Science Space Exploration megathread - Page 223

**DaFace** · 07:17 AM

Since a number of cool things are happening in space exploration these days, we'll widen the scope of this thread a smidge. Conversation about all things space exploration are welcome, whether it be from NASA, SpaceX, ULA, Blue Origin, or anyone else. Chances are most of the discussion will still be about SpaceX since they love to make things public and fun, but nothing's off limits. I'll eventually get around to modifying the OP to include resources for other companies too, but in the meantime, feel free to post any cool stuff you run across.

Lists of Upcoming Missions

Spoiler!

How to Watch a Live Launch

Spoiler!

Where to Learn More

Spoiler!

Glossary

Spoiler!

Space discussions tend to get a little bogged down in jargon, so here's a list of terms you might encounter. (Others, please let me know of others that should be added.)

ASDS - Autonomous Spaceport Droneship - The "barges" that they sometimes land rockets on.
Dragon - The cone-shaped capsule that sits at the top of the rocket for ISS-bound launches that holds the cargo (or, in the future, humans).
F9 - Falcon 9, the name of the rocket itself.
FH - Falcon Heavy, the three-booster version.
GTO - Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit, a type of orbit that will eventually result in the satellite orbiting the earth as it turns so that it seems to be in the same spot from the ground (such as DirecTV or Dish satellites). These types of launches are particularly challenging because they require a lot of power to get them into the right orbit, leaving very little fuel left for landing.
HIF - Horizontal Integration Facility - the building near the launch pad where they put all of the pieces of the rocket together before rolling it out to the pad.
ISS - The International Space Station
JRTI - Just Read The Instructions, the name of the "barge" that they land on for west-coast launches.
LEO - Low Earth Orbit, a fairly low orbit shared by many satellites and ISS. These launches usually require less power to achieve the proper orbit, so the first stage can often be landed back on land rather than on a drone ship.
LZ1 - Landing Zone 1, basically a big open slab of concrete at Cape Canaveral where the first stage will attempt to land (for some launches).
NET - No Earlier Than, basically the date they're hoping to launch, but rocket launches have a tendency of getting delayed.
OCISLY - Of Course I Still Love You, the name of the "barge" that they land on for east-coast launches.
RTLS - Return to Landing Site, a mission where the first stage comes back and lands at LZ1.
Starship - SpaceX's next-generation rocket (and spacecraft) that will hopefully one day take us to Mars. Starship is the "second stage" that will carry cargo or people, but also refers to the whole system. (It's confusing, but think of it like the Space Shuttle, which was both the shuttle itself and the entire launch system.)
Super Heavy - The giant booster that will carry Starship to space.

**Donger** · 09-23-2020, 11:14 AM

Sept. 26 Delta 4-Heavy • NROL-44

Launch time: 0414 GMT (12:14 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: SLC-37B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida

A United Launch Alliance Delta 4-Heavy rocket will launch a classified spy satellite cargo for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office. The largest of the Delta 4 family, the Heavy version features three Common Booster Cores mounted together to form a triple-body rocket. Delayed from June and Aug. 26. Scrubbed on Aug. 27 by pneumatics issue. Aborted at T-minus 3 seconds on Aug. 29. [Sept. 22]

Sept. 27 Falcon 9 • Starlink 12

Launch time: 1443 GMT (10:43 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the 13th batch of approximately 60 satellites for SpaceX’s Starlink broadband network, a mission designated Starlink 12. Scrubbed on Sept. 17 due to recovery weather. [Sept. 22]

**Donger** · 09-28-2020, 08:25 AM

Sept. 28 Falcon 9 • Starlink 12

Launch time: 1422 GMT (10:22 a.m. EDT)

Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the 13th batch of approximately 60 satellites for SpaceX’s Starlink broadband network, a mission designated Starlink 12. Scrubbed on Sept. 17 due to recovery weather. Delayed from Sept. 27. [Sept. 25]

**Donger** · 09-28-2020, 08:26 AM

And scrubbed:

Standing down from launch of Starlink due to weather; will announce a new target launch date once confirmed
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) September 28, 2020

I suck at this. We need DaFace back.

Daffy · 09-28-2020, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

And scrubbed:

Standing down from launch of Starlink due to weather; will announce a new target launch date once confirmed
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) September 28, 2020

I suck at this. We need DaFace back.

I dunno. You seem like you're doing a pretty good job to me.

GloryDayz · 09-28-2020, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

And scrubbed:

Standing down from launch of Starlink due to weather; will announce a new target launch date once confirmed
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) September 28, 2020

I suck at this. We need DaFace back.

You're doing a fine job... We all really appreciate you keeping this going.

**Donger** · 09-29-2020, 09:00 AM

Now targeting Wednesday, September 30 for Falcon 9’s launch of GPS III Space Vehicle 04 for improved launch and recovery weather
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) September 29, 2020

**Donger** · 09-29-2020, 09:03 AM

Sept. 29/30

Falcon 9 • GPS 3 SV04

Launch time: 0155-0210 GMT on 30th (9:55-10:10 p.m. EDT on 29th)

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. [Sept. 22]

allen_kcCard · 09-29-2020, 09:03 AM

You are doing just fine, thanks Donger. We do need DaFace back for this thread, but that isn't an indictment on how you have been doing.

**Donger** · 09-29-2020, 09:04 AM

YES!!!

NEWS: We’re now targeting 2:40am ET Saturday, Oct. 31, for the launch of the @NASA and @SpaceX Crew-1 mission to send astronauts to the @Space_Station. Here is the latest #LaunchAmerica update: https://t.co/UXtCHLq247 pic.twitter.com/szkUUQMVv1
— Kathy Lueders (@KathyLueders) September 29, 2020

Daffy · 09-29-2020, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allen_kcCard

You are doing just fine, thanks Donger. We do need DaFace back for this thread, but that isn't an indictment on how you have been doing.

Nah, that dude's a dick.

But seriously, I don't really think you guys have been missing anything. "DaFace" might have added some color commentary, but otherwise it looks like Donger's been keeping up on the major news.

Daffy · 09-29-2020, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

YES!!!

NEWS: We’re now targeting 2:40am ET Saturday, Oct. 31, for the launch of the @NASA and @SpaceX Crew-1 mission to send astronauts to the @Space_Station. Here is the latest #LaunchAmerica update: https://t.co/UXtCHLq247 pic.twitter.com/szkUUQMVv1
— Kathy Lueders (@KathyLueders) September 29, 2020

Apparently n00bs can't use thumbs...

I wonder if they scheduled the DEMO-1 launch around viewing times to get the publicity. Makes sense that the next one would just go when they need to go, but kind of sucks that it'll be in the middle of the night for most people.

Daffy · 09-29-2020, 09:47 AM

BTW, I'm finding the "Next Spaceflight" app to be very solid to help keep track of launches. They're aiming to launch the Delta IV Heavy again tonight, though it's been scrub after scrub after scrub for them lately.

**DaFace** · 09-29-2020, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daffy

Apparently n00bs can't use thumbs...

I wonder if they scheduled the DEMO-1 launch around viewing times to get the publicity. Makes sense that the next one would just go when they need to go, but kind of sucks that it'll be in the middle of the night for most people.

Banned for being a mult.

Hydrae · 09-29-2020, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaFace

Banned for being a mult.

You banned your own mult? That's harsh!

j/k Welcome back!

**DaFace** · 09-30-2020, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hydrae

You banned your own mult? That's harsh!

j/k Welcome back!

Thanks. I'm probably still going to be relatively scarce compared to before, but this thread is kind of my baby, so I'll try and pop in often enough to at least post the stuff I think is interesting.

So on that note, the Delta IV Heavy launch keeps getting scrubbed, which keeps forcing SpaceX to bump their launches back. But here's a super cool shot of both F9's patiently waiting for their turns to fly.

Targeting Thursday, October 1 at 9:17 a.m. EDT for launch of Starlink. Due to a conflict on the Range, now targeting launch of GPS III-4 on Friday, October 2; 15-min window opens at 9:43 p.m. EDT pic.twitter.com/VVhhatjBbh
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) September 30, 2020

06-01-2014, 09:40 AM
DaFace Kind of a mod Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Donkey Land Casino cash: $116899	Space Exploration megathread Since a number of cool things are happening in space exploration these days, we'll widen the scope of this thread a smidge. Conversation about all things space exploration are welcome, whether it be from NASA, SpaceX, ULA, Blue Origin, or anyone else. Chances are most of the discussion will still be about SpaceX since they love to make things public and fun, but nothing's off limits. I'll eventually get around to modifying the OP to include resources for other companies too, but in the meantime, feel free to post any cool stuff you run across. Lists of Upcoming Missions Spoiler! General lists: https://nextspaceflight.com/ http://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/ SpaceX specific list: https://spacexnow.com/upcoming.php How to Watch a Live Launch Spoiler! SpaceX: https://www.spacex.com/launches/ ULA: https://www.youtube.com/user/UnitedLaunchAlliance RocketLab: https://www.youtube.com/user/RocketLabNZ NASATV will also cover some launches (primarily ISS resupply missions): https://www.youtube.com/user/NASAtelevision Where to Learn More Spoiler! Some cool pics... https://www.flickr.com/photos/spacex/ https://www.instagram.com/spacex/?hl=en Twitter feed is usually interesing... https://twitter.com/SpaceX https://twitter.com/elonmusk The SpaceX sub is a great source of info... https://www.reddit.com/r/spacex https://www.reddit.com/r/spacex/wiki/index And for a more forum-style discussion board... http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php#c17 And there are plenty of YouTube channels with great content... Joe Scott - Lost of "future" discussion. Some about rockets and space. Much that goes beyond. Scott Manley - Super smart dude (engineer) who reviews a lot of major events in space exploration. Frazer Cain (Universe Today) - Podcast-style videos that go in-depth into space topics. Tim Dodd (Everyday Astronaut) - A "random dude" who got really into space (particularly SpaceX). He's a great resource for simple explanations of this stuff, as well as live hosting launches. USLaunchReport - Lost of videos of the more mundane stuff (e.g., booster recovery operations). Not a ton of commentary. NASASpaceFlight - Live hosting of most launches including a ton of video of Starlink operations. Glossary Spoiler! Space discussions tend to get a little bogged down in jargon, so here's a list of terms you might encounter. (Others, please let me know of others that should be added.) ASDS - Autonomous Spaceport Droneship - The "barges" that they sometimes land rockets on. Dragon - The cone-shaped capsule that sits at the top of the rocket for ISS-bound launches that holds the cargo (or, in the future, humans). F9 - Falcon 9, the name of the rocket itself. FH - Falcon Heavy, the three-booster version. GTO - Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit, a type of orbit that will eventually result in the satellite orbiting the earth as it turns so that it seems to be in the same spot from the ground (such as DirecTV or Dish satellites). These types of launches are particularly challenging because they require a lot of power to get them into the right orbit, leaving very little fuel left for landing. HIF - Horizontal Integration Facility - the building near the launch pad where they put all of the pieces of the rocket together before rolling it out to the pad. ISS - The International Space Station JRTI - Just Read The Instructions, the name of the "barge" that they land on for west-coast launches. LEO - Low Earth Orbit, a fairly low orbit shared by many satellites and ISS. These launches usually require less power to achieve the proper orbit, so the first stage can often be landed back on land rather than on a drone ship. LZ1 - Landing Zone 1, basically a big open slab of concrete at Cape Canaveral where the first stage will attempt to land (for some launches). NET - No Earlier Than, basically the date they're hoping to launch, but rocket launches have a tendency of getting delayed. OCISLY - Of Course I Still Love You, the name of the "barge" that they land on for east-coast launches. RTLS - Return to Landing Site, a mission where the first stage comes back and lands at LZ1. Starship - SpaceX's next-generation rocket (and spacecraft) that will hopefully one day take us to Mars. Starship is the "second stage" that will carry cargo or people, but also refers to the whole system. (It's confusing, but think of it like the Space Shuttle, which was both the shuttle itself and the entire launch system.) Super Heavy - The giant booster that will carry Starship to space. Last edited by DaFace; 10-13-2024 at 07:17 AM..
Posts: 52,532	1 0

09-23-2020, 11:14 AM	#3331
Donger "Think BOOM!" Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: 33.675° N 106.475° W Casino cash: $8559900 VARSITY	Sept. 26 Delta 4-Heavy • NROL-44 Launch time: 0414 GMT (12:14 a.m. EDT) Launch site: SLC-37B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida A United Launch Alliance Delta 4-Heavy rocket will launch a classified spy satellite cargo for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office. The largest of the Delta 4 family, the Heavy version features three Common Booster Cores mounted together to form a triple-body rocket. Delayed from June and Aug. 26. Scrubbed on Aug. 27 by pneumatics issue. Aborted at T-minus 3 seconds on Aug. 29. [Sept. 22] Sept. 27 Falcon 9 • Starlink 12 Launch time: 1443 GMT (10:43 a.m. EDT) Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the 13th batch of approximately 60 satellites for SpaceX’s Starlink broadband network, a mission designated Starlink 12. Scrubbed on Sept. 17 due to recovery weather. [Sept. 22] __________________ I think the young people enjoy it when I "get down," verbally, don't you?
Posts: 187,111	1 0

09-28-2020, 08:25 AM	#3332
Donger "Think BOOM!" Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: 33.675° N 106.475° W Casino cash: $8559900 VARSITY	Sept. 28 Falcon 9 • Starlink 12 Launch time: 1422 GMT (10:22 a.m. EDT) Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the 13th batch of approximately 60 satellites for SpaceX’s Starlink broadband network, a mission designated Starlink 12. Scrubbed on Sept. 17 due to recovery weather. Delayed from Sept. 27. [Sept. 25] __________________ I think the young people enjoy it when I "get down," verbally, don't you?
Posts: 187,111

09-28-2020, 08:26 AM	#3333
Donger "Think BOOM!" Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: 33.675° N 106.475° W Casino cash: $8559900 VARSITY	And scrubbed: Standing down from launch of Starlink due to weather; will announce a new target launch date once confirmed — SpaceX (@SpaceX) September 28, 2020 I suck at this. We need DaFace back. __________________ I think the young people enjoy it when I "get down," verbally, don't you?
Posts: 187,111	2 0

09-29-2020, 09:00 AM	#3336
Donger "Think BOOM!" Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: 33.675° N 106.475° W Casino cash: $8559900 VARSITY	Now targeting Wednesday, September 30 for Falcon 9’s launch of GPS III Space Vehicle 04 for improved launch and recovery weather — SpaceX (@SpaceX) September 29, 2020 __________________ I think the young people enjoy it when I "get down," verbally, don't you?
Posts: 187,111

09-29-2020, 09:03 AM	#3337
Donger "Think BOOM!" Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: 33.675° N 106.475° W Casino cash: $8559900 VARSITY	Sept. 29/30 Falcon 9 • GPS 3 SV04 Launch time: 0155-0210 GMT on 30th (9:55-10:10 p.m. EDT on 29th) 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. [Sept. 22] __________________ I think the young people enjoy it when I "get down," verbally, don't you?
Posts: 187,111

09-29-2020, 09:03 AM	#3338
allen_kcCard Veteran Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $3553183	You are doing just fine, thanks Donger. We do need DaFace back for this thread, but that isn't an indictment on how you have been doing.
Posts: 2,775

09-29-2020, 09:04 AM	#3339
Donger "Think BOOM!" Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: 33.675° N 106.475° W Casino cash: $8559900 VARSITY	YES!!! NEWS: We’re now targeting 2:40am ET Saturday, Oct. 31, for the launch of the @NASA and @SpaceX Crew-1 mission to send astronauts to the @Space_Station. Here is the latest #LaunchAmerica update: https://t.co/UXtCHLq247 pic.twitter.com/szkUUQMVv1 — Kathy Lueders (@KathyLueders) September 29, 2020 __________________ I think the young people enjoy it when I "get down," verbally, don't you?
Posts: 187,111	1 0

09-29-2020, 09:47 AM	#3342
Daffy Banned Join Date: Aug 2020 Casino cash: $10000400	BTW, I'm finding the "Next Spaceflight" app to be very solid to help keep track of launches. They're aiming to launch the Delta IV Heavy again tonight, though it's been scrub after scrub after scrub for them lately.
Posts: 4