SpaceX Recovered First Stage 'Monument' in Hawthorne

[king1999]

Amazing that they just use the four legs without additional support!
Can an earthquake topple it?

[shooter6947]

Or wind.  I was surprised that they didn't at least have guy wires on or it or something.  Maybe that's something that they'll add in the coming days/weeks.

[CameronD]

If they loaded the prop tank with enough water ballast, I wouldn't think it'd need guy wires to hold it there: this is Hawthorne, not the rolling ocean. ..besides, they've probably bolted the feet down to the concrete to make it harder for someone to steal it. 

It would be cool if the grid fins would wave at you.  Maybe some burst of nitrogen coming from the thrusters.   

Well, I do think it's cute that they've got the grid fins deployed since that would have required some extra effort.

All that's missing is the Big X logo on the pavement underneath showing a touchdown right on target.

[guckyfan]

If they loaded the prop tank with enough water ballast, I wouldn't think it'd need guy wires to hold it there: this is Hawthorne, not the rolling ocean. ..besides, they've probably bolted the feet down to the concrete to make it harder for someone to steal it. 

A number of bolts anchored in the concrete was visible on some photos. At least 8 massive bolts for each foot.

[1]

Decided to 'borrow' one of the lab cameras and take an extended lunch today. Legs definitely appear bolted to the ground. Couldn't see any other obvious (to me, anyway) modifications to improve rigidity. Lots of chalk markings on them though. And, of course, another scorched core was parked on the street. Probably going to Elon's back yard.

[IainMcClatchie]

Looks like they've added some wiring from the pad to the foot and from the leg to the prop tank.  Is that for lighting at night?

[envy887]

The "scorched core on the street" is from the Thaicom 8 launch:

http://www.universetoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/IMG_1270_1c_SpaceX-Thaicom-8_Ken-Kremer.jpg

[CameronD]

Decided to 'borrow' one of the lab cameras and take an extended lunch today. Legs definitely appear bolted to the ground. Couldn't see any other obvious (to me, anyway) modifications to improve rigidity. Lots of chalk markings on them though. And, of course, another scorched core was parked on the street. Probably going to Elon's back yard.

Cool photos - thanks for posting them in high-res.

Since aerospace-grade carbon fibre is not UV resistant and will fail if exposed to sunlight for an extended period of time, I wonder how they plan to protect the stage (and particularly the legs) from the elements?  The usual thing is copious amounts of white paint, which would be a shame since it would certainly cover a lot of the interesting bits also.

[1]

Looks like they've added some wiring from the pad to the foot and from the leg to the prop tank.  Is that for lighting at night?

The stage definitely has one of those blinky red 'please-don't-fly-an-airplane-into-me' lights that I've seen on at night. Can't say if those particular wires power it or do something else.

The "scorched core on the street" is from the Thaicom 8 launch:

http://www.universetoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/IMG_1270_1c_SpaceX-Thaicom-8_Ken-Kremer.jpg

Thanks, I was going to try to look into that later on today, but I think you've saved me the trouble.

[okan170]

Something about those legs being bright-white just seems... wrong!   

Pretty neat that along a stretch of highway between LAX and downtown LA, you'll pass the Falcon 9 at SpaceX as well as Endeavour at the science center!  (Hopefully soon to be upright as well)

[sfxtd]

Looks like they've added some wiring from the pad to the foot and from the leg to the prop tank.  Is that for lighting at night?

It is an interesting "GSE" bundle. I am guessing that in addition to the marker light power cable there are tank pressurant and pressure sensor lines.

[IainMcClatchie]

They are going to leave the thing pressurized all the time??

The more I think about this, the more it seems it just can't last.

I suppose the Saturn Vs have lasted until now, so it works somehow.

[CameronD]

They are going to leave the thing pressurized all the time??

The more I think about this, the more it seems it just can't last.

I suppose the Saturn Vs have lasted until now, so it works somehow.

Well, in my experience, white paint covers a multitude of sins...

[Jcc]

Looks like they've added some wiring from the pad to the foot and from the leg to the prop tank.  Is that for lighting at night?

Maybe they have it grounded to protect against lightning strikes.

[StuffOfInterest]

Looks like they've added some wiring from the pad to the foot and from the leg to the prop tank.  Is that for lighting at night?

It is an interesting "GSE" bundle. I am guessing that in addition to the marker light power cable there are tank pressurant and pressure sensor lines.

If I was putting up the tallest tower in the neighborhood I'd take advantage of the elevation.  Perhaps a few cameras to monitor the facility and surrounding neighborhood.  Being that the interstage is carbon fiber you could probably put a directional antenna up there if they want a data link to one of their other facilities in the area without any unsightly structures being visible.

[Zed_Noir]

Maybe they can put some cellphone transponders behind the interstage fairing.

[shooter6947]

Maybe they have it grounded to protect against lightning strikes.

LA never gets thunderstorms, so this seems unlikely.

[b ramsey]

Cool pics. The thing that I noticed in those close ups is the which appears to be a rubber type gasket that runs all around the inside of the landing leg that must seal against the rocket stage when it is folded up. I guess that is to protect the landing strut during launch.

[mme]

Maybe they have it grounded to protect against lightning strikes.

LA never gets thunderstorms, so this seems unlikely.

I grew up in LA, I assure you LA gets lightening.

http://www.asa100.com/stock-photography/stock_photography004

Apologies if that was just a joke but people actually believe that.  Even some transplants that haven't seen it themselves.  Yet.

[CameronD]

Maybe they have it grounded to protect against lightning strikes.

LA never gets thunderstorms, so this seems unlikely.

I grew up in LA, I assure you LA gets lightening.

Lightning earthing cables would be a lot fatter than that and, if fitted, certainly would not run up the center of the leg. I see no evidence from the pics posted here that the stage is conventionally lightning-protected and, since it appears to be higher then the building adjacent, it probably should be since them "blinky red 'please-don't-fly-an-airplane-into-me' lights" (to quote a previous poster) do a great job attracting the stuff..

Two possibilities exist, either:
1. The stage is constructed from conductive metal/carbon-fibre and is thus considered by the gurus at SpX to be inherently self-protecting via the bolts into the concrete, or
2. They haven't got around to it yet.