Just more confusing junk out in space.

Rockets are very cool.

quote:

Originally posted by cas:
Just more confusing junk out in space.

Yup. Let's throw a few more cars out there and maybe some single-wides too. Then we can have space look like the nearest Indian reservation.

Looks like Spaceman and the roadster are going a bit further than expected.
https://www.theverge.com/2018/...-belt-elon-musk-mars

I was going to poo-poo all the naysayers bitching about junk in space.

Now, instead, we've written our own sci-fi doomsday novel where the launched vehicle careens into space, knocks loose some asteroids otherwise left perfectly happy and culminate in the eventual destruction of planet earth.

If the 'bola don't get us first, of course.

quote:

Originally posted by corsair:
Looks like Spaceman and the roadster are going a bit further than expected.
https://www.theverge.com/2018/...-belt-elon-musk-mars

Ooops. What if this had been their manned mission to Mars? That would kinda suck.

This is why they do test flights!

quote:

Originally posted by 2Adefender:

quote:

Originally posted by corsair:
Looks like Spaceman and the roadster are going a bit further than expected.
https://www.theverge.com/2018/...-belt-elon-musk-mars

Ooops. What if this had been their manned mission to Mars? That would kinda suck.

This is why they do test flights!

I venture to say they burned the 2nd stage to depletion, to see exactly what it could do. As opposed to an “oops” moment.

Holy hell those boosters landing back on earth was insanity!

This whole things is nuts!

quote:

Originally posted by RHINOWSO:

I venture to say they burned the 2nd stage to depletion, to see exactly what it could do. As opposed to an “oops” moment.[/QUOTE]

You’re probably right. Those folks seem to know what they’re doing. Although they probably wanted the center section to land on the boat.

My understanding is that the core section touchdown/splashdown was going according to plan until they needed that last second rocket burst to slow down the core for the soft baby bottom smooth landing.

There are 3 engines that do that but only 1 of the 3 fired. That 1 engine slowed the core down to only 300 mph and the thrust from it pushed the core off the centerline of the recovery platform and out into the water.

The impact was so severe that it turned the core into shrapnel and destroyed it.

quote:

Originally posted by 2Adefender:

You’re probably right. Those folks seem to know what they’re doing. Although they probably wanted the center section to land on the boat.

I have no doubt they wanted all 3 first stages to land - reports I've read about the "core" section that was lost are of the 3 engines that fire to slow it down before landing, 2 failed - and the 1 wasn't able to slow it down enough to land.

Not sure if they have a way to use other engines (since it has 9), but in my non-professional WAG, that center core took stresses that other F9s haven't had to endure being connected to the other side stages with new equipment - along with a likely higher / faster re-entry phase.

In the end, it sucks but they'll get to the bottom of it (and want to release the video, since they aren't shy about those - it supposedly sprayed the drone ship with significant debris).

I still rate this as a 10 outta 10. Had they all landed I think it would have rated an "11"

The thing is, they always learn from their failures. They've done it many times before. It won't surprise me if the next attempt will be fully successful.

Jim

In the post-launch media conference, Musk casually mentioned that the passenger ship portion of the BFR might be ready to fly by the end of next year. But later on, he indicated that the entire BFR system would be ready to send to the moon in about three years.

Good stuff!

quote:

Originally posted by 4x5:
I'm not ashamed to admit that this brought a tear to my eye!

Welcome to the club!!

quote:

Originally posted by Orguss:
In the post-launch media conference, Musk casually mentioned that the passenger ship portion of the BFR might be ready to fly by the end of next year. But later on, he indicated that the entire BFR system would be ready to send to the moon in about three years.

Good stuff!

Yes! To the moon! Growing up I thought we would be there by now, can't wait to see it. My first Heinlein was The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, changed my life. MAGA, take the high ground.

quote:

Originally posted by RHINOWSO:


Still live streaming from the Roadster and Starman in orbit!

I like this version better:

Anybody think aliens will one day find that Tesla Roaster in orbit around Mars and think to themsselves...."How bright could these earthlings be to send an electric car to Mars when the closest charging station is 140 million miles away?"