The Pod Bay

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XKCD

15:14

geoffc

Launch is T-13. Video on webcast was interesting. TEL looks very different still from LC39A. Still a lattice not enclosed. The base was a single hole, vs the width in prep for Heavy.

Throwback support now per article on new TEL.

kim holder

15:30

this one is sort of special. glad i noticed the alert it was going to be on :P

geoffc

Reused first stage (Previous CRS mission, so RTLS and easy landing) and reused Dragon capsule.

They said they WON'T be cleaning/repainting the first stages n future reuses. Interesting.

kim holder

i guess they are going for a look :)

geoffc

Ole Sooty.

kim holder

it's just cosmetic. maybe even the build-up protects the surfaces more.

and it sure shouts 'this stage is reused'

geoffc

True enough. I assumed the new TEL would be enclosed like LC39A. Lattice was a surprose t me.

kim holder

15:35

why'd they enclose it?

geoffc

A better question!

kim holder

oh, double deluge system

liftoff

meco

holy crap what a great shot

geoffc

Camera work is rocking today!

You could see the rotate and boost back of first stage!

PearsonArtPhoto

Almost every launch recently I've seen when it's in the middle of the first state.

Saw something interesting flying back a moment ago, I guess it was the dragon from the first stage?

kim holder

eep - the fins took a minute to unfold fully there

PearsonArtPhoto

15:40

The new ones are slower to unfold, as I understand.

geoffc

These the Ti fins or Al?

PearsonArtPhoto

Not sure, but I thought most missions were Ti fins these days.

geoffc

I recall a Mod4 booster that still used Al, theory was they had a bunch they had to use up. Perhaps they have? Also this is a resused stage? Did they change the fins uring refurb?

kim holder

@PearsonArtPhoto that cap that flew off? a protective nose cone?

PearsonArtPhoto

There is no protective cone.

geoffc

15:43

Yes, docking port is underneath it on the Dragon.

PearsonArtPhoto

Will look and see what it was when the launch is over.

Dirty camera lense... Someday they'll have a solution for that.

Stay on target!

kim holder

beautiful

PearsonArtPhoto

Looks like a perfect landing.

Pretty much nailed the X

geoffc

Theory was AL fins ablated, Ti did not. Think they might have been AL. Size is the give away.

Second pad looked mighty complete!

kim holder

i didn't know the fuel burned so dirty coming in. lots of smoke.

PearsonArtPhoto

15:45

I like that there wasn't any applause on the landing.

geoffc

Every landing I see I think, if I was the guys who bullied Musk as a kid needs to be very very scared and make sure he NEVER does anything to remind Musk about it. Programming error and maybe a stage lands on his house. :)

PearsonArtPhoto

Or maybe that's just because I'm watching the technical webcast.

geoffc

kerosene burns dirty.

Busy trunk

PearsonArtPhoto

Let's see. This booster was previous used with SpaceX CRS-11

So unless they upgraded the fins, it would be aluminum.

geoffc

Agreed. CRS 6 dragon.

Also has to be Mod/Block 3 first stage regardless.

kim holder

15:49

is that elon and gwynne in the front row there?

great shot of the wings unfolding

PearsonArtPhoto

I guess what I saw was some kind of a nosecone from the Dragon.

geoffc

In the middle, looks like them.

PearsonArtPhoto

geoffc

Dragon nose cap protects the CBM mechanism. Has to eject once out of atmosphere.

PearsonArtPhoto

Makes sense. When I was just glancing at it, I thought it was the dragon loose, but I wasn't paying close enough attention to it.

geoffc

15:50

7 days to next launch from Vandy!

PearsonArtPhoto

Solar panels deploy early...

geoffc

The longer you run on battery, the less time you have to troubleshoot possible issues on battery before they run out.

PearsonArtPhoto

I know, but still...

I don't remember them deploying that early.

Trust me, I've had a payload on a rocket that I was at least partially responsible for. I know that the solar panels need to deploy quickly:-)

geoffc

16:11

Here is hoping for a F-H static fire before 2018!!!

kim holder

16:29

i'm probably not going to earn many hats this year, so i guess i'll wear what i've got

geoffc

16:45

@kimholder What is the easites hat to get?

I do not see any I am likely to get.

(easiest)

kim holder

um, i think i got this one for showing up today :P

oh no, wait, it's a secret hat...!

gee. they do have several that can be earned with a bit of effort though, doing things that the site needs more of anyhow. that's nice to see.

the mad hatter, fascinator...

oh - werewolf hunter :)

too cool is a nice one, just have to use the app and vote

kim holder

17:35

Mannequin Skywalker’s ride to space onboard Crew Capsule 2.0

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2 hours later…

Space Exploration Meta

19:30

Q: How long does a question ban last here in my case?

I have posted to many questions that was not high quality. What else can I do to earn to privilege back other than revising my posts? Some of them are as good as I can make them for now.