SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch, June 4, 2010

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shuttle_guy

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Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch

mr_mark":3skep10a said:
From Spaceflightnow.com update.......WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 2010

......The hotfire is booked for Saturday on the Eastern Range, the military-run network of communications and tracking assets responsible for every launch from Cape Canaveral......

.

Apparently SpaceFlightNow will cover the hot fire of the Falcon 9:

http://spaceflightnow.com/falcon9/001/status.html
 
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MeteorWayne

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Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch

Just wanted to highlight this fom the spaceflightnow article:

"Musk says liftoff of the inaugural Falcon 9 could occur late this month, but launch is more likely some time in April. "
 
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EarthlingX

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Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch

MeteorWayne":3vyppfaw said:
Just wanted to highlight this fom the spaceflightnow article:

"Musk says liftoff of the inaugural Falcon 9 could occur late this month, but launch is more likely some time in April. "
Khm .. what is a difference between a liftoff and a launch ? :?
I mean, doesn't it happen at the same time, with a bit of luck ?

Oh, and Zipi, G :cool:
 
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nimbus

Guest
Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch

No, he's saying it could be late this month, but more likely in April.
 
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SpeedRunner

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Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch

I'm really looking forward to this flight. I hope it will be successful, and I look forward to seeing how it will affect future space flight.
 
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js117

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Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch

I hope the test firing is today.
The live feed shows falcon 9 in the lowered position.

Anybody know what time it will be.
 
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MeteorWayne

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Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch

From spaceflightnow: http://www.spaceflightnow.com/falcon9/001/status.html

1430 GMT (9:30 a.m. EST)
SpaceX just lifted the Falcon 9 rocket vertical at Complex 40, as engineers apparently begin final preparations for a brief test of the booster's nine first stage engines today.
The static fire is scheduled for late this morning or early this afternoon, SpaceX officials tell Spaceflight Now.

During the test, the launch team will load propellant into the 154-foot-tall rocket and light the engines at the end of a simulated countdown for about three-and-a-half seconds.
 
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MeteorWayne

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Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch

1515 GMT (10:15 a.m. EST)
The engine test has been rescheduled for tomorrow, according to SpaceX.

(from spaceflightnow)
 
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docm

Guest
Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch

Interesting since the strongback is now retracted.

index.php
 
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mr_mark

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Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch

Test fire now scheduled for 10 am pacific time.
 
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docm

Guest
Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch

SFN is reporting the time has been moved to 1:30 PM
 
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docm

Guest
Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch

Start abort.
SFN:

SpaceX commonly recycles after an aborted first stage ignition to try again within minutes, if the problem causing the countdown cutoff is minor.

It is unclear whether SpaceX will attempt another ignition this afternoon.

Computers monitor parameters in various systems on the rocket and the launch pad during the final seconds of the countdown. Small deviations from expected values can trigger an abort.

"We want to set our aborts tighter initially, and we don't want one tight abort to scrub a whole launch day," said Tim Buzza, the Falcon 9 launch director.

"The key thing is it's not cavalier, it's thought out. We have rules when we see that abort how we go into an anomaly team and get the engineers to say, OK, it was tight. I'm going to open it up 1 psi," Buzza told Spaceflight Now in a previous interview.
 
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bushwhacker

Guest
Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch

So it was an abort. Thought I'd missed it.

Any word on a new time or date.

Thanks Bush
 
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MeteorWayne

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Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch

SFN is reporting:http://www.spaceflightnow.com/falcon9/001/status.html

1910 GMT (2:10 p.m. EST)
The Falcon 9 engine test is apparently scrubbed for the day.
 
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MeteorWayne

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Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch

from SFN:

"2236 GMT (5:36 p.m. EST)
Nearing four hours after the Falcon 9 static fire, SpaceX has not provided any update on the outcome of the engine test, its duration, whether it was aborted, or when they will try again. "

Unfortunately for we space geeks, SpaceX plays things very close to the vest, and gives out very little information in advance.

It may be in their best interest from their viewpoint, but I disagree.

Wayne
 
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tgeairn

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Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch

from SFN:

0150 GMT (8:50 p.m. EST)
SpaceX has provided the following statement after today's static fire attempt:
"Today SpaceX performed our first Static Fire for the Falcon 9 launch vehicle. We counted down to T-2 seconds and aborted on Spin Start. Given that this was our first abort event on this pad, we decided to scrub for the day to get a good look at the rocket before trying again. Everything looks great at first glance."

"We completed pad preps on time and with good execution. The integrated countdown with the range included holdfire checks, S-band telemetry, C-band, and FTS simulated checks. We completed helium, liquid oxygen (LOX), and fuel loads to within tenths of a percent of T-zero conditions. Tanks pressed nominally and we passed all Terminal count, flight software, and ground software abort checks right down to T-2 seconds. We encountered a problem with the spin start system and aborted nominally."

"As part of the abort, we close the pre-valves to isolate the engines from the propellant tank and purge the residual propellants. The brief flames seen on the video are burn off of LOX and kerosene on the pad. The engines did not ignite and there was no engine fire."

"We detanked and safed the vehicle and launch pad. Preliminary review shows all other systems required to reach full ignition were within specification. All other pad systems worked nominally. Inspections will be complete tonight. Tomorrow will consist of data review and procedure updates. Commodities will be replenished tomorrow including TEA-TEB load, LOX and helium deliveries."

"We'll look to do the next static fire attempt in three or four days."

I guess that means they got a solid test of the pad abort system and the terminal count. Hopefully some good data will come from this.
 
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MeteorWayne

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Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch

Thanks for the update!!
 
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Zipi

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Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch

F9 first hotfire test:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_0KqS13weI[/youtube]

Based on information available, my bet is that the problem is related to liquid helium ground systems which are needed to spin up the turbopumps. All F9 hardware is already tested and stated as flight worthy but these ground systems needed for engine start are used at first time.
 
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MeteorWayne

Guest
Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch

From SFN:http://www.spaceflightnow.com/falcon9/001/100309hotfire/

A SpaceX spokesperson said the company will try for another hotfire test in three or four days.

The cutoff sequence was initiated Tuesday after an unspecified problem with the first stage spin start system, an early step in the engine ignition sequence.

"We encountered a problem with the spin start system and aborted nominally," the statement said. "As part of the abort, we close the pre-valves to isolate the engines from the propellant tank and purge the residual propellants. The brief flames seen on the video are burn off of [liquid oxygen] and kerosene on the pad. The engines did not ignite and there was no engine fire."
 
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EarthlingX

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Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch

That would most probably be the flame at 1:10 into the video, which left black markings in the lower middle of the 1st stage.
 
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