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2 hours ago, SALSN said:

All these impressive numbers are before any Raptor implementation, correct? Whit a Raptor second stage, this is going to be even crazier! (Perhaps that is what all the static is Unobscured Vision's posts are about? but as far as I know that is not really a secret?)

Everybody's already known about a likely implementation of Raptor on the second stage for a while now. The stuff in [static] and [elsewhere] are ... spoilers. :) Stuff that can't be disclosed yet, but can be teased. Elon will drop the mic when he's ready to, Soon (TM). :yes: 

1 hour ago, Unobscured Vision said:

Everybody's already known about a likely implementation of Raptor on the second stage for a while now. The stuff in [static] and [elsewhere] are ... spoilers. :) Stuff that can't be disclosed yet, but can be teased. Elon will drop the mic when he's ready to, Soon (TM). :yes: 

That is what I thought. But now I'm even more curious to find out what the next reveal is about, I thought they had pretty much dialled the F9 system in by now, and thus also the F9 which is of course largely based on the F9.

The center core is already massively overbuilt; a whole different core version. Also a new Interstage, S2 upgrades include reinforcements, mods for a much longer coast (direct geostationary insertions for DoD) etc. This bird will be a bad ass mo-fo without a Raptor S2. 

 

Don't be surprised if the new, larger, forged titanium grid fins look a bit like those on ITS.

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And the boosters will be reflown cores, so reusability pays off often and early.

 

A successful Falcon Heavy maiden flight with 3 recoverd cores, 2 reused, would be a flipping earthquake in the launch industry.

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Chris Bergin at NSF just posted an image of a soon to be re-flown Falcon Heavy booster core on the test stand at McGregor. Sounding like it's Core 1023 - Thaicom-8.  Now 1023-2.

 

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42705.msg1665165#new

 

ConeHeads Rule!!l

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  • 2 weeks later...
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They've already tested all 3 cores separately. 

 

They have a few items to add to the launch mount, including 4 more hold-downs and plumbing, before they can mount Falcon Heavy.  They also have to mount the Commercial Crew crew arm & white room. Can't do those until LC-40 is back in operation, which should be August-ish. Should take about 6 weeks.

 

The first integrated burn with 27 engines will be a wet dress rehearsal and static fire on LC-39A this fall.

Edited by DocM
10 hours ago, DocM said:

SpaceX says a mass simulator of some kind, but pulling a rabbit out their hat at the last minute wouldn't be a surprise. 

or a wheel of cheese ;)

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BIG BIRD INCOMING!!

 

FH booster core 1023.2 (Thaicom-8) heading to KSC to meet up with 1033, the FH #1 center core. FH booster core 1025.2 (CRS-9) mods are being finished up before heading to McGregor for firing.

 

The FH #1 S2 "Frankenstage" is next. The Frankenstage is modded for the S2 recovery experiment on FH #1.

 

All photos taken at Imgur....

 

59559df9e521c_FH1_booster_core-B1023.thumb.jpg.7fd8a5937757d01ea06d16e56676293f.jpg

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