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

[Mike_1179]

Considering it is structurally different stack from 1.1* and the engines would run at 100% instead of usual 85%(?) they may want to see what acoustic environment the payload is experiencing. Just a guess...

Edit:

* stretched S2, new interstage composition, new payload sep. mechanism, maybe more?

Then why did they also attach the payload for Jason-3, that's a v1.1

[MechE31]

From the Update thread

ORBCOMM OG2 Mission 2 Launch Update (From Orbcomm)

SpaceX has integrated the two stages of the Falcon 9 rocket and encapsulated the fairing around the satellite stack. The encapsulated fairing is targeted to be mated to the Falcon 9 early tomorrow (Tuesday, December 15). SpaceX is currently aiming for a static fire of the Falcon 9 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on Wednesday, December 16.

Has SpaceX had the payload attached for previous hot fires? Looking at pictures from DSCOVR in January and TurkmenAlem52E/MonacoSat back in April, the payload isn't there. The Jason-3 thread also notes that the payload is getting attached now, several weeks before launch.

Why the change? What benefit is there to earlier payload attachment? Why would you change the order of that operation if you have to wheel the vehicle back into the HIF after a hot fire anyway.

They had Orbcomm attached for SF during their previous launch.

There is risk added by having your satellite attached during SF that most operators don't want.

[ugordan]

They had Orbcomm attached for SF during their previous launch.

There is risk added by having your satellite attached during SF that most operators don't want.

And wasn't that the booster that experienced a prodigious release of He during the static fire attempt?

[mfck]

From the Update thread

ORBCOMM OG2 Mission 2 Launch Update (From Orbcomm)

SpaceX has integrated the two stages of the Falcon 9 rocket and encapsulated the fairing around the satellite stack. The encapsulated fairing is targeted to be mated to the Falcon 9 early tomorrow (Tuesday, December 15). SpaceX is currently aiming for a static fire of the Falcon 9 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on Wednesday, December 16.

Has SpaceX had the payload attached for previous hot fires? Looking at pictures from DSCOVR in January and TurkmenAlem52E/MonacoSat back in April, the payload isn't there. The Jason-3 thread also notes that the payload is getting attached now, several weeks before launch.

Why the change? What benefit is there to earlier payload attachment? Why would you change the order of that operation if you have to wheel the vehicle back into the HIF after a hot fire anyway.

Considering it is structurally different stack from 1.1* and the engines would run at 100% instead of usual 85%(?) they may want to see what acoustic environment the payload is experiencing. Just a guess...

Edit:

* stretched S2, new interstage composition, new payload sep. mechanism, maybe more?

Correction is due. New stage sep., not payload sep.

[MechE31]

They had Orbcomm attached for SF during their previous launch.

There is risk added by having your satellite attached during SF that most operators don't want.

And wasn't that the booster that experienced a prodigious release of He during the static fire attempt?

Yes it was.

[Robotbeat]

Anyone have FAA landing status?

[Flying Beaver]

Per:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=38148.msg1458565#msg1458565

Are those the official hazard areas for the launch? If it is then Cocoa Beach is going to have to be evacuated xD.

[intrepidpursuit]

This static fire is a really big test. For the relatively minor changes to the rocket, the fueling systems are basically brand new to handle the chilled propellants. If they hook it all up for the first time and get all the way to static fire in a few hours it will be a huge accomplishment. I'm rooting for them.

[robertross]

As per the updates thread, the test fire is off for today. Maybe tomorrow.

Just don't anyone say the issue was anything related to Helium, or I'll cry.

[ZachS09]

Is it just me, or does SpaceX tend to classify small details like these?

[ZachS09]

I don't know if SpaceX wants to take a Department of Defense kind-of-approach regarding launch preps.

[OxCartMark]

And Go Quest does not seem to participate

Go Quest may be testing a comm link with the stage from her berth at Port Canaveral.

You are far from the only one who leans that way but I am not convinced.  I think we've not put enough thought into why it is that Go Quest heads over there.  And I think we should scratch our heads more until we get a more plausible reason for it doing so.  I guess my primary reason for thinking so is that if I wanted to check radio compatibility I'd put the radio and a radio operator in a van and send them there rather than send a 500 ton ship and crew along with the radio equipment.  So what other theories can we come up with?

[Kabloona]

And Go Quest does not seem to participate

Go Quest may be testing a comm link with the stage from her berth at Port Canaveral.

You are far from the only one who leans that way but I am not convinced.  I think we've not put enough thought into why it is that Go Quest heads over there.  And I think we should scratch our heads more until we get a more plausible reason for it doing so.  I guess my primary reason for thinking so is that if I wanted to check radio compatibility I'd put the radio and a radio operator in a van and send them there rather than send a 500 ton ship and crew along with the radio equipment.  So what other theories can we come up with?

In a related development, the ASDS is heading south instead of northeast to the expected LZ. So it may be heading for the Cape or for New Orleans. Hopefully the former.

[Johnnyhinbos]

Saturday / Sunday marine weather...

Out to 60 nm northeast of the Cape. Due to the front moving through Friday sea state isn't the greatest for Saturday and Sunday - with it laying down a bit on Sunday. Too soon for wave period estimation. Hope it's nice and slow.

[Johnnyhinbos]

Speaking of weather, I was wondering if the reason for postponing the static fire was simply due to weather. It was in the mid sixties yesterday (I'm in Boston, but IIRC that was yesterday's forecast), whereas today is in the low 80s and Sat/Sun is in the low to mid 70s. Is it possible that it was deemed too cold compared to conditions on projected launch day?

[cscott]

I guess my primary reason for thinking so is that if I wanted to check radio compatibility I'd put the radio and a radio operator in a van and send them there rather than send a 500 ton ship and crew along with the radio equipment.  So what other theories can we come up with?

Why unload everything and put it in a van when you've got a perfectly good boat able to make the trip?  We're talking about at least one entire shipping container full of comm gear, plus numerous rigged antennas.

That said, I'm more convinced by "radio checkout" in the abstract than I am specifically to Kabloona's stage safing theory.  They could also be doing contingency exercises during the dry run: Go Quest has a role in retrieving anything that happens to fall in the water.  Or it could simply be that some of the engineers working on the ASDS are also tasked with pad duties or static fire data review (perhaps as a set of independent eyes) and taking Go Quest down is seen as a reasonable form of transportation.  If you have a boat, you tend to use it.

[Johnnyhinbos]

Don't you think Go Quest is the rocket transfer vessel to move the booster off the barge after successful landing and subsequent transport to land? I mean, I'd say it's _very_ unlikely that the stage would be left vertical and towed back to land on an ungainly barge at 4 knots, whereas you can deliver it horizontally on a 16 knot seaworthy ship...

[OxCartMark]

Higher resolution photo-stitch of Go Quest.

...Shows that its docked at Coast Guard Station Port Canaveral (CG sign, 2 CG RHIBs).  Any theories on why that spot may have been chosen?  Still looking for any alternative theories on what its doing.

Looking into what that station does I came across this-
http://www.uscg.mil/d7/sectJacksonville/WelcomeAboardStationPortCanaveral.asp

WELCOME ABOARD!
Congratulations on your assignment to Coast Guard Station Port Canaveral, one of the finest multi-mission stations in the coast guard.

Station Port Canaveral’s area of operations within the Seventh District and Sector Jacksonville encompasses 45 miles of coastline out to 30 nautical miles near the Kennedy Space Center and historic Cape Canaveral, as well as the Banana and Indian rivers. In addition to our normal duties of search and rescue, law enforcement, homeland security and marine environmental protection, we support NASA and the Air Force by providing security zone enforcement for space shuttle and unmanned rocket launches. Port Canaveral is also the second largest cruise ship port in the world (per passengers) and the station is an integral part of security for the local cruise industry. The station is equipped with one 47ft MLB, three RBS’s. one 23’ Safe Boat, and one 18’ Flat Boat. Also located at Coast Guard Station Port Canaveral are the CG Cutters Vigilant, Confidence and Shrike as well as Marine Safety Detachment Port Canaveral and Electronic Support Detachment Port Canaveral.


So what if I speculated that Go Quest's presence there was to brief the CG people that will be running the security zone on how this rocket differs from the rockets they are used to (its a boomarang) and coordinating how they'll work together on game day?  Mariner to mariner talk.

[MarekCyzio]

My theory is that F9 will land on the barge located close to LC-13. This is why ADSD is being towed to Cape Canaveral, this is why Go Quest is already here - both ships will be needed for landing.

[Jim]

Don't you think Go Quest is the rocket transfer vessel to move the booster off the barge after successful landing and subsequent transport to land? I mean, I'd say it's _very_ unlikely that the stage would be left vertical and towed back to land on an ungainly barge at 4 knots, whereas you can deliver it horizontally on a 16 knot seaworthy ship...

with what crane?
And it has already been documented that they are planning to weld claps over the landing legs