SpaceX Falcon 9 : SES-12 : June 4, 2018 : Discussion

[EnigmaSCADA]

What was that thing (on fire) that fell a few seconds after clearing the tower? Couldn't really see much given the conditions (night time + a rocket taking off).

[Jarnis]

What was that thing (on fire) that fell a few seconds after clearing the tower? Couldn't really see much given the conditions (night time + a rocket taking off).

Nothing. It looked like a lens reflection.

[Lars-J]

What was that thing (on fire) that fell a few seconds after clearing the tower? Couldn't really see much given the conditions (night time + a rocket taking off).

A lens reflection.

[SciNews]

replay of the launch

[MATTBLAK]

Seemed to be a larger than usual engine 'blowback' against the first stage thrust structure around Max-Q - starting at 43 seconds.

[Pete]

Interesting how the second stage's insulating layer seems to have a heartbeat.
There's a regular, bit faster than one per second, pulse going through the insulation cover.
.
There's also a rather large piece of it "swinging in the breeze" at one point.

[meciel]

Anyone know why it was FTS rather than AFTS on this flight?

[mlindner]

Is SpaceX going to give a statement about the mylar foil that came off and was flapping around during launch on the second stage? That's seriously not good.

[lonestriker]

Is SpaceX going to give a statement about the mylar foil that came off and was flapping around during launch on the second stage? That's seriously not good.

Though I can't recall ever seeing something like that in previous launches, do we have any actual evidence that it's "seriously not good"?  Why would SpaceX need to send out a statement when the mission was a complete success by all accounts?

[vandersons]

9500+km/h at stage sep, that has got to be the quickest so far for a F9 1st stage.

[HVM]

Interesting how the second stage's insulating layer seems to have a heartbeat.
There's a regular, bit faster than one per second, pulse going through the insulation cover...

This was visible in Bangabandhu 1  mission too, so Block 5 stuff.

Is SpaceX going to give a statement about the mylar foil that came off and was flapping around during launch on the second stage? That's seriously not good.

Though I can't recall ever seeing something like that in previous launches, do we have any actual evidence that it's "seriously not good"?  Why would SpaceX need to send out a statement when the mission was a complete success by all accounts?

The mylar foil is there for thermal control, and you don't want frozen TEA-TEB line do you?

[karki]

9500+km/h at stage sep, that has got to be the quickest so far for a F9 1st stage.

Intelsat was about the same. Echostar and especially Inmarsat were faster. Still in the top 4 and lighter than any of those. Plus this was a Block 5 stage 2, so performance will be better post-separation.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Congratulations to SES and SpaceX for the successful launch!

Here are some shots of the insulation flying around.

[lonestriker]

Interesting how the second stage's insulating layer seems to have a heartbeat.
There's a regular, bit faster than one per second, pulse going through the insulation cover...

This was visible in Bangabandhu 1  mission too, so Block 5 stuff.

Is SpaceX going to give a statement about the mylar foil that came off and was flapping around during launch on the second stage? That's seriously not good.

Though I can't recall ever seeing something like that in previous launches, do we have any actual evidence that it's "seriously not good"?  Why would SpaceX need to send out a statement when the mission was a complete success by all accounts?

The mylar foil is there for thermal control, and you don't want frozen TEA-TEB line do you?

I'm a huge space geek/fan, but my background is software, so I am trying to learn from the experts here and elsewhere.  My assumption, though, is that SpaceX has a myriad of sensors to know if thermal constraints are close to the threshold.  I would also assume that some of the systems have redundancy (like their avionics).  Given the relatively short burn and coast (unlike say the F9 Heavy demo mission), the flapping insulation may not have been an issue?

[Steven Pietrobon]

Orbit insertion speed was 26,978 km/h or 7493.9 m/s. Adding 408.3 m/s for Cape Canaveral gives a rough inertial speed of 7902.2 m/s.

Speeds before and after second ignition were 26,457 and 35,859 km/h, giving a minimum delta-V of 2611.7 m/s. Once we know the inclination change, we can work out the true delta-V (excluding gravity losses).

[Nomadd]

 That's 538 Merlin 1D flights without a hitch.

[Mark McCombs]

Is SpaceX going to give a statement about the mylar foil that came off and was flapping around during launch on the second stage? That's seriously not good.

Though I can't recall ever seeing something like that in previous launches, do we have any actual evidence that it's "seriously not good"?  Why would SpaceX need to send out a statement when the mission was a complete success by all accounts?

Any anomaly is not good.  The insulation system is there for a reason and having it detach is cause for concern and investigation.

SpaceX does not need to send out a statement (to the public) regarding the anomaly.  Though one would be appreciated.  :-)  Other clients and vested agencies will surely inquire.

[ugordan]

That mylar foil was seen flapping on virtually all flights, I'm surprised it hasn't gotten torn up earlier than this. The cause for the apparently violent flapping and trashing is most likely impingement from the cold gas ACS, which should operate in roll control mode during powered flight.

[Lars-J]

Is SpaceX going to give a statement about the mylar foil that came off and was flapping around during launch on the second stage? That's seriously not good.

Though I can't recall ever seeing something like that in previous launches, do we have any actual evidence that it's "seriously not good"?  Why would SpaceX need to send out a statement when the mission was a complete success by all accounts?

Any anomaly is not good.  The insulation system is there for a reason and having it detach is cause for concern and investigation.

SpaceX does not need to send out a statement (to the public) regarding the anomaly.  Though one would be appreciated.  :-)  Other clients and vested agencies will surely inquire.

... And they will be told. Not us. But rest assured that their eternal gratitude is with us here, who might have noticed otherwise? 

[ugordan]

That's 538 Merlin 1D flights without a hitch.

Today also marks exactly 8 years since the first F9 lifted off.