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Watch SpaceX rocket lift off, hover, return to launch pad in key test
LATimes ^ | August 15, 2013, 12:20 p.m. | W.J. Hennigan

Posted on 08/15/2013 1:19:38 PM PDT by BenLurkin

Founded in 2002, SpaceX makes its cargo capsules and rockets at a sprawling facility in Hawthorne that was once used to assemble fuselage sections for Boeing 747s.

The company, formally known as Space Exploration Technologies Corp., has successfully carried out two cargo resupply missions to the International Space Station for NASA. It is the only commercial company to do so.

It was founded by Los Angeles billionaire Elon Musk, who earlier this week laid out plans for his Hyperloop transportation system to much fanfare. The design aims to take travelers from Los Angeles to San Francisco in just 35 minutes.

Video of the test can be seen above. SpaceX used a small drone to film the flight, which captured all the footage from above.

(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Science; Travel
KEYWORDS: congress; dreamchaser; grasshopper; iss; nasa; sierranevadacorp; snc; space; spacex; starliner
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video at the link
1 posted on 08/15/2013 1:19:38 PM PDT by BenLurkin
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To: SunkenCiv; KevinDavis

perhaps of interest?


2 posted on 08/15/2013 1:24:06 PM PDT by BenLurkin (This is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion or satire; or both.)
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To: BenLurkin; KevinDavis

That is pretty awesome.

SO we have how many private sector companies building and preparing to reach orbit?

That shuttle from that Sierra Nevada whatever was absolutely cool


3 posted on 08/15/2013 1:24:09 PM PDT by GeronL
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To: BenLurkin

You sure that isn’t CGI?

Just sayin’, you can’t just believe every video you see anymore.


4 posted on 08/15/2013 1:24:48 PM PDT by Bullish (Psalm 46)
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To: GeronL

About 5 I think.

This particular technology is amazing — like something form an 1950s Sci-Fi flicks. I am curious about how much fuel they will need to carry into orbit in order to come back down safely. Seems like a lot of weight.


5 posted on 08/15/2013 1:26:07 PM PDT by BenLurkin (This is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion or satire; or both.)
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To: BenLurkin

Whilst states(intentionally or not) around the globe are striving for tribes of Troglodytes, it is nice to see human advancements are still possible.


6 posted on 08/15/2013 1:26:22 PM PDT by deadrock (I am someone else.)
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To: BenLurkin

They accomplished that feat last December:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4PEXLODw9c


7 posted on 08/15/2013 1:31:30 PM PDT by DManA
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To: BenLurkin; SunkenCiv

With the Space Shuttles retired, this is America’s best hope for putting men in space again. I trust nobody here wants to depend on rides from the Russians or the Chinese.


8 posted on 08/15/2013 1:33:53 PM PDT by Berosus (I wish I had as much faith in God as liberals have in government.)
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To: Berosus

You couldn’t get me onto a space rocket to space if you paid me.


9 posted on 08/15/2013 1:36:43 PM PDT by BenLurkin (This is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion or satire; or both.)
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To: BenLurkin

This is actually their latest test with the video posted today. The grasshopper climbs 300 meters and moves 100 meters laterally, then returns to the pad. It’s pretty startling to see a rocket leaning a bit.

http://youtu.be/U4edoIbvJNY


10 posted on 08/15/2013 1:40:09 PM PDT by saganite (What happens to taglines? Is there a termination date?)
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To: BenLurkin

If the rocket contained only enough fuel to fly 800 feet up, then this is a lame, pathetic joke.

On the other hand, if the rocket contained enough fuel to fly to LA (or ballast weight to simulate that), then consider me duly impressed.

Do you know which is true?


11 posted on 08/15/2013 1:45:48 PM PDT by dangus (Poverty cannot be eradicated as long as the poor remain dependent on the state - Pope Francis)
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To: dangus

It’s a test model designed to test hardware and software for vertical landings so it only has enough fuel to takeoff, hover, and return to the pad.


12 posted on 08/15/2013 1:53:43 PM PDT by saganite (What happens to taglines? Is there a termination date?)
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To: BenLurkin

That reminded me of those rockets you used to see in those cheesy 50’s low-budget sci-fi movies.


13 posted on 08/15/2013 1:58:38 PM PDT by Fresh Wind (The last remnants of the Old Republic have been swept away.)
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To: Berosus; GeronL

Doesn’t seem like NASA is in the budget with all the waste and graft and payoffs to unions.


14 posted on 08/15/2013 2:14:05 PM PDT by Impy (RED=COMMUNIST, NOT REPUBLICAN)
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To: Berosus

Actually here is the shuttle replacement that was wheeled out of the hanger this week for ground tests. It’s called the ‘Dream Chaser’ and it’s smaller but it will get us in orbit to the space station.

http://spaceref.com/spaceflight/dream-chaser-completes-ground-tow-tests.html


15 posted on 08/15/2013 2:28:24 PM PDT by Cold Case Posse Supporter
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To: Cold Case Posse Supporter

A ground ... tow ?


16 posted on 08/15/2013 3:06:26 PM PDT by knarf (I say things that are true ... I have no proof ... but they're true)
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To: DManA

McDonnell Douglas accomplished that feat 20 years ago:

http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/x-33/dc-xa.htm


17 posted on 08/15/2013 3:13:13 PM PDT by So Cal Rocket (Task 1: Accomplished, Task 2: Hold them Accountable!)
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To: BenLurkin

Now this, children, is ROCKET SCIENCE!!!

Think what this demonstrates, variable thrust, perfect gyros, attitude changing, drift correction and certainly scads more that I am not even thinking about. This is excellent work and I pray it keeps going.


18 posted on 08/15/2013 3:53:38 PM PDT by SES1066 (Government governs best when it governs least!)
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To: BenLurkin

Try balancing a broom on your fingertip and walking a mile.


19 posted on 08/15/2013 8:15:23 PM PDT by Mike Darancette (Kill Obamacare not wound it.)
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To: BenLurkin

The dinosaurs did not colonize space; there is a lesson to be learned here.


20 posted on 08/15/2013 8:19:22 PM PDT by Mike Darancette (Kill Obamacare not wound it.)
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