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Falcon Heavy Launch [video]

spacex.com

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Re: Falcon Heavy Launch [video]

#251
post #200

Seems like an altogether more productive use of time and resources than futzing about with content moderation.

Something like this is only possible at the end of an unimaginably long chain of absurd and impossible feats of organization.

The things he is concerned about when he's "futzing about with content moderation" are deep enough in that chain that it's easy to lose connection, but are absolutely part of it.

Re: Falcon Heavy Launch [video]

#252

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's indeed kinda refreshing to see a company actually put such a high pricetag out there... and all the more frustrating that so many companies demand contact info for a "quote" when I don't need to do that to launch something into outer fucking space .

Honestly, I think this would absolutely justify the Contact For Quote. What's your payload? What size is it? Will it be a dedicated flight, or can we ride share with other customers? So many questions just to do something silly like "launch something into outer fucking space". Also, nitpick, but is geosync orbit actually outer space?

There's no definitional difference between "outer space" and just space. They're synonymous, and most commonly defined to begin at 100 km altitude. If there's any difference, it's that outer space refers to the physical region, as opposed to "space" that might refer to the mathematical and relativistic concept.

"Deep space" is another definition, which commonly means beyond lunar altitude.

Other regions of space typically use a specific descriptor - interplanetary, trans-Jovian, trans-Neptune, interstellar, extra-galactic.

Re: Falcon Heavy Launch [video]

#253
post #162
post #130

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The planes are so expensive because they're specialized planes meant to be in the air nearly 24 hours a day - this justifies spending a huge amount of money on improving their fuel efficiency. A friend who works in large commercial aircraft once told me that the break-even point for money spent redesigning planes to be lighter was $1,000,000 in R&D spending per pound of weight saved. Older models which are typically…

$1,000,000 per lb for R&D is steep, but at this stage in the game makes sense. I wonder what the unit price for a break-even 1lb saving would be. Is it worth spending $20,000 to shave off a pound with expensive materials?

That doesn't make sense. So if I buy a top spec model and make it 400lbs lighter I can double the price?

Re: Falcon Heavy Launch [video]

#254
post #47

Possibly the most expensive thing in the world with a publicly listed price ($97M) and sales contact (sales@spacex.com)? https://www.spacex.com/media/Capabilities&Services.pdf Just find that amusingly 'accessible'.

It's indeed kinda refreshing to see a company actually put such a high pricetag out there... and all the more frustrating that so many companies demand contact info for a "quote" when I don't need to do that to launch something into outer fucking space .

Well you don't need the quote to get an idea of how feasible it would be for you to afford it. But I think you'd need a quote once you started fine-tuning your ask.

Re: Falcon Heavy Launch [video]

#255

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Just guessing but maybe 100% of thrust available = statistically safer or something like that?

Or gives them more lee-way for maneuvering or - makes it a tiny bit harder for spies to figure out what orbit they're going to place the satellite before the launch. Or because someone asked "how high" and got back "as high as you can go".

It could be something with a large fuel tank that can be adjusted in capacity so that it will be 100% of whatever Falcon can offer for the target orbit.

Re: Falcon Heavy Launch [video]

#256

I read that last time falcon heavy flied was in june 2019, 3 years since. Why has it not flied to space since then? No mission or problems needed to be resolved?

falcon heavy was always this awkward middle child relative to F9 and Starship. Like iirc it was announced pretty close to F9 blk5 going to production, but very late, and then the starship concept took off and consumed resources and attention. The moment starship is operational then FH is cancelled I bet. I bet F9 hangs around even after Starship is operational however.

Re: Falcon Heavy Launch [video]

#257
post #130

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I was gonna reply with some random island for sale, as those usually are very expensive. But they don't come near the 442.2 million USD figure, most expensive I can find is 133,467,632 EUR ( https://www.jamesedition.com/real_estate/ko-kaeo-thailand/pr... ). Interesting that a whole island costs the same amount or less than just one airplane.

The planes are so expensive because they're specialized planes meant to be in the air nearly 24 hours a day - this justifies spending a huge amount of money on improving their fuel efficiency. A friend who works in large commercial aircraft once told me that the break-even point for money spent redesigning planes to be lighter was $1,000,000 in R&D spending per pound of weight saved. Older models which are typically…

> Older models which are typically used for intermittent cargo service can cost just $20m for a 747.

With the bulk of that being the value of the four engines - an old airframe is pretty much just scrap metal.

Re: Falcon Heavy Launch [video]

#258

3,700 kg to geosynchronous orbit... man that is a hefty satellite. Would love to know what they packed in there.

I would doubly love to know given they thanked the USSF at the end. Maybe a giant laser cannon? :-)

the little ad played in the middle of the launch footage made me think it was a military communications payload.

Re: Falcon Heavy Launch [video]

#259
post #47

Possibly the most expensive thing in the world with a publicly listed price ($97M) and sales contact (sales@spacex.com)? https://www.spacex.com/media/Capabilities&Services.pdf Just find that amusingly 'accessible'.

CSB: I was trying to solve a problem for a client and thought Starlink may be able to help but i had no contact at Starlink nor SpaceX. So, on a whim, i emailed sales@spacex.com and told them what i was up to and the help i needed. I got a response back the next day from a Starlink lead in the state where my project was at ( client was a state government) asking how she can help. I was pretty surprised and impressed.

Re: Falcon Heavy Launch [video]

#260

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Honestly, I think this would absolutely justify the Contact For Quote. What's your payload? What size is it? Will it be a dedicated flight, or can we ride share with other customers? So many questions just to do something silly like "launch something into outer fucking space". Also, nitpick, but is geosync orbit actually outer space?

There's no definitional difference between "outer space" and just space. They're synonymous, and most commonly defined to begin at 100 km altitude. If there's any difference, it's that outer space refers to the physical region, as opposed to "space" that might refer to the mathematical and relativistic concept. "Deep space" is another definition, which commonly means beyond lunar altitude. Other regions of space typi…

> defined to begin at 100 km altitude

I guess this is probably on Earth, which makes me wonder how far up from Earth's moon do you have to go to be "in space"?

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