"A lot of people are asking if they could be fined," he said. "They could be fined for not using AIS system."
From the Florida Today article:Quote"A lot of people are asking if they could be fined," he said. "They could be fined for not using AIS system."So that's why it didn't show up on MarineTraffic. No AIS transponder.
Probably the launch would have been good without the stop caused by that tug. Not a bad thing overall. It gave them another important data point on the learning curve. Something they will not learn later. Not that I expect anybody within SpaceX to be happy about it. I do hope they get this bird off the pad and into orbit today.
Quote from: LouScheffer on 02/29/2016 12:27 pmIf this in fact the problem, perhaps they could reduce the dissolved helium by pressurizing with pad-supplied GOX while on the pad, and switch to helium just before flight. Disadvantages would be an additional umbilical connection and GSE, and a shorter test of helium system before launch.Unfortunately that won't work.You can't "pressurize" LOX that cold with GOX the same way you can't pressurize water at nearly freezing temperatures with steam.Any gaseous oxygen would rapidly and immediately condense on the super cold surface, until a pressure equalibrium is reached. I think someone calculated this pressure equalibrium at 66K to be only a few millibars - slightly above vacuum pressure, but I can't find this post right now.Edit: For that exact reason, you cannot even use Nitrogen, as even Nitrogen would condense above 66K. You can only use gases with a boiling point below 66K - and on top of that they have to be inert. (Hydrogen would be a bad choice > )That kinda narrows it down to Helium. Even Argon has a condensation point around 80K !
If this in fact the problem, perhaps they could reduce the dissolved helium by pressurizing with pad-supplied GOX while on the pad, and switch to helium just before flight. Disadvantages would be an additional umbilical connection and GSE, and a shorter test of helium system before launch.
Test results also confirmed the presence of thermally stratified oxygen layers inside the tank. These layers varied in the vertical direction from 122°R for the colder, denser fluid at the bottom to 166°R for the warmer, less dense LO2 near the top outlet of the STA tank.
Quote from: Kabloona on 03/01/2016 02:11 amFrom the Florida Today article:Quote"A lot of people are asking if they could be fined," he said. "They could be fined for not using AIS system."So that's why it didn't show up on MarineTraffic. No AIS transponder.Master of the vessel will probably be fined by USCG. Company side he will probably lose his job.
One thing that could be looked into is if - aside from the fine - the tug's owning company could be sued for compensation - by either SES or SpaceX or the AF or any combination of the above.
Something to keep in mind when thinking about this: The LOX at the boundary layer is likely to be just below normal boiling point LOX. At least that was what they found in the NASA densification testing. The LOX was stratified by temperature (and therefore density) within the tank. They calculated their cooling based on the average bulk measurement of temperature, it wasn't that they were able to get the entire load chilled to the same temperature.
Finally, can someone give a public service message about what fines/troubles are handed out when you violate range restrictions posted by the USAF?
Quote from: starhawk92 on 02/29/2016 03:40 amFinally, can someone give a public service message about what fines/troubles are handed out when you violate range restrictions posted by the USAF?Using the Power Of The Internet, I set out to find answers, and was able to talk to the 45th themselves!-------- I asked --------Hi, I thank you all for all you do to keep the USA's Space Program on track and safe!After the boat incursion during the SpaceX launch window last night, some of us over on NasaSpaceFlight.com are wondering if there are penalties or fines incurred by those who create such issues?Curious Minds Want to Know!Thank you all for your service!!Sincerely,starhawk92-------- They said --------Thank you for your query.During the Falcon 9 SES-9 launch countdown Feb. 28, the 45th Space Wing detected a vessel approximately 35 miles off the East Coast of Cape Canaveral. The Coast Guard attempted to contact the vessel without success.Analysts evaluated the public safety risk to the vessel based on its location, estimated size and radar returns, the range determined it violated FAA safety criteria. An HH-60 helicopter was dispatched to the site from Patrick AFB. Once within visual range, the helicopter crew was able to make radio contact with the ship's captain and obtain the exact size of the vessel. After confirming the actual ship size, analysts recalculated the safety risk and determined that the vessel was below the established FAA safety criteria. At that point SpaceX was cleared to launch.The 45 SW is not responsible for enforcing fines or sanctions.Thanks.Bryan Purtell45th SW/PA Media Operations------------------Which is very interesting in that "Range Clear" does not mean "Range Empty"; size of the boat matters (as implied by math provided by Jim); and the boat was not chased away.
Also just because they can't stop you doesn't mean they can't sue you for messing with their business once you again set foot on US soil later. Especially if you did it on purpose.