Posted on 05/19/2012 1:43:09 AM PDT by bd476
It's also on Space X.com
T-12 minutes
Audio is weird, fading in and out.
Conference continues
Q: How many engines can fail and still achieve success.
A: Need liftoff with all 9, but can get by with only 2 engines once in flight.
Q: How many times have you aborted at this juncture?
A: Flight 1 aborted with over high pressure in engine 5 (same engine)
Q: Is this a failure - how do you react to people who call this a failure?
A: This is not a failure, we aborted with purpose, would have been failure if had proceeded to liftoff
Q: How long to switch out engines?
A: Should be one day, not an expert, but will know more later. Just wanted to give you info we have right now.
Q: Is 23rd launch time 3:21 a.m. and can you tell after launch could you continue with 7 or 8 engines?
A: 22nd 3:43 a.m. 23rd approximately 3:21 a.m. Will get that info to you later
Q: Did all 9 engines have ignition?
A: All engines had ignition then engine 5 trended high pressure
Q: Did it lift off at all?
A: No, we hold it down on purpose... we were revving the engines and decided not to fly.
Q: What sorts of things might cause this high pressure?
A: High pressure caused by high temperature caused by low fuel; have to spend time looking at data
Q: Inspection today - how complicated, is it just a visual
A: Will probably bore scope the pump...
Q: What is the similarity to first Falcon 9, do you have a feeling that it is a valve?
A: on Flight One we had a narrower abort on Flight One...
Q: Were told you would try every 3 days, why now the 23rd as well?
A: We had mentioned 23rd yesterday
Q: Can you still get back in on the 22nd
A: Should be able to, don’t have enough data.
NASA confirms time:
If Launch on 22nd 3:44 a.m. 23rd 3:22 a.m.
I’d rather watch the Saturn 5 launches on youtube(:
Heh, and with much of the optimism of the good old days.
Historical videos found on You Tube can be interesting.
You try to launch a rocket into space..
I would imagine they’ll have to replace/refurbish quite a few components utilized or exhausted because of near launch.
I'm not in the "launch a rocket into space" business.
Do they know exactly what the problem was yet?
Just received this email from SpaceX:
Update on SpaceX COTS 2 Test Launch
May 19, 2012
Today’s COTS 2 Demonstration launch was aborted half a second before liftoff when the flight computer detected slightly high pressure in the engine 5 combustion chamber. We have discovered root cause and repairs are underway.
During rigorous inspections of the engine, SpaceX engineers discovered a faulty check valve on the Merlin engine. We are now in the process of replacing the failed valve. Those repairs should be complete tonight. We will continue to review data on Sunday. If things look good, we will be ready to attempt to launch on Tuesday, May 22nd at 3:44 AM Eastern.
The next launch attempt will be webcast live at www.spacex.com.
Thanks for the update, Jack. Did you see the launch yesterday?
Yes, I did stay up to watch it!
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