Damn that's really too bad, but I guess it could have been worse.
Now when can they launch again?
Member
Damn that's really too bad, but I guess it could have been worse.
Now when can they launch again?
Established Member
So close....
Established Member
Next launch window is Tuesday, the 22nd, 7:44 UTC.
Ugh, another hour earlier for us Europeans.
Order of Kilopi
No.
No!
No.
Moderator
Chamber overpressure in engine 5(?) caused the abort, at least that's what one of the controllers said.
Sorry there was no launch, Gemini, hope you can stay 3 days for the next attempt.
____________
"Dumb all over, a little ugly on the side." -- Frank Zappa
"Your right to hold an opinion is not being contested. Your expectation that it be taken seriously is." -- Jason Thompson
"This is really very simple, but unfortunately it's very complicated." -- publius
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Order of Kilopi
Well, that was disappointing, but it could have been a lot worse (the rocket is still intact).
I say there is an invisible elf in my backyard. How do you prove that I am wrong?
The Leif Ericson Cruiser
Order of Kilopi
True, better than pulling a Vanguard.Originally Posted by Van Rijn
Established Member
So, can we restart the debate over whether it is better to have more smaller engines or fewer bigger engines?
I may have many faults, but being wrong ain't one of them. - Jimmy Hoffa
Established Member
We could, but why? It's not a black and white situation. Some multi-engined vehicles have historically been lost when an engine failed, but some others managed to recover from the failure/underperformance.So, can we restart the debate over whether it is better to have more smaller engines or fewer bigger engines?
On the other hand, when your only engine gives out the end result is clear.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1XE_awXEA4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkSVRanIj3A
Personally, I think 9 engines is a bit too many. I kind of like Proton's 6 and Saturn V's 5 engine count.
Order of Kilopi
A quote from the article below: "This is not a failure," Shotwell said. "We aborted with purpose. It would have been a failure if we had lifted off with an engine trending in this direction."
http://www.space.com/15769-spacex-pr...nch-abort.html
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/ind...8918.msg900248
http://www.space-travel.com/reports/...o_ISS_999.html
http://www.space.com/15739-top-promi...pacecraft.html
On the pressure to downselect:
http://www.space-travel.com/reports/..._race_999.html
Order of Kilopi
I'm glad the computer detected the problem, rather than them having launched with it undetected and possibly having the rocket crash or explode. I am, however, slightly disappointed that I won't be able to watch with my family because I'll be at my internship in DC after tomorrow.
Order of Kilopi
Very often an abort at this stage of the launch is sensor related. A bad sensor - especially if it is just a connection or a limit that was set too tight - and the Tuesday window might be reachable. An over-pressure due to an unexpected chamber condition is usually much more serious - Not only does a problem need to be identified and a correction found, the correction must go through a verification process and would likely need to be applied to all motors.
Order of Kilopi
Elon tweeted earlier
"Engine pressure anomaly traced to turbopump valve. Replacing on engine 5 and verifying no common mode. #DragonLaunch"
Order of Kilopi
Good they've been able to track it down quickly so the 22nd remains a possibility then.
Member
As long as it is just a valve that can be replaces and not the whole engine, they can launch on 22nd.
And they better do launch.
Established Member
... or else, what?And they better do launch.
Established Member
was that a threat, or?
Order of Kilopi
Dat's a nice rocket you got dere, itta be a shame if something happened to it like.
Insert awesome title here
It's STS 41-D all over again.
Established Member
The last time I said "Why don't they just launch the thing?" was January 28, 1986.
Since that time, I've been a lot more forgiving of delays.
I may have many faults, but being wrong ain't one of them. - Jimmy Hoffa
Moderator
Or else we shall be very cross with them! Unless they postpone to a launch window when I'm not at work.
____________
"Dumb all over, a little ugly on the side." -- Frank Zappa
"Your right to hold an opinion is not being contested. Your expectation that it be taken seriously is." -- Jason Thompson
"This is really very simple, but unfortunately it's very complicated." -- publius
Moderator comments in this color | Get moderator attention using the lower left icon:
Recommended reading: Board Rules * Forum FAQs * Conspiracy Theory Advice * Alternate Theory Advocates Advice
Member
I will fall to thr ground and start to cry. You do not want to see a grown man cry!
Order of Kilopi
NASA and the Air Force have approved Tuesday's launch at 3:44 EST.
Established Member
"I thought MECO was going to be a lot higher than that."
Order of Kilopi
That was breathtaking. Dragon is on orbit - solar arrays deployed - all is well.
I'm not sure what it'll take to silence the commercial space naysayers - but I'm fairly sure it looks like that.
Amazing. Just amazing.
Established Member
Beautiful Flight! Congrats SPACEX team!
Established Member
It was a really pretty launch from Stuart Florida, about 120 miles south. WELL DONE SpaceX! And I'll second what dj said about the naysayers.
Established Member
Boy! That pitch-over surely had me holding my breath. Was not expecting that. I thought it had gone errant.
Forum Welcomer
Nice launch!
Member
What a beautiful launch. I can't wait to see how the coming days play out.
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