News Changes to the SpaceX BFR rocket.

[GLS]

Speaking of F9, isn't a Falcon Heavy going up soon?

Tomorrow https://www.orbiter-forum.com/threads/mission-to-a-hidden-ocean-the-europa-clipper.28212/post-623598
New Shepard in 20 minutes https://www.orbiter-forum.com/threads/blue-origin-new-shepard-news-and-updates.32287/post-623599

 

[GLS]

Meanwhile, the entry is coming up! 115km and coming down.

 

[steph]

So they didn't end up testing the raptors in space?

 

[GLS]

So they didn't end up testing the raptors in space?

Doesn't look like it.

100 km and plasma is visible!

 

[Thunder Chicken]

This video is amazing. Watching re-entry plasma in real time.

 

[GLS]

Drag is now high enough that speed is coming down.

 

[Thunder Chicken]

Hmm...bits seem to be ablating off.

 

[GLS]

Stuff flying off the aft flap...

 

[GLS]

Now in the dark, descent leveled and still over 20 times the speed of sound.

 

[steph]

Kinda looks better than the last one, so far

 

[GLS]

Lots of gas dynamics, but it should be the engine vent being sucked into the leeward side of the vehicle.

 

[Thunder Chicken]

A lot of debris coming from windward side of the ship.

 

[Thunder Chicken]

Seeing hot spots on lee of forward body flap. Ruh roh...

 

[Thunder Chicken]

It's burning through the forward flap joint.

 

[GLS]

Not looking healthy for me anymore... there is a wave midway down the vehicle, add the debris going and it seems like stuff going...
Forward flap going...

 

[GLS]

Bottom glowing red, but very unevenly like there is stuff added there, or it burned...
Seems like debris coming also from the engine section.

 

[GLS]

Plasma phase done, do fully dark, 30km down to the water and Mach 2.

 

[GLS]

Leveled attitude now, less than 10km to go.

 

[GLS]

Ignition and flip....

 

[Urwumpe]

And ignition again.