Falcon Heavy - 7&8 Reuse - Elon's Roadster Demo - LC-39A

[MacGreiner]

This is going to be a logistical nightmare for those of us planning on traveling to watch - leave, accommodation, etc. I'm treating it like a family birth. Pre packed and ready to move like a ninja and possibly hang around should it be a Braxton Hicks episode.

 

[ccutrer]

This is going to be a logistical nightmare for those of us planning on traveling to watch - leave, accommodation, etc. I'm treating it like a family birth. Pre packed and ready to move like a ninja and possibly hang around should it be a Braxton Hicks episode.

Not that that’s much different than any particular rocket launch. There are just a few more factors due to equipment issues that might cause a delay.

You really want to be on your toes? Try a wife that routinely gets pre-eclampsia. My parents never learned to black out vacations at least a month in advance of the due date. They had to fly home early from a vacation for one child, and missed the birth, but were there the next morning. The next child they also missed, but were out of the country and couldn’t adjust their travel plans.

 

[Pricee2]

Per Space Flight Now static fire has been pushed out to Thursday.

 

[Nikxice]

A one day delay might not prove to be significant. Spaceflight.com stated yesterday that SpaceX viewed the test as a Wet Dress Rehearsal/Static Fire. They mentioned that SpaceX engineers might wish to review data to confirm everything is ready for engine ignition. Wonder if fueling had already begun and then they made the decision to move to Thursday?

 

[Grendal]

A number of reporters are saying that there will be a 12 second static fire happening tomorrow. And supposedly today they will do a full wet rehearsal to include everything except for a static fire.

 

[ecarfan]

So... they are doing the static fire with the payload up top? I understand the value of it is not at issue here (still, a Roadster! The cool ones! ;-) but I'd assume they want to test all processes just like a real launch.

It does appear that the static fire will be with payload.

My guess is the FH will stay on the pad from now until launch (keep the RUD jokes to yourself .

 

[ecarfan]

A number of reporters are saying that there will be a 12 second static fire happening tomorrow

im not a rocket scientist, but that sounds like a long duration for the first static fire ever of an FH on the pad. I was expecting just a second or two for the first time.

 

[Grendal]

im not a rocket scientist, but that sounds like a long duration for the first static fire ever of an FH on the pad. I was expecting just a second or two for the first time.

They're probably scheduling a full 12 second duration static fire to fully test the system. If something trips a warning sign then the burn will be less than 12 seconds. Looking at it that way then going for the longer test makes sense. SpaceX is a company that faces a problem full on. If it goes well then SpaceX should be pretty confident the initial launch will have no issues. After that? Lots more stress and nail biting.

 

[Mike1080i]

Logistical question for our travel: isn't the 15th the original window start from late November before the static fire / Zuma timing slip? KSC is reporting NET Jan 25.

NET 1/25 is what I'm reading as well. I kind of hope it slips to 1/27 or later since I'll be at the Cape for other reasons and wouldn't mind seeing FH launch while I'm down there.

 

[ecarfan]

SpaceX is a company that faces a problem full on. If it goes well then SpaceX should be pretty confident the initial launch will have no issues.

Good point.

“Test as you fly, fly as you test”.

 

[HankLloydRight]

I wonder how many times they've test launched FH in Kerbals?

 

[Pricee2]

Does anyone have a link to a live feed for the static fire? Apparently if you are a member of spaceflightnow.com they have a camera watching the launch site now.

 

[wart]

Does anyone have a link to a live feed for the static fire? Apparently if you are a member of spaceflightnow.com they have a camera watching the launch site now.

Spaceflightnow live blog is here. I don't think it's going to be live video, but it's something.

As of this writing, (12:54 PM EST) it looks like they've stopped fueling, because the vapor has stopped. I think normally we'd expect to continue seeing vapor boiling off right up until ignition.

 

[Nikxice]

The FH static test fire was just scrubbed for today after propellant fueling. As of yet no explanation why.

 

[hockeythug]

The FH static test fire was just scrubbed for today after propellant fueling. As of yet no explanation why.

Back at it again tomorrow 10am-4pm(est).

 

[Nikxice]

This morning Bill Harwood from CBS news reports that the FH is back to a horizontal position. Now shooting for a Saturday evening lightup between 1700 and 2200 EST, although this could change again.

 

[Xenius]

Yup, for you twitter users, I'd recommend following Chris G - NSF (@ChrisG_NSF) | Twitter. He'll keep us all up to date.

 

[Grendal]

Apparently there is an issue with the hold down clamps causing the delays. Tomorrow night because the Dragon unberths from the ISS earlier tomorrow.

 

[Nikxice]

The static test fire has been moved again. Now targeting NET Monday 1600 EST. The decision to delay may have come after the FH went vertical again late Friday morning.

 

[Grendal]

Another 24 hour slip. Tuesday.