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SpaceX lands rocket at sea second time after satellite launch

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Re: SpaceX lands rocket at sea second time after satellite launch

#431

Post by _kst_ »

sandworm101 wrote: post #77
gizmo wrote: post #74

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Securing is purely a safety precaution, it's not actually required. https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/726218218109444096

With respect to Musk, that is total bunk. Any structure like this will have to be secured to the deck. The fact that it is a rocket doesn't matter. He may think that it is safe from falling over, but the insurance company and/or the health and safety people will tell him that cargo that tall needs to be secured. Ropes, chains, welding ... it cannot just sit there. A Volvo station wagon, on that deck at sea, would be…

Before it landed, the most likely scenario was that the rocket was going to crash into the deck and be destroyed. (That's happened several times before.) If they can deal with that, they can deal with the rocket landing safely and then falling over.

Re: SpaceX lands rocket at sea second time after satellite launch

#432

Post by _kst_ »

simonh wrote: post #131
zupreme wrote: post #115

I remain confused about why SpaceX is getting so much fanfare and praise. What have they accomplished that NASA didn't already accomplish during the Apollo missions? I know SpaceX is doing it all more cost effectively, because we have better technology, but have they actually accomplished anything tangible that NASA didn't a generation ago?

The Apollo missions were one-offs. They left nothing behind that future missions could utilize. Everything was disposed of after use, even Spacelab which had a very short life and completed a specific programme of missions and then burned up. The shuttle was the first attempt at re-usability but was far too expensive to be viable. Only the space station is genuinely long term re-useable infrastructure. It's something…

> Everything was disposed of after use, even Spacelab which had a very short life and completed a specific programme of missions and then burned up.

Skylab, not Spacelab.

Re: SpaceX lands rocket at sea second time after satellite launch

#433

Post by Inconel »

pilsetnieks wrote: post #268
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."

If they chanted "SpaceX," or "Falcon 9," or "JCSAT-14" it would signify pride in their work. The "USA" chant glorifies the state/government above all else. It's the same reason why foreigners are baffled by, for example, the Pledge of Allegiance.

I wouldn't say it glorifies the state above all else but I would point out that even in a private company such as SpaceX the employees tend to be aware of the role government plays within the realm of space exploration.

I choose to view the chants as a showing of pride in the acceptance that despite the hard work being done by the employees at SpaceX, none of this would be possible without the pioneering work of NASA and other governmental research organizations, as well as the myriad of universities that educate our workforce, largely supported by the American taxpayer.

Re: SpaceX lands rocket at sea second time after satellite launch

#434

Post by Inconel »

thrownear wrote: post #334
castis wrote: post #303

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Check out the history of the person you're replying to. That person doesn't get stoked about anything. It's a shame, really.

Getting stoked about trivial stuff and mistaking stunts for real achievements is one of the ways we will end up in Idiocracy. I see here, a whole generation of people reduced to a bunch of stupid cheerleaders... The shame is on you. Not because you play along in this charade. But for how you see and project me for not taking part in it.

I suppose the ultimate compliment that can be payed to the employees at SpaceX is when the successful launch of a rocket, the successful delivery to orbit of its payload, and the subsequent successful landing of it's first stage on a remotely piloted barge in the middle of the ocean can be described as trivial.

I always knew the day would come when such things would be looked at as routine and trivial, but I honestly didn't think the day would come so soon.

Perhaps HN readers such as yourself are way ahead of the curve in this regard.

Re: SpaceX lands rocket at sea second time after satellite launch

#435

Post by simonh »

Inconel wrote: post #433
pilsetnieks wrote: post #268

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If they chanted "SpaceX," or "Falcon 9," or "JCSAT-14" it would signify pride in their work. The "USA" chant glorifies the state/government above all else. It's the same reason why foreigners are baffled by, for example, the Pledge of Allegiance.

I wouldn't say it glorifies the state above all else but I would point out that even in a private company such as SpaceX the employees tend to be aware of the role government plays within the realm of space exploration. I choose to view the chants as a showing of pride in the acceptance that despite the hard work being done by the employees at SpaceX, none of this would be possible without the pioneering work of NASA…

I'm sure the organs of government and its bureaucratic institutions are at the front of their minds and centre of their hearts as they are chanting.

Re: SpaceX lands rocket at sea second time after satellite launch

#436

Post by Inconel »

simonh wrote: post #435
Inconel wrote: post #433

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wouldn't say it glorifies the state above all else but I would point out that even in a private company such as SpaceX the employees tend to be aware of the role government plays within the realm of space exploration. I choose to view the chants as a showing of pride in the acceptance that despite the hard work being done by the employees at SpaceX, none of this would be possible without the pioneering work of NASA…

I'm sure the organs of government and its bureaucratic institutions are at the front of their minds and centre of their hearts as they are chanting.

I won't propose to speak on behalf of others but in my case whenever I feel a sense of pride or accomplishment for something I have done, whether that be here at work or in my personal life, I certainly try and take a moment to acknowledge in my mind the many people, some of whom I have no direct connection with, who have played a role in my success.

As the child of immigrants who sacrificed a great deal for the opportunity to come to the US and as someone who grew up poor, not particularly bright, and with no formal education beyond that of high school, but who now has the opportunity to work on hardware that is launched into space, I always try and maintain a sense of appreciation for the country, and its people, that I now call home.

Re: SpaceX lands rocket at sea second time after satellite launch

#437

Post by rblatz »

_kst_ wrote: post #431
sandworm101 wrote: post #77

Earlier quoted context omitted.

With respect to Musk, that is total bunk. Any structure like this will have to be secured to the deck. The fact that it is a rocket doesn't matter. He may think that it is safe from falling over, but the insurance company and/or the health and safety people will tell him that cargo that tall needs to be secured. Ropes, chains, welding ... it cannot just sit there. A Volvo station wagon, on that deck at sea, would be…

Before it landed, the most likely scenario was that the rocket was going to crash into the deck and be destroyed. (That's happened several times before.) If they can deal with that, they can deal with the rocket landing safely and then falling over.

They can until it gets to a busy port with other ships and people around. Then it becomes a huge safety issue.

Re: SpaceX lands rocket at sea second time after satellite launch

#438

Post by rblatz »

beachstartup wrote: post #418
sandworm101 wrote: post #90

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What numbers? Unsecured cargo is unsecured cargo. A metal object sitting on a flat metal deck gets tied/braced/chained.

how much money and time would a robotic lashing system cost? hint: a shitload. how much money would a few ditched rockets cost, in comparison? hint: less than a shitload would a recovery crew approach this platform in rough seas, even if a robotic lash were in place? hint: nope then what exactly is the point of securing this 'cargo'? hint: there isn't one. problem solved.

What port will let them in with giant explosive unsecured cargo? Hint no port.

Re: SpaceX lands rocket at sea second time after satellite launch

#439

Post by [deleted] »

maxerickson wrote: post #337
thrownear wrote: post #280

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>Like what? Look around. If you don't see it already, I won't be able to make you see. And what does the transistor has to do with the period we live in? I mean, right now, not 50 years earlier. >It's fine to be critical, but let yourself get excited sometimes too. Do you know why landing a rocket in salt water is bad. I mean, do you really, really know? From Spacex subreddit.. https://www.reddit.com/r/spacex/comment…

Isn't that why they are landing on a barge though?

[deleted]

Re: SpaceX lands rocket at sea second time after satellite launch

#440

Post by beachstartup »

rblatz wrote: post #438
beachstartup wrote: post #418

Earlier quoted context omitted.

how much money and time would a robotic lashing system cost? hint: a shitload. how much money would a few ditched rockets cost, in comparison? hint: less than a shitload would a recovery crew approach this platform in rough seas, even if a robotic lash were in place? hint: nope then what exactly is the point of securing this 'cargo'? hint: there isn't one. problem solved.

What port will let them in with giant explosive unsecured cargo? Hint no port.

and yet, they seem to be doing just fine.
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