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SpaceX Vehicles and Missions => SpaceX Falcon Missions Section => Topic started by: Chris Bergin on 04/29/2012 10:13 pm

Title: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post 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/
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: corrodedNut on 04/29/2012 11:05 pm
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=28586.msg891730#msg891730

Cross-post: Roll-out confirmed, the stack is vertical.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Jester on 04/30/2012 07:48 am
7 hours 40 minutes remain until start of the webcast
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: MP99 on 04/30/2012 08:04 am
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
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Jester on 04/30/2012 12:42 pm
Martin, Webcast is at 11:30 EDT
so 2 hours 49 minutes remaining...
http://new.livestream.com/accounts/142499/events/849384
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: ugordan on 04/30/2012 12:52 pm
Jester, that livestream page info is completely wrong. It's supposed to read 11:30 PT.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: ChefPat on 04/30/2012 12:57 pm
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.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Jester on 04/30/2012 12:59 pm
Jester, that livestream page info is completely wrong. It's supposed to read 11:30 PT.

How nice....thanks for the update....
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Garrett on 04/30/2012 01:03 pm
6 hours to static fire
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Norm38 on 04/30/2012 03:22 pm
Do they fully fill the tanks for the static fire, or just put in the minimum to chill down everything and run the test?
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Jim on 04/30/2012 03:36 pm
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.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Garrett on 04/30/2012 04:41 pm
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)?
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 05:06 pm
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/
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: corrodedNut on 04/30/2012 05:41 pm
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?
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: kevin-rf on 04/30/2012 05:46 pm
Is that the US DeltaV pack in the planners guide?

Then it is not the same upper stage on flight three ;)
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: psloss on 04/30/2012 05:50 pm
Can see weather briefing activity; no audio.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: manboy on 04/30/2012 05:51 pm
Not sure why they have a picture of the manned variant on the livestream page.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: psloss on 04/30/2012 06:01 pm
@NASAKennedy:
http://mobile.twitter.com/nasakennedy/status/197021417542385664

Quote
SpaceX having no issues ahead of static firing. Falcon 9 rocket is fueled, strongback is retracted. Exercise is rehearsal, no launch today.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 06:02 pm
Yeah, smooth count so far. 30 mins to the webcast.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: corrodedNut on 04/30/2012 06:05 pm
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?
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Robotbeat on 04/30/2012 06:08 pm
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)
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 06:10 pm
Worth a heads up ask, but if anyone can work out a VLC link out of the live stream, feel free to post it.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris-A on 04/30/2012 06:12 pm
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.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 06:17 pm
I assume everyone's only got this:
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Mapperuo on 04/30/2012 06:17 pm
I assume everyone's only got this:

Same here.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: brettreds2k on 04/30/2012 06:18 pm
Yeah until 2:30pm we all will get that screen, then they will stream video live
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 06:18 pm
Good good, I don't trust me PC one bit! ;D
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Jason1701 on 04/30/2012 06:20 pm
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.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 06:22 pm
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.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Robotbeat on 04/30/2012 06:22 pm
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.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 06:26 pm
They've got a twitter style feed up and running on that webcast page now.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Mapperuo on 04/30/2012 06:27 pm
NASA have a slate up for the broadcast on their channel.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 06:27 pm
Viewer count over a 1000, I bet this will be in five figures easily.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: kevin-rf on 04/30/2012 06:28 pm
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.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 06:29 pm
Tremendous. There's VLC sorted! :D
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: corrodedNut on 04/30/2012 06:30 pm
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...
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Robotbeat on 04/30/2012 06:30 pm
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.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: rcoppola on 04/30/2012 06:31 pm
Here we go!!!
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Mapperuo on 04/30/2012 06:32 pm
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.  :-[
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: psloss on 04/30/2012 06:32 pm
Getting Livestream feed now; NASA TV retransmission up now, too.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: go4mars on 04/30/2012 06:33 pm
Doesn't stream to an iPhone in calgary.  :(
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 06:33 pm
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 06:34 pm
No audio, but this is a live feed we don't usually get, so all's good.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: sdsds on 04/30/2012 06:35 pm
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Zed_Noir on 04/30/2012 06:35 pm
about 25 more minutes to go before the live fire. Hurry up & wait.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: psloss on 04/30/2012 06:35 pm
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.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 06:36 pm
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: ChrisC on 04/30/2012 06:36 pm
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.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: corrodedNut on 04/30/2012 06:36 pm
Is the "shower cap" on or off? I cant be sure.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Mapperuo on 04/30/2012 06:37 pm
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.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Jason1701 on 04/30/2012 06:37 pm
Is the "shower cap" on or off? I cant be sure.

Off.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Jason1701 on 04/30/2012 06:38 pm
Now have commentary.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: JBF on 04/30/2012 06:38 pm
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
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: psloss on 04/30/2012 06:38 pm
Now have commentary.
Actually better for nerds -- sounds like test team audio.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 06:39 pm
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.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: ugordan on 04/30/2012 06:39 pm
Watching the vapors come off, is it me or is the webcast still not smooth?
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Norm38 on 04/30/2012 06:40 pm
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.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: psloss on 04/30/2012 06:40 pm
Polling team for test.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 06:40 pm
Polling audio.

Go for static fire.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: rcoppola on 04/30/2012 06:41 pm
Webcast is smooth at this end, but they better change that camera angle..
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: nblackwell on 04/30/2012 06:41 pm
That would have been just the Dragon team go for static fire.

Polling audio.

Go for static fire.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 06:42 pm
Five minutes to the readliness poll.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: SpacexULA on 04/30/2012 06:44 pm
Now that the cork is no longer on the 1st stage the icing is much more impressive.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 06:44 pm
That would have been just the Dragon team go for static fire.


Good call. Learning experience with an actual webcast! :)
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 06:45 pm
Control room.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 06:45 pm
T-15 minutes.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 06:48 pm
The forum's at about 35 percent of the visitations we get for a Shuttle LAUNCH. Launch day should be fun.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: brettreds2k on 04/30/2012 06:48 pm
Does anyone have sound on the video?
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 06:48 pm
Standing by for terminal count sequence.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: nblackwell on 04/30/2012 06:49 pm
Strange, sounds like they might only have the Dragon net on audio, but not the countdown net.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Hungry4info3 on 04/30/2012 06:49 pm
Does anyone have sound on the video?
Yes. Both from the SpaceX feed and NASA's.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Norm38 on 04/30/2012 06:49 pm
Oooh, I just go audio on NASA TV.  Wasn't sure if it was working before.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 06:49 pm
Past the Readiness polling. T-11 mins.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 06:50 pm
Dragon terminal count autosequence started.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 06:51 pm
Dragon batteries fully charged - standing by to go internal.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: ChrisC on 04/30/2012 06:52 pm
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.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 06:52 pm
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Swatch on 04/30/2012 06:52 pm
Terminal Count.

Must admit, I've never liked that name.  Has a bit of a morbid connotation.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 06:53 pm
Config Aux Power for switchover (Dragon).
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 06:53 pm
Dragon Batteries on Bus - and on to internal power.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 06:54 pm
T-6 mins.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 06:55 pm
Dragon configured for solar array charging.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 06:56 pm
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 06:57 pm
A Go given on the net. Sounds like it could be the launch director.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 06:57 pm
Dragon telemetry looks good.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 06:59 pm
90 seconds.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 06:59 pm
Everyone feel free to catch the firing. NTV is shaky.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Norm38 on 04/30/2012 07:00 pm
There's a hawk flying around the rocket that's in for a real surprise...
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 07:00 pm
ABORT
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Robotbeat on 04/30/2012 07:00 pm
All stations go to terminal count abort.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: stockman on 04/30/2012 07:00 pm
holding at 47 seconds??
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: joncz on 04/30/2012 07:00 pm
"Dragon didn't start up"

Contingency abort
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 07:00 pm
Into contingencies.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 07:01 pm
Disabling the prop systems.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: brettreds2k on 04/30/2012 07:01 pm
not going to happen today??
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: ugordan on 04/30/2012 07:01 pm
"Dragon didn't start up"

"Dragon in start-up" ?
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Norm38 on 04/30/2012 07:01 pm
Something about a transient in the avionics?  Sounds like they're trying to clear it.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: SpacexULA on 04/30/2012 07:02 pm
How long do they have the range today?  Can they recycle?
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: psloss on 04/30/2012 07:02 pm
Heard some calls about seeing some transients, but as nblackwell posted earlier, we're not hearing LV calls.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Robotbeat on 04/30/2012 07:02 pm
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.)
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Robotbeat on 04/30/2012 07:04 pm
This is a sequence hold, not necessarily are they aborting the whole thing just yet.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: rcoppola on 04/30/2012 07:04 pm
Any idea where the transients are being tracked to?
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 07:05 pm
They aborted the sequence, not the attempt. They'll either recycle to the terminal count or scrub.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: arkaska on 04/30/2012 07:06 pm
Like Robotbeat said, holding no abort get
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: ugordan on 04/30/2012 07:07 pm
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.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: nblackwell on 04/30/2012 07:07 pm
If they go again, expect a recycle to T-13:00 or so.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 07:08 pm
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.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: mmeijeri on 04/30/2012 07:08 pm
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.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: arkaska on 04/30/2012 07:08 pm
Do we know if it was an automated or manual hold?
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Prober on 04/30/2012 07:08 pm
Disabling the prop systems.

noticed the lox never closed and pressurized.  When does this happen in the count?
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: arkaska on 04/30/2012 07:10 pm
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
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 07:10 pm
No info on the plan yet.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 07:11 pm
@SpaceX:

"Reviewing data"
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: arkaska on 04/30/2012 07:11 pm
From SpaceX twitter:

Quote
Reviewing data
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 04/30/2012 07:11 pm
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?
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Wyvern on 04/30/2012 07:12 pm
Phew for a few moments it didn't seem like the livestream was working for me. Works now though.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Alpha Control on 04/30/2012 07:12 pm
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.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Space OurSoul on 04/30/2012 07:12 pm
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*?
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: brettreds2k on 04/30/2012 07:13 pm
Clocks have reset to 13 minutes
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 07:13 pm
So clearly there is an opportunity to recycle - pending the data review on giving this another shot today.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: ugordan on 04/30/2012 07:13 pm
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.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 07:13 pm
Recycled to T-13 mins on the webcast.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: ugordan on 04/30/2012 07:14 pm
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.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Thunderbird5 on 04/30/2012 07:15 pm
Didnt they have to recycle the WDR as well? Was it at the same point?  ???
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: ugordan on 04/30/2012 07:19 pm
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.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: uko on 04/30/2012 07:21 pm
FYI: The Livestream feed has DVR, so it is possible to immediately rewind the video feed.
Nice!
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: arkaska on 04/30/2012 07:22 pm
SpaceX twitter:

Quote
May recycle and try again today, watch for update.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 07:24 pm
Asking to see if we know how long they have the range for.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Jester on 04/30/2012 07:25 pm
.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: STS Tony on 04/30/2012 07:25 pm
The site is busy, but nice and smooth! :)

"Page created in 0.096 seconds with 21 queries"
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 07:28 pm
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...
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Orbiter on 04/30/2012 07:28 pm
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
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 07:29 pm
Saw what looked like a shower of ice fall off there. Don't know if the captures caught it.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Beemer on 04/30/2012 07:30 pm
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 :)
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chandonn on 04/30/2012 07:31 pm
Seems to be snowing in SpaceX-land!  ;)
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: mtakala24 on 04/30/2012 07:31 pm
"all stations something....." on the feed. Did anyone make sense of it?
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 07:31 pm
Good one Beemer! ;)

Here's some comments on the loop. Could be preps for a recycle.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Hungry4info3 on 04/30/2012 07:31 pm
Lots of ice falling - does that mean they are defueling? (or has it been falling all the while?)
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Space OurSoul on 04/30/2012 07:31 pm
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!
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Space OurSoul on 04/30/2012 07:34 pm
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...
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Jason1701 on 04/30/2012 07:35 pm
Improperly-set limit. Being fixed. Clock reset to -20.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 07:36 pm
They had a limit out of spec per the loop.

Going to recycle.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: brettreds2k on 04/30/2012 07:36 pm
Picking up the count in roughly 20 minutes he just stated
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: rcoppola on 04/30/2012 07:36 pm
Anomaly found and fixed T-minus 20 minutes
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: mtakala24 on 04/30/2012 07:36 pm
"limit improperly set"  "picking up at about t-20mins".
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: sojourner on 04/30/2012 07:37 pm
Cool, it was a "soft" problem as opposed to a "hard" one.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Hunts Villain on 04/30/2012 07:38 pm
Overly restrictive redline on second stage engine position.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: SF Doug on 04/30/2012 07:38 pm
20 minutes....I gotta go...I'll watch on my iPhone as I drive to class.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Norm38 on 04/30/2012 07:38 pm
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.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: JBF on 04/30/2012 07:39 pm
Interesting sounds like the issues they have been having all along with the dragon software.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: rcoppola on 04/30/2012 07:40 pm
Elon discussed their tendency to set perhaps overly conservative limits.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: arkaska on 04/30/2012 07:40 pm
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.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: John B on 04/30/2012 07:41 pm
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.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Beemer on 04/30/2012 07:42 pm
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.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 07:44 pm
Thanks very much! :) Check your PM ;)
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: matthewota on 04/30/2012 07:46 pm
Come on, SpaceX, fix your little problem and light this candle.....
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Lee Jay on 04/30/2012 07:47 pm
It's not that often you get to see it snowing on a beautiful day in Florida.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: psloss on 04/30/2012 07:47 pm
Might be handy in the future, no issues today.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 07:48 pm
Elon:
Flight computer aborted rocket hold down firing. Anomaly addressed. Cycling systems to countdown
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: corrodedNut on 04/30/2012 07:48 pm
Clock still says T-13 minutes, is that going to change? Or is the clock running and they will pick up at -13?
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: reubenb on 04/30/2012 07:49 pm
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)
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Robotbeat on 04/30/2012 07:50 pm
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...)
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Antares on 04/30/2012 07:50 pm
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.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: ugordan on 04/30/2012 07:50 pm
Well, it seems that whoever was in charge of changing camera views on the webcast also took a break now.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Beemer on 04/30/2012 07:50 pm
Elon discussed their tendency to set perhaps overly conservative limits.

Nothing wrong with that especially given the lack of experience.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Jim on 04/30/2012 07:51 pm
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.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: kevin-rf on 04/30/2012 07:51 pm
nope, can't see any options on the solitaire game ;)
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: nblackwell on 04/30/2012 07:52 pm
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
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: reubenb on 04/30/2012 07:52 pm
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.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: ChrisC on 04/30/2012 07:52 pm
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.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Norm38 on 04/30/2012 07:52 pm
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
Quote
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.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: corrodedNut on 04/30/2012 07:53 pm
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?
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: nblackwell on 04/30/2012 07:53 pm
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?
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: ugordan on 04/30/2012 07:54 pm
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.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: reubenb on 04/30/2012 07:55 pm
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?
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: corrodedNut on 04/30/2012 07:55 pm

Oh, are they remotely running the static fire from California?

Both?
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Robotbeat on 04/30/2012 07:56 pm
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).
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: ugordan on 04/30/2012 07:56 pm
Oh, are they remotely running the static fire from California?

More like "watching" and just taking care of Dragon.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: reubenb on 04/30/2012 07:56 pm

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
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: nblackwell on 04/30/2012 07:56 pm
Launch control from Florida, Dragon team in CA (mostly).


Oh, are they remotely running the static fire from California?

Both?
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Jim on 04/30/2012 07:57 pm
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.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: corrodedNut on 04/30/2012 07:58 pm
Launch control from Florida, Dragon team in CA (mostly).

Thanks!
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Jim on 04/30/2012 07:59 pm
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.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 08:00 pm
Recycle complete.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: psloss on 04/30/2012 08:00 pm
Countdown sequence resumed.

NASA's feed encountering the "donut of death."
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Jason1701 on 04/30/2012 08:01 pm

Edit: actually, they might not activate those [water suppression] for static fires.

They do.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 08:01 pm
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Hunts Villain on 04/30/2012 08:01 pm
New TZero at 20:15Z.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Wyvern on 04/30/2012 08:01 pm
Clock is back up at 13:55.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: corrodedNut on 04/30/2012 08:01 pm
I see good luck bugs!
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: just-nick on 04/30/2012 08:01 pm
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.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Mapperuo on 04/30/2012 08:01 pm
Clock stopped again?

Feed froze I think.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: mtakala24 on 04/30/2012 08:02 pm
no, its just that the stream that nasatv is showing is stuck. See the "hourglass" in the middle.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Beemer on 04/30/2012 08:02 pm
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 ;) ]
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 08:02 pm
NTV had buffering issues and is a minute behind the SpaceX cast.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Wyvern on 04/30/2012 08:03 pm
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?
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Rocket Science on 04/30/2012 08:03 pm
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
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 08:04 pm
Readiness polling complete. Go to proceed.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Rocket Science on 04/30/2012 08:04 pm
LD.... proceed
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 08:04 pm
Terminal Count autosequence at T-10 minutes.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 08:05 pm
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Robotbeat on 04/30/2012 08:05 pm
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).
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Jason1701 on 04/30/2012 08:05 pm
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.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Dappa on 04/30/2012 08:06 pm
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...
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: psloss on 04/30/2012 08:06 pm
Into the autosequence and starting to hear from some of the test team again.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 08:06 pm
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 08:07 pm
SpaceX:
Static Fire Update

The countdown clock has resumed.  New T-0 is 4:15 PM ET/1:15 PM PT
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: robertross on 04/30/2012 08:07 pm
Here's a cropped and contrast-enhanced version of the control room picture:



great job, thanks
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: just-nick on 04/30/2012 08:07 pm
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!
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 08:07 pm
Great shot:
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 08:08 pm
Dragon batteries have been charged - go to internal.

(Keep the chatter down folks).
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: martinbjorn on 04/30/2012 08:09 pm
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/
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 08:09 pm
Dragon confirmed on internal power.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 08:09 pm
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: ChrisC on 04/30/2012 08:10 pm
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.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Jim on 04/30/2012 08:10 pm
Vehicle vents closed, LOX lines are venting at launch duct
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 08:11 pm
Dragon telemetry looks good.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Maciej Olesinski on 04/30/2012 08:12 pm
Go Atlas! Go Centaur!


ups. Please do not hate me ;)
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 08:12 pm
T-180 seconds.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 08:13 pm
T-120 seconds.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris-A on 04/30/2012 08:14 pm
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Robotbeat on 04/30/2012 08:14 pm
t-60 seconds, dragon start-up
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 08:14 pm
T-60 seconds.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 08:14 pm
Passed the previous hold.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris-A on 04/30/2012 08:15 pm
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Silmfeanor on 04/30/2012 08:15 pm
stopped venting
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 08:15 pm
FIRING.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris-A on 04/30/2012 08:16 pm
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 08:16 pm
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: arkaska on 04/30/2012 08:16 pm
Test complete
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Robotbeat on 04/30/2012 08:17 pm
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?
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 08:17 pm
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 08:17 pm
Looked to be as advertised. The results will be the key.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: robertross on 04/30/2012 08:17 pm
Looked to be as advertised. The results will be the key.

woo hoo!  :)
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: billh on 04/30/2012 08:17 pm
You have to be a real geek to spend an hour watching TV just to see two seconds of firing...but I loved it!
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: butters on 04/30/2012 08:18 pm
Waiting for: "Good burn. No trim required."
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: ugordan on 04/30/2012 08:18 pm
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.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 08:18 pm
And that'll do it for their coverage it would appear. Was fun to follow that.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: neilh on 04/30/2012 08:18 pm
woot!
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Maciej Olesinski on 04/30/2012 08:18 pm
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
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: grakenverb on 04/30/2012 08:18 pm
Nice!  Good luck on the 7th of May SpaceX team!!
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Hauerg on 04/30/2012 08:18 pm
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 ... "
;)
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: mduncan36 on 04/30/2012 08:19 pm
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.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: kevin-rf on 04/30/2012 08:19 pm
high 5
It's high 9!
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: SpacexULA on 04/30/2012 08:19 pm
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.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 08:19 pm
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.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: lucspace on 04/30/2012 08:19 pm
Any idea on how soon we get word of the results?
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: TheFallen on 04/30/2012 08:20 pm
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!
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: corrodedNut on 04/30/2012 08:20 pm
Who else has launch fever now?
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: rcoppola on 04/30/2012 08:20 pm
Congratulations SpaceX!!!!
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: belegor on 04/30/2012 08:20 pm
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
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: klausd on 04/30/2012 08:21 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-QvV3CtCt0&feature=youtu.be
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 08:21 pm
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.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: psloss on 04/30/2012 08:21 pm
And that'll do it for their coverage it would appear.
Hope they'll tweak their webcast next week, too.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: ugordan on 04/30/2012 08:21 pm
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.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 04/30/2012 08:21 pm


Anyways, well done SpaceX. Bring on next Monday!
Hopefully next Monday won't have the hiccup
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Thunderbird5 on 04/30/2012 08:21 pm
Well, as Tom Hanks said "'Looks like we've had our glitch for the mission"  :D
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: rcoppola on 04/30/2012 08:21 pm
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.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: corrodedNut on 04/30/2012 08:22 pm
@SpaceX:  "SUCCESS - 2 second burn!"


Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Silmfeanor on 04/30/2012 08:22 pm
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
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Rocket Science on 04/30/2012 08:22 pm
Well done! Nice to hear the Dragon-Falcon roar… ;D
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: MP99 on 04/30/2012 08:23 pm
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
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Robotbeat on 04/30/2012 08:23 pm
Initial signs from SpaceX indicate a successful test.

Quote
SpaceX ‏ @SpaceX
SUCCESS - 2 second burn!
Quote
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?
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: robertross on 04/30/2012 08:23 pm
@SpaceX:  "SUCCESS - 2 second burn!"


Excellent, thanks (my Itouch is down). I hope the post-test inspection comes out clean.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: corrodedNut on 04/30/2012 08:24 pm
‏@elonmusk: "Woohoo, rocket hold down firing completed and all looks good!!"

Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Mapperuo on 04/30/2012 08:24 pm
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.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Space Pete on 04/30/2012 08:24 pm
Awesome! That was perhaps the closest I've come to a "Shuttley" feeling since STS-135. :)
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Norm38 on 04/30/2012 08:25 pm
That looked real smooth, hopefully the data is all in line.  Man this is going to be a long week...
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Poole Amateur on 04/30/2012 08:26 pm
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!
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: MP99 on 04/30/2012 08:28 pm
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
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Hunts Villain on 04/30/2012 08:30 pm
Abort went as planned.  Reviewing data.  Controllers have vehicle reconfigured and topped off awaiting clearance from engineering to detank...

And MD just cleared it.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Robotbeat on 04/30/2012 08:32 pm
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. :)
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Martin FL on 04/30/2012 08:36 pm
On the forum right this second.

1160 Guests, 373 Users

So I assume people are interested in this! ;)
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Rahkashi on 04/30/2012 08:38 pm
Here's some video:

Here's the video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35igaHaoGhU&feature=youtu.be)
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: John44 on 04/30/2012 08:39 pm
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
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: punder on 04/30/2012 08:46 pm
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.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: ugordan on 04/30/2012 08:49 pm
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.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Robotbeat on 04/30/2012 08:52 pm
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.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: mmeijeri on 04/30/2012 08:59 pm
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?
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: ugordan on 04/30/2012 09:01 pm
Yes, but doesn't mean the smoke is green. IIRC, the smoke was bluish-white.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 04/30/2012 09:09 pm
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.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: mmeijeri on 04/30/2012 09:11 pm
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.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Davinator on 04/30/2012 10:33 pm
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
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Chris Bergin on 05/02/2012 09:23 pm
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.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: ugordan on 05/03/2012 06:07 pm
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
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Garrett on 05/03/2012 07:28 pm
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.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: ugordan on 05/03/2012 07:30 pm
Frame rate is at most half of normal, 30 fps for NTSC video. Trust me.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 05/04/2012 12:52 am
After the static fire would they offload the hypergols or leave them in the Dragon?
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Jim on 05/04/2012 03:19 am
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.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: corrodedNut on 05/04/2012 11:43 am
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?
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: robertross on 05/04/2012 01:04 pm
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.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: MP99 on 05/04/2012 01:36 pm
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
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: corrodedNut on 05/04/2012 01:39 pm
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.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: corrodedNut on 05/05/2012 12:44 am
@SpaceX
Picture of Monday’s successful full rocket engine fire at our Cape Canaveral launch site. http://pic.twitter.com/SizjlGJM

Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 05/05/2012 01:40 am
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.  ???
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: oiorionsbelt on 05/05/2012 01:50 am
and the umbilicals into the trunk are for?
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: corrodedNut on 05/05/2012 01:50 am
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.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: dragon44 on 05/05/2012 04:24 am
and the umbilicals into the trunk are for?

Power, network and air conditioning I would bet.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Garrett on 05/05/2012 02:07 pm
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")
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: ugordan on 05/05/2012 03:16 pm
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.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Garrett on 05/05/2012 04:58 pm
Okey Dokey, I get you now.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: benjaminhigginbotham on 05/11/2012 11:28 pm
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 ;)
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: ugordan on 05/12/2012 10:40 am
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 (?).

Quote
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.

Quote
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.

Quote
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.
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: MP99 on 05/12/2012 11:30 am
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
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: corrodedNut on 05/14/2012 05:38 pm
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)
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: kevin-rf on 05/14/2012 07:11 pm
I like that picture, only problem is, POINTY SIDE UP ;)
Title: Re: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon 9 Static Fire - April 30, 2012
Post by: Comga on 05/16/2012 03:39 am
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.