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Sigmetnow

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Re: SpaceX
« Reply #850 on: September 25, 2020, 04:28:03 PM »
Quote
SpaceX (@SpaceX) 9/25/20, 6:42 AM
Static fire test complete – targeting Tuesday, September 29 for Falcon 9's launch of the GPS III Space Vehicle 04 mission
https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1309443268233445376

—- Next SpaceX launches: Sunday and Tuesday

Sept. 27: Falcon 9 • Starlink 12
Launch time: 1443 GMT (10:43 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the 13th batch of approximately 60 satellites for SpaceX’s Starlink broadband network, a mission designated Starlink 12. Scrubbed on Sept. 17 due to recovery weather.

Sept. 29/30: Falcon 9 • GPS 3 SV04
Launch time: 0155-0210 GMT on 30th (9:55-10:10 p.m. EDT on 29th)
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the U.S. Air Force’s fourth third-generation navigation satellite for the Global Positioning System. The satellite is built by Lockheed Martin. Delayed from October, December, May, July and August. Moved forward from Sept. 30.

https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/


—- Starship
Quote
SpaceX (@SpaceX) 9/24/20, 10:21 PM
Completed a full duration test fire of the Raptor Vacuum engine at SpaceX’s rocket development facility in McGregor, Texas
https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1309317126130339845
15 sec vid.   Mach diamond!

Raptor Vacuum engine photo/info:  https://forum.arctic-sea-ice.net/index.php?topic=2582.msg285229#msg285229

—-
SN8's flaps remain folded back from an earlier test, a header tank for SN11 was spotted, High Bay work continued, and the tank farm got some modifications. 
Spoiler:  the “tank stands” are for… a tank. ;)

SpaceX Boca Chica - Starship SN8 Folds Its Fins - YouTube
➡️https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAGnXYPMtIo


—- Axiom’s upcoming SpaceX tourist flights
“Boeing’s just not flying yet.”
Axiom finalizing agreements for private astronaut mission to space station
September 23, 2020 Stephen Clark
Quote
“Our customers are private astronauts on these flights, but we don’t fly any private astronauts without a professional astronaut,” Suffredini said. “So the flight will have four seats. We’ll have three customers and an Axiom professional astronaut.”


While astronauts train more than a year to prepare for six-month expeditions on the space station, the private astronauts Axiom plans to fly for a week-and-a-half will undergo about 15 weeks of training, Suffredini said.

Axiom’s customers will spend about half of that time training in Southern California at SpaceX, which provides the Crew Dragon spacecraft, Falcon 9 launch vehicle, spacesuits, and recovery teams to greet the astronauts after their return to Earth. The other half of the training will primarily occur at the Johnson Space Center in Houston to familiarize the passengers with the space station itself, Suffredini said. …
https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/09/23/axiom-finalizing-agreements-for-private-astronaut-mission-to-space-station/


—-  NASA Moon Plan
NASA lays out $28 billion plan to return astronauts to the moon in 2024
September 21, 2020 Stephen Clark
https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/09/21/nasa-lays-out-28-billion-plan-to-return-astronauts-to-the-moon-in-2024/


—-  OneWeb
Arianespace plans to commence commercial services by the end of 2021 for regions including the United Kingdom, Alaska, Northern Europe, Greenland, Iceland, and Canada.
OneWeb to resume launches in December after bankruptcy
https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/09/22/oneweb-to-resume-launches-in-december-after-bankruptcy/
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Sigmetnow

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Re: SpaceX
« Reply #851 on: September 26, 2020, 08:28:20 PM »
—- Starship
Quote
Elon Musk (@elonmusk) 9/26/20, 1:36 PM
Starship SN8 with rear body flaps
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1309909732954533889
⬇️Photo below.
~ Nosecone & front flaps next week. SN9 next month.
~ First flight is to 15km or ~50,000 ft
~ We just need enough height to test body flaps & drawing propellant from headers vs main tanks. Will do several flights to confirm working well, then add heat shield & go high Mach.

< Sidenote: Did SN7.1 get to an acceptable bar rating before pop? (per SN8 confidence, given the same alloy).
EM:  8 bar differential in ullage, 9 bar at base due to propellant head. It’s enough. Improvements in work.

—— Comments on the Vacuum Raptor test (see posts above)
Quote
SpaceX (@SpaceX) 9/24/20, 10:21 PM
Completed a full duration test fire of the Raptor Vacuum engine at SpaceX’s rocket development facility in McGregor, Texas
https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1309317126130339845
Quote
< It survived?!?! IT SURVIVED!!! And they even fired it at sea level without vacuum conditions (a giant tube)!!! @elonmusk how did it hold up at sea level without flow separation?! It looks like it has a big expansion ratio!
Elon Musk (@elonmusk) 9/25/20, 2:53 AM:  107 expansion ratio. You can a little bit of flow separation towards the end of the nozzle.
< is the solid support ring keeping the engine intact?
Elon Musk:  Yeah, but might not need it
<< It's all about the shape of the bell nozzle. when you are in the vacuum of space the higher your expansion ratio is the more efficient your rocket is. The expansion ratio is the ratio between the exit of the combustion chamber and the end of the nozzle.
< Do you expect the nozzle to collapse inward at sea level, big vacuum between the inside of the nozzle and the exhaust?
<< That is essentially the risk. Merlin Vacuum has a very thin bell extension which would likely be destroyed if it were tested like this. Instead, SpaceX tests them with the extension removed. Raptor's extension is much more complex, precluding that kind of testing. Though more like wobbling until it tore itself apart, rather than imploding.

< Okay newb question but I take it it's not normal for vacuum engines to operate at sea level?
<< No, it's not, the bell is much bigger on a vacuum engine, which usually means the flow at sea level would separate from it before it reached the end, which is very bad
< I think I get it - at vacuum or lower atmosphere pressures the flow expands and fills that chamber better? At sea level the exhaust would narrow and pull away from the bell...? Got some reading and youtubing to do clearly now I'm fascinated
Everyday Astronaut: Check this out! I go through expansion ratios and why it’s not good to fire a vacuum engine at sea level!  youtu.be/D4SaofKCYwo
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1309385646033842176


=====
—-  DoD chooses previously flown SpaceX Falcon 9 boosters for first time
Quote
Thomas Burghardt: The Department of Defense will use reflown Falcon 9 boosters to support 2 upcoming GPS launches. The DoD was the last major SpaceX customer to require new boosters for their missions. Good chance that this means some other USSF and NROL missions will change to reused boosters.

Irene Klotz (@Free_Space) 9/25/20, 11:29 AM
Air Force clears @SpaceX to fly two upcoming GPS satellites on previously flown @SpaceX Falcon 9 rockets, saving $26m per flight, says Dr Walt Lauderale
https://twitter.com/free_space/status/1309515417703120897


—- Judge denies SpaceX contract claim
Quote
Joey Roulette (@joroulette) 9/25/20, 12:40 PM
New: A federal judge plans to deny SpaceX’s challenge to Air Force contracts awarded to its rivals, writing in a sealed court filing that the Pentagon properly assessed the development of Musk's Starship rocket system as “too risky and expensive.” 
https://twitter.com/joroulette/status/1309533164684091393

Update: Part of SpaceX’s pitch to the Air Force included a modified version of Starship with an expendable upper stage - a “substantial” design change to the rocket’s fully reusable architecture that the Air Force considered too complex of a challenge.
SpaceX handed loss in challenge over Air Force contract
https://mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUSKCN26G2MA
Among the Twitter comments:  But Starship will get to orbit before ULA’s Vulcan rocket.
< Gotta protect the military industrial complex.
<< Bingo


—- IMAP mission, 2024
SpaceX:  Falcon 9 will launch @NASA’s super cool Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP), which will help researchers better understand the boundary of the heliosphere, a magnetic barrier surrounding our solar system → nasa.gov/press-release/…
~ Also catching a ride on this mission are a critical @NOAA solar storm warning beacon and a @NASAJPL smallsat to explore lunar water deposits
https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1309605013899980801

SpaceX earns NASA contract to launch a probe to research the 'barrier surrounding our solar system'
Quote
Surrounding our solar system lies a barrier of super-hot plasma called the heliosphere, it is a giant wall of fire created by the Sun that defines the edge of interstellar space. NASA plans to send an Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) to research the boundary that separates our solar system from other star systems. Today, September 25, NASA announced it selected SpaceX to launch the agency’s IMAP probe towards the heliosphere atop a Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The mission is scheduled for October 2024.

– “IMAP will help researchers better understand the boundary of the heliosphere, a magnetic barrier surrounding our solar system. This region is where the constant flow of particles from our Sun, called the solar wind, collides with winds from other stars,” the agency explains in a press release, “This collision limits the amount of harmful cosmic radiation entering the heliosphere. IMAP will collect and map neutral particles that make it through, as well as investigate the fundamental processes of how particles are accelerated in space, from its vantage point orbiting the Sun at the Lagrange 1 point directly between the Sun and Earth.” …
https://www.tesmanian.com/blogs/tesmanian-blog/spacex-nasa-imap
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Sigmetnow

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Re: SpaceX
« Reply #852 on: September 27, 2020, 05:27:36 PM »
Crazy times at the Cape!
Friday, ULA again scrubbed the oft-delayed NROL44 mission “due to an issue with the swing arm retraction system.” Rescheduled for just after midnight Sunday.  But then “Additional time is needed for the team to test and evaluate the swing arm retraction system,” with an NET Tuesday Sept 29.

Meanwhile:
Quote
SpaceX (@SpaceX) 9/27/20, 10:28 AM
Targeting Monday, September 28 at 10:22 a.m. EDT for Falcon 9’s launch of 60 Starlink satellites from Launch Complex 39A in Florida
https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1310224828574478341

Quote
Chris G - NSF (@ChrisG_NSF) 9/27/20, 10:28 AM
So here's what happened to allow #Starlink to still have the Range for tomorrow morning.
#DeltaIVHeavy with #NROL44 slipped again from 28th to "just after midnight" on 29th.
This opened up the earlier parts of the 28th for another launch. #SpaceX had already requested...

 ...and were put back on their originally requested day and time for #Starlink.
Delta IV just after midnight on the 29th also leaves 19 hours left to reconfigure the range back to Falcon 9 for the #GPS3 launch later that same day. So, what we now have is...

CURRENT U.S. LAUNCH SCHEDULE:
28 Sept. @ 10:22 EDT (1422 UTC): #Starlink
29 Sept. @ just after midnight (0400 UTC): #NROL44
29 Sept. @ 21:55 EDT (0155 UTC): [SpaceX] #GPS3
29 Sept. @ 22:28 EDT (0228 UTC): #NG14/#Antares from Virginia.
https://twitter.com/chrisg_nsf/status/1310224894106492930

—-
And so, the SpaceX armada is out in full force:
Quote
Gavin - SpaceXFleet.com (@SpaceXFleet) 9/26/20, 7:22 PM

It's getting very busy offshore! Dual droneship deployment!

OCISLY, GO Quest and Ms. Chief are in position to support the Starlink mission. Tug Hawk is towing JRTI towards the GPS LZ.
https://twitter.com/spacexfleet/status/1309996727571800069
⬇️Image below. 
Ms. Tree is now departing from the Port of Morehead City and joining the rest of the recovery fleet offshore.


========
—- Voting from Space
No mention of the SpaceX Crew-1 astronauts, who are scheduled to lift off Oct. 23, about a week after Kate Rubins’ Soyuz launch discussed in the article.  But they are currently in the U.S., so absentee voting should be a feasible option (notwithstanding the difficulties posed by the current pandemic and political environment...).

NASA Astronaut Will Vote From Space
September 26, 2020
https://www.npr.org/2020/09/26/917233532/nasa-astronaut-will-vote-from-space
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Sigmetnow

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Re: SpaceX
« Reply #853 on: September 29, 2020, 03:11:31 PM »
SpaceX Crew-1 schedule update, and press briefings today
Quote
Kathy Lueders (@KathyLueders) 9/28/20, 8:00 PM
NEWS: We’re now targeting 2:40am ET Saturday, Oct. 31, for the launch of the @NASA and @SpaceX Crew-1 mission to send astronauts to the @Space_Station. Here is the latest #LaunchAmerica update: [⬇️Next article.]
https://twitter.com/kathylueders/status/1310731112176467968

”The new target date will deconflict the Crew-1 launch and arrival from upcoming Soyuz launch and landing operations. This additional time is needed to ensure closure of all open work, both on the ground and aboard the station, ahead of the Crew-1 arrival.”
NASA and SpaceX Update Target Launch Date for the Crew-1 Mission to Station
https://blogs.nasa.gov/commercialcrew/2020/09/28/nasa-and-spacex-update-target-launch-date-for-the-crew-1-mission-to-station/


Press briefings today at  https://www.nasa.gov/live
NASA to Host Preview Briefings, Interviews for First Crew Rotation Mission with SpaceX
Quote
NASA will highlight the first crew rotational flight of a U.S. commercial spacecraft with astronauts to the International Space Station with a trio of news conferences beginning 11 a.m. EDT Tuesday, Sept. 29. The briefings, which will take place at the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, will air live on NASA Television and the agency’s website. [ https://www.nasa.gov/live ];The full astronaut crew flying on the mission also will be available for interviews.

Briefings and participants include (all times EDT [UTC-4]):
11 a.m. – NASA’s Commercial Crew Program News Conference with the following participants:
   •   NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine
   •   Kathy Lueders, associate administrator, Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters
   •   Hans Koenigsmann, vice president, Build and Flight Reliability, SpaceX
12:30 p.m. – Crew-1 Mission Overview News Conference with the following participants:
   •   Steve Stich, manager, Commercial Crew Program, NASA’s Johnson Space Center
   •   Kenny Todd, deputy manager, International Space Station, NASA’s Johnson Space Center
   •   Anthony Vareha, NASA flight director, NASA’s Johnson Space Center
   •   Benji Reed, senior director, Human Spaceflight Programs, SpaceX
   •   Junichi Sakai, manager, International Space Station, JAXA
2 p.m. – Crew News Conference with the following participants:
   •   Astronaut Michael Hopkins, spacecraft commander, NASA’s SpaceX Crew-1 mission
   •   Astronaut Victor Glover, pilot, NASA’s SpaceX Crew-1 mission
   •   Astronaut Shannon Walker, mission specialist, NASA’s SpaceX Crew-1 mission
   •   Astronaut Soichi Noguchi, mission specialist, NASA’s SpaceX Crew-1 mission
3:30 p.m. – Round Robin Crew Interviews
   •   Crew-1 astronauts will be available for a limited number of remote interviews following the news conference.

Following an Oct. 23 launch, the Crew-1 astronauts are scheduled to arrive at the space station the same day to join NASA astronaut Kate Rubins, as well as Expedition 64 commander Sergey Ryzhikov and flight engineer Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, both of the Russian space agency Roscosmos. …
[Article continues with details about the Crew-1 astronauts.]
https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-to-host-preview-briefings-interviews-for-first-crew-rotation-mission-with-spacex
« Last Edit: September 29, 2020, 03:17:02 PM by Sigmetnow »
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Sigmetnow

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Re: SpaceX
« Reply #854 on: September 29, 2020, 03:50:51 PM »
—- Starship
Remembering September 2019:
Quote
“This is the most inspiring thing that I’ve ever seen!” 
A year ago today Elon presented Starship to the world, and the progress since then has been stunning. Imagine what will have been accomplished by this time next year!!
https://twitter.com/spacepadreisle/status/1310576430695186432
1 min clip from the Starship event at the link. Unexpectedly windy night!

——-
Quote
SPadre (@SpacePadreIsle) 9/28/20, 9:21 AM
SN8 lift to pad A still on hold, short window of opportunity this morning before strong winds arrive this afternoon until Wednesday. Cryo tests and road closures cancelled for the week, but we are very close to a rapid cadence of tests and flights of multiple starships!!
https://twitter.com/spacepadreisle/status/1310570307602780170

Video:  As SN8 waits to be lifted onto Pad A, the Fwd section of SN9 was stacked. New weather stations were installed, and work around the launch site continues.
➡️youtu.be/0rHTmg_J7Ko

—-
Quote
Mary (@BocaChicaGal) 9/28/20, 11:03 AM
This morning concrete is being pumped into the tubes of the orbital launch mount at SpaceX Boca Chica. 
https://twitter.com/bocachicagal/status/1310595987304525827
⬇️Photo below.

Quote
Chris B - NSF (@NASASpaceflight) 9/28/20, 3:00 PM
Moar Super Heavy!
Mary (@BocaChicaGal) has spotted another section for the prototype Super Heavy that Elon said will hop with two Raptors.
This latest section is labeled: "LOX STACK - 4 BOOSTER".
Updates: forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topi… 
https://twitter.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1310655646572990465
[ Photos at the link.]


—-  Starlink and GPS3…?
They tried!  Monday’s Starlink launch went to T minus 35 seconds before they scrubbed due to weather (heavy clouds) not clearing at the last moment.  But then ULA’s scrub (also due to weather) probably means SpaceX’s Wednesday GPS3 launch will also be forced to reschedule.

Quote
ULA (@ulalaunch) 9/28/20, 6:32 PM
The launch of the United Launch Alliance #DeltaIVHeavy #NROL44 mission has been scrubbed due to weather. Launch is now scheduled for 11:58 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, Sept. 29.  bit.ly/div_nrol44
https://twitter.com/ulalaunch/status/1310708941383442434

Michael Baylor:  The NROL-44 scrub almost surely means that Falcon 9 will not be launching the GPS III spacecraft on Sept. 29.

=====
Lex Fridman: 
Long-term plot twist: Tesla is an energy company and SpaceX is a transportation company.
https://twitter.com/lexfridman/status/1308756765908103168
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crandles

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Re: SpaceX
« Reply #855 on: September 29, 2020, 06:26:12 PM »
—- Starship
Remembering September 2019:
Quote
“This is the most inspiring thing that I’ve ever seen!” 
A year ago today Elon presented Starship to the world, and the progress since then has been stunning. Imagine what will have been accomplished by this time next year!!
https://twitter.com/spacepadreisle/status/1310576430695186432
1 min clip from the Starship event at the link. Unexpectedly windy night!


well if you are going to remember event 1 year ago:

Quote
“This is going to sound totally nuts, but I think we want to try to reach orbit in less than six months,” Musk said. “Provided the rate of design improvement and manufacturing improvement continues to be exponential, I think that is accurate to within a few months.”

Only just started building SHeavy so maybe still 6 months to orbit?   ;) :o  ;D

Given Mk1 SN1 SN3 and SN4 failed in tank pressure tests and tank SN7.1 reached acceptable pressure, I do think they are making considerable progress. Such failures would delay others by more than a year and in this year they have hopped SN5 and SN6, made progress with manufacturing capacity and quality, materials .....,

Sigmetnow

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Re: SpaceX
« Reply #856 on: September 29, 2020, 09:39:03 PM »
—- Starlink in service
Quote
WA Emergency Management  (@waEMD 9/28/20, 3:19 PM
Happy to have the support of @SpaceX’s Starlink internet as emergency responders look to help residents rebuild the town of Malden, WA that was overcome by wildfires earlier this month. #wawildfire
https://twitter.com/waemd/status/1310660332512190464
Photos at the link:  Fire aftermath; starlink antenna.


Elon Musk:  Glad SpaceX could help! We are prioritizing emergency responders & locations with no Internet connectivity at all.
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1310669500862345219

Washington [state] emergency responders first to use SpaceX's Starlink internet in the field: 'It's amazing'
Quote
Washington Emergency Management Division
The Starlink satellite internet network that SpaceX is developing has been used in the field by Washington state emergency responders in recent weeks, the first early application of the company's service to be disclosed.

Washington's state military, which includes its emergency response division, began employing Starlink user terminals in early August to bring internet service to areas devastated by wildfires. User terminals are the small devices on the ground that connect to the satellites. The emergency division has seven Starlink user terminals, which it is deploying with early success.

"I have never set up any tactical satellite equipment that has been as quick to set up, and anywhere near as reliable" as Starlink, Richard Hall, the emergency telecommunications leader of the Washington State Military Department's IT division, told CNBC in an interview Monday.

How Washington's using Starlink
Starlink is the name for SpaceX's ambitious plan to build an interconnected internet satellite network, also known as a "constellation," to deliver high-speed internet to anywhere on the planet.

The full Starlink network is planned to have about 12,000 satellites flying in what is known as low Earth orbit, much closer to the surface than traditional broadband satellites. Hall, whose division has used other satellite broadband services, said "there's really no comparison" between Starlink and traditional networks, where the satellites are farther away from the Earth in Geosynchronous or medium earth orbits.

"Starlink easily doubles the bandwidth" in comparison, Hall said, noting that he's seen more than 150% decreases in latency. "I've seen lower than 30 millisecond latency consistently," he said.

Hall said that, with other traditional services, it typically takes between 30 minutes to an hour to set up a satellite connection, "with a lot less speed and bandwidth and a lot higher latency in a much larger package."

By comparison, Hall emphasized that it took him between five and 10 minutes to set up and connect a Starlink terminal. And a single person can set up one of the devices: "It doesn't require a truck and a trailer and a whole lot of other additional equipment," Hall said.

"I have spent the better part of four or five hours with some satellite equipment trying to get a good [connection]. So, to me, it's amazing," Hall added.

No service fees yet
Musk's company is allowing Washington state to use the Starlink terminals for free, with Hall saying there has been "no fee structure quoted yet."

"The idea is that if we want them long term then we will have come back to table and talk about that," Hall said. "Myself and other folks at my agency want to begin to hash that out because these, at least as far as we're concerned, are here to stay for us. We want to get as many spun out to as many places as we can, so knowing what the cost is going to be is better sooner rather than later."

"SpaceX is being very cautious right now in what they promise us, but it's been nothing but good things," Hall said.
https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2020/09/29/washington-emergency-responders-use-spacex-starlink-satellite-internet.html
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Sigmetnow

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Re: SpaceX
« Reply #857 on: September 29, 2020, 10:41:38 PM »
Some notes from Sept 29 NASA Crew-1 press briefings:

Demo-2 Human flight certification wrapping up.  A few items to complete.
Chance of good reentry conditions for capsule and recovery teams was 1 in 7 for Demo-2 (a test spacecraft).  The tougher Crew-1 will be more like 1 in 4.  All equipment including solar panels will be good for 210 days.  Chance of Loss of vehicle calculated at 1 in 276. 

Fixes for Crew-1 capsule: 
- New heat shield tiles in the areas around the trunk attachment bolts that saw a bit more erosion than expected.  New tiles were installed and heat-tested at NASA Ames test center and approved.
- Improved barometric and navigational determination for more precise drogue chute release.
- SpaceX and NASA have worked with the Coast Guard to assure a 10-mile ‘Keep Out’ safe area around the landing zone, clear of extraneous boats, in the future.
- New:  Crew-1 Dragon has software to autonomously move from the forward docking port of Node 2 to the zenith port on that node, to permit other spacecraft to use the forward dock when needed.

Expect four crewmembers in the US side of the ISS going forward; three on the Russian side.  More crew means more science done!  Still working on the agreement with Russia that would put a Russian flyer in each launch from the U.S.  Testing how Dragon’s life-support system handles four people (the maximum NASA plans, along with extra cargo), then will consider flying a full complement of seven for private flights.  During Demo-2, they successfully tested evacuating four people in 90 seconds while docked to the ISS.

All three U.S. Dragon astronauts will vote from space this November.  Victor is looking forward to the “food physiology” experiment he is taking part in, which will entail him eating more fruits and vegetables than the usual astronaut diet.

NASA’s Jim Bridenstine:  There has been “robust enthusiasm” around Demo-2 and the commercial crew program..  Next we need to work toward space habitation outside of the ISS.  The ISS won’t last forever, and we don’t want a gap in LEO habituation.

The ISS has been tracking a slow atmospheric leak, which has increased a bit recently.  They believe they have narrowed it down to the Russian service module.  Scheduled ‘consumables’ resupply should be sufficient until at least next spring, so the investigation and discussions continue, as do planned launches.

SpaceX will do a static fire of the new booster, then a final launch day full dress rehearsal with astronauts and the SpaceX team.  The Crew-1 booster will also launch Crew-2.

In order to dock Crew-1 to the ISS at the desired time, a 25-hour flight time is required and the early-morning launch.  (2:40am ET Saturday, Oct. 31)  That launch time also fits in best with ISS sleep periods.  Besides, “Night launches are beautiful.” 

SpaceX’s Hans Koenigsmann:  After Crew-1, with the next Cargo Dragon, this will be the first time two Dragons are docked to the Station. Going forward from 2021, we should always have at least one Dragon on the ISS at all times. “It is our great pleasure and we are humbled to be the nation’s premiere provider to the ISS.”

Breaking news:  Crew-1 has named their spacecraft (Crew Dragon #207):  Resilience.
The astronauts purposely did not include their names on the mission patch, because, rather than just their own mission, they wanted it to symbolize more:  the beginning of a new era in spaceflight.  The symbols at the bottom of the patch are for previous U.S. space capsules:  Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo.
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Sigmetnow

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Re: SpaceX
« Reply #858 on: September 30, 2020, 02:58:53 PM »
Florida thunderstorms! ⬇️ Photo below.  The reason for all those towers surrounding the launch pads….
Quote
ULA (@ulalaunch) 9/29/20, 7:27 PM
The launch of the ULA #DeltaIVHeavy #NROL44 mission has been scrubbed. The local weather resulted in a significant delay to pre-launch preparations including the roll of the Mobile Service Tower (MST).

When the MST roll began we discovered a hydraulic leak in the ground system required to move the tower which needs further evaluation. Subsequent weather will prevent the team from moving forward with tonight’s attempt. Launch is now scheduled for 11:54 pm EDT on Wed., Sept. 30.
https://twitter.com/ulalaunch/status/1311085128085536769

—-
Quote
SpaceX (@SpaceX) 9/29/20, 11:15 PM
Targeting Thursday, October 1 at 9:17 a.m. EDT for launch of Starlink.
Due to a conflict on the Range, now targeting launch of GPS III-4 on Friday, October 2; 15-min window opens at 9:43 p.m. EDT 
https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1311142615723638784

Updated Florida launch schedule:
- NROL-44 Sept. 30 @ 23:54 Eastern
- Starlink Oct. 1 @ 9:17 Eastern
- GPS III-4 Oct. 2 @ 21:43 Eastern

——
Quote
Kerbal Space Academy (@KSpaceAcademy)9/29/20, 11:10 PM
 
Uh... @WESH we need to have a chat about Rockets.
https://twitter.com/kspaceacademy/status/1311141229279744002
⬇️ Second image below.  What’s wrong with this picture? ;D
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Sigmetnow

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Re: SpaceX
« Reply #859 on: October 01, 2020, 10:24:18 PM »
FFS!  ::) ::) ::) ;D ;D

—-  ULA launch scrubbed again last night
Quote
Michael Baylor: The anomaly team has been convened to investigate an issue with a swing arm. #DeltaIVHeavy #NROL44
ULA (@ulalaunch) 9/30/20, 11:05 PM
L-49 minutes and counting. The anomaly resolution team discussed a sensor that was slow to respond in the pad swing arm system. That faulty sensor will be masked out to prevent causing a problem later in the countdown. Other sensors are working normally to protect the system.
< Putting electrical tape over the light and continuing count  ;D
Michael Baylor: The anomaly team recommends proceeding with the launch.

<Ignition abort>
ULA (@ulalaunch) 10/1/20, 2:17 AM
 The launch table ROFIs ignited at T-14.5 seconds, the main combustion chamber (engine ROFIs) did not ignite.
Tory Bruno: Slang. A Radially Outward Firing Igniter is a tube with radial holes, screwed into the injector plate of an engine. Sprays a cone of hot gas igniting the engine. The giant "sparklers" on the pad are actually Hydrogen Burn Off Units. We like to call these ROFIs too (just because)
Tory Bruno: no. the abort was unrelated to ROFIs.
< Are these Hydrogen Burn Off "ROFIs" also one time use and need to be replaced or can they be used multiple times without replacement?
Tory Bruno: yes, but more easily accessible
https://twitter.com/ulalaunch/status/1311550673968922625


— And then this morning the SpaceX Starlink launch scrubbed at T minus 18 seconds!
Quote
SpaceX (@SpaceX) 10/1/20, 9:24 AM
Standing down from today's Starlink mission due to an out of family ground system sensor reading; will announce a new target launch date once confirmed on the Range
https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1311658269333618691

So SpaceX is now trying for a two-fer:
Quote
Chris G - NSF (@ChrisG_NSF) 10/1/20, 12:37 PM
So that's still 2 #Falcon9s scheduled within 11 hours of each other with #GPSIII at 21:43 EDT on 2 October and #Starlink following at 08:34 EDT on 3 October.
https://twitter.com/chrisg_nsf/status/1311706859565350913
Range weather forecast info docs at the link.

—-
Quote
TJ Cooney (@TJ_Cooney) 10/1/20, 8:42 AM
A SUPER rare occurrence at @NASAKennedy today. THREE boosters on their pads, ready(ish) for launch. What an amazing photo.
Photo by: Zac Shaul

> Screw it! Let's light all three candles at the same time! Sorta like the finale of my backyard fireworks display every Fourth [of July]!
https://twitter.com/tj_cooney/status/1311647654636670981
⬇️ Photo below. < Falcon 9 for GPS IIIA-04 on LC-40,   Falcon 9 for Starlink L12 on LC-39A    and Delta IV Heavy for NROL-44 on LC-37B (Left to right).
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Sigmetnow

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Re: SpaceX
« Reply #860 on: October 02, 2020, 05:45:49 PM »
After “Scrubtember,” all eyes were on the Antares Cygnus mission to the ISS from Virginia last night.  Oh, well.

< Please launch tonight Please launch tonight Please launch tonight
Quote
NASA:  Among the four tons of supplies and scientific experiments being launched to the @Space_Station tonight is a variety of food for our astronauts
Smoked gouda
Chocolate-covered cranberries
Sausage
https://twitter.com/nasa/status/1311837681307926528

Chris G - NSF:  There is an intermittent telemetry issue with... wait for it... a piece of Ground Support Equipment with #Antares. Teams are working a remote reset to "hopefully" resolve the issue. #NG14 #Cygnus

Chris G - NSF:  "An incorrect button was pushed."  #NG14 #Cygnus #Antares
[Reset to T-11 minutes.  Aborted at T-2min 40 sec.  Launch scrubbed]

NASA (@NASA) 10/1/20, 10:01 PM
To recap: tonight's launch attempt for @northropgrumman's Antares rocket to send the #Cygnus resupply craft to the @Space_Station was scrubbed about 2 minutes and 40 seconds before liftoff due to an unknown problem with a component of ground support equipment.
https://twitter.com/nasa/status/1311848737044525058

Apparently this is a record:  three American scrubs with three American rockets on three American launch pads within in 24 hours!


——— Moon missions
Quote
  Chris B - NSF:
For those who say "Meh, we've been to the Moon."
Check out this NASA render of Starship and other vehicles at a Lunar base.
#inspiring
Credits: ICON/SEArch+
https://twitter.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1311791377890639873
⬇️ Image below.

< Blue Moon lander carrying a massive 3D printer is so cool!
< red cybertruck on the Starship elevator!

NASA Looks to Advance 3D Printing Construction Systems for the Moon and Mars
Quote
The process of building landing pads, habitats, and roads on the Moon will likely look different than the common construction site on Earth. Excavation robots, for one, will need to be lightweight yet capable of digging in reduced gravity. A large-scale construction system could be autonomous and equipped to work without astronauts' help.

As part of the Artemis program, NASA has a concept for the core surface elements needed to establish a sustained presence on the Moon, which emphasizes mobility to allow astronauts to explore more and conduct more science. NASA is considering putting in place a lunar terrain vehicle, habitable mobility platform or lunar RV, and surface habitat on the Moon by the end of the decade. The agency is investing in advanced manufacturing – one of five industries of the future to enable space exploration and improve life on Earth – including technologies that could find and use available resources on the Moon and Mars to build out future infrastructure.

Today, NASA is working with ICON, a construction technologies company based in Austin, Texas, on early research and development of a space-based construction system that could support future exploration of the Moon and Mars. The company has 3D printed communities of homes and structures on Earth and participated in NASA’s 3D Printed Habitat Challenge, demonstrating a construction method and technologies that may be adaptable for applications beyond our home planet.
https://www.nasa.gov/centers/marshall/news/releases/2020/nasa-looks-to-advance-3d-printing-construction-systems-for-the-moon.html

——-  Starship #dearMoon
A Japanese astronaut is in talks to join SpaceX's artist-filled Starship mission around the moon
Oct 1, 2020
Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi is slated to fly on the first operational SpaceX Crew Dragon mission, called Crew-1, but is also hoping to join a lunar flight.
Quote
   •   SpaceX plans to launch a mission around the moon in 2023 with its reusable steel Starship vehicle.
   •   Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa is funding the private voyage, called #dearMoon, and plans to bring along a handful of artists plus an astronaut or two.
   •   Soichi Noguchi, a JAXA astronaut who's slated to fly on SpaceX's upcoming Crew-1 mission, say he's talking to Maezawa about possibly joining the circumlunar flight.
   •   "Who knows? I may have a chance to fly," Noguchi told Business Insider

In fact, Maezawa bought all of the available seats on the lunar demonstration flight of Starship — a roughly 16-story steel spacecraft — and is hand-picking the entire crew of his mission, called #dearMoon.

Maezawa, an avid art collector and rock musician, says he hopes to launch "an awe-inspiring, global, universal art project" by flying up to eight artists at no cost to them. Those selected, he said, may include musicians, sculptors, painters, film directors, dancers, photographers, architects, novelists, and fashion designers.

"What I want to do is show the people of Earth just how beautiful our planet is by taking artists up there," Maezawa told CNN in 2018, according to a translation, "so that they can convey the beauty to the world in their words."

So far, Maezawa has spoken publicly about the mission with former Beatle Ringo Starr, "First Man" director Damien Chazelle, and actor Ryan Gosling (who declined). Musk also said he'd consider flying on the mission.

But the SpaceX CEO apparently told Maezawa to bring along seasoned spaceflight professionals since the mission will be dangerous. "After a press conference, we talked a lot at Elon's home. He said that it would be reliable if 1-2 astronauts will be on board," Maezawa tweeted in 2018. …
https://www.businessinsider.com/spacex-starship-dearmoon-crew-japanese-astronaut-soichi-noguchi-yusaku-maezawa-2020-9?amp
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Sigmetnow

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Re: SpaceX
« Reply #861 on: October 02, 2020, 10:13:53 PM »
Re the “Washington state emergency managers using Starlink” article:
Quote
Elon Musk (@elonmusk)10/2/20, 1:45 AM
Starlink will be a revolution in connectivity, especially for remote regions or for emergency services when landlines are damaged
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1311905182230491137
< The initial starlink speeds are really impressive, the sub-20ms latency is just an icing on the cake
[ Image: 18ms ping;  102 Mbs download, 40Mbs upload.  Seattle, Washington.]
<< Gaaaaaaaaming Internet! ❤️
Elon Musk: Yes, Starlink is designed to enable competitive gaming
< Any thought on when the Brownsville/San Benito area can start using Starlink? I have satellite internet and with my mom as a teacher and my brother and I as students in class everyday, it is very slow.  Plus the gaming aspect too is something we look forward to.
Elon Musk:  Brownsville [Texas, near Boca Chica] is quite far south, so probably 3 months or so for good connectivity — needs several more Starlink launches. I’m using it at the little house I rent in the area. Definitely not good there yet.
< How are inter satellite laser links progressing?
Elon Musk:  Great
< Tell us of your plans for the internet link between the Earth constellation and the future Mars constellation!
Elon Musk: High frequency lasers are the way to go for sure

< Do you have an update on the October Starship presentation if it's still happening in October?
Elon Musk: Oh yeah, Starship update coming in about 3 weeks. The design has coalesced. What is presented will actually be what flies to orbit as V1.0 with almost no changes.
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1311928474479792129


—- Dragon Crew-1 and...
Quote
SpaceX (@SpaceX) 9/29/20, 12:52 PM
SpaceX training of astronauts that will fly on board Dragon’s first operational mission is complete! When the crew arrives for pre-launch preparations at the launch site, they will participate in a run-through of day-of-launch activities with the launch and pad operations teams
https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1310985935014690816
⬇️ Photo below.

SpaceX (@SpaceX) 9/29/20, 11:21 AM
After launch of Crew Dragon’s first operational mission with astronauts on board, SpaceX will launch its 21st cargo resupply mission to the ISS – the first to use the upgraded version of Dragon outfitted for cargo missions
https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1310962850601545728
⬇️ Photo below.

SpaceX: Once this Dragon docks to the @Space_Station, there will be two Dragons docked simultaneously. Between crew and cargo missions, there will be at least one Dragon spacecraft attached to the @Space_Station for the entirety of 2021

—-  Cargo Dragon
Quote
Chris B - NSF (@NASASpaceflight) 10/2/20, 1:29 PM
The first commercial airlock for the ISS - heading uphill to the Station on the CRS-21 Dragon.
https://twitter.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1312082284401422337

Nanoracks (@Nanoracks) 10/2/20, 9:38 AM

Yesterday, @BoeingSpace completed the PCBM installation. #BishopAirlock, you are looking mighty fine.
https://twitter.com/nanoracks/status/1312024238065356807
⬇️ Photo below, more at the link.
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Sigmetnow

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Re: SpaceX
« Reply #862 on: October 03, 2020, 09:55:09 PM »
NG’s Cygnus launched successfully from Virginia last night.  Hang tight, ISS; your groceries are on their way.
Antares rocket takes aim on space station with zero-gravity toilet, other supplies
https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/10/03/antares-rocket-takes-aim-on-space-station-with-zero-gravity-toilet-other-supplies/


But the Curse of the Cape continues!  The Falcon 9 got to T-2 seconds;  we even saw the green flash of the igniter!  But no launch.
Quote
SpaceX (@SpaceX) 10/2/20, 9:56 PM
Standing down from tonight's launch attempt of GPS III-4
Elon Musk: We will need to make a lot of improvements to have a chance of completing 48 launches next year!

< Scrubs are obv better than explosions. What was the reason today's scrub?
Elon Musk: Unexpected pressure rise in the turbomachinery gas generator
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1312252573575860226

SpaceX aborts liftoff of GPS satellite, continuing streak of launch scrubs
https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/10/03/spacex-aborts-liftoff-of-gps-satellite-continuing-streak-of-launch-scrubs/

Edit:
P.S.:  “SpaceX aims to try again to launch the Falcon 9 rocket with the 60 Starlink satellites Monday at 7:51 a.m. EDT (1151 GMT).”
Strong storms are forecast for Florida this weekend, so it’s doubtful we’ll see anything before then.
« Last Edit: October 03, 2020, 10:09:09 PM by Sigmetnow »
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Re: SpaceX
« Reply #863 on: October 04, 2020, 01:16:23 AM »
After two scrubs, Elon Musk says he will visit SpaceX launch sites in Florida
Quote
So what is going on? SpaceX has now launched its Falcon 9 rocket more than 90 times, and before this week, recent delays have almost exclusively been due to weather rather than technical problems with the rocket or its ground systems.

Musk apparently wants to know as well. After the back-to-back scrubs, he took to Twitter to announce that he would visit the company's two launch sites in Florida: one at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (the site of Friday night's scrub) and one at Kennedy Space Center (where the Starlink mission awaits a second launch attempt).

Visiting next week
Musk would like SpaceX to increase its cadence such that it can reach 48 launches in 2021, which would more than double the company's previous record for total number of missions in a single year. Technical scrubs like the ones this week would prevent this. Achieving frequent launches will require smooth operations.

"We're doing a broad review of launch site, propulsion, structures, avionics, range & regulatory constraints this weekend," Musk tweeted. "I will also be at the Cape next week to review hardware in person."

This visit is notable, because Musk is now spending most of his time in Boca Chica, Texas, working on the company's next-generation launch system, Starship. Now, he will be returning his focus to the Falcon 9 for a time.

This will matter, because Musk truly serves as both the chief executive of SpaceX as well as its chief engineer. He leads the discussion at all senior technical meetings, whether in his executive conference room at the SpaceX factory in Hawthorne, California, or a larger room in Boca Chica. ...
https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/10/after-two-scrubs-elon-musk-says-he-will-visit-spacex-launch-sites-in-florida/

A similar critical review after early Starship failures led to a huge ramp in hiring at Boca Chica, more individual responsibility, and multiple shifts for 24/7 construction progress.
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Re: SpaceX
« Reply #864 on: October 05, 2020, 03:50:28 AM »
—— Starlink launch set for Monday
Quote
SpaceX (@SpaceX) 10/4/20, 2:45 PM
Targeting Monday, October 5 at 7:51 a.m. EDT for launch of Starlink from LC-39A in Florida
https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1312826277330649097

Elon Musk (@elonmusk) 10/2/20, 12:08 AM

… It will be increasingly difficult to see Starlink satellites, as we’re actively working with the astronomer community to ensure that even the most sensitive telescopes are fine & scientific progress is not impeded.
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1311880821377175552

—- New droneship
Quote
Elon Musk (@elonmusk) 10/4/20, 10:23 AM
New SpaceX droneship will be called “A Shortfall of Gravitas”
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1312760295228547073
[Another name from Iain M. Banks’ Culture Ships, like “Of Course I Still Love You” and “Just Read The Instructions.”]

Everyday Astronaut:  Will it be used with the others simultaneously for a 3 core droneship landing for a Falcon Heavy? That’d be a powerful configuration for reuse and capabilities!!! Seems like it’d be a good option Dragon XL missions

—- Starship
Quote
Chris B - NSF (@NASASpaceflight) 10/1/20, 7:57 PM
The first Super Heavy prototype has entered assembly operations, with the forward barrel sleeved. A Super Heavy fuel stack section was also spotted.   ➡️youtu.be/IWUC7EyXJt8

< is there any substantial difference between ring sections of Starship and Super Heavy? Safe to assume Super Heavy uses thicker steel rings to support higher loads, right?
Elon Musk: The ship rings are thicker than they need to be (for now), so same thickness works for booster & ship for hoop stress. Booster lower tank will have longitudinal stiffeners to prevent buckling.

< I remember u saying that the initial few iterations Superheavy will have 28 engines instead of 31, so regarding this engine upgrade, is it to accommodate/allow a heavier tank with more propellant?
< Correct me if wrong, this upgrade will allow each tanker flight to deliver ~300 tonnes of propellant to LEO while reserving ~30 tonnes of landing propellant ...
< And ultimately this upgrade will result into cutting the number of refuelling flights to 4 instead of 8 which would be a huge improvement!
Elon Musk:  Probably 5 or 6 with an optimized tanker, although filling up the ship in orbit isn’t required for Mars, so 4 is possible.
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1311907493182926849

 SPadre (@SpacePadreIsle) 10/3/20, 9:52PM
https://twitter.com/spacepadreisle/status/1312571350897262592
⬇️Photo below; more at link   

—- Crew-1
NASA astronauts can't wait to leave Earth for SpaceX mission
https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/01/tech/astronauts-spacex-nasa-crew-1-launch/index.html

——  ULA
Delta IV Heavy scrubs again, ULA chief vows to change readiness operations
“A combination of aging infrastructure at the launch pad, which is now nearly 20 years old, and a relatively low flight rate of about one Delta IV mission a year may be contributing to these delays.”
https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/10/delta-iv-heavy-scrubs-again-ula-chief-vows-to-change-readiness-operations/
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Re: SpaceX
« Reply #865 on: October 05, 2020, 01:42:51 PM »
Quote
SpaceX (@SpaceX)10/5/20, 7:25 AM
We are standing down from today's Starlink mission due to weather violations on the Range. The team is setting up for a launch opportunity tomorrow at 7:29 a.m. EDT; weather forecast is 70% favorable for liftoff
https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1313077784994930688

 :'( :'( :'(
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Re: SpaceX
« Reply #866 on: October 05, 2020, 11:59:23 PM »
Breaking news: SpaceX and L3Harris win Space Development Agency contracts to build missile-warning satellites. SpaceX is developing a new satellite for DoD based on the Starlink design.

SpaceX, L3Harris win Space Development Agency contracts to build missile-warning satellites
October 5, 2020
Quote
WASHINGTON — The Space Development Agency awarded SpaceX a $149 million contract and L3Harris a $193.5 million contract to each build four satellites to detect and track ballistic and hypersonic missiles.

The contracts announced Oct. 5 are for the first eight satellites of a potentially much larger Space Development Agency constellation of sensor satellites known as Tracking Layer Tranche 0. This is SpaceX’s first military contract to produce satellites.

Both companies have to each deliver four satellites by September 2022, Space Development Agency Director Derek Tournear told SpaceNews.

“We want to show that we can take commoditized commercial components and perform a DoD mission,” said Tournear.

All eight satellites will be launched in 2022 for a demonstration of the Tracking Layer. The next step will be to add 28 more wide field-of-view satellites and one or two “medium field of view” satellites that will be developed by the Missile Defense Agency. The medium field-of-view sensors provide more specific target location data to cue weapons automatically. …
https://spacenews.com/spacex-l3harris-win-space-development-agency-contracts-to-build-missile-warning-satellites/

—-
Quote
SpaceX (@SpaceX) 10/5/20, 3:38 PM
A Falcon Heavy side booster that will support the USSF-44 mission for the @SpaceForceDoD next year completed a full-duration static fire test last week at SpaceX’s rocket development facility in McGregor, Texas
⬇️Photo below.
~ In the background is Grasshopper, which SpaceX used to test the technologies needed for propulsive landing of an orbital rocket
~ Since Grasshopper’s first flight in September 2012, SpaceX has landed 60 Falcon first stage rocket boosters and re-flown them 42 times
https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1313201804256055296

—-
When things aren’t going well and The Boss visits for an inspection. ;D
David Nagy:  https://twitter.com/davidnagysfgang/status/1312727023253585920
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Re: SpaceX
« Reply #867 on: October 06, 2020, 02:33:16 PM »
—- Starlink 12
The Curse of the Cape is broken! 
(Perhaps Elon summoned the Force, to Make It So? ;) )
Quote
Chris B - NSF (@NASASpaceflight)10/6/20, 7:55 AM
And here's what it looks and sounds like if you were there at the Press Site - like NSF's Thomas Burghardt (@TGMetsFan98) was - for the Falcon 9 Starlink launch.
➡️https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IMWu-mspYuw 
https://twitter.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1313447662553792514
[90 sec vid at the Twitter link.]

⬇️⬇️⬇️Starlink 12: Empty launch pad, satellites in space, and an awesome John Kraus launch photo.

Stage Two keeping the satellites aboard for an orbit or two yet, so they will be deployed closer to their final 550km orbit.

Quote
John Kraus (@johnkrausphotos) 10/6/20, 7:40 AM
Falcon sunrise.
[Photo by]: Me for @SuperclusterHQ
https://twitter.com/johnkrausphotos/status/1313444072124801024

Quote
SpaceX (@SpaceX) 10/6/20, 7:39 AM
Falcon 9’s first stage has landed on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship
https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1313443642472685573
➡️[10 sec webcast clip]

Elon Musk: 4th flight & landing for this booster 

Quote
SpaceX (@SpaceX) 10/6/20, 8:15 AM
Ms. Tree caught the fairing half that flew in support of two previous missions! 
https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1313452945615196160
➡️[15 sec webcast clip]

Quote
SpaceX (@SpaceX) 10/6/20, 8:33 AM
Deployment of 60 Starlink satellites confirmed
https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1313457354277490688
➡️ 8 sec webcast clip
« Last Edit: October 06, 2020, 03:08:11 PM by Sigmetnow »
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Re: SpaceX
« Reply #868 on: October 07, 2020, 04:50:58 PM »
—- Yesterday’s Starlink mission
SpaceX host Siva wished us all a "happy end to Scrubtober" in his sign off. ;)
20 sec webcast clip: https://twitter.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1313457854590918656
Quote
Elon Musk (@elonmusk) 10/6/20, 8:55 AM
Once these satellites reach their target position, we will be able to roll out a fairly wide public beta in northern US & hopefully southern Canada. Other countries to follow as soon as we receive regulatory approval.
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1313462965778157569

—- About that photo….
Quote
Everyday Astronaut (@Erdayastronaut)10/7/20, 1:09 AM
This is awesome!!! Behind the scenes with @TrevorMahlmann at the camera with @johnkrausphotos and @Mike_Seeley shooting along side him of this morning’s GORGEOUS Falcon 9 launch! Sooooo cool!!!

Elon Musk:  One of the best shots ever!
https://twitter.com/erdayastronaut/status/1313707880995065856

SpaceX Falcon 9 Solar Transit



—- Where is Starman?
Quote
Michael Sheetz (@thesheetztweetz) 10/6/20, 7:57 PM
In just over 24 hours, the Tesla Roadster launched by SpaceX's inaugural Falcon Heavy mission will have its first "close approach" of Mars – coming within 0.05 astronomical units (or less than 5 million miles) of the Red Planet  whereisroadster.com
https://twitter.com/thesheetztweetz/status/1313629583930003457
Gif at link:  orbits

Michael Sheetz (@thesheetztweetz) 10/6/20, 8:00 PM

Falcon Heavy's inaugural launch was 32 months ago  [article]:  https://t.co/99kdNUwGSI
https://twitter.com/thesheetztweetz/status/1313630215197908994


—-  Starship
Quote
< What are results of cryo test?
Elon Musk (@elonmusk) 10/7/20, 10:03 AM
Cryo pressure test succeeded, but a small leak opened up near the engine mounts, possibly due to differential shrinking
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1313842466328662016

—- Moon Missions
Spacebit books a second trip to the Moon via NASA’s commercial lunar payload program
October 6, 2020
Quote
UK-based robotic rover startup Spacebit has booked a second payload delivery to the Moon, aboard the Nova-C lander that Intuitive Machines is planning to send in 2021 as part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program. Spacebit already has a berth aboard the Astrobotic Peregrine lander that’s set to go to the Moon in July 2021, flying atop a Vulcan Centaur rocket, and so this would follow quickly on the heels of that mission, with a current mission timeframe of October 2021 to deliver the Intuitive Machines lander via a SpaceX Falcon 9. …
https://techcrunch.com/2020/10/06/spacebit-books-a-second-trip-to-the-moon-via-nasas-commercial-lunar-payload-program/

UAE to develop small lunar rover
Jeff Foust  October 6, 2020
Quote
While the UAE plans to develop the rover, it won’t develop the lander that carries it to the lunar surface. Instead, said Adnan AlRais, program manager for Mars 2117, the overall space exploration initiative that includes the Emirates Lunar Mission, the UAE will look to international partners or commercial providers to carry the lander to the moon.

“We’re exploring all options” to deliver the rover to the moon, he said, including partnerships with other national space agencies or purchasing space on a commercial lunar lander mission. “In the coming months we’ll be in a position to select a partner that will be providing the landing.” …
https://spacenews.com/uae-to-develop-small-lunar-rover/
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Sigmetnow

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Re: SpaceX
« Reply #869 on: October 07, 2020, 04:55:53 PM »
—- Russia
Quote
Eric Berger (@SciGuySpace) 10/5/20, 1:15 PM
Russia has clearly decided that if you can't beat 'em, join 'em with its new design for a reusable booster. Alas, no flights until at least 2026 means it will be at least 15 years behind the Falcon 9. Russia is lucky SpaceX doesn't innovate, hah https://twitter.com/sciguyspace/status/1313165995452903425

Elon Musk (@elonmusk) 10/5/20, 9:07 PM

 It’s a step in the right direction, but they should really aim for full reusability by 2026. Larger rocket would also make sense for literal economies of scale. Goal should be to minimize cost per useful ton to orbit or it will at best serve a niche market.
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1313284721426796546 

A Falcon 9 clone! ;D  Except they are using only five engines on the first stage — burning methane and oxygen like Starship Raptors.  They plan 10 flights of each booster with minimal refurbishment, and 100 flights total….

Excerpt via google translate:
Quote
The first stage of the "Amur" will return to the landing sites…
According to Pshenichnikov, the creation of an offshore landing platform for the Amur is not yet considered, since the weather conditions in the Sea of ​​Okhotsk greatly complicate the stable operation of such a floating platform.  “However, we do not exclude landing at sea with the subsequent pick-up of the stage, including by special ships, and will be considered within the framework of the draft design,” the specialist added.
https://www.roscosmos.ru/29357/

First image below translated from the Russian.
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Sigmetnow

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Re: SpaceX
« Reply #870 on: October 08, 2020, 02:23:01 PM »
—- Starlink in service
Quote
Washington State Department of Commerce (@WAStateCommerce) 10/7/20, 4:59 PM
How is this for a creative partnership? @SpaceX and @TribeHoh prove we can overcome the #digitaldivide. This is one example of projects we’re working on to bring high-speed internet access to everyone in #WAState. Working together we can make it happen!

Hoh Tribe (@TribeHoh) 10/7/20, 1:59 PM
What a difference high-speed internet can make! Our children can participate in remote learning, residents can access #healthcare. We felt like we'd been paddling up-river with a spoon on this. @SpaceX Starlink made it happen overnight. Thanks @WAStateCommerce for introduction.

Elon Musk:
@TribeHoh @WAStateCommerce You’re most welcome!
https://twitter.com/wastatecommerce/status/1313947074027642880
⬇️Screen cap below from:
High-speed internet for Hoh Tribe
➡️https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbLY8xLXP0E

—- We’re gonna need a bigger crane:  Starship Boca Chica crane swap
Quote
Chris B - NSF (@NASASpaceflight) 10/7/20, 3:06 PM
Bluezilla vs Tankzilla requires either the Drake meme or the awful man looking at another woman meme.
All hail the new boss crane.   Do your worst, Twitter. ;D
From another awesome Mary (@BocaChicaGal) video [below]
https://twitter.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1313918531633905665
⬇️⬇️Photo and meme below.]
< Is Tankzilla bigger than Bluezilla?
<< Significantly.
SpaceX Boca Chica - SN8 Pressure Testing, RCS Thruster Test - Bluezilla Disassembled - YouTube
➡️https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oz1zn7FWpM


—— SLS software concerns :o
Quote
Chris G - NSF (@ChrisG_NSF) 10/7/20, 10:36 AM
The ASAP meeting last week revealed deep concerns with @NASA's integrated software testing processes for @NASA_SLS, @NASA_Orion, and @NASAGroundSys programs. Philip Sloss breaks down the reasons behind ASAP's stern warning on SLS software tests.    ARTICLE: [below]
https://twitter.com/chrisg_nsf/status/1313850776947695617

Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel urges NASA to build cross-program computer test capability for Artemis
By Philip Sloss October 7, 2020
Quote
The Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel (ASAP) expressed its concern about the integrated computer testing capabilities across the three separate programs under the Exploration Systems Development (ESD) division of NASA’s Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate. The Exploration Ground Systems (EGS), Orion, and Space Launch System (SLS) programs under ESD are working together to accomplish upcoming Artemis lunar missions, but have been independently funded and managed throughout their post-Constellation program formulations.

During the ASAP’s fourth quarterly meeting of 2020, the panel highlighted the absence of the ability to test a complete set of the flight computer avionics and software that will fly on upcoming Artemis launches, which includes not just those ESD program components, but also United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) Common Avionics computer system. In the aftermath of the computer software in-flight anomalies on Boeing’s Orbital Flight Test-1 (OFT-1) mission last December, the panel agreed with points made in an internal NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) report and recommended establishing the resources for end-to-end, integrated testing of all the flight computer systems. ...
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2020/10/asap-urges-software-test-artemis/
⬇️Captioned photo below.

    — Coincidence?
Oct 7:  Former NASA astronaut and current Boeing director of Crew and Mission Operations for Boeing's Commercial Crew Program Christopher Ferguson pulls out of Boeing Starliner space trip
Quote
It’s not very often that you hear about an astronaut pulling out of the chance to go to space, but that’s precisely what NASA’s Christopher Ferguson did on Wednesday.

The experienced astronaut announced in a video posted on Twitter that he’s decided not to take his place alongside two colleagues for Boeing’s first crewed test flight of its CST-100 Starliner spacecraft next year, citing family commitments. ...
https://www.digitaltrends.com/news/nasa-astronaut-pulls-out-of-boeing-starliner-space-trip/
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vox_mundi

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Re: SpaceX
« Reply #871 on: October 08, 2020, 05:45:01 PM »
SpaceX's Starman and Elon Musk's Tesla Just Made Their 1st Mars Flyby
https://www.space.com/amp/spacex-starman-tesla-mars-flyby



Starman just cruised by Mars for the first time.

The spacesuit-clad mannequin is "driving" SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk's Tesla Roadster, which launched in February 2018 on the debut flight of the company's powerful Falcon Heavy rocket. And the duo just hit a big milestone on their cosmic journey.

"Starman, last seen leaving Earth, made its first close approach with Mars today — within 0.05 astronomical units, or under 5 million miles, of the Red Planet," SpaceX announced via Twitter Wednesday (Oct. 7). (One astronomical unit is the average Earth-sun distance — about 93 million miles, or 150 million kilometers.)

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1313974379999494144

... There's a starman waiting in the sky
He'd like to come and meet us
But he thinks he'd blow our minds
There's a starman waiting in the sky
He's told us not to blow it
Cause he knows it's all worthwhile
He told me:

Let the children lose it
Let the children use it
Let all the children boogie

I had to phone someone so I picked on you
Hey, that's far out so you heard him too
Switch on the TV we may pick him up on channel two
Look out your window I can see his light
If we can sparkle he may land tonight
Don't tell your poppa or he'll get us locked up in fright

There's a starman waiting in the sky
He'd like to come and meet us
But he thinks he'd blow our minds
There's a starman waiting in the sky
He's told us not to blow it
Cause he knows it's all worthwhile
He told me:

Let the children lose it
Let the children use it
Let all the children boogie ...


“There are three classes of people: those who see. Those who see when they are shown. Those who do not see.” ― anonymous

Insensible before the wave so soon released by callous fate. Affected most, they understand the least, and understanding, when it comes, invariably arrives too late

vox_mundi

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Re: SpaceX
« Reply #872 on: October 09, 2020, 01:54:00 AM »
Starship Troopers?  DoD USTRANSCOM-SpaceX Accord Raises Policy Eyebrows
https://breakingdefense.com/2020/10/starship-troopers-transcom-spacex-accord-raises-policy-eyebrows/



WASHINGTON: US Department of Defense Transportation Command’s (USTRANSCOM) inked a new partnership with SpaceX and XArc to study whether cargo, and troops, could be rapidly transported to hot spots via spacecraft. It’s got both air power and space analysts shaking their heads — both in admiration and skepticism.

While generally lauding USTRANSCOM for its willingness to consider new ideas — and raising a toast to the continued marketing genius of SpaceX founder Elon Musk — a number of experts (including some wearing uniforms) caution that the viability of using commercial spacecraft to ferry logistics across the globe remains in doubt for technical, economic and even bureaucratic reasons.

Many can remember the ridicule the Marine Corps endured starting back in 2002 when leaders put forth the Small Unit Space Transport and Insertion, or SUSTAIN, concept to ferry Marines around the globe on a suborbital transport.

https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a513739.pdf

Army Gen. Stephen Lyons, head of TRANSCOM, announced the deal, made under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA), yesterday at the National Defense Transportation Association. “There is a lot of potential here and I’m really excited about the team that’s working with SpaceX on an opportunity, even perhaps, as early as ’21, to be conducting a proof of principle,” he said.

“We are currently referring to moving the equivalent of a C-17 payload anywhere on the globe in less than an hour. As technology changes, we may be able to move more cargo through space,” a TRANSCOM spokesperson explained in an email yesterday

“Through the CRADA we are looking at investigating the technical possibility of using SpaceX’s Starship Super Heavy launch vehicle to deliver cargo and troops, and this could be launch and land on ground, launch and land at sea, or a combination of the two,” the spokesperson added.

.... TRANSCOM said the CRADA with SpaceX will also investigate the legal, diplomatic, statutory, and regulatory issues that must be addressed to enable the normalization of high-frequency, point-to-point, commercial space launches.”

For example, said Secure World Foundation’s Victoria Samson, the advent of military transport through space would raise a host of regulatory issues.

“These activities may be physically possible, but how will other states determine that it isn’t an incoming warhead?”

“Where would these craft be taking off/landing? Will we have spaceport bases in allied territory, and if not, how does this benefit our troops overseas if we still have to move them through ground transportation systems?”



--------------------------------------------

The United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) is one of eleven unified combatant commands of the United States Department of Defense.

(USTRANSCOM) mission is to "provide global air, sea and land transportation to meet national security needs during peace and war".


https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Transportation_Command
“There are three classes of people: those who see. Those who see when they are shown. Those who do not see.” ― anonymous

Insensible before the wave so soon released by callous fate. Affected most, they understand the least, and understanding, when it comes, invariably arrives too late

vox_mundi

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Re: SpaceX
« Reply #873 on: October 09, 2020, 08:27:33 PM »
Space is becoming too crowded, Peter Beck of Rocket Lab warns. CEO Beck said that the sheer number of objects in space right now—a number that is growing quickly thanks in part to SpaceX's satellite Internet constellation, Starlink—is making it more difficult to find a clear path for rockets to launch new satellites. "This has a massive impact on the launch side," ... Rockets "have to try and weave their way up in between these constellations."

https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/07/business/rocket-lab-debris-launch-traffic-scn/index.html

NRO to launch secret mission on Falcon 9. The National Reconnaissance Office has confirmed it will launch a payload on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral later this month, Spaceflight Now reports. This mission was not publicly disclosed until recently. An NRO spokesperson confirmed Monday that NRO is the customer for the Falcon 9 launch scheduled no earlier than October 25.

https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/10/rocket-report-china-unveils-big-rocket-plans-spacexs-secret-launch/

« Last Edit: October 09, 2020, 08:44:04 PM by vox_mundi »
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Sigmetnow

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Re: SpaceX
« Reply #874 on: October 11, 2020, 03:53:13 PM »
More on Starship Earth-to-Earth (E2E).
[And you thought my vision of Starship delivering large payloads anywhere in the world after disasters was just a fever dream.]

The US military and Elon Musk are planning a 7,500-mph rocket that can deliver weapons anywhere in the world in an hour
Quote
   •   The US military is teaming up with Elon Musk's SpaceX to build a rocket capable of delivering weapons around the world at 7,500 mph.
   •   The plans call for a rocket that can carry 80 metric tons of cargo into space and land anywhere in the world in about an hour.
   •   SpaceX will now assess the costs and technical challenges of the project, while initial tests are expected in 2021.

Elon Musk's SpaceX and the US military plan to build a rocket capable of delivering 80 metric tons of cargo anywhere in the world in 60 minutes.

Under a newly agreed contract, SpaceX will assess the costs and technical challenges of the project, while initial tests are expected in 2021, Gen. Stephen Lyons, the head of US Transportation Command, said Wednesday at a virtual conference.

A 7,652-mile journey from Florida to Afghanistan could be completed within about an hour with such a high-speed rocket, which could travel at 7,500 mph, per The Times.

In comparison, a US C-17 Globemaster, a military transport aircraft costing $218 million with a maximum speed of 590 mph, would complete this journey in about 15 hours.

"Think about moving the equivalent of a C-17 payload anywhere on the globe in less than an hour," Lyons said.
"I can tell you SpaceX is moving very, very rapidly in this area. I'm really excited about the team that's working with SpaceX."

Another aerospace company, Exploration Architecture Corporation, will also be part of the research program. …
https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/other/the-us-military-and-elon-musk-are-planning-a-7500-mph-rocket-that-can-deliver-weapons-anywhere-in-the-world-in-an-hour/ar-BB19RAlo
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Sigmetnow

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Re: SpaceX
« Reply #875 on: October 11, 2020, 04:38:16 PM »
Quote
Kathy Lueders (@KathyLueders) 10/10/20, 3:03 PM
We’re now targeting NET early-to-mid November for launch of @NASA’s SpaceX Crew-1 mission to the @Space_Station. 
The extra time will allow SpaceX to resolve an unexpected observation during a recent non-NASA launch attempt.
More: [⬇️NASA article below]
https://twitter.com/kathylueders/status/1315005030672424960
⬇️ Photo below.

SpaceX crew launch delayed to assess Merlin engine concern
Quote

The engine concern appeared during an Oct. 2 launch attempt of a Falcon 9 rocket with a GPS satellite at Cape Canaveral, prompting computers controlling the final seconds of the countdown to abort the mission just two seconds prior to liftoff.

Elon Musk, SpaceX’s founder and CEO, tweeted after the abort that the countdown was stopped after an “unexpected pressure rise in the turbomachinery gas generator,” referring to equipment used on the rocket’s Merlin main engines. The gas generators on the Merlin 1D engines drives the engines’ turbopumps.

While the Falcon 9 launch of the U.S. Space Force’s next GPS navigation satellite remains grounded, SpaceX proceeded with the launch of a different Falcon 9 rocket Oct. 6 from a neighboring pad at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. That mission successfully placed 60 more Starlink internet satellites into orbit.

In a statement Saturday, NASA said the Crew Dragon launch delay from Oct. 31 will allow SpaceX more time “to complete hardware testing and data reviews as the company evaluates off-nominal behavior of Falcon 9 first stage engine gas generators observed during a recent non-NASA mission launch attempt.”

The Crew Dragon mission will use the same type of Falcon 9 rocket as the GPS and Starlink launches.
NASA said it has “full insight” into SpaceX’s launch and testing data. SpaceX developed the Crew Dragon spacecraft and flies the capsule under the auspices of a multibillion-dollar contract with NASA. …
https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/10/10/spacex-crew-launch-delayed-to-assess-merlin-engine-concern/

NASA, SpaceX Crew-1 Launch Update
October 10, 2020
Quote
… Additional upcoming NASA missions rely on the Falcon 9 for launch. The Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich launch still is targeted for Tuesday, Nov. 10, from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, and NASA’s SpaceX CRS-21, is targeted for launch in late November or early December, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. NASA and SpaceX will use the data from the company’s hardware testing and reviews to ensure these critical missions are carried out with the highest level of safety.
https://blogs.nasa.gov/commercialcrew/2020/10/10/nasa-spacex-crew-1-launch-update/


=====
NRO reveals plans for previously-undisclosed SpaceX launch this month
Quote
A regulatory filing with the Federal Communications Commission recently revealed plans for a SpaceX launch from Cape Canaveral scheduled for [NET] Oct. 25. But details of the mission in the filing did not match any known launch on SpaceX’s schedule, raising speculation that the launch might carry a national security payload for the U.S. government. …
https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/10/05/nro-reveals-plans-for-previously-undisclosed-launch-with-spacex-this-month/
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Sigmetnow

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Re: SpaceX
« Reply #876 on: October 11, 2020, 04:46:57 PM »
Medtronic opens up about Elon Musk and SpaceX’s role in fight against COVID-19
SpaceX proved to be the perfect partner for the medical device maker, as it already had a division that designs and manufactures valves for its rockets.
https://www.teslarati.com/elon-musk-spacex-medtronic-covid-19-ventilator-story/amp/

—-
Quote
Thomas Burghardt (@TGMetsFan98) 10/10/20, 7:25 PM
At the end of @MrBeastYT's latest video with former NASA engineer @MarkRober, someone in a @SpaceX hat is holding a sign that says "Moon."
Is MrBeast part of @dearmoonproject? ???

https://twitter.com/tgmetsfan98/status/1315070961583116289

MrBeast (@MrBeastYT) 10/10/20, 4:17 PM

 The biggest thing I’ll ever do in my career. Can’t say anything else :)
https://twitter.com/mrbeastyt/status/1315023620574507008

Everyday Astronaut:  Well if you ever need to talk to someone (besides @MarkRober who I'm sure can answer all your questions) about rockets and spaceflight, hit me up! I'll excitedly share my knowledge and love of the subject!


—-
Germany's Exolaunch signs long-term launch contract with SpaceX
Quote
Exolaunch, a German company that provides management services to deploy small satellites, announced on October 7th it signed a long-term launch contract with SpaceX to launch satellites atop Falcon 9 rocket missions throughout 2020 and 2021. The contract falls under SpaceX's SmallSat Rideshare Program, which allows companies to launch satellites to space destinations for a lower cost by sharing Falcon 9's fairing with a larger payload during a mission.

“SpaceX program is a game-changer for the rideshare launch industry giving new impetus for numerous constellations of small satellites. Teaming up with SpaceX, we are able to offer our customers seamless, reliable, and cost-effective launch solutions and expand access to space,” the Vice President of Launch Services at Exolaunch Jeanne Medvedeva stated in a press release on Wednesday.

The first mission is scheduled for December this year. A Falcon 9 rocket will deploy 30 small satellites to sun-synchronous orbit. “Our first mission with Falcon 9 later this year will set the precedent for our rideshares going forward, and we are delighted to extend partnership with SpaceX,” Medvedeva said. Some of Exolaunch’s customers that will ride atop SpaceX's rocket include: German Aerospace Center, Loft Orbital, Swarm Technologies, NanoAvionics, German universities, among a variety of commercial customers. 
https://www.tesmanian.com/blogs/tesmanian-blog/exolaunch-x

——
Space Force considers merging Cape Canaveral with Kennedy Space Center
"I'm glad to see big ideas being proposed such as a potential merger."
Eric Berger - 10/8/2020
Quote
…the US military planned to soon issue a letter that would establish an interagency process to look at some sort of national spaceport authority.

"How do we get to a similar airport structure where we have a military base airport and runway sitting side by side with the commercial runway and airport?" Burt said, addressing some of the challenges facing planners. "How do we get to that same thing in the spaceport? I think together that's what we're going to have to cooperatively work on."
https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/10/space-force-considers-merging-cape-canaveral-with-kennedy-space-center/

—-
Space Force announces new nicknames for GPS satellites
October 2, 2020 Stephen Clark
Quote
The Space Force says it changed the nickname of a GPS navigation satellite launched in June from Columbus to instead honor Matthew Henson, a Black explorer on the first expedition to the North Pole more than a century ago, “to acknowledge a fuller history of courageous explorers and pioneers.”

The military’s next GPS navigation satellite, set for launch Friday night, is nicknamed “Sacagawea” after the Shoshone woman who helped guide Lewis and Clark’s exploration of the American West in the first decade of the 1800s. …
https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/10/02/space-force-announces-new-nicknames-for-gps-satellites/

—-
Inside Relativity Space's 3D-printing rocket 'factory of the future'  
Quote
Relativity Space
Also similar to SpaceX, the company's long term vision is "to go to Mars," Ellis said.

"We're still unfortunately only the second company where that's the core mission of the company. We want to focus on building humanity's industrial base on Earth and on Mars, and 3D-printing is the way to do it," Ellis added. "We really see this factory as the prototype – in a potentially crude but very important way – of what a Mars factory looks like. Eventually we want to shrink the footprint of the factory, so the amount of tooling and machines and things that you will need would go down to where you could just launch an entire factory to Mars on one launch vehicle." …
https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2020/10/07/inside-relativity-space-hq-3d-printer-rocket-factory-of-the-future.html

—-
The Cygnus launch from Wallops
Incredible Photo Shows a Rocket Pass in Front of The Moon. Here's How It Was Captured
https://www.sciencealert.com/photographer-describes-crazy-steps-taken-to-capture-rare-rocket-and-moon-footage
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vox_mundi

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Re: SpaceX
« Reply #877 on: October 11, 2020, 05:09:03 PM »
60's Cold War Rocketship Ithacus Would Have Hauled a Battalion of Jet-Troops Anywhere — In an Hour
https://medium.com/war-is-boring/this-cold-war-concept-envisioned-space-marines-with-jetpacks-5a3ee398d42e


1963 - Douglas ICARUS (InterContinental Aerospacecraft Range-Unlimited System - “Intercontinental Aerospace System of Unlimited Radius of Action”)/ a.k.a. Ithacus

In the early Space Age, everything seemed possible — no matter how crazy.

Which is why, in the 1960s, one American engineer seriously designed a space rocket to transport 1200 troops wearing jetpacks. This far-out concept aimed to lob Marine jet-battalions into space and land them on the other side of the world in less than an hour.

Marine general Wallace Greene, Jr., publicly proposed a ballistic transport system when Pres. John F. Kennedy nominated him to lead the Marine Corps in October 1963.

The impact of this application of space technology on the projection of national military power is staggering to contemplate,” Greene said.

... Had it ever left the drawing board, Ithacus’ half-million pound payload could have sent 130 tons of cargo just as far — and just as fast — as Icarus would have.

The Pentagon could have deployed its rocket transports by the early 1980s.



... The main element of the rocket was supposed to be a body with a diameter of about 80 feet (a little less than 25 m) and a height of 210 feet (64 m).

During cargo flights, the crew would have ridden in a Star Wars-style escape pod, bailing out in case of disaster. But the troop transport version lacked the escape pod, presumably for morale reasons.

Troops would strap themselves into acceleration couches on six decks — their gear stored within reach. Upon landing, the Marines would have exited the rocket via jetpacks and giant slides. Winches and cranes would lower cargo from the troop decks to the ground.

Once securing the landing zone, the Marines would next refuel Ithacus enough for it to hover on its aerospike and fly itself to a coastline. There, a giant barge and derrick would carry it back to the United States for reuse.





https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/29207/jetpack-inventor-goes-zipping-between-royal-navy-boats-in-open-water-tests

----------------------------------

Works for civilians too!

« Last Edit: October 11, 2020, 05:41:25 PM by vox_mundi »
“There are three classes of people: those who see. Those who see when they are shown. Those who do not see.” ― anonymous

Insensible before the wave so soon released by callous fate. Affected most, they understand the least, and understanding, when it comes, invariably arrives too late

Sigmetnow

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Re: SpaceX
« Reply #878 on: October 11, 2020, 05:33:33 PM »
—— Starship ——
Quote
Brendan (@brendan2908)10/7/20, 4:38 PM
Another section of Superheavy SN01 has been spotted! The stack is comprised of 4 rings and features a label saying, "Lox stack 2"
@elonmusk When will Superheavy stacking commence?
https://twitter.com/brendan2908/status/1313941726923354112
[Photo at the link.]

Elon Musk (@elonmusk)10/7/20, 5:05 PM
High bay should be finished (except for the giant gantry crane) within a few weeks. Super Heavy stacking should begin around then.
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1313948554784800768

Reddit comment, Re doubts about Elon’s “few weeks” and “October presentation” timelines:
< Amusingly though, we're somehow almost on the 2016 ITS timeline still (which had first orbital flight in 2020, now likely to slip into 2021 but still before SLS flies)   I think the switch to steel was a history-making good idea. It's hard to estimate how much it shortened development times, but the easy answer looks to be "years".


Quote
Erc X (@ErcXspace)10/7/20, 5:18 PM
 Launch animation, accurate flame diverter?
https://twitter.com/ercxspace/status/1313951835850452992
[20 sec Starship launch animation]

Elon Musk: Aspiring to have no flame diverter in Boca, but this could turn out to be a mistake
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1313952039869788173
Everyday Astronaut: Just massive water deluge or how do you prevent the worlds most powerful rocket from nuking the pad and its self every launch? ;D
> Maybe height?


—-
Quote
Chris B - NSF (@NASASpaceflight) 10/8/20, 3:11 AM
Starship SN8 has a bellyful of LN2 and undergoing the business end of the cryo proofing test. Now in controlled venting.
Looking good @elonmusk? We're looking forward to nosecone and Raptors installation!
Mary (@BocaChicaGal) live with the NSF gang.
➡️https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NU7KH_25UlE
https://twitter.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1314101163592122369
[20 sec at tweet: “Venting.  Let’s listen....”]


Everyday Astronaut: Super curious if it passed this time. Lots of little weird events like the drone flying up close, that thing that kinda fell off or something, high energy looking things. Can’t wait to see 3 raptors on there!
Chris B - NSF: For sure! Feeling hopefully as the business end of the test "looked" really well-controlled - but hopefully the boss will confirm.  Otherwise, we'll get clues from events like the nosecone transport as a sign they've progressed forward.


Quote
Chris B - NSF (@NASASpaceflight)10/9/20, 2:06 AM
Starship SN8 is undergoing the business end of Cryo Proofing Test 3 at very windy SpaceX Boca Chica...under the watchful glare of Starhopper.
LIVE with Mary (@BocaChicaGal) and the NSF gang:
➡️https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=h330T4zx1Sg
https://twitter.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1314447134008147969
[12 sec with short vent at the tweet.]


Chris B - NSF:  And defrosting. So hopefully that went to plan!

Elon Musk (@elonmusk)10/9/20, 3:05 AM
[SN8] Passed cryo proof
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1314462047304847360


—-
Quote
Elon Musk (@elonmusk) 10/9/20, 6:11 PM
Tiles will be on hot side of flaps too. A very tough problem is sealing the moving flap to body joint without melting or shredding the seal.

Viv: Are you still considering transpiration cooling for most vulnerable hotspots or are the heat shield tiles tough enough?
Elon Musk:  It might be used in some areas. ITAR laws prevent us from being too specific about solutions.
Everyday Astronaut:  Makes sense considering transpirational cooling was originally used to help warheads survive reentry! :o

< Does ITAR even do anything? Feels pretty ancient
Everyday Astronaut: It’s still quite strict with huge penalties... but I find it odd Elon can post full blown pictures of the Raptor in all of its glory. Perhaps at that point it’s like “if you can reverse engineer this engine from these pics, you deserve it” ;D
 Elon Musk (@elonmusk) 10/10/20, 5:42 PM
 There are sensitive elements, but they’re on the inside. Also, a good telephoto lens will be able to capture what I’ve posted. And yeah, anyone who can reverse engineer what I’ve posted doesn’t need to reverse engineer!
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1315045121675554816

Everyday Astronaut:  It’s true! We’ve seen awesome pictures from say @BocaChicaGal that capture great detail too. The secret sauce is on the inside... that’s where the magic lives
Chris B - NSF: You know Philip Sloss' lengthy SLS articles? He requests specific photos and NASA PAO usually has to spend a few weeks clearing them through ITAR....
...Just in case the Chinese find a spare $10 billion down the back of the sofa and think "SLS! Now THAT'S what we want!" ;D

——
Quote
rykllan (@_rykllan) 10/10/20, 5:34 PM
Author is unknown but that looks accurate
 @RGVaerialphotos
https://twitter.com/_rykllan/status/1315043103229833223
⬇️ Image below.

Everyday Astronaut (@Erdayastronaut) 10/10/20, 6:43 PM
This is incredible!!! I don't think I've ever seen anything predict the future so well!!! Wow
Elon Musk (@elonmusk) 10/10/20, 7:09 PM
I have that exact art on the wall of the place I stay in Boca Chica!
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1315066959969411073
People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.

Tor Bejnar

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Re: SpaceX
« Reply #879 on: October 11, 2020, 09:00:02 PM »
They didn't imagine "flying silos" back in the day.  Space flight was s3xy sexy back then (when it was only 'virtual').
Arctic ice is healthy for children and other living things because "we cannot negotiate with the melting point of ice"

zizek

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Re: SpaceX
« Reply #880 on: October 11, 2020, 09:15:07 PM »
More on Starship Earth-to-Earth (E2E).
[And you thought my vision of Starship delivering large payloads anywhere in the world after disasters was just a fever dream.]

The US military and Elon Musk are planning a 7,500-mph rocket that can deliver weapons anywhere in the world in an hour
Quote
   •   The US military is teaming up with Elon Musk's SpaceX to build a rocket capable of delivering weapons around the world at 7,500 mph.
   •   The plans call for a rocket that can carry 80 metric tons of cargo into space and land anywhere in the world in about an hour.
   •   SpaceX will now assess the costs and technical challenges of the project, while initial tests are expected in 2021.

Elon Musk's SpaceX and the US military plan to build a rocket capable of delivering 80 metric tons of cargo anywhere in the world in 60 minutes.

Under a newly agreed contract, SpaceX will assess the costs and technical challenges of the project, while initial tests are expected in 2021, Gen. Stephen Lyons, the head of US Transportation Command, said Wednesday at a virtual conference.

A 7,652-mile journey from Florida to Afghanistan could be completed within about an hour with such a high-speed rocket, which could travel at 7,500 mph, per The Times.

In comparison, a US C-17 Globemaster, a military transport aircraft costing $218 million with a maximum speed of 590 mph, would complete this journey in about 15 hours.

"Think about moving the equivalent of a C-17 payload anywhere on the globe in less than an hour," Lyons said.
"I can tell you SpaceX is moving very, very rapidly in this area. I'm really excited about the team that's working with SpaceX."

Another aerospace company, Exploration Architecture Corporation, will also be part of the research program. …
https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/other/the-us-military-and-elon-musk-are-planning-a-7500-mph-rocket-that-can-deliver-weapons-anywhere-in-the-world-in-an-hour/ar-BB19RAlo
are you celebrating this?

vox_mundi

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Re: SpaceX
« Reply #881 on: October 11, 2020, 09:55:44 PM »
They didn't imagine "flying silos" back in the day.  Space flight was s3xy sexy back then (when it was only 'virtual').

I don't know Tor ... looks like they had a few flying silos back then ...


Flash Gordon - War Rocket Ajax

... Flash - a-aaah - Saviour of the universe
Flash - a-aaah - He'll save ev'ry one of us ...
« Last Edit: October 11, 2020, 10:18:15 PM by vox_mundi »
“There are three classes of people: those who see. Those who see when they are shown. Those who do not see.” ― anonymous

Insensible before the wave so soon released by callous fate. Affected most, they understand the least, and understanding, when it comes, invariably arrives too late

Tor Bejnar

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Re: SpaceX
« Reply #882 on: October 11, 2020, 10:18:05 PM »
Somehow, that looks more like a train engine to me.
Arctic ice is healthy for children and other living things because "we cannot negotiate with the melting point of ice"

vox_mundi

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Re: SpaceX
« Reply #883 on: October 11, 2020, 11:10:54 PM »
Sounds like you're a '59 Cadillac man - more fins

Raygun Gothic Rocketship
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raygun_Gothic_Rocketship



---------------------------------


1950

---------------------------------


Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow - 2004
“There are three classes of people: those who see. Those who see when they are shown. Those who do not see.” ― anonymous

Insensible before the wave so soon released by callous fate. Affected most, they understand the least, and understanding, when it comes, invariably arrives too late

Tor Bejnar

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Re: SpaceX
« Reply #884 on: October 12, 2020, 01:01:30 AM »
Quote
Sounds like you're a '59 Cadillac man - more fins
Not quite:  my very first car was a 1968 Lincoln Continental (in 1981 - wedding present from my dad - the radiator blew on my way 'home' (half way across the county).

(Mine wouldn't have had California plates, but this one is the right color.)
Here's a '59 Caddy for comparison:
Arctic ice is healthy for children and other living things because "we cannot negotiate with the melting point of ice"

vox_mundi

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Re: SpaceX
« Reply #885 on: October 12, 2020, 02:23:35 AM »
Quote
... my very first car was a 1968 Lincoln Continental

Das Boot!  8)
“There are three classes of people: those who see. Those who see when they are shown. Those who do not see.” ― anonymous

Insensible before the wave so soon released by callous fate. Affected most, they understand the least, and understanding, when it comes, invariably arrives too late

Sigmetnow

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Re: SpaceX
« Reply #886 on: October 15, 2020, 04:10:02 AM »
—- Starship
Quote
Mary (@BocaChicaGal) 10/14/20, 1:34 PM
Just received my "Alert" notice. SpaceX will conduct testing on Starship SN8 tonight between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.
https://twitter.com/bocachicagal/status/1316432298569498624
[Image of letter at the link.]

Quote
Mary (@BocaChicaGal) 10/14/20, 10:28 AM
Starship SN10 is currently being stacked in the mid bay at SpaceX Boca Chica.
https://twitter.com/bocachicagal/status/1316385469043798016
[ photo at the link]

Quote
Elon Musk (@elonmusk) 10/14/20, 5:24 AM
Will be less roomy with 3 vacuum rocket engines added
[⬇️photo below]

Elon Musk:  9 meter or roughly 30 ft diameter
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1316308998283460609

—— Next Starlink launch
Quote
Spaceflight Now (@SpaceflightNow) 10/13/20, 8:56 AM
SpaceX plans to launch another 60 Starlink satellites as soon as 8:27am EDT (1227 GMT) Sunday [Oct 18] from pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center.
Meanwhile, launch of ULA’s Delta 4-Heavy rocket with a NRO spy satellite is now targeted for Oct. 23.
Launch schedule:  https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/
https://twitter.com/spaceflightnow/status/1315999785422381061

—- new Cargo Dragon
Quote
SpaceX (@SpaceX) 10/12/20, 3:58 PM
The Dragon spacecraft supporting SpaceX’s 21st cargo resupply mission to the @Space_Station departed our Hawthorne factory last week for Florida
—-
This will be the first flight of the upgraded cargo version of Dragon, which is able to carry 50% more science payloads than the previous version of Dragon 
https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1315743645845254145
[⬇️⬇️ photos below]

—- More on U.S. Military & SpaceX E2E
SpaceX partners with US military to study using rockets for worldwide cargo delivery
Quote
At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) launched “Project Airbridge,” partnering with commercial air cargo companies to bring millions of medical supplies into the country. The effort accelerated supply transport from the conventional 30-40 days shipping time frame to a two-day process via airplanes, and a total of around 250 flights were completed before the project was phased out in June. The recent US Military-SpaceX study would likely include case study solutions for scenarios like Project Airbridge, possibly reducing both the time and flights required to transport the tons of supplies that were needed. …
https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-us-military-study-rockets-cargo-delivery/amp/

—- NASA: Starship propellant transfer contract
Quote
SpaceX (@SpaceX) 10/14/20, 12:36 PM
NASA has selected Starship for a propellant transfer demonstration! Combining Starship’s rapid reusability with orbital refilling is critical to economically transporting large numbers of crew and cargo to the Moon and Mars  youtu.be/C8JyvzU0CXU
https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1316417597257129985

2020 NASA Tipping Point Selections
Oct. 14, 2020
Quote
The following selections, organized by topic area, are based on NASA’s fifth competitive Tipping Point solicitation and have an expected combined award value of more than $370 million. NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) will negotiate with the companies to issue milestone-based firm-fixed price contracts lasting for up to five years.

Cryogenic Fluid Management Technology Demonstration
NASA and industry partners have developed and tested numerous technologies to enable long-term cryogenic fluid management, which is essential for establishing a sustainable presence on the Moon and enabling crewed missions to Mars. Implementation of the technologies in operational missions requires further maturation through in-space demonstrations.

SpaceX of Hawthorne, California, $53.2 million

Large-scale flight demonstration to transfer 10 metric tons of cryogenic propellant, specifically liquid oxygen, between tanks on a Starship vehicle. SpaceX will collaborate with Glenn and Marshall.


[Other topic areas:]
Lunar Surface Innovation Initiative Technology Demonstration ...
Closed-Loop Descent and Landing Capability Demonstration ...
https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/spacetech/solicitations/tipping_points/2020_selections


—- A Book and an HBO series on SpaceX’s early days
Quote
Eric Berger (@SciGuySpace) 9/28/20, 10:47 AM
The remarkable story of how @elonmusk and his small team reached orbit in 2008 has gone largely untold—until now. I’m thrilled to say my book on the origins of SpaceX, Liftoff, will be published by William Morrow on March 2, 2021. Preorder now: bit.ly/LiftoffbyEricB… 
https://twitter.com/sciguyspace/status/1310591955374665729
~ Writing Liftoff has been the privilege of my professional career. This is an amazing story, all the more remarkable for how far SpaceX has come from such hardscrabble beginnings. I can’t believe I got to tell it.

—-
Ashlee Vance:  Some personal news. Will be producing a SpaceX series for HBO based on my book. It's already looking fantastic
Elon Musk’s SpaceX Subject Of HBO Limited Series In Works
October 12, 2020
Quote
HBO is developing a limited series about the rise of SpaceX, Elon Musk’s private rocket company that is in the midst of reviving the United States’ space aspirations.
Produced by Channing Tatum’s Free Association, the six-episode series would tells the story of Musk as he handpicks a team of engineers to work on a remote Pacific Island where they build, and launch, the first manned SpaceX rocket into orbit — the Falcon 9 — on May 30, 2020. SpaceX is a big piece of the billionaire entrepreneur’s lifelong dream to make humankind a multi-planetary species. …
https://deadline.com/2020/10/elon-musk-spacex-hbo-series-doug-jung-channing-tatum-producer-1234595802/amp/


—- Soyuz to the ISS
Here is the @NASASpaceflight webcast of the Soyuz MS-17 launch to the Space Station this morning:
Soyuz MS-17 Launches to ISS with Three Crew Members - YouTube
➡️https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wsjc9_QgVcM
”In Soviet Russia, candle lights you.”

NASA astronaut Kate Rubins is ready for a 2nd 'bucket list' trip to the space station
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/nasa-astronaut-kate-rubins-is-ready-for-a-2nd-bucket-list-trip-to-the-space-station/ar-BB19XHcx


—-Boeing Starliner OFT-2, NET Jan 4, 2021
Quote
Tyler Gray (@TylerG1998) 10/14/20, 11:37 AM
The Starliner spacecraft that will fly on Boeing’s second uncrewed demo flight to the ISS now has its heat shield.
The OFT-2 mission is tentatively set to launch on a @ulalaunch Atlas V N22 from SLC-41 NET January 4, 2021. (Date still subject to change, of course.)
https://twitter.com/tylerg1998/status/1316402760439472128

Boeing Space (@BoeingSpace) 10/14/20, 11:30 AM

#Starliner is one step closer to launch.
Our team at @NASAKennedy installed the base heat shield on the reusable Orbital Flight Test-2 crew module. The heat shield protects the spacecraft and future crew from re-entry temperatures as hot as 3,000° F. #IAC2020
https://twitter.com/boeingspace/status/1316400972772581377
[15-sec vid: naked Starliner gets its bottom shield]
« Last Edit: October 15, 2020, 04:19:08 AM by Sigmetnow »
People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.

Sigmetnow

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Re: SpaceX
« Reply #887 on: October 15, 2020, 10:02:08 PM »
—- Musk to give SpaceX Moon and Mars update
Breaking News: SpaceX CEO Elon Musk to Speak Virtually at 2020 Mars Society Convention
October 15, 2020
Quote
There’s no better way to kick off Day 1 of the 2020 International Mars Society Convention than with a big announcement: SpaceX CEO and founder Elon Musk will be joining us virtually tomorrow (Friday, October 16th) at 4:00 pm PST (7:00 pm EST) to provide our global audience with a special update about SpaceX and its plans for the Moon and Mars.

Online registration for the International Mars Society Convention is free of charge, although attendees are kindly asked to consider supporting the organization and its programs by making a $50 contribution. For more details about the four-day virtual conference, including how to sign up online, please visit our web site at: https://www.marssociety.org.

Join us virtually for the 2020 International Mars Society Convention, with 150 speakers (now 151!) and 5,400 people registered (so far)! Sign up today!
https://www.marssociety.org/news/2020/10/15/breaking-news-spacex-ceo-elon-musk-to-speak-virtually-at-2020-mars-society-convention/

—-  Starlink launches
Quote
Michael Baylor (@nextspaceflight) 10/15/20, 11:48 AM
SpaceX is planning two Starlink missions in the next week:
- 14th Starlink (Starlink V1.0 L13) 10/18 @ ~8:25 a.m. Eastern (~12:25 UTC) from LC-39A

- 15th Starlink (Starlink V1.0 L14) 10/21 @ ~12:36 p.m. Eastern (~16:36 UTC) from SLC-40

https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/agency/upcoming/1/
https://twitter.com/nextspaceflight/status/1316767853173903360

—- Starship
Quote
Mary (@BocaChicaGal) 10/13/20, 3:51 PM
The nosecone with forward flaps attached is now in the windbreak. 
https://twitter.com/bocachicagal/status/1316104282668773377
⬇️ Photo below.
People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.

Sigmetnow

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Re: SpaceX
« Reply #888 on: October 18, 2020, 07:43:18 PM »
Quote
—- Musk ... SpaceX Moon and Mars update 

“For there to be a self sustaining city on Mars we will need a million people at the intersection of the set people who want to go to mars and the set of people who can afford to go. When the will and the way intersect then we will be a multi-planetary species” — @elonmusk
https://twitter.com/reallifestarman/status/1317534207845953536
At the link: Elon clip from the Mars Society webcast. 
Sustainable establishment means more than “a few people or a base.” Need a city so if the ships from earth stop coming, for any reason, the Mars colony can survive.

Here is the full discussion (starts about 30 minutes in):
2020 Mars Society Virtual Convention
➡️https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5Aw6WG4Dww

It’s not a “presentation;” there are no slides or prepared talk, just a Q&A.
Some highlights:
Quote
Michael Baylor (@nextspaceflight) 10/16/20, 6:23 PM
Here we go...
Initial booster flights with 2-4 engines rather than 28. Really need to avoid losing 28 engines in a failure scenario.
Will also likely take a few tries to get the atmospheric reentry on Starship down.
https://twitter.com/nextspaceflight/status/1317229795097202688
< Elon Musk: 80-90% confident Starship will reach orbit next year.
Michael Baylor: Elon is now joking about Boeing and Lockheed not building expendable planes but building expendable rockets.
[If SpaceX was just trying to beat them, that would not be nearly enough innovation to get to Mars.  Need much more, exponential progress]
< Ships, planes, Horses & rockets:  everything that isn't re-usable is stupid LOL. 

My notes:
Orbital cryo-refueling maybe in 2022. (Another reason for using methane:  its cryotemps are close to that of oxygen, so tanks can be integrated next to each other.  RP-1 would freeze.  [Liquid hydrogen would freeze the oxygen.]) Oxygen is dense, and cheap to make — basically “just the cost of electricity.”
Moon ship prototype in 2-3 years. 100 ton capability as soon as orbital refueling is established.

Robert Zubrin: with Starship, SpaceX is redeveloping the Saturn V, the Space Shuttle, plus orbital refueling (which has never been done).  And not just developing a ship, but a shipyard, for a massive fleet of ships.

—-
Steven Mark Ryan vid with his favorite Musk excerpts:
Elon Musk: SpaceX's Plan To Colonize Mars
➡️https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tapb31TYBgc
SOURCE ◆ 2020 Mars Society Virtual Convention (Elon Musk, Founder & CEO, SpaceX) In this video I react to, discuss and share my opinions on clips from a fantastic interview with Elon Musk conducted by The Mars Society. This video focuses on how, why and when SpaceX will begin colonization of Mars, what will be needed and more. Elon Musk also talks about innovation and SpaceX and what they look for when recruiting talent/hiring employees (which is: evidence of exceptional ability).
People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.

Sigmetnow

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Re: SpaceX
« Reply #889 on: October 18, 2020, 08:22:15 PM »
SpaceX launched their Fourteenth Starlink mission this morning!
Starlink Mission
https://www.spacex.com/launches/ 
(Info, and replay of SpaceX webcast.)

Quote
SpaceX (@SpaceX) 10/18/20, 9:30 AM
Deployment of 60 Starlink satellites confirmed
https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1317820355847712768
➡️12 sec vid at link:  Retainer bar stutters away, satellites are freed.

✅ First stage landed successfully on drone ship

✳️ Fairing catch…
Quote
< Looks like it went through the net, hit one of the struts that hold up the net, and then slid down towards the deck.
Super Heavy (@Stratton1966) 10/18/20, 9:07 AM
➡️ https://twitter.com/stratton1966/status/1317814493435457537
[5-sec clip — yikes!]

⬇️ Screencap below

Gavin - SpaceXFleet.com (@SpaceXFleet)10/18/20, 9:31 AM
SpaceX has confirmed that the crew is safe.
The corner of the net of this ship (Ms. Tree) gave way and caused the fairing to drop down.

~ To date, Ms. Tree has caught seven fairing halves and Ms. Chief has caught two.
Ms. Chief has a lot of catching [;D] up to do
Data from: spacexfleet.com/fairing-data/
https://twitter.com/spacexfleet/status/1317825498588864518

—-
Pauline Acalin (@w00ki33)10/18/20, 10:03 AM
Found a visual taken at Port of LA showing just how thick the ships arm struts are. May 2018
https://twitter.com/w00ki33/status/1317828723874308096
⬇️ Photo below.

—-
Edit: article, with link to NSF’s live webcast
SpaceX Falcon 9 launches latest Starlink mission
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2020/10/spacex-falcon-9-launch-next-starlink/

—— Current satellite positions
Quote
Starlink Updates (@StarlinkUpdates) 10/18/20, 9:24 AM
Weekly Overview Graphs
https://twitter.com/starlinkupdates/status/1317818834989056001
⬇️Graph below, another at the link.
« Last Edit: October 20, 2020, 02:07:07 PM by Sigmetnow »
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Sigmetnow

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Re: SpaceX
« Reply #890 on: October 18, 2020, 08:34:11 PM »
—-  ULA DELTA IV HEAVY NROL-44: the adventure continues
Quote
Tory Bruno (@torybruno) 10/13/20, 5:09 PM
The issue that caused the automated abort is understood and resolved. A sensor incorrectly reported that a valve in the RS68A was not in the flight position. We have implemented a change that will better verify its position. Currently working thru an issue with pad hydraulics
< What part of the hydraulic system broke this time? And is it a easy fix?
Tory Bruno:  Swing arm. Fixing is always easy. Making sure something stays fixed takes more work and lots of discipline.
https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1316123812371595264

Quote
ULA (@ulalaunch) 10/16/20, 9:25 AM
The #NROL44 launch date is now indefinite on the range. With continued emphasis on mission success, our team will continue to test and evaluate the swing arm retraction system prior to the launch of the #DeltaIVHeavy. We will confirm a launch date as soon as possible.
https://twitter.com/ulalaunch/status/1317094365244817409
< Here before the elon fanboys absolutely flood this reply section. Good luck ULA!
<< Calm down, man. Rockets are very complex, and nobody wants ULA to fail.
It's just that there is a certain irony in Tory Bruno talking up the reliability and operational record of the company while their $350M premium rocket has repeated technical delays.
> To be fair, it sounds like a ground problem, rather than an issue with the rocket itself.
>> True enough, but as a rebuttal, this sort of thing will happen when you only use the pad every year or two. With only 4 D4H flights left, there's no return to investing millions to refurbish it, so we are likely to keep seeing these issues.
People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.

Sigmetnow

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Re: SpaceX
« Reply #891 on: October 20, 2020, 02:00:07 PM »
Quote
Chris B - NSF (@NASASpaceflight) 10/20/20, 4:14 AM
Starship SN8 STATIC FIRE!! The first-ever triple Raptor Static Fire!
Mary (@BocaChicaGal) documenting history again!
https://twitter.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1318465659706183680
25sec clip of the static fire at this ⬆️link.

NSF’s full webcast of SN8 test. Static fire occurs at 2 hours, 27 minutes.
➡️http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bc4_iu7U3ic


For the first time, a Starship prototype roars to life with three engines
SpaceX now likely to fully assemble spaceship for a 15km test flight.
Eric Berger - 10/20/2020, 5:53 AM
Quote
SpaceX engineers achieved another milestone early Tuesday morning when the company's Starship vehicle roared to life for the first time with multiple Raptor engines.

At 3:13 am local time in South Texas, a Starship prototype dubbed SN8, or Serial Number 8, fired three Raptor engines for several seconds during a static fire test. Although there was no immediate confirmation from the company, the test at the company's Boca Chica launch site appeared to be successful.

This was an important step toward preparing SN8 for a 15km test flight later this month, or in early November. Even as one team prepared to ignite the rocket during the wee hours on Tuesday—which tested its plumbing to handle chilled liquid oxygen and methane fuels, and the recent installation of three Raptor engines—another team assembled the nose cone that will go on top of SN8 in preparation for its flight.

Development of the SN8 vehicle has proceeded relatively quickly. SpaceX built the core of SN8 this fall, and moved it from its factory-beneath-tents in South Texas to the nearby launch site in early October. Between October 6 and 8 it underwent three "proof tests" to ensure the integrity of its large, stainless steel fuel tanks. It then completed the static fire test—a moment of truth for any launch vehicle—early on Tuesday. … 
https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/10/for-the-first-time-a-starship-prototype-roars-to-life-with-three-engines/

—-
The NSF gang was watching for SN8’s early-morning pre-burner test on Oct 19:

LIVE: Starship SN8 Raptor Engine Testing - YouTube
➡️https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22FWQLMASV4
Firing happens just a few minutes before the end of the stream.
   
   Michael Baylor (@nextspaceflight) 10/19/20, 7:12 AM
   I. NEED. SLEEP.
   https://twitter.com/nextspaceflight/status/1318147927592689664

⬇️ Obligatory image below: Three Raptors ;)
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vox_mundi

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Re: SpaceX
« Reply #892 on: October 20, 2020, 02:10:22 PM »
you beat me ...

For the First Time, a Starship Prototype Roars to Life With Three Engines
https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/10/for-the-first-time-a-starship-prototype-roars-to-life-with-three-engines/



SpaceX engineers achieved another milestone early Tuesday morning when the company's Starship vehicle roared to life for the first time with multiple Raptor engines.

At 3:13 AM local time in South Texas, a Starship prototype dubbed SN8, or Serial Number 8, fired three Raptor engines for several seconds during a static fire test. Although there was no immediate confirmation from the company, the test at the company's Boca Chica launch site appeared to be successful.

... kinda like that 5:00 AM whistle in 'My Cousin Vinny'

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Sigmetnow

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Re: SpaceX
« Reply #893 on: October 22, 2020, 02:17:42 PM »
—- Next launch:  today?
Quote
SpaceX (@SpaceX) 10/21/20, 1:55 PM
Targeting Thursday, October 22 at 12:14 p.m. EDT for Falcon 9’s launch of Starlink from SLC-40 in Florida. Keeping an eye on weather; current forecast is 50% favorable for liftoff
https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1318974319951716353

—- Starship
Quote
Elon Musk (@elonmusk)10/20/20, 6:17 PM
Data from 3 engine Starship static fire this morning looks good. Proceeding with nosecone mate.
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1318677645358518272
Elon Musk:  Raptor has now run for 90 secs at 300 bar chamber pressure before encountering issues. 210 mT-F sea level operating thrust seems achievable with no major changes.
R-Boost variant is aiming for 300 ton thrust at 300 bar with same nozzle exit area. Will need bigger pumps.
Elon Musk:  Got a little melty tbh
Elon Musk:  Those engines could go 300 bar, but would be dicey. Pushing it for near-term tests doesn’t achieve anything, but I’m confident Raptor will do 300 bar for orbital flights.

Everyday Astronaut:  You know you still owe us that “how not to fire a full flow staged combustion cycle engine” compilation ;)
Elon Musk:  After it gets to orbit a few times

—- Boca Chica
Quote
Elon Musk (@elonmusk) 10/21/20, 4:13 PM
Starship nosecone, high bay & tiki bar
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1319008891817132032
⬇️Photo below, two more at the link, including tiki bar pic

< Wait, how does the Tiki bar fit in?
Elon Musk:  I mean, ya gotta have a tiki bar …

—-
Quote
Chris B - NSF (@NASASpaceflight) 10/21/20, 6:23 PM
Starship SN8 Nosecone arriving at the launch site.
Live with Mary (@BocaChicaGal) and Ian Atkinson (@IanPineapple)
youtube.com/watch?v=UHRmMN…
https://twitter.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1319041611939106817
[20 sec vid clip at the tweet, nose cone on the road.  And a link to the live webcast.]

Chris B - NSF (@NASASpaceflight) 10/21/20, 6:30 PM 

For those who like technical information, the pointy end goes on top.
(Oh no, now I owe Tim five bucks in pointy royalties. ;D )
https://twitter.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1319043407340339201
⬇️Screen cap below.

—- Mass to orbit costs
Quote
Sam Korus (@skorusARK) 10/7/20, 10:57 AM
Interesting to see Momentus and Rocket Lab take unique approaches to meet small satellite demand.
Momentus with "last mile" orbit delivery.
Rocket Lab with small rockets.
https://twitter.com/skorusark/status/1313856047061307394
⬇️ Infographic below.

Elon Musk: Marginal cost of Starship mass to orbit should be well under $100/kg. Fully burdened cost depends on flight rate.
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1313858597428826120
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Sigmetnow

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Re: SpaceX
« Reply #894 on: October 22, 2020, 02:25:11 PM »
Microsoft partners with SpaceX to connect Azure cloud to Musk’s Starlink satellite internet
Quote
Microsoft is partnering with SpaceX to connect the tech giant’s Azure cloud computing network to the growing Starlink satellite internet service offered by Elon Musk’s company, the companies announced Tuesday.

“The collaboration that we’re announcing today will allow us to work together to deliver new offerings for both the public and the private sector to deliver connectivity through Starlink for use on Azure,” SpaceX president and COO Gwynne Shotwell said in a video. “Where it makes sense, we will work with [Microsoft]: co-selling to our mutual customers, co-selling to new enterprise and future customers.”

“SpaceX is of course the name that people immediately think of when they think of innovation and the evolution that’s occurring to bring space technology into the 21st century,” Tom Keane, Microsoft’s corporate vice president of Azure Global, said in a company video.

Microsoft said that some Azure Modular Datacenters are “in early use with defense and private sector organizations,” with the company seeing the product as a solution for military needs, humanitarian efforts, mobile command centers, mining and more.

“The space community is growing rapidly, and innovation is lowering the barriers of access for public and private sector organizations,” Keane said. “What used to solely be the bastion of governments, the innovation developed by private space companies has democratized access to space, and the use of space to create new scenarios and opportunities to meet the needs of both the public and private sector space has been powering the world for a long time.”

In addition to its SpaceX partnership, Microsoft is partnering with Luxembourg satellite operator SES. The company will also connect its O3b satellites to Azure, in addition to the services SES is providing for Azure Orbital.

“We intend to make Azure the platform and ecosystem of choice for the mission needs of the space community,” Keane said.[size]
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/10/20/microsoft-expands-its-space-business-pairing-its-azure-cloud-with-spacexs-starlink-internet.html

⬇️ Photo below:  An Azure Modular Datacenter
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Sigmetnow

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Re: SpaceX
« Reply #895 on: October 23, 2020, 02:12:36 PM »
—- Yesterday’s Starlink scrub
Quote
SpaceX (@SpaceX) 10/22/20, 12:17 PM
Standing down from today's launch of Starlink to allow additional time for mission assurance work; will announce next launch opportunity once confirmed on the Range

Elon Musk: Just a small-seeming issue with loss of upper stage camera. Probably nothing serious, but standing down to re-examine whole vehicle just in case.
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1319313339026010112


—- A Starship is born!
Quote
Mary (@BocaChicaGal) 10/22/20, 7:40 PM
It's happening!! SN8 nosecone is going up. …
https://twitter.com/bocachicagal/status/1319423375777857536

Mary (@BocaChicaGal) 10/22/20, 7:51 PM
Oh, so close. …
https://twitter.com/bocachicagal/status/1319426198397661184

Mary (@BocaChicaGal) 10/22/20, 8:24 PM
A beautiful sky behind a fully stacked Starship. SN8 you are beautiful. …
https://twitter.com/bocachicagal/status/1319434449579368450
⬇️⬇️⬇️ Photos below.

Quote
Michael Baylor (@nextspaceflight) 10/22/20, 7:51 PM
There is a full-scale Starship on the launch pad in South Texas!
This thing is going to attempt to fly to 15 kilometers. :o

A Starship is Born: Starship SN8 Nosecone Installation in Boca Chica - YouTube
➡️https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5Mir9LC3PY
 
https://twitter.com/nextspaceflight/status/1319426281281236992


Edit:
Quote
Austin Barnard (@austinbarnard45) 10/22/20, 8:17 PM
A StarShip is born
https://twitter.com/austinbarnard45/status/1319432615804473344
15sec time lapse at the link

Another Edit:
Quote
Austin Barnard (@austinbarnard45) 10/22/20, 7:47 PM
Nose cone is going up!
https://twitter.com/austinbarnard45/status/1319425108600115200
1min real-time vid of nose cone lift at the link.
« Last Edit: October 23, 2020, 02:30:53 PM by Sigmetnow »
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Sigmetnow

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Re: SpaceX
« Reply #896 on: October 23, 2020, 02:46:56 PM »
—- Lunar Starship mockup?
Quote
Austin Barnard (@austinbarnard45)10/22/20, 12:41 PM
NASA Artemis Moon lander anyone?
https://twitter.com/austinbarnard45/status/1319318065872556035
Austin Barnard: Yes this is real,
Austin Barnard: No this is not for flight, my best guess is this will be a mock up lunar variant for the starship presentation.
#Artemis

More photos:
https://twitter.com/austinbarnard45/status/1319387277748019201

https://twitter.com/superclusterhq/status/1319387578026676224
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Sigmetnow

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Re: SpaceX
« Reply #897 on: October 24, 2020, 03:38:02 PM »
—- Today!
SpaceX (@SpaceX)10/24/20, 8:33 AM
Targeting 11:31 a.m. EDT [1531 GMT] today for Falcon 9 launch of Starlink from SLC-40; weather is 60% favorable for liftoff
https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1319980225720061952

Oct. 24: Falcon 9 • Starlink V1.0-L14
Launch time: 1531 GMT (11:31 a.m. EDT)
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the 15th batch of approximately 60 satellites for SpaceX’s Starlink broadband network, a mission designated Starlink V1.0-L14. Delayed from Oct. 21.
https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/


—- SpaceX’s Dragon-wrangling ships have been tasked with recovering the fairing halves on this mission.
Quote
Gavin - SpaceXFleet.com (@SpaceXFleet) 10/23/20, 6:42 PM
Departure! GO Searcher and GO Navigator are outbound for fairing recovery, replacing the damaged vessels Ms. Tree and Ms. Chief for the Starlink mission.
Photo via @NASASpaceflight  Fleetcam: youtu.be/gnt2wZBg89g
https://twitter.com/spacexfleet/status/1319771261682151424

➡️ Photo at the link.
< There's room under the helipad for a fairing half?  Have they trained as backup fairing catchers?
<< Yes there is room under. Yes it’s tight. Yes they’ve done it before

Gavin - SpaceXFleet.com (@SpaceXFleet) 10/23/20, 5:30 PM
Dragon recovery equipment was removed from the two ships earlier today and the equipment for fairing recovery installed. The ships will able to haul the fairing from the water.
Photo earlier today via @NASASpaceflight fleetcam of the fairing recovery inflatables being installed.
https://twitter.com/spacexfleet/status/1319753177005199367

—- Starship
Quote
Austin Barnard (@austinbarnard45) 10/23/20, 3:21 PM
SpaceX’s Starship is a fully reusable transportation system. Designed to carry both crew and cargo to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars and beyond. Starship will be the most powerful launch vehicle ever developed, with the ability to carry in excess of 100 metric tons to Earth orbit.
https://twitter.com/austinbarnard45/status/1319720723565416448
⬇️ Photo below; more at the link.
Elon Musk:  Great pics! That we now have the beginnings of a Starship production system is most meaningful.

< Could you give us an update on the date for the Starship presentation? November's coming up!
Elon Musk:  Good point. Probably next week in form of a written piece on SpaceX website.

Everyday Astronaut:  Maybe I can help make up for the lack of an in person presentation and do that tour with you while I’m down there for SN8!  ;)
Elon Musk (@elonmusk) 10/23/20, 4:33 PM
I’m in Boca every week, so maybe we could talk then. Given that Starship is not exactly subtle, this is more of a design clarification to match what people can already see
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1319738772158754817

—-
SpaceX Boca Chica - Starship SN8 nosecone mate - Raptors on the move - YouTube
➡️https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErL5nvjtFGI
Published on Oct 23, 2020
A long highlight video of Thursday's historic event of Starship SN8 nosecone stacking and the surprise double Raptor merry-go-round.

< Anyone know why they swapped out Raptors?
Chris B - NSF (@NASASpaceflight) 10/23/20, 2:03 PM
Still a mystery. New engine arrived. SN39 was taken out. Then they took both the new engine and SN39 back to the production site!
https://twitter.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1319700994872270851

—-  Soyuz brings three space station fliers back to Earth
October 22, 2020
Quote
During their stay aboard the space lab, Cassidy’s crew welcomed three unpiloted cargo ships, one Soyuz crew — Ryzhikov, Kud-Sverchkov and Rubins – and the first piloted SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft carrying NASA astronauts Douglas Hurley and Robert Behnken.

Cassidy also completed four spacewalks during his time aloft, totaling 23 hours and 37 minutes, pushing his overall total to nearly 55 hours across 10 excursions.

Ryzhikov, Kud-Sverchkov and Rubins will have the station to themselves until mid November when NASA plans to launch a three-man one-woman crew to the lab aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon ferry ship, boosting the station’s crew to seven. …
https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/10/22/soyuz-brings-three-space-station-fliers-back-to-earth/

—- Self-eating rocket lands some funding.
Quote
The United Kingdom's Defense and Security Accelerator has pledged nearly $120,000 to further development of a novel "autophage" rocket. The project, under development at the University of Glasgow, burns its own structure as propellant during its ascent to orbit.

Burn the fuel, burn the tanks ... Autophage engines have already been test-fired by the Glasgow team using all-solid propellant, Parabolic Arc reports. The new funding will underwrite the research required to use a more energetic hybrid propellant, and this new engine will be test-fired at Kingston University in London's new rocket laboratory in London next year.
https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/10/rocket-report-sweden-invests-in-launch-site-sls-hotfire-test-in-a-month/
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Sigmetnow

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Re: SpaceX
« Reply #898 on: October 24, 2020, 08:03:55 PM »
—- SpaceX’s 100th successful mission!
Quote
Chris B - NSF (@NASASpaceflight) 10/24/20, 12:37 PM
S/C Sep for the latest flock of Starlinks.

Fly my pretties! Go provide internets to the people!

Overview: [article below]
https://twitter.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1320041812082511872
1min webcast clip at the Twitter link. 

SpaceX launches second Starlink mission of the week
Quote
Two days after scrubbing a previous attempt shortly before launch, and still less than a week after the previous Starlink flight, SpaceX launched its third batch of Starlink satellites this month into orbit at 11:31 EDT (15:31 UTC) on Saturday, 24 October.  The v1.0 L14 mission — the 14th launch of operational satellites and 15th Starlink flight overall — was launched from pad SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.


Starlink beta testing begins:
As SpaceX nears the beginning of wider beta testing and the subsequent start of service in the northern U.S. and southern Canada, SpaceX recently qualified to participate in the first round of Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC’s) Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) Auction, which will disburse $16 billion to internet providers over the next decade for connecting locations that do not currently have access to speedy internet connections at reasonable prices.

The auction will take place on 29 October and allows bidders to choose different performance tiers for their service based on speed and latency that will be taken into account when ranking the bids.  Some competitors, especially Viasat, were very vocal in trying to restrict SpaceX bidding low levels of performance, much lower than their network should be capable of.  It is not yet publicly known which performance tiers SpaceX was approved to bid.

Moreover, following reports of Starlink being used to provide internet to the Hoh Tribe Reservation in rural Washington State, there was an announcement this week from the Ector County Independent School District in Texas that they have initiated a program to provide free connectivity with Starlink to some local students and their families beginning next year.


Outside the U.S. and constellation growth:
SpaceX has continued to build out their network of ground stations that will connect the Starlink satellites to the internet.  Recent filings for Starlink gateways in California, Texas, and North Carolina bring the current total to 42 locations in the United States.
In addition, there has been progress on Starlink developments in other countries.

SpaceX’s TIBRO subsidiary has been used to handle their international business, with branches being set up in various countries around the globe.  Recently, some of these local subsidiaries have begun changing their names from TIBRO to Starlink as SpaceX nears the initiation of their service. A filing in Alaska lists 13 international affiliates under the TIBRO and Starlink names.

In Australia, filings for four ground stations have been made, along with two in New Zealand and a couple more in France.  In Canada, SpaceX received approval for a BITS (Basic International Telecommunications Services) license they applied for earlier in the year, with a notification letter posted on 15 October.  Other countries with SpaceX affiliates are Austria, Chile, Colombia, Japan, Mexico, The Netherlands, Norway, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.


To date, SpaceX has launched 773 of the v1.0 satellites, with a half dozen of those being deorbited already and another dozen or so, mainly from the early launches, suffering impairments to their functionality.  Only 14 of the 60 test satellites from the v0.9 launch remain in orbit.  …

As an occasional satellite has had a failure or fallen behind its launch group during initial operations, a few gaps have appeared in the early planes.  Recently some of these holes have begun to be filled by satellites from other launches.  Starlink-1029 from the L1 group spent some time at low altitudes and then eventually plugged a hole in one of the L6 planes.  An L4 hole was plugged by an L7 sat (Starlink-1406), and it appears — based on orbital tracking — that two L10 sats (Starlink-1642 and Starlink-1643) are on their way to plug two holes in an L2 plane.

After completing the initial orbital shell of the constellation, SpaceX can turn their attention to deploying new orbital planes at higher inclinations that will provide service to higher latitudes and polar regions.

SpaceX submitted a modification in April that would lower the altitude of this next group of satellites and allow users to communicate with satellites closer to the horizon than had previously been approved.  The filings related to this change request have grown increasingly frequent and contentious, with other satellite operators arguing that the modification is significant enough that the SpaceX constellation should be moved to a later processing round rather than keep its existing position in the round from 2016.

Its position in the earlier processing round puts SpaceX on par with competitors such as OneWeb and Telesat when sharing communications frequencies for service in the United States, and gives them higher priority than constellations filed later, such as Amazon’s Project Kuiper.  This has led to recent presentations to the FCC from SpaceX and its competitors as both sides argue their case, with both Gwynne Shotwell and Elon Musk participating in such calls during the last week. …
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2020/10/spacex-second-starlink-mission-in-week/
⬇️ Photo below: Booster 1060 launches on the 15th flight of Starlink. Credit: Stephen Marr for NSF/L2.
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Sigmetnow

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Re: SpaceX
« Reply #899 on: October 24, 2020, 08:22:48 PM »
SpaceX will provide Starlink Internet to a West Texas school district and rural community
https://www.tesmanian.com/blogs/tesmanian-blog/starlink-texas-school

Quote
Ector County ISD (@EctorCountyISD) 10/20/20, 11:34 AM
We are excited and proud to announce ECISD is the first school district to utilize the #SpaceX Starlink satellite constellation to provide Internet access for students. #ECISDLeads #TheFutureisNowEC
@chiefsforchange
@SpaceX
https://twitter.com/ectorcountyisd/status/1318576206556659716
At the link: image of school district announcement
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