SpaceX Tuesday...
Discussion
It's called "Mr Steven".
Mr Steven is very fast it seems.
PIccies added:
https://imgur.com/gallery/MQcEE
Click on them to embiggenify.
Mr Steven is very fast it seems.
PIccies added:
https://imgur.com/gallery/MQcEE
Click on them to embiggenify.
Edited by Beati Dogu on Tuesday 19th December 19:41
Using a boat seems a better idea that ULA's plan to dump the engine section of the Vulcan rocket via parachute - Then have it picked up as it descends by helicopter. That's so fraught with pitfalls I don't even know where to start.
Perhaps these experiments with the fairings are why the Zuma mission was postponed until January.
Perhaps these experiments with the fairings are why the Zuma mission was postponed until January.
BTW, SpaceX have another Falcon 9 due off on Friday 22nd, which will be the 18th launch of the year. The static fire was completed yesterday.
This is "Iridium-4", taking the next batch of 10 Iridium satelles up from Vandenberg, California.
Although technically they could, they're not going to bring it back & they've taken the legs and grid fins off.
The rocket is a pre-flown one, having completed the Iridium-2 mission back in June. Since they wouldn't be able to fly it a 3rd time, they've obviously decided the cut their losses. They must feel they've got plenty of cores they can re-use until the tougher Block 5 Falcon 9s arrive next year.
This is "Iridium-4", taking the next batch of 10 Iridium satelles up from Vandenberg, California.
Although technically they could, they're not going to bring it back & they've taken the legs and grid fins off.
The rocket is a pre-flown one, having completed the Iridium-2 mission back in June. Since they wouldn't be able to fly it a 3rd time, they've obviously decided the cut their losses. They must feel they've got plenty of cores they can re-use until the tougher Block 5 Falcon 9s arrive next year.
Elon posted pic of FH
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bc62hfJgf8K/
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bc62hfJgf8K/
Edited by MartG on Wednesday 20th December 10:56
MartG said:
Elon posted pic of FH
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bc62hfJgf8K/
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bc62hfJgf8K/
Edited by MartG on Wednesday 20th December 10:56
Thats massive!
AshVX220 said:
MartG said:
Elon posted pic of FH
Oh, I really hope I'm able to go and see that one launch! Having two 1st stages return to the Cape will really be something special!p1stonhead said:
AshVX220 said:
MartG said:
Elon posted pic of FH
Oh, I really hope I'm able to go and see that one launch! Having two 1st stages return to the Cape will really be something special!ninja-lewis said:
p1stonhead said:
AshVX220 said:
MartG said:
Elon posted pic of FH
Oh, I really hope I'm able to go and see that one launch! Having two 1st stages return to the Cape will really be something special!MartG said:
AshVX220 said:
MartG said:
Elon posted pic of FH
Oh, I really hope I'm able to go and see that one launch! Having two 1st stages return to the Cape will really be something special!It would be a pretty stupid test if they didn't.
I like the person on the right for scale in the overhead shot. They're holding the ceiling hoist controls in the ultimate selfie. Looks like it's a compound image and they're on there twice.
You can also see the outer rockets have the larger, unpainted titanium grid fins. The centre one has white painted aluminium ones.
It seems they need the bigger fins due to the aerodynamic differences with nose cones over the usual interstage. You can see in the photos how much longer the interstage section is over a nose cone. It's basically an open pipe.
This will also make landings different to what they're used to. Hopefully the flight computer has been configured correctly to account for that.
Another look at the trailer from Jan 2015:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=16&...
Shows 3 landing at the Cape, but that's unlikely to happen as the centre rocket will normally be too far downrange to make it back to anything other than the drone ship.
I like the person on the right for scale in the overhead shot. They're holding the ceiling hoist controls in the ultimate selfie. Looks like it's a compound image and they're on there twice.
You can also see the outer rockets have the larger, unpainted titanium grid fins. The centre one has white painted aluminium ones.
It seems they need the bigger fins due to the aerodynamic differences with nose cones over the usual interstage. You can see in the photos how much longer the interstage section is over a nose cone. It's basically an open pipe.
This will also make landings different to what they're used to. Hopefully the flight computer has been configured correctly to account for that.
Another look at the trailer from Jan 2015:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=16&...
Shows 3 landing at the Cape, but that's unlikely to happen as the centre rocket will normally be too far downrange to make it back to anything other than the drone ship.
Edited by Beati Dogu on Wednesday 20th December 18:30
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