Space-X launched today

[ancona]

I watched the Falcon 9 rocket lift off from the Cape today. It was a successful launch, although there is reportedly an issue with thrusters on the pod that docks with the ISS, but one that has multiple redundant safeties and multiple back-ups. This rocket is the only one in the world that can complete it's mission with an engine down, as it proved the last go around. Elon Musk is fast turning this operation in to a rapid turn-around space delivery mechanism that could directly compete with the Arianne, and the Protons used by Russia. The Falcon heavy lift vehicle will lift over 53,000 kilos in to space, which is twice what the shuttle could do.

I never get tired of watching rockets lift off. :wave:

 

[pmbug]

Yeah, I was reading a little bit about it this morning. Awesome stuff.

http://www.slate.com/blogs/bad_astr...econd_commercial_flight_to_space_station.html

 

[Jay]

I watched the Falcon 9 rocket lift off from the Cape today. It was a successful launch, although there is reportedly an issue with thrusters on the pod that docks with the ISS, but one that has multiple redundant safeties and multiple back-ups. This rocket is the only one in the world that can complete it's mission with an engine down, as it proved the last go around. Elon Musk is fast turning this operation in to a rapid turn-around space delivery mechanism that could directly compete with the Arianne, and the Protons used by Russia. The Falcon heavy lift vehicle will lift over 53,000 kilos in to space, which is twice what the shuttle could do.

I never get tired of watching rockets lift off. :wave:

yeah, me also. When I lived in St. Petersburg, a lot of cross state motorcycle rides to watch what usually turned out to be scrubs.

Possible BS story warning:
The old man said that when he had an advertising agency in Cal, some of the NASA boys came to him needing some assistance. They wanted to formulate a program by which they could raise further funds for the space program, sell it, I suppose you would say. John said "I have exactly what you want" If you televise a man walking in space, they will be enthralled and vote for further appropriations for the program. And I just happen to have been working on a self contained life support backpack that will fill your need. Then he went down to the Straight drug program and hired fifty junkies for ten dollars a day and set them at drafting tables, then took the NASA big boys on a BIG martini lunch and afterwards marched them through the studio and said here are my engineers, and he got the contract. This may or may not be true.