How can the payload not be on board if the fairing is? They used an empty fairing, instead of just leaving it off?
Quote from: CJ on 01/28/2018 02:47 amWould anyone happen to know if NASA TV will broadcast the Falcon Heavy launch? I can't seem to find an answer using google. I'm hoping that, due to the use of a KSC pad, they will. The reason I'm hoping for NASA TV is that at the currently scheduled launch time I'll have access to a TV that carries NASA TV, but I won't have internet access. Probably not, NASA hasn't broadcasted any commercial SpaceX launches.But since it's such an important launch, maybe(?)
Would anyone happen to know if NASA TV will broadcast the Falcon Heavy launch? I can't seem to find an answer using google. I'm hoping that, due to the use of a KSC pad, they will. The reason I'm hoping for NASA TV is that at the currently scheduled launch time I'll have access to a TV that carries NASA TV, but I won't have internet access.
Quote from: Norm38 on 01/28/2018 12:06 pmHow can the payload not be on board if the fairing is? They used an empty fairing, instead of just leaving it off?Playing Devi's Advocate; if the Roadster were a red herring and something else SpaceX has come up with is going uphill.
Quote from: IanThePineapple on 01/28/2018 02:56 amQuote from: CJ on 01/28/2018 02:47 amWould anyone happen to know if NASA TV will broadcast the Falcon Heavy launch? I can't seem to find an answer using google. I'm hoping that, due to the use of a KSC pad, they will. The reason I'm hoping for NASA TV is that at the currently scheduled launch time I'll have access to a TV that carries NASA TV, but I won't have internet access. Probably not, NASA hasn't broadcasted any commercial SpaceX launches.But since it's such an important launch, maybe(?)They were going to broadcast EchoStar 23 from 39A until it was swapped so CRS-10 was first, So yeh, I'd put this under a small possibility they may.
Quote from: Norm38 on 01/28/2018 12:06 pmHow can the payload not be on board if the fairing is? They used an empty fairing, instead of just leaving it off?Leaving the fairing off for the first full-up static fire on the pad wouldn't be a good idea even if there's no payload on top. SpaceX would likely want to gather acoustic and vibration data inside the fairing during the static fire to verify their predictions about the acoustic and vibe loads that FH payloads will be subjected to.They'll be gathering that data during the first flight too, but doing so on the pad with all engines firing would be the first step, and the first real-world look at what an FH payload will be subject to. That first static test should tell them a lot about how well their acoustic and vibe models agree with reality inside the fairing.
Interesting, quote is from a tweet by VP Pence’s chief of staff:QuoteThe White House seems interested in the Falcon Heavy launch“Major (positive) ramifications for US space industry if this goes according to plan.”by Eric Berger - Jan 27, 2018 7:15pm GMThttps://arstechnica.com/science/2018/01/the-white-house-seems-interested-in-the-falcon-heavy-launch/
The White House seems interested in the Falcon Heavy launch“Major (positive) ramifications for US space industry if this goes according to plan.”by Eric Berger - Jan 27, 2018 7:15pm GMT
Quote from: FutureSpaceTourist on 01/27/2018 07:03 pmInteresting, quote is from a tweet by VP Pence’s chief of staff:QuoteThe White House seems interested in the Falcon Heavy launch“Major (positive) ramifications for US space industry if this goes according to plan.”by Eric Berger - Jan 27, 2018 7:15pm GMThttps://arstechnica.com/science/2018/01/the-white-house-seems-interested-in-the-falcon-heavy-launch/Great! Please send money....
Quote from: Kabloona on 01/28/2018 01:51 pmQuote from: Norm38 on 01/28/2018 12:06 pmHow can the payload not be on board if the fairing is? They used an empty fairing, instead of just leaving it off?Leaving the fairing off for the first full-up static fire on the pad wouldn't be a good idea even if there's no payload on top. SpaceX would likely want to gather acoustic and vibration data inside the fairing during the static fire to verify their predictions about the acoustic and vibe loads that FH payloads will be subjected to.They'll be gathering that data during the first flight too, but doing so on the pad with all engines firing would be the first step, and the first real-world look at what an FH payload will be subject to. That first static test should tell them a lot about how well their acoustic and vibe models agree with reality inside the fairing.It's also interesting that the website reporting that the roadster has not been inside the fairing also sates that their specific questions about the location of the roadster, as well as the exact orbit design for the demo mission, are questions that SpaceX has not answered, despite their direct requests for it.It really sounds like the website authors are saying "Since you won't confirm the roadster is in the fairing, we will just assume it's not until you tell us otherwise." And they are going by the pictures taken of the roadster prior to encapsulation, with some odd concept that, if SpaceX hasn't gotten back to them about their questions, then it is frozen in time as of the time the pictures were taken, or something.In other words -- when a reporter whines "No one answered my questions, so I'll just say whatever I want!" they are usually making stuff up...
++Please remember that when you write about reporters in this industry, friends and colleagues may be reading.
Quote from: Kabloona on 01/28/2018 01:51 pmQuote from: Norm38 on 01/28/2018 12:06 pmHow can the payload not be on board if the fairing is? They used an empty fairing, instead of just leaving it off?Leaving the fairing off for the first full-up static fire on the pad wouldn't be a good idea even if there's no payload on top. SpaceX would likely want to gather acoustic and vibration data inside the fairing during the static fire to verify their predictions about the acoustic and vibe loads that FH payloads will be subjected to.They'll be gathering that data during the first flight too, but doing so on the pad with all engines firing would be the first step, and the first real-world look at what an FH payload will be subject to. That first static test should tell them a lot about how well their acoustic and vibe models agree with reality inside the fairing.It's also interesting that the website reporting that the roadster has not been inside the fairing also sates that their specific questions about the location of the roadster, as well as the exact orbit design for the demo mission, are questions that SpaceX has not answered, despite their direct requests for it.
Perhaps Elon had the roadster removed for static fire?? Given this is the first launch of this brute, that seems a reasonable possibility in case of a repeat of AMOS-6.
Quote from: CameronD on 01/28/2018 11:50 pmPerhaps Elon had the roadster removed for static fire?? Given this is the first launch of this brute, that seems a reasonable possibility in case of a repeat of AMOS-6.If the static went bad, the loss of the roadster would have been an insignificant blip compared to the rocket and pad.
Quote from: mdeep on 01/28/2018 10:43 pm++Please remember that when you write about reporters in this industry, friends and colleagues may be reading.Yes. This is a special place in part because we don't do that sort of thing. Just not done.