Author Topic: LIVE: Falcon 9 Flight 1 Maiden Flight - June 4, 2010 (Read 499328 times)

PahTo · « **Reply #680 on:** 06/04/2010 07:18 pm »

Congrats to SpaceX and everyone involved--most impressive!

spaceflight now commentary mentioned something about slight re-contact with second stage engine, and then fuel sloshing, but the feed was so choppy I couldn't tell if they were talking about earlier Falcon 1 test, or this. The second stage did roll quite a bit, but hey, for a first shot of the Falcon 9 to achieve orbit is remarkable.

Again, congrats to SpaceX, thanks to Chris and NSF for the great coverage, and yes, kudos to you Jim! ;-)

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #681 on:** 06/04/2010 07:18 pm »

From a bleary eyed spectator (its now 4:48 am here) I'd like so say congratulations to SpaceX for their successful launch. The video feed I got was very rough so I missed the beginning of the launch. Thanks to everyone here for the excellent coverage and posting photos of the launch.

Astromark · « **Reply #682 on:** 06/04/2010 07:18 pm »

My heart was really in my throat, but SpaceX came through with (literally) flying colors. For a new rocket launching from a new facility, I don't think it could have gone much better. Musk has given us something that's been in short supply from NASA lately: hope.

JMS · « **Reply #683 on:** 06/04/2010 07:19 pm »

WTG SpaceX!
Hell yes we can.

sanman · « **Reply #684 on:** 06/04/2010 07:20 pm »

Been watching the whole thing from work. My heartiest praise to SpaceX.

So what are the next steps? What's the next thing to look forward to from SpaceX? Will they give some kind of post-mission briefing? Will we learn more about exactly how well the rocket performed on this flight?

Ford Mustang · « **Reply #685 on:** 06/04/2010 07:20 pm »

SpaceX Launch Video from T-1 minute to end of webcast is now uploading. Will be posted here shortly. Congrats to all involved in the SpaceX launch!

tankmodeler · « **Reply #686 on:** 06/04/2010 07:20 pm »

Quote from: Norm Hartnett on 06/04/2010 07:10 pm

Quote from: DaveJSC on 06/04/2010 07:04 pm
Very unprofessional woman in the launch control center screaming and shouting over the loop.

Great wasn't it? Glad to see some passion, I cried myself and I'm not even involved.

If it was my mission, I'd be tap dancin' on the tables. That was a sweet launch, no matter how many times you've done it. For the team's first (or 5th if they were on the Falcon 1 launches) it's even sweeter.

Scream & yell & go get drunk all ya want, launch team, you all deserve it. Bloody well done.

Paul

Mark Max Q · « **Reply #687 on:** 06/04/2010 07:21 pm »

So no one can explain why it was rolling around during second stage? Would a crew survive that?

Takalok · « **Reply #688 on:** 06/04/2010 07:21 pm »

Congrats SpaceX!!

Can you believe the Wikipedia page is already updated with the successful launch? heh

Let's hope SpaceX is given a fair chance at the future without further political interference.

gladiator1332 · « **Reply #689 on:** 06/04/2010 07:22 pm »

Quote from: tankmodeler on 06/04/2010 07:20 pm

Quote from: Norm Hartnett on 06/04/2010 07:10 pm
Quote from: DaveJSC on 06/04/2010 07:04 pm
Very unprofessional woman in the launch control center screaming and shouting over the loop.

Great wasn't it? Glad to see some passion, I cried myself and I'm not even involved.
If it was my mission, I'd be tap dancin' on the tables. That was a sweet launch, no matter how many times you've done it. For the team's first (or 5th if they were on the Falcon 1 launches) it's even sweeter.

Scream & yell & go get drunk all ya want, launch team, you all deserve it. Bloody well done.

Paul

Can you say, "Party at Elon's house!!!!!"

stockman · « **Reply #690 on:** 06/04/2010 07:22 pm »

Quote from: Ford Mustang on 06/04/2010 07:20 pm

SpaceX Launch Video from T-1 minute to end of webcast is now uploading. Will be posted here shortly. Congrats to all involved in the SpaceX launch!

Great Job.. Thank you Ford... hoping your feed was a bit steadier than mine...

Jim · « **Reply #691 on:** 06/04/2010 07:23 pm »

Quote from: zerm on 06/04/2010 07:11 pm

Just getting through the first stage would be considered a success on this one. Looks like they have a spectacular vehicle there. Now they need to do it again... and again, and again... Which is fine with me- I'm a real sucker for big clustered engines. Looked great.

Makes it more of a challenge to model

Hungry4info3 · « **Reply #692 on:** 06/04/2010 07:23 pm »

Quote from: Mark Max Q on 06/04/2010 07:21 pm

So no one can explain why it was rolling around during second stage? Would a crew survive that?

One of the Gemini missions experienced extreme roll rates, enough to make this look like drift. They survived.

stockman · « **Reply #693 on:** 06/04/2010 07:23 pm »

Quote from: Mark Max Q on 06/04/2010 07:21 pm

So no one can explain why it was rolling around during second stage? Would a crew survive that?

I would suggest we give them a few hours or days to analyze the data before coming to any conclusions... At least they got a full missions worth of data to go over so the problem and eventual answer should be there... give them some time...

iamlucky13 · « **Reply #694 on:** 06/04/2010 07:23 pm »

Quote from: PahTo on 06/04/2010 07:18 pm

spaceflight now commentary mentioned something about slight re-contact with second stage engine, and then fuel sloshing, but the feed was so choppy I couldn't tell if they were talking about earlier Falcon 1 test, or this. The second stage did roll quite a bit, but hey, for a first shot of the Falcon 9 to achieve orbit is remarkable.

Clearance around that giant nozzle looked tight, but I saw very little pitch (unlike the case of the Falcon 1 contact), and I saw no nozzle contact. I'm sure someone will have a replay up soon for a second look.

Talk of fuel slosh may have been spurred by the roll. Fuel accelerating from a standstill in the tank to a swirl down the feed lines imparts a torque to the vehicle.

Lars_J · « **Reply #695 on:** 06/04/2010 07:23 pm »

Quote from: Mark Max Q on 06/04/2010 07:21 pm

So no one can explain why it was rolling around during second stage? Would a crew survive that?

Sure, why not? It was a very slow roll...

But I'm guessing it also means that they did not hit the exact orbit they were aiming for. Nothing wrong with that for this test mission, of course.

It did look like the roll control exhaust was working properly for the first minute or two of the 2nd stage flight, but then it stopped working.

racshot65 · « **Reply #696 on:** 06/04/2010 07:24 pm »

Quote from: Mark Max Q on 06/04/2010 07:21 pm

So no one can explain why it was rolling around during second stage? Would a crew survive that?

I no nothing about rocket development but could it be resonance ?

jongoff · « **Reply #697 on:** 06/04/2010 07:24 pm »

Quote from: Mark Max Q on 06/04/2010 07:21 pm

So no one can explain why it was rolling around during second stage? Would a crew survive that?

That definitely didn't look nominal, but I don't think the roll rate was anywhere near the level of being hazardous to a crew.

~Jon

neilh · « **Reply #698 on:** 06/04/2010 07:25 pm »

I was skimming youtube and found this video somebody recorded from the ground with a personal camera:

Also, this launch clip from the webcast:

Apparently a giant bug was attacking the launch camera at T-3 seconds.

gladiator1332 · « **Reply #699 on:** 06/04/2010 07:25 pm »

Quote from: jongoff on 06/04/2010 07:24 pm

Quote from: Mark Max Q on 06/04/2010 07:21 pm
So no one can explain why it was rolling around during second stage? Would a crew survive that?

That definitely didn't look nominal, but I don't think the roll rate was anywhere near the level of being hazardous to a crew.

~Jon

Yeah, didn't look like something an astronaut would pull the abort handle over.