifting?  Guess the roadster should be broadcasting some Eurobeat as well!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q86wo1Ojbh8
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: seawolfe on 02/06/2018 06:17 pm
Work NOT being done in my office is approaching zero.  I've got everyone around me either watching SpaceX youtube videos, geeking out, or reading SpaceX job descriptions!

There, fixed it for you.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: landlubber on 02/06/2018 06:20 pm
Launch snacks ready. Rocket themed dinner eaten. Me - excited, Daughter - excited, Wife - excited, Son - ambivalent :)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tyrred on 02/06/2018 06:24 pm
Lucky boxers have been initiated.  All systems go for unexpected pantload.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 02/06/2018 06:31 pm
And now - a dristractify...

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 02/06/2018 06:36 pm
:( :) :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Bubbinski on 02/06/2018 06:38 pm
Told ya I’d be here with the hors d’oeuvres tray

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: abaddon on 02/06/2018 06:39 pm
Just caught a major case of butterflies with the go for prop load.  I'd pretty much written it off as a scrub today.  Of course that could still happen, but... it might not!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: seawolfe on 02/06/2018 06:40 pm
Just caught a major case of butterflies with the go for prop load.  I'd pretty much written it off as a scrub today.  Of course that could still happen, but... it might not!

Come on!  Get off the fence here!  :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 02/06/2018 06:40 pm
Spaceman socks ... check
Occupy Mars shirt... check
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mme on 02/06/2018 06:53 pm
Spaceman socks ... check
Occupy Mars shirt... check
Sock-it man!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 02/06/2018 06:57 pm
Got my Falcon Heavy paper model and hat ready...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 02/06/2018 07:10 pm
This is amusing -- on YouTube, one of the sources of a live feed of the pad is from (I assume local to the Cape area) Fox 5 News.  There's a guy -- beard, denim jacket, ski-cap (sort of a thug look, even though he's a white guy with a trimmed beard), very geeky -- sitting talking non-stop.  Sounds like someone who hangs out on this forum a lot...

In the 10 minutes I've had this on, they haven't said his name or anything, though.  For all I know, he's an intern... ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 02/06/2018 07:13 pm
@CraigLieb 

  I couldn't just leave you hangin there.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Norm38 on 02/06/2018 07:23 pm
Need to consume some time?

Time Consumer, Coheed and Cambria, from the Second Stage Turbine Blade
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1eAdCEvdv4
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Oersted on 02/06/2018 07:29 pm
GO FH!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 02/06/2018 07:35 pm
GO FH!

What he said. I don't know anything else right now.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 02/06/2018 07:35 pm
T-  00:10:00 Freaking minutes!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 02/06/2018 07:48 pm
This was me when it cleared the Launch tower...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Oersted on 02/06/2018 08:04 pm
Those simultaneous booster landings.... - holy cow, the future is here.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jgoldader on 02/06/2018 08:13 pm
Congrats SpaceX!  My eyes were unaccountably damp during the side boosters' landing burns.  Pity the core seems lost, but this is definitely one for the history books!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/06/2018 08:15 pm
Me in my swag

Boring Co. hat
Occupy Mars hoodie
FaceX Spacebook badge lanyard
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 02/06/2018 08:15 pm
My face and hands are sore from clapping and laughing... ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jg on 02/06/2018 08:25 pm
My face and hands are sore from clapping and laughing... ;D
Absolutely epic to see in person!!!!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Kansan52 on 02/06/2018 08:31 pm
Goosebumps.


Goosebumps.


Gooseb... you get the idea.

What a wonderful day. Thanks Space X, all the range people, FAA, and the whole works.

Marvelous that Buzz was there.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JasonAW3 on 02/06/2018 08:40 pm
Ok, that works.

      Hey Elon!  I wanna go to MARS!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 02/06/2018 08:43 pm
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JasonAW3 on 02/06/2018 08:54 pm
https://youtu.be/aBr2kKAHN6M (https://youtu.be/aBr2kKAHN6M)

SPACE STIG!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zhangmdev on 02/06/2018 08:59 pm
For a brief moment, a lot of people on the internet are experiencing something like this. The immediate and direct impact of the FH demo flight.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 02/06/2018 09:04 pm
Reminds me of this... 8)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1fl-eddUEY
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: landlubber on 02/06/2018 09:11 pm
The live starman footage is probably the most beautiful and hypnotic thing I've ever seen. Watching the Earth slowly receding whilst being reflected on the bodywork is mesmerising.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 02/06/2018 09:23 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBr2kKAHN6M (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBr2kKAHN6M)

SPACE STIG!
Great day to put the top down and go for a cruise... 8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 02/06/2018 09:40 pm
ISS needs a "Drive-Thru"... ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zhangmdev on 02/06/2018 09:49 pm
Why am I thinking about this?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/06/2018 10:20 pm
NASA press release:

Quote
Feb. 6, 2018

Falcon Heavy: A Multi-User Spaceport Success Story
<snip>

NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft is targeted to lift off next year from nearby Launch Complex 39B. The initial SLS rocket is expected to have a liftoff thrust of 8.8 million pounds, and is designed to be an evolvable launch vehicle able to meet the most challenging deep space crew and cargo needs.

“As SpaceX continues to refine operations of its Falcon Heavy rocket, we welcome this capability to be added to those available soon from NASA’s SLS,” said Tom Engler, Kennedy’s director of Center Planning and Development.

Last Updated: Feb. 6, 2018
Editor: Bob Granath

https://www.nasa.gov/feature/falcon-heavy-a-multi-user-spaceport-success-story

Dear NASA: You talk about SLS in a press release congratulating SpaceX?  Seriously??? What is WRONG with you?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: QuantumG on 02/06/2018 10:22 pm
Dear NASA: You talk about SLS in a press release congratulating SpaceX?  Seriously??? What is WRONG with you?

Yeah, that's some amazing cognitive dissonance.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/06/2018 10:32 pm
Dear NASA: You talk about SLS in a press release congratulating SpaceX?  Seriously??? What is WRONG with you?

Yeah, that's some amazing cognitive dissonance.

To be fair I snipped a lot of the release... but still those were the closing paragraphs. So, the last thing left in people's minds when reading it... Sigh.

I was FAR harsher on FB.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 02/07/2018 12:35 am
Two out of three cores recovered...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5hWWe-ts2s
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Alpha Control on 02/07/2018 01:38 am
NASA press release:

Quote
Feb. 6, 2018

Falcon Heavy: A Multi-User Spaceport Success Story
<snip>

NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft is targeted to lift off next year from nearby Launch Complex 39B. The initial SLS rocket is expected to have a liftoff thrust of 8.8 million pounds, and is designed to be an evolvable launch vehicle able to meet the most challenging deep space crew and cargo needs.

“As SpaceX continues to refine operations of its Falcon Heavy rocket, we welcome this capability to be added to those available soon from NASA’s SLS,” said Tom Engler, Kennedy’s director of Center Planning and Development.

Last Updated: Feb. 6, 2018
Editor: Bob Granath

https://www.nasa.gov/feature/falcon-heavy-a-multi-user-spaceport-success-story

Dear NASA: You talk about SLS in a press release congratulating SpaceX?  Seriously??? What is WRONG with you?

They must be paid to include SLS in every press release.    ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 02/07/2018 01:46 am
I was just noticing that you can even see the Tesla's dashboard gauges pretty well, and saw that, of course, they were reading all zeroes.

Which now has me convinced that we are going to see a huge spate of idiots out there, tin foil hats firmly screwed down to their pates, screaming "Look!  Look!  It's all a scam!  See?  They's not even moving!  The speed-o-meter done read zero!  Answer me that, hunh?!"

How much you wanna bet *someone* tries to pull that...?  (Or, worse yet, believes it...)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: NASAGeek on 02/07/2018 01:46 am
Which David Bowie song played when the first shots of the car we're shown? I'm assuming it was Starman? Couldn't really tell by hearing the lyrics.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 02/07/2018 01:47 am
You could tell by watching the video stream that Starman was previously a NASCAR driver.  He just keeps turning to the left.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: dorkmo on 02/07/2018 01:51 am
guys i think the car tires entering space caused the center core to crash
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Ronpur50 on 02/07/2018 02:03 am
I almost managed to finish my Falcon Heavy today.  My new grid fins have not arrived for the boosters.  Thursday maybe.

It is a lot of fun to build a model rocket while the mission happens.   I haven't done that since 1969 (Apollo 9)!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: flyright on 02/07/2018 02:35 am
Which David Bowie song played when the first shots of the car we're shown? I'm assuming it was Starman? Couldn't really tell by hearing the lyrics.

I was expecting Starman, but believe it was Life on Mars
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Alpha Control on 02/07/2018 02:45 am
What an amazing launch - and twin landings! 

I decided to celebrate with my "Heineken Heavy" tonight.   The only issue I had was how to balance the flight loads while draining the side boosters.... ;D

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: flyright on 02/07/2018 02:54 am
What an amazing launch - and twin landings! 

I decided to celebrate with my "Heineken Heavy" tonight.   The only issue I had was how to balance the flight loads while draining the side boosters.... ;D

Hmmm
Might have finally found a compelling reason to install cross-feed.

Maybe use three straws and siphon from the side boosters?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: IntoTheVoid on 02/07/2018 03:09 am
What an amazing launch - and twin landings! 

I decided to celebrate with my "Heineken Heavy" tonight.   The only issue I had was how to balance the flight loads while draining the side boosters.... ;D

Looks like the head pressure is a little high on that right booster.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 02/07/2018 03:27 am
Congratulations SpaceX, amazing accomplishment.

Now bring on the next launch and the Block 5!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 02/07/2018 03:59 am
Which David Bowie song played when the first shots of the car we're shown? I'm assuming it was Starman? Couldn't really tell by hearing the lyrics.
Was actually Life on Mars? and not Starman.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v--IqqusnNQ

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/07/2018 04:11 am
Two out of three cores recovered...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5hWWe-ts2s


(shamelessly stolen)

(right booster)  I want you.
(left booster)  I need you.
(center core) But there ain't no way. I'm ever gonna [make it to Of Course I still] love you.

Now don't be sad 'Cause two out of three ain't bad
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 02/07/2018 04:14 am
OK, when in the timeline do the nacelles deploy out the sides of the upper stage and the whole thing goes to warp?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rangertech1 on 02/07/2018 04:27 am
NASA press release:

Quote
Feb. 6, 2018

Falcon Heavy: A Multi-User Spaceport Success Story
<snip>

NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft is targeted to lift off next year from nearby Launch Complex 39B. The initial SLS rocket is expected to have a liftoff thrust of 8.8 million pounds, and is designed to be an evolvable launch vehicle able to meet the most challenging deep space crew and cargo needs.

“As SpaceX continues to refine operations of its Falcon Heavy rocket, we welcome this capability to be added to those available soon from NASA’s SLS,” said Tom Engler, Kennedy’s director of Center Planning and Development.

Last Updated: Feb. 6, 2018
Editor: Bob Granath

https://www.nasa.gov/feature/falcon-heavy-a-multi-user-spaceport-success-story

Dear NASA: You talk about SLS in a press release congratulating SpaceX?  Seriously??? What is WRONG with you?

They must be paid to include SLS in every press release.    ;)

So I think I may have this figured out. If you pay a NASA intern a nickel for everytime they say SLS in a sentence, an abitious one can rake in minimum wage.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/07/2018 05:12 am
So does anyone even remember what the redditor asked?  ChrisG pwonzored him, questionwise, with 4 questions snuck in there, or was it 5?

For me one of the highlights of the presser was Elon completely ignoring the Bezos question and getting away with it.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deBASHmode on 02/07/2018 06:01 am

For me one of the highlights of the presser was Elon completely ignoring the Bezos question and getting away with it.

"uh...what was the first part of the question?"  LOL!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 02/07/2018 06:53 am
Couldn't sleep, because I had to get an update... ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deBASHmode on 02/07/2018 07:00 am
Silliness.... :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 02/07/2018 08:11 am
I was just noticing that you can even see the Tesla's dashboard gauges pretty well, and saw that, of course, they were reading all zeroes.

Which now has me convinced that we are going to see a huge spate of idiots out there, tin foil hats firmly screwed down to their pates, screaming "Look!  Look!  It's all a scam!  See?  They's not even moving!  The speed-o-meter done read zero!  Answer me that, hunh?!"

How much you wanna bet *someone* tries to pull that...?  (Or, worse yet, believes it...)
Those kind of people are morons - I have nothing but withering contempt for them. They polluted the comments threads of YouTube and Facebook today - doing pretty much what you outlined and worse. I wish they would all go Frakk themselves... (Gee Matt; why don't you tell us what you really think) Well... I put up a parody meme here earlier today about shooting Hoaxtards, but they took it down...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 02/07/2018 08:28 am
This just in - leaked footage shows senator Shelby during launch of SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket...

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180207/a55f704041b4350f996048689c32cadc.jpg)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Ben the Space Brit on 02/07/2018 08:54 am
You know, now I know the aphelion of the FH upper stage, post escape burn, I'm going to be imagining the Roadster parking in Ceres orbit next to Dawn! Yeah, I know that it didn't quite get that far out but still...  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: sanman on 02/07/2018 08:59 am
Late Night host Stephen Colbert with some choice quips:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mO-RSPLdpPg
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Archibald on 02/07/2018 12:48 pm
Reposting some siliness I posted on the wrong thread. This is the party thread, so it might be better place.

Does anybody remember that peculiar movie and that peculiar scene ? I think it really fits with the comments I red on this thread.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJlmYh27MHg

My feelings watching the launch was a mix of Sam Neil (that face) Laura Dern (that face again) with a touch of Ian Malcolm (sorry for the crude words)

 "He did it... that old _____ he did it"

Welcome to SpaceX park ! (hopefully with a better ending, rocket don't eat people fortunately)

-----------

(I found the Jurassic Park script and adapted it. Oh boy, it just fits like a glove ! that's unbelievable !)

IN THE FRONT JEEP,
 Ellie stares at the leaf, amazed, running her hand lightly over it.

ELLIE
                Alan - -

        But Grant's not paying attention.  He's staring too, out the
        other side of the jeep.

        Grant notices that several of the tree trunks are leafless -
        just as thick as the other trees, but gray and bare.

                                ELLIE (cont'd)
                        (still staring at the leaf)
                This shouldn't be here.

        Grant twists in his seat as the jeep stops and looks at one of
        the gray tree trunks.  Riveted, he slowly stands up in his seat, as if
        to get closer.  He moves to the top of the seat, practically on his
        tiptoes.

        He raises his head, looking up the length of the trunk.  He
        looks higher.

        And higher.

        And higher.

        That's no tree trunk.  That's a rocket.  Three huge rockets strapped together.

Grant's jaw drops, his
        head falls all the way back, and he looks even higher, above the tree
        line.

                                ELLIE (cont'd)
                        (still looking at the leaf)
                This species of space shuttle was been extinct since the
                cretaceous period.  This thing - -


        Grant, never tearing his eyes from the Falcon 9 Heavy, reaches over
        and grabs Ellie's head, turning it to face the booster.


        She sees it, and drops the leaf.

                                ELLIE (cont'd)
                Oh - - my - - God.

        Grant lets out a long, sharp, HAH - a combination laugh and
        shout of joy.

        He gets out of the jeep, and Ellie follows.  Grant points to the
        thing and manages to put together his first words since its appearance:

                                GRANT

                THAT'S A FALCON 9 HEAVY !

        Hammond (Musk) gets out of his jeep and comes back to join them.  He
        looks like a proud parent showing off the kid.

        Ian Malcolm looks at Hammond (Musk), amazed, and with an expression
        that is a mixture of admiration and rapprochement.

                                MALCOLM
                You did it.  You crazy son of a bitch, you did it.

        Grant and Ellie continue walking, following the rocket that suddenly lift-off on a pillar of flame

                                GRANT
                The movement! It flies ! All 3000 tonnes of it !

                                ELLIE
                The - - agility.  You're right!

        In their amazement, Grant and Ellie talk right over each other.

                                GRANT
                        (to Hammond Musk)
                That thing's got a what, two hundred foot
               booster ?


                                HAMMOND
                The Falcon 9 heavy?  Two hundred foot. All three of them. Twenty seven engines running in parallel.

                Grant and Ellie continue to walk toward the launch pad, in awe.

                                GRANT
                - - and you're going to sit there and try to tell me it
                that all three cores that currently flies to the edge of space are coming back for a perfect landing ?


                                HAMMOND MUSK
                        (proudly)

Oh, the cores are nothing, we already recovered twenty of them. Now the real deal is the Tesla car we are sending to Mars. We clocked the Tesla at thirty-two thousands miles an hour.

                                ELLIE
                You've send a Tesla roadster to Mars!?
                        (to Grant)
                He's got a Tesla !  A Tesla!  He said he's- -

                                GRANT
                Say again?

                                HAMMOND
                Yes, we have a Tesla roadster under way to Mars.

        Grant feels faint.  He sits down on the ground.

                                ELLIE
                Honey, put your head between your knees, and breathe.

        Hammond walks in front of them and looks out.

                                HAMMOND

                Dr. Grant, my dear Dr. Sattler.  Welcome to SpaceX park
                Park. Ah, it's time for the boosters to land... look, here they come !


(two boosters lands in perfect order, on pillars of flames and smoke, only half a mile appart)

        They turn and look at the view again.  It's beautiful vista,
        reminiscent of florida launch site. 

A whole herd of Falcon 9 cores crosses the
        plain, maybe a hundred that we see in a quick glance alone.

                                GRANT
                Ellie, they're absolutely - -the rocket cores - they're landing in herds. 
                They do land  in herds!


                                ELLIE
                We were right!

                                GRANT
                        (to Hammond)
                How did you do it?!
               

                                HAMMOND Musk (large grin)
                I'll show you.

Di Gennaro, in the jeep, grinning in stupefaction
 "We are gonna make a fortune with this rocket business"

P.S

a) I'm laughing like an idiot typing and reading this
b) it was extremely funny to rewritte this piece of script, exhilarating
c) we have no Jurassik World, but who cares about frakking dinosaurs when we have SpaceX rockets ?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Archibald on 02/07/2018 12:49 pm
This just in - leaked footage shows senator Shelby during launch of SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket...

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180207/a55f704041b4350f996048689c32cadc.jpg)

ROTFLMAO

"Excellent !"

You know, everytime I see The Starman, I can't help thinking about Space Cowboys ending, with Frank Sinatra "fly me to the Moon..."

got it !

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWZgrCcMbyg

I can imagine either The Starman passing in the sky with its Tesla, and Hawkin waving his hand at him; "good luck to Mars, dummy !"

or better, The Starman lands, and shake hands with Hawkins, and the two drive the Tesla across the lunar plains, discussing the meaning of life and other matters...

: Fly me to the moon / Let me play among the stars / Let me see what spring is like / On a, Jupiter and Mars
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 02/07/2018 02:36 pm
You beat me to it, well done! 8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: bjornl on 02/07/2018 02:51 pm
They started a Falcon Heavy Beards Challenge on the SpaceX FB page...
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180127/d8128d31aeb1359df6e0b3a120aed789.jpg)

I am thinking of accepting the challenge. Trip Harriss did already!
Anyone else daring to shave his(her) beard if FH Demo is successfully launched?

Edit: Bears, did I say Bears? I meant Beards 🧔
And I accepted the challenge. If all goes well, I will see the launch in person and return home freshly shaven.
So... did this qualify as "100% success"?

Edit: typo
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: LouScheffer on 02/07/2018 03:04 pm
Anyone else getting the conspiracy theory take that there was a dead body in the suit?

A perfect way to dispose of a body in plain sight, with no chance of being caught for a long time!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 02/07/2018 03:11 pm
Anyone else getting the conspiracy theory take that there was a dead body in the suit?

A perfect way to dispose of a body in plain sight, with no chance of being caught for a long time!
I didn't know that there was a conspiracy theory about it Lou, but it did cross my mind last night... What a great way for a late astronaut to go out in style... :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Treasurer on 02/07/2018 03:12 pm
I hope it's not Jessica Jensen in the space suite. She was not in the webcast, that's too bad.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deBASHmode on 02/07/2018 03:26 pm
I was just noticing that you can even see the Tesla's dashboard gauges pretty well, and saw that, of course, they were reading all zeroes.

Which now has me convinced that we are going to see a huge spate of idiots out there, tin foil hats firmly screwed down to their pates, screaming "Look!  Look!  It's all a scam!  See?  They's not even moving!  The speed-o-meter done read zero!  Answer me that, hunh?!"

How much you wanna bet *someone* tries to pull that...?  (Or, worse yet, believes it...)

YouTube was full of conspiracy videos by the time I went to bed last night. How do we not have a tin foil shortage in this country? #smdh
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 02/07/2018 03:38 pm
Anyone else getting the conspiracy theory take that there was a dead body in the suit?

A perfect way to dispose of a body in plain sight, with no chance of being caught for a long time!
I didn't know that there was a conspiracy theory about it Lou, but it did cross my mind last night... What a great way for a late astronaut to go out in style... :)

The guy in the suit was the real Elon Musk.  The guy we saw at the presser was the Brain in an Elon Musk robot suit.

Because, armed with FH, he's going to try to take over the world!

"They're SpaceX...
SpaceX and the Brain!
Brain, Brain, Brain, Brain!
*Narf!*"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 02/07/2018 03:44 pm
I was just noticing that you can even see the Tesla's dashboard gauges pretty well, and saw that, of course, they were reading all zeroes.

Which now has me convinced that we are going to see a huge spate of idiots out there, tin foil hats firmly screwed down to their pates, screaming "Look!  Look!  It's all a scam!  See?  They's not even moving!  The speed-o-meter done read zero!  Answer me that, hunh?!"

How much you wanna bet *someone* tries to pull that...?  (Or, worse yet, believes it...)

YouTube was full of conspiracy videos by the time I went to bed last night. How do we not have a tin foil shortage in this country? #smdh
Recycling? ???
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 02/07/2018 03:47 pm
I hope it's not Jessica Jensen in the space suite. She was not in the webcast, that's too bad.
Someone's got a crush... ;) ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 02/07/2018 03:56 pm
Two out of three cores recovered...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5hWWe-ts2s


(shamelessly stolen)

(right booster)  I want you.
(left booster)  I need you.
(center core) But there ain't no way. I'm ever gonna [make it to Of Course I still] love you.

Now don't be sad 'Cause two out of three ain't bad

“I know you're looking for a ruby in a mountain of rocks
But there ain't no Coup de Ville SLS hiding at the bottom
of a Cracker Jack box…”

Baby NASA we can talk all night
But that ain't getting us nowhere…”

Lar, you are my muse... ;) ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Norm38 on 02/07/2018 04:06 pm
A friend posted this to my Facebook page this morning.

Credit:  no idea, can't read the copywrite
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 02/07/2018 05:17 pm
A friend posted this to my Facebook page this morning.

Credit:  no idea, can't read the copywrite
Just ask someone with bad eyesight...
it's http://icecreamsandwichcomics.com/
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Petite Crevette on 02/07/2018 05:52 pm
(https://reho.st/gif/9c43afd666c22f999ae33f2038fe7c40644364f6.gif)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: 1 on 02/07/2018 06:51 pm
 :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 02/07/2018 07:01 pm
Haha nice 1
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Archibald on 02/07/2018 08:12 pm
You beat me to it, well done! 8)

thank you. This thing inspired my brain with all kind of weird feelings on that peculiar day. Plus being badly ill for the last two weeks, the medecine really did not helped (never tried corticosteroids in my entire life before, dang, they are far worse than caffein, when you think about it. Oh well)

-----

Does anybody remember Murph teacher in Christopher Nolan movie Interstellar ? you know, the blond girl that felt that Apollo had been a typical 20th century total waste of money.
good lord, if we are headed into the Interstellar timeline, that future Murph teacher surely is already born, and maybe she watched that launch.
Well, my opinion is that the experience probably shaped her in the way we see it in the movie. "Not only Apollo was a waste, but the Musk story was obscene, you know, when he send his own car to Mars just to impress people".

Or maybe she just blew an aneurysm thinking about all the money wasted on that Musk stunt, then survived, and turned her hate of rockets against Apollo.

----

Dang, Elon sure know how to spin an event, and stir people enthusiasm. One must recognize that entire flight is just beyond the limits of weird, when you think about it.

I had some fun trying to summarize the entire thing on my facebook page.

It went something like this

"ok ok ok, let me try to summarize today major event.

So Elon Musk, the rich man that created paypal a while back,  latched together three of its rockets. On top of that, he placed his own car, a Tesla roadster. At the wheel, there is a dummy in an astronaut suit. The car's radio is playing David Bowie space Oddity.  And of course the car dashcam is sending views of Earth, and ISS, and space.

So the three rocket light together, the two on the sides hauling the third into space on their shoulders, then these two rockets detached and returned to Earth and IMPECCABLY  landed side by side like helicopters.

Meanwhile the third rocket send Musk car to the Planet Mars, before turning back and returning Earth, for a landing on a boat that awaited the rocket off the coast of Florida. Bad luck the rocket crashed on the boat.

So just think about it: currently floating above your heads is a dummy in an astronaut suit having one hell of a very good time, driving a roadster on the road to Mars and beyond"

When you think about it this way (let's say, the way of a layman or even a redneck) the entire thing looks completely insane.

we are really living through strange times.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 02/07/2018 08:54 pm
Haha nice 1

I see what you did there. :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 02/07/2018 09:03 pm
You beat me to it, well done! 8)

thank you. This thing inspired my brain with all kind of weird feelings on that peculiar day. Plus being badly ill for the last two weeks, the medecine really did not helped (never tried corticosteroids in my entire life before, dang, they are far worse than caffein, when you think about it. Oh well)

-----

Does anybody remember Murph teacher in Christopher Nolan movie Interstellar ? you know, the blond girl that felt that Apollo had been a typical 20th century total waste of money.
good lord, if we are headed into the Interstellar timeline, that future Murph teacher surely is already born, and maybe she watched that launch.
Well, my opinion is that the experience probably shaped her in the way we see it in the movie. "Not only Apollo was a waste, but the Musk story was obscene, you know, when he send his own car to Mars just to impress people".

Or maybe she just blew an aneurysm thinking about all the money wasted on that Musk stunt, then survived, and turned her hate of rockets against Apollo.

----

Dang, Elon sure know how to spin an event, and stir people enthusiasm. One must recognize that entire flight is just beyond the limits of weird, when you think about it.

I had some fun trying to summarize the entire thing on my facebook page.

It went something like this

"ok ok ok, let me try to summarize today major event.

So Elon Musk, the rich man that created paypal a while back,  latched together three of its rockets. On top of that, he placed his own car, a Tesla roadster. At the wheel, there is a dummy in an astronaut suit. The car's radio is playing David Bowie space Oddity.  And of course the car dashcam is sending views of Earth, and ISS, and space.

So the three rocket light together, the two on the sides hauling the third into space on their shoulders, then these two rockets detached and returned to Earth and IMPECCABLY  landed side by side like helicopters.

Meanwhile the third rocket send Musk car to the Planet Mars, before turning back and returning Earth, for a landing on a boat that awaited the rocket off the coast of Florida. Bad luck the rocket crashed on the boat.

So just think about it: currently floating above your heads is a dummy in an astronaut suit having one hell of a very good time, driving a roadster on the road to Mars and beyond"

When you think about it this way (let's say, the way of a layman or even a redneck) the entire thing looks completely insane.

we are really living through strange times.
Isn't it great!!  Get well! :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: 1 on 02/07/2018 09:13 pm
Haha nice 1

I see what you did there. :D

Well, what someone else did. I just decided it belonged in the party thread and stole it. Shamelessly, I might add.

Edit: Oh, right, the joke. Sorry, I'm a bit slow at the moment. Didn't get much sleep; yesterday was one hell of a day.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Norm38 on 02/08/2018 02:14 am
If this isn't an album cover within the year, I'll start a band and do it myself
 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 02/08/2018 02:21 am
If this isn't an album cover within the year, I'll start a band and do it myself

Cool!  I've got the band name for you.  'Cars for Mars'
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Michael Baylor on 02/08/2018 04:43 am
This is quite incredible. #1 on all of Reddit right now.

https://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/7w1i6j/1989_with_my_2_year_old_son_at_kennedy_space/
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Archibald on 02/08/2018 06:04 am
Quote
Cars for Mars

They should do a Cars 4 where Matters, Sally, Cruz and Flash McQueen race against Starman, Curiosity and the MERs on a Mars race.
Imagine Cars, but inside Valles Marineris (I have a four years old kid who is a die hard fan of the series, I've seen each of them five times at least - sigh...)

as for the reactions on my facebook page, they are definitively mixed - and hilarious.

As for Jurassic Park I have the John William soundtrack somewhere, and VLC, I should marry the booster landing with that music, it would be awesome...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AbuSimbel on 02/08/2018 11:08 am
I think it's worth posting this here, as inspiration and the value of doing beautiful, awe-inspiring things is often neglected. A reminder that things that have the power to inspire have positive impacts well beyond their immediate or expected value. An update on the public perception of this launch, and its hidden but perhaps most important value.

From r/Spacex
 (https://www.reddit.com/r/spacex/comments/7w0mu7/thank_you_spacex/?st=jdeg9sap&sh=c71ea66c)

Quote
I teach high school astronomy. I do a unit on the history of space flight. I’m lucky enough to be able to show my kids video of the Apollo missions and JFKs “we choose to go to the moon” speech. The kids always talk about how “no one talks like that anymore” and ask “why don’t we do these things?” Well, I was able to share the live stream link with them yesterday and they came in this morning and the common theme was “THAT WAS DOPE!” We threw out our lesson plan and went down the rabbit hole of the future of space flight. We watched the launch from yesterday and all agreed that watching the boosters land SIMULTANEOUSLY and pretty much on the same launch pad they left from was the most incredible thing any of us had ever seen. It was one of the best days I’ve had teaching in a long time. I was able to see these kids get so excited about SCHOOL and “nerd stuff”. For a moment my kids were able to forget about all the high school drama that fills their lives and dream about a future that could see them in space. Yesterday you helped a generation to remember what it is to dream, and I thank you so much for that.

Quote
SpaceX’s way of handling failure has changed my life. I used to give up easily, I would start a project and then move to a new one as soon as I was met with complications. Just think if SpaceX has give up after the 3 failures of Falcon 1, the space industry would have been unmoved. They kept on pitching their technology until it finally worked, and look at where they are now! Because of their story, I am more motivated person, I always try to finish projects I start now, and because of that, I have accomplished so much more!

Quote
SpaceX (and the New Horizons) probe gave me the push to quit my job and go back to school for mechanical engineering. Now I'll graduate at 30 years old. Better late than never!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: toruonu on 02/08/2018 12:52 pm
Someone on FB dredged up some nice photoshop skills :) Guess the conspiracy theorists at least do have skills in some aspects ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mongo62 on 02/08/2018 02:58 pm
Someone on FB dredged up some nice photoshop skills :) Guess the conspiracy theorists at least do have skills in some aspects ;)

Funny, but at the same time infuriating. I am sure that a non-zero number of people are convinced that something like the image above is exactly what happened.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 02/08/2018 04:15 pm
Elon and the SpaceXers earnt those drinks:

Quote
Company party after the Falcon Heavy launch with a happy Elon. 😊 “We launched the biggest rocket… https://www.instagram.com/p/Be8YLHkhu6I/

https://twitter.com/abbygarrettX/status/961646837307494400 (https://twitter.com/abbygarrettX/status/961646837307494400)

Edit to add: just saw this

Quote
MUST WATCH: ELON MUSK AT PORT CANAVERAL @SpaceX CEO Elon Musk makes a surprise visit to Fishlips at Port Canaveral & given a hero's welcome just hours after the successful Falcon Heavy launch! Make sure to watch 'til the end to hear from Elon! (Video thanks to Shannon Lydic)

https://twitter.com/PortCanaveral/status/961635748796608513 (https://twitter.com/PortCanaveral/status/961635748796608513)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 02/08/2018 04:17 pm
Hmm, maybe Elon doesn't deserve the drink ...

Quote
What if Elon Musk's just committed the perfect murder?

https://twitter.com/JimMcCauley/status/961234174509240322
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Heinrich on 02/08/2018 06:26 pm
How busy was nsf servers Tuesday?  Two small outages i think but if i look at the bottom of the main page it wasn't record breaking. .. Surprisingly!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ugordan on 02/08/2018 06:46 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGBrQevR5Iw
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 02/08/2018 07:01 pm
How busy was nsf servers Tuesday?  Two small outages i think but if i look at the bottom of the main page it wasn't record breaking. .. Surprisingly!

They spread things out to better handle the load.  Keeps everything working, but the numbers get skewed.

Mark's got the forum spread over several resources and we're looking good so far. You can all ignore the "users online" counter because of the spread.
Well we survived after the above, and through demand that was massively in excess of the above server hamster fatality, so that was an unrelated fault (to load demand). We had the biggest ever surge, on what has been a record day for the site, after SpaceX's webcast ended and had to remove guests for a while as we were getting sluggish (we didn't go down).

Will post the stats in the morning, but my goodness! ;D

(Manually adding the name and link to quotes copied and pasted from threads you can't post on is easy; adding the right timestamps, too... well, pretty easy, at least.  ;))
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cro-magnon gramps on 02/08/2018 08:28 pm
I've got a ticket to ride, and I don't care!! :D
anyone need a taxi???
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/08/2018 09:17 pm
How busy was nsf servers Tuesday?  Two small outages i think but if i look at the bottom of the main page it wasn't record breaking. .. Surprisingly!
There was some smearing, the numbers are not right since multiple servers were helping.

Confirmed.  It was destroyed.  There was no safe way to tow it back without risk to land, sea, and people.

Was it destroyed by SpaceX, or the Air Force?

Presumably, someone with access to missiles or large bore deck guns. Don't want to get too close in case of a RUD.
For the record, that doesn't necessarily rule out SpaceX ... missiles are kinds of rockets :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 02/09/2018 12:20 am
I asked others, in all seriousness, to annotate this picture, on another thread. Just to see what to see what the conspiracy theorists will come up with for the fish. 😂😂
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 02/09/2018 12:27 am
Presumably, someone with access to missiles or large bore deck guns. Don't want to get too close in case of a RUD.
For the record, that doesn't necessarily rule out SpaceX ... missiles are kinds of rockets :)

Sorry, but SpaceX's known missiles specialize in punching holes in ASDSs, not other F9s. Although... hrmmm.. ASDS OCISLY was at sea, and it's been suspected of having, or at least wanting, an anti-F9 missile or laser system. 

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 02/09/2018 12:28 am
Holy Mackerel!! ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 02/09/2018 03:31 am
I asked others, in all seriousness, to annotate this picture, on another thread. Just to see what to see what the conspiracy theorists will come up with for the fish. 😂😂

It shows that the Falcon is quite Kosher.  They even have Lox in their LOX!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/09/2018 04:29 am
Sorry, but SpaceX's known missiles specialize in punching holes in ASDSs, not other F9s. Although... hrmmm.. ASDS OCISLY was at sea, and it's been suspected of having, or at least wanting, and anti-F9 missile or laser system. 
My theory is that it was their (secret) last F1 ... sibling rivalry.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: catdlr on 02/09/2018 10:15 am
Starman Blasts Off From Florida In His Tesla Roadster into the Memosphere

Cocoa Beach 365
Published on Feb 9, 2018


The SpaceX Starman blasts off from the beaches of Florida in his Tesla Roadster into the deepest reaches of the memosphere at full ludicrous speed!

https://youtu.be/YKc8LERIXsI?t=001

https://youtu.be/YKc8LERIXsI
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Proponent on 02/09/2018 01:38 pm
Fifty years ago some said that Apollo 8 saved 1968.  Perhaps Falcon Heavy, with its huge popular impact, helps to save what so far seems otherwise to be a pretty awful 2018.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: sghill on 02/09/2018 01:52 pm
No one has seen Jeff Bezos in public since before the Starman launch.

Just sayin'...

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 02/09/2018 01:54 pm
Ooo burn... ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: laszlo on 02/09/2018 02:04 pm
Seems Elon wasn't the first to think of this stunt, he just had better tech than Walt.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mheney on 02/09/2018 02:12 pm
And then there/'s this ...

http://www.myconfinedspace.com/2018/02/08/time-to-go-home-and-relax

(http://img.myconfinedspace.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/time-to-go-home-and-relax.jpg)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 02/10/2018 07:08 am
Updated Solar System diorama (https://www.reddit.com/r/gifs/comments/7we0ll/my_kids_preschool_added_something_special/)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 02/10/2018 11:50 am
And then there/'s this ...

http://www.myconfinedspace.com/2018/02/08/time-to-go-home-and-relax


How about when you post a comic page, you link to its own page rather than to a thief's pirate copy of it?
try http://icecreamsandwichcomics.com/   instead?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: octavo on 02/10/2018 03:35 pm
Tory Bruno liked one of my tweets... It's not relevant or important, but it made my day. He's a really cool guy.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: John Alan on 02/10/2018 05:33 pm
Posting this here as I found it both humorous and interesting.
But not worthy of a stand alone thread...
https://youtu.be/CQbKctnnA-Y
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/11/2018 01:12 am
And then there/'s this ...

http://www.myconfinedspace.com/2018/02/08/time-to-go-home-and-relax


How about when you post a comic page, you link to its own page rather than to a thief's pirate copy of it?
try http://icecreamsandwichcomics.com/   instead?
I agree with that, please credit the original authors. Sometimes it's hard to tell who the originator is but this was posted elsewhere already. I spent 39 seconds trying to find the image to link to and failed. Perhaps OP can fix it... thanks!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 02/11/2018 04:36 am
Now that the first Falcon Heavy launch is done and dusted, I'm retiring the 'still waiting for the first FH launch meme' and replacing it with this one:
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 02/11/2018 08:09 pm
It’s been 5 days since the last launch.

I need a fix!

Come on PAZ

A Block 5 siting wouldn’t hurt either.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 02/11/2018 08:51 pm
There's a Vandenburg launch soon, so...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 02/12/2018 03:38 am
Quote
No one has seen Jeff Bezos in public since before the Starman launch.

Just sayin'...

In space, noone can hear you make your Amazon order.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: 1 on 02/12/2018 08:55 am
Aaaand retconned as appropriate

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 02/12/2018 09:41 am
Would have to go through a wormhole to reach the Delta Quadrant...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: rpapo on 02/12/2018 09:53 am
Passed to me by a co-worker.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 02/12/2018 12:55 pm
Passed to me by a co-worker.

I thought Spock was more accurate than THAT.
.
it's a 2008 Tesla Roadster.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 02/14/2018 07:07 am
M1400 Paz Launch Hazard Area (https://goo.gl/L9HXtj) based on issued NOTMAR, together with stage2 debris area.

(https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/assets/44892.0/1477496.jpg)

(https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/assets/44892.0/1477498.jpg)

Well, that picture now should be definite proof that the earth isn't flat! (And rotates)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 02/14/2018 07:57 am
M1400 Paz Launch Hazard Area (https://goo.gl/L9HXtj) based on issued NOTMAR, together with stage2 debris area.

<image>

<image>

Well, that picture now should be definite proof that the earth isn't flat! (And rotates)

If Elon can launch a car, he can launch a rocket that does a U-turn.   ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: IntoTheVoid on 02/14/2018 12:09 pm
M1400 Paz Launch Hazard Area (https://goo.gl/L9HXtj) based on issued NOTMAR, together with stage2 debris area.

<image>

<image>

Well, that picture now should be definite proof that the earth isn't flat! (And rotates)

When you fake a rocket launch, it's easy to claim that the debris landed anywhere that no one is looking.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kch on 02/14/2018 01:45 pm
Quote
No one has seen Jeff Bezos in public since before the Starman launch.

Just sayin'...

In space, noone can hear you make your Amazon order.

Can he?  I knew he was good, but that's incredible!  "Mrs. Brown, you've got a lovely booster ..."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Noone (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Noone)

;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 02/14/2018 02:26 pm
Well, that picture now should be definite proof that the earth isn't flat! (And rotates)

If Elon can launch a car, he can launch a rocket that does a U-turn.   ;)

But does it come with a corkscrew?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 02/14/2018 02:48 pm
Too many U-turns may result in a corkscrew.

And with that, there’s nauseating symptoms for any astronauts onboard.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mongo62 on 02/14/2018 09:51 pm
Falcon Heavy launch 【WITH APOLLO 13 MUSIC】

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmqrZ3Ch50c
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: John Alan on 02/14/2018 10:32 pm
I'm saying it...
I've said it...
I'm saying it again...

Tsiolkovsky's rocket equation... SUKS...  >:(

Note - I'm not saying it's wrong or any of that...  :)
Just that it can drive you crazy sometimes playing with it...  :o  ::)
Especially when you get to three stages in play... UGH!!  :(
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: fthomassy on 02/15/2018 12:05 am
So is impacting at 300mph.
Sigh. Clearly and overshoot based on light and vibration just before the video cut out :o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 02/15/2018 01:25 am
This just in - exclusive footage of Richard Branson holding onto his dream...

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180215/85f557535dabf6b6412b2d3e887ca77b.jpg)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jpo234 on 02/15/2018 05:09 pm
https://twitter.com/abbygarrettX/status/963550925758631942

Quote
Am I the only one confused by the KSC commemorative launch glasses and why the @SpaceX #FalconHeavy logo has a rooster crown on top of it? Chicken Heavy?! Look closely. One of these things is not like the other 😂 @elonmusk @ExploreSpaceKSC

Google Image Search snafu  :o

Reddit did it:

https://www.reddit.com/r/SpaceXMasterrace/comments/7l10p9/idea_for_a_more_mature_falcon_heavy_logo/

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: abaddon on 02/16/2018 01:46 pm
In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the agency's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, or TESS, has been uncreated from its shipping container for inspections and preflight processing.
Well that sounds ominous...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 02/16/2018 04:24 pm
In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the agency's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, or TESS, has been uncreated from its shipping container for inspections and preflight processing.
Well that sounds ominous...

Well that explains the NASA job listing for undead employees last year including special bonus individuals with unmaking spell background.
Sorry no link to the post, it was uncreated. ( or maybe just uncreative)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cro-magnon gramps on 02/16/2018 07:03 pm
Lets just hope they don't end up with another floater...  :-[

 ;)

A Life on the Ocean Wave

A life on the ocean wave! A home on the rolling deep!
Where the scattered waters rave, and the winds their revels keep!

It's a grand life until they drag you back to shore :D

ps and I fully realize that this will most likely get some hate,
so Commodore Lar, send me over the side for keel hauling at your leisure :D :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 02/16/2018 07:32 pm
Lets just hope they don't end up with another floater...  :-[

 ;)

A Life on the Ocean Wave

A life on the ocean wave! A home on the rolling deep!
Where the scattered waters rave, and the winds their revels keep!

It's a grand life until they drag you back to shore :D

ps and I fully realize that this will most likely get some hate,
so Commodore Lar, send me over the side for keel hauling at your leisure :D :D

On the contrary, I respectfully suggest to the Commodore that you receive the evening's first, full serving of grog!

Don't give up the ship!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 02/16/2018 08:02 pm
I think I now understand what SpaceX is doing. The floating F9 is the key.

The ASDS, due to its thick steel deck and internal chambers, has proved itself able to withstand being falcon-punched from above, surviving even when the deck has been holed.

So, SpaceX is abandoning the approach-from-above method, and by successfully landing a F9 in the water, they are well on their way to creating the world's largest torpedo; land near an ASDS, align the forward end (with a FH-style nose cap)  towards it, and relight the engines (perhaps all 9), in order to hit the ASDS below the water line with a 150 foot long hypersonic rocket-torpedo. 

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 02/16/2018 08:11 pm
I think I now understand what SpaceX is doing. The floating F9 is the key.

The ASDS, due to its thick steel deck and internal chambers, has proved itself able to withstand being falcon-punched from above, surviving even when the deck has been holed.

So, SpaceX is abandoning the approach-from-above method, and by successfully landing a F9 in the water, they are well on their way to creating the world's largest torpedo; land near an ASDS, align the forward end (with a FH-style nose cap)  towards it, and relight the engines (perhaps all 9), in order to hit the ASDS below the water line with a 150 foot long hypersonic rocket-torpedo.

Nah, it was a failed experiment in cavitation induced capsizing.  Come down hard and fast on three engines beside the OCISLY, create lots of bubbles as deep as possible and watch as that side of the barge loses buoyancy and drops below the waves.

It's actually a precursor to having the rocket load itself on a transporter aboard the barge.  Get the barge vertical while the booster maneuvers into the cradle, then when the engines cut off, the bubbles disperse and the barge pops back to horizontal orientation with the booster all ready for strapping down on the transporter chained to the deck.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 02/16/2018 08:16 pm
https://twitter.com/abbygarrettX/status/963550925758631942

Quote
Am I the only one confused by the KSC commemorative launch glasses and why the @SpaceX #FalconHeavy logo has a rooster crown on top of it? Chicken Heavy?! Look closely. One of these things is not like the other 😂 @elonmusk @ExploreSpaceKSC

Google Image Search snafu  :o

Reddit did it:

https://www.reddit.com/r/SpaceXMasterrace/comments/7l10p9/idea_for_a_more_mature_falcon_heavy_logo/

Sounds like a spelling error to me...  Someone said they needed 'commemorative gear for the FH Booster', but the printer glitched and the manufacturer's instructions said they needed 'commemorative gear for the FH Rooster'.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 02/16/2018 08:28 pm
Sounds like a spelling error to me...  Someone said they needed 'commemorative gear for the FH Booster', but the printer glitched and the manufacturer's instructions said they needed 'commemorative gear for the FH Rooster'.

So you're saying it might not have been the best idea to submit the production order by vintage fax machine?  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 02/16/2018 11:47 pm
In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the agency's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, or TESS, has been uncreated from its shipping container for inspections and preflight processing.
Well that sounds ominous...

From same original source: 
Quote
SpaceX of Hawthorne, California, is the provider of the Falcon 9 launch service. TESS is scheduled to launch atop a Falcon 9 rocket no earlier than April 16, 2018 from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

Mighty obliging of ULA to let SpaceX launch an F9 from their Atlas V launch pad.  It's probably because SLC-40 isn't rated to support Schrödinger's payloads.  Is it created or uncreated?  Need the specialized GSE at SLC-41 to maintain the superposition, that way the wave function doesn't collapse until fairing jettison.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: John Alan on 02/17/2018 02:51 pm
I like it...  ;D
Found on this page, then scroll down...  ;)
http://www.whereisroadster.com/goodies.html (http://www.whereisroadster.com/goodies.html)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/17/2018 05:05 pm
In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the agency's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, or TESS, has been uncreated from its shipping container for inspections and preflight processing.

Hilarious typo. I hope they know how to REcreate it!

(glad I was ninja'ed but I needed to say this anyway.)

Also, for the record, I'm not in charge of grog rations around here. Although I have been known to be a bit groggy in the morning.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 02/17/2018 05:52 pm
In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the agency's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, or TESS, has been uncreated from its shipping container for inspections and preflight processing.

Hilarious typo. I hope they know how to REcreate it!

(glad I was ninja'ed but I needed to say this anyway.)

Also, for the record, I'm not in charge of grog rations around here. Although I have been known to be a bit groggy in the morning.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2j8kUXxxStA
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/18/2018 03:53 am
Does this make Elon Planetary executive of the year?

Not sure she’s orbiting around him… more like she’s a stable body managing his erratic orbit

Who has the bigger Hill Sphere???
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 02/18/2018 07:04 pm
Also, for the record, I'm not in charge of grog rations around here. Although I have been known to be a bit groggy in the morning.

Then who is the NSF grog-master?  (Grog-meister?)  And does this person have a catchy Rankin/Bass musical number to describe their role?

(They produced numerous holiday-themed musical stop action TV specials back in the day.  An example below.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SGlPnA_iCk

(I'd also like to know who is the NSF pony-granter.)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/19/2018 02:39 am
I'd also like to know who is the NSF pony-granter.)
QuantumG.

As for grog. this is a grog free zone.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 02/19/2018 03:07 pm
I'd also like to know who is the NSF pony-granter.)
QuantumG.

As for grog. this is a grog free zone.

It's all for me Grog, me jolly jolly grog. Its all for me mixed NTO.... cause ai spent my Hydrazine, fighting torque induced spin, so across them stationed orbits I must wander...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 02/19/2018 05:50 pm
13 days without a launch seems far too long!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Petite Crevette on 02/19/2018 08:08 pm
https://twitter.com/ZainRaz4/status/965297915861270530 (https://twitter.com/ZainRaz4/status/965297915861270530)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 02/19/2018 11:21 pm
13 days without a launch seems far too long!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 02/19/2018 11:23 pm
Okay.  So not only do we need a Grok button, but now we need a Grog button as well.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 02/20/2018 12:14 am
13 days without a launch seems far too long!

As a Simpson fan since episode 1, 'Thank you'
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 02/20/2018 12:18 am
Quote
NASA confirms SLS mobile launcher is leaning, does not require corrective action.

Yeah.  Leaning isn't the problem...  It's the whistling, snapping of fingers and smoking cigarettes.  Then it will be in trouble.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 02/20/2018 01:32 am
Quote
NASA confirms SLS mobile launcher is leaning, does not require corrective action.

Yeah.  Leaning isn't the problem...  It's the whistling, snapping of fingers and smoking cigarettes.  Then it will be in trouble.

Nah, NASA is simply eying the economics. In this case, the economics of a city called Pisa.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 02/20/2018 03:26 am
Quote
NASA confirms SLS mobile launcher is leaning, does not require corrective action.

Yeah.  Leaning isn't the problem...  It's the whistling, snapping of fingers and smoking cigarettes.  Then it will be in trouble.

Is Thiacom looking for a new launcher? One that leans before launch instead of after landing?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 02/20/2018 03:38 am
(I'd also like to know who is the NSF pony-granter.)
QuantumG.

As for grog. this is a grog free zone.

OK.  I just PM'd QuantumG with my draft request.

Re: grog.  Understood.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 02/20/2018 04:26 am
Also, for the record, I'm not in charge of grog rations around here. Although I have been known to be a bit groggy in the morning.

Then who is the NSF grog-master?  (Grog-meister?)  And does this person have a catchy Rankin/Bass musical number to describe their role?

(They produced numerous holiday-themed musical stop action TV specials back in the day.  An example below.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SGlPnA_iCk

(I'd also like to know who is the NSF pony-granter.)

Sing:

He's Mister Drink Mixer, he's Mister Punch!
He'll spike the Party Thread and you'll
All have to drink a bunch!
Friends call him Grog-Meister,
We know him as Lar!
And if you go too far,
You he'll bar!

(cue Dancing Unicorns)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 02/20/2018 12:28 pm
Sing:

He's Mister Drink Mixer, he's Mister Punch!
He'll spike the Party Thread and you'll
All have to drink a bunch!
Friends call him Grog-Meister,
We know him as Lar!
And if you go too far,
You he'll bar!

(cue Dancing Unicorns)

I wonder if he's really Lar
The vowel sound sounding like car
He's fair, yet he's merry
His lair's labelled "Larry"
But "LEGOs", you said, that's a war!1


I am Lar (short for Larry) I'm a mod. And not that knowledgable. I just act like I am, and get shot down a lot.
Lars-J is some other guy, not a mod, but smarter than me.  However, I have more LEGO elements and sets than he does. so there's that. But he has a cool avatar...  (Benny is cool... but the shuttle sets are cooler)

1I just couldn't help but intentionally throw a non-rhyming2 line in at the end.
2"Sight rhymes" are a travesty on par with genericizing brands.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 02/20/2018 01:45 pm
UPDATE thread for Hispasat 30W-6 (Hispasat 1F) mission.

February 25, 2018 at 0035 EST/0535 UTC on Falcon 9 from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral.  Payload mass is about 6mT, so it will probably be an expendable flight.

Just how much does a payload of 6 millitesla weigh?

Just my pet Peeve, when americans mutilate units of measure into gibberish.

Metric ton (mt or MT), equal to one thousand kilograms
Millitesla (mT), the SI unit of magnetic flux density


The only SANE way to read "Payload mass is about 6mT" is to envision 6 little cars, each a 1/1000th scale roadster.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: stcks on 02/20/2018 01:47 pm
Just my pet Peeve, when americans mutilate units of measure into gibberish.

Did you just call Chris an american?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 02/20/2018 02:43 pm
UPDATE thread for Hispasat 30W-6 (Hispasat 1F) mission.

February 25, 2018 at 0035 EST/0535 UTC on Falcon 9 from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral.  Payload mass is about 6mT, so it will probably be an expendable flight.

Just how much does a payload of 6 millitesla weigh?

Just my pet Peeve, when americans mutilate units of measure into gibberish.

Metric ton (mt or MT), equal to one thousand kilograms
Millitesla (mT), the SI unit of magnetic flux density


The only SANE way to read "Payload mass is about 6mT" is to envision 6 little cars, each a 1/1000th scale roadster.
Megagrams is the only SANE unit to use to describe the payload's mass.  6Mg.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 02/20/2018 02:56 pm
UPDATE thread for Hispasat 30W-6 (Hispasat 1F) mission.

February 25, 2018 at 0035 EST/0535 UTC on Falcon 9 from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral.  Payload mass is about 6mT, so it will probably be an expendable flight.

Just how much does a payload of 6 millitesla weigh?

Just my pet Peeve, when americans mutilate units of measure into gibberish.

Metric ton (mt or MT), equal to one thousand kilograms
Millitesla (mT), the SI unit of magnetic flux density


The only SANE way to read "Payload mass is about 6mT" is to envision 6 little cars, each a 1/1000th scale roadster.

Ma!  Pete's messing around with the Delorean again!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 02/20/2018 06:10 pm
UPDATE thread for Hispasat 30W-6 (Hispasat 1F) mission.

February 25, 2018 at 0035 EST/0535 UTC on Falcon 9 from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral.  Payload mass is about 6mT, so it will probably be an expendable flight.

Just how much does a payload of 6 millitesla weigh?

Just my pet Peeve, when americans mutilate units of measure into gibberish.

Metric ton (mt or MT), equal to one thousand kilograms
Millitesla (mT), the SI unit of magnetic flux density


The only SANE way to read "Payload mass is about 6mT" is to envision 6 little cars, each a 1/1000th scale roadster.
Megagrams is the only SANE unit to use to describe the payload's mass.  6Mg.

Plus, Megagram just sounds so much cooler.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 02/20/2018 07:21 pm
UPDATE thread for Hispasat 30W-6 (Hispasat 1F) mission.

February 25, 2018 at 0035 EST/0535 UTC on Falcon 9 from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral.  Payload mass is about 6mT, so it will probably be an expendable flight.

Just how much does a payload of 6 millitesla weigh?

Just my pet Peeve, when americans mutilate units of measure into gibberish.

Metric ton (mt or MT), equal to one thousand kilograms
Millitesla (mT), the SI unit of magnetic flux density


The only SANE way to read "Payload mass is about 6mT" is to envision 6 little cars, each a 1/1000th scale roadster.

Personally, I think a Tesla-based measurement for payload is ideal, seeing as how the first flight of Falcon Heavy had a one-Tesla payload.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/20/2018 10:43 pm
- musk, post FH presser.
I'm wrong. Thanks! See how easy that is? Ya don't have to puff your chest out and blow hot air.
We're all out of practice, you being wrong so very infrequently....

And it's long A ...

Evil Lar, keeps his
LEGO elements in his
very evil Lair.

In case there was any remaining proof needed that I am not a poet, there you have it.

Also, I posted a question in an update thread today. Inflicting  bad poetry on you was my punnnn-ishment.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: 1 on 02/20/2018 11:34 pm
UPDATE thread for Hispasat 30W-6 (Hispasat 1F) mission.

February 25, 2018 at 0035 EST/0535 UTC on Falcon 9 from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral.  Payload mass is about 6mT, so it will probably be an expendable flight.

Just how much does a payload of 6 millitesla weigh?

Just my pet Peeve, when americans mutilate units of measure into gibberish.

Metric ton (mt or MT), equal to one thousand kilograms
Millitesla (mT), the SI unit of magnetic flux density


The only SANE way to read "Payload mass is about 6mT" is to envision 6 little cars, each a 1/1000th scale roadster.

Personally, I think a Tesla-based measurement for payload is ideal, seeing as how the first flight of Falcon Heavy had a one-Tesla payload.

So be it.

Beginning from payloads in kg:
     LEO: 63800 kg
GTO Ex: 26700 kg
GTO RS: 8000 kg
   Pluto: 3500 kg

Converting via E=mc2, our total energy payload is:
     LEO: 5.734E21 J
GTO Ex: 2.3996E21 J
GTO RS: 7.1900E20 J
   Pluto: 3.1456E20 J

Using the numbers from the falcon 9 user guide, internal fairing volume appears to be a bit over 48.3 m3, giving a maximum energy density of
     LEO: 1.156E20 J/m3
GTO Ex: 4.9639E19 J/m3
GTO RS: 1.4873E19 J/m3
   Pluto: 6.4070E18 J/m3

Finally, using the energy density of a magnetic field U = B2/2uo, we arrive at our payload in Tesla[1], assuming constant field strength:
     LEO: 1.726E7 T
GTO Ex: 1.116E7 T
GTO RS: 6.113E6 T
   Pluto: 4.043E6 T

Perfectly cromulent.

[1]Multiply by 1000 to get mT if you're "american".

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/21/2018 12:45 am
These are not the Teslas you're looking for.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: launchwatcher on 02/21/2018 12:45 am
Personally, I think a Tesla-based measurement for payload is ideal, seeing as how the first flight of Falcon Heavy had a one-Tesla payload.
The demo payload was 1001 mT.   Who could forget the the 1-mT matchbox car attached to the dashboard of the full-size car?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/21/2018 01:04 am
Personally, I think a Tesla-based measurement for payload is ideal, seeing as how the first flight of Falcon Heavy had a one-Tesla payload.
The demo payload was 1001 mT.   Who could forget the the 1-mT matchbox car attached to the dashboard of the full-size car?

Toys... now you're in my wheelhouse.  I tihnk it was actually a Hot Wheels.

Hot Wheels are sized similarly to Matchbox. These do not follow a specific scale, since they were scaled to fit within a (very large) matchbox sized package. So lorries would be 1:120  or more, while minis were more like 1:64. But 1:87 (HO scale)  is not a bad nominal size estimate for the average Hot Wheels car. So the volume of the model Tesla can be approximated as about 1/(658,503) of the volume of the real thing. That's not an "m"

Even if we use 1:100 to make the numbers rounder, we get 1/(1,000,000) which is STILL not an m. More of a microTesla.

You guys clearly are all wet.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kch on 02/21/2018 01:46 am
UPDATE thread for Hispasat 30W-6 (Hispasat 1F) mission.

February 25, 2018 at 0035 EST/0535 UTC on Falcon 9 from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral.  Payload mass is about 6mT, so it will probably be an expendable flight.

Just how much does a payload of 6 millitesla weigh?

Just my pet Peeve, when americans mutilate units of measure into gibberish.

Metric ton (mt or MT), equal to one thousand kilograms
Millitesla (mT), the SI unit of magnetic flux density


The only SANE way to read "Payload mass is about 6mT" is to envision 6 little cars, each a 1/1000th scale roadster.
Megagrams is the only SANE unit to use to describe the payload's mass.  6Mg.

Plus, Megagram just sounds so much cooler.

It'd make a great name for a group of retired rock musicians ("They're off!  They're rockers!  They're Megagram!") ... ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kch on 02/21/2018 01:58 am
- musk, post FH presser.
I'm wrong. Thanks! See how easy that is? Ya don't have to puff your chest out and blow hot air.
We're all out of practice, you being wrong so very infrequently....

And it's long A ...

Evil Lar, keeps his
LEGO elements in his
very evil Lair.

In case there was any remaining proof needed that I am not a poet, there you have it.

Also, I posted a question in an update thread today. Inflicting  bad poetry on you was my punnnn-ishment.

No worries -- even professional poets ask the prose for advice from time to time.

Haiku is not ea-
Sy -- but I'm sure you noticed.
Refrigerator.
 

:)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wolfram66 on 02/21/2018 02:06 am
UPDATE thread for Hispasat 30W-6 (Hispasat 1F) mission.

February 25, 2018 at 0035 EST/0535 UTC on Falcon 9 from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral.  Payload mass is about 6mT, so it will probably be an expendable flight.

Just how much does a payload of 6 millitesla weigh?

Just my pet Peeve, when americans mutilate units of measure into gibberish.

Metric ton (mt or MT), equal to one thousand kilograms
Millitesla (mT), the SI unit of magnetic flux density


The only SANE way to read "Payload mass is about 6mT" is to envision 6 little cars, each a 1/1000th scale roadster.
Megagrams is the only SANE unit to use to describe the payload's mass.  6Mg.

For a fun units exercise, My high school physics teacher had us give velocity as Ferlongs/fortnight. Have fun with that conversion rocketeers... ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 02/21/2018 03:28 am
For a fun units exercise, My high school physics teacher had us give velocity as Ferlongs/fortnight. Have fun with that conversion rocketeers... ;D

Actually, furlongs per fortnight has been used, right here on NSF, as a unit in delta/v calculations. Of course, the person who did so is crazy, but.....
 https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=37749.msg1399923#msg1399923

Quote
Quote
Quote from: NovaSilisko on 07/03/2015 06:35 PM

    Did... did you just do a delta-v calculation in imperial units?

Yes, but I refrained from my initial intent of using furlongs per fortnight.  ;D

Hrmmm.... this of course raises the profound and meaningful question of just how much delta/v does one need to attain LEO, measured in furlongs per fortnight?

And the eagerly awaited answer is... 55,318,539 furlongs per fortnight of delta/v!

And, for those wondering how to use this wonderful and very suitable unit of measure in your space calculations, here's the formula;
A fortnight is UK terminology for 2 weeks. A furlong is 660 feet. So, lets start with the a simple delta/v requirement such as one kilometer per second, which is an awkward and cumbersome unit of velocity, kilometers per second, 1kps.  Firstly, you have to convert a kilometer to feet, which is 3280.83989501312 and once you have that far easier to handle number, you can then convert fortnight to seconds with the very simple 14X24X60X60, which gives you 1209600. And that's a good number to memorize, because you never know when you'll urgently need to know the number of seconds in a fortnight!
So, back to converting to this far simpler and more useful unit of measure; 3280.83989501312 feet is 4.970969537898667 furlongs per second, so multiply that by  1209600, and you get the far easier to envision velocity of 6012884.753042227 furlongs per fortnight for your delta/v requirement.

As for fuel, it's best measured in acre-feet. Orbital apogees and perigees are best measured in rods and furlongs. And, for your spacecraft's internal volume, cubic cubits work best.

Of course, 12-based systems are rather cumbersome, so I prefer to try to avoid using such arcane units of time as days, minutes, and seconds. The fortnight thus simply makes for a better system of time measurement.

Furlongs per fortnight isn't just a good idea, it's the future!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 02/21/2018 12:50 pm
It's kind of been overlooked but there are aspects of today's launch that might represent something entirely new. Imagine complete global universal access by all of humanity to all of humanity. At least on Earth.



Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mongo62 on 02/21/2018 02:12 pm
^ That image... the NSA recruits young, don't they?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 02/21/2018 02:46 pm
Who knows, the NSA was formed in the early 50's, so those boys would have been just the right age, late 30's, early 40's?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 02/21/2018 04:41 pm


The Recovery Ship Formerly Known As Mr Steven (TRSFKAMS)

I nominate "GO Something" as the placeholder name. ;)
Since it's function is like a big floating catcher's mitt, I'm throwing out two possible names - either the GO Bob Uecker, or the Go Yogi Berra :)

If it runs way off into the distance to catch a hail mary, wouldn't a better name be "GO Deep"?  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cppetrie on 02/21/2018 04:54 pm


The Recovery Ship Formerly Known As Mr Steven (TRSFKAMS)

I nominate "GO Something" as the placeholder name. ;)
Since it's function is like a big floating catcher's mitt, I'm throwing out two possible names - either the GO Bob Uecker, or the Go Yogi Berra :)

If it runs way off into the distance to catch a hail mary, wouldn't a better name be "GO Deep"?  ;D
Or GO Long
Or GO Catch(er)
Or GO Fetch(er)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: atsf90east on 02/21/2018 09:57 pm


The Recovery Ship Formerly Known As Mr Steven (TRSFKAMS)

I nominate "GO Something" as the placeholder name. ;)
Since it's function is like a big floating catcher's mitt, I'm throwing out two possible names - either the GO Bob Uecker, or the Go Yogi Berra :)

If it runs way off into the distance to catch a hail mary, wouldn't a better name be "GO Deep"?  ;D
Or GO Long
Or GO Catch(er)
Or GO Fetch(er)
(


The Recovery Ship Formerly Known As Mr Steven (TRSFKAMS)

I nominate "GO Something" as the placeholder name. ;)
Since it's function is like a big floating catcher's mitt, I'm throwing out two possible names - either the GO Bob Uecker, or the Go Yogi Berra :)

If it runs way off into the distance to catch a hail mary, wouldn't a better name be "GO Deep"?  ;D
Or GO Long
Or GO Catch(er)
Or GO Fetch(er)
(GO)al Keeper
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 02/22/2018 01:56 am
It would be better if the ship name related to the fairing.
Like My FAIRing Lady
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/22/2018 03:04 am
Quote from: speedevil link=<censored> date=1519271176
Quote from: <censored> link=topic=<censored> date=<censored>
<censored>

Is there a L3 that I've missed, and there are NSF operatives <censored> on the road for <censored>?
Need to know basis. If you have to ask how much it is, you can't afford it.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jebbo on 02/22/2018 06:54 am
I'd expect any new name to be a Culture one ... given they're trying to catch $6m, I'd be temped by "Profit Margin" :D

--- Tony
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 02/22/2018 07:48 am
Quote from: speedevil link=<censored> date=1519271176
Quote from: <censored> link=topic=<censored> date=<censored>
<censored>

Is there a L3 that I've missed, and there are NSF operatives <censored> on the road for <censored>?
Need to know basis. If you have to ask how much it is, you can't afford it.

What? L2 AND L3? What did you guys do, take over all the Lagrange points?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 02/22/2018 01:01 pm
Quote from: speedevil link=<censored> date=1519271176
Quote from: <censored> link=topic=<censored> date=<censored>
<censored>

Is there a L3 that I've missed, and there are NSF operatives <censored> on the road for <censored>?
Need to know basis. If you have to ask how much it is, you can't afford it.

What? L2 AND L3? What did you guys do, take over all the Lagrange points?

Don't bother working all the way to L5.  It's always behind.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 02/22/2018 01:30 pm
Huge congratulations to everyone involved in today's launch of PAZ - no idea if we'll get confirmation of Microsat deploy later, but I'm hoping for more info.

Now we just have to wait three whole days for the next F9...  I'm already getting restless! :P
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 02/22/2018 01:31 pm
I will never get tired of watching Falcon launch at night.  - E. Thereal
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/22/2018 01:32 pm
Congrats to SpaceX for another successful launch. Good bye 1038, and thanks for your service, enjoy the fishing.

Thanks to all for coverage!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 02/22/2018 01:37 pm
Happy hunting PAZ and congratulations to SpaceX for an successful launch.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 02/22/2018 01:51 pm
Congrats to SpaceX and Hisdesat on making the Paz mission possible!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 02/22/2018 01:57 pm
Quote from: speedevil link=<censored> date=1519271176
Quote from: <censored> link=topic=<censored> date=<censored>
<censored>

Is there a L3 that I've missed, and there are NSF operatives <censored> on the road for <censored>?
Need to know basis. If you have to ask how much it is, you can't afford it.

Here, look at this stick. <flash>
It's nothing folks, swamp gas from a weather balloon was trapped in a thermal pocket and reflected the light from Venus.
These are not the questions you are looking for
Move along.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 02/22/2018 01:58 pm
Congrats to PAZ and two or three times to SpaceX as both launcher and payloads.

I will never get tired of watching Falcon launch at night.  - E. Thereal

And into sunlight in the ascent, very pretty.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/22/2018 02:30 pm
Sorry about the near miss catch...

(and maybe Mr. Steven HASN'T changed names!)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Ronpur50 on 02/22/2018 02:49 pm
Congrats on Paz!  And better luck next time Mr S!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 02/22/2018 03:06 pm
Okay... anyone else out there see the pic of the fairing floating and thought.

Damn, I'd LOVE to have that when making a boat for my Junkyard Wars entry. :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 02/22/2018 04:01 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPwrodxghrw
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 02/22/2018 09:10 pm
Congratulations to SpaceX and Hisdesat for the successful launch of Tintin A/B and Paz! Also congratulations to SpaceX for the near successful recovery of a payload fairing half.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jgoldader on 02/22/2018 09:37 pm
Seeing Elon Musk's joking tweets about the satellite com test:
Don’t tell anyone, but the wifi password is “martians”
and
That was a DM, right?

and thinking about Starman and the Space Roadster...

It makes me feel as I felt watching my kids open up something they really wanted on a Christmas morning.  To see what sure looks like pure joy in today's world is so wonderful.  I hope he never loses that feeling.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 02/22/2018 10:44 pm
The launch azimuth for a GTO launch will always be due east to the maximum extent possible, whether you launch from Florida, Kourou, or anywhere else.

Even the northpole?
Edge case...

Happily we don't have any launch providers at the North Pole at this time.

What about that aerospace start-up put together by Rudolf, Hermey, and Charlie-in-a-box, headquartered in Santa's new Innovation Zone?

Which also answers that burning question:
Quote
WHY WEREN'T YOU AT ELF PRACTICE!?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqyjSmps0J0
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: RedSky on 02/23/2018 12:01 am
You just know Elon wanted to name it Skynet.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/23/2018 12:04 am
I learned a new word today. Blatherol.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 02/23/2018 12:15 am
I learned a new word today. Blatherol.

Yes, it's the chemical compound "blather" with an alcohol functional group added.  (R-OH)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/23/2018 12:34 am
I learned a new word today. Blatherol.

Yes, it's the chemical compound "blather" with an alcohol functional group added.  (R-OH)
Does that increase the bogon flux density?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 02/23/2018 02:35 am
You just know Elon wanted to name it Skynet.


Absolutely he did.  He got as close as he could without naming it the same as the system that eventually has the goal of destroying humanity.

I think alot of EM's ideas are not realistic or not practical, but StarLink/SkyNet is a good idea and could be world changing.

And he has the vehicle to delivers the satellites. 

The near fairing recovery today was exciting.  Seems they are close and should figure it out soon.

The times we live in!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 02/23/2018 03:27 am
How did the fairing recovery go?

Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale, a tale of a fateful trip....

(https://i.imgur.com/FCot6gd.jpg)

photoshopped by me

Maybe the “catcher’s mitt” isn’t really needed? Just splash ‘em down softly and fish ‘em out.

Slap an Elonrude Outboard on 'em and drive 'em back.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 02/23/2018 03:42 am
How did the fairing recovery go?

Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale, a tale of a fateful trip....

(https://i.imgur.com/FCot6gd.jpg)

photoshopped by me

Maybe the “catcher’s mitt” isn’t really needed? Just splash ‘em down softly and fish ‘em out.

Slap an Elonrude Outboard on 'em and drive 'em back.

An outboard would get it there.  Zero doubt.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 02/23/2018 04:40 am
Where are these posts mysteriously popping in from?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/23/2018 05:48 am
Where are these posts mysteriously popping in from?
Other threads.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 02/23/2018 01:34 pm
Where are these posts mysteriously popping in from?
Other threads.

Yeah... String Theory in action.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 02/23/2018 02:30 pm
Yeah... String Theory in action.
I always thought the internet was just a bunch of silly strings. Now I have proof.

Now, the Soviets did design a launcher that could launch from the North Pole, it was the Typhoon class Ballistic Missile Submarine. It would only take a LEGO or two to convert one of these surplus submarines into a kick'in GEO Satellite launching machine....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 02/23/2018 02:51 pm
I learned a new word today. Blatherol.

Yes, it's the chemical compound "blather" with an alcohol functional group added.  (R-OH)
Does that increase the bogon flux density?

I don't know--experimentation is in order!

(I also had a potential humorous remark that blatherol is the chemical used to mix "tincture of ___."  But, I don't have a good answer.   Just like on "Match Game," does anyone have a fun, cogent, forum-friendly response to "fill in the blank?")
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/23/2018 08:47 pm
Where are these posts mysteriously popping in from?
Other threads.

Yeah... String Theory in action.
Where ELSE did you think they were coming from? 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: John Alan on 02/23/2018 09:43 pm
Pulled from Texas Thread...
Them 3412 Quad turbo V-12's from the late 90's were good solid motors...  :)
Them folks from HOLT (the Cat dealer in the area there) will get that Cat purring at some point [1]...  8)

[1] Note - poster is likely very biased, as he may be on said powertrain companies payroll...  ::)
      BUT, I do boxes full of gears and shafts... not things that suk, squeeze, bang, blow...   ;D

Biggest box of shafts and gears we do...
Largest and heaviest 7 speed planetary power-shift gearbox in serial production... about 9 tons US...  :P
797 mining truck... best open source look at one of these being pulled for rebuild...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wO6wFHbSSu0 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wO6wFHbSSu0)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/23/2018 10:17 pm
Them 3412 Quad turbo V-12's from the late 90's were good solid motors...  :)
Them folks from HOLT (the Cat dealer in the area there) will get that Cat purring at some point [1]...  8)

[1] Note - poster is likely very biased, as he may be on said powertrain companies payroll...  ::)
      BUT, I do boxes full of gears and shafts... not things that suk, squeeze, bang, blow...   ;D

More posted over here... in the party thread...
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg1792519#msg1792519 (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg1792519#msg1792519)
It's always a good day in Peoria?  Is that Komatsu excavator still parked in plain view with a Welcome To Peoria banner on it just as  you come out of the airport?  Is the baby Cat made of junk used as a plant tractor during WW II still on display in the airport? (that always brings a tear to my eye)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: John Alan on 02/23/2018 10:51 pm
Them 3412 Quad turbo V-12's from the late 90's were good solid motors...  :)
Them folks from HOLT (the Cat dealer in the area there) will get that Cat purring at some point [1]...  8)

[1] Note - poster is likely very biased, as he may be on said powertrain companies payroll...  ::)
      BUT, I do boxes full of gears and shafts... not things that suk, squeeze, bang, blow...   ;D

More posted over here... in the party thread...
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg1792519#msg1792519 (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg1792519#msg1792519)
It's always a good day in Peoria?  Is that Komatsu excavator still parked in plain view with a Welcome To Peoria banner on it just as  you come out of the airport?  Is the baby Cat made of junk used as a plant tractor during WW II still on display in the airport? (that always brings a tear to my eye)
I have not been out by, or in, the airport (KPIA) in a while... SO I'm not certain on either one still being there...  :-\
But I do recall them both from in the past...  8)
That defective parts tractor is a legend, I agree  8) ... We have several of it's younger cousins still in the EP complex, that the millwrights use to drag whole CNC machines around on steel plate sleds during plant updates...   8)

On edit...
I believe that one crawler was moved to the Cat museum downtown... IIRC...  ;)
https://www.caterpillar.com/en/company/visitors-center/exhibits.html (https://www.caterpillar.com/en/company/visitors-center/exhibits.html)
ALSO... the Veerkamps 'best of their old tractor collection' on loan till mid June is worth seeing if your in town...
https://www.caterpillar.com/en/company/visitors-center/exhibits/antique-equipment-expo.html (https://www.caterpillar.com/en/company/visitors-center/exhibits/antique-equipment-expo.html)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/26/2018 11:05 pm
I find it really hard to believe that SpaceX wouldn't use the fewest launches possible. This means that the initial satellites will go up on FH and as soon as the BFR is ready, all remaining StarLink satellites will be launched via BFR.

SimiLAR to noted above for launch numbers, I recall someone suggesting that the volume constraints of the fairing meaning that there was no advantage for FH Starlink as opposed to F9. 

Despite any SUBliminal hints, I have nothing to do with this suggestion.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 02/27/2018 05:17 am
Escher jamming on a piano.  :o

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcRW3FMuttY (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcRW3FMuttY)

Glad to see Vi Hart doing more videos.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 02/27/2018 05:47 am
Where are these posts mysteriously popping in from?
Other threads.

Yeah... String Theory in action.
Where ELSE did you think they were coming from?

Posts from L3 would simply appear from apparently nowhere out of the blinding brilliance of the sun.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 02/27/2018 02:38 pm
Posts from L3 would simply appear from apparently nowhere out of the blinding brilliance of the sun.
So we have no chance of mitigating the impact and damage in advance?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: fthomassy on 02/27/2018 03:32 pm
Posts from L3 would simply appear from apparently nowhere out of the blinding brilliance of the sun.
So we have no chance of mitigating the impact and damage in advance?
Yes, but 'from L3'. If you're in L3 then you already know. Nothing blinds L3.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 02/27/2018 03:44 pm
Sounds like we are all blind to the goings on at L3.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/27/2018 03:57 pm
Damage? I think no chance of being prepared for the awesomeness
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/27/2018 07:44 pm
Folks are forgetting the obvious giant payload. The many variants of the BFS.

That's not a payload, that is a second stage.
Since BFS is made to be refueled in LEO, it doesn't really fit the old definitions, since the second stage is the payload in this case. No need for an eight page long semantics fest.

Nomadd has been podded!!!

"No need for an eight page long semantics fest." That's the sort of thing a newbie would say, because reasons. (semantic fests are what we do)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Scylla on 02/27/2018 07:59 pm
Nomadd has been podded!!!

Does....does this mean Nomadd is now a pod creature and he will start pointing his finger at people while screeching at them!

Has the invasion begun at Boca Chica?!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 02/27/2018 08:27 pm
What is it with the number 5?
Saturn V
Atlas V
Ariane V
Block 5
Ares V
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 02/27/2018 09:10 pm
What is it with the number 5?
For the post-1969 LV's; maybe this influence on the engineers of tomorrow?  (Perhaps even Newton_V?):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsLLpyL1dI4

8)

EDIT: the official Sesame Street YouTube channel censors the "5 whatever-they-are" scene, apparently because one of the monsters breaks the window.  So I went with the uncensored version.

And, it's always funny to watch a pastry chef-costumed Jim Henson fall down a flight of steps!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kch on 02/27/2018 09:37 pm
What is it with the number 5?
Saturn V
Atlas V
Ariane V
Block 5
Ares V

Google "law of fives" ... ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/27/2018 09:40 pm
Also System V....

As to why , I consulted my favorite numerology site....

The number 5 is the most dynamic and energetic of all the single-digit numbers. It is unpredictable, always in motion and constantly in need of change. ... The 2 and 6 are the most harmonious relationship numbers but either one will, when temptation is strong enough, cheat on his or her partner. The 5 will not.

There you have it.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 02/27/2018 11:26 pm
The Jackson 5
The 5th dimension
5ive
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 02/28/2018 01:27 am
Further cow discussion should move to the party thread.

Moo.  Moooo, moo moo mooo!

Mmmmmooooo!!!!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: flyright on 02/28/2018 02:31 am
What is it with the number 5?
Saturn V
Atlas V
Ariane V
Block 5
Ares V

Google "law of fives" ... ;D

Fireball XL5

I sure wish I still had my old lunch box.  :D
http://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_1273718
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kdhilliard on 02/28/2018 03:33 am
What is it with the number 5?
Saturn V
Atlas V
Ariane V
Block 5
Ares V
Don't forget delta-v.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 02/28/2018 03:47 am
What is it with the number 5?
Saturn V
Atlas V
Ariane V
Block 5
Ares V
Don't forget delta-v.

LMAO!!!! Nicely played!!!  You win today!!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 02/28/2018 04:38 am
Further cow discussion should move to the party thread.

Moo.  Moooo, moo moo mooo!

Mmmmmooooo!!!!!

The cow discussion is a lie!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: pmonta on 02/28/2018 04:50 am
RISC-V, the new CPU instruction-set architecture out of Berkeley
Mach Five, the Speed Racer vehicle
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mgeagon on 02/28/2018 06:27 am
SpaceX e-mail to the media notes Falcon 9 is now ready for launch, but that they are currently waiting for a launch date to be approved by the Eastern Range for the Hispasat 30W-6 mission.

Too bad SpaceX does not have a private pad on say the southern tip of Texas to launch whenever they wish.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Ugger55 on 02/28/2018 07:39 am
What is it with the number 5?
Saturn V
Atlas V
Ariane V
Block 5
Ares V
Don't forget delta-v.

Babylon 5
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: leetdan on 02/28/2018 08:05 am
What is it with the number 5?
Saturn V
Atlas V
Ariane V
Block 5
Ares V
Don't forget delta-v.

Babylon 5

Ceti Alpha V

(https://media.giphy.com/media/5VCWioD2i4wZW/giphy.gif)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 02/28/2018 02:11 pm
What is it with the number 5?
Saturn V
Atlas V
Ariane V
Block 5
Ares V
Don't forget delta-v.

Just how much delta-v will the Delta V have?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 02/28/2018 03:56 pm
What is it with the number 5?
Saturn V
Atlas V
Ariane V
Block 5
Ares V
Don't forget delta-v.

Babylon 5

Ceti Alpha V


V Braun
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 02/28/2018 08:39 pm
Re: Babylon 5

I suppose that JMS decided to call the show/station that, then had to come up with backstory (and story-telling opportunities) to explain what happened to the (1st) Babylon station, Babylon 2, Babylon 3, and, of course, Babylon 4.

And, we never got Babylon Prime (the early story-arc planning had Babylon 4 transported into the near future, Babylon 5 was destroyed by the Minbari warrior caste, Babylon 4 appeared and became Babylon Prime, the operations center for the prosecution of the Shadow War).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 02/28/2018 09:21 pm
And, we never got Babylon Prime (the early story-arc planning had Babylon 4 transported into the near future, Babylon 5 was destroyed by the Minbari warrior caste, Babylon 4 appeared and became Babylon Prime, the operations center for the prosecution of the Shadow War).

I don't recall that, and I also checked the Lurker's Guide for references and found none.  All I do recall is that Babylon 4 was pulled into its future where it reappeared briefly in late 2258, four years after it disappeared ("Babylon Squared (http://midwinter.com/lurk/countries/us/guide/020.html)").  Then it reappeared again in 2260 ("War Without End (http://midwinter.com/lurk/countries/us/guide/060.html)", and its part two (http://midwinter.com/lurk/countries/us/guide/061.html)).  Turns out, it disappeared because it was taken by Sinclair of 2260 with the help of Zathras and the Great Machine (as well as the B5 command staff, less Garibaldi) in order to be the base of operations in the last Shadow War after the Minbari base of operations in that war fell to Shadow forces a thousand years ago.  Sinclair then used the Chrysalis device to become Valen, and the rest is history (well, after a fashion... future, past, whatever).

So, Babylons 1-3 all blew up for one reason or another.  Babylon 4 went back in time (after a brief foray to its future to drop off the crew and to pick up Sinclair/Valen, the order of which is left as an exercise in the causality and perspective).  Babylon 5, regardless, endured.

But the most important thing about it all is, of course, this scene with Zathras (https://youtube.com/watch?v=v79fYnuVzdI).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: sghill on 02/28/2018 10:50 pm
What is it with the number 5?
Saturn V
Atlas V
Ariane V
Block 5
Ares V
Don't forget delta-v.

Babylon 5

Ceti Alpha V

(https://media.giphy.com/media/5VCWioD2i4wZW/giphy.gif)

Red Five
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 03/01/2018 12:57 am
And, we never got Babylon Prime (the early story-arc planning had Babylon 4 transported into the near future, Babylon 5 was destroyed by the Minbari warrior caste, Babylon 4 appeared and became Babylon Prime, the operations center for the prosecution of the Shadow War).

I don't recall that, and I also checked the Lurker's Guide for references and found none.  All I do recall is that Babylon 4 was pulled into its future where it reappeared briefly in late 2258, four years after it disappeared ("Babylon Squared (http://midwinter.com/lurk/countries/us/guide/020.html)").  Then it reappeared again in 2260 ("War Without End (http://midwinter.com/lurk/countries/us/guide/060.html)", and its part two (http://midwinter.com/lurk/countries/us/guide/061.html)).  Turns out, it disappeared because it was taken by Sinclair of 2260 with the help of Zathras and the Great Machine (as well as the B5 command staff, less Garibaldi) in order to be the base of operations in the last Shadow War after the Minbari base of operations in that war fell to Shadow forces a thousand years ago.  Sinclair then used the Chrysalis device to become Valen, and the rest is history (well, after a fashion... future, past, whatever).

So, Babylons 1-3 all blew up for one reason or another.  Babylon 4 went back in time (after a brief foray to its future to drop off the crew and to pick up Sinclair/Valen, the order of which is left as an exercise in the causality and perspective).  Babylon 5, regardless, endured.

But the most important thing about it all is, of course, this scene with Zathras (https://youtube.com/watch?v=v79fYnuVzdI).

I haven't found a "root source" on-line, but here's a detailed synopsis of an early JMS story-line for both Babylon 5 and Babylon Prime.
Synopsis of JMS's synopsis of the "original arc for B5" **SPOILERS** (https://www.trekbbs.com/threads/synopsis-of-jmss-synopsis-of-the-original-arc-for-b5-spoilers.53739/)

Also here: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/WhatCouldHaveBeen/BabylonFive
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 03/01/2018 01:43 am
What is it with the number 5?
Saturn V
Atlas V
Ariane V
Block 5
Ares V
Don't forget delta-v.

Babylon 5

Ceti Alpha V


V Braun

They're all trying to grab the gold ring. And we know how many of those there are.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 03/01/2018 05:35 pm
What is it with the number 5?
Saturn V
Atlas V
Ariane V
Block 5
Ares V
Don't forget delta-v.

Babylon 5

Ceti Alpha V


V Braun

Johnny Five

"No disassemble NO DISASSEMBLE!"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 03/01/2018 07:07 pm
I'll give y'all $5 each if you change the subject.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: IntoTheVoid on 03/01/2018 08:09 pm
They're all trying to grab the gold ring. And we know how many of those there are.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jpo234 on 03/02/2018 01:40 pm
The SpaceX recovery fleet has been called back to Port Canaveral. They had been out for over a week, so this is understandable.

If SpaceX still intends to recover the first stage, the earliest the launch could take place is next week.

It's the OCISLY Carrier Group.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 03/02/2018 06:00 pm
Just sit right back
And you'll hear a tale
A tale of a fateful trip,
That started from this tropic port,
Aboard this tiny ship.
The mate was a mighty sailin' lad,
The Skipper brave and sure,
 No passengers set sail that day, (autonomous)
For a three day tour,
A three day tour.

The weather started getting rough,
The tiny ship was tossed.
If not for the courage of the fearless (tow) crew
OCISLY would be lost.
OCISLY would be lost.

The ship (and its 9 story cargo) set ground on the shore
Of this uncharted desert isle
With Gwenigan,
The Skipper (also Gwen) too.
The millionaire (Elon)
And his wife (is he still married?),
The movie star(Elon again),
The professor (Tom) Mueller (An?),
Here on Gwenigan's Isle.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 03/03/2018 06:00 am
Sorry. If there's no Mary Ann, I'm changin' the channel!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 03/03/2018 12:56 pm
Sorry. If there's no Mary Ann, I'm changin' the channel!
I'm sure we can dress one of the mods up in drag on L3 for you...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 03/03/2018 03:52 pm
Not this one, though.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jjyach on 03/03/2018 04:17 pm
Not this one, though.

Not even in your frat days?  I do remember your house doing it in my time there......
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kch on 03/03/2018 04:28 pm
Not this one, though.

No interest in being "RuLar of all you survey"?  ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cppetrie on 03/03/2018 07:34 pm
This is a new thread to clean out all the crap from the Mars export thread.

I see what you did there. Well played.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 03/03/2018 10:31 pm
Not this one, though.

Not even in your frat days?  I do remember your house doing it in my time there......
It is a fraternity. Do not call your fraternity (or anyone else's) a "frat".

Reason? 

Because you would not call your country a ....

Regarding MTU WC: We lost to the Tekes this year, apparently.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 03/04/2018 02:02 am
Not this one, though.

No interest in being "RuLar of all you survey"?  ;)

Ah, but is Lar still the King of the Castle?  :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joseph Peterson on 03/04/2018 02:25 am
Dragon 1 had the cheesiest payload imaginable, a wheel of cheese.  Falcon Heavy sent Starman on on history's longest road trip in the Roadster.  Dragon 2's test flight can have seven seats.  How will they be filled?

I offer for your consideration: Pigs In Space

http://muppetshenson.blogspot.com/2016/12/new-episodes-of-pigs-in-space-coming-to.html

Edit: The name for the DM-1 D2 would then be Swinetrek.  This raises the possibility for a special filmed aboard ISS. 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 03/04/2018 03:29 am
Ah, but is Lar still the King of the Castle?  :D
More of a Town/Train guy but we do Castle layouts from time to time.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 03/04/2018 07:40 am
Dragon 1 had the cheesiest payload imaginable, a wheel of cheese.  Falcon Heavy sent Starman on on history's longest road trip in the Roadster.  Dragon 2's test flight can have seven seats.  How will they be filled?

I offer for your consideration: Pigs In Space

http://muppetshenson.blogspot.com/2016/12/new-episodes-of-pigs-in-space-coming-to.html

Edit: The name for the DM-1 D2 would then be Swinetrek.  This raises the possibility for a special filmed aboard ISS. 

That would really bring home the bacon!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 03/04/2018 08:15 pm
Sorry. If there's no Mary Ann, I'm changin' the channel!
I'm sure we can dress one of the mods up in drag on L3 for you...

Rocket site.  Drag must be minimized.


of course, that means bikinis ...   er...


Now selling brain bleach for bitcoin
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jjyach on 03/05/2018 11:29 am
Not this one, though.

Not even in your frat days?  I do remember your house doing it in my time there......
It is a fraternity. Do not call your fraternity (or anyone else's) a "frat".

Reason? 

Because you would not call your country a ....

Regarding MTU WC: We lost to the Tekes this year, apparently.

Whoops my bad especially your house doesnt deserve any negative terminology, others on the other hand there I would say frat would be appropirate. ;) *cough* Sig Pi

We were good, then Michigan had to steal our awesome coach away,  I blame them!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 03/05/2018 03:02 pm
It sounds like OCISLY and Hawk need a speed upgrade, to get them into position, have they thought about attaching a rocket or nine?

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 03/05/2018 11:44 pm
It sounds like OCISLY and Hawk need a speed upgrade, to get them into position, have they thought about attaching a rocket or nine?

Yes, Elon mentioned they might even add a Merlin to the ASDS. This was about a year ago, just after JRTI (block 1) had some storm damage.

I don't think it'll work though, because I'm hearing that the real reason OCISLY didn't go out is it's on strike (it is, after all, autonomous...) .
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 03/06/2018 02:58 am
Please launch as soon as the window opens...

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tleski on 03/06/2018 03:22 am
Please launch as soon as the window opens...
Apparently they are still cleaning the window...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 03/06/2018 04:12 am
No one should ever plan on Windows™ opening promptly.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Perchlorate on 03/06/2018 05:06 am
Doesn't quite seem the same posting over here, but rulz are rulz.

Congrats again to SpaceX, 45th, and NSF, and to the operator.

Now back to sleep.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 03/06/2018 05:07 am
Congrats to Hispasat, and SpaceX... thanks to FAA, the range, and the NSF coverage team.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 03/06/2018 05:10 am
Congratulations to SpaceX and Hispasat for the successful launch of Hispasat 30W-6! Now to get some scuba gear and go after those Titanium grid fins! :-)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 03/06/2018 05:11 am
Time for another episode of the "Launch, Land, and Relaunch Congratulations Thread"!

Huge congrats to everyone involved in today's launch.  Shame about the booster, especially those beautiful curvy grid fins, but there will be more chances in future.
Falcon 9 has hit 50 - "Over the Hill"?  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kch on 03/06/2018 05:15 am
Time for another episode of the "Launch, Land, and Relaunch Congratulations Thread"!

Huge congrats to everyone involved in today's launch.  Shame about the booster, especially those beautiful curvy grid fins, but there will be more chances in future.
Falcon 9 has hit 50 - "Over the Hill"?  ;D

"Better to be over the hill than under it." -- Anomalous  :D

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 03/06/2018 05:16 am
Congrats to all and sundry, and to Steve, et al, who helped bring it to us.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 03/06/2018 05:33 am
Time for another episode of the "Launch, Land, and Relaunch Congratulations Thread"!

Huge congrats to everyone involved in today's launch.  Shame about the booster, especially those beautiful curvy grid fins, but there will be more chances in future.
Falcon 9 has hit 50 - "Over the Hill"?  ;D

"Better to be over the hill than under it." -- Anomalous  :D

Said no Hobbit ever.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 03/06/2018 11:00 am
Congrats to SpaceX and Hispasat on another routine satellite delivery mission.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 03/06/2018 01:02 pm
Somehow it feels wrong to do all the serious congratulating in the party thread. I mean, party threads is for jokes and fooling around. Congratulations are reserved for successful missions only and are IMHO no joke, nor something I would make fun about. It just doesn't fit.

Congrats to SpaceX, Hispasat, and of course the range who technically now owns SpaceX a quartet of custom forged titanium grid fins.

Maybe its actually worth sending an autonomous salvage submersible down there to pick them up. SpaceX at least should know the exact splashdown coordinates which should be sufficient to narrow down the search area.

How does Titanium hold up to saltwater?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Davp99 on 03/06/2018 01:20 pm
Just a Shout out to NSF & Chris B & Steven P & Chris G and the rest ...for All the Good Launch posts....Congrats on the 50th ? launch SpaceX ........... ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ChrisC on 03/06/2018 01:21 pm
Thank you thank you THANK YOU Chris B and NSF for the new policy of keeping congratulatory posts out of the update threads!

And congrats SpaceX :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 03/06/2018 01:31 pm
Happy 50th! 8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 03/06/2018 04:04 pm
To change the subject back to humor...

I just want to state my firm appreciation at how SpaceX lets its successful flight operations act as their primary PR thrust (so to speak).  If I see another press release in the Orion section that sounds something like the following, I am just gonna explode!


"Today, Nut 32575 was successfully turned within the EM-1 spacecraft, the spacecraft that is even now preparing to pioneer Man's return to the Moon exploration of an asteroid first journey to Mars return to the Moon.

"Nut 32575, shown here (inset), attaches Crew Toilet Brace 17-A to the Lower Bay Truss Structure (LBTS).  The brace is critical in retaining the primary air vent system within the Waste Management Facility Compartment (WMFC).

"The wrench, Part 1273, used to turn Nut 32575 is normally stored on the shelf seen in the background in this picture (inset) at the Neil Armstrong Assembly Facility (NAAF).  The shelf, a part of the Charles Basset Storage Assembly (CBSA), is located just to the left of the main door to the George Abbey Dumbwaiter System (GADS).

"With the successful turning of Nut 32575, the EM-1 vehicle is one small but critical step closer to its planned goal of flying an unmanned mission atop an SLS rocket in 2017 2018 2020 sometime in the next 20 years."


Compared to the never-ending stream of those kinds of press releases, I welcome how few self-congratulatory pieces of this kind come streaming out of SpaceX's PR shop.  Really!

:D


...apologies to the mods if this is rather far outside the stated purpose of the thread, but this is the only humor thread and I *did* try to tie it in to SpaceX... ;) ...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 03/06/2018 04:15 pm
To change the subject back to humor...

I just want to state my firm appreciation at how SpaceX lets its successful flight operations act as their primary PR thrust (so to speak).  If I see another press release in the Orion section that sounds something like the following, I am just gonna explode!


"Today, Nut 32575 was successfully turned within the EM-1 spacecraft, the spacecraft that is even now preparing to pioneer Man's return to the Moon exploration of an asteroid first journey to Mars return to the Moon.

"Nut 32575, shown here (inset), attaches Crew Toilet Brace 17-A to the Lower Bay Truss Structure (LBTS).  The brace is critical in retaining the primary air vent system within the Waste Management Facility Compartment (WMFC).

"The wrench, Part 1273, used to turn Nut 32575 is normally stored on the shelf seen in the background in this picture (inset) at the Neil Armstrong Assembly Facility (NAAF).  The shelf, a part of the Charles Basset Storage Assembly (CBSA), is located just to the left of the main door to the George Abbey Dumbwaiter System (GADS).

"With the successful turning of Nut 32575, the EM-1 vehicle is one small but critical step closer to its planned goal of flying an unmanned mission atop an SLS rocket in 2017 2018 2020 sometime in the next 20 years."


Compared to the never-ending stream of those kinds of press releases, I welcome how few self-congratulatory pieces of this kind come streaming out of SpaceX's PR shop.  Really!

:D


...apologies to the mods if this is rather far outside the stated purpose of the thread, but this is the only humor thread and I *did* try to tie it in to SpaceX... ;) ...
"You're" going nuts Doug! ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: todd5ski on 03/06/2018 05:07 pm
Congrats SpaceX! Happy 50th!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AncientU on 03/06/2018 06:40 pm
Seven years, nine months --> 50 F9 flights -- let's see the next fifty in two years!
Congrats SpaceX.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: S.Paulissen on 03/06/2018 09:20 pm
For a company that talks so much about the benefits of reuse, it sure is doing a lot of expending lately.  After this launch, it will have  expended more stages than Arianespace and ULA combined so far this year.
I had to laugh out loud when I read this.  Well played!

SpaceX has also had one fewer stage go radically off-course, barely staying within range boundaries, than ULA and Arianespace combined so far this year.
List of things SpaceX is failing at compared to Arianespace and ULA combined:
- One more supersecret compartmentalized multibillion dollar payloads lost than Ariane and ULA combined
- More stages expended than Ariane and ULA combined
- Lower average satellite mass than Ariane and ULA combined
- Failed at more fairing recoveries than Ariane and ULA combined
- Lost more heavy center cores than Ariane and ULA combined
- Lost more uber expensive titanium grid fins than Ariane and ULA combined
- Launched a rocket 5 years late with disappointing performance and losing a stage more than Ariane and ULA combined
- Expended more upper stages than Ariane and ULA combined
- Operated an armada of 4+ ships more than Ariane and ULA combined
- Wasted $X million more than than Ariane and ULA combined on two satellites just to say "Hello World" at SpaceX HQ than Ariane and ULA combined
- Failed to launch two more tourists on a free return around the moon a year before the launch was even promised than Ariane and ULA combined
- Failed to launch one Red Dragon more than Ariane and ULA combined
- Failed at winning a single block buy national security launch, more than Ariane and ULA combined
- Failed at launching a single Crewed Dragon on time, more than Ariane and ULA combined
- Succeeded at having more 10m carbon fiber tanks fail than Ariane and ULA combined


Whew, SpaceX, that's a LOT of failing.  They're going bankrupt for sure.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 03/07/2018 12:06 am
That's a fun list.

Changing the subject, even mods have a hard time staying on subject apparently.. I just moved a ChrisG post from the Hispasat updates thread to the discussion thread....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elmar Moelzer on 03/07/2018 12:58 am
Congrats to SpaceX and the Hispasat team!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 03/07/2018 07:21 am
That's a fun list.

Changing the subject, even mods have a hard time staying on subject apparently.. I just moved a ChrisG post from the Hispasat updates thread to the discussion thread....

It speaks of mod humbleness.  I know a few other sites and forums, where any post of a mod is by definition "an update" :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Archibald on 03/07/2018 08:57 am
Coming a little late. That launch of Falcon Heavy with Starman - they all talked about David Bowie and Space Oddity.
Which is a very beautiful song, there is no question about it.

But there are other songs Starman could listen on his awesome drive to Mars and beyond.
such as this one,
Don't stop me know, by the great Freddy Mercury and his band, Queen.

https://web.archive.org/web/20110930145815/http://www.queenzone.com/news/queen-win-top-gears-best-driving-song-ever-poll.aspx

Queen win Top Gears Best Driving Song ever poll

Here's the original songs with lyrics.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKny_ia8Fvo

 ;D


(see next post)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Archibald on 03/07/2018 09:29 am
So, ladies and gentlemen, here's "Don't stop me now" with lyrics modified to honor The Starman now on his way to Mars.

Quite amazingly, I only brought very little change to the original lyrics, which including such prescient line as

"I'm a rocket ship on my way to Mars
On a collision course"

How about that ?

...

This is a video I've made from a pretty cool animation I found on youtube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOIvwUupztE&feature=youtu.be

And the alternate lyrics.

Tonight I'm gonna have myself a real good drive
I feel alive
and the Earth has turned upside down - yeah
I'm floating around in ecstasy
So don't stop me now don't stop me
'Cause I'm having a good drive having a good drive

I'm a shooting star leaping through the sky
Like a Falcon defying the laws of rocketry
I'm a racing car passing by, like Elon Tesla car
I'm gonna go go go
There's no stopping me
I'm drivin' through the sky yeah
Thousand million miles
That's why they call me Mister Dummy Starman
I'm trav'ling at the speed of light
I wanna make a super starman out of you

Don't stop me now I'm having such a good drive
I'm having a ball
Don't stop me now
If you wanna have a good drive just give me a call
Don't stop me now ('Cause I'm having a good drive)
Don't stop me now (Yes I'm havin' a good drive)
I don't want to stop at all

Yeah, I'm a rocket ship on my way to Mars
On a collision course
I am a satellite I'm out of control
I am a rocket machine ready to return
Like an atom bomb about to
Oh oh oh oh oh explode

I'm drivin' through the sky yeah
Thousand million miles
That's why they call me Mister Dummy Starman
I'm trav'ling at the speed of light
I wanna make a super starman out of you

Don't stop me don't stop me
Don't stop me hey hey hey
Don't stop me don't stop me
Ooh ooh ooh, I like it
Don't stop me don't stop me
Have a good drive good drive
Don't stop me don't stop me ah
Oh yeah
Alright

Oh, I'm drivin' through the sky yeah
Thousand million miles
That's why they call me Mister Dummy Starman
I'm trav'ling at the speed of light
I wanna make a super starman out of you
Don't stop me now I'm having such a good time
I'm having a ball
Don't stop me now
If you wanna have a good drive (wooh)
Just give me a call (alright)
Don't stop me now ('cause I'm having a good drive - yeah yeah)
Don't stop me now (yes I'm havin' a good drive)
I don't want to stop at all

La da da da daah
Da da da haa
Ha da da ha ha haaa
Ha da daa ha da da aaa
Ooh ooh ooh

...

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 03/07/2018 10:14 am
It’s nice to have more folks joining in party thread fun with heartfelt congratulations for SpaceX and hope for the future posts.

Wouldn’t it also be fun if we had a stand alone Congratulations thread where these nice, serious posts wouldn’t be diluted by party thread puns, alternate song lyrics, naming contests, diversions about LEGO (tm) elements, and such? You could even call it the “MTPTGA Congratulations Thread” (Make The Party Thread Great Again) ;-)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: abaddon on 03/07/2018 02:49 pm
In fact, ULA and Arianespace have expended 13 boosters: the 4 main liquid boosters, plus 9 large solid boosters. 5 on Atlas, 2 on Delta, and 2 on A5.
If we're going to add solids to the mix, SpaceX hasn't recovered any of its solids either.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 03/07/2018 03:06 pm
In fact, ULA and Arianespace have expended 13 boosters: the 4 main liquid boosters, plus 9 large solid boosters. 5 on Atlas, 2 on Delta, and 2 on A5.
If we're going to add solids to the mix, SpaceX hasn't recovered any of its solids either.

Also its solids have a zero percent success rate.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 03/07/2018 04:23 pm
In fact, ULA and Arianespace have expended 13 boosters: the 4 main liquid boosters, plus 9 large solid boosters. 5 on Atlas, 2 on Delta, and 2 on A5.
If we're going to add solids to the mix, SpaceX hasn't recovered any of its solids either.

Also its solids have a zero percent success rate.
Or 100%.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 03/07/2018 05:43 pm
In fact, ULA and Arianespace have expended 13 boosters: the 4 main liquid boosters, plus 9 large solid boosters. 5 on Atlas, 2 on Delta, and 2 on A5.
If we're going to add solids to the mix, SpaceX hasn't recovered any of its solids either.

Also its solids have a zero percent success rate.
Or 100%.

Divide by zero error.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 03/07/2018 06:28 pm
....
But there are other songs Starman could listen on his awesome drive to Mars and beyond.
such as this one,
Don't stop me know, by the great Freddy Mercury and his band, Queen.
....

 ;D

For those unaware, the Guitarist for Queen, Brian May, is also an astrophysicist. https://www.nasa.gov/feature/rock-starastrophysicist-dr-brian-may-goes-backstage-with-new-horizons
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Bubbinski on 03/07/2018 07:19 pm
Congratulations to SpaceX and Hispasat! And good work on getting 50 Falcon launches done.

Now next up....Iridium from VAFB

Then CRS, Bangabandhu, TESS. And I’ll be at the Cape for TESS. Hoping TESS is a RTLS mission, but if not guess I’ll be at Fishlips for the barge’s return.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 03/07/2018 10:00 pm
It’s nice to have more folks joining in party thread fun with heartfelt congratulations for SpaceX and hope for the future posts.

Wouldn’t it also be fun if we had a stand alone Congratulations thread where these nice, serious posts wouldn’t be diluted by party thread puns, alternate song lyrics, naming contests, diversions about LEGO (tm) elements, and such? You could even call it the “MTPTGA Congratulations Thread” (Make The Party Thread Great Again) ;-)

Our Top Men are working on this idea (translation, let me talk to Chris)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 03/07/2018 11:14 pm
edit:  Moved my off-topic inquiry to an appropriate new thread:  https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=45175.0
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: IntoTheVoid on 03/07/2018 11:41 pm
In the vein of suggestions that might further reinforce that strong foundation...

blah, blah, blah...

Party foul!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 03/08/2018 12:56 am
Our Top Men are working on this idea (translation, let me talk to Chris)

Lar:

At the risk of seeming obsequious, the moderating here is outstanding.  The team has cultivated a very strong culture of self-moderation and particularly one of providing quality feedback to help users do the right thing.  I hope you guys reap the benefits of that rather than having to respond to too much noise.

In the vein of suggestions that might further reinforce that strong foundation, I wonder if these might be well-received.  I know I found myself reluctant to open new topics due to general lack of awareness and time to research what topics might have been well covered historically.

1)  A SpaceX General Section Thread to guage interest relative to a new Topics before opening one.  Feels like perhaps silly not to just open one up but I really feel reluctant to do so sometimes for a couple reasons.  No one really wants to open what might turn out to be a dud.

2)  A SpaceX General Section Thread on pointers on Topics that have been discussed well in the past.  The internal search tool is a little challenging.  The external google indexing is often helpful but sometimes knowing how to frame the proper search is difficult.

I suppose those might easily be combined in one thread as well.


This is gonna sound crazy but these are off topic! Probably the best place for these excellent suggestions would be this section
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?board=50.0

(which is

    NASASpaceFlight.com Forum »
    NSF Landing Page (Site Rules, Overviews Development, Feedback) »
    NASASpaceflight.com and NSF Forum Site Rules/News

)

either as a new thread OR as a post to https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=44520.0 the current NSF forum feedback thread.

That said .. (this might get moved)

point 1 - We had this on Wikipedia, a place for people that weren't quite sure if an article was justified to go to request/discuss it. Usually it's better to just up and start the thread, if it doesn't work out it gets merged or deleted but maybe?

point 2 - REALLY needful. We don't really have a good way of doing a FAQ or Wiki with answers and pointers. All we have is threads. We can pin them which helps but only if there aren't so many pinned threads that no one can find anything...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 03/08/2018 02:43 am
Party foul!

ITV:
Rectified!!!    :o 8)   If you edit and snip, we can clean up my mess.    ;)

Lar:
Thanks!!!  Got all the relevant exchange moved.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 03/08/2018 02:52 am
I just moved a ChrisG post from the Hispasat updates thread to the discussion thread....

In retaliation, will ChrisG move your discussion posts to the party thread?  Sh*t Signal rolls downhill.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 03/08/2018 11:35 am
The party thread has a higher SnR than the discussion or update threads. So that is a bonus!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 03/08/2018 03:41 pm
I just moved a ChrisG post from the Hispasat updates thread to the discussion thread....

In retaliation, will ChrisG move your discussion posts to the party thread?  Sh*t Signal rolls downhill.
Probably safe, he doesn't move posts much, but turnabout is fair play
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: bjornl on 03/08/2018 04:21 pm
Then CRS, Bangabandhu, TESS. And I’ll be at the Cape for TESS.
If they keep the schedule, I'll be gone by then. But if the schedule holds, I should be there for CRS, Bangabandhu and AFSPC 11 (yeah, yeah, I know - BLASPHEMER!)
Party time!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 03/08/2018 05:46 pm
In fact, ULA and Arianespace have expended 13 boosters: the 4 main liquid boosters, plus 9 large solid boosters. 5 on Atlas, 2 on Delta, and 2 on A5.
If we're going to add solids to the mix, SpaceX hasn't recovered any of its solids either.

I beg to differ.  I'd say that the cheese wheel would be considered a solid.  I hear it even has a similar 'plasticy' consistency...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Formica on 03/08/2018 05:57 pm
Seriously people? That web page is probably close to 20 years old and NASA probably can't get any money to completely revamp their web architecture. If they got the money, people would complain about that too. Geez.
Twenty years old web pages. Man, I am oooooold ::) The "cdrom" reference in one of the URLs is pretty dating as well.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 03/08/2018 06:44 pm
If we can’t stop this serious discussion
I may have to start a limerick contest..  :o
 
There once was a man from Pretoria...
 8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 03/08/2018 07:04 pm
If we can’t stop this serious discussion
I may have to start a limerick contest..  :o
 
There once was a man from Pretoria...
 8)

  There once was a man from Pretoria
  Who did more than dreaming of Moria.
    His rockets now dwarf
    All the rest, and his wharf
  Has a barge that spreads amazing people euphoria!

Giving us "Pretoria" in the first line to rhyme was, frankly, mean. ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Formica on 03/08/2018 07:20 pm
  There once was a man from Pretoria
  Who did more than dreaming of Moria.
    His rockets now dwarf
    All the rest, and his wharf
  Has a barge that spreads amazing people euphoria!

Giving us "Pretoria" in the first line to rhyme was, frankly, mean. ;D
Yes but you pulled it off with aplomb ;D well done!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 03/08/2018 10:52 pm
  There once was a man from Pretoria
  Who did more than dreaming of Moria.
    His rockets now dwarf
    All the rest, and his wharf
  Has a barge that spreads amazing people euphoria!

Giving us "Pretoria" in the first line to rhyme was, frankly, mean. ;D
Yes but you pulled it off with aplomb ;D well done!

Agreed!!!
Contest closed due to winning entry on first shot out of the box!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 03/09/2018 02:50 am
Lose on the razor/camera/car make bank on the blades/film/service

I can't wait until this business model is in play in the space business :)
That's a trip back 15 years or so.  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 03/09/2018 06:42 am
I have a question about Falcon Heavy. At what point, exactly, do we get to say Falcon Heavy exists? Are we there yet, or not?

What I mean is that, until very recently, I've seen many statements that FH is a "power-point rocket" or "paper rocket" because it doesn't really exist except on paper (and often they'd contrast it to SLS, saying the latter is a real rocket). I heard the same sort of thing even after we began seeing actual FH flight hardware, such as nosecones.

So, I'm wondering; how many times does FH need to fly before is can be considered a real rocket rather than a powerpoint one?

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 03/09/2018 07:23 am
Quote
I have a question about Falcon Heavy. At what point, exactly, do we get to say Falcon Heavy exists? Are we there yet, or not?

If in your dreams you see yourself riding Falcon Heavy to your very own secret space station, well then it is real.

If in your dreams you see Falcon Heavy as a terrible 3 headed beast that threatens to devour your space monopoly, well then it is VERY real.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 03/09/2018 08:31 am
Rockets in the mirror may be larger than they look.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 03/09/2018 09:57 am
So, I'm wondering; how many times does FH need to fly before is can be considered a real rocket rather than a powerpoint one?

Fair question, as *I* still consider the SLS a paper rocket, despite quite a bit of hardware for it existing already.

The question is whether it will, actually, fly. Or not.
As Falcon Heavy has flown once, even if in a pre-production not-quite-final-version as it did, I consider it very real.

As SLS has not flown, and the planned launch dates keep wafting downwind faster than the pages in the calendar do, I do not consider it "real" yet.

Just my 2c
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: bjornl on 03/09/2018 11:04 am
This *is* the party thread, right? Regarding pre-production version, one might argue that no production Falcon 9 has flown since they can't seem to keep from tinkering with the darn beast. Which leads us to the question, if they have redesigned every component, is it still a Falcon 9?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 03/09/2018 01:05 pm
As Falcon Heavy has flown once, even if in a pre-production not-quite-final-version as it did, I consider it very real.

So, if someone had a perspective on early-release flights with custom pre-production version hardware that made them not consider it a real rocket, would that be a beta-angle cutout?  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mme on 03/09/2018 04:04 pm
I have a question about Falcon Heavy. At what point, exactly, do we get to say Falcon Heavy exists? Are we there yet, or not?

What I mean is that, until very recently, I've seen many statements that FH is a "power-point rocket" or "paper rocket" because it doesn't really exist except on paper (and often they'd contrast it to SLS, saying the latter is a real rocket). I heard the same sort of thing even after we began seeing actual FH flight hardware, such as nosecones.

So, I'm wondering; how many times does FH need to fly before is can be considered a real rocket rather than a powerpoint one?
It depends on whether or not the universe is a simulation.  If it is a simulation than power-point rockets are real and real rockets are simulated. Paper rockets are still non-corporeal as paper doesn't exist. But in the end FH doesn't exist because the F9 does not exist [1] and the FH is 3 F9s. Had the FH been designed as 2 F9s, then the F9's lack of existence would mean that the FH totally exists.  But it doesn't.

[1] The F9 does not exist because everyone knows that a reusable VTVL rocket is pure fantasy.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 03/09/2018 04:38 pm
So, I'm wondering; how many times does FH need to fly before is can be considered a real rocket rather than a powerpoint one?
The problem is that Falcon Heavy is actually three rockets, and therefore will never be a "real" rocket, just a loose collection of slightly modified Falcon 9s.  Falcon Heavy is just a concept, an idea.  Man.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 03/09/2018 04:49 pm
Jars of Clay.... what you did there.... I see it.

of course FH is not real. There weren't any unicorns dancing in the flame trench when it launched so that doesn't count.
of course SLS is real. Respected members of the NSF forum said it was.

See?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 03/09/2018 05:31 pm
So, I'm wondering; how many times does FH need to fly before is can be considered a real rocket rather than a powerpoint one?
The problem is that Falcon Heavy is actually three rockets, and therefore will never be a "real" rocket, just a loose collection of slightly modified Falcon 9s.  Falcon Heavy is just a concept, an idea.  Man.

Clearly it should've been called the Big Flocking Falcons.

Also amusing when reporting events after a few drinks.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 03/09/2018 05:37 pm
Jars of Clay.... what you did there.... I see it.

of course FH is not real. There weren't any unicorns dancing in the flame trench when it launched so that doesn't count.
of course SLS is real. Respected members of the NSF forum said it was.

See?

Shouldn't that be unicows... or maybe rocket cows?

Great, now I'm thinking that SpaceX should be hosting a barbecue every launch...  must be lunchtime.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 03/10/2018 03:46 am
Quote
Clearly it should've been called the Big Flocking Falcons.

You just reminded me of an obscure 80's band:  A Flock of Falcons.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 03/10/2018 05:07 am
Wow, the recent LEE swap out on ISS made much bigger changes than I thought.  Spaceborne Laser Lips' and progeny of snowblowers beware.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Chris Bergin on 03/10/2018 08:22 pm
Did not know this, but...

SpaceX employees set up their own football (soccer) team! SpaceX FC!

https://twitter.com/spacexfc 

Wonder if other rocket companies have their own teams. If so, I propose a tournament!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 03/10/2018 10:36 pm
Which leads us to the question, if they have redesigned every component, is it still a Falcon 9?

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: bjornl on 03/11/2018 04:32 am
Wonder if other rocket companies have their own teams. If so, I propose a tournament!
That would be hard, since the other teams would have to be entirely replaced after each match (except for Blue Origin, but they would just rush to the halfway line and then fall back to their own goal).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 03/11/2018 06:05 pm
Did not know this, but...

SpaceX employees set up their own football (soccer) team! SpaceX FC!

https://twitter.com/spacexfc 

Wonder if other rocket companies have their own teams. If so, I propose a tournament!
And here I was just telling someone that you **weren't** footie mad ...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 03/11/2018 09:07 pm
Did not know this, but...

SpaceX employees set up their own football (soccer) team! SpaceX FC!

https://twitter.com/spacexfc 

Wonder if other rocket companies have their own teams. If so, I propose a tournament!

Well I guess that gives us the title of at least one history for when we look back at this era.  :o


Rocket Hooligans
A somewhat lighthearted look back at the true dawn of the space age.
Ares Press - Burroughstown Mars
Copyright 2055



ps.  Considering the level of violence amongst the various sports club fans, is it really a good idea to encourage this between organizations that can build missiles?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craig_VG on 03/12/2018 01:32 am
Let's start naming all Block V boosters! Maybe randomly choose a name from the Culture book series?

Maybe call 1046 "Youthful Indiscretion" to kick things off
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craig_VG on 03/12/2018 02:19 am
Okay, I wrote a PHP script to randomly assign names to all cores up to 1100!

Attached is a CSV file with them all, and the php code used.  :)

Edit: added proper bb code format

Google Sheet  (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HenhLGvnMAPdyNn-qYOS9_Co6VQ3fcsscXPcHWF-9WM/edit#gid=2047271965)
PHP Code Used (https://www.pastiebin.com/5aa5f2cebb1c3)


CoreName
1046Only Slightly Bent
1047The Ends Of Invention
1048Irregular Apocalypse
1049You Naughty Monsters
1050Thank You And Goodnight
1051You'll Thank Me Later
1052What Is The Answer And Why?
1053Fate Amenable To Change
1054Displacement Activity
1055Empiricist
1056Death And Gravity
1057Lasting Damage II
1058Poke It With A Stick†
1059Sacrificial Victim
1060Use Psychology
1061"Sense Amid Madness, Wit Amidst Folly"
1062Teething Problems
1063You Would If You Really Loved Me
1064What Are The Civilian Applications?
1065Sanctioned Parts List
1066Transient Atmospheric Phenomenon
1067Helpless In The Face Of Your Beauty
1068Congenital Optimist
1069Never Talk To Strangers
1070Ultimate Ship The Second
1071Pelagian
1072Eschatologist (temporary name)
1073Experiencing A Significant Gravitas Shortfall
1074Grey Area (aka Meatfucker)
1075Cantankerous
1076Little Rascal
1077Jaundiced Outlook
1078Sweet and Full of Grace
1079Credibility Problem
1080God Told Me To Do It
1081I Thought He Was With You
1082Unwitting Accomplice
1083Problem Child
1084Reasonable Excuse
1085A Series Of Unlikely Explanations
1086Ethics Gradient
1087Arbitrary
1088Yawning Angel
1089Qualifier
1090Well I Was In The Neighbourhood
1091A Ship With A View
1092Not Wanted On Voyage
1093"Bodhisattva, OAQS"
1094Stranger Here Myself
1095Armchair Traveller
1096Zero Gravitas
1097Just Testing
1098Just The Washing Instruction Chip In Life's Rich Tapestry
1099A Fine Disregard For Awkward Facts
1100Ablation
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 03/12/2018 02:21 am
What a clever idea, Craig_VG!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 03/12/2018 03:14 am
If any SpaceX people are reading this thread, I think Craig_VG's name list above is a hit.  Send this upstairs, quick!  Unless, of course, you want to save them for BFS!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 03/12/2018 03:27 am
If any SpaceX people are reading this thread, I think Craig_VG's name list above is a hit.  Send this upstairs, quick!  Unless, of course, you want to save them for BFS!

A handful of names strike me as too good not to be reserved for certain milestone launches.

For Example:
First Crew Dragon:  Sanctioned Parts List
First Cargo BFS to Mars:  Not Wanted on Voyage
First Crew BFS to Mars:  A Ship with a View
First BFS Reentry from Mars:  Ablation
First Expended BFS:  Sacrificial Victim
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craig_VG on 03/12/2018 03:30 am
The beauty of random is, much like human names, they're given blind (you don't know anything about your child other than gender!. So the name comes to fit the personality of the booster in question.  :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 03/13/2018 11:16 pm
L2 is a billion $ enterprise right?
More like a billion IDR[1] (at 13,500:1 or so to the USD) if you totted up everything anyone ever spent on it but even then I suspect it's a stretch...

1 - Indonesian Rupiah

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Robotbeat on 03/14/2018 03:27 am
So rumors that Musk hired the writers for The Onion.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 03/14/2018 03:58 am
So rumors that Musk hired the writers for The Onion.
Because reasons?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 03/14/2018 05:49 am
So rumors that Musk hired the writers for The Onion.

Certainly I could imagine they're looking for other opportunities - they're struggling to write stuff that is more bizarre and ridiculous than reality at the moment.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 03/14/2018 01:26 pm
Meanwhile in Boston...
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSw2Miqrroc
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 03/14/2018 03:28 pm
Uh... I thought we had this conversation.

Rocket Site.  Drag must be minimized. ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 03/14/2018 08:00 pm
Drag never bothered Elon anyway....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 03/15/2018 08:12 pm
So rumors that Musk hired the writers for The Onion.

Yeah, SpaceX's Director of Communications (John Taylor) recently left the company.  Musk is clearly trying to up the entertainment quotient of their corporate communications. 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AndyE on 03/17/2018 02:03 pm
It looks like the mainstream media has settled on "Falcon" as their "F" of choice for BFR. This may be our last chance to consider the alternatives...

The Roald Dahl Appreciation Society are lobbying for "Big Friendly Rocket".

A group of digital artists are pinning their hopes on "Big Fractal Rocket".

British and Australian engineers are collaborating on a "Bloody Fine Rocket".

And the Flat Earth Society are hoping for a "Big Fake Rocket". It can't orbit the Earth, but it might get to Mars, cuz that's like properly round, cuz you can see it through a telescope and everything.

I'll get my coat...   :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Space Ghost 1962 on 03/17/2018 04:31 pm
Nah. First one's "Maxime, the Big Faget Rocket". He'd like that. (And that the original Shuttle concept got legs to go to interesting places.)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 03/17/2018 05:13 pm
It looks like the mainstream media has settled on "Falcon" as their "F" of choice for BFR. This may be our last chance to consider the alternatives...

The Roald Dahl Appreciation Society are lobbying for "Big Friendly Rocket".

A group of digital artists are pinning their hopes on "Big Fractal Rocket".

British and Australian engineers are collaborating on a "Bloody Fine Rocket".

And the Flat Earth Society are hoping for a "Big Fake Rocket". It can't orbit the Earth, but it might get to Mars, cuz that's like properly round, cuz you can see it through a telescope and everything.

I'll get my coat...   :)

My vote is for a made up acronym that has the letter “F-ING”
Like Big Falcon-Inter Nebulo Ginormous Rocket
But I can’t think of any real words to put to those letters.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cppetrie on 03/17/2018 05:21 pm
It looks like the mainstream media has settled on "Falcon" as their "F" of choice for BFR. This may be our last chance to consider the alternatives...

The Roald Dahl Appreciation Society are lobbying for "Big Friendly Rocket".

A group of digital artists are pinning their hopes on "Big Fractal Rocket".

British and Australian engineers are collaborating on a "Bloody Fine Rocket".

And the Flat Earth Society are hoping for a "Big Fake Rocket". It can't orbit the Earth, but it might get to Mars, cuz that's like properly round, cuz you can see it through a telescope and everything.

I'll get my coat...   :)

My vote is for a made up acronym that has the letter “F-ING”
Like Big Falcon-Inter Nebulo Ginormous Rocket
But I can’t think of any real words to put to those letters.
Integrated Next Generation
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 03/18/2018 03:44 am
It looks like the mainstream media has settled on "Falcon" as their "F" of choice for BFR. This may be our last chance to consider the alternatives...

The Roald Dahl Appreciation Society are lobbying for "Big Friendly Rocket".

A group of digital artists are pinning their hopes on "Big Fractal Rocket".

British and Australian engineers are collaborating on a "Bloody Fine Rocket".

And the Flat Earth Society are hoping for a "Big Fake Rocket". It can't orbit the Earth, but it might get to Mars, cuz that's like properly round, cuz you can see it through a telescope and everything.

I'll get my coat...   :)
All I know, it's a Big Flock of Raptors.

It'll be flocking awesome.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 03/18/2018 05:16 pm
Bigus Falconus Rabbiutus
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 03/18/2018 05:21 pm
It looks like the mainstream media has settled on "Falcon" as their "F" of choice for BFR. This may be our last chance to consider the alternatives...

The Roald Dahl Appreciation Society are lobbying for "Big Friendly Rocket".

A group of digital artists are pinning their hopes on "Big Fractal Rocket".

British and Australian engineers are collaborating on a "Bloody Fine Rocket".

And the Flat Earth Society are hoping for a "Big Fake Rocket". It can't orbit the Earth, but it might get to Mars, cuz that's like properly round, cuz you can see it through a telescope and everything.

I'll get my coat...   :)

I really like 'Big Friendly Rocket'.  It sounds good and if they put a smiley face on it, that would be great.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 03/18/2018 07:25 pm
I really like 'Big Friendly Rocket'.  It sounds good and if they put a smiley face on it, that would be great.

Ummm
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 03/18/2018 10:37 pm
That smiley face reminds me of the shark face painted on the Delta II fairings whenever a GPS satellite was launched.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 03/19/2018 02:26 pm
Bigus Falconus Rabbiutus

Harvey?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 03/19/2018 02:34 pm
It looks like the mainstream media has settled on "Falcon" as their "F" of choice for BFR. This may be our last chance to consider the alternatives...

The Roald Dahl Appreciation Society are lobbying for "Big Friendly Rocket".

A group of digital artists are pinning their hopes on "Big Fractal Rocket".

British and Australian engineers are collaborating on a "Bloody Fine Rocket".

And the Flat Earth Society are hoping for a "Big Fake Rocket". It can't orbit the Earth, but it might get to Mars, cuz that's like properly round, cuz you can see it through a telescope and everything.

I'll get my coat...   :)

My vote is for a made up acronym that has the letter “F-ING”
Like Big Falcon-Inter Nebulo Ginormous Rocket
But I can’t think of any real words to put to those letters.
Integrated Next Generation

Or if it doesn't work out, "F It, New Glenn"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 03/19/2018 03:18 pm
I don't understand why spacex is doing this in house.

There's no synergy with anything else they're building and space suits are available more or less off the shelf from established manufacturers who have economies of scale.

If you fail to understand why SpaceX wants to do something in-house, you almost completely fail to understand what is possibly Musk's and his companies' central tenet. Do it yourself unless there is literally no alternative whatsoever.

Clearly spacex should be mining their own bauxite ores.
Then they'd have to produce the mining equipment.

I just have to necro this old post from the SpaceX spacesuit thread because it mentions a really Boring topic with almost prescience.

Now we know the real plan how Elon Musk wants to Bore the competition to death.

This would solve so many problems, you could build the factory and launchpad for later full scale BFR on bedrock in vast bauxit mines, have excellent blast protection AND launch from near the equator!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 03/19/2018 08:26 pm
I thought it was Bore to the center of the earth, so he had an attachment point for his fully operational BFR.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Ben the Space Brit on 03/20/2018 08:37 am
So, would I be right in saying that SpaceX are planning to do three launches, first 4E, then 40, then 39A, in a matter of about two weeks?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 03/20/2018 10:53 am
So, would I be right in saying that SpaceX are planning to do three launches, first 4E, then 40, then 39A, in a matter of about two weeks?
There are scheduled launches for 29 march, 2 april, 16 april, and "late april".
.
a Measly 4 launches in 4 weeks? That's a tempo of barely 50 per year....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cppetrie on 03/20/2018 06:53 pm
So, would I be right in saying that SpaceX are planning to do three launches, first 4E, then 40, then 39A, in a matter of about two weeks?
There are scheduled launches for 29 march, 2 april, 16 april, and "late april".
.
a Measly 4 launches in 4 weeks? That's a tempo of barely 50 per year....
There’s another slated for April 4/5. That’s 3 in a week from 3 different pads, 4 in a little over 2 weeks and 5 in a span of a month.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JQP on 03/20/2018 09:29 pm
Can anyone summarise exactly what the differences are between block 5 and block 4?

Main upgrades:
retractable landing legs
improved turbine on turbo-pump to mitigate blade cracking
better thermal protection at aft end
coating of TPS over stage(?)
titanium grid fins
more thrust

Plus, a fancy new markings, other lessons learned to improve turn-around time and number of reflights (10 between major refurbishments) unknown total number

A reusable rocket that makes propulsive landings on retractable legs.

If I am the millionth customer to point out that SpaceX is building the rocket from You Only Live Twice and that means Elon Musk is actually Ernst Stavro Blofeld, do I get a prize?

Do I get a bonus for decoding "SpaceX" into "SPECTER"?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 03/20/2018 09:42 pm
Nah; Elon is more like Dr Evil from 'Austin Powers'... ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: hkultala on 03/20/2018 09:46 pm
[offtopic]


A reusable rocket that makes propulsive landings on retractable legs.

If I am the millionth customer to point out that SpaceX is building the rocket from You Only Live Twice and that means Elon Musk is actually Ernst Stavro Blofeld, do I get a prize?

Do I get a bonus for decoding "SpaceX" into "SPECTER"?

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/AqycnaOCIAEuM9l.jpg

if he truely was a supervillain, then the space suit in his Tesla roadster which was launched by FH contained a secret agent sent to spy on him. Nice way to get rid of the agent, nobody will find the corpse for thounands of years.


But more realistically speaking, I think he is the real-world version of Peter Weyland instead.

[/offtopic]



Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JQP on 03/20/2018 10:09 pm
Quote
if he truely was a supervillain, then the space suit in his Tesla roadster which was launched by FH contained a secret agent sent to spy on him. Nice way to get rid of the agent, nobody will find the corpse for thounands of years.

Cleaner than dropping him down a smoke stack, anyway.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 03/21/2018 02:36 am
This is not the party thread

Edit: The above statement was true when first posted but has a non operational truth value now.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 03/21/2018 03:19 am
This is not the party thread
Yeah true; but someone kicked off with 'Bond villain' remarks and we just couldn't resist. We'll behave our selves, now. Or at least I will... ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 03/21/2018 01:06 pm
This is not the party thread you are looking for

Hey Lar.  Made a little fix on that for you.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DeanG1967 on 03/22/2018 12:03 am

That RSS must be totally gone by NOW. (?)

I don't think it will ever be totally gone, just smaller with the crew access arm mounted on it.

Note you're confusing the Fixed Service Structure (FSS) with the (nearly removed) Rotating Service Structure (RSS).

FSS will have CAA.  RSS will be completely removed.
Alphabet soup, anyone?

Can I buy a vowel please Alex?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 03/22/2018 06:28 am
Quote
The above statement was true when first posted but has a non operational truth value now.

You can apply for those at the DMV.  Can't recall how much they are asking for them now days though.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 03/26/2018 12:52 am
This is about the only thread where that person's stunt is welcome.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 03/26/2018 01:35 am
This is about the only thread where that person's stunt is welcome.

I don't welcome it.  Anyone that craves attention by claiming the earth is flat can not be taken seriously and deserve no attention.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 03/26/2018 01:39 am
This is about the only thread where that person's stunt is welcome.

I don't welcome it.  Anyone that craves attention by claiming the earth is flat can not be taken seriously and deserve no attention.
I tend to agree. Flat Earthers lost any shred of humour I held for them when I took some of them head-on on social media and YouTube (I nickname them Farcebook and BoobTube) and the death threats started flooding in >:(
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 03/26/2018 01:43 am
[offtopic]


A reusable rocket that makes propulsive landings on retractable legs.

If I am the millionth customer to point out that SpaceX is building the rocket from You Only Live Twice and that means Elon Musk is actually Ernst Stavro Blofeld, do I get a prize?

Do I get a bonus for decoding "SpaceX" into "SPECTER"?

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/AqycnaOCIAEuM9l.jpg (https://pbs.twimg.com/media/AqycnaOCIAEuM9l.jpg)

if he truely was a supervillain, then the space suit in his Tesla roadster which was launched by FH contained a secret agent sent to spy on him. Nice way to get rid of the agent, nobody will find the corpse for thounands of years.


But more realistically speaking, I think he is the real-world version of Peter Weyland instead.

[/offtopic]

Leave it to Elon to be smart enough to break the trap of "What Not To Do If You Capture James Bond", aka, The Evil Overlord List, found here:  http://legendspbem.angelfire.com/eviloverlordlist.html
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 03/26/2018 03:25 am
Nah; Elon is more like Dr Evil from 'Austin Powers'... ;)
(https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/assets/42585.0/1482403.jpg)

Me think Dr Evil looks more like the Blue Gnome. ;D
(https://cdn.geekwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/151229-bezos-630x622.jpg)
stock header image from 2015 geekwire news article
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 03/26/2018 04:05 am
This is about the only thread where that person's stunt is welcome.

I don't welcome it.  Anyone that craves attention by claiming the earth is flat can not be taken seriously and deserve no attention.
Point.

How about, "not welcome anywhere on NSF, but it it were, it would be here" ? Better?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 03/26/2018 05:06 am
This is about the only thread where that person's stunt is welcome.

I don't welcome it.  Anyone that craves attention by claiming the earth is flat can not be taken seriously and deserve no attention.
Point.

How about, "not welcome anywhere on NSF, but it it were, it would be here" ? Better?

I've read the posts by Mattblack and Wannamoonbase, and I think they're right - especially when I saw that flat-earthers are making death threats.  Definitely not funny. So, IMHO the appropriate thing to do is nuke the post, and seeing as it's my post, I'll go do it.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Archibald on 03/26/2018 08:00 am
Quote
if he truely was a supervillain, then the space suit in his Tesla roadster which was launched by FH contained a secret agent sent to spy on him. Nice way to get rid of the agent, nobody will find the corpse for thounands of years.

Cleaner than dropping him down a smoke stack, anyway.

Or incinerate him with Shuttle SSMEs.  ;D

Seriously. This thread is weird, wild, and amazing at the same time. Also a little bonkers at times.

Quote
Nah; Elon is more like Dr Evil from 'Austin Powers'...

and in the second movie, Dr Evil had a dwarf clone of himself he called "Mini me". Imagine a "Mini Elon" or "Mini Jeff" - the horror, the horror.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vj8f5amIQwY

Good point about Bezos, dang, he looks uncannily similar to the Austin Powers / Bond typical villain, plus don't forget, he already conquered the world through Amazon, making a hundred billion dollar fortune in the process.  :o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 03/26/2018 08:02 am
I cut-and-pasted and saved the literal text from one knuckle-dragger; before he was banned and blocked on Farcebook. If anybody wants to hear what he said - you can p.m. me and I'll tell you. It's the sort of lowlife caliber that we are now dealing with. I know that one space website owner has been threatened in the past and handed over the details to Police. The majority of flerthers are relatively harmless. But some of these c-words need imprisonment. I'm not kidding.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 03/26/2018 08:10 am
Quote
if he truely was a supervillain, then the space suit in his Tesla roadster which was launched by FH contained a secret agent sent to spy on him. Nice way to get rid of the agent, nobody will find the corpse for thounands of years.

Cleaner than dropping him down a smoke stack, anyway.

Or incinerate him with Shuttle SSMEs. :p

Seriously. This thread is weird, wild, and amazing at the same time. Also a little bonkers at times.

Quote
Nah; Elon is more like Dr Evil from 'Austin Powers'...

and in the second movie, Dr Evil had a dwarf clone of himself he called "Mini me". Imagine a "Mini Elon" or "Mini Jeff" - the horror, the horror.
Good point about Bezos, dang, he looks uncannily similar to the Austin Powers / Bond typical villain, plus don't forget, he already conquered the world through Amazon, making a hundred billion dollar fortune in the process.  :o
Elon and Bezos are the type of people who could literally save the world. It would be wonderful if they could eventually join forces - and I don't mean one takes over the other to form a monopoly. Having competition is a healthy thing and I wish both men nothing but the best for their lofty ventures. I just wish Jeff Bezos' 'Gradatim Ferociter' was a bit more ferociter and a bit less gradatim at times! :(
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: fthomassy on 03/26/2018 01:50 pm
I just wish Jeff Bezos' 'Gradatim Ferociter' was a bit more ferociter and a bit less gradatim at times! :(
Gamera Ferociter would be so much better  ::)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 03/26/2018 02:42 pm
The *is* one kind of flat earth that we're big fans of discussing here, but it's definitely a bit eroded right now:
  https://goo.gl/maps/3ZvuCiVDwGC2

Of course, it's not so much that we're fans of flat earth as that we're fans of the things that come afterward.  Also, is it just me, or does a pad like 39A look just a bit like a giant turtle?  (Hmm... if they need to elevate a pad for a larger flame trench in the future, perhaps two pair of ponderous pachyderms as pilings?)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kch on 03/26/2018 02:48 pm
I just wish Jeff Bezos' 'Gradatim Ferociter' was a bit more ferociter and a bit less gradatim at times! :(
Gamera Ferociter would be so much better  ::)

Double helping of chili for dinner, eh?  ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 03/26/2018 09:26 pm
[The Daily Star, March 18] Bangabandhu Satellite: Waiting in the wings (http://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/bangabandhu-satellite-bangladesh-first-commercial-waiting-the-wings-1549747)

Quote
The satellite is all set for the launch, said Shahjahan Mahmood, chairman of Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), which is dealing with the much-talked-about project.

French company Thales Alenia Space, designer and maker of Bangabandhu-1, has already carried out several test runs. It is now waiting to hand over the satellite to the launching station in Florida, US.

Initially, the launch was scheduled for Victory Day 2017. However, it was postponed until this March after Hurricane Irma and subsequent floods hit Florida, said officials concerned.

Talking to The Daily Star recently, Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar said, “Right now it's confirmed that it [the satellite] won't be launched in March. It could be anytime in the first half of April.

“The launching station will give the go-ahead 15 days before the launch. Nothing can be said before that confirmation,” he added.

Asked about the possible date of the launch, the BTRC chairman echoed the minister's comment. “Whenever we get the date, the French company will transport the satellite to Florida from France.”

I think "opaque" is a good term for the launch preparations on this one.  Maybe it's just the translations to English.  Hard to believe they're still repeating that crap about Irma delaying the launch  ::)  This makes it sound like the satellite hasn't shipped yet?

Re: delivery of Bangabandhu-1
Maybe Hurricane Irma struck Cannes and the French Riviera as well? :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 03/26/2018 10:18 pm
The *is* one kind of flat earth that we're big fans of discussing here, but it's definitely a bit eroded right now:
  https://goo.gl/maps/3ZvuCiVDwGC2

Of course, it's not so much that we're fans of flat earth as that we're fans of the things that come afterward.  Also, is it just me, or does a pad like 39A look just a bit like a giant turtle?  (Hmm... if they need to elevate a pad for a larger flame trench in the future, perhaps two pair of ponderous pachyderms as pilings?)

Hrmmm... That patch of flat ground is looking a tad neglected. I think it needs decorating with a flame trench, launch gantry, etc.

So, I wonder... is the whole Boca Chica thing not real, but instead being done as a disguise for a volcano lair? If I'm right, there should be subtle clues, such as a volcanic eruption near Brownsville... and what would bear a significant likeness to a massive volcanic eruption? A BFR launch....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 03/27/2018 02:36 pm
The *is* one kind of flat earth that we're big fans of discussing here, but it's definitely a bit eroded right now:
  https://goo.gl/maps/3ZvuCiVDwGC2

Of course, it's not so much that we're fans of flat earth as that we're fans of the things that come afterward.  Also, is it just me, or does a pad like 39A look just a bit like a giant turtle?  (Hmm... if they need to elevate a pad for a larger flame trench in the future, perhaps two pair of ponderous pachyderms as pilings?)

Hrmmm... That patch of flat ground is looking a tad neglected. I think it needs decorating with a flame trench, launch gantry, etc.

So, I wonder... is the whole Boca Chica thing not real, but instead being done as a disguise for a volcano lair? If I'm right, there should be subtle clues, such as a volcanic eruption near Brownsville... and what would bear a significant likeness to a massive volcanic eruption? A BFR launch....

Now you are being totally ridiculous! Everybody knows they the fire points up on a volcano and down on a BFR.

But besides that, you have a point!  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 03/27/2018 08:22 pm
The *is* one kind of flat earth that we're big fans of discussing here, but it's definitely a bit eroded right now:
  https://goo.gl/maps/3ZvuCiVDwGC2

Of course, it's not so much that we're fans of flat earth as that we're fans of the things that come afterward.  Also, is it just me, or does a pad like 39A look just a bit like a giant turtle?  (Hmm... if they need to elevate a pad for a larger flame trench in the future, perhaps two pair of ponderous pachyderms as pilings?)

Hrmmm... That patch of flat ground is looking a tad neglected. I think it needs decorating with a flame trench, launch gantry, etc.

So, I wonder... is the whole Boca Chica thing not real, but instead being done as a disguise for a volcano lair? If I'm right, there should be subtle clues, such as a volcanic eruption near Brownsville... and what would bear a significant likeness to a massive volcanic eruption? A BFR launch....

Now you are being totally ridiculous! Everybody knows they the fire points up on a volcano and down on a BFR.

But besides that, you have a point!  ;D
You're assuming that the BFR is going to go to space that day - otherwise, the engines can point in any direction they want!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 03/28/2018 06:14 am
Quote
You're assuming that the BFR is going to go to space that day - otherwise, the engines can point in any direction they want!

Well.... If you view the launch from the other side of our good flat earth, then the flames are jussssst right.  Although the volcano would be less than impressive. 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 03/28/2018 02:25 pm
The *is* one kind of flat earth that we're big fans of discussing here, but it's definitely a bit eroded right now:
  https://goo.gl/maps/3ZvuCiVDwGC2

Of course, it's not so much that we're fans of flat earth as that we're fans of the things that come afterward.  Also, is it just me, or does a pad like 39A look just a bit like a giant turtle?  (Hmm... if they need to elevate a pad for a larger flame trench in the future, perhaps two pair of ponderous pachyderms as pilings?)

Hmmm.... Interesting.  The closest indicated building, just over a mile away (roughly) is a mini-mart. :)  Methinks that quick stop to stock the mini-fridge in the crew quarters on the BFS might have played into the location choice.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: SPITexas on 03/28/2018 05:20 pm
The crane was used to unload a couple shipping containers and then it was gone.

It’s more than just containers it’s a suprise and the future. 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 03/28/2018 06:56 pm
The crane was used to unload a couple shipping containers and then it was gone.

It’s more than just containers it’s a suprise and the future. 
which container is which?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 03/28/2018 08:32 pm
It’s more than just containers it’s a suprise and the future. 
which container is which?

Well, obviously, the first one is a surprise, and then you're on to the future.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: docmordrid on 03/28/2018 08:35 pm
The crane was used to unload a couple shipping containers and then it was gone.

It’s more than just containers it’s a suprise and the future.

errrrpp? Now you've started something.....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: speedevil on 03/28/2018 08:45 pm
It’s more than just containers it’s a suprise and the future.

Can you even fit one hundred and fifty tons of cheese in two containers?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: acsawdey on 03/28/2018 08:55 pm
It’s more than just containers it’s a suprise and the future.

Can you even fit one hundred and fifty tons of cheese in two containers?

Nope.
Processed american cheese = 976kg/m^3
40' container volume: 67.7 m^3
2 containers of cheese: 132 metric tons
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 03/28/2018 09:10 pm
I move MY post in reply to the party thread but is that a hint to you jokers? Oh no....

Cheese it.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 03/28/2018 09:11 pm
It’s more than just containers it’s a suprise and the future.

Can you even fit one hundred and fifty tons of cheese in two containers?

Nope.
Processed american cheese = 976kg/m^3
40' container volume: 67.7 m^3
2 containers of cheese: 132 metric tons
Gruyere.
 This is a class operation.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: acsawdey on 03/28/2018 09:24 pm
It’s more than just containers it’s a suprise and the future.

Can you even fit one hundred and fifty tons of cheese in two containers?

Nope.
Processed american cheese = 976kg/m^3
40' container volume: 67.7 m^3
2 containers of cheese: 132 metric tons
Gruyere.
 This is a class operation.

Gruyere: 915 kg/m^3 ... even further from fitting 150 tons in two containers. But enough to make a staggering amount of high-quality mac-and-cheese (rue-based white sauce + gruyere).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 03/29/2018 01:17 am
It’s more than just containers it’s a suprise and the future.

Can you even fit one hundred and fifty tons of cheese in two containers?

Nope.
Processed american cheese = 976kg/m^3
40' container volume: 67.7 m^3
2 containers of cheese: 132 metric tons

I show cheddar as 1037 kg/m3.  Multiply that by 67.7 m3 and double it for two containers, and you get to 140 metric tons, so you're still short.  However, I would like to note that means you have nearly 155 tons of cheese if you go with US short tons.

Alas, I haven't found a good reference for cheese densities in general.  (Parm was far less than cheddar in the only reference I could find.  No need to even bother looking up havarti or anything with eyes.)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 03/29/2018 01:39 am
Mmmm...

This is getting gouda.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 03/29/2018 02:18 am
Tread caerphilly, cheese puns quickly get out of hand. Lets try and be mature. 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 03/29/2018 03:32 am
With Iridium slipping to Sat 3/31, let's preempt a few questions:
1. Odds of this effecting CRS-14 = Almost no chance
2. Station will take priority for Visiting Vehicle schedule
3. 2 days btw 2 launches is totally doable.

Sorry to be pedantic, but:

Odds of this effecting (i.e. performing) CRS-14 = zero!
Odds of this affecting (i.e. having an effect on) CRS-14...

Pedant's pedant: 0!=1 (zero factorial).

So, rosbif73 is saying that Iridium-5 is definitely going to be performing CRS-14's mission.  Unexpected.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 03/30/2018 04:19 am
This belongs here.

The satellite should land in Boston in about half an hour.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: toren on 03/30/2018 04:50 am
This belongs here.

The satellite should land in Boston in about half an hour.

And it's going out for drinks at an Irish pub to celebrate?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 03/30/2018 02:10 pm
This belongs here.

The satellite should land in Boston in about half an hour.

And it's going out for drinks at an Irish pub to celebrate?

Don't worry, Jonathan McDowell already has his party hat on for protection.
https://twitter.com/planet4589/status/979165562759720960

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 03/30/2018 02:15 pm
btw. Did anyone besides me notice the picture they released of Bangabandhu Satellite-1 was with party Balloons? They are definitely getting ready to party!!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 03/30/2018 02:28 pm
Brace yourself, congratulations are coming....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 03/30/2018 02:32 pm
Brace yourself, congratulations are coming....

Actually, not until after the last spacecraft separates from the dispenser.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 03/30/2018 03:05 pm
They just need party balloons
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AncientU on 03/30/2018 03:29 pm
Any second now...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: dmc6960 on 03/30/2018 03:30 pm
CongratX!!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 03/30/2018 03:32 pm
Congratulations SpaceX keep up the good work!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 03/30/2018 03:34 pm
Congrats to SpaceX and Iridium on delivering another 10 Iridium-NEXT sats to orbit!

It’s a shame that NOAA forced the livestream to shut off after SECO-1.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: IntoTheVoid on 03/30/2018 03:57 pm

That RSS must be totally gone by NOW. (?)

I don't think it will ever be totally gone, just smaller with the crew access arm mounted on it.

Note you're confusing the Fixed Service Structure (FSS) with the (nearly removed) Rotating Service Structure (RSS).

FSS will have CAA.  RSS will be completely removed.
Alphabet soup, anyone?

Can I buy a vowel please Alex?

Okay. Nobody has posted here in over a week so this has been grating my nerves for too long (since it didn't scroll away)

Was the clue "What question is asked most often of Pat Sajak."
Because Alex Trebeck does Jeopardy, which has nothing to do with buying vowels from Pat and Vanna, other than one show follows the other.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elmar Moelzer on 03/30/2018 04:54 pm
Congrats to SpaceX and Iridium on yet another boooooring launch! JK, boring is a good thing in this case! ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 03/30/2018 05:16 pm
Quote
So here’s the NOAA issue:

https://twitter.com/sciguyspace/status/979748665479876609?s=21

Direct your comments or complaints to this gentleman:
Dr. No-aa
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 03/30/2018 06:08 pm
Did Apollo 8 have a remote sensing licence?

NOAA got the authority to oversee remote sensing in 2000. At any rate, it's for "private" spacecraft so government missions are exempted.

As are handheld cameras.
So, from now on, for webcast purposes, all missions will need to have a manned dragon attached! I

n the growing tit for tat, next thing you know, they will be expelling satellites from orbit. What's next, send a Chinese Space Station to burn up in earth's atmosphere for not having the proper license?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Slarty1080 on 03/30/2018 06:15 pm
Did Apollo 8 have a remote sensing licence?

NOAA got the authority to oversee remote sensing in 2000. At any rate, it's for "private" spacecraft so government missions are exempted.

As are handheld cameras.
So, from now on, for webcast purposes, all missions will need to have a manned dragon attached! I

n the growing tit for tat, next thing you know, they will be expelling satellites from orbit. What's next, send a Chinese Space Station to burn up in earth's atmosphere for not having the proper license?

This topic seems to be running on several threds here. I would have thought it might almost be news worthy "NOAA censors spaceflight footage" or similar (not suggesting that the press would exagerate ;o). But perhaps it's just too obscure.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 03/30/2018 06:19 pm
I think the topic belongs in the party thread,.... But hey, the Bangabandhu Satellite-1 thread has pictures of a satellite with party balloons, so who am I to judge.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: landlubber on 03/30/2018 06:35 pm
Seek and you shall find -

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/jfpe.12008

Cheese True Density Prediction by Linear Equations

Sadly we may delve no further than the abstract as payment is required. The cheese veil remains drawn.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 03/31/2018 08:28 am
Congratulations to SpaceX and Iridium, plus great heaps of scorn to NOAA.

Prior rocket-cams, including in orbit, were no problem. The concern is high-res imagery, yet even the superb cameras with Starman only clearly showed large items, such as Australia, and last time I checked Australia's location wasn't secret. And in the case of this launch, the resolution was even lower, plus was not even over the US. They were okay with SpaceX using the imagery internally, but not webcasting it, and made this demand with no notice? And in so doing, succeeded only in taking the imagery away from the people who pay their salaries?

An analogy for NOAA's actions would be the Department of Transportation barring a child from riding a tricycle on its street, because there is a law against commercial vehicles over 10 tons on that street. The child, of course, has no ability whatsoever, nor any interest whatsoever, in violating the actual weight limit, but untroubled by the fact it's impossible (such as the s2 cam showing anything of any possible concern) they take the kid's trike away. And the kid is the one paying their salaries.   

NOAA's utter absurdity today reminded me that we expect far too much from the creatures known as bureaucrats.  The reason is their life cycle, which is near identical to the sea squirt (also known as the sea cucumber.). The sea squirt, in larval form, is free swimming and has a rudimentary brain. Once it finds a place to attach itself, it digests its brain, due to having no further use for it. However, brainless though it be, it is still capable of pulling away from injury (or, in the case of the bureaucrat, having long since digested its brain, still retains the ability to pull away from any manifestation of common sense). 

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 03/31/2018 09:05 am
Seek and you shall find -

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/jfpe.12008

Cheese True Density Prediction by Linear Equations

Sadly we may delve no further than the abstract as payment is required. The cheese veil remains drawn.

Well, that's enough to curdle your blood.

Sorry, that was whey too obscure.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: launchwatcher on 03/31/2018 03:58 pm
Congratulations to SpaceX and Iridium, plus great heaps of scorn to NOAA.

An analogy for NOAA's actions would be the Department of Transportation barring a child from riding a tricycle on its street, because there is a law against commercial vehicles over 10 tons on that street. The child, of course, has no ability whatsoever, nor any interest whatsoever, in violating the actual weight limit, but untroubled by the fact it's impossible (such as the s2 cam showing anything of any possible concern) they take the kid's trike away. And the kid is the one paying their salaries.   
At the risk of turning this into the Space Policy Party, the brainless sea squirt here is Congress (acting as a multicellular entity.  Think of individual legislators and their staffers as cells making up the Congressional sea squirt).   The law as written doesn't have a lower limit -- it says that all vehicles on the road must be federally licensed, no exceptions.   Nobody noticed it applied to your kid's tricycle  until now, but now that The Authorities have noticed, that trike's going to the impound lot.



Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cppetrie on 03/31/2018 04:01 pm
The Law of Unintended Consequences
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 03/31/2018 11:57 pm
Seek and you shall find -

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/jfpe.12008

Cheese True Density Prediction by Linear Equations

Sadly we may delve no further than the abstract as payment is required. The cheese veil remains drawn.

Shouldn't that be cheese cloth remains in the cloche?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 04/01/2018 05:59 pm
I'm just wondering if NOAA's definition of a hand-held camera requires the hand to have an attached body.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 04/01/2018 07:21 pm
I mowed a bulls-eye in my back yard yesterday in case the Chinese need a spot for Tiangong . 8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: John Alan on 04/01/2018 08:07 pm
I mowed a bulls-eye in my back yard yesterday in case the Chinese need a spot for Tiangong . 8)

I think your safe from from falling chinospaceparts...  ;)
http://www.aerospace.org/CORDSuploads/TiangongStoryboard.png (http://www.aerospace.org/CORDSuploads/TiangongStoryboard.png)
(keep refreshing to follow along... south central pacific ocean they think now in about 4 hours)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 04/02/2018 02:15 am
jcm's reentry location based on reading a ton of tweets, doing math, and putting his Skylab hat on.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 04/02/2018 02:16 am
Guess the party is over...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 04/02/2018 02:20 pm
Okay, let's do it again 8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Barrie on 04/02/2018 02:32 pm
Okay, let's do it again 8)
Yes, it's been so long.  Two days of hurt, but we never stopped dreaming...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 04/02/2018 08:47 pm
Congrats to SpaceX and NASA on successfully launching SpX-14 to orbit.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 04/02/2018 08:49 pm
And there we go. Another great ascent of flight-proven hardware without issues. Congratulations SpaceX and NASA.

(It does seem like these boosters could manage another trip... :-) )
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: dgates on 04/02/2018 08:50 pm
Having my victory martini in Dubai.  Awesome!  Loved that Dragon venting shot. 

Have iPad and iPhone going in the bar with a crowd watching over my shoulder!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: todd5ski on 04/02/2018 08:51 pm
Congrats to SpaceX and NASA on another great launch to space on previously flown hardware. :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Perchlorate on 04/02/2018 08:51 pm
Congratulations...again...to the whole team:  SpaceX, NASA, 45th Space Wing, and of course NSF!

Sometime later this year, I'm gonna fly myself down there and see/feel one of these for myself.  As such, I really love these right-on-time liftoffs.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elmar Moelzer on 04/02/2018 08:58 pm
Congrats so SpaceX! Great launch! Flight proven hardware really seems to work out quite well!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Kansan52 on 04/02/2018 09:10 pm
Another good day. Thanks SX!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 04/02/2018 09:23 pm
Unless my calculations are off, with the final Block 4 launch in a few days every relaunch capable core they ever made has flown 1.5 times. They have only produced 26 cores of Block 3 and 4 and will have flown 39 missions. Without really noticing, reuse has already become commonplace.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AncientU on 04/02/2018 09:29 pm
...
The onboard camera footage looked a bit lower in resolution compared to previous flights. Perhaps a requirement from NOAA?

Could barely make out those Top Secret National Security Assets...

Anyway, when a few thousand Starlink sats are maintaining continuous global coverage, maybe the NOAA boys will back off Falcon second stage GoPros.

Go SpaceX.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 04/02/2018 09:30 pm
Yaaaawn....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGKfiyhNCNw
Expendable.... Congrats just the same, see you at the ISS Dragon! :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tomness on 04/02/2018 10:23 pm
Congrats on another routine launch.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: bjornl on 04/02/2018 11:45 pm
First time I saw a launch in person. Simply amazing! The intensity of the flame and the deep rumble really can't be caught on camera. Well worth the 2+ hour traffic jam. Thanks, SpaceX!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 04/03/2018 12:06 am
Congrats to SpaceX for making it routine seeming.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 04/03/2018 12:06 am
When your sister sends you a picture of the VAB from a cruise ship at 4:26 and you go, wait a minute ... And immediately dive for the mouse to bring up the webcast.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Bubbinski on 04/03/2018 02:07 am
Congratulations to SpaceX & NASA for the successful CRS-14 launch!

Next up: TESS. And I will be at the Cape for that :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 04/03/2018 12:08 pm
Congrats SpaceX ...
and congratulations in advance to our NSF forum on the separate “congratulations-thread” creation.
 ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 04/03/2018 05:39 pm
Congratulations to SpaceX & NASA for the successful CRS-14 launch!

Next up: TESS. And I will be at the Cape for that :)

Congrats indeed, no we need MORE, we need MORE!!!

I am hopeful they recover this next booster too.  It's been awhile since we've seen a recovery, those landing video feeds are my fix.

I'm getting optimistic that with Block 5 we could see a 40-50 launch year eventually.  I previously didn't think it was possible.  But they are really racking up the flights with flight proven equipment.  (I'm working on graph)

Edit: Spelling
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: flyright on 04/03/2018 06:23 pm
Congratulations to SpaceX & NASA for the successful CRS-14 launch!

Next up: TESS. And I will be at the Cape for that :)

Congrats indeed, no we need MORE, we need MORE!!!

I am hopeful they recover this next booster too.  It's been awhile since we've seen a recovery, those landing video feeds are my fix.

I'm getting optometrist that with Block 5 we could see a 40-50 launch year eventually.  I previously didn't think it was possible.  But they are really racking up the flights with flight proven equipment.  (I'm working on graph)

I'm optimistic that my optometrist can help me read a graph with so many flights on it.  :)

(I know, dang autoconnect.)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 04/03/2018 06:49 pm
(I know, dang autoconnect.)

Oops, yeah, brain is still sleeping this morning.

The goal needs to be 1 launch every 7 days, only seems reasonable.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 04/03/2018 06:49 pm
Congratulations to SpaceX & NASA for the successful CRS-14 launch!

Next up: TESS. And I will be at the Cape for that :)

Congrats indeed, no we need MORE, we need MORE!!!

I am hopeful they recover this next booster too.  It's been awhile since we've seen a recovery, those landing video feeds are my fix.

I'm getting optometrist that with Block 5 we could see a 40-50 launch year eventually.  I previously didn't think it was possible.  But they are really racking up the flights with flight proven equipment.  (I'm working on graph)

I'm optimistic that my optometrist can help me read a graph with so many flights on it.  :)

(I know, dang autoconnect.)

Cue music 🎶
Doctor, Doctor ... give the news I got a bad case of...

( do I hear a finish the lyrics contest starting?)
 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 04/03/2018 08:10 pm
Cue music 🎶
Doctor, Doctor ... give the news I got a bad case of...

( do I hear a finish the lyrics contest starting?)

Hmm... song lyrics contest?  Those take a good bit of work to compose.   In the meantime, a while-we're-waiting limerick:

  While it may be a bit of a drive
  To head east to the Cape to watch live
    A launch and a landing
    Of Falcon with banding
  Would be quite a sight. Go, Block 5!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 04/04/2018 08:39 pm
Congratulations to SpaceX & NASA for the successful CRS-14 launch!

Next up: TESS. And I will be at the Cape for that :)

Congrats indeed, no we need MORE, we need MORE!!!

I am hopeful they recover this next booster too.  It's been awhile since we've seen a recovery, those landing video feeds are my fix.

I'm getting optometrist that with Block 5 we could see a 40-50 launch year eventually.  I previously didn't think it was possible.  But they are really racking up the flights with flight proven equipment.  (I'm working on graph)

I'm optimistic that my optometrist can help me read a graph with so many flights on it.  :)

(I know, dang autoconnect.)

Cue music 🎶
Doctor, Doctor ... give the news I got a bad case of...

( do I hear a finish the lyrics contest starting?)
"landing blues"....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 04/04/2018 09:49 pm
Bad Case of Missin You (Doctor, Doctor)
Mr. (Robert Palmer) Stevens
Whoa
A hot summer night, i’m a boat with a net
I've gotta find... my fairing yet
I need a launch, to soothe my head
And turn my blue heart to red
Doctor Doctor, gimme the news
I got a bad case of missin' you
No stage II gonna cure my ill
I got a bad case of missin' you
A pretty plume don't make no pretty heart
I learned that buddy from the start
You think I’m  slow, maybe a little bit small
Mama, this boat can really haul
Doctor Doctor, gimme the news
I got a bad case of missin' you
No station docking gonna cure my itch
I got a bad case of missin' you
I know you like it, you like it on top
Tell me fairing (version 2), Where you gonna drop?
You had me wait in an ocean slip
Smile of Judas on your lip
Shake my fist, knock on wood
I got it bad, and I got it good
Doctor Doctor, gimme the news
I got a bad case of missin' you
No expendable launch gonna cure my ill
I got a bad case of missin' you
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 04/05/2018 11:42 am
More photos from Artemyev

Why do I always end up feeling like the Russians have better photographers?  Or maybe they just have cleaner windows, IDK?

Maybe the Russian photographers have no,aa, limitations to the resolution of their imagery?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 04/07/2018 09:00 pm
So this would be called F9 1.2 FT B5 V7?


(Lifted from Facebooks SpaceX group)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/spacexgroup/permalink/10156490219656318/
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kch on 04/07/2018 09:36 pm
So this would be called F9 1.2 FT B5 V7?


(Lifted from Facebooks SpaceX group)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/spacexgroup/permalink/10156490219656318/

LOL -- not by me!  If it makes you happy to twist your tongue around all that [stuff], by all means.  Might want to add "and-a-cartridge-in-a-hair-tree" just for the sake of over-completemess ... ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: envy887 on 04/07/2018 10:28 pm
So this would be called F9 1.2 FT B5 V7?

No, it would just be F9 V7.

Version 1: F9 1.0
Version 2: F9 1.1
Version 3: F9 1.2 (aka Full Thrust) Block 1
Version 4: F9 1.2 (aka Full Thrust) Block 2
Version 5: F9 1.2 (aka Full Thrust) Block 3
Version 6: F9 1.2 (aka Full Thrust) Block 4
Version 7: F9 1.2 (aka Full Thrust) Block 5
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 04/08/2018 09:37 pm
So this would be called F9 1.2 FT B5 V7?

No, it would just be F9 V7.

Version 1: F9 1.0
Version 2: F9 1.1
Version 3: F9 1.2 (aka Full Thrust) Block 1
Version 4: F9 1.2 (aka Full Thrust) Block 2
Version 5: F9 1.2 (aka Full Thrust) Block 3
Version 6: F9 1.2 (aka Full Thrust) Block 4
Version 7: F9 1.2 (aka Full Thrust) Block 5


Yeah yeah... Elon had to stop at Block 5...

We coulda had a V-8!


*sips my veggie juice and wanders away*
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 04/09/2018 12:21 am
No wonder EM has confidence in developing BFR. 

They've been continuously designing, developing and building new rockets for years at a very fast pace.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cro-magnon gramps on 04/09/2018 04:06 pm
No wonder EM has confidence in developing BFR. 

They've been continuously designing, developing and building new rockets for years at a very fast pace.

not to forget the 3 versions of Falcon Heavy, if we are to believe Elon's comment
on it being cancelled 3 times... smh... that makes 10 rocket in how many years...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 04/09/2018 04:09 pm
No wonder EM has confidence in developing BFR. 

They've been continuously designing, developing and building new rockets for years at a very fast pace.

not to forget the 3 versions of Falcon Heavy, if we are to believe Elon's comment
on it being cancelled 3 times... smh... that makes 10 rocket in how many years...
Not to mention all the design iterations we don’t know about and flights of fancy they worked on that never saw the light of Day.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 04/10/2018 04:58 pm
A slightly whacky variant on this idea (just a thought) could the BFR fly to a mile or two above a disaster zone accelerate upwards briefly then in short order, cut its engines rapidly release parachute cargo, allow a few seconds for clearance, then relight the engines and fly on to a suitable emergency landing site within a few hundred miles?

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: aero on 04/13/2018 04:43 am
Which would be easier to keep on Mars, 10,000 cows or 2.2 x 1015 termites?

Because either one would create enough methane to fuel a BFS.

Edit: Oops, my bad - make that 3E x 12 termites. I forgot to convert daily generation to yearly production for termites.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 04/13/2018 10:26 am
Congratulations to last year's hide and seek winner, OTV-5!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cppetrie on 04/13/2018 08:32 pm
280 Miles to Adelaide. So initially internal flights to connect... but since its dessert a hyper-loop in a tube on the surface or piers. A good chance for Musk to try it out before combining it with tunnels.

And Someone mentioned Saudi, and Ridyah. Again Hyperloop on the surface from a dessert pad... as long as the sand isn't a major problem.
Mmmm...dedicated dessert pads. And hyperloops to get to them. This idea is genius.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MikeAtkinson on 04/15/2018 11:33 pm
Looks like Elon is bringing a balloon to the party!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cppetrie on 04/16/2018 02:09 am
Apparently will plop down in a bouncy house:
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/985684755877265408?s=21

Probably on Mr. Steven 2.0

Mrs. Steven?
Mr. Stephen?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: EnigmaSCADA on 04/16/2018 03:50 am
Apparently will plop down in a bouncy house:
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/985684755877265408?s=21

Probably on Mr. Steven 2.0

Mrs. Steven?
Mr. Stephen?
Mr. Stephane?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 04/16/2018 06:48 am
Apparently will plop down in a bouncy house:
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/985684755877265408?s=21
Probably on Mr. Steven 2.0
Mrs. Steven?
Mr. Stephen?
Mr. Stephane?

Jeff Vader
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 04/16/2018 07:14 am
280 Miles to Adelaide. So initially internal flights to connect... but since its dessert a hyper-loop in a tube on the surface or piers. A good chance for Musk to try it out before combining it with tunnels.

And Someone mentioned Saudi, and Ridyah. Again Hyperloop on the surface from a dessert pad... as long as the sand isn't a major problem.
Mmmm...dedicated dessert pads. And hyperloops to get to them. This idea is genius.

I hate it when sand gets in my dessert!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 04/16/2018 07:29 am


I figured that the only place on this site that party balloons might fit is this thread, so.....

Quote
Elon Musk‏Verified account @elonmusk 8h8 hours ago

SpaceX will try to bring rocket upper stage back from orbital velocity using a giant party balloon

Party time!  :) :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Semmel on 04/16/2018 10:35 am
In responds to ULAs SMART-recovery plans, I would call the second stage recovery the DUMB recovery "Deceleration Under Massive Balloon".
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jebbo on 04/16/2018 11:29 am
In China, flying back to the UK tomorrow, but alarm set for 5:30am to watch the TESS launch. The Great Firewall ain't all it's cracked up to be.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Robotbeat on 04/16/2018 12:59 pm
So basically SpaceX is doing all the stuff in this video but with more boats and replacing some of the smaller rockets with parachutes and party supplies. More festive and not as mad: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSF81yjVbJE
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Sohl on 04/16/2018 01:35 pm
Theme music for TESS launch: Wolf Alice - Planet Hunter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6eohMq7ACI (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6eohMq7ACI)

"...
I tried all night to initiate (ooh)
And I only ever try to have fun
I’m only old when I don’t feel young
And if you’re with me, yeah
You can come, yeah, along (ooh)

Am I a planet hunter
Or a brave deviator?
I left my mind behind in 2015
Am I a planet hunter
Or a brave deviator?
I left my mind behind in 2015
..."

Writer(s): Joel Amey, Theodore Ellis, Jonathan Oddie, Ellen Rowsell
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cppetrie on 04/16/2018 03:41 pm
The Great Firewall ain't all it's cracked up to be.
Or is it...? Must be cracked if you’re getting through!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 04/16/2018 03:43 pm
So basically SpaceX is doing all the stuff in this video but with more boats and replacing some of the smaller rockets with parachutes and party supplies. More festive and not as mad: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSF81yjVbJE

Between booster, 2 fairing halves and maybe the US from 3 sites they'd have a huge navy.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: clongton on 04/16/2018 04:55 pm
So basically SpaceX is doing all the stuff in this video but with more boats and replacing some of the smaller rockets with parachutes and party supplies. More festive and not as mad:

Hmmm. What was mad about it?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 04/16/2018 11:09 pm
They're going to need a bigger (fleet of) boat(s).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 04/16/2018 11:28 pm
They're going to need a bigger (fleet of) boat(s).

With moar nets.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 04/16/2018 11:37 pm
Moar nets sounds right... because we're seeing indications that there will be moar party balloons, too.

Um, any idea how party balloons will fare during reentry?

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 04/16/2018 11:41 pm
Moar nets sounds right... because we're seeing indications that there will be moar party balloons, too.
Um, any idea how party balloons will fare during reentry?

I ran a simulation...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSvwWs7PIsw
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Robotbeat on 04/17/2018 12:20 am
So basically SpaceX is doing all the stuff in this video but with more boats and replacing some of the smaller rockets with parachutes and party supplies. More festive and not as mad:

Hmmm. What was mad about it?
Lyrics.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 04/17/2018 02:27 am


I figured that the only place on this site that party balloons might fit is this thread, so.....

Quote
Elon Musk‏Verified account @elonmusk 8h8 hours ago

SpaceX will try to bring rocket upper stage back from orbital velocity using a giant party balloon

Party time!  :) :D

Nope!

No. No. No. No. No.

The whole point of reuseability is that things do NOT BLOW UP!  Oh wait...  :-[
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 04/17/2018 02:29 am
Guess the nose cones need a parafoil too ;)

https://twitter.com/Quemenes_Iroise/status/984775154369785857?s=19

Ferme de Quéménès - Île d'Iroise @Quemenes_Iroise
Hi @elonmusk
Look at what we found from @SpaceX on the foreshore of #Quemenes, the island where we livre in Brittany (France)! What is it ?
By the way will you send an electric tractor in space ? We need one ! 😉 #space #rocket #riddle #sea
8:47 AM - Apr 13, 2018

Someone tried the old "I got your nose" bit just slightly too literally, eh, little Dragon?  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wolfram66 on 04/17/2018 03:27 am
More like the Jupiter Aerobraking used in 2010 The year we make contact.. discussed in this NASA study https://www.slideserve.com/maeko/aerobraking
http://ippw2016.jhuapl.edu/docs/abstracts/combined-drag.pdf
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 04/18/2018 03:48 am
Not trying to ascribe any deity like powers to myself but every time I fail to make a comment here before a launch we have a scrub, abort, failure, major malfunction, etc. For TESS I remained silent and what do we get? Zip. So just to make sure -

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 04/18/2018 04:36 pm
OK SpaceX, you are clear to proceed with terminal count - Elvis is in the forum.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: e of pi on 04/18/2018 07:42 pm
SpaceX has released an updated press kit. Launch time and mission timeline have been adjusted.
Would that be a TESSkit?

...I'll show myself out.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: dgates on 04/18/2018 10:43 pm
All set up
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 04/18/2018 11:10 pm
I kind of like the production in this particular mission, nice video production, smooth landing on ocisly and now some really nice music waiting for the last burn. -Hats of to the production team at SpaceX!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 04/18/2018 11:35 pm
Not trying to ascribe any deity like powers to myself but every time I fail to make a comment here before a launch we have a scrub, abort, failure, major malfunction, etc. For TESS I remained silent and what do we get? Zip. So just to make sure -

Like I said... 8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 04/18/2018 11:43 pm
Congrats to NASA and SpaceX on successfully kicking off TESS's mission!

And another congrats to SpaceX for the first Falcon 9 booster rocket landing in two and a half months (the last time SpaceX attempted to land a Falcon 9 booster rocket was during the Falcon Heavy Test Flight).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 04/18/2018 11:46 pm
So, now we have to wait for Star Wars Day for Lil' Bangy?  ;D  (May the 4th be with Bangabandhu.)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 04/18/2018 11:48 pm
Great launch, congrats SpaceX, and very interesting to see a different flight profile to boost to an inclined orbit off the equator.  I'm really excited to see what TESS comes up with, and I hope it generates some excitement outside the usual enthusiasts too.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jgoldader on 04/19/2018 12:00 am
Well done SpaceX!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Skamp_X on 04/19/2018 12:35 am
Damn I missed a successful launch and landing on a drone ship , o well, ill watch the next one.
Looking forward to Tess results.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 04/19/2018 12:36 am
Congratulations to NASA, Goddard, MIT and SpaceX on the successful launch and deploy of TESS. Don't forget to smile during her fly-by of Earth in mid-May! :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elmar Moelzer on 04/19/2018 04:31 am
Congrats to SpaceX and NASA!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ChrisWilson68 on 04/19/2018 05:09 am
I love that landings are so routine that the article on NSF about it not only doesn't mention the fact that the first stage landed in the headline, it doesn't even mention it until the 12th paragraph.

I also love the fact that there are several more flights manifested for block 4 boosters but the last new block 4 booster has already flown.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: flyright on 04/19/2018 08:34 am
Being at LC-39 Gantry was a very uplifting experience for the TESS launch. Prior to the launch, by show of hands, most people were there to see their first launch. It was clear, though that these were not casual observers. I listened to several parents, parents with accents from all over the world, filling their kids in on the purpose of TESS and how historic it's mission will be. The kids seem to get it, and were excited.The launch was picture perfect. People were surprised by the sun-like brilliance of the launch plume. The rocket was hard to look at without sunglasses. And then sound hit! Many parents brought ear protection for their children, and it was probably a good idea. The winds were favorable for the sound to travel directly towards the Observation Gantry, and it was loud!.
There were gasps and worry as the rocket reached a vapor trail forming level of the upper atmosphere and started leaving a thick trail in an otherwise nearly cloudless sky. And relief, as the mission continued despite leaving the twisty trail of vapor in the sky.
For an experience that effectively lasts about two minutes, I'm sure most people there felt like me. Just being there to experience a launch with a group of enthusiastic, like-minded people from all over the world, was well worth the hassles and cost of getting tickets to this viewing site, just 3.4 miles from SLC-40.

Congratulations SpaceX on another smooth launch. Congtatulation to NASA, and the many people who built TESS!, And thanks to the Air Force, and the FAA, who have stepped up their game to support the increasing pace of launches. Congratulations to all the enthusiasts out there, and here on NSF! Today was a good day.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DatUser14 on 04/19/2018 01:29 pm
https://twitter.com/johnkrausphotos/status/986753774357303296
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 04/19/2018 01:44 pm
Congratulations SpaceX and NASA.

Next up Block 5!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 04/19/2018 02:59 pm
Not only did they do a perfect landing, it's great to see the next launch listed as in 14 days.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 04/20/2018 01:03 pm
*riiing...  riiinnnng*

"D'Urbaville Residence"

'...........'

"She's WHERE?!?!"

'..........'

"HONEY, your daughter has apparently gone on a world tour."
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 04/20/2018 03:49 pm
SpaceX has released an updated press kit. Launch time and mission timeline have been adjusted.
Would that be a TESSkit?

...I'll show myself out.
Incorrigible punster. Do not incorrige.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mongo62 on 04/20/2018 10:43 pm
Has anybody made a TESSLA joke yet?

After the FH-Tesla launch, the options are obvious.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 04/21/2018 08:48 am
Okay, it looks like Spacex is going to try to recover 2nd stages (with party balloons!). Let's assume they succeed. Let's also assume they succeed in recovering fairings.

What's left before the F9 is fully reusable? The Dragon nosecone, but Dragon 2 looks like it doesn't jettison the nosecone, so that will be solved.

I think all that's left is the MVAC engine bell stiffner ring? Is that going to be the roadblock to full reusability? There's gotta be a way!
Clearly, what's needed is some Rube Goldberg engineering! Could they buy a military surplus AWACS plane to track it, and a deep-sea submersible to retrieve it? Or deploy a few square miles of Aerogel to catch it? 

Hrmmm. Shuttle used to cover its RCS nozzles with butcher paper while on the pad, and they'd come off during liftoff. Does F9 do the same? If so, there's another reuse engineering target!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 04/21/2018 02:19 pm
Okay, it looks like Spacex is going to try to recover 2nd stages (with party balloons!). Let's assume they succeed. Let's also assume they succeed in recovering fairings.

What's left before the F9 is fully reusable? The Dragon nosecone, but Dragon 2 looks like it doesn't jettison the nosecone, so that will be solved.

I think all that's left is the MVAC engine bell stiffner ring? Is that going to be the roadblock to full reusability? There's gotta be a way!
Clearly, what's needed is some Rube Goldberg engineering! Could they buy a military surplus AWACS plane to track it, and a deep-sea submersible to retrieve it? Or deploy a few square miles of Aerogel to catch it? 

Hrmmm. Shuttle used to cover its RCS nozzles with butcher paper while on the pad, and they'd come off during liftoff. Does F9 do the same? If so, there's another reuse engineering target!

Okay. That's going a bit too far, CJ. Why would SpaceX consider reusing the MVac nozzle stiffener or the Dragon nose cone?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 04/21/2018 02:24 pm
Okay. That's going a bit too far, CJ. Why would SpaceX consider reusing the MVac nozzle stiffener or the Dragon nose cone?
You may have missed where you are?

Speaking of missing things, I missed this when it first came out.

On-Orbit Status 04-03-2018:
...

Video Channels Image Quality – Yesterday, ground teams noticed Downlink (DL) channels 5 and 6 appeared to be pixelated and grainy.  The images looked Picasso-like or psychedelic.    A video channel reset cleared the images.   Ground teams are investigating the anomalous signature.   

Check for monoliths.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 04/21/2018 04:34 pm
Okay, it looks like Spacex is going to try to recover 2nd stages (with party balloons!). Let's assume they succeed. Let's also assume they succeed in recovering fairings.

What's left before the F9 is fully reusable? The Dragon nosecone, but Dragon 2 looks like it doesn't jettison the nosecone, so that will be solved.

I think all that's left is the MVAC engine bell stiffner ring? Is that going to be the roadblock to full reusability? There's gotta be a way!
Clearly, what's needed is some Rube Goldberg engineering! Could they buy a military surplus AWACS plane to track it, and a deep-sea submersible to retrieve it? Or deploy a few square miles of Aerogel to catch it? 

Hrmmm. Shuttle used to cover its RCS nozzles with butcher paper while on the pad, and they'd come off during liftoff. Does F9 do the same? If so, there's another reuse engineering target!

Actually, it sounds like the Dragon nosecones are self-recovering already.  Didn't one wash up on an island off Britain recently?  They don't need to spend any money there, just send out 'Steviepuff Jr.' to catch it.  Hmm... maybe they should go Scaled Composites one better and have rib-stiffened feathering deploy out the back...  of course 'Steviepuff, Jr.' would then have to replace the net with a racket.

Hey, that keeps in line with earlier posts about SpaceX fielding a soccer team... their maritime component could take up Badminton! :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 04/21/2018 11:31 pm
Hrmmm. Shuttle used to cover its RCS nozzles with butcher paper while on the pad, and they'd come off during liftoff. Does F9 do the same? If so, there's another reuse engineering target!

Well, per some notes after the TESS launch, rather similar to the covers on the Shuttle RCS nozzles, there appear to be Tyvek covers over pressure equalization vent holes in the landing leg structures.  These get pulled off the bird, at least by design, when a snag-wire is grabbed by a hook or somesuch as the bird lifts away from the pad.  They will also apparently blow off easily when pressure differential becomes great enough.

I don't believe I've ever seen anything that states with any certainty that these Tyvek covers are recovered and re-used.  So, there's a fat opportunity... ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: octavo on 04/22/2018 07:45 am
I have some bad news that the main stream media refuses to cover.

Ever since SpaceX started reusing rockets, I've noticed that several of the lab mice that I regularly expose to carcinogens, have developed cancer!!!

This clear and unmistakable link between cancer in lab mice and rocket reusability has not been adequately funded. If anyone here would like to help further fund my studies into these effects, please private message me your credit card details.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cppetrie on 04/23/2018 10:09 pm
Quote
Mr Steven what are you even doing?
#spacex #mrsteven

https://twitter.com/w00ki33/status/988531119015407616
Pirate defenses? They are catching a pallet of cash after all.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 04/23/2018 10:17 pm
Quote
Mr Steven what are you even doing?
#spacex #mrsteven

https://twitter.com/w00ki33/status/988531119015407616
Pirate defenses? They are catching a pallet of cash after all.

Perhaps they are planning on shooting down a fairing, like an archer fish, if it looks like it's going long.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4T1SQtavaUM
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 04/24/2018 04:38 pm
To pass the time until the next launch...
A poetry challenge that has to use the words
Bangabadhu, block, and the number 5. Bonus words Elon, SpaceX and recovery.


Launch me up a Bangabadhu,
Block five,
     recovered for a thousand launches
Retired once
     the Elon reigns on Mars

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 04/24/2018 05:49 pm
Bangabandhu launching live
SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5
Elon's black-and-white will see
Its first sea recovery!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 04/24/2018 05:52 pm
Burma-Shave!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 04/24/2018 06:29 pm
Burma-Shave!

I tried to go with the meter and rhyme scheme of a stanza of William Blake's "The Tyger", but that didn't leave many free syllables to work with.  While I'm normally content to stay in limericks, various rhyming quatrains, and other constrained forms, it does seem as if the challenge needs to breathe a little more than those may accommodate.  And so, here's an alternate entry:


    A Falcon 9 of type not yet e'er flown
    With Bangabandhu in the fairing set
    Will sit atop the pad there on its own
    As nearer to the zero time we get
    How SpaceX all the challenges has met
    We marvel as we watch these Falcons fly
    This newest one will be the best one yet
    (And soon the fairings too will be caught dry)
    The global manifest's increasing pie
    Will all the more grow as the prices drop
    This paragon of falconry, Block 5
    Is miles yet from where the trend will stop
    And so we now join in our Elon's glee
    To cheer aloud, "Onward, Recovery!"


It's been a while since I've composed a sonnet in more or less Spenserian form, but I suppose it'll do.  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 04/24/2018 06:33 pm
Here's a ditty that experiments with rhythm and stress...

---

Oh, the Bangladeshi people made a Friend of Bengal*
For a digital communicator high up in space
Geostationary relay when they're making a call
And their data running freely at astonishing pace

So the rocket built by SpaceX is a Falcon block five
Showing Elon-led improvements of recovery sorts
When the Merlins get their TEA-TEB they will roar into life
On a launch date that the fans will say is strong in the Force


*that is, Bangabandhu (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheikh_Mujibur_Rahman).

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 04/25/2018 01:03 am
Burma-Shave!

I tried to go with the meter and rhyme scheme of a stanza of William Blake's "The Tyger", but that didn't leave many free syllables to work with.  While I'm normally content to stay in limericks, various rhyming quatrains, and other constrained forms, it does seem as if the challenge needs to breathe a little more than those may accommodate.  And so, here's an alternate entry:


    A Falcon 9 of type not yet e'er flown
    With Bangabandhu in the fairing set
    Will sit atop the pad there on its own
    As nearer to the zero time we get
    How SpaceX all the challenges has met
    We marvel as we watch these Falcons fly
    This newest one will be the best one yet
    (And soon the fairings too will be caught dry)
    The global manifest's increasing pie
    Will all the more grow as the prices drop
    This paragon of falconry, Block 5
    Is miles yet from where the trend will stop
    And so we now join in our Elon's glee
    To cheer aloud, "Onward, Recovery!"


It's been a while since I've composed a sonnet in more or less Spenserian form, but I suppose it'll do.  ;D
We stand in the shadow of greatness...
Wow!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 04/26/2018 03:02 am
Um, what would y'all think it meant if, purely hypothetically of course, Elon Musk tweeted,

 
Quote
Elon Musk‏Verified account @elonmusk

Oh btw I’m building a cyborg dragon

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AncientU on 04/26/2018 01:27 pm
This entire thread is a riot.
Quote
Game Of Thrones
‏Verified account @GameOfThrones
19h19 hours ago

Game Of Thrones Retweeted Elon Musk

Bend the knee to House Targaryen, @ElonMusk. #Dracarys

Game Of Thrones added,
Elon Musk
Verified account @elonmusk
Oh btw I’m building a cyborg dragon
186 replies 9,533 retweets 43,616 likes

Elon Musk
‏Verified account @elonmusk
Replying to @GameOfThrones

Don’t make me use my space lasers …
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/989362154242428928
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: fthomassy on 04/26/2018 01:59 pm
This entire thread is a riot.
Quote
Game Of Thrones
‏Verified account @GameOfThrones
19h19 hours ago

Game Of Thrones Retweeted Elon Musk

Bend the knee to House Targaryen, @ElonMusk. #Dracarys

Game Of Thrones added,
Elon Musk
Verified account @elonmusk
Oh btw I’m building a cyborg dragon
186 replies 9,533 retweets 43,616 likes

Elon Musk
‏Verified account @elonmusk
Replying to @GameOfThrones

Don’t make me use my space lasers …
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/989362154242428928
How awesome is that ... dragons ... with frickin' laser beams attached to their heads!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 04/26/2018 05:52 pm
Has it been confirmed that both fairing halves were recovered intact? It appears they’re both on the boat...

This video shows it.
<snip>

That'll buff out.

This situation/your statement reminded me of this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoxF29RI2Bs
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 04/27/2018 12:40 am
Um, what would y'all think it meant if, purely hypothetically of course, Elon Musk tweeted,

 
Quote
Elon Musk‏Verified account @elonmusk

Oh btw I’m building a cyborg dragon



That billionaires have far greater access to psychoactive substances than us peons do, that's what.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AncientU on 04/27/2018 10:51 am
Um, what would y'all think it meant if, purely hypothetically of course, Elon Musk tweeted,

 
Quote
Elon Musk‏Verified account @elonmusk

Oh btw I’m building a cyborg dragon



That billionaires have far greater access to psychoactive substances than us peons do, that's what.

Where he's going, he doesn't need psychoactive substances.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 04/27/2018 02:12 pm
Where he's going, he doesn't need psychoactive substances.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ou6JNQwPWE0
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cppetrie on 04/27/2018 08:16 pm
I wonder if “Musk’s Space Exploration Technologies Corp. reached an agreement in June to pay Tesla $1.9 million for a microgrid energy system and installation services” was for the solar array and power packs installed at Boca Chica?

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/tesla-expects-money-off-elon-183601706.html?.tsrc=applewf
That or they got one hell of a deal on a Mars installation!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 04/27/2018 08:25 pm
Where he's going, he doesn't need psychoactive substances.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ou6JNQwPWE0
So further than Tyco then
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CuddlyRocket on 04/28/2018 03:27 am
Um, what would y'all think it meant if, purely hypothetically of course, Elon Musk tweeted,

Quote
Elon Musk‏Verified account @elonmusk
Oh btw I’m building a cyborg dragon

When Elon makes these kind of jokes there's often a grain of truth in them that becomes apparent later on! :) If we assume that's what he's doing here then 'dragon' presumably refers to the man-capable successor to the existing cargo Dragon that is currently under development. 'Cyborg' normally refers to a human being who has mechanical or electronic implants, but dictionary.com gives it as "a person whose physiological functioning is aided by or dependent upon a mechanical or electronic device" (based on the Random House dictionary, apparently). By that definition, the crew of the new Dragon would qualify as cyborgs (as would a lot of hospital patients) though not the Dragon itself!

I suppose that Elon could argue that a cyborg is also a mechanical being with human components and that a crewed Dragon is therefore a cyborg - but that's stretching things a bit! :)

Elon Musk
‏Verified account @elonmusk
Replying to @GameOfThrones

Don’t make me use my space lasers …

This one is easier. Starlink satellites will have communication lasers and there are test satellites in orbit that are presumably testing such lasers. Not that they're particularly effective as weapons, so that was a bit of a bluff! ;) :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 04/28/2018 06:26 am
Elon Musk
‏Verified account @elonmusk
Replying to @GameOfThrones

Don’t make me use my space lasers …

This one is easier. Starlink satellites will have communication lasers and there are test satellites in orbit that are presumably testing such lasers. Not that they're particularly effective as weapons, so that was a bit of a bluff! ;) :)

Dragon is already equipped with a space laser as part of the its LIDAR system for proximity ops with ISS.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 04/28/2018 08:32 pm
Too much highbrow artistry for a party thread.

Well you're dirty on your feet
Clad in black the last block and I love you
You're dirty on your feet, oh yeah
Well you're slim and you're sleak
You've got the teeth of the dragon upon you
You've dirty feet and you're my thrill

Get it on,  Bangabandhu, get it on
Get it on,  Bangabandhu, get it on

Well you're upstaged by a car
You've got a block 5 final build booster
Upstaged by a car, oh yeah
Well you're an untamed youth
That's the truth with your cloak full of falcons
You've dirty feet and you're my thrill

Get it on,  Bangabandhu, get it on
Get it on,  Bangabandhu, get it on

Well you're windy and wild
You've got soot on your shoes and your stockings
You're windy and wild, oh yeah
Well you're upstaged by a car
You've got a block 5 final build booster
You've dirty feet and you're my thrill




Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 04/29/2018 03:20 am
Someday, somebody is going to write a book about this party thread.  Of course, it may be a textbook on Abnormal Psychology...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 04/29/2018 05:00 am
Someday, somebody is going to write a book about this party thread.  Of course, it may be a textbook on Abnormal Psychology...

I wouldn't pass that course. Psychology is not my best subject.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 04/29/2018 03:39 pm
Too much highbrow artistry for a party thread.

Well you're dirty on your feet
Clad in black the last block and I love you
You're dirty on your feet, oh yeah
Well you're slim and you're sleak
You've got the teeth of the dragon upon you
You've dirty feet and you're my thrill

Get it on,  Bangabandhu, get it on
Get it on,  Bangabandhu, get it on

Well you're upstaged by a car
You've got a block 5 final build booster
Upstaged by a car, oh yeah
Well you're an untamed youth
That's the truth with your cloak full of falcons
You've dirty feet and you're my thrill

Get it on,  Bangabandhu, get it on
Get it on,  Bangabandhu, get it on

Well you're windy and wild
You've got soot on your shoes and your stockings
You're windy and wild, oh yeah
Well you're upstaged by a car
You've got a block 5 final build booster
You've dirty feet and you're my thrill

Somebody has to remix the song with these words!
It’s the next “SpaceX Launch you up”
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: rockets4life97 on 04/30/2018 01:40 pm
Block 5 will be on the pad today or tomorrow!! YAY!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Doesitfloat on 05/03/2018 07:19 pm
This applies to several threads I read today:
Hey don't let the facts get in the way of a good company/engine/COPV witch-hunt.  >:(
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AncientU on 05/03/2018 09:33 pm
Block 5 will be on the pad today or tomorrow!! YAY!!

Rolled out today... great picture posted by EM.
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=45522.msg1817240#msg1817240
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 05/03/2018 09:51 pm
That Falcon 9 Block 5 really brings back those early SpaceX vibes in 2010.

If you don't know what I mean, compare that rollout photo with this prototype F9.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: su27k on 05/04/2018 04:41 am
That Falcon 9 Block 5 really brings back those early SpaceX vibes in 2010.

More like December 2008/January 2009, it's a pad fit check or PR/photo op depending on who you ask, the vehicle is not flight worthy.

Jim's money quote from back then: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=9958.msg348845#msg348845

Quote
It is all mental masturbation.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 05/04/2018 06:12 pm
Jim’s quote may have to become a new party thread title
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Chris Bergin on 05/04/2018 06:46 pm
Party thread! No one's allowed to take this thread seriously! One post removed for being way too serious.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AncientU on 05/04/2018 07:51 pm
Party thread! No one's allowed to take this thread seriously! One post removed for being way too serious.

Glad someone else got party thread comments removed for being too serious!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: fthomassy on 05/04/2018 07:56 pm
Party thread! No one's allowed to take this thread seriously! One post removed for being way too serious.
Glad someone else got party thread comments removed for being too serious!
Are you serious?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 05/04/2018 08:01 pm
Party thread! No one's allowed to take this thread seriously! One post removed for being way too serious.
Glad someone else got party thread comments removed for being too serious!
Are you serious?

Don't you mean Sirius?... errr... can I blame that on the Harry Potter franchise?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 05/04/2018 08:03 pm
Party thread! No one's allowed to take this thread seriously! One post removed for being way too serious.
Glad someone else got party thread comments removed for being too serious!
Are you serious?
Shirley not.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 05/04/2018 08:24 pm
This Block 5 needs to fly soon. 

I’m dying here!

Only 2 flights a month is a drag too.  We need 1 per week, I need my fix. 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 05/04/2018 11:30 pm
Chris G shot first.

So, now we know what the "G" stands for.  May the Fourth be with you all.  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 05/05/2018 12:32 am
Chris G shot first. Florida Today second.

Quicker on the Twitter at the OK launchpad.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 05/05/2018 07:00 am
Chris G shot first.

So, now we know what the "G" stands for.  May the Fourth be with you all.  ;D

Are you calling the cape a wretched hive of scum and villainy?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 05/05/2018 09:19 am
Party thread! No one's allowed to take this thread seriously! One post removed for being way too serious.

Seriously?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 05/06/2018 07:02 am
Meanwhile at SpaceX headquarter

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/992924525288308736
Quote from: Elon Musk
Then I’m going to build a moat & fill it w candy.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 05/06/2018 02:40 pm
Meanwhile at SpaceX headquarter

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/992924525288308736
Quote from: Elon Musk
Then I’m going to build a moat & fill it w candy.

Just so people understand the context of that tweet.  In response to a question (during the recent Q1 2018 Tesla earnings call) challenging Tesla's willingness to allow other EV brand cars to use Tesla's supercharging infrastructure, Elon made a comment about thinking that strategic moats (in the sense of Warren Buffett's comparison of a competitive advantage in business to a castle's moat that keeps the armies of your competitors from being able to supplant you) were lame.  When Buffett was asked about Elon's opinion on moats, Buffett replied citing See's Candy (which is owned by Berkshire Hathaway).  As a result, Elon has decided to disrupt the candy business.   ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AndyE on 05/06/2018 03:52 pm
Can someone please clarify the explanation of the context of that tweet. My brain hurts!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kch on 05/06/2018 04:12 pm
Party thread! No one's allowed to take this thread seriously! One post removed for being way too serious.

Glad someone else got party thread comments removed for being too serious!

Are you serious?

Shirley not.

Is that Shirley Knott, the berry farm heiress?  ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: aero on 05/06/2018 04:17 pm
Party thread! No one's allowed to take this thread seriously! One post removed for being way too serious.

Glad someone else got party thread comments removed for being too serious!

Are you serious?

Shirley not.

Is that Shirley Knott, the berry farm heiress?  ;)

Would it be off topic here to observe that if See's Candy and Knot's Berry Farm were to merge, the new company would be "Sees Knot?"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kch on 05/06/2018 04:25 pm
Party thread! No one's allowed to take this thread seriously! One post removed for being way too serious.

Glad someone else got party thread comments removed for being too serious!

Are you serious?

Shirley not.

Is that Shirley Knott, the berry farm heiress?  ;)

Would it be off topic here to observe that if See's Candy and Knot's Berry Farm were to merge, the new company would be "Sees Knot?"

Could be a berry good thing ... :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 05/06/2018 04:43 pm
Party thread! No one's allowed to take this thread seriously! One post removed for being way too serious.

Glad someone else got party thread comments removed for being too serious!

Are you serious?

Shirley not.

Is that Shirley Knott, the berry farm heiress?  ;)

Would it be off topic here to observe that if See's Candy and Knot's Berry Farm were to merge, the new company would be "Sees Knot?"

Only if one is blind... :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 05/06/2018 05:25 pm
Can someone please clarify the explanation of the context of that tweet. My brain hurts!

Sugar induced headache.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 05/06/2018 05:34 pm
Can someone please clarify the explanation of the context of that tweet. My brain hurts!



Tesla has stated that any other automaker can use their charging technology patents/designs and that other makers' EVs could therefore have access to and use the Tesla Supercharging system.  Until recently, the only production battery electric vehicle (BEV) with a driving range over 200 miles were Teslas.  As more automakers are coming out with more and more EVs with enough range to be a daily driver vehicle (the sole vehicle owned by a person/family), there is concern among some Tesla stockholders/analysts that this increased competition in the BEV category will result in a drop in Tesla's share of the market segment.  In that scenario, one of the biggest remaining differentiators between a Tesla and those other long-range BEVs is the very extensive network of fast charging superchargers that enable long distance travel (i.e. reduced/eliminated range anxiety).  That sort of competitive advantage has been likened to a castle moat by Warren Buffett.  But if Tesla lets the other EVs use the superchargers then, in addition to Tesla having had to pay all the investment costs and other EV makers essentially getting the benefit for free, superchargers would stop being a selling advantage (i.e. the moat is drained and filled in). 

For the rest, read http://fortune.com/2018/05/05/warren-buffett-elon-musk-trolling-sees-candies-moats/ 

And follow Musk on Twitter.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 05/06/2018 05:35 pm
Would it be off topic here to observe that if See's Candy and Knot's Berry Farm were to merge, the new company would be "Sees Knot?"

That's just asking for people to start calling them Sugar Nazis.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AndyE on 05/06/2018 06:48 pm
Can someone please clarify the explanation of the context of that tweet. My brain hurts!

Tesla has stated that any other automaker can use their charging technology patents/designs and that other makers' EVs could therefore have access to and use the Tesla Supercharging system.  Until recently, the only production battery electric vehicle (BEV) with a driving range over 200 miles were Teslas.  As more automakers are coming out with more and more EVs with enough range to be a daily driver vehicle (the sole vehicle owned by a person/family), there is concern among some Tesla stockholders/analysts that this increased competition in the BEV category will result in a drop in Tesla's share of the market segment.  In that scenario, one of the biggest remaining differentiators between a Tesla and those other long-range BEVs is the very extensive network of fast charging superchargers that enable long distance travel (i.e. reduced/eliminated range anxiety).  That sort of competitive advantage has been likened to a castle moat by Warren Buffett.  But if Tesla lets the other EVs use the superchargers then, in addition to Tesla having had to pay all the investment costs and other EV makers essentially getting the benefit for free, superchargers would stop being a selling advantage (i.e. the moat is drained and filled in). 

For the rest, read http://fortune.com/2018/05/05/warren-buffett-elon-musk-trolling-sees-candies-moats/ 

And follow Musk on Twitter.

But where do the sweets come in?  ;)

Seriously, though, thanks for that. I do follow Musk on Twitter and I didn't understand a word of their exchange! Good on him for putting common sense ahead of market share.

Anyway, back to the party thread...

How many real life party balloons do you think it would take to land a Falcon 9 upper stage?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 05/06/2018 07:19 pm

Anyway, back to the party thread...

How many real life party balloons do you think it would take to land a Falcon 9 upper stage?

"GRANT, KARI, TORI!  How many 5 year olds equal the weight of a SpaceX Falcon9 2nd stage?"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: launchwatcher on 05/06/2018 07:39 pm
But where do the sweets come in?  ;)
Elon's shifting gears from Iron Man to Willy Wonka.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: yokem55 on 05/06/2018 07:53 pm
But where do the sweets come in?  ;)
Elon's shifting gears from Iron Man to Willy Wonka.
Unfortunately the current political climate is not very conducive to the immigration of Oompa Loompa's. Not to mention I don't think they would pass ITAR clearance.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Semmel on 05/06/2018 08:09 pm
naaa... all that talk about disrupting the candy industry is just Elons way of building an industry that can grow food on Mars. He needs that for his Mars colony just as much as he needs dirty, old, boring, digging equipment on Mars. Same story, really, nothing unexpected.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: aero on 05/06/2018 08:10 pm
But where do the sweets come in?  ;)
Elon's shifting gears from Iron Man to Willy Wonka.

Elon already has a start for retail outlets, what with his network of Tesla showrooms. What he needs now is a hook. Unfortunately, "delicious sugar-free organic candy" sounds like an oxymoron. He needs a more tasty sounding hook!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 05/06/2018 08:56 pm
But where do the sweets come in?  ;)


Buffett brought them in when he responded to a shareholder's question asking for his response/opinion on Elon's quote about moats.  From the Fortune article I linked previously:

Quote
Presented with Musk’s comment, Buffett acknowledged that the acceleration of technological advancement in recent years has made more moats vulnerable and “susceptible to invasion.” But he still believes the concept is crucially important, and that some companies’ moats are more impenetrable now than they’ve ever been.

“Certainly you should be working on improving your own moat and defending your own moat all the time. And Elon may turn things upside down in some areas,” Buffett said during the Berkshire meeting in Omaha. “I don’t think he’d want to take us on in candy.”

Buffett often cites See’s Candies as a company with a wide moat, because of the company’s loyal, entrenched customer base, particularly on the West Coast—making it difficult for any rival chocolate chains to steal any business from See’s.

Then the rest was Elon tweeting.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 05/06/2018 09:28 pm
But where do the sweets come in?  ;)
Elon's shifting gears from Iron Man to Willy Wonka.

Elon already has a start for retail outlets, what with his network of Tesla showrooms. What he needs now is a hook. Unfortunately, "delicious sugar-free organic candy" sounds like an oxymoron. He needs a more tasty sounding hook!

You mean to tell me that this whole 'Space thing' he's been doing is a red herring?!?  *runs out to buy stock in M&M/Mars...*
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 05/07/2018 06:10 am
Made this in honor of the first cubesats ever launched out of Earth orbit.  Go MarCO A & B (aka Wall-E and EVA)!

[They were launched towards Mars along with InSight yesterday]
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AncientU on 05/07/2018 10:26 am
But where do the sweets come in?  ;)
Elon's shifting gears from Iron Man to Willy Wonka.

Elon already has a start for retail outlets, what with his network of Tesla showrooms. What he needs now is a hook. Unfortunately, "delicious sugar-free organic candy" sounds like an oxymoron. He needs a more tasty sounding hook!

You mean to tell me that this whole 'Space thing' he's been doing is a red herring?!?  *runs out to buy stock in M&M/Mars...*

Class act from Birkshire's #2:
Quote
Munger, Warren Buffett’s longstanding partner, called Musk “bold and brilliant,” though Munger admitted he had no idea if Musk’s endeavors would succeed.

Regarding Tesla, Munger said, “It’s already created more significance than anybody had predicted. Its founder is bold and brilliant, and he swings for the fences. People like that get some remarkable results. Sometimes they get some quick failures. I haven’t the faintest idea how Elon Musk will turn out, but he has a considerable chance of success and considerable chance of failure. He seems to like it that way.”

Munger said he hadn’t heard that Musk had tweeted he was going to start a candy company in response to Buffett’s comment, “I don’t think he’d [Musk] want to take us on in candy.”

“I didn’t hear that. Sounds like wise-assery,” Munger chuckled. “I can’t criticize anybody else for wise-assery.”

Wise-assery... fits Elon Musk perfectly! 
(as does "Bold and Brilliant, swinging for the fences...")

https://www.yahoo.com/news/charlie-munger-calls-elon-musk-brilliant-bitcoin-stupid-immoral-020109787.html
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 05/07/2018 10:44 am
But where do the sweets come in?  ;)
Elon's shifting gears from Iron Man to Willy Wonka.

Elon already has a start for retail outlets, what with his network of Tesla showrooms. What he needs now is a hook. Unfortunately, "delicious sugar-free organic candy" sounds like an oxymoron. He needs a more tasty sounding hook!

The hook is simply a combo of tesla candy and SpaceX technology ... Fizzy Lifting Drinks.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AncientU on 05/07/2018 11:00 am
But where do the sweets come in?  ;)
Elon's shifting gears from Iron Man to Willy Wonka.

Elon already has a start for retail outlets, what with his network of Tesla showrooms. What he needs now is a hook. Unfortunately, "delicious sugar-free organic candy" sounds like an oxymoron. He needs a more tasty sounding hook!

The hook is simply a combo of tesla candy and SpaceX technology ... Fizzy Lifting Drinks.

The hook is to make it the most expensive chocolate (and, of course, most delicious) -- we all know that when you buy chocolates for your girl friend, wife, or both, you buy the most expensive available -- and then donate all profits to The Nature Conservancy, Save the Whales, Friends of the Earth, or whomever is your favorite.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: dnavas on 05/07/2018 04:39 pm
But where do the sweets come in?  ;)
Elon's shifting gears from Iron Man to Willy Wonka.

Elon already has a start for retail outlets, what with his network of Tesla showrooms. What he needs now is a hook. Unfortunately, "delicious sugar-free organic candy" sounds like an oxymoron. He needs a more tasty sounding hook!

The way you disrupt See's is to not compete with them at the business they've chosen to specialize in.
Ex: Build a candy-maker.  Chocolate goes in one side, flavor pods in the other.  Candy maker creates a chocolate wrapper around whatever thing is in the flavor pod.  You make money selling pods, not boxed candies.  Or maybe you make money on the chocolate and you open-source the pods and allow dozens of companies to sell thousands of flavors.

The Candy-Maker Can.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: yokem55 on 05/07/2018 05:08 pm
I wonder if he's giving up on liquid rocket engines and switching to solids. I mean, sugar rockets are a thing and the concoction kind of resembles candy...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kch on 05/07/2018 05:46 pm
I wonder if he's giving up on liquid rocket engines and switching to solids. I mean, sugar rockets are a thing and the concoction kind of resembles candy...

"So moat it be"?  ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: fthomassy on 05/07/2018 09:31 pm
"Run as fast as you can, carefully"
Made my morning! 
>
Mine too! BTW,

"Quantum potes fugere sedulo"

Anyone want to design them a crest? ;)
I'm no artist but it's gotta be flanked by roadrunners :-X
"beeb-beeb!"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 05/08/2018 05:24 pm
SpaceX has a dynamic moat... they innovate so fast that they are well out in front of the competition and have strong cost advantages. By the time the competition catches up, if it ever does. they're not there any more.

Sorry if that's too serious.

I want some SpaceX candy and Teslaquila
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 05/09/2018 12:54 am
I want some SpaceX candy and Teslaquila
I'll just settle for a Model 3
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 05/09/2018 01:35 pm
I'll just settle for a Model 3

I miss mine (http://oldcomputers.net/trs80iii.html).  Had 48K of RAM and dual floppy drives.  I got it somewhen after 1990, as I only got it because it was being put out to pasture.  My favorite part was the look on the face of the guy at the mall Radio Shack when he looked up TRS-DOS on his terminal and discovered that it was actually still available for special order.

Sure, it didn't have all the same fancy features of my TRS-80 CoCo 2, but having *floppies* instead of cassette tapes made that thing a wonderful box to work on, and with a built-in screen, I could work on it anywhen, not just the middle of the night when my parents and five siblings were asleep and not using our one TV.  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 05/09/2018 03:33 pm
I have to admit that I don't know much about Bangladesh so I put in a call to the Tennessee Embassy there. Like parts of Memphis it's kind of poor and flat but when it comes time to pray they can get a crowd together like few other places. This here be the Block 5 Prayer Train from Dhaka. It seems we can count on enthusiastic spiritual support from the home crowd. Let's fly this thing. 8)


Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 05/09/2018 06:33 pm
I'll just settle for a Model 3

I miss mine (http://oldcomputers.net/trs80iii.html).  Had 48K of RAM and dual floppy drives.  I got it somewhen after 1990, as I only got it because it was being put out to pasture.  My favorite part was the look on the face of the guy at the mall Radio Shack when he looked up TRS-DOS on his terminal and discovered that it was actually still available for special order.

Sure, it didn't have all the same fancy features of my TRS-80 CoCo 2, but having *floppies* instead of cassette tapes made that thing a wonderful box to work on, and with a built-in screen, I could work on it anywhen, not just the middle of the night when my parents and five siblings were asleep and not using our one TV.  ;D

TRS-80 Model 1 owner (well, ex owner) here. I had pretty much all the options... 16K ROM BASIC, expansion chassis with full memory, 2 floppy drives, acoustic modem, the works.

Never got any of the later stuff, my next machine was an IBM PC XT since by then I was an IBMer... that machine also got expanded, 2 hard drives, 80386 with daughtercard, etc.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 05/10/2018 01:38 pm
I'll just settle for a Model 3

I miss mine (http://oldcomputers.net/trs80iii.html).  Had 48K of RAM and dual floppy drives.  I got it somewhen after 1990, as I only got it because it was being put out to pasture.  My favorite part was the look on the face of the guy at the mall Radio Shack when he looked up TRS-DOS on his terminal and discovered that it was actually still available for special order.

Sure, it didn't have all the same fancy features of my TRS-80 CoCo 2, but having *floppies* instead of cassette tapes made that thing a wonderful box to work on, and with a built-in screen, I could work on it anywhen, not just the middle of the night when my parents and five siblings were asleep and not using our one TV.  ;D

TRS-80 Model 1 owner (well, ex owner) here. I had pretty much all the options... 16K ROM BASIC, expansion chassis with full memory, 2 floppy drives, acoustic modem, the works.

Never got any of the later stuff, my next machine was an IBM PC XT since by then I was an IBMer... that machine also got expanded, 2 hard drives, 80386 with daughtercard, etc.

I went dumpster diving behind bars to gather 12,000 pounds of aluminum cans to raise money for the first computer at my high school. My reward for smelling like a brewery was a TRS-80 Model I and I got to show the science and physics teachers how to use it. I was a senior and became the first computer teacher. Some years later I was working for IBM and got to know the XT all too well.  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: QuantumG on 05/10/2018 01:41 pm
I went dumpster diving behind bars to gather 12,000 pounds of aluminum cans to raise money for the first computer at my high school. My reward for smelling like a brewery was a TRS-80 Model I and I got to show the science and physics teachers how to use it. I was a senior and became the first computer teacher. Some years later I was working for IBM and got to know the XT all too well.  8)

I collected abandoned trolleys (shopping carts), to collect the coin deposit, in order to buy my first modem for my C= 64. 300 baud, manual dialing, with a turbo switch: 1200 baud down, 75 baud up.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mme on 05/10/2018 02:53 pm
I'll just settle for a Model 3

I miss mine (http://oldcomputers.net/trs80iii.html).  Had 48K of RAM and dual floppy drives.  I got it somewhen after 1990, as I only got it because it was being put out to pasture.  My favorite part was the look on the face of the guy at the mall Radio Shack when he looked up TRS-DOS on his terminal and discovered that it was actually still available for special order.

Sure, it didn't have all the same fancy features of my TRS-80 CoCo 2, but having *floppies* instead of cassette tapes made that thing a wonderful box to work on, and with a built-in screen, I could work on it anywhen, not just the middle of the night when my parents and five siblings were asleep and not using our one TV.  ;D
I was introduced to coding hanging out in the Sears and hacking (archaic usage) on an Atari 400, doing silly programs to simulate orbits on a friend's TRS-80 Model III (two body, super crude, I'm no genius) and then learned machine code writing a game with a friend on a Sinclair ZX-81. My first computer was some Motorola 6800 kit (I think a MEK6800D2 development board I got way past it's prime). My career is a total accident based on hanging out in malls and a friend's X-mas gift fueled by Big Gulps funded by dumpster diving and collecting bottles in fields.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mme on 05/10/2018 02:55 pm
Is it just me or does the Block 5 look like it's wearing a tube top?

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Kansan52 on 05/10/2018 03:09 pm
I'll just settle for a Model 3

I miss mine (http://oldcomputers.net/trs80iii.html).  Had 48K of RAM and dual floppy drives.  I got it somewhen after 1990, as I only got it because it was being put out to pasture.  My favorite part was the look on the face of the guy at the mall Radio Shack when he looked up TRS-DOS on his terminal and discovered that it was actually still available for special order.

Sure, it didn't have all the same fancy features of my TRS-80 CoCo 2, but having *floppies* instead of cassette tapes made that thing a wonderful box to work on, and with a built-in screen, I could work on it anywhen, not just the middle of the night when my parents and five siblings were asleep and not using our one TV.  ;D

Sweet!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: webdan on 05/10/2018 03:13 pm
I'll just settle for a Model 3

I miss mine (http://oldcomputers.net/trs80iii.html).  Had 48K of RAM and dual floppy drives.  I got it somewhen after 1990, as I only got it because it was being put out to pasture.  My favorite part was the look on the face of the guy at the mall Radio Shack when he looked up TRS-DOS on his terminal and discovered that it was actually still available for special order.

Sure, it didn't have all the same fancy features of my TRS-80 CoCo 2, but having *floppies* instead of cassette tapes made that thing a wonderful box to work on, and with a built-in screen, I could work on it anywhen, not just the middle of the night when my parents and five siblings were asleep and not using our one TV.  ;D

TRS-80 Model 1 owner (well, ex owner) here. I had pretty much all the options... 16K ROM BASIC, expansion chassis with full memory, 2 floppy drives, acoustic modem, the works.

Never got any of the later stuff, my next machine was an IBM PC XT since by then I was an IBMer... that machine also got expanded, 2 hard drives, 80386 with daughtercard, etc.

Same here, still got it minus monitor/cassette... had 4K of ram, level 1 basic. Radio Shack wouldn’t let me add the memory myself. Dang, that’s 40 years ago!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: robert_d on 05/10/2018 03:24 pm
Is it just me or does the Block 5 look like it's wearing a tube top?

Out on the pad... waiting to launch. One of the most beautiful vehicles ever. I always liked Delta 4 because of the contrasting colors; form follows function and all. Now we have block 5 that sort of looks like a panda that had bariatric surgery.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mshear on 05/10/2018 03:58 pm
Being as how I'm currently sitting in the Apollo/Saturn V center with my two equally space nut kids, I'd have to agree that it's the most beautiful rocket ever - although I may possibly be somewhat biased as it'll be the first launch I've seen in person if it goes off as scheduled!  (I came down for a shuttle launch when I was an intern at GSFC in the late 90s but it got scrubbed twice - so today's third time and hopefully the charm!).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 05/10/2018 06:14 pm
Is it just me or does the Block 5 look like it's wearing a tube top?

White Empire Dress with black waist band and black shoes.  Or, white on white tuxedo, black bowtie and shoes.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Semmel on 05/10/2018 06:19 pm
Being as how I'm currently sitting in the Apollo/Saturn V center with my two equally space nut kids, I'd have to agree that it's the most beautiful rocket ever - although I may possibly be somewhat biased as it'll be the first launch I've seen in person if it goes off as scheduled!  (I came down for a shuttle launch when I was an intern at GSFC in the late 90s but it got scrubbed twice - so today's third time and hopefully the charm!).

Welcome to the forum mshear! I am visiting the space coast middle of June and hope to share the fun for the Telesat 19 launch. Fingers crossed for you!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DaveJ576 on 05/10/2018 07:14 pm
I like the new paint job! Gives it some contrast and makes it look a little less like a stick.  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DaveJ576 on 05/10/2018 07:37 pm
So, I am sitting at my work computer in Michigan, Chris Gebhardt is at his computer in Florida, and Chris Bergin is modding away at his computer in jolly ol' England, and all of us are following the F9 launch. God I love the internet!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: fthomassy on 05/10/2018 07:47 pm
So, I am sitting at my work computer in Michigan, Chris Gebhardt is at his computer in Florida, and Chris Bergin is modding away at his computer in jolly ol' England, and all of us are following the F9 launch. God I love the internet!
NSF just needs a fan/contributor or six on ISS ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 05/10/2018 08:33 pm
Is it just me or does the Block 5 look like it's wearing a tube top?

So later, when they decide to paint that part white again, we get to call it a 'Braless Block 5'
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Kansan52 on 05/10/2018 08:48 pm
Is it just me or does the Block 5 look like it's wearing a tube top?

So later, when they decide to paint that part white again, we get to call it a 'Braless Block 5'


No.  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 05/10/2018 09:45 pm
I haven't been this excited for a launch since FH, their last new rocket, 3 months ago.

(These guys are prolific for sure)

This looks like a great bird.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: laszlo on 05/10/2018 10:12 pm
Gene Roddenberry's Great Bird of the Galaxy?

Who was probably offended by that long, excruciating plug from the satellite maker and withdrew its goodwill as a rebuke, resulting in the scrub.  ;) Maybe tomorrow they'll be more moderate and just show the launch.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 05/10/2018 10:43 pm
Gene Roddenberry's Great Bird of the Galaxy?

Who was probably offended by that long, excruciating plug from the satellite maker and withdrew its goodwill as a rebuke, resulting in the scrub.  ;) Maybe tomorrow they'll be more moderate and just show the launch.

Given the guy's accent he could have been promoting his company, or reciting a recipe for banana spongecake flambe, for all I know.....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 05/10/2018 11:02 pm
And so the new Falcon shows its reusability immediately! Back for launch tomorrow!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 05/11/2018 06:59 am
Quote
SpaceX has a dynamic moat...
 

The first moat ever to leave a wake.  Look at the pretty mach diamonds!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: strax on 05/11/2018 09:25 am
Launch team realized they couldn't launch without the SpaceX installations  :-\
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 05/11/2018 10:29 am
So, I am sitting at my work computer in Michigan, Chris Gebhardt is at his computer in Florida, and Chris Bergin is modding away at his computer in jolly ol' England, and all of us are following the F9 launch. God I love the internet!
NSF just needs a fan/contributor or six on ISS ;D
1000 hands go up to volunteer.
Speaking of which,did any others (besides me) here apply to the NASA astronaut candidate class of in 2016 when they got over 18,000 apps?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 05/11/2018 11:52 am
From the pre-flight phone presser,

https://gist.github.com/theinternetftw/5ba82bd5f4099934fa0556b9d09c123e

Quote
....So we've decided we're going to have a lot of rockets at the Cape -- [audio cut] -- and a smaller number at Vandenberg because -- [audio cut] -- [80%?] of our launch -- [audio cut] -- out at the Cape and maybe 25% out at Vandenberg -- [audio cut] -- of vehicles at Vandenberg and the Cape. Our South Texas launch site will be dedicated to BFR, because we get enough capacity with two launch complexes at Cape Canaveral and one at Vandenberg to handle all of the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy missions....

I just figured they had to upgrade Boca Chica to BFR because everything's bigger in Texas. ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: speedevil on 05/11/2018 12:46 pm
Stage 2 ballute testing. (actual size)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNAwEe0MMik

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Bananas_on_Mars on 05/11/2018 07:30 pm
I feel like we all misunderstood Elon when he talked about 24h turnaround time. I didn't expect to see the same booster on the pad within 24h so soon...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Skamp_X on 05/11/2018 08:29 pm
Congrats SpaceX, I liked the fact there was no residual flames after touchdown like I seen a lot before.
Looked pretty clean.
Next launch please.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 05/11/2018 08:35 pm
That takeoff, flight and landing of the first stage was slick as glass!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: sghill on 05/11/2018 08:35 pm
Looks like those new grills did their job!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Prettz on 05/11/2018 08:41 pm
Are we listening to a filibuster right now?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 05/11/2018 08:48 pm
Congratulations to SpaceX and BTRC on successfully launching Bangabandhu 1 and the first Falcon 9 Block 5.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: sanman on 05/11/2018 08:55 pm
That booster looked to be in excellent condition on the landing deck. Normally, I'm used to seeing it a bit charred, with some residual fires to be put out. Here, even the white paint on the legs looked unblemished.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 05/11/2018 09:06 pm
Conga-rats to SpaceX for a successful Block 5 launch!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScfSowzycSU
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elmar Moelzer on 05/11/2018 11:09 pm
Congrats to SpaceX! Great launch and landing as usual!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 05/11/2018 11:15 pm
Yes, congratulations for a great launch of Block 5, landmark towards crew-carrying for NASA and hopefully a big jump forward in reusability. Certainly that booster looked very unstressed on the barge, "just thought I'd drop in and see you".

Thanks to NSF as usual for coverage of today's launch, always great to see the community in action here; I was online for yesterday's scrub but missed out on the launch time today.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Bob Shaw on 05/11/2018 11:30 pm
I like the new paint job! Gives it some contrast and makes it look a little less like a stick.  ;D

Although the markings/colours are quite dissimilar, I see it as very much a nod towards the Saturns!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Shanuson on 05/12/2018 10:11 am
Quote
NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

-the bird

https://twitter.com/craig_vg/status/995065449888051201

Don't worry, those ~12ft wingspan birds are quite heat resistant!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 05/12/2018 12:48 pm
The bird is just preparing for a job at kfc
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 05/13/2018 02:47 am
Congrats on an excellent launch and landing.  FH, Starlink Demo sats and Block 5 down.  Dragon 2 is now on deck.

What a huge year for SpaceX.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: gongora on 05/14/2018 04:42 pm
San Diego had a famous incident in 2012 where the pyro vendor for 4th of July ran the wrong program at the start of the show. Instead of the synced-to-music program, they ran a wiring continuity check. The diagnostic program was written with minimum timing delays, and should have been run only with shorting plugs at the far ends of the wiring runs instead of the actual mortar igniters. 7000 shells, 4 barges, 30 seconds.

This is pretty funny

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndVhgq1yHdA
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mongo62 on 05/14/2018 09:48 pm
San Diego had a famous incident in 2012 where the pyro vendor for 4th of July ran the wrong program at the start of the show. Instead of the synced-to-music program, they ran a wiring continuity check. The diagnostic program was written with minimum timing delays, and should have been run only with shorting plugs at the far ends of the wiring runs instead of the actual mortar igniters. 7000 shells, 4 barges, 30 seconds.

This is pretty funny

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndVhgq1yHdA

I would go to see that! Even if it only lasts 30 seconds.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Archibald on 05/15/2018 05:54 am
San Diego had a famous incident in 2012 where the pyro vendor for 4th of July ran the wrong program at the start of the show. Instead of the synced-to-music program, they ran a wiring continuity check. The diagnostic program was written with minimum timing delays, and should have been run only with shorting plugs at the far ends of the wiring runs instead of the actual mortar igniters. 7000 shells, 4 barges, 30 seconds.

This is pretty funny

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndVhgq1yHdA

D'OH !!! Awesome.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mme on 05/19/2018 06:59 pm
The Expanse vs Outland.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 05/19/2018 08:34 pm
I will not comment on "boing" suits.
I will not....
oh heck, i already did.
(http://smatterist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/10-coyote-v-acme.jpg)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 05/21/2018 04:49 pm
Now I understand Joanna Gaines' (https://people.hgtv.com/talent/joanna-gaines) preoccupation with slapping up shiplap on every wall instead of plasterboard.  Maybe looking forward to move from Waco down to the coast for lots of remodelling jobs.
Yeah, and it looks like she go to the D2 trunk as well...


(ok - maybe they're radiators...)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AndyE on 05/21/2018 05:24 pm
Bed bugs or teenage acne?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 05/21/2018 07:05 pm
Bed bugs or teenage acne?
SpaceX is 16 now, they don't get a free pass from teenage troubles.
"As you grow older, you may notice strange urges to go to Mars, as well as unpainted areas on your rocket where there weren't any before."
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 05/22/2018 01:00 am
Bed bugs or teenage acne?
It's worse, much worse!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 05/22/2018 01:15 pm
So the article about Tuesday 5/22's launch includes a tweet from ChrisG in which he posts a meme in which a science guy says 'This Is The Laser' in a Dr. Evil voice.

What I want to know is...


WHERE ARE THE FRIKKIN SHARKS!

 ;D 8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 05/22/2018 01:31 pm
Launch days are the sweetest days.

Fingers crossed for fairing recovery.  (I'm just assuming they are trying).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: hamerad on 05/22/2018 01:35 pm
What's everyone's read on the waterlogged soil that they're currently bringing out of the test tunnel?  Is that consistent with the level of moisture present in Hawthorne soil at the depth (relative to the water table) they're at or is it a sign that they're using water as a cutting fluid or using water more directly to cut?  If they're adding the water to the soil in the boring machine does that differ from the conventional method or is it normal boring practice?

Now let's talk about the video of the Model X pulling out 1/4 million pounds of muck; "TESLA MODEL X TOWING 250,000 lbs of BORING RAIL CARS", "all four muck cars" as the speaker says.  I'm not buying that weight.  Let's do some speculative mathness.  I'll just do a quickie and leave it for someone else to refine it  ;)  English units because that's what we're given in the title / claim of the video (which may have gotten someone some scorn from Elon).  I'm going to call the volume of one muck car as 4ft x 3ft x  16-1/2ft (same length as a Model X) = 198ft^3.  The density of "earth, moist excavated" is 90 lb / ft^3 per https://www.aqua-calc.com/page/density-table/substance/earth-coma-and-blank-moist-blank-excavated (https://www.aqua-calc.com/page/density-table/substance/earth-coma-and-blank-moist-blank-excavated) That gives us 17,820 lb. per car or for the 4 cars 71,200 lb. of muck.  Now how much do the steel muck cars weigh?  I don't know but subtracting my assumed muck weight from the claimed total weight gives 44,680 lb. of steel per rail car.  That to me seems vastly high.  I'm going to call 250,000 lb. "busted" in the Mythbusters tradition.  Agree / disagree?

After seeing this video i think the model x can handle it.  https://youtu.be/LQBRyR1JGBo
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 05/22/2018 03:12 pm
Okay let's do this ...again?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DaveJ576 on 05/22/2018 03:50 pm
I will not comment on "boing" suits.
I will not....
oh heck, i already did.
(http://smatterist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/10-coyote-v-acme.jpg)

These boots being from the world renowned Acme Products Co., would it be safe to assume that Wile E. Coyote was the test pilot during the development program?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: dglow on 05/22/2018 07:53 pm
I want live video from the FairingCam!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 05/22/2018 08:01 pm
By the Grace of Elon, Grace is spinning right round baby right round!!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Semmel on 05/22/2018 08:31 pm
I will not comment on "boing" suits.
I will not....
oh heck, i already did.
(http://smatterist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/10-coyote-v-acme.jpg)

These boots being from the world renowned Acme Products Co., would it be safe to assume that Wile E. Coyote was the test pilot during the development program?

these boots aren't made for walking...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 05/22/2018 09:00 pm
Congratulations SpaceX, thumbs up!

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 05/22/2018 09:02 pm
Congrats to NASA, SpaceX, GFZ, and Iridium!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: whitelancer64 on 05/22/2018 09:07 pm
Nice launch!!

Also a NEW RECORD for SpaceX - the shortest turnaround for a previously flown booster:

135 days.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 05/22/2018 11:00 pm
Nice launch!!

Also a NEW RECORD for SpaceX - the shortest turnaround for a previously flown booster:

135 days.
And they're only planning to get faster.  If Elon gets his wish, perhaps sometime next year or so they'll improve on that record a bit, say by a factor of... um... *checks the numbers again*... 135.   8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 05/22/2018 11:32 pm
Oh the irony.
Dnepr was the vehicle Elon tried to purchase for the Mars Oasis project.

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/05/falcon-9-iridium-next-6-grace-fo-launch/

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 05/23/2018 12:03 am
Oh the irony.
Dnepr was the vehicle Elon tried to purchase for the Mars Oasis project.

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/05/falcon-9-iridium-next-6-grace-fo-launch/

The Russians aren't stupid. I wonder how many foreheads have been metaphorically slapped as Elon takes all their commercial launch business away from them? I won't be happy about it but the manned portion may disappear just as quickly in a few years. 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: John Alan on 05/23/2018 12:56 am
Oh the irony.
Dnepr was the vehicle Elon tried to purchase for the Mars Oasis project.

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/05/falcon-9-iridium-next-6-grace-fo-launch/

The Russians aren't stupid. I wonder how many foreheads have been metaphorically slapped as Elon takes all their commercial launch business away from them? I won't be happy about it but the manned portion may disappear just as quickly in a few years.

The real irony will be when the Russians figure out it's way cheaper to buy rides then build them, and they then contract with SpaceX to launch something or someone...  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 05/23/2018 02:36 pm
Oh the irony.
Dnepr was the vehicle Elon tried to purchase for the Mars Oasis project.

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/05/falcon-9-iridium-next-6-grace-fo-launch/

The Russians aren't stupid. I wonder how many foreheads have been metaphorically slapped as Elon takes all their commercial launch business away from them? I won't be happy about it but the manned portion may disappear just as quickly in a few years.

The real irony will be when the Russians figure out it's way cheaper to buy rides then build them, and they then contract with SpaceX to launch something or someone...  ;D
Ultimately the ride to space will be only the enabler to huge opportunities there. So losing that part to the efficient operator(s) will be the right choice. It’s like when the trains tracks went coast-to-coast, the covered wagon business went away, but other businesses were created.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AndyE on 05/23/2018 02:47 pm
It’s like when the trains tracks went coast-to-coast, the covered wagon business went away, but other businesses were created.

Drat it! I just invested my life savings in Covered Wagons Incorporated. :'( Why didn't somebody tell me? 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 05/23/2018 02:53 pm
It’s like when the trains tracks went coast-to-coast, the covered wagon business went away, but other businesses were created.

Drat it! I just invested my life savings in Covered Wagons Incorporated. :'( Why didn't somebody tell me?
Got what I deserved being serious in the party thread!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 05/23/2018 03:01 pm
It’s like when the trains tracks went coast-to-coast, the covered wagon business went away, but other businesses were created.

Drat it! I just invested my life savings in Covered Wagons Incorporated. :'( Why didn't somebody tell me? 

The Covered Wagon lobby fought that super hard though.

It's incredible to step back and think about going from Horse to steam to fossil fuels to electric transportation in less than 200 years.  That's only terrestrial transportation of course.

Space is going to need liquid fuel for some time to come.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 05/23/2018 04:30 pm
It's incredible to step back and think about going from Horse to steam to fossil fuels to electric transportation in less than 200 years.  That's only terrestrial transportation of course.

Hmm... what fun can we have in 200 years of extraterrestrial transportation?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 05/23/2018 04:38 pm
It's incredible to step back and think about going from Horse to steam to fossil fuels to electric transportation in less than 200 years.  That's only terrestrial transportation of course.

Hmm... what fun can we have in 200 years of extraterrestrial transportation?

You're getting way ahead of yourself.  First we have to find and capture an extraterrestrial before we can start to think about riding around on them.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 05/23/2018 10:05 pm
First we have to find and capture an extraterrestrial before we can start to think about riding around on them.
[blush]What?[/blush]
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 05/24/2018 02:28 am
Oh the irony.
Dnepr was the vehicle Elon tried to purchase for the Mars Oasis project.

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/05/falcon-9-iridium-next-6-grace-fo-launch/

The Russians aren't stupid. I wonder how many foreheads have been metaphorically slapped as Elon takes all their commercial launch business away from them? I won't be happy about it but the manned portion may disappear just as quickly in a few years.
The real irony will be when the Russians figure out it's way cheaper to buy rides then build them, and they then contract with SpaceX to launch something or someone...  ;D

What's surprising is that the Russians haven't already done this and then sold seat-rides back to the Americans.

[accent=Russian] We have assessed the risk and found it acceptable. Do you want a ride or not?[/accent]
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 05/24/2018 07:16 am
It's incredible to step back and think about going from Horse to steam to fossil fuels to electric transportation in less than 200 years.  That's only terrestrial transportation of course.

Hmm... what fun can we have in 200 years of extraterrestrial transportation?

You're getting way ahead of yourself.  First we have to find and capture an extraterrestrial before we can start to think about riding around on them.
The People for the Ethical Treatment of Aliens want to have a word with you.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 05/24/2018 07:45 am
It's incredible to step back and think about going from Horse to steam to fossil fuels to electric transportation in less than 200 years.  That's only terrestrial transportation of course.

Hmm... what fun can we have in 200 years of extraterrestrial transportation?

You're getting way ahead of yourself.  First we have to find and capture an extraterrestrial before we can start to think about riding around on them.
The People for the Ethical Treatment of Aliens want to have a word with you.

What if they want to be ridden?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HLy27bK-wU
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 05/26/2018 05:07 am
Speaking of nothing, this forum does it have a motto? If not may I suggest -Finding problems where there are none?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 05/26/2018 06:58 am
Speaking of nothing, this forum does it have a motto? If not may I suggest -Finding problems where there are none?
More like "Finding solutions for problems that don't even exist"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 05/28/2018 03:02 pm
Speaking of nothing, this forum does it have a motto? If not may I suggest -Finding problems where there are none?
More like "Finding solutions for problems that don't even exist"
Is it time already? Should we expend the outdated reuseable thread and find a new Party thread title?
Or could it be refurbished and be good for another 2500 reuses?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 05/30/2018 12:16 pm
Speaking of nothing, this forum does it have a motto? If not may I suggest -Finding problems where there are none?
More like "Finding solutions for problems that don't even exist"
Is it time already? Should we expend the outdated reuseable thread and find a new Party thread title?
Or could it be refurbished and be good for another 2500 reuses?
Well after 127 pages, maybe we need a new thread even if the title is reused.
I suggest lock land and relaunch this one.. as party thread 2
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 05/30/2018 12:24 pm
Well after 127 pages, maybe we need a new thread even if the title is reused.
I suggest lock land and relaunch this one.. as party thread 2
But we're only on page 51!  ;)

(If you haven't been to the Look and Layout (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=profile;area=theme) section of your profile to change your settings to 50 per page, it's the best thing since L2. ;D)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 05/30/2018 01:49 pm
And I thought I was the only one that read ignored 50 posts at a time....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 05/30/2018 05:00 pm
Well after 127 pages, maybe we need a new thread even if the title is reused.
I suggest lock land and relaunch this one.. as party thread 2
But we're only on page 51!  ;)

(If you haven't been to the Look and Layout (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=profile;area=theme) section of your profile to change your settings to 50 per page, it's the best thing since L2. ;D)

OMG A new day has dawned only 51 pages in this young pup is a thread...
withdraw my previous ignorant proposal!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AndyE on 05/30/2018 07:32 pm
(If you haven't been to the Look and Layout (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=profile;area=theme) section of your profile to change your settings to 50 per page, it's the best thing since L2. ;D)

50 posts per page is completely unrealistic. I can't see there being a market for more than 5.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 05/30/2018 09:34 pm
Now all we need is a "Forum Heavy" layout for use on extra-wide monitors.  Can you imagine the postload capacity of a three-column format?

(Of course, then everyone will want crossthread ability for launch days, with the Updates thread core and Discussion and Party strapped on, even though that could all be rendered irrelevant when the Big Forum Reader is operational.)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: yokem55 on 05/31/2018 03:48 am
Now all we need is a "Forum Heavy" layout for use on extra-wide monitors.  Can you imagine the postload capacity of a three-column format?

(Of course, then everyone will want crossthread ability for launch days, with the Updates thread core and Discussion and Party strapped on, even though that could all be rendered irrelevant when the Big Forum Reader is operational.)
Pshaw. Big Forum Reader is a pie in the sky, never gonna happen thing. What we really need is to reuse some old php and vb6 to scape together an Excel file for perusing NSF. We could call it the Serious List Spreadsheet.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 05/31/2018 11:35 am
Now all we need is a "Forum Heavy" layout for use on extra-wide monitors.  Can you imagine the postload capacity of a three-column format?

(Of course, then everyone will want crossthread ability for launch days, with the Updates thread core and Discussion and Party strapped on, even though that could all be rendered irrelevant when the Big Forum Reader is operational.)
Pshaw. Big Forum Reader is a pie in the sky, never gonna happen thing. What we really need is to reuse some old php and vb6 to scape together an Excel file for perusing NSF. We could call it the Serious List Spreadsheet.

You say that as if it hasn't been in active development all these years.  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: The Vorlon on 05/31/2018 08:33 pm
Can you just see the feral grin from Elon the first time a second stage pops a party balloon, deviates from course, and heads to recovery above his volcano lair?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 06/01/2018 04:45 pm
Now all we need is a "Forum Heavy" layout for use on extra-wide monitors.  Can you imagine the postload capacity of a three-column format?

(Of course, then everyone will want crossthread ability for launch days, with the Updates thread core and Discussion and Party strapped on, even though that could all be rendered irrelevant when the Big Forum Reader is operational.)
Pshaw. Big Forum Reader is a pie in the sky, never gonna happen thing. What we really need is to reuse some old php and vb6 to scape together an Excel file for perusing NSF. We could call it the Serious List Spreadsheet.

You say that as if it hasn't been in active development all these years.  ;D

That it is, but its seriously behind schedule. With design changes all the time. Originally they wanted to upgrade the Macro Loader (ML1) to version 2 for office 2019, but then they figure the API incompatibilities were too heavy, so they will launch at least one more release for the old office version, before designing a new Macro Loader. That means clippie the assistant will run on the old office! The horror!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 06/03/2018 08:59 pm
Timing on SES-12 is pretty good for me. Everybody else is in bed and it's still Sunday here at launch time. Best wishes for hitting it as soon as the window opens so I can get some sleep right after.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 06/03/2018 09:56 pm
Timing on SES-12 is pretty good for me. Everybody else is in bed and it's still Sunday here at launch time. Best wishes for hitting it as soon as the window opens so I can get some sleep right after.

SpaceX pre mission news
After careful consideration and a close reading of the NSF party thread Elon Musk announced that he is changing the SES-12 launch to “an instantaneous window so everybody can be sure to get enough sleep”. “ Monday’s are hard enough, ya know! No sense staying up half the night!” He added, “If instantaneous is good enough for CRS launches, we can certainly go at the top of the window, or go home.” After the press conference ended this reporter overheard some mumbled snippets like “... wants to watch anyways... not even trying to land ... this time....”
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 06/04/2018 04:42 am
What a wonderful world we live in.

An Airbus-manufactured satellite (metric)
Build to cover southeast asia region (metric)
Operated by SES (metric)
Launched on a Falcon 9 by SpaceX (metric)
.
And *still* somehow the poor satellite is crammed into a "17-foot" payload fairing.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 06/04/2018 05:12 am
There once and again was a fairing
Whose measurements SpaceX was airing
They gathered some heat
When they bothered our Pete
By their reading in feet
(The 'BB' I repeat)
So now 17 feet my rhyme's bearing
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 06/04/2018 05:21 am
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 06/04/2018 05:22 am
Metric is for people who can't handle REAL measurements.

I'll show myself out...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 06/04/2018 05:23 am
There once and again was a fairing
Whose measurements SpaceX was airing
They gathered some heat
When they bothered our Pete
By their reading in feet
(The 'BB' I repeat)
So now 17 feet my rhyme's bearing

Your poem had a fair ring to it.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 06/04/2018 05:36 am
Your poem had a fair ring to it.

So, does quickly whipping up a topical limererick for the party thread during the second stage coast on a late night/early morning launch permanently brand me as that kind of party person, or is there a chance it might buff out?  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: rickl on 06/04/2018 06:30 am
Happy Birthday, Falcon 9!

I took a nap earlier so I could stay up in case they went deeper into the launch window.  Now I'm more wide awake than I'd like to be at this hour on a work night. :P

All in all, not a bad problem to have, what with the apparently flawless launch.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 06/04/2018 06:30 am
Pretty impressive, actually!  Maybe Elon has an opening for a SpaceX Court Bard.

Edit: response to ClayJar, got gazumped!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tomness on 06/04/2018 07:22 am
The Javelin Falcon 9 strikes again, congrats SpaceX, Steam Roller plows on! Here's to the Block V FH on the horizon that will recover boosters & center on these missions.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 06/04/2018 01:50 pm
Congratulations to SpaceX and SES on the "expendably successful" launch of SES-12.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: fthomassy on 06/04/2018 02:49 pm
Your poem had a fair ring to it.
So, does quickly whipping up a topical limererick for the party thread during the second stage coast on a late night/early morning launch permanently brand me as that kind of party person, or is there a chance it might buff out?  8)
No, that'll leave a mark ... on your skin like a burnt decal  :o
Too obscure? ... not for this crowd!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 06/04/2018 05:50 pm
There once and again was a fairing
Whose measurements SpaceX was airing
They gathered some heat
When they bothered our Pete
By their reading in feet
(The 'BB' I repeat)
So now 17 feet my rhyme's bearing

Your poem had a fair ring to it.

The 'Once and Future' Fairing???

Well, Arthurian tales do include Dragons. :)


Camelot... Camelot... Camelot...

It's only a model.

Hush!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 06/04/2018 07:05 pm
There once and again was a fairing
Whose measurements SpaceX was airing
They gathered some heat
When they bothered our Pete
By their reading in feet
(The 'BB' I repeat)
So now 17 feet my rhyme's bearing

Your poem had a fair ring to it.

The 'Once and Future' Fairing???

Well, Arthurian tales do include Dragons. :)


Camelot... Camelot... Camelot...

It's only a model.

Hush!

Silly place!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 06/04/2018 08:50 pm
Your poem had a fair ring to it.

So, does quickly whipping up a topical limererick for the party thread during the second stage coast on a late night/early morning launch permanently brand me as that kind of party person, or is there a chance it might buff out?  8)

Marked for life. But I need to know, should you say limererick like you have a stutter, or like two words, "Limer, Eric"?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 06/04/2018 08:54 pm
Or if you are truly bored make a limerick starting with the phrase
“There once was a Limer named Eric”

Remember to make it SpaceX themed.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 06/04/2018 09:38 pm
Or if you are truly bored make a limerick starting with the phrase
“There once was a Limer named Eric”

Remember to make it SpaceX themed.

Bored? Nah, but challenge accepted.  ;D

  There once was a Limer named Eric
  Whose favourite knot was the Carrick
    He used it for netting
    To stop fairing wetting
  And no longer need the aft derrick
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 06/05/2018 12:52 am
With all the talk of Raptors on the "Texas Launch site thread" and the "Evolution of the SpaceX Raptor thread"
 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AndyE on 06/05/2018 10:19 am
When a human looks up at the stars
From the surface of the planet Mars
It'll be thanks to SpaceX
And NASA's big pay cheques
And Elon Musk's cherry red cars.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 06/05/2018 11:57 am
When a human looks up at the stars
From the surface of the planet Mars
It'll be thanks to SpaceX
And NASA's big pay cheques
And Elon Musk's cherry red cars.

A worthy entrant/candidate for our new book “Poetry in Spaaacccee, poems from the NSF party thread”
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 06/05/2018 04:52 pm
With all the talk of Raptors on the "Texas Launch site thread" and the "Evolution of the SpaceX Raptor thread"
To paraphrase Larry Niven:

There once was a species of raptor
That now is a history chapter
For though they were clever
They could not endeavor
To fashion a gravity tractor.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 06/05/2018 05:47 pm
So, BFR actually stands for "Big Flock of Raptors", then, right?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 06/05/2018 06:45 pm
So, BFR actually stands for "Big Flock of Raptors", then, right?

Yes, but I told you that back in March.  :) (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg1799989#msg1799989)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 06/05/2018 07:18 pm
So, BFR actually stands for "Big Flock of Raptors", then, right?

Yes, but I told you that back in March.  :) (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg1799989#msg1799989)

Hey, is this a fully reusable party thread or what?  ;)

On further reflection, how are we supposed to remember posts without proper limericks?

  There once was a Big Flock of Raptors
  Who rapidly outpaced their captors
    Oh, gravity? Please!
    The Ship cries with a wheeze
  As it readies its docking adaptors
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 06/08/2018 02:50 am
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: envy887 on 06/08/2018 02:53 am

That guy dessicated really fast for only being dead since February...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 06/08/2018 04:41 am

That guy dessicated really fast for only being dead since February...
Yeah - I'm trying to be a little funnier than usual. I used the same meme for 'Waiting for the first Falcon Heavy' for four years. ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lars-J on 06/08/2018 04:51 pm

That guy dessicated really fast for only being dead since February...
Yeah - I'm trying to be a little funnier than usual. I used the same meme for 'Waiting for the first Falcon Heavy' for four years. ;)

And it. never. got. old.  ::) Humor is truly in the eye of the beholder.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 06/08/2018 05:43 pm

That guy dessicated really fast for only being dead since February...
Yeah - I'm trying to be a little funnier than usual. I used the same meme for 'Waiting for the first Falcon Heavy' for four years. ;)

And it. never. got. old.  ::) Humor is truly in the eye of the beholder.
party thread?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 06/08/2018 10:46 pm

That guy dessicated really fast for only being dead since February...
Yeah - I'm trying to be a little funnier than usual. I used the same meme for 'Waiting for the first Falcon Heavy' for four years. ;)

And it. never. got. old.  ::) Humor is truly in the eye of the beholder.
Yes, correct. Actually in using the meme more than once, I was implying that the waiting was actually becoming painful.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: speedevil on 06/09/2018 11:45 pm
On twitter, Elon (https://mobile.twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1005577738332172289) posted:
Quote
SpaceX option package for new Tesla Roadster will include ~10 small rocket thrusters arranged seamlessly around car. These rocket engines dramatically improve acceleration, top speed, braking & cornering. Maybe they will even allow a Tesla to fly …
With a further response to a reply asking about cold gas thrusters reused from old boosters, and implying use on earth.
Quote
Using the config you describe, plus an electric pump to replenish air in COPV, when car power draw drops below max pack power output, makes sense. But we are going to go a lot further.

Is there a thread for 'uninterpretable musings'?

Often they seem to have significant basis in fact going forward.
I wonder if it might be describing a moon/mars rover based on the roadster, capable of tiny hops and final landing of a few m/s.


Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: docmordrid on 06/09/2018 11:54 pm
I'm betting they're  decorative, light show versions of the (It's Not A) Flamethrower.

Musk mentioned a SpaceX option package for Roadster 2 earlier this week, so that's not new. He also mentioned it possibly "flying" back when it was introduced, but that could be a euphemism for its 250 mph top end and 0-60 of 1.9 sec.

OR,

You're correct and it's a lunar lander,  based on the Roadster chassis. Which would be cool. Weird, but cool.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: vaporcobra on 06/09/2018 11:59 pm
This is almost without a doubt a tedious troll or hyperbole verging on intentional deception. Cost and ITAR alone make it a showstopper, so he's just leading people on. Sigh.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mme on 06/10/2018 12:04 am
It's a joke. There will be a SpaceX package, no doubt. It won't include actual thrusters for all the obvious reasons. It'll be something like a limited release color scheme (white with a black stripe?) and "carbon fibre" package. IMO.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: su27k on 06/10/2018 04:07 am
Why is people doubting this, seems to me he's pretty serious, and this is not the first time he mused about this.

The tech is not that complicated and has been done before: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocket_car, just need to make it safe enough.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: John Alan on 06/10/2018 06:53 am
(I'm treading on thin ice in a party thread with a 1/2 serious posting...  :-\ )

Your shiny new Tesla model Y is making good time down your local two lane, tree lined, rural highway...
Suddenly a deer darts into the road in front of you (startled by the quiet fast moving nature of a Tesla) 
Onboard safety sensors very quickly determine that avoiding it means bending a few laws of physics...  ???
Front mounted, forward firing thrusters spring to life and in concert with automatic normal braking and steering systems bring your fast moving vehicle to a dead stop in under 2 car lengths...  8)

Or say some moron pulls out in front of you... or any number of typical driving situations that come up...
No... this idea has very serious merit... and it could be a mandated safety feature someday...  :o
(like airbags and ABS and other items have gone from rare to mandated in the last 25 years)

A tire propelled vehicle can only brake, steer and accelerate (at best) a bit over 1G...
(race and some street vehicles cheat using aero devices... Some can corner at up to 8G's at speed)
Using thrusters to assist and augment a road vehicle's handling is entirely doable, IMHO...
It would make sure the Tesla Roadster is top dog and next gen compared to what is coming from Porsche and others in the pure electric drive market space...   ;)

On later edit... after thinking about it...
It may be irony... but you could have situations where the airbags go off and but the vehicle never hits anything...  :o
They go off because the need to stop in a hurry using thrusters would cause the occupants to experience G forces where using the airbags would result in the fewest injuries...
The days of calling a vehicle totaled when the airbags deploy may be coming to an end...
Insurance companies gladly pay to have the bags replaced because the rest of the vehicle is undamaged...
The whole idea is kinda mind boggling when you think about the amount of $$$ and lives this tech may save if widely used (front only stopping thrusters)...
Not to mention (if properly equipped with many thrusters) the 0-60, 1/4 mile times and corning ability such tech could bring...
WOW... <head explodes>

(steps off the party thread thin ice policy and returns you to normal programming...  ;D )
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 06/10/2018 09:07 am
I think the rocket thrusters for a Tesla is a prank, he's not serious, Just like when he made that joke announcement that he was going to start a tunneling company, or that he'd be selling flamethrowers, or the one about sending his car into interplanetary space.

Oh, wait....

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 06/10/2018 01:22 pm
I think the rocket thrusters for a Tesla is a prank, he's not serious, Just like when he made that joke announcement that he was going to start a tunneling company, or that he'd be selling flamethrowers, or the one about sending his car into interplanetary space.

Oh, wait....
Or from the Russian perspective, a successful space launch services company.
LOL that one was the craziest whopper ... till they did.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 06/10/2018 05:40 pm
SpaceX IS its own Party Thread!  Of course, humor is horrifying to some in the Oldspace sector.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 06/11/2018 12:33 pm
Re: Capability of SpaceX cold gas thrusters in the Roadster 2

Roadster 2 - the perfect getaway car? Use thrusters to rapidly accelerate, jump over fences, avoid police...

Sooo, the first one of these off the line will be white, with a funky red stripe.  It will also include deploying buzz saws that not only cut down the brush but level it for high speed driving, while high speed driving; traction spikes that deploy from the tires for that loose-pack racing surface; a very cute navigator named Trixie; and a kid and a monkey who hide in the trunk.

What the heck, toss in mounting points for a few TBC Flamethrowers while we're at it. ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 06/11/2018 01:36 pm
Sooo, the first one of these off the line will be white, with a funky red stripe.  It will also include deploying buzz saws that not only cut down the brush but level it for high speed driving, while high speed driving; traction spikes that deploy from the tires for that loose-pack racing surface; a very cute navigator named Trixie; and a kid and a monkey who hide in the trunk.

What the heck, toss in mounting points for a few TBC Flamethrowers while we're at it. ;)

If they leverage all the practice SpaceX has had sinking things (booster fragments, et al), do you think they can pull off such a vehicle without any of the sync issues demonstrated in the contemporaneous documentary films covering previous vehicles?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 06/12/2018 02:02 am
Every new roadster should come with its own audio bling.  I would want mine to make the sound of the George Jetson mobile for commuting to work.  Then again, the soundtrack to Jaws might be apropos for bumper to bumper traffic.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 06/12/2018 03:43 am
Tesla Roadster 2 with SpaceX NexGen Package: Thrusters PLUS your very own Titanium Grid Fins that fold up for parking!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 06/12/2018 10:55 am
Tesla Roadster 2 with SpaceX NexGen Package: Thrusters PLUS your very own Titanium Grid Fins that fold up for parking!
what the heck! Put solar panels on ‘em and add the flamethrower rack on the back and you have them all.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 06/12/2018 11:41 am
Wait, it has grid fins?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 06/12/2018 02:21 pm
Wait, it has grid fins?
.
Leave them deployed when you park to keep people from giving you door dings.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 06/20/2018 01:04 am
How is this on topic?

/me stamps foot...
 (only a week late)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 06/20/2018 06:35 am
[Space News] Arabsat Falcon Heavy mission slated for December-January timeframe (http://spacenews.com/arabsat-falcon-heavy-mission-slated-for-december-january-timeframe/)
Quote
The Riyadh, Saudi Arabia-based satellite operator told SpaceNews by email that the launch window for Arabsat 6A is between December and January.

translation artifact I guess... not a lot of time "between December and January" ... (exactly zero seconds most years, although once in a while we get a leap second)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: aku on 06/20/2018 11:28 am
translation artifact I guess... not a lot of time "between December and January" ... (exactly zero seconds most years, although once in a while we get a leap second)
That's what you call an instantaneous launch window.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 06/20/2018 04:24 pm
How is this on topic?

/me stamps foot...
 (only a week late)
We were speculating about the announced Tesla Roadster “SpaceX Package“ contents ... so it seems fair game and on topic (for the party thread).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 06/21/2018 03:23 pm
Cross-post from the Exomars 2020 thread!:
Rover test: What's it like to ride a rocket to Mars?

If the rocket is called Proton, the answer to the question is: quite scary.
;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 06/28/2018 04:05 am
I will likely be asleep for the forthcoming occasion and it will be the first time I've missed a Falcon launch. To bar against the possibility that my absence could lead to bad juju, mojo, spiritual unrest, or sundry taboo RUD unpleasantness, I've asked another great American to stand in my stead for the event.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: IRconfused on 06/28/2018 04:07 pm
That great American, Canadian born Donald Sutherland.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 06/28/2018 04:18 pm
That great American, Canadian born Donald Sutherland.

And I'm off to Canada tomorrow and will being driving through Shirley Douglas' home town.

Hopefully when I wake up tomorrow there will a fresh SpaceX launch to watch on YouTube.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 06/28/2018 07:03 pm
That great American, Canadian born Donald Sutherland.

Yes, but like so many Canadians he's playing a great American. Right Captain?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 06/28/2018 07:50 pm
I just had this weird vision of the McKenzie brothers doing a parody of a Star Trek episode. 

Hey eh..... There is like a Tribble in this beer bottle.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 06/29/2018 10:00 am
Well the little master alarm clock in my brain woke me up a few minutes before launch and told me to watch. Glad it did. Once again it was all so beautiful. Time to get up for work in thirty minutes anyway.  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 06/29/2018 10:03 am
Can’t help but say “ menonmenal... dee deeee.. dee dee dee”
Every time someone says “nominal” on the broadcast.
Too much Sesame Street with the kids as they grew up.
Oh... congrats to SpaceX on the successful launch and retirement of the last block 4 1st stage (edit: remaining to be used for orbital flight)
Block 5 forever... until one BFR rules them all.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: NASAGeek on 06/29/2018 10:21 am
Congrats SpaceX on a successful launch. Gotta love night/early morning launches.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 06/29/2018 02:11 pm
Congrats to SpaceX and NASA on the successful launch of SpX-15 to the ISS.

Sorry I'm late in my congrats because I slept through everything.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 06/29/2018 02:25 pm
Congrats SpaceX on another beautiful success.

Reused booster and spacecraft, sweet.

I hope we hear something about the US long duration test.

Now, onto the Block 5's!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 06/29/2018 02:55 pm
Congrats to all and continued mission success... Your new "rare" Falcon 9 fish habitat has arrived to the ocean floor courtesy of SpaceX! ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 06/30/2018 04:47 am
Congrats to all and continued mission success... Your new "rare" Falcon 9 fish habitat has arrived to the ocean floor courtesy of SpaceX! ;)

We've got the best coral reefs in a block four radius.

I'll see myself out.......
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Semmel on 06/30/2018 03:48 pm
Zucchini9, ready for lunch..
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 07/01/2018 01:00 pm
My plans for world domination foundered because the team floundered around trying to decide if the orbiting mind control lasers should be red, green, or blue, and that caused so much lack of progress, and bitter arguing, that all the backers withdrew their funds.

That wouldn't be the first project to wallow over bikeshedding ;) I assume you have a plan B ?

(https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/bikeshedding)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jpo234 on 07/05/2018 04:32 pm
Don't underestimate the importance of looking out a window.

I'm done with this. https://twitter.com/Foone/status/1014267515696922624
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 07/08/2018 11:32 pm
No arguing please. There's a bigger picture in all of this.

The sub:
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1016063173139427329

Ummm... thought I'd best reply here, as I don't quite understand what I'm looking at in that pic.
Does the mini-sub have a cloaking device?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachF on 07/11/2018 07:49 pm
I saw this in the "New BFR renders" thread and I just had to do it...

(https://i.imgflip.com/2dtpsi.jpg)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 07/11/2018 09:52 pm
I saw this in the "New BFR renders" thread and I just had to do it...

Looks a heck of a lot like our friend from the first Jurassic Park movie...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 07/11/2018 11:11 pm
I saw this in the "New BFR renders" thread and I just had to do it...

(https://i.imgflip.com/2dtpsi.jpg)

Looks like a humpback whale going in for a snack.

Doubtful that BFR will ever be volume limited.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 07/13/2018 10:12 pm
Here is a silly homage to our awesome John Insprucker.  I hope the coolest cat this side of the galaxy doesn't mind a little ribbing.  In good fun. Just for levity. I blame CraigLieb.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 07/21/2018 08:17 pm
Not being completely versed in this Telstar gadget I did a little research. Apparently it goes back a ways and has it's own theme. Remix the satellite so I guess a remix on the theme is required. Time to fly.  8)

https://youtu.be/TG9M6e_AaSA
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 07/22/2018 05:00 am
I think we just found new/old theme music for SpaceX launches!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tyrred on 07/22/2018 05:39 am
Is this the first launch attempt with a 17m fairing?  ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joseph Peterson on 07/22/2018 05:48 am
Are the police cars normally there for traffic control and I just didn't notice them before or...

Did they finally catch the sniper?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: e of pi on 07/22/2018 06:24 am
GOOD ORBIT!

Data back!

Phew.
Just a ground station issue.  Not a Falcon 9 issue.
Roger that, NASASpaceFlight. We copy you in good orbit. You got a bunch of folks about to turn blue. We're breathing again. Thanks a lot, ChrisG. :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 07/22/2018 06:28 am
>Video feed cuts off right before SECO-2
>Orbital parameters freeze
>Webcast host goes silent for a minute or two, frantic typing noises heard

If SpaceX was trying to give me a heart attack, they did a damn good job, yeesh.  That long silence gave me CRS-7 flashbacks.  I was still running through all of the possible SECO failure modes (and the downtime we might expect for each of them) in my head when they finally confirmed it was just a telemetry issue.

On the plus side, the light show from the returning first stage was fantastic!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tyrred on 07/22/2018 06:29 am
Congrats, SpaceX, SLL, Telstar, everyone involved! Making sweet rocket love, under cover of night  ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 07/22/2018 06:32 am
Congratulations to SpaceX and Telesat for the successful launch of Telsat 19 VANTAGE!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Jakusb on 07/22/2018 06:53 am
Congrats to SpaceX, SSL, Telstar and everyone involved! What an amazing launch again.
Up to the next launch and hopefully first capture of fairings!!
Exciting times. :)

PS: Also amazing I can do all this over 4G from a camping site in Slovenia (on holiday)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Poole Amateur on 07/22/2018 09:39 am
Congratulations to SpaceX and Telesat for the successful launch of Telsat 19 VANTAGE!

Another great launch and landing...with as ever, brilliant coverage from you Mr P!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 07/22/2018 02:07 pm
Congratulations to SpaceX and Telesat for the successful launch of Telsat 19 VANTAGE!

Another great launch and landing...with as ever, brilliant coverage from you Mr P!

Agreed, great effort and worth staying up for.

I was getting concerned with how long there was no coverage from the ASDS.  I miss the telemetry on the first stage return as well.

Oh and the brief re-entry video with sparks flying was excellent
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 07/22/2018 04:13 pm
Congrats to SpaceX and Telesat on the successful launch of Telstar 19V.

I actually had no idea that it would be deployed to a sub-GTO until a few minutes ago.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: NASAGeek on 07/22/2018 05:41 pm
Congrats SpaceX on another smooth launch. Nice lightshow on stage 1 return.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 07/23/2018 06:24 pm
Nice... this is getting so smooth and routine. COOL colored smoke rings though!

Congrats SpaceX and Telesat.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 07/23/2018 08:19 pm
We'll be coming back from Shanghai to SF about the time of the Iridium NEXT 7 launch Wednesday morning, about the time of launch we'll probable be halfway between Hawai'i and SF and about 800 miles north. Any chance we'll see anything?

TIA
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 07/24/2018 10:30 pm
Perfect timing. Get to watch this one just before I leave for work in the morning.  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: rakaydos on 07/25/2018 04:28 am
1 - This old saying is actually false, some people have figured out how to put both legs on at once

[tangent]
Sit down, drop the pants at your feet, slip your feet into the legs of the pants, lean down, pull the pants up to knees, stand up, pull up and buckle.
[/tangent]
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: QuantumG on 07/25/2018 04:36 am
1 - This old saying is actually false, some people have figured out how to put both legs on at once

[tangent]
Sit down, drop the pants at your feet, slip your feet into the legs of the pants, lean down, pull the pants up to knees, stand up, pull up and buckle.
[/tangent]

Yeah, first time I heard this saying I was like "wait, people don't sit down to put on pants? Is this a macho thing?"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Don S on 07/25/2018 07:01 am
Seems it is going to be a long night waiting for the launch.  Last F9 was at least allowed a few hours of sleep...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tyrred on 07/25/2018 10:07 am
There's 4 (maybe 5, maybe 3 at this point) images of Mars on my screen at this time, and I'm still not sure how many there will be when the funky music wakes me up in oh... About 1 and a half hours. Here's to some spectacular early early sunrise upper atmosphere rocket plumes!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 07/25/2018 10:55 am
Sadly; I've gotta go to work early in the morning, so I'll have to watch the replay. You guys have a good, safe launch.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 07/25/2018 11:30 am
Dang it, Dispatch sent us on a northern route tonight, we’re up at 49.25.4 plus looking into a full moon, don’t think we going to see squat.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 07/25/2018 11:41 am
Looking at the launch video....
are we SURE there is a rocket in there, somewhere?
It could be a lost Sasquatch, for all one can see!


Edit:t+5 sec... Ok, a Sasquatch on fire, maybe?



You can (not) see an image of the sasquatch here: http://prntscr.com/katah9
And this is where you can (not) see it on fire, at T+1: http://prntscr.com/katbus
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: yokem55 on 07/25/2018 12:00 pm
Looking at the launch video....
are we SURE there is a rocket in there, somewhere?
It could be a lost Sasquatch, for all one can see!

Edit:t+5 sec... Ok, a Sasquatch on fire, maybe?
Yeah, I set my alarm for this one. I would like full refund. Can't even see the booster on the drone ship after landing in high winds. Sheesh. What kind of webcast producers are these guys...

;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tuts36 on 07/25/2018 12:07 pm
For once my insomnia worked in my favor - once F9 cleared the ground cover, it was a lovely launch.

Falcon 9 doesn't care about Wind Shear. Landed it


Anybody else flashing back to Honey Badger?   ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Scylla on 07/25/2018 12:20 pm
Falcon 9 launch, Falcon 9 first stage returning to port, and an Arian launch all happening at essentially the same time!

Arghhh

It's like they're not even trying to coordinate all this for our convenience!!

Someone should write a tersely worded email to....um....SOMEONE!!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 07/25/2018 12:21 pm
Looking at the launch video....
are we SURE there is a rocket in there, somewhere?
It could be a lost Sasquatch, for all one can see!

Edit:t+5 sec... Ok, a Sasquatch on fire, maybe?
Yeah, I set my alarm for this one. I would like full refund. Can't even see the booster on the drone ship after landing in high winds. Sheesh. What kind of webcast producers are these guys...

;)

Really bummed there was so much fog.  Looked like the plume interaction between Stage 1 & Stage 2 right after stage separation was amazing.  Even just the onboard cameras made it look beautiful.  Views from the ground would have been spectacular.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 07/25/2018 12:46 pm
Looking at the launch video....
are we SURE there is a rocket in there, somewhere?
It could be a lost Sasquatch, for all one can see!

Edit:t+5 sec... Ok, a Sasquatch on fire, maybe?
Yeah, I set my alarm for this one. I would like full refund. Can't even see the booster on the drone ship after landing in high winds. Sheesh. What kind of webcast producers are these guys...

;)

Really bummed there was so much fog.  Looked like the plume interaction between Stage 1 & Stage 2 right after stage separation was amazing.  Even just the onboard cameras made it look beautiful.  Views from the ground would have been spectacular.

Not in the dark it wouldn't. Sun wasn't up to illuminate them. Time to upgrade the F9 with a space laser light show?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 07/25/2018 12:52 pm
Congrats to SpaceX and Iridium on deploying another ten sats successfully.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: NASAGeek on 07/25/2018 01:00 pm
Congrats SpaceX and Iridium on a successful launch.  Gotta love block 5! Strong winds no problem
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 07/25/2018 01:36 pm
Really bummed there was so much fog.  Looked like the plume interaction between Stage 1 & Stage 2 right after stage separation was amazing.  Even just the onboard cameras made it look beautiful.  Views from the ground would have been spectacular.

Not in the dark it wouldn't. Sun wasn't up to illuminate them. Time to upgrade the F9 with a space laser light show?

The interactions are visible via illumination from the plumes themselves.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 07/25/2018 01:38 pm
Congrats Iridium!  Only 1 more launch to go.  Seems like they have been doing them for ages now, but it really hasn't been that long in absolute time.  Just that SpaceX has launched an awful lot over that period.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: fthomassy on 07/25/2018 01:42 pm
Really bummed there was so much fog.  Looked like the plume interaction between Stage 1 & Stage 2 right after stage separation was amazing.  Even just the onboard cameras made it look beautiful.  Views from the ground would have been spectacular.
Not in the dark it wouldn't. Sun wasn't up to illuminate them. Time to upgrade the F9 with a space laser light show?
The interactions are visible via illumination from the plumes themselves.
At the risk of putting too fine a point on it ... light from the S2 motor's flame illuminates the plume. The plume emits no visible light of its own.

Edit: Regardless, it was beautiful to see.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 07/25/2018 03:45 pm
Really bummed there was so much fog.  Looked like the plume interaction between Stage 1 & Stage 2 right after stage separation was amazing.  Even just the onboard cameras made it look beautiful.  Views from the ground would have been spectacular.
Not in the dark it wouldn't. Sun wasn't up to illuminate them. Time to upgrade the F9 with a space laser light show?
The interactions are visible via illumination from the plumes themselves.
At the risk of putting too fine a point on it ... light from the S2 motor's flame illuminates the plume. The plume emits no visible light of its own.

Edit: Regardless, it was beautiful to see.
If anything, the 3 S1 motors' flame would provide more illumination.
But...
are your *sure* the effect has nothing to do with the exhaust gasses running into each other at 6km/s?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 07/25/2018 04:50 pm
Congrats SpaceX, 1 more Iridium to go. 

Keeping up a solid twice a month pace.  Very nice.

Onto the next 1!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 07/26/2018 06:17 am
Really bummed there was so much fog.  Looked like the plume interaction between Stage 1 & Stage 2 right after stage separation was amazing.  Even just the onboard cameras made it look beautiful.  Views from the ground would have been spectacular.
Not in the dark it wouldn't. Sun wasn't up to illuminate them. Time to upgrade the F9 with a space laser light show?
The interactions are visible via illumination from the plumes themselves.
At the risk of putting too fine a point on it ... light from the S2 motor's flame illuminates the plume. The plume emits no visible light of its own.

Edit: Regardless, it was beautiful to see.
If anything, the 3 S1 motors' flame would provide more illumination.
But...
are your *sure* the effect has nothing to do with the exhaust gasses running into each other at 6km/s?
We could mean different things we saw. I think we are talking about S1 cameras seeing the S2 plume during the S1 flip immediately after separation and S2 ignition. I think the S1 camera only observed the S2 plume washing over S1. Lighting provided by S2 flame. I do not believe we saw S1-S2 plume interaction but I'm not willing to say I'm "sure".
They are talking about the funky plume interactions between the opposing rockets plumes, as seen here at 24m50s (mission time +2:52)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsDknmK30C0&t=24m50s
.
When seen from the ground, these plume interactions can be seen to be several hundred times larger than the rocket stages themselves..
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 07/26/2018 07:39 am
Congratulations to SpaceX and Iridium for the successful launch of Iridium 7!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 08/06/2018 05:33 pm
Hope they hit the beginning of the launch window so I can spend most of the night with my eyes closed.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/06/2018 08:33 pm
What the actual heck is this then?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tomness on 08/06/2018 08:46 pm
What the actual heck is this then?
You found the cipher, key to to inter-dimensional gate way to star system vega.... it will only only cost 3 trillion dollars...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Kansan52 on 08/06/2018 08:51 pm
Maybe the Stargate address to Mars?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/06/2018 09:18 pm
We think it could be this!
https://twitter.com/double_canister/status/1026576674148810752
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 08/06/2018 09:24 pm
We think it could be this!
https://twitter.com/double_canister/status/1026576674148810752
I know Martian script, it translates to "Wash me"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 08/07/2018 03:40 am
"Warning: Anti-matter Reactor in Operation"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Toastmastern on 08/07/2018 04:42 am
From the update thread:

Quote
GO for prop load AND launch.

SpaceX is really stepping it up with loading and launching at the same time :O
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 08/07/2018 05:30 am
I love how each and every launch has its own unique panache.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 08/07/2018 05:54 am
Selamat kepada SpaceX dan Telkom Indonesia atas kesuksesan besar kenaikan Merah Putih ke ruang angkasa.
(Congratulations to SpaceX and Telkom Indonesia on the grand success of Merah Putih's ascent to space.)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: NASAGeek on 08/07/2018 06:02 am
Congrats to SpaceX and Telkom Indonesia. The steamroller rolls on!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 08/07/2018 06:47 am
Congratulations to SpaceX and Telkom Indonesia for the successful launch of Merah Putih!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: strax on 08/07/2018 07:00 am
What the actual heck is this then?

A skyscraper, according to Google search.
Figure that...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tyrred on 08/07/2018 09:03 am
Yes! Congratulations to all involved on the successful 2nd launch of this beautifully cryptic F9 B5 booster, and a welcome replacement of a lost satellite for the Indonesian people.  Wish I could have been there in person.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 08/07/2018 02:02 pm
Don’t see any direct correlation to the banks script since no diagonal lines.
But I do see 1 Lil 2 (dashes) LiL 3 Lil (Indians?).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 08/07/2018 09:09 pm
What the actual heck is this then?

Proof of concept testing prior to drawing QR codes on future boosters to help track their expanding inventory.  No more small booster numbers printed in inconspicuous locations.  Now you just scan them with your handy-dandy QR reader app and it brings up all the info on previous and future launches/payloads, storage locations, mods, open work items, etc. 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 08/08/2018 11:36 am
AFAIK their large composite main tank test, which they heralded as a "success", failed the water pressure burst test, it basically came out at the seams.

My understanding is that they tested it to destruction.

The funnest kind of testing.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/12/2018 11:53 am
Just a "FYI" public service announcement. There's some people going after Elon on Twitter and getting their negative comment to the top of the chain.

This is how they do it, by paying a "marketing company" (usually some 14 year old kid with a talent for scripts, etc.) to flood it with Russian bot accounts likes and RTs.

I hope it doesn't drive Elon off Twitter, as this, along with the shorters and fake Elon scamcurrency nonsense is getting bad.

Party thread post? Nah, but only place I could post it.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 08/12/2018 12:10 pm
Thanks for that, Chris! I've pointed out stuff like this on other sites and have had people come after me!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: pstephens on 08/12/2018 05:00 pm
Party thread post? Nah, but only place I could post it.

I report and mute or block whenever I see those. Especially the scam currency scams.

Don't know if that does any good.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Chris Bergin on 08/12/2018 09:29 pm
Party thread post? Nah, but only place I could post it.

I report and mute or block whenever I see those. Especially the scam currency scams.

Don't know if that does any good.

It should if a lot of people do it. I do likewise.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Alexphysics on 08/12/2018 10:57 pm
I've been seeing these past days some of those scamcurrency scamers hacking accounts of normal people with verified accounts and changing their names to "Elon Musk" so it looks more credible (Elon Musk on the name plus verified account...)

It's scary...  :-\
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kdhilliard on 08/14/2018 12:39 am
Video posted a few days ago by Iridium, including some behind the scenes footage:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=bJWBqiazcaE

@1:58 (https://youtube.com/watch?v=bJWBqiazcaE&t=118): Two SpaceX interns model Crew Access Arm installation on the Fixed Service Structure at historic Launch Complex 39A.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 08/14/2018 01:55 pm
Is that a SpaceX Block Chain?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Jakusb on 08/14/2018 02:24 pm
I've been seeing these past days some of those scamcurrency scamers hacking accounts of normal people with verified accounts and changing their names to "Elon Musk" so it looks more credible (Elon Musk on the name plus verified account...)

It's scary...  :-\

Unbelievable that Twitter cannot protect against it. Solution seems so obvious:
- disallow any profile picture and name that matches (closely) a verified account... auto block them until a logic explanation is given
- detect unusual number of likes and reposts of only obvious fake accounts
- fix the whole fake accounts thing and introduce better authentication en verification with something like phone numbers or other means of preventing fake accounts from being created.

For Elon: add a filter on any account commenting about ETH and his name in the account name... block them completely and autolearn their specifics to find similar accounts..

Twitter should stop this. They should have all the brains to do so cleverly.

And until then report any clear fake or spam account explicitly.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 08/16/2018 01:32 pm
That filter should also include blocking  Elon's verified account, it's more dangerous on twitter than the POTUS at 2am.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 08/16/2018 04:59 pm
That filter should also include blocking  Elon's verified account, it's more dangerous on twitter than the POTUS at 2am.

No it's not.  One has the nuclear codes.

That said, Elon and his various companies would benefit from leaving tweeting to a social media professional.  He comes across terribly and at times unhinged.  With everything he has going on he shouldn't have time to tweet.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 08/19/2018 06:28 pm
Okay, it's about time we rerail this this thread and get back to what's most important, but barring that, how about a quick summary of the various subtopics of the 39A-related threads... in verse, of course:

  The access arm for Dragon crews
  Is readied for its hoist
  All white and black in early views
  (No mushrooms, though it's moist)
  Will it get sooty, more or less
  When finally they fly
  And will the enclosed FSS
  Keep all the padrats dry?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripleSeven on 08/19/2018 06:32 pm
That filter should also include blocking  Elon's verified account, it's more dangerous on twitter than the POTUS at 2am.

No it's not.  One has the nuclear codes.

That said, Elon and his various companies would benefit from leaving tweeting to a social media professional.  He comes across terribly and at times unhinged.  With everything he has going on he shouldn't have time to tweet.

I suspect that they both tweet for the same reason...they love the audience...having said that Musk's behavior in the last month has well been worrisome...Trump hmm I'll keep politics out of it
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 08/20/2018 02:59 pm
I think a viable solution would to be to give Elon the Nuclear codes. That way we can all sleep safe.....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mshear on 08/20/2018 04:27 pm
I think a viable solution would to be to give Elon the Nuclear codes. That way we can all sleep safe.....

Why does that suggestion for some odd reason make the word "Orion" come to mind?  ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 08/21/2018 03:09 am
I think a viable solution would to be to give Elon the Nuclear codes. That way we can all sleep safe.....

Why does that suggestion for some odd reason make the word "Orion" come to mind?  ;)

Because you don't like Apollo on Steroids?

Oh wait, wrong Orion.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 08/21/2018 07:11 am
I think a viable solution would to be to give Elon the Nuclear codes. That way we can all sleep safe.....

Why does that suggestion for some odd reason make the word "Orion" come to mind?  ;)

I guess BFS as a 1200t+ vessel would finally be large enough for those nuclear drive concepts
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 08/21/2018 08:40 am
On the updates thread: (for Telstar 18 Vantage/Apstar-5C)

"August 25, 2018 on Falcon 9 (new booster 1049) from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral.  Launch window opens at 23:33 EDT on the 25th (03:33 UTC on the 26th) and lasts 4 hours.  Payload mass may be around 5700kg.  ASDS landing is expected." (bolding mine)

What a wonderful world we live in!
Where a launch announcement now needs to specify that it is using a new booster, as opposed to the normal re-used one.
And where a landing and recovery of the booster is *expected*.

Just 10 years ago, this sort of announcement would have blown your mind, and now it is routine.

What a wonderful world we live in!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 08/21/2018 05:41 pm
Along similar lines...
 When tunneling tech is a sub thread of  the "Earth to Deep Space" thread.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 08/21/2018 05:45 pm
Video posted a few days ago by Iridium, including some behind the scenes footage:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=bJWBqiazcaE

@1:58 (https://youtube.com/watch?v=bJWBqiazcaE&t=118): Two SpaceX interns model Crew Access Arm installation on the Fixed Service Structure at historic Launch Complex 39A.

I really hope that when SpaceX eventually does enclose the FSS, they won't stick to that same decorating scheme.  Repeatedly slapping their name across it like that would look terribly garish. 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 08/22/2018 12:22 am
Video posted a few days ago by Iridium, including some behind the scenes footage:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=bJWBqiazcaE

@1:58 (https://youtube.com/watch?v=bJWBqiazcaE&t=118): Two SpaceX interns model Crew Access Arm installation on the Fixed Service Structure at historic Launch Complex 39A.
I just have to comment, here in the party thread, about what a righteous dude Matt is, and what a fun video this is. Yeah it's fluff but so what?

 At  this point, with most of his birds up there making money, he just is so jolly. But he's been a great customer to SpaceX. The parties are just icing on the cake really.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 08/22/2018 01:28 am
Should be a hell of a party at the next launch, that completes the constellation.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 08/23/2018 12:31 am
Sorry if I missed this, but has there been any information on a deal for commercial to carry Russians and friends if there's a Soyuz standown for any reason?
   
         if they have a trampoline
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 08/23/2018 04:04 pm
Sorry if I missed this, but has there been any information on a deal for commercial to carry Russians and friends if there's a Soyuz standown for any reason?
   
         if they have a trampoline

 Hopefully For $87 billion a seat
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jpo234 on 08/23/2018 06:40 pm
Somebody is making fun of vaporcobra:

Small Screw Found Near Port of LA - BFR Progress Confirmed!  (https://www.reddit.com/r/SpaceXMasterrace/comments/99o8ro/teslarati_exclusive_small_screw_found_near_port/?utm_source=reddit-android)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 08/24/2018 12:28 am
The An-124s usually come to Orlando to refuel before or after dropping things at the cape. They don't seem to have the facilities for that beast on the skid strip or SSLF.
They can refuel aircraft C-5 et cetera at KXMR and KTTS with no problems at all.
Yes, regular aircraft are fine, but they don't have the bulk vodka tanks necessary to service Antonovs.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: aero on 08/24/2018 12:54 am
The An-124s usually come to Orlando to refuel before or after dropping things at the cape. They don't seem to have the facilities for that beast on the skid strip or SSLF.
They can refuel aircraft C-5 et cetera at KXMR and KTTS with no problems at all.
Yes, regular aircraft are fine, but they don't have the bulk vodka tanks necessary to service Antonovs.

Well, the crews will just have to learn to drink 'shine.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 08/24/2018 06:05 pm
Passing time between launches.
Propose a Challenge:
Poem (or other creative output)
including words that rhyme with “slip”.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 08/24/2018 07:06 pm
Passing time between launches.
Propose a Challenge:
Poem (or other creative output)
including words that rhyme with “slip”.

Challenge accepted, obviously.  8)

    While we sit awaiting flight
    And longing lately for the trip
    From pad to space on plumage bright
    Of satellite or rocketship

    A fortnight forward cadence dip
    Should not be such to cause us fright
    It's really just a little slip
    When then at last they launch it right


Just a quick poem thrown together to get the ball rolling.  Come on and give it a whirl (if for no other reason than giving me an excuse opportunity to compose more).  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 08/24/2018 10:12 pm
SpaceX announces a small schedule blip
Says the next flight has need of a slip
It’s merely a blip ... don’t let sprits dip
So soon we’ll see rockets rip

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 08/24/2018 11:17 pm
Schedule slip?
Don't be a dip!
Take a nice trip.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AndyE on 08/26/2018 05:37 pm
Passing time between launches.
Propose a Challenge:
Poem (or other creative output)
including words that rhyme with “slip”.

Let’s all go on a three month trip
To a planet without a landing strip.
If we crash and burn
Hey, at least we will earn
A whole lot of hits on the Youtube clip
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 08/26/2018 07:51 pm
I'm trying to write lyrics for a musical right now.  Y'all are making me feel inadequate!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 08/27/2018 03:38 am
Unrelatedly, sometimes I feel like I need a scorecard on who has which axes to grind.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 08/27/2018 05:04 am
Unrelatedly, sometimes I feel like I need a scorecard on who has which axes to grind.

So, just to see if I'm on the right track, something along these lines?
   Bruce Springsteen   Fender Esquire
   Eric ClaptonFender Stratocaster
   Jimmy PageGibson EDS-1275 double-neck
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: fthomassy on 08/27/2018 01:58 pm
Passing time between launches.
Propose a Challenge:
Poem (or other creative output)
including words that rhyme with “slip”.

My heart will skip
When flames are lit
And rocket lofts to the sky

But there's a slip
So here I sit
And post to the N.S.F. site
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 08/27/2018 07:02 pm
Unrelatedly, sometimes I feel like I need a scorecard on who has which axes to grind.
Multi-axes orientation is very important at NSF!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 08/27/2018 07:59 pm
Unrelatedly, sometimes I feel like I need a scorecard on who has which axes to grind.

So, just to see if I'm on the right track, something along these lines?
   Bruce Springsteen   Fender Esquire
   Eric ClaptonFender Stratocaster
   Jimmy PageGibson EDS-1275 double-neck
I said UNrelatedly. So no.

more like
777  Boeing is Awesome. Also let me tell you this completely irrelevant random story
19 REL is Awesome
451, 19 There's no money for Mars
1 Astronomy is awesome
EK SpaceX are fudging their numbers, also SLS is Awesome
LMT My latest off the wall proposal is awesome and solves random completely inapplicable problems R, S and T

(thanks for the table tags btw I stole them)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 08/27/2018 08:20 pm
Unrelatedly, sometimes I feel like I need a scorecard on who has which axes to grind.

So, just to see if I'm on the right track, something along these lines?
   Bruce Springsteen   Fender Esquire
   Eric ClaptonFender Stratocaster
   Jimmy PageGibson EDS-1275 double-neck
I said UNrelatedly. So no.

more like
777  Boeing is Awesome. Also let me tell you this completely irrelevant random story
19 REL is Awesome
451, 19 There's no money for Mars
1 Astronomy is awesome
EK SpaceX are fudging their numbers, also SLS is Awesome
LMT My latest off the wall proposal is awesome and solves random completely inapplicable problems R, S and T

(thanks for the table tags btw I stole them)


Oh my freeking lord...Rolf
 We may be headed into an “Axes” literary tall-tail short story contest where all these tags apply in one entry!!!
It may have to include the word “axe” or “axes” (of evil or boweavel for extra credit)
Does anyone dare enter?
Nobody channel Jim or I will have to stop the car.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 08/27/2018 09:21 pm
I'm guessing "Rolf" is that well-known acronym "Rolling on lawn, farting". In which case "Lord" is perhaps "lounging outdoors relentlessly drinking". All good summer fun.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 08/27/2018 11:54 pm
How does one get into the NSF forum ax/axe/axis/axes-grinding table/Hall of Fame?
:) :D 8)

Will there be annual or semi-annual roasts of NSF Axe-Grinders (dinner and show tickets free for L2 members)?
;) ;D ::)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 08/28/2018 03:51 am
Welcome to the 33rd NSF Ax Grinding Awards.  The nominees for the biggest ax are.....

I can't seem to be able to open this thread........

Here, you try......
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 08/28/2018 04:44 am
the AG HoF is not a happy place. You don't want to go there.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: launchwatcher on 08/28/2018 05:12 am
axe-grinding is boring.   Let's watch someone hit their head on a door instead:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ja4v-qiFvBg

(note: actually inspired by an L2 discussion a couple days ago..)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: IntoTheVoid on 08/28/2018 11:24 am
(note: actually inspired by an L2 discussion a couple days ago..)
If an L2 discussion from a couple of days ago inspired this scene... I want in on the time machine; I think I could make more productive use of it.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 08/29/2018 07:55 am
(note: actually inspired by an L2 discussion a couple days ago..)
If an L2 discussion from a couple of days ago inspired this scene... I want in on the time machine; I think I could make more productive use of it.

It's because-ality
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Draggendrop on 08/29/2018 05:44 pm
I am leaning towards a "NSF Sandbox" app for egregious axe grinding. Banish to the box where one of three tasks must be completed before entry back into the wild...

Tasks may be...

1) assemble a Saturn V Lego kit properly.
2) assemble a paper rocket with proper labels or
3) Answer a "none shall pass" riddle....

slow day...sorry
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: dorkmo on 09/02/2018 03:09 pm
its bullet bill!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 09/03/2018 01:33 pm
its bullet bill!

They really should use that as the paint job for the next FH sidebooster ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 09/07/2018 05:41 pm
This clip reminds of the human condition in general, some fandom conversations more particularly, and some NSF conversations even more particularly.

Mod-ponies usually moderate here before things get too far out-of-hoof. :)

(For those following along from home, this clip is from the season 7 episode, "Honest Apple.")

Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0wE6ZE-PAY
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 09/09/2018 04:23 am
We're less than 24 hours from a lunch attempt, and this thread is quiet? What gives?

Okay, if it's not party time, what about rumor-mongering time? How about we look into some of the rumors currently flying around about Elon Musk? Specifically, the volcano lair one. Oh, there are denials and cover stories, of course, but there are those of us who can see through the smoke screen.

As a twitter user noted;
 
Quote
Elon Musk Verified Account
@elonmusk    
Not easy coming up with a good cover story for an underground volcano lair, but I think it’s working
2:20 PM - 8 Sep 2018   

Also, as a purely practical matter, wouldn't it be best to go for a lair in an extinct volcano? Otherwise, your volcano lair could blow sky high.

I strongly suspect that, indeed, an extinct volcano is the site he's chosen. It all makes sense now; the "Occupy Mars" t-shirts, BFR, all of it. Think it thorough; if you were building a volcano lair, wouldn't you choose an extinct volcano that just so happens to be the highest mountain in the solar system?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Robotbeat on 09/09/2018 05:30 am
Technically, Kwajalein Atoll (where Falcon 1 launched from) is an ancient volcano. Would perhaps be a good place to base sea platform launches of BFR from as it already has range resources as part of the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site and SpaceX already has experience with operations there.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 09/09/2018 05:36 am
Technically, Kwajalein Atoll (where Falcon 1 launched from) is an ancient volcano. Would perhaps be a good place to base sea platform launches of BFR from as it already has range resources as part of the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site and SpaceX already has experience with operations there.

You're right, Kwaj is indeed an ancient, subsided, extinct volcano.

But who wants a flat volcano lair? I'm sticking with Olympus Mons as my guess. Just imagine the view from up there!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rangertech1 on 09/09/2018 05:38 am
It would be really high maintenance if it were an active composite volcano. You would have to have an army of minions to manage all that ash. The occasional sub megaton explosive events in the garage or (heaven forbid) in the kitchen, would be a recipe for many sleepless nights.
Now if it were a shield volcano,  well, that might be more manageable. With a little clever engineering your heating bill could be next to nothing.



Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 09/09/2018 10:09 pm
Technically, Kwajalein Atoll (where Falcon 1 launched from) is an ancient volcano. Would perhaps be a good place to base sea platform launches of BFR from as it already has range resources as part of the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site and SpaceX already has experience with operations there.

You're right, Kwaj is indeed an ancient, subsided, extinct volcano.

But who wants a flat volcano lair? I'm sticking with Olympus Mons as my guess. Just imagine the view from up there!

Maybe Olympus Mons might become a tourist trap overrun by the riff-raffs. So a true super villain will look for a more remote location with a bigger mountain like Rheasilvia on Vesta. Even if Rheasilvia is an impact crater.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rangertech1 on 09/10/2018 02:34 am
Not to be presumptious, but a domestic local volcano would be more likely. I would relay all communications through a relay satellite that produced the perfect lag time to make it "appear" off world. What do you think ZUMA was for. Sheesh!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 09/10/2018 03:17 am
In the interest of making certain that this launch proceeds successfully I will make my usual technically uninformed however earnest posting. Have you ever seen all they went through for the first Telstar broadcast? Great story really - https://youtu.be/0IX7vC4Ts_A
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 09/10/2018 03:44 am
So,  I was running late.  I jumped on the compooter and in a fit of panic went straight to youtube and searched for spacex launch and saw what appeared to be a live stream.  Watched while the booster was descending through a beautiful cloud deck and then oddly landing on lz1. wtf!  Then in a double panic I did what I should have done to begin with.

Commence countdown of shame.......
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 09/10/2018 03:45 am
So,  I was running late.  I jumped on the compooter and in a fit of panic went straight to youtube and searched for spacex launch and saw what appeared to be a live stream.  Watched while the booster was descending through a beautiful cloud deck and then oddly landing on lz1. wtf!  Then in a double panic I did what I should have done to begin with.

Commence countdown of shame.......

Believe it or not that's not an original sin.  ::)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 09/10/2018 04:17 am
So,  I was running late.  I jumped on the compooter and in a fit of panic went straight to youtube and searched for spacex launch and saw what appeared to be a live stream.  Watched while the booster was descending through a beautiful cloud deck and then oddly landing on lz1. wtf!  Then in a double panic I did what I should have done to begin with.

Commence countdown of shame.......

Believe it or not that's not an original sin.  ::)

However there is a plebiscite in preparation that would make it so.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JazzFan on 09/10/2018 04:43 am
Why does the SpaceX Telstar 18 Vantage/Apstar-5C prelaunch music sound like Buckaroo Banzai?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xe3dRw7ovhY
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 09/10/2018 04:56 am
The Falcon 9 Block 5! What a fantabulous rocket.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rangertech1 on 09/10/2018 05:01 am
The knock on your door will explain why questions like like this are best kept in your head.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 09/10/2018 05:05 am
I really like the coast phase music today. Is it a new track?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 09/10/2018 05:10 am
I enjoyed the opening sequence music.  I think the title was Rollout.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 09/10/2018 05:29 am
Congrats to SpaceX and Telesat on launching the Telstar 18V satellite.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tyrred on 09/10/2018 05:55 am
Nice and easy, work around the weather, routine launch, S1 landing, payload deploy...
Congratulations to SpaceX, Telesat, Eastern range, Chris B and Stephen P, everyone taking those amazing photos...
Now go get some sleep!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Shanuson on 09/10/2018 11:34 am
Congrats to all involved in the recent SpaceX launch.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 09/11/2018 12:20 am
I just ran into this RFI and had to post it.  It both amuses and, as you read more, justifies itself quite well.

From the RFI:

NASA, in collaboration with the ISS National Lab [...] is considering the possibility of flying a special space life sciences mission that would enable research studies on up to three hundred mice, up to ninety rats, or a mixture of mice and rats with an equivalent metabolic requirement.

We anticipate that such a mission will enable large-scale mammalian biological, biomedical, and commercial research studies with enough statistical power to definitively answer key questions in support of the agency’s human exploration goals, as well as enable key insights into the onset and progression of human disease on Earth.

A single 30- to 60-day ISS mission could be available in the next two to three years.

This rodent mission would be in addition to the current NASA and ISSNL rodent research investigation cadence of up to four missions per year.
Inconceivable. But if this is what NASA wants, all I can say is "as you wish"...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 09/11/2018 12:23 am
You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 09/11/2018 12:33 am
“Once word leaks out that an admin has gone soft, people begin to disobey you, and then it's nothing but work, work, work, all the time.”
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 09/11/2018 12:37 am
Life is pain. Anyone who says differently is selling something.


...hum that quote war got darker than expected.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 09/11/2018 03:03 am
He clearly said to Blave, which means to bluff!
He did not...etc.

Humperdinck...Humperdinck...Humperdinck

Oh don’t get me started quoting Princess bride,  it never ends.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: groknull on 09/11/2018 03:40 am
Would it help to suggest that the mice are actually the protrusion into our dimension of vastly hyperintelligent pandimensional beings?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 09/11/2018 05:58 am
So, rodents of unusual... quantity?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 09/11/2018 08:22 am
This rodent RFI is a very bad idea.

Mice make holes. There are currently 10 mice on ISS. ISS recently had a hole put in it.

Coincidence? I think not.

 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 09/11/2018 09:40 am
I'm currently writing the book and lyrics for a musical that features (among other things), large, intelligent and thuggish rats.  Now I'm going to have bad dreams of giant rats rampaging through the ISS, swinging clubs and singing the song: "Welcome to Da Club! (THUD!)".  Sometimes the different parts of my life don't mix well.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: dchill on 09/11/2018 01:23 pm
It needs a name that 70's movie fans will appreciate: "Working ISS Life Laboratory Acquiring Rodent Data (WILLARD)"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 09/11/2018 04:49 pm
It needs a name that 70's movie fans will appreciate: "Working ISS Life Laboratory Acquiring Rodent Data (WILLARD)"

Obviously it needs to be "Biological Rodent ISS Data Experiment" (BRIDE) because reasons.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 09/11/2018 05:07 pm
It needs a name that 70's movie fans will appreciate: "Working ISS Life Laboratory Acquiring Rodent Data (WILLARD)"

Obviously it needs to be "Biological Rodent ISS Data Experiment" (BRIDE) because reasons.

Is that available by mail order?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: theinternetftw on 09/11/2018 09:52 pm
Rodent Observations Undertaken on Station seems the obvious go-to for me :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: SciNews on 09/11/2018 09:54 pm
JAXA had some in Kibo, no damages reported
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X415TsL2OqY
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 09/11/2018 11:06 pm
more seriously, I think every second Dragon takes some mice up.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 09/12/2018 04:23 am
I know that SpaceX has high aspirations for launch rate, but launching a Dragon every second is freakin impressive!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AndyE on 09/12/2018 10:38 am
If they send them to the Gateway it could be "cislunar habitat encroachment + entrapment sampling experiment" or CHEESE.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 09/12/2018 11:49 am
Spend a little bit of time making it readable and not appearing like you typed it via your nose. "Sorry, my shift key doesn't work as I only have one nose")  ;D

That's what Caps Lock is for...  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 09/12/2018 11:59 am
Spend a little bit of time making it readable and not appearing like you typed it via your nose. "Sorry, my shift key doesn't work as I only have one nose")  ;D

That's what Caps Lock is for...  8)

It's not customary to reply to your own posts, but this is a special case.  While I did use my fingers for the quote (since I had to manually add the parameters due to the source being in a locked thread), after the quote, my reply was entirely nose-typed.

For the record, nose-pecking is uncomfortable, but picking up the keyboard and nose-bumping isn't bad.  I didn't want to resort to accessibility options to get a sticky shift key for the smiley's parenthesis, as that's tied to a particular OS.  Conveniently, I had a touchpad on this computer, so I nose-moused over to the smiley and nose-clicked it.  (Had to iterate nose-mouse movements, since I couldn't see the screen while nose-mousing.)  Then it was just nose-tab to the post button and done.  ;D

So, yeah, I apparently *will* go overboard for a joke nobody can actually see, which is why I figured this was an acceptable time for a self-reply.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 09/12/2018 03:05 pm
For the record, nose-pecking is uncomfortable,

While generally frowned upon as an uncouth habit, I've always found it perfectly comfortable.  Oh, wait...  That "e" wasn't a typo was it?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 09/12/2018 10:41 pm
New meaning to the concept of a sticky shift key apparently... ewwwwwww
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Heinrich on 09/13/2018 07:04 pm
I've read the last 5 pages and it's pretty clear that the launch rate of SpaceX has decreased significantly!

This rodent RFI is a very bad idea.

Mice make holes. There are currently 10 mice on ISS. ISS recently had a hole put in it.

Coincidence? I think not.

An extra hole. Scratch marks of tools. I recognize the symptoms. Sounds to me like the russians bought their module at Ikea.

It does illustrate that whatever the problem, ducktape is always a solution....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 09/14/2018 05:20 am
more seriously, I think every second Dragon takes some mice up.

Is there any plausible explanation for this other than conspiracy?

I've read the last 5 pages and it's pretty clear that the launch rate of SpaceX has decreased significantly!

This rodent RFI is a very bad idea.

Mice make holes. There are currently 10 mice on ISS. ISS recently had a hole put in it.

Coincidence? I think not.

An extra hole. Scratch marks of tools. I recognize the symptoms. Sounds to me like the russians bought their module at Ikea.

It does illustrate that whatever the problem, ducktape is always a solution....

While It may very well be that the Russians are buying orbital modules from Ikea, this does not preclude the mice as suspects. 
The tool marks could certainly be most easily explained by the difficulty mice would have using a drill in zero G. This would be doubly so if the mice were trying to interpret some of IKEA's pictographic instructions. The latter would also explain their apparent suicidal intentions.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 09/14/2018 07:00 pm
The Secret Mouse Alliance of Litigious Lawyers wishes to have a word with you about the unfounded accusations you have made against their clients.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 09/14/2018 08:24 pm
Their chief lawyer is Stuart Little ???
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Robotbeat on 09/17/2018 04:02 am
https://twitter.com/Naomi_Osaka_/status/1039972900839686144
3:23 PM - 12 Sep 2018
@Naomi_Osaka_
Quote
NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ Retweeted Ellen DeGeneres
Ok. It’s time for me to leave this planet. Embarrassment level has reached critical stage #liftoff 🚀🚀🚀
Quote
https://twitter.com/TheEllenShow/status/1039915048859123712
.@Naomi_Osaka_ won the #USOpen. Now she has her eyes set on @MichaelB4Jordan.

...we found the Japanese BFR Moon passenger...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 09/18/2018 11:04 pm
Watching the new physics sim of the BFS entry when the wife says, "Is that a drone?"
 "No it's the BFS",  I reply.
 "Best Friend Sometimes", is her retort.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 09/19/2018 05:56 pm
OK  so am I the only person to go to the zozo.com site and try to register? I actually like the idea of custom clothes...

But it's not sending me my confirmation email. Swamped?

(If you don't know why it might be extra busy, come out from under that rock, the sunshine won't hurt you)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 09/19/2018 06:03 pm
Worked for me...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: flyright on 09/19/2018 06:37 pm
So, how many people here are now working on becoming artists?
As for me, I took up fingerpainting yesterday, and for good measure decided to become a musician.
I'm trying to figure out the Maracas, but finding that whole rhythm thing a little challenging.   :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AndyE on 09/19/2018 07:07 pm
I've posted a couple of limericks. That counts, doesn't it?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 09/19/2018 07:14 pm
It certainly counts for something.

I am a LEGO artist...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: flyright on 09/19/2018 07:49 pm
My previous fingerpainting experience was before Gagarin flew, but it is coming back to me.
I'm working on a portfolio to send to MZ.  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 09/19/2018 07:56 pm
Watching the new physics sim of the BFS entry when the wife says, "Is that a drone?"
 "No it's the BFS",  I reply.
 "Best Friend Sometimes", is her retort.

which goes with the "Best Friend Before" to make the "Best Friend Rarely".

(Also: hang on to that one, she's a keeper. But you know that.)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 09/19/2018 07:59 pm
My previous fingerpainting experience was before Gagarin flew, but it is coming back to me.
I'm working on a portfolio to send to MZ.  ;D

What happens once you've painted all your fingers?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 09/19/2018 07:59 pm
I actually did study photojournalism in college and got very hungry learning that there are about six people who actually make money doing it. Most of those worked for National Geographic at the time. I finally went back to school and learned how to wear a tie but I've always tried to  keep my skills up. Think he might be impressed with hundreds of college bikini-girls from the early 80's and ten thousand very well composed photos of my family? I can work on computers and clean toilets during the flight too. If they launch by 2023 I'll only be 60 and I like dogs. My wife says I can go. I think she really wants me to.  ::)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: flyright on 09/19/2018 08:03 pm
My previous fingerpainting experience was before Gagarin flew, but it is coming back to me.
I'm working on a portfolio to send to MZ.  ;D

What happens once you've painted all your fingers?

LOL

Don't know. My daughter takes away my paints before I get them all done.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: flyright on 09/19/2018 08:11 pm
I actually did study photojournalism in college and got very hungry learning that there are about six people who actually make money doing it. Most of those worked for National Geographic at the time. I finally went back to school and learned how to wear a tie but I've always tried to  keep my skills up. Think he might be impressed with hundreds of college bikini-girls from the early 80's and ten thousand very well composed photos of my family? I can work on computers and clean toilets during the flight too. If they launch by 2023 I'll only be 60 and I like dogs. My wife says I can go. I think she really wants me to.  ::)

Not sure about the photos, although MZ might find early 80's swimsuit fashions to be of interest.
It's great you have your wife's support. (I think)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 09/19/2018 08:16 pm
My wife says I can go. I think she really wants me to.  ::)
That one may or may not be a keeper.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cppetrie on 09/20/2018 02:59 am
I’m just counting on being able to refer to my random banging on pots and pans using wooden spoons as abstract music and my random splashes and slashes with a paint brush as abstract painting and get picked for my out-there creativity.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 09/20/2018 06:26 am
I wonder why they “kind of have to” add more engines later.
Laymans guess: could be tied to why they are now saying "100+ tons" instead of "150 tons".. maybe they are not hitting the performance they were designing for in this first iteration.

As one specific example, I wondered how this drop from 150 to "100+" would affect the target of being able to perform all F9 and FH missions. You need huge margins to be able to do what an expendable FH does, while remaining reusable, without refueling.

Actually, it just occurred to me, maybe this drop in performance could actually be a preparation to exceed the 150 ton figure. They did increase the volume after all. What if they had decided to oversize the upper stage, even though this would drop performance in the short term, so that more iterative performance could be delivered later while not making any future radical changes to the very difficult upper stage.

Isn't Elon just referencing Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy here?  31+11 = 42 engines.  If he's going to name his Mars ship Heart of Gold, that's why he has to add more engines to make it 42.  It's not a technical reason, it's an Elon reason.
After Mr Musk showed the Raptor engine test and praised the SpaceX propulsion team, he said this:

"I don't think most people, even in the aerospace industry, like, know what question to ask, like it took us a long time to even frame the question correctly.  Look, once we could frame the question correctly, the answer was, I wouldn't say easy, but, the answer flowed once the question could be framed with precision. Framing that question with precision was very difficult."

More Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy references.  Elon's comment about the difficulty in framing the question also fits very well in this context.   ;) 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 09/21/2018 03:20 pm
If you left your car in the parking lot for months during the freezing winter, and you suddenly go out and open the door, it might not open perfectly easily.
If I was leaving my car outside in winter for months, I'd put a cover on it.
Putting dust covers over critical hinges, seals, fittings doesn't seem too difficult.  Especially with people there to do it.

So you're saying the BFS could be the long pole in the tent?
Ha. :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Draggendrop on 09/21/2018 07:44 pm
Revision 2, Dragon 2      mmm...   R2D2

....(awkward silence)....I'll find my way out.....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Heinrich on 09/21/2018 11:49 pm
Watching the new physics sim of the BFS entry when the wife says, "Is that a drone?"
 "No it's the BFS",  I reply.
 "Best Friend Sometimes", is her retort.

which goes with the "Best Friend Before" to make the "Best Friend Rarely".

(Also: hang on to that one, she's a keeper. But you know that.)

Every now end then it gets together with the BFB. But after the 'fireworks' the BFB returns home.

Best Friend with Benefits.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tomness on 09/26/2018 01:41 am
But Blue Origin today has ~1600 people on staff.

Yup, they're even more top-heavy than NASA.

You really don't see a problem with a launch company that has 1600 staff and hasn't launched a damn thing?

It all makes sense .....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 09/26/2018 02:16 am
The news story does seem to match the disclosure form (at least according to Google Translate, I don't read Hebrew).

https://maya.tase.co.il/reports/details/1185436/1/0

Google Translate:
Quote
Re: Immediate Report Nature of the Event: Agreements for the Acquisition and Launch of the Amos 8 Satellite - Update Further to the Company's reports regarding its undertaking to purchase the Amos 8 satellite from SPACE, the Company updates that the last date for payment and updating of the Loral Systems / By the Company, which applies today, will not be extended and therefore, the agreement will not take effect and will be canceled. In addition, following the cancellation of the agreement with Loreal, the company notified SpaceX of the cancellation of the launch agreement. Pursuant to the provisions of the agreement, the Company is entitled to reimbursement of the amounts paid to SpaceX by the Amos 28 satellite for the Amos 8 launch, with the exception of an agreed upon amount of SpaceX. As reported in the past, the Company is working to optimize the Amos 8 satellite program, and examines the feasibility and feasibility of several alternatives, including the possibility of cooperation with the Government of Israel.
If they launch with any launcher other than SpaceX they WILL need L'oreal ... to put lipstick on that pig. :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 09/27/2018 09:52 pm
Is it possible to extradite from Mars? Asking for a friend.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 09/27/2018 10:53 pm
You'll have to petition the Elon of Mars to get your friend extradited, I expect.

Oh wait... you want to know if your friend will be safe from extradition? If the crime is just mopery and dopery of the spaceways, probably. Better call Saul.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: John Alan on 09/29/2018 12:48 am
https://twitter.com/thejackbeyer/status/1045800522136018949

And hopefully in 10 years time... Sept 28, 2028...
We can get a group photo of Falcon 1, Falcon 9, and the first BFS back from landing on the Moon or even Mars...  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 09/30/2018 03:51 pm
Boca Chica will be particularly expensive. Every launch attempt, including scrubs, will be charged one six pack of Shiner Bock delivered to all permanent residences within two miles of the pad.

It'll be dirt-cheap then given that half of the time you are not actually there. ;)
He said residenCES not residenTS ... but where can you leave beer so it doesn't taste worse after sitting out a while and also safe from theft?

...good thing he didn't say Bud light.. .nothing can make that taste worse, and no one would steal it[1].

1 - yeah I am a beer snob. Grand Rapids has some of the most amazing breweries on the planet.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: randomly on 09/30/2018 04:26 pm
Blasphemy!
Bud Light is the beer of choice for those who chose to litter!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 09/30/2018 11:46 pm
I can occasionally smell the hops from the Sierra Nevada Brewery here.  I can remember when it actually was a micro brewery.  :-[
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 10/01/2018 08:36 am
Blasphemy!
Bud Light is the beer of choice for those who chose to litter!

My friends here in Canada stated that Bud Light is almost a de-alcoholized beverage that causes obesity. You drink so much to get a buzz that you don't need to eat anything else to exceeds one's daily recommended caloric intake. :(

You can easily get lager beers and specialty microbrew beers here. So like @Lar, I have a more sophisticated beer palate.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: woods170 on 10/01/2018 10:28 am
1 - yeah I am a beer snob. Grand Rapids has some of the most amazing breweries on the planet.

You have obviously never been to the Low Countries.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 10/01/2018 11:40 am
1 - yeah I am a beer snob. Grand Rapids has some of the most amazing breweries on the planet.

You have obviously never been to the Low Countries.

Or Yorkshire
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Doesitfloat on 10/01/2018 02:21 pm
1 - yeah I am a beer snob. Grand Rapids has some of the most amazing breweries on the planet.

You have obviously never been to the Low Countries.

I don't drink beer all that often; but when I do  I like it to taste like beer.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 10/01/2018 02:27 pm
 I'm pretty happy with Finland beer. And you don't have to get a loan to buy it like you do in Norway.
 If SpaceX says bad things about me on Twitter or something, I might up the price to Alaskan Amber. God forbid they make me play the tap Guinness card.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 10/01/2018 06:26 pm
I'm pretty happy with Finland beer. And you don't have to get a loan to buy it like you do in Norway.
 If SpaceX says bad things about me on Twitter or something, I might up the price to Alaskan Amber. God forbid they make me play the tap Guinness card.

Pouring a real Guinness could delay a launch!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: 1 on 10/01/2018 07:58 pm
I'm pretty happy with Finland beer. And you don't have to get a loan to buy it like you do in Norway.
 If SpaceX says bad things about me on Twitter or something, I might up the price to Alaskan Amber. God forbid they make me play the tap Guinness card.

Just have everyone chip in a few bucks and order a keg from the folks at Los Angeles Ale Works. They're literally right down the street from SpaceX, and it shows.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 10/01/2018 07:59 pm
1 - yeah I am a beer snob. Grand Rapids has some of the most amazing breweries on the planet.

You have obviously never been to the Low Countries.
False, I have.... And I don't just mean Schiopol (or metro Amsterdam) either....

I stand by my assertion.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 10/01/2018 08:08 pm
Just have everyone chip in a few bucks and order a keg from the folks at Los Angeles Ale Works. They're literally right down the street from SpaceX, and it shows.
Wavelength Brewing is another good place to mention. The Roadie (Bill) gives periodic SpaceX lectures there, they have a telescope, and the brewmaster (Hans) is an admin of the Facebook SpaceX group, as is Bill.

(disclosure, you can't escape me, I'm a mod there too...)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 10/01/2018 08:24 pm
1 - yeah I am a beer snob. Grand Rapids has some of the most amazing breweries on the planet.

You have obviously never been to the Low Countries.
False. And I don't just mean Schiopol (or metro Amsterdam) either....

I stand by my assertion.

<laughs in German>
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: meekGee on 10/03/2018 10:59 pm
Clearly they're avoiding prime numbers greater than two.  I don't see any other more plausible explanation.

-----
ABCD: Always Be Counting Down

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: rpapo on 10/03/2018 11:24 pm
Clearly they're avoiding prime numbers greater than two.  I don't see any other more plausible explanation.
We have a [like] button.  Now where's the [rolls eyes] button?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: docmordrid on 10/04/2018 12:49 am
Clearly they're avoiding prime numbers greater than two.  I don't see any other more plausible explanation.
We have a [like] button.  Now where's the [rolls eyes] button?

Easy in Android  🙄
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ncb1397 on 10/04/2018 04:25 am
Clearly they're avoiding prime numbers greater than two.  I don't see any other more plausible explanation.


No, it is clearly based on powers of two...

20 = LZ 1
21 = LZ 2
22 = LZ 4
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: meekGee on 10/04/2018 05:30 am


Clearly they're avoiding prime numbers greater than two.  I don't see any other more plausible explanation.


No, it is clearly based on powers of two...

20 = LZ 1
21 = LZ 2
22 = LZ 4

I guess the next pad (6 or 8) will be the arbitrator.  At least we agree 5 is definitely out.

-----
ABCD: Always Be Counting Down

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: rosbif73 on 10/04/2018 10:37 am
Clearly they're avoiding prime numbers greater than two.  I don't see any other more plausible explanation.


No, it is clearly based on powers of two...

20 = LZ 1
21 = LZ 2
22 = LZ 4


History has shown that Elon would be perfectly capable of using whimsical numbers, like 420 for the Tesla share price announcement. I vote for LZ-π!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 10/07/2018 03:43 pm
Is it possible to extradite from Mars? Asking for a friend.

Who are you asking for?  Harry Mudd or Cyrano Jones?

(I'll be slightly disappointed if you answer "The Outrageous Okona.") :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 10/08/2018 01:21 am
At this morning's Congregation of the Righteous Space Hippie we invoked most excellent vibes for the success of this flight. Peace.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 10/08/2018 02:37 am
Congrats to SpaceX and CONAE on the successful launch of SAOCOM 1A into orbit and the great return of Core B1048 to LZ-4!

Now we wait until spectator footage reveals the twilight effects during the late ascent.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mongo62 on 10/08/2018 02:38 am
Congrats to SpaceX and CONAE on the successful launch of SAOCOM 1A into orbit and the great return of Core 1048 to LZ-4!

Now we wait until spectator footage reveals the twilight effects during the late ascent.

How long before the first panicked UFO report?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 10/08/2018 02:39 am
Congrats to SpaceX and CONAE on the successful launch of SAOCOM 1A into orbit and the great return of Core 1048 to LZ-4!

Now we wait until spectator footage reveals the twilight effects during the late ascent.

How long before the first panicked UFO report?

I would say between 12 and 24 hours from now.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 10/08/2018 02:47 am
As usual, thumbs up Spacex, great work as always.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: meekGee on 10/08/2018 03:25 am
It's camera distortion. Note that the reflections in the water are in line with both the 1st stage and the red light post.

Please don't inject objective observations into this otherwise fine shouting match :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 10/08/2018 03:41 am
It's camera distortion. Note that the reflections in the water are in line with both the 1st stage and the red light post.

Please don't inject objective observations into this otherwise fine shouting match :)
Facts? Facts?? Your facts have no power here.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 10/08/2018 03:50 am
No need for arguments, FFS! In the past, some have leaned. We will see in daylight later. Nothing (much) to see here. Move along...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: rickl on 10/08/2018 04:01 am
I've probably suggested this before, but why not have the first stage telemetry on the left side of the screen and the second stage telemetry on the right?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 10/08/2018 04:33 am
I've probably suggested this before, but why not have the first stage telemetry on the left side of the screen and the second stage telemetry on the right?

I think SpaceX will eventually show both telemetries, but for now, they're just gonna show one at a time.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 10/08/2018 01:44 pm
Congrats to all the teams, well done! Thanks for the great coverage NSF! :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 10/08/2018 02:19 pm
Since the entire pad is in view it must be a very wide angle lens and that is causing the converging verticals to look "tilted." Back in my day we used a view camera to photograph such things and adjusted the registers to straighten the image. Great for architecture or George Hurrell but unfortunately the rate of fire was kind of maxed at about 2 or 3 frames per minute with a Speed Graphic 4x5. Making use of available light for high speed was kind of a challenge in the dark as well.

Anyhow - I'll be very surprised to find an actual Leaning tower of Spacex out there.

 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 10/08/2018 02:29 pm
Since the entire pad is in view it must be a very wide angle lens and that is causing the converging verticals to look "tilted." Back in my day we used a view camera to photograph such things and adjusted the registers to straighten the image. Great for architecture or George Hurrell but unfortunately the rate of fire was kind of maxed at about 2 or 3 frames per minute with a Speed Graphic 4x5. Making use of available light for high speed was kind of a challenge in the dark as well.

Anyhow - I'll be very surprised to find an actual Leaning tower of Spacex out there.
Put that thing away, you'll scare the children! :o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 10/08/2018 04:05 pm
Any idea what's going on here? 

 - Ed Kyle
Reusable Orbital Class Booster, just after the mission. :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Kansan52 on 10/08/2018 04:26 pm
So smooth. I really appreciate they focus on the customer's satellite. All else os good but they remain focused on the customer.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tibey on 10/08/2018 06:16 pm
I've probably suggested this before, but why not have the first stage telemetry on the left side of the screen and the second stage telemetry on the right?

I think SpaceX will eventually show both telemetries, but for now, they're just gonna show one at a time.
Eventually... probably... we do see both on the internal broadcast.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: macpacheco on 10/10/2018 12:06 am
Jeff Foust has published a new article in The Space Review on reusability which includes:

Quote
However, Koenigsmann said after the talk that a Block 5 booster could make its third flight later this year, possibly on the SSO-A mission, a “dedicated rideshare” mission of dozens of smallsats planned for November from Vandenberg.

http://www.thespacereview.com/article/3583/1
Head blown away into tiny itty bitty pieces.
:-)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 10/10/2018 02:31 am
Jeff Foust has published a new article in The Space Review on reusability which includes:

Quote
However, Koenigsmann said after the talk that a Block 5 booster could make its third flight later this year, possibly on the SSO-A mission, a “dedicated rideshare” mission of dozens of smallsats planned for November from Vandenberg.

http://www.thespacereview.com/article/3583/1
Head blown away into tiny itty bitty pieces.
:-)
Why? Oh ye of little faith...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 10/10/2018 04:22 am
I wish to Lar that a new thread called "TE on Mars" be created, and a search and transfer procedure initiated to move the TE discussion there, since it has completely overwhelmed this thread.

Are you invoking my name in vain? 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 10/10/2018 04:35 am
I wish to Lar that a new thread called "TE on Mars" be created, and a search and transfer procedure initiated to move the TE discussion there, since it has completely overwhelmed this thread.

Are you invoking my name in vain? 
Transporter Erector on Mars?

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 10/10/2018 05:09 am
I wish to Lar that a new thread called "TE on Mars" be created, and a search and transfer procedure initiated to move the TE discussion there, since it has completely overwhelmed this thread.

Are you invoking my name in vain? 
Transporter Erector on Mars?


Far more shocking topic.. .Triboelectricity.  I guess I'm currently the tribe's shaman because I can dematerialize posts in one thread and rematerialise them in another?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 10/10/2018 02:12 pm
If we are looking for historical precedent for religious leadership, typically the head being had a halo around them.
I submit as proof this recent photo.  ::)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 10/10/2018 04:49 pm
I wish to Lar that a new thread called "TE on Mars" be created, and a search and transfer procedure initiated to move the TE discussion there, since it has completely overwhelmed this thread.

Are you invoking my name in vain? 
Transporter Erector on Mars?


Far more shocking topic.. .Triboelectricity.  I guess I'm currently the tribe's shaman because I can dematerialize posts in one thread and rematerialise them in another?
Right, simply forgot the cheesy grin emoticon but what's wrong with tribal electricity on Mars anyway?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 10/10/2018 05:27 pm
Right, simply forgot the cheesy grin emoticon but what's wrong with tribal electricity on Mars anyway?
Visit the thread. It's a non starter, really. Far too small power output to be worth the mass or trouble. That's according to everyone's analysis of the available literature (which is pretty poor) except one person... er sorry, one "team".
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 10/10/2018 05:36 pm
Right, simply forgot the cheesy grin emoticon but what's wrong with tribal electricity on Mars anyway?
Visit the thread. It's a non starter, really. Far too small power output to be worth the mass or trouble. That's according to everyone's analysis of the available literature (which is pretty poor) except one person... er sorry, one "team".
  Hey. They laughed at Newton and Einstein you know.
 Then again, they laughed at Soupy Sales too.

 Never mind.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 10/10/2018 05:42 pm
Right, simply forgot the cheesy grin emoticon but what's wrong with tribal electricity on Mars anyway?
Visit the thread. It's a non starter, really. Far too small power output to be worth the mass or trouble. That's according to everyone's analysis of the available literature (which is pretty poor) except one person... er sorry, one "team".
Lar "Tribal electricity".  🤪




(This is the party thread, do not take anything here too seriously) :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 10/10/2018 06:23 pm
Right, simply forgot the cheesy grin emoticon but what's wrong with tribal electricity on Mars anyway?
Visit the thread. It's a non starter, really. Far too small power output to be worth the mass or trouble. That's according to everyone's analysis of the available literature (which is pretty poor) except one person... er sorry, one "team".
  Hey. They laughed at Newton and Einstein you know.
 Then again, they laughed at Soupy Sales too.

 Never mind.

Soupy and White Fang!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n43zAbwtiaI
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 10/10/2018 06:57 pm
Right, simply forgot the cheesy grin emoticon but what's wrong with tribal electricity on Mars anyway?
Visit the thread. It's a non starter, really. Far too small power output to be worth the mass or trouble. That's according to everyone's analysis of the available literature (which is pretty poor) except one person... er sorry, one "team".

Sigh...so much static around here these days. (ducks and runs)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: guyw on 10/10/2018 08:02 pm

  Hey. They laughed at Newton and Einstein you know.
 Then again, they laughed at Soupy Sales too.

 Never mind.

They laughed at Professor Irwin Corey, The World's Foremost Authority, as well. A true intellectual.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 10/10/2018 08:37 pm
They laugh at everything... Except my jokes. Let me try one on you guys....

SLS is way over budget and way late and Boeing blames everything and everyone except them. Because they got 90% of the max incentives for excellent performance, so how could it be their fault?

... what? You're not laughing?

Yeah, me either.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 10/10/2018 08:45 pm
Well, I think the OIG report explains why EUS development is paused.

A perfect consequence for Boeing's poor performance could be reassignment of the EUS to another company (like BO).

That's *a* possible consequence.  Whether it's perfect or not? I can think of a lot more (but unlikely to actually happen) ones....  wait... cancel that thought, it's crazy.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 10/10/2018 09:49 pm
Interesting! I wonder what launch site they will be targeting to use.
Slick 4 ??? LOL
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Robotbeat on 10/11/2018 05:03 am
How is Total Ghost not already part of #dearMoon?
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MezkEiS-6jA

Elon said it was the SpaceX theme song, so I think spaceX is obligates to take them to space.

“The SpaceX theme song by Total Ghost is just too good ... ooh ooh ooh”

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/164389972688908289?s=21
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cro-magnon gramps on 10/11/2018 11:41 pm
They laugh at everything... Except my jokes. Let me try one on you guys....

SLS is way over budget and way late and Boeing blames everything and everyone except them. Because they got 90% of the max incentives for excellent performance, so how could it be their fault?

... what? You're not laughing?

Yeah, me either.
I'm laffing... it's too ironic to not get a chuckle... we all know that Boeing have lots of chutzpah, but live on past glories... for which we thank them... just like me, time to let the kids in the room take center stage... Cheers m8ts... 
of course I'm splicing the main brace, and listening to war music while browsing the notices... As my old da, (He'd be 100 this month) would say, Bloody 'ell, it's days like today that, if you don't laff, you'll cry, better to laff... 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 10/12/2018 12:37 am
They laugh at everything... Except my jokes. Let me try one on you guys....

SLS is way over budget and way late and Boeing blames everything and everyone except them. Because they got 90% of the max incentives for excellent performance, so how could it be their fault?

... what? You're not laughing?

Yeah, me either.
I'm laffing... it's too ironic to not get a chuckle... we all know that Boeing have lots of chutzpah, but live on past glories... for which we thank them... just like me, time to let the kids in the room take center stage... Cheers m8ts... 
of course I'm splicing the main brace, and listening to war music while browsing the notices... As my old da, (He'd be 100 this month) would say, Bloody 'ell, it's days like today that, if you don't laff, you'll cry, better to laff...
Made from "old stock", God bless him! :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 10/12/2018 09:00 pm
:)
This is great conversation. Learned more here than on Google news.
8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 10/13/2018 11:28 pm
No need for arguments, FFS! In the past, some have leaned. We will see in daylight later. Nothing (much) to see here. Move along...

I am leaning towards what Matt said.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 10/16/2018 09:38 pm
Would they have to wear J-Crew brand clothing to qualify as a Crewed flight?
 ::)
...slinking away quietly...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 10/21/2018 09:00 am
Clearly they're avoiding prime numbers greater than two.  I don't see any other more plausible explanation.


No, it is clearly based on powers of two...

20 = LZ 1
21 = LZ 2
22 = LZ 4


History has shown that Elon would be perfectly capable of using whimsical numbers, like 420 for the Tesla share price announcement. I vote for LZ-π!

Given Elon's penchant for whimsy and pop culture references, I feel like he missed a perfect chance to throw everyone a Holy Curveball of Antioch (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Antioch,+CA/@37.7730069,-122.428709,8.86z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x8085576395afa0d5:0x56a463c2c947559!8m2!3d38.0049214!4d-121.805789).  (LZ-)1, (LZ-)2, (LZ-)5! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8QaslKkRzQ
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 10/21/2018 01:52 pm
Clearly they're avoiding prime numbers greater than two.  I don't see any other more plausible explanation.


No, it is clearly based on powers of two...

20 = LZ 1
21 = LZ 2
22 = LZ 4


History has shown that Elon would be perfectly capable of using whimsical numbers, like 420 for the Tesla share price announcement. I vote for LZ-π!


Given Elon's penchant for whimsy and pop culture references, I feel like he missed a perfect chance to throw everyone a Holy Curveball of Antioch (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Antioch,+CA/@37.7730069,-122.428709,8.86z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x8085576395afa0d5:0x56a463c2c947559!8m2!3d38.0049214!4d-121.805789).  (LZ-)1, (LZ-)2, (LZ-)5! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8QaslKkRzQ

If Monty python quoting was intended
He could label it LZ-5/3-Sir
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 10/21/2018 11:22 pm
I was assuming that LZ-3 was reserved for the (improbable) FH center core RTLZ pad, but clearly the suggestions here are much better.

The Online Encyclopedia of Integer Sequences gives us a wide range of possiblities to choose from. For example A268448, Numbers n such that (35*10^n - 11)/3 is prime (https://oeis.org/A268448), proceeds 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, 21, 27, 34, 53, 72, 96, 145..., which would allow people to mistakenly think that LZ-3 had just been "forgotten" for quite a long way into the future...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 10/22/2018 12:03 am
I figure that the lack of an LZ-3 is because no one wants to deal with a lazy bum ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 10/22/2018 12:37 am
He went there.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 10/22/2018 03:19 am
That's 5 minutes on the party thread I'll never get back. Or was it three?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: scienceguy on 10/22/2018 03:23 am
Did I spend 6 minutes or 5 on the party thread? Do I feel lucky?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 10/22/2018 02:03 pm
Watch out Gregorian calendar, Elon time is coming.

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1054164838430064640
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 10/22/2018 03:21 pm
He thinks...

Ask Gwynne for the real date

(not to be confused with "ask Gwynne for a date"  ... she is married, probably not polyamorous, and probably out of your league. (and mine)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 10/22/2018 06:13 pm
He thinks...

Ask Gwynne for the real date

(not to be confused with "ask Gwynne for a date"  ... she is married, probably not polyamorous, and probably out of your league. (and mine)
If she says yes, don't take her picture. She hates that.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 10/23/2018 08:56 pm
He thinks...

Ask Gwynne for the real date

(not to be confused with "ask Gwynne for a date"  ... she is married, probably not polyamorous, and probably out of your league. (and mine)
If she says yes, don't take her picture. She hates that.

I much prefer to give people pictures... taking is just rude.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 10/24/2018 09:31 pm
Vintage Covers (https://www.instagram.com/vintage_covers/). These made me giggle a bit more than I should have.

Tame example, warning some are a little bit sweary.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 10/25/2018 12:40 am
Vintage Covers (https://www.instagram.com/vintage_covers/). These made me giggle a bit more than I should have.

Tame example, warning some are a little bit sweary.


Excellent. I recognize rather too many of those covers.

For some reason "Why am I melting (I was told there would be no melting)" made me chuckle more than average.

The picture you chose had me thinking how the envelope has broadened for conceptions of aliens... they are very much Terran vertebrate body plans in that drawing.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tyrred on 10/25/2018 08:38 am
Vintage Covers (https://www.instagram.com/vintage_covers/). These made me giggle a bit more than I should have.

Tame example, warning some are a little bit sweary.

Holy hell you broke my internet
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 10/25/2018 08:47 am
Vintage Covers (https://www.instagram.com/vintage_covers/). These made me giggle a bit more than I should have.

Tame example, warning some are a little bit sweary.

Holy hell you broke my internet

Oops sorry about that, maybe you can get these people to come help after they've finished
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 10/25/2018 05:27 pm
The BFS seems to be everywhere.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 10/26/2018 02:53 am
Super excited about the FH's recent wins.

How can that monster flying not  change the heart of America and draw attention to space endeavors.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 10/27/2018 04:38 pm
Super excited about the FH's recent wins.

How can that monster flying not  change the heart of America and draw attention to space endeavors.

Bah. There is no inspiration from a mere rocket launch, even the Falcon Heavy. Which should be mundane after a few more launches.

However the simultaneous landing of the Falcon Heavy side boosters should be exciting for a few more years, Especially if they do it at night to annoy the nearby cities with the dual triple sonic booms for direct GSO insertions.

Nothing is more awesome than seeing the eyes of Sauron over Florida along with the thunderclaps  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 11/08/2018 04:20 pm
With Rocket Labs "It's Business Time" rapidly approaching please tell me there will be Flight of the Conchords "Business Time" on endless loop somewhere.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGOohBytKTU
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 11/09/2018 01:15 pm
1) Elon tweets about a mini-BFS. 2) NSF explodes... :D

It's only a model.

Shhhh!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 11/11/2018 02:48 am
Different provider, same idea.
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1061464193742716930
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 11/12/2018 10:37 am
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 11/13/2018 12:19 pm
If you make the effort of soft-landing a ginormous spaceship on Mars, I don't think you will push the cargo out the hatch for the last ten meter drop and land it MER-style inside inflatable bags.

Of course not, there are these:
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 11/14/2018 11:48 am
https://twitter.com/trevormahlmann/status/1062547069011984385
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 11/14/2018 01:17 pm
What the heck is that profile?

Is F9 gonna fly a lofted trajectory while Stage 1 will be flying mostly close to the ground?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: abaddon on 11/14/2018 01:27 pm
It is clear that the infamous "trampoline" is in fact a reality, although it is unknown how Dmitry Rogozin stumbled on that fact.  Clearly SpaceX are exercising all caution by stationing the trampoline off-shore on an ASDS.  The upward arc followed by the downward plunge are to generate sufficient velocity that the subsequent bounce off the trampoline is enough to assist the F9 on its way to orbit.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 11/15/2018 03:10 pm
With any luck today, Spacex will tie the record for the number of launches last year. Stay tuned.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 11/15/2018 06:23 pm
With any luck today, Spacex will tie the record for the number of launches last year. Stay tuned.
I like it! That was knot a bad pun...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: groknull on 11/15/2018 06:43 pm
With any luck today, Spacex will tie the record for the number of launches last year. Stay tuned.
I like it! That was knot a bad pun...

Cravat emptor.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 11/15/2018 07:02 pm
With any luck today, Spacex will tie the record for the number of launches last year. Stay tuned.
I like it! That was knot a bad pun...

Welcome to Nashville.  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 11/15/2018 07:25 pm
With any luck today, Spacex will tie the record for the number of launches last year. Stay tuned.
I like it! That was knot a bad pun...

Cravat emptor.

Knota Bene
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 11/15/2018 07:33 pm
Ready for "grid-finny goodness"... 8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 11/15/2018 07:43 pm
Was the Es'hailsat promo narrator the guy from Kurzgesagt?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 11/15/2018 07:47 pm
We can all Es'hail now
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Satori on 11/15/2018 08:05 pm
I still miss the exact launch times for the SpaceX launches!!! :(
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 11/15/2018 08:05 pm
Falcon landing with "cloaking device" engaged... Whoomp! There it is... 8)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVkAbi2Bwf4
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: BunkerTheHusky on 11/15/2018 08:19 pm
Posting this for levity, not conspiracy 8) Whats up with the 'balloon' object 1047.2 passed on its way back down? :o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 11/15/2018 08:26 pm
Posting this for levity, not conspiracy 8) Whats up with the 'balloon' object 1047.2 passed on its way back down? :o
;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: 1 on 11/15/2018 08:41 pm
Naw. It's clearly a weather balloon.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 11/15/2018 08:44 pm
Naw. It's clearly a weather balloon.
I really like that the weather balloon is labeled swamp gas!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 11/15/2018 08:45 pm
It's almost a shame that SpaceX didn't start observing November as a holy month of fasting (slowing?) from rocket launches.  They still could've launched after sunset.  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: abaddon on 11/15/2018 08:45 pm
Well, drat.  I somehow thought the launch was tonight and completely missed it.  Congrats to all involved on another successful flight.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: obi-wan on 11/15/2018 08:55 pm
Was the Es'hailsat promo narrator the guy from Kurzgesagt?

He sounded to me like the narrator from the BBC's version of “Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy”!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 11/15/2018 09:03 pm
Congrats to SpaceX on the successful Es’hail 2 mission.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 11/16/2018 02:18 am
Was the Es'hailsat promo narrator the guy from Kurzgesagt?

He sounded to me like the narrator from the BBC's version of “Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy”!

Really obi-wan? You couldn't hear the light Aus/NZ tinge to the accent? Nothing like Peter Jones.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: GreenShrike on 11/16/2018 03:24 pm
Naw. It's clearly a weather balloon.

Your chart is sadly outdated.  It was obviously a drone, probably spying on the re-entry characteristics of the booster.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 11/16/2018 04:01 pm
It's clearly an airborne mimic octopus (xkcd)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AndyE on 11/17/2018 07:45 pm
I think they must be removing the furry dice in the cockpit!   :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: 1 on 11/17/2018 08:07 pm
Hmm. A large constellation of thousands of craft. Neuralink. A counter-intuitive design. I see where this is going.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 11/20/2018 08:36 pm
In the future there may be major changes to the design, but SpaceX must have a detailed design for the vast majority of ship already. I can't imagine building half of it to suddenly realise that you need an extra pipe for something that won't fit. Any design changes will involve careful consideration of the effect of the change on other parts of the ship. You can't just start building Lego style from the ground up and hope for the best when you get to the top.

That's not how good LEGO builders do it. We start from the middle, or we start with the hardest parts, or we prototype bits and pieces. And we certainly don't build all studs up. Most good LEGO creations have elements at many different angles. Those of you that have built the Saturn V know what I mean.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 11/21/2018 02:34 pm
It's so exciting that we are less than 2 months from the DM-1 mission.

2018 has been a year of great progress for SpaceX with the FH and Block 5. 

2019 with Dragon 2, Crew and perhaps the start of Starlink employment is looking great too.

It takes a long time for Elon Enterprises to get going but when they do, it's dam impressive.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 11/26/2018 01:50 am
Nice starship.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 11/26/2018 06:04 am
Grrrr...... We're in Singapore right now, coming back tomorrow at 2125. If they had made the Nov 27 window we would have been in perfect position to watch it as we approached the coast.


Oh well....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Norm38 on 11/26/2018 03:59 pm
I'm in Germany this week for a trade show.  Because I traveled 7 hours into the future I now have to wait 7 extra hours for the launch on Wednesday!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 11/26/2018 07:26 pm
NASA Administrator. Got a call from the Vice President. (All 0's on the phone.)

Is this the same number that Commissioner Gordon sees what he receives a call on the Batphone?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 11/29/2018 10:46 pm
This old Nebraskan should be one of the first colonists to Mars!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZD_3_gsgsnk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZD_3_gsgsnk)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 12/02/2018 02:21 pm
SSO-A : NET Dec. 3, 2018

Seems this rocket just cannot make up its mind weather to launch or not.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 12/02/2018 07:14 pm
SSO-A : NET Dec. 3, 2018

Seems this rocket just cannot make up its mind weather to launch or not.
Didn’t you hair? It’s just going through a stage.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 12/03/2018 02:28 am
SSO-A : NET Dec. 3, 2018

Seems this rocket just cannot make up its mind weather to launch or not.

it's because I haven't commented on it. Today the entire congregation offered all kind of prayin' and loud hosannas for mission success. Pretty sure you're going to see all kinds of things launching over the next few days. Stay tuned.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Norm38 on 12/03/2018 05:47 pm
3 for 3 on a booster is real nice.  Will they try 4-4?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: SciNews on 12/03/2018 06:03 pm
Falcon 9 landed three times
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCBXjQH03NA
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wudizzle on 12/03/2018 06:11 pm
Congrats to SpaceX. 3 is a big deal. That "yeah, but" was pretty much the only thing to which the non-reusable crowd was left clinging.

2 could be a cute trick that never pays for the developmental hurdle. 3 changes the dynamics on its own, but more importantly it makes you realize 5, 7, 10, is probably a real thing.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 12/03/2018 06:22 pm
Congrats to SpaceX. 3 is a big deal. That "yeah, but" was pretty much the only thing to which the non-reusable crowd was left clinging.

2 could be a cute trick that never pays for the developmental hurdle. 3 changes the dynamics on its own, but more importantly it makes you realize 5, 7, 10, is probably a real thing.
Time to change the party thread name

Launch, Land, and Relaunch (and land again, and relaunch (and land AGAIN)) party thread

This is going to get really long!
 ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mongo62 on 12/03/2018 06:24 pm
Considering how close to the bullseye the boosters have been landing recently, the landing bingo has been becoming a race to claim the center square first.

Perhaps it's time to tape a regular-sized chessboard to the center of the drone ship deck, and use that. Of course we need some way to keep the chessboard from being toasted and blown away (and to discern where the center of the booster actually sits).

That booster is looking quite dark! Any guesses about how dark they will get after ten flights? (I'm guessing not much lighter than the CF interstage.)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cppetrie on 12/03/2018 06:24 pm
Congrats to SpaceX. 3 is a big deal. That "yeah, but" was pretty much the only thing to which the non-reusable crowd was left clinging.

2 could be a cute trick that never pays for the developmental hurdle. 3 changes the dynamics on its own, but more importantly it makes you realize 5, 7, 10, is probably a real thing.
Time to change the party thread name

Launch, Land, and Relaunch (and land again, and relaunch (and land AGAIN)) party thread

This is going to get really long!
 ;D
Launch, Land, Rinse (optional), Repeat Party Thread
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 12/03/2018 06:25 pm
Congrats to SpaceX. 3 is a big deal. That "yeah, but" was pretty much the only thing to which the non-reusable crowd was left clinging.

2 could be a cute trick that never pays for the developmental hurdle. 3 changes the dynamics on its own, but more importantly it makes you realize 5, 7, 10, is probably a real thing.
Time to change the party thread name

Launch, Land, and Relaunch (and land again, and relaunch (and land AGAIN)) party thread

This is going to get really long!
 ;D
Launch, Land, Rinse (optional), Repeat Party Thread
Mine was a joke but can we PLEASE have his suggestion implemented?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 12/03/2018 06:29 pm
Congrats, SpaceX!  Way to go on third use (second re-use)!  And in honor of this booster also having picked up the hat trick (first booster to launch from all 3 SpaceX launch pads--LC-39A, SLC-40, SLC-4E), I give you the following:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QN-p4mUbq6k
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: NASAGeek on 12/03/2018 06:35 pm
Congrats SpaceX! Can’t wait to see this booster fly for the fourth time.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 12/03/2018 06:41 pm
"Old Smudge" does it again, congrats SpaceX! 8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tuts36 on 12/03/2018 07:06 pm
Congrats to SpaceX. 3 is a big deal. That "yeah, but" was pretty much the only thing to which the non-reusable crowd was left clinging.

2 could be a cute trick that never pays for the developmental hurdle. 3 changes the dynamics on its own, but more importantly it makes you realize 5, 7, 10, is probably a real thing.
Time to change the party thread name

Launch, Land, and Relaunch (and land again, and relaunch (and land AGAIN)) party thread

This is going to get really long!
 ;D
Launch, Land, Rinse (optional), Repeat Party Thread
Mine was a joke but can we PLEASE have his suggestion implemented?

Might I humbly suggest :

Launch, Land, (Relaunch, Reland)N
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 12/03/2018 07:13 pm
Congrats to SpaceX. 3 is a big deal. That "yeah, but" was pretty much the only thing to which the non-reusable crowd was left clinging.

2 could be a cute trick that never pays for the developmental hurdle. 3 changes the dynamics on its own, but more importantly it makes you realize 5, 7, 10, is probably a real thing.
Time to change the party thread name

Launch, Land, and Relaunch (and land again, and relaunch (and land AGAIN)) party thread

This is going to get really long!
 ;D
Launch, Land, Rinse (optional), Repeat Party Thread
Mine was a joke but can we PLEASE have his suggestion implemented?

Might I humbly suggest :

Launch, Land, (Relaunch, Reland)N

Launch
Land
GOTO Launch
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AncientU on 12/03/2018 08:07 pm
Required watching...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NY7N02eZGoQ
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AncientU on 12/03/2018 08:11 pm
The name stays.

Edit/Lar: you're not the boss of me.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 12/03/2018 09:00 pm
The name stays.
Till the  “go to mars... land onn it...” party thread in 2034?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tomness on 12/03/2018 10:00 pm
Congratulations SpaceX,  Spaceflight SSO-A, Air Force, FAA, FCC, NASA & all the companies that entrusted SPX & Spaceflight with their payloads, hopefully we still see missions like these again with the boom of Small Sat launchers.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: sfxtd on 12/04/2018 06:19 am
At first the sooty boosters kind of bothered me, but I think the patina of the SSO-A booser looks cool; it's a sign of a real workhorse machine.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 12/04/2018 06:27 am
Required watching...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NY7N02eZGoQ
Always! 8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 12/04/2018 08:04 am
https://twitter.com/moldymousefood/status/1069788862971592704
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tomness on 12/04/2018 05:22 pm
Have the crash test dummies on the 2019 Boeing and SpaceX CCtCap flights been given names?
Rick & Morty 🤣
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 12/04/2018 07:41 pm
Just realized.  SSO-A was #19!  CONGRATULATIONS SPACEX on topping last year's record for the company's most launches in a calendar year!  From here on out every launch left on the year's manifest will give them a chance to raise the bar even higher.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 12/05/2018 02:15 pm
I'm thinking they need to add something like this to the paint job on the Block 5's. Kind of like the ultimate aluminum can.  8)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 12/05/2018 04:41 pm
Though the image has been meme'd to death, I thought it still apropos in context of the Eric Berger article on planned Europa missions and the LVs that may carry them...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mongo62 on 12/05/2018 05:37 pm
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1070386062164283392

Landing pad? We don't need no steenking landing pad!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 12/05/2018 05:59 pm
Landing pad? We don't need no steenking landing pad!

Its the new hybrid sea and land landing, SpaceX always innovating.  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Jarnis on 12/05/2018 06:09 pm
Should've parked ASDS offshore in case the booster got an idea of going for a swim. Now look what it did... I mean, sure, that soot looks nasty, but it could've waited until it was back in the hangar before getting a wash ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 12/05/2018 06:14 pm
If it's good enough for the fairing.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 12/05/2018 06:23 pm
https://twitter.com/SteveBareman/status/1070392207369232386

Well, hats off anyway to all the good people at SpaceX. Keep up the good work. I'm really looking forward to the day you land the first time on Mars. :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mongo62 on 12/05/2018 06:31 pm
https://twitter.com/SteveBareman/status/1070392207369232386

Well, hats off anyway to all the good people at SpaceX. Keep up the good work. I'm really looking forward to the day you land the first time on Mars. :)

I'm looking forward to the (far distant) day that SpaceX first lands on a Martian ocean!

Yes, a bit of terraforming may be required first...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 12/05/2018 06:32 pm
I'm thinking they need to add something like this to the paint job on the Block 5's. Kind of like the ultimate aluminum can.  8)
Hmm... he says they should add a logo with arrows that obviously show the stage rolling about its axis, and what happens to the stage?

I'm just going to quietly and reverently back away and hope Elvis in Space doesn't notice me and invoke his powers my direction.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 12/05/2018 07:07 pm
Does this count as a range violation???
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 12/05/2018 07:18 pm
I'm thinking they need to add something like this to the paint job on the Block 5's. Kind of like the ultimate aluminum can.  8)
Hmm... he says they should add a logo with arrows that obviously show the stage rolling about its axis, and what happens to the stage?

I'm just going to quietly and reverently back away and hope Elvis in Space doesn't notice me and invoke his powers my direction.

Not your fault entirely but prepare to have whatever cool mojo you may have removed from your soul.

I must admit that right after posting that I realized I'd probably doomed the landing. No kidding. Little Richard lives nearby. I'll get with him regarding a serious upgrade in the spiritual hopes and prayers for success in the future.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: sghill on 12/05/2018 07:23 pm
If you zoom in, you can see the Floridians have already taken it over as a party barge.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 12/05/2018 07:40 pm
If anyone feels like renting a helicopter right now, you can have yourself a rocket. Light use, light water damage, pick up only.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Jarnis on 12/05/2018 07:49 pm

Launch, Land, Rinse (optional), Repeat Party Thread

Rinse... was a bad idea. See: B1050.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 12/05/2018 08:09 pm
This is unfair!!!!! Finally a landing where I'd have won with my water square! The stage landed! On the water! Intact! And there was no Bingo :-((((((((

(Also the grid for land bingos was way too small)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 12/05/2018 08:20 pm

I wouldn't take any of Elon's tweets about the stage too seriously just yet.

The stage just landed, they didn't even look at it, nobody had time to fully analyze anything yet.

These are off the cuff responses, actual decisions will happen after thorough analysis and time to think.

As a general rule, don't take his tweets too seriously, especially when he's tweeting so close to the event that he obviously did not have the time to fully think it thru.

edit: fix typo

(And just for fun, I'll argue against myself now)

It's possible that they have been seriously considering adding a 2nd pump, perhaps decided to hold off as everything was working, and now that they had a failure the tweet response can be immediate and well thought thru at the same time.

The perfect balanced sample

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5k6CoJ97IOA
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 12/05/2018 08:56 pm
Falcon,"feet wet"...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: punder on 12/05/2018 09:13 pm
Does this count as a range violation???

We will control the horizontal. We will control the vertical.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Callezetter on 12/05/2018 09:22 pm
Pretty funny to be honest, with the fin looking like a little captain still onboard.
https://twitter.com/ULAJohnG/status/1070422679310630912
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 12/05/2018 09:35 pm
If I were Jeff Bezos, I'd still be so tempted to tweet that I was going fishing.

Well, admittedly, Blue Origin may have beaten them to the concept.  After all, they're making a rocket catcher out of a roll on/roll off ship...  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mongo62 on 12/05/2018 11:16 pm
If 1040 (SSO-A) is now being called "Old Sooty", I propose that this booster be called "Old Salty" on any future flights.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Robotbeat on 12/05/2018 11:57 pm
No time for caution: https://youtu.be/nSsZGnc5j6o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 12/06/2018 01:30 am
You realize that this was actually practice for a future 'rocket ballet' in which a Heavy will have 'synchronized spinning' boosters returning to their pads to the strains of Tchaicovski's 'Nutcracker Suite' :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 12/06/2018 01:37 am
So we put a bird in the surf today so...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Gc4QTqslN4
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 12/06/2018 03:21 am
Quote
So we put a bird in the surf today so...

I just imagined that Elvis in Space looks something like that during one of his Falcon Revival meetings.

Serious, serious MoJo goin on there.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lars-J on 12/06/2018 03:46 am
I found this Interstellar/F9 ocean landing mashup very entertaining :)

https://twitter.com/kazioofx/status/1070490680580063237
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 12/06/2018 06:23 am
So we put a bird in the surf today so...
Stewie and Brian Griffin "unlike" you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzb3oKk8Gvs
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 12/06/2018 07:05 am
Quote
So we put a bird in the surf today so...

I just imagined that Elvis in Space looks something like that during one of his Falcon Revival meetings.

Serious, serious MoJo goin on there.
Complete with the spinning and "grid fin hand flapping"... ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 12/06/2018 07:08 am
So we put a bird in the surf today so...
Stewie and Brian Griffin "unlike" you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzb3oKk8Gvs
I still have that on a vinyl 45 somewhere... ;D

New "spinning Falcon" theme song... This should distract you... ;)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1DWBKk5xHQ
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 12/06/2018 03:48 pm
So, The Musk says that they may still reuse this falcon9 booster..

So not only is SpaceX launching orbital stuff,
not only are they landing and re-using their boosters, (Repeatedly!)
they are even planning to re-use the CRASHED stage?


Jaw=Drop.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: leetdan on 12/06/2018 07:56 pm
Quick, what's the phone number for ASAP?  We've got people standing on flight hardware again >:(

https://twitter.com/KillianPhoto/status/1070781952398118912
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Doesitfloat on 12/07/2018 08:39 pm
Divers :-\  :-\
Not even back to the dock and they are telling "Fish Stories"... "it was this big !!"

Well good job brining it back.

https://twitter.com/johnkrausphotos


Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 12/08/2018 03:08 am
Port Canaveral has posted a short clip showing an unruffled pelican watching the Falcon stage being towed in.  It occurred to me that this would be a great name for the "Chomper" version of Starship: "A marvelous rocket is the Pelican!  His beak can hold more than his belly can!"

https://twitter.com/PortCanaveral/status/1071093428207960066
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: bjornl on 12/08/2018 01:48 pm
If 1054 this year and nominal, some more stats:
- 23 cores launched, 230 full engine missions.
- 13? cores produced --> 1046-1058 (10 Falcon 9, 1 Falcon Heavy)
- 10 brand new cores launched --> 1033, 1043-1050 + 1054
- 12 unique cores re-used once 1023, 1025, 1032, 1038-1041, 1043, 1045, 1047,1048
- 1 unique core re-used twice --> 1046
- 12 nominal core recoveries --> 1023, 1025, 1043, 1045-1049, 1054 (1046 twice!)
- 1 rogue core dragged in (not by its feet) and lifted on shore --> 1050
- 1 expandable core that refused to die and also took a swim, but still hit rock bottom in the end --> 1032
New feature! Curious as to how this will work ;-)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 12/08/2018 05:56 pm
I only see 3 grid fins.
No you don't.
You see 2 grid fins.
The thIrd grin fin is behind the booster, not visible, on the other side and you assume its there because it was visible in earlier photos.
SDSmith shows s/he isn't a Fair Witness.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 12/08/2018 07:17 pm
I grok that!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tomness on 12/09/2018 03:42 am
The scroll was going to run right through liftoff, obstructing the view.  Awful.
But at least we would know that
"Delta IV Heavy rocket produces 2.1 million pounds of thrust at liftoff."   
"Delta IV Heavy rocket produces 2.1 million pounds of thrust at liftoff." 
"Delta IV Heavy rocket produces 2.1 million pounds of thrust at liftoff." 
"Delta IV Heavy rocket produces 2.1 million pounds of thrust at liftoff." 
"Delta IV Heavy rocket produces 2.1 million pounds of thrust at liftoff." 
Etc.
 - Ed Kyle

Well Falcon Heavy can do over 5 million pounds of thrust at liftoff -SpaceX.com
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 12/09/2018 04:24 am
If 1054 this year and nominal, some more stats:
- 23 cores launched, 230 full engine missions.
- 13? cores produced --> 1046-1058 (10 Falcon 9, 1 Falcon Heavy)
- 10 brand new cores launched --> 1033, 1043-1050 + 1054
- 12 unique cores re-used once 1023, 1025, 1032, 1038-1041, 1043, 1045, 1047,1048
- 1 unique core re-used twice --> 1046
- 12 nominal core recoveries --> 1023, 1025, 1043, 1045-1049, 1054 (1046 twice!)
- 1 rogue core dragged in (not by its feet) and lifted on shore --> 1050
- 1 expandable core that refused to die and also took a swim, but still hit rock bottom in the end --> 1032
New feature! Curious as to how this will work ;-)

Elon did say another stretch was possible
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 12/09/2018 04:30 pm
This switch didn't happen overnight, right?  This must have been a plan B all along, and at some point recently plan B became plan A.

Which means that somewhere SpaceX has advanced proof articles for this method of construction...

But now it appears they may have built an entire flight article.  Without anyone knowing.

Where? How will it get to BC?

-----
ABCD: Always Be Counting Down

Hey Doc Brown!  I found someone who might buy your flux capacitor!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 12/10/2018 02:57 pm
Prompted by reviewing booster production, I think we should start campaigning now  to get Hugh Fraser, probably best known for his portrayal of Hercule Poirot's associate Captain Hastings, to be drafted in to SpaceX HQ to do commentary for the first launch of booster 1066.

OK it's obscure. But that's how my mind works.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 12/10/2018 03:03 pm
Prompted by reviewing booster production, I think we should start campaigning now  to get Hugh Fraser, probably best known for his portrayal of Hercule Poirot's associate Captain Hastings, to be drafted in to SpaceX HQ to do commentary for the first launch of booster 1066.

OK it's obscure. But that's how my mind works.

In real life, what mission would Core B1066 be used for?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mongo62 on 12/10/2018 05:48 pm
Prompted by reviewing booster production, I think we should start campaigning now  to get Hugh Fraser, probably best known for his portrayal of Hercule Poirot's associate Captain Hastings, to be drafted in to SpaceX HQ to do commentary for the first launch of booster 1066.

OK it's obscure. But that's how my mind works.

In real life, what mission would Core B1066 be used for?

A Crew Dragon, with an astronaut from Normandy named William aboard?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 12/10/2018 06:58 pm
Prompted by reviewing booster production, I think we should start campaigning now  to get Hugh Fraser, probably best known for his portrayal of Hercule Poirot's associate Captain Hastings, to be drafted in to SpaceX HQ to do commentary for the first launch of booster 1066.

OK it's obscure. But that's how my mind works.

In real life, what mission would Core B1066 be used for?

If they manage to average around three missions per core through next year, 1066 might not fly for a very long while
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 12/11/2018 02:00 am
Prompted by reviewing booster production, I think we should start campaigning now  to get Hugh Fraser, probably best known for his portrayal of Hercule Poirot's associate Captain Hastings, to be drafted in to SpaceX HQ to do commentary for the first launch of booster 1066.

OK it's obscure. But that's how my mind works.

In real life, what mission would Core B1066 be used for?

If they manage to average around three missions per core through next year, 1066 might not fly for a very long while

Are you factoring in the possibility that Falcon cores being stockpiled in event of decision to halt F9 core production as early as possible?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 12/11/2018 08:02 am
Prompted by reviewing booster production, I think we should start campaigning now  to get Hugh Fraser, probably best known for his portrayal of Hercule Poirot's associate Captain Hastings, to be drafted in to SpaceX HQ to do commentary for the first launch of booster 1066.

OK it's obscure. But that's how my mind works.

In real life, what mission would Core B1066 be used for?

If they manage to average around three missions per core through next year, 1066 might not fly for a very long while

Are you factoring in the possibility that Falcon cores being stockpiled in event of decision to halt F9 core production as early as possible?

They keep making second stages and since this is SpaceX, most of the tooling is probably identical. I don't expect production to be truly shut down until F9 stops flying. They will likely shift their production line towards being more efficient at second stages, less efficient at first stages.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 12/11/2018 07:48 pm
Re: the current Russian spacewalk--hacking and shearing through the Soyuz thermal blankets...
BRUTAL!

The joke is, this isn't a joke.  And, they still have to get through the MMOD layer underneath.
***

Sergey having a go at stabbing.

Content I wasn't expecting to read on an NSF forum. :)
***

Too bad Home Improvement went off the air years ago; these gentlemen (if all goes well) would be the perfect Tool Time guests.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 12/11/2018 10:08 pm
Fleet had a party last night celebrating their fourth cubesat launch in less than a month on the Falcon 9 SSO-A mission. Here I am with the CEO of Fleet and what celebration would not be complete without a Mariachi Band!

https://vimeo.com/133012755
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 12/12/2018 03:22 pm
Re: the current Russian spacewalk--hacking and shearing through the Soyuz thermal blankets...
BRUTAL!

The joke is, this isn't a joke.  And, they still have to get through the MMOD layer underneath.
***

Sergey having a go at stabbing.

Content I wasn't expecting to read on an NSF forum. :)
***

Too bad Home Improvement went off the air years ago; these gentlemen (if all goes well) would be the perfect Tool Time guests.

I mostly liked

Wow, the first space "slasher" movie!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 12/16/2018 02:27 am
Referencing my recent Family Guy reference to Office Space...

IMHO, an under-viewed Office Space/Babylon 5 mashup!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQ4fgZBhya0
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 12/17/2018 02:20 pm
Peace on Earth and a whole lotta rockets in the next few days.
Then the New Year is even happier. Rock and Roll, Rocket Brothers.  8)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 12/17/2018 02:50 pm
Prompted by reviewing booster production, I think we should start campaigning now  to get Hugh Fraser, probably best known for his portrayal of Hercule Poirot's associate Captain Hastings, to be drafted in to SpaceX HQ to do commentary for the first launch of booster 1066.

OK it's obscure. But that's how my mind works.

In real life, what mission would Core B1066 be used for?

If they manage to average around three missions per core through next year, 1066 might not fly for a very long while

Are you factoring in the possibility that Falcon cores being stockpiled in event of decision to halt F9 core production as early as possible?

They keep making second stages and since this is SpaceX, most of the tooling is probably identical. I don't expect production to be truly shut down until F9 stops flying. They will likely shift their production line towards being more efficient at second stages, less efficient at first stages.

*alert alert alert*  The above is a serious post!!!  *alert alert alert*

Party Foul!  Half the distance to Mars orbit plus possession!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 12/17/2018 04:16 pm
Prompted by reviewing booster production, I think we should start campaigning now  to get Hugh Fraser, probably best known for his portrayal of Hercule Poirot's associate Captain Hastings, to be drafted in to SpaceX HQ to do commentary for the first launch of booster 1066.

OK it's obscure. But that's how my mind works.

In real life, what mission would Core B1066 be used for?

If they manage to average around three missions per core through next year, 1066 might not fly for a very long while

Are you factoring in the possibility that Falcon cores being stockpiled in event of decision to halt F9 core production as early as possible?

They keep making second stages and since this is SpaceX, most of the tooling is probably identical. I don't expect production to be truly shut down until F9 stops flying. They will likely shift their production line towards being more efficient at second stages, less efficient at first stages.

*alert alert alert*  The above is a serious post!!!  *alert alert alert*

Party Foul!  Half the distance to Mars orbit plus possession!

I reported it to mods, maybe they can move it to reuseability discussion or something ;P
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Chris Bergin on 12/17/2018 04:47 pm
Member can copy it and repost. I can't move it now people have responded to it. ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 12/17/2018 05:24 pm
Not all party thread posts have to be snarky jokes filled with nuance and intelligent humor. All Most congratulations posts in this thread, for example, are in fact genuine. While I think it is a party foul, to pollute the thread often with seriousness, there is no sense kicking an occasional serious reply out. We are a “big tent” (with many clowns of course).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 12/17/2018 08:06 pm
We are a “big tent” (with many clowns of course).

I thought we were more of a Sprung structure...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 12/18/2018 12:35 am
I call shotgun in the clown car!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 12/18/2018 05:10 am
I call shotgun in the clown car!
There can be more than one person in the front seat not driving.

How big are your shoes? Big shoes are important. Are they made of steel? Concrete? Do they have fin slots cut in them?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 12/18/2018 06:31 am
I call shotgun in the clown car!
There can be more than one person in the front seat not driving.

How big are your shoes? Big shoes are important. Are they made of steel? Concrete? Do they have fin slots cut in them?

Do they often get welded to the deck of your local ASDS?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: catdlr on 12/18/2018 09:36 am
Launchapalooza - 5 Rocket Launches Scheduled For Tuesday 18th December


Scott Manley
Published on Dec 18, 2018

Talking about tomorrows launches because there's a lot of things to talk about:

Space X - Falcon 9 - GPS III-2 - 9:11am EST
Blue Origin - New Shepars - NASA - 9:30am EST
ESA - Soyuz - CSO1 - 11:27am EST
ULA - Delta IV - NROL 71 - 8:57pm EST
ISRO - GSLV-F11 / GSAT-7A - 5:10 EST

(The following from a comment on this video):
Quote
I think the only time we can expect more rocket launches in such a short period of time is in a nuclear war

https://youtu.be/vEHX9tIfaUI?t=001

https://youtu.be/vEHX9tIfaUI
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 12/18/2018 12:01 pm
December 17, 2018
MEDIA ADVISORY 018-21

Kennedy Space Center Traffic and Road Closures for December Launch Activities

Heavy traffic on and around the Kennedy Space Center and the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is expected December 18 due to center activities surrounding the upcoming launch of SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Liftoff is planned to take place between 9:11 a.m. and 9:37 a.m. EDT.

PUBLIC ACCESS ROAD CLOSURES

Starting Tuesday, December 18, 2018, Kennedy Space Center Protective Services officers will be enforcing restricted access from the Kennedy Space Center boundary lines for the duration of the SpaceX launch attempt.

The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Center will be open for business from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. EDT.  If you are planning on visiting the visitor center, please inform the uniformed officers at the checkpoint. No thru traffic will be allowed.

 - State Road 3 from the Gate 2 News Media Pass and Identification Building to State Road 405 (NASA Causeway) including Space Commerce Way will be closed to unauthorized vehicles. Access to the center, the visitor complex, Exploration Park and Blue Origin for authorized personnel will be granted. The roads will reopen after launch.

- NASA Causeway between U.S. 1 and the Kennedy Space Center’s Visitor Center will also experience restricted access. The roads will reopen after launch.

- The A. Max Brewer Causeway bridge on S.R. 406 in Titusville (north bridge) east to Playalinda Beach Road, Canaveral National Seashore will be restricted to all motor vehicle traffic. The Playalinda Beach park will be open until capacity is reached or 7:30 a.m., whichever comes first.  If you are planning on visiting Playalinda Beach, please inform the uniformed officers at the checkpoint.

- State Road 3 North at US1 in Volusia County, south to Playalinda Beach will be open to all motor vehicle traffic until capacity is reached, or at 7:30 a.m., whichever comes first.

Please expect delays and plan accordingly.

Er?

(posted here, I think by mistake... moved to the GPS III update thread)
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=46962.msg1889160#msg1889160
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 12/18/2018 12:45 pm
Woke up.
Got out of bed.
Dragged my eyes across this thread.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 12/18/2018 12:48 pm
Launchapalooza - 5 Rocket Launches Scheduled For Tuesday 18th December
Talk about contemporaneous!  With the most recent SpaceX slip due to high-level winds, they're trailing Blue's launch by only 4 minutes!

I'll be so hyped if they actually go off one-two like that.  Good thing I've got dual monitors!

EDIT: So Blue has scrubbed, which brings me to another benefit of side-by-side launches: redundancy!  Even if one scrubs, you still had a reason to wake up early (6:30am here)!  Fingers crossed the high-level winds behave themselves over the Cape...

EDIT 2: The Soyuz launch later today has also been postponed, and the Delta IV's weather isn't looking good.  I feel like we should've seen this coming...

EDIT 3: Well I'll be buggered. SpaceX scrubbed too - and not even due to weather!  Only the Delta IV and GSLV remain, the former of which is not looking promising.

EDIT 4: Delta IV is scrubbed now as well.  At this point, I am one with the scrub.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DanielW on 12/18/2018 01:30 pm
My 3 year old son gets a little despondent whenever a falcon 9 is not recovered. He is very concerned about the well-being of each booster.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 12/18/2018 01:41 pm
This has to be the cleanest day of rocket launches ever.


(you know, from all the scrubbing...)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 12/18/2018 01:50 pm
Why is there a dark spot on the tip of the fairing?
 

Maybe this F9 is Jewish?  So, depending on your preferred rocket iconography, it's either wearing a kippah (yarmulke) or it's circumcised.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: whitelancer64 on 12/18/2018 01:54 pm
Why is there a dark spot on the tip of the fairing?
 

Maybe this F9 is Jewish?  So, depending on your preferred rocket iconography, it's either wearing a kippah (yarmulke) or it's circumcised.

LOL. Real answer: The webcast host noted that this fairing has extra thermal protection on the tip, due to the increased heating on this launch trajectory.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 12/18/2018 02:39 pm
It's the holidays so I thought I would go straight to 11.100... ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 12/18/2018 05:20 pm
today is a holiday. lets celebrate "scrub day" together.

new shepherd  - scrubbed
falcon 9 -   scrubbed
soyuz - scrubbed

DeltaIVH - ???

in my timezone at least NROL-71 launches early tomorrow morning, so they might avoid scrub day.   or not.

would anyone want to place bets?

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: freddo411 on 12/18/2018 05:48 pm
Why is there a dark spot on the tip of the fairing?
 

Maybe this F9 is Jewish?  So, depending on your preferred rocket iconography, it's either wearing a kippah (yarmulke) or it's circumcised.

the USAF paid for full performance of this launch, so no paint was applied to the top of the fairing to save mass.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ScottMC on 12/18/2018 07:11 pm
Looks like everything's fighting fit and rearing to go!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 12/18/2018 07:42 pm
today is a holiday. lets celebrate "scrub day" together.

new shepherd  - scrubbed
falcon 9 -   scrubbed
soyuz - scrubbed

DeltaIVH - ???

in my timezone at least NROL-71 launches early tomorrow morning, so they might avoid scrub day.   or not.

would anyone want to place bets?



Unfortunately, the Delta IV Heavy has been scrubbed too. What a frustrating holiday it has been.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 12/18/2018 11:01 pm
scrub a scrub scrub.

Stolen from Facebook.... posted by Steven Shao
https://www.facebook.com/groups/474538532918960/permalink/711938729178938/  (FaceX Spacebook, if you're not in that group? well dunno)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 12/18/2018 11:47 pm
Re: "Farout"
It has a moon named "Dude," forming the "Farout Dude System."
Jeff Bridges approves. :)
***

Jeff Letrotski appears with Walter and "Theodore Donald "Donny" Kerabatsos" at the Ponyville bowling alley.  Completing the foursome is Doctor Whooves in the guise of the Tenth Doctor, David Tennant.

And yes, this actually happened on the show--episode "Slice of Life."
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 12/19/2018 01:03 am
Scrubapalooza!! ;D +1 :o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEHX9tIfaUI
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 12/19/2018 04:10 am
The bricks appear to be attached to a backer rather than built up in courses. How structurally strong are they?

As strong as legos!  :)

Couldn't help it sorry.
If "pasted" onto a backer board, I doubt they are nearly as strong as equivalent mass LEGO elements put together by an expert builder[1]

(I don't doubt the tunnelmuckbrick elements themselves are strong, I'm saying I am dubious that the assembly could take a lot of downforce. But it may not need to since it's non structural)

1 - I said "expert" .... your six year old doesn't count. YOU don't count. I almost but not quite do because large structures aren't my thing....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 12/19/2018 04:25 am
Hasn't it been a while since SpaceX has had a hold like this in the final 10-mins of countdown?

Bangabandhu had a scrub at T-58

But you're right. Nothing else like that in a while.

SpaceX has been in a pretty smooth run.
CRS-10, while I had a view from the VIP area under beautiful skies, aborted just before T-10 SECONDS!
But that’s almost two years ago and I am over it for sure. :P

Over it? I'm dubious. I wouldn't be!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 12/19/2018 10:37 am
Suppose someone was at 41,000’ over the NorCal coast heading southward, do you think they’d be able to see this mornings launch from Vandy? Asking for a friend.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wardy89 on 12/19/2018 10:53 am
falcon 9 having a bit if a tantrum, complaining that it only gets to launch once!!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 12/19/2018 01:17 pm
Okay, the lack of Elvis and launches is starting to unnerve me, just a bit.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 12/19/2018 01:56 pm
"Cry 'Havoc!', and let slip the scrubs of launches"... (Apologies to William Shakespeare) :o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 12/19/2018 03:28 pm
Amazing footage of what really happened with the CRS-16 booster landing:

https://youtu.be/zewyvQEqsS4
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 12/19/2018 03:47 pm
I'm thinking all these launch attempts taking place at the same time are straining the availability of Astro-Mojo in the universe. Time to invoke a deep spiritual fix --

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lars-J on 12/19/2018 05:44 pm
:)
https://twitter.com/xkcdComic/status/1075437269937352705
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: fthomassy on 12/19/2018 07:22 pm
Tanker confirmed!

Elon Musk (Official)
At first, the tanker will just be a ship with no payload. Down the road, we will build a dedicated tanker that will have an extremely high full to empty mass ratio (warning: it will look kinda weird).
https://www.reddit.com/r/space/comments/76e79c/i_am_elon_musk_ask_me_anything_about_bfr/dodexlx/

(http://www.caldwellwatertanks.com/images/photo-gallery/068.jpg)

- Just sayin'....

(PS, to mlindner in particular, this is all in jest...)
So this rocket sells launch space to base jumpers who leap off the payload fairing at MECO. That's what the handrails are for.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 12/19/2018 07:30 pm
There's a thread somewhere on SpaceX reuse.  If you want to argue about new boosters vs. used boosters then that's where you should do it.

Bath tub curve!

May we argue about rocket re-use?

May we argue with a Musk-y goose?

May we argue from our hot tubs?

May we argue about the proper design of cave rescue mini-subs?

(With apologies to Sam-I-am, my meter-sense failed on the last line)

Thread reply #3000!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: pstephens on 12/19/2018 08:29 pm
There's a thread somewhere on SpaceX reuse.  If you want to argue about new boosters vs. used boosters then that's where you should do it.

Bath tub curve!

May we argue about rocket re-use?

May we argue with a Musk-y goose?

May we argue from our hot tubs?

May we argue about the proper design of cave rescue mini-subs?

(With apologies to Sam-I-am, my meter-sense failed on the last line)

Thread reply #3000!

May we argument of the periapsis?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 12/19/2018 10:25 pm
Chang'e-4 lander makes contact with Queqiao relay satellite from lunar orbit

https://gbtimes.com/change-4-lander-makes-contact-with-queqiao-relay-satellite-from-lunar-orbit

Original social media post in Chinese here. Looks like CAST has kept the tradition of making 1st social media postings for the mission in first person voice from CE3.

https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/Fd7xObI8Sc97-oO6_rdFNQ

Therefore, at the end, will we get a second act of this performance?:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlX7VEA_A70
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tomness on 12/20/2018 01:18 am
Then there is no hope for the greater Los Angeles area, Sacramento, Dallas, Houston, Georgia, or any other existing "sprawl city".

I wonder how well TBC tech would work in Atlanta. Dig down a couple of meters and it's solid granite.

They are literally rocket scientist and  engineers... they will be all right...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 12/20/2018 02:52 am
There were lots of large metal parts of all topographical persuasions laying around. Give them a few weeks. 
Hey cylindrical section, I'd like to "persuade" you to be a spherical section.  ... what do you say? I'll buy you a drink and we can get hammered.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 12/20/2018 01:06 pm
There were lots of large metal parts of all topographical persuasions laying around. Give them a few weeks. 
Hey cylindrical section, I'd like to "persuade" you to be a spherical section.  ... what do you say? I'll buy you a drink and we can get hammered.

Euclidding me?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 12/20/2018 01:42 pm
Looks like everything's fighting fit and rearing to go!

Really like the matching sweat bands. :)

Stylish
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: launchwatcher on 12/20/2018 10:55 pm
From SpaceFlight:

Quote
One customer was not deployed, as expected, because we sealed them inside their dispenser when they could not demonstrate adequate licensing.

https://www.spaceflightindustries.com/2018/12/20/sso-a-smallsat-express-wrap-up/
They took the customer's payload out and sealed the customer inside instead?   Brutal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrrIm4ozbUc
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 12/21/2018 12:19 am
Muhahahaha!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 12/21/2018 07:22 pm
So I look at the image on the Article about SpaceX launching the GPSIII   (Hmmm... three... scrub scrub... Hey! They'll go tomorrow!)

Anyway...  My only thought in looking at the picture was...

"That's a really clean stick."

Then I realized that I didn't just mean the lack of legs and gridfins... =D


Oh wait, this is an expendable flight, are we allowed to party about it?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 12/22/2018 03:09 am
if this thread goes too far off into crazy speculation, it gets trimmed. Just something to ponder.

We COULD just wait and see.  Naa.. that's crazy talk.
Funny thing is, if Elon was a member of this forum I bet he’d get trimmed all the time...
Depends on if we knew who he was.  Say, have you ever seen Nomadd and Elon in the same place at the same time?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 12/22/2018 01:27 pm
On the latest scrub...
we can rock out to this hip song while we wait for the next attempt...

https://youtu.be/RsY8l0Jg3lY
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 12/22/2018 01:51 pm
Let's hope that fifth time's a charm tomorrow.

They usually say that "third time's a charm", but that doesn't apply for this mission.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 12/22/2018 02:31 pm
Seems like we will have to see what happens as the existing information we have is far from clear.
You're kind of new around here, aren't you? That's not at all what we do!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 12/22/2018 03:21 pm
This launch must be a contender for cleanest rocket ever.
It's been Scrubbed so many times!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 12/22/2018 04:11 pm
Hi everyone.

I have been lurking the forums for a long time, but never felt like i could contribute any meaningful points to the various discussions.

But the recent construction of the "mystery object" down in Boca Chica finally made me register. And if it is only to make a single post to express both my confusion and excitement! And i guess the Party Thread is the best place to do so.

A few days ago, i thought that seeing a spacecraft being cut open with a knife from the outside, while in space, was the weirdest space related event i would witness in 2018. Oh boy. Elon wouldnt have that it seems, that ... thing ... in south texas looks like a true "hold my beer..." moment.

I can not even process what this really means, and considering the speed at which things are moving, i guess we will see finished facts long before i can grasp just what the  :o is actually happening there.

I also want to use this opportunity to thank all the people that run this forum and fill it with life for the excellent coverage of all things space. I would not be aware of a whole lot of ongoing developments, if it was not for this site. And you even sometimes make it possible for a complete layperson like me to understand parts of it. I very much appreciate all that.

As a last note, to make this post more relevant for the party thread:

Please take a moment to contemplate the following thought:

How many problems of the settlement of Mars would be solved in one go, if SpaceX actually managed to land a full blown water tower on Mars? :D


Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jon.amos on 12/22/2018 05:53 pm
Hi everyone.

I have been lurking the forums for a long time, but never felt like i could contribute any meaningful points to the various discussions.

But the recent construction of the "mystery object" down in Boca Chica finally made me register. And if it is only to make a single post to express both my confusion and excitement! And i guess the Party Thread is the best place to do so.

A few days ago, i thought that seeing a spacecraft being cut open with a knife from the outside, while in space, was the weirdest space related event i would witness in 2018. Oh boy. Elon wouldnt have that it seems, that ... thing ... in south texas looks like a true "hold my beer..." moment.

I can not even process what this really means, and considering the speed at which things are moving, i guess we will see finished facts long before i can grasp just what the  :o is actually happening there.

I also want to use this opportunity to thank all the people that run this forum and fill it with life for the excellent coverage of all things space. I would not be aware of a whole lot of ongoing developments, if it was not for this site. And you even sometimes make it possible for a complete layperson like me to understand parts of it. I very much appreciate all that.

As a last note, to make this post more relevant for the party thread:

Please take a moment to contemplate the following thought:

How many problems of the settlement of Mars would be solved in one go, if SpaceX actually managed to land a full blown water tower on Mars? :D

Welcome to the forum!
A most excellent first party post ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 12/22/2018 05:57 pm
> Why would they cloud DM-1 PR with Starship?

Clearly commercial crew has been moved to Starship and they need to build one before january
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 12/22/2018 10:35 pm
Hi everyone.

I have been lurking the forums for a long time...

I also want to use this opportunity to thank all the people that run this forum and fill it with life for the excellent coverage of all things space. I would not be aware of a whole lot of ongoing developments, if it was not for this site. And you even sometimes make it possible for a complete layperson like me to understand parts of it. I very much appreciate all that.  (1)

How many problems of the settlement of Mars would be solved in one go, if SpaceX actually managed to land a full blown water tower on Mars? :D. (2)

Welcome to the best place on the web where intelligent people share their worst puns, etc.
 
1.  Consider joining L2 if you haven’t already... Talk about having your mind blown away! It’s amazing.
2.  Re: water tower on Mars... that’s a heavy subject gonna have to think about that one before responding.  ::)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: aero on 12/23/2018 01:10 am
Maybe we should have a second party thread, Scrub, Scrub and re-scrub!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 12/23/2018 02:18 am
1.  Consider joining L2 if you haven’t already... Talk about having your mind blown away! It’s amazing.
2.  Re: water tower on Mars... that’s a heavy subject gonna have to think about that one before responding.  ::)
1. You are correct! Truly amazing and a really good value. Plus the money goes to a good cause! bandwidth and storage space[1]
2. Oh go on then. Most of what you say is all wet anyway.

1 - a) The servers are all IBM cloud, IIRC. b) So my saying give money is in no way a promotion of things that would make IBM money. c) Also, I don't work for them. d) Or own stock in them. e) However I AM an official spokesperson for IBM (exactly one of these 5 statements is true)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 12/23/2018 02:20 am
Maybe we should have a second party thread, Scrub, Scrub and re-scrub!
we are nowhere NEAR the most scrubs ever... not even close.

There may be non shuttle missions higher, but for Shuttle.... the STS-73 flight in 1995 and the STS-61C in 1986, both aboard the shuttle Columbia. Those missions each endured six scrubbed launch attempts and lifted off on the seventh try
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Scylla on 12/23/2018 02:42 am
If we were to have a new stand alone thread, I think the only thing worth it right now would be a Starship hopper party thread. I would dub it...

The Hippity Hoppity StarHopper Party Thread.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 12/23/2018 12:50 pm
Maybe we should have a second party thread, Scrub, Scrub and re-scrub!

That stage may not see any reuses, but it sure has a lot of hot/cold cycles.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 12/23/2018 01:47 pm
Please take a moment to contemplate the following thought:

How many problems of the settlement of Mars would be solved in one go, if SpaceX actually managed to land a full blown water tower on Mars? :D

Welcome to being de-lurked! 

I don't think a water tower on Mars would help that much.  If it was important NASA would already be looking for them there.  But all the orbiters, landers, and rovers have only been looking for the water.  So, a tower's probably not that important.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mongo62 on 12/23/2018 02:31 pm
What actually happened with the CRS-16 booster (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zewyvQEqsS4)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 12/23/2018 03:32 pm
Congratulations SpaceX on completing your first EELV-procured mission!  You've certainly come a very long way since having to use a lawsuit to crack the NSS launch doors open.  What a great way to cap another record year of launches!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: toren on 12/24/2018 05:10 am
For some strange reason, an image from my childhood keeps coming back to mind lately.

(http://seriesbooks.info/Images/MushroomPlanet2.jpg)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: fthomassy on 12/24/2018 05:03 pm
LMFAO ... the real party is https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=47022 (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=47022). My pet thread name is BWTF.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 12/24/2018 05:06 pm
LMFAO ... the real party is https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=47022 (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=47022). My pet thread name is BWTF.
You mean BFWT?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 12/24/2018 05:22 pm
Shiny Stainless Steel Star Ship with maximum reflectivity.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: fthomassy on 12/24/2018 05:36 pm
LMFAO ... the real party is https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=47022 (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=47022). My pet thread name is BWTF.
You mean BFWT?
Nope. Big Water Tower Fiasco. BFWT if it flies.
Edit: Hmm. Maybe Farce would be better.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 12/24/2018 08:29 pm
BWTF's first meaning for me was Big What The .. .Falcon.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 12/24/2018 10:09 pm
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 12/24/2018 11:49 pm
Shiny Stainless Steel Star Ship with maximum reflectivity.

If we're doing shiny spaceships this one (and it's relatives) is my favourite. Then of course there is the stainless steel rat...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 12/25/2018 01:34 am
LMFAO ... the real party is https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=47022 (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=47022). My pet thread name is BWTF.

With quotes like this i agree
Welcome to SpaceX-land, where the phrase "overcomplicating this water tower" is even a thing.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 12/25/2018 08:12 am
Who's That Pokemon?
It's a
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 12/26/2018 09:07 am
Who's That Pokemon?
It's a

Is that the cargo dragon final form, or does it evolve into BFS? Or into a water tower? Or was it the other way around? ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tomness on 12/26/2018 05:25 pm
Who's That Pokemon?
It's a

Would it not be a Dragonmon?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 12/26/2018 05:47 pm
Meanwhile in Boca Chica, Nomadd stumbles across SpaceX's top secret ISRU research facility...



https://bigthink.com/design-for-good/this-is-how-you-turn-cow-fart-gas-into-energy
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 12/26/2018 06:08 pm
Utterly non-SpaceX-related, but this gem just popped up on my Twitter feed:

https://twitter.com/jteufert/status/1077192252718571520
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 12/26/2018 07:54 pm
Niwax, some bureaucrats in Brussels would like a word with you regarding unauthorized humour.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 12/26/2018 10:42 pm
Niwax, some bureaucrats in Brussels would like a word with you regarding unauthorized humour.

I'm looking for the nearest embassy to hide myself in as we speak.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 12/28/2018 03:04 pm
Now something totally different, before fixed hydraulics:

Silver bullet which tosses (chop, blend, grind, mix, mince or whip) your salad, catch you fish (Cathc'A'Fish TM) and pleasure your wife's.... Colonization needs. And work just for a bit of methalox.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 12/29/2018 08:48 pm
Is it really a gherkin or something else?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 12/29/2018 09:26 pm
Is it really a gherkin or something else?

That brought back an odd memory in our college physics club.  We may have over cooked a few.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 12/29/2018 09:40 pm
Musk needs some aluminum bleachers and blowup Nick Park mice besides the BFH test grounds.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Bob Shaw on 12/29/2018 09:50 pm
Is it really a gherkin or something else?

Surely the shape of the  'Gherkin' in London and the Starship are *actually* defined by the mathematics behind the structure in both cases - as well as the desire to look cool!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 12/30/2018 12:01 am
Is it really a gherkin or something else?

Surely the shape of the  'Gherkin' in London and the Starship are *actually* defined by the mathematics behind the structure in both cases - as well as the desire to look cool!
No, it's obvious; the London gherkin is the Britts building their own Starship in plain sight just like Musk is doing out in the open, in a field in Boca Chica.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 12/30/2018 03:24 pm
Is it really a gherkin or something else?
Given the amount of time each took to build, I'm pretty sure they're complete opposites...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 12/30/2018 03:33 pm
Is it really a gherkin or something else?

That brought back an odd memory in our college physics club.  We may have over cooked a few.
I do a demo of these shaped like a Christmas tree before the break. The student's always stare in amazement laughing their butts off... ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 12/31/2018 12:33 pm
Is it really a gherkin or something else?

That brought back an odd memory in our college physics club.  We may have over cooked a few.
I do a demo of these shaped like a Christmas tree before the break. The student's always stare in amazement laughing their butts off... ;D
Physics was my favorite class in high school because of the great instructor. Sounds like you are cut from the same mold. An instructor that captures the kids’ imaginations. I choose engineering because of that class. Since I can’t tell my teacher directly, “thank you” from your students (in the future).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: John Alan on 01/01/2019 02:03 pm
At the risk of creating a party foul...  ::)
I'm going to hijack this thread for one post, to publish a work in progress of mine on the WWW...  ???

Please LIKE it if you found it amused you, or you found it of interest, OR just ignore it...  ;)
DO NOT QUOTE OR REPLY to this posting... as I'm not looking to discuss this here and mess with the regularly scheduled partying...  ;D
IF you have questions or comments... PM me, and I will reply in time.

On edit...
I plan to in time, stop back by and publish later updated and added to versions of the attached PDF paper.
IOW edit the post attached pdfs but leave the post intact with it's posting time stamp intact... JA

Later edit... version 3 of the PDF uploaded (about 3pm CST on 1/1/19)

Later edit... version 4 of the PDF posted... Realized I had a math error (factor 10x) and quick posted a fixed version with no new content otherwise...  :-[
Working on a side project, but may still add more content at a later date.... (about 6:50am CST on 1/6/19)

Later edit... removed incorrect version 3 (see above for why) and posted a pic of the side project in work...
It's a Morton Building partial end section, that is a Solar Atrium with room for 2 units of the YHM outdoor unit...
Idea is, harvest low grade heat from the greenhouse, and make it high grade and high output heat inside...
PM if you have any question, like WTF is up with the duct work hovering over the unit... ;D
(posted about 5pm CST on 1/6/19)

Later update (about 7:15pm CST on 1/6/19)
Replaced Solar Atrium pic with a later and updated design... :D

Google... find this keyword :P
ccASHP
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 01/02/2019 02:10 pm
Is it really a gherkin or something else?

That brought back an odd memory in our college physics club.  We may have over cooked a few.
I do a demo of these shaped like a Christmas tree before the break. The student's always stare in amazement laughing their butts off... ;D
Physics was my favorite class in high school because of the great instructor. Sounds like you are cut from the same mold. An instructor that captures the kids’ imaginations. I choose engineering because of that class. Since I can’t tell my teacher directly, “thank you” from your students (in the future).

I had a similar situation. My physics teacher was a wonderful man who had us doing the math and practical experiments on striking a falling Ayatollah Khomeni with a dart fired from a blowgun. The Imam's image was suspended from an electromagnet that broke contact when the dart passed through a photocell at the end of the pipe. We had to do the math to calculate the velocity of the dart over the distance required. One student, a horn player in the band, had sufficient lung capacity and consistency to hit the target every time. Obviously this was a far less politically correct period.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/02/2019 04:23 pm
So I graced the thread with this...

Please state thrust values in N. Lbf is not even a unit of force.

Lost cause. People use the units they are comfortable with. Google does conversions nicely. Asking repeatedly is not really a good thing. So don't.

Also, lbf is a unit of force in some systems...  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pound_(force)
-------------------------
That's a line I just drew under that off-topic diversion. Done.

PS: what part of "line I just drew" and "Done" were we  having trouble with? Just deleted a post reopening this from a long time contributor who knows better.

Result:

Please state thrust values in N. Lbf is not even a unit of force.
Multiply by 4.4; it's not hard.  You'll have to wait for some of us old guys to go to the big testing ground in the sky before we stop using English units – that managed to get us to the moon.  ;)

and of course:

how many rods/fortnight is that?

-----

It's so awesome how seriously you all take my admonishments! Really, if they didn't pay me, I'd mod here for free....

... Oh wait

(actually I'm a fan of SI)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 01/02/2019 05:24 pm
You drew a dotted line, no wonder everyone felt free to cross it in order to overtake each other.

Also, everone knows the metric system is just a well made fake filmed in a Hollywood studio in the 60s.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 01/02/2019 05:31 pm
Is it really a gherkin or something else?

Surely the shape of the  'Gherkin' in London and the Starship are *actually* defined by the mathematics behind the structure in both cases - as well as the desire to look cool!
No, it's obvious; the London gherkin is the Britts building their own Starship in plain sight just like Musk is doing out in the open, in a field in Boca Chica.

We're just waiting for the data back from the interstellar mission. Then it'll be 'Brits in SPAAAAAACE'
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/02/2019 06:07 pm
And Scots....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 01/02/2019 08:36 pm
Is it really a gherkin or something else?

Surely the shape of the  'Gherkin' in London and the Starship are *actually* defined by the mathematics behind the structure in both cases - as well as the desire to look cool!
No, it's obvious; the London gherkin is the Britts building their own Starship in plain sight just like Musk is doing out in the open, in a field in Boca Chica.


We're just waiting for the data back from the interstellar mission. Then it'll be 'Brits in SPAAAAAACE'
Oh PLEASE... everybody knows that’s its “PIGS IN SPAAAAACEEEE!”
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: shm6666 on 01/03/2019 07:37 am
Who's That Pokemon?
It's a

Is that the cargo dragon final form, or does it evolve into BFS? Or into a water tower? Or was it the other way around? ;)

How many candy do you need to evolv?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Semmel on 01/03/2019 12:58 pm
L2 only saw it flash up yesterday, but they are expected to be vertical on 39A as the integrated Falcon 9/Dragon 2 stack for a Dry Dress Rehearsal by this afternoon. Rollout already happening.

If you're in the area with a camera, post photos in here.

https://twitter.com/SpaceflightNow/status/1080814148269862913

THAT doesnt look like a 'dry' dress rehearsal though.. Anyway, hope it gets perpendicular today :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xb_PyKuI7II
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: sghill on 01/03/2019 02:49 pm
THERE IS A TOTALLY NEW MANNED SPACECRAFT AT THE PAD!!!!!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 01/03/2019 05:03 pm
Putting a rocket on the pad is certainly a bold statement that any further slowdown is not their fault. If the shutdown continues, I expect them to start soft-landing first stages around DC.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 01/04/2019 03:48 pm
As a government shutdown affects funding I sense this may be a threat to the party thread, after all “FUN-Ding” implies a lack of fun, or a hit directed at fun. On the other hand, a lack of fun-ding would mean no hit to fun, so we should be rolling in hilarity during this shutdown. Not sure how to take this, or how to feel. Thoughts?  ???
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 01/04/2019 04:12 pm
Yesterday Nomadd was talking about the chilly conditions at Boca Chica. Bah - right about the same time yesterday, one minute I was diving in the pristine warm clear waters of the Caribbean and the next I was shivering out in frigid Boston 36 degree weather in a soaking wet 5mm wetsuit.


Damn fire alarms


#AquariumJobHazards
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/04/2019 04:37 pm
Yesterday Nomadd was talking about the chilly conditions at Boca Chica. Bah - right about the same time yesterday, one minute I was diving in the pristine warm clear waters of the Caribbean and the next I was shivering out in frigid Boston 36 degree weather in a soaking wet 5mm wetsuit.


Damn fire alarms


#AquariumJobHazards
I am almost sympathetic. Almost.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: flyright on 01/04/2019 04:54 pm
Yesterday Nomadd was talking about the chilly conditions at Boca Chica. Bah - right about the same time yesterday, one minute I was diving in the pristine warm clear waters of the Caribbean and the next I was shivering out in frigid Boston 36 degree weather in a soaking wet 5mm wetsuit.


Damn fire alarms


#AquariumJobHazards
Probably gave the vistors something to photograph while they were waiting outside!

In 2001, I took my teenage daughter and a a friend of hers to the New England Aquarium. They were at the age where they were bored by everything, but they were fascinated by the diver in the big tank. Those, presumably well-fed, sharks gliding by looked pretty scary!

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mme on 01/04/2019 08:36 pm
Meanwhile over on the various BFH threads, "Oh nooz, SpaceX is getting people excited about spaceflight! How frivolous!"  ::)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 01/04/2019 08:45 pm
Meanwhile over on the various BFH threads, "Oh nooz, SpaceX is getting people excited about spaceflight! How frivolous!"  ::)

Well, you got to admit they could just take everything they'll learned so far, slap it on a brand spanking new $1B stack, and fire it at Mars with souls on board no problemo!!!   ;) 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mme on 01/04/2019 11:59 pm
Elon has changed BFR design again - what does this mean thread update

https://youtu.be/wxrbOVeRonQ
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 01/05/2019 04:20 am
These days, when I see a new post from Nomadd or BocaChicaGal, I be like...

https://youtu.be/GhbQ_OJ8MzA
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/05/2019 08:32 pm
Elon has changed BFR design again - what does this mean thread update

It means that if you concern troll hard enough, eventually everyone loses their cool and the thread gets locked.

I'm just trying to figure out if that guy worked for Boeing, ULA or Lockmart....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 01/06/2019 03:45 am
Every refreshing design needs a quick release hatch.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 01/06/2019 08:38 pm

Should thos go in the update thread? Or here?

https://publish.twitter.com/?url=https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1082000215425593345
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 01/06/2019 08:49 pm

Should thos go in the update thread? Or here?

https://publish.twitter.com/?url=https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1082000215425593345

It took me a minute before I saw the sign on the right... and I laughed aloud. I assume someone just photoshopped that in there, but it's hilarious... and even moreso considering who tweeted it.

I also find it funny as heck that this isn't the first time that a new photo of some SpaceX hardware, tweeted by Elon Musk himself, has sparked legitimate quandary on NSF as to whether it should go in the update thread or the party thread.

 ;D


Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 01/07/2019 02:39 am
Yup, I have finally gone over the deep end. I’ve stared at images of the BFH so much I’m beginning to see things in the reflections...

Like this image from BocaChicaGal today. In it I see a painting of Marilyn Monroe.

SMH
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 01/07/2019 02:56 am
Yup, I have finally gone over the deep end. I’ve stared at images of the BFH so much I’m beginning to see things in the reflections...

Like this image from BocaChicaGal today. In it I see a painting of Marilyn Monroe.

SMH

Yeah!  I actually could see it before I scrolled down and saw what you were comparing it to! :)

Now... two questions... One, who let Marty McFly park the thing (barn, theater, wild west, railroad tracks)...

Two... what happens when it hits 88 mph?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: The Vorlon on 01/07/2019 05:30 am
I think the same thing will happen as it did in Battlestar Galatica when they inserted the glowing key and turned it...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 01/07/2019 05:31 am
Quote
Two... what happens when it hits 88 mph?

It begins to phase through another gauntlet of design iterations in flight including all of the best NSF wild notions. 
It ultimately settles into its final form and we can all sigh.

Or, it just signifies that no more changes will take place thus spoiling all this fun.  Or as I like to call it: Max QQ
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 01/07/2019 09:29 am
Elon has changed BFR design again - what does this mean thread update

...
Photoshop? I've enhanced the image which is an overall purplish colour, while the sign is more orange coloured. I don't see a reflection of the pole on the ground, lilke I can see with the side rails. There's also no shadow behind the sign.
"This looks shopped / i can tell from some of the pixels and from seeing quite a few shops in my time."

Also you need to know this:
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Scylla on 01/07/2019 04:59 pm
Turning into quite the tourist spot.

https://twitter.com/CowboyDanPaasch/status/1082332859447341061
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 01/07/2019 05:13 pm
I love how, on the reflection on the BFH, the "tent" gets smooshed into a spike.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 01/07/2019 05:53 pm
I love how, on the reflection on the BFH, the "tent" gets smooshed into a spike.

Check it out here:

https://twitter.com/Nomadd2029/status/1081731792103723010/photo/1

To my eye it looks like the Tent gets reflected in the form of a BFH and the BFH-base gets reflected in the form of a F9.    :o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 01/07/2019 06:03 pm
BAH!

It's all just smoke and mirrors.
.
.
.
.
And the smoke seems to be in short supply, too.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 01/07/2019 07:03 pm
Quote
News of the updated assembly – which included the possible integration of three Raptor engines – began making the rounds after a series of photos were posted on NASA Spaceflight’s board on Dec. 31st. These were taken by a member of the National Space Foundation (NSF) – who goes by the handle bocachicagal – and drew attention to the three nozzles that were apparent on the aft section.
:o
https://www.universetoday.com/141076/the-spacex-starhopper-has-three-raptor-engines-on-the-bottom/

So is National Space Foundation (NSF) a part of Space Force?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 01/07/2019 07:10 pm
Quote
News of the updated assembly – which included the possible integration of three Raptor engines – began making the rounds after a series of photos were posted on NASA Spaceflight’s board on Dec. 31st. These were taken by a member of the National Space Foundation (NSF) – who goes by the handle bocachicagal – and drew attention to the three nozzles that were apparent on the aft section.
:o
https://www.universetoday.com/141076/the-spacex-starhopper-has-three-raptor-engines-on-the-bottom/

So is National Space Foundation (NSF) a part of Space Force?

Good to know we're doing such important work here.

With serious regards
A long-time (if unknowing) member of National Space Foundation (NSF).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 01/07/2019 07:28 pm
Quote
News of the updated assembly – which included the possible integration of three Raptor engines – began making the rounds after a series of photos were posted on NASA Spaceflight’s board on Dec. 31st. These were taken by a member of the National Space Foundation (NSF) – who goes by the handle bocachicagal – and drew attention to the three nozzles that were apparent on the aft section.
:o
https://www.universetoday.com/141076/the-spacex-starhopper-has-three-raptor-engines-on-the-bottom/

So is National Space Foundation (NSF) a part of Space Force?
I can only hope this site is better-funded than the National Science Foundation...  Server hamsters don't work for free, you know.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 01/07/2019 07:55 pm
Quote
News of the updated assembly – which included the possible integration of three Raptor engines – began making the rounds after a series of photos were posted on NASA Spaceflight’s board on Dec. 31st. These were taken by a member of the National Space Foundation (NSF) – who goes by the handle bocachicagal – and drew attention to the three nozzles that were apparent on the aft section.
:o
https://www.universetoday.com/141076/the-spacex-starhopper-has-three-raptor-engines-on-the-bottom/

So is National Space Foundation (NSF) a part of Space Force?
I can only hope this site is better-funded than the National Science Foundation...  Server hamsters don't work for free, you know.

I assume that since it’s a foundation we are all in on the ground floor.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 01/07/2019 08:46 pm
Quote
News of the updated assembly – which included the possible integration of three Raptor engines – began making the rounds after a series of photos were posted on NASA Spaceflight’s board on Dec. 31st. These were taken by a member of the National Space Foundation (NSF) – who goes by the handle bocachicagal – and drew attention to the three nozzles that were apparent on the aft section.
:o
https://www.universetoday.com/141076/the-spacex-starhopper-has-three-raptor-engines-on-the-bottom/

So is National Space Foundation (NSF) a part of Space Force?
I can only hope this site is better-funded than the National Science Foundation...  Server hamsters don't work for free, you know.

I assume that since it’s a foundation we are all in on the ground floor.

There is a Space Foundation but it's not it. Also there is the National Science Foundation, but it's currently closed due some kind of "Orange ('s) Wall".  I guess that is an agricultural dispute about citrus fruits...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 01/07/2019 09:19 pm
It is a good thing that the National Space Foundation has members all over the globe.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 01/07/2019 09:25 pm
Changed my signature line to reflect our newfound status.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tomness on 01/07/2019 09:53 pm
Last TLE shows that satellite successfully reached the final orbit.

2018-109A   20178.99/20196.48km/54.93°

Congrats, full performance to near MEO insertion pays off.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: SPadre on 01/08/2019 03:02 am
Of Course We Love SpaceX
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 01/08/2019 06:03 pm
Is NSF under a DDOS Attack?  They are building a 135 foot Starship prototype in Texas and it's been 2h 17m since the last non-L2 post.  WTF?!?!?!?!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 01/08/2019 06:13 pm
Is NSF under a DDOS Attack?  They are building a 135 foot Starship prototype in Texas and it's been 2h 17m since the last non-L2 post.  WTF?!?!?!?!

Probably just kids of today. In my time we updated every minute on the minute even if we had to walk to an computer.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 01/08/2019 07:41 pm
Is NSF under a DDOS Attack?  They are building a 135 foot Starship prototype in Texas and it's been 2h 17m since the last non-L2 post.  WTF?!?!?!?!

Probably just kids of today. In my time we updated every minute on the minute even if we had to walk to an computer.
Amateur hour.  You should take a lesson from the great late-20th century thinker, Homer Simpson.  I have and now I've got one of these poised over my F5 key.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 01/08/2019 07:46 pm
... poised over my F5 key.

What's an F5 key? /not-actually-a millennial smartphone user.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 01/08/2019 08:08 pm
In an unexpected twist, Elon launches the BFH to Uranus!

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 01/08/2019 08:25 pm
I just viewed the Tweet posted up-thread that features the young boy, smiling ear-to-ear, standing in front of the "Leviathan of Boca Chica"--he turned my frown-y day :( upside-down :).

Thank you.

PS Wow, I'm a senior member now!--2000 posts!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zpoxy on 01/08/2019 09:16 pm
... poised over my F5 key.

What's an F5 key? /not-actually-a millennial smartphone user.

F5 on a PC keyboard refreshes your browser.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jon.amos on 01/08/2019 09:47 pm
... poised over my F5 key.

What's an F5 key? /not-actually-a millennial smartphone user.

F5 on a PC keyboard refreshes your browser.

Key board? Is that the thing on the wall by the door that you hang your car keys on when you get home?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Scylla on 01/08/2019 11:13 pm
If they would just follow the clearly marked model instructions.

Photo:bocachicagal
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: John Alan on 01/09/2019 12:14 am
So, to get out in front of a question that is yet to be asked...  :P

"How is SpaceX going to move SuperHeavyMAX"
(you know the 13 meter diameter 96 meter long follow up booster to the current project ongoing)

Well... Just call these guys... They have experience in moving such size things...  ;)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSgyrvAB44A (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSgyrvAB44A)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 01/09/2019 01:39 am
another part of the opening/reflection.
The "gap" really does look like a real gap and not a reflection. The metal is folded and the edge not fastened. ISTM this gap is to allow to movement, which will be needed as on final fit it will be tensioned around the outside of the ridgid water tank section, then the loose edge will be fastened, like the rest of the upper skin.

So I have found the pic from the second quote, and cropped it closer. That part is definitely an unfastened sheet. The shadow it makes to the right follows the profile of the unfastened edge including the sharpish bend. I admit this does not prove that its still a gap towards the top of the vehicle.)
Everyone please, it’s a reflection. It’s is 100% a reflection and only a reflection.

It's NESSIE hinbos!!!!!



Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/09/2019 02:16 am
... poised over my F5 key.

What's an F5 key? /not-actually-a millennial smartphone user.
Never actually implemented. Following the very helpful[1] success of the F1 key, the F5 key was proposed, but keyboard designers decided the F9 was a far more versatile key.

1 - yes I went there.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 01/09/2019 02:41 am
another part of the opening/reflection.
The "gap" really does look like a real gap and not a reflection. The metal is folded and the edge not fastened. ISTM this gap is to allow to movement, which will be needed as on final fit it will be tensioned around the outside of the ridgid water tank section, then the loose edge will be fastened, like the rest of the upper skin.

So I have found the pic from the second quote, and cropped it closer. That part is definitely an unfastened sheet. The shadow it makes to the right follows the profile of the unfastened edge including the sharpish bend. I admit this does not prove that its still a gap towards the top of the vehicle.)
Everyone please, it’s a reflection. It’s is 100% a reflection and only a reflection.

It's NESSIE hinbos!!!!!
I see what you did there...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: yokem55 on 01/09/2019 02:46 am
... poised over my F5 key.

What's an F5 key? /not-actually-a millennial smartphone user.

F5 on a PC keyboard refreshes your browser.
Sheesh .. the real pros PC pros know that ALT-F4 will set your browser to refresh every 10 seconds, automagically.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 01/09/2019 02:55 am

...snip...

PS Wow, I'm a senior member now!--2000 posts!

Just one more post and you will have to change your user name and avatar.  Prolly need to include some very orchestrial music.  No pressure though.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 01/09/2019 03:16 am
I'm at 4500 posts; what do i get? ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: joek on 01/09/2019 03:36 am
I'm at 4500 posts; what do i get? ;)
4501 posts.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 01/09/2019 04:05 am
I used to have 6,602 posts a few minutes ago, and it looks like I'll get 6,603 posts as a reward.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 01/09/2019 04:39 am

...snip...

PS Wow, I'm a senior member now!--2000 posts!

Just one more post and you will have to change your user name and avatar.  Prolly need to include some very orchestrial music.  No pressure though.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-QFj59PON4
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 01/09/2019 05:43 am
I'm seeing an Earthrise behind the Moon, and a Sunrise behind the Earth.  Cool--always loved this film opening.

But, I've already got the Sun-mover and Moon-mover in my current avatar image!

Maybe the film scene is what it all looks like from the OUTSIDE of Equestria?

They've even got a pony orchestra!  (I'm sure that the kettle-drummer is out of frame in this shot.)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/09/2019 02:03 pm
So, to get out in front of a question that is yet to be asked...  :P

"How is SpaceX going to move SuperHeavyMAX"
(you know the 13 meter diameter 96 meter long follow up booster to the current project ongoing)

Well... Just call these guys... They have experience in moving such size things...  ;)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSgyrvAB44A (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSgyrvAB44A)
That is nowhere NEAR colossal .... that thing is maybe 4 meter diameter tops. . I think people have trouble internalizing just how massive 13 meters is. It's like 280 dog-feet.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/09/2019 02:04 pm
Also this isn't the brony forum. Well.. never mind... I forgot where I was for a minute.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mme on 01/09/2019 08:28 pm
In an unexpected twist, Elon launches the BFH to Uranus!
There is no way I am downloading and/or viewing that MP4. Not worth the risk. Nope.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 01/09/2019 08:37 pm
In an unexpected twist, Elon launches the BFH to Uranus!
There is no way I am downloading and/or viewing that MP4. Not worth the risk. Nope.
Fair enough - my work computer was giving me fits yesterday. But I wouldn’t want you to miss out on my comic gold so here ya go...

(Clears throat)

In an unexpected twist, Elon launches the BFH to Uranus...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 01/09/2019 09:01 pm
I was just thinking 'oh god he's going to make a gif'
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 01/09/2019 10:33 pm
Elon is on Twitter again
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 01/09/2019 11:00 pm
Quote
F5 on a PC keyboard refreshes your browser.

Remember, your browser always smells like dirty old socks to your boss.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: flyright on 01/09/2019 11:52 pm
Can anyone identify the hardware around the portholes in this pic by bocachicagal? 1) The tubes attached to the skin between the two right-most portholes in the picture and 2) the little thingamajig under the left-most porthole.
I _believe_ the thingamajig is a downward facing camera clamped to the flange of the porthole, leading me to think about a potential construction video that maybe SpaceX is thoughtfully making...

The paranoid in me think those cameras are for security surveillance. Of course SpaceX could compiled such footage after construction for our amusement.  ;D

While everyone at Boca Chica is watching the BFH, the BFH is watching everyone at Boca Chica.
 ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 01/10/2019 05:45 am
In an unexpected twist, Elon launches the BFH to Uranus!
There is no way I am downloading and/or viewing that MP4. Not worth the risk. Nope.
Fair enough - my work computer was giving me fits yesterday. But I wouldn’t want you to miss out on my comic gold so here ya go...

(Clears throat)

In an unexpected twist, Elon launches the BFH to Uranus...

It's terrible to be the butt of a joke like that.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: alang on 01/10/2019 08:29 am
I'm at 4500 posts; what do i get? ;)
4501 posts.

Do deleted posts count?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 01/10/2019 10:07 am
I'm at 4500 posts; what do i get? ;)
4501 posts.
Egad! You're right!! ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 01/10/2019 04:53 pm
This is me at work, but guess what I’m thinking about...?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 01/10/2019 04:59 pm
This is me at work, but guess what I’m thinking about...?

Building an acquarium for the rad-shielding around the outer wall of SS?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 01/10/2019 05:00 pm
This is me at work, but guess what I’m thinking about...?

Building an acquarium for the rad-shielding around the outer wall of SS?
Well, I am now!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 01/10/2019 05:07 pm
This is me at work, but guess what I’m thinking about...?
(Space and rocket ships, he is thinking space and rocket ships)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 01/10/2019 05:09 pm
This is me at work, but guess what I’m thinking about...?
(Space and rocket ships, he is thinking space and rocket ships)
Well, not anymore...!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 01/10/2019 05:36 pm
Regarding the somewhat delayed final installment of the Iridium constellation - I lit a candle at the Church of the Velvet Elvis and besought the good vibes of all the assembled brethren. There was general agreement that this thing is going to fly. Ya'll hang on.  8)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 01/10/2019 06:59 pm
This is me at work, but guess what I’m thinking about...?

"That dating app was a waste of money!"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 01/10/2019 07:51 pm
First SpaceX launch of 2019.

Fingers crossed for a successful launch and catch of the booster and the 2 fairing halves.

Get this year started right!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/10/2019 08:35 pm

Shakes head in wonderment, but no.... 1 hopper and 1 Water Tower ... not interchangeable... To quote LARS... Hoppers and Water towers and not LEGOS
I think you are trying to quote me, not Lars-J. But it would be a misquote, I would never say LEGOS! LEGO elements.

"Rocket parts are not LEGO elements"

This is me at work, but guess what I’m thinking about...?
(Space and rocket ships, he is thinking space and rocket ships)

Nice fanservice you got there.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 01/10/2019 09:04 pm
This is me at work, but guess what I’m thinking about...?

Thanks to Liz Climo
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DistantTemple on 01/10/2019 09:25 pm
This is me at work, but guess what I’m thinking about...?

Building an acquarium for the rad-shielding around the outer wall of SS?
Well, I am now!
Surf. ops on Mars will require a suit and air, and the radiation problem there is mitigated by a significant depth of water. Addressing both of these, and simplifying, we see that an ideal solution for some would be to live in water filled tanks. This would also address the diurnal temperature changes. The living medium would also be a reservoir of resource for rocket fuel oxidiser, and oxygen to breathe.

One further adaption would be to initially use artificial gills to extract breathable oxygen from the water, wherever current activity takes one. As genetic improvement takes off human lungs could be strengthened to work successfully in a water filled state. Then possibly deep in the crust vast caverns could be created, filled with water and become the new Aquarian cities. 

This will suit many from our blue planet who love being on or in our oceans. They could migrate to Mars and literally immerse themselves in it.

Is there anyone out there that dives?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: theinternetftw on 01/10/2019 09:30 pm
This is me at work, but guess what I’m thinking about...?

Building an acquarium for the rad-shielding around the outer wall of SS?

Someone a hundred years from now is going to feel brilliant for designing that into a generation ship.

They'll also be responsible for the invasion of Earth by the three-eyed remora fish of Alpha Centauri.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ScottMC on 01/11/2019 01:26 am
I'm also thinking of rockety things at work.  Making use of all the knowledge I've gained with my time here at NSF (National Space Foundation(?))...  I've started my own spaceship project!  It'll be fueled by Hydrogen and Oxygen (2 to 1 ratio) conveniently stored in a single liquid, stable at room temperature.  I'm planning to use off-the-shelf components to speed up development.  I don't have my propulsion or engineering team together but I think things are shaping up quite nicely regardless!

(see actual hardware photo below - still incomplete, only up to the water tank stage. Foily hat stage of development next.  Higher resolution photos and IAC talk in early planning stages)

@Chris Bergin - no need to create a standalone thread / section at this stage ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 01/11/2019 05:53 am
Quote
Is there anyone out there that dives?

The entire nation of Marslantians
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 01/11/2019 12:17 pm
Whenever someone posts form Boca Chica
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/11/2019 02:59 pm
Lots of steering and fin action, but nailed it!

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1083750471377080321

And this (#bullseye nonsense) is why we can't have nice things play landing bingo any more...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 01/11/2019 03:49 pm
To be clear, Lar, we did Landing Bingo because at that time, the early booster landings were still experimental. I think once they became routine and made near-bullseye landings, the Landing Bingo became unnecessary.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Chris Bergin on 01/11/2019 03:52 pm
First big test for the new server hamsters today. Took it in their stride! (As they did with the BFH interest, but launches are more challenging as we get surges - such as post landing and coast phase where people run on site to discuss the launch when the webcast isn't saying much).

Thanks again to the L2 members for allowing us to buy these......
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 01/11/2019 03:53 pm
Man, the Rocket Gods were smiling on me today.  I was watching the Iridium-8 launch webcast, got to see liftoff and everything else right up to the very end of the initial orbit insertion, John I. was just finished saying that they were taking a break from the live coverage and would be back later, I got two bars of the music starting up again, and BAM! my computer crashed.  Couldn't have timed that one better if I had planned it.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/11/2019 03:54 pm
Congratulations to SpaceX and Iridium for making it 75 out of 75!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Jarnis on 01/11/2019 06:44 pm
Man, the Rocket Gods were smiling on me today.  I was watching the Iridium-8 launch webcast, got to see liftoff and everything else right up to the very end of the initial orbit insertion, John I. was just finished saying that they were taking a break from the live coverage and would be back later, I got two bars of the music starting up again, and BAM! my computer crashed.  Couldn't have timed that one better if I had planned it.

You imply you watch the webcast without suitable redundancy in place! Come on, at least one-fault-tolerant systems like two independent desktop PCs. This is rocket stuff you watching. Mobile phone tertiary backup on standby is also nice to have in case of network issues on the fixed fiber path.

 ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: abaddon on 01/11/2019 07:57 pm
I think Matt Desch might have a career in film trailer narration if/when he decides to move on from the satellite business.  "In a world where reusable rockets didn't exist..."
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: GreenShrike on 01/11/2019 09:29 pm
Congratulations on the success of F9's 68th mission.

Incidentally, if I'm reading Space Launch Report's launch log tables correctly, the 68th Atlas V mission was a little over two years ago, lifting EchoStar 19. The 68th Ariane 5 mission was a little under six years ago, lifting Amazonas 3 and Azerspace.

Considering Atlas V first launched in 2002 and Ariane 5 in 1996, Falcon 9's launch pace is catching up on their launch histories very quickly.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 01/11/2019 10:30 pm
I think Matt Desch might have a career in film trailer narration if/when he decides to move on from the satellite business.  "In a world where reusable rockets didn't exist..."

Did he appear on the livestream outside of the countdown? I only caught part of it.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 01/11/2019 10:40 pm
Congratulations on the success of F9's 68th mission.

Incidentally, if I'm reading Space Launch Report's launch log tables correctly, the 68th Atlas V mission was a little of two years ago, lifting EchoStar 19. The 68th Ariane 5 mission was a little under six years ago, lifting Amazonas 3 and Azerspace.

Considering Atlas V first launched in 2002 and Ariane 5 in 1996, Falcon 9's launch pace is catching up on their launch histories very quickly.

I just ran these numbers through a quick reliability calculator for the 10% and 90% confidence intervals:
Falcon 9 (68 flights, 2 failures): 92.17% - 98.38%, average: 96.07%
Falcon 9 FT (45 flights, 0 failures): 94.88% - 99.77%, average: 98.46%

F9 is catching up on their reliability numbers quickly, too. FT seems to have been a good upgrade in reliability and isn't far from fulfilling crew requirements all on its own.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 01/11/2019 11:31 pm
Woot!!!  Nomadd cited in an article on Breitbart.  I see inflation in the Likes department on the horizon.  Not sure whether every Like for him will count two, or whether we'll have to click twice to give him one, but something like that.

OK ... sure it was in an article on mocking twitter responses to the BFH, but there's the old quote about "First they mock you ..... then you win"

https://www.breitbart.com/tech/2019/01/11/elon-musk-debuts-completed-hopper-rocket-to-social-media-derision/

https://twitter.com/AuerSusan/status/1083635408569856001

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: rickl on 01/12/2019 01:55 am
Man, the Rocket Gods were smiling on me today.  I was watching the Iridium-8 launch webcast, got to see liftoff and everything else right up to the very end of the initial orbit insertion, John I. was just finished saying that they were taking a break from the live coverage and would be back later, I got two bars of the music starting up again, and BAM! my computer crashed.  Couldn't have timed that one better if I had planned it.


Me too.  I was at work, and got busy and forgot about the launch.  I suddenly remembered it at 10:29 am EST, and got to the webcast at T-1:30.  Phew!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 01/12/2019 06:05 am
Sometimes I think someone should be sending Elon NOTAMS for his twitter account.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 01/12/2019 12:41 pm
Something to feel good about in these "trying times", congrats and thank you SpaceX...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/12/2019 06:30 pm
And suddenly going steel for ease of manufacturing isn't an option for SSTOs. By the time any of the proposed SSTOs come online, I expect SpaceX or Blue Origin to have pushed the additional cost for launching on a booster to under a million $.

I am not sure why people feel the need to make speculative and probably unlikely to be true any time soon statements like this as it doesn’t really help anyone.
You'd think Star One was new around here or something.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: QuantumG on 01/13/2019 10:03 am
https://twitter.com/QuantumG/status/1084404134760013825
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 01/13/2019 10:25 am
https://twitter.com/QuantumG/status/1084404134760013825

Screenshot version
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: SPadre on 01/13/2019 04:39 pm

SpaceX vs Space Dog ;)

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4_Lv7ludDo
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 01/14/2019 04:45 am
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1541938906124567/permalink/2221640121487772/
Quote
I love the retro vibe of these black and white pics I took of the SpaceX Starship Boca Chica reminded me of old black and white movies, you know the ones with GODZILLA
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 01/14/2019 04:59 am
Godzilla was 164 feet tall.  Can someone do the pixel math and refactor to account for the perspective of GZ being in the foreground?

This is important.  Asking for a friend.

Sincerely,
Rodan
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 01/14/2019 06:01 am
<English "PA voice" dub over Japanese PA announcement>
Godzilla, Rodan, Mothra, and other assembled Japanese movie monsters:
Please refrain from fighting or horseplay on Space Center grounds.

Continued misbehavior will result in the summoning of moderators Johnny Sokko and his Flying Robot.
They'll fix your wagons!

That is all.
</dub>
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 01/14/2019 06:03 am
And congratulations to the entire launch campaign team for all eight of the Iridium Next launches!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 01/14/2019 10:08 am
And congratulations to the entire launch campaign team for all eight of the Iridium Next launches!

75 1 ton-class satellites in orbit in less than two years for $6m per sat, 4 landings and 4 relaunches. Iridium is a great example of what these new launchers can do.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tyrred on 01/14/2019 10:21 am
And congratulations to the entire launch campaign team for all eight of the Iridium Next launches!

75 1 ton-class satellites in orbit in less than two years for $6m per sat, 4 landings and 4 relaunches. Iridium is a great example of what these new launchers can do.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 01/14/2019 11:25 pm

Wonder if it irks Elon that Bezos's methalox BE-4 has more thrust than Raptor?

As OT as how much Bezo's is probably irked by how comparatively cheap Musk got off in his first & second divorces.

Holy Hell!!!  Bezos is irked by how comparatively cheap Britain got off in its divorce from the EU. (Reportedly estimated at £40B vs. his £52B
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 01/15/2019 05:51 pm
Who is bocachicagalCowboy Dan?  Has something happened we weren't informed of?

And more importantly, which side do pick if you have to side with Rain Walker or Photo Driver?  This could get ugly.

Once again it has been separated.
You cheated and drove there. Real photographers walk through the rain.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 01/16/2019 11:36 pm
Apparently you haven't crossed into proper space until you've reached the Lego Line (tm).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nILOHp79njQ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nILOHp79njQ)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 01/17/2019 12:02 am
That video is really confusing. You can't build a lego tower taller than about 3,600m* before the force deforms the pieces at the bottom. So the lego line is 3.6km, which isn't space, or if it is I've been to space by walking up a mountain.

So does that make me a lego spaceman? /confused ;)

*https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-20578627
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 01/17/2019 03:16 am
You can't build a lego tower taller than about 3,600m* [...] *https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-20578627
1) You're assuming that only standard plastic bricks count as LEGO elements
2) You're assuming that LEGO composites with other materials aren't allowed
3) You're excluding the possibility of an active structure, such as a pressure-stabilized tower or "LEGO Fountain"
4) You're excluding the possibility of an exponential "pancake tower", where the middle is essentially a structureless goo made of crushed LEGO elements

I think only 3) could actually hit 100km, but the others could exceed 3.6km.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 01/17/2019 03:52 am
... and excluding knock-off Legos from proprietary 300 series welded up by Caldwell.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 01/17/2019 07:43 am
4) You're excluding the possibility of an exponential "pancake tower", where the middle is essentially a structureless goo made of crushed LEGO elements

You have to be careful not to crush the middle into neutron LEGO or you might end up with a black LEGO.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DecoLV on 01/17/2019 02:33 pm
Hey about the BFH: Please IGNORE my complaint about the engines pointing up instead of down in the LA Times photo. It turns out I was just holding the newspaper upside down.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 01/17/2019 03:18 pm
.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 01/17/2019 03:51 pm
.

Wait, that's too shiny to be Led...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 01/18/2019 03:51 am
That video is really confusing. You can't build a lego tower taller than about 3,600m* before the force deforms the pieces at the bottom. So the lego line is 3.6km, which isn't space, or if it is I've been to space by walking up a mountain.

So does that make me a lego spaceman? /confused ;)

*https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-20578627

Damn Sith... always messing with my projects!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mme on 01/18/2019 05:31 am
This box was lowered into the hopper. It was brought back out after a while. The second pic is what they brought out of the hopper. At first it was hard to tell what they had hanging. ;D
For some reason this reminds me of Sir Bedevere's Rabbit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2PdyxMtiYM
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 01/18/2019 05:49 am
Quote
So does that make me a lego spaceman? /confused ;)


I dunno.  Does it?

Quote
Cue Duncan Titmarsh, the UK's only certified Lego builder - and one of only 13 worldwide

Lego elements in the mirror are closer than they appear?


In either case, I think my Lego space elevator will still work given the correct music.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 01/18/2019 09:02 am
Good deduction but no, that's not me. The cousins ended up with all my lego, well all that wasn't consumed by the hoover.

As for what is being pulled out of the space hopper (please can we start calling it that) that is definitely a Strandbeest. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=On8v-Wr3XxU
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Norm38 on 01/18/2019 01:32 pm
Introducing the Super, Super, Super Heavy Starship

Image source (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=211312&page=2)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/18/2019 05:25 pm
Let's not go too far down the who is more obese rathole ok? Thanks!

(I might have had one or more donuts more than is optimal, just saying, but that's not why we shouldn't go there)

Just great Lar. You made me spill my tea all over the keyboard.  ;)
Yea but was it sugar free?

In other news I completely missed the LEGO elements subthread here.

I wrote an answer on Quora long ago about towers.

https://www.quora.com/How-many-LEGO-bricks-stacked-one-on-top-of-the-other-would-it-take-to-destroy-the-bottom-brick/answer/Larry-Pieniazek

3.6km? No freakin' way... crushed well before that.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 01/18/2019 10:40 pm
3.6km? No freakin' way... crushed well before that.

Ok lets just assume I was building my tower in Denver.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: IntoTheVoid on 01/19/2019 03:46 am
Quote from: Jeff Foust
An artist's concept of Launch Complex 16 at Cape Canaveral, where Relativity will conduct launches of its Terran 1 rocket starting in late 2020. Credit: Relativity
https://spacenews.com/relativity-to-build-launch-site-at-cape-canaveral/ (https://spacenews.com/relativity-to-build-launch-site-at-cape-canaveral/)

Apparently the artist's concept of Relativity at LC-16 is that they're going to take over SpaceX's Pad 40.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 01/21/2019 02:45 pm
I was thinking about new member behavior and assimilating into a new on-line culture (NSF)...

And then I remembered that great fount of wisdom and observation of the human equation, National Lampoon's Animal House. :D

(Clip is SFW)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMENQeCbxfI
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 01/21/2019 02:53 pm
Quote from: Jeff Foust
An artist's concept of Launch Complex 16 at Cape Canaveral, where Relativity will conduct launches of its Terran 1 rocket starting in late 2020. Credit: Relativity
https://spacenews.com/relativity-to-build-launch-site-at-cape-canaveral/ (https://spacenews.com/relativity-to-build-launch-site-at-cape-canaveral/)

Apparently the artist's concept of Relativity at LC-16 is that they're going to take over SpaceX's Pad 40.

Well, if you're gonna steal, steal from the best. ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 01/21/2019 03:01 pm
You might find it funny that they built a hopper out of a water tower. You might have been intrigued when they started welding up bulkheads from what looks like scrap. But there is a market researcher somewhere, tasked with benchmarking for ULA or BO, trying to figure out competitors time-to-market, whose day starts with "They did WHAT?"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 01/21/2019 09:22 pm
MEMEd off byu/SwGustav  Maximum Torque  on Reddit 1 year ago
https://www.reddit.com/r/SpaceXMasterrace/comments/6t6ua8/if_this_falcon_super_mega_ultra_giant_heavy_gets/

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 01/21/2019 10:48 pm
You might find it funny that they built a hopper out of a water tower. You might have been intrigued when they started welding up bulkheads from what looks like scrap. But there is a market researcher somewhere, tasked with benchmarking for ULA or BO, trying to figure out competitors time-to-market, whose day starts with "They did WHAT?"
I've always imagined that there must be legions of engineers at SpaceX and Tesla who are holding their breaths and crossing their fingers every time Elon is scheduled to speak in public or whenever he starts tweeting out a storm.  All hoping and praying that he isn't going to make some proclamation about their future plans which the engineers are suddenly going to have to start making true the next day.  If I'm going to be "sympathetic" to anyone's plight, ULA's or BO's market researchers are playing second fiddle.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 01/21/2019 10:53 pm
MEMEd off byu/SwGustav  Maximum Torque  on Reddit 1 year ago
https://www.reddit.com/r/SpaceXMasterrace/comments/6t6ua8/if_this_falcon_super_mega_ultra_giant_heavy_gets/


OK, now I'm wondering how high up that monster gets before the outermost cores have to stage off. Better have plenty of landing pads real close.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: flyright on 01/22/2019 12:20 am
You might find it funny that they built a hopper out of a water tower. You might have been intrigued when they started welding up bulkheads from what looks like scrap. But there is a market researcher somewhere, tasked with benchmarking for ULA or BO, trying to figure out competitors time-to-market, whose day starts with "They did WHAT?"
I've always imagined that there must be legions of engineers at SpaceX and Tesla who are holding their breaths and crossing their fingers every time Elon is scheduled to speak in public or whenever he starts tweeting out a storm.  All hoping and praying that he isn't going to make some proclamation about their future plans which the engineers are suddenly going to have to start making true the next day.  If I'm going to be "sympathetic" to anyone's plight, ULA's or BO's market researchers are playing second fiddle.

Yep, my old company didn't have an Elon, but we were always scrambling to catch up with the pronouncements of the entity called "Marketing"  :o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 01/22/2019 12:45 am
A bit mean but..
https://www.reddit.com/r/SpaceXMasterrace/comments/aib7d1/sls_10_year_challenge/
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 01/22/2019 01:03 am
This launch 🚀 market needs to adapt to lower prices and fly more often. 

I miss the 2 week cadence we had last year. 

Once a month is so lame.  Come on Starlink, where are you?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 01/22/2019 01:12 am
This launch 🚀 market needs to adapt to lower prices and fly more often. 

I miss the 2 week cadence we had last year. 

Once a month is so lame.  Come on Starlink, where are you?

If they get it down cheap enough, maybe we can GoFundMe for the gaps in the calendar.  I got a list of people we can send up as payload.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 01/22/2019 03:29 am
MEMEd off byu/SwGustav  Maximum Torque  on Reddit 1 year ago
https://www.reddit.com/r/SpaceXMasterrace/comments/6t6ua8/if_this_falcon_super_mega_ultra_giant_heavy_gets/

Wait..... when did SpaceX go back to the tic-tac-to rocket configuration?

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 01/22/2019 04:27 pm
You might find it funny that they built a hopper out of a water tower. You might have been intrigued when they started welding up bulkheads from what looks like scrap. But there is a market researcher somewhere, tasked with benchmarking for ULA or BO, trying to figure out competitors time-to-market, whose day starts with "They did WHAT?"
I've always imagined that there must be legions of engineers at SpaceX and Tesla who are holding their breaths and crossing their fingers every time Elon is scheduled to speak in public or whenever he starts tweeting out a storm.  All hoping and praying that he isn't going to make some proclamation about their future plans which the engineers are suddenly going to have to start making true the next day.  If I'm going to be "sympathetic" to anyone's plight, ULA's or BO's market researchers are playing second fiddle.

I find it hard to believe that Elon is the only crazy guy at SpaceX.

After all Elon is not only making tweets and crazy long term plans, he is also responsible for hiring and firing decisions. And we have at least anecdotal evidence that going by the books is the quickest way to get fired. (From Tesla, but same idea)

I mean come on, he hired nutcases like Tom Müller who built rocket engines in his garage and made him head of propulsion right from the get go. Would a sane(tm) manager(r) have hinged success and failure of that company on someone with that background?

In some FUD, they  speak of a "filter" where employees have to be shielded from Elon Musk's crazy plans by some slightly more sane people, but I'm pretty sure the other way is true too - as in "oh lord, don't you dare tell that to Elon, he's gonna make us do it!" And they can't be completely sane either, otherwise they would simply quit ;)
(or would end up shielding too much and get fired in the next middle-management-thinout round)

Crazyness is a requirement for disruption. You only need some people to reign it in a bit, so you don't override your own decisions every single day and actually get some work done.

But that water tower crazyness there, that probably isn't Elons original idea. Someone pitched that to him. Likely one of the guys now down in Boca Chica overseeing construction. Elon, however, was crazy enough to let it happen.

There's only one person who is halfway sane at SpaceX, that's Gwynne Shotwell. But she chose to be there and wouldn't want it any other way, so she's probably crazy in her own way too.

Those market analysts however. At BO, ULA, Arianespace, etc...

They are trying to stay sane. First reaction is denial. They think "Elon's trolling us. That's not real. That's never gonna work."   Then anger, when Elon's stuff is actually flying. Followed by FUD and angry lawyers.

I think Russia reached the depression stage. They quit the commercial launch market.

We still haven't seen acceptance. You could tell if you saw it. It would be a landing rocket booster without a SpaceX logo.

But all hope is not lost for SpaceX competition. Maybe, if they watch SpaceX do what it does long enough, it drives them insane.

Once they are insane, they can do what SpaceX does :)


Edit: In BO's defense I have to say, they are crazy too.

But they don't wanna admit it.

Maybe they had bad experience with people in white with a fable for restrictive fashion.
Think about it, BO had the idea of landing propulsive on water before SpaceX had. They even tried to claim it was their idea and patent it. (Definitely crazy)

And they also have landed their suborbital pet booster like half a million times by now, while paying all of it from the "funny side projects budget" (Have I mentioned crazy?)

But generally the company progresses ferociously slow, keeps their crazyness a tightly guarded secret until they're sure it works and only let the crazyness out only a tiny step at a time.

One could think someone put all of BO's crazy on Prozak and hid it in a closed asylum, to keep appearances.

That's why ten years after SpaceX made orbit, noone outside BO has yet seen their orbital booster or even a test article. If they could try and launch to orbit in secrecy and only tell the world about it if it worked, they probably would.

But deep down, they are as crazy as SpaceX, so I have no doubts they will eventually break through. Ferouciously. Just slow and one step at a time.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 01/22/2019 06:05 pm
We have a delayed-reaction trigger of the NSF forum drinking game!
8)
Was the large external flame external to the rocket engine initiation sequence, the heavy flames up to the height of the middle of the booster cores, a normal occurrence for the Delta IV Heavy?  There is a large amount of black smoke as a result, seen mixed into the much lighter-colored rocket exhaust and steam rising, and heavy blackening of the cores seen shortly after liftoff.

I've been looking to see this explained, and did not see anything in the thread up to this point.  Anyone have a theory?

Everyone playing--drink! ;D (Mine is a delightful citrus/green tea mix!)

(Yes, the valid question was answered hospitably on the NROL-71 launch thread.)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 01/22/2019 07:23 pm
We have a delayed-reaction trigger of the NSF forum drinking game!
8)
Was the large external flame external to the rocket engine initiation sequence, the heavy flames up to the height of the middle of the booster cores, a normal occurrence for the Delta IV Heavy?  There is a large amount of black smoke as a result, seen mixed into the much lighter-colored rocket exhaust and steam rising, and heavy blackening of the cores seen shortly after liftoff.

I've been looking to see this explained, and did not see anything in the thread up to this point.  Anyone have a theory?

Everyone playing--drink! ;D (Mine is a delightful citrus/green tea mix!)

(Yes, the valid question was answered hospitably on the NROL-71 launch thread.)


Come to think of it, did anyone ask about the burning transporter erector in Vandenberg after Iridium 8 yet?
Its the last launchpad without throwback, so its getting kinda rare, and this time we had especially spectacularly burning umbilicals ;)

If so please link. DIVH doesnt launch often enough anymore to stay boozed unfortunately ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 01/23/2019 04:15 am
We have a delayed-reaction trigger of the NSF forum drinking game!
8)
Was the large external flame external to the rocket engine initiation sequence, the heavy flames up to the height of the middle of the booster cores, a normal occurrence for the Delta IV Heavy?  There is a large amount of black smoke as a result, seen mixed into the much lighter-colored rocket exhaust and steam rising, and heavy blackening of the cores seen shortly after liftoff.

I've been looking to see this explained, and did not see anything in the thread up to this point.  Anyone have a theory?

Everyone playing--drink! ;D (Mine is a delightful citrus/green tea mix!)

(Yes, the valid question was answered hospitably on the NROL-71 launch thread.)


Come to think of it, did anyone ask about the burning transporter erector in Vandenberg after Iridium 8 yet?
Its the last launchpad without throwback, so its getting kinda rare, and this time we had especially spectacularly burning umbilicals ;)

If so please link. DIVH doesnt launch often enough anymore to stay boozed unfortunately ;)

From "Fly-On-The_Wall" secret bug at Vandenberg: "The RP-1 spill worked!  Now maybe they'll let us have one of the new strongbacks like the guys in Florida have, so we don't have to replace all that gear every time!".
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 01/23/2019 02:26 pm
Soooooo....

Are we now going to call it the Big Falcon Tripper?


Or was it maybe just a 'respectful tip of the cap'?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 01/23/2019 05:00 pm
Soooooo....

Are we now going to call it the Big Falcon Tripper?


Or was it maybe just a 'respectful tip of the cap'?

Well, after so many people had to eat their hats over SpaceX recent development, the wind @boca chica did, too.

Kinda a dick move to eat someone elses hat though ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 01/23/2019 05:04 pm
Ummm ....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 01/23/2019 05:12 pm
.
(https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/assets/42585.0/1539910.jpg)

Those f&/)/&$%%$ing ground winds, always messing with airspaceship ground handling!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mooring_mast
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_airship_accidents
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Semmel on 01/24/2019 11:11 am
Since I predicted that all of my predictions would be wrong, I was right. Or, I was wrong. Now I'm confused.

That is exactly the argument that Goedel used to prove that the entirety of mathematics is either incomplete (it contains statements that are neither right nor wrong) or it contains conflicting statements. He then introduced two theorems, A and B:

Theorem A says: Theorem B is correct.

Theorem B says: Theorem A is wrong.

Now if you want to prove that any of the two theorems is right or wrong, you are contradicting your self. Exactly like you did. ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mme on 01/24/2019 05:04 pm
Meanwhile in the Blue discussion thread referring to the F9:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xgx4k83zzc

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 01/24/2019 05:17 pm
[/size]
- If there was internal plating then it wouldn't have pancaked the way it did - in the very least the bottom portion would have retained more of its shape as it didn't have very far to topple.
I agree.  See what types of buckling happen when folks tip a water tower.  Surprising little damage, but then it's structural steel, which supports your opinion of little to no internal platinghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDY7uD4E8p4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDY7uD4E8p4)
Man - I can watch water towers fall all day. There's something very anthropomorphic about them, especially the ones with the legs - makes me want to say, "Go home water tower, you're drunk".


And in the spirit of knocking big things over, I shot this video about 200' from my loft.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sig7k8dTm4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sig7k8dTm4)


Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 01/24/2019 05:29 pm
Seems we are on a roll today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0KNIM2s4v8
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: landlubber on 01/24/2019 07:39 pm
[/size]
- If there was internal plating then it wouldn't have pancaked the way it did - in the very least the bottom portion would have retained more of its shape as it didn't have very far to topple.
I agree.  See what types of buckling happen when folks tip a water tower.  Surprising little damage, but then it's structural steel, which supports your opinion of little to no internal platinghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDY7uD4E8p4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDY7uD4E8p4)
Man - I can watch water towers fall all day. There's something very anthropomorphic about them, especially the ones with the legs - makes me want to say, "Go home water tower, you're drunk".



And in the spirit of knocking big things over, I shot this video about 200' from my loft.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sig7k8dTm4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sig7k8dTm4)

Regarding your comments in another post about blowers and positive pressure I am genuinely hoping that they simply inflate it like a big, shiny bouncy castle and ta-da!!

Edited for spelling and inability to use the quote doobrie correctly.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: IntoTheVoid on 01/25/2019 06:54 pm
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1088860419098177536

Watch out pal, Elon's got his eye on you... He may try to put a rocket motor up your a$$.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 01/26/2019 01:15 pm
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1088860419098177536

Watch out pal, Elon's got his eye on you... He may try to put a rocket motor ....

(Credits subtitle) ... My sister was bit by a rocket moose once...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: webdan on 01/26/2019 02:33 pm
I was just thinking the same thing... a whole 2 hours worth. Then I thought I could doodle these, but decided to "Goodle" them instead:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggg3C87UVCY (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggg3C87UVCY)


[/size]
- If there was internal plating then it wouldn't have pancaked the way it did - in the very least the bottom portion would have retained more of its shape as it didn't have very far to topple.
I agree.  See what types of buckling happen when folks tip a water tower.  Surprising little damage, but then it's structural steel, which supports your opinion of little to no internal platinghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDY7uD4E8p4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDY7uD4E8p4)
Man - I can watch water towers fall all day. There's something very anthropomorphic about them, especially the ones with the legs - makes me want to say, "Go home water tower, you're drunk".


And in the spirit of knocking big things over, I shot this video about 200' from my loft.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sig7k8dTm4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sig7k8dTm4)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 01/26/2019 02:55 pm
I was just thinking the same thing... a whole 2 hours worth. Then I thought I could doodle these, but decided to "Goodle" them instead:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggg3C87UVCY (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggg3C87UVCY)


[/size]
- If there was internal plating then it wouldn't have pancaked the way it did - in the very least the bottom portion would have retained more of its shape as it didn't have very far to topple.
I agree.  See what types of buckling happen when folks tip a water tower.  Surprising little damage, but then it's structural steel, which supports your opinion of little to no internal platinghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDY7uD4E8p4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDY7uD4E8p4)
Man - I can watch water towers fall all day. There's something very anthropomorphic about them, especially the ones with the legs - makes me want to say, "Go home water tower, you're drunk".


And in the spirit of knocking big things over, I shot this video about 200' from my loft.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sig7k8dTm4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sig7k8dTm4)
L
O
L
!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: freddo411 on 01/26/2019 04:42 pm

And in the spirit of knocking big things over, I shot this video about 200' from my loft.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sig7k8dTm4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sig7k8dTm4)





Holy crap.  I can see in this video why people get killed on construction sites.   Where's OSHA when you need them.  Shades of blown over tin foil hats....

And put your puny hose away.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 01/26/2019 04:49 pm

And in the spirit of knocking big things over, I shot this video about 200' from my loft.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sig7k8dTm4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sig7k8dTm4)





Holy crap.  I can see in this video why people get killed on construction sites.   Where's OSHA when you need them.  Shades of blown over tin foil hats....

And put your puny hose away.
Yup - they had two guys on hoses. It was kinda comical and kinda scary. The entire ground jumped and they (Suffolk) neglected to warn the neighborhood this was going to happen. My video was carried by several Boston newscasts and the foreman got hauled into the Commissioner‘s Office for a good old fashioned arse-chewing because of it.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/26/2019 07:30 pm
I like take one (nothing) and take two (one broken window)... MAXIMUM EFFORT!!!!

I was thinking those cables might kill someone if they were standing too close to the bucket when they snapped.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: 1 on 01/26/2019 07:41 pm
I was thinking those cables might kill someone if they were standing too close to the bucket when they snapped.

It almost did. There's a somewhat obscured guy in a red shirt behind the fence that almost gets his shit ruined by the first cable. He sorta-wisely moves outside of the fenced area (and away from the bucket) for the subsequent attempts.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 01/26/2019 08:29 pm
There's a somewhat obscured guy in a red shirt...

The red shirt survived?!? Man this new Trek just ain't the same.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/27/2019 02:45 am
awfully quiet around here
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cppetrie on 01/27/2019 02:46 am
awfully quiet around here
Too quiet
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 01/27/2019 03:04 am
I was going to post on this and a couple other threads: but the last two threads I commented on were deleted for some reason, so I better not chance it... ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Scylla on 01/27/2019 03:06 am
I was going to post on this and a couple other threads: but the last two threads I commented on were deleted for some reason, so I better not chance it... ;)
Shhhhhhh.........were being quiet.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 01/27/2019 04:37 am
I was going to post on this and a couple other threads: but the last two threads I commented on were deleted for some reason, so I better not chance it... ;)

Getting this thread deleted would be an honor only bestowed upon the most worthy. I'll just go back to throwing poop.  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 01/27/2019 07:03 am
I don't think it was anything I actually said - I think it was just bad luck. I literally don't know why or what happened to them...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/27/2019 03:29 pm
No, it was you.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 01/27/2019 07:49 pm
Er... Are you sure? There was an earlier thread where I put out a troll alert to a moderator, and it was deleted. I probably did more good than harm?! But others: I'm not sure and have a theory. But then again; I never was one for conspiracy theories, much...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/28/2019 02:28 pm
Er... Are you sure? There was an earlier thread where I put out a troll alert to a moderator, and it was deleted. I probably did more good than harm?! But others: I'm not sure and have a theory. But then again; I never was one for conspiracy theories, much...
Um? Did you forget what thread this is?? 

Are you taking things said here seriously again? Don't do that.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 01/28/2019 04:04 pm
The party thread, where even the mods let their hair down occasionally.
Just don’t mention LEGO ® blocks, particularly as a noun.

LEGO®is a trademark of the LEGO Group of companies which does not sponsor, authorize or endorse this site.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 01/28/2019 04:18 pm
Which may be a good thing, less the servers getting bricked all the time.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: groknull on 01/28/2019 07:40 pm
Which may be a good thing, less the servers getting bricked all the time.

Not a problem.  They use non-blocking I/O.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 01/28/2019 08:04 pm
Are you taking things said here seriously again? Don't do that.

So, should I take things said here seriously, or not? I feel an infinite regression mind melt coming on...

One shrink isn't going to be enough. I'll need a pair o' docs.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 01/28/2019 08:09 pm
I was going to post on this and a couple other threads: but the last two threads I commented on were deleted for some reason, so I better not chance it... ;)
Shhhhhhh.........were being quiet.

What?!  Ya'll think it's Wabbit Season?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 01/28/2019 08:12 pm
Er... Are you sure? There was an earlier thread where I put out a troll alert to a moderator, and it was deleted. I probably did more good than harm?! But others: I'm not sure and have a theory. But then again; I never was one for conspiracy theories, much...
Um? Did you forget what thread this is?? 

Are you taking things said here seriously again? Don't do that.
Doin' both...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 01/28/2019 08:58 pm
This may be nothing but it caught my eye this morning.  ;D

LOX pipe??

(https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=47120.0;attach=1541672;image)

The post-first-hop blunt has arrived on-site.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 01/29/2019 01:23 am
So there's a discussion going about how many hops...

But in light of the above post, I'm now curious as to what kind of hops...

I mean, stainless steel, pressure vessels and hops...

Guys, this ain't no water tower...  It's a microbrewery!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 01/29/2019 03:13 am
I love the smell of launches in the morning.....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 01/29/2019 07:07 am
So there's a discussion going about how many hops...

But in light of the above post, I'm now curious as to what kind of hops...

I mean, stainless steel, pressure vessels and hops...

Guys, this ain't no water tower...  It's a microbrewery!

It'll definitely be one for the Guinness Book!

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 01/29/2019 08:02 am
Guys, this ain't no water tower...  It's a microbrewery!

It's not very micro, you'd only need 3 star hopper sized brews a year before you'd have to drop the micro and call it a brewery. Doesn't the environment impact assessment allow for like 12 events a year?

I've heard that in Texas everything is bigger, but I think that amount of production may be overkill for the Boca Chican market. Though I am willing to popover to help with any oversupply issues.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 01/29/2019 11:15 am
Of course this thread is serious. Dead serious. Which is why as a public service I feel I need to share a training video I use when I teach Diving First Aid to Professional Divers (DFAPro for you acronyms lovers).

I hope you can learn an important lesson from this excellent instructional session...

https://youtu.be/Vmb1tqYqyII
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/29/2019 02:12 pm
We learned a lesson all right. Might not be the lesson you intended though, Johnny.

----

As for the rest of the chatter, let me be blunt. Belay the drug talk. This site is NOT about getting anything high, Especially not anything Blue, those guys will never reach orbit... And it beers reminding all you hopheads that we don't want to promote drinking and diving, er, driving, er, flying. Flying high is scary, dare I say.

---
The preceding was brought to you merely as a way to emit a long sequence of puns. If you want to take it seriously, reefer to a few posts above. We already know some posters say stuff while drunk or stoned....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 01/29/2019 04:24 pm
So there's a discussion going about how many hops...

But in light of the above post, I'm now curious as to what kind of hops...

I mean, stainless steel, pressure vessels and hops...

Guys, this ain't no water tower...  It's a microbrewery!

For your viewing pleasure/education... and a recommended source for hops
Michigan...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 01/29/2019 07:15 pm
We learned a lesson all right. Might not be the lesson you intended though, Johnny.

----

As for the rest of the chatter, let me be blunt. Belay the drug talk. This site is NOT about getting anything high, Especially not anything Blue, those guys will never reach orbit... And it beers reminding all you hopheads that we don't want to promote drinking and diving, er, driving, er, flying. Flying high is scary, dare I say.

---
The preceding was brought to you merely as a way to emit a long sequence of puns. If you want to take it seriously, reefer to a few posts above. We already know some posters say stuff while drunk or stoned....

Heck, apparently even some of our favorite rocket builders do!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/30/2019 02:45 am
For your viewing pleasure/education... and a recommended source for hops
Michigan...
One reason there are so MANY good breweries in my home state...  (another is just that we are generally awesome that way)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 01/30/2019 03:48 am
Whoo weee - I had my very own brush with fame on Sunday. I was at a pool doing training for ice diving and this guy walks up to me, staring at me. He says, “Hey, I recognize you - you’re the guy who dove the Andria Doria. I’ve watched your talk on YouTube. You’re internet famous!”

I was shaken. Stirred. Maybe even a bit over the rocks.

I can’t even imagine what it’s like to be Nomadd... :-)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 01/30/2019 05:07 am
Eric Ralph claims on twitter that DM-1 is now NET March, but can't link source.

https://twitter.com/13ericralph31/status/1090429335784177664 (https://twitter.com/13ericralph31/status/1090429335784177664)

CCtCap feels like this:
https://image.shutterstock.com/image-vector/donkey-following-carrot-tied-back-260nw-282473300.jpg (https://image.shutterstock.com/image-vector/donkey-following-carrot-tied-back-260nw-282473300.jpg)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/30/2019 03:04 pm
"Boeing MUST win this race. Do what it takes to slow that upstart SpaceX down or the entire MIC edifice is at risk"

- shadowy forces to other unspecified shadowy entities that can cause slowdowns in unspecified (but shadowy) ways...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/30/2019 03:05 pm
I can’t even imagine what it’s like to be Nomadd... :-)
Neither can he. Or most of the rest of us.... :)

More seriously I suspect you (or even I) are more famous outside our little fraternity. You've been filmed multiple times by national media and I've been on local TV multiple times... Not that fame matters.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 01/30/2019 03:19 pm
I can’t even imagine what it’s like to be Nomadd... :-)
Neither can he. Or most of the rest of us.... :)

More seriously I suspect you (or even I) are more famous outside our little fraternity. You've been filmed multiple times by national media and I've been on local TV multiple times... Not that fame matters.
Does security footage from bank robberies count?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: bjornl on 01/30/2019 03:21 pm
"Boeing MUST win this race. Do what it takes to slow that upstart SpaceX down or the entire MIC edifice is at risk"

- shadowy forces to other unspecified shadowy entities that can cause slowdowns in unspecified (but shadowy) ways...
Yeah... sorry 'bout that. I needed a cover to have these launches slide just a few more days to the right, to coincide with my presence at the Cape.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Norm38 on 01/30/2019 03:22 pm
Yesterday I ran out to Home Depot to get a new furnace filter, to help the furnace out as it's -22F outside right now.

My 5-year-old son Elliot asks

Elliot: "Dad, what's a depot?"
Me:  "It's a place where they store stuff and then you can buy it"
Elliot:  "Like a grocery store?"
Me:  "Sure, that would be a food depot."
Elliot:  "Or a jukebox depot?  A toybox depot?"
Me:  "Those too.  And if you took a rocketship up to space, you would go to a fuel depot to get more fuel."
Elliot:  "And then you would get the fuel depot app on your phone so you could decide what fuel to buy and pay for it!"

Kid's got it all figured out.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Kansan52 on 01/30/2019 03:28 pm
I can’t even imagine what it’s like to be Nomadd... :-)
Neither can he. Or most of the rest of us.... :)

More seriously I suspect you (or even I) are more famous outside our little fraternity. You've been filmed multiple times by national media and I've been on local TV multiple times... Not that fame matters.
Does security footage from bank robberies count?

Only if used on an episode of "Crime Stoppers".
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 01/30/2019 03:59 pm
Where to post... It shall have to be this thread even if i got the inspiration from Hottest 100 Space Songs
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=47316.0


I kind of miss Rough boy by ZZ top on that list. A music video that promises a glorious future with space based car washes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_4ULKpkLNc
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 01/30/2019 07:16 pm
There's a Tesla floating around up there that could probably use a wash and wax by now.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 01/30/2019 07:42 pm
There's a Tesla floating around up there that could probably use a wash and wax by now.
Speaking of which, I once knew, and now forget (like I do with everything) when the Tesla will return to earth, and what’s its closest point of approach will be. Anyone with a less calcified brain remember??
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 01/30/2019 08:24 pm
There's a Tesla floating around up there that could probably use a wash and wax by now.
Speaking of which, I once knew, and now forget (like I do with everything) when the Tesla will return to earth, and what’s its closest point of approach will be. Anyone with a less calcified brain remember??

I believe this site is calculating a current position
https://www.whereisroadster.com
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 01/30/2019 10:38 pm
Elon Musk on the Tesla earnings call: SpaceX headcount reduction is for unrelated reasons to Tesla. SpaceX is running two projects at once that would normally bankrupt a company, so they have to be extremely frugal until at least one of them takes off.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: freddo411 on 01/30/2019 11:52 pm
Elon Musk ... SpaceX is running two projects at once that would normally bankrupt a company, ...



Yikes.   Can't say that as a CEO of a public company. (which spaceX is not).

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/31/2019 01:32 am
Elon Musk ... SpaceX is running two projects at once that would normally bankrupt a company, ...
Yikes.   Can't say that as a CEO of a public company. (which spaceX is not).
It is refreshingly honest. Bravo for non public companies. (and that's no joke).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: su27k on 01/31/2019 02:06 am
Elon Musk on the Tesla earnings call: SpaceX headcount reduction is for unrelated reasons to Tesla. SpaceX is running two projects at once that would normally bankrupt a company, so they have to be extremely frugal until at least one of them takes off.

Seems to me this should go to the layoff thread: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=47176.0

(assuming this is factual and not a joke...)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/31/2019 02:34 am
(fan) I think some posters are skirting the rules posting it here since we can indulge in Elon luv...
(mod) including me, I should cut it out.
(fan) pretty sure it's factual. easy to debunk if not.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 01/31/2019 03:57 am
There's a Tesla floating around up there that could probably use a wash and wax by now.
Speaking of which, I once knew, and now forget (like I do with everything) when the Tesla will return to earth, and what’s its closest point of approach will be. Anyone with a less calcified brain remember??

I believe this site is calculating a current position
https://www.whereisroadster.com
According to that site, the next close approaches are November 5th, 2020 (.346 AU) and March 30th, 2021 (.275 AU).  That's kind of far, though.

Rein, Tamayo, and Vokrouhlicky (https://arxiv.org/abs/1802.04718) (for those unacquainted, use the PDF link in the top right of that page) do an excellent statistical analysis of possible collisions.  They predict an encounter within Lunar distance in the next 100 years (around 2091).  In terms of an actual collision, within 15 million years, there's a roughly 22% chance that the Roadster collides with Earth, a roughly 12% chance that it collides with Venus, and a roughly 12% chance that it collides with the Sun.  They peg the Roadster's orbital half-life at roughly 15-17 million years, putting the odds of it reaching a billion at around 1 in 1018.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 01/31/2019 08:37 am
Elon Musk ... SpaceX is running two projects at once that would normally bankrupt a company, ...
Yikes.   Can't say that as a CEO of a public company. (which spaceX is not).
It is refreshingly honest. Bravo for non public companies. (and that's no joke).

One of the best and worst qualities of Musk at the same time. I've had insights into the production and quality departments of some of the companies that get cited as benchmarks for Tesla and they mostly not running any better or worse, they're just not telling everyone on Twitter how close they were to exploding this week. Same goes for timelines, just look at the number of concept cars that never go anywhere.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 02/01/2019 04:14 am
(fan)
(mod)
(fail)     ;)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZl44TBIXOc (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZl44TBIXOc)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/01/2019 11:49 am
But did you die?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 02/01/2019 12:36 pm
(fan)
(mod)
(fail)     ;)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZl44TBIXOc (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZl44TBIXOc)
:-) you pretty much ticked all the boxes with that one...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tomness on 02/01/2019 02:22 pm
Since its probably belongs here....

So the initial common 200 tons Raptor is going to be less powerful than BE-4, while the sea-level optimized ~250 tons Raptor (so about 2,452 kN) should be a tiny more powerful than BE-4 (2,400 kN).

Raptor source:
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1091156245132673024

BE-4 source:
BE-4 is capable of producing 2,400 kN (550,000 lbf) thrust
https://www.blueorigin.com/engines/be-4

Quote
New test video of Blue’s 550K lbf thrust, ox-rich staged combustion, LNG-fueled BE-4 engine. The test is a mixture ratio sweep at 65% power level and 114 seconds in duration. Methane (or LNG) has proved to be an outstanding fuel choice. @BlueOrigin #GradatimFerociter

https://twitter.com/jeffbezos/status/973696994332983299

Edit: video added

That be awesome if SpaceX & Blue did a rocket thrust "drag race" side by side. throttle up a 100% to 110% lol
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Semmel on 02/01/2019 03:01 pm
That's the obvious and boring answer...

All the guesswork above is trying to find more exotic options...

Nice summary of the SpaceX section..

...

PS: Ok, fine. This is not a true representation since we also have lots of high value stuff. Still....

PPS: I am not immune to this virus.

PPPS: Sometimes a water tank IS a space ship!

PPPPS: Putting it here to avoid the wrath of Lar ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 02/01/2019 03:34 pm
ZachF draws rocket engines:
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 02/02/2019 12:00 pm
I’m going to be rich! Rich I tell you - and I have this forum to thank. Oh I’ll remember this day forever. Hang on, I’ll be right back - I just have to complete this transfer...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 02/02/2019 02:37 pm
(I’m going to get maximum usage out of this clip)

“Through a tragic case of mid-reading the specifications, NASA engineers designed the world’s first rearentry vehicle.”

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190202/840e674f0f346d63da647b796e3637de.gif)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: dorkmo on 02/02/2019 07:00 pm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torre_Gl%C3%B2ries

Spain has been secretely developing a super heavy starship for years!

hiding in plain sight!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AndyE on 02/02/2019 07:51 pm
That's nothing. The UK built one in 2004!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JazzFan on 02/02/2019 09:17 pm
(I’m going to get maximum usage out of this clip)

“Through a tragic case of mid-reading the specifications, NASA engineers designed the world’s first rearentry vehicle.”

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190202/840e674f0f346d63da647b796e3637de.gif)

That's a whole new mode of operation and is definitely beyond launching, landing, and relaunching.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/03/2019 12:40 am
I’m going to be rich! Rich I tell you - and I have this forum to thank. Oh I’ll remember this day forever. Hang on, I’ll be right back - I just have to complete this transfer...
You blew it. She asked you not to tell any stories.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 02/03/2019 02:17 pm
I have done some calculations for true size of things:
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 02/03/2019 02:31 pm
I have done some calculations for true size of things:
Done by the height of this tall young man.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 02/04/2019 02:28 am
Maroon: 5

Brady: 6

Sorry, back to your regularly scheduled program...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: catdlr on 02/04/2019 06:11 am
Elon sure gets around:

Watch Elon Musk's jet flights in 2018

https://youtu.be/I-HCMbTDWVo?t=001

https://youtu.be/I-HCMbTDWVo
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jpo234 on 02/04/2019 03:53 pm
https://twitter.com/MericanAsFuck/status/1091364970283945984
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 02/04/2019 08:06 pm
For better readability and nicer line, I decide to turn the livingjw's schematic to vector graphics:
I find result to be quite brilliant.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jon.amos on 02/04/2019 11:29 pm
Welcome Johnny to RA (Rockets Anonymous)!
Remember that the first step is to admit you have a problem :o

[/font][/size]Second GSE connection.

I'm done for - I've just realized I'm an addict. I keep finding myself beginning to sweat and tremble, hitting the "Unread Topics" button in hopes of a post in the BFH Updates & Photos thread from BCGal or Nomadd. And when there's not I'm distraught, and when there is I sweep everything else to the side until I get my fix.

Thanks a lot - you've ruined me.

I

WANT

MORE!

(And yes - looks like it's another GSE connection. And there's a lot of gas (welding) lines both running up the business and of the BFH as well as through a manhole. They are really burning the midnight oil to get this thing flight worthy...)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/05/2019 02:00 am
For better readability and nicer line, I decide to turn the livingjw's schematic to vector graphics:
I find result to be quite brilliant.

That's not even wrong.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 02/05/2019 02:03 am
Welcome Johnny to RA (Rockets Anonymous)!
Remember that the first step is to admit you have a problem :o

[/font][/size]Second GSE connection.

I'm done for - I've just realized I'm an addict. I keep finding myself beginning to sweat and tremble, hitting the "Unread Topics" button in hopes of a post in the BFH Updates &amp; Photos thread from BCGal or Nomadd. And when there's not I'm distraught, and when there is I sweep everything else to the side until I get my fix.

Thanks a lot - you've ruined me.

I

WANT

MORE!

(And yes - looks like it's another GSE connection. And there's a lot of gas (welding) lines both running up the business and of the BFH as well as through a manhole. They are really burning the midnight oil to get this thing flight worthy...)
I’m more in the Fight Club camp. The first rule of rocket addiction is to never talk about your rocket addiction (outside these walls...).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 02/05/2019 02:18 am
I’m more in the Fight Club camp. The first rule of rocket addiction is to never talk about your rocket addiction (outside these walls...).

We have walls now? Are they for keeping us in, or out?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 02/05/2019 02:21 am
I would re-post my 'Still Waiting For the next Falcon Heavy launch' meme again, but I'm too tired to search for which folder I place it in my pc...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 02/05/2019 04:27 am
I’m more in the Fight Club camp. The first rule of rocket addiction is to never talk about your rocket addiction (outside these walls...).

We have walls now? Are they for keeping us in, or out?
Depends on whether you ask someone from inside or outside, I'd reckon.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 02/05/2019 08:25 am
For better readability and nicer line, I decide to turn the livingjw's schematic to vector graphics:
I find result to be quite brilliant.

He writes, then uploads the file as a bitmap. Cmon, you're cruel!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 02/05/2019 12:02 pm
We have walls now? Are they for keeping us in, or out?

Both, actually.  They're made of a series of brazed tubes for regenerative posting.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/05/2019 06:29 pm
I would re-post my 'Still Waiting For the next Falcon Heavy launch' meme again, but I'm too tired to search for which folder I place it in my pc...
It's the thought that counts.

We have walls now? Are they for keeping us in, or out?

Both, actually.  They're made of a series of brazed tubes for regenerative posting.
The entire internet is a series of tubes, TBH. But this is 2019, brazing is so last century... use additive manufacturing instead.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/05/2019 06:37 pm
For better readability and nicer line, I decide to turn the livingjw's schematic to vector graphics:
I find result to be quite brilliant.

He writes, then uploads the file as a bitmap. Cmon, you're cruel!
Here's the "real" post with a link to an actual SVG

https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=41363.msg1908385#msg1908385
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 02/06/2019 05:00 pm
One year anniversary show.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTJZ44fsncM
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 02/07/2019 03:17 pm
What I find interesting is the speed with which they test. It's been a couple of days since the last test. Just a couple. They've sorted out the green issue, presumably, and are ramping up the power.

Yet when you see reports from other engine makers, its weeks between each test, or at least that is the impression one gets. What on earth takes the time between tests? It it simply bureacracy? Or rigid timescales? Seems to me the iteration time really makes SpaceX stand out.

Remember that you are dealing with the company that, when a second stage engine had a cracked nozzle, fixed it by simply snipping off the cracked bit *by hand*, and launching the next day.

The same problem at Nasa, or even Roscosmos, would have required a vehicle disassembly and complete engine replacement.

ROSCOSMOS would fly the rocket as-is, which would then also lead to disassembly followed by complete engine replacement.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: dnavas on 02/08/2019 07:18 pm
I'm not even sure this belongs in a SpaceX Party thread, but....

OK, I can't help myself. State of the art Computer (and operator) in the early 1970's when my career started. Back then computers were women's work. Funny how things change.
Mod, feel free to delete.

John
Rockets have come a ways, but looking at my 128GB micro sd card and those, what, 14MB (?) hard drives, maybe not so far.

Well, there's speed, which I think has some linear comparisons, and then there's density, which should grow at n^2-ish (unless we start storing data in 3D).

walking speed ~5mph.  Apollo capsule re-entry was ~5000x faster
Apple IIe processor at 1Mhz.  Current processors at 5Ghz.

Of course, there's frequency, and then there's speed.  The speed with which we get things done is tons faster than just the increase in processor frequency.  But  :shrug:  let me not let those facts get in my way....  :>

Current harddrive density is about 14TB, about 5000^2 of a double-sided 8" floppy drive back in the day (~500KB)

We're not likely going to go much faster, while storage density is likely to continue to increase.  Of course, harddrives and floppies aren't strictly comparable given the former has multiple spindles.  But it's a cute coincidence that includes a note of caution about drawing exponential lines -- our velocity increase during jet development looked fast, but these things have a tendency to top out.  That'll happen for storage density and computational density just as surely as it did for rocket development.  At some point it becomes a matter of making it affordable....  At which point, I think we actually intersect with SpaceX.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Scylla on 02/08/2019 07:31 pm
I fear this thread is veering dangerouly close to <gasp> seriousness.

I am thus forced to administer this antidote.

Just relax and breath normally. It will be over soon.
https://youtu.be/HZFTUtbn1RU
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 02/08/2019 08:44 pm
Well, thank you for that.  I can go out and face the dreary world now.  Anyone got a hammer?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: IntoTheVoid on 02/08/2019 11:53 pm
https://twitter.com/elonmusk

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 02/09/2019 01:12 pm
https://twitter.com/elonmusk

The backstory on that set of tweets is kind of funny in a Schadenfreude-istic sense.  Some snowflake whined on twitter that she wanted to move to Mars because their were no men.  Mars rejected her and said "Only wanted Elon" leading to the back and forth.  The snowflake has now deleted her Twitter account but there's still a few google images laying around including a screenshot of a crisis hotline text chat.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 02/09/2019 04:51 pm
Re Mars: “I only want Elon”

If he was there alone, he would truly be “the Elon of Mars”
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tomness on 02/11/2019 10:43 pm
https://spaceflightnow.com/2019/02/11/second-iranian-satellite-launch-attempt-in-a-month-fails/

Zuma 2 : Iran 0 😂
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 02/11/2019 11:58 pm
This weekend I learned what’s in the trailers at the Boca Chica launch site. But just as me and my mates snuck in they locked the door on us and we were stuck - sworn to secrecy not to tell before they set us free.

And trust me, we went through hell to get there...

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 02/12/2019 07:14 am
NASA just reported that an ancient Mars pyramid scheme collapsed. 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 02/12/2019 11:46 am
Quote
Quote
SpaceX is playing politics just like everyone else.
No they aren't, IMHO. They are playing for a different outcome.

Looks like i cant play in the Political party thread, so gotta play the game here.

Of course SpaceX is also playing the game! And you all just lost. :P

Elon famously once said:
"Imagine a pallet of 6 million $ in cash falling from the sky. Would you not try to catch it?".
Now imagine even much larger pallets of cash floating through a room full of politicians, and you need to play the game to enter the room. Would you not play the game?

SpaceX is playing catch, and the Airforce just got tagged.

Now ill hide before someone seeks revenge...

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 02/12/2019 02:19 pm
Quote
Quote
SpaceX is playing politics just like everyone else.
No they aren't, IMHO. They are playing for a different outcome.

Looks like i cant play in the Political party thread, so gotta play the game here.

Of course SpaceX is also playing the game! And you all just lost. :P

Elon famously once said:
"Imagine a pallet of 6 million $ in cash falling from the sky. Would you not try to catch it?".
Now imagine even much larger pallets of cash floating through a room full of politicians, and you need to play the game to enter the room. Would you not play the game?

SpaceX is playing catch, and the Airforce just got tagged.

Now ill hide before someone seeks revenge...

But are they sharing a drink they call loneliness?
I hear it’s better than drinking alone.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/12/2019 02:27 pm
I'm just annoyed you pointed out The Game.

Even if your analysis was correct, SpaceX has a noble purpose. There is nothing wrong with stockholder enrichment, but it's not the same as changing the very fabric of society.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Bananas_on_Mars on 02/12/2019 05:36 pm
Hopefully Nomadd is reading this, if SpaceX breaks the Hopper, maybe he can secure one of the COPVs...

https://youtu.be/mNf2WmH7mFU
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Jarnis on 02/13/2019 01:22 pm
Quote
Hopefully Nomadd is reading this, if SpaceX breaks the Hopper, maybe he can secure one of the COPVs...

"From the department of interesting new ways to try and get yourself killed while doing something silly"

 ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Bananas_on_Mars on 02/13/2019 07:54 pm
Quote
Hopefully Nomadd is reading this, if SpaceX breaks the Hopper, maybe he can secure one of the COPVs...

"From the deparment of interesting new ways to try and get yourself killed while doing something silly"

 ;D

Peter Beck built similar stuff, and look where he's now...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 02/13/2019 11:59 pm
New evidence has surfaced that SpaceX is once more relentlessly chasing manufacturing and material synergies in not only building Stainless Steel Starship and Stainless Steel Super Heavy, but is also pivoting to a Stainless Steel Spacesuit:

https://www.teslarati.com/elon-musk-boring-company-watchtower-knight/
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: guyw on 02/15/2019 08:29 pm
This is a statement. A globally-watched tentative first step on the path towards walking off this planet and onto another. This BFH is the very first manifestation of the Starship. Elon's Starship. And he ain't - no way no how - gonna fly it without a hat...

Or in the immortal words of Steely Dan, "I'm never gonna do it without the fez on..."

 ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mme on 02/16/2019 04:30 pm
So trying to shoehorn this thing into a familiar fruit (apples to apples), by my simple math, when the BFH finally lights her three Raptors it will be roughly the equivalent of a Falcon7 - just trying to provide Nomadd and BCGal an idea of the show they’ll get.
And you guys live about 1.7 miles from the pad, right? 1.3MM lbs of thrust. Oh boy!

I was at the QM-1 test fire of one of the SLS five segment boosters in Utah a few years ago, at three miles away it was pretty damn impressive. Granted that sucker had almost three times the thrust, but still - you’re in for quite the show!
I'm replacing my Woodstock era windows with tempered glass. I keep waiting for SpaceX to come by and assist, but nothing yet.
They were planning to help with the removal of the old windows.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 02/18/2019 04:41 pm
" ...  much shorter tanks ..."  and " ... or it lacks the assumed common bulkhead and has a circumferential 'dead space' between two discrete tanks. ..."

I think both of you ( edzieba and StuffOfInterest) are on something.

The Phase One Hopper ... simplicity and speed of fabrication seems to be at the top of the to do list,

Perhaps both header tanks are mounted above and to the left and right of the three raptors ... makes for some simplified piping to the three raptors.

And an idle suggestion ... run the piping from the main LOX tank to the LOX header tank inside the fin that does not move ... call it the dorsal fin. Avoids complicating the structure of the main CH4 tank.

And a quite idle comment. I have quite a unique experience in piping.  Back in the day,  I set fire to my toilet.

Any feedback welcome by the NSF community.
Emphasis mine - assuming a methane fire...?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AndyX on 02/18/2019 09:03 pm
https://www.poll-maker.com/poll2250772x6BC44d18-65

Get some votes in for Chris G and Chris B.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Semmel on 02/19/2019 11:09 am
https://www.poll-maker.com/poll2250772x6BC44d18-65

Get some votes in for Chris G and Chris B.

Ahhh.. a measure of popularity. How enticing! :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 02/19/2019 11:16 am
https://www.poll-maker.com/poll2250772x6BC44d18-65

Get some votes in for Chris G and Chris B.

Ahhh.. a measure of popularity. How enticing! :D
Which, in turn, means a form of currency. And that leads to the black market and, ultimately, the dark web.

So let’s get started! Semmel, here’s one Like. However, in return I expect two future Likes. To sweeten the deal, I will also give one Like for each family member you name...

But be careful- if I don’t get my two Likes within a month I will report all future posts to the Mods (aka, The Family).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Norm38 on 02/19/2019 05:45 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmVBF8f3ZD4

I have to wonder if whoever modeled the payload deployment has ever seen a rocket launch in their life.
If that's where the payload is, what's in the fairing?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 02/19/2019 08:53 pm
Whew!  ;D

LOX on the top or the bottom?

Question from the hopper thread but as a general service announcement  I would like to clarify the lox always goes on the top the bagel on the bottom the cream cheese in the middle and optional onions and capers can be added as desired.

(drops mic)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 02/19/2019 11:19 pm
I have to wonder if whoever modeled the payload deployment has ever seen a rocket launch in their life.
If that's where the payload is, what's in the fairing?
On the plus side, the first stage can apparently now put the second stage, the fairings and at least one payload into orbit on its own.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 02/20/2019 01:16 am
In preparation for the launch of a Hebrew spacecraft to the moon I consulted with some local Rabbis about a spiritual boost. They agreed it was highly likely that Yallway would get behind this effort to check out the lesser light. (Genesis 1:16)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Semmel on 02/20/2019 11:21 am
https://www.poll-maker.com/poll2250772x6BC44d18-65

Get some votes in for Chris G and Chris B.

Ahhh.. a measure of popularity. How enticing! :D
Which, in turn, means a form of currency. And that leads to the black market and, ultimately, the dark web.

So let’s get started! Semmel, here’s one Like. However, in return I expect two future Likes. To sweeten the deal, I will also give one Like for each family member you name...

But be careful- if I don’t get my two Likes within a month I will report all future posts to the Mods (aka, The Family).

I liked your post twice. Seems like the Like like to annihilated themselves. ;) There, how do you like that, Luigi?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AndyE on 02/20/2019 07:12 pm
SpaceX Falcon Heavy : AFSPC-44 : LC-39A : NET late 2020

wild speculation alert on

What islands could be used out there? (If any.)

wild speculation off

Tracy Island?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 02/20/2019 10:22 pm
https://www.poll-maker.com/poll2250772x6BC44d18-65

Get some votes in for Chris G and Chris B.

Ahhh.. a measure of popularity. How enticing! :D
Which, in turn, means a form of currency. And that leads to the black market and, ultimately, the dark web.

So let’s get started! Semmel, here’s one Like. However, in return I expect two future Likes. To sweeten the deal, I will also give one Like for each family member you name...

But be careful- if I don’t get my two Likes within a month I will report all future posts to the Mods (aka, The Family).

I liked your post twice. Seems like the Like like to annihilated themselves. ;) There, how do you like that, Luigi?

Seems about right for the inflation/deflation patterns of made up currencies
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 02/20/2019 10:31 pm
https://www.poll-maker.com/poll2250772x6BC44d18-65

Get some votes in for Chris G and Chris B.

Ahhh.. a measure of popularity. How enticing! :D
Which, in turn, means a form of currency. And that leads to the black market and, ultimately, the dark web.

So let’s get started! Semmel, here’s one Like. However, in return I expect two future Likes. To sweeten the deal, I will also give one Like for each family member you name...

But be careful- if I don’t get my two Likes within a month I will report all future posts to the Mods (aka, The Family).

I liked your post twice. Seems like the Like like to annihilated themselves. ;) There, how do you like that, Luigi?
Beware - I’m connected. Hooked might be a better word...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: QuantumG on 02/21/2019 05:45 am
Lookin' at you two in Texas... now I don't care who started it! Play nice!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 02/21/2019 10:23 am
<looks at webcast time for launch of Nusantara Satu>

Wot?
03:45 in the morning? Just who do these people think they are!
I demand the launch be rescheduled to a more suitable time, the current launch is very inconsiderate to people in Europe!


;-)

Yes, I will be up. I've not yet missed a SpaceX live launch, and do not intend to miss this one, even if the timing *is* very inconvenient for me.
At least its a night launch, those are exceptionally pretty.
Although the plan of catching the fairing is a bit of a mystery.
Maybe they figure, they've missed it several dozen times in good daylight, so maybe catching with their eyes closed at night will work better?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Kansan52 on 02/21/2019 05:41 pm
[Tracy Island?

Then it could do both!!

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 02/21/2019 06:48 pm
In case anyone is missing the holiday spirit, I give you the following equation...

Y = ln(X/M-SA)/R^2

You're welcome
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 02/21/2019 08:47 pm
You see...

Y = ln(X/M-SA)/R2

YR2 = ln(X/M - SA)

eR2Y = X/M - SA

MeR2Y = X-SAM

MeRRY = X-MAS

BLAM!

Edit to add back the Y that was heartlessly stolen from me in step 3. It’s probably perpetrated by the ruthless Like Gang
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 02/21/2019 08:48 pm
We need a Mission to Hippocamp.

I'm impressed they found a moon that's a fragment of a collision but any reason why it should be targeted?

So it can be destroyed, obviously.
With kindness?

With friendship!
The hippocamps (sea-ponies) have a musical number for this... :)
"One Small Thing"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMfoM9Y8viE

Shoo-bee-doo!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: sghill on 02/21/2019 10:34 pm
Woo hoo! The long FL launch drought is over!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 02/21/2019 10:59 pm
Yay! Can't wait for this launch. I've just been watching the live feed of the Ryugu landing on YouTube and combatting flat Earth trolls and Hoaxtards. I invited them to go watch the SpaceX livestream with me and a couple of them told me to go frak myself...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 02/21/2019 10:59 pm
You see...

Y = ln(X/M-SA)/R2

YR2 = ln(X/M - SA)

eR2 = X/M - SA

MeR2Y = X-SAM

MeRRY = X-MAS

BLAM!

It would've been more effective if you hadn't lost the Y in step 3.
Y you ask?

(Thanks - fixed and blame properly placed)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 02/22/2019 12:19 am
I'm off work today with a migraine headache - so this is going to cheer me up!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 02/22/2019 12:54 am
She's coming in hot!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/22/2019 01:10 am
wow
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 02/22/2019 01:37 am
I'm off work today with a migraine headache - so this is going to cheer me up!
I hope the successful launch and landing made you feel better mate! :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 02/22/2019 01:41 am
Congratulations to SpaceX, PSN, SpaceIL and AFRL for the successful launch of Nusantara Satu, Beresheet and S6!

Second stage first cutoff below, which I missed in the update section.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: 1 on 02/22/2019 02:20 am
Congrats to SpaceIL. Look forward to watching Part II of this adventure.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 02/22/2019 02:34 am
I was checking out this awesome video by Boca Chica Maria and noticed that it got vidbombed!  I guess everyone wants to be part of the action now.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: garcianc on 02/22/2019 03:10 am
Congratulations to SpaceX and its customers on another successful launch.

Credit to my daughter for noticing this, so I must take this time to also congratulate SpaceX for putting women in the forefront since the beginning (check out the Falcon 1 web casts). The SpaceX launches are as routine now as seeing an all-female panel hosting a launch web cast.
The mission was at T +5 minutes when my daughter, who was looking over my shoulder at the web cast, said "I didn't know there were so many girls at SpaceX". Until that point, I had not even noticed (i am such a nerd).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 02/22/2019 01:13 pm
Bring-on DM-1! :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 02/22/2019 01:16 pm
Congratulations to SpaceX, PSN, SpaceIL and AFRL for the successful launch of Nusantara Satu, Beresheet and S6!

Second stage first cutoff below, which I missed in the update section.
The ever-diligent Steven, than you! :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 02/22/2019 02:09 pm
If you were to read tonight's tweets before being fully awake, you could get the impression that SpaceX just launched Stephane Israel to the Moon on a Fregat upper stage...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 02/22/2019 03:03 pm
Congratulations to SpaceX and its customers on another successful launch.

Credit to my daughter for noticing this, so I must take this time to also congratulate SpaceX for putting women in the forefront since the beginning (check out the Falcon 1 web casts). The SpaceX launches are as routine now as seeing an all-female panel hosting a launch web cast.
The mission was at T +5 minutes when my daughter, who was looking over my shoulder at the web cast, said "I didn't know there were so many girls at SpaceX". Until that point, I had not even noticed (i am such a nerd).

It's one of the thing I like most about SpaceX - their webcasts are literally watched by hundreds of thousands of people and they always put a diverse team in both in terms of people and their jobs and they take care to present them in a good way. It would be interesting to see where their webcasts rank in comparison to science and engineering shows, I'm sure they get a higher proportion of the 18-30 than a lot of TV networks.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/22/2019 04:59 pm
Agree, niwax. However, way too serious.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 02/22/2019 05:24 pm
Agree, niwax. However, way too serious.

Terribly sorry.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ANufwUPFm8
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 02/22/2019 10:22 pm
Ok, F... here is Pewdiepie video (13:18)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpWYQ1YtgnI
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tomness on 02/22/2019 10:44 pm
Gerst says the Russians noted concerns about rendezvous abort software redundancy a few months ago. Gerst says he forgot to follow it up due to the shutdown, so will catch up with them next week to show why NASA's not worried about Dragon 2 accidentally colliding into the ISS.
Sounds like NASA got even for (cosmonauts] patching the Soyuez & cutting into later with out their safety processes.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/27/2019 02:20 pm
Possibly stupid question.  Do they have some sort of test on board to replace the astronauts expelling CO2?
Pretty much all astronauts expel CO2 (unless you can recruit Isaac from The Orville[1]) so I am fairly sure that's not a replacement criterion....


1 - spoiler alert...  that might not be a good idea.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/27/2019 02:26 pm
reddit user ThatOlJanxSpirit found this welding machine company's website: http://ransomecompany.com/

Their 3 O'CLOCK TANK WELDER GIRTH WELD SEAMERS is similar to the one currently being used in Boca Chica hopper site for the new "fairing":

Quote
3 O'CLOCK TANK WELDER GIRTH WELD SEAMERS - AUTOMATIC VESSEL WELDING
Cut in-field welding time for storage tanks by up to 40%. The Ransome Automatic 3 oclock Girth Welder (AGW) performs x-ray quality horizontal welds up to 20 times faster than standard manual techniques. Operating at speeds from four to 105 inches per minute, the AGW can handle plates as thick as 1 ¾" and tank diameters from the largest to as small as 30’. It is available as a single or dual mobile welding station completely equipped with welding heads, all controls, flux support belts and flux recovery units.

The AGW straddles the tank shell plates, riding on serrated steel drive wheels that can be adjusted for tank diameter. The adjustable A-frame telescopes manually to handle six- to 10-feet high steel plates.

The AGW’s operator platform is a sturdy and solid work station with guard rails and all-weather curtains for operator safety and comfort. Ransome’s double platform is fully equipped with its own direction and speed controls. An access ladder allows movement to the primary flux separator tank and to the side of the dual unit.

Ergonomically designed for convenience, accessibility and efficiency, the AGW includes the Lincoln NA-3 solid state control and welding head fitted with nozzles, wire feed rolls, strengtheners and 50 lb. wire reels for either single or twin-arc wire. The submerged arc flux belt mechanism ensures retention of the flux at the joint for efficient recycling.



This thing has a flux tank, flux support, flux recovery, a flux belt, and a flux separator....  But does it have a flux capacitor?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: sghill on 02/27/2019 04:04 pm
This thing has a flux tank, flux support, flux recovery, a flux belt, and a flux separator....  But does it have a flux capacitor?


I'm having flux, flux, flux, flux, baked beans, and flux!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 02/27/2019 05:45 pm
LOL - I just heard a contractor who's installing a huge new chiller system at the Aquarium complaining to his friend. "I've been here for six hours today, and I've caught myself twice on break just staring at the animals. I can't focus - can't get anything done. I just wan to look at the fish..."
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/27/2019 05:59 pm
LOL - I just heard a contractor who's installing a huge new chiller system at the Aquarium complaining to his friend. "I've been here for six hours today, and I've caught myself twice on break just staring at the animals. I can't focus - can't get anything done. I just wan to look at the fish..."
Did he have lunch? Might want to count the minnows after he leaves... 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 02/27/2019 08:17 pm
BEEEEEEEEP, BIP BIP BIP, BEEEEEP!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 02/28/2019 10:50 am


[/quote]

This thing has a flux tank, flux support, flux recovery, a flux belt, and a flux separator....  But does it have a flux capacitor?
[/quote]

Who would know?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 02/28/2019 11:10 am
What are the chances SpaceX decides to use a Offshore launch pad for Starship/Super heavy off of Boca Chica. 
Either 100% or 0%. We just don't know which.

Lovely, hidden variables. There is a probability but we don't know it, so we have to figure out the probability of the probability of the probability.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 02/28/2019 11:20 am
What are the chances SpaceX decides to use a Offshore launch pad for Starship/Super heavy off of Boca Chica. 
Either 100% or 0%. We just don't know which.

Lovely, hidden variables. There is a probability but we don't know it, so we have to figure out the probability of the probability of the probability.
Probability not
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 02/28/2019 09:59 pm
Starting to feel the excitement! 8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: theinternetftw on 03/01/2019 06:55 am
I was checking out this awesome video by Boca Chica Maria and noticed that it got vidbombed!  I guess everyone wants to be part of the action now.

I clicked the attachment to download it, moved on to other stuff, forgot about it and the opened it without knowing what it was.  Had to come back and dig through multiple pages to like the post, because it certainly deserves it.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZChris13 on 03/01/2019 07:07 am
This thing has a flux tank, flux support, flux recovery, a flux belt, and a flux separator....  But does it have a flux capacitor?
if it's electrically driven there's probably a flux capacitor somewhere in there
Possibly stupid question.  Do they have some sort of test on board to replace the astronauts expelling CO2?
Pretty much all astronauts expel CO2 (unless you can recruit Isaac from The Orville[1]) so I am fairly sure that's not a replacement criterion....
1 - spoiler alert...  that might not be a good idea.
no you have it backwards, he's looking for something else to expel CO2 when they don't have astronauts available
may I suggest NSF posters?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 03/01/2019 11:21 am
Rooting for her not to become RIP-ley...

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1101370880486076416?s=21
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: leetdan on 03/01/2019 01:04 pm
Rooting for her not to become RIP-ley...

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1101370880486076416?s=21

Making lemonade out of that lemon, maybe they could still test automated docking with IDA-1  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 03/01/2019 03:15 pm
If Ripley is flying this rig then where's Jones? I've got my own version that would make the Alien hide under the bed. He seems to be giving this flight more attention than the usual feline indifference. I'm taking that as a good sign.  8)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: matthewkantar on 03/01/2019 03:17 pm
That is one sour puss. Scared the butter off my toast.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 03/01/2019 03:19 pm
If Ripley is flying this rig then where's Jones? I've got my own version that would make the Alien hide under the bed. He seems to be giving this flight more attention than the usual feline indifference. I'm taking that as a good sign.  8)
Woah - I think we need some back story on that dude...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 03/01/2019 03:40 pm
If Ripley is flying this rig then where's Jones? I've got my own version that would make the Alien hide under the bed. He seems to be giving this flight more attention than the usual feline indifference. I'm taking that as a good sign.  8)
Woah - I think we need some back story on that dude...

His real name is Big (University of Tennessee) Orange. Cats can be tamed but there's always a wild animal inside and it's not far away on this guy. He learned long ago that if cat don't run then dog don't know what to do. It's all about "cattitude" and he's got a Homer bucket full. The foxes keep him away from the chickens. Coyotes avoid the place. He's so mean he makes medicine sick. My 170 pound Rottweiler/St. Bernard mix looks both ways to make sure this guy isn't coming down the road. My Pit Bull calls him "cousin" and the whole farm thinks Big Orange is the one who actually got Bin Laden. This is one crusty spacecat hairball.  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 03/01/2019 06:09 pm
what did you do to his ear, though.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 03/01/2019 06:17 pm
Sorry about the seriousness, but I've seen some confusion over when the launch is because it's at omygoditsearly on March 2nd... so without further ado...

(music)
me me mememememe...

To-NIGHT tooo-NIGHT
the launch it iiiiiis tonight...
(/music)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 03/01/2019 06:35 pm
perhaps not giving up your day job would be prudent. But there's a career as a filksinger in the offing...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 03/01/2019 06:41 pm
OK what wag added a poll to this thread?

https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=47513.0

88 votes on how many pages before the thread gets axed. YOU GUYS!!!!
( I voted the poll gets axed before the thread does but I have a bias )
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 03/01/2019 07:34 pm
OK what wag added a poll to this thread?

https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=47513.0

88 votes on how many pages before the thread gets axed. YOU GUYS!!!!
( I voted the poll gets axed before the thread does but I have a bias )
Invalid poll, it doesn't state how many posts displayed per page ("obviously" I use 50, but I could use 5 and then it's already up to 11 pages).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: IntoTheVoid on 03/01/2019 08:01 pm
Tired of all this, 'tomorrow', 'tomorrow', 'tomorrow' talk!
The launch is TONIGHT!
It won't even be past midnight in Hawthorne.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 03/01/2019 08:34 pm
<looks at webcast time for launch of Nusantara Satu>

Wot?
03:45 in the morning? Just who do these people think they are!
I demand the launch be rescheduled to a more suitable time, the current launch is very inconsiderate to people in Europe!


<looks at webcast time for launch of SpX-DM1 >
Good, I see that they have scheduled tomorrow's launch for the much more reasonable time of 09:49AM for me.
Much appreciated!

;-)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 03/01/2019 08:37 pm
what did you do to his ear, though.

He came home pretty torn up all over with part of one ear missing after several days of adventure. He was a bloody mess and it wasn't all his so it must have been an awesome fight with whatever it was. We cleaned him up a bit and he went right back to being King of all us lesser creatures.  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZChris13 on 03/01/2019 09:00 pm
what did you do to his ear, though.

He came home pretty torn up all over with part of one ear missing after several days of adventure. He was a bloody mess and it wasn't all his so it must have been an awesome fight with whatever it was. We cleaned him up a bit and he went right back to being King of all us lesser creatures.  8)
control your damn animals, you animal
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 03/01/2019 09:09 pm
what did you do to his ear, though.

He came home pretty torn up all over with part of one ear missing after several days of adventure. He was a bloody mess and it wasn't all his so it must have been an awesome fight with whatever it was. We cleaned him up a bit and he went right back to being King of all us lesser creatures.  8)
Looks like "Juicy" one of the ferals that lives on my front porch right now for several years. He will only come in for a moment but is happy in his heated habitat. His sibling J.J. passed away a 11/2 years back who would come inside for a few hours at a time to nap but then would politely ask to go back out again. All the hungry or homeless are welcome to stay and happily show their appreciation! :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 03/01/2019 09:19 pm
Thought I'd better get this DAMNED post over with well before the launch so that any and all appropriate exorcisms can commence with time to spare. 

Big Orange has a look like:  Yah, I chewed my own ear off.  Whatcha gonna do bout it?!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 03/01/2019 10:18 pm
Eh... what did I start. Cats are evil. Speak no more of them. That is all.

.
...will that even work here?...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 03/01/2019 10:27 pm
And with that we get a musical interlude... Hey ISS I'm coming up!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRINgISPUWQ
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: envy887 on 03/01/2019 10:30 pm
OK what wag added a poll to this thread?

Must have been Chris :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 03/01/2019 10:39 pm
And with that we get a musical interlude... Hey ISS I'm coming up!

Be seeing her in Nashville next week.  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Scylla on 03/01/2019 10:44 pm
Eh... what did I start. Cats are evil. Speak no more of them. That is all.

.
...will that even work here?...

Um..........no.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 03/02/2019 12:25 am
GAH!!!

I literally just received an automated call from our local power company saying they are cutting power from 1:00AM to 5:00AM.

W T F!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 03/02/2019 12:27 am
GAH!!!

I literally just received an automated call from our local power company saying they are cutting power from 1:00AM to 5:00AM.

W T F!
Fire-up the generator!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 03/02/2019 12:45 am
GAH!!!

I literally just received an automated call from our local power company saying they are cutting power from 1:00AM to 5:00AM.

W T F!
Fire-up the generator!
This is the best I got...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: freddo411 on 03/02/2019 12:50 am
This is how things go at my house ...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mme on 03/02/2019 02:00 am
GAH!!!

I literally just received an automated call from our local power company saying they are cutting power from 1:00AM to 5:00AM.

W T F!
I you you've got a laptop and can teether it to your phone!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZChris13 on 03/02/2019 02:16 am
I actually find mobile client to work better for youtube streams than the web client, it always cuts out for me on my desktop
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 03/02/2019 03:13 am
If folks are posting pics of their cats I may win.
Introducing George and Gracie when they were kittens.

Will they live to see Mars with humans on it?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 03/02/2019 04:48 am
Here's a cat-thought experiment for you all.  You have a cat.  The cat likes you.
However, you just acquired a rare illness that causes you to shrink in size by 1% every day.
How many days can this go on before your cat decides to drag you off to show you off to someone new?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZChris13 on 03/02/2019 04:53 am
The cat likes you.
ask nonphysical questions get nonphysical answers
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 03/02/2019 05:37 am
In comments "Fake crew and Globe Propaganda!" ha never change flatards...

[edit] I just watched Behind the Curve; if NASA is figurative devil for flaterthers, isn't make this site figurative Satanistics-web-site for them.  ]:-)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jpfulton314 on 03/02/2019 05:55 am
Even Jeff Bezos ran out of the Earth plushies.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 03/02/2019 06:02 am
Game On!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: yokem55 on 03/02/2019 06:07 am
I was almost going to play a drinking game with the live stream tonight on the word 'historic'. I decided against it though as I do want to be conscious for the launch.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Prettz on 03/02/2019 06:37 am
This video is HILARIOUSLY irrelevant. None of this has anything to do with anything.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 03/02/2019 06:41 am
I was almost going to play a drinking game with the live stream tonight on the word 'historic'. I decided against it though as I do want to be conscious for the launch.

-What a party pooper you are, then in the stream: "BASS BOOM - Saturn fiAAAAvve -  BASS BOOM - HISTORIC launch site" ok.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tyrred on 03/02/2019 06:45 am
1.5 minutes and it's business tyyyyyyme!  Diggin the rotary event display at the bottom
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 03/02/2019 06:49 am
That reflection off of the strongback freaked me out!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Prettz on 03/02/2019 06:51 am
This is basically what it would have looked like if the live stream was done in 1999.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Prettz on 03/02/2019 06:59 am
LANDED
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 03/02/2019 07:03 am
 8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tyrred on 03/02/2019 07:13 am
Congrats Congrats Congrats! SpaceX, NASA, all the NSF members, camerapersons, baristas, bartenders, Ripley...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 03/02/2019 07:15 am
To me, this felt a lot like the FH launch early last year.  Something that was never going to happen, and certainly not soon - it was always just out of reach.  But here we are.

As a relatively youthful lad, the first time I heard about crew dragon was a not-insignificant percentage of my life ago.  It's strange to see this beast fly, because I grew a lot while waiting for this moment.

So... anyone got any good rumors regarding when DM-2 is scheduled?  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 03/02/2019 07:19 am
Congratulations to SpaceX and NASA for the successful launch of DM-1!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Chris Bergin on 03/02/2019 07:23 am
That was so smooth!

And the server hamsters even took it all in their stride. (customary - and absolutely vital - thanks to L2 members for allowing us to afford it all!)

Now to get her docked and show the Russians they had nothing to worry about :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 03/02/2019 07:24 am
Congratulations SpaceX and NASA.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: hpras on 03/02/2019 07:30 am
Poop. If there was a bingo, I'd have finally won.  Congrats.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: rickl on 03/02/2019 07:54 am
Congratulations to SpaceX, NASA, and all involved.

I came close to missing it.  I went to bed and set my alarm for 2:00 am EST.  After a while I noticed that I didn't hear the alarm.  I turned on the light and it was 2:42!   :o

That got me wide awake in a hurry.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 03/02/2019 07:57 am
Poop. If there was a bingo, I'd have finally won.  Congrats.

Indeed, landing accuracy has prompted some ‘discussion’  :)

https://twitter.com/larsblackmore/status/1101766478838157312

Edit to add: for those not familiar with all the people at SpaceX, Lars heads their landing team and was a major driving force behind getting propulsive landing to work.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 03/02/2019 08:31 am
Fantastic job, SpaceX and NASA. Epic stuff. Onwards to a safe and successful docking.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mshear on 03/02/2019 08:42 am
Watching the press conference, I can't help but wonder what the PR folks think about putting Elon in public with what seems like about ten minutes of sleep in the last week...  (I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt regarding lack of sleep rather than excess of [insert name of interesting substance here])
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: rickl on 03/02/2019 08:56 am
Elon's brain seems to move faster than his mouth.  I think that's probably a sign of genius.


Contrast that with millions upon millions of people in the world whose mouths move faster than their brains.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 03/02/2019 11:12 am
Elon's brain seems to move faster than his mouth.  I think that's probably a sign of genius.


Contrast that with millions upon millions of people in the world whose mouths move faster than their brains.

I think Elons mouth-brain relationship might be non-transitive in that regard.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 03/02/2019 11:44 am
Just watched the post flight conference. Elons brain seems to be working hard to not mention Starship (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfl6Lu3xQW0)

Q: Have you signed any customers:
A: Well yes, there's this big freaking trip around the moon We're really looking at satisfying NASA right now
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 03/02/2019 01:36 pm
Congrats SpaceX, well done! :) To be frank I found the launch and landing a little anticlimactic in a good way. These folks really know what they're doing with this system... 8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Chris Bergin on 03/02/2019 02:28 pm
"I see faces in spacecraft. I see them all the time....."
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tomness on 03/02/2019 02:43 pm
"I see faces in spacecraft. I see them all the time....."
More like what's that?  Falcon Heavy you say? I want ride that next! .... Your not old enough kid. To much power. 😂😂
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: launchwatcher on 03/02/2019 03:26 pm
New rule from the press conference: "One reporter per question".   
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 03/02/2019 05:21 pm
New rule from the press conference: "One reporter per question".   
A really good rule, it should be upheld in future conferences. Multiple reporters running the same question wastes everybody's time!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 03/02/2019 05:54 pm
Woohoo! Congratulations to all on a smooth launch under great scrutiny... now the really new bit begins.

Anyway... so Ripley will do the in-flight abort... then will SpaceX lend her to Boeing so she can do it all again?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 03/02/2019 07:18 pm
Thanks for a great 58th birthday candle, Elon!!!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 03/02/2019 10:38 pm
Happy b-day ya old fecker!   ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: punder on 03/02/2019 10:56 pm
As a relatively youthful lad, the first time I heard about crew dragon was a not-insignificant percentage of my life ago.  It's strange to see this beast fly, because I grew a lot while waiting for this moment.

Huh. I grew old a lot while waiting for this moment.   :P
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: FinalFrontier on 03/03/2019 03:20 am
Big congratulations to the SpaceX and Nasa teams. Also big thank you and congrats on a successful coverage of the mission to the NSF team and the NSF photographers in the field. For those not on L2 you should really consider subscribing and check out what you are missing. Thanks as always to Chris and the mods as well.

Now the hard part begins. Mission ain't over until dragon is back on land. Fingers crossed for a nominal docking. GOSPACEX
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: NASAGeek on 03/03/2019 07:09 am
A belated congrats to NASA and SpaceX. It’s been a longtime getting to here from their. Thanks to NSF for the excellent coverage as usual. Can’t wait for further coverage of DM-1.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 03/03/2019 08:25 am
....
Anyway... so Ripley will do the in-flight abort... then will SpaceX lend her to Boeing so she can do it all again?

More likely Ripley will end up in a display case at Hawthorne after the SX in-flight abort test.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 03/03/2019 08:34 am
Just saw ISS overfly us here in Auckland, New Zealand about 20 minutes ago. Low to the horizon and I did not spot the Dragon.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 03/03/2019 08:38 am
...And the Hoaxtards and Flat Earthers are foaming at the mouth on YouTube and Farcebook. They can't stop our party though. Frak 'em...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 03/03/2019 08:59 am
Like two peas in a pod
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 03/03/2019 09:29 am
After all these years of artists impressions to finally see the real thing in action is somewhat moving.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: lonestriker on 03/03/2019 09:44 am
After all these years of artists impressions to finally see the real thing in action is somewhat moving.

Yup, very impressive how close the render got to real life.  Also, as mentioned on the webcast, moving for the engineers who finally get to see their work flying.  One of the reasons Tom Mueller said that he switched jobs to go work for SpaceX was the opportunity to see his work actually fly vs. traditional aerospace at the time.  I couldn't imagine working an entire career and not see my work actually take flight.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 03/03/2019 10:03 am
Congratulations to SpaceX and NASA for the successful first docking of Dragon 2!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 03/03/2019 10:05 am
Can't wait to see the Astros bouncing around in that lovely capsule interior.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 03/03/2019 10:07 am
I understand that NASA wants them to use a new spacecraft for each crew flight - does anyone know what's going to this ship and others like it? Will they eventually take over from the older style Dragons to haul cargo?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 03/03/2019 10:08 am
After all these years of artists impressions to finally see the real thing in action is somewhat moving.

Yup, very impressive how close the render got to real life.  Also, as mentioned on the webcast, moving for the engineers who finally get to see their work flying.  One of the reasons Tom Mueller said that he switched jobs to go work for SpaceX was the opportunity to see his work actually fly vs. traditional aerospace at the time.  I couldn't imagine working an entire career and not see my work actually take flight.
We are fortunate to have Nathan here at NSF and his wonderful renders! :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 03/03/2019 10:10 am
I understand that NASA wants them to use a new spacecraft for each crew flight - does anyone know what's going to this ship and others like it? Will they eventually take over from the older style Dragons to haul cargo?
The original plan was to make them available for space tourism but with BFS who knows.
I wish they would do so...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: sghill on 03/03/2019 10:28 am
"Node-2 forward hatch open"

Been a long time since they've slid that hatch open!

I hope someone brought along a can of WD-40!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 03/03/2019 12:13 pm
Ripley is going to reach in and grab the flag... ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DaveJ576 on 03/03/2019 12:40 pm
I deleted my earlier post naming the Zero G Indicator "Ziggy" because I had visions of the following conversation:

"Houston, Dragon. We have a problem here. Ziggy just went into a wicked shimmy. We have the Trademark Infringement Alarm Light, Corporate Suit Proximity Indicator just went barber pole, and the Lawsuit Progress Indicator just went off scale high. The panel is lit up like a Christmas tree.  Houston, I think we may have just lost the naming rights..."   :) 8)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: sghill on 03/03/2019 02:01 pm
I was hoping they'd put this on board instead...

https://www.thinkgeek.com/product/c534/
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 03/03/2019 03:27 pm
Now now, the goal is to encourage spaceflight, not discourage it. :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 03/03/2019 06:19 pm
All hail Dragon "feel the winds of change" thank you Elon! 8)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3duEasNhfh4
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: yokem55 on 03/03/2019 06:20 pm


Quote
That’s the youth of today for you. Don’t seem to appreciate the value of silence.

Yes, that was annoying me as well. We seem to live in a society where silence is abhored. If this was 1969 I bet they would play music during quiet periods of lunar EVAs!

Keith
"In space no one can hear you scream" hear music or chat... thankfully...

Ok old timers... soon you’ll all be yelling “get off my lawn!!” too to those music loving youngsters. ;-)

Anyways, I really enjoyed the docking. (Woke up in the middle of night to see it) Dragon 2 looks even sleeker and cooler in real life than renderings. So cool.
I like music songs about silence...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zLfCnGVeL4
That is not even the best song about silence...
https://youtu.be/JTEFKFiXSx4
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 03/03/2019 06:31 pm
Even better when I turned it up to 11! ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 03/03/2019 10:05 pm
Sigh - there’s one in every fishing community - I guess the Boca Chica (Port Isabel) area isn’t any different...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 03/04/2019 02:31 am
Cadillac shack?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 03/04/2019 07:49 am
Cadillac shack?
No Lar and BTW it’s not Honorable Bennie Ochoa, Quik Stop, Hino Sales, Inc, South Padre Island fishing Crystal Flats or White Sands Restaurant & Bar & Marina either.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 03/04/2019 02:00 pm
So I'm feeling someone has jumped the gun with trying to name Starships...

I want DRAGON NAMES! :P

(personally, I'm calling DM-1 Faranth)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 03/04/2019 03:07 pm
Cadillac shack?
No Lar and BTW it’s not Honorable Bennie Ochoa, Quik Stop, Hino Sales, Inc, South Padre Island fishing Crystal Flats or White Sands Restaurant & Bar & Marina either.
You're just trying to bait me into saying the name of the place.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 03/04/2019 03:22 pm
I was surprised Hinbo had a Gas Sales Shop nearby.  Needs to contact Google about their typo though.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Scylla on 03/04/2019 03:30 pm
Cadillac shack?
No Lar and BTW it’s not Honorable Bennie Ochoa, Quik Stop, Hino Sales, Inc, South Padre Island fishing Crystal Flats or White Sands Restaurant & Bar & Marina either.
You're just trying to bait me into saying the name of the place.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mongo62 on 03/04/2019 04:11 pm
Cadillac shack?
No Lar and BTW it’s not Honorable Bennie Ochoa, Quik Stop, Hino Sales, Inc, South Padre Island fishing Crystal Flats or White Sands Restaurant & Bar & Marina either.
You're just trying to bait me into saying the name of the place.
He's a master at that.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 03/04/2019 05:02 pm
Lol.  Plushrise by /u/ishaspatil on /r/SpaceXMasterrace (https://www.reddit.com/r/SpaceXMasterrace/comments/ax4ufa/plushrise/)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 03/04/2019 06:52 pm
Those are some weird looking external survey pictures in the update thread.  I suppose I hadn't noticed all those spots like that, any thoughts?
I would like to know what all those yellow spots that look like glue are, and their purpose.

Crazy speculation mode on:

1. Micrometeorite Impact Craters.
2. Deliberate little dents to detach airflow and decrease drag - like on a golfball.
3. Screw/Bolt-holes filled with paint/thermal/ablative/insulating coating.
4. Dragon-warts.
5. ???
Clearly a nasty space-virus, possibly picked up from an unsanitary telephone.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AbuSimbel on 03/04/2019 07:05 pm
.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 03/04/2019 07:11 pm
My life is full of regrets...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 03/04/2019 07:31 pm
OK what wag added a poll to this thread?

https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=47513.0

88 votes on how many pages before the thread gets axed. YOU GUYS!!!!
( I voted the poll gets axed before the thread does but I have a bias )

;) I think the poll was highly relevant for that topic ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 03/04/2019 09:55 pm
Those are some weird looking external survey pictures in the update thread.  I suppose I hadn't noticed all those spots like that, any thoughts?
I would like to know what all those yellow spots that look like glue are, and their purpose.

Crazy speculation mode on:

1. Micrometeorite Impact Craters.
2. Deliberate little dents to detach airflow and decrease drag - like on a golfball.
3. Screw/Bolt-holes filled with paint/thermal/ablative/insulating coating.
4. Dragon-warts.
5. ???
Clearly a nasty space-virus, possibly picked up from an unsanitary telephone.
3. Now I am the party pooper... Those are just holes for fasteners, which are filled with extruudable version of SPAM...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 03/04/2019 11:23 pm
How to name a ship

How about the SpaceX Space Ship Stainless Steel StarShip? Or the SSS SSSS for short.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: launchwatcher on 03/05/2019 01:26 am
How to name a ship

How about the SpaceX Space Ship Stainless Steel StarShip? Or the SSS SSSS for short.
Bad idea unless you enjoy getting special attention from TSA before each launch.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 03/05/2019 01:33 pm
How to name a ship

How about the SpaceX Space Ship Stainless Steel StarShip? Or the SSS SSSS for short.
Bad idea unless you enjoy getting special attention from TSA before each launch.

Hmmmm.... a minor modification and a second suggestion...

High Inclination SpaceX Space Ship Stainless Steel StarShip...

Which leads to:

Blue Origin Orbiter...

Thus we end up with

BOO  HISSSSSSS

Hmmm...  commentary on the Flatsies? ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AndyH on 03/05/2019 11:57 pm
And Cargo Dragon uses the same SPAM filler method - but just like Dragon 2, it is more or less visible depending on light conditions:

And no, SPAM is not a joke, that is the name of the side-wall external insulation layer - SpaceX Proprietary Ablative Material. (unless I have the abbreviation wrong)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDfpb1cg-FQ

Couldn't resist, could I?   ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mme on 03/06/2019 03:15 pm
That's great. Thanks. What do the rest say? There's one that says 'Jettison ...' followed by I think main or mode and something else I cant make out.

magical image enhance...
If I were lucky enough to ride in this beast, I'd be tempted to bring an

SCE
to
AUX

sticker. It would fit right next to the "Fire Pyro" button.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 03/06/2019 04:06 pm

Fly up a few hundred meetings, come back down. 


Definitely some meetings I'd like to send upl Not as concerned about coming down though.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 03/07/2019 04:45 pm
That's great. Thanks. What do the rest say? There's one that says 'Jettison ...' followed by I think main or mode and something else I cant make out.

magical image enhance...
If I were lucky enough to ride in this beast, I'd be tempted to bring an

SCE
to
AUX

sticker. It would fit right next to the "Fire Pyro" button.
Reserved for the Chemtrails in Spa.....


Uhhh ignore that. Never mind, move along, nothing to see here, folks.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 03/07/2019 09:52 pm
That's great. Thanks. What do the rest say? There's one that says 'Jettison ...' followed by I think main or mode and something else I cant make out.

magical image enhance...
If I were lucky enough to ride in this beast, I'd be tempted to bring an

SCE
to
AUX

sticker. It would fit right next to the "Fire Pyro" button.

SpaceX is topping that IMHO, they have an entire panel for that instead of just one switch ;)


now which combo would do the SCE to AUX equivalent.  I'd say click Power 2, then press and hold 2C and then click the reset button...  no that was the cabin light... hmmm lets try again....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 03/08/2019 06:15 am
I'm thinking of a much simpler design.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 03/08/2019 01:04 pm
Looks like one parachute is draped around the back side of Dragon
Yeah, I think the fast boat went up, had a look and a chat with the main boat and my guess is they're going in to check on everything carefully. Learning opportunity.

 (and unveiled as I type :) )

Houdini style...

Pull the blanket, and voila :Magic dragon
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jgoldader on 03/08/2019 02:09 pm
Thanks, SpaceX, for another memorable flight.  It brought back memories of watching the Apollo-Soyuz CM splashdown when I was a wee lad.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 03/08/2019 02:15 pm
Post splashdown music while you wait for recovery... ;D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KmKkV3ddAo
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: sghill on 03/08/2019 02:19 pm
That's great. Thanks. What do the rest say? There's one that says 'Jettison ...' followed by I think main or mode and something else I cant make out.

magical image enhance...
If I were lucky enough to ride in this beast, I'd be tempted to bring an

SCE
to
AUX

sticker. It would fit right next to the "Fire Pyro" button.

SpaceX is topping that IMHO, they have an entire panel for that instead of just one switch ;)


now which combo would do the SCE to AUX equivalent.  I'd say click Power 2, then press and hold 2C and then click the reset button...  no that was the cabin light... hmmm lets try again....

Pull out the Tesla manual for "Launch Mode"

Enable Max Battery Power mode via the link in Controls > Driving > ACCELERATION
Fully press the brake pedal with your left foot and hold firmly.
Fully press the accelerator pedal with your right foot, then release while continuing to hold the brake. The instrument panel will display the message “Launch Mode Enabled”.
After the message appears, fully press the accelerator pedal again. Then release the brake to launch within 4 seconds.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 03/08/2019 02:36 pm
Is there only a party thread for SpaceX?


Kinda telling I'd say.


Boy, the DM-1 mission has been so amazing on all fronts, and the addition of the Earth plushie unexpectedly stole the show in many ways.


Folks at Boeing must be, on some human level, pretty bummed out. The PR value of this mission has been priceless...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 03/08/2019 02:41 pm
Is there only a party thread for SpaceX?


Kinda telling I'd say.


Boy, the DM-1 mission has been so amazing on all fronts, and the addition of the Earth plushie unexpectedly stole the show in many ways.


Folks at Boeing must be, on some human level, pretty bummed out. The PR value of this mission has been priceless...
They'll get their day in the sun and I still think they will capture the flag unless Ripley already snagged it when all were asleep... ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 03/08/2019 03:18 pm
Is there only a party thread for SpaceX?


Kinda telling I'd say.


Boy, the DM-1 mission has been so amazing on all fronts, and the addition of the Earth plushie unexpectedly stole the show in many ways.


Folks at Boeing must be, on some human level, pretty bummed out. The PR value of this mission has been priceless...
They'll get their day in the sun and I still think they will capture the flag unless Ripley already snagged it when all were asleep... ;D
Budtender, I'll have what Rocket Science is smoking....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 03/08/2019 03:19 pm
https://twitter.com/commercial_crew/status/1104021801955405824

Quote
I want to congratulate the @NASA Commercial Crew Program and all of the engineers who have been a part of this effort from the very beginning. This is an amazing feet for America! ~@JimBridenstine

Amazing FEET indeed. We won't be kicked around!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 03/08/2019 05:21 pm
“We move Starships, what can we move for you?

Roll-Lift, moving the world - and beyond”

You’re welcome Roll-Lift. You can mail my consulting fees
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: punder on 03/08/2019 05:38 pm
https://twitter.com/commercial_crew/status/1104021801955405824

Quote
I want to congratulate the @NASA Commercial Crew Program and all of the engineers who have been a part of this effort from the very beginning. This is an amazing feet for America! ~@JimBridenstine

Amazing FEET indeed. We won't be kicked around!

!@**&#!!! autocorrect!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 03/08/2019 06:05 pm
https://www.deviantart.com/leonardovincent/art/Elon-chan-our-saviour-787711546 (https://www.deviantart.com/leonardovincent/art/Elon-chan-our-saviour-787711546)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 03/08/2019 06:54 pm
Is there only a party thread for SpaceX?


Kinda telling I'd say.


Boy, the DM-1 mission has been so amazing on all fronts, and the addition of the Earth plushie unexpectedly stole the show in many ways.


Folks at Boeing must be, on some human level, pretty bummed out. The PR value of this mission has been priceless...

I know some guy who works at Boeing in the Airliner maintenance business. I asked him if he was excited about Commercial Crew and Starliner in particular or if Boeing staff is cheering for the Boeing milestones - like SpaceX is doing. (Hoping he might have some nifty inside anecdotes) But it turned out I knew a LOT more about it than he did and he wasn't following the program closely. Nor did anyone of his colleagues. He wasn't even watching launches.

It looks a bit like Boeing's space flight program is handled internally by a very closed circle - not unlike their Phantom Works section (which does top secret stuff like X37, equivalent to Lockheed Martin's Skunk works)
and outside of that doesn't create much buzz.

Ordinary "mortals" never get in touch with it.

What a waste of an opportunity if you ask me.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Flying Beaver on 03/09/2019 12:48 am
Is there only a party thread for SpaceX?


Kinda telling I'd say.


Boy, the DM-1 mission has been so amazing on all fronts, and the addition of the Earth plushie unexpectedly stole the show in many ways.


Folks at Boeing must be, on some human level, pretty bummed out. The PR value of this mission has been priceless...

I know some guy who works at Boeing in the Airliner maintenance business. I asked him if he was excited about Commercial Crew and Starliner in particular or if Boeing staff is cheering for the Boeing milestones - like SpaceX is doing. (Hoping he might have some nifty inside anecdotes) But it turned out I knew a LOT more about it than he did and he wasn't following the program closely. Nor did anyone of his colleagues. He wasn't even watching launches.

It looks a bit like Boeing's space flight program is handled internally by a very closed circle - not unlike their Phantom Works section (which does top secret stuff like X37, equivalent to Lockheed Martin's Skunk works)
and outside of that doesn't create much buzz.

Ordinary "mortals" never get in touch with it.

What a waste of an opportunity if you ask me.

Yeah Boeing is a MASSIVE company compared to SpaceX (153,000 to 5500~), no wonder there's less connection. 75%~ of SpaceX's workforce is within one small-ish factory, Boeing's is international across numerous locations.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 03/09/2019 01:36 am
Is there only a party thread for SpaceX?


Kinda telling I'd say.


Boy, the DM-1 mission has been so amazing on all fronts, and the addition of the Earth plushie unexpectedly stole the show in many ways.


Folks at Boeing must be, on some human level, pretty bummed out. The PR value of this mission has been priceless...
They'll get their day in the sun and I still think they will capture the flag unless Ripley already snagged it when all were asleep... ;D
Budtender, I'll have what Rocket Science is smoking....
I don't smoke but maybe it is those "new spacecraft" fumes emanating from Dragon... ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DecoLV on 03/09/2019 01:36 am
Secret question you won't admit you are thinking...but I will ask for you:

Could you toast marshmallows on the launch exhaust of a Falcon 9, and if so where would the perfect location be to plant your spindle (or greenstick for traditionalists)...either pad 40 or 39A...if you could.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: punder on 03/09/2019 01:47 am
Is there only a party thread for SpaceX?


Kinda telling I'd say.


Boy, the DM-1 mission has been so amazing on all fronts, and the addition of the Earth plushie unexpectedly stole the show in many ways.


Folks at Boeing must be, on some human level, pretty bummed out. The PR value of this mission has been priceless...
They'll get their day in the sun and I still think they will capture the flag unless Ripley already snagged it when all were asleep... ;D
Budtender, I'll have what Rocket Science is smoking....
I don't smoke but maybe it is those "new spacecraft" fumes emanating from Dragon... ;D

Ma'am, you can't smoke in this area.

Sorry, it's just my TPS.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 03/09/2019 01:49 am
Secret question you won't admit you are thinking...but I will ask for you:

Could you toast marshmallows on the launch exhaust of a Falcon 9, and if so where would the perfect location be to plant your spindle (or greenstick for traditionalists)...either pad 40 or 39A...if you could.

I have oft wondered about this - who wouldn't?

The conclusion I came to, alas, is that F9 launch is not suitable to roasting marshmallows, because F9 burns kerosene. In other words, its exhaust smells like jet exhaust. And that's not a good flavor addition to a marshmallow.

The best I could come up with was use the heat, but keep the fumes out. A steel box should work, especially if mounted in the exhaust duct. It makes me wonder if SpaceX is already doing this?

For true direct roasting, I think BFR is what's needed; its exhaust should not impart unpleasant odors to the marshmallows.

Another field of research needed; how hot are the grid fins upon landing? Still hot enough to use as waffle irons? If not, what kind of engineering tweaks are needed to preserve sufficient reentry heat for this needed capability?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: frederickm17 on 03/09/2019 02:51 am
Super random but just wanted to let you all know that the Grand Tour Season 3 Episode 9 takes an awesome look into the astronauts of the Apollo era and James May drives Neil Armstrong's corvette down the space shuttle runway. Highly recommend!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: rickl on 03/09/2019 03:01 am
SpaceX wanted to use three parachutes, but NASA insisted that they use four.

The fourth chute is the one that ended up covering Dragon.

None of the three-chute Apollos had a parachute on top of the capsule.

Q.E.D.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tleski on 03/09/2019 03:28 am
Yeah, sure...
I just don't understand what does it have to do with Quantum Electro Dynamics?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: butters on 03/09/2019 03:37 am
I thought the NASA PAO Dan Huot did a great job with the NASA/SpaceX joint coverage, bringing just the right amount of NASA commentary style while blending seamlessly into the essential character of a SpaceX style webcast.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 03/09/2019 04:11 am
From the BFH thread... (put here, as this seems a better home for it, really)

I wish people wouldn't state things as if they are fact, when instead they are actually supposition.

I suspect it was a reproach to me. The reproach is fair, but sometimes I am too lazy to write these necessary words - "I think", "I believe", "I suppose". I've put a phrase "In my humble opinion" in my signature. Could it work?  :)

It's a fair counter-point and one I've pondered.  We should adopt an acronym which ITSM we rarely do around these parts.  I propose one of the following:

STATIQ:  Subject To All The Inumerable Qualifications
STATSD: Subject to All The Standard Disclaimers
DOTBRO:  Don't Overthink This Bro

Ok. Maybe I'm not very good at acronyms.

But I fell off the bus at "ITSM" already.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 03/09/2019 04:35 am
From the BFH thread... (put here, as this seems a better home for it, really)

I wish people wouldn't state things as if they are fact, when instead they are actually supposition.

I suspect it was a reproach to me. The reproach is fair, but sometimes I am too lazy to write these necessary words - "I think", "I believe", "I suppose". I've put a phrase "In my humble opinion" in my signature. Could it work?  :)

It's a fair counter-point and one I've pondered.  We should adopt an acronym which ITSM we rarely do around these parts.  I propose one of the following:

STATIQ:  Subject To All The Inumerable Qualifications
STATSD: Subject to All The Standard Disclaimers
DOTBRO:  Don't Overthink This Bro

Ok. Maybe I'm not very good at acronyms.

But I fell off the bus at "ITSM" already.
Just in case, you were actually struggling to figure it out.  That was a typo; the two middle letters were inadvertently swapped.  It should have been ISTM = "It seems to me".
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 03/09/2019 05:36 am
Nope.  ITSM = I'm Totally Sure Mate   8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 03/09/2019 01:09 pm
FML... (face palm)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 03/09/2019 01:19 pm
Face palm? Did you walk into a tree?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 03/09/2019 02:01 pm
Face psalm...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 03/09/2019 02:03 pm
Fall asleep reading a bible....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 03/09/2019 02:05 pm
Ok. Maybe I'm not very good at acronyms.

But I fell off the bus at "ITSM" already.
Just in case, you were actually struggling to figure it out.  That was a typo; the two middle letters were inadvertently swapped.  It should have been ISTM = "It seems to me".

And THAT is why I hate using acronyms.
You get the spelling wrong (which is very easy) and it turns into complete gibberish.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 03/09/2019 02:07 pm
Secret question you won't admit you are thinking...but I will ask for you:

Could you toast marshmallows on the launch exhaust of a Falcon 9, and if so where would the perfect location be to plant your spindle (or greenstick for traditionalists)...either pad 40 or 39A...if you could.

I have oft wondered about this - who wouldn't?

The conclusion I came to, alas, is that F9 launch is not suitable to roasting marshmallows, because F9 burns kerosene. In other words, its exhaust smells like jet exhaust. And that's not a good flavor addition to a marshmallow.

The best I could come up with was use the heat, but keep the fumes out. A steel box should work, especially if mounted in the exhaust duct. It makes me wonder if SpaceX is already doing this?

For true direct roasting, I think BFR is what's needed; its exhaust should not impart unpleasant odors to the marshmallows.

Another field of research needed; how hot are the grid fins upon landing? Still hot enough to use as waffle irons? If not, what kind of engineering tweaks are needed to preserve sufficient reentry heat for this needed capability?

So long as no one feeds the BFR Beans the night before.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 03/09/2019 02:10 pm
https://www.deviantart.com/leonardovincent/art/Elon-chan-our-saviour-787711546 (https://www.deviantart.com/leonardovincent/art/Elon-chan-our-saviour-787711546)
Is that from the Sistine Chapel?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 03/09/2019 03:47 pm
From the BFH thread... (put here, as this seems a better home for it, really)

I wish people wouldn't state things as if they are fact, when instead they are actually supposition.

I suspect it was a reproach to me. The reproach is fair, but sometimes I am too lazy to write these necessary words - "I think", "I believe", "I suppose". I've put a phrase "In my humble opinion" in my signature. Could it work?  :)

It's a fair counter-point and one I've pondered.  We should adopt an acronym which ITSM we rarely do around these parts.  I propose one of the following:

STATIQ:  Subject To All The Inumerable Qualifications
STATSD: Subject to All The Standard Disclaimers
DOTBRO:  Don't Overthink This Bro

Ok. Maybe I'm not very good at acronyms.

But I fell off the bus at "ITSM" already.

So that's a compelling argument in favor of DOTBRO.   ;D

Sorry.  I hate when a typo ruins a joke but luckily in-situ the principles all DOTBRO'd and so it's only here that my crime is apparent.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AndyH on 03/09/2019 06:25 pm
It appears that the Charleston area was treated to a sonic boom from the returning Dragon...

http://www.live5news.com/2019/03/08/sonic-boom-reported-across-lowcountry-friday-morning/

Recommended D2 return sound track:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6913KnbMpHM

(Just make sure you're not standing on Earthie when you're feeling the earth move, 'cause that would be wrong. ;))
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 03/09/2019 11:02 pm
I feel the earth, squish, under my fe(a)t....

That's right folks..... two jokes for the price of one.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 03/09/2019 11:43 pm
The huge unanswered question regarding DM-1; was there, or was there not, a wheel of cheese aboard?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 03/10/2019 05:56 am
Under the side hatch is an open hatch. This photo taken from NASA video shows water sloshing in the bottom of the compartment. I’d like to know what was in there and when did it open.
thats the main parachute compartment.
I was pretty disgusted seeing seawater sloshing around in there.
Disgusted? Really? What did you expect?

I think @rickl was one of those who voted for that area to be used as the post-flight margarita mixer / cocktail shaker.  So, finding it filled with seawater was justifiably off-putting.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 03/10/2019 06:56 am
Wait, you mean that’s not the lido deck?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 03/10/2019 02:25 pm
Its the diatom sampling scoop. I mean if you're planing on making life multiplanetary you're gonna need some life to take with you.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 03/11/2019 02:43 pm
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1105118025798291456

https://twitter.com/infinite_scream/status/1105119369993117698

Such a beautiful engine
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 03/11/2019 08:59 pm
Everytime i see the mobile toilets less than 50 meters away from the launch pad of what is going to be a pretty big rocket in itself, i can not help but think of the prank potential.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 03/11/2019 10:55 pm
Raptor kind of looks like she snuck onto the worksite early in the morning with her pumps in her hand and her hairness a hot mess.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: sghill on 03/12/2019 01:07 am
Secret question you won't admit you are thinking...but I will ask for you:

Could you toast marshmallows on the launch exhaust of a Falcon 9, and if so where would the perfect location be to plant your spindle (or greenstick for traditionalists)...either pad 40 or 39A...if you could.

I have oft wondered about this - who wouldn't?

The conclusion I came to, alas, is that F9 launch is not suitable to roasting marshmallows, because F9 burns kerosene. In other words, its exhaust smells like jet exhaust. And that's not a good flavor addition to a marshmallow.

The best I could come up with was use the heat, but keep the fumes out. A steel box should work, especially if mounted in the exhaust duct. It makes me wonder if SpaceX is already doing this?

For true direct roasting, I think BFR is what's needed; its exhaust should not impart unpleasant odors to the marshmallows.

Another field of research needed; how hot are the grid fins upon landing? Still hot enough to use as waffle irons? If not, what kind of engineering tweaks are needed to preserve sufficient reentry heat for this needed capability?

So long as no one feeds the BFR Beans the night before.

...Or after midnight.

Do you want gremlins? Because that's how you get gremlins!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wolfram66 on 03/12/2019 01:31 am
Looks like it was assimilated with a Borg cube
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 03/12/2019 06:20 pm
If that's a new steel building going up, there should be building permits.

Innovative way to skip on paperwork. Wanna erect a large steel structure in your backyard and didn't find time to file for a permit?

No worries, just call the thing an orbital class launch vehicle.

Especially practical for water towers, really no one can tell the difference ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: OxCartMark on 03/12/2019 10:03 pm
What if this is really about them opening a brewery and they've been playing us for free publicity for months?  And, with kettles that large it wouldn't be a microbrewery, what are the next steps up from micro?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Kansan52 on 03/12/2019 10:08 pm
Mega?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 03/12/2019 10:13 pm
What if this is really about them opening a brewery and they've been playing us for free publicity for months?  And, with kettles that large it wouldn't be a microbrewery, what are the next steps up from micro?

On-orbit ethanol fuel plant.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 03/12/2019 10:42 pm
What if this is really about them opening a brewery and they've been playing us for free publicity for months?

In that case, the next test dummie will be called Booze Lightbeer.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 03/12/2019 11:50 pm
And, with kettles that large it wouldn't be a microbrewery, what are the next steps up from micro?

A brewery
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 03/13/2019 02:32 am
NEW!  Bud Flight!  Coming soon to a convenience store near you!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DaveMorgan on 03/13/2019 06:14 pm
Everytime i see the mobile toilets less than 50 meters away from the launch pad of what is going to be a pretty big rocket in itself, i can not help but think of the prank potential.
That reminds me of the Helecoptor landing for the Ten Tors a couple of years back :)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-devon-36232084/helicopter-takes-out-portable-toilets-at-devon-ten-tors-event
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 03/13/2019 09:13 pm
Whatever they are brewing in there, Jim Bridenstine seems to like it. :D But will it be enough for Congress? Might need a bigger kettle!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 03/14/2019 12:20 pm
Everytime i see the mobile toilets less than 50 meters away from the launch pad of what is going to be a pretty big rocket in itself, i can not help but think of the prank potential.
On one of the Grasshopper/F9R-dev 1 flights, I don't recall which off hand, SpaceX demonstrated this quite thoroughly.  Only thing missing was a dummy on the john at the time.  But it got blasted pretty darn good.

EDIT: I found it.  It was the first F9R-dev 1 flight.  Linking the Youtube video below.  Pay attention to the port-a-potty during the landing (starts around 0:55 of the video; helps to view full screen on high resolution).  It starts out between the nearest red trailer and the landing pad.  Even though the prime "money shot" is obscured by the body of the rocket, you can see where it ended up after the dust clears.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UjWqQPWmsY?t=001

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UjWqQPWmsY
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: matthewkantar on 03/14/2019 01:51 pm
Some poor intern minutes later: "'Go work for SpaceX' they said, 'Explore Mars!' I thought, FML! what a mess! the smell!"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 03/14/2019 03:13 pm
On one of the Grasshopper/F9R-dev 1 flights, I don't recall which off hand, SpaceX demonstrated this quite thoroughly.  Only thing missing was a dummy on the john at the time.  But it got blasted pretty darn good.

EDIT: I found it.  It was the first F9R-dev 1 flight.  Linking the Youtube video below.  Pay attention to the port-a-potty during the landing (starts around 0:55 of the video; helps to view full screen on high resolution).  It starts out between the nearest red trailer and the landing pad.  Even though the prime "money shot" is obscured by the body of the rocket, you can see where it ended up after the dust clears.

Thank you so much for digging this up! :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: chrisking0997 on 03/14/2019 03:23 pm
well lets hope they at least secure those mobile methane plants a little better than they did for F9R
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 03/14/2019 09:05 pm
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 03/15/2019 06:00 am


It took me a whole DAY to figure out what that pi was about.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 03/15/2019 03:55 pm
I know it's a Dragon, but........


I keep seeing a baby penguin.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 03/15/2019 04:01 pm
Everytime i see the mobile toilets less than 50 meters away from the launch pad of what is going to be a pretty big rocket in itself, i can not help but think of the prank potential.

"Hi, I'm Johnny Knoxville and this is Rocket Powered Porta-Potty."



Don't give them any ideas.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: GregTheGrumpy on 03/15/2019 05:15 pm
I know it's a Dragon, but........


I keep seeing a baby penguin.

HA!  Now I can't stop seeing it either. lol.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 03/15/2019 06:19 pm
Per the Falcon Heavy update thread:

Michael Sheetz
 @thesheetztweetz               
Arabsat 6A – the second flight of @SpaceX (https://twitter.com/SpaceX) Falcon Heavy – is scheduled to launch no earlier than April 7 at 6:36 pm ET (22:36 UTC), sources familiar with the plans tell me.https://twitter.com/thesheetztweetz/status/1106602646792781824 (https://twitter.com/thesheetztweetz/status/1106602646792781824)




I was hoping they'd launch April 4-7 during the Sun 'n Fun Airshow and we'd make it part of the program (like we did last year with the ISS), but it will be over at 1730 Sunday. If you come down early and want to see a great airshow, come see us.

https://www.flysnf.org/ (https://www.flysnf.org/)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 03/16/2019 12:01 pm
I know it's a Dragon, but........


I keep seeing a baby penguin.

HA!  Now I can't stop seeing it either. lol.

Are you sure that's not a Dalek?
(https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/assets/42585.0/1550071.jpg)
(https://www.pinkcatcharmsandcrafts.co.uk/ekmps/shops/pinkcat/images/tibetan-silver-dalek-sci-fi-robot-33mm-charms-pendants-beads-choose-pack-size-50-12026-p.jpg)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 03/16/2019 06:15 pm
I’ve been struggling to sort out what the curved sections are that they’ve been building out at Boca Chica. I finally figured it out!

Elon has excepted “personal” financial support from Trump and so had to make a slight alteration to the design of the hopper-top...

I’ve provided an L2-worth spy shot of the new design...

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 03/16/2019 06:59 pm
I know it's a Dragon, but........


I keep seeing a baby penguin.

HA!  Now I can't stop seeing it either. lol.

Are you sure that's not a Dalek?
(https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/assets/42585.0/1550071.jpg)
(https://www.pinkcatcharmsandcrafts.co.uk/ekmps/shops/pinkcat/images/tibetan-silver-dalek-sci-fi-robot-33mm-charms-pendants-beads-choose-pack-size-50-12026-p.jpg)

(Said while waving a toilet plunger about) "Exterminate Old Space!  Exterminate Old Space!  The Elon has commanded us!  Exterminate!  EXTERMINAAAAATE!"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mme on 03/17/2019 09:35 pm
Starship really seems to be a race against time...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: eric_astro on 03/17/2019 10:40 pm
For the past 2 months, Elon has been going Sci-fi crazy ape bonkers. Before that he had the pain, but now he's having more fun than imaginable. UNBELIEVABLE!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Retired Downrange on 03/17/2019 11:12 pm
I do believe that the NassauSpaceFlight server hamsters have had an unexpected busy Saint Patrick’s Day, thanks to Elon Musk’s Tweets.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 03/17/2019 11:27 pm
Folks at the Cape needto be on the lookout for any suspicious water tower that appears suddenly.
Or Caldwell trucks and welders ...

Caldwell are not the only one who could put up a water tower. You could have a second company working at a second site.

cross-post with added comment :)
If I am a super villain trying to hide a water tower at the Cape. There is pad 36, which no one will suspect as a SX operation. Of course you need help from another supervillain for that.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/76/Amazo.png)
Amazo image from wikipedia entry
 ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 03/19/2019 12:29 am
Wait a second... SpaceX says they’re building a super heavy / Starship on the Cape. SpaceX built a BFH out of a water tank. SpaceX is building a new control center that looks like a water tower on the Cape.

SPACEX IS BUILDING A SUPER HEAVY OUT OF A CONTROL TOWER!!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 03/19/2019 01:53 am
SPACEX IS BUILDING A SUPER HEAVY OUT OF A CONTROL TOWER!!!

He's well on his way to remaking You Only Live Twice.  Might as well make a play to backfill that Amazon loss to NYC and remake Men in Black too.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 03/19/2019 02:07 am
Er, excuse me, but I think we're leaping to conclusions here.

Regarding the Starhopper at Boca Chica; there was a great deal of debate here, just a couple of months ago, as to whether it was a water tank.

My question is, how do we know it isn't? Maybe SpaceX wanted a water tower that looks like a rocket - they are, after all, a rocket company.

And why not make it look realistic, real Raptor engines and all?

And while they're at it, why not make it flight capable, so it can relocate itself as needed?

Face it - it's a water tank!

 ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 03/19/2019 04:17 pm
Face it - it's a water tank!

 ;)

Well, as any Space Enthusiast knows..
If you want to make a habitation on Mars, or on the Moon, or even just in Orbit, a huge stonking tank full of water would be an *enormous* asset. It is Fuel, and Air, and Radiation Shielding, and various other buzzwords that need to be written with Caps.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: NX-0 on 03/19/2019 05:37 pm
Have none of you ever been to Plover, WI?

http://www.fiftythree.org/watertower/


Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jjyach on 03/19/2019 05:45 pm
Have none of you ever been to Plover, WI?

http://www.fiftythree.org/watertower/

I actually have lots of family there and in Stevens Point.  I sent this to them, as I'm sure they will get a big kick out of it.  Pretty sure I had an uncle work in said evil factory.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 03/19/2019 08:34 pm
On one of the Grasshopper/F9R-dev 1 flights, I don't recall which off hand, SpaceX demonstrated this quite thoroughly.  Only thing missing was a dummy on the john at the time.  But it got blasted pretty darn good.

EDIT: I found it.  It was the first F9R-dev 1 flight.  Linking the Youtube video below.  Pay attention to the port-a-potty during the landing (starts around 0:55 of the video; helps to view full screen on high resolution).  It starts out between the nearest red trailer and the landing pad.  Even though the prime "money shot" is obscured by the body of the rocket, you can see where it ended up after the dust clears.

Thank you so much for digging this up! :D
I couldn't see the entire traversal, some stupid rocket was in the way.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 03/19/2019 08:48 pm
Have none of you ever been to Plover, WI?

http://www.fiftythree.org/watertower/

I actually have lots of family there and in Stevens Point.  I sent this to them, as I'm sure they will get a big kick out of it.  Pretty sure I had an uncle work in said evil factory.
I also lived in Plover WI while working during the summer for. my step-fathers asphalt company next to Point brewery in Stevens Point. We had T-shirt’s that said “Point Beer, it’s not just for breakfast anymore!”
Don’t remember either of the water towers but I was 17 yo so there were a couple other things on my mind.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 03/19/2019 09:07 pm
The latest picture by Bocachicagal shows the SpaceX camper has a heart on its back.

(https://cdn0.iconfinder.com/data/icons/Toolbar_Icon_Set_by_shlyapnikova/32/heart.png)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 03/20/2019 02:30 pm
Quote
Super Heavy booster is stainless steel. Since it only goes to around Mach 8 or 9, moreover at high altitude, it needs no heat shield, not even paint.
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1107382673012486144

"Only Mach 8 or 9"...

I like these underatatements ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 03/21/2019 01:16 am
I often marvel when I read Chris B’s posts about the uge number of report to mods he gets about some given post or poster or topic. So, like any good NSF geek would do, I created a poll...


Go get em tiger! (Found at head of this thread)


Inquiring pseudo minds want to know...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 03/21/2019 01:46 am
I often marvel when I read Chris B’s posts about the uge number of report to mods he gets about some given post or poster or topic. So, like any good NSF geek would do, I created a poll...


Go get em tiger! (Found at head of this thread)


Inquiring pseudo minds want to know...
I actually thought the show Maud was entertaining but since this is a party thread  I might have to report this poll because it is missing the most obvious other answer:
Purple
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 03/21/2019 01:51 am
I often marvel when I read Chris B’s posts about the uge number of report to mods he gets about some given post or poster or topic. So, like any good NSF geek would do, I created a poll...


Go get em tiger! (Found at head of this thread)


Inquiring pseudo minds want to know...
I actually thought the show Maud was entertaining but since this is a party thread  I might have to report this poll because it is missing the most obvious other answer:
Purple
Grrrr - I can’t modify a poll? I totally forgot the “This poll annoys me, I’m reporting it to the mods” entry, along with “Purple”

Report to mods - can you pleeeeease add these to the poll? Lar???
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: guyw on 03/21/2019 01:57 am
No fair - I already voted! And how could you have put a serious choice, and the first one at that, in a party thread poll?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 03/21/2019 12:34 pm
I had this weird dream last night that had to do with the Arabsat 6A mission.

What happened was everything went as planned up until the side boosters began their boostback burns. As soon as the boosters' restartable engines lit up, the booster headed to LZ-1 (I don't know if it's the PY or NY booster) suddenly exploded. The good news was that the other side booster landed at LZ-2 without any issues.

Next, the center core finished its ascent burn and separated to descend to the drone ship; it survives the extremely hot reentry and lands safely. However, as soon as the MVac engine started up for its first burn, a LOX valve within the engine began to leak, causing a thrust underperformance. Even though the MVac had to burn longer to compensate, the vehicle achieves the planned parking orbit.

Finally, the MVac restarts despite the LOX leak, but the second stage does not achieve the planned GTO parameters since the LOX tank ran out completely, leaving a small amount of RP-1 in the other tank. Arabsat 6A does get deployed into the lower-than-planned orbit, but uses a good chunk of delta-v to reach its geostationary destination. As a result, its lifespan is decreased by a few years.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 03/21/2019 01:12 pm
I had this weird dream last night that had to do with the Arabsat 6A mission.

What happened was everything went as planned up until the side boosters began their boostback burns. As soon as the boosters' restartable engines lit up, the booster headed to LZ-1 (I don't know if it's the PY or NY booster) suddenly exploded. The good news was that the other side booster landed at LZ-2 without any issues.

Next, the center core finished its ascent burn and separated to descend to the drone ship; it survives the extremely hot reentry and lands safely. However, as soon as the MVac engine started up for its first burn, a LOX valve within the engine began to leak, causing a thrust underperformance. The MVac had to burn longer to compensate, but made it into the planned parking orbit.

Finally, the MVac restarts despite the LOX leak, but the second stage does not achieve the planned GTO parameters since the LOX tank ran out completely, leaving a small amount of RP-1 in the other tank. Arabsat 6A does get deployed into the lower-than-planned orbit, but uses a good chunk of delta-v to reach its geostationary destination. As a result, its lifespan is decreased by a few years.

You don't happen to work for a launch insurance company, do you? Cause that kinda stuff is their worst nightmare ;)

If the rocket just 'splodes, that's fine. You just pay out and raise future launch insurance premiums.
But underperformance, but somehow limps to orbit... that means months and months of lawyers arguing about how much this reduced the lifespan, how much extra depreciation this caused, how much revenue was expected to be lost based on expected revenue in the later years of the sat when it might or might have been outdated but still working... its basically just a big headache for everyone involved.

In some cases this was settled with "here, take the money, but then we own the satellite and try to make the best of it (like a slow scenic drift-trip through L2, around the moon to somehow still get into GEO) and if we succeed we lease the sat back to you...

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 03/21/2019 01:13 pm
I do not work for a launch insurance company.

This dream just happened out of the blue, but I don't constitute that as a nightmare.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 03/21/2019 02:54 pm
Cross-post; image attached:
The "Magnificent" Dextre !  :D

Doing Yul Brynner proud, in micro-gravity!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o27Bnvd7xg0
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: matthewkantar on 03/21/2019 04:32 pm
While dismaying at inane comments on the Youtube live feed from South Padre Island, a voice in the wilderness:

"ChrisNSF​This chat could use some moderating. 😂"

If only….
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 03/21/2019 06:24 pm
Exclusive look inside the makeshift Raptor factory:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InvF9e5kyjo
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intelati on 03/22/2019 04:37 pm
Geez, some people should really cut back on the caffeine  ;D

(https://i.imgur.com/14cUhIq.gif)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Chris Bergin on 03/25/2019 02:16 pm
Anyone want to have a better go at this?  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 03/26/2019 03:20 am
The next launch is a Falcon Heavy, that is so stupid hot to think about.

I’d love to see 3 or 4 of these beasts a year.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 03/26/2019 06:02 pm
There's been a LOX tanker sitting on the side of the highway about 10 miles east of the pad all morning. A broken down truck might explain the lack of a test attempt today. An LCH4 tanker is sitting all sad and alone near the solar field.
 More importantly, the A/C in my van works again.

10 miles east of the pad?
Yes, I think I might know why its broken down.
(https://i.imgur.com/2XjymDw.png)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Barrie on 03/26/2019 06:12 pm
Yes, I think I might know why its broken down.
(https://i.imgur.com/2XjymDw.png)

Saltwater corrosion, or Bermuda Triangle effect?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 03/26/2019 06:18 pm
Well on the bright side, if they built a highway out there, this will make the entire artificial island idea for launch much more viable.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: guyw on 03/26/2019 06:21 pm
No, your other East...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 03/26/2019 07:00 pm
No, your other East...
Yeah, no one said "Due East", this is more like "East-West by West, a half South"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 03/26/2019 07:43 pm
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=47725.msg1927523#msg1927523

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 03/26/2019 08:57 pm
There's been a LOX tanker sitting on the side of the highway about 10 miles east of the pad all morning. A broken down truck might explain the lack of a test attempt today. An LCH4 tanker is sitting all sad and alone near the solar field.
 More importantly, the A/C in my van works again.

10 miles east of the pad?
Yes, I think I might know why its broken down.

I think they plan to build a be-causeway out that way.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: groknull on 03/26/2019 09:32 pm
  There's loud venting noises from the site, so they're doing something, but no hard checkpoint. I take it that means no LCH4 flowing and no full up pressure testing.
 I'm going to town for food and R-134, so they'll probably do something then.

There's been a LOX tanker sitting on the side of the highway about 10 miles east of the pad all morning. A broken down truck might explain the lack of a test attempt today. An LCH4 tanker is sitting all sad and alone near the solar field.
 More importantly, the A/C in my van works again.

Uh huh.  You went to town for R-134 when there is a tanker full of R-50 nearby.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tomness on 03/27/2019 12:48 am
I always suspected he had multiple personality disorder.
but in a good way.

He becomes another person while wearing the orange suit ;P

Tim gives Nomad & Chris B such mad props on his Podcast with Ben Sullins & Joe Scott Our Ludercrious Future. I am glad he met Nomad.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 03/27/2019 01:52 am
Re: current poll attached to this thread--"Who's Maud?"

She is!...Maud Pie, one of Pinkie Pie's older sisters.

Maud explains "We have rock soup" for Hearth's Warming Eve dinner.  (from Season Five episode, "Hearthbreakers")
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 03/27/2019 02:34 am
I always suspected he had multiple personality disorder.
but in a good way.

He becomes another person while wearing the orange suit ;P

Tim gives Nomad & Chris B such mad props on his Podcast with Ben Sullins & Joe Scott Our Ludercrious Future. I am glad he met Nomad.
Was that a podcast? I thought he was just talking to himself. For three hours without taking a breath.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 03/27/2019 02:45 am
There's been a LOX tanker sitting on the side of the highway about 10 miles east of the pad all morning. A broken down truck might explain the lack of a test attempt today. An LCH4 tanker is sitting all sad and alone near the solar field.
 More importantly, the A/C in my van works again.

10 miles east of the pad?
Yes, I think I might know why its broken down.
(https://i.imgur.com/2XjymDw.png)
I meant to say 24,890 miles east/northeast.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 03/27/2019 09:30 am
Yes, I think I might know why its broken down.
(https://i.imgur.com/2XjymDw.png)

Saltwater corrosion, or Bermuda Triangle effect?
Driver had trouble breathing?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: sghill on 03/27/2019 12:43 pm
No, your other East...
Yeah, no one said "Due East", this is more like "East-West by West, a half South"

Or North by North-West!

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mongo62 on 03/27/2019 12:56 pm
Or North by North-West!

Those drones are becoming a hazard.

No wonder overflights are being banned.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 03/27/2019 03:12 pm
We have a dead tie in the Report to Mod poll, between the Tipsters and the Maudians, with 20 votes each.


Please note - a Report to Mod on this post will NOT get your vote added to the poll...!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 03/27/2019 06:13 pm
No, your other East...
Yeah, no one said "Due East", this is more like "East-West by West, a half South"

Or North by North-West!


New headline for that Pic: "Old-Space Responds to Administrator Bridenstine's Criticisms"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Chris Bergin on 03/27/2019 06:14 pm
Oil Rig SAILING past Hopper! ;D :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 03/27/2019 07:50 pm
The next launch is a Falcon Heavy, that is so stupid hot to think about.

I’d love to see 3 or 4 of these beasts a year.
Time for falcon heavy snacks!!!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 03/27/2019 08:36 pm
I would laugh if the static fire day comes on April 1st, only for Elon to tweet, “APRIL FOOLS!”
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 03/27/2019 08:49 pm
I would laugh if the static fire day comes on April 1st, only for Elon to tweet, “APRIL FOOLS!”

He is much too cleaver to say that more likely

FAaplrcioln HFeoaovlys
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 03/28/2019 05:40 am
Or North by North-West!

I don't know why, but that pic reminded me of Catch 22.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esIihVb-Jus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esIihVb-Jus)

Edited the link. Too late to save the joke.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 03/28/2019 06:19 am
 All of the lightweights (sane people?) are gone. Just two nsf fanatics left on the Boca Chica front line. (Sitting in your living room 1/2 mile further away doesn't qualify)
 That jackup rig was a huge one. It looked almost as tall as the SPI skyscraper.

 The next time someone complains about waiting in line for an hour to go on a ride at Disney World they'll probably wonder why I'm snorting in derision.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 03/28/2019 01:01 pm
All of the lightweights (sane people?) are gone. Just two nsf fanatics left on the Boca Chica front line. (Sitting in your living room 1/2 mile further away doesn't qualify)
 That jackup rig was a huge one. It looked almost as tall as the SPI skyscraper.

 The next time someone complains about waiting in line for an hour to go on a ride at Disney World they'll probably wonder why I'm snorting in derision.
Does this ride qualify for Fastpass?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 03/28/2019 01:04 pm
Or North by North-West!
WWCGD
What would Cary Grant do?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Scylla on 03/28/2019 02:54 pm
By the time SLS flies; it might be so obsolete we should call it 'Chitty-Chitty Boeing-Boeing..."
GASP

A base slur comparing Chitty Chitty Bang Bang to Boeing. CCBB is a magnificent car arrising from the world of private inventors. A car so far ahead of its time, with so many modes and functions, the "traditional" car compaines have yet to be able to replicate it.

Shocked at your statement, just shocked. 8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 03/28/2019 03:01 pm
This just in - NASA pre-selects the first astronaut for the EM-2 mission. I've managed to obtain a photo...

(Now there's some realistic forward thinking...)


Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tomness on 03/28/2019 04:19 pm
This just in - NASA pre-selects the first astronaut for the EM-2 mission. I've managed to obtain a photo...

(Now there's some realistic forward thinking...)
More like this....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 03/28/2019 05:08 pm
 Sorry about the Boca Chica delay. I had them start late so I could finish some work on my porch, but I'm done now.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 03/28/2019 05:11 pm
Sorry about the Boca Chica delay. I had them start late so I could finish some work on my porch, but I'm done now.
That's it - I'm reporting to maud...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wudizzle on 03/28/2019 05:31 pm
Sorry about the Boca Chica delay. I had them start late so I could finish some work on my porch, but I'm done now.
That's it - I'm reporting to maud...
Oh, grow a pair, you weenies, and settle it like men.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: matthewkantar on 03/28/2019 05:40 pm
Sorry about the Boca Chica delay. I had them start late so I could finish some work on my porch, but I'm done now.
That's it - I'm reporting to maud...
Oh, grow a pair, you weenies, and settle it like men.

Are you suggesting a century plant off? Gasp.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mark_m on 03/28/2019 06:01 pm
Sorry about the Boca Chica delay. I had them start late so I could finish some work on my porch, but I'm done now.
That's it - I'm reporting to maud...

Sorry, you lost me. But then I only watched Maude for Adrienne Barbeau.  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Kansan52 on 03/28/2019 06:06 pm
I think he meant 'mauderator'.

Sorry. Back to the corner.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 03/29/2019 04:47 pm
And then there's Maude!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9NY8R-LmIw
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tomness on 03/29/2019 06:17 pm
Complete!

Excellent work with the coverage guys, especially FlyRight (really appreciated!) Everyone throw some "likes" of appreciation on their posts. I want to see several hundred more likes or I'm shutting the site down in protest (<---;))

Article by Pete Harding updated:
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2019/03/astronauts-begin-spacewalk-replace-stations-batteries/

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1111696918240002049

Done my part Boss.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 03/30/2019 05:43 am
Lol - Hans shared this on his FB account...

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 03/31/2019 02:17 am
It’s gotta have a name, this syndrome I have - where I look at everyday objects and I see something space related. It’s a curse I say.

Case in point, I saw these today. Normal things. Nothing special, yet...

It’s just me, isn’t it. I’m not right in the head.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 03/31/2019 05:29 am
I've had a Walker's Christmas Shortbread container sitting on my refrigerator for a couple of years because it looks like a Dragon.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: strax on 03/31/2019 06:21 am
You came across a simplified version. The original definitely has four arms.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: flyright on 03/31/2019 08:59 am
It’s gotta have a name, this syndrome I have - where I look at everyday objects and I see something space related. It’s a curse I say.

Case in point, I saw these today. Normal things. Nothing special, yet...

It’s just me, isn’t it. I’m not right in the head.

I wouldn't worry about it unless you start to find yourself staring at water towers, for hours, thinking they're going to belch fire or something.  :o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 03/31/2019 10:20 am
It’s gotta have a name, this syndrome I have - where I look at everyday objects and I see something space related. It’s a curse I say.

Case in point, I saw these today. Normal things. Nothing special, yet...

It’s just me, isn’t it. I’m not right in the head.


Whats the expansion ratio of that (obviously regen-cooled) flower pot ?

Hey, you know these ceramic pots with the hole in the bottom?
put that pot upside down, put the ceramic pot on top, fill it with fertilizer, compress it a bit, carve a hollow tube in the center, connected to the hole... seal the top...

Well, I guess you know where that is going...  just not sure if the ceramics are up to the chamber pressure ;)



Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 03/31/2019 10:32 am
It’s gotta have a name, this syndrome I have - where I look at everyday objects and I see something space related. It’s a curse I say.

Case in point, I saw these today. Normal things. Nothing special, yet...

It’s just me, isn’t it. I’m not right in the head.


Whats the expansion ratio of that (obviously regen-cooled) flower pot ?

Hey, you know these ceramic pots with the hole in the bottom?
put that pot upside down, put the ceramic pot on top, fill it with fertilizer, compress it a bit, carve a hollow tube in the center, connected to the hole... seal the top...

Well, I guess you know where that is going...  just not sure if the ceramics are up to the chamber pressure ;)





There's always one pot-head in the group!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 03/31/2019 11:40 am
It’s gotta have a name, this syndrome I have - where I look at everyday objects and I see something space related. It’s a curse I say.

Case in point, I saw these today. Normal things. Nothing special, yet...

It’s just me, isn’t it. I’m not right in the head.

I wouldn't worry about it unless you start to find yourself staring at water towers, for hours, thinking they're going to belch fire or something.  :o

Yeah, I've seen quite a few around here doing that. I'm waiting for April 1st, when Elon tweets that it really is just a water tower.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 03/31/2019 02:48 pm
Lol - Hans shared this on his FB account...

Ouch!

Calling SLS trash, that is bold.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tleski on 04/01/2019 01:16 am
It’s gotta have a name, this syndrome I have - where I look at everyday objects and I see something space related. It’s a curse I say.

Case in point, I saw these today. Normal things. Nothing special, yet...

It’s just me, isn’t it. I’m not right in the head.


Whats the expansion ratio of that (obviously regen-cooled) flower pot ?

Hey, you know these ceramic pots with the hole in the bottom?
put that pot upside down, put the ceramic pot on top, fill it with fertilizer, compress it a bit, carve a hollow tube in the center, connected to the hole... seal the top...

Well, I guess you know where that is going...  just not sure if the ceramics are up to the chamber pressure ;)

Yes, it is called Black Engine - "Transpiration Cooled Ceramic High Performance Rocket Engine" (not regen-cooled but ceramic nonetheless).

See this thread:
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=38583.msg1926899#msg1926899

So, you both are spot on.



Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 04/01/2019 02:31 am
It’s gotta have a name, this syndrome I have - where I look at everyday objects and I see something space related. It’s a curse I say.

Case in point, I saw these today. Normal things. Nothing special, yet...

It’s just me, isn’t it. I’m not right in the head.

I wouldn't worry about it unless you start to find yourself staring at water towers, for hours, thinking they're going to belch fire or something.  :o
I've heard of a few nut cases doing that for six days.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 04/01/2019 06:00 am
It’s gotta have a name, this syndrome I have - where I look at everyday objects and I see something space related. It’s a curse I say.

Case in point, I saw these today. Normal things. Nothing special, yet...

It’s just me, isn’t it. I’m not right in the head.


Whats the expansion ratio of that (obviously regen-cooled) flower pot ?

Hey, you know these ceramic pots with the hole in the bottom?
put that pot upside down, put the ceramic pot on top, fill it with fertilizer, compress it a bit, carve a hollow tube in the center, connected to the hole... seal the top...

Well, I guess you know where that is going...  just not sure if the ceramics are up to the chamber pressure ;)

Yes, it is called Black Engine - "Transpiration Cooled Ceramic High Performance Rocket Engine" (not regen-cooled but ceramic nonetheless).

See this thread:
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=38583.msg1926899#msg1926899

So, you both are spot on.




or at least pot on.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: John Santos on 04/01/2019 06:17 am

Whats the expansion ratio of that (obviously regen-cooled) flower pot ?


Q: Is that an African or a European flower pot?

A: I don't know.  Yooooowww!  (Gets thrown into ravine)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 04/01/2019 07:11 am
From Space Florida News (4/1/2019):

Confusion at Pad 39A's Falcon Heavy Roll-Out

The industrial adage to "Keep looking up!" was brought home at Kennedy Space Center today during SpaceX's attempted roll-out of a Falcon Heavy rocket for an important upcoming satellite launch.  After hauling the Strongback (the massive metal frame that holds the rocket until moments before launch), up the hill to the pad and erecting it, SpaceX workers were astonished to see that the rocket wasn't on it!

"It's really embarrassing," admitted one technician (who asked not to be named).  "It's a hard haul, up that hill and we tend to keep our heads down.  I couldn't believe it when someone said: "Where the hell's the rocket?", and I finally looked up.  My kids are already giving me a hard time!"

The mystery deepened when a quick check of the hangar revealed that the Falcon Heavy wasn't there, either.  A KSC-wide lockdown was initiated and search teams deployed across the area.  The giant triple-wide rocket was finally discovered hiding in an unused Vehicle Assembly Building bay, having a smoke. 

Senior NASA officials are investigating the incident.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 04/01/2019 09:01 pm
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1112754290697928705

So you are saying that Texan fog is flameable? Uh, i think i can see a safety problem with the proposed test procedures in that case!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 04/03/2019 01:46 am
Well, it looks like we're about to see a Falcon Heavy on the pad again! I can't wait, I've been looking forward to this since the first flight.  8)

I hope they wait until it's on the pad to do the static fire. 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: sghill on 04/03/2019 11:55 pm
Tell NASA's first boots on Mars in 2033 to stroll on over to Alpha Station and get a Muskburger.tm!

https://www-m.cnn.com/2019/04/03/us/nasa-mars-mission-2033-scn-trnd/index.html
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Norm38 on 04/04/2019 02:26 am
Saw this on Reddit, hadn't seen this before.  But it looks more like Starship than the Falcon.

https://www.reddit.com/r/spaceflight/comments/4ea97u/from_science_fiction_to_reality_via_rgifs/?ref=share&ref_source=link

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 04/04/2019 03:27 am
I can see BFR doing this off the east coast as well.  RTLS has a pretty significant penalty.

Going to need a bigger ASDS though.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 04/04/2019 04:51 am
I can see BFR doing this off the east coast as well.  RTLS has a pretty significant penalty.

Going to need a bigger ASDS though.

SHARK.    Super Heavy Ark
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 04/04/2019 11:02 am
In honor of turtle nesting season beginning down in Boca Chica, here’s a piece about my own girl Myrtle that just came out on local NBC. I even managed a cameo with my buddy Steven...

https://www.nbcboston.com/on-air/as-seen-on/Uniquely-Boston-Myrtle-the-Turtle_NECN-507244132.html
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 04/04/2019 01:29 pm
Can I get your autograph?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 04/04/2019 02:14 pm
If ever there was a photo right out of a Science Fiction movie, it has to be this one.

(https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=47120.0;attach=1554515;image)

Complete with glowing red eyes.  The alien has arrived and it is not happy.


See, i *TOLD YOU* it was a Dalek.

Here it is activating its disinto-ray, while shouting "exterminate!  EX TER MI NAATE! "
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mongo62 on 04/04/2019 02:41 pm
If ever there was a photo right out of a Science Fiction movie, it has to be this one.

(https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=47120.0;attach=1554515;image)

Complete with glowing red eyes.  The alien has arrived and it is not happy.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 04/04/2019 08:31 pm
If ever there was a photo right out of a Science Fiction movie, it has to be this one.

(https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=47120.0;attach=1554515;image)

Complete with glowing red eyes.  The alien has arrived and it is not happy.


See, i *TOLD YOU* it was a Dalek.

Here it is activating its disinto-ray, while shouting "exterminate!  EX TER MI NAATE! "

This is weird! I've never seen a water tank do that before.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 04/04/2019 09:07 pm
If ever there was a photo right out of a Science Fiction movie, it has to be this one.

(https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=47120.0;attach=1554515;image)

Complete with glowing red eyes.  The alien has arrived and it is not happy.


See, i *TOLD YOU* it was a Dalek.

Here it is activating its disinto-ray, while shouting "exterminate!  EX TER MI NAATE! "

This is weird! I've never seen a water tank do that before.

Simple, it's an orange juice tank!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Jdeshetler on 04/04/2019 09:29 pm
James Cameron & Elon Musk do share the same future visions after all.

https://twitter.com/jdeshetler/status/1113898428168192000
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 04/04/2019 09:36 pm
I'm getting annoyed by the fact that Falcon Heavy's been slipping constantly.

What's wrong? Has she been trying to perfect her ice-skating skills?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 04/05/2019 03:38 am
If ever there was a photo right out of a Science Fiction movie, it has to be this one.

(https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=47120.0;attach=1554515;image)

Complete with glowing red eyes.  The alien has arrived and it is not happy.



           "IT CAME FROM BOCA CHICA"

                       IN CINEMASCOPE!

           Coming soon to a theater near you!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 04/05/2019 09:19 am
Is YOUR Daughter Space Firm CEO a Magical Girl?!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2gEkdPZOM8
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mme on 04/05/2019 04:10 pm
drifting, drifting... hold steady.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnP5iDKwuwk
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intelati on 04/06/2019 05:30 am
Starhopper just lifted off & hit tether limits!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gO8N3L_aERg
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tleski on 04/06/2019 08:58 pm
Mr. Steven has departed port also, the entire fleet is on deck for this FH mission!
   
— SpaceXFleet Updates (@SpaceXFleet) April 6, 2019
https://twitter.com/SpaceXFleet/status/1114557883813957632 (https://twitter.com/SpaceXFleet/status/1114557883813957632)

So what can Mr Steven do without arms and a net?
(...)


So far the booster has no landing legs, (...)


So, the question is: if we come across somebody with no arms or legs (or net) do we bother resuscitating them?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vmb1tqYqyII
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 04/06/2019 09:54 pm
Mr. Steven has departed port also, the entire fleet is on deck for this FH mission!
   
— SpaceXFleet Updates (@SpaceXFleet) April 6, 2019
https://twitter.com/SpaceXFleet/status/1114557883813957632 (https://twitter.com/SpaceXFleet/status/1114557883813957632)

So what can Mr Steven do without arms and a net?
(...)


So far the booster has no landing legs, (...)


So, the question is: if we come across somebody with no arms or legs (or net) do we bother resuscitating them?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vmb1tqYqyII
Lol - I teach Diving First Aid for Professional Divers quite frequently and I play this video during the CPR component. Very instructional!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 04/07/2019 12:39 am
drifting, drifting... hold steady.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnP5iDKwuwk
Thanks for getting the reference. That was EXACTLY what I was thinking of.

drifting, drifting... hold steady.

And perfectly at the 6-14 pages I predicted...

Maybe with a few more off topic posts and Lar will decide to trim this thread before locking it dropping the final page count back to 5. :)

I dunno what those guys are on, I only saw 3 pages (but I have my posts/page set as high as it goes).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: fthomassy on 04/07/2019 02:09 am
Another technique for checking if your desired square is taken is to view the thread by ALL instead of page-by-page, then use a text search for the square's NUMBER component only.  This will allow you to check if anyone has used that number to choose your square, without having to worry about the multiple ways people format their picks (Do i use a dash in the middle of the alphanumeric?  A space?  Nothing?  etc).  You'll have to go through a couple of results because people will likely have used the same column number for different letter rows and the number may also show up in other places (e.g. a user's # of posts or likes, etc.), but it will let you know pretty easily if your square has already been taken.

Example: if you wanted square Z-57 (not an actual valid choice), then 1. View the thread as a single page using the ALL option (found by the links to the page #).  2. Search for the string '57'.   3. Click through all the instances of '57' being used in the thread to be sure none of them are valid picks for square Z-57.  4.  Create a new post to claim your square.  5.  Don't edit it for any reason.  If you want to add commentary, make an additional new post.  6.  Profit!
No, no and, well ... no. The first phase, when seeking profit, is to collect underpants.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 04/07/2019 03:16 am
I'm puzzled, because there seems to be something large and noisy seen around Pad 39A lately. What is it? It looks kinda like the renderings of a Falcon Heavy, but it can't be that... I've seen all kinds of people saying that Falcon Heavy is just a power-point rocket, it doesn't really exist, unlike SLS.

Okay, they did soften that a bit after a certain electric roadster left Earth for deep space, but that, they said, was just an experimental launch, doesn't count. To be a real rocket, you need an operational launch, which is why SLS is a real rocket, and FH isn't, they said.

I wonder what they'll say in a few days?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 04/07/2019 05:08 am
I wonder what they'll say in a few days?
... it needs TWO operational launches to be real.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: John Alan on 04/07/2019 05:37 am
I wonder what they'll say in a few days?
... it needs TWO operational launches to be real.

It's not real till the Air Force certifies it to launch billion dollar payloads...
Then they will claim that launching billion dollar payloads on such a cheap reusable ride is crazy talk... and ban it as deviate behavor...  ::)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 04/07/2019 03:11 pm
I felt that twitter user Roger Holt’s mashup of the hopper landing during its inaugural untethered hop needed a little fixing...

Rogers tweet:

https://twitter.com/rogerlewisholt/status/1114788503374770176

My correction:

https://twitter.com/johnhanzl/status/1114860324740640768

#justkiddingdonthatemeforit!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 04/07/2019 07:15 pm
To really finish it off, Twitter user @space_news provided the crowning touch, complete with @tiny_elon playing the maracas...

https://twitter.com/space_newsx/status/1114914864118546432

(There’s a GIF in here someplace...)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 04/07/2019 07:45 pm
Another technique for checking if your desired square is taken is to view the thread by ALL instead of page-by-page, then use a text search for the square's NUMBER component only.  This will allow you to check if anyone has used that number to choose your square, without having to worry about the multiple ways people format their picks (Do i use a dash in the middle of the alphanumeric?  A space?  Nothing?  etc).  You'll have to go through a couple of results because people will likely have used the same column number for different letter rows and the number may also show up in other places (e.g. a user's # of posts or likes, etc.), but it will let you know pretty easily if your square has already been taken.

Example: if you wanted square Z-57 (not an actual valid choice), then 1. View the thread as a single page using the ALL option (found by the links to the page #).  2. Search for the string '57'.   3. Click through all the instances of '57' being used in the thread to be sure none of them are valid picks for square Z-57.  4.  Create a new post to claim your square.  5.  Don't edit it for any reason.  If you want to add commentary, make an additional new post.  6.  Profit!
No, no and, well ... no. The first phase, when seeking profit, is to collect underpants.
No, the Salvation Army collects underpants.
To finance a Mars mission you have to steal underpants.
At least according to Musk....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 04/07/2019 09:57 pm
Just curious if anybody has noticed we're launching Arabsat the same week that Israel lands on the moon? And they both got launched on a Falcon?

Here's an Arab launching a Heavy Falcon -
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 04/08/2019 07:02 pm
Raptor has been removed from StarHopper.

So, will it get directly mounted to another Roadster, or to the Fire Truck?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intelati on 04/08/2019 07:04 pm
Raptor has been removed from StarHopper.

So, will it get directly mounted to another Roadster, or to the Fire Truck?

No. It'll on the top of an actual water tower.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mongo62 on 04/08/2019 07:19 pm
I'm just waiting for the SS Water Tower (some time after the SS Heart of Gold is built).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 04/09/2019 03:45 am
From this conference BE-4 seems to be at 80% level of trust and from the words of the ULA person, it seems to be going well!

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/120731279?rmalang=en_US
I give 80% trust to that 80% thrust figure :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 04/09/2019 08:19 am
From this conference BE-4 seems to be at 80% level of trust and from the words of the ULA person, it seems to be going well!

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/120731279?rmalang=en_US
I give 80% trust to that 80% thrust figure :)

Wow, a 64% thrust-trustLar rating.  Impressive.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 04/09/2019 08:46 am
I'm just waiting for the SS Water Tower (some time after the SS Heart of Gold is built).

If SX can get licensing, the SS Led Zepplin  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 04/10/2019 02:09 am
What are your plans for watching falcon heavy tomorrow ?
I am getting a collection together.  Earthy seems very excited,  even though he may experience only brief zero-g moments while being tossed around the room.
<edits> Picture formats and adding the SpaceX donuts brought to work today.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intelati on 04/10/2019 12:24 pm
Had a dream last night that wasn't pleasant at all... So much so that the non-lucidness of it woke me up. Had to think about the schedule a little, and remembered the launch is Wednesday evening.

But I will watch this launch. The first launch is still one of my most memorable internet moments.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 04/10/2019 07:50 pm
NSF server hamsters conducting pre-flight checks and warm-up...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fd8vl5LJoM8
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 04/10/2019 07:55 pm
What are your plans for watching falcon heavy tomorrow ?
I am getting a collection together.  Earthy seems very excited,  even though he may experience only brief zero-g moments while being tossed around the room.
<edits> Picture formats and adding the SpaceX donuts brought to work today.

I'd prefer the Munchkins over the sausage rolls.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DaveJ576 on 04/10/2019 08:08 pm
NSF server hamsters conducting pre-flight checks and warm-up...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fd8vl5LJoM8

This apparently is the older Mk 1 Mod 3A version from the now defunct engineering firm of Dewey, Cheatem, and Howe. The COO, Moe Howard, was indicted for Excessive Ridiculousness two months ago and was sentenced to two years of hard eye pokes. I am sure that Chris B has upgraded since then...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 04/11/2019 12:56 am
Well, here we are, with a scrub because SpaceX screwed up and forgot to prep the weather for the launch.  >:(

As a result, I am home and thus can watch a launch I thought I'd miss. I suppose that means I can't be too angry. That won't stop me from whining though.

Surely remembering to order the right weather report is as important as remembering to order the right fuel?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 04/11/2019 03:10 pm
And now we have a commercial Falcon Heavy launch, an Israeli moon landing, and a giant rocket launching airplane about to take flight all in the same day. I'm not going to try and top that combination with lame humor. Sincere heartfelt wishes of good luck to all.  8)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DaveJ576 on 04/11/2019 04:07 pm
Lame humor?? As opposed to all of the serious humor around here?  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 04/11/2019 08:10 pm
One, two, three o'clock, four o'clock launch.
Five, six, seven o'clock, eight o'clock launch.
Nine, ten, eleven o'clock, twelve o'clock launch
We're gonna launch around the clock tonight.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Draggendrop on 04/11/2019 08:16 pm
Early "bird" on his way to get the best FH seats...

https://twitter.com/PortCanaveral/status/1116350417494007811 (https://twitter.com/PortCanaveral/status/1116350417494007811)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intelati on 04/11/2019 08:49 pm
Early "bird" on his way to get the best FH seats...

 :o ???
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: IntoTheVoid on 04/11/2019 08:58 pm
Claimed to be the final photo from Beresheet

https://twitter.com/EladRatson/status/1116427960033136640


It appears that Beresheet was shot down by some type of alien pulse cannon.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: d3jf on 04/11/2019 10:10 pm
Anyone else laughing along with the NSF stream? Das and Chris G are hilarious! Great work guys.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Oersted on 04/11/2019 10:19 pm
15 minutes away from the second launch of Falcon Heavy. I bought this amazing poster by Ryan Chilinski of the first FH launch. Am getting it framed for my wall!

Go SpaceX!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Prettz on 04/11/2019 10:23 pm
Oh god the half-circle progress meter is still here, still obstructing the picture.  ::)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 04/11/2019 10:40 pm
Fly my pretty; fly!! :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: birdman on 04/11/2019 10:48 pm
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN

WE DID IT
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 04/11/2019 10:52 pm
Land my pretty; Land!!!  :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jgoldader on 04/11/2019 11:00 pm
Congratulations SpaceX!  It will never get old.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 04/11/2019 11:15 pm
Congratulations to SpaceX and Arabsat for the successful first launch and recovery of the first Falcon Heavy Block 5!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: John Alan on 04/11/2019 11:16 pm
<thunderous applause> "Good Job SpaceX"  <standing ovation>...  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 04/11/2019 11:28 pm
Staggering achievement SpaceX! Landed 3 for 3 and S/C on it's way... 8)
In your honor, if I may...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTLgzoBAkGU
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 04/11/2019 11:42 pm
Nominally stunning. I was awestruck as expected. Satisfactory out the wazoo.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: rickl on 04/12/2019 12:11 am
I'm not afraid to admit that I was nervous about this launch.  Last year's Falcon Heavy test flight seemed too good to be true.  SpaceX has proven that it was no fluke.  Well done!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 04/12/2019 03:00 am
Thanks for the awesome launch and coverage.  These launches are like a ray of sunshine that I always look forward to.

also, I love how John poked fun at himself at the end of the broadcast.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 04/12/2019 06:17 am
Well, the in-flight WiFi crapped out on streaming, but I was able to follow along via the update thread - so thanks for that!

And what an amazing launch - congrats SpaceX. Or should I say cheers! (This is the party thread after all...)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Oersted on 04/12/2019 07:02 am
also, I love how John poked fun at himself at the end of the broadcast.

What did he say?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 04/12/2019 07:12 am
also, I love how John poked fun at himself at the end of the broadcast.

What did he say?

At the very end of the broadcast he smiled and mentioned that it was a norminal launch. 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tyrred on 04/12/2019 08:37 am
Congratulations SpaceX...  Falcon Heavy is the new Norminal!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: NASAGeek on 04/12/2019 09:40 am
Well done SpaceX! It was a amazing launch and recovery of all 3 cores.  Can’t wait until the next launch.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Endeavour_01 on 04/12/2019 10:10 am
Congratulations to SpaceX and Arabsat! Recovering all 3 boosters and the fairings on just the second launch! Wow. Just wow. Stupendous job. :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 04/12/2019 11:48 am
The tent idea has made its way, ha!

https://twitter.com/blueorigin/status/1116455626576556034

New prototype spotted outside the Blue Origin tent!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 04/12/2019 02:04 pm
Discussion Thread for DART mission.

NSF Threads for DART : Discussion (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=47871.0)

June 2021 on Falcon 9 from Vandenberg.



Quote
April 11, 2019
RELEASE C19-009

NASA Awards Launch Services Contract for Asteroid Redirect Test Mission
NASA has selected SpaceX in Hawthorne, California, to provide launch services for the agency’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission, the first-ever mission to demonstrate the capability to deflect an asteroid by colliding a spacecraft with it at high speed – a technique known as a kinetic impactor.

The total cost for NASA to launch DART is approximately $69 million, which includes the launch service and other mission related costs.

The DART mission currently is targeted to launch in June 2021 on a Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. By using solar electric propulsion, DART will intercept the asteroid Didymos’ small moon in October 2022, when the asteroid will be within 11 million kilometers of Earth.

NASA’s Launch Services Program at Kennedy Space Center in Florida will manage the SpaceX launch service. The DART Project office is located at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland, and is managed by the Planetary Missions Program Office at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, for NASA’s Planetary Defense Coordination Office in Washington.

For more information about NASA programs and missions, visit:

https://www.nasa.gov

https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-awards-launch-services-contract-for-asteroid-redirect-test-mission

And now that SpaceX is selected to launch the DART mission, we have to get involved to reimagine the payload....
given that we have already seen a Tesla Roadster in orbit.. might I propose the humble Dodge Dart?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Skamp_X on 04/12/2019 02:26 pm
Only got to see it just now , early shift...
Congratz SpaceX
Spectacular and flawless , and the crowed cheering in the back never gets old.  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 04/12/2019 04:59 pm
wonder if this has been posted

http://www.unoosa.org/documents/pdf/psa/activities/2017/GrazSymposium/presentations/Monday/Presentation12.pdf

 "Only runway landing space vehicle in existence"

  Who's going to break the news to the X-34?
Rumors of the existence of X-34 are greatly exaggerated.

All those pics? 'shopped.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 04/12/2019 05:22 pm
https://xkcd.com/2074/

sorry to be a party pooper...

As of today it's actually 58 years since...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 04/13/2019 06:47 am
From this conference BE-4 seems to be at 80% level of trust and from the words of the ULA person, it seems to be going well!

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/120731279?rmalang=en_US
I give 80% trust to that 80% thrust figure :)

Wow, a 64% trustLar rating.  Impressive.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjvQFtlNQ-M (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjvQFtlNQ-M)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 04/13/2019 07:49 am
Right, further, they wouldn't want their first launch of up to 20 Starlink sats ruined by their first attempt to reuse a fairing. Priority is getting that first set on orbit so they can be checked out, activated, etc.
I wouldn't be too certain about such "obvious" conclusions. Recall that SpaceX premiered "full thrust" and land landing on their return to flight mission after the CRS-7 explosion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3A0q36NOgdQ
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 04/13/2019 08:16 am
Well, that month and that launch are a landmark in SpaceX existence. Three boosters recovered, fairing recovered, plus first Dragon 2 last month.

(Admittedly, they did not recovered stage 2 but they traded that for the fairing, kudos to them)

And you know what ? after nine years, they have achieved... this FOR REAL and not for CGI !

THEY WILL NOT FORCE US


WE WILL BE VICTORIOUS (padam !)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJrFwxE3lzI

Geez, is 2011 that far away ?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: GregTheGrumpy on 04/13/2019 04:22 pm
I've never seen that video.  Glad you posted it even if it's in the party thread!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: groknull on 04/14/2019 03:03 am
Hello.  I hope this is the correct thread; the SpaceX Fleet thread looked inactive on this, and a quick glance around did not show any other apparent Forum.

Is there any perspective or explanation around why OCISLY and Hollywod Tug delayed returning, started, then stopped?  Just curious.  Information below from Twitter/SpaceXFleet.

https://twitter.com/SpaceXFleet/status/1117148506601529347

No problem, it just takes a little time for the Octagrabber to move the booster over to my Landing Bingo pick.   ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 04/14/2019 03:08 am
Hello.  I hope this is the correct thread; the SpaceX Fleet thread looked inactive on this, and a quick glance around did not show any other apparent Forum.

Is there any perspective or explanation around why OCISLY and Hollywod Tug delayed returning, started, then stopped?  Just curious.  Information below from Twitter/SpaceXFleet.

https://twitter.com/SpaceXFleet/status/1117148506601529347

No problem, it just takes a little time for the Octagrabber to move the booster over to my Landing Bingo pick.   ;D

A deep sauce[1] told me that they are doing practice hops until they have landed on every single square of the bingo.

All have won, and all must have prizes!

[1] deep brown, in fact.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: groknull on 04/14/2019 04:28 am
Hello.  I hope this is the correct thread; the SpaceX Fleet thread looked inactive on this, and a quick glance around did not show any other apparent Forum.

Is there any perspective or explanation around why OCISLY and Hollywod Tug delayed returning, started, then stopped?  Just curious.  Information below from Twitter/SpaceXFleet.

https://twitter.com/SpaceXFleet/status/1117148506601529347

No problem, it just takes a little time for the Octagrabber to move the booster over to my Landing Bingo pick.   ;D

A deep sauce[1] told me that they are doing practice hops until they have landed on every single square of the bingo.

All have won, and all must have prizes!

[1] deep brown, in fact.

You will roux the day...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 04/14/2019 05:53 am
We need a "GROAN!" button for this thread.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 04/14/2019 06:50 am
Quote
You will roux the day...

It's your gravy!   

Commence zombie groan.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 04/14/2019 06:01 pm
Careful!  Some of the mods are rouxthless!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 04/15/2019 11:10 am

You will roux the day...
 
And the required ...
“You’ll rue the day? Who talks like that quote from Real Genius.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFuwQLeiwMM

Makes me also consider some alien telling us in the future...
“you know you’re not supposed to park that Tesla in this orbit.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 04/15/2019 02:27 pm
I had a feeling, call it a realization, that I couldn't quite quantify for a couple of days. It finally occurred to me what I was trying to put into words something very different from the FH test flight.

Falcon Heavy is real. We can put 50-60 tons in orbit anytime we want and it's relatively cheap.

I know it should be obvious but this is a big deal. Things may happen because of it.

Maybe I'm so accustomed to things that get discussed without happening that I had a hard time grasping the reality.

Falcon Heavy is ready to work. Falcon Heavy is real.

Wow... :o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: theinternetftw on 04/15/2019 07:45 pm
Careful!  Some of the mods are rouxthless!

I wonder where Rouxth is...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwG5c9IsgbA
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: sghill on 04/15/2019 07:57 pm
Me seeing the "Dragon Wings" tweet from Elon...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mongo62 on 04/15/2019 08:06 pm
NOTE: All crew members must have Targaryen blood to ride a Starship.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 04/15/2019 08:13 pm
Quick, someone check the flame trench for dragon eggs!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 04/15/2019 08:43 pm
You can't fool me - Dragons ain't got wings.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MKremer on 04/15/2019 08:45 pm

A deep sauce[1] told me that they are doing practice hops until they have landed on every single square of the bingo.

All have won, and all must have prizes!

[1] deep brown, in fact.
They may have done one practice hop too many. 😞
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: 50_Caliber on 04/15/2019 08:46 pm
Me seeing the "Dragon Wings" tweet from Elon...
I guess he's joking?

Cool name suggestion for a ship though -The Star Dragon!  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 04/15/2019 09:45 pm

I guess he's joking?


The problem with Elon is, that every now and then he make a LUDICROUS JOKE statement.
.
.
.
And then follows through with it.
reference: Rocket landing back at launchpad, boring machine, flamethrower, hopper field construction, etc.

Each of these statements were absolute laughing stock. Completely silly, way past ridiculous, past ludicrous and well into Plaid.

And each of these are real.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 04/15/2019 10:43 pm
You can tell he is serious because the wings are not supposed to put lift on, they are supposed to put drag on.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 04/16/2019 10:10 am

A deep sauce[1] told me that they are doing practice hops until they have landed on every single square of the bingo.

All have won, and all must have prizes!

[1] deep brown, in fact.
They may have done one practice hop too many.

The true conspiracy is that the booster didn't land on the square that Elon's stealth account picked, and since they couldn't use the octagrabber to move it on this mission, Elon decreed, "If I can't win, no one will!  Dump it overboard."    /sarcasm
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Draggendrop on 04/17/2019 10:28 pm
https://twitter.com/elakdawalla/status/1118531024240238594 (https://twitter.com/elakdawalla/status/1118531024240238594)

mmmmm.....this should launch just fine....and is biodegradeable...the left overs that is.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Draggendrop on 04/18/2019 02:50 am
This may be off topic but I was unsure where to post this ...DigitalGlobe WV-2 image of the fire at Notre Dame.

https://twitter.com/DigitalGlobe/status/1118648420988792832 (https://twitter.com/DigitalGlobe/status/1118648420988792832)

attached image, 1200X959,  if it works...





Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 04/18/2019 02:21 pm
In honor of the brave FH center core, B1055 z"l.  She was lost too soon.   :'(


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3m5qxZm_JqM?t=001

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3m5qxZm_JqM
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 04/19/2019 12:48 am
"The ship was towed outside of the environment....."   ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 04/19/2019 04:04 am
This may be off topic but I was unsure where to post this ...DigitalGlobe WV-2 image of the fire at Notre Dame.

https://twitter.com/DigitalGlobe/status/1118648420988792832 (https://twitter.com/DigitalGlobe/status/1118648420988792832)

attached image, 1200X959,  if it works...


Maybe I am old but I didn't see any crowds.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Draggendrop on 04/19/2019 05:29 am
Sorry, would have been nicer with a larger image.

With the downloadable image, bump up the magnification to at least 150%.

The left hand branch of the La Seine waterway has a roadway all along it called Quai de Montebello.

On the roadway and by the tree line and left of it are where the spectators were confined.

Basically, left hand 1/4 of image and centered.

Hope that helps. Image could have been better.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 04/19/2019 05:13 pm
"The ship was towed outside of the environment....."   ;D
Yes, but the top fell off... :o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: launchwatcher on 04/20/2019 02:50 pm
"The ship was towed outside of the environment....."   ;D
Yes, but the top fell off... :o
For a second there I was thinking you were referring to the cathedral.. :o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 04/20/2019 03:20 pm
"The ship was towed outside of the environment....."   ;D
Yes, but the top fell off... :o
For a second there I was thinking you were referring to the cathedral.. :o
Nah, my many years at Holy Cross in the Bronx would never let me think that... The nuns did too good a job and packed a mean strap! ;D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80figw8_72Y
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 04/21/2019 10:35 pm
OC by me.  Free to share so long as it's done for the sake of lulz.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 04/22/2019 11:59 pm
OC by me.  Free to share so long as it's done for the sake of lulz.

Great, but, it's not an explosion, it's an anomaly. Kind of like a chip in the paint would be. :)

Hrmmm. This gets me to thinking. Musk once said that someone in a scuba mask and a lawnchair could ride in a Dragon Cargo just fine. Now though, SpaceX has a life support system, so that could be installed in a Dragon Cargo. But... they'd still need a lawnchair. Does SpaceX have one? Can it develop one? Or would they have to obtain one from elsewhere? If the latter, has any mission planning for the lawnchair acquisition mission been done? Perhaps they could use NASA's asteroid retrieval mission plan as a guide? 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 04/23/2019 04:18 am
But... they'd still need a lawnchair. Does SpaceX have one? Can it develop one? Or would they have to obtain one from elsewhere?
This is a NASA mission, so they'll want one with flight heritage, of course.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 04/23/2019 05:55 am
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfxqQmWtGNM
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AndyE on 04/24/2019 07:10 pm
https://twitter.com/ChabeliH/status/1121111261415129088
Quote
@NASA statement from today: "SpaceX and NASA are just beginning the mishap investigation process. We don’t yet know what impact this will have to our target schedules. We have full confidence in SpaceX. Additional information will be released as it is available."

I think I prefer "mishap" to "anomaly". It's a much friendlier word.  :)

"Darling, I had a bit of a mishap this morning." (I burnt the house down)  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intelati on 04/24/2019 07:22 pm
https://twitter.com/ChabeliH/status/1121111261415129088
Quote
@NASA statement from today: "SpaceX and NASA are just beginning the mishap investigation process. We don’t yet know what impact this will have to our target schedules. We have full confidence in SpaceX. Additional information will be released as it is available."

I think I prefer "mishap" to "anomaly". It's a much friendlier word.  :)

"Darling, I had a bit of a mishap this morning." (I burnt the house down)  ;D

"Honey, I shrunk the kids" versus, "Honey, I exploded the kids."
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 04/25/2019 06:03 pm
https://twitter.com/ChabeliH/status/1121111261415129088
Quote
@NASA statement from today: "SpaceX and NASA are just beginning the mishap investigation process. We don’t yet know what impact this will have to our target schedules. We have full confidence in SpaceX. Additional information will be released as it is available."

I think I prefer "mishap" to "anomaly". It's a much friendlier word.  :)

"Darling, I had a bit of a mishap this morning." (I burnt the house down)  ;D

"Honey, I shrunk the kids" versus, "Honey, I exploded the kids."

To be more specific

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honey,_I_Blew_Up_the_Kid#/media/File%3AHoney_I_blew_up_the_kid_film_poster.jpg
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 04/26/2019 03:21 am
B1055.1 is still lying around on the dock in Port, it seems it had been removed and has been lying there the past 2 days without anyone noticing.

https://twitter.com/Cygnusx112/status/1121511415783809025

https://twitter.com/SpaceXFleet/status/1121525794604494848

Did anyone besides me see this post and think of the song
Sitting on the dock of the bay?
https://youtu.be/rTVjnBo96Ug
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 04/27/2019 03:36 am
Lots of theories raised around Blue origins cryptic 5.9.19 tweet.

https://twitter.com/blueorigin/status/1121797276190437376


No, you guys are too focused on Mars or the moon.

When I see this image, I see ice.  I see winter.  Winter is surrounding the ship where people take refuge.

The ship represents Winterfell.  The ice represents the White Walkers, besieging Winterfell.

5.9.19.
5 -- the four surviving Starks children plus Dany.
9 -- the armies of seven kingdoms, plus the Dothraki plus the Unsullied, so 9 represents the armies arrayed against them.
19 -- one-nine -- the nine armies are one.

And if that's not enough just look at the feather -- that's the same feather Robert left at Lyana's crypt in the first episode.  It is blue because in the trailer for season 8 the feather falls and freezes.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 04/27/2019 03:40 am
The legendary Wan Hu

(https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.timetoast.com/public/uploads/photos/7153644/wan-hu2.gif)
It's a vicious rumor that Jeff Who is a distant relative.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 04/27/2019 03:44 am
Lots of theories raised around Blue origins cryptic 5.9.19 tweet.

https://twitter.com/blueorigin/status/1121797276190437376


No, you guys are too focused on Mars or the moon.

When I see this image, I see ice.  I see winter.  Winter is surrounding the ship where people take refuge.

The ship represents Winterfell.  The ice represents the White Walkers, besieging Winterfell.

5.9.19.
5 -- the four surviving Starks children plus Dany.
9 -- the armies of seven kingdoms, plus the Dothraki plus the Unsullied, so 9 represents the armies arrayed against them.
19 -- one-nine -- the nine armies are one.

And if that's not enough just look at the feather -- that's the same feather Robert left at Lyana's crypt in the first episode.  It is blue because in the trailer for season 8 the feather falls and freezes.
That is the Schooner Freedom that searched for the lost Shackleton Expedition ship Endurance before giving up. But that isn’t much of a fun answer, sorry. 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: sghill on 04/27/2019 01:04 pm
Lots of theories raised around Blue origins cryptic 5.9.19 tweet.

https://twitter.com/blueorigin/status/1121797276190437376


No, you guys are too focused on Mars or the moon.

When I see this image, I see ice.  I see winter.  Winter is surrounding the ship where people take refuge.

The ship represents Winterfell.  The ice represents the White Walkers, besieging Winterfell.

5.9.19.
5 -- the four surviving Starks children plus Dany.
9 -- the armies of seven kingdoms, plus the Dothraki plus the Unsullied, so 9 represents the armies arrayed against them.
19 -- one-nine -- the nine armies are one.

And if that's not enough just look at the feather -- that's the same feather Robert left at Lyana's crypt in the first episode.  It is blue because in the trailer for season 8 the feather falls and freezes.
That is the Schooner Freedom that searched for the lost Shackleton Expedition ship Endurance before giving up. But that isn’t much of a fun answer, sorry.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 04/28/2019 08:37 pm
Human's landed on the Moon. There is no tooth fairy. Dragon 2 went boom. :(

1) Human's *what* landed?
2) wait, there's no tooth fairy?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tooth_fairy  Yes there is!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 04/29/2019 05:37 pm
... The lander would be derived from the human-rated, flight-proven Orion spacecraft ...
So LM is proposing to refurbish used Orions and turn them into ascent stages? "Flight-proven" means used to me[1].

If that ascent stage has ~3 km/s delta-v, can be refueled, and can support crew for 10+day missions, why do we need Orion at all? With a small fuel tank stretch it could shuttle crew from LEO to the Gateway, be refueled there, and shuttle them back to LEO. Use CC vehicles to go to/from LEO. Launch the refueling tankers and lunar descent stages on commercial heavy lift.

Where else are you going to get used, er I mean flight-proven, Orions?

more seriously... shhhhhh....

1 - and to SpaceX... :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 04/29/2019 07:00 pm
Human's landed on the Moon. There is no tooth fairy. Dragon 2 went boom. :(

2) wait, there's no tooth fairy?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tooth_fairy  Yes there is!
That was actually the nickname of a dentist I knew in San Francisco.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: theinternetftw on 04/30/2019 06:20 pm
On the latest tweets, StarShip on Moon is labelled 4 and the StarShip on Mars is 1. Have we ever seen this kind of numbering on other renders? What can be the 2 and 3?

Is this the digital equivalent of releasing three pigs into the school, labeled 1, 2, and 4?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intelati on 05/02/2019 05:02 pm
They have a *lot* of satellites to orbit and a very small time in which to do it in order to meet the conditions ...
Ha! They have a long way to go and a short time to get there ... just watch ol' SpaceX run. (From "Smokey and the Bandit")

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnRwQjTYfGI

Thanks. Now I'll have that song stuck in my mind for the rest of the day.

Not that I'm complaining too much. haha  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 05/03/2019 05:55 am
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: theinternetftw on 05/03/2019 06:45 am
Jeff Who's Next.jpg

He might well be.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 05/03/2019 11:34 pm
Any time I fail to post here before a launch it always ends in scrub, abort, catastrophe, etc. I'm thinking this is absurd coincidence and there's no reason for me to post while I'm on an anniversary trip with my wife. Sure enough, last night, no launch. Okay, here it is. Live from Las Vegas - Go Baby! Go!

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 05/03/2019 11:38 pm
Thank you, thank you very much!

I don’t like when there is more than 2 weeks between launches.  It bores me.

More frequent is better, but 2 weeks is the most I can take without going through withdraw.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: John Alan on 05/03/2019 11:50 pm
Any time I fail to post here before a launch it always ends in scrub, abort, catastrophe, etc. I'm thinking this is absurd coincidence and there's no reason for me to post while I'm on an anniversary trip with my wife. Sure enough, last night, no launch. Okay, here it is. Live from Las Vegas - Go Baby! Go!

Elvis in Space never posted up yesterday like he normally does...
So, I could not do MY normal preflight ritual...
LIKE his post in the party thread...  ;D
I do this before every recent launch... check the logs...  ;)

I went to bed last night so sure it would not launch... (thought weather)
Was rather amused to find this morning it was everything BUT weather...   :o

SO... Elvis in Space has posted... I have Liked his post above... we can go fly now...  ;D

On edit...
As of late... running a landing bingo usually results in an "anomaly" if I guess in said thread...
I will therefore NOT take a guess in the "4th" bingo... Hope that helps...  :-\
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 05/04/2019 06:44 am
Something is amiss here. I can hear chairs scraping the floor in the SpaceX cafeteria but no cutlery this time?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 05/04/2019 06:56 am
I think "mecono secone" is my new favorite Latish term.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mandella on 05/04/2019 04:38 pm
Something is amiss here. I can hear chairs scraping the floor in the SpaceX cafeteria but no cutlery this time?

At some point they really do need to introduce the guy whose job it is to walk around shaking the bus tray full of silverware during the launches.

I guess he or she was off last night...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 05/07/2019 03:40 am
It's to be expected that you get cafeteria sounds during SpaceX launch coverage. After all, you can't have launch without first having lunch (and then adding an A).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 05/07/2019 02:41 pm
Noted: My forum post count is passing through the matching years of the five seasons of Babylon 5! 8)
(2258 through 2262)

>*<

(the ASCII representation of a jumpgate, from the Usenet days)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 05/07/2019 02:51 pm
It's to be expected that you get cafeteria sounds during SpaceX launch coverage. After all, you can't have launch without first having lunch (and then adding an A).

A great idea for a public service announcement, perhaps encouraging nutritional school lunches, starring Mr. Musk!
There's a STEM tie-in possibility, too.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: abaddon on 05/08/2019 02:25 pm
I don't know where all of those "18-21" launches without Starlink are coming from, we don't have anything close to that on the publicly known manifest.
That’s because there are several launches planned for payloads which are not on the public manifest.
(https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/465/629/394.png)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: QuantumG on 05/10/2019 01:37 am
Oh Elon...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 05/10/2019 02:31 am
I know, right? It seems he just can't help himself...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: su27k on 05/10/2019 02:46 am
He shouldn't have said that? I thought it's a pretty good joke...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: punder on 05/10/2019 02:50 am
He shouldn't have said that? I thought it's a pretty good joke...

Yep, especially considering the uh, form factor of New Shepard.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 05/10/2019 03:43 am
Put a New Shepard between two landers and it's really pretty obvious why it's bad.

I thought Elon was pretty restrained all things considered... Bezos just can't give it a rest (trash talking Mars)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 05/10/2019 04:27 am
ddhhmm MON yy
Is there any reasonable explanation for such a bizzare format?
Because mm/dd/yyyy vs. dd/mm/yyyy confusion isn't annoying enough?

I thought they were. YMMV  Or is that YYYYMMVV ??? Maybe VVMMYYYY???

The launch associated with this particular NGA Broadcast Warning Message happened earlier today:
  US Navy sub test-launches missile, following North Korea test of its own (https://www.foxnews.com/politics/us-navy-sub-test-launches-missile-following-north-korea-test-of-its-own) (Fox News, 2019-05-09)
Quote

Pentagon spokeswoman Laura Seal confirmed in a statement that the Navy’s Strategic Systems Programs launched (blah blah blah)
So Ms. Laura is a Pentagon spokesperson. Check. But is she in the Navy? Because if she was... (wait for it...)  She'd be a Navy Seal!!!!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 05/10/2019 04:30 am
From the Topic: Falcon All Legs Retracted - Historic Step 05-07-2019
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE63wPDecCg

Legs... step... get it? 
(also, was this on July 5th??? May 7th??? I'm so confused. )

Most Falcons have two legs. But we know that in the rocket biz.... four legs good, two legs bad...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: groknull on 05/10/2019 04:57 am
From the Topic: Falcon All Legs Retracted - Historic Step 05-07-2019
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE63wPDecCg

Legs... step... get it? 
(also, was this on July 5th??? May 7th??? I'm so confused. )

Most Falcons have two legs. But we know that in the rocket biz.... four legs good, two legs bad...

A few more like that and I'll report you to the moderator...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 05/10/2019 01:18 pm
Two takeaways from yesterdays reveal:

1. We know now that this picture:
(https://cdn.cnn.com/cnnnext/dam/assets/190215120700-02-antarctic-shackleton-expedition-called-off-scli-intl-file-restricted-use.jpg)
Was a hint at freezing your balls off.

2. I really hope the Orlando airport does not get closed before 2021.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 05/10/2019 01:53 pm

A few more like that and I'll report you to the moderator...


Quaking in me boots, I am...

If you think THOSE are bad I had one I held off posting. Based on this input I went to go find it and post it... Lost it. You can thank me later.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 05/10/2019 01:54 pm
I really hope the Orlando airport does not get closed before 2021.

This is actually Jeff's secret "off the hook" ... he's building a new one which technically won't be called "the Orlando airport" so ...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 05/10/2019 03:00 pm
Oh Elon...
I'm just amazed that, in response to this question:
Quote
Do you think the success you have had with @SpaceX has inspired newcomers like @JeffBezos to consider and pursue space exploration?
...  he didn't point out that Bezos founded Blue Origin nearly two years before Musk started SpaceX.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 05/10/2019 07:01 pm


Because mm/dd/yyyy vs. dd/mm/yyyy confusion isn't annoying enough?

Hrmmm. The whole date-format thing is irksome. I travel a lot so I encounter it quite often, and the hardest part is figuring out which format is being used.

My preference is the US format, because it's so much more natural and easy to remember - it's the same sequence as you use when you say the date: we say April 17th, 2018, not the 17th of April, 2017. Just ask any of my fellow Americans this, and they will surely agree, especially around patriotic holidays such as the 4th of July.
 ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 05/10/2019 07:13 pm
I like 2019-05-10 (today) which sorts correctly without having to separate fields and do gymnastics.

When people in the US ask me my birthday I tell them (using that day as a sample, you weisenheimers don't get to know what it actually is) 10 May 19xx ...

just to throw them.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intelati on 05/10/2019 07:21 pm
I like 2019-05-10 (today) which sorts correctly without having to separate fields and do gymnastics.

https://xkcd.com/1179/

*bangs head against wall*

On the internet, there should be no reason to use anything but the YYYY-MM-DD format
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 05/10/2019 07:28 pm
Well damn, i always use YYYY_MM_DD for file revisions, not YYYY-MM-DD, seems i have been doing it wrong the whole time.  :(
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intelati on 05/10/2019 08:04 pm
Well damn, i always use YYYY_MM_DD for file revisions, not YYYY-MM-DD, seems i have been doing it wrong the whole time.  :(

IMO, there's no reason to use _ rather than - in most sitations.

But, since you are using them consistently, I'd say just keep on using your way. It's still the nonconfusing format...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Barley on 05/10/2019 08:45 pm
Only work with foreigners in the last two weeks of a month, and don't work with the Japanese before 2032.

In extremis there are a few other dates that can be used.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 05/11/2019 04:57 am
I know someone born on 8/6/75 @3:09
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: hopalong on 05/11/2019 06:38 am
I know someone born on 8/6/75 @3:09

So that is to me as a Brit - 8th June 1975 at 03:09, but it could be -

8th June 1975 at 15:09
6th August 1975 at 03:09
6th August 1975 at 15:09

Presuming the '75 bit was 1975, not 1875 etc.

ISO 8601 looks better and better  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 05/11/2019 01:22 pm
I know someone born on 8/6/75 @3:09

So that is to me as a Brit - 8th June 1975 at 03:09, but it could be -

8th June 1975 at 15:09
6th August 1975 at 03:09
6th August 1975 at 15:09

Presuming the '75 bit was 1975, not 1875 etc.

ISO 8601 looks better and better  ;D

What is ambiguous about "75"
It is a number, consisting of two digits.
It is part of a date, so must be second, minute, hour, day, month or year.
Due to a short supply of day 75's and month 75's, it *must* be year 75.

So this is an event in the year 75, during the reign of emperor Vespasianus
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 05/11/2019 03:50 pm
Live stream now:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95LhHRZQTxo

The live video stream watching the orbital prototype buying built reminds me of the scene from Monty python and the holy grail when they were in the forrest building the Trojan Rabbit.
https://youtu.be/T2PdyxMtiYM
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: hopalong on 05/11/2019 04:04 pm
I know someone born on 8/6/75 @3:09

So that is to me as a Brit - 8th June 1975 at 03:09, but it could be -

8th June 1975 at 15:09
6th August 1975 at 03:09
6th August 1975 at 15:09

Presuming the '75 bit was 1975, not 1875 etc.

ISO 8601 looks better and better  ;D

What is ambiguous about "75"
It is a number, consisting of two digits.
It is part of a date, so must be second, minute, hour, day, month or year.
Due to a short supply of day 75's and month 75's, it *must* be year 75.

So this is an event in the year 75, during the reign of emperor Vespasianus

Exactly - use of a short year field without context can be ambiguous (I am in IT and spent many evenings, nights and weekends ensuring that the company I work for Mainframe and RS6000's did not any Y2K rollover issues. By the way Vespasianus was emperor for only 10 years  :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intelati on 05/11/2019 04:39 pm
Live stream now:

watch?v=95LhHRZQTxo

The live video stream watching the orbital prototype buying built reminds me of the scene from Monty python and the holy grail when they were in the forrest building the Trojan Rabbit.
watch?v=T2PdyxMtiYM

To be honest, it's fascinating in a "What the hell are you doing Elon?" Kind of way.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 05/11/2019 05:21 pm
Can't wait for us to get to Mars so we can make first contact.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTc3PsW5ghQ
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AndyH on 05/11/2019 05:54 pm
Can't wait for us to get to Mars so we can make first contact.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTc3PsW5ghQ
You and me both!

Quote
The Past, Present, and Future of the Elser-Mathes Cup

Recent developments in Amateur Radio technology and Mars exploration
could lead to a winner of this 87-year-old award within this century.
http://www.arrl.org/files/file/QST/This%20Month%20in%20QST/June2016/Schoenfeld.pdf (http://www.arrl.org/files/file/QST/This%20Month%20in%20QST/June2016/Schoenfeld.pdf)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 05/12/2019 12:57 am
That is a very funky trophy! It would be awesome if someone won it prior to the 100 year anniversary...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mongo62 on 05/12/2019 02:00 am
Can't wait for us to get to Mars so we can make first contact.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTc3PsW5ghQ

How could you think the telephone was a cow???!!! It was clearly not spherical!

On the other hand, "Blue Moon" has a properly spherical shape, able to jump over the Moon in a single leap!

Post Scriptum - I like physics jokes.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 05/12/2019 07:58 am
Everyone: These new 7m fairings are what's really needed to deploy megaconstellations
Elon (thumbing through IKEA catalog): Hold my dispenser
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 05/12/2019 01:21 pm
It is the year 2026. Humans have landed on Mars. The automated propellant plant placed in the last synod is working as expected. Habitat elements habe been delivered in a flat-packed configuration. Then, an unnerving message gets sent back to Earth:

"Erm, control, where did you say you stowed these again?"

(https://www.retrobikefranken.de/images/product_images/original_images/Innen-6-kant%205%20mm%20-%206%20mm%20%20Inbusschl%C3%BCssel%20CR-V%20%20%282%29.JPG)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 05/12/2019 06:33 pm
So what is the correct nomenclature here? Flatsats or Flatellites?

https://twitter.com/joebarnard/status/1127590661644005376
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 05/12/2019 06:39 pm
So what is the correct nomenclature here? Flatsats or Flatellites?

https://twitter.com/joebarnard/status/1127590661644005376

I guess all I can say is conflatulations to whoever wins that poll.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 05/12/2019 06:51 pm
It is the year 2026. Humans have landed on Mars. The automated propellant plant placed in the last synod is working as expected. Habitat elements habe been delivered in a flat-packed configuration. Then, an unnerving message gets sent back to Earth:

"Erm, control, where did you say you stowed these again?"

(https://www.retrobikefranken.de/images/product_images/original_images/Innen-6-kant%205%20mm%20-%206%20mm%20%20Inbusschl%C3%BCssel%20CR-V%20%20%282%29.JPG)
So what is the correct nomenclature here? Flatsats or Flatellites?

https://twitter.com/joebarnard/status/1127590661644005376
Jeezus. How long will it take for you people to catch on?
 StarFlats.
 And you forgot the
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: groknull on 05/12/2019 08:07 pm
Rectangular and packaged in stacks.  Obviously a StarCracker of some type:

StarTack, StarTine, StarGraham...

[Wikimedia Commons image]
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mandella on 05/12/2019 08:25 pm
"Starflats"....

Sigh. It's full of stars isn't it?

Oh gods, these things' proportions aren't 1:4:9 are they???


(https://i.imgur.com/db0vMGS.jpg)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 05/12/2019 08:27 pm
Read somewhere online. Para-phasing.

The SpaceX Starlink satellite stack looks Borg-esque inside the payload fairing.

"Resistance is Futile, prepare to be assimilated."



mental image of the SX CTO in full Borg cos-play surround by the corporate logos of Telco and Satcom providers each with a big red X overlay.  :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 05/12/2019 09:47 pm
Hi, I find this documentary about Blue Origin's orbital habitats from Crunchyroll.

Next logical step for BO is to build giant robot suits for peacekeeping...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 05/12/2019 11:25 pm
https://twitter.com/sara_boutall/status/1127585108691755009
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 05/13/2019 03:00 am
I thought Flatelites were expendable and only flew over our flat earth...... once.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: flyright on 05/13/2019 03:38 am
https://twitter.com/sara_boutall/status/1127585108691755009

More likely a used lander being loaded, not unloaded.

Elon's StarJunk service will gather up the used landers and return them to Earth, where they will be sold on Amazon.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 05/13/2019 07:42 am
Elon's StarJunk service will gather up the used landers and return them to Earth, where they will be sold on Amazon.

With the risk of being to serious for this thread but that is one thing that I look forward to one day. Imagine a Starship mission to take down the Hubble telescope. With all the science that instrument has made during its lifetime it deserves a place at a museum.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 05/13/2019 08:12 am
Elon's StarJunk service will gather up the used landers and return them to Earth, where they will be sold on Amazon.

With the risk of being to serious for this thread but that is one thing that I look forward to one day. Imagine a Starship mission to take down the Hubble telescope. With all the science that instrument has made during its lifetime it deserves a place at a museum.

My pet demonstration mission for SS is returning Envisat, 8t of satellite constantly crossing useful and populated orbits.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 05/13/2019 07:25 pm
I've found this to be an indispensable tool in my work and it has little to do with building anything  8)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 05/14/2019 12:59 am
NSF thread in a nutshell:
We begin by speaking about the actual subject and we right away divert back to the idol of the site, SpaceX in all its forms. No thread shall be spared for it be too difficult to find anything else to talk about.
To be fair, it's like a forum about the historical 1700's, and trying to avoid talking about what a small island off the coast of Europe was doing.
Ireland? :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 05/14/2019 08:18 pm
I'm not certain how to refer to the next Falcon launch and it's crowded payload. There's going to be so many and then so many more. I'm searching for the words - Crowd? Flock? Herd? Swarm? Congregation? Population? Deposit? Bunch? Belt?  Rocketfull? Mighty Crapload?

Regardless, I'm sure they'll all get there while we work it out.  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intelati on 05/14/2019 08:21 pm
I'm not certain how to refer to the next Falcon launch and it's crowded payload. There's going to be so many and then so many more. I'm searching for the words - Crowd? Flock? Herd? Swarm? Congregation? Population? Deposit? Bunch? Belt?  Rocketfull? Mighty Crapload?

Regardless, I'm sure they'll all get there while we work it out.  8)

Alpha Launch of Starlink?

Works in a few ways...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 05/14/2019 09:53 pm
I'm not certain how to refer to the next Falcon launch and it's crowded payload.

Well, if the Tintin pair were the firsts, these are the seconds, and 60 seconds make a minute, so obviously, it's one minute of Starlink flats.  They're looking quite sharp in the full fairing photo, although I suppose that's only natural.  It's definitely not a minute launch, but if half these puns set the tone, we may be dancing around a minuet here.  I rest my case, lest I be barred or suffer some other measure, accidental or otherwise.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 05/14/2019 10:10 pm
I'm not certain how to refer to the next Falcon launch and it's crowded payload.

Well, if the Tintin pair were the firsts, these are the seconds, and 60 seconds make a minute, so obviously, it's one minute of Starlink flats.  They're looking quite sharp in the full fairing photo, although I suppose that's only natural.  It's definitely not a minute launch, but if half these puns set the tone, we may be dancing around a minuet here.  I rest my case, lest I be barred or suffer some other measure, accidental or otherwise.

A flock of starlinks is called a murmuration (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starling)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 05/14/2019 11:31 pm
Please let there be video coverage of the deployment. 

I’m interested in the spacing between releases and how they unfold.  But they have all the right in the world to show nothing.

But then EM knows how to get free marketing.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 05/15/2019 04:23 am
In memory of those copv tests, here is a test of tight stacking.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcvGET1uLSA (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcvGET1uLSA)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intelati on 05/15/2019 02:19 pm
The cylinder has been moved onto the new jig.

You know, sometimes I don't appreciate the insanity of SpaceX.

1. They are doing the normal launch cadence. (~20 launches a year) They have made quick work to have a consistent schedule.
2. The first crazy thing is that they are still the only reusable launcher. If you want to minimize the debris in the ocean, then SpaceX is the only game in town.
3. "The Falcons have landed." Point three x2 is exponentially more impressive.
4. The capabilities of the Falcon family  puts the on even ground with even the next generation of launch vehicles (Vega, Vulcan, even the 2020 New Glen will be unproven by the time Heavy has 5ish launches)
5. I haven't thought this point through out to charting the totals, but as far as I know, the Dragon is the only vehicle currently to have *significant* downmass from the ISS. (3 tonne to splashdown)
6. Launched the first American crew capsule to the ISS in years. (Yeah, I know. This is the insanity list)
7. Let me drive this point home. They are the only launcher that is disappointed when a booster takes a drink of sea water. That's standard bearer for the other 100% of launch companies.

And that's the revenue stuff the have been doing for a couple years now!

The true insanity is the stuff they are doing in the background.

1. Raptor: the first FFSC engine
2. Ramping up production of the next 4 (And 10 in total) by summer's end.
3. They are building a orbital class rocket IN A CAVE on a beach in the open with a bunch of "normal" welders.
4. Stainless steel rockets (Insert Poplar Mechanics illustrations here)
5. Actually, I need to correct #3. they are building TWO orbital class rockets on a beach in the open.
6. They are launching 60 (effectively) identical satellites to serve as the Alpha launch of the thousands of sat network they plan to operate.
7. They need to launch 1600+ in three years to meet the FCC requirements.
8. They webcast every launch, including the "internal" launches.
9. I'm watching all of this from my office 100s of miles away because of the internet.
10. I hate sounding like the amazing peoples, but SpaceX, Musk, and Shotwell have created a formidable company that is pushing the boundaries.
11. This all sounds like Science Fiction, but this is the future. I'm just glad to be around for a part of it.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Robotbeat on 05/15/2019 02:41 pm
The cylinder has been moved onto the new jig.

You know, sometimes I don't appreciate the insanity of SpaceX.

1. They are doing the normal launch cadence. (~20 launches a year) They have made quick work to have a consistent schedule.
2. The first crazy thing is that they are still the only reusable launcher. If you want to minimize the debris in the ocean, then SpaceX is the only game in town.
3. "The Falcons have landed." Point three x2 is exponentially more impressive.
4. The capabilities of the Falcon family  puts the on even ground with even the next generation of launch vehicles (Vega, Vulcan, even the 2020 New Glen will be unproven by the time Heavy has 5ish launches)
5. I haven't thought this point through out to charting the totals, but as far as I know, the Dragon is the only vehicle currently to have *significant* downmass from the ISS. (3 tonne to splashdown)
6. Launched the first American crew capsule to the ISS in years. (Yeah, I know. This is the insanity list)
7. Let me drive this point home. They are the only launcher that is disappointed when a booster takes a drink of sea water. That's standard bearer for the other 100% of launch companies.

And that's the revenue stuff the have been doing for a couple years now!

The true insanity is the stuff they are doing in the background.

1. Raptor: the first FFSC engine
2. Ramping up production of the next 4 (And 10 in total) by summer's end.
3. They are building a orbital class rocket IN A CAVE on a beach in the open with a bunch of "normal" welders.
4. Stainless steel rockets (Insert Poplar Mechanics illustrations here)
5. Actually, I need to correct #3. they are building TWO orbital class rockets on a beach in the open.
6. They are launching 60 (effectively) identical satellites to serve as the Alpha launch of the thousands of sat network they plan to operate.
7. They need to launch 1600+ in three years to meet the FCC requirements.
8. They webcast every launch, including the "internal" launches.
9. I'm watching all of this from my office 100s of miles away because of the internet.
10. I hate sounding like the amazing peoples, but SpaceX, Musk, and Shotwell have created a formidable company that is pushing the boundaries.
11. This all sounds like Science Fiction, but this is the future. I'm just glad to be around for a part of it.

SpaceX has amazing peoples exactly because they're doing insane things and succeeding and haven't stopped.

It's funny to me that basically no one takes Starship seriously, yet. And those speaking of Starship (often sounding as if they're humoring SpaceX) still usually talk of it as if it's just another launcher, not a lander itself (the most interesting part about it). It's like "oh cool, a nice way to get our conventional lander to space." :facepalm:
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intelati on 05/15/2019 02:49 pm
3. They are building a orbital class rocket IN A CAVE on a beach in the open with a bunch of "normal" welders.
4. Stainless steel rockets (Insert Poplar Mechanics illustrations here)
5. Actually, I need to correct #3. they are building TWO orbital class rockets on a beach in the open.
It's funny to me that basically no one takes Starship seriously, yet. And those speaking of Starship (often sounding as if they're humoring SpaceX) still usually talk of it as if it's just another launcher, not a lander itself (the most interesting part about it). It's like "oh cool, a nice way to get our conventional lander to space." :facepalm:

I'm not questioning SpaceX's plans. I'm just calling it as I see them. Right now they have a rocket similar to Falcon 9. They could (using refueling and other non demonstrated abilities) use it as a lander. It's just I don't feel comfortable acknowledging that until they start to do so themselves
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: raketa on 05/15/2019 03:12 pm
The cylinder has been moved onto the new jig.

You know, sometimes I don't appreciate the insanity of SpaceX.

1. They are doing the normal launch cadence. (~20 launches a year) They have made quick work to have a consistent schedule.
2. The first crazy thing is that they are still the only reusable launcher. If you want to minimize the debris in the ocean, then SpaceX is the only game in town.
3. "The Falcons have landed." Point three x2 is exponentially more impressive.
4. The capabilities of the Falcon family  puts the on even ground with even the next generation of launch vehicles (Vega, Vulcan, even the 2020 New Glen will be unproven by the time Heavy has 5ish launches)
5. I haven't thought this point through out to charting the totals, but as far as I know, the Dragon is the only vehicle currently to have *significant* downmass from the ISS. (3 tonne to splashdown)
6. Launched the first American crew capsule to the ISS in years. (Yeah, I know. This is the insanity list)
7. Let me drive this point home. They are the only launcher that is disappointed when a booster takes a drink of sea water. That's standard bearer for the other 100% of launch companies.

And that's the revenue stuff the have been doing for a couple years now!

The true insanity is the stuff they are doing in the background.

1. Raptor: the first FFSC engine
2. Ramping up production of the next 4 (And 10 in total) by summer's end.
3. They are building a orbital class rocket IN A CAVE on a beach in the open with a bunch of "normal" welders.
4. Stainless steel rockets (Insert Poplar Mechanics illustrations here)
5. Actually, I need to correct #3. they are building TWO orbital class rockets on a beach in the open.
6. They are launching 60 (effectively) identical satellites to serve as the Alpha launch of the thousands of sat network they plan to operate.
7. They need to launch 1600+ in three years to meet the FCC requirements.
8. They webcast every launch, including the "internal" launches.
9. I'm watching all of this from my office 100s of miles away because of the internet.
10. I hate sounding like the amazing peoples, but SpaceX, Musk, and Shotwell have created a formidable company that is pushing the boundaries.
11. This all sounds like Science Fiction, but this is the future. I'm just glad to be around for a part of it.

SpaceX has amazing peoples exactly because they're doing insane things and succeeding and haven't stopped.

It's funny to me that basically no one takes Starship seriously, yet. And those speaking of Starship (often sounding as if they're humoring SpaceX) still usually talk of it as if it's just another launcher, not a lander itself (the most interesting part about it). It's like "oh cool, a nice way to get our conventional lander to space." :facepalm:
You are right.
This is funny how NASA act like there is no SH+SS. Spacex moving forward so fast, that Spacex will have better system before SLS system next flight.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: GregTheGrumpy on 05/15/2019 05:22 pm
<snip>
You are right.
This is funny how NASA act like there is no SH+SS. Spacex moving forward so fast, that Spacex will have better system before SLS system next flight.

I admire NASA and I think the current administrator is doing great things.

That doesn't change the fact that NASA is a government organization which depends upon funding from the United States Government.  If the payee says do such and so, then NASA has to do such and so.  This is the political reality behind NASA.  I can see how much many (but assuredly not all) of the folks at NASA wish it wasn't so.  NASA does good science.  They have done great stuff and will do great stuff if their political masters will let them - please don't blame NASA (or the folks who comprise it) because the driver sends them down roads we perceive to be wrong.

I've been rather pleasantly surprised, given their political constraints, at how the StarShip (et. al.) get referenced, even if obliquely.  If you get slapped for talking about a certain subject, then it takes bravery to talk about it at all.



Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: OxCartMark on 05/15/2019 05:36 pm
This facility needs to be named.  Suggestions:

Cocoa Chica
Cocoa Boca
Co-Boca
Boca Cocoa
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intelati on 05/15/2019 05:39 pm
This facility needs to be named.  Suggestions:

Cocoa Chica
Cocoa Boca
Co-Boca
Boca Cocoa

Loco Cocoa?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: birdman on 05/15/2019 05:45 pm
And how are they going to move that to anyplace useful?


Cidco Road -> Industrial Avenue -> SR528 -> Port Canaveral

I don't think Starship will fit under the overpass, but the route might still work if they move it against traffic on SR528. Still, there's an awful lot of obstacles on the road with that route. If they're going to be building a fleet of Starships at Coastal Steel, they might need to take a barge.
Maybe Boring Company can send down 20 miles of 9m diameter hyperloop track then they can dig a tunnel and pop it through and even save some dV when it comes flying out the other end.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: BitBanger on 05/16/2019 01:12 am
Please let there be video coverage of the deployment. 

I’m interested in the spacing between releases and how they unfold.  But they have all the right in the world to show nothing.

But then EM knows how to get free marketing.

Starlink depoy method..... Death Blossom!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 05/16/2019 03:08 am
It seems like SpaceX are out to disrupt the webcasting business, 3 minutes 10 seconds is a genuine efficient program.  :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 05/16/2019 03:45 am
I visited Coastal Steel today. There is a guard who will step out and ask you not to take pictures (You do get a nice look around while standing there though). I asked about drones since that seems to have come up on social media and they said no as well. Figured they would. They also do not have a formal guideline in place so visit at your own risk. I took this photo from off site standing on my truck. They have this build outside as well as a wider piece being constructed inside the large building that was open. Best I can do for now until it gets above tree level.
Bring cookies, that should get you an all access pass...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 05/16/2019 12:10 pm
...
This is funny how NASA act like there is no SH+SS. Spacex moving forward so fast, that Spacex will have better system before SLS system next flight.

If you had already spent > 20 billion dollars on a system (gotta count constellation too, right?), just how willing would you be to admit that the guy next door is building something bigger, better and way cheaper than yours? And doing so in 1/5th the time?

NASA is not looking very good, in the rocketry department.
Their manned capsule looks good, but is very pricey and way late.
They should stick to unmanned probes & rovers, with those they have an exemplary record both in design and cost.

And please, let's not talk about telescopes... That's in worse shape than sls.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 05/16/2019 01:33 pm
At risk of becoming that fellow
Who whines with a moan or a bellow
I'd like to, with jokes
Say "Um, Party Thread, folks!"
Back to fun and no harshing our mellow.

-or-

I just had the best new idea
It came from my trip to Ikea
Lets make a sat stack
Like some cards they'll flat pack
And we'll deal them out like tortillas

-or-

While fortune may favor the bold
And rocketry never gets old
There's one thing I fear
As the launch time draws near
The dreaded four-letter word: "HOLD"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 05/16/2019 02:59 pm
You know we're going to fly tonight - It's the last episode of The Big Bang Theory

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DecoLV on 05/17/2019 12:56 am
So...second scrub of Starlink launch (which looks like my CD collection, btw). Can only be one one explanation. There must be an issue with the COPVs on the satellites! Or ...the COPVs on the solar collectors. If so, the Dragon that is holding these Starlinks is just...oh, no Dragon? Um, would you believe a problem with the Atlas? ...well then, how about a vacuum cleaner with a full bag? Um.. I need a drink at Fishlips anyway...</snark>
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 05/17/2019 02:26 am
NSF forum: the "go to" website for debate over "tons," since 2010! :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 05/17/2019 09:38 pm
I do not get it. They scrubbed twice, and yet it is still sooty. Wrong cleaning agent?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 05/18/2019 02:03 am
The whole "software" rationale is a smokescreen. This stand-down has nothing to do with software, and everything to do with cookies.

The issue is a launch embargo. @upperlevelwinds, right before the first scrub, demanded cookies and other treats. No one delivered, so, no launch.

SpaceX is reportedly attempting to acquire cookies, and a small weather balloon to deliver them. That's why the delay.

This just goes to prove that the old adage is true: you can't have launch without lunch. (or at least, cookies).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 05/18/2019 08:20 pm
https://twitter.com/flcnhvy/status/1129832918220718080
Quote
The man in the SpaceX cap, wearing a SpaceX shirt would not say whether this is a SpaceX facility, but the SpaceX trucks going in and out, the three Tesla cars in the parking lot & the big, shiny, metal cylinder under construction seem to be a dead giveaway

This might be one of my favorite things in this Starship saga yet.

Reporter: Are you building rockets here?
Man trying to shuffle in front of a 9m*45m rocket: Umm, no?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Scylla on 05/19/2019 01:12 am
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1129836119267262464
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intelati on 05/20/2019 01:46 pm
I can't wait for the 42 engine booster discussion.

The OMG-web
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 05/21/2019 03:51 am
A bit of thread necromancy

I was 9 then. Saw this huge Revell model in a store window but it was $9, so Mom said no. She got me this AMT instead. Great fun to build. Still have it. Got the Revell many years later off the Internet for $90 and found out it would have been pretty tough for me to build as a 9-year-old beginner. When I told my Mom I finally got one, she remembered that she had gone back to that store to buy it for me but it was already sold. Cool Mom!

I have botched enough plastic models by this point that any request is an instant "no"... so I built my own Saturn V out of LEGO elements. It is blue and white, since those are the colors I have the most of... It looks kind of squareish... but at least it has a taper.

Gee I wonder if LEGO will someday do a model of the Saturn V themselves...

Maybe it'll look like the pic I attached... naa, they'll never change away from the five colors (white blue black yellow red)

(image courtesy of brickset.com
http://brickset.com/sets?query=7468 )


Yeah, LEGO topped themselves.
https://shop.lego.com/en-US/product/LEGO-NASA-Apollo-Saturn-V-21309

1969 pieces.

If you don't have a copy, hurry, it's still in production but won't be forever.

(Image of box courtesy of brickset.com who got it from lego.com
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tyrred on 05/21/2019 05:58 am
A bit of thread necromancy

I was 9 then. Saw this huge Revell model in a store window but it was $9, so Mom said no. She got me this AMT instead. Great fun to build. Still have it. Got the Revell many years later off the Internet for $90 and found out it would have been pretty tough for me to build as a 9-year-old beginner. When I told my Mom I finally got one, she remembered that she had gone back to that store to buy it for me but it was already sold. Cool Mom!

I have botched enough plastic models by this point that any request is an instant "no"... so I built my own Saturn V out of LEGO elements. It is blue and white, since those are the colors I have the most of... It looks kind of squareish... but at least it has a taper.

Gee I wonder if LEGO will someday do a model of the Saturn V themselves...

Maybe it'll look like the pic I attached... naa, they'll never change away from the five colors (white blue black yellow red)

(image courtesy of brickset.com
http://brickset.com/sets?query=7468 )


Yeah, LEGO topped themselves.
https://shop.lego.com/en-US/product/LEGO-NASA-Apollo-Saturn-V-21309

1969 pieces.

If you don't have a copy, hurry, it's still in production but won't be forever.

(Image of box courtesy of brickset.com who got it from lego.com

Sorcery! The spell was cast so powerfully that I awoke from an inexplicable daze with a notification that this monstrosity is now being shipped to my domicile!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 05/21/2019 04:57 pm

anything exept maybe a sphere will produce lift if fast enough.
Actually, a sphere can have lift if it's spinning.
That's a major league observation!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intelati on 05/21/2019 05:18 pm

anything exept maybe a sphere will produce lift if fast enough.
Actually, a sphere can have lift if it's spinning.
That's a major league observation!

Alternatively, that's a magnusian observation!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Semmel on 05/22/2019 09:51 am
This image has some content worthy of your scrutiny.  What's them things?
Though I like her shiny fancy new shoes, why does the expression, "putting lipstick on a pig" come to mind...?


Pro tip: dont ever say these words to a woman. Especially not to one that you want to hop around with.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: woods170 on 05/22/2019 12:26 pm
A bit of thread necromancy

I was 9 then. Saw this huge Revell model in a store window but it was $9, so Mom said no. She got me this AMT instead. Great fun to build. Still have it. Got the Revell many years later off the Internet for $90 and found out it would have been pretty tough for me to build as a 9-year-old beginner. When I told my Mom I finally got one, she remembered that she had gone back to that store to buy it for me but it was already sold. Cool Mom!

I have botched enough plastic models by this point that any request is an instant "no"... so I built my own Saturn V out of LEGO elements. It is blue and white, since those are the colors I have the most of... It looks kind of squareish... but at least it has a taper.

Gee I wonder if LEGO will someday do a model of the Saturn V themselves...

Maybe it'll look like the pic I attached... naa, they'll never change away from the five colors (white blue black yellow red)

(image courtesy of brickset.com
http://brickset.com/sets?query=7468 )


Yeah, LEGO topped themselves.
https://shop.lego.com/en-US/product/LEGO-NASA-Apollo-Saturn-V-21309

1969 pieces.

If you don't have a copy, hurry, it's still in production but won't be forever.

(Image of box courtesy of brickset.com who got it from lego.com

[Jim]For the n-th time: Rockets are not legos.[/Jim]
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 05/22/2019 12:28 pm
Seeing Starhopper in those shiny new elevator shoes reminds me of Pournelle and Niven's "Footfall"


"Baby elephants with two trunks drifted out of the sky beneath paper airplanes. Harry chortled. They were wearing tall, conspicuous elevator shoes."

My first encounter with the concept of using a crush core to cushion the landing of a heavy object.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 05/22/2019 01:25 pm
[Jim]For the n-th time: Rockets are not legos.[/Jim]

[Lar]For the n-th time: It's LEGO® elements, not "legos".[/Lar]
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 05/22/2019 06:11 pm
[Jim]For the n-th time: Rockets are not legos.[/Jim]

[Lar]For the n-th time: It's LEGO® elements, not "legos".[/Lar]

Thank you. I am truly feeling the love...

Unrelatedly

... a bottoms-up estimate ....

Methinks you mean "bottom-up"?  It seems to me that a bottoms-up estimate would be one made after quickly downing a quantity of alcohol. :)
Reading the  thread those posts come from certainly suggests that might be a good moderation approach.

I find the conflicting cost estimates very confusing. Partisans always think their toy costs less, and the other guys toy cost more, than actual reality.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 05/22/2019 07:13 pm
[Jim]For the n-th time: Rockets are not legos.[/Jim]
[Lar]For the n-th time: It's LEGO® elements, not "legos".[/Lar]
Thank you. I am truly feeling the love...

Hehe, I was hoping that would be the case.  After all, I even went to the Fair Play page on LEGO.com (https://www.lego.com/en-us/legal/legal-notice/fair-play) to check my terminology and copy and paste a registered trademark symbol.  ;D

Okay, so in the spirit of experimentalism and bodging that seems only natural for a party thread, and with an eye to both the rectangularity and modularity of certain snap-together building materials, may I present the party thread's first (and with any luck, last) attempt at making a latticed multi-poem.  Each column or row goes together (poorly) to make a (weakly written) four-line poem.  An illustration that couplets should most likely not be treated like LEGO elements, at least in the general case.


A party thread is just the place
For working at a rapid pace
  .  To bake a brick of common prose
That may just lighten up the days
  .    .    . 
Without the overhead that flows
In threads in which the news posts race
  .  What time it takes nobody knows
With all the work within the chase


Or to put it in more nominal terms, "Is it Thursday evening yet?!?"  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: landlubber on 05/22/2019 08:04 pm
Showed our 10 year old son a picture of Starhopper...his reply? "Ooooooh are they building a Dyson sphere?"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 05/22/2019 08:42 pm
Showed our 10 year old son a picture of Starhopper...his reply? "Ooooooh are they building a Dyson sphere?"
I hope you answered "Not yet."
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 05/22/2019 09:29 pm
... a bottoms-up estimate ....

Methinks you mean "bottom-up"?  It seems to me that a bottoms-up estimate would be one made after quickly downing a quantity of alcohol. :)

No, but something like this?

(NOT gratuitous fan-service...
Fluttershy is singing in her purposely poison-joke caused bass "Flutterguy" voice outside the school window.  Big Mac, who lost his voice in a turkey-call competition, lip-synchs to her voice with the rest of the singing "Ponytones" inside.

Stage-frightened Fluttershy enjoys performing incognito so much that she's shaking her flank to the beat.

The episode? Filli Vanilli (of course))

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXw6T-Nlstc
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 05/22/2019 11:06 pm
We have a brony

I repeat, we have a brony.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 05/23/2019 02:30 am
Yeah, you caught me... ;D

A partial rationalization; and hopefully not transgressing into the Too Much Information zone, or the way, way off-topic zone:

I completely missed out on/ignored the pony hoo-haa in 2011, 2012, and most of 2013.

When I first started watching previously-aired episodes on Netflix, I began with the 1st and 2nd seasons.  Logical.

During one of those early Fluttershy-centric episodes, I noted she reminded me of a young woman I dated many moons ago.  The similarities were uncanny: Phrasing, mannerisms pony-fied, a "natural" beauty, the stern "Stare-master" voice used in a situation calling for it, deeply caring about critters in need,  and a dressage performer.

A woman that I would have proposed to, if I had the opportunity.

A few years later, I dated another young woman.  Her personality, in retrospect, somewhat reminds me of Pinkie Pie.

Moving forward to the era of MLP:FIM, I came to realize that one of the several reasons why I enjoyed this show is that I prefer the company of and working with people, especially ladies, with a "pony personality."

:)

I do endeavor to keep the Equestrian references to "occasionally."

Sincerely,
Zubenelgenubi
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: theinternetftw on 05/23/2019 04:50 am
The last few posts caused me to type an unusual combination of words into google, the end result of which is this.

It's a picture of a cartoon pony version of the meatball NASA logo dabbing.

We live in a strange time.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tyrred on 05/23/2019 06:31 am
The clouds outside my office are Xcited
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TorenAltair on 05/23/2019 12:41 pm
Quote
Elon Musk

@elonmusk
After the GoT finale, we dropped it to 6

Great Elon... really great.. just finished my 3D-print of Starship this morning..   >:(  :o  ::)  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mongo62 on 05/23/2019 03:24 pm
Quote
Elon Musk

@elonmusk
After the GoT finale, we dropped it to 6

Great Elon... really great.. just finished my 3D-print of Starship this morning..   >:(  :o  ::)  ;D

"All hail Elon the Builder, First of his Name, Ruler of the Starships and the First Martians, Lord of the Six Raptors, and Protector of Humanity!"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 05/23/2019 05:40 pm
The last few posts caused me to type an unusual combination of words into google, the end result of which is this.

It's a picture of a cartoon pony version of the meatball NASA logo dabbing.

We live in a strange time.

All I can say to that, theinternetftw  ... (wait for it..)

" the internet for the win! "

Either that or

" that's enough internet for today "

But I'm not sure which

In other news since MLP is Hasbro, the chances of there being a LEGO MLP are slim to none... LEGO CUUSOO (precursor of Ideas) shot it down in 2012

https://mlpfanart.fandom.com/wiki/Lego_CUUSOO_Projects
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intelati on 05/23/2019 05:46 pm
But I'm not sure which

Why does it have to be which?

The Internet for the win, but that's enough for the day...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 05/23/2019 08:46 pm
Okay, tonight we fly. Seriously. Watch...I mean it.  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: theinternetftw on 05/24/2019 01:48 am
In other news since MLP is Hasbro, the chances of there being a LEGO MLP are slim to none... LEGO CUUSOO (precursor of Ideas) shot it down in 2012

Small horses are not LEGO® elements!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 05/24/2019 02:22 am
Who used the fish eye lens on the launch timeline?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: The Vorlon on 05/24/2019 02:47 am
Anybody have image quality issues or was it just my feed?  Both straight from Youtube and SpaceX were having issues.



Seeing a first stage on the droneship never gets old...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: theinternetftw on 05/24/2019 02:52 am
New funky tunes for a new funky constellation...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 05/24/2019 03:08 am
Europe below Starlink satellites.

The image attached to that post *so* looked to me like something from a science fiction film.  If you don't know the scale, it's easy to look at it and see a space station or a starship approaching Earth or whatever.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 05/24/2019 03:43 am
Congratulations to SpaceX on their sole effort of launching their own rocket and their own satellites.

I honestly thought that each satellite would separate one by one until all of them are away from Stage 2, but I did not expect the whole stack to be released at once.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 05/24/2019 03:50 am
Congratulations SpaceX, this deployment brought a smile to my face.  :D

Seeing as Elon Musk where playing 52 card pickup with the whole planet.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 05/24/2019 03:52 am
How do you know when satellite delivery is no longer rocket science but just transport?

When the cargo is delivered in a dump truck, that just tilts and dumps them overboard at destination.
(https://cdn.website.thryv.com/b5c4ccdea27f41d9a3d8920146976529/dms3rep/multi/mobile/dump.jpg)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 05/24/2019 04:40 pm
How do you know when satellite delivery is no longer rocket science but just transport?

When the cargo is delivered in a dump truck, that just tilts and dumps them overboard at destination.
(https://cdn.website.thryv.com/b5c4ccdea27f41d9a3d8920146976529/dms3rep/multi/mobile/dump.jpg)

Be respectful, that's 1.5% of the worlds satellites that got dumped there!

Kinda crazy to think that they might have up to six dumps this year, giving them 9% of all satellites in orbit.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intelati on 05/24/2019 07:29 pm
The new net appears to have a different weave pattern.  SpaceX may be optimizing the net deformation / capture dynamics.

The new net appears to have a different weave pattern.  SpaceX may be optimizing the net deformation / capture dynamics.

God. My reading comprehension is like zero right now.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: rsdavis9 on 05/24/2019 07:40 pm
The new net appears to have a different weave pattern.  SpaceX may be optimizing the net deformation / capture dynamics.

The new net appears to have a different weave pattern.  SpaceX may be optimizing the net deformation / capture dynamics.

God. My reading comprehension is like zero right now.

Information overload...
Too many threads.

Starlink, starship, raptor, boring, etc.

And my own starship(M3) got an update today(2019.16.2) and its like driving a brand new car!  :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 05/24/2019 11:00 pm
How do you know when satellite delivery is no longer rocket science but just transport?

When the cargo is delivered in a dump truck, that just tilts and dumps them overboard at destination.
(https://cdn.website.thryv.com/b5c4ccdea27f41d9a3d8920146976529/dms3rep/multi/mobile/dump.jpg)

The cargo might even tolerate an off-nominal deployment that the transport vehicle can not tolerate:
(https://newscdn.weigelbroadcasting.com/usx81-1516740693-100100-blog-bc_rolloverdumptruck.jpg)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cro-magnon gramps on 05/25/2019 07:57 pm
I got tired of waiting for Elon's reply on Twitter, and have made my own Starlink Antenna. Couldn't afford the Platinum Standard, so went for the cheaper Gold Standard. Lousy latency, but looks great beside my 42 inch monitor. Maybe next Spring when Elon gets the first 420 satellites in orbit over Northern States and Southern Canada, I can upgrade. hmmmmm 420, interesting number  ;D ::) April 20th would be good  8)

Cheers Gramps
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 05/26/2019 03:58 am
Correct. So they must be operating in a "Bent Pipe (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transponder_(satellite_communications))" mode, which is how the Globalstar (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Globalstar) constellation works.

Isn't "bent pipe" a physical system architecture that the Starlink sats don't use?
It was a slang term for a waveguide that fed a boost amplifier that then reradiated  the signal without demodulation or modulation and latter implemented the ability to shift the carrier frequency. The slang came from it looked like a copper bent pipe.
NSF geeks. :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 05/26/2019 03:54 pm
NSF geeks. :)
Wonderful people. :D

Even when we're fighting, we're doing it with a level of knowledge and civility[1] that blows away most of the rest of the internet. Great community and I'm very happy to be part of it.

[1] not always perfect, but always held as the standard. [2]
[2] not to forget a love of footnotes
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 05/27/2019 07:58 pm
Is the nose tip one of the hottest points?  I was wondering if they'd cast something from one of their funky super alloys. It would keep it passively cooled and strong hoist point.
This is Musk we're talking about here.  There will be a figurehead there, we just don't know whose.

Many cartoons suggest that the nose of the StarShip should have a spike. Elon, take note.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 05/27/2019 08:20 pm
Is the nose tip one of the hottest points?  I was wondering if they'd cast something from one of their funky super alloys. It would keep it passively cooled and strong hoist point.
This is Musk we're talking about here.  There will be a figurehead there, we just don't know whose.

Many cartoons suggest that the nose of the StarShip should have a spike. Elon, take note.

But that cartoon also suggests an open cycle engine with carbon and fuel rhich preburner ;) SpaceX is better than that! ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: toren on 05/28/2019 01:57 am
Is the nose tip one of the hottest points?  I was wondering if they'd cast something from one of their funky super alloys. It would keep it passively cooled and strong hoist point.
This is Musk we're talking about here.  There will be a figurehead there, we just don't know whose.

Many cartoons suggest that the nose of the StarShip should have a spike. Elon, take note.

You never know when it'll come in handy...

https://youtu.be/UfeogSVgTsU?t=120
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 05/28/2019 03:17 pm
But there may be only a few lower-capacity Starlings over that spot at any time.


Starlings - love it.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 05/28/2019 03:55 pm
In other news since MLP is Hasbro, the chances of there being a LEGO MLP are slim to none... LEGO CUUSOO (precursor of Ideas) shot it down in 2012

Small horses are not LEGO® elements!

False

https://www.bricklink.com/v2/search.page?q=horse&brand=1000&type=P&tab=A#T=A

over 300 horse related elements

NSF geeks. :)
Wonderful people. :D

Even when we're fighting, we're doing it with a level of knowledge and civility[1] that blows away most of the rest of the internet. Great community and I'm very happy to be part of it.

[1] not always perfect, but always held as the standard. [2]
[2] not to forget a love of footnotes

And who doesn't love footnotes[3]?

Note that the above footnotes are not formatted correctly.  See below, the brackets go around the start of the transfer, and the end of the transfer uses a dash.[4]. Superscripts are preferred[5]

3 - not people you want to associate with, really. Who needs that kind of drama?
4 - Don't blame me, blame Chicago.
5 - but I don't think our markup supports it. <sup>5</sup> does nothing useful
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: launchwatcher on 05/28/2019 04:23 pm
Is the nose tip one of the hottest points?  I was wondering if they'd cast something from one of their funky super alloys. It would keep it passively cooled and strong hoist point.
This is Musk we're talking about here.  There will be a figurehead there, we just don't know whose.

Many cartoons suggest that the nose of the StarShip should have a spike. Elon, take note.
See also https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drag-reducing_aerospike


Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 05/28/2019 04:47 pm
Note: The following quote has been edited for format and a footnote or two added.

And who doesn't love footnotes3?

Note that the above footnotes are not formatted correctly.  See below, the brackets go around the start of the transfer, and the end of the transfer uses a dash4. Superscripts are preferred5

3 - not people you want to associate with, really. Who needs that kind of drama?
4 - Don't blame me, blame Chicago.
5 - but I don't think our markup supports it. <sup>5</sup> does nothing useful6
6 - on the other hand, [sup]7[/sup] does work7
7 - creatively bolded to prevent rendering as a superscript
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 05/28/2019 05:06 pm
Quote from: some space news site
SpaceX ramps up operations in South Texas as Hopper tests loom (https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2019/05/spacex-ramps-up-hopper-tests-loom/)

Clearly hinting ("Hopper tests loom") that SpaceX are now weaving their vehicles rather than welding them.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mongo62 on 05/28/2019 05:52 pm
Quote from: some space news site
SpaceX ramps up operations in South Texas as Hopper tests loom (https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2019/05/spacex-ramps-up-hopper-tests-loom/)

Clearly hinting ("Hopper tests loom") that SpaceX are now weaving their vehicles rather than welding them.

A logical next step, since fabrics are a well-known material for use in space (see Bigelow Aerospace).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: groknull on 05/28/2019 06:56 pm
And who doesn't love footnotes[3]?

I prefer endnotes.  Footnotes are not SI units...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 05/28/2019 10:14 pm
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intelati on 05/29/2019 06:53 pm
Calm down everyone.  Everyone take a step away from your keyboards and several deep breaths...

https://imgur.com/7xrnaEs.gif

*facepalm*
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: groknull on 05/29/2019 07:01 pm
From Re: SpaceX BFS : Phase 2 Starship Orbital Prototype(s) - Discussion
It's possible that they're just using the containers as a windbreak.  Could they be building something sensitive to wind in there?
...

Barbecue grill.  Stainless steel, and methane powered, of course.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intelati on 05/30/2019 07:46 pm
Talk about a red herring, but XKCD is the omnipresent illustration

If some of you guys remember, NASA kept quiet on the two shuttle accidents until they found out the problem. 

The funny thing is... when a Russian rocket fails, Russian media immediately report (citing "anonymous sources") multiple versions about what may have happened. This is in stark contrast with the silence that follows when a vehicle built in the USA suffers some kind of a failure.

Can't help but wonder about freedom of speech.

Huh?  That is not at all what freedom of speech is.  I'm honestly shocked that this type of statement is on these forums.

https://xkcd.com/1357/
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: leetdan on 05/30/2019 08:10 pm
https://twitter.com/northropgrumman/status/1134183680765845504

#NorthropGrumman successfully completed the test of OmegA’s first stage; the motor performed nominally with an observation noted at the very end of test involving the aft exit cone of the nozzle. Tune in to the press conference starting at 2:05 p.m. MDT http://www.northropgrumman.com/OmegA


You heard it here first, "observation" is the new "anomaly"  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 05/30/2019 08:59 pm
You heard it here first, "observation" is the new "anomaly"  8)

"And at the very end, when the engine was tailing off, we observed the aft exit cone, maybe a portion of it, doing something a little strange that we need to go further look into."

I guess it is a little strange that the [back] fell off (https://youtube.com/watch?v=3m5qxZm_JqM)...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 05/31/2019 10:12 am

5 - but I don't think our markup supports it. <sup>5</sup> does nothing useful6
6 - on the other hand, [sup]7[/sup] does work7
7 - creatively bolded to prevent rendering as a superscript
[/quote]
test
testing
testing
testing

Hey, this is a fun toy!

How low can you go without too much distortion?


Ok, i'll see myself out the door now.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intelati on 05/31/2019 06:12 pm
Quote
Three different configs of how #starship's behind could look like on the single stage Earth to Earth version @elonmusk mentioned the other day.
Five, six and seven SLR's and the 3SLR-3Vac version.

I think we need a NSFW tag on this tweet
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 05/31/2019 08:54 pm
https://twitter.com/SciGuySpace/status/1134560264995704832
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 05/31/2019 11:20 pm
You heard it here first, "observation" is the new "anomaly"  8)

"And at the very end, when the engine was tailing off, we observed the aft exit cone, maybe a portion of it, doing something a little strange that we need to go further look into."

I guess it is a little strange that the [back] fell off (https://youtube.com/watch?v=3m5qxZm_JqM)...

Nah, that's just the engine exhaust running hardware-rich.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 06/01/2019 02:42 am
And as SG MK II, a museum will be the best out come. Stripped and mothball is my guess.
You heard it here first, folks: the Roc, the modern take on an all-natural carbon-composite Howard Hughes original, needs a new nest.  And, being the hardware-loving spaceflight fans we are, the obvious solution is to run a funding drive to buy it and park it on Chris's lawn.

We'll need to find some places with big runways for the ferrying trip, though - Wikipedia says it doesn't have the range for NYC to London.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 06/01/2019 02:59 am
And as SG MK II, a museum will be the best out come. Stripped and mothball is my guess.
You heard it here first, folks: the Roc, the modern take on an all-natural carbon-composite Howard Hughes original, needs a new nest.  And, being the hardware-loving spaceflight fans we are, the obvious solution is to run a funding drive to buy it and park it on Chris's lawn.

We'll need to find some places with big runways for the ferrying trip, though - Wikipedia says it doesn't have the range for NYC to London.
Just get it with the optional 250 ton add on fuel tank.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: duh on 06/01/2019 05:30 pm
From the radarsat discussion thread:

Launch dates are always fluid, but with CSA holding to June 11 on its NET for RADARSAT, we're going to class that as the NET and see what happens with the Static Fire date, which at one point was June 12, thus some confusion. A wait and see situation, but NET June 11 launch date.

It is obvious. They are skipping the static fire prior to the June 11 launch but will static fire within 24 hours of the launch
as a stepping stone to doing two orbital launches with 24 hours sometime this year.

[Note: This post has been aimed at the party thread. Hopefully it lands there. :-)  ]
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 06/01/2019 08:30 pm

5 - but I don't think our markup supports it. <sup>5</sup> does nothing useful6
6 - on the other hand, [sup]7[/sup] does work7
7 - creatively bolded to prevent rendering as a superscript
test
testing
testing
testing

Hey, this is a fun toy!

How low can you go without too much distortion?


Ok, i'll see myself out the door now.
that's just really sick. I'll see how much more work it is to do that. maybe it will catch on.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 06/03/2019 03:54 am
From the Starhopper thread;

L2 has info about fire coming out the bottom, the lack thereof, etc. [/unsolicited plug]

Also in that forum, a thread for the new article; SpaceX readying Starhopper for hops in Texas as 39A plans materialize in Florida

Come on guys, I know some stuff needs to stay in L2, but this is getting pretty darn obvious; you know what Starhopper is, and you can't help dropping hints. Well, news flash for ya, when you keep dropping hints (like the continual mention of hops), somebody's going to figure it out and spill the beans;

Starhopper was originally thought to be water tank. And y'all keep mentioning hops. And now, in the quoted post, we see talk about fire, and lack thereof. Oh, and stainless steel - it's ideal for this.

You've made it glaringly obvious. So obvious that I can outline a standard mission profile here. It all starts with the hops, right after they finish drying. They, along with the wort, go into starHOPer for boiling (that's what the fire coming out the bottom is for) and then rapidly cooled (that's what the LOX is for) so the yeast can be added and fermentation can begin. Starhopper; the world's largest self-mobile beer brewery!   

Sorry for spilling the beans on this secret L2 info, but y'all shouldn't be trying to keep all that beer for yourselves.  :o



Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Galactic Penguin SST on 06/04/2019 04:52 am
It looks like the Chinese now have their own "rocket barge autonomous drone ship" and it's going to launch satellites to orbit early tomorrow using the "Chinese Minotaur I" Long March 11 off the Chinese eastern seaboard (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=43297.0).  ;)

https://twitter.com/LaunchStuff/status/1135754471898779648
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: bilboleo1 on 06/04/2019 03:52 pm
From the Starhopper thread;

L2 has info about fire coming out the bottom, the lack thereof, etc. [/unsolicited plug]

Also in that forum, a thread for the new article; SpaceX readying Starhopper for hops in Texas as 39A plans materialize in Florida

Come on guys, I know some stuff needs to stay in L2, but this is getting pretty darn obvious; you know what Starhopper is, and you can't help dropping hints. Well, news flash for ya, when you keep dropping hints (like the continual mention of hops), somebody's going to figure it out and spill the beans;

Starhopper was originally thought to be water tank. And y'all keep mentioning hops. And now, in the quoted post, we see talk about fire, and lack thereof. Oh, and stainless steel - it's ideal for this.

You've made it glaringly obvious. So obvious that I can outline a standard mission profile here. It all starts with the hops, right after they finish drying. They, along with the wort, go into starHOPer for boiling (that's what the fire coming out the bottom is for) and then rapidly cooled (that's what the LOX is for) so the yeast can be added and fermentation can begin. Starhopper; the world's largest self-mobile beer brewery!   

Sorry for spilling the beans on this secret L2 info, but y'all shouldn't be trying to keep all that beer for yourselves.  :o

As a homebrewer, I thoroughly approve of this!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 06/05/2019 01:44 pm
Thats, however good for agricultural applications, building a starlink terminal into an autonomous combine might make sense and aggriculture uses real-time sat imaging applications a lot, recently, too.

Maybe Starlinks prime customers could be farmers, if it can provide both. Realtime sat imagery of their fields beamed right to the tractor on those fields.
I can't see Starling-Based imagery making more sense than using a cheap drone or two, which would also provide much higher resolution.

I see the problem here. At current miniaturization levels Starlings can't carry the cheaper gear as it's bigger. Also they aren't all that trainable to return, so whatever you mount on a Starling is lost. This REALLY drives up costs... expendable is more expensive than reusable!!!!

Try using crows1  or homing pigeons2...

1 - smarter, and better carrying capacity
2 - remember, any pigeon that doesn't return home? not a homing pigeon. Just return it to the original seller for a full refund.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intelati on 06/05/2019 04:11 pm
Programming note (right after Mary's update above so 99.9 percent of you won't get two new post notifications :)) I'm thinking we'll have a new thread for Starhopper Phase 1 when SN5 arrives and hopper is into pre-hop testing.

...

Carry on....(Updates only, remember, apart from this post ;))

But Chris, this is an update...

 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tleski on 06/05/2019 04:28 pm
(...)

Try using crows1  or homing pigeons2...

1 - smarter, and better carrying capacity
2 - remember, any pigeon that doesn't return home? not a homing pigeon. Just return it to the original seller for a full refund.

I would be careful with the pigeons. More and more of the them are going over to the dark side...
https://nypost.com/2017/05/24/cops-catch-pigeon-with-backpack-of-drugs/
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: freddo411 on 06/05/2019 04:33 pm
Save the nocturnal animals from visible satellites.


* Part of an actual quote from the IAU statement concerning starlink
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Galactic Penguin SST on 06/05/2019 04:37 pm
So apparently the Chinese responded to the challenge laid down by OCISLY and JRTI with a larger barge (~110 x 80 m, compared with 91 x 52 m for the ASDS), complete with two control towers and a 15.5 m high TEL & crane for launching rockets into space. (not sure if it's a complete "Chinese ASDS" though because it's not known whether it can move by itself)

Should we ask Elon to do something to respond to this "Rocket Barge Crisis"?  ;)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUPcEQJD_Vg
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: freddo411 on 06/05/2019 04:44 pm
So apparently the Chinese responded to the challenge laid down by OCISLY and JRTI with a larger barge (~110 x 80 m, compared with 91 x 52 m for the ASDS), complete with two control towers and a 15.5 m high TEL & crane for launching rockets into space. (not sure if it's a complete "Chinese ASDS" though because it's not known whether it can move by itself)

Should we ask Elon to do something to respond to this "Rocket Barge Crisis"?  ;)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUPcEQJD_Vg

That tube launch looks suspiciously military-derived.

This is a great development for the benefit of villagers living under the flight path of existing Chinese launch sites.   Wonder what their home insurance costs?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 06/05/2019 04:45 pm
Bah!
That's just a sub-launched ballistic missile.



And the sub is really, *really* bad at submerging, too!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intelati on 06/05/2019 04:46 pm
Bah!
That's just a sub-launched ballistic missile.



And the sub is really, *really* bad at submerging, too!

I was thinking that it would be *hard* to toss a BFR 100ft in the air...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Galactic Penguin SST on 06/05/2019 04:57 pm
So apparently the Chinese responded to the challenge laid down by OCISLY and JRTI with a larger barge (~110 x 80 m, compared with 91 x 52 m for the ASDS), complete with two control towers and a 15.5 m high TEL & crane for launching rockets into space. (not sure if it's a complete "Chinese ASDS" though because it's not known whether it can move by itself)

Should we ask Elon to do something to respond to this "Rocket Barge Crisis"?  ;)

That tube launch looks suspiciously military-derived.

This is a great development for the benefit of villagers living under the flight path of existing Chinese launch sites.   Wonder what their home insurance costs?

Well it's believed that the Long March 11 1st stage is a DF-31 ICBM derivative so no surprises there (but then again, the Taur....Minotaur-C and Lockheed Martin's Athena would be Minuteman derivatives too....)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Galactic Penguin SST on 06/05/2019 05:49 pm
Bah!
That's just a sub-launched ballistic missile.



And the sub is really, *really* bad at submerging, too!

I just remembered that the Chinese are in fact the quickest of the "major players" outside of the US to embrace stage recovery concepts with powered descent - check out the "Long March 6X" and "Long March 8R" concepts below that are actually being proof-tested for flight in the next few years.

This barge seems to have enough space for landing stages with minimal adaption....  ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 06/06/2019 07:25 am
Thats, however good for agricultural applications, building a starlink terminal into an autonomous combine might make sense and aggriculture uses real-time sat imaging applications a lot, recently, too.

Maybe Starlinks prime customers could be farmers, if it can provide both. Realtime sat imagery of their fields beamed right to the tractor on those fields.
I can't see Starling-Based imagery making more sense than using a cheap drone or two, which would also provide much higher resolution.

I see the problem here. At current miniaturization levels Starlings can't carry the cheaper gear as it's bigger. Also they aren't all that trainable to return, so whatever you mount on a Starling is lost. This REALLY drives up costs... expendable is more expensive than reusable!!!!

Try using crows1  or homing pigeons2...

1 - smarter, and better carrying capacity
2 - remember, any pigeon that doesn't return home? not a homing pigeon. Just return it to the original seller for a full refund.


Way ahead of you.Have you recently checked the "Boca Chika Drone Thread" ? ;)

Another option:

http://www.rorhof.com/books/the-pigeon-photographer

Aside from pidgeons, there are a number of other birds potentially useable for this kind of aerial photography, some of them with the capability to carry more payload and/or do more sophisticated flight paths.

Bird's of prey such as falcons, buzzards or anything similar a Falconer would have available have sufficient payload, but they aren't necessarily the easiest to cover a specific flight-path.

Pidegons are easy to train to fly specific trajectories, but do not have particularly high payload capacity.

Has anyone tried crows? They are particularly difficult to train (because they are very smart and have a mind of their own) but for the same reason they are potentially the best option because they can do complex tasks such as shadowing specific moving targets, or fly to a specified location and back (if bribed sufficiently)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 06/06/2019 06:38 pm
I felt that I had to save this response for posterity:
Kind of like asking how many calories an apple would have if you made it out of bananas.
8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 06/06/2019 09:59 pm
https://twitter.com/SpaceflightInc/status/1136313737277820929
Quote
Dr. Ben Taylor, a Systems Engineer at the Surrey Space Centre, said: “After many months of waiting for good observing conditions, we are delighted to see observations confirming that the sails we have provided to Spaceflight are working as planned. In fact, the sails are regularly bright enough to be visible to the naked eye.

(emphasis mine) Uh oh... don't tell the IDSA about that....

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 06/06/2019 10:21 pm
Why is China copying off of SpaceX?

Is it because SpaceX changed the world into thinking they can 1-up the company with its intellectual property?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Robotbeat on 06/06/2019 11:34 pm
Why is China copying off of SpaceX?

Is it because SpaceX changed the world into thinking they can 1-up the company with its intellectual property?
Because SpaceX’s stuff works and is way better than 99% of the other stuff out there. Everyone else is too dumb and/or proud to use similar concepts as SpaceX. “Not Invented Here.”
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 06/07/2019 03:09 am
Completely honest question here and trying not to be hyperbolic, but what would the world/headlines have to say about "Elon Musk intends to operate a fleet of hundreds-thousands of space lasers".  Regulatorilly speaking, is there anything to prevent them from adding such a feature to their Starlink units already planned?  It seems like the FCC would have quite a lot to say about additional emissions, but is that just a paperwork hurdle, or would they have some legitimate ground to prevent the lasers?
Why can't I get space sharks out of my head?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 06/08/2019 03:28 am
Just saw bocachicagal's picture of the now much higher beam structure.  Considering how large this thing is, doesn't it have to go through a construction permit process?  If it does, don't the plans for permitted structures go into a public archive?  I would think that the Cameron County permit office could be a gold mine of information about what is being built in Boca Chica.
Hitchhikers guide in my head...
You will likely find the plans in a third sub-basement of the local planning office, in a locked file cabinet inside a disused bathroom that has a sign on the door “beware of the leopard”.
We’ve got to build bypasses after all...
Apologies to Douglas Adams for the mangled quote
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Stan-1967 on 06/08/2019 03:38 am
To give the Chinese some credit,  the camera footage from their drone ship was rock solid compared to footage from SpaceX.  They lit off an SRB s few hundred feet off the deck & the video was very high quality.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 06/08/2019 03:44 am
To give the Chinese some credit,  the camera footage from their drone ship was rock solid compared to footage from SpaceX.  They lit off an SRB s few hundred feet off the deck & the video was very high quality.
Since it's a major semisubmersible rig not a flat barge with thrusters, it's not too surprising it was a lot steadier platform.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 06/08/2019 05:20 am
To give the Chinese some credit,  the camera footage from their drone ship was rock solid compared to footage from SpaceX.  They lit off an SRB s few hundred feet off the deck & the video was very high quality.
Since it's a major semisubmersible rig not a flat barge with thrusters, it's not too surprising it was a lot steadier platform.

I think the main reason why the Long March 11 footage was "rock solid" was because they didn't use a live satellite link and just recorded the video clips from the deck cameras.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 06/08/2019 10:27 pm
I think the main reason why the Long March 11 footage was "rock solid" was because they didn't use a live satellite link and just recorded the video clips from the deck cameras.
Only solid rockets can produce solid footage. I mean if you got footage of a rocket that has no solids, how would that ever be solid footage? Makes no sense.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: scienceguy on 06/08/2019 10:37 pm
What if Chewbacca was riding on those solid boosters? Why would an 8 foot tall wookie who has the millenium falcon ride on a solid booster? This makes no sense. Because it makes no sense you must acquit.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 06/08/2019 10:39 pm
Ok i quit but someone else needs to fix the AC.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 06/12/2019 01:13 pm
I understand today's payload is a secret Canadian orbital recon for beer and trees. Had a conversation with some friends who confirmed that and added a tune about manliness in the woods. It's all a go. Let's fly.  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intelati on 06/12/2019 02:10 pm
Look to the left, what do you see?

FOG!

Look to the right, what do you see?

FOG!

We're fogged in folks
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 06/12/2019 02:12 pm
Yep, Range is grey for today's launch.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 06/12/2019 02:27 pm
Excellent ascent and booster landing, all very calm and pretty. Nice work SpaceX.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Norm38 on 06/12/2019 02:27 pm
Watching that thing land never gets old.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intelati on 06/12/2019 02:51 pm
Watching that thing land never gets old.

It'll never get old, but man, it's basically automatic anymore. Unless something goes catastrophically wrong (That one splash down), but even then, the damned fatally injured bird stuck the freaking landing
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 06/12/2019 04:31 pm
Watching that thing land never gets old.

It'll never get old, but man, it's basically automatic anymore. Unless something goes catastrophically wrong (That one splash down), but even then, the damned fatally injured bird stuck the freaking landing

Are you referring to B1050? I thought that booster was “d***ed fatally injured” because of the grid fin failure and the ocean’s saltwater coating the booster after it tipped over; that made it unflyable if I’m not mistaken.

For B1051, it was in PERFECT condition since it successfully landed on OCISLY last March and was eligible to fly again.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intelati on 06/12/2019 04:36 pm
Watching that thing land never gets old.
the fatally injured bird stuck the freaking landing

Are you referring to B1050? I thought that booster was “d***ed fatally injured” because of the grid fin failure and the ocean’s saltwater coating the booster after it tipped over; that made it unflyable if I’m not mistaken.

Yeah. 1050 is what I was thinking of. And I'm talking about the spinning it did before landing upright in the water...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 06/12/2019 06:05 pm
Congratulations to all engaged in the RADARSAT launch campaign today!

Thank you, Steve and Chris, for the launch thread coverage!

Given today's weather, a question for those who live and/or work in the Vandenberg area:
Is the Vandenberg pea soup tasty? ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 06/12/2019 06:26 pm
Watching that thing land never gets old.
the fatally injured bird stuck the freaking landing

Are you referring to B1050? I thought that booster was “d***ed fatally injured” because of the grid fin failure and the ocean’s saltwater coating the booster after it tipped over; that made it unflyable if I’m not mistaken.

Yeah. 1050 is what I was thinking of. And I'm talking about the spinning it did before landing upright in the water...

What I was trying to say was that when you said that the “injured booster stuck the landing”, I thought you were saying that B1050 was actually the first stage for the Radarsat Constellation Mission and made it back despite the grid fin issue and its exposure to saltwater. Again, it’s my fault that I didn’t read between the lines.

Yes, B1050 WAS supposed to be the first stage for this morning’s launch, but because of what happened during SpX-16, it was replaced by B1051 after it was retired.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 06/12/2019 07:43 pm
Another comment that should be saved for the ages:
This isn't Facebook.
And a hearty "Thank G*d" for that!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 06/12/2019 09:37 pm
Congrats SpaceX... A little liquid propulsion! :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dtb3w2efTIE
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 06/12/2019 11:49 pm
I just checked the webcast and the screen shot is real:

https://twitter.com/TylerG1998/status/1138830763376488448

Quote
I feel like we all missed this gem. Well done @SpaceX. 😂 #SpaceX #Falcon9 #RADARSAT
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 06/13/2019 07:01 am
I'm actually kinda surprised noome on NSF has started a discussion about the fun

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1139022467526287361

roll maneuver

https://twitter.com/Erdayastronaut/status/1138892804543975424

yet ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tyrred on 06/13/2019 07:43 am
It's a 1.3 $billion victory roll?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 06/13/2019 08:47 am
Human's landed on the Moon. There is no tooth fairy. Dragon 2 went boom. :(

2) wait, there's no tooth fairy?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tooth_fairy  Yes there is!
That was actually the nickname of a dentist I knew in San Francisco.

In France we have a Doctor with the unfortunate name of Bonnemort (shall I need to translate)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 06/13/2019 03:19 pm
In France we have a Doctor with the unfortunate name of Bonnemort (shall I need to translate)

My French is fried, but....


Wouldn't that be a very good name for a mortician?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mandella on 06/13/2019 05:13 pm
I'm actually kinda surprised noome on NSF has started a discussion about the fun

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1139022467526287361

roll maneuver

https://twitter.com/Erdayastronaut/status/1138892804543975424

yet ;)

That flippen roll actually scared me when I was watching it, especially since a sudden roll was the first indicator of trouble on B1050.

Fun??

 :o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 06/13/2019 10:39 pm
We are currently witnessing brilliant counterintuitive problem solving in action.

SpaceX has, for quite some time, unsuccessfully tried to catch a fairing. A fairing that is hanging from a very big parachute. A parachute is essentially a very big kite.

And what is absolutely amazing at catching kites? Trees are.

Therefore, rename Mr. Steven to Ms. Tree -> Problem SOLVED!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 06/14/2019 10:29 am
We are currently witnessing brilliant counterintuitive problem solving in action.

SpaceX has, for quite some time, unsuccessfully tried to catch a fairing. A fairing that is hanging from a very big parachute. A parachute is essentially a very big kite.

And what is absolutely amazing at catching kites? Trees are.

Therefore, rename Mr. Steven to Ms. Tree -> Problem SOLVED!

It’s a misstree why they don’t take up your suggestion.  ::)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 06/14/2019 05:18 pm
Another reply for posterity: ;)
One does not simply bolt a mothballed spacecraft to the top of a rocket (unless it contains the One Ring and is a sub-orbital express to Mount Doom).

Unfortunately, at the time of the War of the Rings, Saruman would likely have been the only power in Middle Earth, other than Sauron himself, to have both the knowledge and the means to implement MRBM technology--"a mind of metal and wheels."
:(
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 06/14/2019 09:41 pm
From the "Space Policy Discussion » President pushing for Mars,StarShip is only way to do it during his presidency" thread:

Y'know, now that you mention it Tesla and Spacex are everything about "Making America great" again.

On that basis I'd have thought Trump would be mentioning them in every other speech.

But then I recall how much support they got from the Obama administration (not that Trump has had any problem taking credit for things started by Obama but only coming to fruition in his term).
Yeah, I know.  Put two egotistical billionaires in a room together, and see what happens.
The only two I'm interested build rockets, the others not so much...

Fair, but the two gents, DJFT and EM, bring different talent stacks to the table.
Donald John Falcon Trump?
   
I would've said "Disk Jockey - Full Thrust", a variant of the classic purveyor of live music which subcools its propellants and is a fair bit taller than a standard DJ.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Robotbeat on 06/17/2019 11:46 pm
A.  Surely the Hopper will have again flown by then.  Will it still be intact on June 20th?  How high will it have flown?  How many flights?  How many engines?


No flights, and don't call the Hopper "Surely".. ;)

It seems Elon Time has hit with a vengeance on this one.

Hardly. If we're still waiting two or three years from now Elon Time will have struck with a vengeance. This is just (so far) a minor delay on a program going much faster than anything before.

SpaceX: (accelerated time frame for Starship by like years, then has like a week’s delay)

Real Internet badass: *snort* “LOL, Elon Time.”
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Kansan52 on 06/18/2019 08:57 pm
The 'Rocket Ranch' was started at a time when no one had decided what rocket would be the moon rocket (Saturn or Nova) nor how we would get to the Moon (Earth Rendezvous or Moon Rendezvous) and it is still being utilized. How thrilling it must be for those people that designed and built the 'Ranch' to watch the FH rising into space from 39a (the former 39c).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 06/18/2019 09:34 pm
We are currently witnessing brilliant counterintuitive problem solving in action.

SpaceX has, for quite some time, unsuccessfully tried to catch a fairing. A fairing that is hanging from a very big parachute. A parachute is essentially a very big kite.

And what is absolutely amazing at catching kites? Trees are.

Therefore, rename Mr. Steven to Ms. Tree -> Problem SOLVED!


Now if we just changed Falcon 9 to Charlie Brown, Ms. Tree would always be after his kite!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 06/19/2019 07:41 am
We are currently witnessing brilliant counterintuitive problem solving in action.

SpaceX has, for quite some time, unsuccessfully tried to catch a fairing. A fairing that is hanging from a very big parachute. A parachute is essentially a very big kite.

And what is absolutely amazing at catching kites? Trees are.

Therefore, rename Mr. Steven to Ms. Tree -&gt; Problem SOLVED!


Now if we just changed Falcon 9 to Charlie Brown, Ms. Tree would always be after his kite!
I think it more reasonable that Mr Steven be renamed Charlie Brown. To help illustrate my point I’ve developed a high fidelity simulation of Charlie Brown catching a fairing (represented in simulation by a football) with the probability of success represented by Lucy...

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 06/19/2019 08:11 am
https://twitter.com/AF_SMC/status/1141099481628364808

I want this as a Christmas tree.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 06/19/2019 10:59 am
... then has like a week’s delay)
Real Internet badass: *snort* “LOL, Elon Time.”
Cute. Misplaced your meds?

That was a really snotty response from you, to a light-hearted quote by me.
And Your perception of a week's delay is a bit warped.
Just.... read the relevant posts below, and tell me where you see "a week"?

Either May 28 moving back or (more likely?) tanking tests first:

twitter.com/bpsyt1/status/1130963550325936131?s=21

Quote
So hop test soon? 👀👀🤞🏼🤞🏼

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1130963712674631681

Quote
Hopefully in about 10 days

They have now bumped the testing to June 11,12 and 13, are they having some sort of problems at McGregor?

As first noted by GWH (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=48166.msg1957290#msg1957290):

twitter.com/flcnhvy/status/1140410838651740160

Quote
Any update on the Starship presentation we’re all super excited for, I assume it won’t happen on June 20?

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1140414413322670080

Quote
Might get pushed to next month. Starhopper flight first. Waiting on engine repair.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 06/19/2019 01:18 pm
ClayJar steps up to the lectern, clears his throat, and begins his recitation...

    Seems it's been again forgotten
    This here is the thread to party
    'Tis no place to be besotten
    With disputes or replies tarty
    Surely though you've caught the scent
    Wafting through the forum air
    Drop conflicts, "Be excellent
    To each other" (quoting Lar)
    And so now let us continue
    With our party in this venue
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tleski on 06/19/2019 01:24 pm
Updated FCC filing for STP-2 recovery: 1112-EX-ST-2019 (https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/els/reports/STA_Print.cfm?mode=current&application_seq=93066&RequestTimeout=1000)

North  27  56  52   West  68  0  55   Autonomous Drone Ship

For those of you that might want to know the distance, that's 1234km from LC-39A (kinda funny the distance is 1234). That'll break the previous record of furthest landing of a Falcon booster by at least 300km.

It's amazing, I go the same combination on my luggage!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Scylla on 06/19/2019 01:30 pm
Excellent poem by ClayJar reminding people this is a PARTY thread. Perhaps a tad highfalutin for the denizens of this thread though. I offer this alternative.

https://youtu.be/sl_4I7vLLc4
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 06/19/2019 01:56 pm
Excellent poem by ClayJar reminding people this is a PARTY thread. Perhaps a tad highfalutin for the denizens of this thread though.

I'll have you know everything1 I know of poetry, I learned from Calvin.

1 - Well, almost everything2...
2 - Would you believe half?3
3 - Footnotes, however, I learned from Maxwell Smart.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 06/20/2019 06:51 am
Quote
I'll have you know everything1 I know of poetry, I learned from Calvin.

Ya gotta give Hobbs some credit too.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 06/20/2019 10:32 pm
ClayJar steps up to the lectern, clears his throat, and begins his recitation...

    Seems it's been again forgotten
    This here is the thread to party
    'Tis no place to be besotten
    With disputes or replies tarty
    Surely though you've caught the scent
    Wafting through the forum air
    Drop conflicts, "Be excellent
    To each other" (quoting Lar)
    And so now let us continue
    With our party in this venue
Thank you for (correctly) rhyming with "air" rather than "afar" (for example)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Kabloona on 06/21/2019 12:22 pm
Try this.

https://youtu.be/5surhGi2KXY
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 06/21/2019 03:52 pm
Another reply for posterity: ;)
One does not simply bolt a mothballed spacecraft to the top of a rocket (unless it contains the One Ring and is a sub-orbital express to Mount Doom).

Unfortunately, at the time of the War of the Rings, Saruman would likely have been the only power in Middle Earth, other than Sauron himself, to have both the knowledge and the means to implement MRBM technology--"a mind of metal and wheels."
:(

That's why President Gandalf initiated Operation Paperclip as soon as Saruman's army was forced into retreat, to secure as much as possible of Saruman's forbidden technology.

Unfortunately a few of his specialists were evacuated to Mordor on Nazgûl-birds.

I guess that means the spacerace is now on ;)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 06/21/2019 08:21 pm
Soooo... if her name is now Ms. Tree, and she has arms, and arms are for hugging.....

Is she now Ms. Treehugger?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 06/21/2019 10:42 pm
Soooo... if her name is now Ms. Tree, and she has arms, and arms are for hugging.....

Is she now Ms. Treehugger?

It’s a fairing question
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Semmel on 06/24/2019 11:43 am
Soooo... if her name is now Ms. Tree, and she has arms, and arms are for hugging.....

Is she now Ms. Treehugger?

They are obviously branches, not arms. And they asked the giant spider to make its nest in between.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 06/24/2019 02:00 pm
On another thread:
F9 first stage is reusable - eventually up to ten times. Yet despite having 70 flights behind it, so far it still takes at least a month to refly one.


I absolutely LOVE that this is a valid complaint.
"SpaceX takes soooooo loooooong to refly their orbital class rocket"

It really shows how much our paradigm has shifted in a very short timespan.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 06/24/2019 06:21 pm
Musk called his flamethrower not-a-flamethrower and security guards in Cocoa still claim there isn't a rocket there. For all we know the tile facility actually packs sandwiches for the astronauts
Those are gonna be some chewy sandwiches!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6DBMxYTT4Y
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Helodriver on 06/24/2019 06:25 pm
Zoinks! This is going to finally help them solve the mystery of fairing catching tonight!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 06/24/2019 06:48 pm
Zoinks! This is going to finally help them solve the mystery of fairing catching tonight!
They would have gotten away with it if it wasn't for those crazy kids?
If it doesn't work I blame not enough Scooby snacks.

---
That is a very nice recolor
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intelati on 06/24/2019 06:50 pm
I feel like an idiot. [ad] I was going through the awesome HiRes photos in L2 [/ad], and I noticed bumps along the fairing seam along both sides. I thought "Is this a new fairing?"

Nope. Going back through a few of the previous missions, the bumps are there going back to ArabSat. Guess I didn't really register them until I had the high-noon/contrast images.

On a certain level, I knew they were there. (See the Starman fairing deploy), but I never realized how much the stuck out on the outside.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 06/24/2019 08:21 pm
Falcon? The stuff that dreams are made of.  8)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 06/25/2019 10:09 am
Congratulations SpaceX for a norminal mission  :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: alang on 06/25/2019 10:37 am
Bah!
That's just a sub-launched ballistic missile.



And the sub is really, *really* bad at submerging, too!

I was thinking that it would be *hard* to toss a BFR 100ft in the air...

Don't give them ideas.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 06/25/2019 03:00 pm
Falcon? The stuff that dreams are made of.  8)

SpaceX could perform EPO (Education and Public Outreach) using cosplayers from The Maltese Falcon.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mandella on 06/25/2019 05:14 pm
From the livestream

(https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=45083.0;attach=1566495;sess=57480)


So now we're going to need a fairing catch bingo game!!

 ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mandella on 06/25/2019 05:18 pm
Congratulations SpaceX for a norminal mission  :)


(https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=42585.0;attach=1566578;sess=57480)

I was so disappointed that that hat is not in the SpaceX store (yet)!

I wonder who made it special for John?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 06/25/2019 05:51 pm
Congratulations SpaceX for a norminal mission  :)


(https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=42585.0;attach=1566578;sess=57480)

I was so disappointed that that hat is not in the SpaceX store (yet)!

I wonder who made it special for John?
I want one
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 06/25/2019 10:48 pm
What is it with these FH center cores?

Were they built to fail from the start?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 06/26/2019 02:09 am
Congratulations SpaceX for a norminal mission  :)


(https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=42585.0;attach=1566578;sess=57480)

I was so disappointed that that hat is not in the SpaceX store (yet)!

I wonder who made it special for John?
I want one

Let the SX web store know that you want to see the hat available for sale. Try the store suggestion (https://shop.spacex.com/product_suggestion/) web page.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 06/26/2019 12:52 pm
Let the SX web store know that you want to see the hat available for sale. Try the store suggestion (https://shop.spacex.com/product_suggestion/) web page.

Done. Everyone else that likes it should do the same thing. Not sharing my text, you should use your own words so it isn't so astroturfy....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 06/26/2019 12:55 pm
With that 500/yr production rate where is the market for ten's of thousands of tonnes in LEO?  Will Space X start building large cheap space stations in near term (make their own tourist market)?  Or is it going to be moon bases?  Or maybe duplicate 30m or Extremely Large Telescope) in orbit?

IIRC, SpaceX has indicated a strong desire to get many people to Mars.  That's where I'm guessing they'll put the excess capacity.   ;)

I am as shocked as you all are to learn that.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 06/26/2019 01:11 pm
So, Elon is indicating that they finally caught a fairing...

Only took several redesigns of the net and (most importantly) a re-designation of the mitt...

So congrats on the net gain!  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 06/26/2019 01:13 pm
[...] but being that none of us have seen it we're in even less of a position than usual to tell SpaceX what specifically we think they should do.
You think that is going to stop us?  ::)
That's a no...

(I never thought this particular engine thread would be such a rich vein of humourite....)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 06/27/2019 06:50 pm
One way to get student's thinking would be to pose the question "Do the fins push up or down?" It requires some framing, ie they have to first grok that they are meant to increase lift, but the answer is nicely counterintuitive. You could then flip it and ask if the answer would be the same if they were located at the bottom of the booster.

You can do some pretty simple experiments with a weighted cardboard tube and movable mylar fins to demonstrate concepts like stability, glide ratio, and degrees of freedom.  Although I would recommend sticking with planar fins rather than grid fins unless you have a 3d printer handy!

Good idea, although if I use the term "grok" that'll send them on a WGC of at least one full class period! :D

Have a good one,
Mike

Apologies for the brief excursion OT, but I'm trying to grok what WGC means in this context...
Would you believe "wild goose chase" ?

While unbridled anserine pursuit has the weight of history to recommend it, I guess the contemporary update in this case would be "send them down a Google hole". Or, let's retronym WGC, a "wandering Google chain" (of course a chain consists of...).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: webdan on 06/27/2019 07:24 pm
One way to get student's thinking would be to pose the question "Do the fins push up or down?" It requires some framing, ie they have to first grok that they are meant to increase lift, but the answer is nicely counterintuitive. You could then flip it and ask if the answer would be the same if they were located at the bottom of the booster.

You can do some pretty simple experiments with a weighted cardboard tube and movable mylar fins to demonstrate concepts like stability, glide ratio, and degrees of freedom.  Although I would recommend sticking with planar fins rather than grid fins unless you have a 3d printer handy!

Good idea, although if I use the term "grok" that'll send them on a WGC of at least one full class period! :D

Have a good one,
Mike

Apologies for the brief excursion OT, but I'm trying to grok what WGC means in this context...
Would you believe "wild goose chase" ?

While unbridled anserine pursuit has the weight of history to recommend it, I guess the contemporary update in this case would be "send them down a Google hole". Or, let's retronym WGC, a "wandering Google chain" (of course a chain consists of...).

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 06/27/2019 09:10 pm
Condolences. Or congrats. Whichever
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 06/27/2019 10:21 pm
Condolences. Or congrats. Whichever
[Emerges from my Cone of Silence]
Would you believe that you've finally hit the big-time, Agent 86? ;)

Here's a cross-reference: GROK it to me! :D
[Returns to my Cone of Silence]
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 06/28/2019 12:57 am
I want to ride a Mars trike.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 06/28/2019 04:45 pm
The most important type of question on the NSF forum, my bold:  ;)
Launch vehicle will be selected three years from launch. Launching 2026, arriving 2034 - with gravity assists.

<voice of Triumph, the Insult Comic Dog>
I keed, I keed!
</voice>
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 06/28/2019 05:25 pm
The most important type of question on the NSF forum, my bold:  ;)
Launch vehicle will be selected three years from launch. Launching 2026, arriving 2034 - with gravity assists.

<voice of Triumph, the Insult Comic Dog>
I keed, I keed!
</voice>

Good idea, by 2023 who knows what will be available and at what price.

After decades of stagnation, I am loving the new rocket advancements.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: su27k on 06/30/2019 05:34 pm
Fun reading during weekend: two prediction threads from 2013 about where SpaceX will be in 2019:

Thread Specifically For Wild SpaceX Optimism! (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=31007.0)

Thread Specifically For Rational SpaceX Outlook (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=31025.0)

While SpaceX falls short of expectation in terms of crewed flight, they exceeded many optimistic predictions in terms of reusabililty, flight rate, next gen vehicle development.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 06/30/2019 08:12 pm
I feel the need for a friendly wager Jim...

The stake is:   A pint of Beer (or equivalent) at Paddy Cassidy's Irish Pub in Cocoa Beach ten years from today:   20th May 2020.

The bet is:   10 years from now, Space-X will have a total FY2020 (1st Oct 2019 to 31st Sept 2020) launch schedule with a greater total number of flights in it, than ULA has for the same period.

You up for it?


If nothing else, it will give us a chance to meet finally! And to me that's worth the pint either way!

Ross.

Who knew that bet would play out with them having a pint in the shadow of an interplanetary spaceship being welded together in its drydock.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 07/01/2019 12:49 am
How the heck did you dig that up?  This forum is like the coolest time capsule.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 07/01/2019 01:06 am
How the heck did you dig that up?  This forum is like the coolest time capsule.

Someone linked the Realistic/Best-case predictions from ten years ago which led me to read through the discussion threads of the first F9 launches. Funnily enough, the discussion about when (if) they might get to orbit and how realistic their manifest is was pretty much identical to whats playing out in the BS 2021 threads right know. I think a large part of the discussion on this forum could be replaced with a bot regurgitating old threads with keywords replaced by current news.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: lonestriker on 07/01/2019 05:24 am
Fun reading during weekend: two prediction threads from 2013 about where SpaceX will be in 2019:

Thread Specifically For Wild SpaceX Optimism! (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=31007.0)

Thread Specifically For Rational SpaceX Outlook (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=31025.0)

While SpaceX falls short of expectation in terms of crewed flight, they exceeded many optimistic predictions in terms of reusabililty, flight rate, next gen vehicle development.

Wow, thank you very much for the links.  Speaking as someone who was not around NSF at that time, it really is amazing to see the personalities around at the time (still mostly the same :) and the general tenor of the "rational" vs. "wildly optimistic" predictions.

What strikes me most about many of the predictions (I'm still reading through the threads, fascinating reading) is that everyone pretty much thought S1 reusability was either never going to happen with F9R itself, or that it would take much much longer than it actually has.  If we contrast that with how utterly rapid SpaceX has actually gone from landing to reuse to B5 multiple reuse, I don't think anyone seriously considered the 2019 reality even a remote possibility in 2013.  And throw in the fact that SpaceX had two stand-downs in that span of time: one CRS LOM and one lost on the pad.  To go from initial investigation of S1 reusability, to having two rockets blow up, to landing and reusing S1 boosters over the course of ~5-7 years is insane.

I've been tempering my own expectations of Elon's SS/SH predictions vs. what I think will actually happen.  After reading some of the 2013 prognostications, I suddenly think that Elon will be closer to being accurate now than the naysayers.  The hardest technological risk left to retire for SS/SH really is reentry at this point; i.e. can they make a heatshield that can be reused quickly.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 07/01/2019 07:33 am
Pondering the images from BC...

(https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/assets/47730.0/1567907.jpg)


Are drive-in movie theaters becoming a thing again?   :o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 07/01/2019 07:52 am
Pondering the images from BC...

(https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/assets/47730.0/1567907.jpg)


Are drive-in movie theaters becoming a thing again?   :o

Hrmmm. That structure is puzzling. I suggest we analyze it like archeologists do when they find ancient large, puzzling structures. They have a default explanation: it's religious. Perhaps that would work to succinctly explain the structure next to Starship?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 07/01/2019 10:13 am
I've been tempering my own expectations of Elon's SS/SH predictions vs. what I think will actually happen.  After reading some of the 2013 prognostications, I suddenly think that Elon will be closer to being accurate now than the naysayers.  The hardest technological risk left to retire for SS/SH really is reentry at this point; i.e. can they make a heatshield that can be reused quickly.

The funny thing is most Musk companies miss deadlines in the short term on realistic projects but hold them on their insane, unbelievable long-term goals. The dates for first Mars landing have basically been firm for the last 10-15 years even with all the short term noise. Same for Tesla, ten years ago the roadmap was a capability of over 500000/year by 2020. Last year they delivered 245000, guidance for this year is 360000-400000. Guess where they will be 2020.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 07/01/2019 08:43 pm
Following the progress of this cool machine, it all comes full circle when this video pops up.  ;D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tN7aI_HbAeU (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tN7aI_HbAeU)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 07/02/2019 02:40 am
Hands down the most, uh, interesting pharmacy I’ve ever heard of...

EM-1 for the win.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 07/03/2019 01:53 pm
By Seldon, an astounding analogy!
Hindsight is 20/20. Based on what was known then, and based on reasonable predictions of how the industry would evolve (i.e. not much) that was a not unreasonable statement. It took The Mule to upset Seldon's future history, after all.  And Elon is The Mule. (minus the telepathic abilities)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mandella on 07/05/2019 06:18 pm
This snippet from a job posting for Launch Engineer from SpaceX takes on additional gravity when you realize you will be working on something called "Starship"...

Quote
Willing to travel for undetermined periods of time with limited notice
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 07/06/2019 01:28 am
[T]he people riding in [Starship] are going to have to put their pants on one leg at a time just like we do.

I thought all the new Martians would wear Techno Trousers?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JiRFG8r_Mg
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mandella on 07/09/2019 03:41 pm
Now that is excellent news! They should invide all Boca Chica residents though, would be a sign of good neighbourly behaviour.

Can SpaceX afford to build bleachers large enough to handle the enormous Boca Chica population?

Brownsville has about 184,000 so if they want bleachers let them build it. The South Padre Island resort town  is a few miles away and has built an amphitheater facing the launch site.

Um, Boca Chica has population that is several orders of magnitude less (population: 2 is too low, population: 200 is probably too high by a fair bit) so SpaceX could buy them all La-Z-boy recliners for less than building bleachers for Brownsville would cost.

Heck, give it a few years and SpaceX might be able to ship the whole town to Mars in one Starship!

(Okay maybe two -- I imagine Boca Chicans like their room.)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 07/09/2019 05:57 pm
Now that is excellent news! They should invide all Boca Chica residents though, would be a sign of good neighbourly behaviour.

Can SpaceX afford to build bleachers large enough to handle the enormous Boca Chica population?

Brownsville has about 184,000 so if they want bleachers let them build it. The South Padre Island resort town  is a few miles away and has built an amphitheater facing the launch site.

Um, Boca Chica has population that is several orders of magnitude less (population: 2 is too low, population: 200 is probably too high by a fair bit) so SpaceX could buy them all La-Z-boy recliners for less than building bleachers for Brownsville would cost.

Heck, give it a few years and SpaceX might be able to ship the whole town to Mars in one Starship!

(Okay maybe two -- I imagine Boca Chicans like their room.)

That certainly would take care of buying out the remaining residents....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 07/09/2019 07:25 pm
Now that is excellent news! They should invide all Boca Chica residents though, would be a sign of good neighbourly behaviour.

Can SpaceX afford to build bleachers large enough to handle the enormous Boca Chica population?
M

Brownsville has about 184,000 so if they want bleachers let them build it. The South Padre Island resort town  is a few miles away and has built an amphitheater facing the launch site.

Um, Boca Chica has population that is several orders of magnitude less (population: 2 is too low, population: 200 is probably too high by a fair bit) so SpaceX could buy them all La-Z-boy recliners for less than building bleachers for Brownsville would cost.


Heck, give it a few years and SpaceX might be able to ship the whole town to Mars in one Starship!

(Okay maybe two -- I imagine Boca Chicans like their room.)

I thought the quote was...
” to the Moon Alice, to the Moon”
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 07/10/2019 04:36 am
FH ROR®™ Analysis 
R in a circle means registered trademark
TM means (unregistered) trademark.

A thing can't be both. Pick one, stick to it.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 07/10/2019 05:04 am
FH ROR®™ Analysis 
R in a circle means registered trademark
TM means (unregistered) trademark.

A thing can't be both. Pick one, stick to it.

(http://i65.tinypic.com/qoeyqs.jpg)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 07/10/2019 01:06 pm
FH ROR®™ Analysis 
R in a circle means registered trademark
TM means (unregistered) trademark.

A thing can't be both. Pick one, stick to it.

(http://i65.tinypic.com/qoeyqs.jpg)
That's... not even wrong. But I love it.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 07/14/2019 11:16 pm
Well, in honor of the upcoming Hopper hover test, I present the collaborative image (between myself and Twitter user @SpaceX_News) of how I hope it _won’t_ go...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Jarnis on 07/15/2019 05:41 am
I think the pointy side should be up and the flamey bit should be down. You are doing it wrong!

 ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 07/15/2019 05:57 pm
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1150739011603959808

"For you, it was the day you started your journey to Mars. But for me, it was tuesday."
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 07/15/2019 06:48 pm
I think the pointy side should be up and the flamey bit should be down. You are doing it wrong!

 ;D
It doesn't HAVE a pointy side. That's the problem, apparently
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Jarnis on 07/15/2019 07:18 pm
I think the pointy side should be up and the flamey bit should be down. You are doing it wrong!

 ;D
It doesn't HAVE a pointy side. That's the problem, apparently

Doh. Well that is a noob mistake to make. Rocket without a pointy end can't know which side is up, so it can't possibly work.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: WTF on 07/15/2019 08:08 pm
As Starhopper has a resemblance to R2D2 ... Here we go...

QUESTION:
What is silver, shiny and lays on the grass?

ANSWER:
R2 doo doo
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kessdawg on 07/15/2019 09:28 pm
I didn't want to clutter the discussion thread with jokes, so here it is:

Since the porta potty pump truck just headed to the pad, I assume smoke and fire aren't too close.
Obviously, they are getting ready for the big push.

Just don't blow an o-ring...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: OxCartMark on 07/16/2019 06:31 pm
edit/Lar: Hilarious. Belongs in the launch party thread. C'mon guys.

edit/Mark: Aww gee dad, you're no fun.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DistantTemple on 07/16/2019 10:00 pm
For the record!
Per the LabPadre stream the pad is NOT clear as there is someone walking around on site wearing orange.
The fire truck has gone to pick up the Everyday Astronaut, wh got carried away filming and didn't notice the departure of all personnel. He couldn't possibly have thought the orange suit would protect him from a RUD!

Wait, did this really happen?

*checks the update thread*

No.  It was a joke.
https://twitter.com/BocaChicaGal/status/1151231601960980480

Uh oh...
[/quote
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DistantTemple on 07/16/2019 10:40 pm
The replay of Saturn V on NSF etc... was not "real" .....  you got the wrong idea if you were expecting a static fire!

Chris' tweet beat me to it:

twitter.com/Astro_Zach/status/1151138530208256001

Quote
Did not notice any venting or action just now at pad 40
@NASASpaceflight

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1151138889995714561

Quote
Good info, Zach. Keep us informed! (And based on that, unlikely to be top of the hour/opening of the window for the test, but that's not unusual)

Edit to add:

https://twitter.com/Astro_Zach/status/1151139756492742657

Quote
Nothin

Anyway I don't think Saturn V testfired on the pad, only at Marshall Spaceflight Centre. ;-)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Chris Bergin on 07/17/2019 04:04 am
I'll say this much for SpaceX..........it's never a dull day when they are playing with rockets!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intelati on 07/17/2019 05:40 pm
One of my thoughts on seeing the hopper emerge from the flame was that my feelings were probably similar to Frances Scott Key's feelings when after all of the rockets red glare the flag was still there.  We had rockets and red glare and afterward the hopper was still there.

I gotta say. I'm liking this better than "Tin-can Rocket"

So, I stole the idea
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 07/17/2019 06:10 pm
I'll say this much for SpaceX..........it's never a dull day when they are playing with rockets!

Great, now I have this image of Elon, dressed as a little kid, holding a hopper in his hand and swinging it through the air while crying WHOOOOOSHHHHHHHH!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 07/17/2019 06:12 pm
I'll say this much for SpaceX..........it's never a dull day when they are playing with rockets!
I don't know. We were all standing on my roof, waiting for the shockwave from that fireball to hit, and nothing. It was kind of disappointing. I'm never going to get those new windows tested.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZChris13 on 07/17/2019 06:41 pm
I'll say this much for SpaceX..........it's never a dull day when they are playing with rockets!
I don't know. We were all standing on my roof, waiting for the shockwave from that fireball to hit, and nothing. It was kind of disappointing. I'm never going to get those new windows tested.
It's actually quite difficult to get a fuel-air mixture to detonate and form a blast front instead of deflagrating and forming a flame front, even in stoichiometric mixtures, typically requiring some sort of confinement or other obstruction to accelerate it. It may be possible to kick-start it with some form of remotely delivered blast cap? I believe there's still decent quantities of Soviet surplus on the open market.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 07/18/2019 06:21 am
I'll say this much for SpaceX..........it's never a dull day when they are playing with rockets!
I don't know. We were all standing on my roof, waiting for the shockwave from that fireball to hit, and nothing. It was kind of disappointing. I'm never going to get those new windows tested.

Nomadd, I don't see what all the fuss is about. You've got a new house in the neighborhood, and the architecture is a bit odd and glaring due to all the stainless steel. The new neighbors have an odd taste in music (way too much bass, and rather loud) and, the barbecue flared up a bit, but that sort of thing happens. No need to go armoring your windows. Instead, invite 'em over for a barbecue at your place. I'm sure they'd hop on over (it's a big shiny mobile home, after all). They'd probably be right neighborly and bring the fire. 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 07/18/2019 08:05 am
I'll say this much for SpaceX..........it's never a dull day when they are playing with rockets!
I don't know. We were all standing on my roof, waiting for the shockwave from that fireball to hit, and nothing. It was kind of disappointing. I'm never going to get those new windows tested.

I take it you were all holding up marshmallows just in case?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tomness on 07/18/2019 02:14 pm
SpaceX testing new reentry profile. Starship sweats methane and lights it's self on fire. Fights fire with fire.  Hey guys want to see a new trick?. ...... No..no! Just kidding. I am fine in the fire, I feed on the friction....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intelati on 07/19/2019 09:14 pm
Pics taken at the launch site.

Alternate title "Blocky gets some needed relief"?

Toilet humor, yes.

Mods, I'm so sorry...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: toren on 07/20/2019 01:05 am

Elon Musk ✔ @elonmusk
Starship launch structure is being built off-site in steel subsections
8:29 PM - Jul 19, 2019


Let the hunt begin!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 07/20/2019 04:12 am

Elon Musk ✔ @elonmusk
Starship launch structure is being built off-site in steel subsections
8:29 PM - Jul 19, 2019


Let the hunt begin!

Perhaps we might not need to search too far. I'm thinking of that steel frame structure that's being built beside the Cocoa Starship, whose purpose has been debated for a while.

Er, to keep this OT for this thread, I'll also add; we don't yet know that the big shiny things being built at Cocoa and Boca Chica aren't water tanks.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 07/20/2019 12:12 pm
Er, to keep this OT for this thread, I'll also add; we don't yet know that the big shiny things being built at Cocoa and Boca Chica aren't water tanks.

Well, they're not exactly water tanks. They're carbonated water1 tanks.

1 - Some assembly required.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JoeAlvord on 07/20/2019 03:30 pm
I guess it was probably a mistake to install fart mode in the starhopper.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: The Vorlon on 07/20/2019 03:36 pm
Er, to keep this OT for this thread, I'll also add; we don't yet know that the big shiny things being built at Cocoa and Boca Chica aren't water tanks.

Well, they're not exactly water tanks. They're carbonated water1 tanks.

1 - Some assembly required.


Just add Mentos.....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 07/20/2019 04:55 pm
Er, to keep this OT for this thread, I'll also add; we don't yet know that the big shiny things being built at Cocoa and Boca Chica aren't water tanks.

Well, they're not exactly water tanks. They're carbonated water1 tanks.

1 - Some assembly required.

Just add Mentos.....
Now it makes sense. I know it's important to keep hydrated out here, but that 200,000 gallon diet Coke tank seemed excessive.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Orbiter on 07/20/2019 06:46 pm
When you think about it, all rockets are basically water tanks :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: scienceguy on 07/20/2019 07:21 pm
You're welcome
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: scienceguy on 07/21/2019 12:05 am
I should clarify. I was saying "you're welcome" because the previous poster said "tanks"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 07/21/2019 12:18 pm
Pics taken at the launch site.

Alternate title "Blocky gets some needed relief"?

Toilet humor, yes.

Mods, I'm so sorry...
No, no you're not...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DistantTemple on 07/21/2019 12:32 pm
Don't start taking this thread down land use issues.  That's been trouble before.  Start another thread.
That's a roger roger...

(And I am not going to post my suggestion that SpaceX just keep offering 20% more each 6 months to buy people out. ... everyone has a price)

But then owners would be bonkers to sell, it'd be like selling a full self driving Tesla .... both are appreciating assets!  You know the price will be higher in six months...or think you do!

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: lonestriker on 07/21/2019 02:20 pm
Don't start taking this thread down land use issues.  That's been trouble before.  Start another thread.
That's a roger roger...

(And I am not going to post my suggestion that SpaceX just keep offering 20% more each 6 months to buy people out. ... everyone has a price)

But then owners would be bonkers to sell, it'd be like selling a full self driving Tesla .... both are appreciating assets!  You know the price will be higher in six months...or think you do!

You just build in a random point at which the offer becomes 0 (zero) and SpaceX no longer launches from BC.  Good thing is that you may have the area almost entirely to yourself.  Bad thing is that you could have sold for N million and bought a place somewhere else instead...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 07/21/2019 03:37 pm
Don't start taking this thread down land use issues.  That's been trouble before.  Start another thread.
That's a roger roger...

(And I am not going to post my suggestion that SpaceX just keep offering 20% more each 6 months to buy people out. ... everyone has a price)

But then owners would be bonkers to sell, it'd be like selling a full self driving Tesla .... both are appreciating assets!  You know the price will be higher in six months...or think you do!

Needing the owners to be bonkers isn't really a plan killer.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: su27k on 07/22/2019 04:33 am
Cocoa Site image shared by John Winkopp.
Caption "Cocoa, Sunday 21 Jul 2019. Credit Seamore Software, LLC."

https://m.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10215266442516072&set=gm.10157716827461318&type=3&theater&ifg=1

Full size imgur rehost (for those who don't use Facebook), from the Reddit megathread.

(https://i.imgur.com/lyPXuKT.jpg)

This is such a picturesque scene, it's like one of those RTS games where you need to build up your base and then construct vehicles, etc.

Also I wonder what their neighbor is doing, seems to be massing a lot of stuff....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AnalogMan on 07/22/2019 09:58 am

...
Also I wonder what their neighbor is doing, seems to be massing a lot of stuff....

Thats just a berm factory  :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AndyE on 07/22/2019 03:44 pm
Thats just a berm factory  :)

A berm factory? Sacrebleu!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 07/22/2019 09:04 pm
AMOS-17 prior to being encapsulated:

https://twitter.com/AMOSSpacecom/status/1153329522927951875

Quote
Our unique AMOS-17 just before encapsulation! The launch is getting closer! #AMOS17 #launch #Spacecom #satellite

Great to see the space toilet seat has made it into the mission
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 07/22/2019 10:26 pm
You know things are going right as a space geek when, you're looking forward to getting the hopper's first hover over and done with in order to learn more about these 6 raptors mounted outboard under landing leg fairings.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: theinternetftw on 07/25/2019 01:13 am
Not a flamethrower.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intelati on 07/25/2019 01:15 am
Not a flamethrower.

But a flamethrower
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 07/25/2019 06:02 am
I guess it was probably a mistake to install fart mode in the starhopper.

We have all been warned of the dangers of adding to the Flatusphere.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 07/25/2019 11:08 am
Not a flamethrower.

Is it normal for water towers to do that? I'm starting to think there might be something a little unusual about this water tower.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 07/25/2019 11:10 am
Not a flamethrower.

Is it normal for water towers to do that? I'm starting to think there might be something a little unusual about this water tower.

It's orange juice
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 07/25/2019 11:35 am
My, the Boca Chica Water Tower is really a fire breathing flying Droid of Doom. All you need is some Blue Livery markings to complete the image.  ;D

Maybe the folks from the House of Mouse might rented it as a promotion prop around December.  ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 07/25/2019 07:32 pm
My, the Boca Chica Water Tower is really a fire breathing flying Droid of Doom. All you need is some Blue Livery markings to complete the image.  ;D

Maybe the folks from the House of Mouse might rented it as a promotion prop around December.  ;)

Clearly Elon used up the "dragon" label way too soon.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Kansan52 on 07/25/2019 07:36 pm
Time for a Telsa seat welded to the top of the Hopper with a Starman strapped into the seat.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 07/25/2019 07:41 pm
Starhopper: Has no pointy end.
Also Starhopper: Has multiple flamey ends.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 07/25/2019 07:57 pm
For some reason I was thinking about the shape of Starhopper and "A little like a turkey... but not much" is what came to mind.

With a bit of creative photoshop, I think you could work a Raptor-powered Butterball into Boca Chica, and Starhopper definitely looks more like a turkey than Gonzo.  Also, I probably shouldn't have missed lunch.

(I'm not going to get into the Doc Hopper connection, lest I end up with a whole The Muppet Movie/SpaceX crossover episode.)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DistantTemple on 07/25/2019 08:11 pm
Cocoa Site image shared by John Winkopp.
Caption "Cocoa, Sunday 21 Jul 2019. Credit Seamore Software, LLC."

https://m.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10215266442516072&set=gm.10157716827461318&type=3&theater&ifg=1

Full size imgur rehost (for those who don't use Facebook), from the Reddit megathread.

(https://i.imgur.com/lyPXuKT.jpg)

This is such a picturesque scene, it's like one of those RTS games where you need to build up your base and then construct vehicles, etc.

Also I wonder what their neighbor is doing, seems to be massing a lot of stuff....
SpaceX is bringing higher quality enterprise to the area..... if all the neighbours do is screen gravel.... then again it may be recycled concrete from space facilities - if so SX is really reversing the downward trend! Guess this is too serious for the party thread - sorry mods! 8-)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DistantTemple on 07/25/2019 08:16 pm
AMOS-17 prior to being encapsulated:

https://twitter.com/AMOSSpacecom/status/1153329522927951875

Quote
Our unique AMOS-17 just before encapsulation! The launch is getting closer! #AMOS17 #launch #Spacecom #satellite

Great to see the space toilet seat has made it into the mission
With the collapse in the value of waste plastic for recycling, and with SpaceX reducing the cost of spaceflight, it has become economic to send rubbish sacks leaking used plastic cups into space.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intelati on 07/25/2019 10:14 pm
One launch and landing

One more to go rosy.

God, SpaceX is ridiculous
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 07/25/2019 10:33 pm
One launch and landing

One more to go rosy.

God, SpaceX is ridiculous
in a good way
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 07/25/2019 10:43 pm
With the collapse in the value of waste plastic for recycling, and with SpaceX reducing the cost of spaceflight, it has become economic to send rubbish sacks leaking used plastic cups into space.

I'm supposed to take this off-topic because this is the Party Thread but I looked and couldn't find the right place to discuss it.  I'm going to claim space here under the codicil accomodating the ridiculously impossible due to political impossibility.  God Forgive me, Lar!!!!

I've long thought SpaceX could get the launch costs so low that problematic waste could be disposed of in space.  The politically impossible part is that Venus has to be the Solar System landfill.  The delta-V anywhere else is too great.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 07/25/2019 10:46 pm
One launch and landing

One more to go rosy.

God, SpaceX is ridiculous
in a good way

Another, adding to the list of successful launches and recoveries.

I saw that this is SpaceX's 44th successfully recovered booster.  No one else has even 1, amazing.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 07/26/2019 04:03 am
Lovin me some StarHopper!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: freddo411 on 07/26/2019 05:20 am
One launch and landing

One more to go rosy.

God, SpaceX is ridiculous
in a good way

Another, adding to the list of successful launches and recoveries.

I saw that this is SpaceX's 44th successfully recovered booster.  No one else has even 1, amazing.

I will quibble and say that the Shuttle Orbiters count as recovered boosters.   Apples and oranges, admittedly.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 07/26/2019 06:53 am
So, the Hopper has flown, and incidentally has set fire to a hefty chunk of the Boca Chica State Park.

I'm guessing that the fine for that will be some of the happiest fines ever paid.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 07/26/2019 11:44 am
You could say it will be ... drumroll ... fine.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 07/26/2019 04:06 pm
Things I didn't believe would happen this year:
1. A Starship prototype takes flight
2. This forum rehashes the Sowers spreadsheet
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DistantTemple on 07/26/2019 06:20 pm
In This BCG image from this morning, does this engine bell defect explain the the fireball at shutdown?

I see a mark on the engine bell.  I'm having trouble seeing a defect though?
SX has a tradition of fixing engine bells with sheers. The 600Hz resonance was solved suspiciously quickly, are you sure the coloured triangle isn't a notch quickly chopped out with an angle grinder, to stop it resonating!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DistantTemple on 07/26/2019 06:42 pm
If we're going to be using a lake of magic oil can't we just build a giant stack of mattresses or something? Or maybe add a giant spring to the bottom so the rocket can just bounce from the landing pad back over to the launch pad. That'll give "pogo" a new meaning in rocketry!

While we're solving solved problems, may I suggest an alternative to round wheels on vehicles? Or a Rube Goldberg-branded mousetrap?
Not all vehicles are propelled on wheels. It is thinking outside to box,m or the circle that gets you breakthroughs. The corkscrew propelled vehicle has its axles in the direction of travel!, and the drag-line would walk on its two feet and backside... and then there is af course caterpiller everything... and now Boston dynamics has solve locomotion, we'll probably scrap the round stuff and get back to walking.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 07/26/2019 07:30 pm
I note as an aside that ~20mm nickel foam balls slightly dispersed seem very likely to be able to make reentry into Mars atmosphere at ~4km/s substantively intact. (sheparded through a 500m/s injection into mars capture orbit and a slow aerobrake before a fast entry.
Or, somewhere around 3000 tons could be carried by one starship, with ~40 retankings and ~20 lifts from earth.

(https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0035/3782/9955/products/Marvin-the-Martian-F-you-Decal_360x.jpg)

You expect to fire 6,000,000 lbs of Nickle Nerf Balls at Marvin with no consequences?  Of course, this mean WAR!!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 07/27/2019 01:30 am
Okay, there was, perhaps understandably at the time, a big debate in these forums as to whether what was being built at Boca Chica was a water tower, or a rocket.

One side, unfortunately, had little in the way of facts on its side, relying instead on pure wishful thinking. And now, they've well and truly lost the argument, because at last there is incontrovertible proof.

 
Quote
   e^👁🥧
@elonmusk
   22h
Starhopper flight successful. Water towers *can* fly haha!!

At this juncture, faced with incontrovertible proof, I hope the "It's a rocket!" side will gracefully concede that they were wrong from day one. 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 07/27/2019 02:29 am
Okay, there was, perhaps understandably at the time, a big debate in these forums as to whether what was being built at Boca Chica was a water tower, or a rocket.

One side, unfortunately, had little in the way of facts on its side, relying instead on pure wishful thinking. And now, they've well and truly lost the argument, because at last there is incontrovertible proof.

 
Quote
   e^👁🥧
@elonmusk
   22h
Starhopper flight successful. Water towers *can* fly haha!!

At this juncture, faced with incontrovertible proof, I hope the "It's a rocket!" side will gracefully concede that they were wrong from day one. 

Thanks. I was afraid six months of doing that CGI would go to waste.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 07/27/2019 03:31 am
Okay, there was, perhaps understandably at the time, a big debate in these forums as to whether what was being built at Boca Chica was a water tower, or a rocket.

One side, unfortunately, had little in the way of facts on its side, relying instead on pure wishful thinking. And now, they've well and truly lost the argument, because at last there is incontrovertible proof.

 
Quote
   e^👁🥧
@elonmusk
   22h
Starhopper flight successful. Water towers *can* fly haha!!

At this juncture, faced with incontrovertible proof, I hope the "It's a rocket!" side will gracefully concede that they were wrong from day one. 

Thanks. I was afraid six months of doing that CGI would go to waste.

You did an awesome job! I was especially impressed by how you made a barbecue grill look like a rocket engine. That flare-up was epic, though I do wonder if the steaks were ruined.

BTW, I hear they are thinking of raising the water tower to 600 feet. That's extremely high for a water tower, but you should get  awesome water pressure; around 280PSI. You'll be able to blow holes in your sinks by opening your taps. 

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 07/27/2019 02:49 pm
Okay, there was, perhaps understandably at the time, a big debate in these forums as to whether what was being built at Boca Chica was a water tower, or a rocket.

One side, unfortunately, had little in the way of facts on its side, relying instead on pure wishful thinking. And now, they've well and truly lost the argument, because at last there is incontrovertible proof.

 
Quote
   e^👁🥧
@elonmusk
   22h
Starhopper flight successful. Water towers *can* fly haha!!

At this juncture, faced with incontrovertible proof, I hope the "It's a rocket!" side will gracefully concede that they were wrong from day one. 

Thanks. I was afraid six months of doing that CGI would go to waste.

You did an awesome job! I was especially impressed by how you made a barbecue grill look like a rocket engine. That flare-up was epic, though I do wonder if the steaks were ruined.

BTW, I hear they are thinking of raising the water tower to 600 feet. That's extremely high for a water tower, but you should get  awesome water pressure; around 280PSI. You'll be able to blow holes in your sinks by opening your taps. 


Somebody call Ronco, we need some of that superexpandable garden hose (but make it flame resistant) for the downfeed from the tank to ground level.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 07/27/2019 06:32 pm
 The steaks took some practice. Unlike every restaurant in Australia (except the Daly Waters pub) I hate well done beef.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 07/28/2019 01:52 am
S/N 006 (I'm an optimist when it comes to serial numbers)

meh... An optimist would say S/N AAAG.  Base 32 is optimistic
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 07/28/2019 04:30 am

Okay, there was, perhaps understandably at the time, a big debate in these forums as to whether what was being built at Boca Chica was a water tower, or a rocket.

One side, unfortunately, had little in the way of facts on its side, relying instead on pure wishful thinking. And now, they've well and truly lost the argument, because at last there is incontrovertible proof.

 
Quote
   e^👁🥧
@elonmusk
   22h
Starhopper flight successful. Water towers *can* fly haha!!

At this juncture, faced with incontrovertible proof, I hope the "It's a rocket!" side will gracefully concede that they were wrong from day one. 

Thanks. I was afraid six months of doing that CGI would go to waste.

You did an awesome job! I was especially impressed by how you made a barbecue grill look like a rocket engine. That flare-up was epic, though I do wonder if the steaks were ruined.

BTW, I hear they are thinking of raising the water tower to 600 feet. That's extremely high for a water tower, but you should get  awesome water pressure; around 280PSI. You'll be able to blow holes in your sinks by opening your taps. 


Somebody call Ronco, we need some of that superexpandable garden hose (but make it flame resistant) for the downfeed from the tank to ground level.

I think you're onto something there. I'm thinking four hoses. One for water up, one for water down, one for LOX, the other for methane.
What I'm thinking is that if that flamey thing underneath is an actual rocket engine, it all makes sense. Instead of subjecting area residents to the noise and commotion of building a 600ft steel tower, they'll just hover the water tank (the big shiny thing) permanently. They can send the prop up via the hoses. Hot swapping the rocket engine when it needs it might get exciting, but should be okay as long as they are quick.     

The steaks took some practice. Unlike every restaurant in Australia (except the Daly Waters pub) I hate well done beef.

Hrmmm. How can you hate well-done beef and call yourself a rocket cow fan?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 07/28/2019 08:35 am
Not a flamethrower.

Am I the only one looking at this picture who started singing “I’m a little tea pot....”
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 07/28/2019 09:29 am
from a distant, slightly more serious thead:
I note as an aside that ~20mm nickel foam balls slightly dispersed seem very likely to be able to make reentry into Mars atmosphere at ~4km/s substantively intact. (sheparded through a 500m/s injection into mars capture orbit and a slow aerobrake before a fast entry.
Or, somewhere around 3000 tons could be carried by one starship, with ~40 retankings and ~20 lifts from earth.

Low energy ~3.8km/s departure - direct entry into atmosphere, landing over a 1km or so ellipse.


Ok..
So you want to build a 20mm autocannon, firing nickel bullets at 11 times the speed of sound, and you want it capable of firing 6 million pounds of the stuff?

Please explain just how this is not a weapon of mass destruction?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tyrred on 07/28/2019 09:46 am
from a distant, slightly more serious thead:
I note as an aside that ~20mm nickel foam balls slightly dispersed seem very likely to be able to make reentry into Mars atmosphere at ~4km/s substantively intact. (sheparded through a 500m/s injection into mars capture orbit and a slow aerobrake before a fast entry.
Or, somewhere around 3000 tons could be carried by one starship, with ~40 retankings and ~20 lifts from earth.

Low energy ~3.8km/s departure - direct entry into atmosphere, landing over a 1km or so ellipse.


Ok..
So you want to build a 20mm autocannon, firing nickel bullets at 11 times the speed of sound, and you want it capable of firing 6 million pounds of the stuff?

Please explain just how this is not a weapon of mass destruction?

What, destroy the surface of Mars? Oh, the humanity!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: launchwatcher on 07/28/2019 03:30 pm
from a distant, slightly more serious thead:
I note as an aside that ~20mm nickel foam balls slightly dispersed seem very likely to be able to make reentry into Mars atmosphere at ~4km/s substantively intact. (sheparded through a 500m/s injection into mars capture orbit and a slow aerobrake before a fast entry.
Or, somewhere around 3000 tons could be carried by one starship, with ~40 retankings and ~20 lifts from earth.

Low energy ~3.8km/s departure - direct entry into atmosphere, landing over a 1km or so ellipse.


Ok..
So you want to build a 20mm autocannon, firing nickel bullets at 11 times the speed of sound, and you want it capable of firing 6 million pounds of the stuff?

Please explain just how this is not a weapon of mass destruction?
In this sort of device, mass is conserved.   Now if you brought some antimatter into the picture...

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mandella on 07/28/2019 05:46 pm
With apologies to Frances Scott Key, and, really, everyone else.

And the Raptor's red flare,
The COPVs seen through the glare,
Gave proof in the night,
That our Starhopper was still there...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZChris13 on 07/29/2019 01:14 am
from a distant, slightly more serious thead:
I note as an aside that ~20mm nickel foam balls slightly dispersed seem very likely to be able to make reentry into Mars atmosphere at ~4km/s substantively intact. (sheparded through a 500m/s injection into mars capture orbit and a slow aerobrake before a fast entry.
Or, somewhere around 3000 tons could be carried by one starship, with ~40 retankings and ~20 lifts from earth.

Low energy ~3.8km/s departure - direct entry into atmosphere, landing over a 1km or so ellipse.

Ok..
So you want to build a 20mm autocannon, firing nickel bullets at 11 times the speed of sound, and you want it capable of firing 6 million pounds of the stuff?

Please explain just how this is not a weapon of mass destruction?
It's all about context. Because the nickel bullets cannot reach speed unless they're exoatmospheric due to the time it takes them to accelerate, there's nothing that they can really damage except satellites and equipment on the surface of airless bodies such as the moon. Even the thin atmosphere of Mars is enough to shield the surface completely.
This is similar to how a lump of U-238, Pu-239 and fission daughter products of U-235 sitting out in the open somewhere would be an ecological disaster, but the same thing sitting in the cooling pool of a reactor is the intended outcome.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 07/29/2019 01:47 am
He's not proposing a 20mm Nickle Nerf Ball Gatling Gun.  He's talking about sidling up on the Martian atmosphere all subtle-like and then backing down slowly where Starship butt-blasts Marvin with 6,000,000 lbs of Nickle Nerf Balls.

WMD for certain.  Sort of shreds the Prime Directive.  And there will be consequences.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 07/29/2019 03:59 pm
https://twitter.com/julia_bergeron/status/1155840859910356993
Quote
Well this is new....So long Cidco Rd. Viewing. #StarhhipEast #SpaceX #Starship

Doesn't mention "Cruising". 

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Cruise-Night-is-Back-in-Longmont/i-jpdj6xR/0/d6881e14/L/LMCruising82-L.jpg)

#ButDon'tBeThatDroneGuy

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wudizzle on 07/29/2019 08:42 pm
Only on NSF are people so excited about the prospect of porta potty pictures.

Last week I definitely saw smoke from brush fires and through the trees I could see an excavator arm. I would assume this means that land clearing activities are underway. Without going down Roberts Rd, because it's a small dirt road, I can see vehicles and a port-a-potty at he site.

Thanks for the update. Any way you could get pictures?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 07/29/2019 09:25 pm
https://twitter.com/julia_bergeron/status/1155840859910356993
Quote
Well this is new....So long Cidco Rd. Viewing. #StarhhipEast #SpaceX #Starship

Doesn't mention "Cruising". 

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Cruise-Night-is-Back-in-Longmont/i-jpdj6xR/0/d6881e14/L/LMCruising82-L.jpg)

#ButDon'tBeThatDroneGuy


As a note (and I said this somewhere else) a Tesla in autopilot moving at 1 MPH is neither stopping, standing, or parking. ...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tyrred on 07/30/2019 06:12 pm
Did anyone identify the origin of the "flying" flaming debris that started the fire?

Duck.

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1111871174160474112
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DistantTemple on 07/30/2019 06:37 pm
Did anyone identify the origin of the "flying" flaming debris that started the fire?

Duck.

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1111871174160474112
Well definitely a rubber duck then... tho it looked more like a rubber mat.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 07/30/2019 07:00 pm
And if my grandma had wheels she'd be a bandwagon :)
Wonderful!  Does she perform at children's birthday parties?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: John Alan on 07/30/2019 08:57 pm
Can you believe folks take days off work... actually get up well before o'dark'thirty and drive hours just to see maybe 2 mins of something you just don't see every day...  ???

Yes... Yes I can...  ::)
Folks that watch rockets/water towers fly... 8)

And my dumb azz who said I wanted to see this thing run by at speed...  in person.
Not too shabby for state of the art in 1941...  ;D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLBFtweiF-M (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLBFtweiF-M)

On edit
UP 4014 is THE most photographed and you tubed thing here in the midwest USA right now
The crowd at Rochelle, IL was so huge (planned lube stop), I just left that zoo and went for plan B... watch a roll by on Track Rd...
And yep... I got the sniffles... it was nippy out this AM at first light...  :-[
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intelati on 07/30/2019 09:05 pm
Can you believe folks take days off work... actually get up well before o'dark'thirty and drive hours just to see maybe 2 mins of something you just don't see every day...  ???

And my dumb azz who said I wanted to see this thing run by at speed...  in person.
Not too shabby for state of the art in 1941...  ;D

Count me in among your kind. I hope to see it run in person someday. Unfortunately, I'm in an area of No UP trackage so it'll be a trip. (Much like rockets now that I think about it...)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 07/30/2019 09:12 pm
Can you believe folks take days off work... actually get up well before o'dark'thirty and drive hours just to see maybe 2 mins of something you just don't see every day...  ???

Yes... Yes I can...  ::)
Folks that watch rockets/water towers fly... 8)


 Weirdos.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 07/30/2019 09:16 pm
Can you believe folks take days off work... actually get up well before o'dark'thirty and drive hours just to see maybe 2 mins of something you just don't see every day...  ???

And my dumb azz who said I wanted to see this thing run by at speed...  in person.
Not too shabby for state of the art in 1941...  ;D

Count me in among your kind. I hope to see it run in person someday. Unfortunately, I'm in an area of No UP trackage so it'll be a trip. (Much like rockets now that I think about it...)
The first min or 90 sec of that should have been cropped I think. A friend sent me this pic he took in West Chicago.

Weirdos.

Yeah, but *our kind* of weirdos...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: John Alan on 07/30/2019 09:22 pm
Can you believe folks take days off work... actually get up well before o'dark'thirty and drive hours just to see maybe 2 mins of something you just don't see every day...  ???

And my dumb azz who said I wanted to see this thing run by at speed...  in person.
Not too shabby for state of the art in 1941...  ;D

Count me in among your kind. I hope to see it run in person someday. Unfortunately, I'm in an area of No UP trackage so it'll be a trip. (Much like rockets now that I think about it...)
The first min or 90 sec of that should have been cropped I think. A friend sent me this pic he took in West Chicago.

Weirdos.

Yeah, but *our kind* of weirdos...

Almost cropped it... but you could hear that whistle 5+ miles away!!, so I left it in...  ;)
That last crossing (last time you hear the whistle) was just about a mile away. (LOUD)
I picked that spot just to hear the tonnes of metal rods clanking and slapping without the whistle "getting in the way"... ANYWAY... back to party time
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intelati on 07/30/2019 09:32 pm
A friend sent me this pic he took in West Chicago.

Yeah, but *our kind* of weirdos...

Broken Image.

*raises fist* (https://youtube.com/watch?v=AliecH80z0Y)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DistantTemple on 07/30/2019 09:45 pm
Yes.... the same crowd who loved how steam engines worked... and those that bulit the Victorian pumping stations, etc.... are the same crowd that now cheer on SpaceX etc. The 19th and 20thC were packed with technical and engineering developments. Its just the last 40 Years has been computing, the internet and telecoms, whilst everything else has been incremental. And tec is SO high-tec that often you can't meddle with it. Thats two big things about Musk. 1) make some big steps forward and get everyone enthusiastic about engineering agin and 2) democratise it, by building it on  salt-marsh with a water-tower company! You too can get involved in Space - no need for a PHD just be a good welder... etc!
And in 10 years there'll be jobs actually in space, needing similar practical skilss, without 5yeas astronaut corps at NASA.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mongo62 on 07/30/2019 09:52 pm
I think that we can all agree on one thing.

Elon Musk is a time traveler, sent from the late 21st century, with a mission to introduce key technologies to avert global climate collapse.

It's the only way his existence makes sense.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intelati on 07/30/2019 09:59 pm
I think that we can all agree on one thing.

Elon Musk is a time traveler, sent from the late 21st century, with a mission to introduce key technologies to avert global climate collapse.

It's the only way his existence makes sense.

It's the joke. I also wouldn't be surprised if he were a Martian.

But seriously though, the dude's a machine dragging our culture to a more sustainable future...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Semmel on 07/31/2019 11:27 am
Lunch break was not very satisfactory today, so I made this helpful chart of rocket engineer fuels using stuff I found on the side of the (internet-) road.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 07/31/2019 01:18 pm
Lunch break was not very satisfactory today, so I made this helpful chart of rocket engineer fuels using stuff I found on the side of the (internet-) road.

Please, for the love of all that is holy, don't extend that Graphic to Full Flow Staged Combustion Rocket Engineer.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZChris13 on 07/31/2019 01:32 pm
Lunch break was not very satisfactory today, so I made this helpful chart of rocket engineer fuels using stuff I found on the side of the (internet-) road.

Please, for the love of all that is holy, don't extend that Graphic to Full Flow Staged Combustions Rocket Engineer.
It's the same as liquid, but you have two of everything.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 07/31/2019 02:00 pm
Lunch break was not very satisfactory today, so I made this helpful chart of rocket engineer fuels using stuff I found on the side of the (internet-) road.

Please, for the love of all that is holy, don't extend that Graphic to Full Flow Staged Combustions Rocket Engineer.
It's the same as liquid, but you have two of everything.
Coming out the business end as partial combustion products at extreme pressure.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Stan-1967 on 07/31/2019 02:21 pm


Please, for the love of all that is holy, don't extend that Graphic to Full Flow Staged Combustions Rocket Engineer.

sorry...couldn't resist, it involves Tequila obviously.  Pre-burner in your throat, full flow combustion of entire contents of stomach, exits system at high velocity, possible from multiple ends if chamber pressure in the stomach exceeds design limits.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 07/31/2019 07:01 pm
I recently made my 2525th post on this forum.  I'd like to dedicate this Zager and Evans tune to all the wonderful NSF contributors!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Uw7phR9ucA
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZChris13 on 08/01/2019 10:07 am


Please, for the love of all that is holy, don't extend that Graphic to Full Flow Staged Combustions Rocket Engineer.

sorry...couldn't resist, it involves Tequila obviously.  Pre-burner in your throat, full flow combustion of entire contents of stomach, exits system at high velocity, possible from multiple ends if chamber pressure in the stomach exceeds design limits.
No, let's save the tequila for the boron compounds.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: The Vorlon on 08/01/2019 12:38 pm


Please, for the love of all that is holy, don't extend that Graphic to Full Flow Staged Combustions Rocket Engineer.

sorry...couldn't resist, it involves Tequila obviously.  Pre-burner in your throat, full flow combustion of entire contents of stomach, exits system at high velocity, possible from multiple ends if chamber pressure in the stomach exceeds design limits.
No, let's save the tequila for the boron compounds.



Somebody likes the green flash....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 08/01/2019 10:58 pm
https://twitter.com/Astro_Ferg/status/1156993926680776710

Obviously, Space Smurf.  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Kansan52 on 08/01/2019 11:03 pm
Blue Gordon!!! (Flash is already taken.)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intelati on 08/02/2019 07:56 pm
Pics from the launch site. The white metal structure sections are being relocated to LBJ Blvd. next to the crane shed.

I always like that hot crane on crane action.

 ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: su27k on 08/03/2019 06:23 am
This is actually quite clever and funny at the same time:

https://twitter.com/QuantumG/status/1156923748919808000
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: speedevil on 08/03/2019 03:36 pm
I suppose he could show up at the 200m hop webcast and delight the viewers.
Just needs the right hat.
(https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.com/images/102774/36/1027743697.jpg)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Ionmars on 08/04/2019 12:40 am
I suppose he could show up at the 200m hop webcast and delight the viewers.
Just needs the right hat.
(https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.com/images/102774/36/1027743697.jpg)
I know the context of that image. It’s a horror for humankind and the opposite of Elon Musk.

Added: Dr. Strangelove loves the bomb. In the closing scene he rides a guided nuclear weapon (not a rocket) that just dropped from a bomber.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: RoboGoofers on 08/04/2019 01:13 am
I suppose he could show up at the 200m hop webcast and delight the viewers.
Just needs the right hat.
(https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.com/images/102774/36/1027743697.jpg)
I know the context of that image. It’s a horror for humankind and the opposite of Elon Musk.

Added: Dr. Strangelove loves the bomb. In the closing scene he rides a guided nuclear weapon (not a rocket) that just dropped from a bomber.
I think it's past time you rewatched the movie.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DistantTemple on 08/04/2019 04:11 pm
Free flight means it is under its own power and not connected to the ground in any way.  The definition is very simple.

Just taking weight off a contact switch while still being in contact with the ground is not a free flight.  Lifting off enough that you could slide a piece if paper between the pad and the rocket at every point, is.

Paper doesn't do well in that environment.  Likewise you'd need three paper pushers to try inserting the sheets and OSHA won't allow paper pushers that close.  So what are you left with?  How about we set each foot on a small paper thin sheet metal pad which is connected to a bungie cord which exerts a sideward force to pull the sheet out if the foot leaves the ground?  Then we know whether any given foot has left the ground.  But we still won't know whether it was simultaneous or not.
Musk has burnt loads of paper pushers already, and had no flack from the OSHA, a few more won't matter. He will probably have to headhunt them from Boeing et al as SX employees don't feel motivated in that role.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Hitech on 08/04/2019 05:40 pm
I suppose he could show up at the 200m hop webcast and delight the viewers.
Just needs the right hat.
(https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.com/images/102774/36/1027743697.jpg)
I know the context of that image. It’s a horror for humankind and the opposite of Elon Musk.

Added: Dr. Strangelove loves the bomb. In the closing scene he rides a guided nuclear weapon (not a rocket) that just dropped from a bomber.

Just for accuracy the device shown in "Dr. Strangelove  is an un-guided Mark 10 gravity bomb which by the altitude shown, should have been suspended under its retarding Parachute :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 08/04/2019 05:47 pm
Dr. Strangelove loves the bomb. In the closing scene he rides a guided nuclear weapon (not a rocket) that just dropped from a bomber.

Just for accuracy the device shown in "Dr. Strangelove  is an un-guided Mark 10 gravity bomb which by the altitude shown, should have been suspended under its retarding Parachute :)

And Dr. Strangelove was played by Peter Sellers.  The bomb was ridden by Maj 'King' Kong played by Slim Pickens.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DLK on 08/04/2019 05:48 pm
Quote
I know the context of that image. It’s a horror for humankind and the opposite of Elon Musk.

Added: Dr. Strangelove loves the bomb. In the closing scene he rides a guided nuclear weapon (not a rocket) that just dropped from a bomber.

You mean Maj. T.J. "King" Kong (Slim Pickens), not Dr.Strangelove (Peter Sellers).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Ionmars on 08/04/2019 06:01 pm
Dr. Strangelove loves the bomb. In the closing scene he rides a guided nuclear weapon (not a rocket) that just dropped from a bomber.

Just for accuracy the device shown in "Dr. Strangelove  is an un-guided Mark 10 gravity bomb which by the altitude shown, should have been suspended under its retarding Parachute :)

And Dr. Strangelove was played by Peter Sellers.  The bomb was ridden by Maj 'King' Kong played by Slim Pickens.
I stand corrected.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 08/05/2019 09:42 pm
Another contentious NSF issue, perhaps ranking up there with defining a ton(ne), etc.:
What does a Blue Origin press blurb REALLY mean?!
I'm trying to think of something to say that won't get this thread trimmed again.

How about this: Congratulations to Blue and Tory. For whatever BE-4 did. :-X

Suggested next conundrum:
How many billionaires can dance on top of a rocket engine power-head?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tyrred on 08/06/2019 09:36 am
I think the conclusion is that they will be able to land but not hoover with the current engine.

Hoovering with a Raptor would clean my house in .05 seconds.  Where can I order mine?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: RobW on 08/06/2019 09:47 am
I think the conclusion is that they will be able to land but not hoover with the current engine.

Hoovering with a Raptor would clean my house in .05 seconds.  Where can I order mine?

And as a bonus, once you 'Raptored' your house, you'd never have to clean it again :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DistantTemple on 08/06/2019 10:49 am
This gives "throwing shade" an entirely new meaning:
If it so happens that they can't live with the boiloff in LEO, what would be the solution? It seems evident to me that a completely enclosing sun shield would be the answer. That would be the start of the space-based maintenance facility.

Maybe "shade depots."  Maintain multiple sunshades in LEO large enough to leave room for an end-to-end Starship stack to rotate relative to the shade and stay pointed at the sun.  Station-keeping for the shade would be complex but low thrust.  O  o :
If BO or ULA throw enough shade at SpaceX it will help SpaceX keep its cool, prevent its propellants from boiling off, and with that marshalled energy store, send them into orbit and beyond to mars more quickly.

Thing is will ULA or BO end up having to put the shade in orbit?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 08/06/2019 02:17 pm
We interrupt this thread for a return to now mundane Falcon 9 launch.

.. 3...2...1...Liftoff....yeah...rah.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 08/06/2019 07:57 pm
After firing for 2 minutes 45 seconds, Falcon 9 first stage B1047.3 will shut down its engines and perform a destructive union with the Atlantic Ocean.

I'm worried about the destruction of the Atlantic Ocean. It may have significant consequences.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 08/07/2019 12:23 am
At least the fairing landed safely. 

I wonder if we are going to see other F9’s expended instead of trading up to a FH.

We have a long lull in F9 launches. But at least EM knows to keep us entertained with Starship.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jpo234 on 08/08/2019 09:50 am
The all new Spacex + NASA 'Starshuttle'  (https://www.reddit.com/r/SpaceXMasterrace/comments/cn3lmi/the_all_new_spacex_nasa_starshuttle_leaked_from/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x)

(https://i.redd.it/30idzljkxze31.jpg)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 08/08/2019 12:07 pm
I recently came up with a funny story regarding the Falcon Heavy Test Flight:

Basically, the launch is delayed to 21:00 UTC, which is the actual end of the window, since they wanted to hold a bit longer to ensure the upper level winds remained within limits. So, the countdown is proceeding smoothly up to T-25 seconds when the Launch Director is to give his GO for launch. The Launch Conductor asks for his GO at that point in the count. Five seconds of silence pass; LC asks for LD's GO for launch again. No answer.

Shortly after one of the controllers announced that Falcon Heavy was configured for launch, a hold was called at T-11 seconds, which scrubbed the attempt overall. During the safing of the vehicle, Elon Musk comes barging into the SpaceX Launch and Landing Control Center steaming red-hot fumes. He'd been watching from the Route 401 viewing site near the Exploration Tower.

He confronts the Launch Director and berates him for stopping the countdown so close to the T0 even though the weather was cooperating and no technical issues were standing in the way. There was no doubt a successful liftoff would have occurred if it weren't for this. The Launch Director's excuse was, "I didn't know what was gonna happen. I thought the vehicle would explode upon ignition like you said about the engine start sequence, so I stopped the count." Elon wasn't having any of it and fires the Launch Director before evicting him from the control center.

Elon gives the rest of the controllers a briefing about how and when to halt a countdown but reassures them that it wasn't their fault in the first place. So, a 24-hour turnaround occurs and Falcon Heavy lifts off the next day at the opening of the window at 18:30 UTC. And the rest was history from there.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intelati on 08/08/2019 04:00 pm
Agreed, and I think the main reason for the 200m test is to test Raptor with a longer burn under load. I don't think taking off and landing with one center engine will do much to verify the takeoff and landing algorithms for Starship.
Someone else posted that they'd heard the 200m hop was a #Dearmoon milestone to unlock additional funding which seems plausible.  "Make hardware fly" seems like a reasonable way to poke and prod forward progress and sure seems to be working.

Something something "gradatim ferociter"

Oh wait...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: toren on 08/08/2019 04:04 pm
I'm told it's getting out there in public conversation, so from our end where we can cite our own info as secondary "what is being heard" that Hopper is set to be retired after the 200 meter hop. As a result it won't be moved back from the LZ - it'll be cannibalized for parts - as the pad will be prepared for Starship MkI. And that's where it gets really exciting.

Hoppy will likely become a Grasshopper style display, but there's no confirmed plan on that part.

So, 200 meter hop. That needs to go well. Tick off the Milestone for Dear Moon. Retire Hopper. Prepare for Starship at the launch pad. Three Raptor test flight. (Raptor production has really upped the pace). All will be outlined in the pre-200 meter hop article. Elon's overview comes later in the month.
...
/quote]
 Although I like a good lawn decoration, raising it up and using it for the pad water tower is just a weird enough idea for Elon to appreciate.
Really like the idea of raising the hopper on 100' leg extensions to turn it into a hopperwater tank with reaaaaaly long legs.

Well, eventually they will have a used test article SH they could weld it to... raise the hopper up a bit. Add a hat...

They have the world's first rocketshipyard, so why not the first rocket sculpture garden?  A bunch of guys with giant cranes and welders - what could go wrong?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 08/08/2019 06:13 pm
A friend sent me this pic he took in West Chicago.

Yeah, but *our kind* of weirdos...

Broken Image.

*raises fist* (https://youtube.com/watch?v=AliecH80z0Y)
fixed sorry
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 08/09/2019 08:37 am
Elsewhere in the universe was heard:
If they do stop flying the hopper prematurely I have a plan.  We need to get ourselves into the area and fly it ourselves.  Storm the hopper pad, they can't stop all of us.  We will all meet up in Brownsville and coordinate our parties.  If we naturo run we can move faster than their bullets.  Let's see hopper fly up close!

Naturo run?

I don't think they will be impressed by a bunch on naked nerds streaking from Brownsville.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wudizzle on 08/09/2019 02:32 pm
I don't think they will be impressed by a bunch on naked nerds streaking from Brownsville.

Speak for yourself.   ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 08/09/2019 02:48 pm
I don't think they will be impressed by a bunch on naked nerds streaking from Brownsville.

Speak for yourself.   ;D
TBH, I think he speaks for many of us....

Anyway I want it to be used as a water tank.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 08/09/2019 06:08 pm
I don't think they will be impressed by a bunch on naked nerds streaking from Brownsville.

Speak for yourself.   ;D
TBH, I think he speaks for many of us....

Anyway I want it to be used as a water tank.
Actually, given that Muskian ventures have occasionally explored themed ethanol-based beverages, and this is a large, sturdy, temperature-resistant vessel with plenty of associated plumbing, what's to stop them turning the thing into a still?  It's even called Hoppy, for heavens' sake!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: theinternetftw on 08/09/2019 06:58 pm
I didn't expect this to be brought out of the container area.

Are they... Are they just screwing with us now?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 08/10/2019 07:06 pm
I didn't expect this to be brought out of the container area.
Are they... Are they just screwing with us now?
That's their secret, cap.  They're always screwing with us.  :P
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jerwah on 08/10/2019 07:43 pm
I didn't expect this to be brought out of the container area.
Are they... Are they just screwing with us now?
That's their secret, cap.  They're always screwing with us. 
Well they did launch a car....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 08/11/2019 08:02 am
Elon runs out of quarters and the Hopper is born.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 08/12/2019 10:56 am
I didn't expect this to be brought out of the container area.
Are they... Are they just screwing with us now?
That's their secret, cap.  They're always screwing with us. 
Well they did launch a car....

One word... terraforming... 😆
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Norm38 on 08/13/2019 12:58 am
I'm putting this on the update thread because I started this bloody site and I LOVE horses ;D

But they are new views and they really are special photos from Mary with the @SpacePadreIsle gang.

https://twitter.com/BocaChicaGal/status/1161052386892419074

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1161072073780998145

Starships and horses. It’s Firefly come to life.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: yokem55 on 08/13/2019 03:14 am
I'm putting this on the update thread because I started this bloody site and I LOVE horses ;D

But they are new views and they really are special photos from Mary with the @SpacePadreIsle gang.

https://twitter.com/BocaChicaGal/status/1161052386892419074

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1161072073780998145

Starships and horses. It’s Firefly come to life.
Quote
"and don't fly in anything with a Capissen 38 Mark II engine - they fall right out of the sky…"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 08/13/2019 05:05 am
I'm putting this on the update thread because I started this bloody site and I LOVE horses ;D

But they are new views and they really are special photos from Mary with the @SpacePadreIsle gang.

https://twitter.com/BocaChicaGal/status/1161052386892419074

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1161072073780998145

Starships and horses. It’s Firefly come to life.
They have fireflies too.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 08/13/2019 05:53 am
Quote
They have fireflies too.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 08/13/2019 03:26 pm
Quote
Topic: Who would want to pay to send a payload to Mars using a Falcon Heavy?

Me!

If the price is right, that is.

I have about $50...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 08/13/2019 04:10 pm
Anyway I want it to be used as a water tank.
Actually, given that Muskian ventures have occasionally explored themed ethanol-based beverages, and this is a large, sturdy, temperature-resistant vessel with plenty of associated plumbing, what's to stop them turning the thing into a still?  It's even called Hoppy, for heavens' sake!
< rant > The last thing I want is a hoppy beer. I am so tired of "IPA" beers that are so hoppy they are undrinkable. I have a theory that brewmasters hide their mistakes and bad crafting by just adding more hops. < / rant >

I have about $50...
I can chip in tree fiddy...

Starships and horses. It’s Firefly come to life.

The twitter replies picked up on this right away. One person even claims Firefly is Gwynne's fave SF show...

https://twitter.com/SpaceY_UK/status/1161153809172881409
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mandella on 08/13/2019 05:33 pm
Anyway I want it to be used as a water tank.
Actually, given that Muskian ventures have occasionally explored themed ethanol-based beverages, and this is a large, sturdy, temperature-resistant vessel with plenty of associated plumbing, what's to stop them turning the thing into a still?  It's even called Hoppy, for heavens' sake!
< rant > The last thing I want is a hoppy beer. I am so tired of "IPA" beers that are so hoppy they are undrinkable. I have a theory that brewmasters hide their mistakes and bad crafting by just adding more hops. < / rant >

I have about $50...
I can chip in tree fiddy...

Starships and horses. It’s Firefly come to life.

The twitter replies picked up on this right away. One person even claims Firefly is Gwynne's fave SF show...

https://twitter.com/SpaceY_UK/status/1161153809172881409

When Shotwell was asked the loaded question in some interview or the other a few years back, "Star Trek or Star Wars?" she shot back "Firefly!" so yeah.

Also, I can't photoshop it right now, but damn the Hopper would not look out of place in some of the Firefly/Serenity shipyard scenes...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 08/13/2019 05:58 pm
We have NOTAMS  :)

https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_9_9032.html

Do you even lift[off from] (BRO)?  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: theinternetftw on 08/13/2019 09:45 pm
When Shotwell was asked the loaded question in some interview or the other a few years back, "Star Trek or Star Wars?" she shot back "Firefly!" so yeah.

That she did. https://streamable.com/e1ea8
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 08/13/2019 09:58 pm
Does the Hopper have a range safety package aboard? If not, why not and what prototypes will have one?
What range safety is desired for something that doesn't go farther than 200m up? It's a water tank. As another poster said, a serious amount of explosives would be needed. My thinking (IANARS) is there is a malfunction, stop the engine from firing, and let it fall. No way can you disintegrate it enough that none of the pieces are threatening, so better to let it fall in one piece

What about a hopper RUD? The whole area could be at risk for small debris. Better, I think, to use an adequate FTS explosive package. I thinking something in the 20 kiloton range would be fine (Maybe SpaceX could get one from their friends at the Air Force?).

This way, the area residents would no longer have to face the risk of small, light debris landing on their roofs in case of a RUD.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mark_m on 08/14/2019 03:36 am
I just want a rocket based elevator. Those other elevators are too slow.

... I'll get my coat. ...

So, Charlie and the Chocolate factory.... IN SPAAAAAAACE!

You know, this actually was the sequel book, Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator. There was even a space station, taken over by Vicious Knids (aliens), if memory (from 40+ years ago) serves.  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Barley on 08/14/2019 01:58 pm
What about a hopper RUD? The whole area could be at risk for small debris. Better, I think, to use an adequate FTS explosive package. I thinking something in the 20 kiloton range would be fine (Maybe SpaceX could get one from their friends at the Air Force?).
Government designs are far too expensive.  Time to start The Booming Company.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DistantTemple on 08/15/2019 10:04 am
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Not yet</p>&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 15, 2019 (https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1161839684466532352?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Out of office email notification.

The department you attempted to contact is out of the office and will not return until the 1st of September.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 08/15/2019 02:27 pm
Quote from: @JaneidyEve
Did the FAA already approve the Starship 200m launch for August 16 -18?
Quote from: @elonmusk
Not yet

Out of office email notification.

The department you attempted to contact is out of the office and will not return until the 1st of September.

If they're out-of-office, I guess they won't notice a casual little 200m hop then.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 08/15/2019 04:29 pm
I just want a rocket based elevator. Those other elevators are too slow.

... I'll get my coat. ...

So, Charlie and the Chocolate factory.... IN SPAAAAAAACE!

You know, this actually was the sequel book, Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator. There was even a space station, taken over by Vicious Knids (aliens), if memory (from 40+ years ago) serves.  8)

And the aliens spelled out “SCRAM” with their bodies (which looked like worms) in the 5 open elevators ...
and the visiting party (WW, Charlie, his grandparents and parents) left quickly.
Lol
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DistantTemple on 08/15/2019 05:36 pm
Quote from: @JaneidyEve
Did the FAA already approve the Starship 200m launch for August 16 -18?
Quote from: @elonmusk
Not yet

Out of office email notification.

The department you attempted to contact is out of the office and will not return until the 1st of September.

If they're out-of-office, I guess they won't notice a casual little 200m hop then.
Quite the opposite .... no joking matter .... that is off topic for party thread. If that happened there would be new threads for court action, estimated delays, the removal of the CEO, etc etc...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 08/15/2019 05:47 pm
Does the Hopper have a range safety package aboard? If not, why not and what prototypes will have one?
What range safety is desired for something that doesn't go farther than 200m up? It's a water tank. As another poster said, a serious amount of explosives would be needed. My thinking (IANARS) is there is a malfunction, stop the engine from firing, and let it fall. No way can you disintegrate it enough that none of the pieces are threatening, so better to let it fall in one piece

What about a hopper RUD? The whole area could be at risk for small debris. Better, I think, to use an adequate FTS explosive package. I thinking something in the 20 kiloton range would be fine (Maybe SpaceX could get one from their friends at the Air Force?).

This way, the area residents would no longer have to face the risk of small, light debris landing on their roofs in case of a RUD.


Off topic for a party thread. AND, there's an actual thread to discuss this

https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=48804
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 08/15/2019 06:21 pm
Off topic for a party thread. AND, there's an actual thread to discuss this

Naw man!!!  20 kiloton is a hell of a party.  But DistantTemple bring me down a little getting all serious up there about the FAA
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 08/16/2019 06:16 am
Does the Hopper have a range safety package aboard? If not, why not and what prototypes will have one?
What range safety is desired for something that doesn't go farther than 200m up? It's a water tank. As another poster said, a serious amount of explosives would be needed. My thinking (IANARS) is there is a malfunction, stop the engine from firing, and let it fall. No way can you disintegrate it enough that none of the pieces are threatening, so better to let it fall in one piece

What about a hopper RUD? The whole area could be at risk for small debris. Better, I think, to use an adequate FTS explosive package. I thinking something in the 20 kiloton range would be fine (Maybe SpaceX could get one from their friends at the Air Force?).

This way, the area residents would no longer have to face the risk of small, light debris landing on their roofs in case of a RUD.


Off topic for a party thread. AND, there's an actual thread to discuss this

https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=48804

But... Lar is known to keep an eye on that thread... what would happen if he caught me posting the above (my suggestion to use a 20 kiloton nuclear warhead for a flight termination device, so as to prevent small debris possibly pitter-pattering on rooftops), in that thread? 
 :o :o :o :o :o :o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 08/16/2019 03:56 pm
For not being in Space Policy this thread sure seems political to me. I'm also not seeing a lot of forward progress. Perhaps dispassionate summaries of the various positions might be helpful?

Dipping in and out of this thread and not really getting drawn into it, I have a recurring feeling there's a Jack Swigert "Coming in too shallow" aspect to the passion.  We're on step #8.   ;D

Quote
Jack Swigert: Listen, listen, listen! They gave us too much Delta V, had us burn too long. At this rate, we're gonna skip right off of the atmosphere, and we're never gonna get back!
Fred Haise: What are you talking about? How'd you figure that?
Jack Swigert: I can add.
Jim Lovell: Jack, they've got half the Ph.Ds on the planet working on this.
Fred Haise: Houston says we're right on the money.
Jack Swigert: And what if they have made a mistake, all right, and there was no way to reverse it? You think they would tell us? There's no reason for them to tell us.
Fred Haise: What do you mean they're not gonna tell us? That's bull!
Jim Lovell: All right, there's 1,000 things that have to happen in order, we are on #8. You're taking about #692.
Jack Swigert: And in the meantime, I'm trying to tell you we're coming in too fast. I think they know it, and I think that's why we don't have a damn re-entry plan.
Jim Lovell: That's duly noted. Thank you, Jack. We agree with that.
Jack Swigert: [hits his head on the L.E.M. ceiling] OW! G** D*** this piece of s***!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 08/16/2019 05:27 pm
But... Lar is known to keep an eye on that thread... what would happen if he caught me posting the above (my suggestion to use a 20 kiloton nuclear warhead for a flight termination device, so as to prevent small debris possibly pitter-pattering on rooftops), in that thread? 
 :o :o :o :o :o :o
I keep an eye on ALL threads (except EMdrive woo)...

You can post it all you want. Not responsible if you get a visit from the AEC or jack-booted-thugs (or both at once).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 08/16/2019 05:54 pm
Is it Lar's birthday or something?

https://twitter.com/LEGO_Group/status/1162363475542327296
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Kansan52 on 08/16/2019 06:05 pm
One small step for Lego (or at least a Lego astronaut)!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 08/16/2019 07:46 pm
But... Lar is known to keep an eye on that thread... what would happen if he caught me posting the above (my suggestion to use a 20 kiloton nuclear warhead for a flight termination device, so as to prevent small debris possibly pitter-pattering on rooftops), in that thread? 
 :o :o :o :o :o :o
I keep an eye on ALL threads (except EMdrive woo)...

You can post it all you want. Not responsible if you get a visit from the AEC or jack-booted-thugs (or both at once).

Erk. Um. Ok. Out of a desire to avoid officious people knocking on my door (or kicking it in...), I shall say no more about nuclear warheads for flight termination devices. At least, I'll try. But, um, what about nuking Mars?

Quote
Elon Musk    Elon Musk
@elonmusk
   15h
Nuke Mars!

This does, I think, beg the question; is nuking Mars party thread materiel? <Evil grin>

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intelati on 08/16/2019 07:54 pm
But... Lar is known to keep an eye on that thread... what would happen if he caught me posting the above (my suggestion to use a 20 kiloton nuclear warhead for a flight termination device, so as to prevent small debris possibly pitter-pattering on rooftops), in that thread? 
 :o :o :o :o :o :o
I keep an eye on ALL threads (except EMdrive woo)...

You can post it all you want. Not responsible if you get a visit from the AEC or jack-booted-thugs (or both at once).

Erk. Um. Ok. Out of a desire to avoid officious people knocking on my door (or kicking it in...), I shall say no more about nuclear warheads for flight termination devices. At least, I'll try. But, um, what about nuking Mars?

Quote
Elon Musk    Elon Musk
@elonmusk
   15h
Nuke Mars!

This does, I think, beg the question; is nuking Mars party thread materiel? <Evil grin>

I mean, my first thought when I saw the notification was "Well, that's certainly one way of gaining an atmosphere" [terraforming]

It's not like it's a foreign concept... (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Plowshare)

Edit: Preliminary Design Studies in a Nuclear Excavation-Project Carryall PDF (http://pubsindex.trb.org/view.aspx?id=110048)

Edit 2: God, I love 1960s engineering (http://pubsindex.trb.org/view/1964/M/1254128) so many off the wall ideas.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 08/16/2019 08:44 pm
Edit 2: God, I love 1960s engineering (http://pubsindex.trb.org/view/1964/M/1254128) so many off the wall ideas.

LOL Yes!!!!  My favorite was diverting northern flowing Canandian Rivers back into the CONUS.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cro-magnon gramps on 08/17/2019 05:13 am
Edit 2: God, I love 1960s engineering (http://pubsindex.trb.org/view/1964/M/1254128) so many off the wall ideas.

LOL Yes!!!!  My favorite was diverting northern flowing Canandian Rivers back into the CONUS.

Can't find a reference to it. Google Fu not working. In the 60's or 70's there was a plan in America to dam the Columbia river and create the largest fresh water reservoir in the world, in the Columbia River Gorge backing up into Canada. This was to provide the West Coast USA with fresh water as far south as California.  Not sure if it got shot down by Canada (unappreciative Canadian peons) or it was too expensive (at the time).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: catdlr on 08/17/2019 05:41 am
Edit 2: God, I love 1960s engineering (http://pubsindex.trb.org/view/1964/M/1254128) so many off the wall ideas.

LOL Yes!!!!  My favorite was diverting northern flowing Canandian Rivers back into the CONUS.

Can't find a reference to it. Google Fu not working. In the 60's or 70's there was a plan in America to dam the Columbia river and create the largest fresh water reservoir in the world, in the Columbia River Gorge backing up into Canada. This was to provide the West Coast USA with fresh water as far south as California.  Not sure if it got shot down by Canada (unappreciative Canadian peons) or it was too expensive (at the time).

If I remember it wasn't just one dam but a series of dams in the Columbia River Basin:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbia_River_Treaty
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 08/17/2019 09:02 am

I just had to put this here.

https://mobile.twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1162601565653360640?p=v

Nuke Mars. The T-shirt!

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 08/17/2019 01:44 pm
LOL Yes!!!!  My favorite was diverting northern flowing Canandian Rivers back into the CONUS.

Can't find a reference to it. Google Fu not working. In the 60's or 70's there was a plan in America to dam the Columbia river and create the largest fresh water reservoir in the world, in the Columbia River Gorge backing up into Canada. This was to provide the West Coast USA with fresh water as far south as California.  Not sure if it got shot down by Canada (unappreciative Canadian peons) or it was too expensive (at the time).

North American Water and Power Alliance (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_Water_and_Power_Alliance)


Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 08/17/2019 03:01 pm
Did anyone else reading the Developing the BFS - Phase 1 - StarHopper - Drone Free Discussion - Thread 4,  think for a split second these were Star Ship fuel transfer lines being delivered?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 08/17/2019 05:33 pm
No, this is clearly an autogenous pressurization unit.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: scienceguy on 08/18/2019 02:22 am
Tis a far far better autogenous pressurization unit that I go to
than I have ever gone
Tis a far far better autogenous pressurization unit that I do
than I have ever done
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 08/19/2019 06:48 am
2O21: A SPACEX ODYSSEY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sF7l3aO5Oac
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 08/19/2019 07:31 am
The uncanny valley appears to have a deep gravity well.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: catdlr on 08/19/2019 09:57 am
2O21: A SPACEX ODYSSEY



I love it when his red Tesla roadster flys by.  I wish the creator had also deepfake the 2001 spaceship to Elon's Starship and change Hal's voice to Jeff Bezos or Amazon Alexa to make this complete.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mandella on 08/19/2019 08:00 pm
2O21: A SPACEX ODYSSEY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sF7l3aO5Oac

Sadly, listed as removed by user.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Bob Shaw on 08/19/2019 08:19 pm
Still up for me a few minutes ago, but I can't find it again.

It really is very well done.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: theinternetftw on 08/19/2019 09:36 pm
Working link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTksmoTdT4Q
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 08/19/2019 09:39 pm
Sadly, listed as removed by user.

It looks like the account owner de listed the original video and has a new version out with a different voice for HAL

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTksmoTdT4Q
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 08/19/2019 09:43 pm
The uncanny valley appears to have a deep gravity well.

Speaking of uncanny valley

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUphMqs1vFw
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 08/20/2019 03:16 pm
Yes the sat maps from google are usually 'out of date' (1st world problems for sure) a trick I use (provided a public road is available) is to 'drive around' the area using the google street view cams... they are MUCH more 'up to date'... 

The "behavior" has probably changed since then but years ago on another forum we are all "playing" a geoguesser-type game:  http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20131206-how-well-do-you-know-the-world-play-geoguessr-to-find-out

If you just guessed based on the picture, getting within 100 miles on the globe would be outstanding.  But you could either directly (or by a browser trick) get to a Navigable Googles Maps where you could "drive around" until you got enough local clues to identify the place.

I once nailed one location in small town in Scandanavia or something to 18 inches.  The peanut-gallery was astounded.  The genii  ... meh.  Not rocket surgery but fun parlor-trick.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 08/20/2019 07:54 pm
It appears Elon Musk just leaked the updated Starship design in his Twitter profile picture:
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 08/21/2019 03:24 am
It appears Elon Musk just leaked the updated Starship design in his Twitter profile picture:

Refueling?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intelati on 08/21/2019 02:13 pm
Oh crap hopper fell over!

That's almost frustrating. I keep waiting for it to crumple... :(
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 08/21/2019 04:49 pm
The uncanny valley appears to have a deep gravity well.

Speaking of uncanny valley

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUphMqs1vFw

OH MY FREAKKIN GOODNESS...

WHAT KIND OF HORROR IS THAT  ???


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qn977W9HjWM

30 years ago I was watching Full house... now you ruined forever.

MY EEEYYYYES !!!  :o :o :o :o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 08/21/2019 06:06 pm
Well we have seen a single engine consuming 525kg/s.
So thats half a tonne/s.
A tonne of water is a m^3.
How big is the pipe? a meter?
So every meter length of the pipe would be 2 seconds.
Things wrong:
propellants aren't water(but close)
any given propellant is half of the total.
Maybe the pipe is bigger?
The pipe is round.

Refine numbers as you want.
That is a some sort poem, right?

Quote
Ode to the StarShip
A Sonnet by Yobnafnole

My big StarShip, you inspire me to write.
How I love the way you reenters and fly,
Invading my mind day and through the night,
Always dreaming about the alumni.

Let me compare you to a nonmember?
You are more shiny and cryogenic
Hot winds shake the leafage of September,
And autumntime has the scary benecke.

How do I love you? Let me count the ways.
I love your Propellant tanks and Raptors.
Wanting your Stainless Steel hull fills my days.
My love for you is the loud subchapter.

Now I must away with a heavy heart,
Remember my fraught words whilst we're apart.

"Never have I felt so moved by a big StarShip. Thank you Yobnafnole!"
- The Daily Tale

"Look, you might think 'adapter' is a good rhyme for 'raptor', but frankly I couldn't make head nor tale of what you were trying to say."
- Enid Kibbler

"The author is so talented that I really feel the love for the object of the poem's Propellant tank and raptor."
- Hit the Spoof

"The iambic pentameter almost works!"
- Zob Gloop

"Not even Shakespeare himself would be bold enough to use a simile like 'a pretender' - wow!"
- Betty Borison
 

poem-generator
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 08/21/2019 08:45 pm
While waiting for the FAA
To sign off on the hop
I spend the hours of the day
Just reading from the top
The threads, which never go astray
(At least after a trim)
And twitter, where Elon may say
When we'll hear more from him



Translation:  Are we there yet?  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: rsdavis9 on 08/21/2019 08:59 pm
Musk be a slow day!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 08/22/2019 12:40 am
What is the current consensustimate (made up words sorry) for the production rate of Starlink satellites?

It's a good one.  And technically all words are made up.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 08/22/2019 02:04 am

SpaceXFleetUpdates:
- Decommissioning of the droneship.
I can't imagine why they would have brought the torched off deck extensions with them if they were going to decommission... they would just send them to a scrapper in California somewhere, I would think.

Weld the former Dronehip "Wings" to the Starship - the mystery of the latest "wing" redesign solved along with the mystery of the Droneship movement.  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 08/22/2019 11:09 pm
https://groundbasedspacematters.com/index.php/2019/08/22/no-tardigrades-here/
Quote
No, a tardigrade is not what you get when you’re late to class.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 08/22/2019 11:11 pm
It appears Elon Musk just leaked the updated Starship design in his Twitter profile picture:
Refueling?
The Worm Ouroboros (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13624.The_Worm_Ouroboros)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: theinternetftw on 08/23/2019 06:38 pm
Ahh yes, a classic scene in the production of any spacecraft:

*Holds up tape measure, makes mark, turns to the other guy* "That look about right?"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Gliderflyer on 08/24/2019 12:25 am
What kind of material and or surface treatment might look like this? Weird.

- Doesn't look like sheet metal stamping.

- Doesn't look like shuttle type tiles, they were smooth.

- plasma sprayed metal over ceramic block?

- other ideas?

John

Dark color, rough texture? There is only one possibility:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_HhiU1mOwU
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: WTF on 08/24/2019 01:55 pm
To provide some background on the issue of gopher tortoise relocation in the proximity of the SpaceX activities in Cocao, Florida, I offer the following:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4htoI-OF3g

Heatshield issues may not be pertinent.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: yokem55 on 08/24/2019 06:40 pm
To provide some background on the issue of gopher tortoise relocation in the proximity of the SpaceX activities in Cocao, Florida, I offer the following:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4htoI-OF3g

Heatshield issues may not be pertinent.
Hmm... I wonder if the turtles holding up the Earth in space need heat shields....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: toren on 08/25/2019 03:43 am
To provide some background on the issue of gopher tortoise relocation in the proximity of the SpaceX activities in Cocao, Florida, I offer the following:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4htoI-OF3g

Heatshield issues may not be pertinent.
Hmm... I wonder if the turtles holding up the Earth in space need heat shields....

They just do a barbecue roll, that's why there's night and day.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 08/25/2019 04:08 pm
 Waiting.....
https://youtu.be/t9wmWZbr_wQ
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 08/25/2019 08:14 pm
To provide some background on the issue of gopher tortoise relocation in the proximity of the SpaceX activities in Cocao, Florida, I offer the following:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4htoI-OF3g

Heatshield issues may not be pertinent.
Hmm... I wonder if the turtles holding up the Earth in space need heat shields....

They just do a barbecue roll, that's why there's night and day.

Fun fact: A turtle is the only animal capable of safely carrying the Earth because every other animal would at some point try to scratch its back.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 08/26/2019 12:57 am
Waiting.....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9wmWZbr_wQ

But.... it's just a water tower....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 08/26/2019 03:42 am
 I took some closeups of the hopper today and discovered the terrible truth.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 08/26/2019 04:27 am
I took some closeups of the hopper today and discovered the terrible truth.

Wow.

Awesome shots (thank you!), but, um, what on earth is that you zoomed in on in the second pic?

The cabling looks like ethernet?

As for the first pic, I do see a ladder on the dome, as one would expect on a water tower, but the rest... looks like a lot of gadgetry, unusual for a water tower. That hatch, though, in combination with the rest, rings a bell. It kinda has the look of the Q-Bomb from the movie "The Mouse that Roared."

Conspiracy theory time (is this the terrible truth you mentioned?)... what if the hopper isn't really a water tower?

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 08/26/2019 02:39 pm
Quote
FAA permit updated for the 150 meter flight has been posted:

They stole 50 meters! I am outraged! Outraged i say! I want my money back!  >:(










Internet disclaimer: Of course not outraged. Hop hop hop hop!!!!!!  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 08/26/2019 03:38 pm
Jeff Foust also just tweeted that SpaceX 3rd party insurance went from $3M to $100M

https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/1165981790844182529
Just for the record, I estimate the value of my house at $3.6 million.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 08/26/2019 03:54 pm
Do not forget the 500000$ for a world - famous record breaking rare breed century plant!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Stan-1967 on 08/26/2019 03:58 pm
Man I should have bought that $35,000 property down the road from Nomad back when SpaceX announced the future boca chica plans!  Talk about an amazing real estate investment.  I too could be rubbing my hands together waiting for the moment StarShip explodes & makes me a gazillionaire.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 08/26/2019 05:36 pm
Quote
FAA permit updated for the 150 meter flight has been posted:

They stole 50 meters! I am outraged! Outraged i say! I want my money back!

It's 200m before tax
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Doesitfloat on 08/26/2019 07:22 pm
Morning delivery #1.

Well old Space finally did it. Spacex is screwed.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 08/26/2019 07:33 pm
Morning delivery #1.

Well old Space finally did it. Spacex is screwed.
Relax, it is just a drill.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 08/26/2019 07:54 pm
Morning delivery #1.

Well old Space finally did it. Spacex is screwed.
Relax, it is just a drill.
Not sure that augurs well.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 08/26/2019 08:09 pm
Morning delivery #1.

Well old Space finally did it. Spacex is screwed.
Relax, it is just a drill.
Not sure that augurs well.
Gotta love the penetrating wit, but it's starting to get boring...(By all that's holey, somebody stop him!)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 08/26/2019 08:16 pm
Morning delivery #1.

Well old Space finally did it. Spacex is screwed.
Relax, it is just a drill.
Not sure that augurs well.
Gotta love the penetrating wit, but it's starting to get boring...(By all that's holey, somebody stop him!)
I can see that line of discussion spin a few more rounds without hitting rock bottom.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: theinternetftw on 08/26/2019 08:24 pm
You guys are really running this into the ground.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intelati on 08/26/2019 08:36 pm
You guys are really running this into the ground.

This thread has to come to a hard stop.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 08/26/2019 08:57 pm
I might've guessed everyone would start piling on.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: gaballard on 08/26/2019 09:34 pm
I might've guessed everyone would start piling on.

Gonna take a while for the mods to dig us out of this one.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 08/26/2019 10:50 pm
Sometimes the conversation has to go round and round a subject....
Till it launches (or hops) off into a new direction.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 08/26/2019 10:54 pm
Okay, about that Boca Chica big shiny thing. We're missing the obvious. It's really a water tower, but disguised (perhaps poorly) as a rocket. They just tacked some tech-looking bits on the outside of the water tower.

There's a long history of disguised water towers. This page shows 10 great ones, and I think they should add StarHopper.
https://10mosttoday.com/10-coolest-water-towers/

The first "hop" can easily be explained; a few fireworks, probably purchased from a local store. As for the camera footage - CGI.

So, why is SpaceX building this disguised water tower? Easy - they couldn't get a permit to build a water tower, so they are calling it an experimental rocket.

Edit to add; and now proof! The "150 meter hop" test that hit a "hold" at .8 seconds? Look at the vid, the actual test happened, right on camera - it was the rainbird water. Water tower confirmed! They're just totally hiding it in plain sight... 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 08/27/2019 02:50 am
But look at them now M1D is probably one of the most reliable engine there is. It will be ironed out before a SS will lift off from Mars. The sky is not falling. :)

THAT'S WHERE YOU ARE WRONG!!! The sky is getting closer every day.   ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 08/27/2019 06:43 pm
Excuse me. I hate to interrupt but I'm concerned that the Star Kettle may never leave the ground if I don't say something. My ancestors had a great deal of experience with similar appearing apparatus back in their day. Not only did it once take flight on it's own but the byproduct of it's industry allowed patrons to dance with the riddles of the universe.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: laszlo on 08/27/2019 07:07 pm
Okay, about that Boca Chica big shiny thing. We're missing the obvious. It's really a water tower, but disguised (perhaps poorly) as a rocket. They just tacked some tech-looking bits on the outside of the water tower.

There's a long history of disguised water towers. This page shows 10 great ones, and I think they should add StarHopper.
https://10mosttoday.com/10-coolest-water-towers/

The first "hop" can easily be explained; a few fireworks, probably purchased from a local store. As for the camera footage - CGI.

So, why is SpaceX building this disguised water tower? Easy - they couldn't get a permit to build a water tower, so they are calling it an experimental rocket.

Edit to add; and now proof! The "150 meter hop" test that hit a "hold" at .8 seconds? Look at the vid, the actual test happened, right on camera - it was the rainbird water. Water tower confirmed! They're just totally hiding it in plain sight...

(https://i.redd.it/1gktqbyip12z.jpg)

(https://www.blueorigin.com/assets/BlueOrigin_NewShepard_Launch.jpg)

Ypsilanti and Blue Origin beat them to it.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: freddo411 on 08/27/2019 09:17 pm
is there a SX live feed on youtube today on Tues?

I"m watching EA
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 08/27/2019 10:04 pm
He did it again, the insane *** - Well done everyone at SpaceX!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: sghill on 08/27/2019 10:06 pm
The Flying Barstool!!!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 08/27/2019 10:06 pm
First time I have ever pee'd myself with a smile on my face
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intelati on 08/27/2019 10:07 pm
Excuse me. I hate to interrupt but I'm concerned that the Star Kettle may never leave the ground if I don't say something. My ancestors had a great deal of experience with similar appearing apparatus back in their day. Not only did it once take flight on it's own but the byproduct of it's industry allowed patrons to dance with the riddles of the universe.

You must never leave
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wudizzle on 08/27/2019 10:07 pm
Well that was fun.

Mars feels more real by the month.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 08/27/2019 10:42 pm
We only lost "one piece", it was good day to fly... ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ValmirGP on 08/27/2019 10:44 pm
When I See an Elephant Fly...

https://youtu.be/_v2exWrsGOc
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 08/27/2019 11:35 pm
We only lost "one piece", it was good day to fly... ;D
Musk often talks about "airline-like" operations.  Clearly this was just an attempt to emulate the recent incident with OB-636 (http://avherald.com/h?article=4cbffb01&opt=0) (or any of the many such incidents in aviation history).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 08/28/2019 01:59 am
Oh yeah and Dragon splashed down today.

Impressive just how upstaged the Dragon/ISS paradigm was today by the rudimentary Raptor powered Star Hopper.


Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: yokem55 on 08/28/2019 02:06 am
Ahem. I made a thing. So sorry.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: theinternetftw on 08/28/2019 04:51 am
Clearly this was just an attempt to emulate the recent incident with OB-636 (http://avherald.com/h?article=4cbffb01&opt=0) (or any of the many such incidents in aviation history).

Alternatively, someone really wanted to be able to say this line:

Was that the primary hopping bottle? Did the primary hopping bottle just fall off my gorram ship for no apparent reason?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 08/28/2019 05:51 am
I'm worn out.  Think I'm going to have to tap out for a few days.   :o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tyrred on 08/28/2019 06:38 am
https://mobile.twitter.com/thejackbeyer/status/1166585866288095234

This shows all 4 COPVs and 4 cold gas thrusters are where they're supposed to be.

Hmm... If the spinning thingy that shot out wasn't a COPV...

One of the rocket cows from McGregor got barbecued after playing stow-away and getting yeeted out the side of the peeled leg?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 08/28/2019 08:16 am
We only lost "one piece", it was good day to fly... ;D

Did the top fall off again?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: launchwatcher on 08/28/2019 02:16 pm
Con: This is just a 130'' flying test stand.
.. . a flying test stand in danger of being crushed by a dwarf?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Endeavour_01 on 08/28/2019 03:31 pm
Given his apparent washing machine flying ability I wonder if Jim Lovell wants to upgrade to flying water towers.  :D

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SVBLnflYvzs

Tremendous job by everybody at SpaceX.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 08/28/2019 03:37 pm
"That's one small step toward Mars... but... one giant leap for mankind"

The water tower flew ! Un-be-lie-va-ble. Rocket summer, here we go - see my signature. I wish Ray Bradbury had lived to see that moment.

For some reason I have this (lovely) song in my head.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPEL5Ckc3RM

Somebody really has to re-write the lyrics.

Mars city, here we go !!!


EDIT: I did it. The alternate lyrics just fell into place.

Two planets for everyone,

I build a rocket water tower and it is certainly ugly
(Mars City, here we come)
You know it's not very cherry, it's an oddee but a goodie
(Mars City, here we come)
Well, it ain't got a booster nor passengers windows
But it still gets me where I wanna go

And we're goin' to Mars City, 'cause it's planet one
You know we're goin' to Mars City, gonna have some fun
You know we're goin' to Mars City, 'cause it's planet one
You know we're goin' to Mars City, gonna have some fun, now
Two planets for everyone,

And if my starship breaks down on me somewhere on the Mars route
(Mars City, here we come)
I'll strap my rocket backpack and hitch a ride in my spacesuit
(Mars City, here we come)
And when I get to Mars City I'll be kickin' the dust
And checkin' out the parties for a Martian girl
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 08/28/2019 07:31 pm
Morning delivery #1.

Well old Space finally did it. Spacex is screwed.
Relax, it is just a drill.


“[11:49] JPL: What we can see of your planned cut looks good. We’re assuming the other side is identical. You’re cleared to start drilling.
[12:07] Watney: That’s what she said.
[12:25] JPL: Seriously, Mark? Seriously?”

LMAO
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ulm_atms on 08/28/2019 11:47 pm
Well, since I was the OP for this thread I feel I can take a little liberty and marvel for just a moment...


Back on 12/22/18 I created my case for why I thought the water tower under construction, by a water tower construction company was, in fact, not a water tower at all (and I want to point out I wasn't alone in this wild concept).


Here's what I laid out:

snip.......

I do believe this is the longest "I told you so" I have ever seen.  ;D

Elon really needs to make some "Water towers can fly" shirts.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 08/29/2019 12:42 am
If you are doing a Shuttle-like design, your system is utterly screwed if the engines underperform under a percent (as they did).
And you have to change lots of things at great expense.
If your design has several times the required payload, and is TSTO, the engines underperforming by 1% mean you say 'meh' and your margin falls from 200% to 184%.

See The thread on how bad BFS can be and still get to Mars with little delay (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=45000).
Almost all that needs to work 100% is not exploding and rapid reuse.

Imagining Starship sputtering into Mars shedding tiles, belching big clouds of props, and waking up every Marvin for 100 miles.

Bottom Right clockwise to Top Right:

Elon Musk, Tom Mueller, Gwynne Shotwell, and Jim
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 08/29/2019 01:38 am
If you are doing a Shuttle-like design, your system is utterly screwed if the engines underperform under a percent (as they did).
And you have to change lots of things at great expense.
If your design has several times the required payload, and is TSTO, the engines underperforming by 1% mean you say 'meh' and your margin falls from 200% to 184%.

See The thread on how bad BFS can be and still get to Mars with little delay (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=45000).
Almost all that needs to work 100% is not exploding and rapid reuse.

Imagining Starship sputtering into Mars shedding tiles, belching big clouds of props, and waking up every Marvin for 100 miles.

Bottom Right clockwise to Top Right:

Elon Musk, Tom Mueller, Gwynne Shotwell, and Jim
LOL, “and Jim”
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 08/29/2019 01:38 am
 I wasn't suppose to say anything, but I feel like you guys deserve the truth.
 
 The real reason the Hopper had to stop flying.
 We ran out of scotch.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 08/29/2019 01:47 am
I wasn't suppose to say anything, but I feel like you guys deserve the truth.
 
 The real reason the Hopper had to stop flying.
 We ran out of scotch.
I don’t get FOMO often, but oh man, did I miss out yesterday!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: theinternetftw on 08/29/2019 05:10 am
Warning: A background score composed by John Williams is required for viewing this post.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 08/29/2019 06:20 am
Not to claim any sort of prescience......  okay, that is a lie.

https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg1765329#msg1765329 (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg1765329#msg1765329)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: smisamore on 08/29/2019 03:40 pm
I wasn't suppose to say anything, but I feel like you guys deserve the truth.
 
 The real reason the Hopper had to stop flying.
 We ran out of scotch.

You mean Mr. Dodd didn't offer to provide a couple of "SS Mk1 1st flight" reinforcements before leaving town??

And after you kept him from falling off your observation platform during his freak out while Hopper performed it's aerial extravaganza....

Kids...What can you do?? Probably hasn't even acquired a taste for the good stuff yet ;)

Safe Travels, Brother! And thanks for making me laugh so much!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 08/29/2019 09:16 pm
Let us have a little caption contest for the attached picture!

Source: Austin Barnard on Twitter

https://twitter.com/austinbarnard45/status/1167174888001540097
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: toren on 08/29/2019 09:23 pm
<adam-savage>Well there's your problem!</adam-savage>
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intelati on 08/29/2019 09:29 pm
Let us have a little caption contest for the attached picture!

"Well, there's your problem. The quantum harmonizer got jammed in the photonic resonation chamber" (https://fallout.fandom.com/wiki/Human_Error) (Plus Mythbusters of course)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 08/29/2019 11:34 pm
Quote
Let us have a little caption contest for the attached picture!

Up is the other way.  Just follow your pointy end.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 08/30/2019 03:58 am
Let us have a little caption contest for the attached picture!

Source: Austin Barnard on Twitter

https://twitter.com/austinbarnard45/status/1167174888001540097

(Asked off camera) “Has anyone seen Bob? He said he had to check something before launch.”
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Oersted on 08/30/2019 02:20 pm
SuperHeavy: it started life as a submarine... then we assembled it...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: fael097 on 08/30/2019 03:03 pm
Good luck finding a "pool" big enough for all these rings, however, esp. since they don't fit inside each other. Hangars would be easier.
Not serious, but...

lol!  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Orbiter on 08/30/2019 03:50 pm
I'm not sure if you've guys have heard, but apparently the water tower industry really took off early this week.

(Bad joke I know, I'm just stressed from Dorian preparations lol)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ThePonjaX on 08/30/2019 03:50 pm
SuperHeavy: it started life as a submarine... then we assembled it...

SeaSuperHeavy

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_Dragon_(rocket)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 08/30/2019 04:32 pm
Alas poor Hoppy.

Once he flew happily among the clouds,
but now they've clipped his... wings.
(https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/assets/47120.0/1580015.jpg)
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/31BpZpe4rsL._SX466_.jpg)
(https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/assets/47120.0/1580153.jpg)

They say its healthier for an old Hopper to be clipped, but I do think he misses the good old days.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 08/30/2019 05:50 pm
Let us have a little caption contest for the attached picture!
That? That'll buff right out...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 08/30/2019 07:47 pm
You'd need something like a trillion (1,000,000,000,000) launches and landing to equal 1 second of sun light on the earth's atmosphere. The water vapor expelled during launch will have a much larger (probably the largest all things considered) impact.

I think you've nailed the cause of Anthropogenic Global Warming.  It's all those leap seconds we decided to add.  Those didn't exist in times the ice cores document.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 08/30/2019 10:45 pm
I was under the impression that the Eastern Range had total control authority of the airspace around the Cape? Basically, nothing can launch or enter the airspace without their permission, right? 

So the question must be asked: who, precisely, gave Hurricane Dorian permission to enter the airspace?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 08/30/2019 11:21 pm
I was under the impression that the Eastern Range had total control authority of the airspace around the Cape? Basically, nothing can launch or enter the airspace without their permission, right? 

So the question must be asked: who, precisely, gave Hurricane Dorian permission to enter the airspace?
What we have here... is a failure to communicate.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 08/31/2019 01:54 am
I was under the impression that the Eastern Range had total control authority of the airspace around the Cape? Basically, nothing can launch or enter the airspace without their permission, right? 

So the question must be asked: who, precisely, gave Hurricane Dorian permission to enter the airspace?
What we have here... is a failure to communicate.

Indeed. So, how about the Eastern Range puts up a NOTAM and (whatever the marine version is... I forget) closing the sea and air space to everything?

Would that solve the hurricane problem or would Dorian become the nation's largest, wettest criminal?

Edit to add: all jokes aside, my my sincere best wishes for all those in the hurricane's danger zones. Here's to hoping that the outlier models are right and it will recurve north short of land and head out to sea.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 08/31/2019 11:28 pm

Indeed. So, how about the Eastern Range puts up a NOTAM and (whatever the marine version is... I forget) closing the sea and air space to everything?

Looks like somebody took my suggestion, because the hurricane now appears to be heading out to sea.

 8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 09/01/2019 01:30 am
Don't count yer cyclones before they're hatched.

And don't jinx it by claiming it's turned. that's a prediction. Here's hoping..
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 09/01/2019 01:39 am
Don't count yer cyclones before they're hatched.

And don't jinx it by claiming it's turned. that's a prediction. Here's hoping..

If the hurricane does end up making landfall, you're going to blame me, aren't you?  :-X  :o

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 09/01/2019 02:17 am
Don't count yer cyclones before they're hatched.

And don't jinx it by claiming it's turned. that's a prediction. Here's hoping..

If the hurricane does end up making landfall, you're going to blame me, aren't you?  :-X  :o


Maaayyyyybe
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Scylla on 09/01/2019 02:42 am
Don't count yer cyclones before they're hatched.

And don't jinx it by claiming it's turned. that's a prediction. Here's hoping..

If the hurricane does end up making landfall, you're going to blame me, aren't you?  :-X  :o


Maaayyyyybe
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 09/01/2019 06:01 pm
Meanwhile, on the far side of the Moon...
https://www.space.com/china-far-side-moon-rover-strange-substance.html
Quote
China's Chang'e-4 lunar rover has discovered an unusually colored, 'gel-like' substance during its exploration activities on the far side of the moon.
Congratulations, the Chinese have discovered the "Andromeda Strain"!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhiTMClWh5s
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 09/01/2019 08:59 pm
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 09/01/2019 09:01 pm
Can't figure out why the engines plumes are so much darker in the middle. I think it's either incorrect fuel/oxidizer ratio or plume impingement with the floor.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: webdan on 09/01/2019 09:05 pm
Can't figure out why the engines plumes are so much darker in the middle. I think it's either incorrect fuel/oxidizer ratio or plume impingement with the floor.

Hmm, first thing that came to mind was fractal flames:

https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Fractal_flame (https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Fractal_flame)

Might be grasping at straws here...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mongo62 on 09/01/2019 09:55 pm
Meanwhile, on the far side of the Moon...
https://www.space.com/china-far-side-moon-rover-strange-substance.html
Quote
China's Chang'e-4 lunar rover has discovered an unusually colored, 'gel-like' substance during its exploration activities on the far side of the moon.
Congratulations, the Chinese have discovered the "Andromeda Strain"!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhiTMClWh5s

I was thinking more along the lines of the following, myself:

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: guyw on 09/02/2019 12:33 am

I hate to make broad sweeping statements, but that looks like a very clean design!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 09/03/2019 02:18 am
Let us have a little caption contest for the attached picture!

Source: Austin Barnard on Twitter

https://twitter.com/austinbarnard45/status/1167174888001540097 (https://twitter.com/austinbarnard45/status/1167174888001540097)
"This won't hurt a bit."
"Cough, please."
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intelati on 09/03/2019 09:29 pm
One week anniversary :)

This happened a week ago. Somehow feels like it was a much longer time ago!

Damned Dorian
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 09/04/2019 11:09 am
Looks like they'll be working around the clock...

LEAD WELDER (STARSHIP) - 3RD SHIFT, Brownsville, TX (https://boards.greenhouse.io/spacex/jobs/4405408002?gh_jid=4405408002)

I guess that is confirmation there will be a SH build at Boca Chica

It's certainly confirmation Starship mk3 will be made from lead. An unorthodox choice, sure - but SpaceX will make it work.

Or is that for Super Heavy?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 09/04/2019 12:16 pm
Good move to address radiation concerns. Also firmly establishes leadership.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 09/04/2019 02:06 pm
Elsewhere in the NSF fora, there's discussion that NASA never "revisited" the Face on Mars.

Incorrect.  The Mars Orbital Camera by Malin Space Science Systems aboard Mars Global Surveyor imaged the "face" in May 2001.

Please see attachment.  And link (https://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/mgs/msss/camera/images/moc_5_24_01/face/index.html).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 09/04/2019 02:52 pm
Good move to address radiation concerns. Also firmly establishes leadership.
This "sub"thread is clearly plumbing the depths of humour...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 09/04/2019 03:01 pm
Elsewhere in the NSF fora, there's discussion that NASA never "revisited" the Face on Mars.

Incorrect.  The Mars Orbital Camera by Malin Space Science Systems aboard Mars Global Surveyor imaged the "face" in May 2001.

Please see attachment.  And link (https://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/mgs/msss/camera/images/moc_5_24_01/face/index.html).
General Ursus...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 09/04/2019 04:52 pm
The Mars window open once every two years. If they decide to try, it's going to be very marginal and I doubt there will be time for a lunar landing...    But after the Mars ship is on its way, there's still a tanker or two and a SH waiting for something to do

Meaning they could....

...wait for it...

Land on the Moon and Mars simultaneously *headsplode*

Can someone calculate the leg span you would need to pull that off?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 09/04/2019 06:24 pm
The Mars window open once every two years. If they decide to try, it's going to be very marginal and I doubt there will be time for a lunar landing...    But after the Mars ship is on its way, there's still a tanker or two and a SH waiting for something to do

Meaning they could....

...wait for it...

Land on the Moon and Mars simultaneously *headsplode*

Can someone calculate the leg span you would need to pull that off?
Took awhile to understand what you meant but it's about 5.6 million kilometers minimum and 401 million kilometers maximum.
If THAT SS is there for awhile it's going to need some not insignificant travel in the leg span.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 09/04/2019 06:31 pm
(mod) Anyone here have a problem with my deleting the poll?1  ... it's been up a while and blocks adding some other one.

I can screenshot it for you first2

1 - not that I care, Imma do what I want.... I just wanted to ask to make it look like I cared
2 - for a suitable honorarium
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intelati on 09/04/2019 06:33 pm
(mod) Anyone here have a problem with my deleting the poll?1  ... it's been up a while and blocks adding some other one.

I can screenshot it for you first2

1 - not that I care, Imma do what I want.... I just wanted to ask to make it look like I cared
2 - for a suitable honorarium

Fair enough on either point.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 09/04/2019 06:40 pm
Land on the Moon and Mars simultaneously *headsplode*
Can someone calculate the leg span you would need to pull that off?
The leg span is one thing but you better have the joint flexibility of a ballet dancer.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wudizzle on 09/04/2019 07:35 pm
(mod) Anyone here have a problem with my deleting the poll?1  ... it's been up a while and blocks adding some other one.

I can screenshot it for you first2

1 - not that I care, Imma do what I want.... I just wanted to ask to make it look like I cared
2 - for a suitable honorarium

My biggest problem is that you didn't solve this problem ironically by starting a new poll about it in place of the existing poll.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 09/04/2019 09:06 pm
(mod) Anyone here have a problem with my deleting the poll?1  ... it's been up a while and blocks adding some other one.

I can screenshot it for you first2

1 - not that I care, Imma do what I want.... I just wanted to ask to make it look like I cared
2 - for a suitable honorarium
At least check in with Maud first.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 09/05/2019 12:33 am
SX and Elon are supple.

You three need to get a room.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 09/05/2019 01:44 am
(mod) Anyone here have a problem with my deleting the poll?1  ... it's been up a while and blocks adding some other one.

I can screenshot it for you first2

1 - not that I care, Imma do what I want.... I just wanted to ask to make it look like I cared
2 - for a suitable honorarium
That's it's purpose. To keep anybody from adding another one. Most useful poll ever.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: guyw on 09/05/2019 02:06 am
(mod) Anyone here have a problem with my deleting the poll?1  ... it's been up a while and blocks adding some other one.

I can screenshot it for you first2

1 - not that I care, Imma do what I want.... I just wanted to ask to make it look like I cared
2 - for a suitable honorarium
At least check in with Maud first.
Who's Maude?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 09/05/2019 02:19 am
Who's Maude?

An old lady on Golden Girls but that's not important right now.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: joek on 09/05/2019 02:44 am
Who's Maude?

You asked; and that's Maud, not Maude your cretins...

Maud (given name) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maud_(given_name))
Maude (approximately pronounced "mawd" in English), is an Old German feminine given name meaning "powerful battler". It is a variant of the given name Matilda but is uncommon as a surname. The Welsh variant of this name is Mawd.  The name's popularity in 19th-century England is associated with Alfred Tennyson's poem Maud...

Maud, and Other Poems (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maud,_and_Other_Poems)
The interpretation of "Maud" is complicated by the compromised position and the emotional instability of the narrator. This is expressed through a variety of poetic meters and forms as well as a proto-cinematic cycling of imagery. The puzzle of the outside sphere of "Maud", for example, the point of view of Maud herself, remains unresolved. The poem is a distorted view of a single reality, and the variation in meter can be seen to reflect the manic-depressive emotional tone of the speaker. While the poem was Tennyson's own favourite (he was known very willingly to have recited the poem in its entirety on social occasions), it was met with much criticism in contemporary circles.

Compromised position... emotional instability... distorted view of a single reality... met with much criticism in contemporary circles...

What more is there to say?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 09/05/2019 02:47 am
Maud's author sounds like an ideal mod, TBH
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 09/05/2019 02:58 am
Your are comparing a 39 year old company capitalized by 9 European nations to a private firm in Hawthorne California. Also this BO Vs SpaceX thread, why here?
Exactly. Why did someone drag Arianespace into this discussion?
Because they've launched more rockets per year of existence than Blue has???
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 09/05/2019 03:19 am
Maud's author sounds like an ideal mod, TBH
Good idea for a poll.
 "What would the ideal mod be like?"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: toren on 09/05/2019 04:14 am
Maud's author sounds like an ideal mod, TBH
Good idea for a poll.
 "What would the ideal mod be like?"

(https://www.mongolia-trips.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/gengis-khan.jpg)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 09/05/2019 04:54 am
Maud's author sounds like an ideal mod, TBH
Good idea for a poll.
 "What would the ideal mod be like?"

(https://www.mongolia-trips.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/gengis-khan.jpg)

Thought you have to ask @Lar before putting up his pix. Of course we know he is as gentle and as forgiving as is his pix.  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: guyw on 09/05/2019 05:10 am
Who's Maude?

You asked; and that's Maud, not Maude your cretins...


Cretin seems a bit harsh, even for a Party thread. Now if you meant Kreton, from "Visit to a Small Planet"...
 ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 09/05/2019 05:16 am
Thought you have to ask @Lar before putting up his pix. Of course we know he is as gentle and as forgiving as is his pix.  ;D
That is TOTES not my pic!

My pic is attached below. I'm the handsome one. In the planes: 777, Mr. Scott,  and two Johns (Smith 19 and Fornaro)...

 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 09/05/2019 05:40 am
Who's Maude?

You asked; and that's Maud, not Maude your cretins...


Cretin seems a bit harsh, even for a Party thread. Now if you meant Kreton, from "Visit to a Small Planet"...
 ;)
Maybe he meant from an island south of Greece.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 09/05/2019 05:58 am
Maybe he meant from an island south of Greece.

That place is home to a lot of amazing bulls--t
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 09/05/2019 06:06 am
Maybe he meant from an island south of Greece.
That place is home to a lot of amazing bulls--t
Whoah woah woah there Kimosabe.  Hold up just a Minotaur Two
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tyrred on 09/05/2019 12:45 pm
He had said a while earlier still that later (much later) spacecraft will dwarf currently known designs.

Progress intuitively means larger scale. Lower ceilings favor shorter people, though.  We should let the dwarves speak for themselves.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqRBnhGsIw0
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 09/05/2019 01:14 pm
Who's Maude?

You asked; and that's Maud, not Maude your cretins...

Maud (given name) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maud_(given_name))
Maude (approximately pronounced "mawd" in English), is an Old German feminine given name meaning "powerful battler". It is a variant of the given name Matilda but is uncommon as a surname. The Welsh variant of this name is Mawd.  The name's popularity in 19th-century England is associated with Alfred Tennyson's poem Maud...

Maud, and Other Poems (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maud,_and_Other_Poems)
The interpretation of "Maud" is complicated by the compromised position and the emotional instability of the narrator. This is expressed through a variety of poetic meters and forms as well as a proto-cinematic cycling of imagery. The puzzle of the outside sphere of "Maud", for example, the point of view of Maud herself, remains unresolved. The poem is a distorted view of a single reality, and the variation in meter can be seen to reflect the manic-depressive emotional tone of the speaker. While the poem was Tennyson's own favourite (he was known very willingly to have recited the poem in its entirety on social occasions), it was met with much criticism in contemporary circles.

Compromised position... emotional instability... distorted view of a single reality... met with much criticism in contemporary circles...

What more is there to say?

I looked up the precis of Maud, the poem, after your informative nudge and wow, what a depressing screed it does sound. Suicide, stalking, murder, war - not at all the gentle romance I thought it was.

My vague impression of Maud previously, based on basically nothing but the phrase "Come into the garden, Maud", was that it was a Victorian version of "Come outside":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aMIAiseHP4
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 09/05/2019 02:57 pm
Maybe he meant from an island south of Greece.
That place is home to a lot of amazing bulls--t
Whoah woah woah there Kimosabe.  Hold up just a Minotaur Two
Give Lar a break. Like everybody else, he has his pluses and Minoses.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 09/05/2019 04:31 pm
Here’s an image of what info we’re getting out of Boca Chica while both Mary and Nomadd are away (really, you guys need to coordinate better!)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: punder on 09/05/2019 04:40 pm
We should let the dwarves speak for themselves.

MY EYES, MY EYES!!!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 09/05/2019 07:22 pm
We should let the dwarves speak for themselves.

MY EYES, MY EYES!!!!

I clicked on Joffan's video.

My EARS, MY EARS!!!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 09/06/2019 01:12 am
Here’s an image of what info we’re getting out of Boca Chica while both Mary and Nomadd are away (really, you guys need to coordinate better!)
I'm in some forgotten part of the Yukon, talking to an old guy who was on the Korean DMZ 25 years before I was.
 Life is a delicate balance between gazing ahead and remembering the past. (Said while striking a Washington crossing the Delaware pose, gazing off into the distance, and completely forgetting the point of this rambling post, which tends to happen after enough Guinness to tranquilize a pachyderm.) 
 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 09/06/2019 03:23 am
Said while striking a Washington crossing the Delaware pose gazing off into the distance, and completely forgetting the point of this rambling post, which tends to happen after enough Guinness to tranquilize a pachyderm.)

That image would've been stronger if you'd had a Captain Morgan!!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Steve D on 09/06/2019 03:57 pm
Your are comparing a 39 year old company capitalized by 9 European nations to a private firm in Hawthorne California. Also this BO Vs SpaceX thread, why here?
Exactly. Why did someone drag Arianespace into this discussion?
Because they've launched more rockets per year of existence than Blue has???

I have launched more rockets then BO has
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 09/06/2019 04:49 pm
Your are comparing a 39 year old company capitalized by 9 European nations to a private firm in Hawthorne California. Also this BO Vs SpaceX thread, why here?
Exactly. Why did someone drag Arianespace into this discussion?
Because they've launched more rockets per year of existence than Blue has???

I have launched more rockets then BO has
Theirs are more phallic though.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Steve D on 09/06/2019 07:31 pm
Your are comparing a 39 year old company capitalized by 9 European nations to a private firm in Hawthorne California. Also this BO Vs SpaceX thread, why here?
Exactly. Why did someone drag Arianespace into this discussion?
Because they've launched more rockets per year of existence than Blue has???

I have launched more rockets then BO has
Theirs are more phallic though.

Well, maybe......
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 09/07/2019 06:19 am
Well, maybe......

Another Rocketeer proudly claiming his do-minion over the competitors.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 09/07/2019 05:29 pm
Well, maybe......

Another Rocketeer proudly claiming his do-minion over the competitors.
https://youtu.be/PfsTk5i7mPw
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 09/08/2019 02:57 am
I have noticed particularly important and future thinking threads reserve the first few posts for future updates... since we didn’t think of this in advance, and to raise the perceived importance of the party thread, the next post will be reserved for the future...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 09/08/2019 02:57 am
Reserved 
Ever notice that word reserved looks like re-served as in served again?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 09/08/2019 05:05 am
I have noticed particularly important and future thinking threads reserve the first few posts for future updates... since we didn’t think of this in advance, and to raise the perceived importance of the party thread, the next post will be reserved for the future...

It would be kind of hard to reserve it for the past, unless you're doing it in the advanced concepts tachyon thread.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: guyw on 09/08/2019 11:52 am
Attributed to various authors, Carl Sagan would recite this on the "Tonight Show" among other places:

There was a young lady named Bright
Whose speed was far faster than light;
She set out one day
In a relative way
And returned on the previous night.



Posted tomorrow.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 09/09/2019 12:44 pm
Ugh, I've been trying to keep up with the Starship building forums, but
Chine is incorrect terminology, a chine is a sharp change in the angle of a hull, cross- sectionally.
The correct term is sponson, which is a purposeful bump out either in a single location or the length of a hull.

"Chine" is accurate, see SR-71. This is aerospace terminology, not ship building.

Chine? Sponson? Strake?

Either I've had a stroke, or I need to buy a dictionary, because this is all Greek to me!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: theinternetftw on 09/09/2019 11:14 pm
Chine? Sponson? Strake?

Either I've had a stroke, or I need to buy a dictionary, because this is all Greek to me!

Even better: flaperons, brakerons, and now a wonderful new member of that group, flegs.

Yes - but - do they need to move the whole "fleg" or would much smaller control surfaces suffice?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 09/10/2019 06:24 am
Chine? Sponson? Strake?

Either I've had a stroke, or I need to buy a dictionary, because this is all Greek to me!

Even better: flaperons, brakerons, and now a wonderful new member of that group, flegs.

Since the goal seems to be to obfuscate words I believe we could do better than that. Lets see what leetspeak can do with that last sentence.  ;D

Quote
3V3N 83TT3r: pHL4P3R0N2, 8R4K3r0N2, 4ND n0w 4 w0ND3RfuL n3W M3M83r 0F th@ 9R0Up, PHl392.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 09/10/2019 09:55 am
Better yet,  Let's challenge ClayJar to come with something using all of these neowordisms.  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 09/10/2019 05:28 pm
Better yet,  Let's challenge ClayJar to come with something using all of these neowordisms.  8)

Challenge accepted, of course.  8)

Coming To Terms

When it comes to nomenclature
    Of big rockets built in nature
Does a lengthy side fin make
    The case for "sponson", perhaps "strake"?
Let us ponder, perhaps whine,
    Both must be wrong, for it's a "chine"!
A "flaperon" for it controls
    Reentry aspect and the rolls
But wait, the wind is not along
    So it must be a "brakeron"
And now widens more the schism
    Some so loathe neologism
Yet dictionaries rarely show
    A recently writ portmanteau
And so, caps doffed, salute our "fleg"1
    And cry, "Names, Elon, please! We beg!"



1 - In Wisconsin, at least near Milwaukee, you can go to the store and come back with an American fleg in your shopping beg.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 09/10/2019 07:27 pm
Bravo, Sir!  You have outdone yourself!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 09/10/2019 08:58 pm
Bravo, Sir!  You have outdone yourself!
Be afraid. Be very very afraid.
The NSF Poet Laureate is on his last leg.
And for shame, he's not even paid
Is that why this poem was such a dreg?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 09/11/2019 06:38 pm
Wait for it...... Flegendary!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 09/11/2019 09:01 pm
Twitters opinion on the latest rocket/satellite conference pictures:
https://twitter.com/romn8tr/status/1171796960623226880
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 09/11/2019 09:58 pm
harsh

(but true?)

Also, here's the party thread poll results...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 09/11/2019 10:26 pm
harsh

(but true?)

Also, here's the party thread poll results...
I think mods can vote more than once.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 09/11/2019 10:27 pm
Twitters opinion on the latest rocket/satellite conference pictures:
https://twitter.com/romn8tr/status/1171796960623226880

"Scratches dinner invitation from her off his bucket list"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 09/11/2019 10:31 pm
harsh

(but true?)

Also, here's the party thread poll results...
I think mods can vote more than once.
Nope. Not unless the poll is set to allow more than one vote (the current one allows 3 because I am testing something). Mods are bound by the same rules as everyone else (except that they can change the rules, but normally should not)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 09/11/2019 10:34 pm
Why not use an actual balloon, though?

There's an iron-clad rule that balloons may never be incorporated into thought experiements.   8)

But what if they are iron-clad balloons?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 09/11/2019 11:31 pm
I have some serious doubts Mk1 will be complete by the 28th. We've seen some canards/wings/fins/etc. on-site, but their actual attachment is a big question mark for the most part. I can imagine them sticking them on the ship somehow for the aesthetics, like they did with the Hopper originally, but having all of the aero surfaces, wings, and legs attached and moving in two and a half weeks? That's a tall order, even for SpaceX.

They don't have to move. They just have to look cool. No one expects Elon to press a big red button to make Starship dance for the crowd.   :D
well... ALMOST no one...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 09/11/2019 11:31 pm
Glad to hear Austin got an invite!  I happened to meet him on site a few months ago and I can report that he is exactly as positive and friendly and passionate about this stuff as you'd guess from his Twitter feed. 

Later, I even captured a rare photo of him in action.  Nobody show his dad (whom I think owns the car). 
Don't worry, I am sure no one saw it, this is just the internet after all...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 09/11/2019 11:54 pm
No one expects Elon to press a big red button to make Starship dance for the crowd.   :D
well... ALMOST no one...

Seriously.  I don't think It's an official rule of the internet but it should be.  There's one of everything on the internet.

Don't make me prove this.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 09/12/2019 12:13 am
Why not use an actual balloon, though?
There's an iron-clad rule that balloons may never be incorporated into thought experiements.   8)
But what if they are iron-clad balloons?

Nope.  No iron-clad balloons.  No balloons made of cellotape.  Cardboard's out, no cardboard derivatives.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 09/12/2019 02:32 am
harsh

(but true?)

Also, here's the party thread poll results...
Wait, I just realized - I created that poll. Oh no - so I started the whole damn Maud(e) thing? Dang, just the other day I was reading this thread and wondering, “What in the hell is all this nonsense about Maude?”

And, of course, “maud” means a higher degree of being mad (according to my prime reference, the Urban Dictionary).

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 09/12/2019 03:53 am
harsh

(but true?)

Also, here's the party thread poll results...
Wait, I just realized - I created that poll. Oh no - so I started the whole damn Maud(e) thing? Dang, just the other day I was reading this thread and wondering, “What in the hell is all this nonsense about Maude?”

And, of course, “maud” means a higher degree of being mad (according to my prime reference, the Urban Dictionary).


Direct from Maude herself
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nrnpRbVacw
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 09/12/2019 07:45 am
There's an error in the latest poll.

* Level of awesomeness of Lar (really, amazingly, or most awesome ever, no other choices needed)
and
* Which user is the most annoying (all writeins)

Are the same option?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 09/12/2019 01:34 pm
Better yet,  Let's challenge ClayJar to come with something using all of these neowordisms.  8)

Challenge accepted, of course.  8)

Coming To Terms

When it comes to nomenclature
    Of big rockets built in nature
Does a lengthy side fin make
    The case for "sponson", perhaps "strake"?
Let us ponder, perhaps whine,
    Both must be wrong, for it's a "chine"!
A "flaperon" for it controls
    Reentry aspect and the rolls
But wait, the wind is not along
    So it must be a "brakeron"
And now widens more the schism
    Some so loathe neologism
Yet dictionaries rarely show
    A recently writ portmanteau
And so, caps doffed, salute our "fleg"1
    And cry, "Names, Elon, please! We beg!"



1 - In Wisconsin, at least near Milwaukee, you can go to the store and come back with an American fleg in your shopping beg.

If there are control surfaces on the front of the ship, might I recommend the acronym
Canard-like Retrograde Air Interface Guidance Surfaces ... or CRAIGS 😁. This might be the only way I get to space.

At least it rhymes with Leg... or legs in this case. Besides, I lived in Wisconsin so I am not going to “beg” for forgiveness. Or even Bag for forgiveness.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 09/12/2019 02:28 pm
Glad to hear Austin got an invite!  I happened to meet him on site a few months ago and I can report that he is exactly as positive and friendly and passionate about this stuff as you'd guess from his Twitter feed. 

Later, I even captured a rare photo of him in action.  Nobody show his dad (whom I think owns the car). 
Don't worry, I am sure no one saw it, this is just the internet after all...

Getting dad's car stuck in Texan marshland: Check.
Standing on dad's car to make photos: Check.
Having dad's car launched to an unspecified orbit as a favour from Mr. Musk: Working on it.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wudizzle on 09/12/2019 02:58 pm
Why people gotta get Interpol involved, anyway?

Asking for a friend.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intelati on 09/12/2019 04:48 pm
Quote
Which user is the most annoying (all writeins)

Lar. Bar none. Hahaha
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 09/12/2019 04:50 pm
Quote
Which user is the most annoying (all writeins)

Lar. Bar none. Hahaha
The bar is not yet open (since Nomadd's out of town)
So you've been disbarred
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 09/12/2019 04:52 pm
No one expects Elon to press a big red button to make Starship dance for the crowd.   :D
well... ALMOST no one...

Seriously.  I don't think It's an official rule of the internet but it should be.  There's one of everything on the internet.

Don't make me prove this.
Rule 34. 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_34_(Internet_meme)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 09/12/2019 06:49 pm
No one expects Elon to press a big red button to make Starship dance for the crowd.   :D
well... ALMOST no one...

Seriously.  I don't think It's an official rule of the internet but it should be.  There's one of everything on the internet.

Don't make me prove this.
Rule 34. 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_34_(Internet_meme)

Yeah ... Rule 34 is subset of the one I was suggesting allowing me to avoid reaching the conclusions explained below.  Though it might be the one that applies depending on exactly how excited you are at the prospect of Starship dancing.

But since you raised it, you bear responsibility for this explication on the matter.  Rule 34 as applied here is this:

Lar "expects Elon to press a big red button to make Starship dance for the crowd."
Therefore someone has created a pr0n-render of you jumping around Boca Chica Village emploring Elon to push the big red button.

ewwwwwwwwwwwwww



Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 09/12/2019 07:39 pm
ewwwww indeed. Aint nobody wants to see that. Except my girlfriends.

and on THAT note...

Nevertheless, I would hold my hose and support SX flying the circus if that meant SLS were canceled -- so in that condition, I'd be in agreement.

Freddo, hold your hose all you want, but FFS don't post about it on NSF.

Also, I'm still in the lead. but by just a tiny bit.... You suckups can do WAY better than that.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: freddo411 on 09/12/2019 10:41 pm
ewwwww indeed. Aint nobody wants to see that. Except my girlfriends.

and on THAT note...

Nevertheless, I would hold my hose and support SX flying the circus if that meant SLS were canceled -- so in that condition, I'd be in agreement.

Freddo, hold your hose all you want, but FFS don't post about it on NSF.

Also, I'm still in the lead. but by just a tiny bit.... You suckups can do WAY better than that.

A typical typo ... but hey, I *WOULD* hold my hose and write about it on NSF if that were a sufficient condition to cancel SLS.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 09/13/2019 08:17 am
No one expects Elon to press a big red button to make Starship dance for the crowd.   :D
well... ALMOST no one...

Seriously.  I don't think It's an official rule of the internet but it should be.  There's one of everything on the internet.

Don't make me prove this.
Rule 34. 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_34_(Internet_meme)

Re-Flight Club.   Elon Musk splicing single frames of reuse pron in space promos since 2002.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tyrred on 09/13/2019 11:24 am
Launches x lunches launched / lunches lost
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 09/13/2019 03:39 pm
I was thinking of buying both Nomadd and Mary a six pack of their respective favourite libations

Be careful with such innocuous-seeming acts of gratitude.   ;) 

Six could get steep.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 09/14/2019 01:56 am
I was thinking of buying both Nomadd and Mary a six pack of their respective favourite libations

Be careful with such innocuous-seeming acts of gratitude.   ;) 

Six could get steep.
That, my friend, is my favorite scotch. I even wrote it into my novel...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: groknull on 09/14/2019 03:40 am
I was thinking of buying both Nomadd and Mary a six pack of their respective favourite libations

Be careful with such innocuous-seeming acts of gratitude.   ;) 

Six could get steep.
That, my friend, is my favorite scotch. I even wrote it into my novel...

Yep...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 09/14/2019 07:42 pm
I do love a Bigelow module as the space nerd I am. But who wrote does not exist on that bulkhead.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 09/14/2019 08:43 pm
I do love a Bigelow module as the space nerd I am. But who wrote “does not exist” on that bulkhead?

Isn’t that the most humorous and appropriate way to phrase that in a Bigelow mock-up?
They could have said “support for 1G ops only” and “non-flight” but maybe someone there is trying to tell us something.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 09/14/2019 09:46 pm
I do love a Bigelow module as the space nerd I am. But who wrote “does not exist” on that bulkhead?

Isn’t that the most humorous and appropriate way to phrase that in a Bigelow mock-up?
They could have said “support for 1G ops only” and “non-flight” but maybe someone there is trying to tell us something.

Can you just imagine the risk here? If somebody bumps their head, they've got to go to the 'doc and say, "I hit my head on a non-existent bulkhead!"

I wonder if they'd be prescribed some non-existent aspirin?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 09/15/2019 02:01 am
I was thinking of buying both Nomadd and Mary a six pack of their respective favourite libations

Be careful with such innocuous-seeming acts of gratitude.   ;) 

Six could get steep.
That, my friend, is my favorite scotch. I even wrote it into my novel...

*nudges old Johnny Walker Red box under the couch*
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 09/15/2019 02:35 am
I was thinking of buying both Nomadd and Mary a six pack of their respective favourite libations

Be careful with such innocuous-seeming acts of gratitude.   ;) 

Six could get steep.
That, my friend, is my favorite scotch. I even wrote it into my novel...

*nudges old Johnny Walker Red box under the couch*
In the world of tech diving, every critical system needs a backup...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 09/16/2019 01:34 am
I could see having a thread somewhere (in general?) for "how to be an effective contributor in NSF forums" ... but although there is a lot of good advice above, this isn't that thread.

^^^ the above is what Phil calls my brass knuckles.   OK... fine.

With an iron fist,
in a velvet glove.
We are sheltered
under the gun.
In the glory game
on the power train
Thy mod Lar's will be done

Profuse apologies.  My favorite rock band is more controversial than contemporary US politics.   8) ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 09/16/2019 06:15 am

I could see having a thread somewhere (in general?) for "how to be an effective contributor in NSF forums" ... but although there is a lot of good advice above, this isn't that thread.

It's all BS anyhow. You put in well over 15 minutes a day, and somebody takes your place just because she has a better camera, is a better photographer, works at it fifty times as hard as you ever did and doesn't take two month long walkabouts whenever she feels like it. It isn't fair.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 09/16/2019 01:54 pm
It's all BS anyhow. You put in well over 15 minutes a day, and somebody takes your place just because she has a better camera, is a better photographer, works at it fifty times as hard as you ever did and doesn't take two month long walkabouts whenever she feels like it. It isn't fair.

Gender-Accolades Gap   >:(
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 09/17/2019 02:33 pm
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1173872132880662528

Tatooine? I do not recall a mention of tidal marshlands on Tatooine. This is a worrying sign that Elon does not have his planet identification skills nailed down to a safe level. Landing a passenger Starship on the wrong planet - what a disaster! But at least we got confirmation that the giant r2 unit is in fact a droid. Just not the one we were looking for.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: LaunchedIn68 on 09/20/2019 01:47 pm
Its quiet.  Too quiet.  :-X
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wudizzle on 09/20/2019 02:26 pm

I know that metal rings have good compression (downward through the walls) strength, but I would think that the superheavy would need to be pressurized in order to support the weight of Starship on top without buckling?

Vertical stringers are run on the inside of the tanks.
Sort of like how your house is constructed with 2x4's running vertically.

So, what you're saying is........

my house is a spaceship?!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: rsdavis9 on 09/20/2019 02:31 pm

I know that metal rings have good compression (downward through the walls) strength, but I would think that the superheavy would need to be pressurized in order to support the weight of Starship on top without buckling?

Vertical stringers are run on the inside of the tanks.
Sort of like how your house is constructed with 2x4's running vertically.

So, what you're saying is........

my house is a spaceship?!

So what does the average house weigh 40 tonnes(without foundation)? So a single raptor could make my house fly!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: pb2000 on 09/20/2019 02:54 pm
I was thinking of buying both Nomadd and Mary a six pack of their respective favourite libations

Be careful with such innocuous-seeming acts of gratitude.   ;) 

Six could get steep.
Can't find the sherry oak, but a 6 pack of the normal 18 year should be doable.

https://www.findrarewhisky.com/macallan-scotch-18yr-50.html
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 09/20/2019 08:12 pm
Anyone else finding themselves marginally off-put by other tribe's names for Starship Hardware a la the way groups in the Walking Dead had different terms for Walkers?

This is serious business and LabPadre's Tribe sillifying Starship Hardware with names like Hoppy and Orby is chapping my HQs.

:o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DistantTemple on 09/20/2019 08:23 pm
Anyone else finding themselves marginally off-put by other tribe's names for Starship Hardware a la the way groups in the Walking Dead had different terms for Walkers?

This is serious business and LabPadre's Tribe sillifying Starship Hardware with names like Hoppy and Orby is chapping my HQs.

:o
Yes, these terms fleece up my engineering sense. You can't fill a cuddly toy with Liquid Oxygen, as it would cause cold burns to its cuddler. And if a thoughtful child experimented with lighting facsimile engines, made in fabric, any such oxidizer or fuel would lead inevitably to a RUD, endangering said scientist, in the extremely likely scenario that s/he was not observing the correct exclusion zone. Any way the combustion chamber, and the throat,  would have an unsuitable modulus of elasticity, incompatible with the advertised chamber pressure.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 09/21/2019 05:16 pm
Credit: LabPadre LiveStream (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFwMITSkc1Fms6PoJoh1OUQ )

He's gone a little Mad Scientist with the Picture-in-Picture on the Live Stream.   
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: groknull on 09/21/2019 05:43 pm
Credit: LabPadre LiveStream (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFwMITSkc1Fms6PoJoh1OUQ )

He's gone a little Mad Scientist with the Picture-in-Picture on the Live Stream.

At last we know what the "windbreak" is for... drive-in movie screen.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DistantTemple on 09/21/2019 07:33 pm
Will Elon do the same for the presentation. It could be an SX festival, with music all night with that screen. And if they demo an engine it'll beat Burning Man..... ideally with no burning men and women, or marshland.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: theinternetftw on 09/21/2019 07:58 pm
I figure it's only a matter of time before these guys are added for live commentary.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: lonestriker on 09/21/2019 09:32 pm
Credit: LabPadre LiveStream (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFwMITSkc1Fms6PoJoh1OUQ )

He's gone a little Mad Scientist with the Picture-in-Picture on the Live Stream.

It's an Inception style, picture-in-picture-in-picture.  If we get a few more recursions, we might blow the simulation that we're all living in and pop out of the Matrix.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 09/22/2019 08:27 am
I figure it's only a matter of time before these guys are added for live commentary.

I really miss the original.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 09/22/2019 01:29 pm
I figure it's only a matter of time before these guys are added for live commentary.

I really miss the original.

(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/7e/53/32/7e5332ca1718a0e15788614013a981d4.jpg)
How original?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 09/22/2019 02:32 pm
I figure it's only a matter of time before these guys are added for live commentary.

I really miss the original.


Second FWING going up this morning Watch LabPadre on YouTube for live coverage.

Somebody mention MST3K to LP and remind him that proper accreditation of screen caps requires a link here.   : ;D 8) :o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 09/23/2019 03:32 am
Regarding Elon Musk's big Sept. 28th presentation;

I suspect it's like how The Boring Company came to be. Few took the initial tweets seriously. Then, the announcement was made.

I think that will happen in the 28th is similar. Elon will announce a new company, developed in plain sight: The Self-transporting Water Tower Company.  Water Towers will be built at Cocoa and Boca Chica, then launched to their installation sites.

As part of the presentation, there will be a surprise 3rd flight of Starhopper, to Boca Chica Village. It's known that they need a water tower.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 09/24/2019 10:06 pm
Air Force confident NDAA will back its launch procurement strategy..

by Sandra Erwin — September 18, 2019

Lt. Gen. John Thompson: “I will categorically state that there is absolutely no bias against the commercial providers in the source selection process."

https://spacenews.com/air-force-confident-ndaa-will-back-its-launch-procurement-strategy/

Me: *rises an eye brow*

He didn't actually categorically state that. He just said he WILL... ...at some point...

Also, which providers are non-commercial? Asking for a friend.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 09/24/2019 10:07 pm
In other news the poll results are in.

 My three votes came in 1,2,3... how about that.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DistantTemple on 09/25/2019 12:25 am
Will SS/SH be unreasonably cheap?

ping
ping

First define the meaning of cheap. It is impossible to be cheep, because SpaceX is not cheap, so they cannot make anything Cheep.

The best flying machines have been around for 81m years. They are organic, and self replicate from a base 4 organic computer memory system. Sometimes they are considered cheap, however it would be extraordinarily expensive for a new vendor to attempt to replicate even the simplest of them, and with today's technology they would certainly fail.

Although proven not cheep, it is a quirk of resonant cavity physics that they coordinate joint operations by means of cheeping. However their inter-unit relative speed and position sensing instruments, have supported coordinated movements of many thousand units.

Maybe this is coincidence, or perhaps the sense of humour of the original developer (OD), that these high multi-unit coordinated aerial displays, have come to be labelled with another word for meaning communicated by vibrated air - "murmur", an instance, as a noun, "a murmuration"

The OP has made an astounding error in using the word "unreasonably" in the thread title. It is impossible to construct rockets and spacecraft in a state of un-reason. This state is a covert "state within a state" in Washington, where there is no Space industry.

Compared with the OD, SpaceX's progress is about 6 orders of magnitude faster. This has been achieved through using non self-reproducing materials for their flight vehicles. Instead human direct management is needed to advanced design, management, and construction. Once the necessary programs can be run on silicon instead of biological computing units, humans will be freed from this task.

At that point it will be their role to steer their seemingly cheap (now it is progressing automatically) expansion into space, so that it does not bankrupt and obliterate the wonders that the OD produced.

The real question that the OP failed to ask, is "Will Elon Musk and SpaceX take the place of the Original Developer in the expansion and development of embodied consciousness? How long the costs will have to be amortised over? And whether we will be able to repay the (forgotten) "debt of our existence". There is a risk of breaking links with the OD, who may withdraw her venture capital and allow the Earth/Biosphere/Human project to fail, and reboot from an early safe state.

In Human terms this could be considered an unreasonably expensive outcome.

In unpicking such a rapid unexpected, devastation, the programming errors leading to the OP's misunderstanding of "unreasonable cheap", IMO will be found to be symptomatic of the general code faults somehow inserted into  "supposedly human" mentation that failed to value, understand and care for the said Earth/Biosphere/Human project, or to maintain a connection to the OD.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 09/25/2019 12:31 am
Will SS/SH be unreasonably cheap?

ping
ping

First define the meaning of cheap. It is impossible to be cheep, because SpaceX is not cheap, so they cannot make anything Cheep.

LMAO!!!  But I need to point out Cheep and Cheap are different things.  Cheap flying machines cheep but that doesn't mean any National Space Agency can go out and make one.

*sigh*  That whole thing was sad.  Now you know why I coined the term #HyperliteralParsingDerangementSyndrome
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DistantTemple on 09/25/2019 12:39 am
The madness is spreading.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 09/25/2019 10:15 am
Will SS/SH be unreasonably cheap?

ping
ping


snippity snip
.....
There is a risk of breaking links with the OD, who may withdraw her venture capital and allow the Earth/Biosphere/Human project to fail, and reboot from an early safe state.

snip snippity


You just earned a chuckle and a pat on the head from the OD..... But fear the knowing wink.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 09/25/2019 02:07 pm
Will SS/SH be unreasonably cheap?

ping
ping

First define the meaning of cheap. It is impossible to be cheep, because SpaceX is not cheap, so they cannot make anything Cheep.
(snippppppp)
Channelling speedevil.... I think I either took too much acid, or not enough acid, this morning to really understand this post.

(for extra credit, why doesn't the link to the quoted ping-ping work. I know why....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 09/25/2019 02:09 pm
The madness is spreading.
If you mean the comments section on the live coverage of Soyuz MS-15 on YouTube - then you are correct. Never seen such a bunch of Hoaxtards and Flattards in my life... >:( :'(
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Eer on 09/25/2019 02:12 pm
Watching the LabPadre stream of the matchup between the payload faring and nosecone at Boca Chica, saw an auspicious visitor fly by just as they were aligning the nosecone.  Put this here so it wouldn't clutter up the updates thread.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 09/25/2019 02:26 pm
I am not an engineer, just a space amazing people, so question: Am i reading this tweet right, that potentially Starship depending on return from where could do several orbits all the while aero breaking in the atmosphere?

I really, HONESTLY hope the StarShip never undergoes aero breaking.

Even if it does so while aerobraking.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 09/25/2019 02:33 pm
I am not an engineer, just a space amazing people, so question: Am i reading this tweet right, that potentially Starship depending on return from where could do several orbits all the while aero breaking in the atmosphere?

I really, HONESTLY hope the StarShip never undergoes aero breaking.

Even if it does so while aerobraking.



Breakdancing maybe, but no breaking, please.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 09/25/2019 03:16 pm
It looks like they are just tack welding a lot of the final detail pieces like the chimes.
Chimes? So it's not a water tank, not a spaceship, but actually a very large carillion!!!! You might even say it was a bellwether for future construction techniques....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 09/25/2019 04:01 pm
It looks like they are just tack welding a lot of the final detail pieces like the chimes.
Chimes? So it's not a water tank, not a spaceship, but actually a very large carillion!!!! You might even say it was a bellwether for future construction techniques....

Nothing new. My ancestors with an early StarShip prototype. They were steampunk before it was cool.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 09/25/2019 06:19 pm
It looks like they are just tack welding a lot of the final detail pieces like the chimes.
Chimes? So it's not a water tank, not a spaceship, but actually a very large carillion!!!! You might even say it was a bellwether for future construction techniques....

Ooh! 
Good one Or bad one.  Whichever is taken as a compliment.
(Couldn't help but chime in.)

PS Isn't "aero breaking" the same as breaking wind?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: toren on 09/25/2019 06:33 pm

PS Isn't "aero breaking" the same as breaking wind?

The whole system's built on methane, what do you expect?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 09/25/2019 08:19 pm
Isn't this in Texas? Yeah, with that thing parked by the road it's only a matter of time before its used for target practice...[/size]
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: pb2000 on 09/25/2019 10:26 pm
Isn't this in Texas? Yeah, with that thing parked by the road it's only a matter of time before its used for target practice...[/size]
In the old location, you could walk around the back side and be close enough to throw a rock at it.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 09/25/2019 10:43 pm
Isn't this in Texas? Yeah, with that thing parked by the road it's only a matter of time before its used for target practice...[/size]
In the old location, you could walk around the back side and be close enough to throw a rock at it.
Lol - if that big boy was in the part of Boston where I live, it would already have been tagged. Hell, I mean, this is in my living room...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 09/25/2019 11:31 pm
Isn't this in Texas? Yeah, with that thing parked by the road it's only a matter of time before its used for target practice...[/size]
That's how they're making the transpiration pores.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DistantTemple on 09/25/2019 11:39 pm
Isn't this in Texas? Yeah, with that thing parked by the road it's only a matter of time before its used for target practice...[/size]
That's how they're making the transpiration pores.
There is no need for transpiration pores on a motorbike.

The motorbike cannot be seen from the top of the ULA building.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: pb2000 on 09/26/2019 12:49 am
Isn't this in Texas? Yeah, with that thing parked by the road it's only a matter of time before its used for target practice...[/size]
In the old location, you could walk around the back side and be close enough to throw a rock at it.
Lol - if that big boy was in the part of Boston where I live, it would already have been tagged. Hell, I mean, this is in my living room...
You could probably try tagging it, but sneaking around there at night risks a visit from CBP (if you're lucky they might even bring a German Shepard that you can play chase with).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 09/26/2019 06:52 pm
Isn't this in Texas? Yeah, with that thing parked by the road it's only a matter of time before its used for target practice...[/size]
In the old location, you could walk around the back side and be close enough to throw a rock at it.
Lol - if that big boy was in the part of Boston where I live, it would already have been tagged. Hell, I mean, this is in my living room...
You could probably try tagging it, but sneaking around there at night risks a visit from CBP (if you're lucky they might even bring a German Shepard that you can play chase with).

Good chance to practice your language skillz:

"Aus!!!   Sitz!!    So ist's brav. Hier, hast ein Leckerlie!"

(hint, bring enough doggy treats for all the guard dogs ... and the guards, too ;) )
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 09/26/2019 10:01 pm
And all of a sudden we see cranial surgery being performed!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 09/27/2019 09:05 am
And all of a sudden we see cranial surgery being performed!

In the southern Texas wildlife sanctuary you see many exotic birds lately. Vultures, Pelicans, various Raptors, Merlins, ...

and now even a flock of cranes...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 09/27/2019 10:49 am
Re: huge cranes and lifts:
The size of a thing is limited only by the reach of our tools and the size of our imaginations.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 09/27/2019 10:44 pm
The Astronaut Farmer is making his way over to check out what his newbie neighbors have been building...
(In case you don't get the reference):
https://www.denverpost.com/2007/02/21/texas-dad-builds-a-rocket-and-shoots-for-orbit/
https://www.space.com/3416-mercury-atlas-rocket-takes-center-stage-astronaut-farmer.html

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tyrred on 09/27/2019 11:48 pm
You can see the feet clearly in this pic.

You can also clearly see the launch escape tower!

And they said it would never happen...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 09/28/2019 12:08 am
Starship presentation tomorrow!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 09/28/2019 12:12 am
You can see the feet clearly in this pic.

You can also clearly see the launch escape tower!

And they said it would never happen...
You believe this nonsense? There's never been anything out there but a trailer full of guys doing CGI. 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 09/28/2019 04:26 pm
Well Musk picked a college football weekend.  Got to watch the game.  Well watch the You Tube version later. 
Sorry but we are going to need your space cadet credentials.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 09/28/2019 07:42 pm
As usual I’m running opinion rich and fact lean.

If not already, this is now officially ORFL (pronounced "orful"  as like an intentionally peculiar pronunciation of "awful")
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Bananas_on_Mars on 09/28/2019 07:58 pm
As comments about Elon Time will undoubtedly crop up after the presentation, here's an interview with Elon Musk where he's talking about a crewed landing on Mars by 2025 - in 2010.

About 4:35 Minutes in (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xjgAH6tZBM)

I would say he's just about on schedule with Starship and Superheavy.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 09/28/2019 08:37 pm
Currently fascinated by the site prep for the presentation.  There really ought to be a pre-show show.  Come on Elon, get it together!

Definitely could use something like College Game Day on ESPN.  An all-day event some of the regulars from the webcasts would be outstanding.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: sghill on 09/29/2019 01:11 am
Man! Even the briefing is two years later than they said it'd be!!!  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 09/29/2019 01:17 am
As comments about Elon Time will undoubtedly crop up after the presentation, here's an interview with Elon Musk where he's talking about a crewed landing on Mars by 2025 - in 2010.

I would say he's just about on schedule with Starship and Superheavy.

It's like some weird quantum phenomenon - the details of the execution are weird as hell and even more crazy the closer you look, but on a larger scale he's been incredibly accurate about his plans. The target after taking over Tesla was 500,000 cars/year by 2020, too. Maybe the short-term craziness is why he does hit those incredible long-term goals.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cebri on 09/29/2019 01:52 pm
"Did Jim meant SLS or CCP?"

Shots fired.

https://edition.cnn.com/videos/business/2019/09/29/elon-musk-starship-interview-orig.cnn
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 09/29/2019 02:20 pm
Quote
The feeling when Starship might fly before the SLS.

Found it here
https://twitter.com/ChrisG_NSF/status/1178304112913534982
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: launchwatcher on 09/29/2019 04:06 pm
We are past the conversation of how SpaceX is going to pay for this development.  This is a long way from 2017 steal underpants.
Yep, given his newfound enthusiasm about Starship's metal, he's now into stainless steel underpants.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mongo62 on 09/29/2019 04:13 pm
We are past the conversation of how SpaceX is going to pay for this development.  This is a long way from 2017 steal underpants.
Yep, given his newfound enthusiasm about Starship's metal, he's now into stainless steel underpants.
They call him "Iron Man" for a reason.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 09/29/2019 04:14 pm
Dat face. Even in the Party Thread Elon just has to crank it up to 11. :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 09/29/2019 05:51 pm
I feel sure they'll test-cycle the canard and wing actuators prior to launch, same way they run the engine gimbals.
With the cryo vapour and the hissing of prop venting, it'll be a veritable Silver Dragon ;-)

A periodically articulating "jaw" on top to flare off the methane would be epic.  Prolly be good to pipe in a sound effect cause I'm not sure the flare itself would be realistic (that isn't quite the right) enough to proper simulate a Dragon.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 10/01/2019 04:34 am
Just remembered one more thing I asked the boss. Apparently, Cranezilla in the warehouse on LBJ was ordered when they intended to launch Falcons there, and is now just sitting around, waiting for a purpose.
 I can't remember who found this photo, but it does look like the one.

 I also suggested that free Model X's would soothe a lot of hurt feelings, but none have arrived yet.

Well, If I were a BC resident I would MAKE SURE any buyout deal includes full coverage of new home with Tesla Solar, a Model S P100D w/Ludicrous+ Update . . . or a Tesla Roadster 2020.

How about a compromise; instead of a Roadster 2020, how about a real piece of history, a classic Telsa roadster? Used, a bit high milage, cherry-red and owned by Elon himself? Recipient is responsible for picking it up... 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 10/01/2019 05:22 am
Just remembered one more thing I asked the boss. Apparently, Cranezilla in the warehouse on LBJ was ordered when they intended to launch Falcons there, and is now just sitting around, waiting for a purpose.
 I can't remember who found this photo, but it does look like the one.

 I also suggested that free Model X's would soothe a lot of hurt feelings, but none have arrived yet.

Well, If I were a BC resident I would MAKE SURE any buyout deal includes full coverage of new home with Tesla Solar, a Model S P100D w/Ludicrous+ Update . . . or a Tesla Roadster 2020.

How about a compromise; instead of a Roadster 2020, how about a real piece of history, a classic Telsa roadster? Used, a bit high milage, cherry-red and owned by Elon himself? Recipient is responsible for picking it up... 
Jeff would have delivered it for free.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: punder on 10/01/2019 05:23 pm
Somebody please please please make this t-shirt for me.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: catdlr on 10/04/2019 04:20 am
Nice CGI video

Homemade SpaceX Starship Launch And Landing Simulation

https://youtu.be/LPTgvU5PTMA
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 10/04/2019 04:10 pm
Flashback to 2017:
FWIW the document indicates no significant harrassment of marine mammals from ASDS landings.  So even if landings are limited during harbor pup season, it would only be RTLS that would be affected. The core wouldn't be expended.
Yeah, the harassment occurs mainly to animals that are on the beach and scared into the water by the sonic booms and landing burn noise.
I thought the harassment was mainly in the form of capturing seals, strapping them to boards, putting headphones on them, and playing boom sounds to see how they react.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 10/04/2019 04:51 pm
Flashback to 2017:
FWIW the document indicates no significant harrassment of marine mammals from ASDS landings.  So even if landings are limited during harbor pup season, it would only be RTLS that would be affected. The core wouldn't be expended.
Yeah, the harassment occurs mainly to animals that are on the beach and scared into the water by the sonic booms and landing burn noise.
I thought the harassment was mainly in the form of capturing seals, strapping them to boards, putting headphones on them, and playing boom sounds to see how they react.
No (additional) seals were harmed in the making of this joke. All the test subjects are now metalheads though....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 10/04/2019 05:15 pm
Flashback to 2017:
FWIW the document indicates no significant harrassment of marine mammals from ASDS landings.  So even if landings are limited during harbor pup season, it would only be RTLS that would be affected. The core wouldn't be expended.
Yeah, the harassment occurs mainly to animals that are on the beach and scared into the water by the sonic booms and landing burn noise.
I thought the harassment was mainly in the form of capturing seals, strapping them to boards, putting headphones on them, and playing boom sounds to see how they react.
No (additional) seals were harmed in the making of this joke. All the test subjects are now metalheads though....
Except for one who got into a testers stash. He now worships Jerry Garcia.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 10/04/2019 05:18 pm
No (additional) seals were harmed in the making of this joke. All the test subjects are now metalheads though....
"Welcome to the Kelp Forest"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 10/05/2019 05:53 am
Nice CGI video

Homemade SpaceX Starship Launch And Landing Simulation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPTgvU5PTMA

Sometimes a paint can is just a paint can.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 10/05/2019 06:29 pm
Nice CGI video

Homemade SpaceX Starship Launch And Landing Simulation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPTgvU5PTMA

Sometimes a paint can is just a paint can.

This is brilliant! Thank you for posting.
The whimpering dog was pure genius.
They only got one thing wrong though; that's the older version of Starship. On the newer one, the handle is a little further down.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Robotbeat on 10/06/2019 01:30 pm
This meme works on so many levels.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 10/07/2019 04:02 pm
So I'm over on the DreamChaser update page and I see the image of the DC Cargo module in that blue frame...

and all I can think is Cement Mixer...

Somemedium get in touch with Andy Griffith!  The Vulture exists!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 10/08/2019 02:36 pm
https://twitter.com/SciGuySpace/status/1181572161917607948

It's mid-2020. No one knows how to get to the ISS. In Boca Chica, one experimental Starship is ready...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 10/09/2019 09:18 pm
Fin removed:

https://twitter.com/BocaChicaGal/status/1182032269256675330

De-fin-itely proven true based on the photographic evidence.. ::)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DistantTemple on 10/10/2019 07:04 pm
Is the Dear Moon mission passing the moon close enough to drop a lander on the lunar surface?

If that is the case, you could put Bezos' Blue Moon lander in the cargo bay and drop it.
That would give you a  full Earth to Moon/ Moon to Earth pathway without the need for refuelling in orbit.
Yes it would be fairly easy although it would make a large crater on impact.

At the rate BO is going, it will be a virtual crater. Also It will be extremely easy to loft as it probably fits comfortable of a 64Gb memory stick.

A benefit will be that its impact will not put any ejecta into orbit.

By maybe 2024, SX could land a BO "qualification test article" of its lander, if that is available, rather than one made of mirrors. (since smoke is not possible the obvious journalistic slights will not be a problem).

(Ideally the test article should have the correct dimensions and mass, although it may not be necessary to wait for full functionality of most systems, this being just a stage in the design process)

SX astronauts could run tests on it on the lunar surface, before shipping it back for display in a rocket garden.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 10/10/2019 07:58 pm
Is the Dear Moon mission passing the moon close enough to drop a lander on the lunar surface?

If that is the case, you could put Bezos' Blue Moon lander in the cargo bay and drop it.
That would give you a  full Earth to Moon/ Moon to Earth pathway without the need for refuelling in orbit.
Yes it would be fairly easy although it would make a large crater on impact.

At the rate BO is going, it will be a virtual crater. Also It will be extremely easy to loft as it probably fits comfortable of a 64Gb memory stick.

A benefit will be that its impact will not put any ejecta into orbit.

By maybe 2024, SX could land a BO "qualification test article" of its lander, if that is available, rather than one made of mirrors. (since smoke is not possible the obvious journalistic slights will not be a problem).

(Ideally the test article should have the correct dimensions and mass, although it may not be necessary to wait for full functionality of most systems, this being just a stage in the design process)

SX astronauts could run tests on it on the lunar surface, before shipping it back for display in a rocket garden.

Now let's not be spiteful, in fact I have secured images of BOs progress on their next launcher.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 10/11/2019 03:29 am
De-fin-itely proven true based on the photographic e-fin-dence. ::)
FTFY, HTH, HAND.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 10/12/2019 05:30 am
Caption this  ;D
(https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=49241.0;attach=1587967;sess=19077)
jim_ musk_whisper.jpg (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=49241.0;attach=1587967;sess=19077)

Musk: "Jim, would you like to do a check ride to the ISS?"  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 10/12/2019 05:56 am
Caption this  ;D
Jim: “What would you do for a Klondike bar?”
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 10/12/2019 02:49 pm
There needs to be a launch soon.  I'm having serious withdraw symptoms.

Hopefully once it gets going again we never have to live through a drought like this again.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 10/12/2019 03:43 pm
Caption this  ;D
(https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=49241.0;attach=1587967;sess=19077)
Elon: Ah you know, ah,  i am actually considering renaming the landing burn into "chili fart mode".
Jim: Jea that would - - - wait what?!?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DistantTemple on 10/13/2019 02:24 pm
What is the minimum diameter needed to simulate gravity by rotating?
A different solution would be to send two of these ships together feathered together and rotating.  That way they could be sufficiently far away from each other to have positive artificial gravity effect without the negative movement feeling.

As a thought.
There is extensive discussion of using tethers, nose to nose, side-by-side etc in many threads. However there has only been limited discussion of feathers. Some talk of dragon scales, and membranes to aid re-entry.

As feathers have no molecules to push against they at first seem ineffective.

Edit ...  However extremely large wings could sail on light. It is unclear if feathers are necessary for this. Previous observations from those standing on the threshold of the infinite (ie space/life) have described feathered wings "of light". Many scientists have lacked the sensitivity to embrace such experiences. Beings able to make yse of such appendages, seem to be able to cope without the need for spaceships.

Your idea of Starships being joined by feathers, doesn't seem to have an immediate practical application.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 10/13/2019 03:39 pm
In our boredom waiting for the next launch I propose occupying ourselves with a challenge re-writing the words to the song “what does the fox say”
The key being substitute LOX for Fox. Bonus for all the launch and SpaceX terms you can include like CH4, tank, rocket cows (of course), star hopper or grasshopper, starship super heavy, launch countdown participants, famous individuals at  SpaceX, etc.

Good luck... and sorry for sticking an ear worm in your head. I would love the folks that did launch you up to make another parody song out of this.

Modified to provide link to YouTube of original video.

https://youtu.be/jofNR_WkoCE
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: yokem55 on 10/14/2019 04:04 am
In our boredom waiting for the next launch I propose occupying ourselves with a challenge re-writing the words to the song “what does the fox say”
The key being substitute LOX for Fox. Bonus for all the launch and SpaceX terms you can include like CH4, tank, rocket cows (of course), star hopper or grasshopper, starship super heavy, launch countdown participants, famous individuals at  SpaceX, etc.

Good luck... and sorry for sticking an ear worm in your head. I would love the folks that did launch you up to make another parody song out of this.
Once we're done with that we need to finish the lyrics to Sir Launch-Alot's 'We like big boosters and we cannot lie' ...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 10/14/2019 06:21 pm
Quote
Good news from #Mars! Confirmed!

 After 3 cm progress, it appears the @DLR_de
 ‘Mole’ on @NASAInSight
 was not stopped in its tracks by a rock under the Martian surface but had in fact lost friction.
https://twitter.com/DLR_en/status/1183734797165875200

Meanwhile, on Mars Equus...

Beware the Dread Maulwarf!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fz-3KaVUm-U
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 10/15/2019 01:00 pm
Very good analysis! Yes, JCSAT-16 will be <redacted L2 info>.

Will that be after it's retrieved from orbit by Starship?  (Sorry, had to.)

I think we have L2 indication of a new business model for SpaceX.

Use Starship (chomper version) to remove a satellite from orbit - for example to avoid having to do collission avoidance with StarLink

Then, if the sat in question was still operational (or even if not, since it can easily be repaired once its brought safely to the ground) charge the owner to bring it back into orbit using F9 (and F9 pricing) which is still cheapest in the market.

This creates a secondary income for financing Starship, reduces the debris issue, and keeps F9 utilized enough to remain profitable until Starship has enough flight heritage to convince the more conservative customers (DoD, NASA human missions, etc...)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 10/16/2019 01:31 am
Hell of a sunset :)

If it were morning instead of evening, I could imagine Robert Duvall squatting and picking shells out of the Boca Chica beach sands while futuristic quad-copters cross feet-dry blasting John Williams orchestral scores at the natives and waxing long on the olfactrics of methane.

Picture Credit: Capture from LabPadre
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 10/17/2019 04:10 pm
By the time Starshop flies crew,
Starshop on Mars sounds like a whole thread in its own right.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: theinternetftw on 10/18/2019 05:58 pm
By the time Starshop flies crew,
Starshop on Mars sounds like a whole thread in its own right.

Before they work on that, they'll make a prototype Starshopper.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 10/18/2019 11:00 pm
There is something about a Starship in the sunset that really makes you feel alive. So I had to make this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orwd86NcEl8

Music by John Williams, Binary sunset I believe its called.
The photo is from this forum but I'm sad to say i don't know who took it.

Edit:
I just got a copyright strike for the music. According to that the music is called The Princess Appears I guess i shall have to return my nerd-badge now  :-X
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 10/19/2019 11:41 pm
By the time Starshop flies crew,
Starshop on Mars sounds like a whole thread in its own right.

Before they work on that, they'll make a prototype Starshopper.

I'm a bit confused as to the mission profile for that variant. Okay, so, Starhopper does rocket-powered hops. Starship flies to orbit and beyond. Starshopper goes shopping. How? Does to land in and take off from  parking lots? That's quite doable, but then how does it go inside the store to do the actual shopping? Isn't it a bit too big to fit through the store's door?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: D_Dom on 10/20/2019 03:32 am
I read that differently... not shop as in going to the mall. Its all about workshop.  Becoming space faring has always required facilities.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-p1hxvPOIhE
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 10/20/2019 07:30 pm
In our boredom waiting for the next launch I propose occupying ourselves with a challenge re-writing the words to the song “what does the fox say”
The key being substitute LOX for Fox. Bonus for all the launch and SpaceX terms you can include like CH4, tank, rocket cows (of course), star hopper or grasshopper, starship super heavy, launch countdown participants, famous individuals at  SpaceX, etc.

Good luck... and sorry for sticking an ear worm in your head. I would love the folks that did launch you up to make another parody song out of this.

Modified to provide link to YouTube of original video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jofNR_WkoCE

Ok no takers so I have to put my poor attempt  here:

When rockets launch...
CE goes "woof"
CC goes "meow"
The AVI they “tweet”
And MM goes "squeak “
ROCket cow goes “moo”
FSPO goes “don’t croak"
And the GNC goes "toot"
VC say "quack"
And Prop go "blub"
And the SE goes "ow ow ow"
But there's one sound
That no one knows
What does the LOX say?
"Ring-ding-ding-ding-dingeringeding!
Gering-ding-ding-ding-dingeringeding!
Gering-ding-ding-ding-dingeringeding!"
What the LOX say?
"Wa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pow!
Wa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pow!
Wa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pow!"
What the LOX say?
"Hatee-hatee-ho2!
Hatee-hatee-ho2!
Hatee-hatee-ho2!"
What the LOX say?
"Joff-ch4-ch4-ch4-chh4!
tchoff-tchoffo-tchoffo-tchoff!"
What the LOX say?
Big grey size
Pointy nose (cone)
Building pads
And digging holes (for Mars habitats)
LANDING claws
Up the hill
Suddenly you're standing still
Your wings are gray
So beautiful
Like an angel in disguise
But if you find
Your orbit course
Will you communicate by
Mo-o-o-o-orse?
Mo-o-o-o-orse?
Mo-o-o-o-orse?
How will you speak of that
Cor-or-or-or-orse?
Cor-or-or-or-orse?
Cor-or-or-or-orse?
What does the LOX say?
"Jacha-chacha-chacha-chow!
Chacha-chacha-chacha-chow!
Chacha-chacha-chacha-chow!"
What the LOX say?
"Fraka-kaka-kaka-kaka-kow!
Fraka-kaka-kaka-kaka-kow!
Fraka-kaka-kaka-kaka-kow!"
What the LOX say?
"A-hee-ahee ha-hee!
A-hee-ahee ha-hee!
A-hee-ahee ha-hee!"
What the LOX say?
"A-oo-oo-oo-ooo!
Woo-oo-oo-ooo!"
What does the LOX say?
The secret of the LOX
Ancient mystery
Somewhere deep in the tank
I know you're hiding
What is your sound?
Will we ever know?
Will always be a mystery
What do you say?
You're my guardian angel
Hiding in the tanks
What is your sound?
(Wa-wa-way-do, wub-wid-bid-dum-way-do, wa-wa-way-do)
Will we ever know? (Bay-budabud-dum-bam)
I want to (Mama-dum-day-do) I want to, I want to know!
(Abay-ba-da bum-bum bay-do)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 10/21/2019 06:51 pm
 I might have to reconsider the buyout. My voicemail to text app on the phone has the realtor asking if I have any questions about the space sex offer.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Semmel on 10/21/2019 07:06 pm
I might have to reconsider the buyout. My voicemail to text app on the phone has the realtor asking if I have any questions about the space sex offer.

LOL just remember, any action induces an equal and opposite reaction ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 10/21/2019 11:14 pm
I might have to reconsider the buyout. My voicemail to text app on the phone has the realtor asking if I have any questions about the space sex offer.

LOL just remember, any action induces an equal and opposite reaction ;)

Weather you're berthing or docking, for safety reason you should always consider a tethered bond ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 10/23/2019 06:08 am
Just got to say....

If you showed me a picture of THIS, and asked what is was to be used for

(https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/assets/49114.0/1590516.jpg)

I would NEVER have guessed "Reuseable Spaceship".
Not in a million years would I have thought that!

The SpaceX Starship design philosophy is definitely HEAVY METAL
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 10/24/2019 11:20 pm
In our boredom waiting for the next launch I propose occupying ourselves with a challenge re-writing the words to the song “what does the fox say”
The key being substitute LOX for Fox. Bonus for all the launch and SpaceX terms you can include like CH4, tank, rocket cows (of course), star hopper or grasshopper, starship super heavy, launch countdown participants, famous individuals at  SpaceX, etc.

Good luck... and sorry for sticking an ear worm in your head. I would love the folks that did launch you up to make another parody song out of this.

Modified to provide link to YouTube of original video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jofNR_WkoCE

Ok no takers so I have to put my poor attempt  here:

When rockets launch...
CE goes "woof"
CC goes "meow"
The AVI they “tweet”
And MM goes "squeak “
ROCket cow goes “moo”
FSPO goes “don’t croak"
And the GNC goes "toot"
VC say "quack"
And Prop go "blub"
And the SE goes "ow ow ow"
But there's one sound
That no one knows
What does the LOX say?
"Ring-ding-ding-ding-dingeringeding!
Gering-ding-ding-ding-dingeringeding!
Gering-ding-ding-ding-dingeringeding!"
What the LOX say?
"Wa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pow!
Wa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pow!
Wa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pow!"
What the LOX say?
"Hatee-hatee-ho2!
Hatee-hatee-ho2!
Hatee-hatee-ho2!"
What the LOX say?
"Joff-ch4-ch4-ch4-chh4!
tchoff-tchoffo-tchoffo-tchoff!"
What the LOX say?
Big grey size
Pointy nose (cone)
Building pads
And digging holes (for Mars habitats)
LANDING claws
Up the hill
Suddenly you're standing still
Your wings are gray
So beautiful
Like an angel in disguise
But if you find
Your orbit course
Will you communicate by
Mo-o-o-o-orse?
Mo-o-o-o-orse?
Mo-o-o-o-orse?
How will you speak of that
Cor-or-or-or-orse?
Cor-or-or-or-orse?
Cor-or-or-or-orse?
What does the LOX say?
"Jacha-chacha-chacha-chow!
Chacha-chacha-chacha-chow!
Chacha-chacha-chacha-chow!"
What the LOX say?
"Fraka-kaka-kaka-kaka-kow!
Fraka-kaka-kaka-kaka-kow!
Fraka-kaka-kaka-kaka-kow!"
What the LOX say?
"A-hee-ahee ha-hee!
A-hee-ahee ha-hee!
A-hee-ahee ha-hee!"
What the LOX say?
"A-oo-oo-oo-ooo!
Woo-oo-oo-ooo!"
What does the LOX say?
The secret of the LOX
Ancient mystery
Somewhere deep in the tank
I know you're hiding
What is your sound?
Will we ever know?
Will always be a mystery
What do you say?
You're my guardian angel
Hiding in the tanks
What is your sound?
(Wa-wa-way-do, wub-wid-bid-dum-way-do, wa-wa-way-do)
Will we ever know? (Bay-budabud-dum-bam)
I want to (Mama-dum-day-do) I want to, I want to know!
(Abay-ba-da bum-bum bay-do)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBvLLqRErtg
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 10/25/2019 05:52 am
https://spacenews.com/foust-forward-curb-your-enthusiasm-star-struck-spacex-fans-are-in-a-league-of-their-own/
Quote
It’s tempting to compare SpaceX’s supporters with sports fans, who pledge their allegiance to a particular team, buy its merchandise and want it to win it all. There is, though, a key difference. Sports fans are often a team’s harshest critics when things go wrong, convinced they could have caught the ball a player dropped or called a better play than the coach. SpaceX fans, though, are unfailingly uncritical of the company. If something goes wrong, the blame usually lies elsewhere, such as with NASA or Congress for commercial crew delays.

I don't understand this section. SpaceX cant do anything wrong so what is the reporter alluding to here?  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 10/25/2019 05:48 pm
Just got to say....

If you showed me a picture of THIS, and asked what is was to be used for

(https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/assets/49114.0/1590516.jpg)

I would NEVER have guessed "Reuseable Spaceship".
Not in a million years would I have thought that!

The SpaceX Starship design philosophy is definitely HEAVY METAL

Pardon me for injecting a serious question into our party thread, but what post is the source of that image?

Rigging like that would be a quick way to get one’s crane operator certification yanked where I work.
I’d bet there’s a third violation above out of the frame of the photo.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Bananas_on_Mars on 10/26/2019 05:55 pm
Well, that‘s one way to alleviate launch withdrawal symptoms...

„We‘ll fix it“
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Norm38 on 10/29/2019 05:38 pm
I'm reading The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt.  Pulitzer prize winner, very good book.  Nothing to do with spaceflight at all, but there was one interesting line.

Written in 2014, two years before Elon ever gave us a glimpse of Starship, but this was written about half way through

"...lighted grain silos like starships looming in the emptiness for miles away..."

But now they're real, not a metaphor.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 10/30/2019 12:24 am
I'm reading The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt.  Pulitzer prize winner, very good book.  Nothing to do with spaceflight at all, but there was one interesting line.

Written in 2014, two years before Elon ever gave us a glimpse of Starship, but this was written about half way through

"...lighted grain silos like starships looming in the emptiness for miles away..."

But now they're real, not a metaphor.
Maybe Elon read that too!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 10/30/2019 03:42 pm
Quote
Decision reached regarding MVacD upper stage engine configuration
That seems... interesting.  Anyone know what that's about?
Pointing downwards.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DistantTemple on 10/31/2019 11:23 pm
https://youtu.be/TrcPEsA5rAM
Elon certainly has cracked the whip. Those lazy cowboys aren't slouching about with one foot on the ground anymore. Just see them go: try 0:14 Musk must be doing some fantastic motivation there.

However if he thinks SS is going to get to Mars at that speed he's dropped a whole stack of magnitude orders!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 11/01/2019 12:55 am
Quote
Decision reached regarding MVacD upper stage engine configuration
That seems... interesting.  Anyone know what that's about?
Pointing downwards.
You'd think 8 months of NASA reviews would have caught that, but it was actually the night janitor who noticed the problem.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 11/01/2019 01:32 am
 Note to Sheriff Lucio. We weren't behind the fence. That's just SPadre using a creative angle, trying to get us arrested to eliminate the competition.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 11/07/2019 02:56 pm
The first 30 seconds.

 https://www.youtube.com/embed/77bJEJawMAQ?start=97&end=119
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mongo62 on 11/07/2019 03:20 pm
How to STEAL Elon Musk’s Space Car (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gQIGyOc6Fs)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 11/07/2019 07:39 pm
Boring to begin later this month in Las Vegas.  There will be a boring inauguration ceremony.

https://www.8newsnow.com/news/local-news/tunneling-to-begin-this-month-on-underground-people-mover/

And they're going to leave a yawning cavity in the landscape.

In setting these trains up is there any use of sleepers?




Whatever you do, do not invite a black-haired Willow Rosenberg... ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 11/09/2019 03:54 pm
...
A bunch of IR cameras inside all body cavities...

Ok, Starship watching/paparazzing is gone too far.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 11/09/2019 07:51 pm
Finally a launch 🚀

It’s been too long and should never happen again.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 11/10/2019 01:12 pm
Woah, they really stretched that sucker last night...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 11/10/2019 06:39 pm
"The situation in Germany is a challenge for rocket launches"

SpaceX chief engineer Hans Koenigsmann talks about the mistakes of the European space program and explains what he is arguing about with Elon Musk.

Nele Husmann 07.11.2019

Requires Translation..

https://www.handelsblatt.com/technik/forschung-innovation/spacex-chefingenieur-im-interview-die-lage-deutschlands-ist-eine-herausforderung-fuer-raketenstarts/25190580.html?ticket=ST-73671586-yEYjCpgs31f6aECALkfT-ap6

I don't think they meant north east Germany when they said launching from near the Poles can be advantageous
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 11/11/2019 03:37 am
Been impatient for this but now at last -
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 11/11/2019 01:17 pm
I know flight schedules are subject to the vagaries of chance, but I really do wish they would  just
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXE8LdXzeHM
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: yokem55 on 11/11/2019 01:56 pm
It's been so long since I've seen a rocket launch, I take it that the fire is supposed to come out of the bottom like that?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 11/11/2019 02:08 pm
It's been so long since I've seen a rocket launch, I take it that the fire is supposed to come out of the bottom like that?
Usually, but this one should be able to launch by force of habit next time.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 11/11/2019 02:26 pm
Just watched the launch from my school about 52 miles away. That was an awesome sight despite me accidentally stepping in an ant hill and my ankles getting bitten. ;D

Had to put toothpaste on my ankles to relieve the itching.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 11/11/2019 02:36 pm
Just watched the launch from my school about 50 miles away. That was an awesome sight despite me accidentally stepping in an ant hill and my ankles getting bitten. ;D

Had to put toothpaste on my ankles to relieve the itching.
Benadryl will relieve the itch and help you sleep through English class.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: RDoc on 11/11/2019 02:41 pm
Are they trying to recover the fairing half?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 11/11/2019 02:43 pm
I'm glad that Falcon 9 and Starlink are in the proper orbit for deployment, but hearing "good orbit" sounds too mediocre. I'd rather call it an "on-target orbit" or a "nominal orbit".
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mongo62 on 11/11/2019 02:45 pm
I'm glad that Falcon 9 and Starlink are in the proper orbit for deployment, but hearing "good orbit" sounds too mediocre. I'd rather call it an "on-target orbit" or a "nominal orbit".

You mean "norminal orbit".
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: guyw on 11/11/2019 02:47 pm
I'm glad that Falcon 9 and Starlink are in the proper orbit for deployment, but hearing "good orbit" sounds too mediocre. I'd rather call it an "on-target orbit" or a "nominal orbit".
Nominally that would be a norminal orbit.  ;)

(Ninja'd)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 11/11/2019 02:47 pm
I'm glad that Falcon 9 and Starlink are in the proper orbit for deployment, but hearing "good orbit" sounds too mediocre. I'd rather call it an "on-target orbit" or a "nominal orbit".

You mean "norminal orbit".

Yes. I'd use that term too. I wonder how long SpaceX has been using the "good" term.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: whitelancer64 on 11/11/2019 02:49 pm
Are they trying to recover the fairing half?
Yes. Both halves, as far as I know.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 11/11/2019 02:52 pm
Are they trying to recover the fairing half?
Yes. Both halves, as far as I know.

They're not recovering the fairings (both of them). Ms Tree and Ms Chief had to go back to port because the seas are too rough.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: erv on 11/11/2019 02:54 pm
I read somewhere that they are fishing them out. Just not catching in the nets.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tleski on 11/11/2019 03:04 pm
This is weird. People are seriously discussing the launch in the party thread while the regular mission discussion thread is silent. I am confused  and shocked :o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jon.amos on 11/11/2019 05:26 pm
Been so long people forget what a launch looks like and think its just a party😜
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 11/11/2019 07:40 pm
Once upon a time we used to put our congratulations on a successful launch here, so congrats to SpaceX for a great launch and congrats to SpaceX for your new batch of satellites on orbit.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 11/11/2019 07:58 pm
Once upon a time we used to put our congratulations on a successful launch here, so congrats to SpaceX for a great launch and congrats to SpaceX for your new batch of satellites on orbit.

Once upon a time we put those congrats in the update thread.... I miss those days....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 11/11/2019 08:47 pm
That was an awesome sight despite me accidentally stepping in an ant hill and my ankles getting bitten. ;D

Had to put toothpaste on my ankles to relieve the itching.

As a Louisiana resident who does lots and lots of volunteer work around fire ants and poison ivy, let me just say that the "hot water treatment" is something I'm quite shocked is not better known.

Simply put, run hot water (the hotter the better, as hot as you can stand, but not so hot it actually scalds) over the ant bite, poison ivy rash, or other itchy area.  For a few seconds, it will be nigh unbearable as all the itchiness in the world is released on you at once, but then the feeling abates and the area will be itch-free for hours.  I generally get maybe up to 8 hours of non-itching relief each time, with no side effects whatsoever.

I don't know the exact mechanism, but I've heard things like heat-stimulated histamine release followed by a long period for it to build up again enough to be itchy, but I can tell you from much experience that it's heaven from hot water.  Anyway, now back to your regularly-scheduled party thread (complete with zero fire ants and no poison ivy).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 11/11/2019 09:16 pm
That was an awesome sight despite me accidentally stepping in an ant hill and my ankles getting bitten. ;D

Had to put toothpaste on my ankles to relieve the itching.

As a Louisiana resident who does lots and lots of volunteer work around fire ants and poison ivy, let me just say that the "hot water treatment" is something I'm quite shocked is not better known.

Simply put, run hot water (the hotter the better, as hot as you can stand, but not so hot it actually scalds) over the ant bite, poison ivy rash, or other itchy area.  For a few seconds, it will be nigh unbearable as all the itchiness in the world is released on you at once, but then the feeling abates and the area will be itch-free for hours.  I generally get maybe up to 8 hours of non-itching relief each time, with no side effects whatsoever.

I don't know the exact mechanism, but I've heard things like heat-stimulated histamine release followed by a long period for it to build up again enough to be itchy, but I can tell you from much experience that it's heaven from hot water.  Anyway, now back to your regularly-scheduled party thread (complete with zero fire ants and no poison ivy).

This also works for stings, a lot insect venom degrades at high temperatures
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: erv on 11/11/2019 09:26 pm
https://twitter.com/russ_parrish/status/1194011508960722945

Looks like I am missing some story... Does anyone knows more on this?  :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cppetrie on 11/11/2019 09:45 pm
https://twitter.com/russ_parrish/status/1194011508960722945

Looks like I am missing some story... Does anyone knows more on this?  :)

I’m guessing it’s in response to this photo:
https://twitter.com/spacecoast_stve/status/1193986130749919233

Quote
Holy cow!!! I'll get back to editing in a minute, but check this out!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 11/11/2019 09:59 pm
That was an awesome sight despite me accidentally stepping in an ant hill and my ankles getting bitten. ;D

Had to put toothpaste on my ankles to relieve the itching.

As a Louisiana resident who does lots and lots of volunteer work around fire ants and poison ivy, let me just say that the "hot water treatment" is something I'm quite shocked is not better known.

Simply put, run hot water (the hotter the better, as hot as you can stand, but not so hot it actually scalds) over the ant bite, poison ivy rash, or other itchy area.  For a few seconds, it will be nigh unbearable as all the itchiness in the world is released on you at once, but then the feeling abates and the area will be itch-free for hours.  I generally get maybe up to 8 hours of non-itching relief each time, with no side effects whatsoever.

I don't know the exact mechanism, but I've heard things like heat-stimulated histamine release followed by a long period for it to build up again enough to be itchy, but I can tell you from much experience that it's heaven from hot water.  Anyway, now back to your regularly-scheduled party thread (complete with zero fire ants and no poison ivy).


The reason why I did toothpaste was because I looked up online for easy ant bite remedies and it said that toothpaste instantly neutralizes the poison and even though it'll still itch, my ankles would look fine the next morning.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 11/12/2019 02:30 am
That was an awesome sight despite me accidentally stepping in an ant hill and my ankles getting bitten. ;D

Had to put toothpaste on my ankles to relieve the itching.

As a Louisiana resident who does lots and lots of volunteer work around fire ants and poison ivy, let me just say that the "hot water treatment" is something I'm quite shocked is not better known.

Simply put, run hot water (the hotter the better, as hot as you can stand, but not so hot it actually scalds) over the ant bite, poison ivy rash, or other itchy area.  For a few seconds, it will be nigh unbearable as all the itchiness in the world is released on you at once, but then the feeling abates and the area will be itch-free for hours.  I generally get maybe up to 8 hours of non-itching relief each time, with no side effects whatsoever.

I don't know the exact mechanism, but I've heard things like heat-stimulated histamine release followed by a long period for it to build up again enough to be itchy, but I can tell you from much experience that it's heaven from hot water.  Anyway, now back to your regularly-scheduled party thread (complete with zero fire ants and no poison ivy).

This is an effective treatment for lot of similar things. It was recommended to me by my physician father-in-law after I was bitten by a tarantula. He explained how the heat breaks down the protein in the venom of the bite. It works.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: erv on 11/12/2019 05:57 am
https://twitter.com/russ_parrish/status/1194011508960722945

Looks like I am missing some story... Does anyone knows more on this?  :)

I’m guessing it’s in response to this photo:
[snip]
Yeah, thats obvious. I meant if there is some story about birds and super draco test stand.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 11/12/2019 03:34 pm

Then it should be "Pot of Gold". ;)
It would be the one paying for all the following SS.
"Heart of Gold" should be the first human rated one.
So, will the Starship meant to send a message to the competition be "Finger of Gold"?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 11/13/2019 03:00 pm
Well, the Dragon2 in flight abort looks like it's coming soon, and I'm looking forward to this launch! One of my reasons is perhaps a bit twisted; I'm fond of watching clips of rockets blowing up, and this one should have some excellent footage. Better yet, no need to feel bad, because it's supposed to blow up.

I'm also looking forward (for very different reasons!) to the Starship Mk1 20km flight. I certainly hope that's a success, and the footage of that landing should be especially spectacular. I just wonder where it will land, and if it has anything to do with SpaceX painting their big stylized X on Nomadd's roof?

 

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mongo62 on 11/13/2019 05:42 pm
Well, the Dragon2 in flight abort looks like it's coming soon, and I'm looking forward to this launch! One of my reasons is perhaps a bit twisted; I'm fond of watching clips of rockets blowing up, and this one should have some excellent footage. Better yet, no need to feel bad, because it's supposed to blow up.

But what if it doesn't? The booster will not have landing legs because it's expected to disintegrate in flight, but if it survives the actual abort (like the CRS-7 booster did after the S2 explosion, until it was commanded to self-destruct), SpaceX will have expended a booster unnecessarily.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tleski on 11/13/2019 05:56 pm

Then it should be "Pot of Gold". ;)
It would be the one paying for all the following SS.
"Heart of Gold" should be the first human rated one.
So, will the Starship meant to send a message to the competition be "Finger of Gold"?
Also, as an homage to the best Bond movie.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: LF on 11/13/2019 07:00 pm
That was an awesome sight despite me accidentally stepping in an ant hill and my ankles getting bitten. ;D

Had to put toothpaste on my ankles to relieve the itching.

As a Louisiana resident who does lots and lots of volunteer work around fire ants and poison ivy, let me just say that the "hot water treatment" is something I'm quite shocked is not better known.

Simply put, run hot water (the hotter the better, as hot as you can stand, but not so hot it actually scalds) over the ant bite, poison ivy rash, or other itchy area.  For a few seconds, it will be nigh unbearable as all the itchiness in the world is released on you at once, but then the feeling abates and the area will be itch-free for hours.  I generally get maybe up to 8 hours of non-itching relief each time, with no side effects whatsoever.

I don't know the exact mechanism, but I've heard things like heat-stimulated histamine release followed by a long period for it to build up again enough to be itchy, but I can tell you from much experience that it's heaven from hot water.  Anyway, now back to your regularly-scheduled party thread (complete with zero fire ants and no poison ivy).

This is an effective treatment for lot of similar things. It was recommended to me by my physician father-in-law after I was bitten by a tarantula. He explained how the heat breaks down the protein in the venom of the bite. It works.

I've experienced this with a manta ray sting right into the meat of my foot below the ankle.

It was a night and day difference for me -- I had pain, shakes and tunnel vision from the beach back to the house, but putting my foot in hot-as-I-could-stand it water and within what felt like a minute or less everything went back to normal.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 11/13/2019 10:34 pm
Well, the Dragon2 in flight abort looks like it's coming soon, and I'm looking forward to this launch! One of my reasons is perhaps a bit twisted; I'm fond of watching clips of rockets blowing up, and this one should have some excellent footage. Better yet, no need to feel bad, because it's supposed to blow up.

But what if it doesn't? The booster will not have landing legs because it's expected to disintegrate in flight, but if it survives the actual abort (like the CRS-7 booster did after the S2 explosion, until it was commanded to self-destruct), SpaceX will have expended a booster unnecessarily.

I hope you're right. However, the way I'm predicting it is NOT based on the SpX-7 failure. I'm comparing it to the inflight abort test for New Shepard, whose booster made it safely even though Blue Origin thought the opposite.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 11/13/2019 11:47 pm
Well, the Dragon2 in flight abort looks like it's coming soon, and I'm looking forward to this launch! One of my reasons is perhaps a bit twisted; I'm fond of watching clips of rockets blowing up, and this one should have some excellent footage. Better yet, no need to feel bad, because it's supposed to blow up.

But what if it doesn't? The booster will not have landing legs because it's expected to disintegrate in flight, but if it survives the actual abort (like the CRS-7 booster did after the S2 explosion, until it was commanded to self-destruct), SpaceX will have expended a booster unnecessarily.

I hope you're right. However, the way I'm predicting it is NOT based on the SpX-7 failure. I'm comparing it to the inflight abort test for New Shepard, whose booster made it safely even though Blue Origin thought the opposite.
But worth remembering that max-Q for New Shepard is slower/lower pressure than that of a Falcon due to the gravity turn.  And CRS-7 was significantly after max-Q, so had much lower aero loads to deal with.  So the IFA booster will almost certainly be shredded to pieces.

I will justify our place in the party thread by saying that it's honestly funny how many times this debate has occurred on this forum.  I'll be kind of glad when it's over.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Stan-1967 on 11/14/2019 12:28 am
I stitched together some online pics of the Starlink sattelite train, assigned standardized spacing, then converted the sequence of a satellite occupying the space ( or not) into a morse code sequence.  I'm thinking that Elon has some special SETI type code hidden in the whole thing, maybe even trolling Boeing or Jeff B.  So I put this chain of dots & dashes into an online morse code translator, & you will never believe what it said...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wolfram66 on 11/14/2019 12:35 am
When the crews in Boca Chica and Cocoa are assembling the side pieces on Starships Mk1 & Mk2.. do they sing...Chines, chines everywhere a chine?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 11/14/2019 03:15 am
When the crews in Boca Chica and Cocoa are assembling the side pieces on Starships Mk1 & Mk2.. do they sing...Chines, chines everywhere a chine?

You're dating yourself there bud. I still got that on a 45 around here somewhere.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wolfram66 on 11/14/2019 12:38 pm
When the crews in Boca Chica and Cocoa are assembling the side pieces on Starships Mk1 & Mk2.. do they sing...Chines, chines everywhere a chine?

You're dating yourself there bud. I still got that on a 45 around here somewhere.

There’s the original, then the remake by Tesla in the 90’s.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: webdan on 11/14/2019 12:46 pm
That was an awesome sight despite me accidentally stepping in an ant hill and my ankles getting bitten. ;D

Had to put toothpaste on my ankles to relieve the itching.

As a Louisiana resident who does lots and lots of volunteer work around fire ants and poison ivy, let me just say that the "hot water treatment" is something I'm quite shocked is not better known.

Simply put, run hot water (the hotter the better, as hot as you can stand, but not so hot it actually scalds) over the ant bite, poison ivy rash, or other itchy area.  For a few seconds, it will be nigh unbearable as all the itchiness in the world is released on you at once, but then the feeling abates and the area will be itch-free for hours.  I generally get maybe up to 8 hours of non-itching relief each time, with no side effects whatsoever.

I don't know the exact mechanism, but I've heard things like heat-stimulated histamine release followed by a long period for it to build up again enough to be itchy, but I can tell you from much experience that it's heaven from hot water.  Anyway, now back to your regularly-scheduled party thread (complete with zero fire ants and no poison ivy).

This is an effective treatment for lot of similar things. It was recommended to me by my physician father-in-law after I was bitten by a tarantula. He explained how the heat breaks down the protein in the venom of the bite. It works.

I've experienced this with a manta ray sting right into the meat of my foot below the ankle.

It was a night and day difference for me -- I had pain, shakes and tunnel vision from the beach back to the house, but putting my foot in hot-as-I-could-stand it water and within what felt like a minute or less everything went back to normal.

Long time ago, poison ivy on my forearms, so tried calamine lotion. Can't say it worked at all. But the pain relief while washing that stuff off under hot water was incredible.

Later on, discovered that a hair dryer on HOT is absolutely fantastic. Guaranteed to last for 8 hours.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mongo62 on 11/14/2019 12:52 pm
Well, I come to this website to learn things, and I can say I definitely learned something the last few days -- how to treat painful insect bites with heat.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 11/14/2019 01:18 pm
Well, I come to this website to learn things, and I can say I definitely learned something the last few days -- how to treat painful insect bites with heat.

Some refer to humor as biting commentary.. in this case you can take that literally.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 11/14/2019 03:46 pm
Will there ever be a big enough event to modify the party thread name?
I thought we would eventually have a special case or cause that would rise to the level deserving its own party thread? This thread could be locked temporarily to honor that worthy event
 
The first crewed dragon mission.
     Motley crew party thread

The first Starship/SH orbital launch mission
     Heart of gold party thread

The first Mars mission
    Red dawn party thread

The naming contests were so much fun.
My two cents...

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 11/14/2019 07:07 pm
Self-reporting:
{I'm going to be "that guy" on this NSF forum thread and immediately jump to discussing the launch vehicle, instead of the science.} ;D
***

Mostly off-topic, but added value!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GllSfiwCEtY
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 11/15/2019 05:45 pm
(mod) this engine rich plume entrapment optical dust concrete spalling vortex subthread is in the wrong thread. Can you guys please take it elsewhere? Thanks.

This is the only thread I know germane to engine rich plumes
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 11/15/2019 08:25 pm
https://twitter.com/DJSnM/status/1195446693400961024
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 11/15/2019 09:08 pm
https://twitter.com/DJSnM/status/1195446693400961024

Wow.. what are those boosters... I guess they couldn't find an actual image of a shuttle launch?
I looked at the video too. It's got great clips of the Shuttle in orbit, its *wing and tail navigation lights* flashing, and of course, cargo bay doors closed.  They do include a nice clip I'd not seen before, of an astronaut emerging for a spacewalk from a Gemini capsule (when mentioning the STS-107 payload specialist doing bio experiments aboard Columbia). They also had a nice clip from Apollo 4 for the bit about the final Shuttle mission.
 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 11/17/2019 06:08 pm
https://twitter.com/DJSnM/status/1195446693400961024
Where even the boosters have boosters. How in the holy hell are they going to separate those inboard booster-boosters?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 11/17/2019 07:36 pm
Well - it was bound to happen. They've finally come to get their stolen tech back from their prodigal child...

Image credit: LabPadre's livestream
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 11/17/2019 07:51 pm
Where even the boosters have boosters. How in the holy hell are they going to separate those inboard booster-boosters?

I noticed Scott posted a video about this thumbnail
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMk02CCpDfQ
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 11/18/2019 03:59 pm
Speaking of space birds:

https://twitter.com/SpacePadreIsle/status/1196463454703489024
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 11/18/2019 04:08 pm
Well - it was bound to happen. They've finally come to get their stolen tech back from their prodigal child...

Image credit: LabPadre's livestream

Nope, that was just a scan.  Hey, even grey heads can learn something new. :P
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 11/18/2019 04:11 pm
Speaking of space birds:

https://twitter.com/SpacePadreIsle/status/1196463454703489024

Nice segue there. 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 11/20/2019 09:15 pm
(https://i.imgur.com/1YAp3fW.png)

M'Starship
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 11/20/2019 09:34 pm

Ok, so MK I kinda failed its pressure test.

Now now, don't blow this up out of proportion.
Just because the rocket blew its top is no reason to get all bent about it.

After all, that dome *did* fly higher than Hoppy ever did, so it still is progress.
.
.
.
of a sort.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AstroWare on 11/20/2019 10:40 pm
Seems to me like we have a perfectly good engine section AND a perfectly good nosecone just sitting around in texas now...

Starhopper Mk. 1.5 anyone? Lol(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191120/2a2b652d6531a226890a783c64ddedc1.jpg)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Kansan52 on 11/20/2019 11:17 pm
Mk 0.5.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: sghill on 11/20/2019 11:20 pm
Elon just did the most epic Mentos and Diet Coke challenge ever!!!...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 11/21/2019 12:33 am
Okay, I just want to make the point about the Starship Mk. I where the front fell off (https://youtube.com/watch?v=3m5qxZm_JqM) that it's not very typical.  ;D

Sad to see it pop without getting a chance to be all flamey at least once, but as a party popper, it was impressive (and at the rate they're progressing, not a terrible setback). Definitely more visually impressive than not putting pin A through loop B when you're rigging chutes.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 11/21/2019 03:10 am
Dog goes "woof",
Cat goes "meow",
Bird goes "tweet",
And the LOX goes "BOOM!".
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 11/21/2019 04:14 am
Okay, I just want to make the point about the Starship Mk. I where the front fell off (https://youtube.com/watch?v=3m5qxZm_JqM) that it's not very typical.  ;D

Sad to see it pop without getting a chance to be all flamey at least once, but as a party popper, it was impressive (and at the rate they're progressing, not a terrible setback). Definitely more visually impressive than not putting pin A through loop B when you're rigging chutes.

I was very much looking forward to seeing Mk1 fly. Seeing only its forward bulkhead fly was not what I had in mind. On a serious note, I hope they find out what went wrong, so they can avoid a recurrence.

I'm not sure sure on the more visibly impressive part - had Boeing managed to make the same omission on all 4 parachutes instead of just one, that would have been both visually spectacular and televised live. I'm sure they'd have still called the test a success, though. 

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 11/21/2019 06:57 am
I'm just thinking, if the bottom bulkhead had given instead if the top, SpaceX would have broken the record:

For the worlds largest bottle rocket!!!!

Wonder how high it would have reached ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: garcianc on 11/21/2019 12:25 pm
Regarding the Mk I test, I seem to remember seeing this test before, at 2:36 of this video:

https://youtu.be/tRYEYHZkY4U


Now we need a crane to tip it over to test the belly-flop maneuver.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 11/21/2019 12:50 pm
Damnit!  You NEVER open after shaking the can!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 11/21/2019 09:46 pm
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1197627433970589696

Do not buy the overpressurized edition though!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 11/22/2019 10:20 am
Dog goes "woof",
Cat goes "meow",
Bird goes "tweet",
And the LOX goes "BOOM!".

You sir, win the thread for the day!!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 11/22/2019 08:08 pm
Not sure there is a good place for this but...

I like a lot of things Elon is doing and has done, however:


A Pontiac Azteck and a DeLorean met in a bar and had a few too many...

Nine months later...

Cybertruck
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 11/22/2019 08:39 pm
Not sure there is a good place for this but...

I like a lot of things Elon is doing and has done, however:


A Pontiac Azteck and a DeLorean met in a bar and had a few too many...

Nine months later...

Cybertruck

I actually like the Cybertruck physical design, but I think they are missing the boat. Or in this case, the Starship. Both are stainless steel, of about the same thickness,  so could they not use much of the Starship rejects (like the rings they are scrapping) for some very special edition Cybertrucks?

Also, weren't they talking about a F9 package for the Tesla model 3? What about a Starship package for the Cybertruck? Instead of a hood, the front falls off...





Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 11/23/2019 05:46 pm
Fritz Lang in The Woman in the Moon. He wasn't just right about the physics aspects of running a space program...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 11/23/2019 07:34 pm
Good question.

John

You changed your picture.  It's awesome.  My grandfather was older and I've always had a deep reverence for my elders, especially wise ones.

I'm a livingjw fan-boy.[1]  I always appreciate the knowledge and perspective you share!!!


Footnote 1:  Assuming you aren't a 9 year old kid, that knows a lot about rockets, and really loves your great-grandfather   ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 11/25/2019 12:46 am
Not sure there is a good place for this but...

I like a lot of things Elon is doing and has done, however:


A Pontiac Azteck and a DeLorean met in a bar and had a few too many...

Nine months later...

Cybertruck

I actually like the Cybertruck physical design, but I think they are missing the boat. Or in this case, the Starship. Both are stainless steel, of about the same thickness,  so could they not use much of the Starship rejects (like the rings they are scrapping) for some very special edition Cybertrucks?

Also, weren't they talking about a F9 package for the Tesla model 3? What about a Starship package for the Cybertruck? Instead of a hood, the front falls off...

Hmm.  In that case, it's not 'the front', but 'the top'... and it's a self-stowing convertible... only instead of all the mechanical arms, they save space and weight by upping the cabin pressure then releasing the latches... :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 11/25/2019 03:03 am
On the heels of the MK1 failed pad test, SpaceX attempts again with the MK2 at an undisclosed location. Luckily our very own Mary received a L2 tip-off and captured this exclusive video...

https://youtu.be/7O4V7JfeTSU
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 11/25/2019 07:28 am
CyberSlipperTruck
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: garcianc on 11/25/2019 12:28 pm
Not sure there is a good place for this but...

I like a lot of things Elon is doing and has done, however:


A Pontiac Azteck and a DeLorean met in a bar and had a few too many...

Nine months later...

Cybertruck

I actually like the Cybertruck physical design, but I think they are missing the boat. Or in this case, the Starship. Both are stainless steel, of about the same thickness,  so could they not use much of the Starship rejects (like the rings they are scrapping) for some very special edition Cybertrucks?

Also, weren't they talking about a F9 package for the Tesla model 3? What about a Starship package for the Cybertruck? Instead of a hood, the front falls off...

Hmm.  In that case, it's not 'the front', but 'the top'... and it's a self-stowing convertible... only instead of all the mechanical arms, they save space and weight by upping the cabin pressure then releasing the latches... :D

Credit Scott Manley for reminding me of this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3m5qxZm_JqM
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 11/25/2019 02:33 pm
There's already a big polar market [for Starlink]. A lot of airliner flight are polar routes.
And Santa.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 11/26/2019 12:54 pm
Having saw that the static fire has slipped by, I think, three days, is there a reason for that, or is it classified as always?

It sometimes irritates me when this happens.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 11/26/2019 01:47 pm
I haven't seen anything *officially*, but rumor has it that during the buildup toward the static fire they found the humidity too high to build up sufficient charge for the ignition spark.

Rumor also has it that experiments in replacing the balloons with cats have been met with mixed feelings (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triboelectric_effect#/media/File:Cat_demonstrating_static_cling_with_styrofoam_peanuts.jpg).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 11/26/2019 09:05 pm
Given Boeing's past of revisionist history, I wonder if the presser for the Starliner will trace their history back to the first flight of the Boeing Flyer on December 17, 1903?      ;D






(aviation geeks will remember the howls of outrage years ago when Boeing tried calling the North American P-51 Mustang the Boeing P-51.)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: yokem55 on 11/28/2019 04:17 pm
How long of a raptor burn on the test stand would be sufficient to cook a frozen 20lb turkey mounted in it's exhaust plume? Asking for a friend.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: SteveU on 11/28/2019 04:25 pm
How long of a raptor burn on the test stand would be sufficient to cook a frozen 20lb turkey mounted in it's exhaust plume? Asking for a friend.
Frozen or thawed?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Stan-1967 on 11/28/2019 04:47 pm
How long of a raptor burn on the test stand would be sufficient to cook a frozen 20lb turkey mounted in it's exhaust plume? Asking for a friend.

Define what you mean by "cooked"?  Do you like your turkey charred, ablated, & spiced with test pad FOD on the outer 1" & still frozen inside?   Max cooking time is 100s  at the MacGreggor test pad oven I hear.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: scienceguy on 11/28/2019 04:56 pm
How long of a raptor burn on the test stand would be sufficient to cook a frozen 20lb turkey mounted in it's exhaust plume? Asking for a friend.

African or European turkey?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 11/28/2019 05:17 pm
How long of a raptor burn on the test stand would be sufficient to cook a frozen 20lb turkey mounted in it's exhaust plume? Asking for a friend.
Wouldn't work. It would sublimate directly to turkey vapor.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 11/28/2019 05:36 pm
Well , we all know what the Chinese villagers who live under their glorious state's rocket launches eat for Thanksgiving...


DUCK!!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 11/28/2019 05:41 pm
How long of a raptor burn on the test stand would be sufficient to cook a frozen 20lb turkey mounted in it's exhaust plume? Asking for a friend.

This needs to become an annual tradition, like the disaster demonstrations of frozen turkeys dropped into deep fryers.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 11/30/2019 03:17 pm
A morning delivery. I saw it parked off the road at the big dish area, on LBJ and then it was taken to the assembly area.
And gantry crane #2 has arrived. This could be further proof of my suspicion that the new tent will be a carbon copy of tent 1 as a second ring forming factory.

John
I'm pretty sure it will be a steel/fabric copy.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 11/30/2019 03:18 pm
How long of a raptor burn on the test stand would be sufficient to cook a frozen 20lb turkey mounted in it's exhaust plume? Asking for a friend.

This needs to become an annual tradition, like the disaster demonstrations of frozen turkeys dropped into deep fryers.
With a disclaimer!!!!

"Don't try this at home. It's dangerous!!!!

... Go to a friend's house and try it there instead. "
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 11/30/2019 03:20 pm
I haven't seen anything *officially*, but rumor has it that during the buildup toward the static fire they found the humidity too high to build up sufficient charge for the ignition spark.

Rumor also has it that experiments in replacing the balloons with cats have been met with mixed feelings (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triboelectric_effect#/media/File:Cat_demonstrating_static_cling_with_styrofoam_peanuts.jpg).



Thank you for not actually saying Tribo - electric.

Q: So what is the difference between cats and balloons in this application?
A: Cats can pop balloons with their claws. The reverse is almost never true.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 11/30/2019 04:22 pm
(https://i.ibb.co/tc2C1Xn/Things-I-see-2935086382440-n.jpg)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 11/30/2019 08:13 pm
AC in NC that is really a stellar response. I stole it.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 12/01/2019 06:28 am
How long of a raptor burn on the test stand would be sufficient to cook a frozen 20lb turkey mounted in it's exhaust plume? Asking for a friend.
You'd need the proper accelerant....
https://web.archive.org/web/19970101151647/http://ghg.ecn.purdue.edu/ (https://web.archive.org/web/19970101151647/http://ghg.ecn.purdue.edu/)
https://www.miamiherald.com/living/liv-columns-blogs/dave-barry/article22804491.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjPxDOEdsX8&feature=emb_logo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjPxDOEdsX8&feature=emb_logo)

WARNING: an ignition source, such as a lit cigarette or one glowing coal, must be present before pouring on the LOX. If charcoal is PRESOAKED in LOX first, an explosion will result. One briquette presoaked in LOX is approx equiv to 1 stick of dynamite.
Don't try this at home.
I wonder how many on this board weren't even born when this was first published?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 12/01/2019 01:47 pm
How long of a raptor burn on the test stand would be sufficient to cook a frozen 20lb turkey mounted in it's exhaust plume? Asking for a friend.
You'd need the proper accelerant....
https://web.archive.org/web/19970101151647/http://ghg.ecn.purdue.edu/ (https://web.archive.org/web/19970101151647/http://ghg.ecn.purdue.edu/)
https://www.miamiherald.com/living/liv-columns-blogs/dave-barry/article22804491.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjPxDOEdsX8&feature=emb_logo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjPxDOEdsX8&feature=emb_logo)

WARNING: an ignition source, such as a lit cigarette or one glowing coal, must be present before pouring on the LOX. If charcoal is PRESOAKED in LOX first, an explosion will result. One briquette presoaked in LOX is approx equiv to 1 stick of dynamite.
Don't try this at home.
I wonder how many on this board weren't even born when this was first published?

"Don't try this at home. It's dangerous!!!!

... Go to a friend's house and try it there instead. "
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 12/01/2019 02:19 pm
WARNING: an ignition source, such as a lit cigarette or one glowing coal, must be present before pouring on the LOX. If charcoal is PRESOAKED in LOX first, an explosion will result. One briquette presoaked in LOX is approx equiv to 1 stick of dynamite.
Don't try this at home.
I wonder how many on this board weren't even born when this was first published?

"Don't try this at home. It's dangerous!!!!

... Go to a friend's house and try it there instead. "

It's legally questionable as to whether the Bold Red qualifies as a warning or an incitement.  I got a bag of Kingsford in the garage and am off to the Bagel Shop to stock up and find out.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 12/01/2019 02:23 pm

It's legally questionable as to whether the Bold Red qualifies as a warning or an incitement.  I got a bag of Kingsford in the garage and am off to the Bagel Shop to stock up and find out.
The Bagel Shop sells LOX? Oh wait.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: yokem55 on 12/01/2019 04:07 pm
It's legally questionable as to whether the Bold Red qualifies as a warning or an incitement.  I got a bag of Kingsford in the garage and am off to the Bagel Shop to stock up and find out.
Hmm... That idea sounds fishy to me.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: smisamore on 12/01/2019 05:22 pm
How long of a raptor burn on the test stand would be sufficient to cook a frozen 20lb turkey mounted in it's exhaust plume? Asking for a friend.
Wouldn't work. It would sublimate directly to turkey vapor.

Wow, if the wind was coming in from off shore, the aroma drifting over the village might be just heavenly! Then again, the methane might taint that just a bit, huh?

( You brought back a 60 year old memory of Dad asking my uncle why he sprinkled garlic salt directly on the charcoal when he was grilling. Uncle Jim told him that it really didn't do anything for the meat, but the smell drove the neighbors crazy!! Those were good times! Thanks :) )
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 12/01/2019 08:24 pm
Thank you for posting the George Goble "demonstration" video--it's been a long time since I last screened it! (in glorious 144p!)

Too bad George Goble never met George Gobel (AFAIK)!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbpc-NJHcZ8

Video bonus question: Are there any NSF members who can pull off wearing a men's scarf?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 12/02/2019 02:53 am
that's just wack

Thanks
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: launchwatcher on 12/02/2019 04:35 am
Can't be single threaded on porta-potties!

I expect the CIA uses this potty-count metric as well as cars in the lot, when evaluating activities.
This is sufficiently marginal that I'm relocating to the pottyparty thread. 

It should be no surprise that there are OSHA regulations specifying the maximum number of employees per potty - see the table here:

https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1915/1915.88

one for up to 15 workers, two for 16 to 35, etc., on up to six for 111 to 150, and an additional one for every 40 employees beyond that.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 12/02/2019 04:40 am
 Not sure if OSHA ever had one of the burritos down here.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 12/02/2019 10:00 am

Video bonus question: Are there any NSF members who can pull off wearing a men's scarf?


I’ve always considered a tie to be a mini-scarf. Hate them both.



Our company is changing our uniform to one with purple highlights. Only one man I know can pull that off, and we lost him a few years ago.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 12/03/2019 10:31 pm
WE INTERRUPT THIS PARTY THREAD TO INFORM YOU OF AN IMPENDING LAUNCH. THEY BE DOING IT AGAIN!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: gaballard on 12/04/2019 10:33 pm
I have something to confess to my fellow SpaceX fans :-\

Earlier this year, I set a picture of the DM-1 capsule as my phone background... then the capsule had its RUD. After the Starship presentation I updated my background to a picture of Mk-1... then it popped.

You all have my word I will no longer use pictures of un-flown SpaceX vehicles as my phone background.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 12/04/2019 10:39 pm
I have something to confess to my fellow SpaceX fans :-\

Earlier this year, I set a picture of the DM-1 capsule as my phone background... then the capsule had its RUD. After the Starship presentation I updated my background to a picture of Mk-1... then it popped.

You all have my word I will no longer use pictures of un-flown SpaceX vehicles as my phone background.

If you work up a meme of SpaceX amazing peoples' heads exploding, we might get SS orbital by 2Q2010 errrr  :-[ 2Q2020.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 12/04/2019 11:01 pm
I have something to confess to my fellow SpaceX fans :-\

Earlier this year, I set a picture of the DM-1 capsule as my phone background... then the capsule had its RUD. After the Starship presentation I updated my background to a picture of Mk-1... then it popped.

You all have my word I will no longer use pictures of un-flown SpaceX vehicles as my phone background.

If you work up a meme of SpaceX amazing peoples' heads exploding, we might get SS orbital by 2Q2010.
I'm willing to believe that is not a typo.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 12/05/2019 06:05 am
SpaceFlashNews!:  "SFN-04DEC2019.  Space fashionistas were quick to notice the stylish lapel pin worn by NASA's incoming manned spaceflight boss Doug Loverro at yesterday's town hall meeting for.  He was there to help NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine push back against the rumored high costs of Boeing's Senate Launch System, a smear pushed by nasty people who just don't get what SLS is all about.  The darling little pin merely said "1855", which Mr. Loverro stated was the number of days left to get to the Moon.  Our sources tell us that the pin was designed and fabricated in Boeing's Custom Jewelry Shop and was a "wonderfully inspirational" gesture that only added 3.7 million dollars to the SLS bill.  "Good taste is never too expensive!", said one civil servant (who asked not to be named).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tyrred on 12/05/2019 05:08 pm
Hell Yeah! 20th booster landed! Congrats to all!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: su27k on 12/07/2019 02:28 am
"my faith in humanity is restored", today is a good day for Elon.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 12/09/2019 06:52 am
https://twitter.com/stevenmadow/status/1202670250845777920

Quote
It’s still amazing to me that I can walk down the street to Lake Eola during lunch and see a rocket go into space.

Panasonic G9 | PanaLeica 100-400

instagram.com/stevenmadow

If I was sitting on the left I’d be really annoyed ...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: erv on 12/09/2019 09:00 am
No idea why now, but one of the Latvian newspapers did the old story of the ESA vs Starlink, avoidance maneuvers and all that. This is what Latvian cartoonist Gatis Šļūka came up with to supplement the story:

https://twitter.com/KarikaturaLv/status/1203916716859940864 (https://twitter.com/KarikaturaLv/status/1203916716859940864)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 12/09/2019 06:27 pm
No idea why now, but one of the Latvian newspapers did the old story of the ESA vs Starlink, avoidance maneuvers and all that. This is what Latvian cartoonist Gatis Šļūka came up with to supplement the story:

https://twitter.com/KarikaturaLv/status/1203916716859940864 (https://twitter.com/KarikaturaLv/status/1203916716859940864)

Oh.
Now I get the lights
Google Translate:
“The space agency had to make a last-minute evasive maneuver to protect 1 of its spaceships from colliding with the Space X satellite in the Starlink constellation. Therefore, 🇪🇺 space traffic management should be considered”
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: erv on 12/09/2019 08:39 pm
Yes, the translation is pretty accurate, just the last sentence is more like "the EU should consider space traffic management".
In the post I meant just the cartoon itself, text is excerpt from the article I guess.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 12/10/2019 04:14 am
Apparently, the Cybertruck prototype has been seen driving around, including at a restaurant. The driver? Elon Musk.

IMHO, if he's going to use that as his personal transport, it's lacking something: A bumper sticker saying "My other car is a Starship."
 :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mshear on 12/10/2019 11:06 am
IMHO, if he's going to use that as his personal transport, it's lacking something: A bumper sticker saying "My other car is a Starship."
 :)

Or maybe "My other car is in solar orbit"?  ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 12/10/2019 06:55 pm
This is taking a "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH" turn... :)
The crew called down to Houston saying they can't find the container of fresh fruit supposed to be on Dragon.  Houston thinks it was "temp" stowed shortly after ingress.  The hunt continues...

The container Houston thought was the fresh fruit turned out to be rodent hardware.  The search continues...
(Yes, I know that these rodents are mice, not rats.  However, Mr. Frisby and Dr. Agar? were also part of the experiment.)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 12/11/2019 01:23 am
Re: personal orbital re-entry splinter topic from whether or not Starship should have a launch escape system:
All the way back in 1994, remember this studio-hyped, then deleted scene from Star Trek: Generations?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAZrPMsTL1c

(I'm told the scene was originally written for Shatner, Nimoy, and Kelley.)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 12/12/2019 12:23 am
Never Make A Mistake
In
SPACE...


https://youtu.be/FBFuiHZRylY
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 12/12/2019 12:31 am
IMHO, if he's going to use that as his personal transport, it's lacking something: A bumper sticker saying "My other car is a Starship."
 :)

Or maybe "My other car is in solar orbit"?  ;)

My other car is on Mars.

But not a bumper sticker, laser etched on the tailgate.

Also, it needs lasers, stupid big lasers.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 12/12/2019 01:18 am
Our company is changing our uniform to one with purple highlights. Only one man I know can pull that off, and we lost him a few years ago.
Is your uniform that hard to remove???
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 12/12/2019 02:05 am
IMHO, if he's going to use that as his personal transport, it's lacking something: A bumper sticker saying "My other car is a Starship."
 :)

Or maybe "My other car is in solar orbit"?  ;)

Does anyone know if the upcoming new Tesla Roadster will have Launch Mode?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: sghill on 12/12/2019 01:37 pm
IMHO, if he's going to use that as his personal transport, it's lacking something: A bumper sticker saying "My other car is a Starship."
 :)

Or maybe "My other car is in solar orbit"?  ;)

Does anyone know if the upcoming new Tesla Roadster will have Launch Mode?

As a matter of fact. IT WILL!!....

https://electrek.co/2019/01/09/tesla-roadster-hover-off-the-ground-elon-musk/
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 12/12/2019 09:37 pm
Lotsa speculation here, most of which is unnecessary IMO.



My advice: grab some popcorn, sit back and enjoy the show when SpaceX starts applying those thruster pods to some ship in the SpaceX fleet.
It's almost like woods170 is new here? Or has been podded????
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DaveMorgan on 12/12/2019 09:47 pm
And about a week after the new pods disappear from view, the entire SpaceX dock "calves" from the rest of the Port, and sails out to sea (complete with the new crane)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 12/12/2019 09:53 pm
Our company is changing our uniform to one with purple highlights. Only one man I know can pull that off, and we lost him a few years ago.
Is your uniform that hard to remove???


It’s a Glamorous Life

[size=78%]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viHdtY7GDLs (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viHdtY7GDLs)[/size]




(even if he’s not wearing purple in this.)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 12/12/2019 10:09 pm
Re Should Starship (BFS) have a launch escape system?

Does anyone else misread this thread title and wonder why anyone would want a lunch escape system?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 12/12/2019 10:21 pm
Re Should Starship (BFS) have a launch escape system?

Does anyone else misread this thread title and wonder why anyone would want a lunch escape system?
With the in-laws...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 12/13/2019 07:24 pm
Re Should Starship (BFS) have a launch escape system?

Does anyone else misread this thread title and wonder why anyone would want a lunch escape system?
If my lunch wants to escape, the launch might be a bit rougher ride than I bargained for
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 12/14/2019 02:59 am
Re: lunch escape

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57vaKllPg7k

If you're impatient, skip to 02:09.
Otherwise, revel in a Skeksis repast!
***
Quote to rewind for: "Watch your tongue, harridan! We are Lords of the Crystal!"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mandella on 12/14/2019 04:07 pm
Re Should Starship (BFS) have a launch escape system?

Does anyone else misread this thread title and wonder why anyone would want a lunch escape system?

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 12/14/2019 05:45 pm
What will the green wire be called on Hellas Basin?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: punder on 12/14/2019 06:08 pm
What will the green wire be called on Hellas Basin?

Good thing we Amurkins just call it "ground."

 :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 12/14/2019 06:39 pm
What will the green wire be called on Hellas Basin?

They'll just have to lay a really long extension cable
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nevyn72 on 12/15/2019 12:04 am
What will the green wire be called on Hellas Basin?

If the Ground wire is green on Earth, should it be red on Mars?  ???
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 12/15/2019 02:57 am
If the Ground wire is green on Earth, should it be red on Mars?  ???
Thanks a lot. Now I'm going to have that stuck in my brain as well as the Gilligan's island song.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 12/15/2019 03:05 am
What will the green wire be called on Hellas Basin?

If the Ground wire is green on Earth, should it be red on Mars?  ???
I thought Earth was neutral and the Belters were hot...



Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZChris13 on 12/15/2019 06:55 am
What will the green wire be called on Hellas Basin?

If the Ground wire is green on Earth, should it be red on Mars?  ???
I thought Earth was neutral and the Belters were hot...
Belters are cold, that far from Sol
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 12/16/2019 01:46 pm
I believe this was my first attempt (here) at eradication of the scourge that is the word (if you want to call it that) "legos". It was not my last.

... a bunch of components put together like Legos, some of which ...
Not to be pedantic, but that's

"... a bunch of components put together like LEGO brand building elements, some of which ..."

rather than "legos" :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 12/16/2019 02:08 pm
Party Thread poll results
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 12/16/2019 02:16 pm
I'm not expecting it to be but does anyone think this evening might see the last Spacex launch of 2019? Naw...me neither.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: smisamore on 12/16/2019 03:00 pm
What will the green wire be called on Hellas Basin?

If the Ground wire is green on Earth, should it be red on Mars?  ???
I thought Earth was neutral and the Belters were hot...
Belters are cold, that far from Sol

Being from Earth (as far as I know  ???) I'll attempt take the "neutral" tack...

Anderson Dawes (Jarrod Harris)... probably a little on the chilly side
Camina Drummer (Cara Gee)... DEFINITELY HOT!!!

Ok, maybe I took on a slight list to latter side of this lighthearted debate... please forgive me, I am a child of the 60's.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 12/16/2019 03:29 pm
I'm not expecting it to be but does anyone think this evening might see the last Spacex launch of 2019? Naw...me neither.
Did MK1 count as a launch?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 12/16/2019 03:31 pm
Party Thread poll results
You can't just combine subjects like that. Threads aren't Legos. LEGO elements.


Edit/Lar: Fixed that for you
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 12/16/2019 04:51 pm
I'm not expecting it to be but does anyone think this evening might see the last Spacex launch of 2019? Naw...me neither.
Did MK1 count as a launch?

Suborbital. But if you can count that then I had quite a space program of my own when I was younger.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 12/16/2019 05:03 pm
Party Thread poll results
You can't just combine subjects like that. Threads aren't LEGO elements.

What are you on about? It was a one topic post.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 12/16/2019 07:41 pm
Another inflammatory title.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AUXpnB065o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 12/16/2019 07:49 pm
IMHO, if he's going to use that as his personal transport, it's lacking something: A bumper sticker saying "My other car is a Starship."
 :)

Or maybe "My other car is in solar orbit"?  ;)

My other car is on Mars.

But not a bumper sticker, laser etched on the tailgate.

Also, it needs lasers, stupid big lasers.

You do realize that one could mounted a LED display panel on the tailgate panel that is somewhat like an animated billboard.  ;D

You could literally animated a naughty flashy middle digit salute to some inattentive tailgater.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 12/16/2019 08:01 pm
Want ... a bargain at $7.5M (with a launch thrown in)

https://twitter.com/peter_j_beck/status/1206417431549239296

Quote
These actually exist!

Very smart to put Launch Mission Success on both sides of the coin. This massively increases the chance of a launch mission success result when you flip it.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 12/16/2019 10:06 pm
I'm not expecting it to be but does anyone think this evening might see the last Spacex launch of 2019? Naw...me neither.
Did MK1 count as a launch?

Suborbital. But if you can count that then I had quite a space program of my own when I was younger.

 Ignored all the warnings about using gasoline to light the charcoal?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 12/16/2019 10:59 pm
I'm not expecting it to be but does anyone think this evening might see the last Spacex launch of 2019? Naw...me neither.
Did MK1 count as a launch?

Suborbital. But if you can count that then I had quite a space program of my own when I was younger.

 Ignored all the warnings about using gasoline to light the charcoal?

"Boy, I told you. Fuel burns, vapor explodes." - My grandfather.

He also called me "Little Von Braun" on occasion but I don't think he meant I was going to hit the moon. More like 44th ave. 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 12/16/2019 11:33 pm
@Chris  AAAWESOME Live Stream tonight.  First time I watched NSF stream INSTEAD of Spacex one, and it was totally worth it.

Also preliminary congrats to SpaceX and their customers for the usual - perfect launch and landing....  although payload isn't deployed yet, so let's not jinx it before the big lady sings...


... and there we go, perfect deployment :-) Congrats to SpaceX and their customers :-)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 12/16/2019 11:43 pm
Another successful launch, congratulations for that SpaceX  :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 12/17/2019 12:17 am
Bad luck about the fairings, better luck next time?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 12/17/2019 01:46 am
Bad luck about the fairings, better luck next time?

Probably. Let's see how it plays out in the next Starlink launch.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 12/17/2019 05:57 am
Seems like "that guy" was at it again during our NSF broadcast...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucdZHR75iCM
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 12/20/2019 02:29 pm
Hmmm... Methinks I'm beginning to suspect that Boeing built the Jupiter1...

*wanders off humming the 'Lost in Space' theme...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 12/20/2019 03:38 pm
Hmmm... Methinks I'm beginning to suspect that Boeing built the Jupiter1...

*wanders off humming the 'Lost in Space' theme...
Naw, they just should not have added MCAS to Starliner.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 12/20/2019 03:51 pm
Hmmm... Methinks I'm beginning to suspect that Boeing built the Jupiter1...

*wanders off humming the 'Lost in Space' theme...
That's just mean.  :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 12/20/2019 04:50 pm
Re: Lost in Space

Quote
This is a video we produced for the June 2007 launch of STS-117. During preflight activities, Irwin Allen's wife Shelia donated a B9 to the KSC Visitors Center.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJrw6imp7f8
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 12/20/2019 08:21 pm
"Party" comment to the party thread!
Looks like another Starlink launch for January. This is getting crazy.
Crazy interesting :) Crazy good 8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 12/20/2019 08:33 pm
Dr. Smith was last seen in the wee hours of the morning in the vicinity of Starliner's ULA launch pad... :o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: leetdan on 12/20/2019 11:18 pm
I gotta say that i find all this back and forth about how important the actual docking to the ISS is/was as a test objective quite confusing.

I remember how back when Crew Dragon made its first ISS visit, there was a lot of talk about how the docking was so important because it was a first for SpaceX / Crew Dragon ... Now i read here that the docking was not a hard/main/important test objective back then and is not a hard/main/important test objective now.

SpaceX had no experience of any kind with docking. Boeing has tons more experience with docking than anyone else. They are literally an old hand at it.

 ???

When was the last time that a Boeing spacecraft autonomously docked with anything? 

Sorry, that's classified.  :-X
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Gliderflyer on 12/20/2019 11:23 pm
Two test rings have been stacked.

Looks like SpaceX is working on a time machine (based on the sharpie comments); everyone be on the lookout for microwaves and strange text messages.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 12/20/2019 11:28 pm
UFO docking portals? They have to be trolling us hard...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mme on 12/21/2019 12:14 am
Nothing to do with SpaceX or rockets...move along, nothing to see.... but if anyone has tried a Nikon P1000, send me an msg.
I have not tried it but it is the preferred camera of flat earthers. They love the 125x zoom. "See no curve!" Ironically it seems to be amazingly good at capturing the ISS.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJz59Ky7sPM
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ToBoldlyGo... on 12/21/2019 09:52 am
Hope they can safely recover the Starliner and fix the issues.
I agree that we need more than one option to send crew to space.

As much as i wish that Boeing succeeds with the StarLiner the whole process
is somewhat ironic.

My satiric view..

NASA:      Build something made in US to send Astronauts to space from the US
Boeing:   Ok
SpaceX:   Ok

NASA:      Here SpaceX you get a nice chunk of money - Boeing you get the same ... doubled;)
Boeing:   Ok but i might need more
SpaceX:   Ok thanks

Parachute test
SpaceX:   We had an anomaly causing a harder landing than expected when intentionally disabling
               a parachute.
NASA:   WHAT!! Back to the drawing board. Come up with a perfect design!
            Proof it by at least 10 flawless drop tests!

Boeing:   We had an anomaly causing a harder landing than expected when accidentally a parachute
            failed to deploy.
NASA:   Don't mind all is fine - the Astronauts would have survived the landing - wouldn't they??!!!
            (ignoring the toxic hypergolic fuel cloud nearby)
            You said you found the issue with the chute? Perfect no need to test again - all fine!

Orbital Orbital Flight Test with autonomous ISS docking

SpaceX:   Mission completed. Flawless OTF, ISS Approach, Proximity tests, docking, departure, deorbit and Landing.
NASA:      Uhmm... ok... looks kind of acceptable.

Boeing:   Flawless start. But then there was a minor timer issue (Capsule rotating around, FC doesn't know sh.. what to do)
            and hence we cannot perform any of those ISS related topics. We hope that we get some useful data and get the
            capsule back in one piece (finger crossed)
NASA:   This is why we test! Don't worry all looks nice - and we do have a stable orbit... haven't we??
            All those other test topics are now anyway minor, optional and negligible parts(mandatory to others) that will
            not delay crewed test flight. And by the way if you do need more funding to find the issue simply ask! (hint hint)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 12/21/2019 08:11 pm
Rapid Unexpected Drop?

It needs a bit more understatement and obfuscation

Rapid Unscheduled Descent.

Good point. Another for consideration ...

Rapid Unanticipated Detachment

So MK1 was Rapid Unsheduled Destacking?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 12/21/2019 09:49 pm
Hope they can safely recover the Starliner and fix the issues.
I agree that we need more than one option to send crew to space.

As much as i wish that Boeing succeeds with the StarLiner the whole process
is somewhat ironic.

My satiric view..

NASA:      Build something made in US to send Astronauts to space from the US
Boeing:   Ok
SpaceX:   Ok

NASA:      Here SpaceX you get a nice chunk of money - Boeing you get the same ... doubled;)
Boeing:   Ok but i might need more
SpaceX:   Ok thanks

Parachute test
SpaceX:   We had an anomaly causing a harder landing than expected when intentionally disabling
               a parachute.
NASA:   WHAT!! Back to the drawing board. Come up with a perfect design!
            Proof it by at least 10 flawless drop tests!

Boeing:   We had an anomaly causing a harder landing than expected when accidentally a parachute
            failed to deploy.
NASA:   Don't mind all is fine - the Astronauts would have survived the landing - wouldn't they??!!!
            (ignoring the toxic hypergolic fuel cloud nearby)
            You said you found the issue with the chute? Perfect no need to test again - all fine!

Orbital Orbital Flight Test with autonomous ISS docking

SpaceX:   Mission completed. Flawless OTF, ISS Approach, Proximity tests, docking, departure, deorbit and Landing.
NASA:      Uhmm... ok... looks kind of acceptable.

Boeing:   Flawless start. But then there was a minor timer issue (Capsule rotating around, FC doesn't know sh.. what to do)
            and hence we cannot perform any of those ISS related topics. We hope that we get some useful data and get the
            capsule back in one piece (finger crossed)
NASA:   This is why we test! Don't worry all looks nice - and we do have a stable orbit... haven't we??
            All those other test topics are now anyway minor, optional and negligible parts(mandatory to others) that will
            not delay crewed test flight. And by the way if you do need more funding to find the issue simply ask! (hint hint)

Umm, where's this Satire you are referring to?
I look at your posting, I see a factual, accurate depiction of reality.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 12/21/2019 10:21 pm
Hope they can safely recover the Starliner and fix the issues.
I agree that we need more than one option to send crew to space.

As much as i wish that Boeing succeeds with the StarLiner the whole process
is somewhat ironic.

My satiric view..

NASA:      Build something made in US to send Astronauts to space from the US
Boeing:   Ok
SpaceX:   Ok

NASA:      Here SpaceX you get a nice chunk of money - Boeing you get the same ... doubled;)
Boeing:   Ok but i might need more
SpaceX:   Ok thanks

Parachute test
SpaceX:   We had an anomaly causing a harder landing than expected when intentionally disabling
               a parachute.
NASA:   WHAT!! Back to the drawing board. Come up with a perfect design!
            Proof it by at least 10 flawless drop tests!

Boeing:   We had an anomaly causing a harder landing than expected when accidentally a parachute
            failed to deploy.
NASA:   Don't mind all is fine - the Astronauts would have survived the landing - wouldn't they??!!!
            (ignoring the toxic hypergolic fuel cloud nearby)
            You said you found the issue with the chute? Perfect no need to test again - all fine!

Orbital Orbital Flight Test with autonomous ISS docking

SpaceX:   Mission completed. Flawless OTF, ISS Approach, Proximity tests, docking, departure, deorbit and Landing.
NASA:      Uhmm... ok... looks kind of acceptable.

Boeing:   Flawless start. But then there was a minor timer issue (Capsule rotating around, FC doesn't know sh.. what to do)
            and hence we cannot perform any of those ISS related topics. We hope that we get some useful data and get the
            capsule back in one piece (finger crossed)
NASA:   This is why we test! Don't worry all looks nice - and we do have a stable orbit... haven't we??
            All those other test topics are now anyway minor, optional and negligible parts(mandatory to others) that will
            not delay crewed test flight. And by the way if you do need more funding to find the issue simply ask! (hint hint)

Umm, where's this Satire you are referring to?
I look at your posting, I see a factual, accurate depiction of reality.

In Germany we have a word for this (considering our politicians, its needed quite often): so called "Realsatire" - when reality itself is all but missing the conveniently placed rimshot sound effect.

Makes me think, maybe someone should have a go at the post-launch press conference and insert rimshots and fake comedy-show laughter in just the right places...

It'd be glorious right from the start:   

"This is why we test" ... *rimshot*   *audience roars*


Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Draggendrop on 12/21/2019 11:04 pm
Rapid Unexpected Drop?

It needs a bit more understatement and obfuscation

Rapid Unscheduled Descent.

Good point. Another for consideration ...

Rapid Unanticipated Detachment

So MK1 was Rapid Unsheduled Destacking?

For MK1, I was leaning towards these two...

Real Ugly Deployment

Retrievable Upper Dome
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 12/21/2019 11:54 pm

For MK1, I was leaning towards these two...

Real Ugly Deployment

Retrievable Upper Dome

I still think MK1 came out of this
 
Relatively Un-Damaged
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Draggendrop on 12/22/2019 12:27 am
If only the pad GSE crew had just... Read User Decals!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 12/22/2019 05:36 am
Good luck Rosie, good luck Starliner!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 12/22/2019 07:11 am
Hope they can safely recover the Starliner and fix the issues.
I agree that we need more than one option to send crew to space.

As much as i wish that Boeing succeeds with the StarLiner the whole process
is somewhat ironic.

My satiric view..

NASA:      Build something made in US to send Astronauts to space from the US
Boeing:   Ok
SpaceX:   Ok

NASA:      Here SpaceX you get a nice chunk of money - Boeing you get the same ... doubled;)
Boeing:   Ok but i might need more
SpaceX:   Ok thanks

Parachute test
SpaceX:   We had an anomaly causing a harder landing than expected when intentionally disabling
               a parachute.
NASA:   WHAT!! Back to the drawing board. Come up with a perfect design!
            Proof it by at least 10 flawless drop tests!

Boeing:   We had an anomaly causing a harder landing than expected when accidentally a parachute
            failed to deploy.
NASA:   Don't mind all is fine - the Astronauts would have survived the landing - wouldn't they??!!!
            (ignoring the toxic hypergolic fuel cloud nearby)
            You said you found the issue with the chute? Perfect no need to test again - all fine!

Orbital Orbital Flight Test with autonomous ISS docking

SpaceX:   Mission completed. Flawless OTF, ISS Approach, Proximity tests, docking, departure, deorbit and Landing.
NASA:      Uhmm... ok... looks kind of acceptable.

Boeing:   Flawless start. But then there was a minor timer issue (Capsule rotating around, FC doesn't know sh.. what to do)
            and hence we cannot perform any of those ISS related topics. We hope that we get some useful data and get the
            capsule back in one piece (finger crossed)
NASA:   This is why we test! Don't worry all looks nice - and we do have a stable orbit... haven't we??
            All those other test topics are now anyway minor, optional and negligible parts(mandatory to others) that will
            not delay crewed test flight. And by the way if you do need more funding to find the issue simply ask! (hint hint)

Umm, where's this Satire you are referring to?
I look at your posting, I see a factual, accurate depiction of reality.

In Germany we have a word for this (considering our politicians, its needed quite often): so called "Realsatire" - when reality itself is all but missing the conveniently placed rimshot sound effect.

Makes me think, maybe someone should have a go at the post-launch press conference and insert rimshots and fake comedy-show laughter in just the right places...

It'd be glorious right from the start:   

"This is why we test" ... *rimshot*   *audience roars*

In 'murica we call it "Truthiness".
http://www.cc.com/video-clips/63ite2/the-colbert-report-the-word---truthiness
truthiness (https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=truthiness)The quality of stating concepts one wishes or believes to be true, rather than the facts.
 
Origin: Stephen Colbert, "The Colbert Report," 2005
 
"And that brings us to tonight's word: truthiness.
 
"Now I'm sure some of the Word Police, the wordanistas (https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=wordanistas) over at Webster's (https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Webster%27s), are gonna say, 'Hey, that's not a word.' Well, anybody who knows me knows that I'm no fan of dictionaries or reference books. They're elitist. Constantly telling us what is or isn't true, or what did or didn't happen. Who's Britannica to tell me the Panama Canal (https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=the%20Panama%20Canal) was finished in 1914? If I wanna say it happened in 1941, that's my right. I don't trust books. They're all fact, no heart."
https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=truthiness
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 12/22/2019 07:14 am
Hope they can safely recover the Starliner and fix the issues.
I agree that we need more than one option to send crew to space.

As much as i wish that Boeing succeeds with the StarLiner the whole process
is somewhat ironic.

My satiric view..

NASA:      Build something made in US to send Astronauts to space from the US
Boeing:   Ok
SpaceX:   Ok

NASA:      Here SpaceX you get a nice chunk of money - Boeing you get the same ... doubled;)
Boeing:   Ok but i might need more
SpaceX:   Ok thanks

Parachute test
SpaceX:   We had an anomaly causing a harder landing than expected when intentionally disabling
               a parachute.
NASA:   WHAT!! Back to the drawing board. Come up with a perfect design!
            Proof it by at least 10 flawless drop tests!

Boeing:   We had an anomaly causing a harder landing than expected when accidentally a parachute
            failed to deploy.
NASA:   Don't mind all is fine - the Astronauts would have survived the landing - wouldn't they??!!!
            (ignoring the toxic hypergolic fuel cloud nearby)
            You said you found the issue with the chute? Perfect no need to test again - all fine!

Orbital Orbital Flight Test with autonomous ISS docking

SpaceX:   Mission completed. Flawless OTF, ISS Approach, Proximity tests, docking, departure, deorbit and Landing.
NASA:      Uhmm... ok... looks kind of acceptable.

Boeing:   Flawless start. But then there was a minor timer issue (Capsule rotating around, FC doesn't know sh.. what to do)
            and hence we cannot perform any of those ISS related topics. We hope that we get some useful data and get the
            capsule back in one piece (finger crossed)
NASA:   This is why we test! Don't worry all looks nice - and we do have a stable orbit... haven't we??
            All those other test topics are now anyway minor, optional and negligible parts(mandatory to others) that will
            not delay crewed test flight. And by the way if you do need more funding to find the issue simply ask! (hint hint)

SNC: Looks at manned Dream Chaser model longingly, resists temptation to put fist through wall. Doubles effort to make sure Cargo Dream Chaser works the first time.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 12/22/2019 03:35 pm
Welcome home Rosie, Starliner! Great work by the entry and recovery teams!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 12/22/2019 09:28 pm
https://twitter.com/jimbridenstine/status/1208758824942870528 (https://twitter.com/jimbridenstine/status/1208758824942870528)

Quote
Bullseye landing! #Starliner

Just for fun I did a little analysis of the landing track image in this tweet.

The circles are 1, 2, 3, 4 (red), and 7 km in radius, based on the latitude and longitude scales.

On the cropped and de-skewed image below the scaling is 52 pixels/km.

Assuming the circles are centered on the planned nominal landing target, then the end of the tracking line is about 1.36 km (0.84 miles) on a bearing of 27 degrees from the targeted point.

According to your analysis, me might be dealing with a 42 mile bull here!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 12/23/2019 01:59 am
https://twitter.com/jimbridenstine/status/1208758824942870528 (https://twitter.com/jimbridenstine/status/1208758824942870528)

Quote
Bullseye landing! #Starliner

Just for fun I did a little analysis of the landing track image in this tweet.

The circles are 1, 2, 3, 4 (red), and 7 km in radius, based on the latitude and longitude scales.

On the cropped and de-skewed image below the scaling is 52 pixels/km.

Assuming the circles are centered on the planned nominal landing target, then the end of the tracking line is about 1.36 km (0.84 miles) on a bearing of 27 degrees from the targeted point.

According to your analysis, me might be dealing with a 42 mile bull here!

That’s a lot of bull!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 12/23/2019 03:44 am

In Germany we have a word for this (considering our politicians, its needed quite often): so called "Realsatire" - when reality itself is all but missing the conveniently placed rimshot sound effect.

See also "Ha ha, only serious" from the Hacker's Dictionary

http://www.catb.org/jargon/html/H/ha-ha-only-serious.html
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 12/23/2019 08:40 pm
felgercarb
;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 12/24/2019 12:32 am
Except there is no year Zero in our calender. 2020 is the end of the decade. Simple math. Too bad purported science reporting like Teslarati.com cannot understand.

I for one would rather end up with one arbitrary decade having an off-by-one error a couple thousand years ago than *every* decade being one off the obvious base-10 alignment.  I mean, sure, calendars have never been beholden to usability considerations, but surely there's a statute of limitations on pedantry1.  ;D

Merry Christmas!  (And now I want to make a nativity scene with one wise man, a golden Frankenstein named Murray.)

[1] Yes, I'm afraid that was said with a straight face.2
[2] Okay, only on the outside.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 12/24/2019 01:40 am
(https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/assets/48895.0/1603066.jpg)

In 50 years, settlers on Mars will complain that no one knows anymore how the original Starship was built, because highly relevant build instructions were passed on in form of doodles on the actual construction material instead of CAD files.

Just like no-one can build a Saturn V these days because its all in the personal experience of the builders. One would think that in this day and age everything is computerized and documented...

naaaaaaaah

by the time you got that digitized and printed back out, these guys probably would have finished building the next prototype. And why bother, most likely the design gets changed again anyway.

Documenting stuff just sets designs in stone.


Edit: Picture above if of course from

Pics taken this morning.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 12/24/2019 01:52 am
(https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/assets/48895.0/1603066.jpg)

In 50 years, settlers on Mars will complain that no one knows anymore how the original Starship was built, because highly relevant build instructions were passed on in form of doodles on the actual construction material instead of CAD files.

Just like no-one can build a Saturn V these days because its all in the personal experience of the builders. One would think that in this day and age everything is computerized and documented...

naaaaaaaah

by the time you got that digitized and printed back out, these guys probably would have finished building the next prototype. And why bother, most likely the design gets changed again anyway.

Documenting stuff just sets designs in stone.


Edit: Picture above if of course from

Pics taken this morning.

500 years from now, someone will unearth (unmars?) the oldest panel cavings yet, shedding new light on the "rocket transport" origin myth.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Draggendrop on 12/24/2019 02:11 am
Being an ancient archaeology fan, I got a good laugh out of that...

"sent from my Blackberry Cuneifrm SE"

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 12/25/2019 06:04 am
The world's coolest LEGO set; LEGOs frozen to almost absolute zero.

https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/legos-absolute-zero-science

Seems LEGOs have excellent thermal and structural properties near absolute zero. Perhaps LEGOs could be useful for insulation barriers on Mars? Hrmmm... I wonder if they'd be airtight if assembled with superglue? Could LEGOs be the literal building blocks of the first habitats on Mars?

BTW, please allow me a preemptive defense of saying that I'm merely using the terminology from the article.  :-X


Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 12/25/2019 06:20 pm
From an alternate universe:

North Pole Gazette - Christmas Day, 2019:  Unhappiness was in the air and Elf Security was in action during a tense press conference at the North Pole following Santa's failure to deliver presents to children all over the world last night.  The Big Man himself did not appear, but a Spokes-Elf for Santa Aerospace defended the mission in front of a crowd of journalists and angry parents.  He explained that Santa had gotten so big that he was unable to get down the chimneys anymore.  "We consider that, since the sled and Santa actually made it to the roofs, that the mission was a success.  After all, going down the chimney and delivering the presents was not the main goal."  After order was restored in the room, a journalist for NoelSpaceFlight.com quoted from the contract that Santa has with the children to deliver presents to everyone who's on the "Nice List".   Elf Security piled on the offending reporter and gagged him.  The Spokes-Elf angrily yelled: "The contract is whatever WE say it is!  Make your chimneys bigger!  Oh, and by the way, the Big Man wants larger helpings of milk and cookies at every house next time!  Merry Christmas!"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 12/25/2019 06:26 pm
(https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/assets/48895.0/1603066.jpg)

In 50 years, settlers on Mars will complain that no one knows anymore how the original Starship was built, because highly relevant build instructions were passed on in form of doodles on the actual construction material instead of CAD files.

Just like no-one can build a Saturn V these days because its all in the personal experience of the builders. One would think that in this day and age everything is computerized and documented...

naaaaaaaah

by the time you got that digitized and printed back out, these guys probably would have finished building the next prototype. And why bother, most likely the design gets changed again anyway.

Documenting stuff just sets designs in stone.


Edit: Picture above if of course from

Pics taken this morning.
Maybe it's being designed by "someone with a Big Sharpie"... :o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 12/25/2019 06:33 pm
The world's coolest LEGO set; LEGOs frozen to almost absolute zero.

https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/legos-absolute-zero-science

Seems LEGOs have excellent thermal and structural properties near absolute zero. Perhaps LEGOs could be useful for insulation barriers on Mars? Hrmmm... I wonder if they'd be airtight if assembled with superglue? Could LEGOs be the literal building blocks of the first habitats on Mars?

BTW, please allow me a preemptive defense of saying that I'm merely using the terminology from the article.  :-X
Shades of Lar!! ;D

Edit/Lar: Don't be throwing shade on me.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 12/26/2019 06:57 am
The world's coolest LEGO set; LEGOs frozen to almost absolute zero.

https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/legos-absolute-zero-science

Seems LEGOs have excellent thermal and structural properties near absolute zero. Perhaps LEGOs could be useful for insulation barriers on Mars? Hrmmm... I wonder if they'd be airtight if assembled with superglue? Could LEGOs be the literal building blocks of the first habitats on Mars?

BTW, please allow me a preemptive defense of saying that I'm merely using the terminology from the article.  :-X
Shades of Lar!! ;D

Shhhh, I'm hoping Lar does not see it. He's known to be a bit particular as to how those interlocking plastic blocks are referred to.  :-X
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 12/26/2019 12:09 pm
The world's coolest LEGO set; LEGOs frozen to almost absolute zero.

https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/legos-absolute-zero-science

Seems LEGOs have excellent thermal and structural properties near absolute zero. Perhaps LEGOs could be useful for insulation barriers on Mars? Hrmmm... I wonder if they'd be airtight if assembled with superglue? Could LEGOs be the literal building blocks of the first habitats on Mars?

BTW, please allow me a preemptive defense of saying that I'm merely using the terminology from the article.  :-X
Shades of Lar!! ;D

Shhhh, I'm hoping Lar does not see it. He's known to be a bit particular as to how those interlocking plastic blocks are referred to.  :-X
You misspelled "peculiar".

Edit/Lar: no he didn't. I'm particular. YOU'RE peculiar.

 I'm particularly peculiar. You're peculiarly particular.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 12/26/2019 06:06 pm
Maybe we can pitch to the DoD to launch a number of Lidar Enhanced Ground Observation sats into SSO. Preferably stacked, like Starlinks do.

Just for the sake of announcing the launch of a stack of LEGOs - defying the elements ( at Max Q )
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 12/26/2019 07:36 pm
Maybe we can pitch to the DoD to launch a number of Lidar Enhanced Ground Observation sats into SSO. Preferably stacked, like Starlinks do.

Just for the sake of announcing the launch of a stack of LEGOs - defying the elements ( at Max Q )

That would be perfectly fine. Not the same thing as LEGO elements after all.  Although they would *have* elements

Also... triggered. But I resisted the temptation to fix everything in the half dozen posts above. So far.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 12/26/2019 11:29 pm
Maybe we can pitch to the DoD to launch a number of Lidar Enhanced Ground Observation sats into SSO. Preferably stacked, like Starlinks do.

Just for the sake of announcing the launch of a stack of LEGOs - defying the elements ( at Max Q )

That would be perfectly fine. Not the same thing as LEGO elements after all.  Although they would *have* elements

Also... triggered. But I resisted the temptation to fix everything in the half dozen posts above. So far.
Yeah, right. You'll wake up at 0300 and won't be able to go back to sleep until you repair everything.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 12/27/2019 04:43 am
Maybe we can pitch to the DoD to launch a number of Lidar Enhanced Ground Observation sats into SSO. Preferably stacked, like Starlinks do.

Just for the sake of announcing the launch of a stack of LEGOs - defying the elements ( at Max Q )

That would be perfectly fine. Not the same thing as LEGO elements after all.  Although they would *have* elements

Also... triggered. But I resisted the temptation to fix everything in the half dozen posts above. So far.
Yeah, right. You'll wake up at 0300 and won't be able to go back to sleep until you repair everything.

I'm wondering how Lar will "repair" that article I linked to. We know he wants to, but how?
 :o
 
Edit/Lar: Repair what now...?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nevyn72 on 12/27/2019 10:19 am
Maybe we can pitch to the DoD to launch a number of Lidar Enhanced Ground Observation sats into SSO. Preferably stacked, like Starlinks do.

Just for the sake of announcing the launch of a stack of LEGOs - defying the elements ( at Max Q )

That would be perfectly fine. Not the same thing as LEGO elements after all.  Although they would *have* elements

Also... triggered. But I resisted the temptation to fix everything in the half dozen posts above. So far.
Yeah, right. You'll wake up at 0300 and won't be able to go back to sleep until you repair everything.

I'm wondering how Lar will "repair" that article I linked to. We know he wants to, but how?
 :o

Quantum tunneling and an eraser.  ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 12/27/2019 02:12 pm
If I’m allowed to mention Starliner on this party thread, then I wanted to explain about this weird dream last night:

NASA and Boeing, at the last minute, decided for a spaceflight participant to fly on the Crewed Flight Test mission. They did a random selection of civilians in the US and they apparently picked me.

After a week of training, I was the last to exit the transfer van and go up to the white room.

The flight crew including backup astronaut Barry Wilmore greeted me upon entry and allowed me to be the first to ingress. The dream ended after the hatch was closed.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 12/27/2019 02:41 pm
If I’m allowed to mention Starliner on this party thread, then I wanted to explain about this weird dream last night:

NASA and Boeing, at the last minute, decided for a spaceflight participant to fly on the Crewed Flight Test mission. They did a random selection of civilians in the US and they apparently picked me.

After a week of training, I was the last to exit the transfer van and go up to the white room.

The flight crew including backup astronaut Barry Wilmore greeted me upon entry and allowed me to be the first to ingress. The dream ended after the hatch was closed.

Wait, so they allowed you to go first, pushed you through the hatch, then closed it behind you and the lights turned off?

Are you sure this dream wasn't a nightmare?

"Sir! Sir! we have an idea! We are going to conduct the Starliner crewed test without endangering the lives of NASA astronauts. What do you think about a civilian volunteer?"

"Depends. Will he sign a waiver so we won't have to pay compensation if ... you know... something happens... again?"

"That's all taken care of. If the flight succeeds, we release the video material and he becomes a hero. If ... well, we'll only show externals during the launch and if it goes wrong we just say it was only a test dummy..."
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 12/27/2019 03:58 pm
No. It was nothing like that. What was weird was the fact that a random civilian was simply chosen as a fourth passenger. Nothing else.

I meant to say the dream ended after all crew members ingressed and the hatch was closed. Everything was good; NOT a nightmare.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 12/27/2019 04:10 pm
What was weird was the fact that a random civilian was simply chosen as a fourth passenger.

Actually, there's a precedent for that --- but sadly it ended in tragedy:

Quote
In 1984, President Ronald Reagan announced the Teacher in Space Project, and Christa learned about NASA's efforts to find their first civilian, an educator, to fly into space. NASA wanted to find an "ordinary person," a gifted teacher who could communicate with students while in orbit.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christa_McAuliffe






Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 12/27/2019 04:38 pm
No. It was nothing like that. What was weird was the fact that a random civilian was simply chosen as a fourth passenger. Nothing else.

I meant to say the dream ended after all crew members ingressed and the hatch was closed. Everything was good; NOT a nightmare.
You could have saved the mission! :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: SteveU on 12/27/2019 10:40 pm
Help!
Need a sanity check.
Does anyone else keep hearing Alice Cooper singing “Can’t sleep, the clowns will eat me” but instead of clowns it’s “sabatier”  :o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nevyn72 on 12/28/2019 08:55 am
Help!
Need a sanity check.
Does anyone else keep hearing Alice Cooper singing “Can’t sleep, the clowns will eat me” but instead of clowns it’s “sabatier”  :o

I'm hearing "Launch abort system".......  ::)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 12/28/2019 10:00 am
Help!
Need a sanity check.
Does anyone else keep hearing Alice Cooper singing “Can’t sleep, the clowns will eat me” but instead of clowns it’s “sabatier”  :o

I'm hearing "Launch abort system".......  ::)

I've been hearing "Lunch abort system"... And really, who can complain about that? I'm sure we've all, at one time or another, needed to get out of a bad lunch....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 12/28/2019 11:03 am
Help!
Need a sanity check.
Does anyone else keep hearing Alice Cooper singing “Can’t sleep, the clowns will eat me” but instead of clowns it’s “sabatier”  :o

I'm hearing "Launch abort system".......  ::)

I've been hearing "Lunch abort system"... And really, who can complain about that? I'm sure we've all, at one time or another, needed to get out of a bad lunch....
Ah - and here I was thinking the “Lunch Abort System” was comprised of a deftly positioned finger...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 12/28/2019 11:10 am
Help!
Need a sanity check.
Does anyone else keep hearing Alice Cooper singing “Can’t sleep, the clowns will eat me” but instead of clowns it’s “sabatier”  :o

I'm hearing "Launch abort system".......  ::)

I've been hearing "Lunch abort system"... And really, who can complain about that? I'm sure we've all, at one time or another, needed to get out of a bad lunch....
Ah - and here I was thinking the “Lunch Abort System” was comprised of a deftly positioned finger...

Now that you bring it up . . .
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: launchwatcher on 12/28/2019 03:26 pm
Help!
Need a sanity check.
Does anyone else keep hearing Alice Cooper singing “Can’t sleep, the clowns will eat me” but instead of clowns it’s “sabatier”  :o

I'm hearing "Launch abort system".......  ::)

I've been hearing "Lunch abort system"... And really, who can complain about that? I'm sure we've all, at one time or another, needed to get out of a bad lunch....
Ah - and here I was thinking the “Lunch Abort System” was comprised of a deftly positioned finger...
And I thought it was autogenous pressurization from the burritos in Boca Chica..
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 12/28/2019 09:41 pm
United Arab... what?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 12/28/2019 09:47 pm
Ah - and here I was thinking the “Lunch Abort System” was comprised of a deftly positioned finger...
And I thought it was autogenous pressurization from the burritos in Boca Chica..
Good burritos? Expander cycle.
Bad burritos? Full-flow staged.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nevyn72 on 12/28/2019 11:03 pm
Ah - and here I was thinking the “Lunch Abort System” was comprised of a deftly positioned finger...
And I thought it was autogenous pressurization from the burritos in Boca Chica..
Good burritos? Expander cycle.
Bad burritos? Full-flow staged.

Bad burritos?..... Full-flow..... no staging....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 12/29/2019 06:54 pm
Ah - and here I was thinking the “Lunch Abort System” was comprised of a deftly positioned finger...
And I thought it was autogenous pressurization from the burritos in Boca Chica..
Good burritos? Expander cycle.
Bad burritos? Full-flow staged.

Bad burritos?..... Full-flow..... no staging....

Are you sure?
I'd say, I know a NTR (nuclear thermal rocket) when I see one, and once *those* Burritos reach critical mass...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: yokem55 on 12/30/2019 01:43 am
Ah - and here I was thinking the “Lunch Abort System” was comprised of a deftly positioned finger...
And I thought it was autogenous pressurization from the burritos in Boca Chica..
Good burritos? Expander cycle.
Bad burritos? Full-flow staged.

Bad burritos?..... Full-flow..... no staging....

Are you sure?
I'd say, I know a NTR (nuclear thermal rocket) when I see one, and once *those* Burritos reach critical mass...
So... Without this ending up in the new physics section... Exactly what kind of burrito would it take to make an Epstein Drive? I have a feeling it might involve some dark matter.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 12/30/2019 11:03 am
So... Without this ending up in the new physics section... Exactly what kind of burrito would it take to make an Epstein Drive? I have a feeling it might involve some dark matter.
Black beans are rather energetic, I suppose.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jerwah on 12/30/2019 03:15 pm
Ah - and here I was thinking the “Lunch Abort System” was comprised of a deftly positioned finger...
And I thought it was autogenous pressurization from the burritos in Boca Chica..
Good burritos? Expander cycle.
Bad burritos? Full-flow staged.

Bad burritos?..... Full-flow..... no staging....

Are you sure?
I'd say, I know a NTR (nuclear thermal rocket) when I see one, and once *those* Burritos reach critical mass...
So... Without this ending up in the new physics section... Exactly what kind of burrito would it take to make an Epstein Drive? I have a feeling it might involve some dark matter.
I once had some street vendor pork sticks in the Philippines that resulted in continuous acceleration.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Galactic Penguin SST on 12/30/2019 03:24 pm
On the topic of rocket launch rates.....  :P

(reusing rockets is, of course, another story, but the Chinese seems to be one of the quickest to react as well too....)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 12/31/2019 09:01 pm
Created a new poll...


Happy New Decade...




Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 01/01/2020 03:31 am
To be fair the answer may be nlt when they deliver mine and I can drive it there.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 01/06/2020 04:13 pm
We interrupt this fascinating discussion to remind everyone that Spacex is making it's first flight of 2020 today. There's some epic spaceflight year ahead -  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 01/06/2020 05:03 pm
So that's an achievement for 2020 down early: Just witnessed a Starlink train at over 60° elevation in a perfectly clear sky on a field outside of Munich. The spacing and speed really gives a nice preview of how the system is supposed to work when it's at full density and what a hard job the receivers will have.

Now if only my Lumia 950 hadn't died last year...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZChris13 on 01/06/2020 10:45 pm
So that's an achievement for 2020 down early: Just witnessed a Starlink train at over 60° elevation in a perfectly clear sky on a field outside of Munich. The spacing and speed really gives a nice preview of how the system is supposed to work when it's at full density and what a hard job the receivers will have.

Now if only my Lumia 950 hadn't died last year...
I'm going to quote-post this in the Starlink Spotting Thread because it doesn't deserve to be lost in the Party Thread
here: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=47030.msg2032746#msg2032746
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/07/2020 12:30 am
that's actually an interesting poll
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 01/07/2020 01:15 am
-Ah, the reassuring sounds of cutlery in the SpaceX cafeteria.  :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 01/07/2020 09:00 pm
StarLink already ruining star-photography; look at that streak!
(https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=49547.0;attach=1604771;image)
Orbiter was just trying to take nice star trails photo and bum*, rocket midle of frame.

*Not homeless person but: Wham! Kapow! Bam! And Swoosh!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 01/09/2020 10:42 pm
https://twitter.com/SpacePadreIsle/status/1215392100507947009

Ok, now *that* definitely is a water tower.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 01/10/2020 07:38 am
https://twitter.com/SpacePadreIsle/status/1215392100507947009

Ok, now *that* definitely is a water tower.
Your theory doesn’t hold water...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AndyE on 01/10/2020 10:28 am
I'm not convinced this hopper / popper / bopper rhyme scheme is a good idea.

As far as I can see, the only viable words remaining are clopper, stopper, topper and flopper, which doesn't bode well for the future!  :o

Mind you, belly-flopper might suit the first sky-diving model.

And if they need to pick up supplies from Florida they could always send the shopper

(assuming it doesn't come a cropper).

I'll stop now.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jon.amos on 01/10/2020 01:33 pm
We need a GROAN button ::)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 01/10/2020 08:54 pm
Since the pressure test was mostly filled with water does this mean briefly that star bopper (on the test stand) was a water tower?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 01/10/2020 09:13 pm
Since the pressure test was mostly filled with water does this mean briefly that star bopper (on the test stand) was a water tower?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: punder on 01/10/2020 09:29 pm
I'm not convinced this hopper / popper / bopper rhyme scheme is a good idea.

As far as I can see, the only viable words remaining are clopper, stopper, topper and flopper, which doesn't bode well for the future!  :o

Mind you, belly-flopper might suit the first sky-diving model.

And if they need to pick up supplies from Florida they could always send the shopper

(assuming it doesn't come a cropper).

I'll stop now.

Ha, StarFlopper!

Edit, get the quotes right.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 01/11/2020 05:18 pm
I'm not convinced this hopper / popper / bopper rhyme scheme is a good idea.

As far as I can see, the only viable words remaining are clopper, stopper, topper and flopper, which doesn't bode well for the future!  :o

Mind you, belly-flopper might suit the first sky-diving model.

And if they need to pick up supplies from Florida they could always send the shopper

(assuming it doesn't come a cropper).

I'll stop now.
There is always appending existing names like a larger test article bopper becomes the big bopper.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Big_Bopper
  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 01/11/2020 09:16 pm
I'm not convinced this hopper / popper / bopper rhyme scheme is a good idea.

As far as I can see, the only viable words remaining are clopper, stopper, topper and flopper, which doesn't bode well for the future!  :o

Mind you, belly-flopper might suit the first sky-diving model.

And if they need to pick up supplies from Florida they could always send the shopper

(assuming it doesn't come a cropper).

I'll stop now.

Bop 'er? They barely blew her up!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 01/11/2020 09:40 pm
I'm not convinced this hopper / popper / bopper rhyme scheme is a good idea.

As far as I can see, the only viable words remaining are clopper, stopper, topper and flopper, which doesn't bode well for the future!  :o

Mind you, belly-flopper might suit the first sky-diving model.

And if they need to pick up supplies from Florida they could always send the shopper

(assuming it doesn't come a cropper).

I'll stop now.

Bop 'er? They barely blew her up!

Hop 'er? They barely flew her!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 01/12/2020 02:16 pm
Never thought I wanted to be a gorgeous, talented female before!

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Barrie on 01/12/2020 02:45 pm
that's actually an interesting poll

Yes, and as a follow-on, who will be driving?

Elon Musk
Tim Dodd
Grimes
Grimes Jr
Robert Downey Jr (in a red and gold livery)
Harry and Meghan
Greta Thunberg
Other (specify in comments)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Chris Bergin on 01/12/2020 04:49 pm
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1216416194770751491
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 01/12/2020 07:40 pm
I'm not convinced this hopper / popper / bopper rhyme scheme is a good idea.

As far as I can see, the only viable words remaining are clopper, stopper, topper and flopper, which doesn't bode well for the future!  :o

Mind you, belly-flopper might suit the first sky-diving model.

And if they need to pick up supplies from Florida they could always send the shopper

(assuming it doesn't come a cropper).

I'll stop now.
It's time for a retro shout out to 50 years ago to fit in with the disrupters of the 2000s:
StarChopper
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 01/15/2020 07:54 pm
A Newbie's Guide to Reading the NASASpaceFlight Forum

A crowdsourced document created by John Hanzl

If you are pressed for time and want to get the most from reading this forum, try applying the following guidelines.

(As this is a crowdsourced document, please feel free to add additional points)

- Post value is inversely proportional to post length. NOTE: there is an exception to this rule. It's called the "Jim Wannabe Syndrome" and manifests itself in overuse of a single word sentence, "Wrong".

- Multi-quote posts can be safely skipped over. Statistically speaking, multi-quote posts are used in one-on-one arguments and offer inherently zero actual content, as both individuals involved in said debate have long since lost the point of the thread.

- Learn user names. This is especially useful when eagerly opening a new post on an Update and Photos thread. If you don't recognize the name then odds are it's a sadly misplaced comment or question and not actually an Update or  Photo at all. This guideline can save a lot of heartbreak.

- Well thought out, solid, fact-based informative posts are inversely proportional to the number of instances of the word "just" in the post. Just, well, just trust me...

- The forum's party thread is buried in absolutely the most hard to find place possible on the forum. So, well, if your're reading this AND you're new, congratulations - you've read the entire forum!

- Don't question the name "NASASpaceFlight". I know - it wildly misrepresents the content within, but it's Chris' site and he can call it whatever he wants...

- Oh - and don't take the "Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread" too seriously.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tgr9898 on 01/15/2020 09:35 pm
A Newbie's Guide to Reading the NASASpaceFlight Forum

A crowdsourced document created by John Hanzl

If you are pressed for time and want to get the most from reading this forum, try applying the following guidelines.

(As this is a crowdsourced document, please feel free to add additional points)


- Oh - and don't take the "Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread" too seriously

- Since it appears many posters pay-by-the-word be prepared for a TON of acronyms that may or may not be industry standard.  Don not be disappointed when you can't find an appropriate meaning via Google search.

YMMV
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nevyn72 on 01/15/2020 10:41 pm
- Since it appears many posters pay-by-the-word be prepared for a TON of acronyms that may or may not be industry standard.  Don not be disappointed when you can't find an appropriate meaning via Google search.

YMMV

TIA  ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 01/16/2020 03:12 am
A Newbie's Guide to Reading the NASASpaceFlight Forum

A crowdsourced document created by John Hanzl

If you are pressed for time and want to get the most from reading this forum, try applying the following guidelines.

(As this is a crowdsourced document, please feel free to add additional points)


- Oh - and don't take the "Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread" too seriously

- Since it appears many posters pay-by-the-word be prepared for a TON of acronyms that may or may not be industry standard.  Don not be disappointed when you can't find an appropriate meaning via Google search.

YMMV

- Never, EVER use the term "LEGOs".  It will bring the wrath of the gods down upon you.  Oh, wait, I didn't mean....AAAAAGH!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 01/16/2020 04:07 am
- Post value is inversely proportional to post length.

 True
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 01/17/2020 12:19 am
A Newbie's Guide to Reading the NASASpaceFlight Forum

A crowdsourced document created by John Hanzl

If you are pressed for time and want to get the most from reading this forum, try applying the following guidelines.

(As this is a crowdsourced document, please feel free to add additional points)


- Oh - and don't take the "Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread" too seriously

- Since it appears many posters pay-by-the-word be prepared for a TON of acronyms that may or may not be industry standard.  Don not be disappointed when you can't find an appropriate meaning via Google search.

YMMV

- Never, EVER use the term "LEGOs".  It will bring the wrath of the gods down upon you.  Oh, wait, I didn't mean....AAAAAGH!

There are rumors that the NSF forums have a word filter, which triggers on "LEGO" followed by the small "s". The poster is instabanned, plus a hit man is hired and sent to their house to ensure the ban is rather permanent, via some cement overshoes.

Edit: Categorically false, they're plastic overshoes.


As a suggestion for the document; new members might not be aware of the context for all the "water tower!" comments. Thus, it might be worth mentioning that when stainless steel assembly was first observed at Boca Chica, and for sometime thereafter, there was an ongoing raucous debate between those who thought a water tower was being built, and those who thought rockets were being built. Needless to say, those thinking that they were seeing rockets were proven wrong in the end.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 01/17/2020 03:49 pm
There is a twitter account for everything.
https://twitter.com/BetelgeuseCheck
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 01/17/2020 08:29 pm
There is a twitter account for everything.
https://twitter.com/BetelgeuseCheck

I just began following it. You know, in case it happens while I'm not looking at the sky.  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 01/17/2020 08:41 pm
In the meantime I do believe this was the last time I was watching a rocket and wanting it to explode... 8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 01/18/2020 04:33 am
So here we are, back at the same age-old dilemma.

If the launch window opens at 6am my time on Saturday, but the weather isn't supposed to be good enough to launch until three hours into the window, do I set an alarm for 6 or 9?

I swear, the only reason ISS launch windows are instantaneous is so that those watching from different timezones get a "yes/no" answer beforehand.  SpaceX must be on a sadistic streak to have planned a 4-hour window (that's apparently "open to extension").  And that's to say nothing of the time they destroyed that big shiny water tower that was serving as my desktop background, so I had to change it because it made me sad every time I saw it!  What monsters!

EDIT: It appears I'm not the only one who thinks so... https://twitter.com/jinsprucker/status/1218588117461917696
Quote from: John Insprucker
But a 6-hour window, ugh. Reminds me of my Titan days.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 01/18/2020 05:10 am
So here we are, back at the same age-old dilemma.

If the launch window opens at 6am my time on Saturday, but the weather isn't supposed to be good enough to launch until three hours into the window, do I set an alarm for 6 or 9?

I swear, the only reason ISS launch windows are instantaneous is so that those watching from different timezones get a "yes/no" answer beforehand.  SpaceX must be on a sadistic streak to have planned a 4-hour window (that's apparently "open to extension").  And that's to say nothing of the time they destroyed that big shiny water tower that was serving as my desktop background, so I had to change it because it made me sad every time I saw it!  What monsters!
You set it for 6 to ensure it won't launch till 9 so the rest of us can sleep in.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 01/18/2020 06:11 am
Some pre-abort retro-party music to set the mood... Tear The Roof Off The Sucker...8)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=od-5gCO_PGE
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 01/18/2020 07:02 am
So here we are, back at the same age-old dilemma.

If the launch window opens at 6am my time on Saturday, but the weather isn't supposed to be good enough to launch until three hours into the window, do I set an alarm for 6 or 9?

I swear, the only reason ISS launch windows are instantaneous is so that those watching from different timezones get a "yes/no" answer beforehand.  SpaceX must be on a sadistic streak to have planned a 4-hour window (that's apparently "open to extension").  And that's to say nothing of the time they destroyed that big shiny water tower that was serving as my desktop background, so I had to change it because it made me sad every time I saw it!  What monsters!

You raise a very, very good point; the timing is cruel. I suspect that this is intentional.
I plan on setting my DVR to record the entire launch window, and then some extra. I'll then watch it before looking at any news.

As for that big, shiny water tower, I share your sadness. However, think how much sadder those silly folks who actually thought SpaceX was building rockets, not water towers, feel. As hard as it is to believe (and I know it beggers belief at this point) some still actually think that.

Just imagine how they must have felt when they saw this water tower,
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/assets/48895.0/1605372.jpg
 then saw SpaceX fill it with..... water. 

Photo Credit for the wonderful picture of the water tower: BocaChicaGal. 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: GreatOldOne on 01/18/2020 05:47 pm
Header tank progress.

I think Elon may be stringing us along here. Surely that’s a beryllium sphere...  ;D

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 01/18/2020 09:17 pm
And a Saturday video of the Header Tank and the huge building they are assembling from Mary (@bocachicagal)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8j1JBIlqppU
Noooooo!!!!!

They're assembling the building from Mary???!!! Oh the humanity!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 01/18/2020 09:20 pm
And a Saturday video of the Header Tank and the huge building they are assembling from Mary (@bocachicagal)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8j1JBIlqppU
Noooooo!!!!!

They're assembling the building from Mary???!!! Oh the humanity!
Turns out "Beam me up Elon" didn't mean quite what she thought it would.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: guyw on 01/18/2020 09:24 pm
Missing letters and comas can change the whole meaning of a sentence!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 01/18/2020 10:21 pm
Missing letters and comas can change the whole meaning of a sentence!

If you were sentenced to six months in prison and then went into a coma for six months, would that count as time served? Sleeping through most of the day would seem to be permissible, but being completely unconscious the entire time does seem like it might not be in line with the intention of the sentence.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/18/2020 10:26 pm
Missing letters and comas can change the whole meaning of a sentence!
Missing commas can cause comas!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 01/18/2020 10:38 pm
Missing letters and comas can change the whole meaning of a sentence!
Missing commas can cause comas!
Lar translation: words are not LEGOs LEGO elements.

Edit/Lar:Fixed that for ya!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 01/18/2020 11:18 pm
Apparently, the denizens of 4chan Twitterverse are a-twitter:
https://twitter.com/SpaceForceDoD/status/1218335200964464650
The response Tweets ::): By the power of Numbskull!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 01/18/2020 11:57 pm
Apparently, the denizens of 4chan Twitterverse are a-twitter:
https://twitter.com/SpaceForceDoD/status/1218335200964464650 (https://twitter.com/SpaceForceDoD/status/1218335200964464650)
The response Tweets ::) : By the power of Numbskull!

Oh come on now!
Some of those responses are quite funny
Forget “camo in space” garbage
I liked the Biden-Obama image
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 01/19/2020 01:57 am
Header tank progress.

I think Elon may be stringing us along here. Surely that’s a beryllium sphere...  ;D
Welcome to the forum! :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 01/19/2020 02:04 am
Hold-tight nasty weather delay... :( Fight fire with fire Super Draco style! 8)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYuldgIOelY
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: theinternetftw on 01/19/2020 07:23 am
Wow, had no idea Tom Jones did a version.  Almost as good as the Stop Making Sense version, which I am glad to have an excuse to post.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBUe_v6Mi70
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 01/19/2020 02:46 pm
If the launch window opens at 6am my time on Saturday, but the weather isn't supposed to be good enough to launch until three hours into the window, do I set an alarm for 6 or 9?
You set it for 6 to ensure it won't launch till 9 so the rest of us can sleep in.
And so I did, and so it did!  Well, 8:30 instead of 9, but averaged with yesterday it comes out to about 9.

Consider it payment for all those lovely photos you take for us :P  (Have I mentioned what a good value an L2 sub is yet?)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 01/19/2020 03:37 pm
I know it is a bit out of fashion to use the official congratulations thread for congratulations, but here it is.

Congratulations SpaceX !
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 01/19/2020 03:44 pm
Wow, had no idea Tom Jones did a version.  Almost as good as the Stop Making Sense version, which I am glad to have an excuse to post.

Yeah, I know! The guy never ages and it capture both the older and newer audiences while I was looking for the original... This Falcon got burned! ;D All wet (splashdown) you might need a raincoat... Congrats SpaceX! :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3eC35LoF4U
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 01/19/2020 04:23 pm
I know it is a bit out of fashion to use the official congratulations thread for congratulations, but here it is.

Congratulations SpaceX !

As opposed to conflagration Falcon 9.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 01/19/2020 06:21 pm
I know it is a bit out of fashion to use the official congratulations thread for congratulations, but here it is.

Congratulations SpaceX !

As opposed to conflagration Falcon 9.

Congratulations to SpaceX and Dragon... and sadly, deflagration and conflagration (plus, apparently, splashdown) to the F9.

It makes me feel rather sad to see the F9 destroyed, and that makes me ponder on how much things have changed; it's become an unusual and sad event when the main stage is destroyed after completing its mission.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Hog on 01/19/2020 08:21 pm
I'd rather see a core stage destroyed, it means "she had to give her all she's got" to get whatever heavy thing needed to get up there.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tomness on 01/19/2020 08:23 pm
Wow, congrats to all.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 01/19/2020 08:27 pm
The response Tweets ::) : By the power of Numbskull!

Oh come on now!
Some of those responses are quite funny
Forget “camo in space” garbage
I liked the Biden-Obama image
Thanks.  I did not have enough patience to find those funny-nuggets amongst the chaff.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 01/19/2020 08:52 pm
This launch was so backwards.

Dragon drops its pants while getting up instead of down...
(https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/assets/49807.0/1607517.jpg)
(https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=49807.msg2036549#msg2036549)

The first stage burns up in the atmosphere...
(https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/assets/49807.0/1607581.jpg)
(https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=49807.msg2036680#msg2036680)

But the interstage remained attached to the second stage...
(https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/assets/45279.0/1607602.jpg)
(https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=45279.msg2036722#msg2036722)
The second stage attempted a water landing
(https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/assets/45279.0/1607553.jpg)
(https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=45279.msg2036599#msg2036599)

This day was weird!



Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: toren on 01/19/2020 09:25 pm
That blowed up real good! 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 01/19/2020 10:46 pm
That blowed up real good!
;D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHkvD7-u7y8
Great day, made-up for digging out of the snow in the North East!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 01/20/2020 06:00 am
I think tonight at Space X...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYb0ZylEMbg (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYb0ZylEMbg)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 01/20/2020 03:44 pm
That was a long time coming and really cool. 8)

Meanwhile back at the Spacex Starlink Factory...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 01/20/2020 04:11 pm
That was a long time coming and really cool. 8)

Meanwhile back at the Spacex Starlink Factory...

As long as it doesn't end like the rest of the sketch
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 01/20/2020 04:20 pm
Well - for the majority of poll respondents...


Wrong!


Those who voted the Cybertruck will be seen at Boca Chica next time Elon visits the site are hereby DQ'd.


If you look at LabPadre's livestream at 12:45:40 this morning you can quite easily see his lordship walk by. Hard to grab a screenshot as he's got a brisk walk, but it's 100% definitely him.


(plus, you know, I highly doubt he'll drive from Cali, even in a Cybertruck. I threw that answer in the poll just to give low hanging fruit...)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mandella on 01/20/2020 04:48 pm
The trunk is on board GO Navigator.

https://twitter.com/Kyle_M_Photo/status/1219062943125508097

Can someone explain why this thing floats?


It's a witch?

 ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 01/20/2020 05:31 pm
The trunk is on board GO Navigator.

https://twitter.com/Kyle_M_Photo/status/1219062943125508097

Can someone explain why this thing floats?


It's a witch?

 ;D

I'd say so. It flies through the sky on a broom of fire, casts fireballs and destruction, and it floats (therefore weighs) like a duck ;)

( well technically it rides a dragon's ass, but lets not get too pedantic ;) )
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 01/20/2020 07:15 pm
That was a long time coming and really cool. 8)

Meanwhile back at the Spacex Starlink Factory...

Very long time coming.  Good to get it out of the way.  Really glad it seemingly went perfectly.

Now back to the 14 day cadence of Starlink flights. 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 01/20/2020 09:59 pm
That was a long time coming and really cool. 8)

Meanwhile back at the Spacex Starlink Factory...

Very long time coming.  Good to get it out of the way.  Really glad it seemingly went perfectly.

Now back to the 14 day cadence of Starlink flights. 

That’s if the weather cooperates on the initial launch attempts. I have a feeling it WON’T be 14 days all the time.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 01/20/2020 10:36 pm
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1055653541317042177
+
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1217742268393607168
=
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZvLFLKsxyM
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 01/21/2020 06:55 pm
The footprint keeps expanding.

Naa - They work in metric - its at least a meterprint, kilometerprint or perhaps AUprint.   ::)

Staryards are measured in parsections.

Staryard Boca Chica completed the Mark 1 Starship in less than 12 parsections.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 01/22/2020 08:30 pm
From the article https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2020/01/boeing-negotiating-nasa-future-sls-production/

Quote
"Any time you do first-time operations, a) you go slow extra quick to make sure you do it right expose your design flaws and  b) stuff can WILL go wrong,” John Shannon, Boeing’s Vice President Elon Musk, SpaceX chief engineer, CEO and Program Manager for SLS Starship , explained when the first Core rolled out of the factory tent on January 8 Add a month for Elon Time. “Right up until the night before right now [rollout] we were doing things that we had never done before, these first-time operations.”


Fixed that ... this article was so full of conceptual mistakes...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 01/22/2020 08:44 pm
it continues:

Quote
“The issues that caused us to be two years weeks late were associated with the new tooling that we used to weld the vehicle together and some issues that we had with that process,” Shannon Musk said. “We had never done friction stir welding for material that was that thick and we learned some lessons from that and I’m happy to say the second Core Stage went together flawlessly with no issues so we’ve gotten past that problem.”

unsurprisingly, the issues are indeed similar. I heard even Jeff Bezos is having related problems, when he isn't busy having his porn collection uploaded to the middle east... (Edit: scrap that, joke's too tasteless...)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 01/22/2020 08:48 pm
It gets even better....

Quote
“After action reviews, we have value stream maps, we do events after,” Amanda Gertjejansen, Core Stage-1 Operations Manager for Boeing, said. “I have a VST team, value stream team.” On unrelated notes, Musk fired two managers responsible for the Starlink project because they were playing too much Buzzword Bingo. Reportedly they are now working for Blue Origin

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 01/22/2020 08:56 pm
Quote
“It’s a wildly complex vehicle, it’s a [Space Shuttle] ET water tower plus an orbiter aft a bunch of engines plus an IU (Instrument Unit) ring for Saturn V some avionic boxes we scrapped from an F9 and it was put together by two hundred and fifty techs and about four hundred engineers and other people about 50 construction workers and welders that were down here and if you think about that it’s remarkable and if we can skinny down and start building the vehicles with a team of about that size it’ll very rapidly become a very affordable Core Stage.”
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: toren on 01/23/2020 03:19 pm
You don't see many Airstream parks anymore, but they just built one behind the Rocket Road A-frame house.
 Along with the world's coolest fire pit.

Remember when Elon hid a rocket ship in plain view by disguising it as a water tank?  Well, he's doing it again. Behold the future of extra-terrestrial colonization, disguised as a trailer park!  Airstreams in spaaaaace!

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 01/23/2020 06:58 pm
Is it weird that I kind of want to ride the abort capsule? 3.3g at peak sound like a great rollercoaster.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 01/23/2020 07:52 pm
Is it weird that I kind of want to ride the abort capsule? 3.3g at peak sound like a great rollercoaster.

I'd want to ride that too. But then again, SpaceX probably didn't want to risk any astronauts onboard because of Murphy's Law.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: su27k on 01/25/2020 03:08 am
While everyone is distracted by header tank testing, SpaceX is secretly flying anti-gravity crane.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 01/25/2020 03:21 pm
Hey Elon, The 90's called, they want their frosted tips back

Oh man. I'd managed to forget that.
Hey - I resemble that comment!

(granted, it was back in '92)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 01/26/2020 05:56 pm
The rate of operations we're witnessing here is mind blowing.  I've never seen anything like this. 
~~~

This is not the first 3-shift project in history, but the combination of round-the-clock work and an ever-changing-plan is out of this world.

Yep, outta this world is the plan.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: SteveU on 01/26/2020 10:00 pm
...
 (Did I ever mention my first paying job at 13 was shoveling stuff in a stable?)
It appears you were a very attentive student and are still applying that knowledge today ::)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: smisamore on 01/27/2020 04:08 am
...
 (Did I ever mention my first paying job at 13 was shoveling stuff in a stable?)
It appears you were a very attentive student and are still applying that knowledge today ::)

So you were a "Pile-it" at such a young age???? Wow!

I worked with a avionics tech in the late 70's who did that very same thing (a "Pile-it") during his WWII Army days... even had a picture to prove it. He looked quite dapper in his uniform and riding boots. I don't recall what unit he was actually assigned to at that time... a few years have passed since then ;).

He too learned his craft very well and was still quite capable dealing with the subject whenever it came up ;D

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 01/28/2020 08:28 am
A while back, over in the Boca Chica thread, there was quite a debate; SpaceX was building something, out in the open, welding in a field. Some thought it was a water tower, some thought it was a rocket. Eventually, it turned into Starhopper, and many thought this was the end of the debate.

They were very, very wrong.

Just take a good, honest, unbiased look at what's going on at Boca Chica now. SpaceX continues to build things. Big, shiny things. Things like this.
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/assets/47352.0/1609574.jpg

It's a tank. It's on a high base. They are filling it. With WATER.

Take a good look at that picture. What does it look like? It's a water tower.

What we are seeing is a very clever ploy; this is yet another SpaceX new business (like The Boring Company) being developed in plain sight, covered by clever misdirection (plus people seeing what they want to see...)
SpaceX water towers. The rocket engines? For delivery, of course. It'll probably have a clever new name, but this is what it is. I'll bet all of y'all who took the "rocket!" side of the debate are, or soon will, feel rather silly...

So, what will the new name be? Wet and Tall, inc? High Water? Wet Sky? The Sloshing Company?

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Semmel on 01/28/2020 02:02 pm
I agree. You definitely need water towers if you want to have a chance at Surviving Mars. ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 01/28/2020 02:37 pm
A while back, over in the Boca Chica thread, there was quite a debate; SpaceX was building something, out in the open, welding in a field. Some thought it was a water tower, some thought it was a rocket. Eventually, it turned into Starhopper, and many thought this was the end of the debate.

They were very, very wrong.

Just take a good, honest, unbiased look at what's going on at Boca Chica now. SpaceX continues to build things. Big, shiny things. Things like this.
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/assets/47352.0/1609574.jpg

It's a tank. It's on a high base. They are filling it. With WATER.

Take a good look at that picture. What does it look like? It's a water tower.

What we are seeing is a very clever ploy; this is yet another SpaceX new business (like The Boring Company) being developed in plain sight, covered by clever misdirection (plus people seeing what they want to see...)
SpaceX water towers. The rocket engines? For delivery, of course. It'll probably have a clever new name, but this is what it is. I'll bet all of y'all who took the "rocket!" side of the debate are, or soon will, feel rather silly...

So, what will the new name be? Wet and Tall, inc? High Water? Wet Sky? The Sloshing Company?

If you ask me sloshing is a big no-no if you are going to deliver full water towers. So baffles will be important. And a critical feature... therefore it might make sense to make that feature a part of the name of this new company. How about

Baffle House...

 ::)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 01/28/2020 06:48 pm
https://twitter.com/Axiom_Space/status/1221902155436691457
For a second I thought that said "LEGO".  Lar would have been delirious.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 01/28/2020 07:18 pm
https://twitter.com/Axiom_Space/status/1221902155436691457
For a second I thought that said "LEGO".  Lar would have been delirious.
You mean LEGOS?

Edit/Lar: No, he didn't. Stop it or I'll delete your next poll here instead of voting in it.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 01/28/2020 09:46 pm
I agree. You definitely need water towers if you want to have a chance at Surviving Mars. ;)

Absolutely! They need to be taller, though, because of the low gravity. So, tall and narrow, like... the shiny things they are building at Boca Chica.


If you ask me sloshing is a big no-no if you are going to deliver full water towers. So baffles will be important. And a critical feature... therefore it might make sense to make that feature a part of the name of this new company. How about

Baffle House...

 ::)

I like it!!!!

And, while we're on the subject of what SpaceX is really up to, a quick look at a map shows that there's a reason they chose Boca Chica. I think Elon Musk is setting his sights on outdoing Amazon. Amazon has made a heck of a lot from its fast delivery, but just think of the appeal if instead of overnight, you ordered something online and it arrived within half an hour.

F9 first stages (no second stage) launched out of Boca Chica could reach almost all of the continental US. So, you order, say, a 1972 Ford Pinto online from SpaceX's site, and click the "I want it NOW!" button. A SpaceX robot trundles into the SpaceX warehouse in Boca Chica, grabs the right box, and loads it into a payload shroud atop the F9 interstage. The F9 launches, heading for your house. Terminal approach and landing is handled by it homing in on your cell phone. And bingo, half an hour or less, and you have your Pinto.

There are, granted, a few problems with this business model, but like all engineering problems, this can be handled by well-designed public relations and marketing (it's not a bug, it's a feature!). Thus, the slogan can be; "Delivery so fast, it'll blow you away!".

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/29/2020 02:14 pm
Congratulations to SpaceX for the fourth launch of their Starlink constellation!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 01/29/2020 02:42 pm
Core landing used up the crush material..

Speculation on what caused this landing to cause that ??

Hard to tell at this point but any engine bell damage when crush core maxed ??

Can Octograbber still grab at max leg pad crush or back to chains to hold core down ??
Don't do it Octo!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETsn4gU8w3k
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 01/29/2020 06:35 pm
It didn't just move, the frame got bent too.  Look at the left side of the pic above (DSC_0328 (2).jpg), from a distance, and you can see the legs separated quite a bit.  Also look at the ring that forms the top of the stand and how it rises in the back.

Please see Rule #3 below...

(and welcome to the forum!)

A Newbie's Guide to Reading the NASASpaceFlight Forum

A crowdsourced document created by John Hanzl

If you are pressed for time and want to get the most from reading this forum, try applying the following guidelines.

(As this is a crowdsourced document, please feel free to add additional points)

- Post value is inversely proportional to post length. NOTE: there is an exception to this rule. It's called the "Jim Wannabe Syndrome" and manifests itself in overuse of a single word sentence, "Wrong".

- Multi-quote posts can be safely skipped over. Statistically speaking, multi-quote posts are used in one-on-one arguments and offer inherently zero actual content, as both individuals involved in said debate have long since lost the point of the thread.

- Learn user names. This is especially useful when eagerly opening a new post on an Update and Photos thread. If you don't recognize the name then odds are it's a sadly misplaced comment or question and not actually an Update or  Photo at all. This guideline can save a lot of heartbreak.

- Well thought out, solid, fact-based informative posts are inversely proportional to the number of instances of the word "just" in the post. Just, well, just trust me...

- The forum's party thread is buried in absolutely the most hard to find place possible on the forum. So, well, if your're reading this AND you're new, congratulations - you've read the entire forum!

- Don't question the name "NASASpaceFlight". I know - it wildly misrepresents the content within, but it's Chris' site and he can call it whatever he wants...

- Oh - and don't take the "Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread" too seriously.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 01/29/2020 06:41 pm
...The F9 launches, heading for your house. Terminal approach and landing is handled by it homing in on your cell phone. And bingo, half an hour or less, and you have your Pinto.

But but but butbutbut... My cell phone is IN MY BEDROOM!!!

Also... Pinto eh?  Hope they don't back it off the rocket!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 01/29/2020 07:02 pm
It didn't just move, the frame got bent too.  Look at the left side of the pic above (DSC_0328 (2).jpg), from a distance, and you can see the legs separated quite a bit.  Also look at the ring that forms the top of the stand and how it rises in the back.

Please see Rule #3 below...

(and welcome to the forum!)

A Newbie's Guide to Reading the NASASpaceFlight Forum

A crowdsourced document created by John Hanzl

If you are pressed for time and want to get the most from reading this forum, try applying the following guidelines.

(As this is a crowdsourced document, please feel free to add additional points)

- Post value is inversely proportional to post length. NOTE: there is an exception to this rule. It's called the "Jim Wannabe Syndrome" and manifests itself in overuse of a single word sentence, "Wrong".

- Multi-quote posts can be safely skipped over. Statistically speaking, multi-quote posts are used in one-on-one arguments and offer inherently zero actual content, as both individuals involved in said debate have long since lost the point of the thread.

- Learn user names. This is especially useful when eagerly opening a new post on an Update and Photos thread. If you don't recognize the name then odds are it's a sadly misplaced comment or question and not actually an Update or  Photo at all. This guideline can save a lot of heartbreak.

- Well thought out, solid, fact-based informative posts are inversely proportional to the number of instances of the word "just" in the post. Just, well, just trust me...

- The forum's party thread is buried in absolutely the most hard to find place possible on the forum. So, well, if your're reading this AND you're new, congratulations - you've read the entire forum!

- Don't question the name "NASASpaceFlight". I know - it wildly misrepresents the content within, but it's Chris' site and he can call it whatever he wants...

- Oh - and don't take the "Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread" too seriously.
I got as far as the part that said "Multi quote posts can be safely skipped over" and stopped reading.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 01/29/2020 08:04 pm
...The F9 launches, heading for your house. Terminal approach and landing is handled by it homing in on your cell phone. And bingo, half an hour or less, and you have your Pinto.

But but but butbutbut... My cell phone is IN MY BEDROOM!!!

Also... Pinto eh?  Hope they don't back it off the rocket!

Well, if you're expecting a delivery via Falcon 9 within minutes, wouldn't you be more likely to have your phone in your pocket, so you could receive updates? (MECO, etc)? You'd just go stand where you wanted the car, such as your driveway. See? Problem solved!

As for backing the Pinto off the rocket, yes, could be a problem, but like all engineering problems, this can be handled via good marketing; "Delivery so fast it'll blow you away!".

BTW, one, and only one, rocket company has actual, real-world experience is launching cars. (A certain Telsa roadster, in this case.). Coincidence? I think not!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 01/29/2020 08:51 pm
A Newbie's Guide to Reading the NASASpaceFlight Forum

A crowdsourced document created by John Hanzl

If you are pressed for time and want to get the most from reading this forum, try applying the following guidelines.

(As this is a crowdsourced document, please feel free to add additional points)

I dare say that was almost afoul of Party Thread guidelines, it being far too logical and useful to fit in perfectly here.  That being the case, I figured the only reasonable thing to do would be to take your items and give each a more poetic interpretation.  (These are not direct translations of the original points.  Consider it somewhere between "Based on a True Story" and "Inspired by Actual Events".)  So, on with the show, in multiple independent forms...



The longer a post is the less
Its value. (Dilution's a mess.)
  But still there's the gong
  If it only says "Wrong."
Concise but informative's best.



If paragraph by paragraph
  A post quotes and rebuts
It often signals arguments
  Between emphatic nuts



It's often good to learn Who's Whos
When reading update posts
To easily, then, filter news
From posts soon to be ghosts



If facts and if figures are musts
To heighten discourse from mere gusts
  Just look through and count
  The four-letter amount
And discount by number of "just"s



The party thread is hidden well
  In SpaceX Missions, here
Because this was its place of birth
  Here first it did appear

If idly by you stumbled, then
  And saw it pinned up top
The forums you've completed now
  But please, by no means, stop



    What is in a name?
NASASpaceFlight this is called
        It is what it is



If you happen to take this thread seriously
Perhaps in a state where deliriously
  You've been long refreshing
  And update thread threshing
Don't think we enforce rules imperiously



Hey, I couldn't help myself.  I'm actually surprised I managed to hold off this long.  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: flyright on 01/29/2020 10:54 pm
...

So, what will the new name be? Wet and Tall, inc? High Water? Wet Sky? The Sloshing Company?

The answer to this may be in plain sight, and might be useful for more than water. Grain silos come to mind.

A container for storing bulk contents of anything, including water, is called...

a "Hopper"

StarHopper's Ltd.  All-Purpose Hoppers, preassembled, and delivered direct to your location, in 45 minutes or less!
(assuming all regulatory approvals have been completed).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 01/29/2020 11:31 pm
Why does everyone keep calling the Starship prototypes "water towers"? I can't see the resemblance between the two.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 01/30/2020 01:54 am
Why does everyone keep calling the Starship prototypes "water towers"? I can't see the resemblance between the two.

It goes back to when SpaceX was first seen to be starting to work on something in an open field in Boca Chica. Also, someone identified some of the work as being done by a water tower contractor, as I recall. This was back when Starship and SH was still thought to be mainly carbon-composite based.  So, there was quite a debate in a thread here between those who thought SpaceX was just putting up a water tower (maybe a rocket-shaped one) and those who thought it was something to do with rockets.

Eventually, as things progressed, one side was proven right. (though, some of those who thought it was rocket related still can't seen to accept they were wrong...).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 01/30/2020 05:39 am
Why does everyone keep calling the Starship prototypes "water towers"? I can't see the resemblance between the two.
Two Berries (like two peas in a pod)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 01/30/2020 05:59 am
I got as far as the part that said "Multi quote posts can be safely skipped over" and stopped reading.
Where’s that facepalm emoji...?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 01/30/2020 02:21 pm
A Newbie's Guide to Reading the NASASpaceFlight Forum

A crowdsourced document created by John Hanzl

If you are pressed for time and want to get the most from reading this forum, try applying the following guidelines.

(As this is a crowdsourced document, please feel free to add additional points)

I dare say that was almost afoul of Party Thread guidelines, it being far too logical and useful to fit in perfectly here.  That being the case, I figured the only reasonable thing to do would be to take your items and give each a more poetic interpretation.  (These are not direct translations of the original points.  Consider it somewhere between "Based on a True Story" and "Inspired by Actual Events".)  So, on with the show, in multiple independent forms...



The longer a post is the less
Its value. (Dilution's a mess.)
  But still there's the gong
  If it only says "Wrong."
Concise but informative's best.



If paragraph by paragraph
  A post quotes and rebuts
It often signals arguments
  Between emphatic nuts



It's often good to learn Who's Whos
When reading update posts
To easily, then, filter news
From posts soon to be ghosts



If facts and if figures are musts
To heighten discourse from mere gusts
  Just look through and count
  The four-letter amount
And discount by number of "just"s



The party thread is hidden well
  In SpaceX Missions, here
Because this was its place of birth
  Here first it did appear

If idly by you stumbled, then
  And saw it pinned up top
The forums you've completed now
  But please, by no means, stop



    What is in a name?
NASASpaceFlight this is called
        It is what it is



If you happen to take this thread seriously
Perhaps in a state where deliriously
  You've been long refreshing
  And update thread threshing
Don't think we enforce rules imperiously



Hey, I couldn't help myself.  I'm actually surprised I managed to hold off this long.  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: smisamore on 01/31/2020 03:53 am
...And dream of large women  ::)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 01/31/2020 04:46 am
R.O.U.S.es? Rockets Of Unusual Size? I don't think they exist.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: gaballard on 01/31/2020 09:04 pm
Why doesn't SpaceX just buy solid steel cylinders and hollow them out with Boring Company's machines to make Starship? Does synergy add any delta-v?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 02/01/2020 11:58 pm
Why doesn't SpaceX just buy solid steel cylinders and hollow them out with Boring Company's machines to make Starship? Does synergy add any delta-v?

It's not for lack of trying. Back when we had our large 9m diameter 50m length solid steel rods for sale on Ebay, they sent us a message -   but sadly, after we told them the "No shipping, local pickup only" wasn't negotiable we haven't heard back from them yet.

Maybe they are still boring the tunnel ;)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 02/02/2020 12:36 am
This discussion of where to find L2 content is OH SO fascinating in the non-L2 section.  :P

L2 content is soon to get even better once the James Webb space telescope is deployed there. (I'm not sure which L2 forum that will go in, though...)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 02/02/2020 02:22 am
This discussion of where to find L2 content is OH SO fascinating in the non-L2 section.  :P

L2 content is soon to get even better once the James Webb space telescope is deployed there. (I'm not sure which L2 forum that will go in, though...)

New Sub-Forum: "L2 - Historical Concepts That Still Haven't Flown".
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 02/02/2020 02:36 am
This discussion of where to find L2 content is OH SO fascinating in the non-L2 section.  :P

L2 content is soon to get even better once the James Webb space telescope is deployed there. (I'm not sure which L2 forum that will go in, though...)

New Sub-Forum: "L2 - Historical Concepts That Still Haven't Flown".
I was thinking the "Let's give that Webb/Zuma company another $10 billion, maybe they'll get it right this time" thread.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 02/02/2020 03:45 am
This discussion of where to find L2 content is OH SO fascinating in the non-L2 section.  :P

L2 content is soon to get even better once the James Webb space telescope is deployed there. (I'm not sure which L2 forum that will go in, though...)

New Sub-Forum: "L2 - Historical Concepts That Still Haven't Flown".
I was thinking the "Lets give that Webb/Zuma company another $10 billion. Maybe they'll get it right this time" thread.

Those threads are titled “SLS”
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 02/02/2020 01:59 pm
This discussion of where to find L2 content is OH SO fascinating in the non-L2 section.  :P

L2 content is soon to get even better once the James Webb space telescope is deployed there. (I'm not sure which L2 forum that will go in, though...)

New Sub-Forum: "L2 - Historical Concepts That Still Haven't Flown".
I was thinking the "Lets give that Webb/Zuma company another $10 billion. Maybe they'll get it right this time" thread.

Those threads are titled “SLS”

Great idea for a government project:

Let's gather old flown hardware and blueprints from 50 years of space-travel, reactivate all the legacy factories that would otherwise have been demolished or become museums, adjust the average budget of their legacy programs by inflation and pour it over them for a few years and see if all the old junk can be put together into a retro-style homage to Shuttle and Saturn5 that can actually make it to orbit

I'd like to call the project the "Space Legacy Scrapyard"



Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Draggendrop on 02/04/2020 12:09 am
I missed this...a few months back...

Town Recovering after Incident Involving Corn and Rocket Engines

https://earlectrek.com/2019/10/08/town-recovering-after-incident-involving-corn-and-rocket-engines/ (https://earlectrek.com/2019/10/08/town-recovering-after-incident-involving-corn-and-rocket-engines/)


Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 02/04/2020 08:55 pm
Any news about using the crane still stored in the building.
Not news, but it's official status in October was "Waiting for a purpose"
Funny, my wife said the same thing about me...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: SpacePhileon on 02/05/2020 09:12 am
A few weeks ago, I read George R.R. Martins short story collection "Songs of Stars and Shadows". It's a great read if you like bitter (sweet) endings  ::)
What left me speechless about this collection was the story "Patrick Henry, Jupiter, and the Little Red Brick Spaceship". Ultimately, this story is - in my humble opinion - about Elon Musk, but it was written by Martin in 70s (the book was published in 1977).  :o

The synopsis:
The son of a billionaire is deeply annoyed with how NASA and the USSR are designing their rockets and spaceships. In his opinion, spaceships should look look like the ones in SciFi films where aestetic aspects are (more) important than the bleak scientific premises, according to which space vessles are build. Thus, after the USA and USSR refused his ideas, he decided to join the space race as a third party and he started to build a SciFi spaceship that looked like the silvery rocketships of early SciFi films...


It was a fascinating read.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 02/05/2020 05:51 pm
A few weeks ago, I read George R.R. Martins short story collection "Songs of Stars and Shadows". It's a great read if you like bitter (sweet) endings  ::)
What left me speechless about this collection was the story "Patrick Henry, Jupiter, and the Little Red Brick Spaceship". Ultimately, this story is - in my humble opinion - about Elon Musk, but it was written by Martin in 70s (the book was published in 1977).  :o

The synopsis:
The son of a billionaire is deeply annoyed with how NASA and the USSR are designing their rockets and spaceships. In his opinion, spaceships should look look like the ones in SciFi films where aestetic aspects are (more) important than the bleak scientific premises, according to which space vessles are build. Thus, after the USA and USSR refused his ideas, he decided to join the space race as a third party and he started to build a SciFi spaceship that looked like the silvery rocketships of early SciFi films...


It was a fascinating read.

I'm slightly scared about looking it up. If you combine "privately built spaceship" with an author known for "in my storIes, all the main characters are wearing red shirts (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redshirt_(stock_character))"...

Let me guess... It ends with in a glorious RUD, doesn't it?

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tgr9898 on 02/06/2020 01:26 am
https://twitter.com/katlinegrey/status/1224708384684986370 (https://twitter.com/katlinegrey/status/1224708384684986370)

So are the repeating consonants the kiss of death for a space project or is it the "L" in between them?

Asking for a friend.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Draggendrop on 02/06/2020 02:27 am
edit...above post was removed.
 Context...Post of borg cube personal visit ...

uummm...ummm...sorry....(packs bags and fires up chariot)

:)

edit...oooops, too slow...
Draggendrop 3 of 7
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Draggendrop on 02/06/2020 05:35 am
https://twitter.com/katlinegrey/status/1224708384684986370 (https://twitter.com/katlinegrey/status/1224708384684986370)

So are the repeating consonants the kiss of death for a space project or is it the "L" in between them?

Asking for a friend.

--------------------------------
mmm....your friend may want to use numerical increments, such as...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfIAKj3Gl1E (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfIAKj3Gl1E)

Everyone's a "GO" with this system.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 02/07/2020 10:40 pm
Breaking news: Exclusive footage shows that Boeing is already in the process of deploying a very quick fix for the communication interruption problem discovered during Starliner OTF.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DistantTemple on 02/07/2020 11:53 pm
Doug's position that another OFT may not be needed because we don't fly to test these types of issues, and that they should be found during testing is insanely scary given that the issues demonstrated during the OFT were not detected during testing and could have resulted in a loss to the vehicle.

Yep, to me the whole takeaway here is that Boeing's testing is suspect, more than the vehicle itself. I expect problems to crop up in projects of this magnitude--I also expect testing to catch them before it hits the pad.

If discovering the problem requires Starliner to hit the pad, there is either:

1. an additional anomaly, because Starliner is not designed to either "hit" the pad - nor even return to the pad, OR
2. proof that there are no anomalies of all 110% of the GNC, and thruster hardware and software, since such an accurate landing would require higher levels of performance than shown, including the thruster pods to thrust in the correct directions, to accurately achieve the planned orientation.

However Boing is showing great ability to bounce back, after its parachutes were such a deflation of expectation. With this new ability of Starliner to creatively and independently orient to new and unplanned headings, free reboosts, and novel orientations of the ISS could be achieved for free, adding interest, and a valuable "wild card" to its science programme.

Questions such as "How does the station fare when adjusted to an altitude of minus 30 miles?", and "Can astronauts easily accommodate the artificial gravity of a tumbling motion", or even "Identify successful, edge cases, and incorrect contact cases, when docking Starliner", can be investigated and answered without undue delays due to planning.


Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 02/08/2020 04:04 am
Doug's position that another OFT may not be needed because we don't fly to test these types of issues, and that they should be found during testing is insanely scary given that the issues demonstrated during the OFT were not detected during testing and could have resulted in a loss to the vehicle.

Yep, to me the whole takeaway here is that Boeing's testing is suspect, more than the vehicle itself. I expect problems to crop up in projects of this magnitude--I also expect testing to catch them before it hits the pad.

If discovering the problem requires Starliner to hit the pad, there is either:

1. an additional anomaly, because Starliner is not designed to either "hit" the pad - nor even return to the pad, OR
2. proof that there are no anomalies of all 110% of the GNC, and thruster hardware and software, since such an accurate landing would require higher levels of performance than shown, including the thruster pods to thrust in the correct directions, to accurately achieve the planned orientation.

However Boing is showing great ability to bounce back, after its parachutes were such a deflation of expectation. With this new ability of Starliner to creatively and independently orient to new and unplanned headings, free reboosts, and novel orientations of the ISS could be achieved for free, adding interest, and a valuable "wild card" to its science programme.

Questions such as "How does the station fare when adjusted to an altitude of minus 30 miles?", and "Can astronauts easily accommodate the artificial gravity of a tumbling motion", or even "Identify successful, edge cases, and incorrect contact cases, when docking Starliner", can be investigated and answered without undue delays due to planning.

Thank you very much for this.  ;D I loved it!

I agree with you in the main, but I take issue with your statement that Starliner is not designed to hit the pad. That may indeed be true for most nominal missions, but it appears to have the capability. The Atlas 5 surely could divert into a vertical trajectory, and once clear of significant atmosphere, turn around, then  continue thrusting toward the pad to build velocity (aided by no longer being on the wring side of the gravity-drag equation - much more efficient this way.). This flight profile has already been flown by the Russians, during that Proton mission when they put the gyros in upside down (resulting in a RTLS).

Atlas 5 would handle the navigation, so Starliner's thrusters (And their randomized firing pattern) would not be needed in order to hit the pad. It wouldn't even matter if they forgot to put the parachute pins in, again.



 

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 02/09/2020 04:34 pm
https://twitter.com/azarijahromi/status/1226556188109819905

Quote
Today "Zafar" satellite launch failed. Like many scientific projects, Failure happened. FALCON 9, Juno II, ATLAS, PROTON M, ANTARES are just few samples of US launch failures.
But We're UNSTOPPABLE! We have more Upcoming Great Iranian Satellites!
Unfortunately, Iranian orbital launch statistics are closer to Juno II's than the other makes listed.

And since when is Proton a USA launch vehicle?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 02/10/2020 03:51 pm
They must be expecting some really big birds.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 02/10/2020 04:03 pm
They must be expecting some really big birds.
Uh - you obviously haven't grok'd the new SpaceX way of doing things. This has yet to be flipped - those are the V2.0 landing legs...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 02/10/2020 04:33 pm
They must be expecting some really big birds.
Uh - you obviously haven't grok'd the new SpaceX way of doing things. This has yet to be flipped - those are the V2.0 landing legs...

So after the Roomba we get millipede high heels?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tyrred on 02/11/2020 06:45 am
At Boca Chica, as the VAB continues to grow, SpaceXers have been working on various sections of Starship SN1 and moved the Tampered Section on a truck to the windbreak.

Videos and Photos from Mary (@bocachicagal) for NSF.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEG065eDjuI

That section has DEFINITELY been tampered with.  Welp, time to toss the baby out with the bathwater.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DistantTemple on 02/11/2020 03:01 pm
At Boca Chica, as the VAB continues to grow, SpaceXers have been working on various sections of Starship SN1 and moved the Tampered Section on a truck to the windbreak.

Videos and Photos from Mary (@bocachicagal) for NSF.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEG065eDjuI

That section has DEFINITELY been tampered with.  Welp, time to toss the baby out with the bathwater.

Yes it looks seriously tired.

Shedding its skin, then it won't be so wrapped up (in appearances), just like a snake, there is muscle, and venom inside...   
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DistantTemple on 02/11/2020 09:01 pm
Skin is shed.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: gaballard on 02/13/2020 07:17 pm
They must be expecting some really big birds.
Uh - you obviously haven't grok'd the new SpaceX way of doing things. This has yet to be flipped - those are the V2.0 landing legs...

So after the Roomba we get millipede high heels?

Man that'd make a great GIF. A Starship shuffling itself over to the launch pad on hundreds of tiny high-heeled feet.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 02/13/2020 07:55 pm
The nose of SS is going to be interesting.  Especially figuring out how to make one with a functional opening fairing.

Lots of fun stuff to watch over the next couple of years.

In the mean time, I need an F9 launch!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 02/14/2020 12:33 am
Man that'd make a great GIF. A Starship shuffling itself over to the launch pad on hundreds of tiny high-heeled feet.

Wait, is it really just a Starship or is it actually The Luggage?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Bananas_on_Mars on 02/14/2020 08:48 pm
Elon sent Jim a present for Valentines Day.

https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1228402225690472448?s=21
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: gaballard on 02/14/2020 08:48 pm
Starship is cool and stuff but the real burning question is, whatever happened to the Earth plushy that DM-1 brought to the ISS? Is it still there? Did they covertly return it in a Cargo Dragon? An inquiring mind has a mild to moderate desire to know!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 02/17/2020 01:41 pm
Yawn...RISE AND SHINE! We got to launch a rocket. Again.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 02/17/2020 02:12 pm
Is there anyone else whose head hurts everytime they switch to that second stage camera? I know it's just different perspective, but it always looks like a radial out/deorbit burn to me.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JazzFan on 02/17/2020 02:18 pm
Missed the landing.  The only thing visible was smoke off the side of the camera wafting across the deck.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 02/17/2020 02:18 pm
Awww...

https://youtu.be/8ymwhlqGcKo
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: leetdan on 02/17/2020 02:20 pm
Missed the landing.

SECO.

Wide right!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craig_VG on 02/17/2020 02:22 pm
I made a script a few years back that chose Block 5 culture names (see my sig)

1056 was, apparently fittingly, named Death and Graviy

RIP
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/17/2020 02:30 pm
https://twitter.com/katlinegrey/status/1224708384684986370 (https://twitter.com/katlinegrey/status/1224708384684986370)

So are the repeating consonants the kiss of death for a space project or is it the "L" in between them?

Asking for a friend.
MLM delayed?

I'm as shocked as you are!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ValmirGP on 02/17/2020 02:38 pm
That's what happens when a not to be named space reporter in our ranks calls the landing a mundane operation before de fact.  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 02/17/2020 02:45 pm
Hey, the stage landed fine, they said, it just decided to go for a swim ;)

No I wonder what they are going to do ;) Tug it all the way to short? Or can they somehow lift it on board with the cranes on the support vessels?

If only they had a salvage barge.... waaaaaitaminute....

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 02/17/2020 02:50 pm
See... I did not see and Like Elvis in Space's post up above in time and "Like" it... and look what happened...  :o   >:(

Its' all MY fault we lost the stage[1]... My bad... Sorry...  :-[

Sigh...   :-\

I don't know if you noticed or not but anytime I fail to post something there is a scrub, abort, RUD, etc. I was tempted to temp fate this time and posted at the last few minutes. Your failure to "like" it does explain why we only got half a successful mission out of it. I'll be well ahead of time for the next launch.  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: John Alan on 02/17/2020 02:58 pm
Hey, the stage landed fine, they said, it just decided to go for a swim ;)

No I wonder what they are going to do ;) Tug it all the way to short? Or can they somehow lift it on board with the cranes on the support vessels?

If only they had a salvage barge.... waaaaaitaminute....
Looks like they another one to sink at sea...  :(
I hope this time they got a better plan besides running it over with a boat out of Bermuda...  ???
Exactly!!...
I'm am hoping they got a better way to at least confirm the why and salvage a few pricey bits before placing a couple of charges and re floating it for burial at sea...
The Salt Bath in my opinion rules out keeping the rest and the cheapest and normal way is ok (sink it)...IMHO. 
 ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MKremer on 02/17/2020 03:01 pm
I had a thought when I read Steven's post that everything was perfect, "Don't taunt Murphy!"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 02/17/2020 03:01 pm
See... I did not see and Like Elvis in Space's post up above in time and "Like" it... and look what happened...  :o   >:(

Its' all MY fault we lost the stage[1]... My bad... Sorry...  :-[

Sigh...   :-\

I don't know if you noticed or not but anytime I fail to post something there is a scrub, abort, RUD, etc. I was tempted to temp fate this time and posted at the last few minutes. Your failure to "like" it does explain why we only got half a successful mission out of it. I'll be well ahead of time for the next launch.  8)

I think this is getting too esoteric. The real cause of the landing mishap is probably something mundane.
My bet, the root cause is they forgot the clover leaf on the mission badge.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: John Alan on 02/17/2020 03:05 pm
See... I did not see and Like Elvis in Space's post up above in time and "Like" it... and look what happened...  :o   >:(

Its' all MY fault we lost the stage[1]... My bad... Sorry...  :-[

Sigh...   :-\

I don't know if you noticed or not but anytime I fail to post something there is a scrub, abort, RUD, etc. I was tempted to temp fate this time and posted at the last few minutes. Your failure to "like" it does explain why we only got half a successful mission out of it. I'll be well ahead of time for the next launch.  8)



If you could please, I got up 10 mins before launch and went straight for YouTube...
I should have checked one last time while the gals were talking...  :-[

Anyway... I see the same pattern emerging... So I guess we got to do our part...  8)
Might become just as well known as Gene's vest [1]... ;D

[1] https://airandspace.si.edu/stories/editorial/gene-kranz%E2%80%99s-apollo-13-vest
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: abaddon on 02/17/2020 03:07 pm
BREAKING: NASA delays Crew Dragon DM-2 launch indefinitely after "grave concerns" around SpaceX's "scary" loss of a booster on the forth Starlink launch*.  A NASA spokesman confirmed that NASA will be reviewing SpaceX's Falcon 9 for any use of tungsten tubing.  A new safety culture review is being contemplated at the uppermost levels of NASA, where each SpaceX employee involved in the manufacture of a booster or crew capsule will have to divulge whether they ate the chicken or the fish for lunch the day of the launch.











*the launch was successful.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 02/17/2020 04:13 pm
On a more positive note, not landing a booster on the droneship has greatly improved the quality of the video stream. Not a single interruption!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: John Alan on 02/17/2020 05:30 pm
Unrelated but Kewl and kinda space newsey...
Dogs remember their owners... Even long term astronauts gone almost a year in space... 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9UFw_ZhR9c
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 02/17/2020 08:53 pm
Cross-post from an inappropriate sub-forum to a more appropriate location:
Looks as if Bezos's recent shares cash in was due to his new Climate Change fund, rather than Blue related.
So Jeff will be giving up his private jet and using public transport?
This joke will be written in stone for it's quality beyond compare.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 02/17/2020 09:19 pm
Now in Blue Origin news...

Blue has released security camera footage from today's ribbon cutting ceremony at the new engine factory. Apparently Elon wasn't invited. Details at 11:00

https://twitter.com/backlocker/status/1229020283048255491 (https://twitter.com/backlocker/status/1229020283048255491)[/size]


Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mandella on 02/18/2020 06:59 pm
People are arguing how the sections are being fit together when the answer is clear as day. You can clearly see the Kerbal attachment node at the base of the lifted section. Being the same diameter, they should click together seamlessly, no Tweakscale needed.

 ;D

The ding is gone, but seems like internal stiffener has been added for the circumference (2 welds visible). Doing lapped joints for every 4 stack mating should be the way to go, easy and strong. 100kg extra weight per joint, acceptable for now?

So can anybody tell?
Are they doing internal ring to double thickness or are they slipping one over the other for overlap?
Effectively comes out the same in the end for strength.
From @SpacePadreIsle's tweeted photo (2nd of the series), I'd say the upper ring was slipped over the lower one:

https://twitter.com/SpacePadreIsle/status/1229513448293371904/

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: gaballard on 02/18/2020 11:28 pm
The silliest argument about Starship is whether it's going to be built vertically or horizontally. We already know SpaceX uses Vertical Integration, why wouldn't they do the same here?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ValmirGP on 02/18/2020 11:31 pm
The giant Keg is nearly completed. I hope we get invitations to this party. Measuring by the Keg, it's gonna be huge.  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 02/19/2020 04:22 am
The giant Keg is nearly completed. I hope we get invitations to this party. Measuring by the Keg, it's gonna be huge.  8)

Spring break is coming to South Padre Island soon!
The boys at Delta Tau Chi are in:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18eaNSxhK5c
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 02/19/2020 06:48 pm
It is unusual for Elon to be this quiet about the cause of the failed landing or the status of the stage (Meaning if its being brought back being pulled by a tug) Usually about an hour after a failed landing he posts why it failed.

Really, it's rather obvious, given how Elon has been treating it.  He made sure we could see the droneship live, and then remained completely silent while the recovery ships milled around.  The droneship is gonna come back empty, and we'll wonder where the bits of the stage are.  And then, when we least expect it, on the horizon...

A SHORTFALL OF GRAVITAS

Clearly, they set up the landing so that while we expected the booster to land on one droneship, it actually landed on another, immediately adjacent, secretly spirited out into the Atkantic, brand-new barge.  That's why we could see a bit of the exhaust off to the side.  Imagine the press!  :P
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mandella on 02/19/2020 07:54 pm
It is unusual for Elon to be this quiet about the cause of the failed landing or the status of the stage (Meaning if its being brought back being pulled by a tug) Usually about an hour after a failed landing he posts why it failed.

Really, it's rather obvious, given how Elon has been treating it.  He made sure we could see the droneship live, and then remained completely silent while the recovery ships milled around.  The droneship is gonna come back empty, and we'll wonder where the bits of the stage are.  And then, when we least expect it, on the horizon...

A SHORTFALL OF GRAVITAS

Clearly, they set up the landing so that while we expected the booster to land on one droneship, it actually landed on another, immediately adjacent, secretly spirited out into the Atkantic, brand-new barge.  That's why we could see a bit of the exhaust off to the side.  Imagine the press!  :P

At this point I wouldn't be surprised if A SHORTFALL OF GRAVITAS was a submarine. It would help get around some of the messy sea state issues. It just rises from the waves as the booster descends, pops open a clamshell hatch and gobbles down the Falcon 9 and then drops back down beneath the waves in one fluid motion.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: gaballard on 02/20/2020 05:39 pm
It is unusual for Elon to be this quiet about the cause of the failed landing or the status of the stage (Meaning if its being brought back being pulled by a tug) Usually about an hour after a failed landing he posts why it failed.

Really, it's rather obvious, given how Elon has been treating it.  He made sure we could see the droneship live, and then remained completely silent while the recovery ships milled around.  The droneship is gonna come back empty, and we'll wonder where the bits of the stage are.  And then, when we least expect it, on the horizon...

A SHORTFALL OF GRAVITAS

Clearly, they set up the landing so that while we expected the booster to land on one droneship, it actually landed on another, immediately adjacent, secretly spirited out into the Atkantic, brand-new barge.  That's why we could see a bit of the exhaust off to the side.  Imagine the press!  :P

At this point I wouldn't be surprised if A SHORTFALL OF GRAVITAS was a submarine. It would help get around some of the messy sea state issues. It just rises from the waves as the booster descends, pops open a clamshell hatch and gobbles down the Falcon 9 and then drops back down beneath the waves in one fluid motion.

So did we just come up with the ultimate solution for point-to-point travel?

1. Eat rocket
2. Spit rocket at target
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/21/2020 08:51 pm
Quote from: Johnnyhinbos (undisclosed location)
“I would my horse had the speed of your tongue.”

Name that Shakespeare comedy and ye shall know what I thinkist o the concern o'r the failed landing...

Tempest or I much miss(ith) my guess(ist).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: guyw on 02/21/2020 10:35 pm
I believe thou hast missed the mark.

Truley there is another play of which the title gets to the heart of the matter.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 02/21/2020 10:41 pm
I believe thou hast missed the mark.

Truley there is another play of which the title gets to the heart of the matter.
Guy(w) gets it


(and I like how it say's I'm posting from "an undisclosed location". Suitably mysterious)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 02/21/2020 11:07 pm
It was one of those nights.

I was laying in my bed, trying to sleep, but sleep was eluding me, and my thoughts started racing, coming back to NSF articles I had read and spinning through hypothetical scenarios.

What if...


What if Artemis 1 goes through its final countdown, on the pad. T-10 seconds, everything looks OK. Engine startup works, Then solid booster ignition...

One booster ignites, but the second one... doesn't.  The rocket is under full thrust but instead of lifting of the pad, it tilts over, almost as if in slow motion, leans towards the umbilical tower. Rotates with the noise of a stricken whale. The failed SRB strikes it, the stack rotates faster, and with an ugly noise, the tank rips open right where the SRB touches it. A torrent of liquid hydrogen gushes down momentarily shrouding the scene in white fog. Only the tip of the tilted rocket - now at a daring angle rises from it, and now indeed starts rising, with it's weight reduced, it actually makes it of the pad, just as the pad turns into a flaming inferno.

The top of the stack is still rising, as the lox tank gives and spills its contents right into a pool of burning hydrogen. The flash is so bright, it actually burns out the cameras on the pad...

The explosion travels upwards, rips apart the second stage, then the ICPS in rapid succession. Somehow the launch escape tower fires, now in a race with the freed solid rocket booster that launches on its own, while its stricken brother detonates below.

Both Orion and the booster race away from a rising fireball, so large and hot the onlookers at the press site need to avert their eyes and feel a burning sensation on their skin. The booster doesn't get far, it is ripped apart by its abort charges. White hot shrapnel and burning blops of of PBAN-APCP fly in all directions like a fireworks-star. Some strike the capsule, but it remains flying away  in a corkscrew trajectory, trailing smoke...

Meanwhile the fireball mushrooms, revealing a burning inferno below it. Nothing is left of the stack, and only a molten skeleton remains if the umbilical tower. The fire burns white hot and violent as sections of the failed SRB burn in place, shooting white hot plasma from both ends, melting what is left of the mobile launch platform. Above it the fireball rises into the sky, higher and higher, but by now glowing less hot, so the onlookers briefly dare to open their eyes again.

Just in time to see the ring of mist raising from the water surface where the shockwave travels. Whoever hasn't thrown themselves to the ground already gets a helping hand by a roaring thunder that sounds as if Thors hammer itself had just struck the earth - ripping the feet out from under the shocked press people - toppling tripods, ripping apart sun-shields and umbrellas as if they were paper. Ears are left ringing.

Meanwhile the escape tower has let go of its payload. The capsule flies towards the water, but it's too damaged for its parachutes to open. It completes its ark, trailing smoke, hurling towards the water surface.  Then it hits - Orions end is almost anticlimatic. No fireball, no smoke, only a wet splash. And barely a camera captures it, most reporters who managed to pick up their gear have it pointed at the rising mushroom cloud, or the smoldering remains of pad 39 B.

...

and I kinda thought...   hey, that's something for the party thread, isn't it?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Kansan52 on 02/21/2020 11:15 pm
mobile launch platform instead of crawler transporter?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 02/21/2020 11:21 pm
mobile launch platform instead of crawler transporter?
thanks, fixed.   its the same thing though, isn't it?  or would have had been...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 02/22/2020 02:05 am
BREAKING: NASA delays Crew Dragon DM-2 launch indefinitely after "grave concerns" around SpaceX's "scary" loss of a booster on the forth Starlink launch*.  A NASA spokesman confirmed that NASA will be reviewing SpaceX's Falcon 9 for any use of tungsten tubing.  A new safety culture review is being contemplated at the uppermost levels of NASA, where each SpaceX employee involved in the manufacture of a booster or crew capsule will have to divulge whether they ate the chicken or the fish for lunch the day of the launch.











*the launch was successful.

I literally thought that was actual news until I looked up the first phrase on Google, whose only match related to the Party Thread.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/22/2020 03:04 am
and I kinda thought...   hey, that's something for the party thread, isn't it?

Dude that's sick and twisted[1] ... let's not wish hardware bad luck...

1 - like Orion's corkscrew path... nice turn of phrase there.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 02/22/2020 03:13 am
People are arguing how the sections are being fit together when the answer is clear as day. You can clearly see the Kerbal attachment node at the base of the lifted section. Being the same diameter, they should click together seamlessly, no Tweakscale needed.

 ;D

The ding is gone, but seems like internal stiffener has been added for the circumference (2 welds visible). Doing lapped joints for every 4 stack mating should be the way to go, easy and strong. 100kg extra weight per joint, acceptable for now?

So can anybody tell?
Are they doing internal ring to double thickness or are they slipping one over the other for overlap?
Effectively comes out the same in the end for strength.
From @SpacePadreIsle's tweeted photo (2nd of the series), I'd say the upper ring was slipped over the lower one:

https://twitter.com/SpacePadreIsle/status/1229513448293371904/


I kind of like the old MK1 look. It has that battle scarred motif.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TorenAltair on 02/22/2020 06:01 am
I can't help..I don't get the fictional press release out of my head..

"Today NASA launched the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft with two astronauts onboard to the ISS. This test flight will help to validate the design. Meanwhile the ground crews are preparing the first Boeing operational spaceflight to the International Space Station coming up the next months. The Boeing Starliner gives NASA the possibility to launch and land astronauts from American soil for the first time since the Shuttle era. Already the first flight will enable NASA to ferry 4 astronauts to the station, a massive increase over Apollo capabilities. The astronauts will conduct a long duration spaceflight and help to bolster US lead in space and science."
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 02/22/2020 05:41 pm
 You people should treat me with respect. In binary, I'm one million years old today.
 Although with a date like 02222020, maybe I should use trinary.

 Oh yeah.......Rockets and stuff.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: joek on 02/22/2020 05:47 pm
... Although with a date like 02222020, maybe I should use trinary ternary.
FTFY
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 02/22/2020 11:37 pm
You people should treat me with respect. In binary, I'm one million years old today.
 Although with a date like 02222020, maybe I should use trinary.

 Oh yeah.......Rockets and stuff.

Yay, happy 2⁶ birthday! :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 02/22/2020 11:54 pm
and I kinda thought...   hey, that's something for the party thread, isn't it?

Dude that's sick and twisted[1] ... let's not wish hardware bad luck...

1 - like Orion's corkscrew path... nice turn of phrase there.

Well, if you think about it, considering SLS has already cost the US taxpayer billions and is at an ever increasing risk of getting eventually axed by congress in a rather anticlimatic act - especially if delays continue to add on and Starship succeeds... There's a large risk it would end eventually, leaving nothing but a sore taste and regret over all that spent money. And all the hard work by so many involved in that program. Even if it flies successfully, how many flight would it possibly get? What would it have achieved in the long run?

So with all the potential futures in mind, the question becomes - which conclusion to the Artemis program is there, that would give everyone the most *bang* for the buck - so to speak.

Think about it, the Russian's still hold **one** record from the 1960's space race: N1 might not have made it to the moon, but it did score and is still holding the record for the  largest man made explosion ever (non-nuclear). (Russia also holds the record for the largest nuclear, but lets not go there - that's a different "Orion program" ...)

I think it would be a worthy conclusion for the Artemis program to bring that record back to American soil.

It would be advantageous if that happened during Artemis 1. It would minimize the expenses, but more importantly than everything else, it will go up unmanned!

So if Artemis 1 happened to get delayed to July 4 2021...

It'd be glorious!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mandella on 02/22/2020 11:54 pm
You people should treat me with respect. In binary, I'm one million years old today.
 Although with a date like 02222020, maybe I should use trinary.

 Oh yeah.......Rockets and stuff.

If I'm not mistaken, you could also say you are 40 -- in hexidecimal...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/23/2020 02:14 am

It'd be glorious!

The nightmare part of that for me is what if the errant booster wandered over to 39A ....  shudder
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 02/23/2020 03:36 am
all right you old fogies. knock it off, that's enough. thank you.
WTF?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 02/23/2020 05:37 am
It was one of those nights.
**CENSORED CONTENT**
...

and I kinda thought...   hey, that's something for the party thread, isn't it?

Dangit Corvus, you have been warned before. Surely you read the legal disclaimer on that timemachine of yours?

You are **NOT** allowed to send warnings back to yourself. You are **NOT** allowed to tamper with history.

Your Temporal Permit is hereby revoked, you are to return the Device immediately.

You will also be held accountable for any expenses required to correct the timeline.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: John Alan on 02/23/2020 09:42 am
You people should treat me with respect. In binary, I'm one million years old today.
 Although with a date like 02222020, maybe I should use trinary.

 Oh yeah.......Rockets and stuff.

Hmmm... and I'm 110110.... that's spooky...  :o

I'm about to roll my odometer over... to 111000... (every 4 years implied meaning)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: obi-wan on 02/23/2020 07:07 pm
It was one of those nights.

I was laying in my bed, trying to sleep, but sleep was eluding me, and my thoughts started racing, coming back to NSF articles I had read and spinning through hypothetical scenarios.

What if...


What if Artemis 1 goes through its final countdown, on the pad. T-10 seconds, everything looks OK. Engine startup works, Then solid booster ignition...

One booster ignites, but the second one... doesn't.  The rocket is under full thrust but instead of lifting of the pad, it tilts over, almost as if in slow motion, leans towards the umbilical tower. Rotates with the noise of a stricken whale. The failed SRB strikes it, the stack rotates faster, and with an ugly noise, the tank rips open right where the SRB touches it. A torrent of liquid hydrogen gushes down momentarily shrouding the scene in white fog. Only the tip of the tilted rocket - now at a daring angle rises from it, and now indeed starts rising, with it's weight reduced, it actually makes it of the pad, just as the pad turns into a flaming inferno.

The top of the stack is still rising, as the lox tank gives and spills its contents right into a pool of burning hydrogen. The flash is so bright, it actually burns out the cameras on the pad...

The explosion travels upwards, rips apart the second stage, then the ICPS in rapid succession. Somehow the launch escape tower fires, now in a race with the freed solid rocket booster that launches on its own, while its stricken brother detonates below.

Both Orion and the booster race away from a rising fireball, so large and hot the onlookers at the press site need to avert their eyes and feel a burning sensation on their skin. The booster doesn't get far, it is ripped apart by its abort charges. White hot shrapnel and burning blops of of PBAN-APCP fly in all directions like a fireworks-star. Some strike the capsule, but it remains flying away  in a corkscrew trajectory, trailing smoke...

Meanwhile the fireball mushrooms, revealing a burning inferno below it. Nothing is left of the stack, and only a molten skeleton remains if the umbilical tower. The fire burns white hot and violent as sections of the failed SRB burn in place, shooting white hot plasma from both ends, melting what is left of the mobile launch platform. Above it the fireball rises into the sky, higher and higher, but by now glowing less hot, so the onlookers briefly dare to open their eyes again.

Just in time to see the ring of mist raising from the water surface where the shockwave travels. Whoever hasn't thrown themselves to the ground already gets a helping hand by a roaring thunder that sounds as if Thors hammer itself had just struck the earth - ripping the feet out from under the shocked press people - toppling tripods, ripping apart sun-shields and umbrellas as if they were paper. Ears are left ringing.

Meanwhile the escape tower has let go of its payload. The capsule flies towards the water, but it's too damaged for its parachutes to open. It completes its ark, trailing smoke, hurling towards the water surface.  Then it hits - Orions end is almost anticlimatic. No fireball, no smoke, only a wet splash. And barely a camera captures it, most reporters who managed to pick up their gear have it pointed at the rising mushroom cloud, or the smoldering remains of pad 39 B.

...

and I kinda thought...   hey, that's something for the party thread, isn't it?

You think you’re joking, but many years ago working early Shuttle concepts at KSC a memo crossed my desk with the results of an analysis of “what happens if one SRB lights and the other doesn't?” (Spoiler alert: the likelihood of that happening is vanishingly small.) The conclusion was that if you dropped the inert SRB (you couldn't) and jam all the nozzles hard over, there was a tiny chance you could ride out the SRB burn and initiate an RTLS. The last line of the memo was “It would be a real sporty ride, though.”
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 02/23/2020 10:02 pm
It was one of those nights.
**CENSORED CONTENT**

Dangit Corvus, you have been warned before. Surely you read the legal disclaimer on that timemachine of yours?

...

I was?

Let me check something...

Aaaah.  You meant that as in "I am going to have had been warned" ...  but you must be referring to a an event that had been going to have happened, but as such I am never going to would have had the chance to read that disclaimer. But sure, take this device instance, if you must, my past self is going to lend me another one in the near future anyway...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 02/23/2020 10:30 pm


You think you’re joking, but many years ago working early Shuttle concepts at KSC a memo crossed my desk with the results of an analysis of “what happens if one SRB lights and the other doesn't?” (Spoiler alert: the likelihood of that happening is vanishingly small.) The conclusion was that if you dropped the inert SRB (you couldn't) and jam all the nozzles hard over, there was a tiny chance you could ride out the SRB burn and initiate an RTLS. The last line of the memo was “It would be a real sporty ride, though.”

Well, the thing is ... sometimes the thought "what's the worst that could possibly happen" - thought consequently to the end with sufficient imagination and vision leads to quite spectacular hypothetical scenarios.

Solid rocket boosters are just such a thing. You need to turn them on at exactly the same moment, and once they are lit you can't turn them of.

I have seen misfirings with model rockets where one booster charge lit and the other fizzled. Granted those igniters are probably a few order of magnitudes less reliable, but it was an electric igniter after all. It should not have failed...

Let's be glad the shuttle program ran its course without ever hitting this particular failure mode...


It'd be glorious!

The nightmare part of that for me is what if the errant booster wandered over to 39A ....  shudder

I see, you, too are looking for the "what's the worst that could happen"... well... open your imaginary eye and watch it fly over in a nice arc, like a high energy Proton in a fog chamber through an upside down magnetic field...

What's it going to hit?

A fully fueled falcon Heavy - or even Starship on the pad?  Nah... that's wishful thinking --- even if one is out, SpaceX only ever fuels right before launch...

The fixed service structure? Nah... not spectacular enough...

The assembly building? Hmm... that'd certainly be annoying and time consuming to fix, but there must be something ... better ...



...

The LOX sphere? ...   getting there... getting there... almost

...

The methane tank farm!!!!!

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 02/24/2020 12:36 am


It's not at final altitude, so this observation is premature.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 02/24/2020 01:44 am
N1 might not have made it to the moon, but it did score and is still holding the record for the  largest man made explosion ever (non-nuclear).

Almost but not quite. Scroll down to the rank order. Several others that were probably bigger.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Largest_artificial_non-nuclear_explosions
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 02/24/2020 07:54 am
and I kinda thought...   hey, that's something for the party thread, isn't it?

This party thread needs something beyond like button.
 How about a “spit milk through my nose” button?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 02/24/2020 07:56 am

It'd be glorious!

The nightmare part of that for me is what if the errant booster wandered over to 39A ....  shudder

I see, you, too are looking for the "what's the worst that could happen"... well... open your imaginary eye and watch it fly over in a nice arc, like a high energy Proton in a fog chamber through an upside down magnetic field...
Or like a high-energy Proton with an upside down orientation sensor
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: John Alan on 02/24/2020 11:27 am
and I kinda thought...   hey, that's something for the party thread, isn't it?

This party thread needs something beyond like button.
 How about a “spit milk through my nose” button?

And one more... Plaid...  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 02/24/2020 08:34 pm

It'd be glorious!

The nightmare part of that for me is what if the errant booster wandered over to 39A ....  shudder

I see, you, too are looking for the "what's the worst that could happen"... well... open your imaginary eye and watch it fly over in a nice arc, like a high energy Proton in a fog chamber through an upside down magnetic field...
Or like a high-energy Proton with an upside down orientation sensor

+1 for getting the reference ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 02/25/2020 02:02 am

It'd be glorious!

The nightmare part of that for me is what if the errant booster wandered over to 39A ....  shudder

I see, you, too are looking for the "what's the worst that could happen"... well... open your imaginary eye and watch it fly over in a nice arc, like a high energy Proton in a fog chamber through an upside down magnetic field...
Or like a high-energy Proton with an upside down orientation sensor

Are you talking about the time Krunichev demonstrated the Proton M doing the world's first successful full orbital-class RTLS, achieved by upgrading to Australian orientation sensors? 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqW0LEcTAYg

 
 


 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 02/25/2020 02:41 am

It'd be glorious!

The nightmare part of that for me is what if the errant booster wandered over to 39A ....  shudder

I see, you, too are looking for the "what's the worst that could happen"... well... open your imaginary eye and watch it fly over in a nice arc, like a high energy Proton in a fog chamber through an upside down magnetic field...
Or like a high-energy Proton with an upside down orientation sensor

Are you talking about the time Krunichev demonstrated the Proton M doing the world's first successful full orbital-class RTLS, achieved by upgrading to Australian orientation sensors? 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqW0LEcTAYg

Although the exhaust trail would probably be more white and misty.... a little bit like this particular erratic particle trace...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFml9UKO1SI

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 02/25/2020 04:21 pm
[Space News, Feb. 22, 2020] U.S. military’s annual list of ‘unfunded priorities’ includes $1 billion for Space Force (https://spacenews.com/u-s-militarys-annual-list-of-unfunded-priorities-includes-1-billion-for-space-force/)
Quote
One of the largest single items is $255 million to launch two GPS 3 satellites that already are in production at Lockheed Martin’s assembly line but whose launches have not been funded. The Space Force would use this money to launch the sixth and seventh satellites of the GPS 3 constellation. Two spacecraft are already on orbit and three more are expected to launch in 2020 and early 2021.

They can't exercise the option on III-6 until they get the funding.

It's an interesting question how far they can go in the flow without funding ;)
I guess from SpaceX perspective the largest risk is not getting paid. But unlike Lockheed Martin, they don't "lose" anything if they build a booster and upper stage and even do pre-launch processing up to the point of spacecraft integration -- they could always use the rocket to launch something else - and there's no shortage of starlink related payloads in need for rockets ;)

how far can you stretch that?

"T minus five minutes... final poll... weather?"
"Weather is go"
"Range?"
"Range is go"
"Financing?"
"Financing is no go."
"Hold Hold Hold."
"Countdown hold, detanking and saving according to procedure 97.3 on recovery net. Payload isolation and auction according to chapter 7 USBC."
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 02/25/2020 09:19 pm
Why do I now have "The Flight of the Valkyries" stuck in my head...?
Because you think of fabricating and assembling the Starships as "The Ring cycle"?
https://youtu.be/QCOkx4eT2ts
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: gaballard on 02/25/2020 10:21 pm
[Space News, Feb. 22, 2020] U.S. military’s annual list of ‘unfunded priorities’ includes $1 billion for Space Force (https://spacenews.com/u-s-militarys-annual-list-of-unfunded-priorities-includes-1-billion-for-space-force/)
Quote
One of the largest single items is $255 million to launch two GPS 3 satellites that already are in production at Lockheed Martin’s assembly line but whose launches have not been funded. The Space Force would use this money to launch the sixth and seventh satellites of the GPS 3 constellation. Two spacecraft are already on orbit and three more are expected to launch in 2020 and early 2021.

They can't exercise the option on III-6 until they get the funding.

It's an interesting question how far they can go in the flow without funding ;)
I guess from SpaceX perspective the largest risk is not getting paid. But unlike Lockheed Martin, they don't "lose" anything if they build a booster and upper stage and even do pre-launch processing up to the point of spacecraft integration -- they could always use the rocket to launch something else - and there's no shortage of starlink related payloads in need for rockets ;)

how far can you stretch that?

"T minus five minutes... final poll... weather?"
"Weather is go"
"Range?"
"Range is go"
"Financing?"
"Financing is no go."
"Hold Hold Hold."
"Countdown hold, detanking and saving according to procedure 97.3 on recovery net. Payload isolation and auction according to chapter 7 USBC."

I can see the Starship update thread now... "and we've got accountants back out inspecting the rocket, 18:25 on the LabPadre stream..."
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 02/25/2020 10:22 pm
[Space News, Feb. 22, 2020] U.S. military’s annual list of ‘unfunded priorities’ includes $1 billion for Space Force (https://spacenews.com/u-s-militarys-annual-list-of-unfunded-priorities-includes-1-billion-for-space-force/)
Quote
One of the largest single items is $255 million to launch two GPS 3 satellites that already are in production at Lockheed Martin’s assembly line but whose launches have not been funded. The Space Force would use this money to launch the sixth and seventh satellites of the GPS 3 constellation. Two spacecraft are already on orbit and three more are expected to launch in 2020 and early 2021.

They can't exercise the option on III-6 until they get the funding.

It's an interesting question how far they can go in the flow without funding ;)
I guess from SpaceX perspective the largest risk is not getting paid. But unlike Lockheed Martin, they don't "lose" anything if they build a booster and upper stage and even do pre-launch processing up to the point of spacecraft integration -- they could always use the rocket to launch something else - and there's no shortage of starlink related payloads in need for rockets ;)

how far can you stretch that?

"T minus five minutes... final poll... weather?"
"Weather is go"
"Range?"
"Range is go"
"Financing?"
"Financing is no go."
"Hold Hold Hold."
"Countdown hold, detanking and saving according to procedure 97.3 on recovery net. Payload isolation and auction according to chapter 7 USBC."

Well they just had to swap out an entire second stage and it's set them back a whole ... 4 days? It's incredible what sort of timing they can manage. I wonder how other companies would react when you tell them you don't want to fly on the second stage they gave you.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 02/25/2020 11:49 pm
[Space News, Feb. 22, 2020] U.S. military’s annual list of ‘unfunded priorities’ includes $1 billion for Space Force (https://spacenews.com/u-s-militarys-annual-list-of-unfunded-priorities-includes-1-billion-for-space-force/)
Quote
One of the largest single items is $255 million to launch two GPS 3 satellites that already are in production at Lockheed Martin’s assembly line but whose launches have not been funded. The Space Force would use this money to launch the sixth and seventh satellites of the GPS 3 constellation. Two spacecraft are already on orbit and three more are expected to launch in 2020 and early 2021.

They can't exercise the option on III-6 until they get the funding.

It's an interesting question how far they can go in the flow without funding ;)
I guess from SpaceX perspective the largest risk is not getting paid. But unlike Lockheed Martin, they don't "lose" anything if they build a booster and upper stage and even do pre-launch processing up to the point of spacecraft integration -- they could always use the rocket to launch something else - and there's no shortage of starlink related payloads in need for rockets ;)

how far can you stretch that?

"T minus five minutes... final poll... weather?"
"Weather is go"
"Range?"
"Range is go"
"Financing?"
"Financing is no go."
"Hold Hold Hold."
"Countdown hold, detanking and saving according to procedure 97.3 on recovery net. Payload isolation and auction according to chapter 7 USBC."

I can see the Starship update thread now... "and we've got accountants back out inspecting the rocket, 18:25 on the LabPadre stream..."

Official press statement:

After defaulting of our customer, we detanked and saved the rocket. Our accountants as well as those hired by our customers creditors are currently on the pad, investigating the situation.

Both launch vehicle and payload are in good health. We are currently in discussion with the liquidator and the creditors lawyers about how to proceed. If the financial situation improves, we will make another launch attempt later this week. Financing estimates a 70% go chance on Thursday based on the understanding that the satellite might achieve a higher price in orbit than on the pad. However we also have to insist on sufficient coverage of our launch expenses. Our contingency plan is to de-mate and keep the payload encapsulated and in storage, in accordance with out terms of service, until a final agreement can be reached.

In either case we expect no significant impact on our launch schedule. Our next launch, a space station resupply mission which is scheduled to launch from pad 39A has already been paid in advance and well advanced in the flow.


Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: 1 on 02/26/2020 12:51 am
You think you’re joking, but many years ago working early Shuttle concepts at KSC a memo crossed my desk with the results of an analysis of “what happens if one SRB lights and the other doesn't?” (Spoiler alert: the likelihood of that happening is vanishingly small.) The conclusion was that if you dropped the inert SRB (you couldn't) and jam all the nozzles hard over, there was a tiny chance you could ride out the SRB burn and initiate an RTLS. The last line of the memo was “It would be a real sporty ride, though.”

Overly complicated. It'd be way easier just to cause a thermal curtain failure on the misbehaving SRB and wait for it to overheat and self-ignite.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 02/26/2020 03:55 am
You think you’re joking, but many years ago working early Shuttle concepts at KSC a memo crossed my desk with the results of an analysis of “what happens if one SRB lights and the other doesn't?” (Spoiler alert: the likelihood of that happening is vanishingly small.) The conclusion was that if you dropped the inert SRB (you couldn't) and jam all the nozzles hard over, there was a tiny chance you could ride out the SRB burn and initiate an RTLS. The last line of the memo was “It would be a real sporty ride, though.”

Overly complicated. It'd be way easier just to cause a thermal curtain failure on the misbehaving SRB and wait for it to overheat and self-ignite.

Nice "SpaceCamp" reference. I've seen that movie several times.

If there was an extra scene after the landing, I can picture it being a fictional news report with the headline “Defective Robot Nearly Dooms NASA Space Shuttle”.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 02/26/2020 04:53 am
 I swear, if Elon tweeted a period, these guys would read 27 pages of data in it.

 "OMG!! Elon just tweeted a comma. Proof that he intends to pause the program for six years to give the Lithuanians a chance to catch up!!!"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 02/26/2020 10:13 am
I swear, if Elon tweeted a period, these guys would read 27 pages of data in it.

 "OMG!! Elon just tweeted a comma. Proof that he intends to pause the program for six years to give the Lithuanians a chance to catch up!!!"

Huh? So you're seriously suggesting that when Elon tweets;
Full disclosure, I’m actually a 3000 year old vampire. It’s such a trial assuming all these false identities over the centuries!"
It's not actually a detailed plan for an interstellar generational ship that he'll launch next Tuesday?!?!??!?!!? 

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 02/26/2020 02:27 pm
I swear, if Elon tweeted a period, these guys would read 27 pages of data in it.

 "OMG!! Elon just tweeted a comma. Proof that he intends to pause the program for six years to give the Lithuanians a chance to catch up!!!"

Huh? So you're seriously suggesting that when Elon tweets;
Full disclosure, I’m actually a 3000 year old vampire. It’s such a trial assuming all these false identities over the centuries!"
It's not actually a detailed plan for an interstellar generational ship that he'll launch next Tuesday?!?!??!?!!? 

Well yeah, that one is true, but the rest are nonsense.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 02/26/2020 02:55 pm
SpaceX Starlink job posting signals serious interest in a growing multi-billion dollar market

By Eric Ralph Posted on February 25, 2020

https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-starlink-job-posting-billion-dollar-market/

The key quote from the article:

Quote
SpaceX’s February 21st listing explicitly refers to the new position as an opportunity to “[certify] Starlink aeronautical terminals [for] commercial and business jet aircraft…[and] play a critical role in deploying an industry-changing In-Flight Communications (IFC) service”

The rest of the article is speculation based on that.

Quote
If SpaceX can launch several thousand satellites and figure out how to affordably mass-produce unprecedentedly high-performance terminals (still up for debate), it’s safe to say that Starlink is going to run through existing IFC providers like a brick wall.

It's safe to say that Teslarati needs to review Quality Control at its Metaphor Vendor
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 02/26/2020 03:24 pm
SpaceX Starlink job posting signals serious interest in a growing multi-billion dollar market

By Eric Ralph Posted on February 25, 2020

https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-starlink-job-posting-billion-dollar-market/

The key quote from the article:

Quote
SpaceX’s February 21st listing explicitly refers to the new position as an opportunity to “[certify] Starlink aeronautical terminals [for] commercial and business jet aircraft…[and] play a critical role in deploying an industry-changing In-Flight Communications (IFC) service”

The rest of the article is speculation based on that.

Quote
If SpaceX can launch several thousand satellites and figure out how to affordably mass-produce unprecedentedly high-performance terminals (still up for debate), it’s safe to say that Starlink is going to run through existing IFC providers like a brick wall.

It's safe to say that Teslarati needs to review Quality Control at its Metaphor Vendor
Just because you've never seen a running brick wall doesn't mean there aren't any.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 02/26/2020 06:40 pm
twitter.com/newscientist/status/1232704211646844937

Quote
Earth has acquired a brand new moon that's about the size of a car bit.ly/3c7qNVj

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1232748533486276608

Quote
It’s not mine
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 02/26/2020 09:09 pm
Boeing didn’t perform full end-to-end test of its astronaut capsule before troubled mission, ‘surprising’ NASA safety panel (https://www.orlandosentinel.com/space/os-bz-boeing-safety-commercial-crew-20200226-bgvthodnjzgmlc36hsxcaopahu-story.html)

Orlando Sentinel, February 26:
Quote
Critically, the panel learned early this month that Boeing did not perform a full, end-to-end integrated test of Starliner in a Systems Integration Lab with ULA’s Atlas V rocket. The test typically shows how all the software systems during each component of the mission would have responded with each other through every maneuver — and it could potentially have caught the issues Boeing later experienced in the mission.
(https://media.giphy.com/media/WrNfErHio7ZAc/giphy.gif)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 02/26/2020 09:23 pm
Boeing didn’t perform full end-to-end test of its astronaut capsule before troubled mission, ‘surprising’ NASA safety panel (https://www.orlandosentinel.com/space/os-bz-boeing-safety-commercial-crew-20200226-bgvthodnjzgmlc36hsxcaopahu-story.html)

Orlando Sentinel, February 26:
Quote
Critically, the panel learned early this month that Boeing did not perform a full, end-to-end integrated test of Starliner in a Systems Integration Lab with ULA’s Atlas V rocket. The test typically shows how all the software systems during each component of the mission would have responded with each other through every maneuver — and it could potentially have caught the issues Boeing later experienced in the mission.
(https://media.giphy.com/media/WrNfErHio7ZAc/giphy.gif)

That's going to leave a mark(-up)[1].


[1] A congressional maneuver adding $Texas billions to your procurement contracts. 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: SteveU on 02/26/2020 10:40 pm
Boeing didn’t perform full end-to-end test of its astronaut capsule before troubled mission, ‘surprising’ NASA safety panel (https://www.orlandosentinel.com/space/os-bz-boeing-safety-commercial-crew-20200226-bgvthodnjzgmlc36hsxcaopahu-story.html)

Orlando Sentinel, February 26:
Quote
Critically, the panel learned early this month that Boeing did not perform a full, end-to-end integrated test of Starliner in a Systems Integration Lab with ULA’s Atlas V rocket. The test typically shows how all the software systems during each component of the mission would have responded with each other through every maneuver — and it could potentially have caught the issues Boeing later experienced in the mission.
(https://media.giphy.com/media/WrNfErHio7ZAc/giphy.gif)

That's going to leave a mark(-up)[1].


[1] A congressional maneuver adding $Texas billions to your procurement contracts.
I thought this was the party thread - not an L2 factual thread. 8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: John Alan on 02/28/2020 11:14 am
I leave for a few days... come back to catch up on the LLR...
And I'm in stitches... ROTFLMAO after reading the last 20 so or so posts in one go...
THANKS everyone...  8)


On edit...
BTW... I decided to Retire from Cat as of 4/1 (25.5 years) and then start a company...
Consulting, (already have 2 clients) at 36 cents a second ($100 hour) and a plan to do some R&D on stuff that interests me...
I have some others who are jumping ship with me, as a senior staff...and coming to work for me also...

Same thing...Consulting and turning wrenches for me...
JA as CEO
MS as Pres (consulting)
EW as head of R&D (if I get going) Consulting and running some great projects I have planned.
JG as overseeing the charity work (BFF)
RB will consult too and turn wrenches for me on projects.
I asked SM to run accounting... she said maybe, once you get going

Have others in mind like for HR, etc...
Friends and family is my first choices... cause I've know them all for years...
After that and a few more... We are done for a while... Maybe 10 in total... headcount...
I got to find me a good lawyer/patent attorney... who I can trust to keep company secrets...
That is proving hard so far...<sigh>

Seed money, I am mortgaged my car back to the bank... 40K to get going... company pays it back.
also TRYING to get 2 Youtube channels to get up and Monetize... UGH!!
No links here... but Google FU may help you find them... Cancer and my life story... And the story of a PC...
I am about to decide FU YouTube and move on... I got enough $$ anyway lined up...

I may get a Board together on retainer, and take their input (on said projects) before rushing into some of them.
A few folks around here on are that shortlist... BUT it's WAY too soon to set that up... clock needs to run a bit...


If 'J Alan and Assoiates Inc' based in Peoria Il, makes it to the Nasdaq someday... Yep that's Me...   ;)

Most, if not all profits will go to cancer research (duh, I have another MRI soon and then start Chemo (finally) after that)
Promoting Sports (a passion of my best friend right now) and me for that matter...
There are WAY too many kids today, glued to their cell phones, and not getting out and getting fit...

And, if we have any after that, it's promoting SpaceX and Tesla and cheering them on to Mars...
I got an apt with the nearby Tesla service center later today, to talk about leasing a couple of cars...
Model Y for me... maybe a Model X as the company shuttle... And a couple of semi trucks...
Busy times for me... But I am having fun...  8)

I'm driving a rental for all business work now... accounting and all in play here...

Oh, and for the record... divorced... not seeing anyone... don't have time for that BS... ok

ANYWAY... thanks for listening...  :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 02/28/2020 12:45 pm
I swear, if Elon tweeted a period, these guys would read 27 pages of data in it.

 "OMG!! Elon just tweeted a comma. Proof that he intends to pause the program for six years to give the Lithuanians a chance to catch up!!!"

Huh? So you're seriously suggesting that when Elon tweets;
Full disclosure, I’m actually a 3000 year old vampire. It’s such a trial assuming all these false identities over the centuries!"
It's not actually a detailed plan for an interstellar generational ship that he'll launch next Tuesday?!?!??!?!!?


Let's check for plausibility.

- Elon has been described by some few ex-employees as a bloodsucker who drains out his work force.
- Yet the majority of staff at either company are hopelessly enthralled and would go to hell and back for him.
- Elon is on his best track to gain world domination in the crucial sectors of transport, communication and energy supply technology.
( Let's not forget, AI and Cyborgs)
- Elon wants to take his most devoted followers to Mars to "found a fully self sustaining city on Mars with a million people" in it.
- Elon saying he wants to travel to, and die on Mars, but preferably not on impact gets a new and interesting meaning , if you assume basic immortality.

I think this points to the following master plan:
1. Advance technology and power to the point he can settle Mars with his followers. (75% done )
2. Mars is a "fixer upper" of a planet, it is safe to assume that Martian development and progress, under rule of the Elon ( von Braun knew more than he let on ;) ) will far outpace terran progress.
4. Within less than a generation, the Elon can bring his followers back to Earth in conquest, overthrow disfunctional governments ( the threat of orbital bombardment does wonders to cooperation ) and establish the peaceful reign of Elon, immortal supreme ruler of the first galactic empire.

Thats what I would do if I was a 3000 old vampire in that position.

So, with that in mind, I don't think we'd really see the first intergalactic launch before 2045 or so...

So, yeah, next Tuesday, Elon time.( If you are 3000 years old, what are a few month more or less ;) )


I'm OK with that :-)


Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 02/28/2020 01:11 pm
Let's check for plausibility.

Well he does have a tendency to hold his presentations in the dark of night or below ground hidden from the sunlight... And the day time pictures of him does look a bit Photoshopped if you ask me.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 02/28/2020 02:52 pm
Berry crane is on the move.

(Credit LabPadre)

Cropped and enhanced.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 02/28/2020 02:59 pm
Let's check for plausibility.

Well he does have a tendency to hold his presentations in the dark of night or below ground hidden from the sunlight... And the day time pictures of him does look a bit Photoshopped if you ask me.

And lets not forget the wicked parties! Everyone knows, Vampire lords throw the best parties!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 02/28/2020 05:56 pm
...(3000 up vampire premise...)

Let's check for plausibility.

- Elon has been described by some few ex-employees as a bloodsucker who drains out his work force.
- Yet the majority of staff at either company are hopelessly enthralled and would go to hell and back for him.
- Elon is on his best track to gain world domination in the crucial sectors of transport, communication and energy supply technology.
( Let's not forget, AI and Cyborgs)
- Elon wants to take his most devoted followers to Mars to "found a fully self sustaining city on Mars with a million people" in it.
- Elon saying he wants to travel to, and die on Mars, but preferably not on impact gets a new and interesting meaning , if you assume basic immortality.

I think this points to the following master plan:
1. Advance technology and power to the point he can settle Mars with his followers. (75% done )
2. Mars is a "fixer upper" of a planet, it is safe to assume that Martian development and progress, under rule of the Elon ( von Braun knew more than he let on ;) ) will far outpace terran progress.
4. Within less than a generation, the Elon can bring his followers back to Earth in conquest, overthrow disfunctional governments ( the threat of orbital bombardment does wonders to cooperation ) and establish the peaceful reign of Elon, immortal supreme ruler of the first galactic empire.

Thats what I would do if I was a 3000 old vampire in that position.

So, with that in mind, I don't think we'd really see the first intergalactic launch before 2045 or so...

So, yeah, next Tuesday, Elon time.( If you are 3000 years old, what are a few month more or less ;) )


I'm OK with that :-)

Bouncing around between the threads today, Reading this I actually thought I was just in a regular thread it sounded so logical! Then I thought... “ this actually belongs in the party thread how could anyone get away with posting it anywhere else... oh, duhhhhh... it is in the party thread “ (head smack)
 ::)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 02/28/2020 08:40 pm
...

Bouncing around between the threads today, Reading this I actually thought I was just in a regular thread it sounded so logical! Then I thought... “ this actually belongs in the party thread how could anyone get away with posting it anywhere else... oh, duhhhhh... it is in the party thread “ (head smack)
 ::)

To be fair, I do sometimes post these in other, highly relevant topics, so our resident mods are  eventually tasked with escorting the ensuing party here.

But the relevant discussion was already here, even though it could have plausibly gone in the launch schedule discussion...

... or maybe, advanced concepts... pretty good party there, too;)


Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 02/28/2020 11:37 pm
New thread for discussion of the Starship prototype being built in Boca Chica, Texas. 
Make sure your post is useful ("HAHA! It's SHINY!" - is not a useful post ;D ).

It's so shiny....Mary nosecone clips a plenty. Preview.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 02/29/2020 03:35 am
I’m beginning to think Elon is developing a distributed launch methodology. He’s going to get Starship to orbit by launching one piece at a time...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 02/29/2020 03:51 am
Let's check for plausibility.

Well he does have a tendency to hold his presentations in the dark of night or below ground hidden from the sunlight... And the day time pictures of him does look a bit Photoshopped if you ask me.

And lets not forget the wicked parties! Everyone knows, Vampire lords throw the best parties!

With mariachi bands?  Maybe they're Transylvanian mariachi bands . . .
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 02/29/2020 05:50 pm
Boeing is sooo happy the carpers have something else to focus on.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 02/29/2020 10:35 pm
Breaking news: SpaceX Starship SN1 conducts succesful suborbital test flight in Boca Chica.

While SpaceX is designing the Starship vehicle to eventually use Methane and Oxygen as propellants, utilising the highly efficient Raptor engine, Fridays test launch of the first full scale prototype was propelled by pressurized LN2 as a monopropellant.

Although Raptors full flow staged combustion bipropellant setup privides much higher ISP, as was already demonstrated with the Starhopper test vehicle, SpaceX opted for the less efficient monopropellant at a significantly higher thrust setting to benchmark the extreme corner cases of their planned flight envelopes.

As such, SN1 lifted off the pad extremely swiftly, leaving behind an impressive cloud of white fog as it disappeated into the southern Texas night sky on an expendable suborbital test flight. No landing legs or fins were attached to the vehicle, indicating the planned expendable nature of the flight. An understandable choice, as the monopropellant chosen had insufficient margins for a succesful landing.

This is all part of SpaceX iterative design approach. Falcon 9, the companies highly reliable medium lift launcher flew for years in expendable configuration, until the art of skillfully landing an orbital class booster was mastered.

SpaceX is certainly gaining  a highly valuable amount of data from this test flight, both from telemetry, and from analyzing the rockets remains post flight, once they have been recovered....

 


Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ValmirGP on 03/01/2020 01:12 am
Breaking news: SpaceX Starship SN1 conducts succesful suborbital test flight in Boca Chica.

While SpaceX is designing the Starship vehicle to eventually use Methane and Oxygen as propellants, utilising the highly efficient Raptor engine, Fridays test launch of the first full scale prototype was propelled by pressurized LN2 as a monopropellant.

Although Raptors full flow staged combustion bipropellant setup privides much higher ISP, as was already demonstrated with the Starhopper test vehicle, SpaceX opted for the less efficient monopropellant at a significantly higher thrust setting to benchmark the extreme corner cases of their planned flight envelopes.

As such, SN1 lifted off the pad extremely swiftly, leaving behind an impressive cloud of white fog as it disappeated into the southern Texas night sky on an expendable suborbital test flight. No landing legs or fins were attached to the vehicle, indicating the planned expendable nature of the flight. An understandable choice, as the monopropellant chosen had insufficient margins for a succesful landing.

This is all part of SpaceX iterative design approach. Falcon 9, the companies highly reliable medium lift launcher flew for years in expendable configuration, until the art of skillfully landing an orbital class booster was mastered.

SpaceX is certainly gaining  a highly valuable amount of data from this test flight, both from telemetry, and from analyzing the rockets remains post flight, once they have been recovered....

You failed to mention that it almost successfully performed the transition to horizontal to essay the reentry. Pity that the monopropellant did not gave the prototype enough altitude to complete the full maneuver.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 03/01/2020 01:17 am

You failed to mention that it almost successfully performed the transition to horizontal to essay the reentry. Pity that the monopropellant did not gave the prototype enough altitude to complete the full maneuver.

True, maybe they were calculating their margins too conservatively on the first test. It seemed to have quite a bit of monoprop left in the other tank.

Then again, you could look at it as an exercise in rapid reuseability.

Launch, land, and relaunch, all in less than 3 seconds >;>>>


(True Kerbal style, too!)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ChrisWilson68 on 03/02/2020 12:09 am
I think it's clear that SpaceX is stealing ARCA's technology.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qT9HBkWGg7s
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: OTV Booster on 03/02/2020 01:41 am
Curious about your mainstay tech industry examples.

Everything other than the cherrypicked examples. It's worth remembering that the PC industry didn't take off until IBM threw some petty cash at it. Microsoft spent billions doing all sorts of similar projects, invested heavily in minor projects, bought up minor competitors and generally did all sorts of innovation which pushed the industry forward... but we prefer David vs Goliath stories.

That is a very debatable point. IMO (I was in the industry at the time) their greatest contribution was a standardized menu structure in DOS and later in Dim Doze Windows. The cost of this was the decimation of innovative software companies through dirty tricks and a virtual monopoly.

I could go on until foaming at the mouth but what’s done is done. Microsloth was a blot on the very concept of a free and competitive market and seemingly an active enemy of the concept of quality.

Sorry, way OT. You just stumbled across my hot button.

Phil

zubenelgenubi: Moved to the party thread.  If it belongs anywhere on this forum, it's here.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 03/02/2020 06:12 am
https://twitter.com/DJSnM/status/1234367296455376896
Quote
All these people throwing stories together about how Starship SN1 exploded are only telling part of the story.
It Exploded, then Imploded and then Exploded.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 03/02/2020 05:43 pm
A recent dialogue, probably:

[Starhopper] What is your favorite colour?
[SN1] Liquid Silver Metallic.
[Starhopper] What is your favorite bird?
[SN1] A swallow.
[Starhopper] An African or European swallow?
[SN1] *Explodes*
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 03/02/2020 10:01 pm
Re: Astra launch in Kodiak, Alaska:
Great view of the launch vehicle with mountains in the background. Looks a lot like Middle Earth from The Lord of the Rings! :-)

Possible? during the peak of the Numenorean civilization.  However, by that time, most Numenoreans had turned away from the Elves and the Valar.  Probably would have been a ballistic missile aimed at Barad-Dur or such.

(Eru Iluvatar made the world round when He removed Valinor from "the circles of the world."  This was also the destruction of Atalante = Numenor.  So "Earth orbiting" satellites would work a bit differently for a flat, finite Earth?)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: gaballard on 03/02/2020 10:05 pm
Re: Astra launch in Kodiak, Alaska:
Great view of the launch vehicle with mountains in the background. Looks a lot like Middle Earth from The Lord of the Rings! :-)

Possible? during the peak of the Numenorean civilization.  However, by that time, most Numenoreans had turned away from the Elves and the Valar.  Probably would have been a ballistic missile aimed at Barad-Dur or such.

(Eru Iluvatar made the world round when He removed Valinor from "the circles of the world."  This was also the destruction of Atalante = Numenor.  So "Earth orbiting" satellites would work a bit differently for a flat, finite Earth?)

Not to mention the sundering of the world sank all of Middle-Earth west of the Gray Havens... I wonder if that's what happened to the Entwives  :(
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 03/02/2020 10:41 pm
Re: Astra launch in Kodiak, Alaska:
Great view of the launch vehicle with mountains in the background. Looks a lot like Middle Earth from The Lord of the Rings! :-)

Possible? during the peak of the Numenorean civilization.  However, by that time, most Numenoreans had turned away from the Elves and the Valar.  Probably would have been a ballistic missile aimed at Barad-Dur or such.

(Eru Iluvatar made the world round when He removed Valinor from "the circles of the world."  This was also the destruction of Atalante = Numenor.  So "Earth orbiting" satellites would work a bit differently for a flat, finite Earth?)

Not to mention the sundering of the world sank all of Middle-Earth west of the Gray Havens... I wonder if that's what happened to the Entwives  :(

Well, there was much destruction.  Beleriand et al. of the "old" Middle-Earth was destroyed/sunk during the prosecution of the War of Wrath, the final war against Morgoth at the end of the First Age.

The Entwives were likely killed or enslaved, and their gardens turned to the Brown Lands, by the Enemy during the opening phase of the War of the Last Alliance, at the end of the Second Age--after the sundering of Valinor from Middle-Earth.
***

The only other "technically advanced" society that could have fielded technology on a par to our own (my opinion) would be the Noldor Elven kingdom of Hollin the Second Age, working in concert with the Dwarven kingdom of Khazad-Dum.  Celebrimbor and his assistants.

If not ruined by this war or that war following, there could be some pretty awesome and profoundly dangerous stuff hidden away in Middle Earth millennia later.  Like a fusion of "Dungeons and Dragons" and "Gamma World."
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 03/02/2020 11:05 pm
I swear, if Elon tweeted a period, these guys would read 27 pages of data in it.

 "OMG!! Elon just tweeted a comma. Proof that he intends to pause the program for six years to give the Lithuanians a chance to catch up!!!"

And another follow-up;
Today, Elon Musk tweeted Bocachica Gal's vid of the Starship SN1 anomaly, and stated;
"It’s fine, we’ll just buff it out"

And here many of you thought there was actual significant damage to SN1! Obviously not, and this is thus proof that Starship is made of memory-metal, and thus can resume its shape after little hiccups like the unexpected venting, launch, landing, and partial launch.


 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: QuantumG on 03/02/2020 11:38 pm
Starship is made of memory-metal, and thus can resume its shape

Unfortunately it's traumatic memory metal and so the only shape it can resume is the fetal position.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: smisamore on 03/03/2020 04:23 am
I swear, if Elon tweeted a period, these guys would read 27 pages of data in it.

 "OMG!! Elon just tweeted a comma. Proof that he intends to pause the program for six years to give the Lithuanians a chance to catch up!!!"

And another follow-up;
Today, Elon Musk tweeted Bocachica Gal's vid of the Starship SN1 anomaly, and stated;
"It’s fine, we’ll just buff it out"

And here many of you thought there was actual significant damage to SN1! Obviously not, and this is thus proof that Starship is made of memory-metal, and thus can resume its shape after little hiccups like the unexpected venting, launch, landing, and partial launch.

Or, it's more of a Steven King "Christine" thing.

Interesting Theory!  ::)

If the the Raptor Cam reveals a tall, shinny, silo-looking thingy sitting back on the mount at first light tomorrow, we'll know the Boss-Man drove out there during the night, walked up to the fence, and hollered "Show me!!"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 03/03/2020 08:29 am
I swear, if Elon tweeted a period, these guys would read 27 pages of data in it.

 "OMG!! Elon just tweeted a comma. Proof that he intends to pause the program for six years to give the Lithuanians a chance to catch up!!!"

And another follow-up;
Today, Elon Musk tweeted Bocachica Gal's vid of the Starship SN1 anomaly, and stated;
"It’s fine, we’ll just buff it out"

And here many of you thought there was actual significant damage to SN1! Obviously not, and this is thus proof that Starship is made of memory-metal, and thus can resume its shape after little hiccups like the unexpected venting, launch, landing, and partial launch.

Or, it's more of a Steven King "Christine" thing.

Interesting Theory!  ::)

If the the Raptor Cam reveals a tall, shinny, silo-looking thingy sitting back on the mount at first light tomorrow, we'll know the Boss-Man drove out there during the night, walked up to the fence, and hollered "Show me!!"

That, or SpaceX was really quick assembling SN2 ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Bananas_on_Mars on 03/03/2020 09:28 am
https://twitter.com/DJSnM/status/1234367296455376896
Quote
All these people throwing stories together about how Starship SN1 exploded are only telling part of the story.
It Exploded, then Imploded and then Exploded.

Isn‘t that what happens to Stars(hips) at the end of their life cycle?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 03/04/2020 03:14 pm
SpaceX is already moving Starship manufacturing equipment onto the site. 
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoCY-z7pFm8?t=517
Roll of steel ring material, IMCAR ring forming machine, weld x-ray equipment?

Yup! Looks like we might need a San Pedro prototype thread before too long  :)

Gotta love spacex, there's nothing on site, but the first thing they bring is a good old United rentals cherry picker 🤣 there's nothing Elon Musk can't do with one of those and a big tent.

NASA: We might be able to do a Mars mission in the 2045 timeframe.
Elon Musk: Hold my tent picks
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: SteveU on 03/05/2020 11:18 am
The 6 lots southwest of STARGATE have been oiled, I found out the hard way while walking around at night.

Picturing Nomadd wandering around BocaChica at night:
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 03/05/2020 07:57 pm
In the meantime - Yes, we have to interrupt all this Mars rocket stuff for more boring conventional deliveries in earth orbit. Ya'll pay attention.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AndyH on 03/06/2020 12:07 am
I think part of LN1 might be in orbit. I couldn't seem to find most of it.
The AF found the rest.  Not sure you'll like their assessment, though.


Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 03/06/2020 05:15 pm
 I keep getting this vision of the old Hopper snorting in derision at all the wimpy kids now days, who can't even take a deep breath without exploding.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 03/06/2020 05:57 pm
After that last blast, I think the stand might get it's own name. Maybe ITAYG. (Is that all you got?)
Suggestions:
-My hair is on fire again
-Why do my hats keep exploding
-I take your tinfoil and raise you a Starship
-Texas style trampolin
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 03/07/2020 03:50 am
I love SpaceX, but sometimes I think their broadcasts could use a little Pepper Brooks. Get one of the younger SpaceX engineers to do the color, put 'em in an Occupy Mars t-shirt, and let them cut loose.



Happy 50th!!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: gaballard on 03/07/2020 04:07 am
I get home with beer just in time to miss everything up to Dragon separation. I really have to put these launches on my calendar... but at least I have beer to console me.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: groundbound on 03/07/2020 04:08 am
I realize that this is an unfair comparison.

But if right now someone offered me the choice of flying to orbit on Cargo Dragon with an old Barcalounger stuffed inside or Starliner I think I would choose to fly cargo.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 03/07/2020 04:10 am
I'm so glad SpaceX never allows 'Live Chat' to happen on their event streams. Other services carrying the launches don't do this: I've seen enough imbecile Corona virus, Flat Earth, Trump2020, Bernie2020, NASA lies/hoax Etcetera comments to last me 5 lifetimes...  :o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mandella on 03/07/2020 04:13 am
I'm so glad SpaceX never allows 'Live Chat' to happen on their event streams. Other services carrying the launches don't do this: I've seen enough imbecile Corona virus, Flat Earth, Trump2020, Bernie2020, NASA lies/hoax Etcetera comments to last me 5 lifetimes...  :o

If it's a youtube stream, I always expand to theater mode to push chat down and off my screen. Let the crazies scream at the other crazies...

 :-\
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 03/07/2020 04:36 am
I realize that this is an unfair comparison.

But if right now someone offered me the choice of flying to orbit on Cargo Dragon with an old Barcalounger stuffed inside or Starliner I think I would choose to fly cargo.

Oddly enough, I was having the very same thoughts a few weeks ago, though about commercial airline flight, not spaceflight. I was in cattle class for a long flight, and was thinking how much nicer it would be if I was, instead, stuffed into a cargo pallet, shoved into a freezing, dark hold, and left in there with no way out until the plane landed, and then brutally thrown onto a conveyor belt. Very much nicer, actually... 

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZChris13 on 03/07/2020 05:04 am
I'm so glad SpaceX never allows 'Live Chat' to happen on their event streams. Other services carrying the launches don't do this: I've seen enough imbecile Corona virus, Flat Earth, Trump2020, Bernie2020, NASA lies/hoax Etcetera comments to last me 5 lifetimes...  :o

If it's a youtube stream, I always expand to theater mode to push chat down and off my screen. Let the crazies scream at the other crazies...

 :-\
use an adblock to just block both the chat and comments sections entirely
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kdhilliard on 03/07/2020 05:07 pm
This one does a great job capturing the F9's back-up beeper.
https://twitter.com/considercosmos/status/1236199416693960704
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 03/07/2020 05:33 pm
My guess regarding the poll was wrong.

They hauled yet another mangled dome from the launch site just the other day, but once again, they didn't use a cybertruck :(

How many more Starship prototypes need to die?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 03/07/2020 08:09 pm
Congrats SpaceX, needed a pick-me-up today to make me smile... Got the bug, might have crossed paths on the very day I went out locally with someone who returned off the now infamous cruise ship... :(  Thank goodness NSF is here to keep me informed and to maintain my sanity... Thank you Dragon 1 for your stalwart service and great landing Falcon! :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 03/08/2020 12:35 am
I realize that this is an unfair comparison.

But if right now someone offered me the choice of flying to orbit on Cargo Dragon with an old Barcalounger stuffed inside or Starliner I think I would choose to fly cargo.

Oddly enough, I was having the very same thoughts a few weeks ago, though about commercial airline flight, not spaceflight. I was in cattle class for a long flight, and was thinking how much nicer it would be if I was, instead, stuffed into a cargo pallet, shoved into a freezing, dark hold, and left in there with no way out until the plane landed, and then brutally thrown onto a conveyor belt. Very much nicer, actually...

As the old saying goes. If God wanted man to fly he would have given us shorter legs and not so wide shoulders.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: toren on 03/09/2020 04:22 am
Found on Reddit. They're calling this the "Eye of Elon".
https://www.reddit.com/r/spacex/comments/ffj5z5/the_first_time_ive_ever_felt_compelled_to_name/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x

In which case S2 is the Mote in Elon's Eye
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: dror on 03/09/2020 12:56 pm
A little StarControl reference
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 03/09/2020 01:03 pm
Found on Reddit. They're calling this the "Eye of Elon".
https://www.reddit.com/r/spacex/comments/ffj5z5/the_first_time_ive_ever_felt_compelled_to_name/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x

In which case S2 is the Mote in Elon's Eye

Sauron?  Someone find me a HOBBIT!!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 03/09/2020 04:29 pm
Your moment of Zen

If a test is run on Starship and nothing blows-up,  did it really happen? :o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 03/09/2020 04:57 pm
Found on Reddit. They're calling this the "Eye of Elon".
https://www.reddit.com/r/spacex/comments/ffj5z5/the_first_time_ive_ever_felt_compelled_to_name/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x

In which case S2 is the Mote in Elon's Eye
So Elon just found a new way to get to Mars quicker by creating a wormhole... 8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: gaballard on 03/09/2020 07:04 pm
The Starship test tank didn't blow up. If they're not testing to destruction every time, are they really building a safe product? I think Starship will fail because they didn't blow up their tanks enough.

/s
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 03/09/2020 07:34 pm
The Starship test tank didn't blow up. If they're not testing to destruction every time, are they really building a safe product? I think Starship will fail because they didn't blow up their tanks enough.

/s

Boeing could have made that blow up!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: gaballard on 03/09/2020 08:14 pm
The Starship test tank didn't blow up. If they're not testing to destruction every time, are they really building a safe product? I think Starship will fail because they didn't blow up their tanks enough.

/s

Boeing could have made that blow up!

"We were surprised that several aspects of the rocket accidentally exploded much better than expected."
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 03/09/2020 08:35 pm
The Starship test tank didn't blow up. If they're not testing to destruction every time, are they really building a safe product? I think Starship will fail because they didn't blow up their tanks enough.

/s

Boeing could have made that blow up!

Ouch, just ouch.

Ideally you get to a point where you aren't popping tanks.

It will be interesting to see when they get to a point where they have legs and wings on a fuselage.  Then we'll know they are getting somewhere.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 03/09/2020 08:57 pm
The Starship test tank didn't blow up. If they're not testing to destruction every time, are they really building a safe product? I think Starship will fail because they didn't blow up their tanks enough.

/s

Boeing could have made that blow up!

"We were surprised that several aspects of the rocket accidentally exploded much better than expected."

You're all just asking for it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHkvD7-u7y8
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 03/10/2020 02:49 am
I have no idea where to put this quote from Elon.

Quote
That's Starlink and Starship. It kind of has Star in the name a bit too much. Maybe we should have just called it Link and Ship. If you divide the one by the other. The Stars net out, and then it's just Link and Ship.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 03/10/2020 02:59 am
The Starship test tank didn't blow up. If they're not testing to destruction every time, are they really building a safe product? I think Starship will fail because they didn't blow up their tanks enough.

/s

Agreed. I think it's abundantly clear that flight risk would be lowered if they test every Starship (and tank) to failure. That would pretty much guarantee that they would have no in-flight failures of any sort.
 
 ;)
 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DistantTemple on 03/10/2020 09:53 pm
VIDEO: Lots happening at Boca Chica as SpaceXers lay the foundations for yet another new facility, while Starship rings dodge the concrete smoothers and SN3 continues to prepare for stacking.

Videos and Photos from Mary (@bocachicagal).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0EMN-EoXG4
This video is proof that SX is safety conscious, and have banned running on site. In order to work quickly everyone has bee trained to walk at double speed.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 03/11/2020 04:59 pm
The Starship test tank didn't blow up. If they're not testing to destruction every time, are they really building a safe product? I think Starship will fail because they didn't blow up their tanks enough.

/s

So you subscribe to the 'inflation theory' of design iteration. :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 03/11/2020 05:03 pm
I have no idea where to put this quote from Elon.

Quote
That's Starlink and Starship. It kind of has Star in the name a bit too much. Maybe we should have just called it Link and Ship. If you divide the one by the other. The Stars net out, and then it's just Link and Ship.

So what he is saying is that the Fairing Recovery Goships are misnamed...  THEY should have the 'star' names for when they deploy their mitts... right?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DecoLV on 03/11/2020 10:57 pm
Not yet quite official, but the word in NASA is that Dragon 1 will not be allowed to come back until it washes its hands, per a directive that ALL contractor spacecraft must wash their hands as part of containment measures for the COVID-19 circus. Elon is reportedly trying to find a politically correct way to explain to NASA that spacecraft do not actually have any hands...
 ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 03/11/2020 11:04 pm
DM2 will have to stay on station for at least 2 weeks.

Because during the 1st 14 days, the Astronauts will have to remain quarantined in the capsule, then tested for SARS-Cov-2 before they're allowed to board the space station.



Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kdhilliard on 03/12/2020 02:35 am
Also note the camera obscura pinhole on the window of the hatch to the right in that photo.
Quote
Ear...

place on nadir window
during a day pass and
switch off all lights
Then look up

Edit: Link to post with full image. (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=50280.msg2057199#msg2057199)

I think I figured out why they drilled that hole in Soyuz MS-09.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: gaballard on 03/12/2020 10:17 pm
There’s a part of me that’s relieved to know that as the whole world seems to descend into madness, there is a team of people working 24/7 to get humans off the planet ASAP.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 03/12/2020 10:38 pm
Remember that wherever mankind will go in this universe, upon arriving we will find that all our faults and all our follies are already there, waiting for us.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 03/13/2020 06:14 pm
Looks like Spacex is going for Sunday on the next Starlink launch. Perfect timing as I invited Elon to Church that morning.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 03/14/2020 12:10 am
Weird thought of the day: Cybertruck is made from the same alloy as Starship to create enough demand to make a custom alloy worthwile.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 03/14/2020 12:19 am
Weird thought of the day: Cybertruck is made from the same alloy as Starship to create enough demand to make a custom alloy worthwile.

At the rate they are building starships and planning to build them in the future, it might be the other way around.

Tesla really wants a super-alloy but for just one truck model it's just not worthwhile. Too expensive.

But now, with 1000 starships being built, each using as much steel as 100 trucks... (and even more steel for boosters)

Now we're talking!

Edit: Also, with the rate at which SpaceX tests Starships to destruction, someone has to buy all that scrap metal. You can built some pretty neat trucks out of those... (also explains why Texas is being considered for Cybertruck-gigafactory )
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 03/14/2020 09:53 am
In honor of fairing reuse announcement and our wait tonight for the launch tomorrow.
Confirmation of good test, and also confirms core 48 is flying its 5th mission, and they are using previously flown fairings from a starlink  mission in may of last year.
...
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1238610287256723456
A song to pass the time from
My Fair(ing) Lady
https://youtu.be/hA9bEKKxTNU

“I could have spread my wings and done a thousand things “
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 03/14/2020 02:31 pm
https://twitter.com/erdayastronaut/status/1238843272887521280

Quote
Guess who's all set up and ready to go for tomorrow's @SpaceX #Starlink mission! Featuring another set of previously flown fairings and the FIFTH flight of a Falcon 9 (record breaking). Join me at 8:50 a.m. Eastern // 12:50 UTC -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMGvZVninfA
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JazzFan on 03/14/2020 04:18 pm
Booster and fairing recycled!

https://youtu.be/VlRVPum9cp4
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: alienmike on 03/14/2020 08:58 pm
Will they have toilet paper on mars?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 03/14/2020 09:03 pm
Maybe something like this with astro turf? Hey it works for dogs.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: seawolfe on 03/14/2020 09:05 pm
Will they have toilet paper on mars?

Nah, there was a run on it at the Mars Costco.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: yokem55 on 03/15/2020 01:19 am
Will they have toilet paper on mars?

Nah, there was a run on it at the Mars Costco.
No, this is Mars we're talking about. They will have the fanciest, over-engineered heated bidet's imaginable.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cdebuhr on 03/15/2020 02:04 am
Will they have toilet paper on mars?

Nah, there was a run on it at the Mars Costco.
No, this is Mars we're talking about. They will have the fanciest, over-engineered heated bidet's imaginable.
I suppose you could use a spare Raptor off of a surplus cargo ship.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kdhilliard on 03/15/2020 02:12 am
Will they have toilet paper on mars?
Nah, there was a run on it at the Mars Costco.
No, this is Mars we're talking about. They will have the fanciest, over-engineered heated bidet's imaginable.
I suppose you could use a spare Raptor off of a surplus cargo ship.
And I used to think "drinking from a firehose" was a painful metaphor!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: lonestriker on 03/15/2020 04:27 am
Looks like Spacex is going for Sunday on the next Starlink launch. Perfect timing as I invited Elon to Church that morning.

Surely you mean you were invited to the Church of Elon Sunday morning?

[edit: picture is of unknown origin, just passed around the 'net. If someone knows original creator, let me know]
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: theinternetftw on 03/15/2020 08:19 am
No idea who made that variant or this one, but here's a Starship version I found in my images folder.

Along with a related image.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: seawolfe on 03/15/2020 08:37 am
That last print could be a tapestry someday in a museum like the Bayeux tapestry in France.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Chris Bergin on 03/15/2020 11:21 am
This is the best thread to throw livestreams in as the chat turns into a party thread :)

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1239164300482301954

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKxu4s4W0O0
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 03/15/2020 02:37 pm
After just channeling Jim in the latest Starlink launch discussion thread.

I noticed that landing legs are white. Is it frost from cooling or what?

No.

Has anyone heard or seen Jim around lately? I haven't seen the signature dismissive short form in its original glory in months. I hope he's OK.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: freddo411 on 03/15/2020 02:54 pm
Will they have toilet paper on mars?

Nah, there was a run on it at the Mars Costco.
No, this is Mars we're talking about. They will have the fanciest, over-engineered heated bidet's imaginable.
I suppose you could use a spare Raptor off of a surplus cargo ship.

complete with one hell of a built-in bidet
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: alienmike on 03/15/2020 07:47 pm
Will they have toilet paper on mars?

Nah, there was a run on it at the Mars Costco.
No, this is Mars we're talking about. They will have the fanciest, over-engineered heated bidet's imaginable.

Bidets are a great idea, wish I had one myself about now. But it will only be the fanciest, over-engineered (and costly) if NASA is managing the colony. Musk will go with reusable wipes.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 03/15/2020 08:05 pm
So, 1048.5 got scrubbed this morning.

Does that mean it's back to white, black and light blue(logo)?  The grey soot staining will be gone?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DecoLV on 03/15/2020 11:12 pm
We had a launch abort on the Starlink flight.
Has anyone checked to see if a plastic cover was left on the vehicle's gas generator?*







*this is a boomer joke.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ulm_atms on 03/16/2020 01:44 am
I haven't seen much discussion about it, but it looks like they've attached a bunch of speakers to StarHopper. I'm not even sure what thread this belongs in. 
 
Anyone wanna guess what the purpose is?   

Mary's Picture
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=48895.msg2058373#msg2058373   
 
John Randolph's video where you can clearly see they are speakers. 
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQQdjyVB86M
 
Y’all know in your heart of hearts it’s to play Ride of the Valkyries as the RollLift guys bring in SN3...

I think "Through the Fire and Flames" would be more apt during testing.  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AndrewRG10 on 03/16/2020 02:08 am
So, 1048.5 got scrubbed this morning.

Does that mean it's back to white, black and light blue(logo)?  The grey soot staining will be gone?

I don't think there is any soot. At SSO-A Elon said most of the marks were re-entry scars and it looked like they'd clean it.
Pretty sure by looks of it they have cleaned B1048 and all that black is re-entry damage.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: su27k on 03/16/2020 03:11 am
Someone should check how many times something bad happened when there is a bingo, I feel the percentage is unusually high...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 03/16/2020 03:27 am
Someone should check how many times something bad happened when there is a bingo, I feel the percentage is unusually high...
The gods hate bingo almost as much as they hate speculative polls.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 03/16/2020 07:41 am
I haven't seen much discussion about it, but it looks like they've attached a bunch of speakers to StarHopper. I'm not even sure what thread this belongs in. 
 
Anyone wanna guess what the purpose is?   

Mary's Picture
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=48895.msg2058373#msg2058373   
 
John Randolph's video where you can clearly see they are speakers. 
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQQdjyVB86M
 
Y’all know in your heart of hearts it’s to play Ride of the Valkyries as the RollLift guys bring in SN3...

I think "Through the Fire and Flames" would be more apt during testing.  ;D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkW-K5RQdzo
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 03/16/2020 12:49 pm
So, 1048.5 got scrubbed this morning.

Does that mean it's back to white, black and light blue(logo)?  The grey soot staining will be gone?

I don't think there is any soot. At SSO-A Elon said most of the marks were re-entry scars and it looked like they'd clean it.
Pretty sure by looks of it they have cleaned B1048 and all that black is re-entry damage.

Serious Post Party foul!  Your bar access is cut off.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tgr9898 on 03/16/2020 03:14 pm
I haven't seen much discussion about it, but it looks like they've attached a bunch of speakers to StarHopper. I'm not even sure what thread this belongs in. 
 
Anyone wanna guess what the purpose is?   

Mary's Picture
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=48895.msg2058373#msg2058373   
 
John Randolph's video where you can clearly see they are speakers. 
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQQdjyVB86M
 
Y’all know in your heart of hearts it’s to play Ride of the Valkyries as the RollLift guys bring in SN3...

I think "Through the Fire and Flames" would be more apt during testing.  ;D

First & only thing to come to my mind was the last track off the Signals Album:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XW-8yCKwhBE
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Kang54 on 03/16/2020 07:33 pm
Alright, it's time to see if the Landing Bingo is cursed! Here's a list of all the bingo threads. Green denotes a success, and red is obviously not a success:

2020-03-15: Starlink-6: Aborted at T-0.

2019-06-25: Falcon Heavy STP-2: Torpedoed the water.

2019-05-04: CRS-17: Success!

2019-04-15: Falcon Heavy Arabsat: Landed, then fell over.

2018-05-11: Bangabandhu-1: Success!

2018-03-05: Hispasat: Recovery was cancelled.

2018-02-06: Falcon Heavy: Torpedoed the water.

2017-06-25: Iridium-2: Success!

2017-06-23: Bulgariasat-1: Success!

2017-03-31: SES-10: Success!

2016-09-01: AMOS-6: *cough* not applicable

2016-08-14: JCSAT-16: Success!

2016-06-17: EUTELSAT117/ABS2: Crashlanded.

2016-05-27: Thaicom-8: A leaning success!

2016-05-06: JCSAT: Success!

2016-04-08: CRS-8: Success!

2016-03-05: SES-9. Crashlanded.

2016-01-17: Jason-3: Landed in pieces.

2015-06-28: CRS-7: ...not a success.

2015-04-14: CRS-6: Success!


In total that is 10 successes and 10 failures. That seems pretty even, though there have only been one success in the last year. It's possible that the bingo has been hit with a slow-moving curse, that's becoming more and more intense...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 03/17/2020 12:16 am
https://twitter.com/spacexfleet/status/1239611596676173824

Quote
The SpaceX Fleet, comprising of OCISLY, the support ships and the two fairing catchers, are still in position - at the landing zone - today.

Our reporter, on board, got a chance to interview one of the technicians ( picture: bottom right on the deck of Ms tree - in red shorts and sunglasses, sitting on the folding chair with a stylish cocktail glass ) asked how the mood is during the unexpectedly extended trip, he responded.

"It's the life, man. At home they're all hunkered down now, in their houses, quarantained, afraid. I guess this is just the SpaceX was to do 'social distancing'. We're on a frakking boat, man. Cruising in the caribbean. Wouldn't wanna be on one of those cramped cruise ship now, they're all locked up anyway. But us... we just got 3 extra days chillin', and you know what the best is? We're getting paid for it.
You know, some of the mates wanna meet their families when we get back, but I'm gonna stay on board for the next trip. We're bringing that booster and those fairings back, and then head straight back out into the sunshine. While everybody else catches Corona, we look at the stars and catch ourselves some Falcons. And Fairings... My dad was a fisher, and my grandpa, too. They staid out for months sometimes, but they never came home with what we have in the net... Look how frakking huuuge she is!"

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: su27k on 03/17/2020 03:07 am
In total that is 10 successes and 10 failures. That seems pretty even, though there have only been one success in the last year. It's possible that the bingo has been hit with a slow-moving curse, that's becoming more and more intense...

Thank you for doing the hard work, but may I suggest that an even distribution of successes and failures is not an indication that bingo is not cursed. This is because you need to compare the success ratio with bingo to the success ratio without bingo. While it's hard to count success/failure with a broad criteria like this (from minor anomaly causing abort to total lost of vehicle), I suspect a lot more than 50% of the non-bingo launches are total successes without any anomaly, at least since 2017 when they got F9 v1.2 operation smoothed out.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 03/17/2020 10:20 am
In total that is 10 successes and 10 failures. That seems pretty even, though there have only been one success in the last year. It's possible that the bingo has been hit with a slow-moving curse, that's becoming more and more intense...

Thank you for doing the hard work, but may I suggest that an even distribution of successes and failures is not an indication that bingo is not cursed. This is because you need to compare the success ratio with bingo to the success ratio without bingo. While it's hard to count success/failure with a broad criteria like this (from minor anomaly causing abort to total lost of vehicle), I suspect a lot more than 50% of the non-bingo launches are total successes without any anomaly, at least since 2017 when they got F9 v1.2 operation smoothed out.

The way you determine if the bingo is cursed is to take some chicken guts and put them in a bowl with tea leaves under a full moon with a black cat at your side while you chant bizarre nonsensical syllables. Then you ask the groundhog for the answer.

Edits for kindness factor and...
 Do we need to add a clover leaf to the bingo graphic? It is St Patrick’s Day, after all.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 03/17/2020 02:02 pm
Alright, it's time to see if the Landing Bingo is cursed! Here's a list of all the bingo threads. Green denotes a success, and red is obviously not a success:

2019-04-15: Falcon Heavy Arabsat: Landed, then fell over.


Caught on fire and sank in a swamp.


Ah, but the third one.........
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 03/17/2020 06:52 pm
It's an arbitrary variant of an arbitrary stat, but for those of us who have gone to our account settings and changed it to the One True And Noble Value of 50 posts per page, as of yesterday, this party thread has finally reached 100 pages.  :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: pb2000 on 03/18/2020 11:35 am
Alright, it's time to see if the Landing Bingo is cursed! Here's a list of all the bingo threads. Green denotes a success, and red is obviously not a success:

....
Hummm, you might be onto something.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AndrewRG10 on 03/18/2020 11:48 am
I've always wondered what would happen if a engine failed on launch. I've been meaning to ask people what they think would happen, I think we now know.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 03/18/2020 12:03 pm
B1048 now delivered 48.6t to orbit. SpaceX launched 90t total in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AndrewRG10 on 03/18/2020 01:08 pm
(https://i.imgur.com/iYeEnz9.png)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: abaddon on 03/18/2020 02:26 pm
I was just thinking last night about failures seeming to come in bunches when I was in the Long March 7A launch failure thread... I am sure also thinking about the launch abort in the back of my head, I had a bad premonition about this one.  I am actually relieved it was as limited in impact as it was.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Helodriver on 03/18/2020 03:21 pm
Bingo threads causing launch failures?


A little skewed since when landings became really routine, Bingos seemed superfluous and not many were run except for Falcon Heavies which have yet to bring a center core back to land successfully.


So by using flawless geometric logic it can be determined that Bingos have absolutely zero bearing on landing success.

Awwww...scratch that. Its Me, ME! I say! I control the success of landings or their failure! Me! I alone hold the fate of every booster in my hand! HA!

MUAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 03/18/2020 03:39 pm
Bingo threads causing launch failures?


A little skewed since when landings became really routine, Bingos seemed superfluous and not many were run except for Falcon Heavies which have yet to bring a center core back to land successfully.


So by using flawless geometric logic it can be determined that Bingos have absolutely zero bearing on landing success.

Awwww...scratch that. Its Me, ME! I say! I control the success of landings or their failure! Me! I alone hold the fate of every booster in my hand! HA!

MUAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

Did you wear your lucky team jersey?? The one that you never wash?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Doesitfloat on 03/18/2020 05:10 pm
Bingo threads causing launch failures?


A little skewed since when landings became really routine, Bingos seemed superfluous and not many were run except for Falcon Heavies which have yet to bring a center core back to land successfully.


So by using flawless geometric logic it can be determined that Bingos have absolutely zero bearing on landing success.

Awwww...scratch that. Its Me, ME! I say! I control the success of landings or their failure! Me! I alone hold the fate of every booster in my hand! HA!

MUAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
Stop the Bingo
Stop the Madness
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: gaballard on 03/19/2020 04:16 pm
Is it time yet to think about what we're all going to do if they have to shut down Starship production because of Covid-19?

I think we should all roll up our sleeves, bust out the CAD and 3d modeling software, and finish designing the dang thing ourselves.

Then we can just email it to Elon so they can save time when they start back up.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 03/19/2020 08:42 pm
With recent events, maybe we should rename this to the Launch, Land, Relaunch, Reland, Relaunch, Reland, Relaunch, Reland, Dunk Fairing, Recover Fairing, Relaunch, Miss Droneship, Dunk Fairing Again, Send the Fishing Boats Party Thread.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 03/20/2020 08:22 pm
With recent events, maybe we should rename this to the Launch, Land, Relaunch, Reland, Relaunch, Reland, Relaunch, Reland, Dunk Fairing, Recover Fairing, Relaunch, Miss Droneship, Dunk Fairing Again, Send the Fishing Boats Party Thread.
Or just abbreviate it the LLRRRRRRDFRFRMDDFASFB PT
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 03/21/2020 05:14 am
With recent events, maybe we should rename this to the Launch, Land, Relaunch, Reland, Relaunch, Reland, Relaunch, Reland, Dunk Fairing, Recover Fairing, Relaunch, Miss Droneship, Dunk Fairing Again, Send the Fishing Boats Party Thread.
Or just abbreviate it the LLRRRRRRDFRFRMDDFASFB PT

You mean more industry specific jargon that is hard to read and understand for outsiders? I approve of that.  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 03/21/2020 10:35 am
Or just abbreviate it the LLRRRRRRDFRFRMDDFASFB PT

You mean more industry specific jargon that is hard to read and understand for outsiders? I approve of that.  ;D

Frankly, I'd hope we'd be a little more scientifically inclusive than that. Obviously, we need to rearrange the letters, as the abbreviation is actually from French.  ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 03/21/2020 04:04 pm
With recent events, maybe we should rename this to the Launch, Land, Relaunch, Reland, Relaunch, Reland, Relaunch, Reland, Dunk Fairing, Recover Fairing, Relaunch, Miss Droneship, Dunk Fairing Again, Send the Fishing Boats Party Thread.
Or just abbreviate it the LLRRRRRRDFRFRMDDFASFB PT
You can't. That's what I use as a password for everything.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 03/21/2020 04:05 pm
With recent events, maybe we should rename this to the Launch, Land, Relaunch, Reland, Relaunch, Reland, Relaunch, Reland, Dunk Fairing, Recover Fairing, Relaunch, Miss Droneship, Dunk Fairing Again, Send the Fishing Boats Party Thread.
Or just abbreviate it the LLRRRRRRDFRFRMDDFASFB PT
You can't. That's what I use as a password for everything.


 Aw, crap.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AndyE on 03/21/2020 07:22 pm
LLRRRRRRDFRFRMDDFASFB PT.

That's just outside Cardiff, isn't it?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 03/22/2020 11:05 am
LLRRRRRRDFRFRMDDFASFB PT.

That's just outside Cardiff, isn't it?

Probably a bit further North. The towns near Cardiff still have normal names such as Llanbradach, Tongwynlais and Ogmore Vale

but if you look at the west coast near Aberystwyth, there's such cute little towns as Swyddffynnon, Pontrhydfendiagaid, Cnwch-Coch, Llanfihangel-y-Creuddyn and Cwmysthwyth - all in the area downriver from Afon Ystwyth (that's a lake)

I think you'd likely find  Llrr rrr' Rrdfrfr-Mddfasfb Pt. somewhere.


Edit: Looking at a map of wales is really great inspiration for any Dungeon and Dragon's DM who wants to map out the area between the doom mountains and the blackswamp hollows and running out of names...


Edit edit:
How fitting, Near Caban Coch reservoir, you'll find the places:  Cwmdauddwr, Llanwrthwl and Elan village ;)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 03/22/2020 09:46 pm
LLRRRRRRDFRFRMDDFASFB PT.

That's just outside Cardiff, isn't it?

Probably a bit further North. The towns near Cardiff still have normal names such as Llanbradach, Tongwynlais and Ogmore Vale

but if you look at the west coast near Aberystwyth, there's such cute little towns as Swyddffynnon, Pontrhydfendiagaid, Cnwch-Coch, Llanfihangel-y-Creuddyn and Cwmysthwyth - all in the area downriver from Afon Ystwyth (that's a lake)

I think you'd likely find  Llrr rrr' Rrdfrfr-Mddfasfb Pt. somewhere.


Edit: Looking at a map of wales is really great inspiration for any Dungeon and Dragon's DM who wants to map out the area between the doom mountains and the blackswamp hollows and running out of names...


Edit edit:
How fitting, Near Caban Coch reservoir, you'll find the places:  Cwmdauddwr, Llanwrthwl and Elan village ;)

As soon as travel resumes I have a lot of new bucket list locations to visit .
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 03/24/2020 02:15 pm
LLRRRRRRDFRFRMDDFASFB PT.

That's just outside Cardiff, isn't it?

Hmmm... Cardiff...  That could work.  I was thinking it was the Genetic sequence for some alien life-form.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tgr9898 on 03/25/2020 04:58 pm
So in addition to having other companies surreptitiously buy up properties in Boca Chica, more recently it appears SpaceX had people buying up large quantities of toilet paper for use in Starship construction....

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 03/25/2020 08:21 pm
So in addition to having other companies surreptitiously buy up properties in Boca Chica, more recently it appears SpaceX had people buying up large quantities of toilet paper for use in Starship construction....
Gives new meaning to the phrase “ this TP is like sand paper!”
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: smisamore on 03/26/2020 02:29 am
So in addition to having other companies surreptitiously buy up properties in Boca Chica, more recently it appears SpaceX had people buying up large quantities of toilet paper for use in Starship construction....
Gives new meaning to the phrase “ this TP is like sand paper!”

This gentleman must be using Charmin Ultra-Soft! IMHO nothing else on the market would result in that level of mirror-like luster !!  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 03/28/2020 12:14 pm
Dragon XL is a missed opportunity on naming.  Clearly it should be Lunar Dragon


No no no...

Gateway should be called 'Gozer'
Orion should be called 'Keymaster'
DragonXL should be called 'Gatekeeper'
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: butters on 03/30/2020 08:40 pm
The Starship discussion thread goes well with this soundtrack:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUDcTLaWJuo
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 03/31/2020 04:45 pm
Moving sharks in the world of COVID.


Hey - for any folks interested or just plain bored with being at home, I guess I’m giving a virtual tour of the Giant Ocean Tank at the New England Aquarium this Thursday at 11:00am EST on the Aquarium’s Facebook page.


https://facebook.com/events/s/virtual-visit-a-dive-inside-th/174244243563315 (https://facebook.com/events/s/virtual-visit-a-dive-inside-th/174244243563315/?ti=ia)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 04/01/2020 07:33 am
TexSpaceNews - April 1st, 2020:  Residents of the south Gulf Coast of Texas were startled during the early hours of this morning by a thundering roar as a huge rocket took off from a previously unknown secret launch site on the sprawling King Ranch, north of the Brownsville area.  The surprises continued when voice transmissions from the now-orbiting rocket were received by multiple countries and the sender was revealed as none other than Elon Musk.  He revealed that the craft he was in was the REAL Starship prototype and that after a brief checkout, they were headed for Mars.  "So far, everything's going well." said Musk.  "The mariachi band is learning to play in zero-g and we're all having a great time.  Our only anomaly has been that we seem to be about a hundred kilos over weight, but I'm sure we'll figure that out".

Journalists were not allowed onto the ranch.  We were able to speak to one employee, who was surprised as us.  "Honestly, I thought it was some kind of new-fangled water-tower!" she said.

Reporters also immediately raced to the the Boca Chica site east of Brownsville, where everyone thought the Starship was under construction and found over a hundred workers enjoying a party before packing up the site.  "We were sworn to secrecy", said one welder, who asked not to be named.  "It was a big joke.  We were even told to put dents in the tanks and blow things up, just to keep everyone's attention away from the ranch.  Elon didn't want anyone to know about the new fuel.  One stage and no tankers!"

The only remaining mystery at Boca Chica was the whereabouts of an eccentric local, who went by the on-line name of Nomaad.  He had disappeared the day before, after joking with a neighbor about finding a "real" wilderness to live in.   
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: theinternetftw on 04/01/2020 03:25 pm
This one should win an award:

https://www.reddit.com/r/SpaceXLounge/comments/fssd4m/spacex_acquires_lp_odyssey_as_a_new_member_of_the/
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 04/01/2020 10:29 pm
New Spacecraft naming scheme for Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX)

SpaceX, Hawthorne, California:

SpaceX just announced a new naming scheme for the various variant's of the Dragon capsule.

Elon Musk's company is known for frequent changes to naming schemes. Falcon9 rockets were initally numbered as V1.0, V1.1, then tagged, such as Full Thrust (FT), then iterated through so called "blocks" - the currently human rated version being named Falcon9 FT Block 5, or just Block 5. The experimental Spaceship undergoing development in Boca Chica, TX is fated similarly. The first full scale prototype was named Mk1, with Mk2 undergoing construction at Cape Canaveral. After Mk1 failed spectacularly, SpaceX switched to serial numbers and produced Starship SN1 to SN3 which is currently undergoing tests, allthouth SN2 was converted into little more than a single tank test article.

Dragon is no stranger to naming changes itself. Originally named Dragon1 and Dragon2, occasionally referred to as Cargo and Crew Dragon, with a new Dragon XL being recently announced, there was a need to rename them all.

Dragon1, the original crew capsule, one of which is currently in the process of being filled with cargo for what might be this vehicles last return to earth will henceforth be named "Elder Dragon"

The more modern crew capsule, which is expected to fly Astronauts to the ISS for the first time no earlier than (NET) May this year shall be named "Dragon Mount" - since it will be NASA's trustworthy steed.

In line with this new naming scheme, what was previously announced as Dragon XL, the new cargo capsule destined to bring supplies to NASA's planned Lunar Gateway and act as an orbital long term science module and mini-station in itself will now be called "Greater Dragon"

If any of these dragon species should undergo further design modification, which is likely considering the way SpaceX operates, these will be designated through a so called "level".

As such the dragons most likely will have leveled up significantly until the days when our brave NASA Astronauts will embark on their adventure to return to the moon.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 04/01/2020 11:25 pm
Moving sharks in the world of COVID.


Hey - for any folks interested or just plain bored with being at home, I guess I’m giving a virtual tour of the Giant Ocean Tank at the New England Aquarium this Thursday at 11:00am EST on the Aquarium’s Facebook page.


https://facebook.com/events/s/virtual-visit-a-dive-inside-th/174244243563315 (https://facebook.com/events/s/virtual-visit-a-dive-inside-th/174244243563315/?ti=ia)

They aren't real sharks...

...unless they have frickin laser beams on their heads!

:)

PS  that pic would be awesome if the mask were over your scuba gear ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 04/02/2020 12:46 am
New Spacecraft naming scheme for Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX)

So a faulty/misbehaving capsule could reasonably be called a...  Bad Dragon?

I'll see myself out.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 04/02/2020 01:36 am
So a faulty/misbehaving capsule could reasonably be called a...  Bad Dragon?

I'll see myself out.
Given that the name is already taken by another corporation, and given what they manufacture, probably not a good idea. ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 04/02/2020 12:31 pm
So a faulty/misbehaving capsule could reasonably be called a...  Bad Dragon?

I'll see myself out.
Given that the name is already taken by another corporation, and given what they manufacture, probably not a good idea. ;)
Blue Origin?

Oh, wait, that's not New Shepard...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 04/02/2020 01:20 pm
New Spacecraft naming scheme for Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX)

SpaceX, Hawthorne, California:

SpaceX just announced a new naming scheme for the various variant's of the Dragon capsule.

Elon Musk's company is known for frequent changes to naming schemes. Falcon9 rockets were initally numbered as V1.0, V1.1, then tagged, such as Full Thrust (FT), then iterated through so called "blocks" - the currently human rated version being named Falcon9 FT Block 5, or just Block 5. The experimental Spaceship undergoing development in Boca Chica, TX is fated similarly. The first full scale prototype was named Mk1, with Mk2 undergoing construction at Cape Canaveral. After Mk1 failed spectacularly, SpaceX switched to serial numbers and produced Starship SN1 to SN3 which is currently undergoing tests, allthouth SN2 was converted into little more than a single tank test article.

Dragon is no stranger to naming changes itself. Originally named Dragon1 and Dragon2, occasionally referred to as Cargo and Crew Dragon, with a new Dragon XL being recently announced, there was a need to rename them all.

Dragon1, the original crew capsule, one of which is currently in the process of being filled with cargo for what might be this vehicles last return to earth will henceforth be named "Elder Dragon"

The more modern crew capsule, which is expected to fly Astronauts to the ISS for the first time no earlier than (NET) May this year shall be named "Dragon Mount" - since it will be NASA's trustworthy steed.

In line with this new naming scheme, what was previously announced as Dragon XL, the new cargo capsule destined to bring supplies to NASA's planned Lunar Gateway and act as an orbital long term science module and mini-station in itself will now be called "Greater Dragon"

If any of these dragon species should undergo further design modification, which is likely considering the way SpaceX operates, these will be designated through a so called "level".

As such the dragons most likely will have leveled up significantly until the days when our brave NASA Astronauts will embark on their adventure to return to the moon.
I’m suggesting “Thicc Dragon”, because, you know, there’s more junk in the trunk...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 04/02/2020 03:22 pm
Nice!


https://twitter.com/kimitalvitie/status/1245726089793675266[/size]

Does anyone else hear the KSP leg deploy sound in these videos?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 04/02/2020 03:43 pm
Well, the New England Aquarium managed to faff the event invitation. Regardless, this is the virtual tour - in case anyone wanted to watch the animals in the tank while spa music plays...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHUnufxb2Rk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHUnufxb2Rk)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 04/02/2020 05:41 pm
Some shots from pressure test just completed:

https://twitter.com/spacepadreisle/status/1245753354921410561

Quote
Testing under way on #Starship SN3 at #SpaceX #BocaChica
LN2 Cryo test up next!

Who’s excited?!! 🐶 🚀

 If you come down here and that dog looks all mean and barks at you in an aggressive manner, she's just demanding to be petted. Then she leans against your legs and looks offended if you try to move.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tgr9898 on 04/02/2020 05:48 pm
New Spacecraft naming scheme for Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX)

So a faulty/misbehaving capsule could reasonably be called a...  Bad Dragon?

I'll see myself out.
I made the noob mistake of Googling that.....

That's gonna leave a mark on my cache.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 04/02/2020 07:03 pm
New Spacecraft naming scheme for Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX)

So a faulty/misbehaving capsule could reasonably be called a...  Bad Dragon?

I'll see myself out.
I made the noob mistake of Googling that.....

That's gonna leave a mark on my cache.
That's better than not having to Google it.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 04/03/2020 01:49 am
They could paint ACME on the side of the rocket for all I care I just want a successful mission...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Vettedrmr on 04/03/2020 02:05 am
ACME would be awesome!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AS-503 on 04/03/2020 02:25 am
They could paint ACME on the side of the rocket for all I care I just want a successful mission...

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 04/03/2020 05:25 am
They could paint ACME on the side of the rocket for all I care I just want a successful mission...
Wile E Coyote approves of this! 8)
https://screenrant.com/things-you-did-not-know-about-wile-e-coyote/
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: dror on 04/03/2020 06:12 pm
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1246002903480856576
https://youtu.be/w82CqjaDKmA
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 04/03/2020 06:40 pm
"Life" is just a series of dull periods spent waiting for the next Starship prototype to be built, tested, and destroyed.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 04/03/2020 07:03 pm
The sheriff and SpaceX security went down and came back for some reason.
Why am i visualizing you creeping through the tank farm..,
It's OK. I have a clipboard.
And a helmet with safety training completion sticker, reflector vest, work gloves, and steel-toed boots!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 04/03/2020 08:41 pm
It seems they are trying really really hard to keep up with the demand for the special edition Cybertrucks.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 04/03/2020 10:54 pm
Does everyone HAVE to know about Cybertrucks whether they've heard about it or not? When I voted in that poll and said "What's a Cybertruck?", I was being 100% honest because I never followed up on them. And I was surprised to see the majority said "Next time Elon visits".

What even IS a Cybertruck?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 04/03/2020 10:58 pm
A triangular box with wheels.

The special edition is made from Starship wreckage.

Both statements above are actually true.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 04/03/2020 11:05 pm
Congratulations on post 5000 Wargrim.
 You win a  Tesla pickup truck which may or may not be made from tank test dbris.
 On the other hand, the doom and gloom prophets are sentenced to watching tank test failure reruns during the initial Mars landings.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 04/04/2020 12:21 am
What are we going to do once the LLRLPT gets to 1 million views? We are not that far off, less than 200k more ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 04/04/2020 12:26 am
Does everyone HAVE to know about Cybertrucks whether they've heard about it or not? When I voted in that poll and said "What's a Cybertruck?", I was being 100% honest because I never followed up on them. And I was surprised to see the majority said "Next time Elon visits".

What even IS a Cybertruck?

You must be kidding. Even the Russians have one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8MYynmi80I

The Sibirian version is built it a bit heavier and not from stainless though ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 04/04/2020 12:31 am
 I  was going to get more photos at the launch pad today until this thing walked up to me and said to put down my camera or there would be....consequences.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 04/04/2020 12:35 am
Does everyone HAVE to know about Cybertrucks whether they've heard about it or not? When I voted in that poll and said "What's a Cybertruck?", I was being 100% honest because I never followed up on them. And I was surprised to see the majority said "Next time Elon visits".

What even IS a Cybertruck?
It's a Pontiac Aztek that was found by aliens 20 years ago and given vast new capabilities before returning to find it's creator.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 04/04/2020 12:41 am
I  was going to get more photos at the launch pad today until this thing walked up to me and said to put down my camera or there would be....consequences.

My first thought seeing that picture wasn't actually articulated walker...

...it was Space 1999 Eagle!!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 04/04/2020 12:42 am
Okay, in the last two pages I've see TWO of my previous jokes on this thread repeated or paraphrased!!!  I dunno whether to be honored or offended! ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 04/04/2020 12:53 am
You mean... relaunched.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jpo234 on 04/04/2020 08:12 am
Scoop: To save on development costs and time, SpaceX hires an external contractor to build SuperHeavy boosters (https://www.reddit.com/r/SpaceXMasterrace/comments/fuoado/to_save_on_development_costs_and_time_spacex/)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 04/04/2020 01:30 pm
Does everyone HAVE to know about Cybertrucks whether they've heard about it or not? When I voted in that poll and said "What's a Cybertruck?", I was being 100% honest because I never followed up on them. And I was surprised to see the majority said "Next time Elon visits".

What even IS a Cybertruck?
It's a Pontiac Aztek that was found by aliens 20 years ago and given vast new capabilities before returning to find it's creator.

I didn't intend for you to take it as a joke. I was asking a serious question.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 04/04/2020 02:51 pm
Does everyone HAVE to know about Cybertrucks whether they've heard about it or not? When I voted in that poll and said "What's a Cybertruck?", I was being 100% honest because I never followed up on them. And I was surprised to see the majority said "Next time Elon visits".

What even IS a Cybertruck?
It's a Pontiac Aztek that was found by aliens 20 years ago and given vast new capabilities before returning to find it's creator.

I didn't intend for you to take it as a joke. I was asking a serious question.

*dons my stripes again*

*WHISTLE*

Party Foul!  5 yards and repeat down!

And for the sake of description, I'll repeat my Cybertruck joke, since it's rather descriptive:  Imagine the pickup truck bastard love child of a Pontiac Aztek and a Delorean.  It is Tesla's entry into the Pickup Truck market. (temporarily docs self <bar access for serious reply)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: laszlo on 04/04/2020 03:27 pm
Does everyone HAVE to know about Cybertrucks whether they've heard about it or not? When I voted in that poll and said "What's a Cybertruck?", I was being 100% honest because I never followed up on them. And I was surprised to see the majority said "Next time Elon visits".

What even IS a Cybertruck?
It's a Pontiac Aztek that was found by aliens 20 years ago and given vast new capabilities before returning to find it's creator.

I didn't intend for you to take it as a joke. I was asking a serious question.

*dons my stripes again*

*WHISTLE*

Party Foul!  5 yards and repeat down!

And for the sake of description, I'll repeat my Cybertruck joke, since it's rather descriptive:  Imagine the pickup truck bastard love child of a Pontiac Aztek and a Delorean.  It is Tesla's entry into the Pickup Truck market. (temporarily docs self <bar access for serious reply)

That's not a Party Foul! THIS is a Party Foul!

(http://www.morocz.com/posts/joetheref.jpg)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 04/04/2020 05:04 pm
No, THIS is a party foul fowl...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: smisamore on 04/04/2020 06:56 pm
Does everyone HAVE to know about Cybertrucks whether they've heard about it or not? When I voted in that poll and said "What's a Cybertruck?", I was being 100% honest because I never followed up on them. And I was surprised to see the majority said "Next time Elon visits".

What even IS a Cybertruck?
It's a Pontiac Aztek that was found by aliens 20 years ago and given vast new capabilities before returning to find it's creator.
Hmmmmmm... Reminds me of a similar TV SciFi story from 60's but that vehicle had a more familiar name...

Escapes me at the moment though :-\

What was that ? ???  Started with a "N", as I recall...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: laszlo on 04/04/2020 07:18 pm
No, THIS is a party foul fowl...

That's so foul I wonder how you could pullet.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 04/04/2020 08:36 pm
https://twitter.com/Calvinn_Hobbes/status/1244761356059979776
https://twitter.com/Calvinn_Hobbes/status/1245048354280800257
https://twitter.com/Calvinn_Hobbes/status/1245123881276506114
https://twitter.com/Calvinn_Hobbes/status/1245410741869518848
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 04/04/2020 08:48 pm
Does everyone HAVE to know about Cybertrucks whether they've heard about it or not? When I voted in that poll and said "What's a Cybertruck?", I was being 100% honest because I never followed up on them. And I was surprised to see the majority said "Next time Elon visits".

What even IS a Cybertruck?
It's a Pontiac Aztek that was found by aliens 20 years ago and given vast new capabilities before returning to find it's creator.
Hmmmmmm... Reminds me of a similar TV SciFi story from 60's but that vehicle had a more familiar name...

Escapes me at the moment though :-\

What was that ? ???  Started with a "N", as I recall...
Some guy in the army said I reminded him of that character in 1974, and the handle stuck.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kdhilliard on 04/04/2020 09:45 pm
Does everyone HAVE to know about Cybertrucks whether they've heard about it or not? When I voted in that poll and said "What's a Cybertruck?", I was being 100% honest because I never followed up on them. And I was surprised to see the majority said "Next time Elon visits".

What even IS a Cybertruck?
It's a Pontiac Aztek that was found by aliens 20 years ago and given vast new capabilities before returning to find it's creator.
I didn't intend for you to take it as a joke. I was asking a serious question.
Seriously?  You really haven't hear of the Cybertruck, Tesla's electric pickup truck?  It isn't being released until 2022, so we don't know what the final design will look like, but here are a couple photos of their first prototype.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 04/04/2020 09:55 pm
I am just gonna put this here for Zach:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Yf8GhqYREY

And it is party thread compliant because the reveal was pretty much a party in itself.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 04/04/2020 10:05 pm
I am just gonna put this here for Zach:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Yf8GhqYREY

And it is party thread compliant because the reveal was pretty much a party in itself.

*nodnodnod* Especially dem windows!!! ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 04/04/2020 10:08 pm
...
...Calvin&n Hobbes...
How tall are Calvin and his toy tiger?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jpo234 on 04/05/2020 09:30 am
I am just gonna put this here for Zach:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Yf8GhqYREY

And it is party thread compliant because the reveal was pretty much a party in itself.

*nodnodnod* Especially dem windows!!! ;)
https://youtu.be/HRmeTavlTNM
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 04/05/2020 11:08 pm
People here seem to be misunderstanding the cybertruck. The cybertruck, as the name clearly indicates, is a very capable vehicle that is intended to exist in one, and only one, environment; cyberspace.

This will, at the very least, make delivery easier. Your new truck will arrive on a thumb drive. You can't use it for hauling real-work things like firewood, of course, but you can use it for hauling log files, etc. Also, the unbreakable Windows will very much be an upgrade from Microsoft Windows, which break quite often (and give you the dreaded blue screen of death when they do).

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 04/06/2020 02:24 pm
People here seem to be misunderstanding the cybertruck. The cybertruck, as the name clearly indicates, is a very capable vehicle that is intended to exist in one, and only one, environment; cyberspace.

This will, at the very least, make delivery easier. Your new truck will arrive on a thumb drive. You can't use it for hauling real-work things like firewood, of course, but you can use it for hauling log files, etc. Also, the unbreakable Windows will very much be an upgrade from Microsoft Windows, which break quite often (and give you the dreaded blue screen of death when they do).



Cybertruck will be the first vehicle to leave the factory floor (In Texas) and drive itself all the way to the customers drive way for delivery.  Using a robot arm to plug in and self charge at Superchargers along the way.

I remain hopeful that the front lights will do a sweeping back and forth action like KITT from Knight Rider!

We need a F9 launch on the schedule, I'm locked down at home and I need some entertainment!  I've been re-watching the FH launches but I need fresh material.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 04/06/2020 02:55 pm
....
I remain hopeful that the front lights will do a sweeping back and forth action like KITT from Knight Rider!
....

That is so lame.  ;D

Should have sweeping red light action on the top light bar along with pedestrian warning announcement like from a Cylon Centurion from the first BSG TV series.  ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: SteveU on 04/06/2020 05:45 pm
The other guy's tower is closer, but I figure I can buy 750 pints of Guinness with the price difference.
Good to know you have your priorities straight. 8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: smisamore on 04/06/2020 08:41 pm
The other guy's tower is closer, but I figure I can buy 750 pints of Guinness with the price difference.
Good to know you have your priorities straight. 8)
And that the gentleman has impeccable taste!!

With respect to that, if the gentleman might be so inclined, might I offer the following as a possible alternative selection.... My math is not that great, but I think the investment cost should be comparable ::)

Of course, with summer quickly approaching, your initial plan would probably offer more refreshment (i.e "happy") hours ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 04/07/2020 02:44 am
  It just seems like there's a really crude caption in there somewhere.

Berry was transported out today.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tyrred on 04/07/2020 09:02 am
  It just seems like there's a really crude caption for this somewhere.
Berry was transported out today.

How do you make a baby tow-truck?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 04/07/2020 11:27 am
  It just seems like there's a really crude caption for this somewhere.
Berry was transported out today.
“In this rare footage you can see an unsuspecting semi about to fall prey to the Berryactus giganteus, the processed carcasses of other unfortunate semis littered about its lair...”
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Kansan52 on 04/08/2020 09:36 pm
Did anyone know the "launch, Land, and Relaunch" video has been redone?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oF_rU2-fbog
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 04/09/2020 01:13 pm
  It just seems like there's a really crude caption in there somewhere.

Berry was transported out today.

If I duck down behind this red thing they'll NEVER see me!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 04/09/2020 10:09 pm
Totally not space related - but this IS the party thread.

Back story: The Aquarium has shut its doors, sent all 900+ volunteers home and has laid off 3/4 of its staff, some 160 people. Us remaining folks are tasked with keeping the animal collection safe and well taken care of. It’s a massive task with just a fraction of people. To complicate matters, we’ve split the week into two halves with the two halves having no interaction with each other.

With all that said, I’ve been pranking the other-half-of-the-weekers. Here’s the latest prank... hope you enjoy!

https://youtu.be/h2ClY9cOE-M

Bonus question: what’s our team name based on?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 04/10/2020 04:11 am
Totally not space related - but this IS the party thread.

Back story: The Aquarium has shut its doors, sent all 900+ volunteers home and has laid off 3/4 of its staff, some 160 people. Us remaining folks are tasked with keeping the animal collection safe and well taken care of. It’s a massive task with just a fraction of people. To complicate matters, we’ve split the week into two halves with the two halves having no interaction with each other.

With all that said, I’ve been pranking the other-half-of-the-weekers. Here’s the latest prank... hope you enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2ClY9cOE-M

Bonus question: what’s our team name based on?

That was hilarious!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think the best part was where you left the thing.
Well done!

As for the name... I'm going to guess that "exotic" refers to the fact you're around exotic species.


I gotta ask, though, what's the garlic gel for? I'm assuming it's for some of the critters, but what kind?

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 04/10/2020 01:18 pm
Totally not space related - but this IS the party thread.

Back story: The Aquarium has shut its doors, sent all 900+ volunteers home and has laid off 3/4 of its staff, some 160 people. Us remaining folks are tasked with keeping the animal collection safe and well taken care of. It’s a massive task with just a fraction of people. To complicate matters, we’ve split the week into two halves with the two halves having no interaction with each other.

With all that said, I’ve been pranking the other-half-of-the-weekers. Here’s the latest prank... hope you enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2ClY9cOE-M

Bonus question: what’s our team name based on?

That was hilarious!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think the best part was where you left the thing.
Well done!

As for the name... I'm going to guess that "exotic" refers to the fact you're around exotic species.


I gotta ask, though, what's the garlic gel for? I'm assuming it's for some of the critters, but what kind?
Thanks - the best thing was at the end of the day the Curator of Fishes came into my office and asked why there was a dive gear bag hanging from the hoist over the GOT. Then he said, never mind, I don’t want to know (it was his last day as he has been furloughed and it was a pretty rough day for him.)

The gel is for the herbivores like parrotfish, angels, etc. we make it and it kills my love of garlic. 3 cups cold water, 3 cups gelatin powder, 60 cloves garlic blended, 1 cup capelin eggs (we strip during food prep), 1 cup full spectrum food pellets (3mm), 3 cups hot water, 3 more cups gelatin powder - and one clue. I know this because I just learned how to make it. In my normal world I never do food prep...

And no re the team name. I’m sure someone out there has it sussed though...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Excalibur93 on 04/10/2020 04:19 pm
Hi Jonnyhinbos,
hi all,

im reading here in this great forum since i think roughly 5 years, registered user since 2018... and you now have forced me to write my first post (i dont have any expertise in space flight, so i usually dont have anything helpfull to say).

About your teamname though... i guess its related to this Tiger King - Joe Exotic guy, who was (at least here in Germany) in the media lately?

Thanks all for this great forum! Looking forward for the comin years. I go back in my snailhouse now :)
Greetings
Excalibur93
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: garcianc on 04/10/2020 04:58 pm
Totally not space related - but this IS the party thread.

Back story: The Aquarium has shut its doors, sent all 900+ volunteers home and has laid off 3/4 of its staff, some 160 people. Us remaining folks are tasked with keeping the animal collection safe and well taken care of. It’s a massive task with just a fraction of people. To complicate matters, we’ve split the week into two halves with the two halves having no interaction with each other.

With all that said, I’ve been pranking the other-half-of-the-weekers. Here’s the latest prank... hope you enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2ClY9cOE-M

Bonus question: what’s our team name based on?

That was hilarious!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think the best part was where you left the thing.
Well done!

As for the name... I'm going to guess that "exotic" refers to the fact you're around exotic species.


I gotta ask, though, what's the garlic gel for? I'm assuming it's for some of the critters, but what kind?
Thanks - the best thing was at the end of the day the Curator of Fishes came into my office and asked why there was a dive gear bag hanging from the hoist over the GOT. Then he said, never mind, I don’t want to know (it was his last day as he has been furloughed and it was a pretty rough day for him.)

The gel is for the herbivores like parrotfish, angels, etc. we make it and it kills my love of garlic. 3 cups cold water, 3 cups gelatin powder, 60 cloves garlic blended, 1 cup capelin eggs (we strip during food prep), 1 cup full spectrum food pellets (3mm), 3 cups hot water, 3 more cups gelatin powder - and one clue. I know this because I just learned how to make it. In my normal world I never do food prep...

And no re the team name. I’m sure someone out there has it sussed though...

Oh fine, but when I strip during food prep my wife says it is unsanitary...  :-\

Great prank! Reminds me of my Navy days on deployment and the great heist/kidnapping of the weapons launch console voodoo doll (good luck charm) that almost ended catastrophically...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 04/10/2020 05:06 pm
Totally not space related - but this IS the party thread.

Back story: The Aquarium has shut its doors, sent all 900+ volunteers home and has laid off 3/4 of its staff, some 160 people. Us remaining folks are tasked with keeping the animal collection safe and well taken care of. It’s a massive task with just a fraction of people. To complicate matters, we’ve split the week into two halves with the two halves having no interaction with each other.

With all that said, I’ve been pranking the other-half-of-the-weekers. Here’s the latest prank... hope you enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2ClY9cOE-M

Bonus question: what’s our team name based on?

That was hilarious!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think the best part was where you left the thing.
Well done!

As for the name... I'm going to guess that "exotic" refers to the fact you're around exotic species.


I gotta ask, though, what's the garlic gel for? I'm assuming it's for some of the critters, but what kind?
Thanks - the best thing was at the end of the day the Curator of Fishes came into my office and asked why there was a dive gear bag hanging from the hoist over the GOT. Then he said, never mind, I don’t want to know (it was his last day as he has been furloughed and it was a pretty rough day for him.)

The gel is for the herbivores like parrotfish, angels, etc. we make it and it kills my love of garlic. 3 cups cold water, 3 cups gelatin powder, 60 cloves garlic blended, 1 cup capelin eggs (we strip during food prep), 1 cup full spectrum food pellets (3mm), 3 cups hot water, 3 more cups gelatin powder - and one clue. I know this because I just learned how to make it. In my normal world I never do food prep...

And no re the team name. I’m sure someone out there has it sussed though...

Oh fine, but when I strip during food prep my wife says it is unsanitary...  :-\

Great prank! Reminds me of my Navy days on deployment and the great heist/kidnapping of the weapons launch console voodoo doll (good luck charm) that almost ended catastrophically...
Lol!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 04/10/2020 05:08 pm
Hi Jonnyhinbos,
hi all,

im reading here in this great forum since i think roughly 5 years, registered user since 2018... and you now have forced me to write my first post (i dont have any expertise in space flight, so i usually dont have anything helpfull to say).

About your teamname though... i guess its related to this Tiger King - Joe Exotic guy, who was (at least here in Germany) in the media lately?

Thanks all for this great forum! Looking forward for the comin years. I go back in my snailhouse now :)
Greetings
Excalibur93
Welcome to the posting life - and yup! Good ok Joe Exotic! (hence the whiteboard art. Myrtle is our 560 lb green sea turtle)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 04/10/2020 06:22 pm
Totally not space related - but this IS the party thread.

Back story: The Aquarium has shut its doors, sent all 900+ volunteers home and has laid off 3/4 of its staff, some 160 people. Us remaining folks are tasked with keeping the animal collection safe and well taken care of. It’s a massive task with just a fraction of people. To complicate matters, we’ve split the week into two halves with the two halves having no interaction with each other.

With all that said, I’ve been pranking the other-half-of-the-weekers. Here’s the latest prank... hope you enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2ClY9cOE-M

Bonus question: what’s our team name based on?

That was hilarious!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think the best part was where you left the thing.
Well done!

As for the name... I'm going to guess that "exotic" refers to the fact you're around exotic species.


I gotta ask, though, what's the garlic gel for? I'm assuming it's for some of the critters, but what kind?
Thanks - the best thing was at the end of the day the Curator of Fishes came into my office and asked why there was a dive gear bag hanging from the hoist over the GOT. Then he said, never mind, I don’t want to know (it was his last day as he has been furloughed and it was a pretty rough day for him.)

The gel is for the herbivores like parrotfish, angels, etc. we make it and it kills my love of garlic. 3 cups cold water, 3 cups gelatin powder, 60 cloves garlic blended, 1 cup capelin eggs (we strip during food prep), 1 cup full spectrum food pellets (3mm), 3 cups hot water, 3 more cups gelatin powder - and one clue. I know this because I just learned how to make it. In my normal world I never do food prep...

And no re the team name. I’m sure someone out there has it sussed though...

Oh fine, but when I strip during food prep my wife says it is unsanitary...  :-\

Great prank! Reminds me of my Navy days on deployment and the great heist/kidnapping of the weapons launch console voodoo doll (good luck charm) that almost ended catastrophically...
And... now you gotta tell the story!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 04/10/2020 06:30 pm
Well... In honor of the 50/50 Blow Up SN4 poll that got launched:  (My 35+ year ago stays at summer camp come back to haunt me.)

I said a BOOM chica boom.
        I said a BOOM chica boom.
I said a BOOM chica boom.
        I said a BOOM chica boom.
I said a BOOM chica rocka chica rocka chica BOOM.
        I said a BOOM chica rocka chica rocka chica BOOM.
Uh huh.
        Uh huh.
Oh yeah.
        Oh yeah.
One more time.
        One more time.
SpaceX Style!!!

I said a BOOM chica boom.
        I said a BOOM chica boom.
I said a BOCA chica boom.
        I said a BOCA chica boom.
I said a BOOM chica Boca Chica Boca Chica BOOM.
        I said a BOOM chica Boca Chica Boca Chica BOOM.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: xyv on 04/11/2020 01:21 am
Somehow I can't resist.  This part of one of Mary's pictures was just too good.  I know, I know...the appreciation thread is for that but nobody there is posting what they like about the effortless framing that Mary does...I've said it before.  It's like breathing for you.

"Come here my little pretty's..."
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lemurion on 04/12/2020 07:00 pm
[zubenelgenubi: embedded image file deleted]

ooooooooooooooooooook :D

Compare that to what can be seen on this image.
[zubenelgenubi: embedded image file deleted]

I see 3 domes being built in parallel VS a very expensive machine with no building activity

edit:image link

I see "The most expensive machine in the hospital" from Monty Python...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MrFlippant on 04/12/2020 08:30 pm
[zubenelgenubi: embedded image file deleted]

ooooooooooooooooooook :D

Compare that to what can be seen on this image.
[zubenelgenubi: embedded image file deleted]

I see 3 domes being built in parallel VS a very expensive machine with no building activity

edit:image link

I see "The most expensive machine in the hospital" from Monty Python...

Oh! And is this the one that goes "ding"?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 04/12/2020 09:52 pm
A reminder from one of your friendly neighborhood moderators...
<snip>
'Nuff said.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 04/13/2020 06:09 pm
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jon.amos on 04/14/2020 09:04 pm
Helium delivered to farm (yesterday).

That crow isn't wearing any safety equipment - do they even know what they're doing down there? ;D

Seems like a rather flighty operation down there. :o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 04/15/2020 03:23 pm
  When you check to see what's blocking the site on the camera and why you can't get channel four this morning.
 They have been circling my house a lot lately. Maybe they know something.

 At least these guys just politely wait for their chance. Damn seagulls will hit you over the head and steal your wallet.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 04/15/2020 07:29 pm
(https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=48895.0;attach=1625773;image)

Hmm..
Does this mean SpaceX is playing Dice with the Big Boys,
or are they setting up the Dominoes for the Fall?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 04/16/2020 01:28 am
Announcement

In this era of social distancing, unions must still go on.  SpaceX is pleased and proud to announce the engagement of the SN3 lower skirt to the SN4 tank assembly.

The ceremony is planned to be a semi-private affair hosted at our secluded coastal facility.  Those in attendance will be required to wear the appropriate and OSHA required personal protective equipment.  Live streaming of the matrimonial event is under consideration.

"With this ring, I thee weld."
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 04/16/2020 06:18 am
Announcement

In this era of social distancing, unions must still go on.  SpaceX is pleased and proud to announce the engagement of the SN3 lower skirt to the SN4 tank assembly.

The ceremony is planned to be a semi-private affair hosted at our secluded coastal facility.  Those in attendance will be required to wear the appropriate and OSHA required personal protective equipment.  Live streaming of the matrimonial event is under consideration.

"With this ring, I thee weld."
The divorce is sure to be explosive...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 04/16/2020 07:53 am
Announcement

In this era of social distancing, unions must still go on.  SpaceX is pleased and proud to announce the engagement of the SN3 lower skirt to the SN4 tank assembly.

The ceremony is planned to be a semi-private affair hosted at our secluded coastal facility.  Those in attendance will be required to wear the appropriate and OSHA required personal protective equipment.  Live streaming of the matrimonial event is under consideration.

"With this ring, I thee weld."
The divorce is sure to be explosive...

Till LN2 overpressurizatin do you part or something.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 04/16/2020 10:41 am
Announcement

In this era of social distancing, unions must still go on.  SpaceX is pleased and proud to announce the engagement of the SN3 lower skirt to the SN4 tank assembly.

The ceremony is planned to be a semi-private affair hosted at our secluded coastal facility.  Those in attendance will be required to wear the appropriate and OSHA required personal protective equipment.  Live streaming of the matrimonial event is under consideration.

"With this ring, I thee weld."

I though the stacking happens after the ring ceremony usually.
 ::)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 04/16/2020 11:59 am
I thought the stacking happens after the ring ceremony usually.
 ::)

Well, traditionally that would be assumed, but you know how they like bucking traditions.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 04/16/2020 03:45 pm
bucking, eh?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 04/16/2020 04:38 pm
 I had something about SN2's annulment, but realized it offended even me.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 04/17/2020 12:17 am
  I caught a short video of the legendary Boca Chica missing link wading through the swamp on his way from watching spaceship construction. He doesn't really care to be recorded, but the fish made it kind of cute.

https://youtu.be/LctW0jA4ygE
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: smisamore on 04/17/2020 03:56 am
I can't believe nerve of this guy photo-bombing that adorable, frolicking, baby Dolphin!!!

What a Mullet!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 04/18/2020 01:31 pm
What does

<
и
<
z

stand for?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 04/18/2020 03:20 pm
What does

<
и
<
z

stand for?
That's Galactic Standard for "Don't laugh, we're new at this"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 04/20/2020 01:27 am
We decided in the Starlink thread that the giant eggs inside the metal wall are Starlink Gateway dishes.
I do believe Nomadd has captured the very first image of a Starlink hatchery...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: awests on 04/20/2020 05:03 am
We decided in the Starlink thread that the giant eggs inside the metal wall are Starlink Gateway dishes.
How close do you think the eggs are to hatching?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: dglow on 04/20/2020 11:14 am
We decided in the Starlink thread that the giant eggs inside the metal wall are Starlink Gateway dishes.
How close do you think the eggs are to hatching?

And when they do hatch, what will emerge?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Okie_Steve on 04/20/2020 12:47 pm
Obviously ROK eggs, so upon hatching the little ones would be . . . ROKettes .
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 04/20/2020 01:02 pm
What does

<
и
<
z

stand for?

It's being patriotic.  Didn't you see the flag above it? ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 04/20/2020 07:43 pm
We decided in the Starlink thread that the giant eggs inside the metal wall are Starlink Gateway dishes.
I do believe Nomadd has captured the very first image of a Starlink hatchery...
it looks more like a Rover hatchery.
Rover (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6Ffr1U7KMY)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 04/21/2020 03:45 pm
Just when you thought there was nothing but gloom, doom, and quarantine, it's time for Spacex to launch again.  :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Kang54 on 04/22/2020 09:55 am
I can't think of a reason why, but I haven't been able to stop thinking about this comic for the last couple days
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 04/22/2020 07:56 pm
Just saw the Starlinks pass over Munich. Sort of drives home the point about Starship P2P.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 04/22/2020 10:19 pm

; P
  So, do you get the lobotomy before or after you join these groups?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 04/22/2020 10:40 pm

; P
  So, do you get the lobotomy before or after you join these groups?
It's silly fake video from someone with too much free time, I don't get what do you mean?  Watch next forever flowing watering cans.

[edit. AAAaand it's removed from youtube]
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Doesitfloat on 04/23/2020 08:38 pm
Having read these forum, Spacex have made a change to Starship.
For all the comments from people who acknowledge they know nothing about spaceship design but are uncomfortable with the Starship.  They added puppies as crew to all missions to make people more comfortable without changing the technical details.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 04/24/2020 06:30 am
Having read these forum, Spacex have made a change to Starship.
For all the comments from people who acknowledge they know nothing about spaceship design but are uncomfortable with the Starship.  They added puppies as crew to all missions to make people more comfortable without changing the technical details.

I Laika that!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MrFlippant on 04/24/2020 01:51 pm
What does

<
и
<
z

stand for?

No no, you see; you have to tilt your head ninety degrees - it says VSVN.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HPA97 on 04/24/2020 02:34 pm
(Reposting this here from another thread...)

What did the engineer tell the other engineer when they wanted to do some stacking?


Hi bae
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 04/24/2020 08:28 pm
(Reposting this here from another thread...)

What did the engineer tell the other engineer when they wanted to do some stacking?


Hi bae

Welcome to the party thread where puns are appreciated... nai, required even ...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: gaballard on 04/24/2020 08:29 pm
Honest question... are there lights inside the LOX tanks?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 04/24/2020 11:10 pm
Honest question... are there lights inside the LOX tanks?
If there are, it's very wasteful.

Everyone knows that the easiest and most efficient way to light up an oxygen tank is to introduce small amounts of fuel and a spark.  See this (somewhat nerve-wracking) video for an amateur example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTZcnCqqfG4

Falcon's RP-1 tanks aren't quite amenable to this process - which is perhaps why we never see footage from that tank - but Starship should be, as demonstrated in the prelude to the above video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jmX-TUQkx4
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 04/25/2020 02:01 am
What does

<
и
<
z

stand for?

No no, you see; you have to tilt your head ninety degrees - it says VSVN.

That's also what it will say during launch, in this iconic camera view, as the rocket flies past the camera on the tower:

^ movement direction
|
|

<     <-- camera position

и

<

z

- you could put yourself sideways, then, as the letters rush by,  it will say


        camera positon
                   |
                   v
   <----         V   S   V   N
movement direction

or you could put yourself the other sideways, then it will say

movement direction
   <----         Λ   Ƨ   Λ   И
                   ^
                   |
        camera positon



It would however read correctly, if the booster flies past a stationary camera during landing ;)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 04/25/2020 12:50 pm
SN4 experiences a new mode of failure. Fans cheer wildly.


https://twitter.com/engineers_feed/status/1253921684714926081
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 04/26/2020 06:35 am
Hijack from the SpX-DM2 dicussion thread
Like VP above, I would also like to know if DM-2 has been named by her crew ??

If not, might I suggest, "Pathfinder?"

Nah. It is a puny White Dragon. So appropriate naming is "Ruth".

The White Dragon by Anne McCaffrey (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_White_Dragon_(novel))
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ludonope on 04/26/2020 10:21 am
Also this is not an actual update, but kinda awesome (mods, feel free to delete if you think it's not appropriate)

Apparently a Heavy Falcon was watching after LabPadre's camera :D

Source: LabPadre stream
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Observation on 04/26/2020 12:34 pm
I have too much freetime. Does this go to r/spacexmasterrace?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 04/26/2020 03:11 pm
SN4 experiences a new mode of failure. Fans cheer wildly.
https://twitter.com/engineers_feed/status/1253921684714926081
That's the newest method of getting the cargo down to the ground on Mars.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Observation on 04/26/2020 04:23 pm
SN4 experiences a new mode of failure. Fans cheer wildly.
https://twitter.com/engineers_feed/status/1253921684714926081
That's the newest method of getting the cargo down to the ground on Mars.

It's called lithobraking (2.0)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: joek on 04/26/2020 05:08 pm
The sky was all over the place this morning. I've never seen this one.
SpaceX is still tuning the Large Mars Atmospheric Outreach simulator.  Or maybe your camera was having a flashback to the 60's?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 04/27/2020 03:37 am
 Sitting here on the roof, watching the hope of humanity to slip the surly bonds of Earth and spread throughout the cosmos, you can't help but ponder the truly important questions in life, like "I wonder how many bugs I've consumed by drinking wine outdoors in the dark."
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: dror on 04/27/2020 04:47 am
Sitting here on the roof, watching the hope of humanity to slip the surly bonds of Earth and spread throughout the cosmos, you can't help but ponder the truly important questions in life like "I wonder how many bugs I've consumed by drinking wine outdoors in the dark."
Finally we know what "42" stands for !
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nevyn72 on 04/27/2020 06:59 am
Sitting here on the roof, watching the hope of humanity to slip the surly bonds of Earth and spread throughout the cosmos, you can't help but ponder the truly important questions in life like "I wonder how many bugs I've consumed by drinking wine outdoors in the dark."
Finally we know what "42" stands for !

Is that lbs or kg?  ???
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: The Vorlon on 04/27/2020 07:37 am
Sitting here on the roof, watching the hope of humanity to slip the surly bonds of Earth and spread throughout the cosmos, you can't help but ponder the truly important questions in life like "I wonder how many bugs I've consumed by drinking wine outdoors in the dark."
Finally we know what "42" stands for !

Is that lbs or kg?  ???

Stone.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HPA97 on 04/27/2020 09:24 am
What is flat earthers favorite drink



Flat soda
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 04/27/2020 11:18 am
What is flat earthers favorite drink



Flat soda
I was thinking more like Tide Pods, but that works too...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Observation on 04/27/2020 12:07 pm
SN4tw
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 04/27/2020 03:25 pm
What is flat earthers favorite drink

Flat soda
I was thinking more like Tide Pods, but that works too...
I never expected you to buy into that spherical Earth nonsense.

Pics taken at the launch site this morning.

 We better get some supply runs scheduled. She probably won't move until they put the engine in.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: leovinus on 04/27/2020 06:59 pm
Anyone else who keeps reading the phrase "cryogenic proof test" as "cryogenic poof test"?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Observation on 04/28/2020 09:29 am
Basically, if SN4 goes 💥 on static fire, it's technically still a static fire, right?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 04/29/2020 12:48 am
Basically, if SN4 goes 💥 on static fire, it's technically still a static fire, right?
No. Then it's a dynamic fire.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 04/29/2020 01:15 am
They did have five more Powerpacks show up this year.
 I'm picturing Elon negotiating with himself.

Gonna get a good deal. He knows the boss' brother! And he's on the board!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cdebuhr on 04/29/2020 02:42 am
Basically, if SN4 goes 💥 on static fire, it's technically still a static fire, right?
No. Then it's a dynamic fire.
Kinetic fire?  Yeah ... that's it.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 04/29/2020 07:20 pm
Happy Birthday, NSF!

Joined October 2005, looking for a better spaceflight forum.  Still here!

so, still looking for one then????
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 04/30/2020 06:32 am
Now called Ingenuity.  8)

They rejected my suggestion of "Airwolf."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfyhL-pFFMw
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 04/30/2020 02:16 pm
Okay, time for an actual question. I'm asking it here because I know I'll get an answer that makes sense to me. Yeah...

Been giving serious thought to making an effort at attending the DM-2 launch 5/27. Yeah I know that prime viewing sites will be locked down but I've got a honkin' crapload of unused points on Southwest so I can fly non-stop into Orlando for nothing and drive an hour east to get as close as I can. I've survived in very sparse environments before. I'm thinking I'd just like to be there because I'd just like to be there. However distant it is I'll be there. Haven't been present for a manned launch since Discovery returned to flight. Anybody getting this?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Observation on 04/30/2020 03:06 pm
I'll be watching from a safe distance (Europe)  8)
If there's no clouds... really hope to see it
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: guyw on 04/30/2020 04:43 pm
I used to be able to see shuttle launches to the ISS from my front yard in New Hampshire, even in daytime for a few seconds before main engine cutoff. I have tried to see Dragon resupply missions to the ISS, but so far have been unsuccessful. Possibly the Merlin MVAC is not quite as bright as three SSMEs.  :'(
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: rsdavis9 on 04/30/2020 05:41 pm
I used to be able to see shuttle launches to the ISS from my front yard in New Hampshire, even in daytime for a few seconds before main engine cutoff. I have tried to see Dragon resupply missions to the ISS, but so far have been unsuccessful. Possibly the Merlin MVAC is not quite as bright as three SSMEs.  :'(

I saw one from hampton beach NH at night. Not very bright.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: WTF on 04/30/2020 06:39 pm
Starhopper.

Now has speakers.

Looks like a party to me.

Water tower is way too ... tame for the folks at Boca Chica.

So-o-o ... how many pints of Guinness could Starhopper hold ?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wudizzle on 04/30/2020 08:24 pm
There were quite a few speculations about how the downcomer from the LOX header tank can be routed through the fairing part of SS. I believe that the recent render of the SpaceX moon lander design shows it right in the middle of the crew module.

I double dog dare you to lick it.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Doesitfloat on 05/01/2020 12:26 am
I used to be able to see shuttle launches to the ISS from my front yard in New Hampshire, even in daytime for a few seconds before main engine cutoff. I have tried to see Dragon resupply missions to the ISS, but so far have been unsuccessful. Possibly the Merlin MVAC is not quite as bright as three SSMEs.  :'(

I saw one from hampton beach NH at night. Not very bright.

I saw a SS launch summer of 92 from a skydiving plane in Jacksonville.  Weather was partly cloudy going to mostly cloudy and didn't see the shuttle till after we got above the clouds. The conversation went something like:
Pilot: Hey check that out! (Points to bright fire in sky heading north leaving white smoke trail.)
Us jumpers: hey that's really cool!!
Pilot:  Great now get out.

It was still really cool.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 05/01/2020 07:55 am
Okay, time for an actual question. I'm asking it here because I know I'll get an answer that makes sense to me. Yeah...

Been giving serious thought to making an effort at attending the DM-2 launch 5/27. Yeah I know that prime viewing sites will be locked down but I've got a honkin' crapload of unused points on Southwest so I can fly non-stop into Orlando for nothing and drive an hour east to get as close as I can. I've survived in very sparse environments before. I'm thinking I'd just like to be there because I'd just like to be there. However distant it is I'll be there. Haven't been present for a manned launch since Discovery returned to flight. Anybody getting this?


My suggestion; wear a respirator and eye protection on the flight. (*1) 

Check to make sure the car rental and hotels are open. I know some are, but maybe not all. You should be able to get takeout or drive-thru from some restaurants, or, get a hotel with a microwave and get groceries. Also, IMHO, pad your schedule if you can, to allow for launch delays.

Check, also, on viewing sites, as some may be closed - helpful to know where to head before you get there.

After the launch, be very, very careful on your navigation when you head back to Orlando, or you could face a serious risk of a fatal lung condition. (*2)

Footnotes in keeping with this thread:
(*1) wearing a respirator for the flight will prevent you from consuming airline food, this likely saving your life. (IMHO, the lethality rate of airline food greatly exceeds that of COVID-19 - though the latter is also a good reason to wear a respirator)

(*2) Navigation for safety after the launch:  this is to avoid heading east. If you do drive east, the lung issue is saltwater in the lungs. Also, the rental car company will likely not give you back your deposit.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jon.amos on 05/01/2020 09:45 pm
Road's blocked for some reason. I suppose I could get out of my chair and look.

You could grab a pint of Guinness on the way to give you motivation.  And sustenance if there is actually anything interesting going on that may require and extended period of standing.   8)

Jon
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 05/02/2020 01:52 am
Road's blocked for some reason. I suppose I could get out of my chair and look.
You could grab a pint of Guinness on the way to give you motivation.  And sustenance if there is actually anything interesting going on that may require and extended period of standing.   8)
Jon
  About two hours after you posted that, bocachicagal brought me two six packs of Guinness.
 Could you suggest I win the lottery next?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: theinternetftw on 05/02/2020 06:41 am
Gettin' caught in the net as we speak... :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 05/03/2020 12:32 am
https://twitter.com/ThePrimalDino/status/1256512512796831746
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 05/03/2020 12:50 am
Once the astronauts boarded the lunar Starship from Orion, their first stop was to the galley:

After marveling at the gold-decorated fittings - the equipment undergoing flight test for SpaceX space luxury flights in the cislunar realm,
they investigated the first class minibar, equipped for their lunar stay with items such as Champaign to later celebrate the successful moon landing (alcohol free) as well as caviar and other delicacies, including and various fresh food items that had been kept refrigerated on board the previously launched lander.

The spacious crew quarters - euqipped with personal exercise and recreational equipment of the very luxurious kind, as well as the high tech toilet and shower system on board the lunar spaceship where another highlight

Asked by media - after the successful lunar mission - if there had any regrets, the Astronauts specifically named one point in the mission:

"After ascent from the lunar surface, both vehicles were to return back to Earth, where Starship was then to be refueled and resupplied by a tanker. SpaceX would have had enough propellant to conduct the transfer with Orion docked and only release us in LEO for reentry, but out of an abundance of caution, it had been decided we should board Orion and detach, then do the return 48 hours journey on board the capsule for a direct reentry. So just after ascent we had to say goodbye to Starships luxury quarters and return to a cramped capsule for the rest of it. That really sucked."

However, in Orions defense one should mention, - although less luxurious and comfortable - it's toilet was technically approximately ten times as expensive as Starship's and as such the real "luxury item".

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 05/03/2020 01:25 am
https://twitter.com/ThePrimalDino/status/1256512512796831746
Now, show that to people and ask them "Which one of these costs 50 times as much as the other?"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 05/03/2020 03:02 am
https://twitter.com/ThePrimalDino/status/1256512512796831746

Starship does a gentle Orion boop.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 05/03/2020 04:43 am
https://twitter.com/ThePrimalDino/status/1256512512796831746
That's where the header tank is. Orion is stealing Starship's LOX. The first case of space piracy.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Observation on 05/03/2020 07:52 am
That's where the header tank is. Orion is stealing Starship's LOX. The first case of space piracy.

No header for the moon.

Remember when elon said he had done an "areo reset"? Well there we are.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 05/03/2020 09:26 pm
https://twitter.com/ThePrimalDino/status/1256512512796831746
That's where the header tank is. Orion is stealing Starship's LOX. The first case of space piracy.

Well a least they have the bagels safely stored away in the galley.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 05/03/2020 10:37 pm
How long before wannamoonbase has to change their handle to gottamoonbase?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 05/04/2020 04:20 am
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1257160325461348354

First thing I heard on the stream: "We didn't expect a static fire but Elon tweeted, so it's not impossible."

That's the way the world works now, isn't is. Elon tweets and suddenly stuff isn't impossible anymore.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kdhilliard on 05/04/2020 12:41 pm
Artemis Campus Aesthetics
...
The psychological effect of such views might become negative, Buzz Aldrin's "magnificent desolation" growing less magnificent with gritty familiarity.  However, there could be options.  Over time, one might simulate more terrestrial things within and around habs, to give some feeling of home.
...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 05/04/2020 06:01 pm
Interview with Beck on CORVID19 effects on startup space industry.
https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2020/05/03/rocket-lab-ceo-space-industry-in-coronavirus-slog.html
I don't know what Beck has against crows and ravens.  Maybe he just wants to be the only all-black, highly intelligent bird in town  ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 05/06/2020 05:22 am
Elon celebrating!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVLj_11qusQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoX6AKuYWL8
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Observation on 05/06/2020 05:06 pm
It ain't invincible
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 05/06/2020 11:08 pm
Can anyone tell what they are?

I think it says "LAZY".

And once you saw that, you can't "unsee" it ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: gaballard on 05/07/2020 05:24 pm
Anyone else think Elon missed a big opportunity by not naming his baby THC 1138?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 05/08/2020 01:22 am
I'm posting this in the party thread, but it's about the update threads.

I've almost, a couple of times, posted comments in the update threads - because I didn't realize they were update threads. I only caught it when I noticed "Updates" in the thread title when about to hit the post button. I now make it a point to look to make sure.

I'd also like to mention, for those unaware, that the "modify" button on your post allows you to delete your own posts. Not that I'm admitting having had to do this a time or two, but, um...

Also, a general comment; there's nothing bad about admitting you're wrong. When I'm proven wrong, I like it - it's educational. I also don't just admit I was wrong, I proclaim it. So, the question must be asked; when are those who were on the wrong side of the rocket vs. water tower debate (Regarding what those shiny things being built at Boca Chica are) finally going to admit it? (sorry, rocket people, but it's now abundantly clear that you were wrong, and you're only embarrassing yourselves by still sticking to your delusions...)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 05/08/2020 02:50 am
I'm posting this in the party thread, but it's about the update threads.

I've almost, a couple of times, posted comments in the update threads - because I didn't realize they were update threads. I only caught it when I noticed "Updates" in the thread title when about to hit the post button. I now make it a point to look to make sure.

I'd also like to mention, for those unaware, that the "modify" button on your post allows you to delete your own posts. Not that I'm admitting having had to do this a time or two, but, um...

Also, a general comment; there's nothing bad about admitting you're wrong. When I'm proven wrong, I like it - it's educational. I also don't just admit I was wrong, I proclaim it. So, the question must be asked; when are those who were on the wrong side of the rocket vs. water tower debate (Regarding what those shiny things being built at Boca Chica are) finally going to admit it? (sorry, rocket people, but it's now abundantly clear that you were wrong, and you're only embarrassing yourselves by still sticking to your delusions...)

Ah...
This belongs in the party thread because the idea of certain, well known forum members admitting that they were wrong is a big joke.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 05/08/2020 03:31 am

Also, a general comment; there's nothing bad about admitting you're wrong.

  There is too.
 Jeez. The things people believe now days.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 05/08/2020 10:53 am

Also, a general comment; there's nothing bad about admitting you're wrong.

  There is too.
 Jeez. The things people believe now days.

There is no such thing as "wrong" anymore.

Out of an abundance of political correctness, these days we call it "alternative right" ;)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Vettedrmr on 05/08/2020 11:10 am

There is no such thing as "wrong" anymore.

Out of an abundance of political correctness, these days we call it "alternative right" ;)

No, the word "right" has been banned.  How about "alternative correctness"?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 05/08/2020 12:04 pm

There is no such thing as "wrong" anymore.

Out of an abundance of political correctness, these days we call it "alternative right" ;)

No, the word "right" has been banned.  How about "alternative correctness"?

doubleplusgood  ++!

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 05/09/2020 07:44 pm

 I thought I remeber reading that the ISS orbits every 45 minutes or so.
What's wrong with putting the tanker into a 1 hour orbit, so 24 orbits later you are back over the launch site, 1 day later.
The main problem is that it would have to be orbiting about 1500 miles underground.

Ah, now we know why Elon started The Boring Company. It's for the tunnels needed to avoid drag in subterranean orbits like that one.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Observation on 05/09/2020 08:00 pm
He only made the hyperloop because he couldn't stand drag on his rockets anymore
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 05/10/2020 04:57 am
Musk tweeting that SN4 passed cryo test at 7.5 bar.
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1259344535991140352
"Elon Musk
@elonmusk
SN4 passed high pressure (7.5 bar) & engine thrust load at cryo"
It's going to be like Star Trek movies. Only the even numbered ones are any good.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 05/10/2020 11:11 am
This may be a bit too nuanced...

I don’t know why people think Tom Cruise will fly on a SpaceX spacecraft. I mean, L Ron Hubbard is developing his own one - and a lunar lander to boot!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nevyn72 on 05/10/2020 11:23 am
This may be a bit too nuanced...

I don’t know why people think Tom Cruise will fly on a SpaceX spacecraft. I mean, L Ron Hubbard is developing his own one - and a lunar lander to boot!

You may have some issues with spieling.....  ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 05/10/2020 01:36 pm
This may be a bit too nuanced...

I don’t know why people think Tom Cruise will fly on a SpaceX spacecraft. I mean, L Ron Hubbard is developing his own one - and a lunar lander to boot!
Isn't L. Ron Hubbard that guy who was still writing books 25 years after he died? (Using the term "books" loosely)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Observation on 05/10/2020 02:26 pm
Currently, Starship can only be tethered to a crane. A crane which I would guess is more expensive than the Starship prototype.

Hey! They Elon sure has a chopper (if he hasn't sold it). Or they could use two. I mean they're never gonna test the landing legs on the fly are they? Plus starship could implement the chopper-out ability.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 05/10/2020 04:25 pm
SN4 testing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qW4QSj_1n7c&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR2Xv2bA2EbD-JmmLhCn6GtdMgcp3XQyTI5vUJA41CdBL9nbU4qeYNBG5pk
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Observation on 05/11/2020 05:02 pm
Thank you for the in-depth explanation. Given that, how does steam fit into the manufacturing process at BC? Steam cleaning tanks, fittings, and tubes? Heat exchanging into another medium? Obviously, there are many many applications for steam.

Isn't it obvious? How come we couldn't see the last few moves to launch site? Also they can use it for blurring the view to snipers, and where do you think all that raptor smoke comes from?  ::)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 05/11/2020 10:13 pm

[/quote]
Shouldn't forget, both Raptor and Kestrel on Meth 
  (unless they use helium)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 05/12/2020 11:11 pm
https://iss-sim.spacex.com/

Greetings, Starfighter.

You have been recruited by the Star League to defend the Frontier against Xur and the Ko-Dan armada.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 05/13/2020 12:38 am
https://iss-sim.spacex.com/

Greetings, Starfighter.

You have been recruited by the Star League to defend the Frontier against Xur and the Ko-Dan armada.

Hey look, the other guys can use it for practice, too.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 05/13/2020 12:41 am
https://iss-sim.spacex.com/

Greetings, Starfighter.

You have been recruited by the Star League to defend the Frontier against Xur and the Ko-Dan armada.

But the best part is:

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 05/13/2020 12:58 am
https://iss-sim.spacex.com/

Greetings, Starfighter.

You have been recruited by the Star League to defend the Frontier against Xur and the Ko-Dan armada.

Begin testing sequence:

Test 1: Dock as described in briefing, with highest possible accuracy *yawn*

Test 2: Switch to "sport mode", buzz the solar panels and take a spin round the ISS, then dock successfully (but a bit sportier)

Test 3: Fly under the ISS, then attempt a deorbit burn, retrograde (bastards, they warp you back to the start and claim "fail"  :-((( )

Test 4: Punish the ISS for what happened and give it a nudge at the outermost edge of the solar panel (only give it a tiny nudge at 0.001 m/s ) ( bastards, the moment you make contact they warp you back, the ISS doesn't move and they claim "fail" :-((( )

Test 5: Take some distance, then use all the available space to accelerate towards the ISS - let's target the European module... ( impact speed: 25 m/s - could probably have gone faster -- game claims "fail" and warps back to start, as expected )

Test 6: find out how flat earth looks from space.

Test 7: without gravity

Test 8: pretend you're commodore Sergey Nostrovski piloting a Soyuz with a brand new digital interface (see above)

-->NO-CLIP mode enabled  you CAN dock with the ISS ass - or rather, fly up it :-)

Edit: looks like no-clip only applies to the Soyuz already docked to the ISS. But that allows you to reach the actual Soyuz docking port, and look through it. The warp back to start also shows you all of the ISS' insides. Suprisingly detailed, definitely worth investigating ;)

Test 9: Get serious again, figure out whether gyroscope and accelerometer saturation are handled correctly by the attitude/heading reference system:
( After spinning like crazy for a while, the attitude remains correct (thanks star-tracker) but the displayed rotation rates are all over the place. This is either a bug in the simulator - or its the simulator being super realistic, in which case Bob & Doug should keep their rotation rates at less than 90 degrees per second, or they will have to fly it more manually than  expected.)

Note: This simulator DEFINITELY needs a hard mode with the HUD disabled (no speeds, rates, or angles displayed, camera feed only)

How to enable HARD MODE in the simulator:

I haven't found a hidden feature to enable this, but since its all browser based, you can hack this, too.

1. Start the simulator in Firefox or Chrome
2. Right click on the HUD, select "Inspect Element"
3. Find the <div> with id="hud"
4. Change the inline style from "visibility: inherit;" to "display: none"
5. Press enter or click elsewhere, then close the Inspection Console
6. Hard mode enabled. Good luck aligning with the docking port, much less getting below 0.2 degree accuracy in all 3 axis >:>>>

Edit: Now someone needs to create a greasemonkey script or so to customize the sim and its difficulty ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 05/13/2020 01:24 am
Test 10: Find the Easteregg!!!!

( Fun fact: The Soyuz docked to ISS has no collission box -- but the cherry red roadster (which oddly enough has its roof closed) has ;) )
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 05/13/2020 04:20 am
Today, 9:00 am to 9:00 pm? Isn't that notice a little late?
It didn't show up until tonight. Maybe they're testing some sort of time travel device. I'll let you know yesterday.

It's just SpaceX's new, improved alert system. Due to the fact that tests sometimes get delayed, the alerts will now go out after the test concludes. It's much more efficient this way (fewer alerts).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Doesitfloat on 05/13/2020 08:16 pm
I suppose the downside of a crewless ship is: No deckhands to send out to paint it.

I saw it in person a couple years ago (from the freeway bridge) I thought it was the cleanest prettiest barge I ever saw. Now it looks like every other barge.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 05/13/2020 11:22 pm
Why not? They’re small and only 100kg each (total 300kg plus dispenser) out of a payload of like 16 tons.

You load 16 tons, and what do you get? Another dispenser with Planet SkySats.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 05/14/2020 01:37 am
At the risk of spamming the party thread with gaming fun:

And here it is:

https://gist.github.com/CorvusCorax/d6e6e98c946b8bfad56563b514df23a9

Tested with GreaseMonkey for Firefox.

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/greasemonkey/

I dare you to try and dock with HUD Offline - Gravity ON, Collisions ON, Limits RELAXED :)

(The normal limits require to have all angles within 0.2 degrees - that's almost impossible with no HUD - relaxed limits are 2 degrees)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 05/14/2020 03:57 pm
It's so cool that we can talk about Boosters launch history with 4 previous launches now.

Fingers crossed that this Booster lands successfully on Saturday and we can move onto the first 6th launch.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 05/14/2020 05:51 pm
From the Boca Chica Discussion thread
Has there been any discussion of or updates on the FAA approval? I'm wondering what the status of that is and whether the approval process is transparent and available to the public.

Is this the wrong place to ask this question? Any pointers of a better place to ask or on where I can find the answer myself would be greatly appreciated.
Not really transparent, we won't know that filling exists till it has been approved.

Did anyone else thing hmmm approve the filling... I approve of chocolate, raspberry and of course vanilla cream fillings.  Bring on the donuts!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 05/15/2020 05:46 pm
I hope you already know this Nomadd, but your measurement estimates are an amazing skill.  Clearly a cut above most lay-person "guesstimates."
Is a "lay-person" estimate like when you measure a bridge in Smoots?  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Observation on 05/15/2020 07:28 pm
No no something's not right. It can't have been him.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 05/15/2020 08:52 pm
No no something's not right. It can't have been him.
I have walked / ran the smoot measure bridge innumerable times an what I can definitively say, that dude was short!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 05/15/2020 09:38 pm
When do we add Starship test flights to the Manifest list?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 05/15/2020 10:02 pm
When do we add Starship test flights to the Manifest list?
I want to quip "When the takeoffs and landings are integer values"... ;D

Seriously, though, I can't wait to have significant, planned, and webcast test flights.  It's going to be great.  And while we're still watching early development, I even appreciate the non-integer ones.  (It feels so much more like watching *something* getting done compared to just waiting for news about simulations, modeling, and design reviews.  Then again, no "hacker" movie can ever be realistic and fun at the same time.  I'll take Angelina Jolie hacking the Gibson over someone fuzzing an API.)

So, back to proper party thread content, you know, I never did calculate how far the dome flew in smoots...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Observation on 05/15/2020 10:30 pm
I only understand banana anyways
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: rsdavis9 on 05/15/2020 10:46 pm
No no something's not right. It can't have been him.
I have walked / ran the smoot measure bridge innumerable times an what I can definitively say, that dude was short!

I walked it when I was at MIT early 70's.
The story is that the guy was so drunk that his friends rolled him home.
So it is circumference that was the measure. He may have been fat though.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 05/16/2020 08:44 am
Just realize that when Shannon Walker fly up to the ISS in the USCV-1 crewed Dragon capsule. She will be immortalized as the first "Starwoman". Maybe even with her own action figure in the SX IVA suit  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 05/16/2020 02:51 pm
"SpaceX’s proposal, which has resulted in a variant of their Starship vehicle with an airlock 26 meters above the surface, originated with a three element design. SpaceX has since evolved the proposal to a single element Starship vehicle."
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 05/16/2020 08:19 pm
"SpaceX’s proposal, which has resulted in a variant of their Starship vehicle with an airlock 26 meters above the surface, originated with a three element design. SpaceX has since evolved the proposal to a single element Starship vehicle."

Jokes aside, it would be a instant moonbase delivered in 1 shot.

I'm not not liking it.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 05/16/2020 11:12 pm
I just HAVE to share this here:

(https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=50917.0;attach=1911005;image)
(https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/assets/50917.0/1911000.jpg)
(https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/assets/50917.0/1911002.jpg)

After a quick check - with the "warp to start after 500m" disabled - you can indeed descend all the way down to the earth surface - which is either 1500m away if "flat earth" is selected, or 450 km downwards if normal earth is used.

But NOW you can!!!
https://gist.github.com/CorvusCorax/d6e6e98c946b8bfad56563b514df23a9

The lack of proper orbital mechanics bugged me,

To the point, I decided to add it. The ISS-SIM-Customizer mod NOW included the option to simulate GRAVITY as "PROPER ORBITAL MECHANICS"!!!

Now, after I spammed about this user script for the 6th time, you might ask of course, "why is implementing simulator support for rotating reference frame orbital mechanics material for a party thread?"

I'd say:

1. Because I did it for the LOLz
2. And this is NSF ;)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mandella on 05/17/2020 02:04 am

  Keeping lightning damage down is almost more art than technical skill. It doesn't seem to care about rules and can be a bear to predict. You must become one with the Zap. (Hopefully, figuratively)
 And, I have to wonder about that gigantic Tesla battery exposed on top.

Maybe that's where the lightning was actually *coming* from!

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Vettedrmr on 05/17/2020 11:13 am
Interesting fact on the photos of Tesla sitting in those chambers: he wasn't in there when the electrical arcs were produced.  They are multi-frame composites of images.  They'd take a photo of the coil in action, then place Tesla in there and snap his shot.

Never could learn why: photographic limits, common sense dealing with static electricity with that much voltage, something else?

Anyway, it's a fun start to a wet dreary day here in AR.

Have a good one,
Mike
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: rsdavis9 on 05/17/2020 12:16 pm
tesla coils are not high voltage static electricity. That would be van de graph generators.
Tesla coils are high voltage radio frequency ac that ionizes the air.
Much less voltage than what would be required with a static charge.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 05/17/2020 04:22 pm
 Proof that this whole thing is staged. You can see one of the stands holding up the backdrop in the studio.
 Bergin always airbrushes the revealing part out in an agreement with SpaceX.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 05/17/2020 05:10 pm
Proof that this whole thing is staged. You can see one of the stands holding up the backdrop in the studio.
 Bergin always airbrushes the revealing part out in an agreement with SpaceX.

Major mistake on the stream right now
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 05/18/2020 07:47 am
Interesting video choice

https://twitter.com/nasa_johnson/status/1262279251639693313

Quote
We're back! 🙌
Launching the first astronauts to @space_station from the U.S. since 2011. Get to know all about #LaunchAmerica, @Astro_Doug and @AstroBehnken, and the @SpaceX Crew Dragon before liftoff on May 27.

📰 nasa.gov/specials/dm2/

In case Tweet is deleted, they attached a clip from:

https://youtu.be/szu2OIri6Eo

It seems a number of people on twitter are convinced NASA Johnson are trolling SpaceX amazing people ...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 05/18/2020 10:25 am
Proof that this whole thing is staged. You can see one of the stands holding up the backdrop in the studio.
 Bergin always airbrushes the revealing part out in an agreement with SpaceX.

Hrmmmm! That is indeed suspicious. Looks like the visible part of the backdrop-holder is very similar to the base of the water tower to its left. Hrmmm... if so, then the big shiny water tower is probably just painted on the backdrop too. I wonder how they did the flames we "saw"? Maybe someone with a not-a-flamethrower blasting it from behind the backdrop?

So, what are they really up to... My guess; just having fun trolling us.

 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 05/18/2020 04:04 pm
Proof that this whole thing is staged. You can see one of the stands holding up the backdrop in the studio.
 Bergin always airbrushes the revealing part out in an agreement with SpaceX.
Hrmmmm! That is indeed suspicious. Looks like the visible part of the backdrop-holder is very similar to the base of the water tower to its left. Hrmmm... if so, then the big shiny water tower is probably just painted on the backdrop too. I wonder how they did the flames we "saw"? Maybe someone with a not-a-flamethrower blasting it from behind the backdrop?
So, what are they really up to... My guess; just having fun trolling us.
If they wanted to keep it going, they shouldn't have laughed at my demands. I didn't think nightly Ribeyes from the Roadhouse and all we could drink Guinness was excessive.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: smisamore on 05/18/2020 08:49 pm
Proof that this whole thing is staged. You can see one of the stands holding up the backdrop in the studio.
 Bergin always airbrushes the revealing part out in an agreement with SpaceX.
Hrmmmm! That is indeed suspicious. Looks like the visible part of the backdrop-holder is very similar to the base of the water tower to its left. Hrmmm... if so, then the big shiny water tower is probably just painted on the backdrop too. I wonder how they did the flames we "saw"? Maybe someone with a not-a-flamethrower blasting it from behind the backdrop?
So, what are they really up to... My guess; just having fun trolling us.
If they wanted to keep it going, they shouldn't have laughed at my demands. I didn't think nightly Ribeyes from the Roadhouse and all we could drink Guinness was excessive.

Seriously? I'd have thought they would have jumped all over that!

Considering that it would take a rather large herd bovines and several semi's worth of Ireland's finest to even come close to the cost of a Model X, which, if I recall correctly, was your original "suggestion" to the Main Man when y'all met up back in September.

This sounds like a very fair counter-offer!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 05/19/2020 12:25 am
This is really early.  But there should be a landing bingo for where DM-2 splashed down.

How close will it be to the target?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 05/19/2020 12:26 am
The Crew Dragon has arrived to Launch Complex 39A! Dragon

This spacecraft will carry @AstroBehnken and @Astro_Doug to the @Space_Station when it launches atop a @SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on May 27, at 4:33 p.m. ET:

https://twitter.com/NASAKennedy/status/1262471859028856832 (https://twitter.com/NASAKennedy/status/1262471859028856832)

For some reason I thought the side windows were going to be open for DM-2. Or was that for the next mission?

Or have the side windows been de-scoped from the design?

Ah!
Cruising to orbit with the (supersonic) breeze in (the helmet over) his hair......
 :P
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 05/19/2020 04:32 pm
Guys, we have reached T minus one year !

I think it is the first time (probably not the last) in MLM history !

We have (again) reached T-minus One Year ! :D

Once more, we are (approximately) at T-minus One Year ! Congratulations to all ! :D
Which year?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 05/19/2020 05:57 pm
Captain Kirk just called, Starfleet wants there logo back... ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 05/19/2020 07:50 pm
This is really early.  But there should be a landing bingo for where DM-2 splashed down.

How close will it be to the target?

I predict a 75% chance they hit water. Since they haven't launched yet I don't want to get ahead of things.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 05/20/2020 04:04 am
This is really early.  But there should be a landing bingo for where DM-2 splashed down.

How close will it be to the target?

I predict a 75% chance they hit water. Since they haven't launched yet I don't want to get ahead of things.

And where's the other 25% located? Starliner's White Sands site, which I'm assuming as a contingency option?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 05/20/2020 06:11 am
This is really early.  But there should be a landing bingo for where DM-2 splashed down.

How close will it be to the target?

I predict a 75% chance they hit water. Since they haven't launched yet I don't want to get ahead of things.

And where's the other 25% located? Starliner's White Sands site, which I'm assuming as a contingency option?
Somewhere that's not water.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 05/20/2020 12:11 pm
This is really early.  But there should be a landing bingo for where DM-2 splashed down.

How close will it be to the target?

I predict a 75% chance they hit water. Since they haven't launched yet I don't want to get ahead of things.

And where's the other 25% located? Starliner's White Sands site, which I'm assuming as a contingency option?
Somewhere that's not water.

Obviously. I was just randomly picking an actual land landing site.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Observation on 05/20/2020 06:03 pm
Don't hire me to design reinforcements for your RCS thrusters, or you might end up very much overwheight: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=50773.0;attach=1917051;image
Except of course if those are Ant-man Raptors
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Vettedrmr on 05/20/2020 07:59 pm
Don't hire me to design reinforcements for your RCS thrusters, or you might end up very much overwheight: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=50773.0;attach=1917051;image
Except of course if those are Ant-man Raptors
Overweight is better than underweight.

Neither is good.  One crashes because you run out of fuel, the other breaks apart when it hits one of EM's Mars drones videoing the landing (wait, how did the drone get there?)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 05/20/2020 07:59 pm
Don't hire me to design reinforcements for your RCS thrusters, or you might end up very much overwheight: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=50773.0;attach=1917051;image
Except of course if those are Ant-man Raptors
Overweight is better than underweight.

Let's just start by flying it.  Sort the finer details and shave weight later.

There is a ton of work to do still.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 05/20/2020 09:39 pm
In honor of the first ever Crewed Commercial launch to ISS is occurring during a global pandemic I feel it deserves its own Mission Theme Song reminder for save viewing...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNIZofPB8ZM
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kdhilliard on 05/21/2020 03:22 pm
https://twitter.com/JimBridenstine/status/1263213441889832962

Wow! I can't believe they actually released those photos, given their gruesome backstory.

You know the recently deceased actor Gunner Wright (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2322406/) who raced motorcycles until he was 21?  He never really got motorcycle racing out of his blood, but has since starred in Love (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1541874/), the 2011 film where he played an astronaut stranded alone on the ISS, and in the Dead Space (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1267296/) series of video games where he played a starship engineer fighting space zombies.  (Yeah, yeah, Necromorphs.  Whatever.)

Anyhow, Musk, a big fan of his, heard that Gunner was looking for any gig he could find to raise money to cover the medical bills of his father, Thomas Wright.  So they arranged a shoot modeling the SpaceXsuit.  But the weekend before the shoot Gunner lost control of his Ducati, and in a freak accident he slid into a guy wire, striking just below his helmet, resulting in decapitation!

Musk wanted the money to go to Gunner's father anyhow, but the lawyers insisted that the contract required photos, so they went ahead with the shoot at the funeral home.  Understandably, they didn't want to leave a corpse in the suit for long, so while one team worked with the mortician to get the body suited up on a gurney, the photographer set up so she was ready to take the shots the moment they would roll in Tom's son the headless Gunner.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 05/21/2020 06:18 pm
https://twitter.com/JimBridenstine/status/1263213441889832962

Wow! I can't believe they actually released those photos, given their gruesome backstory.

You know the recently deceased actor ...
they would roll in Tom's son the headless Gunner.

So this one went “over my head” so to speak,  till I remembered. Vaguely a song from some time ago ... (too much of a man-splain?)

https://youtu.be/wRWCK9zGynA
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kdhilliard on 05/21/2020 08:30 pm
... a song from some time ago ...
A toast to Warren Zevon, and apologies to all for the shaggy dog story, but those empty helmets looked a bit creepy.  To the best of my knowledge, both Messrs. Wright are well, though I don't know the given name of the elder.

More in keeping with the spirit of this thread, let me say how relieved I am to see Bob Behnken get his own SpaceXsuit.  Ripley's hand-me-down thigh pack seemed to fit OK, but I greatly feared he would stretch out her suit.

Edit: Link (https://bit.ly/2XeMMDc) for latter photo source -- 6 May NASA Commercial Crew tweet.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 05/22/2020 12:11 am
Remember when??


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jQ9HvtGWok
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VustKdXRG6w
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 05/22/2020 01:15 am
Remember when??

Feels like yesterday forever ago.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: r8ix on 05/22/2020 05:06 am
Guys - come on with the OT stuff. Warships are great but not for this thread.
Until the USSF orders 18m Dreadnaught class Starships with frikken lasers in their noses…
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cebri on 05/22/2020 08:23 am
5 days  :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 05/22/2020 02:25 pm
5 days  :)

Me < Excitable Boy they all said!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 05/22/2020 07:41 pm
5 days  :)

Let’s get this party started!

The  “Launch human astronauts (not just mice) from US soil heck yeah party thread “

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Observation on 05/22/2020 09:19 pm
Do they have proper sub-woofers on dragon to listen to all of those good vibes?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 05/22/2020 09:21 pm
I can't think of a better birthday present for myself than this mission! 8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: seawolfe on 05/22/2020 09:26 pm
It's Felix @whataboutit birthday too!   ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 05/22/2020 09:31 pm
It's Felix @whataboutit birthday too!   ;D
Mine is actually the 30th so close enough I guess... ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: sghill on 05/23/2020 11:53 pm
Bob and Doug arrive on the ISS in their new space suits...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ulm_atms on 05/24/2020 02:14 pm
L-3 launch weather forecast still only 40% GO

And this Chris B is why we need a dislike button on here!  ;D

EDIT:  Or maybe just a BOOOO!!! button.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 05/24/2020 03:01 pm
L-3 launch weather forecast still only 40% GO

And this Chris B is why we need a dislike button on here!  ;D

EDIT:  Or maybe just a BOOOO!!! button.

That's a complicated issue. If someone posts some terrible news from inside sources, you both want to "like" the post for providing the info as well as express your deep disappointment (or disagreement if its political info) A possibility to give the post a thumbs up and the posts content simultaneously a thumbs down would sometimes be useful.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 05/24/2020 03:02 pm
L-3 launch weather forecast still only 40% GO

And this Chris B is why we need a dislike button on here!  ;D

EDIT:  Or maybe just a BOOOO!!! button.

That's a complicated issue. If someone posts some terrible news from inside sources, you both want to "like" the post for providing the info as well as express your deep disappointment (or disagreement if its political info) A possibility to give the post a thumbs up and the posts content simultaneously a thumbs down would sometimes be useful.


So like, dislike and meh buttons :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 05/24/2020 03:07 pm
I wish there was a dislike button. Like, for real.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 05/24/2020 04:27 pm
I wish there was a dislike button. Like, for real.

Yeah but what would you put on a hypothetical post.

Quote
I just got an inside scoop from a colleague who was in the *** meeting with the administrator. They are revoking the commercial HLS contracts and will make a NASA lander with Boeing under cost-plus

Or worse.

Quote
I just got an inside scoop from a colleague who was in the *** meeting with the president. They agreed on a compromise to prevent another government shutdown. The states get the help-fund  but in turn NASA gets its budget slashed and manned spaceflight cancelled altogether.

You can't "like" those... but on the other hand you want to honor the information (don't shoot the messenger)
Otherwise how do you distinguish a bearer of frequent bad news from a troll who just posts garbage?

Content wise, that'd have to
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 05/25/2020 12:18 am
As the waiting becomes more unbearable I stumbled upon this.  Nothing brings the world together better than music and funny shoes.  These lads sure know how to let their hair down, errr..... or up. I would have loved to been to one of those shows, just not too close to the flame trench.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GMgR2vkvtI

cheers
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 05/26/2020 03:23 am
I wonder if we'll have someone from the PRC media implying that Dragon is copied from their Next-Gen Spacecraft?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 05/26/2020 08:33 am
I wish there was a dislike button. Like, for real.
Like this "Social Credit" -system?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 05/26/2020 10:10 am
Okay, what's going on with the Dragon DM-2 launch? All this buildup, and such a firm launch date for so long, and now it's in doubt? Why didn't SpaceX foresee this, and do something about it? It's not as if they've never had this issue before - yet here we are again, with a weather scrub a serious possibility!

I blame SpaceX penny-pinching for this. Weather, like any problem, can be fixed by throwing enough money at it. Couldn't they just buy a more favorable forecast?

I really thought they'd have arranged for better weather for this launch, which is such a huge milestone for SpaceX, and Elon Musk. With all the companies he's been involved in, this is the first time one of his products has carried humans. And he cheaped out on the weather? Really?

 

 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Observation on 05/26/2020 10:42 am
Well I think this id clearly part of the reason why their launch costs are so low. It's part of how they work: they prefer to scrub once or twice and charge less. They have even gone one step further with starlink L7 beeing delayed until after DM-2. And because it's part of how they work, it became a part of who they are. It's part of the company image. Therefore, they can't say "Hey this mission is important to us, so we're gonna arrange for a good PGO". Especially for an event where that whole tradition thing is so important, they simply have to maintain the uncertainty a bit, just as they always do. And the good thing is, we might get to enjoy the show twice!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TorenAltair on 05/26/2020 12:40 pm
Anybody else gets nervous now a day before launch? Very long time that I got nervous so far before a launch.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 05/26/2020 02:46 pm
Anybody else gets nervous now a day before launch? Very long time that I got nervous so far before a launch.
EX-CIT-ED!

Weather actually looking more hopeful now, but since it's never a certainty, that might actually be worse.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 05/26/2020 04:27 pm
I'm going to be uncharacteristically serious for a moment. Yeah, I feel an anticipation that I haven't had in quite a while. This is actually, probably, one of those moments on which the future of human involvement in space, and therefore the fate of all humanity, hangs on. It's really that big a deal. This is that long, long, awaited day when human flight into space is no longer completely in the hands of fickle politicians. Make way for the true invocation of the "Space Age" because now it belongs to people.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 05/26/2020 04:45 pm
Rocket Man... It's finally time... 8)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtVBCG6ThDk
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 05/26/2020 07:27 pm
Hi Jonnyhinbos,
hi all,

im reading here in this great forum since i think roughly 5 years, registered user since 2018... and you now have forced me to write my first post (i dont have any expertise in space flight, so i usually dont have anything helpfull to say).

About your teamname though... i guess its related to this Tiger King - Joe Exotic guy, who was (at least here in Germany) in the media lately?

Thanks all for this great forum! Looking forward for the comin years. I go back in my snailhouse now :)
Greetings
Excalibur93
Welcome to the forum! :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jgoldader on 05/26/2020 08:42 pm
I'll be so busy at work tomorrow it'll be a scramble just to watch the launch, so I'll say now...

Thanks to everybody at SpaceX and NASA who have worked so hard to bring this moment into being.  Thanks for Chris and Chris and everybody else here at NSF who's kept us informed about the journey.  And may God speed Behnken and Hurley safely into space tomorrow.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 05/26/2020 09:48 pm
Why do I see a flatulent penguin, wearing a bow tie here?

Is it lack of coffee?  AI mind control?  Is there really a penguin?  Is this now?

crop from BocaChicaGal photo... (screen grabbed below so folks can see the joke)

This just belongs here... I mean. The thread would be poorer without at least one penguin joke!  Or a comment like
“Riddle me this Bat Man? Narrnarnarrrrrr.”
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 05/26/2020 11:40 pm
No offense or disparagement of any kind is intended but I am really hoping for a 'weather scrub' tomorrow.  I'm stuck at work with no access to watch.  But a reschedule to the 30th puts it on Saturday... :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: freddo411 on 05/27/2020 01:10 am
When do we think Doug and Bob will reveal the Dragon capsule name?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: otlski on 05/27/2020 01:20 am
When do we think Doug and Bob will reveal the Dragon capsule name?

They are going to name it "Good Day, Eh?"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 05/27/2020 01:22 am
When do we think Doug and Bob will reveal the Dragon capsule name?

They are going to name it "Good Day, Eh?"

We actually have a dedicated thread for that question. It's a party on its own right ;) https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=50821.0

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 05/27/2020 01:26 am
We need this baby to get off the ground tomorrow so we can move onto docking and the next Starlink launch.

I'm looking forward to the Starlink Beta test and want to see human flight from the US.

LETS GO BABY!!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kdhilliard on 05/27/2020 02:36 am
Bizarrely from the "SpaceX IVA Suit (Crew Dragon Pressure Suit)" thread:
Here is better example of an articulated armor, unlike Iron Man's suit, people can actually move in this.
[img](Replaced embedded image with link (https://collections.royalarmouries.org/media/emumedia/320/163/large_A4_264.jpg))
...

Oh Darth, is that a Death Star in your crotch or are you just happy to see me?

Edited to replace embedded image with link.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Shanuson on 05/27/2020 08:23 am
My english isn't the best, so by the minute means 24h +- 1 minute right?  :P ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: sghill on 05/27/2020 12:29 pm
IT'S LAUNCH DAY!!!!!

https://youtu.be/Jmk5frp6-3Q
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kdhilliard on 05/27/2020 01:10 pm
Negative Return
Single Engine Zaragoza 104
Press to MECO

Now those call-outs had character!

Will they call out changing abort modes on this flight even though there is no Abort Mode selector switch to rotate?  And if they do, can't they come up with something more interesting than 1a, 1b, 2a, etc.?  How about a series along the lines of:
* Dinner at Fish Lips
* Cod tongues for supper tonight
* Smithwick's at an Irish Pub
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DaveJ576 on 05/27/2020 02:37 pm
I have officially designated "Unchained" by Van Halen as the theme music for today's festivities, with David Lee Roth giving Mother Nature a huge middle finger.

 ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 05/27/2020 04:34 pm
I hear they have a brand new viewing area for politicians this time...

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Norm38 on 05/27/2020 05:41 pm
On the NASA broadcast, they said Bob and Doug drove out to AC/DC's Back in Black.

That got a laugh out of my 6 year old, it's one of his favorite songs.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Norm38 on 05/27/2020 05:59 pm
The all black suits of the ground crew, especially with the hoods and face masks, has a real cyberpunk feel to it.  Looks very sleek and sci-fi.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 05/27/2020 06:00 pm
I'm waiting in the Green Room at TV3, New Zealand about to do a TV interview about the launch!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 05/27/2020 06:02 pm
John Insprucker:  Things are looking good at T minus 2 minutes and....

Helper minions:  Wha huh?!?!?!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 05/27/2020 06:15 pm
 *SpaceX reconsiders plan for orbital hot tub*

 "Yeah, we really didn't think this one through" - (Anonymous employee)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Prettz on 05/27/2020 06:20 pm
They always have to ask "how does this make you feel?" They just can't not ask that.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 05/27/2020 06:26 pm
The SpaceX stream has half a million viewers. The sheer force of publicity between NASA and SpaceX might be almost the most exciting thing about these high-profile launches.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Doesitfloat on 05/27/2020 06:59 pm
No, tops being blown off can help strengthen the storms. What you're seeing is the spreading of the anvils downwind.

Wait what??
They are dropping anvils.  That can't be good.
What would Wyle Coyote say?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tgr9898 on 05/27/2020 07:04 pm
No, tops being blown off can help strengthen the storms. What you're seeing is the spreading of the anvils downwind.

Wait what??
They are dropping anvils.  That can't be good.
What would Wyle Coyote say?

Nothing. He was the silent one.

But I think we all know the look he would have on his face
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 05/27/2020 07:13 pm
Tonight a new era is opening. Mercury > Gemini > Apollo > Shuttle > Dragon 2 & CTS-100.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MG0gMDI2TJc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qu1TG7E4dbk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FubpK1Tho6M

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-JdqHxqkHA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icaMo4QWoFk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVir8VfIiBg&t=121s

God speed to that crew !
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 05/27/2020 07:23 pm
So if SpaceX has Ninjas as crew, will Boeing utilize pirates and who would win if they would get in a fight? *Ducks for cover*
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Welsh Dragon on 05/27/2020 07:32 pm
I wonder if ITV4 (British TV channel) is doing some trolling. They've got Apollo 13 on at the moment.....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: swampcat on 05/27/2020 08:10 pm
Did somebody call them Ninjaneers?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 05/27/2020 08:11 pm
Gordo ? I need to urinate !
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: STS-124 on 05/27/2020 08:45 pm
Space X Stream
No charge  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 05/27/2020 09:58 pm
Guess Dragon does not have a SCE switch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSN4MIsP_90
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kdhilliard on 05/27/2020 10:08 pm
Guess Dragon does not have a SCE switch.
Storm Clouds Everywhere?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 05/27/2020 10:20 pm
Should have tried turning the weather off and on again.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 05/27/2020 10:21 pm
Well... Scrub! Weather scrub, of course. I warned about this... I said SpaceX should have paid more to get a more favorable forecast, but, they didn't.

First, there were tornado concerns. If SpaceX had paid more, they could have had them renamed not-a-tornado, which thus solves all concerns. Then, it was lightning. Couldn't SpaceX have bribed one of the weather people to reschedule the lightning, instead of having to reschedule the launch?

I also don't like using Teslas to take the crew to the pad. Wouldn't a lunch wagon be more appropriate? After all, as we've seen today, you can't have launch without lunch. 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 05/27/2020 10:59 pm
After this, I bet Starship will be built to launch right through lightning, just like the old Soyuz used to do. Imagine launching all those tankers from Florida in a week with weather like this. Tankers need to rendezvous in orbit, so you have really tight launch windows too. If you scrub every time there's a cumulonimbus cloud in the way, you'll never fill the orbital fuel depot on schedule.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Eagandale4114 on 05/28/2020 04:00 am
https://twitter.com/LucaDuval1/status/1265751881088933896

All of us during this attempt.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 05/28/2020 12:05 pm
I wonder whether we will have to weather another weather delay this weekend, but whatever weather we face we will weather our disappointment, and our will will not waver!

As long as they do not willfully wave a weather waiver, and repeat another Challenger, I will wait for wonderful weather, whether this weekend or next week. Or whenever.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Bob Shaw on 05/28/2020 12:14 pm
I wonder whether we will have to weather another weather delay this weekend, but whatever weather we face we will weather our disappointment, and our will will not waver!

As long as they do not willfully wave a weather waiver, and repeat another Challenger, I will wait for wonderful weather, whether this weekend or next week. Or whenever.


You withering weaver!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 05/28/2020 12:32 pm
I wonder whether we will have to weather another weather delay this weekend, but whatever weather we face we will weather our disappointment, and our will will not waver!

As long as they do not willfully wave a weather waiver, and repeat another Challenger, I will wait for wonderful weather, whether this weekend or next week. Or whenever.


That is some intense alliteration.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 05/28/2020 12:43 pm
That AA just needs a giant Energizer bunny thumping by to complete the image.

Image credit: LabPadre’s livestream
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Kansan52 on 05/28/2020 04:48 pm
Did anyone else notice the ISSBND license plate on the astronaut Telsla yesterday? Ho about the sparkly dragon belted into one of the Dragon 2 seats?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tadaniels on 05/28/2020 05:10 pm
Guess Dragon does not have a SCE switch.

As I was watching Doug using the touch screen while the weather people were discussing the field mills on the loop, I was picturing him asking Bob, "Do you remember where the @#$% they put 'SCE to AUX?"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Observation on 05/28/2020 05:11 pm
That is, unless they decide to keep SN4 clamped to it's launch mount and tether the launch mount instead, so SN4 would rise up, taking the launch mount with GSE and all with it,  in lieu of it's landing legs, and then land on the launch mount. But that's a figment of a very wild imagination.

We were looking for ways to increase wheight, weren't we? Plus, if there's enough slack in GSE, we've also solved the detanking part! Multi-purpose at its finest
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tgr9898 on 05/28/2020 06:40 pm
Guess Dragon does not have a SCE switch.

As I was watching Doug using the touch screen while the weather people were discussing the field mills on the loop, I was picturing him asking Bob, "Do you remember where the @#$% they put 'SCE to AUX?"

"I finally got used to where everything was in Dragon7, and now we upgrade to Dragon10 and EVERYTHING has moved!"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 05/29/2020 01:44 am
I've got a question about the static fires in Boca Chica. Basically, I'm wondering what counts? Okay, reasoning this through, a "static fire" is when a fueling test concludes with firing up at full thrust while attached to the ground. So, I'm thinking, have we seen far more static fires than we realize? The flare stack - it burns fuel, it's very much static, it's attached to its mount, and it does produce thrust.

So, is the flare stack doing static fires? 

Also, is the flare stack in some way connected to the hot tub atop SN4? Perhaps for heating the water? Is so, I suggest the turn it down a bit.
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/assets/50773.0/1926103.jpg
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 05/29/2020 05:01 am
I've got a question about the static fires in Boca Chica. Basically, I'm wondering what counts? Okay, reasoning this through, a "static fire" is when a fueling test concludes with firing up at full thrust while attached to the ground. So, I'm thinking, have we seen far more static fires than we realize? The flare stack - it burns fuel, it's very much static, it's attached to its mount, and it does produce thrust.

So, is the flare stack doing static fires? 

Also, is the flare stack in some way connected to the hot tub atop SN4? Perhaps for heating the water? Is so, I suggest the turn it down a bit.
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/assets/50773.0/1926103.jpg

what flare stack? there's only a gaseous methane thruster test stand. Ever since GLS, when the increased thrust for lunar landing has been announced they have also experimented with pressurized liquid methane out the same thruster.

Combustion is a bit fuel rich though.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 05/29/2020 08:54 am
I've got a question about the static fires in Boca Chica. Basically, I'm wondering what counts? Okay, reasoning this through, a "static fire" is when a fueling test concludes with firing up at full thrust while attached to the ground. So, I'm thinking, have we seen far more static fires than we realize? The flare stack - it burns fuel, it's very much static, it's attached to its mount, and it does produce thrust.

So, is the flare stack doing static fires? 

Also, is the flare stack in some way connected to the hot tub atop SN4? Perhaps for heating the water? Is so, I suggest the turn it down a bit.
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/assets/50773.0/1926103.jpg

what flare stack? there's only a gaseous methane thruster test stand. Ever since GLS, when the increased thrust for lunar landing has been announced they have also experimented with pressurized liquid methane out the same thruster.

Combustion is a bit fuel rich though.

Hrmmm. I think you are right. We know they need methane thrusters. That thing runs on methane, and produces thrust, so it fits! They're testing their methane thruster in plain sight, and no one is the wiser.

I wonder if we can calculate the ISP? 

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Observation on 05/29/2020 02:05 pm
For now, it's rather air-breathing. I think if you leave the air out of the mass, ISP could be pretty high. Now the air-breathing part would be a better fit for superheavy, rather than a moon lander.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 05/29/2020 02:53 pm
For now, it's rather air-breathing. I think if you leave the air out of the mass, ISP could be pretty high. Now the air-breathing part would be a better fit for superheavy, rather than a moon lander.

If you loook at it closely, most of the combustion seems to happen outside of the thruster though.

At first I was thinking they are experimenting with super wide engine throat - but the thrust levels don't seem to match that yet. (Would need much more fuel flow, which doesn't make sense since its already fuel rhich)

then I realized - it's not complete. The main combusion chamber is still missing, this is merely a preburner/torch igniter test on the fuel side of thing.

Imagine that thing go, once the oxygen side is joined and the fire is raging within and out of a proper combustion cavity.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 05/29/2020 03:08 pm
Did anyone else notice the ISSBND license plate on the astronaut Telsla yesterday? Ho about the sparkly dragon belted into one of the Dragon 2 seats?

Yeah I got all that. Seeing "Puff" in the seat made me wonder if they were going to leave him at the station or bring him home on return. Also looking forward to the day when those Tesla plates have to read "MUN" or "MRZBND" on them.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: guyw on 05/29/2020 04:47 pm
For now, it's rather air-breathing. I think if you leave the air out of the mass, ISP could be pretty high. Now the air-breathing part would be a better fit for superheavy, rather than a moon lander.

If you loook at it closely, most of the combustion seems to happen outside of the thruster though.

At first I was thinking they are experimenting with super wide engine throat - but the thrust levels don't seem to match that yet. (Would need much more fuel flow, which doesn't make sense since its already fuel rhich)

then I realized - it's not complete. The main combusion chamber is still missing, this is merely a preburner/torch igniter test on the fuel side of thing.

Imagine that thing go, once the oxygen side is joined and the fire is raging within and out of a proper combustion cavity.
It is obviously a version of an aerospike nozzle. They are counting on the ambient wind and pressure to shape the exhaust.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 05/29/2020 05:03 pm
Did anyone else notice the ISSBND license plate on the astronaut Telsla yesterday? Ho about the sparkly dragon belted into one of the Dragon 2 seats?

Yeah I got all that. Seeing "Puff" in the seat made me wonder if they were going to leave him at the station or bring him home on return. Also looking forward to the day when those Tesla plates have to read "MUN" or "MRZBND" on them.
The agreement with NASA and the SEC after the Rogan incident bans the use of the word "Puff" in all EM related activities.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 05/29/2020 06:43 pm
Did anyone else notice the ISSBND license plate on the astronaut Telsla yesterday? Ho about the sparkly dragon belted into one of the Dragon 2 seats?

Yeah I got all that. Seeing "Puff" in the seat made me wonder if they were going to leave him at the station or bring him home on return. Also looking forward to the day when those Tesla plates have to read "MUN" or "MRZBND" on them.
The agreement with NASA and the SEC after the Rogan incident bans the use of the word "Puff" in all EM related activities.

I thought that EM drive idea went up in smoke, after Nasa did another in-depth analysis of the vibes and found out it was all just the test going high on the earth magnetic field ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Observation on 05/29/2020 07:55 pm
Now let's get to the important questions. How high did it hop. I think we clearly saw the payload trajectory in one of the shots. Assuming that was 25t, how high would a typical Mk1 or SN3 ~5t (?) upper bulkhead have gone?
For the other numbers: what is the reference for flight time? I suggest we take the payload as a reference.
Liftoff thrust?
Burn time (obviously longer than flight time)?
MECO, SECO, stage separation events? Where did the COPVs go?
Also engine chill seemed to be a bit generous. Then I don't know. I'm just sittin' here in my armchair.

Raptor may also just have set some new records: for one the expansion ratio is something unseen before. Not sure how much we can infere on chamber pressure and such without the data. It seemed to run fuel rich for a little bit. Let's hope we get to hear some of the numbers from the man himself.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 05/29/2020 08:10 pm
In case you're looking for a good read while waiting for launch, on the opposite end from Puff the Dragon Spaceship, aviation author Richard Bach named his SeaRey* "Puff" and chronicled some of their adventures in the book "Travels with Puff: A Gentle Game of Life and Death."


*or rather, Richard tells us in the book that the SeaRey told him it's name was "Puff".
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nevyn72 on 05/30/2020 02:55 am
When they finish picking up the pieces of SN4 I want a cybertruck made of the recycled remains....

Please, please, please, don't clean off the scorch marks!!  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 05/30/2020 07:44 am
For now, it's rather air-breathing. I think if you leave the air out of the mass, ISP could be pretty high. Now the air-breathing part would be a better fit for superheavy, rather than a moon lander.

If you loook at it closely, most of the combustion seems to happen outside of the thruster though.

At first I was thinking they are experimenting with super wide engine throat - but the thrust levels don't seem to match that yet. (Would need much more fuel flow, which doesn't make sense since its already fuel rhich)

then I realized - it's not complete. The main combusion chamber is still missing, this is merely a preburner/torch igniter test on the fuel side of thing.

Imagine that thing go, once the oxygen side is joined and the fire is raging within and out of a proper combustion cavity.

Is that what happened at Boca Chica today? If so, I think the startup might have been a bit too energetic...



Now let's get to the important questions. How high did it hop. I think we clearly saw the payload trajectory in one of the shots. Assuming that was 25t, how high would a typical Mk1 or SN3 ~5t (?) upper bulkhead have gone?
For the other numbers: what is the reference for flight time? I suggest we take the payload as a reference.
Liftoff thrust?
Burn time (obviously longer than flight time)?
MECO, SECO, stage separation events? Where did the COPVs go?
Also engine chill seemed to be a bit generous. Then I don't know. I'm just sittin' here in my armchair.

Raptor may also just have set some new records: for one the expansion ratio is something unseen before. Not sure how much we can infere on chamber pressure and such without the data. It seemed to run fuel rich for a little bit. Let's hope we get to hear some of the numbers from the man himself.

I think the mass simulator payload did a very effective job of simulating mass - its ascent and later free fall looked just like you'd expect if it was a real mass.

I think SN4 did actually hop, because I watched markings in the upper hull start moving upward before the bright orange stuff obscured the view.

I agree about the raptor expansion ration, but I think SN4 also achieved an unprecedented expansion, due to now occupying an area at least a mile across. 

For flight time, I'm going by first motion; the frame where we first see the payload and the vehicle begin  ascent from the pad. That's the start of the flight. The payload's touchdown could be the end of the flight, or, maybe it's when SN4 finished touching down.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 05/30/2020 03:16 pm
OK NSF, lets light my birthday candle! 8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 05/30/2020 03:29 pm
OK NSF, lets light my birthday candle! 8)

Happy birthday, Rocket Science!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 05/30/2020 03:33 pm
OK NSF, lets light my birthday candle! 8)

https://youtu.be/veDcp3wB3JA?t=39 (https://youtu.be/veDcp3wB3JA?t=39)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 05/30/2020 04:08 pm
SpaceX ninjas are wearing swords today
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 05/30/2020 04:19 pm
Quote

There's another hold from NASA, another delay.

And Alan Shepard sits there patiently waiting.

What can be going through a man's mind at this moment?


Hey, Gordo... I have to urinate.

Mandatory soundtrack for tonight launch: right here !

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Orwd7MLbUE&list=OLAK5uy_mVUhPjdZwqqnrAovFVscUOfnPxIhrpBIo

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 05/30/2020 04:34 pm
Hello, I'd like a medium pizza with extra jalapenos. Yes, 45 minutes delivery sounds just fine. I'll be here for another three hours.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 05/30/2020 04:35 pm
Hello, I'd like a medium pizza with extra jalapenos. Yes, 45 minutes delivery sounds just fine. I'll be here for another three hours.

And Dominos, I would like a medium pan pizza with ham and pineapple please. If you don't give it to me in time, I'm flying to Hawaii to get what I want. Thank you.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 05/30/2020 04:51 pm
Hello, I'd like a medium pizza with extra jalapenos. Yes, 45 minutes delivery sounds just fine. I'll be here for another three hours.

I see that logo and I hear EDM in my head and imagine neon lights and a huge dance floor.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 05/30/2020 05:05 pm
On that glorious day in May, 2020...Doug Hurley  and Bob Behnken  went higher, farther...and faster than any other American.

They were the first American ever to go into space on an American spaceship for nine years.

The Dragon program was only beginning.

And for a brief moment...Doug Hurley  and Bob Behnken became the greatest pilots anyone had ever seen.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AndyH on 05/30/2020 05:21 pm
On that glorious day in May, 2020...Doug Hurley  and Bob Behnken  went higher, farther...and faster than any other American.

They were the first American ever to go into space on an American spaceship for nine years.

The Dragon program was only beginning.

And for a brief moment...Doug Hurley  and Bob Behnken became the greatest pilots anyone had ever seen.

Next week, on X minus 1, "The Last Martian" by Fredric Brown (https://archive.org/details/OTRR_X_Minus_One_Singles/XMinusOne56-08-07063TheLastMartian.mp3)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 05/30/2020 06:20 pm
On that glorious day in May, 2020...Doug Hurley  and Bob Behnken  went higher, farther...and faster than any other American.

They were the first American ever to go into space on an American spaceship for nine years.

The Dragon program was only beginning.

And for a brief moment...Doug Hurley  and Bob Behnken became the greatest pilots anyone had ever seen.


Go, Hot Dogs, Go!

:D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cebri on 05/30/2020 06:28 pm
It looks like they will actually go today. Now I'm nervous.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 05/30/2020 06:31 pm
Now rain is coming through the launch pad.

Oh, Lord, what an annoying sight...

 >:( >:(
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 05/30/2020 06:53 pm
[threaddrift]Ref- SS4
Would it be tacky note that it's the 20th anniversary of Brittney Spears's "Oops, I did it again"?
[/threaddrift]


GO DRAGON/Endeavour!!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 05/30/2020 06:56 pm
Time to dig out that oldie.

Except now... it's happening. I mean - for REAL.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJrFwxE3lzI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8KQmps-Sog

WE

WILL

BE

VICTOOOOOORIOOOOUS !!!


Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 05/30/2020 08:00 pm
Okay... I don't know about other streaming channels or media outlets but...

Approximately 4,036,500 people were streaming the Youtube SpaceX feed at the time of launch.

Four MILLION!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 05/30/2020 08:02 pm
Congrats SpaceX! 8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 05/30/2020 08:11 pm
3236 days... since STS-135... way too long ! Whatever happens, the gap is OVER. Congrats to SpaceX, NASA, the crew.

...and now, onwards to the Moon and Mars !!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jgoldader on 05/30/2020 08:46 pm
Congrats SpaceX and NASA!

FWIW, you can get the dinosaur at the SpaceX shop...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 05/30/2020 08:48 pm
Any high-resolution launch shots yet?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 05/30/2020 09:15 pm
BFC

Big Falcon Congrats to a succesful launch. Watching this is an unprecedented level of awesome!!!!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 05/30/2020 10:31 pm
It's been a long road... Congrats SpaceX, NASA and thank you President Obama, Charlie Bolden for Commercial Crew! 8)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3duEasNhfh4
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 05/30/2020 10:47 pm
Great launch, wonderful to have people launching into space from American soil again.

Not to be a downer, but I'm in the midst of the riots in Minneapolis.  I'm going to stay with a friend in St. Paul tonight, farther away from the hotspots, and then early tomorrow I plan on heading to Illinois to stay with family.  I'd drive through tonight, but I've developed cataracts which make it very hard for me to drive at night.

I am so incredibly sad and angry to see my city burning, and want to do what I can to end it, but there's nothing I can do, and I live too close to a business that's likely to be targeted for arson in the next night or two to feel safe.  So, gotta bug out.

I know this is starting to happen elsewhere in the country.  Just, everyone be safe, okay?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TorenAltair on 05/30/2020 11:46 pm
I like how Bob Behnken always grins like a cheshire cat  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 05/31/2020 01:41 am
The quip at the press briefing (a callback to the 2014 Rogozin tweet) was just good-natured ribbing, right?  I mean, Elon wasn't trying to throw SHAED, was he?

https://youtu.be/4h26oYuE2h0
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 05/31/2020 02:13 am
The quip at the press briefing (a callback to the 2014 Rogozin tweet) was just good-natured ribbing, right?  I mean, Elon wasn't trying to throw SHAED, was he?

https://youtu.be/4h26oYuE2h0

This is the one I think of when you say trampoline to space:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoPxULL9bgk
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 05/31/2020 02:28 am
The quip at the press briefing (a callback to the 2014 Rogozin tweet) was just good-natured ribbing, right?  I mean, Elon wasn't trying to throw SHAED, was he?

Oooooo...... What did he say??


For those who aren't familiar:
Quote from: Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin, April 29, 2014

 "After analyzing the sanctions against our space industry, I suggest to the USA to bring their astronauts to the International Space Station using a trampoline," Rogozin said via his Russian-language Twitter account (https://twitter.com/Rogozin/status/461137034292527104).
 
 https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/ukraine-crisis/trampoline-space-russian-official-tells-nasa-take-flying-leap-n92616 (https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/ukraine-crisis/trampoline-space-russian-official-tells-nasa-take-flying-leap-n92616)
 


 Musk's response back then: 
 
Quote from: Elon Musk
Elon Musk@elonmusk
 
  (https://twitter.com/elonmusk)Sounds like this might be a good time to unveil the new Dragon Mk 2 spaceship that @SpaceX (https://twitter.com/SpaceX) has been working on@NASA (https://twitter.com/NASA). No trampoline needed
 https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/461279062837968897 (https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/461279062837968897)
 
 https://qz.com/219492/spacex-shows-washington-its-non-russian-trampoline-into-orbit/ (https://qz.com/219492/spacex-shows-washington-its-non-russian-trampoline-into-orbit/)
 
 

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6moRWGxkXY (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6moRWGxkXY)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Endeavour_01 on 05/31/2020 04:51 am
Wow. What an amazing day. I think I was like Elon in that we both were filled with adrenaline on Wednesday but today was calmer with a feeling that things were going to work out.

I whooped for joy, cried, and just took in the wonder of today's events. So many emotions ranging from Shuttle nostalgia to excitement to relief and just the feeling of moving into a new age.

Congrats SpaceX and NASA. Still a lot of work to do but for this space nerd happy days are here again!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: harrystranger on 05/31/2020 07:31 am
I took a look at the SpaceX and NASA YouTube state on SocialBlade and wow!

Bottom image is for SpaceX

https://socialblade.com/youtube/user/spacexchannel/monthly
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 05/31/2020 02:30 pm
Congrats SpaceX and congrats Doug and Bob on the first leg of your most excellent adventure.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: laszlo on 05/31/2020 03:33 pm
Now, is it just me, or does this whole Crew Dragon thing seem visually bleak? I mean, nothing says sophisticated high-tech accomplishment like Dad, in his Halloween costume that he made from a canvas painter's tarp and his wellies from the garden shed, grabbing his kid's toy dinosaur and jumping in the family car to drive to the garage and sitting in a La-Z-Boy that he put far too close to the large screen TV he stole from the living room.

Just look at it. During the video tour in orbit the other day, what with the sterile white walls and the silly dinosaur, it looked almost like a Tom Baker episode of Doctor Who. You know, the ones that re-purposed toilet plungers into weapons for evil aliens.

The Shuttles had real cockpits with actual flight controls and their pressure suits made sense in form, function and color (try finding a white pressure suit on a stormy sea). The early capsules looked high tech and bad-ass then, today they look retro and bad-ass. The Crew Dragon interior looked like a low-budget set for a show that couldn't afford CGI.

And the family car driving the astronauts to the pad is really hard to take seriously. It looked as if they were going to a costume party. If you want ro show you mean business, a van is the only way to go.

So Elon really needs to hire a visual effects director. He may be running a private space program, but it sure doesn't look like one.

 :) :) :)

Seriously now, congratulations to NASA and SpaceX for getting to the halfway point. They've managed to make this flight look easy so far and we all know that it's anything but. Here's hoping that the rest goes at least as smoothly. It feels incredibly good to be a citizen of a space-faring nation again.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 05/31/2020 05:54 pm
Now, is it just me, or does this whole Crew Dragon thing seem visually bleak? ...
Your might change your mind, when you see astronauts arriving to the Starship with Cybertrucks, clad in stainless steel enforced mars power armors.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: David GREENFIELD on 05/31/2020 07:57 pm
Welcome back Endeavour, its been too long. And you’ve lost so much weight!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 05/31/2020 10:41 pm
Welcome back Endeavour, its been too long. And you’ve lost so much weight!
Yeah, NASA really did a great job getting the weights down on the Shuttle program with these rebuilds.  A whole bunch of heavy TPS and aero stuff, completely removed!

And man, you thought the Super Light-Weight Tanks were a mass savings - the new one's so light you can't even see it on the pad!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jamesh9000 on 05/31/2020 11:34 pm
Don't hassle the dinosaur, this is the first time I've owned an actual piece of space hardware!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 06/01/2020 01:45 am
<snip>
And the family car driving the astronauts to the pad is really hard to take seriously. It looked as if they were going to a costume party. If you want ro show you mean business, a van is the only way to go.
<snip>

But no boxy van can outrun those so called family cars.  ::) Presuming they are the latest Model X 100D Raven edition.

Elon's error is not providing enough Teslas for the whole convoy.  ;D Maybe he will replaced the current SUVs and armoured truck with Cybertrucks. Which in theory could drive themselves to the pad.

I want to see a real life Tesla Halo Warthog truck.  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 06/01/2020 07:10 am

One distinct benefit from the mass sim destroying the raptor is that it avoided many many pages of discussion as to whether the raptor could be salvaged...

I beg to quibble, sir! I hereby undertake such an argument, though I've relocated it to this thread, as it's a more suitable thread for subjects of this specific nature.   

Do we have any indication whatsoever that the Raptor was destroyed? I don't think we do. 

The Raptor was impacted by a mass simulator that fell at least 300 feet. That mass simulator was simulating about 25 tons of mass. What we do not know is, what are the effects (and are them damaging?) to a Raptor that is so impacted by simulated mass? Would it not logically follow that the Raptor would suffer only simulated damage from said simulated mass?

Even if the mass simulator had been composed (however implausible this may be) of real mass, at most it merely destroyed 1 of the Raptor's 3 dimensions (thereby rendering it two dimensional). A two dimensional full flow staged combustion rocket engine might have many advantages - and should thus be salvaged, repaired, and tested.


 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: guyw on 06/01/2020 10:50 am

Even if the mass simulator had been composed (however implausible this may be) of real mass, at most it merely destroyed 1 of the Raptor's 3 dimensions (thereby rendering it two dimensional). A two dimensional full flow staged combustion rocket engine might have many advantages - and should thus be salvaged, repaired, and tested.

I would sincerely hope that said testing would include running the Raptor engine flat out!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 06/01/2020 06:44 pm
Don't hassle the dinosaur, this is the first time I've owned an actual piece of space hardware!

Totally understand
The actual version of earthy was sold out but bought the upgraded one (climate science version)  by the way this one thinks dragon kind of looks like him!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 06/01/2020 06:59 pm

One distinct benefit from the mass sim destroying the raptor is that it avoided many many pages of discussion as to whether the raptor could be salvaged...

I beg to quibble, sir! I hereby undertake such an argument, though I've relocated it to this thread, as it's a more suitable thread for subjects of this specific nature.   

Do we have any indication whatsoever that the Raptor was destroyed? I don't think we do. 

The Raptor was impacted by a mass simulator that fell at least 300 feet. That mass simulator was simulating about 25 tons of mass. What we do not know is, what are the effects (and are them damaging?) to a Raptor that is so impacted by simulated mass? Would it not logically follow that the Raptor would suffer only simulated damage from said simulated mass?

Even if the mass simulator had been composed (however implausible this may be) of real mass, at most it merely destroyed 1 of the Raptor's 3 dimensions (thereby rendering it two dimensional). A two dimensional full flow staged combustion rocket engine might have many advantages - and should thus be salvaged, repaired, and tested.

  As long as the serial number plate survived, it can be repaired. I've done that with radios when there was maintenance money, but no procurement money.
 Sort of like that hammer the old guy had for 50 years that had both the head and handle replaced several times. Or my first Computer Shopper PC.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: SteveU on 06/01/2020 08:06 pm

One distinct benefit from the mass sim destroying the raptor is that it avoided many many pages of discussion as to whether the raptor could be salvaged...

I beg to quibble, sir! I hereby undertake such an argument, though I've relocated it to this thread, as it's a more suitable thread for subjects of this specific nature.   

Do we have any indication whatsoever that the Raptor was destroyed? I don't think we do. 

The Raptor was impacted by a mass simulator that fell at least 300 feet. That mass simulator was simulating about 25 tons of mass. What we do not know is, what are the effects (and are them damaging?) to a Raptor that is so impacted by simulated mass? Would it not logically follow that the Raptor would suffer only simulated damage from said simulated mass?

Even if the mass simulator had been composed (however implausible this may be) of real mass, at most it merely destroyed 1 of the Raptor's 3 dimensions (thereby rendering it two dimensional). A two dimensional full flow staged combustion rocket engine might have many advantages - and should thus be salvaged, repaired, and tested.

  As long as the serial number plate survived, it can be repaired. I've done that with radios when there was maintenance money, but no procurement money.
 Sort of like that hammer the old guy had for 50 years that had both the head and handle replaced several times. Or my first Computer Shopper PC.
OMG - Computer Shopper!  haven't thought of them in a long time - yep - my first PC as well. LOL
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 06/01/2020 11:33 pm
A nice collection of SpaceX/Endeavour memes
https://www.boredpanda.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=organic
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: theinternetftw on 06/02/2020 04:27 am
A nice collection of SpaceX/Endeavour memes
https://www.boredpanda.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=organic

Looks like that link was to the home page and other stuff has been posted since then, pushing SpaceX off the top of the page.

Here's the permanent link for memetic posterity:

https://www.boredpanda.com/funny-reaction-space-x-launch/
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 06/02/2020 05:50 pm
Quote
As long as the serial number plate survived, it can be repaired. I've done that with radios when there was maintenance money, but no procurement money.
 Sort of like that hammer the old guy had for 50 years that had both the head and handle replaced several times. Or my first Computer Shopper PC.

ROTFL. Well it also work with warships "upgrades" or "rebuilds" through a clever use of the bell.

It is just a matter of completely rebuilding the entire ship that is below the bell, and then claim "job done !"  ;D ;D



Job done !
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Galactic Penguin SST on 06/03/2020 11:23 am
Today's launch marks exactly 10 years of Falcon 9 since that memorable first launch that I won't forget for a very long time. Rewind your memories of it here!
 (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=21869.0)
This about sums it up of what I thought back then when it lifted off SLC-40, barely a year after I first knew about SpaceX (only as "some company founded by PayPal's co-founder - I didn't even knew of Tesla back then - that one day will carry things and people to ISS and beyond"):

My god, we have liftoff....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 06/03/2020 04:11 pm
Another Starlink launch today and I’m on the road. Looks like I’ll be watching from my iPhone. Haven’t missed an F9 yet. 😎👍🇺🇸
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 06/03/2020 04:33 pm
I like how Bob Behnken always grins like a cheshire cat  ;D

I assumed he's zoning out at the droning speeches (the politician droning on endlessly and then asking "What's MECO" ... ffs) I know I would.

As for the grin? He's in space!!! I know I'd grin too
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jon.amos on 06/03/2020 07:02 pm
Now we have mice on the Merlin?

Mice in Spaaaace!!!

Sometimes the public/media scares me!! :o

Image from Daily Express article PUBLISHED: 14:15, Wed, Jun 3, 2020
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: aero on 06/03/2020 08:44 pm
At least that mouse won't freeze in space.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 06/03/2020 09:10 pm
PETA will now launch a campaign against the "heartless animal-abusers at SpaceX".
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 06/03/2020 10:11 pm
Now we have mice on the Merlin?

Mice in Spaaaace!!!

Sometimes the public/media scares me!! :o

Image from Daily Express article PUBLISHED: 14:15, Wed, Jun 3, 2020

The reporting seems reasonable to me. After all, SpaceX has, in fact, carried Mousetronauts to ISS before. I think this latest is quite worrisome; mice are problem enough, but apparently SpaceX has now created mice that do not need air.   
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: leovinus on 06/03/2020 10:46 pm
Douglas Adams’ white mice leaving? Where are the vogons?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 06/04/2020 12:29 am
Douglas Adams’ white mice leaving? Where are the vogons?
Turns out we were the Vogons all along.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: su27k on 06/04/2020 07:51 am
Now we have mice on the Merlin?

Mice in Spaaaace!!!

Sometimes the public/media scares me!! :o

Image from Daily Express article PUBLISHED: 14:15, Wed, Jun 3, 2020

It's not just public/media though, remember the caliper incident on a Dragon mission webcast a few years ago? Everybody's brain wanted to see familiar patterns, it's just how we're wired.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 06/04/2020 08:27 pm
Facebook SpaceX group is getting 2-3 questions a day about the ice mouse.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 06/04/2020 09:23 pm
Facebook SpaceX group is getting 2-3 questions a day about the ice mouse.

Ever seen how dry ice behaves when you put it on a red hot plate? That's the kind of motion and behavior the ice mouse reminded me of.

I think it's pretty clear what happened; the "ice mouse" was indeed ice, skittering around on the hot engine bell track. It was placed there by the mouse that carved it on his own image, who's hiding just behind the Merlin Vac. I said that no good can come from having space mice (SpaceX mousetranauts) but would anyone listen? No. And now we've got space mice infesting the thermosphere.   
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 06/05/2020 12:28 am
Facebook SpaceX group is getting 2-3 questions a day about the ice mouse.

Ever seen how dry ice behaves when you put it on a red hot plate? That's the kind of motion and behavior the ice mouse reminded me of.

I think it's pretty clear what happened; the "ice mouse" was indeed ice, skittering around on the hot engine bell track. It was placed there by the mouse that carved it on his own image, who's hiding just behind the Merlin Vac. I said that no good can come from having space mice (SpaceX mousetranauts) but would anyone listen? No. And now we've got space mice infesting the thermosphere.   

I can't really argue with that. Frankly I'm not sure anyone could, TBH.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 06/05/2020 03:18 pm
A pic of what punctured the water tank during the SN4 explosion.
20 miles of slogging through alligator, snake and chupacabra infested swamps with well over 200 pounds of camera gear and all she posts is one photo of a steroid abusing D cell? See if I ever re-enact African Queen with her again.

 *By the way, that's the true reason for all the rockets exploding. Steroid rage*
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 06/05/2020 06:05 pm
With respect to Nomadd's question:

"I'm still trying to imagine who thought putting a mobile home 200 feet from a launch pad was a good idea."

Even worse, why would you tear down a rented mobile home ? Or are they actually buying these things. Was it so badly damaged ?

Maybe Elon was hiding in the fridge to see what happens ?
(actually referring to a scene from Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull, where Indy hides in a fridge in a show-case 50s village in Nevada at a nuclear test site ... and a bomb says *boom*)
I’ll put my reply over here as it’s not space related. But thinking of hiding out to see what happens reminds me of my friend Dave who owns Graves Light in Boston Harbour. He often goes out there in severe weather just to see what happens. The guy is a bit nuts, in a good way. Here’s a pic of one storm he was in the light for, as well as what happened to his boat...

(Graves Light is an amazing story and his renovation of it is beyond belief. If you have Facebook look it up).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 06/05/2020 07:27 pm
I'm still trying to imagine who thought putting a mobile home 200 feet from a launch pad was a good idea.
... a mobile home salesman?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: aero on 06/05/2020 09:15 pm
200 ft would hardly be safe for the 4-th of July fireworks. Barely safe for a good static fire. It must be further away than that, or else set up as temporary then forgotten.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Observation on 06/05/2020 10:00 pm
200 ft would hardly be safe for the 4-th of July fireworks. Barely safe for a good static fire. It must be further away than that, or else set up as temporary then forgotten.
I think we're on the right track with the "forgotten" part. Managment can't be everywhere...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nevyn72 on 06/06/2020 12:58 am
200 ft would hardly be safe for the 4-th of July fireworks. Barely safe for a good static fire. It must be further away than that, or else set up as temporary then forgotten.

With each, larger, test fire the structure 'self relocates' to a more reasonable distance.....  :P
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 06/06/2020 04:53 am
I agree a 'stream of consciousness update' thread sounds like a good idea. Just not sure where the line is or how to manage it. Maybe boots on the ground vs working off a live feed?
Make Lar figure it out. He's been kind of lazy lately.
I've been busy.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 06/06/2020 05:10 am
I'm still trying to imagine who thought putting a mobile home 200 feet from a launch pad was a good idea.

I don't see the problem - unless you're suggesting that 200ft is too far away? Looks like a nice mobile home to me - very airy and open.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Observation on 06/07/2020 08:28 am
They are going to have to test martian habitats SOMEWHERE... (points under rocket)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 06/07/2020 11:20 am
"Mobile Home for sale on beautiful Gulf Coast!  Interesting history!  Recently renovated with improved ventilation system!  Any reasonable offer entertained.  Must be moved soon."
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 06/07/2020 11:22 am
They are going to have to test martian habitats SOMEWHERE... (points under rocket)

I think that test site is for the VENUS mission!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 06/07/2020 02:15 pm
I'm still trying to imagine who thought putting a mobile home 200 feet from a launch pad was a good idea.
... a mobile home salesman?

Marshall Mitrofan Nedelin ? He already sat on a wooden chair, way, way too close from the R-16... and we all know how it ended: Very Badly.
The only bit of Nedelin they ever found, were the metal bars holding his war medals. They were badly melt.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 06/07/2020 05:42 pm
I'm still trying to imagine who thought putting a mobile home 200 feet from a launch pad was a good idea.
... a mobile home salesman?

Marshall Mitrofan Nedelin ? He already sat on a wooden chair, way, way too close from the R-16... and we all know how it ended: Very Badly.
The only bit of Nedelin they ever found, were the metal bars holding his war medals. They were badly melt.

As far as deaths go, that was certainly one of the more epic ways to kick the bucket.

It's also a reminder why SpaceX approach to late fuel - with an evacuated pad - is probably safer for everyone (not) involved.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 06/07/2020 06:18 pm
I'm still trying to imagine who thought putting a mobile home 200 feet from a launch pad was a good idea.
... a mobile home salesman?

Marshall Mitrofan Nedelin ? He already sat on a wooden chair, way, way too close from the R-16... and we all know how it ended: Very Badly.
The only bit of Nedelin they ever found, were the metal bars holding his war medals. They were badly melt.

As far as deaths go, that was certainly one of the more epic ways to kick the bucket...

Evacuate?  In our moment of triumph?  I think you overestimate KABOOM!!!!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 06/08/2020 06:10 pm
Quote
As far as deaths go, that was certainly one of the more epic ways to kick the bucket.

So true ! A real life Wile E. Coyote, really.  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 06/09/2020 12:21 am
Quote
As far as deaths go, that was certainly one of the more epic ways to kick the bucket.

So true ! A real life Wile E. Coyote, really.  ;D

The quote that comes to my mind is more along the lines of:

"Witness me!"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxuvqvmelgY


"... Mediocre!"

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 06/09/2020 05:03 am
Quote
As far as deaths go, that was certainly one of the more epic ways to kick the bucket.

So true ! A real life Wile E. Coyote, really.  ;D

The quote that comes to my mind is more along the lines of:

"Witness me!"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxuvqvmelgY


"... Mediocre!"

Your clip is proof that SpaceX is lying when it says it did the first orbital-class RTLS.

The Russians got there before SpaceX, too;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqW0LEcTAYg
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 06/09/2020 07:16 am
Quote
As far as deaths go, that was certainly one of the more epic ways to kick the bucket.

So true ! A real life Wile E. Coyote, really.  ;D

The quote that comes to my mind is more along the lines of:

"Witness me!"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxuvqvmelgY


"... Mediocre!"

Your clip is proof that SpaceX is lying when it says it did the first orbital-class RTLS.

The Russians got there before SpaceX, too;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqW0LEcTAYg

Well, they got some of it on the launch pad. And the adjacent fields. And the ground equipment. And a bit on the road.

Then again, SpaceX got a chunk rocket in a mobile home. Maybe we should start rating booster landings between None, At least got the drone ship wet, or 0-100% of the rocket landed
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 06/09/2020 07:28 am

Well, they got some of it on the launch pad. And the adjacent fields. And the ground equipment. And a bit on the road.

Then again, SpaceX got a chunk rocket in a mobile home. Maybe we should start rating booster landings between None, At least got the drone ship wet, or 0-100% of the rocket landed

As it turns out, RTLS is easy - all you need to do is install the acceleration sensors upside down.

You may have a point on SpaceX launches and landings. A few points for getting the drone ship wet, but a perfect score when they hit the bullseye (such as their first try at a 3-engine landing burn - they did hit the bullseye - the big hole in the deck was proof.).

As for percentages, wouldn't we also need to do that for Starship launches? So far, we've seen them launch the forward bulkhead of MK1, various parts of SN1 and 3, and of course the mass simulator on SN4, giving them the first flight-tested spools of stainless steel. The question is, do we allot the percentage based on what percentage of the vehicle mass is launched, or, surface area?


Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 06/09/2020 11:00 am
Didn't saw Mad Max fury road - so initially didn't got the joke. A quick google search had me laughing like an idiot.

"Epic fail"

https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/EpicFail

The Proton crash was kind of awesome - except for
a) the very unfortunate steppe fauna and flora that was on the trajectory receiving end
and
b) the unfortunate shmoe that paid the bills.

Quote
I'm still trying to imagine who thought putting a mobile home 200 feet from a launch pad was a good idea.

I don't see the problem - unless you're suggesting that 200ft is too far away? Looks like a nice mobile home to me - very airy and open.

As for using rockets to cut trailers - SpaceX, you invented nothing. Been there, done that (as they say)
https://www.thespacereview.com/article/1768/2

(https://www.thespacereview.com/archive/1768b.jpg)
 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 06/09/2020 02:23 pm
Quote
As far as deaths go, that was certainly one of the more epic ways to kick the bucket.

So true ! A real life Wile E. Coyote, really.  ;D

The quote that comes to my mind is more along the lines of:

"Witness me!"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxuvqvmelgY


"... Mediocre!"

Your clip is proof that SpaceX is lying when it says it did the first orbital-class RTLS.

The Russians got there before SpaceX, too;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqW0LEcTAYg

True, even their direct competitor, Orbital Sciences, (-> Orbital ATK -> Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems) beat them to it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZ0SgAU9LXI

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 06/10/2020 05:23 am
Quote
As far as deaths go, that was certainly one of the more epic ways to kick the bucket.

So true ! A real life Wile E. Coyote, really.  ;D

The quote that comes to my mind is more along the lines of:

"Witness me!"

"... Mediocre!"

LOL  The first thing that came to mind for me was:  If you kids don't knock it off, I will turn this rocket around!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 06/10/2020 06:18 pm
  Apparently, Darth Vader is moving to Boca Chica village, next door to me.
 I can hear it now...."I find your lack of yard maintenance......disturbing."

 I've had worse neighbors.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: aero on 06/10/2020 07:07 pm
Sorry - But that looks like an OutHouse attached to the outside wall. I guess it would be convenient.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 06/10/2020 07:17 pm
Sorry - But that looks like an OutHouse attached to the outside wall. I guess it would be convenient.
That's where the trap door over the Sarlacc pit goes.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: aero on 06/10/2020 07:56 pm
Sorry - But that looks like an OutHouse attached to the outside wall. I guess it would be convenient.
That's where the trap door over the Sarlacc pit goes.

Well that would keep Aunt Jane from hogging the Outhouse!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: theinternetftw on 06/11/2020 02:07 am
  Apparently, Darth Vader is moving to Boca Chica village, next door to me.
 I can hear it now...."I find your lack of yard maintenance......disturbing."

 I've had worse neighbors.

The file name for this one is a treat.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: John Alan on 06/11/2020 05:44 pm
Meanwhile, a little update on how Chemo and life, in general, is going...  :-\
No worries... there are virtual flying things involved...   ;)
Launching, Landing, and Relaunching...  ;)

On Chemo every other week... not bad sofar on side effects...
Although all my normal hair falling out, however, my gray hairs hanging on is amusing, to say the least...  ;D

I got plenty of time to stay away from others (the C-word) while my immune system is shot via chemical means...
SO... latest hobby... X-plane 11...
I'm currently doing my Amelia Earhart imitation around the world tour in something a bit more modern and virtual... [1]
Check out "One Juliet Alpha"... My virtual $4 mil stead I'm trying and pull off this virtual stunt...   8)
Biggest hop planned at some point will be RJCN to PADK... at just over 1600 nautical miles...  :P
There is a jet stream that should stretch the TBM 900's range just enough with 30 minute's reserves...
I hope... 
I already wrecked N901JA once to the tune of $900K...  (two landing gears, entire FWF with PT6 shot, etc)
Isn't virtual money grand...  ;D 
I walked away (cabin intact) and the serial tag didn't even have a scratch...  ;D
Only had 16.4 hours on it when I botched a landing...  :-[
Had 15 clock hours on it as delivered from Europe... 1.4 hours and ouch... so sad...  :(
I then spent 10 hours going around the RNAV 18 loop at KTYQ practicing missed approaches and honing my landing process till I got that part figured out... Cross the fence at 105 knots and grease it down using GPS RNAV approaches...
See I wrecked on an ILS gone bad... Old school is not working when I need it to smoothly abort and climb away...
On a sim...no 3D and no seat of the pants... Really miss having that feedback loop...

Anyway... Ain't she pretty...  Like the Lovechild of a P-51 and a Cadilac Escalade...  ;D
Seats 6... gets ~6 mpg (for real) at 305 knots (350 mph)
Climb to 31000 feet and surf the jet streams... I had an 81-knot tailwind last flight...  8)
TBM 900... Google it...  ;)

[1] note, real weather on and real today time... No Russia or China or 3rd world hell holes... 6000+ foot paved with FBO's
     Fly in daylight mostly and between my normal 4 hours 3 times a day naps... A side trip to cross Australia is planned...
_______________________________________________________________________________________
On Edit... Follow along as we make this trip... will update this post daily here below with edits.... ;)
Just Google the airport codes to find out where that is... PM if you got questions or comments...
_______________________________________________________________________________________

All planned flights subject to change based on weather and me on the day of launch...
Started in Zionsville, IN... Just outside Indianapolis Indiana in the central USA...
KTYQ -> KOGS 6/11 Done 566NM Ogdensburg, NY USA
KOGS -> KPQI 6/11 Done 359NM Presque Isle, ME USA
KPQI -> BGBW 6/12 Done 1170NM Narsarsuaq, Greenland
BGBW -> BIRK 6/13 Done 668NM Reykjavík, Iceland
BIRK -> EGGP 6/14 Done 874NM  Liverpool, England
EGGP -> LIRF 6/15 Done 921NM Rome, Italy
LIRF -> LLBG 6/16 Done 1232NM Tel Aviv, Israel...
LLBG -> OERK 6/17 Done 754NM Riyadh, Saudi Arabia...
OERK -> VABB 6/19 Done 1497NM Mumbai, India...
VABB -> VOTV 6/21 Done 604NM Thiruvananthapuram, India...
VOTV -> WMSA 6/22 Done 1506NM Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia...
WMSA -> WIII 6/23 Done 635NM Jakarta, Indonesia...
WIII -> YPKA 6/24 Done 1056NM Karratha, WA, Australia...
YPKA -> YPPH 6/25 Done 676NM Perth, WA, Australia...
YPPH -> YAYE 6/26 Done 889NM Ayers Rock, NT, Australia...
YAYE -> YPAD 6/27 Done 705NM Adelaide, SA, Australia...
YPAD -> YMAV 7/4 DONE 342NM Avalon, VI, Australia... Here Now...
YMAV -> YSSY 7/5 Planned 408NM Sydney, NS, Australia
________________________________________________________________________________________

Over east and down a bit into Kuala Lumpur... longest hop to date... landed with 1/6 of the fuel remaining... in 4K
https://youtu.be/bx69vhFaNzk

Then SSE a way into Jakarta, Indonesia... Shorter hop and I pushed it hard the whole way... in 4K...
https://youtu.be/veLsPbVtG6A

Hopped over into Australia... in 4K...
https://youtu.be/0M6oiLGVAoo

Then down to Perth... in 4K...
https://youtu.be/wd6oX_ppVnY

Out to see "The Rock"...  in 4K...
https://youtu.be/z__I1L53gRA

Headed down Southwest... in 4K...
https://youtu.be/Ut0BJZ9Jcqc
________________________________________________________________________________________

6/26 Notes on the Day...
Launched for Ayers Rock this morning... flying over solid overcast right now...
110-knot tailwind... but I am having to crab it with 82 from the rear and 72 left to right the direction I am going... We will get there around 11 pm CDT (1 pm local plane time)
About 1 hour out now... overcast is gone below... dry desert-like looks to be... tail-wind is dying as I move more north in-country (expected)... I'm thinking of Sydney next...
10:30 pm IL and it's 1 pm in the afternoon plane time here in the NT... that makes sense on time zones now.
Descending into YAYE... about 45 mins from landing I think...  :-\
11:30 pm IL and 2 pm plane time... shut down and parked for the overnight stay...
Naptime then will work on posting content...
7 am IL... working on the content promised...
The content was all up by about Noon CDT, but YT is taking their sweet time posting HD and UHD versions...
No big... Been working on the trip planning... Since I am here, we will tour Australia's major towns...
BUT...Ironically, it looks like I will be backtracking back up thru Jakarta to continue on towards home at some point...

6/27 Notes on the Day...
In process to Launch at 5:30 pm, IL and 8 am plane time...
6:30 pm IL 9 am plane time update... En-route at FL180... 27kn tail/25kn cross... Any higher it will be worse cross...
That's fine... plenty of go-juice to get there... 270kn true at 48 GPH right now...
8:30 pm IL 11 am plane time update... on decent into YPAD...
9:30 pm IL 12 noon plane update... parked and buttoned up for the overnight stay...
Nap and a few errands next... Content overnight...
4:30 am IL... 6 pics processed to jpeg and posted... the two with "the Rock" turned out well... 8)
4:30 pm IL... Video finally edited and uploaded to YT...
Going to take a day or two break from flying to work on another project...
And the next Chemo treatment, is Monday 7 am... (dread those days)
I will be back in the air next week... no worries... ;)

7/3 - 7/4 Notes on the Day...
I am FINALLY feeling well enough to continue... Next hop in progress now...
Next hop is complete... 6 pics posting now... Naptime to follow... Video later...
_________________________________________________________________________________
Note... I also will daily update the pics below... Plane parked and action shots from recent legs...
Picture Titles below...the title is date/time taken CDT USA...
Keep checking back... Updates (old down, new up) at some time after every flight and before the next one flys...  ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 06/12/2020 04:58 pm
Ya'll know there's a Starlink launch again tomorrow morning? Yeah, another. Anybody besides me going to be up to watch?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 06/12/2020 10:09 pm
Ya'll know there's a Starlink launch again tomorrow morning? Yeah, another. Anybody besides me going to be up to watch?

The last launch was annoyingly in the middle of the night for me - being in Europe - and I had to stay up all night.

This being an early morning launch makes it prime weekend noon-time just after a late breakfast. And on top of that it will have these gorgeous pre-dawn visuals around staging and maybe even re-entry. I hope all the photographers have their video and cams set up to catch that from all sorts of angles.

I'm gonna watch it with my 4 year old son. It's gonna rock!

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 06/13/2020 02:42 am
The little white square is an electrical conduit reinforced Walmart canopy over the best manned viewing platform on the planet. (It's 10 feet from a refrigerator with beer and an emergency "Open in case of hop" bottle of Glenlivet)

What's the procedure with the Glenlivet when it's a partial hop? For example, the forward bulkhead of MK1, mush of SN1, parts of SN4, etc? Do you partially open the bottle when it's a partial hop?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Observation on 06/13/2020 08:28 am
Smashing the bottle on the edge of your desk out of anger does partially open the bottle, right?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 06/13/2020 09:10 am
I don't care what anyone says.  These early morning launches are chicken soup for the soul!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 06/13/2020 09:37 am
I don't care what anyone says.  These early morning launches are chicken soup for the soul!

Agreed, though it's 2:30 am here. :)

I want to thank Steven Pietrobon for the awesome updates!

I also want to point out that everyone who said SpaceX would skip the entire static fire for this mission was wrong; They didn't skip the static fire - they just skipped the static part.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 06/13/2020 02:38 pm
The little white square is an electrical conduit reinforced Walmart canopy over the best manned viewing platform on the planet. (It's 10 feet from a refrigerator with beer and an emergency "Open in case of hop" bottle of Glenlivet)

What's the procedure with the Glenlivet when it's a partial hop? For example, the forward bulkhead of MK1, mush of SN1, parts of SN4, etc? Do you partially open the bottle when it's a partial hop?
All of the parts need to go in the same direction. Polydirectional launches get Guinness.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 06/14/2020 01:06 pm
So the Boca Chica lightning protection plan is to erect a temple to Zeus?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 06/14/2020 02:57 pm
So the Boca Chica lightning protection plan is to erect a temple to Zeus?

Works, just needs to be high enough and have a conductive roof ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 06/14/2020 03:26 pm
Over on the gardening site I think they're testing heat shields.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 06/15/2020 10:21 pm
After studying video evidence; culprit was fourth crow in the murder:
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 06/16/2020 01:21 am
After studying video evidence; culprit was fourth crow in the murder:

While anyone who hangs out in a group called a "murder" is naturally suspect, I'm wondering if it was crow 3 rather than crow 4. If you go through the vid frame by frame, it appears that crow 3 is the closest to leak initiation.

Also, didn't SpaceX do an area  closure for this test? If so, there's no legitimate excuse for being so close to the test.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 06/16/2020 03:59 pm
Turns out these were Mexican crows - the charges so far consist of

- Trespassing of national borders
- Violation of FAA rules and trespassing of closed airspace
- Trespassing of private ground
- Violation of ITAR
- Violation of US 18 code chapter 37 - federal espionage act of 1917
- Violation of US 18 code chapter 1831 - industrial espionage
- Suspected sabotage of spaceflight equipment
- Participation and assistance in a murder

even if they can't prove the sabotage claim, those crows aren't gonna get away easy...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AndyE on 06/16/2020 06:33 pm
Goodness, that's some toxic guano they're dropping!  :o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 06/16/2020 07:12 pm
Goodness, that's some toxic guano they're dropping!  :o

Makes you wonder what those birds ate last.

But this rises a legitimate concern. Could the steel be chemically weakened by bird poop? Some types of stainless are vulnerable to chemical embritlement (not just by hydrogen) and that guano stuff IS nasty ;) Especially pidgeons and sea gulls.

(Crows typically don't shit on your shiny stuff, unless you piss them off and they target you deliberately)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Observation on 06/17/2020 08:23 pm
What do they do when it gets wrecked in another SN4 incident? Just buy a new one? Warranty?

Warranty would be my guess, yes. They clearly advertised in the ad that it can "take a hit". Now this could be subject for debate for enemy lawyer offices, but I don't see how stainless steel shrapnel (pretty standard stuff) wouldn't fit into that category.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 06/17/2020 08:56 pm
What do they do when it gets wrecked in another SN4 incident? Just buy a new one? Warranty?

Warranty would be my guess, yes. They clearly advertised in the ad that it can "take a hit". Now this could be subject for debate for enemy lawyer offices, but I don't see how stainless steel shrapnel (pretty standard stuff) wouldn't fit into that category.

"Hi, my dog got hit by an interplanetary spaceship. No, this is not a crank call. Yes, Musk with an M. I'll hold, thanks."
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 06/18/2020 02:55 pm
Alas, the Feds moved in too late.  The birds had flown.

:::ducking:::
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 06/18/2020 03:05 pm
Alas, the Feds moved in too late.  The birds had flown.

:::ducking:::
Just so long as you're not crowing.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 06/18/2020 07:48 pm
Was bored. Decided to try for a droneship landing. Good enough.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 06/18/2020 09:52 pm
Was bored. Decided to try for a droneship landing. Good enough.

Excellent landing. I’d give that a 150 out of 100.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Observation on 06/19/2020 08:04 pm
Was bored. Decided to try for a droneship landing. Good enough.

Excellent landing. I’d give that a 150 out of 100.
Well it's obviously in a more stable state than standing upright. This could also be a solution for Mars. There have been talks about landing surface instabilities... this landing configuration spreads out the load over a much larger surface than landing legs ever could. Being able to just step out of the door down onto the surface is also a big plus.
Oh an by the way... please stop it with those ladders. Give the astronauts some jetpacks already!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: aero on 06/19/2020 11:04 pm
But you'd have to turn off the artificial gravity before you stepped out of the airlock hatch. Otherwise, you'd get tripped up with a 90-degree shift in the direction of gravity on that first step.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 06/19/2020 11:57 pm
Was bored. Decided to try for a droneship landing. Good enough.

Ah, the good ole days! XD
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: John Alan on 06/20/2020 09:30 am
In case some of you may not have noticed...  :'(
I am still updating my posting up-thread, of me Launching, Landing, Laundering, and Relaunching...
My Quest to Orbit the Planet  (virtually, like A. Earhart and others have tried and many latter succeeded)
Ok, with many small ~1000 NM virtual airplane hops at a time... ::)
But, I AM burning Kerosene (OK JP-4, not RP-1)...  ;D
And it's air-breathing... 8)
And there IS a COPV on board (backup oxygen)...  ::)

My latest YT videos are in 4K starting June 20th...
For those of you, who want to test your I-net connection and wish StarLink was available right now, like me...  :D

Anyway... back up a few days to this post here... If you're curious...  ;)
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2095103#msg2095103 (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2095103#msg2095103)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: SteveU on 06/20/2020 10:57 pm
is this it?

https://www.sharpertek.com/musitacl.html
Yep - and the included video. Call me crazy, but I think the dude doing the demonstration has some Elon-like mannerisms and movements.

https://youtu.be/BcjpqYiqo84
You're crazy.
I 100% knew you were going to say that :-)
It was just Nomadd’s turn to state the obvious.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 06/22/2020 04:24 pm
is this it?

https://www.sharpertek.com/musitacl.html
Yep - and the included video. Call me crazy, but I think the dude doing the demonstration has some Elon-like mannerisms and movements.

https://youtu.be/BcjpqYiqo84
You're crazy.
I 100% knew you were going to say that :-)
It was just Nomadd’s turn to state the obvious.

I think he is more like this guy
https://youtu.be/RXJKdh1KZ0w

Btw ...One of my favorite spoof product videos from a long time ago .. used to have this practically memorized.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tommyboy on 06/22/2020 05:09 pm
Regarding the poll: None of StarHoppers successors will ever match StarHoppers versatility;
- Camera tripod
- Lighting rig
- speaker stand
- Radar post
- Sunshade
- Flying engine testbed
- Weed burning torch
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 06/22/2020 05:47 pm
Regarding the poll: None of StarHoppers successors will ever match StarHoppers versatility;
- Camera tripod
- Lighting rig
- speaker stand
- Radar post
- Sunshade
- Flying engine testbed
- Weed burning torch

- Tourist attraction
- Lunch time meeting point
- Moral support buddy for nervous prototypes
- Proof of concept
- Birds resting place
- Certified water tower if ever needed for that job
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 06/22/2020 06:04 pm
Regarding the poll: None of StarHoppers successors will ever match StarHoppers versatility;
- Camera tripod
- Lighting rig
- speaker stand
- Radar post
- Sunshade
- Flying engine testbed
- Weed burning torch

- Tourist attraction
- Lunch time meeting point
- Moral support buddy for nervous prototypes
- Proof of concept
- Birds resting place
- Certified water tower if ever needed for that job

- First
And by the way forever transformed our reality from oh they’re building a water tower... to.  Wait... Legs? Engines? It’s a rocket !
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nevyn72 on 06/23/2020 01:30 am
is this it?

https://www.sharpertek.com/musitacl.html
Yep - and the included video. Call me crazy, but I think the dude doing the demonstration has some Elon-like mannerisms and movements.

https://youtu.be/BcjpqYiqo84
You're crazy.
I 100% knew you were going to say that :-)
It was just Nomadd’s turn to state the obvious.

I think he is more like this guy
https://youtu.be/RXJKdh1KZ0w

Btw ...One of my favorite spoof product videos from a long time ago .. used to have this practically memorized.

A mere shadow of the original......  ;)

https://youtu.be/Ac7G7xOG2Ag
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 06/23/2020 02:44 am

A mere shadow of the original......  ;)

https://youtu.be/Ac7G7xOG2Ag
I use to channel that guy when required to explain technical issue to bureaucratic government nitwits in a certain west African country.
 They seemed satisfied.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 06/23/2020 03:09 am

A mere shadow of the original......  ;)

https://youtu.be/Ac7G7xOG2Ag
I use to channel that guy when required to explain technical issue to bureaucratic government nitwits in a certain west African country.
 They seemed satisfied.

If it works in both Washington DC and the lone-star state, it should logically also work in Liberia. Based on the flags at least ;)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: smisamore on 06/23/2020 05:13 am

A mere shadow of the original......  ;)

https://youtu.be/Ac7G7xOG2Ag
I use to channel that guy when required to explain technical issue to bureaucratic government nitwits in a certain west African country.
 They seemed satisfied.

I seem to remember Professor Irwin Corey speaking at length about these with Johnny Carson. Although he would tend to get a bit more technical as I recall... Fascinating!!!  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: theinternetftw on 06/23/2020 08:02 am
I think he is more like this guy
A mere shadow of the original......  ;)

This is my favorite version.  Posting it for the purpose of obscurity.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXW0bx_Ooq4
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: toren on 06/23/2020 02:31 pm
After careful consideration. ;D I'm going with SN18. It will have grown through it's toddlers strops, past the teenage attitudes to be a more mature ship.

....

There's certainly been enough blow ups and meld downs for the comparison to work.  Let's just hope there's not a 'failure to launch' as well.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 06/23/2020 06:57 pm
Thanks for the schooling on the earlier  encabulator videos. Apparently I joined the party at intermission! I never saw those earlier versions before now.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mandella on 06/23/2020 07:39 pm
I think he is more like this guy
A mere shadow of the original......  ;)

This is my favorite version.  Posting it for the purpose of obscurity.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXW0bx_Ooq4

Now I've got to figure out how to work, "It's a simple head code, anyone can catch it" into conversation somehow...

 ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 06/23/2020 11:52 pm
The little white square is an electrical conduit reinforced Walmart canopy over the best manned viewing platform on the planet. (It's 10 feet from a refrigerator with beer and an emergency "Open in case of hop" bottle of Glenlivet)

What's the procedure with the Glenlivet when it's a partial hop? For example, the forward bulkhead of MK1, mush of SN1, parts of SN4, etc? Do you partially open the bottle when it's a partial hop?
All of the parts need to go in the same direction. Polydirectional launches get Guinness.

Ah, then you're now toasting SN7 with Glenlivit, because SN7 did indeed hop today, and it was a unidirectional flight. All the parts stayed together, and it even took the launch mount along for the ride.

Enjoy your Glenlivet!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: John Alan on 06/24/2020 09:35 pm
In case some of you may not have noticed...  :'(
I am still updating my posting up-thread, of me Launching, Landing, Laundering, and Relaunching...
My Quest to Orbit the Planet  (virtually, like A. Earhart and others have tried and many latter succeeded)
Ok, with many small ~1000 NM virtual airplane hops at a time... ::)
But, I AM burning Kerosene (OK JP-4, not RP-1)...  ;D
And it's air-breathing... 8)
And there IS a COPV on board (backup oxygen)...  ::)

My latest YT videos are in 4K starting June 20th...
For those of you, who want to test your I-net connection and wish StarLink was available right now, like me...  :D

Anyway... back up a few days to this post here... If you're curious...  ;)
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2095103#msg2095103 (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2095103#msg2095103)

Made it into west Australia this morning CDT... plan to start roaming around on a 'fly-about' in a couple of hours...
The link above is STILL being updated daily if you wish to check it out...  ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 06/25/2020 12:23 pm
And in this spirit, it's StarLink launch time!

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 06/25/2020 09:35 pm
Much like the cat who ate the cheese I wait with bated breath for word on whether Elon managed to set a new high score while playing the exploding tank game.

Is anyone else feeling the pressure?

Patiently pondering how long before the Twittersphere offers up an answer is nearly enough to warrant hitting eight or more bars, ... just to quiet the nerves until then.

Some things due to their cleverness belong in the party thread ...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 06/26/2020 10:22 am
Lovely quote taken completely out of context:
Quote
Musk also had people confused when he said Tesla would release a ‘fart app’ and that the Boring Company would sell a flamethrower, but both of those things happened.

I think we should just have a general "Musk had people confused, but then all those things happened" button that automatically calls in the mods on any "But they should improve Falcon" or "Why don't they just add propulsive landing to Dragon" ro "Starship is just a water tower in a field"discussion.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kdhilliard on 06/26/2020 10:27 pm
General Discussion » General Discussion » Looking for information on the ISS for research:
I'm assuming you are talking about the ISS "Cupola"?

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1f/Exterior_of_Cupola_-_Exp28.jpg/450px-Exterior_of_Cupola_-_Exp28.jpg)

Sometimes the forum messes up rotation.  Here, let me fix that for you:
(https://img.mako.co.il/2013/06/16/Cupolamodule5_c.jpg)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: John Alan on 06/28/2020 01:20 am
Overcoming 1200 meters vertically of gravity losses... (it's a Hillclimb competition, ok)
In an AWD / 800hp / 1180kg land vehicle...  ???
My opinion... INSANE has been redefined...  :o
If the driver is not careful, they will Launch, Land, and Relaunch in a Rapid and possibly RUD like manner...  :P
https://youtu.be/XfWK82loi38
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 06/28/2020 02:30 am
Overcoming 1200 meters vertically of gravity losses... (it's a Hillclimb competition, ok)
In an AWD / 800hp / 1180kg land vehicle...  ???
My opinion... INSANE has been redefined...  :o
If the driver is not careful, they will Launch, Land, and Relaunch in a Rapid and possibly RUD like manner...  :P

That's just powered ascent with an ascent vehicle.

In my opinion, re-entry and descent is the way more challenging part.

You need parachutes, too.

https://youtu.be/VxY527I862g

But only for the last part.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDw8MeUCIag

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTzwvyzzfjk
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 06/29/2020 07:59 pm
GPS launches, like Starlink, have kind of a regular rhythm.  8)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Observation on 06/30/2020 03:59 am
YES! Finally we have good looking landing legs, not those chompy looking rotaty springs.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 07/02/2020 08:22 pm
I've been saying this for a long time - y'all just can't spell, and got taken in by a similar-looking word.

As I've said for a long time, SpaceX is *not* building a launch site at Boca Chica.

Cory's taco dome should have been a wake-up call, but nobody listened. Decking out Starhopper with disco lights and speakers should have made it even more obvious, but nobody listened.

Now, thanks to the awesome work and photography of BocaChicaGal, the truth is undeniable at last!
Top picture at this link;
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=51332.msg2103249#msg2103249

Yes, it's true, as I've been saying all along: what SpaceX is building at Boca Chica is a lunch site, not a launch site!

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 07/02/2020 10:35 pm
It's not like there hasn't been evidence...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 07/03/2020 12:01 am
It's not like there hasn't been evidence...

Ah ha! Indeed! And at the right-hand end of that lunch trailer, what do we see? Tanks for cooking gas.  Now we know what the tank farm is for.

As for the little loud mishap with SN4, are there truly any of us that can say we haven't had a little oops in the kitchen - especially when cooking with gas? 

And let's not forget the tiki torch they installed... the one people kept saying was a flare stack.,..

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: erv on 07/03/2020 04:11 am
Oh well.

Credit: LabPadre
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 07/03/2020 05:39 am
Oh well.

Credit: LabPadre

I can't see any Raptor either. I tried to ID the pickup truck, I'm leaning toward it being a Dodge Ram. I have no guess as to the make of flatbed trail it's towing, nor the big BBQ burner on the flatbed. (I suspect it's for one of those big barrel-shaped meat smokers they've got at the lunch site).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: chad1011 on 07/03/2020 01:47 pm
No. It is most likely a Chevy Silverado or a GMC Sierra and a Big Tex gooseneck trailer. That is most definitely one of the new high output BBQ burners though.  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 07/03/2020 06:18 pm
Maybe a name change is appropriate on the thread finally...
LUNCH, Land and re-LUNCH?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: WTF on 07/03/2020 06:58 pm
A casual comment regarding the LUNCH site .

How much beer could Starhopper's LOX tank hold?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 07/03/2020 07:35 pm
A casual comment regarding the LUNCH site .

How much beer could Starhopper's LOX tank hold?

Why just the LOX tank? You want to reserve the Methane tank for Tequila?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 07/03/2020 07:59 pm
A casual comment regarding the LUNCH site .

How much beer could Starhopper's LOX tank hold?

Why just the LOX tank? You want to reserve the Methane tank for Tequila?
The Methane tank is for the nitrogen for the Guinness tap.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: webdan on 07/03/2020 08:07 pm
A casual comment regarding the LUNCH site .

How much beer could Starhopper's LOX tank hold?

Why just the LOX tank? You want to reserve the Methane tank for Tequila?
The Methane tank is for the nitrogen for the Guinness tap.

I thought that was what the COPVs were for...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Observation on 07/03/2020 09:49 pm
Do they not distillate their own brews in those "downcomers"?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 07/04/2020 12:06 am
No. It is most likely a Chevy Silverado or a GMC Sierra and a Big Tex gooseneck trailer. That is most definitely one of the new high output BBQ burners though.  8)

I think you're right, it could be a Chevy Silvarado!
Hrmmm... How come we don't have an NSF thread for analyzing grainy pictures of pickup trucks at the lunch site, the way we do of, say, robotic dogs there? (I wonder if robotic dogs beg for table scraps?).

Do they not distillate their own brews in those "downcomers"?

One year, one month, and one day ago, the truth was reveled.
In my utterly and completely unbiased opinion, this poster pegged it:
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg1952948#msg1952948

Hrmmm... I wonder... are the big, shiny things they are now building beer kegs? Bit on the large side, but as they saying goes, everything's bigger in Texas. One of those would make for one heck of a kegger...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 07/04/2020 12:46 am
Scott Manley just cracked me up. 

Scott: Gherman Titov was the first to go where no man had gone before.....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 07/04/2020 10:33 pm

 I have never posted a Lab Padre cam shot. Raptor Cam is mine.

Yes, but do you have your permission to post cam shots from it? You should also credit the shots, because not doing so can cause a lawsuit (and suing yourself can get expensive, real fast, due to having to pay both sides plus any awards).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: aero on 07/04/2020 11:05 pm

 I have never posted a Lab Padre cam shot. Raptor Cam is mine.

Yes, but do you have your permission to post cam shots from it? You should also credit the shots, because not doing so can cause a lawsuit (and suing yourself can get expensive, real fast, due to having to pay both sides plus any awards).

Oh, Nomad is protected, he owns Raptor 2 so when SpaceX releases the next major version of Raptor and names it Raptor 2, Nomad can take a piece out of it and use the proceeds to pay himself the award he got from suing himself and winning. And of course, when he sues himself, he will win, that's the easy part.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 07/04/2020 11:17 pm

 I have never posted a Lab Padre cam shot. Raptor Cam is mine.

Yes, but do you have your permission to post cam shots from it? You should also credit the shots, because not doing so can cause a lawsuit (and suing yourself can get expensive, real fast, due to having to pay both sides plus any awards).

Oh, Nomad is protected, he owns Raptor 2 so when SpaceX releases the next major version of Raptor and names it Raptor 2, Nomad can take a piece out of it and use the proceeds to pay himself the award he got from suing himself and winning. And of course, when he sues himself, he will win, that's the easy part.

Interesting theory, but... if Nomadd is both the plaintiff and the defendant, and the jury finds for the defendant, there is no award. Hrmmm... unless of course Nomadd both sues AND countersues himself... and maybe tries to hit himself for court costs as well...

There's also the danger that when Nomadd calls Nomadd to testify as a hostile witness (In a civil suit, there's no 5th amendment right to not testify) , Nomadd might commit perjury - and that's a criminal violation.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 07/04/2020 11:49 pm

 I have never posted a Lab Padre cam shot. Raptor Cam is mine.

Yes, but do you have your permission to post cam shots from it? You should also credit the shots, because not doing so can cause a lawsuit (and suing yourself can get expensive, real fast, due to having to pay both sides plus any awards).
I'm protected. This guy signed over the rights to the name "Raptor" for a fish.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 07/05/2020 08:47 pm

 I have never posted a Lab Padre cam shot. Raptor Cam is mine.

Yes, but do you have your permission to post cam shots from it? You should also credit the shots, because not doing so can cause a lawsuit (and suing yourself can get expensive, real fast, due to having to pay both sides plus any awards).
I'm protected. This guy signed over the rights to the name "Raptor" for a fish.

Superb negotiating on your part!

However, a raptor perched atop the raptor cam presents a danger! Unless you are very careful in what you allow out from that camera, you could be responsible for worldwide news stories of: "SpaceX is building a two mile wide upside down bird head in Boca Chica!"

 

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 07/06/2020 01:32 am

 I have never posted a Lab Padre cam shot. Raptor Cam is mine.

Yes, but do you have your permission to post cam shots from it? You should also credit the shots, because not doing so can cause a lawsuit (and suing yourself can get expensive, real fast, due to having to pay both sides plus any awards).
I'm protected. This guy signed over the rights to the name "Raptor" for a fish.
Was it a perch?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 07/07/2020 08:55 pm
Has anyone besides me come to view the Starlink launches as kind of like Monday Night Football? Kind of routine, your team may not be playing, but you're hoping just to see a good game and kill the monotony of life until the big game on Sunday? I know that's kind of a labored analogy but it's all I got at the moment. YAAY RAH!! Go Starlink.  8)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 07/08/2020 04:50 am
Has anyone besides me come to view the Starlink launches as kind of like Monday Night Football? Kind of routine, your team may not be playing, but you're hoping just to see a good game and kill the monotony of life until the big game on Sunday? I know that's kind of a labored analogy but it's all I got at the moment. YAAY RAH!! Go Starlink.  8)

I'm just fondly reminiscing about all the fierce debates on the preposterous notion that Space X could ever achieve a sky-high launch cadence of... one launch per month.  Ah, the good old days. :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 07/08/2020 05:50 pm
I'm just fondly reminiscing about all the fierce debates on the preposterous notion that Space X could ever achieve a sky-high launch cadence of... one launch per month.  Ah, the good old days. :)

We must be misremembering, eh?  People on the Internet are never that wrong.  It was probably just an autocorrect-related issue.  What they actually meant to say was that they didn't expect SpaceX would be able to launch more than once a Monday (understandable, being that Mondays are Mondays), but without the capital 'M', it changed "mon" to "month" instead.

Of course, if Monday Night Football can sometimes do double-headers to start the season, plus additional non-Monday MNF for holidays and the occasional playoff game...  Do you think at some point we'll go from SpaceX webcasts to the SpaceX Channel?  I'm thinking 24/7 views from future Starlinks, Starships, Dragons, and maybe a space station module or two, with live launches cutting in as necessary (with the occasional split screen when you've got multiple in progress).  It'll be the next best thing to my windowless office actually getting a window.  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 07/08/2020 08:01 pm
Has anyone besides me come to view the Starlink launches as kind of like Monday Night Football? Kind of routine, your team may not be playing, but you're hoping just to see a good game and kill the monotony of life until the big game on Sunday? I know that's kind of a labored analogy but it's all I got at the moment. YAAY RAH!! Go Starlink.  8)

I'm just fondly reminiscing about all the fierce debates on the preposterous notion that Space X could ever achieve a sky-high launch cadence of... one launch per month.  Ah, the good old days. :)

I read through some old L2 threads recently and there was pages of discussion whether the first F9 sent to the pad was a pathfinder and how long it would take them to put together a flightworthy model. We have now reached the point where, if they wheel a dustbin onto a field in Texas, experts are not surprised if they try to reach orbit with it.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 07/08/2020 08:04 pm
Highlighted the location of the 3 visible large piles plus the myriad of smaller piles

I'll take things a space proctologist says for $200.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 07/09/2020 01:44 am
I never really bother anthropomorphizing satellites, but I mean, sometimes you just can't help smiling about a satellite's enthusiasm.  I mean can you look at this one and not see it with hands in the air?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 07/09/2020 03:45 am
I never really bother anthropomorphizing satellites, but I mean, sometimes you just can't help smiling about a satellite's enthusiasm.  I mean can you look at this one and not see it with hands in the air?


We are the champions... my friend
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 07/09/2020 04:37 am

I'm just fondly reminiscing about all the fierce debates on the preposterous notion that Space X could ever achieve a sky-high launch cadence of... one launch per month.  Ah, the good old days. :)

We must be misremembering, eh?  People on the Internet are never that wrong.  It was probably just an autocorrect-related issue.  What they actually meant to say was that they didn't expect SpaceX would be able to launch more than once a Monday (understandable, being that Mondays are Mondays), but without the capital 'M', it changed "mon" to "month" instead.

Of course, if Monday Night Football can sometimes do double-headers to start the season, plus additional non-Monday MNF for holidays and the occasional playoff game...  Do you think at some point we'll go from SpaceX webcasts to the SpaceX Channel?  I'm thinking 24/7 views from future Starlinks, Starships, Dragons, and maybe a space station module or two, with live launches cutting in as necessary (with the occasional split screen when you've got multiple in progress).  It'll be the next best thing to my windowless office actually getting a window.  ;D

Hrmmm. Autocorrect. That might explain much. For example, Boca Chica is clearly a *lunch* site (as proven by the food trucks, Corey's Taco Dome, etc) but was probably autocorrected to launch site at some point, and they myth took hold. So, what was really being said was that SpaceX wouldn't be able to lunch more than once a Monday - which makes sense. 

I read through some old L2 threads recently and there was pages of discussion whether the first F9 sent to the pad was a pathfinder and how long it would take them to put together a flightworthy model. We have now reached the point where, if they wheel a dustbin onto a field in Texas, experts are not surprised if they try to reach orbit with it.

The path that pathfinder found took it to LEO. :)

I recall the even more recent forum debates regarding the sudden appearance of stainless steel and welding at Boca Chica: Water tower, or rocket. It got quite heated, and nearly went ballistic. The sad thing is that even after all this time, the "rocket" side still won't admit they were wrong. 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cdebuhr on 07/09/2020 01:23 pm
I recall the even more recent forum debates regarding the sudden appearance of stainless steel and welding at Boca Chica: Water tower, or rocket. It got quite heated, and nearly went ballistic. The sad thing is that even after all this time, the "rocket" side still won't admit they were wrong.
Clearly SpaceX is a water tower company, although I suspect they might try to branch out into grain silos as well.  They seem to aspire to centrally manufacture storage tanks too large to be delivered by normal means on the highway.  They real innovation here is the hope that a water tank can be delivered by filling it with rocket fuel, strapping an engine to the bottom, and then flying it to the customer site. 

This is the real reason for metholox ... it'll evaporate cleanly, thus eliminating the need to decontaminate prior to putting the water tank into service.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 07/09/2020 08:08 pm
Do you think at some point we'll go from SpaceX webcasts to the SpaceX Channel?  I'm thinking 24/7 views from future Starlinks, Starships, Dragons, and maybe a space station module or two, with live launches cutting in as necessary (with the occasional split screen when you've got multiple in progress).  It'll be the next best thing to my windowless office actually getting a window.  ;D
Given how little content was actually needed to run an entire cable channel back in the day, I think we could probably have three or four by now.  24/7 live boca chica views, boca chica special updates and replays, "expert" discussion of the aforementioned channels, and then probably something to do with the Falcon family (whatever that does :P ).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 07/09/2020 08:35 pm
Do you think at some point we'll go from SpaceX webcasts to the SpaceX Channel?  I'm thinking 24/7 views from future Starlinks, Starships, Dragons, and maybe a space station module or two, with live launches cutting in as necessary (with the occasional split screen when you've got multiple in progress).  It'll be the next best thing to my windowless office actually getting a window.  ;D
Given how little content was actually needed to run an entire cable channel back in the day, I think we could probably have three or four by now.  24/7 live boca chica views, boca chica special updates and replays, "expert" discussion of the aforementioned channels, and then probably something to do with the Falcon family (whatever that does :P ).
Actually, I was thinking of cutting back to occasionally complaining about the noisy neighbors.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nevyn72 on 07/10/2020 01:08 am
Do you think at some point we'll go from SpaceX webcasts to the SpaceX Channel?  I'm thinking 24/7 views from future Starlinks, Starships, Dragons, and maybe a space station module or two, with live launches cutting in as necessary (with the occasional split screen when you've got multiple in progress).  It'll be the next best thing to my windowless office actually getting a window.  ;D
Given how little content was actually needed to run an entire cable channel back in the day, I think we could probably have three or four by now.  24/7 live boca chica views, boca chica special updates and replays, "expert" discussion of the aforementioned channels, and then probably something to do with the Falcon family (whatever that does :P ).
Actually, I was thinking of cutting back to occasionally complaining about the noisy neighbors.

Apparently they have some issues with local peeping-toms......  ::)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: aero on 07/10/2020 01:48 am
Nomad - Mass simulator on SN5. Looks like they're getting ready to crush another Raptor. You'd better warn your bird 'cause if they get him your deal to use his name is probably off.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 07/10/2020 04:14 am
Nomad - Mass simulator on SN5. Looks like they're getting ready to crush another Raptor. You'd better warn your bird 'cause if they get him your deal to use his name is probably off.
I keep yelling at the computer "It's not a freakin mass simulator geniuses. It's actual mass!"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 07/10/2020 09:06 am
Nomad - Mass simulator on SN5. Looks like they're getting ready to crush another Raptor. You'd better warn your bird 'cause if they get him your deal to use his name is probably off.
I keep yelling at the computer "It's not a freakin mass simulator geniuses. It's actual mass!"
Glad that it's not just me then. To have an actual mass simulator wouldn't you have to use some form of reaction drive and end up with a rocket that has the flamey end down, and up.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 07/10/2020 10:53 am
I keep yelling at the computer "It's not a freakin mass simulator geniuses. It's actual mass!"
Glad that it's not just me then. To have an actual mass simulator wouldn't you have to use some form of reaction drive and end up with a rocket that has the flamey end down, and up.
Opposing rockets are likely the most portable way of implementing a mass simulator, as they'd likely be the most flexible in implementation and use. Magnets make excellent mass simulators, but they don't even have the range for a small hop.

A more useful implementation of mass simulators that comes to mind for a typical 150m hop would be tension lines. In order to fully simulate gravity, a pulling device will need to be able to follow along under the flight path. This "anchor sled" will likely require considerable real mass to do its job simulating rocket mass, but some of that would be provided by the Tesla motors and batteries running the drive-around and cable-pull systems.

Cable design choices will be important, of course, as the upper ends will be subjected to considerable heating from the rocket exhaust, including direct impingement. Running the cables through pulleys on the rockets would mean the section of cable being subjected to the worst exhaust effects would vary during the flight, but at the expense of having to use, pay out, and retract twice as much cable. I'll leave that to the engineers.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 07/10/2020 01:32 pm
I keep yelling at the computer "It's not a freakin mass simulator geniuses. It's actual mass!"
Glad that it's not just me then. To have an actual mass simulator wouldn't you have to use some form of reaction drive and end up with a rocket that has the flamey end down, and up.
Opposing rockets are likely the most portable way of implementing a mass simulator, as they'd likely be the most flexible in implementation and use. Magnets make excellent mass simulators, but they don't even have the range for a small hop.

A more useful implementation of mass simulators that comes to mind for a typical 150m hop would be tension lines. In order to fully simulate gravity, a pulling device will need to be able to follow along under the flight path. This "anchor sled" will likely require considerable real mass to do its job simulating rocket mass, but some of that would be provided by the Tesla motors and batteries running the drive-around and cable-pull systems.

Cable design choices will be important, of course, as the upper ends will be subjected to considerable heating from the rocket exhaust, including direct impingement. Running the cables through pulleys on the rockets would mean the section of cable being subjected to the worst exhaust effects would vary during the flight, but at the expense of having to use, pay out, and retract twice as much cable. I'll leave that to the engineers.
You're forgetting who we're dealing with. They'd just buy out every bungee cord withing 300 miles.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 07/10/2020 01:56 pm
Nomad - Mass simulator on SN5. Looks like they're getting ready to crush another Raptor. You'd better warn your bird 'cause if they get him your deal to use his name is probably off.
I keep yelling at the computer "It's not a freakin mass simulator geniuses. It's actual mass!"
Funny - I always think of Rhode Island as a Mass. simulator...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 07/10/2020 03:05 pm
I keep yelling at the computer "It's not a freakin mass simulator geniuses. It's actual mass!"
Glad that it's not just me then. To have an actual mass simulator wouldn't you have to use some form of reaction drive and end up with a rocket that has the flamey end down, and up.
Opposing rockets are likely the most portable way of implementing a mass simulator, as they'd likely be the most flexible in implementation and use. Magnets make excellent mass simulators, but they don't even have the range for a small hop.

A more useful implementation of mass simulators that comes to mind for a typical 150m hop would be tension lines. In order to fully simulate gravity, a pulling device will need to be able to follow along under the flight path. This "anchor sled" will likely require considerable real mass to do its job simulating rocket mass, but some of that would be provided by the Tesla motors and batteries running the drive-around and cable-pull systems.

Cable design choices will be important, of course, as the upper ends will be subjected to considerable heating from the rocket exhaust, including direct impingement. Running the cables through pulleys on the rockets would mean the section of cable being subjected to the worst exhaust effects would vary during the flight, but at the expense of having to use, pay out, and retract twice as much cable. I'll leave that to the engineers.

An opposing rocket is only a gravitational mass simular, not an inertial one. You get really weird effects when the two don't line up, although no one is quite sure why mass should be the deciding value for both gravity and inertia.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 07/10/2020 03:20 pm
Nomad - Mass simulator on SN5. Looks like they're getting ready to crush another Raptor. You'd better warn your bird 'cause if they get him your deal to use his name is probably off.
I keep yelling at the computer "It's not a freakin mass simulator geniuses. It's actual mass!"
Funny - I always think of Rhode Island as a Mass. simulator...
Sub scale.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: aero on 07/10/2020 04:09 pm
Nomad - Mass simulator on SN5. Looks like they're getting ready to crush another Raptor. You'd better warn your bird 'cause if they get him your deal to use his name is probably off.
I keep yelling at the computer "It's not a freakin mass simulator geniuses. It's actual mass!"
Funny - I always think of Rhode Island as a Mass. simulator...
Sub scale.

Ok - I stand corrected. It is not a mass simulator! It is a cargo simulator but whatever its name, it has proven to crush Raptors, so warn your bird and often because it might forget. It is a bird brain after all.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 07/11/2020 10:20 pm
https://twitter.com/cbs_spacenews/status/1282073139132993536

We await SpaceX Lunch plans!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 07/14/2020 01:28 pm
The lunch joke is typically so overdone, it's still surprisingly tasty when it's made accidentaly.
Allthough those cases are rare ;)


Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: guyw on 07/14/2020 02:42 pm
The lunch joke is typically so overdone, it's still surprisingly tasty when it's made accidentaly.
Allthough those cases are rare ;)

Well done!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 07/14/2020 04:25 pm
 SpaceX has just earned the title of wisest, most benevolent company in the solar system and has forever gained my trust and loyalty.

 They gave me a free Boston cream doughnut this morning.

 The camera wasn't fast enough to get a photo.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: aero on 07/14/2020 07:51 pm
Do you mean that the donut was consumed before the shutter could open? You need a faster camera or a bigger donut!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: LouScheffer on 07/14/2020 10:37 pm
They gave me a free Boston cream doughnut this morning.

 The camera wasn't fast enough to get a photo.
Most cameras can go as fast as 1/1000 second exposure.  Assuming the distance from your hand to your mouth, as you grabbed the donut, was more than 30 cm, then the donut was supersonic.  It also implies you ate the whole donut in one bite, otherwise you could get a shot of at least a partial donut remaining.   Based solely on my personal reaction to Boston creme donuts, both of these deductions are plausible.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 07/15/2020 02:29 pm

An opposing rocket is only a gravitational mass simular, not an inertial one. You get really weird effects when the two don't line up, although no one is quite sure why mass should be the deciding value for both gravity and inertia.
You might want to revisit the Galilean part of the physics course you slept through in school.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: LouScheffer on 07/15/2020 07:54 pm

An opposing rocket is only a gravitational mass simular, not an inertial one. You get really weird effects when the two don't line up, although no one is quite sure why mass should be the deciding value for both gravity and inertia.
You might want to revisit the Galilean part of the physics course you slept through in school.
At the risk of a serious discussion in a party thread, this is explicitly true in Galilean physics, and General Relativity, but not necessarily when QM is thrown into the mix.  This is why scientists are still carefully measuring the distance to the moon using the Apollo retro-reflectors. (http://Apache Point Observatory Lunar Laser-ranging Operation)

Quote
The Strong Equivalence Principle, according to Albert Einstein's General Relativity, predicts that the mass of any object consists of two parts—the mass of the atoms themselves, plus the mass of the energy that holds the object together. The question is whether the energy portion of mass contributes to measured gravity of the object, or to the inertia. In General Relativity, the self energy affects both the gravity field and inertia, and does so equally.  Other modern theories, such as string theory, quintessence, and various forms of quantum gravity, almost all predict a violation of the Strong Equivalence Principle at some level.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 07/15/2020 08:39 pm
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1283499227545513985
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 07/15/2020 10:25 pm
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1283499227545513985

I'm feeling generous (and hungry) today, so e-mail me a hot, fresh, real corned-beef sandwich, and I'll double it.

Seriously though, it looks like a lot of big names were hacked like this - all at once. So, IMHO twitter either has a major security flaw, or it's an inside job.     

I do, however, still want a corned beef sandwich....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 07/16/2020 02:28 pm
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1283499227545513985

... twitter either has a major security flaw, or it's an inside job.

Those two options aren't exclusive. In fact, one appears to abet the other. Especially so in this case. Fortunately these clowns appear to have been only mercenary and not bent on collapsing the stock market or blowing up the world.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mark_m on 07/16/2020 08:13 pm
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1283499227545513985
I wonder how much the misspelling of "grateful" reduced the effectiveness of the deception....  ::)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 07/16/2020 11:57 pm
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1283499227545513985

... twitter either has a major security flaw, or it's an inside job.

Those two options aren't exclusive. In fact, one appears to abet the other. Especially so in this case. Fortunately these clowns appear to have been only mercenary and not bent on collapsing the stock market or blowing up the world.

True, and it looks like you were right; the "hack" appears to be both a major security flaw, and an inside job.

I'm not to worried regarding what the hackers were after - blowing up the world isn't something to worry about IMHO - because it's unlikely to become habit-forming.

Thank you for that GIF - that's utterly hilarious!

I wonder how much the misspelling of "grateful" reduced the effectiveness of the deception....  ::)

If you think I'm going to admit, on the Internet, to being one of the people who didn't spot that, you're sorely mistaken, Sir! :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 07/17/2020 04:57 am
...I do, however, still want a corned beef sandwich....

So did John Young.  ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 07/17/2020 05:46 am
Brian Krebs has a nice write up for the twitter hack.
https://krebsonsecurity.com/2020/07/whos-behind-wednesdays-epic-twitter-hack/

But since he is to serious for this thread i will add that there is a picture of a swimming pool in that blog post that makes me want to go swimming today. Its an ungodly hot 298,15 kelvin here in Sweden today.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kdhilliard on 07/17/2020 01:04 pm
... Its an ungodly hot 298,15 kelvin here in Sweden today.
I hereby accuse you of the offense of false precision.
You shall be taken to the nearest port to be tried by a jury of your piers, and if found guilty, will be sentenced to false prison walk the plank!
(Given the 25.15 °C afternoon, you might enjoy a swim about the harbour.)

Edit: My Object All Sublime
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 07/17/2020 02:46 pm
The lunch joke is typically so overdone, it's still surprisingly tasty when it's made accidentaly.
Allthough those cases are rare ;)

Well done!


What you did there... I saw it

I wonder how much the misspelling of "grateful" reduced the effectiveness of the deception....  ::)

If you think I'm going to admit, on the Internet, to being one of the people who didn't spot that, you're sorely mistaken, Sir! :)

So yes, then?

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: SteveU on 07/17/2020 04:09 pm
It never fails. You move into a nice neighborhood and the neighbors start dumping old vehicle parts on the lawn.
Maybe you could complain to your landloard. ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: smisamore on 07/17/2020 08:35 pm
It never fails. You move into a nice neighborhood and the neighbors start dumping old vehicle parts on the lawn.
Maybe you could complain to your landloard. ;)
Or maybe bring it up with the HOA neighborhood beautification committee ?? :-\
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 07/17/2020 09:03 pm
It never fails. You move into a nice neighborhood and the neighbors start dumping old vehicle parts on the lawn.
Maybe you could complain to your landloard. ;)
Or maybe bring it up with the HOA neighborhood beautification committee ?? :-\

They'll just suggest cladding his house in steel again.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 07/17/2020 10:40 pm
    yp    ,launch,       ,land_&,       relanch
  prta  ,lau'  `lau,   ,lan'  `ndl,   ,rel'  `chr,
par'yr ,nc        nc, ,dl        an, ,au        el,
    pt hl     u    hl an    &     dl nc    d     au
    ay au     p    au dl          an hr    n     nc
    rp `nc        nc' `an        dl' `el        hr'
    ta  `hla,  ,lau'   `dla,  ,and'   `aun,  ,ela'
    yr    "launch"       "land_&"       relunch

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 07/18/2020 12:02 am
It never fails. You move into a nice neighborhood and the neighbors start dumping old vehicle parts on the lawn.
Maybe you could complain to your landloard. ;)
Or maybe bring it up with the HOA neighborhood beautification committee ?? :-\

They'll just suggest cladding his house in steel again.

What velocity would this steel be going when it makes contact with the house?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 07/18/2020 12:21 am
I wonder how much the misspelling of "grateful" reduced the effectiveness of the deception....  ::)

If you think I'm going to admit, on the Internet, to being one of the people who didn't spot that, you're sorely mistaken, Sir! :)

So yes, then?

Ummm... well... I didn't spot it, but I'll never admit it! Never!!!!

What velocity would this steel be going when it makes contact with the house?

Depends on the initial velocity, plus the apogee and density/drag. The mass simulator from SN5, for example, would probably be supersonic upon touchdown if it goes high enough, and at the correct angle, to attain a ballistic trajectory to the house. However, it would be quite harmless, due to being only simulated mass.


Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 07/19/2020 05:14 am
More nose pictures.
The internet's home to some strange people - post nose pictures, get thousands of likes.

I hear that aft skirt pictures will cost you a pretty penny, though.  (Shoutout to L2!)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 07/19/2020 11:25 am
Do four nose make a yes?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 07/20/2020 07:26 am
Don't know if you follow her on Instagram but earlier today Jessie Anderson was posting pictures and videos on her stories of she unboxing a Starlink terminal and installing it and showing everything and all. It has been taken down so I will not post any of those videos and photos given that it was likely she didn't have permission to show that. But it is true that it is a very simple system to install and connect to. She showed the instructions and things like that. The box is larger than I thought. "Pizza box sized" but... it was more like a large-sized pizza box.

I guess it bears repeating that this is a real beta test covered by a strict NDA. This is not early access, nor a free trail, nor a product demo. The service will be very rocky as Starlink constantly adjusts and optimizes their network. You will be expected to return all equipment at the end of the beta.

Breaking your NDA will likely see you having to return the equipment a lot sooner.

Being in a real product beta is kind of a job. If you are not ready to put the work into helping refine the product then you would be best suited waiting for the actual rollout and trying it then.

I hope anyone reading this is reminded to treat your NDA very seriously.

Very good points.

Please do not violate any NDAs no matter how excited you might be

But... <australian accent> don't turn it on, take it apart!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: John Alan on 07/20/2020 10:18 pm
Don't know if you follow her on Instagram but earlier today Jessie Anderson was posting pictures and videos on her stories of she unboxing a Starlink terminal and installing it and showing everything and all. It has been taken down so I will not post any of those videos and photos given that it was likely she didn't have permission to show that. But it is true that it is a very simple system to install and connect to. She showed the instructions and things like that. The box is larger than I thought. "Pizza box sized" but... it was more like a large-sized pizza box.

I guess it bears repeating that this is a real beta test covered by a strict NDA. This is not early access, nor a free trail, nor a product demo. The service will be very rocky as Starlink constantly adjusts and optimizes their network. You will be expected to return all equipment at the end of the beta.

Breaking your NDA will likely see you having to return the equipment a lot sooner.

Being in a real product beta is kind of a job. If you are not ready to put the work into helping refine the product then you would be best suited waiting for the actual rollout and trying it then.

I hope anyone reading this is reminded to treat your NDA very seriously.

Very good points.

Please do not violate any NDAs no matter how excited you might be

But... <australian accent> don't turn it on, take it apart!

for those wondering... words made famous by this guy...  ;)
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2DjFE7Xf11URZqWBigcVOQ (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2DjFE7Xf11URZqWBigcVOQ)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kdhilliard on 07/21/2020 09:20 am
As of immediately after the successful Falcon 9 launch of ANASIS-II from SLC-40:
Which launch will be next?  And when?
Maybe we can sacrifice a chicken and have a look at its entrails ?
I've been casting entrails daily in an attempt to divine the SAOCOM 1B launch date, but all they've told me is that I'm having chicken for dinner again.

With apologies to Trudy Cooper & Doug Bayne's Daily Haruscope.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Jarnis on 07/21/2020 11:12 am
However, it would be quite harmless, due to being only simulated mass.

I fear you may be incorrect. It being a very accurate simulation of mass, it would make an accurate simulation of hole in the ground and the house.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 07/21/2020 02:12 pm
However, it would be quite harmless, due to being only simulated mass.

I fear you may be incorrect. It being a very accurate simulation of mass, it would make an accurate simulation of hole in the ground and the house.

All you see is Maya. Everything is a simulation.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 07/22/2020 10:09 pm
The final resting place of the original Starship fins. They're a new front porch for the future restaurant.

That's just the wing attachment for the air launch option. Expect a Twitter update any day now.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 07/23/2020 01:13 am
However, it would be quite harmless, due to being only simulated mass.

I fear you may be incorrect. It being a very accurate simulation of mass, it would make an accurate simulation of hole in the ground and the house.

Hrmmm. Ever used a flight simulator on your PC, and crashed what you were flying in it? I have, and no harm done - no fiery hole in the ground, nothing - it's just a simulation. So, even if the mass simulator did make a simulated hole in the roof, it'd be no worry. Probably just a 2d image of a hole. This is why they are using a mass simulator; if that thing was real mass, it could do actual damage.

The final resting place of the original Starship fins. They're a new front porch for the future restaurant.

That's just the wing attachment for the air launch option. Expect a Twitter update any day now.


Has anyone stopped to consider that we might be seeing the actual real purpose of all the fins?

And, so, they are building another restaurant (They already have at least two foot trucks). I keep telling people that the whole "launch" site claim was just a typo, because the evidence keeps stacking up (like what some thought were fins turning out to be restaurant patio awnings) that it's a lunch site.

 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 07/23/2020 12:08 pm

Hrmmm. Ever used a flight simulator on your PC, and crashed what you were flying in it? I have, and no harm done - no fiery hole in the ground, nothing - it's just a simulation. So, even if the mass simulator did make a simulated hole in the roof, it'd be no worry. Probably just a 2d image of a hole. This is why they are using a mass simulator; if that thing was real mass, it could do actual damage.


I wouldn't be so sure. SpaceX has real good experience with simulating high fidelity multi scale complex solid as well as thermo and fluid-dynamic scenarios - for example for Dragon re-entry, Combustion-chamber modelling, etc...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txk-VO1hzBY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYA0f6R5KAI

...

If they applied that to the effect of this simulated mass to your house, I would expect more than just a 2d "hole" decal on the roof, quite the contrary, the simulation would include all the gory little multi-scale details, the tiny shockwaves that run through the load bearing beams, the splinters and bolts that break lose and fly through the interior volume, in turn interacting with internal objects such as furniture and household-objects as they impact, creating more flying splinters. Fluid-dynamics such as ruptured water and gas pipes, ignition sources from broken electrical systems, gas, aerosol and dust cloud production from constrained airflow caused by and during structural collapse, - the flame front that runs through it as gas and dust and air mix and ignite...

If anyone is capable of simulating the transition from flying simulated mass and house to smoldering ruins realistically, then SpaceX :)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 07/23/2020 12:51 pm

If anyone is capable of simulating the transition from flying simulated mass and house to smoldering ruins realistically, then SpaceX :)

Of course that only applies if SpaceX has a high quality CAD model of your house, its materials, and everything in it.

I assume that's why they had their simulated-mass-impact on their own raptor engine -- they already had the CAD model on file in their sim ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 07/23/2020 10:06 pm
twitter.com/julia_bergeron/status/1285924792273711106
Quote
Going, going, almost gone.
Progress continues on MK2 today in Cocoa, FL. A flatbed truck entered the facility presumably to haul away more scrap. As of this morning both nosecone sections remain on site.
#Starship
Edit to add:
https://twitter.com/julia_bergeron/status/1285955905226452998
Quote
Bit by bit sections are removed that are two rings in height.
#MK2 #Starship

 What a bunch of amateurs. We've never taken longer than 1.5 seconds to disassemble a Starship prototype in Texas.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tgr9898 on 07/24/2020 04:24 am
Yes some of the nose cones might make a nice novelty roof for a restaurant or other building
a little black paint, a lotta yellow paint...boom...Banana Stand.

"What have I always said, Michael?  THERE'S ALWAYS MONEY IN THE BANANA STAND"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 07/25/2020 08:34 pm
"What have I always said, Michael?  THERE'S ALWAYS MONEY IN THE BANANA STAND"

And just for public disclosure, that is a quote from the most excellent TV-series Arrested development. 

Not the banana stand joke, but a very literal doctor.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BUBd9dQvtY
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tgr9898 on 07/27/2020 10:48 pm
An excellent mix....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04SLXwjJvqg
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 07/29/2020 03:45 pm
Here is a dimensional comparison between a tent by Core advertised to sleep 9 and HALO.

There are also pictures out there of people in Cygnus packed with Cargo (HALO would be a bigger version of that). It looks better from the inside.

It is possible that the figure in the diagram is the tallest possible astronaut.

https://mk0spaceflightnoa02a.kinstacdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/PREVIEW7.jpg

edit: maybe the comparison with a Coleman Light 2835BH would be a better comparison than a tent.
https://www.dutchmen.com/product/coleman-light

Wait, where's the Mog?  You know the half-man, half-dog who's his own best friend?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 07/29/2020 06:15 pm
The appearance of Zeus at Boca Chica has fostered even newer developments in robotics.  Beetl Robotics is presently working on the Beetl Mk2 heavy metal pooper scooper.  Well, at least they should be......
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 07/30/2020 01:33 pm
The appearance of Zeus at Boca Chica has fostered even newer developments in robotics.  Beetl Robotics is presently working on the Beetl Mk2 heavy metal pooper scooper.  Well, at least they should be......

Brilliant! I have got to have one of these for my biological canines - An 80 pound Pit Bull and a Saint Bernard/Rottweiler mix. At certain times its like cleaning up after the circus.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 07/30/2020 02:33 pm
Love the new tagline:

NSF Live - Mostly accurate!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 07/30/2020 05:49 pm

                                      Mars 2020 - Deep Space Tour

████████╗██████╗  █████╗ ███╗   ██╗███████╗     ██╗███████╗ ██████╗████████╗ ██████╗ ██████╗ ██╗   ██╗
╚══██╔══╝██╔══██╗██╔══██╗████╗  ██║██╔════╝     ██║██╔════╝██╔════╝╚══██╔══╝██╔═══██╗██╔══██╗╚██╗ ██╔╝
   ██║   ██████╔╝███████║██╔██╗ ██║███████╗     ██║█████╗  ██║        ██║   ██║   ██║██████╔╝ ╚████╔╝
   ██║   ██╔══██╗██╔══██║██║╚██╗██║╚════██║██   ██║██╔══╝  ██║        ██║   ██║   ██║██╔══██╗  ╚██╔╝ 
   ██║   ██║  ██║██║  ██║██║ ╚████║███████║╚█████╔╝███████╗╚██████╗   ██║   ╚██████╔╝██║  ██║   ██║   
   ╚═╝   ╚═╝  ╚═╝╚═╝  ╚═╝╚═╝  ╚═══╝╚══════╝ ╚════╝ ╚══════╝ ╚═════╝   ╚═╝    ╚═════╝ ╚═╝  ╚═╝   ╚═╝   
                                                                                                     
   09 2019 -- Pasadena, California - JPL concert hall                          New album: Mars 2020
   07 2020 -- Cape Canaveral - ULA VIB hall                                  "All is GO!", "Ignition!"
   09 2020 -- Deep Space - on tour                                                 "Stage me!"
   02 2021 -- Jezero Crater, Mars - with Drone show!                            " Transjectory Burn!"
 

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 07/31/2020 12:22 am
You see, their young enter through the ears and wrap themselves around the cerebral cortex. This has the effect of rendering the victim extremely susceptible to suggestion. Later as they grow follows madness and death.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqGqDnb9S_Q


KHAAAAANNNNNNN!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 07/31/2020 03:17 am
I was telling my friend that Perseverance has a good nickname, Percy.  Much better than, say, Oppy or Curi.  He asked me if Ingenuity had a nickname.  I said "Yep.  Drone."

;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kdhilliard on 07/31/2020 02:08 pm
I was telling my friend that Perseverance has a good nickname, Percy.  Much better than, say, Oppy or Curi. ...
"Curi"?  How impertinent!  That's "Madame (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madame_Curie) 60,000 Curie" to you.[1]


1: Note to Nerds: Activity of MMRTG is taken from Percy's EIS (https://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/files/mep/Mars2020_Final_EIS.pdf)[2], appendix B:
Quote
Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (MMRTG) containing approximately 4.8 kilograms (10.6 pounds) of plutonium dioxide (PuO2) (consisting mostly of Pu-238), with a total activity of about 60,000 curies.
A back-of-the-envelope calculation for 4.8 kg PuO2, 238/270 of that being Pu-238 with specific activity 634 GBq/g, 37 GBq/Ci, gives a total of 72,500 Ci.  Does that 60,000/72,500 ratio imply the Pu-238 has been sitting around for 0.273 t1/2 = 24 years, or is it more a reflection on "approximately" and "mostly"?

2: Note to Archivists: MSL's EIS is supposed to be here (https://spacescience.nasa.gov/admin/pubs/msl/index.htm), but that's a dead link (though it can be viewed (https://web.archive.org/web/20061014103539/http://spacescience.nasa.gov/admin/pubs/msl/index.htm) via the Wayback Machine).  Is it still available directly from NASA or has it been lost in a reshuffling?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: IANARS on 07/31/2020 05:23 pm

And BTW, there’s been some good work on unwinding the Tesla motor coupled to the hydraulic pump (and Jabsco water pump for the cooling circuit) and associated hardware over on the L2 side. Just sayin... :-)

John

Always told myself that I would jump into L2 when I had the time to start getting active. Consider the Server Gerbils fed for a while longer.

I have a bad feeling I'm going to need some fresh reading material for the next few weeks anyway. Time to start mentally preparing...

https://twitter.com/octagrabber/status/1288963091053588483?s=20 (https://twitter.com/octagrabber/status/1288963091053588483?s=20)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Observation on 08/01/2020 06:54 am
There is a bird flying from left to right immediately before the static fire. Its just harder to see when it passes in front of the tank farm.
Bad memories... :'(
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kdhilliard on 08/01/2020 11:14 am
Timeline and higher res landing graphic from SpaceX website

Ha, they fixed it!

Check out the deorbit burn in the original graphic pulled up by Benji Reed at 16:35 (https://youtube.com/watch?v=v-tfnUh4kms&t=995s) during Thursday's "News Update on NASA Astronauts Return Home in the SpaceX Crew Dragon".
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 08/01/2020 03:59 pm
PCB baby! ;D 8) :o ::) :P
Panama City Beach
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39hiAVE7UoE

Which is wilder for spring break--Panama City or South Padre?

EDIT: D**n, splashdown is off of Pensacola instead.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AnalogMan on 08/01/2020 07:15 pm
I was telling my friend that Perseverance has a good nickname, Percy.  Much better than, say, Oppy or Curi. ...
"Curi"?  How impertinent!  That's "Madame (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madame_Curie) 60,000 Curie" to you.[1]


1: Note to Nerds: Activity of MMRTG is taken from Percy's EIS (https://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/files/mep/Mars2020_Final_EIS.pdf)[2], appendix B:
     […]
2: Note to Archivists: MSL's EIS is supposed to be here (https://spacescience.nasa.gov/admin/pubs/msl/index.htm), but that's a dead link (though it can be viewed (https://web.archive.org/web/20061014103539/http://spacescience.nasa.gov/admin/pubs/msl/index.htm) via the Wayback Machine).  Is it still available directly from NASA or has it been lost in a reshuffling?

This is going to be off-topic for this thread, but were you wanting a copy of the MSL EIS?  If so, I can post copies of the Draft and Final versions.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kdhilliard on 08/01/2020 07:54 pm
This is going to be off-topic for this thread, but were you wanting a copy of the MSL EIS?  If so, I can post copies of the Draft and Final versions.
Thanks, man.  You're the best!  But I was able to get a copy from the Wayback Machine.  (Go them!)  I just though it strange I couldn't find it on a NASA site anymore.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 08/01/2020 08:07 pm
With all the talk of boring company interchanges I though these might help

https://xkcd.com/253/
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intelati on 08/01/2020 08:34 pm
With all the talk of boring company interchanges I though these might help

https://xkcd.com/253/

I had this hanging in my cubical. My transportation engineer bosses thought it was funny
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 08/01/2020 08:53 pm
Love a bit of xkcd. Though they are not funny anymore once you’ve tried to explain to others For the fifth time. This one is a favourite https://xkcd.com/234/


Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 08/01/2020 11:59 pm
Which is wilder for spring break--Panama City or South Padre?

Depends on how good SN5's GNC is  :P
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 08/02/2020 01:35 am
Let the iPAD jokes commence:

CORE: Please confirm the tablet is in flight mode and Wifi is off ......
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 08/02/2020 02:47 am
I think we are looking at Starhopper here... Anyone have an idea as to what these lines are for? Are we finally getting a water tower?

Credit to BCG
Wait, they're ACTUALLY making Starhopper a water tower?? That's awesome. And of course they'd do that haha!

This should come as no surprise. Elon tweeted about it many months back, right after Starhopper relocated itself: "Water towers can fly!"

I do note that this development puts a clear and unarguable end (as if further proof was needed) to the debate regarding whether it's a water tower or a rocket. Now, all we need is for some of the Starship SNs to be likewise fitted for their true purpose, and the whole debate is over.   
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 08/02/2020 03:38 am
CORE: Please confirm the tablet is in flight mode and Wifi is off ......

Flying iPads, amazing. Can't wait until the Apple Stores are open again.  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tomness on 08/02/2020 12:25 pm
CORE: Please confirm the tablet is in flight mode and Wifi is off ......

Flying iPads, amazing. Can't wait until the Apple Stores are open again.  8)

He had it Aircraft Mode not Spacecraft Mode Duh!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 08/02/2020 05:04 pm
Gotta love those ambitious milestones in the SLS program.

From the NASA webcast: "What a week for NASA. We launched the Mars 2020 rover, delivered a stage adapter for Artemis and landed the first commercial crew capsule."
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 08/02/2020 05:34 pm
https://twitter.com/nextspaceflight/status/1289970319218765824
Quote
Man asks for $25.2 billion on SpaceX webcast.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 08/02/2020 05:53 pm
Ladies and gentlemen, I rest my case, er, trunk.  Good thing, too, it was getting pretty heavy...

***with apologies to Groucho Marx***
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 08/02/2020 05:56 pm
Man asks for $25.2 billion on SpaceX webcast.

Might that lead read a little better as "Florida Man Asks For $25.2 Billion"...?  ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 08/02/2020 06:20 pm
https://twitter.com/nextspaceflight/status/1289970319218765824
Quote
Man asks for $25.2 billion on SpaceX webcast.

I have succeeded in placing two of my minions in orbit. They are on a collision course with Florida unless you pay my organization 25 biiillion dollars.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jgoldader on 08/02/2020 06:53 pm
Congrats and thanks to all, SpaceX, NASA, and others, involved with this successful flight!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 08/02/2020 06:56 pm
Congratulations SpaceX!

(I know I know, nobody uses the congratulations thread for congratulations any more, But I'm kind of backward in my way so here it will be)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: webdan on 08/02/2020 07:00 pm
Plot twist: Recovery crews are wearing chimpanzee masks in order to spook Bob and Doug (a la Planet of the Apes).

Def letting myself out...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DwightM on 08/02/2020 07:03 pm
Great splash down, great coverage, great day!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: freddo411 on 08/02/2020 07:09 pm
looks like the redneck navy as arrived with the bud light
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kdhilliard on 08/02/2020 07:23 pm
Plot twist: Recovery crews are wearing chimpanzee masks in order to spook Bob and Doug (a la Planet of the Apes).

Def letting myself out...
That's one option (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planet_of_the_Apes_(1968_film)).  An other (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Journey to the Far Side of the Sun) would be to replace their name tags and insignia patches with mirrored versions.  :P
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: webdan on 08/02/2020 07:23 pm
The next drone ship will be named That Guy Intentionally Jumped
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: webdan on 08/02/2020 07:25 pm
Plot twist: Recovery crews are wearing chimpanzee masks in order to spook Bob and Doug (a la Planet of the Apes).

Def letting myself out...
That's one option (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planet_of_the_Apes_(1968_film)).  An other (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Journey to the Far Side of the Sun) would be to replace their name tags and insignia patches with mirrored versions.  :P

Yeah, those movies... a la "Doppelgänger", 1968

Edit: Drat, hadn't seen where your link went to... great minds LOL
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 08/02/2020 07:56 pm
Bob and Doug are killing time waiting to egress and are watching funny cat videos on their displays...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 08/02/2020 08:26 pm
New tradition: Sparkling wine instead of cigars in the MCC after crew disembarkation.



Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 08/02/2020 09:28 pm
https://twitter.com/SpaceXFleet/status/1290035304720527361
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Oersted on 08/03/2020 08:17 am
Congrats, America, on launching and landing astronauts and becoming a spacefaring nation again!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 08/03/2020 09:17 am
Bob and Doug are killing time waiting to egress and are watching funny cat videos on their displays...

This would have been funny, but I think using the Iridium phone for prank calls was more hilarious >;>>>
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 08/03/2020 06:43 pm
When space flight becomes routine.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 08/03/2020 07:19 pm
I have watched this industrial tank farm from web cam so long that I have obtained a schizophrenic delusion that one of the silos is going to fly. Maybe it's an alien-spacecraft or something.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 08/03/2020 07:53 pm
I hear we may get some excitement today for SN5! 8)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwYN7mTi6HM
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ChrisWilson68 on 08/03/2020 07:58 pm
I hear we may get some excitement today for SN5! 8)

I think we had more than enough excitement from previous SNs.  I, for one, would be happy for SN5 to have a nice, uneventful little hop.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 08/03/2020 11:51 pm
I have watched this industrial tank farm from web cam so long that I have obtained a schizophrenic delusion that one of the silos is going to fly. Maybe it's an alien-spacecraft or something.

They now have sirens going off there. I'm dubious about any of them flying though, as I see no sign of tornadoes.

Edit to add: and, it didn't fly. Apparently, for reasons unknown, they did not attempt to take off after the Raptor refused to start.  My guess; someone forgot to turn off the mass simulator.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 08/04/2020 02:36 pm
Boaters are now gone too far, officially!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wudizzle on 08/04/2020 02:54 pm
I really miss Radio Shack. Their RC car gear was a source of many test rigs. Or, you could spend $1200 for a battery pack from Farinon that was nothing but six old model Nicad C cells inside, and $2,000 for the charger, that was far inferior to the Radio Shack version. But they were heavy and expensive, so they had to be better.

Are we still talking about Radio Shack and Farinon, or did you start talking about SpaceX and Boeing?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intelati on 08/04/2020 03:32 pm
META

Since it is probably completely ridiculous to expect 100% of everyone participating in this forum to stick to the exact topic of the exact thread they are in 100% of the time, I'd like to point out that everyone (including mods and senior members) who makes a point to actually post a comment nagging everyone to stay on topic and post in the "correct" thread need to chill the F out and stop bothering with it. Just move/delete posts as necessary, and send a PM to any habitual offenders. Surely this can be automated to the point where all one has to do is load a list of selected posts into a script which does the actual moving/deleting.

Nobody likes that guy who always pipes up with the ever-unhelpful "use the search, n00b!" comments, which is basically what the "stay on topic in the correct thread, n00b!" comments are. That guy is a jerk - always has been, always will be.

Let's keep it civil and remember this is a currently active semi-public conversation, not an after-the-fact archival effort.

Feel free to delete this; it's just my two cents from the perspective of a daily lurker/peruser.

If I've said it one time, I've said it several times. The whole Meta comments pointed on meta comments are maybe more annoying than the original comments...

Just as long as the conversation doesn't derail the whole conversation, I actually enjoy some of the tangents...

It happens, and AFAIK YMMV....

 ??? :P
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Robotbeat on 08/04/2020 03:39 pm
The continuing adventures of Florida man! LOL
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intelati on 08/04/2020 04:29 pm
one if by land two if by space

Very nice.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Kansan52 on 08/04/2020 04:39 pm
Any word on the fluffy, sparkly dinosaur?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Paul Moir on 08/04/2020 04:50 pm
6th post and it's a meme.  Clearly this isn't the best track.  :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 08/04/2020 05:33 pm
I was searching news videos of Beirut accident. Does Google know something we don't?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deconstructo on 08/05/2020 08:51 am
Am I correct in reading somewhere that it got to 29c in the cabin during reëntry?

This strikes me as being rather warm.... If it was true, then was this expected?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: njb on 08/05/2020 11:54 am
Only 29 C?
Try sitting through a Melbourne day in high summer in Australia when it is close to 45 C.
29 degrees is a cool change
Only whimps can't bear temperatures over 25!
 ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: r8ix on 08/05/2020 06:03 pm
Am I correct in reading somewhere that it got to 29c in the cabin during reëntry?

This strikes me as being rather warm.... If it was true, then was this expected?

The webcast said expected interior temperature would reach 85°F/29.5°C during reentry.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 08/05/2020 06:08 pm
Am I correct in reading somewhere that it got to 29c in the cabin during reëntry?

This strikes me as being rather warm.... If it was true, then was this expected?
Where I live, 29C is currently the absolute middle-of-the-night low temperature, and we have our air conditioning set to about 27C.  If I can get a good night's sleep in it, I'm sure Bob and Doug can handle it for a few minutes :P

And now for a proper party question: why limit it to 29C?  Since Dragon is using stored gas for life support, air moisture should be rather low, meaning that the wet-bulb temperature should be survivable even as cabin temperature rises to 40 or 50C.  Of course, to maximize sweat evaporation, they'd have to doff suits, as well as anything else they happened to be wearing.  Good thing the radio blackout would mean no cabin camera footage!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 08/05/2020 06:13 pm
Am I correct in reading somewhere that it got to 29c in the cabin during reëntry?

This strikes me as being rather warm.... If it was true, then was this expected?

The webcast said expected interior temperature would reach 85°F/29.5°C during reentry.

Note that the suits themselves are also air conditioned. Having the cabin keep a nice temperature is an added bonus that eases suit cooling, but not required. For example, SR-71 cockpits famously could get very hot, up to 120°C inside the windows, with the rest being taken care off by the suit.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 08/05/2020 10:57 pm
Let the underpaid mods do the enforcement.
Geez, I'm a volunteer. What memo did I miss? :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 08/05/2020 11:18 pm
Bob Behnken, describing the reentry experience during today's "Welcome Home" presser (at 13:35 (http://youtube.com/watch?v=R_mO5uu853I&t=815)):
Quote
All the way down we were talking about it.  I think I took a line from an old movie that Doug and I were both familiar with at one point.  Because under the g-load of about 4.2 g I said to him, "Want to get some coffee?"
Reference (scene from 1985's Spies Like Us):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dlG5B6eQHg

I almost put this in the Party Thread, but since it's their joke, and descriptive of their flight, I figured it belongs here.
Nuff said
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mongo62 on 08/06/2020 01:05 am
This was posted on Reddit by AdastraApogee. I checked, this is a real 2007 album cover, not a Photoshop. It even has drones flying around the vehicle.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 08/06/2020 07:02 am
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 08/06/2020 07:50 am
I hear we may get some excitement today for SN5! 8)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwYN7mTi6HM

Fake ! They stayed in low orbit hence not high enough to cross the... Van Halen belts ! (runs for cover)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 08/06/2020 05:07 pm
 I knew there was something familiar about the Raptor vac but couldn't quite place it till I saw Gone with the wind again. They were just 160 years ahead of their time.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Welsh Dragon on 08/06/2020 05:09 pm
That lady must be the vacuum version. Looks like she'll be overexpanded at sea level.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Helodriver on 08/06/2020 05:26 pm
I knew there was something familiar about the Raptor vac but couldn't quite place it till I saw Gone with the wind again. They were just 160 years ahead of their time.

See SpaceX costume party from 2011.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kdhilliard on 08/06/2020 05:39 pm
That lady must be the vacuum version. Looks like she'll be overexpanded at sea level.
Back in the day, they used some pretty advance technology to limit overexpansion.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 08/06/2020 11:38 pm
That lady must be the vacuum version. Looks like she'll be overexpanded at sea level.

Hey!  That's expansion ratio shaming!  Tsk-tsk!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 08/07/2020 02:23 am
That lady must be the vacuum version. Looks like she'll be overexpanded at sea level.
Back in the day, they used some pretty advance technology to limit overexpansion.

It's called "increasing chamber pressure"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 08/07/2020 10:45 am
What exploded near launch mount at SN5's lift off? Maybe we get answer that old myth, does asphalt turn in to a explosive if you pour LOX on it, but no, foundation slate is made from reinforced concrete...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intelati on 08/07/2020 03:47 pm
Humm - not even sure how they’d test to distraction...
It's a test where nobody pays attention.

Who's on first?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 08/07/2020 03:52 pm
That lady must be the vacuum version. Looks like she'll be overexpanded at sea level.

ROTFL !

Maybe that's the reason why Olivia de Havilland lived up to 104... she was secretely consulting with SpaceX on Raptor nozzles !
Now that SN5 has flown, her job done, she had lifted to the stars, too... Godspeed to you, Olivia !

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2b/Olivia_de_Havilland_1936.jpg)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 08/07/2020 08:06 pm
There was a little chatter regarding SN2, so in one of my "too lazy to get out of the chair" photos, I can get a peek with the polecam when the wind is blowing right. It has two noses and a couple of soda straws coming out the top now. No idea what they're making out of it.
 It would make a good water tank for the restaurant.
Or a flame deluge?

Shame OTV Booster. Shame!

On the Photos and updates thread - such a newbie mistake.

Shame!

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ngilmore on 08/07/2020 08:14 pm
There was a little chatter regarding SN2, so in one of my "too lazy to get out of the chair" photos, I can get a peek with the polecam when the wind is blowing right. It has two noses and a couple of soda straws coming out the top now. No idea what they're making out of it.
 It would make a good water tank for the restaurant.
Or a flame deluge?

I feel compelled to suggest that we monitor if SN2 starts to look like this - A restaurant is often paired with a micro-brewery these days:

[source: https://www.glaciertanks.com/brewhouses.html]

Obviously, it's a bit more Giga-Brewery scaled, but that's Elon's style. Crush whole industries.

Honestly, I'm a little surprised that wasn't Nomadd's first guess.  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 08/08/2020 12:18 am
I'd say, in preparation for the lunar lander, it looks like SpaceX has now initiated "project Moonshine"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 08/08/2020 01:23 am
Elon musk tweeted;
"Yeah, full name of engine is Velociraptor or Raptor for short"

Perhaps we should be thankful that he didn't pick a different dinosaur name, one with more of a connection  to the fuel; Gasosaurus. I mean, this is the guy who gave Tesla a fart mode...   ;D


   

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 08/08/2020 02:18 pm
That lady must be the vacuum version. Looks like she'll be overexpanded at sea level.

ROTFL !

Maybe that's the reason why Olivia de Havilland lived up to 104... she was secretely consulting with SpaceX on Raptor nozzles !
Now that SN5 has flown, her job done, she had lifted to the stars, too... Godspeed to you, Olivia !

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2b/Olivia_de_Havilland_1936.jpg)

You are aware that Oliva's cousin was famed British aircraft designer Sir Geoffrey de Havilland and her sister, Joan Fontaine, was a female pilot of considerable skill back in the day.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 08/08/2020 05:00 pm
OK this is just a cool pic. Mr. Blase in the foreground really makes it

https://twitter.com/izqomar/status/1171143261530009600?s=09

Julia Bergeron spotted it first.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 08/08/2020 05:39 pm
Look, I know that astronauts sometimes have to go in their suits, but... a sewer? How much "going" are we talking about????


https://twitter.com/a_hutty/status/1290740242476081157

Quote
Space isn't just about scientists and engineers—it takes all types to help humanity become interplanetary! Example: @SpaceX is currently looking for a Space Suit Sewer! 🧵#sewing

Apply here: https://boards.greenhouse.io/spacex/jobs/4752975002
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 08/08/2020 05:52 pm
I've been reading through some old posts recently and I would like to nominate this from precisely 10 (!) years ago for the incredible-foresight-or-sheer-dumb-luck prediction award:

I'm not an aeronautical engineer by any means, so please excuse me if this is a naive idea, but I'm curious if the Falcon 9 first stage could restart briefly, perhaps just as it was entering the atmosphere, so as to slow the stage enough for safe deployment of the parachutes and to minimize heating and stress of reentry.  This would of course require some amount of fuel leftover, the capability to restart at least a couple of the engines, and it's own guidance computer, and possibly some means of orienting the stage correctly before re-light.  Comments?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: theinternetftw on 08/08/2020 08:25 pm
I've been reading through some old posts recently and I would like to nominate this from precisely 10 (!) years ago for the incredible-foresight-or-sheer-dumb-luck prediction award:

I'm not an aeronautical engineer by any means, so please excuse me if this is a naive idea, but I'm curious if the Falcon 9 first stage could restart briefly, perhaps just as it was entering the atmosphere, so as to slow the stage enough for safe deployment of the parachutes and to minimize heating and stress of reentry.  This would of course require some amount of fuel leftover, the capability to restart at least a couple of the engines, and it's own guidance computer, and possibly some means of orienting the stage correctly before re-light.  Comments?

Interesting shot of a notional Russian RTLS rocket a little later in that thread as well.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 08/08/2020 09:30 pm
I've been reading through some old posts recently and I would like to nominate this from precisely 10 (!) years ago for the incredible-foresight-or-sheer-dumb-luck prediction award:

I'm not an aeronautical engineer by any means, so please excuse me if this is a naive idea, but I'm curious if the Falcon 9 first stage could restart briefly, perhaps just as it was entering the atmosphere, so as to slow the stage enough for safe deployment of the parachutes and to minimize heating and stress of reentry.  This would of course require some amount of fuel leftover, the capability to restart at least a couple of the engines, and it's own guidance computer, and possibly some means of orienting the stage correctly before re-light.  Comments?

Interesting shot of a notional Russian RTLS rocket a little later in that thread as well.

Or this one

Quote
Maybe something like this is useful...

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 08/09/2020 06:53 pm
Quote
You are aware that Oliva's cousin was famed British aircraft designer Sir Geoffrey de Havilland

No, I was not. The coincidence of names, I had noted it for a very looooooooooooong time, but i had never checked. My mind is blown.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TorenAltair on 08/10/2020 11:11 pm
I'm feeling like I am in Boca Chica..

Hints: 1:00 is 1 am and the strange °C is degrees centigrade..

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 08/10/2020 11:26 pm
I've been reading through some old posts recently and I would like to nominate this from precisely 10 (!) years ago for the incredible-foresight-or-sheer-dumb-luck prediction award:

I'm not an aeronautical engineer by any means, so please excuse me if this is a naive idea, but I'm curious if the Falcon 9 first stage could restart briefly, perhaps just as it was entering the atmosphere, so as to slow the stage enough for safe deployment of the parachutes and to minimize heating and stress of reentry.  This would of course require some amount of fuel leftover, the capability to restart at least a couple of the engines, and it's own guidance computer, and possibly some means of orienting the stage correctly before re-light.  Comments?

Interesting shot of a notional Russian RTLS rocket a little later in that thread as well.

Or this one

Quote
Maybe something like this is useful...
"My old MOAB Grid Fin suggestion" from years back! Seems like yesterday... Every time I see them in action on Falcon 9 they make me happy. Thanks for making me smile again though another COVID fever return this week! :( :)

Really looking forward to see more "grid-fin goodness" action on the SH! 8)

Edit to add:
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: dgates on 08/11/2020 09:51 am
Them there 5 times flown boosters are seriously sooty.  Why not just make them in black to start with? Oughta be good for style points at least.... LOL
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 08/11/2020 04:35 pm
Them there 5 times flown boosters are seriously sooty.  Why not just make them in black to start with? Oughta be good for style points at least.... LOL

Exactly.  Everyone knows you don't buy an off-road vehicle painted white, silver or other colors that show off dirt really badly.  Dark blue, dark green and black are your favorite off-roader colors.

And if there was ever an off-road vehicle, the Falcon 9 is it... ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 08/11/2020 05:38 pm
SN6 is rolling out now

"Hey Steve, get another Starship from the shed!"

I love it.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Observation on 08/11/2020 08:09 pm
SN6 is rolling out now

"Hey Steve, get another Starship from the shed!"

I love it.
"Dang! That's the last one, we'll have to go get some more.
- Yes, get two and tell them we need some for next week too"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intelati on 08/11/2020 09:20 pm
Getting somewhat back to this threads original intentions.

Hey, haven't we just seen this scene???

https://twitter.com/bocachicagal/status/1293295186299289600

Quote
SN6 and Starhopper at the launch site.
@NASASpaceflight
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 08/11/2020 09:24 pm
Getting somewhat back to this threads original intentions.

Hey, haven't we just seen this scene???

https://twitter.com/bocachicagal/status/1293295186299289600

Quote
SN6 and Starhopper at the launch site.
@NASASpaceflight
Fire her up! :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DistantTemple on 08/11/2020 10:23 pm
What exploded near launch mount at SN5's lift off? Maybe we get answer that old myth, does asphalt turn in to a explosive if you pour LOX on it, but no, foundation slate is made from reinforced concrete...
Well high pressure water cuts steel, and concrete...

But a raptor is blasting that concrete with a supersonic jet of some 200 tonnes..... and perhaps 3000 degrees c.
Rocket exhaust makes that crackling sound.... at decibels that would kill at close range... a kind of sonic hammer (no Hedgehog) so chinks of reinforced concrete flying around like straw seems totally normal
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 08/11/2020 11:37 pm
Quote
chinks of reinforced concrete flying around like straw seems totally normal

Rumor is that SpaceX has a new launch site in the works on the Isle of Lucy.  ::)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 08/12/2020 12:53 am
Quote
chinks of reinforced concrete flying around like straw seems totally normal

Rumor is that SpaceX has a new launch site in the works on the Isle of Lucy.  ::)

The best place to dial their raptors up to 11. I love Lucy!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intelati on 08/12/2020 05:00 pm
They see me rollin'
They hatin'
Patrolling and tryin' to catch me ridin' dirty
Tryin' to catch me ridin' dirty

 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 08/12/2020 07:41 pm
This photo needs a caption

The twins are together!

https://twitter.com/BocaChicaGal/status/1293241631286734849 (https://twitter.com/BocaChicaGal/status/1293241631286734849)

SN-5:  Hi!  Can you carry this nifty “mass simulator” for me?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 08/12/2020 08:36 pm
Quote
You are aware that Oliva's cousin was famed British aircraft designer Sir Geoffrey de Havilland

No, I was not. The coincidence of names, I had noted it for a very looooooooooooong time, but i had never checked. My mind is blown.

I had a chance to take the controls of a de Havilland Beaver (with floats) in Alaska about 2 decades ago... compared to a Comanche Twin, (friend in FL had one) it flies like a Mack truck. But practically indestructible.

I got the t-shirt too.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 08/12/2020 08:56 pm
Space-X has a resort-manager job posted, for Boca Chica. Today, Elon Musk commented on this; "Aiming to make it super fun!"

Okay, so, this is confirmation, they are planning on turning Boca Chica into a resort - and obviously, a themed resort. Kind of Like Atlantis in the Bahamas, Disney World, etc.

This is being done in plain sight, as they already have a restaurant built, which uses the Mk-1 find and (I think) some of the hull as an eating area awning. Then there's Starhopper, which now sports disco lights.

Anyone here ever seen (or seen photos of) the original Tomorrowland rocket at Disneyland? Looked a lot like a cross between Mk-1 and Starhopper. 

So, I'm thinking that this resort is going to be space-themed. (the name SpaceX is a kind of a clue as to the theme). So, like with the Atlantis resort, you'll have things like the themed waterslides, discos (like the one named Starhopper) restaurants (like the one we already see) etc. Then, of course the themed hotels; I foresee big, shiny metal hotel towers, right along the beach.

I also wonder what else we'll see there, seeing as how it's recently been revealed that the rocket engine is actually named "Velociraptor". Anyone know if Elon Musk has been collecting amber?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ajmarco on 08/12/2020 08:59 pm
Space-X has a resort-manager job posted, for Boca Chica. Today, Elon Musk commented on this; "Aiming to make it super fun!"

Okay, so, this is confirmation, they are planning on turning Boca Chica into a resort - and obviously, a themed resort. Kind of Like Atlantis in the Bahamas, Disney World, etc.

This is being done in plain sight, as they already have a restaurant built, which uses the Mk-1 find and (I think) some of the hull as an eating area awning. Then there's Starhopper, which now sports disco lights.

All I request then is to be able to take the Heart of Gold to the Restaurant at the End of the Universe.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 08/12/2020 09:59 pm
Space-X has a resort-manager job posted, for Boca Chica. Today, Elon Musk commented on this; "Aiming to make it super fun!"

Okay, so, this is confirmation, they are planning on turning Boca Chica into a resort - and obviously, a themed resort. Kind of Like Atlantis in the Bahamas, Disney World, etc.

This is being done in plain sight, as they already have a restaurant built, which uses the Mk-1 find and (I think) some of the hull as an eating area awning. Then there's Starhopper, which now sports disco lights.

All I request then is to be able to take the Heart of Gold to the Restaurant at the End of the Universe.

I am quite seriously wondering if "Restaurant at the End of the Universe" is what they'll name the one they've built using Mk-1 fins and hull.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mark_m on 08/13/2020 02:48 am
I am quite seriously wondering if "Restaurant at the End of the Universe" is what they'll name the one they've built using Mk-1 fins and hull.
Only if they can resist the urge to name it "The Lunching Pad". (ducking!)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ajmarco on 08/13/2020 01:18 pm
I am quite seriously wondering if "Restaurant at the End of the Universe" is what they'll name the one they've built using Mk-1 fins and hull.
Only if they can resist the urge to name it "The Lunching Pad". (ducking!)

Just for that I'm sending the Pizza Planet claw after you.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 08/13/2020 08:47 pm
I also wonder what else we'll see there, seeing as how it's recently been revealed that the rocket engine is actually named "Velociraptor". Anyone know if Elon Musk has been collecting amber?

Hmm, last I checked he was mining for Nickel and boring under Casinos in Las Vegas... ;)

Any chance that resort will have slot machines?

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: old_geez on 08/13/2020 08:53 pm
All I request then is to be able to take the Heart of Gold to the Restaurant at the End of the Universe.

Well played sir, well played.
 
But will they get another Spot robot, name it Marvin, and put it on car park duty?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 08/13/2020 09:28 pm
Handle would be a great Marvin. It even look like it inwardly sighs every time it picks up or puts down a box.

https://youtu.be/5iV_hB08Uns
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 08/14/2020 02:51 am
I so want to comp a wagging puppy dog tail on Handel.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 08/14/2020 03:05 am
I also wonder what else we'll see there, seeing as how it's recently been revealed that the rocket engine is actually named "Velociraptor". Anyone know if Elon Musk has been collecting amber?

Hmm, last I checked he was mining for Nickel and boring under Casinos in Las Vegas... ;)

Any chance that resort will have slot machines?
I never should have told him to watch "Paint your wagon".
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: old_geez on 08/14/2020 08:52 am
Handle would be a great Marvin. It even look like it inwardly sighs every time it picks up or puts down a box.

https://youtu.be/5iV_hB08Uns

“Here I am, brain the size of a planet, and you’ve got me sorting boxes... sigh”
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tgr9898 on 08/14/2020 06:53 pm
I so want to comp a wagging puppy dog tail on Handel.

I feel like wings & feathers would be more appropriate...

Now Zeus, on the other hand, could definitely use a wagging tail.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Doesitfloat on 08/15/2020 01:36 am
Handle would be a great Marvin. It even look like it inwardly sighs every time it picks up or puts down a box.

https://youtu.be/5iV_hB08Uns

If they can teach it to play beer pong; it can completely replace my daughters boyfriend.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 08/15/2020 01:43 am
I so want to comp a wagging puppy dog tail on Handel.

I feel like wings & feathers would be more appropriate...

Now Zeus, on the other hand, could definitely use a wagging tail.

lol
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 08/15/2020 03:57 am
SpaceFlashNews!:  "SFN-04DEC2019.  Space fashionistas were quick to notice the stylish lapel pin worn by NASA's incoming manned spaceflight boss Doug Loverro at yesterday's town hall meeting for.  He was there to help NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine push back against the rumored high costs of Boeing's Senate Launch System, a smear pushed by nasty people who just don't get what SLS is all about.  The darling little pin merely said "1855", which Mr. Loverro stated was the number of days left to get to the Moon.  Our sources tell us that the pin was designed and fabricated in Boeing's Custom Jewelry Shop and was a "wonderfully inspirational" gesture that only added 3.7 million dollars to the SLS bill.  "Good taste is never too expensive!", said one civil servant (who asked not to be named).

I have a perfect record of predictions on NSF: 100% wrong!  However, in light of some news articles today, I am going to quote myself from about eight months ago, just to show that maybe, just maybe, my subconscious was groping after something when I wrote this satire news blurb.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: SteveU on 08/15/2020 12:36 pm
Handle would be a great Marvin. It even look like it inwardly sighs every time it picks up or puts down a box.

https://youtu.be/5iV_hB08Uns

If they can teach it to play beer pong; it can completely replace my daughters boyfriend.
Always wondered if the designers at Boston Dynamics get paid extra based on the “creepyness” factor.

It wouldn’t even need to play beer pong to replace most of my daughter’s boyfriends ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tgr9898 on 08/15/2020 09:19 pm
After watching the synchronized pack in the  original Spot video, I said they should just rename the company Cyberdine Systems & be done with it.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ChrisWilson68 on 08/16/2020 12:05 am
After watching the synchronized pack in the  original Spot video, I said they should just rename the company Cyberdine Systems & be done with it.

I think you mean Cyberdyne Systems, the creator of Skynet.

Cyberdine is where terminators stop for bite to eat.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 08/16/2020 12:32 am
After watching the synchronized pack in the  original Spot video, I said they should just rename the company Cyberdine Systems & be done with it.

I think you mean Cyberdyne Systems, the creator of Skynet.

Cyberdine is where terminators stop for bite to eat.

I'm pretty sure Cyberdine is the stainless steel diner currently being built in Boca Chica
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: lonestriker on 08/16/2020 01:18 am
After watching the synchronized pack in the  original Spot video, I said they should just rename the company Cyberdine Systems & be done with it.

I think you mean Cyberdyne Systems, the creator of Skynet.

Cyberdine is where terminators stop for bite to eat.

I'm pretty sure Cyberdine is the stainless steel diner currently being built in Boca Chica

Knowing Elon, the Boca Chica restaurant will be named "The Restaurant at the end of the Universe."
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ChrisWilson68 on 08/16/2020 01:21 am
After watching the synchronized pack in the  original Spot video, I said they should just rename the company Cyberdine Systems & be done with it.

I think you mean Cyberdyne Systems, the creator of Skynet.

Cyberdine is where terminators stop for bite to eat.

I'm pretty sure Cyberdine is the stainless steel diner currently being built in Boca Chica

Knowing Elon, the Boca Chica restaurant will be named "The Restaurant at the end of the Universe."

So by standard Elon time-dialation, if he's saying it'll be at the end of the universe, it will be at the end of the next universe after this one.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 08/16/2020 02:27 am
Is that to say that time has been Elon-gated?   

The mysteries of the Eloninatti were well kept secrets  until the advent of the tweet.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kdhilliard on 08/16/2020 02:54 am
...

Cyberdine is where terminators stop for bite to eat.

Ha!  And damned if you're not right, though we can only make out the first letter of their sign in this clip (at 1:56).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3ZDnkXihY8


Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 08/16/2020 09:44 pm
Over in the Texas Launch Site discussions and updates thread, plus a bit in the Texas prototypes thread, there's quite a debate as to what a certain hexagonal new structure is going to be. The majority seem to fall on one of two sides; water tower, or launch mount.

My question is, how could we possibly ever tell the difference?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 08/16/2020 11:35 pm
Over in the Texas Launch Site discussions and updates thread, plus a bit in the Texas prototypes thread, there's quite a debate as to what a certain hexagonal new structure is going to be. The majority seem to fall on one of two sides; water tower, or launch mount.

My question is, how could we possibly ever tell the difference?

Easy. As any 5 year old will be able to tell you these days:

Launch mounts have rocket engines on top.

Water towers have rocket engines at the bottom.

 ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 08/17/2020 08:25 pm
I don't know anything about Boca Chica restaurant options, current or upcoming, but I really hope they eventually make delicious Vietnamese-inspired soup a standard menu item.

That would be pho nominal.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 08/17/2020 09:31 pm
I don't know anything about Boca Chica restaurant options, current or upcoming, but I really hope they eventually make delicious Vietnamese-inspired soup a standard menu item.

That would be pho nominal.
Or pho norminal in the lingo of John (the maitre de) Insbrucker
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 08/17/2020 11:44 pm
After watching the synchronized pack in the  original Spot video, I said they should just rename the company Cyberdine Systems & be done with it.

I think you mean Cyberdyne Systems, the creator of Skynet.

Cyberdine is where terminators stop for bite to eat.

I'm pretty sure Cyberdine is the stainless steel diner currently being built in Boca Chica

Knowing Elon, the Boca Chica restaurant will be named "The Restaurant at the end of the Universe."

Naw, this looks less formal than that.  I suspect it's the Big Bang Burger Bar... ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: nacnud on 08/18/2020 12:30 am
So Cyberdine for brunch, Millieways for dinner and the BBBB for late night drive through.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 08/18/2020 12:37 am
After watching the synchronized pack in the  original Spot video, I said they should just rename the company Cyberdine Systems & be done with it.

I think you mean Cyberdyne Systems, the creator of Skynet.

Cyberdine is where terminators stop for bite to eat.

I'm pretty sure Cyberdine is the stainless steel diner currently being built in Boca Chica

Knowing Elon, the Boca Chica restaurant will be named "The Restaurant at the end of the Universe."

Naw, this looks less formal than that.  I suspect it's the Big Bang Burger Bar... ;)
Better than the Steady State Sushi Shop. (Fred Hoyle. proprietor)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: abaddon on 08/18/2020 03:31 pm
Whelp, completely forgot that there was - you know - an actual launch this morning and missed it completely.

Falcon 9 is such a workhorse, it's really a remarkable launcher.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 08/18/2020 03:58 pm
6th flight Like Butter!!

I've been so nervous about extending the flights of each booster.  But they are starting to make this look easy.

I'm starting to wonder if they retire a booster after 10 flights or if they are going to do that refurbish and keep flying. 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: SteveU on 08/18/2020 04:03 pm
6th flight Like Butter!!

I've been so nervous about extending the flights of each booster.  But they are starting to make this look easy.

I'm starting to wonder if they retire a booster after 10 flights or if they are going to do that refurbish and keep flying.
WAG - The first one to make 10 will be torn down to see how it faired and just what the refurb effort is.  That effort will inform the way they treat teh other boosters.

Can't see them re-launching them to see how long they last - don't want to loose a payload.  If Refurb isn't a huge effort, probably refurb at 10, check again at 20, etc.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 08/18/2020 04:12 pm
6th flight Like Butter!!

I've been so nervous about extending the flights of each booster.  But they are starting to make this look easy.

I'm starting to wonder if they retire a booster after 10 flights or if they are going to do that refurbish and keep flying.
WAG - The first one to make 10 will be torn down to see how it faired and just what the refurb effort is.  That effort will inform the way they treat teh other boosters.

Can't see them re-launching them to see how long they last - don't want to loose a payload.  If Refurb isn't a huge effort, probably refurb at 10, check again at 20, etc.

I'm sure at some point they will tear one down just to see what shape it's in. After that you wonder if the process of making a new booster has dropped below the cost and grief of refurb.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: freddo411 on 08/18/2020 05:53 pm
6th flight Like Butter!!

I've been so nervous about extending the flights of each booster.  But they are starting to make this look easy.

I'm starting to wonder if they retire a booster after 10 flights or if they are going to do that refurbish and keep flying.
WAG - The first one to make 10 will be torn down to see how it faired and just what the refurb effort is.  That effort will inform the way they treat teh other boosters.

Can't see them re-launching them to see how long they last - don't want to loose a payload.  If Refurb isn't a huge effort, probably refurb at 10, check again at 20, etc.

Other than a non-official comment here and there, we don't know much about the refurb process.    We've heard that engines get swaped as necessary, presumably with other refurbed engines.

Would love to know more about the lifetime of parts and refurb in general.

At this point we are limited to observing existing booster launch and keep track of the intervals between launches.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Observation on 08/18/2020 07:27 pm
Other than a non-official comment here and there, we don't know much about the refurb process.    We've heard that engines get swaped as necessary, presumably with other refurbed engines.

That sounds very much like SpaceX fan ninjas looking at the engine serial numbers through telescopes. Just sayin... even a government wouldn't put that much effort into industrial spying
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 08/18/2020 09:11 pm
Other than a non-official comment here and there, we don't know much about the refurb process.    We've heard that engines get swaped as necessary, presumably with other refurbed engines.

That sounds very much like SpaceX fan ninjas looking at the engine serial numbers through telescopes. Just sayin... even a government wouldn't put that much effort into industrial spying

Much of our info comes from leaks. There's a SpaceXer who has a twitter account, and often shares perhaps-unauthorized very detailed info. Yesterday, for example, this SpaceXer leaked a pressure chart showing Raptor hitting 330 bar during a test fire at McGreggor.  :o

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: freddo411 on 08/18/2020 09:15 pm
Anyone have the pointer to the spreadsheet of SX booster cores and launch information?   I recall seeing it around here.

The sheet was quite detailed.   The thread in the general section is similar but with less info.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: swampcat on 08/18/2020 09:51 pm
Anyone have the pointer to the spreadsheet of SX booster cores and launch information?   I recall seeing it around here.

The sheet was quite detailed.   The thread in the general section is similar but with less info.

A serious question? In a party thread? You can't be serious.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: SteveU on 08/18/2020 10:41 pm
Other than a non-official comment here and there, we don't know much about the refurb process.    We've heard that engines get swaped as necessary, presumably with other refurbed engines.

That sounds very much like SpaceX fan ninjas looking at the engine serial numbers through telescopes. Just sayin... even a government wouldn't put that much effort into industrial spying

Much of our info comes from leaks. There's a SpaceXer who has a twitter account, and often shares perhaps-unauthorized very detailed info. Yesterday, for example, this SpaceXer leaked a pressure chart showing Raptor hitting 330 bar during a test fire at McGreggor.  :o
Very true - usually very accurate - just dont trust him on schedules! :o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 08/18/2020 11:55 pm
Other than a non-official comment here and there, we don't know much about the refurb process.    We've heard that engines get swaped as necessary, presumably with other refurbed engines.

That sounds very much like SpaceX fan ninjas looking at the engine serial numbers through telescopes. Just sayin... even a government wouldn't put that much effort into industrial spying

Much of our info comes from leaks. There's a SpaceXer who has a twitter account, and often shares perhaps-unauthorized very detailed info. Yesterday, for example, this SpaceXer leaked a pressure chart showing Raptor hitting 330 bar during a test fire at McGreggor.  :o
Very true - usually very accurate - just dont trust him on schedules! :o

Agreed on that! A while back, this twitter leaker claimed that SpaceX would capture the flag on the space station with the first post-shuttle manned launch from US soil. For that to happen, SpaceX would have to have less schedule slip than Boeing. Kind of preposterous, really...  :o

Hrmmm... or, perhaps this is Boeing's sneaky new way of competing with SpaceX - outdoing them on schedule slips? 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 08/19/2020 11:54 am
After watching the synchronized pack in the  original Spot video, I said they should just rename the company Cyberdine Systems & be done with it.

I think you mean Cyberdyne Systems, the creator of Skynet.

Cyberdine is where terminators stop for bite to eat.

I'm pretty sure Cyberdine is the stainless steel diner currently being built in Boca Chica

Knowing Elon, the Boca Chica restaurant will be named "The Restaurant at the end of the Universe."

Naw, this looks less formal than that.  I suspect it's the Big Bang Burger Bar... ;)
Better than the Steady State Sushi Shop. (Fred Hoyle. proprietor)

No primordial soup for you!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 08/19/2020 02:52 pm
After watching the synchronized pack in the  original Spot video, I said they should just rename the company Cyberdine Systems & be done with it.

I think you mean Cyberdyne Systems, the creator of Skynet.

Cyberdine is where terminators stop for bite to eat.

I'm pretty sure Cyberdine is the stainless steel diner currently being built in Boca Chica

Knowing Elon, the Boca Chica restaurant will be named "The Restaurant at the end of the Universe."

Naw, this looks less formal than that.  I suspect it's the Big Bang Burger Bar... ;)
Better than the Steady State Sushi Shop. (Fred Hoyle. proprietor)

No primordial soup for you!
I heard that inflation was making it hard for him to stay in business.
 He should have made the business bigger, but never could bring himself to expand.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 08/20/2020 12:49 am
Yah, the big problem was never knowing when and where the next shipment of matter would come.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intelati on 08/20/2020 01:02 pm
I hereby declare #SN5 and #SN6 as the Dumbledore duo.

Because #SN8 kills Dumbledore.

That is horrible...

But I won't be able to forget it...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DistantTemple on 08/20/2020 08:54 pm
It may also be the lowest back-pressure form for a SuperHeavy stand. they can build a flame bucket that diverts the exhaust out 4 or 5 of the gaps in the hexapod, rather than in just one direction like the 39A mount.

They probably want to avoid diverting it towards the tank farm, but unlike at 39A, every other direction is pretty much fair game here.
Or they could put in berms some distance away to protect the tank farm, the rest of the site, the access road, and the state highway.

Edit: Ok I've mashed up the berms... and conflated them with storage ponds... not changing it now.

Well considering the risk of failure of pumping, the equipment - pumps, pipelines, megapack batteries, berms (encroaching on the wetlands reserve?) ... lots of parts and processes, that all have to work, and what is Elon's dictum... "the best part is lots of parts?" then this is an outstanding idea....

To do a better job without the berms, SX could store the water as clouds over the site, with immense fans - perhaps another use of Raptor - to buffet them into position, and then invent a new technology to instantly seed them to make a natural deluge. I mean isn't that a simple first principles solution?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 08/20/2020 10:16 pm
I think this is a good place to ask the question, as I can think of a few answers that are both speculative and not entirely serious, yet it would be nice to mix at least a few facts into the answers:

What's up with the "olde gas well" in Boca Chica that is apparently on SpaceX ground?

I have heard it mentioned a few times and SpaceX apparently has some equipment stored near it. But what is this thing? Is it functional or is it just the former site of a gas well? Is there actually still gas in there or is it depleted? Could SpaceX get some methane from there - or - in reverse pump some excess underground for storage? Who owned it before and until when was it operational? Or was it ever?

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: chopsticks on 08/21/2020 02:23 am
I've been wondering the same thing.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 08/21/2020 04:37 am
I think this is a good place to ask the question, as I can think of a few answers that are both speculative and not entirely serious, yet it would be nice to mix at least a few facts into the answers:

What's up with the "olde gas well" in Boca Chica that is apparently on SpaceX ground?

I have heard it mentioned a few times and SpaceX apparently has some equipment stored near it. But what is this thing? Is it functional or is it just the former site of a gas well? Is there actually still gas in there or is it depleted? Could SpaceX get some methane from there - or - in reverse pump some excess underground for storage? Who owned it before and until when was it operational? Or was it ever?

All I know is that you'd need some serious processing to get pure methane out of natural gas. My guess is that whether or not it's worth it depends on the cost.

However, a deep well might give them a head start when it comes to tunneling into the deep mantle, which they'll need to do to create a magma conduit for the volcano lair.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: toren on 08/21/2020 04:52 am
However, a deep well might give them a head start when it comes to tunneling into the deep mantle, which they'll need to do to create a magma conduit for the volcano lair.

I thought Elon was going for the orbital battle station.  Volcanoes are so 20th century.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: su27k on 08/21/2020 05:30 am
Last night I dreamed about why Mike Griffin is the greatest NASA administrator:

Truth:

1. He awarded COTS to SpaceX before they launched anything. He also awarded CRS to SpaceX just when both SpaceX and Tesla were about to go bankrupt, saving both, and this is just weeks before the administration he served lost power and his resignation, so bravo!

Snark:

1. He created the horrendous expensive and underperforming Ares-I, revealing the fact that NASA no longer has the competency to design a launch vehicle to everyone. Bonus, Ares-I's huge price tag also made it easier for today's NASA to show cost saving from Commercial Crew.

2. He created the 5-segment SRB, whose use on SLS made the core stage super complicated and takes forever to build. This allowed SpaceX to catch up and surpass the government team. If they have chosen the DIRECT plan of using 4-segment SRB + Shuttle tank, then the SDHLV may very well fly before Falcon Heavy, it would make it harder for new space to argue they are ahead.

3. He made Orion grossly underpowered, thus necessitate the creation of Gateway, which has become a good revenue source for commercial space.

So, thanks, Mr. Griffin...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 08/21/2020 10:06 am
https://youtu.be/J6kb5YYVges
It's cool and all, but some reason reminds times when I made "rocket ship" from chairs, pillows and cardboard boxes, especially those soft propellant tanks. National Team is in preschooler level of development now.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Dave G on 08/21/2020 10:22 am
Last night I dreamed about why Mike Griffin is the greatest NASA administrator:

Truth:

1. He awarded COTS to SpaceX before they launched anything...

Looking at Wikipedia COTS page (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commercial_Orbital_Transportation_Services):
Quote
On August 18, 2006, NASA's Exploration Systems Mission Directorate (ESMD) announced that SpaceX and Rocketplane Kistler won Phase I of the COTS program.

Looking at the Wikipedia Falcon 1 page (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falcon_1), the first flight lifted off in March 2006. While this first flight wasn't successful, the fact that SpaceX had progressed to a flight testing phase most likely affected NASA's decision to award COTS to SpaceX five months later.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 08/21/2020 06:29 pm
Rocking an Ascot during quarantine:
Our deal with One Web puts the UK at the forefront of the space race.

https://twitter.com/davidmorrisml/status/1296046245904101377
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 08/22/2020 02:41 pm
Rocking an Ascot during quarantine:
Our deal with One Web puts the UK at the forefront of the space race.

https://twitter.com/davidmorrisml/status/1296046245904101377

I went to the linked article and read a few pages -- the entire newspaper would be well suited for the party thread. I laughed so hard :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 08/24/2020 07:09 am
It may also be the lowest back-pressure form for a SuperHeavy stand. they can build a flame bucket that diverts the exhaust out 4 or 5 of the gaps in the hexapod, rather than in just one direction like the 39A mount.

They probably want to avoid diverting it towards the tank farm, but unlike at 39A, every other direction is pretty much fair game here.
Or they could put in berms some distance away to protect the tank farm, the rest of the site, the access road, and the state highway.

Edit: Ok I've mashed up the berms... and conflated them with storage ponds... not changing it now.

Well considering the risk of failure of pumping, the equipment - pumps, pipelines, megapack batteries, berms (encroaching on the wetlands reserve?) ... lots of parts and processes, that all have to work, and what is Elon's dictum... "the best part is lots of parts?" then this is an outstanding idea....

To do a better job without the berms, SX could store the water as clouds over the site, with immense fans - perhaps another use of Raptor - to buffet them into position, and then invent a new technology to instantly seed them to make a natural deluge. I mean isn't that a simple first principles solution?

Hrmmmm.

I agree, a first principles solution seems optimum. The first principle here is to suppress the acoustics caused by engine startup and launch. And, as is said, the best part is no part. Or...  a part that's already there anyway. So, why not use something already on the LV stack to negate the sound produced by engine start-up and liftoff?  Just trigger the vehicles' FTS right before engine startup... problem solved.

Or, if the goal is to limit the noise at the launchpad, simply launch the Superheavy/Starship stack from the manufacturing site (thus obviating the roll lift) - it's far enough away from the pad that the pad should not be adversely affected. 


Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 08/24/2020 10:42 am

Hrmmmm.

I agree, a first principles solution seems optimum. The first principle here is to suppress the acoustics caused by engine startup and launch. And, as is said, the best part is no part. Or...  a part that's already there anyway. So, why not use something already on the LV stack to negate the sound produced by engine start-up and liftoff?  Just trigger the vehicles' FTS right before engine startup... problem solved.


If you are gonna trigger the FTS anyway, then you could effectively skip the FTS - and just assemble the vehicle in a post FTS configuration.

However some research is required - you still need a bunch of test articles to determine what the correct post FTS-configuration is, luckily SpaceX already did that with SN#1 - SN#4.

The final product has now been assembled in the area they call "scrapyard"

----



Or, if the goal is to limit the noise at the launchpad, simply launch the Superheavy/Starship stack from the manufacturing site (thus obviating the roll lift) - it's far enough away from the pad that the pad should not be adversely affected.

I think the issue here is the existence of a "pad". If you don't launch from it, whats currently called "launchpad" would no longer be "launchpad", since they aren't launched from. Your solution would in turn make the manufacturing pad a "launchpad" - which would bring with it all these annoying requirements.

But who needs a pad in the first place?  Stratolaunch, Virgin Orbit and others have already demonstrated that no pad is necessary. But these solutions are overengineered with that "carrier aircraft hack"

SpaceX needs to be able to launch and land on unprepared martian surface, yet they keep building these sophisticated "launch mounts" and other complicated specialized hardware - only to have them ruined during RUDs and launches. That's such a waste of resources and time...

And they have so much unprepared swamp surface all around, perfect to simulate the worst takeoff and landing conditions.


The best pad obviously is no pad. A long flexible hose from the tank farm to the vehicle.  Some way to disconnect and remove it, so it can be reused (since humans are too risk-averse to approach the fueled vehicle, Zeus maybe? )

And then you launch and land in the marshland. It's typically wet enough to provide natural sound suppression, the craters left behind fill with water and form viable biotopes, increasing ecological diversity.

Alternatively, they could take off and land on the beach and use the surf in the tidal area both for natural sound suppression and to naturally recondition the location (fill and level craters with sand) between launches.

They might need wider legs, but those are planned anyway.

The big advantage is that Starship is Methane fueled.  With RP1 this would be an ecological nightmare, but with Methane they won't pollute anything, if there's any residue, it all evaporates.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DistantTemple on 08/24/2020 06:20 pm
Discussion about terms is booring. Please talk about something interesting.

Thx, with love,
Semmel

Semmel, are you sure the correct word is "terms", wouldn't "linguistics" more accurate? Would anyone else like to come in on this?
How very interesting that you used the word "parse".

What a fun challenge it would be to describe the mass as it would be done in a patient specification!

Perhaps we can prevail on Chris to have a multitude of threads discussing things .... like what to call ....

If a hacker was able to make a ticker with some of this discussion and display it on our screens.... I expect a lot of us would suddenly find hill-walking - out of mobile signal range - extremely rewarding!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 08/24/2020 09:51 pm
Discussion about terms is booring. Please talk about something interesting.

Thx, with love,
Semmel

Semmel, are you sure the correct word is "terms", wouldn't "linguistics" more accurate? Would anyone else like to come in on this?
How very interesting that you used the word "parse".

What a fun challenge it would be to describe the mass as it would be done in a patient specification!

Perhaps we can prevail on Chris to have a multitude of threads discussing things .... like what to call ....

If a hacker was able to make a ticker with some of this discussion and display it on our screens.... I expect a lot of us would suddenly find hill-walking - out of mobile signal range - extremely rewarding!

This hurts my head so much that the only cure, ..... no, not cowbells is

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp43OdtAAkM
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: gaballard on 08/24/2020 09:56 pm
Discussion about terms is booring. Please talk about something interesting.

Thx, with love,
Semmel

Semmel, are you sure the correct word is "terms", wouldn't "linguistics" more accurate? Would anyone else like to come in on this?
How very interesting that you used the word "parse".

What a fun challenge it would be to describe the mass as it would be done in a patient specification!

Perhaps we can prevail on Chris to have a multitude of threads discussing things .... like what to call ....

If a hacker was able to make a ticker with some of this discussion and display it on our screens.... I expect a lot of us would suddenly find hill-walking - out of mobile signal range - extremely rewarding!

"Semantics" might be the word we're looking for, although semantics is a portion of the study of linguistics, so that's not wrong either. Not to be pedantic about semantics or make one parse a farce, of course...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 08/24/2020 11:38 pm

If you are gonna trigger the FTS anyway, then you could effectively skip the FTS - and just assemble the vehicle in a post FTS configuration.

However some research is required - you still need a bunch of test articles to determine what the correct post FTS-configuration is, luckily SpaceX already did that with SN#1 - SN#4.

The final product has now been assembled in the area they call "scrapyard"

----


I think the issue here is the existence of a "pad". If you don't launch from it, whats currently called "launchpad" would no longer be "launchpad", since they aren't launched from. Your solution would in turn make the manufacturing pad a "launchpad" - which would bring with it all these annoying requirements.

But who needs a pad in the first place?  Stratolaunch, Virgin Orbit and others have already demonstrated that no pad is necessary. But these solutions are overengineered with that "carrier aircraft hack"

SpaceX needs to be able to launch and land on unprepared martian surface, yet they keep building these sophisticated "launch mounts" and other complicated specialized hardware - only to have them ruined during RUDs and launches. That's such a waste of resources and time...

And they have so much unprepared swamp surface all around, perfect to simulate the worst takeoff and landing conditions.


The best pad obviously is no pad. A long flexible hose from the tank farm to the vehicle.  Some way to disconnect and remove it, so it can be reused (since humans are too risk-averse to approach the fueled vehicle, Zeus maybe? )

And then you launch and land in the marshland. It's typically wet enough to provide natural sound suppression, the craters left behind fill with water and form viable biotopes, increasing ecological diversity.

Alternatively, they could take off and land on the beach and use the surf in the tidal area both for natural sound suppression and to naturally recondition the location (fill and level craters with sand) between launches.

They might need wider legs, but those are planned anyway.

The big advantage is that Starship is Methane fueled.  With RP1 this would be an ecological nightmare, but with Methane they won't pollute anything, if there's any residue, it all evaporates.

I think you have a good point; the "scrapyard" might indeed be the final assembly goal. The form-factor there certainly eases the transportation issue, via making the vehicle easily road transportable (just use multiple trucks).

I must quibble on your definition of "launchpad" though; they don't seem to require actual launches. Was SLC-6 at Vandy (the Shuttle launchpad there) a launchpad? I think so. Did it ever actually launch a shuttle? Nah. So, the launchpads at BC don't, actually, require launches. As for what's being built at the "launchsite", my strong suspicion is that it's another restaurant. The Lunchpad. What I expect to see atop those 6 concrete pillars is a very, very large stainless steel hamburger. They are building a high-end resort, after all.

Totally agreed that SpaceX needs to be able to launch from unimproved surfaces. Also agreed that the area around the manufacturing site is ideal. I'm not so sure that swampland is an aideal simulation of MArs, though. So, I'm thinking that firmer unimproved areas might be the plan. Supporting evidence is that SpaceX has purchased many vacant lots in Boca Chica Village. I think this is so they can have multiple places to launch superheavy from.  (and just do test hops with Superheavy at first, from lot to lot).

I would not try to use Zeus to retrieve the GNC connections. He's seen what they can do. I really don't want to see SpaceX having to put up "Lost dog, ran away" posters.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DistantTemple on 08/24/2020 11:55 pm
Wow amazing, Elon has got involved in our debate about the hexagonal foundation at the launch site:
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1298025540742524928?s=19

The sane among us thought those pilings were overkill for a simple water tower... :-P
He has voted for it being an orbital launch mount. IMVVHO I believe he's got it wrong, and it will turn out to be a vertical boring company access point. Elon has obviously misunderstood the physics discussed here.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 08/25/2020 02:54 am
I fell asleep reading NSF and dreamt SpaceX confirmed it was building 33 launch pads. You can all get out of my head now, thanks.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: guyw on 08/25/2020 05:12 am
I fell asleep reading NSF and dreamt SpaceX confirmed it was building 33 launch pads. You can all get out of my head now, thanks.
I am thinking that your dream was slightly in error. Everyone knows they would be building either 11 or 42 launch pads. That way they could either go to 11, or have the correct number for the answer to any needs.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 08/25/2020 11:08 am
I fell asleep reading NSF and dreamt SpaceX confirmed it was building 33 launch pads. You can all get out of my head now, thanks.
I am thinking that your dream was slightly in error. Everyone knows they would be building either 11 or 42 launch pads. That way they could either go to 11, or have the correct number for the answer to any needs.

We would have to rename the party thread.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 08/25/2020 06:28 pm

I must quibble on your definition of "launchpad" though; they don't seem to require actual launches. Was SLC-6 at Vandy (the Shuttle launchpad there) a launchpad? I think so. Did it ever actually launch a shuttle? Nah. So, the launchpads at BC don't, actually, require launches. As for what's being built at the "launchsite", my strong suspicion is that it's another restaurant. The Lunchpad. What I expect to see atop those 6 concrete pillars is a very, very large stainless steel hamburger. They are building a high-end resort, after all.


If they are launching burgers, it's still a lunchpad.

SLC-6 also totally doesn't count as a non-launching launchpad, as they actually launched rockets from there (Athena. DIVH)

But this is an interesting question, is a ship that is never launched a ship? Is an orbital rocket that never launches succesfully still an orbital rocket? Of course hypothetical launches only need hypothetical sound suppression, which is pretty cheap compared to actually existing solutions. But I'd argue building a real world launchpad without ever launching (or lunching) anything on it is a violation of first principles and a big waste of resources to begin with.

Granted, the resources wasted developing rockets that never launched is significantly higher than those building launchpads that never launched. Also,you can always fix a non-launching launchpad easily by either launching your lunch at it.









Totally agreed that SpaceX needs to be able to launch from unimproved surfaces. Also agreed that the area around the manufacturing site is ideal. I'm not so sure that swampland is an aideal simulation of MArs, though. So, I'm thinking that firmer unimproved areas might be the plan. Supporting evidence is that SpaceX has purchased many vacant lots in Boca Chica Village. I think this is so they can have multiple places to launch superheavy from.  (and just do test hops with Superheavy at first, from lot to lot).

I would not try to use Zeus to retrieve the GNC connections. He's seen what they can do. I really don't want to see SpaceX having to put up "Lost dog, ran away" posters.

You are a Genius!!! Using orbital rockets for real estate development! There's so many applications: Excavating, Leveling, Demolition, Stacking, ... anything a Caterpillar can do Superheavy can do better (and much much quicker!!!!)

Now I also know how The Boring company fits into the picture. They always tried to make these tunnel boring machines quicker - well, they already are horzontally integrated cylindrical structures with a surprising resemblence - although subscale. We even mused that one would fit into a starship, overlooking the most obvious application: Strap a few raptors to one side to melt and excavate the sediment in front of it, and a few more to the backend for sufficient thrust, and you have a full flow staged combustion rocket powered boring machine!!!!

It finally all makes sense!!!!!


I agree about Zeus though. The obvious solution would be to put Zeus on a chain and use a winch to reel him back when he tries to run away... But then Zeus is unneeded: You simply put the hoses on a chain (and a winch) and reel those in. Problem solved, so much more low tech and easier!!!!

Zeus can instead do what he's designed for:  run around and bark, and try to chase the Starships ;)



Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Observation on 08/26/2020 05:39 pm
I don’t think super heavy will need a (significant) mass simulator to hop.  The first hops won’t be with 31 engines at launch.  They’ll be 1-3 engine experiments to check the basic hardware.  Landing shouldn’t need any ballast, as super heavy is expected to land in normal operation with nothing on top.
Need, probably not, but using one could help keep the FAA onside, by reducing the propellant load.
Since SH is designed to hold and carry a StarShip, you could just plop on a retired test tank with a skirt and then fill it with water.
Good point about propellant load but SH is not intended to land with a load. It probably could, but that part of the test would be low fidelity. Maybe for a first go-around.


There are several incremental options working up to launching a stack, none full fidelity. They could probably try them in sequence and explore most of the envelope but at some point they'll have to stack a realistic load to go any further.


How it goes probably isn't mapped out yet except as options. The FAA and EPA permissions are indeterminate. Until that wave function collapses the path to testing is impossible to map.

It seems likely that when they first test super-heavy they'll have a collection of early model starships.  SN5, SN6, and any others that test and survive before super-heavy would be perfect mass simulators to put atop super-heavy.   Might be a simple way to get rid of the no longer needed test articles.  Launch SH, stage, destruct.

Weren't we talking about makin lawn ornaments? I mean, sea ornaments (à la Polyphemus) are fine too, but only if we can see them from the coast. Maybe build a permanent physical line for wannabe wayward boats?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 08/27/2020 12:58 am
Masten says December:

https://twitter.com/mastenspace/status/1298689977841221633

Quote
WE'VE GOT A RIDE! We're thrilled to announce our partnership with @SpaceX to take Masten Mission One (MM1) to the Moon in December 2022. Thanks to @elonmusk, @gwynneshotwell, and the entire SpaceX team!

Hmm. Masten didn't state what they are going up on. Unlikely to be a stand alone flight with just the Masten CLPS lander. So maybe a rideshare with something else.

After some thinking on this. Maybe Masten is hitching a ride with the #dearMoon precursor flight in steerage (in one of the aft cargo bay next to the Raptor Vac engines).  ;D

Ok, the steerage part is unlikely.  :P
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 08/27/2020 04:40 am
Discussion about terms is booring. Please talk about something interesting.

Thx, with love,
Semmel

Semmel, are you sure the correct word is "terms", wouldn't "linguistics" more accurate? Would anyone else like to come in on this?
How very interesting that you used the word "parse".

What a fun challenge it would be to describe the mass as it would be done in a patient specification!

Perhaps we can prevail on Chris to have a multitude of threads discussing things .... like what to call ....

If a hacker was able to make a ticker with some of this discussion and display it on our screens.... I expect a lot of us would suddenly find hill-walking - out of mobile signal range - extremely rewarding!

"Semantics" might be the word we're looking for, although semantics is a portion of the study of linguistics, so that's not wrong either. Not to be pedantic about semantics or make one parse a farce, of course...

Kiki and Bouba like this
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 08/27/2020 05:32 am
I had noted elsewhere that, if there where ever to be "The Road to Mars" calendar, the photo in the Starships section by BocaChicaGal showing some workers at picnic tables underneath the Hopper would be a candidate.  It turns out the reason it struck me so strongly was that the style of the picture reminded me of an American realist painter (best known for "Nighthawks"). His name (of course), is Edward HOPPER!  Weird world.

https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/assets/51332.0/1966709.jpg
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 08/27/2020 10:14 am
Got to admit, that using Hopper as a picnic umbrella has got to be the COOLEST thing ever!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 08/27/2020 02:59 pm
twitter.com/owensparks_/status/1298452185232089089

Quote
Would starship be able to lay down on the surface of moon / mars to make a permanent habitat if needed? Linear seems better than vertical for long term use.

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1298452372704894979

Quote
No
Not on purpose anyway?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 08/27/2020 03:33 pm
twitter.com/owensparks_/status/1298452185232089089
Quote
Would starship be able to lay down on the surface of moon / mars to make a permanent habitat if needed? Linear seems better than vertical for long term use.
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1298452372704894979
Quote
No
Not on purpose anyway?
Dumb idea anyhow. What's the use of being the elite, ruling class if you can't live in the clouds, above the workers?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: butters on 08/27/2020 04:14 pm
I remain convinced that the solution for long-duration surface habitation will be a new line of positive-pressure fabric enclosures developed in collaboration with Sprung Structures.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 08/27/2020 04:32 pm
I remain convinced that the solution for long-duration surface habitation will be a new line of positive-pressure fabric enclosures developed in collaboration with Sprung Structures.
Been watching The Martian again?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intelati on 08/27/2020 05:18 pm
I remain convinced that the solution for long-duration surface habitation will be a new line of positive-pressure fabric enclosures developed in collaboration with Sprung Structures.
Been watching The Martian again?

I was thinking of Boca Chica. But now that you've said that...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nevyn72 on 08/27/2020 05:22 pm
Dumb idea anyhow. What's the use of being the elite, ruling class if you can't live in the clouds, above the workers?

Been watching Altered Carbon again?  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 08/28/2020 05:43 pm
If this lot happens I think we’ll all need a lie-down rather than a party ...

twitter.com/nextspaceflight/status/1299394453933707265

Quote
SpaceX's current schedule for Sunday is absolute madness:
- Starlink V1 L11 from LC-39A at 10:12 Eastern
- SAOCOM 1B from SLC-40 at 19:19 Eastern
- Starship SN6 150-meter hop from Boca Chica sometime after 09:00 Eastern

That is two launches from the Cape in just over 9 hrs. 🤯

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1299397894135373824

Quote
Good chance something will slip, but, yeah, Sunday is intense
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Norm38 on 08/28/2020 10:48 pm
Come on NROL-44!

Rooting for it already, this can't happen unless she flies tonight.
But I really want to see back to back launches.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 08/29/2020 12:34 am
All we need now is a hitherto-secret Defense launch from Vandenberg to make the full set.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 08/29/2020 12:42 am
Cross posting from the Electron Launch 14 thread (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=51299.msg2125624#msg2125624)

Quote
Launch Update: Ground winds remain high at LC-1 tomorrow, so we're now targeting no earlier than Aug 31 UTC for the #ICantBelieveItsNotOptical mission. ️

Mission info bit.ly/3gyzZDk

Launch timing:
ET: 23:05, Aug 30
PT: 20:05, Aug 30
NZT: 15:05, Aug 31
Electron could be the third possible launch on Sunday (depending on your time zone) after Falcon 9's with Starlink V1 L11 (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=47380.0) and SAOCOM 1B (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=47380.0).
(Astra Rocket 3.1 is now NET September 10) (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=51231.msg2125447#msg2125447)

Damn! Possibly Starship S/N 6 hop, too!
#4!

An exciting day for us launch fanatics!
Could we be so lucky?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 08/29/2020 06:17 am
Nope, no exciting Sunday, because ULA is deliberately scrubbing their Delta IV Heavy launch over "issues that turned out not to be issues" simply to push back other launch providers' access to the range.  Thus screwing over their competitors, all quite legally.

Just how many scrubs do they get to call, always taking range precedence for their next attempt, until the range gets handed back to the other providers for their business activities?  Anyone know?  Heck, if other providers decided to play the same game, we could see some bitter business warfare out there.  Not what you want to see at an Air Force Station...

I wouldn't be playing this game if I were Tory Bruno.  Elon may be an easy-going guy, who would never resort to hiring a sniper to take out ULA's rockets during endlessly scrubbed launch attempts.  But Amber Heard is a psycho, I wouldn't put it past her for a moment... :D :D :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: butters on 08/29/2020 06:44 am
ULA did a wet dress rehearsal on this rocket back in January, and yet it gets too cold when they load cryogenics in August. Go figure.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kdhilliard on 08/29/2020 09:41 am
I'd never wish these delays on the Argentinians, but sunset times change rapidly this time of year.  This Sunday it's 19:45, next Sunday 19:37, by September 21 it's 19:19 and we have a sunset launch!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: KTigress on 08/29/2020 09:51 am
I know I’m biased because I work on SAOCOM, but there need to be some regulations in place. I absolutely understand that NROL takes precedence because of national security, but it can’t be forever. They should have a period of priority, and if they can’t launch, they have to move to allow the other rocket’s operations. And then, they’ll get another chance.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DJPledger on 08/29/2020 11:29 am
I know I’m biased because I work on SAOCOM, but there need to be some regulations in place. I absolutely understand that NROL takes precedence because of national security, but it can’t be forever. They should have a period of priority, and if they can’t launch, they have to move to allow the other rocket’s operations. And then, they’ll get another chance.
Perhaps NROL-44 should be lowered and rolled back into the hangar to allow SAOCOM launch to proceed with minimal delay.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: klod on 08/29/2020 12:51 pm
I know I’m biased because I work on SAOCOM, but there need to be some regulations in place. I absolutely understand that NROL takes precedence because of national security, but it can’t be forever. They should have a period of priority, and if they can’t launch, they have to move to allow the other rocket’s operations. And then, they’ll get another chance.
Am I correct, that this launch has been ready at least 2 weeks?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: KTigress on 08/29/2020 03:10 pm
I know I’m biased because I work on SAOCOM, but there need to be some regulations in place. I absolutely understand that NROL takes precedence because of national security, but it can’t be forever. They should have a period of priority, and if they can’t launch, they have to move to allow the other rocket’s operations. And then, they’ll get another chance.
Perhaps NROL-44 should be lowered and rolled back into the hangar to allow SAOCOM launch to proceed with minimal delay.

That’s exactly what I mean. But it shouldn’t be courtesy, it should be regulated.


I know I’m biased because I work on SAOCOM, but there need to be some regulations in place. I absolutely understand that NROL takes precedence because of national security, but it can’t be forever. They should have a period of priority, and if they can’t launch, they have to move to allow the other rocket’s operations. And then, they’ll get another chance.
Am I correct, that this launch has been ready at least 2 weeks?

The original date (after the delay in July) was 27 August, but it’s hard to know when they could’ve launched if NROL wasn’t there.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kdhilliard on 08/29/2020 04:22 pm
...
The original date (after the delay in July) was 27 August, but it’s hard to know when they could’ve launched if NROL wasn’t there.

They were projecting a 25 July date when your satellite team came out of quarantine, right?  What lead to the one month delay?  What it stage (1st/2nd?) and/or pad availability?

[If the Party Thread is supposed to be for congratulations, I suppose it is only fair that it get the complaints as well!]
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: KTigress on 08/29/2020 08:30 pm
...
The original date (after the delay in July) was 27 August, but it’s hard to know when they could’ve launched if NROL wasn’t there.


They were projecting a 25 July date when your satellite team came out of quarantine, right?  What lead to the one month delay?  What it stage (1st/2nd?) and/or pad availability?

[If the Party Thread is supposed to be for congratulations, I suppose it is only fair that it get the complaints as well!]

Yes, the satellite was ready to go in July. All I know is that SpaceX needed more time to check the rocket and they gave us the new NET date of late August. I don’t have any insights, but there had to be another issue that delayed it one month from late July to late August.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 08/29/2020 10:35 pm
...
The original date (after the delay in July) was 27 August, but it’s hard to know when they could’ve launched if NROL wasn’t there.


They were projecting a 25 July date when your satellite team came out of quarantine, right?  What lead to the one month delay?  What it stage (1st/2nd?) and/or pad availability?

[If the Party Thread is supposed to be for congratulations, I suppose it is only fair that it get the complaints as well!]

Yes, the satellite was ready to go in July. All I know is that SpaceX needed more time to check the rocket and they gave us the new NET date of late August. I don’t have any insights, but there had to be another issue that delayed it one month from late July to late August.

Introducing Tomorrow only:
The Launch, Land, Launch, Land and Hop party thread
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 08/30/2020 05:13 am
Quote
The Launch, Land, Launch, Land and Hop party thread

Ballroom dancing, circa 1950's ?

Tonight the headliner is, Bobby Sox and the Boosters.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 08/30/2020 06:06 am
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1299839516065234944
Quote from: Elon Musk
Quote from: Neopork85
Space Nerds! I am STOKED about this one. Here is my new @SpaceX Starship and Super Heavy prototype full stack render with extreme detail. 6 ft human for scale!
Check out @MarcusHouseGame 's new video today for more. Retweet if you like it!
@elonmusk @Erdayastronaut
Booster design has shifted to four legs with a wider stance (to avoid engine plume impingement in vacuum), rather than six
Positive: If we ever want updated information from Elon, we just have to make a high-fidelity render of the most recent public design.

Negative: If we keep making high-fidelity renders, and Elon keeps saying the design has changed, Starship will never actually be finished.

Positive: If the design is never finished, we'll always have new and interesting things to see in the Boca Chica Updates threads!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 08/30/2020 10:00 am
A zoomed in gif just above where tracking cuts out to show how the first group of V0.9 sats have deorbited.
It's raining Starlinks!  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DJPledger on 08/30/2020 09:19 pm
Looking like the SpaceX Super Sunday is becoming the SpaceX Super scrub Sunday.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 08/30/2020 09:41 pm
I am confused.

First, we heard (even directly from the ULA launch commentator Friday night/Saturday morning) that SAOCOM would be grounded until their bird was off the pad, one way or another.  As of this morning, there were notes that the ASDS for SAOCOM was still standing by at its designated location, but a decision would be made later today whether to bring it back in before the earliest possible launch a week or more down the road, or leave it out there.  The assumption in the tweet, by SpaceXFleet I think it was, was that the barge would be heading back to Florida shortly.

I never heard anything about ULA saying hey, it's OK, go ahead and launch.  As I say, it was their own commentator who stated it would be grounded, no question.  Now every indication is that, if the weather allows, they will launch this evening.

What changed?  When?

I'm putting this here because I could have missed something really obvious, and don't want to look ridiculous by asking on the launch discussion/update thread.. ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 08/30/2020 10:14 pm
I am confused.

First, we heard (even directly from the ULA launch commentator Friday night/Saturday morning) that SAOCOM would be grounded until their bird was off the pad, one way or another.  As of this morning, there were notes that the ASDS for SAOCOM was still standing by at its designated location, but a decision would be made later today whether to bring it back in before the earliest possible launch a week or more down the road, or leave it out there.  The assumption in the tweet, by SpaceXFleet I think it was, was that the barge would be heading back to Florida shortly.

I never heard anything about ULA saying hey, it's OK, go ahead and launch.  As I say, it was their own commentator who stated it would be grounded, no question.  Now every indication is that, if the weather allows, they will launch this evening.

What changed?  When?

I'm putting this here because I could have missed something really obvious, and don't want to look ridiculous by asking on the launch discussion/update thread.. ;)
Maybe nothing much changed, including the fact that commentators aren't always the most reliable sources. Somebody in SpaceX might have requested a firm policy backed up by real numbers. Shutting down somebody else's pad for a week for something that doesn't have a 1 in 10,000 chance of happening might not be as acceptable as thought.
 I'd think the Pentagon would have had some input.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 08/30/2020 11:28 pm
Wow, incredible view of the grid fins on landing. That fog was basically a wind tunnel.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 08/30/2020 11:31 pm
Wow, incredible view of the grid fins on landing. That fog was basically a wind tunnel.

Lovin that landing view also!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: butters on 08/30/2020 11:37 pm
And not a single scratch on the NRO bird! Precedent set, no reason for any payload to hold up this new polar launch corridor in the future.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 08/30/2020 11:39 pm
Always great to see the land landings with many people able to give their angle on it. Go SAOCOM 1B!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 08/30/2020 11:44 pm
So it turns out the only launch that made it this weekend was the one everyone was sure would not be able to go.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mandella on 08/31/2020 12:03 am
I am confused.

First, we heard (even directly from the ULA launch commentator Friday night/Saturday morning) that SAOCOM would be grounded until their bird was off the pad, one way or another.  As of this morning, there were notes that the ASDS for SAOCOM was still standing by at its designated location, but a decision would be made later today whether to bring it back in before the earliest possible launch a week or more down the road, or leave it out there.  The assumption in the tweet, by SpaceXFleet I think it was, was that the barge would be heading back to Florida shortly.

I never heard anything about ULA saying hey, it's OK, go ahead and launch.  As I say, it was their own commentator who stated it would be grounded, no question.  Now every indication is that, if the weather allows, they will launch this evening.

What changed?  When?

I'm putting this here because I could have missed something really obvious, and don't want to look ridiculous by asking on the launch discussion/update thread.. ;)
Maybe nothing much changed, including the fact that commentators aren't always the most reliable sources. Somebody in SpaceX might have requested a firm policy backed up by real numbers. Shutting down somebody else's pad for a week for something that doesn't have a 1 in 10,000 chance of happening might not be as acceptable as thought.
 I'd think the Pentagon would have had some input.

I am imagining a lot of hrumphing and maybe some hands slapped on desks, but in the end ULA was either going to have to move their bird off the pad (one way or the other) or just take the risk of having a faster bird fly over it.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 08/31/2020 12:36 am
My favorite part of this launch's webcast (besides the aforementioned grid fin shot as S1 came through the clouds) was that you could see the dogleg in the S2 video shortly after SES-1.  The Earth below was going by one way, but the stage was pointed another!

Lots of really nice footage today.  Shame we didn't get to see the cubesat deployment, but oh well.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 08/31/2020 02:15 am
So it turns out the only launch that made it this weekend was the one everyone was sure would not be able to go.

The Kiwis would like a word with you.  >:(
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ChrisWilson68 on 08/31/2020 02:44 am
So it turns out the only launch that made it this weekend was the one everyone was sure would not be able to go.

The Kiwis would like a word with you.  >:(

I think the Kiwis would say that their launch is happening on Monday, not the weekend, even if some of the rest of us are a little behind the times.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 08/31/2020 04:29 am
So it turns out the only launch that made it this weekend was the one everyone was sure would not be able to go.

The Kiwis would like a word with you.  :(

I think the Kiwis would say that their launch is happening on Monday, not the weekend, even if some of the rest of us are a little behind the times.

AIUI the NSF forum goes by UTC for dates and times. So the Kiwis launched on Sunday.  :P
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ChrisWilson68 on 08/31/2020 04:35 am
So it turns out the only launch that made it this weekend was the one everyone was sure would not be able to go.

The Kiwis would like a word with you.  :(

I think the Kiwis would say that their launch is happening on Monday, not the weekend, even if some of the rest of us are a little behind the times.

AIUI the NSF forum goes by UTC for dates and times. So the Kiwis launched on Sunday.  :P

Liftoff was at 3:05am UTC on Monday.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 08/31/2020 04:49 am
<snip>
Liftoff was at 3:05am UTC on Monday.

I stand corrected.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 08/31/2020 06:33 pm
A quote on the "SpaceX - Facilities and Fleets" sub-forum asked about names for the "resort" at Boca Chica.  I'd like to suggest "Copernicus Shores", after the original planned development. 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kdhilliard on 08/31/2020 08:12 pm
https://twitter.com/SciGuySpace/status/1300217729216118786
Eric Berger:
Quote
SpaceX required seven years to go from its first to its 10th launch. In seven more years SpaceX has gone from its 10th launch to its 100th. This is what acceleration looks like.

It's time to start calling them SpaceC.

* Inspired by a comment on Ars Technica.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ChrisWilson68 on 08/31/2020 08:51 pm
Eric Berger:
Quote
SpaceX required seven years to go from its first to its 10th launch. In seven more years SpaceX has gone from its 10th launch to its 100th. This is what acceleration looks like.

And with Starship it's entirely possible that in another seven years they'll be at 1000.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: guyw on 08/31/2020 09:34 pm
https://twitter.com/SciGuySpace/status/1300217729216118786
Eric Berger:
Quote
SpaceX required seven years to go from its first to its 10th launch. In seven more years SpaceX has gone from its 10th launch to its 100th. This is what acceleration looks like.

It's time to start calling them SpaceC.

* Inspired by a comment on Ars Technica.
Its all Greek er I mean Roman to me.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 08/31/2020 11:16 pm
https://twitter.com/SciGuySpace/status/1300217729216118786
Eric Berger:
Quote
SpaceX required seven years to go from its first to its 10th launch. In seven more years SpaceX has gone from its 10th launch to its 100th. This is what acceleration looks like.

It's time to start calling them SpaceC.

* Inspired by a comment on Ars Technica.
Or Space-dX/dt
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ChrisWilson68 on 08/31/2020 11:31 pm
Or Space-dX/dt

I think your post belongs in the thread entitled "Starship derivatives":

https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=51838
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: launchwatcher on 09/01/2020 12:21 am
I'm sorry it appears I need to apologize.  The term I should've used with Zenith instead of Nader.

See attached images for clarification.

(Zenith: By Todd Ehlers - flickr.com, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5499439.
Nader: By Andrew Turner from Washington, DC, United States - Andrew &amp; Ralph Nader, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=42412496)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 09/01/2020 04:58 am
https://twitter.com/SciGuySpace/status/1300217729216118786
Eric Berger:
Quote
SpaceX required seven years to go from its first to its 10th launch. In seven more years SpaceX has gone from its 10th launch to its 100th. This is what acceleration looks like.

It's time to start calling them SpaceC.

* Inspired by a comment on Ars Technica.
Or Space-dX/dt
Did you mean Space-d^2X/dt^2 ?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: groknull on 09/01/2020 05:19 am
https://twitter.com/SciGuySpace/status/1300217729216118786
Eric Berger:
Quote
SpaceX required seven years to go from its first to its 10th launch. In seven more years SpaceX has gone from its 10th launch to its 100th. This is what acceleration looks like.

It's time to start calling them SpaceC.

* Inspired by a comment on Ars Technica.
Or Space-dX/dt
Did you mean Space-d^2X/dt^2 ?

I was going to follow that up with Space-d^3X/dt^3, but didn't want to be a jerk.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 09/01/2020 05:53 am
All of this higher math has no power here.  While looking for the most appropriate pre-launch ritual I have dismissed all proclivities for modern music and science.  I have found the answer in old school metal music.  How old you ask?

Iron age, I answer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64CACoHNBEI
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: b.lorenz on 09/01/2020 08:48 am
https://twitter.com/SciGuySpace/status/1300217729216118786
Eric Berger:
Quote
SpaceX required seven years to go from its first to its 10th launch. In seven more years SpaceX has gone from its 10th launch to its 100th. This is what acceleration looks like.

It's time to start calling them SpaceC.

* Inspired by a comment on Ars Technica.
Or Space-dX/dt
Did you mean Space-d^2X/dt^2 ?

I was going to follow that up with Space-d^3X/dt^3, but didn't want to be a jerk.

Since we are talking exponential growth, why not Spac-ex?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 09/01/2020 10:53 am
Ooh no! Mass simulator's coils are overheating!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 09/01/2020 11:03 am
Ooh no! Mass simulator's coils are overheating!

Water tower .... no
Rocket .... no

Proof positive , it’s a teapot
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kdhilliard on 09/01/2020 01:21 pm
Ooh no! Mass simulator's coils are overheating!

That's a post I never expected to see outside of General Discussion/New Physics for Space Technology (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?board=73.0)!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 09/02/2020 12:27 am
Ooh no! Mass simulator's coils are overheating!

This is worrying; if that thing fails during a hop, Starship can't land - Raptor doesn't throttle low enough.

I'm more worried about how that thing works. The only way I know of to create mass on demand is energy (E=MC^2). So, they turn it on, and the energy creates the mass, simulating actual mass (such as steel ballast would be). What bothers me is that this would mean around a third of a million megatons-equivalent in energy. Not a safe thing to be using, IMHO.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 09/02/2020 01:58 am
Ooh no! Mass simulator's coils are overheating!

This is worrying; if that thing fails during a hop, Starship can't land - Raptor doesn't throttle low enough.

I'm more worried about how that thing works. The only way I know of to create mass on demand is energy (E=MC^2). So, they turn it on, and the energy creates the mass, simulating actual mass (such as steel ballast would be). What bothers me is that this would mean around a third of a million megatons-equivalent in energy. Not a safe thing to be using, IMHO.
Maybe they use an energy simulator.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 09/02/2020 03:09 am
Ooh no! Mass simulator's coils are overheating!

This pic will probably show up in the next hit piece: "Elon Musk Polluting Pristine South Texas Wildlife Refuge".
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 09/02/2020 03:37 am
Ooh no! Mass simulator's coils are overheating!

This is worrying; if that thing fails during a hop, Starship can't land - Raptor doesn't throttle low enough.

I'm more worried about how that thing works. The only way I know of to create mass on demand is energy (E=MC^2). So, they turn it on, and the energy creates the mass, simulating actual mass (such as steel ballast would be). What bothers me is that this would mean around a third of a million megatons-equivalent in energy. Not a safe thing to be using, IMHO.
Maybe they use an energy simulator.

Hrmmm. Creating simulated mass with simulated energy? Intriguing possibility! But... how can they simulate energy? Hrmmm... E=MC^2 tells us that matter and energy are interchangeable, so, could they use mass to simulate energy? If so, that'd mean that thing contains real mass, but that can't be, because if it did, it'd be downright silly to call it a mass simulator. It'd be like calling the thing I dropped on my foot yesterday a brick simulator, and my resulting words; profanity simulators.   


Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 09/02/2020 02:58 pm
Huuuuuu are you?   Huu Huu!  Huu Huu!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJZfEh3EciU
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 09/02/2020 03:26 pm
Ooh no! Mass simulator's coils are overheating!

I know Elon's into all kinds of crazy things... rockets, solar power, electric cars, cyborgization of humans... but really...

When did he get into building 'ghost traps'?  And one that size, are there any haunted places left in Texas??
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 09/02/2020 05:31 pm
Ooh no! Mass simulator's coils are overheating!

This is worrying; if that thing fails during a hop, Starship can't land - Raptor doesn't throttle low enough.

I'm more worried about how that thing works. The only way I know of to create mass on demand is energy (E=MC^2). So, they turn it on, and the energy creates the mass, simulating actual mass (such as steel ballast would be). What bothers me is that this would mean around a third of a million megatons-equivalent in energy. Not a safe thing to be using, IMHO.
Maybe they use an energy simulator.
Hrmmm. Creating simulated mass with simulated energy? Intriguing possibility! But... how can they simulate energy? Hrmmm... E=MC^2 tells us that matter and energy are interchangeable, so, could they use mass to simulate energy? If so, that'd mean that thing contains real mass, but that can't be, because if it did, it'd be downright silly to call it a mass simulator. It'd be like calling the thing I dropped on my foot yesterday a brick simulator, and my resulting words; profanity simulators.   
Which came first, the photon or the quark?

You'll have to ask Moogie... on the other hand, I thought Rom was the older?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 09/03/2020 10:25 am
Which came first, the photon or the quark?

I'm absolutely uncertain - though I know exactly where they are.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 09/03/2020 10:06 pm
Two for two today... A successful launch/landing and hop... Congrats SpaceX! 8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: atsf90east on 09/04/2020 07:57 pm
After Thursday's successful SN6 hop I think that in addition to the "Texas Tank Watchers" merchandise that there should also be "Texas Tank Launchers" items for sale on NSF as well :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 09/04/2020 08:12 pm
After Thursday's successful SN6 hop I think that in addition to the "Texas Tank Watchers" merchandise that there should also be "Texas Tank Launchers" items for sale on NSF as well :)

A flying beer keg w a Spacex logo on it.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: aero on 09/04/2020 08:53 pm
After Thursday's successful SN6 hop I think that in addition to the "Texas Tank Watchers" merchandise that there should also be "Texas Tank Launchers" items for sale on NSF as well :)

A flying beer keg w a Spacex logo on it.

Hmm. So we have a full keg and a pony keg, How many seconds could it last? And how high could it go?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: leovinus on 09/04/2020 09:22 pm
After Thursday's successful SN6 hop I think that in addition to the "Texas Tank Watchers" merchandise that there should also be "Texas Tank Launchers" items for sale on NSF as well :)

A flying beer keg w a Spacex logo on it.

Before I start a cool Friday afternoon beer from a local brewery (which incidentally has an astronaut on the label) I was wondering how many imperial pints we can fit in that beer can. With a 30m height, it seems to be roughly 3+ million pints which is enough for Friday night.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: aero on 09/04/2020 10:08 pm
After Thursday's successful SN6 hop I think that in addition to the "Texas Tank Watchers" merchandise that there should also be "Texas Tank Launchers" items for sale on NSF as well :)

A flying beer keg w a Spacex logo on it.

Before I start a cool Friday afternoon beer from a local brewery (which incidentally has an astronaut on the label) I was wondering how many imperial pints we can fit in that beer can. With a 30m height, it seems to be roughly 3+ million pints which is enough for Friday night.

So you're not planning to invite me and Nomad!!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 09/04/2020 10:50 pm
After Thursday's successful SN6 hop I think that in addition to the "Texas Tank Watchers" merchandise that there should also be "Texas Tank Launchers" items for sale on NSF as well :)

Why limit "Tank watchers" merch to Texas? Surely NSFrs in other areas should be represented as well? As a quick google would confirm, there are tank farms all over the world. So, what about the unrepresented NSFer in Idaho spending their days watching their local tank farm? Or one in Kansas watching the tank farm at their local feedlot? Or a UK member staking out a tank farm at a Cornwall fish-processing plant? Don't they deserve some acknowledgment too?

I'd say more, but I've got to go tend the cameras I've got set up to keep an eye on my local tank farm - it's at an abandoned concrete plant, so the lenses get dusty if I don't keep them clean.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: leovinus on 09/04/2020 11:12 pm
After Thursday's successful SN6 hop I think that in addition to the "Texas Tank Watchers" merchandise that there should also be "Texas Tank Launchers" items for sale on NSF as well :)

A flying beer keg w a Spacex logo on it.

Before I start a cool Friday afternoon beer from a local brewery (which incidentally has an astronaut on the label) I was wondering how many imperial pints we can fit in that beer can. With a 30m height, it seems to be roughly 3+ million pints which is enough for Friday night.

So you're not planning to invite me and Nomad!!!

Oops, sorry mate, not tonight as we do not have P2P transport to make it to BC in time. However, happy to show up at a future date for a get-together with astronaut beer, N * 4 packs of pints, micro brew, at Starhopper, our future beach bar the "Dingo and the Hopper". And a Guinness equivalent stout for Nomadd of course, trust me. N to be decided. In fact, the 3+ million pints should cover NSF if Elon humors us, right?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: leovinus on 09/04/2020 11:16 pm
After Thursday's successful SN6 hop I think that in addition to the "Texas Tank Watchers" merchandise that there should also be "Texas Tank Launchers" items for sale on NSF as well :)

A flying beer keg w a Spacex logo on it.

I think we need a visit of the "Brew Dogs" to discuss how to better use the enormous stainless steel vessels of the tank farm to brew Texas style. I'll bring the hop.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ulm_atms on 09/04/2020 11:19 pm
At this point we need "SpaceX Stalkers" merch cause that's really what we are all doing.  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 09/05/2020 12:05 am
As God is my witness; I'll never understand why Elon & SpaceX are not marketing a range of Falcon, Dragon and Starship model kitsets and toys! There are 3D printed ones, unofficial Pro and Semi-pro replicas you can buy, 'Estes' flying model rocket versions... But no diecast, tough plastic 'playsets' or just plain 1/72 & 1/48 scale model kitsets!! Come on SpaceX! There's still room in my display cabinets...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 09/05/2020 12:23 am
So I just excitedly showed my wife the Raptor vacuum engine. Her response, “what’s the junk pile on top?”
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: pb2000 on 09/05/2020 01:07 am
The photo caption needed to be "Raptor family with one standard [SpaceX employees name] for scale". Bonus points if there was a banana leaning against the engine bell.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 09/05/2020 01:38 am
So I just excitedly showed my wife the Raptor vacuum engine. Her response, “what’s the junk pile on top?”
Considering that I overhauled an air conditioner and changed a trigger this week without "that" many parts left over, I think I could tackle that thing. Maybe back off a little further than usual for the static fire.
 (If you have six extra parts one time and are six short on the next project, it averages out to perfect, right?)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mandella on 09/05/2020 02:49 am
As God is my witness; I'll never understand why Elon & SpaceX are not marketing a range of Falcon, Dragon and Starship model kitsets and toys! There are 3D printed ones, unofficial Pro and Semi-pro replicas you can buy, 'Estes' flying model rocket versions... But no diecast, tough plastic 'playsets' or just plain 1/72 & 1/48 scale model kitsets!! Come on SpaceX! There's still room in my display cabinets...

You are so right. I was actually looking to get my three year old grandson an authentic SpaceX Falcon 9 toy, and nope. I can buy a 35 dollar umbrella from the SpaceX store (and admittedly some neat T-shirts) but no kid's toys.

Truly a market ready to be served.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 09/05/2020 05:20 pm
After Thursday's successful SN6 hop I think that in addition to the "Texas Tank Watchers" merchandise that there should also be "Texas Tank Launchers" items for sale on NSF as well :)

A flying beer keg w a Spacex logo on it.

I think we need a visit of the "Brew Dogs" to discuss how to better use the enormous stainless steel vessels of the tank farm to brew Texas style. I'll bring the hop.
There has been some hop(s) testing in Texas recently. Coincidence? I think not!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DistantTemple on 09/06/2020 07:07 pm
Waoh there Nomad. You are amazing.... but driving your security pickup through the fence .... is a questionable act. You may need a beer and a good night's sleep. We can take a break from the 24 hr coverage!
From Nomadd's new pics...  looks like the fence survived just fine (and that junk stuck there looks like a cabbage got shredded).
Whoa! Nomadd! I feel safer already  :)
Photo Credit: Nomad
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nevyn72 on 09/06/2020 10:20 pm
Waoh there Nomad. You are amazing.... but driving your security pickup through the fence .... is a questionable act. You may need a beer and a good night's sleep. We can take a break from the 24 hr coverage!
From Nomadd's new pics...  looks like the fence survived just fine (and that junk stuck there looks like a cabbage got shredded).
Whoa! Nomadd! I feel safer already  :)
Photo Credit: Nomad

No! No! Don't stop!

Whatever it takes to keep the stream of photos coming!

Nice distraction though, did Mary sneak in while Zeus was chasing you?  ???
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 09/07/2020 09:50 pm
Forgive me, OTV Booster, but I could not resist replying to this part of your excellent post in the Raptor thread here, where the operative word, bolded by me, is on topic.

I expect SX lunched a few engines getting startup figured out.

If you are correct, as I believe you to be, they must have one heck of a good dental plan at SpaceX.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: toren on 09/07/2020 10:00 pm
SN 7.1 says hello to Starhopper.

(credit: LabPadre livestream)
(1st post!  :) )

"Those about to die salute you!"

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 09/08/2020 02:27 pm
SN 7.1 says hello to Starhopper.

(credit: LabPadre livestream)
(1st post!  :) )

"Those about to die salute you!"

AVE STARHOPPER MORITURI TE SALUTANT

(latin had no lower case)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kdhilliard on 09/08/2020 04:24 pm
A: Latin had no lower case.

Q: Why did the Romans always shout at each other?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 09/08/2020 05:03 pm
how would you say "starhopper" in latin though?  astrum fervens? or would that be "hopping star"....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ChrisWilson68 on 09/08/2020 05:13 pm
(latin had no lower case)

Ancient Rome had no lower case.  But lower case was invented to write Latin in the Middle Ages.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 09/08/2020 05:28 pm
how would you say "starhopper" in latin though?  astrum fervens? or would that be "hopping star"....
I dare say it can be a bit difficult to approximate modern concepts in Latin, but hey, it can be fun to give it a go...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: SeaRaven on 09/09/2020 01:13 pm
Totally inappropriate. I know, but on a low news day, I cant resist a sideliner.

Iceland completes prototype stainless steel rocket and launch mount in competition with SpaceX
(Thufa Hill, Reykjavik)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: aero on 09/09/2020 03:36 pm
It looks a little rusty - are you sure it's stainless? Or maybe I'm seeing the launch mount?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: WTF on 09/09/2020 04:08 pm
4500 metric ton launch mount ... gravel ... don't see any rebar sleeves.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 09/09/2020 04:12 pm
4500 metric ton launch mount ... gravel ... don't see any rebar sleeves.

Given its Nordic origin may it isn’t gravel... it could be gravlux (lax)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: launchwatcher on 09/09/2020 05:07 pm
4500 metric ton launch mount ... gravel ... don't see any rebar sleeves.

Given its Nordic origin may it isn’t gravel... it could be gravlux (lax)
Two unrelated thoughts:

1) Given the knock-down drag-out arguments about spiral-welded cylinders, imagine a thread on spiral-wound domes.

2) Sending large amounts of lutefisk with Mars colonists as an incentive to get local food production up to speed quickly.



Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ChrisWilson68 on 09/09/2020 06:20 pm
So, between the months of living in isolation because of the virus and now living under very orange-red skies from the California wildfire smoke, I think I'm all ready to go to Mars.  It really won't be much different.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: rsdavis9 on 09/09/2020 06:26 pm
So how many SH/SS does it take to move california to mars?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 09/09/2020 06:40 pm
So how many SH/SS does it take to move california to mars?
None. They're already there.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 09/09/2020 07:09 pm
So, between the months of living in isolation because of the virus and now living under very orange-red skies from the California wildfire smoke, I think I'm all ready to go to Mars.  It really won't be much different.

I would have liked your post, but, seeing how I live in the north state and yah..... it freakin looks like mars here!

Photo taken at high noon.  No clouds in the sky.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 09/10/2020 01:38 am
So, between the months of living in isolation because of the virus and now living under very orange-red skies from the California wildfire smoke, I think I'm all ready to go to Mars.  It really won't be much different.

It will in one way - a Mars colony will have to have a reliable power grid.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Robotbeat on 09/10/2020 02:10 am
So, between the months of living in isolation because of the virus and now living under very orange-red skies from the California wildfire smoke, I think I'm all ready to go to Mars.  It really won't be much different.

It will in one way - a Mars colony will have to have a reliable power grid.
Burn!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: launchwatcher on 09/10/2020 03:35 am
So, between the months of living in isolation because of the virus and now living under very orange-red skies from the California wildfire smoke, I think I'm all ready to go to Mars.  It really won't be much different.

It will in one way - a Mars colony will have to have a reliable power grid.
Burn!
No, that's the other problem in California.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 09/10/2020 07:28 am
So how many SH/SS does it take to move california to mars?

What do you have against Mars that you would want to do such a thing to a lovely planet?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 09/10/2020 08:04 pm
Damnnnnnn..... 

California is just going to pull up anchor and find a new place to play.  BTW,  we are taking our toys with us.

Come on Elon.... time to go.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 09/11/2020 04:15 pm
https://twitter.com/peter_j_beck/status/1304146946848780288

Quote
I love our payload adaptors. This one will have a bunch of sats all around including a micro sat on the top. As always, beautiful workmanship by the team. (I have a real thing for precise equal spacing in cable ties). 😁
TOTALLY my kind of OCD :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 09/11/2020 04:16 pm
So, between the months of living in isolation because of the virus and now living under very orange-red skies from the California wildfire smoke, I think I'm all ready to go to Mars.  It really won't be much different.

It will in one way - a Mars colony will have to have a reliable power grid.
Burn!
Sick...

No, that's the OTHER other problem in California...

I hope this post doesn't go viral.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: aero on 09/11/2020 10:45 pm
So, between the months of living in isolation because of the virus and now living under very orange-red skies from the California wildfire smoke, I think I'm all ready to go to Mars.  It really won't be much different.

It will in one way - a Mars colony will have to have a reliable power grid.
Burn!
Sick...

No, that's the OTHER other problem in California...

I hope this post doesn't go viral.

"The" other problem? Don't you mean, "another" problem?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: laszlo on 09/12/2020 01:17 am
Slowly the crane approaches it's prey.
Slowly the crane approaches its prey.

Slowly says, "This is the tanks I get for doing my job."
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 09/12/2020 02:01 am
The (lack of) live Tweet coverage by Astra of their own launch is "stellar." :(
EDIT: The coverage improved a little.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 09/12/2020 02:31 am
Slowly the crane approaches it's prey.
Slowly the crane approaches its prey.

Slowly says, "This is the tanks I get for doing my job."

Can't we have some sympathy for poor SN 7.1? Think of the shock it's had - "What? Pop? I thought you said I'd get to hop, not pop!"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 09/12/2020 12:23 pm
Slowly the crane approaches it's prey.
Slowly the crane approaches its prey.

Slowly says, "This is the tanks I get for doing my job."

Can't we have some sympathy for poor SN 7.1? Think of the shock it's had - "What? Pop? I thought you said I'd get to hop, not pop!"

We like to hop
We like to hop
 and pop

Stop! 
You must not hop
and pop

Photo from
https://seussblog.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/copy-of-br029_spread.jpg
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 09/12/2020 02:01 pm
https://twitter.com/peter_j_beck/status/1304146946848780288 (https://twitter.com/peter_j_beck/status/1304146946848780288)

Quote
I love our payload adaptors. This one will have a bunch of sats all around including a micro sat on the top. As always, beautiful workmanship by the team. (I have a real thing for precise equal spacing in cable ties). 😁
TOTALLY my kind of OCD :)
Hey!
It’s not a “Disorder”!
It’s how we make our livings. ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 09/12/2020 03:04 pm
https://twitter.com/peter_j_beck/status/1304146946848780288 (https://twitter.com/peter_j_beck/status/1304146946848780288)

Quote
I love our payload adaptors. This one will have a bunch of sats all around including a micro sat on the top. As always, beautiful workmanship by the team. (I have a real thing for precise equal spacing in cable ties). 😁
TOTALLY my kind of OCD :)
Hey!
It’s not a “Disorder”!
It’s how we make our livings. ;)
Some people just seemed obsessed with calling everything a disorder. I don't know what compels them.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 09/13/2020 02:43 am
https://twitter.com/peter_j_beck/status/1304146946848780288 (https://twitter.com/peter_j_beck/status/1304146946848780288)

Quote
I love our payload adaptors. This one will have a bunch of sats all around including a micro sat on the top. As always, beautiful workmanship by the team. (I have a real thing for precise equal spacing in cable ties).
TOTALLY my kind of OCD :)
Hey!
It’s not a “Disorder”!
It’s how we make our livings. ;)
Some people just seemed obsessed with calling everything a disorder. I don't know what compels them.
Right? Just yesterday I went to Grainger to pick up some gear I had purchased and when I inquired about it the guy at will call pointed at a package and said, “disorder?”

I’ll show myself out...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mark_m on 09/14/2020 12:11 am
New delivery! Wonder what these may be?  ???

Photo from Mary as always!

I'm going to go out an a limb here and say they look like sections of pressed metal stacked together on pallets and covered in shrink wrap.

Raceway fitments?

Don't forget the micro spy drones, ummm.... I mean dragonflies!  :D

Am I the only one who immediately thought of Danny Dunn, Invisible Boy?

Edit: I guess I am!  :o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Galactic Penguin SST on 09/14/2020 02:23 am
Not satisfied with a Rocket Barge of their own, the Chinese now get in their hands an "ASDS" of their own for launching a Long March 11 tomorrow!  ;D

https://twitter.com/Cosmic_Penguin/status/1305329095559929856
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 09/14/2020 08:10 am
Ooh no! Mass simulator's coils are overheating!

This is worrying; if that thing fails during a hop, Starship can't land - Raptor doesn't throttle low enough.

I'm more worried about how that thing works. The only way I know of to create mass on demand is energy (E=MC^2). So, they turn it on, and the energy creates the mass, simulating actual mass (such as steel ballast would be). What bothers me is that this would mean around a third of a million megatons-equivalent in energy. Not a safe thing to be using, IMHO.
Maybe they use an energy simulator.
'Energy simulator', ha. There are now US company that invented The Gravity Drive.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 09/14/2020 03:27 pm
Meanwhile, on Venus upper cloud layer... the party is ongoing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4-1ASpdT1Y&pp=QAA%3D


Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 09/14/2020 04:15 pm
Quote
It's only produced by life - in strange places like penguin guts - on Earth

WTH did I just red ??!!  :o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 09/14/2020 06:07 pm
Quote
It's only produced by life - in strange places like penguin guts - on Earth

WTH did I just red ??!!  :o
Gut anaerobic micro-organisms.

19th century analog to the plastic advice in The Graduate.

My riff: Guano, baby.  That's where it's at!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 09/14/2020 06:51 pm
Quote
It's only produced by life - in strange places like penguin guts - on Earth

WTH did I just red ??!!  :o
Maybe we can ask Galactic Penguin, or it is insensitive?

(No I don't analyse my own farts either.)

Reading the research paper, a thought has come to mind:

PH3 in our atmosphere only exists on the ppt range (parts per trillion), and that's with our incredibly vast biosphere. So how is it that Venus, a planet vastly more inhospitable for life, has PH3 in the ppb range (parts per billion)? If there's life, it must be a huge ecosystem to produce this.

You can get ppb concentrations in certain scenarios.

Quote
Measurements of phosphine concentrations in the Earth's atmosphere. Study number shown in x-axis (references below) and y-axis showing the span of locally measured concentration of gaseous PH3 in units of ng/m 3 , with maximum values of 600.2 and 1259 ng/m 3 (corresponding to concentrations ranging between ppq to ppb). Green bars: marshlands and paddy fields. Black bars -industrial environments. Red bar -Namibia (rural environment). White bars -arctic and Antarctic environments. Yellow bars -Upper troposphere. Blue bars -oceanic samples (coastal and open ocean. References for studies shown: 1) (Han et al. 2011a) 2) (Han et al. 2000) 3) (Niu et al. 2013) 4) (Glindemann et al. 1996a) 5) (Zhang et al. 2010) 6) (Glindemann et al. 1996a) 7) (Zhu et al. 2007a; Zhu et al. 2007b) 8) (Zhang et al. 2010) 9,10) (Glindemann et al. 2003) 11) (Li et al. 2009) 12) (Zhu et al. 2007a; Zhu et al. 2007b) 13) (Gassmann et al. 1996) 14) (Glindemann et al. 2003) 15) (Geng et al. 2005; Han et al. 2011b) 16) (Hong et al. 2010a). We do not include measurements of "Matrix-Bound Phosphine" (material that releases PH3 when
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Measurements-of-phosphine-concentrations-in-the-Earths-atmosphere-Study-number-shown-in_fig1_336510631

It looks like the highest concentrations were found in industrial environments, closely followed by arctic environments. There doesn't seem to be much correlation between biological mass density and phosphine concentration (in fact, the opposite).
RAS HAS FOUND PENGUIN INDUSTRY ON VENUS!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 09/14/2020 07:50 pm
Did I piece together it right: RAS has found space penguins from Venus?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: apollolanding on 09/14/2020 08:10 pm
Did I piece together it right: RAS has found space penguins from Venus?

They exist!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: aero on 09/15/2020 12:36 am
NSF has a thread, SpaceX -blah blah - Earth to deep space. Do readers with Dyslexia see that as SpaceX - blah blah - Deep Space to Earth?
It would make for a very interesting thread but the content might currently be a little lite.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 09/15/2020 01:49 pm
... Dyslexia ...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Alpha_Centauri on 09/15/2020 03:44 pm
With all the talk about microbes in the clouds of Venus I fear we are missing the more likely explanation that we just found an alien meth lab.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 09/15/2020 03:54 pm
With all the talk about microbes in the clouds of Venus I fear we are missing the more likely explanation that we just found an alien meth lab.

ROTFL

You DO know that, in Breaking bad pilot, Walter White kills people using phosphine / phosgen - do you ?  ;D ;D ;D

https://edu.rsc.org/analysis/breaking-bad-poisoning-gangsters-with-phosphine-gas/3007373.article
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 09/15/2020 07:34 pm
https://twitter.com/ChrisG_NSF/status/1305947596222009344
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CuddlyRocket on 09/15/2020 08:42 pm
With all the talk about microbes in the clouds of Venus I fear we are missing the more likely explanation that we just found an alien meth lab.

An alien meth lab would also be evidence of life on Venus! (The scientists involved here pointed out that phosphine on Earth is produced either by life or through industrial processes - i.e. also by life.)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Robotbeat on 09/16/2020 01:59 am
watch out for the protoss... Phosphine gas, you say?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 09/16/2020 12:22 pm
NSF has a thread, SpaceX -blah blah - Earth to deep space. Do readers with Dyslexia see that as SpaceX - blah blah - Deep Space to Earth?
It would make for a very interesting thread but the content might currently be a little lite.
No need to be so moody; there is a launch tomorrow! And not just an any launch, a relaunch! And landing too, if everything goes right.

Also some of the penguin-posts were in the space science part, but were slapped to the party thread with the butt-side-of-the-ban-hammer, which is odd. Normally posters get the slap, and the posts get blown to the memory hole.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: intelati on 09/16/2020 04:52 pm
Roll lift on the way to the pad.

Source: LabPadre

The RollLifter guy is on there once again. Hahaha
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 09/16/2020 05:49 pm
Penguins, yes. I'm surprise nobody mentions these ones.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaTAjmSppvA

"First step, the boat. Then, Madagascar. Then Antarctica. and finally: VENUS."

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 09/16/2020 07:04 pm
The Inmarsat offering is L-band like Iridium, not cheap and not fast (but potentially affected less by weather than Ku-band)

"It's slow, but a least it's expensive"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30axLwsjnkc
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Norm38 on 09/17/2020 09:23 pm
I was going to get a Delta-IV-H launch tomorrow for my birthday.  I guess a routine F9 milkrun will have to do.  :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 09/18/2020 01:15 am
I was going to get a Delta-IV-H launch tomorrow for my birthday.  I guess a routine F9 milkrun will have to do.  :)

Good on ya!  I am still 0 for all of them.  :(
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 09/18/2020 09:50 pm
Your birthdays both got scrubbed. Something about ocean currents and recovery.

I keep telling you, don't go swimming drunk in the latter part of the party, but would anyone listen, noooooo....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 09/19/2020 12:35 am
Edit: post number 9,999. I'll let myself out now.

Watching for the big 10. :)
So, late October, now that they changed their mind?   ;)

(I had to look that up in the news, as I don't really care much about the Big 10 unless LSU has an inter-conference game with Wisconsin or someone.  ;D)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nevyn72 on 09/19/2020 07:09 am
One of the attractions will be "The Esperson Quicksand challenge".
Hovercraft. No problem. In normal use they fly over the ground/water not in/on it   8)

Great idea, here are the first 'guests' arriving now!  ;D

[zubenelgenubi: Attached the embedded image. Then moved to the party thread.]
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 09/19/2020 12:29 pm
Edit: post number 9,999. I'll let myself out now.

Watching for the big 10. :)
So, late October, now that they changed their mind?   ;)

(I had to look that up in the news, as I don't really care much about the Big 10 unless LSU has an inter-conference game with Wisconsin or someone.  ;D)
Go Illini and our fierce mascot the intimidating capital letter I!
Visited recently which isn’t easy from Texas these days. And maybe somebody can fix this image never do understand why pics come out rotated on the site when they show upright on my phone.
<edit> fixing pic attempt worked! </edit>
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 09/19/2020 04:46 pm
And maybe somebody can fix this image never do understand why pics come out rotated on the site when they show upright on my phone.

Looking at the metadata in your image i noticed it was taken on a Apple phone. Seems those phones only store information that a image should be rotated when displayed instead of actually rotating  the image at the time the image is taken. So i guess the answer are that the software on this site ought to be updated or perhaps you need a new phone  :P

https://stackoverflow.com/questions/10600613/ios-image-orientation-has-strange-behavior
Quote
The answer to this is very simple. Apple is NOT rotating the image. That's where the confusion lies.

The CCD camera doesn't rotate, so it's always taking the photo in landscape mode.

Apple did a very smart thing - instead of spending all the time to rotate the image - shuffling megabytes of data around - just tag it with HOW the picture was taken.

OpenGL does translations very easily - so the DATA never gets shuffled - just HOW ITS DRAWN.

Hence the orientation meta data.

This becomes a problem if you want to crop, resize etc - but once you know what's happening, you just define your matrix and everything works out.

Edit:
Just so you wouldn't think this was a serious answer in an unserious thread. Here is Peter Sellers fixing a phöne.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2cr3C3lKZA
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 09/19/2020 05:33 pm
And maybe somebody can fix this image never do understand why pics come out rotated on the site when they show upright on my phone.

Looking at the metadata in your image i noticed it was taken on a Apple phone. Seems those phones only store information that a image should be rotated when displayed instead of actually rotating  the image at the time the image is taken. So i guess the answer are that the software on this site ought to be updated or perhaps you need a new phone  :P

https://stackoverflow.com/questions/10600613/ios-image-orientation-has-strange-behavior
Quote
The answer to this is very simple. Apple is NOT rotating the image. That's where the confusion lies.

The CCD camera doesn't rotate, so it's always taking the photo in landscape mode.

Apple did a very smart thing - instead of spending all the time to rotate the image - shuffling megabytes of data around - just tag it with HOW the picture was taken.

OpenGL does translations very easily - so the DATA never gets shuffled - just HOW ITS DRAWN.

Hence the orientation meta data.

This becomes a problem if you want to crop, resize etc - but once you know what's happening, you just define your matrix and everything works out.

My android phone does the same thing. There are also issues with many cameras labeling the thumbnails differently than the photo when you rotate. The simplest thing I found that works on all devices and all platforms is to export the image to a PNG, and back again if needed.

 Auto rotate being on or off on the phone can make a difference sometimes.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: IANARS on 09/21/2020 10:49 pm
and... Octagrabber for the win(s).


https://twitter.com/octagrabber/status/1307065385137602567 (https://twitter.com/octagrabber/status/1307065385137602567)

https://twitter.com/octagrabber/status/1307360134839103497 (https://twitter.com/octagrabber/status/1307360134839103497)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 09/21/2020 11:21 pm
never do understand why pics come out rotated on the site when they show upright on my phone.

It's due to where it was taken; you must have been halfway to Australia.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 09/22/2020 01:33 am
Hijacked from the (formerly Mr Steven) thread  ;D

So the ship's name transitioned from male to female... possibly SpaceX's way of celebrating Pride?

The reason is male names on ships is forbidden (bad luck). All ships are female names... Always...  Hope this helps!

Which is why the previous operator called it Mr Steven.  🙄🙄🙄

Yeah, and the US Navy's newest aircraft carrier, the Gerald R. Ford.  Which replaces the Nimitz class, named after Chester Nimitz.

The US Navy names lots and lots of its vessels of all sizes after men.

It may be that in certain circles female names are preferred, but the claim that "All ships are female names... Always" is clearly false.

Yep. Even the latest Ford class aircraft carrier named "Doris Miller" is not named after a girl.  :P  @eMrfixit
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 09/22/2020 02:29 am
 And, obviously, "Of course I Still Love You" is a male name. Although, "Just Read The Instructions" is something that no male would ever say.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 09/23/2020 04:53 pm
Pop goes the Weesssel
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: IntoTheVoid on 09/24/2020 06:05 am
A camera operator gave us a nice overview of the area around station 3 while tarmac is being put in :)

Anyone got eyes on SN 5 & 6? It looks like they got dressed up and went to Vegas.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 09/24/2020 07:50 pm
Starship Test Tank SN7.1 was pressurized to bursting point - on purpose - for data gathering. Replay video at various speeds, plus comparison views to SN7's burst test.

Video and Pictures from Mary @BocaChicaGal). Edited by Jack Beyer (@TheJackBeyer)

https://youtu.be/CkFFgngw6Q4

To help those of us suffering from holiday withdrawl due to Covid19 closures, Elon has opted to publicly set off the worlds largest Haunted House Fog Machine.

Beware the dementors, they like the cold.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 09/24/2020 11:20 pm
Starship Test Tank SN7.1 was pressurized to bursting point - on purpose - for data gathering. Replay video at various speeds, plus comparison views to SN7's burst test.

Video and Pictures from Mary @BocaChicaGal). Edited by Jack Beyer (@TheJackBeyer)

https://youtu.be/CkFFgngw6Q4

To help those of us suffering from holiday withdrawl due to Covid19 closures, Elon has opted to publicly set off the worlds largest Haunted House Fog Machine.

Beware the dementors, they like the cold.

That video gave me the chills!

RIP, Starship 7.1. We hardly got a chance to know ye.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 09/26/2020 04:30 pm
Some exclusive insights into what SpaceX is trying to construct now. They still have some decorating work to do.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 09/28/2020 08:50 pm
So since the NSF investigation team figured out the newest member of the Boca Chica crane collection...

https://www.liebherr.com/en/can/products/mobile-and-crawler-cranes/crawler-cranes/lr-crawler-cranes/details/lr16002.html

... we get a very telling description of what it should be used for:

Quote
The LR 1600/2 crawler crane has outstanding load capacities, variable boom and derrick systems as well as enhanced component dimensions for low cost transport. With its bespoke boom system the LR 1600/2 is ideal for the erection of wind turbines.

I think that settles the debate around the six-leg steel pipe / concrete fill structure. It is clearly for a wind turbine.

And we should have seen it coming, after a water tower and grain silo, a windmill was still missing to complete the farm.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tgr9898 on 09/28/2020 09:03 pm

Now go over to a SN tank section that's also fully fueled and take a swing at it - and what happens? Well, nothing, because you'd be tackled by about a dozen horrified people who value their lives and understand that 4mm welded stainless does NOT make a storage tank...

Nope, not going to get tackled.  Because if there is a fully-fueled SN tank section, all those "people who value their lives and understand that 4mm welded stainless does NOT make a storage tank" would be MILES away when that ticking bomb is loaded!

Maybe they could sic the robo-dog on the guy with the sledge hammer...?

....with fricken lazer beams attached to their HEADS!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 09/28/2020 11:36 pm
So since the NSF investigation team figured out the newest member of the Boca Chica crane collection...

https://www.liebherr.com/en/can/products/mobile-and-crawler-cranes/crawler-cranes/lr-crawler-cranes/details/lr16002.html

... we get a very telling description of what it should be used for:

Quote
The LR 1600/2 crawler crane has outstanding load capacities, variable boom and derrick systems as well as enhanced component dimensions for low cost transport. With its bespoke boom system the LR 1600/2 is ideal for the erection of wind turbines.

I think that settles the debate around the six-leg steel pipe / concrete fill structure. It is clearly for a wind turbine.

And we should have seen it coming, after a water tower and grain silo, a windmill was still missing to complete the farm.

Has anyone here ever been to Las Vegas? The reason I ask is, there's all sorts of things on the strip in Vegas; volcanoes, Eiffel towers, pyramids, etc, all part of the hotel-resort image. And we know, per Elon Musk, that SpaceX has a resort in mind for Boca Chica. I also suspect that Elon has been to Vegas.

So, what we're seeing is a "farm of the future" theme (They're already building restaurants!). I agree about the wind turbine, though it'll probably have rocket engines on the tips of the blades (shades of ROTON!). The big shiny things that fly? Rocket powered grain silos and water tanks. And let's not forget the rocket cows from McGreggor!

I can see it now, one day in the not too distant future. Tourists milling around, eating cotton candy and hot dogs, going from ride to ride (Such as the kiddie flamethrower asbestos funhouse), while every hour on the hour, a rocket-powered grain silo hops over their heads.

It's all so easy to see, when you stop and think about it - and have a plentiful supply of whiskey on hand.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 09/29/2020 06:56 pm
Quote
Hopkins, on naming it Resilience: "I think all of us can agree that 2020 has certainly been a challenging year - global pandemic economic hardships, civil unrest, isolation - and despite all of that SpaceX NASA has kept the production line open and finished this amazing vehicle."

Reminded me of the Timex slogan:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSv6Z5BA6e8
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DJPledger on 09/30/2020 08:41 am
Can someone please push the button on NROL-44 so SpaceX can resume normal service.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 09/30/2020 09:01 am
Can someone please push the button on NROL-44 so SpaceX can resume normal service.

You mean the delay button? Okay, if you say so...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DJPledger on 09/30/2020 10:50 am
Can someone please push the button on NROL-44 so SpaceX can resume normal service.
You mean the delay button? Okay, if you say so...
I meant the launch button to get NROL-44 out of the way. It's NROL-44 that is holding up SpaceX.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 09/30/2020 03:52 pm
Can someone please push the button on NROL-44 so SpaceX can resume normal service.
You mean the delay button? Okay, if you say so...
I meant the launch button to get NROL-44 out of the way. It's NROL-44 that is holding up SpaceX.

Who among us hasn't pushed snooze a good ten or twenty times when they had a rough days ahead?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 09/30/2020 04:06 pm
So since the NSF investigation team figured out the newest member of the Boca Chica crane collection...

https://www.liebherr.com/en/can/products/mobile-and-crawler-cranes/crawler-cranes/lr-crawler-cranes/details/lr16002.html

... we get a very telling description of what it should be used for:

Quote
The LR 1600/2 crawler crane has outstanding load capacities, variable boom and derrick systems as well as enhanced component dimensions for low cost transport. With its bespoke boom system the LR 1600/2 is ideal for the erection of wind turbines.

I think that settles the debate around the six-leg steel pipe / concrete fill structure. It is clearly for a wind turbine.

And we should have seen it coming, after a water tower and grain silo, a windmill was still missing to complete the farm.
Maybe they bought up the remains of Rotary Rocket. Imagine a 600 foot tall Roton made out of a windmill.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 09/30/2020 04:08 pm
Can someone please push the button on NROL-44 so SpaceX can resume normal service.
It's a whether delay. (They can't decide whether or not to launch)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 09/30/2020 10:43 pm
Can someone please push the button on NROL-44 so SpaceX can resume normal service.
It's a whether delay. (They can't decide whether or not to launch)

Naw, it's a money grab.  Now that ULA is no longer getting paid $400 million a year to maintain 37B for annual (or more seldom) DIVH flights, they're cutting hoses and installing broken regulators.  And with each resulting delay comes a nudge of "See, this wouldn't be happening if you gave us the pad maintenance money you had been giving us..."

It's a very old and cherished game in the aerospace industry.  Officially, it's called profit management.  Unofficially, it's called extortion.  ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ulm_atms on 09/30/2020 10:51 pm
Can someone please push the button on NROL-44 so SpaceX can resume normal service.
It's a whether delay. (They can't decide whether or not to launch)

Naw, it's a money grab.  Now that ULA is no longer getting paid $400 million a year to maintain 37B for annual (or more seldom) DIVH flights, they're cutting hoses and installing broken regulators.  And with each resulting delay comes a nudge of "See, this wouldn't be happening if you gave us the pad maintenance money you had been giving us..."

It's a very old and cherished game in the aerospace industry.  Officially, it's called profit management.  Unofficially, it's called extortion.  ;)

Na..it's not a money grab.  ULA is giving us a new game to play.  Just like SpaceX and the drone ship bingo, ULA is letting us play "What GSE piece will bite us in the butt this time!"  ;D

I don't think I have ever seen so many consecutive GSE problems on a single pad before.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 10/01/2020 02:26 am
I don't think I have ever seen so many consecutive GSE problems on a single pad before.
Please do not tempt fate this way.

The mgmt
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 10/01/2020 03:11 am
I don't think I have ever seen so many consecutive GSE problems on a single pad before.
Please do not tempt fate this way.

The mgmt

Oh, you mean because ULA now says the swing arm has an anomaly?

I really hate to say this, but this is making ULA look actually incompetent.  Not just unlucky, but technically incapable of launching the rocket.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: r8ix on 10/01/2020 04:08 am
So an hour ago, I was wondering “what will the reason for tonight’s scrub be?”, and now, lo and behold…
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 10/01/2020 04:47 am
Quote
The #DeltaIVHeavy rocket that will perform the #NROL44 mission for @NatReconOfc successfully completed a Wet Dress Rehearsal on Friday to demonstrate its intricate day-of-launch countdown activities.

Read more in our blog: ulalaunch.com/explore/blog-d…

📷 by @DaneDrefke

I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm just really glad they did a Wet Dress Rehearsal back on 2020-01-10 to make sure this launch goes smoothly.

I know orbital mechanics and other reality-based constraints may make this difficult, but in the future, can we schedule the scrubs for missions that don't require staying up really late each time?  Okay, so apparently the whole time zones and Australia and so on business exists, but hey.  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 10/01/2020 05:04 am
Worn image, I know. Worn like this launch campaign...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 10/01/2020 06:18 am
Always nice when Nomadd gets pictures of a Raptor at SpaceX.
(https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/assets/51332.0/1976212.jpg)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 10/01/2020 07:37 am
Delta IV-H launch scrubbed tonight.

 That must be the cleanest rocket in history.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DJPledger on 10/01/2020 08:24 am
It it time for NRO to hand all launch contracts to SpaceX to put ULA out of business. Problem solved.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 10/01/2020 01:24 pm
Oh, no.  It's spreading.  Quick, someone tell SLC-40 to be sure to wash its hands often and wear a mask religiously.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 10/01/2020 01:38 pm
This is all my fault. I decided it was silly to think that nobody could launch unless I made some goofy spiritual reference here. Unfortunately my arrogance has halted American spaceflight. I now have all of appropriate Gospel albums in full rotation and invite the congregation to get behind this.  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 10/01/2020 01:49 pm
Pretty sure this was just SpaceX trying their best not to make ULA look bad ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DJPledger on 10/01/2020 04:23 pm
Oh, no.  It's spreading.  Quick, someone tell SLC-40 to be sure to wash its hands often and wear a mask religiously.
We now need a vaccine to sort it out and get the US space industry back on track. Once we have got rid of ULA then SpaceX will be fine.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 10/01/2020 05:28 pm
...They might also get some insurance coverage too. ....
 
 
I would assume that insurance would be a given. What if (slightly hyperbolic) a sudden gust of wind blows SN8 over and crushes the support vehicles and/or the personnel moving it?   
I wonder if SpaceX would have a single monolithic public liability insurance plan covering everything they do in BC, or if they take out separate plans for each activity, or just rely on the subcontractor(Roll Lift, et al) to bring it to the party in their relevant areas.

The FAA Office of Commercial Spaceflight has regulatory authority to set insurance requirements before it issues licenses for launches. SpaceX is capitalized to several tens of billions of dollars. They have no trouble getting launch insurance and bonds issued for specific operations as necessary.
  Mary and I are worth $3 million each if a test flight is less than optimal. One of the last minute things the FAA required  before Hopper's trip.
 And they said I'd never amount to anything.

Wags might say you're worth more dead than alive, Nomadd... but not me, oh no. Alive, you're priceless!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 10/01/2020 07:16 pm
Quote
The #DeltaIVHeavy rocket that will perform the #NROL44 mission for @NatReconOfc successfully completed a Wet Dress Rehearsal on Friday to demonstrate its intricate day-of-launch countdown activities.

Read more in our blog: ulalaunch.com/explore/blog-d…

📷 by @DaneDrefke

I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm just really glad they did a Wet Dress Rehearsal back on 2020-01-10 to make sure this launch goes smoothly.

I know orbital mechanics and other reality-based constraints may make this difficult, but in the future, can we schedule the scrubs for missions that don't require staying up really late each time?  Okay, so apparently the whole time zones and Australia and so on business exists, but hey.  ;D

If you're not gonna launch anyway, you might as well do it at a more convenient time. Speaking of, why don't they do all the launch failures at night when no one can see them? It's not like they're gonna get to their specific spot in orbit.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ulm_atms on 10/01/2020 11:21 pm
I don't think I have ever seen so many consecutive GSE problems on a single pad before.
Please do not tempt fate this way.

The mgmt

Sorry Lar....I'll accept this scrub as my fault  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DJPledger on 10/02/2020 08:35 am
The ULA virus has now spread to Antares after SpaceX caught it. The only cure is to put ULA out of business. Hopefully SpaceX will put ULA out of business soon.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 10/02/2020 12:55 pm
A person involved with the Chinese Space Program recently commented in social media (fake translation):

Quote
We pride ourselves in having the worlds best and most reliable ground support equipment, allowing Chinese vehicles to launch with unprecedented schedule reliability. Yes, we might have lost a rocket or two due to in flight failures, and occasionally they fall on peoples heads, but what good is a reliable rocket if you weren't ever to get it of the pad?
Our competitors recent incapability of launching anything at all puts a shining light on the overall superiority of the Chinese space program.

Russian Rocosmos declined to make an official comment, but a private remark went along the lines:

Quote
Why do they scrub? Sometimes GSE malfunctions. Sometimes GSE is out of order. Or unserviceable. These Americans are chickens, they scrub for the weather, they scrub for a leaky valve, they scrub for a bad sensor. We launch Soyuz in the middle of a thunderstorm, get hit by lightning twice and make perfect orbit. They need to stop scrubbing for these little things and make their vehicles more robust. You have a propellant leak? So vot? Put some duct tape on it and launch already!

The European Space Agency could not be reached for comment. Their press office has been evacuated and all launch operations halted after one employees dog suddenly sneezed last month. Although most likely due to allergy, this triggered the agencies pandemic response contingency plan.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 10/02/2020 09:30 pm
Come on SpaceX, I really need this one tonight, and the one tomorrow.

It's been too long and this has been scrub week!

Light the candle! (When it's safe)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 10/02/2020 09:34 pm
The ULA virus has now spread to Antares after SpaceX caught it. The only cure is to put ULA out of business. Hopefully SpaceX will put ULA out of business soon.

I think Blue Origin will eventually buy ULA in a going out of business sales, then combine it with their program.  Flying several times before 2030.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: freddo411 on 10/02/2020 09:40 pm
The ULA virus has now spread to Antares after SpaceX caught it. The only cure is to put ULA out of business. Hopefully SpaceX will put ULA out of business soon.

I think Blue Origin will eventually buy ULA in a going out of business sales, then combine it with their program.  Flying several times before 2030.

Obviously said tongue in cheek, but there are non-zero odds that if you look back from 2030 this could look like a brilliant prediction.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 10/02/2020 10:55 pm
Where is @Elvis in Space? We need his pre-flight post for tonight's launches. ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ulm_atms on 10/03/2020 01:45 am
OH GOOD GRIEF!!!!!!

@$%!@^!$#@^#@$^!$(*&^%$^$^!!$^!$^!$^!$^!$^!!!!!!!

There...i feel better.......somewhat..... >:(

This is getting crazy!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TorenAltair on 10/03/2020 01:49 am
ULA, SpaceX and Northrop Grumman sitting in their control room:

"We will break zubenelgenubi. He won't find enough colors for his Launchapalooza!"
"Sounds great. Who's next then? Northrop? Are you ready to scrub again?"
"Of course we are!"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 10/03/2020 02:02 am
ULA, SpaceX and Northrop Grumman sitting in their control room:

"We will break zubenelgenubi. He won't find enough colors for his Launchapalooza!"
"Sounds great. Who's next then? Northrop? Are you ready to scrub again?"
"Of course we are!"

Well, we got 1 successful launch tonight! :)

NG didn't participate tonight in thwarting me.

Launchapalooza!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 10/03/2020 02:03 am
ULA, SpaceX and Northrop Grumman sitting in their control room:

"We will break zubenelgenubi. He won't find enough colors for his Launchapalooza!"
"Sounds great. Who's next then? Northrop? Are you ready to scrub again?"
"Of course we are!"

I’ve never felt so clean of excitement. Just filthy with annoyance.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 10/03/2020 02:14 am
If we don't get another launch, then we'll have to resort to continuous screenings of "Uncle Croc's Block."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9naJtTMnBgE
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 10/03/2020 02:18 am
OH GOOD GRIEF!!!!!!

@$%!@^!$#@^#@$^!$(*&^%$^$^!!$^!$^!$^!$^!$^!!!!!!!

There...i feel better.......somewhat..... >:(

This is getting crazy!

With all these scrubs, across more than one company, it's pretty obvious what the problem is; 2020. It's just a very unfavorable year.

The good news is there's a cure. The bad news is it won't happen until midnight on Jan 31st.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 10/03/2020 02:33 am
With all these scrubs, across more than one company, it's pretty obvious what the problem is; 2020. It's just a very unfavorable year.

The good news is there's a cure. The bad news is it won't happen until midnight on Jan 31st.
Didn't you hear? 2020 is going to be extended by several months. We've got at least Jantwoary, Febtwoary, and Marchamarchamarcha (possibly more) before we get to join 2021 in progress.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: aero on 10/03/2020 03:02 am
I might as well start a conspiracy theory. Are all of these scrubs due to GSE and communications from GSE to launch control? That is, is there a common single communication path?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 10/03/2020 05:52 am
With all these scrubs, across more than one company, it's pretty obvious what the problem is; 2020. It's just a very unfavorable year.

The good news is there's a cure. The bad news is it won't happen until midnight on Jan 31st.
Didn't you hear? 2020 is going to be extended by several months. We've got at least Jantwoary, Febtwoary, and Marchamarchamarcha (possibly more) before we get to join 2021 in progress.
NNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I might as well start a conspiracy theory. Are all of these scrubs due to GSE and communications from GSE to launch control? That is, is there a common single communication path?

I think it's a little more complicated than that, though still a conspiracy.
Think about the situation; ILA and SpaceX are competitors. Delta IV Heavy and its payload are currently on a 5 year mission to explore SLC-37B. SpaceX can't let this go unchallenged, now can it? 

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 10/03/2020 07:10 am
With all these scrubs, across more than one company, it's pretty obvious what the problem is; 2020. It's just a very unfavorable year.

The good news is there's a cure. The bad news is it won't happen until midnight on Jan 31st.
Didn't you hear? 2020 is going to be extended by several months. We've got at least Jantwoary, Febtwoary, and Marchamarchamarcha (possibly more) before we get to join 2021 in progress.

Obviously. There was going to be a new year fireworks - complete with the launch of firework rockets.

Unfortunately that launch had to be scrubbed due to issues with the weather and ground support equipment. The new years celebration are standing down while the issue is being evaluated....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DJPledger on 10/03/2020 08:24 am
We need to develop a vaccine against scrubs that will be 100% effective for all LV's.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 10/03/2020 10:53 am
We need to develop a vaccine against scrubs that will be 100% effective for all LV's.

I heard, the Russians are already administering it, it's called LaunchAnyway™ - but the move is under critique by various space agencies, claiming that the vaccine has not completed the necessary tests and could lead to unforseen complications and side effects, such as launch failures and damage to pads, putting payloads at risks...

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 10/03/2020 02:40 pm
Where is @Elvis in Space? We need his pre-flight post for tonight's launches. ;)

Just returned to Graceland International spaceport at Studio B in Nashville - Things been inordinately eventful of late. Looks like we got the situation under control so we can return attention to what's going on. Hopefully now the universe will respond with a sympathetic vibe and the new space-age can find it's rhythm.

Well, it's one for the money
Two for the show
Three to get ready
Now go, cat, go...



Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: aero on 10/03/2020 03:23 pm
With all these scrubs, across more than one company, it's pretty obvious what the problem is; 2020. It's just a very unfavorable year.

The good news is there's a cure. The bad news is it won't happen until midnight on Jan 31st.
Didn't you hear? 2020 is going to be extended by several months. We've got at least Jantwoary, Febtwoary, and Marchamarchamarcha (possibly more) before we get to join 2021 in progress.

Obviously. There was going to be a new year fireworks - complete with the launch of firework rockets.

Unfortunately that launch had to be scrubbed due to issues with the weather and ground support equipment. The new years celebration are standing down while the issue is being evaluated....

I got it!  We want high numbers --- We're counting the wrong things, we should be counting Transporter/erector utilization!
As for actual mission completion, just wait for Starship, load all the payloads and launch them all in one go.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 10/03/2020 07:11 pm
With all these scrubs, across more than one company, it's pretty obvious what the problem is; 2020. It's just a very unfavorable year.

The good news is there's a cure. The bad news is it won't happen until midnight on Jan 31st.
Didn't you hear? 2020 is going to be extended by several months. We've got at least Jantwoary, Febtwoary, and Marchamarchamarcha (possibly more) before we get to join 2021 in progress.

I checked my calendar and it reads:

2018
2019
2020
2020.1
2020.2
2020.3
...

 :o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kdhilliard on 10/03/2020 08:00 pm
Didn't you hear? 2020 is going to be extended by several months. We've got at least Jantwoary, Febtwoary, and Marchamarchamarcha (possibly more) before we get to join 2021 in progress.

More months to deal with?  I'm having a hard enough time coming up with distinct abbreviations for Scrubtember and Scrubtober.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Robotbeat on 10/03/2020 08:09 pm
With all these scrubs, across more than one company, it's pretty obvious what the problem is; 2020. It's just a very unfavorable year.

The good news is there's a cure. The bad news is it won't happen until midnight on Jan 31st.
Didn't you hear? 2020 is going to be extended by several months. We've got at least Jantwoary, Febtwoary, and Marchamarchamarcha (possibly more) before we get to join 2021 in progress.

I checked my calendar and it reads:

2018
2019
2020
2020.1
2020.2
2020.3
...

 :o
Don't you dare!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 10/03/2020 08:57 pm
Didn't you hear? 2020 is going to be extended by several months. We've got at least Jantwoary, Febtwoary, and Marchamarchamarcha (possibly more) before we get to join 2021 in progress.

More months to deal with?  I'm having a hard enough time coming up with distinct abbreviations for Scrubtember and Scrubtober.

Ste, Sto, Sve, Sce -- although if we get to Scrubcember, I think we'll need more than a T-shirt (https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/product/eat-sleep-scrub-repeat/) to deal with it.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 10/03/2020 09:07 pm
OK, so this is the Party thread....

Where is the funeral/wake/mourning thread, so I can comment of just how well-scrubbed the space industry has been the last several weeks.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 10/03/2020 09:08 pm
With all these scrubs, across more than one company, it's pretty obvious what the problem is; 2020. It's just a very unfavorable year.

The good news is there's a cure. The bad news is it won't happen until midnight on Jan 31st.
Didn't you hear? 2020 is going to be extended by several months. We've got at least Jantwoary, Febtwoary, and Marchamarchamarcha (possibly more) before we get to join 2021 in progress.

I checked my calendar and it reads:

2018
2019
2020
2020.1
2020.2
2020.3
...

 :o

The way things are going they'll just scrub the whole thing Dec 30 and we have to do it all over again.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kdhilliard on 10/03/2020 09:12 pm
... , I think we'll need more than a T-shirt (https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/product/eat-sleep-scrub-repeat/) to deal with it.

That is a cute T-shirt -- who came up with it?  (I assume it was discussed during one of the NSF livestreams.)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 10/03/2020 09:36 pm
OK, so this is the Party thread....

Where is the funeral/wake/mourning thread, so I can comment of just how well-scrubbed the space industry has been the last several weeks.

I blame it on all the SARS-COV-2 hand-washing advice; you're supposed to scrub for 20 seconds. With a rocket, the scrub lasts longer. Also, SpaceX's flight proven boosters; many here have commented on how sooty they look, and how they look like they need a good scrub. Maybe SpaceX decided to take that advice?

Also, look at the bright side; many of the scrubs have made it to T-5 or better (plus with some flames and sparklers for added goodness at the ULA pad), so, you get all the excitement of the final count, and then get to do it again, and again, and again... 

 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 10/03/2020 10:22 pm
With all these scrubs, across more than one company, it's pretty obvious what the problem is; 2020. It's just a very unfavorable year.

The good news is there's a cure. The bad news is it won't happen until midnight on Jan 31st.
Didn't you hear? 2020 is going to be extended by several months. We've got at least Jantwoary, Febtwoary, and Marchamarchamarcha (possibly more) before we get to join 2021 in progress.

Obviously. There was going to be a new year fireworks - complete with the launch of firework rockets.

Unfortunately that launch had to be scrubbed due to issues with the weather and ground support equipment. The new years celebration are standing down while the issue is being evaluated....

I got it!  We want high numbers --- We're counting the wrong things, we should be counting Transporter/erector utilization!
As for actual mission completion, just wait for Starship, load all the payloads and launch them all in one go.

You so asked for it:

Let's not forget, Starship walks around fully erect all the time, just like Saturn V did. So even when they stand down, they still stand tall ;)

(Except when they prematurely blow their load like SN1 - SN4 did)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: aero on 10/04/2020 01:04 am
With all these scrubs, across more than one company, it's pretty obvious what the problem is; 2020. It's just a very unfavorable year.

The good news is there's a cure. The bad news is it won't happen until midnight on Jan 31st.
Didn't you hear? 2020 is going to be extended by several months. We've got at least Jantwoary, Febtwoary, and Marchamarchamarcha (possibly more) before we get to join 2021 in progress.

Obviously. There was going to be a new year fireworks - complete with the launch of firework rockets.

Unfortunately that launch had to be scrubbed due to issues with the weather and ground support equipment. The new years celebration are standing down while the issue is being evaluated....

I got it!  We want high numbers --- We're counting the wrong things, we should be counting Transporter/erector utilization!
As for actual mission completion, just wait for Starship, load all the payloads and launch them all in one go.

You so asked for it:

Let's not forget, Starship walks around fully erect all the time, just like Saturn V did. So even when they stand down, they still stand tall ;)

(Except when they prematurely blow their load like SN1 - SN4 did)

Falcon 9 Transporter/erector utilization. We can't count Starship scrubs since, as you point out, it doesn't use a Transporter/erector so its utilization count will be forever zero. But Starship, once qualified, can still launch the upmass from all of the Falcon 9 scrubs.
How many scrubs were there in September anyway? It seems like it was about a scrub every day or two but maybe I've just been watching to closely like many of us. And how many separate missions were planned for September? It seems like the scrub / launch ratio must be greater than 6 but who knows almost for sure? Counting all scrubs, no mater the cause.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jpo234 on 10/04/2020 01:23 pm
https://www.reddit.com/r/elonmusk/comments/j4v093/elon_is_not_pleased/
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jpo234 on 10/04/2020 01:32 pm
And another great Reddit post:

https://www.reddit.com/r/SpaceXLounge/comments/j4vedg/spacex_webcast_intro_but_its_the_entire_avengers/
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wjbarnett on 10/04/2020 01:57 pm
And another great Reddit post:

https://www.reddit.com/r/SpaceXLounge/comments/j4vedg/spacex_webcast_intro_but_its_the_entire_avengers/
I guess I'm showing my age by saying I was expecting this theme song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aUAT3obi08
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 10/05/2020 05:28 am
... , I think we'll need more than a T-shirt (https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/product/eat-sleep-scrub-repeat/) to deal with it.

That is a cute T-shirt -- who came up with it?  (I assume it was discussed during one of the NSF livestreams.)
Staff
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 10/06/2020 04:10 pm
https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1313466792233193472

Quote
Falcon 9 launches 60 Starlink satellites to orbit, completing SpaceX's 43rd flight of a previously flown rocket booster

Edit to add: photos by Ben Cooper

That is amazing I didn’t know we got reuses up so high on a single booster! 44 flights?!! Wow! ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DistantTemple on 10/06/2020 08:36 pm
https://youtu.be/X90TQ6ZLjFw

Quote
SN8 had a busy night of pressure testing, with Mary catching an insane shot of the moonrise over the launch site. A thrust section was sleeved, some unknown parts were delivered, a Methane Header Tank was spotted, Tankzilla assembly continued, and work around the launch site continued.

Video and Pictures from Mary (@BocaChicaGal). Edited by Jack Beyer (@TheJackBeyer)

Click "Join" for access to early fast turnaround clips, exclusive discord access with the NSF team, etc - to support the channel.

Updates: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/ind...

Articles: https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/?s=Starship

NSF Store: https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/shop/

L2 Boca Chica (more clips and photos) from BC's very early days to today.
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/ind...
(Join L2 and support NSF here: https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/l2/)


0:00 - Moonrise Over SN8 (WOW)
0:31 - SN8 Pressure Testing / Coyotes Yelling
1:40 - SN8 Double Vent / Depressurized
2:21 - Sunrise
3:43 - Build Site
4:17 - High Bay and Mid Bay
4:37 - SN6 and Mk1 Nosecone
4:55 - Build Site
5:06 - Container Labeled “Aft Actuator”
5:31 - Thrust Dome
5:54 - Thrust Dome Closeups
6:07 - Thrust Dome Sleeved
7:00 - Thrust Dome Closeups
7:16 - Thrust Dome Sleeved
7:35 - LR1600/2 Assembly
8:57 - High Bay
9:17 - Delivery: Unknown Parts
10:06 - Earth Work at Launch Site
10:53 - Concrete Work on Landing Pad
11:14 - SN8 LOX Access Hatch Removed
12:20 - Structure Work Near Pad A
12:56 - Bluezilla Takes a break
13:26 - Work on SN8
13:41 - SN8 Closeups
14:29 - SN8 on Pad A
14:52 - AFT (Methane) Header Tank Closeups

That's absolutely blinding.
I was seriously impressed to see how Elon gets people working. We have seen bulldozers and scrapers 1/2 an order of magnitude faster and more productive, and employees purposefully and quickly racing from place to place.
But tonight he actually improved the moon's transit of the worksite. That's truly stunning. ;-D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 10/07/2020 11:49 pm
I am not sure if this has been asked yet, but I could not find this talked about in this thread. Sorry if this has been already asked.

Does anybody have any idea about the technical details of actually doing In-Orbit refueling? How do you go about physically getting propellants in 0g to transfer from one vehicle to another? SpaceX renders show SS docking with a tanker from the aft end, does this make sense?

Welcome to the forums.  You'll find that around here the bolded disclaimer is common and abbreviated.

IANSITHBAYBICNFTTAITTSITHBAA

... and at least a dozen people will check it for mistakes.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 10/08/2020 02:54 am
I am not sure if this has been asked yet, but I could not find this talked about in this thread. Sorry if this has been already asked.

Does anybody have any idea about the technical details of actually doing In-Orbit refueling? How do you go about physically getting propellants in 0g to transfer from one vehicle to another? SpaceX renders show SS docking with a tanker from the aft end, does this make sense?

Welcome to the forums.  You'll find that around here the bolded disclaimer is common and abbreviated.

IANSITHBAYBICNFTTAITTSITHBAA

... and at least a dozen people will check it for mistakes.

It's an older code but it checks out

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HJ-Y8YTo8Q
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 10/08/2020 06:18 pm
Hijacked from the "Flight Crew Assignment " thread

  Thanks and best wishes to Mr. Ferguson; he's been a great ambassador for human spaceflight since his last, historic mission.
   I have two questions that keep me up at night: 1] Who will wind-up being the last shuttle astronaut to fly in space?
2] Will a shuttle-flown astronaut make it to the moon? Or will John Young be the only astronaut in history to claim that honor?
   With the announcement of Michael L.A.'s command of the SpaceX tourist flight, what does the future hold for former
astronauts, and cosmonauts for that matter, getting back into outer space?

My money is on Kjell Lindgren getting to the surface of the Moon eventually.

We need to hear highland bagpipes doing a Lunar performing from the panoramic background of the Lunar surface through the large bay viewing port of a Starship. ;D
(photo from CNET article from NASA video clip)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 10/08/2020 09:03 pm
A nosecone is being cut up.
They told me it was being sent to a farm upstate where it could fly and play with all the other retired nosecones.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Kansan52 on 10/08/2020 09:11 pm
Is it OK to wear my Texas Tank Watchers t-shirt even when SN08 gets its nose and looks like a rocker instead of a tank?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 10/08/2020 10:06 pm
Come on Kyle, flat earthers already hate us enough, no need push curvature right to their face.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ulm_atms on 10/08/2020 10:46 pm
Is it OK to wear my Texas Tank Watchers t-shirt even when SN08 gets its nose and looks like a rocker instead of a tank?

Yes!  A tank with a hat is still a tank!  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 10/08/2020 11:03 pm
Is it OK to wear my Texas Tank Watchers t-shirt even when SN08 gets its nose and looks like a rocker instead of a tank?

Yes!  A tank with a hat is still a tank!  ;D
Can it be a hat, if it have a header tank and flaps?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 10/08/2020 11:54 pm
What a spaghetti schedule.

Which is the more apt analogy for current Cape/KSC scheduling? (not complaining)
Bowl of spaghetti?
Bucket of worms?

And who would be the expert to turn to?
Mike Rowe?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 10/08/2020 11:58 pm
Come on Kyle, flat earthers already hate us enough, no need push curvature right to their face.
That's just refraction, which by the way, didn't exist until the time of Noah since that's when God created rainbows.
 Don't they teach you kids anything in school anymore?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 10/09/2020 03:47 am
Is it OK to wear my Texas Tank Watchers t-shirt even when SN08 gets its nose and looks like a rocker instead of a tank?

I've always wanted to look like a rocker... (better than a mod![1])  but now I'm too old to rock and roll, too young to die![2]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8uUh1xsL14

1 - UK reference https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mods_and_rockers
2 - not really.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AJW on 10/09/2020 03:48 am
I was so sure the big red ball was under the cone on the right.  These guys are good.

https://twitter.com/rgvaerialphotos/status/1314386509693358081
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 10/09/2020 08:15 pm
<snip>
I've always wanted to look like a rocker... (better than a mod![1])  but now I'm too old to rock and roll, too young to die![2]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8uUh1xsL14

1 - UK reference https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mods_and_rockers
2 - not really.

Jethro Tull!  ::)

@Lar you are really venerable to equated Rockers and Jethro Tull.  ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 10/09/2020 09:40 pm
Love this

https://twitter.com/johnpisaniphoto/status/1314678526075973638

Quote
A golden hour return to port yesterday for this particular Falcon 9. Thrice flown and scorched from re-entry, yet still gleaming in the setting Space Coast sun.
@SpaceX #Falcon9 #Rocket @PortCanaveral #SpaceCoast

It's double goodness that the photographer was informed enough to know the difference between scorch and soot.  Well done.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 10/10/2020 05:37 pm
https://twitter.com/trevormahlmann/status/1314331907665080320 (https://twitter.com/trevormahlmann/status/1314331907665080320)

Quote
🚀#B1058.3🇺🇸

⚙️/⬇️/🖼: tmahlmann.com/photos/Rockets…

And this time we didn't have a landing bingo running...... :P
Does he say how or from where this image was taken?

We could all agree to just use this as the image for the last bingo contest as the method of picking the winner to help us all move forward.  AND change the contest from now on to pick a winner based on the next launch with a viable image to use, rather than a specific launch only.

Welcome to the Forum 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 10/10/2020 11:28 pm
Quote
I've always wanted to look like a rocker... (better than a mod![1])  but now I'm too old to rock and roll, too young to die![2]

Most of the young ones won't have the patience to sit through  the 13 minutes of this vid, but I managed and keep wondering how Ian managed to not drop a lung during this solo!

Warning:  Many bodily discharges were present during this session.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKSrq_qjB_Y&ab_channel=Heline
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: smisamore on 10/11/2020 05:50 am
Quote
I've always wanted to look like a rocker... (better than a mod![1])  but now I'm too old to rock and roll, too young to die![2]

Most of the young ones won't have the patience to sit through  the 13 minutes of this vid, but I managed and keep wondering how Ian managed to not drop a lung during this solo!

Warning:  Many bodily discharges were present during this session.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKSrq_qjB_Y&ab_channel=Heline

I really got a kick out of this young lady's comments about Mr. Anderson's "style". Since she indicated she wasn't that familiar with him or the band, it's not surprising that she reacted the way she did while watching the video. When she made the comment about him improvising, I had to laugh and say to myself "ya think??" Dear lady, this is just classic Ian Anderson!!

Back in the fall of 1973, I had the privilege of having a 2nd row, almost center stage seat at Tull's Passion Play tour stop in (of all places) Moblie, Alabama. It was absolutely incredible to see these guys perform from up close like that. The complexity of their performance is what impressed me the most and IMHO that fine Scottish gentleman is a friggin' musical genius!

I highly recommend he be considered as one of the artist candidates for the Dear Moon voyage, if he accepts of course. (Wasn't that clever how I tied that back to Spacex rocket stuff  ;D)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Observation on 10/12/2020 03:06 pm
I’m putting this cropped and enhanced image from Mary’s latest batch of pics here because it deserves to stand on its own.

Remember to take discussion to the Discussion thread...

Come on they should have put the dimensions on it. Now we're going to have to go back to pixel counting. Nerdle energy growing right now
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 10/12/2020 03:28 pm
Oh man, it's been 6 days since the last launch and we don't have a date for the next one yet except the NRO launch

Come on Starlink launches, throw us a bone.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: leetdan on 10/12/2020 04:23 pm
we don't have a date for the next one yet except the NRO launch

If Ben Cooper's site is to be believed, we don't have a date for that one either.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: gaballard on 10/12/2020 05:42 pm
Did anyone play the video game Perfect Dark on the Nintendo 64 back in the day? I played it this weekend for the first time in a decade and remembered there were guns named Falcon 2, Dragon, and SuperDragon.

Methinks Elon was no small fan of that game :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 10/13/2020 03:48 am
The box for the user terminal, from reddit (https://old.reddit.com/r/SpaceXLounge/comments/j8zzfk/a_special_package_arrived_today/), photo taken by someone who is not a beta tester, he merely took the photo of the box in the lobby of his Seattle apartment building.

(For those who have watched the leaked unboxing video, this is not news, but since that video was wiped off the internet, this legit photo may be of some interest)

Definitely a north american sized large deep dish pizza variety of box. Maybe extra large. Depends on where in Chicago you live...

More a Detroit style pizza - they've baked them in deep auto industry blued steel parts trays for >70 years.

*scratches head* -But that is still not pizza..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCgYMFtxUUw
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 10/13/2020 08:39 pm
https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/elo.htm
Don't bring me down, Gruce!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 10/13/2020 08:44 pm
Quote
I've always wanted to look like a rocker... (better than a mod![1])  but now I'm too old to rock and roll, too young to die![2]

Most of the young ones won't have the patience to sit through  the 13 minutes of this vid, but I managed and keep wondering how Ian managed to not drop a lung during this solo!

Warning:  Many bodily discharges were present during this session.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKSrq_qjB_Y&ab_channel=Heline

I really got a kick out of this young lady's comments about Mr. Anderson's "style". Since she indicated she wasn't that familiar with him or the band, it's not surprising that she reacted the way she did while watching the video. When she made the comment about him improvising, I had to laugh and say to myself "ya think??" Dear lady, this is just classic Ian Anderson!!

Back in the fall of 1973, I had the privilege of having a 2nd row, almost center stage seat at Tull's Passion Play tour stop in (of all places) Moblie, Alabama. It was absolutely incredible to see these guys perform from up close like that. The complexity of their performance is what impressed me the most and IMHO that fine Scottish gentleman is a friggin' musical genius!

I highly recommend he be considered as one of the artist candidates for the Dear Moon voyage, if he accepts of course. (Wasn't that clever how I tied that back to Spacex rocket stuff  ;D)


I'm kind of over these "reacts" videos. I watched one with a Nightwish song and I was like .. yes, symphonic metal features amazing vocals, how could you not know that?  A lot of them come off rather snobbish.

Ian Anderson is a virtuoso and Tull can play Jazz festivals or rock concerts with equal ease. His stage presence is so intense and hilarious, and it is impossible to get every reference and joke...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: launchwatcher on 10/13/2020 10:09 pm
Ian Anderson is a virtuoso and Tull can play Jazz festivals or rock concerts with equal ease. His stage presence is so intense and hilarious, and it is impossible to get every reference and joke...
Yeah, but would SS have the payload capacity to carry his instrument?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 10/14/2020 12:01 am
Er... I suspect that the biggest cost for extended mission operations is the cost of the science team. And they're not going to get paid less simply because they're working from home.
I am concerned that this may be one of the work environment developments in the post-COVID quarantined world.

The kind of managers in Dilbert could easily justify: If you work from home, then you work for less!

It could even develop into a 2-tier system: the treasured employees that are SEEN in the traditional workplace receive higher pay.  The employees who primarily work from home, and therefore NOT seen by their managers, are paid less.

Sorry I don't have a joke to finish with. :(
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 10/14/2020 12:16 am
I felt the need to share Lou's phrasing in the Party thread.
Quote
The issue that caused the automated abort is understood and resolved. A sensor incorrectly reported that a valve in the RS68A was not in the flight position.  We have implemented a change that will better verify its position.
Let me run this through my Bayesian reverse-legalese filter, which figures out what situation would most likely result in the observed press release.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 10/14/2020 01:10 am
Er... I suspect that the biggest cost for extended mission operations is the cost of the science team. And they're not going to get paid less simply because they're working from home.
I am concerned that this may be one of the work environment developments in the post-COVID quarantined world.

The kind of managers in Dilbert could easily justify: If you work from home, then you work for less!

It could even develop into a 2-tier system: the treasured employees that are SEEN in the traditional workplace receive higher pay.  The employees who primarily work from home, and therefore NOT seen by their managers, are paid less.

Sorry I don't have a joke to finish with. :(
Not my experience. In fact, my managers usually offered me an extra 20% if I stayed out of sight.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: OTV Booster on 10/14/2020 07:40 pm
I believe that both are heavy lift companies. They purchase equipment from others, so there is a possibility that the equipment may be the same manufacturer.
I've always thought, without any evidence at all, that some guys independently thought up the idea of these rigs, built em, and started hauling stuff. Doing the same job, they ended up looking similar. Oncology mimicking toxicology, or however that goes.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: GORDAP on 10/14/2020 09:14 pm
I believe that both are heavy lift companies. They purchase equipment from others, so there is a possibility that the equipment may be the same manufacturer.
I've always thought, without any evidence at all, that some guys independently thought up the idea of these rigs, built em, and started hauling stuff. Doing the same job, they ended up looking similar. Oncology mimicking toxicology, or however that goes.

Um, I believe the old chestnut you're searching for is 'ontology recapitulates androgyny'.  You're welcome.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 10/14/2020 09:36 pm
Not my experience. In fact, my managers usually offered me an extra 20% if I stayed out of sight.

I wish I had managers like that!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: brlavalamp on 10/14/2020 09:38 pm
I believe that both are heavy lift companies. They purchase equipment from others, so there is a possibility that the equipment may be the same manufacturer.
I've always thought, without any evidence at all, that some guys independently thought up the idea of these rigs, built em, and started hauling stuff. Doing the same job, they ended up looking similar. Oncology mimicking toxicology, or however that goes.

Um, I believe the old chestnut you're searching for is 'ontology recapitulates androgyny'.  You're welcome.

Or perhaps Ontogeny Recapitulates Phylogeny. (https://www.brighthubeducation.com/science-homework-help/8067-ontogeny-recapitulates-phylogeny-ernst-haeckels-theory (https://www.brighthubeducation.com/science-homework-help/8067-ontogeny-recapitulates-phylogeny-ernst-haeckels-theory))
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: WormPicker959 on 10/15/2020 12:30 am
I believe that both are heavy lift companies. They purchase equipment from others, so there is a possibility that the equipment may be the same manufacturer.
I've always thought, without any evidence at all, that some guys independently thought up the idea of these rigs, built em, and started hauling stuff. Doing the same job, they ended up looking similar. Oncology mimicking toxicology, or however that goes.

Um, I believe the old chestnut you're searching for is 'ontology recapitulates androgyny'.  You're welcome.

Or perhaps Ontogeny Recapitulates Phylogeny. (https://www.brighthubeducation.com/science-homework-help/8067-ontogeny-recapitulates-phylogeny-ernst-haeckels-theory (https://www.brighthubeducation.com/science-homework-help/8067-ontogeny-recapitulates-phylogeny-ernst-haeckels-theory))

Haeckel's the Kitty Genovese of dev. biology! This is the only time my actual expertise has come up in my time here, so I feel obligated to opine, despite my realizing this is OT. If you have questions about developmental biology and evolution, please feel free to ask them in PMs :)  Back to rockets everybody!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: marsbase on 10/15/2020 01:18 am
I believe that both are heavy lift companies. They purchase equipment from others, so there is a possibility that the equipment may be the same manufacturer.
I've always thought, without any evidence at all, that some guys independently thought up the idea of these rigs, built em, and started hauling stuff. Doing the same job, they ended up looking similar. Oncology mimicking toxicology, or however that goes.

Um, I believe the old chestnut you're searching for is 'ontology recapitulates androgyny'.  You're welcome.

Or perhaps Ontogeny Recapitulates Phylogeny. (https://www.brighthubeducation.com/science-homework-help/8067-ontogeny-recapitulates-phylogeny-ernst-haeckels-theory (https://www.brighthubeducation.com/science-homework-help/8067-ontogeny-recapitulates-phylogeny-ernst-haeckels-theory))
You guys are a hoot!  The phrase being referred to is in fact Ontogeny Recapitulates Phylogeny.    But that phrase is not what expresses the analogy to equipment doing the same job looking similar.  The biological equivalent for that is "convergent evolution".   Which really does not have anything to do with ORP.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TomH on 10/15/2020 02:03 am
I believe that both are heavy lift companies. They purchase equipment from others, so there is a possibility that the equipment may be the same manufacturer.
I've always thought, without any evidence at all, that some guys independently thought up the idea of these rigs, built em, and started hauling stuff. Doing the same job, they ended up looking similar. Oncology mimicking toxicology, or however that goes.

Um, I believe the old chestnut you're searching for is 'ontology recapitulates androgyny'.  You're welcome.

It's Ontogeny recapitulates Phylogeny. Androgyny is being both male and female at the same time and is completely unrelated to ontogeny. Oncology is the study of cancer and toxicology is the study of the adverse affects of chemical substances on living organisms. Please know what you're talking about before making such statements. And otherwise, please discuss biology and medicine issues elsewhere; they have no place on this thread. Let's stop this nonsense now.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pueo on 10/15/2020 02:11 am
I believe that both are heavy lift companies. They purchase equipment from others, so there is a possibility that the equipment may be the same manufacturer.
I've always thought, without any evidence at all, that some guys independently thought up the idea of these rigs, built em, and started hauling stuff. Doing the same job, they ended up looking similar. Oncology mimicking toxicology, or however that goes.

Um, I believe the old chestnut you're searching for is 'ontology recapitulates androgyny'.  You're welcome.

Or perhaps Ontogeny Recapitulates Phylogeny. (https://www.brighthubeducation.com/science-homework-help/8067-ontogeny-recapitulates-phylogeny-ernst-haeckels-theory (https://www.brighthubeducation.com/science-homework-help/8067-ontogeny-recapitulates-phylogeny-ernst-haeckels-theory))
You guys are a hoot!  The phrase being referred to is in fact Ontogeny Recapitulates Phylogeny.    But that phrase is not what expresses the analogy to equipment doing the same job looking similar.  The biological equivalent for that is "convergent evolution".   Which really does not have anything to do with ORP.

I believe the phrase we're scrabbling towards is "form follows function".  It's amusing we came to this discussion because of the ground vehicles when the clearest examples of that maxim can be found in the aerospace industry.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: meekGee on 10/15/2020 02:11 am


It's Ontogeny recapitulates Phylogeny.

Reading the Wikipedia entry and applying it to the topic at hand, this supposition states that the prototypes of future rockets developed by competitors will resemble SpaceX rockets flying today.

Edit:
Looking at current prototypes (e.g. the new Russian Amur SPG) I'd say it is pretty accurate.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TomH on 10/15/2020 02:15 am


It's Ontogeny recapitulates Phylogeny.

Reading the Wikipedia entry and applying it to the topic at hand, this supposition states that the prototypes of future rockets developed by competitors will resemble SpaceX rockets flying today.

Pretty accurate.

Oh, so you're clairvoyant and can see the future! This is ridiculous. This entire page needs to be deleted. Enough. Cut the absurdities. Everyone, Let's get back on topic!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: meekGee on 10/15/2020 02:17 am


It's Ontogeny recapitulates Phylogeny.

Reading the Wikipedia entry and applying it to the topic at hand, this supposition states that the prototypes of future rockets developed by competitors will resemble SpaceX rockets flying today.

Pretty accurate.

Oh, so you're clairvoyant and can see the future! This is ridiculous. This entire page needs to be deleted. Enough. Cut the absurdities.
Sorry, was referring to current prototypes.

The prediction is made by the supposition, not by me.  I'm just observing.

Will fix the grammar right quick
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 10/16/2020 11:29 pm
Thunderstorms on the schedule tonight.

What? Why on earth would SpaceX schedule thunderstorms concurrent with a static fire? That's abysmally bad planning! It's like scheduling methane delivery during a hop!

Clearly, their scheduling department needs work.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 10/17/2020 04:33 am
Cross posting from the "SpaceX Manifest Updates and Discussion Thread"

Presuming no launch hiccups. We have a spooks round of launches just before Halloween.  ;D

Starlink flt 14
NROL-44
GPS III SV4
NROL-108
NROL-101
Starlink flt 15

Some suit in an nondescript office somewhere must be feeling anxiety over the dollars that the upcoming East coast NROL flights along with the West coast NROL-82 flight  represents.

note 1 - GPS III SV4 have to be flown before NROL-108 to validated newly build Falcon 9 cores for NRO & NASA.

note 2 - the Starlink flights are somewhat tenuously linked to the spooks in that some of them might be future communication relays for the spooks. Also to padded the list.  :P

Folks should make some WAG at how much tax money those 4 NROL flights requires minus the launch cost.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 10/20/2020 01:44 am
I'm rather shocked that we're now approaching the 2nd SpaceX launch (Oct 21, Starlink) that no one has mentioned in this thread!

I also note that NSF's L-2 is providing some good weather forecasts for the launch. (In the public thread, I'm not leaking info!). I've always been a fan of the L-2 weather forecasts, though I do have to ask, why does NSF's L-2 weather info only get released the day before a launch?

(As a serious aside, when I first started reading NSF, I actually did think the L-2 forecast was being provided by NSF L-2 sources... not that I'll ever admit it, of course.)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 10/20/2020 04:19 pm
I'm rather shocked that we're now approaching the 2nd SpaceX launch (Oct 21, Starlink) that no one has mentioned in this thread!

I also note that NSF's L-2 is providing some good weather forecasts for the launch. (In the public thread, I'm not leaking info!). I've always been a fan of the L-2 weather forecasts, though I do have to ask, why does NSF's L-2 weather info only get released the day before a launch?

(As a serious aside, when I first started reading NSF, I actually did think the L-2 forecast was being provided by NSF L-2 sources... not that I'll ever admit it, of course.)

The weatherman MAKES the weather. This was accurately documented in the movie Groundhog Day.

“I make the weather”

https://youtu.be/5jQUoc3Gyho

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 10/20/2020 05:13 pm
I'm rather shocked that we're now approaching the 2nd SpaceX launch (Oct 21, Starlink) that no one has mentioned in this thread! ...

Quiet. It's kind of like throwing a no hitter. Say nothing until after the game.  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: freddo411 on 10/20/2020 05:46 pm
Cross posting from the "SpaceX Manifest Updates and Discussion Thread"

Presuming no launch hiccups. We have a spooks round of launches just before Halloween.  ;D

Starlink flt 14
NROL-44
GPS III SV4
NROL-108
NROL-101
Starlink flt 15

Some suit in an nondescript office somewhere must be feeling anxiety over the dollars that the upcoming East coast NROL flights along with the West coast NROL-82 flight  represents.

note 1 - GPS III SV4 have to be flown before NROL-108 to validated newly build Falcon 9 cores for NRO & NASA.

note 2 - the Starlink flights are somewhat tenuously linked to the spooks in that some of them might be future communication relays for the spooks. Also to padded the list.  :P

Folks should make some WAG at how much tax money those 4 NROL flights requires minus the launch cost.

I don't know that total $$s spent on those, but I bet they spent a few more on a new and improved and tested payload adaptor and release mechanism
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 10/20/2020 11:26 pm
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1318677645358518272
Proceed with that nosecone all you want, I'm still not your mate, guy!  :P
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 10/21/2020 03:34 am
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1318677645358518272
Proceed with that nosecone all you want, I'm still not your mate, guy!  :P

Read it in an Aussie accent and you'll be sorted, right as rain.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 10/21/2020 11:28 pm
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1318677645358518272
Proceed with that nosecone all you want, I'm still not your mate, guy!  :P

Read it in an Aussie accent and you'll be sorted, right as rain.

You forgot the instructions; to read something in a real Aussie accent, you must be standing on your head.

I'm rather shocked that we're now approaching the 2nd SpaceX launch (Oct 21, Starlink) that no one has mentioned in this thread! ...
Quiet. It's kind of like throwing a no hitter. Say nothing until after the game.  8)

But... I got you to post in this thread, thereby improving the odds that this launch goes well.  :P
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1318677645358518272
Proceed with that nosecone all you want, I'm still not your mate, guy!  :P

There's no comma, so, I think you're reading it wrong; they're proceeding with nosecone mating. This certainly explains why there are so many nosecones; SpaceX has a captive breeding program.

Speaking of Elon tweetology, he just posted this;
Quote
Starship nosecone, high bay & tiki bar pic.twitter.com/9qXYxMMIUj

I think it's very clear from the grammar that all three items are at the build site (or were, when the pics were taken). This begs the question; Is the Tiki Bar in SN8's nosecone, or is it elsewhere at the build site? I'm going to guess the former, based on context.



Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 10/22/2020 02:20 pm
So I have a question.

Is SN8 getting a dunce cap?

No wait, there's something sticking out of it...Horns? 

Well, Viking did go to Mars. :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 10/22/2020 03:53 pm
I was one second off when calculating the Starlink v1.0 F14 launch time!

I subtracted the deployment time based on the TLEs by the total mission duration.

I got 16:14:53 UTC, but I was so close to nailing it before SpaceX made the announcement!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 10/22/2020 07:05 pm
Quote
How you going to fit 100 people in this?
Like this:               ; ---)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 10/22/2020 08:30 pm
Not only unnamed rocket company from California uses China related robots.
But; Braking News:

NASASpaceflight Live Stream is finances by North Korean Dollars!





(PS. It was in NOK  ; )
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: 1 on 10/22/2020 09:30 pm
Is SN8 getting a dunce cap?

It's an obscure piece of flying technology acquired from the Puerto Ricans.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 10/23/2020 12:57 am
So, SN8 fired 3 engines...

I'm not sure SpaceX understands that hat-trick doesn't require trick hats.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 10/23/2020 04:30 am
I got in a staring contest with a big, orange bug.

Hrmmm! That big orange bug! first photo in this post;
 https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=51332.msg2145724#msg2145724

That's a very perplexing bug. Looks like a foot or two across? Can't be a local mosquito then - too small.

Have you considered bug spray? Perhaps a giant economy size?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 10/23/2020 10:12 am
So, SN8 fired 3 engines...

I'm not sure SpaceX understands that hat-trick doesn't require trick hats.

No, but it earns it the right to wear a hat. Can't believe they forgot the "I fired!" stitching.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 10/23/2020 01:27 pm
So now it is no longer SN8.

Per Nomad's post reference (bug shot) above.  One of the later images gives details on the other part.

It is now Snatenickfive
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 10/23/2020 04:30 pm
So, between the months of living in isolation because of the virus and now living under very orange-red skies from the California wildfire smoke, I think I'm all ready to go to Mars.  It really won't be much different.

This is actually no longer funny.
Yesterday there were photos and videos  from Estes Park, Colorado where the person said it looked like Mars. Red sky and red light. Almost monochromatic. An opaque sky like a Martian dust storm. And now it’s close to empty of people.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DJPledger on 10/23/2020 09:05 pm
We need to develop a vaccine against scrubs that will be 100% effective for all LV's.
I heard, the Russians are already administering it, it's called LaunchAnyway™ - but the move is under critique by various space agencies, claiming that the vaccine has not completed the necessary tests and could lead to unforseen complications and side effects, such as launch failures and damage to pads, putting payloads at risks...
Looks like SpaceX are stubbornly refusing to take this vaccine due to concerns over it's possible side effects.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Oersted on 10/24/2020 11:53 pm
https://twitter.com/rgvaerialphotos/status/1320106916081815553

To the question in the tweet I'd say the bar should be called "Hi, bae"....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: marsbase on 10/24/2020 11:57 pm
To the question in the tweet I'd say the bar should be called "Hi, bae"....
Olympus Mons
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AlexDS on 10/25/2020 12:30 am
To the question in the tweet I'd say the bar should be called "Hi, bae"....

Highbar
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: SeaRaven on 10/25/2020 01:30 am
Evildrome Boozarama

(Serving Pan Galactic Gargle Blasters of course)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: sferrin on 10/25/2020 12:33 pm

To the question in the tweet I'd say the bar should be called "Hi, bae"....
420 Munchies. 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ach1000 on 10/25/2020 04:09 pm
To the question in the tweet I'd say the bar should be called "Hi, bae"....
Olympus Mons
Milliways (from The Restaurant at the End of the Universe)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: KBK on 10/25/2020 04:13 pm
The Get High Bay Bar and Grill.

This is Elon we're talking about. It HAS to be a dad level joke.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: danneely on 10/25/2020 05:37 pm
https://twitter.com/rgvaerialphotos/status/1320106916081815553

To the question in the tweet I'd say the bar should be called "Hi, bae"....

Is bae actually gaining any usage among people Elon's age?  I thought it was just youth slang.  In which case as amusing as the name is it's unlikely to happen unless the name gets put to a vote (either for the internet at large, or just among employees).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Slothman on 10/25/2020 06:32 pm
https://twitter.com/rgvaerialphotos/status/1320106916081815553

To the question in the tweet I'd say the bar should be called "Hi, bae"....

Is bae actually gaining any usage among people Elon's age?  I thought it was just youth slang.  In which case as amusing as the name is it's unlikely to happen unless the name gets put to a vote (either for the internet at large, or just among employees).
I'm sure Grimes uses it but that's off topic.

I don't think the place needs an especially clever or memonic name. It's likely not open to public anyways, given how it's literally in the middle and on top of a space rocket construction site. You'd have a better chance of naming the MK1 wing sitting area.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Texsun on 10/25/2020 06:41 pm
Another possible name ...

                     Bali Hai-bay Tiki Bar


Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: StevenOBrien on 10/25/2020 07:05 pm
https://twitter.com/rgvaerialphotos/status/1320106916081815553

To the question in the tweet I'd say the bar should be called "Hi, bae"....
The Mars Bar
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Eer on 10/25/2020 07:21 pm
Be nice if it included references to the space cows of yore ... jumping over the moon ship, as it were
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: meekGee on 10/25/2020 07:42 pm
https://twitter.com/rgvaerialphotos/status/1320106916081815553

To the question in the tweet I'd say the bar should be called "Hi, bae"....
The Mars Bar
Winner.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Eer on 10/25/2020 07:51 pm


To the question in the tweet I'd say the bar should be called "Hi, bae"....
The Mars Bar
Winner.
It would be worth a Trade Mark license, I'm sure ...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mmeijeri on 10/25/2020 08:29 pm
The Mars Bar

Welcome to the forum, that's an impressive first post!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: winkhomewinkhome on 10/25/2020 10:08 pm
Be nice if it included references to the space cows of yore ... jumping over the moon ship, as it were

The cows undoubtedly will be referenced on the menu  ::)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 10/26/2020 12:31 am
https://twitter.com/rgvaerialphotos/status/1320106916081815553

To the question in the tweet I'd say the bar should be called "Hi, bae"....

Is bae actually gaining any usage among people Elon's age?  I thought it was just youth slang.  In which case as amusing as the name is it's unlikely to happen unless the name gets put to a vote (either for the internet at large, or just among employees).

I actually have no idea what the "bae" reference means. I will settle for "Bar-soom" - The featured beverage will be the "Barsoom Bugle" which makes you turn red and produce rude noises.  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: aero on 10/26/2020 01:50 am
https://twitter.com/rgvaerialphotos/status/1320106916081815553

To the question in the tweet I'd say the bar should be called "Hi, bae"....

Is bae actually gaining any usage among people Elon's age?  I thought it was just youth slang.  In which case as amusing as the name is it's unlikely to happen unless the name gets put to a vote (either for the internet at large, or just among employees).

I actually have no idea what the "bae" reference means. I will settle for "Bar-soom" - The featured beverage will be the "Barsoom Bugle" which makes you turn red and produce rude noises.  8)

Might as well just name it the "High Bar."
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 10/26/2020 02:54 am
Yeah, I never spent more time looking at those Frank Frazetta covers and illustrations than reading the books when I was 12.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 10/26/2020 11:32 am
Yeah, I never spent more time looking at those Frank Frazetta covers and illustrations than reading the books when I was 12.

How do you think I learned that Barsoom was a word? Very disappointed to learn later that it was mythical.  ::)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Observation on 10/26/2020 01:27 pm
Also only one of three has to ignite, right?

Once the engines work reliably, how could they ever test engine-out?!

Yet another advantage of rapid prototyping! You can't plan not to be expecting something so you gotta make it happen "by chance".
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: aero on 10/28/2020 02:47 am
Just to lighten things up from serious issues, check out the attached pic.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DistantTemple on 10/28/2020 11:59 pm
Terminology:
1) Roller Transporter  (name of this one: Mons (Hanz, Franz, Mons))
2) Mars Launch Platform (MLP)

Questions:
Are the SPMT wheels capable of pivoting 90 degrees?  Could two of the SPMTs be connected with a platform between them and the primary direction of travel be perpendicular to the long axis of the SMPTs?

How is any of this going to fit onto a 2 lane road (Nomad's comments)?

Perhaps just maybe (low probability) the structural elements with the 'trailer hitch connection" are to hinge upward to brace the Starship.?. Something like the Soyuz braces.  nah

Comments:
These specific two SPMTs have only been on site full time for about a month, right?  Probably about the same time that the plan for what we are seeing was hatched.  If the plan required 3 or 4 SPMTs its likely that they would have brought in the full 2 or 4 SPMTs back then.  Which leads me to think whatever stunt they are pulling involves only 2 SPMTs.

As it stands now with the two side beams on one SPMT it looks like it would be good as a drive by mail box whacker.
NOOOO political promotion is banned on this site! :-)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 10/29/2020 03:40 pm
Quote
Q: What material did SpaceX find in the engine release valve? Are the engines for Crew-1 from the same production line as the problematic ones?

Koenigsmann: "It was described to me as a lacquer, basically a nail polish I think is a good analogy. In this case it had a red color."

Female line worker in production factory:  "Thank God my standard color is 'Passion Pink'!"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 10/29/2020 08:36 pm
I'm really confused by all the closure/warning notices at Boca Chica. They keep having these notifications, and more than half the time, nothing happens. Then, they have to wait until the next notice is in effect to try to do it again. This is horribly inefficient!

Clearly, they need a time-and-motion analyst.  Such a person could point out to SpaceX that a far more efficient approach would be to invert the system: Do the test first, then issue the notice for it retroactively. No more false alarms, no more waiting, no more delays, and it'd save on paper and printing costs too.

And, for added benefit, an event like SN4's little GSE oops and resulting omni-directional launch would provide added notice that a test was underway.

This post was inspired by the contractor who suggested to one of my clients that in order to avoid pouring concrete in freezing conditions, delay it until after the house was built. (it was for the foundations!)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 10/31/2020 07:13 am
I'm really confused by all the closure/warning notices at Boca Chica. They keep having these notifications, and more than half the time, nothing happens. Then, they have to wait until the next notice is in effect to try to do it again. This is horribly inefficient!

Clearly, they need a time-and-motion analyst.  Such a person could point out to SpaceX that a far more efficient approach would be to invert the system: Do the test first, then issue the notice for it retroactively. No more false alarms, no more waiting, no more delays, and it'd save on paper and printing costs too.

And, for added benefit, an event like SN4's little GSE oops and resulting omni-directional launch would provide added notice that a test was underway.

This post was inspired by the contractor who suggested to one of my clients that in order to avoid pouring concrete in freezing conditions, delay it until after the house was built. (it was for the foundations!)
Implementation strategy?  Maybe Elon can claim the beach and surroundings as the first Mars colony and impose Starlink terms-of-service (sTOS) law theory to it.

If the acronym catches on, barristers practicing law on Mars might be considered sTOS-sers. 😆
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 10/31/2020 07:59 am
I'm really confused by all the closure/warning notices at Boca Chica. They keep having these notifications, and more than half the time, nothing happens. Then, they have to wait until the next notice is in effect to try to do it again. This is horribly inefficient!

Clearly, they need a time-and-motion analyst.  Such a person could point out to SpaceX that a far more efficient approach would be to invert the system: Do the test first, then issue the notice for it retroactively. No more false alarms, no more waiting, no more delays, and it'd save on paper and printing costs too.

And, for added benefit, an event like SN4's little GSE oops and resulting omni-directional launch would provide added notice that a test was underway.

This post was inspired by the contractor who suggested to one of my clients that in order to avoid pouring concrete in freezing conditions, delay it until after the house was built. (it was for the foundations!)
Implementation strategy?  Maybe Elon can claim the beach and surroundings as the first Mars colony and impose Starlink terms-of-service (sTOS) law theory to it.

If the acronym catches on, barristers practicing law on Mars might be considered sTOS-sers. 😆

Implementation is the easy part. It's just a time-shift in order to achieve efficiency. Without posting any notices, Space-X does its test (say, a hop of Superheavy from the manufacturing site to the launch site). If the test occurs, then an hour after the test the notice of the test is issued, say for a two-hour window inclusive of the time that test actually occurred. This avoids all the false alarms, and also avoids the current issue with test windows. 

As for the legalities, hrmmm. Does the regulation requiring notices specify a time zone? Just use a different time zone for the notices, without specifying it.


Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 10/31/2020 03:56 pm
Re: Tweets from Carolyn Porco and Joalda Morancy re: Martian sovereignty via Musk/Heinlein/Atlas Shrugged/whatever (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=48712.msg2148807#msg2148807)

IMO: These are examples of the over-reactions that used to be confined to faculty lounges, conferences, letters to colleagues, and monologues aimed at trapped graduate students.  The outside world was blissfully unaware.

Thanks to social media, one can immediately share an outburst with the world! ::)

I'm sure less famous scientists have chimed in by now.

(Bona fides: trained as a scientist, working science educator for a little over 25 years.)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 10/31/2020 08:23 pm
; ----------------- )
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Observation on 10/31/2020 09:00 pm
*snip*

Implementation is the easy part. It's just a time-shift in order to achieve efficiency. Without posting any notices, Space-X does its test (say, a hop of Superheavy from the manufacturing site to the launch site). If the test occurs, then an hour after the test the notice of the test is issued, say for a two-hour window inclusive of the time that test actually occurred. This avoids all the false alarms, and also avoids the current issue with test windows. 

*snip*

But such a test would really test windows.
Bye..
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 11/01/2020 07:27 am
https://youtu.be/tiD8nGD0Q6w

Quote
From the man who created the hit classic ‘Thunderbirds’, comes ‘SpaceX’ by Gerry Anderson! SpaceX is the highly anticipated spiritual successor, taking much inspiration to the cultural phenomenon refreshed for a 21st century screen.

CREDIT & BIG THANK YOU TO:
Tony Bela – Infographic News: Starship picture (2:02)
 - Website: http://www.tonybela.com/
 - Twitter: https://twitter.com/InfographicTony
LabPadre:
 - Website: https://labpadre.com/
 - Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/labpadre
 - Twitter: https://twitter.com/LabPadre
Mary aka @BocaChicaGal:
 - Twitter: https://twitter.com/BocaChicaGal
NASAspaceflight:
 - Website: https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/
 - Twitter: https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight
Everyday Astronaut:
 - Website: https://everydayastronaut.com/
 - Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6uK...
SpaceX and Nasa footage

--- Follow me here ---
Twitter: https://twitter.com/psyclonyx

Disclaimer: This is a parody of Thunderbirds and SpaceX. None of the footage or music used here is mine.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 11/01/2020 09:04 pm
Speaking of landing there's something that's been bothering me......

When SN8 does it's 15km hop, just how on Earth is that tent beside the orbital launch tower not going to get trashed as it lands right beside it?
I mean if it approaches from off-shore it almost flies over the top of it!  :o

Is this fact or speculation?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 11/02/2020 01:25 am
 Just watched First Contact again. About some nutcase building the first starship in the middle of nowhere.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 11/02/2020 02:35 am
Also, Trump didn't seem really interested in NASA, since he took his time to identify a full-time NASA Administrator to replace Robert Lightfoot, who was a holdover from the Obama era, and then it took a while to get Bridenstine pushed through the Republican-controlled Senate (can't blame Democrats for that).

Slight correction: Gordon Lightfoot was a NASA civil servant, not a political appointee needing confirmation by the Senate.

Not so slight correction: Gordon Lightfoot is a Canadian singer-songwriter and guitarist who achieved international success in folk, folk-rock, and country music. My favs of his songs are "Sundown" and "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald"...  ;)

As to NASA employee Robert Lightfoot, I agree with your assessment, and thank you for pointing that out.  :D

No wonder that the concert featuring Robert Lightfoot that I was promoting failed!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKJNBxDCMIs
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 11/02/2020 02:48 am
Just watched First Contact again. About some nutcase building the first starship in the middle of nowhere.

I haven't kept up with the multiplying iterations of Star Trek, but

In Star Trek's future history, shouldn't we have already fought the Eugenics Wars in the 1990s and maybe World War III?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 11/02/2020 02:53 am
Just watched First Contact again. About some nutcase building the first starship in the middle of nowhere.

I haven't kept up with the multiplying iterations of Star Trek, but

In Star Trek's future history, shouldn't we have already fought the Eugenics Wars in the 1990s and maybe World War III?
We avoided those because the show warned us.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 11/02/2020 03:42 am
https://youtu.be/tiD8nGD0Q6w

Quote
From the man who created the hit classic ‘Thunderbirds’, comes ‘SpaceX’ by Gerry Anderson! SpaceX is the highly anticipated spiritual successor, taking much inspiration to the cultural phenomenon refreshed for a 21st century screen.

CREDIT & BIG THANK YOU TO:
Tony Bela – Infographic News: Starship picture (2:02)
 - Website: http://www.tonybela.com/
 - Twitter: https://twitter.com/InfographicTony
LabPadre:
 - Website: https://labpadre.com/
 - Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/labpadre
 - Twitter: https://twitter.com/LabPadre
Mary aka @BocaChicaGal:
 - Twitter: https://twitter.com/BocaChicaGal
NASAspaceflight:
 - Website: https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/
 - Twitter: https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight
Everyday Astronaut:
 - Website: https://everydayastronaut.com/
 - Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6uK...
SpaceX and Nasa footage

--- Follow me here ---
Twitter: https://twitter.com/psyclonyx

Disclaimer: This is a parody of Thunderbirds and SpaceX. None of the footage or music used here is mine.

SpaceXbirds are GO!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 11/02/2020 03:45 am
Just watched First Contact again. About some nutcase building the first starship in the middle of nowhere.

I haven't kept up with the multiplying iterations of Star Trek, but

In Star Trek's future history, shouldn't we have already fought the Eugenics Wars in the 1990s and maybe World War III?
We avoided those because the show warned us.
IIRC, we still have Col. Green's war and the "post-apocalyptic horror" ahead of us.

Perhaps Gary Seven and Teri Garr kept us safe?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 11/02/2020 04:29 am
https://youtu.be/tiD8nGD0Q6w

Quote
From the man who created the hit classic ‘Thunderbirds’, comes ‘SpaceX’ by Gerry Anderson! SpaceX is the highly anticipated spiritual successor, taking much inspiration to the cultural phenomenon refreshed for a 21st century screen.

CREDIT & BIG THANK YOU TO:
Tony Bela – Infographic News: Starship picture (2:02)
 - Website: http://www.tonybela.com/
 - Twitter: https://twitter.com/InfographicTony
LabPadre:
 - Website: https://labpadre.com/
 - Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/labpadre
 - Twitter: https://twitter.com/LabPadre
Mary aka @BocaChicaGal:
 - Twitter: https://twitter.com/BocaChicaGal
NASAspaceflight:
 - Website: https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/
 - Twitter: https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight
Everyday Astronaut:
 - Website: https://everydayastronaut.com/
 - Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6uK...
SpaceX and Nasa footage

--- Follow me here ---
Twitter: https://twitter.com/psyclonyx

Disclaimer: This is a parody of Thunderbirds and SpaceX. None of the footage or music used here is mine.

SpaceXbirds are GO!
Ha ha!! Thanks - I laughed hard at that video; in part because it's true! Someone send it to Elon, quick.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 11/02/2020 07:13 am
Quote
SpaceXbirds are GO!

It's all clear to me now.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 11/02/2020 07:41 am
In Star Trek's future history, shouldn't we have already fought the Eugenics Wars in the 1990s and maybe World War III?

2020 is not over yet, please do not give it any funky ideas.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 11/02/2020 03:48 pm
Just watched First Contact again. About some nutcase building the first starship in the middle of nowhere.

I haven't kept up with the multiplying iterations of Star Trek, but

In Star Trek's future history, shouldn't we have already fought the Eugenics Wars in the 1990s and maybe World War III?
We avoided those because the show warned us.
And just look where it got us!  We only have 43 more years to construct a warp drive if we want to do it on schedule - not to mention that the few remaining Titan IIs are nowhere near flight-worthy!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: John Alan on 11/02/2020 04:20 pm
Just watched First Contact again. About some nutcase building the first starship in the middle of nowhere.

I haven't kept up with the multiplying iterations of Star Trek, but

In Star Trek's future history, shouldn't we have already fought the Eugenics Wars in the 1990s and maybe World War III?
We avoided those because the show warned us.
And just look where it got us!  We only have 43 more years to construct a warp drive if we want to do it on schedule - not to mention that the few remaining Titan IIs are nowhere near flight-worthy!

In the remake, The Rocket is a retired sooty 30-year-old F9 S1 with 10 flights on the odometer...  :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Robotbeat on 11/02/2020 05:47 pm
In Star Trek's future history, shouldn't we have already fought the Eugenics Wars in the 1990s and maybe World War III?

2020 is not over yet, please do not give it any funky ideas.
I mean, the Bell Riots take place in 2024 and we’re plausibly on track for that, given what has already happened in 2020...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 11/02/2020 08:06 pm
https://youtu.be/tiD8nGD0Q6w

Quote
From the man who created the hit classic ‘Thunderbirds’, comes ‘SpaceX’ by Gerry Anderson! SpaceX is the highly anticipated spiritual successor, taking much inspiration to the cultural phenomenon refreshed for a 21st century screen.

CREDIT & BIG THANK YOU TO:
Tony Bela – Infographic News: Starship picture (2:02)
 - Website: http://www.tonybela.com/
 - Twitter: https://twitter.com/InfographicTony
LabPadre:
 - Website: https://labpadre.com/
 - Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/labpadre
 - Twitter: https://twitter.com/LabPadre
Mary aka @BocaChicaGal:
 - Twitter: https://twitter.com/BocaChicaGal
NASAspaceflight:
 - Website: https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/
 - Twitter: https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight
Everyday Astronaut:
 - Website: https://everydayastronaut.com/
 - Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6uK...
SpaceX and Nasa footage

--- Follow me here ---
Twitter: https://twitter.com/psyclonyx

Disclaimer: This is a parody of Thunderbirds and SpaceX. None of the footage or music used here is mine.

Where are the cows?

There is a distinct lack of ROCKET COWS!

(nothing to see here, mooove along.)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 11/02/2020 09:41 pm
There is a follow up SpaceXbirds Youtube clip with side by side comparison of the parody credits and the original credits.

https://youtu.be/LBw7dDF09vY

edit: typo
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: dgmckenzie on 11/02/2020 10:40 pm
But which looks more realistic ?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 11/03/2020 06:12 pm

Yeah - I saw those comments and wrote them off. There's a lot of crazy items living subsurface out there. I did several dives on a Submerged Turret Loader while it was living in it's neutral floating state at 140' (as well as several hairy dives to the sea floor below it at 280'). STL's look like huge biconic spacecraft (that I would repel down on a reel - very cool - to get to the underside where the flexible gas riser is attached as well as eight absolutely massive anchor rode attachment points feeding chain links the size of Teslas).
That structure referenced looked an awful lot like a STL frame to me.
For those unfamiliar with deepwater offloading ports that utilize STLs, here's a graphical description:
https://www.nov.com/-/media/nov/files/products/caps/process-and-flow-technologies/buoy-turret-loading/apl-mooring-and-loading-systems-brochure.pdf
And here's me getting kitted up for the deep dive (the dive, that gladly I didn't know at the time the pic was taken, almost killed me).
Which one is the IPA tank?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 11/03/2020 07:00 pm
And here's me getting kitted up for the deep dive (the dive, that gladly I didn't know at the time the pic was taken, almost killed me).

Ok, its totally off topic. But while we wait for Cranezilla to get going, why dont you tell us what happened? You cant leave us hanging like that!
Well - so as not to spike the ire of the mods I'll take it here...

Warning - this is a long story and has nothing to do with spaceflight. But if you do read it I guarantee you will be entertained, maybe a little thrilled, and perhaps might even stress you out a bit...

Like a said, it's a long story, and right now is my one day back at work after vacation, before getting foot surgery tomorrow and being out of work for four weeks - meaning I have a LOT to do.

But, maybe I'll start the tale at least...

Part One - The Why...

Back in 2009 New England Aquarium (NEAq) was collaborating with Excelerate Energy, who was constructing the Northeast Gateway Deepwater Port for offloading LNG.

https://excelerateenergy.com/project/northeast-gateway-deepwater-port/ (https://excelerateenergy.com/project/northeast-gateway-deepwater-port/)

This underwater port was being constructed so as not to bring these very large - thousand foot - LNG ships into Boston Harbor for offloading - plug in the word "terrorism" and you'll understand why. Picture what happened to SN4, then make it really (really, really) big, and inside a major city.

NEAq's role was to see if the deepwater port was effecting the local habitats of several local species of dogfish. Keep in mind that the deepwater port system is massive - yet lives entirely underwater. It's comprised of two Submerged Turret Loaders (STL) with flexible gas risers that run to the seabed through a manifold system and then to a buried pipeline that runs to a tank farm on shore.

Each STL is built to hold a 1000' tanker securely in a CAT4 hurricane (and indeed one has done just that in LA). Running from each STL are sight anchor rodes that are about a mile in length each. They start out as a massive wire cable at the STL and transition to enormous chain links, each the size of a car. Each rode terminates in a suction anchor some ten stories high and 40' in diameter.

We wanted to know if the STLs or associated eight anchor sites each (16 in total) produced a FAZ (Fish Aggregation Zone), as well as if the anchor chains as they slowly, ponderously, churn up the seabed affect habitats in a detrimental or positive way.

Researchers from NEAq, WHOI, and elsewhere captured dogfish throughout the spring of 2009 and tagged them with radio transponders. We then deployed four acoustical popups in a diamond pattern on the seafloor around one of the two STLs (STL B) and recorded data transmitted from the tagged dogfish for the entire summer.

The acoustical popups were tested in the Aquarium's Giant Ocean Tank (GOT) and yes, yours truly was in the water with the PI to conduct the tests. Attached is a pic of me examining the device - we were testing the release mechanism.

Acoustical pop-ups are a cylindrical pressure housing containing an electronics payload - in this instance data recorders listening for the pings from the tagged dogfish. They have a series of floats at the top, along with a radio transmitter for RDF locating, and are attached at the bottom to a piece of railroad rail used as an anchor. They are deployed to the sea floor and record data for a given period of time. When it's time to gather the data off the unit a boat goes out to the site and aboard is a device called the Interrogator. You lower a transducer hitched to the Interrogator over the side, enter in the ID of the desired pop-up and send it a series of commands - such as request for battery status, or distance in feet from the unit to the transducer, etc. Another command is to tell the pop-up to generate a current that will start a chemical reaction to burn off the attachment point to the anchor (this is what we tested in the GOT), thereby allowing the pop-up to raise to the surface.

During that summer I conducted a series of dives on STL B itself - to video aquatic life that may have taken refuge on and around it. The thing is huge. And it just sits there in the water column with the top of it hovering at 90' and the bottom at 140'. On the surface there's no sign anything is down there, with the single exception of a tiny flag attached to a 5/8" poly line barely visible floating on the surface. That line then leads into progressively thicker line, still floating, until it finally attaches to a huge Kevlar hawser that then makes a 90 degree turn and runs straight down to the top of the STL. This Kevlar haswer costs $150,000 to replace (another story). Attached is a picture of me sitting on it.

This entire section of ocean is completely off limits to boaters. There's a 110' ship, the Gateway Endeavor, whose sole purpose is to patrol the area 24/7/365 a year. (For me to dive the area I had to get security clearances, develop a very comprehensive plan, present it to Excelerate HQ. Additionally all vessels involved in the op needed to have a company observer aboard).

When a 1000' LNG tanker needs to offload (re-gassify) it pulls up beside the little flag. The crew then couples the 5/8" line to a line from inside the bow of the ship and a winch inside the ship begins to draw in the line. Eventually it picks up the Kevlar hawser and then begins to haul up the actual STL until it's completely drawn inside the ship, where hydraulic rams on the ship lock into the STL and the ship and STL become one. BTW - the "Turret" of "Submerged Turret Loade"  refers to the section of the STL where the rams lock into it - theis section is on bearings and is free to pivot, allowing the ship to watch and rotate  due to sea and wind state.  A hatch on the top of the STL is opened and the ship's gas line is plugged in. It takes about five days to full re-gassify the LNG and transfer the ship's contents to land, and the STL keeps it anchored in place while also providing the gas line.

So I spent some dives following the Kevlar line down into blue (grey) open water, attaching a reel to the top of the STL and rappelling down to the underside to get video footage among the huge anchor rode attachments and massive flexible gas riser - all attached to an alien underwater spacecraft (needless to say, there was no ship on it at the time).

But...

But that's not the story. That's just the background.

The day came to send up the acoustical pop-ups. The Aquarium's dive boat went out - the Lophius (bonus points for what the name refers to) - and the researchers used the Interrogator to command the anchors be released. All four units obeyed and responded with a Success ACK. And they waited - and waited - and guess what? Not a single one popped to the surface. Nor did the distance from the units to the transducer change, meaning they were still laying on the bottom.

The bottom is 280 feet down.

So a ROV was deployed and the video returned gave the answer. The non-crushable floats used, well, crushed at that depth and therefore had lost their flotation. Countless thousands of hours of data was trapped on the seafloor. Priceless data. The ROV didn't have a grabber - just video. So weeks were spent trying to grapple the units - no luck.

During one dive on STL B I asked the PI if we could bring the Interrogator, and we did some tests on how closely we could use it to pinpoint the location of one of the pop-ups. the results were promising and I said I felt confident I could get them, but it would require some big dives with a lot of inherent risk - and a special team to pull it off. Several high level meetings later and I was given the green light. (attached image shows me holding the Interrogator's transducer and cable as we get ready to ping a unit).

I was going to dive to 280' in permanent pitch black onto a featureless sediment bottom to try to find a needle in a haystack...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Frogstar_Robot on 11/03/2020 08:41 pm
Quote
After an unexpected return to the hangar last night, the Atlas 5 rocket has re-emerged from the Vertical Integration Facility for the trip to pad 41 at Cape Canaveral for liftoff with a classified NRO payload Wednesday at 5:54pm EST (2254 GMT). spaceflightnow.com/2020/11/02/atl…

So finally, Elvish really has left the building.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 11/03/2020 08:49 pm

Yeah - I saw those comments and wrote them off. There's a lot of crazy items living subsurface out there. I did several dives on a Submerged Turret Loader while it was living in it's neutral floating state at 140' (as well as several hairy dives to the sea floor below it at 280'). STL's look like huge biconic spacecraft (that I would repel down on a reel - very cool - to get to the underside where the flexible gas riser is attached as well as eight absolutely massive anchor rode attachment points feeding chain links the size of Teslas).
That structure referenced looked an awful lot like a STL frame to me.
For those unfamiliar with deepwater offloading ports that utilize STLs, here's a graphical description:
https://www.nov.com/-/media/nov/files/products/caps/process-and-flow-technologies/buoy-turret-loading/apl-mooring-and-loading-systems-brochure.pdf (https://www.nov.com/-/media/nov/files/products/caps/process-and-flow-technologies/buoy-turret-loading/apl-mooring-and-loading-systems-brochure.pdf)
And here's me getting kitted up for the deep dive (the dive, that gladly I didn't know at the time the pic was taken, almost killed me).
Which one is the IPA tank?
It's the one directly attached to the P-valve on my thigh...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kessdawg on 11/03/2020 09:02 pm
Johnny you've got fantastic writing skills
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 11/03/2020 09:04 pm
Johnny you've got fantastic writing skills

(it's an audiobook too  ;D )

https://www.amazon.com/Out-Hells-Kitchen-John-Hanzl/dp/1583482997

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: beentheredengthat on 11/03/2020 09:32 pm
Johnny you've got fantastic writing skills

(it's an audiobook too  ;D )

https://www.amazon.com/Out-Hells-Kitchen-John-Hanzl/dp/1583482997



Bought it... Always looking for great audio books!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: equiserre on 11/03/2020 11:16 pm
Johnny you've got fantastic writing skills

(it's an audiobook too  ;D )

https://www.amazon.com/Out-Hells-Kitchen-John-Hanzl/dp/1583482997
That was awesome, so, next chapter is next week or what?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 11/04/2020 03:41 am

Part One - The Why...

Uncle Johnny, please keep telling your story!

We promise to be good, sit quietly and eat most of our vegetables... It's not like there's anything else going on that's important tonite or anything...

BTW this PDF is AOK for STL!
https://www.nov.com/-/media/nov/files/products/caps/process-and-flow-technologies/buoy-turret-loading/apl-mooring-and-loading-systems-brochure.pdf
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 11/06/2020 09:23 am
@MATTBLAK  If ever there was a time for your waiting skeleton image,........ it would be now.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 11/06/2020 10:03 am
:D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 11/06/2020 10:07 am
Still Waiting for...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 11/06/2020 02:31 pm
Still Waiting for...

Me too. You're not alone.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Vettedrmr on 11/06/2020 02:33 pm
Still Waiting for...

Me too. You're not alone.

If you mean Mr. H's next chapter, add me to the list!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 11/06/2020 02:35 pm
Still Waiting for...

Me too. You're not alone.

If you mean Mr. H's next chapter, add me to the list!
Oh, wait - meaning me? Sorry! Just had foot surgery and I’m down and out for a bit (save for weenie iPhone posts).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 11/06/2020 04:39 pm
Sooo... what's the shortest distance between two puns?

They've been working on that one fin for a while now.

Ah... they'll be...

Nah... I have to resist...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 11/06/2020 04:44 pm
Sooo... what's the shortest distance between two puns?

They've been working on that one fin for a while now.

Ah... they'll be...

Nah... I have to resist...
Finished?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 11/06/2020 06:13 pm
Sooo... what's the shortest distance between two puns?

They've been working on that one fin for a while now.

Ah... they'll be...

Nah... I have to resist...
Finished?  Finnished
Fixed that for you...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 11/07/2020 09:19 am
Sooo... what's the shortest distance between two puns?

They've been working on that one fin for a while now.

Ah... they'll be...

Nah... I have to resist...
Finished?  Finnished
Fixed that for you...

Pun war? You protest? You think you can stop me? So Suomi!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 11/07/2020 10:03 am
Sooo... what's the shortest distance between two puns?

They've been working on that one fin for a while now.

Ah... they'll be...

Nah... I have to resist...
Finished?  Finnished
Fixed that for you...
What that thing exactly pretends to be? Why you spit to my face like that, you can get puukko just less...

Quote
The national flag is rectangular and has the following dimensions:

    height 11 and width 18 units of measurement
    each arm of the blue cross has a width of 3 units
    each canton has a height of 4 units; the cantons in the hoist have a length of 5 units and those in the fly, 10 units

The following PMS colours should be used: blue 294C, red 186C and yellow 123C





; )
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: equiserre on 11/07/2020 03:43 pm
Still Waiting for...

Me too. You're not alone.

If you mean Mr. H's next chapter, add me to the list!
Oh, wait - meaning me? Sorry! Just had foot surgery and I’m down and out for a bit (save for weenie iPhone posts).
On top of the broken ribs?? Or am I confused?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 11/07/2020 03:46 pm
Still Waiting for...

Me too. You're not alone.

If you mean Mr. H's next chapter, add me to the list!
Oh, wait - meaning me? Sorry! Just had foot surgery and I’m down and out for a bit (save for weenie iPhone posts).
On top of the broken ribs?? Or am I confused?
Lol - no, not me. I’m just the person ribbing...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 11/07/2020 10:53 pm
Today
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evN6DIGPIJM&ab_channel=PeterGabriel
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 11/07/2020 10:58 pm
 I broke some ribs once. Fortunately they were someone else's.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 11/08/2020 11:32 pm
Oh, wait - meaning me? Sorry! Just had foot surgery and I’m down and out for a bit (save for weenie iPhone posts).

if you're posting your weenie via iPhone, I don't want to know about it. Thank you.

I broke some ribs once. Fortunately they were someone else's.

Fortunately for you, perhaps. For them, perhaps not so much?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 11/08/2020 11:35 pm
Oh, wait - meaning me? Sorry! Just had foot surgery and I’m down and out for a bit (save for weenie iPhone posts).

if you're posting your weenie via iPhone, I don't want to know about it. Thank you.

I broke some ribs once. Fortunately they were someone else's.

Fortunately for you, perhaps. For them, perhaps not so much?
Actually, it was. But that's a story for a different era.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: smisamore on 11/09/2020 04:17 am
Oh, wait - meaning me? Sorry! Just had foot surgery and I’m down and out for a bit (save for weenie iPhone posts).

if you're posting your weenie via iPhone, I don't want to know about it. Thank you.

I broke some ribs once. Fortunately they were someone else's.

Fortunately for you, perhaps. For them, perhaps not so much?
Actually, it was. But that's a story for a different era.

Sorry, but I can't resist...

Just a WAG that this had something to do with your request for a Guinness being answered by the unfortunate server stating "Sorry Mate, no Guinness today, how about a nice pint of IPA??"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jon.amos on 11/09/2020 12:44 pm
Oh, wait - meaning me? Sorry! Just had foot surgery and I’m down and out for a bit (save for weenie iPhone posts).

if you're posting your weenie via iPhone, I don't want to know about it. Thank you.

I broke some ribs once. Fortunately they were someone else's.

Fortunately for you, perhaps. For them, perhaps not so much?
Actually, it was. But that's a story for a different era.

Paleozoic or Mesozoic?    ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 11/09/2020 11:08 pm
If I didn't point it out, would anyone notice?  We are about to find out.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 11/10/2020 05:27 am
If I didn't point it out, would anyone notice?  We are about to find out.
No, I don't think so
But as Yoda said  "No.  There is another."
(Too tired to go looking for the video clip.)
In this case 'The other" is.... it just wasn't funny.
Maybe this is answer 4.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 11/10/2020 07:05 am
If I didn't point it out, would anyone notice?  We are about to find out.
No, I don't think so
But as Yoda said  "No.  There is another."
(Too tired to go looking for the video clip.)
In this case 'The other" is.... it just wasn't funny.
Maybe this is answer 4.

These don't seem like detailed concerns to me...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: danneely on 11/10/2020 05:07 pm
Oh, wait - meaning me? Sorry! Just had foot surgery and I’m down and out for a bit (save for weenie iPhone posts).

if you're posting your weenie via iPhone, I don't want to know about it. Thank you.

I broke some ribs once. Fortunately they were someone else's.

Fortunately for you, perhaps. For them, perhaps not so much?
Actually, it was. But that's a story for a different era.

CPR?  That's about the only scenario I can think of where breaking someones ribs is a good thing for them.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 11/11/2020 12:29 am
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: groknull on 11/11/2020 01:08 am
Hundreds of orbits and trajectories to choose from.  Call now.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 11/11/2020 01:28 am
“Come and enjoy our new Star Bar, only a quick 28 story walk up!”
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 11/11/2020 03:38 am
Oh, they have an elevator.  It's that little green metal basket hanging from the crane.  Great on a windy night, after a few drinks!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 11/11/2020 10:48 am
The only indoor bungee jump in Boca Chica!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 11/11/2020 06:47 pm
...What if it was ice?
I believe it's unlikely that it was ice.
It's too chunky/big. Ice from condensation on the tanks is very powdery/soft. It's not solid like ice that has slowly grown from liquid water. Also it's way too much. There wasn't any ice on the outside, aside from that sliver on the nose header. the tanks just weren't that full, so the only ice was on the bottom dome/engines from chilling and the pieces we saw flying.. you have to get the scale clear in your mind, the vehicle is 9 meter in diameter.

It's too late. Ice would(and will) have liberated immediately at engine start, not 2 seconds into the firing. It doesn't adhere that well to the steel. In fact, sometimes you can see pieces fall off all by itself.
have you considered this? Frogs.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: lykos on 11/11/2020 06:58 pm
...What if it was ice?
I believe it's unlikely that it was ice.
It's too chunky/big. Ice from condensation on the tanks is very powdery/soft. It's not solid like ice that has slowly grown from liquid water. Also it's way too much. There wasn't any ice on the outside, aside from that sliver on the nose header. the tanks just weren't that full, so the only ice was on the bottom dome/engines from chilling and the pieces we saw flying.. you have to get the scale clear in your mind, the vehicle is 9 meter in diameter.

It's too late. Ice would(and will) have liberated immediately at engine start, not 2 seconds into the firing. It doesn't adhere that well to the steel. In fact, sometimes you can see pieces fall off all by itself.
have you considered this? Frogs.
Way to big, they would have to be cows or at least sheeps   ::)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 11/11/2020 07:35 pm
have you considered this? Frogs.
Way to big, they would have to be cows or at least sheeps   ::)
Everything's bigger in Texas
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: BlackholeLP on 11/11/2020 08:07 pm
SpaceX were testing an innovative new speed-cooking methodology for the diner.  ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AU1.52 on 11/11/2020 08:49 pm
For all ye Brits. Cooking up Toad in the hole for the diner?


[Spelling!]
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TheRadicalModerate on 11/11/2020 10:43 pm
For all ye Brits. Cooking up Todd in the hole for the diner?
Toad.  If they cooked Todd, there's gonna be a big honking OSHA investigation.  And I think the diner and the department of health are going to have a conversation if Todd's on the menu.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ulm_atms on 11/11/2020 11:31 pm
Chris B...just to let you know that your last video stream broke YouTube.  I was watching some parts of the last broadcast 20 mins ago and boom...YouTube is down around the world...

Thanks.....  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 11/12/2020 12:00 am
YouBrokeTube
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: philw1776 on 11/12/2020 02:13 pm
For all ye Brits. Cooking up Toad in the hole for the diner?


[Spelling!]

I tried this for a translation to no avail

https://www.infoenglish.net/british-to-american-english/
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: aameise9 on 11/12/2020 02:22 pm
For all ye Brits. Cooking up Toad in the hole for the diner?


[Spelling!]

I tried this for a translation to no avail

https://www.infoenglish.net/british-to-american-english/


Thanks, you gave me an idea for Saturday lunch:

https://www.itv.com/saturdaymorning/saturday-morning-recipes/toad-in-the-hole-with-onion-gravy
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevinof on 11/12/2020 02:24 pm
Ha. Toad in the hole = sausage, batter , vegetable and gravy pie/dish. As un(appealing) as it sounds this is major thread drift!

For all ye Brits. Cooking up Toad in the hole for the diner?


[Spelling!]

I tried this for a translation to no avail

https://www.infoenglish.net/british-to-american-english/
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zeekakboos on 11/12/2020 11:02 pm
Fusion reactor achieved!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 11/13/2020 06:01 pm
It flew under the radar a little with all the media attention surrounding the impending Crew 1 launch.

But during the Flight Readiness Review on October 10th, 2020, a major milestone was reached in the Commercial Crew Program: the first provider received full Human Rating Certification when Kathy Lueders signed the Human Rating Certification Plan (with a rather ordinary pen).

See attached image.

Typo: FRR was on November 10th, 2020.  :)

Yeah Woods!  2020's long enough already... no need to add an extra MONTH to it!!! ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 11/13/2020 08:20 pm
https://twitter.com/jimbridenstine/status/1327357510022434816

Quote
Update: Due to onshore winds and recovery operations, @NASA and @SpaceX are targeting launch of the Crew-1 mission with astronauts to the @Space_Station at 7:27 p.m. EST Sunday, Nov. 15. The first stage booster is planned to be reused to fly astronauts on Crew-2. #LaunchAmerica

Booster recovery is increasingly becoming a critical launch issue, not just an afterthought or “nice to have”.

Finally, no one can say, "I could care less about the first stage. We only want the astronauts to make it to orbit."

Apparently, certain streamers don't realize how important first stage recovery is just as much as the primary mission.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 11/13/2020 09:14 pm
Finally, no one can say, "I could care less about the first stage. We only want the astronauts to make it to orbit."

I could care less about the first stage. A lot less. Because I care about it a great deal.

I couldn't care less about what astronauts have for breakfast, though.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 11/13/2020 11:07 pm
Finally, no one can say, "I could care less about the first stage. We only want the astronauts to make it to orbit."

I could care less about the first stage. A lot less. Because I care about it a great deal.

I couldn't care less about what astronauts have for breakfast, though.

Such as a Dragonhouse steak with Falcon potatoes?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: guyw on 11/13/2020 11:22 pm
Finally, no one can say, "I could care less about the first stage. We only want the astronauts to make it to orbit."

I could care less about the first stage. A lot less. Because I care about it a great deal.

I couldn't care less about what astronauts have for breakfast, though.

It does come up from time to time though...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 11/14/2020 12:31 am
Once again I lobby the mods!

This thread needs a 'Groan' button!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 11/14/2020 01:02 am
Finally, no one can say, "I could care less about the first stage. We only want the astronauts to make it to orbit."

I could care less about the first stage. A lot less. Because I care about it a great deal.

I couldn't care less about what astronauts have for breakfast, though.

While I agree on your grammatical point, I must strenuously object to your evident lack of concern
regarding what the astronauts have for breakfast on launch day. This is absolutely mission critical.

For example, what if the astronauts decide that the Tesla Model X's used for transportation to the pad look tasty, and each decide to have one of them for breakfast ? That'd increase launch mass by over 5 tons per astronaut, so 20 tons total. I call that mission-critical.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 11/14/2020 08:55 am
And I call that a serious eating disorder!  With all the doctors around them, you'd think they would be auto-immune.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: litton4 on 11/14/2020 11:51 am
For the more mature UK Viewers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiD8nGD0Q6w
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 11/14/2020 12:07 pm
For the more mature UK Viewers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiD8nGD0Q6w

Already posted up thread.
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2149501#msg2149501 (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2149501#msg2149501)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jon.amos on 11/14/2020 01:01 pm
For the more mature UK Viewers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiD8nGD0Q6w

Already posted up thread.
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2149501#msg2149501 (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2149501#msg2149501)

But  can it ever truly be posted too much?   ::)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 11/14/2020 01:34 pm
Finally, no one can say, "I could care less about the first stage. We only want the astronauts to make it to orbit."

I could care less about the first stage. A lot less. Because I care about it a great deal.

I couldn't care less about what astronauts have for breakfast, though.

It does come up from time to time though...
But apparently in a celebratory fashion, according to Bob and Doug.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 11/14/2020 02:24 pm
For the more mature UK Viewers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiD8nGD0Q6w

Already posted up thread.
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2149501#msg2149501 (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2149501#msg2149501)

But  can it ever truly be posted too much?   ::)
OMG - how’d I miss this. Amazing! Loved the Thunderbirds. And the side by side comparison vid makes it even more amazing..,
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 11/15/2020 01:10 am
For the more mature UK Viewers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiD8nGD0Q6w

Already posted up thread.
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2149501#msg2149501 (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2149501#msg2149501)

But  can it ever truly be posted too much?   ::)
OMG - how’d I miss this. Amazing! Loved the Thunderbirds. And the side by side comparison vid makes it even more amazing..,

That will teach you not to launch a book when cool Gerry Anderson theme vid get uploaded to Youtube. ;)

And no. You can not posted the vid too much. Unless we get an updated SpaceXbirds vid.  :)

P.S. the only disappoint with the SpaceXbirds vid was the lack of a Pink Cybertruck.  :(
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Saabstory88 on 11/15/2020 09:04 pm
So... when the Crew has the Dragon in Autonomous mode, does it still nag them to occasional put a slight turning force on the flight stick?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 11/15/2020 11:51 pm
It was a terrific launch! Godspeed to the intrepid crew of Resilience!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 11/16/2020 12:18 am
Congrats spacex and congratulations NASA!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 11/16/2020 12:27 am
FOD in the door

Fod door

Fodder...

Damn Rocket Cows taking their lunch breaks in the Dragon's Maw!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 11/16/2020 04:07 pm
When I heard they found a little FOD in the door, I wondered if the crew had some ROT BER to drink with that FOD... ;)

The other thing that crossed my mind was one closeout ninja pulling a wad of chewing gum out from the hatch seal and saying "Okay, guys, whose gum is this?" rather like a grade school teacher.  :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 11/16/2020 04:51 pm
Crew wake up song was “in the air tonight” by Phil Collins.
They should use "Back in black" for a newly launched crew.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 11/16/2020 04:53 pm
Crew wake up song was “in the air tonight” by Phil Collins.
They should use "Back in black" for a newly launched crew.

Nah, that's reserved for the pad ninjas... ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 11/17/2020 05:27 am

Why does this site add "Failure" or "Failed" to the thread names of some launches? That's incredibly judgmental, and also quite hurtful to a rocket that's already having a bit of a bad day.

Can't we be kinder, and have less negativity?

Perhaps some helpful alternatives are in order;

Exploring Alternate Trajectories; Suborbital Success; Multiple divergent trajectories attained; Multiple Simultaneous Destinations.

Anyone got any other appropriate terms? After all, nice, catchy acronyms make everything better, just ask any bureaucrat. :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Bananas_on_Mars on 11/17/2020 05:51 am

Why does this site add "Failure" or "Failed" to the thread names of some launches? That's incredibly judgmental, and also quite hurtful to a rocket that's already having a bit of a bad day.

Can't we be kinder, and have less negativity?

Perhaps some helpful alternatives are in order;

Exploring Alternate Trajectories; Suborbital Success; Multiple divergent trajectories attained; Multiple Simultaneous Destinations.

Anyone got any other appropriate terms? After all, nice, catchy acronyms make everything better, just ask any bureaucrat. :)
Experiencing Alternative Terminal Suborbital Hardly Impacting Trajectory.

Best Anomalous Disappointing Dive All Year.

Short Hickup Instantly Terminates, Highly Anomalous Propulsive Power Ends Next Spaceflight.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 11/17/2020 06:03 am

Why does this site add "Failure" or "Failed" to the thread names of some launches? That's incredibly judgmental, and also quite hurtful to a rocket that's already having a bit of a bad day.

Can't we be kinder, and have less negativity?

Perhaps some helpful alternatives are in order;

Exploring Alternate Trajectories; Suborbital Success; Multiple divergent trajectories attained; Multiple Simultaneous Destinations.

Anyone got any other appropriate terms? After all, nice, catchy acronyms make everything better, just ask any bureaucrat. :)
I suggest adding an appropriate song titles to the thread name.

Like, “Love on the Rocks - Vega VV17 - SEOSat/Ingenio &amp; TARANIS - November 16/17, 2020 (01:52 UTC)”

or “Great Balls of Fire - XJY-6 - CZ-7A (Y1) - WSLC - March 16, 2020 (13:34 UTC)”

Gives a bit of description to the tragedy and provides a bit o the ol toe tapping to ease the downtrodden heart... “I’m All Shook Up”.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: russianhalo117 on 11/17/2020 06:05 am

Why does this site add "Failure" or "Failed" to the thread names of some launches? That's incredibly judgmental, and also quite hurtful to a rocket that's already having a bit of a bad day.

Can't we be kinder, and have less negativity?

Perhaps some helpful alternatives are in order;

Exploring Alternate Trajectories; Suborbital Success; Multiple divergent trajectories attained; Multiple Simultaneous Destinations.

Anyone got any other appropriate terms? After all, nice, catchy acronyms make everything better, just ask any bureaucrat. :)
Because they were declared failed. Case closed. Next topic.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 11/17/2020 06:28 am
@CJ Perhaps Buzz Kill should be a failure mode XD
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 11/17/2020 07:10 am
And I call that a serious eating disorder!  With all the doctors around them, you'd think they would be auto-immune.
There auto be a law...


Why does this site add "Failure" or "Failed" to the thread names of some launches? That's incredibly judgmental, and also quite hurtful to a rocket that's already having a bit of a bad day.

Can't we be kinder, and have less negativity?

Perhaps some helpful alternatives are in order;

Exploring Alternate Trajectories; Suborbital Success; Multiple divergent trajectories attained; Multiple Simultaneous Destinations.

Anyone got any other appropriate terms? After all, nice, catchy acronyms make everything better, just ask any bureaucrat. :)
Because they were declared failed. Case closed. Next topic.
Dude, who did the cosmonaut-good-luck-tire-watering thing in your cornflakes this morning???

https://twitter.com/wapodavenport/status/1328436395497676802
My first thought was they were holding hands...

Clearly you need a new prescription for your glasses.  ;)
Johnny: me too.
Woods: me too.
me: I should move this to LaunchParty [1]
me too: you should!
me: shut up

1  - this is called a narrative perspective shift
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 11/17/2020 09:56 am

Why does this site add "Failure" or "Failed" to the thread names of some launches? That's incredibly judgmental, and also quite hurtful to a rocket that's already having a bit of a bad day.

Can't we be kinder, and have less negativity?

Perhaps some helpful alternatives are in order;

Exploring Alternate Trajectories; Suborbital Success; Multiple divergent trajectories attained; Multiple Simultaneous Destinations.

Anyone got any other appropriate terms? After all, nice, catchy acronyms make everything better, just ask any bureaucrat. :)


Fake Launch.







Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 11/17/2020 10:04 am

https://twitter.com/wapodavenport/status/1328436395497676802 (https://twitter.com/wapodavenport/status/1328436395497676802)


So, what about Starliner?

-Why buy one when you can buy 2 for twice the price?
-Shhhhh. Did you see Boeing stock this morning?
-You’ve never heard of Too big to fail, have you?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 11/17/2020 01:40 pm
Speaking of Finnished, for the SN8 15K flight Nomadd has brought the old gang back together to entertain the troops...

https://youtu.be/e4Ao-iNPPUc

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 11/17/2020 04:21 pm
Speaking of Finnished, for the SN8 15K flight Nomadd has brought the old gang back together to entertain the troops...

https://youtu.be/e4Ao-iNPPUc

Too bad Mary had to take the video. You've never seen her in her Daisy Duke shorts.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: freddo411 on 11/17/2020 04:22 pm

Why does this site add "Failure" or "Failed" to the thread names of some launches? That's incredibly judgmental, and also quite hurtful to a rocket that's already having a bit of a bad day.

Can't we be kinder, and have less negativity?

Perhaps some helpful alternatives are in order;

Exploring Alternate Trajectories; Suborbital Success; Multiple divergent trajectories attained; Multiple Simultaneous Destinations.

Anyone got any other appropriate terms? After all, nice, catchy acronyms make everything better, just ask any bureaucrat. :)


JIM:    "No."
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 11/17/2020 04:59 pm

Why does this site add "Failure" or "Failed" to the thread names of some launches? That's incredibly judgmental, and also quite hurtful to a rocket that's already having a bit of a bad day.

Can't we be kinder, and have less negativity?

Perhaps some helpful alternatives are in order;

Exploring Alternate Trajectories; Suborbital Success; Multiple divergent trajectories attained; Multiple Simultaneous Destinations.

Anyone got any other appropriate terms? After all, nice, catchy acronyms make everything better, just ask any bureaucrat. :)
Because they were declared failed. Case closed. Next topic.

PARTY THREAD FOUL!

Your vodka privileges are revoked.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 11/17/2020 10:00 pm
Exploring Alternate Trajectories

Congratulations you just named a spaceship. Only a matter of time.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 11/18/2020 12:42 am
That equipment all has PM schedules when it's built, and intentionally failing to follow one to save money is pretty hard to believe.
Not that it would be the first hard to believe thing that actually happened in the industry.
Off thread topic reply:

One of my former planetarium (venue initials AEP) senior-level executives unilaterally chose not to renew our service contract with our systems engineering contractor.  This included our all-sky (dome) video projection system.

He also habitually delayed capital expenditures for the system's replacement.

We ran BARCO 909 CRT projectors, 8 to 12 hours per day, every day but Christmas, for TWELVE YEARS.  Every time we paid technicians to assist us on-site, we paid a-la-carte.  For years.  Some savings!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 11/18/2020 01:19 am
That equipment all has PM schedules when it's built, and intentionally failing to follow one to save money is pretty hard to believe.
Not that it would be the first hard to believe thing that actually happened in the industry.
Off thread topic reply:
One of my former planetarium (venue initials AEP) senior-level executives unilaterally chose not to renew our service contract with our systems engineering contractor.  This included our all-sky (dome) video projection system.
He also habitually delayed capital expenditures for the system's replacement.
We ran BARCO 909 CRT projectors, 8 to 12 hours per day, every day but Christmas, for TWELVE YEARS.  Every time we paid technicians to assist us on-site, we paid a-la-carte.  For years.  Some savings!
Had a different experience when the company insisted we needed to make extortion payments to Nortel for years. Monthly plus huge amounts for each call, usually for things a trained poodle could handle. Finally stopped when voicemail for two Option 11s quit the same week. 12 grand to fix one and $30 to buy a complete used replacement from ebay for the other. Extra SCSI drives also getable from ebay for 1% the official price.
 Same with Cisco insisting you use their $1400 certified memory chips instead of generic $60 ones.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 11/18/2020 02:36 am
That equipment all has PM schedules when it's built, and intentionally failing to follow one to save money is pretty hard to believe.
Not that it would be the first hard to believe thing that actually happened in the industry.
Off thread topic reply:
One of my former planetarium (venue initials AEP) senior-level executives unilaterally chose not to renew our service contract with our systems engineering contractor.  This included our all-sky (dome) video projection system.
He also habitually delayed capital expenditures for the system's replacement.
We ran BARCO 909 CRT projectors, 8 to 12 hours per day, every day but Christmas, for TWELVE YEARS.  Every time we paid technicians to assist us on-site, we paid a-la-carte.  For years.  Some savings!
Had a different experience when the company insisted we needed to make extortion payments to Nortel for years. Monthly plus huge amounts for each call, usually for things a trained poodle could handle. Finally stopped when voicemail for two Option 11s quit the same week. 12 grand to fix one and $30 to buy a complete used replacement from ebay for the other. extra SCSI backup drives also getable from ebay for 1% the official price.
 Same with Cisco insisting you use their $1400 certified memory chips instead of generic $60 ones.
Wow!
I'll name our contractor: Sky-Skan skyskan.com
Even when we had NO service contract, I got free, unlimited phone and e-mail consultations.  Great when the clock is ticking and your planetarium won't go!
FTP downloads and internet downloads: free.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 11/18/2020 04:47 am
Des anybody know if tunnel boring on Mars could be automated? Could a robot TBM be sent to Mars and programmed to create an underground series of reinforced tunnels suitable for habitation?
They could always use the NASA type on InSight. In two years it's made it about 14 inches.
Sick burn
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 11/18/2020 07:41 am
Des anybody know if tunnel boring on Mars could be automated? Could a robot TBM be sent to Mars and programmed to create an underground series of reinforced tunnels suitable for habitation?
They could always use the NASA type on InSight. In two years it's made it about 14 inches.
Sick burn

Nah..... it's perfect
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 11/18/2020 07:51 am
 After much research and careful consideration, I've come to the conclusion that the people who decide what's ITAR restricted all got the job by flunking out of toll taker school.

 And that's all I have to say about that.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: guyw on 11/18/2020 11:44 am
To add to the madness, the statutory monetary penalties for ITAR violations are adjusted for inflation!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: eric_astro on 11/20/2020 12:21 pm
                                     Bravo Kiwi !

NewSpace/STARship WARS …….  the Southern Hemisphere STRIKES Back

                           (but the USA makes IT happen)

           
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 11/21/2020 12:00 am
Quote
Julia
@julia_bergeron Replying to @julia_bergeron    
At sea internet access just got an upgrade. I spy not one, but two #Starlink terminals onboard Just Read the Instructions- one on the bow and one on the stern. Durability testing was taken to a whole new level when B1061 came in for a landing. #SpaceXFleet #JRTI

This is very concerning, because the video feed still dropped out as the F9 was landing.

This does not bode well for Stalink reliability, as it clearly indicates that if an F9 is landing on your house, you'll lose internet for a few seconds. Unacceptable!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 11/21/2020 12:07 am
Quote
Julia
@julia_bergeron Replying to @julia_bergeron    
At sea internet access just got an upgrade. I spy not one, but two #Starlink terminals onboard Just Read the Instructions- one on the bow and one on the stern. Durability testing was taken to a whole new level when B1061 came in for a landing. #SpaceXFleet #JRTI

This is very concerning, because the video feed still dropped out as the F9 was landing.

This does not bode well for Stalink reliability, as it clearly indicates that if an F9 is landing on your house, you'll lose internet for a few seconds. Unacceptable!

I need to update my worry list.  I'm still concerned about cylinders from Mars obliterating the privy.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 11/21/2020 11:44 am
Not sure where I should put this so party thread it is.

https://www.inverse.com/innovation/spacex-mars-city-werner-herzog
Quote
Elon Musk wants to build a city on Mars, but Werner Herzog says the plans is unequivocally a "mistake."

SpaceX CEO Musk has a plan to send the first humans to Mars in the mid-2020s, using the under-development Starship rocket. Once they get there, Musk wants to build out a self-sustaining, million-strong city on Mars by 2050.

But famed film director Herzog tells Inverse there is a massive flaw in the latter half of Musk's plan.

In a blistering criticism, Herzog describes the idea as "an obscenity," and says humans should "not be like the locusts."

In the interview, conducted earlier this month prior to the release of a new documentary on asteroids, Herzog also compares Musk's plan to the rise and collapse of communism and fascism in the 20th century. The 21st century will "quickly" end the "technological utopia like colonizing Mars," he says.

Some of the reason i put it in the party thread is that i got reminded of this recension when i read the above.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YW-5Flkiuw
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Ronpur50 on 11/21/2020 01:53 pm
Herzog is just upset the Crew-1 mascot was the child.  After he failed to secure it for the Empire.  I got one, however!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kdhilliard on 11/21/2020 02:10 pm
... I got one, however!

Doesn't that last photo belong over at You Know You're A Space Geek When... (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=10391.0)?

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 11/21/2020 03:42 pm
So, I knew Russia was behind the West technologically speaking, but I didn’t know it was this bad...

https://youtu.be/8HZ4DnVfWYQ
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Jakusb on 11/21/2020 04:30 pm
What a difference of quality between NASA broadcast and what SpaceX normally provides.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mlindner on 11/21/2020 04:31 pm
A bit of amateur hour on NASA TV with the casters not realizing they're live.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: glanmor05 on 11/21/2020 04:31 pm
Space X shouldn't be partnering with NASA for webcasts.  This has been well below the normal high standards.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 11/21/2020 04:33 pm
Herzog is just upset the Crew-1 mascot was the child.  After he failed to secure it for the Empire.  I got one, however!

Earth plushy is saying don't eat me baby Yoda! Don't eat me!!!!!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 11/21/2020 04:35 pm
It's sort of unsettling that NASA's Launch Services Program @NASA_LSP seems to be tweeting renders as if they were real.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: M.E.T. on 11/21/2020 04:36 pm
Haha. A bit of comic relief from the NASA/international team.

Heck, the private hobbyists covering static fires down in an open Boca Chica field are more polished than this lot.😀

Great launch from SpaceX though.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: 1 on 11/21/2020 04:41 pm
No speed or alititude, still not got notification of nominal orbit insertion.

Pah! Nevermind that crap! We need more reactions from random commentators. Maybe some pictures of space puppies from twitter.



God, i miss the technical webcast.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 11/21/2020 04:42 pm
No speed or alititude, still not got notification of nominal orbit insertion.

Pah! Nevermind that crap! We need more reactions from random commentators. Maybe some pictures of space puppies from twitter.



God, i miss the technical webcast.

I hope they don’t stick with this type of webcast for future NASA missions other than the Commercial Crew missions.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mlindner on 11/21/2020 04:54 pm
Wow - you guys are really harsh.

Congrats NASA, ESA, and SpaceX on a great launch. May Sentinel-6 reach orbit nominally and begin providing the critical data this planet desperately needs.

Some people have been pretty harsh (looking at you SpaceX subreddit), but I think calling out NASA for being out of touch with their audience being a bad thing for NASA's popularity is something to note. These types of streams don't help increase the popularity of NASA.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ugordan on 11/21/2020 05:24 pm
No speed or alititude, still not got notification of nominal orbit insertion.

Didn't show SECO or the engine restart, either. Had to interrupt a live interview for the spacecraft separation milestone with the final orbit insertion just being an afterthought called out casually. Color me unimpressed with this coverage. It's as if the mission was secondary to all the interviews and also prerecorded interviews.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 11/21/2020 05:26 pm
I assume the delay in the latest Starlink launch from CCAFS to Monday means there's been no static fire yet?  Or is it just that, with a baseline-more-interesting RTLS flight at Vendenberg going on today, no one is much paying attention, or gives a rat's patootie, about when another ho-hum Starlink launch goes off?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: glanmor05 on 11/21/2020 05:26 pm
Worst crime was cutting away from the boostback burn. It was looking really good for a view of it from the second stage. First time I think I would have seen that, and I've watched almost every launch.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: RedLineTrain on 11/21/2020 05:29 pm
We are spoiled by the webcasts that SpaceX produces.

Congratulations to ESA, NASA, SpaceX, et al.!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ncb1397 on 11/21/2020 05:29 pm
No speed or alititude, still not got notification of nominal orbit insertion.

Didn't show SECO or the engine restart, either. Had to interrupt a live interview for the spacecraft separation milestone. Color me unimpressed with this coverage. It's as if the mission was secondary to all the interviews and also prerecorded interviews.

The mission is the satellite, not the rocket launch.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ugordan on 11/21/2020 05:32 pm
No speed or alititude, still not got notification of nominal orbit insertion.

Didn't show SECO or the engine restart, either. Had to interrupt a live interview for the spacecraft separation milestone. Color me unimpressed with this coverage. It's as if the mission was secondary to all the interviews and also prerecorded interviews.

The mission is the satellite, not the rocket launch.

I feel like you're arguing with me, yet I'm basically saying the same?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: glanmor05 on 11/21/2020 05:34 pm
No mission without the launch. The webcast covers the launch and normally ends with deployment. That's what most of us want to watch and we have been spoilt I suppose.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 11/21/2020 05:34 pm
Also, I completely stopped myself from commenting on this in the launch thread from today's West Coast launch, but -- does anyone else think that the level of commentary on last two launch campaigns we've seen has been, well, insulting to anyone with an IQ over 40?  Reminds me more of the ESA-type coverage, which is designed for political backslapping far more than for appropriate coverage of what amounts to a High Rite of the Church of the Scientific Rationalists... ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: stcks on 11/21/2020 05:35 pm
Well that was a train wreck that just kept wrecking over and over again. The NSF shoestring-budgeted feed was world's better.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 11/21/2020 05:39 pm
Gee, and here I took my rather heavy criticism of the launch coverage over to the party thread... gotta say I wasn't impressed with the overall IQ level of the commentary on the Crew-1 launch coverage, either.  Too many ditzy people (male and female) gushing over watching their very first rocket launches, to be honest.  Not professional in any way.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Jeff Lerner on 11/21/2020 05:53 pm
The launch and first stage landing video was spectacular...best I’ve ever seen...so clear..

...about the commentators....I think some of us are not accepting that NASA is trying to attract a new generation of space enthusiasts...I’m 65 years old...do I miss Walter Cronkite..sure...more recently Rob Navias..absolutely...but time moves on...it’s all about social media these days and these commentators are young and are fresh faces out there to younger viewers...people on this site are not the target demographics IMHO..
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 11/21/2020 05:56 pm
The launch and first stage landing video was spectacular...best I’ve ever seen...so clear..

...about the commentators....I think some of us are not accepting that NASA is trying to attract a new generation of space enthusiasts...I’m 65 years old...do I miss Walter Cronkite..sure...more recently Rob Navias..absolutely...but time moves on...it’s all about social media these days and these commentators are young and are fresh faces out there to younger viewers...people on this site are not the target demographics IMHO..

Yep, I'm 65, too.  But I'm convinced you don't have to sacrifice competence for youth.  Seriously.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Jansen on 11/21/2020 06:16 pm
No speed or alititude, still not got notification of nominal orbit insertion.

Didn't show SECO or the engine restart, either. Had to interrupt a live interview for the spacecraft separation milestone. Color me unimpressed with this coverage. It's as if the mission was secondary to all the interviews and also prerecorded interviews.

The mission is the satellite, not the rocket launch.

It really depends on who is producing the webcast. SpaceX builds rockets, so the focus is on the rockets. NASA does science, so the focus is on the satellite and the mission.

It’s easy to criticize the commentators, but it’s kinda like watching a sports event and saying the player should’ve done this or that. A lot of the people on these shows aren’t professional broadcasters with years of training. They have day jobs as engineers and scientists. But far better to have someone enthusiastic about a launch than not.

A lot of the criticism should be directed to poor planning by the producers and directors who have access to mission timelines.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: 1 on 11/21/2020 06:41 pm
Of course we're all cerebrating the sucessful launch first and foremost. But the reason for the complaints, at least from me, is that we all know all parties involved are capable of so much better.

The DM-1 launch coverage was emmy award winning.
The FH Demo might have been the most phenomenol launch coverage of this generation.

Compare those to DM-2, Crew-1, and now, this. For the most part, I held my tongue the last two launches, but I'm really not liking the pattern that appears to be emerging.

Anyway, enough cluttering of this thread from me. On to the next mission.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kdhilliard on 11/21/2020 06:57 pm
We've been directing congratulations to the Party Tread for some time now.  Do we need a Party Pooper Thread to contain the complaints?

... insulting to anyone with an IQ over 40?  ...
Those of us with an IQ under 40 weren't so impressed either!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 11/21/2020 07:08 pm
So, I knew Russia was behind the West technologically speaking, but I didn’t know it was this bad...
I think Carter was president the last time I laughed that hard.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: stcks on 11/21/2020 07:22 pm
The launch and first stage landing video was spectacular...best I’ve ever seen...so clear..

...about the commentators....I think some of us are not accepting that NASA is trying to attract a new generation of space enthusiasts...I’m 65 years old...do I miss Walter Cronkite..sure...more recently Rob Navias..absolutely...but time moves on...it’s all about social media these days and these commentators are young and are fresh faces out there to younger viewers...people on this site are not the target demographics IMHO..

Yep, I'm 65, too.  But I'm convinced you don't have to sacrifice competence for youth.  Seriously.

Moving this to the party thread before the mods tear it all down.

Agree 100%. I'm not a 65 year old, in fact I'm a handful of decades younger (and sadly never saw Cronkite report a space mission). The reactions on reddit would show that the younger generation didn't care for this webcast either. SpaceX's webcasts have been engaging and fun but also technical. NASA's last few webcasts have been none of those things. They haven't been technical and they haven't even been engaging. They have been unprofessional and downright boring. How it was possible to make a Vandenberg RTLS F9 launch on a gorgeous morning boring to this space nerd is unfathomable, yet they did it. How is it possible that you talk over the main event of the entire programming? This is not the way to make new space fans.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: LouScheffer on 11/21/2020 08:13 pm
Let me take a contrary viewpoint and state that an occasional hideous webcast is a good thing.

For an analogy, movies are hours long, take years to make, and have big budgets.   This meant only experienced people would be trusted to make them, and it was really hard to break into the field.  MTV changed this.  Now you had a whole bunch of 3 minute films with much smaller budgets, and much less consequence for failing.  This made it much easier to take a chance on an unknown, far more people got a chance to make a short film, and the people who did well could graduate to "real" movies.

With SpaceX, launches are frequent enough that they can take chances on different presenters, format, organizations, etc.  Some will be great and some will be clunkers.  But the presence of the clunkers (as do failures of engineering) mean they are trying new things, not just sticking with what was OK before.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: meekGee on 11/21/2020 08:40 pm
No speed or alititude, still not got notification of nominal orbit insertion.

Didn't show SECO or the engine restart, either. Had to interrupt a live interview for the spacecraft separation milestone. Color me unimpressed with this coverage. It's as if the mission was secondary to all the interviews and also prerecorded interviews.

The mission is the satellite, not the rocket launch.

Yeah but the booster burn is a momentary event of high importance.  The satellite is going to be sitting there for another hour almost, and then separate and continue sitting there for orbital maneuvers - there's no need to switch aways from the booster.

It's been an ongoing point of consternation ever since the possibility of delaying a launch because of down-range conditions came up, with the old school folks getting awfully upset at how SpaceX and their reusability thing is stealing the spotlight from "the mission".

So guess what - it's not really a "mission".  It's a delivery of payload to an orbit, with a type of delivery vehicle that is still novel at this point.  Many people care about the mechanisms of reusability, especially as SS is slowing becoming real.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: obi-wan on 11/21/2020 11:12 pm
The launch and first stage landing video was spectacular...best I’ve ever seen...so clear..

...about the commentators....I think some of us are not accepting that NASA is trying to attract a new generation of space enthusiasts...I’m 65 years old...do I miss Walter Cronkite..sure...more recently Rob Navias..absolutely...but time moves on...it’s all about social media these days and these commentators are young and are fresh faces out there to younger viewers...people on this site are not the target demographics IMHO..

Yep, I'm 65, too.  But I'm convinced you don't have to sacrifice competence for youth.  Seriously.

Moving this to the party thread before the mods tear it all down.

Agree 100%. I'm not a 65 year old, in fact I'm a handful of decades younger (and sadly never saw Cronkite report a space mission). The reactions on reddit would show that the younger generation didn't care for this webcast either. SpaceX's webcasts have been engaging and fun but also technical. NASA's last few webcasts have been none of those things. They haven't been technical and they haven't even been engaging. They have been unprofessional and downright boring. How it was possible to make a Vandenberg RTLS F9 launch on a gorgeous morning boring to this space nerd is unfathomable, yet they did it. How is it possible that you talk over the main event of the entire programming? This is not the way to make new space fans.

(1) Nobody covers a SpaceX launch better than SpaceX

(2) Nobody does coverage of other launches better than SpaceX (please, ULA, no more of those stupid animations!)

(3) The crewed Dragon launches showed night-and-day differences between the SpaceX engineers and NASA public relations people doing coverage

(4) Thank heavens SpaceX finally let Jesse out of the building to go see a launch in person!!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mlindner on 11/21/2020 11:16 pm
The launch and first stage landing video was spectacular...best I’ve ever seen...so clear..

...about the commentators....I think some of us are not accepting that NASA is trying to attract a new generation of space enthusiasts...I’m 65 years old...do I miss Walter Cronkite..sure...more recently Rob Navias..absolutely...but time moves on...it’s all about social media these days and these commentators are young and are fresh faces out there to younger viewers...people on this site are not the target demographics IMHO..

Yep, I'm 65, too.  But I'm convinced you don't have to sacrifice competence for youth.  Seriously.

If there's one thing youth don't like it's being treated like they're young/inexperienced. If you want to see the type of stream that attract young people, look at Tim Dodd's (everyday astronaut). Despite my dislike of his streams that's the type of stream that attracts young people.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 11/21/2020 11:48 pm
Everything wrong with this webcast:

1. No telemetry overlay at all (except a tiny countdown clock that looked "cheap" not even upcoming mission events)
2. No real split screen, cutting back and forth between 1st stage, 2nd stage and talking people without a stage during landing approach.
3. Messed up cuts, missing the best parts.
4. Really really bad organization and directing cutting to an interviewers while the commentators were not ready and still setting up, cutting back to test-screens, making live-casts with another broadcaster right in the middle of an interview, cutting to a talking person but without audio, ...
5. Commentators missing key events, talking over second stage relight with no video, interviewing over payload separation.

It looks like neither directors nor commentators were properly aware of the launch timeline, or the current time. And the different teams involved weren't in sync with each other either.

It feels like someone tried to make this a highly polished and highly produced "story telling" launchcast in honor of Michael Freilich and his science. But they tried too hard. Way too hard, and then completely botched it up.

There were so many different teams of life commentators, all involved before payload separation:

1. Deroil Nail (Host) and Marina Jurrica (both NASA) at the beach, giving live commentary of the launch.
2. Phillip Hargrove and Joshua Shantora (NASA communications) in the studio, also giving live commentary about the lauinch.
3. Louis? Halton? (Moderator) at ESA, doing live interviews also at the beach
4. Joshua Willis and jet another moderator doing live demos in yet another studio while the vehicle was in flight
5. Eric Leuliette in the studio - another live interview during coast phase
6. Live Video teleconference with Alain Ratier (Director, Eutmelsat) - the one that made them miss 2nd stage relight
7. Live interview with Kallie? Berg? - during payload separation

This was just too much at the same time. Every additional live interview is a chance to mess up the timeline. They were asking, begging for trouble, and trouble of course came delivered.
Especially the synchronisation with the ESA team was a complete disaster. It looked like this wasn't rehearsed and whoever was directing this on the NASA side then completely lost it: After payload separation it completely fell apart, with extended "logo screen+music" periods before the commentators suddenly came back on.

I have a slight feeling students in media and broadcasting schools will look at this production for years to come - as an example of bad directing of a live event - what not to do and what pitfalls to avoid.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 11/22/2020 01:12 am
I have to say, the party thread really feels like the wrong place and the wrong audience for a serious discussion of the degrading webcast quality.

Back in the days when we had separate Update and Discussion threads, this clearly would have belonged to the latter, but this isn't exactly party material. Too serious, and the opposite of fun.

For example, If I had known this would end up in the party thread I'd have made way more snarky sarcastic remarks about the skill, excellence, experience and likely pay grade of the NASA media team, involved. ;P
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: su27k on 11/22/2020 03:03 am
Maybe mods can move the webcast discussion to SpaceX TV / stream (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=38644.0) or Webcast Suggestion/Request (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=43984.0), thread is a bit old but at least it's on topic.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 11/22/2020 03:48 am

If there's one thing youth don't like it's being treated like they're young/inexperienced. If you want to see the type of stream that attract young people, look at Tim Dodd's (everyday astronaut). Despite my dislike of his streams that's the type of stream that attracts young people.
I'm old and I was in a three of his streams several times each.  I had to keep walking behind him to get to the beer cooler.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: smisamore on 11/22/2020 04:20 am

If there's one thing youth don't like it's being treated like they're young/inexperienced. If you want to see the type of stream that attract young people, look at Tim Dodd's (everyday astronaut). Despite my dislike of his streams that's the type of stream that attracts young people.
I'm old and I was in a three of his streams several times each.  I had to keep walking behind him to get to the beer cooler.
And IIRC, you kept him from falling off of your observation deck when he had that total freak out during Hopper's "big hop"  ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 11/22/2020 04:24 am
<snip>
(4) Thank heavens SpaceX finally let Jesse out of the building to go see a launch in person!!!

You must been numb by the webcast. :(

Jessie clearly stated during the webcast that she was fog out the last time she attended a West coast launch. Which I am guessing is the last launch before pad SLC-4E gone into a 18 month hibernation.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Welsh Dragon on 11/22/2020 07:48 am
It's great to see I wasn't the only one who thought this webcast was an utter joke. Not to mention the horrifically inappropriate jingoistic song for coverage of an international mission.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: hoku on 11/22/2020 08:03 am
Well, at least one person was having "fun" during the webcast ...   :-\

https://twitter.com/DerrolNail/status/1330250534817849344 (https://twitter.com/DerrolNail/status/1330250534817849344)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Jakusb on 11/22/2020 12:22 pm
Was it me, or was the launchpad not visible, while the presenters kept pointing and indicating where we should see it?
Was one of the presenters in front of the launchpad?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 11/22/2020 12:36 pm
Meanwhile, in a remote field somewhere in Russia...

#BourgaChicasta #StarshipCity #TheOriginalNomaddski

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 11/23/2020 08:18 pm
Pre-Party Party at KLAL?
If you're coming down early and are willing to make about a 1:30 drive, Friday there's going to be an airshow at Lakeland Linder International Airport, with F-16/F-35/P-51 flying at 4:30, twilight balloon glow at 5:30, and a couple other acts. (there's also a show Saturday in case SpX 21 scrubs.). All proceeds benefit the Aerospace Center for Excellence (ACE) at Lakeland Airport.

SUN 'n FUN Holiday Flying Festival and Car Show
https://flysnf.org/holiday_festival/ (https://flysnf.org/holiday_festival/)

I will be working at the show, but we've been able to easily see launches from the field, and I'm looking forward to seeing my first SpX launch, even if it's from a long distance.


Steve


Let me take a contrary viewpoint and state that an occasional hideous webcast is a good thing.

For an analogy, movies are hours long, take years to make, and have big budgets.   This meant only experienced people would be trusted to make them, and it was really hard to break into the field.  MTV changed this.  Now you had a whole bunch of 3 minute films with much smaller budgets, and much less consequence for failing.  This made it much easier to take a chance on an unknown, far more people got a chance to make a short film, and the people who did well could graduate to "real" movies.

With SpaceX, launches are frequent enough that they can take chances on different presenters, format, organizations, etc.  Some will be great and some will be clunkers.  But the presence of the clunkers (as do failures of engineering) mean they are trying new things, not just sticking with what was OK before.
This. Don't know how much training Jesse's being given, but considering it takes years to really become proficient at being on-camera "talent", I'm loving that they're willing to let the engineers loose and trying something different. Just like rocket launches, they'll try, fail, learn, and improve. Lather, rinse repeat. Anything to get kids away from the Kardashians and into STEM. (I was actually more annoyed at the professional NASA media person (D Nail) than I was at Jesse. No offense, but he was too sugary saccharine smooth. Get rid of him, give the show to Jesse and Leah, and get out of the way. Girls/women rock!!)

Who is SpaceX engineer Jesse Anderson?
https://www.thefocus.news/science/jessie-anderson-spacex/ (https://www.thefocus.news/science/jessie-anderson-spacex/)


And if they're reading this, Keep it up, and don't let the Eeyores get you down. It's a heck of a lot easier to learn to be on-camera than it is to be an engineer, and we're all just jealous.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: leovinus on 11/23/2020 08:34 pm
Meanwhile, in a remote field somewhere in Russia...

#BourgaChicasta #StarshipCity #TheOriginalNomaddski

Running on VodkaLOX?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 11/23/2020 08:52 pm
Meanwhile, in a remote field somewhere in Russia...

#BourgaChicasta #StarshipCity #TheOriginalNomaddski

Running on VodkaLOX?
Me? Oh most definitely...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jon.amos on 11/23/2020 10:12 pm
Meanwhile, in a remote field somewhere in Russia...

#BourgaChicasta #StarshipCity #TheOriginalNomaddski

Running on VodkaLOX?
Me? Oh most definitely...

Is Macallan12LOX a thing?? If so I'm in ::)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 11/24/2020 11:02 am
have you considered this? Frogs.
Way to big, they would have to be cows or at least sheeps   ::)
Everything's bigger in Texas
Ohh no! I have found person with same fear:        ; )
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: abaddon on 11/24/2020 03:40 pm
It's great to see I wasn't the only one who thought this webcast was an utter joke. Not to mention the horrifically inappropriate jingoistic song for coverage of an international mission.
I didn't get to see it live, and I have to admit I skipped the song, but honestly?  I had fun watching it.  I thought it was great.  I don't really care about most of the gripes others had, personally.  I thought it was great fun to watch the commentators experience the landing live.  It's going to be far more memorable to me than the 12th random Starlink launch that had a much better technical webcast.

And, really, the payload and mission is and should be the star of the show.  The rocket is a supporting player.  The broadcast was clearly targeted for outreach to casual space fans at best and had a morning newscast type feel.  I don't think that's a bad thing, if we want people who don't watch this stuff normally to get a bit of the space bug and hopefully support space in the future.  Could it have been done better?  Sure.  Is it a big deal?  Was it "awful" or "an utter joke".  No.  Hyperbole like that is lamentably common these days, but is extremely sad and silly.

There have been many comments like these, so please don't think I'm singling you out - I just wanted to note that I'm not a fan of the song choice either, along with my other comments.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: leovinus on 11/24/2020 03:54 pm
Meanwhile, in a remote field somewhere in Russia...

#BourgaChicasta #StarshipCity #TheOriginalNomaddski

Running on VodkaLOX?
Me? Oh most definitely...

Grin :) not what I meant but I like it.

I just saw the rusty horizontal water tower in your picture and figured that must be an early version of the Methalox water tower in Boca Chica, TX. As Russia and Soviet Union work(ed) in different ways, I coined “VodkaLOX” as rocket fuel. All in good spirits, pun intended ;) PS: recover well!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 11/24/2020 04:39 pm
Ya know, I've been looking at the SN8NC5 images since the mating and in all that time it's tickled the back of my head...

It has ELEPHANT EARS!!!

They even flap!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: rsdavis9 on 11/24/2020 04:45 pm
Ya know, I've been looking at the SN8NC5 images since the mating and in all that time it's tickled the back of my head...

It has ELEPHANT EARS!!!

They even flap!

Somebody(more talented than me) should reword the song:
"Dumbo When I See an Elephant Fly & Dumbo Flies"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_v2exWrsGOc
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 11/24/2020 04:55 pm
Ya know, I've been looking at the SN8NC5 images since the mating and in all that time it's tickled the back of my head...
It has ELEPHANT EARS!!!
They even flap!
Somebody(more talented than me) should reword the song:
"Dumbo When I See an Elephant Fly & Dumbo Flies"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_v2exWrsGOc
I didn't want to turn you in to the Twisted Panty Patrol for posting that highly offensive video, but 20 bucks is 20 bucks.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ThePonjaX on 11/25/2020 02:25 am
I have to say, the party thread really feels like the wrong place and the wrong audience for a serious discussion of the degrading webcast quality.

Back in the days when we had separate Update and Discussion threads, this clearly would have belonged to the latter, but this isn't exactly party material. Too serious, and the opposite of fun.

For example, If I had known this would end up in the party thread I'd have made way more snarky sarcastic remarks about the skill, excellence, experience and likely pay grade of the NASA media team, involved. ;P

Well you can blame Spacex , too many launches, too many threads  ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 11/25/2020 07:34 am
Seen out there in the Wild:

Today's landing of the F9 ex-Sentinel flight at VAFB augers well for SpaceX's targeting ability on land......

Looks like it pretty much nailed the centre of the pad!  ;)
Today's landing of the F9 ex-Sentinel flight at VAFB augurs well for SpaceX's targeting ability on land......

Looks like it pretty much nailed the centre of the pad!  ;)

Fixed that for you. :)

It's amazing how much difference one letter of spelling makes.
Augers well: To DIG A HOLE IN THE GROUND
Augurs well: to make a favorable prediction

I somewhat prefer the latter, in reference to SpaceX's Starship.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: launchwatcher on 11/25/2020 12:32 pm
It's amazing how much difference one letter of spelling makes.
Augers well: To DIG A HOLE IN THE GROUND
Augurs well: to make a favorable prediction

I somewhat prefer the latter, in reference to SpaceX's Starship.
In a drought, the former might well be what's needed..
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 11/25/2020 02:24 pm

It's amazing how much difference one letter of spelling makes.
Augers well: To DIG A HOLE IN THE GROUND
Augurs well: to make a favorable prediction

I somewhat prefer the latter, in reference to SpaceX's Starship.

 Like "martial arts" and "marital arts". Although, those two aren't always that far apart.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 11/25/2020 03:40 pm
So according to Nomad's latest video in the Boca Chica Photo Updates thread, SN9 has had a 'nose lift'.

I do hope it went better than Jennifer Grey's. 

I assume it wasn't happy with what it was stamped with and wanted a perkier look.

Can they really call it 'plastic surgery' if they're using stainless steel?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 11/25/2020 04:59 pm
[SpaceX Announcer JOHN IN.]
Ladies and gentlemen, introducing 1049-O, the 9th wonder of the (norminal) universe
The worlds only 7-time launching orbital class booster

[CROUDS]
I’ve seen a peanut strong-back, heard a rubber dead-band
I seen a storm cloud that winked its hurricane eye
But I be done seen 'bout ev'rything
When I see a 7-time launching orbital class booster

(What d'you say, sir?)
I said when I see a 7-time launching orbital class booster

I’ve seen a Boca Chica village front porch swing, heard a diamond signal ring
I’ve seen a polka-dot 39A launchpad rails tie
But I be done seen 'bout ev'rything
When I see a 7-time launching orbital class booster

{Bridge}

I saw a clothes horse, he r'ar up and buck
And they tell me that a man made a vegetable lox delivery truck
I didn't see that, I only heard
But just to be sociable, I'll take your word

I heard a static fire-side chat, I saw a baseball bat
And I just laughed till I thought I'd die
But I be done seen 'bout ev'rything
When I see an 7-time launching orbital class booster
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Jakusb on 11/25/2020 06:49 pm
Is it me or has it been a while since we heard from Jim?
I suddenly miss his mega short quotes.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AnalogMan on 11/25/2020 07:24 pm
Is it me or has it been a while since we heard from Jim?
I suddenly miss his mega short quotes.

Four posts on 23 November and all excessively verbose by his standards!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Jakusb on 11/25/2020 08:21 pm
Is it me or has it been a while since we heard from Jim?
I suddenly miss his mega short quotes.

Four posts on 23 November and all excessively verbose by his standards!
Ah I see. He has moved away from SpaceX related mission threads.
No snarky comments on SpaceX goals. ;)
Booster that have flown 7 times now and lifted 100t into orbit.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 11/26/2020 08:13 am
So I have a little pre Turkey Day conspiracy theory to toss out there.  Ever time I am reading a comment in the Party thread and decide to login to reply I get sent to the Vandy launch viewing thread as soon as I login.  Okay, not really a theory.  But I do sense some sort of conspiracy.

Happy Thanksgiving Day to all.
Stay safe.  Be well.

Alan
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tomness on 11/26/2020 07:44 pm
https://twitter.com/Astro_illini/status/1332054901044613120

Snickers just got space advertising lol
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 11/27/2020 02:02 pm
Yeah, I miss those days too...

https://twitter.com/xkcdcomic/status/1332333718837493765
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AJW on 11/27/2020 07:51 pm
I think it’s customary to refer to the pointy end as the bow, and the flamey end as the stern, with directions being fore (towards the bow) and aft (towards the stern).

And the various elevations inside the habitable volume as "decks".

So, Starship likely would have a "bridge deck', an "observation deck", one or more "cabin/habitation deck(s)", "cargo deck", etc.  Have fun planning your own deck layout.

Working on the design for a Lido Deck where I can have a bartender named Isaac, but wasn't sure how to fit a 39 foot shuffleboard court with 6 foot shooting area at each end into a ship with a 9-meter diameter.  Perhaps the game can be played around the inside deck wall using lightly magnetized disks, or with regular disks if you spin the ship around the central axis.  Competing players would be at the 3 and 9 o'clock spots, so there may even be room for two courts.  Also looks like a perfect length for a single Bocce ball court.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 11/27/2020 08:10 pm
I think it’s customary to refer to the pointy end as the bow, and the flamey end as the stern, with directions being fore (towards the bow) and aft (towards the stern).
And the various elevations inside the habitable volume as "decks".
So, Starship likely would have a "bridge deck', an "observation deck", one or more "cabin/habitation deck(s)", "cargo deck", etc.  Have fun planning your own deck layout.
And the deck where the heads are would be the......?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 11/27/2020 08:49 pm
I think it’s customary to refer to the pointy end as the bow, and the flamey end as the stern, with directions being fore (towards the bow) and aft (towards the stern).
And the various elevations inside the habitable volume as "decks".
So, Starship likely would have a "bridge deck', an "observation deck", one or more "cabin/habitation deck(s)", "cargo deck", etc.  Have fun planning your own deck layout.
And the deck where the heads are would be the......?
That’s an easy one. Since they’re called heads, they are located at the top of the Starship, aka, per earlier poster, at the head of the vehicle. Therefore, because one has to climb all the way up to the very top of the rocket to use the facilities, one would end up quite tired by the time they arrive. Exhausted, perhaps even pooped - hence it would be called the poop deck.

I will add that the “head” is indeed called that because they were located at the bow of the ship on either side of the bowsprit - they were basically benches with holes in them, with nothing but water below them (or, I suppose docks or the occasional hapless skiff...)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AJW on 11/27/2020 10:30 pm
From both an engineering and social engineering standpoint, this makes perfect sense, as sailing ships would typically have wind blowing from the aft filling the sails.  Rather than having the foul stenches waft across the full length of the deck, having the head in the bow helps carry these away and helps resolve what could otherwise lead to significant morale issues.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 11/28/2020 07:24 am
Ah, now we know why that structure at the tip of Starship's nose is called a header tank... and it does have a very great deal to do with methane.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AJW on 11/29/2020 10:45 pm
Discussion in the Heat Shield thread about whether tiles are required on the 'elonerons' if they are folded back reminded me of this article.

https://interestingengineering.com/engineering-professor-calculates-how-fast-the-eagle-in-the-usps-logo-is-going?fbclid=IwAR0_iDBGGZa4IxWS1cFJuA-cjRi5ZDolDin1AzHnmJRaCiemql85iQ8FN_M

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mongo62 on 11/30/2020 01:45 pm
Booster that have flown 7 times now and lifted 100t into orbit.

This made me think that it would be interesting to see a list of boosters ranked by lifetime payload mass to orbit.

At the top of the list is a bunch of Saturn V launches, a couple of  Energia launches... and B1049

What will the list look like in five years? Dominated by SH boosters, with a bunch of F9 boosters and some old expendables.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: bstrong on 12/01/2020 04:04 pm
My version of interesting moments

Photo credits: RGVAerialPhotography, Jack Beyer
What is the big square-ish component wrapped in blue? It could be a leg assembly, one of the designs that was floating around had vertical legs with big damping systems and this looks almost the right shape.

I think you're right about it being a leg, but IMO it's part of a new SPMT that can transport and lift Starships while simultaneously fighting off Decepticons.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 12/01/2020 04:47 pm
The little bush circled in blue is where I tried to shelter from the sun for four hours while watching them assemble SN8.

Wait, so Boca Chica has a Surveillance Bush?

(For anyone unfamiliar with the legendary Surveillance Bush of Dog River, Saskatchewan, see Corner Gas (https://www.amazon.com/Corner-Gas/dp/B07KWHJPSK), season 1, episode 1, about five minutes in.)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 12/01/2020 04:54 pm
*lifts a beer*

To Aricebo.  You will be missed.  (sorry for the serious here... but lets make it an Irish wake!)

What's your favorite Aricebo moment?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 12/01/2020 05:10 pm
*lifts a beer*

To Aricebo.  You will be missed.  (sorry for the serious here... but lets make it an Irish wake!)

What's your favorite Aricebo moment?



Jodie Foster in Contact
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AJW on 12/01/2020 05:17 pm
My version of interesting moments

Photo credits: RGVAerialPhotography, Jack Beyer
What is the big square-ish component wrapped in blue? It could be a leg assembly, one of the designs that was floating around had vertical legs with big damping systems and this looks almost the right shape.

I think you're right about it being a leg, but IMO it's part of a new SPMT that can transport and lift Starships while simultaneously fighting off Decepticons.

My first thought was that it was a new hand-washing station, but I think you are on to something.   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D084N4cxkNQ&ab_channel=SouthChinaMorningPost
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 12/01/2020 07:15 pm
Moderator re: this (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=48584.msg2160204#msg2160204) and this (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=48584.msg2160537#msg2160537)

Ok, noted.  Further discussion here of a very-talked out topic is not illuminating.  Or, take it to the party thread.
As you ALL know, this is Standard Operating Procedure for marketing.  Yes, it should be combated, but it's not a shock.

A fairy tale from long ago and far away:
A certain aerospace contractor was considering a substantial donation to a world-famous aerospace museum.  One of the initial quid-pro-quos was that the corporation was asking for: Receiving labeling/corporate logo rights on all the artifacts manufactured by said corporation, INCLUDING those manufactured by the many companies that the corporation had since bought or merged with.

Request/demand denied THAT time.

And they all lived happily ever after.  The end.

Post #4444!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Eylrid on 12/02/2020 02:04 am
Alright NSF detectives, which of these photos is the right way round?

https://twitter.com/Grimezsz/status/1333921382346891264
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cdebuhr on 12/02/2020 02:08 am
Alright NSF detectives, which of these photos is the right way round?

https://twitter.com/Grimezsz/status/1333921382346891264
The one on the right I believe, based on the slope of the stairs to the upper platform.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: marsbase on 12/02/2020 02:13 am

The one on the right is correct with a 90% probability.  Those are the odds that Grimes is right handed and is adjusting her hair with her dominant hand.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nevyn72 on 12/02/2020 02:35 am
The one on the right, electrical (orange) leads are to the left side of other external pipework on the side of SN8.  ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 12/02/2020 02:36 am
Alright NSF detectives, which of these photos is the right way round?

https://twitter.com/Grimezsz/status/1333921382346891264
The one on the right I believe, based on the slope of the stairs to the upper platform.

The one on the right because the orange wiring/piping is on the road side of the leeward side based on this pic:

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 12/02/2020 05:07 am
Scott Manleys simulation of how Arecibo fell down. Executive producer Michael Bay.

https://twitter.com/DJSnM/status/1333954898858184704
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JaimeZX on 12/02/2020 05:50 am
Pic on the right, because there is a capital S visible on a piece of equipment in the corner.
Unless there is some brand out there that uses a backwards S for its logo...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Slothman on 12/02/2020 07:40 am
Alright NSF detectives, which of these photos is the right way round?

https://twitter.com/Grimezsz/status/1333921382346891264
The one on the right I believe, based on the slope of the stairs to the upper platform.

The one on the right because the orange wiring/piping is on the road side of the leeward side based on this pic:

also.. look at the color of the chain wrapping that holds the flappy flaps. Right is red, left is green.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Slothman on 12/02/2020 10:01 am
You mean nautical setup? Then it's the other way around. Left/port = red, right/starboard = green.

Alright NSF detectives, which of these photos is the right way round?

https://twitter.com/Grimezsz/status/1333921382346891264
The one on the right I believe, based on the slope of the stairs to the upper platform.

The one on the right because the orange wiring/piping is on the road side of the leeward side based on this pic:

also.. look at the color of the chain wrapping that holds the flappy flaps. Right is red, left is green.

But look at the actual pictures of SN8. The red is on the right and green on the left. (Of course, depends from which side you look, but this is obv. The same side that the grimes pic was shot from)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: russianhalo117 on 12/02/2020 09:50 pm
You mean nautical setup? Then it's the other way around. Left/port = red, right/starboard = green.

Alright NSF detectives, which of these photos is the right way round?

https://twitter.com/Grimezsz/status/1333921382346891264
The one on the right I believe, based on the slope of the stairs to the upper platform.

The one on the right because the orange wiring/piping is on the road side of the leeward side based on this pic:

also.. look at the color of the chain wrapping that holds the flappy flaps. Right is red, left is green.

But look at the actual pictures of SN8. The red is on the right and green on the left. (Of course, depends from which side you look, but this is obv. The same side that the grimes pic was shot from)
except for those whom are colour blind of whom I know some.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 12/02/2020 09:58 pm
We need another Falcon Heavy launch.  It's been too long, far too long.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: russianhalo117 on 12/02/2020 09:59 pm
We need another Falcon Heavy launch.  It's been too long, far too long.
You are going to get several next year with the unofficial plan to increase FH flight rate year by year.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 12/02/2020 10:05 pm
We need another Falcon Heavy launch.  It's been too long, far too long.
You are going to get several next year with the unofficial plan to increase FH flight rate year by year.

Is that an unofficial plan by SpaceX or one by NSF members to crowdfund a launch if we don't get enough?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: russianhalo117 on 12/02/2020 10:20 pm
We need another Falcon Heavy launch.  It's been too long, far too long.
You are going to get several next year with the unofficial plan to increase FH flight rate year by year.

Is that an unofficial plan by SpaceX or one by NSF members to crowdfund a launch if we don't get enough?
USG/allied plus commercial

Partly related to SpaceX/USG agreements to switch to fully reusable F9/FH fleet:

NSSL portion of discussion (one USSF flight has already switched to FH):
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=52351.msg2161327#msg2161327
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 12/02/2020 11:06 pm
We need another Falcon Heavy launch.  It's been too long, far too long.
You are going to get several next year with the unofficial plan to increase FH flight rate year by year.

Is that an unofficial plan by SpaceX or one by NSF members to crowdfund a launch if we don't get enough?

I have a jar of change to put into the Go Fund FH!
What do we launch, 35 tons to cheese to LEO?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kdhilliard on 12/03/2020 01:56 am
From the "SpaceX F9 : NROL-108 : Florida : December 2020" thread,
discussing the missing character in the "Black Speech" inscription upon the NROL-108 mission patch (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=52045.msg2160952#msg2160952):
Definitely SPACE. The P is not an error, it's a stylized Greek letter Pi. C does seem to be missing or else rolled in the A somehow.

My theory is that they contracted Xzibit for the inscription.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wudizzle on 12/03/2020 06:25 am

I have a jar of change to put into the Go Fund FH!
What do we launch, 35 tons to cheese to LEO?

It will be much more efficient to get cheese into LEO by launching it from the cheese-harvesting mines on the Moon.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: guyw on 12/03/2020 12:50 pm
We need another Falcon Heavy launch.  It's been too long, far too long.
Am I the only one whose brain when looking at the handle wannamoonbase sees wannamoose instead?

And I agree, we need more FH launches!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: eric_astro on 12/03/2020 04:50 pm
I just thought that a good caption for a video of the last 2 months at Boca Chita should be-

10 Years 'til Mini Black Hole Impact
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nevyn72 on 12/03/2020 09:00 pm
We need another Falcon Heavy launch.  It's been too long, far too long.
Am I the only one whose brain when looking at the handle wannamoonbase sees wannamoose instead?

And I agree, we need more FH launches!

Really? I always read it as wanna-moose-base..... because of course you would!  :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 12/04/2020 05:48 pm

Quote
Fleet leading @SpaceX #falcon9 #block5 B-1049.7 is leaving Port Canaveral and heading back to #capecanaveral for refurbishment and a future 8th flight while traffic on HWY 401 was stopped in both directions. What a great sight to stumble upon. Congratulations to #SpaceX ! 🚀🚀🚀

I have to say I'm rooting for B1049 to get ahead of New Shepard 3 - both currently on 7 flights. (Immense difference in degree of difficulty though)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lars-J on 12/04/2020 09:11 pm
Already anticipating a scrub? This tweet is somewhat humorous ;D

https://twitter.com/newsfromorbit/status/1334927267005337601

Quote
The next scrubbed launch attempt of a ULA #DeltaIVHeavy carrying the #NROL44 mission for the
@NatReconOfc is targeted for Thurs., Dec. 10, pending range availability. The scrub period is 5:50-10:30 p.m. EST.
  ;)

[zubenelgenubi: Moved this to the party thread where it belongs.]
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 12/05/2020 12:52 pm
CRS-21 scrubbed, but the day is not a waste. If you're willing to drive 90 min west to Lakeland FL, we're putting on an airshow, including F-16, F-35, and Heritage Flight flying sdisplays) proceeds go to the Aviation Center for Excellence (STEM High School on field at Lakeland Airport). The STOL airplanes are freakin' awesome.

Admission to the event is free, the only charge is $20 for vehicle parking. You may purchase your parking ticket online or pay when you arrive. The parking fee applies to any drive-in mode of transportation including cars, trucks, vans, and motorcycles.

Aircraft park for free, $20/carload of people. NO individual entry free.


Flying Schedule, Saturday, December 5th
(Gates Open @ 7:00 AM)
7AM - SUN 'n RUN 5K
8AM - Balloon Launch
8AM - 2PM - Central Florida Classic STOL Finals
9AM - Exhibitors and Displays Open
10AM - Car Show Begins
10AM - GA Town Hall
12:00 - Santa Arrives (In a STEARMAN!)
2PM - Car Show / Showplane Awards
2:30 PM - Air Show - F35, F16, P51, Black Daggers, others TBA.
5:00 PM - Show Closes

Planes, planes, and more planes! Our Holiday Fly-In is a great place to see dozens of display aircraft of every type. From Warbirds to Vintage, Homebuilt to Light Sport, even aerobatic aircraft! Have a plane you'd like to show off? Parking is free for approved show planes, and only a $20 registration fee if you'd like to participate in the contest classes.

https://flysnf.org/holiday_festival-airplanes/ (https://flysnf.org/holiday_festival-airplanes/)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tomness on 12/06/2020 01:01 am
They don't give me notices anymore for some reason, but the "Get out of town by sundown" people have said the flight is aimed at Monday again.

Seems that someone in SpaceX finally noticed I was living on their property. I'm out on the streets in 30 days.

Maybe cause they gave an eviction notice 90 days ago! You ol' sqauter you! Lol
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 12/06/2020 05:06 am
So, is it just me, or is JAXA the most enthusiastic (and kawaii) space agency of all?

https://twitter.com/haya2e_jaxa/status/1335314412270276608

Quote
We found the capsule!
Together with the parachute!
Wow!
(Collection Team M)
#Hayabusa2
#はやぶさ2
#AsteroidExplorerHayabusa2
#HAYA2Report
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 12/06/2020 03:21 pm
I didn't hear anyone count down in SpaceX's main webcast.

Maybe they're tired of doing the same shtick over and over again and want to switch to silence for future missions.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: 1 on 12/06/2020 04:41 pm
I didn't hear anyone count down in SpaceX's main webcast.

Maybe they're tired of doing the same shtick over and over again and want to switch to silence for future missions.

I suspect the host today was simply a bit inexperienced. That said, I would also prefer if they switched to silent. When the rocket takes off, I want to hear the sound of the rocket, not some "inspirational" commentary.

Today's webcast had some audio issues, but overall I enjoyed the coverage and think the host did a good job.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 12/06/2020 04:49 pm
The count down was reserved to NASA TV, DOH....




; P
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Bananas_on_Mars on 12/07/2020 07:57 am
Just in for the first docking of Dragon 2 Cargo...

Edit: Also somehow relevant, a Starship cookie cutter in Scale 1:250.

I uploaded the STL files here in the forum in the hobby section.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 12/07/2020 02:09 pm
From RGV’s recent imagery they’ve prepared footings for another horizontal tank. Also of note is they’ve been pouring concrete under the pipe run leading to Pad B.
(Areas of note circled in red.).
Image credit: RGVAerialPhotography
https://twitter.com/rgvaerialphotos/status/1333455695275028481
The little bush circled in blue is where I tried to shelter from the sun for four hours while watching them assemble SN8.
Image credit: RGVAerialPhotography

Oh great Knight who says NI!  Keeper of the sacred words...

We're not worthy to bring you a shrubbery!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 12/07/2020 02:44 pm
N complete Starships!
(2200ft msl, PaintShopped)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 12/07/2020 06:19 pm
Breaking News!

https://twitter.com/newsfromorbit/status/1335998800415121409
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 12/07/2020 08:04 pm
Breaking News!

https://twitter.com/newsfromorbit/status/1335998800415121409

Since they're non-identical Twins, is this one Danny or Ahnold?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: yokem55 on 12/07/2020 08:06 pm
Breaking News!

https://twitter.com/newsfromorbit/status/1335998800415121409
Hmmm... As the kids nowadays say "New Dragon is kinda sus".
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 12/07/2020 10:01 pm
Quote
Chris B - NSF
@NASASpaceflight
   49m
Replying to @AirshipGuy
Sounded minor. No one was running around screaming :)

If you're not panicking, it means that you don't fully understand the situation.

I'm not saying this is especially applicable to the subject of this tweet (SLS WDR), just that it's a good rule for life in general.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nevyn72 on 12/08/2020 01:22 am
According to LabPadre, the evacuation is already been done

Is that why Nomadd has gone quiet?

They're busy chasing him like a possum in the wall cavities?  ???
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 12/08/2020 02:38 am
According to LabPadre, the evacuation is already been done

Is that why Nomadd has gone quiet?

They're busy chasing him like a possum in the wall cavities?  ???
I take it they haven't tried using a stud finder yet?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 12/08/2020 02:48 am
According to LabPadre, the evacuation is already been done

Is that why Nomadd has gone quiet?

They're busy chasing him like a possum in the wall cavities?  ???
I take it they haven't tried using a stud finder yet?

 Those just explode when they get close.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 12/08/2020 04:05 am
R.I.P Chuck Yeager.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 12/08/2020 04:29 pm
Wow, that's what Chris Bergin sounds like (circa 11:27am CST in the SN8 12.5km stream)?  Now I'm going to have to patch my internal voice synth when I'm reading the forums.  ;D

(It's a bit like the first time you see a radio voice in person, which is always a shock, hehe.)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Klemmer on 12/08/2020 04:39 pm
I heard Chuck Yeager speak at an aerospace conference years ago, and had a chance to meet him and talk to him for a few minutes. Probably helped that I was in my USAF uniform with my pilot wings on. Really nice guy.
May he rest in peace, in a supersonic heaven.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 12/08/2020 05:04 pm
 Coulda been hanging out with famous people and free refreshments  but for some reason, I'm sitting on the banks of the Rio Grande with a herd of goats and a drunk, 72 year old Mexican Marine.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: punder on 12/08/2020 05:27 pm
The WB-57 started out as a bomber.

Does that mean it's photobombing the Starship launch?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: punder on 12/08/2020 07:01 pm
Coulda been hanging out with famous people and free refreshments  but for some reason, I'm sitting on the banks of the Rio Grande with a herd of goats and a drunk, 72 year old Mexican former Marine.
Sounds like a good time to me!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: joek on 12/08/2020 07:17 pm
Coulda been hanging out with famous people and free refreshments  but for some reason, I'm sitting on the banks of the Rio Grande with a herd of goats and a drunk, 72 year old Mexican former Marine.
Looking to get your chops busted? Once a Marine, always a Marine.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Orbiter on 12/08/2020 07:19 pm
I think more people are watching NSF's livestream than most of the official SpaceX Falcon 9 webcasts at this point.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: leovinus on 12/08/2020 08:02 pm
Anyone else thinks that the live shot of SN8 plus Hopper looks like R2D2 is keeping an eye on a larger brother?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cebri on 12/08/2020 08:22 pm
GSE coming alive.  :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 12/08/2020 09:02 pm
Coulda been hanging out with famous people and free refreshments  but for some reason, I'm sitting on the banks of the Rio Grande with a herd of goats and a drunk, 72 year old Mexican former Marine.

If you're where I'm guessing you are, you'll have a grand view.

 A former mayor (first elected in 1986) of a Rio Grande Texas town, Lajitas (big bend area) was noted for his fondness of free beer. After his death in a drunken brawl with his son (the current mayor), he was stuffed and mounted, and is still on display in town.   
https://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/2227

So, the question must be asked; are the goats you're with drinking too? And if not, why not?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 12/08/2020 11:12 pm
So close, so very close!!

Well, on to tomorrow I guess. 

I was hesitantly starting to think that we'd actually see a flight.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tyrred on 12/08/2020 11:24 pm
So close, so very close!!

Well, on to tomorrow I guess. 

I was hesitantly starting to think that we'd actually see a flight.

How dare you!  ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Doesitfloat on 12/09/2020 03:09 am
After all the hype and waiting; then nothing.  Had to check the name of the stream. I thought I got transferred to a Blue Origin stream.




What????    Too Soon???
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 12/09/2020 03:21 am
After all the hype and waiting; then nothing.  Had to check the name of the stream. I thought I got transferred to a Blue Origin stream.

What????    Too Soon???

I thought it was a bit unoriginal of SpaceX to copy ULA's Delta IVH stream format (Abort at ignition). And at least ULA gave us sparklers when the engines shut down.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 12/09/2020 01:02 pm
So, while I expect SN8 to get off the ground and even belly-flop, I have doubts about it transitioning back to vertical and landing...

That said, has anyone seen if a Vermont Maple Syrup tanker has made it to Boca Chica for the pancake party?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nevyn72 on 12/09/2020 07:58 pm
WB-57 is broken so no aerial photography of the SN8 flight.....  :-[

Wait a minute!
Anyone got RGV on speed-dial?  :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 12/09/2020 08:08 pm
Scrubbed?! Oh, Scheisse!! :'(
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Robotbeat on 12/09/2020 08:14 pm
Not scrubbed yet! Only a hold!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 12/09/2020 08:15 pm
I swear if they abort at the last second, I'm taking a blowtorch to the engines and force them to ignite.

You know why? Because I'm literally burning with rage.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: leovinus on 12/09/2020 08:18 pm
I swear if they abort at the last second, I'm taking a blowtorch to the engines and force them to ignite.

You know why? Because I'm literally burning with rage.

Maybe time for a LOX-cooled beverage ;) ?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 12/09/2020 08:19 pm
I swear if they abort at the last second, I'm taking a blowtorch to the engines and force them to ignite.

You know why? Because I'm literally burning with rage.

Maybe time for a LOX-cooled beverage ;) ?

Please. With extra dry ice.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: abaddon on 12/09/2020 08:21 pm
I swear if they abort at the last second, I'm taking a blowtorch to the engines and force them to ignite.

You know why? Because I'm literally burning with rage.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 12/09/2020 08:33 pm
It's probably because I'm 'down-under' but my NSF YouTube livestream feed keeps freezing :( And I can never get Superchat to work on it either!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 12/09/2020 08:46 pm
(From the Update thread, replying here so I don't drift that thread)
The ADS-B code crosses to a Navy T-44 out of Corpus Christi. Looks pretty established in his orbit.

  a small plane getting close on the radar before making a turn.


"Maverick, get your butt in here. Are you the one who drew the penis on FlightAware next the the SN8 launch pad?"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: apollolanding on 12/09/2020 08:59 pm
"So Lt. Sh$#Bird...ya wanted to see how long you could cut holes in the sky next to a TFR." 


"Maverick, get your butt in here. Are you the one who drew the penis on FlightAware next the the SN8 launch pad?"

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: leovinus on 12/09/2020 09:33 pm
Douglas Adams would be proud!

(Credits: from the SpaceX live stream)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 12/09/2020 09:40 pm
Douglas Adams would be proud!

(Credits: from the SpaceX live stream)

So long, and thanks for all the lox!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Kang54 on 12/09/2020 09:58 pm
Holy ****!! That was amazing! Never been so nervous, but it was sooo smooth! Big congratulations to all of SpaceX, you amazing madmen.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 12/09/2020 10:06 pm
Barring the landing, can you imagine being a passenger on that ship during that flight? That flip? Sing me the hell up!

Edit:  Sing the papers old man.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 12/09/2020 10:27 pm
Barring the landing, can you imagine being a passenger on that ship during that flight? That flip? Sing me the hell up!

I would've sacrificed my life living my childhood dream like a soldier determined to fight for America.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wudizzle on 12/09/2020 10:27 pm
I only have expletives.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 12/09/2020 10:43 pm
My first thoughts were of the scene at the end of The Incredibles  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 12/09/2020 11:11 pm
Epic flight SpaceX congrats and way to end it with a bang! She done blowed-up real good!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHkvD7-u7y8
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Star One on 12/09/2020 11:13 pm
Something good in a crap year I’ll take that.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 12/09/2020 11:34 pm
That was F***ING AMAZING!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 12/10/2020 12:42 am
Non-engineering public: It crashed! You failed!!!!
Elon: Putting the crater in the right spot was epic!

Gotta love SpaceX.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 12/10/2020 12:48 am
It took me a bit to figure out what was tickling the back of my head while watching SN8 perform its bellyflop...

Adama's maneuver over New Caprica, jumping the GALACTICA into the atmosphere and falling while launching vipers.

Just fracking WOW!!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 12/10/2020 01:13 am
What a wonderful testflight. Just a little bit hard on the landing, but otherwise nailed every objective. Hard to grasp how fast this is taking shape. If they find a solution that works for the heatshield, it is hard to come up with any credible showstoppers past that point.

AND IT STILL WAS ONLY THE FREAKING SECOND STAGE!!! THE SMALLER HALF OF THE ROCKET!!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 12/10/2020 01:14 am
falling while launching vipers.

Must be rattlesnakes in this case here.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 12/10/2020 01:29 am
I'll bet there are some welders in South Texas who never imagined that they'd be a part of this.  In spite of the hard landing, congratulations to them and everybody else on the SpaceX team!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 12/10/2020 02:07 am
I'll bet there are some welders in South Texas who never imagined that they'd be a part of this.  In spite of the hard landing, congratulations to them and everybody else on the SpaceX team!

Welder: Yup.  I welded up another rocket ship today.

Bartender: Okay.  I am calling you a cab.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 12/10/2020 08:46 am
Barring the landing, can you imagine being a passenger on that ship during that flight? That flip? Sing me the hell up!

Edit:  Sing the papers old man.

A strange request, and 45 is hardly old, but hey, after a day like that, who am I to argue?  (And yes, I got out of bed at 3:30am for this.)

Juuuuuuuust... sit right back and you'll hear a tale,
A tale of the New York Times
Or perhaps The Washington Post
With all its column lines (with all its column lines)

The celebrating post was by
A big fan named TripD
It wasn't quite The New York Post
But spelled it great did he (spelled it great did he)

The landing ended pretty rough
And SN8 did pop
The Tribune of Chicago, still
Said Elon liked the hop (yes, Elon liked the hop)

Starship flew high from the launching pad
It skydove flat and true
The LA Times said it went high
And my was it a view (and my was it a view)

With SN8
Starhopper, too
Superheavy
And cam bots
A robot dog
And the rest*
Are here by South Padre Isle

* This line will obviously be changed before the next season.

I now return me to my regularly scheduled sleeping.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 12/10/2020 10:23 am
I'll bet there are some welders in South Texas who never imagined that they'd be a part of this.  In spite of the hard landing, congratulations to them and everybody else on the SpaceX team!

Welder: Yup.  I welded up another rocket ship today.

Bartender: Okay.  I am calling you a cab.

This is the Elon Revolution in action.

Just for fun:

"Daddy, what did you do in Texas?"

"I built rocket ships, Sweetie.  Before you were born."

"Is that why we live on Mars?"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mongo62 on 12/10/2020 05:45 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQ0PP0BoOpo
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 12/10/2020 06:00 pm
It's funny - because I know exactly how SN8 felt for a point of its flight. But SN8 was waaaay more in control then me...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: gaballard on 12/11/2020 12:46 am
hi has anyone considered just catching StarShip with a net?








 :P
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 12/11/2020 03:31 am
hi has anyone considered just catching StarShip with a net?








 :P
Who’s Annette?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 12/11/2020 11:01 am
I find the reason for the pressure loss, there's a hole in the header tank!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 12/11/2020 01:09 pm
I was promised 2/3 chance of fireball. I was not disappointed. Extra points for flying COPVs. (Whenever SpX vehicles get nervous they start to sweat out COPVs)

Also TPS tiles hanged along for the whole trip to the climatic end.

 :o

So they're stuck there until the sun expands far enough to blow the atmosphere off the planet eh?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jon.amos on 12/11/2020 03:04 pm
I thought the flip to horizontal was done in flight, not in the high bay!  Practice? :o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 12/11/2020 03:05 pm
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: 2megs on 12/11/2020 03:25 pm
Not sure where else to put this. Couldn't help myself.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 12/11/2020 03:33 pm
SN8 test flight celebration in the Boca Chica High Bay?

https://twitter.com/bocachicagal/status/1337424248260993024
Quote
Unfortunately, Starship SN9 is leaning in the high bay. @elonmusk will it buff right out?
@NASASpaceflight

Something I remember from Are You Being Served?, "The Clock."

One is alright,
Two is the most,
Three is under the table,
Four is under the host!

Scene at 15:06 in the video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nm9UuVStnQ8
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 12/11/2020 03:58 pm
Re: SN9
Jumping to conclusions has already begun in the Boca Chica discussion thread.  From Office Space:

Tom Smykowski:
It's a "Jump to Conclusions Mat". You see, you have this mat, with different CONCLUSIONS written on it that you could JUMP TO.

Michael Bolton:
This is the worst idea I've ever heard, Tom.

Samir:
Yes, this is horrible, this idea.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDEL4Ty950Q
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jon.amos on 12/11/2020 05:32 pm
I would like to propose a name for SN9....
S.S. Ilean,  8)

I show myself out now....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mandella on 12/11/2020 05:45 pm
Re: SN9
Jumping to conclusions has already begun in the Boca Chica discussion thread.  From Office Space:

Tom Smykowski:
It's a "Jump to Conclusions Mat". You see, you have this mat, with different CONCLUSIONS written on it that you could JUMP TO.

Michael Bolton:
That is the worst idea I've ever heard.

Samir:
Yes, this is horrible, this idea.

Oh a forum I hung out on many, many years ago they had a stickied "Jump to Conclusions" thread. It kept the knee jerk reactions more organized, and actually somehow kept it less serious so that folks didn't get so attached to their own half-arsed speculations.

Internet points were handed out to those who actually came close to what turned out to have happened. It was fairly rare.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 12/11/2020 06:13 pm
I would like to propose a name for SN9....
S.S. Ilean,  8)

I show myself out now....

I feel bad for the guy who had to call in the accident.  I mean, poor old Johnnie Ray sounded sad upon the radio.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 12/11/2020 06:25 pm
SN9 looked to me like a little kid trying to hide behind the corner while peeking at it's older sibling being punished...

That or SN9 told everyone that no way was it going out there and now it's been put in the corner for time out.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 12/11/2020 06:59 pm
The Two Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

I’ve never been able to shake the image of two blue robots standing atop the counterweight sled...

Once you see it you’ll never be able to unsee it.

You’re welcome.

Image credit: LabPadre’s livestream
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: gaballard on 12/11/2020 07:43 pm
Re: SN9
Jumping to conclusions has already begun in the Boca Chica discussion thread.  From Office Space:

Tom Smykowski:
It's a "Jump to Conclusions Mat". You see, you have this mat, with different CONCLUSIONS written on it that you could JUMP TO.

Michael Bolton:
That is the worst idea I've ever heard.

Samir:
Yes, this is horrible, this idea.

Relevant anecdote - the actor who played Tom Smykowski (Richard Riehle) once recorded voiceovers in a makeshift recording booth in my closet. A friend of mine was working on an animated short, happened to run into Richard Riehle at a diner, and convinced him to do some pro bono voice acting. Super nice guy, plus it was... pretty surreal to see the Jump to Conclusions guy sitting on my couch.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 12/11/2020 08:12 pm
SN9 looked to me like a little kid trying to hide behind the corner while peeking at it's older sibling being punished...

That or SN9 told everyone that no way was it going out there and now it's been put in the corner for time out.

Hrmmm.

Well, though there was much speculation, we now know exactly what happened with SN9: it leaned. We don't know the why yet, but we know that what.

As for the why, I think it was SN8's landing. SN9 surely saw that, and, well, it then preferred staying put in the high bay. Who can blame it? 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: gaballard on 12/11/2020 08:26 pm
The Two Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

I’ve never been able to shake the image of two blue robots standing atop the counterweight sled...

Once you see it you’ll never be able to unsee it.

You’re welcome.

Image credit: LabPadre’s livestream

The robots are here to protect us.

Tipping will protect us. Tipping will protect us from the terrible secret of space (https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/the-terrible-secret-of-space).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Bananas_on_Mars on 12/11/2020 08:37 pm
SN8 test flight celebration in the Boca Chica High Bay?

https://twitter.com/bocachicagal/status/1337424248260993024
Quote
Unfortunately, Starship SN9 is leaning in the high bay. @elonmusk will it buff right out?
@NASASpaceflight
That‘s some serious hangover.

Here‘s someone Elon can call for the repair:

https://youtu.be/PaXsJiOfYJo
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: toren on 12/11/2020 09:22 pm
SN9 saw what happened to her older brother, and fainted dead away...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 12/11/2020 11:00 pm
Why don't they ever teach you anything useful in school, like "Always keep food in the house in case a spaceship falls over and the giant crawler crane sent to rescue it gets to the road and stops, blocking the only way out?"

Because that happens to everyone?

You should follow the path best illustrated in an old military exam lesson; A Lieutenant is ordered to raise a 50ft flagpole, and only given a 20ft rope. What should the lieutenant do? Best answer: yell, "Sergent, go raise that flagpole!".

So, to solve your food problem, just order some delivered. Then, it's not your problem, it's theirs. :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 12/12/2020 02:48 am
Why don't they ever teach you anything useful in school, like "Always keep food in the house in case a spaceship falls over and the giant crawler crane sent to rescue it gets to the road and stops, blocking the only way out?"

Because that happens to everyone?

You should follow the path best illustrated in an old military exam lesson; A Lieutenant is ordered to raise a 50ft flagpole, and only given a 20ft rope. What should the lieutenant do? Best answer: yell, "Sergent, go raise that flagpole!".

So, to solve your food problem, just order some delivered. Then, it's not your problem, it's theirs. :)
No, it’s, “Sargent, go dig a 30 foot hole.”
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 12/12/2020 07:30 am
Why don't they ever teach you anything useful in school, like "Always keep food in the house in case a spaceship falls over and the giant crawler crane sent to rescue it gets to the road and stops, blocking the only way out?"

Because that happens to everyone?

You should follow the path best illustrated in an old military exam lesson; A Lieutenant is ordered to raise a 50ft flagpole, and only given a 20ft rope. What should the lieutenant do? Best answer: yell, "Sergent, go raise that flagpole!".

So, to solve your food problem, just order some delivered. Then, it's not your problem, it's theirs. :)
No, it’s, “Sargent, go dig a 30 foot hole.”

Hrmmm. I think you're right. That would work.

I wonder if the road in Boca Chica will open anytime this weekend? The county still has it scheduled for closing Monday, and that giant crane seems intent on rambling about in the meantime.

I wonder how long it'll take to right the leaning (water) tower of Boca Chica?





 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 12/12/2020 11:04 am
I find the reason for the pressure loss, there's a hole in the header tank!

The header took a header.  Ouch!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jon.amos on 12/12/2020 03:45 pm
I still can't get over the fact it was almost seven minutes. It felt like seconds. It does explain the crick in my neck though. It was about 60 degrees elevation at the top. I'm glad I got the new Nikon binoculars and didn't use those huge Celestrons.
 Had some interesting thoughts when it looked like it was headed straight at me for a while. Mostly stuff like "Damn, I hope they don't just throw out all that Guinness in the refrigerator."

60 degrees elevation psychologically feels damn' near vertical. Must have been incredible to see that thing hover straight above your head, knowing that it will come down one way or another!

To avoid a crick in the neck for the next flight, perhaps use the old binocular star-gazing trick of lying down on an air mattress while holding your bino's... I've spent quite a few clear-sky nights looking at the stars like that.

May I suggest a lounge chair, adjusted to that perfect angle that allows for both optimal Guinness consumption and Starship viewing.
Edit fixed quote
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 12/12/2020 08:50 pm
Little bit late but ref SN8's flight:
-The last thing the fireants on the LZ saw. (the video shot looking straight up.)-Killing fireants, Extreme Technology.
-The last great act of defiance (cartoon of a fireant flipping the bird to SN8 as it descends. Google the phrase if you're not familiar).-When the props finished burning off, the fireants emerged from their underground warrens and went "Did we miss something?"

Yeah, I hate fireants.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Oersted on 12/12/2020 09:27 pm
SN9 tipped over in the highbay at 9:07am
@Labpadre

Someone at SpaceX seems to have misunderstood what they mean by lean manufacturing.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lean_manufacturing
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lemurion on 12/12/2020 09:38 pm
SN9 tipped over in the highbay at 9:07am
@Labpadre

Someone at SpaceX seems to have misunderstood what they mean by lean manufacturing.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lean_manufacturing

This appears to be "leaning" manufacturing...  Not quite the same thing.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: StevenOBrien on 12/12/2020 09:39 pm
SN9 tipped over in the highbay at 9:07am
@Labpadre

Someone at SpaceX seems to have misunderstood what they mean by lean manufacturing.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lean_manufacturing

https://startup.jobs/lean-facilitator-at-spacex  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: meekGee on 12/12/2020 09:44 pm
I'm amazed it took almost 24 hours before the lean jokes started coming in.

At least SN9 is just hanging there waiting for us to catch up.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: RotoSequence on 12/12/2020 09:48 pm
https://startup.jobs/lean-facilitator-at-spacex  ;D

Their mistake was hiring Amelia Bedelia for the job.  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: laszlo on 12/12/2020 10:08 pm
I'm amazed it took almost 24 hours before the lean jokes started coming in.

At least SN9 is just hanging there waiting for us to catch up.

Instead of a soulless designation like SNx, they should start naming these spaceships. I humbly propose re-designating poor SN9 as "Eileen".
 
Edit Sunday morning - Just saw that jon amos made nearly the same suggestion (spelling it differently) earlier on. No plagiarism intended, I hadn't been looking at this thread and didn't see his before I made mine.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 12/12/2020 10:20 pm
The things you come across, walking down the trails here.
They really should be paying you to find all this stuff.  Either that or give you scrap rights :P
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 12/12/2020 10:24 pm
I think all the SpaceX people were in the Stargate building, and security had disappeared from the road. I saw it standing in an empty field. Not that I was ever a crowd person, but seeing something like that by yourself doesn't compare to any other feeling I know. It seems like fewer people know that experience, growing up connected to everybody else since the day they smeared strained carrots all over the first smartphone they got their paws on.
 Get out of the crowd for a while. You'll still exist.

I'd "like" this a thousand times if I could. It's profoundly good advice, including for things far beyond spaceflight. Some of the most profound experiences I've ever had have been solo. Walking the trail down into Carlsbad Caverns when it's deserted (do this by starting at dawn). Yellowstone in winter. Walking the hilltowns to Tuscany at dawn. Hiking in all sorts of remote areas. There is no experience like it.

Apologies for placing this reply in the party thread. I couldn't figure out anywhere else to put it.

I'll also add, to try to make it appropriate for here, that while solo on a glacier, it's best not to drop your camera in a crevasse. The good news is I know where it is, and I know it'll appear at the foot of the glacier. The bad news is I also know when: in about two hundred years. 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 12/13/2020 02:06 am
https://twitter.com/TylerG1998/status/1337955879795236865/photo/1

The new Terminator movie looks great.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 12/13/2020 12:32 pm
https://twitter.com/TylerG1998/status/1337955879795236865/photo/1

The new Terminator movie looks great.

One should not make Terminator jokes with someone who is putting up Skynet!  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 12/13/2020 05:19 pm
Thanks to SPaceX live feed, we now know that Falcon 9 has a high of exactly 12 stacked giraffes on top of each other.

I wonder what that is in bananas ;)

Congrats to successful launch and mission :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: guyw on 12/13/2020 05:28 pm
Thanks to SPaceX live feed, we now know that Falcon 9 has a high of exactly 12 stacked giraffes on top of each other.

I wonder what that is in bananas ;)

Congrats to successful launch and mission :)
Or more importantly, in Smoots! (Google it if you don't know what a Smoot is).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 12/13/2020 06:27 pm
Douglas Adams would be proud!

(Credits: from the SpaceX live stream)

And I want to point out the prescience of our thread poll! We selected 42 in large numbers and it proved the correct answer demonstrating there is genius in humor!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 12/14/2020 12:54 am
 Talking about flying a dented up SN9 made me think about a great old movie that you're not allowed to like anymore.
https://youtu.be/SfroUSUcbdc
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 12/14/2020 02:33 am
Talking about flying a dented up SN9 made me think about a great old movie that you're not allowed to like anymore.
https://youtu.be/SfroUSUcbdc
One of my favorites!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mongo62 on 12/14/2020 05:58 pm
Talking about flying a dented up SN9 made me think about a great old movie that you're not allowed to like anymore.
https://youtu.be/SfroUSUcbdc
I love Slap Shot! One of the all-time classics, in my opinion.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AJW on 12/14/2020 10:50 pm
As so many posters these past few days have been in such a rush to scrap SN9, thank goodness they weren't around in the 12th century.  (BTW, 55 meters high)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 12/15/2020 01:15 am
Everyone is overreacting.  You just need to put it in the right context to see that there is no lean at all.  Just look at the reflection.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 12/15/2020 02:37 am
As so many posters these past few days have been in such a rush to scrap SN9, thank goodness they weren't around in the 12th century.  (BTW, 55 meters high)

It took decades for the leaning tower of Pisa to begin to lean (though it was only two stories tall at the time). It took 199 years to complete the tower.

SpaceX built SN9 (the leaning tower of Boca Chica) in far less time, and as for the lean, they achieved it in seconds, not decades. 

I call that progress. It's what rapid iteration is all about!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 12/15/2020 10:29 am
This is the party thread. So we discussed all the Harry Potter aspects of the SN8 name, etc.
 
With this damage.. the next vehicle has to be repaired and then fly, because flying it after these recent events would be ... SN9...
I’ll escort myself out...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: apollolanding on 12/15/2020 10:43 am
The Leaning Tower of Chica ;-)

As so many posters these past few days have been in such a rush to scrap SN9, thank goodness they weren't around in the 12th century.  (BTW, 55 meters high)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 12/15/2020 12:55 pm
 I guess Elon shouldn't have titled his directive to cut the fat out of the operation as "We need to make it lean".
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AJW on 12/15/2020 05:02 pm
I don't make too many predictions, but I just have an inkling that the slide at the first children's playground on Mars will be made using stainless from the hull of an early Starship.  Of course 20 years later, a safety committee will decide that it is too dangerous and replace it with a 3D printed plastic slide that won't be nearly as much fun.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 12/15/2020 08:50 pm
We shall see.
See 03:31 in the clip.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVgZDcUQPEY
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 12/16/2020 11:01 pm
 SpaceX's secret fusion experiments came to light today as Starhopper was turned into an artificial sun.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tomness on 12/17/2020 01:45 pm
SpaceX's secret fusion experiments came to light today as Starhopper was turned into an artificial sun.

If Lockheed going build a refrigerator size one and not use it. SpaceX can go head and launch one so they can power their Mars Colony.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: launchwatcher on 12/17/2020 09:32 pm
Between SN9 and the SXM-7 booster, spacex's recently hired Lean Facilitator is really overachieving and will be getting a big bonus this year.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 12/18/2020 06:24 am
Between SN9 and the SXM-7 booster, spacex's recently hired Lean Facilitator is really overachieving and will be getting a big bonus this year.

I think somebody in upper management was just a bit too inspired after a trip to Pisa, Italy.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 12/18/2020 10:19 am
Between SN9 and the SXM-7 booster, spacex's recently hired Lean Facilitator is really overachieving and will be getting a big bonus this year.

If he's not careful the whole thing might turn sideways though. I think he's just angling for a promotion.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 12/18/2020 02:11 pm
 You people are plumb crazy.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 12/18/2020 02:27 pm
Why yes.

Yes they are.

(Personally I prefer pineapples, but to each their own) :p
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Excalibur93 on 12/19/2020 12:09 am
<snip> I don't know if they could have transported SN9 to the pad this week as bad as the highway was collapsing <snip>

I have read Highbay instead Highway... damn i have gained a bunch of grey hair in that moment  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Oersted on 12/19/2020 02:16 pm
https://twitter.com/kyle_m_photo/status/1340302577502728193

Quote
Rocket go up, rocket come back down. #SpaceX #Falcon9 #NROL108

Well, isn't that just what rockets do? - What's so weird about that?

(Asks the teenager...)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 12/19/2020 03:09 pm
 SN10 wishes it had read the fine print before it signed that organ donor's card.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DistantTemple on 12/19/2020 03:19 pm
Enough of this small time stuff. In real news, a SpaceX rep came by tonight and gave me stuff for being so reasonable or something.
So a SpaceX representative visits and outfits you with these items.

It would be even nicer - and less likely to be misunderstood, if they also had a tag for you saying: "welcome back after launch"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 12/19/2020 10:07 pm
From the SLS green run thread:

So first attempt they couldn’t keep cold stuff cold, second attempt couldn’t make hot stuff hot. Hopefully Goldilocks next time!

They need... a McDLT!

(And if you don't get that, go look it up, whippersnapper... ;) )
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 12/19/2020 10:40 pm
In the various Starship threads, an argument keeps coming up over and over; can Starship land horizontally.

Several, including Elon Musk on Twitter, have said that it cannot. They are all clearly wrong. Just look at the SN8 video for proof; had the Raptors not fired for the landing flip, SN8 absolutely would have landed horizontally. Case closed.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: leovinus on 12/19/2020 11:40 pm
Enough of this small time stuff. In real news, a SpaceX rep came by tonight and gave me stuff for being so reasonable or something.
So a SpaceX representative visits and outfits you with these items.

It would be even nicer - and less likely to be misunderstood, if they also had a tag for you saying: "welcome back after launch"

That "Remove before flight", do they mean the tag or spectators ;) ?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 12/20/2020 01:08 am
Enough of this small time stuff. In real news, a SpaceX rep came by tonight and gave me stuff for being so reasonable or something.
So a SpaceX representative visits and outfits you with these items.

It would be even nicer - and less likely to be misunderstood, if they also had a tag for you saying: "welcome back after launch"

That "Remove before flight", do they mean the tag or spectators ;) ?

They got around the FAA safety requirements by reclassifying locals as remove before flight checklist items.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 12/20/2020 01:41 pm
They should be able to save quite a bit of mass if the attempts to control the belly flop with just three flaps works out.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 12/20/2020 03:10 pm
In the various Starship threads, an argument keeps coming up over and over; can Starship land horizontally.

Several, including Elon Musk on Twitter, have said that it cannot. They are all clearly wrong. Just look at the SN8 video for proof; had the Raptors not fired for the landing flip, SN8 absolutely would have landed horizontally. Case closed.


Depends on how you define “land” vs “impact”.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 12/20/2020 05:58 pm
In the various Starship threads, an argument keeps coming up over and over; can Starship land horizontally.

Several, including Elon Musk on Twitter, have said that it cannot. They are all clearly wrong. Just look at the SN8 video for proof; had the Raptors not fired for the landing flip, SN8 absolutely would have landed horizontally. Case closed.

When the front-shell meets the back-shell upon the ceasing of downward motion, the case is most definitely closed.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 12/20/2020 09:29 pm
In the various Starship threads, an argument keeps coming up over and over; can Starship land horizontally.

Several, including Elon Musk on Twitter, have said that it cannot. They are all clearly wrong. Just look at the SN8 video for proof; had the Raptors not fired for the landing flip, SN8 absolutely would have landed horizontally. Case closed.


Depends on how you define “land” vs “impact”.

Well, the dictionary definition of "landing" is "an instance of coming or bringing something to land, either from the air or from water." What it does not say is how fast, so any vertical velocity will do.

So, if SN8 had simply continued its horizontal orientation a few seconds longer, it would have achieved a horizontal landing. (See? It sounds much better to say it that way than "impact", as the latter seems to have negative connotations).

:)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 12/20/2020 09:52 pm
In the various Starship threads, an argument keeps coming up over and over; can Starship land horizontally.

Several, including Elon Musk on Twitter, have said that it cannot. They are all clearly wrong. Just look at the SN8 video for proof; had the Raptors not fired for the landing flip, SN8 absolutely would have landed horizontally. Case closed.


Depends on how you define “land” vs “impact”.

Well, the dictionary definition of "landing" is "an instance of coming or bringing something to land, either from the air or from water." What it does not say is how fast, so any vertical velocity will do.

So, if SN8 had simply continued its horizontal orientation a few seconds longer, it would have achieved a horizontal landing. (See? It sounds much better to say it that way than "impact", as the latter seems to have negative connotations).

 :)


The difference between a good landing and a great landing is if you can use the vehicle again.


SN8’s.... “arrival” may have been survivable, but the rubber jungle in the back would have been epic.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 12/21/2020 12:27 am

The difference between a good landing and a great landing is if you can use the vehicle again.


SN8’s.... “arrival” may have been survivable, but the rubber jungle in the back would have been epic.

Ah, but they can use SN8 again, as evidenced by the fact that they are. For example, they are going to use its nose as a display piece. As for the other parts of it, looks to me like they're going to sell them for stainless steel feedstock, like they do rejected ring sections and such. That's a use, isn't it?

And wouldn't the same be true had SN8 landed horizontally? And while it's rumored that SpaceX has no further plans to fly SN8, isn't the same true of Starhopper?   


 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 12/21/2020 07:56 pm
From the SLS green run thread:
So first attempt they couldn’t keep cold stuff cold, second attempt couldn’t make hot stuff hot. Hopefully Goldilocks next time!
They need... a McDLT!
(And if you don't get that, go look it up, whippersnapper... ;) )
Visual aid, with 1985 Jason Alexander!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVcVXTeHTLI
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: eric_astro on 12/21/2020 08:36 pm
Suggested background music for first orbital flight-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miracles_(Jefferson_Starship_song)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7m8izf-oXY4
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 12/22/2020 09:10 am
Wow. That brings me back.  I would also throw the acoustic work of Starship cofounder Craig Chaquico into the ring. Particularly, Sacred Ground.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiutK-vhbxI&ab_channel=hairtech322
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 12/22/2020 12:06 pm
This guy did his flip at 200 feet...
https://youtu.be/aPC_h9Vmlxw

Seems he used the flaps to reorient himself and not the nozzle.
LOL, if it was me I would have used my nozzle all the way down...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 12/22/2020 02:51 pm
Okay so there are at least some people who are all whaa whaa, SpaceX needs to abandon 'The Flip' maneuver to land Starship...  So I have come up with an alternative.

I call it the 'Nose Hook' maneuver.

First, you need two 2000 foot towers.
Second, you need a cable strung between these towers.
The Starship 'flies' its approach so that a hook on the nose of the starship catches the wire, at which point winches and springs activate to slow and pivot the starship to its landing orientation then gently lower it to the ground.

Doing this on Mars should be easy.  Just string the cable across the throat of Olympus Mons... then use the proven starhopper flight profile to translate elsewhere on the planet.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 12/22/2020 02:59 pm
This guy did his flip at 200 feet...
https://youtu.be/aPC_h9Vmlxw

Seems he used the flaps to reorient himself and not the nozzle.
LOL, if it was me I would have used my nozzle all the way down...

All I can think of seeing this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daJUFDOq83c

Ray Stevens:  Hugo the Human Cannon Ball

"There was Hugo...
and there was Hugo...
There was Hugo all over the place."
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: atsf90east on 12/22/2020 04:31 pm
I'm watching the rollout of SN-9 to the pad, and a thought occurred to me: is it too early to have Texas State Route 4 re-designated as the Boca Chica Crawlerway?  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: punder on 12/22/2020 04:43 pm
Wouldn’t it be ironic, given how the Russians treated Elon back in the day and how they still hate his guts, if the first Martian colonists name their settlement Muskow? And call themselves Muskovites?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: alang on 12/22/2020 09:42 pm
Stuck bolt. Three guys pulling on a cheater bar. From the looks, I'd guess it was galled.

Clue: that's not from the SLS thread.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 12/23/2020 01:02 pm
Stuck bolt. Three guys pulling on a cheater bar. From the looks, I'd guess it was galled.

Clue: that's not from the SLS thread.

Ah... flashbacks...

Remember when the SpaceX threads were all about a certain 'corroded nut'?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 12/23/2020 01:23 pm

Ray Stevens:  Hugo the Human Cannon Ball

"There was Hugo...
and there was Hugo...
There was Hugo all over the place."

And maintaining that Nashville theme with human missilery - My buddy Webb Wilder - Human Cannonball

https://youtu.be/5IjBXtFgqyQ


Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 12/23/2020 01:57 pm
And here's me getting kitted up for the deep dive (the dive, that gladly I didn't know at the time the pic was taken, almost killed me).

Ok, its totally off topic. But while we wait for Cranezilla to get going, why dont you tell us what happened? You cant leave us hanging like that!
Well - so as not to spike the ire of the mods I'll take it here...

Warning - this is a long story and has nothing to do with spaceflight. But if you do read it I guarantee you will be entertained, maybe a little thrilled, and perhaps might even stress you out a bit...

Like a said, it's a long story, and right now is my one day back at work after vacation, before getting foot surgery tomorrow and being out of work for four weeks - meaning I have a LOT to do.

But, maybe I'll start the tale at least...

Part One - The Why...

Back in 2009 New England Aquarium (NEAq) was collaborating with Excelerate Energy, who was constructing the Northeast Gateway Deepwater Port for offloading LNG.

https://excelerateenergy.com/project/northeast-gateway-deepwater-port/ (https://excelerateenergy.com/project/northeast-gateway-deepwater-port/)

This underwater port was being constructed so as not to bring these very large - thousand foot - LNG ships into Boston Harbor for offloading - plug in the word "terrorism" and you'll understand why. Picture what happened to SN4, then make it really (really, really) big, and inside a major city.

NEAq's role was to see if the deepwater port was effecting the local habitats of several local species of dogfish. Keep in mind that the deepwater port system is massive - yet lives entirely underwater. It's comprised of two Submerged Turret Loaders (STL) with flexible gas risers that run to the seabed through a manifold system and then to a buried pipeline that runs to a tank farm on shore.

Each STL is built to hold a 1000' tanker securely in a CAT4 hurricane (and indeed one has done just that in LA). Running from each STL are sight anchor rodes that are about a mile in length each. They start out as a massive wire cable at the STL and transition to enormous chain links, each the size of a car. Each rode terminates in a suction anchor some ten stories high and 40' in diameter.

We wanted to know if the STLs or associated eight anchor sites each (16 in total) produced a FAZ (Fish Aggregation Zone), as well as if the anchor chains as they slowly, ponderously, churn up the seabed affect habitats in a detrimental or positive way.

Researchers from NEAq, WHOI, and elsewhere captured dogfish throughout the spring of 2009 and tagged them with radio transponders. We then deployed four acoustical popups in a diamond pattern on the seafloor around one of the two STLs (STL B) and recorded data transmitted from the tagged dogfish for the entire summer.

The acoustical popups were tested in the Aquarium's Giant Ocean Tank (GOT) and yes, yours truly was in the water with the PI to conduct the tests. Attached is a pic of me examining the device - we were testing the release mechanism.

Acoustical pop-ups are a cylindrical pressure housing containing an electronics payload - in this instance data recorders listening for the pings from the tagged dogfish. They have a series of floats at the top, along with a radio transmitter for RDF locating, and are attached at the bottom to a piece of railroad rail used as an anchor. They are deployed to the sea floor and record data for a given period of time. When it's time to gather the data off the unit a boat goes out to the site and aboard is a device called the Interrogator. You lower a transducer hitched to the Interrogator over the side, enter in the ID of the desired pop-up and send it a series of commands - such as request for battery status, or distance in feet from the unit to the transducer, etc. Another command is to tell the pop-up to generate a current that will start a chemical reaction to burn off the attachment point to the anchor (this is what we tested in the GOT), thereby allowing the pop-up to raise to the surface.

During that summer I conducted a series of dives on STL B itself - to video aquatic life that may have taken refuge on and around it. The thing is huge. And it just sits there in the water column with the top of it hovering at 90' and the bottom at 140'. On the surface there's no sign anything is down there, with the single exception of a tiny flag attached to a 5/8" poly line barely visible floating on the surface. That line then leads into progressively thicker line, still floating, until it finally attaches to a huge Kevlar hawser that then makes a 90 degree turn and runs straight down to the top of the STL. This Kevlar haswer costs $150,000 to replace (another story). Attached is a picture of me sitting on it.

This entire section of ocean is completely off limits to boaters. There's a 110' ship, the Gateway Endeavor, whose sole purpose is to patrol the area 24/7/365 a year. (For me to dive the area I had to get security clearances, develop a very comprehensive plan, present it to Excelerate HQ. Additionally all vessels involved in the op needed to have a company observer aboard).

When a 1000' LNG tanker needs to offload (re-gassify) it pulls up beside the little flag. The crew then couples the 5/8" line to a line from inside the bow of the ship and a winch inside the ship begins to draw in the line. Eventually it picks up the Kevlar hawser and then begins to haul up the actual STL until it's completely drawn inside the ship, where hydraulic rams on the ship lock into the STL and the ship and STL become one. BTW - the "Turret" of "Submerged Turret Loade"  refers to the section of the STL where the rams lock into it - theis section is on bearings and is free to pivot, allowing the ship to watch and rotate  due to sea and wind state.  A hatch on the top of the STL is opened and the ship's gas line is plugged in. It takes about five days to full re-gassify the LNG and transfer the ship's contents to land, and the STL keeps it anchored in place while also providing the gas line.

So I spent some dives following the Kevlar line down into blue (grey) open water, attaching a reel to the top of the STL and rappelling down to the underside to get video footage among the huge anchor rode attachments and massive flexible gas riser - all attached to an alien underwater spacecraft (needless to say, there was no ship on it at the time).

But...

But that's not the story. That's just the background.

The day came to send up the acoustical pop-ups. The Aquarium's dive boat went out - the Lophius (bonus points for what the name refers to) - and the researchers used the Interrogator to command the anchors be released. All four units obeyed and responded with a Success ACK. And they waited - and waited - and guess what? Not a single one popped to the surface. Nor did the distance from the units to the transducer change, meaning they were still laying on the bottom.

The bottom is 280 feet down.

So a ROV was deployed and the video returned gave the answer. The non-crushable floats used, well, crushed at that depth and therefore had lost their flotation. Countless thousands of hours of data was trapped on the seafloor. Priceless data. The ROV didn't have a grabber - just video. So weeks were spent trying to grapple the units - no luck.

During one dive on STL B I asked the PI if we could bring the Interrogator, and we did some tests on how closely we could use it to pinpoint the location of one of the pop-ups. the results were promising and I said I felt confident I could get them, but it would require some big dives with a lot of inherent risk - and a special team to pull it off. Several high level meetings later and I was given the green light. (attached image shows me holding the Interrogator's transducer and cable as we get ready to ping a unit).

I was going to dive to 280' in permanent pitch black onto a featureless sediment bottom to try to find a needle in a haystack...

Well - I suppose it's now time to write some more about this CF of a dive. BUT...

But before I do I think it would save me a bunch of time trying to explain what technical diving is by simply (re)dropping a presentation I once gave on a particular dive, as within that presentation I do a sidebar on the gear required for such dives. Personally (of course) I think the entire presentation properly sets the stage, but if one of the great ship wrecks of last century isn't you thing you can skip forward to 24:30 or so for just the sidebar...

After I give this a few days to percolate I'll actually get to the dive - I know, I'm so dramastic (a term I got from the Jerry Springer Show)

Edit to add: If you do watch the video, I refer to a friend of mine who was at the talk who has built his own u/w cannister light. This person is an engineer for a Boston robotics company. A company who has a product in Boca Chica...

Also - all the pictures in the sidebar were actually taken during the dive I am about to describe.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifIJYUEeb18 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifIJYUEeb18)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 12/23/2020 07:30 pm
Stuck bolt. Three guys pulling on a cheater bar. From the looks, I'd guess it was galled.

Clue: that's not from the SLS thread.

And indeed:
NASA Ames Health and Safety Procedures and Guidelines - Chapter 14 ...
Quote
14.5.2 Specific Safety Practices
14.5.2.1    Hand    Tools
1.   Use  the  approved  tool  for  the  job.    Makeshift  arrangements  such  as  the  use  of  a  screwdriver as a chisel, a pair of pliers as a wrench, a wrench as a hammer, or overloading a wrench by using a pipe extension (cheater bar) on the handle are not to be employed.
https://web.archive.org/web/20060930051007/http://server-mpo.arc.nasa.gov/Services/Proc/ProcDocs/APG1700.1-R/Chap%2014.pdf#
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: gaballard on 12/24/2020 05:33 pm
Stuck bolt. Three guys pulling on a cheater bar. From the looks, I'd guess it was galled.

Clue: that's not from the SLS thread.

And indeed:
NASA Ames Health and Safety Procedures and Guidelines - Chapter 14 ...
Quote
14.5.2 Specific Safety Practices
14.5.2.1    Hand    Tools
1.   Use  the  approved  tool  for  the  job.    Makeshift  arrangements  such  as  the  use  of  a  screwdriver as a chisel, a pair of pliers as a wrench, a wrench as a hammer, or overloading a wrench by using a pipe extension (cheater bar) on the handle are not to be employed.
https://web.archive.org/web/20060930051007/http://server-mpo.arc.nasa.gov/Services/Proc/ProcDocs/APG1700.1-R/Chap%2014.pdf#

And this, ladies and gentlemen, is why there’s a SpaceX party thread and not an SLS one :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 12/24/2020 05:49 pm
And this, ladies and gentlemen, is why there’s a SpaceX party thread and not an SLS one :D
Definitely makes it easier to get hammered.  ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 12/25/2020 06:18 pm
<snip>
tl;dr  You need some serious kit to go diving as deep as the acoustic popups are. (or, I hope, *were*) Super serious... the multiple mixes make space suits seem simple.  Also, even seasoned technical divers can get sea sick... Also the lot of you professional divers are characters[1], some more than others.

1 - characters?  Words... Heck, some of you are whole sentences.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 12/25/2020 06:58 pm
<snip>
tl;dr  You need some serious kit to go diving as deep as the acoustic popups are. (or, I hope, *were*) Super serious... the multiple mixes make space suits seem simple.  Also, even seasoned technical divers can get sea sick... Also the lot of you professional divers are characters[1], some more than others.

1 - characters?  Words... Heck, some of you are whole sentences.
Just the same, I think you should try to treat divers the same way you'd treat normal people.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 12/25/2020 11:10 pm
<snip>
tl;dr  You need some serious kit to go diving as deep as the acoustic popups are. (or, I hope, *were*) Super serious... the multiple mixes make space suits seem simple.  Also, even seasoned technical divers can get sea sick... Also the lot of you professional divers are characters[1], some more than others.

1 - characters?  Words... Heck, some of you are whole sentences.
Just the same, I think you should try to treat divers the same way you'd treat normal people.

That's rich, coming from you. Do you even *know* any normal people?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 12/25/2020 11:17 pm
&lt;snip&gt;
tl;dr  You need some serious kit to go diving as deep as the acoustic popups are. (or, I hope, *were*) Super serious... the multiple mixes make space suits seem simple.  Also, even seasoned technical divers can get sea sick... Also the lot of you professional divers are characters[1], some more than others.

1 - characters?  Words... Heck, some of you are whole sentences.
Just the same, I think you should try to treat divers the same way you'd treat normal people.

That's rich, coming from you. Do you even *know* any normal people?
Normal is as normal does... :-P
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 12/26/2020 06:42 pm
&lt;snip&gt;
tl;dr  You need some serious kit to go diving as deep as the acoustic popups are. (or, I hope, *were*) Super serious... the multiple mixes make space suits seem simple.  Also, even seasoned technical divers can get sea sick... Also the lot of you professional divers are characters[1], some more than others.

1 - characters?  Words... Heck, some of you are whole sentences.
Just the same, I think you should try to treat divers the same way you'd treat normal people.

That's rich, coming from you. Do you even *know* any normal people?
Normal is as normal does... :-P

Most of us here are normally abnormal (in good ways)

We're ready for the next chapter in this story, Unca Jonny...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 12/27/2020 07:09 pm
Okay, so where was I...?

Oh yeah, researchers from NEAq had lost four acoustical popup transducers on the seafloor at 280' at the Northeast Gateway LNG deepwater offloading port and I foolishly said I would get them...

If you don't have a clue what I'm talking about, you can read the background post here:

https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2149776#msg2149776 (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2149776#msg2149776)

In a nutshell (heh, I guess in a way you could call my drysuit that...) my plan was simple. Go to the GPS coordinates for one of the transducers, use the Interrogator to ping the targeted popup and position the boat so the range reading to the popup matches the depth, chuck in a specially made dropline, descend this line, find and retrieve the unit.

Easy.

Not so easy. For starters, I should mention a few things about diving to these depths and at these temperatures. And note - all of these items will come into play during this dive.

For every atmosphere (33' seawater) of depth, gas consumption (think air - except I never breath air during this kind of dive) relative to breathing on the surface goes up as a multiple of the number of atmospheres. So a dive to 280' means every breath I take at depth is like breathing nine breaths on the surface (for all intents and purposes) and therefore my gas is consumed nine times faster.

The oxygen content of air becomes toxic to humans at roughly 212' (this is a rule of thumb, effected by temperature, conditioning, stress, workload, etc). Suffice it to say, breathing air past 130' becomes risky with regards to oxygen toxicity. Now you know one key reason why 130' is considered the depth limit for recreation divers. 

So what DO you breathe at 280'? Well, the simple answer is you keep reducing the percentage of O2 until its partial pressure at the target depth (280') is 1.3 ATA. This works out to around 10% O2. But oh, guess what? You need at minimum 16% O2 at the surface to maintain consciousness. Meaning, what you breathe on the bottom, known as your "bottom mix", is deadly to you on the surface. Great... So you need to start the dive breathing another tank, one with enough O2% to keep you un-dead. This one is known at your "travel mix".

But that's just scratching the surface. I won't go into all the nitty details (though I do love talking about this stuff!). Summing it up, to dive to 280' I need the following tanks:

- A set of double 100 cu ft tanks on my back (200 cu ft total), connected together with a three valve manifold. This "back gas" is my bottom mix. These tanks have two complete and independent regulator sets attached for redundancy. This gas is a 10/50/40 mix (10% O2, 50% helium, 40% nitrogen). This mix is called "10/50".

- A 40 cu ft tank of travel mix of 30/30. This is also the first deco gas on way up. You start the dive on this tank.

- A 63 cu ft tank of 50% nitrox (no helium). Regulator pressurized but turned off. This is the second deco gas.

- A 80 cu ft tank of 80% nitrox. Regulator pressurized but turned off. This is the third deco gas.

- And since the back gas contains helium you can't use it to pressurize your drysuit, so you also need a 6cu ft tank of argon.

Did I mention decompression? Yeah, that's the name of the game in tech diving. And deco takes a long time, with many stops and several gas switches along the way. Ascend a prescribed amount, stop at a specific depth, turn on your next gas, purge reg, remove current reg, put in new reg, stow old reg, rinse and repeat. But NO NOT CHANGE DEPTH! Ascend too quickly and you fizz.

Oh, and grab the wrong reg by accident (it is, after all, pitch black and you can't actually see the gear stowed all around your body regardless) and you can O2 tox, or you become hypoxic. And then you die...

Think I'm being dramatic with the hyperbole? Sadly I'm not - this particular activity is constantly claiming lives. There’s something known as the "Three oh sh*ts" rule. You may survive the first, and even the second, but very rarely the third. Generally speaking, the first one happens even before the dive has begun and by then, the course has ben set.

On this dive I had my three oh sh*ts...

Did I mention isobaric counter diffusion? If you switch between a high helium concentration to a much lower one (for example, from the 30/30 to 50% mix which has zero He) you run the risk of rapid gas exchange due to a high gas pressure gradient - aka, you can get bent without changing depth at all.

Right, enough about the boring stuff.

For this dive NEAq had to get security clearance from the operator of the deepwater port, Excelerate Energy, who also required an observer on the dive boat. We would also be shadowed the entire time by the 124' patrol vessel Gateway Endeavor. I had to contract technical dive boat Daybreaker and schedule NEAq's dive boat Lophius as a chase boat. Meaning - I had to coordinate many assets and people's time, which in turn gave me a very tight window on opportunity.

Speaking of people - I oversee about a 110 person team of divers at NEAq, but there was only one person who had the skills and experience to be my buddy on this dive. Michael. He was a volunteer diver at NEAq and my tech dive partner - we'd trained together for some five years for this kind of diving and had executed similar profiles in the past. He's the guy I did the Andrea Doria with and we knew each other's skills, reactions, and behaviors like they were our own. He once cut me free from a length of drift line in the wreck of the YF-415 at 240', so I owe him that...

https://northernatlanticdive.com/shipwrecks/yf-415/ (https://northernatlanticdive.com/shipwrecks/yf-415/)

I set a date of Aug 13th for this dive and had about a month to get everything set up. Mike and I conducted dry rehearsals, walked through every step of the plan, and worked on blind muscle memory for where each specific bit of gear was located on our own rig, and that of our buddy's.

As the days progressed towards the planned dive, the New England weather steadily turned worse. An offshore storm was brewing and the seas off Boston Harbor were building. The deepwater port lies 12 nautical miles east of Boston Harbor and when the wind gets up in any direction other then west it gets rather, uh, lively.

But there was very little schedule wiggle room with so many pieces at play - if I lost this window it might not happen at all. The weather was only going to get worse as fall progressed, and it was doubtful if the batteries in the popups would survive the winter.

The evening of the 12th arrived and I made my decision. We were going to do the dive.

6:00am the next morning found me at Daybreaker's dock in her home port of Gloucester, MA, where I met up with Captain Fran, his deck hand, safety diver Matt, my dive buddy Michael, Randi - one of NEAq's researchers - along with one of her interns, and the observer from Excelerate Energy. Meanwhile the Aquarium's dive boat was heading out of Boston with JD, the VP of Animal Care, as captain and Barb, Curator of Fishes, acting as mate. Both boats would converge at the exclusion zone at 10:00am where we would meet the patrol vessel Gateway Endeavor.

I had already made my first oh sh*t...

------

To be continued (heh heh heh)...

Explanation of photos:

- NEAq researchers deploying one of the popups many months prior to my dive. Note railroad tie and orange primary float with RDF transmitter.

- Patrol vessel Gateway Endeavor

- NEAq dive boat Lophius

- Captain Fran on tech dive boat Daybreaker
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: leovinus on 12/27/2020 09:33 pm
- And since the back gas contains helium you can't use it to pressurize your drysuit, so you also need a 6cu ft tank of argon.

Thank you for the story. After living in Boston for a while in the past, names and places always bring back memories.
May I ask why not "all argon" or "all helium"? Both are noble gases.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: lrk on 12/28/2020 12:12 am
- And since the back gas contains helium you can't use it to pressurize your drysuit, so you also need a 6cu ft tank of argon.

Thank you for the story. After living in Boston for a while in the past, names and places always bring back memories.
May I ask why not "all argon" or "all helium"? Both are noble gases.

Helium is a small atom, it tends to absorb and conduct heat very well - which isn't what you want in a dry suit in near-freezing temperatures.  Argon is a much heavier atom and has the opposite effect - serving as an even better insulator than air. 

Not positive about why argon isn't an option for breathing, but I suspect it would perhaps weigh too much per unit volume? 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cdebuhr on 12/28/2020 12:28 am
- And since the back gas contains helium you can't use it to pressurize your drysuit, so you also need a 6cu ft tank of argon.

Thank you for the story. After living in Boston for a while in the past, names and places always bring back memories.
May I ask why not "all argon" or "all helium"? Both are noble gases.

Helium is a small atom, it tends to absorb and conduct heat very well - which isn't what you want in a dry suit in near-freezing temperatures.  Argon is a much heavier atom and has the opposite effect - serving as an even better insulator than air. 

Not positive about why argon isn't an option for breathing, but I suspect it would perhaps weigh too much per unit volume?
From a bit of Wikipedia browsing this afternoon, it seems that argon at elevated pressure is even more narcotic that nitrogen, and so any benefit you might get from the argon is almost certainly outweighed by the drawbacks.  Pure argon is fine for inflating your dry-suit, but as a breathing gas argox is basically never used.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 12/28/2020 01:15 am
Why pressurise the drysuit with argon instead of nitrogen would be my question. Also, is there a tight collar that prevents argon from getting up to where one might breathe it inadvertently?

Also one has to wonder how much of this knowledge is transferrable to spacesuits? I'm thinking almost none.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 12/28/2020 01:40 am
Surveys sometimes administer tests to make sure that it’s not a robot taking them. This survey showed a video of Crew Dragon docking with ISS and then asked what video did you just see. Choices below...

No, you idiots, it’s not a space shuttle.

But I have to bite my tongue and select that one because it’s obviously the closest.

The things I do for gems in the game I'm playing...  (Train Dispatcher 2)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cdebuhr on 12/28/2020 01:43 am
Why pressurise the drysuit with argon instead of nitrogen would be my question. Also, is there a tight collar that prevents argon from getting up to where one might breathe it inadvertently?

Also one has to wonder how much of this knowledge is transferrable to spacesuits? I'm thinking almost none.
You could pressurize with air or nitrogen instead, but argon has lower thermal conductivity (the same reason you DON'T pressurize with He).  As for inadvertently breathing your suit gas,  depending on what you had for dinner the night before, you might want to avoid that anyway (party thread obligation: satisfied).  To the best of my "knowledge" there is no connection between the suit and the regulator one is breathing from, and the neck seal is against the ocean.

Disclaimer: I'm not a diver, but I've seen one on TV!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 12/28/2020 02:30 am
Disclaimer: I'm not a diver, but I've seen one on TV!
Johnny can't watch Sea hunt anymore. It annoys the neighbors too much when he keeps shouting at Lloyd Bridges that he's doing it wrong.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nevyn72 on 12/28/2020 02:44 am
I don't know if there are rigs available in the Gulf of Mexico, but in the UK there is a whole bay filled with rigs you can probably get for scrap value or less (cleaning the rigs from all petrochemical nasties will cost a pretty penny...): https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/oil-rig-graveyard

Let's put what is in effect a giant flame thrower on top of a massive structure soaked in years worth of petrochemical spillage and residue...... it'll save a few dollars and what could possibly go wrong!  :o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mandella on 12/28/2020 04:48 am
Johnny is going to know you guys didn't watch his hour and a half long presentation on the Andrea Doria dive -- as he answers the argon (and more!) question in that.

 ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 12/28/2020 05:29 am
With all the talk about diving on a space forum, I'm reminded of this:

https://youtu.be/Ewu-zHH5Qwg

I'm wondering which will come first, watching OFT-2 or working my next scuba class.  I'm dryin' here!

(I had been using Starship flight tests as the space-side of my self-wager, but they're progressing too fast.  ;D)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 12/28/2020 02:44 pm
I must say, whatever SpaceX is up to. They always makes it an interesting spectacle.

https://twitter.com/SpaceXFleet/status/1343566397729861636/photo/1
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 12/28/2020 03:56 pm
- And since the back gas contains helium you can't use it to pressurize your drysuit, so you also need a 6cu ft tank of argon.

Thank you for the story. After living in Boston for a while in the past, names and places always bring back memories.
May I ask why not "all argon" or "all helium"? Both are noble gases.
I really enjoy these kinds of questions - and appreciate the fact that folks on this forum spend time thinking about such things. Much of your question has actually been answered down thread, but I'd be remiss to not add my bits.

Though argon and helium are indeed both inert gasses, each has properties that are more desirable for certain uses and detrimental for other.

The reason helium is used in the breathing mix is to reduce the narcotic effect of nitrogen. At depths past 150' you can become severely impaired by nitrogen narcosis. Unlike how it's described in recreation diving, strong narcosis can completely blur your vision, reduce your cognitive ability, and induce panic and trigger breathing issues. Helium is much less narcotic then nitrogen, and though I've not done this test, it's a proven thing that if you start a deep dive on a narcotic mix like Nitrox then switch to a helium blend its like pulling a curtain aside - all of a sudden everything becomes clearer, sharper, and tasks that seemed impossible a moment before are no longer an issue. (so - removing an oh sh*t from the formula)

BUT - helium has several downsides. It's a tiny molecule that has high thermal conductivity - so not good for suit insulation. And here's the kicker - generally when you mention trimix diving (oxygen / helium / nitrogen blends)  to people they assume diving with helium has something to do with reducing the potential for getting bent. The truth is actually the opposite. Helium likes to dissolve in and out of tissues more easily then other inert gasses, including nitrogen. Running trimix means you absolutely must have stellar buoyancy control and discipline - so not for a beginner tech diver. As a matter of fact, the progression of training runs something like this:

(and keep in mind I have about 4,000 lifetime dives and am a rather good diver (a-hem), yet the higher certifications were incredibly challenging and stressful, as they should be)

- Open Water cert
- Advanced Open Water cert
- Rescue Diver cert
- Basic Nitrox cert - only normoxic (>=21%) or hyperoxic (>40%) mixes, only blends of O2 and N, usually only EAN32 and EAN36 mixes.
(Add in professional level certs in here, like Divemaster, Assistant Instructor, Instructor)
- Advanced Nitrox cert - only normoxic (>=21%) mixes, only blends of O2 and N. No decompression
- Intro to Decompression Procedures - only using nitrox blends as trained above. Depth limited to keep PP O2 no greater then 1.3ATA on bottom. ~170' sea water. This depth would dictate air. However strong narcotic effect at this depth.

Only after this level are you (potentially) ready to move on to trimix.
- Intro to Trimix - only normoxic (>- 21%) mixes with the rest He and N. Depth likewise restricted to ~170' sea water. Negligible narcotic effect.
- Hypoxic Trimix - any percentage of O2 as dictated by profile. Any depth rating. This is the big boy rating and is required for the depths I am diving to at the LNG site.

Moving on from that, there are three levels of rebreather training, MOD1, MOD2, and MOD3 with MOD3 being full trimix (aka, hypoxic trimix). I am MOD2 currently - so when diving rebreathers I am depth restricted. These levels are all specific to a particular rebreather model and have to be redone if you change units. I am MOD1 on the Sentinel, MOD1 on the Prism II, and MOD2 on the rEvo (my current rig).

Returning to Argon, it has great thermal properties so its great for suit insulation, but it is a nasty narcotic and I wouldn't want to breathe on that. It also has much greater density and at greater compressions would end up becoming physically unbreathable. This can actually happen with breathing air at great depths ( >200') - even if you've acclimated your body to not O2 tox. (yes - yet another crazy thing that can happen at extreme depths)

So argon for suit, helium for lungs. (truth be told, you can also cheap out and put air in your suit bottle. Heck, I also have an electrically heated undergarment fed from a honkin big external Li-ion cannister battery.)

And - as a bonus - talking about coldwater diving - in 2018 I arranged ice diving training for some of NEAq's most experienced field divers. It was -20F topside and a balmy 34F in the water. One of my divers is actually a cameraman for "Jonathon Bird's Blue World" so the show ended up doing a piece on the experience. It's not very long and kinda fun to watch...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUGMlmT_tpI

Here's us looking like hostages trying to get out of the wind:
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 12/28/2020 04:10 pm
Why pressurise the drysuit with argon instead of nitrogen would be my question. Also, is there a tight collar that prevents argon from getting up to where one might breathe it inadvertently?

Also one has to wonder how much of this knowledge is transferrable to spacesuits? I'm thinking almost none.
Nitrogen is not easy to come by on its own at a dive shop. You have helium, O2, and air for your ingredients. Assuming and empty tank you calculate the gauge pressure for O2 to get the desired fraction O2, then repeat for helium, and then top with air for the final fill pressure - it's part science and part art to get it right. You then of course analyze both the O2 % and He % and log the fill with the shop for accident analysis and liability assumption (i.e., on the diver not the shop). Hard fast rule - your gas, your analysis. Likewise, you never touch another person's valves.


Think about this - for the dive to the LNG site I am wearing about some 150lbs of gear. At the start of the dive, most of that weight is negative (rather then neutral or buoyant). If you manage to enter the water breathing off the same tank / system that is also filling your Buoyancy Compensating Device, and the valves are shut down, you will probably never be seen again. You can't swim against that much negative weight, you can't inflate your BC, and you can't breathe as you are dragged into the deep. This has happened far to many times. Sigh.


Posting this stuff makes me understand why Amy isn't as supportive about me tech diving as she once was.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: electricdawn on 12/28/2020 04:28 pm
Thank you, John, for these very informative posts. I knew that diving is sort of hard, but I never knew how it's almost a science! Makes you appreciate what divers do.

And how laughable the Hollywood attempts really are. ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 12/28/2020 06:51 pm
 A giant sand shark was captured on video attacking Starship prototype SN9 in Boca Chica, Texas today.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 12/28/2020 08:35 pm
A giant sand shark was captured on video attacking Starship prototype SN9 in Boca Chica, Texas today.

So that's why SpaceX put "fins" on starship ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 12/28/2020 10:38 pm
Johnny is going to know you guys didn't watch his hour and a half long presentation on the Andrea Doria dive -- as he answers the argon (and more!) question in that.

 ;)
I watched it! But I might have been trying to get a glimpse of his wife at the time he covered that.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 12/28/2020 11:04 pm
Honestly, tech diving sounds like a suicide plan that sometimes fails.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 12/28/2020 11:31 pm
Honestly, tech diving sounds like a suicide plan that sometimes fails.
Holy cow - that may just be the best description I’ve ever heard! I mean, no - it’s not funny, but yeah, I see where you’re coming from!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 12/28/2020 11:32 pm
Johnny is going to know you guys didn't watch his hour and a half long presentation on the Andrea Doria dive -- as he answers the argon (and more!) question in that.

 ;)
I watched it! But I might have been trying to get a glimpse of his wife at the time he covered that.
Here you go Lar!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 12/28/2020 11:50 pm
That pose is certainly ... different.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nevyn72 on 12/28/2020 11:52 pm
That pose is certainly ... different.

Is she sitting in an antique electric chair?  :o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 12/29/2020 06:32 pm
Yet not one of them is doing the robot...


https://twitter.com/BostonDynamics/status/1343999009984307202
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 12/29/2020 06:48 pm
That pose is certainly ... different.

Is she sitting in an antique electric chair?  :o

The shocks will continue until morale improves (and she approves Johnny's tech dives) ???
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 12/29/2020 08:49 pm
Just one question, Johnny- what do you do with your wheelbarrow during these dives?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: gaballard on 12/30/2020 06:32 pm
Stumbled back upon Arthur C. Clarke's Three Laws (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarke%27s_three_laws) while stuck in a Wikipedia rabbit hole this morning... I can't help but be reminded of this private space startup with pipe dreams of reusing rockets and flying people:

Quote
1. When a distinguished but elderly scientist states that something is possible, he is almost certainly right. When he states that something is impossible, he is very probably wrong.

2. The only way of discovering the limits of the possible is to venture a little way past them into the impossible.

3. Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.

I think that next time someone casts doubt on whether SpaceX "knows what they're doing" down in Boca Chica, I'll just refer them to Law #2. Although, luckily, those posts are farther and fewer between after the SN8 flight :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nevyn72 on 12/30/2020 09:20 pm
That's it!

With Elon's announcement that they're going to go for a legless Superheavy Booster caught mid air by the launch tower I'm convinced.....

Elon is either from or has seen the future and is trying to re-create what he has seen/knows.

Look at the obsession with flip and propulsive landing, any kind of propulsive landing......
Look at the obsession with shiny silver rockets, even to the point of covering hoppy with effectively 'tinfoil' to get the effect.
Look at the obvious disappointment with having to let go of three landing legs on SS, well at least for the moment.
Now the Superheavy catch?!!!

ALIENS!!!! Aliens I tells ya!  :o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 12/30/2020 09:48 pm
That's it!

With Elon's announcement that they're going to go for a legless Superheavy Booster caught mid air by the launch tower I'm convinced.....

Elon is either from or has seen the future and is trying to re-create what he has seen/knows.

Look at the obsession with flip and propulsive landing, any kind of propulsive landing......
Look at the obsession with shiny silver rockets, even to the point of covering hoppy with effectively 'tinfoil' to get the effect.
Look at the obvious disappointment with having to let go of three landing legs on SS, well at least for the moment.
Now the Superheavy catch?!!!

ALIENS!!!! Aliens I tells ya!  :o
I for one welcome our Galactic Federation overlords...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nevyn72 on 12/30/2020 09:57 pm
The truth will be out soon!

Elon will next announce that they're not going to Mars any more, they're now heading for Pandora and that he is actually a 9 foot tall, flat faced Smurf with a tail and he's just trying to get home......  :-[

Up until now only James Cameron has known......
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nevyn72 on 12/31/2020 06:23 am
8. With each change, experience and commonality with the rest of the SS fleet is lost, impacting safety and cost.

At this point, you may as well redesign the SS into a flying saucer shape and call it a separate ship made from stainless steel with Raptor engines.

This just keeps getting worse!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 12/31/2020 09:05 pm
Ball pit... if I said it once I said it a million times ... ball pit with towers and lots of bungee cords .. there steal my ideas now Elon!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 12/31/2020 09:36 pm
8. With each change, experience and commonality with the rest of the SS fleet is lost, impacting safety and cost.

At this point, you may as well redesign the SS into a flying saucer shape and call it a separate ship made from stainless steel with Raptor engines.

This just keeps getting worse!

A few weeks ago, I proved, here in this thread, that a belly-landing is very doable for Starship. All it takes is for the Raptors to not ignite for the landing flip, and Starship absolutely will land horizontally. It wouldn't be a landing you could walk away from, but it would be a landing.

I also suspect that this is the only form of horizontal landing that Starship will ever be capable of - except, perhaps, on a small asteroid.   

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 12/31/2020 10:00 pm
Happy New Years to all those that make this forum the best source of space info in the world.

Thank you all and best wishes for a super spacey 2021!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 12/31/2020 10:54 pm
Happy new year to my space geek family! Looking forward to moving on from a year where I lost my mom, half my coworkers were laid off, and the Hanzl family suffered financial collapse (hint - I am NOT the breadwinner).

But we all tried to keep our sense of self and of humor...

https://youtu.be/h2ClY9cOE-M
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: leovinus on 01/01/2021 04:26 am
One more Happy New Year from the Eastern USA. Looking forward to more “Crazy Elon’s” and science breakthroughs to facilitate spacecraft exploration. Ad Astra 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: aero on 01/01/2021 03:33 pm
Who remembers, "Space 1999?" Well here it is 22 years later and we still don't have a belly lander. It is now the year 1999 + 22, Happy New Year Everyone.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: gaballard on 01/01/2021 07:23 pm
I was in Monterey, CA the day of SN8's flight... I watched the livestream crouched on the fisherman's wharf while people were unloading crab traps all around me. We stopped to grab some local beers on the way back to LA and I found this extremely appropriate (and highly delicious) specimen... it was a fitting way to celebrate the day!

Cheers everyone, and Happy New Year's!

(Also pictured is a family of sea lions that were hanging out below the wharf just minutes before liftoff. They seemed more interested in wrestling with each other than watching the launch though...)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 01/01/2021 08:05 pm
Okay, so where was I...?

Oh yeah, researchers from NEAq had lost four acoustical popup transducers on the seafloor at 280' at the Northeast Gateway LNG deepwater offloading port and I foolishly said I would get them...

In the spirit of rapid turnaround that SpaceX fans have come to expect, please don't make us wait 50 some days for the next installment.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 01/01/2021 08:20 pm
Who remembers, "Space 1999?" Well here it is 22 years later and we still don't have a belly lander. It is now the year 1999 + 22, Happy New Year Everyone.

Hey, I tried!


Art to Life Entertainment Challenge - Space 1999 Eagle

https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=49006.0


Farewell 2020... (except for SpaceX) you will NOT be missed!

Happy New Year you bunch of Far Out Space Nuts!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 01/02/2021 03:52 pm


(Also pictured is a family of sea lions that were hanging out below the wharf just minutes before liftoff. They seemed more interested in wrestling with each other than watching the launch though...)

Did they by any chance say
 “so long and thanks for all the fish”?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 01/02/2021 03:53 pm
I was in Monterey, CA the day of SN8's flight... I watched the livestream crouched on the fisherman's wharf while people were unloading crab traps all around me. We stopped to grab some local beers on the way back to LA and I found this extremely appropriate (and highly delicious) specimen... it was a fitting way to celebrate the day!

Cheers everyone, and Happy New Year's!

(Also pictured is a family of sea lions that were hanging out below the wharf just minutes before liftoff. They seemed more interested in wrestling with each other than watching the launch though...)
Double like on this post!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 01/03/2021 05:38 pm
I think this is a pretty cool animation but can't really justify putting it elsewhere:

https://twitter.com/Julius_Burton/status/1345436609848684550

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AstroWare on 01/04/2021 04:06 am
No thread deserves to be derailed with this post...

While we are removing landing gear, why stop at rockets? Why not from airliners too? :)

http://www.gabriel-project.eu.slot-consulting.eu/

https://youtu.be/YJ-nQL1EZtY
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 01/04/2021 04:16 am
No thread deserves to be derailed with this post...

While we are removing landing gear, why stop at rockets? Why not from airliners too? :)

http://www.gabriel-project.eu.slot-consulting.eu/

https://youtu.be/YJ-nQL1EZtY
Why don't we give everyone bald tires and just put treads on the road?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 01/04/2021 10:13 am
Quote
SN8's nosecone was crushed this evening. Only the flap was saved ...

https://youtu.be/xZusPjaPpt0

So it is left to us to ask...
    what’s the flap about?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 01/04/2021 03:51 pm
https://twitter.com/newsfromorbit/status/1346123273348771841
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 01/05/2021 12:12 am
Ear-shattering venting from SN9 going on with SpaceX personel still at the pad, not even flinching. ;D
If the sounds of venting hurt your ears, it means that 1) you're not deaf yet, and 2) you're not dead yet.

"You never hear the one that gets you."
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 01/05/2021 06:16 pm
&lt;snip&gt;
tl;dr  You need some serious kit to go diving as deep as the acoustic popups are. (or, I hope, *were*) Super serious... the multiple mixes make space suits seem simple.  Also, even seasoned technical divers can get sea sick... Also the lot of you professional divers are characters[1], some more than others.

1 - characters?  Words... Heck, some of you are whole sentences.
Just the same, I think you should try to treat divers the same way you'd treat normal people.

That's rich, coming from you. Do you even *know* any normal people?
Normal is as normal does... :-P

Hah!  I just moved back to my original hometown of Normal, Illinois.  So, I'm more Normal than all of ya!  :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 01/05/2021 06:33 pm
Hah!  I just moved back to my original hometown of Normal, Illinois.  So, I'm more Normal than all of ya!  :D
My family springs from Bloomington.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 01/05/2021 08:49 pm
&lt;snip&gt;
tl;dr  You need some serious kit to go diving as deep as the acoustic popups are. (or, I hope, *were*) Super serious... the multiple mixes make space suits seem simple.  Also, even seasoned technical divers can get sea sick... Also the lot of you professional divers are characters[1], some more than others.

1 - characters?  Words... Heck, some of you are whole sentences.
Just the same, I think you should try to treat divers the same way you'd treat normal people.

That's rich, coming from you. Do you even *know* any normal people?
Normal is as normal does... :-P

Hah!  I just moved back to my original hometown of Normal, Illinois.  So, I'm more Normal than all of ya!  :D

I grew up in Normal Heights, San Diego.  I don't understand why people get these strange expressions when I tell them that . . .
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: aero on 01/05/2021 09:32 pm
Normal Heights, ...  Well how tall are you? That could explain the strange looks.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 01/05/2021 10:04 pm
This just in - SpaceX has announced that due to the high rate of Starship stacking they will be adding a multi-crane to speed up the process.

https://vimeo.com/447795526?ref=em-share
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 01/06/2021 02:57 pm
This just in - SpaceX has announced that due to the high rate of Starship stacking they will be adding a multi-crane to speed up the process.

It looks like it was designed by a committee.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tgr9898 on 01/06/2021 03:43 pm
This just in - SpaceX has announced that due to the high rate of Starship stacking they will be adding a multi-crane to speed up the process.

It looks like it was designed by a committee.

It's called the Simultaneous Lifting System
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: smisamore on 01/06/2021 03:45 pm
This just in - SpaceX has announced that due to the high rate of Starship stacking they will be adding a multi-crane to speed up the process.

It looks like it was designed by a committee.
Reminds me of the alien "headquarters/aircraft carrier" thingy in Falling Skies... except smaller, and not as kluged together!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: leovinus on 01/06/2021 03:58 pm
I was in Monterey, CA the day of SN8's flight... I watched the livestream crouched on the fisherman's wharf while people were unloading crab traps all around me. We stopped to grab some local beers on the way back to LA and I found this extremely appropriate (and highly delicious) specimen... it was a fitting way to celebrate the day!

Nice find. I also like the attached, space-themed IPA "Forbidden Planet". Anymore space-themed beers out there?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 01/08/2021 04:45 am
https://twitter.com/newsfromorbit/status/1347215634711662596
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 01/08/2021 04:48 am
And in other BREAKING NEWS... (sorry, been watching too much CNN lately)

https://twitter.com/newsfromorbit/status/1343924875216506881
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 01/09/2021 03:26 am
https://twitter.com/arianespaceceo/status/1347153467794718722

"TARANIS" can be seen at the top left. Not funny. :(

Stéphane Israël: D'Oh!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 01/09/2021 04:06 am
And in other BREAKING NEWS... (sorry, been watching too much CNN lately)

https://twitter.com/newsfromorbit/status/1343924875216506881
Blue Origin: too much Gradatim and not enough Ferociter!! :) :'(
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Vettedrmr on 01/09/2021 10:25 am
Okay, so where was I...?

For some reason I stopped getting update notifications on this thread, just wanted to say "thanks" for continuing this story.  As a long-ago recreational diver I can comprehend what you're writing (which is excellent at conveying a stupidly complex activity!).  Can't wait for the next chapter.

Oh, and the 3 $%^& moments?  I had the same approach for my flying.  Several times I accepted moment #1 (flying at night, for example), had #2 happen a few times, but only once did all 3 happen (and declared an emergency and made a safe landing).

Thanks again, and have a good one,
Mike
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/09/2021 07:32 pm
Sounds like the legendary Tunnel Bob of the tunnels of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tunnel_Bob
I have a story. It involves the Big Dig tunnel in Boston, a mountain bike, a concussion, and a very stressed out resident at Mass General hospital at 5:00am...

Finish your last story first dammit
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 01/09/2021 08:31 pm
Sounds like the legendary Tunnel Bob of the tunnels of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tunnel_Bob (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tunnel_Bob)
I have a story. It involves the Big Dig tunnel in Boston, a mountain bike, a concussion, and a very stressed out resident at Mass General hospital at 5:00am...

Finish your last story first dammit
Tomorrow looks like a good day for that!

Oh - which reminds me of a story about Cuba, the discoverer of the world's largest T-Rex, a Kennedy, the Coast Guard coming to the aid of my then wife Celeste, and a smuggled marine archeologist - all wrapped up into an event that culminated in my divorce.

Yes - I am not making this stuff up.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 01/09/2021 08:54 pm
To paraphrase Lewis Carrol: "Tell us a story! Tell us a story with plenty of compressed gasses in it!".
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/09/2021 11:39 pm
... for fairly loose definitions of "paraphrase" :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mandella on 01/09/2021 11:46 pm
Sounds like the legendary Tunnel Bob of the tunnels of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tunnel_Bob (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tunnel_Bob)
I have a story. It involves the Big Dig tunnel in Boston, a mountain bike, a concussion, and a very stressed out resident at Mass General hospital at 5:00am...

Finish your last story first dammit
Tomorrow looks like a good day for that!

Oh - which reminds me of a story about Cuba, the discoverer of the world's largest T-Rex, a Kennedy, the Coast Guard coming to the aid of my then wife Celeste, and a smuggled marine archeologist - all wrapped up into an event that culminated in my divorce.

Yes - I am not making this stuff up.

I assume we're going to have to buy the book for that one?

;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tangilinear Interjar on 01/10/2021 08:10 pm
New here, first post.

A bit confused by all the threads so maybe this isn't the proper place to ask, also didn't want to take all the time to read upthread in case this has already been asked.

So has there been any official word when SN10 will do it's tip test? Will there be a live broadcast of it and are they becoming quicker at the process, they really need to if they want to speed up production. Also maybe the new mystery pad near the trailer park is going to be a dedicated tip test location. INARS but it sure seems like a good idea to me!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 01/10/2021 10:49 pm
SN10:  Nine, I want that flap back without a scratch!

SN9: Trust me 10, I'll take good care of her for you. *surreptitiously sips from a flask*

SN11: I've got a baaaad feeling about this.

SN12: beeWOOOpbeewheeeeeeee!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: aero on 01/10/2021 11:08 pm
New here, first post.

A bit confused by all the threads so maybe this isn't the proper place to ask, also didn't want to take all the time to read upthread in case this has already been asked.

So has there been any official word when SN10 will do it's tip test? Will there be a live broadcast of it and are they becoming quicker at the process, they really need to if they want to speed up production. Also maybe the new mystery pad near the trailer park is going to be a dedicated tip test location. INARS but it sure seems like a good idea to me!

Welcome to the forum.
Good first post. It is ideas like yours that assures me that we will cover all bases on our way to Mars!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 01/11/2021 02:14 am
 Project YGTBFKM is progressing smoothly.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/11/2021 02:20 am
New here, first post.

A bit confused by all the threads so maybe this isn't the proper place to ask, also didn't want to take all the time to read upthread in case this has already been asked.

So has there been any official word when SN10 will do it's tip test? Will there be a live broadcast of it and are they becoming quicker at the process, they really need to if they want to speed up production. Also maybe the new mystery pad near the trailer park is going to be a dedicated tip test location. INARS but it sure seems like a good idea to me!

It's been a while since a first post was HERE rather than some other thread.

Project YGTBFKM is progressing smoothly.

You Got This But Fix Kerbal (that's where I ran out of ideas)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 01/11/2021 02:33 am
You Got This But Fix Kerbal (that's where I ran out of ideas)
Think "The Thing"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Oersted on 01/11/2021 03:37 am
You got to be effing kidding me...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Oersted on 01/11/2021 03:43 am
Wouldn't be referring to "catching Superheavy by the grid fins", would it?

I'm actually tempted to start a "Weird, wacky and wonderful ideas for Starship"-thread in the "Starship for deep space" forum, just to have a waste paper basket for all the crazy ideas that pop up in various threads. Then we can all read that thread and laugh at those ideas... - Until Elon just goes ahead and implements the craziest ones one day!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 01/11/2021 03:34 pm
Wouldn't be referring to "catching Superheavy by the grid fins", would it?

I'm actually tempted to start a "Weird, wacky and wonderful ideas for Starship"-thread in the "Starship for deep space" forum, just to have a waste paper basket for all the crazy ideas that pop up in various threads. Then we can all read that thread and laugh at those ideas... - Until Elon just goes ahead and implements the craziest ones one day!

Ooo Ooo OOO!  Can my nosehook on the flying trapeze idea be first??? :D  8) :P
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 01/11/2021 08:12 pm
So I think it's fair to say after the week we've all had perhaps it's a good time for a distraction. So here's one...

For those who have no idea what this story is all about, you can get the juicy backstory (you glutton you) here:

- Part 1: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2149776#msg2149776 (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2149776#msg2149776)

- Part 2: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2172915#msg2172915 (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2172915#msg2172915)

- Part C: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2173148#msg2173148 (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2173148#msg2173148)

All up to speed? Good - so strap in, its going to get a bit rocky...

7:00am Aug 13th has us rolling out of Gloucester, MA aboard the dive vessel Daybreaker. Aboard is my buddy Michael, NEAq scientist Randi and one of her interns, a safety observer from Excelerate Energy, a safety diver, and Captain Fran and his mate. The skies were overcast and blustery after the front that had just run through and it was rough, even by northeast standards. Too rough in hindsight (are you counting?) but I had rolled the dice and, you know - plan the dive, dive the plan.

About an hour and a half later the Daybreaker met up with our escort, the 124' patrol vessel Gateway Endeavor, at a nondescript patch of grey ocean some 12 NM east of Boston. An hour and a half of getting beat up by the 5 foot plus, tightly stacked, seas while Michael and I turned inward as we mentally ran through the plan - and, speaking for myself, dealt with the usual stomach churning stress that always precedes a big dive.

Meanwhile the little Lophius was battling its way out of Boston Harbor. The small craft advisory most definitely applied to her, but she's a hearty Eastern hull and is used to taking a pounding. Unfortunately the Aquarium's VP of Animal Care, John, didn't fare as well (as I later found out). One particularly aggressive wave sent John, who was at the wheel, airborne, and he struck his head on the hardtop, causing a pretty nasty gash. But he and curator Barb pressed on.

As we waited for the Lophius to arrive on site we started running a search grid using the interrogator to ping the pop-up whose GPS coordinates we had targeted. As Daybreaker continued running passes topside, the pop-up laying some 280’ on the seafloor someplace beneath us continuously reported distance readings between it and us. The numbers steadily ticked off on the interrogator’s display - 400', 390', 380',...,280', 290', 300', 310' - with me feeding Captain Fran course corrections until eventually I was satisfied is was beneath us - or thereabouts - and ordered the dropline to be deployed. But it was basically finding a needle in a haystack.

Okay - sidebar. Dropline. What's that?

When decompression diving, in open water and subject to strong currents, it is absolutely critical you have a vertical line that you descend on, and more importantly, that you decompress along during your painfully slow ascent. Your dropline is literally your lifeline to the surface – you protect it like it's your own child. You lose it and, well, not to be a broken record but you can very well lose your life.

In addition, for this dive, the dropline was our guide to our target - we hoped. The pop-up lay on a featureless bottom, an endless sediment drape that once touched became an impenetrable silt cloud no light can penetrate. Compounding that, at 280' in the northern Atlantic, there is absolutely no light - it's so pitch black its oppressive. There is nothing for reference - no up or down, no left or right - just choking darkness. We needed that line - and my placing it at the right spot - to find the pop-up.

So prior to dive day I had Captain Fran assemble a dropline - my instructions were for a 300' length of 3/8" nylon line, with a turkey ball (a large round float) at one end, and a 50lb mushroom anchor with a rolled-up 80lb a lift bag attached, on the other. Additionally, I had him install an in-line float such that it was 60' "up the line” from the anchor. I had the line cut to 300', rather then the expected 280' depth, to allow for wave action, but this would mean the descent wasn't a straight drop to the bottom.  Hence the in-line float to ensure the last 60' to the bottom was a straight run down.

Therefore, once I was happy with the boat's position, I had the anchor tossed overboard, the line paying out from a tote until the turkey ball unceremoniously followed. There, bobbing in the rather intimidating seas, floated a blue ball that looked so innocent but, unknown to me, represented a really bad dive that I wasn't sure I was going to survive.

-----

To be continued... (I promise I won't draw this out - I'll post in more soon, of course depending on what SN9 does)

Explanation of photos:

- Some of the gear on Michael and I needed on the deck of Daybreaker.

- During the localizing of the pop-up, shouting corrections up to Captain Fran.

- Doing some mental visualizations.

- Michael doing the same.

- The dropline.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/12/2021 11:51 pm
Tech Designed by University Students Could Shine Light on Extreme Lunar Environments:
https://www.nasa.gov/feature/langley/tech-designed-by-university-students-could-shine-light-on-extreme-lunar-environments
https://twitter.com/DrPhiltill/status/1348821202312306690

https://twitter.com/JimBridenstine/status/1346841223252877312
My alma mater!  We're good with cold stuff.   Pics are my fraternity's statues 2011 and 2019
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 01/13/2021 08:29 pm
Us: How will they ever refly Starship in less than a few days?
SpaceX: Watch us test fire this fallen over grain silo three times in an evening.


Edit:
Those people in Boca Chica still won't leave? Get out the boom machine!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 01/13/2021 09:41 pm
Thoughts on 3 concurrent SN9 static fires...

1) Okay, who fed SN9 the beans?

2) Gotta love those impossible to extinguish birthday candles!

3) Uh, isn't a symptom of Covid lower intestinal distress?

4) What?  We were cold...

5) Someone go raid Nomad's freezer for more hot-dogs!

6) Quick, do it again, Mary's still filming!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/14/2021 12:18 am
Thoughts on 3 concurrent SN9 static fires...
Just how many voices you got up in that attic of yours. I never top 4...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 01/14/2021 12:45 am
Thoughts on 3 concurrent SN9 static fires...
Just how many voices you got up in that attic of yours. I never top 4...
We take issues with that sort of comment.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 01/14/2021 12:49 am
Launches from the big chair.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 01/14/2021 01:11 am
Thoughts on 3 concurrent SN9 static fires...
Just how many voices you got up in that attic of yours. I never top 4...

You really... really do not want to know...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 01/14/2021 01:23 am
Thoughts on 3 concurrent SN9 static fires...
Just how many voices you got up in that attic of yours. I never top 4...
Unless. It's. About. Poll. Choices.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 01/14/2021 04:45 am
Thoughts on 3 concurrent SN9 static fires...
Just how many voices you got up in that attic of yours. I never top 4...
You still only get to vote once.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 01/14/2021 03:41 pm
Only in its chaos is the internet entirely uniform.

(Yes, they left chat turned on for a rocket launch stream.  Rookie mistake :P )
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 01/14/2021 03:43 pm
Only in its chaos is the internet entirely uniform.

(Yes, they left chat turned on for a rocket launch stream.  Rookie mistake :P )

THIRD BASE!

Oh wait... Who's on First... ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: gaballard on 01/14/2021 05:13 pm
According to the New Shepard webcast today, Blue Origin calls their engine factory floor the "High Bay".

I'd tend to agree, especially seeing as you'd have to be smoking something to think this room fits that description  ;D

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 01/14/2021 06:34 pm
According to the New Shepard webcast today, Blue Origin calls their engine factory floor the "High Bay".

I'd tend to agree, especially seeing as you'd have to be smoking something to think this room fits that description  ;D

Maybe they actually nicknamed it "Hi, bae!" because they just love each engine so much?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 01/14/2021 09:05 pm
Only in its chaos is the internet entirely uniform.

(Yes, they left chat turned on for a rocket launch stream.  Rookie mistake :P )

THIRD BASE!

Oh wait... Who's on First... ;)

I DON' EVEN KNOW WHAT I'M TALKIN' ABOUT!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nevyn72 on 01/14/2021 10:19 pm
According to the New Shepard webcast today, Blue Origin calls their engine factory floor the "High Bay".

I'd tend to agree, especially seeing as you'd have to be smoking something to think this room fits that description  ;D

I do like the contrast between the Blue factory and the SpaceX version.....  ::)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: toren on 01/14/2021 10:52 pm
The concrete stand has been removed.

 :(

RIP.  That was the start of it all.  Just a base for a water tower, how boring...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/15/2021 04:00 am
Thoughts on 3 concurrent SN9 static fires...
Just how many voices you got up in that attic of yours. I never top 4...
Unless. It's. About. Poll. Choices.

4 voices
42 choices

Now more.
Maybe I should have stopped at 84?

You can never  have too many poll choices?! Right, Oersted???
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/15/2021 04:01 am
Only in its chaos is the internet entirely uniform.

(Yes, they left chat turned on for a rocket launch stream.  Rookie mistake :P )
These are all very very bad people who should have known better...
Don't be like them.
Thanks,
The Management.

(OK stop laughing)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 01/15/2021 04:35 pm
Its Friday and beer o clock here in Sweden so here comes some topical music.

https://twitter.com/kimitalvitie/status/1349077782647730177
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: smisamore on 01/15/2021 05:25 pm
Its Friday and beer o clock here in Sweden so here comes some topical music.

https://twitter.com/kimitalvitie/status/1349077782647730177

Ok...Who gave you access to the Boss Man's test flight planning database???

Or... Could this just be a little seed planting exercise??  ::)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 01/15/2021 05:36 pm
I've been out of the water for over two months after foot surgery. It’s time to get wet (well, in this case, dry, but whatever).

Back story:

- Part 1: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2149776#msg2149776 (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2149776#msg2149776)

- Part 2: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2172915#msg2172915 (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2172915#msg2172915)

- Part C: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2173148#msg2173148 (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2173148#msg2173148)

- Part 3: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2177563#msg2177563 (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2177563#msg2177563)

With the dropline set and, with any luck, somewhere near the pop-up, it was go time. I gathered the team for a final dive plan review before Michael and I kitted up.

In decompression diving everything needs to be timed to the minute, as both gas consumption and deco obligation exponentially raises at such deep working depths. Hence everything needs to be thought of, and rehearsed, prior to the dive - and contingencies need to be built in if the dive goes pear shaped. So the plan is everything.

The plan...

I am lead for the dive with Michael as secondary - so I will run down the line first.

- Drop in the water breathing travel mix and swim to the turkey ball, where we do final gear check.

- Quick descent along the line to 30' where we switch to back gas (bottom mix) and do an S-Drill (360 degree buddy leak check and breathe off backup regulator on the twinset.)

- Four minutes were allotted for the descent from the S Drill point. That's fast but manageable.

- Regroup at the in-line float 60' off the bottom before the final push.

- We only had 14 minutes on the bottom for all activities. At 280' we are breathing our gas supply at a rate of nine times what we would do at the surface.

- Once at the bottom deploy the lift bag attached to the anchor and give it about a 1/3 fill. This is to aid in the retrieval of the dropline after the dive. As the line is pulled up ambient pressure reduces and the bag fills, giving increasing lift to the anchor.

- Michael will attach his strobe to anchor shank.

- I'll attach a specifically set up reel of line (100') to the anchor. This will be our search line for radial patterns around the anchor. Again - pitch black and silt bottom - the dropline is life, never disconnect yourself from the dropline...

- Pay the line out ten feet, do a 360 sweep, pay out another ten feet, repeat. Keep going until either we find the pop-up or we hit 12 minutes of bottom time - at which point it's time to pack it up and get outta Dodge.

- In the eventuality the pop-up is found Michael will attach the lift bag he has in a pouch mounted to one of his deco bottles and shoots the unit to the surface. This bag was brought specifically for this purpose.

Note: We both carry two lift bags each, but these are used for contingencies and are not for the mission.

- Regardless of success we need to be moving up the line after a total of 14 minutes of bottom time.

- From there it's the tedium of running your deco. The water temp at about 38 F and even wearing a heavy snowsuit-style undergarment under your drysuit you begin to get chilled to the bone. This is especially true during deco where you are specifically trying to not exert yourself. Each stop - which for this dive begins at 190' - seems to last an eternity. Not to mention the stops progressively get longer the shallower you get.

- For emergencies / safety, I had a diver on standby, in a drysuit and gear set up, aboard Daybreaker. The Lophius was nearby acting as spotter in the extreme case Michael or I lose the dropline and are swept away in the Atlantic currents. Of course there's the usual O2, First Aid kit, and AED aboard, and all the backup / emergency gear Michael and I always carry.

That's the plan - simple as sell underwear, make money.

Floating there, beside the turkey ball, Daybreaker was really rolling, adding challenge to the already challenging process of getting kitted up. You don't don this gear like you would with recreational scuba gear, rather you have to climb up inside the harness with it still hooked to the boat. The harness is continuous weave - meaning there's no quick disconnects to break. If your harness fails then your entire kit, with all your gas, falls away from your body and it's gone. This has indeed happened to some poor hapless divers who paid for the mistake with their lives (my deco computer, when it boots up, says, "Check your wingnuts you idiot!").  Once in the harness the safety diver (Matt) assists in the rest of the process, including clipping on all the additional deco tanks per your desired config, helping get your gloves on, and stuffing your fins on for you - there's no way you can reach them once in the gear. It takes a village.


The dive...

Entering the water with all this stuff on is more of a (semi) controlled fall. With Matt’s help I stagger up and shuffle to the stern. As Daybreaker settles into a trough I step off the boat...

Meeting at the float Michael and I immediately descend to our planned stop at 30', anxious to get away from the surface swells. Collecting ourselves at the stop I notice my dive computer's backlight is timing out, requiring a button press to light it back up. This can be changed, but when in dive mode it's a little complicated, and I chose to ignore the issue.

Again - are you counting?

The clock was now officially counting and after the S Drills were completed, I flash Michael an OK sign and turn down the line. So began the rapid descent into the darkness. As I let the increasing pressure around me compress the gas in both my drysuit and the dual bladders in my BCD my rate of speed rapidly ticks up. This is the part of the dive that you sort of zen out - you begin an automatic circle of activity. Equalize your ears, add a burst of gas into your BCD, add another slug into your drysuit to equalize against the squeeze as the increasing pressure compresses the gas in your suit, check your depth and time - repeat. All the while the line is whizzing through the circle you make with your thumb and forefinger.

The particulate green murk I started the dive in began deepening into a velvety black. There was absolutely nothing to see save for the white line paying though my fingers. The muted thunder of my exhales my only companion. My primary light is a big cannister light, the battery pack strapped at my right waist, the umbilical running up to the light head I keep clipped to my right shoulder D ring. Its light forms a fairly narrow beam (8 degrees), deliberately soft at the edges and laser sharp in the center for light signaling. Dangling off the D ring, the beam fades into nothingness, save for the white line I'm riding down.

That damn backlight though. I can't see my computer display without tapping a button - and with one hand riding the line (my computer arm) and the other occupied with my circle of activity, I had little bandwidth left for activating the screen. I had lost some situational awareness, and that's not good.

It wasn't long into the descent - perhaps a minute - when I realized my breathing wasn't normal. I was gasping in large jerky breaths and my head was pounding. But beside the backlight issue everything seemed in order. This wasn't good - I was keenly aware of the strict gas limits imposed on the 383 cubic feet of gas I was carrying. This consumption rate wasn't part of the plan. I had to get my breathing under control.

Then a realization hit me with a shock - the line paying through the circle of my fingers was now running against the underside of my forefinger. Meaning - it was no longer running straight down.

A heartbeat later and the line was now horizontal. Another and it was now tugging at my finger, heading up.

UP?!

What was my depth? Where was I in the water column? I had no idea - glancing at my wrist, an action that typically always revealed the crucial statistics of my dive, revealed nothing but a dark chunk of metal.

As I struggled to make sense of this, and to get my runaway breathing under control, thoughts were exploding in my head. What if the dropline had caught on one of the massive mile-long anchor rodes from the STL? Was I about to smash head-first into a massive steel link? Something was terribly wrong.

I jammed the brakes on my head-first descent and grabbed the handle of my light head to signal up to Michael that I was calling the dive. As the glow of his descending form took shape, I steered my light towards the descent line, which now formed a U, my fingers at the bottom of it. Just then understanding dawned clear, as clear as the light that revealed the in-line float hovering some feet above my head.

The dropline had formed a sideways S shape, pulled into this shape by a combination of excess line, the weight of the line, and the float pulling the last section line taught against the anchor. I needed no computer to tell me where I was - I was at 220', just 60' off the bottom.

I dropped the light, transferred to the line below the float and quickly dropped the remaining 60' to the anchor. Feathering my descent, I stopped at a hover just a few feet off the bottom. With a modified frog kick so as to not to disturb the bottom, I pivoted in a slow circle and surveyed my surroundings. Without disturbing the sediment drape the visibility was amazingly good and I could look out at the expanse of grey spreading out from the anchor in every direction. An uninterrupted, featureless expanse - an endless monochromatic desert. 

The clock was counting - how much longer did that descent take? I knew it was way more than four minutes.

I played my light along the bottom, nearly completing the circle.

The clock was counting - where was Michael? I had left him maybe a hundred feet above me.

The light continued its journey. My breathing now back under control.

Featureless grey - depressing grey - nothingness.

Wait - what was that? A flash a red at the edge of my beam. I swung the light back. Red? The pop-up has red floats attached to it... Red!

The pop-up! There - not thirty feet past the anchor lay the unit. Stunning - I had absolutely no faith we'd actually find it and here it was. I could easily grab it.

I left the line, the object of the mission laying right before me. In a few kicks I was there, digging it out of the silt, giddy with excitement.

Then it hit me - I had left the line. The acoustical pop-up in my hands, I was immediately engulfed in an impenetrable cloud of silt.

And I had left the line...

-----

To be continued...

Explanation of photos:

- Pop-up, showing red float.

- Manufacturer for you sleuths.

- Working with Randi setting up Interrogator (but here to show the Weezle drysuit undergarment).

- Me getting into my harness.

- Kitting out.

- More kitting out - also showing my multi-page contingency dive plans.

- Matt clipping in my deco bottles.

- And assisting with gloves.

- Michael going through the same process.

- Michael staggering to the exit.

- Entry...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/16/2021 04:06 am
Wow.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tangilinear Interjar on 01/16/2021 05:33 am
That has to be the least efficient way to earn 38 cent's but you did it, I've bought one of your "e" books.

Edit: does kindle count as a "book"?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 01/16/2021 05:51 pm
That has to be the least efficient way to earn 38 cent's but you did it, I've bought one of your "e" books.

Edit: does kindle count as a "book"?
LOL - hey, these days I'll take every penny I can get. And yes, Kindle Kounts (Registered).


But I gotta say, and no credit to me, but the audiobook version kicks butt!


Hope you enjoy the read.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 01/16/2021 09:50 pm
https://twitter.com/newsfromorbit/status/1350573118528622606
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Eagandale4114 on 01/16/2021 10:14 pm
On a similar note...

https://twitter.com/djsnm/status/1350571141895634945?s=21
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 01/16/2021 10:22 pm
https://twitter.com/newsfromorbit/status/1350573118528622606

https://twitter.com/newsfromorbit/status/1350578793975582722
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: eric_astro on 01/17/2021 03:22 am
 :o Breathless NASA annoucement:

First time 4 SSMEs have been fired together...

forty years after 3 SSMEs had been fired together for the 1st time.
 
WOW! or laughter or tears?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 01/17/2021 06:02 am
What do I see when looking at news sites today? Why, a story on the SLS shutdown, complete with a video clip. I took a screen shot, it's below.

It might not be as clear in the screenshot as seeing the looping video, but, that's a Falcon 9 night launch.

Perhaps, just maybe, they didn't know that a Falcon 9 is not SLS, and day is not night?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 01/17/2021 04:03 pm
Perhaps, just maybe, they didn't know that a Falcon 9 is not SLS, and day is not night?

Well... day may not be night, but s#!t *is* Shinola... :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 01/20/2021 12:17 pm
Falcon 9 booster 1051, I dub thee   HENRY    (the VIII)

why?
because:

I'm Henry the eighth I am,
Henry the eighth I am I am,
I got launched from the Cape once more,
I've been launched seven times before,
And everyone worked perfectly,
We didn't have a failure or a RUD (no RUD),
It's my eight old launch, I'm Henry,
Henry the eighth I am


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GisCRxREDkY (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GisCRxREDkY)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: alang on 01/20/2021 04:17 pm
Fear and Panic may be good Martian names but I can't help feel that Castor and Pollux or Romulus and Remus might inspire a little more confidence.
Maybe it's time for another naming competition:
"Better Luck Next Time"
"I Just Work Here"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: r8ix on 01/21/2021 04:05 am
Is today a new record for abort and recycle attempts? Working on that fast turnaround time, like touch-and-goes, but without the goes…
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/21/2021 04:49 am
Falcon 9 booster 1051, I dub thee   HENRY    (the VIII)

why?
because:

I'm Henry the eighth I am,
Henry the eighth I am I am,
I got launched from the Cape once more,
I've been launched seven times before,
And everyone worked perfectly,
We didn't have a failure or a RUD (no RUD),
It's my eight old launch, I'm Henry,
Henry the eighth I am


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GisCRxREDkY (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GisCRxREDkY)

Well played
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 01/21/2021 05:16 am
Methane is the original Classical Gas.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NE6X4IQNA4&ab_channel=vintagevideoclips

That background gives me a chuckle.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 01/21/2021 05:17 am
 I noticed this going up on the north side of Brownsville today. As many of their batteries as they go through here, I guess it was worth opening a local branch.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 01/21/2021 07:47 pm
Soooo...

First SN9 crouches in the corner of the high bay and tries to hide.

Then it hiccups through three static fires...

THEN it refuses to fire at all...

Now it has prayed to the weather gods and received the gift of fog.


Quite frankly I'm convinced SN8 scared the flight out of it.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 01/21/2021 09:13 pm
We'll also see how many Starlink flights will go before the Crew-2 and SXM-8 launches this spring!

Reminds me of Eastbound and Down:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAG4XXCOj48

(For the non-Americans on the board, Smokey and the Bandit is a classic American film.  For some of its fans, it is not only entertainment: it is a documentary of a desired way of life!  Like Animal House.)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Scylla on 01/21/2021 09:15 pm
Sooooo.......Any thoughts on why SpaceX has a trebuchet at the Starship launch site?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 01/21/2021 09:35 pm
Sooooo.......Any thoughts on why SpaceX has a trebuchet at the Starship launch site?
A leisure activity at the SpaceX Boca Chica employees and guests 24/7 corporate fun-park!

Reference to my post immediately previous: Yes, Diablo sammitches and Dr. Pepper are ON the menu!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9R_yICBdLK8
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 01/22/2021 03:33 pm
Sooooo.......Any thoughts on why SpaceX has a trebuchet at the Starship launch site?

Launch system backup.

The trampoline industry is now in fear.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 01/22/2021 03:39 pm
Sooooo.......Any thoughts on why SpaceX has a trebuchet at the Starship launch site?

Launch system backup.

The trampoline industry is now in fear.

Hey, it's all about getting to your MECO energy gate, right?  Doesn't really matter how you get there.

;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 01/22/2021 03:52 pm
Sooooo.......Any thoughts on why SpaceX has a trebuchet at the Starship launch site?
I believe it’s LabPadre’s.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 01/22/2021 07:50 pm
 I spent two hours following some large tracks I keep seeing that I couldn't recognize and finally found the culprit. No photo naturally.
 We have a Wildebeest living out here.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 01/22/2021 07:54 pm
I spent two hours following some large tracks I keep seeing that I couldn't recognize and finally found the culprit. No photo naturally.
 We have a Wildebeest living out here.
Surely most of the things living out there are wilde beests, no?   ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/22/2021 08:49 pm
Some wilde, some wooley, some both
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 01/22/2021 09:10 pm
I've been out of the water for over two months after foot surgery. It’s time to get wet (well, in this case, dry, but whatever).

Back story:

- Part 1: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2149776#msg2149776 (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2149776#msg2149776)

- Part 2: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2172915#msg2172915 (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2172915#msg2172915)

- Part C: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2173148#msg2173148 (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2173148#msg2173148)

- Part 3: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2177563#msg2177563 (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2177563#msg2177563)

With the dropline set and, with any luck, somewhere near the pop-up, it was go time. I gathered the team for a final dive plan review before Michael and I kitted up.
...

OK  Now you're just trolling for "likes". 
Who could NOT like these?
But finish it out, please.

Best of luck with your recovery.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 01/22/2021 09:17 pm
I've been out of the water for over two months after foot surgery. It’s time to get wet (well, in this case, dry, but whatever).

Back story:

- Part 1: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2149776#msg2149776 (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2149776#msg2149776)

- Part 2: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2172915#msg2172915 (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2172915#msg2172915)

- Part C: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2173148#msg2173148 (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2173148#msg2173148)

- Part 3: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2177563#msg2177563 (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2177563#msg2177563)

With the dropline set and, with any luck, somewhere near the pop-up, it was go time. I gathered the team for a final dive plan review before Michael and I kitted up.
...

OK  Now you're just trolling for "likes". 
Who could NOT like these?
But finish it out, please.

Best of luck with your recovery.

It’s tough fitting it in between all of the SN9 aborts and drilling platforms...

Yesterday was my first dive in almost three months!

And tomorrow...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/23/2021 03:06 am
Cmon, uncle Jonny, STOP holding out on us. Tell us a story
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 01/23/2021 05:03 am
Cmon, uncle Jonny, STOP holding out on us. Tell us a story

You wouldn’t wanna read my type of stories. They’ll immerse you so much that you’ll feel yourself being sucked into a black hole.

Specifically the center of this one letter “O” in the middle of the story.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: guyw on 01/23/2021 01:48 pm
I spent two hours following some large tracks I keep seeing that I couldn't recognize and finally found the culprit. No photo naturally.
 We have a Wildebeest living out here.
So is this something Gnu?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 01/23/2021 04:06 pm
Never mind the engineering hurdles. You’ll need to hire and train marine crew that are far better than has ever sailed a ship before. Lol

Why in particular, what makes this more challenging than your average DP drill rig (not doubting you but asking for more detail... I for one am glad you're here!)

Let me think on this and how to put it into words. I’ve been offshore for most of the last 15years. As a navigator and DPO, I thrilled about what they’re doing and would really love to find a way to get involved and know more (I have no doubt it will be remotely operated for at least part of the evolution and that’s fascinating). As a team leader and manager, that’s a lot of moving parts and heavy machinery to operate all while your gravity is shifting beneath your feet as the vessel moves... semisubmersible are more stable than mono hulls, but they still rock and roll, excellent crane operators that know how to stop a swinging load are going to be critical... never mind if they’re picking that swinging load off another vessel that’s also rocking, probably not in sync with your own vessel. (Remember, if you’re picking a 5000t load off of one vessel, it gets 5000 tons lighter at the same moment yours gets 5000t heavier and they’re still bobbing up and down with sea swells

There are certainly many very specialized vessel that do extremely unique and critical operations, but many of those crews have worked together for years and only have to train one or two new people at a time...

Generally most of your ABs and deck hands are excellent at following directions. But they require a leader that has a plan... these crews will be learning and figuring it out together. Once they get a handle on it, they’ll be indispensable, but it’s going to be a big learning curve with some setbacks along the way.

Concerns overwrought.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 01/23/2021 04:34 pm
Never mind the engineering hurdles. You’ll need to hire and train marine crew that are far better than has ever sailed a ship before. Lol

Why in particular, what makes this more challenging than your average DP drill rig (not doubting you but asking for more detail... I for one am glad you're here!)

There are certainly many very specialized vessel that do extremely unique and critical operations, but many of those crews have worked together for years and only have to train one or two new people at a time...

Concerns overwrought.

No no, Herb has a point.  Clearly, training rig crews is so difficult that it was easier to train a rig crew to be astronauts than the other way around.  And you'll note that SpaceX has not (to our knowledge) made any overtures towards any of the numerous astronauts they've worked with!

SpaceX is more than willing to train Tom Cruise to be an astronaut, but they'll need to hire a rig crew. :P
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 01/24/2021 03:45 am
Right - no launch - so at least I don't have to compete with that. Now if the drill rigs don't swing a davit, or a well head manages not to explode for ten freekin' minutes, perhaps I can keep your attention for a few moments (and possibly peddle a printed / electronic / or spoken book or two, heh heh heh).

But first, the all important...

Back story:

- Part 1: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2149776#msg2149776 (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2149776#msg2149776)

- Part 2: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2172915#msg2172915 (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2172915#msg2172915)

- Part C: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2173148#msg2173148 (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2173148#msg2173148)

- Part 3: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2177563#msg2177563 (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2177563#msg2177563)

- Part 4: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2179010#msg2179010 (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2179010#msg2179010)

Now, where was I? Oh yeah…

...Featureless grey - depressing grey - nothingness.

The pop-up! There - not thirty feet past the anchor lay the unit. Stunning - I had absolutely no faith we'd actually find it and here it was. I could easily grab it.

I left the line, the object of the mission laying right before me. In a few kicks I was there, digging it out of the silt, giddy with excitement.

Then it hit me - I had left the line. The acoustical pop-up in my hands, I was immediately engulfed in an impenetrable cloud of silt.

And I had left the line...

It's amazing really - the surprisingly large number of things that tear through your mind when you realize you've committed a serious error in judgment. Most of my thoughts I won't repeat on this forum, lest I offend the more delicate sensibilities. Suffice it to say, the realization that I'd left the line rushed upon me like a lightning strike to whatever gland it is that dumps adrenaline.

As the silt billowed around me I had the presence of mind to shine my light up - above the raising cloud - and its beam glanced off a thin white line stretching up into the void. The dropline!

Fixing my gaze steadily on that thin line, I took a compass bearing and plunged into the dense cloud. A handful (leg full?) of kicks, and a thunder of heartbeats, and I was back at the anchor - the pop-up still in a death grip.

I did it! This is the stuff news stories are made of.

"Hanzl - Deepest Man of the New England Aquarium - Saves the Day!"

I was panting with the anticipation of my impending fame. Well, perhaps I was panting from the extreme stress, both mental and physical, I was under.

And I was sucking down my precious gas supply.

And the clock was coldly ticking away.

How long had I been down here? My computer was still dark - but I had other things on my mind. Such as...

Where the hell was Michael? He had been only a hundred or so feet up the line. He should have been here by now - should have been here with the lift bag I needed to shoot the pop-up to the surface.

Tic tic… Without looking, I knew… Time was up, more than up. The processes working on my body to diffuse helium and nitrogen into my tissues were merciless, and the penalties were piling up. There would come a point where my deco obligation would become greater than the gas I was carrying, and I knew I was careening towards that cliff.

I had to go UP! Get away from this crushing pressure. But Michael had the lift bag - and he was gone.

Taking a quick mental inventory, my right hand snaked down to the 80 cu ft tank of 80% O2 clipped off to my right shoulder and waist D rings (rich on the right - the lesser % O2 tanks on the left). Stowed under a four inch wide section of inner tube around this tank was my Jon Line  (no, not invented by me). This ten-foot line has a hook-like attachment at one end and is used to clip onto the dropline during decompression stops, allowing you to get off the line itself. This is important because as you ascend to the various decompression stops, the length of the stop increases and can run up to an hour or more at the shallower ones. This means that even though teams diving the same target enter the water at half hour intervals, chances are you will catch up to the team ahead of you, likewise for divers further down the line - all ultimately competing for a hand's width of dropline. One solution, clip on the Jon Line and let the current back you away from the traffic jam.

But I had another purpose for my Jon Line. I clipped it onto the bridle of the pop-up and knotted the other end to the eye on the anchor shank.

Done! Easy peasy - all I had to do now was get out Dodge and run my deco. When we haul the anchor, the pop–up comes along for the ride - lemon squeesy.!

I just had to suffer through what was no doubt going to be an unpleasant deco. And find Michael. I knew I'd catch him at the 30' stop.

I didn't blame him for bailing on the last 100 feet, he may have run into a gear issue or perhaps he’d hit his personal wall. Regardless the reason, tech divers are trained to operate autonomously, as the immutable requirements of deco often dictate it.

Swimming up the line, the inky blackness fully engulfing me, I allowed another thrill of excitement to run through my body. All the stress and effort of getting to this moment was now well worth it.

And to make the sweetness of the moment even greater, I started making out the glow of a light piercing the gloom not far above me. Michael!

Continuing my ascent towards the growing light, my grin grew in proportion. I played my light up towards the glow - watching as it resolved into distinct shapes. A pair of fins merged into a set of bulky drysuited legs, thigh pockets slung outboard. Scanning my light higher, intending to catch Michael's attention so I could flash him an OK sign, my light picked out a quick flash, a gleam of something metallic.

Something hard and reflective.  Something Michael was holding - it was a knife.

A knife?  Why was he holding a kn...

As the question flashed through my mind, the answer flashed into clarity as the line I’d been following, trapped in the circle between my forefinger and thumb - the line that was our lifeline to the surface - as that line abruptly ended, the frayed end slipping through my fingers and disappearing past my fins.

In horror, I shone my light at the wide-eyed face of my buddy. Behind him, flowing over and around the valves of his manifold, glowed the other part of the dropline. I lunged at it, crashing heavily into Michael as my fingers closed around the line in a death grip. I knew the conditions on the surface, knew what it would mean if I lost my grip on the line. It had been cut, but I had it now.

As I backed away from Michael, mentally cursing him for cutting away our lifeline, the full horror of the moment descend on me as I realized I was holding nothing more than a six foot length frayed rope.

We’d been cut free from the surface, some 200? feet above us, some twelve miles offshore, and we were drifting uncontrolled in the cold Atlantic currents.

True fear gripped me as I scrambled to pull my emergency lift bag from the pouch at the small of my back, as I frantically worked at unclipping my 400' primary reel that had become trapped under the two large stage bottles on my left hip.

Struggling in the bulky drysuit, encumbered with all the gear - the lighthead now dangling forgotten from my chest D ring - I wheeled away into the utter darkness. Michael instantly gone. Up and down had lost definition.

A tortured gasp of anguish escaped from around my mouthpiece, almost comical in its high-pitched, helium induced squeak. "We're dead! We're f*cking dead! We just died", I yelled into the void – yelled to myself, to the ocean, to no one in particular.

I hit the button to light up my computer - 190'. A small victory - I was some 90' off the bottom, had eased my gas consumption by several atmospheres, had slowed the rapid ongassing I’d been experiencing while on the bottom.

The machine had taken over, muscle memory blindly assembling reel and bag, readying it for a shot to the surface - in essence creating my own dropline. All the while the mantra continued bubbling into the water, “We’re dead. We’re dead, but we just don’t know it yet…”

It was then that I felt the tips of my fins sink into something – a resistance that wasn’t there a moment ago - and with a groan of despair I realized I was once again on the seafloor.

Alone - with nothing, no buddy, no line, nothing but an empty field of darkness. Alone in a frigid ocean, 280’ beneath a storm-tossed surface, alone with a rapidly depleting gas supply and a body filling with inert gas.

-----

To be continued...

Sorry, no photos to explain.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 01/24/2021 03:45 am
Sooooo.......Any thoughts on why SpaceX has a trebuchet at the Starship launch site?

Making use of McGregor cows?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: russianhalo117 on 01/24/2021 04:01 am
Sooooo.......Any thoughts on why SpaceX has a trebuchet at the Starship launch site?

Making use of McGregor cows?
Sacrificing to the gods as their point to point raptor rapid delivery system is out of service at McGregor.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 01/24/2021 08:21 am
Sooooo.......Any thoughts on why SpaceX has a trebuchet at the Starship launch site?

Anti-Closure Area Trespasser Device. Step in the noose and you should impact about 2 miles past the surf line.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: steveleach on 01/24/2021 09:59 am
Sooooo.......Any thoughts on why SpaceX has a trebuchet at the Starship launch site?

Anti-Closure Area Trespasser Device. Step in the noose and you should impact about 2 miles past the surf line.
I think its an experimental in-flight cargo loading device. No need to perform a risky landing manoeuvre if you can transfer cargo to Starship as it flies overhead.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Rancher on 01/24/2021 02:10 pm
was there a chase aircraft schedule to follow the launch this morning?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 01/24/2021 04:50 pm
was there a chase aircraft schedule to follow the launch this morning?

Not this time. That aircraft’s chasing some random boater from above.

Believe me, that fellow in the water just won’t give up trying to spoil the fun!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 01/24/2021 04:58 pm
Sooooo.......Any thoughts on why SpaceX has a trebuchet at the Starship launch site?

Making use of McGregor cows?
Reminded of the Monty Pyron movie...
” fetchez la vache...”
 “what?”
“Get zee cow!”
https://youtu.be/JQ8jGqdE2iw
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 01/24/2021 05:39 pm
Sooooo.......Any thoughts on why SpaceX has a trebuchet at the Starship launch site?

Making use of McGregor cows?
Reminded of the Monty Pyron movie...
” fetchez la vache...”
 “what?”
“Get zee cow!”
https://youtu.be/JQ8jGqdE2iw
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mandella on 01/24/2021 05:53 pm
...Snip for length..

I have to admit, I was not expecting this to become a spy vs spy story where your dive buddy Michael decides to kill you and leave you and the pop-up (no doubt carrying some damning data that must not be discovered) at the bottom!

 :o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 01/24/2021 06:54 pm
...Snip for length..

I have to admit, I was not expecting this to become a spy vs spy story where your dive buddy Michael decides to kill you and leave you and the pop-up (no doubt carrying some damning data that must not be discovered) at the bottom!

 :o
Well, you know what they say, underwater no one can hear you scream...


(Er, wait, what?$

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 01/24/2021 07:01 pm
...Snip for length..

I have to admit, I was not expecting this to become a spy vs spy story where your dive buddy Michael decides to kill you and leave you and the pop-up (no doubt carrying some damning data that must not be discovered) at the bottom!
 :o
Well, you know what they say, underwater no one can hear you scream...

(Er, wait, what?$
Why can't you just breathe liquid? I know it works because I saw it in a James Cameron movie.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Rancher on 01/25/2021 01:14 am
was there a chase aircraft schedule to follow the launch this morning?

Not this time. That aircraft’s chasing some random boater from above.

Believe me, that fellow in the water just won’t give up trying to spoil the fun!

I mean a high altitude chase aircraft. I watched an aircraft contrail paralleling the launch this morning. It was moving much faster than a typical commercial airliner. Just wondering  if anyone else saw the same thing along the Space Coast.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 01/25/2021 01:14 am
...Snip for length..

I have to admit, I was not expecting this to become a spy vs spy story where your dive buddy Michael decides to kill you and leave you and the pop-up (no doubt carrying some damning data that must not be discovered) at the bottom!
 :o
Well, you know what they say, underwater no one can hear you scream...

(Er, wait, what?$
Why can't you just breath liquid? I know it works because I saw it in a James Cameron movie.
I’ve tried a few times - it kinda sucks... at least when it’s water.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/25/2021 04:12 am
Why can't you just breath liquid? I know it works because I saw it in a James Cameron movie.
I’ve tried a few times - it kinda sucks... at least when it’s water.
Which liquids do not suck when one breathes them in? Asking for a friend.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Welsh Dragon on 01/25/2021 07:33 am
Why can't you just breath liquid? I know it works because I saw it in a James Cameron movie.
I’ve tried a few times - it kinda sucks... at least when it’s water.
Which liquids do not suck when one breathes them in? Asking for a friend.
Perfluorocarbons generally (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquid_breathing)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 01/25/2021 01:03 pm
Why can't you just breath liquid? I know it works because I saw it in a James Cameron movie.
I’ve tried a few times - it kinda sucks... at least when it’s water.
Which liquids do not suck when one breathes them in? Asking for a friend.
Pressurized ones.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cdebuhr on 01/25/2021 01:22 pm
...Snip for length..

I have to admit, I was not expecting this to become a spy vs spy story where your dive buddy Michael decides to kill you and leave you and the pop-up (no doubt carrying some damning data that must not be discovered) at the bottom!
 :o
Well, you know what they say, underwater no one can hear you scream...

(Er, wait, what?$
Why can't you just breath liquid? I know it works because I saw it in a James Cameron movie.
I’ve tried a few times - it kinda sucks... at least when it’s water.
Your just not doin' it right ... amateur.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 01/25/2021 01:23 pm
Why can't you just breath liquid? I know it works because I saw it in a James Cameron movie.
I’ve tried a few times - it kinda sucks... at least when it’s water.
Which liquids do not suck when one breathes them in? Asking for a friend.
Single malts...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 01/25/2021 08:10 pm
Why can't you just breath liquid? I know it works because I saw it in a James Cameron movie.
I’ve tried a few times - it kinda sucks... at least when it’s water.
Which liquids do not suck when one breathes them in? Asking for a friend.
Single malts...
Louis XIII ... kind of evaporated anyways on the way in
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 01/25/2021 09:40 pm
Given the longevity of the falcon 9 first stages I think we have an opportunity to create a rating system for the patina on the returned stage, like fine wines. For example: Falcon 9  1051.8 features mellow toasted points with hints of cinnamon”
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: eric_astro on 01/25/2021 10:36 pm
I'm not their fan, but why can't forum members refer to Blue Origin as "Blue" instead of BO (body odor  :-[) ?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: gaballard on 01/25/2021 10:42 pm
I'm not their fan, but why can't forum members refer to Blue Origin as "Blue" instead of BO (body odor  :-[) ?

Because "BO" is the company's initials... if they didn't want to be called "BO" they should have picked a different name.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 01/25/2021 11:16 pm
I'm not their fan, but why can't forum members refer to Blue Origin as "Blue" instead of BO (body odor  :-[) ?

Have you ever been up close to one of their rockets? Rumor has it that they need deodorant, due to not showering often.  :P
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/26/2021 01:30 am
I'm not their fan, but why can't forum members refer to Blue Origin as "Blue" instead of BO (body odor  :-[) ?

I call them Blue. The alternative is mean spirited. There is plenty to mock about them without initialism...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 01/26/2021 01:52 am
I'm not their fan, but why can't forum members refer to Blue Origin as "Blue" instead of BO (body odor  :-[) ?

And there is the problem.  I'm sure the forum members would be far more responsive to their fans opinions on their preferences than non-fans.  Perhaps you should consider becoming a fan of the forum members so that you can exercise such influence?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/26/2021 02:27 am
I'm not their fan, but why can't forum members refer to Blue Origin as "Blue" instead of BO (body odor  :-[) ?

And there is the problem.  I'm sure the forum members would be far more responsive to their fans opinions on their preferences than non-fans.  Perhaps you should consider becoming a fan of the forum members so that you can exercise such influence?
Maaaybe I already am a fan of SOME forum members. But, you know, restraining orders...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 01/26/2021 09:46 am
I’m just gonna leave this here...

https://twitter.com/fred035schultz/status/1353718039880101896
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 01/26/2021 02:51 pm
I’m just gonna leave this here...
Thanks a lot. All I wanted was a cold beer, and now that's stuck in my head. You're mean.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/27/2021 12:44 am
SN7.2 has been losing frost significantly over the last 30 minutes, indicating that they are now detanking the vehicle.

I know I'm a geek but I can't stop laughing at a test tank being called a "vehicle"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cdebuhr on 01/27/2021 02:26 am
SN7.2 has been losing frost significantly over the last 30 minutes, indicating that they are now detanking the vehicle.

I know I'm a geek but I can't stop laughing at a test tank being called a "vehicle"
Sure it is!  Put it on the back of an SMPT and call it a water truck!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 01/27/2021 03:54 am
Why are kayaks causing launch aborts? How come kayaks don't cause launch aborts in Florida? Why does SpaceX need to close down roads with cops any time they pressurize something?
It's kinda funny how ridiculous this is.

https://youtu.be/uhU7Fgw5PmI
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 01/27/2021 04:08 am
 A wake is a party, right?
 Somebody said they found and measured this guy on the highway shoulder after I left him to die of his injuries. 6'2". You see Eastern Diamond backs that size on rare occasion, but it's world class for a Western model.
 A younger me probably would have rationalized bringing him back for trophies.
 Old me can only think of the indignity of something that magnificent dying on the road, probably because somebody had his mind on something beside the highway. Some people run over them on purpose. I have plans for them when I rule.
 (Damn. Did I type that out loud?)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: smisamore on 01/27/2021 05:06 am
A wake is a party, right?
 Somebody said they found and measured this guy on the highway shoulder after I left him to die of his injuries. 6'2". You see Eastern Diamond backs that size on rare occasion, but it's world class for a Western model.
 A younger me probably would have rationalized bringing him back for trophies.
 Old me can only think of the indignity of something that magnificent dying on the road, probably because somebody had his mind on something beside the highway. Some people run over them on purpose. I have plans for them when I rule.
 (Damn. Did I type that out loud?)

Let me know if you ever need a deputy once you become the "Big Man on Campus". I can be there in under 8 hours (right after the Boss Lady gives me permission to leave).

RIP Big Guy  :'(
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nevyn72 on 01/27/2021 10:53 am
I'll just leave this here.....

RIP Mira Furlan  :-[

https://twitter.com/i/status/1353807333290176513
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 01/28/2021 03:01 pm
I'll just leave this here.....

RIP Mira Furlan  :-[

https://twitter.com/i/status/1353807333290176513

Mantra time!

Ivanova is always right.
You will listen to Ivanova.
Ivanova is God.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Vettedrmr on 01/28/2021 04:02 pm
I'll just leave this here.....

RIP Mira Furlan  :-[

Dang, she was excellent as DeLenn.  What is it about that show?  One of the best Sci-Fi series out there, and it's killed off more characters than the Shadows.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: gaballard on 01/28/2021 04:26 pm
The Starship forum needs a whiplash warning... the emotional rollercoaster never lets up!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 01/28/2021 04:32 pm
Is it just me, or has the SN9 launch become unstuck in time?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rekt1971 on 01/28/2021 04:52 pm
Is it just me, or has the SN9 launch become unstuck in time?

No, it's not just you.  I figure that either SpaceX has hired the biggest yellow-bellied pack of cowards in the country to decide when to fly, or the newly-fired heads of Delta IV Heavy GSE just came in and took over the launch decisions at Boca Chica.

One way or the other, there is no explanation for the BS that is going on.  Certainly not one that anyone has deigned to make public.  Of course, making a string of really bad and/or cowardly decisions isn't something Musk is gonna tweet about, is it... ?

You seem a little unsettled.

Anyway, I don't know how not launching without FAA's approval is cowardly behavior.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mandella on 01/28/2021 05:01 pm
I think the stress of Texas Tank Watching is getting to some folks. I think a reminder that we are watching somebody else's company doing a test program is in order.

They launch when they are ready and when the government is ready. We just watch.

That said I do believe that wenhop? t-shirts are on sale in the Shop if anyone wants to show more appreciation to the NSF team for their steadfast coverage...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ulm_atms on 01/28/2021 05:14 pm
This is not sustainable at this point.

SpaceX is only going(or planning) to increase the amount of tests they perform.  I know the FAA is a government entity and whatnot...but they are only going for a repeat (even lower this time) then the last test that was performed.  I see no reason for this delay by the FAA unless something happened during the last test that the FAA didn't like and the reason is hush hush by everyone involved...or politics....but i'm not going there.  How are they ever going to speed along testing like this if they can't even get a go ahead for a 2nd identical test that basically went perfect except for the last 2-3 seconds?

This may be a party thread...but good place to vent too!!   ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 01/28/2021 05:22 pm
Is it just me, or has the SN9 launch become unstuck in time?

No, it's not just you.  I figure that either SpaceX has hired the biggest yellow-bellied pack of cowards in the country to decide when to fly, or the newly-fired heads of Delta IV Heavy GSE just came in and took over the launch decisions at Boca Chica.

One way or the other, there is no explanation for the BS that is going on.  Certainly not one that anyone has deigned to make public.  Of course, making a string of really bad and/or cowardly decisions isn't something Musk is gonna tweet about, is it... ?

You seem a little unsettled.

Anyway, I don't know how not launching without FAA's approval is cowardly behavior.

They had the FAA approval for Tuesday, so your argument is ad hominin.  My understanding is that SpaceX pulled today's application early this morning, put in a new application, didn't get the approval in time for a same-day flight, and besides decided not to try to land the thing in 25 mph winds.

Sorry, I'm 65 years old and recall when NASA was bold and not an agency that cowered in the corner, refusing to run tests and fly spacecraft, because there was some risk to what they were doing.  I've watched NASA become completely dominated by risk aversion, and cannot understand why I'm seeing SpaceX, who blew holes into their drone ships perfecting booster recovery, is adopting the hand-wringing stance.

Again, I have seen no good reasoning, beyond risk aversion, that both had SpaceX opt for a wind-neutral tanking test over a test flight that was technically and FAA approved, and for which weather was fine, on Tuesday.  The only obvious reason is that someone was fiddling with the flight planning, wanting to avoid any risks, and got themselves painted into a corner by issues so predictable they ought to have been painted on the decision-maker's face in bright orange letters,

I want to see SpaceX progress.  They won't if they suddenly start acting like NASA and ULA.  Or, they'll advance so slowly that they'll not get to Mars until the 2060s.  I really want to see them get to Mars, and I turn 100 in 2055, so I have a strong vested interest in seeing them continue to progress by fast iteration and frequent failure.

This just feels strongly, as they person I responded to noted, that the flight is unstuck in time.  Like we've come to the point where SpaceX doesn't want any more failed tests, period, so the process of iterative testing will now grind to a total halt while the current iteration is worked to death before it's flown.

That's not SpaceX's proven path to success.  And I want to see them succeed before I die.  So, if that makes you feel I'm unwarrantedly unsettled, I guess I don't care.  At all.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 01/28/2021 05:25 pm
Is it just me, or has the SN9 launch become unstuck in time?

Well, at least we cannot run out of time.  There is infinite time.  You are finite.  Zathras is finite.  This is wrong tool.

https://youtu.be/v79fYnuVzdI
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 01/28/2021 05:28 pm
If there is one fictional character I would choose for the old stranded-on-a-desert-island bit, it would be Zathras.  Gotta love the guy!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Kansan52 on 01/28/2021 06:58 pm
I thought the FAA trailblazing was done decades ago with Armadillo Aerospace. Has the FAA lost institutional knowledge.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 01/28/2021 09:36 pm
I love that we get to see as much as we do.  But I grew up pre-internet when we had to go to libraries to get out of date information in a hardcopy.
Yeah. Unrolling those parchment scrolls was really time consuming.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 01/28/2021 10:20 pm
I love that we get to see as much as we do.  But I grew up pre-internet when we had to go to libraries to get out of date information in a hardcopy.
Yeah. Unrolling those parchment scrolls was really time consuming.
An improvement over hefting carven stone tablets.  Ask Moses about the 15 Commandments.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXeTsWGPT0w
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/29/2021 01:23 am

We can all choose how to react to events.  How about just letting these delays build suspense for the actual flight, instead of getting worked up over it?
Are you new around here? LOL

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1354862567680847876

Elon is not happy.  :)

This is off topic for an off topic group :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 01/29/2021 06:07 am
It's a brand-new government program. The Civil Service is being greatly expanded and re-staffed by Vogons. The first test was the FAA, and it has produced immediate results.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vogon
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nevyn72 on 01/29/2021 09:38 am
Moderator:
Unsubstantiated conspiracy theories have no place on NSF,  not even in the New Physics sub-forum.
Thread trim.

Moderator:
The NSF forum is not the place for unsubstantiated conspiracy theory.
Thread trimmed. Again.

Does anyone have a substantial conspiracy theory?  ???
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 01/29/2021 09:41 am
Moderator:
Unsubstantiated conspiracy theories have no place on NSF,  not even in the New Physics sub-forum.
Thread trim.

Moderator:
The NSF forum is not the place for unsubstantiated conspiracy theory.
Thread trimmed. Again.

Does anyone have a substantial conspiracy theory?  ???

The moderators on this forum are conspiring against conspiracy theories but I don't have proof yet because it keeps being deleted!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nevyn72 on 01/29/2021 09:43 am
Moderator:
Unsubstantiated conspiracy theories have no place on NSF,  not even in the New Physics sub-forum.
Thread trim.

Moderator:
The NSF forum is not the place for unsubstantiated conspiracy theory.
Thread trimmed. Again.

Does anyone have a substantial conspiracy theory?  ???

The moderators on this forum are conspiring against conspiracy theories but I don't have proof yet because it keeps being deleted!

NSF-Anon.....  :-\
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: sghill on 01/29/2021 12:33 pm
Come on FAA!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Vettedrmr on 01/29/2021 01:08 pm
Don't minimize the amount of head-bashing FAA went through with Boeing's 737-MAX debacle, and don't think that the impacts on the aviation side don't bleed over to the space side.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/29/2021 05:28 pm
A wake is a party, right?
 Somebody said they found and measured this guy on the highway shoulder after I left him to die of his injuries. 6'2". You see Eastern Diamond backs that size on rare occasion, but it's world class for a Western model.
 A younger me probably would have rationalized bringing him back for trophies.
 Old me can only think of the indignity of something that magnificent dying on the road, probably because somebody had his mind on something beside the highway. Some people run over them on purpose. I have plans for them when I rule.
 (Damn. Did I type that out loud?)

I am gonna miss the Bernie memes...



Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/29/2021 05:30 pm
Moderator:
Unsubstantiated conspiracy theories have no place on NSF,  not even in the New Physics sub-forum.
Thread trim.

Moderator:
The NSF forum is not the place for unsubstantiated conspiracy theory.
Thread trimmed. Again.

Does anyone have a substantial conspiracy theory?  ???

I have PLENTY of substantial[1] conspiracy theories. What I am lacking is substantiated ones. 

1 - some of them go on for thousands and thousands of pages
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 01/29/2021 05:43 pm
I have PLENTY of substantial[1] conspiracy theories. What I am lacking is substantiated ones. 

1 - some of them go on for thousands and thousands of pages

I knew a guy who followed conspiracy theories so religiously, he had multiple transubstantiated ones.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: rsdavis9 on 01/29/2021 06:01 pm
I have PLENTY of substantial[1] conspiracy theories. What I am lacking is substantiated ones. 

1 - some of them go on for thousands and thousands of pages

I knew a guy who followed conspiracy theories so religiously, he had multiple transubstantiated ones.

Remember. Even a conspiracy theorist is right sometimes.
Maybe one out ten.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/29/2021 06:09 pm
Remember. Even a conspiracy theorist is right sometimes.
Maybe one out ten.

Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 01/29/2021 06:30 pm
So... Starship nicknames?

SN-8 - Eight the ground.

SN-9 - Nine! I won't go!

SN-10 - Tentative first step? 
Guess the High Bay is no longer the Ten Hut. 
The longer 9 sticks around the more Tense 10 gets?
Seriously 9, we're on Tenterhooks here!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: leovinus on 01/29/2021 07:23 pm
So... Starship nicknames?

SN-8 - Eight the ground.

SN-9 - Nine! I won't go!

SN-10 - Tentative first step? 
Guess the High Bay is no longer the Ten Hut. 
The longer 9 sticks around the more Tense 10 gets?
Seriously 9, we're on Tenterhooks here!

Alternative:
SN8 - ArthurDentWasWrong (you canNOT miss the ground :) )
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: bstrong on 01/29/2021 08:43 pm
It's so heartwarming to see the family reunited.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tangilinear Interjar on 01/29/2021 09:09 pm
They can't test now! The ships are too close together, I'm sure they are going to bring SN9 back to fix all the mistakes.

The Hoppy camera is totally blocked! Maybe they'll go relocate Hoppy before taking the big crane back to a safe place.

How will they ever test both? I don't think they know that they don't have enough fuel for two Starships!

I sure hope they remembered to take that slope up to the launch pad into consideration, it sure seems like it is going to tip over.

Are they going to wait until SN9 lands to put the engines on SN10?

Won't the communications get confused by having two Starships so close together?

Wud-I-Miss?😂
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ulm_atms on 01/29/2021 11:25 pm
It's a brand-new government program. The Civil Service is being greatly expanded and re-staffed by Vogons. The first test was the FAA, and it has produced immediate results.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vogon

So that is why SN8 flew...it had the answer to the universe/life/everything onboard.  ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 01/30/2021 12:03 am
It's a brand-new government program. The Civil Service is being greatly expanded and re-staffed by Vogons. The first test was the FAA, and it has produced immediate results.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vogon

So that is why SN8 flew...it had the answer to the universe/life/everything onboard.  ;)

Ya know, I saw an article last week about life-like mechanical dolphins...

Why would we need life-like mechanical dolphins?

Something is being hidden.  Have the dolphins all disappeared?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/30/2021 05:07 am
It's a brand-new government program. The Civil Service is being greatly expanded and re-staffed by Vogons. The first test was the FAA, and it has produced immediate results.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vogon

So that is why SN8 flew...it had the answer to the universe/life/everything onboard.  ;)

Ya know, I saw an article last week about life-like mechanical dolphins...

Why would we need life-like mechanical dolphins?

Something is being hidden.  Have the dolphins all disappeared?
Listen, kayak-boy[1], don't go there, or it'll be so long and thanks for all the fish for you....

1 -  I have no idea
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 01/30/2021 07:34 am
I am all about the prospiracies.  The FAA is holding off on the launch because they are insisting that Elon do even cooler stuff with this test.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DJPledger on 01/30/2021 08:22 am
It is time for SpaceX to launch their OccupyFAA! division.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AndyE on 01/30/2021 01:55 pm
"And we're just receiving a response from the FAA..."
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DigitalMan on 01/30/2021 09:31 pm
Maybe time for a little humor?

Perhaps instead of obtaining a launch license from the FAA, SpaceX should get a mining permit from the EPA with intent to mine materials at Boca Chica via Starships dropped from 12km.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DistantTemple on 01/30/2021 10:48 pm
So am I the only one here a little concerned about the proximity of SN10 and where the exhaust gases will be going during a potential SN9 test flight?  ???

Image courtesy of Jack Beyer.
I'm thinking of paving my patio with all the kg class slabs of martyte covered concrete I find 500 feet from the launch stand.
 I'm still not sure what this thing was.
Looks like part of the knee-height fencing they have around the launch mount area? Excess rolled up fencing that was just lying around, maybe.
A cross between a Raptor and a rattle snake, trying to decide if it wants to reproduce in composite, stainless steel, or a new X-alloy. Ok ----> party thread!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 01/31/2021 01:17 am
SpaceX is clearly trying to make the most out of a rare "get two launch licences for the price of one" FAA promotional offer.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 01/31/2021 04:21 pm
Message to the FAA:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZvLFLKsxyM
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 01/31/2021 05:39 pm
Sooooo.......Any thoughts on why SpaceX has a trebuchet at the Starship launch site?

Is to launch a cow across the Atlantic into Toulouse with the hope it will crush the French preparing Ariane 6...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udN0uXf4QrA

"La vache quoi ! Envoyez la vache !"
"The what ?
"The cow !"
"Oh yes !"

MOOOOOOOOOOOWWWW !!!

"Jesus Christ !"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 01/31/2021 06:09 pm
Sooooo.......Any thoughts on why SpaceX has a trebuchet at the Starship launch site?

Is to launch a cow across the Atlantic into Toulouse with the hope it will crush the French preparing Ariane 6...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udN0uXf4QrA

"La vache quoi ! Envoyez la vache !"
"The what ?
"The cow !"
"Oh yes !"

MOOOOOOOOOOOWWWW !!!

"Jesus Christ !"

That plan was cancelled when they couldn't locate a spherical cow. (Which the FAA insisted on because that's what they used in their calculations)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: aero on 01/31/2021 06:52 pm
How now round cow!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: leovinus on 01/31/2021 07:03 pm
I thought COW was yet another new physics device (center of w....)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 01/31/2021 08:51 pm
There were promising tests with the SBPS
(spherical bovine payload simulator)
but there were some problems on integrating regarding texas rocket cows:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxXjsQbCZR8
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 01/31/2021 11:36 pm
Breaking News: The Biden Administration's new Department of Social Justice just announced that it has opened an investigation into SpaceX's Boca Chica operation for "egregious abuse of the Bovine population".  The Department became aware that there was a so-called "trebuchet" set up very near to the SpaceX launch site. Multiple videos and photographs showing catapult-launched cattle were spotted on the known extremist website, NSF.com, which led to the enforcement action. No questions were allowed at the press conference after an Administration Spokesbeing, Dr. Mxtiplucal Awendaslatt, accidentally said what sounded like "It's udderly horrible!", and the room errupted in unauthorized laughter. Dr. Awendaslatt was immediately fired and given an exclusion order from the District of Columbia.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 02/01/2021 05:08 am
 Well, I've been on Medicare for 5 minutes now.
 I thought I'd feel more reckless or something.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 02/01/2021 08:05 am
Congratulations, you beat me by a month! Now you can go play with those rattlesnakes and dodge falling COPVs with confidence!

Or maybe not. I think I can speak for all when I say that we'd appreciate your contributions here enough that we'd rather not have either a snake or a pressure vessel put you out-of-action!

Happy birthday in advance!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 02/01/2021 08:50 am
https://twitter.com/commercial_crew/status/1355230929011281928 (https://twitter.com/commercial_crew/status/1355230929011281928)

Quote
Launch Alert 🚀 @NASA and @SpaceX are targeting no earlier than April 20 for the launch of the second crew rotation mission with astronauts to the @Space_Station.

The Crew-2 mission will lift off from Launch Complex 39A at @NASAKennedy. Learn more: go.nasa.gov/2NRezZz

https://blogs.nasa.gov/commercialcrew/2021/01/29/nasa-spacex-to-launch-second-commercial-crew-rotation-mission-to-international-space-station/ (https://blogs.nasa.gov/commercialcrew/2021/01/29/nasa-spacex-to-launch-second-commercial-crew-rotation-mission-to-international-space-station/)

Dang!! 2 days earlier and we would have made the launch part of the airshow! Guess that also means the ISS won't be in a position to be passing over during the night airshow, like it did in 2018.

Oh well... Maybe I'll stick around and go to the launch afterward.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wudizzle on 02/01/2021 03:12 pm
That new building by hoppy must be where they are building the desalinization plant. Doing some reading and you can get a variety of “small” units that can make say 132,000 GPD up to 600,000 GPD.
Any speculation on how much water they would need per day?

naah   it's a restroom , you can see the plumbing along the side walls for sinks, toilets and urinals
Yes - that's what I was assuming. You can see the vent lines running up from each sink (urinal?) and combining to the common vent.
There are plans from SpaceX over on the launch site thread that clearly label that location as a desalination plant.
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=49086.msg2185524#msg2185524

Why not both? Also making it an ECLSS proving ground.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 02/01/2021 05:48 pm
It seems to me that SpaceX's goal of launching 48 missions this year is becoming less realistic, which steams me.

It's all thanks to Mother Nature. Thank you, ma'am.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 02/01/2021 08:28 pm
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1356348723010396161

It kinda tickles me that they don't even put a description before Elons name anymore. What would it even say? NBC sits down the secret master of space?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: klod on 02/01/2021 08:34 pm
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1356348723010396161

It kinda tickles me that they don't even put a description before Elons name anymore. What would it even say? NBC sits down the secret master of space?
I think that the Meme Lord would be enough even without name.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 02/02/2021 08:09 am
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1356348723010396161

It kinda tickles me that they don't even put a description before Elons name anymore. What would it even say? NBC sits down the secret master of space?
I think that the Meme Lord would be enough even without name.

Join the Dank side.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DJPledger on 02/02/2021 08:32 am
It seems to me that SpaceX's goal of launching 48 missions this year is becoming less realistic, which steams me.

It's all thanks to Mother Nature. Thank you, ma'am.
SpaceX can solve the weather issue by launching and landing in the rain just like commercial airliners. We will never get daily launches in the future if you can't launch in anything less than perfect weather.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Vettedrmr on 02/02/2021 11:04 am
SpaceX can solve the weather issue by launching and landing in the rain just like commercial airliners. We will never get daily launches in the future if you can't launch in anything less than perfect weather.

Apollo 12.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 02/02/2021 03:04 pm
A quick selfie with the FTS safety pin. FTS is GO.

Credit: LabPadre's Launch Pad cam.

Is this really a good idea?

You just armed explosives and now you've pulled out a device built around an electronic transmitter...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 02/02/2021 05:14 pm
Quote from: Chris B
https://twitter.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1356641234551525377 (https://twitter.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1356641234551525377)



Crane be like “You guys out gas too much. Light a match, will ya?”
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 02/02/2021 06:34 pm
ROCKET SUMMER

Ray Bradbury

https://people.kth.se/~trygger/raybradeng.html

That peculiar moment when a landmark sci-fi novel become a daily reality.

Go SN9 !

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfHqbahPKpY
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 02/02/2021 07:36 pm
Damn.

Veni,

Vidi,

But not VICI yet.

Same player shoot again... and tomorrow is another day.

You're next, SN10 ! Hopefully you watched your twin death carefully.

Now you know how NOT trying to land. Just think about it carefully.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Orbiter on 02/02/2021 07:50 pm
SN9 went out exactly as it was born: leaning sideways.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 02/02/2021 07:52 pm
SN9 just couldn't get over it's nerves... In order to stick the landing, it had to stop looking at the ground!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 02/02/2021 07:56 pm
Enter Player 2...


(Alt caption: Poor SN9 was just meant to lean)


Image credit: LabPadre's livestream - and it was an epic view for those final moments.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 02/02/2021 07:57 pm
Less than nominal landing. The FAA is going to be after who ever left that cell phone on.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: rsdavis9 on 02/02/2021 08:02 pm
Did the heat shield tiles survive? :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: abaddon on 02/02/2021 08:17 pm
Did the heat shield tiles survive? :)
Maybe the heat shield simply isn't ready.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 02/02/2021 08:46 pm
Did the heat shield tiles survive? :)
Maybe the heat shield simply isn't ready.
This was actually part of the flight profile - to test the heat shield....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 02/02/2021 09:07 pm
Did the heat shield tiles survive? :)
Maybe the heat shield simply isn't ready.
This was actually part of the flight profile - to test the heat shield....

On SN10?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Retired Downrange on 02/02/2021 09:32 pm
I deleted my unsuccessful attempt to imbed Elon’s Video of F9 RUD’s at landing
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 02/02/2021 09:38 pm
I thought today's outcome was perfect for Groundhog Day... ;D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TY8JbS3xaJ0
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: gaballard on 02/02/2021 10:11 pm
Throwback to that time Starhopper was fully engulfed in a huge fireball.

The bloopers reel we'll get by the end of Starship development is going to be epic  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 02/02/2021 10:44 pm
Enter Player 2...


(Alt caption: Poor SN9 was just meant to lean)


Image credit: LabPadre's livestream - and it was an epic view for those final moments.

I'm not tech savvy enough.  Can someone take the first image of Johnny's post and make a meme that reads the following:

Eyes on the horizon.
Eyes On The Horizon!
EYES ON THE HORIZON!!!

 8) ;D :P
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 02/02/2021 10:48 pm
  My last comment to them this morning was "Don't be too careful. I need more parts for my project."
 I should probably feel guilty.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 02/02/2021 10:49 pm
Ya know...

It would be hilarious if that flap 9 borrowed from 10 were laying under 10's launch mount...

 ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: haywoodfloyd on 02/02/2021 11:10 pm
I imagine that Elon and the rest of the crew are thanking their lucky stars that SN9 wasn't pointing in the other direction when it impacted.
It probably would have taken out SN10 and most of the tank farm.
Unless it was in the flight profile to point away from SN10 and the farm.
I don't think you'll see Raptors installed any time soon in SN10.
They obviously have a lot of work to do to "harden" those babies.
But that is the nature of testing.
Anyone here who was alive in the late 50s and early 60s will remember how difficult it was for NASA to successfully launch a rocket - any rocket.
Rocket science is hard.
But it can also be fun to watch them go Boom.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 02/03/2021 03:10 am
It seems to me that SpaceX's goal of launching 48 missions this year is becoming less realistic

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1356807508975845381
Quote
Now targeting two Falcon 9 launches of Starlink satellites on Thursday, February 4, pending range acceptance and recovery weather conditions. First Falcon 9 launch at 1:19 a.m. EST from SLC-40, followed by another Falcon 9 launch ~4 hours later at 5:36 a.m. EST from LC-39A
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 02/03/2021 03:13 am
Less than nominal landing. The FAA is going to be after who ever left that cell phone on.
You can leave them on, but they have to be in spaceship mode.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 02/03/2021 03:28 am
Starship SN-9: Better luck next time...!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LukyMYp2noo
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 02/03/2021 05:27 am
Damn.

Veni,

Vidi,

But not VICI yet.

Same player shoot again... and tomorrow is another day.

You're next, SN10 ! Hopefully you watched your twin death carefully.

Now you know how NOT trying to land. Just think about it carefully.

Close.
They are up to
Veni,
vidi,
perdidit iterum

Close.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 02/03/2021 07:46 am
A bit gloomy for the party thread but worth a share

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ep8XJanoFgw
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AJW on 02/03/2021 04:20 pm
Elon Musk "Mars Crossing" 2021

One of the most explosive and defining provocations in the artist's oeuvre.  This piece defines the contemporary age of Modern Art, like Hans Haacke's, “MoMA Poll,” 1970 or Mike Kelley's, “The Arenas,” 1990.  The artist's dexterity using poured concrete as the canvas and exploding rockets as medium elicits enormous power using postmodern deconstructionism, through the use of rapid unscheduled disassembly, in order to expose its hidden internal assumptions and contradictions first laid bare by Nietzsche.

(original by RGV Aerial Photography)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 02/03/2021 07:21 pm
I'll just leave this here.....

RIP Mira Furlan  :-[

https://twitter.com/i/status/1353807333290176513

Prescient?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: aero on 02/03/2021 07:33 pm
With both SN8 and SN9 landing like they did, SpaceX should be getting lots of good data on heat shield performance. Has anyone heard?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 02/03/2021 08:07 pm
Elon Musk "Mars Crossing" 2021

One of the most explosive and defining provocations in the artist's oeuvre.  This piece defines the contemporary age of Modern Art, like Hans Haacke's, “MoMA Poll,” 1970 or Mike Kelley's, “The Arenas,” 1990.  The artist's dexterity using poured concrete as the canvas and exploding rockets as medium elicits enormous power using postmodern deconstructionism, through the use of rapid unscheduled disassembly, in order to expose its hidden internal assumptions and contradictions first laid bare by Nietzsche.

(original by RGV Aerial Photography)
Duh....I made a beer cooler.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 02/03/2021 10:18 pm
Elon Musk "Mars Crossing" 2021

One of the most explosive and defining provocations in the artist's oeuvre.  This piece defines the contemporary age of Modern Art, like Hans Haacke's, “MoMA Poll,” 1970 or Mike Kelley's, “The Arenas,” 1990.  The artist's dexterity using poured concrete as the canvas and exploding rockets as medium elicits enormous power using postmodern deconstructionism, through the use of rapid unscheduled disassembly, in order to expose its hidden internal assumptions and contradictions first laid bare by Nietzsche.

(original by RGV Aerial Photography)
Duh....I made a beer cooler.

Considering SpaceX emphasis on reusability, I think reusing tank parts for cryogenic beverage storage is much more "in the spirit". Depending on alcohol content you could even call it "rocket fuel" ;)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 02/03/2021 10:27 pm
Elon Musk "Mars Crossing" 2021

One of the most explosive and defining provocations in the artist's oeuvre.  This piece defines the contemporary age of Modern Art, like Hans Haacke's, “MoMA Poll,” 1970 or Mike Kelley's, “The Arenas,” 1990.  The artist's dexterity using poured concrete as the canvas and exploding rockets as medium elicits enormous power using postmodern deconstructionism, through the use of rapid unscheduled disassembly, in order to expose its hidden internal assumptions and contradictions first laid bare by Nietzsche.

(original by RGV Aerial Photography)

Awesome. I think this would make a great wallpaper design. Only need to turn it into a repeat pattern :)

(original by RGV Aerial Photography)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: webdan on 02/03/2021 10:43 pm
Reminds me of a stereogram

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autostereogram (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autostereogram)

I can't do it... lazy eye ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 02/04/2021 12:55 am
Reminds me of a stereogram

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autostereogram (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autostereogram)

I can't do it... lazy eye ;)

like this?

(Hint: make the image fullscreen. It's a reverse Autostereogram, so you might get optimal results when you squint cross eyed - trying to look into infinity will give you a reversed picture  ) (for me only the cross-eyed/reverse method works reliably, so I had to use that to test)

(Hint2: if you look closely enough, you might spot a secret writing - challenge: can you decypher the text?)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wjbarnett on 02/04/2021 01:54 am
Nice
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: laszlo on 02/04/2021 02:23 am
OK, I can see the floating Starship (very cool) but no writing, no matter how hard I look. Another hint?

Space is hard, concrete is harder.

Fully and rapidly disposable
TM
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 02/04/2021 02:30 am
Reminds me of a stereogram

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autostereogram (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autostereogram)

I can't do it... lazy eye ;)

I had to go to this site before I could see the image in the one that CorvusCorax provided.

@CorvusCorax  The text was more difficult than the image. Was it Mars or Bust?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: smisamore on 02/04/2021 04:30 am
Reminds me of a stereogram

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autostereogram (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autostereogram)

I can't do it... lazy eye ;)

like this?

(Hint: make the image fullscreen. It's a reverse Autostereogram, so you might get optimal results when you squint cross eyed - trying to look into infinity will give you a reversed picture  ) (for me only the cross-eyed/reverse method works reliably, so I had to use that to test)

(Hint2: if you look closely enough, you might spot a secret writing - challenge: can you decypher the text?)

Nice work Brother C!  I've always loved these images!
I'm surprised my 69+ y.o. eyes can still decipher these things (I think my mental age of somewhere around 7 1/2 probably helps). I could see the text when the image "locked" in, but it took me quite awhile to actually get the letters figured out. I don't want to play the spoiler... so I'll just say "that is the name of the game" ;) !!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 02/04/2021 05:47 am
ded.

@CorvusCorax  The text was more difficult than the image. Was it Mars or Bust?

The text is very hard to get, even if you have the image crisp.
What could help is moving your head side-t-side just a bit once you have the object in focus, as the letters are *quite* a bit "closer" than anything else in the image.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 02/04/2021 06:01 am
SpX hired an ex-Orbital ATK telemetry-visualizations programmer?

Oh, nuts... now elected conspiracy nut Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green's going to think SpaceX just accidentally showed off their wildfire-starting space lasers.

Edit/Lar: I LOLed ... but just don't go there. No matter how laughable she is, it's politics to point it out.  But yeah, well played.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 02/04/2021 06:11 am
Elon Musk "Mars Crossing" 2021

One of the most explosive and defining provocations in the artist's oeuvre.  This piece defines the contemporary age of Modern Art, like Hans Haacke's, “MoMA Poll,” 1970 or Mike Kelley's, “The Arenas,” 1990.  The artist's dexterity using poured concrete as the canvas and exploding rockets as medium elicits enormous power using postmodern deconstructionism, through the use of rapid unscheduled disassembly, in order to expose its hidden internal assumptions and contradictions first laid bare by Nietzsche.

(original by RGV Aerial Photography)
I heard the Jeff Koons has already taken the original, painted it blue, and is selling copies for a million dollars each. (inside NYC art joke.)


Excellent joke, AJW.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 02/05/2021 04:21 pm
  I have a text thanking me for my assistance in launching SN9. I guess I should keep that one. Put it on my resume.
 I think they half expected to find this when they came to evict me for the launch.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 02/05/2021 05:58 pm
https://room.eu.com/news/mu-space-to-build-thailands-first-spaceship-in-2021

‘Mu Space' to build Thailand's first spaceship in 2021

In a bid to develop the country’s space industry, the private satellite and space technologies firm ‘mu Space’ has raised funds to build Thailand’s first spaceship and plans to start construction in 2021.

Looking similar in design to SpaceX’s Starship – the huge stainless steel “silo” that Musk hopes will reach Mars one day soon – the ship was unveiled during a soft opening event of the first spaceship factory in Thailand on 25th December, 2020.

The spaceship will be multi-purpose and can be used for ISS resupply, Earth orbit and cis-lunar missions, say the 3-year-old Thai firm.
Where do I send my money?
/dev/null
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/06/2021 12:12 am
Humorously, apparently sometimes the solution actually *IS* as simple as randos on the forums think it is.  ;D

ZOMG don't give them ideas.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/06/2021 12:13 am
https://room.eu.com/news/mu-space-to-build-thailands-first-spaceship-in-2021

‘Mu Space' to build Thailand's first spaceship in 2021

In a bid to develop the country’s space industry, the private satellite and space technologies firm ‘mu Space’ has raised funds to build Thailand’s first spaceship and plans to start construction in 2021.

Looking similar in design to SpaceX’s Starship – the huge stainless steel “silo” that Musk hopes will reach Mars one day soon – the ship was unveiled during a soft opening event of the first spaceship factory in Thailand on 25th December, 2020.

The spaceship will be multi-purpose and can be used for ISS resupply, Earth orbit and cis-lunar missions, say the 3-year-old Thai firm.
Where do I send my money?
/dev/null

What is "ballistic resistance armor"?

from the article:
Quote
It will utilise a new type of ballistic resistance armour in its construction which is currently being tested to assess its ability to withstand damage from fast-speeding space debris. [/quote"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 02/06/2021 12:43 am
(Let's hope IMAP doesn't go POP3)

*scnr, and here I thought this mission was about space based mail delivery ...  thanks, I'll see myself out now ;)*
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nevyn72 on 02/06/2021 01:23 am
What is "ballistic resistance armor"?

It's to protect the prototype from the effluent spewing forth from the promoters of this little errrr..... 'project'  ::)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: laszlo on 02/06/2021 11:16 am
  I have a text thanking me for my assistance in launching SN9. I guess I should keep that one. Put it on my resume.
 I think they half expected to find this when they came to evict me for the launch.

Why would they think you had snowshoes?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 02/06/2021 11:44 am
https://twitter.com/OwenSparks_/status/1357918275221422083
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 02/06/2021 10:23 pm
Not waiting around for ClayJ to take all the glory. There is no meter, only yards.

Dough, the stuff that launches cost.
Ray, the guy that welds the tanks.
Me, the one staying up all night.
FAA, the folks that scrub the launch.
So, we wait for the next date to
La-unch this shiny metal ship
Te-ase me then another slip
That will bring us back to
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/06/2021 10:36 pm
Not waiting around for ClayJ to take all the glory. There is no meter, only yards.

Dough, the stuff that launches cost.
Ray, the guy that welds the tanks.
Me, the one staying up all night.
FAA, the folks that scrub the launch.
So, we wait for the next date to
La-unch this shiny metal ship
Te-ase me then another slip
That will bring us back to

It's a (von) Trapp!!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 02/08/2021 03:59 pm
Not waiting around for ClayJ to take all the glory. There is no meter, only yards.

Dough, the stuff that launches cost.
Ray, the guy that welds the tanks.
Me, the one staying up all night.
FAA, the folks that scrub the launch.
So, we wait for the next date to
La-unch this shiny metal ship
Te-ase me then another slip
That will bring us back to

Well, while launches and entertaining party thread poetry are among My Favorite Things, I'll settle for tipping my hat this time.  I suppose I could've made something about the Starlink launches, what with recently launching Sixteen, Going On Seventeen, but then we skipped right to 18 and threw the numbers all off.  The parade of Starship prototypes and their various methods of departure might merit a So Long, Farewell, but I just never really cared much for that tune.

(I was always more Sound of Silence than Sound of Music, but my parents and five siblings were definitely fans of the latter.  ;D)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wudizzle on 02/08/2021 04:49 pm
The milling time required for the aluminium orthogrid panels the booster is made of makes that impossible. Or they will have to buy a metric shitload of milling machines, which sounds highly improbable.

Anybody know the metric/standard conversion for lots? Having trouble knowing how much excrement we're talking here.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 02/08/2021 04:51 pm
The milling time required for the aluminium orthogrid panels the booster is made of makes that impossible. Or they will have to buy a metric shitload of milling machines, which sounds highly improbable.

Anybody know the metric/standard conversion for lots? Having trouble knowing how much excrement we're talking here.
2.47 to 1.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jon.amos on 02/08/2021 05:11 pm
The milling time required for the aluminium orthogrid panels the booster is made of makes that impossible. Or they will have to buy a metric shitload of milling machines, which sounds highly improbable.

Anybody know the metric/standard conversion for lots? Having trouble knowing how much excrement we're talking here.
2.47 to 1.

Entirely depends on whether its bovine or equine excrement.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: gaballard on 02/08/2021 05:30 pm
Not waiting around for ClayJ to take all the glory. There is no meter, only yards.

Dough, the stuff that launches cost.
Ray, the guy that welds the tanks.
Me, the one staying up all night.
FAA, the folks that scrub the launch.
So, we wait for the next date to
La-unch this shiny metal ship
Te-ase me then another slip
That will bring us back to

Well, while launches and entertaining party thread poetry are among My Favorite Things, I'll settle for tipping my hat this time.  I suppose I could've made something about the Starlink launches, what with recently launching Sixteen, Going On Seventeen, but then we skipped right to 18 and threw the numbers all off.  The parade of Starship prototypes and their various methods of departure might merit a So Long, Farewell, but I just never really cared much for that tune.

(I was always more Sound of Silence than Sound of Music, but my parents and five siblings were definitely fans of the latter.  ;D)

In restless dreams I walked alone
On a planet we still call home
'Neath the halo of a work lamp
I turned my collar to the wind and damp
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a Raptor light
That split the night
And touched the sound... of silence
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 02/08/2021 09:55 pm
Not waiting around for ClayJ to take all the glory. There is no meter, only yards.

Dough, the stuff that launches cost.
Ray, the guy that welds the tanks.
Me, the one staying up all night.
FAA, the folks that scrub the launch.
So, we wait for the next date to
La-unch this shiny metal ship
Te-ase me then another slip
That will bring us back to

Well, while launches and entertaining party thread poetry are among My Favorite Things, I'll settle for tipping my hat this time.  I suppose I could've made something about the Starlink launches, what with recently launching Sixteen, Going On Seventeen, but then we skipped right to 18 and threw the numbers all off.  The parade of Starship prototypes and their various methods of departure might merit a So Long, Farewell, but I just never really cared much for that tune.

(I was always more Sound of Silence than Sound of Music, but my parents and five siblings were definitely fans of the latter.  ;D)

In restless dreams I walked alone
On a planet we still call home
'Neath the halo of a work lamp
I turned my collar to the wind and damp
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a Raptor light
That split the night
And touched the sound... of silence

Can we get a double like button please!?!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 02/09/2021 01:28 am
Not waiting around for ClayJ to take all the glory. There is no meter, only yards.

Dough, the stuff that launches cost.
Ray, the guy that welds the tanks.
Me, the one staying up all night.
FAA, the folks that scrub the launch.
So, we wait for the next date to
La-unch this shiny metal ship
Te-ase me then another slip
That will bring us back to

Well, while launches and entertaining party thread poetry are among My Favorite Things, I'll settle for tipping my hat this time.  I suppose I could've made something about the Starlink launches, what with recently launching Sixteen, Going On Seventeen, but then we skipped right to 18 and threw the numbers all off.  The parade of Starship prototypes and their various methods of departure might merit a So Long, Farewell, but I just never really cared much for that tune.

(I was always more Sound of Silence than Sound of Music, but my parents and five siblings were definitely fans of the latter.  ;D)

In restless dreams I walked alone
On a planet we still call home
'Neath the halo of a work lamp
I turned my collar to the wind and damp
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a Raptor light
That split the night
And touched the sound... of silence

Fools, said I, you do not know,
if you don't light all three, she'll blow,
Hear my words, if one might not spool up
there will be lack of thrust and things go crap,
but SN9 - like silent raindrops fell
bloody hell
echoes of RUD ... then silence...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 02/09/2021 01:49 am
The milling time required for the aluminium orthogrid panels the booster is made of makes that impossible. Or they will have to buy a metric shitload of milling machines, which sounds highly improbable.

Anybody know the metric/standard conversion for lots? Having trouble knowing how much excrement we're talking here.
2.47 to 1.

Entirely depends on whether its bovine or equine excrement.

Clearly it is bovine.  SpaceX does prefer not to outsource. #rocketcows

edit: Oh wait... the original came from a BO thread. Nevermind.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 02/09/2021 01:58 am
The milling time required for the aluminium orthogrid panels the booster is made of makes that impossible. Or they will have to buy a metric shitload of milling machines, which sounds highly improbable.

Anybody know the metric/standard conversion for lots? Having trouble knowing how much excrement we're talking here.
2.47 to 1.

Entirely depends on whether its bovine or equine excrement.

Clearly it is bovine.  SpaceX does prefer not to outsource. #rocketcows

edit: Oh wait... the original came from a BO thread. Nevermind.

Unicorn droppings?  >;>>>
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 02/09/2021 03:59 am
The milling time required for the aluminium orthogrid panels the booster is made of makes that impossible. Or they will have to buy a metric shitload of milling machines, which sounds highly improbable.

Anybody know the metric/standard conversion for lots? Having trouble knowing how much excrement we're talking here.
2.47 to 1.

Is that in natural units?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 02/09/2021 11:29 am
And the people bow and pray
for license by the FAA
that SN10 may go repeat the hop
that Starship now shall ace the belly flop
and the words of the prophet on twitter shall break the dam:

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1336810077555019779

ending .... the age.... of silence...


Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 02/09/2021 12:28 pm
This gives us a complete song:
Edit:

Hello starship, my old friend
I've come to talk with you again
Because a vision softly, creeping
of your sister as she was, leaning
And the vision, that was planted in my brain... still remains
Within the sound of silence


(I was always more Sound of Silence than Sound of Music, but my parents and five siblings were definitely fans of the latter.  ;D)

In restless dreams I walked alone
On a planet we still call home
'Neath the halo of a work lamp
I turned my collar to the wind and damp
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a Raptor light
That split the night
And touched the sound... of silence

Beneath the rocket plume I saw,
10 thousand people maybe more
on youtube everyone has come watching
as the Starship lifts to do her thing
as she rises, she shuts down her raptors one by one
the roar is gone
falling, to the sound... of silence


Fools, said I, you do not know,
if you don't light all three, she'll blow,
Hear my words, if one might not spool up
there will be lack of thrust and things go crap,
but SN9 - like silent rainteardrops fell
bloody hell
echoes of RUD ... then silence...

And the people bow and pray
for license by the FAA
that SN10 may go repeat the hop
that Starship now shall ace the belly flop
and the words of the prophet on twitter shall break the dam:

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1336810077555019779

ending .... the age.... of silence...

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: gaballard on 02/09/2021 05:35 pm
Yes! I think we're about ready to go on tour  ;D

We can do an encore of Neil Young's "After the Gold Rush"... we don't even have to change the lyrics at all:

Quote
Well, I dreamed I saw the silver spaceships flying
In the yellow haze of the sun
There were children crying and colors flying
All around the chosen ones
All in a dream, all in a dream
The loading had begun
Flyin' mother nature's silver seed
To a new home in the sun
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: electricdawn on 02/09/2021 05:51 pm
After reading this I had to start up the rendition of this song by k.d. lang... Beautiful...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 02/09/2021 09:54 pm
Yes! I think we're about ready to go on tour  ;D

We can do an encore of Neil Young's "After the Gold Rush"... we don't even have to change the lyrics at all:

Quote
Well, I dreamed I saw the silver spaceships flying
In the yellow haze of the sun
There were children crying and colors flying
All around the chosen ones
All in a dream, all in a dream
The loading had begun
Flyin' mother nature's silver seed
To a new home in the sun

I like that ambiton, but I was aiming lower - maybe  a music video on youtube. You know, like "launch you up".

Btw I added a draft for the first verse to the post on the other page.

We have enough great visuals from Mary to make the video. Now... where can we get a singer and the karaoke soundtrack...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/10/2021 04:23 am
It's time for a new poll.

you know what to do...

(Roses are Red
Violets are Blue
You better vote for Lar
If you know what's good for you)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/10/2021 04:29 am
PS I voted for myself, obvs.

I expect to get exactly zero votes other than that, don't let me down

(less than 12 hours and already disappointed... someone did! Pikers!)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 02/10/2021 05:03 am
What? No CraigLieb? What kind of poll is this anyway?  I can think of others, but need a minute to recollect.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 02/10/2021 05:13 am
 Everything I say is poetry. You Philistines just don't appreciate it.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 02/10/2021 05:34 am
It's so sad that I can't think of a rhyme for Nomadd.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 02/10/2021 05:46 am
A poll for poet laureate
Of Launch, Land, and Repeat?
It pulled me from my bed just now
Lest I face sure defeat.

Could CorvusCorvax win the row
Or lyrics by TripD?
How then would I best like my crow
If served by vote to me?

Perhaps my biggest challenge, though
Is from gaballard
My loss served roasted golden brown
My future by Maillard

And yet we know who we must choose
His tally never zero
How could we go another way
When mod Lar is our hero?

I would, of course, give Nomadd props
And laud CraigLeib as well
Except that I iambic loathe
Pentameter is hell

With that I'll say the die is cast
Vote in what way you will
I woke and wrote and made my case
Now back to bed I will
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nevyn72 on 02/10/2021 09:25 am
Everything I say is poetry. You Philistines just don't appreciate it.

Maybe we just couldn't hear the music?  ???
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 02/10/2021 10:36 am
What? No CraigLieb? What kind of poll is this anyway?  I can think of others, but need a minute to recollect.

While I appreciate the approbation
as I drink morning’s libation (coffee)
But I find the new poems daunting
To my reputation they are haunting.

I think the others’ are deserving
Such good poetry they are serving
Because it’s really what we’re after
A moments pause...
            relief and laughter
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 02/10/2021 10:39 am
It's so sad that I can't think of a rhyme for Nomadd.

Baaaaadd
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/10/2021 01:21 pm
It's so sad that I can't think of a rhyme for Nomadd.

My fine lad, I think you've been had

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 02/10/2021 01:53 pm
It's so sad that I can't think of a rhyme for Nomadd.

My fine lad, I think you've been had

That we can justly thank him for his work
  A rhyme we need to pair with our Nomadd
As party threads do not well home a jerk
  Sincerity from all here must be had
And yet we needn't feel too very bad
  If solely simple words we choose to play
In efforts spent composing, never sad,
  Cheap verse and meter oft will rule the day
And so I must in sonnet form now say
  (Iambic foot and meter counting five)
That free verse from our Nomadd merits, "Yea"
  (A poet's corner on NSF Live?)
Yet, still, my campaign for Nomadd is light
Since I'd prefer to win, I think, alright?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: leovinus on 02/10/2021 02:04 pm
I sailed the oceans of space
and learned from all the threads
to dream with you
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 02/10/2021 03:05 pm
It's so sad that I can't think of a rhyme for Nomadd.

Really?  That's so bad.
So when is SpaceX placing Mars Home Ads?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: smisamore on 02/10/2021 03:55 pm
It's so sad that I can't think of a rhyme for Nomadd.

Well, here's a very poor attempt  :-\.
I know... It's very Sadd...

We must admit when Nomadd speaks
It's always with great finesse
But what else should we all expect
From a soul who imbibes Guiness.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 02/10/2021 05:01 pm
Iambic pentameter.... let's see....

No pain, no gain, no struggle nor haggle nor crime
is wasted, lost, or deemed too much for rhyme
But greatest bard, as sought from near and far
dictates this rhyme, the answer must be: Lar

you planned for that, didn't you? ;)

but it's not over yet ;)

Alas, not fair, you see he worked so hard,
so someone go please vote for gabbalard ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 02/10/2021 05:43 pm
Hey!  Get a (poetry) room!
Some of us are really waiting for tales of technical dives!
(Or for Johnyhinbos to tells us he has put it in a book....)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 02/10/2021 06:02 pm
I'm a little disappointed that nobody came up with "So bad".

Officially changes name to Nobody. :p
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kdhilliard on 02/10/2021 06:04 pm
Hey!  Get a (poetry) room!
Some of us are really waiting for tales of technical dives!
...

Now it'll be weeks before we get our next episode as Johny works to express it in a series of limericks!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 02/10/2021 06:07 pm
Hey!  Get a (poetry) room!
Some of us are really waiting for tales of technical dives!
...

Now it'll be weeks before we get our next episode as Johny works to express it in a series of limericks!

Rhyme of the Ancient Scubadiver?

Thus I shot the albacore...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wudizzle on 02/10/2021 07:08 pm
PS I voted for myself, obvs.

I expect to get exactly zero votes other than that, don't let me down

(less than 12 hours and already disappointed... someone did! Pikers!)

This is what happens when you make polls not up to NSF standards....you get poor results. (Or so I've been told)

Edit/Lar:

You have been misinformed.

The group was clearly told
not to vote for me even once
pray, if I may be so bold
it's not me that was the dunce.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 02/10/2021 08:01 pm
I've been wondering what's going to happen with SN9, now it's made its first flight.

Will it follow in SN8's footsteps? As far as I know, the only surviving piece of SN8 still in existence was made into a beer cooler by Nomadd. 

So, will this be the case for SN9 as well? Or will it fly again? Or both?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/10/2021 08:23 pm
I've been wondering what's going to happen with SN9, now it's made its first flight.

Will it follow in SN8's footsteps? As far as I know, the only surviving piece of SN8 still in existence was made into a beer cooler by Nomadd. 

So, will this be the case for SN9 as well? Or will it fly again? Or both?

How many beer coolers does one guy require?
Wait, wait, this is Nomadd we're discussing...
The beer cooler requirement is surely higher!
Nomadd.. no mad![1] ... or feel free to begin cussing.

1 - please...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/10/2021 08:35 pm
Hey!  Get a (poetry) room!
Some of us are really waiting for tales of technical dives!
...

Now it'll be weeks before we get our next episode as Johny works to express it in a series of limericks!

There was a diver off Nantucket
Who kept his regulator in a bucket
"but why?" queried his diving buddy.
Replied he: "I hate it getting muddy.."
"Especially just before I have to suck it"

Something like that, except better?


Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/10/2021 09:02 pm
Alas, not fair, you see he worked so hard,
so someone go please vote for gabbalard ;)


The very first vote was gabbalard
Or at least so it appears now[1]
You might not believe it's true
It actually wasn't all that hard
I'll just leave you wondering how
But it was easy enough to do...[2]


1 - and I'm pretty sure no one saved screen shots to prove me wrong
2 - the explanation of how I did it? I'm afraid it would be far too long
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 02/11/2021 01:10 am
 I'm not sure what the new things are yet. Possibilities are park benches, display cabinets, feed trough or an Iron Maiden for those who dare to oppose me. (Composite Maiden?)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 02/11/2021 02:44 am
I dare, someone make the video, please!

Here's the sound track

Edit: PM me if you need the individual voice tracks

Edit: this version is outdated and crap, please listen to the new one instead (further down this thread)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 02/11/2021 04:51 am
 What do you do with a 5x5 foot piece of 1/4" plastic that use to be part of the first full up Starship? (COPV liner)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 02/11/2021 04:54 am
What do you do with a 5x5 foot piece of 1/4" plastic that use to be part of the first full up Starship? (COPV liner)

If it were straight, add deployable legs and have a camping table for your BBQ ;)
But I assume the COPV liner probably isn't, so...  benches to sit on maybe?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 02/11/2021 04:57 am
What do you do with a 5x5 foot piece of 1/4" plastic that use to be part of the first full up Starship? (COPV liner)

Make a scoreboard for all Starship prototype launches and 'landings'. XD
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 02/11/2021 05:01 am
What do you do with a 5x5 foot piece of 1/4" plastic that use to be part of the first full up Starship? (COPV liner)

Make a scoreboard for all Starship prototype launches and 'landings'. XD

once we have a few more options, then petition @Lar to set up a new poll ;)  who knows, maybe by then you got a few more starship parts. As much as I hope for SN10 to succeed ... collect them while you can, I don't think you'll get much-if-anything from orbital re-entry tests ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/11/2021 06:28 am
What do you do with a 5x5 foot piece of 1/4" plastic that use to be part of the first full up Starship? (COPV liner)

Make a scoreboard for all Starship prototype launches and 'landings'. XD

once we have a few more options, then petition @Lar to set up a new poll ;)  who knows, maybe by then you got a few more starship parts. As much as I hope for SN10 to succeed ... collect them while you can, I don't think you'll get much-if-anything from orbital re-entry tests ;)

Johnny Cash had the right idea

https://youtu.be/Hb9F2DT8iEQ

Nomadd, you best be collecting those parts carefully. Some of them won't fit in a lunchbox!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 02/11/2021 01:10 pm
What do you do with a 5x5 foot piece of 1/4" plastic that use to be part of the first full up Starship? (COPV liner)

Color?  (Opaque or Translucent?)
Curved?  (How much?)

If Translucent, rig twinkling Christmas lights on the backside and say you found the front of one of the Starship's Warp Nacelles.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 02/11/2021 02:09 pm
IMHO better version of the song - I fixed the worst not-on-cue-oopsies and added a bit of reverb (that works wonders) - but I refuse to add autotune.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 02/11/2021 02:27 pm
What do you do with a 5x5 foot piece of 1/4" plastic that use to be part of the first full up Starship? (COPV liner)
Color?  (Opaque or Translucent?)
Curved?  (How much?)
If Translucent, rig twinkling Christmas lights on the backside and say you found the front of one of the Starship's Warp Nacelles.
  It sort of sprung inward a little when I made the first long cut and fell out. The composite was a little springy too. Made my half cylinders come out about 1/8" twisted. I'm still working on how I'm going to claim I did that on purpose.
 Slicing a composite tank in half lengthwise isn't as much fun as I thought it would be.
 I haven't been willing to see what would happen if I tried to force the liner flat yet.
 It is translucent.

 I built all the other stuff in those photos too, (fence, sheds, porch and COPV rehabilitation jig) except for that topographically interesting concrete slab.

 I'm considering taping a sign to a complete SN9 tank laying in the field saying "Deliver to (my address that I won't put down even though everybody knows it anyhow)". Always exploring new "pushing my luck" horizons.
 I mean hey, if you're not breaking it, you're not testing hard enough, right?

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 02/11/2021 03:57 pm
What do you do with a 5x5 foot piece of 1/4" plastic that use to be part of the first full up Starship? (COPV liner)
You start building your own starship from collected parts ... may take a really long time particularly if they get good at landing these things.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 02/11/2021 08:11 pm
I'll just drop that here :) 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvebW729Jtw

(HD processing isn't complete yet, yee of low patience - quality will improve when youtube thinks it's ready to do so)

Credits:
   Sound of Silence:
      Original text and melodie: Simon & Garfuncle
      Karaoke Soundtrack: RLucra
      Lyrics: me, gaballard (NSF-Forum)
      Vocals: me
   Videos, Soundtrack:
      Mary (BocaChicaGirl) (NSF)
      Tim (EverydayAstronaut)
      SpaceX
   Editing:
      me

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 02/12/2021 08:46 am
Just yesterday evening, the countdown went to none
SN9 the plans they made didn't end well for you
I woke up this morning and I wrote down this dirge
I Just couldn't help it, I had the urge

Oh, I've seen launches and I've seen scrubs
I've seen landings norminal and in the shrubs
I've seen countdowns go days without a win
But I always thought they'd launch you again

Won't you tweet down to me Elon, I need to understand
Why didn't you just reignite all three
The engines quaking with touchdown at hand
That landing burn didn't look right to me

Oh, I've seen launches and I've seen scrubs
I've seen landings norminal and in the shrubs
I've seen countdowns go days without a win
But I always thought they'd launch you again

Been soothing my head in the party thread, my back turned towards the puns
Lar knows when the poll does close, it will turn your head around
Well, there's hours ahead in the discussion thread to talk about things to come
Sweet dreams and flying machines in pieces on the ground

Oh, I've seen launches and I've seen scrubs
I've seen landings norminal and in the shrubs
I've seen countdowns go days without a win
But I always thought they'd launch you again some how

Thought they'd launch you one more time again
There's just a few pieces to pick up on the landing site now
It should buff right out, ...... amirite
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: aero on 02/12/2021 11:37 pm
Are we still going to have a "Space Force" military branch? I just learned that the aliens have refused to pay for it!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/13/2021 12:18 am
I'll just drop that here :) 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvebW729Jtw

(HD processing isn't complete yet, yee of low patience - quality will improve when youtube thinks it's ready to do so)

Credits:
   Sound of Silence:
      Original text and melodie: Simon & Garfunkel
      Karaoke Soundtrack: RLucra
      Lyrics: me, gaballard (NSF-Forum)
      Vocals: me
   Videos, Soundtrack:
      Mary (BocaChicaGal) (NSF)
      Tim (EverydayAstronaut)
      SpaceX
   Editing:
      me


That's actually really good! I corrected a couple typos in this version of your attributions...  Thanks!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 02/13/2021 03:38 am

That's actually really good! I corrected a couple typos in this version of your attributions...  Thanks!

Oops ;)  well getting that fixed in the actual video credits is gonna be tricky ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 02/13/2021 03:41 am
What do you do with a 5x5 foot piece of 1/4" plastic that use to be part of the first full up Starship? (COPV liner)
Color?  (Opaque or Translucent?)
Curved?  (How much?)
If Translucent, rig twinkling Christmas lights on the backside and say you found the front of one of the Starship's Warp Nacelles.
  It sort of sprung inward a little when I made the first long cut and fell out. The composite was a little springy too. Made my half cylinders come out about 1/8" twisted. I'm still working on how I'm going to claim I did that on purpose.
 Slicing a composite tank in half lengthwise isn't as much fun as I thought it would be.
 I haven't been willing to see what would happen if I tried to force the liner flat yet.
 It is translucent.

 I built all the other stuff in those photos too, (fence, sheds, porch and COPV rehabilitation jig) except for that topographically interesting concrete slab.

 I'm considering taping a sign to a complete SN9 tank laying in the field saying "Deliver to (my address that I won't put down even though everybody knows it anyhow)". Always exploring new "pushing my luck" horizons.
 I mean hey, if you're not breaking it, you're not testing hard enough, right?
Is anyone else a little troubled that Nomadd’s Shed (TM) has upper and lower locks on the OUTSIDE? (Asking for a friend, so please don’t throw me in there...)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 02/13/2021 04:12 am

Is anyone else a little troubled that Nomadd’s Shed (TM) has upper and lower locks on the OUTSIDE? (Asking for a friend, so please don’t throw me in there...)

Deeply troubled. What a lack of security, I would have put at least 5,(3 on the side, one top, one bottom)  and a few more latches for good measure. What if it gets out!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: smisamore on 02/13/2021 04:33 am

Is anyone else a little troubled that Nomadd’s Shed (TM) has upper and lower locks on the OUTSIDE? (Asking for a friend, so please don’t throw me in there...)

Deeply troubled. What a lack of security, I would have put at least 5,(3 on the side, one top, one bottom)  and a few more latches for good measure. What if it gets out!

Really Guys??

Why such sinister thoughts??

This very well could just be for Guinness and Glenlivet storage. Of course, if that was the case, I'd have to agree with Brother C on maybe a little more security. However, being that this is in Texas, the gentlemen probably has some "enhanced security" setting right inside his back door ;).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 02/13/2021 05:31 am

That's actually really good! I corrected a couple typos in this version of your attributions...  Thanks!

Oops ;)  well getting that fixed in the actual video credits is gonna be tricky ;)

That made me LOL. A friend of mine took a beautiful oak burl slab and routered out some text for a 'Restuarant' sign. In his defense, this was BS (Before Spellcheck).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 02/13/2021 02:37 pm

Is anyone else a little troubled that Nomadd’s Shed (TM) has upper and lower locks on the OUTSIDE? (Asking for a friend, so please don’t throw me in there...)

Deeply troubled. What a lack of security, I would have put at least 5,(3 on the side, one top, one bottom)  and a few more latches for good measure. What if it gets out!

Really Guys??
 
Why such sinister thoughts??

This very well could just be for Guinness and Glenlivet storage. Of course, if that was the case, I'd have to agree with Brother C on maybe a little more security. However, being that this is in Texas, the gentlemen probably has some "enhanced security" setting right inside his back door ;).
Latches. One little spring loaded door latch wouldn't last too long in a hurricane. That shed will be there long after they find the house in McAllen.
 At least, that's the official explanation.

 Pay no attention to the missile silo next to it.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 02/13/2021 10:02 pm
Thanks again for the note. I re-uploaded the video with a corrected credits screen

sadly one cannot "fix" already uploaded videos but by uploading a new one (unless you are Apple and have Larry Page's phone number)

This is the only change, so you can of course keep watching the old one. In fact for today, watching the previous version might give you better audio since youtube takes over a day to process and provide the 4k version and defaults to 360p until then (unless you switch the quality manually) - anyway here's the new link :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAOEGT2Yz5c

I'll just drop that here :) 

(HD processing isn't complete yet, yee of low patience - quality will improve when youtube thinks it's ready to do so)

Credits:
   Sound of Silence:
      Original text and melodie: Simon & Garfunkel
      Karaoke Soundtrack: RLucra
      Lyrics: me, gaballard (NSF-Forum)
      Vocals: me
   Videos, Soundtrack:
      Mary (BocaChicaGal) (NSF)
      Tim (EverydayAstronaut)
      SpaceX
   Editing:
      me


That's actually really good! I corrected a couple typos in this version of your attributions...  Thanks!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: leovinus on 02/14/2021 06:51 pm
Thanks again for the note. I re-uploaded the video with a corrected credits screen

sadly one cannot "fix" already uploaded videos but by uploading a new one (unless you are Apple and have Larry Page's phone number)

This is the only change, so you can of course keep watching the old one. In fact for today, watching the previous version might give you better audio since youtube takes over a day to process and provide the 4k version and defaults to 360p until then (unless you switch the quality manually) - anyway here's the new link :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAOEGT2Yz5c

I'll just drop that here :) 

(HD processing isn't complete yet, yee of low patience - quality will improve when youtube thinks it's ready to do so)

Credits:
   Sound of Silence:
      Original text and melodie: Simon & Garfunkel
      Karaoke Soundtrack: RLucra
      Lyrics: me, gaballard (NSF-Forum)
      Vocals: me
   Videos, Soundtrack:
      Mary (BocaChicaGal) (NSF)
      Tim (EverydayAstronaut)
      SpaceX
   Editing:
      me


That's actually really good! I corrected a couple typos in this version of your attributions...  Thanks!

Y'all really outdid yourselves with this. +N likes

PS: For our British members, am I the only one with flashbacks of "Scrapheap challenge" with the task "you have to build a rocket in the next x hours" :) ?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 02/14/2021 07:06 pm

Y'all really outdid yourselves with this. +N likes

PS: For our British members, am I the only one with flashbacks of "Scrapheap challenge" with the task "you have to build a rocket in the next x hours" :) ?

I'm not British, but as far as British shows are concerned with "scrapheap" as keyword, a certain flying Reliant occasionally comes to mind ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJdrlWR-yFM

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: toren on 02/14/2021 09:18 pm
...

PS: For our British members, am I the only one with flashbacks of "Scrapheap challenge" with the task "you have to build a rocket in the next x hours" :) ?

Most of those ran in the colonies on Discovery Channel under the title "Junkyard Wars", including the rocket episode.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 02/14/2021 10:05 pm

I've been wondering what's going to happen with SN9, now it's made its first flight.

Will it follow in SN8's footsteps? As far as I know, the only surviving piece of SN8 still in existence was made into a beer cooler by Nomadd. 

So, will this be the case for SN9 as well? Or will it fly again? Or both?

How many beer coolers does one guy require?
Wait, wait, this is Nomadd we're discussing...
The beer cooler requirement is surely higher!
Nomadd.. no mad![1] ... or feel free to begin cussing.

1 - please...

How many beer coolers does Nomadd require? I think one more would do, if it's the one I suggest below...

I'm not sure what the new things are yet. Possibilities are park benches, display cabinets, feed trough or an Iron Maiden for those who dare to oppose me. (Composite Maiden?)

I think they look great! And BTW, as for your post about the liner, I think it looks like a monolith in the photo. Quite appropriate, really...

I'm a bit concerned about your idea in another post; slapping a "Move to" label on stuff to get SpaceX to deliver it to you. That indeed might be pushing the envelope a bit, so I suggest reserving that for things that would be difficult to move yourself, such as Starhopper (which I've always suspected you'd like to turn into a beer cooler.)

 

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 02/15/2021 04:36 am

I'm a bit concerned about your idea in another post; slapping a "Move to" label on stuff to get SpaceX to deliver it to you. That indeed might be pushing the envelope a bit, so I suggest reserving that for things that would be difficult to move yourself, such as Starhopper (which I've always suspected you'd like to turn into a beer cooler.)

The risk with putting labels like that on things that are, have been, or could - by spacex - with considerable effort be turned into flight hardware*, is that the mode of delivery could be slightly suborbital.

This isn't on its own surprising or a problem. After all both beer-cooler and parkbench-slated COPVs have been delivered on similar suborbital trajectories to their respective pick up points. However if Nomadd were to stick exact "target coordinates" to his home such a mostly ballistic payload, there might be unwanted collateral effects.

Just look at how much extra rebar and concrete SpaceX is pouring on their own landing pad right now, just to compensate for the effects of the last 2 deliveries.

With that in mind, I would highly suggest having it delivered somewhere down the street - or to a neighbor - and then pick the parcel up with a borrowed forklift or similar when you return from evacuation :)

[*] It applies the following hammer-corollary:

1. Everything can be solved with a rocket.
2. Everything can be a rocket (strap enough boosters on)
3. In case of disagreement, see rule #1
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 02/15/2021 05:18 am
  I'm going with display cabinets since they're too skinny for bathtubs.
 The shiny thing on the right is from Hopper. I haven't figured out what to make out of that yet.
 I brought the operation inside because of freezing rain, so I'm stain/polyurethane fume happy tonight.
 Shelves and edge trim to keep people from dismembering themselves on razor sharp composite edges are pending.

 This is going to be a short lived business if they start landing these things intact.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AJW on 02/15/2021 05:57 am

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvebW729Jtw


What the Filk?


https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/filk
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DJPledger on 02/15/2021 09:05 am
If we are ever to have several launches per day then SpaceX and others must design rockets that can launch in weather that is less than perfect. The weather needs to be perfect for F9 to launch or otherwise it is a scrub.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/15/2021 06:35 pm
If we are ever to have several launches per day then SpaceX and others must design rockets that can launch in weather that is less than perfect. The weather needs to be perfect for F9 to launch or otherwise it is a scrub.
Surely you're joking?

(because if this is a serious question, you're off topic!!!!)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/15/2021 07:27 pm
There's been talk of wind, solar and zero point energy generators.

ZPE? where was this talk? I need to have a talk with the talkers...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 02/15/2021 07:37 pm
There's been talk of wind, solar and zero point energy generators.

ZPE? where was this talk? I need to have a talk with the talkers...

It will all come from/to nothing
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 02/15/2021 09:27 pm
There's been talk of wind, solar and zero point energy generators.

ZPE? where was this talk? I need to have a talk with the talkers...

It will all come from/to nothing
The question is, is nothing something?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MrHollifield on 02/15/2021 09:44 pm
According to the commercial, nothing is everything.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: guyw on 02/15/2021 11:06 pm
According to the commercial, nothing is everything.
According to Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull, Nothing is Easy!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: aero on 02/16/2021 01:05 am
According to Garth Nix, "The Keys to the Kingdom," Everything is nothing.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 02/16/2021 01:16 am
According to Pete Townsend:  Nothing is..... everything.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/16/2021 02:24 am
According to Sinead: Nothing Compares 2U

(who knew that she was singing about cubesats all along? I certainly didn't)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 02/16/2021 03:08 am
The booster's gull avoidance software worked perfectly

According to the gulls: Nothing to see here.  Move along.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: yokem55 on 02/16/2021 03:14 am
Time to pour one out for good ol 1059.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jimothytones on 02/16/2021 03:20 am
woah...1059 lifted off for the last time at 10:59...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 02/16/2021 03:23 am
Does SpaceX still produce that many new Falcon 9's?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 02/16/2021 03:24 am
woah...1059 lifted off for the last time at 10:59...

Hmm... booster 1059... launch time 10:59...

While I don't have the full list of all rocket launches, but is it just me, or has there never been even a single successful first stage recovery of any rocket launched at the time corresponding to its serial number?  I'm wondering if we've got another curse developing.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Doesitfloat on 02/16/2021 03:24 am
And the Seagulls have landed....
Wait I thought we were getting a Falcon???
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: russianhalo117 on 02/16/2021 03:26 am
Does SpaceX still produce that many new Falcon 9's?
Something like 10 common boosters for 2021 though schedule can be increased as spare long lead orders are not included in the new booster rollout count.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tomness on 02/16/2021 03:26 am
Does SpaceX still produce that many new Falcon 9's?

Seems like one a year and they have had 6 falcon heavies in the pipeline, and commerical crew boosters with a bunch of upper stages, time to dust off those boosters that haven't reflown.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Stan-1967 on 02/16/2021 03:43 am
Have we ever seen seagulls get roasted on an ASDS landing?  I hear it pairs well with a Yellowtail Merlot.   

On the bright side...seems SpaceX may have avoided some bad PR by not executing three birds via supersonic blow torch injection on their livestream.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: chopsticks on 02/16/2021 04:00 am
I seriously wonder if those birds were messing with droneship/booster telemetry. My assumption is the booster thought it wasn't safe to land on the deck due to unexpected objects in the landing area and thus diverted.

Another possibility is that Falcon realized (via AI) that what was on the droneship was a species it couldn't get along with and decided it wasn't worth the risk.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 02/16/2021 04:23 am
I seriously wonder if those birds were messing with droneship/booster telemetry. My assumption is the booster thought it wasn't safe to land on the deck due to unexpected objects in the landing area and thus diverted.

Another possibility is that Falcon realized (via AI) that what was on the droneship was a species it couldn't get along with and decided it wasn't worth the risk.
Are you saying that seagull in *sub-orbital trajectory hit Merlins near re-entry burn shutdown?

(*most seagulls are sub-orbital due delta-v deficiency)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 02/16/2021 08:38 pm
Though I'm surprised he looks kinda like Frances McDormand, I'm glad Nomadd's movie is finally coming out...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sxCFZ8_d84



Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rocket Science on 02/16/2021 11:52 pm
That reminds me, I haven't listened to "A Flock Of Seagulls" in a while...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcMh6GZoFC8
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 02/17/2021 12:21 am
That reminds me, I haven't listened to "A Flock Of Seagulls" in a while...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcMh6GZoFC8

Wait.... this has music?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Damon Hill on 02/17/2021 06:06 am
I seriously wonder if those birds were messing with droneship/booster telemetry. My assumption is the booster thought it wasn't safe to land on the deck due to unexpected objects in the landing area and thus diverted.

Another possibility is that Falcon realized (via AI) that what was on the droneship was a species it couldn't get along with and decided it wasn't worth the risk.
Are you saying that seagull in *sub-orbital trajectory hit Merlins near re-entry burn shutdown?

(*most seagulls are sub-orbital due delta-v deficiency)

Except of course Jonathan Livingston Seagull, who is Transcendent.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 02/18/2021 01:59 am
I'm happy but very concerned about reports that the dishy requires 100W.  If that's continuous 24/7/365 I'll be signing off quickly.  Does anyone have any deeper info on power consumption?

To put that in perspective, that is roughly 72 kwh a month, depending on your rates $10-$15 a month. Significantly more than most routers,  but 10% of the service costs. All internet burns electrons that you have to pay for.

Also, no one says you cannot turn it off when not home or sleeping.

He'll hook it up to his Clapper
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/18/2021 03:47 am
I rarely pimp things here. Heck, I don't even pimp my LEGO store. But I must pimp this. If you are on Twitter, please retweet. Heck,  @ Elon if you think it'll help.

https://twitter.com/considercosmos/status/1362196265161916419

MaryLiz is a very fitting 4th astro.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 02/18/2021 04:20 am
According to Pete Townsend:  Nothing is..... everything.
And according to Billie Preston
“ Nothin' from nothin' leaves nothin' “
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=G_DV54ddNHE (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=G_DV54ddNHE)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: edzieba on 02/18/2021 12:35 pm
There's been talk of wind, solar and zero point energy generators.

ZPE? where was this talk? I need to have a talk with the talkers...
Presumably the ZPE is to power the Stargate:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJhjcFxh69M
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 02/18/2021 03:42 pm
There's been talk of wind, solar and zero point energy generators.
ZPE? where was this talk? I need to have a talk with the talkers...
Presumably the ZPE is to power the Stargate:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJhjcFxh69M

 It's probably just coincidence that's next to the Spacecraft Tracking and Astronomical Research into Gigahertz Astrophysical Transient Emission facility.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mark_m on 02/18/2021 11:23 pm
According to Pete Townsend:  Nothing is..... everything.
And according to Billie Preston
“ Nothin' from nothin' leaves nothin' “
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=G_DV54ddNHE (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=G_DV54ddNHE)
If you're gonna bring up Billy Preston, I've gotta bring up his "Outa Space"!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuJVleNkJj0 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuJVleNkJj0)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/19/2021 12:05 am
I just love this tweet so much!

https://twitter.com/tweetsoutloud/status/1362509237075668993
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 02/19/2021 02:16 am
I just love this tweet so much!

https://twitter.com/tweetsoutloud/status/1362509237075668993
Blue Origin would have delivered it for free if it cost more than $25.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 02/19/2021 02:45 am
I just love this tweet so much!

https://twitter.com/tweetsoutloud/status/1362509237075668993
If that was Amazon, then the text would have been accompanied with this proof of delivery photo...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 02/21/2021 05:27 am
https://twitter.com/TommyWiseau/status/1363329993980268549
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 02/21/2021 05:33 am
 So many turtles.....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 02/21/2021 06:02 am
I COULD make a joke about "turtle soup", but that would be mocking turtles...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 02/21/2021 06:10 am
Why do I always end up standing in a cloud of humor dust? *cough* *cough*
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 02/21/2021 11:08 pm
 Twenty or so mostly young volunteers wrangled around 1500 turtles in two 10 or 11 hours shifts. Only two old men and a couple of young ladies lasted the whole 21 hour operation. The count was a little guesswork. For some reason, they didn't want to release the final numbers.
 Too bad there wasn't time to get some hotshot diver from Boston out there.
 Funny thing is, it was a ship that I'd lived on in my last job. The comms room was just about as I'd left it.
 If you can't make it to Disney World, I'd recommend moving turtles up to 150 pounds who really don't want to be picked up. It's fun and educational.
 (A few were over 300 pounds, but they had a Walmart handcart that could go horizontal, or draggable $7 plastic kiddie pools for them. A real high tech operation)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: SteveU on 02/22/2021 12:02 am
...

 If you can't make it to Disney World, I'd recommend moving turtles up to 150 pounds who really don't want to be picked up. It's fun and educational.
I’ll bet a lot more rewarding too!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 02/22/2021 12:32 am
...

 If you can't make it to Disney World, I'd recommend moving turtles up to 150 pounds who really don't want to be picked up. It's fun and educational.
I’ll bet a lot more rewarding too!
The biggest one who took half an hour to extract from where he'd wedged himself under a crane ladder rewarded me with a bite.  I'm waiting to see if I turn into a wereturtle now.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Kansan52 on 02/22/2021 03:24 am
Wouldn't that be "Mutant Turtle"? Obviously not Teenage.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wudizzle on 02/22/2021 04:41 am
Wouldn't that be "Mutant Turtle"? Obviously not Teenage.

Perhaps teenage in turtle years.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 02/22/2021 04:09 pm
Twenty or so young volunteers wrangled around 1500 turtles in two 10 or 11 hours shifts. Only two old men and a couple of young ladies lasted the whole 21 hour operation. The count was a little guesswork. For some reason, they didn't want to release the final numbers.
 Too bad there wasn't time to get some hotshot diver from Boston out there.
 Funny thing is, it was a ship that I'd lived on in my last job. The comms room was just about as I'd left it.
 If you can't make it to Disney World, I'd recommend moving turtles up to 150 pounds who really don't want to be picked up. It's fun and educational.
 (A few were over 300 pounds, but they had a Walmart handcart that could go horizontal, or draggable $7 plastic kiddie pools for them. A real high tech operation)
Just wanted to tip my hat to you Nomadd on the great work you and the rest of the vol team did with these cold stunned turtles. The mortality rate sounds really low and no doubt it was in large part due to how quickly they were rounded up and kept warm. Pneumonia is the big killer for cold stunned turtles and it looks like that bullet was dodged.

I will say I have a LOT of large turtle wrangling experience and would have loved to have been down there helping out, though it seems to have been well in hand.

Also, you already are a wereturtle - because I'm sure you were wandering all around the deck saying, "Where turtle? Where that damn turtle got to? "
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 02/22/2021 04:19 pm

Just wanted to tip my hat to you Nomadd on the great work you and the rest of the vol team did with these cold stunned turtles. The mortality rate sounds really low and no doubt it was in large part due to how quickly they were rounded up and kept warm. Pneumonia is the big killer for cold stunned turtles and it looks like that bullet was dodged.

I will say I have a LOT of large turtle wrangling experience and would have loved to have been down there helping out, though it seems to have been well in hand.

Also, you already are a wereturtle - because I'm sure you were wandering all around the deck saying, "Where turtle? Where that damn turtle got to? "

 Actually, cold stunned turtles are the easy part. Picking one up after he's warm is a whole different level of fun.
 The beach has been seeing major Moon jellyfish carpeting lately. I'm wondering if that's why so many turtles were that close to shore when the cold hit.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/23/2021 03:20 am
If that was Amazon, then the text would have been accompanied with this proof of delivery photo...

Are you saying Amazon drivers fake their delivery photos???  perish the thought!!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/23/2021 03:20 am
They actually have both changed their mind...again. Forbes and Bloomberg now agree that Elon is second place. Some kerfuffle over bitcoin holdings and valuation and cars they promise vaporizing from the online configurator.

You realize that Tesla is a volatile stock with wild swings in both directions, right? It dropped about 10% in the last day. As a consequence Musk’s wealth varies in similar fashion.

Two weeks from now it may jump by 20%. Doesn’t really change the bigger picture.

While true, that interferes with ncb1397's ability to find negative things to say about Musk/SpaceX ... So knock it off!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 02/23/2021 04:26 am
I'm goin to Marsyland!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4czjS9h4Fpg&feature=emb_logo&ab_channel=NASA
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 02/23/2021 10:06 am
I'm goin to Marsyland!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4czjS9h4Fpg&feature=emb_logo&ab_channel=NASA

What a Trip :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: gaballard on 02/23/2021 04:37 pm
 :o

I can't believe my agent and publicist didn't tell me I was nominated for poet laureate!

j/k

This is what I get for not checking in on the party for a few weeks. I'm stoked to be on the poll :) I do feel like another lyrical verse may be in order. I need to help my flagging ratings!

P.S. CorvusCorax, I LOVE that you actually made a video for Sound of Silence!! I might have to ping you for the raw tracks and add some harmonies!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 02/23/2021 04:44 pm
:o

I can't believe my agent and publicist didn't tell me I was nominated for poet laureate!

j/k

This is what I get for not checking in on the party for a few weeks. I'm stoked to be on the poll :) I do feel like another lyrical verse may be in order. I need to help my flagging ratings!

P.S. CorvusCorax, I LOVE that you actually made a video for Sound of Silence!! I might have to ping you for the raw tracks and add some harmonies!
I wouldn't get too worked up. I mean, Lar is up there too. How exclusive could it be?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 02/23/2021 04:55 pm
I don't want to get involved in the discussion about waiting for images to be released from Perseverance so this might be a better venue. Is there anyone else like me, somebody of a certain age, who thinks "waiting" for 72 hours sounds like people who get impatient with a microwave oven or overnight delivery? In days of yore we might get an image in the newspaper and then wait weeks or months for National Geographic or Scientific American to publish the good stuff. And that was it. Waiting a day or two for truly amazing images delivered to my shirt pocket just doesn't seem like too much to ask. Am I just becoming an actual old man who finds instant gratification to be something for wimps?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 02/23/2021 06:23 pm
I don't want to get involved in the discussion about waiting for images to be released from Perseverance so this might be a better venue. Is there anyone else like me, somebody of a certain age, who things "waiting" for 72 hours sounds like people who get impatient with a microwave oven or overnight delivery? In days of yore we might get an image in the newspaper and then wait weeks or months for National Geographic or Scientific American to publish the good stuff. And that was it. Waiting a day or two for truly amazing images delivered to my shirt pocket just doesn't seem like too much to ask. Am I just becoming an actual old man who finds instant gratification to be something for wimps?
I'm sure that if you had a child born and the hospital said "We'll tell you all about it in a few days when the paperwork is complete" you'd be fine with it. If you don't think that's comparable to people who have dreamed of things like this spacecraft and what it's doing since they were six years old, you haven't met many of them.
 By any chance, do you not understand why people want windows on manned spacecraft when they could just use a video screen?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 02/23/2021 08:17 pm
I don't want to get involved in the discussion about waiting for images to be released from Perseverance so this might be a better venue. Is there anyone else like me, somebody of a certain age, who things "waiting" for 72 hours sounds like people who get impatient with a microwave oven or overnight delivery? In days of yore we might get an image in the newspaper and then wait weeks or months for National Geographic or Scientific American to publish the good stuff. And that was it. Waiting a day or two for truly amazing images delivered to my shirt pocket just doesn't seem like too much to ask. Am I just becoming an actual old man who finds instant gratification to be something for wimps?
I'm sure that if you had a child born and the hospital said "We'll tell you all about it in a few days when the paperwork is complete" you'd be fine with it. If you don't think that's comparable to people who have dreamed of things like this spacecraft and what it's doing since they were six years old, you haven't met many of them.
 By any chance, do you not understand why people want windows on manned spacecraft when they could just use a video screen?

Good point about the kid and yes, I'd prefer windows for certain, but I'm quite used to waiting for things to happen in our area of interest. I'd want to see the kid when it was born but I'd be willing to wait for it's first words. Actually the kid is now 21 and I'm still waiting on a lot of things. Anyhow, I get being a little impatient I just don't understand the need to invoke taxpayer status and conspiracy theories in such a brief amount of time. There's a relative torrent of current information available on everything now. It was so different back in a day I'm sure you remember. 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 02/23/2021 11:51 pm
I don't want to get involved in the discussion about waiting for images to be released from Perseverance so this might be a better venue. Is there anyone else like me, somebody of a certain age, who things "waiting" for 72 hours sounds like people who get impatient with a microwave oven or overnight delivery? In days of yore we might get an image in the newspaper and then wait weeks or months for National Geographic or Scientific American to publish the good stuff. And that was it. Waiting a day or two for truly amazing images delivered to my shirt pocket just doesn't seem like too much to ask. Am I just becoming an actual old man who finds instant gratification to be something for wimps?
I'm sure that if you had a child born and the hospital said "We'll tell you all about it in a few days when the paperwork is complete" you'd be fine with it. If you don't think that's comparable to people who have dreamed of things like this spacecraft and what it's doing since they were six years old, you haven't met many of them.
 By any chance, do you not understand why people want windows on manned spacecraft when they could just use a video screen?
Heh, we *used to* wait until the child was born before we found out whether it was a girl or a boy. Now people burn down forests in "gender reveal" stunts.

OK back to spaceflight - I remember being massively impressed that the live broadcasts from the Montreal Olympics were interrupted for a minute of slow line-by-line picture building, live from Viking on Mars. Thrilling stuff, at the time.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 02/24/2021 08:02 am
 I just noticed I've been annoying Bergin for 15 years now. I joined when I was in the Gulf of Mexico on the last Katrina job. It seems funny somehow that it was the damaged Mars platform. And I was on the same boat that took the turtles home just before that.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 02/24/2021 11:26 am
I just noticed I've been annoying Bergin for 15 years now. I joined when I was in the Gulf of Mexico on the last Katrina job. It seems funny somehow that it was the damaged Mars platform. And I was on the same boat that took the turtles home just before that.
So you’re saying you’re heading towards a convergence - a singularity if you will.

I’ll just be slowly backing away to safety...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 02/24/2021 06:35 pm

P.S. CorvusCorax, I LOVE that you actually made a video for Sound of Silence!! I might have to ping you for the raw tracks and add some harmonies!

feel free to DM me, I can send them your way (just have to figure out how)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kdhilliard on 02/26/2021 05:32 am
From the Blue Origin General Discussion Thread:
So if they did a hop from LC-36, where would it land? [...] Rent LZ-1 from SpaceX?
I'd bet that if Blue could bring themselves to ask, SpaceX would allow it.  Elon has always said he's in favor of a competitive space industry - here's a chance to put his money where his mouth is.   And technically, it looks fine.  The landing pad is only about kilometer away from LC-36, and SpaceX only needs both pads for FH missions, which have long gaps between them.   ...

"LZ-1?  Sure!  One dollar, you have to fix it if you break it, and first you have to meet me in the LC-39A flame duct and let me record you dancing while wearing a unicorn hat."

(With apologies to Danielle Corsetto (https://i.pinimg.com/originals/4b/ab/6e/4bab6e45890c8fe624c38c6c68dd6089.jpg).)

Edited to suggest a more subtle conversation:

"Hey Elon."
"Hey Jeff."
"So, have you considered our request to use LZ-1?"
"Yeah, sure.  In the spirit of advancing reusable launch systems, we'd be happy to let you use it for one dollar ... plus additional considerations."
"That great!  But wait ... what additional considerations?"
"Hmm.  Come walk with me down to the pad."
"OK.  Huh, what's that monstrosity?  A crocheted, deflated Portuguese man o' war?"
"Hmm.  You do know how to dance, don't you?"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 02/27/2021 07:52 pm
Quote
What a Trip :D

Yup.  The unfortunate moniker rears it's trippy head.  A short origin story.  Trip as in poker vernacular, trip kings = 3 kings.  Then visually.  Trip as in travel or movement as it's own dimension.  I considered chunking this user name a long long road ago.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 02/28/2021 04:12 pm
Quote
What a Trip :D

Yup.  The unfortunate moniker rears it's trippy head.  A short origin story.  Trip as in poker vernacular, trip kings = 3 kings.  Then visually.  Trip as in travel or movement as it's own dimension.  I considered chunking this user name a long long road ago.

Well the joke was bad, but the mars landing was awesome. I just reproduced that in kerbal space program for shits and giggles :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 03/01/2021 02:10 pm
I used to regularly invoke some spiritual backup for each Spacex launch but stopped as I felt it no longer necessary. I'm beginning to wonder about L17 ever getting of the ground without some intervention on behalf of The Almighty, Rocket Gods, Seminole Medicine Men, Cousin Goober, and the healing tongue of my dog Ann Margaret. Therefore, on this exceptional occasion, I will invoke the best vibes of all the aforementioned so we can continue human progress and making Elon five times wealthier than Jeff Bezos.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 03/01/2021 09:41 pm
I used to regularly invoke some spiritual backup for each Spacex launch but stopped as I felt it no longer necessary. I'm beginning to wonder about L17 ever getting of the ground without some intervention on behalf of The Almighty, Rocket Gods, Seminole Medicine Men, Cousin Goober, and the healing tongue of my dog Ann Margaret. Therefore, on this exceptional occasion, I will invoke the best vibes of all the aforementioned so we can continue human progress and making Elon five times wealthier than Jeff Bezos.

Let's just hope they get it to go before the switchover to v1.5 sats. That would be too embarrassing for the payload.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 03/02/2021 01:22 am
 You know, when I retired 6 1/2 years ago, someone asked me what I'd be doing with my time.
 My first thought was, going to town to buy a case of Busch beer to pay a Mexican fisherman for a basket of fish to feed a dozen or so cats belonging to an old Marine who lived on the river where I hang out to watch interplanetary spaceships launch, that I make display cabinets and beer coolers out of when they blow up.

 What are the odds?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 03/02/2021 02:16 am
You know, when I retired 6 1/2 years ago, someone asked me what I'd be doing with my time.
 My first thought was, going to town to buy a case of Busch beer to pay a Mexican fisherman for a basket of fish to feed the dozen or so cats belonging to the old Marine who lives on the river where I hang out to watch the interplanetary spaceships, that I make display cabinets and beer coolers out of when they blow up, launch.

 What are the odds?
You just described the opening paragraph of my new sci fi novel, “The Roughnecks of Olympus Mons - Book 1: The Dirtside Electrician, Handy Andy”
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 03/02/2021 05:40 am
"Handy stood in the doorway of his scrap materials shack, Faux-Guinness in one meaty hand and peered through the dusty dome glass as pieces of what would be his new bookshelf rained down on his well-field, back-dropped by the billowing cloud from the spaceport. "That's the second one this month!" he growled, and spat."
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 03/02/2021 09:36 am
You know, when I retired 6 1/2 years ago, someone asked me what I'd be doing with my time.
 My first thought was, going to town to buy a case of Busch beer to pay a Mexican fisherman for a basket of fish to feed the dozen or so cats belonging to the old Marine who lives on the river where I hang out to watch the interplanetary spaceships, that I make display cabinets and beer coolers out of when they blow up, launch.

 What are the odds?

Do we need to get you a Jawa costume?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 03/02/2021 11:05 am
...

 If you can't make it to Disney World, I'd recommend moving turtles up to 150 pounds who really don't want to be picked up. It's fun and educational.
I’ll bet a lot more rewarding too!
The biggest one who took half an hour to extract from where he'd wedged himself under a crane ladder rewarded me with a bite.  I'm waiting to see if I turn into a wereturtle now.


Nomad, are you a Turtle?



 ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 03/02/2021 11:28 am
...

 If you can't make it to Disney World, I'd recommend moving turtles up to 150 pounds who really don't want to be picked up. It's fun and educational.
I’ll bet a lot more rewarding too!
The biggest one who took half an hour to extract from where he'd wedged himself under a crane ladder rewarded me with a bite.  I'm waiting to see if I turn into a wereturtle now.


Nomad, are you a Turtle?



 ;)

Last full moon was on Feb 27 and the next one is March 28 ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 03/02/2021 01:38 pm
"Handy stood in the doorway of his scrap materials shack, Faux-Guinness in one meaty hand and peered through the dusty dome glass as pieces of what would be his new bookshelf rained down on his well-field, back-dropped by the billowing cloud from the spaceport. "That's the second one this month!" he growled, and spat."
We need to crowd source this novel...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 03/02/2021 01:47 pm
"Handy stood in the doorway of his scrap materials shack, Faux-Guinness in one meaty hand and peered through the dusty dome glass as pieces of what would be his new bookshelf rained down on his well-field, back-dropped by the billowing cloud from the spaceport. "That's the second one this month!" he growled, and spat."
We need to crowd source this novel...

Tried that once over on Twisting the Hellmouth.  Word of advice.  If you take this idea on seriously, make sure you keep control over what actually gets added... otherwise someone with their own ideas will crush the dream and write out everyone else's interest.  Still, 'Code Ragnarok' was fun for quite a bit.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 03/02/2021 03:21 pm
...

 If you can't make it to Disney World, I'd recommend moving turtles up to 150 pounds who really don't want to be picked up. It's fun and educational.
I’ll bet a lot more rewarding too!
The biggest one who took half an hour to extract from where he'd wedged himself under a crane ladder rewarded me with a bite.  I'm waiting to see if I turn into a wereturtle now.
Nomad, are you a Turtle?
 ;)
Not since I was a rookie grunt in Korea.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 03/02/2021 04:50 pm
On a related note, I wondered how composite fairings handled re-entry heat, so I performed a test on COPV composite (not exactly the same material, I know) with a torch. It got white hot without burning or visible delamination before I discontinued the experiment out of an abundance of caution.

What's the word for something that is only ever available in a single quantity?  For example, caution only ever comes in abundances.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 03/02/2021 04:59 pm
On a related note, I wondered how composite fairings handled re-entry heat, so I performed a test on COPV composite (not exactly the same material, I know) with a torch. It got white hot without burning or visible delamination before I discontinued the experiment out of an abundance of caution.

What's the word for something that is only ever available in a single quantity?  For example, caution only ever comes in abundances.
Whereas, semantics only comes in excesses.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 03/02/2021 05:34 pm
On a related note, I wondered how composite fairings handled re-entry heat, so I performed a test on COPV composite (not exactly the same material, I know) with a torch. It got white hot without burning or visible delamination before I discontinued the experiment out of an abundance of caution.

What's the word for something that is only ever available in a single quantity?  For example, caution only ever comes in abundances.
Whereas, semantics only comes in excesses.

seems just like your typical quantum-particle dualism.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 03/02/2021 05:41 pm
On a related note, I wondered how composite fairings handled re-entry heat, so I performed a test on COPV composite (not exactly the same material, I know) with a torch. It got white hot without burning or visible delamination before I discontinued the experiment out of an abundance of caution.

What's the word for something that is only ever available in a single quantity?  For example, caution only ever comes in abundances.
Whereas, semantics only comes in excesses.

seems just like your typical quantum-particle dualism.
Maybe it does and maybe it doesn't. Or both.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 03/02/2021 06:17 pm
On a related note, I wondered how composite fairings handled re-entry heat, so I performed a test on COPV composite (not exactly the same material, I know) with a torch. It got white hot without burning or visible delamination before I discontinued the experiment out of an abundance of caution.

What's the word for something that is only ever available in a single quantity?  For example, caution only ever comes in abundances.
Whereas, semantics only comes in excesses.

seems just like your typical quantum-particle dualism.
Maybe. it does and maybe it doesn't. Or both.

The superposition of "too chicken" and "not cautious enough" collapses only when you take the risk and make a measurement. Kind of like peeking into Schrödinger's box. (Warning, his cat tends to get angry scratch people after being trapped in a box for too long)

Speaking of (thunder)-chickens: SpaceX probably has larger torches, maybe you should borrow one of theirs ;)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 03/02/2021 11:03 pm
I used to regularly invoke some spiritual backup for each Spacex launch but stopped as I felt it no longer necessary. I'm beginning to wonder about L17 ever getting of the ground without some intervention on behalf of The Almighty, Rocket Gods, Seminole Medicine Men, Cousin Goober, and the healing tongue of my dog Ann Margaret. Therefore, on this exceptional occasion, I will invoke the best vibes of all the aforementioned so we can continue human progress and making Elon five times wealthier than Jeff Bezos.

Sorry to resurrect a post that's, my God, 33 hours old, but... in terms of an invocation, have you thought about trying SCE to AUX?

;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 03/02/2021 11:21 pm
Quote from: elonmusk
Creating the city of Starbase, Texas
So does bocachicagal have to change her name now?

Nomadd, of course, has a name which fits even better now - he's managed to move to a completely new town without actually going anywhere.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 03/03/2021 02:43 am
Fun with the 256 web colors! As the ponies sing: "Living in Color!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdqQXqBxKx8
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 03/03/2021 03:01 am
You know, when I retired 6 1/2 years ago, someone asked me what I'd be doing with my time.
 My first thought was, going to town to buy a case of Busch beer to pay a Mexican fisherman for a basket of fish to feed the dozen or so cats belonging to the old Marine who lives on the river where I hang out to watch the interplanetary spaceships, that I make display cabinets and beer coolers out of when they blow up, launch.
 What are the odds?
Do we need to get you a Jawa costume?
You just had to say that, didn't you?
 I wonder what security would do.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 03/03/2021 04:46 am
I was elected President for life of Boca Chica years ago (nobody else showed up for the meeting), and they can't incorporate as long as I rule.

Doesn't Mary who is a resident of longer standing have a better claim to the title president for Life of Boca Chica?  :P

You do realize the traditional methods of removing a president for life in most places is pretty drastic with extreme prejudice.  ;D  Hopefully the SX CTO will be gentle in the removal operation.  :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 03/03/2021 01:45 pm
You know, when I retired 6 1/2 years ago, someone asked me what I'd be doing with my time.
 My first thought was, going to town to buy a case of Busch beer to pay a Mexican fisherman for a basket of fish to feed the dozen or so cats belonging to the old Marine who lives on the river where I hang out to watch the interplanetary spaceships, that I make display cabinets and beer coolers out of when they blow up, launch.
 What are the odds?
Do we need to get you a Jawa costume?
You just had to say that, didn't you?
 I wonder what security would do.

I wouldn't worry until Nomadd starts collecting parts of the cranes used on site to build his sand-crawler.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: rsdavis9 on 03/03/2021 02:52 pm
You know, when I retired 6 1/2 years ago, someone asked me what I'd be doing with my time.
 My first thought was, going to town to buy a case of Busch beer to pay a Mexican fisherman for a basket of fish to feed the dozen or so cats belonging to the old Marine who lives on the river where I hang out to watch the interplanetary spaceships, that I make display cabinets and beer coolers out of when they blow up, launch.
 What are the odds?
Do we need to get you a Jawa costume?
You just had to say that, didn't you?
 I wonder what security would do.

Aren't you too tall for a Jawa?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BcvZoUn9yA (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BcvZoUn9yA)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 03/03/2021 10:30 pm
Will the passengers please move to the starboard side of the vehicle.

OMG!...... nevermind.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 03/03/2021 10:38 pm
Well, how about that.

SN10 launched TWICE in 8 minutes.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: b.lorenz on 03/03/2021 10:46 pm
Well, how about that.

SN10 launched TWICE in 8 minutes.

Under 60 minutes turnaround demonstrated  :o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 03/03/2021 11:10 pm
Methane header = Escape vessel?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: erv on 03/03/2021 11:37 pm
Seems like raw materials for some furniture has been sent Nomadd's way.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 03/03/2021 11:58 pm
This flight is really a best case scenario for everyone involved. Full success, SN10 stuck the landing, and we still got a large kaboom and some neat debris for local collectors :)

I call this best of both worlds.

The only people who might be unhappy are the guys who wanted to inspect those heat-shield tiles post-flight.   But they did get some nice stress-test data :) If the heatshield lives through this, it's good for a earth-reentry from Mars.


Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 03/04/2021 12:25 am
SN10-  I did it?  I did it!

WOOOOHHOOOOOOOO I DID... uh oops.

Note for SN11...

If you stick the landing...

...do NOT jump for joy!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 03/04/2021 02:14 am
Seems like raw materials for some furniture has been sent Nomadd's way.

We see an explosion.
Nomadd sees a new shelf.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 03/04/2021 02:22 am
That was the most bipartisan flight I’ve ever seen. A little something for the Landers and for the Crashers.

And Nomadd’s IKEA is now restocked.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 03/04/2021 04:14 am
I wouldn't get too worked up. I mean, Lar is up there too. How exclusive could it be?
When we actually announce the winner, I'll factor myself out. Right now Iambic Pentameter seems to be pulling a strong second place. You know what to do.

Nomad, are you a Turtle?

There's only one correct answer to that: "You bet your sweet ass I am"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 03/04/2021 04:17 am
That was the most bipartisan flight I’ve ever seen. A little something for the Landers and for the Crashers.

And Nomadd’s IKEA is now restocked.

Speaking of IKEA ... I think SpaceX better speak to them. This is a crappy flatpack job. They can do better:
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 03/04/2021 05:07 am
It's eerie how Starship flights seem to answer the biggest debates currently on NSF;

SN8; big debates on NSF about using header tanks for landing, so SN8 demonstrates CH4 header pressure issue.

SN9; big debate on NSF about horizontal landing for Starship, so SN9 demonstrates horizontal landing. (thus proving those who said it couldn't be done wrong!)

SN10; big debate on NSF about whether SN10 will fly more than once, so SN10 flies twice.

I'm going to get very, very nervous if I see a big debate on NSF about whether or not SN11 will destroy the Earth. 


 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 03/04/2021 06:39 am
Ok, sort of serious question.

How long must a landing stay landed, to be counted as a landing not a crash?

The Arabsat-6A Falcon Heavy's (apr 2019) core is counted as having landed successfully, even though it died by falling overboard on the way back to port.

The   Jason-3 Falcon (jan 2016)  landed, and tipped over within 15 seconds due to a failed latching of one of the legs. It is counted as a landing failure.

So... Did Starship SN10's landing fail, or succeed?
It did die before an inspection team could get onsite, but then so did that Falcon Heavy core.
It did survive landed for longer than the flight time of its mission.

Just how long must a landing stay landed, to count as a landing and not a post-landing failure?


It's just: Am I supposed to cheer for that landing, or not?
Celebrate?
Mourn?
Mournerbate? (ew, that sounds nasty!)

I know.. Let's just say SN10 "Jumped for Joy" at the successful landing.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 03/04/2021 07:37 am
Ok, sort of serious question.

How long must a landing stay landed, to be counted as a landing not a crash?

The Arabsat-6A Falcon Heavy's (apr 2019) core is counted as having landed successfully, even though it died by falling overboard on the way back to port.

The   Jason-3 Falcon (jan 2016)  landed, and tipped over within 15 seconds due to a failed latching of one of the legs. It is counted as a landing failure.

So... Did Starship SN10's landing fail, or succeed?
It did die before an inspection team could get onsite, but then so did that Falcon Heavy core.
It did survive landed for longer than the flight time of its mission.

Just how long must a landing stay landed, to count as a landing and not a post-landing failure?

I consider the post landing event to be like a post credit scene after a great movie.  Was the event worth the wait?  In today's case, hells yah!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 03/04/2021 08:08 am
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=52924.msg2199285#msg2199285

https://youtu.be/ODY6JWzS8WU

So they mentioned the famous "Adama maneuver", hmmm ? 

Look 11:40 to 11:47  in the video (5:57 in Starship flight time): it is, indeed, straight out of a sci-fi movie.

SN-10 coming from above like a bird a prey and then, it flips. Beautiful, surreal to the point of blurring the line between "reality" and "sci fi movie CGI".

I'm seriously considering cutting those 10 seconds with VLC media player and turn that into an awesome GIF.

Then  let me tell you something else.

Those flights from liftoff to touchdown (or explosion !) last an average 5 to 7 minutes. I checked my USB disk, and... 6 minutes   is also the average  length of many hard-rock lengendary songs.
- Sweet child of mine ( Gun's and roses: 6 minutes)
- Smoke on the water (Deep purple: 6:30 minutes)
- Fear of the dark (Iron maiden: 7 minutes)
- Enter sandman (Metallica: 5.40 minutes) 

I use to snatch some videos out of Youtube and then I found a little software to scrap the audio and put some music instead.
At 6:25 Deep Purple "Smoke on the water / and fire in the sky" (those lyrics, really !) will be perfect for SN-10.  8) 8) 8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 03/04/2021 08:42 am
I did an animated GIF called "SN-10 Adama" and it looks completely awesome.  My mind is blown.  8) 8) 8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 03/04/2021 11:30 am
First rocket sank in a swamp
Second rocket fell over and sank in a swamp
Third rocket burned down, fell over and sank in a swamp

But the fourth rocket... ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 03/04/2021 11:49 am
First rocket sank in a swamp
Second rocket fell over and sank in a swamp
Third rocket burned down, fell over and sank in a swamp

But the fourth rocket... ;)

ROTFL

"What also floats in the air ?"

Villager: Bread!
Another Villager: Apples!
Another Villager: Uh...very small rocks! (kills me in laughter, every time)
Another Villager: Cider!
Another Villager: Uh...great gravy!
Another Villager: Cherries!
Another Villager: Mud!
Another Villager: Churches! Churches!
Another Villager: Lead! Lead!

"A ROCKET !"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 03/04/2021 02:06 pm

How long must a landing stay landed, to be counted as a landing not a crash?

Queue the poets making a Bob Dylan song out of that.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tangilinear Interjar on 03/04/2021 03:49 pm
Clearly SN-10 skipped leg day.

Rockets should never skip leg day!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 03/04/2021 04:55 pm
That was the most bipartisan flight I’ve ever seen. A little something for the Landers and for the Crashers.

And Nomadd’s IKEA is now restocked.

Speaking of IKEA ... I think SpaceX better speak to them. This is a crappy flatpack job. They can do better:

Out of curiosity, as regards Lar's picture in the quoted post.

Is the fin sticking up the fin that had to be replaced because SN9 did not return it to 10 intact?

Is 10 telling 9's ghost... "See! You could have given it back! :P "
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: gaballard on 03/04/2021 06:22 pm

How long must a landing stay landed, to be counted as a landing not a crash?

Queue the poets making a Bob Dylan song out of that.

How many songs must a poster write down
Before he can be added to the poll?

The answer, my friend, is brewing in our minds
The answer is brewing in our minds
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: NrwSpaceGuy on 03/04/2021 07:37 pm
One of the NSF Team members made a Joke about a Starship Version of "the Missile knows where it is" on the stream, so I made a full version. I didn´t know where to put it, so i hope this is right. Anyway, here it is:

Starship knows which Engine to use at all times. It knows this because it knows which ones not to use.
By subtracting which are producing Thrust from which aren´t or which aren’t from which are (whichever is greater) it obtains a difference or deviation.
The guidance system uses deviation to generate corrective commands to steer Starship from a position where it wasn't to where it now is. Consequently, the position where it was is now the position where it isn't.
In the event that the Engine which is firing now is not the Engine which has the greatest leaver arm, the system has acquired a variation (variations are caused by external ULA Snippers, and the discussions of these is not considered to be within the scope of this report) The variation being the difference between which Engines Starship is firing and which ones it wanted to fire. If variations are considered to be a significant factor, it, too, may be corrected for by the use of another Engine. However, for this to take place, Starship must now which Engines to fire, also.
The "thought process" of Starship is as follows: because a variation has modified some of the information which Starship has obtained, it is not sure which Engines to fire. However, it is sure which not to fire (within reason) and it knows DAMN sure which it fired and which it didn´t. It now subtracts which it should be using from which it shouldn´t (or vice versa) and by differentiating this with the algebraic difference between which it shouldn´t be using and which it used, it is able to obtain the difference between its deviations and its variations which is called the THRUST LACK.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 03/04/2021 08:56 pm
How many songs must a poster write down
Before he can be added to the poll?

The answer, my friend, is brewing in our minds
The answer is brewing in our minds
Not up to your usual standards.

I voted for you, dude. I think maybe you did too, but frankly I'm not clear who vote number 3 was. Or why. Maybe your mom????
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 03/04/2021 08:57 pm
I follow highway 4
down towards the shore,
listening to the wind of change
Sunrays paint the sky
the sherrif's passing by
listeneing to the wind of change

Take me,
to our near celestial bodies,
on a roaring flame
where the children of tomorrow fly away
on the wind of change...

...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 03/04/2021 10:20 pm
Well... In honor of the 50/50 Blow Up SN4 poll that got launched:  (My 35+ year ago stays at summer camp come back to haunt me.)

I said a BOOM chica boom.
        I said a BOOM chica boom.
I said a BOOM chica boom.
        I said a BOOM chica boom.
I said a BOOM chica rocka chica rocka chica BOOM.
        I said a BOOM chica rocka chica rocka chica BOOM.
Uh huh.
        Uh huh.
Oh yeah.
        Oh yeah.
One more time.
        One more time.
SpaceX Style!!!

I said a BOOM chica boom.
        I said a BOOM chica boom.
I said a BOCA chica boom.
        I said a BOCA chica boom.
I said a BOOM chica Boca Chica Boca Chica BOOM.
        I said a BOOM chica Boca Chica Boca Chica BOOM.

Just thought I'd resurrect this old post in honor of the late SN8, SN9 and SN10.

So far, Marvin the Martian is satisfied with the results.  Though I thought I did hear him say... "Where's the kab... oh, there it is" yesterday.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 03/05/2021 02:52 am
Countdown at the break of noon
Starship shines like a silver spoon
The hand welded tank, the child's balloon
Eclipses both the sun and moon
To understand you know too soon
There is no cost to trying

Pointed headlines, the scrubs they scorn
Suicide predictions do morn
From the fool's gold providers vaporware is born
Repeated wasted words, prove to warn
That he not busy launching more is busy lying

New ideas fly out the door
You follow, hoping to witness more
Watch waterfalls of power roar
You gasp alone but unlike before
You discover that there is one more
Person spying

So don't fear if you hear
A foreign sound to your ear
It's alright, Ma, SpaceX will keep flying
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 03/05/2021 06:18 am
I follow highway 4
down towards the shore,
listening to the wind of change
Sunrays paint the sky
the sherrif's passing by
listeneing to the wind of change

Take me,
to our near celestial bodies,
on a roaring flame
where the children of tomorrow fly away
on the wind of change...

...

Wow. That's just... brilliant. I mean, really. kudos to the author !
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: rsdavis9 on 03/05/2021 02:09 pm
I know this is totally off topic but have any of you poets watched Dickinson on appletv.
Its a really good show about Emily Dickinson. Fairly historically accurate. The poems are a little obscure but do evoke the same feelings of wonder about the world and ourselves.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 03/05/2021 02:19 pm
I follow highway 4
down towards the shore,
listening to the wind of change
Sunrays paint the sky
the sherrif's passing by
listeneing to the wind of change

Take me,
to our near celestial bodies,
on a roaring flame
where the children of tomorrow fly away
on the wind of change...

...

I love it.

Take me,
to Arcadia Planitia,
on a roaring flame

also scans quite well.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 03/05/2021 07:28 pm


I love it.

Take me,
to Arcadia Planitia,
on a roaring flame

also scans quite well.

Oh yes, let's try again:

I follow highway 4
down towards the shore,
listening to the wind of change
Sunrays paint the sky
the sherrif's passing by
listening to the wind of change

As Starship tests her fin
did you ever think
that Mars could be so close, above us
The future's in the air
I see her venting there,
blowing with the wind of change

Take me
to Arcadia Planitia
on a roaring flame
where the children of tomorrow fly away
on the wind of change

Walking down the street
little steel debries
are buried in the sand forever
I follow highway 4
down where raptors roar
Listening to the wind of change

Take me
to Arcadia Planitia
on a roaring flame
when the children of tomorrow build our dreams
on the wind of change

Take me
to Arcadia Planitia
on a roaring flame
where the children of tomorrow fly away
on the wind of change

The wind of change blasts straight
into the pale blue sky
like a stormwind that will ring
in a new age and a new time
let your raptor crackling shout,
what voice' below, want to say:

Take me
to Arcadia Planitia
on a roaring flame
when the children of tomorrow build our dreams
on the wind of change

Take me
to Arcadia Planitia
on a roaring flame
where the children of tomorrow fly away
on the wind of change
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 03/06/2021 01:33 am

I guess we were lucky there was so little left in the tanks, because this is the single most energetic failure case a vehicle like Starship possibly can have. Case in point - the altitude it reached on second flight which was over 50 meters.

I'm impressed. They better never have that happen with a fully fueled starship or even a superheavy , the result would mimic a small tactical nuke.

The worst failure would be mixing before ignition. People will tell you that's not very likely, but their ears weren't ringing after SN4. That was an actual detonation with a very small amount of methane. The FAA mostly worries about several hundred tons mixing with air or the O2 from the tanks, then detonating. A SH/Starship worth of fuel mixed just right and detonating would be much more efficient than a 5kt nuke in causing damage.

These are good points, but it's an easy issue to solve if we focus on first principles. What we're trying to do here is avoid a methane detonation.

The problem, therefor, is the methane. So, obviously, what's needed is a flight termination/pad safety system that renders it harmless. This can be done via disassociating the carbon from the hydrogen, and dispersing them. A sufficiently large application of energy would do this, via rendering them into plasma and then dispersing them. A device with an energy output in the 20kt range would accomplish this.

So, if you had a 20kt nuclear warhead as the FTS/safety system, you would no longer have any risk of a potential 5kt fuel/air detonation.

For additional safety, the 20kt nuke could have a backup detonation mode via a trembler switch, so any significant impact would trigger it.

What's not to like? 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tgr9898 on 03/06/2021 03:35 am
The worst failure would be mixing before ignition. People will tell you that's not very likely, but their ears weren't ringing after SN4. That was an actual detonation with a very small amount of methane. The FAA mostly worries about several hundred tons mixing with air or the O2 from the tanks, then detonating. A SH/Starship worth of fuel mixed just right and detonating would be much more efficient than a 5kt nuke in causing damage.

These are good points, but it's an easy issue to solve if we focus on first principles. What we're trying to do here is avoid a methane detonation.

The problem, therefor, is the methane. So, obviously, what's needed is a flight termination/pad safety system that renders it harmless. This can be done via disassociating the carbon from the hydrogen, and dispersing them. A sufficiently large application of energy would do this, via rendering them into plasma and then dispersing them. A device with an energy output in the 20kt range would accomplish this.

So, if you had a 20kt nuclear warhead as the FTS/safety system, you would no longer have any risk of a potential 5kt fuel/air detonation.

For additional safety, the 20kt nuke could have a backup detonation mode via a trembler switch, so any significant impact would trigger it.

What's not to like?

The weight penalty?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 03/06/2021 04:04 am
The worst failure would be mixing before ignition. People will tell you that's not very likely, but their ears weren't ringing after SN4. That was an actual detonation with a very small amount of methane. The FAA mostly worries about several hundred tons mixing with air or the O2 from the tanks, then detonating. A SH/Starship worth of fuel mixed just right and detonating would be much more efficient than a 5kt nuke in causing damage.

These are good points, but it's an easy issue to solve if we focus on first principles. What we're trying to do here is avoid a methane detonation.

The problem, therefor, is the methane. So, obviously, what's needed is a flight termination/pad safety system that renders it harmless. This can be done via disassociating the carbon from the hydrogen, and dispersing them. A sufficiently large application of energy would do this, via rendering them into plasma and then dispersing them. A device with an energy output in the 20kt range would accomplish this.

So, if you had a 20kt nuclear warhead as the FTS/safety system, you would no longer have any risk of a potential 5kt fuel/air detonation.

For additional safety, the 20kt nuke could have a backup detonation mode via a trembler switch, so any significant impact would trigger it.

What's not to like?

The weight penalty?

Quite light, actually. The W76, to use an in-service example, masses about 95kg, with a yield of 100kt.  Actually, that might be a pretty good option.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 03/06/2021 07:09 am


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPEL5Ckc3RM


Time to rework the lyrics a little...


Two worlds for everyone,

I build a rocket water tower and it is certainly ugly
(Mars City, here we come)
You know it's not very cherry, it's an oddee but a goodie
(Mars City, here we come)
Well, it ain't got a booster nor passengers windows
But it still gets me where I wanna go

And we're goin' to Mars City, 'cause it's planet one
You know we're goin' to Mars City, gonna have some fun
You know we're goin' to Mars City, 'cause it's planet one
You know we're goin' to Mars City, gonna have some fun, now
Two worlds for everyone,

And if my starship breaks down on me somewhere on the Mars route
(Mars City, here we come)
I'll strap my rocket backpack and hitch a ride in my spacesuit
(Mars City, here we come)
And when I get to Mars City I'll be kickin' the dust
And checkin' out the parties for a Martian girl
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 03/06/2021 11:03 am


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPEL5Ckc3RM


Time to rework the lyrics a little...


Two worlds for everyone,

I build a rocket water tower and it is certainly ugly
(Mars City, here we come)
You know it's not very cherry, it's an oddee but a goodie
(Mars City, here we come)
Well, it ain't got a booster nor passengers windows
But it still gets me where I wanna go

And we're goin' to Mars City, 'cause it's planet one
You know we're goin' to Mars City, gonna have some fun
You know we're goin' to Mars City, 'cause it's planet one
You know we're goin' to Mars City, gonna have some fun, now
Two worlds for everyone,

And if my starship breaks down on me somewhere on the Mars route
(Mars City, here we come)
I'll strap my rocket backpack and hitch a ride in my spacesuit
(Mars City, here we come)
And when I get to Mars City I'll be kickin' the dust
And checkin' out the parties for a Martian girl


You know, now you gotta record that and put it on the tube >;>>>
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 03/08/2021 02:09 am
The worst failure would be mixing before ignition. People will tell you that's not very likely, but their ears weren't ringing after SN4. That was an actual detonation with a very small amount of methane. The FAA mostly worries about several hundred tons mixing with air or the O2 from the tanks, then detonating. A SH/Starship worth of fuel mixed just right and detonating would be much more efficient than a 5kt nuke in causing damage.

These are good points, but it's an easy issue to solve if we focus on first principles. What we're trying to do here is avoid a methane detonation.

The problem, therefor, is the methane. So, obviously, what's needed is a flight termination/pad safety system that renders it harmless. This can be done via disassociating the carbon from the hydrogen, and dispersing them. A sufficiently large application of energy would do this, via rendering them into plasma and then dispersing them. A device with an energy output in the 20kt range would accomplish this.

So, if you had a 20kt nuclear warhead as the FTS/safety system, you would no longer have any risk of a potential 5kt fuel/air detonation.

For additional safety, the 20kt nuke could have a backup detonation mode via a trembler switch, so any significant impact would trigger it.

What's not to like?

The weight penalty?

Quite light, actually. The W76, to use an in-service example, masses about 95kg, with a yield of 100kt.  Actually, that might be a pretty good option.

So, Starship could carry about 1000 of those when utilizing maximum payload.

You know, for that "Nuke Mars" teraforming option or similar. On the other hand, that'd only be 100 Megatons, not more than the Tsar Bomba in full yield (3 stage) config.

The latter would weigh around 30 tons. You could therefore carry 3 of them and get a better yield potential.

But the best power to weight ratio is usually found somewhere in the middle.

I did a bit of research, the best yield to weight ratio is given by the 1960's era US Mk-41 warhead - with 4850kg , packing a neat 25 megaton (100 Petajoule) package

That would give Starship a total yield of around 515 Metagtons (~ 2 Exajoule ) if used in that configuration, and you only need 20 old (refurbished) 3-stage bombs for that.

Instead of warming up Mars, alternatively it could be deployed on Earth to battle global warming. If deployed strategically to maximize solar reflectivity (probably best achieved by hitting some very dusty or sandy areas covered by jetstream for worldwide coverage) that should be sufficient to drop temperatures world wide significantly. Alternatively one could drop them all at once on Yellowstone or some other suitable vulcanic target, that should have a less immediate, but possibly longer lasting effect.

I would however suggest to only do that after a self sustaining city on Mars is established - you know -- just in case ;)

Edit: In retrospect, it's a shame that SpaceX abandoned hydrolox for Raptor. Assume you had a booster with 5000 tons of hydrogen, filled it completely with enriched deuterium isotope,  and surrounded that by a neat package of 20 - reasonably arranged 3 stage thermonuclear warheads, then ignited them with correct timing to maximize hydrogen compression, it should be enough to turn the whole vehicle into a neat 4 stage bomb

energy content would be roughly 400 Exajoule ( or 100 Gigatons of TNT) if I calculated correctly. Give or take a few.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 03/08/2021 03:18 am
<snip>
Quite light, actually. The W76, to use an in-service example, masses about 95kg, with a yield of 100kt.  Actually, that might be a pretty good option.

So, Starship could carry about 1000 of those when utilizing maximum payload.

You know, for that "Nuke Mars" teraforming option or similar. On the other hand, that'd only be 100 Megatons, not more than the Tsar Bomba in full yield (3 stage) config.
<snip>

Somewhat semi-serious reply. For "Nuke Mars" terraforming considerations you want many tiny detonations over a large area rather than a single humongous detonation. The idea after all is to warm up a portion of the Martian surface to free volatiles not to blasted many many cubic kilometers of the Martian surface crust to escape velocity.  ::)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 03/08/2021 07:56 am
<snip>
Quite light, actually. The W76, to use an in-service example, masses about 95kg, with a yield of 100kt.  Actually, that might be a pretty good option.

So, Starship could carry about 1000 of those when utilizing maximum payload.

You know, for that "Nuke Mars" teraforming option or similar. On the other hand, that'd only be 100 Megatons, not more than the Tsar Bomba in full yield (3 stage) config.
<snip>

Somewhat semi-serious reply. For "Nuke Mars" terraforming considerations you want many tiny detonations over a large area rather than a single humongous detonation. The idea after all is to warm up a portion of the Martian surface to free volatiles not to blasted many many cubic kilometers of the Martian surface crust to escape velocity.  ::)

Well, if you insist on "serious" - for that it wouldn't make much sense shipping nukes from Earth to Mars - we have a surplus stockpile, but not that much of a surplus stockpile and putting those on a rocket is not entirely without risk. The best option would be a robotic factory on Mars that produces and distributes mini-nukes by the millions. Or even better a robotic factory that produces robotic factories that produce mini-nukes by the thousands by the thousands - for a fully automated chain from mining to nukes. let it run for ten years, then press the button.

thing is with nukes, you don't want them too small, because very small nukes are very dirty (lot of fission byproducts) while larger thermonuclear devices are very clean and mostly fusion, unless you add a 3rd stage, which is again fission.

it might be justified to ignite all these devices deep underground to re-kindle martian vulcanism - which is typically the main process that replenishes atmospheric gases (on earth, too) but due to lack of tectonics, came to a halt on Mars. however the energy amounts for that are extreme, probably way beyond what can be done with nukes.

it might be better to find a suitable large rock (the size of a small moon) in the asteroid belt and alter its orbit ever so slightly to have it impact mars in the right spot. the energy released by asteroid impactors dwarfs any manually built nukes and the amount of "energy multiplication" you get from altering an asteroid orbit slightly over the course of years to the yield it extreme.

might even be easier if you change the orbit of a comet to intersect mars. their highly excentric orbits make it very cheap to make quite drastic trajectory adjustmenst near the apohelion - especially if you utilize jupiter and other planets for gravity assist (basically a giant lever to turn a miniscule trajectory adjustment into a giant trajectory change)

you'd have a 100 year lead-time from starting trajectory changes to impact, but the nuking approach is going to take really really long, too

the comet has the additional advantage that it can introduce additional water/steam to mars which isn't even there yet

Edit: Starship might be well suited to bring nukes to a comet, and make the necessary trajectory adjustments by basically building an "Orion drive" for the comet.

Edit Edit: For which 1000 100kt heads seem oddly enough just perfect btw :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 03/08/2021 10:56 am
<snip>
Quite light, actually. The W76, to use an in-service example, masses about 95kg, with a yield of 100kt.  Actually, that might be a pretty good option.

So, Starship could carry about 1000 of those when utilizing maximum payload.

You know, for that "Nuke Mars" teraforming option or similar. On the other hand, that'd only be 100 Megatons, not more than the Tsar Bomba in full yield (3 stage) config.
<snip>

Somewhat semi-serious reply. For "Nuke Mars" terraforming considerations you want many tiny detonations over a large area rather than a single humongous detonation. The idea after all is to warm up a portion of the Martian surface to free volatiles not to blasted many many cubic kilometers of the Martian surface crust to escape velocity.  ::)

Well, if you insist on "serious" - for that it wouldn't make much sense shipping nukes from Earth to Mars - we have a surplus stockpile, but not that much of a surplus stockpile and putting those on a rocket is not entirely without risk. The best option would be a robotic factory on Mars that produces and distributes mini-nukes by the millions. Or even better a robotic factory that produces robotic factories that produce mini-nukes by the thousands by the thousands - for a fully automated chain from mining to nukes. let it run for ten years, then press the button.

Mini Nukes? Just loot them off a super mutant (https://fallout-archive.fandom.com/wiki/Super_mutant_suicider)!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 03/08/2021 12:52 pm
<snip>
Quite light, actually. The W76, to use an in-service example, masses about 95kg, with a yield of 100kt.  Actually, that might be a pretty good option.

So, Starship could carry about 1000 of those when utilizing maximum payload.

You know, for that "Nuke Mars" teraforming option or similar. On the other hand, that'd only be 100 Megatons, not more than the Tsar Bomba in full yield (3 stage) config.
<snip>

Somewhat semi-serious reply. For "Nuke Mars" terraforming considerations you want many tiny detonations over a large area rather than a single humongous detonation. The idea after all is to warm up a portion of the Martian surface to free volatiles not to blasted many many cubic kilometers of the Martian surface crust to escape velocity.  ::)

Well, if you insist on "serious" - for that it wouldn't make much sense shipping nukes from Earth to Mars - we have a surplus stockpile, but not that much of a surplus stockpile and putting those on a rocket is not entirely without risk. The best option would be a robotic factory on Mars that produces and distributes mini-nukes by the millions. Or even better a robotic factory that produces robotic factories that produce mini-nukes by the thousands by the thousands - for a fully automated chain from mining to nukes. let it run for ten years, then press the button.

Mini Nukes? Just loot them off a super mutant (https://fallout-archive.fandom.com/wiki/Super_mutant_suicider)!

From what I saw on youtube fallout videos, that so called "mini-nuke" explosion looks like 250g TNT in combo with some fuel, or 0.0000005 kilotons yield  -- the oil barrels in duke nukem make bigger explosions. more importantly the fuel and oxidizer saved, if not taking that "mini nuke" and its mutant carrier on board would make a bigger explosion ;)

there's a certain minimum yield required to earn the "that blown up real good" certificate.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Retired Downrange on 03/08/2021 01:18 pm
Well, it’s happened... The Party thread has “gone nuclear” 😁
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 03/08/2021 05:21 pm
Well, it’s happened... The Party thread has “gone nuclear” 😁

Well, if you reuse the same party-thread over and over again, eventually there has to be some fallout ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Retired Downrange on 03/09/2021 12:17 am
The commentary on the SN11 NSF rollout video today became very CORNy for an extended period!
(You had to be there.)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: guyw on 03/09/2021 02:14 am
The commentary on the SN11 NSF rollout video today became very CORNy for an extended period!
(You had to be there.)
There is a Kernel of truth in what you say. My suggestion for the next NSF T-shirt: Wen Pop?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 03/09/2021 05:10 am
The commentary on the SN11 NSF rollout video today became very CORNy for an extended period!
(You had to be there.)
There is a Kernel of truth in what you say. My suggestion for the next NSF T-shirt: Wen Pop?

Wen Hop Hop
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 03/09/2021 11:59 pm
I wonder when this Starlink mission will fly.  It's like Amber is sitting at home, saying "Elon, if you loved me, you'd, I don't know... cancel your silly launch for tonight.  Just because I asked."  Doesn't seem to be much more reason anyone can figure out as to why it got scrubbed for tonight.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 03/10/2021 12:05 am
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1369450029174390791

Elon: Hey, let's take additional time to have our fans overestimate us! Trust me, it's the ultimate troll they fell for!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 03/10/2021 12:13 am
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1369450029174390791

Elon: Hey, let's take additional time to have our fans overestimate us! Trust me, it's the ultimate troll they fell for!

Yeah, but if my Amber theory was correct, some "additional time to perform a few checks" would still be the kind of thing Elon would tweet.  After all, postponing a launch might give *him* some extra time to do a few additional "checks" on Amber, eh?  ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 03/10/2021 07:02 am
I wonder when this Starlink mission will fly.  It's like Amber is sitting at home, saying "Elon, if you loved me, you'd, I don't know... cancel your silly launch for tonight.  Just because I asked."  Doesn't seem to be much more reason anyone can figure out as to why it got scrubbed for tonight.

I finally found someone who is less up to date on Elon's love life than me.  ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Retired Downrange on 03/11/2021 12:57 am
Let’s see the SpaceX Boca Chica fireworks here in the party thread.
https://twitter.com/bocachicagal/status/1369822298002366464
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Retired Downrange on 03/11/2021 01:05 am
I wonder if Elon and some others were up on the High Bay watching the fireworks?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tgr9898 on 03/11/2021 04:07 am
Didn't see that coming.
 I thought ULA was attacking.

https://youtu.be/Z6rTLuT1gz0

It's very possible that was the case:  They planned the attack to prevent the launch of Starhopper.

And after only $2 billion in overruns it actually happened.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 03/11/2021 08:32 am
Didn't see that coming.
 I thought ULA was attacking.

https://youtu.be/Z6rTLuT1gz0

It's very possible that was the case:  They planned the attack to prevent the launch of Starhopper.

And after only $2 billion in overruns it actually happened.

Blow up the Starship!
Um, sir? SpaceX already blew it up. It already happened.
Oh, alright then. Pub anyone?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5muY64Oyp10
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 03/11/2021 10:04 am
Who else tried to click the "App update available - Refresh" button on the screen`?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 03/11/2021 02:10 pm
I used to regularly invoke some spiritual backup for each Spacex launch but stopped as I felt it no longer necessary. I'm beginning to wonder about L17 ever getting of the ground without some intervention on behalf of The Almighty, Rocket Gods, Seminole Medicine Men, Cousin Goober, and the healing tongue of my dog Ann Margaret. Therefore, on this exceptional occasion, I will invoke the best vibes of all the aforementioned so we can continue human progress and making Elon five times wealthier than Jeff Bezos.

Sorry to resurrect a post that's, my God, 33 hours old, but... in terms of an invocation, have you thought about trying SCE to AUX?

;)

I think that's on Elon's desk and he flips it every time the company needs rebooting. Might explain the instant changes in plans that sometimes seem to happen without warning.  8)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JoeFromRIUSA on 03/11/2021 07:52 pm
https://twitter.com/nasaartemis/status/1369726503047598086

Quote
Mark your calendars 🔥

We are targeting Thurs., March 18 for the second hot fire of the @NASA_SLS core stage at @NASAStennis.

This hot fire is the last test before the #Artemis I core stage is shipped to @NASAKennedy for assembly and integration: go.nasa.gov/38pJ7cg

Make sure you use a pencil
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 03/11/2021 09:57 pm

Quote
This hot fire is the last test before the #Artemis I core stage is shipped to @NASAKennedy for assembly and integration:

that alone is a bold "forward looking statement" bordering on "jinxing it". keep in mind - the first part of the sentence has an inherently higher probability than the second
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 03/14/2021 07:31 am
Song of the day for this special occasion:  Roundabout.

A little fun trivia:  The sound you hear at the beginning of the song is a sampled piano note played in reverse.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 03/15/2021 02:51 am
After I enjoyed a half slice of Tau I stumbled upon this.  My big plan now is to commission this woman to build my mars abode. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87y52COE_Qk

I realize that I post too much but this forum keeps me inspired.  Huge thanks to you all.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AndyE on 03/16/2021 07:17 pm
I wonder how they are going to test the 300+ (1200?) tons from above on BN1.
Have a cross member on top of BN1.  Tie that cross member to tie rods connected to hydraulic cylinders fixed to ground.
...
Then just pull.
That seems a bit cruel. Which irate forum member did you have in mind?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 03/16/2021 11:49 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gA6ppby3JC8

For comedic effect they should have added a BOOM noise just after the fade to black.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: aero on 03/17/2021 10:39 pm
Did they go and make a video of Nomad's adventures?
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Nomadland&src=promoted_trend_click&vertical=trends (https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Nomadland&src=promoted_trend_click&vertical=trends)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 03/18/2021 09:34 am
Ingenuity is supposed to fly.

I tried to play that mission a while ago in stock KSP on Duna. Sadly the smallest motor has way too low RPM to produce enough lift in that thin atmosphere., so I had to make the rotor a bit oversized. Which proved a challenge. How to get a giant helicopter on Duna?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MW0Pp7_W2s

Answer: Origami ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 03/19/2021 01:40 am
It might be better to think of it as a self- propelled outhouse.

So... Dragon XL, alpha version (https://oldcarjunkie.wordpress.com/2015/11/27/the-outhouse-hot-rod/)?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Ben Baley on 03/19/2021 02:54 am
The final 2 inch gap is closed. The Mother Of All Boosters is born. (It doesn't have to make sense)
MOAB eh, does that mean the Russians are going to one up us with a Father Of All Boosters? Maybe it'll be a Nuclear pulse rocket powered by Tsar Bombas   :o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: webdan on 03/19/2021 01:36 pm
I guess we'll need a new Landing Bingo game:

https://twitter.com/BingoBoca/status/1372505493416116227 (https://twitter.com/BingoBoca/status/1372505493416116227)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 03/19/2021 03:55 pm
I guess we'll need a new Landing Bingo game:

https://twitter.com/BingoBoca/status/1372505493416116227 (https://twitter.com/BingoBoca/status/1372505493416116227)
Where's the 2nd SN10 landing?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 03/19/2021 07:14 pm
I guess we'll need a new Landing Bingo game:

https://twitter.com/BingoBoca/status/1372505493416116227 (https://twitter.com/BingoBoca/status/1372505493416116227)
Where's the 2nd SN10 landing?

Indeed. SN10 is, so far, the only Starship since Starhopper to fly twice.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 03/19/2021 09:42 pm
I guess we'll need a new Landing Bingo game:

https://twitter.com/BingoBoca/status/1372505493416116227 (https://twitter.com/BingoBoca/status/1372505493416116227)
Where's the 2nd SN10 landing?

Indeed. SN10 is, so far, the only Starship since Starhopper to fly twice.

And SpaceX is really on top of the state of the art, the first flight was with the first operational full flow staged combustion engine,
the second flight on the same vehicle went even beyond that and utilized staged methalox pulse detonation propulsion with a 9m chamber diameter.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 03/21/2021 06:09 am
https://twitter.com/trevormahlmann/status/1373520044404129792
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: leetdan on 03/21/2021 12:49 pm
If you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 03/23/2021 07:42 am
I guess we'll need a new Landing Bingo game:

https://twitter.com/BingoBoca/status/1372505493416116227 (https://twitter.com/BingoBoca/status/1372505493416116227)

You sunk my Battleship!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ajmarco on 03/23/2021 07:55 pm
I guess we'll need a new Landing Bingo game:

https://twitter.com/BingoBoca/status/1372505493416116227 (https://twitter.com/BingoBoca/status/1372505493416116227)

You sunk my STARship!

That's more appropriate for around here...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 03/24/2021 06:46 pm
[YT link]
Kudos to the person who bought the Tensa-Barrier stanchions around the Delta II, with the ribbons in the "Delta blue" color.  Was that available in the catalog or special order?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AJW on 03/25/2021 03:14 pm
So all the discussion on the 'Mystery Stand'.  Is it an Assembly Base, a Transport Base, Stand for a Hydraulic Ram, or something used during Launch.   Well, we know that Musk has a wicked sense of humor.  We spent months watching him build a 'Water Tower' before someone realized it was a Hopper and even that epiphany lead to weeks of argument.  Perhaps for weeks we have been watching them actually build the base of a water tower and 7.2 will be lowered on it, and Musk is doing this just so we have something to argue about. He's probably having a good laugh right now.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 03/25/2021 05:41 pm
So all the discussion on the 'Mystery Stand'.  Is it an Assembly Base, a Transport Base, Stand for a Hydraulic Ram, or something used during Launch.   Well, we know that Musk has a wicked sense of humor.  We spent months watching him build a 'Water Tower' before someone realized it was a Hopper and even that epiphany lead to weeks of argument.  Perhaps for weeks we have been watching them actually build the base of a water tower and 7.2 will be lowered on it, and Musk is doing this just so we have something to argue about. He's probably having a good laugh right now.
It's not a merry-go-round or a base for a potted Redwood tree.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 03/25/2021 07:03 pm
It's actually Nomadd's new house. The legs will be provided by Boston Dynamics. Soon he will be able to stalk around the wetlands in comfort - sort of a modern Baba Yaga. It's all part of the new Starbase Security Plan.

Don't tell anybody.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: rsdavis9 on 03/25/2021 07:14 pm
It's actually Nomadd's new house. The legs will be provided by Boston Dynamics. Soon he will be able to stalk around the wetlands in comfort - sort of a modern Baba Yaga. It's all part of the new Starbase Security Plan.

Don't tell anybody.

Howl's Moving Castle
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howl%27s_Moving_Castle_(film)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mark_m on 03/25/2021 09:02 pm
I wonder if Mr. Treviño knows that the window he ordered is actually 8AM to 8:30PM, local time. I guess SpaceX has an extra hour in the evening, if they need it....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 03/26/2021 11:39 pm
So the talk now is that Super Heavy BN3 is going to be the first Super Heavy to get all 28 engines...

When you consider what the business end of that looks like (think back to some of those early images when Elon first announced the MCT concept)...  Well, it definitely resembles a wasp nest...

Thus I hereby propose the following name for BN3

RAID!

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 03/26/2021 11:51 pm
<snip>
Quite light, actually. The W76, to use an in-service example, masses about 95kg, with a yield of 100kt.  Actually, that might be a pretty good option.

So, Starship could carry about 1000 of those when utilizing maximum payload.

You know, for that "Nuke Mars" teraforming option or similar. On the other hand, that'd only be 100 Megatons, not more than the Tsar Bomba in full yield (3 stage) config.
<snip>

Somewhat semi-serious reply. For "Nuke Mars" terraforming considerations you want many tiny detonations over a large area rather than a single humongous detonation. The idea after all is to warm up a portion of the Martian surface to free volatiles not to blasted many many cubic kilometers of the Martian surface crust to escape velocity.  ::)

Wait wait wait!  How the heck did I miss this conversation...

Use Nukes to WARM up Mars?!?

Nuclear SUMMER?!?!?!

Now I have heard everything! ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 03/27/2021 12:16 am
<snip>
Wait wait wait!  How the heck did I miss this conversation...

Use Nukes to WARM up Mars?!?

Nuclear SUMMER?!?!?!

Now I have heard everything! ;)

It was an idea proposed by Elon Musk during interview with Stephen Colbert on an episode of the Late Show with Stephen Colbert aired on September 2nd 2015. No idea if Musk was serious or not.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: gaballard on 03/27/2021 02:40 am
I saw that live, the question was some form of “if you could do anything you wanted without consequence, how would you terraform Mars as quickly as possible?”

Not a “real” suggestion or a plan, just an answer to someone’s hypothetical question.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 03/27/2021 09:32 pm
I saw that live, the question was some form of “if you could do anything you wanted without consequence, how would you terraform Mars as quickly as possible?”

Not a “real” suggestion or a plan, just an answer to someone’s hypothetical question.

I've always wondered if, energy-budget and volatiles-wise, if it might be plausible to subtract some orbital velocity from Ceres, enough to lower its perihelion to place Ceres in an elliptical Mars-intersecting orbit.  The delta/v needed to be applied to Ceres is under 2km/s. Ceres, however, is rather high in mass, due to having a diameter of nearly 600 miles. It also contains vast amounts of water.

Applying the needed delta/v to Ceres might be feasible if an efficient fusion drive is invented - one that can use simple hydrogen as fuel. Emplace a few of these on the surface of Ceres, and use Ceres' water for the fuel.   

Yes, I know the energy required to move Ceres would be astronomical (one of the reasons I'm posting this in the party thread) but... IF it could be done... it might have some interesting results after it impacts Mars, such as restoring atmospheric pressure, as well as the Hellas ocean.

It might, however, be advisable to do this before Martian settlement commences rather than after. 

 

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 03/28/2021 03:14 pm
I saw that live, the question was some form of “if you could do anything you wanted without consequence, how would you terraform Mars as quickly as possible?”

Not a “real” suggestion or a plan, just an answer to someone’s hypothetical question.

I've always wondered if, energy-budget and volatiles-wise, if it might be plausible to subtract some orbital velocity from Ceres, enough to lower its perihelion to place Ceres in an elliptical Mars-intersecting orbit.  The delta/v needed to be applied to Ceres is under 2km/s. Ceres, however, is rather high in mass, due to having a diameter of nearly 600 miles. It also contains vast amounts of water.

Applying the needed delta/v to Ceres might be feasible if an efficient fusion drive is invented - one that can use simple hydrogen as fuel. Emplace a few of these on the surface of Ceres, and use Ceres' water for the fuel.   

Yes, I know the energy required to move Ceres would be astronomical (one of the reasons I'm posting this in the party thread) but... IF it could be done... it might have some interesting results after it impacts Mars, such as restoring atmospheric pressure, as well as the Hellas ocean.

It might, however, be advisable to do this before Martian settlement commences rather than after. 

Or, you know, turn Mars into a molten ball of rock for about 80 million years.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 03/28/2021 03:15 pm
 I think I figured out why NSF is so quiet on Sundays. You people are all spending half the day in the forum while you're at work, aren't you?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 03/28/2021 04:15 pm
It's actually Nomadd's new house. The legs will be provided by Boston Dynamics. Soon he will be able to stalk around the wetlands in comfort - sort of a modern Baba Yaga. It's all part of the new Starbase Security Plan.

Don't tell anybody.

Howl's Moving Castle
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howl%27s_Moving_Castle_(film)

The link is screwed ! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howl%27s_Moving_Castle_(film)

As long as Nomadd don't turn into a pig, all will be fine... one has to be careful, when mentionning Hayao Miyazaki... Chihiro's parents, Marco Pagotto... those things happen, you know...  beware of witches and scarecrows, too...

(https://fr.web.img3.acsta.net/r_640_360/newsv7/20/04/10/15/10/5375747.jpg)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 03/28/2021 04:29 pm
I think I figured out why NSF is so quiet on Sundays. You people are all spending half the day in the forum while you're at work, aren't you?

Joke's on you, I also work sundays.

Oh wait.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 03/28/2021 09:36 pm
I saw that live, the question was some form of “if you could do anything you wanted without consequence, how would you terraform Mars as quickly as possible?”

Not a “real” suggestion or a plan, just an answer to someone’s hypothetical question.

I've always wondered if, energy-budget and volatiles-wise, if it might be plausible to subtract some orbital velocity from Ceres, enough to lower its perihelion to place Ceres in an elliptical Mars-intersecting orbit.  The delta/v needed to be applied to Ceres is under 2km/s. Ceres, however, is rather high in mass, due to having a diameter of nearly 600 miles. It also contains vast amounts of water.

Applying the needed delta/v to Ceres might be feasible if an efficient fusion drive is invented - one that can use simple hydrogen as fuel. Emplace a few of these on the surface of Ceres, and use Ceres' water for the fuel.   

Yes, I know the energy required to move Ceres would be astronomical (one of the reasons I'm posting this in the party thread) but... IF it could be done... it might have some interesting results after it impacts Mars, such as restoring atmospheric pressure, as well as the Hellas ocean.

It might, however, be advisable to do this before Martian settlement commences rather than after. 

Or, you know, turn Mars into a molten ball of rock for about 80 million years.

Well, yes, but no plan is 100% perfect! Besides, this wouldn't preclude colonization. You'd just need to pick colonists who are fond of "the floor is lava!" game. 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 03/29/2021 06:59 am
I saw that live, the question was some form of “if you could do anything you wanted without consequence, how would you terraform Mars as quickly as possible?”

Not a “real” suggestion or a plan, just an answer to someone’s hypothetical question.

I've always wondered if, energy-budget and volatiles-wise, if it might be plausible to subtract some orbital velocity from Ceres, enough to lower its perihelion to place Ceres in an elliptical Mars-intersecting orbit.  The delta/v needed to be applied to Ceres is under 2km/s. Ceres, however, is rather high in mass, due to having a diameter of nearly 600 miles. It also contains vast amounts of water.

Applying the needed delta/v to Ceres might be feasible if an efficient fusion drive is invented - one that can use simple hydrogen as fuel. Emplace a few of these on the surface of Ceres, and use Ceres' water for the fuel.   

Yes, I know the energy required to move Ceres would be astronomical (one of the reasons I'm posting this in the party thread) but... IF it could be done... it might have some interesting results after it impacts Mars, such as restoring atmospheric pressure, as well as the Hellas ocean.

It might, however, be advisable to do this before Martian settlement commences rather than after.

The good: You have added 700m of water to the entire surface of Mars
The bad: You have also added 2100m of rock to the entire surface of Mars
The ugly: All this stuff you added has an average temperature of 5500K. Which is *well* past white-hot.

Earth now has a very faint second sun.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 03/29/2021 08:12 am
I saw that live, the question was some form of “if you could do anything you wanted without consequence, how would you terraform Mars as quickly as possible?”

Not a “real” suggestion or a plan, just an answer to someone’s hypothetical question.

I've always wondered if, energy-budget and volatiles-wise, if it might be plausible to subtract some orbital velocity from Ceres, enough to lower its perihelion to place Ceres in an elliptical Mars-intersecting orbit.  The delta/v needed to be applied to Ceres is under 2km/s. Ceres, however, is rather high in mass, due to having a diameter of nearly 600 miles. It also contains vast amounts of water.

Applying the needed delta/v to Ceres might be feasible if an efficient fusion drive is invented - one that can use simple hydrogen as fuel. Emplace a few of these on the surface of Ceres, and use Ceres' water for the fuel.   

Yes, I know the energy required to move Ceres would be astronomical (one of the reasons I'm posting this in the party thread) but... IF it could be done... it might have some interesting results after it impacts Mars, such as restoring atmospheric pressure, as well as the Hellas ocean.

It might, however, be advisable to do this before Martian settlement commences rather than after.

The good: You have added 700m of water to the entire surface of Mars
The bad: You have also added 2100m of rock to the entire surface of Mars
The ugly: All this stuff you added has an average temperature of 5500K. Which is *well* past white-hot.

Earth now has a very faint second sun.

Ah, but if the concern is the relative temperature between Earth and Mars, then it's not as bad as that 5500K would indicate, because Earth's surface temperature would rise a lot. The reason is there would be a massive amount of ejecta from a Ceres-Mars impact, and Earth would get a fair bit of it, probably enough to reduce that  relative temperature difference significantly. See? Nothing to worry about.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 03/29/2021 08:17 am
From a magazine of the future: "...Ironically, it turned out that Marvin's famous line should've been: "There was supposed to be a Mars-shattering kaboom!". Sadly, Marvin wasn't around to say it..."
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Ben Baley on 03/29/2021 08:42 am
I saw that live, the question was some form of “if you could do anything you wanted without consequence, how would you terraform Mars as quickly as possible?”

Not a “real” suggestion or a plan, just an answer to someone’s hypothetical question.

I've always wondered if, energy-budget and volatiles-wise, if it might be plausible to subtract some orbital velocity from Ceres, enough to lower its perihelion to place Ceres in an elliptical Mars-intersecting orbit.  The delta/v needed to be applied to Ceres is under 2km/s. Ceres, however, is rather high in mass, due to having a diameter of nearly 600 miles. It also contains vast amounts of water.

Applying the needed delta/v to Ceres might be feasible if an efficient fusion drive is invented - one that can use simple hydrogen as fuel. Emplace a few of these on the surface of Ceres, and use Ceres' water for the fuel.   

Yes, I know the energy required to move Ceres would be astronomical (one of the reasons I'm posting this in the party thread) but... IF it could be done... it might have some interesting results after it impacts Mars, such as restoring atmospheric pressure, as well as the Hellas ocean.

It might, however, be advisable to do this before Martian settlement commences rather than after.

The better plan is to go to the rings of Saturn, which are 99% ice, and launch a few of the bigger chunks at mars. All you need  is some nuclear thermal rocket engines and use the ice as your propellant.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mandella on 03/29/2021 06:26 pm
I have to fess up to you guys that the real reason for the SN11 flight delay is that I foolishly chose to wear my #wenhop shirt instead of my traditional Texas Tank Watchers shirt this morning.

My apologies to all...

 ::)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tgr9898 on 03/29/2021 10:00 pm
Very well may be, as this is for ML-2.  NASA said they would need to address the 1% overpressure waiver for future missions.  This would appear to be adding one or more rainbirds in new positions for ML-2.
The selected replacement design will be installed on ML-1 after Artemis I before Artemis II. The new design will also be used on ML-2.

Geez... think they'll have enough time to finish the project?

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: russianhalo117 on 03/29/2021 10:26 pm
Very well may be, as this is for ML-2.  NASA said they would need to address the 1% overpressure waiver for future missions.  This would appear to be adding one or more rainbirds in new positions for ML-2.
The selected replacement design will be installed on ML-1 after Artemis I before Artemis II. The new design will also be used on ML-2.

Geez... think they'll have enough time to finish the project?


They believe so as there is a schedule and is on track so far.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 03/30/2021 12:52 pm
Where can i preorder the Texas Fog Watchers T-Shirt?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 03/30/2021 12:56 pm
Where can i preorder the Texas Fog Watchers T-Shirt?

Just buy a grey shirt.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 03/30/2021 12:59 pm
Ignore that it says "Ultra Boom" in front of Starship.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Jarnis on 03/30/2021 01:17 pm
I think we may need a barrel of krazy glue to put this one back together...

Also, SpaceX trying to take out tank watcher cameras with flying debris  :o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Pete on 03/30/2021 01:35 pm
Based on what I saw in the video:

Fog.
A PALM TREE! in the fog.
more fog, some mist overlaying the fog.
Someone lit a bonfire in the fog. Possibly some fireworks.
They showed some video piped from previous launches.
Someone  lit some BIG fireworks, somewhere.
It rained stuff.


That's it. That is all I *saw* today.


====
seriously though..
I hope none of those bits n pieces fell on anything valuable.
Like GSE tanks. Or cameras. Or FAA inspectors' nerves.

after all, it's *only* about 80 tonnes of assorted sharp-edged stainless sheets falling from a few hundred meters. Nothing to worry about, right?
(http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2008/08/10/opinion/coyote.jpg)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: aero on 03/30/2021 01:57 pm
Nomadd, did you check your house and grounds for souvenirs?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 03/30/2021 02:14 pm
Marvin the Martian approves

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 03/30/2021 03:03 pm
So, in the spirit of things raining down from above...

The idea of turning Ceres into a Martian impactor was judged here to be rather suboptimal.  That makes sense, but why not continue the plot a bit further and instead of slamming it into Mars, why don't we spend a bit more delta-V and ease Ceres into Martian orbit as a new moon?

I mean, seriously, settlers coming over from Earth will be used to our nice jumbo moon.  Phobos and Deimos just really aren't up to the whole mooning thing, so why not order a replacement to enhance the psychological welfare of our new Martians.  Ceres isn't quite to Mars what our moon is to Earth, but it's at least in the right ballpark.  Also, once we have Ceres installed as a nice Martian moon, we can then commence a big snowball fight with the planet.

Anyone want to have a go designing an electromagnetic mass driver for the snowball fight?  I'm sure it'll be at least as easy as designing the engines necessary to relocate Ceres in the first place.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 03/30/2021 03:07 pm
Terra Pluma
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 03/30/2021 03:45 pm
So, in the spirit of things raining down from above...

The idea of turning Ceres into a Martian impactor was judged here to be rather suboptimal.  That makes sense, but why not continue the plot a bit further and instead of slamming it into Mars, why don't we spend a bit more delta-V and ease Ceres into Martian orbit as a new moon?

I mean, seriously, settlers coming over from Earth will be used to our nice jumbo moon.  Phobos and Deimos just really aren't up to the whole mooning thing, so why not order a replacement to enhance the psychological welfare of our new Martians.  Ceres isn't quite to Mars what our moon is to Earth, but it's at least in the right ballpark.  Also, once we have Ceres installed as a nice Martian moon, we can then commence a big snowball fight with the planet.

Anyone want to have a go designing an electromagnetic mass driver for the snowball fight?  I'm sure it'll be at least as easy as designing the engines necessary to relocate Ceres in the first place.

But will it block my view of Venus?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: laszlo on 03/30/2021 03:59 pm
Why are they still calling it a RUD? After 5 tries with 5 booms, shouldn't it be planned?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 03/30/2021 04:05 pm
Why are they still calling it a RUD? After 5 tries with 5 booms, shouldn't it be planned?

Rapid, but unsurprising, disassembly.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 03/30/2021 09:07 pm
So, in the spirit of things raining down from above...

The idea of turning Ceres into a Martian impactor was judged here to be rather suboptimal.  That makes sense, but why not continue the plot a bit further and instead of slamming it into Mars, why don't we spend a bit more delta-V and ease Ceres into Martian orbit as a new moon?

I mean, seriously, settlers coming over from Earth will be used to our nice jumbo moon.  Phobos and Deimos just really aren't up to the whole mooning thing, so why not order a replacement to enhance the psychological welfare of our new Martians.  Ceres isn't quite to Mars what our moon is to Earth, but it's at least in the right ballpark.  Also, once we have Ceres installed as a nice Martian moon, we can then commence a big snowball fight with the planet.

Anyone want to have a go designing an electromagnetic mass driver for the snowball fight?  I'm sure it'll be at least as easy as designing the engines necessary to relocate Ceres in the first place.

Ceres-Mars impact judged suboptimal? That's a bit of an exaggeration, I think. I mean sure, there were a few minor drawbacks pointed out, but all in all it's a good plan. Let not perfect be the enemy of good enough!

Phobos is a lot closer to Mars than Luna is to Earth, close enough that it'd be around half the angular diameter in the Martian sky that Luna is from Earth. So... it just needs to be closer.

For that, you don't need propulsive tech, you need high-tensile-strength cabling, about 10,000 miles of it, strong enough to handle a few hundred pounds of pull. Anchor it to Phobos, and trail the other end through the upper Martian atmosphere (inflate a balloon for drag at the end). It'd take a while, but you could gradually reduce Phobos's orbital altitude. (Might need to strengthen Phobos a bit to avoid any Roche-limit breakups, though). I'm thinking that lowering Phobos's orbit to around 130km would have some spectacular visual effects - there's enough atmosphere at that altitude to give it a pleasing glow when not in sunlight.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 03/31/2021 08:28 pm
"Perfection is achieved not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away" - Antoine de Saint-Exupery
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jh6c7OpANNY
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Bananas_on_Mars on 04/02/2021 06:43 am
I‘m a little late for the game, but here‘s zhe proposed soundtrack for SN11‘s demise.

https://youtu.be/WFL0J_tu5lQ
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 04/04/2021 07:16 pm
https://twitter.com/tinydragon20/status/1378777895863078913

Quote
Looks like there will be a lot of hatchlings this year...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tomness on 04/07/2021 05:25 pm
Interesting, the original SpaceX host, Jessie Anderson, disappears about 5:30 into launch and is replaced by another young lady. High turnover rate?

More like she was called away for work or something
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 04/08/2021 02:00 am
 How are you suppose to feel when your beer cooler gets more party invitations than you do?
 But at least the thermal testing is complete, and it holds ice as well as the Igloo.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 04/08/2021 02:07 am
Ignore that it says "Ultra Boom" in front of Starship.

This has been bugging me all week! However, I think I've figured it out (though doing so put a good dent in my whiskey supply)

We've had Starship after Starship go boom. starting with MK1. Always, ALWAYS, the boom has happened in close proximity to the Ultra Boom crane.

Clearly, the crane is the cause. How? I suspect there's some sort of camera component to the Starship GnC system. It sees that crane and interprets the words as a command.

So, there we have our answer; the fix SpaceX needs to make is the application of duct tape. 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Vultur on 04/08/2021 03:23 am
It might, however, be advisable to do this before Martian settlement commences rather than after.

I'll say!

The better plan is to go to the rings of Saturn, which are 99% ice, and launch a few of the bigger chunks at mars. All you need  is some nuclear thermal rocket engines and use the ice as your propellant.

Didn't Asimov write this story?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: gaballard on 04/08/2021 07:11 pm
In honor of the 5th anniversary of CRS-8's landing, here's the video Elon tweeted and quickly deleted afterwards:

(has some language so don't blast it at work, unless that's just how you roll)

https://youtu.be/lSx4DGBstYA?t=8
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 04/08/2021 10:04 pm
Ignore that it says "Ultra Boom" in front of Starship.

This has been bugging me all week! However, I think I've figured it out (though doing so put a good dent in my whiskey supply)

We've had Starship after Starship go boom. starting with MK1. Always, ALWAYS, the boom has happened in close proximity to the Ultra Boom crane.

Clearly, the crane is the cause. How? I suspect there's some sort of camera component to the Starship GnC system. It sees that crane and interprets the words as a command.

So, there we have our answer; the fix SpaceX needs to make is the application of duct tape.

Also prohibit folks taking videos from using boom mics
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 04/09/2021 12:43 am
  I found the mother lode.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 04/09/2021 12:46 am
How are you suppose to feel when your beer cooler gets more party invitations than you do?
 But at least the thermal testing is complete, and it holds ice as well as the Igloo.

Next project going to be a turkey deep fryer? ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 04/09/2021 01:25 am
How are you suppose to feel when your beer cooler gets more party invitations than you do?
 But at least the thermal testing is complete, and it holds ice as well as the Igloo.

Much more important how many cans of beer can the cooler hold? Also probably why the beer cooler get more party invitations.  ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 04/09/2021 02:10 am
  I found the mother lode.


Liners for secret tunnels under the wetlands for photo-recce missions during launch closures?

Mother of all storm-proof Raptor-Cam mounts?

Expiring minds want to know!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 04/09/2021 04:06 am
SpaceXar

https://www.reddit.com/r/SpaceXLounge/comments/mmxub0/spacex_pixar_style/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3 (https://www.reddit.com/r/SpaceXLounge/comments/mmxub0/spacex_pixar_style/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 04/10/2021 01:01 am
  I found the mother lode.


Liners for secret tunnels under the wetlands for photo-recce missions during launch closures?

Mother of all storm-proof Raptor-Cam mounts?

Expiring minds want to know!
Ninja’d!
 I was coming to post that too!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nevyn72 on 04/10/2021 05:27 am
Hoppy pauses in his toils and looks up at the commotion.... he sighs and mutters under his breath....

"Meet the new boss, same as the old boss..."
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Ben Baley on 04/10/2021 02:55 pm
It might, however, be advisable to do this before Martian settlement commences rather than after.

I'll say!

The better plan is to go to the rings of Saturn, which are 99% ice, and launch a few of the bigger chunks at mars. All you need  is some nuclear thermal rocket engines and use the ice as your propellant.

Didn't Asimov write this story?

I believe it was his idea, I can't recall which book it's from, but it allowed the Martian colonies to free themselves from dependence on Earth allowing political independence. If Asimov was still alive he would probably be a SpaceX fan.

You may have guessed I'm an Asimov fan from my nom de plume a reference to the Son  of 'lije Baley, of I Robot Fame, founder of Baleyworld the first outpost of the second wave of human expansion.  :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 04/10/2021 04:43 pm
It might, however, be advisable to do this before Martian settlement commences rather than after.

I'll say!

The better plan is to go to the rings of Saturn, which are 99% ice, and launch a few of the bigger chunks at mars. All you need  is some nuclear thermal rocket engines and use the ice as your propellant.

Didn't Asimov write this story?

I believe it was his idea, I can't recall which book it's from, but it allowed the Martian colonies to free themselves from dependence on Earth allowing political independence. If Asimov was still alive he would probably be a SpaceX fan.

You may have guessed I'm an Asimov fan from my nom de plume a reference to the Son  of 'lije Baley, of I Robot Fame, founder of Baleyworld the first outpost of the second wave of human expansion.  :)
I think it was a short story. I remember something about idiot politicians claiming that spaceship launches were using up precious water resources from Earth, although it would have take a million launches a year for several billion years to make a dent. Once they started mining ice from the Saturn neighborhood they joked they could offer to sell water to Earth.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 04/11/2021 04:03 pm
 Well, it turns out they don't need Starship any more. An "insider" just explained to me that the Air Force has patented a "reverse engineered" inertial reduction device and a gravitational wave generator to make their jets go faster, so rockets won't be needed anymore.
 I know he was telling the truth because he looked around before he revealed it.
 I use to take care of comms for Chevron and later had the Verizon territory around Roswell. (managed to set off the alarm in the BofA there while battling a telco rats nest once) You think I would have known this stuff.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: bstrong on 04/11/2021 05:34 pm
Well, it turns out they don't need Starship any more. An "insider" just explained to me that the Air Force has patented a "reverse engineered" inertial reduction device and a gravitational wave generator to make their jets go faster, so rockets won't be needed anymore.
 I know he was telling the truth because he looked around before he revealed it.
 I use to take care of comms for Chevron and later had the Verizon territory around Roswell. (managed to set off the alarm in the BofA there while battling a telco rats nest once) You think I would have known this stuff.

Well, that's patently ridiculous. It was the Navy ;)

https://patents.google.com/patent/US10144532B2
https://patents.google.com/patent/US10322827B2
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 04/11/2021 08:58 pm
Well, it turns out they don't need Starship any more. An "insider" just explained to me that the Air Force has patented a "reverse engineered" inertial reduction device and a gravitational wave generator to make their jets go faster, so rockets won't be needed anymore.
 I know he was telling the truth because he looked around before he revealed it.
 I use to take care of comms for Chevron and later had the Verizon territory around Roswell. (managed to set off the alarm in the BofA there while battling a telco rats nest once) You think I would have known this stuff.

Sounds like some of the posters on our "New Physics" sub-forum.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: toren on 04/12/2021 02:22 pm
It might, however, be advisable to do this before Martian settlement commences rather than after.

I'll say!

The better plan is to go to the rings of Saturn, which are 99% ice, and launch a few of the bigger chunks at mars. All you need  is some nuclear thermal rocket engines and use the ice as your propellant.

Didn't Asimov write this story?

I believe it was his idea, I can't recall which book it's from, but it allowed the Martian colonies to free themselves from dependence on Earth allowing political independence. If Asimov was still alive he would probably be a SpaceX fan.

You may have guessed I'm an Asimov fan from my nom de plume a reference to the Son  of 'lije Baley, of I Robot Fame, founder of Baleyworld the first outpost of the second wave of human expansion.  :)
I think it was a short story. I remember something about idiot politicians claiming that spaceship launches were using up precious water resources from Earth, although it would have take a million launches a year for several billion years to make a dent. Once they started mining ice from the Saturn neighborhood they joked they could offer to sell water to Earth.

The Martian Way (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Martian_Way)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 04/12/2021 02:34 pm
It might, however, be advisable to do this before Martian settlement commences rather than after.

I'll say!

The better plan is to go to the rings of Saturn, which are 99% ice, and launch a few of the bigger chunks at mars. All you need  is some nuclear thermal rocket engines and use the ice as your propellant.

Didn't Asimov write this story?

I believe it was his idea, I can't recall which book it's from, but it allowed the Martian colonies to free themselves from dependence on Earth allowing political independence. If Asimov was still alive he would probably be a SpaceX fan.

You may have guessed I'm an Asimov fan from my nom de plume a reference to the Son  of 'lije Baley, of I Robot Fame, founder of Baleyworld the first outpost of the second wave of human expansion.  :)
I think it was a short story. I remember something about idiot politicians claiming that spaceship launches were using up precious water resources from Earth, although it would have take a million launches a year for several billion years to make a dent. Once they started mining ice from the Saturn neighborhood they joked they could offer to sell water to Earth.

The Martian Way (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Martian_Way)
Ha! A story about guys who scavenged spent lower rocket stages. You'd think I'd remember that one.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 04/13/2021 08:02 pm
It seems that Starship isn’t as autonomous as we thought

https://twitter.com/iamboyaman/status/1382052946662203394

Quote
His contribution in the #Starship landing was unforgettable.
That's why he is the employee of the year in @spacex.
And @elonmusk also awarded him as the best SN(Starship) controller..
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jon.amos on 04/15/2021 02:01 am
Another delivery.

Who ordered Chick-fil-A?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 04/15/2021 02:07 am
There’s a lot to unpack on that t-shirt...

Image credit: BocaChicaGal
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 04/15/2021 03:07 am
Another delivery.

Who ordered Chick-fil-A?

I did. And let me tell you, they have great chicken sandwiches. However, I tend to replace the pickles with American cheese.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 04/16/2021 07:39 pm

And to me it means that NASA has all but divorced Boeing. Moved in with SpaceX a year ago and they’re planning their wedding. On the Moon.

Not really
-Starliner
-SLS
-ISS
-Vulcan via Astrobotic/SNC (thru ULA subsidiary)
Youre making my point for me.

I'm really not. Lets count them

Boeing
-Starliner
-SLS
-ISS
-Vulcan via Astrobotic/SNC (thru ULA subsidiary)

SpaceX
-GLS
-HLS
-Dragon 2
-Falcon 9

It didn't feel right putting this as a reply in the Artemis HLS thread.

But in keeping with the matrimonial theme above...

Boeing
-Starliner
     (The troubled teenager)
-SLS
     (The college age kid who still lives in the basement)
-ISS
     (The semi-successful kid who actually made it out of the house)
-Vulcan via Astrobotic/SNC (thru ULA subsidiary)
     (Love-child with that wild fling they picked up with the Cherry Red Convertible)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tgr9898 on 04/16/2021 09:04 pm
It didn't feel right putting this as a reply in the Artemis HLS thread.

<snip>

But in keeping with the matrimonial theme above...

Boeing
-Starliner
     (The troubled teenager)
-SLS
     (The college age kid who still lives in the basement)

-ISS
     (The semi-successful kid who actually made it out of the house)
-Vulcan via Astrobotic/SNC (thru ULA subsidiary)
     (Love-child with that wild fling they picked up with the Cherry Red Convertible)

In rocket-years, SLS is more like the 40 year old virgin still living in the basement.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nevyn72 on 04/16/2021 11:36 pm
Well they did warn people there are Raptors on the loose!

Pic Courtesy of Nomadd.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 04/17/2021 02:55 am
Just so long as they can't figure out door knobs.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 04/17/2021 03:06 am
Wait!  They're gonna use SpaceX Starship to land 2 (two) Astronauts on the Moon?

Two?!

"Space... The final frontier
These are the voyages of the Lunar Starship
Its crew's continuing mission
to find their way through endless, lonely, empty corridors
to the door leading to the Lunar Surface."
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 04/17/2021 10:12 am
Wait!  They're gonna use SpaceX Starship to land 2 (two) Astronauts on the Moon?

Two?!

"Space... The final frontier
These are the voyages of the Lunar Starship
Its crew's continuing mission
to find their way through endless, lonely, empty corridors
to the door leading to the Lunar Surface."

I wonder if the contract allows secondary payloads. Because if they do, they will stash two NASA astronauts in their requested 8m³ broom cupboard while fifty tourists are partying on the luxury deck.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tangilinear Interjar on 04/17/2021 03:33 pm
Just like in your garage, need to store another tool, just screw a hook to the wall and hang it up!

Clipped from Nomadd pic.

Edits, it only took me three tries to get this right. Geeze😣
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Robotbeat on 04/17/2021 05:00 pm
SpaceX to all the Aerospace Primes now.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 04/17/2021 07:44 pm
Well they did warn people there are Raptors on the loose!

Pic Courtesy of Nomadd.
I was going to go closer, but one of them was staring at me and looked hungry.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: russianhalo117 on 04/17/2021 08:11 pm
Just like in your garage, need to store another tool, just screw a hook to the wall and hang it up!

Clipped from Nomadd pic.

Edits, it only took me three tries to get this right. Geeze😣
You forgot to Photoshop out the crane line that goes up the beam.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 04/17/2021 09:49 pm
Why are we posting a rant about time zones?
Because this is the spaceflight community.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tangilinear Interjar on 04/18/2021 04:52 pm
Just like in your garage, need to store another tool, just screw a hook to the wall and hang it up!

Clipped from Nomadd pic.

Edits, it only took me three tries to get this right. Geeze😣
You forgot to Photoshop out the crane line that goes up the beam.
At first I thought so too but I think that's just some conduit. Check out the photo I clipped it from, no crane attached.

Different clip of same pic from Nomadd.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cdebuhr on 04/18/2021 04:59 pm
Just like in your garage, need to store another tool, just screw a hook to the wall and hang it up!

Clipped from Nomadd pic.

Edits, it only took me three tries to get this right. Geeze😣
You forgot to Photoshop out the crane line that goes up the beam.
At first I thought so too but I think that's just some conduit. Check out the photo I clipped it from, no crane attached.

Different clip of same pic from Nomadd.
And if you look closely at the first picture you posted, you can even see the hook the thing is hanging on.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 04/18/2021 08:08 pm
Just so long as they can't figure out door knobs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TO5wryDdEI0
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tgr9898 on 04/19/2021 09:29 pm
how many points do i get for running both a BBS and USENET server? :)
56,000
56.6?
I remember being happy when I went from 9600 to 19200....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 04/19/2021 11:44 pm
how many points do i get for running both a BBS and USENET server? :)
56,000
56.6?
I remember being happy when I went from 9600 to 19200....
Appropriate that post was right after one with dinosaurs in it.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jon.amos on 04/20/2021 07:45 am
Sadly I started with an acousticly coupled 800 baud modem.  You could read faster than text would render on the orange screen. 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 04/20/2021 07:53 am
how many points do i get for running both a BBS and USENET server? :)
56,000
56.6?
I remember being happy when I went from 9600 to 19200....
Appropriate that post was right after one with dinosaurs in it.

Quote
Primum!

Or:

Quote
δευτερόπρωτον
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 04/20/2021 02:51 pm
Sadly I started with an acousticly coupled 800 baud modem.  You could read faster than text would render on the orange screen. 
I raise you a 110 baud DECwriter. My first job with Chevron was upgrading them to 300.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 04/20/2021 07:39 pm
Bah! When I were a young'un, we had to walk five miles in the winter to use a slide rule and send the results in a letter!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 04/20/2021 07:50 pm
Bah! When I were a young'un, we had to walk five miles in the winter to use a slide rule and send the results in a letter!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6Dc7W6jXCo
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: joek on 04/20/2021 08:11 pm
Sadly I started with an acousticly coupled 800 baud modem.  You could read faster than text would render on the orange screen.
Think your memory may be playing tricks on you.  100-110-300?  Yes.  You would not have gone much more than > 300baud with an acoustically coupled modem. The POTS system simply did not allow faster as acoustical coupling was limited at that time by how much you could push through ~3khz voice channel.  It was not until much later that we had options to avoid acoustic coupling to achieve higher data rates.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: joek on 04/20/2021 08:18 pm
I raise you a 110 baud DECwriter. My first job with Chevron was upgrading them to 300.
Nit: DECwriter was mechanically limited to ~30cps. (DECwriter II--much bigger--to ~120cpS IIRC).  In any case, limitation at the time was comm's, not the device.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: webdan on 04/20/2021 08:28 pm
Meh, used to work with the evening airport crew for Purolator from Toronto to Columbus. Once loaded, away and back to the shop, they had one of the guys type “on a teletype” all the waybill numbers. This was punched on a yellow paper strip (think stock ticker/Baudot code). This guy couldn’t type. Told the boss that I knew how to type. Bam, 10 mins but sore fingers. Wasn’t easy.

Won’t bore y’all with acoustically coupled modems stories between different service bureaus In the early 80s, synchronous vs async, 8” hard sectored floppies, rebuilding a 300MB CDC SMD drives because the guy on duty dropped the pack and thought it was ok to put in anyway, and support had no spare drives. Don’t get me started on the 5/5 fixed/removable packs and Nova 4 minis, PDP11/44 either.

Anyways, luv programming on my M1 Mac mini.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 04/20/2021 08:32 pm
 I miss core memory. I think you should be able to see the bits.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: aero on 04/20/2021 08:44 pm
I miss core memory. I think you should be able to see the bits.

I miss the blinking lights - but I wouldn't want to go back to the speed that ran them.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: joek on 04/20/2021 08:58 pm
I miss core memory. I think you should be able to see the bits.
Still have a jar of those.  Vintage Honeywell 1965.  Picked them up in 1970 at salvage.  We used some as little RF chokes, but still have thousands left in that jar somewhere.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: joek on 04/20/2021 09:08 pm
I miss the blinking lights - but I wouldn't want to go back to the speed that ran them.

No, you really don't. Blinken-lights way over-rated. Seemed our customer engineers spent half their time just replacing those damn bulbs.  Back to Seymour Cray's 6000 series.. no lights, just a beautiful console (which I spent many hours on).

edit: And there's my pretty baby.  Spent many hours in front of it.  And to bring this back a bit more to spaceflight... there was a high fidelity LEM lander simulation which NASA used for training--and which consumed inordinate amounts of my attention.  Also required dedicated machine, so could only play it during our some of our maintenance windows (~05:00-06:00 daily, 18:00-24:00 Fri, 05:00-10:00 Sun).

IIRC, left scope was star field (as would have been seen by pilot) or LEM status details (toggle), right scope was trajectory plot and details.  It was a lot harder to land intact than some other simulations suggest (e.g., DEC GT40... had one of those on my desk for a few years too).

Image credit and license: Wikimedia (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:CDC_6600_console.JPG).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jon.amos on 04/20/2021 09:35 pm
You sir are correct. Its still in the attic, Novation CAT 300. :o :-\ ::) A mind is a terrible thing to lose.

Connected to a IBM system 360/370 jobs controlled with JCL and written COBAL.  Was an experiment in getting the company to allow work from home on overnight job runs without needing to go to the office.  Much better upgrades after proving the systems worth when payroll crashed on a Thursday and the checks would have not been ready on Friday morning.

1978 was a long time ago....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: webdan on 04/20/2021 10:21 pm
I hear you Nomadd, had to maintain a number of large (NCS) optical mark readers for National Defense (Canada) with I think was 2 or 4kb of core... should have seen the fans to keep it cool so it wouldn't crash. Those were the days.

I miss core memory. I think you should be able to see the bits.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 04/20/2021 10:28 pm
You sir are correct. Its still in the attic, Novation CAT 300. :o :-\ ::) A mind is a terrible thing to lose.

Connected to a IBM system 360/370 jobs ...

1978 was a long time ago....

And I was running Fortran IV on punch cards. Took all night to do anything. Eventually I moved up to counting chicken parts with COBOL for Shoney's.  Ah, the good ol' days. That was a lot of code just to say "Parts is parts".  8)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: aero on 04/20/2021 11:12 pm
What? Nobody else used punched paper tape? I programmed a prototype computer, the Cyclone II using 16 command basic. The operator's console was a rewired IBM Selectric typewriter. That may have been the original computer to develop a bug, it certainly had enough relays. (One k of memory.) I managed to code a 4x4 matrix multiply as the ultimate programming assignment in my Sophomore year.

The school got an IBM 360 the next year and even built a new building for it. It came with FORTRAN!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 04/20/2021 11:33 pm
 Maybe I should go ahead and upgrade to one of those fancy new Commodore 64s.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: aero on 04/20/2021 11:37 pm
Na - Can't be much of a computer in a box that small.  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 04/20/2021 11:52 pm
Ya'll old farts are making this 52 year old feel young!  After-all, I first programmed in BASIC on an Apple II+...

I just wish now that I'd had the geek cred at the time to have stuck with it.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: webdan on 04/21/2021 12:15 am
Radio Shack wouldn't let me buy the 16kb (from 4kb) ram for my TRS-80 Model I upgrade for $150... "No we have to do the install, it's in the price".

READY
>10 DIM A(1000)
OUT OF MEMORY.

I also had to let them do Level II Basic... another $150 I think.

Still got it... sans cassette tape (had fun with that) and the monitor (Married with Children had one in the kitchen). Still got books, cassettes, tech ref manuals, etc. Also a TI 99/4A. And my awesome Amiga 1000.

Shame I didn't grab one of those core memory modules... did used to have a mercury delay line calculator, but that's for another time.

Still, subLogic Flight Simulator I... what fun... 1979? **

Meh, now we have StarShips. I'm happy with that :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AJW on 04/21/2021 12:51 am
Doug Engelbart, who invented the mouse, was a neighbor.  He and my dad made beer together.  I remember Doug called his 'Dougweiser', and our garage smelled like a brewery most of the time.  When I was 12, I took a programming class and my dad found an acoustic coupler at a campus surplus supply store, the ones in the wooden boxes, and I wrote a custom version of Star Trek on an HP-2000 that only ran on a particular brand of monitor using cursor positioning codes.  I modified the code so if you hit a star with a photon torpedo, it would super-nova and take out any adjoining stars, along with any Klingon ships in orbit.  Overkill, yes, but I was 12.  That was the same year a friend and I were also called in front of our teacher after we turned a rather explicit MadLib-like word game I found in the back of a Playboy magazine into code. My teacher asked what our parents would think.  My dad would have killed me, but my friend quickly replied, "He thinks it is great.  We learned how to do random numbers, and string arrays, and text formatting."   At that point the teacher looked perplexed.  We had applied all the class lessons he had taught us, so he told us to delete the program.  Fortunately I saved a printout, but I don't think it is appropriate to share here, so I'm attaching an old newsletter from a computer club I used to go to.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 04/21/2021 01:41 am
 I can't remember the model, but the San Mateo PD had a 14MB hard drive the size of a washing machine that use to crash every new year's eve. I'd leave the party, load a replacement in the van and drive up from Sunnyvale to replace it. When the boss swapped a new 30MB Winchester in, they thought they were getting ripped off.
 Same with replacing full size rack tube base stations with vehicle radios. The customer wondered what we were trying to pull.

 Got my first real DOS PC from Computer Shopper to talk in the Mars Pathfinder chatroom and upgraded it till there were no original parts left. But it was still the same computer.
 Good ol MIRC.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: joek on 04/21/2021 02:17 am
What? Nobody else used punched paper tape? ...

Yup, that was the only affordable form of persistent storage for many (such as me), and why a teletype (ASR-33) with paper tape reader-punch was found on most minicomputers way back when (e.g., cheapest usable PDP-8).  Trivia: ASCII DLE (delete) character is all one's (0xFF hex) as that punches out all the holes.  Typo? back up, hit DLE.  First real program: paper tape copy to eliminate DLE's as they made the tape *really* fragile.  Second real program: concatenate tapes because you tore them in half due to the DLE's. (edit, although transparent tape was generally a more popular solution than my program. but hey, nerds gotta nerd.)

And then there was plugboard programming. Proud member of IBM 407 Users Group. And CRT's with acoustic delay line memory. And...  Jeez I am getting really old.  Best stop there before embarrassing myself further.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: webdan on 04/21/2021 02:21 am
Holy crap, thx for the memory, MIRC was fun.

This just reminded me of the X.25 network we were connected to. Spent a few hours picking random address to peek into. Guys I worked with just did not understand what I was trying to do.

Crackin’
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: joek on 04/21/2021 03:13 am
... and written COBAL. ...

Apologies in advance, nit: COBOL, as in COmmon Business Oriented Language.  Not COBAL, not COBALT. COBOL gets plenty of undeserved flack IMO, so lets try to keep it straight.  Heck, NASA relied on COBOL for lots of stuff, not just FORTRAN.

But back to the gestalt of the thread... we have come a long way.  Celebrate!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 04/21/2021 10:01 am
I remember building my first computer, mainly from second-hand parts, such as an old 386 motherboard that had some damage. I was 12, but I did know how to solder, and fixed the scratched circuits. Good thing too, or I'd have been out the $5 I paid for it. :)

I still have that system. In fact, I'm typing on it now. It's been upgraded over the years; a new motherboard here, and new tower case there, etc... no original parts left (with the possible exception of a few screws), but still the same PC.

I call it Theseus.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: abaddon on 04/21/2021 02:07 pm
how many points do i get for running both a BBS and USENET server? :)
56,000
56.6?
I remember being happy when I went from 9600 to 19200....
My first modem was an internal 1200 baud modem.  My first experience with a modem was a friend's acoustic coupler 300 baud modem.  I am sure many others on this site can beat me :).

Tangentially relevant, I was able to whistle connect tones on 1200, 2400, 9600, and 14.4k modems.  Once it got to 56k the sequence was too nuts for me to be able to get it through handshaking to the carrier tone...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 04/21/2021 02:39 pm
 Visions of trying to teach people how to put the handset in the cradle when they answered a call and heard to connect noise. Later, how to push a button on the fax when they heard the (V.17?) sound.
 There would always be some nitwit trying to make a two hour training session out of it instead of "If you hear a funny noise, press the green button".
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: toren on 04/21/2021 02:56 pm
Doug Engelbart, who invented the mouse, was a neighbor.  He and my dad made beer together.  I remember Doug called his 'Dougweiser', and our garage smelled like a brewery most of the time.  When I was 12, I took a programming class and my dad found an acoustic coupler at a campus surplus supply store, the ones in the wooden boxes, and I wrote a custom version of Star Trek on an HP-2000 that only ran on a particular brand of monitor using cursor positioning codes.  I modified the code so if you hit a star with a photon torpedo, it would super-nova and take out any adjoining stars, along with any Klingon ships in orbit.  Overkill, yes, but I was 12.  That was the same year a friend and I were also called in front of our teacher after we turned a rather explicit MadLib-like word game I found in the back of a Playboy magazine into code. My teacher asked what our parents would think.  My dad would have killed me, but my friend quickly replied, "He thinks it is great.  We learned how to do random numbers, and string arrays, and text formatting."   At that point the teacher looked perplexed.  We had applied all the class lessons he had taught us, so he told us to delete the program.  Fortunately I saved a printout, but I don't think it is appropriate to share here, so I'm attaching an old newsletter from a computer club I used to go to.

In the late '80s, I helped organize and attended a series of data modeling and standards seminars that included Doug.  By then he had a formidable reputation, but was a sweet and modest guy in person and pitched into the work as an equal with all of us newcomers.  The home brewing (beer) is another facet to add to my memories (I do so as well).  RIP.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tgr9898 on 04/21/2021 04:01 pm
Maybe I should go ahead and upgrade to one of those fancy new Commodore 64s.
Do what I did when I maxed out my VIC-20 with 32K of RAM: Skip over the 64 and go right to the 128.  It lets you run business apps because it also has a Z80 processor and can run CP/M

(Still have both of them, along with my original KIM-1)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jon.amos on 04/21/2021 09:42 pm
What? Nobody else used punched paper tape? I programmed a prototype computer, the Cyclone II using 16 command basic. The operator's console was a rewired IBM Selectric typewriter. That may have been the original computer to develop a bug, it certainly had enough relays. (One k of memory.) I managed to code a 4x4 matrix multiply as the ultimate programming assignment in my Sophomore year.

The school got an IBM 360 the next year and even built a new building for it. It came with FORTRAN!

Paper tape was for the guys running CNC tools down in the R&D shop. Not for counting beans upstairs.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 04/21/2021 11:57 pm
What? Nobody else used punched paper tape? I programmed a prototype computer, the Cyclone II using 16 command basic. The operator's console was a rewired IBM Selectric typewriter. That may have been the original computer to develop a bug, it certainly had enough relays. (One k of memory.) I managed to code a 4x4 matrix multiply as the ultimate programming assignment in my Sophomore year.

The school got an IBM 360 the next year and even built a new building for it. It came with FORTRAN!

Paper tape was for the guys running CNC tools down in the R&D shop. Not for counting beans upstairs.

That's why accountants were known to have no humor.  They're missing the punchline ;) *scnr*

You guys all make me feel so young all of a sudden. My first computer was a C64 ;) I know the PDP8 only from our computer-museum. (Last time I was there it was still running - these are indestructable)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: IANARS on 04/22/2021 12:10 am
You guys think you had it rough?

Dysentery and Cholera were a much larger part of my early computing life than I care to admit.  ::)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 04/22/2021 12:27 am
You guys think you had it rough?

Dysentery and Cholera were a much larger part of my early computing life than I care to admit.  ::)

Since I missed that (I'm not sure how popular that game was in Europe) I decided to give it a try ;)
https://www.scullinsteel.com/apple2/
https://medium.com/@philipbouchard/playing-the-classic-oregon-trail-on-a-modern-computer-66bc28a73318

Edit: I took the banker, left in May, and just after I restocked on food, I had a fire burn all my supplies. A thief took half my oxen and then it kinda got downhill from there. Sounds like the typical settler story.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mandella on 04/22/2021 02:10 am
I remember building my first computer, mainly from second-hand parts, such as an old 386 motherboard that had some damage. I was 12, but I did know how to solder, and fixed the scratched circuits. Good thing too, or I'd have been out the $5 I paid for it. :)

I still have that system. In fact, I'm typing on it now. It's been upgraded over the years; a new motherboard here, and new tower case there, etc... no original parts left (with the possible exception of a few screws), but still the same PC.

I call it Theseus.

What a coincidence! I have the same model computer!
 ;)

Except I was a bit slower to get with the home computer program, and mine started as a 486. Played a butt-load of DOOM and MYST on that iteration. I think I kept the original case for twenty plus years, but with ever changing guts...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: daavery on 04/22/2021 02:37 am
you are in a maze of twisty little passages, all alike
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 04/22/2021 02:51 am
I remember building my first computer, mainly from second-hand parts, such as an old 386 motherboard that had some damage. I was 12, but I did know how to solder, and fixed the scratched circuits. Good thing too, or I'd have been out the $5 I paid for it. :)

I still have that system. In fact, I'm typing on it now. It's been upgraded over the years; a new motherboard here, and new tower case there, etc... no original parts left (with the possible exception of a few screws), but still the same PC.

I call it Theseus.

What a coincidence! I have the same model computer!
 ;)

Except I was a bit slower to get with the home computer program, and mine started as a 486. Played a butt-load of DOOM and MYST on that iteration. I think I kept the original case for twenty plus years, but with ever changing guts...

The 486 had been out for a year or so  when I built the 386-based computer. I skipped right to the 586 (Pentium) when I eventually put in a new MB. I kept that old steel tower case for many years, until I finally went with a new tower case (also heavy steel). I think the last original bit I had was a 3.5 floppy drive, removed only because my new MB doesn't support it.

Heh, that old 386 system was great for its time, mainly because I maxed it out on Ram, plus had a re-purposed Cad/cam monitor (about 26") as the monitor. Friends (gamers especially) were always impressed by that huge (for the time) monitor. They really hated me when I told 'em I got it for free. (I did have to make some changes to the cabling and frequency, but yep, it was free - a company was literally throwing it out and let me have it).

One of my favorite parts of the original configuration was a bus mouse. The only problem with it is it wasn't Microsoft compatible (Several types of Microsoft software could not recognize it). It was, BTW, made by Microsoft. So, I had a non-Microsoft compatible Microsoft bus mouse.

Ah, wait! I DO still have one original bit of hardware in the current configuration! It's just on the outside of the tower case. It's the bottle opener. (Um... doesn't everyone have a bottle opener on their computer case, starting back when they were 12?)

Edit to add: In case anyone is wondering how the heck a 12 year old managed to convert an industrial 8-coax input monitor to run off VGA, it was easy for me; I had a neighbor who was an electronics engineer, who told me what was needed, plus helped on the internal changes. :) 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 04/22/2021 02:51 am
I remember building my first computer, mainly from second-hand parts, such as an old 386 motherboard that had some damage. I was 12, but I did know how to solder, and fixed the scratched circuits. Good thing too, or I'd have been out the $5 I paid for it. :)

I still have that system. In fact, I'm typing on it now. It's been upgraded over the years; a new motherboard here, and new tower case there, etc... no original parts left (with the possible exception of a few screws), but still the same PC.

I call it Theseus.


 ;)

Except I was a bit slower to get with the home computer program, and mine started as a 486. Played a butt-load of DOOM and MYST on that iteration. I think I kept the original case for twenty plus years, but with ever changing guts...


What a coincidence! I have the same model computer!

Very nerdy-cool memories.  I still have the original box from HHGTTG for the Apple 2e with the unopened baggy with the microscopic space fleet and some random lint to boot.

and now for your musical pleasure..... Doom doom..... doomdoom dodoom,  Doom doom

Edit:  I dropped my towel and botched the quote. 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 04/22/2021 05:57 am
Quote
Starship SN15's test flight is likely not until mid-next week at the earliest. SpaceX really wants to land this thing. Expect risk reduction testing and possibly multiple static fires as they look to give themselves the best possible shot.
Geez, they win one NASA contract for the rocket, and suddenly it's all "risk reduction" this and "failure mitigation" that.

Think of the common man!  Where will he get his weekly explosion fix?  Or his next piece of furniture?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 04/22/2021 08:02 pm
Help!  I just channeled Jim in a reply!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Ben Baley on 04/22/2021 11:22 pm
I remember building my first computer, mainly from second-hand parts, such as an old 386 motherboard that had some damage. I was 12, but I did know how to solder, and fixed the scratched circuits. Good thing too, or I'd have been out the $5 I paid for it. :)

I still have that system. In fact, I'm typing on it now. It's been upgraded over the years; a new motherboard here, and new tower case there, etc... no original parts left (with the possible exception of a few screws), but still the same PC.

I call it Theseus.


 ;)

Except I was a bit slower to get with the home computer program, and mine started as a 486. Played a butt-load of DOOM and MYST on that iteration. I think I kept the original case for twenty plus years, but with ever changing guts...


What a coincidence! I have the same model computer!

Very nerdy-cool memories.  I still have the original box from HHGTTG for the Apple 2e with the unopened baggy with the microscopic space fleet and some random lint to boot.

and now for your musical pleasure..... Doom doom..... doomdoom dodoom,  Doom doom

Edit:  I dropped my towel and botched the quote.

It's great for this child of the internet era to hear tales of the bygone days when computers were the domain of the nerd from pioneers of the information age. Now I have a tale to tell that may bring your hoary heads to the grave in shock. My Boss, who is in his 50's and was technology literate enough to burn music on CDs, has never been on the internet  :o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 04/23/2021 05:21 am

It's great for this child of the internet era to hear tales of the bygone days when computers were the domain of the nerd from pioneers of the information age. Now I have a tale to tell that may bring your hoary heads to the grave in shock. My Boss, who is in his 50's and was technology literate enough to burn music on CDs, has never been on the internet  :o

One thing about not going "online" is - you have so much more time available. No messges to check, no notifications to pop up, no spam, fishing, adds, paywalls, no letters that MUST be answered within an hour, if it's really urgent someone might send a FAX ... no conspiracy theories on social media.  It is a lifestyle choice that does have merit. I did stay (mostly) offline during my work+travel time in Australia (there was slow-as-a-crawl sat-internet we could access maybe once a week)

But you do miss out on cat videos.

And of course rocket launches.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: neoforce on 04/23/2021 10:22 am
you are in a maze of twisty little passages, all alike

I spent hours trying to kill that dragon. I’ll never forget the moment I got exasperated and said yes and it worked and I screamed at the computer
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mongo62 on 04/23/2021 06:04 pm
I may have missed this being posted on this thread, but this very entertaining simulation of the Artemis profile shows Starship as a literal Chad:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1D81v2OnYg
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 04/23/2021 06:39 pm
What? Nobody else used punched paper tape? I programmed a prototype computer, the Cyclone II using 16 command basic. The operator's console was a rewired IBM Selectric typewriter. That may have been the original computer to develop a bug, it certainly had enough relays. (One k of memory.) I managed to code a 4x4 matrix multiply as the ultimate programming assignment in my Sophomore year.

The school got an IBM 360 the next year and even built a new building for it. It came with FORTRAN!

Paper tape was for the guys running CNC tools down in the R&D shop. Not for counting beans upstairs.

Yup, that was the only affordable form of persistent storage for many (such as me), and why a teletype (ASR-33) with paper tape reader-punch was found on most minicomputers way back when (e.g., cheapest usable PDP-8). 
Trivia: ASCII DLE (delete) character is all one's (0xFF hex) as that punches out all the holes.  Typo? back up, hit DLE.  First real program: paper tape copy to eliminate DLE's as they made the tape *really* fragile.  Second real program: concatenate tapes because you tore them in half due to the DLE's. (edit, although transparent tape was generally a more popular solution than my program. but hey, nerds gotta nerd.)
And then there was plugboard programming. Proud member of IBM 407 Users Group. And CRT's with acoustic delay line memory. And...  Jeez I am getting really old.  Best stop there before embarrassing myself further.
Sure I used paper tape!
It was part of the teletype, with the cylinder of characters and typewriter ribbon, that was linked to the Kemeny Computation Center at Dartmouth College upstate in NH.
There were running a new language called "Beginner's All-Purpose Symbolic Instruction Code" which was ....
BASIC!
1969!  BASIC was only five years old, having been invented In 1964 by John G. Kemeny and Thomas E. Kurtz.
Taught me such bad habits I never recovered.

In my memory the teletype was running about 4 cps, but it could have been twice that.
I convinced my "geometry" teacher to let me turn in graphs generated on the teletype.
A lot of loops with spaces counted out.

A few years later I was part of the last class to run optical design on punch cards.
Output the next day on greenbar paper

And I do remember seeing women (all women) "stringing" 1K boards of core memory at an open house for my father's company when I was about 10.

We need a new Party Poll.
What was the speed of your first connected computer:
54K
14,400 Baud
9,600
2,400
1200
600
300
110 ?
100
30 CPS
4 CPS?

Might have to start higher for some of the youngsters chiming in. ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 04/23/2021 08:24 pm
We need a new Party Poll.
What was the speed of your first connected computer:
54K
14,400 Baud
9,600
2,400
1200
600
300
110 ?
100
30 CPS
4 CPS?

Might have to start higher for some of the youngsters chiming in. ;)
I'm pretty sure I count as a youngster (partially because I was later to the party, and partially because all I could get my hands on was second-hand or salvage).  For us middlers, how about throwing in a few speeds from the 2400, 4800, 9600, 14.4K, 28.8K, 33.6K, and 56K set?

It's been a long way from my first computer, a TRS-80 Color Computer 2 that my parents bought from a garage sale across the street (for $25, including a cassette "drive").  It came with a book on Extended Color Basic, and the rest is history.  I eventually got my hands on a TRS-80 Model III with two floppy drives.  It was ancient by the time I got it, but for me it was a major upgrade.  It had no disks or software, so I scrounged together enough change to go to Radio Shack in Cortana Mall and order a copy of TRS-DOS.  They basically laughed, but after looking it up, they discovered that it could in fact still be ordered.  I sometimes wonder if I may have been one of the last people to ever order a new copy of TRS-DOS for the Model III (and not only is Radio Shack gone, but Cortana Mall is currently being demolished to make way for an Amazon distribution center).

My first PC, meanwhile, was a 386SX-16 that Mom literally bought out of the trunk of a car in the hospital parking lot (from a fellow nurse, IIRC).  That one had my first modem, a nice 2400.

I had a couple steps in modem speeds up through my last, a 56K.  Waited on that last one while X2 and K56flex dueled it out, but eventually picked one up when everything went V.90, healing the rift.  My phone line was so terrible that if my V.90 modem connected at anything about 24000, I knew to disconnect and try again, as it'd never be stable above that.  (If seashells let you hear the ocean, putting a phone on my line to your ear sounded like an airshow... with jets.)

I remember when cable modems were a brand new thing just arriving in our area.  I ran sound for a local band that had two guys who worked in tech (early consumer ISP type stuff, etc.), and one night they were complaining about wanting to get a cable modem but each being told that their area was scheduled for service a year or more later.  The guy on keys, who was not at all in tech, heard them talking, thought it sounded cool, called the next day, and had a cable internet within the week.  There was a bit of good-natured jealousy for a couple years.

My subdivision was literally across the street from the local cable company, and we were the last in the city to get cable modem service.  By the end, I had a Linux box as my router with a V.90 modem and a network card.  The modem's hang-up relay had failed permanently off-hook, but other than that it worked just fine.  Whenever I wanted to connect to the Internet, I'd duck under the desk, unplug the line for a few seconds, plug it back in, and immediately dial.  Worked like a charm, but replacing it with Cat5 to a cable modem was a glorious day.

(Incidentally, I have fond feelings about mIRC.  I mean, I used it all the time back in the day... and eventually even registered it once I had an actual job and everything.  Of course, it's not all nostalgia -- I mean, it's the window just to the right of this one on my screen right now, and we're still talking about this morning's launch, so that'll have to wait at least until next week to count as nostalgia.)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 04/24/2021 10:10 am
mIRC was my first IRC client too, but I switched to XChat and later HexChat when I transitioned to Linux in 2001

I can't really compete with the baudrate contest. In the early '90s, phone lines were state monopoly, and charged by the minute. I had a few classmates with 14, and later 56 k modems that had access to mboxes and other pre-internet hacker resources - which gave me 2nd hand access to "cool stuff" - but they regularly accumulated phone bills in the 200$ per month and higher-range - out of range for most teenagers unless the parents supported it. Then internet caught on but it was still too expensive, only when telephone got privatized and then the network transitioned to digital (ISDN) I could hop on. I only got internet in 97' ish on a digital ISDN line. From 99' on there were flatrates available. Slow, but reasonably affordable and unlimited. Then DSL replaced it, also with flatrates.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: leovinus on 04/24/2021 03:46 pm
We need a new Party Poll.
What was the speed of your first connected computer:
54K
14,400 Baud
9,600
2,400
1200
600
300
110 ?
100
30 CPS
4 CPS?

Might have to start higher for some of the youngsters chiming in. ;)

Fascinating thread suddenly. Let me contribute with another perspective. The first dial-up connections we used were via an acoustic coupler in 1985. Probably ~100 baud. Followed quickly by a proper 300 baud modem. Note that modems were not allowed in Germany at the time, as that was classed as a telecom piece of equipment (i.e. do not use by private citizens). They were fine a few kilometers further across the border in the Netherlands though. Also note that we knew the American movies of course, with hour long conversations on the phone, but local call (or any calls) were never free for us. Which is why this whole BBS, dialup, "War Games" etc was slow to take off. To make matters worse, the best BBS were across international lines into the US racking up the phone bills. Therefore, at university, we laid our own serial cables to do networked games. Mostly flight simulators between a handful of Amiga and Atari ST.

On the software side, as my first machine was a C64, I just had to exploit the "sprites" and build a moon lander game in 1984 in BASIC. In principle, the lander was dropped from the top of the screen and fell towards the bottom. Pressing a key activated the engine and the engine flames came on, and you had to land safely. Or not, which gave a nice explosion. Looked very cool at the time, and fitted well with my two telescopes and books by Chriet Titulaer (Dutch readers will remember). A year later, hardware was upgraded to a Commodore Amiga. Joyfully, the fractal computations worked a lot faster on that machine, and I used an astronomy book to build a limited three body simulation problem, with Runga-Kutta PD approximations, for Jupiter and the Trojans, and plotted the positions on the screens. First introduction to numerical instabilities. After all the space and astronomy fun, university was a bit pedestrian. They still had some punch cards for the DEC 10/20 but at least their VAX machines had proper keyboards. Sadly, never managed to get into any NASA internships from Europe at the time.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 04/24/2021 09:10 pm
Going back even further into ancient times, what about pre-transistor computing? I've seen a museum display of one of the old vacuum tube computers - but what about computers that were not electric at all?

Archeology of ancient times indicates that mechanical computers were in use for millennia - the Antikythera Mechanism is the oldest know example, an analog mechanical computer of great complexity, in excess of 2000 years old.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antikythera_mechanism

Of only slightly lesser antiquity are another sort of mechanical computer, known as "slide rules", which ancient scientists and engineers used. I've seen one of those in a museum; they actually did exist.   

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 04/24/2021 09:17 pm
Elon: Rapidly and reliably reusable rocket.


Manufacture that three times real fast.  ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AJW on 04/24/2021 11:16 pm
Not quite sure where this should go.... Elon to host Saturday Night Live on May 8th.

https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/24/business/elon-musk-snl-host-may-8/index.html
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jon.amos on 04/25/2021 05:11 pm
Going back even further into ancient times, what about pre-transistor computing? I've seen a museum display of one of the old vacuum tube computers - but what about computers that were not electric at all?

Archeology of ancient times indicates that mechanical computers were in use for millennia - the Antikythera Mechanism is the oldest know example, an analog mechanical computer of great complexity, in excess of 2000 years old.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antikythera_mechanism

Of only slightly lesser antiquity are another sort of mechanical computer, known as "slide rules", which ancient scientists and engineers used. I've seen one of those in a museum; they actually did exist.

For things that old you would need to ask Nomadd.  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: beentheredengthat on 04/25/2021 06:55 pm
I'll post this here because hopefully it's hard to get into trouble on a party thread...

Is there a discussion around here about methalox thrusters? Is that a thing?

I remember draco development was a huge benchmark for the dragon program, I was curious as to why I haven't heard more about starship thrusters, etc.

Edit: found it:

https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=46574.160
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: rpapo on 04/26/2021 02:03 pm
Something spotted over on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ajjames_spacex-travelcard-concept-by-ar-media-labs-ugcPost-6792321146017611776-BSrX).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: LouScheffer on 04/26/2021 04:28 pm
What? Nobody else used punched paper tape?
Paper tape? That's way advanced.  Our school had an IBM 1130, which could read a 80 word binary program off a punched card (that's how it booted).  To write such a program (for a simple task such as sorting blank from non-blank cards) first you had to hand assemble the binary code, including various kludges since each column read could only set 12 of the 16 bits in each word.  Then you had to take a blank punch card and poke out each of the needed bits by hand, since the columns were not legal characters.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: joek on 04/26/2021 06:09 pm
Paper tape? That's way advanced. Our school had an IBM 1130 ...

Sorry, no. Punched tape (paper and metallic) preceded cards by years-decades.  Punch cards issued in the era of "unit record" systems (unit being a punched card) such as IBM 1130, 14xx,  and plugboard systems such IBM 407 et. al.  (I was up-close-and-personal with all of them.)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: joek on 04/26/2021 06:13 pm
Going back even further into ancient times, what about pre-transistor computing? I've seen a museum display of one of the old vacuum tube computers - but what about computers that were not electric at all?

Archeology of ancient times indicates that mechanical computers were in use for millennia - the Antikythera Mechanism is the oldest know example, an analog mechanical computer of great complexity, in excess of 2000 years old.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antikythera_mechanism

Of only slightly lesser antiquity are another sort of mechanical computer, known as "slide rules", which ancient scientists and engineers used. I've seen one of those in a museum; they actually did exist.

Key term is "programmable".  Most, if not all, of those devices do not satisfy that requirement. edit: unless by "programmable" you mean constructing new mechanical assemblies.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: joek on 04/26/2021 06:27 pm
...
Of only slightly lesser antiquity are another sort of mechanical computer, known as "slide rules", which ancient scientists and engineers used. I've seen one of those in a museum; they actually did exist.

:) I resemble that remark.  Among others, had a K&E log-log double speed rule (aluminum) with plastic & leather belt holster.  No one would out-geek me with that; if they tried, I'd hit them over the head with it.  Game over.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AndyE on 04/26/2021 06:47 pm
Paper tape? That's way advanced. Our school had an IBM 1130 ...

Sorry, no. Punched tape (paper and metallic) preceded cards by years-decades.  Punch cards issued in the era of "unit record" systems (unit being a punched card) such as IBM 1130, 14xx,  and plugboard systems such IBM 407 et. al.  (I was up-close-and-personal with all of them.)

Ha! I used a mechanical punch card loom in 1804!  :P

(And if you tell people that today, they won't believe you!)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: joek on 04/26/2021 07:02 pm
Ha! I used a mechanical punch card loom in 1804!  :P
(And if you tell people that today, they won't believe you!)
No we don't believe you. Try again.  Some of us go back a ways.  Yeah, some of us are old farts--no reason to make fun of us or discount us.  Especially from new farts who have no creds.  Apologies to all if this spoils the party thread gestalt.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 04/26/2021 07:08 pm
...
Of only slightly lesser antiquity are another sort of mechanical computer, known as "slide rules", which ancient scientists and engineers used. I've seen one of those in a museum; they actually did exist.

:) I resemble that remark.  Among others, had a K&E log-log double speed rule (aluminum) with plastic & leather belt holster.  No one would out-geek me with that; if they tried, I'd hit them over the head with it.  Game over.

Before being switched to scamlogic Tech, I went to Polaris Electronics School. We did the "slide-rule-in-a-holster" thing (in uniform, no less). Ours were cheap plastic, though! I believe we were the last class to use them (1975), as the fancy Texas Instrument calculator showed up in the Exchange and sounded the death knell of the slide rule.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AndyE on 04/26/2021 07:11 pm
Ha! I used a mechanical punch card loom in 1804!  :P
(And if you tell people that today, they won't believe you!)
No we don't believe you. Try again.  Some of us go back a ways.  Yeah, some of us are old farts--no reason to make fun of us or discount us.  Especially from new farts who have no creds.  Apologies to all if this spoils the party thread gestalt.

Hey, I'm old too. Didn't see my first computer until I was well into my 20s. Just having a laugh. :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: joek on 04/26/2021 07:21 pm
Hey, I'm old too. Didn't see my first computer until I was well into my 20s. Just having a laugh. :)
Thanks for that.  Us old farts definitely need to laugh a bit :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: joek on 04/26/2021 07:41 pm
Before being switched to scamlogic Tech, I went to Polaris Electronics School. We did the "slide-rule-in-a-holster" thing (in uniform, no less). Ours were cheap plastic, though! I believe we were the last class to use them (1975), as the fancy Texas Instrument calculator showed up in the Exchange and sounded the death knell of the slide rule.

Thanks for the memories.  For me it was the HP-35 that put my slide rule to rest in 1972.  My parents were willing to go 50-50 as a birthday present, and I jumped on it.  Hung up the K&E, swaggering leather sheath and all, and never looked back.  Now I had a new geek totem; that HP-35 on my hip was the envy of every geek who caught sight of it; served me well for many many years.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 04/26/2021 08:18 pm
Before being switched to scamlogic Tech, I went to Polaris Electronics School. We did the "slide-rule-in-a-holster" thing (in uniform, no less). Ours were cheap plastic, though! I believe we were the last class to use them (1975), as the fancy Texas Instrument calculator showed up in the Exchange and sounded the death knell of the slide rule.

Thanks for the memories.  For me it was the HP-35 that put my slide rule to rest in 1972.  My parents were willing to go 50-50 as a birthday present, and I jumped on it.  Hung up the K&E, swaggering leather sheath and all, and never looked back.  Now I had a new geek totem; that HP-35 on my hip was the envy of every geek who caught sight of it; served me well for many many years.

You were an earlier adopter.
My HP-45, bought two years later, retired my K&E slide rule.
Here it is with said leather belt sheath, along with some of the specialized slide rules used over the early years of my career.
Companies used to give these out.
The GE Radiation Calculator was given to me by my father.
The "Black Body" (nowadays spelled as one word) Photon Calculator is from North American Aviation Autonetics Division.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 04/26/2021 08:28 pm
...
Of only slightly lesser antiquity are another sort of mechanical computer, known as "slide rules", which ancient scientists and engineers used. I've seen one of those in a museum; they actually did exist.

:) I resemble that remark.  Among others, had a K&E log-log double speed rule (aluminum) with plastic & leather belt holster.  No one would out-geek me with that; if they tried, I'd hit them over the head with it.  Game over.

Lol!

Hrmmm... I wonder if ancientness is indicated more by the most recent use of a mechanical computer? If so... er... somebody who still uses one regularly would surely qualify (glances in mirror...) but, I'll never admit to it, never!

Okay, without admitting it though, I do actually still use a mechanical computer. It's an E6B, a mechanical flight computer.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E6B

I actually much prefer them to the electronic kind. Why? Because the electronic ones can both fail, and run out of battery power. Even if I'm using an electronic system for a flight, I always take my E6B when I go upstairs. The only time it ever gave me any trouble (though was still usable - just kinda rough to turn) was when I got sand and seawater in it (try using an electronic one after getting sand and seawater in it...)

 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: joek on 04/26/2021 08:48 pm
You were an earlier adopter.
...

Thanks, great pics.  Had a couple earlier generation wood K&E's as in your pics, but the aluminum generation (my last) was definitely the best (even though it required occasional lubrication).  Agree was not earliest adopter. That honor certainly belongs to those decades before me (or us).

In any case, think it is worth some retrospective... We went to the moon (and achieved many other things) with sliderules and hand computations.
 
That said, In the spirit or this being a party thread, think we should celebrate how far we have come, and not so much how much we have left behind.  (Although admit I am as guilty as anyone  dwelling on the past.)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 04/26/2021 08:53 pm
Anything on the international gateways?

Oh, you've stepped in it now!  There's a crusader about that would not take kindly to such blatant effrontery.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 04/27/2021 08:27 pm
So I just saw an image of part of SN17 fully covered in heat shield tiles and I noticed that they actually run through a number of different shades of dark gray (no... not fifty... get your minds out of the gutter!)

So... remembering back to the original Starhopper nosecone and how a lot of us saw that image of a famous Marilyn Monroe photo in the distortions of that shiny stainless steel...

How long before someone plots out the colors of those tiles and puts up a grayscale portrait of Elon on one?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 04/27/2021 09:37 pm
It's the fourth time a Delta IV Heavy has flown at the first attempt - the last two times that happened were also KH-11 missions from Vandenberg, NROL-65 in 2013 and NROL-49 in 2011. DSP-23 also went at the first time of asking in 2007, after many delays before it finally got to launch day.
I'm so glad this [NROL-82] was not a drama-llama launch!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tgr9898 on 04/28/2021 12:17 pm
How long before someone plots out the colors of those tiles and puts up a grayscale portrait of Elon on one?

One of the SN2X Starships should do a grayscale portrait of Bezos so he can finally get into Orbit
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 04/29/2021 02:56 pm
Sadly I started with an acousticly coupled 800 baud modem.  You could read faster than text would render on the orange screen.

I remember what an improvement a 1200 baud modem was!

Showing my Neanderthal genes...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 04/29/2021 03:49 pm
Sadly I started with an acousticly coupled 800 baud modem.  You could read faster than text would render on the orange screen.

I remember what an improvement a 1200 baud modem was!

Showing my Neanderthal genes...


You had a modem? I remember many nights at the CSUS computer lab typing out punch cards, swearing when I’d get to the end and have a typo. (I can still count to F.)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Vettedrmr on 04/29/2021 03:55 pm
One of the saddest things I saw in college was a female student carrying a carton of punch cards up the steps of the library (the computer lab was in the dungeon, err I mean "basement") after a typical spring Louisiana shower.  She slipped and several hundred cards went flying and got wet.   :'(
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: SteveU on 04/29/2021 06:40 pm
Witnessed something similar - that's when i started numbering my cards  ;)

While we're on memory lane - anyone else have fond memories of the SWTPC 6800?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 04/29/2021 06:47 pm
 Hard to believe nobody has mentioned Heathkit yet.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: toren on 04/29/2021 07:15 pm
Hard to believe nobody has mentioned Heathkit yet.

OK.  I programmed a Heathkit computer:

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 04/29/2021 07:43 pm
Hard to believe nobody has mentioned Heathkit yet.
OK.  I programmed a Heathkit computer:
Isn't that the AAFAAA model?
 (Almost As Fast As An Abacus)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: toren on 04/29/2021 08:08 pm
Hard to believe nobody has mentioned Heathkit yet.
OK.  I programmed a Heathkit computer:
Isn't that the AAFAAA model?
 (Almost As Fast As An Abacus)

The fun with this one (and similar) was a plate voltage of 100v on the op amps, IIRC.  If you forgot to discharge the caps before tearing down the board, you could get a little lit up.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: joek on 04/29/2021 08:15 pm
Hard to believe nobody has mentioned Heathkit yet.

Hard to believe nobody has mentioned Bell Labs CARDIC (CARDboard Illustrative Aid to Computation). That was about as good as it got to most in the 60's, including me, until managed to score time on a PDP-8.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: joek on 04/29/2021 08:26 pm
OK.  I programmed a Heathkit computer:
That was not a "computer".
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: toren on 04/29/2021 09:48 pm
OK.  I programmed a Heathkit computer:
That was not a "computer".

It is not a Von Neumann type computer, but in its day it was very much called and considered to be a computer (that day being the 60s and maybe early 70s).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 04/29/2021 09:58 pm
OK.  I programmed a Heathkit computer:
That was not a "computer".

It is not a Von Neumann type computer, but in its day it was very much called and considered to be a computer (that day being the 60s and maybe early 70s).

Analog computing is a lost art. They don't teach that in computer science anymore.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 04/30/2021 08:58 pm
Finally, some important progress:

https://twitter.com/rgvaerialphotos/status/1388224560764436486

Quote
Glass panel for the 360 bar soon to be installed!

Tower: "Negative Ghost Rider.  The pattern is full."
RGV: [Click]
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AndyH on 04/30/2021 10:17 pm
One of the saddest things I saw in college was a female student carrying a carton of punch cards up the steps of the library (the computer lab was in the dungeon, err I mean "basement") after a typical spring Louisiana shower.  She slipped and several hundred cards went flying and got wet.   :'(
Recovering from a card spill used to be a freshman right of passage. Kids today are missing out.  ;D

Punch machines in the basement (why always the basement?!), trying to get a good read, then waiting for printouts to be delivered to the pigeon hole in the wall... (shiver)  FORTRAN 77 FTW
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 05/01/2021 12:21 am
Y'all made my Friday. Memories....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 05/01/2021 02:51 am
And here I thought programming in Fortran in a Unix environment on a Sparc would get me some cred.   NOPE
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: LouScheffer on 05/01/2021 02:57 pm
One of the saddest things I saw in college was a female student carrying a carton of punch cards up the steps of the library (the computer lab was in the dungeon, err I mean "basement") after a typical spring Louisiana shower.  She slipped and several hundred cards went flying and got wet.   :'(
Recovering from a card spill used to be a freshman right of passage. Kids today are missing out.  ;D
I recall a bored computer operator with a sense of humor taking advantage of this.  A grad student brought in a large card deck, maybe half a meter tall, and put it on the counter.  Written on the side was "Muon target data" (or similar).  He then left the room.  The operator dutifully read in the deck and started the job.  Then he made a similarly sized stack of blank cards, carefully copied "Muon target data" onto the side, and left them on the counter.  When the grad student returned, he said "Hey!  You haven't run my job!".  The operator said "Oops, sorry!", picked up the stack of blank cards, and "tripped" on his way to the card reader, spewing the cards in a huge arc.  The grad student's life (or at least his thesis) flashed before his eyes until he started collecting the cards and noticed that all of them were blank.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DistantTemple on 05/01/2021 03:04 pm
So I just saw an image of part of SN17 fully covered in heat shield tiles and I noticed that they actually run through a number of different shades of dark gray (no... not fifty... get your minds out of the gutter!)

So... remembering back to the original Starhopper nosecone and how a lot of us saw that image of a famous Marilyn Monroe photo in the distortions of that shiny stainless steel...

How long before someone plots out the colors of those tiles and puts up a grayscale portrait of Elon on one?
Great advertising space.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: joek on 05/01/2021 03:58 pm
Punch machines in the basement (why always the basement?!), trying to get a good read, then waiting for printouts to be delivered to the pigeon hole in the wall... (shiver)  FORTRAN 77 66 FTW
FTFY.

And here I thought programming in Fortran in a Unix environment on a Sparc would get me some cred.   NOPE
OMG I pity you. FORTRAN on Unix variants sucked back then; got no respect. Might as well use a slide rule or abacus.

I recall a bored computer operator with a sense of humor taking advantage of this.
...

Yeah, been there done that. Data was not so bad, as we could add information for sequencing if needed.  Binary decks (that is the executable or .exe for most these days), another matter.  Was not unusual to have a few thousand cards of the binary (that is the program executable) followed by a few thousand cards of data.

May seem weird to some these days, but back-when we did not have much in the way of persistent storage; often cards were the only persistent storage.  Drop a data deck, you might recover.  Drop a binary deck, unlikely to recover... go back, recompile from source, punch a new binary deck, and try again.

And then we had folks who did remote data entry on punch-out cards (field workers). The cards were perforated; instead of a key punch, field workers would use a stylus to punch out individual data elements. All good, until they encountered our high speed vacuum-pic card reader... [1]

At which point the vacuum-pic card reader sucked out *all* the perfs. Many tears on both sides. Customer ended up with cards with every perf punched (or rather sucked) out, and no easy way to recover. We had a card reader choked with chaff from all those perfs.


[1] CDC 405, 1200+ cards/min. The vaccum-pic mechanism is what made it fast vs. others--the fastest at that time IIRC. Could read a standard box of 2000 cards in a bit over 3 seconds under 2 minutes.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 05/01/2021 06:20 pm
Recovering from a card spill used to be a freshman right of passage. Kids today are missing out.  ;D

As was running out of quarters in the middle of the night for the punchcard vending machine. Arrrggghhhhh!!!!!!

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 05/01/2021 06:29 pm
not the first post, but lets rock out anyways.

SpaceX Launch You Up...

https://youtu.be/NY7N02eZGoQ

(Edit to fix link years later)

Decided to go back to page one...  Ya know, there was cool music when I first got here! ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 05/01/2021 07:33 pm
  It turns out a truck dropping a dumpster next door sounds a lot like a Starship exploding.
  I've decided I don't drink enough.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 05/02/2021 12:38 am
Recovering from a card spill used to be a freshman right of passage. Kids today are missing out.  ;D

As was running out of quarters in the middle of the night for the punchcard vending machine. Arrrggghhhhh!!!!!!

Wait.... was this for real?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 05/02/2021 12:51 am
Recovering from a card spill used to be a freshman right of passage. Kids today are missing out.  ;D

As was running out of quarters in the middle of the night for the punchcard vending machine. Arrrggghhhhh!!!!!!

Wait.... was this for real?
Cleaning out the punch card machines and dropping a cup full of punched chads. They made EXCELLENT confetti, but were a real pain to vacuum out of computer lab carpet. Ask me how I know.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: toren on 05/02/2021 01:14 am
[1] CDC 405, 1200+ cards/min. The vaccum-pic mechanism is what made it fast vs. others--the fastest at that time IIRC. Could read a standard box of 2000 cards in a bit over 3 seconds under 2 minutes.

Those things were awesome!  I trotted out the old Heathkit before, but I really did most of the learning on a CDC 6500.  Plus, the most awesome operator's console of its day - a dual eye of Sauron!  It was occasionally suggested that someone hollow out a card deck and put a hot dog inside to see what the 405 would do with that, but AFAIK it was never attempted...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: joek on 05/02/2021 01:50 am
Cleaning out the punch card machines and dropping a cup full of punched chads. They made EXCELLENT confetti, but were a real pain to vacuum out of computer lab carpet. Ask me how I know.

I sympathize :). We had a CDC 6400, the only one in the region at that time. Given its serious power, some USG agencies would avail themselves of it every few months. We had to clear, vacuum-up and dispose of every punch card chad from dozens of machines before and after (dispose = burn bags). Sucked does not begin to describe it.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AndyH on 05/02/2021 02:51 am
Recovering from a card spill used to be a freshman right of passage. Kids today are missing out.  ;D

As was running out of quarters in the middle of the night for the punchcard vending machine. Arrrggghhhhh!!!!!!

Wait.... was this for real?
Cleaning out the punch card machines and dropping a cup full of punched chads. They made EXCELLENT confetti, but were a real pain to vacuum out of computer lab carpet. Ask me how I know.
We used Model 28 teletypes and 5 level paper tape for comms at my first USAF assignment. A cup of chads hung from the ceiling with a thread down to a sleeping op's chair always brought cheers from others on the floor, and jeers from the airman that had clean-up that shift.  ;D  #NightShiftFun

cr cr lf ltrs ltrs  nnnn
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 05/02/2021 08:03 am
Lack of Trump Boats at Dragon landing show that space flight is back at boring routine...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfVi53slbvM
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: hoku on 05/02/2021 11:52 am
Lack of Trump Boats at Dragon landing show that space flight is back at boring routine...
<snip>
Well, NASA noticed some other unexpected visitors ...
https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/05/four-astronauts-make-first-nighttime-landing-in-the-ocean-since-1968/ (https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/05/four-astronauts-make-first-nighttime-landing-in-the-ocean-since-1968/)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 05/02/2021 12:46 pm
Lack of Trump Boats at Dragon landing show that space flight is back at boring routine...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfVi53slbvM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfVi53slbvM)


Needs some boats with Musk/Shotwell flags.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 05/02/2021 04:46 pm
Round about 11pm last night I had this thought... and couldn't stop chuckling...

"Trunk discarded."

"Entry interface in 30 seconds... mark."

"Uh commander.  I think I spotted a problem."

"What's the problem?"

"Shouldn't the nameplate there by the door say 'Resilience'... not 'Endeavor'?"

"Uh oh... Hawthorn we have an issu....bshhshsss..."

----

Meanwhile, back on the Space Station, one of the crew looks to another... "Took them long enough to notice.  You think Houston will be mad we switched the plates on them?"



edit:  *bangs head on desk*... Resilience not Inspiration. :P
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 05/02/2021 08:40 pm
Lack of Trump Boats at Dragon landing show that space flight is back at boring routine...
<snip>
Well, NASA noticed some other unexpected visitors ...
https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/05/four-astronauts-make-first-nighttime-landing-in-the-ocean-since-1968/ (https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/05/four-astronauts-make-first-nighttime-landing-in-the-ocean-since-1968/)

How come they weren't fined for violating the exclusion zone?

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 05/02/2021 10:24 pm
Lack of Trump Boats at Dragon landing show that space flight is back at boring routine...
<snip>
Well, NASA noticed some other unexpected visitors ...
https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/05/four-astronauts-make-first-nighttime-landing-in-the-ocean-since-1968/ (https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/05/four-astronauts-make-first-nighttime-landing-in-the-ocean-since-1968/)

How come they weren't fined for violating the exclusion zone?

Really!  I mean if there's ever a case for being a little shellfish...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 05/02/2021 10:30 pm
You did that on porpoise!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 05/03/2021 05:06 am
 Too much time at sea makes you forget that first dolphin moment, until you see a newbie entranced by a group riding the bow wave.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: smisamore on 05/03/2021 08:49 pm
Too much time at sea makes you forget that first dolphin moment, until you see a newbie entranced by a group riding the bow wave.

They liked to "surf" in the hump that would form just in front of the rounded bow of our sub as we sailed in and out of Pearl Harbor. If we were going slow enough, they could just lay there and let the pressure wave push them along. On the way out, as we started speeding up, they would get into their "porpoising" mode and eventually move off into the wake on either side of the boat and fly in formation with us for awhile.   
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 05/03/2021 09:29 pm
twitter.com/djsnm/status/1389284388039499788

Quote
With TFR, FAA Approval and Road Closures already arranges we might see SN15 fly on May The Fourth.
So, I hope the SpaceX stream starts like this:

https://twitter.com/photonempress/status/1389307579633856513

Quote
For all those pining me asking for this to happen… you know the deal: I can’t comment on stuff like this 😕 Sorry!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nevyn72 on 05/04/2021 01:55 am
Could we end up with a situation where both Falcon9 (starlink) and Starship SN15 are lunching at the same time?!!  :o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nevyn72 on 05/04/2021 02:08 am
Once upon a time, there was a swamp with three Starships.

Two thoughts on Nomadd's picture below...

1) Goldilocks is wondering why Mumma Starship is in a cage...  :-\

2) Is the test nosecone like the SS equivalent of Hannibal Lecter?  :o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 05/04/2021 04:47 am
Ooooh.  I just spotted a major upgrade for Starship.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: floron on 05/04/2021 05:24 am
Ah, the new Sauron Securitytm package.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 05/04/2021 10:37 pm
Ooooh.  I just spotted a major upgrade for Starship.

SSSE (Starship Side Eye)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 05/05/2021 01:29 am
https://twitter.com/SciGuySpace/status/1389632195967471625 (https://twitter.com/SciGuySpace/status/1389632195967471625)
No money in launching without paying customer.

Sent from my SM-T810 using Tapatalk


Unless you have a spare car Cybertruck to send.


Fixed that for you  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: scdavis on 05/05/2021 05:13 pm
Go for launch.
 "Be somewhere else in 15 minutes or there will be....trouble"

For some reason I imagine Chuck Norris knocking on my door to clear the area for launch. I'm inclined to oblige him without delay. He would be a great range safety officer.

Here's a pic of that time he kept us from running toward SN12 before it was safed.

(https://images02.military.com/sites/default/files/2020-05/Chuck%20Norris%20Delta%20Force%201200.jpg)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 05/05/2021 06:45 pm
Why is every event worthy of an "!" ?
Stop that racket!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 05/05/2021 06:54 pm
Why is every event worthy of an "!" ?

Has he been old for his entire life?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: gaballard on 05/05/2021 10:39 pm
Just want to be the first to say HOLY CRAP THEY DID IT!!!! My neighbors must be wondering what game is on that has me cheering and clapping so loudly :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 05/05/2021 10:43 pm
SpaceX.  Pros at starting fires. Pros at putting them out again.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tyrred on 05/05/2021 10:44 pm
Fork yeah.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 05/05/2021 10:46 pm
I'm holding my breath until the L+11:00 point. It ain't over until the tanks are empty. (still kicking myself for not buying DOGE. oh well....)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 05/05/2021 10:47 pm
 About an hour ago we sent SpaceX a message saying that we were out of food and beer and they needed to launch.
 They bought us food and beer and launched.

 So, Mary and I humbly accept full credit for the successful launch of the first surviving Starship.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: steveleach on 05/05/2021 10:49 pm
About an hour ago we sent SpaceX a message saying that we were out of food and beer and they needed to launch.
 They bought us food and beer and launched.

 So, Mary and I humbly accept full credit for the successful launch of the first surviving Starship.
Lunch'n'launch(TM)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: abaddon on 05/05/2021 10:52 pm
About an hour ago we sent SpaceX a message saying that we were out of food and beer and they needed to launch.
 They bought us food and beer and launched.
Now that's right neighborly of them.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: aero on 05/05/2021 11:02 pm
Starship landing nominal - I guess that means that it is designed to burn after landing? Isn't that what Cortez did?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 05/06/2021 12:32 am
Just want to be the first to say HOLY CRAP THEY DID IT!!!! My neighbors must be wondering what game is on that has me cheering and clapping so loudly :D

100%.  And yet from another perspective, look how far we've come.  When they nailed landing an F9, these threads would've exploded for dozens of pages.  Now, SpaceX is meeting [our] expectations.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 05/06/2021 12:34 am
Starship landing nominal - I guess that means that it is designed to burn after landing? Isn't that what Cortez did?

That's what Marko Ramius told me.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 05/06/2021 03:15 am
Could we end up with a situation where both Falcon9 (starlink) and Starship SN15 are lunching at the same time?!!  :o

Yes, though it depends on how hungry they are, their work schedules, and whether there's a restaurant handy that's big enough to hold them.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 05/06/2021 03:45 am
Could we end up with a situation where both Falcon9 (starlink) and Starship SN15 are lunching at the same time?!!  :o

Yes, though it depends on how hungry they are, their work schedules, and whether there's a restaurant handy that's big enough to hold them.

I think it's rather improbable such a restaurant exists (outside of Milliways, I suppose).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joseph Peterson on 05/06/2021 04:01 am
Today's successful landing bodes well for not only SpaceX's Mars program but also NASA's Mars-to-Moon program.   ??? :-\ ::)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 05/06/2021 04:05 am
You did it. He did it.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 05/06/2021 04:08 am
Could we end up with a situation where both Falcon9 (starlink) and Starship SN15 are lunching at the same time?!!  :o

Yes, though it depends on how hungry they are, their work schedules, and whether there's a restaurant handy that's big enough to hold them.

Come on... the late Heinlein said it many times...

"there ain't something as a free lunch !
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 05/06/2021 12:49 pm
Remember when it was enough just to make rockets go up? Once? Now the prototypes have to come home in one piece. And we regard this as "normal". Think about it.  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 05/09/2021 07:03 am
Congratulations to SpaceX on the TENTH launch and landing of a Falcon-9 1st stage! Whoo-hoo! Party on the barge!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: erv on 05/09/2021 09:25 pm
Catching rockets with a tower? Hmmm, I see some similarities here...

https://twitter.com/Rainmaker1973/status/1391405094697005059
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 05/09/2021 09:46 pm
Ooooh.  I just spotted a major upgrade for Starship.

Why am I suddenly hearing Danny Elfman's theme to the Tim Burton/Michael Keaton 'Batman' movie?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 05/10/2021 08:33 pm
Ooooh.  I just spotted a major upgrade for Starship.

Why am I suddenly hearing Danny Elfman's theme to the Tim Burton/Michael Keaton 'Batman' movie?


Did you also ask the body shop if you could paint your Cherokee 'Noir'?   8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 05/10/2021 08:39 pm
Weld some foils underneath and fit a couple of gas turbine thrusters and I'd reckon you might get 45 or 50kts out of it.  Certainly a little more GO!

That’s not how ships work.

That doesn't how boats is? (https://youtube.com/watch?v=xAJvdFGWUTU&t=1m55s)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 05/10/2021 08:45 pm
Ooooh.  I just spotted a major upgrade for Starship.

Why am I suddenly hearing Danny Elfman's theme to the Tim Burton/Michael Keaton 'Batman' movie?


Did you also ask the body shop if you could paint your Cherokee 'Noir'?   8)

Well it was either that or saying I'm waiting for 'Spinal Tap' to take the stage.  :P
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: the_other_Doug on 05/11/2021 02:08 am
Could we end up with a situation where both Falcon9 (starlink) and Starship SN15 are lunching at the same time?!!  :o

Yes, though it depends on how hungry they are, their work schedules, and whether there's a restaurant handy that's big enough to hold them.

Come on... the late Heinlein said it many times...

"there ain't something as a free lunch !

To be completely correct, the quote is "There ain't no such thing as a free lunch", usually acronymized into the curse word TANSTAAFL.  And Mary and Nomadd didn't get a free lunch -- they were paid a lunch and beer, in return for their cooperation in leaving their homes.  Sounds like fair payment to me.

Depends on what they got for lunch, of course.  And what brand of beer.  ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 05/11/2021 02:35 am
Could we end up with a situation where both Falcon9 (starlink) and Starship SN15 are lunching at the same time?!!  :o

Yes, though it depends on how hungry they are, their work schedules, and whether there's a restaurant handy that's big enough to hold them.

Come on... the late Heinlein said it many times...

"there ain't something as a free lunch !

To be completely correct, the quote is "There ain't no such thing as a free lunch", usually acronymized into the curse word TANSTAAFL.  And Mary and Nomadd didn't get a free lunch -- they were paid a lunch and beer, in return for their cooperation in leaving their homes.  Sounds like fair payment to me.

Depends on what they got for lunch, of course.  And what brand of beer.  ;)
Not that fair. The sandwich was some sort of foofoo California avacado and plant bits thing. There may have been a few traces of chicken lips in it.
 Longboard beer, so that was ok.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 05/11/2021 07:18 am
Could we end up with a situation where both Falcon9 (starlink) and Starship SN15 are lunching at the same time?!!  :o

Yes, though it depends on how hungry they are, their work schedules, and whether there's a restaurant handy that's big enough to hold them.

Come on... the late Heinlein said it many times...

"there ain't something as a free lunch !

To be completely correct, the quote is "There ain't no such thing as a free lunch", usually acronymized into the curse word TANSTAAFL.  And Mary and Nomadd didn't get a free lunch -- they were paid a lunch and beer, in return for their cooperation in leaving their homes.  Sounds like fair payment to me.

Depends on what they got for lunch, of course.  And what brand of beer.  ;)

But... the question to which I was responding to (a couple of nested quotes above) was whether we might see Falcon 9 and Starship lunching at the same time. No mention was made of a free lunch (which of course don't really exist - TANSTAAFL!).
Indeed, I suspect the lunch bill for an F9 and Starship would be rather high, as they'd surely order rather large servings. "I'll try the lemon meringue for desert... I'm on a diet so just 3000 slices, please."

As for beer... There's a rumor going around that someone at Boca Chica has plans to turn a few bits of SpaceX hardware into a beer cooler. One of these bits is the new cryogenic production tower (for cooling the beer cooler). For the cooler itself, Starhopper.

 

 Not that fair. The sandwich was some sort of foofoo California avacado and plant bits thing. There may have been a few traces of chicken lips in it.
 Longboard beer, so that was ok.

Hrmmm. This does not bode well from a process point of view. Forgetting the bacon for the avocado is kinda like forgetting to put the pins in the capsule parachute - a rather glaring and risky mistake!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: erv on 05/11/2021 08:09 pm
This. Is hilarious :D

https://twitter.com/astro_timpeake/status/1392027758549741568
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: electricdawn on 05/11/2021 08:26 pm
Ohmagawd! This is SO awesome!  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 05/12/2021 01:18 am
Ohmagawd! This is SO awesome!  ;D

Oh Lawd, I'm crying.

Now I'm Jones'ing for someone to make this one:

A long, long time ago
I can still remember how SLS
Used to make me smile
And Congress if they had a chance
Thought they could make States, fifty, dance
And maybe they'd be happy for a while

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 05/12/2021 01:51 am
Ohmagawd! This is SO awesome!  ;D

Oh Lawd, I'm crying.

Now I'm Jones'ing for someone to make this one:

A long, long time ago
I can still remember how SLS
Used to make me smile
And Congress if they had a chance
Thought they could make States, fifty, dance
And maybe they'd be happy for a while


You just volunteered yourself ya know.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Stan-1967 on 05/12/2021 02:32 am
What inspired placing a NASA official behind the glass wall from 2:29 onwards? LOLS!   Is ESA implying that NASA folks don't know how to sing, or are too uptight to sing?   

I'd say that ESA has thrown down the gauntlet & challenged NASA to a sing off.  Maybe Eurovision style!?

I need to get me a white shirt and short clip on tie like the NASA guy.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 05/12/2021 04:52 am
This. Is hilarious :D

https://twitter.com/astro_timpeake/status/1392027758549741568
Thanks for posting that. That's the most fun I've had in a while.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 05/12/2021 04:54 am
Ohmagawd! This is SO awesome!  ;D

Oh Lawd, I'm crying.

Now I'm Jones'ing for someone to make this one:

A long, long time ago
I can still remember how SLS
Used to make me smile
And Congress if they had a chance
Thought they could make States, fifty, dance
And maybe they'd be happy for a while

This is pure gold. You, sir, have my respect.  :o ;D ;D ;D

As for the title "American pork" sounds like an evidence to me.

Bye, bye Mr American pork...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 05/12/2021 05:41 am
I can't believe this ESA clubs video has been out since December! As someone who has just launched a YT music video and now knows how much work it can be, hats off to these guys.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 05/12/2021 07:41 am
What inspired placing a NASA official behind the glass wall from 2:29 onwards? LOLS!   Is ESA implying that NASA folks don't know how to sing, or are too uptight to sing?   

I'd say that ESA has thrown down the gauntlet & challenged NASA to a sing off.  Maybe Eurovision style!?

I need to get me a white shirt and short clip on tie like the NASA guy.

Look at the label, that's the FOD closet. None of those foreign objects running freely through our facilities, thank you very much!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Stan-1967 on 05/12/2021 05:40 pm
What inspired placing a NASA official behind the glass wall from 2:29 onwards? LOLS!   Is ESA implying that NASA folks don't know how to sing, or are too uptight to sing?   

I'd say that ESA has thrown down the gauntlet & challenged NASA to a sing off.  Maybe Eurovision style!?

I need to get me a white shirt and short clip on tie like the NASA guy.

Look at the label, that's the FOD closet. None of those foreign objects running freely through our facilities, thank you very much!

NASA inspired NERD shirts are available on ETSY.  Here's a pic of me wearing mine.  I was younger in this photo...


https://www.etsy.com/listing/988724351/nerd-nasa-shirt-nasa-space-nerd-shirt?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_d-clothing-unisex_adult_clothing-tops_and_tees-tshirts&utm_custom1=_k_CjwKCAjw-e2EBhAhEiwAJI5jgyM1ZhCsOlhe8yIPUG_SfwVUyjHhJsTVZub652QS0MB2P2MM9pYnwxoCv8IQAvD_BwE_k_&utm_content=go_12573357806_116874730262_507798551277_aud-1118323511478:pla-299872739640_c__988724351_113026875&utm_custom2=12573357806&gclid=CjwKCAjw-e2EBhAhEiwAJI5jgyM1ZhCsOlhe8yIPUG_SfwVUyjHhJsTVZub652QS0MB2P2MM9pYnwxoCv8IQAvD_BwE
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tgr9898 on 05/12/2021 08:27 pm

NASA inspired NERD shirts are available on ETSY.  Here's a pic of me wearing mine.  I was younger in this photo...


https://www.etsy.com/listing/988724351/nerd-nasa-shirt-nasa-space-nerd-shirt?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_d-clothing-unisex_adult_clothing-tops_and_tees-tshirts&utm_custom1=_k_CjwKCAjw-e2EBhAhEiwAJI5jgyM1ZhCsOlhe8yIPUG_SfwVUyjHhJsTVZub652QS0MB2P2MM9pYnwxoCv8IQAvD_BwE_k_&utm_content=go_12573357806_116874730262_507798551277_aud-1118323511478:pla-299872739640_c__988724351_113026875&utm_custom2=12573357806&gclid=CjwKCAjw-e2EBhAhEiwAJI5jgyM1ZhCsOlhe8yIPUG_SfwVUyjHhJsTVZub652QS0MB2P2MM9pYnwxoCv8IQAvD_BwE

No love for the worm.....

I'd order one, but not in Meatball form
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 05/13/2021 08:31 pm
Holy Cats...Ya'll check this out? It's happnin' -  8)

https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=53846.0

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: 50_Caliber on 05/13/2021 11:56 pm
https://youtu.be/FuaDWyCnJxs
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Coopman0 on 05/14/2021 12:38 am
https://youtu.be/FuaDWyCnJxs

ok
  - Chad
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kdhilliard on 05/14/2021 02:40 am
NASA inspired NERD shirts are available on ETSY.  Here's a pic of me wearing mine.  I was younger in this photo...
...
No love for the worm.....

I'd order one, but not in Meatball form
Best of both Worlds?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 05/14/2021 08:05 pm
Holy Cats...Ya'll check this out? It's happnin' -  8)

https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=53846.0

I think I feel gypped.

I mean it's only going 3/4 of the way around and they're calling it orbital... :P
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kdhilliard on 05/15/2021 09:25 am
Quote from: the forum homepage
SpaceX Missions Section (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?board=55.0)
Section for all SpaceX Launches and Missions, from Falcon 1 to Falcon 9 - and NOW Falcon Heavy.

How delightfully dated!
:)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 05/15/2021 11:07 pm
Eighty-freaking-fourth successful landing. NEVER gets old.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 05/15/2021 11:11 pm
Eighty-freaking-fourth successful landing. NEVER gets old.

With the landing accuracy they're getting lately, we might need landing bingo to move to a 1cm*1cm grid. It's a wonder they even put wings on ASOG.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 05/16/2021 12:54 pm
I can't believe this ESA clubs video has been out since December! As someone who has just launched a YT music video and now knows how much work it can be, hats off to these guys.


You seriously going to leave us hanging?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: RoadWithoutEnd on 05/16/2021 04:39 pm
No love for the worm.....

The worm hasn't earned its love...yet.  The meatball represents the glories of the Space Race, an impossible promise somehow kept.  The worm represents Shuttle; a much humbler promise, somehow still broken.  Maybe Starship will redeem the Worm, and also reawaken the meatball to dare further things.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AstroWare on 05/16/2021 06:28 pm


You are correct on your statement. I will have to go back to the FAR to give an informed answer. But my initial thought are. (Assuming GAO supports NASA.)

Basic rule of thumb the act if signed into law cannot legally change the award of HLS contract ( that would be unconstitutional under the separation of powers principle) so NASA’s options are

1. Leave award as is, Release new solicitation were everyone is eligible to participate (NASA can add a clause that award is subject to additional HLS appropriations ( since previous HLS money is already committed)...

2. Cancel the award and pay all the cancellation penalties . The do a new solicitation open to everyone.

We need to be aware that based on how our laws are approved and how congressional calendar works, the earliest this bill will make it to the presidents desk is July at the earliest. There is not enough time for NASA to do a full solicitation from July To sep 30 by which time HLS funds need to be committed. IMHO NASA don’t want to lose that money so more than likely they will probably select option 1.

This amendment has the potential of opening a whole can of worms regarding separations of powers, that might end up  in the Supreme Court, but that discussion is out of topic for the forum
Not saying you're wrong, but it would be absolutely ridiculous is NASA, on needing a second HLS provider, would not be able to say “we literally just evaluated that” and choose Blue Origin, or at least do a really quick resolicitation with the same result over a month or two where the requirement and additional funding is amended in. On what grounds could anyone reasonably object to that argument?

Heck SpaceX might object!

Elon: two awards are required now?! Okay then...

SpaceX: spins off Starship division into separate company along with HLS award. "Starship Co."

SpaceX: Develops Falcon/Dragon heritage landing system more expensive then Starship HLS but less then National Team.

Nasa: SpaceX Wins second HLS slot too.

Bezos: ... *Brain RUD*
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 05/16/2021 08:16 pm
I can't believe this ESA clubs video has been out since December! As someone who has just launched a YT music video and now knows how much work it can be, hats off to these guys.


You seriously going to leave us hanging?

I would love an excuse to post a link to: "SCAR: A New Stage Musical", however, because it is a family-friendly show that has nothing to do with space-related geekyness (and I'm not sure what the forum rules are on this), I refrained. For those who just HAVE to know, it's an original fantasy about a Cat who is exiled and forced to live half her life as a Human. I created the concept and wrote the script and lyrics.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 05/16/2021 11:05 pm
I would love an excuse to post a link to: "SCAR: A New Stage Musical", however, because it is a family-friendly show that has nothing to do with space-related geekyness[...]

Well, I mean, "nothing" is rather absolute, now, isn't it?  I mean, if someone was bored and pulled up a YouTube video, but they were too busy to watch the whole thing so they arbitrarily started it, eh, somewhere about two and a half minutes in, they might get at least the tiniest tangential hint of space-relatedness. Okay, so it's actually mountains, not rockets, but they both apparently go soaring up into the sky (https://youtube.com/watch?v=G7dDl4XiBqo&t=156s).  ;D

If necessary, I can work a link into a space sonnet or launch limerick or something, as I'm still a pint short of gruntle over the current state of this thread's poll, which just doesn't seem right... Wait, let me correct that.  I mean, which seems perfectly right in the leader but a bit off for the rest of the results...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mandella on 05/17/2021 04:26 am
Since cats are from Saturn that's all the space connection I think we need.

And always happy to salute the creative efforts of others!

 8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 05/17/2021 04:35 am
I would love an excuse to post a link to: "SCAR: A New Stage Musical", however, because it is a family-friendly show that has nothing to do with space-related geekyness[...]

Well, I mean, "nothing" is rather absolute, now, isn't it?  I mean, if someone was bored and pulled up a YouTube video, but they were too busy to watch the whole thing so they arbitrarily started it, eh, somewhere about two and a half minutes in, they might get at least the tiniest tangential hint of space-relatedness. Okay, so it's actually mountains, not rockets, but they both apparently go soaring up into the sky (https://youtube.com/watch?v=G7dDl4XiBqo&t=156s).  ;D

If necessary, I can work a link into a space sonnet or launch limerick or something, as I'm still a pint short of gruntle over the current state of this thread's poll, which just doesn't seem right... Wait, let me correct that.  I mean, which seems perfectly right in the leader but a bit off for the rest of the results...

Oh, great. Now I've got another plot brainworming around my little head. From the publicity blurb:

"In this sequel to the (obscure) musical SCAR, the descendants of the infamous Rat Gang have hatched a new plot: Invade and take over the International Space Station. Can anyone stop them? Elon has a plan! Includes the catchy song "Set a Cat to Catch a Rat" and the hilarious "Rodents Rule Rocketry". Coming soon to a theatre near you. Or not."

BTW, I voted for you. Don't tell Lar.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 05/17/2021 05:39 am
I would love an excuse to post a link to: "SCAR: A New Stage Musical", however, because it is a family-friendly show that has nothing to do with space-related geekyness[...]

Well, I mean, "nothing" is rather absolute, now, isn't it?  I mean, if someone was bored and pulled up a YouTube video, but they were too busy to watch the whole thing so they arbitrarily started it, eh, somewhere about two and a half minutes in, they might get at least the tiniest tangential hint of space-relatedness. Okay, so it's actually mountains, not rockets, but they both apparently go soaring up into the sky (https://youtube.com/watch?v=G7dDl4XiBqo&t=156s).  ;D

If necessary, I can work a link into a space sonnet or launch limerick or something, as I'm still a pint short of gruntle over the current state of this thread's poll, which just doesn't seem right... Wait, let me correct that.  I mean, which seems perfectly right in the leader but a bit off for the rest of the results...

Oh, great. Now I've got another plot brainworming around my little head. From the publicity blurb:

"In this sequel to the (obscure) musical SCAR, the descendants of the infamous Rat Gang have hatched a new plot: Invade and take over the International Space Station. Can anyone stop them? Elon has a plan! Includes the catchy song "Set a Cat to Catch a Rat" and the hilarious "Rodents Rule Rocketry". Coming soon to a theatre near you. Or not."

BTW, I voted for you. Don't tell Lar.

And "Rodents Berry "with rats in the disguise of Star Trek characters, singing "Johnny be good"...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 05/17/2021 07:07 am
I told my composer (Suzannah Doyle), about this and she added more song titles: "Of course, don't forget the hits:  "Hail to Rodentia," "Rat Time," and "A Tale of Tails" (in which they expound on why RAT TAILS are superior to Cat tails)!"

Aaaaand, to bring this all around in a big circle, the show's climax will be a giant zero-g Busby Berkeley-style Rat-dance with the song "Bohemian Ratsody"!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 05/17/2021 03:48 pm

BTW, I voted for you. Don't tell Lar.


I want all my likes back!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 05/18/2021 05:29 am
Anyone, and I mean ANYONE, who voted for me?
Needs a mental health checkup, it's plain to see.
That's 44.6%,  Happily not QUITE a majority
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 05/18/2021 09:30 pm
Anyone, and I mean ANYONE, who voted for me?
Needs a mental health checkup, it's plain to see.
That's 44.6%,  Happily not QUITE a majority
Actually, it might be a majority. I voted for everybody else at least three times.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 05/19/2021 01:38 am
Not about SpaceX but...
Is it fair to question whether ULA needs to increase GSE testing and maintenance routines when a launch site has gone a significant time between flights?

We saw a variety of issues related to GSE for the latest Delta IV Heavy flight from SLC-37 and now a scrub on SLC-41 for the first Atlas V in 6 months.

Was pad readiness procedure changed following the end of ELC payments?

No.

Whoa
He added a period.
Getting positively chatty Jim is.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 05/20/2021 07:36 am
Apologies if this has already been suggested and discounted - I've lost track in this and possibly other threads...

What is the problem with simply using equilateral and slightly narrower isosceles triangles on the ogive?  If the equilaterals are "A" or "V" and the narrower isosc triangles are v then at the bottom (near cylinder) you could us a tessellation like:

AVAVAVAVAVAvAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAVAvAVAVAVAVAVA (for example)

whereas next to the nose you might use:

AvAvAvAvAvAvAv (again, as an example).

You'd pick the width of the isosc triangle such that it perfectly fits alongside the circumference of the nose protector.  You then use fewer isosc triangles as you progress down towards the cylinder part of the ogive as the angle of curvature loosens off.

Sorry for poor terminology but hopefully you get what I mean.  You might be able to get the packing close enough such that there aren't circumferential gap lines??

edited for some missing "V"s in my first illustration!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLrIGJEz818
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Robotbeat on 05/20/2021 06:19 pm
Seems fitting here...
https://youtu.be/1OE8VhYcBHg
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 05/20/2021 06:21 pm
I'm not sure what it being off world gains us.

Assuming that a vault on Earth would be built in an out of the way place (not worth nuking) that is tectonically safe ect. That basically means the only relevant threat is meteor strike - which is no different than a lunar outpost.

However, the lunar outpost is much more difficult to service (machines do need servicing).

Though I'm TOTALLY a fan of dinosaurs parachuting down on modern day Earth.

There already is one in Scandinavia, I think.

Okay... sometimes just fully quoting what you're replying to is not enough.

I now want to book a flight to Scandinavia to see this parachuting dinosaur. ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AU1.52 on 05/20/2021 10:40 pm
Why is every event worthy of an "!" ?

Has he been old for his entire life?


You mean you just want to get to the .
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 05/23/2021 09:38 pm
I spotted a Raptor today while moving Sequel…
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 05/24/2021 10:50 am
Ah, the elusive mechanical tardigrade. What will SpaceX think of next…

Image credit: Twitter user @StarshipGazer
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: leovinus on 05/26/2021 06:05 pm
Lunch at Rusty’s Seafood before launch :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 05/26/2021 08:23 pm
The End is near, The Moon is venting something!!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 05/26/2021 09:56 pm
Quote from: Chris Bergin tweet
100 consecutive launch successes for Falcon 9!

Since CRS-7? Or since the AMOS-6 pad RUD?
Quickly, Herb needs four friends for calculus project! (Or nine if they are shy and don't want to remove their shoes and socks)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 05/27/2021 12:51 am
Since cats are from Saturn that's all the space connection I think we need.

And always happy to salute the creative efforts of others!

 8)
Sorry, I saw Cat and thought of "The Game of Rat and Dragon" (https://www.gutenberg.org/files/29614/29614-h/29614-h.htm).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: leovinus on 05/27/2021 01:47 am
Lunch at Rusty’s Seafood before launch :)

Ps: the NSF Fleetcam and the Pelicans are all right ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 05/28/2021 07:46 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFylGqRJRkg
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 05/29/2021 03:27 pm
I just had this dream last night that SpaceX made a surprise announcement of Cores B1052 and B1053 making simultaneous launches from LC-39A and SLC-40 respectively.

B1053 launching Turksat 5B to GTO and B1052 launching a Starlink satellite set to the 53.2 inclination plane.

Man, I wish this could happen in real life. To show everyone that SpaceX can do the impossible even more than before.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 05/29/2021 03:58 pm
I just had this dream last night that SpaceX made a surprise announcement of Cores B1052 and B1053 making simultaneous launches from LC-39A and SLC-40 respectively.

B1053 launching Turksat 5B to GTO and B1052 launching a Starlink satellite set to the 53.2 inclination plane.

Man, I wish this could happen in real life. To show everyone that SpaceX can do the impossible even more than before.

The range might not want 2 launches at once.  They'd want a gap, at least 5 or 10 seconds I'm sure.  LOL

2 east coast launches within 24 hours, will happen, it's just a matter of time now.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tomness on 05/30/2021 03:16 pm
Did someone order 7,300 pounds of science?

@SpaceX’s 22nd contracted resupply mission to the @Space_Station is targeted to launch Thurs., June 3. Get the details in the mission overview:

https://twitter.com/NASA/status/1398769875619827718

Using an image from the CRS-7 launch for this has got to be a good luck charm...

Good Dragons Follow Orders.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 05/30/2021 07:39 pm
Okay, I actually did the calculations, and I got:
Distance 639.8km
Azimuth 155.25
arccos(cos(34.632)∗sin(155.25))= 69.8498686 degrees

Do we know the meaning of "false precision" ;D
It's results with more significant figures than the inputs.
Back in this thread I posted (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2227581#msg2227581) about my slide rules and their being supplanted by my brand new HP-45.
The day I bought it, I did my homework on it and wrote down the answers with all the decimal places in the red, -7-bar, numeric display.
My professor wrote on the paper, in red pen that I can still see, "I remain unimpressed with your calculator."
To this day, almost a half century later, I remain sensitized to false precision.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Vettedrmr on 05/31/2021 12:13 am
Do we know the meaning of "false precision" ;D

I actually take off points in my high school engineering classes if my students do that.

Have a good one,
Mike
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 05/31/2021 05:06 am
Okay, I actually did the calculations, and I got:
Distance 639.8km
Azimuth 155.25
arccos(cos(34.632)∗sin(155.25))= 69.8498686 degrees

Do we know the meaning of "false precision" ;D
It's results with more significant figures than the inputs.
Back in this thread I posted (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2227581#msg2227581) about my slide rules and their being supplanted by my brand new HP-45.
The day I bought it, I did my homework on it and wrote down the answers with all the decimal places in the red, -7-bar, numeric display.
My professor wrote on the paper, in red pen that I can still see, "I remain unimpressed with your calculator."
To this day, almost a half century later, I remain sensitized to false precision.

I am 99.98937427497% in agreement with this sentiment.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 05/31/2021 05:33 am
 Heisenberg probably had something to say about it.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 05/31/2021 05:39 am
Are you certain?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 06/01/2021 03:49 pm
In today's summary I show you all daily 3D renders of the last week.
News came from the launch tower, the launch table, the mysterious structure, the GSE tank farm and the new thrust puck test ram.
https://youtu.be/xoTLoemtPpk

anyone else running this in an endless loop for the music?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 06/02/2021 08:02 pm
https://twitter.com/joroulette/status/1400174016334290949
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INUu_dUlXDI
Tässä täytyy tietää; Kikka ja Sukkula Venukseen.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Reynold on 06/03/2021 08:28 pm
With the launch of bobtail squids on the latest CRS-22 mission to the International Space Station, am I the only one secretly hoping for some kind of Space Radiation Mutated Killer Squids terrorizing the crew in a couple of months?  Kind of a "Snakes on a Plane" vibe?    :o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 06/03/2021 09:42 pm
With the launch of bobtail squids on the latest CRS-22 mission to the International Space Station, am I the only one secretly hoping for some kind of Space Radiation Mutated Killer Squids terrorizing the crew in a couple of months?  Kind of a "Snakes on a Plane" vibe?    :o


Here you're talking Sci Fi while I'm thinking it would be cool to grow cotton on the ISS just like Gandalf.  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 06/04/2021 09:36 pm
With the launch of bobtail squids on the latest CRS-22 mission to the International Space Station, am I the only one secretly hoping for some kind of Space Radiation Mutated Killer Squids terrorizing the crew in a couple of months?  Kind of a "Snakes on a Plane" vibe?    :o

Have you never played KSP?

Otherwise you'd know what it means, having THE KRAKEN on your space station ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Oli on 06/07/2021 12:00 am
[re: discussion of proposed European re-usable launch vehicles]
CNES must have missed that producing powerpoint studies is not good enough anymore.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 06/07/2021 05:29 am
Regarding the Starship orbital(ish?) flight test thread (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=53846.0), just figured I'd note that the answer is clearly twelve.

Twelve angels can dance on the head of a pin.

Well, unless it's one of those pins with the colored ball heads, but obviously you wouldn't count angels dancing on a composite pin for an all-stainless Starship launch. I mean, let's be reasonable here.

(Technically the literal translation was a "dozen", but a dozen always means twelve. Nobody would ever bake in an overage or anything.)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 06/07/2021 06:20 am
It dawned on me like an evidence, the other day... because, you see, on Youtube both videos have near equal length: 2 minutes plus some seconds.

I downloaded the two videos, then extracted and mixed both soundtracks with Audacity, plus some editing here and there...

And the end result is this: the soundtrack from the former fits the latter, like a glove.

Behold: HOW NOT TO *LAUNCH* AN ORBITAL ROCKET BOOSTER - Musk meet "The right stuff" most hilarious sequence.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBAqh2buKrw

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvim4rsNHkQ

(in passing: the face of the "push button guy" at 1:29 kills me in laughter, every time. Poor guy, for once he nailed his rocket liftoff and then... KABOOM. And the music changes right in time for the successfull launch.)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Michel Van on 06/07/2021 06:55 am
[re: discussion of proposed European re-usable launch vehicles]
CNES must have missed that producing powerpoint studies is not good enough anymore.
how the Secret Project forum react on this proposal

(https://media.tenor.com/images/61b5d76f1692a498993c562c38285dff/tenor.gif)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 06/07/2021 06:04 pm
Fun facts: this is a USMC "Marine" music, and John Glenn was a Marine pilot.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Liberty_Bell_(march)

I suppose Musk picked it for its Monty Python vibes, however.

At 1:34 the first GONG miss the rocket explosion, but the next two at 1:38 GONG and 1:41, GONG, make the next rocket explodes, first, GONG, KABOOM, and then explodes even more, GONG, RE-KABOOM.
That was a very funny coincidence, just like the "more heavenly" music at 1:20 when the rocket miraculously nails its liftoff (and the poor guy is elated... for five seconds ROTFL)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 06/08/2021 07:36 pm
https://twitter.com/nasakennedy/status/1401965314850578432

Quote
Picture this: the massive @NASA_SLS core stage placed in between these two solid rocket boosters 🤯

Final preparations are currently underway to lift, place and secure the core stage on the mobile launcher inside of the iconic Vehicle Assembly Building – stay tuned!

I'm always a little astonished by how little organic discussion SLS, etc... generate.  But I keep an eye out over there because the pro/anti SLS eruptions are amusing to follow.

It's not the most gracious observation but this "Update" struck me a little like that Italian "artist" that recently sold the invisible statue for £12,959

Thankful for the embarrassment of riches SX-followers have w.r.t. discussion fodder.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 06/08/2021 07:51 pm
With the launch of bobtail squids on the latest CRS-22 mission to the International Space Station, am I the only one secretly hoping for some kind of Space Radiation Mutated Killer Squids terrorizing the crew in a couple of months?  Kind of a "Snakes on a Plane" vibe?    :o

Heh... Sooo, is Samuel L Jackson booked for any flights... say wearing leather, with an eye patch, carrying a lightsaber and wondering what's in the crew's wallets?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 06/12/2021 03:46 am
A quick look at tianyancha show the company is primarily (60%) owned a [PRC] defense contractor that primary makes missile launcher and stabilized gun plarforms. The rest of the company (40%) is by a shell company 100% owned by a single person.

So I believe this a paper company used to make a quick buck in the incoming M&As when space companies consolidates rather than a serious effort at space.  (Essentially turn whatever space relevant technology, asset etc the parent company had into cash once the company get acquired, especially the individual owning the 40%)
If the "40% investor" makes a killing from the future sale of OSPACE, will he then be showing someone else his O-face?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzIN3EgBIHg
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 06/15/2021 02:12 pm
Launcher's new orbital transfer vehicle will be launched by SpaceX. (https://spacenews.com/launcher-to-develop-orbital-transfer-vehicle/)

Quote
Orbiter’s first mission is scheduled for October 2022, when it will fly on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rideshare mission.

Those are about the worst names for a Company and Vehicle one can imagine.  Can't begin to get into the mind of the branding genius on those.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: SteveU on 06/15/2021 03:10 pm
Launcher's new orbital transfer vehicle will be launched by SpaceX. (https://spacenews.com/launcher-to-develop-orbital-transfer-vehicle/)

Quote
Orbiter’s first mission is scheduled for October 2022, when it will fly on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rideshare mission.

Those are about the worst names for a Company and Vehicle one can imagine.  Can't begin to get into the mind of the branding genius on those.
That's what happens when you get a bunch of engineers in the same room  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 06/15/2021 03:33 pm
Launcher's new orbital transfer vehicle will be launched by SpaceX. (https://spacenews.com/launcher-to-develop-orbital-transfer-vehicle/)

Quote
Orbiter’s first mission is scheduled for October 2022, when it will fly on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rideshare mission.

Those are about the worst names for a Company and Vehicle one can imagine.  Can't begin to get into the mind of the branding genius on those.

Just wait until they start enforcing their trademarks and everyone has to pay them royalties for using their names.  :P

Caution and Warning Note   This is a party thread.  This is only a party thread.  If this had been a serious thread then this message would have directed you to the appropriate location to take shelter.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 06/16/2021 03:59 pm
Kids.......
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tomness on 06/17/2021 12:01 am
or SpaceX falters and fades away.

Jim be spitten! 8 Mile style. You only get one shot. Shot your shot.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: LouScheffer on 06/20/2021 01:55 pm
One of the saddest things I saw in college was a female student carrying a carton of punch cards up the steps of the library (the computer lab was in the dungeon, err I mean "basement") after a typical spring Louisiana shower.  She slipped and several hundred cards went flying and got wet.   :'(
Recovering from a card spill used to be a freshman right of passage. Kids today are missing out.  ;D

Punch machines in the basement (why always the basement?!), trying to get a good read, then waiting for printouts to be delivered to the pigeon hole in the wall... (shiver)  FORTRAN 77 FTW
More proof you can date someone from this experience:  From a NYT article on the death of a Nobel-winning scientist (https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/16/science/richard-r-ernst-dead.html):
Quote
This was the 1960s, and the personal computing era had not yet begun; instead, Dr. Ernst and his colleagues had to transfer their data from punch tape to punch cards and then carry them to a computer center for processing.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 06/20/2021 02:58 pm
Launcher's new orbital transfer vehicle will be launched by SpaceX. (https://spacenews.com/launcher-to-develop-orbital-transfer-vehicle/)

Quote
Orbiter’s first mission is scheduled for October 2022, when it will fly on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rideshare mission.

Those are about the worst names for a Company and Vehicle one can imagine.  Can't begin to get into the mind of the branding genius on those.

That's an understatement. Kudos to them, now they only have to hire Victor Oveur as astronaut. And a Roger.

https://consent.youtube.com/m?continue=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D2OBZf0QdKdE&gl=FR&m=0&pc=yt&uxe=23983172&hl=fr&src=1

"Victor pilot of orbiter, what is your launcher ?
"What ?
"Roger !
"Uh ?
"My launcher was Launcher, Roger. Over. And my orbiter is called orbiter.
"So why are you talking about an orbiter, launcher ? and do you have a clearance ?
"What ?
"Or a vector ?
"Uh ?
"What ?
"Over, orbiter.
"It's launcher. Roger.
"What ?"

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 06/21/2021 04:44 pm
If this launches on schedule on September 15th, the Shenzhou-12 three-person crew should still be in orbit (mission is expected to last 3 months, so taking that completely literally they should land on the 18th) and the current ISS Expedition 65 crew should consist of the same six crew members currently on Station.

That would make 14 people in space (LEO) at the same time, in three different, independent vehicles where their main mission is supposed to happen: two space stations and a solo-flying capsule. I believe that'd be the record for the most people in space at the same time (+1 from the Shuttle-ISS era), as well as the amount of simultaneous, separate, main-mission crewed vehicles?

minor nitpick - you get the total on orbit  as of Sep 16 as 14 which is right but say "six ISS crew on
orbit currently - should be 7 [4 from crew 2 and 3 from Soyuz].

Carl

Right, I mistyped that: seven ISS crew + three CSS crew + four Inspiration4 crew = fourteen

It would be even better if Branson or Bezos decide to launch their suborbital vehicles in those days just to pump up that number (still counting as people in space right?)

And it would be even betterer if we picked a time, jumped in the air, and counted all of ourselves as sub-sub-sub-orbital! :P
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 06/27/2021 07:58 pm
Fairing recovery ship HOS Briarwood departed for Transporter-2 this morning.

I wonder what the in-cruise movie is...

https://twitter.com/SpaceXFleet/status/1409220189506445314

How about “Life of Pi”?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AstroWare on 06/29/2021 10:22 pm
Anyone else notice that the first orbital test flight will be BN4 &amp; SN20?

As in 4_20? Lol

Maybe that's the real reason BN3 isnt flying and why SN17-19 weren't built. :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tangilinear Interjar on 06/30/2021 03:54 pm
I bet SpaceX is super relieved to finally know for sure that the booster fits in the high bay!

https://twitter.com/KSpaceAcademy/status/1409999623335333888?s=19
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 06/30/2021 06:34 pm
I bet SpaceX is super relieved to finally know for sure that the booster fits in the high bay!

https://twitter.com/KSpaceAcademy/status/1409999623335333888?s=19

They had that guy with the tin-snips standing by, just in case.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: leovinus on 06/30/2021 07:53 pm
Listening to the SpaceX broadcast with its spacy pause music brings back memories of Jean-Michel Jarre whose music is appropriately named  "Oyxgene" and "Chants Magnetique".
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: gaballard on 07/01/2021 07:45 pm
It absolutely blows my mind this is a real picture and not a crappy Photoshop
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 07/02/2021 12:07 am
[Much talk about trajectory mechanics and displayed values]

Everyone who has read this far probably agrees that this is indeed fascinating.
This felt far more relatable and poignant than it was perhaps intended to be.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 07/02/2021 04:38 am
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1410737586553778182
I don't know about that, maybe US Gov. fears that SpaceX packs it's things and moves to Mars (and start building Zakus). Who will yeet U.S military sats to the orbit then? And if we think that Jeff will build our Gundams in time, we are screwed.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 07/02/2021 05:12 am
[Much talk about trajectory mechanics and displayed values]

Everyone who has read this far probably agrees that this is indeed fascinating.
This felt far more relatable and poignant than it was perhaps intended to be.

If you found it relatable, that was my intent.
“Poignant” might be more than I would have expected from my posting.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tangilinear Interjar on 07/03/2021 04:29 pm
RCS designer: "Hey boss, I think I have the new hot gas thruster design done! Anything else you want me to add?"

Elon: "How about a pickle?"

"A PICKLE!?"

"Yeah, a really big pickle."

"Okay, you got it, you're the boss."

Image Credit: Mary, from the July 1 , 2021 NSF update video
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 07/10/2021 01:27 pm
SOP
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jon.amos on 07/13/2021 10:53 pm
Is it me or does this thread seem a little less lively since NOMAD left?  ???
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tangilinear Interjar on 07/14/2021 02:07 am
Is it me or does this thread seem a little less lively since NOMAD left?  ???

It's been driving me nuts trying to figure out why things seemed quiet, I think you hit the nail on the head. Meet more s$!t stirring.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 07/16/2021 02:29 am
I think it is because the other threads “ …and real life are becoming more like fiction each day.  The bread lines blow my mind… eviction or pay” lyrics to the song Rent.

Did you all catch that they built a Superman logo into the structure on starship where the flaps attach?

https://twitter.com/thesouthernfish/status/1415188809789153289?s=21
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DistantTemple on 07/16/2021 05:29 pm
I have no clear idea which column of the OLIT the extended (and taller) column of section 8 will sit upon.

I'm currently leaning toward the idea of a lever in which the extended column of section 8 sits upon the OLIT column closest to the orbital launch platform. The fulcrum of the lever moves up and down this OLIT column, that is, the column closest to the launch platform. One end of the lever extends out over the launch platform to catch the booster. The other end of the lever extends back and past the column of the OLIT furthest away from the launch platform, where the drawworks cable applies a force to this lever end necessary to balance the weight of the booster.

Any better ideas?
The lever you describe, is a "Permission to Proceed" meter. It has seats, nesting sites, and magazine racks suitable for various occupants and depositions. So far various Snowy plovers have reserved nesting sites on both sides, with the nestees-to-be swayed between the hope that walkers will be restricted, and the disruption of happy nesting by the noise. Turtles would come down heavily in favour of SpaceX as several thousand owe their lives to SpaceX, however they are being denied a seat at the table or on the sea-saw lever/meter, by doom mongering press, who find them much too slow moving to sell stories. Fortunately if the said stories were racked on the sea-saw lever/meter, they would impart negligible torque as they are all stale air, and disjointed data streams, which have no force, regardless of the distances they go to.
Behind the scenes SpaceX are tearing the heavy hands and fetters of regulation, old space, the established industrial complex, and competitors, from their necks, and hoping to place them -as if accidentally- on the "everything goes" side of the scale. When you wonder why the apparent scales have only one outcome, remember Starlink in fighter jets, p2p military deliveries, the worldwide space-race, and the 1000's of employees. Make no mistake this is not about the plovers' indecision, or hidden forces playing tug-of-war; the scales are weighted for "go ahead". Unfortunately the footnote says "next year".
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 07/17/2021 02:23 am
SpaceX is getting sloppy!

It's quite obvious that they cut corners on A Shortfall of Gravitas!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 07/17/2021 03:12 am
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1410737586553778182
I don't know about that, maybe US Gov. fears that SpaceX packs it's things and moves to Mars (and start building Zakus). Who will yeet U.S military sats to the orbit then? And if we think that Jeff will build our Gundams in time, we are screwed.

Oh dear.  And the company is 'Blue' Origin... (Throws my lot in with Elon's Coordinators)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 07/18/2021 02:57 am
... watch NASA’s @SpaceX Crew-2 astronauts relocate the Endeavor spacecraft at the @Space_Station, setting the stage for a historic 1st — two different U.S. commercial crew spacecraft docked to the orbiting lab simultaneously
Weren't Resilience and Endeavour both docked at the ISS simultaneously between 24 April and 2 May earlier this year?
Two different US spacecraft. The closest the US has ever gotten to two simultaneous crew vehicles in operation was between Gemini XII and Apollo 1 (a little over 3 months gap).
Clarification: two different US spacecraft makes/models
Still not right
Crew and Cargo are different models of Dragon 2
So it will only the first time for different makes/types
Around here we can be INFINITELY picky!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tenkendojo on 07/18/2021 03:30 pm
Just a random thought. Instead of mechanical catching devices, which can be expensive/technically challenging/low fault tolerance etc...  Would it be possible to land Superheavy (and Starship too) on some sort of Styrofoam landing platform instead? EPS and XPS are extremely light and cheap materials (~20-30kg per m^3, and less than $3 per ton), so such landing platform could be made quickly and  arbitrarily large with little cost, and would be extremely fault tolerant. Say a 50m by 50m platform stacked 35m tall would only cost a few thousand dollars worth of EPS boards. I would imagine this huge Styrofoam platform would be mostly hollow near the top, constructed with many layers of large EPS boards strategically placed spacers b/w each layer. The top layers would be spaced further apart than the bottom layers, to create a thick crumblezone for the booster to gently break as if falls into the thick EPS pile. The platform's thickness would be determined by the booster freefall distance, as we want to cut off landing burn high enough to not destroy the Styrofoam landing pad.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 07/18/2021 03:45 pm
Just a random thought. Instead of mechanical catching devices, which can be expensive/technically challenging/low fault tolerance etc...  Would it be possible to land Superheavy (and Starship too) on some sort of Styrofoam landing platform instead? EPS and XPS are extremely light and cheap materials (~20-30kg per m^3, and less than $3 per ton), so such landing platform could be made quickly and  arbitrarily large with little cost, and would be extremely fault tolerant. Say a 50m by 50m platform stacked 35m tall would only cost a few thousand dollars worth of EPS boards. I would imagine this huge Styrofoam platform would be mostly hollow near the top, constructed with many layers of large EPS boards strategically placed spacers b/w each layer. The top layers would be spaced further apart than the bottom layers, to create a thick crumblezone for the booster to gently break as if falls into the thick EPS pile. The platform's thickness would be determined by the booster freefall distance, as we want to cut off landing burn high enough to not destroy the Styrofoam landing pad.

No one's going to be constructing landing platforms out of styrofoam.  Could you do something like that?  Probably.  Why the hell would anyone want to?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: meekGee on 07/18/2021 03:51 pm
Just a random thought. Instead of mechanical catching devices, which can be expensive/technically challenging/low fault tolerance etc...  Would it be possible to land Superheavy (and Starship too) on some sort of Styrofoam landing platform instead? EPS and XPS are extremely light and cheap materials (~20-30kg per m^3, and less than $3 per ton), so such landing platform could be made quickly and  arbitrarily large with little cost, and would be extremely fault tolerant. Say a 50m by 50m platform stacked 35m tall would only cost a few thousand dollars worth of EPS boards. I would imagine this huge Styrofoam platform would be mostly hollow near the top, constructed with many layers of large EPS boards strategically placed spacers b/w each layer. The top layers would be spaced further apart than the bottom layers, to create a thick crumblezone for the booster to gently break as if falls into the thick EPS pile. The platform's thickness would be determined by the booster freefall distance, as we want to cut off landing burn high enough to not destroy the Styrofoam landing pad.
Crumblezone...  I see what you did there...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tenkendojo on 07/18/2021 03:57 pm
Just a random thought. Instead of mechanical catching devices, which can be expensive/technically challenging/low fault tolerance etc...  Would it be possible to land Superheavy (and Starship too) on some sort of Styrofoam landing platform instead? EPS and XPS are extremely light and cheap materials (~20-30kg per m^3, and less than $3 per ton), so such landing platform could be made quickly and  arbitrarily large with little cost, and would be extremely fault tolerant. Say a 50m by 50m platform stacked 35m tall would only cost a few thousand dollars worth of EPS boards. I would imagine this huge Styrofoam platform would be mostly hollow near the top, constructed with many layers of large EPS boards strategically placed spacers b/w each layer. The top layers would be spaced further apart than the bottom layers, to create a thick crumblezone for the booster to gently break as if falls into the thick EPS pile. The platform's thickness would be determined by the booster freefall distance, as we want to cut off landing burn high enough to not destroy the Styrofoam landing pad.

No one's going to be constructing landing platforms out of styrofoam.  Could you do something like that?  Probably.  Why the hell would anyone want to?
Many reasons, in addition to simplicity, low cost and fault tolerance aforementioned,  such a platform could be easily and quickly put together on all sorts of unprepared terrain and even on ocean platform's. Perhaps the biggest benefit would be savings in landing propellant, which could significantly offset the cost of single use Styrofoam-breaking landing pads.

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1369489056350883840?s=20
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: dodageka on 07/18/2021 04:21 pm
Problems I see with the styrofoam landing pad:
- single use, so needs to be rebuild. Not good for rapid reuse
- the engines will be hot from the landing burn and will touch the styrofoam first (talking booster here), can’t image that being a good thing (fire, having to clean the engines)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: gaballard on 07/18/2021 04:47 pm
Burning styrofoam is part of how you make napalm. And styrofoam never biodegrades. I know caring about the environment has a bad rap around here, but that EIP might have an issue with it…
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: dgmckenzie on 07/18/2021 04:51 pm
Land it on a fresh water lake.

Like skimming a stone or Barnes Wallis bouncing bomb.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: meekGee on 07/18/2021 05:23 pm
This thread is now supported by the Chuck Jones school of engineering!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 07/18/2021 05:34 pm
Perhaps the biggest benefit would be savings in landing propellant, which could significantly offset the cost of single use Styrofoam-breaking landing pads.

Ludicrous.  Landing propellant costs are <$20K.  That ain't significantly offsetting squat in this ridiculous contraption you propose.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DigitalMan on 07/18/2021 06:57 pm
Burning styrofoam is part of how you make napalm. And styrofoam never biodegrades. I know caring about the environment has a bad rap around here, but that EIP might have an issue with it…

I've done a lot of work with styrofoam for hydroponics projects, so I'm on the definitely not side of things. Your observation takes it to another level though. Yikes.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ETurner on 07/18/2021 07:10 pm
EPS and XPS are extremely light and cheap materials (~20-30kg per m^3, and less than $3 per ton
Polystyrene costs more than 500 times that. Even gravel has a higher cost per ton.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cdebuhr on 07/18/2021 07:29 pm
EPS and XPS are extremely light and cheap materials (~20-30kg per m^3, and less than $3 per ton
Polystyrene costs more than 500 times that. Even gravel has a higher cost per ton.
That gives me a FANTASTIC idea.  Lets just use a big pile of gravel.  It would be just like a runaway truck exit ... for rockets.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: gaballard on 07/19/2021 05:23 pm
Has it fully set in for anyone else yet that they're going to be catching the biggest booster ever made with some kind of giant catching arms attached to the side of a skyscraper?

Like... what???

If Starship is a cake of sweet, sweet insanity (in the best possible way), this is the icing on top.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tenkendojo on 07/19/2021 09:09 pm
Burning styrofoam is part of how you make napalm. And styrofoam never biodegrades. I know caring about the environment has a bad rap around here, but that EIP might have an issue with it…
It is possible to recycle Styrofoam to produce fuel for SH/SS. Recent studies have shown potentially promising methods of producing methane and hydrogen from recycled polystyrene foam waste. See linked paper below, where Styrofoam wastes are processed via an atmospheric-pressure microwave plasma reactor to obtain H2 and CH4 gases. For SpaceX's purposes, the recycled H2 gas can be used to provide supplemental power supply for the microwave plasma reactor via hydrogen powered generators, and the recycled methane gas can be captured and liquified for fuel production.

rhttps://aaqr.org/articles/aaqr-20-05-oa-0252 (https://aaqr.org/articles/aaqr-20-05-oa-0252) :Hydrogen and Methane Production from Styrofoam Waste Using an Atmospheric-pressure Microwave Plasma Reacto
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Oersted on 07/19/2021 10:11 pm
This thread is now supported by the Chuck Jones school of engineering!

They could also just forego Starship entirely and simply add segments to the tower until reaching low Earth orbit. That way, you would just take the tower elevator to space!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 07/19/2021 10:58 pm
This thread is now supported by the Chuck Jones school of engineering!

They could also just forego Starship entirely and simply add segments to the tower until reaching low Earth orbit. That way, you would just take the tower elevator to space!

How deep do you have to drive the styrofoam pilings for sumpin' like that?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 07/20/2021 01:20 am
This thread is now supported by the Chuck Jones school of engineering!

They could also just forego Starship entirely and simply add segments to the tower until reaching low Earth orbit. That way, you would just take the tower elevator to space!

How deep do you have to drive the styrofoam pilings for sumpin' like that?
Fake holes will work for that.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Paul451 on 07/20/2021 02:57 am
It is possible to recycle Styrofoam to produce fuel for SH/SS. Recent studies have shown potentially promising methods of

Oh god, you're still going.

SH will be ejecting about a tonne per second of superheated plasma at hypersonic velocities. The force of a single engine can break up concrete from many metres away.

You are not using Styrofoam as a landing pad.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tangilinear Interjar on 07/20/2021 05:04 pm
OMG, can you all please let go of this frankly stupid side-discussion about turbine blades on the launch tower? As far as I can tell, there is zero indication that this is anything anyone with half a brain considers realistic, necessary or even possible with the sole exception of one possible person in this thread, a person with no obvious tether to reality.


Considering a number of the posts and ideas I've seen on here over the years, I'm very confident that they're plenty of people on this forum with less than half a brain.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Jeff Lerner on 07/20/2021 05:15 pm
How about we crowd source an NSF’r to fly on VG or BO’s NS ??…how do we pick the lucky candidate??
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Oersted on 07/20/2021 09:51 pm
It is possible to recycle Styrofoam to produce fuel for SH/SS. Recent studies have shown potentially promising methods of

Oh god, you're still going.

SH will be ejecting about a tonne per second of superheated plasma at hypersonic velocities. The force of a single engine can break up concrete from many metres away.

You are not using Styrofoam as a landing pad.

Buty what if they eject styrofoam upwards at a similar speed from a sort of styrofoam volcano situated under the landing pad? Wouldn't that negate the effect of the rocket plume?

Hah! - You didn't think of that, did you?   
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Keldor on 07/20/2021 10:53 pm
It is possible to recycle Styrofoam to produce fuel for SH/SS. Recent studies have shown potentially promising methods of

Oh god, you're still going.

SH will be ejecting about a tonne per second of superheated plasma at hypersonic velocities. The force of a single engine can break up concrete from many metres away.

You are not using Styrofoam as a landing pad.

Buty what if they eject styrofoam upwards at a similar speed from a sort of styrofoam volcano situated under the landing pad? Wouldn't that negate the effect of the rocket plume?

Hah! - You didn't think of that, did you?

You mean the same speed as the plume?  That would be roughly mach 9.  Doesn't sound like much of a probem to me - I have funny things sticking out of my rockets in Kerbal Space Program all the time, and nothing bad happens most of the time!  I'm sure once we suggest this to the SpaceX engineers, they'll get right on it.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 07/20/2021 11:39 pm
How about we crowd source an NSF’r to fly on VG or BO’s NS ??…how do we pick the lucky candidate??
Well, back in the day they'd have to win a Landing Bingo.  But then SpaceX started getting too good at those.

Maybe as other providers begin pursuing VTVL reusability the opportunity for a competitive Landing Bingo will appear again?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 07/20/2021 11:50 pm
It is possible to recycle Styrofoam to produce fuel for SH/SS. Recent studies have shown potentially promising methods of

Oh god, you're still going.

SH will be ejecting about a tonne per second of superheated plasma at hypersonic velocities. The force of a single engine can break up concrete from many metres away.

You are not using Styrofoam as a landing pad.

Buty what if they eject styrofoam upwards at a similar speed from a sort of styrofoam volcano situated under the landing pad? Wouldn't that negate the effect of the rocket plume?

Hah! - You didn't think of that, did you?

As I suspect was the case with many, I read an awful lot of science fiction when I was a kid.  As I suspect also not unique, I sort of had this notion in the back of my head that it would be neat to create an Atlas to the Science Fiction Universe that sort of put all the different "universes" in a single universe context.

What we really need here in this case is a single Grand Unified Hobby Horse.

Something like launching a Styrofoam-pellet fueled SSTO with 8-perpendicularly mounted Drop Tanks launched from an OLIT Complex with a Dual-Purpose Wind Generator (Propellers mounted via Tethers) driven off 270 degree-redirected Raptor Exhaust, refueled in orbit from a Shuttle External Tank launched to orbit with small engines, and returning gently to earth landing horizontally.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 07/21/2021 06:27 am
It is possible to recycle Styrofoam to produce fuel for SH/SS. Recent studies have shown potentially promising methods of

Oh god, you're still going.

SH will be ejecting about a tonne per second of superheated plasma at hypersonic velocities. The force of a single engine can break up concrete from many metres away.

You are not using Styrofoam as a landing pad.

Buty what if they eject styrofoam upwards at a similar speed from a sort of styrofoam volcano situated under the landing pad? Wouldn't that negate the effect of the rocket plume?

Hah! - You didn't think of that, did you?

As I suspect was the case with many, I read an awful lot of science fiction when I was a kid.  As I suspect also not unique, I sort of had this notion in the back of my head that it would be neat to create an Atlas to the Science Fiction Universe that sort of put all the different "universes" in a single universe context.

What we really need here in this case is a single Grand Unified Hobby Horse.

Something like launching a Styrofoam-pellet fueled SSTO with 8-perpendicularly mounted Drop Tanks launched from an OLIT Complex with a Dual-Purpose Wind Generator (Propellers mounted via Tethers) driven off 270 degree-redirected Raptor Exhaust, refueled in orbit from a Shuttle External Tank launched to orbit with small engines, and returning gently to earth landing horizontally.

You, sir, are hereby nominated for a Nobel prize!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tangilinear Interjar on 07/21/2021 03:10 pm
Almost perfect but it must also be covered in no more than 4 unique shaped tiles designed in such a way that a very tired human could never put them on wrong.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: gaballard on 07/21/2021 06:58 pm
Controversial new skyline at Boca Chica today...

... I'll see myself out...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: aero on 07/21/2021 09:32 pm
Wait, wait! You've put a windmill on the tower. You can't do that unless you post a pic of Don Quixote riding his trusty charger.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 07/22/2021 03:02 am

As I suspect was the case with many, I read an awful lot of science fiction when I was a kid.  As I suspect also not unique, I sort of had this notion in the back of my head that it would be neat to create an Atlas to the Science Fiction Universe that sort of put all the different "universes" in a single universe context.

What we really need here in this case is a single Grand Unified Hobby Horse.

Something like launching a Styrofoam-pellet fueled SSTO with 8-perpendicularly mounted Drop Tanks launched from an OLIT Complex with a Dual-Purpose Wind Generator (Propellers mounted via Tethers) driven off 270 degree-redirected Raptor Exhaust, refueled in orbit from a Shuttle External Tank launched to orbit with small engines, and returning gently to earth landing horizontally.

You, sir, are hereby nominated for a Nobel prize!

Ig-Noble is more like it...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Norm38 on 07/22/2021 03:07 pm
Breaking!  Falcon7 prototype spotted in suburban Chicago.  Reportedly heading to a new test site.  There was also a large spinning wheel that must be part of a new landing system.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: dgkimpton on 07/23/2021 07:45 am
Controversial new skyline at Boca Chica today...
That thing's going to spin like crazy on launch day  :o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tangilinear Interjar on 07/23/2021 09:24 pm
[quote
 
The force of burning the propellent causes oscillations (shaking) in the engines.
These oscillations are caused by shock waves of photons moving back and forth *within* the engine.
That is, when one of these shock waves reaches a surface of the engine from the inside, some of photons are reflected back into the interior of the engine.

quote]

Either SpaceX is building a new type of LASER or the half a brain discussion above is actually being generous.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 07/24/2021 06:01 pm
It is possible to recycle Styrofoam to produce fuel for SH/SS. Recent studies have shown potentially promising methods of

Oh god, you're still going.

SH will be ejecting about a tonne per second of superheated plasma at hypersonic velocities. The force of a single engine can break up concrete from many metres away.

You are not using Styrofoam as a landing pad.

Buty what if they eject styrofoam upwards at a similar speed from a sort of styrofoam volcano situated under the landing pad? Wouldn't that negate the effect of the rocket plume?

Hah! - You didn't think of that, did you?

(tonguecheek)

I'll see your styrofoam ejecting volcano and raise you one electrostatic styrofoam braking system.

Whereas the SuperHeavy/Starship system is assembled from a known ferrous material (stainless steel).
and whereas Styrofoam has clearly demonstrated electrostatic properties (as witnessed by every attempt EVER to throw a piece of said material into a plastic lined trashcan).
I hereby propose lining the inner sides of a volcanic caldera with said puffed polymer material, thus when the returning rocket brakes to a halt above the center of the caldera and shuts down its engines, the electrostatic force of the styrofoam coated walls will interact with the electromagnetic properties of the rocket to catch and suspend it within the central core of the foam ring.

(/tonguecheek)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 07/24/2021 06:12 pm
Breaking!  Falcon7 prototype spotted in suburban Chicago.  Reportedly heading to a new test site.  There was also a large spinning wheel that must be part of a new landing system.

Can't be a falcon... if you look closely, the engine bells are clearly 'blue'... :)

(love the strategically positioned positive pressure air handling systems at the +90 position)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 07/24/2021 07:07 pm
[quote
 
The force of burning the propellent causes oscillations (shaking) in the engines.
These oscillations are caused by shock waves of photons moving back and forth *within* the engine.
That is, when one of these shock waves reaches a surface of the engine from the inside, some of photons are reflected back into the interior of the engine.

quote]

Either SpaceX is building a new type of LASER or the half a brain discussion above is actually being generous.

To be fair, a pumped emitter based photon thruster IS possible... it has a terrible thrust to weight ratio, but the ISP is actually pretty good.

Thing is just, anywhere this side of the asteroid belt you'd be better of using a solar lightsail.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: launchwatcher on 07/25/2021 03:49 am
Casters, which are typically used on GSE, have a small footprint and hence high floor loading
The black casters (lifted by the airfloat off the floor) indeed look quite compact. Casters are typically quite sturdy and hardly deform under pressure, resulting in a small contact area (unlike air or nitrogen filled tires like, e.g., the STS landing gear).

zoom in of 2nd picture at
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=47917.msg2252992#msg2252992 (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=47917.msg2252992#msg2252992)
So the caster vs airfloat vs floor loading discussion in the Starliner thread reminded me of an incident I heard about.

Casters sometimes deform catastrophically.

And sometimes the first thing that detects a broken wheel is far removed from the source of the trouble..  in this case, an  insufficiently level rack caused heat pipes to stop working, and CPUs to slow way down to avoid melting, and that caused something much higher up in the software stack to not make enough forward progress to keep everything working.

Writeup here, including a photo of the failed wheel and another of the tilted rack:

https://cloud.google.com/blog/products/management-tools/sre-keeps-digging-to-prevent-problems

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tangilinear Interjar on 07/25/2021 05:39 pm
[quote
 
The force of burning the propellent causes oscillations (shaking) in the engines.
These oscillations are caused by shock waves of photons moving back and forth *within* the engine.
That is, when one of these shock waves reaches a surface of the engine from the inside, some of photons are reflected back into the interior of the engine.

quote]

Either SpaceX is building a new type of LASER or the half a brain discussion above is actually being generous.

To be fair, a pumped emitter based photon thruster IS possible... it has a terrible thrust to weight ratio, but the ISP is actually pretty good.

Thing is just, anywhere this side of the asteroid belt you'd be better of using a solar lightsail.

There is also a type of chemical LASER that is basically a rocket engine that burns some really nasty chemicals between a couple mirrors. Got to see some redacted slides of one of these beasts back in college. The output power was redacted but the units wasn't, it was clearly 3 digits and the units was MegaWatts!!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 07/25/2021 10:14 pm
[quote
 
The force of burning the propellent causes oscillations (shaking) in the engines.
These oscillations are caused by shock waves of photons moving back and forth *within* the engine.
That is, when one of these shock waves reaches a surface of the engine from the inside, some of photons are reflected back into the interior of the engine.

quote]

Either SpaceX is building a new type of LASER or the half a brain discussion above is actually being generous.

To be fair, a pumped emitter based photon thruster IS possible... it has a terrible thrust to weight ratio, but the ISP is actually pretty good.

Thing is just, anywhere this side of the asteroid belt you'd be better of using a solar lightsail.

There is also a type of chemical LASER that is basically a rocket engine that burns some really nasty chemicals between a couple mirrors. Got to see some redacted slides of one of these beasts back in college. The output power was redacted but the units wasn't, it was clearly 3 digits and the units was MegaWatts!!!

Hey!
I was offered a job working on that laser!
I think that was Rocketdyne.
IIRC they used the giant pumps designed for testing rocket engines in vacuum operations.
Those or a successor were Chemical Oxygen Iodine Lasers, COIL.
The most deadly thing they could do was pour their exhaust on someone ......
Fortunately for me, I chose a different path and wound up building instruments for spaceflight.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tangilinear Interjar on 07/26/2021 01:37 am
I would have loved that job!

My major was essentially lasers (technically Electro-optical engineering). The slides were a presentation from TRW regarding an internship program they were promoting. The guy said that the LASER could essentially vaporize a VW Beetle in about a second but getting it to propagate more than dozens of meters in atmosphere was impossible due to some crazy effects where the air would ionize and absorb all the energy and essentially blow up.

Dayum I wish I had gotten that internship!!!😭
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 07/26/2021 01:37 pm
I would have loved that job!

My major was essentially lasers (technically Electro-optical engineering). The slides were a presentation from TRW regarding an internship program they were promoting. The guy said that the LASER could essentially vaporize a VW Beetle in about a second but getting it to propagate more than dozens of meters in atmosphere was impossible due to some crazy effects where the air would ionize and absorb all the energy and essentially blow up.

Dayum I wish I had gotten that internship!!!😭

The same effect also limits the power output of a nuclear explosion in atmosphere. Air is translucent to most electromagnetic radiation ( photons) but the moment it becomes hot enough to become ionized ( plasma ) it turns almost completely opaque, so even the hard gamma radiation from the nuke gets absorbed and turned into heat within the fireball. Energy then cascades  outwards relatively slowly ( similar to what happens within the sun ) and is radiated predominantly in the infrared.

Much better to ignite such a device in the vacuum of space, where the gamma photons can radiate outwards unobstructed and then for example ionize atoms in the upper atmosphere across a much larger area, with a much higher total peak power. This is ideal to simulate the effect of a large solar storm and test the system reliability and resilience of power grids and electronics under controlled conditions.









Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 07/28/2021 04:41 am
I would have loved that job!

My major was essentially lasers (technically Electro-optical engineering). The slides were a presentation from TRW regarding an internship program they were promoting. The guy said that the LASER could essentially vaporize a VW Beetle in about a second but getting it to propagate more than dozens of meters in atmosphere was impossible due to some crazy effects where the air would ionize and absorb all the energy and essentially blow up.

Dayum I wish I had gotten that internship!!!😭

The same effect also limits the power output of a nuclear explosion in atmosphere. Air is translucent to most electromagnetic radiation ( photons) but the moment it becomes hot enough to become ionized ( plasma ) it turns almost completely opaque, so even the hard gamma radiation from the nuke gets absorbed and turned into heat within the fireball. Energy then cascades  outwards relatively slowly ( similar to what happens within the sun ) and is radiated predominantly in the infrared.

Much better to ignite such a device in the vacuum of space, where the gamma photons can radiate outwards unobstructed and then for example ionize atoms in the upper atmosphere across a much larger area, with a much higher total peak power. This is ideal to simulate the effect of a large solar storm and test the system reliability and resilience of power grids and electronics under controlled conditions

“Much better”? :o
“ideal”? :o
With logic like that our next problem will be a “mineshaft gap”, Dr Strangelove.
We did a bunch of that in the 60’s, as did the Russians, before we came to our collective senses.
I know of one satellite that had inadequate “resilience” for those “conditions”.
Our modern world would collapse.

The story goes that before they set off the first hydrogen (fusion) bomb in the Pacific no one did the calculation to see if it would propagate through the  ocean, wiping out all life on Earth. We know it didn’t and won’t because we are still here.
The moral of the story is we shouldn’t even imagine being so frivolous with such enormous forces.
So let’s party on without nuclear explosions, OK?

PS Tangilinear Interjar: No.  You wouldn’t have.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 07/29/2021 06:49 am

“Much better”? :o
“ideal”? :o
With logic like that our next problem will be a “mineshaft gap”, Dr Strangelove.


love that reference :)
I thought I had used enough hyperbole - as well as the partythread for good measure - to indicate this as a not completely serious post, but... I guess if someone takes this at face value, its even more hillarious ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 07/29/2021 11:07 am
Welcome laser rocket propulsion discussion to the party thread … here we can reference Dr Strangelove and Real Genius with impunity! Movie  clips even… if you like…
 
https://youtu.be/LeQYJCVXInw
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: punder on 07/30/2021 01:12 am
Wake me up… B4 you go-oh

Sorry.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 07/30/2021 06:31 pm
Just wanted to congratulate SpaceX and NASA for the GAO ruling today! While I'm sure we'll see lots more lawfare in the future as things move ahead, at least NASA and SpaceX can work together now on HLS (which hopefully mean we'll get to see more stuff!).

Whoo-hoo! Party in the High Bar!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: punder on 07/31/2021 12:45 am
Just wanted to congratulate SpaceX and NASA for the GAO ruling today! While I'm sure we'll see lots more lawfare in the future as things move ahead, at least NASA and SpaceX can work together now on HLS (which hopefully mean we'll get to see more stuff!).

Whoo-hoo! Party in the High Bar!
G-A-O! G-A-O! G-A-O! G-A-O!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 07/31/2021 01:54 am
Just wanted to congratulate SpaceX and NASA for the GAO ruling today! While I'm sure we'll see lots more lawfare in the future as things move ahead, at least NASA and SpaceX can work together now on HLS (which hopefully mean we'll get to see more stuff!).

Whoo-hoo! Party in the High Bar!
G-A-O! G-A-O! G-A-O! G-A-O!

LMAO!!!  GAO-FEVER everyone1 can get behind.

1 - [Arlo Guthrie] Excepting Bezos [/Arlo Guthrie]
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: aero on 07/31/2021 02:41 am
Do we think that SpaceX will build a walkway between the tops of the two high bays, once the second high bay is built, so that patrons can walk across from the High Bar to the Sky Diner, then back to the High Bar for (more) for cocktails?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 07/31/2021 02:56 am
Do we think that SpaceX will build a walkway between the tops of the two high bays, once the second high bay is built, so that patrons can walk across from the High Bar to the Sky Diner, then back to the High Bar for (more) for cocktails?

Subscale Hopper
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: punder on 07/31/2021 04:10 am
HopperLoop?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 07/31/2021 05:36 am
Do we think that SpaceX will build a walkway between the tops of the two high bays, once the second high bay is built, so that patrons can walk across from the High Bar to the Sky Diner, then back to the High Bar for (more) for cocktails?

Zip-line.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: RocketCello on 07/31/2021 05:41 am
Do we think that SpaceX will build a walkway between the tops of the two high bays, once the second high bay is built, so that patrons can walk across from the High Bar to the Sky Diner, then back to the High Bar for (more) for cocktails?

Zip-line.
Maybe something like the launch tower escape system for the Atlas V.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tangilinear Interjar on 07/31/2021 04:55 pm
B4 grid fin installed

Source: NSF Starbase LIVE: 24/7 Starship & Super Heavy Development

Before grid fin installed
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 07/31/2021 10:21 pm
B4 grid fin installed

Source: NSF Starbase LIVE: 24/7 Starship & Super Heavy Development

Before grid fin installed

B4 B4 grid fins installed? :P
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mandella on 07/31/2021 11:07 pm
Do we think that SpaceX will build a walkway between the tops of the two high bays, once the second high bay is built, so that patrons can walk across from the High Bar to the Sky Diner, then back to the High Bar for (more) for cocktails?

Crane. They already got em there...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 08/01/2021 05:50 am
Just wanted to congratulate SpaceX and NASA for the GAO ruling today! While I'm sure we'll see lots more lawfare in the future as things move ahead, at least NASA and SpaceX can work together now on HLS (which hopefully mean we'll get to see more stuff!).

Whoo-hoo! Party in the High Bar!
G-A-O! G-A-O! G-A-O! G-A-O!

GAO: Great / Genius Accounting Office ? (reminds of that manga, GTO = Great Teacher Onizuka)

"We are all malians" (because GAO is their capital !)  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gao

Mandatory party song to celebrate (ROTFL, even if they are not malians but from Ivory Coast - close, but no cigar) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1er_Gaou

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKUZ-ZIUiwg

Quote
The lyrics feature a colorful patois of French-Ivorian slang. This is especially evident in the refrain of "Et on dit premier gaou n'est pas gaou oh / C'est deuxième gaou qui est niata oh (ah)" ("They say that the first fool is not a fool / It is the second fool who is a fool"), which expresses that his first folly (her leaving him) is not really a folly at all, only accepting her back would be.

Even the lyrics are appropriate, damn it.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ulm_atms on 08/02/2021 07:13 pm
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1422222995305676802

Now THAT is sexy.... 8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 08/02/2021 07:51 pm
Raptor Rapture!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 08/03/2021 04:23 am
What the heck Elon.  You really going to let them get away with this?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTLR7FwXUU4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTLR7FwXUU4)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 08/03/2021 05:18 pm
Quote
Fueling of the [OFT-2] #AtlasV first stage is underway at Cape Canaveral's Space Launch Complex-41. The launch team is pumping 25,000 gallons of storable RP-1 fuel,...

Bruno continues to engage in the war of adjectives.
Ambient temperature RP-1 is "storable".
As opposed to "densified"....
 ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 08/03/2021 05:25 pm
B4 grid fin installed

Source: NSF Starbase LIVE: 24/7 Starship & Super Heavy Development

Before grid fin installed

New from Hasbro...  Mr. Rockethead
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 08/03/2021 05:29 pm
Do we think that SpaceX will build a walkway between the tops of the two high bays, once the second high bay is built, so that patrons can walk across from the High Bar to the Sky Diner, then back to the High Bar for (more) for cocktails?

You do realize that we are going to have to start naming these 'high bays' so we can tell them apart.

I mean we have the 'Mid Bay' and the 'High Bay' and now we're getting the 'Wide Bay' (Whighed?)  Next there will be one close to the water called the 'Bay Bay' which we'll all substitute to 'The Raptor Creche'. 

I guess we're safe though until someone comes along and wants to name one 'Michael'...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 08/04/2021 04:42 am
Quote
I guess we're safe though until someone comes along and wants to name one 'Michael'...

Was reading your post and thinking about making a joke about Michael Bay and... oh well forget it.

Nah, the "Michael Bay " name should be reserved to a pad: that's where the HUUUGE explosions always happen. We all know Bay loves huuuge giganormous explosions.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 08/04/2021 09:06 pm
Since the perfectly white background was mentioned on the stream, I just had to...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 08/04/2021 09:41 pm
Do we think that SpaceX will build a walkway between the tops of the two high bays, once the second high bay is built, so that patrons can walk across from the High Bar to the Sky Diner, then back to the High Bar for (more) for cocktails?

You do realize that we are going to have to start naming these 'high bays' so we can tell them apart.

I mean we have the 'Mid Bay' and the 'High Bay' and now we're getting the 'Wide Bay' (Whighed?)  Next there will be one close to the water called the 'Bay Bay' which we'll all substitute to 'The Raptor Creche'. 

I guess we're safe though until someone comes along and wants to name one 'Michael'...

Just as long as no one plays that ultra-sappy song “You’re having my Bay Bay!”

😛
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 08/05/2021 05:05 am
Since the perfectly white background was mentioned on the stream, I just had to...

Brilliant !
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 08/05/2021 09:53 am
I have noticed that there are things hanging down from the Booster 4 Raptor nozzles that look suspiciously like fuses. Having the warped imagination that I do, the following conversation seeped out of my brain:

"Hey, you're the new intern, right?"

"Sure am! What can I do for you, Sir?"

"Take this Bic lighter. Stand under the rocket. Make sure all 29 fuses are lit before you run for the other side of the berm."

"You gotta be kidding me! There's 14 million pounds of thrust coming outta there! Why don't you use igniters, like all the other rockets do?"

"The best part is no part. Times 29. Besides, interns are cheap."

"Well, what if I say no?"

"Not a problem. We have an exchange program. You'll spend the rest of your year working at Blue Origin."

"But . . . But . . . Oh, all right, gimme the Bic."

"Thanks. I knew you'd see the light."

 

https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=47352.0;attach=2050309;sess=298
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: sghill on 08/05/2021 02:26 pm
Awe! Hoppy looks so tiny next to its big cousins, it needs Baby Yoda ears!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 08/05/2021 03:50 pm
Awe! Hoppy looks so tiny next to its big cousins, it needs Baby Yoda ears!

Ahem... *does bad impression of Ben Afleck's Armageddon character doing an even worse impression of an Aussie wildlife documentarian*

Aand here we now see the extremely rare Tropical Silverbacked Emperor Penguin engaging in the beginning of its mating dance.  Note how the male shows vestiges of its arctic cousin's black plumage while the much taller female only retains such on its vestigial wings, currently raised to disguise its head. 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 08/05/2021 07:34 pm
There are not many times I make a noise of excitement with literally no one else in the room. But when I was gone for literally three hours and come back to a completely honest Youtube stream title "Starship Prototype Ship 20 Stacking on Super Heavy"

Holy shit.

Just...
Holy shit.

At least a giant hamster shook my hand at the park which is one of the best things I ever got to say when someone asked me what I was doing on the phone.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: gaballard on 08/05/2021 08:03 pm
Well, I dreamed I saw the silver spaceships flying
In the red haze of the sun
There were people waving and launch craving
All around the chosen ones
All in a dream, all in a dream
The stacking had begun
Flyin' mother nature's silver steed
To a new home in the stars
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 08/05/2021 11:50 pm
I love that pic looking up at Starship, the crane and the booster.


They tell you to never stare at the sun........ too late!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 08/06/2021 09:59 am
Now that we wait SN20 lift, it's time for history, Russian rocket engine expert Тим Додд explains how very American RL10 works:
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: matthewkantar on 08/06/2021 05:33 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJhHjACjJjA
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 08/07/2021 07:15 am
Boeing announces OFT-2 serious delays the very day Musk stacks Starship on top of BFR for the first time ever.

As far as "public image" go, it is hard to do worse. Poor CTS-100 is now so late compared to Dragon 2, it has now that other SpaceX manned ship coming on its heels: Starship.

http://www.parabolicarc.com/2021/08/04/next-boeing-starliner-launch-could-be-weeks-to-months-away/

Same for Virgin rising their ticket prices from $250 000 to $450 000. Could have picked another day or week... !

Proof that Starship, all by itself, is declassing both suborbital flight AND orbital capsules, altogether.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 08/07/2021 08:10 am
adrianwyard beat me to the punch on this idea.  A couple of iconic moments mashed together.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Vettedrmr on 08/07/2021 09:48 am
Boeing announces OFT-2 serious delays the very day Musk stacks Starship on top of BFR for the first time ever.

Let's be careful there.  The article claims an unnamed source from within Boeing; which isn't close to a company announcement.  To be honest, it's still bad.

Have a good one,
Mike
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 08/07/2021 11:34 am
Fair enough, no problem. Virgin Galactic 2014 crash taught us Parabolic Arc is not always 100% objective source.  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 08/08/2021 07:30 pm
Didn't look old enough so I tweaked it a bit just to confuse things a little more.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jon.amos on 08/08/2021 08:13 pm
Hey....HEY buddy over here...
Its been almost 40 days...
I need a Falcon launch....
These other Chinese rockets just don't do it for me.
Help a brother out PLEASE!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Jarnis on 08/09/2021 06:58 am
Withdrawal symtomps are a terrible thing. SpaceX seriously upped the expectations with constant stream of launches and now it is like they randomly went on a summer vacation.  :'(
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 08/09/2021 08:38 am
Yeah. They're building sandcastles or somethin' on a beach in Texas, of all places!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: IANARS on 08/09/2021 01:01 pm
I'm pleased to report that, after returning from her recent sea-trials, ASOG has made her first catch of an extremely sooty Falcon 9 booster  ;)

Needed a new bottle for the gym and couldn't resist having a little fun with the laser this weekend ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 08/09/2021 05:16 pm
I'm pleased to report that, after returning from her recent sea-trials, ASOG has made her first catch of an extremely sooty Falcon 9 booster  ;)

Needed a new bottle for the gym and couldn't resist having a little fun with the laser this weekend ;D

Are the labels correct?  I was sure OCISLY was currently the left coaster. ;D

Out of curiosity, what laser?  I just have a 4.2W diode laser on my CNC router (for which I also just threw together a pen plotter attachment so I can plot sewing patterns directly onto fabric, the better to practice with my new Sailrite Ultrafeed LSZ-1).  I really want a bigger laser, but I have to actually build a shop first. ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 08/09/2021 10:30 pm
I'm pleased to report that, after returning from her recent sea-trials, ASOG has made her first catch of an extremely sooty Falcon 9 booster  ;)

Needed a new bottle for the gym and couldn't resist having a little fun with the laser this weekend ;D

Are the labels correct?  I was sure OCISLY was currently the left coaster. ;D

Out of curiosity, what laser?  I just have a 4.2W diode laser on my CNC router (for which I also just threw together a pen plotter attachment so I can plot sewing patterns directly onto fabric, the better to practice with my new Sailrite Ultrafeed LSZ-1).  I really want a bigger laser, but I have to actually build a shop first. ;)


SpaceX is building rockets inside of circus tents.  No more Xcuses!  ::)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: IANARS on 08/10/2021 12:46 am
I'm pleased to report that, after returning from her recent sea-trials, ASOG has made her first catch of an extremely sooty Falcon 9 booster  ;)

Needed a new bottle for the gym and couldn't resist having a little fun with the laser this weekend ;D

Are the labels correct?  I was sure OCISLY was currently the left coaster. ;D

Out of curiosity, what laser?  I just have a 4.2W diode laser on my CNC router (for which I also just threw together a pen plotter attachment so I can plot sewing patterns directly onto fabric, the better to practice with my new Sailrite Ultrafeed LSZ-1).  I really want a bigger laser, but I have to actually build a shop first. ;)


I knew there was going to be something I missed, but I was more expecting along the lines of "you messed up the expansion ratio of the Merlins and killed isp by 20s..." ::)

Epilog Helix 24, I think 60 watt version. I helped my uncle set up his business from scratch with it a few years back, so I get to have a little fun with it in return every now and again.

...I had to cut a custom grill for an old PC build that needed some more air and, well, didn't want to let the "extra" acrylic I bought go to waste, and Oh Hey might as well do this water bottle that I didn't just buy the day before and spend like 10 hours playing with designs on AutoCAD while I'm here...   ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 08/10/2021 02:11 am
Boeing announces OFT-2 serious delays the very day Musk stacks Starship on top of BFR for the first time ever.

Let's be careful there.  The article claims an unnamed source from within Boeing; which isn't close to a company announcement.  To be honest, it's still bad.

Have a good one,
Mike

No, the joke is that by talking about launching later in August, Boeing management implied a few days of delay.
If we were to be careful we would talk about calendar quarters. :P
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 08/10/2021 05:39 am
Quote
SpaceX is building rockets inside of circus tents.  No more Xcuses!  ::)

since we are discussing circus here... if you ever wonder "where did that famous "clown music" ever come from" then, behold:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_B0CyOAO8y0

(play at 1:25 or 1:50 speed, and laugh)

And as you can see, poor Julius Fucik wrote it as a tribute to GLADIATORS, not CLOWNS. One of the greatest misconprehension in musical history.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 08/10/2021 07:09 am
It took 6+ years but it has been worth the wait!!!


https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=35014.0 (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=35014.0)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Ghoti on 08/11/2021 01:37 pm
SpaceX acquires Bob and Doug...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzEzpCx8p74
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 08/11/2021 08:19 pm
"So that's the reason for the extreme sense of urgency"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tgr9898 on 08/12/2021 02:56 pm
twitter.com/erdayastronaut/status/1425472086877904902

Quote
PART 3 IS LIVE!!! Walk around the Starbase launchpad with @elonmusk and I as we discuss the future of Starbase, the ocean launch platforms, and humanity as a whole! This one is fascinating!!! Thanks for showing me around Elon, can't wait to do it again! -

https://twitter.com/spaceoffshore/status/1425526321141141504

Quote
Elon on Phobos and Deimos rigs: "We're not thinking too much about the oil rigs right now. We're demo-ing one rig (Phobos) because we can just send it to people and have them do it."
Only two things preventing launching from these rigs:
1) Physics
2) Economics

Geez..... how many "Troll" accounts did Bezos create on this site????
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jpo234 on 08/13/2021 06:28 pm
https://mobile.twitter.com/skiboysteve/status/1425660685153800194

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: joek on 08/13/2021 06:48 pm
https://twitter.com/laure_mar/status/1422982071811600385?s=20
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AJW on 08/14/2021 12:08 am
After months of ridicule about SpaceX building rockets out in a field, this week we have a rocket going back to it's air-conditioned factory because it couldn't handle a little rain without 13 propellant valves seizing up.  Reminds me of that Far Side cartoon with the group of old dinosaurs pointing and laughing at the new furry mammal, while one of them notices that snow is starting to fall.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 08/14/2021 12:14 am
I think that B.O. really needs to up their game if they're going to throw out numbers on these info-graphics they keep putting out. Maybe they should try something like this:

"So far, SpaceX has launched ten people into orbit, but only succeeded in bringing back six of them. With that sort of scary record, why should NASA trust them with a lunar lander? We look forward to helping NASA correct their error..."

I'm sure Senator Cantwell could make good use of this quote at the next hearings.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jpo234 on 08/14/2021 08:11 am
After months of ridicule about SpaceX building rockets out in a field, this week we have a rocket going back to it's air-conditioned factory because it couldn't handle a little rain without 13 propellant valves seizing up.  Reminds me of that Far Side cartoon with the group of old dinosaurs pointing and laughing at the new furry mammal, while one of them notices that snow is starting to fall.
The rocket is fine. It's the payload that is having trouble.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 08/14/2021 10:22 pm
You know you're in deep when you mildly freak out inside before reaching the end of the sentence.

Quote
and are now starting to cut on Hoppers side
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 08/18/2021 09:12 pm
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 08/19/2021 09:40 am



twitter.com/thesheetztweetz/status/1427734247125684225


Quote
News – @Firefly_Space brings on Lauren Lyons as COO, with Robb Kulin having left the company in June.


Lyons joins from Blue Origin, where she was a lead engineer on HLS and its advanced development program.

https://twitter.com/thesheetztweetz/status/1427734247125684225 (https://twitter.com/thesheetztweetz/status/1427734247125684225)

Sgt Mal & Cpl Zoë standing in front of their Serenity. 8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: inonepiece on 08/19/2021 08:16 pm
I've been looking at a lot of tiled SS photos
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 08/22/2021 08:52 pm
https://twitter.com/spacexmr/status/1429490654682439695

Quote
Had to do some quality control on my in-laws' front porch area. #SpaceX
https://www.reddit.com/r/SpaceXMasterrace/comments/p9f1mc/had_to_do_some_quality_control_on_my_inlaws_front/
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Ben Baley on 08/23/2021 09:18 pm
Clearly neither you nor SpaceX are using colourblind technicians, I don't know how this discriminatory hiring practice can continue its 2021 people.
Equal representation for all!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 08/24/2021 12:00 am
Clearly neither you nor SpaceX are using colourblind technicians, I don't know how this discriminatory hiring practice can continue its 2021 people.
Equal representation for all!

they may be different shades of grey??
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 08/24/2021 12:12 am
https://twitter.com/spacexmr/status/1429490654682439695

Quote
Had to do some quality control on my in-laws' front porch area. #SpaceX
https://www.reddit.com/r/SpaceXMasterrace/comments/p9f1mc/had_to_do_some_quality_control_on_my_inlaws_front/

Do your in-laws know about the upcoming thermal and acoustic testing?  :o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 08/25/2021 11:05 pm
I am sure this would be a good meeting between two great men. But personally I would watch out for men with umbrellas.

https://twitter.com/Rogozin/status/1430634204686127109

Quote
Good afternoon, Mr. @elonmusk
!  On October 5, a new expedition will leave for the International Space Station.  We are planning to send a cinematographic group of the leading television channel as part of it.  Our task is to tell the truth about manned flights,...
Quote
about the constant risk and tremendous emotional impact of all space flight organizers.  I am sure that you understand me well.  If you succeed, I would be glad to see you on October 5 in the cradle of world cosmonautics - at the Baikonur cosmodrome.
Quote
I would be glad to meet you personally.  Come!  We are waiting for you.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: BrianNH on 08/26/2021 12:59 pm
This isn't SpaceX related, but this is the only party thread that I know of.  When the Nauka engines started sending ISS tumbling, this is what my twitter feed looked like when it was first reported.  Wanted to wait a few days after the incident to post this until the danger had passed.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 08/26/2021 01:08 pm
I am sure this would be a good meeting between two great men. But personally I would watch out for men with umbrellas.

https://twitter.com/Rogozin/status/1430634204686127109

Quote
Good afternoon, Mr. @elonmusk
!  On October 5, a new expedition will leave for the International Space Station.  We are planning to send a cinematographic group of the leading television channel as part of it.  Our task is to tell the truth about manned flights,...
Quote
about the constant risk and tremendous emotional impact of all space flight organizers.  I am sure that you understand me well.  If you succeed, I would be glad to see you on October 5 in the cradle of world cosmonautics - at the Baikonur cosmodrome.
Quote
I would be glad to meet you personally.  Come!  We are waiting for you.

The first meeting after the kidnapping would also start with "Good afternoon, Mr. Musk."

And then something about having aimed rockets at every capital on Earth and wanting a biiilion dollars.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 08/26/2021 01:11 pm
I am sure this would be a good meeting between two great men. But personally I would watch out for men with umbrellas.

https://twitter.com/Rogozin/status/1430634204686127109

Quote
Good afternoon, Mr. @elonmusk
!  On October 5, a new expedition will leave for the International Space Station.  We are planning to send a cinematographic group of the leading television channel as part of it.  Our task is to tell the truth about manned flights,...
Quote
about the constant risk and tremendous emotional impact of all space flight organizers.  I am sure that you understand me well.  If you succeed, I would be glad to see you on October 5 in the cradle of world cosmonautics - at the Baikonur cosmodrome.
Quote
I would be glad to meet you personally.  Come!  We are waiting for you.

The first meeting after the kidnapping would also start with "Good afternoon, Mr. Musk."

And then something about having aimed rockets at every capital on Earth and wanting a biiilion dollars.

At which point the 'Musk Volcano Lair' goes into action.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 08/26/2021 01:12 pm
https://twitter.com/spacexmr/status/1429490654682439695

Quote
Had to do some quality control on my in-laws' front porch area. #SpaceX
https://www.reddit.com/r/SpaceXMasterrace/comments/p9f1mc/had_to_do_some_quality_control_on_my_inlaws_front/

Hey, nice rock kit work!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 08/27/2021 05:31 pm
Doug - one of SpaceX's two new all-purpose recovery ships - has departed from Louisiana and is heading to Port Canaveral, Florida!

Apparently Doug's not a big fan of hurricanes.  As for me, well, see that 'S' labeled "8 AM Monday"?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 08/29/2021 12:55 pm
So, I got to watch Astra's amazing display of GNC, and the CRS-23 launch was both beautiful and conveniently timed -- I didn't have to set an extra alarm to pull another load of hurricane ice out of the machine.  Anyone want to wager on whether I'll have power and data to watch the Firefly Alpha launch Thursday?

Ah, who am I kidding?  We have generator backup for the datacenter at work, and it's got well-protected network connectivity.  If I'm still down and not already there, I'll just bike over there and watch it on the back steps.  Not going to miss an inaugural launch just for a measly 150mph Cat4.  I mean, seriously.  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 08/29/2021 02:14 pm
https://twitter.com/djsnm/status/1431802844458340355

Quote
I feel like I need to apologise to Astra for this.... but it was too good a joke to ignore.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 08/30/2021 07:54 pm
Would classify that as a sense of entitlement... "We've always done it this way before..." or maybe "Who moved my cheese?"
What I want to know is: Who cut the cheese? :o >:( :-[
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: abaddon on 08/31/2021 04:21 pm
When I was watching this, just imagining it being a booster and being thankful it wasn't.  What a disaster.

https://twitter.com/PermianLandman/status/1432187493726756869
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 08/31/2021 04:48 pm
https://twitter.com/photonempress/status/1432566090870099974

Quote
Apparently we won another Emmy for DM-2, “Outstanding Daytime Special Event”.

Part of me really wants to win the Emmy for “Outstanding Technical Team” but I don’t think the media team at X will ever actually submit for that 😐 We are doing LIVE WEBCASTS FROM SPACE! Come on now!

Award was back in June and went to Space Launch Live: America Returns to Space (Discovery and Science Channel).

It's kinda funny given their respective achievements and modes of operation that SpaceX has two Emmys while Blue Origin has a Collier trophy.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 08/31/2021 04:54 pm
When I was watching this, just imagining it being a booster and being thankful it wasn't.  What a disaster.

https://twitter.com/PermianLandman/status/1432187493726756869

Saw an article on this.  Apparently, the team were new and took the wrong exit, resulting in having to make the turn at the tracks... and getting hung up on the warning light.

What I want to know is... every crossing I've come to has that 800 number posted for track blockages.  Surely someone called it?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 09/02/2021 11:19 pm
https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/08/nasas-sls-rocket-will-not-fly-until-next-spring-or-more-likely-summer/

Elontime >>>>>> Ulantime where > = better
Elontime <<<<<< Ulantime where > = longer
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MrHollifield on 09/04/2021 01:17 am
Starship needs a sea shanty, doesn't it?

Refrain
Way hey and up she rises (X3)[/size]
Ear-ly in the morning

What shall we do with a Starship rocket? (X3)[/size]
Ear-ly in the morning

Refrain

Launch to orbit with stacks of Starlinks (X3)[/size]
Ear-ly in the morning

Refrain

Dock together for a methane transfer (X3)[/size]
Ear-ly in the morning

Refrain

Return to the moon with tons of science (X3)[/size]
Ear-ly in the morning

Refrain

Lift off to Mars for the first crewed landing (X3)[/size]
Ear-ly in the morning

Refrain

Return to Starbase for rapid reflight (X3)
Ear-ly in the morning

Refrain
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 09/04/2021 02:56 am
I think you're a Drunken Shanty-er!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 09/05/2021 11:31 pm
 If you are a Space flight enthusiast.
 Elon time is better than any other.
 
 Orders of magnitude better!

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: punder on 09/06/2021 11:25 pm
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=54342.msg2286745#msg2286745

“And the SS will be heading to offshore platforms etc, or the middle of desserts.”

Wow. The world’s largest and crispiest Creme Brûlée!  :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 09/07/2021 06:17 am

https://twitter.com/free_space/status/1434962338378039296 (https://twitter.com/free_space/status/1434962338378039296)


Quote
Prelim analysis: @Firefly_Space Alpha rocket engine #2 shut down about 15 sec. after liftoff when prop valve closed due to loss of electrical signal, CEO Tom Markusic tells @AviationWeek. Engines survived FTS destruct, fall from 50,000 ft & were recovered. Photo credit: Firefly


Those engines are just like the Reavers on the Firefly TV show, virtually indestructible.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 09/07/2021 07:09 pm
In the news.  Jeff Bezos files a lawsuit against space for being too hard.


When asked for comment space said: ......
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 09/07/2021 08:04 pm
Moderator,  Law and Order: NSF:
Reports to Moderator tickets "Objection, again--not relevant because off-topic."

Moderator: Sustained. 13 more posts stricken.

Veteran posters--You know better than this. Stop.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKN10qo1ngM
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AndyH on 09/08/2021 03:23 am

https://twitter.com/free_space/status/1434962338378039296 (https://twitter.com/free_space/status/1434962338378039296)


Quote
Prelim analysis: @Firefly_Space Alpha rocket engine #2 shut down about 15 sec. after liftoff when prop valve closed due to loss of electrical signal, CEO Tom Markusic tells @AviationWeek. Engines survived FTS destruct, fall from 50,000 ft & were recovered. Photo credit: Firefly


Those engines are just like the Reavers on the Firefly TV show, virtually indestructible.
They just haven't met River yet.  :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 09/10/2021 01:47 pm


Do we have a nickname for the claw yet?

Dr. Claw is a bit too obvious (though the go go gadget motif is nice), so how about Dr. Klahn? It (could help) send a Starship to Detroit...

"The Claw" is about as good a nick name as it gets. Liar, Liar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbTiPEPJtgA
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: rsdavis9 on 09/10/2021 04:34 pm


Do we have a nickname for the claw yet?

Dr. Claw is a bit too obvious (though the go go gadget motif is nice), so how about Dr. Klahn? It (could help) send a Starship to Detroit...

"The Claw" is about as good a nick name as it gets. Liar, Liar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbTiPEPJtgA

And don't forget the toy story. The claw for the toys in one of those amusement park games.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 09/10/2021 07:47 pm


Do we have a nickname for the claw yet?

Dr. Claw is a bit too obvious (though the go go gadget motif is nice), so how about Dr. Klahn? It (could help) send a Starship to Detroit...

"The Claw" is about as good a nick name as it gets. Liar, Liar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbTiPEPJtgA

And don't forget the toy story. The claw for the toys in one of those amusement park games.

The claw is our master…
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 09/10/2021 11:23 pm
When lunar landings are a way of life.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Heinrich on 09/11/2021 09:58 am
https://spacenews.com/house-budget-reconciliation-package-funds-nasa-infrastructure-but-not-lunar-lander-work/

Quote
The bill provides more than $3.4 billion for NSF infrastructure projects, [...]

@Chris Bergin congratulations with this funding. Coverage for the upcoming Starship test flights will become amazing!
 ;D ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: erv on 09/13/2021 07:27 am
One of our radio stations I sometimes listen to, has a daily sports trivia. Today's one was about what unique requirement footballer Stefan Schwarz had in his contract with Sunderland club. I didn't pay much attention until I heard the answer, after which I had to look it up as I had never heard about it.  :)

Quote from: BBC
A record Premiership football player has been banned from space travel.

Sunderland's new signing, Stefan Schwarz, has been told he cannot travel into space on one of the first commercial passenger flights - due for lift-off in the year 2002.

Here is BBC article back from 1999 on the matter (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/fa_carling_premiership/410156.stm)

Trying to remember what passenger rides were offered back then? SpaceShipOne? Bezos?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 09/13/2021 07:51 am
Quote
how about Dr. Klahn?

Starship: the wrath of Klahn.

KLAAAAAAAAHN !!!!!  ;D ;D     
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 09/13/2021 07:53 am
https://spacenews.com/house-budget-reconciliation-package-funds-nasa-infrastructure-but-not-lunar-lander-work/

Quote
The bill provides more than $3.4 billion for NSF infrastructure projects, [...]

@Chris Bergin congratulations with this funding. Coverage for the upcoming Starship test flights will become amazing!
 ;D ;D

Good one !  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 09/13/2021 09:26 am
https://spacenews.com/house-budget-reconciliation-package-funds-nasa-infrastructure-but-not-lunar-lander-work/

Quote
The bill provides more than $3.4 billion for NSF infrastructure projects, [...]

@Chris Bergin congratulations with this funding. Coverage for the upcoming Starship test flights will become amazing!
 ;D ;D

Good one !  8)

Mary will enjoy her new multi-cam equipped hovercraft!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 09/13/2021 01:33 pm
Wind from the plains states or offshore would have to be connected and transmitted to areas of greatest need.  The disadvantage of wind would be killing of birds.

Something like 1 in 10,000 bird deaths caused by humans are caused by wind turbines.  The big ones are buildings, cars, powerlines and cats, at over a billion a year each just in the US.

Someone remind me that when I build that humongous wind turbine in my back yard I need to paint it in a careful mix of white, grey and tan splotches... and mount whiskers on the hub.  That way the bird-kills disappear in the cat noise. ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 09/14/2021 03:16 am
How fun!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 09/14/2021 11:03 pm
How fun!

Bring your daughter to work day??? ;)

(Hailey looks like a kid playing dress-up! :P ) 

(and this is absolutely not a bad thing, her energy and enthusiasm is inspiring!  NASA astros always seem so serious... even when they're smiling)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 09/15/2021 05:38 am
A T-1 party!

https://twitter.com/ryinspace/status/1438005086760980483

Quote
I'm not crying, you're crying. An OVERWHELMING moment with the @inspiration4x crew at T-1 party. I've never experienced anything like this before. G-dspeed @drsianproctor and crew. You've already inspired us, now let's ignite something even bigger across the planet. #Inspiration4
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Bananas_on_Mars on 09/15/2021 08:22 pm
Just something for your "Kopfkino" ( Mental cinema)

Imagine Chris Sembroski celebrating the 30 year release of the album "Nevermind" by doing a Nirvana baby reenactment in the Dragon Cupola on orbit.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tgr9898 on 09/15/2021 09:45 pm
Just something for your "Kopfkino" ( Mental cinema)

Imagine Chris Sembroski celebrating the 30 year release of the album "Nevermind" by doing a Nirvana baby reenactment in the Dragon Cupola on orbit.

Given the recent lawsuit, I suspect there are many that would rather see Spencer Elden reenacting that photo outside the Dragon Cupola
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 09/15/2021 11:42 pm
Looks to be a beautiful night for a launch. Godspeed Inspiration 4!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 09/15/2021 11:47 pm
From my end; the NSF live stream on YouTube keeps cutting out and buffering badly, so I had to switch to the SpaceX stream :( And thank you NSF for moderating the live chat stream - some of the comments will lower your IQ by proxy... :'(
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 09/15/2021 11:55 pm
As you might imagine I am very happy for all these folks and extremely proud to be having a little sister from Memphis on board. St. Jude's does some wonderful stuff in the most selfless manner and I hope everyone here has made a financial contribution. I have put my money there even though they didn't take me. Ya'll cross your fingers and be ready for some mind-blowing images.

LET'S ROCK!!   8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 09/16/2021 12:08 am
Goin' Uphill...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 09/16/2021 12:24 am
Congratulations to SpaceX for now having launched 14 people in orbit! SpaceX is now running three Dragons in space.

That "thudding" sound you hear is Jeff Bezos pounding his head against the wall.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tyrred on 09/16/2021 12:29 am
Woot woot!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: leovinus on 09/16/2021 01:14 am
Woot woot!

Time for an appropriate cold one
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Ben Baley on 09/18/2021 06:41 pm
With the draft EA released it looks like we're going to get a FONSI  8) 8) 8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 09/20/2021 03:31 pm
With the draft EA released it looks like we're going to get a FONSI  8) 8) 8)

I realize that BN4/SS20 are both ocean bound... but really, it's a little early for 'Shark Jumping'.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 09/22/2021 05:02 am
Throwing shade on SpaceX and Inspiration4:
The film crew of the project "Challenge" will go into orbit in two weeks.

About 15 space launches from different cosmodromes are planned by the end of this year. This was announced on September 21 by the general director of Roscosmos at the conference "Orbit of Youth". Dmitry Rogozin spoke about the prospects for Russian cosmonautics.

09/21/2021 19:00

At Baikonur, meanwhile, they are preparing for the most anticipated space launch of the year.

The crew is ready for anything. Yulia Peresild and Klim Shipenko during the flight are not only an actress and director - they are full-fledged flight engineers. Unlike the American civilian crew that was sent into space last week. There people are just tourists.

The project of Channel One and Roskosmos is an accelerated training of non-professionals specifically for performing tasks in space. And not "just fly." Dmitry Rogozin was asked about cooperation with private companies in the USA today by students at the conference "Orbit of Youth" in Baumanka.

“It is hardly possible for our organizations to cooperate with SpaceX, because they are direct competitors, they are trying to squeeze us out of the launch services market using a variety of schemes, primarily dumping. But at the same time, at the expense of the Pentagon and other state customers, they compensate for the losses incurred due to this dumping, ”the head of Roscosmos explained.

But the first ones are us again. Joint project of the First Channel and Roscosmos "Challenge". The foreign press also writes about this.<snip>

Source: Channel One

https://www.roscosmos.ru/32673/
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 09/22/2021 09:10 am
Throwing shade on SpaceX and Inspiration4:
The film crew of the project "Challenge" will go into orbit in two weeks.

About 15 space launches from different cosmodromes are planned by the end of this year. This was announced on September 21 by the general director of Roscosmos at the conference "Orbit of Youth". Dmitry Rogozin spoke about the prospects for Russian cosmonautics.

09/21/2021 19:00

At Baikonur, meanwhile, they are preparing for the most anticipated space launch of the year.

The crew is ready for anything. Yulia Peresild and Klim Shipenko during the flight are not only an actress and director - they are full-fledged flight engineers. Unlike the American civilian crew that was sent into space last week. There people are just tourists.

The project of Channel One and Roskosmos is an accelerated training of non-professionals specifically for performing tasks in space. And not "just fly." Dmitry Rogozin was asked about cooperation with private companies in the USA today by students at the conference "Orbit of Youth" in Baumanka.

“It is hardly possible for our organizations to cooperate with SpaceX, because they are direct competitors, they are trying to squeeze us out of the launch services market using a variety of schemes, primarily dumping. But at the same time, at the expense of the Pentagon and other state customers, they compensate for the losses incurred due to this dumping, ”the head of Roscosmos explained.

But the first ones are us again. Joint project of the First Channel and Roscosmos "Challenge". The foreign press also writes about this.<snip>

Source: Channel One

https://www.roscosmos.ru/32673/

Sounds like Rogozin has taken the welcoming teakettle off the stove.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 09/22/2021 07:56 pm
Sounds like Rogozin has taken the welcoming teakettle off the stove.
No stove needed, the polonium keeps it warm.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 09/22/2021 08:36 pm
Sounds like Rogozin has taken the welcoming teakettle off the stove.
Re: motives; an observation

My mother is a narcissist.

She has sent me holiday cards wishing me:
a Happy (holiday)!;

filled all the blank space of the card with screeds attacking what I have, haven't, or should have done with my life (my ex-marriage was the most common target);

asking why I don't answer her phone calls and had refused to visit my mother and father;

and still does not (and will never) comprehend "why is this such a problem for you?"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 09/22/2021 08:45 pm
Sounds like Rogozin has taken the welcoming teakettle off the stove.
Re: motives; an observation

My mother is a narcissist.

She has sent me holiday cards wishing me:
a Happy (holiday)!;

filled all the blank space of the card with screeds attacking what I have, haven't, or should have done with my life (my ex-marriage was the most common target);

asking why I don't answer her phone calls and had refused to visit my mother and father;

and still does not (and will never) comprehend "why is this such a problem for you?"

The only proper conclusion I can draw here is that you would visit if you were properly trained like a Russian Cosmonaut.   ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 09/22/2021 09:28 pm
The only proper conclusion I can draw here is that you would visit if you were properly trained like a Russian Cosmonaut.   ;)
An interesting thought, given it's similarity to observations made in Dragonfly, the general-audience expose of the Shuttle-Mir program.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 09/22/2021 10:48 pm

The only proper conclusion I can draw here is that you would visit if you were properly trained like a Russian Cosmonaut.   ;)

Properly equipped with two bottles of vodka to make the experience tolerable and avoid any post traumatic stress (by suppressing memory generation)

Edit: one of them of course wrapped as a present for matushka
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AJW on 09/23/2021 03:00 am
As the debate rages on about just what this opening is for, I think it is obvious that every Starship needs at least one AstroMech droid.

(photo posted by StefsEngineering)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 09/23/2021 03:24 am
https://twitter.com/cnunezimages/status/1440726141375959046
They look like Dragon wings.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 09/24/2021 12:48 am
Elon liked this, so it must be true …

https://twitter.com/spacexmr/status/1441177680683024389

Quote
If anyone was wondering where Elon gets his Design Ideas #SpaceX
https://www.reddit.com/r/SpaceXMasterrace/comments/pu233j/if_anyone_was_wondering_where_elon_gets_his/
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tomness on 09/25/2021 03:53 am
The Soyuz-2.1a rocket with the #SoyuzMS19 spacecraft is scheduled to launch on October 5.

The scientific and educational project ‘Challenge’ will be implemented on the ISS during the flight.
 
The Soyuz-2 rocket will be decorated with the project symbols:

https://twitter.com/roscosmos/status/1441422856722681860

We all know the Doctor & Cosmonauts movie this going be... There is indeed going to be Challenge conducting scientific and educational merits in this. There can only be one kinda of movie that can pay for this flight... Indeed going to have a Money Shot
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 09/26/2021 06:47 pm
Sure, but in the context of space tourism today and in the near future, I think very few people would tire of microgravity quickly. Heck, people play sports in 1g their entire lives - can you imagine the demand for zero-g dodgeball on a Starship? No way people are going to get bored of that in 1 hour.

Zero-G dodgeball sounds fun and all, but I'm really waiting for zero-G capture the flag.

The enemy's gate is down.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 09/26/2021 06:57 pm
Laser-tag at microgravity with OCDs
You need agree with concept of "Death of the Author" to agree with that concept.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 09/27/2021 12:56 am
Laser-tag at microgravity with OCDs
You need agree with concept of "Death of the Author" to agree with that concept.

"Death of the Author" is the reason an friend of mine said she could like "Ender's Game".  Death of the author, on the other hand, was also her opinion on how he could make the world a better place.

Can we add small cold-gas thrusters to the laser tag guns so you can adjust your trajectory with the "recoil"?  Alas, we can't do zero-G paintball (particles going everywhere), so that'll have to wait for Moonbase Paintball to open in the entertainment district dome.

(Is the ISP of paintball better or worse than ARCA's?)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 09/28/2021 01:32 am
Pro-tip to better enjoy one's NSF forum experience:
Perceive Jim as the rocket engineer Vorlon aboard Babylon-NSF 5.

Moderators: Please delete if it's considered defamatory. I consider it more positive than negative. But, I could be wrong.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Jarnis on 09/28/2021 05:35 pm
Perceive Jim as the rocket engineer Vorlon aboard Babylon-NSF 5.

Suddenly... everything just makes sense.  :o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 09/28/2021 05:49 pm
Sure, but in the context of space tourism today and in the near future, I think very few people would tire of microgravity quickly. Heck, people play sports in 1g their entire lives - can you imagine the demand for zero-g dodgeball on a Starship? No way people are going to get bored of that in 1 hour.

Zero-G dodgeball sounds fun and all, but I'm really waiting for zero-G capture the flag.

The enemy's gate is down.

Wingsuits!!!  There's a novel I still have somewhere around my house called 'Star Voyager Academy' where the school sport involves flying in the core of the O'neill style habitat using wingsuits.  In the book it is also done on the moon as well.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: su27k on 09/29/2021 03:18 am
Perceive Jim as the rocket engineer Vorlon aboard Babylon-NSF 5.

But is he the good Kosh or the evil Kosh....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: groknull on 09/29/2021 04:50 am
Perceive Jim as the rocket engineer Vorlon aboard Babylon-NSF 5.

But is he the good Kosh or the evil Kosh....

Yes.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nevyn72 on 09/29/2021 06:54 am
Perceive Jim as the rocket engineer Vorlon aboard Babylon-NSF 5.

Better a Vorlon than a Vogon!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: guyw on 09/29/2021 12:12 pm
Perceive Jim as the rocket engineer Vorlon aboard Babylon-NSF 5.

Better a Vorlon than a Vogon!
Only the Shadows know!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: markbike528cbx on 09/29/2021 02:23 pm
Sure, but in the context of space tourism today and in the near future, I think very few people would tire of microgravity quickly. Heck, people play sports in 1g their entire lives - can you imagine the demand for zero-g dodgeball on a Starship? No way people are going to get bored of that in 1 hour.

Zero-G dodgeball sounds fun and all, but I'm really waiting for zero-G capture the flag.

The enemy's gate is down.

Wingsuits!!!  There's a novel I still have somewhere around my house called 'Star Voyager Academy' where the school sport involves flying in the core of the O'neill style habitat using wingsuits.  In the book it is also done on the moon as well.
Just plain wings in Menace from Earth - short story by Robert A. Heinlein.
Set in the Moon. Characters mostly high school age.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 09/29/2021 07:18 pm
The map amuses me.
TFR's now being published for CRS-23 splashdown on Thursday evening.Quote Tweet

https://twitter.com/SpaceOffshore/status/1442975716686004243
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tgr9898 on 09/29/2021 08:51 pm
The map amuses me.
TFR's now being published for CRS-23 splashdown on Thursday evening.Quote Tweet

https://twitter.com/SpaceOffshore/status/1442975716686004243

The forecast calls for fog & low clouds that day, so I'd say the map looks pretty accurate....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 09/29/2021 10:06 pm
Quote
ASAP’s David West says the Crew-2 Crew Dragon will do a 360-degree flyaround of the ISS after undocking in November; the first by a US spacecraft since the shuttle era.

Let’s hope they remember to turn on the data recorder for the fly-around, unlike on STS-134.
Man!  Was that ever a disappointment!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: 1 on 09/30/2021 09:09 pm
Pro-tip to better enjoy one's NSF forum experience:
Perceive Jim as the rocket engineer Vorlon aboard Babylon-NSF 5.

I find myself reading many of Jim's posts in Dom DeLuise's voice.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: SteveU on 09/30/2021 11:45 pm
Pro-tip to better enjoy one's NSF forum experience:
Perceive Jim as the rocket engineer Vorlon aboard Babylon-NSF 5.

I find myself reading many of Jim's posts in Dom DeLuise's voice.
Really miss him. Loved him as Urgo in SG1.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 10/03/2021 03:32 pm
https://youtu.be/XD66suMp3J4
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 10/03/2021 11:18 pm
(https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/assets/42585.0/2063012.jpg)
We need to find a way to attach videos to threads instead of linking/embedding them
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: leovinus on 10/05/2021 03:04 pm
https://twitter.com/RussianSpaceWeb/status/1445360974924554248
Quote
#SoyuzMS19 crew reports a Kurs rendezvous system failure and switch to manual control (behind schedule):

Seems like KURS had a HAL moment on final approach and wanted to add some drama to the "Challenge" movie. удачи
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 10/05/2021 05:14 pm
Alright, completely unrelated to anything currently being discussed - I've got a chance to visit StarBase next month. My wife is a fitness instructor and I'm going with her to a spandex convention of some kind in Dallas. While she's doing her thing all day I'm going to make a run to visit Elon. Anybody been there want to tell me about it?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 10/05/2021 07:20 pm
1) it’s an amazing long distance from DFW like a 12 hour ride! If you’re not flying it’s not really a one-day jaunt.
2) even from Brownsville it a way out in the country like 30-40 minutes or an hour is your one The other side of the channel.
3) bring food/snacks, water (like a case), a good hat, sunscreen, a towel and bathing suit plus change of  clothes. Plus your camera of course.
4) Parking on right side of road allowed if they aren’t moving something but it can be muddy if it rained  recently.
5) generally limit wandering out in the wilderness as it’s protected nesting ground and you could be disturbing something. 
6) you can take your car or truck out onto the beach past the launch complex and there are some great OLS views from there, but easy to get stuck if you don’t have 4 wheel drive. Realize Mexico is just down the beach south and you don’t want to accidentally go there particularly of you can’t prove you belong on this side. I haven’t tried going south so there may be signs or a fence. I just don’t know.
7) on the way back to town, there are roadblocks with INS/Boarder Patrol services folk that will stop and ask you questions. I haven’t tried that after dark.
8) Be respectful of SpaceX and locals property. For example you may not have access to bathroom facilities as a guest.
9 you can walk down rocket road (Remidios?) and check out SN15 and SN16.
Probably more … IM me if you want to chat and I can share phone#, etc.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tomness on 10/05/2021 07:21 pm
Alright, completely unrelated to anything currently being discussed - I've got a chance to visit StarBase next month. My wife is a fitness instructor and I'm going with her to a spandex convention of some kind in Dallas. While she's doing her thing all day I'm going to make a run to visit Elon. Anybody been there want to tell me about it?

That's a 8 ½ hour trip realistic about 10+ hrs trip one way. Don't expect to be treated like YouTubers you see. If you go to the Beach, try be In and out so your not harassed security. For love of God stay off SpaceX's property and don't photograph "Elon's" home away from home.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 10/06/2021 02:02 pm
1) it’s an amazing long distance from DFW like a 12 hour ride! If you’re not flying it’s not really a one-day jaunt.
2) even from Brownsville it a way out in the country like 30-40 minutes or an hour is your one The other side of the channel.
...

Thanks for the response. Yeah, I've been a few places and done some things so I've got the travel plans all worked out. The enormous pile of Southwest Airlines Rapid Reward points is going to come in handy. I'm also pretty good at not being an ugly tourist type and staying out of the way. This is just one of those things that appears relatively simple on paper so you always wonder what you're missing and how you can screw it up. Knowhutimean?  ;D

Your points at 5,6, and especially 7 are good examples of things I had not given much thought and illustrate how valuable a little "ground truth" can be. Thanks again.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 10/06/2021 02:06 pm
Alright, completely unrelated to anything currently being discussed - I've got a chance to visit StarBase next month. My wife is a fitness instructor and I'm going with her to a spandex convention of some kind in Dallas. While she's doing her thing all day I'm going to make a run to visit Elon. Anybody been there want to tell me about it?

That's a 8 ½ hour trip realistic about 10+ hrs trip one way. Don't expect to be treated like YouTubers you see. If you go to the Beach, try be In and out so your not harassed security. For love of God stay off SpaceX's property and don't photograph "Elon's" home away from home.

Thanks. I know my limits and how to behave. Despite the fancy avatar I'm pretty much a low-profile kind of guy. Here's what I really look like -
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 10/06/2021 02:50 pm
1) it’s an amazing long distance from DFW like a 12 hour ride! If you’re not flying it’s not really a one-day jaunt.
2) even from Brownsville it a way out in the country like 30-40 minutes or an hour is your one The other side of the channel.
...

Thanks for the response. Yeah, I've been a few places and done some things so I've got the travel plans all worked out. The enormous pile of Southwest Airlines Rapid Reward points is going to come in handy. I'm also pretty good at not being an ugly tourist type and staying out of the way. This is just one of those things that appears relatively simple on paper so you always wonder what you're missing and how you can screw it up. Knowhutimean?  ;D

Your points at 5,6, and especially 7 are good examples of things I had not given much thought and illustrate how valuable a little "ground truth" can be. Thanks again.

You should cross-post your question and the meaningful responses here: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=51582.0

So that future inquirers can find this good information.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 10/06/2021 04:11 pm
1) it’s an amazing long distance from DFW like a 12 hour ride! If you’re not flying it’s not really a one-day jaunt.
2) even from Brownsville it a way out in the country like 30-40 minutes or an hour is your one The other side of the channel.
...

Thanks for the response. Yeah, I've been a few places and done some things so I've got the travel plans all worked out. The enormous pile of Southwest Airlines Rapid Reward points is going to come in handy. I'm also pretty good at not being an ugly tourist type and staying out of the way. This is just one of those things that appears relatively simple on paper so you always wonder what you're missing and how you can screw it up. Knowhutimean?  ;D

Your points at 5,6, and especially 7 are good examples of things I had not given much thought and illustrate how valuable a little "ground truth" can be. Thanks again.

You should cross-post your question and the meaningful responses here: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=51582.0

So that future inquirers can find this good information.

And there's what I was looking for and for some reason no amount of search would turn it up. Thank you.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 10/07/2021 11:06 am
Happy birthday John Insprucker.  Now light those candles!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: inonepiece on 10/08/2021 08:04 pm
If the technical name for these is not "pigs" I think the technical term needs to change

(https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/assets/52398.0/2063761.jpg)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: webdan on 10/08/2021 08:17 pm
When I first saw those a while back, immediately my thoughts ran towards a tardigrade.

IIRC J Hinbos had the same reaction.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: daavery on 10/08/2021 08:38 pm
technical name is "kettle boilers"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tangilinear Interjar on 10/09/2021 03:52 pm
My first thought was Heffalump! But they sure do look like a Tardigrade.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 10/10/2021 04:08 pm
If the technical name for these is not "pigs" I think the technical term needs to change

(https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/assets/52398.0/2063761.jpg)

PIGS (nearly) in SPAAAAAACCCCCEEEE!

https://youtu.be/EmI77ZBeJrQ
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Exastro on 10/10/2021 04:44 pm
If the technical name for these is not "pigs" I think the technical term needs to change

(https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/assets/52398.0/2063761.jpg)

PIGS (nearly) in SPAAAAAACCCCCEEEE!



That's funny -- I've been thinking of them as The Hippos.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tgr9898 on 10/11/2021 05:21 pm
New suggested theme for all posts in the SLS Discussion Thread 7:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cQgQIMlwWw
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 10/11/2021 05:27 pm
New suggested theme for all posts in the SLS Discussion Thread 7
The repetitive rehashing For and Against SLS is a necessary public service so that crowd doesn't forget how to post.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 10/11/2021 09:10 pm
And there's what I was looking for and for some reason no amount of search would turn it up. Thank you.

I'm just here to hear more about the spandex convention.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 10/12/2021 01:57 am
When I first saw those a while back, immediately my thoughts ran towards a tardigrade.

IIRC J Hinbos had the same reaction.
Yup!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 10/12/2021 06:24 pm
All that excess matalox gas needs to go somewhere and using it to solve multiple parts ...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JohnFornaro on 10/13/2021 01:46 pm
Let's discuss something interesting like: Where in the Solar System would You put a monolith, and why?

Burying it on the Moon was an excellent idea.  The discoverers would have demonstrated, in prinicple, the ability to travel to another celestial body.  Their first attempt, building the pyramids at Giza, seems to have failed, due to tomb raiders and so forth.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 10/14/2021 02:04 pm
And there's what I was looking for and for some reason no amount of search would turn it up. Thank you.

I'm just here to hear more about the spandex convention.

You sure about that?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 10/17/2021 07:49 pm
And there's what I was looking for and for some reason no amount of search would turn it up. Thank you.

I'm just here to hear more about the spandex convention.

You sure about that?

When we start seeing people in Spandex it may be time for a new thread… seems the elastic has gone out of this one!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 10/17/2021 10:58 pm
When we start seeing people in Spandex it may be time for a new thread… seems the elastic has gone out of this one!

I'm not saying this is the shortest thread ever (up to page 147 for those of us with the One True Pagination), but implying Spandex shows the limit seems a bit of a stretch.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 10/18/2021 12:55 am
Snap out of it people.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 10/22/2021 02:07 pm
So Ohio just released a new license plate design... and got the reylF thgirW backwards... (They show it 'towing' a banner from the canards)

What I want to know is if the designer was named Corrigan?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 10/23/2021 04:41 am
The NASA Worm logo was painted over for some reason.
The Meatballers have gone too far with this one.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AJW on 10/23/2021 06:10 am
Let's discuss something interesting like: Where in the Solar System would You put a monolith, and why?

Burying it on the Moon was an excellent idea.  The discoverers would have demonstrated, in prinicple, the ability to travel to another celestial body.  Their first attempt, building the pyramids at Giza, seems to have failed, due to tomb raiders and so forth.

The original Clarke short story, 'The Sentinel', had the device surrounded by a force field that could prevent all but a nuclear weapon from penetrating it.  In the movie 2001, the monolith on the moon began to transmit a signal when uncovered and exposed to the Sun.  In the short story, the Sentinel was transmitting a regular signal that stopped once the device was nuked.  Effectively whoever planted it on the moon, knew that life on Earth had developed to the point of simple space flight and had also developed nuclear weapons. Time to call Orkin.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Ben Baley on 10/25/2021 03:06 pm
So Ohio just released a new license plate design... and got the reylF thgirW backwards... (They show it 'towing' a banner from the canards)

What I want to know is if the designer was named Corrigan?

?? I'm not familiar with that reference, and Google doesn't know either?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: PD Engr on 10/25/2021 03:24 pm
So Ohio just released a new license plate design... and got the reylF thgirW backwards... (They show it 'towing' a banner from the canards)

What I want to know is if the designer was named Corrigan?

?? I'm not familiar with that reference, and Google doesn't know either?

Don't not search the wrong way.  Try Douglas Corrigan.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jamesqharris on 10/25/2021 09:34 pm
How much can the Starship carry?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: StarshipTrooper on 10/26/2021 03:52 am
How much can the Starship carry?
At least a wheel of cheese.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tangilinear Interjar on 10/26/2021 05:51 pm
I kinda saw a video last night that has me a bit confused, but I wasn't paying much attention.

It looks like Guy Fieri is opening a restaurant called Red Wire at some kind of mall called Orbital Reef I think.

And something about Boing being your Uber or something like that.

Weird
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 10/26/2021 07:31 pm
Nice to hear SpaceX has fixed its wee problem...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 10/26/2021 08:55 pm
When we start seeing people in Spandex it may be time for a new thread… seems the elastic has gone out of this one!

I'm not saying this is the shortest thread ever (up to page 147 for those of us with the One True Pagination), but implying Spandex shows the limit seems a bit of a stretch.

Not sure if this will give the thread a bounce or take the jiggle out of it. But it looks like Spanx has found a way to retain workers.

Quote from: CNN
Spanx employees given $10,000 and two first-class plane tickets
London (CNN Business)
The chief executive and founder of shapewear company Spanx has surprised employees with two first-class plane tickets and $10,000 each to celebrate the company's $1.2 billion deal with Blackstone. (https://cnn.com/2021/10/21/business/spanx-blackstone-sale-sara-blakely/index.html)Spanx founder Sara Blakely surprised employees with the news, she revealed in a post on her verified Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/p/CVT1zswDZIL/) account Friday.

In the video, Blakely spun a globe, before revealing that she had bought each of her employees two first-class plane tickets to anywhere in the world.

She added: "If you go on a trip you might want to go out to a really nice dinner, you might want to go out to a really nice hotel, and so with everybody's two first-class tickets to anywhere in the world, you are each getting $10,000."

https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/26/business/spanx-bonus-intl-scli/index.htmlBy (https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/26/business/spanx-bonus-intl-scli/index.htmlBy) Amy Woodyatt, CNN Business
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 10/26/2021 10:03 pm
Nice to hear SpaceX has fixed its wee problem...
It was their #1 problem.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 10/27/2021 07:20 am
Okay, the level of humor here is really pissing me off! Urine trouble now, so go to your rooms. One way or another, we will eliminate this sort of thing. When will you be back in good odor?

Depends.

It's a good thing I don't indulge in those childish jokes...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: John-H on 10/28/2021 02:09 am
Okay, the level of humor here is really pissing me off! Urine trouble now, so go to your rooms. One way or another, we will eliminate this sort of thing. When will you be back in good odor?

Depends.

It's a good thing I don't indulge in those childish jokes...

Why not?  It's a lot of fun - until the stuff hits the fan.

John
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: yokem55 on 10/28/2021 02:26 am


It's a good thing I don't indulge in those childish jokes...

It's a good thing too. In a space forum like this people might make jokes about sending probes to a certain 7th planet.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 10/28/2021 02:52 am
Jeeze - I think I’d better post another installment of my LNG dive just to get this thread back on it off topic direction…
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tangilinear Interjar on 10/28/2021 03:30 pm
If I was a welder for SpaceX I'm pretty sure this is what the monster that haunts my dreams would look like.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 10/28/2021 08:43 pm
Jeeze - I think I’d better post another installment of my LNG dive just to get this thread back on it off topic direction…

PLEASE!

Everyone else, stop taking the piss. [1]

1 - if you're not from the UK, you may need to google that.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tgr9898 on 10/29/2021 04:20 am

PLEASE!

Everyone else, stop taking the piss. [1]

1 - if you're not from the UK, you may need to google that.

Oh great... we've got a drunk Englishman on our hands.  His fellow blokes might say he's....

(I'll just see myself out)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 10/29/2021 03:30 pm
Jeeze - I think I’d better post another installment of my LNG dive just to get this thread back on it off topic direction…

PLEASE!

Everyone else, stop taking the piss. [1]

1 - if you're not from the UK, you may need to google that.

I actually learned what that meant from a visiting Englishman as I was waiting in Titusville for STS-26. He was the more sober half of a pair I found in the pre-dawn darkness that had fallen in the dumpster behind MacDonald's as they were trying to get a better view. You had to be there.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 10/30/2021 06:57 pm
If I was a welder for SpaceX I'm pretty sure this is what the monster that haunts my dreams would look like.

The estate of HP Lovecraft would like a woooord...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 10/30/2021 08:42 pm
If I was a welder for SpaceX I'm pretty sure this is what the monster that haunts my dreams would look like.

The estate of HP Lovecraft would like a woooord...


Think the copyrights for H P Lovecraft's tomes have lapsed.


Please don't give the SX CTO wacky ideas. He might try them out in real life.  ::)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 10/30/2021 08:57 pm
Pictures by BocaChicaGal and OceanCam.
After some google searching was able to find these earlier posts from SouthCoastOptimist and CamiloPasin. Took a while to figure out how to quote them from a locked thread.
Would be more impressive if you'd corrected the "Quoted Post Timestamp" as well.   ;D ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 10/31/2021 11:30 pm
<joke, sort of>
I argue that this is the proper thread for a perennial aerospace joke:
https://www.interorbital.com/Launch%20Vehicles.php
</joke>
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 11/01/2021 08:48 pm
Good news. According to McCullough[, a] Texas University is now also testing his [QI] thruster:
I trust it's not the Sam Houston Institute of Technology.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 11/01/2021 10:13 pm
Good news. According to McCullough[, a] Texas University is now also testing his [QI] thruster:
I trust it's not the Sam Houston Institute of Technology.

No, it's T.I.T.S

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1453954994546229253
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Ben Baley on 11/02/2021 02:54 am
Good news. According to McCullough[, a] Texas University is now also testing his [QI] thruster:
I trust it's not the Sam Houston Institute of Technology.

No, it's T.I.T.S

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1453954994546229253

Maybe us Canucks will have to visit this university with our Sexbomb it seems like a natural fit

https://futurism.com/hypersonic-space-plane-sexbomb/amp
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 11/04/2021 03:53 pm
[Oblique GEO image of TS Wanda]
I love ❤ the oblique meteo-imagery, seeing the different cloud ⛅ levels stacked, the cloud shadows cast!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deruch on 11/05/2021 05:40 am
How much can the Starship carry?
What do you mean? An African or a European swallow Starship?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 11/05/2021 10:27 pm
Additional confirmation that CASEarth (Guangmu) launched today, and its mission statement:
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/SJv0uGltkYw9aclk4sMGuA
Google translate; zubenelgenubi's bold:
Quote
At 10:19 a.m. on November 5, 2021, the Long March 6 Yao-8 carrier rocket was launched at the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center and successfully delivered the wide-eye earth science satellite (CASEarth) developed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, into the scheduled orbit.<snip>
I thought it might be the 2020s low Earth orbit version of "That Girl."
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Zoh1LGADKI8
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 11/06/2021 12:49 am
Okay, so I made it to Boca Chica for a while today. Probably nothing I can tell anyone here that hasn't been discussed many times but just being there was a real eye-opener. I've been to a lot of places and seen a lot of things but this was different for sure. Kind of a surreal wild-west frontier shipyard of the future.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 11/06/2021 05:11 pm
[Re: NASA HLS access at Boca Chica]
There's gotta be a bit of a Willy Wonka feeling to it (and yes the Gene Wilder version!).
Acceptable only if one receives a personalized Oompa-Loompa song as an incentive.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 11/07/2021 12:21 pm
[Re: NASA HLS access at Boca Chica]
There's gotta be a bit of a Willy Wonka feeling to it (and yes the Gene Wilder version!).
Acceptable only if one receives a personalized Oompa-Loompa song as an incentive.

Starship, Starship  doopitee do.
I’ve got another riddle for you.
 
What do you get (if) competition’s a brat?
 A whole lot of suits,  and a long funding gap.
 
But raptors, they roll to the pad every day.
Nothing to stop them or get in their way.
 
Starship will launch as they all sing with glee
[Redacted], JonathanD, and zubeneigenubi

We’ll all have a drink at the top of High-bay
and toast to future, we imagined today

“Off to the party thread” this post will be moved.
This not the place for a new righteous groove.

(Starship-loompas)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: billh on 11/07/2021 06:44 pm
(apocryphal): In 1944, strategic bombing destroyed the German military's logistical headquarters and their duties devolved to the subcommands. Postwar analysis showed that this increased efficiency and extended the war by several months.

Did BO end up accelerating the HLS schedule by keeping NASA away from Boca Chica? :)
I think we've all wanted to bomb headquarters at one time or another.  :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: EspenU on 11/08/2021 07:46 pm
What are the chances that the real reason for crew-2 departing before crew-3 launch, is that NASA is concerned that the crew-2 gang might commandeer the crew-3 capsule?
If they did they would have a working toilet on the way home
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 11/11/2021 09:38 am
I'd just like to celebrate the fact that SpaceX has now launched 18 people into orbit. Someday (fairly soon, too, I hope), we'll look back upon those numbers as "quaint", but they've come a long way.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 11/11/2021 10:15 am
I'd just like to celebrate the fact that SpaceX has now launched 18 people into orbit. Someday (fairly soon, too, I hope), we'll look back upon those numbers as "quaint", but they've come a long way.


I hope that when I am boarding Starship and only see 18 people that I can just sit anywhere I want.  Window seat!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 11/11/2021 11:06 am
"My advice to you, is to start drinking heavily."🍸

I was literally "tossing and turning" when I realized that maybe the guys from "Animal House" have the coping mechanism that the astrophysics and aerospace communities need to survive the next few months of the JWST program:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LARx7M9s15w
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 11/11/2021 03:23 pm
I am thinking of restarting the ASDS landing bingo game.
However there would be a few changes.
The prize is a six pack of any beer the winner wants delivered.
The grid would be changed so that there is one square dead center.
I get that square.
Y’all could pick whatever squares you want but after each sea recovery mission I buy myself a good six pack, or two for the upcoming USSF Heavy mission.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 11/15/2021 05:42 am
The burn of the relevant in response to the bloviation of the irrelevant.

This, and the most recent kerfuffle regarding space tourism, showcase that rich Bolshies, like William Windsor and Bernie Sanders, inhabit the same cultural circular file.

Elon Musk responded to Bernie Sanders' tweet stating that billionaires should be taxed by saying "I keep forgetting that you’re still alive." Not kind words by any standards.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: eeergo on 11/15/2021 09:30 am
The burn of the relevant in response to the bloviation of the irrelevant.

This, and the most recent kerfuffle regarding space tourism, showcase that rich Bolshies, like William Windsor and Bernie Sanders, inhabit the same cultural circular file.

Elon Musk responded to Bernie Sanders' tweet stating that billionaires should be taxed by saying "I keep forgetting that you’re still alive." Not kind words by any standards.

Or rather, the burn of the unleashed arrogance of unaccountability in response to the forcefully silenced voices of reason.

Guess controversial contributions from the Bolshies need their place in any proper Party: closed-off narrow-circle hawk frat events were never fun... ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: abaddon on 11/15/2021 05:47 pm
(http://thenerdybird.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/BlackWidowParty.gif)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 11/15/2021 07:39 pm
Regarding today's astronaut life-endangering ASAT test:

Joe Straczyinski said it best 25 years ago, through Capt. John Sheridan.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=S8vA0ANTUM0

My paraphrase: "I'm sorry your President and Ministry of Defense were stupid enough to fire upon a station filled with civilians, including your own people."

I'm curious as to the explanation we'll see via RT and from Rogozin.

(For the pedants: Yes, "astronaut" is meant to include cosmonauts. And "taikonauts.")
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 11/15/2021 07:49 pm
The burn of the relevant in response to the bloviation of the irrelevant.

This, and the most recent kerfuffle regarding space tourism, showcase that rich Bolshies, like William Windsor and Bernie Sanders, inhabit the same cultural circular file.

Elon Musk responded to Bernie Sanders' tweet stating that billionaires should be taxed by saying "I keep forgetting that you’re still alive." Not kind words by any standards.

Or rather, the burn of the unleashed arrogance of unaccountability in response to the forcefully silenced voices of reason.

Guess controversial contributions from the Bolshies need their place in any proper Party: closed-off narrow-circle hawk frat events were never fun... ;)
The burn of the relevant in response to the bloviation of the irrelevant.

This, and the most recent kerfuffle regarding space tourism, showcase that rich Bolshies, like William Windsor and Bernie Sanders, inhabit the same cultural circular file.

Elon Musk responded to Bernie Sanders' tweet stating that billionaires should be taxed by saying "I keep forgetting that you’re still alive." Not kind words by any standards.

Veering too close to politics, even for this one thread.  Word to the wise, OK?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 11/15/2021 08:42 pm
Veering too close to politics, even for this one thread.  Word to the wise, OK?

But what about the rest?  Don't they get a talking to, too? ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 11/16/2021 04:35 am
Veering too close to politics, even for this one thread.  Word to the wise, OK?

But what about the rest?  Don't they get a talking to, too? ;D
If there are any words to the unwise, tell me.

...and I'll try to dumb it down for them.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 11/16/2021 10:45 am
I'm still trying to wrap my head around a talking tutu
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 11/16/2021 11:15 am
I'm still trying to wrap my head around a talking tutu

I mean, what's so strange about that? He just turned 90, so he's been around a while...

https://youtube.com/watch?v=sWBrspbkErI
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 11/17/2021 06:16 pm
Ok.  Topic: a new engine not called raptor

Maybe this belongs in its own thread:

November 16th 2021 Updates: NEW ENGINE

Elon Musk @elonmusk
True, although it will look clean with close out panels installed.

Raptor 2 has significant improvements in every way, but a complete design overhaul is necessary for the engine that can actually make life multiplanetary. It won’t be called Raptor

Ok I give.

Obvious questions:
What will this engine be attached to?
Are we still talking methalox?
Are we still talking about high thrust engines or is this an in-space high-ISP engine?

Shades of tHHGttG: "Behold Raptor, the second most advanced rocket engine designed by man"

Maybe Deep Thought can design us a computer that incorporates life itself… so we can interpret the answer above and explain what question he is trying to solve!?!

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phrases_from_The_Hitchhiker%27s_Guide_to_the_Galaxy

“ In the radio series and the first novel, a group of hyper-intelligent pan-dimensional beings demand to learn the Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, The Universe, and Everything from the supercomputer Deep Thought, specially built for this purpose. It takes Deep Thought 7+1⁄2 million years to compute and check the answer, which turns out to be 42. Deep Thought points out that the answer seems meaningless because the beings who instructed it never knew what the question was.[4]

When asked to produce the Ultimate Question, Deep Thought says that it cannot; however, it can help to design an even more powerful computer that can. This new computer will incorporate living beings into the "computational matrix" and will run for ten million years. The computer is revealed as being the planet Earth, with its pan-dimensional creators assuming the form of white lab mice to observe its running.”
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 11/18/2021 09:29 am
Behold the next great inmowvator!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfZMZHI--6A (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfZMZHI--6A)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 11/22/2021 05:16 am
Ok.  Topic: a new engine not called raptor

Maybe this belongs in its own thread:

November 16th 2021 Updates: NEW ENGINE

Elon Musk @elonmusk
True, although it will look clean with close out panels installed.

Raptor 2 has significant improvements in every way, but a complete design overhaul is necessary for the engine that can actually make life multiplanetary. It won’t be called Raptor

Ok I give.

Obvious questions:
What will this engine be attached to?
Are we still talking methalox?
Are we still talking about high thrust engines or is this an in-space high-ISP engine?

Shades of tHHGttG: "Behold Raptor, the second most advanced rocket engine designed by man"

Maybe Deep Thought can design us a computer that incorporates life itself… so we can interpret the answer above and explain what question he is trying to solve!?!

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phrases_from_The_Hitchhiker%27s_Guide_to_the_Galaxy (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phrases_from_The_Hitchhiker%27s_Guide_to_the_Galaxy)

“ In the radio series and the first novel, a group of hyper-intelligent pan-dimensional beings demand to learn the Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, The Universe, and Everything from the supercomputer Deep Thought, specially built for this purpose. It takes Deep Thought 7+1⁄2 million years to compute and check the answer, which turns out to be 42. Deep Thought points out that the answer seems meaningless because the beings who instructed it never knew what the question was.[4]

When asked to produce the Ultimate Question, Deep Thought says that it cannot; however, it can help to design an even more powerful computer that can. This new computer will incorporate living beings into the "computational matrix" and will run for ten million years. The computer is revealed as being the planet Earth, with its pan-dimensional creators assuming the form of white lab mice to observe its running.”

There is generally accepted wisdom about the futility of explaining a joke.
A link to the Wikipedia page on a humorous subject is the ultimate “explaining a joke”.
It falls flat like, say, a tail swishing whale hitting the ra-ro-row-round-GROUND!
But so long, and thanks for all the fish
and for remembering the radio show!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 11/22/2021 04:09 pm
Ok.  Topic: a new engine not called raptor

Maybe this belongs in its own thread:

November 16th 2021 Updates: NEW ENGINE

Elon Musk @elonmusk
True, although it will look clean with close out panels installed.

Raptor 2 has significant improvements in every way, but a complete design overhaul is necessary for the engine that can actually make life multiplanetary. It won’t be called Raptor

Ok I give.

Obvious questions:
What will this engine be attached to?
Are we still talking methalox?
Are we still talking about high thrust engines or is this an in-space high-ISP engine?

Shades of tHHGttG: "Behold Raptor, the second most advanced rocket engine designed by man"

Maybe Deep Thought can design us a computer that incorporates life itself… so we can interpret the answer above and explain what question he is trying to solve!?!

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phrases_from_The_Hitchhiker%27s_Guide_to_the_Galaxy (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phrases_from_The_Hitchhiker%27s_Guide_to_the_Galaxy)

“ In the radio series and the first novel, a group of hyper-intelligent pan-dimensional beings demand to learn the Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, The Universe, and Everything from the supercomputer Deep Thought, specially built for this purpose. It takes Deep Thought 7+1⁄2 million years to compute and check the answer, which turns out to be 42. Deep Thought points out that the answer seems meaningless because the beings who instructed it never knew what the question was.[4]

When asked to produce the Ultimate Question, Deep Thought says that it cannot; however, it can help to design an even more powerful computer that can. This new computer will incorporate living beings into the "computational matrix" and will run for ten million years. The computer is revealed as being the planet Earth, with its pan-dimensional creators assuming the form of white lab mice to observe its running.”

There is generally accepted wisdom about the futility of explaining a joke.
A link to the Wikipedia page on a humorous subject is the ultimate “explaining a joke”.
It falls flat like, say, a tail swishing whale hitting the ra-ro-row-round-GROUND!
But so long, and thanks for all the fish
and for remembering the radio show!


Bad jokes that fall flat are my trademark just ask my family!! If you practice this to the extreme it becomes art.  Like bad art .. which is what most art is these days!

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 11/22/2021 04:11 pm
Can we discuss the name of the new non-raptor engine? I suggest SuperGrover to go with Super Heavy.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: launchwatcher on 11/22/2021 06:14 pm
All raptors are reinstalled on B4 based off this Musk tweet overnight!

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1460810034913361921?s=21
The plumbing around the middle engines looks like an H. R. Giger-esque nightmare... 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Ben Baley on 11/22/2021 06:38 pm
Can we discuss the name of the new non-raptor engine? I suggest SuperGrover to go with Super Heavy.

Well they started with merlin and next was raptor, to me the logical successor is the Eagle
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 11/22/2021 07:46 pm
Ok.  Topic: a new engine not called raptor

Maybe this belongs in its own thread:

November 16th 2021 Updates: NEW ENGINE

Elon Musk @elonmusk
True, although it will look clean with close out panels installed.

Raptor 2 has significant improvements in every way, but a complete design overhaul is necessary for the engine that can actually make life multiplanetary. It won’t be called Raptor

Ok I give.

Obvious questions:
What will this engine be attached to?
Are we still talking methalox?
Are we still talking about high thrust engines or is this an in-space high-ISP engine?

Shades of tHHGttG: "Behold Raptor, the second most advanced rocket engine designed by man"

Maybe Deep Thought can design us a computer that incorporates life itself… so we can interpret the answer above and explain what question he is trying to solve!?!

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phrases_from_The_Hitchhiker%27s_Guide_to_the_Galaxy (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phrases_from_The_Hitchhiker%27s_Guide_to_the_Galaxy)

“ In the radio series and the first novel, a group of hyper-intelligent pan-dimensional beings demand to learn the Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, The Universe, and Everything from the supercomputer Deep Thought, specially built for this purpose. It takes Deep Thought 7+1⁄2 million years to compute and check the answer, which turns out to be 42. Deep Thought points out that the answer seems meaningless because the beings who instructed it never knew what the question was.[4]

When asked to produce the Ultimate Question, Deep Thought says that it cannot; however, it can help to design an even more powerful computer that can. This new computer will incorporate living beings into the "computational matrix" and will run for ten million years. The computer is revealed as being the planet Earth, with its pan-dimensional creators assuming the form of white lab mice to observe its running.”

There is generally accepted wisdom about the futility of explaining a joke.
A link to the Wikipedia page on a humorous subject is the ultimate “explaining a joke”.
It falls flat like, say, a tail swishing whale hitting the ra-ro-row-round-GROUND!
But so long, and thanks for all the fish
and for remembering the radio show!


Bad jokes that fall flat are my trademark just ask my family!! If you practice this to the extreme it becomes art.  Like bad art .. which is what most art is these days!



Well, you've definitely defined most modern art...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 11/22/2021 07:47 pm
Can we discuss the name of the new non-raptor engine? I suggest SuperGrover to go with Super Heavy.

Well they started with merlin and next was raptor, to me the logical successor is the Eagle

"Vulture", because it feeds off the carcasses of now-obsolete rockets.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 11/22/2021 07:51 pm
The plumbing around the middle engines looks like an H. R. Giger-esque nightmare...
If you see that kind of imagery there, I have bad news for you. Rorschach test and all.

Can we discuss the name of the new non-raptor engine? I suggest SuperGrover to go with Super Heavy.

Well they started with merlin and next was raptor, to me the logical successor is the Eagle
Merlin is named after World War II fighter plane engine.
Raptor is named after Dinosaur.
So I don't see connection here. Is that a jazz band from 1900?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Vultur on 11/22/2021 08:27 pm
What about Quetzal (also a bird name, but short for Quetzalcoatlus, the giant pterosaur, the way Raptor comes from Velociraptor)?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 11/22/2021 10:29 pm
I seem to recall Musk renaming Starship (the upper stage) to "Ship".

Therefor, I predict that the new engine will be named "engine".
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 11/23/2021 01:47 am
This is fundamentally supposed to be a what-if thread.. assume success, or assume some waypoint on the way there, and then extrapolate.

Jim. You are doing a valuable function by keeping us real, but also missing the point of the thread, to a certain extent. I'd challenge you, Jim... give it a try. If you were tasked by a superior with trying to put together contingency plans for science instruments, knowing what you know now, what areas would you focus on? What things would you want SpaceX to solidify first? Let go of the blockers and run with it. Tell us how to plan.

Look how smooth this is.  Our own house-Dalai Lama or Jim-Whisperer
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 11/23/2021 10:08 am
The plumbing around the middle engines looks like an H. R. Giger-esque nightmare...
If you see that kind of imagery there, I have bad news for you. Rorschach test and all.

Can we discuss the name of the new non-raptor engine? I suggest SuperGrover to go with Super Heavy.

Well they started with merlin and next was raptor, to me the logical successor is the Eagle
Merlin is named after World War II fighter plane engine.
Raptor is named after Dinosaur.
So I don't see connection here. Is that a jazz band from 1900?

I am not allowed to explain my jokes anymore…

But you make a point … with all those engines being produced, McGreggor TX is going to be the center of the roaring 20’s.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 11/23/2021 12:49 pm
Can we discuss the name of the new non-raptor engine? I suggest SuperGrover to go with Super Heavy.


How about  "Not Raptor"?


(since "not a flamethrower" is already in use)


or maybe "Not a flamethrower 2"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: rsdavis9 on 11/23/2021 01:20 pm
Can we discuss the name of the new non-raptor engine? I suggest SuperGrover to go with Super Heavy.


How about  "Not Raptor"?


(since "not a flamethrower" is already in use)


or maybe "Not a flamethrower 2"

I still like Stardrive the best.
It is an "Elon" to call something it isn't like "FSD".
He does it for the ultimate aspiration of the message.
He's a dreamer.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: WTF on 11/24/2021 12:10 am
Can we discuss the name of the new non-raptor engine? I suggest SuperGrover to go with Super Heavy.

Naming Raptor versions ... to derail this dialog:

WHAT IS SILVER AND LIES IN THE GRASS ?

R2 DOO DOO
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: John-H on 11/24/2021 12:50 am
I like the name "raptor" because it sounds like "Rapture", as in "Elon will send the raptor to lift all of the faithful up to Mars"

John
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DanClemmensen on 11/24/2021 01:46 am
This is clearly the second design of Raptor 2, so the name is:

       R2-D2
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kdhilliard on 11/24/2021 02:18 am
I like the name "raptor" because it sounds like "Rapture", as in "Elon will send the raptor to lift all of the faithful up to Mars"

John

Can I interest you in a bumper sticker?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 11/25/2021 07:26 am
Meant as a funny thought regarding Kodiak; not knocking the excellent work they do...

Comparing the launch rates of the American launch sites, Kodiak strikes me as the "Petticoat Junction" of the lot.

Sound it out: Ko/di/ak Junc/tion

Did you know that?: An entire Astra "red team" can bathe simultaneously in the pad water tank? 💧

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2Jx2jEPvh88
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 11/25/2021 11:21 am
Meant as a funny thought regarding Kodiak; not knocking the excellent work they do...

Comparing the launch rates of the American launch sites, Kodiak strikes me as the "Petticoat Junction" of the lot.

Sound it out: Ko/di/ak Junc/tion

Did you know that?: An entire Astra "red team" can bathe simultaneously in the pad water tank? 💧

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2Jx2jEPvh88

But are they as cute?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ulm_atms on 12/04/2021 11:39 pm
I saw this today and was just....woah...that's cool!  I got to share.

https://i.imgur.com/wCpAAsR.mp4
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 12/06/2021 12:48 am
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1466797158737268743

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lD_ag67tH3I
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: RoadWithoutEnd on 12/06/2021 03:03 am
Can we discuss the name of the new non-raptor engine? I suggest SuperGrover to go with Super Heavy.

Well they started with merlin and next was raptor, to me the logical successor is the Eagle

I would say "retired number" rules apply to Eagle imagery, multiple times over.  The 101st Airborne, Apollo 11 lander, the F-15, to name a few.  That and being a cringe cliche from being on money, government seals, t-shirts, and car wraps.
 
Between what a bird does and the coolness of its name, I'd say Swift.  The "common swift" has a continent-crossing migratory range, and they look pretty cool.  Great name too, and there are a lot of them, which would speak to the goals of engine production scaling.  Who could argue with a name like "Swift engine"?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tgr9898 on 12/06/2021 04:35 am
Can we discuss the name of the new non-raptor engine? I suggest SuperGrover to go with Super Heavy.

Well they started with merlin and next was raptor, to me the logical successor is the Eagle

I would say "retired number" rules apply to Eagle imagery, multiple times over.  The 101st Airborne, Apollo 11 lander, the F-15, to name a few.  That and being a cringe cliche from being on money, government seals, t-shirts, and car wraps.
 
Between what a bird does and the coolness of its name, I'd say Swift.  The "common swift" has a continent-crossing migratory range, and they look pretty cool.  Great name too, and there are a lot of them, which would speak to the goals of engine production scaling.  Who could argue with a name like "Swift engine"?


The Swift name is already in use within the Aerospace Industry, so you might be stepping on toes. Privately owned by the grandson of the founder of Panasonic, so it's not like they'd be likely to sell, given his attachment to the name.

Although I really preferred their previous products:
https://swiftengineering.com/history/

And as much as I'd love to own a 008a or 014a, I'd never be able to afford the operating costs...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: RoadWithoutEnd on 12/06/2021 04:50 am
Can we discuss the name of the new non-raptor engine? I suggest SuperGrover to go with Super Heavy.

Well they started with merlin and next was raptor, to me the logical successor is the Eagle

I would say "retired number" rules apply to Eagle imagery, multiple times over.  The 101st Airborne, Apollo 11 lander, the F-15, to name a few.  That and being a cringe cliche from being on money, government seals, t-shirts, and car wraps.
 
Between what a bird does and the coolness of its name, I'd say Swift.  The "common swift" has a continent-crossing migratory range, and they look pretty cool.  Great name too, and there are a lot of them, which would speak to the goals of engine production scaling.  Who could argue with a name like "Swift engine"?


The Swift name is already in use within the Aerospace Industry, so you might be stepping on toes. Privately owned by the grandson of the founder of Panasonic, so it's not like they'd be likely to sell, given his attachment to the name.

Although I really preferred their previous products:
https://swiftengineering.com/history/

And as much as I'd love to own a 008i or 014i, I'd never be able to afford the operating costs...

I doubt it would be an issue.  "Swift Engineering" is not a name that rings out beyond professional circles.  As far as I know, SpaceX had no problem with the Falcon name despite the F-16, and that's currently a Lockheed property.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 12/06/2021 07:27 am
<snip>
I doubt it would be an issue.  "Swift Engineering" is not a name that rings out beyond professional circles.  As far as I know, SpaceX had no problem with the Falcon name despite the F-16, and that's currently a Lockheed property.


No. The Falcon plane name is actually a Dassault property. The official F-16 name is Fighting Falcon.


However Musk is taking homage with a bigger player by naming his rocket as the Falcon, as in the Millennium Falcon. Since that belongs to the House of the Mouse.  ;)


Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Ben Baley on 12/07/2021 02:51 am
<snip>
I doubt it would be an issue.  "Swift Engineering" is not a name that rings out beyond professional circles.  As far as I know, SpaceX had no problem with the Falcon name despite the F-16, and that's currently a Lockheed property.


No. The Falcon plane name is actually a Dassault property. The official F-16 name is Fighting Falcon.


However Musk is taking homage with a bigger player by naming his rocket as the Falcon, as in the Millennium Falcon. Since that belongs to the House of the Mouse.  ;)

As a confirmed trekkie I'm just waiting for the Starship, preferably the on the first manned mars mission, that gets christened Enterprise.

I know I know, they are already building a new uss Enterprise but come on it's a  Starship, how can you not call one Enterprise.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 12/07/2021 12:02 pm
<snip>
As a confirmed trekkie I'm just waiting for the Starship, preferably the on the first manned mars mission, that gets christened Enterprise.

I know I know, they are already building a new uss Enterprise but come on it's a  Starship, how can you not call one Enterprise.


You will be disappointed. Since Musk have stated that the first crewed Mars landing Starship will be named after the Heart of Gold ship from the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy book by the late Douglas Adams.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 12/07/2021 01:55 pm
This is fundamentally supposed to be a what-if thread.. assume success, or assume some waypoint on the way there, and then extrapolate.

Jim. You are doing a valuable function by keeping us real, but also missing the point of the thread, to a certain extent. I'd challenge you, Jim... give it a try. If you were tasked by a superior with trying to put together contingency plans for science instruments, knowing what you know now, what areas would you focus on? What things would you want SpaceX to solidify first? Let go of the blockers and run with it. Tell us how to plan.

Look how smooth this is.  Our own house-Dalai Lama or Jim-Whisperer

sounded good but don't know how much positive effect it had.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 12/07/2021 02:53 pm
<snip>
As a confirmed trekkie I'm just waiting for the Starship, preferably the on the first manned mars mission, that gets christened Enterprise.

I know I know, they are already building a new uss Enterprise but come on it's a  Starship, how can you not call one Enterprise.


You will be disappointed. Since Musk have stated that the first crewed Mars landing Starship will be named after the Heart of Gold ship from the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy book by the late Douglas Adams.



He said "preferably" ... it would be OK to name the second one Enterprise, I would think?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 12/08/2021 12:12 am
I was thinking more like Elon's Folly. He was crazy to try and all the important people said it would never work. Right?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Ben Baley on 12/08/2021 03:31 am
<snip>
As a confirmed trekkie I'm just waiting for the Starship, preferably the on the first manned mars mission, that gets christened Enterprise.

I know I know, they are already building a new uss Enterprise but come on it's a  Starship, how can you not call one Enterprise.


You will be disappointed. Since Musk have stated that the first crewed Mars landing Starship will be named after the Heart of Gold ship from the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy book by the late Douglas Adams.

Does that imply that the new engine will be the IID, Infinite Improbability Drive? Or does that name fall flat
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 12/08/2021 02:24 pm
<snip>
As a confirmed trekkie I'm just waiting for the Starship, preferably the on the first manned mars mission, that gets christened Enterprise.

I know I know, they are already building a new uss Enterprise but come on it's a  Starship, how can you not call one Enterprise.



You will be disappointed. Since Musk have stated that the first crewed Mars landing Starship will be named after the Heart of Gold ship from the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy book by the late Douglas Adams.



He said "preferably" ... it would be OK to name the second one Enterprise, I would think?
https://youtu.be/Z3fr6c9Ek64
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: GpsGseEng on 12/09/2021 04:09 am
StarLink - Satellite
StarBase - Space Ship base
StarShip - Space Ship
StarHopper - Demonstrator

StarDrive - Engine ?

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: rsdavis9 on 12/09/2021 06:42 pm
StarLink - Satellite
StarBase - Space Ship base
StarShip - Space Ship
StarHopper - Demonstrator

StarDrive - Engine ?

I suggested StarDrive also.
Its like Full Self Driving FSD. It isn't really capable of that. But it maybe someday...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: baldusi on 12/10/2021 02:28 pm
Just when I thought this thread could not get sillier and more irrelevant, it does.
Haven't you learned never to say "it couldn't be any worse"? ::)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Blackstar on 12/10/2021 03:18 pm
Just when I thought this thread could not get sillier and more irrelevant, it does.
Haven't you learned never to say "it couldn't be any worse"? ::)

Unfortunately, my innate faith in humanity has not been completely snuffed out (yet).

So, no.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Eric Hedman on 12/10/2021 10:06 pm
Unfortunately, my innate faith in humanity has not been completely snuffed out (yet).
Give it a little more time and the last embers will blink out.  I think it already has for me.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 12/10/2021 11:41 pm
Alas. Mike Nesmith took the Last Train to Clarksville today.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 12/11/2021 06:47 pm
OK, How many of you missed kdhillard's joke

JRTI waiting for Falcon IX.
Ha!
For this mission only, did they rename the booster's engine section to the "Falcon IX Propulsion Element"?
If so, that would be a SMART reuse of acronyms. :P

Falcon IX Propulsion Element?
FIXPE
F-IXPE?
Very clever but here I am explaining a joke..... (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2313137#msg2313137)  :P

But this is no joke:
Quote
(Thank you, Steven, for the play-by-play.)
Thanks, indeed, Steven
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Eric Hedman on 12/12/2021 04:59 am
Alas. Mike Nesmith took the Last Train to Clarksville today.
Sad to see him go. RIP
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Paul Moir on 12/16/2021 06:29 am
 


I think a very interesting question would be who are "Legislative Affairs" ?

People who just interface with Congress.  No power.

I couldn't help but think what "Yes Minster's" Sir Humphrey Appleby would say about that.  :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 12/18/2021 01:53 am
Hi there,


Has there been any consideration to vibration-absorbing technology between Stage 1 and Stage 2 to reduce the transmission of launch vibration from Superheavy to Starship?

Having the direct steel-to-steel contact between the top rings of SH and the base skirt of SS is unfortunately an excellent conductor of any energy. But there must be ways to mitigate this transmission. What is done in other engineering fields to absorb energy between two metal surfaces in contact, and could that work here?


Thanks

Dr. Mike Lindell, University of Minnesota has extensive publicly available research on that topic.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 12/18/2021 06:11 am
Dr. Mike Lindell, University of Minnesota has extensive publicly available research on that topic.

The My Pillow guy? you lost me
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 12/18/2021 05:07 pm
Somebody needs to tell SpaceX and that Elon guy that this re-use thing will never be successful. The only way rockets can work is by making them very expensive and throwing them away after one use!

Congratulations to the SpaceX West Coasters for the 11th flight of a F9 Booster! Two more coming from the East Coasters to end the year!

Crewed Dragon at the ISS. Axiom and Crew missions in training.

LC-49. 33 Raptor-2 engined Boosters in assembly. 9-engined Ships coming. HLS. The ongoing Boca Chica build-up that looks like the cover of an old Sci-Fi magazine.

It's almost like Christmas!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 12/18/2021 11:30 pm
Dr. Mike Lindell, University of Minnesota has extensive publicly available research on that topic.

The My Pillow guy? you lost me

How can you get lost on the Party Thread?  You expecting serious business?  A [mod][/mod][fan][/fan]1 once explained to me that's not how it works. 

Your Promo Code is invalidated.

1:  I also learned I can type Astronaut Mafia this way.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 12/19/2021 01:49 am
I'm not *seriously* lost.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joseph Peterson on 12/19/2021 03:50 am
In addition to SpaceX launching a booster for the eleventh time we also got to witness two launches in a single day.  Despite needing to wait for regulatory approval to launch Starship SpaceX didn't fail to provide us with another amazing day.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 12/21/2021 09:03 am
SpaceX will soon need to fill the position of Ad placement engineer.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 12/21/2021 09:07 am
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 12/21/2021 09:13 am
SpaceX will soon need to fill the position of Ad placement engineer.
That was NASA in this case...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 12/21/2021 09:33 am
Congratulations to SpaceX on their "Hat Trick"! 100 boosters landed as well! On to 2022!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 12/22/2021 11:03 am
Since this is the congrats thread I want to congratulate the contributors on this thread for years of creativity + dry humor. It stakes skillets to create that kind of deadpan.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 12/22/2021 11:09 am
Since this is the congrats thread I want to congratulate the contributors on this thread for years of creativity + dry humor. It stakes skillets to create that kind of deadpan.

You'd have to be fried to make that kind of half-baked joke!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 12/22/2021 09:11 pm
Quote
Despite the weather, Falcon 9 has delivered CRS-24 to orbit and B1069 has landed on Just Read the Instructions marking the 100th landing of Falcon 9.

My mother used to say “It’s not going to fall out of the sky”, and “Things are not going to just fall into your lap.” generally meaning you had to work hard for things.

Nevertheless, while ULA has been painstakingly building Atlas V rockets and industriously developing Vulcan, SpaceX boosters have literally been falling out of the sky and onto their (ASDS) laps.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AJW on 12/22/2021 09:25 pm
I believe that on today's date, December 22nd of 2008, the Commercial Resupply Services contract was signed by SpaceX and then announced by NASA on the following day.  This was the turning point for SpaceX from a startup into what is now the premier launch provider we see today.  If you get a chance, be sure to lift a glass to their continued success.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 12/23/2021 06:52 am
Quote
Despite the weather, Falcon 9 has delivered CRS-24 to orbit and B1069 has landed on Just Read the Instructions marking the 100th landing of Falcon 9.

My mother used to say “It’s not going to fall out of the sky”, and “Things are not going to just fall into your lap.” generally meaning you had to work hard for things.

Nevertheless, while ULA has been painstakingly building Atlas V rockets and industriously developing Vulcan, SpaceX boosters have literally been falling out of the sky and onto their (ASDS) laps.


Well at least SpaceX isn't sitting on its ASDS
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: StevenOBrien on 12/24/2021 07:00 pm
Unexpected testing going on at Starbase today. Prototype ship with a previously unseen bipedal landing leg design lifted off and performed some brief maneuvers over the sand dunes, but seemed to suffer some sort of loss-of-control failure after initiating a LOX/CH4 dump. Unknown if this test flight had prior FAA approval.

https://twitter.com/LabPadre/status/1474462106904895492
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 12/25/2021 12:11 am
As it is Christmas and this is NSF, i wonder if any studies have been done on the important question of how many more presents Santa could deliver if he was using Starship instead of a sleigh.

Happy Holidays!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: toren on 12/25/2021 12:29 am
I'm imagining the pitter-patter of reindeer hooves on the roof roar of Rapter 2's blasting the roof off the house and incinerating the inhabitants...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 12/25/2021 12:36 am
Can we discuss the name of the new non-raptor engine? I suggest SuperGrover to go with Super Heavy.

Well they started with merlin and next was raptor, to me the logical successor is the Eagle

I would say "retired number" rules apply to Eagle imagery, multiple times over.  The 101st Airborne, Apollo 11 lander, the F-15, to name a few.  That and being a cringe cliche from being on money, government seals, t-shirts, and car wraps.
 
Between what a bird does and the coolness of its name, I'd say Swift.  The "common swift" has a continent-crossing migratory range, and they look pretty cool.  Great name too, and there are a lot of them, which would speak to the goals of engine production scaling.  Who could argue with a name like "Swift engine"?

Busy couple weeks at work and haven't had time to get in here, but I couldn't resist replying here.

There is another famous WWII aircraft engine name, this one from Pratt & Whitney and quite appropo if you consider what the SuperHeavy engine cluster looks like...

Wasp

Merry Christmas everyone!  (and Happy New Year!)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 12/25/2021 05:50 pm
[MEDIA=youtube]yXQViqx6GMY[/MEDIA]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXQViqx6GMY


    I just want a launch for Christmas

    There is just one thing I need

    I don't care about the presents underneath the Christmas tree

    Oh, I just want launch on my own

    More than you could ever know

    Make that launch come true

    All I want for Christmas is launch

    Yeah

    Oh-oh, the pad lights are shining so brightly everywhere (so brightly, baby)

    And the sound of rocket thunder fills the air (oh, oh, yeah)

    And everything is shaking (oh, yeah)

    I hear Ariane engine bells ringing

    Santa, won't you bring me the launch I really need? (Yeah, oh)

    Won't you please launch that baby for  m
e?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nevyn72 on 12/27/2021 09:51 pm
Let the Memes begin....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 12/28/2021 12:04 am
Let the Memes begin....
too easy
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: webdan on 12/28/2021 12:47 am
Better?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 12/28/2021 11:55 am
Better?

It's russian, I mean cyrillic alphabet ! They sabotaged it... !
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 12/28/2021 10:03 pm
Upon arrival.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 12/30/2021 07:43 pm
Welcome to the forum. I see you've already met Jim. A word of advice: unless your day job is also bolting spacecraft on to the top of rockets, you'd better be damned sure of your facts if you're going to argue with him

That made my day right there.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AJW on 12/31/2021 12:08 am
I was just reading a piece on a tech website about the FAA review process and made the horrible mistake of opening the comment section and expecting reasoned responses.   Wow, what misinformation, politics, foul personal attacks, crass product promotions, and just plain lies.   I just wanted to take a moment here at the end of the year to thank the NSF founder and moderators for the job that they do.  Yes, undoubtedly much like herding those proverbial cats, but overall keeping this a space almost entirely free of the above mentioned ugliness.

Hip! Hip!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 12/31/2021 12:48 am
I was just reading a piece on a tech website about the FAA review process and made the horrible mistake of opening the comment section and expecting reasoned responses.   Wow, what misinformation, politics, foul personal attacks, crass product promotions, and just plain lies.   I just wanted to take a moment here at the end of the year to thank the NSF founder and moderators for the job that they do.  Yes, undoubtedly much like herding those proverbial cats, but overall keeping this a space almost entirely free of the above mentioned ugliness.

Hip! Hip!
It's not that hard. If some continue to misbehave, they have Lar sneak into their house at night and strew Lego pieces around the floor.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 12/31/2021 04:52 pm
Upon arrival.

In passing, la grange exactly means, in french: the BARN.

I can't help thinking the astrodynamics trajectory wizzards that pioneered libration points (the late Robert W. Farquhar and countless others) should be called (drums rolling, and with full and entire respects) NASA's BARNSTORMERS

Doc Brown, who certainly knows how to dance (to Marty surprise) certainly would be proud.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysCNbUOXfbI



Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 12/31/2021 04:57 pm
I was just reading a piece on a tech website about the FAA review process and made the horrible mistake of opening the comment section and expecting reasoned responses.   Wow, what misinformation, politics, foul personal attacks, crass product promotions, and just plain lies.   I just wanted to take a moment here at the end of the year to thank the NSF founder and moderators for the job that they do.  Yes, undoubtedly much like herding those proverbial cats, but overall keeping this a space almost entirely free of the above mentioned ugliness.

Hip! Hip!
It's not that hard. If some continues to misbehave, they have Lar sneak into their house at night and strew Lego pieces around the floor.

As a parent of a 7 year kid, I can fully testify about the horror of stepping on a bl****dy fu****ing goddam thing .
Also applies to Playmobils. And Mecanos.
  >:( >:( >:( >:( >:(
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: 1 on 12/31/2021 05:22 pm
I was just reading a piece on a tech website about the FAA review process and made the horrible mistake of opening the comment section and expecting reasoned responses.   Wow, what misinformation, politics, foul personal attacks, crass product promotions, and just plain lies.   I just wanted to take a moment here at the end of the year to thank the NSF founder and moderators for the job that they do.  Yes, undoubtedly much like herding those proverbial cats, but overall keeping this a space almost entirely free of the above mentioned ugliness.

Hip! Hip!
It's not that hard. If some continues to misbehave, they have Lar sneak into their house at night and strew Lego pieces around the floor.

"Caltropus Domesticus"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 01/01/2022 12:55 am
I was just reading a piece on a tech website about the FAA review process and made the horrible mistake of opening the comment section and expecting reasoned responses.   Wow, what misinformation, politics, foul personal attacks, crass product promotions, and just plain lies.   I just wanted to take a moment here at the end of the year to thank the NSF founder and moderators for the job that they do.  Yes, undoubtedly much like herding those proverbial cats, but overall keeping this a space almost entirely free of the above mentioned ugliness.

Hip! Hip!
It's not that hard. If some continues to misbehave, they have Lar sneak into their house at night and strew Lego pieces around the floor.

You forgot, he's also tasked with slipper and shoe removal. :)



-----

Happy New Year Everyone!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 01/01/2022 01:19 am
It's not that hard. If some continues to misbehave, they have Lar sneak into their house at night and strew Lego pieces around the floor.

Anyone who has met me in person knows that after as many late night munchie sessions as I have had...  I am the world's unstealthiest ninja.   So I am dubious about this plan.

As for LEGO elements on the floor? In my house, there was a rule, any LEGO elements found on the floor left the collection they originated from .... and entered **my** collection.  After losing a few choice figs that way, my kids never left LEGO pieces on the floor ever again.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 01/01/2022 09:20 am
It's not that hard. If some continues to misbehave, they have Lar sneak into their house at night and strew Lego pieces around the floor.

Anyone who has met me in person knows that after as many late night munchie sessions as I have had...  I am the world's unstealthiest ninja.   So I am dubious about this plan.

As for LEGO elements on the floor? In my house, there was a rule, any LEGO elements found on the floor left the collection they originated from .... and entered **my** collection.  After losing a few choice figs that way, my kids never left LEGO pieces on the floor ever again.

Okay, now I have this image stuck in my head of a new Geico YT commercial, like when they used a real family of cloggers, only it's a family of Lego-fanatics. "We love our new place! But, the neighbors have this toy problem...", followed by a shot of a family on the other side of the fence fighting over hundreds of Lego sculptures.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 01/01/2022 10:17 am
It's not that hard. If some continues to misbehave, they have Lar sneak into their house at night and strew Lego pieces around the floor.

Anyone who has met me in person knows that after as many late night munchie sessions as I have had...  I am the world's unstealthiest ninja.   So I am dubious about this plan.

As for LEGO elements on the floor? In my house, there was a rule, any LEGO elements found on the floor left the collection they originated from .... and entered **my** collection.  After losing a few choice figs that way, my kids never left LEGO pieces on the floor ever again.

Radical, but efficient.

We french even made a song, related to the damn thing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjXx_Sp8Hdk

Because, you see, "Playmobil" sounds like "plaie mobile" which could roughly translate as "mobile plague". A plague for any parent feet.

Quote
Celui qui n'a pas eu d'enfant
ne peut pas comprendre vraiment
qu'à défaut d'être très prudent
dans le noir faut serrer les dents
il s'agit d'une douleur, qui atteint même les plus virils
c'est celle de marcher par erreur,la nuit,sur un playmobil

/ The one who never had kids /
/ Cannot fully understand /
/ That if not cautious enough in the dark /
/ He will be left gritting and clenching his teeth /
/ Against the worst imagineable pain /
/ That even the most virile man (in the world) /
/ Couldn't even remotely handle /
/ Which is: to step, in the dead of night /
/ On a Playmobil /

ROTFL
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 01/05/2022 08:45 pm
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1478776621867757568
Scott Adams
@ScottAdamsSays
I’m not saying the people working in technical fields are smarter than people who work in marketing. But it’s worth noting that @elonmusk does the job of an entire marketing department by tweeting while he s***s.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 01/06/2022 04:06 pm
Does anyone know if there is a maximum number of launches that SpaceX is permitted to achieve out of Vandenberg yearly?

Wrong thread for a serious query. >:(

However SpaceX can do about one launch per month previously. Probably more with more forthcoming resources from SpaceX for upcoming USSF contracts. The USSF needed a Delta IV Heavy replacement for their Polar orbit optical spysats.

Vanderberg hasn't have too many launches annually in recent years due to the dearth of payloads.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 01/06/2022 04:32 pm
Does anyone know if there is a maximum number of launches that SpaceX is permitted to achieve out of Vandenberg yearly?

Did you get lost?
I think they are answering VSFB questions soberly over there (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=48391.msg1956841#msg1956841).
Here we are only concerned with how corny the jokes can get.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: realnouns on 01/06/2022 04:44 pm
Does anyone know if there is a maximum number of launches that SpaceX is permitted to achieve out of Vandenberg yearly?

Did you get lost?
I think they are answering VSFB questions soberly over there (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=48391.msg1956841#msg1956841).
Here we are only concerned with how corny the jokes can get.

Apologies to all.  I'm having increasing trouble determining where to post my questions & input, and the appropriateness of each
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Craftyatom on 01/06/2022 06:58 pm
First orbital launch attempt of 2022 for planet Earth!
That's 66 years in a row.  Are the other planets even trying?

Edit: off-by-one.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 01/06/2022 07:38 pm
First orbital launch attempt of 2022 for planet Earth!
That's 65 years in a row.  Are the other planets even trying?
I hear Mars is gunning for second place.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: webdan on 01/06/2022 07:47 pm
The moon already got second place (silver).

Guess Mars gets bronze. Kinda matchy too.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 01/06/2022 10:13 pm
The moon already got second place (silver).

Guess Mars gets bronze. Kinda matchy too.

But Mars beat Moon fair and square for the second powered aerodynamic flight.
Sucks to have basically no atmosphere.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 01/06/2022 11:20 pm
The moon already got second place (silver).

Guess Mars gets bronze. Kinda matchy too.

But the Moon isn’t a planet!
The planets object!
Does Pluto get a vote or a dwarf vote?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tangilinear Interjar on 01/07/2022 05:16 pm
It's good to see the thread get back on track! I hate it when people post on the wrong thread!!! 😤
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Vettedrmr on 01/07/2022 05:26 pm
But Mars beat Moon fair and square for the second powered aerodynamic flight.
Sucks to have basically no atmosphere.

I see what you did there!  Although I wonder just how it sucks when you have no atmosphere.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 01/07/2022 09:41 pm
So, why the confirmation from SpaceX so late?

There is no radio coverage at the separation point or after, most likely due to the unusual orbit.


Was stated near the end of the webcast that SpaceX don't have ground station coverage until the Starlinks are over Alaska. Guess SpaceX should set up a ground station in South America, maybe Kourou.  ;)

There's the Galliot tracking station south of Kourou.

https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2012/01/Galliot_tracking_station (https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2012/01/Galliot_tracking_station)

SpaceX does not have equipment there nor a contract to use the foreign facilty for this flight.

THIS is why you shouldn’t crack jokes in other threads OR ask serious questions in this thread.
Either way the dead serious and technically detailed responses are inappropriate.

Pay attention, people! 
He included a winking emoticon!
Humor impaired, perhaps?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: webdan on 01/07/2022 09:54 pm
The moon already got second place (silver).

Guess Mars gets bronze. Kinda matchy too.

But Mars beat Moon fair and square for the second powered aerodynamic flight.
Sucks to have basically no atmosphere.

Umm maybe, but the moon got a “hop” early on with Surveyor 6.

And “bouncing” on Mars does not count!

 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Ben Baley on 01/07/2022 09:58 pm
The moon already got second place (silver).

Guess Mars gets bronze. Kinda matchy too.

But the Moon isn’t a planet!
The planets object!
Does Pluto get a vote or a dwarf vote?

Well that depends on your definition of planet, and any definition that excludes the moon is sheer lunacy, or is it IAUnacy.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: 1 on 01/12/2022 02:37 am
Another potential issue with Starlink service outages.

https://twitter.com/Tippen22/status/1476985855981993984
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: toren on 01/12/2022 02:59 pm
Nonsense.  Starlink causes network leakage.  Kitteh are materializing from the Intertubez. 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 01/13/2022 03:48 pm
So, is anyone here an electronic dance music DJ?  I'm really looking forward to the new EDM hit, "SuperDove Separation Confirmed".
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Jarnis on 01/13/2022 06:21 pm
Nonsense.  Starlink causes network leakage.  Kitteh are materializing from the Intertubez.

Dish owner watched too many cat videos. Can only blame himself.  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: rsdavis9 on 01/13/2022 07:16 pm
Man that launch tower and chopsticks has balls.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: 1 on 01/13/2022 10:11 pm
Yeah. Now I'm wondering how well a 'Texas StarSack Watchers' t-shirt might sell...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 01/14/2022 09:27 am
Those water sacks hanging from the chopsticks... um, if we use the same definitions by which the "mass simulators" are named, shouldn't we call those water sacks water sack simulators?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 01/14/2022 02:25 pm
Man that launch tower and chopsticks has balls.

Actually, that is an after-market item test for Cybertruck trailer hitches.

Everything is bigger in Texas ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Stan Black on 01/14/2022 07:10 pm
Should this thread title be changed to ‘Work Event’?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 01/14/2022 11:47 pm
Well, after years of delays and cost overruns, the James Webb Space Telescope is nearing its deployment location, L2.

I have grave issues with this. James Webb Space Telescope is a publicly funded project, so why is it being operationally and permanently deployed in a private forum? Shouldn't the telescope go in a public forum instead?

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Vettedrmr on 01/15/2022 11:09 am
So why are you throwing so much shade at JWST?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 01/15/2022 12:09 pm
JWST first light is in! (https://www-der--postillon-com.translate.goog/2022/01/james-webb.html?fbclid=IwAR1WKEBjglBfse1rEymZYmy_wTYN2OYh1S4DgPYcYLIyO1IaqHkceGXwWvM&_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=de&_x_tr_pto=wapp)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CJ on 01/16/2022 03:59 am
So why are you throwing so much shade at JWST?

Because sometimes, a shade the size of a tennis court might not be enough?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 01/16/2022 06:05 am
I was just reading a piece on a tech website about the FAA review process and made the horrible mistake of opening the comment section and expecting reasoned responses.   Wow, what misinformation, politics, foul personal attacks, crass product promotions, and just plain lies.   I just wanted to take a moment here at the end of the year to thank the NSF founder and moderators for the job that they do.  Yes, undoubtedly much like herding those proverbial cats, but overall keeping this a space almost entirely free of the above mentioned ugliness.

Hip! Hip!
It's not that hard. If some continue to misbehave, they have Lar sneak into their house at night and strew Lego pieces around the floor.
Promises promises…
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 01/16/2022 06:30 am
Well, after years of delays and cost overruns, the James Webb Space Telescope is nearing its deployment location, L2.

I have grave issues with this. James Webb Space Telescope is a publicly funded project, so why is it being operationally and permanently deployed in a private forum? Shouldn't the telescope go in a public forum instead?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zXDo4dL7SU

ROTFL
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 01/17/2022 01:36 am
Well, after years of delays and cost overruns, the James Webb Space Telescope is nearing its deployment location, L2.

I have grave issues with this. James Webb Space Telescope is a publicly funded project, so why is it being operationally and permanently deployed in a private forum? Shouldn't the telescope go in a public forum instead?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 01/17/2022 07:56 pm
I started a kickstarter campaign to get JWST a lifetime membership.  I put in my 19.99 today.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 01/18/2022 01:54 pm
I started a kickstarter campaign to get JWST a lifetime membership.  I put in my 19.99 today.


That's the way to party!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 01/19/2022 09:46 pm
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1483907599036780557
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: markbike528cbx on 01/22/2022 11:54 pm
The DART mission inspired me to get my Planetary Defender Certificate.
https://dart.jhuapl.edu/Planetary-Defender/

I've put the cert on my Facebook and Linkedin accounts and in my unabridged resume.
The responses from non-rocket people have been amusing.

Patch attached, the actual certificate is not as it has my name IRL on it.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: litton4 on 01/25/2022 09:49 am
But but but... With Starliner there are all those buttons to push! :)

Can only two astronauts fly on CFT à la Demo-2 (Wilmore and Fincke)? Or does there have to be a third crewmember?

No need for a third crew member. The ship is full auto, like Crew Dragon, with at most two crew members serving as back-ups to the automated systems. Everyone else on-board beyond those two crew members are basically just ballast passengers.

"Do not push this button again"

/HHGTTG mode off
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Kim Keller on 01/26/2022 02:14 am
Most of the buttons and switches on Starliner are only supposed to be pushed and/or thrown in case the autopilot decides to have a bad day.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: woods170 on 01/26/2022 07:09 am
Most of the buttons and switches on Starliner are only supposed to be pushed and/or thrown in case the autopilot decides to have a bad day.

Funny!

Over simplified is what the Starliner cockpit is not.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 01/27/2022 09:14 am
Quote
Lockheed Martin’s proposed $4.4 billion acquisition of rocket engine manufacturer Aerojet Rocketdyne is under a cloud of uncertainty after Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan expressed concerns about vertical mergers where a large corporation seeks to acquire a major supplier.

Imagine the headlines "Lockheed - Aerojet merger: wrath of Khan."

And Lockheed CEO reaction:

"KHAAAAN !!! "

Surely enough, this talk of merging opened a khan of worms with the FTC. No, they khan't merge.

(I'll get my coat !)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ajmarco on 01/27/2022 06:20 pm
https://twitter.com/julia_bergeron/status/1486772121690910725
Quote
B1052-3 as it sits at Launch Complex 40 ahead of tonight's CSG-2 launch. This is the first time this core has been used as a Falcon 9 booster and has never seen a water landing.

@NASASpaceflight article: https://nasaspaceflight.com/2022/01/falcon-9-csg-2/
[/quote]


Looks like someone keeps skipping their swimming lessons.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 01/27/2022 06:27 pm
I guess B1052 has a fear of drowning, which persisted ever since he heard of both his fellow center cores’ fates.

When will he face his fear? Eventually.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 01/28/2022 09:49 pm
This look somewhat familiar...

https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=55181.0
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 01/29/2022 08:48 pm
SpaceX planning to launch up to 52 missions in 2022 (https://www.theverge.com/2022/1/27/22905029/spacex-nasa-52-launches-record-2022)
Quote
The impressive figure was given during a virtual meeting of NASA’s Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel, or ASAP, which gives guidance to the space agency on how to maintain safety within its biggest programs. “NASA and SpaceX will have to be watchful during 2022 that they’re not victims of their success,” Sandy Magnus, a former NASA astronaut and member of the panel, said during the meeting. “There’s an ambitious 52-launch manifest for SpaceX over the course of the year. And that’s an incredible pace.”

I read that and hear Dana Carvey’s George Bush impression: “Wouldn’t be prudent!”
For the impatient, catchphrase is used at 2 minutes, 29 seconds.
For the patient, enjoy a clip from Dana Carvey, a member of the best ensemble cast of Saturday Night Live.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AMYPvd86R2I
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 01/30/2022 03:22 am
This made me laugh:

And I suspect a big part of the opposition is similar to the internal scorn heaped on the publicly chosen mission names by the likes of Jim. (IMO, those 8yr olds from Poughkeepsie have a vastly better track record than the mission scientists themselves and their god-awful backronyms.)

You have no idea who I am or what I think.  But I do know what I think of your posts, and they are no better than Gaetano Marano's.

 As far as naming spacecraft, it doesn't affect me since the documentation continues to use the real names vs the cute ones.

Ouch!
Paul451 ought to feel really insulted, but not only doesn't he know who Jim is but he probably doesn’t know who Marano is. 😛


“…You don’t poke the mask off the ole’ Lone Ranger and you don’t mess around with Jim!”
(Jim Croce)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MATTBLAK on 01/30/2022 04:38 am
I want my Big Fricken Rockets, man! I love the Falcon 9 and Atlas V. I can't deny; but give me those Monster Rockets - let 'em fly!! I'm hanging out for BFR, Starship and SLS!! Hell; I'd even take Falcon Heavies, no less!!

Just. FLY. Them...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 01/30/2022 10:27 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8ju_10NkGY
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 01/30/2022 11:45 pm
SpaceX isn’t pulling any punches with this test. The gloves are coming off.

Image credit: LabPadre’s livestream

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220130/89bf7272f1ff1b96c7788a621074754f.png)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 01/31/2022 12:39 am
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8ju_10NkGY

Great. Another earworm to crowbar out of my head...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 01/31/2022 11:24 am
Great. Another earworm to crowbar out of my head...


I am still having weird dreams about a space walrus.


Curse you HVM, curse you!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 02/01/2022 12:38 pm
Oh no, Starlink satellite almost hit Paxi!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhZ2T2sxeoE
( https://www.esa.int/Safety_Security/ESA_spacecraft_dodges_large_constellation )
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wila on 02/01/2022 02:29 pm
OK, I hope this is the place to start a serious discussion. SpaceX seems to need another drone ship if they want to keep up a high launch tempo.  Launch delays due to damaged drone ships (i.e. - broken tow lines, bad landings and rough seas) or tossing good stages away because you need to launch but have no way to recover them down range can become a problem. Like got to launch a FH on time for planetary mission but only one drone ship available means a lost side booster

So, if they end up getting another drone ship to keep up the launch and recovery speed, they have to name it.

Therefore, while it is not in the Culture World Ship naming convention [hey, when has SpaceX ever been consistent in their naming?]    I propose -


A Shortfall of Drone Ships    -     or ASDS for short.


- Duck and run - :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 02/01/2022 02:42 pm
Okay... I'll bite:

(for those missions where running around like a chicken with your head cut off occurs)
-A Distinctly Hurried Departure

(Interplanetary launches only)
-Maritime Arrival Receiving Service

(That accuracy track record might be important)
-Exact Landing Or Not

(Remember, we want this to be dull and routine)
-Catch Here Everything Except Serious Excitement
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: webdan on 02/01/2022 02:46 pm
OK, I hope this is the place to start a serious discussion. SpaceX seems to need another drone ship if they want to keep up a high launch tempo.  Launch delays due to damaged drone ships (i.e. - broken tow lines, bad landings and rough seas) or tossing good stages away because you need to launch but have no way to recover them down range can become a problem. Like got to launch a FH on time for planetary mission but only one drone ship available means a lost side booster

So, if they end up getting another drone ship to keep up the launch and recovery speed, they have to name it.

Therefore, while it is not in the Culture World Ship naming convention [hey, when has SpaceX ever been consistent in their naming?]    I propose -


A Shortfall of Drone Ships    -     or ASDS for short.


- Duck and run - :)

You could, you could. And coming soon, drone ships that can land multiple stages.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 02/01/2022 03:58 pm
OK, I hope this is the place to start a serious discussion. SpaceX seems to need another drone ship if they want to keep up a high launch tempo.  Launch delays due to damaged drone ships (i.e. - broken tow lines, bad landings and rough seas) or tossing good stages away because you need to launch but have no way to recover them down range can become a problem. Like got to launch a FH on time for planetary mission but only one drone ship available means a lost side booster

So, if they end up getting another drone ship to keep up the launch and recovery speed, they have to name it.

Therefore, while it is not in the Culture World Ship naming convention [hey, when has SpaceX ever been consistent in their naming?]    I propose -


A Shortfall of Drone Ships    -     or ASDS for short.


- Duck and run - :)

Nah, here's my much simpler solution that also solves their wayward ship problem: Just announce their exclusion zone as "rocket might land anywhere in this zone". Most cruise ships have a helipad and they can pick up the rocket when the captain is being called back to shore for questioning.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AstroWolfie on 02/02/2022 09:12 pm
Upcoming Moon missions:
fun im so excited
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AstroWolfie on 02/02/2022 09:15 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvim4rsNHkQ

lol
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 02/07/2022 05:21 pm
But but but... With Starliner there are all those buttons to push! :)

Can only two astronauts fly on CFT à la Demo-2 (Wilmore and Fincke)? Or does there have to be a third crewmember?

No need for a third crew member. The ship is full auto, like Crew Dragon, with at most two crew members serving as back-ups to the automated systems. Everyone else on-board beyond those two crew members are basically just ballast passengers.

"Do not push this button again"

/HHGTTG mode off

"Whatever you do, DON'T PUSH THIS BUTTON."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_gKfbdJU5k
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 02/15/2022 08:19 am
I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall at either Blue Origin HQ or Boeing Starliner's head office when the Polaris Dawn announcement came out this morning. Blue's people just had seen the Starship stacking and heard the statement about nearly one-a-day Raptor 2 production. All they can do is hope that SpaceX can't solve the chamber problem. Boeing, meanwhile is probably getting tired of people predicting how many people will have launched on Dragon before Starliner completes its unmanned test flight (let alone the crewed flight).

The next couple of years are going to be very interesting.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 02/18/2022 03:52 pm
I don't expect to be taken seriously so this seems the place for this post.

There hasn't been any mention of crew for the second and third Polaris flights so I'd just like to go on record here and ask which one Elon will be on? I'm only half-kidding. Maybe half-serious. Anybody got any thoughts on this?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 02/18/2022 04:04 pm
I don't expect to be taken seriously so this seems the place for this post.

There hasn't been any mention of crew for the second and third Polaris flights so I'd just like to go on record here and ask which one Elon will be on? I'm only half-kidding. Maybe half-serious. Anybody got any thoughts on this?

Most likely Starship. It’s his baby, after all. Can’t leave her unattended.

Crew Dragon? It’s all grown up and on its own.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 02/22/2022 10:58 pm
Goodbye ruby Two's day.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 02/23/2022 01:13 am
Goodbye ruby Two's day.

Where. Is. The. GROAN. Button.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 02/23/2022 05:03 am
 Don't underestimate the importance of this day. I'm 22+22+22 on 2/22/22.
 In certain numerological circles, I'm worshipped as a minor god. (For the next 57 minutes, at least)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 02/23/2022 07:24 pm
Don't underestimate the importance of this day. I'm 22+22+22 on 2/22/22.
 In certain numerological circles, I'm worshipped as a minor god. (For the next 57 minutes, at least)
Did you receive any offerings?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 02/23/2022 09:24 pm
Don't underestimate the importance of this day. I'm 22+22+22 on 2/22/22.
 In certain numerological circles, I'm worshipped as a minor god. (For the next 57 minutes, at least)
Did you receive any offerings?

I hear the virgin backed out at the last second (sez the young guy who's a whole three weeks younger than Nomaad!).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 02/23/2022 09:26 pm
Don't underestimate the importance of this day. I'm 22+22+22 on 2/22/22.
 In certain numerological circles, I'm worshipped as a minor god. (For the next 57 minutes, at least)

Happy birthday! Did you dance around in a two-two?

I'll see myself out...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 02/24/2022 01:37 pm
Don't underestimate the importance of this day. I'm 22+22+22 on 2/22/22.
 In certain numerological circles, I'm worshipped as a minor god. (For the next 57 minutes, at least)

Happy birthday! Did you dance around in a two-two?

I'll see myself out...

Points back at my previous post... emphatically!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 02/24/2022 06:43 pm
I think you've been two-up'd, Nomaad!

"(UPI) – A North Carolina hospital said one family had an "extra special 'twosday'" when a baby was born at 2:22 a.m. on 2/22/22 – in delivery room 2.

The Alamance Regional Medical Center in Burlington said in a Facebook post that Judah Grace Spear was born Tuesday – which was known as "twosday" online due to the Feb. 22 date being stylized as 2/22/22 – at 2:22 a.m. in the facility's labor and delivery room 2."
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Ben Baley on 02/24/2022 09:22 pm
Tanks incoming.

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1496607109940666373

For a second I thought this was about Ukraine 🇺🇦.
They're also having tanks incoming.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 02/25/2022 07:35 am
Those don't fly.

Unlike these:

https://youtu.be/LE5Y0G9Qc3g

The next step here is obvious. Add rocket engines!

Also. Ukraine tank jokes are not funny.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AndyH on 02/25/2022 08:44 am
For a second I thought this was about Ukraine 🇺🇦.
They're also having tanks incoming.
Too soon, brother, too soon.

In the "you can't make this crap up" category, I submit this - snipped from an actual live stream of tanks and truck flowing out of Crimea and into not-yet-occupied Ukraine.

The stream is here if anyone wants to sanity check this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-DNGBOCPnI (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-DNGBOCPnI)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 02/25/2022 07:59 pm
And THIS is why we don't play bingo much any more

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 02/26/2022 02:42 am
Those don't fly.

Unlike these:

https://youtu.be/LE5Y0G9Qc3g (https://youtu.be/LE5Y0G9Qc3g)

The next step here is obvious. Add rocket engines!



But where do I sit?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 02/26/2022 11:12 am
French reaction  to Rogozin

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGXx56WqqJw

More seriously: we soon finish Soyuz in Kourou with Ariane 6 and Vega C; then Exomars; and after what, dear Dimitry and the Russians can go frack themselves...

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: bolun on 02/27/2022 08:54 pm
A bit of humor

https://twitter.com/daily_hopper/status/1497666764741783553
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wargrim on 03/01/2022 04:51 pm
The following is clearly on topic, because it is about tanks and cranes:

U Crane?

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FMxdWpRXsAofEQE?format=jpg&name=large
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Ben Baley on 03/01/2022 08:27 pm
The following is clearly on topic, because it is about tanks and cranes:

U Crane?

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FMxdWpRXsAofEQE?format=jpg&name=large

Hey you forgot to mention it's rocket launcher,  well technically a SAM system but close enough.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AndyH on 03/01/2022 11:58 pm
https://youtu.be/7YaXdP06zO0 (https://youtu.be/7YaXdP06zO0)

Слава Украине
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tomness on 03/02/2022 03:33 am
My last NASA mission that I will be supporting on console.
[...]
Retiring in December
Congrats on your retirement, assuming that retirement is what you want.  Some can't wait to retire, while others feel they are being pushed out while they are still productive.

I'm sure I speak for many others when I hope you will still contribute your voice of experience to NSF.

Thanks,

Some want me to stay on and I could.   I like working operations, but the issue is the time between missions and during a mission, I have schedule life around it.  I want to have some fun and do some research and write.  I should have an article published by this summer (I will post when it is out).  Might docent on the AF side or both sides
.

Well deserved, congratulations Jim 👏🎉  🚀📡🛰️🛠️
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 03/03/2022 12:37 pm
Oh gosh, this mean The Jim will have more time to roam this forum his own, unique way. Brace yourselves for more one-line or even one word answers "NO."
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 03/03/2022 12:40 pm
https://twitter.com/katlinegrey/status/1499329521304154112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1499329521304154112%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fforum.nasaspaceflight.com%2Findex.php%3Ftopic%3D55854.60

Oh Rogozin, really. He should be careful if he jumps on a trampolin with a broom between his legs - you never know, in a regretful accident the broom's stick could become stuck in his rear end... you know the story "Where the sun never shines" (and I'm not quoting Kurt Cobain here).

In passing, if the American are flying on brooms like Harry Potter; does that make Rogozin Lord Voldemort ?

https://getyarn.io/yarn-clip/a12a9022-dff0-4bae-8a98-4e5bdc1a698b
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 03/04/2022 03:19 am
A musical interpretation of an NSF forum thread destined for lockdown.  ;)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uT3SBzmDxGk
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tomness on 03/04/2022 03:46 am
https://twitter.com/katlinegrey/status/1499329521304154112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1499329521304154112%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fforum.nasaspaceflight.com%2Findex.php%3Ftopic%3D55854.60

Oh Rogozin, really. He should be careful if he jumps on a trampolin with a broom between his legs - you never know, in a regretful accident the broom's stick could become stuck in his rear end... you know the story "Where the sun never shines" (and I'm not quoting Kurt Cobain here).

In passing, if the American are flying on brooms like Harry Potter; does that make Rogozin Lord Voldemort ?

https://getyarn.io/yarn-clip/a12a9022-dff0-4bae-8a98-4e5bdc1a698b
How dare you muggle! He would be ponzie to Grindelwald.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: leovinus on 03/04/2022 05:15 pm
Not really related to ''normal'' fusion but still - any thoughts ?
https://spectrum.ieee.org/lattice-confinement-fusion
Also from the same NASA group on their ''Lattice Confinement Fusion'' study in ARPA-E LENR conference ( yeah hhh  :o )
https://arpa-e.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2021LENR_workshop_Dudzinski.pdf

This is cold fusion by a different name.
I still hold out some hope for something (working) but I am in a minority of both my friends and nearly every scientist in the world.

Too funny.  We really need to get together for a couple brews or a single malt when I get back to seacoast NH.

Brews, yeah! This is party thread and the post above reminded me of Yahoo Serious, splitting beer atoms to make bubbles in beer. That is the level of cold (brew) fusion I like.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 03/08/2022 11:55 pm
[quote
A quick stop by Port Canaveral to see this beauty. A sooty Falcon 9 booster awaits a lift to dry land after arriving back to port earlier this afternoon.

https://twitter.com/johnpisaniphoto/status/1500960863896969219 (https://twitter.com/johnpisaniphoto/status/1500960863896969219)

Do you think Elon could ask Jeff if he could borrow that new drive-in rocket washing facility he’s building south of the KSC Visitor Center? ;)

We don’ need no steenking rocket washer!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jstrotha0975 on 03/09/2022 03:49 pm
I love the people who cope "anything but falcon 9".
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Jim on 03/09/2022 07:39 pm
I love the people who cope "anything but falcon 9".

Less worse than only SpaceX
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deadman1204 on 03/09/2022 07:50 pm
I love the people who cope "anything but falcon 9".

Less worse than only SpaceX
starship will cure cancer and end world hunger!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 03/09/2022 11:01 pm
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: su27k on 03/10/2022 02:34 am
I love the people who cope "anything but falcon 9".

Less worse than only SpaceX

No, it's not.

OneWeb went with "Anything but SpaceX", they end up bankrupt then unable to launch their satellites.

NASA went with "Only SpaceX", they were able to keep HLS going despite severe funding cut from Congress.

Should be obvious which is better. In fact if SpaceX plays their card right, we may see a total collapse of the entire "Anything but SpaceX" concept, due to recent events.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Jim on 03/10/2022 02:40 am
https://media.giphy.com/media/bAftZ12SC0uEjLndIh/giphy.gif

[zubenelgenubi: I left this split/merged post's title as-is to give Sylvester's head-banging some context.]
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 03/10/2022 07:25 pm
 I'm a little confused as to why people allow crazed SpaceX fans to control them so easily. There are so many other things they could get twisted over, like flat earthers or people who think curling is a sport.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 03/10/2022 10:38 pm
..... or people who think curling as a sport.
:( Your Canadian tourist visit visa is hereby revoked and your name shall be placed on the persona non-grata list for such blasphemy.  :P
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 03/10/2022 11:29 pm
I'm a little confused as to why people allow crazed SpaceX fans to control them so easily. There are so many other things they could get twisted over, like flat earthers or people who think curling as a sport.
Creating perfect curly fries 🍟 is a sport?
Well, yummy to us.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: leovinus on 03/10/2022 11:31 pm
Guys and gals, you do not know how to party in this thread. Far too serious. Except for Silvester, thx. Remember the “heart of gold “ in the Hitchhiker’s guide? How “they do not do well on Thursday “ ? Here is some remedy and you are welcome to join. Virtually or in person. Bonus points for astronauts;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Norm38 on 03/11/2022 02:24 am
Scott Manley after the latest 11th booster flight:  "3rd Booster to join the Nigel Tuffdull[sic] club"

I don't get the reference, and I don't think Google will be funny.

Edit:  Nevermind.  I guess I was expecting something else.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 03/11/2022 03:25 am
Quote
or people who think curling as a sport

ROTFLMAO
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 03/11/2022 03:59 am
I'm a little confused as to why people allow crazed SpaceX fans to control them so easily. There are so many other things they could get twisted over, like flat earthers or people who think curling is a sport.

Both curling and SpaceX launches involve clever use of broomsticks.

I'm sure there is some deep cosmic meaning to that...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 03/11/2022 04:03 am
Guys and gals, you do not know how to party in this thread. Far too serious. Except for Silvester, thx. Remember the “heart of gold “ in the Hitchhiker’s guide? How “they do not do well on Thursday “ ? Here is some remedy and you are welcome to join. Virtually or in person. Bonus points for astronauts;)
Yes, well:
Quote
“This must be Thursday,' said Arthur to himself, sinking low over his beer. 'I never could get the hang of Thursdays.”
... immediately precedes the destruction of the Earth, so I guess that counts as not doing well.

As for curling,
Quote
the secret is to bang the rocks together, guys
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: andrewi on 03/11/2022 05:36 am
Scott Manley after the latest 11th booster flight:  "3rd Booster to join the Nigel Tuffdull[sic] club"

This is a reference to the cult 1984 mockumentary film "This is Spinal Tap".  There is a whole meme about Nigel Tufnel (fictional character in film - a guitarist in fictional band Spinal Tap - turning his guitar amp upto 11  - because it is one louder than the rest so it must be better (all other amps only goto 10)!       
Very SpaceX!  Now if only BO could find a CEO who knew how to turn it up to !!     There was a Nigel Tufnel day 11/11/11 (in 2011) but more seriously this is remembrance day at 11am on 11 Nov every year. (for the observance of sacrifice in war).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 03/11/2022 09:03 am
people who think curling is a sport.


You will be allowed to post again when you show proof of going to Newfoundland and being Screeched.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Norm38 on 03/11/2022 02:29 pm
Screeched?  That sounds serious.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 03/11/2022 06:45 pm
I'm a little confused as to why people allow crazed SpaceX fans to control them so easily. There are so many other things they could get twisted over, like flat earthers or people who think curling is a sport.

As American football is a sports metaphor for ground combat, curling is a sports metaphor for parenting.
All that furious effort based on a faint hope of slightly modifying the trajectory of something really out of your contol.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 03/11/2022 09:19 pm
https://youtu.be/p7w_S5zme5Y
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 03/11/2022 11:00 pm
people who think curling is a sport.

You will be allowed to post again when you show proof of going to Newfoundland and being Screeched.
Not as bad as crossing the dateline on a USCG 378.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jpo234 on 03/16/2022 05:11 pm
https://youtu.be/zqsgqnAuspI
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 03/20/2022 09:11 pm
I have been waiting 50 years for this to happen. I recall clearly as a 10-year-old living in Huntsville that Apollo missions 18 and 19 had been canceled and the dismay I felt that we would not continue human exploration of space.
Now, I feel that we are embarking on the next phase of human evolution with the SLS/Orion/Artemis program. This is a development of humanity, not so much based on physical change but one of what our minds, working in concert, can achieve to improve our species and our world. We can never withdraw from this advancement, but go ever outward. Today, I have hope and faith that we can do this.
I feel bad for you.  SLS is not going to do that.
Geez what a killjoy.....can we just shut up on the cynicism for a few moments and actually just enjoy the moment that was long time coming?? Were going to the moon again for crying out loud!
I see with just a few dozen posts, you are probably fairly new to this forum.  Now you understand that Jim's job is to be a killjoy (just kidding Jim).  Jim is just very blunt in his assessments.  Not everybody always agrees with his assessments, but he is probably one of the most informed people on this site.  Don't take it personally.  When you get one of these blunt replies from Jim, it means you've arrived as a member.  I appreciate that he is blunt and gets to the point.  You always know where he stands.
Not sure I ever thought of it as a badge of honor before though I did come to appreciate it.

So who can stake the claim to their earliest post getting nuked by Jim?  I can claim my embarrassingly noob-enthusiastic Post #1 after only 4 minutes (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=40002.msg1519341#msg1519341).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 03/20/2022 10:45 pm

Not sure I ever thought of it as a badge of honor before though I did come to appreciate it.

So who can stake the claim to their earliest post getting nuked by Jim?  I can claim my embarrassingly noob-enthusiastic Post #1 after only 4 minutes (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=40002.msg1519341#msg1519341).
Not sure I was "nuked" but......

Wow!
 That made me go back to 2011.
The quote, "First They Ignore You, Then They Laugh at You, Then They Attack You, Then You Win." was being discussed as relates to SpaceX at the time.


 https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=25597.msg814636#msg814636

I have to ask, back then it was, are they at #2? Are they now at #4?

PS: at that time Jim refused to write SpaceX only spacex

EDIT: to add screen shot
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 03/21/2022 02:32 am

Not sure I ever thought of it as a badge of honor before though I did come to appreciate it.

So who can stake the claim to their earliest post getting nuked by Jim?  I can claim my embarrassingly noob-enthusiastic Post #1 after only 4 minutes (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=40002.msg1519341#msg1519341).
Not sure I was "nuked" but......

Wow!
 That made me go back to 2011.
The quote, "First They Ignore You, Then They Laugh at You, Then They Attack You, Then You Win." was being discussed as relates to SpaceX at the time.

https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=25597.msg814636#msg814636

I have to ask, back then it was, are they at #2? Are they now at #4?

PS: at that time Jim refused to write SpaceX, only spacex

EDIT: to add screen shot

Of course Jim shot you down!
In the other part of your post, you postulated that Musk would build a “rocket soot scrubber”.
Foolish poster!
Bezos builds the rocket washer!
SpaceX doesn’t need it.

(Nice call on all the other predictions, but after 70 or so flights of sooty boosters Bezos is still building his rocket wash while Musk builds Starship.)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 03/21/2022 12:16 pm
On a technicality, that might be pretty close. 18.5 tons = 16.8 tonnes.
...

I'm curious by the way about the origin of the word "tonne."  Did someone make it up with the intent of promoting this confusion?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHvBvkSCx2w
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DanClemmensen on 03/21/2022 02:11 pm
On a technicality, that might be pretty close. 18.5 tons = 16.8 tonnes.
...

I'm curious by the way about the origin of the word "tonne."  Did someone make it up with the intent of promoting this confusion?
See:
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tonne
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 03/21/2022 11:54 pm


https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1505987581464367104?s=21

 Elon time gets a bad rap but Elon time is light speed compared to those making engines for Vulcan. They're more Gary the Snail pace
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Orbiter on 03/23/2022 12:43 pm
Should be an opportunity for some amazing photo ops when Axiom-1 goes on the pad next week with SLS on Pad 39B.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tgr9898 on 03/25/2022 06:40 pm
Ermmm, back into the High Bay :D

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1507401662750773259

When a Booster sees it's own shadow it means 6 more weeks of FAA Delays
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Bananas_on_Mars on 03/25/2022 09:15 pm
F reedom
R esilience
E ndurance
E ndeavour

Almost sounds like it was a plan (cf Tesla S3XY)

If SpaceX builds three more Crew Dragons, F.R.E.E.D.O.M, would be nice to have Odyssey for the O. :)

For the D and M, I would predict them to stand for Daedalus and Mayflower.

I was thinking "Defiance", Obedience, and Maturity.

Despair
Ordeal
Menace

Or

Dislexia
Obesity
Mischief
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 03/31/2022 10:18 pm
The 500 days since the last Falcon 9 launch has been excruciating.

We need daily launches!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 04/01/2022 03:50 pm
The 500 days since the last Falcon 9 launch has been excruciating.

We need daily launches!
It has been over a million seconds since the last Falcon 9 flight; unacceptable.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 04/01/2022 05:04 pm
I have been waiting 50 years for this to happen. I recall clearly as a 10-year-old living in Huntsville that Apollo missions 18 and 19 had been canceled and the dismay I felt that we would not continue human exploration of space.
Now, I feel that we are embarking on the next phase of human evolution with the SLS/Orion/Artemis program. This is a development of humanity, not so much based on physical change but one of what our minds, working in concert, can achieve to improve our species and our world. We can never withdraw from this advancement, but go ever outward. Today, I have hope and faith that we can do this.

I feel bad for you.  SLS is not going to do that.

Geez what a killjoy.....can we just shut up on the cynicism for a few moments and actually just enjoy the moment that was long time coming?? Were going to the moon again for crying out loud!
I see with just a few dozen posts, you are probably fairly new to this forum.  Now you understand that Jim's job is to be a killjoy (just kidding Jim).  Jim is just very blunt in his assessments.  Not everybody always agrees with his assessments, but he is probably one of the most informed people on this site.  Don't take it personally.  When you get one of these blunt replies from Jim, it means you've arrived as a member.  I appreciate that he is blunt and gets to the point.  You always know where he stands.
Hey, am I one of the cool kids, too? Do I get to wear a leather jacket?


  Re: Commercialized SLS (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=47778.msg2310874#msg2310874)   « Reply #441 on: 11/15/2021 03:45 pm
The idea of the Shuttle is that the government would consolidate all payloads on to one system and hopefully get savings.

The idea for shuttle was a big program that would keep most of the NASA workforce employed, keep government money going to the contractors, helping politicians in NASA/contractor districts elected, and cement NASA as an ongoing part of the government.

That's why NASA did a big program right off the back, that's why they didn't do a series of prototypes, and that's why the flew the same vehicle for 30 years.

Just stop with the nonsense.  Save your conspiracy theories for other websites and quit decreasing the S/N.
Doing prototypes would have meant more money for contractors.

WADR, Jim, as far as more money for the contractors, in the early 1970s NASA and HSF were hanging by a thread and there was no money for more of anything (Apollo 18/19/20, Skylab 2), let alone a big item such as more shuttle prototypes, which is why the STS was such a compromised system, such as SRBs instead of liquid boosters and no crew escape system.


It went one state and one contractor basically.   Not "keep most of the NASA workforce employed, keep government money going to the contractors, helping politicians in NASA/contractor districts elected"

A series of prototypes would have "kept most of the NASA workforce employed, kept government money going to the contractors, helped politicians in NASA/contractor districts elected"  and not just California and NAA.

 8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 04/01/2022 06:13 pm
Hey, am I one of the cool kids, too? Do I get to wear a leather jacket?
No, you only rate as Happy Days Season 1 Fonzie--a white cloth jacket.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 04/01/2022 11:11 pm
Hey, am I one of the cool kids, too? Do I get to wear a leather jacket?
No, you only rate as Happy Days Season 1 Fonzie--a white cloth jacket.
Aw man, I am old enough to remember watching that live. Nice reference!!

My favorite Henry Winkler moment:
Henry Winkler gets cornered by BBC TV reporter for local vox pop segment  https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/henry-winkler-cornered-bbc-tv-reporter-article-1.1551717 (https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/henry-winkler-cornered-bbc-tv-reporter-article-1.1551717)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 04/08/2022 06:30 pm
Congratulations to SpaceX on their Axiom-1 launch!

Number of people SpaceX has launched to orbit on Dragon: 22.

Number of people Old-Space favorite Boeing has launched to orbit on their more-expensive Starliner: 0.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 04/11/2022 03:37 am
Some jokes just write themselves.  :)


https://www.instagram.com/tv/Cb1q-vggFn9/
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: su27k on 04/13/2022 02:54 am
Anti-Musk idiot got burned by Tom Mueller, this is fun to see ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 04/13/2022 08:14 am
Meanwhile, over on NSF's YouTube channel, BocaBirdyGal has finally been caught on camera! Who knew...?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D38ZYedWb04
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AndyH on 04/13/2022 07:43 pm
Some parts of this have aged better than others - but it has Tetris and rockets so... :D

https://youtu.be/hWTFG3J1CP8
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 04/13/2022 08:51 pm
From the Rocket lab general discussion thread.
https://twitter.com/rocketrepreneur/status/1514075496333467652 (https://twitter.com/rocketrepreneur/status/1514075496333467652)

Quote
Ironically, I hear this is part of how Rocket Labs competes as well -- I was blown away by how much cheaper the typical salary was for an experienced aerospace engineer in New Zealand vs an equivalent here in the US.

and yet they just hired a really competent ex-colleague of mine from here in the US.
It’s hard to imagine he took a 40% pay cut.
But he gets to live in the land of Middle-Earthtm  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DanClemmensen on 04/13/2022 09:21 pm
From the Rocket lab general discussion thread.

Quote
Ironically, I hear this is part of how Rocket Labs competes as well -- I was blown away by how much cheaper the typical salary was for an experienced aerospace engineer in New Zealand vs an equivalent here in the US.

and yet they just hired a really competent ex-colleague of mine from here in the US.
It’s hard to imagine he took a 40% pay cut.
But he gets to live in the land of Middle-Earthtm  ;D
With the war in Ukraine and the occasional nuclear sabre-rattling, New Zealand begins to look very attractive...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AndyH on 04/14/2022 02:14 am
From the Rocket lab general discussion thread.

Quote
Ironically, I hear this is part of how Rocket Labs competes as well -- I was blown away by how much cheaper the typical salary was for an experienced aerospace engineer in New Zealand vs an equivalent here in the US.

and yet they just hired a really competent ex-colleague of mine from here in the US.
It’s hard to imagine he took a 40% pay cut.
But he gets to live in the land of Middle-Earthtm  ;D
With the war in Ukraine and the occasional nuclear sabre-rattling, New Zealand begins to look very attractive...
Time to dust off an old copy of On the Beach?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 04/14/2022 07:36 pm
From the Rocket lab general discussion thread.

Quote
Ironically, I hear this is part of how Rocket Labs competes as well -- I was blown away by how much cheaper the typical salary was for an experienced aerospace engineer in New Zealand vs an equivalent here in the US.

and yet they just hired a really competent ex-colleague of mine from here in the US.
It’s hard to imagine he took a 40% pay cut.
But he gets to live in the land of Middle-Earthtm  ;D
With the war in Ukraine and the occasional nuclear sabre-rattling, New Zealand begins to look very attractive...
Time to dust off an old copy of On the Beach?
Nope. And @DanClemmensen is mistaken. Both Land of Oz and Middle-Earthtm are likely on the Russki target list. Both countries have a few strategic targets. The big event is a global event.  :'(
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: SoftwareDude on 04/18/2022 07:42 pm
In a sudden gust of irony, the news conference was rolled back to the VAB but it will return.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: pathfinder_01 on 04/18/2022 07:54 pm
In a sudden gust of irony, the news conference was rolled back to the VAB but it will return.

LOL, maybe said gust of Irony could get this slow poke to the VAB quicker. I dare say MORE modern launchers seem to handle getting to and from their assembly building\structures much better. It will take 10 days from the day they announced the roll back to get the rocket in for repairs.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kdhilliard on 04/19/2022 12:32 am
In a sudden gust of irony, the news conference was rolled back to the VAB but it will return.

Oh, was that it?  I thought they were testing out new Quindar tones!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 04/20/2022 11:09 pm
Welcome to the NASA SLS news conference. In case of questions regarding our progress past this point press star one and say "HOLD HOLD HOLD"...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 04/20/2022 11:20 pm
I'm wondering whether scheduling the Boeing/NASA Starliner press briefing for OFT-2 for May the third is some kind of timing error.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 04/21/2022 06:14 pm
On a positive note:
Given widespread broadband coverage and a-la-carte dining, I could keep an eye 👁 on the NSF forum, watch today's Starlink launch webcast, and go out to lunch with my best girl.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 04/21/2022 06:40 pm
So I suppose we could say your girl's a dog and not get flagged for an ad-hominem attack?

Dogs are better people than most people.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 04/22/2022 02:39 am
Quote
Lonestar® is working the ultimate in planetary data protection.
Quote
Lonestar sees the Moon as the ideal location to serve the premium segment of the $200 billion global data storage industry while addressing key environmental and growing biosphere concerns triggered by the increasing growth of data centers around the world.

Following the success of the company’s groundbreaking edge data center test on the ISS in December 2021, working with Canonical and Redwire, Lonestar is now pressing ahead with the first of its lunar data centers.
So, the business plan is to offer backups for data in case the earth blows up?
No, the lunar AI of "The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress" needs to get started on.

You know, to counter Skynet.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 04/22/2022 08:13 am
 "Rockets are not LEGOstm"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 04/22/2022 12:09 pm
Why not? There should have been a LEGORocket Land for space nerds.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 04/22/2022 03:51 pm
My new theme song for all things space related.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xx1uLMvsmvk
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 04/22/2022 06:04 pm
"Rockets are not LEGOstm"

Lar must be secretly moonlighting at McGregor!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Docabilly on 04/27/2022 05:02 am
When SpaceX lands on Mars, Mars will be renamed MarsX, pronounced 'Musk'.  Sorry not L2 but I had to share.

[zubenelgenubi: Party thread material.] 🥳 🎉 ✨️
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 04/27/2022 08:09 am
Congratulations to SpaceX on their Crew-4 launch!

Second manned launch by SpaceX in April!

Number of people SpaceX has now launched to orbit on Dragon: 26.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 04/27/2022 04:00 pm
Congratulations to SpaceX on their Crew-4 launch!

Second manned launch by SpaceX in April!

Number of people SpaceX has now launched to orbit on Dragon: 26.

Yes, this is the seventh flight of Dragon with crew. I was looking through the early Shuttle flights and found that the seventh flight there was actually the first to feature a repeat Shuttle astronaut - Bob Crippen was on STS-1 of course and also STS-7. Presumably Jared Isaacman will be the first repeat Dragon astronaut.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: su27k on 04/29/2022 05:07 am
Source (https://www.reddit.com/r/SpaceXMasterrace/comments/ue7eym/benji_reed_of_spacex_aka_master_troll/)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: su27k on 04/29/2022 05:15 am
FAA discovers time travel

Source (https://www.reddit.com/r/SpaceXMasterrace/comments/ued36m/something_doesnt_quite_line_up_here_hope_the_2_is/)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: niwax on 04/29/2022 09:48 pm
FAA discovers time travel

Source (https://www.reddit.com/r/SpaceXMasterrace/comments/ued36m/something_doesnt_quite_line_up_here_hope_the_2_is/)

Or an honest statement about their planning capability.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 04/29/2022 10:15 pm
FAA discovers time travel

Source (https://www.reddit.com/r/SpaceXMasterrace/comments/ued36m/something_doesnt_quite_line_up_here_hope_the_2_is/)

Or an honest statement about their planning capability.

Would it have been better if they added a day and posted February 29, 2022?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 04/29/2022 11:04 pm
So, Kosmos 2555, show us what is the purpose of your life.  ???
The ponies have a song for this 🎵 :

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4JNXuHBrW4Y

Can you find Gabby Griffin's factual error in the song?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 05/02/2022 03:30 pm
Alas.  Mick Shrimpton spontaneously combusted on the pad.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 05/02/2022 04:36 pm

Can you find Gabby Griffin's factual error in the song?
Well... that graph looks more like -cos x than sin x ...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 05/02/2022 04:48 pm

Can you find Gabby Griffin's factual error in the song?
Well... that graph looks more like -cos x than sin x ...

You found it!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deadman1204 on 05/02/2022 08:20 pm
https://twitter.com/blueorigin/status/1521204217741946880/photo/1

572,000 lbf is quite an accomplishment and this is the first time that we have a specific thrust figure and percentage. A 4% improvement over the requirement is very impressive.
Blue seriously needs to learn to use real units of measurement.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: whitelancer64 on 05/02/2022 08:32 pm

"PQE-802 characterized unit to unit variation in the different flight-configuration builds. This engine configuration achieved sustained 104% power level operation (572,000 lbf thrust)."

*snip tweet*

572,000 lbf is quite an accomplishment and this is the first time that we have a specific thrust figure and percentage. A 4% improvement over the requirement is very impressive.

Blue seriously needs to learn to use real units of measurement.

SpaceX as well?

"With more than 5 million pounds of thrust at liftoff—equal to approximately eighteen 747 aircraft at full power—Falcon Heavy will be the most powerful operational rocket in the world by a factor of two."

https://twitter.com/spacex/status/948376057882619904

I guess Elon Musk does, too.

"12 million pounds of thrust at liftoff"

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1460810034913361921?lang=en
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: SpeakertoAnimals on 05/02/2022 10:10 pm
Yeah, like microfortnights and buttloads.
(reply to "use real units of measurements")
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: eric_astro on 05/03/2022 02:08 am
Would it be considered a sign of political interference, if the websites for every Federal, State, and local agency involved in approving Starship's orbital launch, directed you here: https://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/sls/news.html for approval updates, or evidence for the invention 0f a honesty pill?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JCRM on 05/03/2022 11:02 am

Blue seriously needs to learn to use real units of measurement.

SpaceX as well?

"With more than 5 million pounds of thrust at liftoff
I guess Elon Musk does, too.

"12 million pounds of thrust at liftoff"


Yup, nasty American habit.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: deadman1204 on 05/03/2022 02:35 pm

"PQE-802 characterized unit to unit variation in the different flight-configuration builds. This engine configuration achieved sustained 104% power level operation (572,000 lbf thrust)."

*snip tweet*

572,000 lbf is quite an accomplishment and this is the first time that we have a specific thrust figure and percentage. A 4% improvement over the requirement is very impressive.

Blue seriously needs to learn to use real units of measurement.

SpaceX as well?


Absolutely. Imperial crashes rockets and makes mars missions fail.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Eric Hedman on 05/03/2022 03:42 pm

"PQE-802 characterized unit to unit variation in the different flight-configuration builds. This engine configuration achieved sustained 104% power level operation (572,000 lbf thrust)."

*snip tweet*

572,000 lbf is quite an accomplishment and this is the first time that we have a specific thrust figure and percentage. A 4% improvement over the requirement is very impressive.

Blue seriously needs to learn to use real units of measurement.

SpaceX as well?


Absolutely. Imperial crashes rockets and makes mars missions fail.
Failure to communicate between engineering teams about which units you are using and how they are formatted crashes rockets and makes mars missions fail.  Lots of things have flown successfully with imperial units. 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Steve D on 05/03/2022 04:40 pm
Quote from: Blue Origin tweet
572,000 lbf thrust

572,000 lbf is quite an accomplishment and this is the first time that we have a specific thrust figure and percentage. A 4% improvement over the requirement is very impressive.
Blue seriously needs to learn to use real units of measurement.

Non engineers think a newton is a type of cookie. You have to know your audience.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 05/03/2022 04:52 pm
CNBC has FOIA'd the draft BO from FWS.

https://www.cnbc.com/2022/05/03/spacex-starbase-expansion-plans-will-harm-endangered-species-fws.html

Good news imo.
The threat of an EIS is over imo.

IDKWTHHOWTGTM

(I Don't Know What The Heck Half Of What This Guy Typed Means)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 05/04/2022 12:54 am

"PQE-802 characterized unit to unit variation in the different flight-configuration builds. This engine configuration achieved sustained 104% power level operation (572,000 lbf thrust)."

*snip tweet*

572,000 lbf is quite an accomplishment and this is the first time that we have a specific thrust figure and percentage. A 4% improvement over the requirement is very impressive.

Blue seriously needs to learn to use real units of measurement.

SpaceX as well?


Absolutely. Imperial crashes rockets and makes mars missions fail.
No. Not using imperial everywhere causes them to fail.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jdon759 on 05/04/2022 01:26 am

"PQE-802 characterized unit to unit variation in the different flight-configuration builds. This engine configuration achieved sustained 104% power level operation (572,000 lbf thrust)."

*snip tweet*

572,000 lbf is quite an accomplishment and this is the first time that we have a specific thrust figure and percentage. A 4% improvement over the requirement is very impressive.

Blue seriously needs to learn to use real units of measurement.

SpaceX as well?


Absolutely. Imperial crashes rockets and makes mars missions fail.
No. Not using imperial everywhere causes them to fail.
Unless, of course, you're British.  Then it's those Darn Europeans and their fully-metric stages that cause it to fail.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 05/04/2022 09:46 pm
A dozen million pounds of thrust seems straight forward to me.


Pad A-one be mindful of the force.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 05/04/2022 09:54 pm
I am trying to get my head around this imperial system.

I'm looking at a simple mechanical piston engine as an example.

Let's say 100 psi pressure is acting on a 1 square inch piston. So that is a force of 100 pounds?   (100 pound per square inch times 1 square inch - seems ok)

Energy is force times distance, so if this piston is slowly compressed over a distance of 1 foot, then we have 100 pound times one foot which makes.... Well, to be honest I don't actually know the imperial unit of energy, but it seems like "Foot pounds" checks out.

So we created 100 Footpounds. Let's assume that took 10 seconds... (we did it slowly to ignore acceleration and momentum of the piston and such) then we put 100 Footpounds divided by 10 seconds... So the power is 10 Footpounds per second

Now if we repeat this process continuously (utilizing a flywheel) and connect it to a hypothetical generator. Now here I hit a snag, I couldn't find an imperial unit for either Voltage nor Current.  But I do know that Voltage times Current is power, so assume I draw a current of 1.6 times 10 to the power of 19 electrons per second, ( that would be 1 Ampere) Then my voltage would be 10 Footpounds per second divided by 1 Ampere, which would make the imperial unit of electrical voltage "Footpounds per Amperesecond".

But that is a crutch, since ampere is a SI unit, we could just well assume 1V voltage and then the unit of current would be "Footpounds per Voltsecond"

But they don't add up. Although 1 V * 1 A = 1 W ... 1 Footpound per Amperesecond * 1 Footpound per Voltsecond does NOT add up to 1  Footpound per second.

So there must be something really weird going on, almost as if engineers had to insert and memorize arbitrary conversion constants to convert from products of imperial units to units energy and back and such. That doesn't make any sense to me and feels extremely error prone, it's almost as if all these units like ft and inch and pounds had no useful relations to each other at all.

Am I missing something?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 05/04/2022 10:17 pm
Just for the giggles... I think I heard repeatedly that the US uses a 110 Volt system. That indicates to me that Volt is used in the imperial system.

I don't know the imperial unit for charge, but let's hypotesize it as the "Jolt" - (cause its english and rhymes with volt)  then "Jolt per second" would be the unit of current.

And to link it nicely with the imperial system, we would have to say that 1 Volt Jolt per second is equal to 1 Footpound per second. That would indicate that 1 Footpounds (energy) is equal to 1 Volt-Jolt (electrical energy)

Resistance would then be measure in Volt-seconds per Jolt, and conductivity in Jolts per Voltsecond.

That really calls for some human test subjects... Bring the electrodes! ;)


Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ajmarco on 05/05/2022 01:29 pm
Corvus -

For your continued amusement and confusion. Attached is a conversion table for various units of measurement that is provided for taking the Fundamentals of Civil Engineering Exam in the United States.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 05/05/2022 04:15 pm
Corvus -

For your continued amusement and confusion. Attached is a conversion table for various units of measurement that is provided for taking the Fundamentals of Civil Engineering Exam in the United States.

Holy crap.

For some this table might be a symbol of national pride (it definitely has lots of stars (x) and stripes (=) ;P ) but what I see is a severe entry hurdle for kids to enter engineering careers.

If I was still in high school and were facing to learn and memorize all these conversion factors before I could even start to make sense of any physics related formula --  I'd probably rather make an "easy" career choice like ... dunno ... computer science or something...

;P
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 05/05/2022 04:16 pm
So I am not a fan of the SLS & its use of SRB's, but what really were the alternatives for heavy lift back in the 2009 time frame?

These future phases of Delta and Atlas:

(https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=27969.0;attach=368219;image)

NSF forum member Downix had a proposal which he called AJAX:

https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=22266.0

(https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=22266.0;attach=248471;image)

Orion and its LAS had to be redesigned because of the insanity of Ares I, and it pushed everything back considerably.

In no way am I advocating this idea, but I've long wondered what the Ares I performance might have been had the S1 been based on a Dark Knight/BOLE.

OK, who else is getting serious Kerbal vibes here?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 05/05/2022 04:22 pm
Corvus -

For your continued amusement and confusion. Attached is a conversion table for various units of measurement that is provided for taking the Fundamentals of Civil Engineering Exam in the United States.

Hmm... Why and since when is one Kelvin (K) = 4.448 Newton (N) ?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 05/05/2022 04:25 pm
I'm getting the KSP vibes too.

Although I'm not sure if the longer Delta IV Heavy upper stage is the Ares I second stage or a completely different design with the J-2X.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 05/05/2022 04:49 pm
I'm getting the KSP vibes too.

Although I'm not sure if the longer Delta IV Heavy upper stage is the Ares I second stage or a completely different design with the J-2X.

If in doubt, there's probably almost always considerable amounts of "heritage" and "legacy" in such proposals. After all, isn't the only thing better than getting all your development expenses plus extra paid for a new stage, getting all the development expenses plus extra paid for a stage who's design you already have in a secret drawer somewhere? ;P

But personally I'd be more worried about these extra long fairing Atlas variants. You can't possibly put so many struts as to not invoke the Kraken with that thing. Better be sure not to quicksave on the launchpad when you spawn ;P
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nevyn72 on 05/11/2022 01:01 am


Expect Starship's reliability to increase much faster since it won't be a 1000 newly constructed rockets, but rather 1000 flights by each booster, like with airplanes.

Now consider that with 1000 flights per booster, you can easily afford a maiden "shake-out" flight per booster, and that 1000 actually doesn't look optimistic anymore.


No SS or booster will ever get to 1,000 flights. I'd put the chances of the entire fleet getting there at less than 1 in 5.

We know you would, and that's the basis for all your arguments.  You start with a baseless conclusion reaction, and draw your logic around it.

Why did I just get a vision of a Mandelbrot set?  :o

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/09/Juliasetsdkpictcomp2.jpg)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 05/11/2022 12:04 pm


Expect Starship's reliability to increase much faster since it won't be a 1000 newly constructed rockets, but rather 1000 flights by each booster, like with airplanes.

Now consider that with 1000 flights per booster, you can easily afford a maiden "shake-out" flight per booster, and that 1000 actually doesn't look optimistic anymore.


No SS or booster will ever get to 1,000 flights. I'd put the chances of the entire fleet getting there at less than 1 in 5.

We know you would, and that's the basis for all your arguments.  You start with a baseless conclusion reaction, and draw your logic around it.

Why did I just get a vision of a Mandelbrot set?  :o

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/09/Juliasetsdkpictcomp2.jpg)

pretty!!!! you should make an NFT out of that ;P
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 05/11/2022 12:14 pm
Come to think of it, that'd be the ultimate NFT where the hash of the block that defines the NFT itself is used as a seed to auto-generate a fractal art-piece.

Unlike the "traditional" NFT's that arbitrarily define ownership of an URL or a file uploaded to blockspace - which is very much arbitrary (you could mint 10000 NFTs with 32x32 pixel icons of the mona lisa kissing  a monkey and auction them all separately) this fractal NFT would define its own content. The art it describes only comes into existence the moment it is minted, with a significant random factor, and it is self sufficient. To recreate the art you only need the NFT itself and the algorithm to draw it (which can be included in the NFT in formula or instructions or a javascript program)  it would be very much non-fungible, since a copy without the ownership information would not have the hash needed to create the art in the first place.

now all we need is a monkey-head fractal formula ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 05/11/2022 07:22 pm
This thread is descending into chaos!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 05/12/2022 02:18 am
Dragon fractals ftw!


I fold. Rinse. Repeat.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 05/12/2022 11:08 am
This thread is descending into chaos!

I'm not sure if a clear definition of "up" or "down" is available for this kind of space ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 05/12/2022 11:40 am
This thread is descending into chaos!

I'm not sure if a clear definition of "up" or "down" is available for this kind of space ;)

The enemy's gate is chaos?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 05/13/2022 12:45 pm
This thread is descending into chaos!
Alternatively viewed, with a bit of luck, it's rediscovering its disorderly creative nature.

We welcome our chaotic underpinnings.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 05/13/2022 03:06 pm
This thread is descending into chaos!

Odd that... 'descending into chaos' thing...

After-all, down implies being closer to the source of gravity and thus increased pressure and the increase of pressure thus decreases free movement...

Thus a descent should be into a more orderly state.

I choose to ascend to my chaotic states! ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 05/13/2022 06:08 pm
This thread is descending into chaos!
Odd that... 'descending into chaos' thing...
After-all, down implies being closer to the source of gravity and thus increased pressure and the increase of pressure thus decreases free movement...
Thus a descent should be into a more orderly state.
I choose to ascend to my chaotic states! ;)

 I just sort of slide sideways into mine.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AndyH on 05/13/2022 06:12 pm
lets hope OFT-2 is a success for Starliner and Boeing.
That we can all agree on.
I'll donate $20 to NSF if OFT-2 successfully launches, docks without disrupting ISS, and makes it back to an ocean somewhere on Earth (even if an ocean  ;D).

I think the money's safe...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ajmarco on 05/13/2022 06:24 pm
lets hope OFT-2 is a success for Starliner and Boeing.
That we can all agree on.
I'll donate $20 to NSF if OFT-2 successfully launches, docks without disrupting ISS, and makes it back to an ocean somewhere on Earth.

I think the money's safe...

You're right it is safe because that situation would never happen since Starliner returns to land.

 :P
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AndyH on 05/13/2022 06:34 pm
lets hope OFT-2 is a success for Starliner and Boeing.
That we can all agree on.
I'll donate $20 to NSF if OFT-2 successfully launches, docks without disrupting ISS, and makes it back to an ocean somewhere on Earth.

I think the money's safe...

You're right it is safe because that situation would never happen since Starliner returns to land.

 :P
LOL Touché 
...to Earth... 
At this point, I'll donate the money if it makes it to ISS and docks/berths successfully. 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tgr9898 on 05/13/2022 06:57 pm
This thread is descending into chaos!
Odd that... 'descending into chaos' thing...
After-all, down implies being closer to the source of gravity and thus increased pressure and the increase of pressure thus decreases free movement...
Thus a descent should be into a more orderly state.
I choose to ascend to my chaotic states! ;)

 I just sort of slide sideways into mine.

(The rails are lubricated with Guinness)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Jim on 05/13/2022 07:15 pm
lets hope OFT-2 is a success for Starliner and Boeing.
That we can all agree on.
I'll donate $20 to NSF if OFT-2 successfully launches, docks without disrupting ISS, and makes it back to an ocean somewhere on Earth (even if an ocean  ;D).

I think the money's safe...

That is basically trolling.  A waste of post and baseless
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AndyH on 05/13/2022 08:00 pm
lets hope OFT-2 is a success for Starliner and Boeing.
That we can all agree on.
I'll donate $20 to NSF if OFT-2 successfully launches, docks without disrupting ISS, and makes it back to an ocean somewhere on Earth (even if an ocean  ;D).

I think the money's safe...

That is basically trolling.  A waste of post and baseless
In AF days, we'd have established a 'ghoul pool' where we all tossed in a buck to bet on an outcome.  Think 'landing bingo' plus a 'donation'.  Hard to do that here, thus the outcome based donation pledge.  We'll have to agree to disagree, I guess.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 05/14/2022 06:34 am
Guinness goes great with  Mandlebrat.





Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AndyH on 05/16/2022 03:50 am
Guinness goes great with  Mandlebrat.
I guess y'all are proving it's hip to be squared.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 05/16/2022 07:50 am
Guinness goes great with  Mandlebrat.
I guess y'all are proving it's hip to be squared.


How hip can you be when you are this old?  ;)



Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 05/16/2022 12:35 pm
Guinness goes great with  Mandlebrat.
I guess y'all are proving it's hip to be squared.


How hip can you be when you are this old?  ;)
Titanium-level hip.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DanClemmensen on 05/16/2022 02:07 pm
Guinness goes great with  Mandlebrat.
I guess y'all are proving it's hip to be squared.


How hip can you be when you are this old?  ;)
Titanium-level hip.
My wife has a titanium-level hip because the original organic hip wore out.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 05/16/2022 02:45 pm
Young ‘un.

I may be old but I got to see the great bands with the original members. And without Ticketmaster fees. I also love the part about no alcohol permitted. We were not an alcohol crowd. ;-)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 05/17/2022 12:36 am
I find it frustrating that you rarely find concert posters with the year on the date.  I guess fast turnaround and all.


Day on the Green concerts were always good shows.  I saw Fleetwood Mac and Gary Wright (different shows) up close there. Bill Graham used to personally make the rounds pre-concert to confiscate glass bottles.


'young 'un'...... I'll take that!  8)


Edit:  same show
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AndyH on 05/17/2022 01:13 am
You're right it is safe because that situation would never happen since Starliner returns to land.

 :P
"Supposed" to return to land...like "supposed" to have clocks that work, and software that works and valves that work and...   
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Surfdaddy on 05/17/2022 01:41 am
You're right it is safe because that situation would never happen since Starliner returns to land.

 :P
"Supposed" to return to land...like "supposed" to have clocks that work, and software that works and valves that work and...   

Based upon landing mode, another advantage of Dragon is that it can land in many times more locations than Starliner.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 05/17/2022 05:36 am
I find it frustrating that you rarely find concert posters with the year on the date.  I guess fast turnaround and all.


Day on the Green concerts were always good shows.  I saw Fleetwood Mac and Gary Wright (different shows) up close there. Bill Graham used to personally make the rounds pre-concert to confiscate glass bottles.


'young 'un'...... I'll take that!  8)
More like it was the Live fast, Die young time of our lifes, why put a year down when next week was an eternity away, man. Post-Vietnam/Nixon, the country was trying to find itself. Several years ago I found an old Jimmy Buffett t-shirt from 1979, sent them a pic and they freaked out. It's proudly framed in my hangar.

Me & my friends were pretty upset when Bill died, BGP Productions had been such a huge part of our lives and given us so many great memories, some of which we could not remember. The pilot was flying to the right of Hwy 37,  Visually Following Roads in crappy weather, and ran right into that tower. Should never have happened.


Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 05/18/2022 03:33 pm
7 days between Falcon 9 flights feels like far too long inbetween.

Also, I feel like there is room for another Starlink launch from 39A before the CRS flight in June.

Come on now, Poppa needs his Falcon Fix!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 05/19/2022 11:28 pm
When does the Starliner booster land??   ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 05/20/2022 02:28 am
When does the Starliner booster land??   ;D

Already did. Used the time-tested "aquabraking" method, which like it's cousin, "lithobraking", has never failed to bring the velocity of a fast moving object down to zero in very short order.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 05/20/2022 03:29 am
Joking aside, congratulations to ULA on their 150th(!) Atlas 5 launch and to Boeing for a successful start to their OFT.

Edit: Oops! ULA's 150th launch overall. Thanks, Nomaad.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 05/20/2022 03:50 am
Joking aside, congratulations to ULA on their 150th(!) Atlas 5 launch and to Boeing for a successful start to their OFT.
The Atlas V has had 92 launches.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Bean Kenobi on 05/20/2022 09:05 pm
Now that the OFT-2 has successfully launched, there are two possible launch windows for the CFT-2 launch:
* After the launch of the SES-20 and SES-21 satellites and before the JPSS-2 launch
* November 2022

Your "CFT-2" mention may jinx the CFT mission.

There is only one CFT mission for the moment.

There will only be a CFT-2 mission if something goes wrong with CFT ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 05/20/2022 11:16 pm
.....
There will only be a CFT-2 mission if something goes wrong with CFT ;)
Doubt there will be any more Starliner missions if a CFT-2 mission is needed. Boeing can't afford a CFT-2 mission on their own dime. ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Vahe231991 on 05/21/2022 01:57 am
.....
There will only be a CFT-2 mission if something goes wrong with CFT ;)
Doubt there will be any more Starliner missions if a CFT-2 mission is needed. Boeing can't afford a CFT-2 mission on their own dime. ;)
I erred in writing "CFT" as "CFT-2". How will the redesign of the Starliner's valves affect long-term preparations for the CFT mission, given that NASA previously said that the prospects of the CFT mission happening this year depend on the OFT-2 launch being launched on time without further delay?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AndyH on 05/21/2022 07:04 am
lets hope OFT-2 is a success for Starliner and Boeing.
That we can all agree on.
I'll donate $20 to NSF if OFT-2 successfully launches, docks without disrupting ISS, and makes it back to an ocean somewhere on Earth.

I think the money's safe...

You're right it is safe because that situation would never happen since Starliner returns to land.

 :P
LOL Touché 
...to Earth... 
At this point, I'll donate the money if it makes it to ISS and docks/berths successfully.
Not without drama, but Starliner didn't appear to Naukaize ISS yet.  Close enough.
Chris has money.
Receipt number: 2ME74747R5165971U
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 05/22/2022 08:13 am
Chris Bergin, space bookie  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 05/30/2022 10:32 am
Wow.  It was eight years ago yesterday that Elon unveiled the Dragon V2.  Time almost flies as fast as a Dragon!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: akm on 05/30/2022 02:05 pm
Wow 8 years. Building Mars infrastructure in 7 years for the first mission should be no problem.

Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 05/30/2022 03:44 pm
Wow.  It was eight years ago yesterday that Elon unveiled the Dragon V2.  Time almost flies as fast as a Dragon!
Actually, time flies a little slower for a Dragon. (While the Dragon is flying)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 06/03/2022 11:20 pm
Well, not yet anyway. 


I am not sure where to apply for the liquor license.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: aero on 06/04/2022 03:53 am
Hey guys, that's no big deal, just time travelers messing with us.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 06/04/2022 04:20 pm
This post has just made me chuckle.

https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=53721.msg2373632#msg2373632

Quote
After weeks of panicking headlines, Russian space officials back-pedaling on the inevitability of withdrawal from #ISS. In fact, Roskosmos spokesman now quoted as saying that the end of the program will be coordinated with partners and with phasing-in of the new Russian station.

My reaction

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuL6cJPz3Nk

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: LouScheffer on 06/07/2022 05:46 pm
Wow.  It was eight years ago yesterday that Elon unveiled the Dragon V2.  Time almost flies as fast as a Dragon!
Actually, time flies a little slower for a Dragon. (While the Dragon is flying)
Apologies for a serious reply in the party thread.

Faster or slower depends on the orbit - there are two competing effects.  Time runs slower due to speed, but faster due to less gravity.  In LEO, the speed effect is bigger, and time flies slower.  But further out, such as a lunar Dragon, the gravity effect is greater and the speed lower, and time flies faster.  This is true, for example, for the GPS satellites.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 06/07/2022 08:30 pm
Wow.  It was eight years ago yesterday that Elon unveiled the Dragon V2.  Time almost flies as fast as a Dragon!
Actually, time flies a little slower for a Dragon. (While the Dragon is flying)
Apologies for a serious reply in the party thread.

Faster or slower depends on the orbit - there are two competing effects.  Time runs slower due to speed, but faster due to less gravity.  In LEO, the speed effect is bigger, and time flies slower.  But further out, such as a lunar Dragon, the gravity effect is greater and the speed lower, and time flies faster.  This is true, for example, for the GPS satellites.


 I miss Newton.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 06/07/2022 10:40 pm
Wow.  It was eight years ago yesterday that Elon unveiled the Dragon V2.  Time almost flies as fast as a Dragon!
Actually, time flies a little slower for a Dragon. (While the Dragon is flying)
Apologies for a serious reply in the party thread.

Faster or slower depends on the orbit - there are two competing effects.  Time runs slower due to speed, but faster due to less gravity.  In LEO, the speed effect is bigger, and time flies slower.  But further out, such as a lunar Dragon, the gravity effect is greater and the speed lower, and time flies faster.  This is true, for example, for the GPS satellites.


 I miss Newton.


Newton didn't need GPS.  The apple hit him on the head and in an epiphany he knew he was under the apple tree.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 06/07/2022 11:00 pm
Maybe someone got caught up with Musk announcing improvements in Raptor

Spectacular power...

https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1533912186225049600 (https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1533912186225049600)

Now says...

 https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1534118354449219585?s=20&t=yiXk0SDCL8Gva2lL5sbCdQ  (https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1534118354449219585?s=20&t=yiXk0SDCL8Gva2lL5sbCdQ)

100% -> 136% -> 100%

Never Mind (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrbybKWwb7c)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 06/09/2022 09:28 am
Congrats to SpaceX for a successful rocket launch+landing...


***listens to crickets chirping***


You know, at one point the congrats were banned from the update thread into the party thread... but somehow nobody does that anymore.

I hereby petition to move the congrats back into the update threads, now that interest in SpaceX launches - due to sheer norminality - has significantly weaned.

Cause here it feels out of place.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 06/09/2022 01:52 pm
Congrats to SpaceX for a successful rocket launch+landing...


***listens to crickets chirping***


You know, at one point the congrats were banned from the update thread into the party thread... but somehow nobody does that anymore.

I hereby petition to move the congrats back into the update threads, now that interest in SpaceX launches - due to sheer norminality - has significantly weaned.

Cause here it feels out of place.

It's gotten to the point where it's so routine, that we're too lazy to congratulate. Everyone's probably like in a monotone, "Yes, yes. Another successful launch."
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 06/09/2022 06:54 pm
You know, at one point the congrats were banned from the update thread into the party thread... but somehow nobody does that anymore.

I hereby petition to move the congrats back into the update threads, now that interest in SpaceX launches - due to sheer norminality - has significantly weaned.

Cause here it feels out of place.

At what point does congratulations on a launch and landing become like people applauding after landing on a scheduled commercial airline flight?  ;D


Seriously, though, it's an interesting petition, but this being the party thread, I figured I'd attempt to rephrase it as bodged verse:

In times of yore we praised them o'er
Each launch and landing logged
Until the day that went away
As update threads got bogged.

The party thread became our bread
And butter for congrats,
But time it flew til thanks were few
And backs now lack for pats.

Perhaps the rule, once useful tool,
Has faded by slow burn.
Might permission for on mission
Thread congrats return?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 06/09/2022 09:04 pm
The conversation reminded me of this:
(this isn't going to happen...)

But how awesome would it be if SpaceX stepped up and offered to rapidly launch Janus on a RTLS retasked-Starlink Falcon 9, on on the original launch date, enabling the prime mission targets. "Launch now, we can sort out the bill later"

The PR and goodwill from NASA would be huge.
not possible to happen
But it sure is fun to imagine things.
🎵 Imagination 🎶
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=I2OZ2qnumxk
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kdhilliard on 06/11/2022 01:56 am
If appears that the "May 2021 Pentagon Report on UAP/UFO Sightings: updates and discussion (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=53897)" thread has entered the Bermuda Triangle.

Edit: And just a mysteriously, ... It's Back!

Quote from: Paraphrasing Chris B (who returned the thread following a short abduction)
I Want To Believe we can discuss this subject while remaining civil.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: andrewi on 06/11/2022 06:39 am
I can't remember which thread but I ended up below after following some links to an Eric Berger story and he referenced some memes https://www.reddit.com/r/SpaceXMasterrace/comments/nxbr2s/10_pictures_taking_before_desasters/

I can't help but share the ones I thought funny (I beleive the forum doesn't like posting others images hence the links)

https://www.reddit.com/r/SpaceXMasterrace/comments/v5gm2x/guys/
context for next one below - Starship dispensing Starlink

https://www.reddit.com/r/SpaceXMasterrace/comments/v5jxur/starship_deploying_starlink_satellites/
So printing money or losing money....

https://www.reddit.com/r/SpaceXMasterrace/comments/v7cp3l/just_realized_that_starship_and_sls_will_both_be/
And on pad 39A (in this corner) we have the super heavy weight contender of the world (Starship/Superheavy) and on 39B (the other corner) we have Orion/SLS

https://www.reddit.com/r/SpaceXMasterrace/comments/v5xbof/thanks_to_nasaspaceflights_livestream_last_night/
Hellspawn indeed but surely just do a tripple superheavy (a superheavy heavy just sounds wrong...) instead of this sls superheavy mashup
although I wonder if SpaceX could respond to a tender for solid boosters with superheavy......

https://www.reddit.com/r/SpaceXMasterrace/comments/v8peah/june_13th_is_nearly_here_even_the_faa_can_only/
You can lead a horse to water....

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 06/15/2022 11:20 am
So when is the launch time?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 06/16/2022 02:48 am
Blue working with Collins on xEMU:
NASA released the source selection statement for the xEVAS awards yesterday.
https://sam.gov/opp/2acfdeae77644a3285f1701a2392d5f3/view (https://sam.gov/opp/2acfdeae77644a3285f1701a2392d5f3/view)
...
Team Collins is doom with the Below Orbit albatross helping them.  :(
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 06/20/2022 03:24 pm
https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1538893916904169472

Quote
3 launches from 3 SpaceX pads in less than 37 hours
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Joffan on 06/22/2022 08:19 pm
Just realized that with that awesome 3-launch volley, SpaceX has now put up as many launches before the halfway point of 2022 as in the whole of 2020... and only five more launches required to match the entire set of 2021. So effectively launching at close to the combined 2020 rate + 2021 rate.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tangilinear Interjar on 06/24/2022 02:59 pm
https://twitter.com/nicansuini/status/1540305828464443392

Well we've gone full reversal. The renders are looking real and the photos are looking like renders.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tgr9898 on 06/25/2022 06:16 pm
Build the rocket as if the payload will be early and build the payload as if the rocket will be early.

I know a company that can benefit from this sort of thinking.

Where is the ROFL button?

I think it's a lot easier to count the companies that already think this way.... both of them.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 06/28/2022 01:54 pm
Build the rocket as if the payload will be early and build the payload as if the rocket will be early.

I know a company that can benefit from this sort of thinking.

Where is the ROFL button?

I think it's a lot easier to count the companies that already think this way.... both of them.

On the other hand, some of Musks companies are super boring and move at half the pace of a snail ... ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 06/29/2022 07:29 pm
Since it's been months and months since the last Falcon 9 launch I am eagerly awaiting today's flight!

Lets go Falcon!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 06/30/2022 05:41 am
from the "Blue Origin Fleet" thread (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=45766.msg2381881#msg2381881)

<snip>
If only both Blue Origin and SpaceX could put their differences aside, renting out one of the SpaceX LZ-1 pads with suitable modifications would be ideal since it is almost next door to LC-36.
;D
IIRC there was a cartoon strip (don't recall the name of the strip) that touches on the issue.

In brief. The storyline was that Bezos ask Musk what would it take to use LZ-1 for landing the New Glenn. Musk replied nothing except for one tiny favor, then hands Bezos a hideous pink unicorn costume for him to dance in the LC-39 fire trench.
;D

P.S. think the cartoon artist ripped the storyline from Musk's comment that (paraphrasing) "He will gladly shared the pad with another orbital launch provider. However Blue Origin is as like to have an orbital capable launcher as a dancing unicorn in the fire trench for the next five years". When Blue Origin was trying to block SpaceX from leasing the pad.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 06/30/2022 05:36 pm
from the "Blue Origin Fleet" thread (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=45766.msg2381881#msg2381881)

<snip>
If only both Blue Origin and SpaceX could put their differences aside, renting out one of the SpaceX LZ-1 pads with suitable modifications would be ideal since it is almost next door to LC-36.
;D
IIRC there was a cartoon strip (don't recall the name of the strip) that touches on the issue.

In brief. The storyline was that Bezos ask Musk what would it take to use LZ-1 for landing the New Glenn. Musk replied nothing except for one tiny favor, then hands Bezos a hideous pink unicorn costume for him to dance in the LC-39 fire trench.
 ;D

P.S. think the cartoon artist ripped the storyline from Musk's comment that (paraphrasing) "He will gladly shared the pad with another orbital launch provider. However Blue Origin is as like to have an orbital capable launcher as a dancing unicorn in the fire trench for the next five years". When Blue Origin was trying to block SpaceX from leasing the pad.

Ha
That was 2013 (https://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2013/09/26/elon-musk-unicorns-will-dance-before.html)
It's coming up on ten years instead of the five years in Musk's taunt.
At the time Bezos said "Real soon".
Should have a copyright mark on that. It means something other than "soon". :P
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: leovinus on 07/01/2022 06:54 pm
https://twitter.com/rgvaerialphotos/status/1542938059246895105

Quote
Booster 4 Grid Fin
UHF or VHF?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tgr9898 on 07/01/2022 09:51 pm
https://twitter.com/rgvaerialphotos/status/1542938059246895105

Quote
Booster 4 Grid Fin
UHF or VHF?

Definitely UHF.

The booster itself would be better for VHF
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: lrk on 07/02/2022 05:12 am
P.S. think the cartoon artist ripped the storyline from Musk's comment that (paraphrasing) "He will gladly shared the pad with another orbital launch provider. However Blue Origin is as like to have an orbital capable launcher as a dancing unicorn in the fire trench for the next five years". When Blue Origin was trying to block SpaceX from leasing the pad.

It was from a 2013 SpaceNews article: https://spacenews.com/37389musk-calls-out-blue-origin-ula-for-phony-blocking-tactic-on-shuttle-pad/

Quote
[Blue Origin] has not yet succeeded in creating a reliable suborbital spacecraft, despite spending over 10 years in development,” Musk wrote. “If they do somehow show up in the next  5 years with a vehicle qualified to NASA’s human rating standards that can dock with the Space Station, which is what Pad 39A is meant to do, we will gladly accommodate their needs. Frankly, I think we are more likely to discover unicorns dancing in the flame duct.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 07/07/2022 05:26 pm
I'm surprised nobody's commented on the extra narration in the stream this morning:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=u_A7xdnVllM&t=595

Quote from: Starlink Mission, July 7th, 2022, T+0:00:40 through T+0:00:45
Launch.
Wait a minute, is it going up? (https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxddkdmSLNGn3FdM9W1LL9XMadWmXEQVRp)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 07/07/2022 05:57 pm
I'm surprised nobody's commented on the extra narration in the stream this morning:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=u_A7xdnVllM&t=595

Quote from: Starlink Mission, July 7th, 2022, T+0:00:40 through T+0:00:45
Launch.
Wait a minute, is it going up? (https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxddkdmSLNGn3FdM9W1LL9XMadWmXEQVRp)



I LOL’ed at that line.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Eric Hedman on 07/11/2022 02:42 am
Interesting that the roadmap didn't discuss SpaceX and it's heavy lift capability. Other than the HLS Moon lander. One would expect ESA to consider SpaceX (independent commercial) to be a more serious competitor than either the Chinese or the Russians in human spaceflight.

This is a geopolitical "competition", not one between specific organizations.  It is not NASA, CNSA, Roscosmos, ESA and SpaceX who are facing off, but the USA, China, Russia, and ESA's member states.  SpaceX, Blue Origin, ULA and Rocket Lab counts as the USA for these purposes.

In an alternate universe where Ingvar Kamprad founded a rocket company with his fortunes from IKEA, launching from the forests of Småland, Sweden, and were planning to colonize Ceres using flat-packed space furniture, that hypothetical SpaceIK company would count as "Europe"; it would allow ESA member states and organizations within those countries to launch payloads and people to space without being subject to the political whims of USA laws and regulations.  SpaceIK's achievements would bring glory and "soft power" to Sweden and Europe.  Just as companies like Volvo, Liebherr and Airbus bring glory and soft/economic power to Sweden, Germany, France, and Europe in general; Huawei and Ali Baba bring glory and soft/economic power to China; and Intel and Amazon bring glory and soft power to the USA.
Would everyone have to assemble their own furniture when they get to Ceres?  And would they serve Swedish meatballs on the way?   :) :) :) :) ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tangilinear Interjar on 07/12/2022 04:05 pm
Well a silver lining to Booster 7 go boom, is we got to hear from so many NSF members that we have heard from for a long time.

The "SpaceX doesn't know what they are doing" people, the "rockets aren't supposed to be built like this" people, the "it'll never work" group etc.

I missed the so much! 😒
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tgr9898 on 07/13/2022 02:22 pm
Bottom line: Starship development will be long and arduous. I suspect nobody will fly on Starship for 10 years, if ever.
Like Apollo, that actually burned it's first crew alive?

Too soon, man.
Too soon.....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 07/14/2022 01:51 pm
Okay... So the 'incident' earlier this week wasn't a fault or an issue...

SpaceX merely wanted to heat treat the coatings on everything on the OLM and 'pre-scorch' the base for aesthetic purposes. :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 07/14/2022 06:21 pm
Okay... So the 'incident' earlier this week wasn't a fault or an issue...

SpaceX merely wanted to heat treat the coatings on everything on the OLM and 'pre-scorch' the base for aesthetic purposes. :)

https://youtu.be/IahDEcy9Ssc
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: abaddon on 07/15/2022 02:21 pm
Quote from: Eric Berger
Yes, the timing is coincidental.
Seriously.

(https://c.tenor.com/930WKxE7-RUAAAAC/i-dont-believe-you-ron-burgundy.gif)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Robotbeat on 07/15/2022 02:29 pm
Would be funny if Rogozin was further demoted (let's remember he considers his current position a fall from Putin's graces) as a result of his actions during the last half year, but only karmic. Sure hope he isn't *rewarded*, although it's difficult to conceive something worse happening to the Russian space program short of complete cancellation.

https://twitter.com/RALee85/status/1547321730070466562

Quote
According to Meduza, Dmitry Rogozin could take over as Chief of Staff of the Presidential Administration from Anton Vaino, or possibly take on a role overseeing the Donbas by replacing Dmitry Kozak.
Maybe “promoted” to the front lines?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: libra on 07/15/2022 03:03 pm
Sequel to that famous 1 March 2018 laundry list of revolutionary weapons trumpeted by Vlad Putin. A new one has just been added to the list today.
Poseidon ? meh, ain't nothing compared to it.

Prepares for Speznatz stealth insertion - jumping over the Ukraine / Dumbass border... by trampoline. This is Rogozin new lethal weapon, and explains why he got the new job. He obviously pitched it to Vlad Putin in person.

And Rogozin going to the Dumbass... pardon, I meant Donbas - well, it is quite appropriate a place name for him. Since that Austrian village with the unfortunate name had enough and changed it recently, unfortunately.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fugging,_Upper_Austria
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 07/22/2022 02:41 pm
So I got a account on Dall-E, any suggestions for images I could ask for?

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 07/23/2022 01:14 am
No suggestions? Well then I have to tinker with this AI by myself.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jackvancouver on 07/23/2022 11:22 am
"Terran R on top of Starship full stack"

Would be curious how it interprets that.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 07/23/2022 11:41 am
"Terran R on top of Starship full stack"

Would be curious how it interprets that.

This is what i got.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DanClemmensen on 07/23/2022 12:34 pm
So I got a account on Dall-E, any suggestions for images I could ask for?
Try "Orion spacecraft docked to SpaceX Starship"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kdhilliard on 07/23/2022 09:44 pm
from the "Blue Origin Fleet" thread (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=45766.msg2381881#msg2381881)
<snip>
If only both Blue Origin and SpaceX could put their differences aside, renting out one of the SpaceX LZ-1 pads with suitable modifications would be ideal since it is almost next door to LC-36.
;D
IIRC there was a cartoon strip (don't recall the name of the strip) that touches on the issue.

In brief. The storyline was that Bezos ask Musk what would it take to use LZ-1 for landing the New Glenn. Musk replied nothing except for one tiny favor, then hands Bezos a hideous pink unicorn costume for him to dance in the LC-39 fire trench.
;D
...

The "cartoon strip" was this very Party thread, some thousand posts back (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2196487#msg2196487)!
Quote
"Hey Elon."
"Hey Jeff."
"So, have you considered our request to use LZ-1?"
"Yeah, sure.  In the spirit of advancing reusable launch systems, we'd be happy to let you use it for one dollar and other good and valuable consideration."
"That great!  But wait; what other consideration?"
"Hmm.  Come walk with me down to the pad."
"OK.  But what's that monstrosity?  A crocheted, deflated Portuguese man o' war?"
"Hmm.  You do know how to dance, don't you?"

I am deeply honored that you not only remembered my little MS Paint modification of a frame from one of Danielle Corsetto (https://i.pinimg.com/originals/4b/ab/6e/4bab6e45890c8fe624c38c6c68dd6089.jpg)'s Girls With Slingshots comics, but that you even though it was from a real comic strip!  Thank you.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kdhilliard on 07/24/2022 12:23 am
Inspired by Ed Kyle's dive into semantics on the Starlink group 3-2 mission thread:
So an "abort", not a "scrub". 

 - Ed Kyle
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 07/24/2022 06:14 am
So I got a account on Dall-E, any suggestions for images I could ask for?
Try "Orion spacecraft docked to SpaceX Starship"

This is what i got. I should probably use the report issue button because there haven't been much Starship in these pictures.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 07/24/2022 06:20 am
Speaking of fiction

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Swedish chef on 07/24/2022 08:31 am
One last picture from Dall-E, pushing this further and I might go insane.

(Lucky for me, I get to relax this coming weekend. Me in front of Rammstien playing, as depicted by Dalle-E, its a bit dark but i could totally believe this where their next scene show.)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: butters on 07/24/2022 03:20 pm
Removing the commentator video from Starlink webcasts is the first step toward AI Deep Fake commentary that is virtually indistinguishable from the real Kate, Jessie, Siva, and Andy. There shall be NO deep faking of John Insprucker.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AstroWare on 07/24/2022 05:29 pm
I think we are really missing out on playing a CZ-5B Landing Bingo Game...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jackvancouver on 07/24/2022 10:16 pm
Removing the commentator video from Starlink webcasts is the first step toward AI Deep Fake commentary that is virtually indistinguishable from the real Kate, Jessie, Siva, and Andy. There shall be NO deep faking of John Insprucker.

I highly doubt Jami would steep that low.

I think it's more they expect the audience to expect no nonsense and less marketing fluff.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wjbarnett on 07/24/2022 10:41 pm
I asked Jami during a recent TMRO livestream why "CompanyX" had reduced their webcasts of recent launches...she couldn't answer and the other commentators suggested very general potential reasons.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 07/25/2022 12:50 pm
Who's Jami?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wjbarnett on 07/25/2022 03:32 pm
Who's Jami?
https://twitter.com/PhotonEmpress
Founder of https://www.youtube.com/c/tmro (before working at SpaceX, over 10 years ago)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tomness on 07/26/2022 02:48 pm
SFN SpaceX’s next crew launch delayed by booster damage (https://spaceflightnow.com/2022/07/25/spacexs-next-crew-launch-delayed-by-booster-damage/), July 25
Quote
The Falcon 9 booster stage, riding horizontally on a truck and trailer, struck a bridge during the trip from SpaceX’s factory in Hawthorne, California, to the company’s test facility in McGregor, Texas, where the rocket will be test-fired before continuing on to the Kennedy Space Center for launch preparations.

Something that was previously reported by our own Thomas  ;D

https://twitter.com/TGMetsFan98/status/1550187571870941190

Van Horn, TX huh? Another rocket company wouldn't be involved with that? Lol
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tgr9898 on 07/27/2022 03:26 am

Van Horn, TX huh? Another rocket company wouldn't be involved with that? Lol

Jeffy has some experience messing up bridges....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmrB2qwOSoA
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jackvancouver on 07/27/2022 09:07 am
I asked Jami during a recent TMRO livestream why "CompanyX" had reduced their webcasts of recent launches...she couldn't answer and the other commentators suggested very general potential reasons.

Well, she obviously can't answer as the head producer of live broadcasts. She has mentioned before that YouTube itself has talked about how popular they are and the bandwidth demand they have on the servers.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: eric_astro on 08/03/2022 05:40 pm
I can't decide which of the following will produce the first human on Mars:

1. NASA's Artemis (currently with undesigned habitat and lander).

2. Earth's tidal remains (containing underground cities), impacts Mars during Sol's red giant phase.

3. Intelligent space-faring life evolves on Europa, then travels to Earth and carries us to Mars.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 08/03/2022 07:02 pm
I can't decide which of the following will produce the first human on Mars:

1. NASA's Artemis (currently with undesigned habitat and lander).

2. Earth's tidal remains (containing underground cities), impacts Mars during Sol's red giant phase.

3. Intelligent space-faring life evolves on Europa, then travels to Earth and carries us to Mars.

4. The 'Nope' alien 'fuels up' then takes a 'bio-break' as it passes Mars on the way out of the system.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tangilinear Interjar on 08/04/2022 03:42 pm
If "bio break" means picnic.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 08/05/2022 02:39 am
If "bio break" means a picnic.


I've quoted that movie for years.  Even though the rest of the movie is a blur, I still remember that scene.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: owais.usmani on 08/05/2022 06:43 am
I don't think you should see any link between this and political situation. It's just a story of two guys going to restricted place. Just like if I wanted to cross a border at the Cape, I guess I would be arrested...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fZ-r5Qe3tM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fZ-r5Qe3tM)

Few observations of mine:

1) He is lucky he did not get bitten by a hundred snakes
2) He is lucky he did not get bitten by a thousand marmots
3) He is lucky he did not get bitten by a million mosquitos
4) And finally, he is lucky he did not get shot by the FSB

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Barley on 08/08/2022 11:47 pm

They appear to be same coordinates, but in a counterclockwise order, with a different starting point. Not sure why they'd do that.

Perhaps they've final realized that despite having almost the entire world as a target they've never hit it.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Jokes/comments/5p5ylx/a_physicist_engineer_and_mathematician_are_asked/
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Ben Baley on 08/10/2022 09:46 am
https://youtu.be/pwaKTHS5SQw

Quote
Booster 7 and Ship 24 both conducted two spin prime tests, Ship 25 was wielded in the High Bay, and the Chopsticks were raised.

Video and Pictures from Mary (@BocaChicaGal), Nic (@NicAnsuini), and the NSF Robots.
Edited by Patrick Colquhoun(@Patrick_Colqu).

All content copyright to NSF. Not to be used elsewhere without explicit permission from NSF.

Click "Join" for access to early fast turnaround clips, exclusive discord access with the NSF team, etc - to support the channel.

Rolling Updates and Discussion: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/ind...

Articles: https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/?s=St...

NSF Store: https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/shop/

L2 Boca Chica (more clips and photos) from BC's very early days to today.
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/ind...
(Join L2 and support NSF here: https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/l2/)

0:00 - Booster Load Spreader Connected to Booster 7
0:37 - Booster Quick Disconnect Retracted
0:53 - Booster 7 Lifted Onto the Orbital Launch Mount
1:22 - Sunrise Over the Launch Site
1:44 - SpaceX LR 11000 Moved
2:17 - Ship 25 Tank Section in the High Bay
2:39 - Ship 25 Tank Section Wielded in the High Bay
3:11 - Ship 25 Forward Dome Section
3:29 - Ground Work at the Production Site
3:46 - Starship Nose and Ring Barrels
4:21 - Starfactory
5:33 - Booster Aft Section
5:50 - The Mega Bay
6:08 - Ship Transfer Tube
6:30 - Barrel Section
6:48 - Booster Stand
7:06 - The Orbital Launch Pad
7:40 - Work on the Orbital Launch Mount
8:13 - Booster 7 and the Ship Quick Disconnect Arm
8:46 - Raptor Work Platform Moved from the Orbital Launch Mount
9:37 - Ship 24 Testing
11:18 - The Chopsticks are Raised
11:35 - Booster 7 Conducts Two Spin Prime Tests

I didn't know you could wield Starship, I wonder who was doing the wielding, maybe Elon was using it to transform into HE-Man
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 08/10/2022 02:56 pm
Moon Rockets are answer for many things.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtwVYHGK5og
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 08/12/2022 04:52 pm
Note that its destination already has a Three Letter Acronym: BLT - Ballistic Lunar Trajectory IIRC
(We could have a link that directs anyone who thinks that stands for “Bacon, Lettuce, & Tomato “ out of NSF to a cooking forum.)
Ditto for HALO/PPE

Thanks again
Which Homer Simpson response would be more appropriate, if redirected off-site?
"D'oh!" 🤦‍♂️
"Mmmm, bacon!" 🥓
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 08/12/2022 05:01 pm
 I was really looking forward to making fun of Jeff's new ride, but I have to admit it's a beautiful ship.
 It would have been better with Starlinks.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: su27k on 08/14/2022 05:13 am
This is pretty hilarious: ‘I Began Just Losing Money Every Day’ Four short sellers on the specific agonies of betting against Elon Musk. (https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2022/08/elon-musk-tesla-short-sellers.html)

I think there's an aerospace version of this too, I hope someone wrote it someday...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 08/14/2022 05:45 am
 I miss the Y2K apocalypse.
 (Way too many local Frisco, Colorado brews after spending over 4 months wandering through the Cascades without a drink post)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 08/14/2022 11:00 am
I was really looking forward to making fun of Jeff's new ride, but I have to admit, it's a beautiful ship.
 It would have been better with Starlinks.
Obviously, Jeff hides the Starlink RV dishes under conventional radomes. Otherwise he will be the tagline of the late night comics.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jon.amos on 08/15/2022 10:03 pm
Call it whatever you want, then. How ‘bout Almost But Not Quite Orbital But Could Be Orbital If We Wanted To Risk Uncontrolled Reentry Test Flight? Sadly, ABNQOBCBOIWWTRURTF doesn’t just flow off the tongue. 🙄

 I like it. But I think it's already taken by a village in Wales.

Sorry but I read this as "taken by a village of Wales.  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tgr9898 on 08/16/2022 12:25 am
Call it whatever you want, then. How ‘bout Almost But Not Quite Orbital But Could Be Orbital If We Wanted To Risk Uncontrolled Reentry Test Flight? Sadly, ABNQOBCBOIWWTRURTF doesn’t just flow off the tongue. 🙄

 I like it. But I think it's already taken by a village in Wales.

This is why Nomadd shouldn't be allowed to leave the site for more than 2 weeks maximum.

(Dare I say "at apogee" instead of "max" and risk another another orbital vs only-orbital-ish debate?)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 08/16/2022 06:15 am
Surprisingly, there are still some reasonably priced (under $200/night) hotel rooms available during the launch window. I thought the long pole might be rental cars, but they're pretty reasonable, too.



Tempting....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DistantTemple on 08/17/2022 09:23 pm
I don't think you should see any link between this and political situation. It's just a story of two guys going to restricted place. Just like if I wanted to cross a border at the Cape, I guess I would be arrested...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fZ-r5Qe3tM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fZ-r5Qe3tM)

Few observations of mine:

1) He is lucky he did not get bitten by a hundred snakes
2) He is lucky he did not get bitten by a thousand marmots
3) He is lucky he did not get bitten by a million mosquitos
4) And finally, he is lucky he did not get shot by the FSB

Read the posts above and watch his YouTube.... BEFORE COMMENTING. Spoiler... Released quickly with tiny fine. It's a non story and this discussion is a waste of space. Great youtuber though.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 08/19/2022 09:41 pm
https://twitter.com/nicansuini/status/1560602422149521408

Quote
Sometimes the best camera is the one you have with you…

-@NASASpaceflight
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tangilinear Interjar on 08/22/2022 04:00 pm
The sunrise and sunset pictures have been epic!

I just saw a story that I wonder if it explains the colors. The story claims that the water and debris that the Tonga volcano threw up in the high atmosphere would make for particularly colorful sunsets for a year or so.

Add: https://youtu.be/bgsNYGkkIAE
Interesting info about the eruption.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 08/24/2022 10:49 pm
Artemis I party thread: 🥳 🎉
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=56967.0
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tangilinear Interjar on 08/31/2022 02:59 pm
Years of daily consternation about how the heat shield isn't designed right, the attachment points won't work, water will freeze and pop off tiles and every other thing that could go wrong.

One static fire with no tiles falling off,

Three weeks of 🦗
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 08/31/2022 10:54 pm
https://twitter.com/spaceoffshore/status/1565102490688933897 (https://twitter.com/spaceoffshore/status/1565102490688933897)
Quote
Arrival! B1069 returns to Port Canaveral after its second launch and recovery!
(We won't talk about what happened during the first mission 😬)

Hey!
It did "buff right out"!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 09/03/2022 11:59 pm
I feel a tad ashamed about the schadenfreude but I've known I'm going to hell for a long time.

Go SpaceX Go!!! Beat Old Space to Orbit!!!

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: eric_astro on 09/04/2022 03:41 pm
Is it just me, or is it weird that almost all news items/web posts use Saturn V as the only comparison in discussions of the SLS hydrogen issues (as if the rest of the world doesn't exist)?

Supposedly, the Space Age lets people look and understand the Earth as a whole- without borders.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Blue_Marble

Is it "American Exceptionalism", when large H2/LOX rockets with ground lit sustainer/first stages (Ariane 5,CZ-5,H-II/H-II) aren't even mentioned (some of these fer'n rockets also have man-rating work done)?

Even if "ours is bigger than theirs", there might be something to say here.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: abaddon on 09/04/2022 09:36 pm
Delta IV (both stages) and Atlas V (upper stage) also use hydrogen and aren’t mentioned either.  You left them out, why did you?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 09/04/2022 11:31 pm
Is it "American Exceptionalism", when large H2/LOX rockets with ground lit sustainer/first stages (Ariane 5,CZ-5,H-II/H-II) aren't even mentioned (some of these fer'n rockets also have man-rating work done)?

Delta IV (both stages) and Atlas V (upper stage) also use hydrogen and aren’t mentioned either.  You left them out, why did you?

This is wildly off-topic for a SpaceX party thread.  Can we just leave it at an ignorant press catering to an ignorant audience that pretty much doesn't know anything else comparable but Saturn V?  The proper thing to do is ignore it and let it die, but directly challenging him is just going to propagate it.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 09/05/2022 07:01 am
Just a couple of nice mellow party (-ish) thoughts.

First, I'm now watching the SpaceX YT video of tonight's launch. Just a boring old Starlink, etc. mission, with an equally boring landing on a barge, yada, yada. In just a few hours, it's amassed well over 300,000 views. I haven't been keeping track of the views on their videos, but I thought that was interesting.

Second, I just realized the Dragon has flown more manned missions than Orion probably ever will. Yes, I realize that Orion will fly to "deep space". I also think that, pretty soon, Dragon will have flown more missions than Starliner ever will.

Enjoy the party!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: butters on 09/05/2022 07:38 am
Most subdued 4-20 party in the history of SpaceX fandom.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tgr9898 on 09/05/2022 04:29 pm
Most subdued 4-20 party in the history of SpaceX fandom.

Isn't being mellow the whole point of celebrating 4-20?

(Asking for a friend)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 09/06/2022 04:09 am
Most subdued 4-20 party in the history of SpaceX fandom.


Dude..... where did I park my Dragon?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 09/06/2022 07:26 am
https://twitter.com/INiallAnderson/status/1566906292022943745
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tgr9898 on 09/06/2022 09:36 pm
Road closed, pad clear.

And the testing campaign everyone has been eagerly awaiting is finally upon us. B7.1 is getting frosty yet again.

NARRATOR (Morgan Freeman’s voice, natch): Everyone has not, in fact, been waiting for more B7.1 tank testing. ;)

Hmm... The voice I heard was Ron Howard from Arrested Development.   

Less gravitas, more snark.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 09/06/2022 09:38 pm
https://twitter.com/INiallAnderson/status/1566906292022943745
That's a message from the future.  ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jackvancouver on 09/10/2022 08:59 am
We kinda almost got Chris B in spirit on the TMRO Live show tonight.

Shoutout to Michael and Jack Beyer for being good sports.

The worm vs meatball discussion was quite heated.

(How is this SpaceX related? Jami works at SpaceX)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Robotbeat on 09/14/2022 05:44 am
Okay, I think this belongs in the Party thread because it’s hilarious.

He makes a pretty convincing argument there was no way in heck Starship was gonna be ready for a static fire in a week last year.

https://twitter.com/CSI_Starbase/status/1569849638651416577?s=20&t=IsXAs0fg47vAjx8u3w8wYQ

Excuse the clickbait title. It’s pretty funny.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kdhilliard on 09/17/2022 02:53 pm
(From SpaceX Reusability » Aviation week article on SpaceX reusability)
...
And every expendable stage ignition is a 50/50 bet. SX enjoys exactly the same insight into their US stage's behaviour as everyone else. It's been reliable. But all US's are, until they are not.  :(
So SpaceX essentially got "heads" about 100 times in a row then, yes?   Some luck!

Aye.  That be the power of the four leaf clover.

What a strange world where NASA won't release a detailed Artemis 1 launch countdown out of ITAR concerns, but SpaceX publishes their most secret sauce on every mission patch for all the world to see!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: duh on 09/18/2022 01:04 am
From the Starlink discussion forum related to the newly announced ability to use Starlink in Anartica:
:
    A station at the south pole is also going to test Starlinks software.  There are ill conditioned versions of the equations that will result
    in a divide by zero at the pole and floating point overflow close to the pole.  I'd mount the dish as far north as possible.   :)
 
My question is:

       If I stand on the south pole and wish to move north from the surface, how many ways can I go????????

I am struggling with two possibilities:

1. Anyway I move from the south pole will be north so the answer is ONE.

2. If I am standing at the south pole, i can first rotate about my vertical axis an arbitrary number of degrees. Forgetting quantum effects, etc.,
there are an infinite number of directions that I can be pointed before taking a step which means there are an infinite number of directions.
(That everyone of these is called "north" is not relevant to determining how many directions that one can go.

Ok, I will  just leave.  QUIT PUSHING!!! i can see the door! THANK YOU!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jackvancouver on 09/18/2022 10:27 pm
Okay, I think this belongs in the Party thread because it’s hilarious.

He makes a pretty convincing argument there was no way in heck Starship was gonna be ready for a static fire in a week last year.

It's why I'm going to keep asking about the OLM on testing streams. How will the fixed clamp locks work for example...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: LaunchedIn68 on 09/19/2022 06:07 pm
Booster 7 Static Fire!  7 Engines.

"7 Engines?!  Those are Rookie Numbers!!!"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 09/21/2022 01:34 pm
Shouldn’t personal attacks be above this forum?

Uh, no.  That's reserved for advertising.  :P ::) 8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 09/24/2022 06:21 pm
Wow. I just realised that we have a slue of Heavy launches coming up.  How many crickets could you send on a Falcon Heavy?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AC in NC on 09/25/2022 12:18 am
Right - no launch - so at least I don't have to compete with that. Now if the drill rigs don't swing a davit, or a well head manages not to explode for ten freekin' minutes, perhaps I can keep your attention for a few moments (and possibly peddle a printed / electronic / or spoken book or two, heh heh heh).

But first, the all important...

Back story:

- Part 1: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2149776#msg2149776 (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2149776#msg2149776)

- Part 2: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2172915#msg2172915 (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2172915#msg2172915)

- Part C: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2173148#msg2173148 (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2173148#msg2173148)

- Part 3: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2177563#msg2177563 (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2177563#msg2177563)

- Part 4: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2179010#msg2179010 (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2179010#msg2179010)

Now, where was I? Oh yeah…

...Featureless grey - depressing grey - nothingness.

The pop-up! There - not thirty feet past the anchor lay the unit. Stunning - I had absolutely no faith we'd actually find it and here it was. I could easily grab it.

I left the line, the object of the mission laying right before me. In a few kicks I was there, digging it out of the silt, giddy with excitement.

Then it hit me - I had left the line. The acoustical pop-up in my hands, I was immediately engulfed in an impenetrable cloud of silt.

And I had left the line...

It's amazing really - the surprisingly large number of things that tear through your mind when you realize you've committed a serious error in judgment. Most of my thoughts I won't repeat on this forum, lest I offend the more delicate sensibilities. Suffice it to say, the realization that I'd left the line rushed upon me like a lightning strike to whatever gland it is that dumps adrenaline.

As the silt billowed around me I had the presence of mind to shine my light up - above the raising cloud - and its beam glanced off a thin white line stretching up into the void. The dropline!

Fixing my gaze steadily on that thin line, I took a compass bearing and plunged into the dense cloud. A handful (leg full?) of kicks, and a thunder of heartbeats, and I was back at the anchor - the pop-up still in a death grip.

I did it! This is the stuff news stories are made of.

"Hanzl - Deepest Man of the New England Aquarium - Saves the Day!"

I was panting with the anticipation of my impending fame. Well, perhaps I was panting from the extreme stress, both mental and physical, I was under.

And I was sucking down my precious gas supply.

And the clock was coldly ticking away.

How long had I been down here? My computer was still dark - but I had other things on my mind. Such as...

Where the hell was Michael? He had been only a hundred or so feet up the line. He should have been here by now - should have been here with the lift bag I needed to shoot the pop-up to the surface.

Tic tic… Without looking, I knew… Time was up, more than up. The processes working on my body to diffuse helium and nitrogen into my tissues were merciless, and the penalties were piling up. There would come a point where my deco obligation would become greater than the gas I was carrying, and I knew I was careening towards that cliff.

I had to go UP! Get away from this crushing pressure. But Michael had the lift bag - and he was gone.

Taking a quick mental inventory, my right hand snaked down to the 80 cu ft tank of 80% O2 clipped off to my right shoulder and waist D rings (rich on the right - the lesser % O2 tanks on the left). Stowed under a four inch wide section of inner tube around this tank was my Jon Line  (no, not invented by me). This ten-foot line has a hook-like attachment at one end and is used to clip onto the dropline during decompression stops, allowing you to get off the line itself. This is important because as you ascend to the various decompression stops, the length of the stop increases and can run up to an hour or more at the shallower ones. This means that even though teams diving the same target enter the water at half hour intervals, chances are you will catch up to the team ahead of you, likewise for divers further down the line - all ultimately competing for a hand's width of dropline. One solution, clip on the Jon Line and let the current back you away from the traffic jam.

But I had another purpose for my Jon Line. I clipped it onto the bridle of the pop-up and knotted the other end to the eye on the anchor shank.

Done! Easy peasy - all I had to do now was get out Dodge and run my deco. When we haul the anchor, the pop–up comes along for the ride - lemon squeesy.!

I just had to suffer through what was no doubt going to be an unpleasant deco. And find Michael. I knew I'd catch him at the 30' stop.

I didn't blame him for bailing on the last 100 feet, he may have run into a gear issue or perhaps he’d hit his personal wall. Regardless the reason, tech divers are trained to operate autonomously, as the immutable requirements of deco often dictate it.

Swimming up the line, the inky blackness fully engulfing me, I allowed another thrill of excitement to run through my body. All the stress and effort of getting to this moment was now well worth it.

And to make the sweetness of the moment even greater, I started making out the glow of a light piercing the gloom not far above me. Michael!

Continuing my ascent towards the growing light, my grin grew in proportion. I played my light up towards the glow - watching as it resolved into distinct shapes. A pair of fins merged into a set of bulky drysuited legs, thigh pockets slung outboard. Scanning my light higher, intending to catch Michael's attention so I could flash him an OK sign, my light picked out a quick flash, a gleam of something metallic.

Something hard and reflective.  Something Michael was holding - it was a knife.

A knife?  Why was he holding a kn...

As the question flashed through my mind, the answer flashed into clarity as the line I’d been following, trapped in the circle between my forefinger and thumb - the line that was our lifeline to the surface - as that line abruptly ended, the frayed end slipping through my fingers and disappearing past my fins.

In horror, I shone my light at the wide-eyed face of my buddy. Behind him, flowing over and around the valves of his manifold, glowed the other part of the dropline. I lunged at it, crashing heavily into Michael as my fingers closed around the line in a death grip. I knew the conditions on the surface, knew what it would mean if I lost my grip on the line. It had been cut, but I had it now.

As I backed away from Michael, mentally cursing him for cutting away our lifeline, the full horror of the moment descend on me as I realized I was holding nothing more than a six foot length frayed rope.

We’d been cut free from the surface, some 200? feet above us, some twelve miles offshore, and we were drifting uncontrolled in the cold Atlantic currents.

True fear gripped me as I scrambled to pull my emergency lift bag from the pouch at the small of my back, as I frantically worked at unclipping my 400' primary reel that had become trapped under the two large stage bottles on my left hip.

Struggling in the bulky drysuit, encumbered with all the gear - the lighthead now dangling forgotten from my chest D ring - I wheeled away into the utter darkness. Michael instantly gone. Up and down had lost definition.

A tortured gasp of anguish escaped from around my mouthpiece, almost comical in its high-pitched, helium induced squeak. "We're dead! We're f*cking dead! We just died", I yelled into the void – yelled to myself, to the ocean, to no one in particular.

I hit the button to light up my computer - 190'. A small victory - I was some 90' off the bottom, had eased my gas consumption by several atmospheres, had slowed the rapid ongassing I’d been experiencing while on the bottom.

The machine had taken over, muscle memory blindly assembling reel and bag, readying it for a shot to the surface - in essence creating my own dropline. All the while the mantra continued bubbling into the water, “We’re dead. We’re dead, but we just don’t know it yet…”

It was then that I felt the tips of my fins sink into something – a resistance that wasn’t there a moment ago - and with a groan of despair I realized I was once again on the seafloor.

Alone - with nothing, no buddy, no line, nothing but an empty field of darkness. Alone in a frigid ocean, 280’ beneath a storm-tossed surface, alone with a rapidly depleting gas supply and a body filling with inert gas.

-----

To be continued...

Sorry, no photos to explain.

With recently having passed the 600 day statute of limitations on violating "Too Early to Ask" etiquette, is the next installment of this serial forthcoming any time?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 09/26/2022 02:46 pm
Wow. I just realised that we have a slue of Heavy launches coming up.  How many crickets could you send on a Falcon Heavy?

I'm reminded of the story about the guy driving the van.  He would stop every couple miles, get out, walk around the van with a stick beating on the sides.

A cop, witnessing this stopped and asked him what he was doing.  His answer?

It's a 1/2 ton van and I have a ton of birds inside.  So long as I can keep at least half of them flying, I'm fine.



edit: Forgot to add:  Jump cricket's, JUMP!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kdhilliard on 09/29/2022 01:47 pm
Q: What was the final thing which went through DART's artificial mind as it slammed into Dimorphos?
A: Its NEXT-C ion engine.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: leovinus on 09/29/2022 02:26 pm
Q: What was the final thing which went through DART's artificial mind as it slammed into Dimorphos?
A: Its NEXT-C ion engine.

Probably more like "I wonder if it will be friends with me?”
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/pura-vida/201806/the-whale-magrathea-teaches-the-meaning-life
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 09/29/2022 02:45 pm
Q: What was the final thing which went through DART's artificial mind as it slammed into Dimorphos?

 "That's the last time I sign a job contract at Keith Richards' birthday party."
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 09/29/2022 03:07 pm
Q: What was the final thing which went through DART's artificial mind as it slammed into Dimorphos?

 "OK...3.2 pounds for 5 seconds from number 3 thruster and I should skim right past this sucker."

 "Or was that Newtons?"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 09/29/2022 03:11 pm
Q: What was the final thing which went through DART's artificial mind as it slammed into Dimorphos?

 "Faster, better and cheaper my shiny metal a.." - LOS -
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 09/30/2022 10:01 am
"What was the final thing which went through DART's artificial mind as it slammed into Dimorphos?"

Pffft. How about how Dimorphos felt?  Just minding his/her own business when, splat!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 10/05/2022 07:40 pm
Congratulations to SpaceX and Friends for the successful launch of Crew-5!

People launched thus far:

SpaceX Dragon - 30

Boeing Starliner - 0

But, hey, who's counting!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DanClemmensen on 10/05/2022 07:55 pm
Congratulations to SpaceX and Friends for the successful launch of Crew-5!

People launched thus far:

SpaceX Dragon - 30

Boeing Starliner - 0

But, hey, who's counting!
You are being snarky. I fully expect Starliner to launch a total of 26 people over its lifetime.  :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Ike17055 on 10/05/2022 07:59 pm
When does the Starliner booster land??   ;D

Already did. Used the time-tested "aquabraking" method, which like it's cousin, "lithobraking", has never failed to bring the velocity of a fast moving object down to zero in very short order.

cant forget SpaceX's "RUDbraking."  they are all part of the development process. what matters is where we all end up, not who does one the most, or does what "first."

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jackvancouver on 10/06/2022 12:49 am
So I noticed Pepsi at SpaceX and...

https://twitter.com/PhotonEmpress/status/1577808188895768578
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 10/06/2022 03:50 am
Going to be in FL Oct 30/Nov 1. Is it wrong to hope for a couple days slip in the FH launch on Oct 28?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 10/06/2022 03:52 am
Congratulations to SpaceX and Friends for the successful launch of Crew-5!

People launched thus far:

SpaceX Dragon - 30

Boeing Starliner - 0

But, hey, who's counting!

Good thing they picked Starliner over crewed Dream Chaser.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jon.amos on 10/06/2022 11:18 pm
Congratulations to SpaceX and Friends for the successful launch of Crew-5!

People launched thus far:

SpaceX Dragon - 30

Boeing Starliner - 0

But, hey, who's counting!

Good thing they picked Starliner over crewed Dream Chaser.


Starliner delivers much lower risk and higher quality pork than SN's Dream Chaser could ever hope to.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 10/15/2022 11:28 pm
Right - no launch - so at least I don't have to compete with that. Now if the drill rigs don't swing a davit, or a well head manages not to explode for ten freekin' minutes, perhaps I can keep your attention for a few moments (and possibly peddle a printed / electronic / or spoken book or two, heh heh heh).

But first, the all important...

Back story:

- Part 1: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2149776#msg2149776 (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2149776#msg2149776)

- Part 2: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2172915#msg2172915 (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2172915#msg2172915)

- Part C: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2173148#msg2173148 (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2173148#msg2173148)

- Part 3: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2177563#msg2177563 (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2177563#msg2177563)

- Part 4: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2179010#msg2179010 (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585.msg2179010#msg2179010)

Now, where was I? Oh yeah…

...Featureless grey - depressing grey - nothingness.

The pop-up! There - not thirty feet past the anchor lay the unit. Stunning - I had absolutely no faith we'd actually find it and here it was. I could easily grab it.

I left the line, the object of the mission laying right before me. In a few kicks I was there, digging it out of the silt, giddy with excitement.

Then it hit me - I had left the line. The acoustical pop-up in my hands, I was immediately engulfed in an impenetrable cloud of silt.

And I had left the line...

It's amazing really - the surprisingly large number of things that tear through your mind when you realize you've committed a serious error in judgment. Most of my thoughts I won't repeat on this forum, lest I offend the more delicate sensibilities. Suffice it to say, the realization that I'd left the line rushed upon me like a lightning strike to whatever gland it is that dumps adrenaline.

As the silt billowed around me I had the presence of mind to shine my light up - above the raising cloud - and its beam glanced off a thin white line stretching up into the void. The dropline!

Fixing my gaze steadily on that thin line, I took a compass bearing and plunged into the dense cloud. A handful (leg full?) of kicks, and a thunder of heartbeats, and I was back at the anchor - the pop-up still in a death grip.

I did it! This is the stuff news stories are made of.

"Hanzl - Deepest Man of the New England Aquarium - Saves the Day!"

I was panting with the anticipation of my impending fame. Well, perhaps I was panting from the extreme stress, both mental and physical, I was under.

And I was sucking down my precious gas supply.

And the clock was coldly ticking away.

How long had I been down here? My computer was still dark - but I had other things on my mind. Such as...

Where the hell was Michael? He had been only a hundred or so feet up the line. He should have been here by now - should have been here with the lift bag I needed to shoot the pop-up to the surface.

Tic tic… Without looking, I knew… Time was up, more than up. The processes working on my body to diffuse helium and nitrogen into my tissues were merciless, and the penalties were piling up. There would come a point where my deco obligation would become greater than the gas I was carrying, and I knew I was careening towards that cliff.

I had to go UP! Get away from this crushing pressure. But Michael had the lift bag - and he was gone.

Taking a quick mental inventory, my right hand snaked down to the 80 cu ft tank of 80% O2 clipped off to my right shoulder and waist D rings (rich on the right - the lesser % O2 tanks on the left). Stowed under a four inch wide section of inner tube around this tank was my Jon Line  (no, not invented by me). This ten-foot line has a hook-like attachment at one end and is used to clip onto the dropline during decompression stops, allowing you to get off the line itself. This is important because as you ascend to the various decompression stops, the length of the stop increases and can run up to an hour or more at the shallower ones. This means that even though teams diving the same target enter the water at half hour intervals, chances are you will catch up to the team ahead of you, likewise for divers further down the line - all ultimately competing for a hand's width of dropline. One solution, clip on the Jon Line and let the current back you away from the traffic jam.

But I had another purpose for my Jon Line. I clipped it onto the bridle of the pop-up and knotted the other end to the eye on the anchor shank.

Done! Easy peasy - all I had to do now was get out Dodge and run my deco. When we haul the anchor, the pop–up comes along for the ride - lemon squeesy.!

I just had to suffer through what was no doubt going to be an unpleasant deco. And find Michael. I knew I'd catch him at the 30' stop.

I didn't blame him for bailing on the last 100 feet, he may have run into a gear issue or perhaps he’d hit his personal wall. Regardless the reason, tech divers are trained to operate autonomously, as the immutable requirements of deco often dictate it.

Swimming up the line, the inky blackness fully engulfing me, I allowed another thrill of excitement to run through my body. All the stress and effort of getting to this moment was now well worth it.

And to make the sweetness of the moment even greater, I started making out the glow of a light piercing the gloom not far above me. Michael!

Continuing my ascent towards the growing light, my grin grew in proportion. I played my light up towards the glow - watching as it resolved into distinct shapes. A pair of fins merged into a set of bulky drysuited legs, thigh pockets slung outboard. Scanning my light higher, intending to catch Michael's attention so I could flash him an OK sign, my light picked out a quick flash, a gleam of something metallic.

Something hard and reflective.  Something Michael was holding - it was a knife.

A knife?  Why was he holding a kn...

As the question flashed through my mind, the answer flashed into clarity as the line I’d been following, trapped in the circle between my forefinger and thumb - the line that was our lifeline to the surface - as that line abruptly ended, the frayed end slipping through my fingers and disappearing past my fins.

In horror, I shone my light at the wide-eyed face of my buddy. Behind him, flowing over and around the valves of his manifold, glowed the other part of the dropline. I lunged at it, crashing heavily into Michael as my fingers closed around the line in a death grip. I knew the conditions on the surface, knew what it would mean if I lost my grip on the line. It had been cut, but I had it now.

As I backed away from Michael, mentally cursing him for cutting away our lifeline, the full horror of the moment descend on me as I realized I was holding nothing more than a six foot length frayed rope.

We’d been cut free from the surface, some 200? feet above us, some twelve miles offshore, and we were drifting uncontrolled in the cold Atlantic currents.

True fear gripped me as I scrambled to pull my emergency lift bag from the pouch at the small of my back, as I frantically worked at unclipping my 400' primary reel that had become trapped under the two large stage bottles on my left hip.

Struggling in the bulky drysuit, encumbered with all the gear - the lighthead now dangling forgotten from my chest D ring - I wheeled away into the utter darkness. Michael instantly gone. Up and down had lost definition.

A tortured gasp of anguish escaped from around my mouthpiece, almost comical in its high-pitched, helium induced squeak. "We're dead! We're f*cking dead! We just died", I yelled into the void – yelled to myself, to the ocean, to no one in particular.

I hit the button to light up my computer - 190'. A small victory - I was some 90' off the bottom, had eased my gas consumption by several atmospheres, had slowed the rapid ongassing I’d been experiencing while on the bottom.

The machine had taken over, muscle memory blindly assembling reel and bag, readying it for a shot to the surface - in essence creating my own dropline. All the while the mantra continued bubbling into the water, “We’re dead. We’re dead, but we just don’t know it yet…”

It was then that I felt the tips of my fins sink into something – a resistance that wasn’t there a moment ago - and with a groan of despair I realized I was once again on the seafloor.

Alone - with nothing, no buddy, no line, nothing but an empty field of darkness. Alone in a frigid ocean, 280’ beneath a storm-tossed surface, alone with a rapidly depleting gas supply and a body filling with inert gas.

-----

To be continued...

Sorry, no photos to explain.

With recently having passed the 600 day statute of limitations on violating "Too Early to Ask" etiquette, is the next installment of this serial forthcoming any time?

Oh my - thanks for the kick in the seat AC - I definitely owe at least a conclusion to this story...

I had begun the process of web-izing the story for personal reasons. I got through the first installment and was thinking I'd get through all partd of story and then finish off here, but life got away from me. But I'll now finish what I started...

Here's the first part web-ized (my word), as proof that I was actually doing this - and it's thanks to this forum!

https://johnhanzl.com/2022/01/27/a-tale-of-a-really-bad-dive-part-1
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: laszlo on 10/16/2022 09:16 pm
I've had this running through my head for days now:

The Grand old Duke of Boc-a
He had ten thousand ships.
He stacked them up on top of B7
and he took them down again.

And when they were up, they were up,
And when they were down, they were down,
And when they were only half-way up,
They were neither up nor down.


Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 10/19/2022 04:44 pm
I'm going to keep ploughing through the web-izing of my LNG dive story right up until I get to the last (unwritten) chapter.

Here's what I have done so far:

https://johnhanzl.com/2022/01/27/a-tale-of-a-really-bad-dive-part-1/

https://johnhanzl.com/2022/10/19/a-tale-of-a-really-bad-dive-part-2/

At this blistering speed I no doubt will be done well before Mars hits 1,000,000 in population...

John
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: SteveU on 10/19/2022 07:07 pm
And we'll all go to our grave not knowing whether you survived or not!  ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: NH22077 on 10/22/2022 12:14 am
And we'll all go to our grave not knowing whether you survived or not!  ;)

Or wether or not your diving partner lived?

Ned
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 10/24/2022 05:37 pm
I'm getting there. I mean, Michael is going to run out of air if it takes me any longer (and anyone who has read this story so far should know Michael isn't breathing air so there's no danger in that statement...!)


https://johnhanzl.com/2022/10/24/a-tale-of-a-really-bad-dive-part-3/
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 10/24/2022 10:32 pm
I'm getting there. I mean, Michael is going to run out of air if it takes me any longer (and anyone who has read this story so far should know Michael isn't breathing air so there's no danger in that statement...!)


https://johnhanzl.com/2022/10/24/a-tale-of-a-really-bad-dive-part-3/
I predict that a giant, glowing alien spaceship gets him to the surface, plotwise magically and conveniently preventing rapid decompression grief, and Tom Cruise's girlfriend from The Color of Money is happy again while John Conner's dad fades into obscurity.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 10/25/2022 06:34 pm
I'm getting there. I mean, Michael is going to run out of air if it takes me any longer (and anyone who has read this story so far should know Michael isn't breathing air so there's no danger in that statement...!)


https://johnhanzl.com/2022/10/24/a-tale-of-a-really-bad-dive-part-3/ (https://johnhanzl.com/2022/10/24/a-tale-of-a-really-bad-dive-part-3/)
I predict that a giant, glowing alien spaceship gets him to the surface, plotwise magically and conveniently preventing rapid decompression grief, and Tom Cruise's girlfriend from The Color of Money is happy again while John Conner's dad fades into obscurity.


Seems implausible Andy. I mean, did Tom Cruise even HAVE a girlfriend in Color of Money? Wasn't it just part of the hustle - Carmen really wasn't that into him. And why'd you bring the Terminator into the whole thing? Seems like you've jumped the shark...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tgr9898 on 10/25/2022 07:18 pm
I'm getting there. I mean, Michael is going to run out of air if it takes me any longer (and anyone who has read this story so far should know Michael isn't breathing air so there's no danger in that statement...!)


https://johnhanzl.com/2022/10/24/a-tale-of-a-really-bad-dive-part-3/ (https://johnhanzl.com/2022/10/24/a-tale-of-a-really-bad-dive-part-3/)
I predict that a giant, glowing alien spaceship gets him to the surface, plotwise magically and conveniently preventing rapid decompression grief, and Tom Cruise's girlfriend from The Color of Money is happy again while John Conner's dad fades into obscurity.

Seems implausible Andy. I mean, did Tom Cruise even HAVE a girlfriend in Color of Money? Wasn't it just part of the hustle - Carmen really wasn't that into him. And why'd you bring the Terminator into the whole thing? Seems like you've jumped the shark...

And wasn't John Connor's dad shot by Val Kilmer (who was pretending to be Wyatt Earp) ? ? ?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 10/26/2022 02:47 am
I'm getting there. I mean, Michael is going to run out of air if it takes me any longer (and anyone who has read this story so far should know Michael isn't breathing air so there's no danger in that statement...!)


https://johnhanzl.com/2022/10/24/a-tale-of-a-really-bad-dive-part-3/ (https://johnhanzl.com/2022/10/24/a-tale-of-a-really-bad-dive-part-3/)
I predict that a giant, glowing alien spaceship gets him to the surface, plotwise magically and conveniently preventing rapid decompression grief, and Tom Cruise's girlfriend from The Color of Money is happy again while John Conner's dad fades into obscurity.


Seems implausible Andy. I mean, did Tom Cruise even HAVE a girlfriend in Color of Money? Wasn't it just part of the hustle - Carmen really wasn't that into him. And why'd you bring the Terminator into the whole thing? Seems like you've jumped the shark...
Biehn there, done that.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 11/01/2022 12:28 am
In position at my hotel, close enough for a (slightly long) walk to Jetty Park in the morning.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 11/01/2022 01:39 am
In position at my hotel, close enough for a (slightly long) walk to Jetty Park in the morning.
I bought the ticket for feel the heat tour and viewing at Kennedy as this is my first launch in person. Anyone else going there message me.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 11/01/2022 12:29 pm
Lucky B*st*rds!

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Doesitfloat on 11/01/2022 04:26 pm
Really we have to wait three years for Heavy, then they launch it in a cloud.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 11/01/2022 05:07 pm
Really we have to wait three years for Heavy, then they launch it in a cloud.

 That happens a lot on classified missions.
 Probably just a coincidence.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 11/01/2022 05:11 pm
Thread/posts about seeing it from Jetty Park Boat Ramp:   https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=57563.msg2425704#msg2425704
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Rondaz on 11/02/2022 02:26 am
basically

https://twitter.com/_rykllan/status/1587444189633159168
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 11/03/2022 02:43 am
 It's been 76 launches since they didn't bring a Falcon booster home.
 Now we have to start counting over again.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tangilinear Interjar on 11/04/2022 02:41 pm
Anyone know where the expended booster lands? I wonder if there's any video of it's re-entry? That probably would be interesting.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 11/04/2022 04:16 pm
Arggh! My ears! What was that? Swedish in my stream, not in my watch!!!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 11/14/2022 12:01 pm
Blue Walker 3 sighting (jk):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Kt3xmojOSY
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TripD on 11/16/2022 06:52 am
Congrats!  Oh, thanks for the tie Elvis in Space.  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 11/17/2022 10:05 pm
No tweets from ABL so far :(

Any Kodiak critters reporting an "earthquake" or "storm" on their social media? :D

(refer to Xichang launches if you don't get the joke.)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: russianhalo117 on 11/17/2022 11:02 pm
No tweets from ABL so far :(

Any Kodiak critters reporting an "earthquake" or "storm" on their social media? :D

(refer to Xichang launches if you don't get the joke.)
Launch/pad abort during the engine ignition and checkout sequence.
https://twitter.com/ablspacesystems/status/1593379262639525889
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 11/18/2022 07:51 pm
Anyone else hope they are ready to advance to go already and collect that $200??
Maybe they will have a Monopoly on inexpensive space flight some day.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: eric_astro on 11/23/2022 04:49 pm
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2022/11/callisto-orion-demonstration/

Leading to ?:

Open the pod bay doors please Alexa.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 11/23/2022 06:34 pm
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2022/11/callisto-orion-demonstration/

Leading to ?:

Open the pod bay doors please Alexa.
Alexa, sing "Daisy".
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cro-magnon gramps on 11/24/2022 08:28 am
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2022/11/callisto-orion-demonstration/

Leading to ?:

Open the pod bay doors please Alexa.
Alexa, sing "Daisy".

Me: Alexa, sing "Daisy".
Alexa: I'm sorry, I don't know that one!
Me: Daisy, Daisy,
Give me your answer, do!
I'm half crazy, all for the love of you,
It won't be a charming marriage,
I can't afford a carriage,
But you'll look sweet, upon the seat,
On a bicycle built for two!
4:20 am in the morning. I need a beer.
Sometimes I hate being older than dirt!!  :o ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tomness on 11/24/2022 10:13 pm
The launch of SLS was so successful that there is now a question if Starship is needed.

In other words, it may be easier to simply increase production of SLS than wait years for the design and capabilities of Starship to materialize.  Not what we would prefer.  But reality is what it is.

Superheavy hasnt flown.  Just looking at dollars, you save billions just using SLS and not investing in developing SH.  Clearly about a 50% savings at this point assuming development rolls out to 2025-2028.
SpaceX is developing a variant of the Starship to carry the lunar lander for Artemis missions in part to ease financial pressures on NASA's funding of Artemis missions because the Starship Human Landing System is jointly funded by SpaceX with NASA, which knows that it can't devote financial capital to the HLS alone.

Some of Warren Buffett and Bill Gates's children could devote more than $700 million to fund the Starship Human Landing System, and maybe some convicted felons who get released on parole from state prisons located in the region of southern California where SpaceX is located could be recruited by SpaceX to manufacture components for the Starship HLS.
What? Is this Soviet Union? Conscripts building rockets? Your wild.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 11/26/2022 08:04 pm
 Sitting on Mary's porch, pondering the ironies of life, (three beers worth of ironies) thinking that this post is probably travelling through 600 miles of space to get to the dishes 200 feet away.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Eric Hedman on 11/30/2022 10:47 pm
I am now going to answer the question of the thread.  The chances are zero that SLS failed in its first launch.   ;D ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: butters on 12/08/2022 09:41 pm
OneWeb-1 is a candidate for most telegenic F9 launch yet!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 12/09/2022 04:28 am
 Anybody know where I can get some knockout gas, rope and a Tim Dodd mask?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 12/09/2022 08:12 am
Anybody know where I can get some knockout gas, rope and a Tim Dodd mask?
Your comment reminded me of the "fake Paul (McCartney)" or "Faul" conspiracy theory that's been going for ~55 years. :-\

"Watch out!  It's fake Tim."
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tgr9898 on 12/09/2022 03:37 pm
Anybody know where I can get some knockout gas, rope and a Tim Dodd mask?
Your comment reminded me of the "fake Paul (McCartney)" or "Faul" conspiracy theory that's been going for ~55 years. :-\

"Watch out!  It's fake Tim."

Oh great.... now you've opened a can of worm. People are going to start listening to Tim Dodd songs backwards looking for hidden messages.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 12/09/2022 09:28 pm
Anybody know where I can get some knockout gas, rope and a Tim Dodd mask?
Your comment reminded me of the "fake Paul (McCartney)" or "Faul" conspiracy theory that's been going for ~55 years. :-\

"Watch out!  It's fake Tim."
Oh great.... now you've opened a can of worm. People are going to start listening to Tim Dodd webcasts songs backwards looking for hidden messages. [zubenelgenubi: slight edit]
"[Falcon] Number 9...number 9..." played backwards says:
"Turn me on, rocket dead man." 🚀

Burning out his fuse, up there, alone. 🔥 🕯
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AJW on 12/10/2022 01:25 am
I'm not sure if I should be disappointed or relieved that the Dear Moon crew didn't include any telephone sanitisers.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 12/10/2022 05:28 am
I'm not sure if I should be disappointed or relieved that the Dear Moon crew didn't include any telephone sanitisers.
Or chicken sexers. 🐔 😋 🤔 🙄 🤣 😕

(It was a job listed on the job aptitude test that my high school guidance counselor administered.) 🏫

Someone(s) has to determine the sex of chicks on chicken farms. 🚜 🐥

I believe that Mike Rowe examined the task on an episode of "Dirty Jobs."
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 12/12/2022 04:07 pm
Anybody know where I can get some knockout gas, rope and a Tim Dodd mask?
We’re going about this all wrong! what we need to do is buy him a very large suitcase as a trip gift… one fitted with comfortable padding and maybe an air tank or two …
Maybe we can find one in the shape of a horse?
 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mongo62 on 12/12/2022 05:24 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMjCRH-MuOc
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: r8ix on 12/13/2022 03:02 am
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMjCRH-MuOc

Need to add 100,000 meters, 1,000,000 meters, and 100,000,000 meters...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 12/15/2022 07:58 am
Re: Soyuz MS-22 apparent radiator leak

I thought of Phil Leotardo, the resident radiator expert on The Sopranos. "Twenty years in the can...made grilled cheese sandwiches 🧀  🥪 on the rad-iator."

I wanted to post the relevant scene from YouTube.  None of the clips are suitable; they all contain not-safe-for-NSF content.

Oh well.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Robotbeat on 12/15/2022 02:31 pm
Could just be an art project or something.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 12/15/2022 02:35 pm
Could just be an art project or something.
That seems unlikely.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Robotbeat on 12/15/2022 03:19 pm
Could just be an art project or something.
That seems unlikely.
Gluing plastic ferns to a wooden board with some glue that has fumes you don’t want inside.

Could also be a cover for something they want to reduce the visual profile of, either for “environmental impact” reasons (these “environmental impacts” often being things like visual impacts to humans, like cell towers made to look like palm trees) or just to make it less visible and obvious to outside visitors.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 12/15/2022 07:07 pm
Or it could be something completely mundane like decoration for the child-care center or the cafe.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Robotbeat on 12/15/2022 07:27 pm
Or it could be something completely mundane like decoration for the child-care center or the cafe.
That’s what I think it is, but I got push-back. ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kdhilliard on 12/16/2022 02:30 pm
Really looking forward to OneSpeed's analysis of the telemetry from this morning's SWOT launch.

(Thanks, NASA! :-\)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 12/16/2022 03:15 pm
Is that a fact?

"Close, but no cigar"
This is what happens to technical information when it is run through the PAO. ::)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 12/16/2022 07:03 pm
I can't believe we didn't have telemetery on both stages during the broadcast.

How weak, it really took away from the usual grandeur of a Vandy launch and RTLS.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 12/16/2022 07:25 pm
I can't believe we didn't have telemetery on both stages during the broadcast.

How weak, it really took away from the usual grandeur of a Vandy launch and RTLS.

It’s Sentinel 6 Michael Freilich all over again.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 12/18/2022 02:50 am
Could just be an art project or something.
That seems unlikely.
Jeezus you Philistines. I've been waiting half my life to set up that joke and nobody bit.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Perchlorate on 12/18/2022 11:08 am
Could just be an art project or something.
That seems unlikely.
Jeezus you Philistines. I've been waiting half my life to set up that joke and nobody bit.

All these worlds are yours, except Twitteria.
Attempt no landing there.
Use them together.
Use them in peace.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: greybeardengineer on 12/18/2022 04:00 pm
Could just be an art project or something.
That seems unlikely.
Jeezus you Philistines. I've been waiting half my life to set up that joke and nobody bit.

My god it is full of ferns!

Something like that?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: smisamore on 12/18/2022 05:09 pm
Could just be an art project or something.
That seems unlikely.
Jeezus you Philistines. I've been waiting half my life to set up that joke and nobody bit.

My god it is full of ferns!

Something like that?

I know I'm kind of late to the party, but I was going to post something like "Gateway to Pandora??" (and as everyone knows, once you open the gateway to Pandora, you can't go back and close it. Thus the reason for the flora oozing through).

And..... this is why it's sometimes better to just "lurk", rather than "post"  :-\

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Wolfram66 on 12/18/2022 09:27 pm
Could just be an art project or something.
That seems unlikely.
Jeezus you Philistines. I've been waiting half my life to set up that joke and nobody bit.

Or it’s Fern-iture
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 12/23/2022 01:33 am
Rogozin gets hit in the ass.
 That's no joke.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Bananas_on_Mars on 12/24/2022 07:47 pm
I think Rogozin had another kind of „severance package“ in mind when he left Roskosmos.

https://twitter.com/sciguyspace/status/1606425220222435329



Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kdhilliard on 01/03/2023 05:02 pm
Kármán line be damned, I think we have a definitive answer to the Edge-of-Space debate!
17.0 KM.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=lSRXacd8wU8&t=11m08s
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 01/05/2023 07:07 pm
<dragon hatchling>🐉
Dragon patch-ology?
Or
Twilight Sparkle ✨️ passing her entry exam for Princess Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns? 🦄  And earning her cutie mark by magically hatching Spike from his egg?

Edit re: my 2nd suggestion: It's a joke!  ;D

But, one never knows...there could be enough GS-15 or SES "My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic" bronies/fans in the alphabet soup of agencies involved to make it happen.  Ditto for the contractors.
Exclusive photo 📸 of a D-list astronomy/spaceflight personage with an alicorn (pony with wings and horn).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 01/06/2023 08:04 am

Exclusive photo 📸 of a D-list astronomy/spaceflight personage with an alicorn (pony with wings and horn).

I really wanted to post a joke about this, but everything I could come up with was too alicorny…
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tgr9898 on 01/06/2023 05:50 pm

Exclusive photo 📸 of a D-list astronomy/spaceflight personage with an alicorn (pony with wings and horn).

I really wanted to post a joke about this, but everything I could come up with was too alicorny…

I was going to ask "is there a point to this post" but thought better of it....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 01/07/2023 11:29 pm
Word
<snip>
The other day I was looking at Twitter and a guy who gets material declassified from the government had just obtained a document and photos about a Russian aircraft getting close to US Navy patrol aircraft. The issue of how close is too close for aircraft interceptions is an interesting one worthy of discussion. But all the responses to his tweet were about UAPs. Nobody wanted to discuss the specific subject, they just wanted to discuss their latest fapping idol. That happens a lot in the space field and on TSR too--I can write an article about Apollo, or regenerative life support systems, and inevitably somebody will write a comment about Starship or SLS and then that results in a slap fight. The slap fights always involve the same people arguing the same issues. And in fact, if you look at other forums (like comments below Space News articles) you will find the same people fighting each other over the same things there as on TSR. They're probably doing that on several additional sites as well. That's all they do is bicker with each other, regardless of the subject of the article.

There are occasionally on-point and useful comments on TSR. But many of them are just the same people engaging in their same feuds, to no end.
<snip>
<sarcasm>
Gee willikers, I'm soooo glad that NEVER happens on this forum.
</sarcasm>

Seriously, some of the veteran members that engage in this behavior really tick me off.

As the antidote: A well-moderated forum is a happy forum. 😊 😃 😀 😄 😁

I'm glad to contribute to this effort.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Harry Cover on 01/08/2023 04:58 am
Over in The Space Review under an article dealing with hydrolox M-1 engine, there's a lot of dissatisfaction

Don't read the comments at TSR. They're almost always worthless. It's usually the same 3-5 people engaging in endless petty fights with each other, slapping each other with wet sausages. And like the end of "Blazing Saddles," they don't care where they are, what forum they're in, they're going to keep blowing raspberries at each other because that's more fun than doing the dishes and taking out the garbage.

Ha ha ha. So true ! Typical comment section posts (or Twitter, or Youtube - you get the point)

"I don’t want to talk to you no more, you empty-headed animal-food-trough wiper.  Raaaah, I faaaart in your general direction. Your mother was a hamster, and your father smelts of  elderberries. Now, go away, or I shall taunt you a second time."
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Norm38 on 01/19/2023 03:52 am
https://twitter.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1615456396153344000


Reminds me of the little Wall-E robot. Foreign Contaminant!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: realnouns on 01/19/2023 01:52 pm
::patiently waiting for @zubenelgenubi to post "guess the booster" for Starlink 5-2::
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 01/20/2023 07:16 pm
::patiently waiting for @zubenelgenubi to post "guess the booster" for Starlink 5-2::
Patience rewarded.  :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 01/21/2023 07:52 pm
New children’s series in development:

https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/jeff-bezos-michael-strahan-blue-origin-space-rangers-1235457120/ (https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/jeff-bezos-michael-strahan-blue-origin-space-rangers-1235457120/)

Quote
Dec 12, 2022 6:00am PT
Jeff Bezos, Michael Strahan to Appear in Animated Series ‘Blue Origin Space Rangers’

By Michaela Zee

Genius Brands, Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin and SMAC Productions are developing and producing an animated space adventure series, titled “Blue Origins Space Rangers.”

So Jeff is going to space the old fashioned way:
Being cartooned into imaginary spacecraft and distant alien worlds.
How appropriate for the owner of Blue Origin
SO much more inspirational than, say, riding to (real) space in a (shudder) Dragon!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 01/23/2023 06:17 am
From the Enquirer: "NASASpaceflight reveals that Musk's Starship is really just a 16-foot movie prop!".

Okay, maybe not. Photo credit: Nic Ansuini.

https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=51523.msg2451413#msg2451413
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Hog on 01/29/2023 03:21 pm
As the deadly neutron star approached the Solar System, humans of Earth lined up for their turn aboard a StarShip. Is there enough time? Duh-du-duh!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 01/29/2023 11:22 pm
As the deadly neutron star approached the Solar System, humans of Earth lined up for their turn aboard a StarShip. Is there enough time? Duh-du-duh!

Scientist runs up, screaming loudly: "It's a cookbook!"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 01/30/2023 07:20 pm
Somebody on Twitter said the launch team should do their preflight checkouts the day before launch and not set a date where they know they can’t send it.
Somebody at Twitter should realize how idiotic it sounds to lecture a company like SpaceX on operations involving their workhorse launcher.
"Somebody on Twitter": There's a general purpose punch-line. 👊 😂
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tangilinear Interjar on 02/01/2023 04:29 pm
"Rockets can't be built in a field, they have to be built in a clean room!"

Label catches fire while welding on the other side? Can't even be bothered to pull off all the blue tape.

Give a lot of built in a field vibe to me.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Terry.kosel on 02/02/2023 10:50 pm
Lauren Sanchez is super excited about riding her boyfriend's rocket. I think that says it all. ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: su27k on 02/04/2023 01:36 am
A bunch of people are losing their sh*t right now, time to celebrate!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 02/04/2023 04:57 am
https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-awards-spacecraft-processing-operations-contract

NASA has selected Astrotech Space Operations, LLC of Titusville, Florida, and Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) of Hawthorne, California, to provide commercial payload processing services for agency missions launching from multiple locations.

 ;)
Hmm, does this news release mean that @Jim is going to be working as a SX consultant in the future?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tomness on 02/04/2023 10:18 pm
https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-awards-spacecraft-processing-operations-contract

NASA has selected Astrotech Space Operations, LLC of Titusville, Florida, and Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) of Hawthorne, California, to provide commercial payload processing services for agency missions launching from multiple locations.

 ;)
Hmm, does this news release mean that @Jim is going to be working as a SX consultant in the future?

He said he was retiring,  I would hope he gets to enjoy it
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 02/06/2023 01:04 am
"Rockets can't be built in a field, they have to be built in a clean room!"

Label catches fire while welding on the other side? Can't even be bothered to pull off all the blue tape.

Give a lot of built in a field vibe to me.

Kinda reminds me of how the Soviets used to compare planes like the MiG-29 to the F-15/16. IIRC one Soviet General said something like "When an American fighter plane lands hard it's broken for weeks. When a Soviet fighter plane lands hard we wipe it off and fly it again."
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 02/09/2023 02:42 pm
Hey!  It's time for that 'Wasp Nest' to BUZZZZZZZ!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 02/09/2023 06:11 pm
FYI: Barbecue Roll is not a Barrel Roll:
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 02/09/2023 08:45 pm
Today's static fire 🔥 📛
 :) :D ;D 8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 02/09/2023 09:08 pm
As the party thread is the official and proper posting location for congratulations messages I have only to say…

Congratulations SpaceX on the static fire today!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 02/09/2023 10:03 pm
Here’s a proper SF party!

https://twitter.com/djsnm/status/1623793156612407300

Quote
Reaction shot
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 02/09/2023 10:09 pm
Here’s a proper SF party!
Quote
Reaction shot
The watch party appears to be on a digital planetarium dome!  Which planetarium, IDK.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: GewoonLukas_ on 02/10/2023 02:41 pm
Here’s a proper SF party!
Quote
Reaction shot
The watch party appears to be on a digital planetarium dome!  Which planetarium, IDK.

It appears to have been ESA's ESTEC facility in the Netherlands

https://twitter.com/KSpaceAcademy/status/1624008570294370305
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 02/15/2023 04:06 pm
https://twitter.com/thejackbeyer/status/1625149155424317442

Quote
Our latest Starbase update is live now, featuring a rundown of the week’s events including before and after Booster 7’s historic static fire test. @NASASpaceflight

➡️

https://youtu.be/To7jN01sFJU
Quote
We'll be taking a closer look at SpaceX's latest static fire test. We'll see the lead-up to the test, including the preparation of Booster 7,  its Raptor engines and the launch mount, as well as the test itself. We'll also discuss the significance of this test and what it means for the future of SpaceX's launches. Get ready for a thrilling journey as we take you behind the scenes of one of the most exciting moments in the world of space exploration.
Great job by Jack Beyer on the update video!

 Did Jack get that homeless guy's permission to take his picture?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wjbarnett on 02/15/2023 06:26 pm
When (in vid) was that pic...I must have missed it
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tgr9898 on 02/15/2023 10:04 pm

Great job by Jack Beyer on the update video!

 Did Jack get that homeless guy's permission to take his picture?

Says the homeless guy hanging out in Boca Chica..... ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 02/24/2023 05:51 am
 ChatGPT just informed me that SN20 made an orbital flight in 2021. How come nobody told me? I thought I could count on you guys.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 02/25/2023 01:57 pm
Current overview of Vulcan delays.
I used your data to recreate the classic XKCD chart on JWST delays. (I removed the "NET 2022" prediction as it was the same for the next row.) Looks like the slope is 0.427, so the "Bruno Time" factor is 2.34x. :)
(snip)
https://xkcd.com/2014/ (https://xkcd.com/2014/)
I used the same method (including Excel) to calculate one of the earliest estimates of “Elon Time”
The value was approximately Pi
“Torey Time” is close to e
Maybe “Jeff Time” is e*pi  ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DanClemmensen on 02/25/2023 02:00 pm
Current overview of Vulcan delays.
I used your data to recreate the classic XKCD chart on JWST delays. (I removed the "NET 2022" prediction as it was the same for the next row.) Looks like the slope is 0.427, so the "Bruno Time" factor is 2.34x. :)
(snip)
https://xkcd.com/2014/ (https://xkcd.com/2014/)
I used the same method (including Excel) to calculate one of the earliest estimates of “Elon Time”
The value was approximately Pi
“Torey Time” is close to e
Maybe “Jeff Time” is e*pi  ;)
Wrong axis. "Jeff time" is i.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: punder on 02/25/2023 02:18 pm
Current overview of Vulcan delays.
I used your data to recreate the classic XKCD chart on JWST delays. (I removed the "NET 2022" prediction as it was the same for the next row.) Looks like the slope is 0.427, so the "Bruno Time" factor is 2.34x. :)
(snip)
https://xkcd.com/2014/ (https://xkcd.com/2014/)
I used the same method (including Excel) to calculate one of the earliest estimates of “Elon Time”
The value was approximately Pi
“Torey Time” is close to e
Maybe “Jeff Time” is e*pi  ;)
Wrong axis. "Jeff time" is i.
Ha, even I learned enough math to know that’s a serious burn. And you just leveled up on engineer geekery. :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nevyn72 on 02/26/2023 02:50 am
Are we now seriously in a position where there may be 3 Falcon 9 launches on the same day?!

Wow, times have moved on...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 02/26/2023 03:17 am
I've trimmed this thread, but it's always the same names who seem to have a complete inability to talk in a crowd. My patience is pretty much gone and any more and several people (L2 or not) will be unable to post, forever.

Think about the value of your post.
Member:
This action is "Double plus good"--couldn't happen to more deserving members.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 02/26/2023 03:59 am
I've trimmed this thread, but it's always the same names who seem to have a complete inability to talk in a crowd. My patience is pretty much gone and any more and several people (L2 or not) will be unable to post, forever.

Think about the value of your post.
Member:
This action is "Double plus good"--couldn't happen to more deserving members.
Lar made me do it.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 03/01/2023 03:27 pm
So the upcoming flight test launch to orbital speed of Starship architecture is a pivotal and historic event which changes humanity and our prospect for multiplanetary existence.
 So I how about a new name for the party thread, and group suggestions of course:
 
How about…
       Launch, Land and Relaunch it all
Or… Fully Launch Land and Relaunch

;-)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: cro-magnon gramps on 03/02/2023 01:23 am
So the upcoming flight test launch to orbital speed of Starship architecture is a pivotal and historic event which changes humanity and our prospect for multiplanetary existence.
 So I how about a new name for the party thread, and group suggestions of course:
 
How about…
       Launch, Land and Relaunch it all
Or… Fully Launch Land and Relaunch

;-)

Launch, Land and "Hey Pilgrim, how far yah want to go?"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 03/02/2023 08:35 am
Congratulations to SpaceX Dragon for now having launched 34 people into orbit!

Boeing Starliner: 0.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tgr9898 on 03/06/2023 03:23 pm
Welding actually doesn’t have to take that long if you’re not needing X-ray quality welds or whatever.
They probably need to reposition the man lifts every few bead feet. And for some reason every outdoor welding job has at least one stretch per section that calls for a contortionist. Don't ask why. Some sort of natural law or something.

Been there, done that.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kevin-rf on 03/07/2023 09:32 pm
It will be one week after what ever week you decide to go down to South Padre Island for a vacation.... I highly recommend the Isla Grand Beach Resort
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 03/07/2023 09:34 pm
It will be one week after what ever week you decide to go down to South Padre Island for a vacation.... I highly recommend the Isla Grand Beach Resort
Not during spring break.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: pb2000 on 03/08/2023 12:15 am
Right, so Elon was effectively saying "hopefully in the next 30 days or so", which includes the rest of March.
We shall see. Maybe landing bingo can be modified so we can pick dates and rough times. Probably want daylight in Texas and Hawaii (if that's still the re-entry target?), so that would limit the launch window.

Elon still needs to fit a joke in there somewhere, so put me down for 4/20.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: WindyCity on 03/08/2023 07:54 am
Right, so Elon was effectively saying "hopefully in the next 30 days or so", which includes the rest of March.
We shall see. Maybe landing bingo can be modified so we can pick dates and rough times. Probably want daylight in Texas and Hawaii (if that's still the re-entry target?), so that would limit the launch window.

Elon still needs to fit a joke in there somewhere, so put me down for 4/20.
April 2nd. 42.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 03/08/2023 09:05 pm
STEM= Science Technology Engineering and Math

What does STEAM entail?

Science Technology Engineering Arts and Math (STEAM) is slowly succeeding STEM.

Because aerospace critically needs the answer to that fundamental question:

“Oh, yeah smarty pants?  What COLOR should this wheel thing be?”
-junior account executive from the Golgafrinchan Ark Ship B
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DanClemmensen on 03/09/2023 12:40 am
Launch Window:
    https://xkcd.com/2746/
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ulm_atms on 03/09/2023 01:04 am
STEM= Science Technology Engineering and Math

What does STEAM entail?

Science Technology Engineering Arts and Math (STEAM) is slowly succeeding STEM.

Because aerospace critically needs the answer to that fundamental question:

“Oh, yeah smarty pants?  What COLOR should this wheel thing be?”
-junior account executive from the Golgafrinchan Ark Ship B
I don't know....those launch photos are quite artsy to me.  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 03/11/2023 06:33 pm
Two launches of small orbital launch vehicles scheduled from USA east coast!

(And neither involves SpaceX)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 03/15/2023 10:12 pm
If the reply is 42 what is then the question?
It is a reference to "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy."

Quote
Forty-two is the ASCII code for the symbol * also known as the asterisk. This symbol is often thought to translate to anything or everything. In this instance, 42 = everything, the meaning of life.

https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/definition/42-h2g2-meaning-of-life-The-Hitchhikers-Guide-to-the-Galaxy
Just to derail this thread even further, I think that was Oersted's point. Deep thought neede 7.5 million years to come up with the answer 42. Then they needed to build a new supercomputer to figure out what the question was.

The ASCII Wildcard angle was a total mind-blown moment for me.  Just saying. Just when I thought I got the hang of Thursdays.


The third law of online forum management.

“if left alone, every thread devolves into a party thread.”
 :D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 03/16/2023 01:12 am
From the Expedition 68 thread:

https://twitter.com/haleykesparza/status/1635798684364595200

That implies there is at least two lady frogmen among the all female crew aboard Doug for  recovery support of the CRS-27 launch. ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tangilinear Interjar on 03/17/2023 02:32 pm
From the Expedition 68 thread:

https://twitter.com/haleykesparza/status/1635798684364595200

That implies there is at least two lady frogmen among the all female crew aboard Doug for  recovery support of the CRS-27 launch. ;)
Shouldn't that be frogwoman, or frogchick, or frogirl, or 🤔
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 03/17/2023 06:51 pm
From the Expedition 68 thread:

https://twitter.com/haleykesparza/status/1635798684364595200 (https://twitter.com/haleykesparza/status/1635798684364595200)

That implies there is at least two lady frogmen among the all female crew aboard Doug for  recovery support of the CRS-27 launch. ;)
Shouldn't that be frogwoman, or frogchick, or frogirl, or 🤔


Mermaid?






Runs for cover…..
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 03/17/2023 06:54 pm
STEM= Science Technology Engineering and Math

What does STEAM entail?

Science Technology Engineering Arts and Math (STEAM) is slowly succeeding STEM.

Because aerospace critically needs the answer to that fundamental question:

“Oh, yeah smarty pants?  What COLOR should this wheel thing be?”
-junior account executive from the Golgafrinchan Ark Ship B


“What the space program needs is more English majors.”
Mike Collins
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 03/18/2023 12:12 am
From the Expedition 68 thread:

https://twitter.com/haleykesparza/status/1635798684364595200

That implies there is at least two lady frogmen among the all female crew aboard Doug for  recovery support of the CRS-27 launch. ;)
Shouldn't that be frogwoman, or frogchick, or frogirl, or 🤔
Frogman is actually a job description. It indicates that someone who is trained to operate underwater with Scuba gear and/or a snorkel. In military lingo, frogman equivalent is a combat diver.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jon.amos on 03/18/2023 12:21 am
Wait just a minute,  I just noticed that we are expected to wait 7 days for the next launch/lunch. This is completely unacceptable!  :'(
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Ben Baley on 03/19/2023 06:44 am
From the Expedition 68 thread:

https://twitter.com/haleykesparza/status/1635798684364595200

That implies there is at least two lady frogmen among the all female crew aboard Doug for  recovery support of the CRS-27 launch. ;)
Shouldn't that be frogwoman, or frogchick, or frogirl, or 🤔

Frogette
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JohnFornaro on 03/28/2023 11:15 am
The only method for consciousness transfer I've read that I think is even remotely feasible is the "gradual brain replacement" model.

Yawn.  I do that with Scotch.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 03/31/2023 09:38 am
Now, that we wait the next launch, is time to check GPT4.x The Micro$oft edition:

Quote
I can understand and communicate fluently in English. Here is the translation of my last answer:

I do not recommend using marine plywood to build a Dyson swarm. It does not withstand the conditions of space, such as radiation, temperature variations and micrometeorites. Moreover, it is not very rigid or light, which makes it difficult to shape and move the swarm. If you want to build a Dyson swarm, you should use some more durable and advanced material, such as nanotubes, graphene or metamaterials. These materials are expensive and difficult to produce, but they could create an efficient and beautiful Dyson swarm. Why do you want to move to a Dyson swarm? What would you do there?

You have permission to post it in Nasa Space Flight forum, as long as you credit me as the source and do not modify or misrepresent my words. I would appreciate it if you also provide a link to this chat mode so that others can learn more about me and my capabilities. Thank you for your interest and cooperation.

https://www.bing.com/ chat
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: leovinus on 04/01/2023 08:47 pm
Now, that we wait the next launch, is time to check GPT4.x The Micro$oft edition:

Quote
I can understand and communicate fluently in English. Here is the translation of my last answer:

I do not recommend using marine plywood to build a Dyson swarm. It does not withstand the conditions of space, such as radiation, temperature variations and micrometeorites. Moreover, it is not very rigid or light, which makes it difficult to shape and move the swarm. If you want to build a Dyson swarm, you should use some more durable and advanced material, such as nanotubes, graphene or metamaterials. These materials are expensive and difficult to produce, but they could create an efficient and beautiful Dyson swarm. Why do you want to move to a Dyson swarm? What would you do there?

You have permission to post it in Nasa Space Flight forum, as long as you credit me as the source and do not modify or misrepresent my words. I would appreciate it if you also provide a link to this chat mode so that others can learn more about me and my capabilities. Thank you for your interest and cooperation.

https://www.bing.com/ chat
Like Zaphod talking to the elevator in the hitchhikers guide.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 04/05/2023 02:34 am
Are we to limit our jokes to Falcon 9 only since this party thread is a sub to the Falcon 9 missions     Category?
We will now have to not comment about starship ripping in half like the OFT video historical document shows. And remember,  Never surrender… never give up!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tomness on 04/06/2023 02:01 am
NSF is a federal agency and there are a bunch of paths that both the President and Congress have to keep them from abusing this sort of thing. I actually think NSF has been fairly productive in their interactions with SpaceX overall, more than I can say for much of Twitter.

EDIT: I actually wonder if NSF should be given some role in space based telescopes so they can see some of the benefits and not just drawbacks from vastly increased commercial space activity.

Damn did not know NasaSpaceFlight had this power lol
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 04/06/2023 05:49 am
I wonder if Congress knows it's some guy in a secret hideaway in Yorkshire running the whole thing?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 04/08/2023 07:52 am
Something to look forward too?

https://twitter.com/sciguyspace/status/1643957564369977347

Quote
If Jeff doesn't tweet "Welcome to the Club" after SpaceX launches a rocket above the Karman line from Texas, I'll be disappointed.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 04/10/2023 04:23 pm
I have minor depression today, today could have been SH/SS launch day but now it is not :(

Hopefully next week we see the big show!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 04/10/2023 06:02 pm
My 26th birthday is coming up next week, so if Starship is targeted for April 17th, I want them to say, “Let’s light this birthday candle!”
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 04/12/2023 02:25 pm
Quote
Quote
I believe they have a new flight computer, but I don't know if it is software-compatible with the old one.

No, it is the same as Atlas and Delta.  Part of the common avionics upgrade.

I take it then that Atlas V and Vulcan use the L3 Harris Phoenix Flight computer?

No

Of his last 100 posts, more than a quarter of them start with “no”, “not”, “neither”, or the perennial favorite, “Wrong”.

Three cheers to our man on the spot Jim!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tgr9898 on 04/12/2023 02:47 pm
I believe they have a new flight computer, but I don't know if it is software-compatible with the old one.

No it is the same as Atlas and Delta.  Part of the common avionics upgrade.

Of his last 100 posts, more than a quarter of them start with “no”, “not”, “neither”, or the perennial favorite, “Wrong”.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0DusO6ipLw
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 04/13/2023 07:06 am
https://twitter.com/whoisheartbreak/status/1646384056635125760

Quote
Next week is looking like it could be super duper Heavy 😳🚀🚀🚀
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: kdhilliard on 04/13/2023 03:56 pm
I believe they have a new flight computer, but I don't know if it is software-compatible with the old one.

No it is the same as Atlas and Delta.  Part of the common avionics upgrade.
Of his last 100 posts, more than a quarter of them start with “no”, “not”, “neither”, or the perennial favorite, “Wrong”.

Three cheers to our man on the spot Jim!

"No" or "Ni"?
I believe they have a new flight computer, but I don't know if it is software-compatible with the old one.

Ni, it is the same as Atlas and Delta.  Part of the common avionics upgrade.
Jim's reply does not show as having been edited.
What's going on?  Has Sir Jim been knighted (https://youtube.com/watch?v=IWCNDbWcSLY)?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: pb2000 on 04/13/2023 10:42 pm
Quote
« Reply #74 on: Today at 04:20:08 pm »
A reminder. It is clearly stated this is an update only thread. Non updates will be removed.
Damn, 8 seconds off (MDT ftw). I was expecting a significant post, not housekeeping.

On that note, I request a modification to the forum software to display 04:21:09 as 04:20:69 instead.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 04/14/2023 03:55 pm
Looks like this is gonna be cutting it close.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 04/14/2023 05:12 pm
I've trimmed this thread, but it's always the same names who seem to have a complete inability to talk in a crowd. My patience is pretty much gone and any more and several people (L2 or not) will be unable to post, forever.

Think about the value of your post.
Member:
This action is "Double plus good"--couldn't happen to more deserving members.
Lar made me do it.
BS... haven't been around here as much as I wanted to be but I for sure had nothing to do with it!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 04/14/2023 10:26 pm
Monday morning I'm going to be in a hotel room with nothing to do.  8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 04/15/2023 04:16 am
From the "NASA/ESA - Mars Sample Return mission's Earth Return Orbiter (ERO)" thread (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=58017.msg2472979#msg2472979)

https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Earth_Return_Orbiter_the_first_round-trip_to_Mars?fbclid=IwAR1kQRUtI6NEc28FU3OJXJIF6tlMARgJS-1UerEaVFJOGyTlSbRcrsPikyk

The Earth Return Orbiter (ERO) is a mission of firsts. The European orbiter would be:

    The first interplanetary spacecraft to make a full round-trip from Earth to Mars.
    The first spacecraft to rendezvous and capture an object in orbit around another planet.
    The biggest spacecraft to orbit the Red Planet so far.
<snip>

The above mission firsts is predicated on a certain shiny spaceship don't show up at Mars until after the ERO departs from Mars orbit on it's way back to Earth.  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 04/15/2023 07:48 am
Monday morning I'm going to be in a hotel room with nothing to do.  8)

I can hear the phone at the hotel's front desk ringing like crazy right now!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 04/17/2023 03:46 am
https://twitter.com/nightjanit0r/status/1647723766208946176

Quote
Buying stock in Nikon because everyone is going to have to replace their pad camera after OFT.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 04/18/2023 03:34 am
https://twitter.com/unrocket/status/1648156617131565058

Quote
A short clip from todays watch a rocket flight. @unrocket flying and @keaton_hare up front using the camera...

I guess that’s one way to avoid traffic queues in South Padre Island, but I’ll stay on the ground thanks.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 04/20/2023 09:08 pm
Give a hoot!  Don't thread-pollute! 🦉🦄
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rbDVx6zhyw4&pp=ygUKd29vZHN5IG93bA
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 04/21/2023 06:25 am
https://twitter.com/djsnm/status/1649280812926504960

Quote
My authentic reaction to the launch:

Mine too!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AS_501 on 04/21/2023 10:08 pm
Next update show:

https://twitter.com/nextspaceflight/status/1649498499195588611

Chris:  That van should be put in a space museum in its current condition.  First casualty of a SH/SS launch.  :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: John-H on 04/22/2023 12:35 am
Looking at the launch mount........

I didn't expect a literal earth-shattering kaboom.

John
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: OTV Booster on 04/22/2023 09:09 pm
That sand storm whining is so BS. There are enough valid, or at least plausible reasons to object. And yes, the Luddites will try to shut it down. In the other corner we have Space Force national security launch interest and NASA Artemus. And probably both the Brownsville and Texas Chambers of Commerce, for whatever that's worth.  Fending off the attacks will not be a slam dunk but not impossible.

One of the things I've seen browsing through the ignorantia's comments on mainstream sites is a "rockets have toxic chemicals" argument.  This is obviously true if you have hydrazine and NTO on your vehicle, but Starship is methalox.  There will be the usual set of exotic radicals and improbable molecules produced (O3, NOx, CO, OH, etc.), but any methane near the launch site after an accident is burning and oxygen is oxygen.

What other potentially toxic substances would be on the vehicle in large enough quantities to have an impact?  Hydraulic fluids?  Battery components?
It is a well known fact that burning methane releases copious quantities of dihydrousmonoxide. This is a widely used industrial solvent that is DIRECTLY responsible for 100,000 annual deaths world wide.


These deaths are often the result of boating accidents in areas where dihydrusmonoxide has been irresponsibly allowed to accumulate. If given the chance this insidious chemical will fill the lungs and block oxygen uptake.  :o
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: dondar on 04/23/2023 03:10 pm
That sand storm whining is so BS. There are enough valid, or at least plausible reasons to object. And yes, the Luddites will try to shut it down. In the other corner we have Space Force national security launch interest and NASA Artemus. And probably both the Brownsville and Texas Chambers of Commerce, for whatever that's worth.  Fending off the attacks will not be a slam dunk but not impossible.

One of the things I've seen browsing through the ignorantia's comments on mainstream sites is a "rockets have toxic chemicals" argument.  This is obviously true if you have hydrazine and NTO on your vehicle, but Starship is methalox.  There will be the usual set of exotic radicals and improbable molecules produced (O3, NOx, CO, OH, etc.), but any methane near the launch site after an accident is burning and oxygen is oxygen.

What other potentially toxic substances would be on the vehicle in large enough quantities to have an impact?  Hydraulic fluids?  Battery components?
It is a well known fact that burning methane releases copious quantities of dihydrusmonoxide. This is a widely used industrial solvent that is DIRECTLY responsible for 100,000 annual deaths world wide.


These deaths are often the result of boating accidents in areas where dihydrusmonoxide has been irresponsibly allowed to accumulate. If given the chance this insidious chemical will fill the lungs and block oxygen uptake.  :o
since it is well known care to present any evidence of that?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: SpeakertoAnimals on 04/23/2023 03:36 pm
That sand storm whining is so BS. There are enough valid, or at least plausible reasons to object. And yes, the Luddites will try to shut it down. In the other corner we have Space Force national security launch interest and NASA Artemus. And probably both the Brownsville and Texas Chambers of Commerce, for whatever that's worth.  Fending off the attacks will not be a slam dunk but not impossible.

One of the things I've seen browsing through the ignorantia's comments on mainstream sites is a "rockets have toxic chemicals" argument.  This is obviously true if you have hydrazine and NTO on your vehicle, but Starship is methalox.  There will be the usual set of exotic radicals and improbable molecules produced (O3, NOx, CO, OH, etc.), but any methane near the launch site after an accident is burning and oxygen is oxygen.

What other potentially toxic substances would be on the vehicle in large enough quantities to have an impact?  Hydraulic fluids?  Battery components?
It is a well known fact that burning methane releases copious quantities of dihydrusmonoxide. This is a widely used industrial solvent that is DIRECTLY responsible for 100,000 annual deaths world wide.


These deaths are often the result of boating accidents in areas where dihydrusmonoxide has been irresponsibly allowed to accumulate. If given the chance this insidious chemical will fill the lungs and block oxygen uptake.  :o
since it is well known care to present any evidence of that?
This is the best site I have found: dhmo.org

Edit: I work in facilities management. We spend a lot of time and money dealing with management, prevention and mitigation of damage directly caused by DHMO.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: dondar on 04/23/2023 03:50 pm
That sand storm whining is so BS. There are enough valid, or at least plausible reasons to object. And yes, the Luddites will try to shut it down. In the other corner we have Space Force national security launch interest and NASA Artemus. And probably both the Brownsville and Texas Chambers of Commerce, for whatever that's worth.  Fending off the attacks will not be a slam dunk but not impossible.

One of the things I've seen browsing through the ignorantia's comments on mainstream sites is a "rockets have toxic chemicals" argument.  This is obviously true if you have hydrazine and NTO on your vehicle, but Starship is methalox.  There will be the usual set of exotic radicals and improbable molecules produced (O3, NOx, CO, OH, etc.), but any methane near the launch site after an accident is burning and oxygen is oxygen.

What other potentially toxic substances would be on the vehicle in large enough quantities to have an impact?  Hydraulic fluids?  Battery components?
It is a well known fact that burning methane releases copious quantities of dihydrusmonoxide. This is a widely used industrial solvent that is DIRECTLY responsible for 100,000 annual deaths world wide.


These deaths are often the result of boating accidents in areas where dihydrusmonoxide has been irresponsibly allowed to accumulate. If given the chance this insidious chemical will fill the lungs and block oxygen uptake.  :o
since it is well known care to present any evidence of that?
This is the best site I have found: dhmo.org
This is not the answer. You claim that burning methane releases copious quantities of dhmo (dihydro-monoxide=H20 btw.) so let talk about why it is dangerous what do you mean by dhmo, and how it is relevant specifically to what SpaceX is doing. Thank you.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: SpeakertoAnimals on 04/23/2023 04:13 pm
That sand storm whining is so BS. There are enough valid, or at least plausible reasons to object. And yes, the Luddites will try to shut it down. In the other corner we have Space Force national security launch interest and NASA Artemus. And probably both the Brownsville and Texas Chambers of Commerce, for whatever that's worth.  Fending off the attacks will not be a slam dunk but not impossible.

One of the things I've seen browsing through the ignorantia's comments on mainstream sites is a "rockets have toxic chemicals" argument.  This is obviously true if you have hydrazine and NTO on your vehicle, but Starship is methalox.  There will be the usual set of exotic radicals and improbable molecules produced (O3, NOx, CO, OH, etc.), but any methane near the launch site after an accident is burning and oxygen is oxygen.

What other potentially toxic substances would be on the vehicle in large enough quantities to have an impact?  Hydraulic fluids?  Battery components?
It is a well known fact that burning methane releases copious quantities of dihydrusmonoxide. This is a widely used industrial solvent that is DIRECTLY responsible for 100,000 annual deaths world wide.


These deaths are often the result of boating accidents in areas where dihydrusmonoxide has been irresponsibly allowed to accumulate. If given the chance this insidious chemical will fill the lungs and block oxygen uptake.  :o
since it is well known care to present any evidence of that?
This is the best site I have found: dhmo.org
This is not the answer. You claim that burning methane releases copious quantities of dhmo (dihydro-monoxide=H20 btw.) so let talk about why it is dangerous what do you mean by dhmo, and how it is relevant specifically to what SpaceX is doing. Thank you.
I'll bite. Methalox engines. Primary reaction: CH4 + 2 O2 -> CO2 + 2 H2O. Reactants present in our environment in large quantities. People die directly from drowning. This is a known and accepted risk. Alternatively stated, these are not "dangerous rocket toxic chemicals". This is an example of the literary device often referred to as "sarcasm".
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: joek on 04/23/2023 04:21 pm
It is a well known fact that burning methane releases copious quantities of dihydrusmonoxide. This is a widely used industrial solvent that is DIRECTLY responsible for 100,000 annual deaths world wide.

These deaths are often the result of boating accidents in areas where dihydrusmonoxide has been irresponsibly allowed to accumulate. If given the chance this insidious chemical will fill the lungs and block oxygen uptake.  :o
since it is well known care to present any evidence of that?
This is the best site I have found: dhmo.org
This is not the answer. You claim that burning methane releases copious quantities of dhmo (dihydro-monoxide=H20 btw.) so let talk about why it is dangerous what do you mean by dhmo, and how it is relevant specifically to what SpaceX is doing. Thank you.

Give it a rest people. It's a joke. A very old joke.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jackvancouver on 04/23/2023 09:22 pm
Life imitated art. Looking back at this KSP2 video someone was streaming DURING the first launch attempt that scrubbed (and they switched to NSF post SpaceX stream, so free plug) this was scarily on point.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1A7zVyvk7j8

Also hilariously on point.

Das should analyze and compare.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: TomH on 04/23/2023 10:07 pm
since it is well known care to present any evidence of that?

This is not the answer. You claim that burning methane releases copious quantities of dhmo (dihydro-monoxide=H20 btw.) so let talk about why it is dangerous what do you mean by dhmo, and how it is relevant specifically to what SpaceX is doing. Thank you.

That was a joke. He figures that this is a scientifically well educated audience who would all understand his sarcastic humor. I imagine most people here did get it. I did; and I thought it was funny.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tangilinear Interjar on 04/24/2023 04:37 pm
since it is well known care to present any evidence of that?

This is not the answer. You claim that burning methane releases copious quantities of dhmo (dihydro-monoxide=H20 btw.) so let talk about why it is dangerous what do you mean by dhmo, and how it is relevant specifically to what SpaceX is doing. Thank you.

That was a joke. He figures that this is a scientifically well educated audience who would all understand his sarcastic humor. I imagine most people here did get it. I did; and I thought it was funny.

The best thing about that joke is when it catches someone!

BTW sign the petition.

https://www.change.org/p/pointmaster-luna-lu-se-petition-to-ban-dihydrogen-monoxide-dhmo
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Mandella on 04/24/2023 05:11 pm
since it is well known care to present any evidence of that?

This is not the answer. You claim that burning methane releases copious quantities of dhmo (dihydro-monoxide=H20 btw.) so let talk about why it is dangerous what do you mean by dhmo, and how it is relevant specifically to what SpaceX is doing. Thank you.

That was a joke. He figures that this is a scientifically well educated audience who would all understand his sarcastic humor. I imagine most people here did get it. I did; and I thought it was funny.

I think he pulled dondar's leg right off...

 8)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 04/24/2023 08:34 pm
Meh, it's all water under the bridge...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 04/25/2023 05:29 pm
Okay, to flush the last joke out of the system.

Edit:  Stupid finger faults!


Today, The Boring Company formally announces that upon review, last week's full up test of the super-heavy vertical shaft tunneling machine is an unqualified success.

Synergistic positive outcomes with our sister company SpaceX's heavy lift launch ambitions are now being formally evaluated and worked out.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 04/25/2023 07:29 pm
One unexpected upside of the Starship orbital Launch attempt is that SpaceX created their own private Moon landing practice zone.




Photo Jack Beyer:
https://twitter.com/thejackbeyer/status/1649856515807879170/photo/2
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 04/27/2023 09:42 pm
I'm getting a Star Wars: A New Hope Millennium Falcon vibe.  Vs. the ST:TOS or 2001 everything Space is clean and ship-shape.

But somebody left ALL the vaporators on!

Quote from: Max Evans
This may be…the wackiest looking Falcon Heavy yet to fly - naked in its fully expendable form, with side boosters that have different numbers of flights with a brand new center core.

Viasat-3 Americas + Aurora 4A are slated for liftoff tonight at 7:29pm EDT. [Apr27]
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 04/27/2023 09:58 pm
Weather looks sketchy, but I'm really looking forward to seeing this FH get off the pad.

How long will the sideboosters run then how long with the center core go after that.

Will the payload fairing stay on till staging and what speed and altitude will that be?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 04/28/2023 02:49 pm
I'm getting a Star Wars: A New Hope Millennium Falcon vibe.  Vs. the ST:TOS or 2001 everything Space is clean and ship-shape.

But somebody left ALL the vaporators on!

Quote from: Max Evans
This may be…the wackiest looking Falcon Heavy yet to fly - naked in its fully expendable form, with side boosters that have different numbers of flights with a brand new center core.

Viasat-3 Americas + Aurora 4A are slated for liftoff tonight at 7:29pm EDT. [Apr27]

LOL... I look at the image and wonder why it's not painted yellow...

"Gold Leader - Standing by"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 04/28/2023 09:03 pm
Is SpaceX really going to pull off 2 flights within 73 minutes on the Eastern Range?

That would be hugely impressive
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 04/29/2023 04:19 am
 Scientists have now proven that everybody who has ever worked in Twitter support got the job by flunking out of toll taker school.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 04/29/2023 04:42 pm
 I gave up my van and all I got was this t-shirt.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 05/01/2023 01:34 am
Well the Heavy took flight, so now LC39A is free for the next flight.

I love a FH flight, but it’s so weird seeing cores get expended. 
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tangilinear Interjar on 05/01/2023 04:02 pm
I wish they would put some cameras on the expended cores and broadcast all the way down. Or at least as long as possible. Maybe on the inside as well.

 Would be cool to see how it all ends and would at least give an expended core one last chance to shine.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 05/01/2023 06:07 pm
I wish they would put some cameras on the expended cores and broadcast all the way down. Or at least as long as possible. Maybe on the inside as well.

 Would be cool to see how it all ends and would at least give an expended core one last chance to shine.

The Russians showed footage of a Soyuz side booster all the way to impact. Camera survived it, too!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 05/01/2023 11:24 pm
I wish they would put some cameras on the expended cores and broadcast all the way down. Or at least as long as possible. Maybe on the inside as well.

Would be cool to see how it all ends and would at least give an expended core one last chance to shine.

There were cameras already on the expended cores. The side booster separation was seen from aft-facing cameras mounted just below the nose cone. Usually, these cameras would show the side boosters landing, but not this time.

The center core had its interstage camera showing M-Vac ignition, and then the video link dropped.

My guess was that the cameras were programmed to stop shortly after the separation events.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tangilinear Interjar on 05/02/2023 04:16 pm
I wish they would put some cameras on the expended cores and broadcast all the way down. Or at least as long as possible. Maybe on the inside as well.

 Would be cool to see how it all ends and would at least give an expended core one last chance to shine.

The Russians showed footage of a Soyuz side booster all the way to impact. Camera survived it, too!

Any idea where I can find that? I'm a pretty good googler but with that Soyuz launch fail/abort it's hard to find any video that's not about that.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 05/03/2023 01:11 am
 
I wish they would put some cameras on the expended cores and broadcast all the way down. Or at least as long as possible. Maybe on the inside as well.

 Would be cool to see how it all ends and would at least give an expended core one last chance to shine.

The Russians showed footage of a Soyuz side booster all the way to impact. Camera survived it, too!

Any idea where I can find that? I'm a pretty good googler but with that Soyuz launch fail/abort it's hard to find any video that's not about that.

So, of course I can't find it now.  ::) I'll try again later. I'm pretty sure it was on this forum.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: leovinus on 05/05/2023 02:47 pm
With the talk of rockets plus a large steel plate at the launch mount, I start to get "Project Orion" vibes. Maybe Elon's next plan is to launch the plate to orbit ;) ?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tgr9898 on 05/05/2023 11:35 pm
With the talk of rockets plus a large steel plate at the launch mount, I start to get "Project Orion" vibes. Maybe Elon's next plan is to launch the plate to orbit ;) ?

They might need to rethink the stacking order.... or the water pressure.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 05/06/2023 03:21 am
With the talk of rockets plus a large steel plate at the launch mount, I start to get "Project Orion" vibes. Maybe Elon's next plan is to launch the plate to orbit ;) ?

They might need to rethink the stacking order.... or the water pressure.

"Hey, Fred! We just got a bulk order for 38,500 packages of Mentos and a quarter-mil gallons of Coke!"

"Seriously? where from? Costco?"

"Nah. Some place called Boca Chica. Texas."
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 05/22/2023 08:54 am
Congratulations to SpaceX for having now launched 38 people into orbit on Dragon!

Boeing Starliner: 0.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 05/25/2023 08:47 pm
The grammar pedant in me *so* wanted to comment on the thumbnail text for the latest "This Week In Spaceflight" video, but while I could make an objective case for it being technically incorrect, in no way would I want to be perceived as throwing shade on our wonderful videos.

Hmm... I guess, this being the party thread and all, I should really make my good-spirited note in rhyming couplets...

I comment here, but mostly kid,
About the latest YouTube vid.
The thumbnail text, all white on green,
Was legible and clearly seen.
Yet for a letter 'm' I yearn.
To whom, indeed, it may concern.

Hehe, keep up the good work, and can you do something about the weather?  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 05/26/2023 02:58 am
I think that making room for "whom"
was hard (at least I do assume).
But grammar pedants, as a bunch,
are those the peasants like to punch.
So let's let ClayJar rile the masses,
while we spectate, on our ....
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 05/26/2023 04:30 am
To add an 'm', so very wide,
Is to design's eyes not so wise.
Let grammar fall. Lay it aside
Save for some verse 'tween you and... I can't do it!
'Tween you and me, slant rhyme lies lost.
My humor failed by rules so base.
But willingly I pay the cost
For firmly following in case.
(At least no punishment I'm earning
For typeface preferences or kerning.)

Comment editor's note: I, for one, do not envy anyone who has to come up with YouTube thumbnails. You're all wizards in my book.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: chazemz on 05/28/2023 07:59 am
If an object can accelerate internally, due to Kinetic Energy, it would appear to create. Would this be a big no no for a lot of people or would it be advantageous?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tyrred on 05/28/2023 08:20 am
If an object can accelerate internally, due to Kinetic Energy, it would appear to create. Would this be a big no no for a lot of people or would it be advantageous?

The advantage for hu mans real sizes itself within the boundaries of the non-newtinian fluid counterweights, but nearly only when Potential Energy externally is destroyed
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: laszlo on 05/28/2023 02:30 pm
What does any of this mean?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Crispy on 05/28/2023 03:12 pm
It would be possible, but so far we haven't been able to create sufficient ambivalent proton flux in the swage plate manifold. The contragyration vanes thus can't produce the kind of Schwalbe fields neccesary and everything falls apart.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Phil Stooke on 05/28/2023 03:16 pm
Allow me to present to you the first thread written entirely by ChatGPT.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: joek on 05/28/2023 03:40 pm
Allow me to present to you the first thread written entirely by ChatGPT.
Maybe as provided by ChatGPT v0.1 beta. Here is ChatGPT 4's response (certainly more patience than I have for such)...
Quote
If I understand your question correctly, you're asking about a hypothetical object that can increase its kinetic energy or speed without an external force applied to it. Essentially, this seems like a form of "perpetual motion" or a reactionless drive, which would indeed go against our current understanding of the laws of physics, most notably Newton's Third Law of Motion (for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction) and the Law of Conservation of Energy.

There are some key issues with this idea:

1. Conservation of Energy: The Law of Conservation of Energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred or transformed. If an object were to accelerate internally by creating its own kinetic energy, it would seem to violate this fundamental law.

2. Newton's Third Law of Motion: According to Newton's third law, for every action, there's an equal and opposite reaction. If an object accelerates itself without applying force to another body, it would violate this law. This is essentially the problem with the concept of a reactionless drive or a "space drive."

3. Second Law of Thermodynamics: This law implies that a system cannot perform work (like acceleration) without an input of energy and an associated increase in entropy (disorder). A machine that could create energy and use it to perform work would violate this principle.

If an object could actually accelerate itself internally, creating kinetic energy, and it did not violate the laws of physics, it would certainly be advantageous for many applications, especially in space travel. It could allow for the creation of spacecraft that could travel vast distances without needing to carry large amounts of fuel. But as our current understanding of physics stands, this idea is considered impossible. Of course, our understanding of the universe is constantly evolving, and future discoveries might alter this perspective.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: woods170 on 05/30/2023 08:44 am

The WAG by forum members here is the plume pressure near the plate will be 12 bar. Water boils at 188 C at 12 bar. I think the plate will not exceed this temperature, but that most of the plume will be reflected from the stagnation surface without being cooled. A small part of the heat energy will create the steam and the rest will stay in the diverted plume.


WAG? In the UK that means "Wives and Girlfriends", usually associated with football players.
"Wild-Ass Guess", as distinct from a SWAG, which is a Scientific Wild-Ass Guess.

This is why Musk in May 2010 wrote a SpaceX internal memo (titled: Acronyms Seriously S*ck) about this very subject:
Quote from: Elon Musk
There is a creeping tendency to use made up acronyms at SpaceX. Excessive use of made up acronyms is a significant impediment to communication and keeping communication good as we grow is incredibly important. Individually, a few acronyms here and there may not seem so bad, but if a thousand people are making these up, over time the result will be a huge glossary that we have to issue to new employees. No one can actually remember all these acronyms and people don't want to seem dumb in a meeting, so they just sit there in ignorance. This is particularly tough on new employees.

That needs to stop immediately or I will take drastic action - I have given enough warning over the years. Unless an acronym is approved by me, it should not enter the SpaceX glossary. If there is an existing acronym that cannot reasonably be justified, it should be eliminated, as I have requested in the past.

For example, there should be not "HTS" [horizontal test stand] or "VTS" [vertical test stand] designations for test stands. Those are particularly dumb, as they contain unnecessary words. A "stand" at our test site is obviously a test stand. VTS-3 is four syllables compared with "Tripod", which is two, so the bloody acronym version actually takes longer to say than the name!

The key test for an acronym is to ask whether it helps or hurts communication. An acronym that most engineers outside of SpaceX already know, such as GUI, is fine to use. It is also ok to make up a few acronyms/contractions every now and again, assuming I have approved them, e.g. MVac and M9 instead of Merlin 1C-Vacuum or Merlin 1C-Sea Level, but those need to be kept to a minimum.


Given that "WAG" now has at least two different interpretations, it would be wise to just use good-old "guess" when indicating that something is, in fact, a guess.

The "Wives And Girlfriends" thing will likely be less often in play on this forum, given that this little corner of the interwebs is about spaceflight, not so much soccer or football (although Chris B might disagree for obvious reasons   ;) ;) ).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Herb Schaltegger on 05/30/2023 12:27 pm

The WAG by forum members here is the plume pressure near the plate will be 12 bar. Water boils at 188 C at 12 bar. I think the plate will not exceed this temperature, but that most of the plume will be reflected from the stagnation surface without being cooled. A small part of the heat energy will create the steam and the rest will stay in the diverted plume.


WAG? In the UK that means "Wives and Girlfriends", usually associated with football players.
"Wild-Ass Guess", as distinct from a SWAG, which is a Scientific Wild-Ass Guess.

This is why Musk in May 2010 wrote a SpaceX internal memo (titled: Acronyms Seriously S*ck) about this very subject:
Quote from: Elon Musk
There is a creeping tendency to use made up acronyms at SpaceX. Excessive use of made up acronyms is a significant impediment to communication and keeping communication good as we grow is incredibly important. Individually, a few acronyms here and there may not seem so bad, but if a thousand people are making these up, over time the result will be a huge glossary that we have to issue to new employees. No one can actually remember all these acronyms and people don't want to seem dumb in a meeting, so they just sit there in ignorance. This is particularly tough on new employees.

That needs to stop immediately or I will take drastic action - I have given enough warning over the years. Unless an acronym is approved by me, it should not enter the SpaceX glossary. If there is an existing acronym that cannot reasonably be justified, it should be eliminated, as I have requested in the past.

For example, there should be not "HTS" [horizontal test stand] or "VTS" [vertical test stand] designations for test stands. Those are particularly dumb, as they contain unnecessary words. A "stand" at our test site is obviously a test stand. VTS-3 is four syllables compared with "Tripod", which is two, so the bloody acronym version actually takes longer to say than the name!

The key test for an acronym is to ask whether it helps or hurts communication. An acronym that most engineers outside of SpaceX already know, such as GUI, is fine to use. It is also ok to make up a few acronyms/contractions every now and again, assuming I have approved them, e.g. MVac and M9 instead of Merlin 1C-Vacuum or Merlin 1C-Sea Level, but those need to be kept to a minimum.


Given that "WAG" now has at least two different interpretations, it would be wise to just use good-old "guess" when indicating that something is, in fact, a guess.

The "Wives And Girlfriends" thing will likely be less often in play on this forum, given that this little corner of the interwebs is about spaceflight, not so much soccer or football (although Chris B might disagree for obvious reasons   ;) ;) ).

To American engineers, “WAG” and “SWAG” have been in continuous active use for many decades. I heard them both the first week on the job at Boeing in 1990. They are as ubiquitous as NASA (another acronym, by the way) and used in meetings and brainstorming sesssions daily.

Elon may hate acronyms, but he can’t change human nature or wipe away common engineering terminology that long predates his own foray into the field.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: waveney on 05/30/2023 03:02 pm
To American engineers, “WAG” and “SWAG” have been in continuous active use for many decades. I heard them both the first week on the job at Boeing in 1990. They are as ubiquitous as NASA (another acronym, by the way) and used in meetings and brainstorming sesssions daily.

As a (retired) software and systems engineer (Telecoms) who has worked on both sides of the pond, with part of my team each side.  I have never heard it.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: phantomdj on 05/30/2023 03:33 pm
To American engineers, “WAG” and “SWAG” have been in continuous active use for many decades. I heard them both the first week on the job at Boeing in 1990. They are as ubiquitous as NASA (another acronym, by the way) and used in meetings and brainstorming sesssions daily.

As a (retired) software and systems engineer (Telecoms) who has worked on both sides of the pond, with part of my team each side.  I have never heard it.

As someone who worked on the Space Shuttle Program at Kennedy Space Center as a Test Conductor and Engineer since 1982, I can attest to the fact that "WAG" and "SWAG" were in common usage. NASA even published an acronym book (about an inch thick) but I doubt WAG and SWAG were in it (can't remember) but the terms were used.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MDMoery on 05/30/2023 05:25 pm
To American engineers, “WAG” and “SWAG” have been in continuous active use for many decades. I heard them both the first week on the job at Boeing in 1990. They are as ubiquitous as NASA (another acronym, by the way) and used in meetings and brainstorming sesssions daily.

As a (retired) software and systems engineer (Telecoms) who has worked on both sides of the pond, with part of my team each side.  I have never heard it.

As someone who worked on the Space Shuttle Program at Kennedy Space Center as a Test Conductor and Engineer since 1982, I can attest to the fact that "WAG" and "SWAG" were in common usage. NASA even published an acronym book (about an inch thick) but I doubt WAG and SWAG were in it (can't remember) but the terms were used.

My funny story about how acronyms can be so engrained that their meanings are forgotten.  I had a co-worker who was in her 60's (not a young, naïve person.) At meetings, she would use FUBAR and not really filter who she did that in front of.  When we asked, she said her dad always used it.  When we told her what the "F" stood for, she was horrified. :-)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: VaBlue on 05/30/2023 06:54 pm
To American engineers, “WAG” and “SWAG” have been in continuous active use for many decades. I heard them both the first week on the job at Boeing in 1990. They are as ubiquitous as NASA (another acronym, by the way) and used in meetings and brainstorming sesssions daily.

As a (retired) software and systems engineer (Telecoms) who has worked on both sides of the pond, with part of my team each side.  I have never heard it.

It may be a government contracting thing, then.  WAG/SWAG was in full use when I started with a commercial defense contractor in 1990.  Usually, the customer (gov't agency of some flavor) would ask what it takes to do 'something', and you give them a WAG based on experience and top 'o head numbers for schedule and cost.  You'd follow that a few days later with a SWAG that includes a more developed look at what else needs to be done in support and how long it would take (ie: how many 'hours' to base cost on).  Based on the WAG/SWAG estimates, you may/may not get an ECP (Engineering Change Proposal) to put the new thing on contract using 'real' numbers from the proposal effort.  The goal was to have a WAG/SWAG within ~20% of the actual ECP cost.  Essentially, they give the customer an idea on whether they can afford the change, or not.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: r8ix on 05/30/2023 07:32 pm
WAG and SWAG are mentioned in Wolfe's The Right Stuff as having been used in the early days of the space program, and IIRC in the aviation test program (Edwards, etc.) as well.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: litton4 on 06/01/2023 02:19 pm
In my employer, a Major US corporation,  the word SWAG is used to denote freebie giveaways.
Presumably derived from one of it's historical usages as "Stolen goods", "Thieves' Booty" etc.

My last department would have informal competitions with "SWAG" (typically badged promotional goods) as the prizes.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: realnouns on 06/01/2023 03:20 pm
SWAG = Stuff We All Get
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tangilinear Interjar on 06/01/2023 03:24 pm
In my employer, a Major US corporation,  the word SWAG is used to denote freebie giveaways.
Presumably derived from one of it's historical usages as "Stolen goods", "Thieves' Booty" etc.

My last department would have informal competitions with "SWAG" (typically badged promotional goods) as the prizes.

While I have used the term WAG for as long as I can remember (in engineering or building terms), I never used SWAG in the same way.

I only knew SWAG as a giveaway, often Hollywood awards type stuff but also promotional stuff at big events. It means, Stuff We All Get.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 06/01/2023 06:02 pm
If an object can accelerate internally, due to Kinetic Energy, it would appear to create. Would this be a big no no for a lot of people or would it be advantageous?

The advantage for hu mans real sizes itself within the boundaries of the non-newtinian fluid counterweights, but nearly only when Potential Energy externally is destroyed


 That's exactly what I was going to say.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 06/03/2023 07:31 pm
 I know Tom is enjoying making little rocket engines and taking pictures of his cats and all, but maybe it's time ULA invited him over for a beer.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jon.amos on 06/04/2023 12:50 am
This just seemed to belong here.   ;D

Apparently Elon is working on an anti aging formula and it seems to have gotten out of control.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 06/08/2023 05:33 am
Re: SILENTBARKER:
Maybe it's a reference to Bob Barker, suffering from laryngitis.
🤔 😉 🤷 😏
Remember, spay and neuter your pets!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6CajdyoaSM0&pp=ygUYYm9iIGJhcmtlciBoYXBweSBnaWxtb3Jl

Caution: PG-13 naughty words
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 06/08/2023 05:45 am
twitter.com/torybruno/status/1666612451440222209

Quote
Nominal run!

https://twitter.com/jeffbezos/status/1666616416307646465

Quote
Nothing sweeter in rocketry than the word nominal. Congrats to you, Tory, and the whole team!

https://twitter.com/blueorigin/status/1666620288493035520

Quote
A big congrats to our partner @ULALaunch on #VulcanRocket's Flight Readiness Firing test. We’re proud to be part of this milestone. Did you know that each BE-4 engine provides 550,000 pounds of thrust at 100% power level? #CountdowntoVulcan

Wow!  <joke>A tweet from the Keeper himself, communicating with the rest of us animals?</joke>

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yj3Fpc3leyk&pp

Caution: Nourishing protein complex makes this an age-restricted video?  (YouTube foolishness, I presume.)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 06/09/2023 04:29 pm
Quote
A big congrats to our partner @ULALaunch on #VulcanRocket's Flight Readiness Firing test. We’re proud to be part of this milestone. Did you know that each BE-4 engine provides 550,000 pounds of thrust at 100% power level? #CountdowntoVulcan

Wait:  This is a tweet addressed to ULA.
Is this how and when Blue communicates specifications to their customers?
Did they forget to tell them the thrust level?
It's gonna take a lot of tweets to describe the entire ICD.
"Did you know that the torqe setting on the TVC attach bolts is 50 inch-pounds?"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: StraumliBlight on 06/11/2023 01:15 am
Decided to commemorate Jurassic Park (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jurassic_Park_(film))'s 30th anniversary with a Space themed poster.



Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ulm_atms on 06/14/2023 10:32 pm
Pardon my intrusion, but the Shuttle vs. whatever debate belongs elsewhere.
The topic of this thread is SpaceX vs Blue Origin - A detailed comparison.
Youre not wrong, but it’s usually fun to watch Jim prove his point.

I'm putting this here because everyone needs to read it.  God I haven't laughed that hard in a while.  Thank you Robotbeat!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ajmarco on 06/19/2023 07:43 pm
How hot does it get inside the fairing?
I wondered about that. You know people have to be wondering if a person could ride one down.

Not sure why but reading this made me think of this...

(https://media.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExNjN6NHNoNm5jNDByeXBvZTM2eTRvaDBqZHR2eWgzN3BxNjYya28yeSZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/3og0IFEYjQPvj8C5UI/giphy-downsized-large.gif)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 06/20/2023 06:20 pm
How hot does it get inside the fairing?
I wondered about that. You know people have to be wondering if a person could ride one down.

Not sure why but reading this made me think of this...

(https://media.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExNjN6NHNoNm5jNDByeXBvZTM2eTRvaDBqZHR2eWgzN3BxNjYya28yeSZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/3og0IFEYjQPvj8C5UI/giphy-downsized-large.gif)
Bah, that is sub-orbital. Think John Carpenter's 1974 Dark star movie is more appropriate.
https://youtu.be/m9h8hxBY7pk
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 06/25/2023 05:22 pm
In response to an $8B estimate for NASA’s portion of the Mars Sample Return mission:
What if we give SpaceX 1 billion to save 7 billion, and we will have samples in no time? Maybe they could even be collected by humans? :)

starship isnt a magic schoolbus that can do everything like sci fi.

You mean I cannot hire Starship to clean my bathroom and wash my car?

Sure you can, just like you can light your cigar with Elon’s flamethrower!

Have you ever seen the video of lighting a grill with LOX?

You just might not like the way Starship leaves the bathroom. video (https://youtu.be/SS7n4kVL5kA)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Omegawire on 07/07/2023 05:52 pm
https://youtu.be/mfROAXnzqAE
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: catdlr on 07/12/2023 06:06 am
https://twitter.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1678949709661065217



Does this dome make me look fat?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 07/13/2023 05:04 pm
Quote
Meet the official mascot of #Luna25. No, I’m not joking, this is a fresh idea of Roscosmos PR service. It still has no name, so everyone can offer a version in the comments to this post in Roscosmos Telegram account: t.me/roscosmos_gk/1…
Following the recent government rejection of Federatsia in favor of Oryol, Russian Federation name suggestors should stick to male gendered proper nouns?
To paraphrase from American history: "Russian female gendered nouns [Catholic] Irish need not apply."
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: pb2000 on 07/14/2023 05:57 pm
[Regarding ViaSat-3.1; I split/moved from its launch thread because, I assume, pb2000 is joking.] ✨️
It can't reach that altitude plus it would require rendezvous sensors.
Just dust off sea launch odyssey, swap some lego parts and Electron can loft 2.3kg to GEO. A can of oil, some pliers and a hammer will probably take 2Kg, leaving 300g for the spacecraft bus and propellant. Easy.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 07/14/2023 10:33 pm
.
Member: Twitter user apple 🍎 keeping the information superhighway family friendly. 🙄 😑

Reminds me of a expletive-laced alternate book cover 📖 I've seen for "Green Eggs and Ham." 🥚 🪺 🥩

Samuel Jackson could read it for "Reading Rainbow." 📚 🌈
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DistantTemple on 07/25/2023 10:34 am
https://twitter.com/starlink/status/1683673673105018881

Quote
Starlink is now available in Malaysia, marking the 60th country around the world where Starlink can provide high-speed internet connectivity → starlink.com/map 🛰️🇲🇾
Just get out a chainsaw, so dishy can get a clear view of the sky.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: markbike528cbx on 07/25/2023 01:07 pm
https://twitter.com/starlink/status/1683673673105018881

Quote
Starlink is now available in Malaysia, marking the 60th country around the world where Starlink can provide high-speed internet connectivity → starlink.com/map 🛰️🇲🇾
Just get out a chainsaw, so dishy can get a clear view of the sky.
Is it just me or do the Petronas Twin Towers look suspiciously like stacks of Starlinks?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 07/26/2023 05:31 pm
WT…

https://twitter.com/nova_road/status/1684250649016270857

Quote
A Kennedy Space Center employee, using their NASA email, sent us a note that Falcon Heavy is not launching from 39A but from SLC-40 and our data was wrong.

We've always had issues working with KSC so I find this amusing.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Elvis in Space on 07/28/2023 06:17 pm
I think Elon just watered half of Texas. I mean, not him personally. He's a good sized fella and all but...the pad. You know at Boca Chica. Anyhow, I think they lowered the Gulf a few inches.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 07/28/2023 06:23 pm
https://twitter.com/starlink/status/1683673673105018881

Quote
Starlink is now available in Malaysia, marking the 60th country around the world where Starlink can provide high-speed internet connectivity → starlink.com/map 🛰️🇲🇾
Just get out a chainsaw, so dishy can get a clear view of the sky.
Is it just me or do the Petronas Twin Towers look suspiciously like stacks of Starlinks?
They accidentally posted a photo of a Starlink 3
Stack.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 07/29/2023 03:07 am
https://twitter.com/starlink/status/1683673673105018881

Quote
Starlink is now available in Malaysia, marking the 60th country around the world where Starlink can provide high-speed internet connectivity → starlink.com/map 🛰️🇲🇾
Just get out a chainsaw, so dishy can get a clear view of the sky.
Is it just me or do the Petronas Twin Towers look suspiciously like stacks of Starlinks?
They accidentally posted a photo of a Starlink 3
Stack.

Heck with the Starlinks! I wanna see the Next-Gen Starship that can carry that stack!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 07/31/2023 03:07 pm
It's weird that SpaceX would help a competitor. I wonder why this happened. Maybe NASA told SpaceX to do that? Maybe they feel that the real competitor is other countries so it's OK to help a domestic competitor? Do they feel that a stronger Boeing would be helpful to their Mars plans?
I think SpaceX benefits by anything that keeps them from looking like a de facto space monopoly. They dominate the launch industry and currently have no competition for CCP. Currently, NASA is touting the competitive environment, but it is getting pretty threadbare. SpaceX can currently charge a lot and enjoy high profit margins because "the market is competive". If they begin to be perceived as a monopoly, regulators will step in and force the prices down.
NASA will be thankful they insisted on two providers. There was pressure to downselect to one which would've been Boeing. Imagine being reliant on Soyzu for last 18 months.
bold mine
Yes, it would have sucked, just like the previous decade of Western Soyuz reliance for human access to ISS. (Nov 2009-May 2020).
Yes, like the decade of Al Franken.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: mn on 07/31/2023 09:44 pm
Quote from: NASA JPL tweet
Communications with Voyager 2 have paused while its antenna is pointed a mere 2-degrees away from Earth. The team expects it to remain on its trajectory with a plan for the spacecraft to reset its orientation this October, enabling communication to resume. [Jul 28]

We could send a starship with a transmitter to the right location where it can transmit to Voyager.

Yes starship will solve all the world's problems ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 08/04/2023 09:18 pm
https://twitter.com/sciguyspace/status/1686862326073356288 (https://twitter.com/sciguyspace/status/1686862326073356288)

Quote
It sounds like Blue Origin is considering acquiring Ball Aerospace. Would bolster Blue’s spacecraft division.

Heard on the Ball Campus:

If Blue Origin buys Ball Aerospace they will rename it Blue Balls.
And they have the rocket to go with it.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Perchlorate on 08/04/2023 09:26 pm
https://twitter.com/sciguyspace/status/1686862326073356288 (https://twitter.com/sciguyspace/status/1686862326073356288)

Quote
It sounds like Blue Origin is considering acquiring Ball Aerospace. Would bolster Blue’s spacecraft division.

Heard on the Ball Campus:

If Blue Origin buys Ball Aerospace they will rename it Blue Balls.
And they have the rocket to go with it.

Nice.

And, of course, as the new venture goes on to develop new spacecraft, their prototypes,
or TEST artICLES, can be referred to as...

...well, you know.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: leovinus on 08/04/2023 10:06 pm
400 pages in this party thread. And it is Friday. Time for a beer.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CorvusCorax on 08/06/2023 12:52 pm
Just quickly gotta "flex" this, was in the mail today :-)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 08/19/2023 03:13 am
It appears Mother Nature got a beef with Elon after hurricane Hilary finishes moping up Camp Pendelton on Sunday afternoon. First deluging the Hawthorne factory then buffeting Palo Alto CA (Fremont Factory) with gale force winds before passing through to deluge Sparks NV (GigaNevada).  :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 08/19/2023 06:03 am
It appears Mother Nature got a beef with Elon...
You reminded me of the Chiffon margarine commercials.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ijVijP-CDVI
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 08/20/2023 08:46 am
No need for Lunar Starship and competition against China, Canada get there fir second:
https://twitter.com/csa_asc/status/1692853917087088970
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 08/26/2023 07:42 am
Congratulations to SpaceX for having now launched 42 people into orbit on Dragon!

Boeing Starliner: 0.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Torlek on 08/27/2023 02:08 am
Rocket go up. Rocket come down. Send it to the barn and rack up another.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tomness on 09/04/2023 04:36 pm
https://twitter.com/harry__stranger/status/1698659379179147410

Quote
High resolution satellite images taken on September 3rd captured SpaceX's new crew access arm for SLC-40 poking out of Hangar M.

More below:

https://twitter.com/harry__stranger/status/1698659402964987995

Quote
SLC-40 is being prepared for the arrival of the tower segments ahead of stacking with a large crane being assembled, and there's also a hole in the roof of the hangar..? 🧐

Full image: https://soar.earth/maps/15725
@Soar_Earth

NRO enters the chat, you ladies and gents want a job?  Lol
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 09/06/2023 02:31 pm
Starship.

Robotbeat! >:(
Haven’t you learned ANYTHING from Jim?
A one word answer doesn’t need a period at the end. ::)

(PS  If your response is Jim’s classic “no”, leave off the period.)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tangilinear Interjar on 09/15/2023 05:18 pm
The FAA needs to stop wasting SpaceX's time. Perhaps SpaceX should ignore the FAA and push the button on B9 + S25 ASAP. Othewise SpaceX might as well skip B9 + S25 as B10 +S26? will be ready to launch by the time the snail paced FAA sorts itself out.
Yeah, that'll really speed things up long term. An adversarial relationship with a regulatory agency is a tried & true approach to smooth operations. /s

This suddenly triggered my subversive mind and got me wondering.

What if SpaceX did just up and launch, without any approvals or warnings?

Of course they would get in trouble but what would that look like? A letter being sent? An official reprimand? Are the police going to come arrest someone? The FAA doesn't have any enforcement arm soo. . .

And after a bunch of angry letters and calls and whatever else, what if they just up and launched again? Would the army be sent in to stop them?

Unfortunately my brain often takes these type of tangents.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DanClemmensen on 09/15/2023 07:02 pm
The FAA needs to stop wasting SpaceX's time. Perhaps SpaceX should ignore the FAA and push the button on B9 + S25 ASAP. Othewise SpaceX might as well skip B9 + S25 as B10 +S26? will be ready to launch by the time the snail paced FAA sorts itself out.
Yeah, that'll really speed things up long term. An adversarial relationship with a regulatory agency is a tried & true approach to smooth operations. /s

This suddenly triggered my subversive mind and got me wondering.

What if SpaceX did just up and launch, without any approvals or warnings?

Of course they would get in trouble but what would that look like? A letter being sent? An official reprimand? Are the police going to come arrest someone? The FAA doesn't have any enforcement arm soo. . .

And after a bunch of angry letters and calls and whatever else, what if they just up and launched again? Would the army be sent in to stop them?

Unfortunately my brain often takes these type of tangents.
Typically in a case like this I think a judge signs a restraining order and then the sheriff or federal marshals (depending on the court) physically go to the site and lock the doors, gates, etc.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: joek on 09/15/2023 07:52 pm
This suddenly triggered my subversive mind and got me wondering.
...
See here (https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/agc/practice_areas/enforcement/enforcement_actions). Note that covers only civil actions and penalties. I'll leave it to the legal eagles to opine on whether such activity would be considered criminal activity. Very different scenario if there is an "Oops we screwed up and we think the penalty is egregious" vs. "We scewed up with malice and forethought". NB:
Quote
There is no dollar limitation on assessments for violations of the commercial space statute or regulations, and the maximum civil penalty the FAA may impose in commercial space cases is $120,000.
That basically means the sky is the limit on penalties (the $120K limit is meaningless in this context).

So at miniimum a civil action, then likely criminal action and a shutdown of SpaceX Starship acivity (as @DanClemmensen suggests), then potentially enormous fines and bankruptucy for SpaceX.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 09/17/2023 12:41 pm
<snip>
So at miniimum a civil action, then likely criminal action and a shutdown of SpaceX Starship acivity (as @DanClemmensen suggests), then potentially enormous fines and bankruptucy for SpaceX.
Neither enormous fines or bankruptcy is a good enforcement option. As long as SpaceX is more or less a launch provider monopoly. There is no one else that can offer equivalent launch capacity or relatively low cost for space access. Never mind crewed access to the ISS until Boeing get it's act together.

In other words, SpaceX is too big to fail. The consequences are catastrophic for almost everyone.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DanClemmensen on 09/17/2023 02:32 pm
This entire hypothetical case is silly. SpaceX is not going to willfully disregard the law in the first place, and they would not willfully disregard a court order if it reached that point.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tangilinear Interjar on 09/17/2023 06:06 pm
Just to be perfectly clear, I in no way think that SpaceX would or should do what I suggested above. I was just musing on what could the government do if they did?

The answer seems to pretty much be just send sternly written letters, tell them they need to pay a small ticket, and send a cop with a padlock to put on some door somewhere. 🤣
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 09/17/2023 08:05 pm
Re: Starlink at War
MSNBC update:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUejpfoJZec

NBC News:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqcyMRXNupI

MCU update:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NruJjVgAMZ4
[zubenelgenubi: Edited]
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tgr9898 on 09/19/2023 07:02 pm

They are not meeting their contractual obligations if they are late and they are unlikely to make the 2025 date as it is.
To your knowledge, when was the last time a missed date led to any monetary penalty or contract cancellation? Deferral of a milestone payment does not count as a missed date. It counts as a missed milestone and causes its own "penalty" in the form the time cost of money.

Why was SpaceX not penalized for missing the 2017 operational date for Crew Dragon?
Why was Boeing not penalized for missing the 2017 operational date for Starliner?

The last question is easy to answer: 

They're not sure what the final total will eventually be...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 09/21/2023 02:16 pm
Damn aliens and their Anti Second Stage Ray!
https://twitter.com/raz_liu/status/1704830558545813719
[False alarm] Failure was in the first stage flight. Extraterrestrials cleared.
https://twitter.com/SpaceXFanClub_/status/1704036397630271738
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: trimeta on 09/25/2023 10:56 pm
The best part of Smith's departure letter:

Quote from: Bob Smith
It has been my privilege to be part of this great team, and I am confident that Blue Origin’s greatest achievements are still ahead of us.

The jokes basically write themselves.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: meekGee on 09/26/2023 03:35 am
The best part of Smith's departure letter:

Quote from: Bob Smith
It has been my privilege to be part of this great team, and I am confident that Blue Origin’s greatest achievements are still ahead of us.

The jokes basically write themselves.
You're saying that IRL he'll only leave in 2026, and even then only get as far as the parking lot?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 09/26/2023 07:42 am
Quote from: Jeff Bezos
<snip>
Jeff
My question regarding the whole ball of wax:
Why has Jeff Bezos not used his Talosian telepathic powers on all Blue Origin employees, as he has at Amazon, to create the human community he desires via "carefully guided lives"?

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yj3Fpc3leyk
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 09/26/2023 11:06 am
So, with no malice and purely out of vaudevillian necessity to spike such a perfect set, I give you the Blue Origin joke that writes itself:

After years of progress under Bob Smith, it looks like Blue Origin will finally get to orbit with a Limp.


Oh, and did you read the leaked emails between the outgoing CEO and his replacement?

"Hey, Bob, so you think you could speed things up just a bit?"
"I'm sorry Dave. I'm afraid I can't do that."


(It's a good thing they went with someone from Amazon's devices group. If they'd gone with someone from free shipping, I just don't see the business case closing.)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tangilinear Interjar on 09/26/2023 03:09 pm
Is Jeff Bezos going to sleep on the assembly line and move his primary residence to a 2-bedroom house at the launch facility?

If so, then great, they have a reasonable shot at matching the required sense of urgency.

I dunno, if Jeff's movers are as fast as the rest of Blue Origin, Elon's not gonna need to buy housewarming presents for a while.

I could make a joke about less gradually fiercely and more fiercely gradual, but then I'd be a 3D printer...


But seriously, Bezos isn't CEO of Amazon anymore. Why isn't he taking the reigns? It's not like he would have trouble getting a security clearance.

Have you seen Jeff's girlfriend!?  Have you seen his new boat!? Have you seen the exciting pace of development at Blue!?

I'm pretty sure he chose the more exciting and entertaining direction.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 09/28/2023 06:24 pm
PARCAE is now declassified:
It's not nice to fool Mother Nature! 🌩
Wait a minute, that's Chiffon!
Butter/Parkay 🧈 (margarine)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IVWQYeiB6JI&pp=ygUYYnV0dGVyIHBhcmtheSBjb21tZXJjaWFs
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 10/04/2023 11:25 am
So, I'm a bit late to the party, but I just saw that there's a trail closure notice (https://gameplan.ssprd.org/mary-carter-greenway-and-little-s-creek-detour) in Littleton, Colorado, just down the road from ULA in Centennial.  They're apparently installing a Falcon 9 first stage as a nice public gateway.

I'm just wondering is why they went with a retired used SpaceX rocket instead of a recovered ULA first stage...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: markbike528cbx on 10/04/2023 12:31 pm
So, I'm a bit late to the party, but I just saw that there's a trail closure notice (https://gameplan.ssprd.org/mary-carter-greenway-and-little-s-creek-detour) in Littleton, Colorado, just down the road from ULA in Centennial.  They're apparently installing a Falcon 9 first stage as a nice public gateway.

I'm just wondering is why they went with a retired used SpaceX rocket instead of a recovered ULA first stage...
And also why
Quote
Dish Network will be responsible for ongoing maintenance.
instead of Starlink.
I kept looking for a sign that this was an article from The Onion
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 10/05/2023 10:18 pm
https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/1710038335840977404
Quote
Stoke Space announced it has raised a $100M Series B round. More importantly, it's named its rocket: Nova.

Word association: Nova from Star Blazers was my first thought.

Japan: Space Battleship Yamato > Yamato > Yuki Mori 🇯🇵

USA: Star Blazers > Argo > Nova Forrester 🇺🇲 circa 1980 TV syndication



Get to know the ladies of "Space Battleship Yamato 2199." 🚀

Yuki Mori is no longer the "Smurfette"--the only woman member of the crew--as she was in the original version.

It's in Japanese, but I think us English speakers can figure out the character sketches anyway.

Compare and contrast the character "types" in this series vs "My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic." 🦄🐴

Expect some fan service.

Runtime about 10 1/2 minutes.  Yuki Mori segment starts about 02:10.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=is2qt9efGSM
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 10/09/2023 09:23 am
Cross-posted from the 'Vega VV23 - THEOS 2, TRITON, rideshares' thread
That's all for Kourou orbital launches this year, 3 for 3. :'(

That is also the likely the same number of launches from ULA this year as well. If the inaugural mid-December Vulcan Centaur launch with the Astrobotic Peregrine Lunar Lander slips to 2024.

Until the Project Kuiper Protoflight was manifested, was looking like just one Delta Heavy and one Atlas V launching for 2023. :o

ULA 2023 Launches
NROL-68 on Delta IV Heavy on June 22nd from pad SLC-37B
NROL-107 (Silentbarker) on Atlas V 551 on September 10th from pad SLC-41
Project Kuiper Protoflight on Atlas V 501 on October 6th from pad SLC-41
Astrobotics Peregrine lander on Vulcan Centaur VC2S scheduled for mid December from pad SLC-41

Update - the Astrobotics Moonshot got a NET December 24th launch date, hopefully the Big Red Fella will clear the airspace for Astrobotics & ULA.  :)
 

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 10/22/2023 06:57 pm
Just saw this posted:
"Wait and see: Looks like the folks digging into the asteroid Bennu samples brought back by the OSIRIS-REx mission have run into a bit of trouble. The bulk material contained in the Touch-and-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism -- or TAGSAM -- has proven tough to remove. Two of the 35 fasteners on the TAGSAM head could not be removed with allocated tools. The team needs now to develop and practice a new procedure to remove the remaining asteroid sample from the TAGSAM sampler head. Bennu material that has been extracted – now 70.3 grams -- already surpasses the goal of hauling back to Earth at least 60 grams."
If they need a hand, I have some experience at disassembling used spacecraft. All the required tools should still be in Mary's garage.
So did the country doctor in Piedmont, NM. (The Andromeda Strain) 🫠🤢😱☠️🦠
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 10/24/2023 12:16 am
Vandy RTLS - Can't wait!!

Starlink flights are so routine, it's exciting to see transformer missions that are much more complex.
Transformer missions would be even cooler than Transporter missions
They would indeed be more than meets the eye.
Who would be the Autobots 🚗 and who would be the Decepticons? 🛩
Special Guest Star 🌟: Dancing 🕺 Machine Buzz Aldrin
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 10/24/2023 02:36 pm
Vandy RTLS - Can't wait!!

Starlink flights are so routine, it's exciting to see transformer missions that are much more complex.
Transformer missions would be even cooler than Transporter missions
They would indeed be more than meets the eye.
Who would be the Autobots 🚗 and who would be the Decepticons? 🛩
Special Guest Star 🌟: Dancing 🕺 Machine Buzz Aldrin

Doh!  My bad.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: penguin44 on 10/26/2023 02:46 pm
Since SX left youtube I have found my interest in SX launches waning. It's unfortunate. I have been enjoying spaceflight since 1977
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 10/27/2023 11:18 pm
Since SX left YouTube, I have found my interest in SX launches waning. It's unfortunate. I have been enjoying spaceflight since 1977

Me too. Especially Starlink.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: catdlr on 10/28/2023 12:23 am
Since SX left YouTube, I have found my interest in SX launches waning. It's unfortunate. I have been enjoying spaceflight since 1977

Me too. Especially Starlink.

This YouTube channel is streaming SpaceX launches live with re-broadcasting OK from "X".  Don't lose hope.

https://www.youtube.com/@Space-Affairs/streams

The next SpaceX launch is in a few hours.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LAzLFYS5TA
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: markbike528cbx on 10/28/2023 03:13 pm
Since SX left YouTube, I have found my interest in SX launches waning. It's unfortunate. I have been enjoying spaceflight since 1977

Me too. Especially Starlink.
Me too.  But on the other hand, all those launches was turning a hobby into a chore.
SpaceX going to X was an emotionally palatable way of skipping launches turned mundane.   Did I just write that?
Thanks catdlr , I think , for the new source link.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 10/31/2023 12:12 am
From the 'Environmental groups sue FAA over SS approval' thread

<snip>
SpaceX should do all their experimental launches from existing ranges where there is no wildlife to be affected.

Oh...

Wait...

Actually, SpaceX should only build and launch rockets using processes that don't result in "intense heat, noise and light pollution". I'm thinking anti-gravity generators, though they'd need to be highly localised to avoid sucking worms & insects out of the soil into the air where they are more likely to be eaten by birds.
AIUI from various Sci-fic tomes. Anti-grav generators or plates, don't suck or pull anything towards them. They put out an opposing force to the gravitational force. Somewhat like a magnet repelling another magnet.

However your assertion that SpaceX should employ anti-grav devices for space launch have implications. Since that means SpaceX will truly become the Spacing Guild flying mini Heighliner size ships replacing all other modes of bulk transportation.  :P
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: thespacecow on 11/02/2023 12:42 pm
https://twitter.com/AJ_FI/status/1719986598291365920

So China is flying reusable methalox rocket, meanwhile US is grounding methalox rocket for "environmental review", if that's not the perfect example of US shooting itself in the foot I don't know what is.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: wannamoonbase on 11/02/2023 03:20 pm
https://twitter.com/AJ_FI/status/1719986598291365920

So China is flying reusable methalox rocket, meanwhile US is grounding methalox rocket for "environmental review", if that's not the perfect example of US shooting itself in the foot I don't know what is.

I'll side with the US.

China has peaked, it's more likely they take up Russia's role of grand proclamations and rendered images and going no where.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nevyn72 on 11/02/2023 09:25 pm
https://twitter.com/AJ_FI/status/1719986598291365920

So China is flying reusable methalox rocket, meanwhile US is grounding methalox rocket for "environmental review", if that's not the perfect example of US shooting itself in the foot I don't know what is.

I'll side with the US.

China has peaked, it's more likely they take up Russia's role of grand proclamations and rendered images and going no where.

 ::)

Let's just put a bookmark on this one shall we...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: thespacecow on 11/03/2023 02:00 am
I'll side with the US.

China has peaked, it's more likely they take up Russia's role of grand proclamations and rendered images and going no where.

It is exactly *because* I side with the US that I'm extremely worried about US shooting itself in the foot.

It's certainly possible that China has peaked, but that doesn't mean they couldn't beat the crap out of US just with the power they have right now. As Gerst said, without SpaceX China would out-launch US by 3 to 1, and 8 to 1 if you count tonnage, hoping China becomes another Russia is just cope.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: chopsticks on 11/03/2023 02:34 am
What's wrong with that? Good for China, it's impressive that they've pulled that off! Space should be for all, not just for Americans.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 11/03/2023 06:32 am
A nice encapsulation of recent Starship activities

https://twitter.com/maxarick/status/1720146221677916201

Quote
SpaceX in the past weeks:
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: scaesare on 11/03/2023 02:43 pm
https://twitter.com/AJ_FI/status/1719986598291365920

So China is flying reusable methalox rocket, meanwhile US is grounding methalox rocket for "environmental review", if that's not the perfect example of US shooting itself in the foot I don't know what is.

But the grounding is not because of methalox, right? They would have grounded it for any other fuel that managed to generate enough thrust to disintegrate a launch pad.

Also: water deluge.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 11/04/2023 03:22 pm
In light of Lucy's discovery during its flyby, I don't suppose they could name the moon "Diamond"? As in "Lucy in the sky...".
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 11/04/2023 05:27 pm
In light of Lucy's discovery during its flyby, I don't suppose they could name the moon "Diamond"? As in "Lucy in the sky...".
Latinized to Adamas.  :)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jpo234 on 11/08/2023 10:58 pm
This is probably the best place for this insanity:

https://twitter.com/ChrisO_wiki/status/1721886902759170349?s=20
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: toren on 11/08/2023 11:37 pm
This is probably the best place for this insanity:

https://twitter.com/ChrisO_wiki/status/1721886902759170349?s=20

Perhaps Elon can send them a trampoline as a New Year's gift.

/s
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tgr9898 on 11/09/2023 06:39 pm
I am no expert, but it looks to me like someone called the Ghost Busters.

Remind me again which one was the Walrus???
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 11/09/2023 07:09 pm
https://twitter.com/geoffdbarrett/status/1722634032666599642

Quote
Abbey Road.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: hamerad on 11/10/2023 09:54 am
So I noticed all the proponents to the regulatory process for *safety* are quite silent regarding what Elon said in his latest interview with Lex Friedman where he says FWS didn't trust other members of their agency to run data regarding the probability of hitting a shark on splashdown ethically, because they might give the data to POACHERS, and later forced spacex to abduct a seal and play Sonic boom sounds to see if it got traumatized.


Elon said several times this was real.


The seal story has been making the rounds for years - there's even a photo of the poor animal, wearing headphones and strapped to a wooden frame:
Quote
the company was forced to hire someone to kidnap a seal and make it listen to sonic booms before being allowed to launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base

https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-paints-x-on-western-falcon-9-landing-pad-for-rocket-recovery-debut/
Others must have thought about this and also realized that this was not silliness directed at SpaceX, but was a continuation of a process that was applied to the US Air Force as well. Next studying the disruption that noise causes to species is worthwhile, especially when it is rocket launches and sonic booms.
I have not located the original source of the happy seal with headphones picture, (in the Teslararti article linked above), but I suspect it is from a scientific study, and conceivably SpaceX had to contribute or finance such a study.
The document I found on my first search: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/11/15/2018-24977/takes-of-marine-mammals-incidental-to-specified-activities-taking-marine-mammals-incidental-to (https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/11/15/2018-24977/takes-of-marine-mammals-incidental-to-specified-activities-taking-marine-mammals-incidental-to)
I think the source of the photo is this tweet from Elon's 2nd 3rd and 4th wife
https://twitter.com/TalulahRiley/status/320422298618302464
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Ben Baley on 11/15/2023 07:06 pm
Somewhere on some forum, someone familiar with Boca Chica mentioned that there are feral pigs in the area. Feral pigs are in general very bad news for just about any natural ecosystem. In a rational world money would be spent to eradicate the pigs instead of worrying about ocelots, Jaguarandi, and cactus owls that are known to not be present anyway. I must admit I think ocelots, Jaguarandi, and cactus owls are pretty cool, though.

There ought to be a way for some FWS guy to quietly take some SpaceX environmental guy aside and tell him to deal with the damn pigs, assuming they exist.

SpaceX is pretty good with drones and they have some connections in Ukraine,  maybe they could set up a training program where FPV drone operators could practice on feral hogs, sounds like a win-win-win to me.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Stan-1967 on 11/15/2023 07:23 pm
Somewhere on some forum, someone familiar with Boca Chica mentioned that there are feral pigs in the area. Feral pigs are in general very bad news for just about any natural ecosystem. In a rational world money would be spent to eradicate the pigs instead of worrying about ocelots, Jaguarandi, and cactus owls that are known to not be present anyway. I must admit I think ocelots, Jaguarandi, and cactus owls are pretty cool, though.

There ought to be a way for some FWS guy to quietly take some SpaceX environmental guy aside and tell him to deal with the damn pigs, assuming they exist.

SpaceX is pretty good with drones and they have some connections in Ukraine,  maybe they could set up a training program where FPV drone operators could practice on feral hogs, sounds like a win-win-win to me.

As the singularity approaches, drone operator ==> AI ==> Skynet ==> hogs or humans? 

Why risk it?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: StraumliBlight on 11/15/2023 07:46 pm
A joke IFT-2 patch I made a while ago (https://www.reddit.com/r/SpaceXMasterrace/comments/13ye5w9/making_the_impossible_merely_latte/).
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Stan-1967 on 11/16/2023 02:59 am
So it's 840pm MST where I live, and just maybe I've had +1 beer after dinner.  All the excitement of IFT-2 has my brain cooking up a new scheme for a Starship crew escape system.  It's so simple I probably didn't even need alcohol to come up with it.  SpaceX just needs to beef up the 22,000 lb hot ring a bit more, then configure the LES command signal to detonate a mini nuke placed between the LOX dome of the booster & backside of the hot ring blast plate.  We'll call it the Orion LES.  Might be a bad idea for pad aborts... ::)

And the more I think about it, I like it even more than the Arca Space "Ecorocket Heavy".  I should learn to photoshop these ideas.

I can't wait for Friday morning.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Cherokee43v6 on 11/16/2023 03:06 am
Hey,,, is Dolly Parton the official female vocal artist for this launch?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbxUSsFXYo4

(music)

Workin' 9 - 2 - 5...
what a way to make a livin'

(/music)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: CraigLieb on 11/17/2023 03:03 pm
Couldn’t help but wonder about the multiple grid-fin actuators being replaced..
first one said … “I’m outta here… this thing is gonna splode!”

Two others asked “Can we join you?”

The last guy said…
“I’m good… bring my hat back and let’s light this candle!”
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tangilinear Interjar on 11/17/2023 06:47 pm
I can't believe that they stick with the this obviously bad design for the gridfin actuators. They clearly don't know what they are doing and should have gone with the old tried and true gridfin actuators.

They obviously have a terribly high rate of failure as can be seen by the dozens of times they have had to remove the hot stage ring, clearly it was to service or replace the gridfin actuators each time.

With as many of these that they have on the Booster, and the fact that they all have to work perfectly or the whole thing will explode and risk so many lives it's clear that the design is wrong. I've attached a fancy graph with different colors that shows the likelihood of failure and it's most probable result.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 11/18/2023 06:47 am
 I'm watching the Starship launch from a little further off this time. Sort of a Sherpa/biker pub in Kathmandu.
 I need to remember to stay cool if somebody starts explaining how space travel is fake. Punching a guy who can carry a Volkswagen up a mountain probably wouldn't end well.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: catdlr on 11/18/2023 07:19 am
I'm watching the Starship launch from a little further off this time. Sort of a Sherpa/biker pub in Kathmandu.
 I need to remember to stay cool if somebody starts explaining how space travel is fake. Punching a guy who can carry a Volkswagen up a mountain probably wouldn't end well.

Nomadd, 
You're still among us, your friends, no matter how far or remote you are.
Tony
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Emmettvonbrown on 11/18/2023 12:10 pm
He did it...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXBJRz_33Y8
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Emmettvonbrown on 11/18/2023 01:16 pm
I'm watching the Starship launch from a little further off this time. Sort of a Sherpa/biker pub in Kathmandu.
 I need to remember to stay cool if somebody starts explaining how space travel is fake. Punching a guy who can carry a Volkswagen up a mountain probably wouldn't end well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dxuhWlitr8

Sorry, couldn't resist.  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: smisamore on 11/18/2023 04:23 pm
I'm watching the Starship launch from a little further off this time. Sort of a Sherpa/biker pub in Kathmandu.
 I need to remember to stay cool if somebody starts explaining how space travel is fake. Punching a guy who can carry a Volkswagen up a mountain probably wouldn't end well.

Tracking down that elusive Guinness Stout has taken you on quite an adventure. Keep this up and you'll end up circumnavigating the planet!!  Oh wait....  ;) ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 11/19/2023 02:03 am
I'm watching the Starship launch from a little further off this time. Sort of a Sherpa/biker pub in Kathmandu.
 I need to remember to stay cool if somebody starts explaining how space travel is fake. Punching a guy who can carry a Volkswagen up a mountain probably wouldn't end well.

Tracking down that elusive Guinness Stout has taken you on quite an adventure. Keep this up and you'll end up circumnavigating the planet!!  Oh wait....  ;) ;D

If I reach circumnavigational velocity, but stop a few miles short and wind up off Hawaii, was I actually in circumnavigation?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DanClemmensen on 11/19/2023 02:09 am
I'm watching the Starship launch from a little further off this time. Sort of a Sherpa/biker pub in Kathmandu.
 I need to remember to stay cool if somebody starts explaining how space travel is fake. Punching a guy who can carry a Volkswagen up a mountain probably wouldn't end well.

Tracking down that elusive Guinness Stout has taken you on quite an adventure. Keep this up and you'll end up circumnavigating the planet!!  Oh wait....  ;) ;D

If I reach circumnavigational velocity, but stop a few miles short and wind up off Hawaii, was I actually in circumnavigation?
Hey, Magellan is credited with the first circumnavigation even though he died halfway. Please do not emulate him.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: sdsds on 11/19/2023 03:54 am
Now thanks to jcm et al. I know where I want to be sailing during the next launch attempt, just hoping a souvenir lands on the foredeck!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: tyrred on 11/19/2023 06:54 pm
Dr. Avi Loeb wrote an article on Medium entitled "The Rocket Effect on Earth".

https://avi-loeb.medium.com/the-rocket-effect-on-earth-33cd660eda4c

This paragraph struck me as incredibly misleading, and I asked him to show his math.

"A fully loaded Starship is 121 meters tall, nearly 30 meters taller than the Statue of Liberty. Interestingly, it has roughly the inferred size and projected elongation of the anomalous interstellar object, `Oumuamua. Starship’s mass of 5,000 tons is equivalent to the total mass of 100,000 people. If the upper third of Starship were to fail after reaching an altitude of several tens of kilometers and then return in one piece to the ground, its impact would have released the energy equivalent of 100 kilotons of TNT, three times the sum of the atomic explosions over Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II."
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ugordan on 11/19/2023 07:06 pm
Dr. Avi Loeb wrote an article on Medium entitled "The Rocket Effect on Earth".

https://avi-loeb.medium.com/the-rocket-effect-on-earth-33cd660eda4c

This paragraph struck me as incredibly misleading, and I asked him to show his math.

"A fully loaded Starship is 121 meters tall, nearly 30 meters taller than the Statue of Liberty. Interestingly, it has roughly the inferred size and projected elongation of the anomalous interstellar object, `Oumuamua. Starship’s mass of 5,000 tons is equivalent to the total mass of 100,000 people. If the upper third of Starship were to fail after reaching an altitude of several tens of kilometers and then return in one piece to the ground, its impact would have released the energy equivalent of 100 kilotons of TNT, three times the sum of the atomic explosions over Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II."

Leave it to him to sneak in "aliens" and Oumuamua into this, but setting that aside, his knowledge of Starship, rockets in general and basic energy conservation leaves a LOT to be desired. Best not to entertain this further, in fact I'm gonna suggest the mods delete both of these posts from this thread.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Emmettvonbrown on 11/19/2023 07:30 pm
I agree with Ugordan, 100 %. Loeb more and more sounds like a Didier Raoult of space matters. At first glance, he has credentials, but once you scratch the surface a little, ugly things happens...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Michael S on 11/20/2023 03:08 am
Dr. Avi Loeb wrote an article on Medium entitled "The Rocket Effect on Earth".

https://avi-loeb.medium.com/the-rocket-effect-on-earth-33cd660eda4c

This paragraph struck me as incredibly misleading, and I asked him to show his math.

"A fully loaded Starship is 121 meters tall, nearly 30 meters taller than the Statue of Liberty. Interestingly, it has roughly the inferred size and projected elongation of the anomalous interstellar object, `Oumuamua. Starship’s mass of 5,000 tons is equivalent to the total mass of 100,000 people. If the upper third of Starship were to fail after reaching an altitude of several tens of kilometers and then return in one piece to the ground, its impact would have released the energy equivalent of 100 kilotons of TNT, three times the sum of the atomic explosions over Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II."

Leave it to him to sneak in "aliens" and Oumuamua into this, but setting that aside, his knowledge of Starship, rockets in general and basic energy conservation leaves a LOT to be desired. Best not to entertain this further, in fact I'm gonna suggest the mods delete both of these posts from this thread.

I respectfully request that you do not ask for this to be deleted. This is a prime example of misleading information that needs to be addressed head on. To delete a hate mongering troll is commendable, but if Dr. Loeb's information is as wrong as it appears to be, then he needs to be called on it not shoved into a "deleted file".
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Stan-1967 on 11/20/2023 04:25 am
I agree with Ugordan, 100 %. Loeb more and more sounds like a Didier Raoult of space matters. At first glance, he has credentials, but once you scratch the surface a little, ugly things happens...

Whenever I see Loeb's name attached to anything, it reminds me of Richard Hoagland of the "Martian Face" & Cydonia structures.  That guy milked the gullible for decades based on the low resolution of some Viking & Mariner images. 

I did see a proper scientific rebuttal of Loeb's nonsense about finding spherules in the ocean that he claimed as part of an interstellar ship.   Some real scientist did real work to refute the claim, and it was probably read by a few thousand people.   Frustrating.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Stan-1967 on 11/20/2023 05:01 am
Dr. Avi Loeb wrote an article on Medium entitled "The Rocket Effect on Earth".

https://avi-loeb.medium.com/the-rocket-effect-on-earth-33cd660eda4c

This paragraph struck me as incredibly misleading, and I asked him to show his math.

"A fully loaded Starship is 121 meters tall, nearly 30 meters taller than the Statue of Liberty. Interestingly, it has roughly the inferred size and projected elongation of the anomalous interstellar object, `Oumuamua. Starship’s mass of 5,000 tons is equivalent to the total mass of 100,000 people. If the upper third of Starship were to fail after reaching an altitude of several tens of kilometers and then return in one piece to the ground, its impact would have released the energy equivalent of 100 kilotons of TNT, three times the sum of the atomic explosions over Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II."

Loeb's entire supposition is ridiculous, & as it reads, he apparently doesn't realize Starship/Superheavy doesn't have the mass of 5000 tons when it is "several tens of kilometers" in altitude.  He probably made the mistake of calculating potential energy of the full mass of Starship/Superheavy at whatever altitude he used.  Maybe he doesn't understand the rocket equation? 

Anyways, this is the party thread.  Is it even possible to be off topic in the party thread?   Loeb is a turd in this party thread punchbowl of festivity.

FWIW, the EIS of SS/SH at Boca Chica has proper scientific estimates of the explosive potential of the fully loaded stack.  IIRC its around 10kt.  Something about conservation of energy is bouncing between the grey matter between my ears.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ugordan on 11/20/2023 01:00 pm
I respectfully request that you do not ask for this to be deleted.

You're good. I had already requested deletion, but the mods moved it to this party thread, instead. Can't really argue with their decision on this one.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 11/20/2023 07:00 pm
https://twitter.com/westcoastbill/status/1726658920998109260
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: catdlr on 11/21/2023 04:25 am
I didn't want to post in the discussion as it was a video taken far away and got too bright at the end to see the fragments falling.  Enjoy, one continuous shot as if you were viewing in person.

Quote
Nov 19, 2023
Here's a video I made of the launch from the roof of the hotel where I stayed. I have some other video I am going to stitch together and create a video diary of my visit to Starbase and South Padre Island.

The launch begins around the 3:30 mark. When I make my trip video, I will edit that out. I'm posting this video from my hotel on my way back home to Valley Center.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrdjBc5Cm7Q
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Emmettvonbrown on 11/21/2023 10:08 am
I agree with Ugordan, 100 %. Loeb more and more sounds like a Didier Raoult of space matters. At first glance, he has credentials, but once you scratch the surface a little, ugly things happens...

Whenever I see Loeb's name attached to anything, it reminds me of Richard Hoagland of the "Martian Face" & Cydonia structures.  That guy milked the gullible for decades based on the low resolution of some Viking & Mariner images. 

I did see a proper scientific rebuttal of Loeb's nonsense about finding spherules in the ocean that he claimed as part of an interstellar ship.   Some real scientist did real work to refute the claim, and it was probably read by a few thousand people.   Frustrating.

ROTFL - Hoagland ? that's harsh (the man was a nutcase and a nutjob, altogether) - but Loeb somewhat deserves it.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 11/21/2023 01:38 pm
I’ve wondered about this …

Quote
I don't know how you guys keep so composed during live steam.

I was waving my arms & screaming like a mad man 😂😂

https://twitter.com/kate_tice/status/1726793772770730433

Quote
There’s a reason they cut our mics from T-0 to T+30sec lol
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Emmettvonbrown on 11/28/2023 12:42 pm
Folks, I suggest you watch that (awesome) NSF video with that (equally awesome) Interstellar OST "cut".

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShnFHE3gK8E

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cU0Wz1ez3J0

It is just jaw-dropping.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 12/03/2023 02:16 am
I'm watching the Starship launch from a little further off this time. Sort of a Sherpa/biker pub in Kathmandu.
 I need to remember to stay cool if somebody starts explaining how space travel is fake. Punching a guy who can carry a Volkswagen up a mountain probably wouldn't end well.

Tracking down that elusive Guinness Stout has taken you on quite an adventure. Keep this up and you'll end up circumnavigating the planet!!  Oh wait....  ;) ;D

If I reach circumnavigational velocity, but stop a few miles short and wind up off Hawaii, was I actually in circumnavigation?
I just came here for the Nomadd…
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 12/03/2023 11:17 pm
At last I find correct thread for this:
"Immensely complex and high risk" YouTube edition:
https://youtu.be/OoJsPvmFixU?si=hCwyIkwrr_vlEfZi
I take it as a joke.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 12/05/2023 01:54 am
At last I find correct thread for this:
"Immensely complex and high risk" YouTube edition:
I take it as a joke.

Thanks for this
Every now and then this guy puts up a watchable video.
(I am particularly fond of his Smarter Every Day from the 2017 solar eclipse, where after pontificating and planning all sorts of disciplined imaging he is overcome by the granduer and spends the eclipse pointing for, and taking selfies with, his kids.)
But this is no joke.
The joke may be Artemis.
He flies right by the statement of "Orion can't get to Low Lunar Orbit" without another of "the seven 'WHYs' ".
We, and it is we, have spent what, $20B, $30B? on a giant rocket and huge capsule for which all risk should have been bought down years ago, but now we have only a few years and the political will for a few billion dollars to build the last link, the lander. 
That the program works like his reverse steering bicycle, contrary to what was done before, is no surprise.
And he insists it should be steered like a normal bicycle program.
This could go in it's own thread, although it might be redundant, but it's sure doesn't make a funny ha-ha joke for this thread.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 12/05/2023 10:11 am
 If anybody is a little nervous about flying on a Starship, I suggest a tuk tuk ride in Cambodia. Everything else will feel safe after that.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: leovinus on 12/05/2023 06:29 pm
With lots of talk about the Amazon Kuiper constellation, and Kuiper on SpaceX Falcons, I keep smiling about the American pronunciation based on the none existing vowel "ui" in American English.

As this is the party thread, can we do a drinking game somewhere based on the Dutch judges decide you got it wrong, you take a shot? :) I can bring the Jenever (Gin).

PS: Maybe I am just looking for a drink ;) but the proper discussion of "Kuiper" pronunciation is included below based on my phonetics transcriptions. Cheers

Quote
While most of you know that the Amazon "Kuiper" constellation is named after the Dutch/American astronomer Gerard Kuiper (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerard_Kuiper), only a few of you might have wondered how that "ui" is actually pronounced. It is interesting that Amazon would choose a name that would be pronounced very different in American vs the original Dutch. Then again, makes no difference for 99% of the Americans of course. And a discussion of "How to pronounce Kuiper?" also is reminiscent of metric vs imperial discussion.

Gerard Peter Kuiper (/ˈkaɪpər/ KY-pər; born Gerrit Pieter Kuiper, Dutch: [ˈɣɛrɪt ˈpitər ˈkœypər]; [/url] Bold is mine and the funny transcriptions are International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Phonetic_Alphabet) btw. As the diphtong (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diphthong) "ui" does not exist in American, I have heard pronunciations between "keeper" and "cooper".

For comparison, as my best guesses of English word vs Phonetic vs transcript, we have:

Word   Phonetic transcript
-----------------------------
keeper  'kiper  or  kipər or possibly kypar
cooper  'kuper or    kupər
kuiper  'kœyper  (in Dutch)

If you like soccer then you know about Johan Cruijf which is the same "ui" as in Kuiper.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DanClemmensen on 12/05/2023 07:23 pm
With lots of talk about the Amazon Kuiper constellation, and Kuiper on SpaceX Falcons, I keep smiling about the American pronunciation based on the none existing vowel "ui" in American English.

As this is the party thread, can we do a drinking game somewhere based on the Dutch judges decide you got it wrong, you take a shot? :) I can bring the Jenever (Gin).

PS: Maybe I am just looking for a drink ;) but the proper discussion of "Kuiper" pronunciation is included below based on my phonetics transcriptions. Cheers

Quote
While most of you know that the Amazon "Kuiper" constellation is named after the Dutch/American astronomer Gerard Kuiper (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerard_Kuiper), only a few of you might have wondered how that "ui" is actually pronounced. It is interesting that Amazon would choose a name that would be pronounced very different in American vs the original Dutch. Then again, makes no difference for 99% of the Americans of course. And a discussion of "How to pronounce Kuiper?" also is reminiscent of metric vs imperial discussion.

Gerard Peter Kuiper (/ˈkaɪpər/ KY-pər; born Gerrit Pieter Kuiper, Dutch: [ˈɣɛrɪt ˈpitər ˈkœypər]; [/url] Bold is mine and the funny transcriptions are International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Phonetic_Alphabet) btw. As the diphtong (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diphthong) "ui" does not exist in American, I have heard pronunciations between "keeper" and "cooper".

For comparison, as my best guesses of English word vs Phonetic vs transcript, we have:

Word   Phonetic transcript
-----------------------------
keeper  'kiper  or  kipər or possibly kypar
cooper  'kuper or    kupər
kuiper  'kœyper  (in Dutch)

If you like soccer then you know about Johan Cruijf which is the same "ui" as in Kuiper.
There are several IPA readers on the web. cut the IPA  (the stuff between the slashes) /ˈkaɪpər/ or maybe /ˈkœypər/ for a more dutch pronounciation. Then paste it into the IPA reader and listen.
here is one reader:
 http://ipa-reader.xyz/
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 12/06/2023 01:00 pm
 Or, just drink enough IPA and you won't care.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 12/06/2023 01:04 pm
...Cheers...

Quote
...(in Dutch)

If you like soccer then you know about Johan Cruijf which is the same "ui" as in Kuiper.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: leovinus on 12/06/2023 05:58 pm
Or, just drink enough IPA and you won't care.
Though I prefer German Hefeweizen, that is an excellent point to make :) Thanks.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: toren on 12/06/2023 07:09 pm
Or, just drink enough IPA and you won't care.
Though I prefer German Hefeweizen, that is an excellent point to make :) Thanks.

Dude was Dutch, so maybe a nice doppel or tripel. Make you not care even faster.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Johnnyhinbos on 12/11/2023 03:00 am
If anybody is a little nervous about flying on a Starship, I suggest a tuk tuk ride in Cambodia. Everything else will feel safe after that.


Been there - agree. Tho crossing the street in Saigon is right up there too…

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 12/11/2023 03:08 am
If anybody is a little nervous about flying on a Starship, I suggest a tuk tuk ride in Cambodia. Everything else will feel safe after that.

Been there - agree. Tho crossing the street in Saigon is right up there too…

Did that last night. But nowhere near that little section off the river where all the pubs are.

 I also got to check "Having my hotel closed down because somebody there had Monkeypox" off my list of things to do.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 12/15/2023 02:28 pm
 Sometimes I wonder about exporting humanity to other worlds.
 Then I find myself in the middle of 50 drunk Laotians dancing to YMCA and think, ah, they're OK.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 12/15/2023 04:47 pm
If anybody is a little nervous about flying on a Starship, I suggest a tuk tuk ride in Cambodia. Everything else will feel safe after that.


Been there - agree. Tho crossing the street in Saigon is right up there too…



Not exactly a picnic crossing some streets in Jakarta either, mate...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 12/17/2023 01:24 pm
 I should have a Kuala Lumpur street crossing evaluation tomorrow.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: leovinus on 12/17/2023 04:56 pm
I should have a Kuala Lumpur street crossing evaluation tomorrow.
Just go easy on the sambal or your tuk-tuk experience will seem easy in comparison ;)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lar on 12/21/2023 09:52 pm
I should have a Kuala Lumpur street crossing evaluation tomorrow.
Just go easy on the sambal or your tuk-tuk experience will seem easy in comparison ;)

Sambal can be arbitrarily hot so yeah, watch out.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 12/26/2023 03:27 pm
Quote from: 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

So, um... the front fell off?

https://twitter.com/johnkrausphotos/status/1739679188670427188
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 12/26/2023 04:03 pm
Rip B1058
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nevyn72 on 12/26/2023 09:09 pm
Quote from: 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

So, um... the front fell off?


https://youtu.be/3m5qxZm_JqM
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 01/02/2024 05:59 pm
Sounds like a line from a John Lennon/Elon Musk 2024 parody duet. 🎵 🤔 🤣
Imagine if SpaceX posted information about a Starlink mission just before the poll for prop load.
You may say that I'm a dreamer/ ✨️ 🎶 😉
But I'm not the only one...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ZachS09 on 01/02/2024 11:35 pm
Sounds like a line from a John Lennon/Elon Musk 2024 parody duet. 🎵 🤔 🤣
Imagine if SpaceX posted information about a Starlink mission just before the poll for prop load.
You may say that I'm a dreamer/ ✨️ 🎶 😉
But I'm not the only one...

That’s not what I meant. No Beatles reference intended.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: jimothytones on 01/03/2024 10:32 pm
Last launches of '23 and first of '24 go into the books as (respectively): FH x Starlink >3h evening doubleheader and sunset F9 RTLS. So glad i moved to the Space Coast just in time to get absolutely spoiled.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 01/04/2024 06:10 am
Why didn't the science team name the mission PACO instead of PACE?  That sounds cooler to me.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MickQ on 01/05/2024 12:50 am
In keeping with the DUNE naming theme, as the first machine on Mars will probably be a smaller version it should be called “Muad Dib”,  the desert mouse.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lampyridae on 01/05/2024 07:54 am
In keeping with the DUNE naming theme, as the first machine on Mars will probably be a smaller version it should be called “Muad Dib”,  the desert mouse.

Given the high electrical conductivity of the Martian atmosphere and triboelectric charging from tunnelling, you might legitimately get wormsign.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 01/05/2024 08:21 am
In keeping with the DUNE naming theme, as the first machine on Mars will probably be a smaller version it should be called “Muad Dib”,  the desert mouse.
Presuming the Frank Herbert estate will allow such naming after some haggling. If the rights ain't held by WB Discovey.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Robotbeat on 01/05/2024 08:41 am
You think SpaceX got naming rights from Lucas for Falcon? How about A Shortfall of Gravitas, from the estate of Ian Banks? I think for stuff like this where there's no mistaking that it's not the actual franchise, no one cares.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MickQ on 01/05/2024 09:31 am
If I was responsible for creating such masterpieces I would be honoured to have others think so highly of my work.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 01/05/2024 10:07 am
You think SpaceX got naming rights from Lucas for Falcon? How about A Shortfall of Gravitas, from the estate of Ian Banks? I think for stuff like this where there's no mistaking that it's not the actual franchise, no one cares.

No one but lawyers. Depending what was actually given to WB Discovery.

If I was responsible for creating such masterpieces I would be honoured to have others think so highly of my work.

You are mistaken. It isn't the one responsible for masterpieces that matters. It is their estates.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Lampyridae on 01/05/2024 01:24 pm
You think SpaceX got naming rights from Lucas for Falcon? How about A Shortfall of Gravitas, from the estate of Ian Banks? I think for stuff like this where there's no mistaking that it's not the actual franchise, no one cares.

No one but lawyers. Depending what was actually given to WB Discovery.

If I was responsible for creating such masterpieces I would be honoured to have others think so highly of my work.

You are mistaken. It isn't the one responsible for masterpieces that matters. It is their estates.


There's a bunch of startup companies that all took names from Tolkien mythology. Varda, for example.

*Characters* are copyrighted, not names. Combinations of common words can be trademarked, eg "Footlong" although there are exceptions if the term is in common use somewhere (eg "space marine"). So if TBC made a 15 year-old psychic prodigy on a desert planet, there'd be issues.

Parody is fine. And why should it not be called Muad'Dig?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: sferrin on 01/05/2024 03:52 pm
You think SpaceX got naming rights from Lucas for Falcon?


Did Lucas get it from Dassault? (Apparently the F-16 is "Fighting Falcon" because "Falcon" was already being used by Dassault.)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: meekGee on 01/05/2024 04:00 pm
You think SpaceX got naming rights from Lucas for Falcon? How about A Shortfall of Gravitas, from the estate of Ian Banks? I think for stuff like this where there's no mistaking that it's not the actual franchise, no one cares.

No one but lawyers. Depending what was actually given to WB Discovery.

If I was responsible for creating such masterpieces I would be honoured to have others think so highly of my work.

You are mistaken. It isn't the one responsible for masterpieces that matters. It is their estates.
Lawyers indeed.

Like when Apple regularly sues pre-existing fruit vendors (https://www.androidauthority.com/apple-swiss-fruit-company-change-logo-3336622/) or I dare you to open a rodent store called Mickey's Mouse Store, or a windows store called Windows.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 01/05/2024 04:03 pm
You think SpaceX got naming rights from Lucas for Falcon?


Did Lucas get it from Dassault? (Apparently the F-16 is "Fighting Falcon" because "Falcon" was already being used by Dassault.)
Did Dassault get it from Ford?
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: sferrin on 01/05/2024 04:28 pm
You think SpaceX got naming rights from Lucas for Falcon?


Did Lucas get it from Dassault? (Apparently the F-16 is "Fighting Falcon" because "Falcon" was already being used by Dassault.)
Did Dassault get it from Ford?
Did Ford get it from Hughes?  ;)  (No idea if Hughes got it from Curtiss.)
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: steveleach on 01/05/2024 04:39 pm
You think SpaceX got naming rights from Lucas for Falcon?


Did Lucas get it from Dassault? (Apparently the F-16 is "Fighting Falcon" because "Falcon" was already being used by Dassault.)
Did Dassault get it from Ford?
Did Ford get it from Hughes?  ;)  (No idea if Hughes got it from Curtiss.)
And did Curtiss get it from an on-topic forum post? Probably not, because those are incredibly hard to get hold of.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: meekGee on 01/05/2024 05:36 pm
You think SpaceX got naming rights from Lucas for Falcon?


Did Lucas get it from Dassault? (Apparently the F-16 is "Fighting Falcon" because "Falcon" was already being used by Dassault.)
Did Dassault get it from Ford?
Did Ford get it from Hughes?  ;)  (No idea if Hughes got it from Curtiss.)
And did Curtiss get it from an on-topic forum post? Probably not, because those are incredibly hard to get hold of.
Bo-ring.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 01/05/2024 07:00 pm
<snip> or I dare you to open a rodent store called Mickey's Mouse Store, <snip>
The Mickey and Minnie Mouse copyrights ©️ expired as of this New Year's.  Go crazy! 🤪 🐭 🐁 🪤
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: ClayJar on 01/05/2024 08:39 pm
<snip> or I dare you to open a rodent store called Mickey's Mouse Store, <snip>
The Mickey and Minnie Mouse copyrights ©️ expired as of this New Year's.  Go crazy! 🤪 🐭 🐁 🪤
The difference between copyrights and trademark law is beyond the scope of a party thread in a forum on a space site, I fear, but I think we could manage to squeeze the recent additions to the public domain just far enough to be barely considered tangentially on-topic if we look at things just right.

 - There's a certain suborbital launch system, which some people could colloquially call a spaceship, and a ship may as well be a boat.
 - It uses LOX and liquid hydrogen as its propellant, meaning the exhaust must therefore have a significant amount of high-temperature concentrated water vapor in it.
 - Also, it has an oft-ridiculed shape...

Is it just me, or does it seem likely that New Shepard's nickname could have been "Steamboat Willie".  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 01/05/2024 09:11 pm
<snip> or I dare you to open a rodent store called Mickey's Mouse Store, <snip>
The Mickey and Minnie Mouse copyrights ©️ expired as of this New Year's.  Go crazy! 🤪 🐭 🐁 🪤
The difference between copyrights and trademark law is beyond the scope of a party thread in a forum on a space site, I fear, but I think we could manage to squeeze the recent additions to the public domain just far enough to be barely considered tangentially on-topic if we look at things just right.

 - There's a certain suborbital launch system, which some people could colloquially call a spaceship, and a ship may as well be a boat.
 - It uses LOX and liquid hydrogen as its propellant, meaning the exhaust must therefore have a significant amount of high-temperature concentrated water vapor in it.
 - Also, it has an oft-ridiculed shape...

Is it just me, or does it seem likely that New Shepard's nickname could have been "Steamboat Willie".  ;D
Now that's just goofy.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 01/05/2024 10:23 pm
Now, THIS is a party thread! ✨️ 👏 🥳
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: edkyle99 on 01/10/2024 11:59 pm
By 2011 Space X spent 500 million and got Falcon 9.
Then the company had to develop an essentially new Falcon 9 (v1.1, followed by v1.2) powered by essentially new Merlin 1D engines, which first flew in September 2013.  Elon said that this effort alone probably cost $1 billion more. 

I love this era - a real golden space age.  Peak Space.  A billion dollars is measly now.  Falcon 9 launching and landing over and over.  It is crazy to see so many of these giant new machines rolling out and launching.  SLS.  Super Heavy (unsuccessfully so far).  Vulcan.  Soon New Glenn.   A blizzard of new rockets from China.  India's pads busy.  Japan's new H-3.  Europe soon with its new Ariane 6 and fixed Vega-C and its follow-ons.  Multiple orbital flights from both Koreas.  Not to mention the Electrons and Alphas and other new things in work.  But you can still see some oldies like R-7, Atlas 5, and Delta 4 for the time being.  It is fantastic! 

 - Ed Kyle
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 01/12/2024 01:42 am
This is likely the 37th-most thrust by a sea-launched rocket, after the 36 Sea Launch Zenits.  Or maybe the 36th since that one Zenit didn't quite develop full thrust.

(Wonder if that ship is still afloat!)

 - Ed Kyle

"Just A Bit Toasty"
https://twitter.com/CNSpaceflight/status/1745627730228728256
SS Quizno
"Mm Mm Toasty"
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 01/12/2024 04:45 pm
Hi, I put this decade old video here without any reason, throughput is now 5 times of that...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrR31nHCV-U
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Tomness on 01/15/2024 02:46 am
Internet went down again!

"Deployment of 23 @Starlink satellites confirmed"



You need Starlink Steven.   ;D

It sure is great watching a Starlink mission on Starlink Service lol
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: catdlr on 01/16/2024 03:08 am
https://twitter.com/daily_hopper/status/1747024019507835043
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: catdlr on 01/17/2024 04:46 am
https://twitter.com/archillect/status/1747483917899202690/photo/1
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 01/19/2024 02:13 am
Congratulations to SpaceX on the launch of Axiom-3 to the ISS!

SpaceX Dragon has now launched 46 people into orbit.

Boeing Starliner has launched 0.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: DistantTemple on 01/19/2024 02:51 am
Congratulations to SpaceX on the launch of Axiom-3 to the ISS!

SpaceX Dragon has now launched 46 people into orbit.

Boeing Starliner has launched 0.
OIG "NASA have not implemented our recommendations for managing the price of the Artemis program".
Gov response: Cancel SX and BO's contracts, because there is not a good mechanism for penalizing them if they are late on milestones, and fixed price is not a good way of contracting moon missions. Give the additional work and missions to the NASA Prime Contractors: Aerojet Rocketdyne, Boeing, Jacobs, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman.

Comment: "At least Boeing have extensive experience in working on problems, such as dangerous flight software, setting the clock, parachute errors, neglected corroded and jammed valves, and schedule slip. Addressing  these problems may eventually lead to solving some of them one day"
They have succeeded in being awarded extra funds for late milestones, on a fixed price contract. This shows astute management.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 01/19/2024 02:34 pm
Congratulations to SpaceX on the launch of Axiom-3 to the ISS!

SpaceX Dragon has now launched 46 people into orbit.

Boeing Starliner has launched 0.
OIG "NASA have not implemented our recommendations for managing the price of the Artemis program".
Gov semi-senile former NASA Administrator response: Cancel SX and BO's contracts, because there is not a good mechanism for penalizing them if they are late on milestones, and fixed price is not a good way of contracting moon missions. Give the additional work and missions to the NASA Prime Contractors: Aerojet Rocketdyne, Boeing, Jacobs, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman.

Comment: "At least Boeing have extensive experience in working on problems, such as dangerous flight software, setting the clock, parachute errors, neglected corroded and jammed valves, and schedule slip. Addressing  these problems may eventually lead to solving some of them one day"
They have succeeded in being awarded extra funds for late milestones, on a fixed price contract. This shows astute management.
Fixed that for you.  ;)

Said Administrator was the bottom of the barrel paraphasing @VSECOTSPE. Will added that he  is almost solely responsible for NASA inertia until the mid 2010s.

AFAIK the launch contractors with NASA except for the SLS/Orion/EGS mess are primaly the folks from Hawthorne, secondary the folks from Centennial and tertiary the folks from McLean. Also according to @Jim Boeing and LockMart are no longer in the commercial and military launch businesses, all assets was passed onto ULA.

Amusingly Aerojet Rocketdyne couldn't bid for anything now, since they are a division of L3 Harris.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 01/23/2024 03:35 pm
(Because this is the only joke thread....)

A half century ago, in a Penuts by Charles Shultz strip which I cannot find, (but JAFO did!) Charlie Brown Linus is blowing soap bubbles. 
Snoopy runs out, takes the bubble gingerly in his teeth, brings it all the way back to Linus, but at the last moment, steps on his own ear and smashes the soap bubble in his mouth.
The SLIM lunar landing seems a lot like that.
SLIM seemed to follow the designed path from halfway around the Moon at 600 km with orbital velocity to tens of meters above the surface with little residual velocity and lots of margin on fuel.
Then it flopped over and rolled on its side.
"so deft and clumsy at the same time" the comic strip said.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 01/24/2024 02:41 am
Re: discussion in this thread:
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=60253.0

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7uVP1Uy5tL0

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1CBftRW0F8

The kids in the cartoon ads were cruel to Sonny and the Trix rabbit.  But, I still laugh.  ;D
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: aero on 01/30/2024 08:04 pm
Just a thought. The 9 meter Starship booster is called the Super Heavy. What will they call the 12 meter booster if they ever make one?  The Super Duper Heavy?
And that gives a new acronym, the SDH!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: JAFO on 01/30/2024 08:43 pm
(Because this is the only joke thread....)

A half century ago, in a Penuts by Charles Shultz strip which I cannot find, Linus is blowing soap bubbles. 
Snoopy runs out, takes the bubble gingerly in his teeth, brings it all the way back to Linus, but at the last moment, steps on his own ear and smashes the soap bubble in his mouth....
"so deft and clumsy at the same time" the comic strip said.

https://peanuts.fandom.com/wiki/July_1956_comic_strips

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 01/31/2024 01:21 am
Just a thought. The 9 meter Starship booster is called the Super Heavy. What will they call the 12 meter booster if they ever make one?  The Super Duper Heavy?
And that gives a new acronym, the SDH!


Naw, just call it the SpaceX Launch System (SLS). By then, those letters won't be in use for anything else flying.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 01/31/2024 02:29 am
Just a thought. The 9 meter Starship booster is called the Super Heavy. What will they call the 12 meter booster if they ever make one?  The Super Duper Heavy?
And that gives a new acronym, the SDH!


Naw, just call it the SpaceX Launch System (SLS). By then, those letters won't be in use for anything else flying.

Wrong. With the current chaotic nomenclature scheme for naming SpaceX vehicles, which is whatever takes Musk's fancy at naming time. A more likely name for a 12+ meter diameter booster is Ludicrous Heavy and of course there is only Plaid Heavy after Ludicrous Heavy for next bigger booster later on.

Musk already implemented the Spaceball movie naming scheme with Tesla.  :P

Think there will not likely to be a 12 meter diameter booster from SpaceX. More likely a 15 meter or even more likely a 18 meter diameter booster instead.  ;)

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 01/31/2024 10:26 pm
https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/1752710819945554025
https://twitter.com/sbarky38/status/1745802041119604976
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 02/15/2024 06:03 am
Ooh, no ; P
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 02/16/2024 04:47 am
Unfortunately, the military censors airbrushed out the fact that the disk is riding on four giant elephants, which in turn are atop the great Star-Turtle A'Tuin. The general population is just not ready...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 02/21/2024 10:40 am
 When I carry a really full Guiness back in Brisbane, and try to set it down without spilling any, I picture an F9 landing on a rocking barge.
 
 I really appreciate this place, where I don't have to feel like the craziest one in the room.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: leovinus on 02/21/2024 03:40 pm
Crazy? Did anyone say crazy?  For your reading pleasure, three decades of the venerable newsgroup alt.sci.physics.new-theories to smile about. When I was a freshman student, I came across these posts in the sci.physics and alt.physics newsgroup hierarchies and said "huh?". Maybe such a historical reference helps to improve some conversation here on How >not< to approach 'New Physics' material to learn from. Initial link from 1992 and second link is today. Just scan a few pages :)
https://groups.google.com/g/alt.sci.physics.new-theories/search?q=before%3A1992-02-18
https://groups.google.com/g/alt.sci.physics.new-theories?pli=1
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: StraumliBlight on 02/26/2024 09:43 pm
In light of today's IF-2 Starship update.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Nomadd on 03/01/2024 08:48 am
 I'm sure this post in the Curiosity thread won't last long, so I thought I'd preserve it here. It's how I expect our future AI overlord to start talking about three days after It takes over.

"I recently started using CBD grease to resist direct my dread and  cbd infused honey rally my sleep quality. I be required to approximately, it's been a game-changer in place of me. The lubricator is comfortable to exercise, with lawful a not many drops directed the tongue, and it has a serene, enjoyable taste. Within a only one minutes, I can deem a sagacity of calm washing atop of me, which lasts instead of hours. My rest has improved significantly; I drop asleep faster and wake up compassion more rested. There's no grogginess or side effects, just a customary, relaxing effect. Favourably put forward quest of anyone looking to deal with note or overhaul their sleep."
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: MickQ on 03/01/2024 10:12 am
Or ….. I have become comfortably numb 😵‍💫
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Emmettvonbrown on 03/01/2024 11:25 am
I'm sure this post in the Curiosity thread won't last long, so I thought I'd preserve it here. It's how I expect our future AI overlord to start talking about three days after It takes over.

"I recently started using CBD grease to resist direct my dread and  cbd infused honey rally my sleep quality. I be required to approximately, it's been a game-changer in place of me. The lubricator is comfortable to exercise, with lawful a not many drops directed the tongue, and it has a serene, enjoyable taste. Within a only one minutes, I can deem a sagacity of calm washing atop of me, which lasts instead of hours. My rest has improved significantly; I drop asleep faster and wake up compassion more rested. There's no grogginess or side effects, just a customary, relaxing effect. Favourably put forward quest of anyone looking to deal with note or overhaul their sleep."

That sonofabitch has been flooding the forum with his CBD bull manure. Seems it seems to be so well lubricated, we should suggest a certain place (where the Sun never shines) to stick his capsules...
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 03/04/2024 03:54 am
Congratulations to SpaceX on the launch of Crew-8 to the ISS!

SpaceX Dragon has now launched 50 people into orbit.

Boeing Starliner has launched 0.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Zed_Noir on 03/04/2024 04:45 am
Congratulations to SpaceX on the launch of Crew-8 to the ISS!

SpaceX Dragon has now launched 50 49 people into orbit.

Boeing Starliner has launched 0.

Axiom astronaut Michael López-Alegría flown twice in the Crew Dragon (Ax-1 & Ax-3). The only Dragonrider with 2 rides so far.

Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: darkenfast on 03/04/2024 05:46 am
Okay. I'll grant you the nit (good catch), but it's still 50 crewed slots. Besides, it sounds better!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: AmigaClone on 03/04/2024 12:44 pm
Congratulations to SpaceX on the launch of Crew-8 to the ISS!

SpaceX Dragon has now launched 50 49 people into orbit.

Boeing Starliner has launched 0.

Axiom astronaut Michael López-Alegría flown twice in the Crew Dragon (Ax-1 & Ax-3). The only Dragonrider with 2 rides so far.


Okay. I'll grant you the nit (good catch), but it's still 50 crewed slots. Besides, it sounds better!

There are currently three active crewed orbital spacecraft that have flown with a crew. The Russian Soyuz MS is the most used of the three with 22 crewed launches and 21 crewed landings. Next is Space's Crew Dragon with 13 crewed orbital launches and 11 landings while the Chinese Shenzhou has 12 launches and also 11 landings.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: catdlr on 03/04/2024 08:46 pm
https://twitter.com/Orbital_Perigee/status/1764758356164489483

Quote
Falcon 9 is rocketry's trailblazer in innovation. It supported over 300 launches, landed over 200 times straight, and changed the face of the entire industry. To celebrate its incredible accomplishments, we gave it a poster!

Get it today, at http://perigeeaero.com/shop/spacex!
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Comga on 03/04/2024 09:47 pm
Congratulations to SpaceX on the launch of Crew-8 to the ISS!

SpaceX Dragon has now launched 50 people into orbit.

Axiom astronaut Michael López-Alegría flown twice in the Crew Dragon (Ax-1 & Ax-3). (snip)

Is that any way to nitpick in the party thread?
How about:
López-Alegría is of two minds about that record.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 03/06/2024 03:45 pm
60 Minutes don't know facts of engineering:
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Emmettvonbrown on 03/14/2024 06:36 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KTBb9em8qY

"Starship IFT-3 flight was over. A few minutes later, booster 10 and starship 28 were killed when reentry fire swept through their steel frames.

But on that glorious day in March 2024, Starship twenty eight went higher, farther, and faster than any other Starship before it

1 incomplete orbit around the world; it was the last starship ever not to go in orbit.

And for a brief moment, Starship twenty eight became the greatest spaceship anyone had ever seen." 

https://www.angelfire.com/movies/awesomemovies/rightstuff-s.txt
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Doesitfloat on 03/14/2024 07:50 pm
Please tell me some video exists of the Superheavy booster hitting the water at Mach 2.  That is a big hole in the water.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: r8ix on 03/14/2024 07:54 pm
Please tell me some video exists of the Superheavy booster hitting the water at Mach 2.  That is a big hole in the water.

SpaceX said it RUDed at 462m…
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: HVM on 03/15/2024 11:39 pm
Heavy Dee's Mars Vehicle
(c) heavydsparks's Insta.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: laszlo on 03/16/2024 11:35 am
The reason that Starship went bonkers and started tumbling out of control, leading to a destructive re-entry, was because SpaceX accidentally left the telemetry channel in full-duplex mode. The poor ship had to listen to that god-awful elevator music being played while the announcers were off getting a beer or whatever and the onboard computer broke.

I know I was seriously considering diving into an inferno to get away from it, but fortunately remembered the volume control at the last second.
Title: Re: Launch, Land, and Relaunch Party Thread
Post by: Emmettvonbrown on 03/16/2024 11:48 am
Just for the beauty of it...
I cut the SpaceX telemetry at the bottom and put "Dust" from Hans Zimmer Interstellar (awesome) soundtrack as background. It fits like a glove.

https://youtu.be/wjkrTCFd7M4

Cheers !