T - 15:00

No stream?

Liftoff!

Wow, what great stage 1 video

Wow. That landing was dead center.

Kind of funny that they've given up on painting the drone ship.

I love the blasted/rusted look. :)

I'll never get tired of watching that stack deploy over the curve of the earth like that.

100th successful SpaceX launch. Neat.

I really can't wait to see this belly flop...


<samp class="EmbedCode-container"><code class="EmbedCode-code"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A beautiful sky behind a fully stacked Starship. SN8 you are beautiful. ����<a href="https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NASASpaceflight</a> <a href="https://t.co/9sTD7p0vVz">https://t.co/9sTD7p0vVz</a> <a href="https://t.co/k62nSBtrkB">pic.twitter.com/k62nSBtrkB</a></p>&mdash; Mary (@BocaChicaGal) <a href="https://twitter.com/BocaChicaGal/status/1319434449579368450?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </code></samp>

NASA is starting to figure out the hype game.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zjJc8vSPNyk" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Nice DaFace. Things are really starting to take off.

https://media3.giphy.com/media/3o7bu...7dTi/giphy.gif

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Some challenges with high winds. Looks like Sunday for static fire.</p>&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1322011788926455808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 30, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Nov. 5

Falcon 9 • GPS 3 SV04

Launch window: 2324-2339 GMT (6:24-6:39 p.m. EST)

Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the U.S. Air Force’s fourth third-generation navigation satellite for the Global Positioning System. The satellite is built by Lockheed Martin. Delayed from October, December, May, July and August. Moved forward from Sept. 30. Delayed from Sept. 29. Delayed from Sept. 30. Scrubbed on Oct. 2 at T-minus 2 seconds. Due to range turnaround limitations, the launch date of Nov. 4 is contingent upon the launch of an Atlas 5 rocket from nearby pad 41 on Nov. 3. Delayed from Nov. 4.

Damn. That seems like a cursed launch.

<samp class="EmbedCode-container"><code class="EmbedCode-code"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">SpaceX is targeting Nov. 9 through Nov. 11 for Starship SN8&#39;s flight to 15 kilometers, per the lastest road closures. These windows may also include static fire testing.<a href="https://t.co/6u2msVb0b8">https://t.co/6u2msVb0b8</a> <a href="https://t.co/TqdvaZSXfT">pic.twitter.com/TqdvaZSXfT</a></p>&mdash; Michael Baylor (@nextspaceflight) <a href="https://twitter.com/nextspaceflight/status/1324139514495868928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 5, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </code></samp>

Happens all the time.

Feed is live:

https://www.spacex.com/launches/

T-1:51

Deploy and landing at the same time! Pretty sweet.

Never gets old. Go Space Force...

petapixel.com/2020/11/05/photographer-catches-the-iss-crossing-the-sun-and-moon-from-his-backyard

On par with the live view in the North night sky of ISS and SpaceX Dragon flying together

Very cool...

Whoa. Now that's cool.

Workable Link: https://petapixel.com/2020/11/05/pho...-his-backyard/

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">✅ <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SpaceX</a>’s Crew Dragon spacecraft for the Crew-1 mission has arrived at <a href="https://twitter.com/NASAKennedy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NASAKennedy</a>’s Launch Complex 39A!<br><br>Liftoff is targeted for 7:49 p.m. ET Saturday, Nov. 14: <a href="https://t.co/meEg9a0a1z">https://t.co/meEg9a0a1z</a> ������<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LaunchAmerica?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LaunchAmerica</a> <a href="https://t.co/IHBwcX1fsI">pic.twitter.com/IHBwcX1fsI</a></p>&mdash; NASA Commercial Crew (@Commercial_Crew) <a href="https://twitter.com/Commercial_Crew/status/1324784483900510208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 6, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

That guy has patience and skills I am not capable of. I am sure the equipment helps but that shot of the ISS crossing the sun is off the charts wizard stuff.

Well, this kind of sucks. It's pretty widely viewed that, regardless of political leanings, Jim has done a fantastic job as administrator. I was hoping he'd stick around.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Even if asked by the President-elect Biden administration, <a href="https://twitter.com/JimBridenstine?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JimBridenstine</a> told us he would pass on staying on as head of the <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NASA</a>, not for partisan reasons but to ensure that, politically, NASA has the best chance of thriving under new leadership. <a href="https://t.co/szjshdQJhK">https://t.co/szjshdQJhK</a></p>&mdash; Aviation Week (@AviationWeek) <a href="https://twitter.com/AviationWeek/status/1325766149074792448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 9, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

He's been great. Many expected a crony to toe Shelby's line, but Bridenstine navigated things pretty well. I hope his replacement is successful. Never really had any expectations that Artemis would survive/succeed. Even the current administration wasn't funding appropriately (too much tied up in SLS).


To me, key is maintaining the commercial aspect of launches and a solid plan for ISS. Anything that funds Artemis is just gravy.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Crew Dragon and Falcon 9 in the hangar at Launch Complex 39A ahead of launching four astronauts to the <a href="https://twitter.com/Space_Station?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@space_station</a>; liftoff targeted for Saturday, November 14 at 7:49 p.m. EST <a href="https://t.co/dlMrPUpr4d">pic.twitter.com/dlMrPUpr4d</a></p>&mdash; SpaceX (@SpaceX) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1325931233784680448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 9, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Can't wait!! And they changed it to more agreeable time, which is nice.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">BREAKING: <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NASA</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SpaceX</a> have completed certification of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CrewDragon?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CrewDragon</a>! I’m extremely proud to say we are returning regular human spaceflight launches to American soil on an American rocket and spacecraft. More: <a href="https://t.co/VGPPAtSll3">https://t.co/VGPPAtSll3</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LaunchAmerica?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LaunchAmerica</a> <a href="https://t.co/jUZx0BBPwb">pic.twitter.com/jUZx0BBPwb</a></p>&mdash; Jim Bridenstine (@JimBridenstine) <a href="https://twitter.com/JimBridenstine/status/1326262588175380481?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 10, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

This doesn't technically qualify as Space Exploration but I didn't know where else to post it, so please delete if necessary.

That said, this is pretty freaking amazing and while the test only topped out at 100 MPH over 500 meters, it won't be long before they're up to 600 MPH, which would definitely change continental travel.




<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xKvbSboQ5_g" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Hyperloop is such a strange effort. There are dozens of different organizations working on it, so it's really tough to keep track of what is signal vs. noise. Regardless, cool to see that someone is making progress at least!

I think it's neat, but commercial aircraft routinely fly at 550 MPH. West to east, anyway.

If it works and is economical (neither of which are at all guaranteed), the use case would be more along the lines of connecting nearby cities. Fort Collins to Denver in 10-15 minutes would be pretty sweet, for example.

Why would anyone want to go to FoCo?

LA to Vegas in 30 minutes would be amazing, as would LA to SF in 45 minutes or less.

I'd imagine there would be substantial benefits to the Midwest as well, like KC to Chicago or Dallas or Denver in an hour or less.

Of course, the first thing that came to mind was terrorism, which actually sucks and hope they can find some way around that possibility.

To bang college hotties at CSU

Perhaps you should take the trip.

https://denver.cbslocal.com/2020/10/...-live-america/

what

I was kidding. I like it up there, unless the wind is from the north.

This is AWESOME...

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-W95MRL09GA?start=8520" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Love the first item on the pre-test checklist:

Pointy end up,
Flamey end down

ROFL

You either love or hate Tim's style, but I find him to be pretty amusing. (Note "check pants" as the last checklist item as well.)

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">STATIC FIRE! Starship SN8 has fired up a single Raptor, this time - *for the first time ever* - using the Nosecone LOX Header Tank. <br><br>This is a key test related to the second part of SN8&#39;s flight test. <br><br>Mary (<a href="https://twitter.com/BocaChicaGal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BocaChicaGal</a>) livestreaming:<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SPARKS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SPARKS</a>!<a href="https://t.co/quDI9KFndh">https://t.co/quDI9KFndh</a> <a href="https://t.co/yNpw6xOlmJ">pic.twitter.com/yNpw6xOlmJ</a></p>&mdash; Chris B - NSF (@NASASpaceflight) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1326315773162385410?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 11, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

All looks good for the crew launch. Weather is currently 60% go.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Static fire of Falcon 9 complete – targeting Saturday, November 14 at 7:49 p.m. EST for launch of Crew Dragon’s first operational mission to the <a href="https://twitter.com/Space_Station?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@space_station</a> with four astronauts on board. Teams will continue monitoring weather conditions for liftoff and along the flight path</p>&mdash; SpaceX (@SpaceX) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1326650380973797376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 11, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bFI--8sP0OE" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Nov. 13 Atlas 5 • NROL-101

Launch time: 2213 GMT (5:13 p.m. EST)

Launch site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida

A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket will launch a classified spacecraft payload for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office. The rocket will fly in the 531 vehicle configuration with a five-meter fairing, three solid rocket boosters and a single-engine Centaur upper stage. The mission was changed from an earlier planned “551” configuration. This will be the first launch of an Atlas 5 rocket with new Northrop Grumman-built GEM-63 solid rocket motors, replacing the Aerojet Rocketdyne AJ-60A solid rocket motors used on previous Atlas 5s. Delayed from September, October, and Nov. 3. Scrubbed on Nov. 4 by valve issue on ground liquid oxygen system. Delayed from Nov. 6, Nov. 8, Nov. 11 and Nov. 12.

Hopefully they can get this bird to finally fly. I hope it doesn't mess up the Crew-1 launch tomorrow...

Though I don't know for sure, I have to imagine that the crew launch would take precedent. If Atlas doesn't go tonight, I think it gets delayed until next week.

I would think so too. Crew-1 has significant milestones and media concerns.

T-30:00 bump

Is there a stream for NROL?

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SZyjzR96EJU" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Their T-4 minute hold always weirds me out.

Looks like Crew-1 got bumped to Sunday at 7:27pm EST?

Appears so.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Update: Due to onshore winds and recovery operations, <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NASA</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SpaceX</a> are targeting launch of the Crew-1 mission with astronauts to the <a href="https://twitter.com/Space_Station?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Space_Station</a> at 7:27 p.m. EST Sunday, Nov. 15. The first stage booster is planned to be reused to fly astronauts on Crew-2. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LaunchAmerica?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LaunchAmerica</a></p>&mdash; Jim Bridenstine (@JimBridenstine) <a href="https://twitter.com/JimBridenstine/status/1327357510022434816?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Yay! I hope they stick the landing...

Should it be rolling like that?

Pretty quick when 1) they don't land the booster and 2) they won't let us see the payload. :)

No Chiefs game, but a SpaceX Crew launch? Deal!

Crew-1 Launch Day Bump!!

Nov. 15

Falcon 9 • Crew-1

Launch time: 7:27:17 p.m. EST

Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a Crew Dragon spacecraft on its first operational flight with astronauts on-board to the International Space Station. NASA astronauts Mike Hopkins, Victor Glover and Shannon Walker, and Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi will launch on the Crew Dragon spacecraft. The Crew Dragon will return to a splashdown at sea. Delayed from late September, Oct. 23 and Oct. 31. Delayed from Nov. 11. Delayed from Nov. 13 due to weather in drone ship recovery zone.

If we don't have a Chiefs game today, I'll take a manned launch. :)

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We lost vehicle pneumatics. Reason unknown at present. Liquid oxygen header tank pressure is rising. Hopefully triggers burst disk to relieve pressure, otherwise it’s going to pop the cork.</p>&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1327070929868914689?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Live now...

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Godspeed Crew-1! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LaunchAmerica?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LaunchAmerica</a> <a href="https://t.co/b2gazrSIze">pic.twitter.com/b2gazrSIze</a></p>&mdash; Jim Bridenstine (@JimBridenstine) <a href="https://twitter.com/JimBridenstine/status/1328088338683875329?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 15, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Sitting there for about 3 hours must not be the best part of the experience..

To be fair, they're largely going to be sitting there for the next 30 hours. :)

You make a valid point...

Not really any flyby viewing opportunities tonight. Bummer.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">There’s now a 70% chance of favorable weather for launch of the Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon capsule at 7:27pm EST (0027 GMT).<br><br>It’s a gorgeous evening here at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.<a href="https://t.co/baLJVLCH0T">https://t.co/baLJVLCH0T</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZmN3eWBLXT">pic.twitter.com/ZmN3eWBLXT</a></p>&mdash; Spaceflight Now (@SpaceflightNow) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceflightNow/status/1328101222293925890?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 15, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Weather is a GO for launch! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LaunchAmerica?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LaunchAmerica</a></p>&mdash; Jim Bridenstine (@JimBridenstine) <a href="https://twitter.com/JimBridenstine/status/1328109604899700736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 15, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Bob and Doug!

FOD removal and some WD-40. Nice.

I'll always give Elon credit for making it a priority for stuff to look cool.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Crew access arm retracts from Dragon and Falcon 9 <a href="https://t.co/5cH3wCKKf6">pic.twitter.com/5cH3wCKKf6</a></p>&mdash; SpaceX (@SpaceX) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1328121813155467269?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 15, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

For those with cable this is being broadcast on Discovery (with Josh Gates) and NASA TV (for the nerds).

Is that a normal thing Smitty?

And also

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qqOIgJ8Dcgo" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

He's a smart cat all around. I'm sorry, but much of Apples success was in the design and aesthetic look. As a result, Apple's core business did next to nothing to spur associated business growth. Point to Microsoft.

NASA always does theirs, Discovery has done the joint missions. Josh Gates is very enthusiastic.