Author Topic: First Falcon 9 Block 5 booster readying for static fire at McGregor (Read 24797 times)

Chris Bergin · « **on:** 02/27/2018 11:29 am »

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/02/first-falcon-9-block-5-readying-static-fire-mcgregor-rapid-reuse/

- By Ian Atkinson (covering the evolution of Falcon 9 through to this first Block 5 arriving on the test stand). Photos by NSF's Gary Blair for L2 McGregor.

speedevil · « **Reply #1 on:** 02/27/2018 11:47 am »

Quote

the whole first stage will be covered in a thermal protection coating to help it better survive atmospheric reentry.

I'd missed, if that has not been revealed before.

I wonder how much higher energy FH centre-core entry that will permit reusably.

This could help fully recoverable payload quite a lot, as propulsive burns really hurt payload.
(through lower velocity at staging)

Paul Howard · « **Reply #2 on:** 02/27/2018 11:50 am »

Great work again NSF. Do we know more about the black interstage. Ian didn't seem to mention that visual addition.

IanThePineapple · « **Reply #3 on:** 02/27/2018 12:04 pm »

Quote from: Paul Howard on 02/27/2018 11:50 am

Great work again NSF. Do we know more about the black interstage. Ian didn't seem to mention that visual addition.

Oh, I didn't talk about that.

I'll edit it once I get home

Eerie · « **Reply #4 on:** 02/27/2018 12:10 pm »

And it's not octagonal. What the hell??? 8-P

IanThePineapple · « **Reply #5 on:** 02/27/2018 12:30 pm »

Quote from: Eerie on 02/27/2018 12:10 pm

And it's not octagonal. What the hell??? 8-P

I never understood why people thought was octagonal

billh · « **Reply #6 on:** 02/27/2018 01:21 pm »

I don't see a photo credit on the aerial shot of the Block V on the test stand.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #7 on:** 02/27/2018 01:22 pm »

Quote from: billh on 02/27/2018 01:21 pm

I don't see a photo credit on the aerial shot of the Block V on the test stand.

Shows it here:

billh · « **Reply #8 on:** 02/27/2018 01:26 pm »

Quote from: Chris Bergin on 02/27/2018 01:22 pm

Quote from: billh on 02/27/2018 01:21 pm
I don't see a photo credit on the aerial shot of the Block V on the test stand.

Shows it here:

Hmm. For some reason that doesn't show up in my browser. I've tried both Chrome and IE. The other picture credits do show up.

Edit: And Edge. All on Windows 10.
Edit2: Ah, I see. The picture directly below the title does not have a caption or credit. But the same picture does have the caption and credit when it appears in the body of the article.

Herb Schaltegger · « **Reply #9 on:** 02/27/2018 01:29 pm »

Quote from: IanThePineapple on 02/27/2018 12:30 pm

Quote from: Eerie on 02/27/2018 12:10 pm
And it's not octagonal. What the hell??? 8-P

I never understood why people thought was octagonal

Because people saw photos of the wrapped booster en route and it looked octagonal (due to the way the booster packaged/wrapped for the road) and because SpaceX boosters on the road is now so common in space-nerd circles, people haven't been paying attention to the road photos for a few years.

Eh, what can you do?

abaddon · « **Reply #10 on:** 02/27/2018 01:55 pm »

Great to finally see that black interstage. Should look quite dashing with the second stage on top.

I didn't know the raceway was going to be black, too. That looks a little strange to my eyes, although I am sure after a few launches it will become the new normal.

EngrDavid · « **Reply #11 on:** 02/27/2018 01:57 pm »

According to Wikipedia, the interstage is made from carbon fiber aluminum core composite. Has this changed and its now purely carbon fiber and that explains the black color? Or is the black color just because SpaceX decided not to paint it white.

kevinof · « **Reply #12 on:** 02/27/2018 02:03 pm »

The new one is black, unpainted carbon.

Quote from: EngrDavid on 02/27/2018 01:57 pm

According to Wikipedia, the interstage is made from carbon fiber aluminum core composite. Has this changed and its now purely carbon fiber and that explains the black color? Or is the black color just because SpaceX decided not to paint it white.

JamesH65 · « **Reply #13 on:** 02/27/2018 02:11 pm »

Quote from: kevinof on 02/27/2018 02:03 pm

The new one is black, unpainted carbon.

Quote from: EngrDavid on 02/27/2018 01:57 pm
According to Wikipedia, the interstage is made from carbon fiber aluminum core composite. Has this changed and its now purely carbon fiber and that explains the black color? Or is the black color just because SpaceX decided not to paint it white.

Purely for weight saving, or speed of manufacture? Presumably nothing heat critical inside. Or perhaps carbon just looks cooler....

IanThePineapple · « **Reply #14 on:** 02/27/2018 02:47 pm »

Quote from: JamesH65 on 02/27/2018 02:11 pm

Quote from: kevinof on 02/27/2018 02:03 pm
The new one is black, unpainted carbon.

Quote from: EngrDavid on 02/27/2018 01:57 pm
According to Wikipedia, the interstage is made from carbon fiber aluminum core composite. Has this changed and its now purely carbon fiber and that explains the black color? Or is the black color just because SpaceX decided not to paint it white.

Purely for weight saving, or speed of manufacture? Presumably nothing heat critical inside. Or perhaps carbon just looks cooler....

Probably unpainted to save weight, like what was done with the shuttle ET

Nomadd · « **Reply #15 on:** 02/27/2018 03:34 pm »

Quote from: JamesH65 on 02/27/2018 02:11 pm

Presumably nothing heat critical inside. Or perhaps carbon just looks cooler....

It doesn't just look cooler. Black would radiate heat better.

jpo234 · « **Reply #16 on:** 02/27/2018 03:40 pm »

Quote from: Nomadd on 02/27/2018 03:34 pm

Quote from: JamesH65 on 02/27/2018 02:11 pm

Presumably nothing heat critical inside. Or perhaps carbon just looks cooler....

It doesn't just look cooler. Black would radiate heat better.

Does this matter? It will be in space for only a few minutes and inside the atmosphere other effects dominate...

matthewkantar · « **Reply #17 on:** 02/27/2018 04:49 pm »

The leg attachments look unchanged. Excited too see what the bottom of the rocket looks like up close. Looks like a metal band around the bottom? Inconel or titanium heat shield?

Matthew

neoforce · « **Reply #18 on:** 02/27/2018 05:33 pm »

Quote from: speedevil on 02/27/2018 11:47 am

Quote
the whole first stage will be covered in a thermal protection coating to help it better survive atmospheric reentry.
I'd missed, if that has not been revealed before.

I wonder how much higher energy FH centre-core entry that will permit reusably.

This could help fully recoverable payload quite a lot, as propulsive burns really hurt payload.
(through lower velocity at staging)

I also missed the thermal protection change until this article. Is there any additional information about this? Is it a paint choice or some new material in the core? Does the interstate have this change? (Not sure if the interstate is considered part of the first stage or not)

matthewkantar · « **Reply #19 on:** 02/27/2018 05:39 pm »

Quote from: neoforce on 02/27/2018 05:33 pm

I also missed the thermal protection change until this article. Is there any additional information about this? Is it a paint choice or some new material in the core? Does the interstate have this change? (Not sure if the interstate is considered part of the first stage or not)

The most surprising thing I noticed when I saw a used Falcon first stage in person was the use of cork as insulation. Amazing to me in 2017 the best product found for this application was tree bark. will be interesting to find out if the new protection includes cork.

Matthew