Author Topic: OMG it's the SpaceX Party Thread! (Read 478968 times)

cro-magnon gramps · « **Reply #240 on:** 05/22/2012 12:23 am »

Quote from: yatpay on 05/21/2012 07:44 pm

I just impulsively bought a plane ticket from Buffalo to Orlando! I arrive at 12:05am, head to the launch site, watch the launch, and head back to the airport for a 7:00am flight back.

They better go tonight!!

Sir, that is so out of my past, good on you!! Enjoy the experience of a lifetime! You'll have a platinum coated memory, that no one can steal!

Gramps

shuttle_buff · « **Reply #241 on:** 05/22/2012 12:54 am »

Go SpaceX!

Unfortunately trying to validate seven engines ready for lift-off in 3 sec with a almost "instantainious launch window" may seem easier with computers today but some would argue it's more complicated.

Remember, you now have real-time sensors feeding the real-time computer software for analysis and "go/no go" criteria.

There is a trade-off. Then consider all the other launch criteria.

I'd give tonight's launch another 50/50 chance.

Hope I'm wrong.

This same issue could haunt Falcon Heavy with 27 engines.

Also the Soviet N-1 Moon rocket had 30 engines. It was never successful but that was a different time in a different country, I know.

SpaceX has computers and digital IO (sensors and controllers).

God-speed SpaceX!

tigerade · « **Reply #242 on:** 05/22/2012 12:59 am »

I think it's more likely they will launch tonight compared with May 19th. They've had two static fires on the rocket at this point (one intentional, the other unplanned

). So I am thinking that with all known issues resolved with the F9/Dragon, we should be good for a launch tonight.

rickl · « **Reply #243 on:** 05/22/2012 01:04 am »

I haven't mentioned this before, but I've been a bit concerned about the "pontoons"--the solar panel covers.

They don't appear in the early Dragon illustrations, so I assume they were added later. Is that considered a "kludge"? I worry about them tearing off during the ascent.

Maybe this belongs on the discussion thread, and is off-topic for the party thread.

shuttle_buff · « **Reply #244 on:** 05/22/2012 01:11 am »

rickl,

While I'm no expert, I'm sure the solar panel covers spent time in a wind-tunnel.

I don't think there should be any concern there.

My concern is getting nine engines ready for flight in 3 seconds.

Thanks,

shuttle_buff

Lee Jay · « **Reply #245 on:** 05/22/2012 01:19 am »

Okay, SpaceX, knock our socks off with a great C2+ mission!

FinalFrontier · « **Reply #246 on:** 05/22/2012 01:24 am »

Count appears to be getting under way nominally.

Bubbinski · « **Reply #247 on:** 05/22/2012 01:26 am »

Okay I'll be up at 1:44 am on a work night. Call me crazy. Call me wacko. But I'll be watching it on my iPad. And hoping MECO is high in space and not on the pad!

FinalFrontier · « **Reply #248 on:** 05/22/2012 01:33 am »

Weather is basically green for tonight, rdale mentioned earlier near 0 chance of weather related scrub.

Only thing that would be an issue for tonight would be a technical issue. IMO, don't think we will see anymore issues with the prop/check valves. Only thing I can think of off the top of my head would be an improper pump spin up visa vi helium system starter (which has happened several times before on the test stand and is not unheard of at all). Usually happens when for whatever reason pump turbines (or turbine) doesn't spin up quite as fast as the software would like it to so the computer aborts.

These instantaneous launch windows are a real bugger, because you can't just recycle for 15 minutes from that and then try starting up again. Minor issues, not even issue that should stop the launch, can lose you the window.

sojourner · « **Reply #249 on:** 05/22/2012 01:37 am »

Anybody got a link to a livestream that actualy shows something?

Herb Schaltegger · « **Reply #250 on:** 05/22/2012 01:48 am »

Quote from: sojourner on 05/22/2012 01:37 am

Anybody got a link to a livestream that actualy shows something?

The stream will go live over night (3:00 a.m. EDT) before the launch.

sojourner · « **Reply #251 on:** 05/22/2012 01:50 am »

The SFN stream is "live" and has been all weekend. It just seems to be having image problems.

Herb Schaltegger · « **Reply #252 on:** 05/22/2012 01:50 am »

Quote from: sojourner on 05/22/2012 01:50 am

The SFN stream is "live" and has been all weekend. It just seems to be having image problems.

If the first launch attempt is any example, the SpaceX stream will be excellent.

Norm Hartnett · « **Reply #253 on:** 05/22/2012 02:16 am »

Quote from: sojourner on 05/22/2012 01:37 am

Anybody got a link to a livestream that actualy shows something?

SpaceFlight Now's feed seems to have cleaned up.

QuantumG · « **Reply #254 on:** 05/22/2012 02:19 am »

Quote from: Herb Schaltegger on 05/22/2012 01:50 am

If the first launch attempt is any example, the SpaceX stream will be excellent.

And from my "focus group testing" - actually had some appeal to non-space-geeks.

docmordrid · « **Reply #255 on:** 05/22/2012 03:18 am »

I agree - the SpaceX stream last time was very well done. If they do this with their launches from now on it's going to be popular.

WulfTheSaxon · « **Reply #256 on:** 05/22/2012 03:43 am »

SpaceX (and Tesla) always impress me with their video quality. Elon must have good vision.

Speaking of streams, does anybody know of a better NASA TV stream than Ustream? I’m somewhat surprised that I can’t seem to find a direct ~14mbps copy of the satellite version anywhere (or even a >5mbps H.264 or Dirac transcode). =/

simonbp · « **Reply #257 on:** 05/22/2012 04:25 am »

Quote from: ChefPat on 05/21/2012 08:43 pm

Quote from: sojourner on 05/21/2012 08:20 pm
Reminds me of the time I was on a business trip to Phoenix. The flight back was around noon. So that morning me and a friend got up at about 5am drove 2+ hours to Meteor Crater, looked around for half an hour then drove 2+ hours straight back to Phoenix airport.
Meteor Crater is 3 hours away from Phx at 75 mph on the Interstate. What were you flying?

Ditto; I usually give myself 3 hours to get down to Phoenix from Flagstaff. The state troopers must like you...

Robotbeat · « **Reply #258 on:** 05/22/2012 04:42 am »

Quote from: shuttle_buff on 05/22/2012 12:54 am

Go SpaceX!

Unfortunately trying to validate seven engines ready for lift-off in 3 sec with a almost "instantainious launch window" may seem easier with computers today but some would argue it's more complicated.

Remember, you now have real-time sensors feeding the real-time computer software for analysis and "go/no go" criteria.

There is a trade-off. Then consider all the other launch criteria.

I'd give tonight's launch another 50/50 chance.

Hope I'm wrong.

This same issue could haunt Falcon Heavy with 27 engines.

Also the Soviet N-1 Moon rocket had 30 engines. It was never successful but that was a different time in a different country, I know.

SpaceX has computers and digital IO (sensors and controllers).

God-speed SpaceX!

N-1 never did an integrated ground stage test. That's what killed them and why they never got past the first stage. SpaceX has done several ground tests of Falcon 9, including full-length ones, before the first took off, which is why I suspect they were successful. FWIW, don't expect any kind of Falcon Heavy launch before it's been test-fired several times at McGregor. And the test-firing pad must be built for it first, since I believe Falcon Heavy is too big for the existing milk stool.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #259 on:** 05/22/2012 04:45 am »

Quote from: docmordrid on 05/22/2012 03:18 am

I agree - the SpaceX stream last time was very well done. If they do this with their launches from now on it's going to be popular.

SVC Ben, who works for SpaceX now, probably has something to do with the dramatic improvement. He knows his stuff, like a boss.