Space and Science BS Thread

I expect this is just another one of Elon’s imaginary time lines. It will happen sooner than anyone else would get it done but not nearly as soon as he says. There will be iterations of the ground systems as well but hopefully no more so dramatically expended.

 

Viasat 3 in 5 minutes- first fully expended FH:
https://www.youtube.com/live/YFbp6PVbJQA?feature=share

Crazy looking rocket with varying levels of sootiness among all stages. Really looks like the seasoned platform (Falcon) it is.
https://twitter.com/jennyhphoto/status/1652838171762098177?s=46
https://twitter.com/trevormahlmann/status/1652834565575016450?s=46

New F9 speed record?

 

https://twitter.com/mastronomers/status/1653101877226004500?s=46

 

Good summary of where things are at w Starship:
https://arstechnica.com/science/202...iew-of-starships-first-launch-and-whats-next/

 

Interesting. I've said it here and on other forums, Muggles just don't understand construction. The hole in the ground apparently isn't that big of a deal. lol But, the failure of the launch termination system has the FAA's attention. Of the two, the failure to explode on command seems to be the more dangerous scenario. All they need to do is make the termination system a little more spicy.

 

It’s not the hole, it’s where the stuff went that used to be there. One the one hand there’s the various holes poked in tanks and equipment and on the other there’s the debris scattered far and wide. Like it or not they both count against them. If Spacex says don’t touch then Spacex is going to have to clean it up. Does it directly affect a launch? No, but failure to address it promptly and seriously could definitely affect one indirectly. To be ready to launch they have a number of things to fix but to be allowed to launch they have some other things to address. People live there, they could care a less about the technical details of the abort system so long as it doesn’t land on their heads. But it’s the FAA’s job to do that as well as listen to the non technical complaints that arise.

 

Remember, EMs on the record the vertical tanks are gone…

 

Just got this highly optimistic update from Astrobotic:


PEREGRINE MISSION ONE UPDATE

Peregrine is assembled and ready for its journey to Florida for integration with our launch vehicle, United Launch Alliance (ULA)’s Vulcan Centaur. While the Astrobotic team is looking forward to launch, we understand ULA is conducting an investigation following a test article anomaly. The ULA team is no longer targeting a May 4, 2023 launch date and will provide a new date once the investigation is complete. We have confidence they will move through the investigation and Vulcan will fly when it is safe to launch. Follow our social media channels for up-to-the-moment news about when and how to tune in for launch and landing!

 

I doubt that was the only hardware in that area that sustained damage.
I just think he’s overly optimistic about the time to repair/replace everything they already know about. Once that’s done I’d be very surprised if they don’t find some more things when they start filling tanks and running pumps. If they’re ready to resume testing on B9 in 2 months(it’s been cryo tested but no SF’s) that would be great but I honestly don’t expect it. The FAA will want some better assurance that the FTS will do its job quicker but it could be the mess and broken windows that delays the next launch even though to most of us it’s of little significance.

 

For the FTS, he said maybe a longer detcord . I’m sure SpX is gonna jump through any hoops the FAA may lay out.

Re: the windows- reminded me of what happened in the communities around Logan Airport in Boston. Massport, the governing agency, went around replacing windows for anyone who wanted them for better noise suppression.

They’re gonna have to figure it out.

 

Yeah, that’s one thing I don’t expect to cause a delay beyond just what the recertification process requires. Some of the other stuff is a wild card but it wouldn’t hurt to be seen making an effort on the beach and in the surf removing rubble and steel that could cause injury and certainly affects the landscape. Some of that stuff made some pretty big splashes. If labpadre et al want to help the situation they might show whatever efforts are going on there.

 

Cool clip ‘o the ‘morn:
https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1653509582046769156?s=46

 

This is interesting. Ax-2 could slide quite a bit….
https://twitter.com/space_station/status/1653551549174648832?s=46

 

Oh if only there were a view of this from the surface!

 

I’d think it would look like a slow shooting star. Might need magnification to resolve both halves.

 

Overcrowded launch schedule?

 

Was thinking more of the plasma trail & it's colors (not expecting it would look like an aurora).

 

If they’re going to replace the vertical tank farm with horizontal tanks I wonder if they could put an earthen roof over that area up high at or just below the top of the concrete berm. There will still be a live steam thermal shock wave passing overhead that can’t be good for all of the cryo facilities. No flame trench means it’s still going to be an omnidirectional exhaust. Having everything out of direct sun might not be a bad thing either and it could still be left open on the roadway side.

 

I am surprised we haven’t seen more reentry footage of some kind other than Columbia. Maybe it’s just that it normally happens over oceans where there’s no high magnification surface based cameras. I suppose there might be a better chance of it following a Chinese launch.

 

Genius idea from Reddit: