SpaceX Falcon 9 CRS/SpX-10 Dragon - Feb. 19, 2017 - Discussion

[edkyle99]

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?

That's my understanding, and Jim may speak more to it.  It is the initial starting force for the engine, to spin up the turbopump.  Kind of like a starter on an auto engine, in broad terms.

 - Ed Kyle

[rsdavis9]

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?

The turbine is prestarted to spin before the rp1 or lox enters the pump.

[Earendil]

OK, that was a very informative Press I think.. lots of new bits of info.

However, no one figured to ask is there a Raptor powered second stage coming up anytime soon..

Is there a place to suggest press questions?

[Jim]

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?

Second stage engine spin up system.  It is on the vehicle.

[IanThePineapple]

Raptor second stage will NEVER happen, plus they just test fired the first MODEL Raptor, the first full one will probably later this year. Why do people keep asking...

I wish someone asked about FH's timeline (unless they did before I turned the stream on) and the future of Boca Chica

[Jim]

However, no one figured to ask is there a Raptor powered second stage coming up anytime soon..

Because there is no such thing

[leetdan]

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.

Even mature launch systems can have leak issues when it comes to small molecules.

_{GUCP anyone?}

[MikeAtkinson]

However, no one figured to ask is there a Raptor powered second stage coming up anytime soon..

Because there is no such thing

Gwynne did say that block 5 is the last major update to the F9 and that they will not work on upper stage reusability, so that just about rules it out. Not only is there no such thing, but there is no such thing in the plans of SpaceX (at this current time - who knows what Elon will decide in the future).

[ATPTourFan]

My only real disappointment was with the Block 5 question. When the gentleman asking about Block 5 said he had a follow-up, I was shouting at my screen saying "ask her what block is the one behind you is". Bummer.

[ericspittle]

Raptor second stage will NEVER happen, plus they just test fired the first MODEL Raptor, the first full one will probably later this year. Why do people keep asking...

I wish someone asked about FH's timeline (unless they did before I turned the stream on) and the future of Boca Chica

Gwynne said FH is still scheduled for mid-year but they are waiting for 40 to come back online before they will stick an FH on 39A. She also said she thinks they're still doing soil work in Boca Chica, but not much else.

[MikeAtkinson]

Raptor second stage will NEVER happen, plus they just test fired the first MODEL Raptor, the first full one will probably later this year. Why do people keep asking...

I wish someone asked about FH's timeline (unless they did before I turned the stream on) and the future of Boca Chica

Gwynne said FH is still scheduled for mid-year but they are waiting for 40 to come back online before they will stick an FH on 39A. She also said she thinks they're still doing soil work in Boca Chica, but not much else.

FH and 39A both "summer", no timeline given for Boca Chica (that was the only question asked where she did not give an answer).

[gongora]

Various notes from the press conference that will need to get spread to appropriate threads:

39-A:  over $100 million when complete.  Will need to raise height of FSS for vertical integration of NSS missions.  Crew arm installed by end of year.  RSS coming down piece by piece.

Will try to recover fairing this year, don't want to land them in water.

Not sure if they want customer on FH demo flight.

Initial flight rate about every 2 1/2 weeks, aiming for every 2 weeks.

SES-10 booster coming back from Texas, launch still planned for March.

Government (NSS) missions likely to spend more time on the pad than commercial (no surprise there).

F9 flights moved to SLC-40 while they're preparing the FH demo flight.

[M.E.T.]

I thought the big reveal - unless it is old news already - was that Red Dragon has been moved out from the 2018 to the 2020 window.

[Toast]

I thought the big reveal - unless it is old news already - was that Red Dragon has been moved out from the 2018 to the 2020 window.

It was strongly suspected, but I think this is the first public acknowledgment.

[DOCinCT]

I thought the big reveal - unless it is old news already - was that Red Dragon has been moved out from the 2018 to the 2020 window.

That seems to be the likely NET, but priorities could shift if a image obsessed administration wants something splashy in space science, but SLS Em-1 crew is either delayed or doesn't happen.

[mdeep]

Some (not cellphone) photos from this afternoon's remote camera setup and briefing:



EDIT: Full res here if anyone wants to peek at that second stage work: [1] [2]

[virnin]

I'm somewhat confused about the crane and sling.  The late-load photo pasted earlier in the thread shows a support sling from the TEL in the location of the sling from the crane.  I'm hoping this is a one-shot work-around for some hardware bits that aren't finished yet.

(edit) Upon reflection, I'm wondering if this is related to the 2nd stage work; maybe a safety issue since there are people working in a crush zone.

[gongora]

Engineers currently working on second stage right now. The fairing for the second stage GSE attachment point has been removed to provide access to the He piping system it seems.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BQoKS-KDT72/?tagged=spacex

Isn't that above the GSE attachment point?

[Jim]

Engineers currently working on second stage right now. The fairing for the second stage GSE attachment point has been removed to provide access to the He piping system it seems.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BQoKS-KDT72/?tagged=spacex

Isn't that above the GSE attachment point?

Yes, and it is not an attach point but a support point.

[Jim]

I'm somewhat confused about the crane and sling.  The late-load photo pasted earlier in the thread shows a support sling from the TEL in the location of the sling from the crane.  I'm hoping this is a one-shot work-around for some hardware bits that aren't finished yet.

(edit) Upon reflection, I'm wondering if this is related to the 2nd stage work; maybe a safety issue since there are people working in a crush zone.

No, it is a regular occurrence anything the vehicle with payload is horizontal for a long duration.  It is also might have to do with the tanks being depressurized.

What crush zone?  The vehicle can't move.