That is a super tight window. Wow, amazing.

I assume I'm number 1, right?

:p

When you are set up to meet the ISS which is orbiting at 17,000 mph the launch window is very precise so you get it right the 1st time and don't have to chase ISS all over. Space Shuttle ISS missions also had a very tight launch window.

When launching satellites, there is no such orbital rendezvous so the launch window can often be more flexible.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Launch_window

Quite possible....Flat likes EVERYBODY else here :D

Agreed, the windows for launch and re-entry are always that tight. These guys don’t carry extra anything, including fuel, going into orbit and going on a leisurely cruise around space isn’t going to happen. I took a few orbital mechanics classes, there are some incredibly smart people doing some very complex math to figure all of this out.

Is it just me or do the pressure suits worn by the astronauts look a little goofy? Apparently they were designed by a Hollywood costume designer. They're supposed to give the astronaut more mobility which, of course, is a good thing but they do not look like something an astronaut would wear. I think NASA missed the mark on the suit design.

They look like something from a 1950s space movie. But they also definitely look more comfortable.

They are designed to be used in the event of a rapid depressurization. They cannot be used for a space walk.

Shuttle space suits were orange because they stand out against against the environment. Same reason test pilots wore orange. This bright orange also called ‘International Orange’ stands out against the environment that we have here on Earth so that in case of a mishap, they can easily be identified and rescued. After the fourth test flight of the space shuttle, the ejection seats were disabled for the pilot and copilot. I guess it was decided that everyone would have to the same chances of survival in the event of an emergency.

Secret Service recommends Orange too. It makes it easier to find him when he's lost on the golf course. ;)

^^^^ LOL...I thought it wuz "hunter's orange"....so ya don't shoot the "Trumpy-Bear" :D....

It just makes it more amazing when compared to Gemini 8th of March 1966. Using slide rules and pitiful computers they completed a docking way back then. THEN, they had a real problem. Neil Armstrong and David Scott were almost killed in space when a rocket thruster stuck on. Of course they did not know that all they knew was they were tumbling and nearing blackout from the g-force of the rotation. Niel was a very experienced test pilot, and he had already decoupled from the Agena rocket. The spinning got worse. He fired the reentry rocket to gain control. Only quick thinking saved their life.

They later figured out one rocket had stuck on even though the switch was off. The electrical design kept power to the rocket. After that, there was a master kill switch to shut off all thrusters.

All done 54 years ago. No fancy touch screens. And on a military pay rate with flight pay so not much money but lots of risk.

Neil Armstrong was asked how much extra he was paid for going to the moon. It was a riot as he talked about how the military deducted food and lodging pay since it was provided. I think the net in his pocket he said was $86.:)

It was discussed after the Challenger explosion that ejection seats may have saved crew members having ejection seats. Of course the rest of the crew without them would have perished.

Ha! B-right you are indeed but no. SmileWavy

C'mon man. This is like having a bunch of hot wimmens getting posted in your transportation thread.

I apologize but I could resist.
It was low hanging fruit.
I didn't use his name.
It's in green. :p

It's all good. SmileWavy

My apologies too...

I spelled Yogi wrong when I ordered one too ... 39.95 + 6.95 s&h :D

At least people here still have a sense of humor. Unlike PPOT P&R. ;)

Yes, it’s pretty well known that the crew was alive until they hit the water. Unlikely conscious due to the altitudes they were exposed to after the vehicle broke up (and continued to ascend to on a ballistic trajectory before coming back down). I think a couple of them had taken steps to troubleshoot as it turns out - I like to think that they did that BEFORE losing consciousness and never got it back. It’d be really horrible if they passed out due to hypoxia, then came to before hitting the water at the speed they did (the impact is what killed them).

The final Challenger Disaster report concluded that some of the astronauts had turned the valve to enable the emergency oxygen to their space suit. Unfortunately that was about all they could do without an ejection/emergency evacuation system.

Some of the switches had been moved as if someone was going through an emergency checklist as well. I imagine that not knowing the rest of the craft was no longer present they would have continued the checklist until the O2 ran out or impact.

Totally agreed, what was done back then is simply amazing considering the technology they had.

They were conscious.

Chapter 5: An eternity of descent - Technology & science - Space - Space History | NBC News

Anyone else notice how long it took then to get the hatch open after it was cancelled. God forbid there should be a fire in the cockpit.

You know that has to be important given history.

Maybe there's a regular way and a hasty way?

Next launch: Saturday 3:22 EDT or 12:22 Pacific, is that correct?

That's what I read on the Nasa.gov site, 1522EDT tomorrow.

I'm going to be in front of the TV and will watch the hell out of this launch. Musk or no Musk, we need some "rah rah yay go US" feelgood stuff right about now.

Looks "iffy" today according to my local weather guy. Keeping fingers crossed!

Ain't nothing iffy about the weather for today. Here's a screen shot of the map projected at launch time.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1590857096.jpg

They might as well go home LOL those rain clouds are ridiculous already.

LOL....see how clear Daytona is.....Nascar would still drop the green flag at 4 pm!

It's good they got an HGTV personality as the pregame announcer.

I think this thing might just launch. Had a T-storm pass by here a half hr ago and now clearing up. 10 minutes, yahoo

Yeah, this is pretty cool. We get to witness some good, hopefully, history being made today.

Shepard's Prayer!

Picture perfect!

I was on my roof but too many clouds to see the rocket.

I'm just happy it launched!

GO BABY GO!!!!!!!!!!!!