-
#340
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 17 Feb, 2017 17:49
-
Presumably the LRR was ok apart from the leak, as Elon said they'll launch if the leak is ok?
What I'm not clear about is what will have been loaded on S2 to leak since the static fire?
-
#341
by
MarekCyzio
on 17 Feb, 2017 18:05
-
I wonder if this will be a showstopper.
F9 should have significantly more hellium than required. Lots of hellium is used to chill second stage engine and this flight does not have second engine burn. But who knows if the leak will stay "tiny" during flight....
-
#342
by
MarekCyzio
on 17 Feb, 2017 18:06
-
Presumably the LRR was ok apart from the leak, as Elon said they'll launch if the leak is ok?
What I'm not clear about is what will have been loaded on S2 to leak since the static fire?
All tanks are constantly pressurized. A little, but pressurized. I guess something in stage 2 started to show dropping pressure.
-
#343
by
deruch
on 17 Feb, 2017 18:35
-
...Lots of hellium is used to chill second stage engine...
I believe LOX, not helium, is used to chill down the engines prior to ignition (for both 1st stage and 2nd stage engines).
-
#344
by
edkyle99
on 17 Feb, 2017 18:40
-
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/832647116816150530
@elonmusk
Investigating a (very small) leak in the upper stage. If ok, will launch tomorrow.
Guessing helium?
Possibly. Possibly the stage pressure relief valve.
I wonder if this will be a showstopper.
After September 1, it should be, IMO. Is there such a thing as a "very small" leak in a rocket that can disappear in a fireball and destroy a launch pad in a fraction of a second?
- Ed Kyle
-
#345
by
mdeep
on 17 Feb, 2017 18:48
-
Just wrapped remote camera setup
-
#346
by
mdeep
on 17 Feb, 2017 18:50
-
LC39A briefing about to begin
-
#347
by
Herb Schaltegger
on 17 Feb, 2017 18:56
-
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/832647116816150530
@elonmusk
Investigating a (very small) leak in the upper stage. If ok, will launch tomorrow.
Guessing helium?
Possibly. Possibly the stage pressure relief valve.
I wonder if this will be a showstopper.
After September 1, it should be, IMO. Is there such a thing as a "very small" leak in a rocket that can disappear in a fireball and destroy a launch pad in a fraction of a second?
- Ed Kyle
Everyone seems to be presuming this is a helium leak. Is that confirmed? It could be a leaking pressure relief valve, umbilical connector or stage itself (not likely). But until SpaceX says what it is, everyone should just keep the catastrophizing to a minimum.
-
#348
by
Olaf
on 17 Feb, 2017 18:59
-
Confirmation on why the launch was delayed to the 18th...
http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=98934#.WKb9MVdPwiQ.facebook
FCET Success: SSBN Launches Fleet Ballistic Missiles
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- An Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine assigned to Submarine Group 9 completed a Follow-on Commander's Evaluation Test (FCET) Feb. 16, resulting in four successful test flights of Trident II D5 missiles. Designated FCET-53, the operation spanned a three-day period.
Only a question from someone, who is far away from the US.
The Submarine Group 9 is part of the Pacific Fleet, why they are launching their rockets from the Atlantic Ocean?
-
#349
by
Jim
on 17 Feb, 2017 19:01
-
Only a question from someone, who is far away from the US.
The Submarine Group 9 is part of the Pacific Fleet, why they are launching their rockets from the Atlantic Ocean?
Because that is where the test range is.
-
#350
by
rockets4life97
on 17 Feb, 2017 19:13
-
The 2nd stage spin system is the payload separation system correct? That is where the Helium leak supposedly is.
-
#351
by
Jim
on 17 Feb, 2017 19:14
-
The 2nd stage spin system is the payload separation system correct? That is where the Helium leak supposedly is.
No, that is what starts up the Merlin
-
#352
by
Ilikeboosterrockets
on 17 Feb, 2017 19:16
-
The 2nd stage spin system is the payload separation system correct? That is where the Helium leak supposedly is.
No, that is what starts up the Merlin
Presumably the turbopumps?
-
#353
by
edkyle99
on 17 Feb, 2017 19:21
-
Everyone seems to be presuming this is a helium leak. Is that confirmed? I
Yes. Gwynne Shotwell just confirmed. She said it was in the "spin system", which Jim noted was for engine starting. Obviously, that engine's gotta start!
- Ed Kyle
-
#354
by
IanThePineapple
on 17 Feb, 2017 19:25
-
Wow, the helium system is the cause for so many problems...
-
#355
by
northenarc
on 17 Feb, 2017 19:29
-
Gwynne Shotwell finds destinations outside the solar system more interesting than Mars, (Elon maybe building secret Project Orion Bond villain style?
)
-
#356
by
IanThePineapple
on 17 Feb, 2017 19:29
-
The Falcon getting late payloads loaded on 39A in the background is a beautiful backdrop for the Q&A
-
#357
by
edkyle99
on 17 Feb, 2017 19:39
-
The Falcon getting late payloads loaded on 39A in the background is a beautiful backdrop for the Q&A
I think this may be the most informative SpaceX press conference I've seen. Really good questions and answers.
- Ed Kyle
-
#358
by
georgegassaway
on 17 Feb, 2017 19:40
-
This was posted in the CRS-10 Updates thread:
Update on upper stage leak from Nasa TV 39A: Helium leak in the spin system on the second stage, "I believe we found it...as far as I know we're going to proceed into the count"
What is the "spin system" being referenced? I did some googling to try to find out and only found a reference to "spin start support systems" when LC-40 was being prepared for F9 launches. Spin-up of pumps, or what?
-
#359
by
Herb Schaltegger
on 17 Feb, 2017 19:42
-
Wow, the helium system is the cause for so many problems...
Helium is a tiny molecule and very difficult to contain. Not the same issue at all as the COPV failure.
)