Author Topic: SpaceX COTS Demo 2/3 Updates (THREAD 2) (Read 787775 times)

mr. mark · « **Reply #1640 on:** 03/23/2012 02:01 pm »

Better get on L2 soon....

Looks like a busy and exciting April and May with the Progress undocking, upcoming Progress launch, Falcon 9 launch and hopeful Dragon berthing. Looking forward to all cargo vehicles now being fully automated, a ISS first.

Robotbeat · « **Reply #1641 on:** 03/23/2012 02:05 pm »

Quote from: mr. mark on 03/23/2012 02:01 pm

Better get on L2 soon.... Looks like a busy and exciting April and May with the Progress undocking, upcoming Progress launch, Falcon 9 launch and hopeful Dragon berthing. Looking forward to all cargo vehicles now being fully automated, a ISS first.

Yeah, L2 is worth it. Even if one doesn't read the stuff on there (and there is a bunch of info on the Exploration Gateway and other exploration hardware on there that's really fascinating), if one reads NSF often, I think one should support it!

mr. mark · « **Reply #1642 on:** 03/23/2012 03:55 pm »

Yeah, I need to get on L2 and this COTS 2 flight is a good way to start. When I have some free time on the computer, I always come to nasaspaceflight.com. I can't talk to my wife about spaceflight, that's for sure. A few weeks ago, she told me the Sun must be closer than the Moon because the Sun is hotter. OUCH!

Namechange User · « **Reply #1643 on:** 03/23/2012 03:57 pm »

+1 for the education system.

Jim_LAX · « **Reply #1644 on:** 03/23/2012 04:55 pm »

Big ouch!

cuddihy · « **Reply #1645 on:** 03/23/2012 06:46 pm »

Quote from: mr. mark on 03/23/2012 03:55 pm

Yeah, I need to get on L2 and this COTS 2 flight is a good way to start. When I have some free time on the computer, I always come to nasaspaceflight.com. I can't talk to my wife about spaceflight, that's for sure. A few weeks ago, she told me the Sun must be closer than the Moon because the Sun is hotter. OUCH!

I joined L2 finally. it's worth it.

Geron · « **Reply #1646 on:** 03/25/2012 02:27 am »

How can I join L2? Is it in any way tax deductible? Is this a non-profit?

tigerade · « **Reply #1647 on:** 03/25/2012 02:31 am »

Quote from: Geron on 03/25/2012 02:27 am

How can I join L2? Is it in any way tax deductible? Is this a non-profit?

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/l2/

Check the bottom of that page and it will give you instructions on sending payment via Paypal. Contact one of the admins if you have any trouble.

As for tax deductible, I don't think so. At least I wasn't told so anyway. lol.

Geron · « **Reply #1648 on:** 03/25/2012 02:44 am »

I wonder if you join L2 but then get banned for making a statement that is percieved to be insensitive by an admin, is there any kind of refund process?

tigerade · « **Reply #1649 on:** 03/25/2012 02:50 am »

Quote from: Geron on 03/25/2012 02:44 am

I wonder if you join L2 but then get banned for making a statement that is percieved to be insensitive by an admin, is there any kind of refund process?

I know we're swaying way off topic here, but I would send this kinds of questions to Chris or someone. I just told you that stuff to help a newbie out, but lets stick to the thread. The content about C2/C3 on L2 is very good. It's probably the best source of information that's available on the internet. So if you are really into SpaceX, I would recommend joining.

Geron · « **Reply #1650 on:** 03/25/2012 02:52 am »

That was going to be my next question! I was wondering if there is anything on there on SpaceX, and I guess that there is, I am joining now as we speak! Thank you tigerade!

tigerade · « **Reply #1651 on:** 03/25/2012 03:36 am »

Quote from: Geron on 03/25/2012 02:52 am

That was going to be my next question! I was wondering if there is anything on there on SpaceX, and I guess that there is, I am joining now as we speak! Thank you tigerade!

No problem sir.

Yeah I can't say I understand 100% of whats on there. I am not too savvy with the engineering and technical stuff, but I do get the jist of it and I can say that it's very fascinating. It's like taking a peek at the future of spaceflight.

Now... back on track. COTS 2/3. We are trying to have special coverage in L2. I don't know exactly what entails of that so far, but I would still expect a few goodies about SpaceX here and there.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #1652 on:** 03/25/2012 03:53 am »

The questions are good (I'm going to start a new C2/C3 thread on this section for the "one month to go point" next week as this is the most important mission since STS-135 imho, so no biggy with the digression), but remember, L2 questions can go on here:

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=22487.0 (and that may answer some things too).

So back to C2/C3 for this thread after this - however, some quick answers.

Not tax deductable. The L2 revenue goes into the site's business account which we used to pay the hosting company in Dallas, TX where our servers are. That's all we use the account for. NFP is a future consideration, but we're not large enough of an operation at present (large site, but self run. One takes a paycheck etc. We all have our day jobs, but I'd never be able to self fund the site with its four figures per month server costs and where ad revenue covers only about a third of the costs. L2 literally saved the site back in 2006/7, we were really close to shutting the entire site down before we started L2, simply because of the server costs to keep it up and stable.)

We've only ever had to ban one L2 member over the last five years - which was a long time ago - and I refunded him his remaining term. Best policy. As much as a ban would be the result of a lot more than being "insensitive"

That above thread will help answer some questions for sure, but I'm very hands on. I personally upgrade you, welcome you to L2 (I send the e-mail and PM), you can contact me with any questions.

Remember, you're directly supporting the ENTIRE site. Even the paypal account is called "[email protected]"

In return, you get to access the nine very cool L2 sections by way of thanks (I can say they are very cool sections as they have a life of their own now, with the NASA/Space Industry and experts in there adding content even when I'm asleep. I even wake up as a L2 member myself, wondering what cool stuff was added since I was last on!

So what I'd say to people is, L2 is like a tip jar. If you like the site, understand it costs a small fortune to run, so if you can thrown 20 bucks at it to help the site remain on these super fast, super stable servers, please do. What you get in return (access to L2) will not disappoint.

Fred M · « **Reply #1653 on:** 03/25/2012 07:35 pm »

Will NASA webcast the launch? Previous experiences with SpaceX webcasts have been poor.

tigerade · « **Reply #1654 on:** 03/25/2012 07:39 pm »

Quote from: Fred M on 03/25/2012 07:35 pm

Will NASA webcast the launch? Previous experiences with SpaceX webcasts have been poor.

With the amount of interest in this flight, that would be a safe bet. I have never had major issues with the webcast on SpaceX website. It's a little choppy but I prefer it.

Orbiter · « **Reply #1655 on:** 03/25/2012 07:41 pm »

Quote from: Fred M on 03/25/2012 07:35 pm

Will NASA webcast the launch? Previous experiences with SpaceX webcasts have been poor.

The NASA TV schedule says that there will be coverage, so yes.

Orbiter

Maciej Olesinski · « **Reply #1656 on:** 03/25/2012 08:24 pm »

I think some mentioned there will be HD streaming directly from SpaceX.

R.Simko · « **Reply #1657 on:** 03/25/2012 11:11 pm »

Quote from: Fred M on 03/25/2012 07:35 pm

Will NASA webcast the launch? Previous experiences with SpaceX webcasts have been poor.

It would be great to see the launch on tv. With all the tv channels available, it would be great if one would pick it up.

Garrett · « **Reply #1658 on:** 03/26/2012 09:08 am »

Quote from: placydo on 03/25/2012 08:24 pm

I think some mentioned there will be HD streaming directly from SpaceX.

That's probably my post you're referring to:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=26616.msg858839#msg858839

A tweet from Elon saying that they will stream the whole mission in realtime. Although there's no mention of it being in HD.

Maciej Olesinski · « **Reply #1659 on:** 03/26/2012 12:29 pm »

Quote from: Garrett on 03/26/2012 09:08 am

Quote from: placydo on 03/25/2012 08:24 pm
I think some mentioned there will be HD streaming directly from SpaceX.

That's probably my post you're referring to:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=26616.msg858839#msg858839

A tweet from Elon saying that they will stream the whole mission in realtime. Although there's no mention of it being in HD.

Aye sorry sir. You're right in both cases