Video Wednesdays: Falcon 9 Launch and Barge Landing

[SQUAD]

<p><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/87dda5f22121633ebc5ff4dc817129a6/tumblr_inline_ngrb5edYfa1rr2wit.jpg"/></p>

<p><iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/PXv-6i7aJT0" width="420"></iframe></p>

<p><strong>KerbalEssences</strong> attempted a Kerbalized recreation of the SpaceX Falcon 9 launch and barge landing. It’s so good, even Scott Manley was convinced to give it a go!</p>

[Procyon]

Wow, That one is a bit above my paygrade

[astropapi1]

That was some amazing piloting, with very good fuel efficency!

I remember when this was posted on Reddit, lots of compliments came OP's way.

[RocketPilot573]

Cool! Can't wait for the real thing this friday.

[astropapi1]

Cool! Can't wait for the real thing this friday.

Two days to the first landing of a first stage in history... Either that or a pretty *SPLASH*.

[Lohan2008]

After it initially appeared the launch could go ahead Friday or Saturday, sources confirmed late Wednesday that the liftoff might be postponed until late December or January. http://spaceflightnow.com/2014/12/17/spacex-expected-to-set-new-falcon-9-launch-date/

[Semmel]

Late December is unrealistic because ISS can not be approached by Dragon between Dec 28 and Jan 07. In this time period, the ISS is orbiting at the day-night terminator which means, that it is constantly or close to that in the sunlight. That in turn puts restrictions on the heat regulation which prevents Dragon from docking. I assume that this has to do with the orientation of the ISS, which needs to e adjusted for Dragon. If Falcon launches on January 6, it will coast for 2 days and dock at Jan 8.

[aamick]

After it initially appeared the launch could go ahead Friday or Saturday, sources confirmed late Wednesday that the liftoff might be postponed until late December or January. http://spaceflightnow.com/2014/12/17/spacex-expected-to-set-new-falcon-9-launch-date/

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/spacex-delays-station-resupply-flight-rescheduled-for-january/

Apparently there was an issue during an engine test, and with the solar conditions plus the holidays they've pushed back to 6 Jan. :-(