Live data from Hacker News

SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy successfully launches

techcrunch.com

711–720 of 926 posts

Re: SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy successfully launches

#711
post #522

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There's something awesome (in the literal sense) and unsettling about watching something and being able to say "I am witnessing history".

Did anyone else notice that the bottom two windows are not different cameras on different boosters? The guy even told us, "I know they look similar but they're different". Nope, they are the same. Watch how you can see two pads and they both land on the pad on the right. And you can see the second booster burning in the same orientation. The roads leading to the pads also make it easy to notice.

They corrected this in a new upload: https://youtu.be/bCc16uozHVE?t=29m36s

Re: SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy successfully launches

#712

There was something doubly awesome about the two falcons landing at the same time right next to each other!

Can confirm this was the greatest thing I've ever witnessed in my life. https://youtu.be/AGPH_i0ZlyM?t=56

Official picture of the landing:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DVZ0NPoU0AAMWk6.jpg

Re: SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy successfully launches

#713
post #550

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think he said in the press conference that they weren't planning to reuse the core or boosters. (But then mentioned later they wanted some of the parts? IDK)

Correct, the engines were going to be retired anyway but they are keen to reuse the titanium grid fins on the boosters which cost a small fortune to make. The core actually had older ablative grid fins made of aluminium so no great loss there[0]. [0] https://i.redd.it/l6s2bds7pl801.png

ahh, I noticed that in the feed and was wondering why. I guess they expected it was the least likely to work? or needed the better grid fins less because of the cylindrical top

Re: SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy successfully launches

#714

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Do they send another ship to fix the drone ship?

There's another ship nearby which tows it, it doesn't go all the way in and out of port on its own power. And the ship has taken far bigger poundings in the past, one of them blew a huge hole in the deck.

Oh ok, cool. I guess I thought it was more autonomous than that by the name.

Watching the other boosters land was really impressive.

Re: SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy successfully launches

#715

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No, recognizing the existence of sexist and racist stereotypes is not the same as being sexist and racist. Even if one incorrectly assumes that someone holds such stereotypical views.

If you're incorrect enough at spotting stereotypes, and then flatly assert their use, well... There's now a stereotype being applied, and you're the one that did it. Even if you're arguing against it, that's not a positive thing to do.

In not saying it's a positive thing, just that it's not sexist or racist.

Re: SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy successfully launches

#717
post #500

Earlier quoted context omitted.

On the other hand, there are indeed many scientists/engineers who look/act "nerdy" or don't have the suaveness of people we typically see on TV. I think what GP is saying is that typically companies will put forward people who are good-looking and charismatic for PR, so it's nice to see someone different and unpolished be center-stage in the public eye.

Why exactly is “good looking and charismatic” a bad thing? To be a good host you need to (should) be charismatic, that’s literally the job.

It is not a bad thing. It is just non representative.

Re: SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy successfully launches

#718
post #528

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, that's important. Wonder what success of FH would do to works on BFR? If BFR would be as successful as Musk writes, would SpaceX make two rockets - or optimization will lead to just one?

FH success mostly helps BFR in regards to operating a ton of engines simultaneously (27 for Heavy, 31 for BFR) and in operating heavy lift capacity rockets in general. BFR/BFS will come online as a self-competitive offering from SpaceX initially and both lines will be out in the market together (BFR vs. F9/FH). If and when BFR attains sufficient maturity, reliability, and market trust then the Falcon line of rockets…

> FH success mostly helps BFR in regards to operating a ton of engines simultaneously (27 for Heavy, 31 for BFR)

However, the FH uses RP-1-O2 Merlin engines, whereas the BFR will use Methane-O2 Raptor engines, so they might not learn too much.

Edit: RP-1 fuel.

Re: SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy successfully launches

#719

Earlier quoted context omitted.

To be pedantic, the poster did say "looks like" and: - "looks like" is associated with physical appearance - possibly things like clothes, jewelry, gender, hair, skin color, face, etc. - "sounds like" is associated with their speech - tone, accent, choice of diction - "acts like" is associated with physical behavior + speech But anyway, I think the point is that, we don't know what mabbo's intent was and 95% likely i…

> To be pedantic, the poster did say "looks like" The phrase "looks like" is commonly used as short hand for "seems like", "feels like", "gives the impression of", etc. It would be the same as if someone said they "appeared to be" professional actors, that doesn't necessarily indicate that it's based on visual cues. Seems like bad form to assign malice to someone based on a likely misinterpretation of their comments,…

No ‘malice’ was assigned.
Post reply on HN