SpaceX CRS-3 launch coverage 18/04/2014

[Comrade Jenkens]

Any news on the first stage? They don't seem to be showing it

[tygoo7]

Great job SpaceX!!!

[sgt_flyer]

they spoke quickly about the first stage- they said it had performed it's reentry burn (roughly 1mn / 1mn30 before second stage shutdown) - other than that not much infos - should have splashed down by now or be about to splash down - we'll surely have more infos once the retrieval ships get there.

[R0cketC0der]

Awesome launch! SpaceX will be releasing info on the first stage soon.

[Streetwind]

Unless I am mistaken, on the SpaceX webcast stream they said that an airforce camera got video of the first stage reentry. Let's hope that is indeed the case and we can get to see it sometime

[Taki117]

NASA TV has NOT made any statement as to stage one splashdown footage.

[sgt_flyer]

@Taki117 i know they simply stated about the first stage reentry burn (the turnaround manoeuver) - i said by myself without quoting anyone that the 1st stage should have splashed down or was about to at the time i wrote my post

[Pawelk198604]

I missed lift off:( but video looking great:)

I wonder when it will be a manned mission?

[zarakon]

CRS-3 Update

Last known state for rocket boost stage is 360 m/s, Mach 1.1, 8.5 km altitude and roll rate close to zero (very important!)

http://www.spacex.com/webcast/

[xenomorph555]

Well at least they sorted the uncontrollable roll out

[sojourner]

I missed lift off:( but video looking great:)

I wonder when it will be a manned mission?

SpaceX is hoping to do a manned flight next year or early 2016.

[maccollo]

Update from SpaceX webcast

Data upload from tracking plane shows first stage landing in Atlantic was good! Flight computers continued transmitting for 8 seconds after reaching the water. Stopped when booster went horizontal. Several boats enroute through heavy seas...

SUCCESS!

Aherm....

The salt water probably fried the computer, but it sounds like they managed to do a controlled descent into the water.

Hopefully they will be able to recover it.

Edited April 19, 2014 by maccollo