Ever since I realized they were livestreaming everything (since about the middle/late side of the mission when the photos made it back) I've been watching coverage of everything (mostly a...
Ever since I realized they were livestreaming everything (since about the middle/late side of the mission when the photos made it back) I've been watching coverage of everything (mostly a re-stream with commentary). It's been a beacon of warmth (and coordination and science! and etc) in an often not so warm from time-to-time existence. Been nice to just have something like this to focus my attention on for a while. Have learned a lot in the process too. Glad to see us returning to the moon after 50 years. It's one of those things where I purposely let the joy of science and accomplishment of this collective of people override any nitpicks about politics or whatever for the time. My focus right now is on the good people doing good things and wishing for them to safely return
Ditto. It's been such a nice change of pace over the last week+ to have something wholly positive like this for me to follow along with in these otherwise dark times, that is both awe inspiring,...
Ditto. It's been such a nice change of pace over the last week+ to have something wholly positive like this for me to follow along with in these otherwise dark times, that is both awe inspiring, and exemplifies what we humans are truly capable of achieving when we cooperate and work together towards a common goal.
Atmospheric entry has started. There will be a 6 min blackout period in 1 min due to plasma forming around the heat shield causing interference. 13 min until splashdown.
Atmospheric entry has started. There will be a 6 min blackout period in 1 min due to plasma forming around the heat shield causing interference. 13 min until splashdown.
I just noticed the plane on Flightradar circling around the recovery team helicopters is a Martin WB-57 Canberra. I wonder why they're using such an old plane for this. Also, weirdly there seems...
I just noticed the plane on Flightradar circling around the recovery team helicopters is a Martin WB-57 Canberra. I wonder why they're using such an old plane for this.
Also, weirdly there seems to be a fair amount of (presumably civilian) Cessna, Cirrus and Grumman single engine planes out there off the coast as well. They're not super close to the recovery operation, but I'm still surprised they let any non-military planes fly out in that direction while the recovery is still in progress.
I wonder if that WB-57 is for height reasons? Or if those are NASA's only "recon" type planes. But yeah that's interesting that it's such an old plane. I do like how the Wikipedia page you linked...
I wonder if that WB-57 is for height reasons? Or if those are NASA's only "recon" type planes. But yeah that's interesting that it's such an old plane.
I do like how the Wikipedia page you linked says that NASA has 2 of them (well 3 but two operational). That one almost assuredly is one of the two NASA ones, with it being registered N926NA and according to the wiki NASA has them as NASA 926, 927, and 928.
Ah, if it's actually a NASA owned plane that makes a bit more sense (esp given their funding limitations). Although it's kinda sad that's the newest plane they have available to them for this...
Ah, if it's actually a NASA owned plane that makes a bit more sense (esp given their funding limitations). Although it's kinda sad that's the newest plane they have available to them for this though. :/
p.s. There is a Super Hercules out there as well, circling a bit further out. I assume that's an Airforce or Navy plane though, since I doubt NASA has a Super Hercules at their disposal.
It's kinda fun watching the Flightradar & listening to the broadcast with it up on my other monitor. Doing the world's crappiest intelligence operations lol. Presumably the three helicopters all...
It's kinda fun watching the Flightradar & listening to the broadcast with it up on my other monitor.
Doing the world's crappiest intelligence operations lol. Presumably the three helicopters all close by are the ones that will be picking up the crew once they come out of the capsule.
Are they actually planning to pick them up with a heli after they get out of the module? I haven't heard anything said about what the next steps are, so I genuinely have no idea. To me, it seems...
Are they actually planning to pick them up with a heli after they get out of the module? I haven't heard anything said about what the next steps are, so I genuinely have no idea. To me, it seems kinda needlessly risky for them to lift the crew onto a heli rather than just taking them to the larger recovery ship on the rib boats. But I admittedly know nothing about this sort of thing. :P
Yeah, they just mentioned it a second time. Basically they'll get the astronauts out, then hoist them up to two separate helicopters in pairs that will fly them over to the carrier(?). It does...
Yeah, they just mentioned it a second time. Basically they'll get the astronauts out, then hoist them up to two separate helicopters in pairs that will fly them over to the carrier(?).
It does seem weird to me rather than just taking them on the boats, but I also don't really know anything about the sort of planning that goes into these things.
I guess it's probably so they don't have to bring additional diving-like safety gear for them? I wonder if the boats could be considered more dangerous for that reason.
Yeah, I don't quite understand the rationale for it. I suppose if there was a medical emergency it would make sense since the helis are way faster and unlike a boat they're stable enough you can...
Yeah, I don't quite understand the rationale for it. I suppose if there was a medical emergency it would make sense since the helis are way faster and unlike a boat they're stable enough you can more safely perform medical treatments while flying in them. But given all the astronauts are healthy and uninjured, I'm not sure why they still feel it's necessary to get them on the helis. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
over to the carrier(?)
The main recovery vessel where they will be brought to is apparently the USS John P. Murtha, which is an amphibious transport dock ship.
Just speculating, maybe they have them there just in case something goes wrong during decent? The last bit happens fast and can go very wrong very quickly, so it might be very cautious planning....
But given all the astronauts are healthy and uninjured, I'm not sure why they still feel it's necessary to get them on the helis.
Just speculating, maybe they have them there just in case something goes wrong during decent? The last bit happens fast and can go very wrong very quickly, so it might be very cautious planning. And once they're on site, might as well use them anyway?
Yeah, it probably is as simple as "we're here already so we might as well be of use"... plus, it's a lot cooler (from a PR perspective) to have the astronauts exit from helicopters onto the deck...
Yeah, it probably is as simple as "we're here already so we might as well be of use"... plus, it's a lot cooler (from a PR perspective) to have the astronauts exit from helicopters onto the deck of the recovery ship, rather than having them awkwardly roll/climb out of a RIB boat in the lower deck hold. :P
Ditto. That 6 minutes of blackout while they were entering the atmosphere was nailbiting. I can't imagine how stressful that must have been for the astronauts themselves!
Ditto. That 6 minutes of blackout while they were entering the atmosphere was nailbiting. I can't imagine how stressful that must have been for the astronauts themselves!
Yeah, no doubt... Especially given all the uncertainty regarding the supposed "design flaw" of the heat shield that's repeatedly been brought up and focused on by the media over the last few...
Yeah, no doubt... Especially given all the uncertainty regarding the supposed "design flaw" of the heat shield that's repeatedly been brought up and focused on by the media over the last few months. :/
Ever since I realized they were livestreaming everything (since about the middle/late side of the mission when the photos made it back) I've been watching coverage of everything (mostly a re-stream with commentary). It's been a beacon of warmth (and coordination and science! and etc) in an often not so warm from time-to-time existence. Been nice to just have something like this to focus my attention on for a while. Have learned a lot in the process too. Glad to see us returning to the moon after 50 years. It's one of those things where I purposely let the joy of science and accomplishment of this collective of people override any nitpicks about politics or whatever for the time. My focus right now is on the good people doing good things and wishing for them to safely return
Ditto. It's been such a nice change of pace over the last week+ to have something wholly positive like this for me to follow along with in these otherwise dark times, that is both awe inspiring, and exemplifies what we humans are truly capable of achieving when we cooperate and work together towards a common goal.
Final adjustment burn complete. 14 min until atmospheric entry. 27 min until splashdown.
Atmospheric entry has started. There will be a 6 min blackout period in 1 min due to plasma forming around the heat shield causing interference. 13 min until splashdown.
You can see some of the presumed support craft on Flightradar
I just noticed the plane on Flightradar circling around the recovery team helicopters is a Martin WB-57 Canberra. I wonder why they're using such an old plane for this.
Also, weirdly there seems to be a fair amount of (presumably civilian) Cessna, Cirrus and Grumman single engine planes out there off the coast as well. They're not super close to the recovery operation, but I'm still surprised they let any non-military planes fly out in that direction while the recovery is still in progress.
I wonder if that WB-57 is for height reasons? Or if those are NASA's only "recon" type planes. But yeah that's interesting that it's such an old plane.
I do like how the Wikipedia page you linked says that NASA has 2 of them (well 3 but two operational). That one almost assuredly is one of the two NASA ones, with it being registered N926NA and according to the wiki NASA has them as NASA 926, 927, and 928.
Ah, if it's actually a NASA owned plane that makes a bit more sense (esp given their funding limitations). Although it's kinda sad that's the newest plane they have available to them for this though. :/
p.s. There is a Super Hercules out there as well, circling a bit further out. I assume that's an Airforce or Navy plane though, since I doubt NASA has a Super Hercules at their disposal.
I know NOAA operates some older planes as well, particularly for hurricane hunting. Priorities of the US government =/
It's kinda fun watching the Flightradar & listening to the broadcast with it up on my other monitor.
Doing the world's crappiest intelligence operations lol. Presumably the three helicopters all close by are the ones that will be picking up the crew once they come out of the capsule.
Are they actually planning to pick them up with a heli after they get out of the module? I haven't heard anything said about what the next steps are, so I genuinely have no idea. To me, it seems kinda needlessly risky for them to lift the crew onto a heli rather than just taking them to the larger recovery ship on the rib boats. But I admittedly know nothing about this sort of thing. :P
Yeah, they just mentioned it a second time. Basically they'll get the astronauts out, then hoist them up to two separate helicopters in pairs that will fly them over to the carrier(?).
It does seem weird to me rather than just taking them on the boats, but I also don't really know anything about the sort of planning that goes into these things.
I guess it's probably so they don't have to bring additional diving-like safety gear for them? I wonder if the boats could be considered more dangerous for that reason.
Yeah, I don't quite understand the rationale for it. I suppose if there was a medical emergency it would make sense since the helis are way faster and unlike a boat they're stable enough you can more safely perform medical treatments while flying in them. But given all the astronauts are healthy and uninjured, I'm not sure why they still feel it's necessary to get them on the helis. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
The main recovery vessel where they will be brought to is apparently the USS John P. Murtha, which is an amphibious transport dock ship.
Just speculating, maybe they have them there just in case something goes wrong during decent? The last bit happens fast and can go very wrong very quickly, so it might be very cautious planning. And once they're on site, might as well use them anyway?
Yeah, it probably is as simple as "we're here already so we might as well be of use"... plus, it's a lot cooler (from a PR perspective) to have the astronauts exit from helicopters onto the deck of the recovery ship, rather than having them awkwardly roll/climb out of a RIB boat in the lower deck hold. :P
Comms reestablished. 5.5 min until splashdown.
Splashdown! :)
and upright :)
Hah, yeah, that's an important aspect, for sure. :P
GG!
so glad it all went well. that was nerve-wracking to watch! haha. glad all are safe
Ditto. That 6 minutes of blackout while they were entering the atmosphere was nailbiting. I can't imagine how stressful that must have been for the astronauts themselves!
Probably more stressful for the people on the ground. The astronauts knew they were still alive.
Yeah, no doubt... Especially given all the uncertainty regarding the supposed "design flaw" of the heat shield that's repeatedly been brought up and focused on by the media over the last few months. :/
Seeing the plasma burn just before blackout on the livestream was so awesome. Gotta reinstall KSP now!