Quote from: russianhalo117 on 08/28/2018 07:07 pmQuote from: Alexphysics on 08/27/2018 11:56 pmQuote from: UKobserver on 08/27/2018 10:13 pmWe know there is at least one FH core somewhere in the build/testing flow, for STP-2, and probably also one for Arabsat 6A, as I doubt that SpaceX have gambled on definitely getting the first FH B5 core back for re-use. So almost certainly either core 1050 or 1052 is the FH centre for STP-2, my guess being 1050.B1050 didn't have any FH-related hardware. I haven't seen B1052 but it seems it isn't FH-related too. FH hardware can be installed in florida now. It doesn't have to be installed before transport. The exception is the Center core but some of this can done in Florida.The side boosters have to have the nosecones for McGregor testing and the center core would have that thing that connects to the hinges of the side boosters on the interstage and, obviously, the "Falcon Heavy" logo would be painted on the booster. I know that all of the added things are added at Florida, but there are certain things FH-related that are not on every booster and will be once they begin to roll out to McGregor.
Quote from: Alexphysics on 08/27/2018 11:56 pmQuote from: UKobserver on 08/27/2018 10:13 pmWe know there is at least one FH core somewhere in the build/testing flow, for STP-2, and probably also one for Arabsat 6A, as I doubt that SpaceX have gambled on definitely getting the first FH B5 core back for re-use. So almost certainly either core 1050 or 1052 is the FH centre for STP-2, my guess being 1050.B1050 didn't have any FH-related hardware. I haven't seen B1052 but it seems it isn't FH-related too. FH hardware can be installed in florida now. It doesn't have to be installed before transport. The exception is the Center core but some of this can done in Florida.
Quote from: UKobserver on 08/27/2018 10:13 pmWe know there is at least one FH core somewhere in the build/testing flow, for STP-2, and probably also one for Arabsat 6A, as I doubt that SpaceX have gambled on definitely getting the first FH B5 core back for re-use. So almost certainly either core 1050 or 1052 is the FH centre for STP-2, my guess being 1050.B1050 didn't have any FH-related hardware. I haven't seen B1052 but it seems it isn't FH-related too.
We know there is at least one FH core somewhere in the build/testing flow, for STP-2, and probably also one for Arabsat 6A, as I doubt that SpaceX have gambled on definitely getting the first FH B5 core back for re-use. So almost certainly either core 1050 or 1052 is the FH centre for STP-2, my guess being 1050.
Quote from: Alexphysics on 08/28/2018 07:31 pmQuote from: russianhalo117 on 08/28/2018 07:07 pmQuote from: Alexphysics on 08/27/2018 11:56 pmQuote from: UKobserver on 08/27/2018 10:13 pmWe know there is at least one FH core somewhere in the build/testing flow, for STP-2, and probably also one for Arabsat 6A, as I doubt that SpaceX have gambled on definitely getting the first FH B5 core back for re-use. So almost certainly either core 1050 or 1052 is the FH centre for STP-2, my guess being 1050.B1050 didn't have any FH-related hardware. I haven't seen B1052 but it seems it isn't FH-related too. FH hardware can be installed in florida now. It doesn't have to be installed before transport. The exception is the Center core but some of this can done in Florida.The side boosters have to have the nosecones for McGregor testing and the center core would have that thing that connects to the hinges of the side boosters on the interstage and, obviously, the "Falcon Heavy" logo would be painted on the booster. I know that all of the added things are added at Florida, but there are certain things FH-related that are not on every booster and will be once they begin to roll out to McGregor.initially yes but the side boosters can be converted at the launch site. This was evidenced by the Block-3 side booster cores on the first FH. It will be much easier to do Block-5 onwards.
Quote from: russianhalo117 on 08/30/2018 01:02 amQuote from: Alexphysics on 08/28/2018 07:31 pmThe side boosters have to have the nosecones for McGregor testing and the center core would have that thing that connects to the hinges of the side boosters on the interstage and, obviously, the "Falcon Heavy" logo would be painted on the booster. I know that all of the added things are added at Florida, but there are certain things FH-related that are not on every booster and will be once they begin to roll out to McGregor.initially yes but the side boosters can be converted at the launch site. This was evidenced by the Block-3 side booster cores on the first FH. It will be much easier to do Block-5 onwards.That would make sense if the boosters were being reused but these are new so they'll leave Hawthorne with the nosecones already installed. I know they can convert them at the launch site, B1025 was converted there after CRS-9, but these will be leaving directly from Hawthorne to McGregor and the same will happen with the center core.
Quote from: Alexphysics on 08/28/2018 07:31 pmThe side boosters have to have the nosecones for McGregor testing and the center core would have that thing that connects to the hinges of the side boosters on the interstage and, obviously, the "Falcon Heavy" logo would be painted on the booster. I know that all of the added things are added at Florida, but there are certain things FH-related that are not on every booster and will be once they begin to roll out to McGregor.initially yes but the side boosters can be converted at the launch site. This was evidenced by the Block-3 side booster cores on the first FH. It will be much easier to do Block-5 onwards.
The side boosters have to have the nosecones for McGregor testing and the center core would have that thing that connects to the hinges of the side boosters on the interstage and, obviously, the "Falcon Heavy" logo would be painted on the booster. I know that all of the added things are added at Florida, but there are certain things FH-related that are not on every booster and will be once they begin to roll out to McGregor.
Quote from: Alexphysics on 08/30/2018 02:02 amQuote from: russianhalo117 on 08/30/2018 01:02 amQuote from: Alexphysics on 08/28/2018 07:31 pmThe side boosters have to have the nosecones for McGregor testing and the center core would have that thing that connects to the hinges of the side boosters on the interstage and, obviously, the "Falcon Heavy" logo would be painted on the booster. I know that all of the added things are added at Florida, but there are certain things FH-related that are not on every booster and will be once they begin to roll out to McGregor.initially yes but the side boosters can be converted at the launch site. This was evidenced by the Block-3 side booster cores on the first FH. It will be much easier to do Block-5 onwards.That would make sense if the boosters were being reused but these are new so they'll leave Hawthorne with the nosecones already installed. I know they can convert them at the launch site, B1025 was converted there after CRS-9, but these will be leaving directly from Hawthorne to McGregor and the same will happen with the center core. I'm not sure the boosters would have the nosecone installed at the factory. At least some tests at McGregor require the load device on top (presumably this is the long duration tests - otherwise as the tanks empty the rocket might overstress the hold-downs.). So it might make sense to build the boosters with no cap, install the load device and perform the test at McGregor, then install the nosecone at McGregor or the launch site.
Quote from: LouScheffer on 08/30/2018 01:49 pmQuote from: Alexphysics on 08/30/2018 02:02 amQuote from: russianhalo117 on 08/30/2018 01:02 amQuote from: Alexphysics on 08/28/2018 07:31 pmThe side boosters have to have the nosecones for McGregor testing and the center core would have that thing that connects to the hinges of the side boosters on the interstage and, obviously, the "Falcon Heavy" logo would be painted on the booster. I know that all of the added things are added at Florida, but there are certain things FH-related that are not on every booster and will be once they begin to roll out to McGregor.initially yes but the side boosters can be converted at the launch site. This was evidenced by the Block-3 side booster cores on the first FH. It will be much easier to do Block-5 onwards.That would make sense if the boosters were being reused but these are new so they'll leave Hawthorne with the nosecones already installed. I know they can convert them at the launch site, B1025 was converted there after CRS-9, but these will be leaving directly from Hawthorne to McGregor and the same will happen with the center core. I'm not sure the boosters would have the nosecone installed at the factory. At least some tests at McGregor require the load device on top (presumably this is the long duration tests - otherwise as the tanks empty the rocket might overstress the hold-downs.). So it might make sense to build the boosters with no cap, install the load device and perform the test at McGregor, then install the nosecone at McGregor or the launch site.How much extra length do the nosecones add to the basic F9 first stage? Would the FH boosters with nosecones attached still be transportable on the existing "over the road" transporters?
Quote from: aero on 08/30/2018 03:38 pmQuote from: LouScheffer on 08/30/2018 01:49 pmQuote from: Alexphysics on 08/30/2018 02:02 amQuote from: russianhalo117 on 08/30/2018 01:02 amQuote from: Alexphysics on 08/28/2018 07:31 pmThe side boosters have to have the nosecones for McGregor testing and the center core would have that thing that connects to the hinges of the side boosters on the interstage and, obviously, the "Falcon Heavy" logo would be painted on the booster. I know that all of the added things are added at Florida, but there are certain things FH-related that are not on every booster and will be once they begin to roll out to McGregor.initially yes but the side boosters can be converted at the launch site. This was evidenced by the Block-3 side booster cores on the first FH. It will be much easier to do Block-5 onwards.That would make sense if the boosters were being reused but these are new so they'll leave Hawthorne with the nosecones already installed. I know they can convert them at the launch site, B1025 was converted there after CRS-9, but these will be leaving directly from Hawthorne to McGregor and the same will happen with the center core. I'm not sure the boosters would have the nosecone installed at the factory. At least some tests at McGregor require the load device on top (presumably this is the long duration tests - otherwise as the tanks empty the rocket might overstress the hold-downs.). So it might make sense to build the boosters with no cap, install the load device and perform the test at McGregor, then install the nosecone at McGregor or the launch site.How much extra length do the nosecones add to the basic F9 first stage? Would the FH boosters with nosecones attached still be transportable on the existing "over the road" transporters?None. They are actually shorter with nose cone than with the usual interstage attached.Edit: autocorrect typo
No, they're white, look at the left side of this picture
It looks exactly like a Falcon 9 booster should look in transit. That would be a really big pipe segment.
Quote from: gongora on 09/21/2018 07:20 pmIt looks exactly like a Falcon 9 booster should look in transit. That would be a really big pipe segment.If that were a pipe I wonder why they wouldn't have shipped it in multiple smaller segments, it would be better in almost every way than transporting it fully assembled.
Well, we know it's not a pipe, it's a booster. Now, which booster it could be and what's more probable? It could be B1050, B1051 or B1052 (B1053 is still probably being tested at McGregor, if not finishing it). B1051 makes sense, as DM-1 is approaching but we know that, if they don't need a booster inmediately, they usually keep them at McGregor and DM-1 is not until December. There's a F9 GTO launch sometime in early November from 39A per the FCC permits, it is most probably Es'Hail 2 and if it doesn't use a flight proven booster I can see them moving its booster now so it can be slowly prepared (so it could be B1050, for example). We have no idea from where B1052 is going to launch or in which missions (My guess is Iridium 8 from SLC-4E, but I have no idea, it's just a mere feeling based on previous movements). We'll know which one it is but at least we know it could only be one of 3 boosters.
Quote from: Alexphysics on 09/21/2018 11:12 pmWell, we know it's not a pipe, it's a booster. Now, which booster it could be and what's more probable? It could be B1050, B1051 or B1052 (B1053 is still probably being tested at McGregor, if not finishing it). B1051 makes sense, as DM-1 is approaching but we know that, if they don't need a booster inmediately, they usually keep them at McGregor and DM-1 is not until December. There's a F9 GTO launch sometime in early November from 39A per the FCC permits, it is most probably Es'Hail 2 and if it doesn't use a flight proven booster I can see them moving its booster now so it can be slowly prepared (so it could be B1050, for example). We have no idea from where B1052 is going to launch or in which missions (My guess is Iridium 8 from SLC-4E, but I have no idea, it's just a mere feeling based on previous movements). We'll know which one it is but at least we know it could only be one of 3 boosters.Isn't B1050 supposed to have been at the Cape for a while now? Reddit's core tracking page has it "en route to the Cape as of July 31", based on this source, and currently presumed to be "at LC-39A" (unsourced). Is Reddit's info hogwash/out of date in this case?Did we ever find out more about that core that was seen going west from the Cape? I know there was a huge range of speculation on that: that it could be B1050 going back for more testing, or the twice-flown B1046, or that it wasn't actually going to McGregor after all and its departure just happened to align with a sighting of another core arriving there from Hawthorne.Also, I know I read somewhere that B1050 was determined to be for GPS III based on permits or certification documents people saw. Don't know how reliable that was either though.Is there any chance that B1052 might be a FH center, or has that been categorically disproven (e.g. by seeing a F9 logo on it at McGregor)? The two Telstar boosters sitting around at the Cape seem like a tempting pair to turn into FH side boosters for ArabSat, since they've flown nearly identical mission profiles (if that matters at all, which it may not). They're just missing a center...and of course a satellite.
Finally, a core spotting!https://www.reddit.com/r/spacex/comments/9hrxh4/can_we_id_this_booster_parked_at_the_flfl_state/