Space. The Final Frontier.

[tomterp]

It would appear SpaceX has had another setback.

http://bigstory.ap.org/92dd9cd24d6444c4a93855dd25e6d0c1

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — An explosion rocked a SpaceX launch site Thursday during a routine rocket test.

SpaceX was conducting a test firing of its unmanned rocket when the blast occurred shortly after 9 a.m., according to NASA. The test was in advance of a planned Saturday launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, which is next to NASA's Kennedy Space Center.

Buildings several miles away shook from the blast, and multiple explosions continued for several minutes. Dark smoke filled the overcast sky. A half-hour later, a black cloud hung low across the eastern horizon.

[mitlen]

It would appear SpaceX has had another setback.

http://bigstory.ap.org/92dd9cd24d6444c4a93855dd25e6d0c1

Some video:

http://money.cnn.com/2016/09/01/news/companies/spacex-explosion/index.html

[imref]

here's the actual explosion - upper stage oxygen tank (the falcon 9 uses liquid oxygen and kerosene for fuel)

! No longer available

[mitlen]

here's the actual explosion - upper stage oxygen tank (the falcon 9 uses liquid oxygen and kerosene for fuel)

! No longer available

Interesting how the camera shook, well after the explosion.    Can anybody do the math as to how far the camera mount was from the launch pad?     

[tomterp]

Interesting how the camera shook, well after the explosion.    Can anybody do the math as to how far the camera mount was from the launch pad?     

Here's a stab.

Speed of sound is 1126 f/p/s.

I counted about 15 seconds from the initial blast (at 1:12) till the shock wave hit the camera (1:27).  That works out to about 16,890 feet.

[mitlen]

Here's a stab.

Speed of sound is 1126 f/p/s.

I counted about 15 seconds from the initial blast (at 1:12) till the shock wave hit the camera (1:27).  That works out to about 16,890 feet.

3 miles and a bit?    It's possible that camera was mounted at the launch control center even on a static test.    From NASA for shuttle launches:

"Unprotected observers are limited to 3-1/2 miles from the pad, and in fact, you see most folks standing just outside the launch control center, which is at that 3-1/2 mile radius from the pad. "

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

I was relieved to hear that the payload was not the new NOAA satellite but rather some Israeli commercial unit that was going to be used by Facebook to service sub-saharan Africa.  I mean it sucks that folks in Rwanda won't be able to waste hours of their day the way people do here, but that weather satellite is the shiznit. 

[varoadking]

I was relieved to hear that the payload was not the new NOAA satellite but rather some Israeli commercial unit that was going to be used by Facebook to service sub-saharan Africa.  I mean it sucks that folks in Rwanda won't be able to waste hours of their day the way people do here, but that weather satellite is the shiznit.

I was relieved that it wasn't the one carrying my father's remains into orbit...that one was scheduled for this year as well.  No telling when it goes now...

[mitlen]

I was relieved that it wasn't the one carrying my father's remains into orbit...that one was scheduled for this year as well.  No telling when it goes now...

How's that work (scheduled)?

[varoadking]

How's that work (scheduled)?

Yes...a company prepares the payload for you... Celestis, I think... and they contract out the flight and payload deployment.  Been delayed for 18 months already...this certainly won't help matters. 

[HalfSmokes]

You could try a balloon


! No longer available

[mitlen]

You could try a balloon


! No longer available

10 or so years ago, there was a motorcycle shop show called Southern Steel/ Milwaukee Iron in Lynchburg.   One of the guys died and they shot his ashes out of a cannon.   

[imref]

IMAX space week:

http://www.imax.com/news/imax-space-week-launches-amc-theatres-october

[mitlen]

Launch tomorrow from Wallops Island.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/capital-weather-gang/wp/2016/10/14/orbital-plans-to-launch-rocket-sunday-in-va-after-failed-2014-attempt-how-to-watch/

[mitlen]

Update (1:20 p.m. Oct. 16)  — The launch of Orbital ATK’s Antares rocket has been postponed for 24 hours.

[imref]

Now 7:40 pm Monday.

[imref]

7:45

[mitlen]

Went to the hill in the neighborhood (less light clutter) and watched the flight.    Stage separation was pretty cool.

[imref]

we could see it from western prince william about 2 minutes after launch, it disappeared and then we saw the flash at stage separation, very cool

[mitlen]

we could see it from western prince william about 2 minutes after launch, it disappeared and then we saw the flash at stage separation, very cool

As an old guy, I found it neat that a young family was on the hill watching the launch on an IPhone (?).     Saw it liftoff and then waited to see it with the naked eye.     Modern technology.   

[imref]

As an old guy, I found it neat that a young family was on the hill watching the launch on an IPhone (?).     Saw it liftoff and then waited to see it with the naked eye.     Modern technology.   

we did the same thing, sat out front with the iPhone on NASA TV.

[The Chief]

Heard about this launch on the radio yesterday but forgot to go out and look for it

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

Anyone get pictures? 

[mitlen]

we did the same thing, sat out front with the iPhone on NASA TV.

Wouldn't have done me any good to have an iPhone.    I'd have to turn it on to use it.     

[imref]

Wouldn't have done me any good to have an iPhone.    You'd have to turn it on to use it.     

i could get you an etch-a-sketch