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Falcon 1, The World's Lowest Cost Rocket to Orbit
ugordan
post Nov 19 2005, 06:28 PM
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I don't know if this is the right place to post this, but here goes:

http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=18353

http://www.spacex.com/

Looking forward to launch videos... cool.gif


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Guest_AlexBlackwell_*
post Dec 7 2005, 10:22 PM
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Guests






From the December 8, 2005, issue of Nature:

Internet star shoots for a rocket revolution
Tony Reichhardt
Nature 438, 736-737 (2005)
doi:10.1038/438736a
Full Text

Excerpt:

"For the past 20 years, most start-up rocket companies have followed the same sad trajectory. They produce an artist's concept of an innovative vehicle while promising to cut launch costs by a factor of ten. Scrounge for money, mostly without success. Badmouth NASA and established rocket manufacturers such as Boeing. Fail, usually before reaching the launch pad. And disappear.

"The names may be different — AMROC, Conestoga, Rotary Rocket, Beal Aerospace — but the stories are essentially the same. And their combined impact on the economics of spaceflight has been zero. It still costs tens of millions of dollars to place even a modest satellite in orbit.

"Enter Elon Musk, the latest comer with long-shot dreams of revolutionizing the launch business..."
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Comga
post Dec 9 2005, 06:17 AM
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From the SpaceX website Updates page:

Posted December 7, 2005: The new launch date is approximately December 20, depending on when the Missile Defense Agency testing is complete. As soon as we have a firm time, it will be posted on the SpaceX website.

Liquid Oxygen

Regarding liquid oxygen (LOX) supplies, we expect to have enough on hand this time to fill the rocket four or five times over. This should account for almost any issue with a particular storage tank as well as an extended hold on the pad. There is an engineering term known as a s*load. I have asked that we have at least two s*loads on hand in case one s*load is not enough.

We chartered a C-17 to fly two of our empty high quality LOX containers to Hawaii, sourced another high quality LOX container on Hawaii and put all three on the barge to Kwajalein. In addition, our LOX plant on Kwajalein has been repaired and is producing LOX on island again.

Some might be wondering why we were so dumb as to run out of LOX on a remote tropical island on the last launch attempt. Believe me, we tried hard to avoid it, but several issues conspired to create the problem:

* The additional month of Merlin testing resulted in additional LOX boil-off on island. Even though it is stored in vacuum jacketed containers, LOX at -300F degrees does not like being on a tropical island at 85F.
* The SpaceX LOX plant on island broke down a few weeks prior to launch, which meant we could not top up.
* We ordered replacement LOX from Hawaii, but the container quality was poor, so only 20% of what we ordered actually arrived.
* Ground winds were unusually high on launch day, which amplifies the boil-off rate significantly, since the Falcon's first stage LOX tank is uninsulated.
* All of the above would not have mattered if our final storage tank did not have a small, manual vent valve incorrectly in the open position. Somewhat agonizingly, we were only a few percent away from being full. We just needed a little sip from the last tank.
* After a while, we were able to close the vent and fill the vehicle's LOX tanks. However, we use LOX to chill our onboard helium and the absence of ground LOX to do so resulted in the helium heating up and venting back to storage. In the end, we did not have enough LOX to stay filled on the rocket and chill & pressurize the helium.

Engine Computer

The engine computer reboot anomaly was definitively traced to a ground power problem. Importantly, this would have had no effect on flight, since we switch to vehicle power before the autosequence begins. The reason it cropped up at Kwajalein was that the higher load on the longer umbilical (three times longer than in prior tests) coupled with high temperatures in Kwajalein resulted in increased resistance in the ground umbilical. This was just enough to lower the voltage below minimums and cause an engine computer reset when drawing maximum power. The same max power test was repeated on internal vehicle batteries with no problem at all.

This problem has been solved by slightly increasing voltage on the ground umbilical.

--Elon-
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Posts in this topic
- ugordan   Falcon 1   Nov 19 2005, 06:28 PM
- - ljk4-1   QUOTE (ugordan @ Nov 19 2005, 01:28 PM)I don...   Nov 19 2005, 06:53 PM
- - AlexBlackwell   From the December 8, 2005, issue of Nature: Inter...   Dec 7 2005, 10:22 PM
|- - Comga   From the SpaceX website Updates page: Posted Dece...   Dec 9 2005, 06:17 AM
- - argv   anyone know of live information from the launch on...   Dec 19 2005, 05:00 PM
|- - Comga   QUOTE (argv @ Dec 19 2005, 11:00 AM)anyone kn...   Dec 20 2005, 02:50 AM
|- - lyford   Either that is really bad video compression or the...   Dec 20 2005, 05:54 PM
- - edstrick   Not offhand. From spaceflightnow: http://spacef...   Dec 19 2005, 07:16 PM
- - lyford   SCRUBBED! QUOTE Falcon 1 Maiden Flight Upda...   Dec 19 2005, 09:01 PM
- - Toma B   I thought this rocket is supposed to be reliable a...   Dec 20 2005, 07:15 AM
|- - jaredGalen   QUOTE (Toma B @ Dec 20 2005, 07:15 AM) I thou...   Dec 20 2005, 12:31 PM
|- - ljk4-1   I like those images of the rocket by the sea at su...   Dec 20 2005, 02:33 PM
- - edstrick   ....how much these scrubs cost? a LOT less than ...   Dec 20 2005, 09:34 AM
- - djellison   It's the first one - it's going to be trou...   Dec 20 2005, 09:39 AM
- - crabbsaline   From Spacex.com: QUOTE Falcon 1 Maiden Flight Upd...   Feb 6 2006, 07:22 AM
|- - ljk4-1   QUOTE (crabbsaline @ Feb 6 2006, 02:22 AM)Fro...   Feb 6 2006, 02:25 PM
- - crabbsaline   New update from Feb 6: QUOTE As an additional rel...   Feb 7 2006, 08:05 AM
|- - ljk4-1   * SpaceX Delays Inaugural Falcon 1 Launch at Least...   Feb 8 2006, 08:08 PM
|- - jabe   Anyone know how the test fire went....or if the te...   Feb 9 2006, 08:44 PM
|- - crabbsaline   QUOTE (jabe @ Feb 9 2006, 03:44 PM)Anyone kno...   Feb 10 2006, 12:19 AM
- - crabbsaline   Looks like it'll be awhile before launch: Spa...   Feb 10 2006, 03:23 AM
|- - Comga   QUOTE (crabbsaline @ Feb 9 2006, 09:23 PM)Loo...   Feb 10 2006, 04:36 AM
- - crabbsaline   Static Fire Video up on SpaceX Update Page   Feb 11 2006, 02:48 AM
|- - ljk4-1   Companies Prepare to Launch Remains into Space ht...   Feb 22 2006, 07:42 PM
|- - Bob Shaw   QUOTE (ljk4-1 @ Feb 22 2006, 07:42 P...   Feb 22 2006, 11:01 PM
|- - lyford   QUOTE (Bob Shaw @ Feb 22 2006, 03:01 PM) ...   Feb 23 2006, 01:43 AM
- - crabbsaline   Update on Feb 24: Tentative Launch Window   Feb 26 2006, 02:38 AM
|- - Bob Shaw   Article on the Space-X 'Dragon' manned/car...   Mar 6 2006, 01:35 PM
|- - Bob Shaw   Some Dragon illustrations. Bob Shaw   Mar 6 2006, 03:55 PM
|- - Bob Shaw   Another one, based on a Space.Com illustration. B...   Mar 7 2006, 09:57 PM
- - Myran   Its not one exact carbon copy, but I cant help thi...   Mar 8 2006, 09:02 PM
|- - Bob Shaw   QUOTE (Myran @ Mar 8 2006, 09:02 PM) Its ...   Mar 8 2006, 10:22 PM
- - edstrick   A case could be made for a design with a "ser...   Mar 9 2006, 09:56 AM
- - crabbsaline   March 15th update available: QUOTE Falcon 1 has b...   Mar 16 2006, 02:54 AM
|- - Comga   QUOTE (crabbsaline @ Mar 15 2006, 07:54 P...   Mar 16 2006, 05:30 AM
- - crabbsaline   I just check the site frequently. I signed up, to...   Mar 16 2006, 06:14 AM
|- - Comga   It is now close to sundown on the 18th on Kwajalei...   Mar 18 2006, 06:00 PM
|- - crabbsaline   QUOTE (Comga @ Mar 18 2006, 01:00 PM) ......   Mar 20 2006, 06:55 AM
- - edstrick   My take on the total lack of news from Kwaj... (no...   Mar 20 2006, 08:33 AM
|- - odave   QUOTE (edstrick @ Mar 20 2006, 03:33 AM) ...   Mar 20 2006, 02:42 PM
|- - dvandorn   QUOTE (edstrick @ Mar 20 2006, 02:33 AM) ...   Mar 20 2006, 02:47 PM
- - argv   from nasawatch.com... "SpaceX Update Editor...   Mar 20 2006, 08:49 PM
|- - crabbsaline   Thanks argv, I've not used nasawatch as a res...   Mar 21 2006, 01:00 AM
- - edstrick   Beside NASA Watch, you want to monitor Cowing...   Mar 21 2006, 08:28 AM
- - crabbsaline   Thanks Ed, I found a strangely worded March 21 Sp...   Mar 21 2006, 11:26 PM
- - jabe   http://kwajrockets.blogspot.com/ has the latest up...   Mar 22 2006, 02:41 AM
|- - Comga   QUOTE (jabe @ Mar 21 2006, 07:41 PM) http...   Mar 22 2006, 03:38 AM
- - crabbsaline   There was an update at the SpaceX site last night:...   Mar 22 2006, 05:57 PM
- - crabbsaline   Launch postponed until Friday at 13:00 PST: March...   Mar 23 2006, 11:43 AM
|- - jabe   A web cast of launch?? mm..i lets hope its true ...   Mar 24 2006, 07:13 PM
- - RJG   Webcast looking good -but it looks mighty windy...   Mar 24 2006, 08:11 PM
- - RJG   Currently 25 mins into an unplanned hold. The Safe...   Mar 24 2006, 08:29 PM
- - RJG   Count to restart at 21:15 UTC when will be T-1:15....   Mar 24 2006, 09:01 PM
|- - crabbsaline   Anyone recording this? Would love to have a copy ...   Mar 24 2006, 09:31 PM
|- - hal_9000   QUOTE (crabbsaline @ Mar 24 2006, 06:31 P...   Mar 24 2006, 10:07 PM
- - djellison   WMV's are hard to record Elon just came on t...   Mar 24 2006, 10:02 PM
- - djellison   Well - the webfeed seemed to die after launch - bu...   Mar 24 2006, 10:30 PM
|- - Bob Shaw   QUOTE (djellison @ Mar 24 2006, 10:30 PM)...   Mar 24 2006, 10:35 PM
- - crabbsaline   Are you sure it wasn't just normal rotation, D...   Mar 24 2006, 10:38 PM
|- - jabe   QUOTE (crabbsaline @ Mar 24 2006, 10:38 P...   Mar 24 2006, 10:40 PM
||- - Bob Shaw   QUOTE (jabe @ Mar 24 2006, 10:40 PM) The...   Mar 24 2006, 10:43 PM
|- - djellison   QUOTE (crabbsaline @ Mar 24 2006, 10:38 P...   Mar 24 2006, 10:42 PM
- - crabbsaline   Space.com says it "roared skyward", but ...   Mar 24 2006, 10:42 PM
- - RJG   "We did lose the vehicle," says Gwynne S...   Mar 24 2006, 10:43 PM
- - crabbsaline   RE: Falcon 1   Mar 24 2006, 10:44 PM
- - RJG   Gwynne Shotwell seems to indicate (on spaceflightn...   Mar 24 2006, 10:49 PM
|- - jabe   QUOTE (RJG @ Mar 24 2006, 10:49 PM) Gwynn...   Mar 24 2006, 10:55 PM
|- - Rakhir   QUOTE (jabe @ Mar 24 2006, 11:55 PM) Be n...   Mar 24 2006, 11:45 PM
- - crabbsaline   Is there any chance that they can recover FalconSa...   Mar 24 2006, 10:57 PM
- - hal_9000   I did a video... where can i post it?   Mar 24 2006, 11:09 PM
- - Rakhir   Waiting for the video of hal_9000, here is one of ...   Mar 24 2006, 11:11 PM
- - hal_9000   here   Mar 24 2006, 11:31 PM
|- - crabbsaline   QUOTE (hal_9000 @ Mar 24 2006, 06:31 PM) ...   Mar 24 2006, 11:35 PM
|- - hal_9000   QUOTE (crabbsaline @ Mar 24 2006, 08:35 P...   Mar 24 2006, 11:48 PM
|- - crabbsaline   QUOTE (hal_9000 @ Mar 24 2006, 06:48 PM) ...   Mar 24 2006, 11:53 PM
- - djellison   Things like google video will let you host it. Do...   Mar 24 2006, 11:56 PM
|- - hal_9000   QUOTE (djellison @ Mar 24 2006, 08:56 PM)...   Mar 25 2006, 12:10 AM
- - jabe   bad news in my mind... from spaceflightnow.com ...   Mar 25 2006, 12:48 AM
- - hal_9000   Falcon 1 video (little part)   Mar 25 2006, 01:10 AM
|- - Comga   QUOTE (hal_9000 @ Mar 24 2006, 06:10 PM) ...   Mar 25 2006, 04:09 AM
|- - RNeuhaus   QUOTE (Comga @ Mar 24 2006, 11:09 PM) Whe...   Mar 25 2006, 05:23 AM
- - crabbsaline   I'm not able to load that link, Hal. Do you h...   Mar 25 2006, 02:36 AM
- - nprev   Severe bummer, and my sincere sympathies for the S...   Mar 25 2006, 06:30 AM
- - crabbsaline   This is a little bit off-topic to today's laun...   Mar 25 2006, 10:05 AM
|- - mars loon   Based on the Spaceflightnow.com article it appears...   Mar 25 2006, 04:04 PM
|- - djellison   QUOTE (mars loon @ Mar 25 2006, 04:04 PM)...   Mar 25 2006, 04:27 PM
|- - ugordan   QUOTE (djellison @ Mar 25 2006, 05:27 PM)...   Mar 25 2006, 04:56 PM
- - GravityWaves   Musk looked good, but those large Falcon payloads ...   Mar 25 2006, 06:05 PM
- - RJG   Spaceflight Now is now suggesting that it was a fu...   Mar 25 2006, 06:22 PM
- - jabe   So..since its a leak.. my solution.. duct tape the...   Mar 25 2006, 09:44 PM
|- - ugordan   http://kwajrockets.blogspot.com/ has an update and...   Mar 26 2006, 12:16 AM
- - hal_9000   Sorry guys.. but the video is here.. http://rap...   Mar 26 2006, 12:32 AM
- - dvandorn   Guys... I hate to say it... but this shows once ag...   Mar 26 2006, 04:03 AM
|- - Holder of the Two Leashes   QUOTE (dvandorn @ Mar 25 2006, 10:03 PM) ...   Mar 26 2006, 04:25 AM
- - BruceMoomaw   The Heretic Jeffrey Bell E-mailed me on just that ...   Mar 26 2006, 04:11 AM
|- - GravityWaves   QUOTE (BruceMoomaw @ Mar 26 2006, 01:11 A...   Mar 26 2006, 11:05 AM
- - BruceMoomaw   Well, that's the problem -- the fact that they...   Mar 26 2006, 05:22 AM
- - nprev   All points well taken. What really is irksome is...   Mar 26 2006, 05:52 AM
- - edstrick   "What really is irksome is that modeling ...   Mar 26 2006, 09:34 AM
- - djellison   I look forward to Musk getting it right on the 2nd...   Mar 26 2006, 10:08 AM
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