SPACEX'S FALCON 9 ON LAUNCH PAD AT CAPE CANAVERAL

[RisingFury]

Does anyone know, do they intend to use fancy springs for separating the stages on this rocket too?

Yes. The separation system is a scaled up version of the Falcon 1 system. They gotta make sure all their engines stopped firing before they try to separate...

 

[RisingFury]

Ha! According to Elon Musk (CEO of SpaceX), the reason for the Falcon 9 delay is the fairing and fairing separation system and we're looking at a no earlier then summer launch. The article is a bit old, but got some good info:

http://www.personalspaceflight.info/2009/03/25/musk-on-falcon-9-cots-d-and-protests/

The two new contracts that SpaceX signed are for Brazil's space agency.

 

[mbartley]

The two new contracts that SpaceX signed are for Brazil's space agency.

Argentina. According to their April 16th press release:
http://www.spacex.com/press.php?page=20090416

 

[RisingFury]

Argentina. According to their April 16th press release:
http://www.spacex.com/press.php?page=20090416

Thanks for correcting me

 

[RisingFury]

Updates:

http://www.spacex.com/updates.php

Seems they're posting something to show that they're not dead yet. It seems they've been making some progress on the Dragon capsule.

 

[Moonwalker]

I can't help it but to me Falcon 9 looks like an overlarge dildo. I don't like the design.

 

[Andy44]

can't help it but to me Falcon 9 looks like an overlarge...

What is the point of this comment? It looks just like any other rocket with an oversize fairing. Maybe you need to seek help.

 

[Moonwalker]

It looks just like any other rocket with an oversize fairing.

That's the problem I have with some rockets. It's the usual boring design. Not something characteristic like the Saturn 1b, Saturn V or Soyuz. But never mind as long as the..., well, rocket, makes it into orbit.

 

[Urwumpe]

Aha. Sooo characteristic. Even the designer said it was just an upscaled Juno II rocket...

 

[Hielor]

I can't help it but to me Falcon 9 looks like an overlarge...

As Andy pointed out, this is an extremely common design.

The design to which you compare it is an extremely well-known and proven (over thousands of years) design, so naturally, what better design to use for a rocket which will enter the sky, sheathed in flame, before penetrating the barrier between sky and space and reaching the climax of its orbit, to release its payload into the black?

 

[Spicer]

well played my friend. Well played.

 

[tblaxland]

That's the problem I have with some rockets. It's the usual boring design. Not something characteristic like the Saturn 1b, Saturn V or Soyuz. But never mind as long as the..., well, rocket, makes it into orbit.

Yeah, like the wheels on my car are soo boring. If only they were a more characteristic shape - like squares or triangles....

Nice poetry, Hielor.

 

[simonpro]

What is the point of this comment? It looks just like any other rocket with an oversize fairing. Maybe you need to seek help.

He's right, though, it does look like a gigantic dildo.
So do most rockets, though. Apart from possible the shuttle.

 

[SiberianTiger]

That's the problem I have with some rockets. It's the usual boring design. Not something characteristic like the Saturn 1b, Saturn V or Soyuz. But never mind as long as the..., well, rocket, makes it into orbit.

I bet you'd consider THIS a certain deterioration in the characteristic... It even has some attachments at the back end!

 

[tblaxland]

He's right, though, it does look like a gigantic dildo.

Being right doesn't mean it adds anything constructive to the conversation...

 

[Zatnikitelman]

...which will enter the sky, sheathed in flame, before penetrating the barrier between sky and space and reaching the climax of its orbit, to release its payload into the black

:OMG::OMG: *applause* *jaw fractures from impact on floor*
I don't think I've ever heard a better description of a rocket!!!

 

[Artlav]

The curious thing is, that now Falcon 9 does exactly what it's likeness is often doing - provides to the public the pleasure of assuming SpaceX is doing progress, but it doesn't do what a rocket is supposed to do - that is, being launched into orbit.

And, isn't discussion of female partner-lack compensators in rocket-related thread means that the thread idling into nothing?

 

[simonpro]

Being right doesn't mean it adds anything constructive to the conversation...

It's started an amusing debate at the very least.

anyway, the analogy between the falcon9 (in these images) and a dildo is pretty good, both are designed to compensate for the lack of something more meaningful.
Luckily spacex is staying away from it's old tactic of blowing hot air everywhere, which i hope means that they are actually coming up with the meaningful thing.

 

[BHawthorne]

So, why is Falcon4 taking so long to be launched? It looked like they were racing to get it errected in January, then there was a lot of nothing. So, they were racing to get pictures of it or what? I was under the impression this was a launch vehicle, not a photo op. When in doubt blame the economy...lol.

 

[Andy44]

Wow. This thread sure took a wierd turn.

I don't think SpaceX is behind schedule, are they? I thought this was a fit check and handling test before outfitting the vehicle for an actual flight some months away, wasn't it?