SpaceX Falcon 9 FT - ORBCOMM-2 - Dec. 21, 2015 (Return To Flight) DISCUSSION

[zodiacchris]

Might be the other way round, they might want to do further testing on the ground equipment of 40 before SES, and are using OG2 for that...

[HIP2BSQRE]

Might be the other way round, they might want to do further testing on the ground equipment of 40 before SES, and are using OG2 for that...

So what would have SpaceX done if the stage had not landed?  They had no contingency?

[Lars-J]

Might be the other way round, they might want to do further testing on the ground equipment of 40 before SES, and are using OG2 for that...

So what would have SpaceX done if the stage had not landed?  They had no contingency?

That's quite a leap. If the original supposition is right, they would simply have used the SES core for that testing. (they have done that lots of times until now that they have an alternative) How does that translate to no contingency?

[Oersted]

- Some footage I haven't seen...

[Lar]

- Some footage I haven't seen...

I think this was posted here or in the update thread already but it's not too harmful to repost. I love this video.. So many truly excited folks, and so young... I was struck by the average age... warms this old fogey's heart, it does.

[Hauerg]

What is the hurry?  Even is the pad is booked solid for the next 3 - 6 months - put the stage in storage.

Maybe they want to know something as soon as possible that might have an influence on the next cores/ flight profile to be recovered?

[ugordan]

Regarding the "rush", maybe it's simply Musk trying to prove a point rather than there being any technical urgency to this.

[Verio Fryar]

Perhaps they only want to be sure that the stage has not deformed and it still fits the GSE. If this test is done at LC39 they wouldn't know if the problem is with the stage or the GSE. They know the stage fitted LC40 before launching...

[Johnnyhinbos]

Maybe they have an upper stage sitting around, burning a hole in their pocket (figuratively speaking) and want to get this bird in the air?

Or maybe they put a nosecone on it and fly it by its lonesome all the way to orbit just for the heck of it. Should be easily capable of it, delta-v wise. (it has kick-butt mass fraction so could technically work as an expendable SSTO rocket)

Or fly it to the Karman Line and back, beating Blue Origin at their own game (first reuse).


...I'd be a little surprised if they can get SES-9 into orbit on a proven booster this quick, but I suppose if you could convince the insurance company to be flexible, it might work.


...most likely it's just going to be static-fired there, but this speculation is fun!

Generally speaking I try not to make wild speculations BUT, when it was confirmed (by several sources) that this bird was heading to 40 I couldn't help but get a little thrill. Just what if they moved pads because, as you said, they were actually going to launch this thing! I mean, they have proven this exact rocket can take off from that exact pad and return to LZ-1. It would be such a Musk thing to do...! I mean, no way, but maybe?

[MechE31]

Regarding the "rush", maybe it's simply Musk trying to prove a point rather than there being any technical urgency to this.

Could this have anything to do with Musk wanting to beat BO?

[Ben the Space Brit]

Is it a plausible scenario that the inspection at LC39A showed the stage was not in a suitable condition for further engine relights and it is thus going to be re-wrapped at SLC40 and then shipped back to Hawthorne for a a deconstruction-type inspection?

[guckyfan]

Is it a plausible scenario that the inspection at LC39A showed the stage was not in a suitable condition for further engine relights and it is thus going to be re-wrapped at SLC40 and then shipped back to Hawthorne for a a deconstruction-type inspection?

Sounds slightly, just slightly more plausible than using it for SES-9.

[ugordan]

Regarding the "rush", maybe it's simply Musk trying to prove a point rather than there being any technical urgency to this.

Could this have anything to do with Musk wanting to beat BO?

I certainly wouldn't exclude it, but I didn't want to go that far in my speculation. The problem is beating BO means reflying the stage before them and I'd say BO is in a comfortable lead there. A static test is just a static test.

I just don't see SpaceX doing this sort of stunt. They don't have 2nd stages to throw around and they'd probably need to do it on an operational mission anways, where the risk of payload loss is really NOT something SpaceX needs right now.

[robert_d]

Is it a plausible scenario that the inspection at LC39A showed the stage was not in a suitable condition for further engine relights and it is thus going to be re-wrapped at SLC40 and then shipped back to Hawthorne for a a deconstruction-type inspection?

Either good or bad, something changed (obviously). Something that could not be checked quickly at 39A. I'm leaning against wrapping it back up at 40 idea. Wouldn't necessarily have that capability there as opposed to the waiting hangar. So I lean towards good check out as far as they could at 39A, but some test equipment not yet available (say engine removal gear) at 39A. Will run the test at 40 and move it back to 39A if successful, or back to Texas (or Hawthorne) if not. Even possibly leg installation - not required for static fire but might allow that segment of the "refurb. to do list" to be checked off.

[robert_d]

Could they just be relocating engines and don't have the capability yet at 39A?

[CraigLieb]

<Speculation>
Could it simply be a supply/schedule or contracts issue?
For example, LC40 has current supply and contract for delivery of LOX and RP1, while it might be the ducks aren't in a row yet for LC39A.
</Speculation>

[Darga]

From James Dean https://twitter.com/flatoday_jdean/status/687284449151709184
SpaceX as soon as Thursday could perform static fire test of Falcon 9 booster landed Dec. 21 at Cape Canaveral: http://on.flatoday.com/1RlB2aI

[wardy89]

Could it be they have decided they want to remove an engine for further inspection and removing an engine is easier with the stage vertical? If LC40 has all the equipment already there it might just be quickest and easiest way of removing an engine.

As for the timing well perhaps any refurb work need on LC40 after the last launch has been completed and they have decided there is enough time to use the pad to remove an engine without impacting any of the work going on for the next launch.

[wannamoonbase]

Makes sense, they can get data quicker.

In someways it feels a bit like a stunt.  But they won't really know somethings until they fire it up, or try too.

This is kind of exciting.  Duration of burn will be interesting.

Since they are going to static fire this, should we have a new (party) thread?

[Kim Keller]

S1 from F9-21 is now vertical on SLC-40. It was placed there by a large crane, which is still attached as I write this. Rumor is there will be a static fire attempt Thursday.