SpaceX Tuesday...

[Beati Dogu]

Boo. No fun.


The upgraded Falcon 9 he's referring to is the forthcoming "Block 5" version. This will be more powerful and has been redesigned to make it easier to reuse, no doubt incorporating lessons learned from the rockets they've got back.

[Flooble]

Beati Dogu said:

Boo. No fun.


The upgraded Falcon 9 he's referring to is the forthcoming "Block 5" version. This will be more powerful and has been redesigned to make it easier to reuse, no doubt incorporating lessons learned from the rockets they've got back.

Will it still need the cryogenic densification to loft the heavy payloads?

[RobDickinson]

yep they've got about a 30% increase in thrust between that and the new engines afik.

Block 5 is made for reuse, seems the older ones must have issues so are only going to be reused 1-2 times.

Anything too heavy for a recoverable f9 soon will be on the f9h anyhow.

[MartG]

http://arstechnica.com/science/2017/01/spacex-may-...

[MartG]

In other Musk news... https://electrek.co/2017/01/23/tesla-mira-loma-pow...

[MartG]

Falcon 9 reported to be vertical on the historic LC39A pad - no pics yet

Edit - apparently not, just an erector test Won't be long though...

Edited by MartG on Thursday 26th January 20:49

[Beati Dogu]

Since it's not coming back, they'll probably take the legs off.

In the spirit of Colin Chapman, there's no point taking them for a free ride. Plus more fuel for the main mission.

[outnumbered]

Dark85 said:

Oh cool. I'm actually in Florida at the end of Feb, has anyone here ever been to a launch/have any tips?

We watched one last summer from Cocoa Beach. Anywhere on the seafront within a few miles of the cape has a pretty good view.

[MartG]

Beati Dogu said:

Since it's not coming back, they'll probably take the legs off.

In the spirit of Colin Chapman, there's no point taking them for a free ride. Plus more fuel for the main mission.

They'll remove everything they can to save weight - legs, grid fins & actuators, etc

[Sylvaforever]

Hmm don't know about that there's the Q factor to consider don't forget..

[SystemParanoia]

Sylvaforever said:

Hmm don't know about that there's the Q factor to consider don't forget..

I dont think he'll be a problem

[Sylvaforever]

OK numbnuts.

Simply put if the rocket accelerates faster than normal due to hardware weight reduction it will mean that it reaches the Q point earlier, lower and be subjected to higher and longer loading than previous launches of this version of booster.

[MartG]

Sylvaforever said:

OK numbnuts.

Simply put if the rocket accelerates faster than normal due to hardware weight reduction it will mean that it reaches the Q point earlier, lower and be subjected to higher and longer loading than previous launches of this version of booster.

Reduction in booster mass is offset by the higher payload mass

[RobDickinson]

They dont have to burn all the engines at 100% they can just go as quick as before but for a little longer or accelerate more later...

[Eric Mc]

Which is what the Space Shuttle used to do.

[MartG]

Transporter/erector test ahead of Friday's launch

[MartG]

Friday's launch rumoured to be delayed to the end of Feb, with CRS10 being the next launch instead

[MartG]

A press statement from SpaceX (via the private space forum NASASpaceflight)

"SpaceX announced today that its first launch from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida will be the CRS-10 mission to the International Space Station. The launch is currently targeted for no earlier than mid-February. Following the launch of CRS-10, first commercial mission from 39A is currently slated to be EchoStar XXIII. This schedule change allows time for additional testing of ground systems ahead of the CRS-10 mission. The launch vehicles, Dragon, and the EchoStar satellite are all healthy and prepared for launch."

[Sylvaforever]

there's also a rock giving us a fly bye shortly...

https://mobile.twitter.com/tony873004/status/82579...

https://www.projectpluto.com/neocp2/mpecs/YB1235E....

https://mobile.twitter.com/tony873004/status/82579...

[Eric Mc]

Sylvaforever said:

there's also a rock giving us a fly bye shortly...

https://mobile.twitter.com/tony873004/status/82579...

https://www.projectpluto.com/neocp2/mpecs/YB1235E....

https://mobile.twitter.com/tony873004/status/82579...

Is this SpaceX related?