[General Battuta]

After a couple disastrous attempted launches, the SpaceX Falcon rocket system finally made into orbit about a week ago -- a big step forward for privatized space flight.

Awesome video of the launch and ascent here.

If I remember correctly, the next stage is to get the larger Falcon 9 into orbit, and then launch a Dragon manned craft with that system.

[BloodEagle]

That file is 247MB in size. 

[General Battuta]

But it's awesome.

I may be slightly spoiled by this connection. Apologies!

[Mongoose]

Faaaalcon...PUUUUNCH!!!

Sounds like it'll be awesome, once the download finishes.

[Bob-san]

Give me a few minutes to download it--and it should be awesome! 

EDIT: Crappy server

Long video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FQhtMrUQlE&feature=related
Short video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=To-XOPgaGsQ

[Goober5000]

I saw the launch live via webcam.  It was cool.

[Nuke]

cool, id like a dozen

ive got warheads satellites to launch

[Hero_Swe]

Very very cool, BTW. What's the track during the launch?

[Scorpius]

For some reason I immediately thought they put a falcon on a space shuttle and had video of it trying to fly in zero g.  Now THATS entertainment!

[Mobius]

For some reason I immediately thought they put a falcon on a space shuttle and had video of it trying to fly in zero g.  Now THATS entertainment!

It happened with monkeys and dogs...a falcon would have been nice!

[TrashMan]

Yeah, very cool.


B.t.w. Goob, LUUUUUV you new avatar. I'm nutty about Phoenixes too

[jdjtcagle]

I can't help but see that and think pokemon,

[Stormkeeper]

I can't help but see that and think pokemon,

Me too ...

[Androgeos Exeunt]

What Pokemon do you guys think of? Noctowl?

[Mobius]

Moltres, although it's not a pure Phoenix(it's a "simple" fire bird).

The Phoenix reminds me Monster Rancher...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHgVjZJXFHU

...and Steadfast (WIP)

I love Phoenixes, that's why I want that Squad logo from FS2 Intro...

[Stormkeeper]

What Pokemon do you guys think of? Noctowl?

Uh. Ho-oh, and Articuno, strangely enough.

[Androgeos Exeunt]

All right, that's enough thread diversion. We can continue this on another thread if we have to.

[TrashMan]

Moltres, although it's not a pure Phoenix(it's a "simple" fire bird).

The Phoenix reminds me Monster Rancher...

I love Phoenixes, that's why I want that Squad logo from FS2 Intro...

I remember seeing a episode or two of Monster Rancher. Better than Pokemon BY FAR, altough it's still kinda daft.
Loved the Pheonix there. It was HUUUUGE.. and awesome.

[Colonol Dekker]

This is wayyyyyyy off topic. Don't make me unleash the beast.......

[terran_emperor]

I was having flashes of the Millenium Falcon from Star Wars, when i saw the title...
Then I though the Bird...and thought that a Falcon had flown up into space on it's own...

...Isnt there a falcon class fighter USAirforce... (F-15=Eagle Class, F-18=Hornet Class, etc)

And a quick off-topic note (Please dont Maul me  Dekker )

Uh. Ho-oh...

The name ho-oh is taken from Ho-o, alternativly romanized as Houou.
Ho-o is the Japanese name for the mythological bird - the Fenghuang.
Fenghuang are commonly called in the West the Chinese Phoenix.

More info here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fenghuang