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This is easily blamed on the shutdown, but it isn't that simple: Falcon Heavy static fire has been postponed numerous times. On Tuesday (Jan 16th), it was cance
by mikejb 9y ago
This is easily blamed on the shutdown, but it isn't that simple: Falcon Heavy static fire has been postponed numerous times. On Tuesday (Jan 16th), it was cancelled once again, but with no new target test date. That indicates that SpaceX is still working on the rocket/pad.
I didn't find information on when they'd be ready again, but blaming a delay on Falcon Heavy's static fire test on the Government Shutdown is only half the truth.
- Rebelgecko 9y agoThey can blame the shutdown for cancelling this particular attempt, just not the last half a dozen tries
- greglindahl 9y agoSpaceX had activities planned for Sunday and Monday which have been canceled. New rockets and new launch pads (2/3 of the booster fueling equipment is new) are always like this; the first shuttle flight sat on the pad from December through April. It's very tedious for the range people because both fueling the rocket (wet dress rehearsal) and fueling and static firing it are dangerous events that require exclusion zones.
- ygra 9y agoThey did go through with a Wet Dress Rehearsal on Saturday, though, which already validates many things just prior to engine ignition. So if they were confident to continue with a static fire on Monday and there were no other issues known I'd say it's fair to blame it on the shutdown. Of course, more issues could arise during the test, but we won't know now.
- moonka 9y agoShutdown started at Midnight Friday though didn't it?
- freeflight 9y agoOfficially yes, but I can imagine there being some bureaucratic delay until it's in full effect/everybody got the news. Not a lot of time between midnight Friday and Saturday. In German radio news, the US correspondent explained that the weekend should still be fine, with full effects of the shutdown beginning around Monday with the new week.
- dx034 9y agoBut that was because few people work on the weekend anyway. Anyone affected working on the weekend knew that they wouldn't get paid.
- freeflight 9y ago> Anyone affected working on the weekend knew that they wouldn't get paid. They knew that, for certain, only after Friday midnight. It's not that far-fetched to assume that most people working that Saturday would already be asleep during that time and just showed up at their work on Saturday like it's business as usual.
- SiempreViernes 9y agoGotta be a weird person not to check the outcome on the news before going to work since they've been plenty forewarned. I guess someone living close by, that woke up late and doesn't have radio, tv, or internet available for a quick check could plausibly skip over calling someone to find out before jogging over.
- freeflight 9y agoWeird persons exist, just like persons who don't include checking news during their breakfast routine, then there's also a subset of weird people who might just like doing their job and don't mind working that one Saturday without pay.
- 9y ago
- someguydave 9y agoMaybe SpaceX knew that this would be a golden opportunity to to blame their own problems on the government and therefore set the stage for blaming them...
- andygates 9y agoThey've had a bunch of delays, and this is BAU for a new rocket's maiden flight, but the upcoming scheduled test is delayed because of the shutdown.
- mabbo 9y agoEvery time they've cancelled the static fire, it's for a reason they've found not to do it. It's small, incremental steps and they knew it would take this many to get there. The point is that with the government shut down they cannot continue to make those incremental steps anymore. It's a shame because today could have been the last of those little steps. We'll find out when the elected officials stop acting like children I suppose.
- deleted 9y ago[deleted]