Falcon Heavy Demo Mission Payload Discussion

[midnightrider3000]

Musk had to have handed over the roadster a little while back.  As has been pointed out, the batteries and their cooling system are not rated for vacuum, and would almost assuredly develop energetic leaks.  Possibly before you could attempt a TMI-type maneuver.

Likely true, but the whole "handing over the keys" thing just seems so surreal to me. Do you take it on grand tour before dropping it off? Just think how you act before trading in a car you really liked and had a lot of great memories. This time your going to have even more great memories but your not going to be able to physically touch it again.

[TYRTlive]

I scaled down the Tesla image to see it inside the fairing:

[GeneBelcher]

I'm not sure I buy that photo being real. That seems like an odd way to do it.

[Saabstory88]

I'm not sure I buy that photo being real. That seems like an odd way to do it.

It actually seems pretty logical. The custom adapter appears to support the car by its jack points. What better load bearing structures are there to attach to? Additionally, if the vehicle is to long to sit level in the payload envelope, then rotate the car until clearances are acceptable.

[cuddihy]

Unless you want the perfect angle for the camera inside the payload fairing.

Should look epic as the fairing falls away.

[CameronD]

Should look epic as the fairing falls away.

Still think they should be sending a Yellow School Bus... 

(but I'll submit that a Tesla Roadster would be far less of a challenge!)
 

[jpo234]

There's... uhh.. something developing on reddit.

https://www.reddit.com/r/SpaceXMasterrace/comments/7ledab/this_ia_an_imge_ff_the_roadster_on_the_payload/

Are this Talulah Riley and Elon in the car?

[jpo234]

So I'm curious how the Roadster got to the HIF.

Did Elon just drive it in and toss someone the Keys? "Here ya go?"

This is an original limited quantity Roadster. His baby. All the headaches and heartaches this thing caused while getting Tesla started. There is more of a connection to this car than any other car he's owned (i would think). It's not like dropping off your car for a trade in. 

I know it must have seemed really funny talking about the idea of sending your car into space (or blowing it up ), but when he handed over the key(s) I just can't help wondering if he thought "Shit, I might have taken this joke just a littttttttttle toooooo far, crap! can't back out now"

Tweet incoming ten years from now:

I'm missing that roadster. Will send a BFR chomper to get it back.

I will do it.

[tvg98]

There's... uhh.. something developing on reddit.

https://www.reddit.com/r/SpaceXMasterrace/comments/7ledab/this_ia_an_imge_ff_the_roadster_on_the_payload/

Are this Talulah Riley and Elon in the car?

Yes, photoshopped of course. I'm surprised the leak originated over there but considering what that subreddit is about, I guess I shouldn't be.

[JBF]

There's... uhh.. something developing on reddit.

https://www.reddit.com/r/SpaceXMasterrace/comments/7ledab/this_ia_an_imge_ff_the_roadster_on_the_payload/

Are this Talulah Riley and Elon in the car?

Yes, photoshopped of course. I'm surprised the leak originated over there but considering what that subreddit is about, I guess I shouldn't be.

I can almost guarantee this is not accurate.  One of the goals of the first flight will be to prove out it's lift capability.  There is no way just a roadster is event close.  Even if that pedestal is solid steel, I don't thick that would even be close.

[jpo234]

There's... uhh.. something developing on reddit.

https://www.reddit.com/r/SpaceXMasterrace/comments/7ledab/this_ia_an_imge_ff_the_roadster_on_the_payload/

Are this Talulah Riley and Elon in the car?

Yes, photoshopped of course. I'm surprised the leak originated over there but considering what that subreddit is about, I guess I shouldn't be.

I can almost guarantee this is not accurate.  One of the goals of the first flight will be to prove out it's lift capability.  There is no way just a roadster is event close.  Even if that pedestal is solid steel, I don't thick that would even be close.

A number of knowledgeable people say that this is legitimate.

[speedevil]

I can almost guarantee this is not accurate.  One of the goals of the first flight will be to prove out it's lift capability.  There is no way just a roadster is event close.  Even if that pedestal is solid steel, I don't thick that would even be close.

Lift capability is not one number.
It depends on the payload mass, and the orbit relative to earth and other bodies, even the launch site and safety regulations.

99% of the difficulty of falcon heavy is in burning for X seconds at Y thrust, giving Z total impulse.

Not in the payload adaptor, or the mechanical strength of the walls of the second stage.

[hkultala]

One of the goals of the first flight will be to prove out it's lift capability.

No, it's not.

The main point of the first flight is to test if it works or not, and if it does not work, find out, why/what breaks, so that it can be fixed for the next flight.

The lift capacity can be easily calculated by simulations. And because they already have lots of actual flight data from F9, which has the same engines etc, the simulations can be very accurate for FH.

[seawolfe]

Should look epic as the fairing falls away.

Still think they should be sending a Yellow School Bus... 

(but I'll submit that a Tesla Roadster would be far less of a challenge!)
 

Or, why not send a London Double Decker Bus?  International cooperation, eh? 

[Machdiamond]

Elon tweeted a couple of days ago that the first FH mission will run at 92%.
So, no additional payload mass presumably.

[Augustus_]

So I'm curious how the Roadster got to the HIF.

Did Elon just drive it in and toss someone the Keys? "Here ya go?"

This is an original limited quantity Roadster. His baby. All the headaches and heartaches this thing caused while getting Tesla started. There is more of a connection to this car than any other car he's owned (i would think). It's not like dropping off your car for a trade in. 

I know it must have seemed really funny talking about the idea of sending your car into space (or blowing it up ), but when he handed over the key(s) I just can't help wondering if he thought "Shit, I might have taken this joke just a littttttttttle toooooo far, crap! can't back out now"

Tweet incoming ten years from now:

I'm missing that roadster. Will send a BFR chomper to get it back.

I will do it.

And do it he will, amazing the entire planet in the process.

[deruch]

Elon tweeted a couple of days ago that the first FH mission will run at 92%.
So, no additional payload mass presumably.

Even so, FH will be massively overpowered for a payload consisting of a Tesla Roadster unless they stuffed it full of depleted uranium.  This is going to be like a repeat of the the F9v1.1 launch of DISCOVR.  It doesn't matter that much if they reduce the thrust on this mission.  There's lots and lots of margin for that.

[Chris Bergin]

Don't rehost what may be unauthorized leaks via other sites here. Nothing we can do about links to external sites, but then downloading and attaching pics here. No, that's not a good idea.

Honestly not sure what is authorized and what isn't right now. I've simply taken out the uploaded pics, and left the links as the best solution. Sooner Elon tweets pics the better!

If you're unsure, PM me first.

[speedevil]

Elon tweeted a couple of days ago that the first FH mission will run at 92%.
So, no additional payload mass presumably.

Even so, FH will be massively overpowered for a payload consisting of a Tesla Roadster unless they stuffed it full of depleted uranium.  This is going to be like a repeat of the the F9v1.1 launch of DISCOVR.  It doesn't matter that much if they reduce the thrust on this mission.  There's lots and lots of margin for that.

That depends on the orbit and margin.

It is probably overpowered to get it into a least energy solar orbit with apoapsis at Mars radius.
However, you can pick a higher energy trajectory to anywhere on Mars orbital track that will suck up all of the performance of the rocket and more.

[mrhuggy]

One thing they should do is to put a mannequin with a space suit in the drivers seat.