Space exploration and rockets general thread

[Legend]

Falcon Heavy updated to 64,000kg to LEO : spacex

That's a heavy lift rocket!

Also I never thought about how crazy complex the Falcon heavy is. Why is Falcon Heavy so much harder than strapping three cores together? : spacex

[Legend]

Shotwell: cost of refurbishing F9 first stage was “substantially less” than half of a new stage; will be even less in the future. #33SS

— Jeff Foust (@jeff_foust) April 5, 2017

Oh my that's sweet.

At the very very least they saved $20 million on this launch.

[DD_Bwest]

holy thats almost a 20% boost from before.

and another wow for the refurb costs.  the cheapest launch vehicle just got substantially cheaper

[Legend]

I'm worried about the ITS.

Red Dragon was delayed 2 years, Grey Dragon is happening, pressure tank exploded, and 2nd stage reuse is back to being a priority. Some of these are super cool but they show less focus is being put on Mars. Could it be that the tank exploding has set them back and everything is being revalued? It's possible the ITS was too advanced to be built.

Maybe second stage recovery will work like a mini ITS. Have a heatshield on the side and have a triangular setup of superdracos on the side. They might want to test more ITS concepts before investing in a full version.

We should know in a month or two since an ITS update is coming on their website. Hopefully it isn't scaled back or delayed. Also hope it keeps the iconic window.

[Legend]

Watch every SpaceX rocket landing attempt in 80 seconds pic.twitter.com/kd56tkH45W

— The Verge (@verge) April 11, 2017

[Legend]

SpaceX McGregor now has 1033 on the test stand. Falcon Heavy Center! https://t.co/t5eh9E4xd3 pic.twitter.com/0sMTFEfpW5

— Chris B - NSF (@NASASpaceflight) April 22, 2017

Falcon Heavy is finally really happening!!!

[DD_Bwest]

on my phone so not sure i grabbed the best quality pic. view from fairing. spacex shared it.

[Legend]

Static fire test complete. Targeting Falcon 9 launch of NROL-76 on Sunday, April 30. pic.twitter.com/mk0dQGj17o

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) April 25, 2017

[nnodley]

on my phone so not sure i grabbed the best quality pic. view from fairing. spacex shared it.

That's fantastic!

[Legend]

"*Whistles* Just driving my open cab tow truck"....."with a massive spy satellite in tow *Honk Honk*". @NatReconOfc pic.twitter.com/cY2xKXjyoe

— Chris B - NSF (@NASASpaceflight) April 28, 2017

Great image showing how big an object the Falcon can send to space.

[DD_Bwest]

is it gonna be live streamed or is the classified nature of this mission going to prevent that?  lol

[Legend]

is it gonna be live streamed or is the classified nature of this mission going to prevent that?  lol

LIve streamed but no footage of second stage

[DD_Bwest]

LIve streamed but no footage of second stage

neato atleast  we get the landing then.  assuming there will be an attempt lol

[Legend]

neato atleast  we get the landing then.  assuming there will be an attempt lol

Yeah it's a return to launch site. Should have the best views yet!

[DD_Bwest]

Yeah it's a return to launch site. Should have the best views yet!

woah... maybe i will get up for this then! 7est?

edit:  just checked NSF, ya its 7est lol