SpaceX Falcon 9 CRS/SpX-10 Dragon - Feb. 19, 2017 - Discussion

[Jim]

Wow. Those pad photos are majestic. Not gonna lie.

Not really.  The vehicle's fineness ratio is off.

;-)

[ChrisC]

Press Kit is out.  http://www.spacex.com/sites/spacex/files/crs10presskitfinal.pdf

Somebody tell SpaceX to get that listed on their press kit page at http://www.spacex.com/press

[Ilikeboosterrockets]

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/832480331496185857

Lol

[Ben the Space Brit]

Projected 70% go on weather for both planned launch day and 1-day slip; I'm thinking that the weather is as good as it is going to get for this launch opportunity.

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/832480331496185857

Lol

Elon trolls those who need trolling!

[Steve D]

Wow. Those pad photos are majestic. Not gonna lie.

Not really.  The vehicle's fineness ratio is off.

;-)

What is the ideal fineness ratio?

[envy887]

Wow. Those pad photos are majestic. Not gonna lie.

Not really.  The vehicle's fineness ratio is off.

;-)

What is the ideal fineness ratio?

A spherical cow, obviously.

[PahTo]

Nasa tv actually showing launch pad live

That's a fine first post, Bandito.  Welcome to the forum (sorry for the non-update mods) !

[Svetoslav]

Now - for those who're wondering why the rocket was lowered today : it was to load some last-minute cargo. Like mice

Mousenauts, micenauts - how'd you prefer to say it ?

[whitelancer64]

Wow. Those pad photos are majestic. Not gonna lie.

Not really.  The vehicle's fineness ratio is off.

;-)

What is the ideal fineness ratio?

The Falcon 9 is a very long and skinny rocket, the "ideal" fineness ratio (length / diameter) for an orbital rocket is about 14-15 to 1 and the Falcon 9 has a fineness ratio of about 18 to 1. There's not a lot of structural margin before it becomes very easy to bend the rocket.

[Rocket Science]

Now - for those who're wondering why the rocket was lowered today : it was to load some last-minute cargo. Like mice

Mousenauts, micenauts - how'd you prefer to say it ?

Astromice and some cheese...

[shuttlefan]

1 question and a followup!

Do they have a special unit on the pad's surface that they are using to load the late-load cargo?

And are they confident they will get their licences from the FAA? The clocks are ticking. 

[Jim]

1 question and a followup!

Do they have a special unit on the pad's surface that they are using to load the late-load cargo?

Same thing they used for LC-40

[Comga]

1 question and a followup!

Do they have a special unit on the pad's surface that they are using to load the late-load cargo?

Same thing they used for LC-40

https://goo.gl/images/HGJSmF

[shuttlefan]

1 question and a followup!

Do they have a special unit on the pad's surface that they are using to load the late-load cargo?

Same thing they used for LC-40

https://goo.gl/images/HGJSmF

Thanks guys!

[Sesquipedalian]

View from above the pad
https://twitter.com/deimosimaging/status/832596534432772097

[Lee Jay]

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/832647116816150530
@elonmusk

Investigating a (very small) leak in the upper stage. If ok, will launch tomorrow.

Guessing helium?

[gongora]

Today the #FAA approved a license for a @SpaceX launch at @NASAKennedy in #Florida. Learn more at http://bit.ly/2lfbW1f. #FAASpace

https://twitter.com/faanews/status/832645834965557248

This is for CRS flights only, they'll still need another license for the next flight.

[Herb Schaltegger]

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/832647116816150530
@elonmusk

Investigating a (very small) leak in the upper stage. If ok, will launch tomorrow.

Guessing helium?

Possibly. Possibly the stage pressure relief valve.

[shuttlefan]

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/832647116816150530
@elonmusk

Investigating a (very small) leak in the upper stage. If ok, will launch tomorrow.

Guessing helium?

Possibly. Possibly the stage pressure relief valve.

I wonder if this will be a showstopper.

[Targeteer]

Confirmation on why the launch was delayed to the 18th...

http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=98934#.WKb9MVdPwiQ.facebook

 FCET Success: SSBN Launches Fleet Ballistic Missiles
Story Number: NNS170216-21Release Date: 2/16/2017 3:30:00 PM
A  A  A   Email this story to a friend   Print this story
By John M. Daniels, Strategic Systems Programs Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- An Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine assigned to Submarine Group 9 completed a Follow-on Commander's Evaluation Test (FCET) Feb. 16, resulting in four successful test flights of Trident II D5 missiles. Designated FCET-53, the operation spanned a three-day period.

The primary objective of an FCET is to obtain, under operationally representative conditions, valid reliability, accuracy, and performance of the missile system for use by Commander, Strategic Command and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Safety of the public was paramount throughout the mission. The missiles were unarmed and all launches were conducted from the sea, flew over the sea, and landed in the sea. At no time did the missiles fly over land.

A credible, effective nuclear deterrent is essential to national security and the security of U.S. allies and friends. The Trident II D5 missile is a submarine-launched ballistic missile which is one part of the nation's strategic deterrent triad. As the most survivable leg of the triad, it provides the national command authority with assured second-strike capability. Since its introduction to the fleet in 1989, the Trident II D5 missile has completed 165 successful test flights.