Stephen Smith 🇺🇦
I am a long-time advocate of space exploration, settlement and commerce. Migrated from @WordsmithFL on Twitter.
Joined Nov 2022
#SpaceX was supposed to attempt another #Falcon9 #Starlink launch tonight at 7:57 PM EDT but so far no word from them if it's going to happen. Typical SpaceX these days, with Elon being so media-hostile.
Spaceflight Now was supposed to have started their livestream at 6:57 PM EDT but they haven't due to the mysterious delay.
Just checked Brevard EOC on Zombie Twitter:
"3/14/24 7:24 PM | We have deactivated our launch operations support team after a scrubbed launch of the #SpaceX Falcon9 rocket."
So it's scrubbed.
Still no word from #SpaceX about tonight's launch, if it's scrubbed or can still go ... Early in the #Falcon9 program, Elon ordered the webcasts to be stopped, because he felt a private company's business is proprietary. The huge outcry by the SpaceX fandom made him change his mind. But in recent months SpaceX has gone back to the 🤐 approach. They never told us why last night's launch was scrubbed.
#SpaceX called a hold at T-2 minutes. The erector with the umbilical hoses did not retract as normal. The window goes until 10:40 PM EDT.
#Space From #NASA on Zombie Twitter:
"Cryogenic fluid technologies are critical for human missions to the Moon and Mars and our future exploration goals. Today, during the #Starship test flight, we worked with #SpaceX to demonstrate a liquid oxygen propellant transfer. Teams are reviewing flight data to learn how it went."
The program's web page is at the link.
#SpaceX just made the call -- #Starship was lost on entry at an altitude of 65 km.
All in all, an incredibly successful test. The SpaceX approach has always been to accept failure during testing, to learn and go faster.
They also said that today is the 22nd anniversary of the company's founding. Even though Elon has "issues" these days, there's no doubt that he changed the future of American spaceflight.
A common question I've been asked over the years is, "Where does space begin?"
The International Astronomical Union (IAU), the standard most of the world recognizes, says it's at 100 km (62 miles).
When the #SpaceX #Starship began entry, the camera on the grid fin showed a red plasma glow begin at an altitude of 100 km!
That was pretty cool. Thank you, science.
Stephen Smith 🇺🇦
I am a long-time advocate of space exploration, settlement and commerce. Migrated from @WordsmithFL on Twitter.
Joined Nov 2022