Does anyone know what that boat was doing just offshore at liftoff?
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?
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.
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.
The sad thing is: there are places in the Internet where that scenario would be taken literally.
Astromice report "zero g and we feel fine"...
^^^ Google Translate, of course. Mice are in the new beta.
Quote from: cppetrie on 06/08/2017 01:47 am[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.
[ULAlaunch coverage]... is about as exciting and awe-inspiring as watch paint dry.
Quote from: Jim on 06/08/2017 09:59 amQuote from: cppetrie on 06/08/2017 01:47 am[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?