Author Topic: Southern Launch (Read 87268 times)

CameronD · « **Reply #60 on:** 09/16/2020 10:58 pm »

Quote from: Steven Pietrobon on 09/15/2020 09:20 am

You see a puff of smoke at ignition and something glowing red flying off. It lands on the grass next to the thing on the left.

My guess is it's what's left of the igniter as it gets blown out the tail end of the rocket. The team at T-Minus Engineering are probably rather red-faced right now!

From Lloyd Damp:

Quote

"Yesterday we attempted something that has never been done before, the commercial launch of a space capable rocket from a private Australian launch range. We unfortunately seem to have suffered a failure in the igniter that lead to a misfire.

So....where to from here?

We will continue watching the weather and hopefully do another launch attempt tomorrow, or the day after, or the day after that, or the day after that (you get the picture!).

A big thanks to everyone who has put their support behind the development of a new, inspirational industry from Australia!

Looking at the latest weather forecast, I don't think they'll get to try again until the middle of next week.

Rik ISS-fan · « **Reply #61 on:** 09/17/2020 08:20 am »

A new post from T-minus on their Linkedin page.

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Update on the Launch at KTR of the T-Minus DART.

Foremost, thank all of you for the best wishes and for following our progress.

As some of you have seen, the rocket motor did not ignite last Tuesday. The ignitor did activate, but the motor did not start.

From this we have suggested mitigating measures to Southern Launch so that we can bring the payload by DEWC system to its desired altitude of 85km. We are confident that with these measures we can take to the skies.

With previous launch attempt we are in a better position for our next one. Weather will determine when this will be. We will keep you posted.

T-Minus Engineering team

If I'm not mistaken, the T-minus Dart motor ~44kNs (Viper IIIA comparable) uses an nozzle plug.
That's the orange cape you see flying away. During the static firing test you can also see this cap flying away.
Again if my understanding of the system is correct, the ignition uses a squib to start a pyrogen igniter.
To me it looked like the squib fired, but the pyrogen iginter didn't start.
Another scenario is that the nozzle plug came off early, thus heat and pressure couldn't build-up inside the motor. Both scenario's there wasn't sufficient (thermal) energy to ignite the motor.

I've added an screenshot from the T-minus dart static firing test @13s just after ignition. (post #19, page 1)
With the normal ignition you see a lot more flames. And the plug flies away after some flames came out of the motor.

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #62 on:** 09/17/2020 11:13 pm »

Next attempt on Sunday 20 September with window opening at 2 pm local (04:30 UTC).

https://www.facebook.com/SouthernLaunch/photos/a.2309448065980989/2686466674945791/?type=3&theater

"LAUNCH UPDATE: We have concluded our post-flight analysis with T-Minus Engineering, all issues surrounding the misfire have been addressed and we’re back on track for launch as soon as the weather agrees! We have a launch window open until Sunday 20th at 2pm ACST.
Continue to check back for updates"

CameronD · « **Reply #63 on:** 09/17/2020 11:39 pm »

Quote from: Steven Pietrobon on 09/17/2020 11:13 pm

Next attempt on Sunday 20 September with window opening at 2 pm local (04:30 UTC).

https://www.facebook.com/SouthernLaunch/photos/a.2309448065980989/2686466674945791/?type=3&theater

"LAUNCH UPDATE: We have concluded our post-flight analysis with T-Minus Engineering, all issues surrounding the misfire have been addressed and we’re back on track for launch as soon as the weather agrees! We have a launch window open until Sunday 20th at 2pm ACST.
Continue to check back for updates"

Well, looking at the forecast, they have zero chance of launching today or first thing tomorrow morning but might just get a launch in after the front goes through late Saturday and before the next one hits around closing time on Sunday. Fingers crossed!

EDIT:

Quote

LAUNCH UPDATE: We are looking good for launch tomorrow! Due to ever-changing weather conditions, we are aiming for an earlier launch than first scheduled, at 10:09:47am ACST, Saturday 19th September.
Remember, if you want to come and watch the launch tomorrow, please register here: https://lnkd.in/gxW99h2

Sounds like they're going to try and beat the front.. Fingers double-crossed!!

Jrcraft · « **Reply #64 on:** 09/18/2020 09:40 pm »

@SouthernLaunch on Twitter

LAUNCH DAY! And it is a beautiful one! We’re at T-03:00 and site setup is well underway at our Koonibba Test Range. Keep an eye on our Twitter today for regular updates!

https://twitter.com/SouthernLaunch/status/1307071058005176321

Jrcraft · « **Reply #65 on:** 09/18/2020 11:46 pm »

[UPDATE] T-2:30 Roadblocks are now in place surrounding the Koonibba Test Range, only road into Koonibba is via the Koonibba entrance road off Eyre Hwy.

https://twitter.com/SouthernLaunch/status/1307080485840072705

Rik ISS-fan · « **Reply #66 on:** 09/19/2020 12:34 am »

https://twitter.com/SouthernLaunch/status/1307114999534497795
T-00:08:31! In less than 10mins we will attempt to launch Australia’s first ever commercial space-capable rocket! Live stream available here: southernlaunch.space/

@ T-20 the Booster and Dart were both loaded in the launch rail.

Rik ISS-fan · « **Reply #67 on:** 09/19/2020 12:41 am »

And liftoff.

https://twitter.com/SouthernLaunch/status/1307117421648654337

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[UPDATE] LIFT OFF!! Successful fire! We are on our way to reaching the highest any commercial rocket has ever reached from Australian soil!!

At ~T+ 4:00 people came into view to safe the launcher and prepare the next launch.

No news on how the Booster-Dart separation worked out and if the Dart parachuted correctly.

https://twitter.com/SouthernLaunch/status/1307119633451933696

Quote

After a short celebration by the team, it’s back to business: we are a go for our second launch. Beginning preparation of rocket #2! New T-01:20:10

{I'm off to bed now}

Jrcraft · « **Reply #68 on:** 09/19/2020 02:08 am »

https://twitter.com/SouthernLaunch/status/1307139272760332290

[UPDATE] T-00:12:09 Launcher has been aligned and is ready for launch. Weather is favourable. Minor delay pushing us back to our next 10 minute launch window.

New T-11:49:47

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #69 on:** 09/19/2020 02:15 am »

Next launch in a few minutes. Missed the first one as it had been preponed!

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #70 on:** 09/19/2020 02:16 am »

T-4 minutes.

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #71 on:** 09/19/2020 02:18 am »

T-2 minutes.

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #72 on:** 09/19/2020 02:19 am »

T-1 minute.

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #73 on:** 09/19/2020 02:20 am »

Liftoff!

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #74 on:** 09/19/2020 02:21 am »

Exhaust stream on left.

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #75 on:** 09/19/2020 02:23 am »

Livestream has ended. You can watch the replay below.

https://vimeo.com/event/309879/videos/459353492/

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #76 on:** 09/19/2020 02:27 am »

Steven Marshall, MP@marshall_steven·
6m
We have lift off. Congratulations to the team at @SouthernLaunch for successfully launching a rocket to the edge of space from Koonibba, #SouthAustralia. It’s the latest example of how SA is at the forefront of this emerging sector and is creating #SAJobs of the future.

twitter.com/marshall_steven/status/1307142204469641217

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #77 on:** 09/19/2020 02:32 am »

Here is the first launch.

Congratulations to Southern Launch, DEWC and T-Minus Engineering for the successful launches!

Jrcraft · « **Reply #78 on:** 09/19/2020 02:44 am »

The first Launch

The second launch

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #79 on:** 09/19/2020 03:03 am »

Thanks Jrcraft for posting those videos! I'm guessing that TED stands for T-Minus Engineering DART.