SpaceX Tuesday...
Discussion
And from another angle:
http://i.imgur.com/egQqcz0.jpg
F9-021 (which landed in December) is in the background. You can see that the grid fins have been removed.
They're in SpaceX's hanger at the Kennedy Space Centre (pad 39a).
When they've done with F9-021, they'll transport it overland to California. The SpaceX HQ & factory is very close to the runway of Hawthorn Municipal Airport in LA, so they needed FAA approval to erect the rocket there because of its height. They have this now apparently.
BTW, Tesla's design centre is next door to SpaceX, so it's pretty convenient for Elon Musk.
http://i.imgur.com/egQqcz0.jpg
F9-021 (which landed in December) is in the background. You can see that the grid fins have been removed.
They're in SpaceX's hanger at the Kennedy Space Centre (pad 39a).
When they've done with F9-021, they'll transport it overland to California. The SpaceX HQ & factory is very close to the runway of Hawthorn Municipal Airport in LA, so they needed FAA approval to erect the rocket there because of its height. They have this now apparently.
BTW, Tesla's design centre is next door to SpaceX, so it's pretty convenient for Elon Musk.
Beati Dogu said:
Looks like the next SpaceX launch has slipped to Star Wars Day - May the 4th.
It's an early one though - The launch window is 6.21 am - 08.21 am UK time.
Ah - will be good to catch anyway - for the first time in a decade I'll actually have a reason to be early to work.....It's an early one though - The launch window is 6.21 am - 08.21 am UK time.
They sure wanted the contract.
BTW, Here's the recent landing from the droneship itself:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDK5TF2BOhQ
Definitely a little bounce & slide going on there.
BTW, Here's the recent landing from the droneship itself:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDK5TF2BOhQ
Definitely a little bounce & slide going on there.
Perhaps needs some magnetic clamps in the feet to stick it down as soon as it touches
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_base
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_base
Should be fun.
Meanwhile the landing ship left port yesterday, ready for the next mission on the 4th.
This rocket will be flying on a ballistic path rather than using a boost back burn. It'll likely be coming in a little hot as well, so the chances of a successful landing are not great.
This photo is from the last mission.:
https://imgur.com/yFQrKbU
You can see the scorch marks and the rocket's final resting place marked by the tie downs they welded to the deck. Also the patching at the front right they had to do after the last time a rocket came in a little too enthusiastically.
According to the Muskmeister, it seems that they may not actually need these tie downs, as gravity alone will keep it in place. The landed rocket has a reasonably low centre of gravity, with the engine "octaweb" being the heaviest area and the kerosene fuel tank just above them. They likely vent off all the remaining liquid oxygen from the upper tank soon after a landing. Still it doesn't hurt to have it tied down and at sea it seems a wise precaution.
Meanwhile the landing ship left port yesterday, ready for the next mission on the 4th.
This rocket will be flying on a ballistic path rather than using a boost back burn. It'll likely be coming in a little hot as well, so the chances of a successful landing are not great.
This photo is from the last mission.:
https://imgur.com/yFQrKbU
You can see the scorch marks and the rocket's final resting place marked by the tie downs they welded to the deck. Also the patching at the front right they had to do after the last time a rocket came in a little too enthusiastically.
According to the Muskmeister, it seems that they may not actually need these tie downs, as gravity alone will keep it in place. The landed rocket has a reasonably low centre of gravity, with the engine "octaweb" being the heaviest area and the kerosene fuel tank just above them. They likely vent off all the remaining liquid oxygen from the upper tank soon after a landing. Still it doesn't hurt to have it tied down and at sea it seems a wise precaution.
MartG said:
Perhaps needs some magnetic clamps in the feet to stick it down as soon as it touches
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_base
Hmm, good idea but would the elements of the system survive the re entry temps and what would be the weight costs considering the barge landings are meant ( I believe) for the "hot" booster returns that have already pushed the limits of what they can "do".https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_base
Edited by Sylvaforever on Sunday 1st May 14:45
Sylvaforever said:
Hmm, good idea but would the elements of the system survive the re entry temps and what would be the weight costs considering the barge landings are meant ( I believe) for the "hot" booster returns that have already pushed the limits of what they can "do".
If you are talking permanent magnets then it is about 750 degrees celsius I think, above that it will demagnetise. Edited by Sylvaforever on Sunday 1st May 14:45
If you were planning to use an electromagnet in the barge of course ...
From the horses mouth so to speak..
"SpaceX is targeting launch of JCSAT-14 from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida on May 5 (1:21am ET, 10:21pm PT, 5:21am UTC). SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket will deliver JCSAT-14, a commercial communications satellite for SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation, to a Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO). SKY Perfect JSAT is a leading satellite operator in the Asia-Pacific region and provides high-quality satellite communications to its customers using its fleet of 15 satellites. Following stage separation, the first stage of Falcon 9 will attempt an experimental landing on the “Of Course I Still Love You” droneship. Given this mission’s GTO destination, the first-stage will be subject to extreme velocities and re-entry heating, making a successful landing unlikely."
Just for the naysayers
"SpaceX is targeting launch of JCSAT-14 from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida on May 5 (1:21am ET, 10:21pm PT, 5:21am UTC). SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket will deliver JCSAT-14, a commercial communications satellite for SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation, to a Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO). SKY Perfect JSAT is a leading satellite operator in the Asia-Pacific region and provides high-quality satellite communications to its customers using its fleet of 15 satellites. Following stage separation, the first stage of Falcon 9 will attempt an experimental landing on the “Of Course I Still Love You” droneship. Given this mission’s GTO destination, the first-stage will be subject to extreme velocities and re-entry heating, making a successful landing unlikely."
Just for the naysayers
Yes, May 5th now it seems.
Here's the enclosure & satellite they're putting up for the Japanese:
https://i.imgur.com/84V25dt.jpg
Mad scientists at the bottom for scale.
This is the test fire they ran on Sunday:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wt6orQDqf4A&fe...
Here's the enclosure & satellite they're putting up for the Japanese:
https://i.imgur.com/84V25dt.jpg
Mad scientists at the bottom for scale.
This is the test fire they ran on Sunday:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wt6orQDqf4A&fe...
MartG said:
Well, heres hoping Friday goes well. A little early to watch live but Ill pick it up when I get to work 
paolow said:
MartG said:
Well, heres hoping Friday goes well. A little early to watch live but Ill pick it up when I get to work 
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