Space and Science BS Thread

https://x.com/sciguyspace/status/1801040197296996782?s=46
https://x.com/wapodavenport/status/1801045819145003481?s=46

 

I would think that even without a dedicated recompression chamber they could either suit him up or get him into a module and pressurize that with higher O2 percentage. DCI is basically a gas embolism, from Nitrogen dissolved in the blood. Its what causes the bends.

 

So.. paying for being passengers, is it?

 

From what little info was released, suiting up was one of the procedures…

 

https://x.com/rookisaacman/status/1801051510005961040?s=46

 

If you catch the booster higher up, over the OLM, you risk the SQD. It could happen over the concrete, but I still don't see that happening.

There are more piles under OLIT2 because they learned their lesson from OLIT1 starting to lean. More smaller piles makes more sense in the mudflats than less piles of a larger diameter. Also, the base of OLIT2 is going to use steel cladding from the start, which will be heavier.

I also don't think they have started the piles for OLM2, so I'm not sure how much of an impact that area could actually take without piles and a pile cap.

I do remember, from the BFR conference (maybe?), that Elon mentioned the reason they are making SH the diameter it is, is to be able to carry a TBM. Certainly not a terrestrial one, but definitely one optimized for spaceflight and for use on the Moon or Mars.

 

At least the reporters are talking about improving report validity. But there’s always going to be that pressure to be first…
https://x.com/spacewordnerd/status/1801121829429346662?s=46

 

Huh….
https://x.com/cbs_spacenews/status/1801215275435540846?s=46

 

Donning and doffing are terms used to describe putting on and taking off a suit used to protect the user or his surroundings from contaminants...

 

Haven’t read it yet…. Never heard of it either so I figured I’d throw it in here if anyone else was interested…
https://x.com/spcplcyonline/status/1801208452041126232?s=46

 

It doesn’t have to be all the way at the top, just saying there’s more room than the minimum they use for stacking but even with the chopsticks all the way up the tower since the booster is taller than the ship it’s engines would still be below the SQD. What’s the “best” height? Likely somewhere in between(say 1/3-1/2 up from minimum height for stacking boosters). If the launch is delayed long enough for tower 2 to get stacked with its draw works, chopsticks, cabling, actuators, hydraulics, electrical, and enough function for a catch then that certainly becomes an option but I’m betting they don’t wait to fully strip and reclad a ship to execute another launch. There’s just too much to be worked out in orbit to hold things up worrying about getting the very next ship back down. It’s entirely possible the current iteration cannot be made to survive given the flap location and since the FAA has already given the go ahead for losing ships during reentry, they won’t waste that time. If that’s the case then they either launch what they have and learn what they can or twiddle thumbs waiting to reclad ships. If they launch within 10-12 weeks it will be with the current heat shield (maybe more test areas) or S26 and there will either be no catch attempt still, an aborted catch on tower 1, or a successful catch on tower 1. Tower 2 will play a role no sooner than OFT-6. That’s just my opinion.

 

https://x.com/alexphysics13/status/1801394786512814563?s=46

 

When pressed about the report of suit discomfort:
https://x.com/spcplcyonline/status/1801417734078533888?s=46

I’m thinking one of their undergarments failed.. Anyone else?

 

420...heh heh...heh heh heh...

 

Catheter issues.

 

Yes, when caught, the booster's engines would be below the SQD. However, it will come in flying higher than the SQD and have to settle into the chopsticks from above. Sure, the SQD can swing away, but I still don't think they would want to risk MORE damage to the SQD from gimballing raptor exhaust.

All this is from my very prestigious degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Armchair.

 

The renders I’ve see have it sliding towards the tower as it descends rather than settling from directly above so the gimballing raptors aren’t ever above or pointed at the SQD in any case. As it enters the opening between the chopsticks they close. The SQD in its stowed position is outside the arc of the open chopsticks which have more range of motion to the other side(where they can be opened to pluck stages from SPMT’s). If the idea is to protect both the SQD and OLM then having boosters descend and slide sideways slightly high and favoring the side away from the SQD does both and also moves the approach point away from the tank farm. Avoiding everything completely rather than trying to barely miss might be why current renders place the second launch mount on the opposite side of the tower so the initial target point is wetlands instead of the tarmac in the middle of GSE. If prudence suddenly takes hold this would be a reason to wait for tower 2. True, it’s all speculative but ain’t it fun?

 

Seems Spacex agrees that to redo the entire heat shield they need a better working environment. Full scaffolding for S30. This gives me new hope they can complete this job easily much faster than from the cherry pickers used for random tile repairs(now multiple crews on multiple levels can get on it simultaneously). We’ll see if this is enough to get the flaps taken care of or if that will have to wait on the next iteration with relocation leeward.

 

Just had a thought, instead of the droneship going back and forth for each launch, why not just leave it out there and have a ship bring the booster back? Maybe too much lateral forces if they lay it down on the seas?

 

If you’re keeping score:
https://x.com/thesheetztweetz/status/1801687759654162899?s=46