Has anyone noticed or noted that there is a Wiki maps view of the Falcon Heavy test stand under construction at: http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=31.398056&lon=-97.461787&z=18&m=b
The first photo is a first stage on the upright test stand. If you look at the base of of the stage, you can see the black paint that I'm assuming marks where the legs would be attached. So this will be for a mission that attempts a landing, right? I don't know how far in advance these stages are tested, so I can't guess which mission this one is intended for.
SpaceX @SpaceXOur TX site averages around 2 tests per day, but the 9-engine hotfires are a clear favorite!
This is the first raptor test!?
Quote from: Geron on 10/17/2014 04:46 amThis is the first raptor test!?No, surely not. They haven't tested the parts, yet. "Louder than usual" means a 9-engine F9 first stage test so far.
And besides, the current plans have the Raptor being tested at Stennis, in a larger test stand with more distance away from normal human ears.
ISTM engine testing always runs the risk of a massive RUD, like what happened to AJR last spring with the AJ-26 but far worse with Raptor. Are we certain they want to risk.damaging either the tripod or FH stand testing that beast?
Stennis is for component testing. To my knowledge nothing has been said about full Raptor engine tests.The new McGregor FH-Teststand seems well suited for full Raptor testing. Especially when they do plenty of acceptance testing.
Is the F-1 stand at Edwards still around? I know the one at Marshall was demolished.