SpaceX lands rocket at sea second time after satellite launch

Post by mikeash » Fri, May 06, 2016, 2:19 PM UTC

sjtrny wrote: post #217

mikeash wrote: post #195

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Good ol' HN. These folks are pushing the boundaries like nobody else, advancing humanity more than a thousand Facebooks or Snapchats ever could, but if they express pride in their work it's a "circle jerk."

Well the advances remain to be seen in the decades to come. I could understand that level of excitement for putting a person on Mars but not for a satellite deployment or ISS restocking mission. Maybe it's just a cultural difference but there is something unsettling and cringey about seeing those employees act so enthusiastic. Is it genuine? Maybe for some employees. But the camera setup makes me think there is some…

Post by easygenes » Fri, May 06, 2016, 2:20 PM UTC

larrydag wrote: post #174

throwaway2016a wrote: post #118

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Slightly off topic but I was watching a television show the other day and someone said they worked at NASA. The host then said "So you're literally a rocket scientist?" And the guy said emphatically "Rocket engineer, there is a big difference" I'm sure this particular task probably was a little bit of both. After all, they had to run several real world experiments to prove their calculations.

Here's a reason why that guy answered it that way. Note these are my definitions but I've heard it before. Scientist: Studies and uncovers mysteries of the universe and natural world Engineer: Applies what scientists discovers

Post by justifier » Fri, May 06, 2016, 2:21 PM UTC

lmm wrote: post #205

jacquesm wrote: post #117

Earlier quoted context omitted.

NASA landed a first stage on a barge to be re-used?

NASA reused every engine (not just the first stage) of an orbital payload delivery system, many times, 30 years ago. Runway rather than barge but that's not really an important difference. (The exciting part will be much cheaper refurbishment than the STS. But SpaceX haven't actually delivered on that component yet)

Post by stupidcar » Fri, May 06, 2016, 2:24 PM UTC

mikeash wrote: post #167

ino wrote: post #154

How are non-US space agencies and companies (like ESA, Russia, Japan, China, etc) reacting to the SpaceX and Blue Origin achievements? Are they also testing similar things but we aren't hearing? Or they aren't threatened by the advances?

Airbus is working on Adeline, which would fly back and recover the first-stage engines and avionics (but not the fuel tanks) on an Ariane rocket. The Chinese have mentioned an effort to recover and reuse first stages by landing them with parachutes. So far, the Russians seem to think the effort isn't worthwhile. Closer to home, ULA's new Vulcan rocket is supposed to recover the first stage engines (but again, not the…

Post by lmm » Fri, May 06, 2016, 2:28 PM UTC

justifier wrote: post #225

lmm wrote: post #205

Earlier quoted context omitted.

NASA reused every engine (not just the first stage) of an orbital payload delivery system, many times, 30 years ago. Runway rather than barge but that's not really an important difference. (The exciting part will be much cheaper refurbishment than the STS. But SpaceX haven't actually delivered on that component yet)

> Runway rather than barge but that's not really an important difference. it is an important difference when you look beyond earth the moon, mars, and any future site that has yet to send robots to pave a runaway that is: 4,500 meters long, 91 meters wide, and 40 centimeters thick(o); will necessarily be vertical take off and landing (o) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shuttle_Landing_Facility