SpaceX Falcon 9 / Dragon 2 : SpX-DM2 - EOM/Return: August, 2020 : DISCUSSION

[Kabloona]

I counted at least 12 boats out there.

Definitely gonna be different next time.

[hektor]

I am amazed how faster the operations go compared to the first test flight.

[Rhyshaelkan]

Im irrationally angry at all the gawkers.

[RotoSequence]

Im irrationally angry at all the gawkers.

Maybe you should take a breather and calm down, then. Be glad, the astronauts are back safe and in one piece!

[daveglo]

I'm amused by all of the hand-wringing over the sight-seers.  Get a grip, people.

1. They are not as "close" as some of the camera angles would indicate.
2. If you're not a US citizen, you may have a hard time understanding us.
3. The Coast Guard will drive up, the sight-seers will drive away.  Nobody is getting a fine/suspended/arrested/keelhauled unless they push the CG. 

Deal with it.

[Steve G]

So great to see this end successfully. Coverage certainly fell short of Walter Cronkite and CBS News back in the day, (I'm showing my cranky old age) but a few lessons learned. Need to keep the private boats at a distance next time around.

[AndrewRG10]

I'm amused by all of the hand-wringing over the sight-seers.  Get a grip, people.

1. They are not as "close" as some of the camera angles would indicate.
2. If you're not a US citizen, you may have a hard time understanding us.
3. The Coast Guard will drive up, the sight-seers will drive away.  Nobody is getting a fine/suspended/arrested/keelhauled unless they push the CG. 

Deal with it.

People aren't angry there is onlookers. In Khazakstan the locals ride out on horses to watch the landing, then leave. The only problem is getting too close to the capsule,

[TRS717]

SpaceX does not own the Gulf of Mexico.  Otherwise, I'm not sure what the laws are out there beyond the 12 mile limit, etc.

Although I'm not intimately familiar with them, the Coast Guard's Notice to Mariners system often posts notices for restricted areas, from which private vessels are prohibited, either permanently or for varying periods of time. For example, these can include areas experiencing live fire naval and air operations, many of which are well beyond the 12 mile limit.

[matthewkantar]

"vestubular system," lol.

[mlindner]

Can someone explain this "purge"? Wouldn't "purging" release more NTO/MMH from the tanks?

[russianhalo117]

Can someone explain this "purge"? Wouldn't "purging" release more NTO/MMH from the tanks?

They are purging the lines, thrusters and compartment areas of the Service Section.

[sdsds]

Not a good day for the reputation of hypergolic propulsion. Luckily many viewers tuned out right after splashdown!

(Pet peeve: there isn't an "a" in nitrogen tetroxide.)

[Almurray1958]

purge isn't from the tanks, it's from the interspace between the pressure vessel and the outer skin.  Trapped gas

[Kabloona]

Not a good day for the reputation of hypergolic propulsion. Luckily many viewers tuned out right after splashdown!

(Pet peeve: there isn't an "a" in nitrogen tetroxide.)

These seem to be trace amounts. After a short purge, they're now out of SCAPE suits and apparently close to opening the hatch.

[jpo234]

purge isn't from the tanks, it's from the interspace between the pressure vessel and the outer skin.  Trapped gas

How did it get there? Residuals from the burns?

[quagmire]

SpaceX does not own the Gulf of Mexico.  Otherwise, I'm not sure what the laws are out there beyond the 12 mile limit, etc.

 - Ed Kyle

There was a 64 mile boating restriction for the launch of DM-2.... I bet they can restrict boating activity too around the recovery area. But not an expert so definitely could be wrong.

2. If you're not a US citizen, you may have a hard time understanding us.

Despite the importance of the event to the US, and speaking as a US citizen there is zero excuse for compromising the recovery zone if there was a legal restriction in place. While I obviously am not going to say the on lookers should be blown out of the water( unless as you stated, refuse to leave or perform any actions that would require defensive actions of the coast guard), I don't think it is wrong to hope they are heavily fined. Actions have consequences.

[mlindner]

Not a good day for the reputation of hypergolic propulsion. Luckily many viewers tuned out right after splashdown!

(Pet peeve: there isn't an "a" in nitrogen tetroxide.)

There's no vehicle in near-term development that doesn't use it. Shuttle & Soyuz also used/use it.

[Thorny]

Ugh. "Space Dads" is too cute by half.

[daveglo]

SpaceX does not own the Gulf of Mexico.  Otherwise, I'm not sure what the laws are out there beyond the 12 mile limit, etc.

Although I'm not intimately familiar with them, the Coast Guard's Notice to Mariners system often posts notices for restricted areas, from which private vessels are prohibited, either permanently or for varying periods of time. For example, these can include areas experiencing live fire naval and air operations, many of which are well beyond the 12 mile limit.

I think this is your "Notice to Mariners" regarding the recovery operations:

"Mariners are advised that vessels engaged in hazardous operations may be present anywhere within the following areas from August 1, 2020 until August 18, 2020:
Offshore Pensacola, bound by the following approximate positions:
30-15-59.0N 087-29-59.0W,
29-48-03.0N 088-02-15.0W,
29-19-44.0N 087-29-51.0W,
29-48-01.0N 086-57-26.0W and
30-15-59.0N 087-29-59.0W.
Offshore Panama City, bound by the following approximate positions:
30-15-43.0N 086-01-40.0W,
29-45-54.0N 085-30-39.0W,
29-16-11.0N 086-01-40.0W,
29-45-54.0N 086-32-42.0W and
30-15-43.0N 086-01-40.0W.
Mariners are advised to contact U.S. Coast Guard Sector Mobile at (251) 441-5976, for more information regarding activity within these areas."

[mlindner]

So no restriction it sounds like?