Science Space Exploration megathread - Page 288

**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** · 05-23-2021, 11:47 AM

**Easy 6** · 05-23-2021, 11:59 AM

Ready for fish from outer space? If the soon to be launched Europa Clipper is successful, we'll be learning about them soon...

https://warriormaven.com/air/scienti...jupiters-moons

**HayWire** · 05-24-2021, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

Was just coming here to post this. Just now seen it for the first time. Amazing stuff.

eDave · 05-24-2021, 05:35 PM

So glad they are flying again. My one and only bucket item is getting close to reality. Never thought it would.

philfree · 05-24-2021, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

So that was real and not some high tech animation? That's bad ass. Now do that and fly it on up to the Space Station have a couple cold ones and fly back and land.

That's why the SPCE stock I own jump 20some% today.

**Donger** · 05-26-2021, 12:50 PM

Starlink launch T-10:00

eDave · 05-26-2021, 01:26 PM

I wonder if Elon even goes to these anymore.

That's the first time I've "heard" it go supersonic. Startled me.

Hydrae · 05-26-2021, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

Starlink launch T-10:00

The 100th successful launch by SpaceX on a mission in a row!

**DaFace** · 05-26-2021, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eDave

I wonder if Elon even goes to these anymore.

Doubt it. He doesn't even make it down there for every important launch, let alone all of these "mundane" Starlink launches.

**DaFace** · 05-28-2021, 02:27 PM

Yikes. I'm always kind of amazed that ISS hasn't had more issues with tiny object blasting directly through it. Close call.

Oof, the SSMRS (Space Station Remote Manipulator System) arm (Canadarm2) was hit by MMOD (Micrometeoroids and Orbital Debris) but has been checked out and all is good.

The SSRMS is absolutely vital for ISS ops. https://t.co/EsIQis6Nzs
— Chris B - NSF (@NASASpaceflight) May 28, 2021

**Donger** · 05-28-2021, 02:33 PM

Jesus. I wonder if the crew heard or felt it.

**Donger** · 06-03-2021, 08:48 AM

Falcon 9 Block 5 | CRS-22
OCISLY
Thu Jun 03, 2021 1:29pm EDT
LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida, USA

**Donger** · 06-03-2021, 10:30 AM

T-60:00

**DaFace** · 06-03-2021, 10:54 AM

Not as exciting as when it's people, but at least it's not just another Starlink launch.

**Donger** · 06-03-2021, 11:14 AM

06-01-2014, 09:40 AM
DaFace Kind of a mod Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Donkey Land Casino cash: $146899	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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05-23-2021, 11:47 AM	#4306
Donger "Think BOOM!" Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: 33.675° N 106.475° W Casino cash: $8589900 VARSITY	__________________ I think the young people enjoy it when I "get down," verbally, don't you?
Posts: 187,037	2 0

05-23-2021, 11:59 AM	#4307
Easy 6 pie is never free Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: the drivers seat Casino cash: $1847775	Ready for fish from outer space? If the soon to be launched Europa Clipper is successful, we'll be learning about them soon... https://warriormaven.com/air/scienti...jupiters-moons
Posts: 94,806	1 0

05-24-2021, 05:35 PM	#4309
eDave Banned Join Date: Jan 2013 Casino cash: $9998560	So glad they are flying again. My one and only bucket item is getting close to reality. Never thought it would.
Posts: 53,803

05-26-2021, 12:50 PM	#4311
Donger "Think BOOM!" Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: 33.675° N 106.475° W Casino cash: $8589900 VARSITY	Starlink launch T-10:00 __________________ I think the young people enjoy it when I "get down," verbally, don't you?
Posts: 187,037	1 0

05-26-2021, 01:26 PM	#4312
eDave Banned Join Date: Jan 2013 Casino cash: $9998560	I wonder if Elon even goes to these anymore. That's the first time I've "heard" it go supersonic. Startled me.
Posts: 53,803

05-28-2021, 02:27 PM	#4315
DaFace Kind of a mod Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Donkey Land Casino cash: $146899	Yikes. I'm always kind of amazed that ISS hasn't had more issues with tiny object blasting directly through it. Close call. Oof, the SSMRS (Space Station Remote Manipulator System) arm (Canadarm2) was hit by MMOD (Micrometeoroids and Orbital Debris) but has been checked out and all is good. The SSRMS is absolutely vital for ISS ops. https://t.co/EsIQis6Nzs — Chris B - NSF (@NASASpaceflight) May 28, 2021
Posts: 52,522

05-28-2021, 02:33 PM	#4316
Donger "Think BOOM!" Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: 33.675° N 106.475° W Casino cash: $8589900 VARSITY	Jesus. I wonder if the crew heard or felt it. __________________ I think the young people enjoy it when I "get down," verbally, don't you?
Posts: 187,037

06-03-2021, 08:48 AM	#4317
Donger "Think BOOM!" Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: 33.675° N 106.475° W Casino cash: $8589900 VARSITY	Falcon 9 Block 5 \| CRS-22 OCISLY Thu Jun 03, 2021 1:29pm EDT LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida, USA __________________ I think the young people enjoy it when I "get down," verbally, don't you?
Posts: 187,037

06-03-2021, 10:30 AM	#4318
Donger "Think BOOM!" Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: 33.675° N 106.475° W Casino cash: $8589900 VARSITY	T-60:00 __________________ I think the young people enjoy it when I "get down," verbally, don't you?
Posts: 187,037

06-03-2021, 10:54 AM	#4319
DaFace Kind of a mod Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Donkey Land Casino cash: $146899	Not as exciting as when it's people, but at least it's not just another Starlink launch.
Posts: 52,522

06-03-2021, 11:14 AM	#4320
Donger "Think BOOM!" Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: 33.675° N 106.475° W Casino cash: $8589900 VARSITY	__________________ I think the young people enjoy it when I "get down," verbally, don't you?
Posts: 187,037