SpaceX (general discussion)

[Michel Van]

Well, it took 3 years to reuse this one (it first flew in 2011 on CRS-4).

There are only a few more missions under this contract though. I believe the second CRS contract will switch to Dragon 2 and hopefully stop doing water landings.

so far i known
The Unmanned Dragon flight to ISS are labeled CRS-1 to 20. and will be Dragon 1 models.
While The manned Dragon 2 flight are labels as SpX-DM and a flight number, (SpX-DM1)

 

[FighterJock]

SpaceX has again aborted the launch of the Intelsat 35e satellite just with 10 seconds to go before lift off, the new time will be 8:35 pm tonight.

https://www.space.com/37390-spacex-falcon-9-rocket-launch-scrub-again.htm

 

[TomS]

Well, it took 3 years to reuse this one (it first flew in 2011 on CRS-4).

There are only a few more missions under this contract though. I believe the second CRS contract will switch to Dragon 2 and hopefully stop doing water landings.

so far i known
The Unmanned Dragon flight to ISS are labeled CRS-1 to 20. and will be Dragon 1 models.
While The manned Dragon 2 flight are labels as SpX-DM and a flight number, (SpX-DM1)

Dragon 2 does not have to be manned. Here is one source indicating that the CRS2 contract will at some point switch to Dragon 2.

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/01/nasa-awards-crs2-spacex-orbital-atk-sierra-nevada/

 

[flanker]

Yes, CRS2 will be using D2. As to water landings stopping... let me just say dont hold your breath on that. :-X

 

[TomS]

Yes, CRS2 will be using D2. As to water landings stopping... let me just say dont hold your breath on that. :-X

Last year, SpaceX was talking about certifying Crew Dragon (now Dragon 2) for precision propulsive land landings in parallel with parachute water landings, with water landings used on the first few crewed Dragon flights before switching to land recovery. I would not be surprised if crew landings will remain on water for longer than expected, while the uncrewed CRS2/D2 flights switch to land recoveries as a way to validate the capability without endangering people.

 

[Michel Van]

That make sense

 

[TomS]

And they finally launched Intelsat 35e.

http://www.spacex.com/webcast

 

[FighterJock]

And they finally launched Intelsat 35e.

http://www.spacex.com/webcast

SpaceX will be happy about that, after the other two launch attempts were scrubbed.

 

[flanker]

Yes, CRS2 will be using D2. As to water landings stopping... let me just say dont hold your breath on that. :-X

Last year, SpaceX was talking about certifying Crew Dragon (now Dragon 2) for precision propulsive land landings in parallel with parachute water landings, with water landings used on the first few crewed Dragon flights before switching to land recovery. I would not be surprised if crew landings will remain on water for longer than expected, while the uncrewed CRS2/D2 flights switch to land recoveries as a way to validate the capability without endangering people.

Will repeat - dont hold your breath. (goes for both crews and cargo)

 

[TomS]

Will repeat - dont hold your breath. (goes for both crews and cargo)

Asking sincerely, is this direct knowledge or just skepticism? I would not be shocked if SpaceX is being too optimistic about getting NASA to sign off on precision propulsive landing, but they've been talking about it as the end-goal for both CRS and Commercial Crew for quite a while now.

 

[flanker]

I guess the cat will be soon out of the bag - but the propulsive Dragon 2 landing seems to be dead according strong rumors from multiple sources. This of course includes Red Dragon. Super Draco's will still be used for abort of course.

 

[sferrin]

I guess the cat will be soon out of the bag - but the propulsive Dragon 2 landing seems to be dead according strong rumors from multiple sources. This of course includes Red Dragon. Super Draco's will still be used for abort of course.

Any idea why? ??? (Not enough bang for the buck?)

 

[FighterJock]

Inverse.com have published a guide to SpaceX's launches for the remainder of 2017.

https://www.inverse.com/article/33962-spacex-launches-2017

 

[Grey Havoc]

https://www.space.com/37549-elon-musk-moon-base-mars.html

 

[Michel Van]

Here Interview of Elon Musk at ISS 2017 Conference 7/19/17
He explain why Dragon 2 abandon land landing and Red Dragon will have a different landing system for Mars.
Also about boring Tunnels in L.A. (people are delight about that project), Tesla and Space Industrialization

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

 

[FighterJock]

The first launch of the Falcon Heavy will be risky, but its first flight is still set for sometime later this year, according to CNBC.

http://www.cnbc.com/2017/07/20/spacex-chief-says-first-launch-of-big-new-rocket-will-be-risky.html

 

[TomS]

Here Interview of Elon Musk at ISS 2017 Conference 7/19/17
He explain why Dragon 2 abandon land landing and Red Dragon will have a different landing system for Mars.
Also about boring Tunnels in L.A. (people are delight about that project), Tesla and Space Industrialization

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

This also confirms that they are abandoning propulsive landing for Commercial Crew (and probably for Resupply).

 

[flanker]

Red Dragon wont have "different landing system" - Red Dragon wont be happening at all.

 

[FighterJock]

An interesting article from Popular Mechanics concerning the launch next year of the SpaceX Dragon 2 and an unnamed Boeing capsule.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/space/a27453/spacex-boeing-launch-astronauts-next-year/

 

[FighterJock]

Looks like the SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket will make its launch debut in November this year.

https://www.theverge.com/2017/7/28/16054252/spacex-falcon-heavy-elon-musk-first-rocket-launch-november

 

[Flyaway]

As dominance of launch market looms, SpaceX now valued at $21 billion

The new report notes that the updated value of SpaceX places the company in rarefied air, as just six other venture-backed companies are valued at $20 billion or more around the world. These companies include US-based companies Uber, Airbnb, Palantir, and WeWork, as well as Chinese firms Didi Chuxing and Xiaomi.

https://arstechnica.com/science/2017/07/as-dominance-of-launch-market-looms-spacex-now-valued-at-21-billion/

 

[FighterJock]

As dominance of launch market looms, SpaceX now valued at $21 billion

The new report notes that the updated value of SpaceX places the company in rarefied air, as just six other venture-backed companies are valued at $20 billion or more around the world. These companies include US-based companies Uber, Airbnb, Palantir, and WeWork, as well as Chinese firms Didi Chuxing and Xiaomi.

https://arstechnica.com/science/2017/07/as-dominance-of-launch-market-looms-spacex-now-valued-at-21-billion/

Good news for SpaceX. Now all we need is for Falcon Heavy to be a success.

 

[flanker]

Great article on the ULA/SpaceX war saga;

https://arstechnica.com/science/2017/08/how-americas-two-greatest-rocket-companies-battled-from-the-beginning/

 

[FighterJock]

SpaceX is getting ready to launch the final last generation Dragon capsule to the International Space Station on the 13 August, the mission will be CRS-12.

http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/organizations/space-exploration-technologies/spacex-launching-last-new-first-generation-dragon-cargo-ship/

 

[FighterJock]

SpaceX has put back the launch of the Falcon 9 rocket to the ISS to Monday 14th, the launch window is due to open at 12:31 pm ET at pad 39a.

http://spacecoastdaily.com/2017/08/spacex-falcon-9-rocket-launch-pushed-back-a-day-to-monday-august-14-from-kennedy-space-center/

 

[fredymac]

Spacex has paid its' dues in mastering powered landing re-usable boosters. If ULA is serious about re-usable engine pods for the Vulcan, it needs to start hardware development tests on the hypersonic inflatable decelerators and parachute recovery systems it intends to use. Powerpoints and CGI can only be used for so long before people suspect it is just for show.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgkVcghoJ8A

 

[Michel Van]

Spacex has paid its' dues in mastering powered landing re-usable boosters. If ULA is serious about re-usable engine pods for the Vulcan, it needs to start hardware development tests on the hypersonic inflatable decelerators and parachute recovery systems it intends to use. Powerpoints and CGI can only be used for so long before people suspect it is just for show.

Yeah, i wonder wen start ULA those Test ?
Vulcan has to fly in 2019 for first time.
That AFTER next generation of Falcon 9 and New Glenn flights...

If ULA screw this up and Vulcan get on launch pad without Reusable Engine pod
while Falcon 9 (ver2.5) and New Glenn start new age of reusable cheap space flight
Then it's game over for ULA...

 

[sferrin]

Spacex has paid its' dues in mastering powered landing re-usable boosters. If ULA is serious about re-usable engine pods for the Vulcan, it needs to start hardware development tests on the hypersonic inflatable decelerators and parachute recovery systems it intends to use. Powerpoints and CGI can only be used for so long before people suspect it is just for show.

Yeah, i wonder wen start ULA those Test ?
Vulcan has to fly in 2019 for first time.
That AFTER next generation of Falcon 9 and New Glenn flights...

If ULA screw this up and Vulcan get on launch pad without Reusable Engine pod
while Falcon 9 (ver2.5) and New Glenn start new age of reusable cheap space flight
Then it's game over for ULA...

ULA is moribund, like your typical government-run program, and is circling the drain. They can't compete with SpaceX, Blue Origin with their New Glenn will make the situation worse, and you still have others like Stratolaunch who are trying to shake things up. I'll bet most of the suits at ULA are working on padding their retirements in hopes of being gone before it all comes crashing down.

 

[Michel Van]

ULA is moribund, like your typical government-run program, and is circling the drain. They can't compete with SpaceX, Blue Origin with their New Glenn will make the situation worse, and you still have others like Stratolaunch who are trying to shake things up. I'll bet most of the suits at ULA are working on padding their retirements in hopes of being gone before it all comes crashing down.

And make thing very interesting in China they talk about Reuse study on Long March Rocket
and Chinese Private Industry show interest to build Launch rockets also with potion of reuse...

http://spacenews.com/china-studying-reusable-rockets-similar-to-spacex/
http://www.popsci.com/chinas-private-space-industry-booms-prepares-to-compete-with-spacex-and-blue-origin
http://www.popsci.com/chinese-private-space-company-scores-first-foreign-contract

...how was that old Chinese curse again ?
May you live in interesting times

and yes there are very interesting for moment...

 

[FighterJock]

Here is the full video of the Falcon 9 rocket launch for anyone that missed it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLxWsYx8dbo

 

[sferrin]

ULA is moribund, like your typical government-run program, and is circling the drain. They can't compete with SpaceX, Blue Origin with their New Glenn will make the situation worse, and you still have others like Stratolaunch who are trying to shake things up. I'll bet most of the suits at ULA are working on padding their retirements in hopes of being gone before it all comes crashing down.

And make thing very interesting in China they talk about Reuse study on Long March Rocket
and Chinese Private Industry show interest to build Launch rockets also with potion of reuse...

http://spacenews.com/china-studying-reusable-rockets-similar-to-spacex/
http://www.popsci.com/chinas-private-space-industry-booms-prepares-to-compete-with-spacex-and-blue-origin
http://www.popsci.com/chinese-private-space-company-scores-first-foreign-contract

...how was that old Chinese curse again ?
May you live in interesting times

and yes there are very interesting for moment...

Sad thing is ULA has the resources to make the change but the "chase the quarterly report at the expense of everything else" mentality that has permeated business in the US ties their hands.

 

[FighterJock]

The Dragon capsule has successfully docked at the International Space Station early Wednesday at 1052 GMT.

https://www.space.com/37816-spacex-dragon-resupplies-space-station-crs12.html

Forgot to add this link to a video on the NASA YouTube channel detailing the docking of the Dragon capsule.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iv70HHJBJyU

 

[Michel Van]

And here a nice compilation of CRS 1 to 12 simultaneous

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdR_s_v3drQ

 

[FighterJock]

SpaceX has test fired a Falcon 9 rocket for the launch of a light weight Taiwanese satellite no later than Thursday 24th August 24th from Vandenberg Airforce base.

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/08/spacex-static-fire-formosat-5-falcon-9-asds-landing/

 

[FighterJock]

Elon Musk has revealed the first official photo of SpaceX's space suite.

https://www.theverge.com/2017/8/23/16188658/elon-musk-reveals-first-official-photo-spacex-spacesuit

 

[Michel Van]

A early version of suit a year ago

 

[Michel Van]

SpaceX video from 2015

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1EB5BQpm7w

 

[Michel Van]

and again success Formosat-5 is in orbit and Falcon 9 booster on DroneShip

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4u3ZN2g_MI

 

[BillRo]

It was interesting to watch the launch live as I was being driven down Hwy 154 near Vandenburg - just a long tongue of flame rising ever faster into the sky!

 

[flanker]

Static fire for the upcoming X-37B mission was completed yesterday as planned.

Also;

Putting together SpaceX rocket landing blooper reel. We messed up a lot before it finally worked, but there's some epic explosion footage …

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/903333005527093248

Hoping for the holy Eutelsat & ABS-2A/SES-9/BulgariaSat trilogy.