SpaceX Tuesday...

[Eric Mc]

MartG said:

Arguably most of the Shuttle's problems stemmed from the lack of funds to develop a fully reuseable booster - and both losses can be attributed to either the SRBs or External tank ( specifically it shedding foam insulation )

That and a load of others decisions.

The need to recruit the USAF into the bidding process for funds

which meant -

the need to accommodate the USAF's cross range requirement

which meant -

a decent size of wing rather than a short stubby wing or lifting body

which meant -

ceramic tile protection instead of metal heat sink

If the thermal protection system had been more robust, foam, ice and sundry other stuff hitting the Orbiter would have been of little consequence

[AshVX220]

Eric Mc said:

I can sense his concern.

A friend of mine was at Cape Canveral for the 2nd ever launch of the Space Shuttle (STS-2, early November 1981). The countdown was stopped at T-17 and then scrubbed. He had to go back home to Ireland the next day - so it was REALLY frustrating for him. It eventually took off a week later - but he was home by then.

That must have been so disappointing for him, a lesson for you Eric if you book to come and see the SLS launch, make your first or second full day here the launch day, then you can have a couple of weeks flex if it gets scrubbed.

[Eric Mc]

I think I'll be drawing the state pension by the time the 1st SLS lifts off.

[AshVX220]

Eric Mc said:

I think I'll be drawing the state pension by the time the 1st SLS lifts off.

No offence intended, but yeah, possibly!! Well, I'm sure you'll get to see a launch of some sort one day.

[Eric Mc]

That's the plan - maybe even this year.

[Beati Dogu]

Check out this awesome Falcon Heavy simulator:

http://falconheavy.space/

[SystemParanoia]

Beati Dogu said:

Check out this awesome Falcon Heavy simulator:

http://falconheavy.space/

annoying lol

[eharding]

SystemParanoia said:

Beati Dogu said:

Check out this awesome Falcon Heavy simulator:

http://falconheavy.space/

annoying lol

View source: the chap amused himself writing it as well....and no, it won't launch...

[Beati Dogu]

Hyper realistic though.


Provided the Atlas V launches tonight (the weather is good), they want to try the Falcon Heavy static fire on Friday.

The test window will be 15:30–21:30 EST (20:30 - 02:30 UK time).

They've lowered it for now and I suspect it's back in the barn in case ULA decide to splatter Pad 39a with chunks of flaming Atlas V.

[eharding]

Beati Dogu said:

Hyper realistic though.

They've lowered it for now.

 window.goingFlaccid == true 

[Kccv23highliftcam]

https://www.space.com/39414-spacex-zuma-mission-co...

And the zuma witch hunt gathers pace..

[Eric Mc]

Kccv23highliftcam said:

https://www.space.com/39414-spacex-zuma-mission-co...

And the zuma witch hunt gathers pace..

"Witch hunt"?

I think they are asking legitimate questions. After all, as representatives of their constituents, they are entitled to ask questions about matters on which their constituents' tax money has been spent.

[Kccv23highliftcam]

We shall see.

How do you quantify "loss of confidence" in SpaceX product delivery Eric?

Edited by Kccv23highliftcam on Saturday 20th January 18:48

[MartG]

Eric Mc said:

Kccv23highliftcam said:

https://www.space.com/39414-spacex-zuma-mission-co...

And the zuma witch hunt gathers pace..

"Witch hunt"?

I think they are asking legitimate questions. After all, as representatives of their constituents, they are entitled to ask questions about matters on which their constituents' tax money has been spent.

Maybe they should be asking the people responsible for the payload, not the delivery driver

[Einion Yrth]

MartG said:

Eric Mc said:

Kccv23highliftcam said:

https://www.space.com/39414-spacex-zuma-mission-co...

And the zuma witch hunt gathers pace..

"Witch hunt"?

I think they are asking legitimate questions. After all, as representatives of their constituents, they are entitled to ask questions about matters on which their constituents' tax money has been spent.

Maybe they should be asking the people responsible for the payload, not the delivery driver

Both Gwynn Shotwell and Hans Koenigsmann have stated that F9 performed nominally, and they have the telemetry to prove it, Northrop Grumman, responsible for the payload and the payload adapter (and hence separation mechanics) have said nothing.
Who to blame...
(Assuming of course that there is anyone to blame and it's not all just "maskirovka").

[Eric Mc]

SpaceX have done what was asked of them. They have no need to answer any further questions. The thing is in orbit. Whether it is functioning is anybody's guess - but that is not SpaceX's concern.

[Beati Dogu]

They did a deorbit burn of the second stage (with the satellite still attached) & it burnt up over the southern Indian Ocean.

https://sattrackcam.blogspot.co.uk/2018/01/fuel-du...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlwA40tIKr8

[Eric Mc]

How do we know the satellite was still attached?

[Beati Dogu]

We don't know anything for sure and probably never will. However the rumoured problem was that it wouldn't detach from the payload adapter, which was also provided by Northrop Grumman. This was soon realised, so they were given authority to go ahead with the planned deorbit burn. It also allows SpaceX to truthfully claim that the rocket itself did nothing wrong.

[MartG]

I think it unlikely they'd make a decision that the payload was irretrievably dead that quickly.

In the past NASA has often spent months analysing and diagnosing spacecraft anomalies before doing anything irreversible - especially when the payload is worth $millions