if they put the cross feed on the back burner, is there any reason to do a fullon falcon heavy test on a non cross fed version?from the design of the test stand i understand it would be compatible with heavy but i dont see any signs of hold downs for heavy.
Perhaps the test mount is replaceable with an F9 and FH version. F9 version only has a single width port with 4 hold downs, the FH version a triple wide with more 8 hold down clamps.
As the Facebook co-admin, it is still rumour, not fact. Someone posted a Reddit photo and claimed it was a Raptor test facility. Nothing substantiated. I didn't yank it because it is a current photo, but the analysis is less than professional and verifiable.
If this is a three-bay Raptor test stand, it puts to rest those suggestions that Raptor has been on the back burner for five years and that SpaceX was waiting for USAF funding to move on this engine.
Quote from: AncientU on 02/01/2016 12:25 pmIf this is a three-bay Raptor test stand, it puts to rest those suggestions that Raptor has been on the back burner for five years and that SpaceX was waiting for USAF funding to move on this engine.Given the massive test campaign in Stennis this was never plausible. I never believed they are way behind Blue Origin. Mostly a year if at all.
Quote from: cscott on 02/01/2016 02:09 amI don't know what the blue structures are, but to me they look more like the stage-separation test fixtures than propellant storage tanks. If I were to guess, I'd say they were test fixtures for the tank portion of the stage which Raptor will be attached to. Don't know why they need two, except maybe for testing throughput.My guess is those are in fact propellant run tanks in the blue vertical frames. They're right next to the concrete test cell walls, with the engine test stands presumably on the other side. So you have two test cells, each with its own run tank(s).My other guess is the tanks are suspended at a single point at the top from the pyramid trusses, possibly with a load cell so that the amount of propellant burned in each run can be precisely weighed for accurate Isp measurement.
I don't know what the blue structures are, but to me they look more like the stage-separation test fixtures than propellant storage tanks. If I were to guess, I'd say they were test fixtures for the tank portion of the stage which Raptor will be attached to. Don't know why they need two, except maybe for testing throughput.
If this is a three-bay Raptor test stand, it puts to rest those suggestions that Raptor has been on the back burner for five years and that SpaceX was waiting for USAF funding to move on this engine.The second in-ground stand/flame trench could be for a large variant of the engine...My prediction:There are three sizes of the "highly-scaleable" engine:1) 550klbf as optimum T/W for MCT2) F-1 class3) Merlin class for F9/FH
Quote from: matthewkantar on 01/27/2016 12:25 amThis one works: <snip>Enjoy, MatthewAwesome, thanks. This time I have it downloaded in case it get's removed again.Edit: Reddit seems to removing this when it gets posted there. So it's likely this whole section of this post will be quelled in short order here as well.
This one works: <snip>Enjoy, Matthew
Video of what appears to be a second stage test posted by FB user Mike Wallace from last night. Duration at least 1'30". Question - just was thinking - How can they test the vacuum version of the 1D? Doesn't the large nozzle create instabilities in atmosphere?
Quote from: mlindner on 01/27/2016 01:16 amQuote from: matthewkantar on 01/27/2016 12:25 amThis one works: <snip>Enjoy, MatthewAwesome, thanks. This time I have it downloaded in case it get's removed again.Edit: Reddit seems to removing this when it gets posted there. So it's likely this whole section of this post will be quelled in short order here as well.Damned. Looks like the backup link got also killed. Any clue where this "cool stuff video" (probably too cool for non SpaceX employees) can be seen now?Thx