Failure: ABL RS1 (first launch) : DEMO-1 : Kodiak LP-3C : 10 Jan 2023 23:27 UTC

[Ken the Bin]

Per the FAA, no launch attempt today; now NET November 19.

The TFR starting November 17 has been removed and replaced with a TFR starting November 19.

https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_2_4547.html

Effective Date(s):
      In UTC:
      2200 to 0130 UTC Daily starting November 19 and ending November 22.

[JEF_300]

I know we all prefer the transparency of a live stream, but it's good for us to remember that that is a substantial thing to ask of a startup that hasn't even proven they can make money yet.

That's what the media is for.  Firefly used Everyday Astronaut  and Astra used NSF.  No clue of the agreements between them...just that there were agreements.

I'd have a hard time believing no one would be willing to help them for dirt cheap.  A Starlink, a IP camera with PTZ that streams direct to YouTube, a laptop(to verify streaming and PTZ controls), and a 100Ah battery tank/inverter is all that is really needed and the whole kit is sub $3k.  That's super cheap PR IMO.

Yeah, but why bother?

Publicity and hype is not actually that important to a rocket company's viability (being one of the few to actually make orbit is more marketing than you'll ever need to be known by all your potential customers). And that goes triple for a company that already has 50+ launches contracted. Setting up a stream wouldn't hurt them, but it also wouldn't help.

I'm not saying they shouldn't have a stream; I'd certainly like one. I do however think it is perfectly reasonable for them to have not yet put even the barest amount of effort into PR.

[ulm_atms]

I know we all prefer the transparency of a live stream, but it's good for us to remember that that is a substantial thing to ask of a startup that hasn't even proven they can make money yet.

That's what the media is for.  Firefly used Everyday Astronaut  and Astra used NSF.  No clue of the agreements between them...just that there were agreements.

I'd have a hard time believing no one would be willing to help them for dirt cheap.  A Starlink, a IP camera with PTZ that streams direct to YouTube, a laptop(to verify streaming and PTZ controls), and a 100Ah battery tank/inverter is all that is really needed and the whole kit is sub $3k.  That's super cheap PR IMO.

Yeah, but why bother?

Publicity and hype is not actually that important to a rocket company's viability (being one of the few to actually make orbit is more marketing than you'll ever need to be known by all your potential customers). And that goes triple for a company that already has 50+ launches contracted. Setting up a stream wouldn't hurt them, but it also wouldn't help.

I'm not saying they shouldn't have a stream; I'd certainly like one. I do however think it is perfectly reasonable for them to have not yet put even the barest amount of effort into PR.

I'll still go with the cheap PR is worth it side.  But we can agree to disagree. 

Has anyone heard what specifically during ignition triggered the abort yet?

[Ken the Bin]

Per the FAA, now NET November 20.

The FAA TFR starting November 19 has been removed and replaced with one starting November 20.

https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_2_5107.html

Effective Date(s):
      In UTC:
      2200 to 0130 UTC Daily starting November 20 and ending November 22.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/ablspacesystems/status/1594075236806189058

Ignition abort occurred at T-1.8s due to E2 turbopump oxygen inlet conditions. LOx conditioning procedures have been updated. Targeting Monday 11/21 at 1pm AKST (10pm UTC) for next launch attempt.

[Steven Pietrobon]

I'm pretty sure ABL have their own internal livestream, just like RocketLab had for their first launch. The reason is so that their workers can watch the launch along with their investors. So its not about cost, its all about hiding a potential failure from the public. Others like SpaceX and Firefly chose to livestream their first launch, both of which failed and which didn't seem to do them much harm.

[Daniels30]

The ABL team has polled GO for propellant fill. We are targeting a T0 of 13:24 AKST (22:24 UTC). Weather is tracking at a 40% POV due to triggered lightning.

https://twitter.com/ablspacesystems/status/1594789897134657537

[Steven Pietrobon]

Image from the above tweet.

[Steven Pietrobon]

For what its worth ASA is doing a "virtual" livestream of the launch.

[Steven Pietrobon]

New T-0.

"Updated T0 is 13:32:30 AKST (22:32:30 UTC)"

https://twitter.com/ablspacesystems/status/1594817915567710209

[Steven Pietrobon]

Launch should be happening about now.

Credit ASA.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Launch abort.

"RS1 aborted during ignition at T-1.75s. The vehicle is healthy, and the team is setting up to offload propellant for today. Our next launch window opens on December 7th."

https://twitter.com/ablspacesystems/status/1594823515311677458

[Steven Pietrobon]

Thanks to ASA for their fun coverage of the non-coverage! They were thrilled to get 250 views on their stream.

[Ken the Bin]

As I previously posted, the next launch period is Wednesday, December 7, to Wednesday, December 14, with the same daily launch window as this launch period.  Now mission id P139.

[Ken the Bin]

A new FAA TFR has already been issued for the new launch period.

https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_2_5776.html

Effective Date(s):
      In UTC:
      2200 to 0130 UTC Daily starting December 7 and ending December 15.

[Vahe231991]

Launch abort.

"RS1 aborted during ignition at T-1.75s. The vehicle is healthy, and the team is setting up to offload propellant for today. Our next launch window opens on December 7th."

https://twitter.com/ablspacesystems/status/1594823515311677458

Then why was the ignition aborted for? Bad weather?

[trimeta]

Launch abort.

"RS1 aborted during ignition at T-1.75s. The vehicle is healthy, and the team is setting up to offload propellant for today. Our next launch window opens on December 7th."

https://twitter.com/ablspacesystems/status/1594823515311677458

Then why was the ignition aborted for? Bad weather?

Their previous attempt aborted at almost the exact same time "due to E2 turbopump oxygen inlet conditions." Allegedly they updated LOx conditioning procedures to address this, but perhaps that didn't work. Or perhaps something else occurred with the turbopumps.

I seriously doubt that they got down to under T-2 seconds before a weather alert kicked in, though. Within the final minute, launch vehicles are typically autonomous and aren't aborting based on external criteria like weather.

[ZachS09]

Launch abort.

"RS1 aborted during ignition at T-1.75s. The vehicle is healthy, and the team is setting up to offload propellant for today. Our next launch window opens on December 7th."

https://twitter.com/ablspacesystems/status/1594823515311677458

Then what was the ignition aborted for? Bad weather?

That’s an absurd reason for a hotfire abort. How can one stop the count at engine start because the weather looks dreary?

[Vahe231991]

Launch abort.

"RS1 aborted during ignition at T-1.75s. The vehicle is healthy, and the team is setting up to offload propellant for today. Our next launch window opens on December 7th."

https://twitter.com/ablspacesystems/status/1594823515311677458

Then what was the ignition aborted for? Bad weather?

That’s an absurd reason for a hotfire abort. How can one stop the count at engine start because the weather looks dreary?

The weather forecast prior to when fueling of the RS1 started assessed chances of favorable weather for the launch at 40 percent, suggesting meteorological risks for the launch.

[Foximus]

PSCA will also give a range green call prior to terminal count.  Most likely the challenges of LOX conditioning up there.  Kodiak is a hard, difficult place to work and launch rockets from, especially in the winter.  Remember, all their testing was down in Aug - Sept.  thats a huge difference to Kodiak in late November / December.