Space X: Falcon 9 Five Engine Test Fire Release + Official Video

[Chris Bergin]

Release and video attached (was only just aquired despite the May 29 date on the release).

Short but very cool video too.

[JSC Phil]

Impressive.

[Flightstar]

That's a big step. Hopefully it will also serve to tone down some of the EELV folk

[maxx]

At the end of the clip there is a sound of something spinning down... Is it a turbopump or something like that?

[wannamoonbase]

That's a big step. Hopefully it will also serve to tone down some of the EELV folk

Cool indeed and it is a big step but until it flies successfully there is lots of room for doubt. 

I do wish them the best of luck.

[Antares]

I think most EELV folk are just "real rocket" folks.  Falcon 9 is a lot more real than Ares.  It's even got a market, and a darned big one if they can meet their cost targets.

I'll be perfectly happy to buy a F9 when it meets its lift, reliability and cost goals; and even just the lift and cost goals if the payload can tolerate the higher risk.

[edkyle99]

Release and video attached (was only just aquired despite the May 29 date on the release).

Short but very cool video too.

This was, if I'm remembering things correctly, the largest cluster of liquid engines, in terms of numbers of high-thrust engines, fired in the United States since 1975.  Someone correct me if I'm wrong!

 - Ed Kyle

[whitewatcher]

This was, if I'm remembering things correctly, the largest cluster of liquid engines, in terms of numbers of high-thrust engines, fired in the United States since 1975.  Someone correct me if I'm wrong!

 - Ed Kyle

What about the Shuttle and OMS assist?

[Crispy]

What about the Shuttle and OMS assist?

That's not really 'in' the USA though is it

[wannamoonbase]

Good points on the clustered engines. 

When they run all 9 that will be somewhat historic. 

If they fly successfully with 9 then it will be very historic.

I think its great what SpaceX is trying to do, but until they deliver payloads successfully its not proven.  That's all I am arguing.  Their claimed costs and performance numbers won't be proven or disproven until then.

Looking forward to the Falcon 1 launch this month.  I really hope that works out. 

[lbiderman]

Wasn´t that a short duration burn? For how long will the first stage burn in an operational Falcon 9? Anyway, COOL video!

[edkyle99]

What about the Shuttle and OMS assist?

I suppose it depends on how one defines "high thrust", since each OMS engine only produces about 1.6% as much thrust as a single SSME (and only about 6% as much as one Merlin 1C). 

Refining the statement to say that it was the largest cluster of identical high-thrust engines might be in order.

- Ed Kyle 

[braddock]

I'm surprised they did their first five engine firing at night.  Wouldn't it be important to clearly film what was going on in the event of a failure or anomaly?
It is a fantastic step though.  I love the crickets...

[kevin-rf]

I'm surprised they did their first five engine firing at night.  Wouldn't it be important to clearly film what was going on in the event of a failure or anomaly?
It is a fantastic step though.  I love the crickets...

You get better control when you and not mother nature provides all the light. You are also shooting against a dark background.

[tobi453]

Amazing picture of the five engine configuration:
http://spacex.com/press.php?page=42

[Chris-A]

Also the camera used has a fisheye lens. I was thinking they're using a smaller engine bay(thrust structure)

[jabe]

Amazing picture of the five engine configuration:

Agreed..I thought the engine was a little bigger for some reason
A question on the post test procedure..
would they leave all 5 engines on the pad and then add 4 more or will they take them down pick, inspect them and then install 9 engines.  I'm assuming they will include the 5 they just fired and then 4 new ones.

Can't wait for the 9 engine test..hope they post an upclose vid of the test as well.
jb

[JesseD]

Nice! and check out their water dump system!

[zaitcev]

Nice! and check out their water dump system!

Since we're on topic, the lack of any kind of flame trench or deflector on BFTS always surprised me.

[JesseD]

I suspect they do have a deflector of some kind.  watching the video, notice how all the smoke and flame billows out toward the left? none towards the right or towards the camera.