Space X launch today

[Walkingthedog]

When you see rockets being built they are in huge dust free buildings with workers wearing protective clothing much like an operating theatre.
These things are built in a shed, the parts for the boosters are sat outside on pallets and moved about with a JCB. Bit of a joke really.

[RogerB]

Apparently, according to the BBC, it was never anticipated that the full flight plan would be achieved. The fact that the launch pad was cleared and undamaged seems to have been a key objective. Unclear who/what triggered the flight termination protocol but simply put a computer or individual blew it up. The fact that 6 of the 32 engines did not work as anticipated probably didn’t help. Expensive learning. R -

[teedoubleudee]

All learning is achieved via failure. For a brand new project I thought it did remarkably well getting as far as it did, especially with a fifth of it's engines failing.

[Walkingthedog]

It’s not the first time it has been launched just the first time both bits together have done so. There have been several spectacular disasters and one or two amazing flights.

[teedoubleudee]

It’s not the first time it has been launched just the first time both bits together have done so. There have been several spectacular disasters and one or two amazing flights.

I am aware of that Brian, and that's why it's still a new project that is going through it's various test stages.

[Walkingthedog]

Still can’t say I am impressed with the operation. A spectacular beast but I can’t see it lasting. The grabbing it with arms as it returns to the launch pad will be quite something if and when it happens. Certainly some very clever people involved.

[RogerB]

It gets worse. It seems Elon overrode the engineers and cancelled the flame diverters on the Starship launchpad several years ago. That decision which he admitted at the time “might be a mistake” coupled with the vehicle being held down for a few seconds [more than planned?] and a power slide just prior to lift off seemed to have doomed the flight before it got started. Money it seems overrode qualification and experience. R-

[Walkingthedog]

Roger I am glad I’m not an astronaut due to fly on it.

[RogerB]

Not for all the Gin in Dorset Brian. R-

[Walkingthedog]

I can really see you mean that Roger.