cubinator Posted December 15, 2017 Share Posted December 15, 2017 They just have to keep trying until it works... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatastrophicFailure Posted December 16, 2017 Share Posted December 16, 2017 So I’m guessing no launch today, either. Pity. Solid scores this week from SpaceX & Blue Origin. Came this close to a NewSpace trifecta. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatastrophicFailure Posted December 16, 2017 Share Posted December 16, 2017 Poop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh IN SPACE Posted December 21, 2017 Share Posted December 21, 2017 The anticipation is too much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatastrophicFailure Posted January 11, 2018 Share Posted January 11, 2018 2018: The Year of Much Delayed Testing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Streetwind Posted January 12, 2018 Share Posted January 12, 2018 Let's hope it works, and let's also hope they can get another rocket on the pad by mid-March, and let's further hope that NASA allows Moon Express to skip ahead of them in the manifest. Because as it stands right now, they're the last remaining team that looks like it still has a somewhat realistic shot at actually attempting the Google Lunar X-Prize. In contrast to all other teams, their launch has already been paid for, and I've not read anything anywhere that their spacecraft has been delayed. So I have to assume that they're just waiting on Rocket Lab at this point. Of course, realistically, it's not going to happen... but wouldn't it be cool? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NSEP Posted January 12, 2018 Share Posted January 12, 2018 Time flew by incredibly fast! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatastrophicFailure Posted January 12, 2018 Share Posted January 12, 2018 7 hours ago, Streetwind said: Let's hope it works, and let's also hope they can get another rocket on the pad by mid-March, and let's further hope that NASA allows Moon Express to skip ahead of them in the manifest What NASA payload is ahead of Moon Express? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Streetwind Posted January 12, 2018 Share Posted January 12, 2018 Yes, because it's basically a form of startup help. NASA likes to help new unproven things along a bit if they think that it's a good investment. They basically said: "Oh, you have a new smallsat launcher that shows promise? Here, have this armload of cubesats from our ELaNa program (education nanosatellite stuff). Then you have at least one customer, and that will let you build trust and attract others." Turns out, although NASA was the first to sign on, others soon followed even without the need to see a successful flight first. Planet and Spire even agreed to put stuff on their upcoming test flight. But I'm sure Rocket Lab doesn't mind the extra money anyway. Mind you, I just checked the wikipedia page for the Electron rocket, and the manifest there shows both NASA and Moon Express for Q1/2018... with Moon Express being first. Maybe NASA already did let them skip forward. I'm all for it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatastrophicFailure Posted January 12, 2018 Share Posted January 12, 2018 Interesting. I’m trying not to get too excited about Moon Express before it actually exists, but they’re the only entrant that seems to have a real business plan beyond winning the prize. Whether clients really turn up after is speculation, but the idea that they can get something to the surface of the moon on a rocket that small is incredible on its own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ultimate Steve Posted January 12, 2018 Share Posted January 12, 2018 It seems like the Electron team is probably winning the Xprize. I'm pretty sure the two teams that co-booked a PSLV backed out because they couldn't afford it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedKraken Posted January 16, 2018 Share Posted January 16, 2018 (edited) rehosted image from https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/953034798443802625 https://www.reddit.com/r/RocketLab/comments/7qnni3/a_fresh_batch_of_rutherford_engines_rolling_off/ http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=35300.1120 Edited January 16, 2018 by RedKraken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starman4308 Posted January 16, 2018 Share Posted January 16, 2018 They almost look like Christmas bells wrapped up like that. I wonder how much money I'd owe Rocket Lab if I decided to ring one... Anyways, best of luck to Rocket Lab, and to orbital launch providers around the world. Hopefully we're in for a new age of (relatively) cheap space access. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cubinator Posted January 16, 2018 Share Posted January 16, 2018 17 minutes ago, RedKraken said: That is adorable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedKraken Posted January 17, 2018 Share Posted January 17, 2018 https://spaceflightnow.com/2018/01/16/electron-test-launch-from-new-zealand-could-happen-this-weekend/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ultimate Steve Posted January 17, 2018 Share Posted January 17, 2018 31 minutes ago, RedKraken said: https://spaceflightnow.com/2018/01/16/electron-test-launch-from-new-zealand-could-happen-this-weekend/ Good, I'm gong into launch withdrawl! Wait, the weekend is still 4 days away... Nooooooo!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tater Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ultimate Steve Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 Awesome, two launches tonight potentially! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tater Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedKraken Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 (edited) rehost from https://twitter.com/RocketLab https://spaceflightnow.com/2018/01/19/electron-still-testing-mission-status-center-2/ https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/01/rocket-lab-second-electron-launch/ Edited January 19, 2018 by RedKraken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tater Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 There gonna be a stream? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedKraken Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 According to spaceflightnow.....yes. Starts T-15min. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cubinator Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 If only the payloads were big and shiny, I might be able to see them on their first orbit... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatastrophicFailure Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 I think they do have some pretty good sized solar panels. If the angle’s just right... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatastrophicFailure Posted January 20, 2018 Share Posted January 20, 2018 OK This is just funny... oh, and ULA’s taking the bait! a few hours later... And that, Kiddies, is the story of the first Atlas V launch failure ever... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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