Author Topic: SpaceX Falcon 9/Dragon CRS SpX-1 PROCESSING/Pre-LAUNCH UPDATES (Read 138031 times)

jabe · « **Reply #100 on:** 09/29/2012 11:31 am »

any word on streaming of hotfire?
jb

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #101 on:** 09/29/2012 12:28 pm »

Quote from: jabe on 09/29/2012 11:31 am

any word on streaming of hotfire?
jb

I don't see any plans for SpaceX to do it. SFN sometimes get access to an OTV style camera, but I don't see anything on their site.

I'll literally put out a call that if there's anyone in the area, see what you can see!

Orbiter · « **Reply #102 on:** 09/29/2012 02:16 pm »

Not seeing anything the indicate the F9 is on the pad even. Gah! I wish I had L2.

Maybe someone who lives over at Cape Canaveral could get a visual confirmation?

manboy · « **Reply #103 on:** 09/29/2012 02:35 pm »

Will a press kit be released for the flight?

boinc · « **Reply #104 on:** 09/29/2012 03:21 pm »

Falcon 9 is vertical.

Any weather forecasts for next week's launch?

Picture from http://spaceflightnow.com/

UPDATE: according to dragon44 this picture is not from today.

Orbiter · « **Reply #105 on:** 09/29/2012 03:42 pm »

Quote from: boinc on 09/29/2012 03:21 pm

Falcon 9 is vertical.

Any weather forecasts for next week's launch?

Hard to say, the typical summer thunderstorms are starting to calm down, so that shouldn't be an issue. However, it is difficult to predict a stray shower, or the timing of a front now that it's fall.

jabe · « **Reply #106 on:** 09/29/2012 03:56 pm »

is the picture from today for sure? I guess we would have heard if it was cancelled... I am itching for a F9 launch next weekend..be good for Spacex to launch on time so it will start a trend.
jb

boinc · « **Reply #107 on:** 09/29/2012 04:01 pm »

Quote from: jabe on 09/29/2012 03:56 pm

is the picture from today for sure? I guess we would have heard if it was cancelled... I am itching for a F9 launch next weekend..be good for Spacex to launch on time so it will start a trend.
jb

According to Spaceflightnow.com: "The Falcon 9 rocket rolled to the launch pad this morning for a final countdown rehearsal and static fire engine test ahead of liftoff Oct. 7 to the International Space Station.

Ignition of the rocket's nine Merlin first stage engines is expected around 1:30 p.m. EDT (1730 GMT). " So i quess it's an updated picture.

Thanks for the LINKS !!!

Joffan · « **Reply #108 on:** 09/29/2012 04:02 pm »

From SpaceFlightNow's mission status, http://spaceflightnow.com/falcon9/004/status.html

Quote

Engineers plan to load nearly 39,000 gallons of super cold liquid oxygen and almost 25,000 gallons of kerosene fuel into the first stage tanks. About 7,300 gallons of liquid oxygen and around 4,600 gallons of kerosene will go into the second stage.

... why do they fuel up the second stage? Is the added mass somehow important?

ugordan · « **Reply #109 on:** 09/29/2012 04:05 pm »

Quote from: Joffan on 09/29/2012 04:02 pm

why do they fuel up the second stage? Is the added mass somehow important?

Because it's the ultimate launch dress rehearsal. They're not doing this for a static test fire of the 1st stage, they aim to verify the vehicle as a whole is ready for flight, that it would issue the launch commit signal when the time comes.

dcporter · « **Reply #110 on:** 09/29/2012 04:08 pm »

Quote from: Joffan on 09/29/2012 04:02 pm

why do they fuel up the second stage? Is the added mass somehow important?

Or testing everything that's testable?

dragon44 · « **Reply #111 on:** 09/29/2012 04:39 pm »

Quote from: jabe on 09/29/2012 03:56 pm

is the picture from today for sure? I guess we would have heard if it was cancelled... I am itching for a F9 launch next weekend..be good for Spacex to launch on time so it will start a trend.
jb

That picture is not from today, but the rocket is vertical.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #112 on:** 09/29/2012 04:44 pm »

Super! We're all going to be a bit blind with this, so any confirmation of the hotfire would be appreciated.

(Meanwhile, I'll write anb article that will make good use the successful preps for Dragon's arrival on the ISS).

jabe · « **Reply #113 on:** 09/29/2012 04:46 pm »

spacflightnow is posting updates..so far so good it seems
jb

edit:btw wish Spacex would get their webcast page updated

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

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #114 on:** 09/29/2012 04:59 pm »

Nice. They are based at the Cape, so it was always going to down to them for a blind event like this.

Reminds me I need to win the lottery and buy one of those media huts at KSC! I'd love that, in case any rich people are reading

jabe · « **Reply #115 on:** 09/29/2012 05:04 pm »

I am a bit surprised one of the KSC cams aren't aimed that way. Not much else going on so re-aim one

jb

Prober · « **Reply #116 on:** 09/29/2012 05:17 pm »

Quote from: jabe on 09/29/2012 05:04 pm

I am a bit surprised one of the KSC cams aren't aimed that way. Not much else going on so re-aim one
jb

time to establish the "Prober network". Print up some standard 3D flying models with cams on them

jabe · « **Reply #117 on:** 09/29/2012 05:36 pm »

looks like it might have happened via spaceflightnow.
jb

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #118 on:** 09/29/2012 05:38 pm »

Just will need to know if that satisfied their hot fire requirements.

ugordan · « **Reply #119 on:** 09/29/2012 05:39 pm »

Again, via SFN:

SpaceX confirms they completed the Falcon 9 static fire test as planned today.

"We will need to look at data to verify all systems are go for launch, but we completed the static fire test today as planned and on time," a SpaceX spokesperson said.