Launch News SpaceX Falcon Heavy Demo Mission (1330-1630 EST 6th Feb. 2018)

[IronRain]

Spaceflight Now:

The countdown clock has been reset to target liftoff at 2 p.m. EST (1900 GMT). No word on the cause for this 30-minute delay.

The launch window extends until 4 p.m. EST (2100 GMT).

 

[4throck]

Live webcast on Youtube.

 

[RisingFury]

Launch now at 2.20 PM EST because of high upper atmosphere wind shear.

They're gonna scrub. I jinxed it.

 

[Lucy]

If they're launching to a parking orbit per se, why do they have a specific window? If they miss it, they can just stay in the parking orbit for another few rounds of "Space Oddity"...

 

[DaveS]

If they're launching to a parking orbit per se, why do they have a specific window? If they miss it, they can just stay in the parking orbit for another few rounds of "Space Oddity"...

Remember, not a solid or hypergolic upper stage. It's a standard F9 second stage which uses RP-1/LOX. And the LOX is densified for increased performance. So the LOX will heat up and get less dense and reduce the performance. Not to mention that it will also boil off. Nothing to stop that.

 

[Urwumpe]

Remember, not a solid or hypergolic upper stage. It's a standard F9 second stage which uses RP-1/LOX. And the LOX is densified for increased performance. So the LOX will heat up and get less dense and reduce the performance. Not to mention that it will also boil off. Nothing to stop that.

As long as it heats up in orbit, its less bad, because the tanks are only half-full then anyway. Supercooling actually reduces ISP but allows to put more fuel into the same tank structure, improving mass ratio.

 

[GLS]

If they're launching to a parking orbit per se, why do they have a specific window? If they miss it, they can just stay in the parking orbit for another few rounds of "Space Oddity"...

There's also the problem of having the onboard guidance figuring out when, and in what direction, to fire.
Plus, there are "eartly-factors" like NOTAMs and range availability.

---------- Post added at 06:39 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:20 PM ----------

NET 2015 UTC now...

 

[RisingFury]

3:45 PM.

It isn't looking good.

 

[GLS]

3:45 PM.

It isn't looking good.

This one is all your fault. :lol:

 

[Urwumpe]

3:45 PM.

It isn't looking good.

Can't you just stop summoning delays? Maybe it works if you are optimistic, just like you can fly a loop with a 747-8 if you are just believing in it...

 

[GLS]

If the offending post is deleted, would the launch go ahead? :shrug:

 

[RisingFury]

If the offending post is deleted, would the launch go ahead? :shrug:

Enough tampering with fate for one day! :lol:

 

[Keatah]

Well are they gonna make it blastoff? Are they? Are they? Tell! Me! Now!
(impatient whiny kid jumping up and down doing the pee-pee dance)

 

[llarian]

Where's the Kaboom! The Earth shattering KABOOM!?

---------- Post added at 01:48 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:46 PM ----------

A great launch. It's nice that even Elon can be wrong so successfully. What a flight!

 

[FordPrefect]

"Don't panic!"

Loved that

 

[Frilock]

HO LY

 

[RisingFury]

Wow. Just wow.

 

[Urwumpe]

What a show!

 

[Deleted Orbinaut]

That simultaneous landing. Unbelievable!

 

[PhantomCruiser]

Happily amazed. That shot of both boosters landing was pretty epic.