NASASpaceFlight.com Forum
SpaceX Vehicles and Missions => SpaceX Falcon Missions Section => Topic started by: Chris Bergin on 09/07/2013 04:47 pm
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This is an UPDATE ONLY thread for the second launch of the F9 v1.1 with the SES-8 spacecraft from SLC-40, Cape Canaveral.
Per L2: NET November 12, since slipped to November 22 - pending Range approval. Range was approved. Slipped again to November 25.
Article:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/10/spacex-realign-falcon-9-missions/
For those who wish to follow this flow as closely as is viable (non-proprietary, etc.), join L2 and click this link:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=32768.0 (dedicated for F9 v1.1 SES-8 mission)
Resources:
SpaceX GENERAL Forum Section:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?board=45.0 - please use this for general questions NOT specific to this mission.
SpaceX MISSIONS Forum Section:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?board=55.0 - this section is for everything specific to SpaceX missions.
SpaceX SES-8 General Thread:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=24469.0
SpaceX SES-8 Update Thread:
You're in it.
SpaceX SES-8 Party Thread:
TBA.
SpaceX SES-8 Viewing Thread (Going to the launch)
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=33075.0
SES-8 Spacecraft thread:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=32990.0
=--=
News Site Resources:
SpaceX News Articles from 2006 (Including numerous exclusive Elon interviews):
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=21862.0
SpaceX News Articles (Recent):
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/tag/spacex/
=--=
L2 Members:
L2 SpaceX Section - now a dedicated full section:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=24469.0
One Stop Shop Update Area for L2 Level F9 v1.1/SES-8 Updates:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=32768.0
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PLEASE NOTE THAT WE FULLY EXPECT THE SITE TO BE VERY BUSY ON LAUNCH DAYS FOR SPACEX MISSIONS. WE WILL LIKELY RESTRICT IT TO FORUM MEMBERS ONLY - WITH NO ACCESS TO THE FORUM FOR GUESTS - WHEN THE SITE BECOMES TOO BUSY. READ THIS: http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=31697.0)
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So, per L2 yesterday morning:
SLC-40 – Falcon 9
Launch scheduled > 11/1, Window 1828-1932
That is very much a NET.
L2 also had SES-8 shipping today (Oct. 2), but we're waiting for confirmation if that sticks. If it does we'll write an article and we'll also have a spacecraft specific thread in the Orbital section, as they built it (we really should give more attention to the spacecraft).
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Confirmed via L2. SES-8 is now heading to Florida, as above, contrary to other media.
I'll write an article for today.
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SES-8 heads to Florida for next Falcon 9 v1.1 launch
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/10/ses-8-florida-next-falcon-9-v1-1-launch/
Have created a dedicated thread for the spacecraft in the Orbital section ( http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=32990.0 ), as part of our increasing coveage of the payloads, not just the rockets.
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Via L2's SES-8 Coverage. Launch date now NET November 12.
Article later.
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The article was posted in here, but moved to the new discussion thread, so reposting the link:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/10/spacex-realign-falcon-9-missions/
One Stop Shop Update Area for L2 Level F9 v1.1/SES-8 Updates:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=32768.0
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Our forum's padrat reports that the new erector at SLC-40 was vertical for the first time yesterday:
Padrat @LH2Padrat
Here's some progress for ya. T/E vertical for the first time pic.twitter.com/dbceisJpIk (http://pic.twitter.com/dbceisJpIk)
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Per L2: NET November 12 and now NET November due to another slip.
Working it in L2 for a set NET, but it's no longer November 12.
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Per L2:
Requested Range Approval for November 22.
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Per L2:
Requested Range Approval for November 22.
Does requesting Range Approval mean they have high confidence to make that date or is it a minor thing, subject to change easilly?
Thanks.
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Per L2:
Requested Range Approval for November 22.
Does requesting Range Approval mean they have high confidence to make that date or is it a minor thing, subject to change easilly?
Thanks.
Yes, it is a formal approval by SpaceX for the Range to spend SpaceX money. Every time you move the date it cost more.
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@RyInSpace (https://twitter.com/RyInSpace/status/393187528582250496)
Some of @SpaceFlorida team w/ #SES8's @SpaceX Falcon 9 v1.1. It can roll 360 on cradle! We touched it's rocket belly.
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@RyInSpace (https://twitter.com/RyInSpace/status/393187528582250496)
Some of @SpaceFlorida team w/ #SES8's @SpaceX Falcon 9 v1.1. It can roll 360 on cradle! We touched it's rocket belly.
Nice view of the RCS pod (far right).
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Is that just the core? I'm asking because if the U/S is already on site, then the hardware portion of the restart fix, whatever it is, is already done. If the U/S is either at Hawthorne or MacGreggor then it's still being tested.
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Is that just the core? I'm asking because if the U/S is already on site, then the hardware portion of the restart fix, whatever it is, is already done. If the U/S is either at Hawthorne or MacGreggor then it's still being tested.
Yes, it is first stage + interstage (upper right).
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I'm asking because if the U/S is already on site, then the hardware portion of the restart fix, whatever it is, is already done. If the U/S is either at Hawthorne or MacGreggor then it's still being tested.
Disagree. Rockets can be altered in the field. Fixes don't need to be tested on the vehicle if it can be tested on other articles in flow or previous test assets.
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If the US is still at Hawthorne or MacGreggor the chances of them making a Nov. launch date are slim.
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The US is probably on two more roll rings to the right of the picture, which can slide on the rails to mate the stages. Anyone want to try tweeting those people to find what else was in the hangar?
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If the US is still at Hawthorne or MacGreggor the chances of them making a Nov. launch date are slim.
Um... http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/10/ses-8-florida-next-falcon-9-v1-1-launch/
All of the major launch vehicle components are currently in a processing flow at SpaceX’s Cape facility, following the first stage and second stage testing at the company’s Rocket Development and Test Facility in McGregor, Texas.
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I'm asking because if the U/S is already on site, then the hardware portion of the restart fix, whatever it is, is already done. If the U/S is either at Hawthorne or MacGreggor then it's still being tested.
Disagree. Rockets can be altered in the field. Fixes don't need to be tested on the vehicle if it can be tested on other articles in flow or previous test assets.
I guess it depends on what the fix is, and how much assembly / disassembly is needed.
If they can test the fix on the ground, they will test a different stage first, then apply those changes to the SES-8 second stage. It's always easier to do things in the factory when you have all of the required tools and fixtures handy.
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Article from Chris updating things.
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/10/spacex-press-abort-test-raptor-engine/
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FAA launch license (LLS 13-086 (http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ast/licenses_permits/media/Space%20Ex_License.pdf)) for SES-8 and Thaicom-6 just showed up. It was issued on Oct 25. Otherwise little of note other than launch azimuth specified as 90 degrees.
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Per L2. NET November 25 now.
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CRS-3 article on L2 info on the EMU up and down tasks for Dragon and launch date considerations - including SES-8:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/11/spacex-crs-3-dragon-spacesuit-relay/
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Others now going with the new date too.
Stephen Clark @StephenClark1 49m tweeted
SES says the Falcon 9 launch of SES 8 is now scheduled for Nov. 25, but 3-day delay has nothing to do with rocket or spacecraft readiness.
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Any clue at what the launch window would be for a Nov. 25th attempt?
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CRS-3 article on L2 info on the EMU up and down tasks for Dragon and launch date considerations - including SES-8:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/11/spacex-crs-3-dragon-spacesuit-relay/
So no separate WDR on this mission. Pretty bold to go straight to hot fire if that includes the payload on top (I believe that's what's been done on all prior 1.0 and 1.1).
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SES-8 is a very different mission from CASSIOPE in many ways. Larger payload and very different target orbit and flight profile. Most importantly a very important customer whose satisfaction (or lack thereof) could make or break SpaceX's commercial launch ambitions. Consequently, I don't think that they'll take any risks whatsoever this time around.
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The launch pad today before the MAVEN launch.
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Morning at the Cape and the vehicle is vertical on the pad:
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Live broadcast :) !
http://kscwmserv1.ksc.nasa.gov/MAVEN-1
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Remember, this is both a WDR and Static Fire test, T-0 at 17:37 Eastern, 22:37 UTC.
Also remember this is an UPDATE thread. There are many threads to post on, but this one has to be updates or we'll end up with a 50 page thread where people are trawling through for actual updates.
Resources:
Article:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/10/spacex-realign-falcon-9-missions/
For those who wish to follow this flow as closely as is viable (non-proprietary, etc.), join L2 and click this link:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=32768.0 (dedicated for F9 v1.1 SES-8 mission)
Resources:
SpaceX GENERAL Forum Section:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?board=45.0 - please use this for general questions NOT specific to this mission.
SpaceX MISSIONS Forum Section:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?board=55.0 - this section is for everything specific to SpaceX missions.
SpaceX SES-8 General Thread:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=24469.0
SpaceX SES-8 Update Thread:
You're in it.
SpaceX SES-8 Party Thread:
TBA.
SpaceX SES-8 Viewing Thread (Going to the launch)
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=33075.0
SES-8 Spacecraft thread:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=32990.0
=--=
News Site Resources:
SpaceX News Articles from 2006 (Including numerous exclusive Elon interviews):
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=21862.0
SpaceX News Articles (Recent):
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/tag/spacex/
=--=
L2 Members:
L2 SpaceX Section - now a dedicated full section:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=24469.0
One Stop Shop Update Area for L2 Level F9 v1.1/SES-8 Updates:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=32768.0
PS That sight of the F9 V1.1 on the pad is confirmation pad work is complete, which was the reason for the recent slips.
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Sunset is at 5:28pm/17:28 local time, 22:28 UTC.
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Live broadcast :) !
http://kscwmserv1.ksc.nasa.gov/MAVEN-1 (http://kscwmserv1.ksc.nasa.gov/MAVEN-1)
Pardon me but is this the best link for live video of the WDR/Hot-fire?
All I see are some dots as if wind is shaking the camera after sunset, but it is still daylight in Florida.
http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/countdown/video/ (http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/countdown/video/)
has a lot of MAVEN pages, now devoid of action, and LC-39 but not LC-40, at least in the titles.
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Via L2's coverage, they are having some issues, so this may not (or won't to be more accurate) be on time.
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Live broadcast :) !
http://kscwmserv1.ksc.nasa.gov/MAVEN-1 (http://kscwmserv1.ksc.nasa.gov/MAVEN-1)
Pardon me but is this the best link for live video of the WDR/Hot-fire?
All I see are some dots as if wind is shaking the camera after sunset, but it is still daylight in Florida.
http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/countdown/video/ (http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/countdown/video/)
has a lot of MAVEN pages, now devoid of action, and LC-39 but not LC-40, at least in the titles.
It is raining there, dark with stormy clouds, and this is a long shot looking toward the clouds, as winter dusk approaches. I'm not seeing any signs of LOX loaded into the rocket itself at this point.
- Ed Kyle
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Very stormy at CCAFS atm, but it shouldn't be a problem with a static firing (?).
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Per L2: Scrubbed for the day. Next attempt Thursday (forgot to add that!)
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The weather was to bad for a good photo, but here is what it looked like today....you have to look realy good to see a Falcon rocket :P
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Falcon 9 visible in online video (http://kscwmserv1.ksc.nasa.gov/MAVEN-1).
Looks gloomy, with wind shaking the tower on which the camera is mounted.
LOX venting from second stage just started, then stopped.
edit: Another bit of second stage LOX venting at 11:17 AM EST, also lasting less than a minute
edit 2: Another episode of second stage LOX venting at 11:58 AM EST
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- Ed Kyle
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Falcon 9 visible in online video (http://kscwmserv1.ksc.nasa.gov/MAVEN-1).
Looks gloomy, with wind shaking the tower on which the camera is mounted.
LOX venting from second stage just started, then stopped.
edit: Another bit of second stage LOX venting at 11:17 AM EST, also lasting less than a minute.
they did an engine chill down but it cut off quickly.
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Falcon 9 visible in online video (http://kscwmserv1.ksc.nasa.gov/MAVEN-1).
Looks gloomy, with wind shaking the tower on which the camera is mounted.
LOX venting from second stage just started, then stopped.
edit: Another bit of second stage LOX venting at 11:17 AM EST, also lasting less than a minute.
they did an engine chill down but it cut off quickly.
Who says it's an engine chilldown and not a tank purge before prop loading?
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It just did a heavy vent cycle. Testing the vent valve I suppose. Don't know if it's a normal part of the WDR procedures or an anomaly investigation.
EDIT: And again, another heavy vent cycle.
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It could also be a vent on the T/E, for the 2nd stage umbilical, conditioning the lines for prop loading and such. The way it's spewing it out on video reminds me of the VAFB erector vent.
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And again, another heavy vent cycle.
And now another
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And again, another heavy vent cycle.
And now another
And another..
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And again, another heavy vent cycle.
And now another
And another..
and another...
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I don't remember seeing this sort of cyclic venting on the other F9 launches (which this WDR / hot fire is supposed to simulate) but I might be wrong.
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I don't remember seeing this sort of cyclic venting on the other F9 launches (which this WDR / hot fire is supposed to simulate) but I might be wrong.
I agree. They are working something. Lines. pumps, flow rate, connections...not sure. But it feels Pad - T/E related.
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FWIW, it seems pretty periodic, vent periods starting every 220-ish seconds and lasting about 35 seconds.
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Window for a hot fire opens at 2pm local, per L2.
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It's hard to make anything out in that feed, but it looks to me like the 1st stage LOX tank is iced over which would indicate the tanking is well underway.
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Camera view adjusted, zoomed in, centerred. Now adjusting gain and white balance. Getting ready for the event (hopefuly WDR)
Vapor clouds around base are now gone.
ugordon: Do you say that because the lower third is slightly darker than the remainder of the rocket?
edit: faint venting from near top of first stage at 13:34 EST
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Someone just tweaked the WB and exposure settings on the camera - it is easier to see the ice on the S1 LOX tank now.
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Camera view adjusted, zoomed in, centerred. Now adjusting gain and white balance.
Looks good! Can see the minor venting.
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Really good page for it here:
http://countdown.ksc.nasa.gov/elv/
Interesting all the launch info on the page.
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ugordon: Do you say that because the lower third is slightly darker than the remainder of the rocket?
Yes. Here's a contrast-enhanced view.
BTW, the camera seems to be capturing a 16:9 aspect ratio, but it's squished to 4:3 for the webcast.
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BTW, the camera seems to be capturing a 16:9 aspect ratio, but it's squished to 4:3 for the webcast.
Thanks for that. Again with noticeable venting.
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A big cloud was just vented.
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Getting a lot more venting now....
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Some venting at the top now too. S2 loading?
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T-5 mins if they got for the 2pm local! Venting strongly now!
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Two minutes. (Again, they have a long window, so we're talking window open for this at 2pm).
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Ahh... car in the way!
EDIT: gone now :D
S1 looks pretty much filled with LOX.
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I don't think it'll be at the start of the window, the 1st stage tank was barely iced over just 20 minutes ago.
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Just backed up. Must''ve been reading NSF ....
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Ahh... car in the way!
EDIT: gone now :D
S1 looks pretty much filled with LOX.
And something drove by behind it meanwhile. I think that was a camera block attempt to hide what was on the truck lol.
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Whoa.....
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My thought exactly ....
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Whoa.....
That's a lot of venting...
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That didn't look good.
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Smoke just came from the bottom? Was that it?
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Calming down a bit now, but that was a LOT of venting.
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Some gas released near the base of the vehicle as well.
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Looks like they are cycling valves.
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What the heck is she doing!
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That doesn't look good...
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Here we go again...That can't be good can it?
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This does not look like venting, it's more like overflow.
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That's just got to be a rupture. Let's hope it is in ground support equipment, not the vehicle itself.
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Almost look like liquid coming out
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Suppose that's one way to detank! ;)
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Venting from the top, too ...
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It looks like its venting along a vertical line along the rocket... How can that happen?
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Almost look like liquid coming out
What do you make of it Jim from your experience?
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It could be coming from the lines in the T/E behind the rocket.
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Almost look like liquid coming out
I thought the tank ruptured when I saw that. If LOX is spilling along the tank walls that could explain the huge cloud.
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What the heck is she doing!
Could the cloud be exacerbated by a light rain? We normally don't have that when fueling is taking place. I noticed the truck that passed earlier had it's wipers on.
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Still going.
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What the heck is she doing!
Could the cloud be exacerbated by a light rain? We normally don't have that when fueling is taking place. I noticed the truck that passed earlier had it's wipers on.
The odd thing is that it seems to come and go (it was like this before, and ceased) - so it doesn't appear to be an uncontrollable leak.
EDIT: S2 looks to be filled now.
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Almost look like liquid coming out
What do you make of it Jim from your experience?
If there was liquid there would be comet trails as each glob of liquid drops to the ground.
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That's got to be a ruptured line.
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It looks like its venting along a vertical line along the rocket... How can that happen?
It is LOX flowing down on the outer side of the tank and evaporating.
Overflow or rapture.
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Assuming that's a LOX leak/dump - I'm surprised there hasn't been a fire or a "boom" yet ...
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Increasing a bit if anything.
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S2 looks filled, venting in a more normal fashion.
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Scary to watch
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Strange - the vapor cloud seems to be coming from the same region that is a different color (ice?)
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Assuming that's a LOX leak/dump - I'm surprised there hasn't been a fire or a "boom" yet ...
Air doesn't combust with LOX by itself AFAIK. Would have to be a spark on the rocket itself to catch the metal on fire.
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Usually on vehicle vents, the gas shoot out horizontally.
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The second stage is venting GOX
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Assuming that's a LOX leak/dump - I'm surprised there hasn't been a fire or a "boom" yet ...
Ignition source and fuel required. If it's evaporating before it hits the ground, it's unlikely to be an issue. Even if it hits the ground, there have been a lot of lessons learned with respect to preventing LOX from contacting hydrocarbons or other potential hazards.
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The second stage is venting like a typical rocket
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Venting from the top now..
Any guesses as to what damage if any to rocket resulting from a long duration venting exposure ??.
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They cut the feed. Something pretty bad then?
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Oh they turned off the cameras!
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Uhhhhhhhh... What?
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somebody made a phone call
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Whoa! Screen went full grey and then this!
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The second stage is venting like a typical rocket
Is that a suggestion that the first stage is NOT venting like a typical first stage? Certainly doesn't seem to be normal to me, but I didn't watch the Cassiope launch to see what the v1.1 looks like "normally".
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Seems that the PR spin will be in......
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I still have two feeds still going though. The camera is pointing at a white tarp though.
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What's the fault tolerance for that much LOX against the skin?
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If it was a tank rupture, would you expect it to vent that heavily for as long as it has been?
Looked to me, not that I have any in depth knowledge of the systems in place here, that the plume was originating near were I believe the umbilical are connected to the first stage, might be a bad connection there perhaps?
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Hmmm, this was the last shot before they cut the feed:
(Copy all below on tarp...good!)
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Nice of the camera operator to first pan away, then cut the feed. Thus assuring us the camera was not damaged....
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NVM they switched it to the weather camera now.
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I'm still seeing a close-up view of a tarp - oops, just cut to KSC weather
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I think this tells us that something "not good" was happening. However major or minor that might be.
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Hmmm, this - not to scare anyone - was the last shot before they cut the feed:
That is just a tarp the camera was pointing to before the feed was cut.
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a screen cap...
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There is a separate thread for discussions.
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=24469.msg708950#msg708950 (http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=24469.msg708950#msg708950)
This is for updates.
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Ok, to me it seemed there was a rupture in the umbilical connection and they couldn't turn off the pumps. Is that even feasible?
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Hmmm, this - not to scare anyone - was the last shot before they cut the feed:
Could just be the tarp that covers the cameras, Maybe the OP was told the hot fire was cancelled so packed up to go home. ;D
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What's the fault tolerance for that much LOX against the skin?
You mean the same skin that has LOX up against the other side for hours at a time?
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What's the fault tolerance for that much LOX against the skin?
You mean the same skin that has LOX up against the other side for hours at a time?
Ok, be nice. But yes, the other side. Now it's getting drastically exposed on both sides. So I was wondering if at some point that becomes a materials issue. That's fine if no, was just curious.
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Looks like there's video available now: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYCVZonwRig&feature=youtu.be
(Thanks to @SPACEFLIGHT101 for pointing me towards this)
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better video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tz9gDsGI_0c
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Well...
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Well...
What feed is that from?
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Well...
Well what? Explain your post please.
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Well...
Well what? What is this image? Is it current? Is it from a previous WDR? Where are you seeing a countdown clock?
edit: Chris and yatpay beat me to it, with the same, if obvious, questions.
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Whoa, word is they are about to go ahead with the hot fire!!! Source info just now.
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As far as I can see, a shot of the current vehicle, posted minutes ago. The erector has been retracted so it's obviously past the point we all saw big problems in the feed.
I would normally post the source, but this sort of stuff looks like it wasn't supposed to go out in the first place and I'm not going to be the one that gets someone in trouble.
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Still no video on http://kscwmserv1.ksc.nasa.gov/MAVEN-1
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As far as I can see, a shot of the current vehicle, posted minutes ago. The erector has been retracted so it's obviously past the point we all saw big problems in the feed.
I would normally post the source, but this sort of stuff looks like it wasn't supposed to go out in the first place and I'm not going to be the one that gets someone in trouble.
Good call. And it looks like it was live (the note about going for the hot fire came in shortly after) so it all fits.
Now to see if we get confirmation, as it would have already occurred by now, if that clock was still ticking.
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Still no video on http://kscwmserv1.ksc.nasa.gov/MAVEN-1
It's streaming correctly, but as it says the camera feed was cut. Given the camera was panned away earlier, it probably wasn't intended to be for public consumption. Pad 41 ops for MAVEN yes, Pad 40 maybe not.
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Confirmed in L2. Hot Fire completed!
Now into review.
Article later.
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Article for the hot fire. We are looking into a GSE issue per the venting in L2, along with the humidity, etc as contributors, but they are looking good for Nov 25 still....so nothing major.
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/11/spacex-falcon-9-v1-1-hot-fire-slc-40/
PS I know the lead image is from the Cassiope mission. No usable lead images from the Cape yet (resolution and dimension).
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SpaceX have now responded to us confirming it was a successful test and the venting wasn't a leak or hardware issue, so that's all good.
(And nice how responsive SpaceX are these days! :))
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Great coverage with the firing. When will the launch thread begin?
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Current launch weather forecast has been published by the 45th Space Wing: http://www.patrick.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-070716-028.pdf
80% GO for Monday, 30% GO Tuesday
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Image of the F9 and a crane. Source (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=602129296491365&set=a.564357936935168.1073741835.264445490259749&type=1&theater).
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So what are they doing with that crane? And when was the picture taken? Picture posted late last night at latest.
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So what are they doing with that crane? And when was the picture taken? Picture posted late last night at latest.
Looks like a man basket.
So presumably someone is up for a ride!
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And when was the picture taken?
Based on the webcast feeds, I would guess Wednesday.
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livestream announced:)
http://new.livestream.com/spacex/events/2565780 (http://new.livestream.com/spacex/events/2565780)
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livestream announced:)
http://new.livestream.com/spacex/events/2565780 (http://new.livestream.com/spacex/events/2565780)
Super! And that answers the question on the launch day thread. Aim will be to go with it (transfer from this thread to the new one) either on Sunday evening or very early Monday.
Will link everything up.
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A clearer version of the mission patch:
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Headed to Cape Canaveral tomorrow for first @SpaceX geostationary satellite launch.
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/404059376652005377
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Will be toughest mission to date. Requires coast + upper stage restart + going to 80,000 km altitude (~1/4 way to moon).
Looks like the apogee is going to be 80,000 km. I'd known that SES-8 was being sent to a super-GTO orbit, but was the apogee known before this?
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Will be toughest mission to date. Requires coast + upper stage restart + going to 80,000 km altitude (~1/4 way to moon).
Looks like the apogee is going to be 80,000 km. I'd known that SES-8 was being sent to a super-GTO orbit, but was the apogee known before this?
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=32990.msg1105331#msg1105331
"For the SES-8 mission, most of the Falcon 9's performance will go into putting the spacecraft in an orbit over 80,000 km altitude at apogee. Some of the rocket's performance will also lower the orbit inclination from about 28 degrees (the lattitude of Cape Canaveral) to a little under 21 degrees, also reducing the amount of fuel that the satellite will require to get to its final orbital slot."
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SES posted a few pictures of the satellite arriving at the Cape: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.677725285592988.1073741840.257596920939162&type=1
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SES posted a few pictures of the satellite arriving at the Cape: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.677725285592988.1073741840.257596920939162&type=1
Anyone recognize the facility in those photos?
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I assume the new high bay of the SLC-40 hangar.
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SES posted a few pictures of the satellite arriving at the Cape: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.677725285592988.1073741840.257596920939162&type=1
Anyone recognize the facility in those photos?
Are the grey squares on the wall airflow outputs? They look kind of skimpy even for a class 8 (100,000) cleanroom. (Note that I don't usually work with spacecraft buses, although I do get to a week from Monday!)
edit:small correction
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the buildings colour scheme and design of the building in some of the pictures look more like the newest building at Astrotech than the outside of the SpaceX facility. I think i remember SpaceX posting something about the transfer of the encapsulated payload to the New SpaceX SC Payload Processing Facility from another facility the day before the WDR occurred in preparation for mating in the near future with the launcher.
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Press kit now e-mailed out via SpaceX PAO.
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Press kit now e-mailed out via SpaceX PAO.
Thanks, Chris.
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the buildings colour scheme and design of the building in some of the pictures look more like the newest building at Astrotech than the outside of the SpaceX facility. I think i remember SpaceX posting something about the transfer of the encapsulated payload to the New SpaceX SC Payload Processing Facility from another facility the day before the WDR occurred in preparation for mating in the near future with the launcher.
Those are not Astrotech facilities. They are from SLC-40, except the last two which are from OSC's Dulles facility
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Press kit now e-mailed out via SpaceX PAO.
From Press Kit: "For maximum reliability, the second stage has redundant igniter systems."
So both systems froze during the first F9 1.1 flight?
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Press kit now e-mailed out via SpaceX PAO.
From Press Kit: "For maximum reliability, the second stage has redundant igniter systems."
So both systems froze during the first F9 1.1 flight?
Or else they just added the redundant system for this flight.
Or else the previous redundant systems shared the same TEA-TEB feed lines, rendering them both inoperable.
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From Press Kit: "For maximum reliability, the second stage has redundant igniter systems."
So both systems froze during the first F9 1.1 flight?
AFAIK problem was with frozen fluid lines, not any problem with igniters...
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What we know is that the TEA-TEB igniter line or lines became too cold, it is unknown if they "froze" or the fluids inside simply became too viscous to function properly.
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WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
ROCKETS.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS 252237Z TO 260011Z NOV,
ALTERNATE 262238Z TO 270011Z NOV
IN AREAS BOUND BY:
A. 28-48N 080-34W, 28-49N 080-22W,
28-38N 080-08W, 28-20N 077-03W,
28-00N 073-36W, 27-59N 072-45W,
27-26N 069-45W, 27-17N 069-45W,
27-39N 072-48W, 27-50N 073-40W,
28-01N 075-14W, 28-14N 077-03W,
28-29N 080-36W.
B. 28-04N 072-33W, 28-01N 071-38W,
27-24N 069-20W, 27-13N 069-18W,
27-15N 071-33W, 27-22N 072-29W,
27-50N 073-40W, 27-59N 073-40W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 270111Z NOV 13.
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Maybe I missed it, but has the vehicle been moved to the pad yet?
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Maybe I missed it, but has the vehicle been moved to the pad yet?
https://twitter.com/StephenClark1/status/404708701791330304
"SES8 was mated to Falcon 9 yesterday. Rollout to the pad this evening"
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L-1 LRR was passed per L2, so new thread for the launch shortly.
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Jonathan Amos @BBCAmos
Falcon-9 telecon tonight with SES CTO Martin Halliwell: Entry of @SpaceX to commercial launch market will "shake industry to its roots".
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OK, live launch thread time!
Thread locked, head over to this one:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=33338.0 (remember it's an update thread, so don't get carried away and post in there when you meant to post in one of the other threads).