NASASpaceFlight.com Forum
Commercial and US Government Launch Vehicles => NGIS (Formerly Orbital ATK) - Antares/Cygnus Section => Topic started by: Chris Bergin on 04/17/2013 03:03 am
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LIVE LAUNCH DAY THREAD FOR ANTARES A-ONE MISSION.
Please note the difference between this thread and the other threads. This thread should be UPDATES ONLY. Posts that are not will be deleted without notice.
DISCUSSION THREAD (2) IS HERE:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=31662.0
For everything else, here's the Party Thread:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=30923.0
Viewing Opportunities/Going to the Launch:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=31517.0
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MAIN PRE-LAUNCH RESOURCES:
Orbital’s Antares closing in on debut launch following pad arrival:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2012/10/orbitals-antares-closing-debut-launch-pad-arrival/
Flight of the Antares – Orbital closing in on long-awaited debut:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/01/flight-antares-orbital-long-awaited-debut/
Hot fire success for Orbital’s Antares:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/02/hot-fire-success-orbitals-antares/
Stars align for Orbital's Antares – A-One debut set for mid-April:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/03/orbitals-antares-debut-a-one-mission-april/
Orbital’s Antares: An eye on the present and the future:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/04/orbitals-antares-eye-on-present-future/
LAUNCH DAY ARTICLE:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/04/orbital-antares-debut-launch-attempt/
Previous pre-launch flow update thread:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=30921.0
Orbital GENERAL Forum Section:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?board=46.0
Orbital (Antares/Cygnus) News Articles (Recent):
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/tag/antares/
L2 Antares/Cygnus Section:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=tags&tags=orbital
(Includes updates, videos, graphics, presentations and specific interactive posts with engineers etc.)
As always, stay on topic and use the correct threads.
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A0223/13 - QRACA DUE TO MILITARY STATIONARY AIRSPACE RESERVATION "ANTARES ONE" WITHIN THE NEW YORK OCEANIC CTA/FIR, NEW YORK OCEANIC WILL NOT ACCEPT IFR FLIGHT WITHIN 45NM OF THAT AIRSPACE BOUNDED BY: 2657N/6014W, 2807N/5848W, 1834N/5030W, 1814N/5058W, 1814N/5212W, TO START POINT. THE FOLLOWING INTERNATIONAL ROUTES WILL BE AFFECTED: A516, L375, L435, M525, M595 AND M596 AND M597. INTERNATIONAL REROUTES ARE AS FOLLOWS: A516: PJM TARMO AMENO AND REVERSE L375: KOZIK KAVAX 1700N 5300W IRAXI AND REVERSE L435: KOZIK KAVAX 1700N 5300W PAKER AND REVERSE M525: CAFFE TARMO AMENO AND REVERSE M595: BRKZZ AMENO AND REVERSE M596: NUBUS AMENO AND REVERSE M597: THANK TARMO AMENO AND REVERSE. SFC - FL999, 2100-0030 DLY, 17 APR 21:00 2013 UNTIL 22 APR 00:30 2013. CREATED: 16 APR 14:40 2013
!CARF 04/084 (KZNY A0217/13) ZNY AIRSPACE DCC ANTARES ONE STATIONARY RESERVATION WITHIN AN AREA BNDD BY 2657N/6014W 2807N/5848W 1834N/5030W 1814N/5058W 1814N/5212W SFC-UNL WEF 1304172100-1304180030
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Call to stations at 0845 EDT - that shrinks the window to 1700 - 1900 EDT for today. Looking out my hotel room window I'd say scattered to broken around 10,000 or above (0700 EDT)
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Call to stations at 0845 EDT - that shrinks the window to 1700 - 1900 EDT for today.
Thanks! Still a good amount of window.
Note to all, you can post (but make sure you link) photos of Antares via social media, etc.
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And a useful note via Orbital:
Orbital Sciences @OrbitalSciences
Launch prep at #NASA_Wallops continues. The #Antares vehicle team completed final arming and close out activities last night at 9 PM EDT.
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@OrbitalSciences: The launch team will arrive on console at approximately 8:45 AM. The count will pick up at 9 AM with an anticipated T-0 of 5 PM EDT.
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@OrbitalSciences
The pad close out crew is completing final configuration of the pad.
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And another twitter update:
@OrbitalSciences
#Antares team is working closely with MARS and ground facility control crews to verify operation of critical pneumatic and cryo components.
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Just got a WX briefing 15 mins ago and it does not look good: broken ceilings 4000, everything else OK. TOmorrow ceilings will be OK but not the surface winds. WIll make a hard call around 0330 EDT.
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Just got a WX briefing 15 mins ago and it does not look good: broken ceilings 4000, everything else OK. TOmorrow ceilings will be OK but not the surface winds. WIll make a hard call around 0330 EDT.
Hope you find a gap during the window!
William Graham's written a brilliant 3,000 word feature for the launch, will be on site in around one hour.
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That hard call time was 1530 EDT, of course... 3:30 PM EDT
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One of the range radar aircraft had to declare an emergency and land in NY - range is trying to make up with a large USCG Cutter's surveillance radar, but it's another threat.
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Antares Rocket Preperation (201304160003HQ)
The Orbital Sciences Corporation Antares rocket is seen on the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) Pad-0A at the NASA Wallops Flight Facility, Tuesday, April 16, 2013 in Virginia. NASA's commercial space partner, Orbital Sciences Corporation, is scheduled to test launch its first Antares on Wednesday, April 17, 2013. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nasahqphoto/sets/72157633268743282/
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Orbital Sciences@OrbitalSciences
Poll to obtain approval to start the vehicle loading sequencer has been completed - and sequencer has started.
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Orbital Sciences@OrbitalSciences
The ground facility is providing warm helium to the launch vehicle.
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Orbital Sciences@OrbitalSciences
MACH ethernet test is complete.
Poll for external power on completed - team is ready for vehicle power on.
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Orbital Sciences@OrbitalSciences
Vehicle avionics systems are on external power.
Payload avionics power up performed.
Systems Initialization is underway.
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Orbital Sciences@OrbitalSciences
The #Antares launch team is still tracking cloud cover predictions. We are still looking at 45% favorable conditions for launch.
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UPDATE ON AIR CONDITIONING FLOW. First picture shows the problem. Heavy winter blazer helps. Frank Culbertson, former ISS commander, and co-victim of the cold air assault, asked himself: "what would the ISS crew do if faced with that problem?" The second picture shows the solution.
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Antares management team (brief glimpses...)
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Antonio from above:
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UPDATE ON AIR CONDITIONING FLOW. First picture shows the problem. Heavy winter blazer helps. Frank Culbertson, former ISS commander, and co-victim of the cold air assault, asked himself: "what would the ISS crew do if faced with that problem?" The second picture shows the solution.
Very high tech! Sucks to be the guy on the other side of the vent though, he is now getting 3x the previous airflow out of his section... :)
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Antonio, is Adam the LC for this mission? Voice sounds familiar.
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Yup. And Mike Bitzer his alternate.
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View from the observation deck. Swung past during my lunch break.
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Just saw a live shot of the rocket on the pad at NASA TV (now gone for an ISS event) - weather looks much better than I thought. Of course 4.5 hours is a long time...
Photo from another forum.
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Yup. And Mike Bitzer his alternate.
Jeesh, small world. I was at Los Angele AFS with Mike. About the same time that you gave the Pegasus concept briefing to SMC (Space Division at the time).
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FEATURE ARTICLE (Huge, 3000+ worder) by William Graham. Required reading:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/04/orbital-antares-debut-launch-attempt/
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Merged a few posts from the other (now closed, cause we're into launch day) thread. This is already a brilliant thread, ahead of moving into the business end of the live updates. Loving the pics! ;D
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Orbital Sciences@OrbitalSciences
#Antares #NASA_Wallops. T-4:10 no technical issues in work.
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Orbital Sciences@OrbitalSciences
#Antares update: Chilldown of the main subcooler has been completed with LN2.
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Orbital Sciences@OrbitalSciences
Commodity loading team made small adjustments to regulator and ground components. Work complete. the team is securing the pad.#Antares
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Orbital Sciences@OrbitalSciences
#Antares launch team update: Poll for prelaunch processing has been completed. SIGI alignment is underway. T-3:45
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Go for LO2 loading system (LOLS) chilldown.
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Internal power checks complete.
I think I heard the wx briefer say that POV was now 20%.
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The latest METAR from the Wallops airport shows clear skies with winds at 7 knots.
METAR: KWAL 171754Z 16007KT 10SM CLR 24/14 A3017 RMK AO2 SLP214 T02390144 10250 20183 56009
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Orbital Sciences @OrbitalSciences
We are hearing that weather conditions are looking up. We now have 55% favorable conditions.
Orbital Sciences @OrbitalSciences
#Antares launch update: Approx T-3 hours and counting. Main subcooler is full of LN2.
Orbital Sciences @OrbitalSciences
The #Antares launch director has processed an Orbital waiver to the ground wind constraint of 15 knots. New level is 20 knots.
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Latest METAR showing 1/8th to 1/4 cloud coverage at 3000ft:
KWAL 171754Z COR 16007KT 10SM FEW030 BKN150 BKN200 24/14 A3017 RMK AO2 SLP214 T02390144 10250 20183 56009
http://tinyurl.com/wallopswx
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FTS checks complete.
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Live video feed from the launch pad! http://www.ustream.tv/channel/stennisaj26-1 (http://www.ustream.tv/channel/stennisaj26-1)
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Latest METAR showing 1/8th to 1/4 cloud coverage at 3000ft:
KWAL 171754Z COR 16007KT 10SM FEW030 BKN150 BKN200 24/14 A3017 RMK AO2 SLP214 T02390144 10250 20183 56009
http://tinyurl.com/wallopswx
Lastest forecast (albeit Salisbury, MD) shows 5/8 to 7/8 cloud cover at 4000 ft through 6 PM EST.
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FTS checks complete.
Also reported by OSC:
Orbital Sciences @OrbitalSciences
#Antares launch update: Open loop and transmitter checks are complete. FTS and Power Systems Testing is underway. LOLS Chilldown is in work.
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Sorry, what time is this aiming to launch? In English money, please!
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Sorry, what time is this aiming to launch? In English money, please!
10 pm BST, i.e. just less than 2.5 hours from now.
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Looks like a good day to fly!
NASA Wallops @NASA_Wallops 28m
#Antares launch coverage starts 4pmET: http://www.nasa.gov/ntv
@OrbitalSciences #Antares launch director approves Orbital waiver to ground wind limit of 15 knots. New limit: 20.
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L-2 hours!
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wx brief now; not sounding good for low level clouds.
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45% POV. Tomorrow will be 50 %.
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45% POV. Tomorrow will be 50 %.
Thanks for the updates, Kim -- sounds like a slight improvement from the 55% chance of weather violation from the L-48 hour forecast.
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45 mins to NASA TV coverage. Also REALLY appreciating Kim's updates.
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They should've brought Russian specialists for launch. "Weather restrictions? What weather restrictions? Damn them! Go!!!" :)
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About to poll for start of fueling. Mission Director Frank C. has decided to go ahead. If we stop by L-30 we can try again tomorrow.
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Orbital Sciences@OrbitalSciences
Approx T- 1:30 for #Antares. LOLS chill down is proceeding well. No vehicle issues in work at this time.
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go for prop load.
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Orbital Sciences@OrbitalSciences
Cloudiness is increasing. Areas north of the site all have ceilings below 6K.
Current conditions are acceptable, but degrading.
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They should've brought Russian specialists for launch. "Weather restrictions? What weather restrictions? Damn them! Go!!!" :)
A while back in December 2012 it was said that a small delegation that also makes up team for Soyuz-2-1v launcher would probably attend the launch, but that was in December 2012 and I do not know if they will attend or not today.
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RP is flowing.
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Slight tangent: did this link already get posted in another thread? PDF with additional details:
http://www.orbital.com/Antares-Cygnus/files/Pre-Launch-Guest-Briefing.pdf
Orbital Tweeted earlier:
https://mobile.twitter.com/OrbitalSciences/status/324540075151065088
Linked from here, too:
http://www.orbital.com/Antares-Cygnus/
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Just decreased window to 15 minutes.
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Just decreased window to 15 minutes.
Same opening time?
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Just decreased window to 15 minutes.
Same opening time?
yes.
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Just decreased window to 15 minutes.
Same opening time?
This is apparently related to the sub-cooled LOX for the AJ26 (NK-33) first stage engines.
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LO2 load started.
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Live view:
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Just decreased window to 15 minutes.
Antonio note from earlier relating to the above:
Once tanking starts (nominally L-1:30) we can DELAY up to 15 minutes.
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Site's getting busy. Remember to be logged in, because if we get sluggish we'll pull the guests to protect the servers.
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I like these odds:
Orbital Sciences @OrbitalSciences 46s
#Antares update: 60% go for weather. First stage fueling is complete.
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L-1 hour!
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Today's lucky passenger.
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MCC-H FCR following along.
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TEL Umbilical Mast pre-launch retraction underway.
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NASA Wallops @NASA_Wallops 1m
Range is go for launch. #Antares!
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L-55 mins.
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AJ-26 chilldown in 30 mins is the next major mileston.
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Nice angle.
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L-50 mins.
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We should have asked for Antonio to wave! ;D
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Slight tangent: did this link already get posted in another thread? PDF with additional details:
http://www.orbital.com/Antares-Cygnus/files/Pre-Launch-Guest-Briefing.pdf
Orbital Tweeted earlier:
https://mobile.twitter.com/OrbitalSciences/status/324540075151065088
Linked from here, too:
http://www.orbital.com/Antares-Cygnus/
I'm uploading just in case the link goes bad
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Looking good guys! :D
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For reasons that are too complicated to explain, our 15-min window has shrunk to 10 minutes... considering our main concern (ceiling) that is not an issue...
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Baby Antares arrived on a ship, looking for a new life in America....
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AJ-26s...
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CASTOR 30A
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A-ONE (left) and ORB-D vehicles together.
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Mass simulator
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Rollout.
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Erector:
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L-40 mins.
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Polling for chilldown in about four mins.
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Quite a bit of venting. is that the vehicle, or ground support systems?
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Another last minute name change!
Orbital Sciences @OrbitalSciences 1m
#Anatres launch Window will be reduced because low flow chill down is starting early at T-30 Minute.
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Poll to proceed with chilldown - GO.
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Chilldown in three minutes.
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Orbital Sciences @OrbitalSciences 17s
#Antares T-45 Minutes. No vehicle issues in work. High flow lox loading is underway. Still aiming for 1700
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Great view....although we could do with less clouds.
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MES Chilldown (Low Flow Chilldown) has begun.
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Temps decreasing - which is obviously relating to chilldown.
Launch window down to 10 mins.
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Venting like the best of them....
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L-12 mins for the final poll.
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Some archive footage
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Launch site tour.
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Orbital Sciences @OrbitalSciences 1m
Rocketcam video is powered up and transmitting signals to the control center. Chilled helium is flowing to the vehicle. #Antares nominal
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L-25 mins.
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SIGI Alignment is underway
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frost really starting to cover up Antares' name
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ISS Crew expected to watch the launch if there's good KU.
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Polling for FTS On.
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Go for power on with the FTS. One controller noted he was watching something, but is go.
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Report of an issue with 'toxics' during FTS poll
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Some talk about today's payload, Cygnus mass simulator.
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Orbital's team have signed the Mass Simulator.
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The four Nanosats riding uphill are getting a mention.
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T-15 mins.
Three minutes to the main poll.
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Seconday payloads. actual tape measures sticking out of them! :D
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Talking about 'anomoly 1'
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Come back from the feature to hear them talking about meeting on an anomaly net.
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OrbitalSciences #Antares update. Delivering Helium to the vehicle at -287 F. Vehicle systems are nominal.
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abort due to umbilical problem.
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abort
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SCRUB
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Premature umbilical separation (second stage)
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Umbilical disconnected accidentally.
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Scrub for today :(
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Anyone see what it was?
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That's really unlucky.
Looking at 48 hour recycle.
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Abort. Loose umbilical.
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Umbilical disconnected accidentally.
not surprised you can see a slight rocking of the strongback.
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Umbilical disconnected accidentally.
Does that mean a command was issued by mistake (wasn't that covered in the dry run?!) or does it mean that equipment malfunctioned?
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ISS crew informed of scrub by CAPCOM--they had not heard the scrub on the streaming feed. Time to go to bed.
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Here it is:
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Umbilical disconnected accidentally.
Does that mean a command was issued by mistake (wasn't that covered in the dry run?!) or does it mean that equipment malfunctioned?
There was no second stage installed for the hot fire a few weeks ago, so it wouldn't have been tested then. Maybe there just wasn't enough wind last week during the dry for the failure to happen.
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Larger res.
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Umbilical disconnected accidentally.
not surprised you can see a slight rocking of the strongback.
I think you're just seeing camera sway. Both the vehicle & strongback are moving in sync
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It did rock back, slightly. Click for animation.
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It did rock back, slightly. Click for animation.
wow, you're right - and I would consider that more than slightly.
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It did rock back, slightly. Click for animation.
Nice catch! Someone let the control room know! :)
Also note that the umbilical mast moved, but not the strongback.
- Ed Kyle
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It did rock back, slightly. Click for animation.
Also cool to see how much shorter the vehicle has become after LOX tanking. :D
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It did rock back, slightly. Click for animation.
Nice catch! Someone let the control room know! :)
Also note that the umbilical mast moved, but not the strongback.
- Ed Kyle
I think the strongback moved too, compare against the rocks on the beach. just not as far?
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OrbitalSciences The #Antares team is gathering more information and will make the call on when we will make our next attempt.
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It did rock back, slightly. Click for animation.
Nice catch! Someone let the control room know! :)
Also note that the umbilical mast moved, but not the strongback.
- Ed Kyle
Looks to me like it did, the entire thing seems to twist. The side we can't see moved back.
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Looks to me like it did, the entire thing seems to twist. The side we can't see moved back.
Yes, a twist. The nearest part did not move. The furthest part did. Interesting.
- Ed Kyle
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Since Antonio had nothing to do (aside from kick shins), I wonder if he was playing the "what's this button do?" game. ;D
Kidding aside, best of luck to the team for the coming diagnosis, and please keep us informed if time allows!
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Looks to me like it did, the entire thing seems to twist. The side we can't see moved back.
Yes, a twist. The nearest part did not move. The furthest part did. Interesting.
- Ed Kyle
You can see part of the structure on the near side, just above the "Orbital" tag on the first stage, move.
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Was the first stage trying to vent? Too much force?
Something slipped out of place.
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I may hope that any motion is normal.
But anyway, a good moment to show that they have control over the proces.
Time to go to sleep (like the ISS crew) and see you in 48 hours!
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One part in the middle was moving away from the rocket. You can see it between the letters A and N.
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Was the first stage trying to vent? Too much force?
Something slipped out of place.
From what I see in the animation, the twist in the strongback added tension to the lanyards attached to the umbilicals to the second stage. It's possible that the force was great enough on one of them was enough to dislodge its connector from the socket, breaking electrical contact.
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Was the strongback twisting back and forth or was this just a gradual thing that eventually pulled the QD out?
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Did anyone confirm it was the wind-induced motion? For what we know it was acceptable behavior. After all, the thing stood in wind for many hours, and popped out only 10 minutes before launch.
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The team is viewing video replays of a specific camera now.
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Are we looking at a wind limitation pending a strengthening or redesign?
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Can we take the questions/analysis to the Discussion Thread, and just have
official statements actual updates here?
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=31662
Edit: Point taken, I didn't mean to exclude any new information.
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I think any new finds (even by amateurs) constitute as an update, as this thread is bound to be less hectic now that the scrub has been called. But of course its up to the mods to move posts if they decide to do so.
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Still going with 48 hours at the moment:
Orbital Sciences @OrbitalSciences 2m
The teams are still gathering data. Most probable next attempt will be Friday, April 19 at 1700 EDT. We will provide confirmation soon.
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Just before I left I heard net discussion about what I believe was one of two hydraulic cylinders being lower than the other. Something tells me that would cause the strong back to twist as we saw (I'm an electrical, not a mechanical).
I'm also hearing that mgmt will abide by the wx forecast and not try on Friday (if they even could, system-wise).
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Just before I left I heard net discussion about what I believe was one of two hydraulic cylinders being lower than the other. Something tells me that would cause the strong back to twist as we saw (I'm an electrical, not a mechanical).
I'm also hearing that mgmt will abide by the wx forecast and not try on Friday (if they even could, system-wise).
Another interesting note, thanks!
And an update:
Orbital Sciences @OrbitalSciences 11m
The mission management team will meet again at 8am EDT to review all known data. We are expecting a weather briefing at 4pm tomorrow.
NASA Wallops @NASA_Wallops 56s
The MARS (the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport) here @NASA_Wallops is available for #Antares up to and including April 29
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Orbital Sciences @OrbitalSciences
We may know by 5pm tmrw if we will continue toward a 5pm launch attempt on Friday. Evaluating weather and data.
De-fueling will conclude this evening. Then it will be safe for the team to go in and start working on the turnaround.
The team was phenomenal, especially the way the team worked together. Big thanks to all who worked today's #Antares launch attempt.
The umbilical was a data cable connected to the upper stage. The #Antares team recorded the disconnect at 4:44:20 EDT.
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Right, so the plan is we'll keep this thread going for updates through tonight and tomorrow (at least). When we get a new launch target, we'll have a new thread started for that day's attempt.
Full article with updated scrub info:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/04/orbital-antares-debut-launch-attempt/
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Orbital Sciences @OrbitalSciences
We may know by 5pm tmrw if we will continue toward a 5pm launch attempt on Friday. Evaluating weather and data.
De-fueling will conclude this evening. Then it will be safe for the team to go in and start working on the turnaround.
The team was phenomenal, especially the way the team worked together. Big thanks to all who worked today's #Antares launch attempt.
The umbilical was a data cable connected to the upper stage. The #Antares team recorded the disconnect at 4:44:20 EDT.
On a side note, Orbital's Twitter feed really has been a great resource for this launch attempt. Informative and current, as it should be. Keep up the good work!
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Yep. PAO Barry (I assume) did very well with the twitter feed today.
Statement:
Orbital announced that a premature separation of a launch pad umbilical connection to the Antares upper stage used for data communications halted today's countdown of the Antares test launch at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility on Wallops Island, Va. Engineers are currently analyzing what occurred to determine what measures will be taken to resolve the issue.
During a launch countdown, safeguards are put in place to periodically verify that all systems are functioning as planned. With twelve minutes left in the count, the launch team identified the anomaly and called a scrub of today's test launch attempt.
The next launch attempt is tentatively set for no earlier than Friday, April 19, pending final resolution of the issue and acceptable weather conditions.
"We are still examining all of the data, but it appears that the issue is fairly straightforward," said Mr. Frank Culbertson, Orbital's Executive Vice President and Mission Director for the Antares Test Flight. "With this being the first launch of the new system from a new launch facility we have taken prudent steps to ensure a safe and successful outcome. Today, our scrub procedures were exercised and worked as planned. We are looking forward to a successful launch on Friday."
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Here is the archived video of the scrubbed launch:
Part I:
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/31591017
Part II:
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/31596289
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Orbital Sciences @OrbitalSciences 50m
The #Antares missions management team meeting began at 8am EDT this morning at #NASA_Wallops.
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Orbital:
The Antares team has identified the cause of the early disconnect and developed a go-forward plan. Keeping a close watch on Fri. weather.
We are going to get an update on Wx 4 pm EDT, and expect to make a final decision on a Friday launch attempt before 5 pm today.
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Orbital:
The Antares team has identified the cause of the early disconnect and developed a go-forward plan. Keeping a close watch on Fri. weather.
We are going to get an update on Wx 4 pm EDT, and expect to make a final decision on a Friday launch attempt before 5 pm today.
Any news on what the cause was? Anything to do with strongback/umbilical tower movement? or decals peeling off? (per the speculation posted here) ?
Might be proprietary I guess. :)
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Orbital:
The Antares team has identified the cause of the early disconnect and developed a go-forward plan. Keeping a close watch on Fri. weather.
We are going to get an update on Wx 4 pm EDT, and expect to make a final decision on a Friday launch attempt before 5 pm today.
I assume the same t-storms that just dumped on the midwest last night and this morning will be showing up on the east coast late on Friday. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate over the weekend, but that's some pretty serious weather headed east.
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Orbital:
Update: it wasn't the wind that disconnected the umbilical. We are making two small preventative adjustments to address the anomaly. We will be posting a more detailed update reagarding the next launch attempt and the umbilical work on http://www.orbital.com/Antares-Cygnus/ soon.
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So I wonder if it's the hydraulic cylinders?
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excerpt from Orbital's statement on Antares/Cygnus web page:
"During the initial countdown on April 17, with 12 minutes left in the count, flight controllers saw that an umbilical providing data, which connects the Transporter Erector Launcher (TEL) to the upper stage of the Antares rocket, became disconnected prior to the planned disconnect time. The team determined the cause was a combination of slight hydraulic movement of the TEL and not enough slack left in the umbilical to allow for any additional or unplanned movement. Neither issue alone would have caused the umbilical disconnect, however, the combination resulted in the anomaly. Small adjustments are being made early today to both the hydraulics on the TEL and to the umbilical.
“The good news is that this is a simple adjustment to the external support systems,” said Mr. Frank Culbertson, Orbital’s Executive Vice President and Mission Director for the Antares Test Flight. “Given that this is a first run for the rocket and the first time use of a new launch facility, the fact that all systems were performing as planned while the team proceeded through the pre-launch checklists is very encouraging. It speaks volumes about the quality of the work done by this team and our partners.”
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That sounds very much like what Kim heard before leaving last night!
Here's the full release:
ORBITAL’S ANTARES ROCKET LAUNCH UPDATE
– A-1 Mission Team Working Launch Turnaround Actions –
(Dulles, VA 18 April 2013) – Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB), one of the world’s leading space technology companies, today announced that the Antares team has developed a go-forward plan to address the umbilical disconnect issue that resulted in the April 17 launch scrub. The program is currently working toward the next launch attempt on Friday, April 19 at 5 p.m. EDT, weather permitting.
During the initial countdown on April 17, with 12 minutes left in the count, flight controllers saw that an umbilical providing data, which connects the Transporter Erector Launcher (TEL) to the upper stage of the Antares rocket, became disconnected prior to the planned disconnect time. The team determined the cause was a combination of slight hydraulic movement of the TEL and not enough slack left in the umbilical to allow for any additional or unplanned movement. Neither issue alone would have caused the umbilical disconnect, however, the combination resulted in the anomaly. Small adjustments are being made early today to both the hydraulics on the TEL and to the umbilical.
“The good news is that this is a simple adjustment to the external support systems,” said Mr. Frank Culbertson, Orbital’s Executive Vice President and Mission Director for the Antares Test Flight. “Given that this is a first run for the rocket and the first time use of a new launch facility, the fact that all systems were performing as planned while the team proceeded through the pre-launch checklists is very encouraging. It speaks volumes about the quality of the work done by this team and our partners.”
The next launch attempt is pending completion of the work at the pad and acceptable weather conditions. Mission managers will meet again later today to review weather and range conditions. At that time they will determine if the team will move forward with beginning the countdown tomorrow morning.
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One of the range radar aircraft had to declare an emergency and land in NY - range is trying to make up with a large USCG Cutter's surveillance radar, but it's another threat.
Any further info on what happened here? What are the air and sea assets being used? I heard about land based tracking / telemetry sites in Bermuda, Coquina Beach NC, and Antigua. (I guess maybe Ascension is beyond the range where instrumented flight will occur?)
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That sounds very much like what Kim heard before leaving last night!
That's one of the reason this site rocks!
So if they go with Friday, do we get a new live launch day thread?
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So if they go with Friday, do we get a new live launch day thread?
Yep. This one runs until the next launch day attempt. Then we move to a brand new thread.
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That sounds very much like what Kim heard before leaving last night!
Here's the full release:
...
During the initial countdown on April 17, with 12 minutes left in the count, flight controllers saw that an umbilical providing data, which connects the Transporter Erector Launcher (TEL) to the upper stage of the Antares rocket, became disconnected prior to the planned disconnect time. The team determined the cause was a combination of slight hydraulic movement of the TEL and not enough slack left in the umbilical to allow for any additional or unplanned movement. Neither issue alone would have caused the umbilical disconnect, however, the combination resulted in the anomaly. Small adjustments are being made early today to both the hydraulics on the TEL and to the umbilical.
I'd be interested to know, based on this note, if the cylinders were being constantly powered to maintain a vertical position, or if load holding valves were at play and one leaked due to insufficient holding pressure?
If the mast is designed to angle away at/just prior to launch (for clearance to the vehicle), you would likely need to provide constant pressure to both cylinder ends and then create a sufficient differential to allow the cylinder to move.
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I'm hearing Friday's weather carries a 90% POV, so look for a Saturday attempt, I'd think.
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I'm hearing Friday's weather carries a 90% POV, so look for a Saturday attempt, I'd think.
That would be handy for my fingers, given there's a Russian launch and a Russian Stage EVA on the ISS through tomorrow! :o
(Disclaimer: I wouldn't care if there were 50 events tomorrow, so long as Antares gets of to a successful debut).
Orbital noting they will be making a call in around one hour's time on Friday.
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Just trimming the thread as we've got several people posting different dates here.
Wait for the official news.
(We are hearing Saturday - NOT official).
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Orbital Sciences @OrbitalSciences now
The next launch attempt for #Antares will be no earlier than Saturday, April 20, at 5 p.m.
There is it...
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There we go.
Orbital Sciences @OrbitalSciences
The next launch attempt for #Antares will be no earlier than Saturday, April 20, at 5 p.m.
New thread on Saturday.
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Updated article:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/04/orbital-antares-debut-launch-attempt/
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The team determined the cause was a combination of slight hydraulic movement of the TEL and not enough slack left in the umbilical to allow for any additional or unplanned movement. Neither issue alone would have caused the umbilical disconnect, however, the combination resulted in the anomaly. Small adjustments are being made early today to both the hydraulics on the TEL and to the umbilical.
Does anyone "in the know" (Kim? Antonio?) know if this was a leak-down issue (pump off, oil bleeding by a valve) or a control issue (pump on, servo commanded to zero flow, but actually not quite perfectly zeroed)?
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ORBITAL SCHEDULES NEW ANTARES ROCKET LAUNCH WINDOW
– A-1 Mission Team Working Toward an Attempt on Saturday, April 20 –
(Dulles, VA 18 April 2013) – Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB), one of the world’s leading space technology companies, today announced that the next launch attempt for the new Antares rocket will be no earlier than Saturday, April 20, at 5 p.m. The mission management team met this afternoon to evaluate weather forecasts and optimum crew work schedules to provide two back-to-back opportunities for a launch attempt.
Weather conditions deteriorate on Friday, April 19, but improve significantly over the next two days increasing the chances for acceptable conditions at launch time. This also allows the Antares launch team a day of rest before back-to-back opportunities on Saturday, April 20 and Sunday, April 21.
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Does anyone "in the know" (Kim? Antonio?) know if this was a leak-down issue (pump off, oil bleeding by a valve) or a control issue (pump on, servo commanded to zero flow, but actually not quite perfectly zeroed)?
No, not a leak-down issue. I don't want to get into specifics (I'll leave that for Orbital to explain, if they choose), but the issue won't recur.
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Does anyone "in the know" (Kim? Antonio?) know if this was a leak-down issue (pump off, oil bleeding by a valve) or a control issue (pump on, servo commanded to zero flow, but actually not quite perfectly zeroed)?
No, not a leak-down issue. I don't want to get into specifics (I'll leave that for Orbital to explain, if they choose), but the issue won't recur.
it was handled very professionaly by Orbital.
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As usual, a combination of several "ingredients"... some related to the hydraulics of the strongback, some to the horizontal integration, others to the lanyards, etc. etc. - even the actual timing of the pre-retract had a hand in "conspiring" for the event. Kim K. is right: it won't happen again. (Did I just said "never"? Tsk, tsk...) It was not trivial to predict, either...
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In this world, you can't keep your sanity unless you have a good sense of humor, and unless you try to find humor even under the most stressful circumstances. This launch attempt was no exception, and I am thankful to a certain cyber-journalist and a certain space-oriented website for two priceless gems:
The first (I thank my son, a Legislative Aid for a State Delegate in Richmond for texting me the link) identified Frank Culbertson as "Orbital's CEO." I mentioned it to Dave Thompson and he laughed so hard he almost got the hiccups: "Yesss... Disneyworld, here I come!" was his reaction.
Well, what do you know: the said journalist was having breakfast at the Comfort Suites this morning at the table next to the one where Dave and I were having breakfast; when I whispered to him that this was the cat who had "fired" him, he wanted to get up and thank him, but I grabbed him in time. Of course, said journalist didn't recognize Dave - not even eye contact! ::)
The second one, from the said journalist's web site:
"Orbital Sciences' Antares rocket will not launch today. A premature separation of one of the tethers holding the rocket in place on the pad caused the abort." :D
I know Antares has a low Thrust to Weight ratio, but that's ridiculous...
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"Orbital Sciences' Antares rocket will not launch today. A premature separation of one of the tethers holding the rocket in place on the pad caused the abort." :D
I know Antares has a low Thrust to Weight ratio, but that's ridiculous...
Well, that explains the premature separation - you guys were using data cables to keep your rocket in place. Sheesh! :D
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It might sound patronizing if I said the guys in our office were praiseful of Orbital's handling of Wednesday's events, because you're Orbital, you know what you're doing. But they were.
The second one, from the said journalist's web site:
"Orbital Sciences' Antares rocket will not launch today. A premature separation of one of the tethers holding the rocket in place on the pad caused the abort." :D
I know Antares has a low Thrust to Weight ratio, but that's ridiculous...
It's shoddy reporting like that which makes me grateful for a site like this one.
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... the guys in our office were praiseful of Orbital's handling of Wednesday's events ...
I cannot think of a more satisfying praise than that coming from one's peers. I am proud to count people like you as my peers. Thank you.
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Not to be any smart alec, but I was just wondering, looking at the nice photos in the article, what does it mean to simulate mass? (vs, you kind of either have it or you don't). "Payload simulator" or "Cygnus simulator" I could relate to. Just wondering if there was any technical history or meaning behind the term "mass simulator", which I presume is not to be interpreted literally. Thanks.
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what does it mean to simulate mass? (vs, you kind of either have it or you don't).
It's where you have the mass that counts.
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Well, trying to take your question seriously (I guess you DO mean to ask it...) I would say that a REAL payload, like Cygnus, has many properties: it carries a functioning solar/ battery power system, communications system, propulsion, etc. etc. Mass - not only the TOTAL mass, but also the mass distribution - is one of those properties.
A "mass simulator" of a spacecraft is a device that only attempts to simulate the mass properties - again, not just total mass, but moments of inertia. The next step would be for the STIFFNESS to be similar to that of the real spacecraft: that would be a DYNAMICS SIMULATOR and the coupled modes - launch vehicle and spacecraft - would be similar to that of the complete, much more expensive spacecraft. You could go on perhaps radiating the same RF, and so on until you end up spending as much money as for a real spacecraft...
SO you have to be careful when you say "payload simulator" or "Cygnus simulator": how functional is it?
For the Antares test launch, we have a chunk of metal that has the same mass and moments of inertia as a loaded Cygnus... oh, wait! I forgot! It also has APPROXIMATELY the same outside shape ("outer mold line") as the real Cygnus... again, approximately...
Now for some GOOD NEWS: I didn't realize we have a THIRD rocket cam on this flight: in addition to the two inside the fairing, there's one on the outside, looking down!!! Unfortunately, we only have enough bandwidth to downlink a single camera stream, and to boot the switching gear is a bit ratty...
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....attempts to simulate the mass properties - again, not just total mass, but moments of inertia.
Ahh. k. that makes sense.
On the heels of SpaceX's cheese payload on its first dragon flight I was half expecting some inside joke.
In this case "This module only PRETENDING to be baryonically endowed" would have been an odd thing to see painted on the side.
Thanks.
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Not to be any smart alec, but I was just wondering, looking at the nice photos in the article, what does it mean to simulate mass? (vs, you kind of either have it or you don't). "Payload simulator" or "Cygnus simulator" I could relate to. Just wondering if there was any technical history or meaning behind the term "mass simulator", which I presume is not to be interpreted literally. Thanks.
It is a common term and not unique to this mission. First Delta IV Heavy had one, the last Delta III. Spacecraft use them to represent experiments/payloads/systems that are not available for spacecraft level testing like modal surveys, random vibe testing, thermal vac, etc. Sometimes the simulators fly if the experiments/payloads/systems is unavailable to be launched. This is help the spacecraft to maintain its mass properties.
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This is help the spacecraft to maintain its mass properties.
Do such simulators also contain liquids if necessary?
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This is help the spacecraft to maintain its mass properties.
Do such simulators also contain liquids if necessary?
I have never heard of liquid mass simulators except for those intended experiments on the early Saturn Is.....
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This is help the spacecraft to maintain its mass properties.
Do such simulators also contain liquids if necessary?
I have never heard of liquid mass simulators except for those intended experiments on the early Saturn Is.....
I agree
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NASA TV - during the RS-32 coverage - go to a live view of Antares, sat patiently for Saturday's attempt.
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NASA feed today
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Apparently tomorrow's launch window can be either 5-7 pm or 6-8 pm EDT - weather brief in 2.5 hours will decide that.
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Orbital:
Today's weather briefing result - looks good for Sat. Antares launch attempt. T-0 time still 5:00 p.m. Window from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
New launch day thread late tonight or early tomorrow (depending on where you are in the world ;D)
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Orbital:
Today's weather briefing result - looks good for Sat. Antares launch attempt. T-0 time still 5:00 p.m. Window from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
New launch day thread late tonight or early tomorrow (depending on where you are in the world ;D)
Antares Launch Update
Thu, 18 Apr 2013 05:34:56 PM CDT
Orbital has confirmed the next opportunity to test launch its Antares
rocket from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia will be no earlier
than 5 p.m. EDT on Saturday, April 20.
NASA TV coverage of the launch will begin at 4:30 p.m. By the time
coverage starts, the launch window will likely have been reduced to 10-15
minutes.
An attempt Friday was called off after review of the weather forecast.
The forecast for Saturday indicates an 85 percent chance of favorable
conditions. If needed, a back-up launch opportunity is available on Sunday.
http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/commercial/cargo/orbitalsciences-index.html
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New thread for the second attempt:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?board=46.0
Locking this one.