Category: Fun & Curios

This week

• TUE Falcon9, Starlink FL

Why do I use the titles “Stuff That’s Hard to Do”? 

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…we kids could laugh at our differences
and be glad the weirdos let us play with them
even duwing wabbit theathon

Awesome sped-up view of RTLS (rtn to launch site) from booster pilot’s view

 

pic.twitter.com/1VAGKqvBtF

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 14, 2024

Busy Week:
• SUN Electron, Acadia NZ
• SUN Falcon9, ASBM CA
• MON Falcon9, Starlink FL
• THU Falcon9, Worldview Legion FL (RTLS, spectacular vid)
• FRI Falcon9, Transporter CA (RTLS, spectacular vid)

Note:
For those still unclear about the technical difference
between missiles and booster rockets,
this is a missile and this is a rocket

Routine Week Planned:
• SUN wee hours Falcon9, Starlink CA (now that‘s the fog I remember)
• SUN morning Falcon9, Cygnus FL (landing at Cape)
Cygnus ISS approach/capture
• SAT morning Falcon9, Starlink FL

BUSY WEEK: Falcon9 is back in operation
• SUN early am Falcon9, Starlink FL (300th booster re-flight)
• SUN morning Falcon9, Starlink CA
• TUE morning AtlasV, USSF FL
• THU night Falcon9, Starlink FL
• FRI mid-day Electron NZ local night-time

Starship Static Fire Awesomeness
Go full-screen

@52sec the three inner engines ignite
Fun rocket-engineering stuff (intro to exhaust shape):
• The three outer engines are optimized for on-orbit ops,
while the three inner engines are optimized for sea-level ops, i.e. landing.
• The larger expansion ratio produces low nozzle exit pressure to match atmospheric pressure in space,
so the plume gets squeezed into an hour-glass shape by sea-level atmospheric pressure in ground testing.
• The smaller expansion ratio produces a higher exit pressure that matches ground atmospheric pressure,
so it’s not squeezed and is more efficient for landing.
• Any mass not moving straight back reduces thrust and efficiency.
• Yes, this will be on the exam (slide rules only, please)

Besides,
a real American can use both systems