Author Topic: SpaceX Falcon 1 Live update thread (Nov. 26 attempt) (Read 67126 times)

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #120 on:** 11/26/2005 10:02 pm »

1:30 to 2hrs from now they will re-attempt the launch.

braddock · « **Reply #121 on:** 11/26/2005 10:02 pm »

Larry Williams of SpaceX: "We are still attempting to launch today. We had someone go to the pad to make a manual adjustment to the LOX fill tank. We hope to launch in an hour and a half to two hours from now."

braddock · « **Reply #122 on:** 11/26/2005 10:05 pm »

Q: "How large a support control crew do you have, other than the government people, either there or at Kwajalein?"
Larry Williams of SpaceX: "We have about 25 people on the island." ... [Q: Specifically for control of the launch?] "We have 6 people in our launch mission control center."

braddock · « **Reply #123 on:** 11/26/2005 10:06 pm »

We have been promised yet another update, and are waiting, complete with Muzak...

newsartist · « **Reply #124 on:** 11/26/2005 10:13 pm »

A manual "adjustment" of the fill tank on the pad? Frozen valve?

They are beginning to scare me.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #125 on:** 11/26/2005 10:14 pm »

Supermarket music too

Still waiting for the update, but right now it is an attempt at 00:30am to 1am UK time (7:30pm to 8pm East coast time).

Orbiter Obvious · « **Reply #126 on:** 11/26/2005 10:15 pm »

Quote

newsartist - 26/11/2005 5:13 PM

A manual "adjustment" of the fill tank on the pad? Frozen valve?

They are beginning to scare me.

Is that bad?

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #127 on:** 11/26/2005 10:23 pm »

It sounds like they have started the re-fill of the LOX tank.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #128 on:** 11/26/2005 10:24 pm »

"They appear to be working on the fill line that is connected to the Falcon I"

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #129 on:** 11/26/2005 10:28 pm »

Launch window may be extended - SpaceX

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #130 on:** 11/26/2005 10:30 pm »

1hr 15 mins from now is the earliest time they can attempt the launch.

"Problem with the pressure in the upper stage" - in works. That could delay the whole show if the fix is not carried out soon.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #131 on:** 11/26/2005 10:31 pm »

Corrected himself, it's the loading tank that is having either a valve or pressure issues.

lmike · « **Reply #132 on:** 11/26/2005 10:37 pm »

just wanted to say thanks for braving it for us, guys. hmm, I'm starting to feel they'd be better off just updating their web site if they felt like it, instead of this strange conference call complete with getting put on hold with muzak to boot. Anyway, as long as the rocket does its thing. Go SpaceX

braddock · « **Reply #133 on:** 11/26/2005 10:39 pm »

People in the press room are commenting on the video feed as they watch the work underway on the LOX line.

NASA_Twix_JSC · « **Reply #134 on:** 11/26/2005 10:43 pm »

Quote

braddock - 26/11/2005 5:05 PM

Q: "How large a support control crew do you have, other than the government people, either there or at Kwajalein?"
Larry Williams of SpaceX: "We have about 25 people on the island." ... [Q: Specifically for control of the launch?] "We have 6 people in our launch mission control center."

That makes me sick

lmike · « **Reply #135 on:** 11/26/2005 10:43 pm »

Quote

Chris Bergin - 26/11/2005 5:31 PM

Corrected himself, it's the loading tank that is having either a valve or pressure issues.

... guess that'd explain the LOX thing. and sounds like they have enough of it, the boiloff can be calculated in advance, but the storage tank has gone kaput, so they have to go to the main island to get more of it, or maybe I'm confused? wasting an hour off the launch window "to get more lox" is not a good business practice with commercial customers. anyways, this is also a learning experience for them ( I hope)

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #136 on:** 11/26/2005 10:49 pm »

I think you've got it exactly right. It does seem they were having boil off (as you do) and when that call of an LOX problem came about - that's maybe when the value of the holding tank became an issue - replenish wasn't then met - launch hold.

Now they've got to get this other tank over there - while engineers get the feedline off the other tank and/or value, ready for the new tank.

braddock · « **Reply #137 on:** 11/26/2005 10:58 pm »

I'm still holding the line here folks for new news, but there has been nothing but silence and hold music for quite some time.

Okay, apparently they are still seeing folks working on the line. Best guess to launch in the press room is 5pm Pacific time (1am UK I believe), in about an hour.

braddock · « **Reply #138 on:** 11/26/2005 11:02 pm »

SpaceX: They have extended the launch window, and still hope to be good to go today. "But, obviously, we'll have to wait and see."

braddock · « **Reply #139 on:** 11/26/2005 11:11 pm »

The launch window has been extended two hours, from the original 5 to 7pm Pacific Coast time (3am UTC/UK time).

SpaceX has cut the conference line temporarily (mostly to get rid of the hold music), and we are supposed to dial back in in one half hour.