LIVE: Space Falcon 9 Flight 2 Static Fire - December 4, 2010

[ugordan]

Possible new T-0 = 15:30 UTC.

[corrodedNut]

Ahhh, back to the "classic" camera angle, now we  just need some lucky yellow jackets, but I'll take paper wasps, golden orb spiders, palmetto bugs, or whatever else the've got...

[brihath]

Prelim T-0: 10:30am local.

Any feedback on root cause?  That is a quick recycle.

[ugordan]

Amazing how smooth this video angle is compared to the other one. Few if any drops.

Finally how a webcast is *supposed* to look like.

[Chris Bergin]

Prelim T-0: 10:30am local.

Any feedback on root cause?  That is a quick recycle.

Nothing yet.

Recycling ops complete. Preparing to re-enter the count in about 10 mins.

[mnagy]

Hi, sorry for maybe a stupid question, but what are the fumes that come out of the rocket? And why are they there?

[Lee Jay]

Hi, sorry for maybe a stupid question, but what are the fumes that come out of the rocket? And why are they there?

Cold Oxygen gas.  The liquid oxygen is cold (very cold) and the outside is warm.  So the liquid is boiling off into gas and the gas (like steam) has to go somewhere outside the tank to keep from over-pressurizing the tank.

[ugordan]

New T-0 is 15:50 UTC

[Dappa]

Hi, sorry for maybe a stupid question, but what are the fumes that come out of the rocket? And why are they there?

Cold Oxygen gas.  The liquid oxygen is cold (very cold) and the outside is warm.  So the liquid is boiling off into gas and the gas (like steam) has to go somewhere outside the tank to keep from over-pressurizing the tank.

What you see is actually condensed water, because of the cold oxygen that's venting out of the rocket.

[SiameseCat]

I heard someone talking about new config files - this probably means they've been changing some parameters.

[ugordan]

They're talking about new config files - this probably means they've been changing some parameters.

Yes. This vehicle apparently isn't as cooperative as the first one when it comes to tight abort limits.

If they don't manage a successful firing today I wonder if that will impact their plan to launch before Dec 9th.

[corrodedNut]

Hi, sorry for maybe a stupid question, but what are the fumes that come out of the rocket? And why are they there?

Cold Oxygen gas.  The liquid oxygen is cold (very cold) and the outside is warm.  So the liquid is boiling off into gas and the gas (like steam) has to go somewhere outside the tank to keep from over-pressurizing the tank.

What you see is actually condensed water, because of the cold oxygen that's venting out of the rocket.

Like seeing your breath on a cold day, only backward.

[jabe]

since it is a little slow right now..a quick question regarding fueling timing..
strong back was put back at 8:26 EST and it was 88% full at 8:57 EST..is it really that fast to fuel?
jb

[Pedantic Twit]

Birds!

[Lee Jay]

Abort was due to low gas generator pressure in engine 6.

[ugordan]

strong back was put back at 8:26 EST and it was 88% full at 8:57 EST..is

If 9 pipes can drain a tank in 3 minutes, nothing unrealistic about one pipe of the same diameter being able to handle loading a tank in 30 mins.

[corrodedNut]

Birds!

I'll take it (the Gods must be pleased)

[e of pi]

Abort was due to low gas generator pressure in engine 6.

Man, what is with engine 6? First the high pressure yesterday, now low gas generator pressure today...is this a lemon engine? If so, how'd it make it through acceptance firing?

[mnagy]

Hi, sorry for maybe a stupid question, but what are the fumes that come out of the rocket? And why are they there?

Cold Oxygen gas.  The liquid oxygen is cold (very cold) and the outside is warm.  So the liquid is boiling off into gas and the gas (like steam) has to go somewhere outside the tank to keep from over-pressurizing the tank.

What you see is actually condensed water, because of the cold oxygen that's venting out of the rocket.

Thanks! Two more question though: Does the oxygen keep venting even after the rocket is launched? Do they pump more oxygen into the tanks while the rocket is still standing to refill the lost oxygen, or are the losses really small?

[stockman]

Abort was due to low gas generator pressure in engine 6.

that was the same one that gave them issues during yesterdays abort I believe