Author Topic: FAILURE: SpaceX Falcon I Launch III - August 2 (Read 345695 times)

jimvela · « **Reply #80 on:** 08/02/2008 11:20 pm »

Interesting- looks like a one hour hold, then a one hour count? That means we're actually 2 hours away from launch?

DaveS · « **Reply #81 on:** 08/02/2008 11:21 pm »

Quote from: jimvela on 08/02/2008 11:20 pm

Interesting- looks like a one hour hold, then a one hour count? That means we're actually 2 hours away from launch?

Please do note that hold clock is ticking up not down.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #82 on:** 08/02/2008 11:22 pm »

Second Stage LOX at 50 percent.

William Graham · « **Reply #83 on:** 08/02/2008 11:22 pm »

1st stage LOX loading complete

William Graham · « **Reply #84 on:** 08/02/2008 11:23 pm »

Hold caused by helium loading problems.

I'd guess that the hold clock is cumulative.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #85 on:** 08/02/2008 11:23 pm »

Unplanned hold for Helium Bottle........and then she turned her mic off.

jimvela · « **Reply #86 on:** 08/02/2008 11:24 pm »

Quote from: DaveS on 08/02/2008 11:21 pm

Quote from: jimvela on 08/02/2008 11:20 pm
Interesting- looks like a one hour hold, then a one hour count? That means we're actually 2 hours away from launch?

Please do note that hold clock is ticking up not down.

That was strange, it went away, came back, then counted down, then went away, now is back, and counting up again...

zappafrank · « **Reply #87 on:** 08/02/2008 11:24 pm »

They could issue some information.

Spacex really hurts their credibility when they act this way.

William Graham · « **Reply #88 on:** 08/02/2008 11:24 pm »

Quote from: Chris Bergin on 08/02/2008 11:23 pm

Unplanned hold for Helium Bottle........and then she turned her mic off.

I think the sound is intermittent.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #89 on:** 08/02/2008 11:26 pm »

cb6785 · « **Reply #90 on:** 08/02/2008 11:27 pm »

at least it's not black anymore

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #91 on:** 08/02/2008 11:30 pm »

Ronsmytheiii · « **Reply #92 on:** 08/02/2008 11:30 pm »

Quote

While we're waiting, I thought I'd share some fun factoids about the rocket we're checking out today:

Falcon 1 is a two stage, liquid oxygen and rocket grade kerosene (RP-1) powered launch vehicle. It is designed from the ground up by SpaceX for cost efficient and reliable transport of satellites to low Earth orbit.
Length: 21.3 m (70 feet) - Your standard 7 story building.
Width: 1.7 m (5.5 feet) - actually, make that a 7 story pencil.
Mass: 27,670 kg (61,000 lbs) - about the weight of 4 semis (sans trailer).
Thrust on liftoff: 347 kN (78,000 lbf) - about the same thrust of three F-16's at full throttle.

First Stage
The primary structure is made of an aluminum alloy (patent pending), graduated monocoque, common bulkhead, flight pressure stabilized architecture developed by SpaceX. The
design is a blend between a fully pressure stabilized design, such as Atlas II, and a heavier isogrid design, such as Delta II. As a result, Falcon 1 first stage is able to capture the mass
efficiency of pressure stabilization, but avoid the ground handling difficulties of a structure unable to support its own weight.

A single SpaceX Merlin 1C regenerative engine powers the Falcon 1 first stage, and is flying in this configuration for the first time on Flight 3. After first stage engine start, the Falcon is held down and not released for flight until all propulsion and vehicle systems are confirmed to be operating nominally.

Stage separation occurs via redundantly initiated separation bolts and a pneumatic pusher system. All components are space qualified and have flown previously on other launch vehicles.

Second Stage
The tanks are precision machined from plate with integral flanges and ports, minimizing the number of welds necessary. A single SpaceX Kestrel engine powers the Falcon 1 upper stage.

(Copied and pasted from the press pack).

jimvela · « **Reply #93 on:** 08/02/2008 11:32 pm »

Must be a view from a ship.

Could probably update the crawl at the bottom of the screen to say that this is the real webcast...

SpaceX will get better at coverage, too...