SpaceX McGregor Testing Updates and Discussion THREAD 2

[newpylong]

This is becoming a bit worrying.

I think there is a public road right by where the big rocket sits.  I'll try and get out there this weekend, either by air or ground to check it out.

You better make sure it is a public road, and then at least speak to the people guarding the site for permission.

There's proprietary hardware in that site and you can be sure I don't want photos on this site getting this site into trouble (and more so you).

If he is on public property he can still photograph private property. It's all good legally, though SpaceX may not like it

[Martin FL]

That's hilarious Jim. NASA Tweetupers are not media. A professional journalist is media.

We're all media if not, because there's no difference between this post and what the tweetup people do.

[JimNtexas]

For the purposes of CRS launches, Social Media representatives are considered 'press'.  If you go to YouTube and watch the post-launch news conferences for CRS-1 and CRS-2 (the two launches I've attended) you'll see that many of the questions (and IMHO the best questions) come from social media.

Social media is a lot less likely to ask "how did feel" or "what flavor of ice cream" type questions than 'real' media.

Having said that, I will say that there were two or three 'real' reporters who seemed very wired in to what was happening and were clearly very knowledgeable. 

[AJW]

That looks like a second stage on the test stand?

This looks like a permanently installed tank since it is also visible in Jim's video from a year ago.

The only time they really got interested was shortly after I was selected to attend the launch of CRS-2 by NASA social.  I decided to take my camcorder  to the road opposite the big test tower  and do a . 

[Prober]

I am on good terms with the security force at SpaceX, because I've been photographing them from the road for years.  They've chatted with me a few times, very nicely.  I go by there about every two or three months to see what's going on. It's a nice motorcycle ride.  I always go on Sunday, when there usually isn't much happening at the facility.

The only time they really got interested was shortly after I was selected to attend the launch of CRS-2 by NASA social.  I decided to take my camcorder  to the road opposite the big test tower  and do a . 

 One of the engineers came out to chat with me, and I told him that I was a NASA accredited blogger for CRS-2.  He asked me to meet him at the gate to see if he could give me a windshield tour of the facility.  Sadly, the chief of security said that because I was considered 'press' I would have to contact their press relations staff. 

Everyone was very pleasant and supportive.  I'm pretty sure the security guy knew who I was, because when I told him I have posted a number of pictures and videos about the test site I got kind of 'so you're 'That Guy' response. 

ok a quick fix for this problem 

Lakemaid Beer Drone Delivery      Send a beer over (you can hide a cam or two if your clever).

[rpapo]

It looks like they've updated some of the Google Earth imagery, since I don't remember the ground looking so charred before.  It says this was taken December 11th, 2012.

[mlindner]

It looks like they've updated some of the Google Earth imagery, since I don't remember the ground looking so charred before.  It says this was taken December 11th, 2012.

That's not new imagery, been around for a while.

[JimNtexas]

It was a cold windy day today, but I did get some ground level pictures from an undisclosed location NOT on SpaceX property. 

I will say that if someone from SpaceX management wants me to stop this all they have to do is contact me and I will stop.

Just keep in mind, just because I stop doesn't mean some equally curious competitor would.   Every image I've captured was taken from a location authorized to members of the general public.

[sivasu]

It was a cold windy day today, but I did get some ground level pictures from an undisclosed location NOT on SpaceX property. 

I will say that if someone from SpaceX management wants me to stop this all they have to do is contact me and I will stop.

Just keep in mind, just because I stop doesn't mean some equally curious competitor would.   Every image I've captured was taken from a location authorized to members of the general public.

Wow, these are spectacular!

[docmordrid]

Contrast expanded,

[Mongo62]

I dare say it's obvious that testing of some sort has already happened. But what kind of testing would produce that level of soot deposition?

edit -- never mind, I see that L2 is already on this.

[Chris Bergin]

Good disclaimer Jim, but watch how fast they are lifted by other sites without accreditation. Whoops, they already have been, one claiming them as their own photos! That's always happens.....

Better get an article done while the Americans are watching the helmetball and SpaceX call up a brick wall contractor (Will draft for Monday).

[Lars_J]

I dare say it's obvious that testing of some sort has already happened. But what kind of testing would produce that level of soot deposition?

edit -- never mind, I see that L2 is already on this.

Just because it is discussed in L2 does not preclude it from being discussed here, so the 'never mind' is not necessary.

[JimNtexas]

Right after I posted them I overlaid copyright information.  I should have done that sooner I guess.

[beancounter]

Right after I posted them I overlaid copyright information.  I should have done that sooner I guess.

Live and learn 

[llanitedave]

I dare say it's obvious that testing of some sort has already happened. But what kind of testing would produce that level of soot deposition?

edit -- never mind, I see that L2 is already on this.

It's on a stand, and the feet aren't touching the ground.  I'm guessing that it's been a static fire test.  But I'm sure I'll be corrected soon enough,

[Robotbeat]

Looks like they have flood lights so they can work at night. Burn that midnight oil!

[woods170]

I dare say it's obvious that testing of some sort has already happened. But what kind of testing would produce that level of soot deposition?

edit -- never mind, I see that L2 is already on this.

It's on a stand, and the feet aren't touching the ground.  I'm guessing that it's been a static fire test.  But I'm sure I'll be corrected soon enough,

It sure looks like they fired the engines with the vehicle sitting on this stand and the feet deployed. There is a brownish deposite on the inside of the feet, right where the joints meet the rocket body. The a-symmetrical deposition of brownish-blackisch material on the lower part of the stage also suggests at least one static fire from this stand.

[guckyfan]

It sure looks like they fired the engines with the vehicle sitting on this stand and the feet deployed. There is a brownish deposite on the inside of the feet, right where the joints meet the rocket body. The a-symmetrical deposition of brownish-blackisch material on the lower part of the stage also suggests at least one static fire from this stand.

Looking at the shape of the soot it seems the static fire was with legs up.

[woods170]

It sure looks like they fired the engines with the vehicle sitting on this stand and the feet deployed. There is a brownish deposite on the inside of the feet, right where the joints meet the rocket body. The a-symmetrical deposition of brownish-blackisch material on the lower part of the stage also suggests at least one static fire from this stand.

Looking at the shape of the soot it seems the static fire was with legs up.

Heck, I had not even noticed that yet. It sure looks like it. Good catch!