The Delft rocket reached 21457 metres altitude, a new European record for amateur rocket scientists.

It is wonderful to see success and progress from an "amateur" group. I put in the quotes because of the immense talent and ability of the students. Obviously, they qualify for the description, as they are doing it for love of the work, but they sure get professional results! :smile:

[url]http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-34504067[/url]

European - Russian mission to the Lunar south pole. I'd post more and pretty-up the link but I'm being harrassed by someone of the feline persuasion...

[QUOTE=xilman;412876]I'd post more and pretty-up the link but I'm being harrassed by someone of the feline persuasion...[/QUOTE]

Never deny a pussy what it wants... Bad things can happen...,.

[QUOTE=xilman;412876][URL]http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-34504067[/URL]

European - Russian mission to the Lunar south pole. I'd post more and pretty-up the link but I'm being harrassed by someone of the feline persuasion...[/QUOTE]
I understand the feeling, my 5 months old -not so kitten anymore- has a huge energy boost just at the time when I'm going to bed.
And why not post a picture of him while were are at it :).

[QUOTE=VictordeHolland;412886]I understand the feeling, my 5 months old -not so kitten anymore- has a huge energy boost just at the time when I'm going to bed.
And why not post a picture of him while were are at it :).[/QUOTE]

Time to go prowling! :smile:

[QUOTE=kladner;412895]Time to go prowling! :smile:[/QUOTE]That's what our younger two do. (The other, at 17.5 years old doesn't do that very much any more.) Very commonly find a mouseless head on the carpet in the morning. Today was a blackbird on the doorstep.

If you live with predators, you have to expect to find (the remains of) prey.

[URL="http://www.wildlifemanagementinstitute.org/index.php?option=com_content&id=610:new-research-suggests-outdoor-cats-kill-more-wildlife-than-thought&catid=34:ONB+Articles&Itemid=54"]New Research Suggests Outdoor Cats Kill More Wildlife Than Previously Thought[/URL]
[QUOTE]“If we extrapolate the results of this study across the country and include feral cats, we find that cats are likely killing more than 4 billion animals per year, including at least 500 million birds. Cat predation is one of the reasons why one in three American bird species are in decline,” said Dr. George Fenwick, President of American Bird Conservancy.[/QUOTE]
And to get things back on space, here is a NASA cat video:
[YOUTUBE]MvU9GZjBTzs[/YOUTUBE]

[QUOTE=Uncwilly;412938][URL="http://www.wildlifemanagementinstitute.org/index.php?option=com_content&id=610:new-research-suggests-outdoor-cats-kill-more-wildlife-than-thought&catid=34:ONB+Articles&Itemid=54"]New Research Suggests Outdoor Cats Kill More Wildlife Than Previously Thought[/URL][/QUOTE][url]http://theoatmeal.com/comics/cats_actually_kill[/url]

And how many animals do humans kill?:huh:

[QUOTE=Brian-E;412949]And how many animals do humans kill?:huh:[/QUOTE]

An excellent, and unexpected, question. Sincerely, that is insightful and inquisitive. :smile:

Here is my cat Babbage, who is of much the same age (born May 6 2015)

He is a warm ball of purring-ness who as yet has not decided that my house lacks small dead rodents.

Despite his appearance I don't believe his plans include world domination - he just looks that way in photos because his blink reflex is of comparable speed to the shutter delay of the camera.

[QUOTE=fivemack;412965]Here is my cat Babbage, who is of much the same age (born May 6 2015)

He is a warm ball of purring-ness who as yet has not decided that my house lacks small dead rodents.

Despite his appearance I don't believe his plans include world domination - he just looks that way in photos because his blink reflex is of comparable speed to the shutter delay of the camera.[/QUOTE]
Oh, damn, the camera is going to turn me into a racial stereotype AGAIN. There's ENOUGH light in here, turn off the flash.

[URL="http://space.io9.com/holy-crap-weve-been-living-in-space-for-15-years-1740081565"]Holy Crap, We've Been Living in Space for 15 Years![/URL]
[QUOTE]Meanwhile, the space station just keeps on growing in continuous slow construction until the present day, with new docking ports and an inflatable module expected soon. Major structural components were contributed by the United States and Russia, but also by the European Union, Canada, and Japan.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]roughly four times the size of Mir, or five times larger than Skylab. That space includes two bathrooms, a gymnasium, and the Cupola, a 360° degree windowed chamber.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Each mission gets more ambitious. Expedition 1 started off with an impressive 22 scientific experiments (with an experiment in protein crystal growth starting even before their arrival!), but astronauts now get to spend about 35 hours a week on research. That means over the nearly six months of Expedition 45 and 46, the astronauts will conduct a total of 191 scientific investigations. The experiments are housed in 29 standardized racks with equipment slotted in and removed as needed. Of those 29, 15 are attached external payloads outside the station exposed to the harsh space environment.[/QUOTE]

Nowhere near the lift capability of the SpaceX Falcon 9, but still impressive that they did this:

[url]http://spacenews.com/blue-origin-successfully-flies-new-shepard-suborbital-vehicle/[/url]

Impressive, indeed! What's their next step - something like Thunderbird 2?

[URL]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thunderbirds_machines#Thunderbird_2[/URL]

[QUOTE=bsquared;417142]Nowhere near the lift capability of the SpaceX Falcon 9, but still impressive that they did this:[/QUOTE]I am sure that you know that most sub-orbital flights take vastly less energy than orbital flights of same altitude. This seems to elude most of the story and headline writers of the moment.

[QUOTE=Uncwilly;417190]I am sure that you know that most sub-orbital flights take vastly less energy than orbital flights of same altitude. This seems to elude most of the story and headline writers of the moment.[/QUOTE]

Absolutely true. By about an order of magnitude.

Still, Mr. Musk must be seriously pissed off about this coverage since he did effectively do this several times with Grasshopper, and (almost) four times from orbital velocities. Twice approaching barge based ocean going landing platforms exactly on target.

Let's now all duck (and watch) while the giants fight. Should be a good show.... :smile:

[QUOTE=chalsall;417285]Still, Mr. Musk must be seriously pissed off about this coverage since he did effectively do this several times with Grasshopper, and (almost) four times from orbital velocities. Twice approaching barge based ocean going landing platforms exactly on target.[/QUOTE]Beyond Grasshopper, they did it with production first stages.

What Space-X is doing, JB is not, is actually getting paid to deliver things, while also testing to make the flights cheaper. The various developments in the engines, the first stage, etc. to make the rocket better and more capable over time (all the while placing payloads into orbit) is impressive.

[QUOTE=Uncwilly;417287]What Space-X is doing, JB is not...[/QUOTE]

Likely.

SpaceX seems to be working on the path of reusability to and from low earth orbit.

Blue Origin (and Virgin Galactic et al) seems to be working the path of reusability to and from space straight up (defined as 100km above the surface).

Yay!!! Rich people get to experience a few minutes of weightlessness and get to claim they are astronauts....

[URL="http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/27/europe/uk-spacex-rocket-debris-isles-scilly/index.html"]Debris from a Falcon 9 washes up in the UK[/URL]

SpaceX Returns to Flight today!
 

SpaceX is set to [URL="http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2015/12/spacex-rtf-core-return-attempt-og2/"]Return to Flight[/URL] today at 2029 EST (Monday 0129 UTC), with an attempt to land the first stage _on land_, only a few kilometres from the launch site.

Hopefully... They only have a sixty second launch window.

I had planned on seeing "The Force Awakens" tonight at the drive in, but I may skip it to watch this launch attempt....

[QUOTE=chalsall;419716]I had planned on seeing "The Force Awakens" tonight at the drive in ...[/QUOTE]... which you can do later at your leisure ...[QUOTE=chalsall;419716]... but I may skip it to watch this launch attempt....[/QUOTE]... which only happens once and can't be done later at your leisure.

The choice is obvious.

[QUOTE=retina;419717]... which you can do later at your leisure ...... which only happens once and can't be done later at your leisure. The choice is obvious.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, but there's also "She who must be OK'ed" to take into consideration... :wink:

The good news is the movie is going to continue for another week, so, indeed, I'll be watching the (hopeful) launch and (hopeful) precision landing tonight! :chalsall:

[QUOTE=chalsall;419716]SpaceX is set to [URL="http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2015/12/spacex-rtf-core-return-attempt-og2/"]Return to Flight[/URL] today at 2029 EST (Monday 0129 UTC), with an attempt to land the first stage _on land_, only a few kilometres from the launch site.
Hopefully... They only have a sixty second launch window.
I had planned on seeing "The Force Awakens" tonight at the drive in, but I may skip it to watch this launch attempt....[/QUOTE]

Has it been delayed a day until Monday night / Tuesday early ?

[QUOTE=chalsall;417289]...
Yay!!! Rich people get to experience a few minutes of weightlessness and get to claim they are astronauts....[/QUOTE]

... which is a GOOD thing, right?

I have the good fortune to be in Florida, specifically Brevard County, for a few days, precisely for the few days of the launch window. I may post a picture.

[QUOTE=davar55;419750]Has it been delayed a day until Monday night / Tuesday early ?[/QUOTE]

It has indeed. Thanks.

So Star Wars tonight after all (and some of the best rotis in Barbados!). :smile:

[QUOTE=chalsall;419716]I had planned on seeing "The Force Awakens" tonight at the drive in[/QUOTE]

No spoiler in this post, safe to read.

The feral teenagers[SUP](r)[/SUP] in house dragged us to the cinema, where we spent [TEX]n[/TEX] minutes watching the movie and the endless advertising Thai cinema still show before the movies start (to their merit, they do not interrupt the movie with advertising, but show ~25 minutes of it before the movie starts, from which advertising, 80% is Thai language, even if we paid - more - for an original English soundtrack, they didn't bother to show English advertising - well, their loss! because most farangs in the hall didn't understand the advertising).

We wasted [TEX]n-2[/TEX] minutes from our life and we want back the money. The [TEX]2[/TEX] minutes which worth the money was the entry of C3PO. That was wonderful and we totally didn't expect it - it took us by surprise.

[QUOTE=chalsall;419759]It has indeed. Thanks.

So Star Wars tonight after all (and some of the best rotis in Barbados!). :smile:[/QUOTE]
What are rotis? :confused2:

[QUOTE=kladner;419812]What are rotis? :confused2:[/QUOTE]
It is sort of a thin pizza/wrap/pancake , with meat and/or vegetables in (curry) sauce.

[QUOTE=VictordeHolland;419832]It is sort of a thin Turkish pizza/wrap/pancake , with meat and/or vegetables in (curry) sauce.[/QUOTE]

Sounds just yummy !!!

OK, so we're about two hours and fifty minutes out from a launch and landing attempt.

Keep your eyes on the prize, people....

That was incredible. :smile: Crappy video incoming.

Happy holidays everyone.

We are now a space faring society!

I just got back from toasting the landing with a member of the SpaceX Guidance Navigation and Control (GNC) group that was responsible for the landing control algorithms. My favorite photo is the fourth on [URL="http://gizmodo.com/these-are-the-most-bad-ass-photos-from-the-spacex-rocke-1749223550"]this page[/URL], showing the launch and landing in a single time lapse photograph, although the first video showing the landing is also pretty awesome.

[url]http://youtu.be/XWEhPQO3y5Y[/url]

The sonic booms caught me by surprise, but we figured it out shortly enough.

:retina::alien 3:
:clap::farley::george::et_:
:chalsall::anurag::curtisc::kosmaj::party:


Take that Jeff Bezos!
:sparta:

[SIZE=5][COLOR=Red][B]HUZZAH!!!![/B][/COLOR][/SIZE][SIZE=5][COLOR=Red][B]! :smile:
[/B][/COLOR][/SIZE]

SpaceX are going to be attempting a launch from Vandenberg in about an hour and ten minutes. Then, eight minutes later, attempt another barge landing (this time in the pacific; it's a polar orbit).

[QUOTE=chalsall;422813]SpaceX are going to be attempting a launch from Vandenberg in about an hour and ten minutes. Then, eight minutes later, attempt another barge landing (this time in the pacific; it's a polar orbit).[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]SpaceX SpaceX
about an hour ago ·44,624 Views
Webcast info
SpaceX webcast will go live here and on YouTube at about 1:15pm ET/10:15am PT. For our full hosted webcast, use this link [url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivdKRJzl6y0[/url]
[/QUOTE]
[YOUTUBE]ivdKRJzl6y0[/YOUTUBE]
[QUOTE]
For views of rocket, launch countdown audio and telemetry info, use this link: [url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkz_lclGXNg[/url][/QUOTE]
[YOUTUBE]vkz_lclGXNg[/YOUTUBE]

The separate streams are a brilliant idea.

Waiting to find out what happened on the barge... darn satellite connections.

And no recovery, due to a hard landing :/

[QUOTE=Mark Rose;422820]The separate streams are a brilliant idea.

Waiting to find out what happened on the barge... darn satellite connections.[/QUOTE]
Somehow the actual landing always becomes technically difficult to show live. This time they think they had landing gear failure/breakage and at a minimum failed the vertical landing; and will update info in a few hours

Fridays should be renamed to commemorate their usefulness in burying bad news.

Last Friday, SpaceX mentioned some trouble with the previous rocket that they successfully landed at Cape Canaveral:
[QUOTE]
Conducted hold-down firing of returned Falcon rocket. Data looks good overall, but engine 9 showed thrust fluctuations.

Maybe some debris ingestion. Engine data looks ok. Will borescope tonight. This is one of the outer engines.
5:47 PM - 15 Jan 2016[/QUOTE]
[URL="http://gizmodo.com/spacexs-returned-rocket-still-fires-mostly-1753442217"]SpaceX's Returned Rocket Still Fires, Mostly[/URL]

Is there a video?

[QUOTE=Dubslow;422866]Is there a video?[/QUOTE]

Yes, here: [url]https://www.instagram.com/p/BAqirNbwEc0/[/url]

Oooof, so close, yet so far away. The exploding from a bit of physical contact was quite reminiscent of Michael Bay. I'd say that was damn near as successful as the one on hard land in Florida -- successfully hit the moving and swaying target, at the proper velocity and attitude -- too bad the leg failed...

I think the problem is that they named the rocket Jason. Jason's tend to be creative types and not rock solid reliable. If they'd named the rocket Steve or Robert they may have gotten better results.

(Yes, I'm kidding)

Or was it the feed named Jason-3?

[STRIKE]Live event within 45 minutes[/STRIKE]
edit:
[QUOTE]
16 minutes ago
Launch postponed for today
Team opting to hold launch for today. Looking to try again tomorrow; window also opens at 6:46pm ET. Rocket and spacecraft remain healthy.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]SES-9 Mission Mission Overview
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket will deliver SES-9, a commercial communications satellite for SES, to a Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO). SES is a world-leading satellite operator that provides satellite-enabled communications services to broadcasters, Internet service providers, mobile and fixed network operators, and business and governmental organizations worldwide using its fleet of more than 50 geostationary satellites.

SpaceX is targeting an evening launch of SES-9 from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. The approximately 90-minute launch window opens on February 24 at 6:46:14 pm ET. A backup launch window opens at 6:46:17 pm ET on February 25. The satellite will be deployed approximately 31 minutes after liftoff.

This mission is going to a Geostationary Transfer Orbit. Following stage separation, the first stage of the Falcon 9 will attempt an experimental landing on the “Of Course I Still Love You” droneship. [B]Given this mission’s unique GTO profile, a successful landing is not expected.[/B][/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]
The SpaceX webcast is scheduled to go live on [url]http://www.spacex.com/webcast[/url] and on YouTube about 20 minutes prior to launch. On Youtube, for our full hosted webcast, use this link: [url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ml1RO4IcOG0[/url]
[/QUOTE]
[YOUTUBE]Ml1RO4IcOG0[/YOUTUBE]
[QUOTE]
For rocket views, launch countdown audio and telemetry info, use this link for our technical webcast: [url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HSb_yBnJXA[/url].[/QUOTE]
[YOUTUBE]6HSb_yBnJXA[/YOUTUBE]

SpaceX /might/ try launching again today at 18:46 EST, or about 2.5 hours from now....

[QUOTE=chalsall;427424]SpaceX /might/ try launching again today at 18:46 EST, or about 2.5 hours from now....[/QUOTE]
The stream says that streaming starts in 52 minutes. SpaceX characterized yesterday's weather as 60% favorable versus today at 80% favorable.

Interest seems to be picking up on utilizing the used rockets.
[url]http://fortune.com/2016/02/25/spacex-postponed-launch/[/url]
[QUOTE]A returning SpaceX rocket successfully touched down at a ground-based landing site near the launch pad in December, but three previous attempts to land a returning rocket on an ocean platform failed.

SES, which currently operates a constellation of 53 satellites, has three more under contract to fly on SpaceX Falcon rockets through 2017, SES Chief Technology Officer Martin Halliwell told reporters at a prelaunch news conference.

SES has started talking with SpaceX about buying a used rocket to fly a future SES satellite but they have not yet agreed on a price.

A new Falcon 9 costs about $61 million, the company’s website shows.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=only_human;427431]The stream says that streaming starts in 52 minutes. SpaceX characterized yesterday's weather as 60% favorable versus today at 80% favorable.[/QUOTE]

The stream is currently playing some weirdish spacey music with a star-field background. Should see humans in ten minutes or so, and with any luck, lots of joules converted to momentum shortly afterwards...

I *love* watching launches!!! :smile:

Edit: Bummer... "Hold! Hold! Hold!".... :sad:

Boooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo


Edit: Something wasn't quite right with the LOx they were loading. (Temperature?) The launch for today has been scrubbed, no word yet on the next attempt, though hopefully within the next 3-7 days

[QUOTE=Dubslow;427441]Boooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo[/QUOTE]
It seems that maybe fuel wasn't loading fast enough to meet the launch schedule.
[YOUTUBE]flge_rw6RG0[/YOUTUBE]

[QUOTE=only_human;427442]It seems that maybe fuel wasn't loading fast enough to meet the launch schedule.[/QUOTE]

Which seems odd to me... I thought they had a 97 minute window. Why did they have to abort the launch, rather than simply hold for a few minutes (or even an hour)?

[QUOTE=chalsall;427443]Which seems odd to me... I thought they had a 97 minute window. Why did they have to abort the launch, rather than simply hold for a few minutes (or even an hour)?[/QUOTE]

Playing with frozen/liquid/ultracompressed fire is generally something to be done with a great deal of patience and caution.


A few minutes I can certainly understand. I think even a full 90 minutes would be pushing it, at best, and pushing things with said fire would be bad. And since all the experts over there decided it wasn't enough, I'm inclined to follow their lead on the matter.

[QUOTE=chalsall;427443]Which seems odd to me... I thought they had a 97 minute window. Why did they have to abort the launch, rather than simply hold for a few minutes (or even an hour)?[/QUOTE]
Of course I am talking through my hat but if fuel was not loading on time, I might be concerned enough to investigate why it was slow.

[url]http://spacenews.com/spacex-scrubs-ses-9-launch-again/[/url]
[QUOTE]SpaceX halted the countdown 1 minute and 41 seconds before the scheduled 6:47 p.m. Eastern liftoff of the rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida. SpaceX manager John Insprucker, on the company’s webcast of the launch, said that launch controllers were “still evaluating” loading during the final minutes of the countdown and decided to stop the launch.

Although the launch window extended for more than 90 minute, Insprucker said that the timing of the hold, so close to the scheduled launch, meant that SpaceX had to call off the launch for the day. A new launch date has not been set, but Insprucker said it would likely be in a “couple of days or so.”[/QUOTE]
After this mission, SpaceX has an ISS cargo launch in April.
[QUOTE]After this mission, the next Falcon 9 launch, a Dragon cargo mission to the International Space Station, is tentatively scheduled for early April, also from Cape Canaveral.[/QUOTE]
And then in good news for SpaceX, [URL="http://spacenews.com/iridium-frustrated-by-russian-red-tape-to-launch-first-10-iridium-next-satellites-with-spacex-in-july/"]Iridium, frustrated by Russian red tape, to launch first 10 Iridium Next satellites with SpaceX in July[/URL]
[QUOTE]Desch said Iridium has been waiting for Russian license approval for months and has been told on multiple occasions that it’s about to arrive. But it has not been given yet and Iridium cannot take the risk of not having its full 72-satellite constellation in orbit by late 2017.[/QUOTE]

That first article also says that yesterday's launch was scrubbed due to temperature concerns on the LOx, not weather like we assumed.

This is only the second launch of the Falcon 9 v1.2, and the first with a relatively high-performance profile. Not unusual for the first couple of tries to require some minor (and abundantly cautious) bug fixing.

[url]https://www.reddit.com/r/spacex/comments/47g5mo/rspacex_ses9_official_launch_discussion_updates/[/url]



After a 24-hour delay, liftoff of SpaceX's Falcon 9 v1.1 Full Thrust is currently scheduled for 23:47:00 UTC (6:47:00 PM EST) on February 25, the beginning of a 97-minute launch window.
...
SpaceX will attempt to land the Falcon 9 first stage on their Autonomous Spaceport Drone Ship Of Course I Still Love You, but the odds of a successful recovery are low. In order to make up for launch delays, SpaceX has modified the flight profile to allow SES-9 to reach geostationary orbit as soon as possible. This means that the usual boostback burn won't be performed, and the ASDS will be located over 600 km downrange of Cape Canaveral.

[QUOTE=wblipp;427548][url]https://www.reddit.com/r/spacex/comments/47g5mo/rspacex_ses9_official_launch_discussion_updates/[/url]



After a 24-hour delay, liftoff of SpaceX's Falcon 9 v1.1 Full Thrust is currently scheduled for 23:47:00 UTC (6:47:00 PM EST) on February 25, the beginning of a 97-minute launch window.
...
SpaceX will attempt to land the Falcon 9 first stage on their Autonomous Spaceport Drone Ship Of Course I Still Love You, but the odds of a successful recovery are low. In order to make up for launch delays, SpaceX has modified the flight profile to allow SES-9 to reach geostationary orbit as soon as possible. This means that the usual boostback burn won't be performed, and the ASDS will be located over 600 km downrange of Cape Canaveral.[/QUOTE]

That's old news...?


The rumored next attempt is Sunday.

[QUOTE=Dubslow;427559]That's old news...?


The rumored next attempt is Sunday.[/QUOTE]
[URL="http://www.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/2016/02/26/spacex-considering-sunday-launch-try/80998820/"]SpaceX, SES confirm Sunday Falcon 9 rocket launch[/URL]
[QUOTE]SES has confirmed that SpaceX's next launch attempt from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station of a Falcon 9 rocket will occur Sunday.

The Luxembourg-based company took to Twitter today, saying "SES and SpaceX are now targeting to launch #SES9 on Sunday."

Sunday's launch window opens at 6:46 p.m. Eastern time, according to the tweet. An earlier forecast issued by the Air Force's 45th Weather Squadron showed near-perfect conditions for the window that extends to 8:20 p.m.

SpaceX and SES will use Monday as a backup date in the event of a third scrub.

[CENTER]SES and SpaceX are now targeting to launch #SES9 on Sunday, 28 February, at 6.46pm ET, with a backup date on Monday, 29 February!
— SES (@SES_Satellites) February 27, 2016[/CENTER][/QUOTE]

I believe the title of this thread should be

[CENTER][SIZE=4][FONT=Book Antiqua][SIZE=5][B]What knee weed is a mace spission![/B][/SIZE]

[/FONT][/SIZE][/CENTER]

[QUOTE=only_human;427664][URL="http://www.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/2016/02/26/spacex-considering-sunday-launch-try/80998820/"]SpaceX, SES confirm Sunday Falcon 9 rocket launch[/URL][/QUOTE]

@chalsall:

[quote=The article ^]The fueling process begins just 30 minutes before the targeted launch time, and SpaceX has said there's only enough time during this window to perform that process once. If the rocket isn't ready to go at the targeted time, the liquid oxygen must be offloaded and the launch delayed to another day.[/quote]

[QUOTE=Dubslow;427672]@chalsall:[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the information Dubslow. Makes Sense.

They're [URL="http://www.spacex.com/webcast"]trying again in about two hours[/URL].

[QUOTE=chalsall;427699]Thanks for the information Dubslow. Makes Sense.

They're [URL="http://www.spacex.com/webcast"]trying again in about two hours[/URL].[/QUOTE]
Upper level winds are also mentioned:
[QUOTE]Tracking towards a 6:46pm ET launch attempt today; watching upper-level winds closely. [url]www.spacex.com/webcast[/url][/QUOTE]

Scrubbed again.

[QUOTE=kladner;427702]Scrubbed again.[/QUOTE]

Are you sure? SpaceX just updated their "Webcast" to say the live video streams will be coming on line in a few minutes.

I hope you read an article where the author confused Thursday for tonight. There have been a few....

Edit: The live video stream just came online. "Flight" by "Test Shot Starfish" is playing in the background; the "SpaceX" logo is floating in its star field. Should see/hear humans soon. Man I hope they pull this off!!! :popcorn:

Edit2: Yup, it's on. Humans talking now.

full
[YOUTUBE]RpaoRP70lzM[/YOUTUBE]
[url]http://youtu.be/RpaoRP70lzM[/url]

rocket, telemetry
[url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-SD2gxMn5U[/url]
[YOUTUBE]2-SD2gxMn5U[/YOUTUBE]

Uggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Who fucked up the range

Damn! Damn! Damn!!!

This time it was range; fuel loading had just completed... Grrrrrrr.... :mad:

[QUOTE=Dubslow;427711]Uggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Who fucked up the range[/QUOTE]
I was editing here and missed the contretemps.
Range?

Unconfirmed reports of a ship that wandered into the keep out zone.

The launch is not yet scrubbed, they're gonna monitor the situation for the next 90 minutes of the launch window and see if they can still go

New launch time [STRIKE]7:19[/STRIKE] 7:21 pm EST

Seems that the range is not clear, but they believe that 7:21pm is the last opportunity of the launch window, so they're speculatively running the launch and hoping that the range clears shortly.

Sometimes the technology we now have easy access to blows my mind. Here we are watching a live stream in 1080P on our computers and/or tablets of some guy about to launch a satellite into GTO.

Cool time to be alive!!! :smile:

[QUOTE=chalsall;427716]Sometimes the technology we now have easy access to blows my mind. Here we are watching a live stream in 1080P on our computers and/or tablets of some guy about to launch a satellite into GTO.

Cool time to be alive!!! :smile:[/QUOTE]
And no commercials or station teasers to make you wait till the end of the programme.

Range is green!

Edit: WTF?

Sigh... Launch abort ***AFTER*** engine ignition!!! (No boom, though....)

[QUOTE=chalsall;427719]Sigh... Launch abort ***AFTER*** engine ignition!!! (No boom, though....)[/QUOTE]
The previous occasion they were explaining upgrades including strong clamps and the ability to abort after ignition.
[QUOTE]Spaceflight101 LIVE ‏@S101_Live
Scheduling the next attempt will depend on the nature of the issue causing the shutdown & the time needed to re-chill the LOX. #Falcon9

Spaceflight101 LIVE
1 minute ago
Spaceflight101 LIVE ‏@S101_Live
Because of constraints associated with LOX temps, this was the last chance to get #Falcon9 off the ground today. [url]http://bit.ly/1VEbYe1[/url]

Spaceflight101 LIVE
2 minutes ago
Spaceflight101 LIVE ‏@S101_Live
#Falcon9 has the luxury of a hold-down system, allowing for checks of the engines during thrust build-up before committing F9 to flight.

Spaceflight101 LIVE
5 minutes ago
Spaceflight101 LIVE ‏@S101_Live
Flight Termination System is disarmed and on external, tanks have been vented. Strongback now being raised. #Falcon9 [url]http://bit.ly/1VEbYe1[/url]

Spaceflight101 LIVE
5 minutes ago
Spaceflight101 LIVE ‏@S101_Live
#Falcon9 aborted at ignition, safing procedures are in motion. [url]http://bit.ly/1VEbYe1[/url]

Spaceflight101 LIVE
6 minutes ago
Spaceflight101 LIVE ‏@S101_Live
CUTOFF – The nine Merlin Engines on the first Stage have been shut down prior to Liftoff. Vehicle Safing is in progress.

Spaceflight101 LIVE
6 minutes ago
Spaceflight101 LIVE ‏@S101_Live
IGNITION! #Falcon9 roars to life! [url]http://bit.ly/1PZMfuU[/url]

Spaceflight101 LIVE
7 minutes ago
Spaceflight101 LIVE ‏@S101_Live
All tanks have reached flight pressure. Vehicle pyrotechnics armed. Coming up on ignition. [url]http://bit.ly/1PZMfuU[/url]

Spaceflight101 LIVE
7 minutes ago
Spaceflight101 LIVE ‏@S101_Live
T-40 Seconds: Both stages are in their final pressurization for liftoff. [url]http://bit.ly/1PZMfuU[/url]

Spaceflight101 LIVE
7 minutes ago
Spaceflight101 LIVE ‏@S101_Live
One Minute to Launch! Flight Computer in Start-Up! All systems are GO for today's #Falcon9 Launch! [url]http://bit.ly/1PZMfuU[/url]

Spaceflight101 LIVE
8 minutes ago
Spaceflight101 LIVE ‏@S101_Live
The Eastern Range reports final clearance for liftoff. Launch Director is GO. #Falcon9 is ready to go. Live: [url]http://bit.ly/1VEbYe1[/url]

Spaceflight101 LIVE
8 minutes ago
Spaceflight101 LIVE ‏@S101_Live
T-2 Minutes: The triple-redundant Flight Computers are placed in Auto-Alignment, assuming control in one minute.

Spaceflight101 LIVE
9 minutes ago
Spaceflight101 LIVE ‏@S101_Live
T-2:30: Propellant Tank Pre-Press is starting using ground pressurization before interfaces are isolated and purged.

Spaceflight101 LIVE
10 minutes ago
Spaceflight101 LIVE ‏@S101_Live
STRONGBACK RETRACTION – The large support structure is moving away from #Falcon9 to clear the way for liftoff. [url]http://bit.ly/1VEbYe1[/url][/QUOTE]

Officially scrubbed.

Debugging this may take substantially longer, as it was some issue after the engines fired. Still hope for tomorrow though.

Edit: Apparently the range violation was around the offshore landing platform 600km off the coast. Damn ship...

[QUOTE=kladner;427702]Scrubbed again.[/QUOTE]
Dilbert from the future visited Kieren!

[QUOTE]Elon Musk
Twitter › elonmusk
@SpaceX Launch aborted on low thrust alarm. Rising oxygen temps due to hold for boat and helium bubble triggered alarm.[/QUOTE].

[URL="http://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/local/2016/02/29/tug-boat-contributed-spacex-launch-scrub/81102952/"]Tug boat contributed to SpaceX launch scrub[/URL]
[QUOTE]Macrander said it took about 30 to 35 minutes for the helicopter to reach the tug boat and barge after getting airborne within 10 minutes of being advised of the violation. The helicopter crew got the tugboat and barge cleared, but not before the launch had to be postponed.[/QUOTE]
[URL="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/space/os-spacex-attempt-launch-monday-20160229-post.html"]SpaceX confirms 'Super' Tuesday launch attempt[/URL]
[QUOTE]SpaceX has confirmed that it will attempt to launch a satellite into orbit for a fourth time on Tuesday evening, with a launch window opening at 6:35 p.m. at Cape Canaveral.

The launch window is 11 minutes earlier than the three prior attempts have been.

"The slight shift in launch window... gives us a better chance of avoiding upper-level wind issues, which will remain a watch item. The window extends to 8:05 p.m.," said Phil Larson, senior manager for communications at SpaceX, in an email.[/QUOTE]

They're going to need rather better than mil-spec electronics for [URL="http://www.forbes.com/sites/brucedorminey/2016/02/29/nasa-venus-landsail-rover-could-launch-in-2023/"]this one[/URL].

Nope... Not tonight... Upper-level winds too high.

Earliest next attempt this next Friday.

I have a funny image in my head of Elon Musk losing a drinking game with old man Murphy

[QUOTE=Batalov;427722]Dilbert from the future visited Kieren![/QUOTE]
Yeah! That's the ticket! :smile:

[QUOTE=xilman;427850]They're going to need rather better than mil-spec electronics for [URL="http://www.forbes.com/sites/brucedorminey/2016/02/29/nasa-venus-landsail-rover-could-launch-in-2023/"]this one[/URL].[/QUOTE]
Forbes will not let me in because I have script and ad blockers. I tried pausing them, but it was still pissy about something.

[QUOTE=kladner;427882]Forbes will not let me in because I have script and ad blockers. I tried pausing them, but it was still pissy about something.[/QUOTE]

Yeah. I found the same thing. They need you more than you need them....

uBlock isn't causing any problems, though I don't think I have much in the way of JS blockers.

It was an article about a speculative NASA Venus rover that would be a windsurf-on-land type of thing. Due to Venus' super high density, even a wind of 2 mph would be enough to propel the rover. Of course, the hard part would still be the electronics, as was noted here.

Thanks for the summary. :smile:

This...

LOL @ taco cat

[QUOTE=Dubslow;427878]I have a funny image in my head of Elon Musk losing a drinking game with old man Murphy[/QUOTE]
Or being trapped in a maliciously purgatorial Harlan Ellisonesque nightmare.

[URL="http://gizmodo.com/watch-spacexs-fifth-attempt-to-launch-its-falcon-9-rock-1762883859"]Watch SpaceX's Fifth Attempt to Launch Its Falcon 9 Rocket Live, Which Will Make You Question the Very Nature of Reality[/URL]
[QUOTE]For the fifth time in just over a week, SpaceX is trying to launch its Falcon 9 Rocket. Am I stuck in a timeloop? Is any of this real? Am I here? Are you?

SpaceX attributed the first four scrubbed launches to problems with their liquid oxygen system, heavy winds, and a boat straying too close to the launch zone. Alternately, we both died thousands of years ago and in this—our purgatory—we relive the same day over and over again. Having long ago been forgotten by an indifferent God above, we remain trapped here together forever in our time prison doomed to repeat, but never able to change, our interminable present.[/QUOTE]

A good breakdown of this particular launch's various stage objectives:
[url]http://spaceflight101.com/falcon-9-ses-9/spacex-falcon-9-aims-for-twilight-liftoff-on-friday/[/url]

Here's a description a "boost-back burn":
[url]http://spaceflight101.com/spacerockets/falcon-9-ft/[/url]
[QUOTE]Around T+4.5 minutes into the mission, the first stage re-lights a subset of its engines for a boost-back maneuver that slows the vehicle down (or reverses its travel direction) and controls the downrange travel distance of the stage, beginning to target the planned landing site – either on land or in the ocean. The duration of the boost-back burn depends on the target landing site and is also driven by propellant availability for the return which varies depending on payload mass and insertion orbit.

Heading back into the dense layers of the atmosphere, the first stage completes its supersonic retro propulsion burn using three engines that are fired for about 20 seconds starting at an altitude of 70 Kilometers. This burn in combination with drag in the atmosphere slows the first stage down from 1,300m/s to about 250m/s.[/QUOTE]
It sounds as though they are saying this maneuver will be completely omitted in today's flight based on this:
[url]http://spaceflight101.com/falcon-9-ses-9/spacex-falcon-9-aims-for-twilight-liftoff-on-friday/[/url]
[QUOTE]Instead of conducting a boost-back maneuver, the first stage will remain on a ballistic trajectory and home in on the Autonomous Spaceport Drone Ship, stationed 660 Kilometers from Cape Canaveral. Because the first stage can not slow down ahead of re-entry, it will have to endure extreme forces and temperatures not seen in previous attempts including the successful booster landing in December.[/QUOTE]

As for chilling fuel, the first link above says:
[QUOTE]NASA studies have shown that LOX densification can increase the oxidizer mass by 8 to 15% compared to boiling-point LOX at –183°C.

Cooling LOX below its boiling point is possible through the use of a Nitrogen subcooler that employs a Liquid Nitrogen bath (either at boiling point or sub-cooled) through which the LOX lines are running to allow an exchange of heat.

SpaceX employs LOX at a temperature of approximately –207°C, about 10°C above the Oxygen Triple Point achieved by running the LOX through a Nitrogen bath that is kept at a partial vacuum to decrease its temperature to nearly N2 ice temperature. This will yield an increase in LOX density from 1.134 grams per cubic centimeter to nearly 1.23g/cm³ while still maintaining the LOX above its freezing point and slush density of 1.338g/cm³. Cooling the LOX to this temperature point yields a density increase of around 8%.

Operational launchers that employ sub-cooled LOX are Antares (in its original version, using LOX at –196°C) and Soyuz 2-1v (-192°C LOX), but in these cases, sub-cooled LOX is/was required due to the design of the engine.

Cooling the fuel, Rocket Propellant 1 (Kerosene), is also possible, although its high freezing temperature of approximately –37°C and changes in viscosity as a function of temperature represent limitations when cooling the fuel. SpaceX chills the RP-1 from ambient temperature down to approximately -7°C where viscosity does not yet affect the properties of the fuel, but achieves an increase in density around 2.5 to 4%.

Because of the different densification possible for LOX and RP1, an adjustment of tank sizes on the rocket is necessary to keep the Oxidizer to Fuel ratio required by the Merlin 1D engines.

This is accomplished by shortening the LOX tank on the first stage and stretching the RP-1 tank while retaining the original first stage length. Stretching the first stage beyond the length of the v1.1 first stage is not possible due to bending forces occurring in flight. Widening the diameter of the stages is also no option because of the requirement of road transport, putting a limit on the maximum diameter. The second stage of Falcon 9 FT accommodates the required change in RP-1 volume by stretching the stage.[/QUOTE]

Streaming now
[QUOTE]SpaceX
We’re targeting today, Friday, March 4 at 6:35pm ET for launch of SES-9. The window extends to 8:06pm ET. The SpaceX webcast is scheduled to go live here (on [url]http://www.spacex.com/webcast[/url]) and on YouTube about 10 minutes prior to launch. For rocket views, launch countdown audio and telemetry info, use this link for our technical webcast: [url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIkPP2LM8DU[/url][/QUOTE]
Full
[url]http://youtu.be/muDPSyO7-A0[/url]
[YOUTUBE]muDPSyO7-A0[/YOUTUBE]
Technical
[url]http://youtu.be/sIkPP2LM8DU[/url]
[YOUTUBE]sIkPP2LM8DU[/YOUTUBE]
Progress updates on twitter:
[url]https://mobile.twitter.com/S101_Live[/url]
reddit
[url]https://www.reddit.com/r/spacex/comments/48u4yq/rspacex_ses9_official_launch_discussion_updates/[/url]

Approximate countdown timeline via spaceflight101.com
[url]http://spaceflight101.com/falcon-9-ft-countdown-timeline/[/url]