It is becoming axiomatic that any new medium or heavy lift rocket that is proposed without some element of reuse is doomed to fail.
Finally
This one is entirely on you. I've been researching load-and-go, and no one wanted that but SpaceX. NASA official: "We tortured SpaceX for more than three years before we finally approved load-and-go. Had it been up to NASA, we would not have had the reusability revolution."
This is really random, but I'm trying to pin something down for the F9 book. If you're on a call with the Secretary of Defense, and there's a roll call that starts like this: "ALL J-3s REMAIN SLIENT! ALL J-3s REMAIN SILENT FOR ROLL CALL." ... what does 'J-3s' refer to or mean?
https://www.jcs.mil/Directorates/J3-Operations/
Yes, I get that. But what are "J-3s" in this context? Lower level officials in the Joint Chiefs of Staff office? Colonels or something?
I need some downtime because I've really been putting in some after-hours work on the Falcon 9 book (coming together nicely, thank you). It's a lot to manage that, Ars, and a weather site that's turned into more than a hobby!
There's method acting, of course. But is there method writing? I am thinking of working "hard core" on the Falcon 9 book by working a 100-hour week to emulate SpaceXers on deadlines. I haven't told Amanda yet though.
The idea would be to glean some small sense of the exhaustion and mental fatigue of the work done leading up to key milestones and launches in SpaceX's history. Of which there are many. Of course I will be comfortable in my office, rather than sweating in Texas or Florida.
Falcon 9 book then starship book? Loved block 1!
Any Starship book would need to be many years down the road. We are only at the beginning of that story.
Any idea when we may see the F9 sequel? This year maybe?Eric: Next year! Working hard on it at this very moment.
Feeling pretty good tonight. I've now written three-quarters of the Falcon 9 book, which is already longer than Liftoff. I think it's pretty great? Man, those early flights were wild. Hopefully we'll get it published next year.
What I do know is that I have mad respect for everyone at SpaceX, from the top down, who put everything they had into making all that happen. Insane effort and achievement by so many. I'm hoping to bring some of their stories into the light.
Any Falcon heavy in the book as well, or is it scrubbed from the chapters?
FH is not the focus of the book, but I have some fun stories. Including "Hells Bells."
Zach Dunn is back for more! He told me this amazing story about Flight 9.
First two-thirds of the book covers up to Amos-6. But I'll go all the way to Starhopper.
https://twitter.com/sciguyspace/status/1652119362713579520QuoteZach Dunn is back for more! He told me this amazing story about Flight 9.
I'm sure he'll be totally objective.
Quote from: Blackstar on 04/29/2023 12:35 pmI'm sure he'll be totally objective.In my experience, he is. There’s a weird online Twitter cult of Berger haters who’ve been repeating just a whole ton of libelous attacks on him (I think because he has made some predictions about SLS which turned out to be right?), and I think it has succeeded in making even normal people like yourself think there’s something bad there, but there just isn’t. My respect always goes down for people whenever they make unfounded side remarks about how somehow Berger is dishonest. Do better, Blackstar, I know you’re one of the good ones.
I recently completed a long chapter on the origins of commercial crew, and the competition between Boeing and SpaceX. It is remarkable, in hindsight, how Boeing came within a hair's breadth of winning the entire contract; and how everyone thought only they would succeed.
You're writing another book?
On the Falcon 9, yeah. Hopefully out late next summer. It's good!
Is the title "Landing!" or something else?
Really struggling with a one-word title! If you have any suggestions please let me know.
T+254: Mars Sample Return, Vulcan, NSSL Phase 3 (with Eric Berger)JULY 18, 2023Eric Berger of Ars Technica joins me to talk about the budgetary threat facing Mars Sample Return, the latest issue with ULA’s Vulcan vehicle, and the ongoing tweaks to the National Security Space Launch Program’s Phase 3 architecture.
Definitely another must read:https://twitter.com/sciguyspace/status/1652120406327717889QuoteFirst two-thirds of the book covers up to Amos-6. But I'll go all the way to Starhopper.
"Go all the way to Starhopper". That makers me a bit nervous that Berger might not be exploring the full culmination of first-stage reusability, which is what really sets Falcon aside. I hope the story of how multiple, routine re-flights weere achieved will not be just an afterthought.
One of the engineers I spoke with for a book on the Falcon 9 rocket said, during the inaugural flight campaign back in 2010, that she would catch short afternoon naps inside the interstage. It was "cozy," she said. Thirteen years later:
Quote from: Oersted on 07/21/2023 06:49 am"Go all the way to Starhopper". That makers me a bit nervous that Berger might not be exploring the full culmination of first-stage reusability, which is what really sets Falcon aside. I hope the story of how multiple, routine re-flights weere achieved will not be just an afterthought.I interpreted that as saying the book looks a bit beyond F9. Eric also said the book ends with the Euclid mission, which is way past Starhopper in time and well into routine reuse.
