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

[ChefPat]

Are there any updates for the Update Thread? Are we a "Go" for 3:44 AM EDT?

[ugordan]

Still waiting for the decision from SpaceX.

[Chris Bergin]

Are we a "Go" for 3:44 AM EDT?

Nothing yet. I've just sent an inquiry for info via the L2 side.

Wondering how late they can leave this for a 22nd attempt.

New thread if they are go for the 22nd (thus this thread would come to a close).

[Jim]

Question: does the N₂ for purging the pumps come from onboard tanks or from an umbilical link to the pad?

I case you're wondering, IIRC the red bottles attached to the bottom of the second stage perform this function for Merlin Vac.

Those are for tank pressurization I believe.

[ugordan]

Wouldn't it have helium spheres inside the tank for that?

[Chris Bergin]

GO for the 22nd. New thread for that. Will keep this one going for a while.

[corrodedNut]

Wouldn't it have helium spheres inside the tank for that?

Yeah, the users' guide says heated helium for tank pressurization.

But I'm glad you went first! Ha ha ha. (sorry about that, no more OT, I promise)

Edit- Responding to Jim's post below, so as not clog up the updates thread with additional posts: I agree, all helium spheres are submerged in the LOX tank of either stage.

[Jim]

Wouldn't it have helium spheres inside the tank for that?

Yeah, the users' guide says heated helium for tank pressurization.

Still could come from tanks inside.

[Chris Bergin]

SpaceX confirmation - will add this to the new thread later:

SpaceX Launch Attempt Set for 3:44 AM Eastern on Tuesday, May 22nd

Tomorrow’s Launch from Cape Canaveral Would Set the Stage for Historic Test Flight

First Ever Attempt by a Private Company to Send a Spacecraft to the International Space Station

 

Hawthorne, CA – Tomorrow, Tuesday, May 22nd, at 3:44 AM Eastern, Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) will attempt to launch a Falcon 9 rocket carrying a Dragon spacecraft to orbit in an exciting start to the mission that will make SpaceX the first commercial company in history to try to send a spacecraft to the International Space Station.

 

Sending a spacecraft to the space station has only ever been accomplished by four entities – the United States, Russia, Japan and the European Union. 

 

Saturday’s launch was aborted when the flight computer detected slightly high pressure in the engine 5 combustion chamber. During rigorous inspections of the engine, SpaceX engineers discovered a faulty check valve on the Merlin engine.  The failed valve was replaced on Saturday and after thorough analysis the vehicle has been cleared for launch.

 

SpaceX will webcast the launch live at www.SpaceX.com starting at 3:00 AM Eastern.

 

After launch, NASA will host a press conference that will include SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and President Gwynne Shotwell. It will be live on NASA TV or webcast at www.NASA.gov/ntv.

 

Detailed information on the mission is available in the SpaceX launch press kit: http://www.spacex.com/downloads/COTS-2-Press-Kit-5-14-12.pdf

Throughout the mission high-resolution photos will be posted at spacexlaunch.zenfolio.com and broadcast quality videos will be posted at vimeo.com/spacexlaunch.

 

Mission Highlights: During the mission, Dragon must perform a series of complex tasks, each presenting significant technical challenges (dates subject to change):

·         May 22/Launch Day: SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket launches a Dragon spacecraft into orbit from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

·         May 23: Dragon orbits Earth as it travels toward the International Space Station.

·         May 24: Dragon’s sensors and flight systems are subject to a series of complicated tests to determine if the vehicle is ready to berth with the space station; these tests include maneuvers and systems checks that see the vehicle come within 1.5 miles of the station. 

·         May 25: NASA decides if Dragon is allowed to attempt to berth with the station.  If so, Dragon approaches; it is captured by station’s robotic arm and attached to the station.  This requires extreme precision as both Dragon and station orbit the earth every 90 minutes.

·         May 26 - 31: Astronauts open Dragon’s hatch, unload supplies and fill Dragon with return cargo.

·         May 31: Dragon is detached from the station and returns to Earth, landing in the Pacific, hundreds of miles west of Southern California.

 

This is SpaceX's second demonstration flight under a 2006 Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) agreement with NASA to develop the capability to carry cargo to and from the International Space Station. The purpose of the flight is to provide NASA and SpaceX with flight data needed to ensure successful future missions to the space station. Demonstration launches are conducted to determine potential issues so that they might be addressed and – by their very nature – carry a significant risk. If any aspect of the mission is not successful, SpaceX will learn from the experience and try again.

 

About SpaceX

SpaceX designs, manufactures and launches the world’s most advanced rockets and spacecraft.  With a diverse manifest of 40 launches to deliver commercial and government satellites to orbit, SpaceX is the world’s fastest growing launch services provider.  In 2010, SpaceX became the first commercial company in history to put a spacecraft into orbit and return it safely to Earth.  With the retirement of the space shuttle, the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft will soon carry cargo, and one day astronauts, to and from the Space Station for NASA.  Founded in 2002 by Elon Musk, SpaceX is a private company owned by management and employees, with minority investments from Founders Fund, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, and Valor Equity Partners. The company has over 1,800 employees in California, Texas, Washington, D.C., and Florida. For more information, visit www.SpaceX.com.

[corrodedNut]

http://twitter.com/#/SpaceX/status/204618465565356032

"SpaceX launch attempt is set for 3:44 AM ET on Tuesday, May 22nd. Live launch webcast at 3:00 AM ET on http://www.spacex.com #DragonLaunch"

[Ben the Space Brit]

GO for the 22nd. New thread for that. Will keep this one going for a while.

That's good; increases the likelihood that it was a software-based problem (over-conservative red lines in the engine health monitoring software) rather than something genuinely wrong with engine #5's injectors or combustion chamber.

If that's the case, then the chances are good for a smooth launch.

That said, how many launch attempts and hotfires have been aborted so far because the IAU has had a panic attack about the engines? Maybe Falcon-9's software needs the same amount of attention as Dragon's did before this flight!

[ugordan]

That's good; increases the likelihood that it was a software-based problem (over-conservative red lines in the engine health monitoring software) rather than something genuinely wrong with engine #5's injectors or combustion chamber.

You haven't been paying attention lately, have you?

[Lurker Steve]

That's good; increases the likelihood that it was a software-based problem (over-conservative red lines in the engine health monitoring software) rather than something genuinely wrong with engine #5's injectors or combustion chamber.

You haven't been paying attention lately, have you?

Well, it was software the prevented the launch.

Software shut things down when it detected a faulty check value.

Now it's time for the Hardware folks to say Thank You instead of blaming the SW guys for more delays.

Next time, A SW guy will also turn off Elon's twitter account, so he doesn't announce what he thinks is the issue before anyone has really looked at the problem, and found the root cause to be something completely different.

[ChrisC]

Welcome back, Ben

Guys, good observations but can we turn the chatter back down again?  This is an update thread.

[jaufgang]

Wired just posted an article titled "How One Faulty Nitrogen-Purge Valve Forced SpaceX to Abort"

http://www.wired.com/autopia/2012/05/spacex-nitrogen-purge-valve-abort/

Key quote:

A check valve that allows the nitrogen purge prior to ignition in the Merlin engine was stuck open just before launch. This stuck valve allowed “liquid oxygen to flow from the main injector [for the rocket engine itself] into the gas generator injector” that generates hot turbine gas, which drives the turbopumps, according to SpaceX. The turbopumps are basically very high-powered fuel and oxidizer pumps that deliver the liquids to the main combustion chamber of the rocket. The result was the turbopumps were operating at a slightly higher power level, resulting in the high pressure detected in the combustion chamber on engine five.

[JimO]

We won't have the front row seat for rev-1 flyover any more, here in houston, because the vehicles won't exit Earth's shadow until they are well past zenith. But we might spot them off in the NE sky, going away.

Folks farther down track -- Memphis, Columbus, Albany -- ought to have a much better view of the train of objects, including the second stage, perhaps venting. PLEASE pass the word, confirm your local visibility, and go outside to LOOK.

...and report back.

 

[Danderman]

Nanoracks would like to thank @spacex for making it possible for NCESSE students to return to watch tomorrow's #dragonlaunch

[kevin-rf]

Is't it times for a LAUNCH ATTEMPT 2 Updates thread?

[Chris Bergin]

Is't it times for a LAUNCH ATTEMPT 2 Updates thread?

Want to get a bit closer to the start of the count, let's say an hour or so until we start it.... I don't fancy going without some sleep having to moderate a live launch thread because people are busy posting about their late night beer plans

[corrodedNut]

Why is there a crane on the pad?