sevenperforce Posted December 22, 2017 Share Posted December 22, 2017 Mr Steven in still in harbor, last we checked, but one of the support boats (a Go Searcher, I think) is on its way out to the NOTAM. Of course, Mr Steven is quite fast so that's no surprise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tater Posted December 22, 2017 Share Posted December 22, 2017 Clamp would be very unlikely, agreed. fins is odd, though. Maybe cross range capability? (To destruction) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ultimate Steve Posted December 22, 2017 Share Posted December 22, 2017 To the website thing: I like SpaceFlightNow for looking up launches. To the H-II launch: If it continues with no delays, it will be launched exactly 61 seconds after the Falcon 9 according to the launch times on SFN. Knowing Elon, he might try to move the launch back 61 seconds to have perfect sync... However this is an instantaneous launch window, so unfortunately won't happen. To the whole "fins but no legs thing," good question. Maybe they want to expend the stage but try and soft land it in the ocean just because they want more data? Or is it something cooler? Or less cool? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tater Posted December 22, 2017 Share Posted December 22, 2017 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ultimate Steve Posted December 22, 2017 Share Posted December 22, 2017 @tater, you have won the ninja award. I was about to post that and three seconds before I do I see the notification that you have replied! I think I see a camera mount on the front there... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tater Posted December 22, 2017 Share Posted December 22, 2017 I just ate a salad standing up in the kitchen (wife in OR, so no real dinner tonight), and came back to the computer to check on the space news, lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tater Posted December 22, 2017 Share Posted December 22, 2017 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatastrophicFailure Posted December 22, 2017 Share Posted December 22, 2017 3 hours ago, Ultimate Steve said: I think I see a camera mount on the front there... Stupid mobile. All night I thought y'all were talking about that engine photo posted a page or two back. I was like, "why would they put a camera on an engine...?" 3 hours ago, tater said: ...taken with one huge grain of salt... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NSEP Posted December 22, 2017 Share Posted December 22, 2017 I hope it decouples from the adapter, so aliens won't get confused. How does this thing drive with a big lump under it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaceception Posted December 22, 2017 Share Posted December 22, 2017 12 hours ago, StrandedonEarth said: I know eh? It used to be one of my favourite sites, back when it had its own forum. Now it’s just another clickbait fest I’m so looking forward to seeing and hearing 27 Merlin 1D’s firing up Yeah, it was once my go-to site for exoplanets news and new space tech... now look at it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevenperforce Posted December 22, 2017 Share Posted December 22, 2017 Wait what Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sh1pman Posted December 22, 2017 Share Posted December 22, 2017 44 minutes ago, sevenperforce said: Wait what Looks like a rocket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevenperforce Posted December 22, 2017 Share Posted December 22, 2017 5 minutes ago, sh1pman said: Looks like a rocket. Maybe it's just the lighting, but it looks like a Block 5 interstage. Perhaps the grid fins are to test the new interstage? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sh1pman Posted December 22, 2017 Share Posted December 22, 2017 Just now, sevenperforce said: Maybe it's just the lighting, but it looks like a Block 5 interstage. Perhaps the grid fins are to test the new interstage? Do we have any images of Block 5? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevenperforce Posted December 22, 2017 Share Posted December 22, 2017 19 minutes ago, sh1pman said: Do we have any images of Block 5? It's my understanding that the Block 5 interstage is unpainted composite -- dark grey or black. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sh1pman Posted December 22, 2017 Share Posted December 22, 2017 3 minutes ago, sevenperforce said: It's my understanding that the Block 5 interstage is unpainted composite -- dark grey or black. Hmm, why does it have to be unpainted? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevenperforce Posted December 22, 2017 Share Posted December 22, 2017 5 minutes ago, sh1pman said: Hmm, why does it have to be unpainted? Same reason as the Shuttle ET, I suppose? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sh1pman Posted December 22, 2017 Share Posted December 22, 2017 Well, they did paint the rest of the rocket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevenperforce Posted December 22, 2017 Share Posted December 22, 2017 18 minutes ago, sh1pman said: Well, they did paint the rest of the rocket. The rest of the rocket is metal that they want to protect. The interstage is composite and doesn't need a protective coating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green Baron Posted December 22, 2017 Share Posted December 22, 2017 (edited) Aluminium passivates itself if left uncoated. I'd think a paint is just additional weight. Must be another reason, or not ? Edit: i think rockets are painted white mainly to increase reflectivity and avoid propellant heating and boiloff. So again why do they leave it black ? Looks cool but heats more easily when standing on the launch and coasting in space ... Edited December 22, 2017 by Green Baron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cubinator Posted December 22, 2017 Share Posted December 22, 2017 10 hours ago, tater said: Official or not, that's the most absurd thing I've ever seen on an interstage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tater Posted December 22, 2017 Share Posted December 22, 2017 “The silliest thing you can imagine.” Was the quote, right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IncongruousGoat Posted December 22, 2017 Share Posted December 22, 2017 18 minutes ago, Green Baron said: Aluminium passivates itself if left uncoated. I'd think a paint is just additional weight. Must be another reason, or not ? Edit: i think rockets are painted white mainly to increase reflectivity and avoid propellant heating and boiloff. So again why do they leave it black ? Looks cool but heats more easily when standing on the launch and coasting in space ... The interstage isn't directly connected to any cryogenic tanks and is unlikely to get hot enough that its structural properties are compromised, so heating isn't much of a concern. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevenperforce Posted December 22, 2017 Share Posted December 22, 2017 (edited) Further speculation suggests that one possible reason for keeping the grid fins on S1 is to control the descent and make sure the plummeting empty stage avoids the fairing recovery boats that will be out there. EDIT: Doesn't explain why the mission patch shows a bare S1 with its engines firing, though. Maybe they will still do the entry burn to ensure structural integrity is maintained through entry? Not super sexy, but makes sense. Also, related -- Mr. Steven has left the harbor and is pushing south as fast as it can go. From NSF article: Quote As Block 3 stages are only flown twice – at most – before they are retired, SpaceX has opted to fly Friday’s mission in an expendable configuration. Has SpaceX ever actually come right out and stated that Block 3 stages can only be reflown a single time? Edited December 22, 2017 by sevenperforce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sh1pman Posted December 22, 2017 Share Posted December 22, 2017 Maybe SpaceX ran out of landing legs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.