Space Exploration

[Hunerwadel]

The N-1 tests didn't exactly go so well.
Watch the Largest Rocket Explosion in History

I don't know if it was larger but they did have an explosive tragedy at the Cosmodrome where an unknown number of people were killed. Plus the fuel they were using was known as Devils Venom. It's a combination of nitric acid and hydrazine (also cures Coronavirus) and is extremely toxic. I believe the US still uses it or some mixture of it in our ICBMs.
Some of this video is hard to watch as people are running with their clothing on fire.

 

[zeppelin128]

This is a good explanation of the engine:
Is SpaceX’s Raptor engine the king of rocket engines?

I see a link to Everyday Astronaut, I immediately give a like. Love that dude, Tim is awesome.

 

[CagleMtnVol]

I see a link to Everyday Astronaut, I immediately give a like. Love that dude, Tim is awesome.

I like watching Scott Manley as well.

 

[Orangeburst]

During the race to the moon the US chose to go with 5 powerful engines while the Russians went with an array of 30 or so smaller ones for the first stage.




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Interesting that the US design philosophy flipped to the Soviet philosophy from 50 years ago.
Gotta say, looking at the Saturn V makes an American proud. I used to live in Huntsville so got to see the Center there and the mock up they put up in the mid 90's.

 

[Hunerwadel]

This is a good explanation of the engine:
Is SpaceX’s Raptor engine the king of rocket engines?

Thanks for posting. It's like, well......rocket science.

 

[Hunerwadel]

Interesting that the US design philosophy flipped to the Soviet philosophy from 50 years ago.
Gotta say, looking at the Saturn V makes an American proud. I used to live in Huntsville so got to see the Center there and the mock up they put up in the mid 90's.

I love Huntsville. I've been there often. The wife and are building our retirement home in Athens about 15 miles from Redstone. We should get moved in in July.

 

[LouderVol]

I love Huntsville. I've been there often. The wife and are building our retirement home in Athens about 15 miles from Redstone. We should get moved in in July.

Couldnt remember exactly where Athens was in relation to Huntsville so I googled it.

Holy crap they gerrymandered that city line. Worth a cheap laugh to look it up. (Just google Athens Alabama and look at the map)

 

[Orangeburst]

I love Huntsville. I've been there often. The wife and are building our retirement home in Athens about 15 miles from Redstone. We should get moved in in July.

I lived in Huntsville on Indian Creek Rd and then moved out to a little new duplex off 72 in Athens out in the country. The owner built 4 duplex on some land in front of his house and it was great, especially at $450 month. Rode my motorcycles all around those back roads and played golf at the Athens Country Club every Saturday morning. There was a great little obscure BBQ joint that I liked that made the pork, vinegar and slaw type. Good times.

Edit: I like the area and Hunstville is not too big not too small. No run down parts either.

 

[Hunerwadel]

Couldnt remember exactly where Athens was in relation to Huntsville so I googled it.

Holy crap they gerrymandered that city line. Worth a cheap laugh to look it up. (Just google Athens Alabama and look at the map)

I already have. They reached out and took in our new house. It's going to get more ridiculous. They're undergoing somewhat of a population explosion. There are two new car plants moving into Limestone Co. and the FBI is building their second headquarters on Redstone which will initially employ and estimated 4000 people. I think it's going to house their cyber crimes and electronic intelligence gathering operations.

 

[LouderVol]

I already have. They reached out and took in our new house. It's going to get more ridiculous. They're undergoing somewhat of a population explosion. There are two new car plants moving into Limestone Co. and the FBI is building their second headquarters on Redstone which will initially employ and estimated 4000 people. I think it's going to house their cyber crimes and electronic intelligence gathering operations.

Gotcha. I thought that leg to the river was a mistake at first.

 

[Hunerwadel]

Gotcha. I thought that leg to the river was a mistake at first.

Actually they extended east and took in our house. I hadn't noticed that odd leg to the south and west. Thanks for pointing it out. There is some moderately upscale or at least expensive property down by the lake I guess they wanted to take in for the tax revenue. If it didn't belong to the TVA they probably would try to take in the nuclear plant.

 

[LouderVol]

Actually they extended east and took in our house. I hadn't noticed that odd leg to the south and west. Thanks for pointing it out. There is some moderately upscale or at least expensive property down by the lake I guess they wanted to take in for the tax revenue. If it didn't belong to the TVA they probably would try to take in the nuclear plant.

Lol yeah.

I figured it was either the mayor/councilors property so they can claim to be in the city limits or some valuable piece of property for tax value. When traveling that way I always take alternate 72. It's just the path my parents always took even though we always end up back on 72 going to Florence.

 

[Orangeburst]

Actually they extended east and took in our house. I hadn't noticed that odd leg to the south and west. Thanks for pointing it out. There is some moderately upscale or at least expensive property down by the lake I guess they wanted to take in for the tax revenue. If it didn't belong to the TVA they probably would try to take in the nuclear plant.

What is that valley/cove when you go from downtown over the mountain towards Guntersville? Beautiful.

Edit: I was thinking 431 to Guntersville. It was not 431, it was Jones Cove on another road, but near 431. It is probably built up too much now though.

 

[Hunerwadel]

What is that valley/cove when you go from downtown over the mountain towards Guntersville? Beautiful.

Not sure. I'm not as familiar with Limestone county as I am Huntsville. We were going to build in Huntsville but decided Athens was close enough when we found some property we liked. We're only 20 minutes from Redstone where we have Commissary and PX privileges.

 

[Orangeburst]

Not sure. I'm not as familiar with Limestone county as I am Huntsville. We were going to build in Huntsville but decided Athens was close enough when we found some property we liked. We're only 20 minutes from Redstone where we have Commissary and PX privileges.

I was talking Huntsville and edited my post. It is Jones Cove.

 

[CagleMtnVol]

If anyone is interested?

 

[CagleMtnVol]

SN5 stacking underway. It's supposed to be the first test article with a nose cone and is rumored it will have 3 Raptor engines as it is expected to make the 20 km high test flight. Some speculate that could be bumped to SN6 or SN7.

The nicer nose cone on the left is believed to be for SN6, SN7 or even SN8.

Photos from @BocaChicaGal

 

[CagleMtnVol]

 

[twoffo]

Busy weekend upcoming for space nerds.

Static fire soon (tonight? tomorrow?) for Starship SN4 in prep for 150m hop planned for next week.

Another Starlink launch, planned for Sunday

Another X-37B launch, planned for Saturday.

 

[CagleMtnVol]

 

[CagleMtnVol]

 

[CagleMtnVol]

 

[CagleMtnVol]

SpaceX has postponed the latest Falcon 9 Starlink launch until after the DM-2 launch. Due to lack of turnaround time with the drone ships in the Atlantic.

 

[CagleMtnVol]

 

[zeppelin128]

Static fire test for Starship SN-4. There was a fire!