Launch News SpaceX Falcon 9 F3 COTS2+ Updates

[Urwumpe]

So capable NASA didn't dare test the "capability", sure.

Aside of the first ever launchers, nobody did ever really test an abort by launching the full system. It had always been subsystem tests.

The only really critical maneuver is dropping the ET at the dynamic pressure limit for separation - the rest is actually done already in flight or feature for other aborts (like the ability to fly at 50° AOA)

 

[orb]

SPACE.com: SpaceX Hopes to Launch Private Spacecraft to Space Station Tuesday

Florida Today: SpaceX set for second shot at launch:

The second countdown to the launch of a privately operated supply ship to the International Space Station is expected to begin tonight, with liftoff from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station planned at 3:44 a.m. Tuesday.

SpaceX teams over the weekend replaced an engine valve thought to be responsible for the last-second abort of Saturday’s first launch attempt, shortly after engines lit beneath a Falcon 9 rocket at Launch Complex 40.

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk tweeted Sunday that simulations showed the launch would have been OK even with the problem valve.

"Still, better to stop & fix," he tweeted. "Recalling rockets after launch is not an option."

The weather forecast for Tuesday's attempt looks good, with a 70 percent chance of acceptable conditions during the seconds-long launch window.

{...}

 

[orb]

And just a couple of seconds after I posted the earlier post, there's a new weather update already.

Florida Today: SpaceX Falcon 9 launch weather forecast improves:

There's now an 80 percent chance of favorable weather conditions for the 3:44 a.m. EDT liftoff of a Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

{...}

 

[Codz]

Sounds good.:thumbup:

 

[orb]

Space News: SpaceX Officially Reschedules Launch Attempt for May 22

CBS News Space: SpaceX gears up for second launch try Tuesday

Parabolic Arc: Dragon Launch Set for Tuesday Morning

SPACE.com: SpaceX 'Go' for 2nd Launch Try of Private Rocket Tuesday

Aviation Week: SpaceX Eyes May 22 Launch Bid for Falcon 9/Dragon

Universe Today: Repaired SpaceX Rocket Set for 2nd Blastoff Try on May 22

 

[anemazoso]

They are starting to load fuel and oxydizer. I sure hope nothing goes wrong tonight and we get a good launch!

 

[IronRain]

Spaceflight Now:

The weather outlook has improved to a 90 percent chance of acceptable weather for this morning's launch attempt. The forecast calls for a few clouds at 2,500 feet and scattered clouds at 25,000 feet with a temperature of 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

 

[N_Molson]

I have to go

May the Probe bless this attempt !

 

[Cras]

Only Mike Mullane thinks that RTLS is an unnatural act of physics.

OK, the 5g alpha recovery is maybe nothing for weak stomachs. :lol:

I recall that STS-1 was initially supposed to be a RTLS, but John Young refused to fly it. Compared it to playing Russian roulette.

 

[orb]

Updated flight events timeline:

[table=head]{colsp=2}

TIME​

|{colsp=4}

MET​

|EVENT

UTC​

|

EDT​

|

DD​

|

HH​

|

MM​

|

SS​

|

DATE​

{colsp=7}

2012-05-22​

 07:44:38 | 03:44:38 a.m. | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 |Launch

 07:46:02 | 03:46:02 a.m. | 00 | 00 | 01 | 24 |Maximum aerodynamic pressure (MAX Q)

 07:47:38 | 03:47:38 a.m. | 00 | 00 | 03 | 00 |First stage engine shutdown (MECO)

 07:47:42 | 03:47:42 a.m. | 00 | 00 | 03 | 04 |Stage 1/2 separation

 07:47:50 | 03:47:50 a.m. | 00 | 00 | 03 | 12 |Stage 2 engine start

 07:48:30 | 03:48:30 a.m. | 00 | 00 | 03 | 52 |Nose cone jettison

 07:53:52 | 03:53:52 a.m. | 00 | 00 | 09 | 14 |Stage 2 engine shutdown (SECO)

 07:54:27 | 03:54:27 a.m. | 00 | 00 | 09 | 49 |Dragon separation

 07:55:56 | 03:55:56 a.m. | 00 | 00 | 11 | 18 |Solar array deploy sequence start

 08:55:02 | 04:55:02 a.m. | 00 | 01 | 10 | 24 |Coelliptic brn

 13:28:59 | 09:28:59 a.m. | 00 | 05 | 44 | 21 |PHA1

 14:15:05 | 10:15:05 a.m. | 00 | 06 | 30 | 27 |PCE1

 23:12:49 | 07:12:49 p.m. | 00 | 15 | 28 | 11 |HA1

 23:58:52 | 07:58:52 p.m. | 00 | 16 | 14 | 14 |CE1


{colsp=7}

2012-05-24​

 07:02:51 | 03:02:51 a.m. | 01 | 23 | 18 | 13 |HA2-flyby burn

 07:49:02 | 03:49:02 a.m. | 02 | 00 | 04 | 24 |CE2-flyby burn

 08:39:02 | 04:39:02 a.m. | 02 | 00 | 54 | 24 |Range: 28 km

 10:29:08 | 06:29:08 a.m. | 02 | 02 | 44 | 30 |Rbar Crossing

 11:08:23 | 07:08:23 a.m. | 02 | 03 | 23 | 45 |DHA

 11:54:35 | 07:54:35 a.m. | 02 | 04 | 09 | 57 |DCE

 14:31:54 | 10:31:54 a.m. | 02 | 06 | 47 | 16 |FHA1

 15:18:09 | 11:18:09 a.m. | 02 | 07 | 33 | 31 |FCE1

 19:12:39 | 03:12:39 p.m. | 02 | 11 | 28 | 01 |FHA2

 19:59:00 | 03:59:00 p.m. | 02 | 12 | 14 | 22 |FCE2


{colsp=7}

2012-05-25 UTC / 05/24/12 EDT​

 00:13:08 | 08:13:08 p.m. | 02 | 16 | 28 | 30 |RHA1

 00:59:24 | 08:59:24 p.m. | 02 | 17 | 14 | 46 |RCE1

 02:35:38 | 10:35:38 p.m. | 02 | 18 | 51 | 00 |RHA2

 03:21:48 | 11:21:48 p.m. | 02 | 19 | 37 | 10 |RCE2



{colsp=7}

2012-05-25​

 04:46:31 | 12:46:31 a.m. | 02 | 21 | 01 | 53 |HA2

 05:32:43 | 01:32:43 a.m. | 02 | 21 | 48 | 05 |CE2

 06:22:43 | 02:22:43 a.m. | 02 | 22 | 38 | 05 |Range: 28 km

 07:04:23 | 03:04:23 a.m. | 02 | 23 | 19 | 45 |HA3

 07:21:03 | 03:21:03 a.m. | 02 | 23 | 36 | 25 |HA3-MC1

 07:37:43 | 03:37:43 a.m. | 02 | 23 | 53 | 05 |HA3-MC2

 07:50:38 | 03:50:38 a.m. | 03 | 00 | 06 | 00 |CE3

 08:18:58 | 04:18:58 a.m. | 03 | 00 | 34 | 20 |Approach initiation (HA4) burn

 08:35:38 | 04:35:38 a.m. | 03 | 00 | 51 | 00 |HA4-MC1 burn

 08:52:18 | 04:52:18 a.m. | 03 | 01 | 07 | 40 |HA4-MC2 burn

 09:13:58 | 05:13:58 a.m. | 03 | 01 | 29 | 20 |Range: 350 meters; yaw 180 degrees

 09:18:58 | 05:18:58 a.m. | 03 | 01 | 34 | 20 |Resume approach

 09:28:58 | 05:28:58 a.m. | 03 | 01 | 44 | 20 |Range: 250 meters

 09:43:58 | 05:43:58 a.m. | 03 | 01 | 59 | 20 |Resume approach; begin retreat/hold demos

 10:08:58 | 06:08:58 a.m. | 03 | 02 | 24 | 20 |Hold at 220m (evaluate retreat/hold demoss)

 10:23:58 | 06:23:58 a.m. | 03 | 02 | 39 | 20 |Resume approach inside keep-out sphere (KOS)

 11:13:06 | 07:13:06 a.m. | 03 | 03 | 28 | 28 |Sunrise

 11:13:58 | 07:13:58 a.m. | 03 | 03 | 29 | 20 |Range: 30 meters

 11:28:43 | 07:28:43 a.m. | 03 | 03 | 44 | 05 |Resume approach

 11:48:43 | 07:48:43 a.m. | 03 | 04 | 04 | 05 |Capture point arrival

 11:58:43 | 07:58:43 a.m. | 03 | 04 | 14 | 05 |Go' for capture

 12:06:43 | 08:06:43 a.m. | 03 | 04 | 22 | 05 |Capture

 12:10:24 | 08:10:24 a.m. | 03 | 04 | 25 | 46 |Sunset

 12:45:38 | 08:45:38 a.m. | 03 | 05 | 01 | 00 |Sunrise

 13:00:38 | 09:00:38 a.m. | 03 | 05 | 16 | 00 |Latest go for capture

 13:10:38 | 09:10:38 a.m. | 03 | 05 | 26 | 00 |Latest CP arrival

 13:25:38 | 09:25:38 a.m. | 03 | 05 | 41 | 00 |Earliest go For capture

 13:30:38 | 09:30:38 a.m. | 03 | 05 | 46 | 00 |Earliest CP arrival

 13:42:58 | 09:42:58 a.m. | 03 | 05 | 58 | 20 |Sunset

 14:18:10 | 10:18:10 a.m. | 03 | 06 | 33 | 32 |Sunrise[/table]​

 

[Codz]

NASA coverage started.

 

[IronRain]

All stations are GO for launch at this time

 

[IronRain]

Spaceflight Now:

Air Force weather officer Mike McAleenan reports there is "not really a threat at all for any kind of launch constraint" this morning. He forecasts a few clouds at 2,500 feet, a few clouds at 25,000 feet, southwest winds at 10 knots, and a temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit at launch time.

Overall, there is a less than 10 percent chance of weather violating launch constraints this morning.

 

[IronRain]

The International Space Station flight control team just issued their "go" for launch.

 

[Codz]

20 minutes. All go.

 

[PhantomCruiser]

I'm convinced I need a dual-monitor setup. I'm trying to follow both the NASA feed, and the SpaceX webcast as well. Kind of neat to have the overlapping audio.

http://www.spacex.com/webcast/

 

[IronRain]

All stations are GO for terminal count!

 

[Codz]

I'm convinced I need a dual-monitor setup. I'm trying to follow both the NASA feed, and the SpaceX webcast as well. Kind of neat to have the overlapping audio.

http://www.spacex.com/webcast/

I'd just minimize both windows next to eachother.

 

[Unstung]

Five minutes to go.

 

[sorindafabico]

LIFTOFF