SpaceX Tuesday...
Discussion
The Falcon 9 static fire at SLC-40 is set for Saturday, with the launch itself next Friday.
The new transporter erector can do the "throwback maneuver" at launch, unlike its predecessor. This allows it (and the hoses and other gear) to move out of the path of the rocket's exhaust. They already have this at Pad-39A and it helps them turn the pad around faster.
It's actually taken them 10 months to rebuild the pad as they didn't start until February.
SpaceX are currently on 16 launches for the year, which is tied with ULA's record year of 2009. With 2 more scheduled in December, they should beat that soon. Impressive as that sounds, next year the plan is to launch 31.
The new transporter erector can do the "throwback maneuver" at launch, unlike its predecessor. This allows it (and the hoses and other gear) to move out of the path of the rocket's exhaust. They already have this at Pad-39A and it helps them turn the pad around faster.
It's actually taken them 10 months to rebuild the pad as they didn't start until February.
SpaceX are currently on 16 launches for the year, which is tied with ULA's record year of 2009. With 2 more scheduled in December, they should beat that soon. Impressive as that sounds, next year the plan is to launch 31.
First payload for falcon heavy will be a Tesla roadster 
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/93678247750224...
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/93678247750224...
It wouldn't even fit through the hatch on a Dragon and it's too big for the unpressurised "trunk". They'll have to use a payload adaptor and full fairing. They can fit a school bus in there according to their website.
Sounds like BS anyway.
Sounds like BS anyway.
p1stonhead said:
First payload for falcon heavy will be a Tesla roadster
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/93678247750224...
Oooh, nearly called it on the previous page in regard to Zuma. https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/93678247750224...
Beati Dogu said:
No government agency is owning up to this one. Even the secretive NRO is denying it's theirs.
Maybe it's Tesla "launching" the Model 3 or their new truck.
Maybe it's Tesla "launching" the Model 3 or their new truck.
Edited by Beati Dogu on Saturday 2nd December 19:47
MartG said:
Seems a bit of a waste though - if its being launched on a trajectory to Mars surely they could come up with something a bit more useful than a car
Anything genuinely useful such as a comms relay satellite would cost millions and be a big loss if it doesn't make it. The car is comparatively cheap and buys a lot of publicity.It's not actually "going to Mars". It would be launched on a trajectory that will take it out beyond the orbit of Mars - but Mars won't be there when it gets to that orbit - so it will go into orbit around the sun with an aphelion that takes it out beyond the orbit of Mars each time it goes around the sun.
Caruso said:
MartG said:
Seems a bit of a waste though - if its being launched on a trajectory to Mars surely they could come up with something a bit more useful than a car
Anything genuinely useful such as a comms relay satellite would cost millions and be a big loss if it doesn't make it. The car is comparatively cheap and buys a lot of publicity.MartG said:
Caruso said:
MartG said:
Seems a bit of a waste though - if its being launched on a trajectory to Mars surely they could come up with something a bit more useful than a car
Anything genuinely useful such as a comms relay satellite would cost millions and be a big loss if it doesn't make it. The car is comparatively cheap and buys a lot of publicity.p1stonhead said:
MartG said:
Caruso said:
MartG said:
Seems a bit of a waste though - if its being launched on a trajectory to Mars surely they could come up with something a bit more useful than a car
Anything genuinely useful such as a comms relay satellite would cost millions and be a big loss if it doesn't make it. The car is comparatively cheap and buys a lot of publicity.
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