Tuesday
SpaceX's Falcon 1 rocket has been test fired at Kwajalein as the last step in preparation for a July launch. This will be the first flight of the new regen engine which does not require an ablative coating on the nozzle. It is also the same technology as the engines for the larger Falcon-9 slated for launch at Cape Canaveral next year.
Protestations to the contrary, I would consider this to still be a developmental flight, even though it is carrying a customer payload. I wish them the best but it is still early days for their family of boosters. They are going to revolutionize the launch industry but revolutions require hard work and determination in the face of adversity.
That is why they call it rocket science.
Dale,
When do we get to watch another launch online? I really enjoyed that one you linked some time back, delays and all. Perhaps because it was private people putting together the effort 'to boldly go'*, it was almost as much fun as when my dad pulled the '62 Ford Ranch Wagon off of the road on a summer vacation trip so we could give our total attention to 'hearing' the first person ever to set foot somewhere not on Earth.
*I deliberately slipped that little gem in for the benefit of Cleanthes.
Posted by Midwesterner at July 2, 2008 02:50 AM
THIRD Falcon? So it will take a while to build up to Millenium Falcons. (I especially want the fake fuel-tank option, in case I need to hide from Imperial Stormtroopers!) I'll buy one when they come with holographic chesspieces! How much will it cost?
Posted by nick g. at July 2, 2008 03:54 AM
I have noticed that many libertarians like space travel because they think we'd be able to be free there. But I've often thought that colonies on other planets would turn into little fiefdoms. The Director at the top would need to have draconian powers, to be used whenever one thought there was an emergency of any kind- which I think would be quite common in non-Earth locations. I think that Japan, where everyone waits for someone higher to tell them what to do in emergencies, is more likely to be typical.
And I'll bet that in Spaceships of the future, just like in the Royal Navy, the Captain's word will be law! Whilst this will make for great dramas, I don't think it will make for a libertarian paradise.
Posted by nick g. at July 3, 2008 01:50 AM
Unless events conspire to the contrary, I do indeed intend to post the video link and live blog the launch with whatever useful commentary I might be able to come up with.
Posted by Dale Amon at July 3, 2008 09:42 PM
Excellent. Hopefully it will work out. I'm quite sure that with out a reminder, I'll remember it check after its all over but the data analysis. I also like the industry informed commentary you add.
Thanks.
Posted by Midwesterner at July 4, 2008 01:37 AM
