Space stuff (NASA, UKSA, CSA, ESA, etc)
- Thread starter strawman
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Link on the info for this one: https://arstechnica.com/science/2017/06/spacex-has-answered-a-lot-of-its-critics-this-year/
Hooray! I'm for the other team!
Wait. No, I'm not. The sooner we can get off this rock, the better.
--Patrick
I've been reading Elon Musk book and even though I already thought so highly of him, he now stands out even more now that I know where he came from and what he's gone through.
Sure, he's done a few faux pas along the way but that man has the absolute sheer will; something I've not seen from any other man.
He changed the name of the game! Before it was countries having space programs; now a company is running the space program with no dependence to antiquated Russian hardware or bi partisan government party who dictate our future based on who said what and what side of the scale they are (THE LEFT DERP, THE RIGHT DEEEERP).
Not long ago NASA has unveiled a plan to go to Mars. A plan. NASA has revealed many plans throughout the years, even a few "Mars visitation plans" that never came to be due to a variety of reasons (mostly shitty American politics). NASA having a plan to do X is basically a very formal and scientific way of NASA saying "We would like to do X and here is how we would go about it". Now they pass it by Congress who will carefully evaluate the plan and eventually come to the conclusion that sending people in rockets to other planets is a waste of money better spent on sending rockets into people on this planet.
Sure, he's done a few faux pas along the way but that man has the absolute sheer will; something I've not seen from any other man.
He changed the name of the game! Before it was countries having space programs; now a company is running the space program with no dependence to antiquated Russian hardware or bi partisan government party who dictate our future based on who said what and what side of the scale they are (THE LEFT DERP, THE RIGHT DEEEERP).
Not long ago NASA has unveiled a plan to go to Mars. A plan. NASA has revealed many plans throughout the years, even a few "Mars visitation plans" that never came to be due to a variety of reasons (mostly shitty American politics). NASA having a plan to do X is basically a very formal and scientific way of NASA saying "We would like to do X and here is how we would go about it". Now they pass it by Congress who will carefully evaluate the plan and eventually come to the conclusion that sending people in rockets to other planets is a waste of money better spent on sending rockets into people on this planet.
I'm flying to Portland and traveling to Albany for the eclipse, then back to Tigard for a couple days of vacation afterwards. The US Post Office has released a new Forever stamp, made with thermochromic ink (heat reveals an image), celebrating the eclipse.
https://store.usps.com/store/browse/productDetailSingleSku.jsp?productId=S_475304
https://store.usps.com/store/browse/productDetailSingleSku.jsp?productId=S_475304
GasBandit
Staff member
A really great article IMO on the conflict between SpaceX and ULA: How America’s two greatest rocket companies battled from the beginning
IMO it's really good, but hardly flawless. In particular, near the beginning they mention how ULA's payload-carrying rockets have never blown up since the beginning of the contract in the early 2000s, but they do not go into any more detail of the how/when/why of when SpaceX's DID blow up in the time they're reporting on. So that feels like a gloss-over. OTOH while the article does go into some detail of just how much ULA's rockets cost per launch, they do not compare or contrast to SpaceX's launches either. There's a LOT on the ballooning costs of the ELC "subsidy" (only in quotes because it's disputed, not indicating my particular opinion) but not much on the "average" cost per flight for either company.
So a pretty good article IMO, despite its flaws.
IMO it's really good, but hardly flawless. In particular, near the beginning they mention how ULA's payload-carrying rockets have never blown up since the beginning of the contract in the early 2000s, but they do not go into any more detail of the how/when/why of when SpaceX's DID blow up in the time they're reporting on. So that feels like a gloss-over. OTOH while the article does go into some detail of just how much ULA's rockets cost per launch, they do not compare or contrast to SpaceX's launches either. There's a LOT on the ballooning costs of the ELC "subsidy" (only in quotes because it's disputed, not indicating my particular opinion) but not much on the "average" cost per flight for either company.
So a pretty good article IMO, despite its flaws.
SpaceX revealed their pressure suit: Elon Musk reveals first official photo of SpaceX space suit
Looks nice. If functional, fine.
The article is quite explicit that this is a pressure suit, not an EVA (outside the spacecraft) suit.
Looks nice. If functional, fine.
The article is quite explicit that this is a pressure suit, not an EVA (outside the spacecraft) suit.
I was hoping for Doctor Who orange...
SpaceX just launched (and landed) another one: SpaceX to Launch Air Force's X-37B Space Plane on Secret Mission Today: Watch Live
The article is a few hours old. I just watched the webcast myself live and they landed successfully. This was a "pad" landing, not at sea. It's still weird (but awesome) that they are making landing rockets a routine thing.
As for the payload itself, it's that weird unmanned mini-shuttle that the last time it was up for around 2 years.
The article is a few hours old. I just watched the webcast myself live and they landed successfully. This was a "pad" landing, not at sea. It's still weird (but awesome) that they are making landing rockets a routine thing.
As for the payload itself, it's that weird unmanned mini-shuttle that the last time it was up for around 2 years.
fade
Staff member
GasBandit
Staff member
I can't even throw out an old busted PC. I can't imagine intentionally destroying a multimillion dollar satellite.
You never know when we're going to have another satellite in the area and maybe need the parts.
--Patrick
ARCA's Aerospike engine is ready for ground testing: http://newatlas.com/arc-aerospike-linear-engine-complete/51431/
They have a video too:
Somewhat press-release, but they have an actual thing on a test stand. Now to see if it will work. I only link this because I've heard of them before, so it's not quite flash-in-the-pan.
This is interesting as they are trying to make cheaper a segment of the market that the bigger guys (like ULA & SpaceX) aren't really focused on, the really REALLY small satellite market (like cubesats). Right now most of those have to piggy-back on another type of launch.
Also, any new player that becomes financially successful is a good thing for competition overall. We'll see if this company becomes such or not, but I wish them well.
They have a video too:
Somewhat press-release, but they have an actual thing on a test stand. Now to see if it will work. I only link this because I've heard of them before, so it's not quite flash-in-the-pan.
This is interesting as they are trying to make cheaper a segment of the market that the bigger guys (like ULA & SpaceX) aren't really focused on, the really REALLY small satellite market (like cubesats). Right now most of those have to piggy-back on another type of launch.
Also, any new player that becomes financially successful is a good thing for competition overall. We'll see if this company becomes such or not, but I wish them well.
10 more iridium 3 satellites were launched this morning by spacex in california.
This is the third of 8 iridium launches.
This is the fifteenth falcon 9 launch this year.
"SpaceX is targeting launch of Iridium-3 from Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The instantaneous launch window is at 5:37 a.m. PDT, or 12:37 UTC on Monday, October 9. The satellites will begin deployment about an hour after launch. A backup launch opportunity opens at 5:31 a.m. PDT, or 12:31 UTC on Tuesday, October 10. Following stage separation, the first stage of Falcon 9 will attempt a landing on the “Just Read the Instructions” droneship that will be stationed in the Pacific Ocean."
6:10 - stream starts
22:00 - 10 seconds to launch
24:40 - main engine cutoff, stage 1 separation
29:11 - first stage landing sequence, 5km altitude
29:35 - first stage landing
1:14:00 - second stage engine startup (going into insertion orbit)
1:19:19 - First satellite deploy
Satellites are deployed about once every 90 seconds, the ninth one is in good view of the camera
1:32:40 - ninth satellite deploy
1:34:20 - final satellite deploy
This is the third of 8 iridium launches.
This is the fifteenth falcon 9 launch this year.
"SpaceX is targeting launch of Iridium-3 from Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The instantaneous launch window is at 5:37 a.m. PDT, or 12:37 UTC on Monday, October 9. The satellites will begin deployment about an hour after launch. A backup launch opportunity opens at 5:31 a.m. PDT, or 12:31 UTC on Tuesday, October 10. Following stage separation, the first stage of Falcon 9 will attempt a landing on the “Just Read the Instructions” droneship that will be stationed in the Pacific Ocean."
6:10 - stream starts
22:00 - 10 seconds to launch
24:40 - main engine cutoff, stage 1 separation
29:11 - first stage landing sequence, 5km altitude
29:35 - first stage landing
1:14:00 - second stage engine startup (going into insertion orbit)
1:19:19 - First satellite deploy
Satellites are deployed about once every 90 seconds, the ninth one is in good view of the camera
1:32:40 - ninth satellite deploy
1:34:20 - final satellite deploy
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Another launch today, 3:53pm PDT, 6:53pm EDT, launching an echostar satellite for SES providing broadcast TV, radio, and satellite communications to the US, gulf of mexico, and adjacent areas, replacing two existing satellites currently providing those services. The launch window is 2 hours, with a backup launch window tomorrow. The satellite will be deployed about 36 minutes after launch.
Reports suggest that this satellite will accelerate deployment of ultra high definition satellite TV.
This will use a Falcon 9 Full Thrust launch vehicle, as the satellite weighs over 11,000 pounds (5,200kg). The first stage in this rocket was last used in February of this year, so a turnaround time of under 10 months.
This is the third time SpaceX has reused one of its first stage rockets. http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/o...ies/spacex-launch-ses-11-satellite-wednesday/
Reports suggest that this satellite will accelerate deployment of ultra high definition satellite TV.
This will use a Falcon 9 Full Thrust launch vehicle, as the satellite weighs over 11,000 pounds (5,200kg). The first stage in this rocket was last used in February of this year, so a turnaround time of under 10 months.
This is the third time SpaceX has reused one of its first stage rockets. http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/o...ies/spacex-launch-ses-11-satellite-wednesday/
That article doesn't say if they plan on landing this booster. I know that for some missions they just don't have the fuel to do so, but is this one, or not? I am wondering because it's just more difficult to put them into geostationary orbits, so it seemed possible this was a "the first stage isn't coming back" one. That it's a re-used booster makes that even MORE likely IMO, as then it's a "we got two uses out of it, better to 'burn' this one than a fresh one."
Or it could be coming back. We'll see by tonight/tomorrow.
I wondered that as well, but haven't found the answer. They did specifically mention in one of the resources I read that a previous satellite for this provider required the sacrifice of a Falcon 9 first stage. Given its weight and the geostationary orbit, I'm guessing this might also be a first stage rocket loss.[DOUBLEPOST=1507730417,1507730125][/DOUBLEPOST]The youtube description does include a first stage landing attempt, so it looks like we'll be getting it back:
Posting here because NASA...
NASA Discovers Mantle Plume under Antarctica.
In before the climate change deniers start pointing and yelling A-HA!
NASA Discovers Mantle Plume under Antarctica.
In before the climate change deniers start pointing and yelling A-HA!
It'll probably be delayed yet again, but if their current schedule holds, SpaceX will static test the Falcon Heavy - the world's most powerful rocket by a factor of two - December 15th. If that goes well they may be launching an unknown (but huge) payload into orbit this year. It can handle a payload as large as 117,000 pounds (53,000kg) to orbit.
This is three Falcon 9 rockets, a total of 27 Merlin engines, strapped together producing 5 million pounds of lift at liftoff. The three falcon nine rockets will separate and individually return to earth, two to landing pads on the ground, one to a drone ship in the ocean.
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/11/spacex-aims-december-launch-falcon-heavy/
This is three Falcon 9 rockets, a total of 27 Merlin engines, strapped together producing 5 million pounds of lift at liftoff. The three falcon nine rockets will separate and individually return to earth, two to landing pads on the ground, one to a drone ship in the ocean.
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/11/spacex-aims-december-launch-falcon-heavy/
GasBandit
Staff member
That sounds like some KSP nonsense right there, except for the part with the separated rockets returning safely
TIL SpaceX posted that video themselves, which makes it even cooler.
