OMG it's the SpaceX Party Thread!

[sojourner]

No word on the gnc door. Shouldn't it have opened by now?

[rickl]

Not a word on Drudge Report yet.

(Edit:  That was not a reply to sojourner; just an observation.)

[corrodedNut]

@elonmusk:

Dragon spaceship opens the navigation pod bay door without hesitation. So much nicer than HAL9000 #DragonLaunch

CONGRATS SPACEX!

[douglas100]

Excellent! Now we have a mission!

[rickl]

I was also holding my breath for that door to open.  Of course, I also hope it closes for re-entry.

[corrodedNut]

I was also holding my breath for that door to open.  Of course, I also hope it closes for re-entry.

Indeed. Might not cause LOV if stuck open during reentry, but who wants to find out!

[corrodedNut]

I think they must be having fun in Hawthorne right about now...

[NavySpaceFan]

Just watched the SpaceX launch replay, the emotion displayed at solar array deployment was incredible!!!!  Well done!!!!!!!!!!  Next stop ISS!

[gospacex]

Elon looks like he needs sleep.

Do remember that this guy *also* runs two other companies: Tesla Motors and SolarCity. No wonder he doesn't sleep enough!

[Mike_1179]

When I wanted the reaction of the SpaceX commentators compared to the reserved, quiet confidence of the NASA / contractor folks we’re used to seeing on these things, I was reminded of the saying about scoring in football (read: not soccer) – “When you get to the end zone, act like you’ve been there before”.

I’m not saying I didn’t love the reaction of the SpaceX folks.  It was incredible to see that energy and happiness from a group who worked to make something like this happen – it reminded me of why I love this stuff.  However, I don’t think it’s fair to compare it to how NASA people (or the other non-NuSpace guys) react when things go right.  The reserved nature of their reaction comes from knowing you’ve done it right – if you prepare correctly, you’re not surprised when it works.  There’s something to be said about being able to project the steely-eyed missile man attitude when others are jumping around.

Awesome night, new spacecraft are a good thing.

[MadameConcorde]

I missed it. There was some work done in my building as we got hit by lightning. All electricity/power supply was turned off.

It was the wrong time for it but nothing can be done in such cases.

Looks like the Space X have been successful with the launch this time and also putting the capsule into orbit. Did not have time to look at updates. Busy day today. Willl do later.

Good for them. Elon Musk and the whole Space X must be happy bunnies today. Let's see how they do now with leading the capsule to the Space Station for docking.

I am sure the Chinese Space Agency must be keeping a close look at this new private space venture as they will be the main competitors in Space in the future.

 

[rickl]

Just watched the SpaceX launch replay, the emotion displayed at solar array deployment was incredible!!!!  Well done!!!!!!!!!!  Next stop ISS!

Yeah, that cheering gave me goosebumps.

[plank]

Any amateur video of the launch by any chance?  You know from some nearby county or town seen as a spectacle by ordinary bystanders.  I find video like those interesting. 

[rickl]

Any amateur video of the launch by any chance?  You know from some nearby county or town seen as a spectacle by ordinary bystanders.  I find video like those interesting. 

I guess keep an eye on YouTube.  That's where it's most likely to turn up.

OK, I've got to go *try* to get some work done today.   

[friendly3]

SFN : "Dragon's laser ranging instrument, called a LIDAR system, and the capsule's thermal imager appear to working as expected".

[corrodedNut]

SFN : "Dragon's laser ranging instrument, called a LIDAR system, and the capsule's thermal imager appear to working as expected".

Watch it buddy, no updates on the party thread! Ha ha!

[ceauke]

hi guys

Do we have some statistics on how popular this launch was compared to previous big launches? Did the webserver buckel under all the people refreshing the forum pages?

Did NSF get 100s of new users who signed up to follow spacex and share some coolaid?

Just wondering how aware or unaware the world is of this

[DaveJ576]

Forgive me if this seems like an odd observation:

I have watched the launch replays several times and one thing that struck me is the feeling of raw power that comes from the nine clustered engines on the first stage. The shape of the exhaust plume and the crackling noise/vibrations elicits an image and feeling of power. I got used to experiencing the "invisible" plumage from the SSME's (apart from the kick in the pants from the SRB's!). F9 liftoff and flyaway is much more satisfying to watch than Atlas V or Delta IV. Kinda reminds me of the good ol' Saturn V...

Another thing that impresses me is the size of the Merlin Vac engine bell on the 2nd stage. That thing barely squeeks out of the interstage. I am impressed that they can do that without some sort of contact.

Keep pressing SpaceX! Congratulations!

[ChefPat]

GO SPACEX!!!

[e of pi]

hi guys

Do we have some statistics on how popular this launch was compared to previous big launches? Did the webserver buckel under all the people refreshing the forum pages?

Did NSF get 100s of new users who signed up to follow spacex and share some coolaid?

Just wondering how aware or unaware the world is of this

Looks like the today's daily maximum is 1778 users online at once. Making the logical leap that that's going to have been the launch, that compares pretty well to the 3068 clocked at the maximum ever (which happens to correspond to the STS-135 launch date and time). So on this site, anyway, there were 57% as many people watch this cargo craft lift off as there were watching STS-135's launch.

As far as new members...sorting the memberlist by date it looks maybe 20 or so in the last few days? You'd have to go back to Shuttle days or something and compare. Of course, Chris or one of the other mod staff would have much better data on that sort of thing.