Author Topic: SpaceX Falcon Heavy : Arabsat 6A : LC-39A : April 11, 2019 - DISCUSSION (Read 308832 times)

The Roadie · « **Reply #220 on:** 04/04/2019 04:01 pm »

Quote from: tleski on 04/04/2019 03:54 pm

I don't think it is completely bare. There is a cap used for static fires placed on top of the 2nd stage.

You're right. The cap is familiar, and clearly visible in the pad pics just upthread.

Rondaz · « **Reply #221 on:** 04/04/2019 04:20 pm »

SpaceX’s second Falcon Heavy launch date likely to slip and that’s OK

By Eric Ralph Posted on April 4, 2019

https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-falcon-heavy-static-fire-delay/

Orbiter · « **Reply #222 on:** 04/04/2019 04:43 pm »

Quote from: Rondaz on 04/04/2019 04:20 pm

SpaceX’s second Falcon Heavy launch date likely to slip and that’s OK

By Eric Ralph Posted on April 4, 2019

https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-falcon-heavy-static-fire-delay/

Worth pointing out that, although Eric Ralph is very reliable, he is only saying that it's likely to slip based on previous flows, not that any of his sources have told him SpaceX is planning for another date. Launch date officially April 7th.

smootherpebble · « **Reply #223 on:** 04/04/2019 05:06 pm »

I wonder if he knows how much he stirred the pot for planned attendees that aren't so tuned in to all the details.

ZachS09 · « **Reply #224 on:** 04/04/2019 06:05 pm »

I just saw Chris G.'s recent tweet saying that the static fire has been delayed to the end of today's window or 10 AM tomorrow.

Why would they slip until the next day so many hours beforehand?

gongora · « **Reply #225 on:** 04/04/2019 06:08 pm »

Quote from: ZachS09 on 04/04/2019 06:05 pm

I just saw Chris G.'s recent tweet saying that the static fire has been delayed to the end of today's window or 10 AM tomorrow.

Why would they slip until the next day so many hours beforehand?

If they know they need more time then why wait to slip it? There are road closures and emergency services support for these things. It affects other people at the Cape.

Lars-J · « **Reply #226 on:** 04/04/2019 08:31 pm »

I see a lot of assumptions that the nose cones are reused because of their appearance. I’d like to see actual proof of that, since they don’t look that different from the rest of the rocket. Condensation and a different base material can make it look more different than it is.

billh · « **Reply #227 on:** 04/04/2019 11:21 pm »

Quote from: Lars-J on 04/04/2019 08:31 pm

I see a lot of assumptions that the nose cones are reused because of their appearance. I’d like to see actual proof of that, since they don’t look that different from the rest of the rocket. Condensation and a different base material can make it look more different than it is.

Well, here's an indoors close-up view. What do you think?
https://twitter.com/45thSpaceWing/status/1113892013475340294

Lars-J · « **Reply #228 on:** 04/04/2019 11:47 pm »

Quote from: billh on 04/04/2019 11:21 pm

Quote from: Lars-J on 04/04/2019 08:31 pm
I see a lot of assumptions that the nose cones are reused because of their appearance. I’d like to see actual proof of that, since they don’t look that different from the rest of the rocket. Condensation and a different base material can make it look more different than it is.
Well, here's an indoors close-up view. What do you think?

Yes, I've seen that. Does it look conclusive to you? It doesn't to me, but then again a comparison with the first FH launch booster nose cap pre-launch would be good evidence.

PM3 · « **Reply #229 on:** 04/05/2019 12:19 am »

https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/spacex-falcon-heavy-241.jpg?w=700&crop=1

aero1310 · « **Reply #230 on:** 04/05/2019 01:03 am »

Could you say that they are taking extra caution in making sure the static fire goes well due to them using all new block V rockets? Sadly my time in Florida is expiring soon, I saved vaca days to extend my trip to see this happen. I hope they can do the static fire soon so I can make adjustments to my trip lol I had a lot of hope that this would happen but the reality that I'll be just missing it is starting to set in

Lars-J · « **Reply #231 on:** 04/05/2019 01:08 am »

Quote from: PM3 on 04/05/2019 12:19 am

https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/spacex-falcon-heavy-241.jpg?w=700&crop=1

Thanks! Yes, one of the nosecones (left) certainly has a more 'used' appearance.

Lotsa Space · « **Reply #232 on:** 04/05/2019 01:34 am »

Quote from: aero1310 on 04/05/2019 01:03 am

Could you say that they are taking extra caution in making sure the static fire goes well due to them using all new block V rockets? Sadly my time in Florida is expiring soon, I saved vaca days to extend my trip to see this happen. I hope they can do the static fire soon so I can make adjustments to my trip lol I had a lot of hope that this would happen but the reality that I'll be just missing it is starting to set in

Interesting bit of data: I have been watching the KSC Visitor Center's single day admission ticket purchasing web page. When buying a single day, regular admission ticket, one must select a day to attend. For the past week, or maybe two, April 7 has been blocked out, meaning one couldn't purchase a general admission ticket for that day. This makes sense, given the necessity to buy one of the special packages for this launch, which up until the last day or so, seemed to be heading for the April 7 day. Now, as of tonight, the 7th has become available for a general admission purchase, and the 9th is now blocked off. So, take it for what it's worth - but maybe the 9th is more "in the works" than any other date at this point. Hope you (and me) get to experience this.

aero1310 · « **Reply #233 on:** 04/05/2019 02:46 am »

Quote from: Lotsa Space on 04/05/2019 01:34 am

Quote from: aero1310 on 04/05/2019 01:03 am
Could you say that they are taking extra caution in making sure the static fire goes well due to them using all new block V rockets? Sadly my time in Florida is expiring soon, I saved vaca days to extend my trip to see this happen. I hope they can do the static fire soon so I can make adjustments to my trip lol I had a lot of hope that this would happen but the reality that I'll be just missing it is starting to set in

Interesting bit of data: I have been watching the KSC Visitor Center's single day admission ticket purchasing web page. When buying a single day, regular admission ticket, one must select a day to attend. For the past week, or maybe two, April 7 has been blocked out, meaning one couldn't purchase a general admission ticket for that day. This makes sense, given the necessity to buy one of the special packages for this launch, which up until the last day or so, seemed to be heading for the April 7 day. Now, as of tonight, the 7th has become available for a general admission purchase, and the 9th is now blocked off. So, take it for what it's worth - but maybe the 9th is more "in the works" than any other date at this point. Hope you (and me) get to experience this.

Under updates, It does say Tuesday is the backup date under NOTMAR launch hazard report, if that means anything... not sure if I want to extend my trip that long...

aero1310 · « **Reply #234 on:** 04/05/2019 01:49 pm »

Does NASA stream static fires on their tv station?

gongora · « **Reply #235 on:** 04/05/2019 02:00 pm »

Quote from: aero1310 on 04/05/2019 01:49 pm

Does NASA stream static fires on their tv station?

No

smootherpebble · « **Reply #236 on:** 04/05/2019 03:09 pm »

Quote from: aero1310 on 04/05/2019 01:49 pm

Does NASA stream static fires on their tv station?

Go to YouTube and search for "Falcon Heavy - Static Fire ArabSat-6A" it's the NASA SpaceFlight channel. It should occur 12pm their time.

Herb Schaltegger · « **Reply #237 on:** 04/05/2019 04:08 pm »

Watched the NSF livestream - static fire occurred on time. Did the gas volume/flow rate seem a bit lower than last year’s test? It sure didn’t sound as loud but that could easily be due to different wind direction, camera angles, etc.

Joffan · « **Reply #238 on:** 04/05/2019 04:11 pm »

Quote from: Herb Schaltegger on 04/05/2019 04:08 pm

Watched the NSF livestream - static fire occurred on time. Did the gas volume/flow rate seem a bit lower than last year’s test? It sure didn’t sound as loud but that could easily be due to different wind direction, camera angles, etc.

Last time was a long-duration hold-down test. This looked more like a normal Falcon-9-type static fire.

ugordan · « **Reply #239 on:** 04/05/2019 04:14 pm »

Quote from: Herb Schaltegger on 04/05/2019 04:08 pm

Watched the NSF livestream - static fire occurred on time. Did the gas volume/flow rate seem a bit lower than last year’s test? It sure didn’t sound as loud but that could easily be due to different wind direction, camera angles, etc.

Previous static fire for reference:

This one:

I'm guessing it was either aborted earlier or they lowered the delay between side boosters and center core ignition.