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I got up this morning to watch the launch. I’m used to seeing the pageantry and showmanship of a SpaceX launch and I was left… underwhelmed. Don’t get me wrong

by cletus 5y ago

I got up this morning to watch the launch. I’m used to seeing the pageantry and showmanship of a SpaceX launch and I was left… underwhelmed. Don’t get me wrong: this is a mold-boggling complex device and launch. It’s an amazing technical feat. But YouTube had a 720p stream. There was pretty limited video. After a few seconds it was above the clouds and lost to view so we were just watching animations. Compare this to the first Falcon Heavy Launch. Synchronized booster landings. video from the Launch vehicle and of course Starman in the Tesla. Say what you will about Elon, he can put on a show. Anyway, I really hope the JWST well. There is still a ton to do and a ton that can go wrong in the coming months. The Launch is a massive milestone. Fingers crossed.

enriquto 5y ago
> I was left… underwhelmed What the hell are you talking about. I have seen the launch with my kids and it's been the most awesome thing of the last few years!
- khuey 5y ago
  SpaceX launch broadcasts have much higher production quality and have video from on-board the rocket after ground tracking loses sight of it which is what the grandparent is referring to.
- mortehu 5y ago
  If people are awed, I doubt this is caused by the production value of the video stream though.
  - enriquto 5y ago
    It is likely that "production value" is negatively correlated with actual value.
mongol 5y ago
> Don’t get me wrong: this is a mold-boggling complex device and launch. It’s an amazing technical feat. > But YouTube had a 720p stream .. This is ridiculous. This telescope is not a show, it is made for science, and they have made the right priorities by not spending on entertainment value.
- chrsig 5y ago
  I appreciate the sentiment here. If I may offer a different perspective: the public has paid a _lot_ of money for this thing, and getting a good stream of the launch set up (seems like it should be) a drop in the bucket. I don't think it'd be a wasted effort -- getting and keeping people interested and engaged with space science is a worthy endeavor
  - 1_player 5y ago
    They used taxpayers money to build the thing, which means they've left aside just enough for a barebones show, and hopefully every last dime has been invested in the project, and that is exactly how it should be. If you spend more on marketing, you spend less on science. It's called a "budget".
    - chrsig 5y ago
      By keeping taxpayers engaged, they'll hopefully be more willing to provide a bigger budget in the future. >If you spend more on marketing, you spend less on science. It's called a "budget". The snark isn't appreciated. Happy holidays!
ProAm 5y ago
>I’m used to seeing the pageantry and showmanship of a SpaceX launch and I was left… underwhelmed The SpaceX launches broadcasts are made for largely uneducated lay people. No one should be entertained by that. They all feel like infomercials.

by cletus 5y ago

enriquto 5y ago

> I was left… underwhelmed What the hell are you talking about. I have seen the launch with my kids and it's been the most awesome thing of the last few years!

khuey 5y ago
SpaceX launch broadcasts have much higher production quality and have video from on-board the rocket after ground tracking loses sight of it which is what the grandparent is referring to.
mortehu 5y ago
If people are awed, I doubt this is caused by the production value of the video stream though.
- enriquto 5y ago
  It is likely that "production value" is negatively correlated with actual value.

mongol 5y ago

> Don’t get me wrong: this is a mold-boggling complex device and launch. It’s an amazing technical feat. > But YouTube had a 720p stream .. This is ridiculous. This telescope is not a show, it is made for science, and they have made the right priorities by not spending on entertainment value.

chrsig 5y ago
I appreciate the sentiment here. If I may offer a different perspective: the public has paid a _lot_ of money for this thing, and getting a good stream of the launch set up (seems like it should be) a drop in the bucket. I don't think it'd be a wasted effort -- getting and keeping people interested and engaged with space science is a worthy endeavor
- 1_player 5y ago
  They used taxpayers money to build the thing, which means they've left aside just enough for a barebones show, and hopefully every last dime has been invested in the project, and that is exactly how it should be. If you spend more on marketing, you spend less on science. It's called a "budget".
  - chrsig 5y ago
    By keeping taxpayers engaged, they'll hopefully be more willing to provide a bigger budget in the future. >If you spend more on marketing, you spend less on science. It's called a "budget". The snark isn't appreciated. Happy holidays!

ProAm 5y ago

>I’m used to seeing the pageantry and showmanship of a SpaceX launch and I was left… underwhelmed The SpaceX launches broadcasts are made for largely uneducated lay people. No one should be entertained by that. They all feel like infomercials.