SpaceX Falcon 1 achieves orbit

[Dr Mordrid]

SpaceX's Falcon 1 rocket orbited a test payload tonight becoming the first private rocket to achieve this using a ground launch (Orbital has orbited payloads dropping their Pegasus from a B-52's wing).

The launch was from Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands.

A better video is forthcoming, but this one should do. Sorry about the occasionally garbled audio.

Yes, it's normal for the Kestrel 2nd stage engine go glow red, or even white. It's an ablative nozzle, meaning bits of it burn away as part of its cooling system. Most launches you don't see the 2nd stage burn.

The video interruption near the end was expected, but fortunately it came back for SECO (second stage cutoff), which is when it achieved orbit.

YouTube video....

Another Falcon 1 launch is scheduled for a few weeks carrying a payload for ATSB and the first Falcon 9 launch is set for shortly after the first of the year from Cape Canaveral. A Falcon 9 launch carrying an unmanned Dragon spaceship is due for Q2 of 2009.

A few weeks ago SpaceX successfully tested the Falcon 9 first stage with all 9 engines firing in Texas. I hear nearby towns got a considerable shaking

F9 test video (standoff at night -full screen mode recommended)...

[Jammrock]

Hurray! It's about time!

[Dr Mordrid]

SpaceX

Post Launch Statement

Wow, this is a great day for SpaceX and the culmination of an enormous amount of work by a great team. The data shows we achieved a super precise orbit insertion — middle of the bullseye — and then went on to coast and restart the second stage, which was icing on the cake.

I will have a more complete post launch statement tomorrow, as right now I'm in a bit of a daze and need to go celebrate
—Elon—


A. Launch of the Falcon 1 Flight 4 vehicle from Omelek Island, in the Kwajalein Atoll, 2,500 miles southwest of Hawaii. Liftoff occurred Sunday 28 September 2008, at 4:15 PM (PDT), 23:15 (UTC).

B. The critical stage separation sequence began about 2 minutes and 37 seconds into flight with shutdown of the Merlin first stage engine, then separation of the first and second stages, followed by ignition of the Kestrel second stage engine.

C. A few seconds after second stage ignition, the fairing (nose cone) that covers the payload section separates from the vehicle and falls to Earth.

D. About nine and a half minutes after launch, the second stage engine shuts down, and the Falcon 1 becomes the first privately developed liquid fuel rocket to orbit the Earth.

[Nowhere]

Any comments about assymetric plume when clearing launch tower? It got my attention when watching video, and on this photo it looks even more abnormal...

PS. Regarding plume - it was really great to see so clearly the effects of changes in atmospheric pressure on its composition and shape...

[Dr Mordrid]

Not abnormal, just the exhaust from the Merlin's gas-driven turbopump. See image below - the turbopump and its vent are to the left. Part of the gas used by the turbopump is un-burned RP-1 (kerosene) from a gas generator that flames when it contacts the rocket exhaust. See second image below for a diagram of the gas generator rocket cycle.

The full 40 minute webcast complete with pre-game show, Elon's statement and an explanation of the Falconss workings is now up here (YouTube)