Spacex - Rocket Program

[Bromptonboy]

Launch this weekend w/alternate date of 5/22:

http://www.federalnewsradio.com/494/2868334/NASA-takes-one-giant-leap-into-commerical-space-flight

[davekill]

Launch scrubbed at T- minus 0.5, that's calling it awful close!
Better luck Tuesday.

Solid rockets aren't as finicky, I had fun building the little Estes kits.



The big rocket clubs are the best, they often launch in the desert.

Biggest amateur rocket, this Saturn V is just nuts
http://youtu.be/7E4-60ZsaPo

This was a real high flier
http://youtu.be/XaI0n521C7E

No matter how big or small, you always have to go out searching to find and retrieve them.

[Rico]

Launch tonight looked perfect!

[davekill]

Maybe trying to do too much too soon?

After one of it's nine engines failed during flight, the Falcon 9 rocket didn't succeed in it's second mission - to place another company's satellite in it's correct orbit.

'WASHINGTON (AP) -- A private rocket successfully sent a capsule full of cargo zipping toward the International Space Station in a first of its kind delivery for NASA, but couldn't deliver on job No. 2: putting a commercial satellite into the correct orbit.
One of nine engines on Space X company's Falcon 9 rocket failed Sunday 79 seconds after launch because of a pressure loss. The engine didn't explode, but it did start a series of events that meant another company's private satellite is not in the place it is needed.
The main mission for the Falcon launch - delivering half a ton of science and food supplies toward the space station - is still on track with a docking of the cargo-laden Dragon capsule scheduled for Wednesday. SpaceX on Monday said the ship's flight computer calculated a new path to the station for the capsule. It is the first of a dozen supply runs under a mega-contract with NASA.
rest of the story at http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_SCI_PRIVATE_SPACE?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2012-10-07-20-36-27

[Bryancd]

Well, although a bit of a bummer, the real key is delivering cargo and hopefully crew to the ISS. The fact that the rocket still performed that task while also having a malfunction which they handled well I thin shows their professionalism.

[Bromptonboy]

Yes, that did temper the moment.  The delivery is set for Wednesday I believe - so let's see how that goes.

[Rico]

Hmm, I wonder how much of a financial loss not getting that satellite into the right orbit will cost the SpaceX folks?

[Bromptonboy]

Hmm, I wonder how much of a financial loss not getting that satellite into the right orbit will cost the SpaceX folks?

That might almost be fatal for them, I would think.  This early into the game - that would make it tough for other companies to get permits.  God forbid.

[Bryancd]

Hmm, I wonder how much of a financial loss not getting that satellite into the right orbit will cost the SpaceX folks?

That might almost be fatal for them, I would think.  This early into the game - that would make it tough for other companies to get permits.  God forbid.

Oh, I don't know about that. I'm not familiar with their business model but i know they have deep private equity pockets and are still very self funded. I don't see this being a material financial set back.

[Bromptonboy]

Hmm, I wonder how much of a financial loss not getting that satellite into the right orbit will cost the SpaceX folks?

That might almost be fatal for them, I would think.  This early into the game - that would make it tough for other companies to get permits.  God forbid.

Oh, I don't know about that. I'm not familiar with their business model but i know they have deep private equity pockets and are still very self funded. I don't see this being a material financial set back.

Right, but I was thinking if they failed in the mission of docking on Wednesday.  This technical glitch shouldn't be bad for them, as they have (so far) managed to carry on with the mission. 
I just don't want public and political enthusiasm to wane.

[Bryancd]

Yeah, a failure to dock would be very problematic but isn't this their second trip to ISS?

[Bromptonboy]

Yes, I wonder if they get frequent flier miles?

I really can't wait for the heavy lift vehicles to come online.  Then the really exciting work can begin:

[Rico]

They are still a business.  I don't know the details but I'm sure a company hired their services to put that satellite up there.  I'd be asking for my money back or some type of compensation.

[Bryancd]

Rather then wild speculation, we can just read the company that owns the satellitles press release..

http://www.orbcomm.com/Collateral/Documents/English-US/ORBCOMM%20Launches%20Prototype%20OG2%20Satellite%20FINAL.pdf

[Rico]

Doesn't say a lot except they are trying to see if they can get it into the proper orbit still.