SpaceX launch today (5/27)

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by red-beard

One thing to note, the Falcon 9 with the Dragon crew can just barely do the job. That is why there was only a one minute window for the launch. Very little margin.

That is a super tight window. Wow, amazing.

[Pazuzu]

Originally Posted by flatbutt

Here's hoping Godspeed to our star voyagers but Musk is number two on my list of really bright guys that I dislike.

I assume I'm number 1, right?

[Cajundaddy]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

That is a super tight window. Wow, amazing.

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

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by Pazuzu

I assume I'm number 1, right?

Quite possible....Flat likes EVERYBODY else here

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by Cajundaddy

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

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.

[KNS]

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.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by KNS

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.

[RNajarian]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

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.

[URY914]

Originally Posted by RNajarian

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.

[KFC911]

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

[GH85Carrera]

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.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

........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.

[KNS]

Originally Posted by RNajarian

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

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.

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by Pazuzu

I assume I'm number 1, right?

Ha! B-right you are indeed but no.

[Sarc]

Originally Posted by URY914

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

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

[URY914]

Originally Posted by Sarc

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.

[Sarc]

Originally Posted by URY914

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

It's all good.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by KC911

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

My apologies too...

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

[URY914]

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

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Originally Posted by KNS

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.

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).