You are not logged in.
Latest update from Cloudlicker - very interesting...
Looks like we are close to the Starhopper hover test.
Let's Go to Mars...Google on: Fast Track to Mars blogspot.com
Offline
Spacex's own website now has an update on the crew Dragon explosion. It pretty well matches the other recent news stories.
Looks like a titanium check valve on the Super Draco portion of the system (separate from the Draco attitude thrusters) between the helium pressurant and the NTO oxidizer leaked NTO into the helium side. Upon sudden pressurization, conditions were energetic enough to cause ignition between the titantium and the NTO, bursting the valve and causing the explosion.
The check valve is being replaced with a burst disc, which cannot leak until pressurized to burst.
Be aware that a burst disc is a one-shot device. This means the Super Draco thrusters can only be ignited once. In turn that means the Super Dracos can never be used for a powered landing that requires more than one burn. No one is talking about that.
GW
GW Johnson
McGregor, Texas
"There is nothing as expensive as a dead crew, especially one dead from a bad management decision"
Offline
Well that is bad as that puts retro propulsion use out of the question....
Time for a redesign....
Offline
SpaceX’s latest resupply launch to the ISS was a success against the odds
The rocket conveyed SpaceX’s Dragon capsule, decorated with an “Apollo 50th” badge. The capsule contained 5,500 pounds worth of equipment for experiments and ongoing scientific research. The Falcon 9 booster got the Dragon into orbit before making it back down to the Earth and landing exactly where it was supposed to about eight minutes after the launch. This is one of the last cargo resupply missions SpaceX launched under its current initial resupply contract with NASA. The contract covered 20 cargo resupply missions to the ISS, of which this was the 18th. The last two under contract will also fly Dragon capsules.
Offline
Brilliant four way split showing First Stage Falcon 9 landing. Very impressive!
Let's Go to Mars...Google on: Fast Track to Mars blogspot.com
Offline
The link below is said to show successful catch of both fairings in the most recent SpaceX launch.
(th)
Offline
Very Skillful.
Still, I am a pest. I have wondered why they just don't use a U.A.V. with grabber jaws (Rubbery), to fly out to it bite it and fly it home on a it's own lifting capability of the fairing itself (Not sure it has such), and it's gliding parachute.
The U.A.V would be air breathing.
If they really go good at it they might do similar for other packages dropped from orbit.
This would likely be a aircraft with an airbreathing, Hydrocarbon fuel engine. They could fly it to the net, or maybe even just fly it to a spaceport. (That's a longer haul).
Have I missed a problem with that?
Done.
Done.
Offline
Reuse and reduce costs is not just a moto to save the earth its a business plan. SpaceX pushes reusing rockets further with record sixth landing of a single booster
The booster's sixth successful landing pushed SpaceX's record to 58 first stage recoveries, 39 on drone ships.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_F … e_boosters
Offline