Since a number of cool things are happening in space exploration these days, we'll widen the scope of this thread a smidge. Conversation about all things space exploration are welcome, whether it be from NASA, SpaceX, ULA, Blue Origin, or anyone else. Chances are most of the discussion will still be about SpaceX since they love to make things public and fun, but nothing's off limits. I'll eventually get around to modifying the OP to include resources for other companies too, but in the meantime, feel free to post any cool stuff you run across.
Tim Dodd (Everyday Astronaut) - A "random dude" who got really into space (particularly SpaceX). He's a great resource for simple explanations of this stuff, as well as live hosting launches.
USLaunchReport - Lost of videos of the more mundane stuff (e.g., booster recovery operations). Not a ton of commentary.
NASASpaceFlight - Live hosting of most launches including a ton of video of Starlink operations.
Glossary
Spoiler!
Space discussions tend to get a little bogged down in jargon, so here's a list of terms you might encounter. (Others, please let me know of others that should be added.)
ASDS - Autonomous Spaceport Droneship - The "barges" that they sometimes land rockets on.
Dragon - The cone-shaped capsule that sits at the top of the rocket for ISS-bound launches that holds the cargo (or, in the future, humans).
F9 - Falcon 9, the name of the rocket itself.
FH - Falcon Heavy, the three-booster version.
GTO - Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit, a type of orbit that will eventually result in the satellite orbiting the earth as it turns so that it seems to be in the same spot from the ground (such as DirecTV or Dish satellites). These types of launches are particularly challenging because they require a lot of power to get them into the right orbit, leaving very little fuel left for landing.
HIF - Horizontal Integration Facility - the building near the launch pad where they put all of the pieces of the rocket together before rolling it out to the pad.
ISS - The International Space Station
JRTI - Just Read The Instructions, the name of the "barge" that they land on for west-coast launches.
LEO - Low Earth Orbit, a fairly low orbit shared by many satellites and ISS. These launches usually require less power to achieve the proper orbit, so the first stage can often be landed back on land rather than on a drone ship.
LZ1 - Landing Zone 1, basically a big open slab of concrete at Cape Canaveral where the first stage will attempt to land (for some launches).
NET - No Earlier Than, basically the date they're hoping to launch, but rocket launches have a tendency of getting delayed.
OCISLY - Of Course I Still Love You, the name of the "barge" that they land on for east-coast launches.
RTLS - Return to Landing Site, a mission where the first stage comes back and lands at LZ1.
Starship - SpaceX's next-generation rocket (and spacecraft) that will hopefully one day take us to Mars. Starship is the "second stage" that will carry cargo or people, but also refers to the whole system. (It's confusing, but think of it like the Space Shuttle, which was both the shuttle itself and the entire launch system.)
Super Heavy - The giant booster that will carry Starship to space.
Originally Posted by treeguy27:
Just curious, what FAA recommendations and insight do you think could be valuable on a completely unique prototype spacecraft design?
Less the technical aspects and more the operational aspects.
For example, accountability for physical security. The recent range violations is a MASSIVE problem. I understand that is currently being handled by local government, but VERY BADLY. When a truck hauling a boat comes driving by your rocket during propellant load you are doing something VERY VERY VERY wrong. lolol
That's what I expect the FAA to help with, the mundane yet still critical pieces that are required for safety. The craft is is in a dev program, but there are still a lot of practices that are common. [Reply]
White House says its supports Artemis Program to return to the Moon [Updated]
Originally Posted by : Update, 12:30pm EST: Today, at the outset of her briefing with White House reporters, press secretary Jen Psaki offered the following statement on the Artemis Program:
"Through the Artemis Program, the United States will work with industry and international partners to send astronauts to the surface of the Moon—another man and a woman to the Moon, which is very exciting—conduct new and exciting science, prepare for future missions to Mars, and demonstrate America's values. To date, only 12 humans have walked on the Moon— that was half a century ago. The Artemis Program, a waypoint to Mars, provides the opportunity to add numbers to that. Lunar exploration has broad and bicameral support in Congress, most recently detailed in the FY2021 omnibus spending bill, and certainly we support this effort and endeavor."
The statement is notable because it clearly comes after Psaki was briefed by science officials within the Biden administration and reflects their support for the general thrust of the Artemis Program. Details are nonexistent, but that's to be expected from a new administration on a topic such as space. And there will certainly be changes in timing and approach. But the bottom line is this: Game on for the Artemis Program.
White House says its supports Artemis Program to return to the Moon [Updated]
Regardless of my personal opinions about space priorities, I'm glad to see this. One of the biggest reasons NASA has struggled over the years is constantly getting jerked around from one administration to the next. [Reply]
What? We are trying to force someone with this level of technology to hire foreign workers? China a little upset they don't have any spies in the program yet? [Reply]
I'm really surprised they are going to launch SN10 so quickly. The FAA saying they wanted to be involved in investigating SN9 made me think there would be a long delay. Honestly I'm surprised the EPA hasn't gotten more involved after the two previous explosive landings. As close as the facility is to the water, if one turtle gets hurt they'd try to shut the whole program down. [Reply]
