SpaceX rockets and launches

[Limejuice]

This is rather good.

I love the sharpness of the shock diamonds.

 

[2hats]

NROL 108 launch coming up in a couple of minutes.

Looks like a LEO surveillance platform of some flavour.

Just dropped into a hold.

 

[weltweit]

NROL ?

 

[Crispy]

NROL ?

Spy satellites

 

[2hats]

National Reconnaissance Office Launch.

 

[2hats]

Postponed for 24 hour recycle. Overpressure in the upper stage LO2 tanks.

 

[weltweit]

SpaceX scrubs Falcon 9 launch to assess second stage issue – Spaceflight Now

SpaceX scrubbed a Falcon 9 launch attempt Thursday to evaluate a “slightly high” pressure reading in the rocket’s upper stage liquid oxygen tank, and officials have rescheduled the company’s final mission of the year for Saturday morning.

 

[Crispy]

SN9 rolling out (after it toppled over inside the High Bay, dinged its fins and had them replaced)



Including a large area of test heatshield tiles (not functional at these low altitudes, but will test for resilience under launch conditions etc)

 

[Crispy]

It's hard to judge the scale of this thing when it's surrounded by other gigantic buildings and machines. But here's a good comparison:

 

[a_chap]

Excellent footage of the boost-back burn here:

 

[editor]

Another successful launch/landing

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched on a record 8th flight to send a new fleet of the company's Starlink internet satellites into orbit on Wednesday (Jan.20) and then nailed a landing at sea.

The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from the historic Pad 39A here at NASA's Kennedy Space Center at 8:02 a.m. EDT (1202 GMT) carrying 60 new Starlink satellites for SpaceX's growing constellation in orbit. The launch came after two days of delay due to poor weather in the recovery zone and the need for extra pre-flight checks.

Approximately 9 minutes after liftoff, the Falcon 9's first stage returned to Earth, landing on one of SpaceX's drone ships in the Atlantic Ocean in a smooth touchdown. The massive ship, "Just Read the Instructions," is one of two in the company’s fleet of recovery vessels that catch falling boosters and return them to port.

SpaceX rocket launches on record 8th flight carrying 60 Starlink satellites, nails landing

It's the most-flown Falcon 9 ever.

www.space.com

 

[a_chap]

Starship's internal plumbing.

A very clever video and a great explanation of the "header tanks".

 

[Crispy]

There might be another starship flight tomorrow btw. I'll bump the thread if so

 

[2hats]

Another F9 went up this afternooon (Transporter-1 mission) deploying 143 satellites...

SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket snags world record for most satellites launched at once

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket has successfully delivered 143 spacecraft to orbit, snagging a world record for most satellites launched in one go that’s likely to remain unchallenged indefinitely. Marking the second polar launch from the US East Coast in half a century and SpaceX’s second such launch...

www.teslarati.com

 

[weltweit]

How can they deploy so many small satellites into their own precise positions?

 

[ferrelhadley]

How can they deploy so many small satellites into their own precise positions?

The satellites have their own small ion engines that have a small thrust but very long duration. Over time they work themselves into their own unique orbits.

 

[existentialist]

How can they deploy so many small satellites into their own precise positions?

Incredibly accurate tweezers.

 

[Crispy]

There might be another starship flight tomorrow btw. I'll bump the thread if so

Peparations are underway. Won't be for another couple of hours though.

 

[Crispy]

Cancelled for today. Tomorrow and Wednesday still possible.

 

[Crispy]

We're back on for today. No earlier than 15:00 UK time

 

[Crispy]

Beautiful sunrise

 

[Limejuice]

From the stream I'm watching: "They're arming the flight termination system, right now..."

Apparently that's the self-destruct set-up.

"In case it heads for Mexico."

 

[editor]

Love the way the rocket looks like something out of Tin Tin!

 

[weltweit]

I wonder if they will test it taking off from standing on its own legs, as will be the case in use when taking off from somewhere where it has landed?

 

[editor]

Not flying today

 

[Crispy]

Still waiting on final permission from the FAA, but they are proceeding as if they have it. Pad is clear and the vehicle is alive. Who knows if we'll get a flight or just another dress rehearsal...

EDIT: No flight today; the Man says so.

 

[Dead Cat Bounce]

I'm watching one of the YouTube live feeds (Nerdle Cam 4K) and SN10 is now out next to SN9 ☺

 

[Crispy]

 

[editor]

That really does look like the future!

 

[a_chap]

Typical.

You wait ages for a starship then two turn up at once.