SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch, June 4, 2010

[mj1]

Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch

Just read today, the Constellation project just got whacked. No Ares I, no Ares II, no Orion capsule, no rehashed Apollo project. NASA has been told to start long term planning for Mars and other deep space missions, help the private companies develop their LEO capabilities, and get out of that business. This is great news for SpaceX and others. Check it out:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35182959/ns ... nce-space/

 

[aaron38]

Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch

Well let's hope SpaceX scores a touchdown with this handoff, because all our eggs are now in their basket.

 

[MeteorWayne]

Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch

Just read today, the Constellation project just got whacked. No Ares I, no Ares II, no Orion capsule, no rehashed Apollo project. NASA has been told to start long term planning for Mars and other deep space missions, help the private companies develop their LEO capabilities, and get out of that business. This is great news for SpaceX and others. Check it out:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35182959/ns ... nce-space/

This thread is specifically to discuss the Upcoming Falcon 9 Flight 1 launch.

Discussions about the future of NASA and Space X belong in Space Business and Technology, where there at leas ta half dozen such threads.

Thanx for your cooperation

Moderator Meteor Wayne

 

[MeteorWayne]

Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch

A few excerpts from the article above:

http://www.spaceflightnow.com/falcon9/0 ... 29arrival/

"All the pieces of the first Falcon 9 rocket due to launch between March and May have been trucked into Cape Canaveral, leaving just a handful of final tasks and closeouts before the booster is lifted atop the pad for tanking and engine tests. The rocket's second stage arrived at the Cape earlier this week after finishing acceptance testing in Texas, filling the shiny new SpaceX hangar at Complex 40 with rocket hardware for the first time. "
.....


"After the engine test, which is expected to last a few seconds, SpaceX will move the rocket back to the hangar for the final installation of the the vehicle's self-destruct system that would terminate the flight if problems developed during launch.

When the Falcon 9 reaches the pad again, some time no earlier than the first week of March, it will be ready for flight. Liftoff is currently set for around March 8 during a four-hour launch window that opens at 11 a.m. EST. "

 

[docm]

Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch

Given the recent decisions and the increasing importance of this flight one would think it would be shown on NASA TV, but I guess that's too much to hope for

 

[MeteorWayne]

Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch

Heck, based on past experince, we'll be lucky if SpaceX gives us 12 hours notice of the Launch coverage :|

 

[EarthlingX]

Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch

Given the recent decisions and the increasing importance of this flight one would think it would be shown on NASA TV, but I guess that's too much to hope for

That's a joke, right ? :lol:

It will be there, wait a bit ..

 

[MeteorWayne]

Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch

BTW, I should say that SpaceX's launch coverage on their website is superb, it's just there is rarely more than 24 hours notice, so you need to keep up with the latest developments. This thread is usually a pretty good place to keep up with things, and there's enough rocket fans that someone is always checking ) :ugeek:

 

[mj1]

Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch

A few excerpts from the article above:

http://www.spaceflightnow.com/falcon9/0 ... 29arrival/

"All the pieces of the first Falcon 9 rocket due to launch between March and May have been trucked into Cape Canaveral, leaving just a handful of final tasks and closeouts before the booster is lifted atop the pad for tanking and engine tests. The rocket's second stage arrived at the Cape earlier this week after finishing acceptance testing in Texas, filling the shiny new SpaceX hangar at Complex 40 with rocket hardware for the first time. "
.....


"After the engine test, which is expected to last a few seconds, SpaceX will move the rocket back to the hangar for the final installation of the the vehicle's self-destruct system that would terminate the flight if problems developed during launch.

When the Falcon 9 reaches the pad again, some time no earlier than the first week of March, it will be ready for flight. Liftoff is currently set for around March 8 during a four-hour launch window that opens at 11 a.m. EST. "

Thanks for the update. That was the most comprehensive info we've had on this for months. That being said, I hope SpaceX takes their time with this. With all that has been happening lately, there is a LOT riding on this launch. Even if it takes another 6 months, that's OK, as long as they get it right.

 

[docm]

Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch

Exactly. This one needs to go nearly pin-perfect, if only to shut up Shelby & Co. as regards who can do what, well and how soon.

 

[mj1]

Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch

Exactly. This one needs to go nearly pin-perfect, if only to shut up Shelby & Co. as regards who can do what, well and how soon.

If this launch is a success, it's going to shut a lot of folks up. There are gallons of 'haterade being poured on this whole approach by politicians who want to keep stale ass fifty year old technology going just to keep the federal gravy train rolling in their states and the campaign contributions coming in from the companies that administer these dinosaur programs. Perhaps SpaceX and the other new space tech companies should buy a few congressman.

Then, there are others who are complete idealogues who will hate this approach just because the Obama administration came up with it, even though it is the right approach for the country vs. pouring money down a NASA rathole for rockets that don't even exist. We are going to have to keep an eye on congress even if this launch is sucessful. Some of them will try to kill this new approach.

 

[nimbus]

Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch

Buy congressmen so that if SpaceX screwed up they could get away with it, instead of paying for it and/or allowing a fitter competitor to deservedly take over some of the market share.

 

[mj1]

Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch

Buy congressmen so that if SpaceX screwed up they could get away with it, instead of paying for it and/or allowing a fitter competitor to deservedly take over some of the market share.

Dude, it was a joke. Get over it. Since you brought it up though, of course if there is a "fitter" competitor, I'm all for the competition. It's just that in Washington, money talks, especially after what the Supreme Court just did. SpaceX or whatever "fitter" competitior there is had better learn that lesson or they won't be launching jack in the future. At least not in the US. Trust me, weather this launch is sucessful or unsucessful, the legislators will try to shoot the program down unless they get paid with both jobs in their districts and campaign contributions.

 

[docm]

Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch

Trust me, weather this launch is sucessful or unsucessful, the legislators will try to shoot the program down unless they get paid with both jobs in their districts and campaign contributions.

For reference: SpaceX is HQ'ed in our most populous state, California, who also harbors much of the House leadership including the Speaker of the House. It tests in Texas and will launch from Florida and perhaps later from Virginia (Wallops). Any national candidate would pee his pants to get support from any two of those states.

 

[MeteorWayne]

Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch

MOD HAT ON***

FINAL WARNING

This thread is ONLY to discuss the Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch.

It is not to discuss SpaceX, the future of manned spaceflight, or any other such subject. Those belong in Space Business and Technology, and there are a half dozen or more of them in progress.

Any future (and probably some of these recent ones) will be moved, without notice, to the appropriate discussions in that forum.

MOS HAT OFF****

 

[docm]

Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch

New update: mostly historical and rah-rah, but the big news from the images is the the Dragon will carry cargo packs. If these are just mass simulators or if some have instrumentation is up for discussion. (I'd guess the latter)

http://www.spacex.com/updates.php

Inaugural Falcon 9 / Dragon Flight Hardware Update

Monday, January 4, 2010

The SpaceX team kicked off 2010 with the successful full duration orbit insertion firing of the Falcon 9 second stage at our Texas test site (details below). This was the final stage firing required for launch, so the second stage will soon be packaged for shipment and should arrive at Cape Canaveral by end of month. Depending on how well full vehicle integration goes, launch should occur one to three months later.

2009 was an exciting year for SpaceX. In July, with the successful launch of RazakSAT, Falcon 1 became the first privately developed liquid fuel rocket to put a commercial satellite in orbit. That same month, DragonEye — SpaceX's Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) sensor — launched on NASA's STS-127 shuttle mission and successfully completed flight system trials in preparation for guiding the Dragon spacecraft as it approaches the International Space Station. We also hosted the first astronaut training day at our Hawthorne headquarters in preparation for flights to the Space Station.

Last year also saw the successful arc jet testing of PICA-X, SpaceX's high performance heat shield material developed in collaboration with NASA, which will be used to protect our Dragon spacecraft on reentry. And our Merlin Vacuum engine demonstrated the highest efficiency ever for an American hydrocarbon rocket engine. SpaceX also signed deals with several key customers, including CONAE (Argentina's National Commission on Space Activity), Astrium and Orbcomm.

The ongoing evolution of the commercial space industry was recently featured as the cover story (“The New Space Rush”) in Popular Science magazine. The article provided a great perspective on the industry as a whole, but I disagree with the subheading, “Who Needs NASA?”. If you read the article, it's clear their intent was just to convey excitement for the developments in commercial space, but obviously NASA is and always will be critical to the future of space exploration, particularly at the outer edge where there is no commercial market. Without NASA, SpaceX certainly would not be where it is today.

As we get closer to our first Falcon 9 launch, SpaceX would like to thank NASA, the Air Force, the FAA, and our commercial customers for their continued support. And, of course, I would like to thank the whole SpaceX team for their unwavering commitment to our company and our mission, especially over these last few months. Through their hard work and dedication, 2010 promises to be another great year.

--Elon--

Loading a large M03 standard cargo module into the Dragon spacecraft
via the overhead hatch (top of capsule). Credit: SpaceX

A SpaceX engineer installs a Single Cargo Transfer Bag into a storage
compartment aboard the Dragon spacecraft. Credit: SpaceX

 

[vattas]

Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch

New update: mostly historical and rah-rah, but the big news from the images is the the Dragon will carry cargo packs. If these are just mass simulators or if some have instrumentation is up for discussion. (I'd guess the latter)

AFAIK this is not Flight 1 Dragon hardware in the photos. Probably Dragon for one of COTS demo flights?

 

[docm]

Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch

New update: mostly historical and rah-rah, but the big news from the images is the the Dragon will carry cargo packs. If these are just mass simulators or if some have instrumentation is up for discussion. (I'd guess the latter)

AFAIK this is not Flight 1 Dragon hardware in the photos. Probably Dragon for one of COTS demo flights?

I have already posted this in the Mission & Launches SpaceX thread, but since you mentioned it....

Demo flight or mission flight, it's still a flight Dragon as would be used at ISS and not a semi-finished can, plus the cargo packs are instrumented where appropriate.

http://www.spacex.com/press.php?page=20100203

SpaceX Completes Dragon Spacecraft Cargo Loading Milestone in Preparation
for Delivery Services to International Space Station

Hawthorne, CA – February 3, 2010 – Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) recently conducted a three-day long demonstration of cargo loading and unloading procedures for its Dragon spacecraft, which NASA has contracted to provide delivery services to the International Space Station (ISS) starting in 2010.

SpaceX hosted a group of NASA personnel at its corporate headquarters in Hawthorne, CA, including astronauts Marsha Ivins and Megan McArthur, and other key personnel from NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.

The tests covered a range of procedures using actual NASA cargo modules, in a variety of standard sizes, including powered cargo modules that provide temperature control for sensitive items such medical and biological samples during their journey to the ISS, and return to Earth. Dragon is currently one of the only spacecraft in the world capable of transmitting status on environment-sensitive cargo back to Earth during transit to the ISS.

SpaceX performed the tests in an actual flight Dragon spacecraft outfitted with cargo racks, stowage lockers, as well as interior lighting, telemetry and environmental systems, as will be employed while Dragon is berthed at the ISS.

“SpaceX was honored to host the NASA crew, and pleased by their positive feedback and remarks,” said John Couluris, SpaceX Director of Mission Operations. “We look forward to the day when the first of many Dragons arrive at the ISS delivering actual cargo in support of continued ISS operations.”

Under NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program, SpaceX will perform three flights of the Dragon spacecraft to demonstrate delivery of cargo to the ISS as well as returning cargo to Earth. Following those flights, SpaceX will begin the NASA Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract, conducting a minimum of 12 cargo flights between 2010 and 2015 with a guaranteed minimum of 20,000 kg to be carried to the ISS.

SpaceX's Falcon 9 is a medium-to-heavy lift, two-stage launch vehicle capable of lifting approximately 11 tons to low Earth orbit (LEO) and in excess of 4.5 tons to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). Designed to the highest levels of reliability and performance, SpaceX's Falcon 9 and Dragon spacecraft were selected by NASA to resupply the ISS when the Space Shuttle retires.

 

[mr_mark]

Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch

ATTN# URGENT UPDATE...This just in on the twitter line from Spacex... Fully integrated Falcon 9 to make pad debut this week for system checks!

 

[Zipi]

Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch

ATTN# URGENT UPDATE...This just in on the twitter line from Spacex... Fully integrated Falcon 9 to make pad debut this week for system checks!

Link please? At least it is not here: http://twitter.com/Spacex_Media

 

[mr_mark]

Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch

Here is a link to that information. All final integration will be done tonight and roll out this week. http://twitter.com/NSSFlorida

 

[docm]

Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch

Not only a systems check but a perfect photo-op/impress Congress opportunity

 

[mr_mark]

Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch

This just in from floridatoday.com
http://www.floridatoday.com/article/201 ... ing+rocket


SpaceX's scheduled events at Launch Complex 40:
•Feb. 18, tanking test
•Feb 22, engine test
•March 8, tentative launch

 

[shuttle_guy]

Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch

I was told that SpaceX has told the range that they intend to do a static test of the vehicle Fe. 23rd.

This will be a short burn since there is not enough coolant water for the flame trench for a full duration burn.

 

[docm]

Re: Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 Launch

Just arrived in my inbox.

SPACEX ANNOUNCES FINAL ARRIVAL OF FALCON 9 FLIGHT HARDWARE AT CAPE CANAVERAL IN PREPARATION FOR INAUGURAL LAUNCH

Hawthorne, CA (February 11, 2010) – Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) announces that all flight hardware for the debut launch of the Falcon 9 vehicle has arrived at the SpaceX launch site, Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40), in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Final delivery included the Falcon 9 second stage, which recently completed testing at SpaceX's test facility in McGregor, Texas. SpaceX has now initiated full vehicle integration of the 47 meter (154 feet) tall, 3.6 meter (12 feet) diameter rocket, which will include a Dragon spacecraft qualification unit.

"We expect to launch in one to three months after completing full vehicle integration," said Brian Mosdell, Director of Florida Launch Operations for SpaceX. "Our primary objective is a successful first launch and we are taking whatever time necessary to work through the data to our satisfaction before moving forward."

Following full vehicle integration, SpaceX will conduct a static firing to demonstrate flight readiness and confirm operation of ground control systems in preparation for actual launch.

Though designed from the beginning to transport crew, SpaceX's Falcon 9 launch vehicle and Dragon spacecraft will initially be used to transport cargo. Falcon 9 and Dragon were selected by NASA to resupply the International Space Station (ISS) once Shuttle retires. The $1.6B contract represents 12 flights for a minimum of 20 tons to and from the ISS with the first demonstration flights beginning in 2010.