SCRUB: SpaceX Falcon 9/Dragon COTS Demo (C2+) LAUNCH ATTEMPT 1 UPDATES

[Chris Bergin]

Wow. #DragonLaunch is trending top on UK Twitter, and #SpaceX is fourth, mixed it with football (soccer) hashtags. That's incredible.

[John44]

SpaceXFalcon 9 Dragon Launch Abort - May 19
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7584

[rickl]

Ditto on the praise for NSF Chris.

Interesting that the window was just 1 second, why so small compared to shuttle launches?

The shuttle had the ability to 'side-slip' during ascent to move its target orbital path 'over' to where the target path had wandered. This cost some ascent performance, but was able to accommodate several minutes worth of earth rotation moving the launch site into, and then out of, the target orbital plane.

I've read that on this flight, it's also because they need to conserve Dragon's propellant for all the qualification maneuvering.  Normal cargo flights should have more leeway with the launch window.

[psloss]

Ditto on the praise for NSF Chris.

Interesting that the window was just 1 second, why so small compared to shuttle launches?

The shuttle had the ability to 'side-slip' during ascent to move its target orbital path 'over' to where the target path had wandered. This cost some ascent performance, but was able to accommodate several minutes worth of earth rotation moving the launch site into, and then out of, the target orbital plane.

I've read that on this flight, it's also because they need to conserve Dragon's propellant for all the qualification maneuvering.  Normal cargo flights should have more leeway with the launch window.

True, but it would probably take longer than a few minutes to recycle any of these vehicles after a late cutoff.

[manboy]

Ditto on the praise for NSF Chris.

Interesting that the window was just 1 second, why so small compared to shuttle launches?

The shuttle had the ability to 'side-slip' during ascent to move its target orbital path 'over' to where the target path had wandered. This cost some ascent performance, but was able to accommodate several minutes worth of earth rotation moving the launch site into, and then out of, the target orbital plane.

I've read that on this flight, it's also because they need to conserve Dragon's propellant for all the qualification maneuvering.  Normal cargo flights should have more leeway with the launch window.

If I remember correctly future launches will still have the near instantaneous launch window but they would have daily launch opportunities (if the range is clear).


We should take this to the discussion topic

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=28486.375

[malu5531]

The shuttle had the ability to 'side-slip' during ascent to move its target orbital path 'over' to where the target path had wandered. This cost some ascent performance, but was able to accommodate several minutes worth of earth rotation moving the launch site into, and then out of, the target orbital plane.

Falcon 9 have this ability as well, as I understand. In the prelaunch briefing and before launch attempt today several people from SpaceX and NASA talked about a longer launch window as a possibility, but for this particular mission they need to conserve as much fuel as they can.

[manboy]

The sun is starting to rise at KSC

[Chris Bergin]

SpaceX Statement:
Today, SpaceX aborted the launch of the Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft. Due to the instantaneous launch window, we are not able to recycle and re-attempt the launch today.

Early data indicates that the flight computer detected slightly high combustion chamber pressure on engine 5, which prompted the computer to abort the countdown. We are reviewing the data.

[Nahavandi]

Fingers crossed that there will be no technical difficulties on Tuesday.

[psloss]

http://mobile.twitter.com/NASAKennedy/status/203788622418284545

#DragonLaunch briefing participants will be NASA Commercial Crew & Cargo Program Manager Alan Lindenmoyer & SpaceX Pres Gwynne Shotwell.

[Chris Bergin]

[John44]

SpaceXFalcon 9 Dragon Launch Abort - May 19
http://www.space-multimedia.nl.eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7584

I restart the apache server everything works again

[Chris Bergin]

[psloss]

Discussion thread for soliloquies:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=28486.0

[Chris Bergin]

Presser starting.

[Chris Bergin]

T-0.5 seconds abort. Software abort for chamber pressure on engine 5.

Detanking. Techs to the engine by noon today. Statement will be released on root cause.

Will try again on 22nd or 23rd (NASA approved, but don't yet have the range).

[Chris Bergin]

Station crew prepared for 22nd or 23rd. Good phasing period. Ready to support when SpaceX is ready to go.

[psloss]

Ms. Shotwell saying this doesn't look like a sensor issue; also said earlier that the engine was trending high and tripped the limit at T-0.5 seconds.  Engine 5 was "rock solid" during the hot fire.

[MP99]

#5 was trending upwards, out-of-family with experience on the test stand.

cheers, Maritn

[MP99]

"We can not blame the software guys for this one".

cheers, Martin