NASASpaceFlight.com Forum
SpaceX Vehicles and Missions => SpaceX Falcon Missions Section => Topic started by: Chris Bergin on 04/29/2012 10:13 pm
-
LIVE COVERAGE Thread specific to the Static Fire on April 30.
All posts should be specific to this event, webcasted at SpaceX here:
http://www.spacex.com/webcast.php
NSF Resources:
SpaceX Forum Section:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?board=45.0 - please use this for general questions, non updates.
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/
Recent COTS2/3 Specific articles:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/tag/Dragon/
Specific Article for the Static Fire:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2012/05/falcon-9s-merlin-engines-for-may-7-target/
--------------
L2 Members:
L2 SpaceX Section:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=tags&tags=SpaceX
L2 SpaceX Dragon C2/C3 Mission Special (NEW - Exclusively acquired pre-launch and Mission Coverage, Presentations, Graphics, Videos, Updates, NASA/Space industry member comments):
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?board=54.0
To Join L2: http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/l2/
-
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=28586.msg891730#msg891730
Cross-post: Roll-out confirmed, the stack is vertical.
-
7 hours 40 minutes remain until start of the webcast
-
7 hours 40 minutes remain until start of the webcast
Webcast is 14:30 ET (19:30 BST, 20:30 your local time).
I believe it's 03:04 ET as I type this, so 11 hours and 26 mins to start of webcast.
cheers, Martin
-
Martin, Webcast is at 11:30 EDT
so 2 hours 49 minutes remaining...
http://new.livestream.com/accounts/142499/events/849384
-
Jester, that livestream page info is completely wrong. It's supposed to read 11:30 PT.
-
The forecast has been changed, the thunderstorm predicted for the Cape Canaveral area has been changed to Mostly Cloudy with the sky clearing around 10am local time.
-
Jester, that livestream page info is completely wrong. It's supposed to read 11:30 PT.
How nice....thanks for the update....
-
6 hours to static fire
-
Do they fully fill the tanks for the static fire, or just put in the minimum to chill down everything and run the test?
-
Do they fully fill the tanks for the static fire, or just put in the minimum to chill down everything and run the test?
Full tanks, because that is the lift off conditions. Even the second stage will be tanked and it doesn't fire.
-
Do they fully fill the tanks for the static fire, or just put in the minimum to chill down everything and run the test?
Full tanks, because that is the lift off conditions. Even the second stage will be tanked and it doesn't fire.
so probably the more appropriate question would be what are the differences, if any, between the static fire conditions and launch conditions, apart from the obvious (e.g. hold down mechanisms not set for release and engines set to cut-off after 2 seconds)?
-
Falcon 9′s Merlin engines hoping to spell success for May 7 target - includes content from William Graham:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2012/04/falcon-9s-merlin-engines-for-may-7-target/
-
Falcon 9′s Merlin engines hoping to spell success for May 7 target - includes content from William Graham:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2012/04/falcon-9s-merlin-engines-for-may-7-target/
"Attitude control for both stages will be provided by thrust vectoring; with four Draco thrusters augmenting this after the first stage has separated."
Wow, that's news to me, I thought this feature was a future upgrade. Is this the first flight with this capability?
-
Is that the US DeltaV pack in the planners guide?
Then it is not the same upper stage on flight three ;)
-
Can see weather briefing activity; no audio.
-
Not sure why they have a picture of the manned variant on the livestream page.
-
@NASAKennedy:
http://mobile.twitter.com/nasakennedy/status/197021417542385664
SpaceX having no issues ahead of static firing. Falcon 9 rocket is fueled, strongback is retracted. Exercise is rehearsal, no launch today.
-
Yeah, smooth count so far. 30 mins to the webcast.
-
Is that the US DeltaV pack in the planners guide?
Then it is not the same upper stage on flight three ;)
I would agree on both points, question is: why now?
-
Is that the US DeltaV pack in the planners guide?
...
Where are you seeing that? Can you point it out? (screen capture, highlighted in MS Paint)
-
Worth a heads up ask, but if anyone can work out a VLC link out of the live stream, feel free to post it.
-
Looks like the page is working over at livestream.
http://new.livestream.com/accounts/142499/events/849384
http://www.spacex.com/webcast.php
Edit: I'm working on the screen capturing right now, this could be hard.
-
I assume everyone's only got this:
-
I assume everyone's only got this:
Same here.
-
Yeah until 2:30pm we all will get that screen, then they will stream video live
-
Good good, I don't trust me PC one bit! ;D
-
Falcon 9′s Merlin engines hoping to spell success for May 7 target - includes content from William Graham:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2012/04/falcon-9s-merlin-engines-for-may-7-target/
"Attitude control for both stages will be provided by thrust vectoring; with four Draco thrusters augmenting this after the first stage has separated."
Wow, that's news to me, I thought this feature was a future upgrade. Is this the first flight with this capability?
I believe that is incorrect, that the second stage has no Dracos.
-
I've removed that line to be on the safe side. I've added added a couple of paras on the post test to the article.
-
Falcon 9′s Merlin engines hoping to spell success for May 7 target - includes content from William Graham:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2012/04/falcon-9s-merlin-engines-for-may-7-target/
"Attitude control for both stages will be provided by thrust vectoring; with four Draco thrusters augmenting this after the first stage has separated."
Wow, that's news to me, I thought this feature was a future upgrade. Is this the first flight with this capability?
I believe that is incorrect, that the second stage has no Dracos.
It might if some rumors by kevin-rf (etc?) are true. I.e. that this Falcon 9 upper stage has the delta-v-kit on-board. Clarification is definitely needed, here.
-
They've got a twitter style feed up and running on that webcast page now.
-
NASA have a slate up for the broadcast on their channel.
-
Viewer count over a 1000, I bet this will be in five figures easily.
-
Falcon 9′s Merlin engines hoping to spell success for May 7 target - includes content from William Graham:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2012/04/falcon-9s-merlin-engines-for-may-7-target/
"Attitude control for both stages will be provided by thrust vectoring; with four Draco thrusters augmenting this after the first stage has separated."
Wow, that's news to me, I thought this feature was a future upgrade. Is this the first flight with this capability?
I believe that is incorrect, that the second stage has no Dracos.
It might if some rumors by kevin-rf (etc?) are true. I.e. that this Falcon 9 upper stage has the delta-v-kit on-board. Clarification is definitely needed, here.
No, I was responding to Corroded Nut's post, Draco's on the US would mean the Delta V kit is included. If that is incorrect or unknown, then what I said is incorrect. Chris removing them from the article means, he is not sure if they exist or not.
-
Tremendous. There's VLC sorted! :D
-
It might if some rumors by kevin-rf (etc?) are true. I.e. that this Falcon 9 upper stage has the delta-v-kit on-board. Clarification is definitely needed, here.
He wasn't spreading rumors, he was just responding to my original post. The article is the only source, and now no longer.
Now back to our regularly scheduled program...
-
Falcon 9′s Merlin engines hoping to spell success for May 7 target - includes content from William Graham:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2012/04/falcon-9s-merlin-engines-for-may-7-target/
"Attitude control for both stages will be provided by thrust vectoring; with four Draco thrusters augmenting this after the first stage has separated."
Wow, that's news to me, I thought this feature was a future upgrade. Is this the first flight with this capability?
I believe that is incorrect, that the second stage has no Dracos.
It might if some rumors by kevin-rf (etc?) are true. I.e. that this Falcon 9 upper stage has the delta-v-kit on-board. Clarification is definitely needed, here.
No, I was responding to Corroded Nut's post, Draco's on the US would mean the Delta V kit is included. If that is incorrect or unknown, then what I said is incorrect. Chris removing them from the article means, he is not sure if they exist or not.
Okay, gotcha! :) Thanks for the clarification.
-
Here we go!!!
-
Stream is on SpaceX now, Doesn't look HD, So NASA might give better quality if you have access to their HD feed.
EDIT: Or not, NASA is just rebroadcasting it. :-[
-
Getting Livestream feed now; NASA TV retransmission up now, too.
-
Doesn't stream to an iPhone in calgary. :(
-
-
No audio, but this is a live feed we don't usually get, so all's good.
-
-
about 25 more minutes to go before the live fire. Hurry up & wait.
-
Stream is on SpaceX now, Doesn't look HD, So NASA might give better quality if you have access to their HD feed.
EDIT: Or not, NASA is just rebroadcasting it. :-[
Better than not. Not hearing any audio commentary, but that may be the job of the status bar in the feed.
-
-
For the record, I'm seeing a 19 second lag on the SpaceX webcast, assuming that the T- clock is aiming for exactly 3:00:00. The NASA TV retransmission is another 5 seconds back.
-
Is the "shower cap" on or off? I cant be sure.
-
Stream is on SpaceX now, Doesn't look HD, So NASA might give better quality if you have access to their HD feed.
EDIT: Or not, NASA is just rebroadcasting it. :-[
Better than not. Not hearing any audio commentary, but that may be the job of the status bar in the feed.
Agreed, I was just hoping NASA would use their HD cameras they used from the wet dress.
-
Is the "shower cap" on or off? I cant be sure.
Off.
-
Now have commentary.
-
No audio, but this is a live feed we don't usually get, so all's good.
We should get some audio at T-13
-
Now have commentary.
Actually better for nerds -- sounds like test team audio.
-
The forum visitations are at the third of a shuttle countdown (at this stage), so launch day's going to be interesting!
Audio for a moment then.
-
Watching the vapors come off, is it me or is the webcast still not smooth?
-
Both the Livestream site and SpaceX feed are glitchy and halting for me, but NASA TV is running fine. 21 minutes and counting....
I believe that is incorrect, that the second stage has no Dracos.
But there are Dracos on the Dragon capsule. Doesn't that make more sense, that the existing Dracos on the capsule would be used for attitude control, not that extra Dracos were added to the US. More torque applied from the capsule position as well.
-
Polling team for test.
-
Polling audio.
Go for static fire.
-
Webcast is smooth at this end, but they better change that camera angle..
-
That would have been just the Dragon team go for static fire.
Polling audio.
Go for static fire.
-
Five minutes to the readliness poll.
-
Now that the cork is no longer on the 1st stage the icing is much more impressive.
-
That would have been just the Dragon team go for static fire.
Good call. Learning experience with an actual webcast! :)
-
Control room.
-
T-15 minutes.
-
The forum's at about 35 percent of the visitations we get for a Shuttle LAUNCH. Launch day should be fun.
-
Does anyone have sound on the video?
-
Standing by for terminal count sequence.
-
Strange, sounds like they might only have the Dragon net on audio, but not the countdown net.
-
Does anyone have sound on the video?
Yes. Both from the SpaceX feed and NASA's.
-
Oooh, I just go audio on NASA TV. Wasn't sure if it was working before.
-
Past the Readiness polling. T-11 mins.
-
Dragon terminal count autosequence started.
-
Dragon batteries fully charged - standing by to go internal.
-
For the record, I'm seeing a 19 second lag on the SpaceX webcast, assuming that the T- clock is aiming for exactly 3:00:00. The NASA TV retransmission is another 5 seconds back.
Also, in the NASA TV transmission, the video frame is significantly cropped, but only in the horizontal. You can't see the red "Live" bug in the upper left corner at all. I estimate about 6% is lopped off each side; top and bottom are also cropped but just barely.
-
-
Terminal Count.
Must admit, I've never liked that name. Has a bit of a morbid connotation.
-
Config Aux Power for switchover (Dragon).
-
Dragon Batteries on Bus - and on to internal power.
-
T-6 mins.
-
Dragon configured for solar array charging.
-
-
A Go given on the net. Sounds like it could be the launch director.
-
Dragon telemetry looks good.
-
90 seconds.
-
Everyone feel free to catch the firing. NTV is shaky.
-
There's a hawk flying around the rocket that's in for a real surprise...
-
ABORT
-
All stations go to terminal count abort.
-
holding at 47 seconds??
-
"Dragon didn't start up"
Contingency abort
-
Into contingencies.
-
Disabling the prop systems.
-
not going to happen today??
-
"Dragon didn't start up"
"Dragon in start-up" ?
-
Something about a transient in the avionics? Sounds like they're trying to clear it.
-
How long do they have the range today? Can they recycle?
-
Heard some calls about seeing some transients, but as nblackwell posted earlier, we're not hearing LV calls.
-
This is why we do static fire tests...
(I believe they have the ability to recycle and do it again today, like they did in other flights. Can't do that on launch day because of instantaneous window, so good that they're getting the bugs worked out now.)
-
This is a sequence hold, not necessarily are they aborting the whole thing just yet.
-
Any idea where the transients are being tracked to?
-
They aborted the sequence, not the attempt. They'll either recycle to the terminal count or scrub.
-
Like Robotbeat said, holding no abort get
-
A rule of thumb: if you see the vehicle starting to vent again after around T-40 sec, it's a safe bet the count was aborted.
-
If they go again, expect a recycle to T-13:00 or so.
-
Notable point is that would have resulted in a scrub on launch day due to the instant launch window. So it's good to get this out of the way now.
-
A rule of thumb: if you see the vehicle starting to vent again after around T-40 sec, it's a safe bet the count was aborted.
To me it looked as if the upper stage never stopped venting.
-
Do we know if it was an automated or manual hold?
-
Disabling the prop systems.
noticed the lox never closed and pressurized. When does this happen in the count?
-
Disabling the prop systems.
noticed the lox never closed and pressurized. When does this happen in the count?
Think this was for Dragon since we don't hear LV comm
-
No info on the plan yet.
-
@SpaceX:
"Reviewing data"
-
From SpaceX twitter:
Reviewing data
-
A rule of thumb: if you see the vehicle starting to vent again after around T-40 sec, it's a safe bet the count was aborted.
I noticed a lot of venting, just before the hold, from the second umbilical down at the strong back. Normal?
-
Phew for a few moments it didn't seem like the livestream was working for me. Works now though.
-
Disabling the prop systems.
noticed the lox never closed and pressurized. When does this happen in the count?
I believe pressurization occurs at T-40 seconds.
-
A rule of thumb: if you see the vehicle starting to vent again after around T-40 sec, it's a safe bet the count was aborted.
On a related note- can we presume continued venting means no prop offload so far, so not aborted *yet*?
-
Clocks have reset to 13 minutes
-
So clearly there is an opportunity to recycle - pending the data review on giving this another shot today.
-
I noticed a lot of venting, just before the hold, from the second umbilical down at the strong back. Normal?
Probably. With topping off stopped, the LOX in that feedline has to go somehwere eventually.
-
Recycled to T-13 mins on the webcast.
-
On a related note- can we presume continued venting means no prop offload so far, so not aborted *yet*?
That's safe to assume, but even if they started draining prop immediately, it would still vent for many minutes afterward.
-
Didnt they have to recycle the WDR as well? Was it at the same point? ???
-
Didnt they have to recycle the WDR as well? Was it at the same point? ???
I'm guessing here, but one WDR recycle was due to something related to a 2nd stage vent which might have also occured at roughly this point in time. Or not.
-
FYI: The Livestream feed has DVR, so it is possible to immediately rewind the video feed.
Nice!
-
SpaceX twitter:
May recycle and try again today, watch for update.
-
Asking to see if we know how long they have the range for.
-
.
-
The site is busy, but nice and smooth! :)
"Page created in 0.096 seconds with 21 queries"
-
The site is busy, but nice and smooth! :)
"Page created in 0.096 seconds with 21 queries"
That's cause we're on super duper servers. Thanks to L2 members such as yourself who cover our hosting costs! (YAY for L2 plug on a busy live thread ;D)
Meanwhile...
-
This is why we test - to make sure everything works so it doesn't happen on launch day. Optimistic they'll recycle, they did for the last time they aborted for a static firing on a F9.
Orbiter
-
Saw what looked like a shower of ice fall off there. Don't know if the captures caught it.
-
The site is busy, but nice and smooth! :)
"Page created in 0.096 seconds with 21 queries"
That's cause we're on super duper servers. Thanks to L2 members such as yourself who cover our hosting costs! (YAY for L2 plug on a busy live thread ;D)
Meanwhile...
Which reminds me I have to renew my subscription :)
-
Seems to be snowing in SpaceX-land! ;)
-
"all stations something....." on the feed. Did anyone make sense of it?
-
Good one Beemer! ;)
Here's some comments on the loop. Could be preps for a recycle.
-
Lots of ice falling - does that mean they are defueling? (or has it been falling all the while?)
-
The site is busy, but nice and smooth! :)
"Page created in 0.096 seconds with 21 queries"
That's cause we're on super duper servers. Thanks to L2 members such as yourself who cover our hosting costs! (YAY for L2 plug on a busy live thread ;D)
Meanwhile...
Which reminds me I have to renew my subscription :)
And why I'm so glad I finally signed up recently! Yay L2!
-
Damn, but the SpaceX webcast is good. Could actually see the ice smash into a pile when it fell. All they need is a talented+informed commentator who can listen to the internal chatter...
-
Improperly-set limit. Being fixed. Clock reset to -20.
-
They had a limit out of spec per the loop.
Going to recycle.
-
Picking up the count in roughly 20 minutes he just stated
-
Anomaly found and fixed T-minus 20 minutes
-
"limit improperly set" "picking up at about t-20mins".
-
Cool, it was a "soft" problem as opposed to a "hard" one.
-
Overly restrictive redline on second stage engine position.
-
20 minutes....I gotta go...I'll watch on my iPhone as I drive to class.
-
Asking to see if we know how long they have the range for.
It's not a conference room, it's not like someone else has it booked at 4pm. Sure people will want to go home eventually, but since they're not actually launching, why wouldn't they have the range till at least sunset?
Just heard a call to restart the clock either at 20 minutes, or in 20 minutes.
-
Interesting sounds like the issues they have been having all along with the dragon software.
-
Elon discussed their tendency to set perhaps overly conservative limits.
-
Overly restrictive redline on second stage engine position.
Thanks for taking the time to update us!
A good lessened learned for the future I guess.
-
Asking to see if we know how long they have the range for.
It's not a conference room, it's not like someone else has it booked at 4pm. Sure people will want to go home eventually, but since they're not actually launching, why wouldn't they have the range till at least sunset?
No, they have the range for a specific amount of time, so your guess about "till sunset" is just that.
-
Good woman Beemer! ;)
Here's some comments on the loop. Could be preps for a recycle.
FIFY :D
Just signed up for the entire year. This site is wonderful. Thanks to you and your colleagues for all you do.
-
Thanks very much! :) Check your PM ;)
-
Come on, SpaceX, fix your little problem and light this candle.....
-
It's not that often you get to see it snowing on a beautiful day in Florida.
-
Might be handy in the future, no issues today.
-
Elon:
Flight computer aborted rocket hold down firing. Anomaly addressed. Cycling systems to countdown
-
Clock still says T-13 minutes, is that going to change? Or is the clock running and they will pick up at -13?
-
Hi-res mission control pic from Elon's twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/elonmusk/status/197049032286281729/photo/1/large (https://twitter.com/#!/elonmusk/status/197049032286281729/photo/1/large)
-
Elon:
Flight computer aborted rocket hold down firing. Anomaly addressed. Cycling systems to countdown
Here's the photo, attached:
(Might be some details we can glean, if we spruce up that image...)
-
Most safety critical personnel at KSC/Cape are limited to 12 hour days without permission of a senior manager, 16 hours at the most. So the on-station time of the first critical people determines the end of the day - unless, of course, two shifts are used.
-
Well, it seems that whoever was in charge of changing camera views on the webcast also took a break now.
-
Elon discussed their tendency to set perhaps overly conservative limits.
Nothing wrong with that especially given the lack of experience.
-
Hi-res mission control pic from Elon's twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/elonmusk/status/197049032286281729/photo/1/large (https://twitter.com/#!/elonmusk/status/197049032286281729/photo/1/large)
That would be launch control center if it is at the Cape.
-
nope, can't see any options on the solitaire game ;)
-
Negative. That's Dragon mission control.
Hi-res mission control pic from Elon's twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/elonmusk/status/197049032286281729/photo/1/large (https://twitter.com/#!/elonmusk/status/197049032286281729/photo/1/large)
That would be launch control center
-
Hi-res mission control pic from Elon's twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/elonmusk/status/197049032286281729/photo/1/large (https://twitter.com/#!/elonmusk/status/197049032286281729/photo/1/large)
That would be launch control center
Ah, right. Of course.
-
Hi-res mission control pic from Elon's twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/elonmusk/status/197049032286281729/photo/1/large (https://twitter.com/#!/elonmusk/status/197049032286281729/photo/1/large)
When the time comes, I hope they give us that camera angle shown in the lower left of that monitor wall.
-
No, they have the range for a specific amount of time, so your guess about "till sunset" is just that.
Yes tests are scheduled for specific times so that everyone is on the same page.
But if they need more time, as they might, the question was, since the rocket is sitting there fueled, and no one else is using the range and no one else is launching today, for what reason would they not be given an extension?
Edit: Thanks Antares
Most safety critical personnel at KSC/Cape are limited to 12 hour days without permission of a senior manager, 16 hours at the most. So the on-station time of the first critical people determines the end of the day - unless, of course, two shifts are used.
-
Hi-res mission control pic from Elon's twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/elonmusk/status/197049032286281729/photo/1/large (https://twitter.com/#!/elonmusk/status/197049032286281729/photo/1/large)
That would be launch control center
Ah, right. Of course.
I thought Florida was LCC, Hawthorne was MCC?
-
Yes, exactly.
Hi-res mission control pic from Elon's twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/elonmusk/status/197049032286281729/photo/1/large (https://twitter.com/#!/elonmusk/status/197049032286281729/photo/1/large)
That would be launch control center
Ah, right. Of course.
I thought Florida was LCC, Hawthorne was MCC?
-
When the time comes, I hope they give us that camera angle shown in the lower left of that monitor wall.
You wouldn't see much as there'd just be a wall of water spray on the hold-downs and under the engines.
Edit: actually, they might not activate those for static fires.
-
Hi-res mission control pic from Elon's twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/elonmusk/status/197049032286281729/photo/1/large (https://twitter.com/#!/elonmusk/status/197049032286281729/photo/1/large)
That would be launch control center
Ah, right. Of course.
I thought Florida was LCC, Hawthorne was MCC?
Oh, are they remotely running the static fire from California?
-
Oh, are they remotely running the static fire from California?
Both?
-
Hi-res mission control pic from Elon's twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/elonmusk/status/197049032286281729/photo/1/large (https://twitter.com/#!/elonmusk/status/197049032286281729/photo/1/large)
That would be launch control center if it is at the Cape.
I think that's in California. It looks like the control room Elon showed recently in a tour of their control center in Hawthorne (where Elon also said he'd be in California for the COTS 2+ launch).
-
Oh, are they remotely running the static fire from California?
More like "watching" and just taking care of Dragon.
-
Oh, are they remotely running the static fire from California?
Both?
Ah ok. I guess the better question is where Elon Musk happens to be taking that picture from
-
Launch control from Florida, Dragon team in CA (mostly).
Oh, are they remotely running the static fire from California?
Both?
-
Yes tests are scheduled for specific times so that everyone is on the same page.
But if they need more time, as they might, the question was, since the rocket is sitting there fueled, and no one else is using the range and no one else is launching today, for what reason would they not be given an extension?
Other people have lives and plans. The range is basically a one shift operation. It can work other shifts but with preplanning.
-
Launch control from Florida, Dragon team in CA (mostly).
Thanks!
-
Launch control from Florida, Dragon team in CA (mostly).
Oh, are they remotely running the static fire from California?
Both?
your comments go after the quoted threads. They get lost when you put them in front.
-
Recycle complete.
-
Countdown sequence resumed.
NASA's feed encountering the "donut of death."
-
Edit: actually, they might not activate those [water suppression] for static fires.
They do.
-
-
New TZero at 20:15Z.
-
Clock is back up at 13:55.
-
I see good luck bugs!
-
Elon:
Flight computer aborted rocket hold down firing. Anomaly addressed. Cycling systems to countdown
Here's the photo, attached:
(Might be some details we can glean, if we spruce up that image...)
Looks like mostly Windows 7 up on the big screen, on the left with the video feeds. But that looks like X-Windows over there on the right.
-
Clock stopped again?
Feed froze I think.
-
no, its just that the stream that nasatv is showing is stuck. See the "hourglass" in the middle.
-
Good. If there are no more delays Dragon will be fired before I have to leave work [being the boss comes in real handy at times ;) ]
-
NTV had buffering issues and is a minute behind the SpaceX cast.
-
Now here's a question from a newbie, what would have happened if they didn't abort and fired the engines? Worst case would the rocket have exploded?
-
SpaceX would do well to take some lessons from Ariane Space in how to fill dead air time. They have all kinds of promos and interviews that they could be running right now. Keeps the ADD at bay… ;D
-
Readiness polling complete. Go to proceed.
-
LD.... proceed
-
Terminal Count autosequence at T-10 minutes.
-
-
Here's a cropped and contrast-enhanced version of the control room picture:
It looks like there are different windows/gui-elements for different mission phases and systems. There's one for the different communication systems, TDRSS, even one showing the status of the reentry system (or something like that).
-
Now here's a question from a newbie, what would have happened if they didn't abort and fired the engines? Worst case would the rocket have exploded?
No, it was an overly-restrictive condition that had nothing to do with main stage propulsion, so it would probably have been fine.
-
SpaceX would do well to take some lessons from Ariane Space in how to fill dead air time. They have all kinds of promos and interviews that they could be running right now. Keeps the ADD at bay… ;D
Please no! I want to see live video, that's the reason I'm watching in the first place...
-
Into the autosequence and starting to hear from some of the test team again.
-
-
SpaceX:
Static Fire Update
The countdown clock has resumed. New T-0 is 4:15 PM ET/1:15 PM PT
-
Here's a cropped and contrast-enhanced version of the control room picture:
great job, thanks
-
SpaceX would do well to take some lessons from Ariane Space in how to fill dead air time. They have all kinds of promos and interviews that they could be running right now. Keeps the ADD at bay… ;D
Please no! I want to see live video, that's the reason I'm watching in the first place...
The dead air gives us time to speculate!
-
Great shot:
-
Dragon batteries have been charged - go to internal.
(Keep the chatter down folks).
-
Elon talked to Wired about the overly sensitive limits on Dragon as well. Said that was one of the reasons for the delay last week. He said Dragon ran away when it shouldn't have in simulations. www.wired.com/autopia/2012/04/elon-musk-live-interview/
-
Dragon confirmed on internal power.
-
-
For the record, I'm seeing a 19 second lag on the SpaceX webcast, assuming that the T- clock is aiming for exactly 3:00:00. The NASA TV retransmission is another 5 seconds back.
Stream is still lagging reality by about 19-20 seconds, but now the NASA TV retransmit is about 38-40 seconds back from the stream, and periodically goes to a low res version, while the stream stays high res.
-
Vehicle vents closed, LOX lines are venting at launch duct
-
Dragon telemetry looks good.
-
Go Atlas! Go Centaur!
ups. Please do not hate me ;)
-
T-180 seconds.
-
T-120 seconds.
-
-
t-60 seconds, dragon start-up
-
T-60 seconds.
-
Passed the previous hold.
-
-
stopped venting
-
FIRING.
-
-
-
Test complete
-
Looked good to me, don't know if it was for the full duration. I did see a reddish-brownish cloud, like you see for nitric acid-based rockets... is that from the hypergolic igniter?
-
-
Looked to be as advertised. The results will be the key.
-
Looked to be as advertised. The results will be the key.
woo hoo! :)
-
You have to be a real geek to spend an hour watching TV just to see two seconds of firing...but I loved it!
-
Waiting for: "Good burn. No trim required."
-
Looked good to me, don't know if it was for the full duration. I did see a reddish-brownish cloud, like you see for nitric acid-based rockets... is that from the hypergolic igniter?
Nah, just smoke looking browner than all the water vapor, coupled with the camera white balance setting.
-
And that'll do it for their coverage it would appear. Was fun to follow that.
-
woot!
-
You have to be a real geek to spend an hour watching TV just to see two seconds of firing...but I loved it!
high 5
-
Nice! Good luck on the 7th of May SpaceX team!!
-
You have to be a real geek to spend an hour watching TV just to see two seconds of firing...but I loved it!
"Here's to the crazy ones ... "
;)
-
You have to be a real geek to spend an hour watching TV just to see two seconds of firing...but I loved it!
I'm a real geek.
Be back next Monday and we'll go all the way to orbit.
-
high 5
It's high 9!
-
Can't believe it's been a year since we have seen one of those sing. I can't wait to see her fly again.
-
You have to be a real geek to spend an hour watching TV just to see two seconds of firing...but I loved it!
Concur! ;D The forum got as high as 50 percent that for a Shuttle launch! That's what we call in the trade "a lot of interest!"
Thanks to everyone who joined in. Was a fun interactive event. Don't forget to go through the links on the opening post if you're a newbie to catch up with our coverage.
-
Any idea on how soon we get word of the results?
-
Is there a reason why they removed the countdown from the screen at 31 seconds? I thought we were looking at another abort ::)
Anyways, well done SpaceX. Bring on next Monday!
-
Who else has launch fever now?
-
Congratulations SpaceX!!!!
-
You have to be a real geek to spend an two hours watching TV just to see two seconds of firing...but I loved it!
Had exactly the same thought :P
-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-QvV3CtCt0&feature=youtu.be
-
Any idea on how soon we get word of the results?
Depends. Someone once told me 24 hours, but it'll depend on how it all went.
-
And that'll do it for their coverage it would appear.
Hope they'll tweak their webcast next week, too.
-
Is there a reason why they removed the countdown from the screen at 31 seconds?
Seems to me the various feeds are still out of sync so that's why.
-
Anyways, well done SpaceX. Bring on next Monday!
Hopefully next Monday won't have the hiccup
-
Well, as Tom Hanks said "'Looks like we've had our glitch for the mission" :D
-
Is there a reason why they removed the countdown from the screen at 31 seconds? I thought we were looking at another abort ::)
Anyways, well done SpaceX. Bring on next Monday!
They removed the graphic so it wouldn't interfere with the viewing frame.
-
@SpaceX: "SUCCESS - 2 second burn!"
-
Who else has launch fever now?
I do!
Can't believe it's been a year since we have seen one of those sing. I can't wait to see her fly again.
Indeed. The noise really is something unique.
Thanks for the excellent coverage everyone. 2 hours went by really fast ;D
-
Well done! Nice to hear the Dragon-Falcon roar… ;D
-
The site is busy, but nice and smooth! :)
"Page created in 0.096 seconds with 21 queries"
That's cause we're on super duper servers. Thanks to L2 members such as yourself who cover our hosting costs! (YAY for L2 plug on a busy live thread ;D)
Meanwhile...
This is why we test - to make sure everything works so it doesn't happen on launch day. Optimistic they'll recycle, they did for the last time they aborted for a static firing on a F9.
Today is another test for Chris in preparation for the real thing, too. Edit: seemed fine to me.
cheers, Martin
-
Initial signs from SpaceX indicate a successful test.
SpaceX @SpaceX
SUCCESS - 2 second burn!
Jeff Foust Jeff Foust @jeff_foust
Heard a "good static fire" among the controller chatter; no other details about the engine test yet.
Anyone else know if it went well?
-
@SpaceX: "SUCCESS - 2 second burn!"
Excellent, thanks (my Itouch is down). I hope the post-test inspection comes out clean.
-
@elonmusk: "Woohoo, rocket hold down firing completed and all looks good!!"
-
Is there a reason why they removed the countdown from the screen at 31 seconds? I thought we were looking at another abort ::)
Anyways, well done SpaceX. Bring on next Monday!
They removed the graphic so it wouldn't interfere with the viewing frame.
Which is appreciated, I hate huge graphics like that.
-
Awesome! That was perhaps the closest I've come to a "Shuttley" feeling since STS-135. :)
-
That looked real smooth, hopefully the data is all in line. Man this is going to be a long week...
-
Thank you to all you experts, it makes these historical events come alive. Just wish that more people understood the significance of these new private space programmes. I am a jealous admirer from the UK...go USA and remember what makes you great!
-
On a related note- can we presume continued venting means no prop offload so far, so not aborted *yet*?
That's safe to assume, but even if they started draining prop immediately, it would still vent for many minutes afterward.
I think the first four words of that sentence are contradicted by the rest of it.
cheers, Martin
-
Abort went as planned. Reviewing data. Controllers have vehicle reconfigured and topped off awaiting clearance from engineering to detank...
And MD just cleared it.
-
Abort went as planned. Reviewing data. Controllers have vehicle reconfigured and topped off awaiting clearance from engineering to detank...
And MD just cleared it.
Thank you. :)
-
On the forum right this second.
1160 Guests, 373 Users
So I assume people are interested in this! ;)
-
Here's some video:
Here's the video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35igaHaoGhU&feature=youtu.be)
-
SpaceX Static Fire Test of the Falcon 9 Rocket - April 30
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7534
-
Looked good to me, don't know if it was for the full duration. I did see a reddish-brownish cloud, like you see for nitric acid-based rockets... is that from the hypergolic igniter?
Nah, just smoke looking browner than all the water vapor, coupled with the camera white balance setting.
TEA-TEB hypergolic igniters, according to another site.
-
Nah, just smoke looking browner than all the water vapor, coupled with the camera white balance setting.
TEA-TEB hypergolic igniters, according to another site.
I know what they're using, I'm saying that's a lot of smoke to be produced by the small quantity of TEA/TEB used during ignition. On the other hand there's a whole lot of black smoke and soot released when Merlins shut down.
-
Nah, just smoke looking browner than all the water vapor, coupled with the camera white balance setting.
TEA-TEB hypergolic igniters, according to another site.
I know what they're using, I'm saying that's a lot of smoke to be produced by the small quantity of TEA/TEB used during ignition. On the other hand there's a whole lot of black smoke and soot released when Merlins shut down.
Right, I had forgotten if those TEA-TEB igniters were based (heh) on nitric acid or not. They aren't. And, as you said, it's probably too little to make that sort of effect. It's just the hot brown smoke from kerolox combustion.
-
I know what they're using, I'm saying that's a lot of smoke to be produced by the small quantity of TEA/TEB used during ignition.
Also, doesn't TEA/TEB give a green flame?
-
Yes, but doesn't mean the smoke is green. IIRC, the smoke was bluish-white.
-
SpaceX PAO:
So far things look good. Engines fired for 2 seconds, as scheduled. Engineers will now review data as we continue preparations for the upcoming launch.
--
Remember, they have to review this before May 7 is on.
-
Yes, but doesn't mean the smoke is green. IIRC, the smoke was bluish-white.
Ah, of course, the colour of the flame has nothing to do with the colour of the smoke.
-
Thanks for the excellent coverage all with the feel of an international static fire party!! That's right, we do static fire parties here! ;D
-
I should have posted a redirect for the continuing update, that reverted back to the Launch Update thread here:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=28586.msg892408#msg892408
Apologies to those on notification watch for certain threads.
-
This ISS update video shows another view of the static fire, from a distance. Seems to have been ripped off from Ustream judging by the framerate.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABF2osny3M4
-
This ISS update video shows another view of the static fire, from a distance. Seems to have been ripped off from Ustream judging by the framerate.
Frame rate looks fine to me. The long camera-to-rocket distance coupled with rising hot air is distorting the image.
-
Frame rate is at most half of normal, 30 fps for NTSC video. Trust me.
-
After the static fire would they offload the hypergols or leave them in the Dragon?
-
After the static fire would they offload the hypergols or leave them in the Dragon?
The hypergols weren't loaded just for the static fire, they put on board for the flight.
-
After the static fire would they offload the hypergols or leave them in the Dragon?
The hypergols weren't loaded just for the static fire, they put on board for the flight.
Is there a time limit on how long Dragon can stay loaded?
-
After the static fire would they offload the hypergols or leave them in the Dragon?
The hypergols weren't loaded just for the static fire, they put on board for the flight.
Is there a time limit on how long Dragon can stay loaded?
There would have to be, due to the (usually) corrosive nature of these types of propellants.
-
After the static fire would they offload the hypergols or leave them in the Dragon?
The hypergols weren't loaded just for the static fire, they put on board for the flight.
Is there a time limit on how long Dragon can stay loaded?
There would have to be, due to the (usually) corrosive nature of these types of propellants.
The DragonLab datasheet lists "Mission Duration: 1 week to 2 years", so doesn't that imply that the systems are designed for long-term storage of hypergols? (Though, I could understand if that wasn't fully developed for these early flights).
Edit: is there anything different about lifetime in orbit compared to lifetime on the ground?
cheers, Martin
-
Is there a time limit on how long Dragon can stay loaded?
There would have to be, due to the (usually) corrosive nature of these types of propellants.
The DragonLab datasheet lists "Mission Duration: 1 week to 2 years", so doesn't that imply that the systems are designed for long-term storage of hypergols? (Though, I could understand if that wasn't fully developed for these early flights).
cheers, Martin
I thought the same thing, but was wondering if there were some safety/workplace rules that would necessitate defueling Dragon at some point.
-
@SpaceX
Picture of Monday’s successful full rocket engine fire at our Cape Canaveral launch site. http://pic.twitter.com/SizjlGJM
-
Thanks for the picture corrodedNut.
I'm curious why the ladder on the strong back is located where it is.
There seems no need to go higher yet a need to go from the bottom of the ladder to the top. ???
-
and the umbilicals into the trunk are for?
-
Thanks for the picture corrodedNut.
I'm curious why the ladder on the strong back is located where it is.
There seems no need to go higher yet a need to go from the bottom of the ladder to the top. ???
I think the bottom of the ladder is as high as the cherry picker can go.
-
and the umbilicals into the trunk are for?
Power, network and air conditioning I would bet.
-
Frame rate is at most half of normal, 30 fps for NTSC video. Trust me.
For me it says that the video is encoded at 25 fps and I can set it to HD (1280x720). However, there's also a "stage frame rate" which is the frame rate of the player (Flash Player in this case). In my case it says "10 stage fps". So it seems that the slow frame rate stems from the player. I downloaded the video as an MP4 file and I get the 25 fps rate.
I hope we're still talking about the same video ("[SpaceX] Static Fire Update from ISS Mission Control")
-
So it seems that the slow frame rate stems from the player. I downloaded the video as an MP4 file and I get the 25 fps rate.
I hope we're still talking about the same video ("[SpaceX] Static Fire Update from ISS Mission Control")
Sigh. The fact there are N frames per second encoded in the video does not mean there are N unique frames. For example, I can easily generate a 30 fps video which duplicates every frame and thus has an effective frame rate of only 15 fps.
I don't have to look past the actual video to see it's not full motion and if you were shown the original footage side by side, you'd notice it too. NASA's Ustream channel does not webcast at full framerate, whereas the old NASA Windows Media streams did. They made a step back in my opinion.
-
Okey Dokey, I get you now.
-
Sigh. The fact there are N frames per second encoded in the video does not mean there are N unique frames. For example, I can easily generate a 30 fps video which duplicates every frame and thus has an effective frame rate of only 15 fps.
I don't have to look past the actual video to see it's not full motion and if you were shown the original footage side by side, you'd notice it too. NASA's Ustream channel does not webcast at full framerate, whereas the old NASA Windows Media streams did. They made a step back in my opinion.
While this is technically correct (assuming you mean 29.97fps and not 30fps), it is not how most of the SpaceX sources nor encoders work. If you're not seeing 25fps+ video, then you have an issue in decoding the stream. Try enabling/disabling your GPU acceleration in flash. The SpaceX stream is also MBR now, so you may want to try a lower quality if your system can't keep up for some reason. The player is supposed to automagically select the right stream for you, but if you're right on the cusp it may pick incorrectly. Having the latest version of flash always helps as they keep fixing issues with the stage and GPU offloading.
A very recent change was made to get the HD video more fluid and closer to 29.97fps rather than 24/25fps for launch itself. 60fps (59.94) is a bit excessive for web video. It would be cool, but the playback requirements go too high for most users. Same with 1080p unfortunately.
And here's a niffty little tip I'm not sure everyone knows... There is DVR now ;)
-
Having the latest version of flash always helps as they keep fixing issues with the stage and GPU offloading.
It's definitely not that. I've tried everything from lowering quality to lowest, playing it offline with other decoders, to checking out other recorded sources (including NASA's forwarded webstream) and they all "stutter" at identical timestamps indicating this is really present in the stream going out of Hawthorne (?).
A very recent change was made to get the HD video more fluid and closer to 29.97fps rather than 24/25fps for launch itself.
This, I *think* is the crux of the matter. If you were doing this, decimating 30 fps (OK, 29.97 source video) by a non-integral factor (i.e. everything other than 15 fps, 10 fps) you're bound to run into this kind of skipping. To some people it's not noticeable, but to others the motion discontinuities are among the most annoying video artifacts there are.
Lest I only be criticizing the webcast, I will say that the image sharpness was noticeably better than on the previous launch and pad camera aspect ratios were good.
60fps (59.94) is a bit excessive for web video.
Oh, I definitely agree. While it would make engine plumes dance around more happily, it's definitely overkill for everything else including player performance requirements.
There is DVR now ;)
Yep, and it's a very cool feature. Something I haven't seen with any other launch webcasts yet so kudos for implementing it.
-
There is DVR now ;)
Yep, and it's a very cool feature. Something I haven't seen with any other launch webcasts yet so kudos for implementing it.
Agreed - very cool.
Used it myself, but it wouldn't let me wind back once the broadcast finished. I don't know, but wonder whether it would have cut me off if I'd been chasing at that point.
cheers, Martin
-
Here's another photo from the static fire roll-out:
http://spacexlaunch.zenfolio.com/p423974353/h161c24be#h161c24be
Don't think this image has been posted on the forum yet. Make sure to browse the rest of the site, it has some good stuff (thanks, Ugordan)
-
I like that picture, only problem is, POINTY SIDE UP ;)
-
Here's another photo from the static fire roll-out:
http://spacexlaunch.zenfolio.com/p423974353/h161c24be#h161c24be (http://spacexlaunch.zenfolio.com/p423974353/h161c24be#h161c24be)
Don't think this image has been posted on the forum yet. Make sure to browse the rest of the site, it has some good stuff (thanks, Ugordan)
I agree. Thanks!
The solar panel pontoons are not lined up with the strongback, the base of the rocket, or with the Dragon capsule. This is a bit of unusual asymmetry. My guess would be that the solar panel anchors / roll joints are on the "centerline" and the panels extend from there. Perhaps the panel closest to the second stage is not "half sized" as depicted, or perhaps the half sized panels and the hinge together are as wide as a full panel, displacing the center. I look forward to seeing images of them deploying (I hope) and deployed.