I like this one.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4284/3...7312370a_k.jpgCRS-11 Mission by SpaceX, on Flickr

This is super cool.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here&#39;s <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dragon?src=hash">#Dragon</a> + F9 upper stage passing over here earlier. The objects either side, that change in brightness, are the solar panel covers. <a href="https://t.co/QIVG7oLJGw">pic.twitter.com/QIVG7oLJGw</a></p>&mdash; Will Gater (@willgater) <a href="https://twitter.com/willgater/status/871129759429697536">June 3, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We caught a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dragon?src=hash">#Dragon</a>! <a href="https://twitter.com/AstroPeggy">@AstroPeggy</a> &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/Astro2fish">@Astro2Fish</a> use <a href="https://twitter.com/Space_Station">@Space_Station</a>’s robotic arm to capture <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX">@SpaceX</a>’s cargo vehicle: <a href="https://t.co/mzKW5uDsTi">https://t.co/mzKW5uDsTi</a> <a href="https://t.co/g258TK6dcK">pic.twitter.com/g258TK6dcK</a></p>&mdash; NASA (@NASA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA/status/871727261061226496">June 5, 2017</a></blockquote>
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First re-used spacecraft to dock with ISS since STS-135.

This is good to see too...

http://www.cnbc.com/2017/06/06/space...ace-plane.html

I had no idea they could fit that thing in a normal fairing. Cool.

Unrelated, but this video is beautiful. Clearest shot they've had yet of a landing from the air. View full screen for the best effect.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GrP3jHuLQ9o" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

That is absolutely gorgeous in 4k.

It's actually quite small. If bored, here's a ULA webcast of an X-37B launch. Some interesting time points...

19:00 T 00:10
23:30 Fairing Sep
24:20 Engine Cutoff / Stage Sep
25:15 X-37B Sales Pitch (some good footage with size perspective)
28:20 Payload Discussion with Bill Nye

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YiJVOFCvHrI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Crazy. It looks bigger in pictures.

Next launch is 10 days away. This will be the second re-flown booster.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hours after CRS-11 lifted off, this flight-proven booster rolled into the hangar at 39A; targeting June 17 launch of BulgariaSat-1. <a href="https://t.co/ZcqRQeJPx6">pic.twitter.com/ZcqRQeJPx6</a></p>&mdash; SpaceX (@SpaceX) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/872455800177831936">June 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Seems funny looking without the legs.

Amazing turnaround. And cool that we'll get another launch just 8 days later at VAFB. That'll be the first time for 3 launches in a month.

I wonder if they are going to have to mod the Falcon?

A guy on reddit looked at all the tech specs and thinks that it can fit in a normal fairing, but with only about 2.5 cm of clearance. That seems awfully tight to me, but I doubt they let things rattle around in there much, so maybe it's fine.

And they might be able to get extra clearance by removing recovery hardware like the parachute packs and cameras. Would love to see if they have been building an oversized fairing for this.

For Donger...

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">All Falcon Heavy cores should be at the Cape in two to three months, so launch should happen a month after that</p>&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/872888863504474112">June 8, 2017</a></blockquote>
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So that means Heavy launch somewhere around October.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Static fire test of Falcon 9 complete—targeting June 19 launch of BulgariaSat-1 from historic Pad 39A <a href="https://t.co/sndsLhKtwA">pic.twitter.com/sndsLhKtwA</a></p>&mdash; SpaceX (@SpaceX) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/875484318449008641">June 15, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Just to check in with readers of this thread, I'm starting to settle into a pattern of posting stuff. I generally try to post:

1. Major news about milestones
2. After a launch, an estimate of the timing and key details of the next one
3. Completion of the static fire (and final target date and time)
4. Final heads-up somewhere between 2-24 hours before the launch
5. Any particularly awesome videos or shots of the launch

Everyone still liking that flow? I still recognize that there are like 5 of us who are really involved in this thread, so I hate to bump it TOO often. (That said, it's not like there are hundreds of NHL or NBA fans around here either, so there are other threads that are similar in scope.)

Even though I don't post much in here I appreciate the info. Keep it coming.

mo news is betta!

https://arstechnica.com/science/2017...launch-prices/

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">$300M cost diff between SpaceX and Boeing/Lockheed exceeds avg value of satellite, so flying with SpaceX means satellite is basically free <a href="https://t.co/CaOulCf7ot">https://t.co/CaOulCf7ot</a></p>&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/875509067011153924">June 16, 2017</a></blockquote>
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And anything from Elon is worth posting...

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hawthorne, California <a href="https://t.co/d5qRlN0XQ7">pic.twitter.com/d5qRlN0XQ7</a></p>&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/875849793204928512">June 16, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Please keep it coming, DaFace!

Keep it up, enjoying the thread. This stuff is very interesting

That flythrough of Hawthorne is kind of fun - especially the shots down the middle of the booster!

I added

5. Any particularly awesome videos or shots of the launch

Well, this sucks...

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Postponing launch to replace fairing pneumatic valve. It is dual redundant, but not worth taking a chance. <a href="https://t.co/vnfxmeer7h">https://t.co/vnfxmeer7h</a></p>&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/876536406230712320">June 18, 2017</a></blockquote>
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But this would be fun...
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">If schedule holds there will be two Falcon 9 launches within 48 hours (Cape &amp; Vandenberg) this weekend <a href="https://t.co/GbleRPm6iZ">https://t.co/GbleRPm6iZ</a></p>&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/876536951418925057">June 18, 2017</a></blockquote>
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This is a thread I look for when I log in. You probably have more people reading and enjoying the bumps than you realize.

Same here.

Double header would be awesome!

It's kind of hard to keep track of two launches at once, but...

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Static fire test of Falcon 9 at Vandenberg AFB complete—launch of 10 <a href="https://twitter.com/IridiumComm">@IridiumComm</a> NEXT satellites slated for Sunday, June 25.</p>&mdash; SpaceX (@SpaceX) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/877291820962594816">June 20, 2017</a></blockquote>
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I've added both launches to the OP, so look there for date and time details.

Launch day bump!

https://i.imgur.com/PnyNxqc.jpg

Brief overview on this one: This is Bulgariasat-1, which is the first satellite Bulgaria has ever put into space (they can only afford it because of SpaceX's costs). This booster is the second one that has been flown previously (it was originally flown in January on the Iridium 1-10 mission on the west coast). This is a GTO mission, so the landing will be on the drone ship out in the ocean. If they can recover it, it will be the second one that's been landed twice.

I may be on the way back from a meeting and miss this one live, but we'll see how things go.

Launch pushed back an hour. Now 3:10pm EDT.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Falcon 9 will experience its highest ever reentry force and heat in today&#39;s launch. Good chance rocket booster doesn&#39;t make it back.</p>&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/878313692986621953">June 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Elon doing a little selling.

If they keep a live feed from the booster during reentry, it could be worth the price of admission.

Getting closer.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Y8mLi-rRTh8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Seems like we got the webcast "B" team today.

The bump in time means I get to watch it. :)

Webcast is live.

Disappointed no technical cast today. Enjoyed listening in on operations during previous launches.

Huh - that's odd. Any word why no technical today?

Yeah, I kind of agree. Doesn't seem like they put much effort into this one.

Nope, haven't seen any explanations. Wonder if the "A" team is at Vandy?

They're always in Hawthorne regardless of launch location, so who knows?

That's a good point. D'Oh!

Definitely a different format though, and no explanation that I've seen as to why. The only real difference is the expected next launch being 2 days away, then 6 days. Not sure if cadence is playing a part here, since all the commentators are usually technical staff. Maybe they're all just too busy this time around.

Nice to see them switch the audio though. Almost like a hybrid between their normal webcast and the technical cast.

And she's off! Pictures are gonna be great today.

That stage sep video was awesome!

First stage has done its job! 2 for 2 on reused vehicles. Now we get to see if they can land it...

They are going to crazy if they land this one upright.

Miss?

Whoa - landed it, but VERY off-center. Wonder if that will cause it issues coming back...

Landed! Just barely

Whoot. Off just a smidge.

Did you see the shoe of the water being kicked up?

Would have liked to have seen the roomba since we didn't really get to see any reentry and landing. :(

https://i.imgur.com/r2JGUIP.png

Looks like it slid a bit too.

Didn't see it, but now that I think back, I remember that the one that hit hard a while back and was leaning was reported to have slid all over the deck, so presumably they can still get it back even if the ship is really off to the side.

2 days until the next launch. Hope they succeed in the fast turnaround!

Successful sat deploy, so all is well. I'll be curious to see if they can start reusing these GTO boosters - seems like they take a beating on the way back.

I will almost certainly be driving on I-70 between Salina and Denver on Sunday, so I'll probably miss the next one unless I can watch on my phone. Have fun without me!

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Rocket is extra toasty and hit the deck hard (used almost all of the emergency crush core), but otherwise good</p>&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/878334920141135872">June 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Yep, that's what I was talking about. Must have been off target quite a bit?

The better they get, the more people will pay attention. Besides, it's a mission worthy of sharing. Bump the hell out of it.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Bump

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Rocket was suddenly slammed sideways right before landing. Heavy gust or something malfunctioned onboard. Reviewing telemetry.</p>&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/878828849722671104">June 25, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Wow, it's amazing that it landed in one piece.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Air Force’s Western Range is trying to clear vessel in downrange waters in time for 1-second Falcon 9 launch window. <a href="https://t.co/acmdWKqOs3">https://t.co/acmdWKqOs3</a></p>&mdash; Spaceflight Now (@SpaceflightNow) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceflightNow/status/879063689718116352">June 25, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Yeah, will be curious to hear more about this once they figure it out.

Live...

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7tIwZg8F9b8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Wow. That's some pretty dense looking fog!

Glad to see Insprucker is back!

Wow, that looked pretty smooth.

Complete mission success. Pretty damn impressive weekend for SpaceX.

That was very cool.. And being able to skip to the coolest stuff was a bonus..

I love the west coast launches. The video we get from the landings are incredible.

<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:28.125% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GP T6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAA AElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BVxysOlA04j/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Sped up version of today&#39;s rocket landing on the Droneship Just Read the Instructions (guess it did)</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by Elon Musk (@elonmusk) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2017-06-25T21:41:15+00:00">Jun 25, 2017 at 2:41pm PDT</time></p></div></blockquote>
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Click through for the full-size video:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BVxysOlA04j/

What they are doing boggles the mind.

For those of you who have followed the "Roomba," it has officially been used. This is the Bulgariasat booster (east coast from last Friday). She's a leaner!

https://i.imgur.com/BY4WoAT.jpg

The booster on the west coast is in too, but not much exciting to report there except that the crush cores got destroyed. It apparently missed the deck height by a bit and dropped pretty hard in the rough seas.

https://i.imgur.com/W3FZzrO.jpg

They also knocked a day off of the schedule, so the next launch is currently scheduled for Sunday (though the weather is iffy). After that, looks like there will be a big gap while the Range (different entity) goes down for pretty much the whole month of July.

Excellent! Now I just need HD footage of the Roomba in action! That lean is the perfect reason for its use. I'm open they took some video and post it.

Man. That looks so precarious.

It definitely LOOKs crazy, but it's important to keep in mind that a ton of the rocket's weight when empty is in the engines. Here's a diagram from reddit:

https://i.stack.imgur.com/w03Q1.png

So if you account for 5-10 degrees of rocking due to waves, that still leaves plenty of room on top of the ~5 degrees it was leaning. The bigger issue to me is that the grid fins were completely destroyed. No surprise that they're moving to titanium moving forward.

https://i.imgur.com/3FS0Blc.jpg

So it landed a bit crooked? Can someone explain the significance of this? Was it all built in? Does it damage it to the point it can't be used again?

Possibly but doubtful. The fin just crumpled. Doesn't look like any structural damage.

At the risk of giving you more detail than you really care about...

This booster took more stress than any they've tried to land thus far. (There have been some lately, including the next one, that are flown in "expendable" mode and no attempt is made to land due to the extreme flight profile.) Because it came in so hot, the friction coming through the atmosphere was so severe that it actually ripped part of the grid fins apart.

Either related or unrelated to that, the stage came in very awkwardly. We're still hoping we get video, but as Donger noted above, it looked like it was coming down off the ship, but somehow ended up landing successfully on the other side of the ship.

We don't know how it got there, but it's no surprise that it came down hard on one leg more than the others. They're designed for this and have a "crush core" that is meant to compress in the case of a severe impact and take as much of the remaining force as it can. That happened here, which results in one leg being much shorter than the others. The leg is destroyed, but they're replacing those each time anyway, so no big deal.

The core itself looks generally intact, but I'm going to guess they don't fly this one again. It was its second time already, and the two they've re-flown so far have been on pretty easy missions in terms of load on the rocket. In theory, future iterations of the F9 will include improvements that should make them better able to handle extreme forces like this.

The end.

Perfect. That's about the level of technical info I can understand.

It landed hard and probably shouldn't be used again, but considering the stress of the load this time they might not have been counting on a successful landing anyways. Probably a lot of good data to be gleaned from the semi successful landing anyways.

Bump. This one's expendable (no landing) so probably not a very exciting launch assuming it goes OK.

Saw this cool article on SpaceX.

Article format is not CP-friendly for a copy/paste. Apologize for the extra click required. :)