SpaceX F9 : Crew Dragon In-Flight Abort Test : Jan. 19, 2020 : Discussion

[cosmicvoid]

I'm not convinced? Explain why?

Why bother to test a vehicle that's not the same as what is going to be used on missions?

[Roy_H]

Is it a given that the IFA needs to wait for the conclusion of the investigation? ...

Absolutely, yes. Any changes as a result of the investigation, i.e. installing burst disks to replace valves, have to be implemented and tested on the IFA.

I'm not convinced? Explain why?

In this case the burst disks have to be demonstrated that they work properly during an abort sequence. But further than that SpaceX has a policy of test what you fly, the most convincing type of testing I can think of.

[guckyfan]

I'm not convinced? Explain why?

Why bother to test a vehicle that's not the same as what is going to be used on missions?

Brilliantly implemented at the recent Orion in flight abort test.

[Roy_H]

I'm not convinced? Explain why?

Why bother to test a vehicle that's not the same as what is going to be used on missions?

Brilliantly implemented at the recent Orion in flight abort test.

In Orion's case the abort system is completely separate hardware from the Orion capsule, and that piece of hardware was tested in its final design configuration. Not something else with promises that further modification would produce the same results.

[gongora]

I'm not convinced? Explain why?

Why bother to test a vehicle that's not the same as what is going to be used on missions?

Brilliantly implemented at the recent Orion in flight abort test.

In Orion's case the abort system is completely separate hardware from the Orion capsule, and that piece of hardware was tested in its final design configuration. Not something else with promises that further modification would produce the same results.

Right.  This is a test of the abort system.  Not testing the new design of the abort system plumbing would be stupid.  In an earlier interview (during DM-1?) one of the astronauts also mentioned he'd like to see the final chute configuration tested on the IFA.

[mn]

I asked my question before the investigation was done, obviously now that we know what needs to be changed it will be changed before the test, I was never suggesting otherwise.

My hypothetical question to clarify what I was getting at originally: suppose they had already done the IFA using checks valves, would they have to redo it now? I think not, what do you think?

[joek]

... My hypothetical question to clarify what I was getting at originally: suppose they had already done the IFA using checks valves, would they have to redo it now? I think not, what do you think?

Extremely unlikely that they would need to do the IFA again unless the IFA failed due to a material issue related to the check valves.  Due to cost and time you do not generally run end-to-end tests with every component required to perform nominally before you give the system a pass--at least for a system that has been in operation.  That is why we see, e.g., component failures diagnosed and an operational system cleared for flight before an entire end-to-end system flight test is successfully performed.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

Quote from Hans Koenigsmann:

https://twitter.com/cathofacker/status/1163472096753836032

Also gives update on Crew Dragon timeline: Another in-flight abort test is scheduled for October or November, with the Demo-2 crewed flight "hopefully early next year." #AiaaPropEnergy

[scr00chy]

The quote above is incorrect, he said "hopefully this year":

https://twitter.com/CatHofacker/status/1163475160416104448

[Rondaz]

Ahead of our in-flight abort test for @Commercial_Crew—which will demonstrate Crew Dragon's ability to safely carry astronauts away from the rocket in the unlikely event of an emergency—our team has completed over 700 tests of the spacecraft's SuperDraco engines..

Fired together at full throttle, Crew Dragon's eight SuperDracos can move the spacecraft 0.5 miles—the length of over 7 American football fields lined up end to end—in 7.5 seconds, reaching a peak velocity of 436 mph..

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1172215123777216512

[gongora]

The environmental assessment has been finalized and posted on the FAA site.  I'm not noticing any differences from the draft other than the addition of a few memos from various agencies signing off on it.

https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ast/environmental/nepa_docs/review/launch/

Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for Issuing SpaceX a Launch License for an In-flight Dragon Abort Test, Kennedy Space Center, Brevard County, Florida, August 2019 (PDF)

[vaporcobra]

SpaceX filed for an STA request NET November 23rd that sounds a lot like the IFA.

This STA is necessary to authorize launch vehicle communications for SpaceX Mission 1357, a launch from Complex 39a, Kennedy Space Center. The application includes a sub-orbital first stage, and a simulated orbital second stage. Trajectory data shall be provided directly to NTIA, USAF, and NASA. All downrange Earth stations are receive-only. Launch licensing authority is FAA Office of Commercial Space Transportation.

https://fcc.report/ELS/Space-Exploration-Technologies-Corp-SpaceX/1778-EX-ST-2019

[quagmire]

If the NET November 23rd is the true date and not a placeholder, should we begin see some activity again at LZ-1 for a static fire test of the capsule to be used? Given the ill-fated test of the DM-1 capsule being in April and the IFA slated at the time for June/July? Or maybe a different workflow given it's a new capsule vs reusing DM-1's capsule and the test can be made closer to the actual IFA.

[Ken the Bin]

FCC STAs have a six-month effective period, so I wouldn't read too much into that start date.

Operation Start Date:    11/23/2019
Operation End Date:    05/23/2020

[Chris Bergin]

Believed to be the booster for the IFA flight.

https://twitter.com/MadeOnEarthFou1/status/1178996245840445446

[Johnnyhinbos]

Believed to be the booster for the IFA flight.

https://twitter.com/MadeOnEarthFou1/status/1178996245840445446

What's the item circled in red? I don't recall seeing this on a F9 booster. Looks kinda like center core hardware?


Edited to include circle!

[SWGlassPit]

Maybe it's me, but I'm not seeing anything circled in red.

[Johnnyhinbos]

Maybe it's me, but I'm not seeing anything circled in red.

Yep - sorry, image didn't save. Edited my original post with proper image.

[ZachS09]

Why would there be a FH center core as the IFA booster?

[Johnnyhinbos]

Why would there be a FH center core as the IFA booster?

Doubt there would be - so my question is, is this a FH core, or is this a normal F9 booster protrusion.