Falcon 9 launches today

3acres · #1 27th May 2020, 02:57 AM

Weather and technology permitting, of course. The launch is scheduled for 4:33 PM EDT. A couple of intrepid souls will take a ride to the ISS on top of a Space-X Falcon booster, the first people launched from US soil in about a decade.

No TV coverage that I know of, but the PBS NewsHour said they'll be streaming it live:
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science...-with-u-s-crew

🚀

What Exit? · #2 27th May 2020, 04:18 AM

I really hope this goes very smoothly. A great day for US Space as space travel is really going commercial for the first time.

JackieLikesVariety · #3 27th May 2020, 04:50 AM

cool! thanks for posting as I was completely unaware of this.

Rock · #4 27th May 2020, 04:53 AM

Right now it looks like there's a pretty good chance of thunderstorms in central Florida this afternoon. I read somewhere that if it's delayed, the next window of opportunity will be Saturday.

Here's a link to the space.com article about online viewing. It gives a bunch of links if you scroll down a little bit:

https://www.space.com/how-to-watch-s...-webcasts.html

Rat Diva · #5 27th May 2020, 05:07 AM

Discovery channel is having live coverage starting at 2 pm EDT as well.

(Personally, I'm not looking until it's safely over.)

What Exit? · #6 27th May 2020, 05:11 AM

If you get it, the NASA channel almost surely would be airing it. Yes starting at Noon EASTERN U.S. TIME

https://www.nasa.gov/content/live-la...-space-station

Glazer · #7 27th May 2020, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackieLikesVariety

cool! thanks for posting as I was completely unaware of this.

How can this be? I've been watching this race for years.

I'm sorry ULA has failed so miserably. What ever happened to Boeing?

Detroit Hoser · #8 27th May 2020, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by What Exit?

If you get it, the NASA channel almost surely would be airing it. Yes starting at Noon EASTERN U.S. TIME

https://www.nasa.gov/content/live-la...-space-station

Oh my god I'M SO CAPITAL-LETTER EXCITED! For my eighteenth birthday, my mom bought me a bottle of champagne and we popped it when John Young and Robert Crippen landed the shuttle that day. If it doesn't launch until Saturday, that's cool, there will be more people home to watch it go.

3acres · #9 27th May 2020, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glazer

I'm sorry ULA has failed so miserably. What ever happened to Boeing?

I believe they were hamstrung by entrenched corporate politics and their goal of getting lucrative long-lasting government contracts with huge cost overruns and big monster bonus checks for the bigwigs.

Mr. Musk seems more like a crazy rich guy who really wants to send people - possibly including himself - to Mars. When they needed a payload for a test launch, the guy sends a car up. "What kind of car should we launch?" "My car! And let's put a spacesuit in the driver's seat! It'll be cool; almost as cool as landing our boosters back on Earth on their tails like a 1950s science fiction movie!"

Detroit Hoser · #10 27th May 2020, 08:35 AM

I'm watching the live feed from NASA and that sky behind the rocket looks mighty bleak.

Detroit Hoser · #11 27th May 2020, 09:18 AM

Here come the astronauts, Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken, to travel to the rocket. They've said goodbye to their families and the crowd and they are on their way, via...are those Kias? No. Anyway, off to the Falcon Demo II, where Bob and Doug will take off, eh?

3acres · #12 27th May 2020, 09:24 AM

Our local noon weather included the launch site today, and the weather guy says it looks iffy.

3acres · #13 27th May 2020, 09:28 AM

Ha, they just reported one of them went to Pattonville, a local high school. They're the Pirates. So this guy could be our first space pirate!

Rat Diva · #14 27th May 2020, 09:45 AM

Now that's badass

Rat Diva · #15 27th May 2020, 09:47 AM

Hmm, I'd be a Space Spartan. That doesn't make sense. I'd have to use my college mascot so that I could be a SPACE COUGAR. Rawr.

JimNightshade · #16 27th May 2020, 09:52 AM

https://www.space.com/17933-nasa-tel...-space-tv.html

4:33 p.m. EDT

I am crossing my fingers.

What Exit? · #17 27th May 2020, 09:53 AM

Existing thread: Falcon 9 launches today

Sputnik · #18 27th May 2020, 09:54 AM

Harry, bring your wand. Ratty wants to be a Space Spartan.

Rat Diva · #19 27th May 2020, 10:07 AM

No, I want to be a SPACE COUGAR. It sounds like a cheesetastic 50s movie.

Although as far as ancient cultures went, Spartan women were respected and treated like important members of society, so that's got some potential too.

JimNightshade · #20 27th May 2020, 10:39 AM

Thanks! Didn't see that.

*Rebo* · #21 27th May 2020, 10:43 AM

I'm going to merge This one with That one.

Then move That one into This Forum.

Jaglavak · #22 27th May 2020, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rat Diva

No, I want to be a SPACE COUGAR.

So now I gotta buy a 70 million dollar ticket to space before I can get you to perv on me? There ain't no justice.

What Exit? · #23 27th May 2020, 11:07 AM

86 minutes to go

Rat Diva · #24 27th May 2020, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaglavak

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rat Diva

No, I want to be a SPACE COUGAR.

So now I gotta buy a 70 million dollar ticket to space before I can get you to perv on me? There ain't no justice.

Ludovic · #25 27th May 2020, 11:12 AM

It's been thundering nearly constantly where I am, 20-something miles from the launch site. I'm surprised it hasn't already been scrubbed, but I guess it's possible a stationary rain front has been freakishly steaming my ham but not the Cape's the whole day.

3acres · #26 27th May 2020, 11:19 AM

It's weird, watching them poking at touchscreens on the stream. I wish we could see their displays.

mjmlabs · #27 27th May 2020, 11:55 AM

As of 1552 ET, weather conditions "RED." Still a chance for improvement before scrubbing, though.

JackieLikesVariety · #28 27th May 2020, 12:07 PM

gosh, the suspense!

Borborygmi · #29 27th May 2020, 12:12 PM

The weather is a hoax! Re-open the space program!

mjmlabs · #30 27th May 2020, 12:14 PM

Maybe you could wave your AR-15 at the thunderheads and intimidate them into leaving.

Just, uh, try not to thwack anything metal. Don't need any sparks in the neighborhood of RP-1 & LOX.

What Exit? · #31 27th May 2020, 12:17 PM

Launch Abort it sounds like.

The Futility of Nihilism · #32 27th May 2020, 12:18 PM

And that's a scrub. Dang it!

mjmlabs · #33 27th May 2020, 12:23 PM

See y'all back here Saturday, then.

*Rebo* · #34 27th May 2020, 12:36 PM

Darn.

JackieLikesVariety · #35 27th May 2020, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3acres

Ha, they just reported one of them went to Pattonville, a local high school. They're the Pirates. So this guy could be our first space pirate!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rat Diva

Hmm, I'd be a Space Spartan. That doesn't make sense. I'd have to use my college mascot so that I could be a SPACE COUGAR. Rawr.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Borborygmi

The weather is a hoax! Re-open the space program!

well, damn, but the above made me LOL.

Rock · #36 30th May 2020, 03:49 AM

They're going to try again today at 1:22 pm EDT. Unfortunately the weather forecast is the same as it was on Wednesday, thunderstorms are very likely as the day progresses. If it's scrubbed again the next launch window is on Sunday.

3acres · #37 30th May 2020, 05:25 AM

Darn, a 60% chance of thunderstorms. On the other hand, that means a 40% of not thunderstorms, right? Right?

JackieLikesVariety · #38 30th May 2020, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3acres

Darn, a 60% chance of thunderstorms. On the other hand, that means a 40% of not thunderstorms, right? Right?

Detroit Hoser · #39 30th May 2020, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bumbershoot

They're going to try again today at 1:22 pm EDT. Unfortunately the weather forecast is the same as it was on Wednesday, thunderstorms are very likely as the day progresses. If it's scrubbed again the next launch window is on Sunday.

Psst. It's 3:22 PM EDT for the launch.

Sputnik · #40 30th May 2020, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3acres

Darn, a 60% chance of thunderstorms. On the other hand, that means a 40% of not thunderstorms, right? Right?

I think you have to add the two together and get a 100% chance of weather for today.

Rock · #41 30th May 2020, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Detroit Hoser

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bumbershoot

They're going to try again today at 1:22 pm EDT. Unfortunately the weather forecast is the same as it was on Wednesday, thunderstorms are very likely as the day progresses. If it's scrubbed again the next launch window is on Sunday.

Psst. It's 3:22 PM EDT for the launch.

Thanks Hoser! 1:22 pm is MOUNTAIN Daylight Time, where I am! I had already converted it in my head when I typed up that post.

3acres · #42 30th May 2020, 09:19 AM

Every time they mention Bob and Doug on the livestream, I smile and think "OK, eh?"

JackieLikesVariety · #43 30th May 2020, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3acres

Every time they mention Bob and Doug on the livestream, I smile and think "OK, eh?"

lol

I'm listening - and they have hope for the weather to improve

JackieLikesVariety · #44 30th May 2020, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glazer

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackieLikesVariety

cool! thanks for posting as I was completely unaware of this.

How can this be? I've been watching this race for years.

I'm sorry ULA has failed so miserably. What ever happened to Boeing?

now that I read up I had heard of it before, but just lately (um, over a year?? since the 2016 election results?) I've really avoided news.

I am more than a little ashamed.

Detroit Hoser · #45 30th May 2020, 09:57 AM

Don't be. It's called self-preservation and you've been doing it.

I don't think Doug and Bob will take off, eh? Not today, anyway.

JackieLikesVariety · #46 30th May 2020, 10:04 AM

when I first heard of it I was sad that something as exciting as space travel was not being done by our government. like it should be.

but a giant advantage to that is we won't have Fuck Face trying to be part of it and pretending it's something HE has accomplished.

is it just me, or does Bill Nye look the same age as he did years ago?

Detroit Hoser · #47 30th May 2020, 10:07 AM

He will take credit. He just hasn't done it yet because he's been busy instigating race riots in Washington DC via Twitter.

Wolf Larsen · #48 30th May 2020, 10:36 AM

Weather looks okay.

Wolf Larsen · #49 30th May 2020, 10:37 AM

All red conditions are currently green and they are loading propellant!

Detroit Hoser · #50 30th May 2020, 10:40 AM

Wheeee! Maybe it'll happen!