The concept images posted so far have the roadster horizontal, but you really want the car mounted in the direction of travel.
Quote The concept images posted so far have the roadster horizontal, but you really want the car mounted in the direction of travel.@johnkrausphotos has said that the Roadster will be mounted at a roughly 45 degree angle. So how would one go about attaching it to the PAF?
Is there any chance that there's something attached to the car?A beacon with a small solar panel maybe, so it can be found later?Or if it's for show, any elements of the now defunct Red Dragon?Or a red toy dragon?
The cheese wheel barely trended briefly. Likewise this will as well. Estimate that the amount of "influence" is worth a few million as an advertising campaign. Whoopee.For comparison, the "landing circus" had a few hundred million, which when it landed successfully went to a half billion. Not bad.But to customers of the FH, no, not an effective use.
Quote from: tvg98 on 12/05/2017 01:32 amQuote The concept images posted so far have the roadster horizontal, but you really want the car mounted in the direction of travel.@johnkrausphotos has said that the Roadster will be mounted at a roughly 45 degree angle. So how would one go about attaching it to the PAF?
All the raging about the mass simulator aside, I'm curious how you'd prepare a vehicle for a trip like this, with expectations that it will be where you predict its orbit in three years. The vanity of having it appear as it did at launch should be addressed, but also watch for unintended consequences. Tires. Even at zero inflation at sea level, that's a problem once in orbit, UV radiation degrades the compounds, and now you have a gas jet of unknown impulse / duration changing your trajectory. Simple solution is remove the Schrader valve core, and et voila, they vent on ascent. Headlights, LED screens, seat foam, that massive battery, all sources, however small, can be unintended of gas emissions and course deflection. Getting it in orbit will be the easy part. Predicting its orbit in a couple years? We'll find out.
Even if it IS intended to go into orbit around Mars (which I seeeeeeeeeeeriously doubt), it'll be bolted and welded to the top of the far more massive second stage.
Quote from: sghill on 12/05/2017 12:08 pmEven if it IS intended to go into orbit around Mars (which I seeeeeeeeeeeriously doubt), it'll be bolted and welded to the top of the far more massive second stage.That's just one of many suggestions that it might remain attached to the upper stage. It's been stated upthread that a payload fairing was required for this flight to count toward DOD certification (arguing against a normally mounted Dragon capsule). Would successful release of the payload from the payload attach fitting (PAF) also be a certification requirement?
Quote from: kdhilliard on 12/05/2017 12:25 pmQuote from: sghill on 12/05/2017 12:08 pmEven if it IS intended to go into orbit around Mars (which I seeeeeeeeeeeriously doubt), it'll be bolted and welded to the top of the far more massive second stage.That's just one of many suggestions that it might remain attached to the upper stage. It's been stated upthread that a payload fairing was required for this flight to count toward DOD certification (arguing against a normally mounted Dragon capsule). Would successful release of the payload from the payload attach fitting (PAF) also be a certification requirement?Probably not. Fairing qualification is needed as the aerodynamics of the FH is completely different to the F9. However the S2 PAF is identical on both vehicles, and the F9 to FH change would have no bearing on it.
Quote from: MaxTeranous on 12/05/2017 12:42 pmQuote from: kdhilliard on 12/05/2017 12:25 pmQuote from: sghill on 12/05/2017 12:08 pmEven if it IS intended to go into orbit around Mars (which I seeeeeeeeeeeriously doubt), it'll be bolted and welded to the top of the far more massive second stage.That's just one of many suggestions that it might remain attached to the upper stage. It's been stated upthread that a payload fairing was required for this flight to count toward DOD certification (arguing against a normally mounted Dragon capsule). Would successful release of the payload from the payload attach fitting (PAF) also be a certification requirement?Probably not. Fairing qualification is needed as the aerodynamics of the FH is completely different to the F9. However the S2 PAF is identical on both vehicles, and the F9 to FH change would have no bearing on it.Welcome to the forum!
Could the car be equipped with 2 telescopes continuously transmitting (within BW) images of Earth and Mars?
Otherwise, I think sending a car out there will have only short term and minimal PR value. Many will interpret it as nonsense.
Hello,Could the car be equipped with 2 telescopes continuously transmitting (within BW) images of Earth and Mars?Otherwise, I think sending a car out there will have only short term and minimal PR value. Many will interpret it as nonsense. IMO, a missed opportunity for SpaceX to grab more mindshare and for longer.