Dragon first stage recovery?
Is there any information on how they are going to secure the first stage for return? Doing so on land is, as such things go, trivial, but on an autonomous ship in rough waters adds many complications.
73s,
Alan WA4SCA
Alan,
From Spaceflight Now:
"SpaceX technicians stationed on a boat near the drone ship planned to weld steel shoes over the rocket’s four carbon fiber and aluminum landing legs to keep the 156-foot-tall stage from tipping over.
The recovery crew will safe the rocket, drain it of hazardous fluids and gases, and set course for Port Canaveral, the drone ship’s home base. Musk said the vessel is due to arrive some time Sunday.
Once it is back in port, ground teams will retract the booster’s landing legs, rotate it horizontal and drive it to a SpaceX facility at nearby Cape Canaveral — likely launch pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center — for hotfire tests, Musk said.
“Our plan is to basically fire it 10 times in a row on the ground,” Musk said. “If things look good at that point, then it’s qualified for reuse and launch. We’re hoping to re-launch on an orbital mission probably around … June.”"
https://spaceflightnow.com/2016/04/08/spacex-lands-rocket-on-floating-platfo...
The plan for re-using it on an orbital mission around June is interesting. Perhaps Fox-1Cliff and Fox-1D will be on a historic launch?
73,
Paul, N8HM
On Mon, Apr 11, 2016 at 8:15 AM, Alan wa4sca@gmail.com wrote:
Is there any information on how they are going to secure the first stage for return? Doing so on land is, as such things go, trivial, but on an autonomous ship in rough waters adds many complications.
73s,
Alan WA4SCA
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Reuse on the Fox Sherpa flight would be cool, but the rocket is on the wrong coast. We're launching from Vandenberg in California.
73, Steve N9IP -- Steve Belter, seb@wintek.com
On Apr 11, 2016, at 8:57 AM, Paul Stoetzer n8hm@arrl.net wrote:
Alan,
From Spaceflight Now:
"SpaceX technicians stationed on a boat near the drone ship planned to weld steel shoes over the rocket’s four carbon fiber and aluminum landing legs to keep the 156-foot-tall stage from tipping over.
The recovery crew will safe the rocket, drain it of hazardous fluids and gases, and set course for Port Canaveral, the drone ship’s home base. Musk said the vessel is due to arrive some time Sunday.
Once it is back in port, ground teams will retract the booster’s landing legs, rotate it horizontal and drive it to a SpaceX facility at nearby Cape Canaveral — likely launch pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center — for hotfire tests, Musk said.
“Our plan is to basically fire it 10 times in a row on the ground,” Musk said. “If things look good at that point, then it’s qualified for reuse and launch. We’re hoping to re-launch on an orbital mission probably around … June.”"
https://spaceflightnow.com/2016/04/08/spacex-lands-rocket-on-floating-platfo...
The plan for re-using it on an orbital mission around June is interesting. Perhaps Fox-1Cliff and Fox-1D will be on a historic launch?
73,
Paul, N8HM
On Mon, Apr 11, 2016 at 8:15 AM, Alan wa4sca@gmail.com wrote: Is there any information on how they are going to secure the first stage for return? Doing so on land is, as such things go, trivial, but on an autonomous ship in rough waters adds many complications.
73s,
Alan WA4SCA
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Yeah, I realized they probably wouldn't ship it across the country after I sent that!
73,
Paul, N8HM
On Mon, Apr 11, 2016 at 9:00 AM, Stephen E. Belter seb@wintek.com wrote:
Reuse on the Fox Sherpa flight would be cool, but the rocket is on the wrong coast. We're launching from Vandenberg in California.
73, Steve N9IP
Steve Belter, seb@wintek.com
On Apr 11, 2016, at 8:57 AM, Paul Stoetzer n8hm@arrl.net wrote:
Alan,
From Spaceflight Now:
"SpaceX technicians stationed on a boat near the drone ship planned to weld steel shoes over the rocket’s four carbon fiber and aluminum landing legs to keep the 156-foot-tall stage from tipping over.
The recovery crew will safe the rocket, drain it of hazardous fluids and gases, and set course for Port Canaveral, the drone ship’s home base. Musk said the vessel is due to arrive some time Sunday.
Once it is back in port, ground teams will retract the booster’s landing legs, rotate it horizontal and drive it to a SpaceX facility at nearby Cape Canaveral — likely launch pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center — for hotfire tests, Musk said.
“Our plan is to basically fire it 10 times in a row on the ground,” Musk said. “If things look good at that point, then it’s qualified for reuse and launch. We’re hoping to re-launch on an orbital mission probably around … June.”"
https://spaceflightnow.com/2016/04/08/spacex-lands-rocket-on-floating-platfo...
The plan for re-using it on an orbital mission around June is interesting. Perhaps Fox-1Cliff and Fox-1D will be on a historic launch?
73,
Paul, N8HM
On Mon, Apr 11, 2016 at 8:15 AM, Alan wa4sca@gmail.com wrote: Is there any information on how they are going to secure the first stage for return? Doing so on land is, as such things go, trivial, but on an autonomous ship in rough waters adds many complications.
73s,
Alan WA4SCA
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
It's a rocket! Just fly it across.
Steve AI9IN
On 2016-04-11 09:24, Paul Stoetzer wrote:
Yeah, I realized they probably wouldn't ship it across the country after I sent that!
73,
Paul, N8HM
On Mon, Apr 11, 2016 at 9:00 AM, Stephen E. Belter seb@wintek.com wrote: Reuse on the Fox Sherpa flight would be cool, but the rocket is on the wrong coast. We're launching from Vandenberg in California. 73, Steve N9IP -- Steve Belter, seb@wintek.com On Apr 11, 2016, at 8:57 AM, Paul Stoetzer n8hm@arrl.net wrote: Alan, From Spaceflight Now: "SpaceX technicians stationed on a boat near the drone ship planned to weld steel shoes over the rocket's four carbon fiber and aluminum landing legs to keep the 156-foot-tall stage from tipping over. The recovery crew will safe the rocket, drain it of hazardous fluids and gases, and set course for Port Canaveral, the drone ship's home base. Musk said the vessel is due to arrive some time Sunday. Once it is back in port, ground teams will retract the booster's landing legs, rotate it horizontal and drive it to a SpaceX facility at nearby Cape Canaveral -- likely launch pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center -- for hotfire tests, Musk said. "Our plan is to basically fire it 10 times in a row on the ground," Musk said. "If
things look good at that point, then it's qualified for reuse and launch. We're hoping to re-launch on an orbital mission probably around ... June."" https://spaceflightnow.com/2016/04/08/spacex-lands-rocket-on-floating-platfo... [1] The plan for re-using it on an orbital mission around June is interesting. Perhaps Fox-1Cliff and Fox-1D will be on a historic launch? 73, Paul, N8HM On Mon, Apr 11, 2016 at 8:15 AM, Alan wa4sca@gmail.com wrote: Is there any information on how they are going to secure the first stage for return? Doing so on land is, as such things go, trivial, but on an autonomous ship in rough waters adds many complications. 73s, Alan WA4SCA _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb [2] _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb [2] _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb [2]
_______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb [2]
Links: ------ [1] https://spaceflightnow.com/2016/04/08/spacex-lands-rocket-on-floating-platfo... [2] http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Are Fox 1 Cliff and D supposed to launch from FL?
James Lea Sent from my iPhone
On Apr 11, 2016, at 08:56, Paul Stoetzer n8hm@arrl.net wrote:
Alan,
From Spaceflight Now:
"SpaceX technicians stationed on a boat near the drone ship planned to weld steel shoes over the rocket’s four carbon fiber and aluminum landing legs to keep the 156-foot-tall stage from tipping over.
The recovery crew will safe the rocket, drain it of hazardous fluids and gases, and set course for Port Canaveral, the drone ship’s home base. Musk said the vessel is due to arrive some time Sunday.
Once it is back in port, ground teams will retract the booster’s landing legs, rotate it horizontal and drive it to a SpaceX facility at nearby Cape Canaveral — likely launch pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center — for hotfire tests, Musk said.
“Our plan is to basically fire it 10 times in a row on the ground,” Musk said. “If things look good at that point, then it’s qualified for reuse and launch. We’re hoping to re-launch on an orbital mission probably around … June.”"
https://spaceflightnow.com/2016/04/08/spacex-lands-rocket-on-floating-platfo...
The plan for re-using it on an orbital mission around June is interesting. Perhaps Fox-1Cliff and Fox-1D will be on a historic launch?
73,
Paul, N8HM
On Mon, Apr 11, 2016 at 8:15 AM, Alan wa4sca@gmail.com wrote: Is there any information on how they are going to secure the first stage for return? Doing so on land is, as such things go, trivial, but on an autonomous ship in rough waters adds many complications.
73s,
Alan WA4SCA
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
_______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateu
Paul et al,
Thanks for the link. Apparently it IS as difficult as I thought to do it as sea. If I were on the welding team, I would be looking over my shoulder at the rocket, just in case. :) It will be interesting to see what they do once this moves from proof of principle to operational. Being SpaceX, it will be undoubtedly innovative and efficient.
73s,
Alan WA4SCA
<-----Original Message----- <From: AMSAT-BB [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Paul Stoetzer <Sent: Monday, April 11, 2016 7:57 AM <To: Alan Biddle APBIDDLE@mailaps.org <Cc: amsat-bb amsat-bb@amsat.org <Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Dragon first stage recovery? < <Alan, < <From Spaceflight Now: < <"SpaceX technicians stationed on a boat near the drone ship planned to <weld steel shoes over the rocket?s four carbon fiber and aluminum <landing legs to keep the 156-foot-tall stage from tipping over. < <The recovery crew will safe the rocket, drain it of hazardous fluids <and gases, and set course for Port Canaveral, the drone ship?s home <base. Musk said the vessel is due to arrive some time Sunday. < <Once it is back in port, ground teams will retract the booster?s <landing legs, rotate it horizontal and drive it to a SpaceX facility <at nearby Cape Canaveral ? likely launch pad 39A at Kennedy Space <Center ? for hotfire tests, Musk said. < <?Our plan is to basically fire it 10 times in a row on the ground,? <Musk said. ?If things look good at that point, then it?s qualified for <reuse and launch. We?re hoping to re-launch on an orbital mission <probably around ? June.?" < <https://spaceflightnow.com/2016/04/08/spacex-lands-rocket-on-floating-platfo... <resupply-launch/ < <The plan for re-using it on an orbital mission around June is <interesting. Perhaps Fox-1Cliff and Fox-1D will be on a historic <launch? < <73, < <Paul, N8HM < <On Mon, Apr 11, 2016 at 8:15 AM, Alan wa4sca@gmail.com wrote: <> Is there any information on how they are going to secure the first stage for return? Doing so on land <> is, as such things go, trivial, but on an autonomous ship in rough waters adds many complications. <> <> 73s, <> <> Alan <> WA4SCA <> <> <> <> <> _______________________________________________ <> Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available <> to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed <> are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. <> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! <> Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb <_______________________________________________ <Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available <to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed <are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. <Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! <Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
All the wonderful space stuff aside, the most fascinating thing about this to me is that everyone in the aerospace industry said it couldn't be done and it was a stupid impossible idea. So SpaceX just proved everyone wrong. Watching the failures and seeing that each new attempt was closer to success than the prior ones was a study in tenacity. Elon Musk is one heck of a visionary, and he is not afraid to fail very publicly.
My father told me that he was sorry for my generation and those that followed. All the important "firsts" had already happened during his lifetime: flight, telephones, radio, TV, computers, spaceflight, etc. We were doomed to just do things better/faster/cheaper. Perhaps he was right, but that process of refinement is what makes things useful. What amazing times we live in.
73, Bob, WB4SON
participants (6)
-
Alan -
Bob -
James Lea - WX4TV -
Paul Stoetzer -
skristof＠etczone.com -
Stephen E. Belter