TMC is an independent, primarily volunteer organization that relies on ad revenue to cover its operating costs. Please consider whitelisting TMC on your ad blocker and becoming a Supporting Member. For more info: Support TMC
  1. TMC is currently READ ONLY.
    Click here for more info.

SpaceX Falcon 9 FT launch - Iridium Next 1-10 - SLC-4E

Discussion in 'SpaceX' started by Grendal, Aug 25, 2016.

Tags:
  1. e-FTW

    e-FTW New electron smell

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2015
    Messages:
    3,216
    Location:
    San Francisco, CA
  2. Skotty

    Skotty 2014 S P85 | 2020 3 P19"

    Joined:
    Jun 27, 2013
    Messages:
    2,422
    Location:
    Kansas City, MO
    I wonder why they can't just fold the legs back up for transport. Maybe they have to take them off anyway for inspection and, if reused, cleaning. Hmm...
     
  3. NikeWings

    NikeWings Active Member

    Joined:
    Apr 7, 2016
    Messages:
    2,117
    Location:
    California
    #183 NikeWings, Jan 19, 2017
    Last edited: Jan 19, 2017
    i attended a celebratory bar bash with SpaceX folks last weekend and asked a similar question between beers and a ton of questions for that matter between more beers.

    Most everything is disassembled and reassembled for QC, R&D, copious stress testing, haz analysis etc. essentially everything imaginable and as much unimaginable as possible. He described the breakdown and disassembly process following recovery as "beyond civilian imaginable" heavily secured, monitored, recorded, and documented processes developed from NASA playbooks and in close conjunction with NASA on an ongoing basis. About 4-6 months depending on speed, heat and stress testing results to get fully reassembled and test firing. Goal is <2 months. Discussing the procedures around unplanned disassembly were even more interesting to me. Rocket forensics. And I imagine I only got the public byline anyway. But still fascinating. (Non engineer here)

    BTW, I had many payload questions and was provided an interesting link http://www.spacex.com/sites/spacex/files/falcon_9_users_guide_rev_2.0.pdf
    I'm a rocket enthusiast but so so so novice, so this is fundamental learning for me.

    The brainiacs consumed beyond civilian imaginable quantities of alcohol. They deserved it.
     
    • Informative x 7
    • Like x 2
    • Love x 1
  4. Brovane

    Brovane Member

    Joined:
    Sep 7, 2016
    Messages:
    253
    Location:
    Orange County, CA
    The landing legs themselves have crush zones on them to help absorb the shock of the landing.
     
  5. ecarfan

    ecarfan Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2013
    Messages:
    19,181
    Location:
    San Mateo, CA
    Thanks for the link to the Falcon Users Guide. I laughed reading that title. What a great opportunity to talk to SpaceX employees. I am in awe of all of them.
     
  6. Nikxice

    Nikxice Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 31, 2014
    Messages:
    1,054
    Location:
    Hudson, NH
    Thanks for that link. It appears written for customers in the initial stages of launch planning. Not overly technical and has plenty of good info. If not already linked, this file might be a good supplement to
    Space(X) acronyms and abbreviations

    Laughed too. Perhaps should be called, A Falcon Users Guide to the Galaxy!
     
    • Funny x 1
  7. ecarfan

    ecarfan Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2013
    Messages:
    19,181
    Location:
    San Mateo, CA
    • Informative x 1
  8. HVM

    HVM Savolainen

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2012
    Messages:
    969
    Location:
    Finland
    To day (Tomorrow?) the first stage will probably be moved from San Pedro harbor to Hawthorne. For some reason I image it to be a ticker tape parade...
    [​IMG]
    Oddly many NHL-fans seems to be also space flight enthusiasts.
     
    • Funny x 3
    • Like x 1
  9. Grendal

    Grendal SpaceX Moderator

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2012
    Messages:
    5,661
    Location:
    Santa Fe, New Mexico
    Thanks for the link. Fascinating article.

    As usual, I think the rocket landed dead center and skidded the 20 feet to an off center position. If you take the opportunity to watch the landing again (any excuse for that), you'll see that last moment slide to the left that we've seen on other ASDS landings.

    WAG on my part but I would think that at that last moment where the booster is dead center and at 0 feet off the target but the rocket still has no weight on the ASDS. At that point the movement of the ASDS can cause a slide or possibly the correction of the tilt of the rocket itself causing what looks like a slide effect.

    It's pretty meaningless overall as long as the landing happens. I think it just highlights what an incredible thing that SpaceX is achieving. The number of variables that they are juggling to make that landing happen has to be astounding.

    SpaceX certainly deserves a parade for what it has accomplished but space and rockets just don't get the same appreciation that they did after the first moon landing. We're lucky SpaceX even makes the news.
     
  10. NikeWings

    NikeWings Active Member

    Joined:
    Apr 7, 2016
    Messages:
    2,117
    Location:
    California
    My favorite pic by far, thanks for the link.
     
  11. e-FTW

    e-FTW New electron smell

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2015
    Messages:
    3,216
    Location:
    San Francisco, CA
    Am massively jealous. I need better friends...
    Am back in LA in a few weeks. When's the next bash? :)
     
  12. HVM

    HVM Savolainen

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2012
    Messages:
    969
    Location:
    Finland
  13. Grendal

    Grendal SpaceX Moderator

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2012
    Messages:
    5,661
    Location:
    Santa Fe, New Mexico
    I don't know if it has been mentioned yet but SpaceX is now labelling their boosters. Besides being an awesome picture, this picture shows clearly that the recovered Iridium booster is good old number 29. Hopefully, to be reused sometime soon.

    number 29.2.jpg
     
    • Like x 2
    • Love x 2
  14. HVM

    HVM Savolainen

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2012
    Messages:
    969
    Location:
    Finland
    And this picture shows not so clearly...
    zyXDw8n.jpg
    ;P
     
    • Funny x 3
    • Like x 1
  15. Piney999

    Piney999 Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2016
    Messages:
    397
    Location:
    East of Pikes Peak, Earth
    Where did you get this pic? I need that pic on my desktop!
     
  16. Grendal

    Grendal SpaceX Moderator

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2012
    Messages:
    5,661
    Location:
    Santa Fe, New Mexico
    I got it from Facebook SpaceX Group. I think they got it from SpaceX Flikr account.

    They did. It's a zoomed in picture there.

    SpaceX
     
  17. ICUDoc

    ICUDoc Active Member

    Joined:
    May 19, 2015
    Messages:
    1,624
    Location:
    Sydney NSW
    Thanks for the great photos.
    Whatever they are using now looks like it fades far too easily- I suggest Spacex use a Sharpie or lipstick to label the boosters. Essentially permanent.
     
    • Funny x 2
  18. Nikxice

    Nikxice Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 31, 2014
    Messages:
    1,054
    Location:
    Hudson, NH
    Great photo, could almost be mistaken for a painting. It reminded me of this Saturn V piece by NASA sketch artist Paul Calle. Hard to believe it was almost 50 years ago. He named it "Power To Go".
    Power to GoCOA.jpg
     
    • Like x 3
  19. ICUDoc

    ICUDoc Active Member

    Joined:
    May 19, 2015
    Messages:
    1,624
    Location:
    Sydney NSW
    Great painting- gives a real sense of the explosive power being (only just) harnessed....
     
  20. HVM

    HVM Savolainen

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2012
    Messages:
    969
    Location:
    Finland
    • Like x 2

Share This Page

  • About Us

    Formed in 2006, Tesla Motors Club (TMC) was the first independent online Tesla community. Today it remains the largest and most dynamic community of Tesla enthusiasts. Learn more.
  • Do you value your experience at TMC? Consider becoming a Supporting Member of Tesla Motors Club. As a thank you for your contribution, you'll get nearly no ads in the Community and Groups sections. Additional perks are available depending on the level of contribution. Please visit the Account Upgrades page for more details.


    SUPPORT TMC