Launch News Orion EFT-1 Update thread

[N_Molson]

Countdown resumed !

---------- Post added at 12:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:52 PM ----------

Hold Hold Hold at T-3 minutes

---------- Post added at 12:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:53 PM ----------

Wind gust again. Seems that's not going to be easy with those unpredictable winds.

 

[Codz]

At least we've got a fairly big window to work with.

 

[barrygolden]

Super looking EFT 1 patch !!

you should post a larger 1 on your next post

 

[Codz]

Here you go.

http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/missions/nasas-eft-1-mission-slips-december/

 

[sorindafabico]

What's the point of a launch window for this kind of mission? Splashdown time?

 

[N_Molson]

What's the point of a launch window for this kind of mission? Splashdown time?

Splashdown location. They don't want to land in the middle of China, I guess :hmm:

 

[Urwumpe]

What's the point of a launch window for this kind of mission? Splashdown time?

I think so. Possibly also the sun angles during parking orbit.

 

[Donamy]

Space junk maybe ?

 

[Urwumpe]

Splashdown location. They don't want to land in the middle of China, I guess :hmm:

Splashdown location is depending on flight time and launch site in this kind of mission, not the time of day at launch. The North American plate does not move west at 15°/hour.

 

[boogabooga]

They talked about the launch window during the social yesterday. It has to do with lighting for the sea recovery operation, which takes ~6 hours after a several hour mission. Any later would push recover into dusk...


The sea recovery aspect is almost as much of a big deal to this test as the space aspect.

 

[N_Molson]

Timer reset. Here we go again.

T0 : 8:26 AM EST

 

[C3PO]

I suspect the range has something to do with the window. There are limits on how long you are allowed to be on station, and I doubt they want to change shifts during final countdown.

 

[Cosmic Penguin]

After some RS-68 engine bearing temperature scare, new T-0 has been set at 8:26 am Eastern (13:26 UTC).

 

[Codz]

Orion is back to its own power.

---------- Post added at 01:19 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:18 PM ----------

Launch poll is all GO.

 

[N_Molson]

Does someone knows all the Flight Controllers acronyms for this mission config ? Sounds rather complex during the FD poll.

 

[Codz]

Countdown resumed.

---------- Post added at 01:23 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:22 PM ----------

Ugh. Yet another hold.

 

[ADSWNJ]

Not a wind hold this time ... failure to close a drain valve. Wonder if related to the vario-purge pressure issue on the previous hold

 

[N_Molson]

Hold at T-3'09. Fuel valve problem.

---------- Post added at 01:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:26 PM ----------

Looks like that the liquid oxygen (drain ?) valve did not close, possibly for the 3 CBCs.

---------- Post added at 01:33 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:29 PM ----------

Seems this issue has been encountered in another Delta 4H launch, and recommandation is made for another launch attempt. Seems they have to recycle each valve 5 times. Second stage is not involved and is still good.

 

[ADSWNJ]

Looks like they are doing five times Ctrl-Alt-Del on the drain valves!

 

[Cosmic Penguin]

Hold at T-3'09. Fuel valve problem.

---------- Post added at 01:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:26 PM ----------

Looks like that the liquid oxygen (drain ?) valve did not close, possibly for the 3 CBCs.

---------- Post added at 01:33 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:29 PM ----------

Seems this issue has been encountered in another Delta 4H launch, and recommandation is made for another launch attempt. Seems they have to recycle each valve 5 times. Second stage is not involved and is still good.

The NROL-15 launch in June 2012 - of which one member here have pretty hellish memories of that. :rofl: