OMG it's the SpaceX Party Thread!

[simonbp]

Hah, being in MST/PDT helps me for once! (launch is at 00:44)

[rickl]

I'm in the Eastern time zone, so launch time is 3:44 and I have to be at work at 9:00.  Just about the worst possible time for me.

I'll try to go to bed early and set my alarm.  I don't know if I'll be able to get back to sleep afterwards.

I have a nasty tendency to sleep right through the alarm if I'm tired enough, so I risk oversleeping before the launch and/or afterwards.

[spectre9]

I try to time it so I wake up just before a launch if it's the middle of the night.

This usually involves a very early bedtime a couple of days before but well worth it to get the set up.

Then just get yourself through the rest of the day with some cola/coffee and you can be in bed early again to sleep it off and get back to normal.

4am launches are a bit of a problem. When I try to stay up from the night before I never make it. I was such a night owl in my teenage years too 

[d3jf]

It really will be tough to get up for the launch, which, in my time zone, will be at 9:44

[kevin-rf]

The debate, do I get up an hour early, watch the launch and then go for my morning run, do the morning run at the usual time and check the results after the hot tub?

Or should I watch the launch from the hot tub? If it will be following a track similar to ISS in the morning sky, the hot tub should provide the best chance of seeing it. 

[Robotbeat]

The debate, do I get up an hour early, watch the launch and then go for my morning run, do the morning run at the usual time and check the results after the hot tub?

Or should I watch the launch from the hot tub? If it will be following a track similar to ISS in the morning sky, the hot tub should provide the best chance of seeing it. 

Hot tub. Like a boss.

[dcporter]

Hot tub. Like a boss.

No question.

[Chris Bergin]

I say we have a party thread for Cygnus!

Yep, when it gets closer to the events.

I'd like to think that MSL (which was a ULA launch) will have enough interest to earn a party thread in August.

edited

Absolutely seconded! That's more exciting than just this demo launch. If this Dragon flight fails, they have another rocket and capsule basically ready to go, and it is pretty similar in capability to HTV/ATV and the earlier Dragon flight. MSL is one of a kind, and is the most impressive spacecraft/vehicle to land on Mars ever, by far. Definitely party thread worthy!!!

Yep!

[oiorionsbelt]

Now the journalistic pressure is on you Chris for a new Twitter-ish lead in.
Can't use OMG again

[kevin-rf]

I really like Zerm's take on attempt 1, http://klydemorris.com/strips.cfm?strip_ID=2325

Waiting Tiger, Burping Dragon

[Chris Bergin]

Here's some good journalism for ya:

http://news.yahoo.com/video-failed-space-shuttle-launch-really-awkward-165629432--finance.html

Things I learned from this article:
-Falcon 9/Dragon is a "space shuttle" 
-This was a "failed" misison
-NASA is spelled out as "N.A.S.A."

Certainly not a space writer. Looks like one of those mass production articles, where a writer works 9-5 and has to throw on 100 general articles for the day. A lot of mass media works that way, as much as most don't even bother hiring those type of writes anymore, as it's cheaper to buy the AP feed and fill your site with that, with addition to some op-eds and features.

What is scary is the amount of viewers. Look at the amount of comments.

Also a sponsor message on the video you can get anywhere else (sponsors on videos generate up to a buck a view, as opposed to static ads that generate nothing unless someone clicks on them - and then only once per IP address).

Almost makes me cry that this "article" probably generated $50K on something that cost them nothing and took someone five minutes to write. You could pay all NSF's entire costs for a year and still have change for that.

[kkattula]

...Also a sponsor message on the video you can get anywhere else (sponsors on videos generate up to a buck a view, as opposed to static ads that generate nothing unless someone clicks on them - and then only once per IP address).

Almost makes me cry that this "article" probably generated $50K on something that cost them nothing and took someone five minutes to write. You could pay all NSF's entire costs for a year and still have change for that.

Chris, you just need to figure out how to put sponsor ads on videos posted to NSF, and you'll be rolling in it.

Except on L2 of course.

[MP99]

It really will be tough to get up for the launch, which, in my time zone, will be at 9:44

8:44 here - taking the morning off to watch it.

cheers, Martin

[Space OurSoul]

these Launch Attempts are too close together for my liver

We need a SpaceX drinking game...

Totally.

Drink:
-whenever Elon tweets
-whenever someone posts a non-update to the update thread
-when you see the vent cloud disappear (one for each cloud)
-if a bug flies in front of the camera
-if the kerosene umbilical's spray visibly ignites
-if there's visible roll at take-off
-every time a spacex employee walks behind the web-casters and holds up a hand sign and/or is wearing a costume
-at meco
-at 1st sep
-at 2nd stage ignition
-every single time the 2nd stage turbine exhaust actuates for roll control
-at seco
-at dragon sep

If it scrubs, you have to finish your bottle in one chug.
If Dragon doesn't reach orbit, you have to finish your bottle and one more.
If it RUDs, you have to finish your bottle and two more. Then, while totally hammered, you have to call your representatives and remind them that this was a test flight. Every time you giggle you have to drink again.

[kirghizstan]

I don't think anyone has done this yet and pardon my horrible attempt at modifying the lyrics but if you know the song i think it is a perfect fit.  (all changes are in all caps)




1-2-3-4 Get your ROCKET on the PAD
Gotta gotta get up to get down
Gotta gotta get up to get down

Push, push in the bush
But don't step on no toes 'cause you might get smushed
It's the brother from around the way
And what I say I'm in the corner on three like ULA
Comin' at 'em with a pattern and a fresh pair of ATOMS
I hope he don't trip, 'cause
I don't wanna have to gat 'em
So move your body, baby, drive the REPUBS crazy
The way you shake that GROUND it's always amazin'
Ain't no party like a SPACEX party
'Cause a SPACEX party don't stop
So when you see a young DRAGON
on a FALCON hittin' switches
Then ya gotta give a DRAGON his props
I got sides in my rides and motion for your ocean
Coolio got the potion to get the party open

[MP99]

these Launch Attempts are too close together for my liver

We need a SpaceX drinking game...

Totally.

Drink:
-whenever Elon tweets
-whenever someone posts a non-update to the update thread
-when you see the vent cloud disappear (one for each cloud)
-if a bug flies in front of the camera
-if the kerosene umbilical's spray visibly ignites
-if there's visible roll at take-off
-every time a spacex employee walks behind the web-casters and holds up a hand sign and/or is wearing a costume
-at meco
-at 1st sep
-at 2nd stage ignition
-every single time the 2nd stage turbine exhaust actuates for roll control
-at seco
-at dragon sep

If it scrubs, you have to finish your bottle in one chug.
If Dragon doesn't reach orbit, you have to finish your bottle and one more.
If it RUDs, you have to finish your bottle and two more. Then, while totally hammered, you have to call your representatives and remind them that this was a test flight. Every time you giggle you have to drink again.

Every time you see a fall of ice - plenty of those on Saturday.

cheers, Martin

[Thunderbird5]

It really will be tough to get up for the launch, which, in my time zone, will be at 9:44

8:44 here - taking the morning off to watch it.

cheers, Martin

Yup, same time for me too. Alas, I'll be in the office; but wait ...

I seem to have a "personal video conference" entered in my diary between 8.30 and 9am

[majormajor42]

I don't think I'll need any extra encouragement to get out of bed to watch the launch but you never know. So just in case I do, what is a good wake up song at 3:30 in the morning? Muse "Uprising"  ? Holst-Planets? I was listening to "Jupiter" Friday night and Saturday morning. "Magic Carpet Ride"? might give me a little heart attack since it starts so loud.

 

[kevin-rf]

How about just drinking when SpaceX actually launches, or would that make one a Teetotaler?

Hi, my name is Kevin, It's been 1 year, 5 months, 13 days since my last drink

[douglas100]

I'll be watching it just after breakfast. Ah, the advantages of being in the right time zone and retired...