SpaceX Tuesday...

[eharding]

Assuming clear conditions (hah!) you should be able to see the ISS pass, highest point due here in Devon at 22:46 BST. The CRS should be overhead you at about 23:22 BST.

When I saw it last time, the solar panel covers had been ejected and were visible as two much smaller dots flying along in formation with the CRS in the middle. Not something you see very often.

[Stussy]

Perfect, if it’s clear I’ll definitely see it, I’m be in the middle of nowhere with hardly any light pollution.
Last time I turned off my truck floodlights watching the ISS pass I tripped over a bucket

[Beati Dogu]

The weather at the pad is still dodgy. 80% chance of rain and a possible thunderstorm.

If they do have to cancel again, the next launch opportunity isn't for 7 days, due to a couple of Russian Progress cargo capsules coming and going.

[MartG]

Weather has improved to 50% chance of launch

[Beati Dogu]

Looking good. Nice continuous landing footage too.

[kuro]

These spacex launches are so impressive.

[eharding]

Just saw it!

Blinking in and out of visibility, solar panel covers blinking the most.

Damn, love this rocket stuff!

[Stussy]

I’ve been delayed so stuck over near Camelford, patchy cloud here, didn’t see a thing
Was it similar to an ISS pass?

[eharding]

Stussy said:

I’ve been delayed so stuck over near Camelford, patchy cloud here, didn’t see a thing
Was it similar to an ISS pass?

Sorry you didn't see it - can see the overcast west of here

Less bright than an ISS pass, - but I could see the dragon and the panels in formation, flickering.

Which probably means my orbital math is pants - not that it matters!

Edited by eharding on Thursday 25th July 23:36

[Eric Mc]

Where were you observing from?

[RobDickinson]

Hopper engine cam

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/11546297269142...

[eharding]

Eric Mc said:

Where were you observing from?

Devon, near Cullompton. Guessing either my math was off, or the Dragon was still being illuminated due to atmospheric dispersion whilst actually being eclipsed. Lots of flickering going on, particularly of the solar panel covers. Those seemed much closer to the Dragon than I remember last time.

Edited: Apparently CRS-18 was visible as far east as Yately last night.... I missed seeing the trailing upper stage though.

Edited by eharding on Friday 26th July 12:29

[MartG]

RobDickinson said:

Hopper engine cam

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/11546297269142...

Have to feel sorry for all the folk camped out to watch it - all they saw were clouds of exhaust

[GTO-3R]

MartG said:

Have to feel sorry for all the folk camped out to watch it - all they saw were clouds of exhaust

Can't wait to see 35 of them firing at once

[loudlashadjuster]

MartG said:

Have to feel sorry for all the folk camped out to watch it - all they saw were clouds of exhaust

Have to say, methane-fuelled rockets look to be frustrating to watch. Lots of smoke, venting and flare-ups compared to other fuels.

[Beati Dogu]

I love the dramatic fireball you get with hydrogen fueled rockets like the Delta 4, so I'm ok with this.

Once they get away, they burn pretty clean though. You don't get the fine black soot which kerosene rockets like the Falcon 9 produce. They get filthy coming back through their own exhaust.


More Hopper footage:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCMpd7-Cp24

[Beati Dogu]

Elon says they're looking at heat resistant tiles again for Starship. At least for the windward side. Apparently they can be quite thin attached to a steel hull, unlike a carbon fibre or aluminium one.

They stuck a couple of them on the recent Dragon capsule it seems:

[Beati Dogu]

The recent Falcon 9 steams in...




The next Falcon 9 is due off on Saturday 3rd August from Pad 40 at Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Launch time is no earlier than 11.51 PM UK time (6:51 PM EDT) with an 85 minute window.

This will take the Amos-17 comms sat up. The launch is being provided free of charge to the operator, Spacecom, after accidentally blowing up their previous satellite (Amos-6) during a static fire 3 years ago now.

The Boeing-built satellite is pretty big at 6.5 tonnes and the booster will be expended out in the Atlantic. Hopefully they'll recover the fairings though.

The booster's ID has not been officially confirmed, but it's thought to be B1047, which has flown twice before (Telstar 19V and Es'hail 2).



Also, Starhopper's 200 meter test is No Earlier Than Monday 12th August. This should be during daylight this time and it'll be well above the steam & smoke of the previous 20 m hop.

[MartG]

Seems to be some uncertainty about when the Amos-17 launch will take place...

https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/organizations/s...

[MartG]

Scott Manley video looking at the draft environmental impact report for Starship

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXKSH221uy4