Author Topic: SCRUB: SpaceX Falcon 1, Launch Dec 19 (Read 74995 times)

braddock · « **Reply #80 on:** 12/19/2005 06:09 pm »

Q: "What is likely to happen if all of the preparations are complete and there are still no-go on weather?"
A: "I think what you'll see is that we will continue in a launch -15 minute hold. The reason T-15 minutes is critical is because that is when we pull strong-back away." We won't do that with strong-back in the high winds.
"We have approximately 15 minutes of additional procedures to go into, and they include pulling back strongback, having the vehicle do it's self alignment and check, we go into a perpetual short hold to do an additional weather check at around T-10 minutes, and then we run through the console to make sure everybody is ready to go, and we start switching power on the vehicle and start doing flight termination system check. At T-3 minutes is when we enable ignition."

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #81 on:** 12/19/2005 06:11 pm »

They'll be one more hold after the re-start of the countdown, which will be short, for a weather check. Green lights will enable ignition at T-3m ready for launch.

Avron · « **Reply #82 on:** 12/19/2005 06:12 pm »

Whats the requirement to come out of the Hold, 24Kts or is there issues still at high altitude?

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #83 on:** 12/19/2005 06:15 pm »

20 mins into the hold. Update coming on the time of the targetted attempt to come.

braddock · « **Reply #84 on:** 12/19/2005 06:15 pm »

No issues at high altitude according to SpaceX. They have limits but are no-where near them today.
Waiting for a nice break in the wind.

Flightstar · « **Reply #85 on:** 12/19/2005 06:17 pm »

Quote

Avron - 19/12/2005 1:12 PM

Whats the requirement to come out of the Hold, 24Kts or is there issues still at high altitude?

The rocket needs to have its strongback arm taken down before the launch, the rocket needs that to stand up. If the winds are too high, it could compromise the rocket being able to stay standing.

braddock · « **Reply #86 on:** 12/19/2005 06:17 pm »

SpaceX California is still trying to get the countdown net back up (our link to Kwajalein). All circuits seem to be busy. The plan is to get that back up.

braddock · « **Reply #87 on:** 12/19/2005 06:19 pm »

Unconfirmed report of mission abort. More information coming...

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #88 on:** 12/19/2005 06:19 pm »

Rumour of a mission abort.

DaveS · « **Reply #89 on:** 12/19/2005 06:21 pm »

OK, I don't want alarm you but it seems like we have a scrub for today: http://kwajrockets.blogspot.com/

Cretan126 · « **Reply #90 on:** 12/19/2005 06:24 pm »

Rather than a break in the wind, it sounds more like breaking wind.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #91 on:** 12/19/2005 06:28 pm »

SpaceX carrying on as if it's still a go. Media asking questions as if it's still a go, but this doesn't look good.

braddock · « **Reply #92 on:** 12/19/2005 06:29 pm »

SpaceX promises an update in about 5 minutes. No confirmation of an abort yet.

newsartist · « **Reply #93 on:** 12/19/2005 06:30 pm »

Let's stick around until we get confirmation they are safeing the bird, communications are poor enough for misunderstanding?

Rocket Nut · « **Reply #94 on:** 12/19/2005 06:30 pm »

I just hope the media doesn't pressure them into doing something they would rather not do.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #95 on:** 12/19/2005 06:32 pm »

SpaceX about to give some details in a few minutes. If it's a scrub - and it sure appears to be given the way the media call was muted - then something serious has ruled out the many hours of the remaining window.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #96 on:** 12/19/2005 06:34 pm »

Official. Launch scrub until next year. Structural problem/failure on the first stage.

braddock · « **Reply #97 on:** 12/19/2005 06:34 pm »

SpaceX: The launch is scrubbed until early next year. We have identified a structural defect on the first stage, it will need repair. Will have a release soon with more information.

braddock · « **Reply #98 on:** 12/19/2005 06:36 pm »

We are waiting for final information from SpaceX, possibly a Q&A.

Also, while folks are here, you can submit questions to be sent to SpaceX VP of Development Ops on teh forum. We will take the best 10 questions and submit them to SpaceX to be answered in the next few weeks.

Post your questions to: http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=1051&posts=9

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #99 on:** 12/19/2005 06:36 pm »

Propellant being off-loaded.