SpaceX rockets and launches
- Thread starter rover07
- Start date
2hats
Dust.
Weather forecast is much better. Only 10% chance of launch violation. Upper winds should be reduced. Launch time is 22:03:31UTC.
2hats
Dust.
Though weather looks favourable for the launch, weather out at sea isn't good for recovery (waves of several metres). Consequently they are not going to attempt a landing on the barge but will go for a 'soft' landing in the ocean instead (ie the first stage isn't expected to survive).
2hats
Dust.
Heck of a steady image for that much zoom
The NASA downrange tracking cameras are pretty decent
NASA TV has a nice distant shot of the upper stage, separated payload fairing segments and the first stage all arcing through the sky.
MrSki
Who am I to say you're wrong
Could cause a major fuck-up.
Crispy
The following psytrance is baṉned: All
After a 2 launch break, there will be another landing attempt this evening. Launch at 16:33 local, 21:33 UK time. The mission is ISS resupply (the sixth such trip) but pft that's routine now. All signs are good for the landing attempt though. Daylight, calm weather, revised hydraulics installed. Fingers crossed!
gentlegreen
I hummus, therefore I am ...
gentlegreen
I hummus, therefore I am ...
gentlegreen
I hummus, therefore I am ...
flight cancelled due to weather
2hats
Dust.
If Dragon-6 gets off the ground on time tomorrow then it should be visible in western skies along with the second stage over the UK about 18 minutes after launch (the solar arrays should have deployed by then making it even easier to spot). Rising in the west at 2128hrs and climbing towards the south (peaking just before around mag. +1) before entering eclipse at 2132hrs in the SSE.
(North to the top, West to the right, as one would see the sky looking upwards when facing South).
Note that the ISS itself will make bright passes at around 2030hrs and again at 2207hrs this evening (all times BST).
(North to the top, West to the right, as one would see the sky looking upwards when facing South).
Note that the ISS itself will make bright passes at around 2030hrs and again at 2207hrs this evening (all times BST).
2hats
Dust.
Currently the final approach and berthing is scheduled for between 1000 and 1600 BST on Friday, so ISS passes on Thursday evening (2017 and 2153BST) will probably see them in close proximity.
2hats
Dust.
Talking of reusable rockets, United Launch Alliance (Lockheed/Boeing owned launch provider) have unveiled their plans for a new medium to heavy lift rocket to replace their Atlas and Delta models (and so reduce the number of pads that need to be maintained on east and west coasts at the same time) and (one would imagine, they hope) compete with SpaceX. It would also end their dependency on the (originally) Russian sourced RD180 engines.
Called 'Vulcan' (guess where the idea for that name came from) it features recoverable first stage engines - after deceleration protected by an inflatable hypersonic heatshield they will parachute to an 'air grab' by waiting helicopter:
Those engines may well turn out to be Blue Origin's (Amazon/Bezos' outfit) BE-4 model running on liquefied natural gas. First flight is not expected before 2019.
Called 'Vulcan' (guess where the idea for that name came from) it features recoverable first stage engines - after deceleration protected by an inflatable hypersonic heatshield they will parachute to an 'air grab' by waiting helicopter:
Those engines may well turn out to be Blue Origin's (Amazon/Bezos' outfit) BE-4 model running on liquefied natural gas. First flight is not expected before 2019.
Crispy
The following psytrance is baṉned: All
They're obviously wary of SpaceX's re-usability plans, but are hedging their bets. The engine recovery can be omitted with little penalty if it turns out to be uneconomic. But if stage re-use *does* turn out to be a winner, then they won't have gone far enough and SpaceX will eat them for breakfast.
