SpaceX Falcon 9 v1.1 - Thaicom 6 - DISCUSSION THREAD

[StephenB]

Excellent article Chris. Thanks.

[docmordrid]

Good article Chris.

[edfishel]

Chris-I second StephenB. Good and timely article. Your relations with SpaceX are paying off.

[Chris Bergin]

Thanks guys.

This is now the discussion thread.

The article was posted in here, but moved to the new discussion thread, so reposting the link:

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/10/spacex-realign-falcon-9-missions/

Also:

Dedicated L2 section for this launch:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=33072.0

[laika_fr]

yup more like a re-alignment, so they can do it right on time,
since the rocket is working well, the goal now shift to master the schedule.

[ugordan]

since the rocket is working well

Don't, you'll jinx it.

Let's not get too ahead of ourselves. It needs to demonstrate MVac restart before "working well".

[Lars_J]

Jeff Foust tweeted some Shotwell comments made today about the 2nd stage relight issue:

https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/390517260801949697

Jeff Foust ‏@jeff_foust
Shotwell said after the talk SpaceX is wrapping up their investigation of the 2nd stage relight issue, should be done by week's end. #ispcs

https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/390518122957914112

Jeff Foust ‏@jeff_foust
Shotwell didn't go into details about investigation, but indicated the issue wasn't major, or a surprise, and next launch on track. #ispcs

[laika_fr]

it's a software problem (no joke) they set the margins to low therefore the engine switched to protected mode, very much like the former emergency explosive stoppage, one just have to zero in the wrong value and update it, a vac tweak nothing else, the merlin does relight dozens of times.

[Jim]

it's a software problem (no joke) they set the margins to low therefore the engine switched to protected mode, very much like the former emergency explosive stoppage, one just have to zero in the wrong value and update it, a vac tweak nothing else, the merlin does relight dozens of times.

Source?  Actually, it doesn't matter, it is wrong anyways.

[mlindner]

it's a software problem (no joke) they set the margins to low therefore the engine switched to protected mode, very much like the former emergency explosive stoppage, one just have to zero in the wrong value and update it, a vac tweak nothing else, the merlin does relight dozens of times.

Source?  Actually, it doesn't matter, it is wrong anyways.

More than just wrong, its unreadable.

[llanitedave]

Not even wrong.

[averagespacejoe]

So I recall a bet between SpaceX and Orbital folks about who would launch 3 rockets first Antares or Falcon 9 v1.1 Right now 3 days are the difference between Thaicom (Dec 12) and CRS-Orb 1 (Dec 15) so that is shaping up to a close one.

[dcporter]

SES-8 will be the third SpaceX launch on that particular bet. I don't remember who I owe beer to if Orbital Sciences does their next Antares flight before SpaceX does SES-8.

Same, a case of Dogfish Head. Either way I will admit that it's a hell of a lot closer than I expected.

[MP99]

SES-8 will be the third SpaceX launch on that particular bet. I don't remember who I owe beer to if Orbital Sciences does their next Antares flight before SpaceX does SES-8.

??

2013MDA CORP. (CANADA)VANDENBERG FALCON 9
2013SES (EUROPE)CAPE CANAVERAL FALCON 9
2013THAICOM (THAILAND)CAPE CANAVERAL FALCON 9

Cheers, Martin

[MP99]

So I recall a bet between SpaceX and Orbital folks about who would launch 3 rockets first Antares or Falcon 9 v1.1 Right now 3 days are the difference between Thaicom (Dec 12) and CRS-Orb 1 (Dec 15) so that is shaping up to a close one.

SES-8 will be the third SpaceX launch on that particular bet. I don't remember who I owe beer to if Orbital Sciences does their next Antares flight before SpaceX does SES-8.

??

The bet was made before the last CRS flight, when SpaceX were saying they were going to launch it and two v1.1 flights before July. Rightful skepticism somehow mixed with enthusiasm for the three planned Antares flights.

You can see how I'd be confused (when Thaicom per subject should be the third v1.1).

Anyway - easily done - no problem, of course.

cheers, Martin

[Lurker Steve]

SES-8 will be the third SpaceX launch on that particular bet. I don't remember who I owe beer to if Orbital Sciences does their next Antares flight before SpaceX does SES-8.

No, SES-8 will be the second launch of F9 V1.1

The bet was 3 Antares launches before 3 F9 V1.1.

There is no solution for the upper stage issue yet, so SpaceX isn't done slipping yet.

[oiorionsbelt]

There is no solution for the upper stage issue yet, so SpaceX isn't done slipping yet.

Do you have a source for that assertion?

[Lar]

The bet was made before the last CRS flight, when SpaceX were saying they were going to launch it and two v1.1 flights before July. Rightful skepticism somehow mixed with enthusiasm for the three planned Antares flights.

That's a bet I wouldn't have minded losing, regardless of which side I was on... because hey.. somebody got three launches off!

[Mader Levap]

There is no solution for the upper stage issue yet, so SpaceX isn't done slipping yet.

Any basis for this claim? Here SpaceX claims they are wrapping it up already. They also said multiple times it was nothing surprising, that problem was clear from beginning and is easily fixed.

[mlindner]

There is no solution for the upper stage issue yet, so SpaceX isn't done slipping yet.

Any basis for this claim? Here SpaceX claims they are wrapping it up already. They also said multiple times it was nothing surprising, that problem was clear from beginning and is easily fixed.

The "wasn't a surprise" is what surprised me. Wonder if they had a known issue and continued with the schedule anyway as it wouldn't affect the CASSIOPE mission.