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

[guckyfan]

From the preflight press conference. The NASA representative said about the Amos incident, that such failures are always a very good thing. They learn a lot from them.

[ejb749]

Is there a replay available of the briefing?

Edit:  Found it.

[Bob Shaw]

Does anyone know if there are any cameras on the tower?

[IanThePineapple]

Does anyone know if there are any cameras on the tower?

Most likely, even if for post-flight analysis.

[CyndyC]

From the preflight press conference. The NASA representative said about the Amos incident, that such failures are always a very good thing. They learn a lot from them.

I don't know how you were inverted. No one alerted you. With every mistake we must surely be learning. Still my guitar gently weeps.

[Lee Jay]

These press briefings usually disappoint me because there's always some really dumb questions asked. Is it just me or did everybody seem to take a genius pill today? Lots of really really good questions!  Very informative.

[Rocket Science]

These press briefings usually disappoint me because there's always some really dumb questions asked. Is it just me or did everybody seem to take a genius pill today? Lots of really really good questions!  Very informative.

They were all out in the fresh air...

[IanThePineapple]

These press briefings usually disappoint me because there's always some really dumb questions asked. Is it just me or did everybody seem to take a genius pill today? Lots of really really good questions!  Very informative.

They were all out in the fresh air...

I'm sure 39A and the Falcon behind them made them smarter

[mme]

Spaceflight Now ‏@SpaceflightNow  12 min
 The Falcon 9 rocket is going vertical in readiness for tomorrow’s launch. Watch live: http://spaceflightnow.com/2017/02/17/spacex-crs-10-mission-status-center/ …

Does this imply they finished work on the second stage and believe that all is well for launch?

[SmallKing]

Spaceflight Now ‏@SpaceflightNow  12 min
 The Falcon 9 rocket is going vertical in readiness for tomorrow’s launch. Watch live: http://spaceflightnow.com/2017/02/17/spacex-crs-10-mission-status-center/ …

Does this imply they finished work on the second stage and believe that all is well for launch?

Yes

[shuttlefan]

Spaceflight Now ‏@SpaceflightNow  12 min
 The Falcon 9 rocket is going vertical in readiness for tomorrow’s launch. Watch live: http://spaceflightnow.com/2017/02/17/spacex-crs-10-mission-status-center/ …

Does this imply they finished work on the second stage and believe that all is well for launch?

Yes

Has Spacex confirmed the leak issue has been put to bed? They could be simply raising the rocket to vertical again just to protect the option of launching IF they get the issue resolved.

[Flying Beaver]

Spaceflight Now ‏@SpaceflightNow  12 min
 The Falcon 9 rocket is going vertical in readiness for tomorrow’s launch. Watch live: http://spaceflightnow.com/2017/02/17/spacex-crs-10-mission-status-center/ …

Does this imply they finished work on the second stage and believe that all is well for launch?

Yes

Has Spacex confirmed the leak issue has been put to bed? They could be simply raising the rocket to vertical again just to protect the option of launching IF they get the issue resolved.

Issue is definitely hardware. No point trying to work on it vertical. Must be fixed either by excepting the second stage might not restart, or by repairing hardware.

[nukie19]

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
Story Number: NNS170216-21Release Date: 2/16/2017 3:30:00 PM
A  A  A   Email this story to a friend   Print this story
By John M. Daniels, Strategic Systems Programs Public Affairs

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.

The primary objective of an FCET is to obtain, under operationally representative conditions, valid reliability, accuracy, and performance of the missile system for use by Commander, Strategic Command and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Safety of the public was paramount throughout the mission. The missiles were unarmed and all launches were conducted from the sea, flew over the sea, and landed in the sea. At no time did the missiles fly over land.

A credible, effective nuclear deterrent is essential to national security and the security of U.S. allies and friends. The Trident II D5 missile is a submarine-launched ballistic missile which is one part of the nation's strategic deterrent triad. As the most survivable leg of the triad, it provides the national command authority with assured second-strike capability. Since its introduction to the fleet in 1989, the Trident II D5 missile has completed 165 successful test flights.

Wrong coast...Trident launches were off California coast.
http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/02/14/bright-object-seen-across-bay-area-sky/

[docmordrid]

Elon Musk ✔ @elonmusk
Looks like we are go for launch. Added an abort trigger at T-60 secs for pressure decay of upper stage helium spin start system.
10:07 PM - 17 Feb 2017

[mdeep]

Media photo op at pad begins shortly.

[deruch]

Confirmation on why the launch was delayed to the 18th...

http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=98934#.WKb9MVdPwiQ.facebook

Wrong coast...Trident launches were off California coast.
http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/02/14/bright-object-seen-across-bay-area-sky/

Potentially right reason, but wrong exercise?  Though why the launch would be approved for the 18th if this was the case, I have no idea:

ATLANTIC OCEAN - GEORGIA - FLORIDA - JACKSONVILLE: U.S. NAVY EXERCISES HAZARDOUS TO SURFACE VESSEL
The following areas will contain exercises hazardous to surface vessels in the Jax/Chasnoa during 13 - 19 FEB, 2017. Mariners are advised to avoid these areas:
DATE: 13 - 19 FEB TIME: 0000-2359 (LCL)
AREA BOUNDED BY AREA
30-45N2 80-56W9 GUNEX AREA
30-45N2 80-30W1 W-137L
30-34N0 80-30W1
30-34N0 80-57W0
30-36N2 80-57W0
30-45N2 80-30W0 W-138L
30-45N2 79-38W7
30-34N0 79-41W1
30-34N0 80-30W1
DATE: 13 - 19 FEB TIME: 0000-2359 (LCL)
AREA BOUNDED BY AREA
29-20N3 79-50W1 31J
29-20N3 79-40W0
29-10N2 79-40W0
29-10N2 79-50W1
DATE: 13 - 19 FEB TIME: 0000-2359 (LCL)
AREA BOUNDED BY AREA
30-00N3 81-00W9 27C
30-00N3 80-50W3
29-50N6 80-50W3
29-50N6 81-00W9
DATE: 15 - 16 FEB TIME: 0700-1800 (LCL)
AREA BOUNDED BY AREA
30-45N2 80-56W9 MSLX
30-45N2 80-30W1 W-137L
30-34N0 80-30W
30-34N0 80-57W0
30-36N2 80-57W0

I assume based on the description that there might be prior planned surface operations in potential overflight areas or maybe conflicts with needed range assets being used for the exercises, but I don't want to try to figure out a way to map all the areas and check if that's what it might have been.  At this point, I personally don't really care why the delay was to when it was.  So, I'm proportionately lazy about the matter.

[Rocket Science]

Great article William, I enjoyed the historic overview of the pads!

[FutureSpaceTourist]

Apologies if I missed this, NASA pic of CRS-10 trunk

[padrat]

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.

The crane is a safety feature whenever people are working under the rocket or inside the interstage when there is a payload attached. Extra margin of safety in case the second stage loses pressure. Future upgrades to the TEL might eliminate some of the need for it but it will probably always be used whenever anyone goes in the interstage because it's more difficult to evacuate quickly.

[toruonu]

So looking at differences between 39A and 40 and the one thing that stood out is the lightning rods. On 40 there were 4 around the pad, at 39A there's just the one on top of FSS. Guess being so close to the rocket it's fine?