SpaceX COTS Demo 1 Updates

[telomerase99]

Thanks! I can't wait for verification from Chris that it is tomorrow. Arizona is two hours behind EST right?

I hope it launches before I have to go to work!

[llo2015]

In my view, the SpaceX representative should have told Jay that if that Falcon-9 missed orbital velocity, both the second stage and Dragon capsule could be maneuvered to a safe disposal in the Atlantic

There is no "maneuvering".  Launch vehicle are autonomous, they are not controlled from the ground, except for one command. And "command" may not affect the capsule, which would continue in its ballistic trajectory.

The Dragon capsule will have a propellant load capable of 300 Delta-V at a minimum.  The flight control of the Dragon capsule's trajectory after engine-out (last minute of powered flight about 900 nm downrange) should adjust the reentry angle such that Dragon will finish in the Atlantic. 

[Malderi]

Jim, I'm pretty sure that Dragon, whatever is actually inside, counts as a real spacecraft.

Experimenting with taxpayer dollars on a system that will be crucially needed for the future sustaining of the ISS...

True. The extreme alternative - months of exhaustive analysis - could be done as well. I tend to think that the "right" place to be is somewhere in the middle, when it comes to overly heavy processes. I consider NASA and SpaceX to be bounding the problem, and will hopefully converge on a solution.

[ChefPat]

Thanks! I can't wait for verification from Chris that it is tomorrow. Arizona is two hours behind EST right?

I hope it launches before I have to go to work!

3 hours, launch window opens at 6:03 am Phoenix time.

[tigerade]

Spaceflightnow is saying we are go for launch!!!!

GO FOR LAUNCH. Officials have approved plans to launch the Falcon 9 rocket tomorrow morning. The launch window opens at 9 a.m. EST and closes at 12:22 p.m. EST (1400-1722 GMT).

[kevin-rf]

So what are the chances that like all previous flights, SpaceX will have a camera pointing down at the nozzle and we will get to see the handy work (I remain skeptical) and how many feet of nozzle are actually removed first hand?

I think it is pretty good. That has been SpaceX's typical flight profile, live video of staging and the second stage nozzle (Except Falcon 1 flight One that never made it to staging and Falcon 1 flight three had the transmission cut faster than you can stage a Falcon).

Also, different environment but, SpaceX lacks an altitude chamber, so all test firings of Vac Merlin have been without the full nozzle. That could be the thermal rational for saying a truncated nozzle is ok.

Time for some cool-aid and off to bed. Go SpaceX...

[DaveS]

Spaceflightnow is saying we are go for launch!!!!

GO FOR LAUNCH. Officials have approved plans to launch the Falcon 9 rocket tomorrow morning. The launch window opens at 9 a.m. EST and closes at 12:22 p.m. EST (1400-1722 GMT).

That's based on a single NASA press release earlier this afternoon. There's no official SpaceX word yet from the 9 pm EST status point. I also refer you to SpaceX_MS post eariler today: http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=22041.msg667600#msg667600

[Bubbinski]

3 hours, launch window opens at 6:03 am Phoenix time.

Actually it would be 7:03 am Phoenix time as Arizona is now on Mountain Standard Time (same time as Salt Lake from Nov to Mar) and the rest of the country is off daylight savings.  I remember having to adjust to this when I lived in Arizona and daylight savings ended every year and mentally calculating when I could watch shuttle launches on CNN in the pre-Net era.

[rdale]

Keeping this thread active just to say you are watching twitter doesn't really help the situation...

[ChefPat]

Actually it would be 7:03 am Phoenix time as Arizona is now on Mountain Standard Time (same time as Salt Lake from Nov to Mar) and the rest of the country is off daylight savings.

You're quite right, I wasn't taking DST into account. 2 hours differance not 3.

[cro-magnon gramps]

Keeping this thread active just to say you are watching twitter doesn't really help the situation...

relevant question: do you have any info on the weather outlook for the Launch Window and the Splash Down area ?

Cheers

Gramps,

drinking the SpaceX Wassail ;-)

[rdale]

COLD. Well, by Florida standards, it's 19 where I am! Anyways 30's in the morning with wind chills in the 20's. Light wind, partly cloudy skies, warming to near 50 by lunchtime. I'm not aware of their rules regarding the chill.

[Kabloona]

Spaceflightnow is saying we are go for launch!!!!

GO FOR LAUNCH. Officials have approved plans to launch the Falcon 9 rocket tomorrow morning. The launch window opens at 9 a.m. EST and closes at 12:22 p.m. EST (1400-1722 GMT).

That's based on a single NASA press release earlier this afternoon. There's no official SpaceX word yet from the 9 pm EST status point. I also refer you to SpaceX_MS post eariler today: http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=22041.msg667600#msg667600

DaveS appears to be correct, that there's been no word from SpaceX at the 9 pm status point. Looks like those guys/gals are in for a long night...

[AdamH]

At this point I am going make the guess that they may have meant 9am EST instead of pm.

[tigerade]

At this point I am going make the guess that they may have meant 9am EST instead of pm.

I was thinking the same thing, however it seems strange that they would decide on launching at 9AM. 

"Hey everybody!  We're launching in 15 mins!  Just wanted to let you know ahead of time".   

[telomerase99]

Actually it would be 7:03 am Phoenix time as Arizona is now on Mountain Standard Time (same time as Salt Lake from Nov to Mar) and the rest of the country is off daylight savings.

You're quite right, I wasn't taking DST into account. 2 hours differance not 3.

Thats what I was confused about, thanks to you two for figuring it out!

[Kabloona]

At this point I am going make the guess that they may have meant 9am EST instead of pm.

No, the launch window opens at 9 am and they need to be fueling, etc, before then. I think they did intend to confirm by 9 pm tonight, but sometimes the problem doesn't cooperate with your schedule.

[AdamH]

No, the launch window opens at 9 am and they need to be fueling, etc, before then. I think they did intend to confirm by 9 pm tonight, but sometimes the problem doesn't cooperate with your schedule.

True. Well either way I sure won't be missing it

[AdamH]

SpaceXer Tweet: "Still looks good for tomorrow. Get some sleep, it's going to be an early morning!!"

Looks like tomorrow is a go!

[sdsds]

I'm betting SpaceX has prior analysis of exactly this case, i.e. flying mvac without the aft section of the nozzle extension.  They would have done this as a "trade study" to assess the cost/benefit of that section of the nozzle.  Indeed, they might choose to fly Falcon 9 in the "short extension" configuration simply as a cost savings measure on flights (like this one) that don't need the extra efficiency that section of the nozzle provides.

Has someone already calculated the expected reduction in Isp?  The expected reduction in mass?