Author Topic: SpaceX Falcon-9 - Thaicom-8 - May 27, 2016 - DISCUSSION  (Read 287719 times)

Offline tobi453

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Re: SpaceX Falcon-9 - Thaicom-8 - May 27, 2016 - DISCUSSION
« Reply #160 on: 05/26/2016 08:46 pm »
I don't know whether this engine has flown before, but SpaceX does test new parts on its engines in real flight (after qualification obviously).

"On January 6, 2014, SpaceX launched its Falcon 9 rocket with a 3D-printed Main Oxidizer Valve (MOV) body in one of the nine Merlin 1D engines. The mission marked the first time SpaceX had ever flown a 3D-printed part, with the valve operating successfully with high pressure liquid oxygen, under cryogenic temperatures and high vibration."

And it was only one engine out of nine. So I wouldn't completely rule it out that this engine has indeed flown before.

Offline WmThomas

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Re: SpaceX Falcon-9 - Thaicom-8 - May 27, 2016 - DISCUSSION
« Reply #161 on: 05/26/2016 08:48 pm »
The evidence does not show that an engine is being reused.

Offline macpacheco

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Re: SpaceX Falcon-9 - Thaicom-8 - May 27, 2016 - DISCUSSION
« Reply #162 on: 05/26/2016 09:03 pm »
SpaceX isn't going to reuse a single engine.
That's NOT how it works.
Rockets are engineered. Tested before flight.
You don't introduce a higher risk item and see if that works.
Its not enough to see if it works.
It has to work with sufficient margins.
Just because a Falcon 9 rocket can loose an engine, doesn't make it OK to loose an engine and the other 8 make up for the lost thrust.

For instance if SpaceX has engine losses it will impact SpaceX reputation in front of DoD and NASA for crew and other high value payload launches.

SpaceX will do ALL of their homework. When they fly reused engines, it will be the whole reused first stage, with whatever refurb needed. SpaceX isn't going to launch unless they expect a fully successful launch, all 9 engines perform perfectly throughout the whole flight.

Thats your opinion, not a fact.

And it is simply not true that SpaceX could not reuse an engine and expect it to be fully succesful. After all, thats the whole point of requalification. You test your used engine to make sure it is as good as the new ones. Thus, you do not expect to lose an engine, and there is no higher risk, if your qualification is stringent enough.

There are plenty of issues your ignoring.
First, SpaceX has already stated that at least initially reused rockets will be used with the customer's concurrence. So requal isn't nearly enough to just do it.
Second, SpaceX told us the will do 10 static fires before launching a booster, so that's the path. There's zero talk of reusing a single engine. Again its some people's desires that is so strong we just want it to be true.
Finally there's effort vs benefit. Either SpaceX is confident enough they will relaunch the entire booster after whatever refurb it need or not at all.
SpaceX announces what they're doing. They don't do it stealth mode. That's not their modus operandi.
When you factor all information available I arrive that the conclusion I stated.
Sure its my opinion. But its a well informed one.
I also want to see SpaceX reflying boosters ASAP, but I don't let that wish to cloud my judgement.
Looking for companies doing great things for much more than money

Offline macpacheco

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Re: SpaceX Falcon-9 - Thaicom-8 - May 27, 2016 - DISCUSSION
« Reply #163 on: 05/26/2016 09:05 pm »
I the webcast countdown to start of the launch window or beginning of webcast ? 34 minutes to go right now.
Looking for companies doing great things for much more than money

Offline rocx

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Re: SpaceX Falcon-9 - Thaicom-8 - May 27, 2016 - DISCUSSION
« Reply #164 on: 05/26/2016 09:12 pm »
I the webcast countdown to start of the launch window or beginning of webcast ? 34 minutes to go right now.

To launch window. The show starts about 20-15 minutes before that time.
Any day with a rocket landing is a fantastic day.

Offline vanoord

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Re: SpaceX Falcon-9 - Thaicom-8 - May 27, 2016 - DISCUSSION
« Reply #165 on: 05/26/2016 09:20 pm »
@SpaceX:

Quote
Launch team finalizing review of vehicle data and check outs. Will move T-0 into the 2 hour window
« Last Edit: 05/26/2016 09:21 pm by vanoord »

Offline rocx

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Re: SpaceX Falcon-9 - Thaicom-8 - May 27, 2016 - DISCUSSION
« Reply #166 on: 05/26/2016 09:22 pm »
That sounds like a slight delay to me.
Any day with a rocket landing is a fantastic day.

Offline SkipMorrow

I the webcast countdown to start of the launch window or beginning of webcast ? 34 minutes to go right now.

To launch window. The show starts about 20-15 minutes before that time.
I thought the launch was scheduled for 5:40. And I thought there was no window, so it had to launch at 5:40 or no launch today. Or am I wrong (extremely likely, given my track record)?

Offline vanoord

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Re: SpaceX Falcon-9 - Thaicom-8 - May 27, 2016 - DISCUSSION
« Reply #168 on: 05/26/2016 09:24 pm »
Some mutterings about a wayward boat. Might explain why (if) prop loading delayed.

Offline toruonu

I thought the launch was scheduled for 5:40. And I thought there was no window, so it had to launch at 5:40 or no launch today. Or am I wrong (extremely likely, given my track record)?

It's a 2h window.

Offline meat10af

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Re: SpaceX Falcon-9 - Thaicom-8 - May 27, 2016 - DISCUSSION
« Reply #170 on: 05/26/2016 09:34 pm »
The Future is Out There!

Offline chalz

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Re: SpaceX Falcon-9 - Thaicom-8 - May 27, 2016 - DISCUSSION
« Reply #171 on: 05/26/2016 09:35 pm »
I the webcast countdown to start of the launch window or beginning of webcast ? 34 minutes to go right now.

To launch window. The show starts about 20-15 minutes before that time.
Although with J-CSAT 14 (and all previous) they started webcast 30 mins before launch so this flight was already planned to be different. Coupled with the late static fire it seems they are trying a condensed schedule for this mission.

Offline JAFO

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Re: SpaceX Falcon-9 - Thaicom-8 - May 27, 2016 - DISCUSSION
« Reply #172 on: 05/26/2016 09:35 pm »
Anyone else having trouble with the live stream? I'm behind a VPN in China so that might have something to do with it.


TIA
Anyone can do the job when things are going right. In this business we play for keeps.
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Offline rocx

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Re: SpaceX Falcon-9 - Thaicom-8 - May 27, 2016 - DISCUSSION
« Reply #173 on: 05/26/2016 09:37 pm »
I thought the launch was scheduled for 5:40. And I thought there was no window, so it had to launch at 5:40 or no launch today. Or am I wrong (extremely likely, given my track record)?

Geotransfer orbit launches, like this one, usually have a launch window of a few hours. Launch windows to the ISS are instantaneous (with the notable exception of Atlas V who preplanned inclination corrections).
Any day with a rocket landing is a fantastic day.

Offline Mongo62

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Re: SpaceX Falcon-9 - Thaicom-8 - May 27, 2016 - DISCUSSION
« Reply #174 on: 05/26/2016 09:37 pm »
Anyone else having trouble with the live stream? I'm behind a VPN in China so that might have something to do with it.

No, your screenshot shows what I am seeing as well. It looks like a boat is downrange, delaying the launch until it clears.

Offline AC in NC

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Online abaddon

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Re: SpaceX Falcon-9 - Thaicom-8 - May 27, 2016 - DISCUSSION
« Reply #176 on: 05/26/2016 09:39 pm »
There is a picture of venting on the Update thread.  So does that mean that they have in fact loaded prop (or are loading it)?

Offline vanoord

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Re: SpaceX Falcon-9 - Thaicom-8 - May 27, 2016 - DISCUSSION
« Reply #177 on: 05/26/2016 09:40 pm »
Speculation that SpaceX are now targeting 7.40pm Eastern / 11:40pm UTC, i.e. the end of the launch window.


Offline vanoord

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Re: SpaceX Falcon-9 - Thaicom-8 - May 27, 2016 - DISCUSSION
« Reply #178 on: 05/26/2016 09:43 pm »
There is a picture of venting on the Update thread.  So does that mean that they have in fact loaded prop (or are loading it)?

Are the tanks chilled before prop loading?

Offline sevenperforce

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Re: SpaceX Falcon-9 - Thaicom-8 - May 27, 2016 - DISCUSSION
« Reply #179 on: 05/26/2016 09:44 pm »
Selfish of me, but I'm glad it is being delayed because I got stuck in traffic and this way I might actually have a chance to watch. As long as it actually launches today, of course.

Don't they have the Coast Guard or somebody clearing the exclusion zone? I would think there is an actual legal responsibility associated with staying out of rocket launch ranges.

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