SpaceX - Tests, Launches, Developments - 2020

Daetrin · Thu Jul 23, 2020 3:55 am

Waste not, want not. I think it's just a symptom of his pragmatic nature.

Erebus · Thu Jul 23, 2020 1:22 pm

Francoflier wrote:
Does anyone know what they're going to do with those fins? I see they dragged them around all week and gave them a bath.

I think those fins will go on SN5 to do the hop test.

Here's a picture of MK1 with such fins attached.

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1176009047729954818

Nomadd · Thu Jul 23, 2020 2:02 pm

Francoflier wrote:
Does anyone know what they're going to do with those fins? I see they dragged them around all week and gave them a bath.

Fancy building awning?
They seem to have an amusingly irreverential way of recycling their used prototypes, like turning Starhopper into a radar/camera tower...

That building behind them will be a restaurant. They're already mounted there.

Francoflier · Thu Jul 23, 2020 3:13 pm

Ah, thanks. Just saw NSF's latest Youtube release. They look pretty cool. Hopefully they complete the roof with scrapped stainless steel from all the leftovers they have over there.

Now the mystery moves on to whatever they're doing with SN2...

DarkKnight5 · Sun Jul 26, 2020 8:44 pm

Francoflier wrote:
Does anyone know what they're going to do with those fins? I see they dragged them around all week and gave them a bath.

Fancy building awning?
They seem to have an amusingly irreverential way of recycling their used prototypes, like turning Starhopper into a radar/camera tower...

They might just be a fun sunshade like you say. But maybe they’ll weld the assembly onto an inert tank and then see how stable it is when it falls from altitude.

Erebus · Thu Jul 30, 2020 10:45 pm

SN5 static fire test completed. No kaboom yet again. Looking good for flight test in the coming days.

https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-prototype-sn5-static-fire.html

zululima · Sat Aug 01, 2020 2:38 am

NASA is still saying "Go" for the undocking and return of the Demo-2 mission capsule, despite approaching Hurricane Isaias. CONTINUOUS coverage tomorrow (saturday) beginning at 17:15 EDT all the way through splashdown on sunday at 14:42! 21 1/2 hours of live space happenings; nice to see my tax dollars keeping me entertained this weekend.

http://blogs.nasa.gov/commercialcrew/2020/07/31/nasas-spacex-demo-2-weather-remains-go-for-return-live-coverage-tomorrow/

Nomadd · Sat Aug 01, 2020 3:21 am

zululima wrote:
NASA is still saying "Go" for the undocking and return of the Demo-2 mission capsule, despite approaching Hurricane Isaias. CONTINUOUS coverage tomorrow (saturday) beginning at 17:15 EDT all the way through splashdown on sunday at 14:42! 21 1/2 hours of live space happenings; nice to see my tax dollars keeping me entertained this weekend.

http://blogs.nasa.gov/commercialcrew/2020/07/31/nasas-spacex-demo-2-weather-remains-go-for-return-live-coverage-tomorrow/

They'll splash down west of Florida if needed.

flyingturtle · Sun Aug 02, 2020 11:26 am

I'm looking forward to the splashy event!

Though... something that really discomforts me is that Bob and Doug have passed astronaut selection. They must be insane. Nobody in his right mind would want to return to earth in 2020.

zanl188 · Sun Aug 02, 2020 4:47 pm

Anyone have any knowledge of how Dragons guidance and navigation system will guide today’s reentry? Is it an IMU? GPS assist? MLS? Who makes it?... I know it has a star tracker.

Tugger · Sun Aug 02, 2020 6:07 pm

Deorbit burn has started!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-l6f4wcv2I

Tugg

zanl188 · Sun Aug 02, 2020 6:37 pm

Lots of video from Control Center in Hawthorne. Hopefully we get something from the ship of splashdown.

zululima · Sun Aug 02, 2020 6:42 pm

They had multiple cam angles from the Go Explorer earlier, and they should also have footage of re-entry from the WB-57 at high altitude.

zanl188 · Sun Aug 02, 2020 6:46 pm

Mains are deployed!

zanl188 · Sun Aug 02, 2020 6:48 pm

Splashdown!

Tugger · Sun Aug 02, 2020 7:05 pm

Very nice to watch. Nice to see the successful return of Bob & Doug. Everything went flawlessly.

The US now has a confirmed path to and from space for human transport.

Tugg

zanl188 · Sun Aug 02, 2020 7:39 pm

Trouble with hypergolic fumes out of limits. Purge of service section in progress.

zanl188 · Sun Aug 02, 2020 7:52 pm

Hypergolic fumes now in limits. Purge continuing however for safety sake.

flyingturtle · Sun Aug 02, 2020 8:18 pm

It's amazing, that Dragon Pick-Up Boat.

I assume it's specifically designed for all the post-splash procedures, and they can carry all the necessary tools in a single place. Boeing has the material on several trucks.

GDB · Sun Aug 02, 2020 8:20 pm

All done, the exgressed crew awaiting a chopper ride off the ship (USCG?)
A superb and inspiring viewing experience, as we've come to expect from Space X.

FGITD · Sun Aug 02, 2020 9:03 pm

Great mission, job well done.

Also probably the last time a splashdown occurs and there isn't a coast guard or navy cutter nearby, thanks to some idiots

flyingturtle · Sun Aug 02, 2020 10:16 pm

FGITD wrote:
Also probably the last time a splashdown occurs and there isn't a coast guard or navy cutter nearby, thanks to some idiots

Yep. One of the boats even sported a Trump flag.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/2/21351 ... down-boats

GDB · Mon Aug 03, 2020 12:22 am

FGITD wrote:
Great mission, job well done.

Also probably the last time a splashdown occurs and there isn't a coast guard or navy cutter nearby, thanks to some idiots

Not like the old days, way out in the Pacific or Atlantic, with a USN carrier, not just off the coast of Florida and easily accessible by idiots.

Planeflyer · Mon Aug 03, 2020 12:48 am

On the flip side people are interested in space. Not all bad.

Erebus · Mon Aug 03, 2020 3:31 am

Bit of an emotional speech from Elon Musk. He looked like he was at a loss for words in the moment.

https://youtu.be/2z3J-muBiVQ

Tugger · Mon Aug 03, 2020 3:41 pm

Erebus wrote:
Bit of an emotional speech from Elon Musk. He looked like he was at a loss for words in the moment.

https://youtu.be/2z3J-muBiVQ

Yeah, I can imagine. Even I was a bit.... on edge?... because until Bob and Doug were delivered safely back home, it was all at risk. Everything. If something happened then, on this flight, it would negate all prior SpaceX success for the public. This was a huge moment in every way. Sure it was well well tested and there was high confidence, but there is ALWAYS a risk. SpaceX now has their biggest achievement under their belt, they did what they committed. Now all they have to do is do it the same and just as successfully every single time going forward.

A huge congratulations to the entire SpaceX and NASA team and to Bob & Doug! Looking forward to the future launches (and Crew 2 in Feb will launch Bob's wife, K. Megan McArthur, to the ISS. How cool is that?).

Tugg

DarkKnight5 · Mon Aug 03, 2020 4:53 pm

Tugger wrote:
Erebus wrote:
Bit of an emotional speech from Elon Musk. He looked like he was at a loss for words in the moment.

https://youtu.be/2z3J-muBiVQ

Yeah, I can imagine. Even I was a bit.... on edge?... because until Bob and Doug were delivered safely back home, it was all at risk. Everything. If something happened then, on this flight, it would negate all prior SpaceX success for the public. This was a huge moment in every way. Sure it was well well tested and there was high confidence, but there is ALWAYS a risk. SpaceX now has their biggest achievement under their belt, they did what they committed. Now all they have to do is do it the same and just as successfully every single time going forward.

A huge congratulations to the entire SpaceX and NASA team and to Bob & Doug! Looking forward to the future launches (and Crew 2 in Feb will launch Bob's wife, K. Megan McArthur, to the ISS. How cool is that?).

Tugg

Yes, and maybe a half bottle of Dom from the control room immediately before going to speak without prepared remarks. I love that guy.

Planeflyer · Mon Aug 03, 2020 8:52 pm

So refreshing not to get a canned speech.

Erebus · Mon Aug 03, 2020 11:54 pm

SN5 150m hop test right now. Live stream here.

Nomadd · Tue Aug 04, 2020 12:37 am

Erebus wrote:
SN5 150m hop test right now. Live stream here.

Maybe tomorrow.

Tugger · Tue Aug 04, 2020 4:06 pm

So far not scrubbed. Tank Farm is pressurizing...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mj2V0PxlFvU

Tugg

Tugger · Tue Aug 04, 2020 5:35 pm

Scrubbed, or at least detanked...

Tugg

texl1649 · Tue Aug 04, 2020 7:08 pm

Back to the topic of Defense news, the related Sierra Nevada concept could wind up being revived supposedly. This is interesting; I've read rumors a manned dream chaser is still possible if Boeing continues to...flog about.

https://breakingdefense.com/2020/07/sie ... e-station/

Shooting Star was designed as a 16-foot, unmanned attachment to SNC’s Dream Chaser space plane for NASA commercial resupply missions to the ISS, providing extra storage for payloads — but it also can free-fly.

“The current Shooting Star is already designed with significant capabilities for an orbital outpost and by adding only a few components we are able to meet Department of Defense needs,” said Steve Lindsey, senior vice president of strategy for SNC’s Space Systems business area, in a press release Tuesday.

And it can carry up to 10,000 pounds, according to the firm’s website. This is is a lot more than DIU’s initial requirement of 80 kilograms, or about 176 pounds — although it is not designed to carry people.

While the Air Force has never released the weight capacity of the X-37B’s cargo bay — which is about the size of a pick-up truck bed — given that the fly-away weight of the entire plane including fuel is about 11,000 pounds, one can deduce that it is a lot smaller than that of the Shooting Star.

Competition is good!

Erebus · Tue Aug 04, 2020 7:32 pm

Tugger wrote:
Scrubbed, or at least detanked...

Tugg

They're really taking a very cautious approach to this round of testing.

flyingturtle · Tue Aug 04, 2020 7:54 pm

Erebus wrote:
Tugger wrote:
Scrubbed, or at least detanked...

Tugg

They're really taking a very cautious approach to this round of testing.

They could just call it "Space Launch System" and SpaceX would get billions for a less cautious, but more entertaining series of testing... wait...

Erebus · Wed Aug 05, 2020 12:14 am

Success! The grain silo has finally taken flight and is back on the ground safely!

https://twitter.com/thesheetztweetz/status/1290800150194073610?s=20

Tugger · Wed Aug 05, 2020 12:40 am

Erebus wrote:
Success! The grain silo has finally taken flight and is back on the ground safely!

https://twitter.com/thesheetztweetz/status/1290800150194073610?s=20

Holy damn! I saw a flying grain silo alright!

Congrats to Space Boca Chica team!

Tugg

Okcflyer · Wed Aug 05, 2020 12:48 am

Very impressive. I imagine the team will make sure there is no FOD near the launch pad next time. That was a close call!

GDB · Wed Aug 05, 2020 1:17 am

Spacexman; You'll believe a grain silo can fly!

Planeflyer · Wed Aug 05, 2020 2:05 am

Speaking of FOD , how about all that dust?

Very impressive!

Francoflier · Wed Aug 05, 2020 3:52 am

Here is the official SpaceX footage, complete with drone shots and 'under the skirt' cam action...:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1HA9LlFNM0

Really cool stuff.

It shows how uncomfortably close that FOD went flying (I know the whole area is one giant construction site, but still...), and also that the raptor engine was ever so slightly on fire... :scared:

Tugger · Wed Aug 05, 2020 5:28 am

Francoflier wrote:
Here is the official SpaceX footage, complete with drone shots and 'under the skirt' cam action...:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1HA9LlFNM0

Really cool stuff.

It shows how uncomfortably close that FOD went flying (I know the whole area is one giant construction site, but still...), and also that the raptor engine was ever so slightly on fire...

Thanks for thatr.

That is a badass rocket engine! And just one of 'em...

Tugg

tommy1808 · Wed Aug 05, 2020 12:38 pm

Tugger wrote:
Erebus wrote:
Success! The grain silo has finally taken flight and is back on the ground safely!

https://twitter.com/thesheetztweetz/status/1290800150194073610?s=20

Holy damn! I saw a flying grain silo alright!

Congrats to Space Boca Chica team!

Tugg

every time i see those Starship prototypes i think those are made for a crew on Mars getting the welding tools out, and fix whatever broke ..

flyingturtle wrote:
FGITD wrote:
Also probably the last time a splashdown occurs and there isn't a coast guard or navy cutter nearby, thanks to some idiots

Yep. One of the boats even sported a Trump flag.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/2/21351 ... down-boats

Some amazing luck that apparently no one told Trump that the CCP is an Obama era program.

best regards
Thomas

memphiX · Wed Aug 05, 2020 12:55 pm

Francoflier wrote:
also that the raptor engine was ever so slightly on fire...

I guess they will need to address that burning of excess fuel? poke a hole on top for ventilation? :lol:

Planeflyer · Wed Aug 05, 2020 10:29 pm

Will SpaceX use data gathered by the Rover to determine landing sites? Or will landings pads be prepared ahead of time?

tommy1808 · Thu Aug 06, 2020 5:48 am

Planeflyer wrote:
Will SpaceX use data gathered by the Rover to determine landing sites? Or will landings pads be prepared ahead of time?

kinda hard to prepare pads ahead of time at their destinations i think. And no reason to take the risk of an unprepared landing site on earth. So i guess they want to be able to land after only satellite images, but on earth there will be pads?

best regards
Thomas

Planeflyer · Thu Aug 06, 2020 1:25 pm

We must be missing something. Why risk landing where the ground conditions on Mars could cause a failure?

meecrob · Thu Aug 06, 2020 3:52 pm

I'm not sure I understand. Of course there is a risk of failure landing on Mars...even if you sent robots to prepare the landing site in advance. Half of all things humans have sent to Mars are now a crater on its surface, not because the landing surface was suboptimal, but because humans (and the fact we make mistakes) were involved.

Planeflyer · Fri Aug 07, 2020 12:59 am

I can’t see SpaceX leaving the landing to chance but I also can’t see how those small legs could accommodate soft surfaces.

DarkKnight5 · Fri Aug 07, 2020 1:42 am

Planeflyer wrote:
I can’t see SpaceX leaving the landing to chance but I also can’t see how those small legs could accommodate soft surfaces.

Musk has said the final version of the legs will be around 60% longer than SN5’s, expand out similarly to Falcon 9, and also be able to auto-level/orient the vehicle to vertical. Scroll through his recent twitter to find it.

That said, the first one that lands on Mars is doing so on virgin soil, and maybe the next several as well. The first few may only land equipment necessary to build out basic landing facilities and a crane to move used ships off the newly constructed pad. It will be a logistic symphony which will require a space Beethoven to compose and execute.

Who is online

Popular Searches On Airliners.net