Where does a Falcon go after flying? The nest. A good enough name for the ASDS?
Quote from: rogo2303 on 01/02/2015 02:24 amWhere does a Falcon go after flying? The nest. A good enough name for the ASDS?A nest is its domicile. When a bird stops flying for the time being it lands on a perch, which is also a suitably aquatic name
Need I remind you that SpaceX has a habit of doing things NOT always the way you expect them to do? Need I remind you of the fact that SpaceX often deviates from what you think is the most logical course of actions?
I find it interesting to note, in passing, that the CRS-5 NASA Press Kit makes absolutely NO mention of the first stage recovery attempt. In fact, there is only a single reference to first stage recovery, referencing the April 2014 soft landing water recovery.What the heck!? One would think there would be SOME official notice of this potentially huge milestone event advancing booster technology, even if (from NASA's point of view) it was Not Invented Here. Granted, it is not "NASA business" but rather "SpaceX business", but still. Perhaps concern that a SpaceX successful, or even partially successful first stage recovery will overshadow CRS and/or ISS operations in the public view? I think this is likely, especially of SpaceX releases "news candy" , i.e., photogenic, video of the landing.
Why should NASA? The rocket stuff is for Spacex to talk about. The NASA portion of the CRS-5 mission is to deliver supplies to the ISS, nothing more.
... the first stage booster recovery technology development is, IMHO, certainly something NASA should be taking official notice of and supporting...
That said, the first stage booster recovery technology development is, IMHO, certainly something NASA should be taking official notice of and supporting. Why? Simple, the potential cost savings are large and if successful could reduce the cost for NASA substantially. It is a major rocket technology milestone event. I would hope that NASA isn't so close-minded that just because it isn't something they developed in-house for themselves that they wouldn't at least cheer them on by acknowledging that the effort exists and will be conducted on a CRS flight, specifically THIS one. To not do so seems sort of petty. Just wondering where the direction or suggestion to "non-mention" is coming from, NASA management or SpaceX?
Oh, in general, I agree. That said, the first stage booster recovery technology development is, IMHO, certainly something NASA should be taking official notice of and supporting. Why? Simple, the potential cost savings are large and if successful could reduce the cost for NASA substantially. It is a major rocket technology milestone event. I would hope that NASA isn't so close-minded that just because it isn't something they developed in-house for themselves that they wouldn't at least cheer them on by acknowledging that the effort exists and will be conducted on a CRS flight, specifically THIS one. To not do so seems sort of petty. Just wondering where the direction or suggestion to "non-mention" is coming from, NASA management or SpaceX?
NASA is supporting SpaceX booster recovery technology in many meaningful ways, but not so publicly.
Remember that many in Congress seem dead-set against commercial space, so NASA publicizing their support of SpaceX booster recovery could easily backfire.
Very true. It's a milestone event in spaceflight if it works. Otherwise it's just another stage crashing into the sea.
According to Musk (who isn't often accused of pessimism), it most likely won't work this first time. I'm not so sure it's a very good PR gamble for NASA to put their name all over it when they aren't really doing anything with it other than observing the result for Mars EDL supersonic retropropulsion research.
Quote from: Robotbeat on 01/02/2015 03:09 pmAccording to Musk (who isn't often accused of pessimism), it most likely won't work this first time. I'm not so sure it's a very good PR gamble for NASA to put their name all over it when they aren't really doing anything with it other than observing the result for Mars EDL supersonic retropropulsion research.I'd like to think he's sandbagging.
Quote from: Robotbeat on 01/02/2015 03:09 pmAccording to Musk (who isn't often accused of pessimism), it most likely won't work this first time. I'm not so sure it's a very good PR gamble for NASA to put their name all over it when they aren't really doing anything with it other than observing the result for Mars EDL supersonic retropropulsion research.That's SOP. They said the same thing on all previous attempts for anything. So far they are doing much better than 50%....