SFS News: SpaceX Update December

Klaus Schmidt · Posted on: Mon Dec 10, 2007 8:13 pm

Sorry for the long delay in posting. For the last few months, optional activities such as website updates have gone on the back burner while we finished the regeneratively cooled Merlin 1C engine, got the Falcon 9 first stage integrated, proof tested and fired, signed up our first GTO (geostationary transfer orbit) customer - Avanti Communications Group, and took our COTS system past the big CDR milestone. With all that taken care of, here comes another huge update:

First Falcon 9 Stage Hold Down Firing!

A few weeks ago, we fired an integrated Falcon 9 first stage for first time. This was one of the most difficult steps in the whole F9 development program, as it required that the first stage, test stand, ground support equipment and a Merlin engine all work together as an integrated system.

Falcon 9 first stage single engine firing at dusk on the big stand (click picture to play video in Windows Media Player)

Over the next three to four months, we will gradually add more engines until reaching the full complement of nine. Once we have all nine engines and the stage working well as a system, we will extensively test the â€œengine outâ€

Author	Message
Klaus Schmidt Space Station Commander Joined: Wed Dec 08, 2004 12:55 pm Posts: 506 Location: Germany	SFS News: SpaceX Update December Posted on: Mon Dec 10, 2007 8:13 pm Sorry for the long delay in posting. For the last few months, optional activities such as website updates have gone on the back burner while we finished the regeneratively cooled Merlin 1C engine, got the Falcon 9 first stage integrated, proof tested and fired, signed up our first GTO (geostationary transfer orbit) customer - Avanti Communications Group, and took our COTS system past the big CDR milestone. With all that taken care of, here comes another huge update: First Falcon 9 Stage Hold Down Firing! A few weeks ago, we fired an integrated Falcon 9 first stage for first time. This was one of the most difficult steps in the whole F9 development program, as it required that the first stage, test stand, ground support equipment and a Merlin engine all work together as an integrated system. Falcon 9 first stage single engine firing at dusk on the big stand (click picture to play video in Windows Media Player) Over the next three to four months, we will gradually add more engines until reaching the full complement of nine. Once we have all nine engines and the stage working well as a system, we will extensively test the â€œengine outâ€ Last edited by Klaus Schmidt on Thu Mar 13, 2008 10:24 am, edited 2 times in total.
Back to top

koxinga Space Walker Joined: Sat Jun 26, 2004 2:00 pm Posts: 212	Posted on: Tue Dec 11, 2007 1:56 pm Now this is what I call 'demonstrable progress', as opposed to the other, former COTS winner.
Back to top

Rob Goldsmith Moon Mission Member Joined: Fri Jan 09, 2004 11:52 am Posts: 1276 Location: Exeter, Devon, England	Posted on: Tue Dec 11, 2007 5:27 pm Just about the most exciting release ive seen this year! nice to see their progress being shared! phwooar _________________ > http://www.fullmoonclothing.com > http://www.facebook.com/robsastrophotography > robgoldsmith@hotmail.co.uk
Back to top

coal_burner Launch Director Joined: Mon Jun 12, 2006 2:15 pm Posts: 16 Location: detroit,mi	question Posted on: Wed Dec 12, 2007 12:05 pm Are those windows I see built into the falcon 9 payload fairing?
Back to top

Klaus Schmidt Space Station Commander Joined: Wed Dec 08, 2004 12:55 pm Posts: 506 Location: Germany	Posted on: Wed Dec 12, 2007 3:13 pm In case these are windows and not access holes that got sealed before launch, yes. _________________ "The hardest hurdle to space isn't the technicalities and money. But rather, the courage and the will to do it." - Burt Rutan.
Back to top

Stefan Sigwarth Space Station Member Joined: Mon Aug 16, 2004 7:09 pm Posts: 485 Location: Maastricht, The Netherlands	Posted on: Mon Feb 04, 2008 6:50 pm They have a third Falcon-1 launch slated for Q1 this year, but is there any news of that?
Back to top

Klaus Schmidt Space Station Commander Joined: Wed Dec 08, 2004 12:55 pm Posts: 506 Location: Germany	Posted on: Thu Feb 14, 2008 6:14 pm SpaceX updated the two Falcon 1 launches scheduled this year: Flight 3 Q2 2008 Falcon 1 Malaysia: Razaksat Q3 2008 Falcon 1 _________________ "The hardest hurdle to space isn't the technicalities and money. But rather, the courage and the will to do it." - Burt Rutan.
Back to top

Stefan Sigwarth Space Station Member Joined: Mon Aug 16, 2004 7:09 pm Posts: 485 Location: Maastricht, The Netherlands	Posted on: Thu Feb 14, 2008 7:57 pm ah crap, i hate delays.
Back to top
Display posts from previous: Sort by