NASASpaceFlight.com Forum
SpaceX Vehicles and Missions => SpaceX Falcon Missions Section => Topic started by: Chris Bergin on 09/28/2013 02:14 am
-
LIVE WEBCAST:
http://new.livestream.com/spacex/F9-6
----
This is an UPDATE ONLY thread for the countdown and launch of the debut SpaceX Falcon 9 v1.1.
Per L2: Launch Readiness Review (LRR) concluded with a GO for the Sunday attempt, pending weather.
For those who wish to follow this flow as closely as is viable (non-proprietary, etc.), join L2 and click this link:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=32667.0
Resources:
SpaceX GENERAL Forum Section:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?board=45.0 - please use this for general questions NOT specific to this mission.
SpaceX MISSIONS Forum Section:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?board=55.0 - this section is for everything specific to SpaceX missions.
SpaceX CASSIOPE General Thread:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=31429.0
SpaceX CASSIOPE Pre-Launch WDR onwards Update Thread:
You're in it.
SpaceX CASSIOPE Party Thread:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=32683.0
News Site Resources:
SpaceX News Articles from 2006 (Including numerous exclusive Elon interviews):
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=21862.0
SpaceX News Articles (Recent):
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/tag/spacex/
Specific Falcon 9 v1.1 CASSIOPE News Articles:
Falcon 9 boost as Merlin 1D engine achieves major milestone:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/03/falcon-9-boost-merlin-1d-engine-achieves-milestone/
Testing times for SpaceX’s new Falcon 9 v.1.1:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/06/testing-times-spacexs-new-falcon-9-v-1-1/
Reducing risk via ground testing is a recipe for SpaceX success:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/06/reducing-risk-ground-testing-recipe-spacex-success/
SpaceX’s new Falcon 9 v1.1 begins to arrive in California:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/07/spacexs-falcon-9-v1-1-begins-arrive-california/
SpaceX: From Bothering Bovines to Revolutionizing Rockets (General Overview of SpaceX Status ahead of this launch)
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/08/spacex-bothering-bovines-revolutionizing-rockets/
Falcon 9 v1.1 conducts Hot Fire – Launch Date Change
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/09/falcon-9-v1-1-hot-fire-ahead-cassiope-mission/
Launch Day article:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/09/spacex-debut-falcon-9-v1-1-cassiope-launch/
=--=
L2 Members:
L2 SpaceX Section:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=tags&tags=SpaceX
One Stop Shop Update Area for L2 Level F9 v1.1/Cassiope Updates:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=32667.0
=--=
PLEASE NOTE THAT WE FULLY EXPECT THE SITE TO BE VERY BUSY ON LAUNCH DAY - NOT LEAST WITH THREE MAJOR EVENTS. WE WILL VERY LIKELY RESTRICT IT TO FORUM MEMBERS ONLY - WITH NO ACCESS TO THE FORUM FOR GUESTS - WHEN THE SITE BECOMES TOO BUSY. READ THIS TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT: http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=31697.0)
-
A reminder, we'll be moving into coverage of this launch later today. A huge preview article by William Graham will go on a few hours before.
-
Per L2, fuelling has begun!
-
4,700 word feature article by William Graham. Doesn't get more comprehensive than this!
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/09/spacex-debut-falcon-9-v1-1-cassiope-launch/
-
Update from http://www.spacex.com/webcast/
The launch webcast will begin here at approximately 8:15 a.m. PDT.
-
40 minutes before opening of launch window. 10 minutes before NASA's Cygnus presser...
The webcast starts 40 minutes before the opening of the launch windows (see the above quote).
http://new.livestream.com/spacex/F9-6
Window opens at 9:00am PDT, 12:00 EDT, 1600 UTC.
-
First Facebook post this morning from the 30th Space Wing. Hopefully the future ones will be more useful :P
Happy Sunday, fans! I hope you all have recovered from all fun and excitement from yesterday's Exotic Car Show! Which one was your favorite? Stay tuned this morning for up-to-date launch information for the SpaceX Falcon-9 Cassiope!
-
-
I'm 3 miles from the pad on the base and cab report the weather is perfect with great visibility and cloudless skies.
-
Elon's Jet heading out to chase the first stage on the way back:
http://uk.flightaware.com/live/flight/N887XF
-
Here we go!!
-
Webcast has begun.
-
:)
-
...I have no sound! :(
-
And we're live on the Livestream!
It's a BEEEYOOOTIFUL day in Sunny SoCal and F-9a v.1 is looking just perfect on the pad.
Strongback is still fully attached and we're at T-0:44:00 and counting.
-
Sound comes in just in time for John!!
-
We have sound, now!
-
They've worked out how to turn the sound on.
-
-
-
new speaker, and audio he helped launch titans!
-
-
-
No issues being worked "on the booster".
-
Elon's Jet heading out to chase the first stage on the way back:
http://uk.flightaware.com/live/flight/N887XF
Owner: FALCON LANDING LLC
Surely that's not a real company? ;)
-
-
That F9's venting is surprisingly strong.
-
Range is currently green.
Weather is green.
-
0% chance of weather constraints!
-
next 30th SW Facebook post pointed to another web site for live coverage--boo
-
Lots of good disclaimers about this being a new rocket, so not to be surprised if there's an abort.
T-36 mins.
-
Talking about F 9.1 upgrades
-
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/384336908949524480
-
Happy talk video. With some nice shots of the factory.
-
Family of Merlin 1Ds
-
-
"Now let's go launch that rocket" ;D
-
video spokesman in a t-shirt, definitely SpaceX. He mentioned there will be a space cam showing fairing sep if the signal stays stable.
-
Talking about telemtery and payload versus Dragon, seems like they are coaching the crowd that this is a demonstration mission
-
This is a much more technical webcast, with a lot less fluff. Impressed by this.
Fairing overview.
-
the fairing is "big", technical term :D
-
-
Okay, I dug around and came up with the location of American Spirit, a vessel they used previously:
http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/default.aspx?mmsi=367035570¢erx=-120.3313¢ery=29.25173&zoom=10&type_color=9 (http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/default.aspx?mmsi=367035570¢erx=-120.3313¢ery=29.25173&zoom=10&type_color=9)
-
the fairing is "big", technical term :D
Specifically, big enough to fit a city school bus :)
-
Mentioning the three hour window and how they would recycle to T-13 minutes and try again versus 1 second ISS windows.
-
Additional weather balloon data on upper level winds expected soon. So far they are green.
-
LAunchpad overview
-
-
-
The launch pad.
-
T-22 mins. No issues.
-
Still no issues from VAFB, LOX topping continuing
Waiting on last balloon for beginning, weather still looks good.
-
Still topping with LOX.
Pre-valves to be opened on the engines next.
-
Polling at T-13 mins.
-
More disclaimers about the potential for failure. "Space is difficult, this is a demo flight".
-
-
Cameras on the vehicle. Second stage camera will show live images.
-
-
12,731 people currently watching the stream. :)
-
American Spirit is out there waiting for possible Stage 1 recovery, too:
http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/default.aspx?mmsi=367022090¢erx=-119.722¢ery=28.55254&zoom=10&type_color=3 (http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/default.aspx?mmsi=367022090¢erx=-119.722¢ery=28.55254&zoom=10&type_color=3)
As well as the American Islander
http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/default.aspx?mmsi=367035570¢erx=-120.3313¢ery=29.25173&zoom=10&type_color=9 (http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/default.aspx?mmsi=367035570¢erx=-120.3313¢ery=29.25173&zoom=10&type_color=9)
-
12,000 watching the webcast. Expected it to be more.
NSF forum is very busy, but servers are fine right now. We're keeping an eye on that to ensure smooth coverage.
SpaceXers lining up for the webcast.
-
Believe it's the F9-9 octaweb behind Kiko.
-
T-15 mins.
Two minutes to polling.
-
T-15 mins
-
Starting T-13 countdown poll
-
They are giving us the loop, which is nice.
Polling!
-
GO to proceed.
-
Go to Terminal count
-
T-11 minutes. Terminal Count instructions being given.
-
-
T-10 mins and counting.
Terminal Count!
-
Autosequence start confirmed.
-
-
T-10 mins
-
Stage 1 and 2 in chill.
-
Pre-valves open and you can really see that chilldown!
-
-
That's so impressive! Flooding off the pad.
-
Polling for launch!
All GO for launch.
-
LD clear to launch. T-7 mins.
-
Vehicle on internal power.
-
-
Tanks in press. Strongback retraction next.
-
-
arms moving away
-
T-5 mins
-
T-5 minutes. Strongback retraction in work.
-
Cradle arms open...
-
-
Strongback in motion.
-
-
Strongback retracted, rather noisily.
-
FTS on internal power.
-
-
The livestream has quite a delay when compared to the live countdown net.
-
FTS Armed.
-
T-120 seconds!
Good Luck F9 and Cassiope!
-
Range Green
-
self alignment started
-
T-90 seconds.
-
T-60 seconds.
-
engine gimbals visible
-
Engines just gimbaled.
-
LAUNCH!!!
-
-
And LAUNCH 8) !!!!
-
GO ON GET UP THERE.
-
-
liftoff!!
-
Heading to MaxQ
-
-
Through MaxQ
-
Don't worry about the downlink. Vehicle still fine.
-
-
-
STAGING!!
1-2 Sep!
-
-
That octoweb sure is pretty...
-
Second stage nominal.
-
Good so far...
Based on timetags on screen, launch was at 1600:13 Z ?
-
-
Fairing jettison.
-
Stage 2 engine burn
-
Video downlink very choppy but, so long as it the rocket works, no-one is going to worry too much about the pretty pictures.
-
Second stage nice and stable.
-
Video downlink very choppy but, so long as it the rocket works, no-one is going to worry too much about the pretty pictures.
I am :)
The webcast itself is laggy as well :(
-
Can see the first stage exhaust from Orange County, through staging.
-
Too bad the loop audio cuts out whenever they lose the onboard video - that's kind of a dumb setup.
St 2 propulsion nominal at T+4:30 - cutoff due at T+8:54 I believe
-
Wish the comms loop would stay on even without video
-
Go 1stage go!!!!!!
-
Whats going on with the 1st stage?
-
Still nominal, heading to MECO.
Dodgy downlink on the camera, but the rocket is great - and I know what we'd all take!
-
3.7 km per second.
-
Remember to keep the chatter down during the event.
T+7 minutes.
-
Is the other camera the upward-looking payload camera?
-
110 km altitude.
-
First stage reignition!!
-
1st stage relight!
-
First stage relight!!!
-
FTS safed
-
FTS safed.
-
Stage 1 relighting - T+ 8:08
-
Stage 1 relighting at T+8:05
-
approaching SECO 1
-
-
SECO!
-
SECO 1 confirmed
-
nominal image throughout
-
My guess is the first stage recovery attempt wont get covered live.
-
Duration of coast?
-
LOS. But expected.
-
"A little better than we predicted"
-
What was all the venting going on around the MVac?
-
nominal image throughout
but at least they have the audio on now throughout!
Two minutes till Cassiope separation
-
What was all the venting going on around the MVac?
Good question!
-
Waiting on S/C Sep. But they are very happy, obviously.
-
-
Wrapping up before spacecraft sep, they are going to be less happy if that doesn't work
-
Did they forget about S/C Sep?
Closing the webcast.
-
-
Did they forget about S/C Sep?
Closing the webcast.
Strange. Very strange. Treated like a classified mission. No orbital parameters either.
- Ed Kyle
-
Guess we will find out about the first stage at the news event?
-
the end
-
I guess the separation happens out of visibility so they won't know for a while ?
-
Guess we will find out about the first stage at the news event?
I wonder more about S/C sep. They did said that the orbit looks good, though.
-
Maybe the LOS means it will be awhile till confirmation?
-
Technically it's a failure if they don't S/C Sep the payload. I assume they did, but forgot to mention it!
-
I remember that we had to wait a while to hear confirmation at RAZAKSat had separation too. I think if it isn't a SpaceX payload, they aren't too fussed about reporting S/C Sep.
FWIW, I think they were pleasantly surprised the rocket actually worked although I'm pretty sure the 'better than expected' comment was regarding the video downlink quality.
-
And the feedback about the first stage. They should have told us.
-
Technically it's a failure if they don't S/C Sep the payload. I assume they did, but forgot to mention it!
It would be a CASSIOPE mission failure. But a VAFB pad success, Stage 1 success, Stage 2 success, and fairing success.
-
Did they forget about S/C Sep?
Closing the webcast.
Strange. Very strange. Treated like a classified mission. No orbital parameters either.
- Ed Kyle
Neither was there an external view of the ascending rocket.
-
Ok, so we'll wait for Cassiope and first stage news, but that was very impressive.
You have no idea just how many people told me that vehicle would failure just after MaxQ.
-
What was all the venting going on around the MVac?
Good question!
Do they need to re-chill before a relight? iirc they were going to relight and burn to depletion after all payloads away.
-
Might also be an MDA rule as to only discuss F91.1 ops and not payload...
-
Well it's Vandenberg after all.
-
They could tell us at least about the Cubesats ?
-
I'm sure they will release the best video they have for the first stage, but like Grasshopper, it might be a few days.
-
They could tell us at least about the Cubesats ?
Cubesat separation is after main payload, AFAIK 2min.
-
CSA thanking SpaceX, might confirm successful separation?
CanadianSpaceAgency @csa_asc now
Thank you @SpaceX for the successful launch of CASSIOPE! Now let the science begin! #MDA @UCalgary
https://twitter.com/csa_asc
-
Are there cameras on the first stage as well ?
-
You have no idea just how many people told me that vehicle would failure just after MaxQ.
It appears SpaceX structural engineers are a little bit better than those naysayers were giving them credit for, eh?
-
First chance for communications is expected 30 minutes after liftoff. We should get news soon about payload deployment.
-
I interpreted the 'better than expected' to mean that the vehicle stayed in signal a little longer than they expected.
-
Technically it's a failure if they don't S/C Sep the payload. I assume they did, but forgot to mention it!
It would be a CASSIOPE mission failure. But a VAFB pad success, Stage 1 success, Stage 2 success, and fairing success.
but also a Falcon 9 v.1.1 failur e- since S/C sep is, I assume in this case as always, a launch vehicle responsibility.
-
CSA thanking SpaceX, might confirm successful separation?
CanadianSpaceAgency @csa_asc now
Thank you @SpaceX for the successful launch of CASSIOPE! Now let the science begin! #MDA @UCalgary
https://twitter.com/csa_asc
Might be just their PR outlet so it could still be unconfirmed.
-
Well it's Vandenberg after all.
This is a commercial launch company that wants to provide commercial launch services. None of the world's other companies in this business throttle information this way. Did anyone from MDA even attend this launch? You wouldn't know it from the webcast.
- Ed Kyle
-
Do they need to re-chill before a relight? iirc they were going to relight and burn to depletion after all payloads away.
Probably. But they called SECO 1 which confirms they want to relight the second stage.
(That was seriously impressive, by the way!)
-
Ok, so we'll wait for Cassiope and first stage news, but that was very impressive.
You have no idea just how many people told me that vehicle would failure just after MaxQ.
I have an idea - all the armchair rocket wizards in DC who were telling us the same thing.
The beltway doesn't have a frigging clue... and they are just wrong.
VR
RE327
-
No tweets from SpaceX yet....
-
They're busy with the payload and 1st stage return.
-
I understand you have to wait 30 mn after lift off
-
Very strange coverage! It seemed like the loss of signal happened everytime they went to the infrared view of the engine.
-
Hey - I'm one of those beltway rocket scientists !!!! (And FWIW, wasn't a "max-q naysayer" !!)
-
No twitts from SpaceX at all.
They should hire the guyz from Orbital. They spam like crazy!
-
Technically it's a failure if they don't S/C Sep the payload. I assume they did, but forgot to mention it!
Supposed to be a about 5:21 after SECO for main payload sep, and another 7:00+ for the secondaries.
Cheers, Martin
-
I've already posting this up-thread but this is reminding me of Falcon 1, Flight 5 - They barely covered the launch and pulled the plug immediately after SECO.
-
Well it's Vandenberg after all.
This is a commercial launch company that wants to provide commercial launch services. None of the world's other companies in this business throttle information this way. Did anyone from MDA even attend this launch? You wouldn't know it from the webcast.
- Ed Kyle
Sure they do. Remember the Sea Launch failures? They just cut the feed and went silent for nearly a day before acknowledging that their rocket exploded.
-
CUSat @CornellCUSat 1m
Finally, #CUSat has launched and separated from @SpaceX 's #Falcon9 Stay Tuned for updates. #SpaceJam
-
Very strange coverage! It seemed like the loss of signal happened everytime they went to the infrared view of the engine.
Indeed, and why would the audio signal also cut out ?
-
SUCCESS!! Via L2 we have confirmation from the Cassiope folk S/C Sep and a healthy sat!!
-
The fact that they were able to attempt a first stage relight must mean that the first stage velocity reduction burn and reentry orientation went smoothly.
-
http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/default.aspx?mmsi=367035570¢erx=-120.3313¢ery=29.25173&zoom=10&type_color=9
American Islander changed course
-
Very strange coverage! It seemed like the loss of signal happened everytime they went to the infrared view of the engine.
Indeed, and why would the audio signal also cut out ?
Probably some kind of freaky channel splice arrangement where the audio is added upstream of the filter that switches to the 'please stand by' screen in case of video signal loss so that it cuts off the audio too. They seemed to work out that was happening about half-way through the flight and rectified it.
SUCCESS!! Via L2 we have confirmation from the Cassiope folk S/C Sep and a healthy sat!!
Hoorah! Well done to SpaceX and all the team at VAFB, MacGreggor and Hawthorne for brining the F-9 v.1.1 to life!
-
SUCCESS!! Via L2 we have confirmation from the Cassiope folk S/C Sep and a healthy sat!!
Whew, good to know; I got concerned because didn't see , during the ascent streaming, the fairing falling back.
Someone noticed them ?
-
How many of the Merlins were supposed to relight during 1st stage descent? The vehicle is a whole LOT lighter, don't forget!
-
The fact that they were able to attempt a first stage relight must mean that the first stage velocity reduction burn and reentry orientation went smoothly.
Could the 1st stage have coasted until that call out? It seems possible to me that the relight WAS the velocity reduction burn.
Probably need to wait for the press conference.
Do we have an ETA for the presser?
-
SUCCESS!! Via L2 we have confirmation from the Cassiope folk S/C Sep and a healthy sat!!
Whew, good to know; I got concerned because didn't see , during the ascent streaming, the fairing falling back.
Someone noticed them ?
Yes, fairing sep was shown during the live broadcast.
-
How many of the Merlins were supposed to relight during 1st stage descent? The vehicle is a whole LOT lighter, don't forget!
Three for the braking burn, one for the final burn.
-
Very strange coverage! It seemed like the loss of signal happened everytime they went to the infrared view of the engine.
Indeed, and why would the audio signal also cut out ?
There's a box where they combine the video with the audio. That box might have been programmed to cut the audio if the video goes. So if the vehicle exploded, none of us would be any the wiser.
-
Elon's Jet heading out to chase the first stage on the way back:
http://uk.flightaware.com/live/flight/N887XF
-
Way to go SpaceX!
-
SUCCESS!! Via L2 we have confirmation from the Cassiope folk S/C Sep and a healthy sat!!
Whew, good to know; I got concerned because didn't see , during the ascent streaming, the fairing falling back.
Someone noticed them ?
Yes, fairing sep was shown during the live broadcast.
I think it cut out for the fall away view, but the actual separation forward view from inside the fairing was live.
-
http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/default.aspx?mmsi=367035570¢erx=-120.3313¢ery=29.25173&zoom=10&type_color=9
American Islander changed course
Hmmm. There must be something out there worth seeing...
-
How many of the Merlins were supposed to relight during 1st stage descent? The vehicle is a whole LOT lighter, don't forget!
First slowdown burn is three engines, final decent and landing uses only the middle engine.
-
Probably need to wait for the press conference.
Do we have an ETA for the presser?
I missed that...did they say there would be a post launch press conference during the webcast?
-
Probably need to wait for the press conference.
Do we have an ETA for the presser?
I missed that...did they say there would be a post launch press conference during the webcast?
Not that I know of.
-
Probably need to wait for the press conference.
Do we have an ETA for the presser?
I missed that...did they say there would be a post launch press conference during the webcast?
Right before sign off, they mentioned there would be a media event later in the afternoon, but no details were given as to time or whether it would be webcast or anything.
-
Probably need to wait for the press conference.
Do we have an ETA for the presser?
I missed that...did they say there would be a post launch press conference during the webcast?
Not that I know of.
I was pretty sure they mentioned it just before signing off.
-
Very strange coverage! It seemed like the loss of signal happened everytime they went to the infrared view of the engine.
Indeed, and why would the audio signal also cut out ?
There's a box where they combine the video with the audio. That box might have been programmed to cut the audio if the video goes. So if the vehicle exploded, none of us would be any the wiser.
Yeah - damned annoying (and scary until it came back first time), but agree they probably did it on purpose so launch loop not broadcast in case of failure.
Cheers, Martin
-
OK, good news on the Cassiope and CUSAT separations - congrats to those teams and to SpaceX.
We still need to get confirmation on DANDE and POPACS.
-
Do you have link to archived webcast?
Does anyone make a copy or we have to wait for Spacex to release one of their famous video compilations?
-
Do you have link to archived webcast?
It should be available here: http://new.livestream.com/spacex/F9-6
EDIT: But it's not. Hmmm.
-
Probably need to wait for the press conference.
Do we have an ETA for the presser?
I missed that...did they say there would be a post launch press conference during the webcast?
Right before sign off, they mentioned there would be a media event later in the afternoon, but no details were given as to time or whether it would be webcast or anything.
Did they mention where -- Vandenberg or Hawthorne?
-
ULA rarely do post-launch pressers although NASA always do. I'm thinking that we'll have to wait for more conventional press releases from SpaceX, MDA, CSA and maybe 30th SW (the last being somewhat unlikely) to get detailed information. Expect SpaceX to ration information about the core recovery for as long as possible, success or failure, until their team have had at least one run-through of the data.
Of course, American Islander steaming into San Diego towing a space rocket behind it would be kind of difficult to miss unless they do it at night.
-
OK, good news on the Cassiope and CUSAT separations - congrats to those teams and to SpaceX.
We still need to get confirmation on DANDE and POPACS.
ISTR they're not providing the secondaries dispenser, so a failure there might not be their fault?
Cheers, Martin
-
Or a "confidential customer" suddenly rents out the Glomar Explorer...
-
HD video of launch is up. :D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFefasS6bhc
-
American Islander on the move.. Now near-realtime updates..
http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/default.aspx?mmsi=367035570¢erx=-120.3313¢ery=29.25173&zoom=10&type_color=9 (http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/default.aspx?mmsi=367035570¢erx=-120.3313¢ery=29.25173&zoom=10&type_color=9)
-
OK, good news on the Cassiope and CUSAT separations - congrats to those teams and to SpaceX.
We still need to get confirmation on DANDE and POPACS.
If I'm reading the L2 status correctly, all spacecraft are healthy during the AOS over Africa.
-
Excellent!
-
@COSGC_DANDE on twitter:
Separation of all payloads good. Awaiting state vectors.
so that's a success! Congrats SpaceX
-
How many of the Merlins were supposed to relight during 1st stage descent? The vehicle is a whole LOT lighter, don't forget!
First slowdown burn is three engines, final decent and landing uses only the middle engine.
Thanks! I presume for symmetry, one of the three on slowdown is the center engine?
-
The video said "relight of 1st stage to begin at this time" but no confirmation that it did actually relight.
-
Excellent news - congratulations to everyone at SpaceX - now to see how the 1st stage recovery performs.
-
The video said "relight of 1st stage to begin at this time" but no confirmation that it did actually relight.
Incorrect, he announced relight and that it was burning.
-
Despite all the complaints of the coverage, many valid, I really enjoyed the awesome sounds at the pad pre-launch. Brought back memories of the shuttle APUs starting, the spark igniters firing, etc...
-
HD video of launch is up. :D
This is also strange. The data dropouts appear to have represented skips in time on the real time broadcast. If you try to make the "tape" time line up with the SpaceX clocks (there are two and there is a 14 second discrepancy between them), it does not. SpaceX doesn't want anyone to be able to confirm the event times, perhaps?
- Ed Kyle
-
Looking forward to seeing ground shots and video of the launch.
-
HD video of launch is up. :D
The data dropouts appear to have represented skips in time on the real time broadcast. If you try to make the "tape" time line up with the SpaceX clocks (there are two and there is a 14 second discrepancy between them), it does not. SpaceX doesn't want anyone to be able to confirm the event times, perhaps?
The YouTube uploader trimmed the dropouts. No reason to sit through them on a recorded video.
-
Here is a couple video's from the ground.
[youtube]myV3zRP6N-Y[/youtube]
[youtube]SBPqzhUmmzQ[/youtube]
-
William's article, updated:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/09/spacex-debut-falcon-9-v1-1-cassiope-launch/
-
The video said "relight of 1st stage to begin at this time" but no confirmation that it did actually relight.
Incorrect, he announced relight and that it was burning.
At 6:30 in the above video he says "1st stage is burning....arhh...relighting at this time".
Unless there is some other comment then this is not confirmation.
-
We'll be looking for TLEs from 12 objects:
Falcon 9 stage 2, CASSIOPE, DANDE, two CUSATs, three POPACS spheres, and four POPACS deployer parts.
-
http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/default.aspx?mmsi=367035570¢erx=-120.3313¢ery=29.25173&zoom=10&type_color=9
American Islander changed course
Hmmm. There must be something out there worth seeing...
It seems to be heading straight (back) to San Diego... is it not?
-
Maybe it is me reading too much into things, but is it possible these two vessels are on intersect course?
http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/default.aspx?mmsi=367022090¢erx=-119.722¢ery=28.55254&zoom=10&type_color=3 (http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/default.aspx?mmsi=367022090¢erx=-119.722¢ery=28.55254&zoom=10&type_color=3)
http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/default.aspx?mmsi=367035570¢erx=-120.2818¢ery=29.29437&zoom=10&type_color=9 (http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/default.aspx?mmsi=367035570¢erx=-120.2818¢ery=29.29437&zoom=10&type_color=9)
If so, Can someone calculate the point they are heading? It might indicate an attempt to recover 1st stage, right?
edit: clearly no intersect.. me bad
-
According to marinetraffic.com, American Islander is heading back to San Diego Harbour at 8.2 kn. But American Spirit's course is 190 degrees at 7.9 kn.
My speculation would be that AI has been called off (it's farther to the NW), and AS is going to look at something.
-
Engines relighted as planned.
First stage reoriented.
GPS lock and downlink telemetry maintained.
Sounds like the reentry went as planned.
-
More video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApICgqGlmd4
-
Engines relighted as planned.
First stage reoriented.
GPS lock and downlink telemetry maintained.
Sounds like the reentry went as planned.
Do you have a source for this?
-
For those who wants it, here's the whole webcast:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rj4C9bydkX8
-
Engines relighted as planned.
First stage reoriented.
GPS lock and downlink telemetry maintained.
Sounds like the reentry went as planned.
Do you have a source for this?
I got a text from a friend with her ear against the glass at MC.
-
Engines relighted as planned.
First stage reoriented.
GPS lock and downlink telemetry maintained.
Sounds like the reentry went as planned.
Do you have a source for this?
I got a text from a friend with her ear against the glass at MC.
Now that's a source!!!
Where else but this webpage!
-
"New rocket, new pad, first attempt, first instant at the beginning of the window."
-
Belated release from the 30th SW
30th Space Wing (Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 29, 2013
VANDENBERG LAUNCHES SPACEX ROCKET
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - Team Vandenberg launched its first-ever
SpaceX launch from Space Launch Complex-4 here Sunday at 9 a.m.
Col. Keith Balts, 30th Space Wing commander, is the launch decision
authority.
"I am truly honored to work with such an amazing team here at
Vandenberg," said Balts. "With safety at the forefront during all launch
operations, we highlighted our mission three times in one week, culminating
in today's historic launch with SpaceX. What I have seen in the past few
months as Wing Commander is a true testament to the professionalism and
dedication the men and women of Vandenberg have toward our mission."
30th Space Wing's 1st Air and Space Test Squadron was the lead for
all launch site certification activities at Vandenberg for SpaceX as an
Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle New Entrant. Under the authority of the
Space and Missile Systems Center, the Squadron evaluated SpaceX's flight and
ground systems, processes and procedures for this inaugural space launch
campaign for the upgraded Falcon 9 rocket.
-
"New rocket, new pad, first attempt, first instant at the beginning of the window."
2nd time they have hit it on the first go.
-
"New rocket, new pad, first attempt, first instant at the beginning of the window."
2nd time they have hit it on the first go.
3rd? I seem to recall both CRS-1 and 2 launching directly at 1st launch window without any aborts or holds.
-
@Avron
any news on your (sea) side ?
-
William's article, updated:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/09/spacex-debut-falcon-9-v1-1-cassiope-launch/
Mentioned by Phil Plait @BadAstronomer and others including BBC's Jonathan Amos! Nice!
-
FWIW, the American Spirit is still cruising south-south-west. No destination listed.
-
CanadianSpaceAgency @csa_asc 1h
#MDA confirms it has established communication with #CASSIOPE! Another great day for Canada in space!
https://twitter.com/csa_asc/status/384363010426667008
-
Here's a photo from the north VAFB "gravel pit" area. Beautiful day. Great sound from the 9 engines.
-
Stephen Clark from SFN just tweeted:
Stephen Clark @StephenClark1 10m
SpaceX says a post-launch media telecon is tentatively set for 3:30 pm Eastern time.
-
A first object has been catalogued:
39265/2013-055A in
262 x 1340 km x 80.96°
-
Stephen Clark from SFN just tweeted:
Stephen Clark @StephenClark1 10m
SpaceX says a post-launch media telecon is tentatively set for 3:30 pm Eastern time.
Is there a dial-in number for this? Hopefully someone will record it.
-
A first object has been catalogued:
39265/2013-055A in
262 x 1340 km x 80.96°
What is that object.. (2nd stage)??
-
will the post launch conference be broadcast live?
-
Stephen Clark from SFN just tweeted:
Stephen Clark @StephenClark1 10m
SpaceX says a post-launch media telecon is tentatively set for 3:30 pm Eastern time.
Is there a dial-in number for this? Hopefully someone will record it.
SpaceX will host a teleconference about this morning’s successful demonstration launch of the upgraded Falcon 9 rocket at 12:00 p.m. PDT
-
Elon Musk @elonmusk 47s
Launch was good. All satellites deployed at the targeted orbit insertion vectors. pic.twitter.com/SUYMH7W9pH
-
A first object has been catalogued:
39265/2013-055A in
262 x 1340 km x 80.96°
What is that object.. (2nd stage)??
Pre launch declared orbit for Cassiope was 300 x 1500 km x 80° T:103 min (T for Object A is 100.88 min.)
-
Stephen Clark from SFN just tweeted:
Stephen Clark @StephenClark1 10m
SpaceX says a post-launch media telecon is tentatively set for 3:30 pm Eastern time.
Is there a dial-in number for this? Hopefully someone will record it.
SpaceX will host a teleconference about this morning’s successful demonstration launch of the upgraded Falcon 9 rocket at 12:00 p.m. PDT
Thats now! Is there a number??? link???
-
We'll be looking for TLEs from 12 objects:
Falcon 9 stage 2, CASSIOPE, DANDE, two CUSATs, three POPACS spheres, and four POPACS deployer parts.
Eventually a thirteenth when DANDE jettisons its adapter on day 14.
I'm not clear when the two CUSats are intended to separate.
-
Jeff Foust may be tweeting details once it starts https://twitter.com/jeff_foust (https://twitter.com/jeff_foust)
-
Jeff Foust @jeff_foust 44s
Musk: attempted relight of upper stage, encountered anomaly. Understand what it is and will fix before next flight. #falcon9
-
Musk: Lower stage 3-engine relight went well, reentered. Single-engine relight went well, but exceeded roll control of ACS. #falcon9
-
Musk: Lower stage 3-engine relight went well, reentered. Single-engine relight went well, but exceeded roll control of ACS
-
Musk: rolling "centrifuged" propellant, shut down engine early. Did recover "portions" of 1st stage after splashdown. #falcon9
-
Musk: despite that, we have all the pieces in place to accomplish recovery of stages in the future, "full and rapid reusability" of stage.
-
Jeff Foust @jeff_foust 44s
Musk: attempted relight of upper stage, encountered anomaly. Understand what it is and will fix before next flight. #falcon9
Re-light is a must for the SES flight. Wonder if this will delay it.
-
Jeff Foust @jeff_foust 44s
Musk: attempted relight of upper stage, encountered anomaly. Understand what it is and will fix before next flight. #falcon9
Re-light is a must for the SES flight. Wonder if this will delay it.
Is it? Can't they work out a trajectory with a longer burn of the second stage?
-
Musk: all 1st and 2nd stage engines performed "slightly better than expected". #falcon9
-
First I've ever heard of centrifuged propellant causing a shutdown. This has probably happened before somewhere though, does anyone know?
It would be a big issue for the F9 during descent as the tanks will be almost empty. It wouldn't be such an issue during an early flight phase.
-
Jeff Foust @jeff_foust 44s
Musk: attempted relight of upper stage, encountered anomaly. Understand what it is and will fix before next flight. #falcon9
Re-light is a must for the SES flight. Wonder if this will delay it.
F9 flight 1 had a similar issue, but it was figures out by the next flight.
-
Based on Musk's tweets I'd say the recovery effort was pretty encouraging. How the stage would behave on entry was the big unknown. They now have solid data on that (and parts of the stage as well.)
-
Jeff Foust @jeff_foust 44s
Musk: attempted relight of upper stage, encountered anomaly. Understand what it is and will fix before next flight. #falcon9
The upper stage might therefore be the object in the lower-than-expected orbit.
-
Jeff Foust @jeff_foust 44s
Musk: attempted relight of upper stage, encountered anomaly. Understand what it is and will fix before next flight. #falcon9
Ah yes, that was on the L2 thread a few hours ago. Glad it's a minor issue.
-
Musk: new pad at Vandenberg AFB also performed well. #falcon9
-
Is it? Can't they work out a trajectory with a longer burn of the second stage?
Insertion into GTO from CCAFS needs two burns of the upper stage.
-
Musk: on track for next launch, of SES satellite, next month; may wait a few weeks to finalize second stage relight issue. #falcon9
EDIT:
Musk: won't attempt recovery on next 2 launches to give customers for those missions maximum performance. #falcon9
-
Jeff Foust @jeff_foust 44s
Musk: attempted relight of upper stage, encountered anomaly. Understand what it is and will fix before next flight. #falcon9
Re-light is a must for the SES flight. Wonder if this will delay it.
F9 flight 1 had a similar issue, but it was figures out by the next flight.
I'm sure they'll sort it. They've restarted the M-vac successfully before.
Edit: looks like Musk has answered my question.
-
Musk: won't attempt recovery on next 2 launches to give customers for those missions maximum performance. #falcon9
-
Jeff Foust @jeff_foust now
Musk: will next attempt recovery on 4th F9 v1.1 launch, of CRS-3. That vehicle may also have landing legs. #falcon9
-
Jeff Foust @jeff_foust now
Musk: will next attempt recovery on 4th F9 v1.1 launch, of CRS-3. That vehicle may also have landing legs. #falcon9
Wont they need to do more Grasshopper flights first to get the landing system down? There is a big difference between landing in the middle of the ocean and an exact spot on land.
-
Don't suppose they are spin stabilizing S1 for descent, are they?
-
Don't suppose they are spin stabilizing S1 for descent, are they?
Considering the problems this caused, I don't think so.
-
Jeff Foust @jeff_foust now
Musk: will next attempt recovery on 4th F9 v1.1 launch, of CRS-3. That vehicle may also have landing legs. #falcon9
Wont they need to do more Grasshopper flights first to get the landing system down? There is a big difference between landing in the middle of the ocean and an exact spot on land.
Adding landing legs does not mean they will land it on land - they might just add them to test the shape of the stage, the diffirent center of gravity. I doubt they'll do full boostback - need to build a landing area for that first anyway.
So, same flight as today, just with added legs / leg deployment just above the ocean is a possibility.
-
Musk: won't hold up CRS-3 launch to install legs on F9. Schedule driven by upgrades to Dragon. Probably Feb '14 launch. #falcon9
-
Landing legs, even in their folded position, will give some aerodynamic resistance to roll.
-
Jeff Foust @jeff_foust now
Musk: will next attempt recovery on 4th F9 v1.1 launch, of CRS-3. That vehicle may also have landing legs. #falcon9
Wont they need to do more Grasshopper flights first to get the landing system down? There is a big difference between landing in the middle of the ocean and an exact spot on land.
Adding landing legs does not mean they will land it on land - they might just add them to test the shape of the stage, the diffirent center of gravity. I doubt they'll do full boostback - need to build a landing area for that first anyway.
So, same flight as today, just with added legs / leg deployment just above the ocean is a possibility.
It may be that their models show having the legs deployed may help in the rolling issues?
-
Jeff Foust @jeff_foust 44s
Musk: working with Air Force and FAA on identifying landing sites for F9 1st stage, looking at eastern tip of Cape Canaveral. #falcon9
-
Musk: won't hold up CRS-3 launch to install legs on F9. Schedule driven by upgrades to Dragon. Probably Feb '14 launch. #falcon9
An add-on option: that makes more sense.
-
Jeff Foust @jeff_foust now
Musk: did recover video of the first stage reentry, hope to post it online later this week. #falcon9
-
Landing legs, even in their folded position, will give some aerodynamic resistance to roll.
...and extending them should slow any roll, just like figure skater extending the arms.
-
Landing legs, even in their folded position, will give some aerodynamic resistance to roll.
Quite possibly. The question, though, is how the roll developed in the first place.
-
Jeff Foust @jeff_foust now
Musk: will next attempt recovery on 4th F9 v1.1 launch, of CRS-3. That vehicle may also have landing legs. #falcon9
Wont they need to do more Grasshopper flights first to get the landing system down? There is a big difference between landing in the middle of the ocean and an exact spot on land.
Adding landing legs does not mean they will land it on land - they might just add them to test the shape of the stage, the diffirent center of gravity. I doubt they'll do full boostback - need to build a landing area for that first anyway.
So, same flight as today, just with added legs / leg deployment just above the ocean is a possibility.
Heh. All they need to do is lay out a concrete pad. And since the stage is empty at landing, it doesn't need to be engineered to take a lot of weight.
How much you want to bet we will see some concrete truck activity in the next few months?
-
Jeff Foust @jeff_foust 44s
Musk: working with Air Force and FAA on identifying landing sites for F9 1st stage, looking at eastern tip of Cape Canaveral. #falcon9
http://goo.gl/maps/OcaS4
Looks like an old pad? What pad was this?
-
Jeff Foust @jeff_foust 25s
Musk: still working on 3rd launch site, "quite likely" to be Texas but not resolved yet. #falcon9
-
Musk: Also pursuing LC-39A at KSC for NASA (cargo and crew). Current Cape launch site would be used for other customers. #falcon9
-
Landing legs, even in their folded position, will give some aerodynamic resistance to roll.
Quite possibly. The question, though, is how the roll developed in the first place.
As someone else suggested, perhaps the stage is spin stabilised during descent to keep attitude when engines are not lit. Using three engines give capability to create quite fast spin.. :P
-
Jeff Foust @jeff_foust 44s
Musk: working with Air Force and FAA on identifying landing sites for F9 1st stage, looking at eastern tip of Cape Canaveral. #falcon9
http://goo.gl/maps/OcaS4
Looks like an old pad? What pad was this?
]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spaceport_Florida_Launch_Complex_46
-
Jeff Foust @jeff_foust now
Musk: did recover video of the first stage reentry, hope to post it online later this week. #falcon9
Look forward to seeing that.
-
Jeff Foust @jeff_foust 44s
Musk: working with Air Force and FAA on identifying landing sites for F9 1st stage, looking at eastern tip of Cape Canaveral. #falcon9
http://goo.gl/maps/OcaS4
Looks like an old pad? What pad was this?
Maybe old Trident pad, LC 46
-
Jeff Foust @jeff_foust 25s
Musk: hoping to do a test firing of Falcon Heavy at Texas test site by 2nd quarter of 2014.
-
Jeff Foust @jeff_foust 44s
Musk: working with Air Force and FAA on identifying landing sites for F9 1st stage, looking at eastern tip of Cape Canaveral. #falcon9
That will be spectacular to see.
Anyway congratulations to Space X on this successful launch.
-
Jeff Foust @jeff_foust 19s
Musk: huge relief to have successfully delivered CASSIOPE to orbit. It had been weighing on me quite heavily. #falcon9
-
Jeff Foust @jeff_foust 14s
Musk: goal is to attempt 1st stage recovery on all future CRS launches and many others; next two (w/out recovery) more of an anomaly.
-
Jeff Foust @jeff_foust 32s
Musk: if things go "super well", could refly a Falcon 9 1st stage by the end of next year.
-
They must feel really good about 1st stage re-entry performance if they're already looking for a landing pad. I wonder how pin-point close it came to where they expected it to be?
-
Jeff Foust @jeff_foust 16s
Musk wraps up the press conference: "many exciting days ahead." #falcon9
-
Jeff Foust @jeff_foust 14s
Musk: goal is to attempt 1st stage recovery on all future CRS launches and many others; next two (w/out recovery) more of an anomaly.
really important the next two launches are a) successful and b) this year
-
a) is much more important than b).
-
Jeff Foust @jeff_foust 14s
Musk: goal is to attempt 1st stage recovery on all future CRS launches and many others; next two (w/out recovery) more of an anomaly.
Incidentally, I am the one that asked that question on behalf of NSF.
-
Elon Musk @elonmusk 58s
Rocket booster relit twice (supersonic retro & landing), but spun up due to aero torque, so fuel centrifuged & we flamed out
-
Hrm. Don't suppose someone there can ask how far off the water it was when they lost the engine or how big the chunks they picked up are? I mean, I guess we'll see in the video, but I'm impatient. :)
-
I wonder how they managed to relight the engine, if the stage was already rotating? Also, I think the stage was quite low when it relight, but didn´t slow down enough.
Still much better result than anyone could realistically anticipate :) This is like unscheduled christmas :D
-
As I would understand the quote the roll developed during single-engine burn, not before ignition.
-
Elon Musk @elonmusk 1m
Between this flight & Grasshopper tests, I think we now have all the pieces of the puzzle to bring the rocket back home.
-
As I would understand the quote the roll developed during single-engine burn, not before ignition.
but Elon said aerodynamic torgue developed. How does it depend on engine running?
-
Jeff Foust @jeff_foust 44s
Musk: working with Air Force and FAA on identifying landing sites for F9 1st stage, looking at eastern tip of Cape Canaveral. #falcon9
http://goo.gl/maps/OcaS4
Looks like an old pad? What pad was this?
Trident.
-
Elon Musk @elonmusk 1m
Between this flight & Grasshopper tests, I think we now have all the pieces of the puzzle to bring the rocket back home.
That is really good news.
-
As I would understand the quote the roll developed during single-engine burn, not before ignition.
but Elon said aerodynamic torgue developed. How does it depend on engine running?
It doesn't (necessarily), but with THREE engines (as in the first relight) you can gimbal opposing engines to more easily control it.
-
As I would understand the quote the roll developed during single-engine burn, not before ignition.
but Elon said aerodynamic torgue developed. How does it depend on engine running?
Nobody said it depended on that, just that it developed during that burn. So they could light it because it didn't roll then, yet.
-
As I would understand the quote the roll developed during single-engine burn, not before ignition.
but Elon said aerodynamic torgue developed. How does it depend on engine running?
Nobody said it depended on that, just that it developed during that burn. So they could light it because it didn't roll then, yet.
ok, that makes sense
-
Please keep this thread to updates- there is a discussion thread aswell
Great video, including some tracking. looking forward to seeing the highlight reel!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WX0Gnid2E0E
-
Jeff Foust @jeff_foust 44s
Musk: attempted relight of upper stage, encountered anomaly. Understand what it is and will fix before next flight. #falcon9
Ah yes, that was on the L2 thread a few hours ago. Glad it's a minor issue.
And another one on semantics. Musk didn't say it's a minor issue, he said they know what it is and they'll fix it before the next flight. The latter being a no-brainer since they need the restart on the next flight. The tricky part will be to be confident enough about the fix to make SES (or their insurer) risk their expensive bird on it.
-
As I would understand the quote the roll developed during single-engine burn, not before ignition.
Nah, I think it was spinning fast before. Enough fuel in the lines to relight briefly.
-
My WAG is that the stage simply ran out of RCS during or slightly before the landing burn, then began to slowly roll up and eventually flamed out. Essentially, it used up too much RCS during prior phases, like the flip before the three engine burn, or the controlled descent through the atmosphere before the third burn. Hopefully fixable by simply finding a more fuel efficient trajectory for those steps using the real data they got from this launch, which then leaves enough RCS to last through the entire landing. The fact that they got to the landing burn at all means they hopefully don't need a huge increase in efficiency.
-
Jeff Foust @jeff_foust 44s
Musk: attempted relight of upper stage, encountered anomaly. Understand what it is and will fix before next flight. #falcon9
Ah yes, that was on the L2 thread a few hours ago. Glad it's a minor issue.
And another one on semantics? Musk didn't say it's a minor issue, he said they know what it is and they'll fix it before the next flight. The latter being a no-brainer since they need the restart on the next flight. The tricky part will be to be confident enough about the fix to make SES (or their insurer) risk their expensive bird on it.
That's the tricky part (bold mine).
SpaceX had this flight to convince them, now they must rely on something other.
-
Pretty much impossible to keep this to updates only, but I'd ask members to use a bit of common sense and utilize the several threads we have for this launch.
It looks like most are responding to actual updates in this thread, and we are post launch, so no biggy.
I'll probably look to set up a post-launch thread separate from this one in the week, potentially after a review article.
Oh and we got retweeted by Elon's mum! :)
-
FWIW, the American Islander is now shown and being Anchored off the coast of baja. I'd wager that this is the site where it recovered "portions" of the Falcon 9. The American Spirit meanwhile has disappeared from the charts. Not sure what that means.
http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/default.aspx?mmsi=367035570¢erx=-120.2818¢ery=29.29437&zoom=10&type_color=9
-
Additional details from other people following the teleconference:
Tweet from Michael Belfiore @MichaelBelfiore
@elonmusk Recoverable F9 will have to fly 15% less payload for water landing, 30% less for land touchdown
EDIT: also:
Tweet from Douglas Messier @spacecom
Musk: finishing up test stand for Falcon Heavy in McGregor, TX. Should be a bit quieter due to config of test stand.
Tweet from James Dean @flatoday_jdean
SpaceX now targeting Q2 '14 for Dragon pad abort test from Cape. "It's going to go like a bullet."
Tweet from James Dean @flatoday_jdean 1h
Musk: upgraded Dragon flying next NASA mission "looks pretty cool."
-
Now that TLEs are available for stage-2, can anybody work out quick&dirty ground visibility locations/times/directions for early revs, to seek out serendipitous visual sightings related to fuel dump and other post-insertion dynamic events.
-
SpaceX has a video up on their Youtube channel:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0mLlO9enfY
-
We'll be looking for TLEs from 12 objects:
Falcon 9 stage 2, CASSIOPE, DANDE, two CUSATs, three POPACS spheres, and four POPACS deployer parts.
Eventually a thirteenth when DANDE jettisons its adapter on day 14.
I'm not clear when the two CUSats are intended to separate.
Thanks. I didn't know about the DANDE adapter (is there a paper or something that describes this?)
And I don't know when POPACS and CUSAT do their thing - was guessing POPACS separation happens shortly
after ejection but CUSAT is commanded at a later date.
In any case, we now have 20 objects cataloged, so I wonder if the extra ones are debris associated with the second
stage restart problem.
-
Here is a couple video's from the ground.
[youtube]myV3zRP6N-Y[/youtube]
Thanks for posting and lovely to hear a member of the next generation of space enthusiasts commenting the lift-off!
-
Recorded this from Ocean ave. Amazing!
www.youtube.com/embed/moK-2_obFic
-
Some pictures are up on the SpaceX website
http://www.spacex.com/gallery/falcon-9-demo-flight (http://www.spacex.com/gallery/falcon-9-demo-flight)
Including my new desktop background :D
-
a video uploaded on SpaceX's vimeo account, showing footage taken from the ground:
http://vimeo.com/75725254 (http://vimeo.com/75725254)
-
And one of the passengers, DANDE, has TLE's and has seen spacecraft beacons.
http://spacegrant.colorado.edu/boulderstudents/boulderprojects/dande (http://spacegrant.colorado.edu/boulderstudents/boulderprojects/dande)
DANDE
1 99999U 00000U 13272.68162153 .00000351 00000-0 12139-4 0 00004
2 99999 080.9969 315.2113 0796928 158.5047 042.9913 13.96429132000014
-
And one of the passengers, DANDE, has TLE's and has seen spacecraft beacons.
http://spacegrant.colorado.edu/boulderstudents/boulderprojects/dande (http://spacegrant.colorado.edu/boulderstudents/boulderprojects/dande)
DANDE
1 99999U 00000U 13272.68162153 .00000351 00000-0 12139-4 0 00004
2 99999 080.9969 315.2113 0796928 158.5047 042.9913 13.96429132000014
I get a 328 x 1493 km x 80.97 deg orbit, close to the planned 324 x 1,500 km x 80 deg. The biggest divergence is inclination.
- Ed Kyle
-
And one of the passengers, DANDE, has TLE's and has seen spacecraft beacons.
http://spacegrant.colorado.edu/boulderstudents/boulderprojects/dande (http://spacegrant.colorado.edu/boulderstudents/boulderprojects/dande)
DANDE
1 99999U 00000U 13272.68162153 .00000351 00000-0 12139-4 0 00004
2 99999 080.9969 315.2113 0796928 158.5047 042.9913 13.96429132000014
I get a 328 x 1493 km x 80.97 deg orbit, close to the planned 324 x 1,500 km x 80 deg. The biggest divergence is inclination.
- Ed Kyle
Also, this doesn't match any of the currently cataloged objects - would be interested to know if this is actually based on LV telemetry or just a prelaunch estimate
-
Has anyone found a link to audio for the media teleconference that followed the launch today?
-
It's worth posting this video taken from the ground, as it shows the first stage firing in puffs shortly after stage separation - our first look at the first stage deceleration burns! (from 4:00 onwards)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z48ziaJ9RVg
-
I'm of the mind that those mystery puffs we are seeing in that video are not first stage related, but are rapidly expanding gas from the exhaust of the MVac on the second stage. Based on when the call over countdown net referenced the relight of the first stage engines, that happened much later than this.
-
Seems to be originating from the first stage (lower right) as the second stage continues on to the upper left.
Reminds me of Shuttle ET venting. Look for " ET-Sep venting" in the L2 video section
S
-
Maybe sun light glinting off of the inner stage?
-
I notice F9 v1.1 staging is at about T+ 2:54. A few seconds before staging occurs flight control announces the rocket is at 61 km altitude, 45 km downrange and moving at 1.8 km/s. At about T+ 8:00 they announce "First stage is ... relighting at this time." Is the T+ 8:00 burn the supersonic retro burn or the landing burn? What is the time is the burn that wasn't announced?
-
Looks like the attempted second stage re-start was seen over Reunion Island, on the opposite side of the Earth from VAFB: http://wikkit.tumblr.com/post/62684205892/tracking-a-new-space-ufo (http://wikkit.tumblr.com/post/62684205892/tracking-a-new-space-ufo) / http://www.reddit.com/r/Astronomy/comments/1ne46k/saw_this_tonight_in_reunion_island_what_is_it/ (http://www.reddit.com/r/Astronomy/comments/1ne46k/saw_this_tonight_in_reunion_island_what_is_it/)
I wonder if the stage broke up while attempting that? (due to the very high number of objects found related to this launch by NORAD, currently at 20)
-
I'm of the mind that those mystery puffs we are seeing in that video are not first stage related, but are rapidly expanding gas from the exhaust of the MVac on the second stage. Based on when the call over countdown net referenced the relight of the first stage engines, that happened much later than this.
From the SpaceX broadcast this morning you can actually see the RCS system firing on S1 right after separation.
-
Using the latest TLEs for the 20 objects now in the catalog (A to T):
- perigee altitudes range from 235 km (F) to 444 km (M)
- apogee altitudes range from 1350 km (A) to 1590 km (S)
- inclinations range from 80.961° (A) to 81.035° (K)
EDIT: 1590 should read 1598
-
Using the latest TLEs for the 20 objects now in the catalog (A to T):
- perigee altitudes range from 235 km (F) to 444 km (M)
- apogee altitudes range from 1350 km (A) to 1590 km (S)
- inclinations range from 80.961° (A) to 81.035° (K)
So that's confirmation that it disintegrated?
-
Using the latest TLEs for the 20 objects now in the catalog (A to T):
- perigee altitudes range from 235 km (F) to 444 km (M)
- apogee altitudes range from 1350 km (A) to 1590 km (S)
- inclinations range from 80.961° (A) to 81.035° (K)
So that's confirmation that it disintegrated?
Does that count of 20 include CASSIOPE and the secondary payloads, or does it exclude it?
-
Does that count of 20 include CASSIOPE and the secondary payloads, or does it exclude it?
I assume they are included in this count
-
It's worth posting this video taken from the ground, as it shows the first stage firing in puffs shortly after stage separation - our first look at the first stage deceleration burns! (from 4:00 onwards)
It's also the first video to clearly show the fairing vent covers popping off at 1:37.
Those puffs are not deceleration burns, probably GOX venting and/or stage ACS firing.
-
Using the latest TLEs for the 20 objects now in the catalog (A to T):
- perigee altitudes range from 235 km (F) to 444 km (M)
- apogee altitudes range from 1350 km (A) to 1590 km (S)
- inclinations range from 80.961° (A) to 81.035° (K)
So that's confirmation that it disintegrated?
20 objects is much too few for a stage breakup event. 6 nanosats, upper stage, and CASSIOPE takes care of 8 objects.
Edit: Another object appeared, so thats now 21. This is getting odd.
Edit2: NVM, appears to be related to ASTRA 2E.
-
Thanks. I didn't know about the DANDE adapter (is there a paper or something that describes this?)
This is where I found it:
http://spacegrant.colorado.edu/about-dande/mission
-
Successful Launch of CASSIOPE: Hybrid Satellite Mission
Carrying Science and Telecommunications Payloads
Longueuil, Quebec, September 29, 2013 — The Canadian Space Agency is proud to announce that Canadian satellite, Cascade Smallsat and Ionospheric Polar Explorer (CASSIOPE) was successfully launched today at noon (12:00 p.m. EDT). Lift off took place from the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
CASSIOPE is the first Canadian hybrid satellite to carry a dual mission in the fields of telecommunications and scientific research. The main objectives are to gather information to better understand the science of space weather, while verifying high-speed communications concepts through the use of advanced space technologies.
The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for the Canadian Space Agency, commented on this first launch under his tenure. “This is a moment of pride for all Canadians. With the CASSIOPE mission, the Government reaffirms its commitment to support Canada’s space industry while using space technologies to advance knowledge in areas of critical scientific inquiry,” said Minister James Moore.
“The Canadian Space Agency is proud to contribute to the CASSIOPE mission,” said newly appointed President of the Canadian Space Agency Walter Natynczyk. It enables the integration of the Government’s research and development agenda while partnering with Canadian space industry and university science sectors”.
MacDonald Dettwiler & Associates Ltd. led a Canadian industrial team that included Magellan Aerospace of Winnipeg Manitoba, COM DEV International of Cambridge, Ontario and the University of Calgary, Alberta in the development of the CASSIOPE mission. The small satellite mission was enabled through contributions from the Canadian Space Agency and Industry Canada’s Technology Partnerships Canada.
For more information on CASSIOPE, visit:
http://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/satellites/cassiope.asp
-
A short but neat video from far away showing the lift-off speed:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rdaSRVP6K8
-
Using the latest TLEs for the 20 objects now in the catalog (A to T):
- perigee altitudes range from 235 km (F) to 444 km (M)
- apogee altitudes range from 1350 km (A) to 1590 km (S)
- inclinations range from 80.961° (A) to 81.035° (K)
So that's confirmation that it disintegrated?
20 objects is much too few for a stage breakup event. 6 nanosats, upper stage, and CASSIOPE takes care of 8 objects.
Edit: Another object appeared, so thats now 21. This is getting odd.
Edit2: NVM, appears to be related to ASTRA 2E.
20 objects - or even 10, given the known 10 payload + operational parts - is not too few for this long
after a breakup event. In the cases where hundreds of debris objects were generated, most of them were not cataloged until weeks or months later. So the data are *not inconsistent* with a breakup at this stage, but there are also other
explanations (including milder energetic events resulting in release of insulation, ice, etc. - or even software
errors in the radar tracking creating spurious objects, rare nowadays but with SpaceFence gone something could be squirrely?) - without decay rates and RCS info it's a little early to conclude anything, and since SpX say they didn't have a breakup I'm inclined to look for another
explanation for the time being, while waiting for data to accumulate.
-
Using the latest TLEs for the 20 objects now in the catalog (A to T):
- perigee altitudes range from 235 km (F) to 444 km (M)
- apogee altitudes range from 1350 km (A) to 1590 km (S)
- inclinations range from 80.961° (A) to 81.035° (K)
So that's confirmation that it disintegrated?
It's usually preferable to get another count at a later time when there is re-ignition failure. First counts in such cases have a tendency of counting reflections of unburned puffs of fuel clouds as inanimate objects. Later on those disappear.
-
Here is the full webcast of the launch:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3K8jJUshx8
-
There was a sighting of the upper stage over southern Africa. Not sure if this adds any evidence for or against the hypothesis that there might have been an energetic breakup but it is still pretty cool. It reminds me of the sighting over Australia of a previous Falcon upper stage. http://www.nbcnews.com/science/ufo-over-indian-ocean-spacex-falcon-9-rocket-sparks-sightings-4B11297922
-
There was a sighting of the upper stage over southern Africa. Not sure if this adds any evidence for or against the hypothesis that there might have been an energetic breakup but it is still pretty cool. It reminds me of the sighting over Australia of a previous Falcon upper stage. http://www.nbcnews.com/science/ufo-over-indian-ocean-spacex-falcon-9-rocket-sparks-sightings-4B11297922
Elon already tweeted about it several hours ago.
Elon Musk
@DebbieViviers @SpaceX Yes, upper stage venting of liquid oxygen created a fast moving fuzzy white sphere in space over SA
-
I'm of the mind that those mystery puffs we are seeing in that video are not first stage related, but are rapidly expanding gas from the exhaust of the MVac on the second stage. Based on when the call over countdown net referenced the relight of the first stage engines, that happened much later than this.
So from 4:16 - 4:29 that haloed shape is an initial exhaust cloud emitted from the 2nd stage engine?
-
Here's another nifty vid that's not quite as zoomed in:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mgnt4DJ94Gw
You can maybe barely make out the first stage ACS firing activity a bit after 2:50
-
And another one - similar time sync:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hy-vsKJULQU
-
And one of the passengers, DANDE, has TLE's and has seen spacecraft beacons.
http://spacegrant.colorado.edu/boulderstudents/boulderprojects/dande (http://spacegrant.colorado.edu/boulderstudents/boulderprojects/dande)
DANDE
1 99999U 00000U 13272.68162153 .00000351 00000-0 12139-4 0 00004
2 99999 080.9969 315.2113 0796928 158.5047 042.9913 13.96429132000014
I get a 328 x 1493 km x 80.97 deg orbit, close to the planned 324 x 1,500 km x 80 deg. The biggest divergence is inclination.
- Ed Kyle
How do you do this actually? Is there a quick and dirty calculation that can be performed?
-
How do you do this actually? Is there a quick and dirty calculation that can be performed?
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/SSapplications/Post/JavaSSOP/SSOP_Help/tle_def.html
btw. Space-Track TLE's are not supposed to be posted. Though, posting the catalog number and what Ed posted are fair game.
-
And one of the passengers, DANDE, has TLE's and has seen spacecraft beacons.
http://spacegrant.colorado.edu/boulderstudents/boulderprojects/dande (http://spacegrant.colorado.edu/boulderstudents/boulderprojects/dande)
DANDE
1 99999U 00000U 13272.68162153 .00000351 00000-0 12139-4 0 00004
2 99999 080.9969 315.2113 0796928 158.5047 042.9913 13.96429132000014
I get a 328 x 1493 km x 80.97 deg orbit, close to the planned 324 x 1,500 km x 80 deg. The biggest divergence is inclination.
- Ed Kyle
How do you do this actually? Is there a quick and dirty calculation that can be performed?
For quick and dirty see here: http://www.satobs.org/seesat/Dec-2002/0197.html
-
May I raise the point that the videos from South Africa and Mauritius show a symmetric expanding cloud, what might be expected from a stable dispenser. This is markedly unlike the spiral clouds painted by
tumbling stages. Is that a clue that no energetic event disturbed the orientation of the second stage?
-
Jim, I thought the spiral patterns where due to a stage firing while tumbling...
-
May I raise the point that the videos from South Africa and Mauritius show a symmetric expanding cloud, what might be expected from a stable dispenser. This is markedly unlike the spiral clouds painted by
tumbling stages. Is that a clue that no energetic event disturbed the orientation of the second stage?
That sounds reasonable, but I'm no expert.
-
Jim, I thought the spiral patterns where due to a stage firing while tumbling...
There are several ways to make space spirals:
1. Tumbling thrusting rockets, e.g. a Chinese 'UFO' where the plume actually reverses rotation sense halfway through...
2. Spinning solid-fuel stages doing 'momentum dumping' on less-than-max-range test flights, usually by opening and then closing two opposite-facing thrust chamber ports, e.g., Norway spiral, Dec 2009.
3. ICBM MIRV bus spin-up post shutdown -- usually a 3 to 5 second burst of laterally-mounted thrusters, seen on several recent KY to Sary Shagan ICBM flights.
4. Post-insertion fuel dump with stage slow tumble, eg some deep-space Cemtaur purges, and Falcon-9 over east Australia, June 2010, and the 'great east coast UFO' of 1986 [Japanese H-2 stage], etc.
I'm sure there are other ways....
-
A tweet from James Dean, reporter at Florida Today: https://twitter.com/flatoday_jdean/status/385079753922736128
James Dean
@flatoday_jdean
SpaceX statement re. speculation about F9 upper stage anomaly: "our data confirms there was no rupture of any kind on the second stage."
-
How do you do this actually? Is there a quick and dirty calculation that can be performed?
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/SSapplications/Post/JavaSSOP/SSOP_Help/tle_def.html
btw. Space-Track TLE's are not supposed to be posted. Though, posting the catalog number and what Ed posted are fair game.
This didn't come from Space-Track. It came from the DANDE web site! It is presented as an "in house TLE".
- Ed Kyle
-
Are there any videos of retro burn?
-
Are there any videos of retro burn?
Not yet, but if you look at this video, you can see what appears to be the 1st stage thrusters turning it around. (at 4:40)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z48ziaJ9RVg
-
How do you do this actually? Is there a quick and dirty calculation that can be performed?
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/SSapplications/Post/JavaSSOP/SSOP_Help/tle_def.html
btw. Space-Track TLE's are not supposed to be posted. Though, posting the catalog number and what Ed posted are fair game.
Non-functional because the government is shut down lol... Looks like they took all of NASA.gov down. Didn't know a website running depended on people actually being there, unless they shut off power.
-
How do you do this actually? Is there a quick and dirty calculation that can be performed?
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/SSapplications/Post/JavaSSOP/SSOP_Help/tle_def.html
btw. Space-Track TLE's are not supposed to be posted. Though, posting the catalog number and what Ed posted are fair game.
This didn't come from Space-Track. It came from the DANDE web site! It is presented as an "in house TLE".
- Ed Kyle
The speculation is unlikely because the upper stage was photographed over South Africa venting off unused fuel about an hour after launch.....https://twitter.com/RavenXV/status/384668909007155200/photo/1
-
http://www.space.com/23023-spacex-falcon-9-from-vandenberg-afb-near-perfect-video.html
US Airforce personel commentary on the launch.
-
"No Upper-stage Explosion after Falcon 9 v1.1 Launch, SpaceX Says"
http://www.spacenews.com/article/launch-report/37498no-upper-stage-explosion-after-falcon-9-v11-launch-spacex-says
-
http://www.space.com/23023-spacex-falcon-9-from-vandenberg-afb-near-perfect-video.html
US Airforce personel commentary on the launch.
What did they mean there was no countdown?
They didn't watch the webcast?
Weird the launch caught the reporters by surprise.
-
"No Upper-stage Explosion after Falcon 9 v1.1 Launch, SpaceX Says"
http://www.spacenews.com/article/launch-report/37498no-upper-stage-explosion-after-falcon-9-v11-launch-spacex-says
The SpaceX quote from that article: (thanks!)
"Following separation of the satellites to their correct orbit, the Falcon 9 second stage underwent a controlled venting of propellants (fuel and pressure were released from the tank) and the stage was successfully safed. During this process, it is possible insulation came off the fuel dome on the second stage and is the source of what some observers incorrectly interpreted as a rupture in the second stage. This material would be in several pieces and be reflective in the Space Track radar. It is also possible the debris came from the student satellite separation mechanisms onboard.
SpaceX will continue to review to help identify the source of the extra debris, but our data confirms there was no rupture of any kind on the second stage."
-
There's a related article to this video and it says the PA system at the site was apparently carrying the engineering net and not the countdown net so that's why they didn't hear a countdown. Don't know where they got the idea the launch was supposed to go off at 09:21, though.
-
There's a related article to this video and it says the PA system at the site was apparently carrying the engineering net and not the countdown net so that's why they didn't hear a countdown. Don't know where they got the idea the launch was supposed to go off at 09:21, though.
Here is the article: http://www.space.com/23009-spacex-falcon-9-rocket-launch-test-first-person.html
-
looks like a velocity burn if you ask me
(http://s23.postimg.org/g7524jxez/relight2.jpg)
-
It is hard to tell where you captured that from - but it looks like the 2nd stage ignition.
-
Recording and transcript of the post launch presser now in L2.
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=31448.msg1104571#msg1104571 (L2 Link)
We're going to create some articles out of it.
-
Lars, from the above video, zoom 250%, if the halo means m-vac ignition, this comes after.
-
http://www.space.com/23023-spacex-falcon-9-from-vandenberg-afb-near-perfect-video.html
US Airforce personel commentary on the launch.
If only Space.com would get with the modern era and use HD video with reasonable bitrate.
-
The new NSF article (http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/10/ses-8-florida-next-falcon-9-v1-1-launch/) on the next F9 v.1.1 flight quoted Elon as saying:
“We essentially saw the engine initiate ignition, get up to about 400 psi and then it encountered a condition that it didn’t like. It may have been due to an extended spin start, maybe, but this is speculative. So it initiated an abort of the restart. But we have all of the data.
“Before deciding what the issue was, I think we want a bit more time to read the data, before coming to a conclusion,”
Please take any technical discussion of this to the discussion thread (http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=32859.0).
EDIT: fixed discussion thread link.
-
Post flight presser released out of L2:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=32719.msg1105469#msg1105469
-
As far as the countdown goes, there was one being broadcast over the VAFB countdown net live and accurately as I was listening to it while I watched the launch in person. The Livestream which someone had over their phone was delayed about 30 seconds. Why the PA folks were surprised by the launch I cannot know for sure but it probably has something to do with their being PA. ;)
-
Meanwhile, fresh TLEs for 18 of 20 objects were released:
satID Object Epoch (launch) Epoch 2 (latest) notes
peri x apo peri x apo [km]
39265 A 262 1340 325 1486 1
39266 B 307 1484 325 1483 1
39267 C 278 1471 325 1486 1
39268 D 404 1434 325 1476 1
39269 E 264 1462 325 1477 1
39270 F 235 1462 306 1384 1, 2
39271 F9 R/B 410 1421 319 1489 1, 6
39272 H 275 1420 264 954 3
39273 U 324 1410 197 301 3
39274 J 356 1391 423 1328 1, 4
39275 K 277 1404 406 649 3, 4
39276 L 323 1381 406 1268 1, 4
39277 M 444 1588 458 1465 3, 4
39278 N 408 1596 459 1447 3, 4
39279 V 367 1598 425 1299 3, 4
39280 P 370 1596 387 1569 1, 2, 4
39281 Q 372 1585 359 996 3, 4
39282 R 334 1568 331 849 3
39283 S 392 1590 519 683 4, 5
39284 T 390 1574 394 1093 3, 4
1) relatively stable orbit; initial TLE appears to be noisy
2) no TLE after Sep 30; could be some transient event or already decayed
3) rapid decay
4) member of high perigee group
5) circularized orbit?
6) object G was classified as rocket body
There appear to be two equally sized groups of objects based on their perigee, one around 325 km and below and one around 400 km. Object S (39283) almost circularized its orbit at ~600 km, unless there is a mistake in the conversion(?).
EDIT: some IDs and object names were probably reassigned between epochs
-
ok, how long before 90% of this is burned up?
-
peri x apo peri x apo [km]
39271 F9 R/B 410 1421 319 1489
Hmmm .. this is certainly odd. The first set of orbital numbers were issued right after launch, with a high perigee, and a low apogee. The second set of numbers are from more recently, and the perigee has dropped by 100 km, but the apogee is much higher.
How does a decaying object raise its perigee that much? How does the perigee drop that much without a propulsive maneuver?
It doesn't make sense without an alternate explanation. Perhaps jettisoning fuel at apogee somehow dropped the perigee, and jettisoning oxidizer at perigee raised the apogee.
That's all I got on this one.
-
The most likely explanation? The numbers are not as accurate as we thought. (the public ones at least)
-
ok, how long before 90% of this is burned up?
Objects earmarked (3) will be gone within days or a few weeks. What we do not know, however, is the fraction of registered vs. unregistered objects and the respective mass.
-
How does a decaying object raise its perigee that much? How does the perigee drop that much without a propulsive maneuver?
As footnote (1) states, initial TLEs are often noisy, especially the eccentricity. It is safer to compare semi-major axes (avg. radius) of a series of subsequent TLEs. That would have bloated the table and hence the notes.
-
I have received interesting news on the CUSat mission from the CUSat team:
The CUSat mission was originally to consist of two satellites - CUSat-Top and CUSat-Bottom, which would have performed target-inspector operations. Unfortunately, the CUSat-Top satellite was damaged during vibration testing so only the CUSat-Bottom satellite was launched.
-
http://s1351.photobucket.com/user/spacecoaster1/library/?sort=9&page=1
Photobucket with a lot of very high resolution images from on base right before launch, during, and after.
-
It's early days, but are there any hopes of better (closer-up) launch pics from SpaceX? Those so far have
been from far away or middle-distance, with the exception of a couple on their site which are a little spoiled imho by wide-angle distortion.
-
Any information on Cassiope itself? I assume the government shutdown shouldn't affect the Canadians, no?
Zoe
-
Any information on Cassiope itself? I assume the government shutdown shouldn't affect the Canadians, no?
Zoe
Canada being a different country (much like the Netherlands isn't Germany)...
-
If everything would be peachy, why not publish the Big and Great Success? If their grasshopper reaches a whopping height of 350 meters, they publish it; why keep quiet on the details of the recent launch. Makes we wonder: cui bono.
I'm confused now, are you complaining about MDA or SpaceX here?
-
"When e-POP science data becomes available it will be released for viewing and download via the Canadian Space Science Data Portal."
source: http://epop.phys.ucalgary.ca/data.html
Of course the data portal is password protected...so we will have to wait for published data
-
Any information on Cassiope itself? I assume the government shutdown shouldn't affect the Canadians, no?
Zoe
Canada being a different country (much like the Netherlands isn't Germany)...
What? Now you're gonna tell me that Buenos Aires isn't the capital of Brazil?
-
What? Now you're gonna tell me that Buenos Aires isn't the capital of Brazil?
Of course not. That's Rio de Janeiro.
-
Any information on Cassiope itself? I assume the government shutdown shouldn't affect the Canadians, no?
Zoe
Canada being a different country (much like the Netherlands isn't Germany)...
What? Now you're gonna tell me that Buenos Aires isn't the capital of Brazil?
Only if I can get away with speaking Spanglish during my visit to Brazil.
I can't believe we have to translate our software to Portuguese.
-
What? Now you're gonna tell me that Buenos Aires isn't the capital of Brazil?
Of course not. That's Rio de Janeiro.
The joke. You killed the joke.
-
Please SpaceX, we need that retro-burn video to keep this on topic! Please......... :-[
-
What? Now you're gonna tell me that Buenos Aires isn't the capital of Brazil?
Of course not. That's Rio de Janeiro.
The joke. You killed the joke.
Oh no he didn't.
Ric
-
Please SpaceX, we need that retro-burn video to keep this on topic! Please......... :-[
Good point ;)
-
Please SpaceX, we need that retro-burn video to keep this on topic! Please......... :-[
Haha, much needed, for sure (time lapse from launch day :D :) :( :'( )
-
Some of the payloads identified at last. A is CASSIOPE and D, E and F are the POPACS.
-
What? Now you're gonna tell me that Buenos Aires isn't the capital of Brazil?
Of course not. That's Rio de Janeiro.
The joke. You killed the joke.
Oh no he didn't.
Ric
Glad somebody caught that. ;)
-
Stay on topic. There is a party thread and a general discussion thread. This is neither.
-
The remaining payloads are now identified: According to Space-Track, B is CUSat 1 and C is DANDE. They also give CUSat 2 as attached to the Falcon stage and H to V as debris.
-
The remaining payloads are now identified: According to Space-Track, B is CUSat 1 and C is DANDE. They also give CUSat 2 as attached to the Falcon stage and H to V as debris.
Some of the confusion of posters earlier in this thread is because the objects SpaceTrack are now calling A to G
are NOT the objects they were calling A to G a week ago. The orbital parameters didn't change because
of drag or inaccurate data, they changed because they now refer to completely different objects.
As far as I can tell, the old A, C, E, F and G are no longer being tracked. The old D is now being called J.
The old B was a mix of objects including the new B but also including elsets that belong to debris objects.
The new A, C, D, E, F do not have elsets prior to Oct 7 or so.
The POPACS objects D, E, F still seem to be jumping around and it may be another few days before they sort out which is which.
-
The remaining payloads are now identified: According to Space-Track, B is CUSat 1 and C is DANDE. They also give CUSat 2 as attached to the Falcon stage and H to V as debris.
Only one of the 2 CUSats was launched. One of them was not launched because it was damaged during ground testing.
-
The remaining payloads are now identified: According to Space-Track, B is CUSat 1 and C is DANDE. They also give CUSat 2 as attached to the Falcon stage and H to V as debris.
Some of the confusion of posters earlier in this thread is because the objects SpaceTrack are now calling A to G
are NOT the objects they were calling A to G a week ago. The orbital parameters didn't change because
of drag or inaccurate data, they changed because they now refer to completely different objects.
As far as I can tell, the old A, C, E, F and G are no longer being tracked. The old D is now being called J.
The old B was a mix of objects including the new B but also including elsets that belong to debris objects.
The new A, C, D, E, F do not have elsets prior to Oct 7 or so.
The POPACS objects D, E, F still seem to be jumping around and it may be another few days before they sort out which is which.
Moving letter labels for orbital elements is normal. The letter labels are not fixed and are re-assigned based on arbitrary ordering.
-
The remaining payloads are now identified: According to Space-Track, B is CUSat 1 and C is DANDE. They also give CUSat 2 as attached to the Falcon stage and H to V as debris.
Some of the confusion of posters earlier in this thread is because the objects SpaceTrack are now calling A to G
are NOT the objects they were calling A to G a week ago. The orbital parameters didn't change because
of drag or inaccurate data, they changed because they now refer to completely different objects.
As far as I can tell, the old A, C, E, F and G are no longer being tracked. The old D is now being called J.
The old B was a mix of objects including the new B but also including elsets that belong to debris objects.
The new A, C, D, E, F do not have elsets prior to Oct 7 or so.
The POPACS objects D, E, F still seem to be jumping around and it may be another few days before they sort out which is which.
Moving letter labels for orbital elements is normal. The letter labels are not fixed and are re-assigned based on arbitrary ordering.
It's normal since around the late 1980s, yes. It's bloody annoying though and from a data integrity point of view it's a Bad Idea. And I'm not entirely convinced it's consistent with the powers delegated to USAF from COSPAR to reassign these (in principle, the letter labels belong to the international COSPAR organization, part of the ICSU, an NGO. I imagine in principle COSPAR could decide to take back that authority someday if USAF do things with the labels that are too silly).
Changing IDs of the cataloged numbers is also "normal" too - I mean that 39268 became 39276 and 39265 ceased to exist and the number reassigned to a different object. And that's also very annoying, because it means the numbers DON'T MEAN ANYTHING. You can't have any confidence that two elsets with the same catalog number refer to the same object.
Again, that's something that started in the 1980s or so, when the aesthetics of the current state of the catalog became more important that the data integrity of the historical database.
-
Today's news from Space-Track is that six new object have been catalogued. Four have orbits consistent with the expected POPACS spacers. The other two could be from the second stage event.
-
Has anyone examined the possibility that the items being tracked are not accidental debris, but are actually small classified payloads to test something or other for the government?
-
Has anyone examined the possibility that the items being tracked are not accidental debris, but are actually small classified payloads to test something or other for the government?
there were no such payloads
-
Has anyone examined the possibility that the items being tracked are not accidental debris, but are actually small classified payloads to test something or other for the government?
there were no such payloads
Could I persuade you to share your basis for this assertion?
-
Has anyone examined the possibility that the items being tracked are not accidental debris, but are actually small classified payloads to test something or other for the government?
there were no such payloads
Could I persuade you to share your basis for this assertion?
NRO and gov't openly announces all of its launches.
-
Changing IDs of the cataloged numbers is also "normal" too - I mean that 39268 became 39276 and 39265 ceased to exist and the number reassigned to a different object. And that's also very annoying, because it means the numbers DON'T MEAN ANYTHING. You can't have any confidence that two elsets with the same catalog number refer to the same object.
Thanks for the insight. So, the 5-digit catalog ID is not a primary key in the database sense and consequently referential integrity is NOT a given when following individual objects across different epochs.
Prior to posting the dual-epoch-table a few days ago and in an attempt to ensure consistency I had checked the additions and updates of the change report (SSR parts 4 and 5). Back then there was no log of modified catalog numbers and only a single entry about object G now being considered the rocket body. In the meantime the SSR lists a number of name changes, however, as we have seen that does not help much when IDs are reassigned. BTW, Celestrak seems to use yet different names for some objects. Furthermore, the various TLE tables/reports seem to get updated each on their own schedule and therefore can be out of sync. So much about the lessons learned.
Now, most readers presumably don't care about those details and simply want to know what the status is. So, below is a snapshot of 27 objects currently associated with launch 2013-055 (but this time without reference to previous epochs of objects with the same catalog ID).
catID label obj. peri x apo [km]
39247* F9 R/B DEB W? 715 732?
39265 CASSIOPE A 325 1486
39266 CUSAT 1 B 325 1483
39267 DANDE C 325 1485
39268 POPACS 1 D 325 1480
39269 POPACS 2 E 324 1482
39270 POPACS 3 F 325 1481
39271 CUSAT 2/F9 G 319 1488
39272 F9 Deb H 253 756
39273 F9 Deb J 197 301
39274 F9 Deb K 433 1283
39275 F9 Deb L 406 649
39276 F9 Deb M 403 1180
39277 F9 Deb N 460 1398
39278 F9 Deb P 468 1393
39279 F9 Deb Q 429 1173
39280 F9 Deb R 325 1472
39281 F9 Deb S 239 466
39282 F9 Deb T 301 545
39283 F9 Deb U 492 630
39284 F9 Deb V 380 803
39288 F9 Deb W 404 1398
39289 F9 Deb X 354 699
39290 F9 Deb Y 325 1473
39291 F9 Deb Z 322 1484
39292 F9 Deb AA 323 1474
39293 F9 Deb AB 325 1472
*) some objects like 39247 show up in the satellite catalog but are missing in other TLE views
Table is subject to change and non-binding. :)
EDIT: annotated 39247
-
Changing IDs of the cataloged numbers is also "normal" too - I mean that 39268 became 39276 and 39265 ceased to exist and the number reassigned to a different object. And that's also very annoying, because it means the numbers DON'T MEAN ANYTHING. You can't have any confidence that two elsets with the same catalog number refer to the same object.
Thanks for the insight. So, the 5-digit catalog ID is not a primary key in the database sense and consequently referential integrity is NOT a given when following individual objects across different epochs.
Sadly, this is correct. There are two forms of this: accidental mis-tagging (e.g. when two GEO satellites pass close to each other and they get confused as to which is which - understandable and excusable) - and this deliberate re-tagging, which is bad.
So much about the lessons learned.
welcome to my world... :-)
catID label obj. peri x apo [km]
39247* F9 R/B DEB W? 715 732?
*) some objects like 39247 show up in the satellite catalog but are missing in other TLE views
I had missed this. 39247 was originally reserved for 2013-047B, the Minotaur 5th stage for LADEE.
They have apparently decided that they aren't ever going to find it (it's in a deep orbit) and are reusing the
number. However:
- they haven't renamed 2013-047C yet - expect it to become 047B in a while.
- the SATCAT apogee/perigee data show a 700 km x 70 deg orbit, not related to either the CASSIOPE or LADEE
launches (possibly a 1969-082 debris object?), and there are no TLEs.
- They have another 2013-055W.
So looks like another foulup.
-
Why does CUSAT 2 keep coming up? It never even launched. Can we assume that object is also "F9 Deb"?
-
Why does CUSAT 2 keep coming up? It never even launched. Can we assume that object is also "F9 Deb"?
It's the Falcon 9 second stage. Somehow STRATCOM thinks that CUSAT 2 was attached to it. I am sure they'll fix it soon.
-
Why does CUSAT 2 keep coming up? It never even launched. Can we assume that object is also "F9 Deb"?
It's the Falcon 9 second stage. Somehow STRATCOM thinks that CUSAT 2 was attached to it. I am sure they'll fix it soon.
The reason why is STRATCOM never received the memo from the CUSAT 2 Team and the memo from Elon that it was not on board. ;) Maybe STRATCOM's CUSAT 2 entry is actually replaced by ElonSat 1, which is either a cheese or Ice Cream longitivtiy test.
-
With so many objects, are we still buying the "insulation" story?
- Ed Kyle
-
With so many objects, are we still buying the "insulation" story?
- Ed Kyle
Please remember he qualified that statement when he made it.
-
With so many objects, are we still buying the "insulation" story?
- Ed Kyle
Do we have any real idea what the debris objects are if not insulation? And if so, based on what (other than orbital longevity of the items)?
-
With so many objects, are we still buying the "insulation" story?
- Ed Kyle
Do we have any real idea what the debris objects are if not insulation? And if so, based on what (other than orbital longevity of the items)?
To be blunt no one here knows anything for certain. It's all just speculation. Most likely, this will never be fully cleared up. I don't think SpaceX will be giving a qualified response that is satisfactory to everyone. They've already moved on to the next launch.
-
I don't think SpaceX will be giving a qualified response that is satisfactory to everyone. They've already moved on to the next launch.
So much for a thorough root cause analysis.
Zoe
-
I don't think SpaceX will be giving a qualified response that is satisfactory to everyone. They've already moved on to the next launch.
So much for a thorough root cause analysis.
Zoe
Oh please. You have no knowledge of what happened exactly, what information they have or do not have, and what steps they have taken to mitigate the problem.
Implying that they have not done a thorough root cause analysis is disingenuous. They have no reason whatsoever to give a qualified response to everyone; Mark is right. They only have to give a qualified response to their partners, not to the public.
The fact we do not get to know what exactly went wrong is not sufficient cause to argue that they have not done thorough root cause analysis.
-
IF it was insulation coming off, how come pieces 39277 and 39278 have a semi-major axis that is 50-55 km larger than the F9 upper stage? Where did the energy come from?
-
I don't believe mr. mark is implying SpaceX is not performing a root cause analysis. I believe he is saying that there are some who probably won't "buy" the answers no matter what the result is.
-
In order to be able to "buy" or not buy an answer, the answer is required to be given in the first place. Not having answers leads to questions and speculations, which itself eventually leads to flak from the amazing peoples ;)
I think that fatjohn's question is a good one, I'm curious to what the responses to it will be.
Zoe
-
IF it was insulation coming off, how come pieces 39277 and 39278 have a semi-major axis that is 50-55 km larger than the F9 upper stage? Where did the energy come from?
If I'm correct it corresponds with the equivalent energy of about 15m/s Delta-V
-
In order to be able to "buy" or not buy an answer, the answer is required to be given in the first place. Not having answers leads to questions and speculations, which itself eventually leads to flak from the amazing peoples ;)
I think that fatjohn's question is a good one, I'm curious to what the responses to it will be.
Zoe
I'm with you, Zoe. While that info would be wonderful, I doubt satisfying internet speculations is at the top of their to-do list. I'd hazard to guess that their customers will have a satisfactory answer, but we may not get that.
I get a little frustrated sometimes with the implied lack if truthfulness that sometimes appears, just because we aren't privy to all the data.
-
IF it was insulation coming off, how come pieces 39277 and 39278 have a semi-major axis that is 50-55 km larger than the F9 upper stage? Where did the energy come from?
If I'm correct it corresponds with the equivalent energy of about 15m/s Delta-V
Insulation caught by the venting from the stage could easily get that sort of push. The fact that it is insulation is shown by the rapid atmospheric decay, which is a sign of a high surface area to mass ratio.
-
IF it was insulation coming off, how come pieces 39277 and 39278 have a semi-major axis that is 50-55 km larger than the F9 upper stage? Where did the energy come from?
If I'm correct it corresponds with the equivalent energy of about 15m/s Delta-V
Insulation caught by the venting from the stage could easily get that sort of push. The fact that it is insulation is shown by the rapid atmospheric decay, which is a sign of a high surface area to mass ratio.
Perhaps, pretty severe venting though 30+ mph.
But if it is all insulation, I hope they'll do something about that too. Not all missions will go to orbits where that insulation will rapidly decay (the two objects that I highlighted have perigee's of over 450 km). 20 scattered pieces of foam for every launch means ~240 pieces per year according to their manifest. Thanks but no thanks.
-
Why have there been no details posted, especially video, related to the 1st stage reentry, not-as-hard-as-usual ocean intersection, and parts recovery. SpaceX made significant mention of this post-launch, and indicated that video would be posted by weeks end. I searched the web and NSF, but found nothing. Anyone know any more details about impact speed and what survived?
-
Why have there been no details posted, especially video, related to the 1st stage reentry, not-as-hard-as-usual ocean intersection, and parts recovery.
L2 has some!
SpaceX made significant mention of this post-launch, and indicated that video would be posted by weeks end. I searched the web and NSF, but found nothing
That was Elon during a teleconference, not SpaceX. He has a bit of a tendency to overpromise his video releases. I can also imagine Elon saw the video, said it was cool, and wanted to release it - only for company laywers to note some ITAR related stuff in them, or PR deciding that a video of a spinning first stage is not good PR - kinda like people still commenting on hot-fire tests on pad with "it failed! it didn't lift off! booh spacex!".
Also, it might still come out. Highlight video, anyone? Don't know if they will make one, but that's where I'd look for images of this. Perhaps there won't be one, though since they missed some of the video from the webcast and they decide incomplete video is worse than no video.
So, you did not miss anything regarding the video.
Here's some info from an in-the-know site with some details about what they recovered! ;)
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/10/musk-plans-reusability-falcon-9-rocket/ (http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/10/musk-plans-reusability-falcon-9-rocket/)
“The first stage hit the water relatively hard,” noted Musk. Despite the impact, SpaceX still managed to recover portions of the first stage which includes according to preliminary reports, the inter-stage, a number of the components from the engine bay, and some of the composite overwrap pressure vessels.
-
IF it was insulation coming off, how come pieces 39277 and 39278 have a semi-major axis that is 50-55 km larger than the F9 upper stage? Where did the energy come from?
Presuming its pieces of insulation, if a lightweight piece of insulation gets caught in the exhaust gasses while the stage is accelerating in the opposite direction then I could imagine quite the spread in velocities from that.
If its foam of some sort then they would have a significant drag/mass ratio and would lose velocity much faster than the stage.
These two effects could combine for an even greater difference. There could be others. I came up with these off the top of my head without any deep thought on the issue. We're not talking about well controlled craft here.
-
In order to be able to "buy" or not buy an answer, the answer is required to be given in the first place. Not having answers leads to questions and speculations, which itself eventually leads to flak from the amazing peoples ;)
I think that fatjohn's question is a good one, I'm curious to what the responses to it will be.
Zoe
I'm with you, Zoe. While that info would be wonderful, I doubt satisfying internet speculations is at the top of their to-do list. I'd hazard to guess that their customers will have a satisfactory answer, but we may not get that.
I get a little frustrated sometimes with the implied lack if truthfulness that sometimes appears, just because we aren't privy to all the data.
Exactly my point. I am sure the answer is known and has been told to the required parties. There is no reason to inform us. We most likely will be kept in the dark.
-
Why have there been no details posted, especially video, related to the 1st stage reentry, not-as-hard-as-usual ocean intersection, and parts recovery.
L2 has some!
Where? Link? I never saw any video.
-
Exactly my point. I am sure the answer is known and has been told to the required parties. There is no reason to inform us. We most likely will be kept in the dark.
It does not affect me (as a non US citizen), but considering that so many millions of tax dollars went to Space-X, I would be disappointed if all the return I get is some video with drop outs and some text messages with 140 characters length. But of course, ymmv.
Zoe
-
Exactly my point. I am sure the answer is known and has been told to the required parties. There is no reason to inform us. We most likely will be kept in the dark.
It does not affect me (as a non US citizen), but considering that so many millions of tax dollars went to Space-X, I would be disappointed if all the return I get is some video with drop outs and some text messages with 140 characters length. But of course, ymmv.
Zoe
Huh? This was an entirely commercial flight. The only millions of US tax dollars being sent to SpaceX are NASA contract awards for CRS and the various other Dragon related contracts.
-
I must have overlooked that apparently no single NASA dollar went into the development of the launcher or the infrastructure. My bad.
Zoe
-
Why have there been no details posted, especially video, related to the 1st stage reentry, not-as-hard-as-usual ocean intersection, and parts recovery.
L2 has some!
Where? Link? I never saw any video.
I interpreted that as "L2 has some details", not actual video...
(I don't think the existence any such video would have escaped any L2 members or even most regular members ;))
-
I must have overlooked that apparently no single NASA dollar went into the development of the launcher or the infrastructure. My bad.
Zoe
NASA got what they paid for. I don't see how that obliges SpaceX to reveal extensive details about a commercial mission.
I'm wondering if Arianspace would do any differently?
-
Here's some info from an in-the-know site with some details
Of course you are correct, that our favorite site's intrepid reporters wrote up those details in the post-launch article. I was hoping there had been additional details released, either about more components recovered, or more details about the engine bay and tanks.
I think the most interesting follow on stories are, a) what exactly did the impact look like (i.e. was the 1st stage intact when it hit? What was the impact velocity? What was the trajectory for the last 10km? Was it tumbling?) b) what is the plan of investigation, i.e. what can be learned from examining the recovered pieces or assemblies.
-
I must have overlooked that apparently no single NASA dollar went into the development of the launcher or the infrastructure. My bad.
Zoe
NASA got what they paid for. I don't see how that obliges SpaceX to reveal extensive details about a commercial mission.
I'm wondering if Arianspace would do any differently?
They publish some telemetry data during the launch, don't blank out a video if something goes wrong (most interesting of course the V501) and in most cases don't promise things they won't keep.
But you don't have to look across the ocean to compare. Just take a look at Orbital.
Although I fail to see what benefit there is in bringing in ArianeSpace into a Space-X discussion.
As I said, your mileage may vary and apparently does. I would be miffed if kept on such a short leash after those big promises, but as a stoopid furrin alien, I know I have to be happy to be kept stoopid and uninformed ;)
Zoe
-
I must have overlooked that apparently no single NASA dollar went into the development of the launcher or the infrastructure. My bad.
Zoe
Are you suggesting that if any government money at all goes into a business, that business is now bound to open all aspects of their business up to any curious taxpayer? Nice thought but not terribly business-friendly!
I'm not sure what your followup post about being a stoopid furriner has to do with anything.
-
careful guys, we're straying past this being an updates thread.
-
I must have overlooked that apparently no single NASA dollar went into the development of the launcher or the infrastructure. My bad.
NASA got what they paid for. I don't see how that obliges SpaceX to reveal extensive details about a commercial mission.
I suspect NASA will get the updates all their future customers will get - enough to convince them their payload will be in good hands.
Not sure if they get some additional info as part of NLS II certification?
cheers, Martin
-
I must have overlooked that apparently no single NASA dollar went into the development of the launcher or the infrastructure. My bad.
NASA got what they paid for. I don't see how that obliges SpaceX to reveal extensive details about a commercial mission.
I suspect NASA will get the updates all their future customers will get - enough to convince them their payload will be in good hands.
Not sure if they get some additional info as part of NLS II certification?
cheers, Martin
Actually this goes back to CRS recertification, doesn't it? This was one of the qualification flights for the new/upgraded vehicle that they want to use for future CRS missions. I would think NASA will get all of the flight data.
-
IF it was insulation coming off, how come pieces 39277 and 39278 have a semi-major axis that is 50-55 km larger than the F9 upper stage? Where did the energy come from?
This is a super question that may never be answered.
Occam's Razor tells us that these pieces have something to do with the second stage engine not restarting, since there were two distinct unusual events occurring on the same day, the 2nd stage restart failure and lots of debris scattered all over the sky. Occam's Razor is not infallible, but it's a good start.
-
Updates only please! (What Robert said)
Please take discussion of orbits and data releases, and what people want and assume, to the discussion threads.
We don't want to have to call the Off-topic Sherrif!
-
As no firm has ever brought back a first stage in an attempted landing before. It would be time to consider patents and all the ramifications of the same. In the USA you can talk and publish about patents not yet granted. In most of the rest of the world you can not.
Return video of a landing would contain many patent-able elements and possibly be viewed as publishing methods before a patent was granted let alone applied for. In the USA this is not a problem but the rest of the world it is.
No patent lawyer worth the title would approve of publishing that video at this time.
Everything needs to be locked down with many successful landings and granted patents before it could be published ... unless hell froze over the rest of the world changed their patent laws.
-
SpaceX has uploaded video highlights of the launch, including some external views I haven't seen before.
(I hope this qualifies for the update thread. I think it does. If not, feel free to move it.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtDbDMRG3q8&feature=em-uploademail
-
Cool! :D
First view of the 1st stage relight! And a nice uninterrupted view of stage separation.
-
As no firm has ever brought back a first stage in an attempted landing before. It would be time to consider patents and all the ramifications of the same. In the USA you can talk and publish about patents not yet granted. In most of the rest of the world you can not.
Return video of a landing would contain many patent-able elements and possibly be viewed as publishing methods before a patent was granted let alone applied for. In the USA this is not a problem but the rest of the world it is.
No patent lawyer worth the title would approve of publishing that video at this time.
Everything needs to be locked down with many successful landings and granted patents before it could be published ... unless hell froze over the rest of the world changed their patent laws.
nonsense. Musk said they would not apply for patents because the patent process releases more information on the subject
-
S1 re-entry photos from a mission overview off the SpaceX website
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=32859.510
-
No one has posted this yet so here it is from http://www.spacex.com/news/2013/10/14/upgraded-falcon-9-mission-overview
On Sunday, Sept. 29th, SpaceX successfully completed the demonstration mission of its upgraded Falcon 9 rocket, delivering the CASSIOPE, CUSat, DANDE and POPACS satellites to their targeted orbits. All of the satellite owners are in contact with their spacecraft and are reporting nominal operations.
This was the first Falcon 9 launch using SpaceX’s new 17 foot diameter fairing, designed and built in house by SpaceX. The fairing separates using pneumatic pushers instead of explosives and is large enough to fit a city bus. This was also the first launch from SpaceX’s newly refurbished launch pad at Vandenberg Air Force Base, and the first demonstration of a number of technologies on the upgraded vehicle.
On this mission, Falcon 9 lifted off with nine Merlin 1D engines, generating 1.3 million pounds of thrust at liftoff and increasing to 1.5 million pounds of thrust as it approached the vacuum of space—nearly twice the thrust than when previously powered by the Merlin 1C. The engines were configured in a more robust engine support structure called the Octaweb, which is easier to manufacture and improves the vehicles reliability. To fuel the more powerful engines, SpaceX extended the propellant tanks by approximately 60%. The upgraded vehicle featured a triple-redundant avionics system similar to that used on Dragon, providing a single-fault tolerant architecture. A new stage separation system reduced the number of connection points from 12 to 3, and the vehicle also flew with a stronger heat shield that allows the rocket to reenter Earth’s atmosphere and eventually land propulsively.
The flight proceeded according to plan, with a nominal first-stage flight and shutdown 2 minutes and 41 seconds after launch. Stage separation occurred at 2 minutes and 45 seconds, with MVac ignition following 7 seconds later. SpaceX's new fairing separated at approximately 3 minutes 32 seconds into launch. Nine minutes and 2 seconds into flight, the upper stage engine shut down. Approximately 14 minutes into flight, CASSIOPE was deployed directly at its target orbit of 325x1500km, 81 deg inclination. Each system performed as expected and all payloads were delivered to their intended destinations.
View from the onboard rocket cam looking down the first stage.
First stage separates 2 minutes and 45 seconds into the flight, prepares to reenter the Earth's atmosphere
Merlin Vacuum engine on the second stage ignites 7 seconds after stage separation
SpaceX's new fairing separates approximately 3 minutes and 32 seconds into launch, preparing for payload deployment
Nine minutes and 2 seconds into flight, the upper stage engine shuts down in preparation for payload deployment
Following separation of the last payload, SpaceX attempted an internal milestone of relighting the second stage. Conditions appeared satisfactory for relight of the upper stage engine as the stage flew over Antarctica. The engine initiated ignition, with pressure rising in the thrust chamber to about 400 psi, but the flight computer sensed conditions did not meet criteria and it aborted the ignition. SpaceX believes it understands the issue which didn’t involve anything fundamental, rather a need to iron out some of the differences between operating the engine on the ground versus in a vacuum. SpaceX has actually relit the Merlin engine in ground testing a dozen times in some cases and SpaceX is confident it can make the necessary adjustments before the next flight.
Despite reports to the contrary, the Falcon 9 second stage remained intact and healthy following spacecraft separation. It takes a few days to get the data from the Air Force Satellite Control Network into the SpaceX data system for review, but the data confirms the stage passed over Hawaii from approximately 1748 to 1754 Universal Time (10:48-10:54 PDT), roughly 1 hr 48 minutes after launch, starting into our second orbit. SpaceX still had power on the second stage, and the transmitters were left on to drain the batteries (standard procedure).
Though not a primary mission objective, SpaceX was also able to initiate two engine relights on the first stage. For the first restart burn, we lit three engines to do a supersonic retro propulsion, which we believe may be the first attempt by any rocket stage. The first restart burn was completed well and enabled the stage to survive reentering the atmosphere in a controlled fashion.
SpaceX then lit the center engine for a single engine burn. That relight also went well, however we exceeded the roll control authority of the attitude control thrusters. This particular stage was not equipped with landing gear which could have helped stabilize the stage like fins would on an aircraft. The stage ended up spinning to a degree that was greater than we could control with the gas thrusters on board and ultimately we hit the water relatively hard.
However, SpaceX recovered portions of the stage and now, along with the Grasshopper tests, we believe we have all the pieces to achieve a full recovery of the boost stage.
This launch also marked the first of three certification flights needed to certify Falcon 9 to fly missions for the U.S. Air Force under the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program. When Falcon 9 is certified, SpaceX will be eligible to compete for all National Security Space (NSS) missions.
The next few months remain busy for SpaceX and the upgraded Falcon 9. We are currently preparing to launch our first geosynchronous transfer orbit mission out of Cape Canaveral with SES-8 followed by Thaicom and our next trip to the space station in the early part of next year.
-
This images of the relight from the mission overview posted above are particularly interesting:
http://www.spacex.com/sites/spacex/files/10_burn_usaf8661-1280.jpg
http://www.spacex.com/sites/spacex/files/11_c439042b-ee14-45c7-aa50-6f0f6396b0db.png
(ATTACH IMAGES GUYS!! Chris).
[Edit] Sorry!
-
The first image shows 3 engines burning so it must be the first relight.
At least it looks like 3 engines to me.
-
Please check discussion over here:
Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 v1.1 - CASSIOPE - GENERAL DISCUSSION THREAD (2)
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=32859.msg1109408#msg1109408 (http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=32859.msg1109408#msg1109408)
Both shots ARE from the video, which I've seen. And yes the second one is literally a sec before it hits the water.
-
At least it looks like 3 engines to me.
It looks like a motion-blurred smudge to me. Based on the (low) resolution and the incoming angle compared to the other image, I would agree that it's likely showing the 1st burn.
-
This is the update thread - please discus this on the discussion thread.
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=32859.540
-
With so many objects, are we still buying the "insulation" story?
- Ed Kyle
Do we have any real idea what the debris objects are if not insulation? And if so, based on what (other than orbital longevity of the items)?
To be blunt no one here knows anything for certain. It's all just speculation. Most likely, this will never be fully cleared up. I don't think SpaceX will be giving a qualified response that is satisfactory to everyone. They've already moved on to the next launch.
SpaceX will, of course, have to study and understand the Falcon 9 debris creation issue and work to prevent a recurrence. It, and its payload customers, have multiple reasons to minimize orbital debris. Some of its customers are participating in the UN space debris committee and have agreed to follow its guidelines.
- Ed Kyle
-
As I understand, the secondary payload dispenser is made by SpaceX, it was built for this specific mission, and this is also a 'first time product' for SpaceX. Is it possible that this devise can be the source of some extra objects ?
-
Doesn't DANDE have an adapter bracket that is released after separation as well? Is this already accounted for?
-
Doesn't DANDE have an adapter bracket that is released after separation as well? Is this already accounted for?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drag_and_Atmospheric_Neutral_Density_Explorer
Wiki says DANDE's adapter bracket is scheduled for release on day 14 after the launch. So, by now it should be a separate object.
-
The adaptor was still attached as of October 14th:
http://spacegrant.colorado.edu/dande-news
-
...and jettisoned yesterday.
-
Space Track now identifies four of the objects as the POPACS spacers. They are 55R/39280, 55Y/39290, 55AA/39292 and 55AB/39293.
-
FYI, this may be the first 'official' (although 2nd hand) explanation for the 2nd stage restart issue. This was noted by sdsds in the SES-8 discussion thread)
https://twitter.com/pbdes/status/403753325201350657
Peter B. de Selding @pbdes
SpaceX Falcon 9 flight Sept 29 upper-stage non-re-ignition caused by frozen fuel lines after O2 exposure. Insulation added for next flight.
-
SFN is reporting that it was frozen TEA-TEB that caused the anomaly.
-
News.com also reporting things we also knew here before. Thanks CorrodedNut!
-
This might be a piece of the Cassiope flight fairing given that the author lives in L.A.:
Source: https://twitter.com/ShorealoneFilms/status/412819085752152064
-
Interesting. How would they have located it? Transponder or beacon on each fairing half?
-
Perhaps it simply washed up ashore somewhere, fairings tend to do that.
-
This might be a piece of the Cassiope flight fairing given that the author lives in L.A.:
Source: https://twitter.com/ShorealoneFilms/status/412819085752152064
As you can see from the logo'd webbing, SpaceX have come to clean up their garbage.
I can see the faux-drama headline now: SpaceX rocket disaster cover-up!
-
Interesting to see the CASSIOPE launch from the VAFB media site and the facilities they set up for the press.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9udDraLR1xI
-
Report is that the Air Force will count the CASSIOPE flight towards certification.
http://www.dailybreeze.com/business/20140225/spacex-moves-closer-to-air-force-launches
-
OUTSTANDING!!
Excellent news.
-
Yes, great news. Here's the press release http://www.losangeles.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123401533 (http://www.losangeles.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123401533)
SpaceX Launch Counts Towards EELV Certification
2/25/2014 - LOS ANGELES AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Air Force Space Command's Space and Missile Systems Center has determined that the Space Exploration Technologies Corporation's (SpaceX) Sept. 29, 2013 launch of its Falcon 9 v1.1 launch vehicle will count toward SpaceX's Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) certification.
Under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA), signed by SpaceX and SMC in June 2013, SpaceX must meet rigorous certification requirements and perform at least three successful flights of a common launch vehicle configuration for the company to be considered for launching critical and high cost NSS payloads.
Certification requirements for the Falcon 9 v1.1 include at least three successful flights of a common launch vehicle configuration, as well as passing a number of technical reviews, audits and independent verification, and validation of the launch vehicle's ground systems and manufacturing processes. Where possible, the Air Force will work jointly with SpaceX to accelerate completing the requirements from these phases to expedite certification.
"This flight represents one of many certification requirements jointly agreed to between the Air Force and SpaceX," said Lt. Gen. Ellen Pawlikowski, SMC commander.
SMC is still assessing the SpaceX' Falcon 9 v1.1 launches on Dec. 3, 2013 and Jan. 6, 2014 for their applicability towards the certification requirements. Additionally, the Air Force will remain engaged with SpaceX for resolution of any issues experienced during these flights and any planned system improvements.
SMC, located at Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif., is the U.S. Air Force's center of acquisition excellence for acquiring and developing military space systems. Its portfolio includes the Global Positioning System, military satellite communications, defense meteorological satellites, space launch and range systems, satellite control networks, space based infrared systems and space situational awareness capabilities.
-
Why is this news? Does the USAF even have a SpaceX mission on contract? Neither SpaceX nor NASA have put out anything about any NASA certification. LAAFB PAO seems to have too much time on its hands.
-
Why is this news? Does the USAF even have a SpaceX mission on contract? Neither SpaceX nor NASA have put out anything about any NASA certification. LAAFB PAO seems to have too much time on its hands.
You know (or should know) why it matters. EELV certification. The ability to compete for the launches that were excluded from the latest block buy from ULA.
-
Right. I just think it's weird that LAAFB is putting out press releases for minor milestones. (And SpaceX has 2 USAF, non-EELV missions on contract.) I guess they're just trying to show Congress some progress. Rather base motives IMO.
-
Right. I just think it's weird that LAAFB is putting out press releases for minor milestones. (And SpaceX has 2 USAF, non-EELV missions on contract.) I guess they're just trying to show Congress some progress. Rather base motives IMO.
Why assume the worse? It could as simple as the base is excited about the prospect and it's a slow month for the PAO.
-
Ok cool.....let's probably move this to one of the discussion threads, as we're bumping a launch several launches ago and my obsession with an orderly forum is getting taken down the river here ;)
So link what you're talking about here on a discussion thread and continue there.