SpaceX (general discussion)

sferrin said:
Yeah, because you can't crash a PowerPoint doc.
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Powerpoint *can* crash after all.. in a less explosive way, generally.

sferrin said:
I hate this kind of click-bait. Did SpaceX reveal EXACTLY what went wrong or is it speculation?
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https://twitter.com/x/status/1828994216522833929
View: https://x.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1828994216522833929

Chris bergins from NSF says he hears that the problem is not related to engine or landing legs. But no, there's no more information than this.
 
In my opinion, since the controlled descend is able to pin point land or crash to within a few metres is already a very much improved safety feature when compared to the risk of uncontrolled trajectory of other spent boosters .....
 
Polaris Dawn NET 1st September.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1829230986128962029
View: https://twitter.com/rookisaacman/status/1829230986128962029


I wanted to share some updates:

- The primary factor driving the launch timing for Polaris Dawn is the splashdown weather within Dragon's limits. Unlike an ISS mission, we don’t have the option to delay long on orbit, so we must ensure the forecast is as favorable as possible before we launch.

- We sincerely apologize to those who have traveled to see our launch and have faced delays. Many of our guests were able to witness 1062’s final Starlink mission. While it’s unfortunate she didn’t stick the last landing, the cause is well understood, and she successfully completed her mission. 1062 had an incredible career, flying many notable missions, including Inspiration4 and AX-1. It’s remarkable to think about the life this amazing rocket led from the day she first rolled off the assembly line.

- When we are ready to launch, we will be working within the same window as previously briefed.

- The crew remains in quarantine, staying productive, keeping fit, and ready to launch within approximately 30 hours of receiving a favorable forecast.

Space exploration demands patience, resilience, and teamwork. We are deeply grateful for the dedication of everyone involved and for the support of those who believe in our mission. Together, we are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and continuing humanity’s journey to the stars.
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Can’t you just move the splashdown zone somewhere with good forecast?
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https://twitter.com/x/status/1829231633884438914
View: https://twitter.com/rookisaacman/status/1829231633884438914


The 5-day forecasts for virtually entire Southeastern USA have violated splashdown limits.
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There you go updated Crew 9 manifest to facilitate the return of Butch and Suni from ISS. Notice the mission has no assigned pilot.

It's official: Hague and Gorbunov:

www.nasa.gov

NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 Changes Ahead of September Launch - NASA

Editor’s note: This release was updated twice on Aug. 30, 2024. First, to correct Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov’s role as a mission specialist. It
www.nasa.gov www.nasa.gov
 
https://twitter.com/x/status/1829561860686827635
View: https://x.com/_mgde_/status/1829561860686827635


RIP B1062.23

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 fleet leader has returned to Port Canaveral aboard droneship, A Shortfall of Gravitas, in pieces following an unsuccessful landing attempt during the Starlink 8-6 mission early on Wednesday.

- @NASASpaceflight

- nsf.live/spacecoast
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https://twitter.com/x/status/1829561872539930730
View: https://twitter.com/_mgde_/status/1829561872539930730


This booster has an unmatched fight pedigree over a (current) record of 23 missions, including the likes of Inspiration4 and Ax-1.

As the likes of Falcon 9 continue to evolve, we remember that spaceflight on an orbital scale is far from routine and never without difficulty. No one is immune from mistakes.

Knowing the SpaceX team, Falcon will be back on the pad and flying before we know it.
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https://twitter.com/x/status/1829647053091455370
View: https://twitter.com/bccarcounters/status/1829647053091455370


We asked the @FAANews if SpaceX may return to flight for tonights Starlink missions.

The FAA responded to @NASASpaceflight :
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"The SpaceX Falcon 9 vehicle may return to flight operations while the overall investigation of the anomaly during the Starlink Group 8-6 mission remains open, provided all other license requirements are met. SpaceX made the return to flight request on Aug. 29 and the FAA gave approval on Aug. 30."
The FAA responding to NSF
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Hoppy new place
The parking lot across the road North of Tower 2
GWVLH0uW8AASGF5
 
Grey Havoc said:
On a more positive note, from the Irish edition of today's The Times (business section):
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Filtronic Lifts off as deal with Starlink is renewed

Stan Bradley

A factory in the north of England is the only place in the world where Elon Musk can find an amplifier need for his Starlink satellites — and he now is paying millions for another batch.

The technology mogul's ambition to fill the skys with more than 42,000 Starlink internet satellites, an increase from just over 6,200 at the moment, has proved lucrative for Filtrronic.

The company which makes parts at its headquarters in Sedgefield, Co Durham, and has offices in Leeds and Manchester, has confirmed a £6.4 million order with the American space technology firm, a wholly owned subsidiary of Musk's SpaceX aerospace group.

Filtronic now expects to beat market expectations for its 2025 financial year thanks to the deal and Cavendish, its house broker, lifted a forecast for next year's pre-tax profit by 20 per cent, from £6.4 million to £7.7 million. The company's year-end net cash forecast has risen from £6.6 million to £8 million.

Edward Stacey, director of research at Cavendish, said that Filtronic was the only company in the world that could solve the problem of making more powerful amplifiers for antennas without signal distortion.

"This deal has given us a 10 per cent revenue upgrade and the shares are up almost fivefold from last year," Stacey said. "Low Earth orbit satellites came from almost nothing to represent half of the company's revenue."

"SpaceX could not find anyone else to make this crucial part, even among all the big satellite makers in the United States. It also wants a new generation antenna that is even more powerful, so Filtronic is working on that."

Musk, 53, who also owns Telsa, the carmaker, and X, the social media platform, launched SpaceX in 2002. It now hold warrants for more than 10.9 million Filtronic shares, or 5 per cent of the stock capital. SpaceX's order for e-band solid-state amplifiers will be fulfilled next year.

This time last year, shares in Filtronic stood at 17p. They closed up 3½, or 4.6 per cent, at 79½p last night.
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Well, it appears the Falcon 9 is no longer grounded, from the Space Bucket:


A few days ago on the 28th, a failed Falcon 9 booster landing resulted in a prompt grounding of the vehicle from the FAA. The agency had begun an investigation into the anomaly and for the time being, didn’t want the rocket flying. With SpaceX’s busy flight manifest including the Polaris Dawn mission practically ready to launch, this brought some concerns as to what delays would be caused.
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Fortunately, only a few days later the agency confirmed that the Falcon 9 could return to flight. Here I will go more in-depth into the ongoing investigation, upcoming launches, the quick grounding, and more.
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Full article here - https://thespacebucket.com/spacexs-fa...
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Credit:
SpaceX - / spacex https://www.youtube.com/c/SpaceX
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Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
0:30 - A Brief Grounding
3:27 - Polaris Dawn
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The Space Bucket has a new video out about the most expensive payload yet to be launched by the Falcon Heavy:


We now are just over a month away from the launch of a single spacecraft worth around $5 billion. Over the last decade, this spacecraft, named Europa Clipper, has been undergoing development, testing, and now final preparations. The vehicle tasked with integrating and launching this payload is SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket.
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Considering both its size and the distant destination of Jupiter, they needed a vehicle with immense power along with some unique characteristics. Here I will go more in-depth into the spacecraft itself, general mission progress, what to expect in the coming weeks, and more.
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Full article here - https://thespacebucket.com/a-closer-l...https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbXFtM0pqTVpUbk5CWkpDODRKNmlHSTdlLTB1Z3xBQ3Jtc0tsbzJkTHFjT1pmdk9pbmlIeFp0WFQ2QkRRTWNyTDhQSWJwYkhld2JCT2F4LXg5R3BodEtXVkRCQ1l6dFpIS1hxdUJmYjRla2FzdU9xRTBOTm9Td3RzYVBZOFlFUUZ5aVI0MjFLNF9fck9paUYxNG84NA&q=https://thespacebucket.com/&v=whzIJa3_oMI
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Credit:
SpaceX - / spacex https://www.youtube.com/c/SpaceX
NASA - / @nasa https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLA_DiR1FfKNvjuUpBHmylQ
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Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
0:30 - An Important Payload
3:38 - Radiation Concerns
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It will be interesting to watch the Europa Clipper's launch but on the other hand it's going to be years before it arrives at Jupiter.
 
Drone ship elevated platform + Mecazilla mass and height + Starship booster doesn´t make landing and navigating at sea an easy thing. I know that SpaceX doesn´t shy tackling hard problems but, rationally, this configuration is not favorable to the desired increase in the number of launches due to weather and sea state. I understand that Mecazilla doesn´t fold down and Booster is built only to stand.

Remember that true reliable flight scheduling came only after we switched away from seaplane for land based aircraft able to fly way above most of the weather (hence reliable takeoff surface and pressurization).
 
siegecrossbow said:
I wonder if it is possible to land directly in the sea. Is this bad for a reusable spacecraft due to potential for corrosion?
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Sea water is not kind to electronics, metals, etc. but depending on how quickly they could crane it out of the water and hose it down, it might make some sense.
 

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