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?