Rocket launches LIVE.

[Ramjet]

A few stories worth a read. The BFH, Big Falcon Hopper, or Starhopper or whatever they are calling it is progressing pretty quickly.

https://www.nextbigfuture.com/2019/...LuuyyD4M4qMCn-7DAaEmoek0KSwuvFHAmqTtfWuS1Q2k4

China to land their rover on the far side of the moon tomorrow, 3rd January.

https://www.inkstonenews.com/tech/c...ke-soft-landing-far-side-moon/article/2180348

Sierra Nevada Corporation given NASA approval to put the Dream Chaser into production.

https://bgr.com/2019/01/01/dream-ch...X8d3cwWydFL-Jbrqz8OWCFT5IHdo8yX6cDlXQn0eLS864

The New Horizons team has released the first high-resolution images of (486958) 2014 MU69, nicknamed Ultima Thule, the furthest object ever explored by a spacecraft.

 

[grubstake]

And if you're into Queen-style classic rock, guitarist Brian May has a little something for you, to celebrate the Ultima Thule flyby achievement: erfect:

[video=480,360]https://youtu.be/j3Jm5POCAj8[/video]

 

[Ramjet]

And if you're into Queen-style classic rock, guitarist Brian May has a little something for you, to celebrate the Ultima Thule flyby achievement: erfect:

Went to see the Queen movie a few days ago. Great show.

 

[Ramjet]

Chang'e 4 is on the moon. Congrats to China. First pic.

 

[Ramjet]

SO EXCITING. The Falcon 9 with the Crew Dragon capsule on top has moved out to the launch pad for testing and the static fire prior to launching DM1. Another step closer to Spacex sending humans into space.

 

[Ramjet]

China's rover has crawled off the lander and is on the Moon's surface.

 

[Ramjet]

Things are progressing rapidly with the Starhopper. The nose cone has been added to the centre section and 3 raptor engines are visible on the base. Also a rendering of how it should look posted by Elon.

 

[LONEWOLF]

Still think its a Water Tank Ramjet? layful: ... Seriously tho, things are really getting exciting and cant wait for the next few months...
Elon's Baby is starting to take shape now, looking good in SS Silver... Looking at His Render of 'starship' He better get some panel beaters in to take out all those lumps and bumps and make it nice and smooth...

LW....

 

[Ramjet]

The "watertank" is being covered in shiny staino. Musk says it will fly in "4 weeks which probably means 8 week", allowing for delays and unforeseen issues.

 

[Ded Driver]

I know Elon Musk tends to do what he says, but I cant help thinking that ship looks like a movie prop!

 

[Ramjet]

I know Elon Musk tends to do what he says, but I cant help thinking that ship looks like a movie prop!

Doesn't have to look pretty. It's only doing short hops up to 5 kays high. Fair chance it'll crash or blow up. :argh:

 

[LONEWOLF]

arty: Free fireworks over Florida. arty: .. Starting to look good tho... I do hope things go well.... As im keen to see the next step.. :skull:

LW....

 

[Ded Driver]

i hold reservations on the specs of the Raptor engines. so, ok, they've been test fired, but 300bar chamber pressure?!
under full load lift-off I think Florida's fireworks show might be pretty good! :bomb: :fire:
get the popcorn ready layful:

 

[Ramjet]

arty: Free fireworks over Florida. arty: .. Starting to look good tho... I do hope things go well.... As im keen to see the next step.. :skull:

LW....

Not Florida.... Boca Chica Texas is the launch site for the Starship hopper.

 

[Ramjet]

i hold reservations on the specs of the Raptor engines. so, ok, they've been test fired, but 300bar chamber pressure?!
under full load lift-off I think Florida's fireworks show might be pretty good! :bomb: :fire:
get the popcorn ready layful:

I don't think they have got to 300 bar.... yet. Musk has stated there is a redesign happening and should be test fired soon. Here are a few relevant quotes. The line about the hopper having engines made from "A blend of Raptor development & operational parts" is interesting. From the quote in yellow below it seems the engines to fly in the hopper are not yet complete.
"Will take us time to work up to 300 bar" was in reply to Everyday Astronaut's question So assuming the first models will be less than that. Seems the RD-170 engine runs at 265 bar so not too much further. :argh: :8

 

[Ramjet]

Great to see the Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) Dream Chaser will be going into production. The more space vehicles the better for the industry.

https://spacenews.com/dream-chaser-cleared-to-begin-full-scale-production/

 

[Ramjet]

Footage of Mr Steven doing a recent fairing catch test.

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1...olY1FGmI1Lng0x344AH2gAiuA1FAYI1wnopAQr7aWuQfE

 

[Ramjet]

The Starship Hopper is now one unit. Also a couple of images of size comparisons of various rockets. DAMN the Starship is going to be HUGE.

Just for fun: I made this quick scale comparison:
1: Starship Hopper Test Vehicle
2: Starship
3: Crew Dragon
4: Orion
5: Falcon 9 with Crew Dragon
6: Super Heavy with Starship
7: SLS with Orion

 

[HeadsUp]

Starhopper looks a bit wrinkly for a precision engineered machine.

I will be watching shortly after the end of March for an increased burst of humourous twitter activity .

 

[Ramjet]

Starhopper looks a bit wrinkly for a precision engineered machine.

I will be watching shortly after the end of March for an increased burst of humourous twitter activity .

Partly built by a pipe company apparently... plumbers? Doesn't need to look pretty, just accomplish it's tasks.