Updates SpaceX Falcon 9 F2 updates

[Orbinaut Pete]

Florida Today's "The Flame Trench" Blog: "SpaceX focused on Dragon integration before demo flight".

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Space News: "FAA Clears SpaceX Dragon Demo".

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NASA: "NASA Statements On FAA Granting Reentry License To SpaceX".

NASA issued the following statements Monday after the Federal Aviation Administration issued SpaceX a license for spacecraft reentry:

"Congratulations to the SpaceX team for receiving the Federal Aviation Administration's first-ever commercial license to reenter a spacecraft from Earth orbit," NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden said. "With this license in hand, SpaceX can proceed with its launch of the Dragon capsule. The flight of Dragon will be an important step toward commercial cargo delivery to the International Space Station. NASA wishes SpaceX every success with the launch."

"Milestones are an important part of space exploration and SpaceX achieved a very important one today," said Doug Cooke, associate administrator for NASA's Exploration Systems Mission Directorate. "I congratulate SpaceX on this landmark achievement and wish them the best with their launch of the Dragon capsule."

---------- Post added 23rd Nov 2010 at 08:30 PM ---------- Previous post was 22nd Nov 2010 at 09:48 PM ----------

Spaceflight Now: "FAA issues first commercial re-entry license to SpaceX".

 

[anemazoso]

Space News: "FAA Clears SpaceX Dragon Demo".

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NASA: "NASA Statements On FAA Granting Reentry License To SpaceX".

NASA issued the following statements Monday after the Federal Aviation Administration issued SpaceX a license for spacecraft reentry:

"Congratulations to the SpaceX team for receiving the Federal Aviation Administration's first-ever commercial license to reenter a spacecraft from Earth orbit," NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden said. "With this license in hand, SpaceX can proceed with its launch of the Dragon capsule. The flight of Dragon will be an important step toward commercial cargo delivery to the International Space Station. NASA wishes SpaceX every success with the launch."

"Milestones are an important part of space exploration and SpaceX achieved a very important one today," said Doug Cooke, associate administrator for NASA's Exploration Systems Mission Directorate. "I congratulate SpaceX on this landmark achievement and wish them the best with their launch of the Dragon capsule."

---------- Post added 23rd Nov 2010 at 08:30 PM ---------- Previous post was 22nd Nov 2010 at 09:48 PM ----------

Spaceflight Now: "FAA issues first commercial re-entry license to SpaceX".

:woohoo::hotcool::10sign::sweet:

So now we have to see if the shuttle launch will push back F2.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Aviation Week: "Falcon 9 Static Fire Test Nears".

Florida Today's "The Flame Trench" Blog: "SpaceX seven days from planned NASA demonstration flight".

---------- Post added at 10:39 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:37 PM ----------

NASA: "NASA Sets Coverage For COTS 1 Launch Targeted For Dec. 7".

The first SpaceX Falcon 9 demonstration launch for NASA’s Commercial Orbital Transportation Services program is targeted for liftoff on Tuesday, Dec. 7. Liftoff will occur from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The launch window extends from 9:03 a.m. to 12:22 p.m. EST. If necessary, launch opportunities also are available on Dec. 8 and Dec. 9 with the same window.

Known as COTS 1, the launch is the first flight of the Dragon spacecraft and the first commercial attempt to re-enter a spacecraft from orbit. This is the first of three test launches currently planned in the Falcon 9 test flight series. It is intended as a demonstration mission to prove key capabilities such as launch, structural integrity of the Dragon spacecraft, on-orbit operation, re-entry, descent and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.

NASA established the COTS program to procure a commercial launch service to stimulate the commercial space industry, to facilitate a private industry cargo capability to the International Space Station as soon as achievable, and to achieve cost effective access to low Earth orbit that will attract private customers.

PRELAUNCH NEWS CONFERENCE
The prelaunch news conference for the COTS 1 Falcon 9 launch is planned for L-1, currently Monday, Dec. 6 at 1:30 p.m., at the press site at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA Television will provide live coverage.

The prelaunch news conference participants will be:
- Phil McAlister, acting director, Commercial Space Flight Development NASA Headquarters, Washington
- Alan Lindenmoyer, manager, Commercial Crew and Cargo Program NASA's Johnson Space Center, Houston
- Gwynne Shotwell, president SpaceX, Hawthorne, Calif.
- Mike McAleenan, Falcon 9 Launch Weather Officer 45th Weather Squadron, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station

A post-mission news conference will be held at Kennedy approximately one hour after splashdown occurs.

Audio of the prelaunch and post-mission news conferences also will be carried on the NASA “V” circuits, which can be accessed directly by dialing 321-867- 1220, 1240, 1260 or 7135.

FALCON 9 LAUNCH PAD PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
On Dec. 6 following the prelaunch news conference, a photo opportunity of the Falcon 9 rocket on the launch pad will be available for media representatives. Spokespeople from SpaceX will be available to answer questions. Journalists who wish to participate should plan to depart the Kennedy press site no earlier than 2:15 p.m. Media will be returned to the press site by approximately 4 p.m.

REMOTE CAMERA SET-UPS
While sound activated remote cameras cannot be established inside the launch pad perimeter, other locations will be available. Media representatives wishing to establish remote cameras should be at the Kennedy press site on L-1, Dec. 6, at 9 a.m.

NASA TV & WEB LAUNCH COVERAGE
On launch day, Dec. 7, NASA TV live coverage will begin at the conclusion of the built in hold at T-5 minutes and counting.

 

[SiberianTiger]

They haven't been good in finding splashed down things... Hopefully, this time they do better.

 

[orb]

Per SFN MSC:

SpaceX plans a brief firing of the Falcon 9 rocket's main engines around 9 a.m. EST / 14:00 UTC Friday, Dec. 3 on the launch pad at Cape Canaveral, Fla.

The launch team will load kerosene and liquid oxygen into the rocket around sunrise Friday, aiming for a brief 3.5-second ignition of the first stage's nine Merlin engines at 9 a.m. EST / 14:00 UTC.

If the engine test goes as planned, officials say the Falcon 9 could blast off as soon as 9 a.m. EST / 14:00 UTC Tuesday (Dec. 7).

Launch opportunities are also available Dec. 8 and Dec. 9 with the same launch window, according to NASA.

(SOURCE)​

 

[Kyle]

SpaceflightNow: Falcon 9 rocket to undergo engine test this morning

 

[orb]

Per SFN MSC:

Falcon 9 rocket static fire test is now scheduled for no earlier than 12 p.m. EST / 17:00 UTC.
SpaceX is planning a webcast of the test, beginning one hour before ignition.

(SOURCE)​

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SpaceX: SpaceX to Webcast Static Fire on Friday:

Cape Canaveral, FL – On Friday, December 3rd, SpaceX will webcast its static fire test of the Falcon 9 rocket engines at www.spacex.com.

The webcast is set to begin at 11 AM Eastern / 8 AM Pacific, with the actual static fire targeted for 12 noon Eastern / 9 AM Pacific.

This first stage firing is part of a full launch dress rehearsal at the Space Launch Complex 40 at the U.S. Air Force Station at Cape Canaveral
in preparation for the first Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) launch of the Dragon spacecraft. The rehearsal will exercise
the countdown processes and end after the engines fire at full power for two seconds, with only the hold-down system restraining the rocket from flight.

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If launch is a go, SpaceX plans to broadcast the entire launch live at www.spacex.com between December 7th and 9th.

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[Orbinaut Pete]

Spaceflight Now: "Falcon 9 rocket moves to launch pad" (Photos).

 

[orb]

SpaceX:

Revised static test fire T-zero time now: 12:45 PM Eastern / 9:45 AM Pacific / 17:45 UTC.
Revised webcast start time: 11:45 AM Eastern / 8:45 AM Pacific / 16:45 UTC.

 

[Urwumpe]

Watched it make "Whoof" for a short time.

The next time, SpaceX should maybe have the webstream in sequoia, and publish a PDF score for people to accompany the webcast on a piano themselves.

 

[orb]

NASASpaceFlight: SpaceX’s second Falcon 9 conducts Static Fire at the Cape:

SpaceX have static fired the first stage of their Falcon 9 launch vehicle on Friday, as part of a full launch dress rehearsal at Launch Complex 40, Cape Canaveral, in preparation for the first Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) launch of the Dragon spacecraft. Launch of the COTS 1 Falcon 9 with Dragon is currently scheduled for December 7.

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Spaceflight Now:

Falcon 9 rocket lights up on Cape Canaveral launch pad

SpaceX ended a countdown rehearsal Friday with a brief ignition of the Falcon 9 rocket's nine first stage engines at 1 p.m. EST (1800 GMT). The engine test is a crucial milestone before next week's scheduled liftoff on a test flight of the commercial Dragon space capsule.

 

[orb]

Spaceflight Now:

Last-second problem aborts Falcon 9 engine test

The first attempt to fire the Falcon 9 rocket's nine main engines was aborted at 1 p.m. EST (1800 GMT) by a high engine pressure reading. SpaceX could try again as soon as 3 p.m. EST (2000 GMT). The engine test is a crucial milestone before next week's scheduled liftoff on a test flight of the commercial Dragon space capsule.

NASASpaceFlight:

However, the static fire was aborted between one and two seconds due to high chamber readings Engine 6. Another attempt will be made on Saturday.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

SPACE.com: "Private Rocket's Engine Test Stalled By Glitch".

NASASpaceFlight: "Falcon 9 to re-attempt Static Fire on Saturday following abort".

 

[orb]

Patrick AFB:

• Launch Hazard Area Advisory for Falcon 9 launch scheduled Dec. 7
• Launch Hazard Area (DOC)
• Restricted Airspace Map (DOC)

Launch Window: 9:03 a.m. -- 12:22 p.m. EST / 14:03 - 17:22 UTC
Launch Hazard Area period: 7 a.m. -- 1:15 p.m. EST / 12:00 - 18:15 UTC

 

[orb]

Making the third attempt after aborts yesterday and earlier today, the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket ignited its cluster of nine main engines a little more than an hour ago, at 10:50 a.m. EST / 15:50 UTC today.

SpaceX:

Full duration static fire! We’ll continue to review data but today’s static fire appears to be a success.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

SPACE.com: "SpaceX Rocket Performs Engine Test for Dec. 7 Space Capsule Launch".

NASASpaceFlight: "Falcon 9 completes Static Fire at the third attempt".

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Here's a video of the static fire.​

 

[anemazoso]

Does anyone know if F9 is the only rocket that does a static test fire of its motors before launch? This method of test firings seams like it would be very beificial toward more reliable operation of rocket motors in general. :thumbup:

 

[Kyle]

Well.. looks like Tuesdays on now gang! First flight of the Dragon! And maybe even manned one day..

 

[astrosammy]

Does anyone know if F9 is the only rocket that does a static test fire of its motors before launch? This method of test firings seams like it would be very beificial toward more reliable operation of rocket motors in general. :thumbup:

Maybe there are some more, but I know that NASA did it with the shuttles.