Author Topic: SpaceX FH : Falcon Heavy Demo : early 2018 : Discussion Thread 1  (Read 790185 times)

Offline JamesH65

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Re: SpaceX FH : Falcon Heavy Demo : early 2018 : Discussion
« Reply #200 on: 11/30/2017 01:52 pm »

You should have seen the static I was sent privately when I reported info (coming from SpaceX-ers no less), in september this year, that FH was fully expected to slip into 2018.

But in the end those SpaceX sources turned out to be correct.

Actually no, they did not. Without the Zuma problems they might well have made it this year. Sources saying months ago that it can not happen this year were missing important developments like working in parallel on LC-40 and LC-39A.

Even myself, a world class optimist, expected it to be delayed to 2018. And I don't even work at SpaceX.

Offline deruch

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Re: SpaceX FH : Falcon Heavy Demo : early 2018 : Discussion
« Reply #201 on: 12/01/2017 12:45 am »
Any time SpaceX schedules something right at the end of the calendar year like that, I pretty much automatically assume it will roll over into the next year.
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Online FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: SpaceX FH : Falcon Heavy Demo : early 2018 : Discussion
« Reply #202 on: 12/01/2017 01:15 am »
Quote
Falcon Heavy's 3 cores are shown in the lower left corner at Aerospace Corp's launch-control room display, awaiting test fire <span class="emoji-outer emoji-sizer"><span class="emoji-inner" style="background: url(chrome-extension://immhpnclomdloikkpcefncmfgjbkojmh/emoji-data/sheet_apple_32.png);background-position:55.99294947121034% 10.047003525264394%;background-size:5418.75% 5418.75%" data-codepoints="1f525"></span></span>

https://twitter.com/sandymazza/status/936407173772353536



--

« Last Edit: 12/01/2017 06:46 pm by Chris Bergin »

Offline su27k

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Re: SpaceX FH : Falcon Heavy Demo : early 2018 : Discussion
« Reply #203 on: 12/01/2017 02:29 am »
Quote
Falcon Heavy's 3 cores are shown in the lower left corner at Aerospace Corp's launch-control room display, awaiting test fire 🔥

So why would Aerospace Corporation have access to SpaceX's hangar cameras? And why do they have a launch control room anyway, I thought AC just do analysis for the Air Force?

Offline IanThePineapple

I love the 39A pad shot cams, I could stare at live versions of those all day, just watching them work on the TEL...

Reminds me of the camera shot of Pad 0A at Wallops that they have inside the visitor center, if any of you have been there.

Looks like this, but zoomed in slightly.

« Last Edit: 12/01/2017 02:33 am by IanThePineapple »

Offline deruch

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Re: SpaceX FH : Falcon Heavy Demo : early 2018 : Discussion
« Reply #205 on: 12/01/2017 03:12 am »
Quote
Falcon Heavy's 3 cores are shown in the lower left corner at Aerospace Corp's launch-control room display, awaiting test fire

https://twitter.com/sandymazza/status/936407173772353536

Edit: added cropped & slightly rotated version. Note TEL at pad too.

Given that the launch trajectory on the right is showing Oct. 15th which was the date of the NROL-52 launch (Atlas V 421 out of CCAFS) there's a good chance that this pic isn't recent.  Though strangely, it also shows an Atlas V still in the barn.  So, I'm not sure what's up with that.  It can't be a current live shot because the next Atlas launch from SLC-41 (SBIRS-GEO 4 on Jan. 19th) is an Atlas V 411 and this one has at least 2 SRBs.  Weird.  Maybe the trajectory is a simulation prior to the launch?  Or just not live pictures of the Atlas?

Oops.  Actually Delta IV, not Atlas V in the corner.  Thanks Thorny. That's embarrassing.

« Last Edit: 12/01/2017 09:16 am by deruch »
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Offline Thorny

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Re: SpaceX FH : Falcon Heavy Demo : early 2018 : Discussion
« Reply #206 on: 12/01/2017 03:19 am »
Though strangely, it also shows an Atlas V still in the barn.  So, I'm not sure what's up with that.  It can't be a current live shot because the next Atlas launch from SLC-41 (SBIRS-GEO 4 on Jan. 19th) is an Atlas V 411 and this one has at least 2 SRBs.  Weird. 

Isn't that a Delta IV?

Offline hernick

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Re: SpaceX FH : Falcon Heavy Demo : early 2018 : Discussion
« Reply #207 on: 12/01/2017 03:20 am »
Today is the 334th day of the year 2017. The on-screen display is reading 334 17:57:09; it seems to me like that photo was taken today.

Offline Michael Baylor

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Re: SpaceX FH : Falcon Heavy Demo : early 2018 : Discussion
« Reply #208 on: 12/01/2017 03:22 am »
Though strangely, it also shows an Atlas V still in the barn.  So, I'm not sure what's up with that.  It can't be a current live shot because the next Atlas launch from SLC-41 (SBIRS-GEO 4 on Jan. 19th) is an Atlas V 411 and this one has at least 2 SRBs.  Weird. 

Isn't that a Delta IV?
It's the Delta IV at Vandenberg for NROL 47 on December 13. Now lets shut up before the off-topic police arrive on the scene.
« Last Edit: 12/01/2017 03:22 am by Michael Baylor »

Offline old_sellsword

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Re: SpaceX FH : Falcon Heavy Demo : early 2018 : Discussion
« Reply #209 on: 12/01/2017 03:45 am »
Quote
Falcon Heavy's 3 cores are shown in the lower left corner at Aerospace Corp's launch-control room display, awaiting test fire

So why would Aerospace Corporation have access to SpaceX's hangar cameras? And why do they have a launch control room anyway, I thought AC just do analysis for the Air Force?

The Aerospace Corp does a lot of mission support for a lot of customers, they might be contracted for Zuma or the FH Demo or both.

Offline woods170

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Re: SpaceX FH : Falcon Heavy Demo : early 2018 : Discussion
« Reply #210 on: 12/01/2017 06:33 am »
Quote
Falcon Heavy's 3 cores are shown in the lower left corner at Aerospace Corp's launch-control room display, awaiting test fire 🔥

So why would Aerospace Corporation have access to SpaceX's hangar cameras? And why do they have a launch control room anyway, I thought AC just do analysis for the Air Force?
They are involved in both USAF and NASA cert efforts of SpaceX launch vehicles. Access to the cameras in the SpaceX processing facilities is part of the Insight/Oversight agreement between government agencies and SpaceX.
« Last Edit: 12/01/2017 06:34 am by woods170 »

Offline AncientU

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Re: SpaceX FH : Falcon Heavy Demo : early 2018 : Discussion
« Reply #211 on: 12/01/2017 10:48 am »
The screen next to the three booster view is more recognisable as a view of the Heavy. It's pretty clear that there is three aft ends of the boosters together with legs visible there.

Second stage mating in progress.  Right hand picture.
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Offline Swoopert

The screen next to the three booster view is more recognisable as a view of the Heavy. It's pretty clear that there is three aft ends of the boosters together with legs visible there.
Actually I believe that the left-hand camera is showing L-R - Zuma (with transporter ring above the legs), FH-side, FH-core, and the other FH-side is off camera to right as you can see reversed in the right-hand camera view...the FH-side booster is being supported by the crane and is slightly shifted compared to the core, I'm assuming for better access to the interstage for 2nd stage integration?

I believe that the left-hand camera is mounted on the crane jib? which is visible above the other FH-side booster in the right-hand camera view with the red drop downs in its foreground also visible and matching up, which explains why only the other 3 boosters are visible.

Edited to clarify to which screenshot I was referring and camera positioning.
« Last Edit: 12/01/2017 02:11 pm by Swoopert »

Offline Johnnyhinbos

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Re: SpaceX FH : Falcon Heavy Demo : early 2018 : Discussion
« Reply #213 on: 12/01/2017 01:34 pm »
The outboard boosters both have nosecones. Not Zuma.
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Offline ATPTourFan

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Re: SpaceX FH : Falcon Heavy Demo : early 2018 : Discussion
« Reply #214 on: 12/01/2017 02:33 pm »
The outboard boosters both have nosecones. Not Zuma.

Photos are shot from opposite sides. There's a S1/S2 integrated F9 alongside the 3 FH cores. When photo angle is reversed to see the aft engine ends, you can see the end of the integrated F9, then side FH and center FH and the other side FH booster is too close and "under" the frame.

Online Chris Bergin

Quote
Falcon Heavy's 3 cores are shown in the lower left corner at Aerospace Corp's launch-control room display, awaiting test fire <span class="emoji-outer emoji-sizer"><span class="emoji-inner" style="background: url(chrome-extension://immhpnclomdloikkpcefncmfgjbkojmh/emoji-data/sheet_apple_32.png);background-position:55.99294947121034% 10.047003525264394%;background-size:5418.75% 5418.75%" data-codepoints="1f525"></span></span>

https://twitter.com/sandymazza/status/936407173772353536



--



Sandy has deleted her tweet and SpaceX has requested the main areas where SpaceX is discussed to remove attachments/screenshots of the tweet, so we have too.

« Last Edit: 12/01/2017 07:12 pm by Chris Bergin »
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Offline Tomness

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Re: SpaceX FH : Falcon Heavy Demo : early 2018 : Discussion
« Reply #216 on: 12/01/2017 08:55 pm »
--


Sandy has deleted her tweet and SpaceX has requested the main areas where SpaceX is discussed to remove attachments/screenshots of the tweet, so we have too.
Understandable, first rule of the NRO club you do not talk about the NRO club..
Pulling a Yoda, "unlearn what you have you have learned"
When they launch this naughty rocket (FH)... people going to go nuts..

Online Chris Bergin

Moved all the Roadster posts into the standalone thread:
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42801.0
« Last Edit: 12/02/2017 06:20 pm by Chris Bergin »
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Offline butterwaffle

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Re: SpaceX FH : Falcon Heavy Demo : early 2018 : Discussion
« Reply #218 on: 12/03/2017 01:49 am »
Does anyone have an idea on what the inclination will be near launch for a Mars trip? Will that impact what viewing location would be better? Will Playalinda and/or the causeway be open for the FH launch?

Offline Jim

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Re: SpaceX FH : Falcon Heavy Demo : early 2018 : Discussion
« Reply #219 on: 12/03/2017 01:59 am »
Does anyone have an idea on what the inclination will be near launch for a Mars trip? Will that impact what viewing location would be better? Will Playalinda and/or the causeway be open for the FH launch?

No impact

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