SpaceX Tuesday...

[Toaster]

Eric Mc said:

The first stage engines of most rockets cut out after around 2 1/2 minutes of power. This usually equates to an altitude of around 30 - 40 miles and a speed of under 5,000 mph. When the motors cut and the stage separates, it coasts on up for a minute or two with the speed decaying. Eventually the upward velocity reaches zero and it starts to fall back to earth. It then starts accelerating again purely due to acceleration under gravity.

The question I was asking is, is the speed it reaches as it falls back to earth high enough to generate sufficient heat to char the exterior.

The answer is Terminal Velocity

Eric, get the calculator out

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terminal_velocity

Or a simpler version

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/...

[Eric Mc]

Don't know enough about the Falcon lower stage weight wise to work it out - and I'm too lazy. My hunch is that its speed ISN'T fast enough when falling back to earth to suffer any appreciable heating.

[anonymous-user]

[MartG]

Onboard video from the pad abort test has been released

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcHD9AmkxA0

[anonymous-user]

MartG said:

Onboard video from the pad abort test has been released

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcHD9AmkxA0

Thanks for that. It's quite strange seeing the transition from crazy activity to the gentle descent by parachute. Were there ever any similar shots for Apollo capsules re-entering the atmosphere? I'm guessing not due to heat amongst other things.

[MartG]

Bits of SpaceX payload fairings wash up in the Bahamas - and the locals just complain about 'trash'. Don't they realise how much they could sell this stuff for on ebay ? Collectors would pay handsomely for any piece of space memorabilia like this !

[MrCarPark]

Nice footage from a fairing falling back to earth:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_sLTe6-7SE

[annodomini2]

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2015/06/23/spacex_get...

Next landing attempt launch this Sunday

[MartG]

SpaceX have tweeted that the droneship is ready

[Eric Mc]

Their sense of humour is excellent. That poor old barge is getting battered and bashed about quite a bit.

[anonymous-user]

Eric Mc said:

Their sense of humour is excellent. That poor old barge is getting battered and bashed about quite a bit.

Agreed.

[CrutyRammers]

Love it

[Buzz84]

That would be a picture of the second droneship that has just been finished to a newer improved design and this will be her first deployment.

The first one was called "just read the instructions" and according to Wiki has been returned to being a standard barge with some parts being reused in construction of a 3rd droneship (which will be the second of the new design)

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2015/06/spacex-augm...

[Mojocvh]

Eric Mc said:

Their sense of humour is excellent

Quotes from Ian Banks Culture series Eric.

[MartG]

15:00 BST Sunday

http://livestream.com/spacex/events/4152712?origin...

[Eric Mc]

Buzz84 said:

That would be a picture of the second droneship that has just been finished to a newer improved design and this will be her first deployment.

The first one was called "just read the instructions" and according to Wiki has been returned to being a standard barge with some parts being reused in construction of a 3rd droneship (which will be the second of the new design)

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2015/06/spacex-augm...

Aha. No wonder it looks so clean.

[MartG]

Launch due at 15:21 today UK time http://www.spacex.com/webcast/

Edited by MartG on Sunday 28th June 10:54

[Eric Mc]

Watching - all going to schedule at the moment.

[Eric Mc]

Massive explosion 2 minutes into the flight.

[Russ35]

Thats not good!