LIVE: Falcon 9 Flight 1 Maiden Flight - June 4, 2010

[orbitjunkie]

Did anyone else notice the extensive rolling once they reached space? At first I thought it was probably just for thermal control, but it kept going and going, and then it was coning, too. Certainly didn't look like I'd expect.

My co-worker who sits next to me has a friend that is some kind of propulsion engineer there he was in real-time contact with. The guy said they might have lost power to some kind of roll control and it wasn't doing what they wanted. But they still made it to orbit! That's all I know.

All in all it's a pretty impressive initial showing. I'm sure there will be a lot of much-deserved celebrating tonight, and then digging through the data tomorrow.

I still think it's awesome that they turned around from a post-ignition abort in such a short time.

[BarryKirk]

When is the second burn scheduled for?

Are they going to do a second burn?

[hop]

Congratulations SpaceX. Getting through second stage on the first flight is an impressive accomplishment, regardless of whether everything went exactly as planned. Many bigger, more experienced organizations have failed get that far.

I stand by my earlier predictions, but would be extremely happy to be wrong

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

The roll itself, no problem. Whether it represents some serious underlying failure is another question, which will be answered in due time.

[Hungry4info3]

Did anyone else notice the extensive rolling once they reached space?

Judging by the last several pages of posts, it looks like you're the first to notice the roll.   

[SpacexULA]

So where are my kudos for predicting a June launch last January

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=18936.msg521188#msg521188

You tha man Jim, and so is Spacex

[Ben the Space Brit]

Very good job to all the team at SpaceX on a spectacular first flight.  I don't think that anyone can accuse them of being a small operation with big dreams forever out of their reach any more.

With reference to the roll of the second stage, it looked very bad, maybe as high as 5 rpm by SECO-1.  I saw the roll control thrusters firing early in the second stage burn but then they stopped.  Either the roll control system failed or it was deliberately shut down by LC.  The reason for the latter could be that they noticed something imposing a roll on the vehicle and wanted as much data on it as possible so as to troubleshoot it.  As there was no payload to damage, they let her roll.

Either way, that is definately something to fix.

That said, given that Mr. Musk said that he would be happy just to complete the core burn, to get the upper stage and payload simulator into orbit (even if it isn't long-term stable) is a great result for a totally new rocket.  I don't think that we should let one obvious issue detract from the achievement of a company who, even up to a matter of days ago, was still being derided on the Internet by some as a joke.

To paraphrase something someone else has already said: "Please define the term 'Paper Rocket'."

[stockman]

SFN confirming that they are in orbit - but no confirmation on altitude or inclination

[jgoldader]

Any chance the roll was intended, for stability?

Jeff

[SpaceDave]

Falcon 9 is no longer a paper rocket

NASA just got a Delta II replacement.

Will need more history than 1 launch, but a good and necessary first step. In the meantime, expect more Minotaur launches.

[simonth]

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 ?

It might more likely have been a re-occurance of their Falcon 1 fuel slosh problem they encountered during Flight 2. Probably they need to look at the design for their slosh buffers for Falcon 9.

[Silmfeanor]

Also, this launch clip from the webcast:



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

there is like a 90 degree roll as soon as the engines are started, which is then just as abruptly stopped. Could this be comparable to the roll on stage 2?

Thanks for the link, I'll rewatch that one for sure!

[Downix]

Falcon 9 is no longer a paper rocket

NASA just got a Delta II replacement.

Will need more history than 1 launch, but a good and necessary first step. In the meantime, expect more Minotaur launches.

Quite right, but considering what has transpired so far, this appears to be them on the right track.

[zerm]

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

I actually have a version of it already that spits out a little Dragon on its own chute... not sure I can market it, Elon has REALLY good lawyers

[Jim]

With reference to the roll of the second stage, it looked very bad, maybe as high as 5 rpm by SECO-1.  I saw the roll control thrusters firing early in the second stage burn but then they stopped.  Either the roll control system failed or it was deliberately shut down by LC.  The reason for the latter could be that they noticed something imposing a roll on the vehicle and wanted as much data on it as possible so as to troubleshoot it.  As there was no payload to damage, they let her roll.

Launch vehicles are autonomous.  There is no commanding from the ground.

[yg1968]

Video from Fox News:

[Jim]

I actually have a version of it already that spits out a little Dragon on its own chute... not sure I can market it, Elon has REALLY good lawyers;)

Don't call a Falcon and Dragon.   It is the Hawk and Griffon.

[edkyle99]

Someone asked about the "sparkling" effect at liftoff.  My guess is that it was ice, maybe a tonne or two of ice, but maybe some of that insulation too, being shaken off the Falcon and falling through the engine plumes.  Look at a Saturn liftoff film for a similar effect.

 - Ed Kyle

[josh_simonson]

The announcer did say at one point that the roll control actuator was going to wiggle a bit for a series of tests.  I didn't notice any particular wiggling and the roll started shortly after.  Maybe the tests they were running caused a problem with it.

Right before max Q there was also a large flash of flame, and it seemed to derail the announcer for a second, but obviously it wasn't critical.  Perhaps a trans-sonic effect on the plume.

[clongton]

Elon is THE MAN!!!! How drunk do we reckon he's getting tonight?

That's not his style. He'll have a celebratory drink, and go back to work.

[Jim]

Falcon 9 is no longer a paper rocket

NASA just got a Delta II replacement.

Will need more history than 1 launch, but a good and necessary first step. In the meantime, expect more Minotaur launches.

One flight was all NASA needs to use.  They already are on contract.