SpaceX Falcon 9 FT launch - CRS 8 - SLC-40

[Grendal]

It looks like SpaceX will go for an ASDS landing after all. And we are still on track for Friday with a static fire (this cores second) happening today. Here are lots of details:

SpaceX prepares for Falcon 9 static fire ahead of CRS-8 mission | NASASpaceFlight.com

This is the first booster to have a traffic accident. I can imagine that this static fire is very critical because of it.

 

[ecarfan]

The way I read that article, the static fire test occurred before the accident with a vehicle at the test facility, and then the damage was repaired but there was no repeat static fire test. Which seems odd. Did I miss something?

 

[Grendal]

The way I read that article, the static fire test occurred before the accident with a vehicle at the test facility, and then the damage was repaired but there was no repeat static fire test. Which seems odd. Did I miss something?

Maybe. That static fire was back in February and was successful. You are correct the accident occurred after that. The damage from the accident was repaired, so this static fire will confirm the repairs worked. So if some damage was not obvious they will find out from this. That is why this one is so critical. When it comes to rocket science, there is so much energy involved, even a minute flaw can cascade into a complete failure quickly.

So fingers crossed....

 

[TI Sailor]

In case any one other than me didn't know, launch time according to nasa.gov is 4:43PM EDT -AND- it's being broadcast on NASA TV.

 

[glhs272]

Static fire at launch site complete. Looks like this launch is progressing smoothly. Still a go for Friday. Here's hoping we might finally see a fully successful barge landing and recovery.

 

[Grendal]

Full Webcast:

Technical Webcast:

All seems a go for 4:43 EST.

It seems my prediction on post 1 was correct. SpaceX is going for an ASDS landing to get that type of landing down. SpaceX is not saying that specifically but the implication is there from people that attended the press conference. SpaceX was asked whether they could do a return to landing site and they said they could but didn't have FAA clearance to do so this time.

 

[ggr]

It seems my prediction on post 1 was correct. SpaceX is going for an ASDS landing to get that type of landing down. SpaceX is not saying that specifically but the implication is there from people that attended the press conference. SpaceX was asked whether they could do a return to landing site and they said they could but didn't have FAA clearance to do so this time.

I wonder whether it was their choice or the FAA's.

 

[Grendal]

I wonder whether it was their choice or the FAA's.

It was SpaceX's choice. The implication was that they didn't even try for it. They've already shown that they can do the RTLS landing so the FAA is really about just filing the paperwork. SpaceX didn't even bother to file. SpaceX said they have plenty of fuel to pull off a RTLS.

 

[ggr]

This tells me two things:
1. I was wrong.
2. They must be extremely confident, to accept the presumably greater risk of losing the core.

 

[ecarfan]

T-39 and the webcast hasn't started yet. Some info farther down the webcast page says it won't start until T-20. Wonder why so late...

UPDATE: Now T-19 and nothing shown yet on the webcast, just music.

 

[Grendal]

Beautiful day.

We have liftoff!

Max-Q and MECO successful.

Landing successful!
They did it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Nikxice]

Success! The barge rocket return club is likely to remain exclusive for quite a long time!

 

[StephenM]

STUCK THE LANDING!!!!

 

[Zaxxon]

Boom, baby! Boom!

 

[anticitizen13.7]

WOOT!!!!!

 

[AlexT]

TOUCHDOWN!!!!!!

 

[Grendal]

It looks like about 10 feet off center.

Congratulations, SpaceX and Elon!

 

[anticitizen13.7]

I caught the live feed about 30 seconds before the landing. Unbelievable to watch it live. Congratulations to the SpaceX team!

 

[tinm]

Yeee hah!

 

[Zaxxon]

It looks like about 10 feet off center.

Congratulations, SpaceX and Elon!

There are some other Culture ship names they should consider for their drone ships in the future.