That was amazing. Congrats to the SpaceX team!!!

Can't wait to hear the debrief. I wonder if the two engines failed or it was intentional.

Awesome flight! Not a great landing but there is a lot to be learned from a failure like that.

Tim is still streaming with some pretty epic replays.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBELXjq_X-M

I THINK they lost an engine right before landing and the single engine couldn't quite keep up. You can see a little "burp" about 10 seconds before the big boom.

I think it had to be part of the test. At least two of them re-lit anyway.

Looks like two Raptors re-lit. Was that the plan or three?

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Successful ascent, switchover to header tanks &amp; precise flap control to landing point! <a href="https://t.co/IIraiESg5M">https://t.co/IIraiESg5M</a></p>&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1336808486022258688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

:shrug:

That was so awesome for so many reasons. Way to go SpaceX!!!

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Successful ascent, switchover to header tanks &amp; precise flap control to landing point! <a href="https://t.co/IIraiESg5M">https://t.co/IIraiESg5M</a></p>&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1336808486022258688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Thanks.

God that was AWESOME!!!! YES!!!!!!

It was well worth the wait. WELL WORTH THE WAIT...

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Fuel header tank pressure was low during landing burn, causing touchdown velocity to be high &amp; RUD, but we got all the data we needed! Congrats SpaceX team hell yeah!!</p>&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1336809767574982658?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Did it even have legs to land on?

ROFL I think Elon is excited.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Mars, here we come!!</p>&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1336810077555019779?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

It did. They're little tiny things that fold out from under the apron. Not sure if they deployed or not though.

From a few days ago. Elon replied to this with a "yup."

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">This is the correct way to set expectations for tomorrow and how to react if expectations are exceeded! �� <a href="https://t.co/UcvQusNhgB">https://t.co/UcvQusNhgB</a></p>&mdash; Chris B - NSF (@NASASpaceflight) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1336099105253318658?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Knew that Musk was going to go all RUD!!!

It looks like it didn't make it *quite* back to the pad for the RUD.

Can you imagine being inside that thing for the flip!? It was a lot faster than I thought it would be.

We don't know for sure, but 2 is what Tim Dodd was predicting.

When the first engine stops, it REALLY stops! Gimballed like it was going to snap off and started a fire.

Same with the second.

And so did the third. I'm guessing that was the plan, not failures.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Watch Starship high-altitude test live → <a href="https://t.co/Hs5C53qBxb">https://t.co/Hs5C53qBxb</a> <a href="https://t.co/sEMe4firi6">https://t.co/sEMe4firi6</a></p>&mdash; SpaceX (@SpaceX) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1336777137391456256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

That's my guess as well. The green flame prior to RUD was unintentional, but the "engine failures" in the air were planned.

Yep. And I'm guessing no "smoke" from the engines on ascent and re-light because Raptor uses LOX and methane instead of LOX and kerosene on Merlins?

Watch top right. "Just a bit outside!" the pad!!

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/I-ts0t8oRmI?start=4760" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Yeah, methalox exhaust is mostly water (IIRC). The green flame I think I've read before is caused when the engine begins to burn itself.

Starhopper watching: "That's not how you do it, SN8"

Thanks!

Honestly, when it flipped I though something had gone wrong and they were going to have to blow it.

It's king of exciting watching these things when you don't really know many of the details. I though both engine shut downs meant it was toast, then the fire seemed terribad. But I'm thrilled with what they accomplished.

The twisting and Gimballing was fascinating to watch that clearly.

In other news, Boeing is still making progress, albeit slowly.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We are targeting March 29, 2021 for our <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Starliner?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Starliner</a>&#39;s Orbital Flight Test-2.<br><br>Learn more here: <a href="https://t.co/hnvGKwN9Gq">https://t.co/hnvGKwN9Gq</a> <a href="https://t.co/fklPrWffff">pic.twitter.com/fklPrWffff</a></p>&mdash; The Boeing Company (@Boeing) <a href="https://twitter.com/Boeing/status/1336812403842052097?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Confirmation that the in-flight engine shutdowns were planned.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Yeah, engines did great!</p>&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1336818987389181952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Awesome.

I know they wouldn't have helped with today's landing, but I wonder if they'll beef up the landing legs on Starship a little.

ROFL


I think SpaceX Crew 2 is supposed to launch in Spring also. Talk about shutting up the old space naysayers!

That thing looks so 1960s...

Supposedly there will be significant design changes starting with SN15. Musk has also said the current legs are just "demonstrator". Watching the landing at 1/4 speed, it does not look like the legs extended for this.

I think watching it free fall through the clouds was one of the coolest moments for me.

They are also definitely down to only one engine firing at landing, after relighting 2.

Oh okay, thanks. Well they probably ended up in Mexico!

I know he gets on some peoples' nerves, but this is pretty cool:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Today I witnessed the most insane thing I’ve ever seen with my eyes. Watching <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SN8?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SN8</a> fall from the sky, that slowly, &amp; then seeing the engines relight... yeah... I lost my mind! Incredible work <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SpaceX</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@elonmusk</a>. That was even cooler than I could’ve ever imagined �� <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SN9?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SN9</a> next! <a href="https://t.co/eJLqClKMDq">pic.twitter.com/eJLqClKMDq</a></p>&mdash; Everyday Astronaut (@Erdayastronaut) <a href="https://twitter.com/Erdayastronaut/status/1336829260544270339?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<samp class="EmbedCode-container"><code class="EmbedCode-code"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">SN8 did great! Even reaching apogee would’ve been great, so controlling all way to putting the crater in the right spot was epic!!</p>&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1336827715291406343?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </code></samp>

Oh yeah, I love Tim's work. Watch most of his vids and usually have his stream for audio pre-launch before switching to SpaceX. He knows he has a problem. He admitted it today. :D

I love that the most influential man in aerospace right now is such a huqe and unabashed scifi geek.

<samp class="EmbedCode-container"><code class="EmbedCode-code"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Life, the Universe and Everything <a href="https://t.co/1ZCzInfc4u">pic.twitter.com/1ZCzInfc4u</a></p>&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1336825121223434241?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </code></samp>

Unless I'm missing something, SN8 didn't hit the pad on "landing." The video shows that it was way short. Not that it really matters, but...

Clue me in? I don't get the 42 stuff... :huh:

Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

"After seven and a half million years, the super computer Deep Thought finally reveals the ultimate answer to the Universe, the question of life and everything else."

<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5ZLtcTZP2js" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe>

Not sure how Tim gets on peoples nerves...

I think his work is Pro.

Oh, well, that's embarrassing. I've never read it...

LMAO

lololol


I kind of assumed based on the question. :D

The really bad part is that two of my engineers got into a Teams chat about this last month, and I asked them WTF they were going on about. They told me, and I forgot...

LMAO

"Donger, how the **** have you never read that book!? You're a geek!"

"I didn't like the title so I never read it..."

Made me laugh when someone on Tim's stream today asked him if he could add SN8 into this scene...


<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Qrv9c-udCrg?start=49" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Looks like a direct hit to me. :shrug:

https://i.imgur.com/0ewWTQZ.jpg

It's hard to discount his enthusiasm. His videos are top notch, albeit a bit in the weeds sometimes. I can't imagine people don't like him in general, but if you're looking for a NASA-style calm on launch, he ain't it.

I personally tend to watch him for mundane launches and for pre/post-game discussion when I'm in the mood, but for big events, I switch over to the official streams close to countdown.

That's where the wreckage ended up, yes.

https://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/show...postcount=3788

Actually, I do the same.

Same.

100% agree.

He's one of my few YouTube subcsriptions. Speaking of, maybe we should add a list of good space based YouTubers or Podcasts. I know there are slew of them, many just repackaged crap. So it'd be nice to have a list "vetted" by other users. In no particular order some of my faves are Scott Manley, Joe Scott, Frasier Cain, Tim Dodd, and USLaucnhReport. Love Isaac Arthur too, but he's more a "futurist / scifi" guy.

Here's a wild shot.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Starship landing flip maneuver <a href="https://t.co/QuD9HwZ9CX">pic.twitter.com/QuD9HwZ9CX</a></p>— SpaceX (@SpaceX) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1336849897987796992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Happy to add it to the OP if you want to provide links. (I'll do it tomorrow - on my phone tonight.)

That's an insane view!

Cool


https://www.youtube.com/user/jnightandday
https://www.youtube.com/user/szyzyg
https://www.youtube.com/user/universetoday
https://www.youtube.com/c/EverydayAstronaut
https://www.youtube.com/c/Uslaunchreport

Oh wow... That is amazing.

In non-SpaceX news, BO/LM/NGC submitted their lunar landwer proposal today.

https://www.blueorigin.com/news/nati...oposal-to-nasa

<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/w6bTFpjeFgE" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe>

I could never survive working for SpaceX, but I envy how high the highs are when you're constantly pushing the boundaries of what's possible.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Leaving the office after a rowdy, cheering, high fiving, team member hoisting in to the air celebration.<br>We put the crater in the right spot! Felt like F9-14 plus Falcon Heavy plus chaos. When we touched down vertically, we barely noticed the fireball we were so happy. <a href="https://t.co/0lQn8oTugc">pic.twitter.com/0lQn8oTugc</a></p>— Patrick Barrett (@PBearATX) <a href="https://twitter.com/PBearATX/status/1336847380499468289?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Thought this was very cool. Perhaps a bit long up front, but cool. The actual footage start at ~25:35

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QH8u8Vf1uI4" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I'm sure those scratches will buff right out.

As Maxwell Smart would say, “missed it by that much”.

At least go watch the movie.

The book is amazing.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">United Launch Alliance has begun the countdown for launch of a Delta 4-Heavy rocket from Cape Canaveral at 6:15pm EST (2315 GMT). The long-delayed mission will carry a classified spy satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office.<br><br>��: <a href="https://twitter.com/ulalaunch?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ulalaunch</a><a href="https://t.co/0IvDs76h0z">https://t.co/0IvDs76h0z</a> <a href="https://t.co/trFskrmF26">pic.twitter.com/trFskrmF26</a></p>&mdash; Spaceflight Now (@SpaceflightNow) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceflightNow/status/1337074249375289350?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

That would be a great launch to see and feel in person.

Got these added to the OP under "where to learn more." Let me know if you have any improvements to the blurbs. I just cranked them out based on memory for the most part.

Delayed, the new time is 8 PM EST.

That launch is cursed.

ROFL

Journalism is dead.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">SpaceX rocket explodes on impact after test flight, Musk still declares it success <a href="https://t.co/B1bxojTkPB">https://t.co/B1bxojTkPB</a> <a href="https://t.co/lgIS1Ig6C1">pic.twitter.com/lgIS1Ig6C1</a></p>&mdash; The Hill (@thehill) <a href="https://twitter.com/thehill/status/1336999881173577731?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 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">ULA has set a new target launch time of 8:09 p.m. EST (0109 GMT) for the Delta 4-Heavy rocket after the countdown fell behind schedule to address the hazardous gas analyzer issue. <a href="https://t.co/0IvDs76h0z">https://t.co/0IvDs76h0z</a></p>&mdash; Spaceflight Now (@SpaceflightNow) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceflightNow/status/1337147358195408897?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

:facepalm: