Stephen Smith 🇺🇦
I am a long-time advocate of space exploration, settlement and commerce. Migrated from @WordsmithFL on Twitter.
Joined Nov 2022
Launch Pad 39A as seen from an observation tower about 1½ miles away.
Perhaps the most historic launch pad in the world (although the Russians would argue that Baikonur's Site 1 deserves that honor), it was originally built for Apollo, modified for Shuttle, and is now used by #SpaceX for Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy.
The big tower in the middle is new; SpaceX intends to use it for #Starship launch and landing, once operational.
Here come a series of photos from today's excursion around #KSC.
#BlueOrigin, owned by Jeff Bezos, is generally considered the main candidate to someday challenge Elon Musk's #SpaceX. This is their "Orbital Launch Site" on Space Commerce Way. Their NewGlenn rockets will be assembled in the big hangar.
The road is being expanded from one to two lanes each way with a center divider. (About time!)
#Space #SpaceCoast #SpaceX #Starlink
The smartphone photos are crappy because of the lack of light. Oh well.
Amateur smartphone video of tonight's #SpaceX #Starlink launch as seen from north Merritt Island. As usual, no one else came out to watch or bothered to stop.
https://www.facebook.com/wordsmithfl/videos/981489386481243/
If you're in the #SpaceCoast, #SpaceX has a popup #Starlink launch tonight from Launch Complex 40. They're targeting 8:39 PM EDT.
The only place to watch online is Zombie Twitter, five minutes before launch.
Here's my smartphone amateur video of tonight's #SpaceX #Starlink launch as seen from north Merritt Island.
Both this morning and this evening, people were out for walks and didn't even bother to look up. That's a shame. I often point it out to them, but generally just get a meh.
https://www.facebook.com/wordsmithfl/videos/211244911853009/
Smartphone still photos of the #SpaceX #Starlink launch this evening as seen from north Merritt Island.
In the last two photos, you see the first stage separate and then the two additional dots are the fairing halves falling back to the Atlantic.
We call that sperm-like vapor trail "the jellyfish." Because "the sperm" is not suitable for a general audience. 😉
#SpaceX is going to attempt a rare launch doubleheader with a Falcon 9 #Starlink launch from #CCSFS Pad 40 targeting 7:01 PM EDT. Alas, the livestream is only available on Zombie Twitter.
Earlier today, SpaceX launched a #FalconHeavy from #KSC Pad 39A.
#Space #SpaceCoast #NASA #Psyche
Not very good amateur smartphone video of the #SpaceX #FalconHeavy launch. The rocket was in and out of the clouds. At the end, you get to hear the twin double sonic booms, although you can't see the boosters return due to the haze.
Video taken from north Merritt Island.
Counting down to the #NASA #MissionToPsyche launch at 10:19 AM EDT. A #SpaceX #FalconHeavy launch is always a show! Watch now at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21X5lGlDOfg.
The #NASA live feed has begun for the #MissionToPsyche launch targeting 10:19 AM EDT. The launch vehicle is a #SpaceX #FalconHeavy, the most powerful commercial rocket on the planet. The two side boosters will come back to land at #CCSFS. Watch now at the NASA link.
#NASA will try again to launch its #MissionToPsyche today at 10:19 AM EDT. The last weather forecast was 40% favorable but the latest hourly forecast looks much better.
Psyche will launch on a #SpaceX #FalconHeavy, always a great show. The two side boosters will come back to land at #CCSFS.
The NASA livestream starts at 9:15 AM EDT. Watch on NASA TV or on the NASA Live YouTube channel.
We had a #SpaceX #FalconHeavy launch scheduled for tomorrow, but it's pushed back to Friday due to bad weather. The launch is now scheduled for Friday the 13th 😱 at 10:19 AM EDT. Coverage will be on NASA TV and the NASA Live YouTube channel.
The payload is a NASA probe going to the asteroid Psyche. More about the mission at https://science.nasa.gov/mission/psyche/.
#Space For those in the #SpaceCoast of #Florida ... #SpaceX cancelled tonight's 8:42 PM EDT #Starlink launch until further notice. I was just outside; it's pretty overcast anyway, so we wouldn't have seen much.
Do you like rocket launches but hate Elon Musk? The #SpaceCoast has a launch today for you!
United Launch Alliance #ULA, #SpaceX competitor, will attempt to launch the first satellites for Project Kuiper, a #Starlink competitor. The launch from #CCSFS Pad 40 has a two-hour window opening at 2 PM EDT.
More info at https://www.ulalaunch.com/missions/next-launch/atlas-v-project-kuiper-protoflight
The beauty of the Commercial Crew program is that the taxpayer doesn't absorb the cost overruns. The contractor does.
#SpaceX embraced competition and is now the dominant force in the space industry.
Boeing tried to act like the flaccid OldSpace company they've always been, and has had to absorb $1.4 billion in cost overruns.
How will the government shutdown affect #NASA #KSC?
Each time has been different.
Critical missions will continue, e.g. the Psyche asteroid mission scheduled to launch on October 12.
Commercial companies, e.g. #SpaceX, will continue to operate.
There have been times when NASA just shut the gates. But with SpaceX and other commercial tenants, they can't do that now.
#KSCVC tours sometimes have been halted, not other times.
So we'll see.
#SpaceCoast This is drone video by the same person about a year ago of a #SpaceX Falcon 9 landed on a drone ship entering the Port Canaveral channel.
I've gone down there several times to witness this. You realize this is something no other nation, no other company, can do.
Stephen Smith 🇺🇦
I am a long-time advocate of space exploration, settlement and commerce. Migrated from @WordsmithFL on Twitter.
Joined Nov 2022