SpaceX

[doug]

Worth the read:

How Iridium took a chance on SpaceX and won -- GigaOM Tech News and Analysis

The following is the never-before-told story of how Iridium placed a huge bet on SpaceX that wound up paying off. In a series of interviews, Desch shared with GigaOM the details about how a satellite communications company struggling with its future found common cause with a scrappy startup that wanted to broaden the frontiers of space exploration.

 

[dpeilow]

Nice that Iridium were able to give SpaceX a financial leg up. When the network first launched, people were predicting all sorts of innovative commercial launch providers and even things like converted fighter planes to allow repair missions. All of those projects fell by the wayside before SpaceX emerged though.

Funny that they talk about bringing things into the 21st century - those original satellites are some of the most advanced ever flown...

 

[JRod0802]

Just ordered this shirt from the SpaceX store:

Occupy Mars T-Shirt (Black, Mars, SpaceX, T-Shirt) Shop SpaceX

I'm excited for the launch tomorrow!

 

[doug]

We're following this upcoming mission here: SpaceX CRS-1 Mission to ISS - Blogs - Tesla Motors Club - Enthusiasts & Owners Forum

There's a prelaunch briefing on live now.

 

[dpeilow]

This is actually better than that official song will.i.am did...

(SpaceX gets a mention)

 

[bonnie]

Watch launch live (about 30 minutes to go) SpaceX | Launch Central

 

[rabar10]

Watch launch live (about 30 minutes to go) SpaceX | Launch Central

Not having the best of luck w/ SpaceX's feed, here's an alternate:
Spaceflight Now Mission Status Center

 

[doug]

T-7 minutes

Post your live comments here: SpaceX CRS-1 Mission to ISS - Blogs - Tesla Motors Club - Enthusiasts & Owners Forum

 

[Thumper]

Congrats again Elon. Dragon is in orbit. Next stop Int.
Space station.

 

[Grendal]

Congratulations, SpaceX! Elon is just amazing! SpaceX is amazing!

 

[ModelX]

Congrats to the Space X team!

 

[Zzzz...]

I'm watching this beautiful engine explosion!

And really impressed by robustness of Falcon 9 design. Engine out capability was tested in real life:biggrin: And launch mission was a total success!
SpaceX will insource turbo pump design and production in next version of their engine, Merline 1D. And probably have learned a lot from forty four Merlin 1C flown to this date.

In slow motion:

 

[gg_got_a_tesla]

They are making this look easy and routine. Kudos, SpaceX! On to the ISS-Dragon tango...

 

[TEG]

Anyone notice the coincidence that the Dragon uses a 9 engine (3x3) configuration, and the Tesla Supercharger uses a 9 charger (3x3) array?

 

[markwj]

Anyone notice the coincidence that the Dragon uses a 9 engine (3x3) configuration, and the Tesla Supercharger uses a 9 charger (3x3) array?

I thought supercharger was 120kWh (12x10kWh)?

 

[TEG]

I thought supercharger was 120kWh (12x10kWh)?

That would be the dual output model.
Model S is 90kW max, so currently they are using 3x3 (and in some cases 3x3 of the 3x4 array.)

 

[dpeilow]

Anyone notice the coincidence that the Dragon uses a 9 engine (3x3) configuration, and the Tesla Supercharger uses a 9 charger (3x3) array?

 

[Grendal]

Anyone notice the coincidence that the Dragon uses a 9 engine (3x3) configuration, and the Tesla Supercharger uses a 9 charger (3x3) array?

It was not a coicidence. It was completely intentional. The Gen III Tesla will also have a IIIx3 configuration and have 9 seats, 9 USB ports, and 9 tires.

Or maybe not...

 

[VolkerP]

The Ramans do everything in threes

Arthur C Clarke: Rendezvous with Rama

 

[CapitalistOppressor]

I'm watching this beautiful engine explosion!

And really impressed by robustness of Falcon 9 design. Engine out capability was tested in real life:biggrin: And launch mission was a total success!
SpaceX will insource turbo pump design and production in next version of their engine, Merline 1D. And probably have learned a lot from forty four Merlin 1C flown to this date.

In slow motion:

Yes, we were all going gaga over it at Nasaspaceflight.com

Best quote of the night "Some people like rocketry because of the big explosions, some because they like to see stuff launched into space. SpaceX, in their quest for efficiency, does both at once"