Spacex's Falcon Heavy - Launch successful! -

[BD231]

 

[Red Squirrel]

Lol this is great. Most people would joke about sending a car or other silly thing in space. But SpaceX is actually going to do it LOL. Also that pic really shows the true size of that fairing, pretty crazy. Lots of "wasted" space but guess half of that is strictly for aerodynamics, and a typical payload would probably take up more vertical space.

On one hand, I want this to succeed, on the other hand, explosions are always fun.

The 3 booster landings will be quite something too. I guess they'll have 3 separate barges spaced out at sea? Suppose they could be landed relatively close to each other but probably safer to separate them early in space in case of any issues so one does not affect the other.

 

[tynopik]

i'm thinking vacuum isn't good for lithium batteries?

 

[Red Squirrel]

My guess is the car is rather stripped down of batteries and anything that could be an issue or dangerous.

Or maybe not? Could be a good test to see how it survives in space, as they could presumably use the same drives/batteries/tech in rovers or other space equipment. If they set it up so they can remote control the car they might even be able to use the tires as reaction wheels to position it in orbit. Can Teslas turn individual wheels on their own? You would not really get a proper 3 axis movement but might be able to sorta do it.

But yeah think cells are fully sealed right, wonder if they will want to bloat once they get in space. I imagine this has been tested already in a vacuum chamber.

 

[TXHokie]

C'mon, who are we kidding? That car is obviously a Transformer robot in disguise. Hope they get a date nailed down soon so I can go see the launch in person.

 

[IronWing]

Convertible in Spaaaaaaaaaace!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Thebobo]

Tweet from musk about FH launch. Landings looks to be spectacular.


Elon Musk‏Verified account @elonmusk
If you liked tonight’s launch, you will really like Falcon Heavy next month: 3 rocket cores & 3X thrust. 2 cores return to base doing synchronized aerobatics. 3rd lands on droneship.

1:10 AM - 23 Dec 2017

 

[Thebobo]

And

 

[tynopik]

If you liked tonight’s launch, you will really like Falcon Heavy next month: 3 rocket cores & 3X thrust. 2 cores return to base doing synchronized aerobatics. 3rd lands on droneship.

earth-shattering kaboom

 

[K1052]

Hopefully it at least doesn't nuke the pad like the N1.

 

[Thebobo]

Falcon Heavy goes vertical in anticipation for next months launch.

http://www.americaspace.com/2017/12/28/falcon-heavy-rises-atop-pad-39a-for-first-time/

 

[Darwin333]

Awesome view! Anyone have any knowledge of how they do the static firings, especially with all 27 engines, while it is vertical?

 

[Ken g6]

Awesome view! Anyone have any knowledge of how they do the static firings, especially with all 27 engines, while it is vertical?

They have big clamps to hold it down, and a big concrete trench to direct the flame away.

 

[Darwin333]

They have big clamps to hold it down, and a big concrete trench to direct the flame away.

I know about the trenches but where do you clamp on to a huge ass aerodynamic rocket as it throttles up all of its engines so that it doesn't do what it is supposed to and take flight?

 

[PottedMeat]

I know about the trenches but where do you clamp on to a huge ass aerodynamic rocket as it throttles up all of its engines so that it doesn't do what it is supposed to and take flight?

at the base around the engines ( except soyuz, they do it up near the middle ) where they support the vehicles weight

saturn v clamps

 

[bigi]

Falcon Heavy goes vertical in anticipation for next months launch.

http://www.americaspace.com/2017/12/28/falcon-heavy-rises-atop-pad-39a-for-first-time/

I feel like fapping by looking at this picture. Hope they will make it.

 

[Thebobo]

FH Demo Mission booster, stage and fairing separation

 

[Darwin333]

Elon Musk, the first man in Earths history to get his car space jacked.

 

[Thebobo]

Falcon Heavy static fire January 6, Tentative Launch January 15! Dont have any times yet.

Static fire will be impressive with all 27 engines .

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/12/falcon-heavy-maiden-static-fire-test/

 

[Thebobo]

They are not really saying much about the static fire test. Some say it was to happen today and now they say tomorrow but they who say then and when haven't been saying when.

Anyhow hopefully we get some advance warning. Normally they stream this stuff but who knows.

 

[tynopik]

https://twitter.com/EmreKelly/status/951058559646814208

Looks like #FalconHeavy test fire rescheduled for Thursday. SpaceX still has the same window to briefly fire 27 Merlin engines: 1300 to 1900 ET.

 

[IronWing]

at the base around the engines ( except soyuz, they do it up near the middle ) where they support the vehicles weight

saturn v clamps

Back in the 90s, the clamps were still in place at some of the old Atlas sites abandoned in the 60s. They were two steel poles with spring steel arms that would reach out to the rocket. Each arm had a doorknob-like peg at the end that would insert into a hole on the missile. It didn't seem like it would have been strong enough to restrain the rocket but it must have worked.

 

[Mayne]

I love Elon Musk.

 

[Thebobo]

In the meantime

 

[Thebobo]

Test fire of SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket moves to Saturday


"CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - SpaceX now targets 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday for its Falcon Heavy test fire, according to News 6 partner Florida Today.

The test fire was delayed Friday for unspecified reasons."