Ares I-X Updates

[Arrowstar]

Yeah, I saw that "tipping" too. Anyone know what caused that (or if it was intentional)?

 

[garyw]

Yeah, It worked. Both stages ended-up spinning after separation. I am not sure was it intended or not but it was a great launch.

The SRB was meant to tumble in much the same way as they do on shuttle sep. The upperstage was meant to continue on and not tumble.

 

[Moonwalker]

Both stages ended-up spinning after separation. I am not sure was it intended or not but it was a great launch.

To me it seems that the separation failed, i.e. the upper sep motors if there were any at all, resutling in the immediate spin of both parts, while the upper part anyway is nothing more than a non-functional mass simulator.

 

[Dambuster]

What an epic looking ascent, especially at max. dyn. press (hello Apollo). The pictures from the onboard camera looked amazingly smooth, well smooth on the whole. I expected much more visible vibration, but here was just nothing. The SRB did not even bend/move around like seen in the animated NASA videos. Phantastic. But I'm aware that we of course have to wait for the measurements. But I bet a ride on top of such a configuration might prove to be much smoother than expected.

However, it looked like the vehicle was tipping to one side shortly after lift off. Maybe due to the temporary non-ares software?

YouTube - Ares 1X Launch

About the tipping - that may be because of a preprogrammed manoeuvre which was designed to avoid damaging the launch pad.

 

[garyw]

The upper stage was heavily instrumented. The lower stage (the SRB) was supposed to fire deceleration motors but I never saw those fire so I'm not sure if it slowed down sufficiently to prevent re-contact.

Residual SRB thrust is a pain...

 

[SiberianTiger]

kulch believes there was a stuck mechanical connection between the booster and the 2nd stage at the moment of separation... Perhaps a failed explosive bolt or something.

 

[reject]

Residual SRB thrust is a pain...

Especially when trying for a stable inline sep.

 

[agentgonzo]

However, it looked like the vehicle was tipping to one side shortly after lift off. Maybe due to the temporary non-ares software?

Pad avoidance manoeuvre and totally expected. Apollo did the same thing.

 

[sunshine135]

Yeah, but that was what this launch was all about. Find out what worked well and what didn't. Then, go back to the drawing board on it. That's why Ares I-Y isn't until 2012.

 

[Moonwalker]

Pad avoidance manoeuvre and totally expected. Apollo did the same thing.

You may be right. That damn maneuver caused a rapit heart beat and horripilation to me. I thought for a fraction of a second: okay, this is it, it is going to tip over and get out of control...

However, the slight tipping of the StaurnV did not look that much obvious. But that may be due to the fact that AresI gets way faster off the pad. Everything happens faster including the alignment.

If this beast is going to become the next generation LV of NASA indeed (which I still expect regardless of all critics) it'll be my favourite one right after Apollo 22 million hp comming out of a single solid rocket booster with men on top of it. Amazing.

 

[Brassbud]

kulch believes there was a stuck mechanical connection between the booster and the 2nd stage at the moment of separation... Perhaps a failed explosive bolt or something.

Something can definitely be seen coming off the upper stage shortly before seperation (@ 2:02 on the Youtube video posted in this thread). It looks like 1 or 2 pieces about the size of a quarter...

 

[Arrowstar]

I went looking at the video again, and it does appear that the first stage contacted the USS. You'll notice that the USS seems to rotate about the point that joins the first stage and upper stage simulator. I guess we'll find out soon if this actually occurred, and if so, why and to what extent.

 

[Moonwalker]

Something can definitely be seen coming off the upper stage shortly before seperation (@ 2:02 on the Youtube video posted in this thread). It looks like 1 or 2 pieces about the size of a quarter...

I don't see anything comming out of the upper stage. What does it exactly look like?

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

I think the following just about sums up the British public's interest in NASA.


BBC News MOST POPULAR STORIES NOW: (on 28 Oct @ 4:50pm GMT)

#3. Actress Windsor quits EastEnders

#5. Nasa launches rocket successfully

 

[Moonwalker]

I think the following just about sums up the British public's interest in NASA.


BBC News MOST POPULAR STORIES NOW: (on 28 Oct @ 4:50pm GMT)

#3. Actress Windsor quits EastEnders

#5. Nasa launches rocket successfully

Well in Germany it was in the main news on public television already 30 minutes after the launch.

 

[SiberianTiger]

By the way, congratulations to NASA on launching of the first rocket with steel ladders inside! :lol:

 

[Moonwalker]

 

[Eagle]

Yeah, It worked. Both stages ended-up spinning after separation. I am not sure was it intended or not but it was a great launch.

The dummy upper stage was supposed to spin. Unsure about the fist stage.

 

[agentgonzo]

The dummy upper stage was supposed to spin. Unsure about the fist stage.

I think you've got those two around the wrong way.

The first stage was supposed to spin. It had solid motors on the base to initiate a tumble to increase drag after separation and you can see these fire at separation.

There is a debate on nasaspaceflight* as to whether the USS (Upper stage simulator) was supposed to tumble or not. It's essentially a large lump of unguided metal so a tumble's not out of the question. However, it did seem to tumble a lot at separation.



*Well, there was until the forums bit the bullet.

 

[Arrowstar]

My problem is that it appears as if the first stage is pushing the second into that rotation we saw. I could be wrong (I'm no expert) as my understanding of supersonic flow and its effects on bodies is minimal, but it seems intuitive to me that the second stage wouldn't rotate as it did if it was truly free after separation. Like I said above though, we'll find out!