Rocket Launch notification thread

[Eric Mc]

Hadn't realised it was on heavens-above.

There are plenty of passes over the UK between 16 and 254 February. But all of them are either in daylight or at a time of the night where it is in the earth's shadow.

[FurtiveFreddy]

Eric Mc said:

There are plenty of passes over the UK between 16 and 254 February. But all of them are either in daylight or at a time of the night where it is in the earth's shadow.

Bah, useless chunk of metal.

Not sure I can wait until February 254th in any case

[Eric Mc]

FurtiveFreddy said:

Bah, useless chunk of metal.

Not sure I can wait until February 254th in any case

Extra special leap year - or perhaps a typo - take your pick.

[Beati Dogu]

The next Falcon 9 launch has been put back a day to Sunday 18th Feb at 2.16 pm UK time.

This is from Vandenberg AFB and they're not going to recover it.

[Einion Yrth]

Beati Dogu said:

The next Falcon 9 launch has been put back a day to Sunday 18th Feb at 2.16 pm UK time.

This is from Vandenberg AFB and they're not going to recover it.

Given that they could recover it, doesn't that represent egregious littering?

[Eric Mc]

Einion Yrth said:

Given that they could recover it, doesn't that represent egregious littering?

Given that no other current launch systems recover any of their boosters, I'd let them off the odd non-recovery.

It's amazing how quickly people forget. Less than three years ago, no boosters were being recovered by anybody.

[Einion Yrth]

Eric Mc said:

Einion Yrth said:

Given that they could recover it, doesn't that represent egregious littering?

Given that no other current launch systems recover any of their boosters, I'd let them off the odd non-recovery.

It's amazing how quickly people forget. Less than three years ago, no boosters were being recovered by anybody.

I wasn't being entirely serious Eric, tongue firmly planted in cheek.

[Eric Mc]

Wasn't obvious.

We've had 60 plus years in which hundreds (if not thousands) of stages have plummeted back into the ocean. Indeed, the last non-recovered SpaceX first stage actually survived the impact and was found floating.

[Einion Yrth]

Eric Mc said:

Wasn't obvious.

We've had 60 plus years in which hundreds (if not thousands) of stages have plummeted back into the ocean. Indeed, the last non-recovered SpaceX first stage actually survived the impact and was found floating.

That's because it was a propulsive landing, they just didn't put a boat in the way. (I think they expected it to fall over and blow up, mind.)

[Eric Mc]

Yes - as we've seen, even propulsive landing can go a bit awry.

A couple of years ago, a whole section of a SpaceX booster was washed up on a Cornish beach.

[Einion Yrth]

Eric Mc said:

Yes - as we've seen, even propulsive landing can go a bit awry.

A couple of years ago, a whole section of a SpaceX booster was washed up on a Cornish beach.

Isles of Scilly actually; that's Tresco beach.

[Eric Mc]

The point is that substantial chunks of rocket often survive impact.

[Beati Dogu]

The Falcon 9 launch has been delayed until Wednesday 21st (at 14:17 UK time).

"Team at Vandenberg is taking additional time to perform final checkouts of upgraded fairing"

I don't think they actually need that long, but Wednesday was the next "instantaneous launch opportunity" available.

(There won't be any holds allowed. The launch window is then or nothing).



But anyway... fairing 2.0?

Recovery boat Mr Steven has his net fitted:

https://imgur.com/a/jDorh#1frohCT

[MartG]

SpaceX launch this afternoon - 14:17GMT - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-p-PToD2URA

[Eric Mc]

Nearly forgot. Thanks for the reminder.

[MartG]

Looks like it's just been scrubbed for the day

High altitude wind shear

[Eric Mc]

Yes - watching the countdown to the start of the broadcast and it suddenly changes to "Live in 23 hours". Oh well - that's rocket science.

[MartG]

Yup

[Eric Mc]

Another attempt in just over 30 minutes.

[SHutchinson]

They dropped the fairing! But it landed intact in the water.