Author Topic: SpaceX: Falcon 9 Hotfire Attempt 2 Updates (Read 147800 times)

rdale · « **Reply #160 on:** 03/13/2010 04:41 pm »

Quote from: TrueBlueWitt on 03/13/2010 04:39 pm

I think a "good" burn would be any ignition of the rocket engines.. at least compared to the failed attempt earlier this week.

I've seen engines ignite in "not a good way" before so I guess that's all I was asking

butters · « **Reply #161 on:** 03/13/2010 04:42 pm »

Yeah, but the extent of our commentary is "well, it looked kinda like what we suspect it should have looked like". Whereas the launch team presumably gets a simulated launch commit criteria indication in real time, and an internal PAO would be able to pass that along.

rdale · « **Reply #162 on:** 03/13/2010 04:43 pm »

Last wind report from SLC41 (closest available) was sustained 20mph with gusts to 30mph. If that camera is on Pad 39A, the winds at the 60ft level there were 18G29 mph.

stockman · « **Reply #163 on:** 03/13/2010 04:43 pm »

Just an observation - the flame trench worked properly and they definitely ingited - no black charring is visible at the base like after the aborted attempt...

aquarius · « **Reply #164 on:** 03/13/2010 04:47 pm »

I'd thought it was a handheld camera...

edkyle99 · « **Reply #165 on:** 03/13/2010 04:47 pm »

Quote from: billh on 03/13/2010 04:39 pm

...my guess is that someone (probably SpaceX) wants to restrict the flow of information. ...

I'm shocked that anyone would think such a thing.

- Ed Kyle

ugordan · « **Reply #166 on:** 03/13/2010 04:50 pm »

Quote from: aquarius on 03/13/2010 04:47 pm

I'd thought it was a handheld camera...

They are distant cameras and being at high levels of zoom, any shaking (wind-induced or otherwise) really shows up.

Here's the best shot we currently have, touched up a bit:

Borderline · « **Reply #167 on:** 03/13/2010 05:02 pm »

http://spaceflightnow.com/falcon9/001/status.html

seems spacex did it

the future keeps coming

Robert

ugordan · « **Reply #168 on:** 03/13/2010 05:05 pm »

Another distant view from SFN:

corrodedNut · « **Reply #169 on:** 03/13/2010 05:05 pm »

Even if the previous attempt was considered a "failure", they (SpaceX) still provided an update the same evening, which I consider to be timely, I don't expect anything different this time.

stockman · « **Reply #170 on:** 03/13/2010 05:11 pm »

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

Even if the previous attempt was considered a "failure", they (SpaceX) still provided an update the same evening, which I consider to be timely, I don't expect anything different this time.

Well Considering they OWE us nothing....any upate, whenever it comes, will be greatly appreciated...

stockman · « **Reply #171 on:** 03/13/2010 05:13 pm »

Update from SFN: 1:10

"This will conclude our live stream of today's test. Unfortunately, suitable camera angles were blocked from the public's view during this critical milestone for the Falcon 9 rocket. "

stockman · « **Reply #172 on:** 03/13/2010 05:14 pm »

heading out so last post for a while from me.

Current shot of the vehicle - looks like venting is almost down to nothing... must be almost done draining the tanks

corrodedNut · « **Reply #173 on:** 03/13/2010 05:14 pm »

Quote from: stockman on 03/13/2010 05:11 pm

Quote from: corrodedNut on 03/13/2010 05:05 pm
Even if the previous attempt was considered a "failure", they (SpaceX) still provided an update the same evening, which I consider to be timely, I don't expect anything different this time.

Well Considering they OWE us nothing....any upate, whenever it comes, will be greatly appreciated...

I agree completely.

Borderline · « **Reply #174 on:** 03/13/2010 06:19 pm »

thanks to everyone for providing the screen captures...nice work

Robert

ugordan · « **Reply #175 on:** 03/13/2010 06:25 pm »

One last screencap, vehicle is no longer venting.

Harold KSC · « **Reply #176 on:** 03/13/2010 07:18 pm »

SpaceX completed a successful static fire today, full 3.5 secs. Official statement below, video/photos to come as available.

Today, SpaceX successfully completed a test firing of the inaugural Falcon 9 launch vehicle at Space Launch Complex 40 located at Cape Canaveral. Following a nominal terminal countdown, the launch sequencer commanded ignition of all 9 Merlin first stage engines for a period of 3.5 seconds.

Just prior to engine ignition, the pad water deluge system was activated providing acoustic suppression to keep vibration levels within acceptable limits. The test validated the launch pad propellant and pneumatic systems as well as the ground and flight control software that controls pad and launch vehicle configurations. The completion of a successful static fire is the latest milestone on the path to first flight of the Falcon 9 which will carry a Dragon spacecraft qualification unit to orbit.

rdale · « **Reply #177 on:** 03/13/2010 07:24 pm »

Pad is secure, all roadblocks are coming down and everything is done for the day.

HammerD · « **Reply #178 on:** 03/13/2010 07:31 pm »

Quote from: rdale on 03/13/2010 07:24 pm

Pad is secure, all roadblocks are coming down and everything is done for the day.

Great test today! So now what? Review the data...launch on April 12th? That's still a month away!

ugordan · « **Reply #179 on:** 03/13/2010 07:38 pm »

More stabilized footage from the distant camera. Can't say if it's real-time speed or faster.