Author Topic: SpaceX Falcon 9 CRS/SpX-10 Dragon - Feb. 19, 2017 - Discussion (Read 418662 times)

Kaputnik · « **Reply #540 on:** 02/19/2017 01:54 pm »

Someone has a video of the ground view of LZ1... right?

drnscr · « **Reply #541 on:** 02/19/2017 01:54 pm »

SpaceX has done it again! A beautiful launch from famed Launch Complex 39-A after almost 6 years of no launch operations. A successful landing at LZ-1 followed by a successful deployment of the CRS-10 Dragon. This, my friends, is what I think of when I hear American exceptionalism.

No other company, currently launching orbital missions has successfully launched and recovered a first stage booster upon completion of its assigned role. Now, some may claim Jeff Bezos has done the same thing but, one HUGE difference is the Bezos rocket has, thus far, only demonstrated the capability to fly sub-orbital flights and has yet to fly an orbital mission profile.

Machdiamond · « **Reply #542 on:** 02/19/2017 01:55 pm »

At T+6min40sec, during its descent, the first stage passed very close to two large pieces that were descending at a much lower speed.
Were these the fairings under parachute by any chance?

cebri · « **Reply #543 on:** 02/19/2017 01:55 pm »

It didn't hit the center of the X i consider this a partial failure.

I panicked a bit just after liftoff when they change to a wide view of the pad and the rocket was nowhere to be seen.

Surfdaddy · « **Reply #544 on:** 02/19/2017 01:56 pm »

Orbital versus suborbital I believe is about 10x more challengning, correct? In terms of energy requirements?

rabe0070 · « **Reply #545 on:** 02/19/2017 01:56 pm »

Quote from: Machdiamond on 02/19/2017 01:55 pm

At T+6min40sec, during its descent, the first stage passed very close to two large pieces that were descending at a much lower speed.
Were these the fairings under parachute by any chance?

No "big" fairings on Dragon missions.

cebri · « **Reply #546 on:** 02/19/2017 01:58 pm »

Also, right after sep, you can see the 1st stage boostback from the cam on the 2nd stage. Amazing shot.

Machdiamond · « **Reply #547 on:** 02/19/2017 01:58 pm »

Quote from: rabe0070 on 02/19/2017 01:56 pm

Quote from: Machdiamond on 02/19/2017 01:55 pm
At T+6min40sec, during its descent, the first stage passed very close to two large pieces that were descending at a much lower speed.
Were these the fairings under parachute by any chance?

No "big" fairings on Dragon missions.

Of course, you're right. But something big for sure, two large pieces at T+6min32sec precisely. Just replayed it.

sewebster · « **Reply #548 on:** 02/19/2017 02:00 pm »

Entry burn started up looking symmetric and round, then transitioned to something else. Maybe just the normal startup sequence, hadn't noticed that before.

HighlandRay · « **Reply #549 on:** 02/19/2017 02:00 pm »

Are there plans to remove the large shuttle launch tower from pad 39A ?

envy887 · « **Reply #550 on:** 02/19/2017 02:00 pm »

Did the rain birds work as expected? I didn't see much water coming out.

Radical_Ignorant · « **Reply #551 on:** 02/19/2017 02:00 pm »

Was nervous about this one. Human progress in space conquest is at stake. Was praying to Thrusticus and he was kind

vanoord · « **Reply #552 on:** 02/19/2017 02:01 pm »

Quote from: Machdiamond on 02/19/2017 01:55 pm

At T+6min40sec, during its descent, the first stage passed very close to two large pieces that were descending at a much lower speed.
Were these the fairings under parachute by any chance?

Dragon flights don't use payload fairings - there's a cap on the Dragon, which could be seen being jettisoned not long after S2 startup.

The objects visible at T+6.37 (ish) are right on engine start-up for the entry burn, so presumably are some sort of debris from the engine(s).

Ben the Space Brit · « **Reply #553 on:** 02/19/2017 02:01 pm »

Just out of interest, how long has it been since LC-39A has seen an orbital launch?

Quote from: HighlandRay on 02/19/2017 02:00 pm

Are there plans to remove the large shuttle launch tower from pad 39A ?

There are long-term plans but I don't think that anyone considers it an immediate priority.

rabe0070 · « **Reply #554 on:** 02/19/2017 02:02 pm »

Quote from: Machdiamond on 02/19/2017 01:58 pm

Quote from: rabe0070 on 02/19/2017 01:56 pm
Quote from: Machdiamond on 02/19/2017 01:55 pm
At T+6min40sec, during its descent, the first stage passed very close to two large pieces that were descending at a much lower speed.
Were these the fairings under parachute by any chance?

No "big" fairings on Dragon missions.

Of course, you're right. But something big for sure, two large pieces at T+6min32sec precisely. Just replayed it.

Yes there was definitely something there, but it couldn't have been the fairings. Could it have been the small nose cone? It seems pretty far back all the way near KSC.

Machdiamond · « **Reply #555 on:** 02/19/2017 02:03 pm »

After watching this 5 times, I now believe these are small specks of material detaching from the rocket.
Sorry for the confusion.

Welsh Dragon · « **Reply #556 on:** 02/19/2017 02:03 pm »

Quote from: rabe0070 on 02/19/2017 02:02 pm

Quote from: Machdiamond on 02/19/2017 01:58 pm
Quote from: rabe0070 on 02/19/2017 01:56 pm
Quote from: Machdiamond on 02/19/2017 01:55 pm
At T+6min40sec, during its descent, the first stage passed very close to two large pieces that were descending at a much lower speed.
Were these the fairings under parachute by any chance?

No "big" fairings on Dragon missions.

Of course, you're right. But something big for sure, two large pieces at T+6min32sec precisely. Just replayed it.

Yes there was definitely something there, but it couldn't have been the fairings. Could it have been the small nose cone? It seems pretty far back all the way near KSC.

Nothing that was ejected during the flight would be anywhere near the stage, it would still be going ballistic, the boostback burn means the returning core is on a completely different trajectory.

punder · « **Reply #557 on:** 02/19/2017 02:04 pm »

Quote from: Kaputnik on 02/19/2017 01:45 pm

That shot of the SpaceX logo scrolling upwards past the LUT... Remind you of anything? :p

USA! USA!

Question, why no rocketcam this launch?

cebri · « **Reply #558 on:** 02/19/2017 02:04 pm »

Landing from VAB.

@trevormahlmann

Full Res
http://photos.tmahlmann.com/Rockets/SpaceX/CRS-10/i-P6z59rK/A

Welsh Dragon · « **Reply #559 on:** 02/19/2017 02:05 pm »

And we have another one down!

Due the the confusion with the technical feed, I ended up watching the hosted feed. Has it always been this poor? The camera views were way worse than those used in the technical feed (which I just quickly re-watched).