Science fiction become science reality

Grampy96

Sorry Bobby and Willie. It's not racing, but it's still pretty cool.

Never thought I would see this in my lifetime......

https://youtu.be/NeSJB-IOjzw

mgty3whlr

I watched the feed yesterday and there is another camera angle on the rocket showing the decent and landing. Really cool though! It took SpaceX a few launched to get the landing down especially on their floating barge.

slugbelch

YOU AINT SEEN NOTHIN' YET!
NASA video just uploaded a couple days ago:

https://www.facebook.com/NASA/videos/10154909416466772/?pnref=story

First launch is next year and NASA just announced that they are undergoing studies to possibly CREW THE FIRST TEST of this beast!
http://spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid=49863

btw, also next year SpaceX plans to start sending people to the Space Station.

Grampy96

slugbelch wrote: »

YOU AINT SEEN NOTHIN' YET!
NASA video just uploaded a couple days ago:

https://www.facebook.com/NASA/videos/10154909416466772/?pnref=story

First launch is next year and NASA just announced that they are undergoing studies to possibly CREW THE FIRST TEST of this beast!
http://spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid=49863

btw, also next year SpaceX plans to start sending people to the Space Station.

Absolutely amazing what Elon Musk has been able to put together and accomplish. Watching that booster land on land was just unreal. Can't wait to see the heavy lift fly....:D

slugbelch

The study of possibly crewing the first test flight of the worlds most powerful rocket to Mars held their media panel yesterday:

NASA weighing risk of adding crew to megarocket's first flight
February 24, 2017 by Marcia Dunn

The space agency's human exploration chief said Friday that his boss and the Trump administration asked for the feasibility study. The objective is to see what it would take to speed up a manned mission; under the current plan, astronauts wouldn't climb aboard until 2021— at best.

NASA is shooting for an unmanned test flight for late next year. Putting people on board would delay the mission and require extra money. The space agency's William Gerstenmaier said if adding astronauts postpones the first flight beyond 2019, it would probably be better to stick with the original plan.

Under that plan, Gerstenmaier said, nearly three years are needed between an unmanned flight test and a crewed mission to make launch platform changes at Kennedy Space Center.
"We recognize this will be an increased risk" to put astronauts on the initial flight, Gerstenmaier said.

Astronauts are taking part in the study, which will weigh the extra risk against the benefits.

FULL Article:
https://phys.org/news/2017-02-nasa-adding-crew-megarocket-flight.html

slugbelch

Grampy96 wrote: »

Absolutely amazing what Elon Musk has been able to put together and accomplish....
... Can't wait to see the heavy lift fly....:D

The most powerful rocket ever built since the mighty Saturn V that took us to the moon performed it's static test today when SpaceX Falcon Heavy was bolted down while it tested all 27 engines! NASA's requirement before a liftoff can take place.

On board is a cherry red Tesla roadster as it will soon be the first car in orbit. Elon Musk wants it to be the first car on Mars!

https://youtu.be/sTqbKDl4yAo


Actual flight should be :cool: “In A Week Or So” :cool:
https://www.universetoday.com/138341/finally-spacexs-falcon-heavy-static-fire-test-actual-flight-week/?utm_content=bufferc6f97&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

HEMI_guy

Anyone here ever watch Young Sheldon? This was all his idea.

https://youtu.be/6jAlPQau5Hc

Yvonne*

Space X has labs here in Seattle. Some of this project is rumored to be built in their Kent location about 25 min from where I live. Supposedly they plan to employ up to 1000 people eventually in this area. Definitely Science Fiction stuff!

slugbelch

SpaceX sets Falcon Heavy launch date
CNN 4:43 PM, Jan 28, 2018, UPDATED 2 hours ago

"For its first test mission, the Falcon Heavy will launch a dummy payload. Specifically, it'll send a cherry red Tesla roadster from Musk's personal collection into deep space. There's no scientific reason to send the car to space. But it does serve as self-promotion for Musk, who is also the CEO of Tesla.

When asked on Twitter why he wanted to throw away a $100,000 car, he replied, "I love the thought of a car drifting apparently endlessly through space and perhaps being discovered by an alien race millions of years in the future."

https://www.wptv.com/news/national/spacex-sets-falcon-heavy-launch-date

---

"While Musk did not specify a launch time for the Falcon Heavy's first flight, the mission may lift off during a three-hour launch window that opens Feb. 6 at 1:30 p.m. EST (1830 GMT), a backup launch date is available the following day.

For its debut flight, the Falcon Heavy is carrying Elon Musk's Tesla Roadster into space. Musk has said the launch, if successful, will deliver the Roadster into a heliocentric orbit that will eventually send the midnight-cherry-red electric car by Mars. However, Musk has repeatedly attempted to lower expectations for the Falcon Heavy's first flight, saying there is a fair chance the launch could fail.

"There's a lot that could go wrong there," Musk said last year. "I encourage people to come down to the Cape to see the first Falcon Heavy mission; it's guaranteed to be exciting."

https://www.yahoo.com/news/spacex-apos-first-falcon-heavy-130000666.html

---

Livestream (hopefully):
http://www.spacex.com/webcast
-and/or-
https://www.facebook.com/SpaceX
-and/or-
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtI0Hodo5o5dUb67FeUjDeA

Stats:
http://www.spacex.com/falcon-heavy

slugbelch

LIVE!
Engine test for the largest rocket ever built, the SLS!
This engine will go on Mission #2, the first mission with astronauts on board this massive rocket in preparation for our journey to Mars!

https://www.facebook.com/NASAStennis/videos/1638056496237252/?notif_id=1517524061815970&notif_t=live_video_explicit

slugbelch

For the Falcon Heavy launch Tuesday, in addition to the live links in post #9 (just added 2 more) here is the link for the locations for all you Floridians to view it in person:

http://www.visitspacecoast.com/launches/launch-venues/?filter%5Bcategories.catid%5D=13&filter%5Bcategories.subcatid%5D%5B%24in%5D%5B0%5D=127&filter%5Bsortby%5D=rankorder%3D1%26sortcompany%3D1&options%5Blimit%5D=10&options%5Bskip%5D=0&options%5Bsort%5D%5Brankorder%5D=1&options%5Bsort%5D%5Bsortcompany%5D=1

Don't forget, the fun doesn't end after launch. Once the payload containing the Tesla Roadster detaches from the three main boosters, SpaceX will attempt to land all three: two at Cape Canaveral, and one on the autonomous spaceport drone ship (Of Course I Still Love You) in the Atlantic Ocean.

slugbelch

T-minus 16hrs and all systems GO for Mars!!





1 hour ago:

"The first test flight of Falcon Heavy is targeted for Tuesday, February 6th at 1:30 PM ET from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
When Falcon Heavy lifts off, it will be the most powerful operational rocket in the world by a factor of two."

https://www.facebook.com/SpaceX/photos/a.10150303260090131.563831.353851465130/10160494151280131/?type=3&theater

slugbelch

UPDATE 1:44 pm ET:

SpaceX's first Falcon Heavy megarocket will launch on its maiden flight today, Feb. 6, at 3:45 p.m. EST

The launch webcast will begin at 20 minutes before liftoff and the launch window runs through 4 p.m. EST (2100 GMT).

slugbelch

And we are LIVE for the maiden launch of the most powerful operational rocket and SARMAN in a Tesla to Mars!

https://youtu.be/wbSwFU6tY1c

http://www.spacex.com/webcast

slugbelch

Falcon Heavy Mission #1 SUCCESS!

Mars here we come!





Replay of the launch:

Video begins at 20:00-24:30 Launch!
24:30-25:40 Boosters and second stage separation!
25:40-26:40 Tesla with STARMAN capsule separation!
28:30-30:30 Rocket boosters landing back on Earth!
31:50-32:10 STARMAN!
33:30 STARMAN!

https://youtu.be/wbSwFU6tY1c?t=19m54s

slugbelch

Starman cruizin along in the Tesla at around 26,000 mph on his way to Mars live webcam!

https://youtu.be/aBr2kKAHN6M

Grampy96

People can say what they want about Elon Musk, but that guy knows how to build a company. What an incredible accomplishment that was. The first test flight goes off without a hitch. So he now owns the most powerful rocket in the world. But the thing that still amazes me is the boosters (all 3) flying themselves back to a static landing. Being 64 I lived through the space race and fell in love with the space program. It was an incredible sight watching that rocket launch. So now, the race is on. Who will get to Mars first. Elon or NASA. :rolleyes:

mgty3whlr

What amazes me is that NASA never landed their spent rockets back in an upright position like Elon has been doing but three of them after that launch? Wow!

slugbelch

Virgin Galactic spaceplane smashes altitude record in latest test flight
Sleek craft climbs to 32 miles over California’s Mojave Desert.
by David Freeman / Jul.26.2018 / 5:18 PM ET

Virgin Galactic completed the third rocket-powered test flight of its VSS Unity spaceplane over California’s Mojave Desert on Thursday, bringing billionaire Richard Branson’s space tourism company a step closer to taking its first customers into space.

After being released from under the wing of its carrier plane at 46,500 feet, VSS Unity fired its rocket motor for 42 seconds to propel itself and its two pilots to a speed of Mach 2.47

The sleek craft reached an altitude of 170,800 feet (32.3 miles) — more than halfway to the K

slugbelch

T-minus 5.5hrs (3:30am) to launch the fastest spacecraft in history for our trip to the sun! (430,000 mph during the sun's orbit)


https://www.facebook.com/spacecom/photos/a.435000291465.235599.17610706465/10155560827256466/?type=3&theater

slugbelch

Last-minute technical problem delays NASA's flight to the sun
AP - By MARCIA DUNN - 1 hour ago

Due to a helium pressure alarm, NASA delays launch to the sun to 3:53 am ET Sunday.


https://apnews.com/3c0d9bcef5904bf3a01717d66250cb3b/Last-minute-technical-problem-delays-NASA's-flight-to-sun

slugbelch

BLASTOFF!

To the sun we will go! See you in November.


https://www.space.com/41454-nasa-parker-solar-probe-launches-to-sun.html?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social

slugbelch

THE TOWER to launch the world's largest and most powerful rocket, the SLS, is now complete and ready to be moved out to the launch pad!

Our trip to Mars is one step closer!

Video:
https://www.facebook.com/NASAGroundSystems/videos/716226592059979/?hc_ref=ARSgpB-WeaXuBgEiDEvGm7usPzZClNvBwz9O761Q8W1kBfaDffHwrSerQ6z8PhKHmwk&__xts__[0]=68.ARD7N7tNikXGVjnMuMjRl1z8ff887nI0vpsIo-OMdq1Md5qpu3dlm-4fFMhRNJXDK_m_EsR4JR81J0aDDkZBV_bQbjMOwg40FnW3ctUYLQuT9mSon78UHOiKOsSB_DxaYFZc1LM&__tn__=FC-R


https://www.facebook.com/NASAGroundSystems/photos/ms.c.eJxFzFEOACEIA9EbbYpgC~;e~;mFkN~_vsyGQOCLKUjDHN~_1lCCNOwBXeGZDeUb5AcEjA2MBsP~;YNYtcAoujhsX3A~-~-.bps.a.1004669756374391/1004669786374388/?type=3&theater

slugbelch

WE ARE LIVE and 6.5 miles high for the final 11 parachute test of Orion, the space capsule to take us back to the moon and to Mars!

https://www.facebook.com/NASAOrion/videos/879297888934609/?hc_ref=ARQbfwBmIltdSIOLikotONbYSJEJ6f0IdMb4JY0ZhL5DmE1_0-OIwwr_rOoZw1YYNWA&__xts__

Helicopter vieo:

https://www.facebook.com/NASAOrion/videos/1930039293730385/?notif_id=1536786521700708&notif_t=notify_me_page

slugbelch

slugbelch

The BFR rocket and the first passenger around the moon has been announced!

The BFR can carry 100 people and 100 tons to the moon in 2023 and then to Mars!

Only 12 people will be the first passengers (artist, musician, photographer, novelist, architect, sculptor, painter, film director, engineer) as the rest of the capsule will be occupied for supplies, just in case. Trip will take a week and 240,000 miles. The $5B project launch testing to begin next year!

slugbelch

slugbelch

The second times the charm as StarHopper made its first successful hover!

NASA'a competition to get humans to Mars made a giant leap forward Thursday night/Friday morning.

Elon Musk: "Starhopper flight successful. Water towers *can* fly haha!!"

He said that the next test, a 200 meter hover, may launch as early as next week!

StarHopper is a scaled-down test vehicle designed to help SpaceX run crucial preparation trials for the new Raptor engine ahead of building its full-scale Starship reusable spacecraft. Starship is the next launch vehicle SpaceX is developing, which is intended to be fully reusable (its current rockets are only partially able to be refurbished and reused) and which SpaceX CEO Elon Musk envisions eventually being able to take over all mission activity for the company, including transfer of crew and cargo to Mars. 

(the last video clip is next to the engine!)

If this is scaled-down, can you imagine how big the normal size is going to be?

slugbelch

At 5pm ET today, SpaceX intends to launch AND LAND Starhopper at its South Texas launch site located two miles from Boca Chica Beach. Local residents in Boca Chica Village aren't too happy, though, as police have suggested they leave their homes during the test.

The test will involve the 60-foot-tall (18m) Starhopper prototype flying roughly 650 feet (200m) lifted by a single Raptor engine before attempting a landing. If everything goes to plan, local residents have nothing to worry about, but if there's a malfunction then an "overpressure event" could occur resulting in an explosion.

As BusinessInsider reports, on Saturday, a county sherrif went door-to-door in the village handing out a notice suggesting residents leave home during the test. The notice explains, "There is a risk that a malfunction of the SpaceX vehicle during flight will create an overpressure event that can break windows. Therefore, in order to protect Public Health and Safety, it is recommended that you consider temporarily vacating yourself, other occupants, and pets, from the area during the Space Flight Activities."

https://www.pcmag.com/news/370393/police-ask-locals-to-leave-home-during-spacex-test?fbclid=IwAR0qadw6Aa44jBNH6HwiRh3kna4vS8_EyS-u0u3mt3A4iesZf3gKGG_mtW4

HEMI_guy

Live feed starts at 5:30

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haPLtTcpvF8

HEMI_guy

that one is lame -

better - https://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-watch-spacex-starhopper-rocket-make-its-biggest-leap-monday/