SpaceX: Falcon 9 Hotfire Updates

[Ben the Space Brit]

Any opinions on the scorch marks? Are they really scorch marks, or just soot or maybe charred cork? Recent opinion seemed to be that the cork had been stripped off before the test.

I don't know, of course, but my guess that it is soot from the flame as the gas generators discharged.  There is possibly some thermal damage to the surface of the TPS but nothing more than that.

[Norm Hartnett]

Now we wait for the press conference/news release.

Press conference? They didn't even webcast the so-called testfire!

Well it didn't blow up so they have something positive to say. We will see.

[psloss]

Anybody got a short video clip of the terminal sequence they can post?

[ugordan]

The shutdown on Merlins causes a lot of soot and black smoke. What I'm wondering about is how come the pad deluge wasn't working then, it looks as though it was activated too early. The fire on the engine fairing looked scary.

[HarryM]

Did SpaceX do similar short duration hotfire tests in Texas, and do we have video of these tests to compare to?

I am not convince it was a "total" failure. The proof will be in a SpaceX press release if it was a success, or lack of one if it was less than 100%.

Also remember they managed to quick turn the Falcon 1 on a pad abort, launching in the same window. If this was an abortive hotfire, maybe they will try again.

[dmc6960]

Here is a slightly choppy video of test.  May be smoother than some people saw on the live stream though. (The KSC stream that is).

[Norm Hartnett]

Is it possible to guess whether they are contemplating a second attempt based on the current venting? I believe they have the range until 3:00PM

[psloss]

Here is a slightly choppy video of test.  May be smoother than some people saw on the live stream though. (The KSC stream that is).

Thanks.

[ugordan]

The smoke was generated by gas generator fuel burning off (since this ignites before other parts of the engine). It was black becasue it was fuel (rp1) rich. The main jet (combustion chamber) did not ignite.

Can you please stop making these statements as a matter-of-fact when you have no supporting evidence.

[JMS]

SFN calling scrub.

[bad_astra]

The smoke was generated by gas generator fuel burning off (since this ignites before other parts of the engine). It was black becasue it was fuel (rp1) rich. The main jet (combustion chamber) did not ignite.

Can you please stop making these statements as a matter-of-fact when you have no supporting evidence.

There was never main ignition. It looks pretty obvious.

[FinalFrontier]

Is it possible to guess whether they are contemplating a second attempt based on the current venting? I believe they have the range until 3:00PM

If it was a minor issue then yes. If it was a bad sensor, as minor as that is, then no as the sensor must be replaced. If it was more serious, such as a turbopump drive failure or start failure, then no. Regardless, unless they can attempt again today or in the next week and a half this will result in a good sized slip in the launch date. Probably end of April. Not sure if the first COTS flight will occur this year.

[ugordan]

There was never main ignition. It looks pretty obvious.

Define "main ignition" and on what do you base that statement? It certainly didn't achieve significant thrust, but to say the chambers never ignited is lacking in evidence. What set that fireball on fire then? As per Tim Buzza, the combustion chamber is the first to light.

[ugordan]

There was no ignition.

That doesn't constitute as proof.

[Norm Hartnett]

Is it possible to guess whether they are contemplating a second attempt based on the current venting? I believe they have the range until 3:00PM

If it was a minor issue then yes. If it was a bad sensor, as minor as that is, then no as the sensor must be replaced. If it was more serious, such as a turbopump drive failure or start failure, then no. Regardless, unless they can attempt again today or in the next week and a half this will result in a good sized slip in the launch date. Probably end of April. Not sure if the first COTS flight will occur this year.

How long will we see continued venting if this attempt is a scrub?

[FinalFrontier]

The shutdown on Merlins causes a lot of soot and black smoke. What I'm wondering about is how come the pad deluge wasn't working then, it looks as though it was activated too early. The fire on the engine fairing looked scary.

Damage? Just from the scorching? I think they may have to roll it back to the hangar.

[ugordan]

How long will we see continued venting if this attempt is a scrub?

Until LOX is detanked.

[docmordrid]

How long will we see continued venting if this attempt is a scrub?

As long as the anti-commercial guys hands hold out I guess  (j/k)

[Norm Hartnett]

How long will we see continued venting if this attempt is a scrub?

Until LOX is detanked.

Time frame?

[Avron]

How long will we see continued venting if this attempt is a scrub?

As long as the anti-commercial guys hands hold out I guess  (j/k)

LOL...