ULA's webcast is live FWIW.

I wonder where this bird is heading... that's a long boost phase.

I'm just glad it's finally off the ground!

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">New T-0 of 12:20 p.m. EST—Falcon 9 and SXM-7 continue to look good for launch</p>&mdash; SpaceX (@SpaceX) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1337418003399364614?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Starship SN#9 fell over this morning. =/

As I understand, they were planning on moving it to the Pad on Monday and possibly launching next week. I'm assuming now they will need some time to properly get it remounted and then inspection for damage.


<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/am2kw1TCNAk" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

lol

<samp class="EmbedCode-container"><code class="EmbedCode-code"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Uhhhh SN9.... that’s.... not how you’re supposed to be standing!! Loud bang and I’m afraid SN9’s roll out and flight is now delayed. The stand it was on appears to have shifted. Hope everyone is ok. <a href="https://t.co/XALMaxPvMw">pic.twitter.com/XALMaxPvMw</a></p>&mdash; Everyday Astronaut (@Erdayastronaut) <a href="https://twitter.com/Erdayastronaut/status/1337418241346576384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </code></samp>

Updated launch time:

SpaceX is now targeting Friday, December 11 at 12:55 p.m. EST, or 16:55 UTC, for the launch of the SXM-7 mission, which will launch from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.

Feed is live:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gONuvx4hU6A" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

T-12:00

Well that sucks. Hopefully it's salvageable.

Hold at T-0:30

scrubbed

Didn't look too bad...

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Seems like the stand SN9 was on COLLAPSED and the only thing that saved StarShip from falling over was the highbay, hopefully no one was hurt or injured!����<br>(Video credit: <a href="https://twitter.com/LabPadre?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LabPadre</a>) <a href="https://t.co/qXUPUaUBEr">pic.twitter.com/qXUPUaUBEr</a></p>&mdash; Austin Barnard�� (@austinbarnard45) <a href="https://twitter.com/austinbarnard45/status/1337417530898604035?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

But...

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Again, everyone seems calm and collected and addressing the issue. I’m sure they’ll have it secured and in good order shortly to asses damage and make a plan. <a href="https://t.co/4TqgDOdtcx">pic.twitter.com/4TqgDOdtcx</a></p>&mdash; Everyday Astronaut (@Erdayastronaut) <a href="https://twitter.com/Erdayastronaut/status/1337427412590743555?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

:clap::clap::clap::clap::clap:

This stuff is just amazing to me. I grew up playing lunar lander on our first pc. If you had shown me these videos even 10 years ago I would have sworn they were special effects. Really looking forward to what the next 10 years have in store on the space exploration front.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Have you ever heard the sound of a rocket falling before it lights its engines? I hadn’t either... JUST WAIT TILL YOU HEAR THE BOOM! �� Here’s a teaser of one of one of our videos. <a href="https://twitter.com/considercosmos?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@considercosmos</a> and I are releasing 4K videos this weekend!!! �� <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SN8?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SN8</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@spacex</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@elonmusk</a> <a href="https://t.co/D7GHwqVfX3">pic.twitter.com/D7GHwqVfX3</a></p>&mdash; Everyday Astronaut (@Erdayastronaut) <a href="https://twitter.com/Erdayastronaut/status/1337565311646765056?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Great shots...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ulalau...7711794226467/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ulalau...7711794226467/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ulalau...7711794226467/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ulalau...7711794226467/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ulalau...7711794226467/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ulalau...7711794226467/

SXM launch is on in ~45 minutes for your pre game entertainment.

EDIT: Well, the window opens shortly anyway. Per people on site, not much going on right now, which suggests that they won't go on time anyway. It's a two hour window, though, so they might still go at some point.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Now targeting 12:30 p.m. EST for launch of SXM-7, time is optimized for launch and recovery. Weather forecast has improved to 80% favorable</p>— SpaceX (@SpaceX) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1338153812603723777?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Stream is live

T-10

Aww. No landing view.

Seventh flight and landing of that booster. Incredible.

Geminids' peak tonight.

That's 80% why I watch. :sulk:

Super clean replay of the SN8 test. Volume up. Preferably on a good sound system.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uIyKS_9tP08" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Launch tomorrow bump:

Dec. 17

Falcon 9 • NROL-108

Launch window: 1400-1700 GMT (9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. EST)

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

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a classified spacecraft payload for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office. The mission is designated NROL-108. The first stage booster is expected to attempt a return to launch site landing at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Delayed from Oct. 25.

Mission Control Audio feed is live:
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OZ8urB21XWk" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>


About 45 minutes until regular feed goes live"
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2D8IT7nKUmc" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

You guys actually believe this stuff is real?

It's all motion graphics!

Who let Taco in this thread?!


:D

I'm just teasing the flat earthers!

Hold

Kind of crazy if we have two launches in a row that hold but still go. We haven't had many launches with long windows recently.

Amazing

Early morning launch bump. T-30 minutes or so.

Cool views of boost back from the tracking camera. Fairly mundane aside from that, especially because they didn't cover the second stage at all (classified mission).

Interesting. Managed to get the package in orbit and do a booster land landing, eh?

;)

What's the opinion on alternatives to rockets to get to space? Was reading some things about interesting alternatives:

Airships/Airship Stations:
http://www.jpaerospace.com/atohandout.pdf

Startram:
https://www.realclearscience.com/blo...ce_travel.html

Shot from a helicopter:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I love watching the Falcon 9 fly through it’s own exhaust and heat distortion on landing �� <a href="https://t.co/Cz6JkJ93Vp">https://t.co/Cz6JkJ93Vp</a></p>&mdash; Everyday Astronaut (@Erdayastronaut) <a href="https://twitter.com/Erdayastronaut/status/1340453072347262978?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 20, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

I'll never get tired of seeing booster rockets land on their own. Amazing.

SN9 has rolled out:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/upNvJ61NvFc" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Have we heard if SN9 is another hop?

Yes, the speculation is that it will replicate the SN8 flight hopefully sans the RUD. Could be within a few weeks, but nothing confirmed. They'll do a pressure test and static fire first, of course.

It's pretty similar to what they did with Curiosity, but here's an animation that shows the plan for Perseverance landing on February 18.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rzmd7RouGrM" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I love the fact that just a few weeks ago SN9 tipped over and now it's getting ready to launch. I can only imagine the months/years something like this would set back the SLS development program.

This is almost certainly Elon time, but...

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A few months</p>&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1342062363105759232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 24, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Pretty much lol. Gotta love SpaceX!

This is gonna be fun


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We’re going to try to catch the Super Heavy Booster with the launch tower arm, using the grid fins to take the load</p>— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1344327757916868608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 30, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

lol
I imagine that is one of his Starship goals that won't be reached for many years, if ever. Makes more sense than trying to land without legs directly on a mount though. If they can throttle accurately enough to hover and give the arm a few seconds to reach out and adjust positioning before engine cutoff.

SN9 has completed ambient and cryo proof tests. Maybe a static fire next week?

This is a pretty neat overview of the big space stuff that happened this year if you have an hour to spare.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/h2f0vqgYdLc" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Sounds like SN9 might static fire today.

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021...e-test-flight/

Sounds like they are predictably trying a fix of SN8's RUD for SN9.

SN8’s test was a huge success, despite the explosive finale. The vehicle successfully conducted numerous first-time milestones, with only the loss of thrust from the re-lit Raptors causing the landing burn to fail and the hard landing.

Mitigation of that landing burn issue, which was blamed on the CH4 Header Tank losing pressure, has been implemented into SN9.

“SN9 will press CH4 header tank with helium,” noted Elon, responding to Tim Dodd on Twitter. “Long-term solution is under debate. Not clear what is lightest/simplest.”

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Z72Au8Px7mM" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Had the static fire yesterday. Maybe another one today:

https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-sta...r-static-fire/

Bump for a random SpaceX satellite launch in 45 minutes.

Pushed back a bit.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Team is targeting 9:15 p.m. EST for tonight&#39;s Falcon 9 launch</p>— SpaceX (@SpaceX) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1347354155589910531?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Thanks for the heads up. Music just started.

Some cool shots I hadn't seen before.

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

SN9 hop scheduled for tomorrow

Starship SN9 12.5km hop
SpaceXSuborbital
Boca Chica
SN9
NET Tue, 12th Jan 2021

Apparently there were some really bad winds in TX today.

Love the soundtrack they added. :D

Is it chili day?

Will have to ask at the SpaceX restaurant!

Image from Mary's drive-by tour...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0OfNkZDQy8

Hop moved back

Starship SN9 12.5km hop
SpaceXSuborbital
Boca Chica
SN9
NET Wed, 13th Jan 2021

Now three static fires today:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">STATIC FIRE for Starship SN9 (again!) - the first time Starship has conducted same day back-to-back triple Raptor Static Fire tests.<br><br> Mary (<a href="https://twitter.com/BocaChicaGal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BocaChicaGal</a>) capturing more milestones.<br><br>➡️<a href="https://t.co/eRoZBqx27y">https://t.co/eRoZBqx27y</a> <a href="https://t.co/Hd2iY2g2ri">pic.twitter.com/Hd2iY2g2ri</a></p>&mdash; Chris B - NSF (@NASASpaceflight) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1349452049830785025?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 13, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

And Dragon coming home today as well.

I almost toyed with catching a last-minute flight to San Antonio and trying to catch SN9 this weekend. Talked myself out of it since there's not a lot to do there otherwise. Man, I'm ready for this COVID shit to go away.

I cancelled my planned road trip over the holidays. Considering a drive for SN15 or later if it's after February.

Blue Origin doing.... something today?

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zKVuZ7JKMfE" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Very cool shots for that launch. Well done, BO!

But the anticipated mission took a blow on Friday when SpaceX chief Elon Musk, 49, took to Twitter to announce two of the Starship's engines need replacement.

The world's richest man was asked by one SpaceX fan whether the company was still aiming at a weekend launch.

Mr Musk replied: "Two of the engines need slight repairs, so will be switched out."

Another tweet from Everyday Astronaut pointed out an engine swap on Starship's last iteration, SN8, caused a 26-day delay and the SN9 "might head home for a bit if they're replacing two"

Bummer. Yeah, that'll cause a delay for sure.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0kndcLIAV2Q" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Teams from NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) Program conducted a hot fire of the Artemis I core stage on Jan. 16 at NASA’s Stennis Space Center. All four RS-25 engines ignited successfully, but the test was stopped early after about a minute. At this point, the test was fully automated. During the firing, the onboard software acted appropriately and initiated a safe shutdown of the engines. During the test, the propellant tanks were pressurized, and this data will be valuable as the team plans the path forward. In coming days, engineers will continue to analyze data and will inspect the core stage and its four RS-25 engines to determine the next steps.

Even though SLS really needs to die, that sucks pretty bad. It's almost certain SLS won't fly in 2021 now.

Even though the programs are in dramatically different places, it's also striking how different it is for Starship vs. SLS. Starship finds some issues? Swap a couple of engines. Hopefully fly in a week. SLS finds some issues? Back to the drawing board. Hopefully fly next year.

Kind of flew under the radar that Virgin managed to get to orbit yesterday! That doesn't sound like much, but they're only the third private company to do so (I think), and no one has ever done it from under a jet before. Pretty cool.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">“Looks like the blue skies went to black!” We are overjoyed to share this new video of our Launch Demo 2 flight. The adrenaline is still flowing after we aced this flight and delivered satellites for nine different <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NASA</a> and university teams exactly to their target orbit. <a href="https://t.co/nVX21hXywi">pic.twitter.com/nVX21hXywi</a></p>— Virgin Orbit (@Virgin_Orbit) <a href="https://twitter.com/Virgin_Orbit/status/1351265749562626050?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

As a sign of things to come, SpaceX appears to have purchased two oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico and named them Phobos and Deimos (moons of Mars). Doesn't take a rocket scientist (pun intended) to figure out that these will likely be involved in Starship down the road.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Following up on <a href="https://twitter.com/thejackbeyer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@thejackbeyer</a>&#39;s find, I can confirm that Deimos and Phobos are the names of two oil rigs purchased by SpaceX – likely for conversion to support Starship operations.<br><br>ENSCO 8500 and ENSCO 8501 were the previous names of the rigs. They are nearly identical twins.</p>&mdash; Michael Baylor (@nextspaceflight) <a href="https://twitter.com/nextspaceflight/status/1351442201134264321?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

(more info if you click into the full thread)

Makes complete sense. Those rigs are semi-submersibles. Or, half sunk. Or, half floating?

:)

Is the thought to launch from them, or catch the booster?


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