Launch scrubbed for today. Something about a pressurization issue. Transitioning to a wet-test format.
Minimum 48-hr recycle time. No new launch date set as of now.
I flew past the area on the way from Central America to McAllen then north into the USA this morning at the end of the launch window and was displeased to see no smoke trail into space. We took a big re-route to be west of the launch area and planned climb and first stage return track.
I figured either they scrubbed, or exploded in the first ~20K feet. Disappointing to learn the former, but certainly better than the latter.
This is too cool. (Love the Dope). Any chance you’ll be flying that segment again in two, three, or four days (I imagine), when they’ll launch that mother?
Everything you need to know is in the preview, but if you can’t see that:
Thursday April 20
Livestream starts at 8:45a.
Launch scheduled for 9:28a.
Looks like SpaceX might have caused this unnerving sight over Alaska
I’m not planned to. Never say never, but the odds are very, very low.
Nevertheless, there is a steady stream of airliners normally passing over/near Boca Chica and through the block of airspace reserved for the launch & first stage recovery. This goes on all day every day and well into the evening. All of whom will be re-routed adjacent to the reserved area during the launch window. Some lucky pilots will have a ringside seat.
As I commented in the other SpaceX / Starship thread, over the years I’ve seen two Space Shuttle launches and one Falcon 9. Impressive.
That’s awesome. I can’t imagine being out at that time, looking up and seeing that.
How did I not hear about this before? Will definitely try to tune into live stream tomorrow.
Let’s hope they have better luck than the Israelis. Though I think they’re going to try again.
The Japanese lander has a cute robot onboard:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9ImPb8EnPU
Made by Tomy. Who I’m shocked is still around. They made all kinds of cool robots when I was a kid, but never got to have. Always wanted one of these:
The Japanese lunar livestream has started:
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=hakuto+r+livestream
Does this thing have a camera or is it just talking heads and animations?
They have shown this wonderful picture the lander took earlier in the mission.
You’ll see a dark spot on the lower left limb of the Earth. That is actually the shadow of the moon so the picture was taken during an eclipse. An amazing image of a lunar eclipse from just above the surface of the moon itself!
It doesn’t look good for the little lander. Telemetry was lost in the very final stages of its landing sequence.
Meanwhile, in the Atlas crater, an alien examines his new toy.
When the alien discovers his young offspring smushed under the lander, there is going to be hell to pay!
Uh oh!
I didn’t think about that. This is really, really, bad.
Anyone have SG-1 on their cell?
Not powered, just gliding.