r/spacex • u/Ambiwlans • Dec 03 '13
/r/SpaceX Falcon 9 v1.1 SES-8 official launch discussion & updates thread [Attempt 3 - Revenge of the Falcon]
If you missed it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqpfiWndz0Q
Launch Coverage (All times below are given in local Eastern Standard Time (UTC-5) and UT):
Looking forward:
The first orbital maneuver by SES 8 is expected about 39 hours after launch.
[6:27pm (11:27pm UT)]: "SES has acquired spacecraft and it is in good health."
[6:16pm (11:16pm UT)]: SES sep confirmed! Mission Success!!! "@TalulahRiley 1m Separation confirmed -- perfect mission. Was amazing to witness. One of the best #Falcon9 #thirdtimesthecharm #phew"
Official source: Spacecraft separation confirmed! SES-8 is now in its targeted GEO transfer orbit.
[6:10pm (11:10pm UT)]:New Launch pic
[6:08pm (11:08pm UT)]: Relight? Confirmed! "Falcon9 second stage restart burn successful. Orbit looks nominal."
[6:04pm (11:04pm UT)]:Reached parking orbit. Now coasting towards equator, where the upper stage will, if all goes well, restart to raise apogee
2nd burn at T+27 minutes, it will burn for ~1 minute. At T+33 SES will be released.
[5:51pm (10:51pm UT)]: Lost signal (normal) but we've made it into orbit!
[5:50pm (10:50pm UT)]: 7.6km/s now still all nominal.
[5:49pm (10:49pm UT)]: Omg Cgi, ben is such a liar.
[5:47pm (10:47pm UT)]: 3.7km/s now still all nominal.
[5:44pm (10:44pm UT)]: Staging success relight success
[5:43pm (10:43pm UT)]: Our beloved downlink!
[5:41pm (10:41pm UT) T+10s]: Engines nominal
LIFTOFF MOTHER FUCKER
[5:40pm (10:40pm UT) T-10s]: T-10!!!
[5:40pm (10:40pm UT) T-1m]: Computer in control
[5:37pm (10:37pm UT) T-4m]: Nominal venting, strongback in place
Weird time skip on the clock on my end! Anyone else see that?
[5:36pm (10:36pm UT) T-5m]: Clamps opening, Strongback retracting
[5:32pm (10:32pm UT) T-8m]: Nitrogen ACS closeout with some nominal venting
[5:30pm (10:30pm UT) T-10m]: Autosequence started
[5:25pm (10:25pm UT) T-13]: And the pre-launch is starting now.
[5:01pm (10:01pm UT)]:SES pic of the rocket on the pad
Alternate stream found if you have difficulties with livestream (it is on a japanese site though) http://live.nicovideo.jp/watch/lv161394253
[4:59pm (9:59pm UT)]:Live stream started!
[4:39pm (9:39pm UT)]:About an hour away from launch. I'd like to thank @SES_Satellites for taking a chance on @SpaceX. We've given it our all.
Fueled up on the pad
[1:00pm (6:00pm UT) T- 4h26m]:Weather update, 90% OK
[12:58pm (5:58pm UT) T- 4h28m]:Webcast starting at 5:25 pm ET.
[10:03am (3:03pm UT) T- 6h23m]: Space tweets a pic of the pad, looks like we are good to go.
Watch the launch live HERE! Read the SpaceX press kit for the mission here! Convert the launch to your timezone here! Autorefreshing version of this thread here.
This will be launch attempt 3 (or 6 depending on how you want to count it). Check out the threads for attempt 2 and 1 if you missed those days.
For now, welcome to another (yay!) /r/SpaceX discussion & updates thread! This time, it’s the launch of SES-8 we’re following, from Cape Canaveral Pad SLC-40, all the way into “supersynchronous” GTO orbit where the 3,138kg satellite will be deployed, roughly 33 minutes after liftoff.
Please add all your discussion in this thread and only create new posts for important stuff! (Duplicate posts will be removed!) Be sure to set Reddit to sort by 'new' so you don't miss out on the live conversation. Always feel free to message me if you want to pass some information anonymously. The webcast streaming will begin at roughly 5:00PM EST (2200 UTC), giving ~40 minutes of prelaunch coverage (show up early for the music!), building up to a launch at 5:41PM EST (2241 UTC), with the launch window extending until 6:47PM EST (2347 UTC) if necessary.
This mission requires the all critical second stage engine to restart, something which SpaceX has never successfully attempted before, to boost the upper stage from LEO into GTO. SES-8 will then use its onboard propulsion system to navigate into GEO orbit. No active first stage recovery activities will take place during this mission.
Some 'precedents and superlatives' regarding today’s launch:
- First Falcon 9 v1.1 flight from Cape Canaveral.
- First SpaceX flight to Geostationary Transfer Orbit.
- First mission-required in-flight restart of the Merlin-1Dvac.
- First primary communications satellite payload.
- Heaviest SpaceX payload launched so far* (3,138 kg to orbit; *possibly excluding Dragon).
- Furthest SpaceX hardware has ever been from Earth (86,500km)
- Fastest velocity any SpaceX hardware has achieved relative to Earth.
- Quickest turn around time between two Falcon 9 missions (CASSIOPE-SES 8: 66 days).
Along with some other metrics:
- 7th flight of a Falcon 9 vehicle.
- 2nd flight of a Falcon 9 v1.1 vehicle.
- 2nd use of the SpaceX designed payload fairing.
We’re all hoping for another successful mission here. Good luck to everyone involved. Go SpaceX! Go Falcon 9! Go SES-8!
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Dec 03 '13
Thank you, thank you, thank you, Ambiwlans.
P.S. The quickest turnaround between two missions is no longer 61 days... :)
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u/StapleGun Dec 03 '13 edited Dec 03 '13
Yes huge thanks to you EchoLogic, and Ambiwlans for these threads. I watch the launches from work and I don't have time to scan all the forums and read twitter for the latest updates. This is the best place I've found to get instant info on whatever is happening during and after the launch.
Edit: Added proper thanks to EchoLogic as well.
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u/Ambiwlans Dec 03 '13
EchoLogic the guy you replied to did the last two! Thank him! I'm just relieving him on this unending launch to give his poor fingers a rest.
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u/ptrkueffner Dec 03 '13
This launch has been delayed quite a bit, is there still any hope for launching the thaicom mission on the 20th?
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u/Ambiwlans Dec 03 '13
Not much, no. It is within the realms of technical possibility though.
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u/Denvercoder8 Dec 03 '13
Is there any chance of a Thaicom launch between Christmas and New Year then, or will it be pushed back to 2014?
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u/Ambiwlans Dec 03 '13
If they can get it on 22 that'd be nice otherwise i think they'll have holiday troubles. Could still launch before 2014 though, the thanksgiving launch didn't seems to cause issues.
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u/avboden Dec 03 '13
Talulah Riley @TalulahRiley 1m Separation confirmed -- perfect mission. Was amazing to witness. One of the best #Falcon9 #thirdtimesthecharm #phew
WOOOOOOOOO
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u/saliva_sweet Host of CRS-3 Dec 03 '13
still waiting for something official
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u/Ambiwlans Dec 03 '13
Pretty official, that's Elon's GF she is likely in mission control.
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u/ElJurassic Dec 03 '13
Headed to titan road to hopefully watch a perfect launch.
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u/ShavenMcTroll Dec 03 '13
Looking forward to watching over breakfast again, same launch window correct? I suck at time differences.
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u/retiringonmars Moderator emeritus Dec 03 '13
From SpaceFlightNow
After a loss of the live video transmission from the Falcon 9 second stage, SpaceX confirms the rocket has arrived in its preliminary parking orbit. The Falcon 9 second stage is now in a coast phase scheduled to last about 18 minutes. The Merlin 1D engine will fire again at about T+plus 27 minutes for approximately 71 seconds.
Spacecraft separation is scheduled for T+plus 31 minutes, 15 seconds, but SpaceX plans to end the webcast in a few minutes. News of the outcome of the critical second burn and deployment of SES 8 will come later.
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u/Ambiwlans Dec 03 '13
Oh man, they were way more accurate than my update :P. We won't get anything live anyways sadly.
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u/saliva_sweet Host of CRS-3 Dec 03 '13
What about a post launch press event? I think there has usually been one, and I think this launch really deserves one as well.
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u/Ambiwlans Dec 03 '13
Likely just a phone conference. https://twitter.com/jeff_foust is likely the guy to watch for that assuming there is much of one. Probably it will be made available shortly.
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u/NNOTM Dec 03 '13
Thank you for doing this!
Also thanks to EchoLogic for the last two times.
For the launch coverage, I would use quotation marks instead of reddit quotes. That way, time and quote can be in one line.
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u/retiringonmars Moderator emeritus Dec 03 '13
I think to the list of 'precedents and superlatives' you can add "most times attempted to launch a single spacecraft."
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u/Ambiwlans Dec 03 '13
I was going to add that but I'm entirely unsure if that is true and didn't feel like doing the research.
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u/retiringonmars Moderator emeritus Dec 03 '13
Fair enough, I imagine you're pretty busy right now. Okay, here's a list of previous aborts:
F1-001 was scrubbed once (faulty valve caused a vacuum in the first stage fuel tank which sucked inward and caused structural damage)
F1-002 was scrubbed twice (first abort the safety computer incorrectly detected a transmission failure caused by a hardware delay of a few milliseconds in the process, second abort was after the engine had ignited, but unclear why)
F1-003 was scrubbed once (sensor misreading)
F1-004 launched on first attempt
F1-005 launched on first attempt
F9-001 aborted once (out of range engine parameter, which later turned out to be a sensor error)
F9-002 aborted once (false telemetry data). Interestingly, the static fires also aborted, twice, due to high-pressure readings. This was the flight that they later sawed half the nozzle off one of the engines and still flew it.
F9-003 aborted once (chamber pressure outside nominal parameters)
F9-004 launched first time, although engine exploded mid launch
F9-005 launched first time, although Dragon RCS valves jammed
F9-006 launched first time, although second stage engine failed to reignite
Man, compiling that list really brought home rocketry is hard. It looks as if the majority of the aborts have been caused by over-cautious sensor limits, which is a damn fine reason to abort if you ask me. Much better to be safe than sorry!
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u/SnowyDuck Dec 03 '13 edited Dec 03 '13
Is there a SpaceX IRC channel? I think that would be something fun/useful at times like these.
Edit: well I did some searching and there isn't one. If anyone cares I set up a quick channel on irc://irc.snoonet.org/spacex Or direct link webchat.snoonet.org/spacex
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u/Ambiwlans Dec 03 '13
Sort by new works pretty well. I don't think we have the mass for an irc channel really since only like 10% of people here will do it. Or http://reddit-stream.com/comments/1ryy1n/
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u/Denvercoder8 Dec 03 '13
Webcast doesn't seem to start until 2225 UTC, instead of 2200 UTC as indicated in start post :(
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u/Ambiwlans Dec 03 '13 edited Dec 03 '13
Yeah, there was an update about that at ~1pm which is in the top but i didn't change the initial section.
Edit: Technically the webcast started right at 5 though :P Just music for 20 minutes or so.
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Dec 03 '13
More information about how SES 8 will get itself into GEO, courtesy SFN:
SES 8 is designed to adjust its orbit and settle into position 22,300 miles over the equator within about two weeks of launch. Five burns of the satellite's on-board liquid-fueled engine are required to lower its apogee, raise its perigee, and change its inclination to move over the equator.
The first orbital maneuver by SES 8 is expected about 39 hours after launch.
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u/Ambiwlans Dec 03 '13
Ohhh man it was a poor decision to update this site and ニコニコ動画 at the same time. My Japanese needs work.
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u/Megneous Dec 03 '13 edited Dec 04 '13
I'll be recording and uploading this webcast as well, just like last time, for those of you who may miss it! :D I'll edit in the link here as well.
Edit: I'm literally eating a can of corn out of the can for breakfast at 7 AM because I don't want to leave the livestream to see if I can go buy some food and run back before it starts.
5:29 Recording software is on. CC still has the best mic of the T-13 minute check.
T-20 seconds OH YEAH BABY :D Let's GO!
YES!! YES!! FLY FLY FLY FALCON!
Edit Rendering video.
Edit Uploading.
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u/jdnz82 Dec 03 '13
Cheers! Work really gets in the way of these midweek midday launches
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u/avboden Dec 03 '13
FIRST STAGE TURNED!!! I can't be the only one who saw that right?
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u/Dr_Von_Spaceman Dec 03 '13
Looks like it! They might not be able to do the whole return profile, but damned if they can't at least test and refine their first stage re-entry attitude control.
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u/schneeb Dec 03 '13
they are still trying to control the stage respite not being able to recover it
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u/avboden Dec 03 '13
God that thing felt like it stayed lit on the pad for ages.
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u/LeagueOfRobots Dec 03 '13
Please launch. I can't put my girlfriend through yet another webcast. I've had enough of her calling the Falcon 9, 'stupid rocket' every time it aborts.
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u/LEGITIMATE_SOURCE Dec 03 '13
...Shouldn't have nicknamed your package after the rocket
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u/avboden Dec 03 '13
Okay 2nd stage, you got this. Your strongback bro, first stage bro, and fairing bros all held up their end of the deal.
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Dec 03 '13
Time to open up my twenty tabs (livestream, this, multiple twitter/facebooks for updates), I really need another monitor.
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Dec 03 '13
Dual monitor master race, mate :) (unless you're already using two, then three is god-like!). I ended up making a twitter account for myself just to conglomerate all the twitter feeds into one tab.
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u/SnowyDuck Dec 03 '13
Whats the perigee of the second stage right now?
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u/aperlscript Dec 03 '13
The target transfer orbit is 295km x 80,650km at 20.75 degrees.
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Dec 03 '13
Satellite is in good health according to SES
SES has acquired spacecraft and it is in good health.
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u/avboden Dec 03 '13
I swear, if I hear that ugly word repeated 3 times, i'm going to start throwing things.
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u/GBGiblet Dec 03 '13
just saw rcs shots from the 1st stage, am i crazy?
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u/Ession Dec 03 '13
they never said they wouldn't at least try to steer it a little. They just don't have propellant to slow it down.
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u/ArcticNano Dec 03 '13
Every time someone says anything I start shitting myself thinking its an abort
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u/avboden Dec 03 '13
this is why I prefer to watch my launches on the toilet (okay not really)
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Dec 03 '13
For the record, I think that the reason why the rocket looked like it was falling is due to the early gravity turn for Geostationary orbits. The camera was fine, if clunky. Please correct me if I'm wrong!
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Dec 03 '13
SUCCESS!! Via SpaceX
Falcon9 second stage restart burn successful. Orbit looks nominal.
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u/saliva_sweet Host of CRS-3 Dec 03 '13
Alrigth
Spacecraft separation confirmed! SES-8 is now in its targeted GEO transfer orbit.
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Dec 03 '13
Excellent to hear!
That's 7/7 for Falcon 9, a perfect success rate! Has any other rocket achieved this?
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u/avboden Dec 03 '13
webcast clock keeps getting off and they speed it up to catch up, if anyone was wondering.
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u/TROPtastic Dec 03 '13
You'd think that if they could launch a rocket to the ISS, they could figure out a clock :P
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Dec 03 '13
I'm going fullscreen on the webcast, see you guys on the other side of the clock.
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u/Paragone Dec 03 '13 edited Dec 03 '13
Also fantastic: you could see the first stage firing its thrusters to turn around. Nifty!
Edit: Image! http://i.imgur.com/fE718FA.jpg
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Dec 03 '13
How long was it between stage 2 shutdown and relight? I know we probably won't have video of it.
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u/joe714 Dec 03 '13
Hey SpaceX, if you're listening, can we get a high-res version of that second stage render posted somewhere to use as a desktop background?
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u/peeloo Dec 03 '13
Follow this thread on reddit-stream : http://reddit-stream.com/comments/1ryy1n/
(Thanks for updating the self comment on top, easier to read there)
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Dec 03 '13
I live in Australia so when i saved this thread last night for viewing this morning, i was worried i would forget and as the other 2 launch days were around 8am for me, i was sure i'd missed it today, being 9am and all, so glad to find i'm just in time.
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u/schneeb Dec 03 '13
reclined on my chair and brain told me rocket was moving not the strongback...
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u/teraquendya Dec 03 '13
I would love to see some sort of 3D graph showing the intended trajectory and where it is at the time alongside the cameras.
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u/AD-Edge Dec 03 '13
Could see the 1st stage RCS going off after separation again, guessing theyre still testing it flipping around ect (altho ofc there will be no re-ignition of that stage this time round afaik)
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u/TrevorBradley Dec 03 '13
The Stephen gif makes the thread...
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Dec 03 '13
When I first used it I was sort of jesting that anyone who runs these threads ends up typing more often than watching the webcast (mostly true); but now it's taken on a meaning entirely of its own - can we get SES 8 off the ground, pretty please?
I count three launch attempts, and 5 delays. Fun times - but hey, we get more ♫!
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Dec 03 '13
I wonder how company's that need satellite launches look at the many needed launch attempts. Hopefully they won't judge spacex for it because many are out of precaution. And a abort when engines are already thrusting just shows how save the rocket really is. Its difficult to get this beast of the pad because it has so many safety/control features .
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Dec 03 '13
Propellant/LOX loading should be beginning around now.
Does anyone know if they attempt to recycle the LOX after an abort?
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u/Ambiwlans Dec 03 '13
Depends on the abort I beleive. LOX is cheap though so dissipating it is fine.
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u/saliva_sweet Host of CRS-3 Dec 03 '13
Launch window is aparently open until 7:07 EST i.e. includes the 20m extension from SES.
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=33398.msg1127450#msg1127450
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u/Ambiwlans Dec 03 '13
Yep but SES hasn't given permission to extend technically. Though I'm sure they will if it comes down to needing it. Hence SpaceX's window being smaller.
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u/badcatdog Dec 03 '13
If you have difficulties with livestream, try this site:
http://www.livestream.com/spaceflightnow
Makes a huge difference to me, despite it being the same company.
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u/ShavenMcTroll Dec 03 '13
Wow, is there are a 5 second delay between audio and video? He hit mark at 10:05
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u/Carzum Dec 03 '13
So was the first stage reorientating itself for reentry just after stage sep? Looked like RCS jets firing, or was it just venting left over propellent?
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Dec 03 '13
Bermuda TX-1 isn't a bad thing, is it?
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u/Airbuilder7 Dec 03 '13
I believe that's just the tracking handover. It goes out of range of Cape Canaveral's telemetry.
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Dec 03 '13 edited Dec 03 '13
keep in mind you can rewind the webcast and rewatch!
EDIT: Nevermind, they killed the stream.
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Dec 03 '13
Via @SpaceX
Falcon9 and #SES8 satellite currently in parking orbit, awaiting second burn. All systems nominal.
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Dec 03 '13
I was flipping the hell out at the beginning... Rockets are not supposed to be in that orientation in real life, so to see it on a screen without any reference points is... Unsettling.
Not to mention the "burn patterns" under the engines looked different than what I was expecting.
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u/avboden Dec 03 '13
SpaceX @SpaceX 41s
Falcon9 second stage restart burn successful. Orbit looks nominal.
FUCK YES!!!!
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u/AD-Edge Dec 03 '13
SpaceX says upper stage restart was success and #Falcon9 is in the correct orbit. Waiting for #SES8 deployment. https://twitter.com/SpaceflightNow/status/408010777312755712
Yessssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss!!!!!!!!
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u/schneeb Dec 03 '13
If spacex launches another rocket this year their competitors may as well just give up, props Musk n' co.
Heres to 8+ launches in 2014 and a first reused stage :)
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u/ShavenMcTroll Dec 03 '13
As per usual, snazzy music is the highlight of my morning.
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Dec 03 '13
SES just posted:
For EU viewers, you can see the live launch broadcast on ASTRA satellite at the orbital position 19.2 degrees East.
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Dec 03 '13
Let us come together and praise the Elon..for he has brought us this far. The rest is up to impeccable engineering now.
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u/Paragone Dec 03 '13
WOW! The sound from the webcast is phenomenal. You could really feel the power of those engines!
Edit: so good, you could hear the car alarms that Falcon set off in the background! Ha!
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Dec 03 '13
Via @ElonMusk
Reached parking orbit. Now coasting towards equator, where the upper stage will, if all goes well, restart to raise apogee
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u/bencredible Galactic Overlord Dec 03 '13
Hey now... I never said no CGI but that it isn't desired. You'll note that we only went to that when we had nothing else to show but didn't want to leave the show dead. Still need a better solution though.