New Falcon 9 update w/pics

[arkady]

Look, you don't have to be an insider to realize that a project on this scale slated for completion in final quarter of the year X, will in all likelyhood be delayed into the following year. SpaceX might provide an exception the this "rule", but the odds are certainly stacked in Jim's favor. I'm also annoyed by Jim's smugness about a great many things, but that's hardly relevant. The more you go on about it, the more reason for a lot of "I told you so" posts come 2009. (that goes for both sides btw, and at that time it won't be very relevant either)<br /><br />Just my 2c. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "<font color="#0000ff"><em>The choice is the Universe, or nothing</em> ... </font>" - H.G Wells </div>

 

[jimfromnsf]

I am not saying that they will encounter delays and miss 4thQ 2008, I am saying that they can't get there from here right this moment. Planning doesn't support the launch date

 

[arkady]

I see. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "<font color="#0000ff"><em>The choice is the Universe, or nothing</em> ... </font>" - H.G Wells </div>

 

[mgreb]

I don't really see the need for a p****** contest over the possibility of a delay. Predicting a delay on a project like this is almost as good of a bet as predicting the sun will come up in the morning.

 

[arkady]

Isn't that what I just said?!<br />And what Jim interjected wasn't his point? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "<font color="#0000ff"><em>The choice is the Universe, or nothing</em> ... </font>" - H.G Wells </div>

 

[docm]

<font color="yellow">I am saying that they can't get there from here right this moment.</font><br /><br />And just what <i>specifically</i> will it take SpaceX to get "there" from "here", as in steps? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[jimfromnsf]

Post deleted by jimfromnsf

 

[thereiwas]

How about more people working on it? Would that help?<br /><br />So it is SpaceX's own projections. If you had told us that up front we could have avoided all this bickering.

 

[comga]

"How about more people working on it? Would that help? "<br /><br />No Nine women can't make a baby in one month.<br /><br />More people increase the burn rate and the amount of communications needed.

 

[thereiwas]

Depends on the job. I know about mythical man-months, but two people can paint a room faster than one. If I need to mow the grass and also go buy groceries, an extra person to help will get those tasks done more quickly.<br /><br />Ten people however can not paint a room faster than eight. Or probably not faster than one.

 

[publiusr]

Good to see something with engine-out.

 

[shuttle_guy]

<p>All sections of the Falcon 9 are at Complex 40 at KSC except sections that are in route and due in the next few days.</p><p>Pictures and status:</p><p>http://www.spacex.com/</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[docm]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>I am not saying that they will encounter delays and miss 4thQ 2008, I am saying that they can't get there from here right this moment. Planning doesn't support the launch date <br />Posted by jimfromnsf</DIV></p><p>Just putting an exclamation point on F9 arriving at the cape on time (see SpaceX&nbsp;progress thread in Space Business)&nbsp;<img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-wink.gif" border="0" alt="Wink" title="Wink" /></p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[frodo1008]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Just putting an exclamation point on F9 arriving at the cape on time (see SpaceX&nbsp;progress thread in Space Business)&nbsp; <br /> Posted by docm</DIV></p><p>Boy I sure hope they have better success with this Falcon than they initially did with the Falcon I.&nbsp; This is a far larger and therefore more expensive proposition.</p><p>However, if they are successful, and can truly cut the cost of a launch down as Elon Musk has said he can, then they will be even competitive with such lower cost rockets as the Russians have developed.</p><p>This will bring much needed business back to the US, and along with COTS may even be the answer to the retirement of the shuttle!</p><p>While I never will be actually anti-NASA or of the efforts of such as ULA, I do truly hope that spacex can bring down the price of a pound to LEO to the magic number of $1,000 per pound, and eventually even lower.&nbsp; If they can do this it will not only make them the premier launch service company, but even force others such as ULA to reduce their own prices, thus opening up LEO to far more development for humanity!! </p><p>&nbsp;</p>

 

[webtaz99]

No offense meant, but it will be good to see stuff going on at the Cape (and elsewhere) that isn't shackled to partisan Congressional bickering or subject to whining about "wasting tax dollars". <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[job1207]

Musk among other things is also the CEO of a company that makes Electric cars. They accelerate faster than a Porche. interesting guy.

 

[shuttle_guy]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Just putting an exclamation point on F9 arriving at the cape on time (see SpaceX&nbsp;progress thread in Space Business)&nbsp; <br />Posted by docm</DIV></p><p><img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-tongue-out.gif" border="0" alt="Tongue out" title="Tongue out" />&nbsp;to jim<img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-smile.gif" border="0" alt="Smile" title="Smile" /><br /></p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[tanstaafl76]

<p>Pretty impressive how they were able to manufacture so much of this vehicle in house and get it to the Cape on time. &nbsp;Whatever happens on the flight, they deserve some kudos for that.</p><p>&nbsp;</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[tampaDreamer]

Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>No F9 in 2008. Mark my words. The vehicle won't be even delivered to the launch site <br />Posted by jimfromnsf</DIV><br /><br />I love seeing naysayers proven wrong.&nbsp; Even better than that is a naysayer with 'inside info'. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>