NASA launch today

[Markverhyden]

Been watching the launch today of the Dragon capsule with its first live crew. Been very interesting. Good to see someone else other than the Russkies back in the passenger launch game.

They did mention an online docking simulator. So those that want to try crashing a few billion dollars in hardware can do it virtually.

https://iss-sim.spacex.com/

 

[Fred Claus]

That was a cool launch today. Did they say how long before the reach the station?

 

[glennd]

I just watched it. Sensational! I believe they said docking 19 hours after launch, so about 10am Florida time?

 

[Markverhyden]

I just watched it. Sensational! I believe they said docking 19 hours after launch, so about 10am Florida time?

Yep 19 hours. Looking forward to seeing that docking as well.

 

[Larry Sabo]

I enjoy the launches, but even more so the sticking of the launch vehicle. Incredible! I couldn't get over the volume of the Dragon capsule itself, as seen in this video. And the sophistication of the control consoles compared to those of the early space flights.

 

[Kitten Kong]

I remember going to cope Kennedy a couple of years ago.

My mouth was so aghast at the sight of the Saturn 5 rocket.

And to think it was all done on a slide rule!. Totally amazing. Awesome guided tour of the facility.

And where the shuttle was built. The largest free standing single floor building in the world.

 

[Markverhyden]

Seeing the approach is interesting as well. Of course it's slow as molasses on a winter day, but it has to be. The link below at stackexchange has some interesting information about the computing infrastructure.

https://space.stackexchange.com/que...nd-software-is-used-by-the-falcon-9/9446#9446

And yes Larry, the Dragon's a veritable mansion compared to the Soyuz capsule.

 

[Diggs]

And yes Larry, the Dragon's a veritable mansion compared to the Soyuz capsule.

Commander Williams did a complete tour of the space station a number of years ago but included a tour of the cramped Russian capsule at the end. It starts about 22 minutes into the tour. Quite the contrast a few decades of engineering makes.

 

[Porthos]

 

[phaZed]

My mouth was so aghast at the sight of the Saturn 5 rocket.

Yeah! Nothing can convey the sheer massiveness and size than being next to it. It is an incredible thing to see.