Author Topic: SpaceX Falcon 9 FT - ORBCOMM-2 - Dec. 21, 2015 (Return To Flight) DISCUSSION (Read 1360644 times)

JamesH · « **Reply #320 on:** 10/14/2015 02:46 pm »

Quote from: The Amazing Catstronaut on 10/14/2015 01:45 pm

Quote from: Hauerg on 10/14/2015 11:39 am

Im afraid that if SLS fails on it's 19th flight none of us will still be here to see this.

It's not -that- far into the future.

Ambitious prediction time....19 flights, 2 a year, starting in 2020's or something. Might still be a few people still alive to witness it.

On the other hand, will SLS ever fly 19 times, or will an alternative private sector launcher be in place before then?

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #321 on:** 10/14/2015 04:00 pm »

Don't you just hate it when every SpaceX thread turns into a SLS thread

Oh wait a minute....However:

feynmanrules · « **Reply #322 on:** 10/14/2015 08:41 pm »

thanks for the net updates chris.

it's been a slow couple of months in spacex fan ville

gadgetmind · « **Reply #323 on:** 10/15/2015 01:52 pm »

Quote from: CraigLieb on 10/14/2015 02:29 pm

couldn't help but "Like" this members first post.. has a perfect record now. 1 post, 1 like!

I'm sure it won't last! I've been lurking for a few months, slowly learning things (like what "NET" means!) but you guys know 50x more than me, so I haven't really had anything of value to contribute and hadn't even created a login!

Herb Schaltegger · « **Reply #324 on:** 10/15/2015 05:44 pm »

Quote from: CraigLieb on 10/14/2015 02:29 pm

Quote from: gadgetmind on 10/14/2015 09:30 am
There's a countdown clock here, and SpacePharma are rumoured to be on the next Falcon launch.

http://www.space4p.com/

That would suggest Dec 1st.

couldn't help but "Like" this members first post.. has a perfect record now. 1 post, 1 like!

Don't just go by a "Likes/Post" ratio - some of us were here years before "Likes" became a thing at NSF, and for years before that on the sci.space.* Usenet groups, where an "I Corrected Henry" t-shirt was the biggest "Like" there was.

Danderman · « **Reply #325 on:** 10/15/2015 07:02 pm »

Quote from: Chris Bergin on 10/14/2015 10:16 am

They need to conduct the full duration static fire at McGregor. They are about to tie up the CRS-7 investigation (paperwork).

Around this time I suspect we'll get a good idea of the NET.

They then need to ship the vehicle to the Cape. Then they need to hit the nominal flow, set up a hot fire date on SLC-40....and even then it can still move.

Where we stand is end of November, into December - ish

It should be noted that the estimate above assumes that the start date for these activities is now. If the full duration test at McGregor is delayed, then the RTF date would be delayed.

Since I am the loser who picked 5 successful launches for SpaceX in this year's poll, every day that slips now makes my prediction closer to being accurate.

More importantly, getting it done right is more important than getting it done quickly.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #326 on:** 10/15/2015 07:14 pm »

Quote from: Danderman on 10/15/2015 07:02 pm

More importantly, getting it done right is more important than getting it done quickly.

Concur and you can assume the customers are all keeping a close eye on that.

Worth noting we can't line up the update/discussion etc threads for the specific RTF mission yet, because it hasn't been officially selected (could be one of two...as much as everyone has been thinking it's SES-9. Might not be).

gadgetmind · « **Reply #327 on:** 10/16/2015 08:45 am »

Quote from: Chris Bergin on 10/15/2015 07:14 pm

Concur and you can assume the customers are all keeping a close eye on that.

I can't find the quote now, but didn't Musk also say that he was making changes so that anyone in SpaceX could now contact him directly if they had any concerns about a forthcoming launch?

That also rings of Doing It Right, rather than doing it fast.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #328 on:** 10/16/2015 03:04 pm »

Quote from: Chris Bergin on 10/15/2015 07:14 pm

Quote from: Danderman on 10/15/2015 07:02 pm

More importantly, getting it done right is more important than getting it done quickly.

Concur and you can assume the customers are all keeping a close eye on that.

Worth noting we can't line up the update/discussion etc threads for the specific RTF mission yet, because it hasn't been officially selected (could be one of two...as much as everyone has been thinking it's SES-9. Might not be).

And yep, they've gone with ORBCOMM as RTF. Officially.

SpaceX:

“As we prepare for return to flight, SpaceX together with its customers SES and Orbcomm have evaluated opportunities to optimize the readiness of the upcoming Falcon 9 return-to-flight mission. All parties have mutually agreed that SpaceX will now fly the Orbcomm-2 mission on the return-to-flight Falcon 9 vehicle.

“The Orbcomm-2 mission does not require a relight of the second stage engine following orbital insertion. Flying the Orbcomm-2 mission first will therefore allow SpaceX to conduct an on-orbit test of the second stage relight system after the Orbcomm-2 satellites have been safely deployed. This on-orbit test, combined with the current qualification program to be completed prior to launch, will further validate the second stage relight system and allow for optimization of the upcoming SES-9 mission and following missions to geosynchronous transfer orbit.

“This change does not affect the timeline for SpaceX’s return-to-flight mission which is still targeted to take place in the next 6-8 weeks. The SES-9 launch is currently targeted for late December 2015.”

Roy_H · « **Reply #329 on:** 10/16/2015 03:22 pm »

Quote from: gadgetmind on 10/16/2015 08:45 am

I can't find the quote now, but didn't Musk also say that he was making changes so that anyone in SpaceX could now contact him directly if they had any concerns about a forthcoming launch?

That also rings of Doing It Right, rather than doing it fast.

No, you got that wrong. Elon has always encouraged everyone in the company to contact him directly if they had concerns about an up coming launch.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #330 on:** 10/16/2015 04:45 pm »

My search fu is clearly poor today, but do we have a thread for this OG2 mission already up and burning? (I see all the others....) Or do we need one setting up?

Going to have an article up for the latest statement shortly.

wannamoonbase · « **Reply #331 on:** 10/16/2015 05:59 pm »

Quote from: Chris Bergin on 10/16/2015 05:27 pm

ARTICLE for the Statement and state of play:

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2015/10/spacex-orbcomm-2-mission-falcon-9s-rtf/

A nice step in getting closer to flying again.

The rational makes sense, but sounds a little contrived. But who cares, let's see this puppy fly, then land successfully

Lars-J · « **Reply #332 on:** 10/16/2015 09:18 pm »

Quote from: wannamoonbase on 10/16/2015 05:59 pm

Quote from: Chris Bergin on 10/16/2015 05:27 pm
ARTICLE for the Statement and state of play:

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2015/10/spacex-orbcomm-2-mission-falcon-9s-rtf/

A nice step in getting closer to flying again.

The rational makes sense, but sounds a little contrived. But who cares, let's see this puppy fly, then land successfully

How is it contrived? And how can it make sense and still be contrived?

guckyfan · « **Reply #333 on:** 10/16/2015 09:35 pm »

I wonder about that restart test. Even if it is on the extremely cautious side. Maybe there are larger changes than we knew about in the restarting tech? Maybe it is only the new upper stage that is capable of loiter time long enough to do direct GEO insertion? Both Elon Musk and Gwynne Shotwell emphasized Falcon 9 can do it but maybe the ability is there only now? It would be still in time for any Airforce launch.

Okie_Steve · « **Reply #334 on:** 10/16/2015 09:46 pm »

On the restart, how much propellant is likely to be left and which way will they boost? Forward, backward, sideways? Jim says rockets always launch fully fueled to increase margin and this is a "light" payload so this seems like it might be a useful opportunity to attempt deorbit into the Indian Ocean or somewhere equally large and empty, if possible, and collect some data on even higher speed retro propulsion for future use rather than a short blip and then vent.

MP99 · « **Reply #335 on:** 10/16/2015 11:08 pm »

Quote from: guckyfan on 10/16/2015 09:35 pm

I wonder about that restart test. Even if it is on the extremely cautious side. Maybe there are larger changes than we knew about in the restarting tech? Maybe it is only the new upper stage that is capable of loiter time long enough to do direct GEO insertion? Both Elon Musk and Gwynne Shotwell emphasized Falcon 9 can do it but maybe the ability is there only now? It would be still in time for any Airforce launch.

It's not possible for SpaceX to do a vacuum test on Merlin at McGregor.

This could simply be to reassure that the Vac still operates as expected.

Cheers, Martin

daveglo · « **Reply #336 on:** 10/17/2015 12:55 am »

So, whilst the excitement over a RTF plan is all about, I have not seen any mention of a first stage ASDS landing attempt for this upcoming launch.

I can certainly understand if SpaceX doesn't bother with recovery, since they're so focused on RTF. I did note that the first stage test video does not show any legs or fins mounted, from what I could see.

Anyone out there know the plan for the first stage?

sdsds · « **Reply #337 on:** 10/17/2015 03:56 am »

Quote from: MP99 on 10/16/2015 11:08 pm

This could simply be to reassure that the Vac still operates as expected.

Could someone please summarize the changes between the RTF MVac and the MVac that most recently performed in space? Are there any?

douglas100 · « **Reply #338 on:** 10/17/2015 11:43 am »

Quote from: daveglo on 10/17/2015 12:55 am

So, whilst the excitement over a RTF plan is all about, I have not seen any mention of a first stage ASDS landing attempt for this upcoming launch.

I can certainly understand if SpaceX doesn't bother with recovery, since they're so focused on RTF. I did note that the first stage test video does not show any legs or fins mounted, from what I could see.

Anyone out there know the plan for the first stage?

The stage is transported without legs. They are attached at the Cape, so you wouldn't expect to see them at Mcgregor. Don't know about the grid fins. It looks like the answer to your question is open at the moment.

cmj9808 · « **Reply #339 on:** 10/17/2015 12:09 pm »

Quote from: daveglo on 10/17/2015 12:55 am

So, whilst the excitement over a RTF plan is all about, I have not seen any mention of a first stage ASDS landing attempt for this upcoming launch.

I can certainly understand if SpaceX doesn't bother with recovery, since they're so focused on RTF. I did note that the first stage test video does not show any legs or fins mounted, from what I could see.

Anyone out there know the plan for the first stage?

Well，I don't think SpaceX needs to do sth special to make a first stage landing besides following previous approach and making sure this time a stuck valve won't standing in your way.