"T-5: Boiler-suited minions are GO!"

[major_clanger]

I'm watching the live coverage of SpaceX's test of its Dragon reusable capsule.

So, I imagine is Elon Musk. Doubtless from within his hollowed-out volcano, whilst stroking a fluffy white cat.

Comments

[major-clanger.livejournal.com]

Hmm, aborted at T-3 minutes. One of the minions must have got his zip stuck. That'll be the piranha pool for him then!

Take 2 in about 90 minutes' time. Any suggestions how Elon will be passing the time in his Supervillain HQ?

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

That was pretty impressive. Was that a launch to the space station, or just another test?

[autopope.livejournal.com]

This is the first test launch of the Dragon capsule -- it's going to make a couple of orbits then re-enter.

The next launch will attempt to rendenzvous with the ISS, and possibly dock with it (if NASA approve).

The one after that, if all goes well, will be an unmanned ISS supply run. Some time thereafter they might start putting astronauts aboard ...

[autopope.livejournal.com]

Well, as of a minute ago the second stage was nominal and the Dragon payload shroad had been jettisoned. Probably a bit early to break out the champagne, but it's certainly looking like a success at this point!

[major-clanger.livejournal.com]

I cut over to SpaceX's own feed during the second-stage burn, and got a nice view from the on-board cameras of engine cut-off and then separation of the capsule. It's certainly in orbit - now they just have to get it back in a few hours' time.

[non-trivial.livejournal.com]

Get back _in one piece_; just getting back is presumably fairly trivial...

(And thanks for the heads-up; I've had the countdown on the background and switched over to watch the launch.)

[davidwake.livejournal.com]

I missed it after making a mental note to tune back in ;-(

[sbisson.livejournal.com]

I've always said that Elon is the closest man to a Bond villain that I've met. After all he has a private island in the Pacific, real boiler suited minions, a space programme that works, a plan to change the world, and a large colection of 1970s designer furniture... He did remark to me once that the only thing he was missing was the big white cat.