SpaceX Tuesday...

[Einion Yrth]

ash73 said:

Einion Yrth said:

MartG said:

RobDickinson said:

Yep F9H should be running 6 out of 9 centre core engines on fuel from the side boosters.

A technique known to those who play Kerbal Space Program as Asparagus staging http://wiki.kerbalspaceprogram.com/wiki/Asparagus_...

Usually taken to rather more hilarious extremes than just two side boosters, though.

The reason they worked so well is old versions of Kerbal just summed the drag of every component regardless of where it was positioned, so there was no reason to stack them. Certainly resulted in some interesting designs which I guess could actually be used on bodies with no atmosphere.

That and the fact that vertical stacks were like trying to push wet spaghetti.

[MartG]

Russ35 said:

static fire test tonight at approx 0030 GMT.

No static fire test now.

Edited by Russ35 on Wednesday 8th March 00:09

Delay to the static fire test means the launch has now been delayed to the 14th

"KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. — SpaceX’s second Falcon 9 to fly out of Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) will likely lift off no earlier than March 14, 2017. This postponement could be the result of delays with the static fire test.

Originally scheduled to be the first flight out of LC-39A, the EchoStar 23 mission was preceded by the Feb. 19, 2017, launch of the CRS-10 Dragon capsule to resupply the International Space Station. According to SpaceX on Jan. 30, this change allowed time for additional testing of ground systems ahead of the CRS-10 Mission.

With CRS-10 now out of the way, EchoStar 23’s mission flow was able to proceed. On March 7, 2017, the Falcon 9 was seen vertical on the pad in preparation for a static fire test. However, this was postponed to March 8, where it was again delayed.

According to NASASpaceflight, because of the delay with the static fire test, SpaceX is now targeting a 2.5-hour launch window that opens at 1:34 a.m. EDT (05:34 GMT) March 14, with a backup attempt on March 16. Previously, the company was hoping to fly on March 12.

As of right now, however, March 14 was the expected launch date for the Delta IV rocket with WGS-9. United Launch Alliance, which operates that rocket, has yet to comment on the status of this mission, which does not have a specified launch window.

When it does fly, the EchoStar 23 mission is likely to be the last launch in which SpaceX uses a planned expendable first stage. Because the payload is heavy enough and is being placed into a high-energy geostationary transfer orbit, recovery is not a viable option.

During an Oct. 23, 2016, interview on Reddit AMA, SpaceX CEO Musk discussed an upgraded version of the Falcon 9 that he referred to as “Block 5,” which will have improved legs, increased thrust and other enhancements designed to make landing and refurbishing the rocket for reuse easier. This version is expected to fly later in 2017."

[Beati Dogu]

They've complete the static fire test now, so they expect it to launch on Tuesday 14th March in the morning.

No landing attempt for this one of course.

[Toaster]

Vertical take off and landing by rockets have been going on for years https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnKqAvUT6vE don't know what all the fuss is about

[SpeedyDave]

Anyone with an Oculus Rift or HTC Vive should check out the virtual reality tour of the ISS released today.

https://www.oculus.com/blog/rift-in-space-missioni...

Looks awesome!

[Einion Yrth]

SpeedyDave said:

Anyone with an Oculus Rift or HTC Vive should check out the virtual reality tour of the ISS released today.

https://www.oculus.com/blog/rift-in-space-missioni...

Looks awesome!

Pretty tenuous link to SpaceX, mind...

[SpeedyDave]

Einion Yrth said:

Pretty tenuous link to SpaceX, mind...

As are the dozens of tangential discussions about other rocket types & various general space stuff that has collected in this 121 page thread. Considered starting a new thread but since this one has become somewhat general space it seemed fair enough.

[MartG]

SpeedyDave said:

Einion Yrth said:

Pretty tenuous link to SpaceX, mind...

As are the dozens of tangential discussions about other rocket types & various general space stuff that has collected in this 121 page thread. Considered starting a new thread but since this one has become somewhat general space it seemed fair enough.

10s search found this http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=123...

[MartG]

Article about Tuesday's launch

http://www.americaspace.com/2017/03/12/pad-39a-rea...

Launch window: 0534-0804 GMT Tuesday morning

Edited by MartG on Sunday 12th March 12:43

[MartG]

Hahaha - the thread title will ( hopefully ) be correct for tomorrow's launch

https://spaceflightnow.com/2017/03/12/commercial-t...

[Beati Dogu]

I've got to get up at 6 am anyway, so I'll try to make it a little earlier for the start of the launch Window.

[MartG]

Scrubbed due to high winds

Back to bed

[callmedave]

looking to possibly attempt another launch Thursday, if so chance is 90% favourable.

[Eric Mc]

It's not really a SpaceX related topic though.

I think it should warrant its own thread - after all, it could still be in the planning stage ten years from now.

[Beati Dogu]

Latest from SpaceX:

"Weather remains 90% go for Falcon 9 launch of @EchoStar XXIII. Launch window opens tomorrow morning at 1:35 am EDT."

That's 05:35 Thursday, UK time.

What does the Oh stand for? Oh my god that's early.

[RobDickinson]

6:30pm here very comfortable time to watch a rocker launch!

[Einion Yrth]

Won't make any difference whether I watch it or not; it'll be available via youtube when I get up.

[MartG]

launch slipped to 6am

[MartG]

Spectacular !

[p1stonhead]

Great to watch as usual. Shame no landing but still great that these are so regularly streamed for us to watch.