SpaceX Tuesday...
Discussion
And suddenly a rocket appears.
SystemParanoia said:
why do they cover the 2nd stage engine in kitchen foil ?
It's thermal insulation to reduce heat loss by radiation; Convection not being much of an issue in space. I guess it's to stop the engine cooling down too fast during its coasting period, before they relight it.MartG said:
I was worried - just before the 1st stage feed cut out the camera appeared to be covered in debris from one of the fins which looked like it was burning up
"Musk: New design coming for Grid Fin. Will be largest titanium forging in the world. Current Grid Fin is aluminum and gets so hot it lights on fire... which isn't good for reuse."RobDickinson said:
There was some talk of attempted recovery the fairings this time too, not heard much about that as yet.
I think the plan was parachutes and in air recovery by helicopter
"SpaceX's Elon Musk reports the first intact landing in the Atlantic Ocean of one-half of the Falcon 9's payload fairing, which shielded the SES 10 satellite during the initial ride into space."I think the plan was parachutes and in air recovery by helicopter
yeah saw that, not a lot of info on if they were attempting return of both halves etc
"Musk said in a post-mission press conference that SpaceX was able to recover the two halves of the payload fairing as well after the launch. The fairing, which shields the satellite on its way to space, costs $6 million, he said.
“The fairing has its own thruster control system and a steerable parachute,” he said. “It’s like its own little spacecraft.”"
"Musk said in a post-mission press conference that SpaceX was able to recover the two halves of the payload fairing as well after the launch. The fairing, which shields the satellite on its way to space, costs $6 million, he said.
“The fairing has its own thruster control system and a steerable parachute,” he said. “It’s like its own little spacecraft.”"
Edited by RobDickinson on Friday 31st March 02:31
FurtiveFreddy said:
RobDickinson said:
“The fairing has its own thruster control system and a steerable parachute,” he said. “It’s like its own little spacecraft.”"
Autonomous fairings, eh? What will they think of next? 
qube_TA said:
I was slightly disappointed that they'd cleaned it up so it looked new again. Was kinda wanting to see a pre-scorched retro/steampunk looking launcher.
Never mind, the whole thing was very clever and pioneering.
The next goal is a 24 hour turnaround so presumably they will have to leave them uncleaned at that point.Never mind, the whole thing was very clever and pioneering.
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