DocM Posted July 23, 2017 Author Share Posted July 23, 2017 Jim K, BetaguyGZT and anthdci 3 Share Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1244836-spacex-falcon-heavy-updates-maiden-flight/page/6/#findComment-597970750 Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted July 28, 2017 Author Share Posted July 28, 2017 BetaguyGZT 1 Share Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1244836-spacex-falcon-heavy-updates-maiden-flight/page/6/#findComment-597976938 Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthdci Posted July 28, 2017 Share Posted July 28, 2017 @DocM after maiden launch how long do you think it'll take them to ramp up the launches of it? Considering they'll have lots of numbers to crunch I guess it'll be a few months. I really want to see one go up when I'm there in January. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1244836-spacex-falcon-heavy-updates-maiden-flight/page/6/#findComment-597977122 Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted July 28, 2017 Author Share Posted July 28, 2017 There are 2 FH launches manifested for the first half of 2018; Arabsat 6A and USAF STP-2. No NET dates until after the maiden flight, of course. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1244836-spacex-falcon-heavy-updates-maiden-flight/page/6/#findComment-597977166 Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted July 28, 2017 Author Share Posted July 28, 2017 BetaguyGZT 1 Share Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1244836-spacex-falcon-heavy-updates-maiden-flight/page/6/#findComment-597977466 Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted October 27, 2017 Author Share Posted October 27, 2017 (edited) Rewriting Edited October 27, 2017 by DocM Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1244836-spacex-falcon-heavy-updates-maiden-flight/page/6/#findComment-598080696 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beittil Posted November 1, 2017 Share Posted November 1, 2017 Omgomg... DocM, bguy_1986, BetaguyGZT and 1 other 4 Share Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1244836-spacex-falcon-heavy-updates-maiden-flight/page/6/#findComment-598086450 Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthdci Posted November 2, 2017 Share Posted November 2, 2017 any chance of a slip by about 15 days? It'll be going up before I get there if not Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1244836-spacex-falcon-heavy-updates-maiden-flight/page/6/#findComment-598087524 Share on other sites More sharing options...
BetaguyGZT Posted November 2, 2017 Share Posted November 2, 2017 They could launch anytime after the static fire, depending on how they feel things went, how things are sitting with the vehicle, etc. If all factors are looking good they'll file for the firm launch time with NASA, get the okay, clear it with the RSO, do all the other stuff they need to, make the announcement, and then we'll know for sure. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1244836-spacex-falcon-heavy-updates-maiden-flight/page/6/#findComment-598087552 Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted November 2, 2017 Author Share Posted November 2, 2017 (edited) Don't forget, the range safety officer's role is much diminished now that SpaceX's autonomous flight safety system is live. This allows them to lunch with up to 100 fewer people working the range. It's working so well USAF is talking about implementing it at all their once ranges. ULA won't be able to implement it until Vulcan flies. FH could actually fly earlier than Dec. 29th. They have scheduled 2 wet dress rehearsal; one just a tanking operation and the other the same but ending with a static fire. The NSF story reported that if the first wet dress rehearsal goes very smoothly they may blend the wet dress rehearsals and static fire during the first one. ISTM this could accelerate the launch schedule by a week or more. BetaguyGZT 1 Share Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1244836-spacex-falcon-heavy-updates-maiden-flight/page/6/#findComment-598087594 Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted November 29, 2017 Author Share Posted November 29, 2017 The actual slip is a week or so. No doubt tied to doublechecking the fairings. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1244836-spacex-falcon-heavy-updates-maiden-flight/page/6/#findComment-598114640 Share on other sites More sharing options...
BetaguyGZT Posted November 29, 2017 Share Posted November 29, 2017 Gotta be something they're seeing that they don't like. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1244836-spacex-falcon-heavy-updates-maiden-flight/page/6/#findComment-598114684 Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted November 29, 2017 Author Share Posted November 29, 2017 This is related to the problem they ran into with the fairings, something that they didn't like in one for a future launch. Now they're checking to see if that problem propagated itself to other fairings. Now that Iridium is talking about a date range I would think they've got the problem in hand and are just waiting to get CRS-13, which of course doesn't need a fairing, off the ground. BetaguyGZT 1 Share Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1244836-spacex-falcon-heavy-updates-maiden-flight/page/6/#findComment-598114704 Share on other sites More sharing options...
BetaguyGZT Posted November 29, 2017 Share Posted November 29, 2017 Yep. The first thing that comes to my mind would be that oscillation when they fairings are first cut loose. That wobble could in theory recontact the payload. That bottom cut of the fairing isn't rigid, so that's why they wobble like they do. It's meant to save weight. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1244836-spacex-falcon-heavy-updates-maiden-flight/page/6/#findComment-598114708 Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted November 29, 2017 Author Share Posted November 29, 2017 That or the pushers that they use to deploy them are a vendor item and had a variance. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1244836-spacex-falcon-heavy-updates-maiden-flight/page/6/#findComment-598114720 Share on other sites More sharing options...
BetaguyGZT Posted November 29, 2017 Share Posted November 29, 2017 Yep. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1244836-spacex-falcon-heavy-updates-maiden-flight/page/6/#findComment-598114736 Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted December 1, 2017 Author Share Posted December 1, 2017 Peek-a-boo.... Beittil and BetaguyGZT 2 Share Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1244836-spacex-falcon-heavy-updates-maiden-flight/page/6/#findComment-598117542 Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted December 2, 2017 Author Share Posted December 2, 2017 Not...sure...if...serious... BetaguyGZT 1 Share Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1244836-spacex-falcon-heavy-updates-maiden-flight/page/6/#findComment-598118698 Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted December 2, 2017 Author Share Posted December 2, 2017 (edited) @RocketJoy is a SpaceXer, so this sounds serious. And they thought the wheel of cheese on Dragon #1 was different... Edited December 2, 2017 by DocM BetaguyGZT 1 Share Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1244836-spacex-falcon-heavy-updates-maiden-flight/page/6/#findComment-598118718 Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted December 2, 2017 Author Share Posted December 2, 2017 (edited) https://arstechnica.com/science/2017/12/with-bowie-playing-on-the-radio-elon-musk-plans-to-launch-his-tesla-to-mars/ Quote Previously, SpaceX founder Elon Musk has said he intends to launch the "silliest thing we can imagine" on the maiden launch of the Falcon Heavy. This is partly because the rocket is experimental—there is a non-trivial chance the rocket will explode on the launch pad, or shortly after launch. It is also partly because Musk is a master showman who knows how to grab attention. On Friday evening, Musk tweeted what that payload would be—his "midnight cherry Tesla Roadster." And the car will be playing Space Oddity, by David Bowie; the song which begins, "Ground Control to Major Tom." Oh, and the powerful Falcon Heavy rocket will send the Tesla into orbit around Mars. "Will be in deep space for a billion years or so if it doesn’t blow up on ascent," Musk added. Ars was able to confirm Friday night from a company source that this is definitely a legitimate payload. > BetaguyGZT 1 Share Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1244836-spacex-falcon-heavy-updates-maiden-flight/page/6/#findComment-598118724 Share on other sites More sharing options...
BetaguyGZT Posted December 2, 2017 Share Posted December 2, 2017 How fitting is that .... Elon wants to make a statement, I think. Either FH works or it blows up and trashes what is likely SN# 00001 that rolled off the Tesla production lines. And watch -- BFS's return flight to Earth will be to retrieve said Tesla Roadster, for identical reasons ... if it makes it to Mars. DocM 1 Share Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1244836-spacex-falcon-heavy-updates-maiden-flight/page/6/#findComment-598118728 Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted December 2, 2017 Author Share Posted December 2, 2017 5 minutes ago, Unobscured Vision said: How fitting is that .... Elon wants to make a statement, I think. Either FH works or it blows up and trashes what is likely SN# 00001 that rolled off the Tesla production lines. And watch -- BFS's return flight to Earth will be to retrieve said Tesla Roadster, for identical reasons ... if it makes it to Mars. That or BFS picks it up in orbit, drops it on the surface of Mars and the crew use it to tool around. THAT would be perfect. BetaguyGZT 1 Share Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1244836-spacex-falcon-heavy-updates-maiden-flight/page/6/#findComment-598118732 Share on other sites More sharing options...
BetaguyGZT Posted December 2, 2017 Share Posted December 2, 2017 1 minute ago, DocM said: That or BFS picks it up in orbit, drops it on the surface of Mars and the crew use it to tool around. THAT would be perfect. That would be perfect. No reason to think it wouldn't work, other than needing to adjust the tire pressure for the Martian atmosphere and minding the cooling needs of the batteries/motor (lack of atmosphere = lack of efficient cooling). Otherwise should work as long as nobody takes their helmet off inside the car without thinking ... Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1244836-spacex-falcon-heavy-updates-maiden-flight/page/6/#findComment-598118736 Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted December 2, 2017 Author Share Posted December 2, 2017 Sounds like it'll be instrumented with comms, propulsion etc. Obviously, one hell of a custom payload adapter. The full details of this are going to be real interesting. flyingskippy and BetaguyGZT 2 Share Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1244836-spacex-falcon-heavy-updates-maiden-flight/page/6/#findComment-598118738 Share on other sites More sharing options...
BetaguyGZT Posted December 2, 2017 Share Posted December 2, 2017 Oh holy hell. I know why they're sending it to Mars. Because ELON is going there himself, FIRST ship that heads there. It'll be him as part of the Setup Crew. Watch and see. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1244836-spacex-falcon-heavy-updates-maiden-flight/page/6/#findComment-598118768 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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