Launch News SpaceX Falcon 9 F3 COTS2+ Updates

[orb]

NASA: NASA to Use Former Shuttle Recovery Ship to Image COTS SpaceX Launch

 

[ElGuapoGuano]

First and foremost we need a successful mission for this COTS demo 2 flight. I just really hope they don't let the launch slip even further down the road. Even some of SpaceX's stanchest supporters are starting to become skeptical.

 

[T.Neo]

to Use Former Shuttle Recovery Ship to Image COTS SpaceX Launch

That just sounds so wrong. They could have said 'Former Shuttle Booster Recovery Ship', 'Shuttle Recovery Ship' sounds like a vessel you'd call only at the most dire outcome of a mission... :shifty:

 

[Capt_hensley]

It's better to have tried and failed than not to have tried at all. I agree, sh*! or get off the pot! I love SpaceX, and I'm looking forward to the missions, unfortunatly I'm still looking forward, by now I thought I would be reflecting on the past "launches" and looking forward to new ones.

 

[orb]

SpaceX: Updates:

SpaceX to Webcast Static Fire for Upcoming Mission on Monday

April 27, 2012

Mission Would Make SpaceX the First Commercial Company to Attempt to Send a Spacecraft to the International Space Station

On Monday, April 30, Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) will webcast a static fire test of the Falcon 9 rocket’s nine powerful Merlin engines in preparation for the company’s upcoming launch. The webcast, available at spacex.com, is set to begin at 2:30 PM ET/ 11:30 AM PT, with the actual static fire targeted for 3:00 PM ET/ 12:00 PM PT.

The 9 engine test will take place at the company’s Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station as part of a full launch dress rehearsal leading up to the second Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) launch. During the rehearsal, SpaceX engineers will run through all countdown processes as though it were launch day. The exercise will end with all nine engines firing at full power for two seconds.

After the test, SpaceX will conduct a thorough review of all data as engineers make final preparations for the upcoming launch, currently targeted for May 7. SpaceX plans to launch its Dragon spacecraft into low-Earth orbit atop a Falcon 9 rocket. During the mission, Dragon’s sensors and flight systems will be subject to a series of tests to determine if the vehicle is ready to berth with the space station. If NASA decides Dragon is ready, the vehicle will attach to the station and astronauts will open Dragon’s hatch and unload the cargo onboard.

This will be the first attempt by a commercial company to send a spacecraft to the International Space Station, a feat previously performed by only a few governments. Success is not guaranteed. If any aspect of the mission is not successful, SpaceX will learn from the experience and try again. It is also the second demonstration flight under NASA’s program to develop commercial supply services to the International Space Station. The first SpaceX COTS flight, in December 2010, made SpaceX the first commercial company in history to send a spacecraft to orbit and return it safely to Earth. Once SpaceX demonstrates the ability to carry cargo to the space station, it will begin to fulfill its Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract for NASA for at least 12 missions to carry cargo to and from the space station. The Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft were designed to one day carry astronauts; both the COTS and CRS missions will yield valuable flight experience toward this goal.

Parabolic Arc: SpaceX to Webcast Falcon 9 Static Fire on Monday



NASA:
MEDIA ADVISORY : M12-078
Updated Coverage for NASA/SpaceX Launch and Mission to Station

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The second SpaceX demonstration launch for NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) has been rescheduled for a liftoff on Monday, May 7. Liftoff of the Falcon 9 rocket carrying a Dragon capsule will occur from Space Launch Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. There is a single instantaneous launch opportunity at 9:38 a.m. EDT.

NASA Television launch commentary from Cape Canaveral begins at 8 a.m.

During the flight, SpaceX's Dragon capsule will conduct a series of check-out procedures to test and prove its systems, including the capability to rendezvous and berth with the International Space Station. The primary objectives for the flight include a flyby of the space station at a distance of approximately 1.5 miles to validate the operation of sensors and flight systems necessary for a safe rendezvous and approach.

The spacecraft also will demonstrate the ability to abort the rendezvous. Once these capabilities are successfully proven, the Dragon will be cleared to berth with the space station.

FALCON 9 LAUNCH PAD PHOTO OPPORTUNITY

Saturday, May 5 (L-2 days): A photo opportunity of the Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon capsule on the launch pad will be available for the news media. Spokespeople from SpaceX will be available to answer questions.

Media will depart from NASA's Kennedy Space Center Press Site by government bus at 9:15 a.m. for Space Launch Complex 40. Media will be returned at approximately 11 a.m. SpaceX security regulations require that media attending this event be U.S. citizens.​

REMOTE CAMERA SETUPS

Sunday, May 6 (L-1 day): Media will be able to establish sound-activated remote cameras at the launch pad. The location is within Space Launch Complex-40 on the east side of the pad outside the perimeter fence. Media who want to participate in remote camera setup will depart from Kennedy's Press Site by government bus at 10:30 a.m. Only photographers establishing remote cameras can participate in this activity. SpaceX security regulations require that media participating in this activity be U.S. citizens.​

PRELAUNCH AND POST-LAUNCH NEWS CONFERENCES

Sunday, May 6 (L-1 day): The prelaunch news conference for the NASA/SpaceX launch will be held at the Kennedy Press Site at 1 p.m. NASA Television will provide live and streaming Internet coverage.

Monday, May 7, (Launch Day): A postlaunch news conference will be held at Kennedy at approximately noon.

Media representative can participate in the news conference in- person at Kennedy or via a phone bridge by calling NASA's Johnson Space Center newsroom at 11:45 a.m. at 281-483-5111.

Audio of the prelaunch and postlaunch news conferences also will be carried on the NASA "V" circuits, directly accessible by dialing 321-867-1220, 1240, 1260 or 7135. The briefings will be streamed live on the agency's website.​

NASA TV LAUNCH COVERAGE

Monday, May 7 (L-0 day): NASA TV live coverage begins at 8 a.m. and concludes at approximately 10:30 a.m.

On launch day, "mission audio," the launch conductor's countdown activities without NASA TV launch commentary, will be carried on 321-867-7135 starting at 8 a.m. Launch information also will be available on local amateur VHF radio frequency 146.940 MHz, heard within Brevard County.​

NASA TV MISSION COVERAGE

Tuesday, May 8 (Flight Day 2): An update on the Dragon's flight during the daily "ISS Update" program from NASA's Johnson Space Center airs at 11 a.m.

Wednesday, May 9 (Flight Day 3): Live coverage from NASA's Johnson Space Center mission control in Houston as the Dragon spacecraft performs its fly-under of ISS to test its systems begins at 2:30 a.m. and will continue until the Dragon passes out of the vicinity of the station.

A news briefing will be held following the activities.

Thursday, May 10 (Flight Day 4): Live coverage of the rendezvous and berthing of the Dragon spacecraft to the station begins at 2 a.m. and will continue through the capture and berthing of the Dragon to the station's Harmony node. A news briefing will be held once Dragon is secured to the ISS.

Friday, May 11: Live coverage of the hatch opening and entry of the Dragon spacecraft includes a ceremony during which the ISS crew will mark the occasion.

Thursday, May 24: A news briefing at Johnson will preview the following day's unberthing and splashdown of the Dragon spacecraft.

Friday, May 25: Live coverage of the unberthing, re-entry and splashdown of the Dragon spacecraft in the Pacific Ocean. Specific times of coverage will be provided at a later date.​

{...}

 

[Kyle]

Update on the test firing, there was a hold at T-47, and have recycled to T-13 minutes for another try.

---------- Post added at 07:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:20 PM ----------

Picking up the count in 20 minutes.

 

[Urwumpe]

To say it in Lübke english: Porcupines reproduce very very carefully.

 

[Alfastar]

Latest information: Test success!!!

 

[Notebook]

Is it me or is it quiet?

N.

 

[Kyle]

Clock started again! Musk notes that sometimes SpaceX's launch criteria can be 'overly conservative' which is a good sign for their reliability.

 

[N_Molson]

Musk notes that sometimes SpaceX's launch criteria can be 'overly conservative' which is a good sign for their reliability.

A very reliable launch system doesn't need to hold every 2 minutes of countdown...

 

[Thunder Chicken]

Oh please oh please, don't blow up!

 

[Cras]

She didn't blow up.

 

[N_Molson]

Hehe I believed for one second it was going to liftoff !

"now who forgot to tighten the bolts ??" :lol:

 

[Thunder Chicken]

That was it?

 

[kerlix]

That was it?

I was thinking the same thing.....that's all?

 

[Cras]

Wasn't quite like the test firing they did prior to STS-1.

 

[Alfastar]

Yep, it was a 2 seconds burn.

 

[N_Molson]

Yes, that's a static engine test. It was successful.

 

[Kyle]

Excellent job per usual from SpaceX. Conversation is key when it comes to launching, if something isn't to peak perfection they're not firing those 9 engines.