DocM Posted September 12, 2013 Author Share Posted September 12, 2013 For comparison - Falcon 9 v1.0 was 156' with Dragon and ~180' with a cargo fairing. Falcon 9 v1.1 with a cargo fairing is 224'. Because of the Merlin 1D engine upgrade it now has 50-60% more thrust. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted September 12, 2013 Author Share Posted September 12, 2013 Today's hotfire was scrubbed because of a ground LOX tank leak detected just before T=0. NOT due to problems with the F9 v1.1. Mission control Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted September 12, 2013 Author Share Posted September 12, 2013 Late word is they may still try a hotfire today. This is where their rapid countdown recycling comes in handy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted September 13, 2013 Author Share Posted September 13, 2013 FLAME ON - FULL POWER!! Checking data, but looks good! Let's get the flight readiness review out of the way tomorrow and light this candle :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted September 13, 2013 Author Share Posted September 13, 2013 Another short hotfire Saturday. Doublechecking adjustments. Fast FRR, then a 2 hour launch window opens at 9:00 AM Pacific / 12 PM Eastern Sunday. If they can't make Sunday it might be a few days to get another date from the range. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beittil Posted September 13, 2013 Share Posted September 13, 2013 Spaceflightnow.com already reports that sunday isn't going to happen!?! According to them the call not to launch sunday is already made, because of the new hotfire tomorrow. You know something they don't DocM? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted September 14, 2013 Author Share Posted September 14, 2013 The delay broke after that post. Things moved fast this afternoon. There are a few issues - 1) a problem with slow de-tanking cropped up. Maybe icing (my speculation.) New pad syndrome. 2) some engine parameters need tweaking and a re-test. With SpaceX this often comes down to overly tight safety limits imposed by them. They've had to loosen them before. 3) weather. Only 40% of late Sept. days at Vandenberg meet the FAA safety regs. 4) schedule. Soon there are to be missile tests that take priority. Getting another slot might take a few days. If the Gods smile on a weekend hotfire, and FRR happens Mon/Tues, it could allow a launch mid to late next week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted September 14, 2013 Author Share Posted September 14, 2013 https://twitter.com/StephenClark1/status/379008850914848769 The Falcon 9 static fire at VAFB is now off until Wednesday. Likely puts launch no sooner than next weekend, but still TBD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beittil Posted September 15, 2013 Share Posted September 15, 2013 Elon Musk ?@elonmusk 37m Will do another static fire of rocket to make sure all is good & AF needs to test ICBMs, so probable launch Sept 29/30. And another reason why SpaceX needs to pursue private launch sites! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted September 15, 2013 Author Share Posted September 15, 2013 Yup, except for the fact that their Vandenberg SLC-4E pad will mainly be used for national security payloads (NRO spysats etc.) that can't go to a civilian facility. The whole story here is 1) adjustments need to be made to the new pads GSE (ground support equipment), and 2) the USAF will have the range tied up for two Minuteman III ICBM test launches running until at least Sept 22. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted September 20, 2013 Author Share Posted September 20, 2013 Hotfire 2!! Pad mods made & checked out, Falcon 9 v1.1 ready to rock 'n roll. Flight Readiness Review (FRR) next Friday (Sept. 27th), launch NET the following Sunday (Sept. 29th) pending range confirmation. Launch window: 1600-1800 GMT (12-2 p.m. EDT; 9-11 a.m. PDT) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geertd Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 Elon Musk ?@elonmusk17m Falcon 9 launch window is Sunday and Monday, assuming good weather at Vandenberg Air Force Base SALSN 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted September 25, 2013 Author Share Posted September 25, 2013 F9 / CASSIOPE launch will be Livestreamed http://new.livestream.com/spacex/F9-6 SALSN 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted September 25, 2013 Author Share Posted September 25, 2013 30th Space Wing (Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.) FIRST SPACEX LAUNCH FROM VANDENBERG SCHEDULED VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. ? Team Vandenberg is scheduled to launch its first-ever SpaceX launch from Space Launch Complex-4 here Sunday with a targeted launch window beginning at 9 a.m. PDT. Col. Keith Balts, 30th Space Wing commander, is the launch decision authority. ?Our mission is to provide unique capabilities for assured access to and from space for our nation,? said Balts. ?This is a huge stepping stone for Vandenberg and our SpaceX mission partners and I am impressed with the amount of innovation, dedication and professionalism that was put into making this historic event happen.? 30th Space Wing?s 1st Air and Space Test Squadron is the lead for all launch site certification activities at Vandenberg for SpaceX as an Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle New Entrant. Under the authority of the Space and Missile Systems Center, the Squadron is evaluating SpaceX?s flight and ground systems, processes and procedures for this inaugural space launch campaign for the upgraded Falcon 9 rocket. ?This is historic event for Vandenberg AFB and we are excited to be a part of it,? said Lt. Col. Joseph Imwalle, 1ASTS commander. ?The Squadron is committed to making the new process of EELV certification successful and to achieving the vision of more affordable operational spacelift capabilities for the Department of Defense without compromising reliability.? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted September 28, 2013 Author Share Posted September 28, 2013 The Launch Readiness Review (LRR) was concluded with a GO for a Sunday launch attempt, pending weather. Livestream: http://new.livestream.com/spacex/F9-6 Canadian satellite CASSIOPE Ready to Launch Longueuil, Quebec, September 27, 2013 ? The Canadian satellite CASSIOPE (Cascade SmallSat and Ionospheric Polar Explorer) is ready for its second attempt to launch. The event is planned on September 29 with a launch window opening at noon (12 p.m. EDT). CASSIOPE will lift off from Vandenberg, California aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. With CASSIOPE, Canada is looking to make a significant contribution to unravelling the mysteries of space weather. The launch will be broadcast live on the SpaceX Website ( http://www.spacex.com ) CASSIOPE is a multi-purpose mission designed to conduct space environment research and telecommunications technology demonstration. Its scientific payload ePOP (enhanced polar outflow probe) will observe the ionosphere and enable scientists to collect new data on space storms in Earth's upper atmosphere and assess their potential impacts. CASSIOPE also includes the Cascade technology demonstrator for high speed store and forward information delivery. This science mission was developed as a result of a close collaboration between several key partners including the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), 10 Canadian universities led by the University of Calgary and 2 research organizations, amongst others. NOTAM (NOtice To AirMen) - !CARF 09/183 (KZLA A2319/13) ZLA AIRSPACE DCC 2 ROPS AIROP DO-1307 STAGE 1 AND DEBRIS AREA STATIONARY RESERVATION WITHIN AN AREA BNDD BY 3133N/11934W 2848N/11910W 2809N/12000W 2300N/12000W 2300N/12005W 2622N/12104W 3007N/12119W 3133N/12113W SFC-UNL WEF 1309291600-1309291953 !CARF 09/181 (KZLA A2318/13) ZLA AIRSPACE DCC 2 ROPS AIROP DO-1307 DEBRIS DISPERTION AREA STATIONARY RESERVATION WITHIN AN AREA BNDD BY 3445N/12100W 3445N/12034W 3236N/11947W 3133N/11934W 3133N/12113W SFC-UNL WEF 1309291600-1309291930 1st stage drop/landing zone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beittil Posted September 28, 2013 Share Posted September 28, 2013 I wonder if they would have some ships along that corridor where the first stage is going to come down, would be awesome to have some video of the soft landing attempt :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted September 28, 2013 Author Share Posted September 28, 2013 No clue yet, but there are people keeping eyes on the company that does their Dragon recovery operations. There should get word late Saturday if they leave port. They always shoot pics & video. USAF meteorologists are predicting an 80-90% probability of favorable weather on Sunday, going down to 70% on Monday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted September 29, 2013 Author Share Posted September 29, 2013 SFN has posted the countdown timeline http://spaceflightnow.com/falcon9/006/countdowntimeline.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted September 29, 2013 Author Share Posted September 29, 2013 The American Islander is heading toward the F9 first stage recovery zone. She has previously been used for Dragon recoveries. Mission press kit http://www.spaceflightnow.com/falcon9/006/UpgradedF9DemoMission_PressKit.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beittil Posted September 29, 2013 Share Posted September 29, 2013 Awesome, I hope they get a good and clear view of the stage descending! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted September 29, 2013 Author Share Posted September 29, 2013 There are reports that American Islander is towing something, and that American Spirit is also underway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted September 29, 2013 Author Share Posted September 29, 2013 Everything is on schedule for today's launch of the Falcon 9 v1.1 / CASSIOPE mission. Checkouts have proceeded to where propellants are being loaded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted September 29, 2013 Author Share Posted September 29, 2013 Remember: the F9 v1.1 / CASSIOPE launch is being LiveStreamed here- http://new.livestream.com/spacex/F9-6 THIS IS A TEST LAUNCH of F9 v1.1 - CASSIOPE is getting a cheap ride in exchange for the added risk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted September 29, 2013 Author Share Posted September 29, 2013 SpaceX says the webcast will start about 40 minutes before launch and continue through SECO (second stage cutoff), about 10 minutes into the flight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted September 29, 2013 Author Share Posted September 29, 2013 Livestream at 08:15 PDT, 11:15 EDT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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