SpaceX Falcon 9 v1.1 - CASSIOPE - September, 2013 - GENERAL DISCUSSION THREAD

[PreferToLurk]

God that's a very bare erector.  I was really hoping Falcon 1.1 had a mostly plumbed pad awaiting it.  Looks like as usual Jim is right.

Jason1701 stated that's an old picture.  http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=31734.msg1070954#msg1070954

I don't think that's the picture Jason was referring to.

He was replying to a reply of the image in question.  So other than the fact that there is no EXIF data to back him up, do you have any other reason for doubting his claim?  He has a pretty sparkling track record of accurate information, IMHO.

That thread had a picture of a portion of the "lever" that is used as a lifting mechanism in the trench. There was also a picture of an un-assembled erector frame being worked on in the integration building.

These pictures were not part of that thread. The only pictures of the erector in the vertical position in that thread were line drawings meant to show where that item in the trench fit into the completed erector structure.

I know I'm getting old, but that conversation only took place a week or two ago, so it's fresh in my mind. Jason did mention that the old pictures were from about 4-5 months ago when Bolden visited the site.

Yes, he also commented on the photos taken during the Bolden visit a couple weeks back, but go read that thread, it is very clear. 

Photo of erector with flag paired with the drawing for reference; Spectre9 asking where the claw is; Jason saying that the claw isn't on yet, and that the photo [which spectre9 is referencing] is old. 

[Lurker Steve]

Just go back to page 15 of this thread.

Those are the "old" pictures we were talking about.

This picture of the erector in the vertical position may also be old, but it definitely was taken some time after the Bolden visit.

[PreferToLurk]

Just go back to page 15 of this thread.

Those are the "old" pictures we were talking about.

Who is we in that statement?  SpaceXULA is responding immediately after the flag erector photo was posted, its pretty clear he is talking about the "new" photo. JBF is directly quoting SpaceXULA. Jason1701 is quoting Spectre9. Spectre9 is very clearly talking about the "new" photo. You are the only one who appears to be talking about the pit and hanger photos. 


You replied to JBF and said that you didn't think Jason1701 was referencing the "new" photo.  I replied and said that I think you are mistaken, as it is appears clear that he is indeed talking about the "new" photo, and that I tend to believe what Jason1701 has to say. 

I know this discussion spans two threads, but I don't understand the confusion.

[kevin-rf]

What page 15

It's only page 15 if you use the default 15 posts per page, those of us who use a higher number like 50 posts per page don't have a page 15. Direct links are better.

I think you are reffering to these Bolden visit pictures:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=31429.msg1067377#msg1067377

[Lurker Steve]

I know this discussion spans two threads, but I don't understand the confusion.

I don't understand the confusion either.

This is the first time we have seen the erector in the vertical position on this forum. That makes it new (or at least newer than the previous unassembled images) to me. We can all agree that we don't know when the picture was taken. It's a common practice to fly a flag from the top of a structure under construction, so this was not necessarily done to coincide with the anniversary of our country's birth.

[DJPledger]

First stage acceptance test?

Looks like it. Hopefully SpaceX will send out a press release soon saying they had a successful acceptance test of the F9 v1.1 1st stage. Should not be too long before the F9 v1.1 for Cassiope is shipped to VAFB.

[Prober]

God that's a very bare erector.  I was really hoping Falcon 1.1 had a mostly plumbed pad awaiting it.  Looks like as usual Jim is right.

Yes, the more I get to know Jim the more factual he has become.  I only need to probe for information once in a while now.

[PreferToLurk]

I know this discussion spans two threads, but I don't understand the confusion.

I don't understand the confusion either.

This is the first time we have seen the erector in the vertical position on this forum. That makes it new (or at least newer than the previous unassembled images) to me. We can all agree that we don't know when the picture was taken. It's a common practice to fly a flag from the top of a structure under construction, so this was not necessarily done to coincide with the anniversary of our country's birth.

I agree with all of that with only one small caveat:

Jason1701 claims to know more about the date that picture was taken than the rest of us do. 

That's really the only point I was ever trying to make. 

[padrat]

I'm going to agree that it's prob an old pic. Simply because I've seen pics of the transporter vertical with the flag a couple of months ago. Plus we've had people just come back from Vandy recently saying there's been quite a bit of plumbing work done...

[mr. mark]

Padrat, thanks and good to know. Always look to you as a reliable source.

[ChefPat]

Do we have independent confirmation that this launch is still scheduled for September 5 2013?

[sdsds]

Do we have independent confirmation that this launch is still scheduled for September 5 2013?

Brian Webb:
http://mailman.qth.net/pipermail/launch-alert/2013-July/000806.html

[Jim]

Do we have independent confirmation that this launch is still scheduled for September 5 2013?

Brian Webb:
http://mailman.qth.net/pipermail/launch-alert/2013-July/000806.html

That doesn't qualify as independent

[Kabloona]

Do we have independent confirmation that this launch is still scheduled for September 5 2013?

Brian Webb:
http://mailman.qth.net/pipermail/launch-alert/2013-July/000806.html

The first stage isn't even on site yet and it's a substantially redesigned vehicle and new pad. Not holding my breath for a launch in 7 weeks.

[Robotbeat]

Do we have independent confirmation that this launch is still scheduled for September 5 2013?

Brian Webb:
http://mailman.qth.net/pipermail/launch-alert/2013-July/000806.html

The first stage isn't even on site yet and it's a substantially redesigned vehicle and new pad. Not holding my breath for a launch in 7 weeks.

Possible, but yeah, not likely. IMHO. But they have been preparing the pad for a long time.

[SpacexULA]

Possible, but yeah, not likely. IMHO. But they have been preparing the pad for a long time.

F9F1 Vertical Feb 2010, launch June 2010
F9F2 Vertical October 2010 Launch Dec 2010
F9F3 Vertical March 2012 Launch May 2012
F9F4 Vertical August Launch October 2012

I am very much of two minds on this.

It has been stated that the Falcon 9 1.1 was designed to have much more of the work done before it arrives at the pad, but this is a maiden flight of a launch vehicle, from a virgin pad.

SpaceX has never Launched a vehicle within 10 weeks of all components arriving at the launch site, and I would honestly be shocked if the first flight of Falcon 1.1 was the first time they broke their record.

[Robotbeat]

10 weeks is reasonable for a first-shot estimate of earliest likely launch for this maiden flight; I would be comfortable betting money they won't fly before 10 weeks of all major rocket components arriving at the pad. Later flights could, obviously, do better. And there's no actual "no /later/ than" date, since you can always have delays.

[Mighty-T]

Tom Mueller of SpaceX said during a presentation here today at the Joint Propulsion Conference in San Jose that the first stage will be shipped next week to Vandenberg and the second stage will follow a week later. Target launch date is September 5.

[llanitedave]

Has the second stage been tested on the stand yet?

[Lars_J]

Has the second stage been tested on the stand yet?

Yes, ms. Shotwell showed a clip of it in her mini TED talk video.