Author Topic: SpaceX McGregor Testing Updates and Discussion THREAD 2 (Read 484970 times)

simonbp · « **Reply #140 on:** 07/18/2013 11:20 pm »

Maybe the reality is that they aren't as worried about the second stage, as it's much more similar to the v1.0 version than the first stage...

GBpatsfan · « **Reply #141 on:** 07/19/2013 12:36 am »

From the Gwynne Shotwell TED talk a couple weeks ago:

At approximately 13:30 into the video she shows a video on SpaceX and it includes the beginning and end of a 300 second second stage test burn from May 11th, 2013.

Kabloona · « **Reply #142 on:** 07/19/2013 01:08 am »

Quote from: simonbp on 07/18/2013 11:20 pm

Maybe the reality is that they aren't as worried about the second stage, as it's much more similar to the v1.0 version than the first stage...

Possibly. But they did apparently have an abort on 5/21, which is later than the 5/11 test shown in the video above and have gone silent on the subject since then (unless someone on L2 has heard something).

But I guess we'll know in 2 weeks whether S2 is on track or not.

justineet · « **Reply #143 on:** 07/19/2013 07:48 am »

The issue here is not SpaceX is being duplicitous or anything like that. They r very careful with their words. The issue is some in here enjoy to read into different press releases unsupported assertions. As far as the specific issue of qualification stage vs ~~development~~ acceptance stage, nobody in here has complete and accurate insight into how Spacex has been conducting the tests. There r several possibilities. One is at some point they could have conducted both qualification and ~~development~~ acceptance tests in parallel to minimize delay by implementing multiple forms of qualification tests. One form of qualification test to enable them to move on to ~~development~~ acceptance stage. And another form of qualification test parallel with ~~development~~ acceptance tests to double check their test for higher confidence.

PreferToLurk · « **Reply #144 on:** 07/19/2013 01:29 pm »

Quote from: justineet on 07/19/2013 07:48 am

The issue here is not SpaceX is being duplicitous or anything like that. They r very careful with their words. The issue is some in here enjoy to read into different press releases unsupported assertions. As far as the specific issue of qualification stage vs development stage, nobody in here has complete and accurate insight into how Spacex has been conducting the tests. There r several possibilities. One is at some point they could have conducted both qualification and developmental tests in parallel to minimize delay by implementing multiple forms of qualification tests. One form of qualification test to enable them to move on to developmental stage. And another form of qualification test parallel with development tests to double check their test for higher confidence.

Whatever, I dont want to get into the duplicity issue, I'm already sorry I brought it up. As much as I love to argue as the devils advocate, and that strong interrogation strengthens understanding, I don't have the energy for it. It boils down to a difference in perspective without a right or wrong answer.

But I think you get confused later on that post -- The one thing that SpaceX has been entirely explicit about is that development testing of the v1.1 is finished. If you want to argue that they are doing qualification testing parallel to acceptance testing, that's another thing all together -- but development testing has finished.

justineet · « **Reply #145 on:** 07/19/2013 06:18 pm »

Quote from: PreferToLurk on 07/19/2013 01:29 pm

Quote from: justineet on 07/19/2013 07:48 am
The issue here is not SpaceX is being duplicitous or anything like that. They r very careful with their words. The issue is some in here enjoy to read into different press releases unsupported assertions. As far as the specific issue of qualification stage vs development stage, nobody in here has complete and accurate insight into how Spacex has been conducting the tests. There r several possibilities. One is at some point they could have conducted both qualification and developmental tests in parallel to minimize delay by implementing multiple forms of qualification tests. One form of qualification test to enable them to move on to developmental stage. And another form of qualification test parallel with development tests to double check their test for higher confidence.

Whatever, I dont want to get into the duplicity issue, I'm already sorry I brought it up. As much as I love to argue as the devils advocate, and that strong interrogation strengthens understanding, I don't have the energy for it. It boils down to a difference in perspective without a right or wrong answer.

But I think you get confused later on that post -- The one thing that SpaceX has been entirely explicit about is that development testing of the v1.1 is finished. If you want to argue that they are doing qualification testing parallel to acceptance testing, that's another thing all together -- but development testing has finished.

Sorry, I meant to say Acceptance Stage not Development Stage....replace all "Development" by "Acceptance".........

GBpatsfan · « **Reply #146 on:** 07/19/2013 06:21 pm »

Looks like the first stage is off the test stand

!!

https://twitter.com/YoGirlAleisha/status/358283472663638016

And dang that is a big crane. Never really thought about how they got that stage on and off the test stand.

CardBoardBoxProcessor · « **Reply #147 on:** 07/19/2013 07:47 pm »

this is great news

Ben the Space Brit · « **Reply #148 on:** 07/20/2013 04:04 pm »

Of course, the biggest problem we have with interpreting the activity at McGregor is that we don't know anything about SpaceX's testing procedures beyond very broad strokes offered to us from various insider sources (and PAO activity). We do not, for example, know the acceptance criteria of the tests. We don't know the test program. We don't know if there are pre-programmed aborts in some tests. We can only extrapolate from what we see.

The fact they're talking about shipping the upper stage to SLC-4W suggests to me that this vehicle has completed its qualification tests and is going off to fly.

mr. mark · « **Reply #149 on:** 07/23/2013 01:36 pm »

Will SpaceX continue to use the current McGregor Grasshopper pad for eventual Dragon test landings? It would seem a logical choice for low altitude controled "hops" to test out the Super Draco's for landings and also the landing control systems.

Bargemanos · « **Reply #150 on:** 07/23/2013 02:26 pm »

Quote from: mr. mark on 07/23/2013 01:36 pm

Will SpaceX continue to use the current McGregor Grasshopper pad for eventual Dragon test landings? It would seem a logical choice for low altitude controled "hops" to test out the Super Draco's for landings and also the landing control systems.

Maby when they move GH to Spaceport America, New Mexico?

JBF · « **Reply #151 on:** 07/23/2013 02:47 pm »

Quote from: Bargemanos on 07/23/2013 02:26 pm

Quote from: mr. mark on 07/23/2013 01:36 pm
Will SpaceX continue to use the current McGregor Grasshopper pad for eventual Dragon test landings? It would seem a logical choice for low altitude controled "hops" to test out the Super Draco's for landings and also the landing control systems.

Maby when they move GH to Spaceport America, New Mexico?

According to the Waco Tribune they will be GH testing in both locations.

MikeAtkinson · « **Reply #152 on:** 07/23/2013 04:32 pm »

Quote from: mr. mark on 07/23/2013 01:36 pm

Will SpaceX continue to use the current McGregor Grasshopper pad for eventual Dragon test landings? It would seem a logical choice for low altitude controled "hops" to test out the Super Draco's for landings and also the landing control systems.

I think SpaceX are more likely to test Dragon hanging under a crane.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #153 on:** 07/23/2013 07:41 pm »

Update:

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/07/spacexs-falcon-9-v1-1-begins-arrive-california/

Kabloona · « **Reply #154 on:** 07/23/2013 08:58 pm »

Quote from: Chris Bergin on 07/23/2013 07:41 pm

Update:

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/07/spacexs-falcon-9-v1-1-begins-arrive-california/

Thanks for the info, Chris.

A few puzzlements, though:

1. In what way were the eight qual engines "deemed less robust than the flight engines?"

2. You say S2 is already at VAFB?? Tom Mueller recently said it would be there in two weeks, ie after S1. And we hadn't heard anything about S2 since the 5/21 abort. So I'm a little puzzled that suddenly it's at VAFB ahead of schedule.

AndyX · « **Reply #155 on:** 07/23/2013 11:55 pm »

Quote from: Kabloona on 07/23/2013 08:58 pm

2. You say S2 is already at VAFB?? Tom Mueller recently said it would be there in two weeks, ie after S1. And we hadn't heard anything about S2 since the 5/21 abort. So I'm a little puzzled that suddenly it's at VAFB ahead of schedule.

Chris used that reference and got better and more accurate information via L2.

Tony Whitehead · « **Reply #156 on:** 07/24/2013 10:18 pm »

Am not sure if this is of value, since there is a better angle of the empty test stand, but here is the facility as of Wednesday, July 24th from the east side. Good luck to the team efforting the launch of the new Falcon v9 1.1

Lars_J · « **Reply #157 on:** 07/24/2013 10:21 pm »

Tony Whitehead, Local reports are always appreciated.

Ben the Space Brit · « **Reply #158 on:** 07/24/2013 10:26 pm »

Anyone know the status of SES-8's launch vehicle? Has it arrived at McGregor yet or are they keeping it at Hawthorne until after Cassiope flies?

neoforce · « **Reply #159 on:** 07/24/2013 11:05 pm »

Quote from: Ben the Space Brit on 07/24/2013 10:26 pm

Anyone know the status of SES-8's launch vehicle? Has it arrived at McGregor yet or are they keeping it at Hawthorne until after Cassiope flies?

You an L2 member? if so, some news here: http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=31605.msg1077246 If not, no worries, the news isn't earth shattering and i'm sure will be public soon.