SpaceX Falcon Heavy Test Flight - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: mrflibble
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2018, 07:43:15 pm
content: http://www.spacex.com/webcastI notice that there's also this thread:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/red-tesla-launch-live-(good-for-short-time-only)/But in this particular case I'll risk the double post as it would be shame if someone missed it due to skipping the title...About 1 hour to go. Here's hoping for a successful launch!When Falcon Heavy lifts off, it will be the most powerful operational rocket in the world by a factor of two. With the ability to lift into orbit nearly 64 metric tons (141,000 lb)---a mass greater than a 737 jetliner loaded with passengers, crew, luggage and fuel--Falcon Heavy can lift more than twice the payload of the next closest operational vehicle, the Delta IV Heavy, at one-third the cost. Falcon Heavy draws upon the proven heritage and reliability of Falcon 9. Its first stage is composed of three Falcon 9 nine-engine cores whose 27 Merlin engines together generate more than 5 million pounds of thrust at liftoff, equal to approximately eighteen 747 aircraft. Only the Saturn V moon rocket, last flown in 1973, delivered more payload to orbit. Falcon Heavy was designed from the outset to carry humans into space and restores the possibility of flying missions with crew to the Moon or Mars.

author: donotdespisethesnake
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2018, 08:27:59 pm
content: I love the fact they use engineers to present their webcast.

author: mrflibble
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2018, 08:46:08 pm
content: Indeed. Will be interesting to see how many boosters they will get safely back to ground + ship. Assuming thing don't go boom on the pad. So far so good for the fuel loading.

author: Richard Crowley
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2018, 08:59:20 pm
content: Wow. Both boosters landed side-by side back at Canaveral. Very impressive.Dunno how long it will take to land the main stage back on the ocean raft?

author: dr.diesel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2018, 09:01:46 pm
content: That was spectacular!

author: Howardlong
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2018, 09:03:06 pm
content: Well, that went rather well!

author: TheSteve
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 06, 2018, 09:05:55 pm
content: Side booster landings looked great. Any update on the center landing though, seemed odd they cutoff the live stream before giving the result after the signal was lost.

author: gamalot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2018, 09:06:07 pm
content: It gives me goose bumps!

author: daqq
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2018, 09:18:09 pm
content: Now that was cool!Side note: They have created an artifact that will seriously confuse future archaeologists.

author: babysitter
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2018, 10:01:29 pm
content: Core?

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2018, 10:03:05 pm
content: Lost

author: Stray Electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2018, 10:04:28 pm
content: Quote from: daqq on February 06, 2018, 09:18:09 pmI'm waiting for the future Star Wars and/or Star Trek episode where they find it 500 years in the future.Seriously, anybody want to take bets as to how long it will take Hollywood to incorporate this into one of their films?Elon can now officially claim the prize for owning the fastest car, EVER.

author: mrflibble
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2018, 10:21:25 pm
content: Quote from: TheSteve on February 06, 2018, 09:05:55 pmThose two side cores landing in unison was totally awesome.Quote from: Gyro on February 06, 2018, 10:03:05 pmReally? Status so far as far as I can tell is all 3 cores making successful entry burn. And landing outcome of the center core is unknown (as far as I could find).Either way, the landing of just the two would be cool enough already. And did I just see the moon go past in the background of Starman a few minutes ago?

author: mrflibble
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2018, 10:23:25 pm
content: Fast minutes these days. Right now he needs shades.*BAM* Sun right in the face.

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2018, 10:26:23 pm
content: Quote from: mrflibble on February 06, 2018, 10:21:25 pmThere was something about it being lost in the audio feed a while back. I't doesn't really detract from the achievement though. I think I saw Mars go past a little while ago (too small to be the Moon).

author: rstofer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2018, 10:37:48 pm
content: The impressive thing, from my point of view, is that this was done by private industry. Some rich guy decides to go to Mars!I read on CNN that the plan is to orbit the car around the Sun. We'll see...

author: llkiwi2006
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2018, 10:52:44 pm
content: I find it amazing we have a livestream of a tesla in orbithttps://youtu.be/aBr2kKAHN6M

author: Richard Crowley
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2018, 11:09:30 pm
content: Quote from: rstofer on February 06, 2018, 10:37:48 pmWasn't it CNN who was predicting that it would explode upon launch?

author: donotdespisethesnake
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2018, 11:10:37 pm
content: It does seem that the center core didn't make a successful landing on the drone ship - there's a brief frame of smoke and a landing leg off to the side.Keen viewers spotted this "we've lost the center core".https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-B_tWbjFIGI&feature=youtu.be&t=2304&ab_channel=SpaceX

author: dr.diesel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2018, 11:14:31 pm
content: Quote from: Richard Crowley on February 06, 2018, 11:09:30 pmThey are known as the Cartoon News Network.

author: mrflibble
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2018, 12:24:11 am
content: Quote from: rstofer on February 06, 2018, 10:37:48 pmAs per Elon Musk:"a precessing Earth-Mars elliptical orbit around the sun". I love the idea that maybe in a billion years this thing is still doing it's merry go round.

author: dr.diesel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2018, 12:26:17 am
content: The audio was horrible during the first couple minutes of Elon's news conference, but I *think* he said the core booster ran out of fuel on the way down and crashed into the drone ship/platform.

author: hamster_nz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2018, 12:57:46 am
content: I listened to the press conference.Apparently they only managed to restart two of the three engines required to land the core, so it had a rather fast impact on the barge. (300 miles/hr if I heard correctly).Should be some spectacular video of it soon...

author: MT
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2018, 01:15:41 am
content: New York Times oct 2019:Alien Urhogogo widow from planet Blirp sues Tesla for autopilot/feature caused husbands deadly crash!Widow Urhogogo on her way to court......

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2018, 01:26:34 am
content: Quote from: hamster_nz on February 07, 2018, 12:57:46 amOnly the one - centre engine lit, outer two did not. Not enough TEA-TEB.It missed the barge - but was close enough to wreck two engines, apparently.

author: rstofer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2018, 01:42:59 am
content: Quote from: mrflibble on February 07, 2018, 12:24:11 amI'm pretty sure the batteries will need replacing.Joking aside, this is a marvelous achievement.

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 07, 2018, 02:35:59 am
content: I cracked up at the display on the dash....

author: hamster_nz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2018, 02:41:12 am
content: It's not the up-front launch costs that get you, it is the cost of freight on the 100,000 mile services....

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 07, 2018, 02:44:04 am
content: That would happen at least 3 times a week ... and that would by for that little old lady from Pasadena!I have to say that such a service interval would be a marketing nightmare.

author: BrianHG
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2018, 02:51:34 am
content: Post launch Press interview with Elon....

author: VK3DRB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2018, 10:40:55 am
content: Elon Musk has too much money.

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 07, 2018, 10:43:15 am
content: .... and who is responsible for that?

author: rrinker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2018, 03:48:04 pm
content: I still think he should have loaded a Winnebago in that thing...

author: cleanworkbench
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2018, 05:00:01 pm
content: It should have been a primer grey 55 Chevy with FUZZY DICE !!!!!.

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 07, 2018, 05:10:35 pm
content: As far as I know, Musk doesn't have Winnebago or Chevrolet on his sales lot.

author: cleanworkbench
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2018, 05:16:55 pm
content: Maybe a pushbike with solid rocket boosters .

author: floobydust
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2018, 05:17:58 pm
content: I believe the original car in space idea was from the 1981 Heavy Metal movieposter

author: cleanworkbench
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2018, 05:21:48 pm
content: Well i did,nt know that , learn something every day thanks for that .I bet i know what record the mannequins listening to in space !

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2018, 05:25:18 pm
content: Quote from: floobydust on February 07, 2018, 05:17:58 pmIntro for ref which includes this. This film is mental:

author: cleanworkbench
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2018, 05:34:44 pm
content: Brilliant .I think he,s listening to this

author: raptor1956
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2018, 11:41:58 pm
content: Apparently the Tesla is now on its way to a very elliptical orbit taking it not only beyond Mars but to the asteroid belt. So, of all the milestones they wanted/needed to test the only failure was landing the center core. So, not 100% but surely a sold A-.I do think the configuration is sub-optimal given the fact that the center core is, other than modifications needed to secure the side boosters, is the same and carrying the same load of fuel and oxygen so in order to get the center core to burn for 25 more seconds it needs to be operating for much of the flight at reduced power which is not desirable from an efficiency standpoint. Also, unless the second stage is in some way made more powerful with more fuel it will limit the ultimate payload. I'd think a larger second stage with a more powerful engine and 50% more fuel/oxygen would better match the increased first stage grunt.Brian

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2018, 11:53:29 pm
content: Quote from: wilfred on February 07, 2018, 11:10:21 amTechnically it's the only electric vehicle in space. The Moon rovers are on the Moon and were assembled there. You could argue that something that's on the surface on the Moon is also in space due to the lack of atmosphere, but one is definitely more in actual space than the other.I must admit it's hilarious to see a lot of Americans tumble over each other to either claim this achievement for America, or to claim they did something equal or better years ago. Somehow it doesn't seem to sit right that a non NASA entity does something first, which is weird because almost all of the space race was like that. Besides, this is definitely a "go humans" moment. Who cares who did what exactly?

author: MT
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2018, 12:37:01 am
content: Quote from: raptor1956 on February 07, 2018, 11:41:58 pmWell as i predicted, Tesla autopilot dont work properly, first rear ending a firetruck , now rear ending the asteroid belt!

author: TerraHertz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2018, 07:45:02 am
content: Side booster landing - short clip.Full (fixed) launch webcast.In the original launch stream, there were supposed to be camera views from the two side boosters. I'd thought it was odd they were so very identical. Turns out there'd been a goof, and they *were* identical. Both from one booster. In the post above that has been fixed. Though, ha ha, it still has the original audio, in which someone remarks that despite the two streams looking so same, they are different. They weren't.Hope we get good video of the core booster coming in hard and fast. Should be pretty spectacular. Wonder how come it ran out of igniter fuel?Edit to add:https://9gag.com/gag/ax1jwEbFalcon Heavy Boosters dual landing with sonic booms

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2018, 08:04:48 am
content: I think there’s a pretty narrow margin for error and a pretty high error on propellant usage. They have had a booster run out of juice before and hit the drone ship. I think they plan to recover them but if they don’t then it’s not the end of the world. Unless it’s a BFR with people in itMight not get crash footage as apparently it blew up 100m away from the ship and showered it with shrapnel potentially destroying the cameras.

author: cleanworkbench
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2018, 09:15:43 am
content: Dont forget this guy and his team gave the americans the leg up.http://www.v2rocket.com/start/chapters/vonbraun.htmlAnd this one, rare viewing i thinkI watched the Apollo missions live, awesome stuff.

author: donotdespisethesnake
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2018, 09:33:50 am
content: Quote from: TerraHertz on February 08, 2018, 07:45:02 amFrom the video, 3 engines on the center core ignite, but only one appears to stay at full thrust. So I wonder if the problem was really lack of propellant? Or some other issue that they are unwilling to disclose.I'm sure that is something they will fix. Apart from that, it should not overshadow the remarkable feat of landing two boosters intact. Even if the FH center core was expendable, the overall cost is still far lower than competition. Is there really any point continuing with SLS (other than for the pork)?

author: TerraHertz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2018, 12:24:50 pm
content: No, I read it wasn't lack of propellant. There's an *igniter* for re-lighting the rockets. The igniter itself ran out of fuel, so two of the three rocket nozzles did not light for the final burn.I wonder if someone forgot to refill the igniter after the last test burn of this booster?

author: coppice
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2018, 12:57:45 pm
content: Quote from: donotdespisethesnake on February 08, 2018, 09:33:50 amThat depends on whether you think SpaceX got this far because they are just wonderful people, or if its because they are hungry and need to compete.

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2018, 01:06:44 pm
content: Quote from: Brumby on February 07, 2018, 02:35:59 amI still think, that bringing up a few dozen cubesats would have been a useful payload, instead of this big advertisement campaign for a car, which is not even for sale.Or at least lunch something or someone, which we don't really need or want here anymore...

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2018, 01:16:03 pm
content: It’s pretty common to throw a hunk of metal into space. Now they clearly had good telemetry based on the video feed and a space suit up there. It would not surprise me if they had some rudimentary instruments on it as well. This was high risk so cubesats would likely have been toasted. I wouldn’t put one on it myself.This was more for three things (1) proof of concept (2) showing the people who have already bought heavy payload space that their shit isn’t going to blow up and (3) cool PR stunt to bolster the brand.

author: dr.diesel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2018, 02:28:14 pm
content: Wonder if someone here recognizes this:

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 08, 2018, 02:41:21 pm
content: It's been mentioned before ... somewhere ...

author: ChrisLX200
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 08, 2018, 02:42:25 pm
content: Dropped across this YouTube vid with decent sound of the launch - use your headphones turned up to 10

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2018, 02:51:40 pm
content: Quote from: bd139 on February 08, 2018, 01:16:03 pmCubesats made by universities are cheap. Cheap by design and manufacture, you tipically use free labor. For some the budget looks like this: 10K for the satellite, 40K to launch it to space. Even if it dies, some would take the chance.Musk could have contacted a bunch of universities (say, a hundred), and offered free freight to space, and trust me, that would have been a huge PR stunt also. They are only 1,5kg each.

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2018, 02:56:30 pm
content: I don't quite get why people are so disgruntled about sending "a useless car" into space. Space craft get tested with dummy loads all the time. This trajectory is absolutely useless for cubesats as they are intended for very low orbit only. The chance of success was estimated to be not huge, so nobody in his right mind was going to spend money on anything resembling a real probe. Most of the costs are associated with developing a probe to begin with. The fairly representative New Horizons mission cost 700 million, of which only 150 million was the actual launch craft and most of the rest was the development of the payload.It was basically this or a block of concrete.

author: dr.diesel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2018, 02:59:34 pm
content: It may seem petty, but launching Cubesats would have required stopping at the appropriate orbit and a deployment mechanism, not to mention housing structures etc, probably a lot more than we realize. I imagine FH already had all staff working 12 hour days 7 days a week.

author: donotdespisethesnake
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2018, 07:39:41 pm
content: Quote from: TerraHertz on February 08, 2018, 12:24:50 pmYou can see on the video that 3 engines ignite, then two go out... watch top right picturehttps://youtu.be/wbSwFU6tY1c?t=1787Maybe my eyes are lyingIt also seems that the presenters received information on their earpiece that the landing had failed, but were told not to disclose it.https://youtu.be/wbSwFU6tY1c?t=1862Known in the business as "managing information flows"

author: hamster_nz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2018, 08:03:44 pm
content: Quote from: donotdespisethesnake on February 08, 2018, 07:39:41 pmThat's a close up of a side boosters - the core was a short while after that.I am still amazed that it is possible to restart a rocket while it is facing into the wind at maybe more than 500km/hr... ...I have trouble lighting a candles on a birthday cake.

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 08, 2018, 10:31:04 pm
content: You're no rocket scientist, then...?(Neither am I - but I have solved the birthday candle problem...)

author: TerraHertz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2018, 10:35:46 pm
content: Quote from: hamster_nz on February 08, 2018, 08:03:44 pmYep, this. Also the core booster was coming down way out in the ocean, so any telescope view from sea level of the booster doing stuff miles up, would need pretty amazing stabilization.Seems like they only use all three nozzles briefly, during a sharp de-acceleration stage. Then drop back to one nozzle for final landing guidance. So the core booster almost made it, apart from having far too much velocity.Perhaps as well as making sure the igniter has enough fuel, they should add some code to make the booster widely avoid the landing barge if there's a problem with lighting nozzles on the way down.

author: raptor1956
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2018, 04:10:56 am
content: Quote from: TerraHertz on February 08, 2018, 10:35:46 pmI don't think there's much of a margin to divert if the landing burn goes awry given the fact that the landing schedule is VERY aggressive in order to minimize fuel burn. If you notice the core comes down REAL fast and the decel just before landing is pretty high - -again, to minimize fuel burn. So, If they find the landing burn is not proceeding as expected I don't think there's much they can do. If they took a less aggressive approach they would need more fuel.Brian

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 09, 2018, 04:35:35 am
content: Quote from: NANDBlog on February 08, 2018, 02:51:40 pmExcept that Musk was promoting the Falcon Heavy configuration as a means to launchdirectlyto target destinations - like Mars. To do so on the first test flight would have had FAR more value in attracting interest that could support the future of SpaceX.A payload of LEO cubesats would have made a few students happy and given Musk a small pat on the back that would be forgotten by the world in a couple of days. It would have been nothing new or exciting. All people would have seen is a BIG rocket go up and ... then ... do nothing special.What he did made an impression.I, for one, found it memorable - especially seeing the two side boosters touch down together. Awesome.

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2018, 07:39:28 am
content: Also a big fuck you to Bezos.

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2018, 03:00:38 pm
content: Quote from: Brumby on February 09, 2018, 04:35:35 amIt was a "like whatever" idea. I mean, probably cubesats wont work further away from earth, their radio is weak, or magnetospere, or whatever. I'm not an expert on this. I also dont like that they let the Buran rot and crash in a hangar, or any kind of wasted opportunity when it comes to space.

author: hamdi.tn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 11, 2018, 12:33:13 am
content: i will be the party pooper here, So a Saturn V moon rocket with 1973 technology was able to do the deliver the same payload. What the excitement is about. I believe that in this forum we all came from industrial background, when someone say i made the same thing possible with 1/3 of the price but still able to get margin on it, he sacrificing some stuff. This rocket still unmanned maybe this is part of the cost being reduced.On more personal note (cause am not aware of the engineering behind it) am not remotely confortable with the idea of reused rocket parts, boosters or core. I don't even get confortable with used car. Those things experience mechanical stress beyond belief and i think it less risky to put a new one rather than reuse. I think the cost saving in this is debatable, since this parts will have to be checked for proper functioning once again. And the fact that with the landing gear the rocket will carry less payload that a not reusable one.I join some comments about maybe, if this test lunch was offered as an opportunity for scientific community to put some equipment in orbit or space knowing that could be lost if the launch fail. it will be better that a floating car with a mannequin in it.

author: MT
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 11, 2018, 12:44:28 am
content: Quote from: donotdespisethesnake on February 08, 2018, 07:39:41 pmDay after rocket launch fake media reported huge loss for Tessla Cars Company!https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/feb/07/tesla-quarterly-loss-elon-musk-spacex

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 11, 2018, 02:05:09 am
content: Quote from: hamdi.tn on February 11, 2018, 12:33:13 am... and the progress of technology hasn't contributed to the ability to save cost?I know nothing more about materials science than what I glean from casual articles, news stories and random Youtube - yet I am fascinated by what I have encountered. Add to that computerised design and manufacturing and parts can be made cheaply today that were impossible to make in the days of Saturn V.Just look at the computer that help land Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin ... and what we have today.QuoteIf you ant to get technical, after you drive your new car home from the dealership, for every subsequent trip you do in it, you will be driving a used car.What differentiates your view on reliability and safety is the age of the vehicle, the work it has done and your knowledge of it's history. I think SpaceX has these bases well and truly covered.QuoteI don't know actual numbers - but say we have a part that costs $100k to make and $20k or even $50k to check. That sort of math works for me.Also note, the aircraft industry has been doing this type of thing for quite some time. The concept is nothing new.QuoteThey can afford to put up more rockets. Problem solved.QuoteAgreed .... and a lot more fun than a block of concrete.

author: TerraHertz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 11, 2018, 05:40:15 am
content: Biggest benefit for Elon - now he gets to make a lot of jokes like "Dude, where's my car" and "Can someone give me a lift to work? I seem to have accidentally sent my car to Mars."Can we think up some more for him?SpaceX - making parking problems a thing of the past.Elon walks into a bar, gets drunk. No one takes his car keys.All future sequels of Fast and Furious cancelled.Stuff:https://www.reddit.com/r/spacex/comments/7vtcl2/elon_musk_on_twitter_third_burn_successful/

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 11, 2018, 11:50:15 am
content: Every body seems to forget the other 2 rovers on the moon. Lunokhod 1 and 2 landed and drove around there as well, doing 10540m on Lunokhod 1 and around 42km on Lunokhod 2. They still are used as reflectors for laser range measurement, though the return loss for the laser distance measurement is terrible, but still usable. Used to do science still, even after they have stopped decades ago.