2017 - Pivotal Year for SpaceX

[Grendal]

Here are the numbers for the year:

18 out of 18 successful launches
5 launches occurred with previously flown boosters (27.7% of total)
100% success with the 14 attempted landings: 6 RTLS - 8 ASDS
125% improvement to number of launches: 8 for 2016 - 18 for 2017

Significant milestones:
Opened LC-39A for launches
Re-opened improved SLC-40
Successfully landed a booster on JTRI on the West Coast
Cleared manifest of 3 Falcon Heavy payloads using Falcon 9 expendable
Introduced and used the Block 4 transitional design 4 times
Introduced the BFR improvement and cancelled the ITS
First and second military launches
Last Dragon 1 capsule is built and used
Reused 2 Dragon capsules - all future Dragon 1 capsules will be reused
18 was the most launches of a type of rocket in the world
18 was 22% of the worlds successful launches of 82

2017 in spaceflight - Wikipedia

 

[ecarfan]

Nice summary. I anticipate that next year SpaceX will have 50% of the commercial launch market.

 

[ggr]

JTRI

The Judicial Training & Research Institute in Lucknow, India? That must have hurt.

Oh... you mean the original landing barge, Just Read the Instructions. Usually abbreviated JRtI.

 

[ecarfan]

you mean the original landing barge, Just Read the Instructions. Usually abbreviated JRtI

I typically see it as JRTI, and that is the format I use. Just like OCISLY is used for Of Course I Still Love You.

 

[Grendal]

The Judicial Training & Research Institute in Lucknow, India? That must have hurt.

Oh... you mean the original landing barge, Just Read the Instructions. Usually abbreviated JRtI.

I transposed the letters. JRTI. Acronyms Seriously Suck:

 

[ecarfan]

I loved that Musk memo about acronyms. I totally agree: when people make up acronyms and then use them assuming you know what they mean it makes me nuts.

 

[anticitizen13.7]

2017 definitely feels like a breakout year for SpaceX. The number of launches and other accomplishments put to rest any doubt that SpaceX is a force that can outcompete industry veterans and even other nations in space launches.

Congrats on a spectacular year to any SpaceX employees lurking around TMC!

 

[BigD0g]

Try working in banking sometime...

 

[Brando]

Try working in banking sometime...

Seems to me, clear communications is the last thing Banksters wish to do.

 

[AudubonB]

Just
The
Right
Instructions

 

[jkn]

I loved that Musk memo about acronyms. I totally agree: when people make up acronyms and then use them assuming you know what they mean it makes me nuts.

Warning: Large file!
HSF Acronym Search Results - Shuttle
...
SS second structure
SS Space Station
SS space segment
SS space sphere
SS stainless steel
SS station set
SS structures subsystem
SS subsystem
SS sun sensor
SS support subsystem
SS system software
SS segment specification
SS system specification
SS system summary
SS set screw
SS short scarf (thruster nozzle)
SS Shuttle system
SS single side band
SS single signal
SS single string
SS Space Shuttle
...
SSS scanning star simulator
SSS subsystem segment
SSS system and segment specification
SSS system security standard
SSS system segment specification
SSS sensor support system
SSS simulation study series
SSS sortie support system
SSS Space Shuttle segment (NASA)
SSS spacecraft software system
SSS spinning sun sensor
SSS stage separation subsystem
SSS station set specification
...

 

[jkn]

SpaceX is successful, because they seem to follow KISS principle - Wikipedia

 

[ecarfan]

Excellent example of why using acronyms can result in confusion. Thank you. Elon is right, as usual.

Warning: Large file!
HSF Acronym Search Results - Shuttle
...
SS second structure
SS Space Station
SS space segment
SS space sphere
SS stainless steel
SS station set
SS structures subsystem
SS subsystem
SS sun sensor
SS support subsystem
SS system software
SS segment specification
SS system specification
SS system summary
SS set screw
SS short scarf (thruster nozzle)
SS Shuttle system
SS single side band
SS single signal
SS single string
SS Space Shuttle
...
SSS scanning star simulator
SSS subsystem segment
SSS system and segment specification
SSS system security standard
SSS system segment specification
SSS sensor support system
SSS simulation study series
SSS sortie support system
SSS Space Shuttle segment (NASA)
SSS spacecraft software system
SSS spinning sun sensor
SSS stage separation subsystem
SSS station set specification
...

 

[EVCollies]

I transposed the letters. JRTI. Acronyms Seriously Suck:
View attachment 268520

Reminds me of an interaction with a hospital inspector scolding me for using an acronym, informing me that JACHO knew better. She stormed away when I asked her why she used the acronym JACHO instead of the organization's full name.

 

[ecarfan]

Okay, no more from me about acronyms, which is not the topic of this thread.

So what goals can we expect SpaceX to accomplish in 2018? Here’s my list:

Successful FH launch and then the first commercial FH missions for paying customers
Introduction of F9 Block 5 and retirement of earlier F9 versions
Successful Crew Dragon unmanned test flights
First Crew Dragon manned flight to ISS
30+ F9 launches
Begin construction of BFR in new LA or Long Beach facility (I’m surprised its exact location is still unknown outside of SpaceX)
Launch of first two Starlink sats for testing the technology

If all that is accomplished it will be a fantastic 2018. Anything I’m missing?

Significant milestones:
Opened LC-39A for launches
Re-opened improved SLC-40
Successfully landed a booster on JTRI on the West Coast
Cleared manifest of 3 Falcon Heavy payloads using Falcon 9 expendable
Introduced and used the Block 4 transitional design 4 times
Introduced the BFR improvement and cancelled the ITS
First and second military launches
Last Dragon 1 capsule is built and used
Reused 2 Dragon capsules - all future Dragon 1 capsules will be reused
18 was the most launches of a type of rocket in the world
18 was 22% of the worlds successful launches of 82

 

[Grendal]

Okay, no more from me about acronyms, which is not the topic of this thread.

So what goals can we expect SpaceX to accomplish in 2018? Here’s my list:

Successful FH launch and then the first commercial FH missions for paying customers
Introduction of F9 Block 5 and retirement of earlier F9 versions
Successful Crew Dragon unmanned test flights
First Crew Dragon manned flight to ISS
30+ F9 launches
Begin construction of BFR in new LA or Long Beach facility (I’m surprised its exact location is still unknown outside of SpaceX)
Launch of first two Starlink sats for testing the technology

If all that is accomplished it will be a fantastic 2018. Anything I’m missing?

Great list. I'd add:
SpaceX will recover and reuse some fairings.
SpaceX will complete and test their first production Raptor engine.
Recover 30+ boosters. Let's go reverse and say SpaceX allows 5 boosters to not be recovered.
Reuse a booster for more than one additional launch.
Reuse a booster for more than two additional launches.

 

[ecarfan]

Excellent additions to the list. SpaceX has so much stuff going on that I can’t keep it all in my head.

 

[Brando]

Wikipedia has a surprisingly good overview worth reviewing.

Satellite Internet access - Wikipedia

current offerings
2018 Best Satellite Internet Providers — See Your Rural Internet Options

for many more projects try internet search such as
satellite internet service projects

 

[Brando]

general over view
Satellite Internet access - Wikipedia

SpaceX over view - two test satellites planned 2016 move out to 2018 and other details.
SpaceX satellite constellation - Wikipedia

current status of SpaceX StarLink
SpaceX Testifies: First Prototype Satellite Coming This Year - Via Satellite -

 

[jkn]

Most important development, if successful:

Falcon 9 Block 5 - Wikipedia
SpaceX aims to fly each Block 5 first stage ten times with only inspections in between, and up to 100 times with refurbishment.

Using 1.stage twice did reduce building costs/flight to half, but checks (refurbishment) ate much of savings. Short, simple service with Block 5 will bring real savings. FH with easily reusable boosters will become cheaper.

They have now 3 launch sites and with new hardware those sites need less service between launches. Soon SpaceX will have more capacity than current world capacity. Lower prices will enable many canceled and new projects. Moon? Space telescope build like terrestrial telescope. (Adaptive optics - Wikipedia is not needed in space -> space telescope is simpler. Of course satellite part does cost.)