SpaceX Falcon 9 v1.1 - SES-8 - DISCUSSION THREAD

[Lurker Steve]

But that's the engine on a test stand. Think about the same engine inside the "octoweb". The top of the gas generator is above the combustion chamber. Probably simple to remove if the engine is out, but not so much with the engine still mounted inside the stage. If you have to take the engine out anyway, why not replace it with one that was tested as an entire unit ?
 

[meekGee]

Elon's original comment was:
"Depends on whether we need to pull the turbopumps"

Adding this to the picture, maybe they remove the turbo pump in order to access/clean/inspect the gas generator?

[Lars_J]

But that's the engine on a test stand. Think about the same engine inside the "octoweb". The top of the gas generator is above the combustion chamber. Probably simple to remove if the engine is out, but not so much with the engine still mounted inside the stage. If you have to take the engine out anyway, why not replace it with one that was tested as an entire unit ?

It is possible that the production unit has more accessible components. Anyways, since they designed and built the engines, presumably they know best how to change parts. (and what parts)

Or is there something else you have on your mind here?

[oiorionsbelt]

Anyone know what we're seeing in the foreground front of the flame trench/ car  wash

[corrodedNut]

Anyone know what we're seeing in the foreground front of the flame trench/ car  wash

security cameras on the perimeter fence

[corrodedNut]

2 new photos are up: http://www.spacex.com/gallery/falcon-9-first-geostationary-transfer-mission

[dragon44]

Anyone know what we're seeing in the foreground front of the flame trench/ car  wash

security cameras on the perimeter fence

You can make them out in this photo between the two people.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8390/8523254818_58cc8e076b_o.jpg

[Lars_J]

2 new photos are up: http://www.spacex.com/gallery/falcon-9-first-geostationary-transfer-mission

Here is one of them... (the only new one?)

[oiorionsbelt]

Anyone know what we're seeing in the foreground front of the flame trench/ car  wash

security cameras on the perimeter fence

You can make them out in this photo between the two people.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8390/8523254818_58cc8e076b_o.jpg

Thanks. This is why this site is so great.

[cambrianera]

What about a nice section of Merlin1D?
GG circled.

[mheney]

Any alternative webcast sites?  LiveStream and SpaceX both keep cutting out after about 10 seconds ...

[Lurker Steve]

But that's the engine on a test stand. Think about the same engine inside the "octoweb". The top of the gas generator is above the combustion chamber. Probably simple to remove if the engine is out, but not so much with the engine still mounted inside the stage. If you have to take the engine out anyway, why not replace it with one that was tested as an entire unit ?

It is possible that the production unit has more accessible components. Anyways, since they designed and built the engines, presumably they know best how to change parts. (and what parts)

Or is there something else you have on your mind here?

Just personal experience. When I find a flaky part, I usually replace it with a known working one if I have one available. For instance, if our control computer dies, I replace the computer with a known good one, then take the bad one to the bench to figure out if the IO board is bad or some other issue. It gets the machine back in service sooner, and the bad component can be fixed offline, out of the critical path.
If I don't have a spare, that's a different story.

[Jim]

that is the turbopump,

[Lars_J]

webcast has started: http://www.spacex.com/webcast/

[Lars_J]

According to webcast, the gas generators were cleaned (and one replaced) while the F9 was vertical at the pad.

[Garrett]

Any alternative webcast sites?  LiveStream and SpaceX both keep cutting out after about 10 seconds ...

I have the same problem. I think it's an internet service provider issue, with bandwidth limitations to LiveStream. For some reason, watching the feed through SpaceflightNow* seems to get around the issue.

[deltaV]

"First stage heater auto-sequence is ending." Any guess as to what that is?

[A12]

Any alternative webcast sites?  LiveStream and SpaceX both keep cutting out after about 10 seconds ...

I have the same problem. I think it's an internet service provider issue, with bandwidth limitations to LiveStream. For some reason, watching the feed through SpaceflightNow* seems to get around the issue.

The same happens here in Italy.

[IRobot]

Anyone noticed the small wobble on the top of the rocket when the strongback clamps opened?

[SaxtonHale]

Yes, hard to tell what was doing the moving.