SpaceX Prepared for 'Most Difficult Launch Ever' - STP-2 FH launch

[kavyboy]

They're waiting for Elon to show up.

 

[ecarfan]

Hmm the SpaceX site said live in 3 hours and just mentioned to my husband and now looking at it now says Live in 2 hrs. (11:30pm PDT).

Way past my bedtime. Will watch the launch when I get up...

 

[bmah]

Way past my bedtime. Will watch the launch when I get up...

That's why one of my co-workers (in Central timezone) said. I offered to give him a wake-up call when the Webcast starts...don't know why he didn't take me up on that.

Bruce.

 

[SMAlset]

I’ll probably try to stick it out but my husband will probably not. He was here for the 8:30 timeframe so I know he would like to see it. Seems like lately he’s either been at work, been in traffic or it’s too early or late for him to catch. More fun to watch live though. The boosters at night should be great to see and I’m sure there will be lighting on the pad for the side boosters’ return for extra illumination of the area. Wonder how the drone ship view will be if the center booster gets to land.

 

[Grendal]

They're loading propellant. So it's looking good so far.

 

[SMAlset]

Wow loving those boosters!

 

[SMAlset]

Husband asked me to wake him so both watching

 

[SMAlset]

Wow that side booster separation at night was worth staying up for!

 

[SMAlset]

Core booster shut down and separated on way to drone. Fairing separation successful too.

Entry burn on sides completed. Landed upright on the pads. Very cool sight.

Center core came close, really close but didn’t make it. Dang, but nice view coming down. Too bad.

 

[808?]

Center core lost.

 

[bmah]

FH center cores are like the redshirts on Star Trek.

Bruce.

 

[SMAlset]

Waiting for signal to learn if Oculus and PPod1 were deployed. Confirmed both are deployed.

 

[Nikxice]

Center core lost.

Not unexpected, interesting the video held up and didn't leave us hanging as to the fate of the center core. The good news is it appears OCISLY went unscathed.

 

[NoirMS]

Some driveway shots...

 

[SMAlset]

I was wondering if we’d have a view on the drone ship and was pleasantly surprised how much we could see. Probably good that the booster came down on the side it did otherwise don’t think we would have seen much.

 

[SMAlset]

Some driveway shots...
View attachment 422996 View attachment 422997 View attachment 422998

Thanks for those photos!

 

[SMAlset]

Here’s a few from the launch and landings

 

[SMAlset]

Side boosters

 

[SMAlset]

Core booster attempting to land.

 

[SMAlset]

If you watch the replay you’ll see a fleeting moment when PPOD8 is deployed. Tried hard to catch a grab of it but couldn’t time it but it shoots off towards the top of the video. Think that’s the only one I was able to discern. Not sure how much longer I’ll hang on tonight but super happy to see how well it’s gone. Lots of happy people so far. Amazing how many groups work got launched with this one FH9.