Space and Science BS Thread

Looks like the launch attempt that was scheduled for yesterday was also postponed.
Their site is still pending an updated attempt date/time.

https://www.blueorigin.com/news/new...Z6UiTAifThT9zgNHk5u8ZzufAYd8U06TemENdwtqxQsGg

 

East Coast is getting some launches this week:
https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/...-launch-spacex-falcon-9-starlink-13th-mission

https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-invites-media-public-to-watch-cargo-launch-to-space-station

 

Geography test time, what areas of the globe are these photos?
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eiy2Fh-WkAEeWH_?format=jpg&name=4096x4096

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eiy2HQsWkAM5FtR?format=jpg&name=4096x4096

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eiy2Hz2WkAARzB9?format=jpg&name=4096x4096

They were taken out the window of the SpaceX Dragon by Bob Behnken

 

SpaceX Starship and nosecones:

 

I'm not against any of them. That said, Blue is just a hobby to Bezos. So I don't expect much from them. Boeing has too much bureaucracy, so I expect nothing major from them until someone really starts hurting their bottom line.

 

Those are some sexy looking rockets.

Is this the first time stainless has been used as the outer skin?

 

Atlas 'balloon tanks'.

 

https://earth.google.com/web/@-11.3....53668517d,35y,-140.85475583h,37.02320858t,0r

https://earth.google.com/web/@-31.4...8.60672042d,35y,-93.46428177h,42.75160387t,0r

not sure about this one, sorry. Looks pretty fjord-y but I'm not too sure.

 

Need more Falcon Heavy?

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2020/09/spacex-manifest-falcon-heavy-arrives-mcgregor/

 

Looks like ULA is having pad arm difficulties that cause them to delay their launch, which in turn, will change the schedule for the next Starlink launch.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.fl...XvQ3tkDiOrtH_so7Nn5BMEqeGLRYUeYrEqYfsGDcJh-9g

 

Is the the capacity of support services that would cause the possible SpaceX delay?

 

I was curious of that too, at first I thought this was going to delay SpaceX until after ULA left the pad, but I was surprised that the Starlink launch will slip in before (tentatively). Not entirely sure what the shuffle involves.

 

I wonder the fate of Falcon Heavy once Starship gets into proven status, seems like it’s on its deathbed once that time comes, but something seems efficient about the triple strapped F9s. They have the refurb/reuse song and dance down so well that it almost seems like it could survive for a while after.
The current demand of Heavy status payloads don’t seem to be too active. But there are other options outside of SpaceX for heavy loads.

 

I would think they'd keep it on the table as an option since it pretty much shares all components with the standard Falcon 9 until the efficiency/price of Starship launches get to be as inexpensive as promised.

 

Certainly agree on that! It’s systems are proven for sure, and with the F9 being so effective it makes sense.

 

Elon has talked about this once or twice. Falcon 9 and heavy will have a place for a while. They were built to the specifications that Nasa required. Starship is being built to the specifications that make the most sense for the rocket and they are requiring customers to build their payloads according to it's capabilities. We'll probably see Spacex start launching Starlink with Starship next year, and after they prove it can be done more and more customers will opt for the much cheaper option it provides. I can't wait to see them build and open that big nosecone hatch.

 

Yeah, I’ve heard that too.

Re- Starship launching Starlinks.

They’ll have their 14,000 up in two, maybe three missions

For real though...
Each Starlink weighs 500 lbs. Wikipedia says max payload to LEO = 220,000 for Starship.
That would mean 440 per mission.

 

The craziest part is if they only launched 60 like they are now, Starship would STILL be cheaper and more efficient. The extra 380 satellites are just a bonus.

 

Ok. But, cheaper how? Starship is bigger and takes more fuel. They cost more to build.

 

Fuel is literally the cheapest part of thing thing.

1 engine (@500k a pop for a raptor) totally pays for the fuel required for a launch. And then some.