Heading to Florida in the morning for the mundane, non-landing Falcon 9 launch on Tuesday (though recent wind forecasts make me suspect it will slip to Wednesday), then down to south Florida to deal with another house we want to sell. Then back up to the Cape on Monday for what I hope is a Tuesday Falcon Heavy launch (which will be historic). From there, to DC on Tuesday night. I’ll be checking in from the road, but be good in comments.
Category Archives: Business
The Tax Bill
No, sorry, blue states, you can’t fix it.
This may be one of the most consequential things of Trump’s presidency. So far, anyway.
The Latest On SpaceX
Chris Bergin has the story. As he notes, the company is clearing out its inventory of previous-block boosters.
[Update a while later]
Hearing that they’re targeting 13:30 on February 6th for the launch attempt. That’s cutting it close to when I have to fly up to DC.
This is why I don’t use it much, and have multiple Twitter accounts. Because I interact with multiple communities.
Falcon Heavy Static Fire
Chris Gebhart is live streaming it.
[Update a couple minutes later]
Also Florida Today.
[Update a few minutes later]
They fired, right at the opening of the window. Probably have Youtube later today.
[Update a while later]
The fact that it happened right at the beginning of the window is a good sign, indicating that there were no issues with the wet dress rehearsal. I’m curious to know if all twenty-seven engines lit. If they did, they must be very close to being ready for a first flight. Also, they’re past Elon’s initial concern that the pad wouldn’t be able to handle the thrust, or the plume interactions. There should be no proble with lift off, and now probably the biggest uncertainty will be the ability to stage the side cores in flight (and perhaps fly and land three cores simultaneously).
[Update a couple minutes later]
Here’s Robin Seemangal’s raw video.
My raw video of the #SpaceX Falcon Heavy static-fire at Kennedy Space Center. Come for the cloud plumes, stay for the sound.
A French space reporter just yelled "It's like the 4th of July!" pic.twitter.com/vJssukqgIz
— Robin Seemangal (@nova_road) January 24, 2018
[Update a few minutes later]
Falcon Heavy hold-down firing this morning was good. Generated quite a thunderhead of steam. Launching in a week or so. pic.twitter.com/npaqatbNir
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 24, 2018
Looking at tickets for Florida.
[Update a few minutes later]
Here’s the view from SpaceX’s camera.
First static fire test of Falcon Heavy complete—one step closer to first test flight! pic.twitter.com/EZF4JOT8e4
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) January 24, 2018
If I fly in on Monday, I might see two launches. There’s a Falcon 9 flight scheduled for Tuesday.
“Mr. Steven”
SpaceX has a new boat.
No, I don’t know what the story is on the name. I’m asking Sandy.
Want To See A Stupid Piece On Space?
Here is a stupid piece on space.
I don’t even know where to begin.
Example: Try to logically parse this sentence:
"A NASA spokesperson confirmed to Salon that those contracts have a fixed maximum value, yet the companies get their payments when they achieve milestones."
What does "yet" mean in this context?
— Rand Simberg (@Rand_Simberg) January 21, 2018
On the other hand, this is a good antidote to the idiocy.
Democrats Shut Government Down
…but they struggle to explain why.
It’s because they don’t really have a politically palatable answer.
Free-Speech Zones
…are an atrocity against the First Amendment and against a fundamental purpose of a university. As Glenn says, the officials themselves should be personally liable. That would put an end to this fascist nonsense.
The Totalitarian Culture At Google
I’m switching to Dogpile.