Aged Raver on 29/8/2022 at 11:46
Yes thanks to Tocky I'm watching. :thumb: I probably wouldn't have known otherwise.
At the same time I'm hoping things are as well as can be in Tocky's current situation. Good luck!
henke on 29/8/2022 at 12:03
Also watching. Launch delayed. Current ETA: T MINUS 40 MINUTES!
Not sure what T MINUS MEANS! BUT IT MAKES ME FEEL LIKE IM IN ALIEN! WOO! SPACE!
demagogue on 29/8/2022 at 12:41
PSA, the launch was aborted for today.
The next chance is Sept. 2.
We'll get there eventually!
Aged Raver on 29/8/2022 at 12:41
No I don't know what T means either. It seems Launch has been scrubbed.
Earliest next launch day would be this coming Friday Sept 2nd.
Edit. T=Take Off perhaps?
Oh well I suppose this means I'll have to do what I was delaying doing, today. :tsktsk:
demagogue on 29/8/2022 at 13:03
"T" is "time". XD
It's like you're looking at any time-dependent graph. The x-axis is usually the time variable labeled T. So they use that for just a normal timeline for their schedule, and say the launch is at, e.g., "t = 3pm", then 10 minutes before that will be t minus 10 minutes.
The catch is--what I was hearing from one of the live streamers--they may push the launch after the scheduled time, which almost happened this time because of some leak and temperature issue they were having. In that case they'd still use the "T minus __" for the original scheduled time, and as soon as it went over they'd start saying "T plus __", but then they'd also use "L minus __" (L for launch) for the actual launch time (as rescheduled). We were almost in that position of needing to look at the "L minus __" time, but the window for the launch was only 2 hours long, and they had to confirm everything was okay I think within 40 minutes inside that window, and they didn't think they could confirm it within that time, so the chief decided to scrub it for today.
And since the launch got scrubbed anyway, I guess this is all gratuitous detail now. But interesting anyway.
PigLick on 29/8/2022 at 13:11
It feels strange to think we had manned moon mission and yet now cant even get rocket off.
Pyrian on 29/8/2022 at 15:41
Quote Posted by PigLick
It feels strange to think we had manned moon mission and yet now cant even get rocket off.
...Apollo 1 was worse. Much, much worse: (
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_1)
Delays are pretty routine.
Tocky, any chance you'll make it to the next scheduled try? XD
Tocky on 31/8/2022 at 19:18
I appreciate all the warm responses. I could argue with MXleader about all we have learned including tech like MRI and such from the missions but why? You either understand all we have gotten out of the space program or not. Compare it to what we get out of war and the tons of money we put into that.
Well... WE WENT. When we got to the hospital Saturday my mom-in-law was alert and her old self. They were even talking about letting her go home that evening maybe. So we sat around talking with Rena's sisters and nieces and, when it came up about our trip, we explained we weren't' going. She was horrified. She held my hand and looked me in the eyes and begged me please not to let her be the reason we cancelled. Well, I already had cancelled our reservations, but she was pleading with me. I understood. I would be the same way if it were me. Still, I tried a few halfhearted attempts about we didn't need to and we could see the next one and then I realized she didn't want it on her conscience. It would be best just to go.
So it was seat of the pants travel like the old days. We were already packed. I figured we could still make the 12 hour or so drive, though it would put us late at night and no reserved room, we could still get some nearby town room. With some hugs and tears we took off. That is one hard drive. Birmingham, Atlanta, and Macon were white knuckled interstate twisty turny nightmares. And then came Savannah. We rolled in about 11:00 that night. I pictured a genteel southern city with stately mansions and Spanish moss. Not so.
Hwy 16 took us straight to crackhead city. The moss was on the trees in the median, but three out of four houses were abandoned husks and nothing stately about them, just old. We had to get out of there so I went back to 95 to search out other entrances with hotels. The first exit south had plenty so I pulled into one and noticed a person passed out on the sidewalk near the door. Heedless, I went inside. $160 a night with a cash deposit of fifty in case of damages up front. WTF? This was like a Days Inn not the Hilton. And sketchy. I collected my ID and went to the one next door. This one had a sleeping bum in the only open parking spot near the door.
I went to another. No Bums but I think I witnessed a drug deal on my way in. I saw the condition of the lobby and turned right around. The next one seemed fairly clean. I asked the guy behind the counter about a room and he gave me a look like I was crazy and said he had to get some girl a pillow and left. There was a bar off the lobby, and I saw some woman with arm and neck tattoos take a guy by the hand and lead him past. I left and went across the interstate hoping for better. Also I needed gas.
At the station I asked the counter lady if any of the hotels behind it were worth staying in. She flat out stated those were full of druggies but the two across the road might be okay. I was tired and angry. On the way to the pump some guy shambled out from behind a car and came toward me. I stopped and stared at him. He mumbled something and staggered back the way he came. Across the road at the first hotel there was a guy walking fast in circles in the lot talking unintelligibly. I drove to the other hotel. At this point I was just checking things out for the laughs. I thought about this one. Only one group in the parking lot and some shirtless guy smoking near the lobby door. Nah.
We drove forty miles to the next town laughing about what a hell hole we just escaped. Dardenelle or something like that. It had two hotels. At the first one was a guy sitting splay legged and with his head down on the curb. Nope. Didn't even slow down. Across the way was a hotel with one windowless white van in the lot. I got out and pulled on the lobby door and it was locked. A lady peeked out the night window for just a second so I came to it and asked if there were any rooms. There must have been 99 left except for van guys. She just stared at her computer screen tapping away. She looked normal and healthy, young, but weirded out. I asked again. She kept tapping. I asked was she okay. No response. I took a look at the U shape of stacked rooms. The place must have been built in the 60's. I got creeped. "Hey miss, we would like a room if it's okay." Only, I no longer wanted one. She never took her eyes from the screen or stopped tapping. I listened to hear if they were dot dot dot- dash dash dash- dot dot dot. They weren't. I didn't see anyone else in the room and could see under the counter even from my side view. I leaned as far as I could against the glass and couldn't see anyone hiding against her side of the wall. I had no idea. "Just blink if you need help", I said softly. No response. No blink. I left wondering if I should laugh or call the police.
The next town down was the entrance to St. Simon Island. They had a reasonable room with a courteous and professional manager... except there was a clear plastic sheet that I had to pass my card through at the join. Also I couldn't understand a word he said. The young Spanish group dressed in tuxes and black dresses had no trouble before me and I shouldn't have either as I often deal with Mexican folks at my work. Plus, he looked Japanese. I asked about the lighthouse hours and distance and I think he started giving me directions. No way to be sure. I just nodded and smiled. It was a nice clean new room.
More later.
Aged Raver on 31/8/2022 at 20:07
Well that's really good news about your Mum-in-Law. :thumb:
But the trip you describe (so far) sounds really scary.
I read the latest idea for a launch is this Saturday.
I imagine you'll be going. :D
Pyrian on 1/9/2022 at 00:49
Everything Tocky does turns into an adventure. :cheeky:
Pretty sure "Savannah" is a stripper name.
I'm glad your mother-in-law was alright.