SpaceX sticks the landing perfectly!

   #241  

vreihen

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spacex-mr-steven-fairing-recovery-san-pedro-iridium.jpg


https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-recovers-fairing-half-mr-steven-clawboat-iridium-launch/
 
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   #242  

vreihen

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Great TESS booster landing video last night! You could see the barge before touchdown on the booster's camera, and only a minor video dropout at touchdown.....

 
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http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/brinkmann-on-business/os-bz-spacex-falcon-nine-block-five-20180419-story.html

Next launch: SpaceX ready to try new Falcon 9 Block 5?

Paul Brinkmann
Orlando Sentinel
4/19/2018

Now that SpaceX has successfully launched NASA’s TESS satellite into orbit, there’s a pause of at least two weeks in scheduled Florida launches until SpaceX may attempt its first launch of the Falcon 9 Block 5.

The Block 5 is an upgrade intended to allow each rocket to be reused up to 10 times with little refurbishment and up to 100 times with more refurbishment, according to an article on Teslarati.com, which said the current Falcon 9 can only be reused two or three times. SpaceX has moved the Block 5 to Florida after testing in Texas.

SpaceX is currently aiming for a departure from Kennedy Space Center “no earlier than” May 4, according to SpaceFlightNow.com, although the mission has been delayed a few times already.

That launch will carry a more routine communications satellite for the nation of Bangladesh, specifically for the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission. The satellite will help provide broadcasting and telecommunication in rural areas of Bangladesh and neighboring countries.

It’s called Bangabandhu 1, and it was built by a French firm, Thales Alenia Space. Thales has a U.S. arm also, with significant offices in Orlando and Melbourne.

The Bangabandhu launch is set for Kennedy Space Center, Launch Complex 39A. As of Thursday, SpaceX’s website said the launch time is to be determined. Bangabandhu is how Bengladeshi people refer to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father of the People’s Republic of Bengladesh.

If the Bangabandhu launch is delayed, SpaceFlightNow.com says there’s a hard date of May 19 for a Falcon 9 mission carrying satellites for Iridium and the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) for NASA and the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ).

In the meantime, there will be a fascinating launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, currently set for May 5, of NASA’s Insight Mars lander, which will listen for “marsquakes” in an attempt to learn about the core and crust of Mars.

SpaceX successfully launched and deployed NASA’s planet-hunting TESS satellite on Wednesday night, delighting scientists and space fans who anticipate the spacecraft may discover planets that could harbor life.

Got a news tip? pbrinkmann@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5660; Twitter is @PaulBrinkmann
 
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   #244  

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Yesterday's maiden launch of the new "Block 5" version of the Falcon 9 was scrubbed with less than a minute left in the count down. I was distracted with other stuff an wasn't watching..

They're going to try again this afternoon, and there's another backup window tomorrow afternoon.

This is a GTO mission. Booster will attempt to land on Of Course I Still Love You.

Live stream starting at 4:14pm (US east coast time):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQEqKZ7CJlk
 
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So they lost video from the first stage right after the entry burn. :eek:

And then:

HnpamOR.jpg


I dunno, that landing looks to be at least 10' off the mark! :D
 
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Last night, SpaceX did its first ever landing in California:

Launch at about 17:00
Landing at about 25:00

 
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I was driving this afternoon and heard they splashed the booster.

It's not as obvious from the on-booster camera, but that's not much of a splash at all!



Elon Musk
‏Verified account @elonmusk
9h9 hours ago

Grid fin hydraulic pump stalled, so Falcon landed just out to sea. Appears to be undamaged & is transmitting data. Recovery ship dispatched.
 
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Dragon 2 (Crew Dragon) vertical on the pad!

crewdragon-1.jpg


crewdragon-2.jpg


crewdragon-3.jpg


crewdragon-4.jpg


 
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   #252  

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Just a few minutes ago:

hULNDAg.jpg


That's this booster's third mission, which I believe is a first.

Stage two is looking nominal as well.
 
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Any landing where the booster stays vertical is a good one, right?

'Cause the one last from last night's Crew Demo 1 lanuch looks to be out of the 10-ring a bit:

UBEW6Mp.jpg
 
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Dear Elon,

Please please please don't scrub and make me pick between FH and WITW.

PLEASE AND THANK YOU.

Love,

jyoung8607

falcon-heavy-ticket-2.png
 
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Uwe

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Please please please don't scrub and make me pick between FH and WITW.

WITW? Walk in the Woods? Wind in the Willows? Women In The Wind?

You road-tripping down here again?

-Uwe-
 
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WITW? Walk in the Woods? Wind in the Willows? Women In The Wind?
The thing Ross-Tech sponsors? The thing where I tried to get you to come out and play, to prove you remember how to drive a stick? And you were like, nah? :p

https://www.wookiesinthewoods.com/

You road-tripping down here again?
I am indeed, with two friends this time, possibly three. Interested in joining, or had enough until BFR?
 
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dvUDXtQ.png


I am indeed, with two friends this time, possibly three. Interested in joining, or had enough until BFR?
Not sure. I've kinda got a BTDT sense about it, and I'm not particularly keen about sitting on the causeway in traffic and then waiting in the various lines again.

How long are you guys stating in Florida? Do you have accommodations? The place I couldn't offer you last time due to other activity is available that weekend. It's about 90 mins north and easy walking distance to the beach.

-Uwe-
 
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Not sure. I've kinda got a BTDT sense about it, and I'm not particularly keen about sitting on the causeway in traffic and then waiting in the various lines again.
I've got one more in me for sure. It was epic. I still watch the webcast replays at least once a week or so. After that I'll probably wait for BFR or Super Heavy or whatever Elon decides to call it.

How long are you guys stating in Florida? Do you have accommodations? The place I couldn't offer you last time due to other activity is available that weekend. It's about 90 mins north and easy walking distance to the beach.
Just for the day of launch and the day after for the KSC tour, potentially swapped if FH slips a day or two, figure 2 days/3 nights. We have not yet made lodging arrangements. If we're not displacing you or otherwise imposing, we'll gratefully take you up on that. Will go to PM for details.
 
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   #259  

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The business end:

falcon-heavy-business-end.jpg


Currently looking at launch on the 9th (poor chance due to weather) or the 10th (good chance).
 
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Uwe

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Live stream should be here:

EDIT: Scrubbed for today because: "Upper atmospheric wind shear is very high"
https://twitter.com/SpaceX

-Uwe-
 
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