After a look at the pics (Thanks!!!!!!!!), I now agree with those who say something is definitely going on regarding the blast wall and that new space under a container. I'm dubious that they are making the blast wall open upward though; that would be hard due to the weight of it. My guess is either sliding to the side, or hinged panels opening outward. My current prime suspect for a resident of the new space is a cherry picker, but that's just a wild guess.
My current prime suspect for a resident of the new space is a cherry picker, but that's just a wild guess.
Quote from: CJ on 02/26/2017 07:50 pmMy current prime suspect for a resident of the new space is a cherry picker, but that's just a wild guess. I posted photo of the "resident" in L2 - definitely not cherry picker. Not posting here as SpaceX clearly doesn't want it to be seen in public - at least not yet.
Quote from: MarekCyzio on 02/26/2017 08:15 pmQuote from: CJ on 02/26/2017 07:50 pmMy current prime suspect for a resident of the new space is a cherry picker, but that's just a wild guess. I posted photo of the "resident" in L2 - definitely not cherry picker. Not posting here as SpaceX clearly doesn't want it to be seen in public - at least not yet.Lol - you just sold a bunch of subscriptions to L2...
I like the sliding idea. And I think Musk had enough of the Gull Wing design. (Though FWIW, people who actually use it say it's surprisingly convenient)
Quote from: CJ on 02/26/2017 07:50 pmAfter a look at the pics (Thanks!!!!!!!!), I now agree with those who say something is definitely going on regarding the blast wall and that new space under a container. I'm dubious that they are making the blast wall open upward though; that would be hard due to the weight of it. My guess is either sliding to the side, or hinged panels opening outward. My current prime suspect for a resident of the new space is a cherry picker, but that's just a wild guess. Not so wild a guess.. we've seen them store one in that general area before, and lose same in an early landing attempt. They're not cheap (neither are EWP's) so IMHO storage of either, and maybe a welder or four, is most likely.Personally I'm against the self-welding Roomba/robot idea: The risk of damage to a landed stage should one accidentally collide with the legs is non-trivial, nor is trying to locate itself on a wet, slippery and heaving steel deck.Regarding opening: Unless the actually open it around the time someone is talking pics, I guess we'll never know. Opening outward/upward on hydraulic rams garage-door style was proposed here, but that would place additional height limits on whatever it was you wanted to store, whilst sliding would mean a track/rollers that could potentially get jammed in a big seaway. All I'm saying is there are disadvantages with both.. but I'm sure we'll find out in due course.
Now, for the mystery occupants... hrmmm. I'm still guessing it's some means of securing the F9. I'm also intrigued by the deck plate work they were seen doing in the center. So, seeing as I'm still in wild speculation mode... what if they are connected? Four roomba-ish disks head out and slot themselves onto the legs. They could be remote-operated - they've already got plenty of comms. The disks include a steel plate. Once in place, the wheels retract, lowering the steel plate to the deck. And under the deck is an electromagnet. Now, to replace the jackstands... a dome-topped robot heads out, positions itself under an engine bell, and raises its dome to fit into an engine bell? (I'm far from sure an engine bell could take the stress). My guess for motive for all of the above is they would like to secure the F9 before sending crew aboard the ASDS for safety reasons, with an additional motive that doing so robotically could be done faster than waiting for a crew to arrive (thus potentially saving a precarious f9). I would further guess that if what they try works, we'll see it at LZ1 soon, too.
Anyways, I still don't get it. Three reasons:a) There's been no evidence (that we've seen to date) of a properly-landed-on-all-four-legs stage moving anywhere in the time taken to get the Barge Crew aboard, andb) the non-zero risk of a moving Roomba colliding with and injuring one of the barge crew is non-zero - especially in a heavy swell... or are the Barge Crew not allowed to board until the Roomba's are secure? What if one of them can't secure (wet slippery deck, etc.)?? and thenc) The non-zero risk of a Roomba collision with one of the legs affecting the integrity of the landed stage makes the whole concept rather implausible. By doing this I'd think you were adding to the dangers the Barge Crew need to deal with.. not making it safer. Plus, I'm not sure you make the entire process any quicker given that the ASDS will surely be on it's way back to port under it's own steam the moment the stage has landed, whilst the crew/tug catch up, secure and complete the tow - only a couple of knots faster.
given that the ASDS will surely be on it's way back to port under it's own steam the moment the stage has landed
I like the magnets under the deck.The deck would need to be made of stainless or something non magnetic. Maybe thats why we saw them replacing the deck in the middle.
Quote from: rsdavis9 on 02/27/2017 12:14 pmI like the magnets under the deck.The deck would need to be made of stainless or something non magnetic. Maybe thats why we saw them replacing the deck in the middle.Or more probable, the magnet would be on the bot and just stick to the steel deck wherever it pleases. However IF (and that's a capital 'if') there really is going to be a robot on the ASDS (and that would be so freekin amazing!) I still expect it to fire some stud welds into the deck and call it a day. Welding and barges (sorry, ASDS's) go hand in hand...
Also would love to see some process handling improvement. Right now there is so many long steps to perform to get a booster horizontal on a truck. 1. automated way to remove legs2. automated vertical to horizontal3. remove need for craneThats a lot but it would nice to see any one of them.
Quote from: rsdavis9 on 02/27/2017 01:14 pmAlso would love to see some process handling improvement. Right now there is so many long steps to perform to get a booster horizontal on a truck. 1. automated way to remove legs2. automated vertical to horizontal3. remove need for craneThats a lot but it would nice to see any one of them.It would be quite sufficient if they could eliminate the need for a crew of welders to board the barge in mid-ocean to secure the stage. All else would be gravy.