Quote from: ugordan on 08/19/2021 09:28 pmAnyone have an idea on why the green, characteristically TEA-TEB looking flash was also seen at engine shutdown?Some kind of engine purge or some unintended engine rich combustion instead?Firefly uses a TEA-TEB canister with burst disks, so it could be that they decided to deplete the canister at the end to make swapping it out with a fresh one an easier/safer/cleaner operation.If not that, engine-rich shutdown is usually the case.
Anyone have an idea on why the green, characteristically TEA-TEB looking flash was also seen at engine shutdown?Some kind of engine purge or some unintended engine rich combustion instead?
Yesterday Firefly performed a static fire test of the Alpha launch vehicle on its Vandenberg launch pad. The fully-fueled, flight-ready vehicle fired its first stage engines for fifteen seconds.The test was successful and clears the way for Firefly to make its first launch attempt, currently scheduled for September 2.
Speaking of red tape, have they actually gotten a launch license now? Were the FTS issues resolved?
This would suggest the debut Firefly launch will slip at least a couple of weeks, into mid-September.
Applicant: Firefly AerospaceDates: 09/15/2021-03/15/2022Purpose: To demonstrate the viability of Alpha as a small-satellite launcher.The p(...)https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/els/reports/STA_Print.cfm?mode=current&application_seq=109379
1271-EX-ST-2021To demonstrate the viability of Alpha as a small-satellite launcher. The purpose of the Alpha Flight 1 mission (serialized FLTA001) is to demonstrate the viability of Alpha as a small-satellite launcher, and to demonstrate that Firefly Aerospace is ready to support commercial, small satellite launches from Vandenberg Air Force Base.Launch from VAFB, CA to 300km orbitNET: 09/15/2021
It’s a beautiful evening at Firefly's Vandenberg Space Force Base SLC-2 launch site. #Firefly
The rocket could have been ready sooner but for the delayed delivery of a component needed for its flight termination system. Markusic declined to identify the specific component or its supplier, but said it was one of the few major components that the company did not develop in-house.“The vendor could not get the components qualified and delivered on time,” he said. “We’re a year behind schedule on that flight termination system.”
Firefly and Rocket Lab both substantially underestimated the schedule and risk of the FTS for their (US) launch sites. Meanwhile, Astra has dropped two or three of their Rockets on Kodiak Island, where it seems that regulations are nowhere near as stringent. You just have to find the hole in the regulatory quilt, I guess.
Quote from: butters on 08/25/2021 01:27 pmFirefly and Rocket Lab both substantially underestimated the schedule and risk of the FTS for their (US) launch sites. Meanwhile, Astra has dropped two or three of their Rockets on Kodiak Island, where it seems that regulations are nowhere near as stringent. You just have to find the hole in the regulatory quilt, I guess.Lots to be said for having quiet launch site in middle of nowhere. Downside is costs of setting up launch pad there and logistics associated with site so far away from factory. Sent from my SM-G570Y using Tapatalk
It also means Astra will still need to tackle the same AFTS certification challenges Rocketlab and Firefly have had to if they ever want to launch from Wallops/Vandenberg/the Cape in the future. Those sites are all in the process of retiring 'legacy' range safety equipment and personnel in favour of AFTS. Though like Rocketlab, at least they can keep flying from another site in the meantime.
EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT!!! We’re very proud to be hosting the official livestream for @Firefly_Space’s VERY FIRST orbital launch attempt on September 2nd! Their Alpha rocket is awesome & I can’t wait to watch them launch this beautiful beast from Vandenberg with you all!
Everyday Astronaut has this launch as 300km 138°inchttps://everydayastronaut.com/flta001-dream-alpha/Is retrograde ambitious for a maiden launch?
QuoteEXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT!!! We’re very proud to be hosting the official livestream for @Firefly_Space’s VERY FIRST orbital launch attempt on September 2nd! Their Alpha rocket is awesome & I can’t wait to watch them launch this beautiful beast from Vandenberg with you all!
