Techsurvivors
Welcome to Techsurvivors => Tech => Topic started by: Xairbusdriver on May 28, 2020, 03:54:52 PM
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Virgin Rocket was 'active' on the left coast yesterday (5/2/20). While they did successfully air-launch their rocket, the 'flight' was actually controlled for less than 10 seconds. Their biggest success was getting an air-launched, liquid-fueled rocket to even ignite its engine! With liquid tending to always seek the lowest level in a container, it is critical that both the fuel and the oxidizer be covering the plumbing leading to the engine. That's one of the main reasons for the launch aircraft making a rather steep (30°) pitch to coincide with the release of the rocket. The rocket needs to sustain that attitude long enough for any air to be purged from the plumbing before ignition is even attempted. That seemed to work yesterday, but "something" happened that caused the engine to shut down after a few seconds. Hopefully they can determine what that problem was and prevent it from reoccurring on their next launch attempt.
- MIT Technology Review (https://www.technologyreview.com/2020/05/26/1002230/virgin-orbits-rocket-has-failed-on-its-first-attempt-to-get-into-space/)
- Aero News Network (http://aero-news.net/index.cfm?do=main.textpost&id=2ce6d8f8-b1f3-41eb-a0ca-95cb480defcd)
- LA Times (https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2020-05-25/virgin-orbit-launch-fail)
- Virgin Orbit (https://virginorbit.com)
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:WOW: :yahoo: :clap: :thumbup: :cheer: :salute: :tiphat: WOW!!! A flawless ~19 hr trip from FL to ISS!! Only concern seems to be an ever so slightly un-zipped zipper. Hey, after 19 hours, and no full-view mirror, it's easy to not completely finish zipping! Fortunately most of us don't have such public notifications!!! BTW, I think the zipper was on one of Doug's (05/50 chance, remembering what RHP reminded would have said!) gloves, not anything more 'personal'! :doh:
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My oldest son, his wife, and their young son were there. They said it was GREAT!
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I assume you mean they were at/near KSC. Hearing a launch is much better than simply watching it! :thumbup:
Anyone who thinks they could handle maneuvering a capsule to docking might enjoy this web-based docking simulator (https://iss-sim.spacex.com). It will require a fairly fast web connection. But it's free!! :D
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They had a reserved spot (like a private front porch on a house) on the waterfront in Titusville, FL, and were directly across from the KSC. They saw, they heard, they felt it. My son is blind and he said the sound and rumblings were awesome. Grandson is a HUGE space nut and was totally in awe of everything.
Oh, and social distancing WAS observed. ;)