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Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch
lol Boris!
Also, from SFN:
I was unable to find a live video stream (see Boris, above
), so I guess it's business-as-usual for Space-X.
lol Boris!
Also, from SFN:
I was unable to find a live video stream (see Boris, above
), so I guess it's business-as-usual for Space-X.Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch
http://www.spaceflightnow.com/falcon9/001/status.html
Excerpts:
Elon Musk, SpaceX's founder and CEO, has provided the following update on the cause of Tuesday's aborted launch pad engine test:
"The valve that didn't actuate is the ground side isolation valve to release ground supplied high pressure helium to start the first stage engine turbopumps spinning at several thousand rpm. Once that happens it generates enough pressure to start the gas generator, which is a small rocket engine that powers the turbopump. There are no vehicle side valves actuated for spin start (just check valves), so it is an all engines or none situation.
The problem was pretty simple: our autostart sequence didn't issue the command to the normally closed ground side isolation valve. We had tested everything on the vehicle side exhaustively in Texas, but didn't have this iso valve on our test stand there. Definitely a lesson learned to make sure that *everything* is the same between test stand and launch pad on the ground side, not just on the vehicle side.
..............
"If all goes well, we will try the static fire again in the next few days. Right now, we are holding due to extreme weather. It is raining sideways at 46 mph and tornados have been spotted just north of the Cape.
It is important for readers to appreciate that what we are going through right now is the equivalent of "beta testing." Problems are expected to occur, as they have throughout the development phase. The beta phase only ends when a rocket has done at least one, but arguably two or three consecutive flights to orbit."
...
SpaceX is planning April 12 as their new launch date on the Eastern Range, according to the Air Force. The launch window would be between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. EDT. But the new launch date is still pending Air Force approval.
http://www.spaceflightnow.com/falcon9/001/status.html
Excerpts:
Elon Musk, SpaceX's founder and CEO, has provided the following update on the cause of Tuesday's aborted launch pad engine test:
"The valve that didn't actuate is the ground side isolation valve to release ground supplied high pressure helium to start the first stage engine turbopumps spinning at several thousand rpm. Once that happens it generates enough pressure to start the gas generator, which is a small rocket engine that powers the turbopump. There are no vehicle side valves actuated for spin start (just check valves), so it is an all engines or none situation.
The problem was pretty simple: our autostart sequence didn't issue the command to the normally closed ground side isolation valve. We had tested everything on the vehicle side exhaustively in Texas, but didn't have this iso valve on our test stand there. Definitely a lesson learned to make sure that *everything* is the same between test stand and launch pad on the ground side, not just on the vehicle side.
..............
"If all goes well, we will try the static fire again in the next few days. Right now, we are holding due to extreme weather. It is raining sideways at 46 mph and tornados have been spotted just north of the Cape.
It is important for readers to appreciate that what we are going through right now is the equivalent of "beta testing." Problems are expected to occur, as they have throughout the development phase. The beta phase only ends when a rocket has done at least one, but arguably two or three consecutive flights to orbit."
...
SpaceX is planning April 12 as their new launch date on the Eastern Range, according to the Air Force. The launch window would be between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. EDT. But the new launch date is still pending Air Force approval.
Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch
There are a few Constellaiton supporters who are going to say that SpaceX can't safely fly people if they lose a vehicle in testing. I would agree with Mr. Musk that the system is still in test and even if one or two vehicles are lost that doesn't mean the design is inadequate as long as the problems can be corrected and funds are available to keep flying. On the other hand, the Ares was not going to be cost-effective even if it never hasd a full-scale failure. It's far better to keep the system simple and correct the problems than to add the multiple layers of redundency and procedures that NASA tends to demand.
There are a few Constellaiton supporters who are going to say that SpaceX can't safely fly people if they lose a vehicle in testing. I would agree with Mr. Musk that the system is still in test and even if one or two vehicles are lost that doesn't mean the design is inadequate as long as the problems can be corrected and funds are available to keep flying. On the other hand, the Ares was not going to be cost-effective even if it never hasd a full-scale failure. It's far better to keep the system simple and correct the problems than to add the multiple layers of redundency and procedures that NASA tends to demand.
Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch
This post would be better off in the SpaceX thread in Space Business and Technlology. This discussion is strictly for the
Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch
This post would be better off in the SpaceX thread in Space Business and Technlology. This discussion is strictly for the
Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch
Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch
The engine test is Saturday 12:30 PM.
Weather is good.
video is up also
from http://www.spaceflightnow.com/falcon9/001/status.html
The engine test is Saturday 12:30 PM.
Weather is good.
video is up also
from http://www.spaceflightnow.com/falcon9/001/status.html
Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch
There's not much of a crowd for the Hot Fire. Looks like it's just you & me Wayne.
There's not much of a crowd for the Hot Fire. Looks like it's just you & me Wayne.
Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch
Well, something happened, but the camera view is too far away and shaky to confirm if it was a 3.5 second test or another abort like the other day.
Well, something happened, but the camera view is too far away and shaky to confirm if it was a 3.5 second test or another abort like the other day.
Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch
From SFN:
1730 GMT (12:30 p.m. EST)
IGNITION. The Falcon 9 rocket's nine Merlin engines have fired for a brief test at Complex 40.
From SFN:
1730 GMT (12:30 p.m. EST)
IGNITION. The Falcon 9 rocket's nine Merlin engines have fired for a brief test at Complex 40.
Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch
I'm just sure that SFN would have used the closer camera if they could. So my guess is that someone (probably SpaceX) wants to restrict the flow of information. Not that I blame them, but it is frustrating for geeks like us who would sit around on Saturday watching a video feed of a test procedure.
Somebody put this on www.Nasaspaceflight.com
I'm just sure that SFN would have used the closer camera if they could. So my guess is that someone (probably SpaceX) wants to restrict the flow of information. Not that I blame them, but it is frustrating for geeks like us who would sit around on Saturday watching a video feed of a test procedure.
Somebody put this on www.Nasaspaceflight.com
Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch
Final word from SFN:
1810 GMT (1:10 p.m. EST)
This will conclude our live stream of today's test. Unfortunately, suitable camera angles were blocked from the public's view during this critical milestone for the Falcon 9 rocket
Final word from SFN:
1810 GMT (1:10 p.m. EST)
This will conclude our live stream of today's test. Unfortunately, suitable camera angles were blocked from the public's view during this critical milestone for the Falcon 9 rocket
Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch
Hot fire pics here! http://www.hobbyspace.com/nucleus/index.php
Hot fire pics here! http://www.hobbyspace.com/nucleus/index.php
Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch
From SFN:
http://www.spaceflightnow.com/falcon9/0 ... taticfire/
2355 GMT (6:55 p.m. EST Tues.)
SpaceX successfully fired the Falcon 9 rocket's nine Merlin engines on a Florida launch pad Saturday, completing a key preflight test before the privately-developed booster is cleared for launch in April.
The 15-story rocket's first stage engines ignited at 12:30 p.m. EST (1730 GMT), sending a plume of smoke out of the flame trench at Cape Canaveral's Complex 40. The nine engines ramped up to more than 800,000 pounds of thrust and burned for a handful of seconds, meeting all the company's test objectives, according to SpaceX.
"Today, SpaceX successfully completed a test firing of the inaugural Falcon 9 launch vehicle at Space Launch Complex 40 located at Cape Canaveral," the company said in a written statement. "Following a nominal terminal countdown, the launch sequencer commanded ignition of all 9 Merlin first stage engines for a period of 3.5 seconds."
2029 GMT (3:29 p.m. EST)
SpaceX released the following statement this afternoon:
"Today, SpaceX successfully completed a test firing of the inaugural Falcon 9 launch vehicle at Space Launch Complex 40 located at Cape Canaveral. Following a nominal terminal countdown, the launch sequencer commanded ignition of all 9 Merlin first stage engines for a period of 3.5 seconds.
"Just prior to engine ignition, the pad water deluge system was activated providing acoustic suppression to keep vibration levels within acceptable limits. The test validated the launch pad propellant and pneumatic systems as well as the ground and flight control software that controls pad and launch vehicle configurations. The completion of a successful static fire is the latest milestone on the path to first flight of the Falcon 9 which will carry a Dragon spacecraft qualification unit to orbit."
From SFN:
http://www.spaceflightnow.com/falcon9/0 ... taticfire/
2355 GMT (6:55 p.m. EST Tues.)
SpaceX successfully fired the Falcon 9 rocket's nine Merlin engines on a Florida launch pad Saturday, completing a key preflight test before the privately-developed booster is cleared for launch in April.
The 15-story rocket's first stage engines ignited at 12:30 p.m. EST (1730 GMT), sending a plume of smoke out of the flame trench at Cape Canaveral's Complex 40. The nine engines ramped up to more than 800,000 pounds of thrust and burned for a handful of seconds, meeting all the company's test objectives, according to SpaceX.
"Today, SpaceX successfully completed a test firing of the inaugural Falcon 9 launch vehicle at Space Launch Complex 40 located at Cape Canaveral," the company said in a written statement. "Following a nominal terminal countdown, the launch sequencer commanded ignition of all 9 Merlin first stage engines for a period of 3.5 seconds."
2029 GMT (3:29 p.m. EST)
SpaceX released the following statement this afternoon:
"Today, SpaceX successfully completed a test firing of the inaugural Falcon 9 launch vehicle at Space Launch Complex 40 located at Cape Canaveral. Following a nominal terminal countdown, the launch sequencer commanded ignition of all 9 Merlin first stage engines for a period of 3.5 seconds.
"Just prior to engine ignition, the pad water deluge system was activated providing acoustic suppression to keep vibration levels within acceptable limits. The test validated the launch pad propellant and pneumatic systems as well as the ground and flight control software that controls pad and launch vehicle configurations. The completion of a successful static fire is the latest milestone on the path to first flight of the Falcon 9 which will carry a Dragon spacecraft qualification unit to orbit."
Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch
:
From HobbySpace
Falcon 9 pad test firing photos :
Not all of them, of course ..
Very nice picsmr_mark":c5ivswy6 said:
:From HobbySpace
Falcon 9 pad test firing photos :
Here are some cool photos of Saturday's test taken by Chris Thompson of SpaceX (click on images for larger versions):
03/13/10 09:43 PM | Posted by TopSpacer
Not all of them, of course ..
Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFbziCQG9FI[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFbziCQG9FI[/youtube]
Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch
The Kos; Video and photos of SpaceX Falcon 9 static fire test
The Kos; Video and photos of SpaceX Falcon 9 static fire test
Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch
Video is up at SpaceX with sound
The link http://spacex.com/multimedia/videos.php
Video is up at SpaceX with sound
The link http://spacex.com/multimedia/videos.php
Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch
SpaceX will regret shutting the media out if things go bad on launch day.
- Ed Kyle
MeteorWayne":11s48nek said:
SpaceX will regret shutting the media out if things go bad on launch day.
- Ed Kyle
Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch
Ed, Spacex has gone WAY out of their way to provide accurate coverage of all testing of the Falcon 9 launch vehicle. I don't understand why you keep saying Spacex is not upfront with their coverage. If you don't think Spacex is upfront, just compare them to other private space firms such as ULA and Orbital Sciences. Spacex is way more forward with coming up with information for the public and many of us here at the space.com boards greatly appeciate it.
Ed, Spacex has gone WAY out of their way to provide accurate coverage of all testing of the Falcon 9 launch vehicle. I don't understand why you keep saying Spacex is not upfront with their coverage. If you don't think Spacex is upfront, just compare them to other private space firms such as ULA and Orbital Sciences. Spacex is way more forward with coming up with information for the public and many of us here at the space.com boards greatly appeciate it.
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