Author Topic: SpaceX Falcon 9 : X-37B OTV-5 : September 7, 2017 : DISCUSSION  (Read 246164 times)

Offline eeergo

What about neutrals? Ionospheric radio distortions?

[...] whether the radio interference would degrade the GPS signals that let the core manage its autonomous landing sequence.

Exactly, even if telemetry dropouts are admissible (which maybe they don't want to risk), which would only be true if AFTS is fully active in this flight -presumably so-, AFTS itself needs a good GPS link for its computations, not just for landing.

The accelerated CME after the X9.3 flare will also contain neutral particles that may greatly increase high-altitude dosages in this timeframe, even in non-polar latitudes (where most of the charged particles are deflected). Again, maybe it's not a factor, but you can't blame that a priori on SpaceX's weak electronics.
-DaviD-

Offline TaurusLittrow

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : X-37B OTV-5 : September 2017 : DISCUSSION
« Reply #281 on: 09/07/2017 11:20 am »
This image (from the 1970 film "Marooned") was posted on another unrelated NSF forum thread, but heck...approaching hurricane and the last-minute launch of a lifting body. You get the picture.

Offline vanoord

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : X-37B OTV-5 : September 2017 : DISCUSSION
« Reply #282 on: 09/07/2017 12:14 pm »
From SpaceX's homepage.

Looks like there are new clamps on the top of the TEL?

Offline edzieba

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : X-37B OTV-5 : September 2017 : DISCUSSION
« Reply #283 on: 09/07/2017 12:22 pm »
From SpaceX's homepage.

Looks like there are new clamps on the top of the TEL?
They're the same 'yellow strapping' supports seen during rollout. OTV may need extra support, it was originally designed for vertical integration rather than horizontal, so solely cantilevering from the payload adapter may not be healthy for it.

Offline vanoord

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : X-37B OTV-5 : September 2017 : DISCUSSION
« Reply #284 on: 09/07/2017 12:30 pm »
From SpaceX's homepage.

Looks like there are new clamps on the top of the TEL?
They're the same 'yellow strapping' supports seen during rollout. OTV may need extra support, it was originally designed for vertical integration rather than horizontal, so solely cantilevering from the payload adapter may not be healthy for it.

Thank you - looks like an additional support bracket with a yellow fabric sling on it.

Offline Semmel

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : X-37B OTV-5 : September 2017 : DISCUSSION
« Reply #285 on: 09/07/2017 12:36 pm »
From SpaceX's homepage.

Looks like there are new clamps on the top of the TEL?
They're the same 'yellow strapping' supports seen during rollout. OTV may need extra support, it was originally designed for vertical integration rather than horizontal, so solely cantilevering from the payload adapter may not be healthy for it.

Usually, the payload and the fairing do not have an internal connection. If X-37B requires a support for horizontal integration, it implies that there is also an internal structure, connecting the fairing to  X-37B. Much like the adapter of Ariane 5 where there is a support ring between payloads that connects to the fairing. Seeing a fairing deployment would be interesting for this launch as we would see the internal structure. But of course, we will not see that.

Offline woods170

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : X-37B OTV-5 : September 2017 : DISCUSSION
« Reply #286 on: 09/07/2017 01:23 pm »
From SpaceX's homepage.

Looks like there are new clamps on the top of the TEL?
They're the same 'yellow strapping' supports seen during rollout. OTV may need extra support, it was originally designed for vertical integration rather than horizontal, so solely cantilevering from the payload adapter may not be healthy for it.

Usually, the payload and the fairing do not have an internal connection. If X-37B requires a support for horizontal integration, it implies that there is also an internal structure, connecting the fairing to  X-37B. Much like the adapter of Ariane 5 where there is a support ring between payloads that connects to the fairing. Seeing a fairing deployment would be interesting for this launch as we would see the internal structure. But of course, we will not see that.
The only internal connection between X-37B and the fairing is the payload adaptor. The X-37B connects to the payload adaptor. The fairing connects to the payload adaptor as well. This was discussed ad-nauseum starting from here: https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=37727.msg1646197#msg1646197

Offline toruonu

Some cool details on what the X-37B does up there....Hall Effect Thruster testing. Normally it's "Shhh, it's a secret" with this vehicle.

I understood that this is part of what OTV-4 did, not OTV-5.

Offline toruonu

At around T+4:30 you can see the fairing falling towards earth doing a lot of flipping :) Quite well visible.

Offline old_sellsword

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : X-37B OTV-5 : September 2017 : DISCUSSION
« Reply #289 on: 09/07/2017 02:05 pm »
Titanium grid fins deployed.

That new grid fins feeling.

Those are the old Aluminum grid fins.

Offline Ben the Space Brit

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : X-37B OTV-5 : September 2017 : DISCUSSION
« Reply #290 on: 09/07/2017 02:11 pm »
Typically, how long after launch does the USAF release confirmation of spacecraft separation?
« Last Edit: 09/07/2017 02:11 pm by Ben the Space Brit »
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Offline haywoodfloyd

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : X-37B OTV-5 : September 2017 : DISCUSSION
« Reply #291 on: 09/07/2017 02:11 pm »
Because of the coverage restrictions we were able to watch the complete first stage return process.
And what a beautiful return it was!
Well done SpaceX.

Online jabe

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : X-37B OTV-5 : September 2017 : DISCUSSION
« Reply #292 on: 09/07/2017 02:11 pm »
At around T+4:30 you can see the fairing falling towards earth doing a lot of flipping :) Quite well visible.
and at 3:55 :)
jb

Online ZachS09

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : X-37B OTV-5 : September 2017 : DISCUSSION
« Reply #293 on: 09/07/2017 02:11 pm »
Typically, how long after launch does the USAF release confirmation of spacecraft separation?

I would guess about 20 minutes after launch if it was an LEO mission.
Liftoff for St. Jude's! Go Dragon, Go Falcon, Godspeed Inspiration4!

Online Johnnyhinbos

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : X-37B OTV-5 : September 2017 : DISCUSSION
« Reply #294 on: 09/07/2017 02:13 pm »
Titanium grid fins deployed.

That new grid fins feeling.

Those are the old Aluminum grid fins.
Thank you - I didn't think those were the new fins.
John Hanzl. Author, action / adventure www.johnhanzl.com

Offline jgoldader

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : X-37B OTV-5 : September 2017 : DISCUSSION
« Reply #295 on: 09/07/2017 02:13 pm »
The commentator noted clouds were a concern (obviously didn't delay the launch).  When FTS was all done by-hand (or by RUD), cloud cover was obviously important in the LCC.  But does AFTS change that equation at all?  Will there come a time when the only real cloud concerns in the LCC will involve lightning?
Recovering astronomer

Offline eeergo

At around T+4:30 you can see the fairing falling towards earth doing a lot of flipping :) Quite well visible.
and at 3:55 :)
jb

I'm pretty sure those are ice chunks, you can see them throughout the exo-atmospheric portion of the booster return video.
-DaviD-

Online abaddon

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : X-37B OTV-5 : September 2017 : DISCUSSION
« Reply #297 on: 09/07/2017 02:15 pm »
The commentator noted clouds were a concern (obviously didn't delay the launch).  When FTS was all done by-hand (or by RUD), cloud cover was obviously important in the LCC.  But does AFTS change that equation at all?  Will there come a time when the only real cloud concerns in the LCC will involve lightning?
They used (and still use, for other rockets) radar for FTS, not visible-light tracking, IIRC.  So I don't think the cloud rules are linked to FTS.
« Last Edit: 09/07/2017 02:16 pm by abaddon »

Offline Comga

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : X-37B OTV-5 : September 2017 : DISCUSSION
« Reply #298 on: 09/07/2017 02:16 pm »
Titanium grid fins deployed.

That new grid fins feeling.

Those are the old Aluminum grid fins.

The stringers give it away
https://i.stack.imgur.com/AJXoW.jpg

But in Chris' defense, they do look like new Aluminum grid fins  ;)
What kind of wastrels would dump a perfectly good booster in the ocean after just one use?

Offline Pete

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Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : X-37B OTV-5 : September 2017 : DISCUSSION
« Reply #299 on: 09/07/2017 02:17 pm »
The commentator noted clouds were a concern (obviously didn't delay the launch).  When FTS was all done by-hand (or by RUD), cloud cover was obviously important in the LCC.  But does AFTS change that equation at all?  Will there come a time when the only real cloud concerns in the LCC will involve lightning?

The main reason to avoid flying through clouds is that they contain rocks*
.
.
.
*Hit a suspended raindrop at mach1.1, and you will think you hit a rock!
« Last Edit: 09/07/2017 02:17 pm by Pete »

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