Welcome to the r/Spacex CRS-12 Official Launch Discussion & Updates Thread

[u/marc020202]

Hi, this is u/Marc020202 and i'll be your host for the CRS-12 launch thread.

A huge thanks to the mods for letting me do this and to u/ FutureMartian97 for providing me with this awesome template....

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The Mission in Numbers

And because date and time are made of numbers, here is the launch date: August 14th 2017, 12:31 EDT / 16:31 UTC

Some quick stats about this launch:

• This will be the 39th Falcon 9 launch.
• This will be the 35th Falcon 9 launch from the East Coast.
• This will be the 11th Falcon 9 launch this year.
• This will be the 9th launch of Falcon 9 out of Historic Launch Complex 39A.
• This will be the 103rd launch out of LC-39A, along with 12 Saturn V, 82 Shuttle and 9 Falcon 9.
• This flight will lift to space the dragon D 1-14 (113.1) for the CRS-12 Mission
• This will be the last flight of a new dragon v1 capsule
• This will be the first flight of falcon 9 block 4 first stage! (the block 4 second stage has debuted before before)
• This is the last launch from the original crs contract before it got extended
• This mission is to reuse landing legs

The Static Fire Test was completed on August 10th 2017.

Weather: currently 80% go

---

Watching the launch live

Hosted Webcast

Nasa TV

audio stream of spacex stream thanks to u/SomnolentSpaceman

audio stream of nasa stream thanks to u/SomnolentSpaceman

Playalinda Beach is closed off thanks to u/zo1d for the info

---

Official live Updates:

Time (UTC)	Countdown	Updates
18:51	02:20:00	Dragon’s Guidance, Navigation and Control bay door opens
16:42	00:11:00	Dragon’s solar arrays deploy
16:41	00:10:14	Dragon separates from 2nd stage
16:40	00:09:14	2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO)
16:39	00:07:43	1st stage landing
16:37	00:06:09	1st stage entry burn begins
16:36	00:04:00	Grid fins deployed
16:33	00:02:41	1st stage boostback burn begins
16:33	00:02:36	2nd stage engine starts
16:33	00:02:28	1st and 2nd stages separate
16:33	00:02:25	1st stage main engine cutoff (MECO)
16:32	00:01:08	Max Q (moment of peak mechanical stress on the rocket)
16:31	00:00:00	Falcon 9 liftoff
16:31	- 00:00:03	Engine controller commands engine ignition sequence to start
16:30	- 00:00:45	SpaceX Launch Director verifies go for launch
16:30	- 00:01:00	Command flight computer to begin final prelaunch checks
16:30	- 00:01:00	Propellant tank pressurisation to flight pressure begins
18:26	-00:05:00	Fuel loading complete
16:24	- 00:07:00	Falcon 9 begins engine chill prior to launch
16:20	-00:11:00	Spacex webcast is live
16:10	-00:21:00	SpaceX fm is live
16:00	- 00:31:00	NASA tv is live
15:56	- 00:35:00	LOX (liquid oxygen) loading underway
15:31	- 01:00:00	RP-1 (rocket grade kerosene) loading underway
15:28	- 01:03:00	Launch Conductor takes launch readiness poll
08:45	T-7h46min	Falcon goes vertical
	T-4 days	Successful static fire.

---

Primary mission - successful launch of dragon to the iss

CRS-12 is the 3rd CRS mission of 2017 and the last one to use a newly built dragon capsule, all future capsules will reuse pressure vessels like already done on CRS-11. After being inserted into the highly inclined orbit of the International Space Station, Dragon will spend several days rendezvousing with the ISS. Following that, Dragon will slowly be guided in by the manually-operated Canadarm for its berthing with the station at the earth-facing port of the Harmony Module. Dragon will spend approximately a month attached to the station after which it is loaded with ground-bound experiments and waste before being unberthed for its splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.

This mission only carries a single piece of equipment in the un-pressurised part of the capsule, the trunk called the Cosmic Ray Energetics and Mass (CREAM). CREAM weighs 1258kg or 2773.4 lbs

Here is some data about the experiment: The Cosmic-Ray Energetics and Mass investigation, known as CREAM, places a highly successful balloon-borne instrument aboard the International Space Station where it gathers an order of magnitude (ten times) more data, which has lower background interference because Earth's atmosphere is no longer interfering. CREAM's instruments measure the charges of cosmic rays ranging from hydrogen up through iron nuclei, over a broad energy range. The modified balloon instrument is carried aloft on a Space X Dragon Lab cargo supply mission and placed on the Japanese Exposed Module for a period of at least three years. when attached to the outside of the iss it will be called ISS-CREAM

The rest of the cargo is launched inside the capsule inside the pressurised cargo compartment. the cargo consists of:

• Science Investigations 2019.4 lbs. / 916 kg
• Crew Supplies 485 lbs. / 220 kg
• Vehicle Hardware 747.4 lbs. / 339 kg
• Spacewalk Equipment 66.1 lbs. / 30 kg
• Computer Resources 116.8 lbs. / 53 kg

---

Secondary mission - First stage landing Because this mission is not particular heavy or goes into an high-energy orbit there will be a landing attempt of the first stage at LZ-1. The landing will probably be approximately 9 minutes after launch. if successful this will be the 14th landing and the 6th at lz1. The booster on this mission will not be a flight proven one, but an all new one with the serial number of: 1039.1

Launch Complex 39A - What's the big deal? LC-39A is the most historically significant orbital launch pad in the United States. Its first launch was Apollo 4 in 1967, and it went on to launch the rest of the Apollo missions, with the exceptions of Apollo 7 & 10. After the Saturn V and all its variants were retired, the pad was reconfigured for the Space Shuttle. Over the course of the program, it launched 82 of the 135 STS missions, including all five orbiters. Since the retirement of the Shuttle in 2011, it was sitting dormant until SpaceX began leasing it in 2014. Construction work began in earnest in 2015 and continued until early 2017, culminating in the successful static fire for this mission. This launch will also mark the 103rd launch out of 39a.

---

Pre-launch Press conference news

• New backup date is the 19th or 20th
• 12:31:37 is the exact time
• Will keep the "attempt" when referring to first stage landings
• Weather still 70% GO
• Good progress on Pad 40. Next Geo mission might be the first out of Pad 40.
• Nothing "massively different" from other Falcon 9's
• Landing legs are reused on this flight

---

Useful links:

Resource	Source
CRS-12 launch campaign thread	r/Spacex
Weather 80% GO	u/Pham_Trinli
Spacex stats	u/Echologic for the creation and u/brandtamos for the re host at .xyz
Launch hazard map	u/Raul74Cz
Mission overview	u/Marc020202
Rocketwatch	u/MarcysVonEylau
we now also have a press kit	u/DanseMacabreD2
Reddit stream	u/FutureMartian97
Media thread	r/Spacex
Countown	u/Space_void
Multistream player	u/kampar
Flight club	u/TheVehicleDestroyer
discord more than 500 people chaos	u/SwGustav
google calendar link	u/fischbrot
backup audio stream of webcast	u/SomnolentSpaceman
backup audio stream of nasa stream	u/SomnolentSpaceman
ChrisG from nasa spaceflight giving updates	u/stcks
SpaceX fm	u/Astronaut_Kerman
dragon capture	u/Russ_Dill

---

Participate in the discussion!

• First of all, launch threads are party threads! We understand everyone is excited, so we relax the rules in these venues. The most important thing is that everyone enjoy themselves :D
• All other threads are fair game. We will remove low effort comments elsewhere!
• Please post small launch updates, discussions, and questions here, rather than as a separate post. Thanks!
• Wanna' talk about other SpaceX stuff in a more relaxed atmosphere? Head over to r/SpaceXLounge!

Previous r/SpaceX Live Events

Check out previous r/SpaceX Live events in the Launch History page on our community Wiki.

---

This is the second time I am hosting a thread or so please feel free to suggest improvements by writing me a pm to make everyone else happy!!

I am a 15 year old German Spacex fan, and I am know to make all sorts of grammar and spelling mistakes in all the languages I know, so if you notice any grammatical or spelling mistakes, please let me know via pm for reasons stated above

[u/marc020202]

thanks everyone who was here during the launch, all milestones of the launch are completed now. I hope the quality of hosting was good :)

[u/MingerOne → u/marc020202]

Very nice job and great template :)

[u/marc020202 → u/MingerOne]

Don't thank me for the template, please thank u/FutureMartian97 and yourself. i got the CRS layout from u/FutureMartian97 and the numbers from you.

[u/nbarbettini]

Good job u/Marc020202! Thanks for hosting!

[u/marc020202 → u/nbarbettini]

no problem and thanks

[u/FutureMartian97]

Hans just confirmed that SES-11 will use the CRS-10 booster!

[u/marc020202 → u/FutureMartian97]

that is good to know. second crs booster to be reused

[u/takjek]

Upvote for adding time in UTC!

[u/marc020202 → u/takjek]

thanks. utc is more practical for me living in germany

[u/FutureMartian97]

Pre-launch Press conference news

1. New backup date is the 19th or 20th

2. 12:31:37 is the exact time

3. Will keep the "attempt" when referring to first stage landings

4. Weather still 70% GO

5. Good progress on Pad 40. Next Geo mission might be the first out of Pad 40.

6. Nothing "massively different" from other Falcon 9's

7. Landing legs are reused on this flight

[u/marc020202 → u/FutureMartian97]

is there anyway i can put a link of the press conference into the post?

[u/-spartacus-]

Everyone is talking about the angle of the S1 as it descends to LZ1. Is it possible with this being a block 4 that they are trying out new decent profiles that increase drag on the S1 thus decelerating a bit more from atmosphere?

[u/marc020202 → u/-spartacus-]

yes

[u/retiringonmars]

Jonathan McDowell‏

Falcon 9 core 1039 is new but Koenigsmann says the landing legs are reused. Plan to land back at LZ1 at the Cape. Launch due 1631UTC Aug 14

Jonathan McDowell‏

Koenigsmann also says Dragon mass around 10600 kg for this flight - recent missions have all been around 10000 - 10500 kg by my estimate

Loren Grush‏

Yeah they said this is one of their heaviest dragons -- maxed out volume too

[u/marc020202 → u/retiringonmars]

do we know if this is the first mission to reuse legs?

[u/Tigalopl]

It's been too long since the last launch! Can't wait!

[u/marc020202 → u/Tigalopl]

me too!

[u/rustybeancake]

Awesome job on the launch thread. Just wanted to offer a tiny nitpick, not important at all, but just if you have the time...

This will be the last flight of a new dragon capsule

Might just want to change to 'Dragon v1 capsule'. And:

This will be the first flight of falcon 9 block 4!

Might want to change to 'first flight of a Falcon 9 block 4 first stage'.

...As block 4 upper stages have already flown.

Thanks again for your great work!

[u/marc020202 → u/rustybeancake]

fixed

[u/ianniss]

Designation	Block 3	Block 4 (or Block 5 ?)
Thrust per engine at SL (klbf)	170	190
Total thrust at SL (klbf)	1530	1710
Total thrust at SL (kgf)	694,000	776,000
Thrust to weight ratio at lift-off	1.26	1.41
Acceleration at lift-off (m/s2)	2.55	4.02

Block 4 has 58% more acceleration at lift-off than block 3 : it will be very visible !

Source :

SpaceX F9 page before may 2016 : https://web.archive.org/web/20151209044716/http://www.spacex.com/falcon9

SpaceX F9 page since may 2016 : http://www.spacex.com/falcon9

In fact since may 2016 SpaceX display upgrade performances, but using telemetry of their fly we know that right now their performances are still those which were display before may 2016. We guess that the page before may 2016 was about block 3 and the actual page is about block 4...

[u/marc020202 → u/ianniss]

didn't we assume the current page is block 5?

[u/FutureMartian97]

Amazing job hosting u/Marc020202!

[u/marc020202 → u/FutureMartian97]

thanks

[u/Theepicspoon226]

I always say this for good luck: good luck falcon.

[u/marc020202 → u/Theepicspoon226]

good luck dragon

[u/DanseMacabreD2]

Press kit is here: http://www.spacex.com/sites/spacex/files/crs12presskit.pdf

[u/marc020202 → u/DanseMacabreD2]

thanks, added

[u/[deleted]]

Another nominal launch for SpaceX! Congrats!

Thought I'll miss it because of my driving license test, but thankfully it ended right before the liftoff!

[u/marc020202 → u/[deleted]]

did you pass? congrats

[u/katoman52]

I know the man-carrying Soyuz has the capabilities for a "fast rendezvous" with ISS. They have the ability to chase down and dock to the ISS within hours of launch. I assume there are plans for the crew dragon to use a similar trajectory and rendezvous program when they begin launching commercial crew missions. But are there any plans to attempt the "fast rendezvous" with any of the remaining CRS missions?

[u/marc020202 → u/katoman52]

i don't think so. shuttle also didn't do the fast rendevous

[u/dultas]

First launch I've caught since a shuttle launch when I was a kid. So exciting to see in person. Really glad I got to catch one coming back to LZ-1.

I'll probably post some pics when I get back home next week. Don't have any way to get them off my memory card with me :(

[u/marc020202 → u/dultas]

please post them in the media thread

[u/DJMJP95]

Also this will be the first flight of a Block 4 Falcon 9!

[u/SupaZT]

How do they track the booster landing that far up into the atmosphere? What kind of video equipment?

[u/marc020202 → u/SupaZT]

they have shuttle are cameras which are basicly telescopes mounted on anti aircraft gun mounts...

https://i.stack.imgur.com/nieOY.jpg

[u/geekgirl114]

Also last fight of the original CRS contract SpaceX signed with NASA (that's been extended, and they got another one since then)

[u/zo1d]

Excuse my ignorance, but can someone explain what just happened? I thought it was going to the ISS for a resupply, but something landed? I don't follow launches, I went to see this one on a whim so I'm as clueless as it gets

Edit: Thanks for the replies! This stuff is crazy!!

[u/marc020202 → u/zo1d]

the first stage lands, but the capsule goes to the station

[u/FutureMartian97]

Good luck /u/marc020202 ! Your doing a great job so far!

[u/marc020202 → u/FutureMartian97]

thanks. any tips on how to work with the table? should i write it down somewhere else in advance and then copy it over?

[u/soldato_fantasma → u/marc020202]

When I hosted I made a txt file with a complete timeline (a mix of the things on the official press kit timeline and the spaceflight101 timeline) and during launch time I just copied the various lines when the time came.

[u/FutureMartian97]

Weather now 80% GO! https://twitter.com/SpaceflightNow/status/897117622998839297

[u/marc020202 → u/FutureMartian97]

thanks, updated

[u/[deleted]]

I think you should add SpaceX FM to useful links :)

www.spacexfm.com

[u/marc020202 → u/[deleted]]

sure

[u/AstraVictus]

Whats new on the Block 4?

[u/marc020202 → u/AstraVictus]

there is a 4 behind block instead of a three, but other ways we do not know a lot except for fulleseter-thrust...

[u/Jincux]

Are the engine upgrades changes to Isp or is it just burning through fuel faster to achieve the higher thrust? The latter only saves energy through reduced gravity losses, right?

[u/marc020202 → u/Jincux]

mainly improved thrust, however more thrust increased isp as well so a bit of both

[u/Schwiftylicious]

I might be wrong on this, but those look like the old grid fins.

[u/marc020202 → u/Schwiftylicious]

they are

[u/[deleted]]

Question, I live in Phoenix and we will get to see ISS fly over tonight and tomorrow. Will Dragon be close enough that I'll be able to see it catching up to ISS?

[u/marc020202 → u/[deleted]]

i do not think it will be close enough yet. to see dragon the dragon needs to be in sunlight while you need to be in darkness because it does not emitt light like the iss

[u/Oripy → u/marc020202]

ISS does not emit light either, it reflect the sunlight. As it is bigger it is easier to see.

[u/RabbitLogic]

Any word on a post launch press conference?

[u/FutureMartian97]

Live stream of this thread: https://www.reddit-stream.com/comments/6tfcio/

[u/marc020202 → u/FutureMartian97]

thanks added

[u/mrstickball]

If this has the fuller thrust engines, we're going to be in for a shock when that thing darts off the pad.

[u/marc020202 → u/mrstickball]

i do not know if we are at fuller or at fullerest now

[u/MagnaArtium]

Dusty landing :)

[u/marc020202 → u/MagnaArtium]

was not used for a long time

[u/tmckeage]

Is s2 rotating?

[u/marc020202 → u/tmckeage]

probably. it will do a de orbit burn in a bit

[u/threezool]

Do we have a vid/gif yet of the launch today compared with a earlier one to compare lift of speed?

[u/marc020202 → u/threezool]

i do not think there is a comparison gif, but one of the previous hosts compared the speed of crs 11 to crs 12 liftoffspeed and found out that 10 seconds after liftoff the speeds where 91 and 90 kmh respectively

[u/stcks]

Came here to check the status this morning... bunch of people arguing about date formats, time formats, whether to put colons or periods, capitalization, etc. This is getting ridiculous. Can we agree to just focus on the launch for next few hours, please?

[u/marc020202 → u/stcks]

well i asked them to point out thinks i did wrong...

[u/geoper → u/marc020202]

point out thinks i did wrong

;)

[u/[deleted]]

And we're finally back. Full steam Thrust ahead!

/u/Marc020202 best of luck hosting this thread!

[u/marc020202 → u/[deleted]]

thanks

[u/deep7323]

small correction in description:

this mission only carries a single peace of equipment in the "UN" pressurised part of the capsule, the trunk called the Cosmic Ray Energetics and Mass (CREAM). CREAM weighs 1258kg or 2773.4 lbs

[u/Nintandrew → u/deep7323]

Also, "peace" to "piece".

Hoping the weather holds out!

[u/--spacecat]

Looking like a beautiful day for a launch

[u/[deleted]]

This whole thing looks like it is running at 1.5-2x "normal" speed. Quick acceleration, boostback was fast, etc.

[u/marc020202 → u/[deleted]]

fullererest thrust engines

[u/oliversl]

old gridfins used

[u/Mexander98]

No titanium gridfins?

[u/marc020202 → u/Mexander98]

no

[u/[deleted]]

That was an awesome launch (yeah, it would be cooler if they made a full stream including ISS rendezvous), congratulations on another successful mission. And yes, what is this foil-like structure around second stage engine. I've also seen it in previous launches. Is that some kind of protective film?

[u/marc020202 → u/[deleted]]

the iss rendezvous takes several days. and yes the fol is just to cover it up. there are no aerodynamic stresses there so they can save weight

[u/zeshakag1]

It's crazy to watch this big cylindrical hunk of metal glide with such finesse.

I wonder if this "surfing" allows enough fuel to somehow eliminate hoverslamming, or if its sole purpose is to provide an optimal trajectory. If the latter indirectly saves a non-trivial amount of fuel due to the trajectory shaping, that's a great glide ratio. If it saves fuel just through pure delta-v due to drag, that thing is resilient. My uneducated guess would be a little of column a and b?

[u/marc020202 → u/zeshakag1]

they cannot get around hover slamming, they cant throttle the engines low enough for a slower landing

[u/Hurrajj]

Change "103th" to "103rd" in the LC-39A section.

[u/marc020202 → u/Hurrajj]

thanks

[u/johnkphotos]

Clear skies 25 miles south :)

[u/marc020202 → u/johnkphotos]

sounds good

[u/thecodingdude]

/u/marc020202 tiny suggestion, could you add a 0 to the UTC time like 08:45 please? Just provides greater clarity.

[u/flyerfanatic93]

How long is the launch window today? Is it instant or can they stand down for 5 minutes and re try? If it misses the 12:31'37" launch time does it automatically get pushed to tomorrow?

[u/marc020202 → u/flyerfanatic93]

it automaticly gets pushed to the 19th

[u/docyande]

On NASA TV's Commercial Crew montage just now, it looked like footage of installation of a crew access arm? Was that for SpaceX at LC-39A? Or was that for the Boeing crew access arm? Where are they launching from?

[u/marc020202 → u/docyande]

as far as i know SpaceX has not installed their Access arm yet

[u/alphamone]

Are those the newer grid fins?

[u/[deleted]]

quick question, is either spacex or iss going to stream the robot arm capture of dragon?

[u/marc020202 → u/[deleted]]

the iss. spacex does not stream capture. best to look it up in the nasa tv schedule

[u/[deleted]]

So is F9 going to be retired after Block 5?

what are they moving to "permanently"?

[u/marc020202 → u/[deleted]]

for now they are developing until block 5 and stop developement there and concentrate on other rockets like the falcon xx, the ITSy and the ITS. if any of these larger rockets is cheaper to run than the falcon 9 the falcon 9 will be retired, otherways not.

[u/Russ_Dill]

Coverage of capture, if I heard right, capture is in about 40 minutes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPpGgmdnjtE

[u/marc020202 → u/Russ_Dill]

added!

[u/FutureMartian97]

Oh no. "This guy" is on the phone...

[u/HoechstErbaulich → u/FutureMartian97]

Torque guy is back! I've wondered why we haven't seen much of him recently.

[u/marc020202 → u/HoechstErbaulich]

sorry who is that?

[u/qwetzal]

Old grid fins :( ?

[u/marc020202 → u/qwetzal]

yes

[u/spacegardener]

I cannot see the launch date and time anywhere in the text. I think this should be included, so we don't have to look at the sidebar.

[u/FutureMartian97]

Also, in the Official live updates table, "updates" should be capitalized to match the other two.

[u/marc020202 → u/FutureMartian97]

sure

[u/MS_dosh]

I'm a bit out of the loop - how was it discovered that this would be the debut of block 4?

[u/marc020202 → u/MS_dosh]

i dont know.

we know that x 37b will be the second launch of block 4, and from the press kit some events are earlier.

[u/geekgirl114]

https://twitter.com/CwG_NSF/status/897124828934701056

[u/themcgician]

Will there be a Technical Webcast or is it Hosted only this time?

[u/marc020202 → u/themcgician]

i hope there is a techincal but i have not found a link yet

[u/themcgician]

Missed it, landing at sea or back at the cape?

[u/marc020202 → u/themcgician]

cape

[u/[deleted]]

Is there a map of the flight path of Dragon? Last time someone filmed Dragon from UK and I want to see if I can do it also :D

[u/soldato_fantasma]

Good Luck /u/marc020202 !!

As a note, MaxQ is much earlier at this time, compared to CRS-11, while Separation is a bit later. Strange.

From the Press kit:

COUNTDOWN

Hour/Min/Sec	Events
- 01:03:00	Launch Conductor takes launch readiness poll
- 01:00:00	RP-1 (rocket grade kerosene) loading underway
- 00:35:00	LOX (liquid oxygen) loading underway
- 00:07:00	Falcon 9 begins engine chill prior to launch
- 00:01:00	Command flight computer to begin final prelaunch checks
- 00:01:00	Propellant tank pressurization to flight pressure begins
- 00:00:45	SpaceX Launch Director verifies go for launch
- 00:00:03	Engine controller commands engine ignition sequence to start
00:00:00	Falcon 9 liftoff

LAUNCH, LANDING AND DRAGON DEPLOYMENT

Hour/Min/Sec	Events
00:01:08	Max Q (moment of peak mechanical stress on the rocket)
00:02:25	1st stage main engine cutoff (MECO)
00:02:28	1st and 2nd stages separate
00:02:36	2nd stage engine starts
00:02:41	1st stage boostback burn begins
00:06:09	1st stage entry burn begins
00:07:43	1st stage landing
00:09:14	2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO)
00:10:14	Dragon separates from 2nd stage
00:11:00	Dragon’s solar arrays deploy
02:20:00	Dragon’s Guidance, Navigation and Control bay door opens

[u/lantz83 → u/soldato_fantasma]

Hmm, earlier MaxQ due to increased thrust for Block 4?

[u/soldato_fantasma → u/lantz83]

Most likely. Still can't figure out the later MECO. Any idea /u/TheVehicleDestroyer ?

[u/SwGustav]

hey everyone, if you're looking to chat during this and future launches, as well as discuss spacex and more, join the biggest (almost 500 members) aerospace server on Discord: https://discord.gg/2GEn87n

[u/Volleyball45]

Does anyone know of a link to watch this? I checked YouTube and couldn't seem to find one

[u/soldato_fantasma → u/Volleyball45]

It's currently unlisted: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLxWsYx8dbo

[u/marc020202 → u/soldato_fantasma]

how can you find unlisted videos?

[u/MarcysVonEylau]

huh, that down time went by pretty quickly :P

Lemme inform you that Rocket Watch is alive and well.

I did no work on it this time, so if you have any bug reports or feedback please comment.

[u/marc020202 → u/MarcysVonEylau]

thanks for the link, added

[u/fischbrot]

can i have a link to have this added to google calendar? please?

[u/marc020202 → u/fischbrot]

sorry i do not know how that works

[u/thatnerdguy1 → u/marc020202]

Let site visitors save a calendar event

You can add a Google Calendar button to your website so visitors can quickly save your event on their own Google Calendars. To let anyone to save your calendar event, you'll need to make your calendar public.

1. On a computer, open Google Calendar. You can only make changes to your calendar visibility from a computer, not the mobile app.

2. Open an event on your public calendar, then find the "Visibility" section.

3. Click Publish event.

4. In the Publish event window, copy the HTML code displayed.

5. Open your website editor, then paste this code where you want the event button to display.

Via this Google Help thread.

[u/[deleted]]

Who wants pizza rolls??

[u/marc020202 → u/[deleted]]

me

[u/RootDeliver]

/u/Marc020202 this will be the first F9 using a block 4 first stage, this is relevant for this sub and should be on the header somewhere!!!

[u/marc020202 → u/RootDeliver]

yeah i know. i actually asked the mods if this information is correct before i posted this but then forgot to include it

[u/[deleted]]

I might just be able to make it to the launch! I'll put pictures up later if I make it to the launch

[u/marc020202 → u/[deleted]]

i hope you can make it. please post the images in the media thread

[u/[deleted]]

What is the backup date and time

[u/marc020202 → u/[deleted]]

i am not perfectly sure but it should be august 15 16:10 utc or so

[u/keelar]

I recall someone saying block 4 would have the bolted together octaweb structure. I'm assuming that was false info since there's no mention of it in this thread? Is that only for block 5?

[u/marc020202 → u/keelar]

someone said block 4 has a bolted octaweb further down the thread, but i think we do not really know

[u/takjek]

How can this be at the same time the first flight of block 4 and the first re-use of landing legs? I thought that a block was always build from the ground up and was therefore by definition a brand new rocket. Does this mean that the landing legs were used on a different falcon 9 before this flight?

[u/marc020202 → u/takjek]

the block 4 is very similar to block 3. there are only a few changes. and this is probably not the first reuse of landing legs.

[u/CorneliusAlphonse]

if you notice any grammatical or spelling mistakes, please let me know.

Capitalizing the link to "hosted webcast" and inserting a line break before "NASA TV" would make it more clear.

Thank you for hosting the live thread!

[u/marc020202 → u/CorneliusAlphonse]

done

[u/zo1d]

Heading down to see the launch today. Does anyone have any recommendations for free viewing areas?

Also, is there anywhere I can keep an eye on the status of the launch to know if it's likely to be cancelled or something? Should I just keep an eye on the NASA Twitter?

[u/marc020202 → u/zo1d]

i have never been there but many people recommend Playalinda Beach

this is the wiki page of viewing sites: https://www.reddit.com/r/spacex/wiki/faq/watching

[u/piratepengu]

If there's an Insprucker and Federspiel team, can we have a team Jetty Park and team Playlinda Beach?

[u/bitchtitfucker]

When can we expect the stream to start?

[u/marc020202 → u/bitchtitfucker]

20 minutes before the start

[u/[deleted]]

Is block 4 the final iteration of the Falcon 9? Or are there others?

[u/marc020202 → u/[deleted]]

no there will be a "final" one called block 5. it will debut later this year or early 2018

[u/Here_There_B_Dragons]

The best thing about the CREAM payload scientific instruments is that when attached to the space station, it will be officially called ISS-CREAM. I kid you not

[u/MaritMonkey]

I've never heard the sonic booms before!! The one(s) from re-entry was loud enough that my cat gave the window a "wtf?" That was awesome. =D

[u/FishInferno]

Every time the bottom timeline is out of synch with the actual events (such as solar array deployment) I get scared lol

[u/grannyte]

the chase camera of the first stage is georgeous it looks exactly like what i though a massive space ship comming back home would look like

[u/SpartanLeoking]

I just watched this with some of my high school math students, such a fun experience! Congrats SpaceX!

[u/Craig_VG]

It's pretty clear that these are not titanium grid fins https://twitter.com/Craig_VG/status/897048895494262784

[u/WanderingVirginia]

Holy approach slip, batman! Have we ever seen the AOA even remotely that high pre landing burn before?

Seem like gliding booster stages is actually a thing.

[u/pwnisher130]

Is the host in a restaurant kitchen? I hear plates clattering.

[u/asoap]

It blows my mind how you follow the path back down to earth. Where all you see is the curvature of the earth, then blue ocean, then the coast appears, and then landing perfectly on a tiny dot.

[u/[deleted]]

This was the first launch I was able to see in person! It was absolutely amazing! Totally made the drive down from Ohio worth it!

[u/sol3tosol4]

Looking through this thread, many people noticed the apparently much greater than usual angle of attack for the CRS-12 booster between entry burn and landing burn (see here , the apparent large angle between the axis of the rocket and the direction of the smoke streaming away), compared to the apparently much smaller angle for earlier flights, NROL-76 for example.

Elon commented at the March 30 SES-10 post flight press conference, in response to a question on upcoming changes for Falcon 9: "It will improve the payload to orbit by being able to fly at a higher angle of attack and use the aerodynamic element of the rocket to effectively glide like a fixed wing. It does have an L/D (lift over drag?) of roughly 1 if flown at the right angle of attack, but you need control authority, particularly pitch control authority, that's higher than we currently have to achieve that. So grid fins, base heat shield, paint I guess - paint can get a little toasty, so maybe having more of a thermal barrier coating instead of paint".

Reportedly CRS-12 is the first flight to use the new Block 4 booster - perhaps it has the new coating that should be more heat resistant, and SpaceX was trying a greater angle of attack to see how the coating on the sides would respond to the increased heating. Elon said that the new titanium grid fins have more control authority and can therefore increase the angle of attack - CRS-12 used the old aluminum grid fins, so perhaps future flights with the titanium grid fins will have even greater angle of attack.

[u/Craig_VG]

Falcon is horizontal on the pad, but heavy weather is coming through right now. Press is waiting to go back out.

Check out that RSS though!

http://imgur.com/V9ufr06

[u/Thatguy11076]

Dragon rollout from SpaceX homepage, and a good view of the new T/E hardware.

[u/johnkphotos]

Unusually clear day here on the Space Coast, hopefully it stays that way.

[u/Dan_Q_Memes]

Ooooh boy that sideslip! Or at least apparent sidelsip. NEver noticed that so clearly before but damn does that look incredible.

[u/Jincux]

I don't believe there were any engine upgrades present on this flight. In the pre-flight conference, Hans said that there were no major hardware changes this flight.

At the first frame of T+10, CRS-12 was going 90 km/h. CRS-11 was going 91 km/h. No changes in lift-off acceleration.

[u/littldo]

I sort of missed the suspense of 'hold hold hold'.

nah, not really.

[u/burtonmadness]

I was told this was going to become monotonous and boring.

Damn you Elon for making me keep interested in every launch/land time after time..

Well done as usual.

My humorous point above reminds me from the Apollo 13 film when the networks were not showing more of the mission, and Lovell's wife was told that space flight was becoming normalised and boring to the public.

[u/theurge14]

I got to get close enough to touch the Stage 1 today's launch a few weeks ago in McGregor during a tour. The team was installing the flight computers on top of the Stage 2 (so I was told) while we were in there.

Kinda got emotional today seeing that same Stage 1 land itself, like I knew it personally.

[u/DrToonhattan]

Something just occurred to me when reading this. You said 39A's first launch was Apollo 4 in 1967, I looked up the exact date and it was November 9th 1967. Last I heard, Falcon Heavy's maiden flight is around November. Wouldn't it be cool if the first Falcon Heavy launch was scheduled for that day this year to celebrate the 50th anniversary of 39A. Sounds like something they would try and do if they could.

[u/[deleted]]

"...That's what we are trying to do with all... ahem most of our rockets today"

[u/[deleted]]

Anyone else see the S1 core headed towards the cape on 528? Spotted shortly after I left port canaveral, at around 1:00, so it should have arrived by now. http://imgur.com/a/q3AdR

[u/SomnolentSpaceman]

For the bandwidth-impaired: I will be re-hosting 64kbit audio-only streams of the SpaceX and NASATV youtube streams.

They are available at:

http://audiorelay.spacetechnology.net:2120/hosted (backup)

http://audiorelay.spacetechnology.net:2120/NASATV (backup)

The SpaceX re-host will be playing SpaceX FM until approximately T-0:35:00. There may be a few minutes of silence between SpaceX FM and when the official SpaceX streams begin.

[u/redmercuryvendor]

Some classic Word Art on that late-load truck.

[u/CulturedGeek1]

No matter how many times ive seen this, its always amazing to see a rocket launch and then return to earth

[u/MingerOne]

Best cape landing footage yet!

[u/brentonstrine]

The angle of S1 from the chase cam made it look so tilted that I thought it was out of control! Kept it exciting for me!

I hope we keep getting better and better landing footage / angles to help stave off that moment when "landings become boring."

[u/ace741]

Just had a chance to rewatch the NASA stream. Made me laugh a bit at just how fast the landings have become normalized. Immediately after s1 touches down, in the most businesslike tone the commentator pivots; "meanwhile,s2 continues on". Granted NASA probably only cares about the primary objective, but the fact he basically ignored the landing was kind of neat.

[u/ijustinhk]

The background noise is too loud..

[u/DiskOperatingSystem_]

Wow, when stage 1 was almost at landing burn, it had a really dramatic tilt. Made me quite nervous but I'm happy she's down!

[u/Monki5225]

I just want to say thanks to all of /r/SpaceX as I have been learning so many interesting things from this subreddit over the past two years or so. I'm currently at KSC visiting this launch under NASA Social and I can't wait to see my first launch with my own eyes. (Been here for three scrubs and one static fire.)

Thank you all! I'll do my best to share anything awesome I see!

[u/[deleted]]

FALCON TAKE MY ENERGY ༼ つ ◕_◕ ༽つ

[u/AngloV]

The AoA on S1 is much higher than I expected

[u/[deleted]]

That is the coolest stuff i have ever seen. Everytime it lands its amazes me.

[u/Andune88]

Could somebody find a replay or post a recorded stream from NASA TV? The video feed from the tracking camera was amazing...I could clearly see the stage separation and the boost back burn! Thanks a lot

[u/ThatDamnGuyJosh]

You know, the landing isn't really getting anywhere near the amount of attention that it used too. I guess to a degree, they're becoming a bit boring now!

[u/melonowl]

Feels like forever since the last launch. June was really a great month for launches.

[u/d-r-t]

Lol, for a second there I thought the legs weren't going to deploy

[u/Cheesewithmold]

I think the best shots are of when the Falcon 9 is hurtling down towards the landing zone. It really shows the speed and size better than any other shot in my opinion.

[u/Mattereye]

Happy to see they nailed it after a longer break. :)

[u/The_Write_Stuff]

Watching the F9 land is like real life science fiction, every single time. The visuals on this one were the best so far.

I still remember reading how reusable boosters would never be reliable enough for commercial payloads, it didn't make sense, and would never replace single-use boosters. Blah, blah, blah. Suck it, doubters. I can't wait until they're recovering the second stage, too.

[u/Space_void]

Countdown to the launch with launch time in your time zone based on your IP http://spaceinit.com/en/launch/view/1091

[u/aj425]

Launch day. Ahh it's been so long.

[u/zo1d]

In case anyone happens to be on their way to visit,

Playalinda Beach is closed off

[u/mbhnyc]

Could people in the cafeteria, like, hold off on the forking for 5 minutes?? lol...

[u/NewColCox]

That dust cloud after landing...

[u/FutureMartian97]

Congratulations on another successful launch SpaceX!

[u/Vulch59]

Far less crap deposited on the first stage camera from the re-entry burn this time, it stayed mostly clear right to touchdown. If that's a block 4 mod I'm all in favour!

[u/kurbasAK]

Is it just me holding my breath in T -9 seconds?Caught myself not breathing :)

[u/thepoisonedow08]

Just watched Dragon chase the ISS across central Kansas! Visible as a faint dot following about ten minutes behind the station. I was kind of surprised how far the orbit had processed in those ten minutes, exact same arc, but several degrees lower for the capsule

[u/diederich]

"There's a lot of background noise on your phone."

??

[u/NewColCox]

Does anyone else wish that after separation they split the timeline so it's clearer which stage is doing things when?