Alpha Centauri 2

Community => Recreation Commons => Destination: Alpha Centauri => Topic started by: Buster's Uncle on June 25, 2015, 03:19:51 am

Title: SpaceX to try a revolutionary rocket landing this Sunday — how to watch
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 25, 2015, 03:19:51 am

SpaceX is going to try a revolutionary rocket landing this Sunday — here's how to watch
Business Insider
By Jessica Orwig  6 hours ago


(http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/CAtsIqfoCT8DrKNsQY48CA--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NQ--/http://globalfinance.zenfs.com/en_us/Finance/US_AFTP_SILICONALLEY_H_LIVE/SpaceX_is_going_to_try-1e53e7bf9a00693636e1ef87739245fc)
An artistic view of what the rocket will look like if it successfully lands on the floating platform. The arrows points to fins that help steer the rocket as it falls back to Earth.  (Joh Ross on Twitter @zlsadesign)



Get ready: SpaceX will try another historic rocket landing on Sunday, June 28.

The landing attempt will happen minutes after SpaceX launches one of their Falcon 9 rockets out of Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida at exactly 10:21 am ET.

NASA will begin streaming the event live at 9 am ET and will offer real-time coverage of the launch. The live feed is provided at the end of this post.

For news and video of whether the landing was a success, stay tuned for updates following the launch.

The rocket will be carrying a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft loaded with over 4,000 pounds of supplies, including food, water, and science experiments, for the astronauts aboard the International Space Station. One of the science experiments includes instruments that will allow astronauts to observe meteors penetrating Earth's atmosphere. It will be the first time anyone in space has ever studied meteors like this before.

After the Falcon 9 has transported Dragon to space, it will detach from the spacecraft and navigate its way back — using GPS tracking — to a football-field-sized platform, shown below, floating miles offshore in the Atlantic.


(http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/NXVAxl0Tv6XRV9sTsIvoTA--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NQ--/http://globalfinance.zenfs.com/en_us/Finance/US_AFTP_SILICONALLEY_H_LIVE/SpaceX_is_going_to_try-82afa50748f1224015788079832138a2)
The Dragon spacecraft will continue on to dock with the ISS.  (SpaceX Photos on Flickr)


All eyes will be on this rocket

If SpaceX is successful on Sunday they will have marked a revolutionary breaking point in history: If the rocket safely lands on the platform, it should be in good condition to be reused for a second launch — the first time any rocket will have been fully recovered for reuse.

(NASA used to reuse some of the rocket parts that launched their space shuttles in the '70s, '80s, and '90s. However, these parts were retrieved after parachuting into the ocean and were water logged and needed time for repairs. With SpaceX's version, the rocket would remain completely dry and should, in theory, be reusable within 24 hours after it's retrieved.)

This idea of fully-reusable rockets could usher in a new age of future, affordable, commercial spaceflight. The key to this development centers on rockets that can be launched and re-launched — eventually even within the same day — similar to how planes are operated today.


(http://l2.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/_4K8P4RB9pauGbjflGpIbA--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NQ--/http://globalfinance.zenfs.com/en_us/Finance/US_AFTP_SILICONALLEY_H_LIVE/SpaceX_is_going_to_try-d4d456aefa4221ab58cba88877b09f5e)
Burn marks on the platform after the first attempt rocket landing last January.  (Courtesy of Stephen Clark and Spaceflight Now)


Sunday's attempt will be the third time that SpaceX has tried to retrieve one of their Falcon 9 rockets after a supply mission to the ISS. So, on June 28, we'll see if the third time really is a charm.

SpaceX's first two landing attempts took place in January and April of this year. Although both ended with a fiery explosion, April's attempted landing was a significant improvement on the first: The rocket actually hovered over the platform before touching down.

The only problem was the rocket fell on its side after landing and exploded upon impact. January's landing attempt basically ended with the rocket crashing into the platform without any hovering or soft touchdown. These explosions take a toll on the platform, but after some scrubbing and sweeping, the platform is ready for another go.

Right now, SpaceX is one of two companies in the world who has launched a rocket designed for reuse. The other company is Blue Origin — established by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. Neither SpaceX or Blue Origin have yet to succeed in their endeavor, but if SpaceX manages it this Sunday, it'll truly be a game-changer.

NASA will start livestreaming the launch at 9 am ET, Sunday, June 28. Here's the live feed:

(Java video that won't let me copy the URL, but here's the site:) http://www.ustream.tv/ (http://www.ustream.tv/)


http://news.yahoo.com/spacex-going-try-revolutionary-rocket-191223866.html (http://news.yahoo.com/spacex-going-try-revolutionary-rocket-191223866.html)

Title: Re: SpaceX to try a revolutionary rocket landing this Sunday — how to watch
Post by: Metaliturtle on June 26, 2015, 05:43:08 am

I was actually glad for this post because my daughter is really interested in space and spacecraft, also going to see about getting a model rocket for us to launch.

Title: Re: SpaceX to try a revolutionary rocket landing this Sunday — how to watch
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 26, 2015, 05:46:34 am

There is a bit more that stuff in this folder...

Title: Re: SpaceX to try a revolutionary rocket landing this Sunday — how to watch
Post by: Metaliturtle on June 26, 2015, 05:49:09 am

another reason I've been sticking around.  I put that excel thing I made up too btw, and could adapt it into a forum game fairly easily with a bit of time...

Title: Re: SpaceX to try a revolutionary rocket landing this Sunday — how to watch
Post by: Unorthodox on June 28, 2015, 05:54:25 am

Quote from: metaliturtle on June 26, 2015, 05:43:08 am

I was actually glad for this post because my daughter is really interested in space and spacecraft, also going to see about getting a model rocket for us to launch.

Start REALLY simple on that, work your way to staged ones. 

Also, 2 toys I LOVED:

https://www.vat19.com/item/aquapod-bottle-launcher-water-rocket?adid=gbase&gclid=CJjcr9_LscYCFYU5aQodL94KFg (https://www.vat19.com/item/aquapod-bottle-launcher-water-rocket?adid=gbase&gclid=CJjcr9_LscYCFYU5aQodL94KFg)

http://www.storeforknowledge.com/Water-Rocket-Toy-Hydrotech-Aquazone-P6760.aspx?gclid=CLvI5vPLscYCFQqSaQodBPAH1g (http://www.storeforknowledge.com/Water-Rocket-Toy-Hydrotech-Aquazone-P6760.aspx?gclid=CLvI5vPLscYCFQqSaQodBPAH1g)  (I got way too good at getting the right mixture on both these, and would either break(second one) them or run the risk of collateral damage)


I own a pure pneumatic one that runs on a bike pump with a burst disk and goes shockingly high, but don't know if they are still for sell. 

Title: Re: SpaceX to try a revolutionary rocket landing this Sunday — how to watch
Post by: Unorthodox on June 28, 2015, 05:58:59 am

Here's the pneumatic one.  (think mine was among the prototypes)

http://www.scientificsonline.com/product/air-burst-rockets?gclid=CIvjoZrNscYCFQiQaQodVG0BTA (http://www.scientificsonline.com/product/air-burst-rockets?gclid=CIvjoZrNscYCFQiQaQodVG0BTA)

put streamers on the rocket if you get this one, you lose a bit of height but it's easier to follow and you can hear it coming if when you lose it. 

Title: Re: SpaceX to try a revolutionary rocket landing this Sunday — how to watch
Post by: Metaliturtle on June 28, 2015, 01:31:36 pm

We got some toy ones yesterday that she can stomp on and the rocket goes 1-20 feet.  When I stomp on it, it goes a lot higher.  It came with 6 rockets, we stopped playing when I got one stuck in a tree.

Title: Re: SpaceX to try a revolutionary rocket landing this Sunday — how to watch
Post by: Unorthodox on June 28, 2015, 01:50:56 pm

Quote from: metaliturtle on June 28, 2015, 01:31:36 pm

We got some toy ones yesterday that she can stomp on and the rocket goes 1-20 feet.  When I stomp on it, it goes a lot higher.  It came with 6 rockets, we stopped playing when I got one stuck in a tree.

This one (rather an early model, again) provided my boys with endless summer fun. 

http://www.hearthsong.com/splash-blaster-hydro-rocket.htm?aff=10051&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=PLA&utm_campaign=PLA&utm_source=Splash+Blaster+Hydro+Rocket&gclid=CObx-MK2ssYCFY-HaQoduN8A4w (http://www.hearthsong.com/splash-blaster-hydro-rocket.htm?aff=10051&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=PLA&utm_campaign=PLA&utm_source=Splash+Blaster+Hydro+Rocket&gclid=CObx-MK2ssYCFY-HaQoduN8A4w)

edit: here's our model.  not for this price though.  The throttle control is nifty, and allows you to attempt a vertical take off/landing.  We've got ours to 30ft, hose pressure dependent. 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IX6LXHW/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=1944687702&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B0000899OI&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1R09D21BH74PTBDZR594 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IX6LXHW/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=1944687702&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B0000899OI&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1R09D21BH74PTBDZR594)

Title: Re: SpaceX to try a revolutionary rocket landing this Sunday — how to watch
Post by: Metaliturtle on June 28, 2015, 05:06:54 pm

Well the rocket blew up, that was kinda unexpected She was really excited to see it go up.

Title: Re: SpaceX to try a revolutionary rocket landing this Sunday — how to watch
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 28, 2015, 10:23:32 pm

Oh well.  These things happen.  It was a test flight, and I hate that too much is sure to be made of it.

Title: Re: SpaceX to try a revolutionary rocket landing this Sunday — how to watch
Post by: Metaliturtle on June 28, 2015, 10:38:22 pm

I don't think that will be the case, but that's a lot of money on a bottle rocket.

Title: Re: SpaceX to try a revolutionary rocket landing this Sunday — how to watch
Post by: Unorthodox on June 29, 2015, 01:14:25 am

Quote from: BUncle on June 28, 2015, 10:23:32 pm

Oh well.  These things happen.  It was a test flight, and I hate that too much is sure to be made of it.

Wasn't just a test flight, it had one of their iss shipments.  Had the landing just failed it wouldn't matter, but this was on ascent.  That means all shipments are now on hold pending investigation.  Possibly all Falcon 9 launches.  And they can't proclaim the spotless record anymore. 

Looks like second stage started too soon or separation failed and blew that fuel tank they have up top for first stage return.  Possibly something funny with those fins up top too, that portion is entirely foreign to me. 

Title: Re: SpaceX to try a revolutionary rocket landing this Sunday — how to watch
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 29, 2015, 03:11:35 am

They're still doing R&D with giant bombs, and these things do happen.

Title: Re: SpaceX to try a revolutionary rocket landing this Sunday — how to watch
Post by: Unorthodox on June 29, 2015, 04:19:30 am

If you really want a detailed post from me, it'll have to wait till tomorrow.  Yes, they do happen, but this was at least partially preventable. 

Title: Re: SpaceX to try a revolutionary rocket landing this Sunday — how to watch
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 29, 2015, 04:27:07 am

I cannot lie about having some interest in a detailed post.

Title: Re: SpaceX to try a revolutionary rocket landing this Sunday — how to watch
Post by: Unorthodox on June 29, 2015, 02:04:30 pm

This has always been a question of WHEN, not IF, and it doesn't really matter what the cause ultimately is.  (presently looking like a second stage problem) 

Space X has been running it's show as minimal/cheap as possible.  This has been a tremendous advantage to them in garnering business.  They can undercut just about anyone.  However, it is also the reason for a lot of mistakes that have happened.  One of the biggest cost savings they are running is on mission assurance.

The mission assurance section was a huge part of what that whole airforce certification was all about. 

A good example:

The Dragon capsule losing little experiments and equipment on it's flights.  The initial flight lost almost half it's electronics, why?  Because they used off the shelf electronics, and just doubled or tripled them in redundency.  Without proper shielding, they went bad, and items were lost.  Lots of experiments were destroyed because one of the items lost was the fridge.  This somehow escapes the general press cycle because the capsule survives, thus it must be a success.  All other companies have been set up to do business for a while where hardened electronics have always been the standard.  Doing that front end work costs more money, but was an industry mission assurance standard that would have prevented these things.  Space X didn't do it, and NASA apparantly didn't force them to. 

Since the initial flight, SpaceX has been adding hardened items slowly, in a try and see methodology.  This goes bad, oh well the backup worked, let's try to move it there.  Or that piece wasn't critical, so we'll just hope it stays working.  NASA has seemingly determined that this is an acceptible risk of losing an experiment or two for the savings in cash, and thus PR has entirely been positive, even though signs are there that there is a lot of seat of the pants stuff going on contrary to industry standards.   

This is, to my knowledge, the third time we've seen problems on ascent (though the other two were able to correct themselves with that redundency I mention, so they weren't "news").  Any other company would have been under review for the first problem.  The company standard has finally bitten Space X with a major failure.  We'll see how they respond and if they continue to be the media/NASA darling. 

Meanwhile, neither US nor Russia can get supplies to the station now?  Both primary lifters have had failures in the last month or two?  (Russia will probably just gloss over and send one, Space X may as well if they don't get backlash from NASA) 

Title: Re: SpaceX to try a revolutionary rocket landing this Sunday — how to watch
Post by: Metaliturtle on June 30, 2015, 01:21:45 am

Same

Title: Re: SpaceX to try a revolutionary rocket landing this Sunday — how to watch
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 30, 2015, 01:27:24 am

:(