SpaceX Falcon I Launch III - Build-up Thread

[aero313]

But is there any infrastructure (or planned infrastructure) to do these money making flights from RTS? I don't see any.

Analyst

That's not the whole picture.  I don't think anyone here will call me a SpaceX supporter, but in reality a single launch site that can reach the most desirable orbital inclinations is certainly a good business decision.  Infrastructure can be built, and if you believe SpaceX, they don't need no steenking infrastructure.  Now, locating your production facility in one of the most expensive real estate and labor markets in the country is NOT a good business decision.

Unfortunately, the fact that RTS does have multi-azimuth launch capability is what makes it hard to get to.  On the other hand, I live in Northern VA and I can get to VAFB in about the same amount of time that it takes me to get to Wallops (yes, even with my lead foot) - less time if I have to get past DC in rush hour!  Of course, that doesn't include being stranded by United in Denver on the way to VAFB...   

[William Graham]

There was a THAAD test yesterday, which was presumably the cause of the range conflict.

[lewis886]

here's the latest press release about it.... just got it a few minutes ago.




Press Release: SpaceX Conducts Static Test Firing of Next Falcon 1 Rocket

Firing represents the final major event before launch to orbit.

Hawthorne CA – Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) successfully conducted a full launch dress rehearsal and hold down firing of the Falcon 1 Flight 3 vehicle on June 25, 2008 (Marshall Island Time) on Omelek Island, SpaceX’s launch site at the Kwajalein Atoll. This test is the final step before launch of the Falcon 1 rocket.

This marks the first launch pad firing of SpaceX’s new Merlin 1C regeneratively cooled engine, which operated at full power with only the hold-down system restraining the rocket from flight. In the coming weeks, SpaceX will conduct a thorough review of all data prior to the opening of the launch window for flight, which runs from late July through early September.

“We are definitely not tied to the clock for this launch, and we are checking and crosschecking every aspect of the vehicle and ground systems to ensure a successful mission,” said Elon Musk, CEO and CTO of SpaceX. “Our primary concerns remain the safety and reliability of our vehicle, and the successful delivery of the Defense Department and NASA satellites to orbit.”

During launch, SpaceX will use the extensive range safety, tracking and telemetry services provided by the Reagan Test Site (RTS) at the United States Army Kwajalein Atoll (USAKA) in the Central Pacific. RTS will be closed for the national Fourth of July holiday, and resumes operations on 24 July. The next launch window opens 29 July and runs through 6 August, followed by one from 29 August to 5 September.

The Falcon 1 will carry the Trailblazer satellite for the Jumpstart Program of the Department of Defense’s Operationally Responsive Space Office (ORS). Additional secondary payloads include an adapter system developed by the government of Malaysia that holds two small NASA satellites.

SpaceX will provide complete launch day coverage and a live webcast of the launch and ascent into orbit.

Details will be announced as the launch date approaches via the SpaceX.com website.

[Comga]

....SpaceX successfully conducted a full launch dress rehearsal and hold down firing of the Falcon 1 Flight 3 vehicle on June 25, 2008 (Marshall Island Time) on Omelek Island, SpaceX’s launch site at the Kwajalein Atoll. This test is the final step before launch of the Falcon 1 rocket.
 
...The next launch window opens 29 July and runs through 6 August

SpaceX will provide complete launch day coverage and a live webcast of the launch and ascent into orbit.

Great! Just what we were hoping for!

[edkyle99]

Well, here seems to be the "real" reason for the Falcon 1 delay - a weld defect in the Merlin 1C engine.

http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/080627-spacex-thirdlaunch-update.html

 - Ed Kyle

[dunderwood]

A tiny weld defect discovered in one of the Falcon 1's engine nozzles as the rocket was being readied for a late June launch

It doesn't specifically say it was the Merlin nozzle, does it?

[jimvela]

A tiny weld defect discovered in one of the Falcon 1's engine nozzles as the rocket was being readied for a late June launch

It doesn't specifically say it was the Merlin nozzle, does it?

Nope, and it makes me wonder: if it were just the Merlin 1st stage nozzle could it be replaced without de-mating the stages...

but it's a certainty that the stages must be de-mated for the 2nd stage nozzle (kestrel) to be replaced...

It might be driven by having to put the stage onto a handling fixture of some kind in order to do major 1st stage engine maintenance, but I've never heard of SpaceX delivering that much mechanical support infrastructure to the launch site...

It'll be interesting as more details emerge.

[Nate_Trost]

If it was discovered prior to the mating, one assumes it was most likely the Kestrel nozzle. Sounds like they finished the mating and set up the hot fire test on the Merlin. I doubt they would have tested the Merlin down in Kwaj if the flaw had been in its nozzle. After shipping it back to Texas, maybe.

[Chris-A]

huh, Seems to be a conflict, or misunderstanding with the range availability

[edkyle99]

A tiny weld defect discovered in one of the Falcon 1's engine nozzles as the rocket was being readied for a late June launch

It doesn't specifically say it was the Merlin nozzle, does it?

Right.  It does not.  I wonder why the report didn't clarify which engine it was.

 - Ed Kyle

[jimvela]

huh, Seems to be a conflict, or misunderstanding with the range availability

Did you bother to read the linked article:
http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/080627-spacex-thirdlaunch-update.html

Where in the quote below, of the first paragraph of that article, do you find the word 'range'?

Some believe that SpaceX has a history of blaming delays on range issues, when later these have been dubious at best. 

WASHINGTON  - A tiny weld defect discovered in one of the Falcon 1's engine nozzles as the rocket was being readied for a late June launch contributed to Space Exploration Technologies' (SpaceX) decision to postpone its third attempt to put the rocket into orbit by at least a month.

[jimvela]

Some believe that SpaceX has a history of blaming delays on range issues, when later these have been dubious at best. 

From that same linked article (bolding and underlining are mine, text is verbatim), and pretty damning about it not really being a range issue, IMHO:

Musk said SpaceX was mistaken to say the range would be closed in July. "I probably used the wrong word there and should have said 'not available to us.' Maybe they are not 'booked' and maybe they are not 'down' but they are not available us," Musk said.

I hear lots of corporate-speak (drives me &*+^%*&^ nuts!), and that could be translated back out of corporate speak as "maybe they are not down, but they are not available [to] us [because we are not ready]"

Honestly, that's the most annoying thing in my opinion about a company that I otherwise root like hell for...

[antonioe]

The space.com article quotes Musk as stating that the weld defect was discovered in June prior to stage mating and later quotes him as saying that replacing the nozzle requires stage de-mating.  Much as I respect Brian, that pair of statements does not make much sense: if they had found a condition in the nozzle that warrants replacement, why would they have mated the stages?  He must have misunderstood Elon, or there may be a "missing link" between those two events.

[Chris-A]

I guess the only place to get (or very close towards) solid facts as possible would be updates from Elon himself.

[jabe]

my guess is the hot fire test was a bit of a PR move to show that the merlin 1-C is fine.. be great to hear a reason that makes perfect sense rather than as you say "corporate speak.
jb
BTW they better not launch while I'm away camping at the end of the month!!

[edkyle99]

my guess is the hot fire test was a bit of a PR move to show that the merlin 1-C is fine.

I don't see how public relations has anything to do with it.  SpaceX has performed hot fire tests prior to every launch to date.  It makes sense that they would have repeated the process with the first Merlin 1C engine-equipped Falcon 1.

 - Ed Kyle

[simonbp]

IIRC, the Kestrel nozzle is a single piece of Molybdenum, so weld-defect would probably imply the Merlin...

Simon

[Antares]

Why would they hot fire an engine with a weld defect in it? Cmon guys. It's gotta be the Kestrel. If it's a single piece of moly, it still needs some sort of detail to attach it to the combustion chamber.

[antonioe]

Why would they hot fire an engine with a weld defect in it? Cmon guys. It's gotta be the Kestrel. If it's a single piece of moly, it still needs some sort of detail to attach it to the combustion chamber.

Equally interesting, who was the sharp-eyed inspector that, in the field and with field equipment found a flaw ONE TENTH OF A MILLIMETER LONG that escaped acceptance inspection in the comfort of a well-equipped metrology lab back in California?  I want to hire that guy (or gal)!

[eeergo]

Very interesting article about one of the payloads: NanoSail-D. It contains a video showing the sail deployment, photos of the unfurled sail in the lab and the -really small!- microsat, and gives something more to follow after the Falcon I (hopefully) will have done its job:

http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/26jun_nanosaild.htm

There's also the '-D' mystery!