All Things AeroSPACE

[ESokoloff]

In other words all things flight related with an emphasis on Space.

Lots of recent developments that are best presented via videos. 

 

Here’s a SpaceX StarShip recap & update......

(The last half of the video is Elon describing what he believes will come in the future).

 

 

[ESokoloff]

Rocket Lab is an up & coming alternative launch provider for small payloads.

Here is a video from Tim Dodd (Everday Astronaut) interviewing Peter Beck (CEO) discussing their new rocket larger launcher Neutron. 
 

 

[ESokoloff]

Virgin Orbit just yesterday launched their third rocket successful payload flight off the coast of San Diego.

 

 https://www.space.com/virgin-orbit-launches-seven-satellites-january-2022

[ESokoloff]

Stratolauncher was at it again today for the 3rd test flight. https://www.geekwire.com/2022/stratolaunchs-mammoth-airplane-aces-its-third-flight-test-building-on-paul-allens-legacy/amp/

Roc’s mission has changed from its original intent of launching rockets to space to now launching a reusable hypersonic test bed. 
 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scaled_Composites_Stratolaunch
 

 

[ESokoloff]

Firefly Aerospace  is an upstart company that had a rocky start but look to be gaining traction. 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firefly_Aerospace

 

Tim Dodd recently took a tour of their factory (long video @ 65min.)

 

 

[Joe Frickin' Friday]

Liquid nitrogen tank failure during testing yesterday (video cued to 5:16):

 

 

 

[ESokoloff]

Get to know ULA & it’s CEO Tory Bruno 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Launch_Alliance

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tory_Bruno

 

 

Just a heads up.... 

The following 3 videos will consume nearly 2 hrs but in my opinion worth the time.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ESokoloff]

For us in the SoCal area, there’s a SpaceX launch from Vandenberg tomorrow @ 12:18pm https://www.spacearchive.info/vafbsked.htm

 

It will de difficult to see but I’m going to look for it.  

[ESokoloff]

SpaceX has donated thousands of StarLink dishes to the Ukrainian government. 
 

https://www.teslarati.com/elon-musk-starlink-5k-terminals-ukraine/

 

 

[ESokoloff]

It’s finally here!!!!!

 

StarShip launch scheduled for the 17th. 
 

 

No guarantees it goes on the first attempt.  

[chrisolson]

2 hours ago, ESokoloff said:

No guarantees it goes on the first attempt.  

 They've got a better chance of overall "success" since they're not attempting a re-use type of landing  and only  (hah!)  have to achieve a good launch and burn phase. 

 

--EDIT ... even though its a water landing for both stages they still appear to be doing the flip to simulate a true on-land touchdown so it will be a more complex flight profile.

 

Hoping all goes well.

 

That's one hell of a picture ...hard to grasp the scale ... almost 400 feet tall

[ESokoloff]

Starship launch scrub due to booster tank pressure issue. 
48 hr min retry. 

[ESokoloff]

Next launch attempt. 
420 Day  Who wooda thunk it?

 

https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=starship-flight-test
 

 

[Hosstage]

Sadly, boom. It launched, but only made a few minutes before blowing up.

I'll bet it was spectacular at lift off, though.

[ESokoloff]

2 hours ago, Hosstage said:

Sadly, 

Not at all.  
The main objective was to clear Stage Zero (tower), what ever came next was icing on the cake.  
This is how SpaceX works. 
Build it, test it, improve it, perfect it. 

[Hosstage]

Ok, I guess it worked out after all.

[chrisolson]

some interesting video and comments on this twitter feed (scroll for all content)

sound is off by default ... but to turn on to hear the rocket ... even from a distance its loud

 

[ESokoloff]

An early take on today’s historic launch. 
 

 

[ESokoloff]

Scott Manley’s take (swearword caution)

 

 

[Joe Frickin' Friday]

NSF parked their minivan in the danger zone as a camera platform.  It was a calculated risk:  they got good launch footage, but the van was shredded by all the concrete fragments that got blown out by the crazy thrust of the first stage.

 

 

 

[Hosstage]

Those thrusters destroyed the launch pad. Cool!

[ESokoloff]

1 hour ago, Hosstage said:

Those thrusters destroyed the launch pad. Cool!

Back to the drawing board to integrate flame diverters. 
 

 

[ESokoloff]

Looks like the long awaited Starship V.2 is set to go tomorrow 07:00 CT

https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=starship-flight-2

 

I’ve heard 60% chance of success & an absolute 100% chance of EXCITEMENT!!!

[ESokoloff]

Pushed back at least 24 hrs 

[ESokoloff]

Scott’s recap on the booster blowup. 
 

 

[ESokoloff]

In case you missed the Starship v2 launch today