SpaceX Falcon 9 v1.1 - CASSIOPE - September, 2013 - GENERAL DISCUSSION THREAD

[baldusi]

May be they reason of the delay is something beyond their control, too.

[JBF]

They have not announced anything other then September 5th.  Talking about any delay as anything other than conjecture is premature.

[Comga]

They have not announced anything other then September 5th.  Talking about any delay as anything other than conjecture is premature.

At less than three weeks to the NET launch date it is not premature to speculate on a delay, but it is definitely conjecture.

It is not clear that they could hide the progress they would need to have made to be ready to launch in 21 days.  The absence of any news or images is a good basis for cojecture and speculating.

An authoritative statement about the current estimate of launch timing would be appreciated, but just doesn't seem to be what SpaceX wants to give out.

[Kabloona]

They have not announced anything other then September 5th.  Talking about any delay as anything other than conjecture is premature.

Yes, talk about a slip right now is pure conjecture.

But if you ask the *conjecture* of anyone on this forum who has actually worked on a launch vehicle campaign (for a largely new vehicle on a new pad) how likely it is that SpaceX can accomplish all the milestones necessary for a Sept 5 launch (see Antares' list upthread), I doubt a single one forum member with launch campaign experience (Jim, Antares, baldusi?, yours truly, etc, etc) believes Sept 5 is remotely possible. There is just way too much work to do. Unless you've done it, it's hard to imagine how much work there is and how long it takes.

In my humble conjecture. 

[JBF]

That's fine. My objection is when people who are not in a position to know start making definitive statements.  Is there a good chance it will slip, yes. But until it happens we don't know for sure. 

[baldusi]

Thanks, but I haven't. I just have big/complex project experience and a general understanding of a pad flow. And, as already stated, I like to pad for margin. Still, L2 is a great source of information. But I can only give you my conjeture without taking into account L2 info. In other words, NET October is my L2-less conjeture.

[nisse]

Is it possible that milestones are met and everything is going perfect without our knowledge?

[padrat]

Based on what I've heard from talking with our engineers that have been there for the last month, things are actually progressing very well for the most part. That's about all I can say....

[FutureSpaceTourist]

Based on what I've heard from talking with our engineers that have been there for the last month, things are actually progressing very well for the most part. That's about all I can say....

Excellent, thanks for the update - much appreciated.

[Zed_Noir]

Based on what I've heard from talking with our engineers that have been there for the last month, things are actually progressing very well for the most part. That's about all I can say....

Is the VAFB facility staffed up to near launch operation level yet? Or will there be a large influx of personnel just prior to launch window?

[cambrianera]

Based on what I've heard from talking with our engineers that have been there for the last month, things are actually progressing very well for the most part. That's about all I can say....

Wow, thanks for the insight!
Anxiously waiting for the launch (as everyone) ! ! !

[baldusi]

Based on what I've heard from talking with our engineers that have been there for the last month, things are actually progressing very well for the most part. That's about all I can say....

So, the worst part was what the Texans had to overcome?

[joek]

Thanks padrat.  Give the crews our best wishes.

So, the worst part was what the Texans had to overcome?

Snakes, cattle stampedes and Tex-Mex?

[tigerade]

Based on what I've heard from talking with our engineers that have been there for the last month, things are actually progressing very well for the most part. That's about all I can say....

Good luck to you guys, I know this is this a new (or newish) rocket and there is a lot riding on this flight.  I wish the best.

[AndyX]

Some Cassiope information in here, path to WDR etc, from L2.
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/08/spacex-bothering-bovines-revolutionizing-rockets/

[Zed_Noir]

There is a launch window listed on the Spaceflight Now website for the Cassiope mission.

Launch window: 1600-1800 GMT (12-2 p.m. EDT; 9-11 a.m. PDT)

I am guessing there will be a WDR about a week before the launch window. 

[JBF]

There is a launch window listed on the Spaceflight Now website for the Cassiope mission.

Launch window: 1600-1800 GMT (12-2 p.m. EDT; 9-11 a.m. PDT)

I am guessing there will be a WDR about a week before the launch window. 

And a test fire!  I hope we get videos of the test fire; I want to see a F9 up on the TEL.

[docmordrid]

Well, so much for November

[baldusi]

Well, so much for November

I hope so. But that's not a given. Until hot fire is successful, many things can mean a delay.

[Lurker Steve]

Any idea when they intended to check out the plumbing connections and perform the cold flow tests ?