Author Topic: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 v1.1 - CRS-3 Dragon - ATTEMPT 2 UPDATES (Read 240421 times)

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #380 on:** 04/19/2014 08:07 pm »

Quote from: Targeteer on 04/19/2014 07:32 pm

From a very short nightly planning conference, all Dragon burns occurred as planned so approach is on track for tomorrow.

And I'll add that to the live thread for RNDZ and Berthing tomorrow - with the thread starting tonight. Thanks

Targeteer · « **Reply #381 on:** 04/19/2014 08:45 pm »

For North American observers, see the attached map from Heaven's Above.com for the only visible pass of ISS I have tonight before capture tomorrow. ISS and Dragon will enter the earth's shadow at 2220 local and I have not seen any elements to see how far behind Dragon is but this is the only chance for this part of the country to see both before docking.

Oersted · « **Reply #382 on:** 04/19/2014 08:48 pm »

Soft landing of the first stage is HUGE news. Truly a momentous day for space flight. Way to go SpaceX! - Can't wait to see some footage from on-board rear-facing cameras. Or wait, those aren't on the first stage, I guess...

rpapo · « **Reply #383 on:** 04/19/2014 08:51 pm »

Quote from: Oersted on 04/19/2014 08:48 pm

Soft landing of the first stage is HUGE news. Truly a momentous day for space flight. Way to go SpaceX! - Can't wait to see some footage from on-board rear-facing cameras. Or wait, those aren't on the first stage, I guess...

They got aft-facing shots from the CASSIOPE return, but the camera sooted over quickly. In any case, last night they said they were getting video from the rocket up until it fell below the horizon from the point of view of the KSC telemetry receiving antenna.

OvB · « **Reply #384 on:** 04/19/2014 10:01 pm »

Do you think we'll get news on the recovery of the stage within the weekend? I'm sure everyone paying attention to the launch is on the edge of their seats for any word on the survival of the stage.

Lee Jay · « **Reply #385 on:** 04/19/2014 10:11 pm »

Quote from: OvB on 04/19/2014 10:01 pm

Do you think we'll get news on the recovery of the stage within the weekend? I'm sure everyone paying attention to the launch is on the edge of their seats for any word on the survival of the stage.

I'm guessing most are thinking the stage is at the bottom of the ocean.

No matter, a great achievement.

What else would they have to do to get approval to give this a try on land?

docmordrid · « **Reply #386 on:** 04/19/2014 10:15 pm »

Precision landing F9R Dev-2 at SPA after a high altitude, supersonic flight would probably help.

Mike_1179 · « **Reply #387 on:** 04/19/2014 10:22 pm »

Quote from: docmordrid on 04/19/2014 10:15 pm

Precision landing F9R Dev-2 at SPA after a high altitude, supersonic flight would probably help.

Plus some sort of diversion test. The stage will target a "safe" site away from the pad and unless everything checks out OK, it will go there. If everything is good, the a fast divert to the landing site. If you remember, Grasshopper did a mini version of this before.

Astrosurf · « **Reply #388 on:** 04/19/2014 10:26 pm »

Quote from: Lee Jay on 04/19/2014 10:11 pm

Quote from: OvB on 04/19/2014 10:01 pm
Do you think we'll get news on the recovery of the stage within the weekend? I'm sure everyone paying attention to the launch is on the edge of their seats for any word on the survival of the stage.

I'm guessing most are thinking the stage is at the bottom of the ocean.

No matter, a great achievement.
What else would they have to do to get approval to give this a try on land?

My guess is they would need the FAA to approve of their landing sites,as soon as something like a booster gets close to land the FAA pretty much want to get involved, nobody cares if an unmanned vehicle crashes into the ocean, worst that happens is you kill some fish, if you screw up on land worst that happens is you smash into some unsuspecting building and kill some people in it. Last time I checked,Im pretty sure Spacex doesn't want any deaths on record.

as for the stage, they might send down an unmanned submersible if it has sank but its unlikely, it will most likely end up like all the other boosters that have launched from the cape its just going rust away get swarmed by trawler nets from fishing vessels etc..

mikes · « **Reply #389 on:** 04/19/2014 10:42 pm »

Quote from: Targeteer on 04/19/2014 08:45 pm

ISS and Dragon will enter the earth's shadow at 2220 local and I have not seen any elements to see how far behind Dragon is ...

There was a UK pass at 2007UTC with Dragon trailing 30deg behind ISS.

Wetmelon · « **Reply #390 on:** 04/19/2014 10:57 pm »

With the Russian ship in the area and having potentially tracked the stage to its landing spot, SpaceX may be required by the government to recover the stage to protect American rocket secrets.

IRobot · « **Reply #391 on:** 04/19/2014 11:04 pm »

SpaceX should be required to recover the stage if it is a navigation hazard, anyway.

bubbagret · « **Reply #392 on:** 04/19/2014 11:06 pm »

The Russian tug was headed to Cuba even before the launch.

This might be interesting to watch though. The General Frank S. Besson (LSV1) departed port Canaveral roughly 4 hours ago heading ENE @ 11 knots...

docmordrid · « **Reply #393 on:** 04/19/2014 11:29 pm »

The Besson can only do 12.5 kt light, 11.5 kt heavy . ISTM they're in a hurry.

Astrosurf · « **Reply #394 on:** 04/19/2014 11:43 pm »

Quote from: docmordrid on 04/19/2014 11:29 pm

The Besson can only do 12.5 kt light, 11.5 kt heavy . ISTM they're in a hurry.

just Googled what the ship looked like,they are definatly trying a recovery effort, why else would they need a ship that big and send it in the direction of the booster?

pic is the ship

Lar · « **Reply #395 on:** 04/19/2014 11:47 pm »

Quote from: docmordrid on 04/19/2014 11:29 pm

The Besson can only do 12.5 kt light, 11.5 kt heavy . ISTM they're in a hurry.

Why did they wait till today if that's what they are doing? Wouldn't it have made more sense to sail as soon as the rocket cleared the tower? Or even, if budget and schedule allowed, be stationed not too far away for each attempt.

I would think the stage, if still floating, will be somewhat worse for being in heavy seas for more than 24 hours.

So I might just venture to guess this is unrelated. Happy to be wrong though!

Also, from the WP article:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Frank_S._Besson-class_logistics_support_vessel
this craft can't submerge the well so you can't float the stage aboard. And I don't know what cranes it has aboard, since it is a roll-on, roll-off craft.

Edit: well, there IS a semi-submersible variant http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/lsv/lsv4.html
but is the Besson one of those or a stock one? The WP article was inconclusive on a fast skim.

Darga · « **Reply #396 on:** 04/19/2014 11:57 pm »

Quote from: Lar on 04/19/2014 11:47 pm

Quote from: docmordrid on 04/19/2014 11:29 pm
The Besson can only do 12.5 kt light, 11.5 kt heavy . ISTM they're in a hurry.
Why did they wait till today if that's what they are doing? Wouldn't it have made more sense to sail as soon as the rocket cleared the tower? Or even, if budget and schedule allowed, be stationed not too far away for each attempt.

I would think the stage, if still floating, will be somewhat worse for being in heavy seas for more than 24 hours.

So I might just venture to guess this is unrelated. Happy to be wrong though!

Also, from the WP article:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Frank_S._Besson-class_logistics_support_vessel
this craft can't submerge the well so you can't float the stage aboard. And I don't know what cranes it has aboard, since it is a roll-on, roll-off craft.

And at that speed won't it take another day to get to the landing location? Unless someone knows something this looks like a coincidence.

justineet · « **Reply #397 on:** 04/20/2014 12:00 am »

Have a feeling after the docking of Dragon, we will hear some exciting news about stage 1 status.

docmordrid · « **Reply #398 on:** 04/20/2014 12:04 am »

There are LSV variants that are semi-submersible, but even without that IIRC they can lower the rear ramp to launch and recover rigid hull boats.

Astrosurf · « **Reply #399 on:** 04/20/2014 12:05 am »

Quote from: Lar on 04/19/2014 11:47 pm

Quote from: docmordrid on 04/19/2014 11:29 pm
The Besson can only do 12.5 kt light, 11.5 kt heavy . ISTM they're in a hurry.
Why did they wait till today if that's what they are doing? Wouldn't it have made more sense to sail as soon as the rocket cleared the tower? Or even, if budget and schedule allowed, be stationed not too far away for each attempt.

I would think the stage, if still floating, will be somewhat worse for being in heavy seas for more than 24 hours.

So I might just venture to guess this is unrelated. Happy to be wrong though!

Also, from the WP article:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Frank_S._Besson-class_logistics_support_vessel
this craft can't submerge the well so you can't float the stage aboard. And I don't know what cranes it has aboard, since it is a roll-on, roll-off craft.

Who said anything about puting it on the vessel?
they could just take a rope and tie it to the first stage and attach some bags to the stage and just drag the thing back to port