SpaceX
14.9K subscribers
1.82K photos
828 videos
18 files
8.45K links
(Unofficial)
News and updates about the amazing space company that's leading humanity to the stars

For more detailed updates and discussions join our chat:
@SpaceXChat
@SpaceXFeed

⛔️ No SpaceX crypto exists.
Download Telegram
I'm Robert Zubrin, AMA noon Pacific today
Hi, I'm Dr. Robert Zubrin. I'll be doing an AMA at noon Pacific today.See you then!

Submitted November 23, 2019 at 06:13PM by DrRobertZubrin
via reddit https://ift.tt/2KItcKb
<b>CRS-19 Launch Campaign Thread</b>
CRS-19 Launch Infographic by <a href="https://gdbarrett.com/">Geoff Barrett coming soon!<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/spacex/comments/e0upb3/crs18_launch_campaign_thread/#siteTable_t3_e0upb3">-> Jump to Comments <-SpaceX's 19th Commercial Resupply Services mission out of a total of 20 such contracted flights for NASA, this launch will deliver essential supplies to the International Space Station using the reusable Dragon 1 cargo spacecraft. The external payload for this mission is Japan's Hyperspectral Imager Suite (HISUI). This mission will launch from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral AFS on a Falcon 9, with first stage landing prospects currently unknown.This is SpaceX's <strong>12th</strong> mission of 2019, the <strong>3rd and final</strong> CRS flight of the year and the <strong>76th</strong> Falcon 9 launch overall. It will use an unknown Block 5 booster, and re-use an unknown previously flown Dragon 1 spacecraft.<strong>Liftoff currently scheduled for</strong><strong>NET 17:48 UTC / 12:48 PM EST December 4 2019</strong> (instantaneous window)Backup launch window*<em>≈17:24 UTC / ≈12:24 PM EST December 5 2019</em> ; instantaneous window gets 20-25 minutes earlier each day to match ISS orbitStatic fire scheduled forUnknownVehicle component locations<em>First stage</em>: Unknown <em>Second stage</em>: Unknown <em>Dragon</em>: UnknownPayloadCommercial Resupply Services-19 supplies, equipment and experiments and <a href="https://eoportal.org/web/eoportal/satellite-missions/content/-/article/iss-utilization-hisui-hyperspectral-imager-suite-">HISUIPayload launch mass4200 kg (Dragon) + 1290 kg (fuel) + 2000 kg payload mass = ≈7500 kg launch mass?ISS payload mass500 kg (HSUI) + ≈1500 kg (Internal Cargo) = ≈2000 kg totalDestination orbitISS Low Earth Orbit (≈400 x ≈400 km, 51.66°)Launch vehicleFalcon 9 <a href="https://reddit.com/r/spacex/wiki/launches">(76th launch of F9; 56th launch of F9 Full Thrust; 20th launch of F9 FT Block 5)Core<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/spacex/wiki/cores#wiki_b10XX">B10??.?Past flights of this coreUnknownSpacecraft typeDragon 1 ({24th} launch of a Dragon spacecraft; {21st} launch of a Dragon 1; {19th operational Dragon 1 launch)Capsule<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/spacex/wiki/capsules">C1??Past flights of this capsulePresumably 2Launch site<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/SpaceX/wiki/pads">SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida<strong>Landing</strong><strong>Currently unknown; hazard zones do not suggest a RTLS or offshore ASDS as expected</strong>Landing site:Unknown<strong>Fairing recovery</strong><strong>No fairing (CRS flight)</strong>Mission success criteriaSuccessful separation and deployment of Dragon into the target orbit; berthing to the ISS; unberthing from the ISS; and reentry, splashdown and recovery of Dragon.News and TimelineFuture events from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/schedule.html">NASATV schedule.Timestamp (UTC)Event Description2019-12-07Coverage of <strong>Dragon installation to ISS</strong>2019-12-04 17:48<strong>Scheduled liftoff</strong>2019-12-04 17:30NASA TV launch coverage begins2019-11-23Launch campaign thread goes live2019-11-22<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/spacex/comments/e0dymx/launch_hazard_area_for_crs19/">Launch hazard areas released, seemingly preclude RTLSPayloadsNameTypeOperatorOrbitMassMissionInternal CargoResupplyNASAISS LEO (≈400 x ≈400 km, 51.66°)≈1500 kgDeliver supplies, equipment and experiments to support ISS science and operations.HISUIRemote SensingJapanISS LEO (≈400 x ≈400 km, 51.66°)500 kgHyperspectral remote sensing instrument for resource discovery and management.ELaNa 25B and ELaNa 28CubesatsNASA/VariousLEO (Approx 400 x 400 km, 51.7°)10-20 kgVarious cubesats by a variety of universities and research groups. Will be deployed separately from ISS.Mission-Specific FAQWhat does an instantaneous window mean?Due to needing to synchronize the orbit of the SpaceX Dragon capsule with that…
<b>Starship Development Thread #7</b>
Quick Links<a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EFmGjfCXUAEpGfb.jpg"></a><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/spacex/comments/e11zs0/starship_development_thread_7/#siteTable_t3_e11zs0">JUMP TO COMMENTS</a> | <a href="https://old.reddit.com/r/spacex/comments/e11zs0/starship_development_thread_7/#siteTable_t3_e11zs0">Alternative Jump To Comments Link</a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDkP5NWUhfHXZNhcGr2G2pQ/live">SPADRE LIVE</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFwMITSkc1Fms6PoJoh1OUQ/live">LABPADRE LIVE</a> | <a href="https://youtu.be/2d8l_0w2VKM">LABPADRE DIRECT</a>OverviewSpaceX is developing <a href="https://youtu.be/C8JyvzU0CXU">Starship</a> at their Starship Assembly Site in Texas, and also at their facilities on Cidco Road in Cocoa, Florida and at Kennedy Space Center. Until mid November, the Starship development teams have been focusing on finishing the Mark 1 and 2 vehicles which were expected to make <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1166860032052539392">suborbital test flights</a>. The Mark 1 testing campaign ended on November 20 with a <a href="https://youtu.be/3nTSubYzQOM">catastrophic failure</a> of the methane tank during pressurized testing. In <a href="https://twitter.com/thesheetztweetz/status/1197306617760559104">a statement from SpaceX</a> after the incident it was announced that the decision had already been made not to fly these vehicles, and that development will now focus on the orbital Mark 3 design.Launch mounts for the Starship prototypes are in the works. Starhopper's Texas launch site <a href="https://twitter.com/austinbarnard45/status/1174819747705368576">was modified</a> to handle Starship Mk.1, and at Kennedy Space Center's LC-39A, a dedicated <a href="https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=48720.0">Starship launch platform and landing pad are under construction</a>. SpaceX has not recently indicated what sort of flight test schedule to expect from Mark 3.Starship is powered by SpaceX's <a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1178128488697618432">Raptor</a>, a full flow staged combustion cycle methane/oxygen rocket engine. Sub-scale Raptor test firing began in 2016, and full-scale test firing began early 2019 at McGregor, Texas, where there are <a href="https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2019/10/spacex-renovating-falcon-stand-mcgregor/">two operational test stands, and a third is under construction</a>. Eventually, Starship will have <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1131433322276483072">three sea level Raptors and three vacuum Raptors</a>. Super Heavy may initially use around <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1131625229367693312">20 Raptors</a>, and operational versions could have around 31 to 37 sea level Raptors.Previous Threads:<a href="https://redd.it/am4gxw/">Starhopper Thread</a> #1 (2019-02-01) A dramatic venting watertower<a href="https://redd.it/bi08h9/">Starhopper Thread</a> #2 (2019-04-27) Hops and hiccups - Starships never come alone<a href="https://redd.it/c61lqs/">Starhopper Thread</a> #3 (2019-06-27) RCS and SN6 - 20 meter hopping<a href="https://redd.it/ci70t4/">Starhopper Thread</a> #4 (2019-07-26) 150 meter hop and Mk.1 and Mk.2 protoype growth<a href="https://redd.it/cv8vi4/">Starhopper 150m Hop</a> (2019-08-27) Updates and discussion<a href="https://redd.it/cxyt8x/">Starship Dev Thread</a> #5 (2019-08-31) Mk.1 fins and temporary assembly<a href="https://redd.it/d9l5bm/">Starship Presentation Updates Thread</a> (2019-09-27) Updates and discussion - <a href="https://youtu.be/sOpMrVnjYeY">Webcast</a><a href="http://redd.it/dfd8ik/">Starship Dev Thread</a> #6 (2019-10-09) Mk.1 partial reassembly and bulkhead liberationVehicle UpdatesStarship Mk.2 at Cocoa, Florida — Construction and Updates2019-11-23<a href="https://youtu.be/80tZcbVTKjo">Transport cradles on site</a> (<em>YouTube</em>), unclear if Mk.2 will use them2019-11-18<a href="https://twitter.com/John_Winkopp/status/11964595
NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine on whether SpaceX low-orbit satellites are blocking stargazing
https://ift.tt/2OLQakP

Submitted November 25, 2019 at 08:54AM by BigFalconRocket
via reddit https://ift.tt/33muDnP
Falcon 9 static fire test complete — targeting December 4 launch from Pad 40 in Florida for Dragon’s nineteenth resupply mission to the @Space_Station - The Dragon spacecraft supporting this mission previously flew in support of our fourth and eleventh commercial resupply missions
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1199463895892553728

Submitted November 27, 2019 at 12:13AM by soldato_fantasma
via reddit https://ift.tt/2Dm27IF
SpaceX's mega-constellation of Starlink satellites could result in a 'Wild West' scenario in space, says Ariane 6 manufacturer CEO
https://ift.tt/2DlPyNo

Submitted November 28, 2019 at 10:18AM by caffeinated-beverage
via reddit https://ift.tt/2DnX2zv
SpaceX closing down Cocoa construction site, will delay Mk4
The YouTube channel "What About It" just posted a Patreon preview. I cannot provide a link at this time. Has an inside source who revealed SpaceX laid off 80% of the Cocoa workers, will be doing no more construction there. Will construct the new facility at Roberts Road on Kennedy Space Center and then start Mk4. The layoff indicates the gap before Mk4 fabrication will be fairly long, by SpaceX standards. This does not bode well for Mk 2, but there is no word on any possible use. Vid contains more news about the ring welders, etc. Appears SpaceX is taking a more measured approach with Mk4 while proceeding quickly with Mk3. Multiple activities going on at Boca Chica simultaneously, as usual.No intention of posting rumor or speculation. This channel is professionally done and their source has proved to be reliable. The vid will be up on YT Monday morning EDT, or possibly very late Sunday. Not trying to promo them, but the Cocoa site closing is hot news.

Submitted December 01, 2019 at 08:45PM by SpaceInMyBrain
via reddit https://ift.tt/362pmE3
Michael Sheetz on Twitter - "SpaceX says it paused, but has not fully stopped, Starship’s development in Florida while the company focuses on building Starship Mk3 in Texas."
https://twitter.com/thesheetztweetz/status/1201650783688761347

Submitted December 03, 2019 at 01:00AM by jclishman
via reddit https://ift.tt/34UUFjC
CRS-19 Press Kit
https://ift.tt/2LkA6p7

Submitted December 03, 2019 at 08:37PM by Straumli_Blight
via reddit https://ift.tt/380iZTi
SpaceX’s Jessica Jensen explains why the SpX-19 launch will perform a drone ship landing vs. returning to the Cape: need extra performance from 1st stage because 2nd stage will do a “thermal demonstration” in orbit after deployment with a six-hour coast.
https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/1201977000417779714

Submitted December 03, 2019 at 10:32PM by venku122
via reddit https://ift.tt/2LlDRuq
<b>JCSAT-18/Kacific1 Launch Campaign Thread</b>
JCSAT-18/Kacific1 Launch Infographic by <a href="https://gdbarrett.com/">Geoff Barrett</a> coming soon!<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/spacex/comments/e5w6i8/jcsat18kacific1_launch_campaign_thread/#siteTable_t3_e5w6i8">-> Jump to Comments <-</a>Hello again, everybody! It's <a href="/u/CAM-Gerlach">u/CAM-Gerlach</a> here, and I'm once again your host for this JCSAT-18/Kacific1 Launch Campaign thread! Let me know in the comments if you have information, updates and corrections to add. Thanks!Mission OverviewJCSAT-18 is a mobile broadband communications payload built for Sky Perfect JSAT Corporation of Japan and will service Asia Pacific. Kacific1 is a high throughput broadband internet payload built for Kacific Broadband Satellites and will service certain high demand areas of Southeast Asia and the Pacific. Both payloads share a single chassis.SpaceX will launch the Boeing built dual payload satellite to geostationary transfer orbit from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral AFS on a Falcon 9, and the first-stage booster is expected to land downrange on the OCISLY droneship.This is SpaceX's <strong>13th</strong> mission of 2019, its <strong>6th</strong> commercial flight of the year and the <strong>77th</strong> Falcon 9 launch overall. It will re-use the FT Block 5 booster flown on NASA CRS-17 and CRS-18.<strong>Liftoff currently scheduled for</strong><strong>NET 00:10-01:38 UTC Dec. 16 / 7:10-8:38 PM EST Dec. 15 2019</strong> <em>(Note: Launches are always targeted for the beginning of the window)</em>Backup launch windowSame time, likely the following dayStatic fire scheduled forUnknownVehicle component locations<em>First stage</em>: CCAFS/KSC <em>Second stage</em>: Unknown, likely CCAFS/KSC <em>Payload</em>: <a href="https://kacific.com/news/kacific1-satellite-arrives-at-spacex-launch-site-in-cape-canaveral-florida/">CCAFS</a>SpaceX fleet status<em>OCISLY/Hawk</em>: At sea for CRS-19; <em>Go Quest:</em> At sea for CRS-19; <em>GO Ms.Tree/Ms. Chief</em>: Port CanaveralPayloadJCSAT-18/Kacific1 communications satellitePayload launch mass6800 kgDestination orbitSubsynchronous Geostationary Transfer Orbit (≈200 x <35 786 km, ≈27°)Launch vehicleFalcon 9 <a href="https://reddit.com/r/spacex/wiki/launches">(77th launch of F9; 57th launch of F9 Full Thrust; 21st launch of F9 FT Block 5)</a>Core<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/spacex/wiki/cores#wiki_b1056">B1056.3</a>Past flights of this core2 (CRS-17, CRS-18)Launch site<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/SpaceX/wiki/pads">SLC-40</a>, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida<strong>Landing</strong><strong>Yes</strong>Landing site:<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/SpaceX/wiki/asds#wiki_active_and_retired_asdss">OCISLY</a>, Atlantic Ocean<strong>Fairing recovery</strong><strong>Likely yes, both</strong>Mission success criteriaSuccessful separation and deployment of the payload into the target orbit.News and TimelineFuture events from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/schedule.html">NASATV schedule</a>.Timestamp (UTC)Event Description2019-12-16 00:35-02:05<strong>Scheduled GTO injection and payload separation</strong>2019-12-16 00:10-01:38<strong>Scheduled liftoff</strong>2019-12-04Launch campaign thread goes live2019-11-14<a href="https://kacific.com/news/kacific1-satellite-arrives-at-spacex-launch-site-in-cape-canaveral-florida/">JCSAT-18/Kacific1 arrives at the launch site</a>PayloadsNameTypeOperatorFinal OrbitMassMissionJCSAT-18CommunicationsSky Perfect JSAT (Japan)Geostationary Orbit (35 786 x 35 786 km, 0°)6800 kgProvide mobile broadband service over the Asia-Pacific. Condosat with Kacific1.Kacific1CommunicationsKacific (Singapore)Geostationary Orbit (35 786 x 35 786 km, 0°)6800 kgProvide spot-beam, high-speed broadband internet coverage over the Pacific region. Condosat with JCSAT-18.Mission-Specific FAQWhy is this mission landing on the droneship downrange, rather than back at Cape Canaveral?Boosting satellites into geostationary…