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Falcon 9/Dragon: SUCCESS!!!!

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  • #1

    Falcon 9/Dragon: SUCCESS!!!!

    The first one got a bit long for various reasons, so let's start fresh.

    Anyhow, this just hit my inbox:

    pending final approval of the flight termination system hardware (abort explosives), the first Falcon 9/Dragon test launch attempt is set for Friday, June 4 2010. If the launch doesn't happen on the 4th there is another launch window reserved for the 5th at the same times.

    It will be simulcast on the SpaceX website starting 20 minutes before the launch window opens @ 11:00 AM Eastern / 8:00 AM Pacific / 1500 UTC.

    Webcast page: http://www.spacex.com/webcast.php
    Last edited by Dr Mordrid; 2 June 2010, 12:38.
    Dr. Mordrid
    ----------------------------
    An elephant is a mouse built to government specifications.

    I carry a gun because I can't throw a rock 1,250 fps
    Tags: None
  • #2


    Falcon 9 flt 1 is vertical on the pad. Mission patch above.

    Webcast test feed showing the bird has started (4 second loop)

    Range says pending FTS final approval UP is GO for the 4 hour window on Friday.



    Last edited by Dr Mordrid; 2 June 2010, 21:18.
    Dr. Mordrid
    ----------------------------
    An elephant is a mouse built to government specifications.

    I carry a gun because I can't throw a rock 1,250 fps

    Comment

    • #3
      reuters.com
      http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6525JX20100603


      SpaceX cleared to fly new rocket from Florida

      Irene Klotz
      CAPE CANAVERAL
      Thu Jun 3, 2010 3:59pm EDT

      CAPE CANAVERAL Florida (Reuters) - Privately funded Space Exploration Technologies, the company operated by Internet entrepreneur Elon Musk, received final clearance from the U.S. Air Force on Thursday for its debut rocket launch from Florida.

      The company known as SpaceX is set to launch its Falcon 9 rocket between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. (1500 and 1900 GMT) on Friday from its newly refurbished launch pad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, just south of the Kennedy Space Center.
      >
      Dr. Mordrid
      ----------------------------
      An elephant is a mouse built to government specifications.

      I carry a gun because I can't throw a rock 1,250 fps

      Comment

      • #4
        Countdown has started.

        Safety zone around Launch Complex 40 has been evacuated, so fueling can begin.

        The Falcon 9 launch window opens at 11 a.m. EDT and extends four hours to 3 p.m. EDT.

        SpaceX are currently targeting a new T-0 at 11:20am EDT

        Weather may be a problem, but for now it's just overcast
        Last edited by Dr Mordrid; 4 June 2010, 07:07.
        Dr. Mordrid
        ----------------------------
        An elephant is a mouse built to government specifications.

        I carry a gun because I can't throw a rock 1,250 fps

        Comment

        • #5
          Fueling completed.

          T-30 minutes and counting.

          Webcast should start in about 10 minutes.

          They're racing to beat a storm coming in from 50 miles east.
          Dr. Mordrid
          ----------------------------
          An elephant is a mouse built to government specifications.

          I carry a gun because I can't throw a rock 1,250 fps

          Comment

          • #6
            Live feeds are starting.

            Range officer has asked for a hold while they complete their check of the range. Have to check for errant water and air traffic and make sure the 'danger zone' is cleared.

            http://www.spacex.com/webcast.php (plain feed)

            http://www.spaceflightnow.com/falcon9/001/status.html (SpaceFlightNow w/commentary)

            FOX News just ran a story promo and they were showing the live feed! Sure would be nice if they covered the launch so I could DVR it.


            Last edited by Dr Mordrid; 4 June 2010, 08:28.
            Dr. Mordrid
            ----------------------------
            An elephant is a mouse built to government specifications.

            I carry a gun because I can't throw a rock 1,250 fps

            Comment

            • #7
              Just announced that there is a weak signal on one of NASA's flight termination antennae and they will hold until that's worked out - could be the vehicles strongback (elevator/tower) being in the way. Signal from F9 seems OK.

              They've raised the strongback to vertical. SpX says it's for testing and that the weather is good. They're still targeting 1PM

              They have 'til 3pm today and the same window tomorrow.
              Last edited by Dr Mordrid; 4 June 2010, 09:19.
              Dr. Mordrid
              ----------------------------
              An elephant is a mouse built to government specifications.

              I carry a gun because I can't throw a rock 1,250 fps

              Comment

              • #8
                Holding: chopper dispatched to chase a sailboat out of the exclusion zone

                CLEAR!!

                T-00:13:40 and counting.
                Dr. Mordrid
                ----------------------------
                An elephant is a mouse built to government specifications.

                I carry a gun because I can't throw a rock 1,250 fps

                Comment

                • #9
                  Launch aborted in the final seconds. Still waiting to find out why.

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Automatic abort/hold at T- 10 seconds

                    Most of these are nothing - sensor glitches etc. They've had this happen before and recycled to a launch in less than an hour. Part of their automation capability.

                    Last one was with Falcon 1 when the fuel temp was out of spec.

                    Count recycled to T- 15 minutes. They expect another attempt before 3PM.
                    Last edited by Dr Mordrid; 4 June 2010, 10:54.
                    Dr. Mordrid
                    ----------------------------
                    An elephant is a mouse built to government specifications.

                    I carry a gun because I can't throw a rock 1,250 fps

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      New T-0 is 2:45 PM - 7 minutes
                      Dr. Mordrid
                      ----------------------------
                      An elephant is a mouse built to government specifications.

                      I carry a gun because I can't throw a rock 1,250 fps

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        LIFTOFF, STAGING AND 2nd startup!! SHE WORKS!!
                        Dr. Mordrid
                        ----------------------------
                        An elephant is a mouse built to government specifications.

                        I carry a gun because I can't throw a rock 1,250 fps

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          Falcon 9 is in orbit! Watched the live the stream. Missed initial lift off but saw most of it.
                          “Inside every sane person there’s a madman struggling to get out”
                          –The Light Fantastic, Terry Pratchett

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                          • #14
                            2nd stage cutoff and ORBIT!!

                            Take that, OldSpace

                            Jamm: that liftoff was SWEET!! Bright, LOUD and they probably have grass fires to the perimeter fence

                            UP was GO and she was almost out of sight in a minute. A Dragon ride's going to be one wicked experience
                            Dr. Mordrid
                            ----------------------------
                            An elephant is a mouse built to government specifications.

                            I carry a gun because I can't throw a rock 1,250 fps

                            Comment

                            • #15
                              Here's your liftoff video. Full launch when available....

                              http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTkr9PeDeko
                              Dr. Mordrid
                              ----------------------------
                              An elephant is a mouse built to government specifications.

                              I carry a gun because I can't throw a rock 1,250 fps

                              Comment

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