SpaceX F9 - Comm Crew In Flight Abort - LC-39A

[mongo]

Yep, here's the official word:

SpaceX In-Flight Abort Test Launch Date Update – Commercial Crew Program

IFA is NET 2020/01/04. That'll probably push the crewed DM-2 out to March, too.

Why do you say March versus the February date in the tweet?

 

[FoverM]

Why do you say March versus the February date in the tweet?

Nothing specific, just a history of watching how space stuff works out.

 

[Grendal]

First post updated.

 

[ecarfan]

First post updated.

Thanks. I went back and looked at my post that started this thread and was reminded that was on March 3, 2019. Where has the time gone...

 

[Grendal]

Pushed out one week - first post updated.

 

[e-FTW]

Pushed out one week - first post updated.

Do we know what’s up? I've not been Interneting much...

 

[e-FTW]

While we wait on this one, why not give Business Insider a hand with a few appropriate headlines:

Elon Musk's rocket loses its capsule
Rocket meant for space station fails to reach space, crashes
SpaceX rocket explodes mid-flight during crucial test
SpaceX capsule dropped from rocket, ends up in ocean

BI, these are free, please take them.

 

[e-FTW]

As per @MacGreiner in the Starlink thread, the In-Flight Abort test is still on track for the 11th: SpaceX F9 - Starlink 2 - SLC-40

 

[Grendal]

Unofficial for now but very likely that the IFA will be pushed out one more week. Now NET Jan 18th.

Michael Baylor on Twitter

 

[MacGreiner]

Yeah - hearing that too. Dang. Need to reorg leave and accom.

 

[mongo]

Yeah - hearing that too. Dang. Need to reorg leave and accom.

What's your plan for viewing site?

 

[MacGreiner]

I normally head out to Jetty Park for the RTLS, but as this a little different, I might head out to the Max Brewer bridge this time.

 

[Grendal]

Photo credit: Ken Kremer
Falcon 9 in preparation for static fire for the IFA launch.

 

[e-FTW]

Photo credit: Ken Kremer
Falcon 9 in preparation for static fire for the IFA launch.

Ah yes, the soon to be 1046.3 1/2...

 

[Grendal]

First post changed to reflect the reality that the booster will definitely be lost. No grid fins and no legs confirms it.

 

[Nikxice]

• The F9 static fire at LC-39A went off without a hitch this morning, 10:10 local time. This was just posted a few minutes ago on the SpaceX Twitter account.

@SpaceX
Static fire of Falcon 9 complete – targeting January 18 for an in-flight demonstration of Crew Dragon’s launch escape system, which will verify the spacecraft’s ability to carry astronauts to safety in the unlikely event of an emergency during ascent
7:42 AM - 11 Jan 2020

Suggested change for the first post. The launch window on 1/18 opens at 8:00 EST, 13:00 UTC.

The IFA will take place at the 88 second mark. That's about a minute before the normal first stage burnout, so I'm guessing there'll be a good chance for a spectacular conflagration. Minus the missing grid fins and legs I think the only other significant difference is there's no single Merlin engine mounted in the second stage. Looks like this full-up Crew Dragon capsule is ready to pull some G's next Saturday!

 

[e-FTW]

That is going to be one early Saturday morning on the West Coast. Still worth getting up for, big time! Hope we have clear skies and a good view on camera(s).

 

[ecarfan]

That is going to be one early Saturday morning on the West Coast. Still worth getting up for, big time! Hope we have clear skies and a good view on camera(s).

I will be setting my alarm and getting up for this launch! Sure I can catch it later on the webcast, but I need to see this live.

 

[Grendal]

Confirmation from Elon that B1046 will not survive. He does mention that they tried hard to figure out a way to save the booster.
Buff Mage on Twitter

 

[Grendal]

Summary article from Space News:
SpaceX ready for Crew Dragon in-flight abort test - SpaceNews.com