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#4465933 - 03/17/19 04:07 AM Unexpected SpaceX Encounter  
Joined: Jul 2006
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Docjonel Offline
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Docjonel  Offline
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Just returned with my family two days ago from a Disney Cruise that left from Port Canaveral, Florida. On our way out of port, while hundreds of people on the upper deck were watching a typical hyperenthusiastic Disney musical presentation, I was the only one getting excited over some non-descript vessels passing by on our port side. Turns out the SpaceX recovery vessels were right next us! Go Navigator had recovered the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule after its inital mission to the ISS only three days previously. I snapped a number of photos before realizing that right behind it was Of Course I Still Love You, the battle-scarred veteran of multiple successful and unsuccessful Falcon 9 booster recovery efforts, including the booster used in the latest mission. It was odd to see such historic vessels go so totally unacknowledged by the large crowd passing by just yards away, but an unexpected pleasure for me, for sure!

Go Navigator and Go Searcher, the two SpaceX crew capsule recovery vessels:
[Linked Image]

Mr. Steven, the recovery vessel that accompanies Of Course I Still Love You on booster recovery missions since crew are not aboard OCISLY during landings:
[Linked Image]

And Of Course I Still Love You, the battle-scarred site of so many massive fireballs and successful booster landings. It struck me as a rather small target for such a large booster to land on, just as an aircraft carrier is a massive ship, but a tiny airport.
[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

At each corner of OCISLY is a propulsor unit to help it keep position at sea.
[Linked Image]

I believe this is the robot that is supposed to aid in stabilizing Falcon 9 boosters after they land on Of Course I Still Love You. One of the blast shields at either end of the deck tilts upward to let it approach boosters after they land.
[Linked Image]

This is likely a dummy Dragon capsule used for practicing recovery operations at sea.
[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]


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#4465943 - 03/17/19 09:05 AM Re: Unexpected SpaceX Encounter [Re: Docjonel]  
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RedToo Offline
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Great pictures. Thanks for posting.


My 'Waiting for Clod' thread: http://tinyurl.com/bqxc9ee

Always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.
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#4465959 - 03/17/19 01:18 PM Re: Unexpected SpaceX Encounter [Re: Docjonel]  
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Docjonel Offline
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Docjonel  Offline
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Confirmed that is the robotic landing assist clampdown device named Optimus Prime. It securely fastens down boosters post landing to reduce the need for humans to transfer aboard OCISLY while out at sea, which is a potentially risky exercise.


"For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" -- Mark 8:36
#4465970 - 03/17/19 03:20 PM Re: Unexpected SpaceX Encounter [Re: Docjonel]  
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Arthonon Online content
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Arthonon  Online Content
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That's pretty cool, good catch, and thanks for posting!


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#4465993 - 03/17/19 05:46 PM Re: Unexpected SpaceX Encounter [Re: Docjonel]  
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MajorMagee Offline
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Talk about being able to hit a postage stamp!


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#4466528 - 03/19/19 10:02 PM Re: Unexpected SpaceX Encounter [Re: RedToo]  
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CyBerkut Offline
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Florida
Originally Posted by RedToo
Great pictures. Thanks for posting.


+1 !!!
thumbsup

#4467004 - 03/22/19 01:56 PM Re: Unexpected SpaceX Encounter [Re: Docjonel]  
Joined: Mar 2001
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Nixer Offline
Scaliwag and Survivor
Nixer  Offline
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Living with the Trees
Cool.

All ex-oilfield boats. Spent many days at sea on a boat just like the Navigator.

The Mr. Steven is certainly an ex-oilfield crewboat, still in Tidewater colors.


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