Just watched the webcast of that. I'm very excited for the next launch, if I understood them correctly, that will be the first one with a recovered 1st stage.
-
Save 15% on ALL SFF Network merch, until Dec 31st! Use code SFF2024 at checkout. Click here!
SpaceX finally nails a droneship landing!
- Thread starter jeshikat
- Start date
Heads up, webcast is live for the SES-10 launch using a re-used first stage. This will also be the first flight testing recovery of the payload fairings (likely parachute test to splashdown early, no sign they're going for full aerocapture this early), and they will possibly be testing the 'roomba', a robot on the ASDS that will drive out and clamp to the underside of the landed first stage to stabilise it while the droneship is tugged back to port. Previously they almost lost the Thaicom-8 core due to rough seas 'walking' it to the edge of the ASDS, and in rough seas it is too unsafe for people to board the ASDS to secure the stage by hand. The 'roomba' has been seen in fitout and testing on OCISLY, but it has not been confirmed if it will actually be used.
::EDIT:: They did it! Launch, land, relaunch, and reland!
::EDIT:: SES-10 successfully injected into GTO!
::EDIT:: They did it! Launch, land, relaunch, and reland!
::EDIT:: SES-10 successfully injected into GTO!
Last edited:
Heads up, CRS-11 second launch attempt (last one was scrubbed due to lightning strike in keep-out zone) in ~8 minutes. First launch re-using the pressure vessel and most avionics & ancillary parts from a previously launched and recovered Dragon capsule.
Another successful launch and landing of a previously flown first stage!
And Dragon has been injected into the proper rendezvous orbit.
::EDIT:: Assuming the previous flightplan is still in effect, the ISS should capture Dragon at ~1410 UTC on Tuesday.
::EDIT:: Assuming the previous flightplan is still in effect, the ISS should capture Dragon at ~1410 UTC on Tuesday.
Last edited:
And another successful launch for Iridium NEXT! The new Titanium grid-fins (a replacement for the aluminium fins, now no longer requiring an ablative coating to withstand re-entry heating) got a real work-out with some dramatic cross-winds during final descent to the drone-ship.
Still not fast enough the outpace Gary the snail yet.
Comparing the speed to a snail was brilliant, really puts into perspective just how slow TBMs are.
Just realized something though, the tunnel segment is still just the parking lot project isn't it? Surely they aren't anywhere close to starting anything with the LA tunnels.
Edit: I swear he must not sleep or something
Just realized something though, the tunnel segment is still just the parking lot project isn't it? Surely they aren't anywhere close to starting anything with the LA tunnels.
Edit: I swear he must not sleep or something
Last edited:
To be fair, I think Gary the snail's like 100x the speed of IRL snails o_o (that's only counting the regular walk cycle speed)
Oh god I love that man. Even when he eventually takes over the world supervillan style.
Third time's the charm? Next launch attempt of Intelsat 35e in about 45 minutes:
Yaay they did it this time! A little annoying that the rocket would've been good to go on both previous launch attempts, but better safe than sorry.
Similar threads
