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SpaceX and other space stuff

#4,403
fig said:
Geeked out yesterday on the NASA site, YouTube, and various online readings about the Apollo 11 moon landing. 55 years ago yesterday (20 July, 1969). I was a lad of 12, totally engrossed as was much of the planet. Humanity's first human walkabout offworld. I remember being disappointed in the first piss-poor quality of the televised images LOL.

Here's a detailed video of the Lunar Module going from orbital velocity to touchdown. First 3 minutes are a preliminary reference from the narrator for the remaining video. Remaining video from inside camera looking out a window with communications between astronauts and ground control. Total about 20 minutes.

Click to expand...

I was also 12 at the time, and watched it. It was unbelievably cool hearing the conversation between the Eagle and Houston. But what I didn't comprehend at the time was that the computer was going to land them in a field of boulders, and if the landing module were to tip over...
So Neil F***ing Armstrong turned off the computer and navigated visually into a good landing site, with SECONDS OF FUEL REMAINING!! I get chills and tear up just thinking about it. That's why the Mission Control guy said that classic thing about a bunch of guys about to turn blue.
I think this event and the Beatles on Ed Sullivan were the most exciting things I've ever seen. Well, also Muhammad Ali reclaiming his title by knocking out George Foreman!
 
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#4,404
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#4,405
Killing Floor said:
Seems like the “options” are being the astronauts home via the disruptive contractor or wait it out to save face for their defense contractor. Eventually the astronauts will get cranky about it.
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For all intents and purposes, the Boeing C-suite is essentially wondering what's worse for their shares: Two of "their" astronauts hitching a ride home with SpaceX , or two astronauts burning up in a crap-o-matic capsule with the company name on it (a capsule that may or may not be controllable at this point).

It's galling that this is even still a debate.
 
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#4,406
Raptor 1 and the new raptor 3
IMG_7104.jpeg
IMG_7105.jpeg
 
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#4,411
markwrob said:
Somewhere in the bowels of the Johnson Spaceflight Center there is a Tiger Team with a box of assorted electronics, three iPads and a robotic assay arm and the mandate to figure out a way to push that Starliner undock switch from the inside. I just know it!
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That, or they'll just bait one of the Russians into doing it...

(Said loudly, but within earshot) "It's okay for now, but we just need to make sure nobody goes in there and pushes that big button in the lower left corner of the console. That would trigger an immediate, non-encrypted download of all of Boeing's telemetry and classified flight data to the ground stations... Well, I'm hungry. Let's go have dinner!" :whistle:

A few minutes later, as they squeeze liquefied lasagna out of its little plastic packets, they see Sergei "casually" floating into the Starliner, and start poking at the console. Just as he reaches for the "special" button... 😏👉🔘

"QUICK! CLOSE THE HATCH!" 😆

Sergei hits the button before he notices the hatch slamming shut. Suddenly, he feels the deep, resonant "thunk" of the docking assembly letting go. 😳 Frantically looking out the window, he sees the Boeing crew waving at him.

"THANKS, SERGEI!! ENJOY THE RIDE!!" 👋😄 😜👍


Problem solved! 😁
 
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#4,415
Wow.

The "decision" at the moment seems to be "no real decision yet," but maybe they can catch a ride back with SpaceX sometime NEXT YEAR. 🤨

Invalid Link Removed

"NASA and Boeing officials had maintained that the crew that launched with Starliner on its first crewed test flight was not stranded in space."

Somebody's got a hell of an imagination, and even more nerve, to claim that "stranded" doesn't describe this scenario. If I had signed up for w two-week test run, only to be told "Whoopsie! See ya in, oh, I dunno, about 10 months? LOL" I would not be a very happy camper.
 
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#4,416
Winslow said:
Wow.

The "decision" at the moment seems to be "no real decision yet," but maybe they can catch a ride back with SpaceX sometime NEXT YEAR. 🤨

Invalid Link Removed

"NASA and Boeing officials had maintained that the crew that launched with Starliner on its first crewed test flight was not stranded in space."

Somebody's got a hell of an imagination, and even more nerve, to claim that "stranded" doesn't describe this scenario. If I had signed up for w two-week test run, only to be told "Whoopsie! See ya in, oh, I dunno, about 10 months? LOL" I would not be a very happy camper.
Click to expand...


Honey, can we... er, postpone the wedding?
 
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#4,420
Winslow said:
Everyone with a room-temp IQ: "Can this Boeing stuff get any worse?"

Boeing: "Hold our beers..." 🥴🍻😋

arstechnica.com

A new report finds Boeing’s rockets are built with an unqualified work force

NASA declines to penalize Boeing for the deficiencies.
arstechnica.com arstechnica.com
🤨
Click to expand...
:rollno:
What a fuster-cluck.

Winslow said:
...maybe they can catch a ride back with SpaceX sometime NEXT YEAR. 🤨
Click to expand...
Why does the Gilligan's Island theme song keep popping into my head LOL.

Whatever the final decision, I hope they get back safely.
 
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