Mission success, and they caught a fairing half again! Wonder if that means they're starting to get the hang of it.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Rocket fairing falls from space &amp; is caught by Ms Tree boat <a href="https://t.co/nJv0Ry1iKk">pic.twitter.com/nJv0Ry1iKk</a></p>&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1158899839456800769?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 7, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<iframe width="949" height="534" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dI-JW2UIAG0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

The Navy 642A/B fire control computers still used toroidal core memory into the 80s.

I still had a way, not that I ever had to use it, to load our sub's fire control computer via paper-tape... Granted, we didn't have 642s, but we sure had them in our schools. The skimmers suffered them into the 90s.

LOL, they had sticks that they would use to press down and wiggle all the cards, in all the trays, before they booted it.

http://lenzenhuber-studios.com/scien...P-642_768h.jpg

That boat is ridiculous. LMAO

The crazy thing is that the fairing half they caught is probably worth more than the boat.

https://spaceflightnow.com/2019/08/0...unrise-launch/



I watched this launch this morning. Best one I've ever seen.

Dual fairing catchers official.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">INTRODUCING....! GO Ms. Chief !!<br><br>Mr. Tree&#39;s sister ship has been renamed from Capt. Elliot to GO Ms. Chief and is en-route to Port Canaveral to join the SpaceX Fleet!<br><br>She will arrive at midnight tonight.<br><br>So.. <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@elonmusk</a>... is this your plan for catching both fairing halves? <a href="https://t.co/mMuT1UE34i">pic.twitter.com/mMuT1UE34i</a></p>&mdash; SpaceXFleet Updates (@SpaceXFleet) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceXFleet/status/1159960168320372737?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 9, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Virgin Galactic finally reveals Spaceport passenger lounge and mission control

https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/...ace2.jpg?w=670

https://www.thesun.co.uk/tech/972938...ssion-control/

If you guys want to chip in and buy me a ride, I won't say no...

Starhopper 150m test flight is supposed to happen at 4 pm Central today.

Pushed back 1 hr.

Good. I'd forgotten about it. :)

Hop test coming up around 6pm CT:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Jhjyz183poo" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Pffff.

It's all a charade. The Earth is flat. Nothing has ever even left the Earth's atmosphere.

90 seconds

Scrubbed

Aborted

Aww.

Countdown clock restarted, it's currently at about 7 hours. Unsure if it means anything.

SpaceX's webstream now says, "Second attempt possible today, continuing to evaluate."

Officially scrubbed for today. Try again tomorrow.

~1 hr away.

Flare lit and siren sounding, so earliest possible launch is about 10 minutes from now.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bYb3bfA6_sQ" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Alternative view. Turn the volume down though as the guy is quite annoying.

<iframe width="1280" height="720" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bYb3bfA6_sQ" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Well look at that.

Holy shit...that was incredible!

Looked perfect.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">SpaceX&#39;s Starhopper conducts 150 meter test hop under the power of the SN6 Raptor! <br><br>THAT WAS AMAZING! <a href="https://t.co/7exBqW4HeV">pic.twitter.com/7exBqW4HeV</a></p>&mdash; Chris B - NSF (@NASASpaceflight) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1166471587853479936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 27, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

That engine's flame plume is crazy to watch. Looks so pretty.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Starhopper with the stellar hop <a href="https://t.co/2KSooRmIHS">pic.twitter.com/2KSooRmIHS</a></p>&mdash; Jackie Wattles (@jackiewattles) <a href="https://twitter.com/jackiewattles/status/1166472729287114752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 27, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

It changed appearance right before touchdown, much brighter and more yellow. I'm curious to know if that was just a result of throttle change or if something else caused that, like ground interference.

Might be a repost, but here's a video explaining why the Raptor is so special:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LbH1ZDImaI8" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Dust

Did you watch Tim's stream or just the SpaceX stream? Kind of hilarious hearing Tim scream with excitement. ROFL

Both. I hope no one is monitoring my internet usage here at work.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Images labelled &quot;Candidate Landing Site for SpaceX <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Starship?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Starship</a> in Arcadia Region&quot; were found in latest data release from <a href="https://twitter.com/HiRISE?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HiRISE</a>. It means <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SpaceX</a> is already quietly evaluating best place where to land first Starships on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mars?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Mars</a>. We made a map of those sites: <a href="https://t.co/fejyWhEtzP">https://t.co/fejyWhEtzP</a> <a href="https://t.co/wV3ACDbJZx">pic.twitter.com/wV3ACDbJZx</a></p>&mdash; human Mars �� (@human_Mars) <a href="https://twitter.com/human_Mars/status/1168191789783601153?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 1, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

"I can't even fathom..."

LMAO

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">This morning, <a href="https://twitter.com/esa?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ESA</a>&#39;s <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Aeolus?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Aeolus</a> Earth observation satellite fired its thrusters, moving it off a collision course with a <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SpaceX</a> satellite in their <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Starlink?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Starlink</a> constellation <a href="https://t.co/bn2GHnSoFI">pic.twitter.com/bn2GHnSoFI</a></p>&mdash; ESA Operations (@esaoperations) <a href="https://twitter.com/esaoperations/status/1168534065118679042?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 2, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Mildly concerning. It's not unusual for satellites to have to move around a bit to avoid debris (sounds like ESA had to do this 28 times in 2018), but if SpaceX is hoping to put thousands of these things up there, it's not gonna be good if this becomes a regular thing.

In case anyone's interested, Elon is going to be giving a press conference of sorts tonight to update everyone on the current state of the Starship / Super Heavy program. They've got the prototype in Texas topped off (though it's nowhere near ready to fly yet), so it'll be cool to hear all about what they're planning.

And for effect, they've brought in the only remaining Falcon 1 booster to stand beside it. Pretty insane to see the scale difference in what they're tackling now vs. 11 years ago (to the day).

https://i.imgur.com/IGp82OU.jpg

Talk goes on at around 7pm.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Starship at our launch facility in Cameron County, Texas. Watch as <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@elonmusk</a> gives an update on the vehicle today at ~7:00 p.m. CDT → <a href="https://t.co/gtC39uBC7z">https://t.co/gtC39uBC7z</a> <a href="https://t.co/HBxpfy2ITj">pic.twitter.com/HBxpfy2ITj</a></p>&mdash; SpaceX (@SpaceX) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1177938839949627392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Bumped to 8pm due to weather. Ironic when they're not actually launching anything tonight. ROFL

On the first test flight, is Starship going to separate from SH and both return for landing?

:shrug: Still a couple of years out at this point, so who knows what they'll do.

Webcast just went live FWIW.

LMAO at the cows... HA!!!! They were like, "WHAT THE ****, OVER?"

What he's showing is Starship, right? So just Starship is going to launch in a month or two?

Correct. I think they feel like they know what needs to be done for the booster more, so it's a ways down the line still.

I remember when BFR had one wing...

LMAO

Looks like he's not talking about landing back on the launch pad now. Thank goodness.

That has always seemed like a "maybe 10 years after they get it going" thing to me. Guess we'll see. That's a lot of fire to try and contain to one little spot.

Wow, That guy was fun to watch.

I really enjoy Tim's stuff - both his live hosting of events and his videos that explain rocket concepts in depth. It's cool to have an "everday" guy who spends his time learning this stuff and explaining to those of us without aerospace engineering degrees. Plus, it's like we get to vicariously live though him when he goes out to all of these super cool launches and events.

For those who don't care enough to watch the full event, here's the updated concept animation:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Starship will be the most powerful rocket in history, capable of carrying humans to the Moon, Mars, and beyond <a href="https://t.co/LloN8AQdei">pic.twitter.com/LloN8AQdei</a></p>&mdash; SpaceX (@SpaceX) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1178129849057038337?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 29, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The main thing we learned from this whole deal is that it's gonna have two flaps (and two on the top) rather than three fins. It'll enter the atmosphere kind of like a flyer in a wing suit and use the flaps to kind of belly flop into the drag to slow it down. The extra "fin" would just be wasted weight on the back there, so they nixed it. The legs will be a completely separate system now.

Hoping for a 20km hop for the prototype in 1-2 months.

I love Elon Musk, but he's really hard to watch his presentations. When he gets into the details he can be a great speaker, but it's really hard when he's trying to sell. Especially earlier on, as he always starts out nervous.


Not much new here, but I loved his response about Bridenstine 1 minute into this interview...

https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/29/busin...ost/index.html

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">My statement on <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SpaceX</a>&#39;s announcement tomorrow: <a href="https://t.co/C67MhSeNsa">pic.twitter.com/C67MhSeNsa</a></p>&mdash; Jim Bridenstine (@JimBridenstine) <a href="https://twitter.com/JimBridenstine/status/1177711106300747777?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 27, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><iframe scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets/widget_iframe.d6364fae9340b0be5f13818370141fd0.html?origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.chiefsplanet.com" title="Twitter settings iframe" style="display: none;" frameborder="0"></iframe><iframe id="rufous-sandbox" scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: absolute; visibility: hidden; display: none; width: 0px; height: 0px; padding: 0px; border: medium none;" title="Twitter analytics iframe" frameborder="0"></iframe><iframe scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets/widget_iframe.d6364fae9340b0be5f13818370141fd0.html?origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.chiefsplanet.com" title="Twitter settings iframe" style="display: none;" frameborder="0"></iframe><iframe scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets/widget_iframe.d6364fae9340b0be5f13818370141fd0.html?origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.chiefsplanet.com" title="Twitter settings iframe" style="display: none;" frameborder="0"></iframe><iframe id="rufous-sandbox" scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: absolute; visibility: hidden; display: none; width: 0px; height: 0px; padding: 0px; border: medium none;" title="Twitter analytics iframe" frameborder="0"></iframe><iframe scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets/widget_iframe.d6364fae9340b0be5f13818370141fd0.html?origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.chiefsplanet.com" title="Twitter settings iframe" style="display: none;" frameborder="0"></iframe><iframe scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets/widget_iframe.d6364fae9340b0be5f13818370141fd0.html?origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.chiefsplanet.com" title="Twitter settings iframe" style="display: none;" frameborder="0"></iframe><iframe id="rufous-sandbox" scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: absolute; visibility: hidden; display: none; width: 0px; height: 0px; padding: 0px; border: medium none;" title="Twitter analytics iframe" frameborder="0"></iframe><iframe scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets/widget_iframe.d6364fae9340b0be5f13818370141fd0.html?origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.chiefsplanet.com" title="Twitter settings iframe" style="display: none;" frameborder="0"></iframe>

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cTPYUox41bU" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cIQ36Kt7UVg" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Wfcrg83ApLA" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Fun watch (live)... And some history too!

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/21X5lGlDOfg" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Waste of money

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">SpaceX team has completed 13 successful tests in a row of upgraded Mark 3 parachutes for Crew Dragon. Most recent test demonstrated the parachute system’s ability to land the spacecraft safely in the unlikely event that one of the four main parachutes fails. <a href="https://t.co/VJzDeS8UAG">pic.twitter.com/VJzDeS8UAG</a></p>&mdash; SpaceX (@SpaceX) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1191067348914098176?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 3, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

https://www.space.com/spacex-crew-dr...s-success.html

Another successful SpaceX launch today. 4th flight for the 1st stage (and landing!) and 2nd for the fairing which has never been done before. 60 more satellites deployed for Starlink.

https://www.spacex.com/webcast

For your next useless/boring conference call...

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/n_CJ7jVNi2U" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Oops, Starship Mk1 is no more.

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/...589303296?s=19

Ha. Oops. Hope they learned something at least.

Wonder if they'll be able to salvage any of it or if they'll just scrap the whole thing and move on with Mk2.

Sounds like they'll likely just move on.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Absolutely, but to move to Mk3 design. This had some value as a manufacturing pathfinder, but flight design is quite different.</p>&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1197271943180771329?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Thankfully, this one didn't blow up this time.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ICYMI?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ICYMI</a> �� Last week, <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SpaceX</a> completed a series of static fire engine tests of the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CrewDragon?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CrewDragon</a> spacecraft.<br><br>The tests will help validate the launch escape system for the in-flight abort demonstration planned as part of <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NASA</a>&#39;s Commercial Crew Program.<br><br>��: <a href="https://t.co/xsSedwxanU">https://t.co/xsSedwxanU</a> <a href="https://t.co/iCDGD8G4ir">pic.twitter.com/iCDGD8G4ir</a></p>&mdash; NASA Commercial Crew (@Commercial_Crew) <a href="https://twitter.com/Commercial_Crew/status/1197173732034396160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

It’s astonishing how quickly the design matures. They haven’t even finished a single prototype and they have 3 designs.

It appears I have missed a blast off. Getting routine.

Yeah, I didn't even bump the thread for the Starlink launch last Monday. Pretty boring. Notable aspecs were that the booster they used was the first one to be used four times, and it was also a reused fairing.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Falcon 9’s first stage lands on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship and returns to port, completing this booster’s fourth launch and landing <a href="https://t.co/D923OCxXjm">pic.twitter.com/D923OCxXjm</a></p>&mdash; SpaceX (@SpaceX) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1196556434982309888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

ISS launch coming up tomorrow at 12:51 EST if anyone's interested in catching it.

I’ll be watching it. These launches were science fiction not long ago, but are quickly approaching routine now.

T-50 minutes

Scubbed. Tune in tomorrow.

Aww. Looks like 12:29pm EST tomorrow.

Bump.

Watching

Biggest waste of money and time. We have many homeless and many problems here on this planet that could use this money WASTED ON SPACE EXPLORATION. SUPER LAME according to me. GO CHIEFS!

T-6 minutes... Fly baby!

Stuck the landing

Pretty mundane anymore. :)