Posts: 879 From: Ridgecrest, CA Registered: Sep 2000
posted 09-16-2021 10:08 PM
I then placed the following bets, as Jared instructed Michael to tell me... $4,000 on the over of 40.5 on Thursday Night's New York Giants-Washington Football Team game.
Well he got the over. It is 23-20 with 5:36 to go in the 4th quarter.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48720 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-17-2021 11:30 AM
Inspiration4 update (via Twitter):
Rook, Nova, Hanks, and Leo spoke to Tom Cruise sharing their experience from space. Maverick, you can be our wingman anytime.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48720 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-17-2021 12:40 PM
SpaceX live video
Join us for the first live, on-orbit update from the Inspiration4 crew – the world's first all-civilian human spaceflight to orbit!
The Inspiration4 crew go live at about 5:00 p.m. EDT today (Sept. 17).
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48720 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-17-2021 12:42 PM
New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) release
Shift4 Payments Virtually Rings The Closing Bell
The New York Stock Exchange welcomes Shift4 Payments (NYSE: FOUR) in celebration of the first all-civilian mission to space and its goal of raising $200m for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital towards their fight against childhood cancer. To honor the occasion, Jared Isaacman, CEO and Astronaut, will virtually ring The Closing Bell.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48720 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-17-2021 03:03 PM
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital release
Space Talk with Inspiration4 Crew and St. Jude Patients
The four astronauts on the Inspiration4 mission hosted a video call of a lifetime for several "stars" back on Earth – that is, children being treated for cancer and other catastrophic diseases at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
The crew entertained questions from the patients while tossing Peanut M&M's candy to each other in zero gravity. St. Jude survivor, now St. Jude physician assistant, Hayley Arceneaux addressed the kids' questions in English and Spanish while hanging upside down and dodging "Jude," the golden retriever plush dog that was floating in zero gravity.
Age-old mysteries of space were addressed in the call, such as:
Are there cows on the moon?
How crazy was it going 1,000 mph out of the atmosphere? (In reality, the crew travels at a speed of 17,500 mph.)
Cómo te peina el cabello en el espacio?
What is your favorite space food?
Is there such things as aliens in space?
Can you fall in space since there is no gravity?
St. Jude patients who participated in the life-changing video call ranged in age from six to 15, including: 15-year-old Tyler, 9-year-old Alana, 11-year-old Colton, 14-year-old Jackson, 7-year-old Gabriel, 6-year-old Ava, 8-year-old Vanessa, 6-year-old Matthew and 6-year-old Luna.
Cliff Lentz Member
Posts: 663 From: Philadelphia, PA USA Registered: Mar 2002
posted 09-18-2021 02:05 AM
Following the flight as much as possible. I was curious as to why SpaceX doesn't at least try to clean the soot off the previously used boosters? If it's a matter of personnel hours, I'm sure plenty of us might want to volunteer!
oly Member
Posts: 1396 From: Perth, Western Australia Registered: Apr 2015
posted 09-18-2021 04:37 AM
The soot from burnt kerosene, combined with high temp, stains paint badly.
Many turbine aircraft, where the warm exhaust soot touches the paint, have a similar problem where the paint gets the soon ingrained over time.
Aircraft fleet operators have a wash program to keep the surface finish as good as possible for as long as possible, using special cleaning products. But a Falcon 9 rocket is a big thing to wash, and environmental rules require wash hard stands with waste collection to prevent the soot and cleaning agents entering and polluting waterways.
dom Member
Posts: 1001 From: Registered: Aug 2001
posted 09-18-2021 04:42 AM
Unlike a Soyuz, which has a separate orbital module, what modifications have been done to this Dragon when it comes to toilet breaks, personal hygiene and sleeping? It was only designed for quick “taxi” trips to the ISS, so it appears crews on these standalone orbital flights have zero privacy...
Aeropix Member
Posts: 62 From: Dubai Registered: Apr 2010
posted 09-18-2021 06:32 AM
Well there is the space under the four seats where three more seats could be installed, so there is a lot of open space under the couches. Given that there would not be much cargo onboard as there is no delivery to the ISS I think they could use that space to spread out.
The toilet facility is behind the cover over the hatch. Since it must be not much more than a suction tube, I guess SpaceX is not particularly "proud" to show it off. I don't know any other reason they are so secretive about it. I would like to know more as I'm sure many folks would.
ejectr Member
Posts: 1920 From: Killingly, CT Registered: Mar 2002
posted 09-18-2021 09:23 AM
I guess if I was going to use the facilities I'd need to know. But seeing I'm not it's known to those who need to use it and that's good enough.
dom Member
Posts: 1001 From: Registered: Aug 2001
posted 09-18-2021 09:35 AM
My point is a serious one — I don't care how they use the toilet either! Unless a dedicated orbital module is added to the Dragon capsule design for independent solo flights, three days must be about the maximum duration before it gets very unpleasant aboard.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48720 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
Asked if the crew had to deal with any technical problems during the flight, he said there were a few "minor challenges" but nothing of any significance.
"For example, there was a minor waste management issue that the crew and mission control were required to troubleshoot," he said, not adding any details. "But honestly, this did not impact the mission. ... It was a huge success. To quote SpaceX, it was one of the most successful missions thus far that they've been able to execute. So overall, we couldn't be happier."
Headshot Member
Posts: 1096 From: Vancouver, WA, USA Registered: Feb 2012
posted 09-18-2021 03:23 PM
Out of curiosity, does the cupola belong to SpaceX or to the mission's benefactor/underwriter Jared Isaacman?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48720 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-18-2021 03:25 PM
The cupola belongs to SpaceX. It was something the company decided to add to Dragon. It was not part of the Inspiration4 flight contract.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48720 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-18-2021 04:58 PM
SpaceX live video
After three days on-orbit, Dragon and the Inspiration4 crew – the world's first all-civilian mission to orbit – will return to Earth on September 18, splashing down at approximately 7:06 p.m. EDT in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Florida.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48720 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
We loved space but it's great to be home! Incredible news on Elon Musk's donation and surpassing the $200 million goal for St. Jude. Let's keep it going! On behalf of Inspiration4 — thank you all for the support and thanks to SpaceX for bringing us home safe! Keep changing the world!
Jim Behling Member
Posts: 1729 From: Cape Canaveral, FL Registered: Mar 2010
posted 09-19-2021 08:29 AM
quote:Originally posted by dom: …three days must be about the maximum duration before it gets very unpleasant aboard.
Not really. It has more room than Apollo.
Ken Havekotte Member
Posts: 3474 From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard Registered: Mar 2001
posted 09-19-2021 08:46 AM
A Crew Dragon, as Jim said, does have more room than an Apollo spacecraft (either vehicle) and isn't as crammed up with control panels, equipment, and so much more.
David C Member
Posts: 1353 From: Lausanne Registered: Apr 2012
posted 09-19-2021 08:54 AM
And a better cabin atmosphere and better windows (with the cupola).
JohnPaul56 Member
Posts: 260 From: Montclair, NJ, USA Registered: Apr 2010
posted 09-19-2021 11:28 AM
Congratulations to the crew, and to Elon Musk!!!!
dom Member
Posts: 1001 From: Registered: Aug 2001
posted 09-19-2021 02:42 PM
I think the fact that the waste management system broke down proves my point! Also, you really can’t compare what a three man Apollo crew of ex-military pilots considered acceptable to the expectations of a mixed gender crew of modern millennials.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48720 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-19-2021 03:19 PM
Do not underestimate what months of training does for a crew; it is not just about learning spacecraft systems. They also get to know each other really well, to the point that privacy becomes less of a priority.
Soyuz and space shuttle crew members have said the same. That neither spacecraft, no matter how many levels or modules they have, afford any real sense of privacy. The shuttle WCS had a door, but everyone knew (heard and smelled) what you were doing. And when it came to changing clothes, there were no modesty curtains.
That's why calling these crews "space tourists" is a misnomer. They are not seeking or expecting luxury accommodations commiserate with the price they are paying. They know low Earth orbit is still a frontier and the living conditions are going to be basic, at best. As Elon Musk pointed out, there's no free wifi or even a food warmer.
For now, commercial orbital spaceflight is much more about roughing it than it is glamping.
dom Member
Posts: 1001 From: Registered: Aug 2001
posted 09-19-2021 03:56 PM
Good point Robert. The guy reading the detailed instructions to the zero g toilet in ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ comes to mind...
MCroft04 Member
Posts: 1785 From: Smithfield, Me, USA Registered: Mar 2005
posted 09-19-2021 07:59 PM
Building on Robert's explanation, I have been wondering how many days such a crew could remain in orbit and remain excited about doing flips, catching M&M's, and looking outside the window. I doubt the experiments kept them very busy (but not really sure).
I don't know about everyone else, but at some point the view is going to become monotonous and I'd have to have something meaningful to do. Even for a short three day trip, I'd have brought along at least one book, and perhaps more.
cosmos-walter Member
Posts: 762 From: Salzburg, Austria Registered: Jun 2003
posted 09-20-2021 02:47 AM
Voschod cosmonauts just had the task to be the first three-men crew in space. All three cosmonauts became space sick. After that, all cosmonauts were employed also during the approach to a space station.
Did Inspiration4 crew members suffer from space sickness?
Jim Behling Member
Posts: 1729 From: Cape Canaveral, FL Registered: Mar 2010
posted 09-20-2021 07:44 AM
quote:Originally posted by dom: ...expectations of a mixed gender crew of modern millennials.
Unsupported stereotyping.
If they are campers, then this was a walk in the park.
dom Member
Posts: 1001 From: Registered: Aug 2001
posted 09-20-2021 09:30 AM
I’m only stating an obvious fact. That the toilet broke down proves that Dragon is not really designed for solo missions of more than a few days.
I'd be surprised if there are anymore missions like this one considering trips to the ISS are what it was always intended for?
oly Member
Posts: 1396 From: Perth, Western Australia Registered: Apr 2015
posted 09-20-2021 10:11 AM
What facts are you basing your claim that there is a design flaw in the system? Perhaps is was a parts flaw of operator error.
Has Spacex stated that the failure was a design error?
dom Member
Posts: 1001 From: Registered: Aug 2001
posted 09-20-2021 01:22 PM
I'm not saying the design is flawed, just opining that packing four passengers into a Dragon — which was designed as a taxi to the ISS — has its limits before the "facilities" start causing problems.
This is a shame as I would like to see more of these extended solo missions. My original post simply stated that SpaceX would be wise to add some type of new dedicated "orbital module" (like a Soyuz) for extended missions that are not going to the space station.
RichieB16 Member
Posts: 629 From: Oregon Registered: Feb 2003
posted 09-20-2021 06:46 PM
I understand that the spacecraft had an apogee of 585 km when it was in its orbit. But, I can't find the perigree listed online anywhere. Does anyone know what it was?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48720 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-20-2021 08:09 PM
According to Jonathan McDowell and SpaceTrack, Inspiration4 was in a 572 by 595 km orbit, using geodetic altitudes (570 x 579 km in geocentric altitudes).
quote:Originally posted by dom: ...designed as a taxi to the ISS
SpaceX originally designed and intended the Dragon V2 to be more than a space station taxi, but also a interplanetary spacecraft and Earth orbit platform. The earlier was set aside in favor of Starship; the latter was demonstrated by Inspiration4.
SkyMan1958 Member
Posts: 1214 From: CA. Registered: Jan 2011
posted 09-20-2021 10:28 PM
Given SpaceX's habit of tweaking designs I suspect that they will learn from any toilet issue and fix it. From all I've heard tell, the space shuttle toilet also had to be tweaked from its original setup.
Cliff Lentz Member
Posts: 663 From: Philadelphia, PA USA Registered: Mar 2002
posted 09-22-2021 06:30 AM
Not to be a downer here but, at over $50 million a seat, how is this opening space travel for everyone?
The depressing moment came for me as I watched the launch and realized that if I sold everything I had, I would still be over $40 million or so short. I just hope Sian, Hayley and Chris realize the AMAZING gift they were given.
None of us here could ever hope for such a thing!
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48720 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-22-2021 09:09 AM
Hayley was gifted her seat by her employer (which in turn was donated the seat by Jared Isaacman) but Sian and Chris won their seats in competitions that any (U.S. adult) reading this could have won.
Whether an Inspiration4-like flight will ever happen again is to be seen, but there are other competitions and contests in the works to fly people who cannot afford to buy a seat themselves. See Space For Humanity's Civilian Astronaut Program, for example.
oly Member
Posts: 1396 From: Perth, Western Australia Registered: Apr 2015
posted 09-22-2021 09:59 AM
Empire flying boats of the late 1930s that could carry up to 14 passengers and with a flight time of only ten days from Rose Bay to Southampton, compared to more than 40 days by the sea, provided a service considered out of reach of most, as a ticket cost the equivalent of an annual salary.
SpaceX has launched the first commercial all-civilian mission to space and is still working on a fully reusable design that can carry a commercial number of passengers and achieve a direct turnaround service capable of regular public transport operations. Price reductions require reliable vehicles and passengers on seats.
The Inspiration4 mission is the spaceflight equivalent to passengers riding on the early airmail routes in converted mail-carrying freight planes. But we are one step closer to affordable spaceflight than we were last week.
David C Member
Posts: 1353 From: Lausanne Registered: Apr 2012
posted 09-22-2021 01:31 PM
quote:Originally posted by oly: The Inspiration4 mission is the spaceflight equivalent to passengers riding on the early airmail routes in converted mail-carrying freight planes. But we are one step closer to affordable spaceflight than we were last week.
There is one important difference. They didn’t go anywhere. We still really lack a destination in space. Until there’s a colony on the Moon or Mars, or at least a hotel in orbit, I think that’s a problem. This is a significant first step, but the appeal of mere joy riding has to be limited.
Cliff Lentz Member
Posts: 663 From: Philadelphia, PA USA Registered: Mar 2002
posted 09-30-2021 04:38 AM
quote:Originally posted by Robert Pearlman: ...there are other competitions and contests in the works to fly people who cannot afford to buy a seat themselves.
I'm aware that these seats were available. I applied as many of us did. It seems to me that the back stories had a lot to do with the selections and I'm sure that my age eliminated me right off the bat.
I still believe that this is a plaything for millionaires. I don't believe we are any closer to regular passenger flights to space because of a vanity flight that amounted to a three day commercial for SpaceX.
Cliff Lentz Member
Posts: 663 From: Philadelphia, PA USA Registered: Mar 2002
posted 10-02-2021 03:07 AM
quote:Originally posted by oly: But we are one step closer to affordable spaceflight than we were last week.
I think that this is a delusion that we all that post here share. If any of us think that any flight to space will be less than $100,000 in the next ten to twenty years, we are EXTREMELY optimistic and mostly kidding ourselves.
The rich will always find a way to write their own rules. There are many people that post here that deserve such a flight but, will never get the chance.
posted 09-16-2021 10:08 PM
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