Science Space Exploration megathread - Page 279

**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.

MagicHef · 03-18-2021, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unlurking

They originally wanted to do a full mission burn simulation. I think 8.5 minutes?

This one was 8 minutes and 19.6 seconds, so maybe it was a full mission duration burn?

unlurking · 03-18-2021, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MagicHef

This one was 8 minutes and 19.6 seconds, so maybe it was a full mission duration burn?

Have been on calls the whole time and not paying much attention. Last I heard they were only going to do 4:30 today. Glad they did go a full burn! (although still would have appreciated a RUD.

)

**Donger** · 03-18-2021, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MagicHef

That was long, especially compared to the ~3 second Starship static fires we've seen recently.

My understanding is that SpaceX does full duration test burns of individual Raptors in McGregor. Could be wrong.

**Donger** · 03-20-2021, 11:50 AM

Lots of activity next week as I get ready to drop off the helicopter for its test flights. It’s tucked underneath me behind a protective debris shield, which will be the first thing to go.

Here’s my team testing some of what’s coming up: pic.twitter.com/CWwtGw87EX
— NASA's Perseverance Mars Rover (@NASAPersevere) March 20, 2021

**Baby Lee** · 03-21-2021, 12:04 PM

**Donger** · 03-21-2021, 12:39 PM

sn11 did a spring equinox dance today��@elonmusk pic.twitter.com/wIc3cCIt80
— ��Trevor Mahlmann (@TrevorMahlmann) March 21, 2021

**Donger** · 03-22-2021, 08:30 AM

STATIC FIRE! Starship SN11 has fired up her three engines ahead of a test flight (as early as Tuesday), pending good test data (looked/sounded good!)

Status: https://t.co/4WkVsCJMiE

Live:https://t.co/cQerCZ0hor pic.twitter.com/AAcI21mQl9
— Chris B - NSF (@NASASpaceflight) March 22, 2021

unlurking · 03-22-2021, 09:04 AM

I've never watched an Electron launch, but since I picked up some shares I figured I watch today's. Stream in ~7 hours if anyone is interested.

**Donger** · 03-22-2021, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unlurking

I've never watched an Electron launch, but since I picked up some shares I figured I watch today's. Stream in ~7 hours if anyone is interested.

Live. T-10:00

**Donger** · 03-24-2021, 08:06 AM

I’m on my way to the “airfield” where the #MarsHelicopter will attempt its first test flight. A couple more drives should get me there.

Read more: https://t.co/FQvxp0XbBM pic.twitter.com/LKkFI9Mrho
— NASA's Perseverance Mars Rover (@NASAPersevere) March 23, 2021

unlurking · 03-29-2021, 07:09 AM

I'm really looking forward to footage of it taking off and flying away from Perseverance and of course the footage from Ingenuity itself.

**Donger** · 03-29-2021, 08:01 AM

SN11 might try to fly today. Hours away though:

Scooter LaCanforno · 03-29-2021, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baby Lee

Now I wonder what was in the TANG we drank as kids ?

Hydrae · 03-30-2021, 07:28 AM

Well, it seems that it went BOOM again. But with the fog it is unknown for now just what happened during the landing.

Molitoth · 03-30-2021, 07:29 AM

Welp.... lol.

I'm wondering if they were trying to test something other than just the "landing".

06-01-2014, 09:40 AM
DaFace Kind of a mod Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Donkey Land Casino cash: $76899	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..
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03-20-2021, 11:50 AM	#4174
Donger "Think BOOM!" Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: 33.675° N 106.475° W Casino cash: $8529900 VARSITY	Lots of activity next week as I get ready to drop off the helicopter for its test flights. It’s tucked underneath me behind a protective debris shield, which will be the first thing to go. Here’s my team testing some of what’s coming up: pic.twitter.com/CWwtGw87EX — NASA's Perseverance Mars Rover (@NASAPersevere) March 20, 2021 __________________ I think the young people enjoy it when I "get down," verbally, don't you?
Posts: 187,183

03-21-2021, 12:04 PM	#4175
Baby Lee Supporter Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $8288275	__________________ We need the kind of courage that can withstand the subtle corruption of the cynics - E.W.
Posts: 95,642	1 0

03-21-2021, 12:39 PM	#4176
Donger "Think BOOM!" Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: 33.675° N 106.475° W Casino cash: $8529900 VARSITY	sn11 did a spring equinox dance today��@elonmusk pic.twitter.com/wIc3cCIt80 — ��Trevor Mahlmann (@TrevorMahlmann) March 21, 2021 __________________ I think the young people enjoy it when I "get down," verbally, don't you?
Posts: 187,183

03-22-2021, 08:30 AM	#4177
Donger "Think BOOM!" Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: 33.675° N 106.475° W Casino cash: $8529900 VARSITY	STATIC FIRE! Starship SN11 has fired up her three engines ahead of a test flight (as early as Tuesday), pending good test data (looked/sounded good!) Status: https://t.co/4WkVsCJMiE Live:https://t.co/cQerCZ0hor pic.twitter.com/AAcI21mQl9 — Chris B - NSF (@NASASpaceflight) March 22, 2021 __________________ I think the young people enjoy it when I "get down," verbally, don't you?
Posts: 187,183

03-22-2021, 09:04 AM	#4178
unlurking MVP Join Date: Aug 2003 Casino cash: $7737309	I've never watched an Electron launch, but since I picked up some shares I figured I watch today's. Stream in ~7 hours if anyone is interested. __________________
Posts: 10,620	1 0

03-24-2021, 08:06 AM	#4180
Donger "Think BOOM!" Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: 33.675° N 106.475° W Casino cash: $8529900 VARSITY	I’m on my way to the “airfield” where the #MarsHelicopter will attempt its first test flight. A couple more drives should get me there. Read more: https://t.co/FQvxp0XbBM pic.twitter.com/LKkFI9Mrho — NASA's Perseverance Mars Rover (@NASAPersevere) March 23, 2021 __________________ I think the young people enjoy it when I "get down," verbally, don't you?
Posts: 187,183	1 0

03-29-2021, 07:09 AM	#4181
unlurking MVP Join Date: Aug 2003 Casino cash: $7737309	I'm really looking forward to footage of it taking off and flying away from Perseverance and of course the footage from Ingenuity itself. __________________
Posts: 10,620

03-29-2021, 08:01 AM	#4182
Donger "Think BOOM!" Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: 33.675° N 106.475° W Casino cash: $8529900 VARSITY	SN11 might try to fly today. Hours away though: __________________ I think the young people enjoy it when I "get down," verbally, don't you?
Posts: 187,183

03-30-2021, 07:28 AM	#4184
Hydrae MVP Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Newport, Or Casino cash: $697000	Well, it seems that it went BOOM again. But with the fog it is unknown for now just what happened during the landing.
Posts: 14,762

03-30-2021, 07:29 AM	#4185
Molitoth Mahomes Fanboi Join Date: Apr 2004 Casino cash: $1434969	Welp.... lol. I'm wondering if they were trying to test something other than just the "landing".
Posts: 19,925