SpaceX Falcon launch No 4.

Boris_Badenov · Sep 21, 2008

"Spaceflight Now" has launch 4 on the top of their launch schedule page (Tracking Station) as Tuesday the 23rd. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div align="center">. </div><div align="center">Never roll in the mud with a pig. You'll both get dirty & the pig likes it.</div> </div>

Boris_Badenov · Sep 21, 2008

I'm stunned!!! I sent an e-mail to Diane Murphy at SpaceX earlier today & she replied.Here is the exchange;Yes it was. Launch is still being planned for end of next week. Diane Murphy VP Marketing and Communications SPACEX Tel 310.363.6714 M: 424.236.0884 ----- Original Message ----- From: Patrick Landers <taylorchef@cableone.net> To: Diane Murphy Sent: Sun Sep 21 10:54:58 2008 Subject: Update Has the static fire test been done? Was it successful? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div align="center">. </div><div align="center">Never roll in the mud with a pig. You'll both get dirty & the pig likes it.</div> </div>

shuttle_guy · Sep 22, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>I'm stunned!!! I sent an e-mail to Diane Murphy at SpaceX earlier today & she replied.Here is the exchange;Yes it was. Launch is still being planned for end of next week.Diane MurphyVP Marketing and CommunicationsSPACEXTel 310.363.6714M: 424.236.0884----- Original Message -----From: Patrick Landers <taylorchef@cableone.net>To: Diane MurphySent: Sun Sep 21 10:54:58 2008Subject: UpdateHas the static fire test been done? Was it successful? Posted by boris1961</DIV>Great !! They should update their web site !! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

Boris_Badenov · Sep 22, 2008

Looks like launch time starts tomorrow at 5:30 pm Arizona time & runs for 5 hours. If they can't launch in that window they can try again on both Wednesday & Thursday. link <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div align="center">. </div><div align="center">Never roll in the mud with a pig. You'll both get dirty & the pig likes it.</div> </div>

ThereIWas2 · Sep 22, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Looks like launch time starts tomorrow at 5:30 pm Arizona time & runs for 5 hours. If they can't launch in that window they can try again on both Wednesday & Thursday. link Posted by boris1961</DIV>But "end of next week" is not the 23rd.  ???  <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

Boris_Badenov · Sep 22, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>But "end of next week" is not the 23rd.  ???  Posted by ThereIWas2</DIV>Thursday in California is Friday in Kwajalein. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div align="center">. </div><div align="center">Never roll in the mud with a pig. You'll both get dirty & the pig likes it.</div> </div>

MeteorWayne · Sep 23, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Thursday in California is Friday in Kwajalein. Posted by boris1961</DIV> spaceflight now says a launch date is pending <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

MeteorWayne · Sep 23, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>spaceflight now says a launch date is pending Posted by MeteorWayne</DIV> On the Pad... <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/5/6/f533261d-bab7-46b9-a66f-9c4f96f5d484.Medium.jpg" alt="" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

MeteorWayne · Sep 23, 2008

Posted September 23, 2008 Flight 4 of Falcon 1  The static fire took place on Saturday [20 Sep 2008, CA time], as expected, and no major issues came up. However, after a detailed analysis of data, we decided to replace a component in the 2nd stage engine LOX supply line. There is a good chance we would be ok flying as is, but we are being extremely cautious. This adds a few extra days to the schedule, so the updated launch window estimate is now Sept 28th through Oct 1st [CA time]. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

docm · Sep 26, 2008

Dated 9/23/08Quote:The static fire took place on Saturday [20 Sep 2008, CA time], as expected, and no major issues came up. However, after a detailed analysis of data, we decided to replace a component in the 2nd stage engine LOX supply line. There is a good chance we would be ok flying as is, but we are being extremely cautious. This adds a few extra days to the schedule, so the updated launch window estimate is now Sept 28th through Oct 1st [CA time]. —Elon— <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

Bytor_YYZ · Sep 26, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Dated 9/23/08Quote:The static fire took place on Saturday [20 Sep 2008, CA time], as expected, and no major issues came up. However, after a detailed analysis of data, we decided to replace a component in the 2nd stage engine LOX supply line. There is a good chance we would be ok flying as is, but we are being extremely cautious. This adds a few extra days to the schedule, so the updated launch window estimate is now Sept 28th through Oct 1st [CA time]. —Elon— Posted by docm</DIV> My birthday is Sunday, so a great present would be fireworks like the first launch

3488 · Sep 27, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Dated 9/23/08Quote:The static fire took place on Saturday [20 Sep 2008, CA time], as expected, and no major issues came up. However, after a detailed analysis of data, we decided to replace a component in the 2nd stage engine LOX supply line. There is a good chance we would be ok flying as is, but we are being extremely cautious. This adds a few extra days to the schedule, so the updated launch window estimate is now Sept 28th through Oct 1st [CA time]. —Elon— Posted by docm</DIV>Should be soon then. Come on Elon, you can do this.Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

MeteorWayne · Sep 27, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Should be soon then. Come on Elon, you can do this.Andrew Brown. Posted by 3488</DIV> From online chat (Washington Post Fri Sep 26th)Elon Musk: Launch window is still holding for Sunday through Tuesday. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

aaron38 · Sep 27, 2008

The SpaceX website was updated again today with the following.  Looks like they're launching tomorrow.Falcon 1 is currently cleared for liftoff sometime between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. (California time) tomorrow, Sunday September 28th. Of course, if we see anything that requires investigation, the launch will be postponed, but we’ll let you know as soon as we know. As with prior flights, you can access the webcast from the SpaceX site: www.spacex.com

docm · Sep 28, 2008

Just for the record (info dupe from M&L) -  SpaceX's Falcon 1 flight 4 sucessfully orbited its test payload. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

3488 · Sep 29, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Just for the record (info dupe from M&L) -  SpaceX's Falcon 1 flight 4 sucessfully orbited its test payload. Posted by docm</DIV>  Absolutely docm.What Elon must do now, is really get to the bottom of what was done differently this time to accomplish the successful launch to last time, when he got so close.Now SpaceX can be taken seriously & paying customers certainly can see that Elon is more than capable of delivering their payloads safely & successfully into orbit. He's done enough now to accomplish that & start getting orders in.Hopefully for the interum until maybe another two or three consecutive successful launches, he focuses on the Falcon, make it as reliable as can be, rather than run around like some chicken little trying to develop Dragon, till he knows he has got Falcon right. I think he has, though the oscillation issue remains, but we need to see some more successful launches to be sure & that this was not a one off fluke that got through.  Well Done Elon, you CAN do this & do it well. Just do not push yourself too hard on other projects till you are ready.Like the below images & the launch onboard SpaceCam video is pretty good too.First Stage Seperation. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/2/14/02900143-8483-4698-ae3c-feaf98d62dc6.Medium.jpg" alt="" />Fairing seperation. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/5/10/154301c3-c051-4833-9ae5-1b13cc3d6028.Medium.jpg" alt="" />ORBIT achieved. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/7/13/27adcf68-2799-4f54-bd9d-5d0fbeb40bf6.Medium.jpg" alt="" /> Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

shuttle_guy · Sep 29, 2008

[.......though the oscillation issue remains, but we need to see some more successful launches to be sure & that this was not a one off fluke that got through. Well Done Elon, you CAN do this & do it well. Just do not push yourself too hard on other projects till you are ready.Like the below images & the launch onboard SpaceCam video is pretty good too.First Stage Seperation.Fairing seperation.ORBIT achieved.Andrew Brown. Posted by 3488[/QUOTE] The flight control issue was much less of a problem this time. I expect a minor tweek of the software will completely solve this problem.I expect the <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

aaron38 · Sep 29, 2008

I can't believe I missed it.  By the time I remembered on Sunday to watch, they'd already launched.But I'm really glad they made it.  Yes there is a ton of work before a Falcon 9 is launching an ISS crew, but they're on their way and they should be able to start pulling in the paying customers.  Go SpaceX, well done! The website has a video up.  It's not the whole flight, but it's the highlights.  http://spacex.com/multimedia/videos.php?id=30

slr5150 · Sep 29, 2008

This 43 min vid shows pre launch, launch and post launch footage.Enjoy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FQhtMrUQlE  <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

3488 · Oct 1, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>This 43 min vid shows pre launch, launch and post launch footage.Enjoy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FQhtMrUQlE  Posted by slr5150</DIV>Thanks slr5150. Welcome to SDC.Any word on the demonstration payload that was successfully launched by SpaceX?Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

Swampcat · Oct 1, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Any word on the demonstration payload that was successfully launched by SpaceX?Andrew Brown. Posted by 3488</DIV>You're referring to RatSat, which was nothing more than a inert mass designed to simulate a payload. It will still be attached to the second stage as there was no attempt to release it.   <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> ------------------------------------------------------------------- "I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical. Unsuccessful rebellions, indeed, generally establish the encroachments on the rights of the people which have produced them. An observation of this truth should render honest republican governors so mild in their punishment of rebellions as not to discourage them too much. It is a medicine necessary for the sound health of government."Thomas Jefferson </div>

slr5150 · Oct 1, 2008

Swampcat is right about the payload.I read at another forum IIRC that they didn't want to deploy the payload because it would only add to debris in orbit.I guess when they have a paying customer we will see it in action. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

3488 · Oct 1, 2008

Replying to: <div class="Discussion_PostQuote">You're referring to RatSat, which was nothing more than a inert mass designed to simulate a payload. It will still be attached to the second stage as there was no attempt to release it.   Posted by Swampcat</div>Cheers Swampcat,I wondered if RatSat  carried out any engineering data collection etc, did not realise that it was literally an inert mass. Mind you Falcon herself would have reported back, so I suppose RatSat was not needed for that. Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Swampcat is right about the payload.I read at another forum IIRC that they didn't want to deploy the payload because it would only add to debris in orbit.I guess when they have a paying customer we will see it in action. Posted by slr5150</DIV>That's true slr5150, it would only add to inert junk, not fulfilling a useful purpose. I'm sure a paying customer will want to see it in action, such as a Falcon mounted camera filming the payload seperation, payload camera filming the reverse, etc. SpaceX could make some revenue from that alone, putting said movies onto DVDs, Blue Ray, etc. I would buy some for sure.Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

MeteorWayne · Oct 1, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Replying to:You're referring to RatSat, which was nothing more than a inert mass designed to simulate a payload. It will still be attached to the second stage as there was no attempt to release it.   Posted by SwampcatCheers Swampcat,I wondered if RatSat  carried out any engineering data collection etc, did not realise that it was literally an inert mass. Mind you Falcon herself would have reported back, so I suppose RatSat was not needed for that.That's true slr5150, it would only add to inert junk, not fulfilling a useful purpose. I'm sure a paying customer will want to see it in action, such as a Falcon mounted camera filming the payload seperation, payload camera filming the reverse, etc. SpaceX could make some revenue from that alone, putting said movies onto DVDs, Blue Ray, etc. I would buy some for sure.Andrew Brown. Posted by 3488</DIV> Yes it was just an inert mass to demonstrate that a satellite mass could be boosted to orbit.The reason there was no function is that there wasn't time. The satellite that had been planned was pulled because part of the deal was that they would have a 100% successful launch before it flew. So it wouldn't go on this flight.With the short time interval between flights 3 and 4, there wasn't time to create a useful payload, so it's basically just a big chunk of aluminum." The Falcon 1 Flight 4 vehicle carries a payload mass simulator of approximately 165 kg (364 lbs),designed and built by SpaceX specifically for this mission. Consisting of a hexagonal aluminum alloychamber 1.5 meters (5 feet) tall, the payload attaches to the standard Falcon 1 payload mountingstructure. It does not separate, but remains attached to the second stage as it orbits the Earth." <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

shuttle_guy · Oct 1, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Swampcat is right about the payload.I read at another forum IIRC that they didn't want to deploy the payload because it would only add to debris in orbit.I guess when they have a paying customer we will see it in action. Posted by slr5150</DIV>That sounds reasonable since the empty second stage would add more surface area to the "satellite". The added surface area would help deorbit the inert mass by atmoshperic drag. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

SpaceX Falcon launch No 4.

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