Author Topic: SpaceX: Falcon 9 Hotfire Attempt 2 Updates (Read 138678 times)

stockman · « **Reply #120 on:** 03/13/2010 04:06 pm »

Update from SFN 12:04

"The Falcon 9 rocket's nine Merlin 1C first stage engines will be ignited today for 3.5 seconds, enough time to verify systems on the ground and the launch vehicle responsible for the final few seconds of the countdown.
The engines will produce about 825,000 pounds of total sea level thrust, about four times the power of a 747 jumbo jet at full throttle. The engines consume about 3,200 pounds of kerosene and liquid oxygen propellants per second, according to SpaceX.

"This is analogistic to a run-up an aircraft might do on the runway to verify all systems are functional," said Elon Musk, SpaceX's founder and CEO, in a January interview. "That gives the rocket a nice final shakedown. We will then double-check everything to make sure everything's OK after that short static fire. If it's looking good, then we launch soon thereafter."

Liftoff is scheduled for no earlier than April 12 during a launch window between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. EDT. "

butters · « **Reply #121 on:** 03/13/2010 04:09 pm »

Quote from: corrodedNut on 03/13/2010 04:05 pm

"20 min BIH" is that generic, or specific to this vehicle?

FWIW, the clock has stopped again. I don't think the event labels are actually for Falcon 9. And now the clock is running again. Coming down to L-20 minutes.

ugordan · « **Reply #122 on:** 03/13/2010 04:10 pm »

Yep, the "SRM ignition" mark kind of hints that this is a Delta IV countdown or something.

Is the SFN feed stuck on that camera or what?

Herb Schaltegger · « **Reply #123 on:** 03/13/2010 04:17 pm »

I really hope they switch back to the closer camera . . . the current view is so hazy and far away it's impossible to see much.

corrodedNut · « **Reply #124 on:** 03/13/2010 04:19 pm »

Quote from: Herb Schaltegger on 03/13/2010 04:17 pm

I really hope they switch back to the closer camera . . . the current view is so hazy and far away it's impossible to see much.

I hope they correct the exposure at least.

Ah, thats a little better...

stockman · « **Reply #125 on:** 03/13/2010 04:21 pm »

update from SFN 12:19

"The latest information we have indicates the static fire is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. EST. SpaceX is not providing the media or public any updates on the official status.
Critical steps expected to occur in the last 10 minutes of the countdown include the alignment of the internal navigation system, a second stage engine steering check, transferring the rocket to internal power, liquid oxygen system closeouts, and the start of the automated sequence. "

butters · « **Reply #126 on:** 03/13/2010 04:25 pm »

L-5 minutes

ugordan · « **Reply #127 on:** 03/13/2010 04:25 pm »

Well, this is proving to be a visual bust. Might as well hope the static Channel13/14 web cams happen to refresh during ignition.

Orbiter · « **Reply #128 on:** 03/13/2010 04:26 pm »

L-4 minutes! Good luck Falcon 9.

ugordan · « **Reply #129 on:** 03/13/2010 04:26 pm »

Water coming out of the trench now.

Orbiter · « **Reply #130 on:** 03/13/2010 04:26 pm »

L-3 minutes.

Orbiter · « **Reply #131 on:** 03/13/2010 04:28 pm »

L-2 minutes.

Orbiter · « **Reply #132 on:** 03/13/2010 04:29 pm »

L-60 seconds!

Chris-A · « **Reply #133 on:** 03/13/2010 04:29 pm »

Looks like the vent valves are closed.

Orbiter · « **Reply #134 on:** 03/13/2010 04:29 pm »

L-30 seconds

ugordan · « **Reply #135 on:** 03/13/2010 04:30 pm »

Looks like ignition! Looked like a burn of at least 2 sec. There significant exhaust coming out of the flame trench indicating at least some level of thrust was achieved. Could be a complete burn by the looks of it.

Orbiter · « **Reply #136 on:** 03/13/2010 04:30 pm »

Ignition complete!

Herb Schaltegger · « **Reply #137 on:** 03/13/2010 04:30 pm »

Well, SOMETHING happened. :p Too bad it was too far away to see much.

rdale · « **Reply #138 on:** 03/13/2010 04:31 pm »

I think we'll need to wait on a release to know exactly what hhhhaaapppeeennnneeeeedddd as I was bouncing around too much

jimvela · « **Reply #139 on:** 03/13/2010 04:31 pm »

SFN camera froze and managed only a couple of frames after ignition.

Hope the test went better than the coverage.