SpaceX Newsletter

RGClark said:
RGClark said:
Machdiamond said:
I don't know about you guys, but SpaceX achievement is a very significant event.
Our industry (aero and space) has many lessons to learn from it. Things like setting ambitious targets and getting there by focusing at doing the right thing, an alien concept to many.
And, quite honestly from someone who does not live there, the United States should be very proud to be the only place where an entrepreneur can achieve anything like this.
--Luc
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Actually the importance of what they accomplished is that other countries can do it and at similar costs. There was nothing particularly innovative about their engines or of their structures. All that would be required is to use normal good business practice in privately developing the launchers and the spacecraft.
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I discuss this here:

On the lasting importance of the SpaceX accomplishment.
http://exoscientist.blogspot.com/2012/06/on-lasting-importance-of-spacex.html

SpaceX is due congratulations because of their successful launch of the Dragon, their docking it to the ISS, and their successfully recovering it after reentry. However, their most important accomplishment might be they showed how spaceflight can become routine.


Bob Clark
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Proposes the orbital DC-Y as a private, commercial passenger launcher at a few hundred million development cost:

On the lasting importance of the SpaceX accomplishment, Page 2.
http://exoscientist.blogspot.com/2012/06/on-lasting-importance-of-spacex_15.html


Bob Clark
 
A new one
SpaceX’s Merlin 1D Engine Achieves Full Mission Duration Firing
Hawthorne, CA – Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) announces that its Merlin 1D engine has achieved a full mission duration firing and multiple restarts at target thrust and specific impulse (Isp).
The engine firing was for 185 seconds with 147,000 pounds of thrust, the full duration and power required for a Falcon 9 rocket launch. The tests took place at SpaceX's rocket development facility in McGregor, Texas.
"This is another important milestone in our efforts to push the boundaries of space technology,” said SpaceX CEO and Chief Designer Elon Musk. “With the Merlin 1D powering the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets, SpaceX will be capable of carrying a full range of payloads to orbit.”
Watch the Merlin 1D full duration firing video here: http://youtu.be/976LHTpnZkY
The Merlin 1D builds on the proven technology of the Merlin engines used on the first three flights of Falcon 9, including the recent historic mission to the International Space Station.
With nine Merlins on the first stage, the Falcon 9 rocket will produce nearly 1.5 million pounds of thrust in a vacuum. An enhanced design makes the Merlin 1D the most efficient booster engine ever built, with a vacuum thrust-to-weight ratio exceeding 150, while still maintaining the structural and thermal safety margins needed to carry astronauts.
Additionally, as SpaceX continues to fulfill an extensive manifest of launches, the new engine is designed for improved manufacturability by using higher efficiency processes, increased robotic construction and reduced parts count.
The Merlin 1D engines will first see flight on Falcon 9 Flight 6, expected to launch in 2013.
 

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New one
NASA SELECTS SPACEX TO RETURN AMERICANS TO SPACE


Hawthorne, CA – Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) today won a $440 million contract with NASA to develop the successor to the Space Shuttle and transport American astronauts into space.
"This is a decisive milestone in human spaceflight and sets an exciting course for the next phase of American space exploration," said SpaceX CEO and Chief Designer Elon Musk. "SpaceX, along with our partners at NASA, will continue to push the boundaries of space technology to develop the safest, most advanced crew vehicle ever flown."
SpaceX expects to undertake its first manned flight by 2015 – a timetable that capitalizes on the proven success of the company's Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft combination. While Dragon is initially being used to transport cargo to the International Space Station, both Dragon and Falcon 9 were designed from the beginning to carry crew.
Under the Commercial Crew Integrated Capability (CCiCap) initiative's base period, SpaceX will make the final modifications necessary to prepare Dragon to safely transport astronauts into space. These include:
  • Seats for seven astronauts.
  • The most technically advanced launch escape system ever developed, with powered abort possibilities from launch pad to orbit. SpaceX will demonstrate that Dragon will be able to escape a launch-pad emergency by firing integrated SuperDraco engines to carry the spacecraft safely to the ocean. SpaceX will also conduct an in-flight abort test that allows Dragon to escape at the moment of maximum aerodynamic drag, again by firing the SuperDraco thrusters to carry the spacecraft a safe distance from the rocket.
  • A breakthrough propulsive landing system for gentle ground touchdowns on legs.
  • Refinements and rigorous testing of essential aspects of Dragon's design, including life-support systems and an advanced cockpit design complete with modern human interfaces.
SpaceX will perform stringent safety and mission-assurance analyses to demonstrate that all these systems meet NASA requirements.
With a minimal number of stage separations, all-liquid rocket engines that can be throttled and turned off in an emergency, engine-out capability during ascent, and powered abort capability all the way to orbit, the Falcon 9-Dragon combination will be the safest spacecraft
ever developed.
 
new one.
oday, August 31, SpaceX completed a successful wet dress rehearsal, a launch readiness test which simulates the actual countdown of the Falcon 9 rocket, in preparation for its first official cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station. Tomorrow, Falcon 9 will roll back to its hangar at Cape Canaveral for further launch preparations.
[/size]SpaceX plans to launch this mission in early October.[/size]
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[font=]OCTOBER 7 ANNOUNCED AS TARGET[font=] LAUN[/font][font=]CH DATE FOR SPACE STATION MISSION[/font]
NASA and SpaceX have announced October 7, 2012 as the target launch date for SpaceX’s first resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The launch of the Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft is scheduled for 8:34 p.m. EDT from Cape Canaveral, Florida. October 8 is the backup date.
The launch represents the first of 12 SpaceX flights to the ISS under NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract, and follows a successful demonstration mission in May when SpaceX became the first private company ever to attach to the ISS and return safely to Earth.
The SpaceX CRS-1 mission also represents restoration of American capability to deliver and return cargo to the ISS—a feat not achievable since the retirement of the space shuttle. SpaceX is also contracted to develop Dragon to send crew to the space station. SpaceX’s first manned flight is expected to take place in 2015.
On this mission, Dragon will be filled with supplies, which include materials to support 166 experiments in plant cell biology, human biotechnology, and materials technology. One experiment will examine the effects of microgravity on the opportunistic yeast Candida albicans, which is present on all humans. Another will evaluate how microgravity affects the growth of cell walls in a plant called Arabidopsis.
Expedition 33 Commander Sunita Williams of NASA and Aki Hoshide of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency will use a robotic arm to grapple Dragon following its rendezvous with the station, expected on October 10. They will attach Dragon to the Earth-facing port of the station’s Harmony module for a few weeks while crew members unload cargo and load experiment samples for return to Earth.
Dragon is scheduled to return in late October for a parachute-assisted splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of southern California. Dragon will fly back carrying scientific materials and space station hardware.
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Grasshopper Takes its First Hop 1 recipients CC: recipientsYou More BCC: recipientsYou Hide Details FROM: TO: Message flagged Monday, September 24, 2012 6:43:55 PM

[font=]GRASSHOPPER TAKES ITS FIRST HOP
On Friday, September 21, SpaceX’s Grasshopper vertical takeoff and landing test vehicle (VTVL) took its first test flight hop from the company’s rocket testing facility in McGregor, Texas.
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Click the image above to watch video of Grasshopper's first test flight hop.​

The short hop of approximately 6 feet is the first major milestone for Grasshopper, and a critical step toward a reusable first stage for SpaceX’s proven Falcon 9 rocket. As seen in the video, Grasshopper consists of a Falcon 9 first stage, a Merlin-1D engine, four steel landing legs, and a steel support structure.
SpaceX is working to develop vehicles that are fully and rapidly reusable, a key element to radically reducing cost and increasing the efficiency of spaceflight.
Testing of Grasshopper continues, with the next big milestone – a hover at roughly 100 feet -- expected in the next several months.

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[font=]SPACEX LAUNCHES FIRST OFFICIAL CARGO RESUPPLY MISSION TO SPACE STATION[/font]
Cape Canaveral, FL — Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) today successfully launched its Dragon spacecraft aboard a Falcon 9 rocket on the first official cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station. The launch went off on schedule at 8:35 p.m. ET from Launch Complex 40 in Cape Canaveral, Florida.
The SpaceX CRS-1 mission marks the first of at least 12 SpaceX missions to the space station under the company’s cargo resupply contract with NASA. On board the Dragon spacecraft are materials to support investigations planned for the station’s Expedition 33 crew, as well as crew supplies and space station hardware.
Dragon – the only space station cargo craft capable of returning a significant amount of supplies back to Earth -- will return with scientific materials and space station hardware.
The Falcon 9 rocket, powered by nine Merlin engines, performed nominally today during every phase of its approach to orbit, including two stage separations, solar array deployment, and the final push of Dragon into its intended orbit. Dragon will now chase the space station before beginning a series of burns that will bring it into close proximity to the station. If all goes well, Dragon will attach to the complex on October 10 and spend over two weeks there before an expected return to Earth on October 28.
“We are right where we need to be at this stage in the mission,” said Elon Musk, CEO and Chief Technical Officer, SpaceX. “We still have a lot of work to do, of course, as we guide Dragon’s approach to the space station. But the launch was an unqualified success.”
The CRS-1 mission follows a historic demonstration flight last May when SpaceX’s Dragon became the first commercial spacecraft to attach to the space station, exchange cargo, and return safely to Earth. The flight signaled restoration of American capability to resupply the space station, not possible since the retirement of the space shuttle in 2011.
 
Johnbr said:
[font=]SPACEX LAUNCHES FIRST OFFICIAL CARGO RESUPPLY MISSION TO SPACE STATION[/font]
The Falcon 9 rocket, powered by nine Merlin engines, performed nominally today during every phase of its approach to orbit
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No it didn't. They lost an engine. And if you look at :30 in this video, you see that they nearly lost the rocket:

http://youtu.be/y6zsZiVa998
 
They had an engine failure that was contained as designed. So far, we don't have enough data to say how close they came to losing the rocket.
 
Hobbes said:
They had an engine failure that was contained as designed. So far, we don't have enough data to say how close they came to losing the rocket.
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Point taken. But debris flying off the back of a rocket is not a "nominal" performance. And the fact that something went wrong but the rocket did not blow up is not an example of goodness.
 
SpaceX statement on the engine failure:

Approximately one minute and 19 seconds into last night’s launch, the Falcon 9 rocket detected an anomaly on one first stage engine. Initial data suggests that one of the rocket’s nine Merlin engines, Engine 1, lost pressure suddenly and an engine shutdown command was issued immediately. We know the engine did not explode, because we continued to receive data from it. Our review indicates that the fairing that protects the engine from aerodynamic loads ruptured due to the engine pressure release, and that none of Falcon 9’s other eight engines were impacted by this event.

As designed, the flight computer then recomputed a new ascent profile in real time to ensure Dragon’s entry into orbit for subsequent rendezvous and berthing with the ISS. This was achieved, and there was no effect on Dragon or the cargo resupply mission.

Falcon 9 did exactly what it was designed to do. Like the Saturn V, which experienced engine loss on two flights, Falcon 9 is designed to handle an engine out situation and still complete its mission.
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I was initially somewhat disturbed by their public statement as posted above. However, I found out that it included the text that I've bolded below. Glad to see that in there.

"The Dragon spacecraft is on its way to the International Space Station this morning and is performing nominally following the launch of the SpaceX CRS-1 official cargo resupply mission from Cape Canaveral, Florida at 8:35PM ET Sunday, October 7, 2012. Approximately one minute and 19 seconds into last night’s launch, the Falcon 9 rocket detected an anomaly on one first stage engine. Initial data suggests that one of the rocket’s nine Merlin engines, Engine 1, lost pressure suddenly and an engine shutdown command was issued. We know the engine did not explode, because we continued to receive data from it. Panels designed to relieve pressure within the engine bay were ejected to protect the stage and other engines. Our review of flight data indicates that neither the rocket stage nor any of the other eight engines were negatively affected by this event.
As designed, the flight computer then recomputed a new ascent profile in real time to ensure Dragon’s entry into orbit for subsequent rendezvous and berthing with the ISS. This was achieved, and there was no effect on Dragon or the cargo resupply mission.
Falcon 9 did exactly what it was designed to do. Like the Saturn V (which experienced engine loss on two flights) and modern airliners, Falcon 9 is designed to handle an engine out situation and still complete its mission. No other rocket currently flying has this ability.
It is worth noting that Falcon 9 shuts down two of its engines to limit acceleration to 5 g's even on a fully nominal flight. The rocket could therefore have lost another engine and still completed its mission.
We will continue to review all flight data in order to understand the cause of the anomaly, and will devote the resources necessary to identify the problem and apply those lessons to future flights. We will provide additional information as it becomes available.
Dragon is expected to begin its approach to the station on October 10, where it will be grappled and berthed by Akihiko Hoshide of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and Expedition 33 Commander Sunita Williams of NASA. Over the following weeks, the crew will unload Dragon’s payload and reload it with cargo to be returned to Earth. Splashdown is targeted for October 28."


I was concerned that their statement was too much "Not a big deal, other rockets have had this problem too" and not enough "We will fix this."
 
according German blogers and Space fans
has SpaceX pullt there original launch Video out the internet, and replace it by new shorter version with no "Anomaly"
also is runs a editing war at Wikipedia German and English
in Articles comment about "Anomaly" or "Explosion" are deleted or explain as only a minor problem.


that with "video replace" dint work so well for Space X, once in Youtube, for ever in the Internet.


so what to hell happened ?
SpaceX explain as "Anomaly" look most suspect as a engine explosion.
that happen as two engine shut down, I guess one of the trubopump run dry and accelerated it spin until it smashed.


According NORAD reach 6 objects orbit with flight 2012-054A-F http://www.celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/tle-new.txt


Also has Orbcomm Inc. declare that there Satellite OG2 stranded in 200 km orbit, because Falcon 9 second stage not restarted, after Dragon separated.
http://www.spaceflightnow.com/falcon9/004/121008orbcomm/
http://cosmiclog.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/10/08/14297705-spacex-launch-problems-revealed-dragons-ok-but-satellite-goes-awry?lite

edit:
official statement Orbcomm Inc.
http://www.orbcomm.com/Collateral/Documents/English-US/ORBCOMM%20Launches%20Prototype%20OG2%20Satellite%20FINAL.pdf
 
Incorrect, the original video is still up:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRTYh71D9P0

SpaceX also released a slow-motion video showing the explosion (if that's what it was) in more detail.

worth repeating:
We know the engine did not explode, because we continued to receive data from it.
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So no runaway turbopump.

The objects tracked by NORAD are very unlikely to be debris. When the anomaly occurred, the rocket was way below orbital velocity, so the debris either landed back on Earth or got vaporized in the rocket exhaust.

The Orbcomm satellite got stranded because (due to the anomaly) the second stage was out of position, in a location where NASA would not allow a restart of the second stage engine.
 
A privately built robotic space capsule arrived at the International Space Station early Wednesday (Oct. 10) to make the first-ever commercial cargo delivery to the orbiting lab under a billion-dollar deal with NASA.The unmanned Dragon spacecraft was captured by station astronauts using a robotic arm after an apparently flawless approach by the cargo-laden space capsule, which was built by the private spaceflight company SpaceX. It is the first of 12 resupply flights SpaceX will fly for NASA under a $1.6 billion deal.
"Looks like we've tamed the Dragon," station commander Sunita Williams said as the spacecraft was captured by a robotic arm. "We're happy she's onboard with us. Thanks to everyone at SpaceX and NASA for bringing her to us … and the ice cream."
The astronauts' chocolate-vanilla swirl ice cream, a rare treat for the space station crew, was a last-minute item packed along with the nearly 1,000 pounds (453 kilograms) of supplies riding up to the orbiting lab on the Dragon capsule. [Photos: SpaceX's Dragon Arrives at Space Station]
The SpaceX spacecraft was captured at about 6:56 a.m. EDT (1122 GMT) by Japanese astronaut Akihiko Hoshide as the space station soared 250 miles (402 kilometers) above the Pacific Ocean, just west of Baja California. The capsule will be attached to an open docking port on the station in the next few hours.
SpaceX launched the Dragon spacecraft into orbit on Sunday (Oct. 7) atop a Falcon 9 rocket (also built by the company) from a pad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. It is expected to spend at least three weeks linked to the space station and be filled with nearly 2,000 pounds (907 kilograms) of experiment results and station gear for the return trip to Earth.
SpaceX officials watched over the Dragon capsule's arrival from the company's mission control center in Hawthorne, while NASA monitored the orbital rendezvous from its station Mission Control at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. The spacecraft is expected to splashdown in the Pacific Ocean near Southern California on Oct. 28.
The station crew said Dragon was a welcome sight as it approached their orbital home.
"It's nice to see Dragon flying over the U.S.," Williams said during the space rendezvous.
With NASA's space shuttle fleet retired, the space agency is relying on private spacecraft to ferry supplies and astronaut crews to and from the International Space Station. SpaceX's Dragon is the first American spacecraft to launch to the space station since NASA's final shuttle mission in July 2011.
Wednesday's Dragon arrival followed on the success of a May test flight to the station by SpaceXto prove that its privately built space capsules could rendezvous with the orbiting lab and return home safely.
The Hawthorne, Calif.-based SpaceX is one of two companies with a NASA contract for unmanned cargo delivery missions. The other company, Orbital Sciences Corp., of Virginia, has a $1.9 billion contract for eight resupply missions using its new Antares rocket and Cygnus spacecraft. Orbital's first rocket test flight is expected later this year.
SpaceX is also developing a manned version of its Dragon spacecraft. The company is one of four spaceflight firms pursuing private space taxis to serve NASA's need to fly astronauts to and from the International Space Station.
 
[font=]SPACEX DRAGON SUCCESSFULLY ATTACHES TO SPACE STATION[/font]October 10, 2012

Hawthorne, CA -- For the second time this year, a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft is at the International Space Station. Expedition 33 crew members Akihiko Hoshide and Sunita Williams today grappled Dragon and attached it to the station, completing a critical stage of the SpaceX CRS-1 cargo resupply mission.
Hoshide used the station’s robotic arm to capture Dragon and guide it to the station’s Harmony module, and then Expedition 33 Commander Williams installed Dragon to Harmony’s common berthing mechanism, enabling it to be bolted in place for an expected 18-day stay at the station.
Upon capture, Expedition 33 Commander Sunita Williams of NASA remarked, “Looks like we’ve tamed the Dragon.”
Grappling was complete at 6:56AM ET, and at 9:03AM ET Dragon was attached to the space station.
“This is a big moment in the course of this mission and for commercial spaceflight,” said SpaceX CEO and Chief Technical Officer Elon Musk. “We are pleased that Dragon is now ready to deliver its cargo to the International Space Station.”
Next, the station crew will pressurize the vestibule between the station and Dragon and open the hatch that leads to the forward bulkhead of the spacecraft. The crew will then begin unloading Dragon’s cargo, which includes crew supplies, vehicle hardware, experiments, and an ultra-cold freezer for storing scientific samples.
The mission, designated SpaceX CRS-1, is the first of at least 12 that SpaceX will perform under NASA’s $1.6 billion Commercial Resupply Services contract. Only SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft is capable of both carrying significant amounts of cargo to the station and returning cargo to Earth.
Dragon is expected to be released from the space station on October 28 with return cargo that will include used station hardware and more than a ton of scientific samples. Splashdown and recovery in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of southern California will follow the same day.
20121010-dragon-berthed.jpg
 
blackstar said:
Johnbr said:
[font=]SPACEX LAUNCHES FIRST OFFICIAL CARGO RESUPPLY MISSION TO SPACE STATION[/font]
The Falcon 9 rocket, powered by nine Merlin engines, performed nominally today during every phase of its approach to orbit
Click to expand...

No it didn't. They lost an engine. And if you look at :30 in this video, you see that they nearly lost the rocket:

http://youtu.be/y6zsZiVa998
Click to expand...

Thanks for that. I discuss a suggestion to upgrade the Merlin to another thrust level to reduce the number of engines on the Falcon 9 here:

Re: On the lasting importance of the SpaceX accomplishment.
http://exoscientist.blogspot.com/2012/10/re-on-lasting-importance-of-spacex.html


Bob Clark
 
October 26, 2012SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft is expected to complete the CRS-1 cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station on Sunday, October 28.
In California, SpaceX crew have already headed to the Pacific Ocean splashdown zone to await Dragon’s arrival, while at the station, Expedition 33 crew members are readying Dragon’s return cargo, including biological samples that have been stored in the station’s freezers since the retirement of the space shuttle.
The crew’s first task on Sunday will be to close Dragon’s hatch and depressurize the vestibule between Dragon and the station so that the spacecraft can be released. The spacecraft will then be detached from the space station and eased out to release position by way of the station’s robotic arm.
When the station astronauts are ready, SpaceX gives a go, NASA gives a go, and the crew releases Dragon, expected to take place at approximately 6:25 a.m. PT Sunday.
Dragon then begins a series of thruster firings to carry it away from the space station, closes its GNC door, and begins its deorbit burn. Ready to reenter the atmosphere, Dragon jettisons its trunk and solar arrays, positions itself so that its PICA-X heat shield faces the Earth, and proceeds into the Earth’s atmosphere.
When Dragon reaches 13,700 meters (45,000 feet) above sea level, it will deploy two drogue parachutes to slow its descent. At 3,000 meters (10,000 feet), it will deploy its three main parachutes and drift slowly toward the splashdown site. Splashdown is expected to take place at approximately 12:20 p.m. PT.
After Dragon is secured, the SpaceX team will then place the vehicle on the deck of a 100-foot boat for the journey back to shore. Early-arrival cargo will be delivered to NASA within 48 hours of splashdown. Dragon will then travel from Southern California to SpaceX’s facility in McGregor, Texas, where the remaining cargo will be unloaded, processed, and delivered to NASA.
For real-time updates throughout Dragon’s reentry and splashdown, follow @SpaceX on Twitter and visit www.spacex.com/webcast.
 
[font=]DRAGON SPACECRAFT RETURNS TO EARTH IN FIRST OFFICIAL CARGO RESUPPLY MISSION TO SPACE STATION[/font]Hawthorne, CA — Today at 12:22 p.m. PT, SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft returned to Earth from the International Space Station, safely splashing down approximately 250 miles off the coast of southern California.
“This historic mission signifies the restoration of America’s ability to deliver and return critical space station cargo,” said SpaceX CEO and Chief Technical Officer Elon Musk. “The reliability of SpaceX’s technology and the strength of our partnership with NASA provide a strong foundation for future missions and achievements to come.”
Dragon departed the station early this morning with 1,673 pounds of return cargo including hardware, supplies, and a GLACIER freezer packed with scientific samples. Dragon is the only craft capable of returning a significant amount of supplies to Earth, and this mission marks the first time since the space shuttle that NASA has been able to return research samples for analysis.
The SpaceX recovery team is now transporting Dragon by boat to a port near Los Angeles, where early cargo will be delivered to NASA. Dragon then will be transported to SpaceX’s facility in McGregor, Texas for processing. There, the remaining cargo will be delivered to NASA.
The mission, called CRS-1, began October 7, when the Falcon 9 rocket launched Dragon from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. SpaceX and NASA are currently investigating an anomaly that occurred with one of Falcon 9’s first-stage engines during the launch. Analysis to date supports initial findings: the engine experienced a rapid loss of pressure and Falcon 9’s flight computer immediately commanded shutdown, as it is designed to do in such cases. The team will continue to meticulously analyze all data in an effort to determine root cause and will apply those findings to future flights.
This mission is the first of at least 12 to the International Space Station that SpaceX will fly under NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract.
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[font=segoe ui, helvetica, arial, sans-serif]SPACEX TESTS GRASSHOPPER ROCKET IN TWO-STORY HOP[/font]
On November 1, 2012, SpaceX’s Grasshopper – a 10-story vertical takeoff and landing (VTVL) vehicle -- lifted nearly two stories in an 8-second duration test hop. The rocket rose 17.7 feet (5.4 meters), hovered, and touched back down safely on the pad at SpaceX’s rocket development facility in McGregor, Texas.
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The Grasshopper program is a critical step toward achieving SpaceX’s goal of developing fully and rapidly reusable rockets. With Grasshopper, SpaceX engineers are testing the technology that would allow a launched rocket to land intact, rather than burning up upon reentry to Earth’s atmosphere.
20121112-grasshopper.jpg

Photo: SpaceX
Grasshopper consists of a Falcon 9 rocket first stage, Merlin 1D engine, four steel landing legs with hydraulic dampers, and a steel support structure. For a sense of its scale, note the blue pick-up truck to the left of Grasshopper in the photo above.

 
Musk in interview at BBC


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-20389148
 
Dragon Seats and CBS 60 Minutes 1 recipients CC: recipientsYou More BCC: recipientsYou Hide Details FROM:
  • SpaceX Message flagged Saturday, March 17, 2012 8:04:28 AM
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    Enter the Dragon, Please Take Your SeatsSpaceX Completes Important Commercial Crew Milestone
    SpaceX continues to prepare for our upcoming test flight in which we will attempt to send the Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station. At the same time we continue making rapid progress in our efforts to prepare the Dragon spacecraft to carry astronauts.
    You may have read our update on the initial tests of the SuperDraco engines that will power the launch escape system. Recently, SpaceX completed another important milestone – the first NASA Crew Trial, one of two crew tests as part of SpaceX’s work to build a prototype Dragon crew cabin.For this milestone SpaceX demonstrated that our new crew cabin design will work well for astronauts in both nominal and off-nominal scenarios. It also provided our engineers with the opportunity to gain valuable feedback from both NASA astronauts and industry experts.
20120316-dragonrider.jpg

SpaceX and NASA conducted a daylong review of the Dragon crew vehicle layout using the Dragon engineering model equipped
with seats and representations of crew systems. Photo: SpaceX​
The engineering prototype includes seven seats as well as representations of crew accommodations such as lighting, environmental control and life support systems, displays, cargo racks, and other interior systems. During the daylong test, SpaceX and NASA evaluators including four NASA astronauts, participated in human factors assessments which covered entering and exiting Dragon under both normal and contingency cases, as well as reach and visibility evaluations.
20120316-dragonrider2.jpg

Test crew included (from top left): NASA Crew Survival Engineering Team Lead Dustin Gohmert, NASA Astronaut Tony Antonelli, NASA Astronaut Lee Archambault, SpaceX Mission Operations Engineer Laura Crabtree, SpaceX Thermal Engineer Brenda Hernandez, NASA Astronaut Rex Walheim, and NASA Astronaut Tim Kopra. Photo: Roger Gilbertson / SpaceX​
The seven seats mount to strong, lightweight supporting structures attached to the pressure vessel walls. Each seat can hold an adult up to 6 feet 5 inches tall, 250 lbs, and has a liner that is custom-fit for the crewmember.
20120316-dragonrider3.jpg

With all seven crewmembers in their seats, Dragon has sufficient interior space for three additional people to stand and assist
the crew with their launch preparations.​
20120316-wmr.jpg

NASA Astronaut Rex Walheim, SpaceX CEO and Chief Designer Elon Musk and SpaceX Commercial Crew Development Manager
and former NASA Astronaut Garrett Reisman standing inside the Dragon spacecraft during testing activities.​
In fact, Dragon has so much interior volume, that we could place an entire three-person Russian Soyuz capsule descent module inside Dragon’s pressure vessel.SpaceX Featured on 60 MinutesThis Sunday, March 18th, SpaceX will be featured on CBS' 60 Minutes television program. Click here to preview the final piece and in the US, check your local listings for air times.
Stay tuned for more updates as we work towards making Dragon the most advanced spacecraft ever flown.



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[font=segoe ui, helvetica, arial, sans-serif]SPACEX AWARDED TWO EELV-CLASS MISSIONS FROM THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
(Hawthorne, CA) -- The United States Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center has awarded SpaceX two Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV)-class missions: DSCOVR (Deep Space Climate Observatory) and STP-2 (Space Test Program 2). To be launched on SpaceX’s Falcon launch vehicles in 2014 and 2015 respectively, the awards mark the first EELV-class missions awarded to the company to date.
“SpaceX deeply appreciates and is honored by the vote of confidence shown by the Air Force in our Falcon launch vehicles,” said Elon Musk, CEO and chief designer, SpaceX. “We look forward to providing high reliability access to space with lift capability to orbit that is substantially greater than any other launch vehicle in the world.”
The DSCOVR mission will be launched aboard a Falcon 9 and is currently slated for late 2014, while STP-2 will be launched aboard the Falcon Heavy and is targeted for mid-2015. Both are expected to launch from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.
Both missions fall under Orbital/Suborbital Program-3 (OSP-3), an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the US Air Force Rocket Systems Launch Program. OSP-3 represents the first Air Force contract designed to provide new entrants to the EELV program an opportunity to demonstrate their vehicle capabilities.
The two missions will support the EELV certification process for both the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy. Falcon Heavy, the most powerful rocket in the world, is expected to take its first flight in the second half of 2013. Building on reliable flight proven architecture, the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launch vehicles are designed for exceptional reliability, meeting the stringent U.S. Air Force requirements for the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program.[/font]
 

SPACEX'S GRASSHOPPER TAKES GIANT LEAP TOWARDS REUSABILITY WITH 12-STORY FLIGHT
SpaceX’s Grasshopper took a 12-story leap towards full and rapid rocket reusability in a test flight conducted December 17, 2012 at SpaceX’s rocket development facility in McGregor, Texas.
Grasshopper, SpaceX’s vertical takeoff and landing vehicle (VTVL), rose 131 feet (40 meters), hovered and landed safely on the pad using closed loop thrust vector and throttle control. The total test duration was 29 seconds.


Grasshopper stands 10 stories tall and consists of a Falcon 9 rocket first stage, Merlin 1D engine, four steel landing legs with hydraulic dampers, and a steel support structure.
The 12-story flight marks a significant increase over the height and length of hover of Grasshopper’s previous test flights, which took place earlier this fall. In September, Grasshopper flew to 1.8 meters (6 feet), and in November, it flew to 5.4 meters (17.7 feet/2 stories) including a brief hover.
Testing of Grasshopper will continue with successively more sophisticated flights expected over the next several months.
###​
 
SPACEX ACHIEVES FIFTH CONSECUTIVE FALCON 9 LAUNCH DURING SECOND OFFICIAL CARGO RESUPPLY
Dragon spacecraft heads toward International Space Station
Hawthorne, Calif. – Today, Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) successfully launched its Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft to orbit for SpaceX’s second mission under its Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract with NASA. Falcon 9 completed its job perfectly, continuing its 100 percent success rate.
“Falcon 9 was designed to be the world’s most reliable rocket, and today’s launch validated this by adding to Falcon 9’s perfect track record with our fifth success in a row,” said Gwynne Shotwell, President of SpaceX.
After Dragon separated from Falcon 9’s second stage approximately nine minutes after launch, a minor issue with some of Dragon’s oxidation tanks was detected. Within a few hours, SpaceX engineers had identified and corrected the issue, normalizing the oxidation pressure and returning operations to normal. Dragon recomputed its ascent profile as it was designed to and is now on its way to the International Space Station (ISS) with possible arrival on Sunday, just one day past the original timeline.
Dragon is the only spacecraft in the world today capable of returning significant amounts of cargo to Earth. Dragon will stay on station for a three-week visit, during which astronauts will unload approximately 1,200 pounds of cargo and fill the capsule with return cargo, for return to Earth. Dragon is filled with supplies for the ISS, including critical materials to support science investigations. Later this month, Dragon will return a payload that includes research results, education experiments and space station hardware.
Updates on the CRS-2 mission can be found at www.spacex.com/webcast. Broadcast quality video may be downloaded atvimeo.com/spacexlaunch and high-resolution photos are posted at spacexlaunch.zenfolio.com.
20130301-launch1.jpg

20130301-launch2.jpg

About SpaceX
SpaceX designs, manufactures, and launches the world's most advanced rockets and spacecraft. The company was founded in 2002 by Elon Musk to revolutionize space transportation, with the ultimate goal of enabling people to live on other planets. Today, SpaceX is advancing the boundaries of space technology through its Falcon launch vehicles and Dragon spacecraft. SpaceX is a private company owned by management and employees, with minority investments from Founders Fund, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, and Valor Equity Partners. The company has more than 3,000 employees in California, Texas, Washington, D.C., and Florida. For more information, visit SpaceX.com.
 
HAPPY BERTH DAY

Dragon Spacecraft Attached to the International Space Station
SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft berthed* to the International Space Station at approximately 8:56 a.m. EST Sunday, installed onto the Earth-facing port of the Harmony module. Dragon arrived to station with over 2,300 pounds of cargo and packaging to ensure safe travel, and during the next 22 days, astronauts will unload and then load cargo, including materials to support critical science experiments. Dragon will return to Earth with over 3,000 pounds of cargo, and has a targeted splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Baja, Calif. on March 25. Dragon is the only spacecraft in the world today capable of returning significant amounts of cargo to Earth.
“SpaceX is proud to execute this important work for NASA, and we’re thrilled to bring this capability back to the United States,” said Gwynne Shotwell, President of SpaceX. “Today’s launch continues SpaceX’s long-term partnership with NASA to provide reliable, safe transport of cargo to and from the station, enabling beneficial research and advancements in technology and research.”

*Berthing means attaching to the International Space Station under the guidance of the station's robotic arm. Berthing occurs after the station's robotic arm grapples or captures the spacecraft and guides it in to attach to the International Space Station. When Dragon begins to fly crew, the spacecraft will dock with station--attaching directly without the use of the robotic arm.
For real-time updates on mission progress, visit www.spacex.com/webcast .
20130303-berth-day.jpg
 

SpaceX's Merlin 1D Engine Achieves Flight QualificationHawthorne, CA – Space Exploration Technologies’ (SpaceX) Merlin 1D engine has achieved flight qualification, a major milestone for the next generation Merlin engine. Through a 28 test qualification program, the Merlin 1D accumulated 1,970 seconds of total test time, the equivalent run time of over 10 full mission durations, and is now fully qualified to fly on the Falcon 9 rocket.
The program included four tests at or above the power (147,000 pounds of thrust) and duration (185 seconds) required for a Falcon 9 rocket launch. The Merlin 1D engine was also tested at propellant inlet and operating conditions that were well outside the bounds of expected flight conditions.
SpaceX's testing program demonstrated a ratio of 4:1 for critical engine life parameters such as firing duration and restart capacity to the engine's expected flight requirements. The industry standard is 2:1.
“The Merlin 1D successfully performed every test throughout this extremely rigorous qualification program,” said Elon Musk, SpaceX CEO and chief designer. “With flight qualification now complete, we look forward to flying the first Merlin 1D engines on Falcon 9’s Flight 6 this year.”
The Merlin 1D builds on the technology of the Merlin engines used on the first five flights of Falcon 9. With nine Merlin 1Ds on the first stage, the Falcon 9 rocket will produce nearly 1.5 million pounds of thrust in a vacuum. The Merlin 1D has a vacuum thrust-to-weight ratio exceeding 150, the best of any liquid rocket engine in history. This enhanced design makes the Merlin 1D the most efficient booster engine ever built, while still maintaining the structural and thermal safety margins needed to carry astronauts. Additionally, the new engine is designed for improved manufacturability by using higher efficiency processes, increased robotic construction and reduced parts count.
Testing took place at SpaceX's rocket development facility in McGregor, Texas. Watch the test here:
​
 

On August 13th, the Falcon 9 test rig (code name Grasshopper) completed a divert test, flying to a 250m altitude with a 100m lateral maneuver before returning to the center of the pad. The test demonstrated the vehicle's ability to perform more aggressive steering maneuvers than have been attempted in previous flights.
Click image above to watch the video.​
Grasshopper is taller than a ten story building, which makes the control problem particularly challenging. Diverts like this are an important part of the trajectory in order to land the rocket precisely back at the launch site after reentering from space at hypersonic velocity.
 
This is neat, but I think that so far this is really just a straight-line development of vertical takeoff/landing rocket research that has already been done, albeit with far smaller vehicles. They have simply scaled up.

In order to make a reusable booster work, they will have to develop some things that are entirely new, that have not been developed before. The key aspect will be the flip and deceleration maneuver. That's going to be a significant undertaking.

I think that their plan to try and test some of that technology with their first stages from operational Falcon 9 launches is a really neat idea. It may not work, but they may learn a lot from trying it. Of course, that will have some additional challenges too as they try to mix an operational mission with a development program. How do you make sure that people don't neglect the operational mission in favor of the cool stuff that they want to do after the first stage is jettisoned? That's a management challenge. I don't know how they intend to solve it, but one possible way to do it is to have two separate teams--the team responsible for the launch and getting the payload into orbit, and a separate team that is only allowed to work on the testing.
 
...One can't help but still hear the warnings of John Houbolt regarding the merits of landing something three stories tall on its tail end. :'(
 
OM said:
...One can't help but still hear the warnings of John Houbolt regarding the merits of landing something three stories tall on its tail end. :'(
Click to expand...


The people that matter don't hear that because it is not applicable.
1. they dont know who he is (too young)
2. It is unmanned
3. It doesn't have a fueled upperstage on it
4. Current control systems negate any concern
 
Byeman said:
OM said:
...One can't help but still hear the warnings of John Houbolt regarding the merits of landing something three stories tall on its tail end. :'(
Click to expand...

The people that matter don't hear that because it is not applicable.
1. they dont know who he is (too young)
2. It is unmanned
3. It doesn't have a fueled upperstage on it
4. Current control systems negate any concern
Click to expand...


...In order:


1) Doubtful. Anyone who's involved in such a project has to have heard the story regarding EOR vs LOR. Otherwise, I'd doubt they'd be working for SpaceX on anything higher up the totem pole than, say, a -janitor-.


2) Mox nix. If they can't get it to land unmanned on a reliable basis tail-end first, then a manned version is out of the question.


3) Point noted, but only to note that it's a non sequitur in this case.


4) This is an area that I think many of us are curious as to how it differed from DC-X, and whether it's sufficient to actually function following an actual reentry from the first simulated SSTO mission.


...That being said, I should point out that what I said was a *joke*. Sorry you missed it, but I claim no responsibility for those who deliberately duck so the gag(s) go over their heads. Or might have emoticons turned off.


"We now return you to your regularly scheduled Secret Projects thread, already in a state of total disarray..."
 
it seems that SpaceX run again in trouble

The German Spaceflight expert and author Bernd Leitenberger, got contacted by someone of German insurance institution "Mümcher Ruckversicherung".
According the source claim, that SpaceX REFUSE the Launch Service Provider (LSP) any access to there Falcon rocket and any Data of the Falcon rocket.

LSP is a engineering inspection provide data to the insurance institutions, to evaluate the risk factor of launch system for the insurance premium.
most major rocket manufacture use the servis of LSP in two ways one to get lower insurance premium and second finding problems in design, by someone looking from outside.
Except those two: the Chinese "China Great Wall Industries Corporation" with Long March and SpaceX with Falcon.
SpaceX refused LSP access and provided only the vague official press-papers to them, so "Mümcher Ruckversicherung" refused to insurance spaceX payloads.
According the source, also other Germans insurance institutions refused SpaceX to insurance payload because of this.

This happened just after Falcon 9 engine anomaly on CRS 1 flight.
interesting fact is that SpaceX in july 2013, declared not take any orders for payloads until further notice.
this imply either that need to launch there much delayed payload first or that they to have to guarantor fiscal there self for the payload !

Source in german language
http://www.bernd-leitenberger.de/blog/2013/07/02/spacex-nimmt-keine-startauftrage-mehr-an/
 
OM said:
1) Doubtful. Anyone who's involved in such a project has to have heard the story regarding EOR vs LOR. Otherwise, I'd doubt they'd be working for SpaceX on anything higher up the totem pole than, say, a -janitor-.

2) Mox nix. If they can't get it to land unmanned on a reliable basis tail-end first, then a manned version is out of the question.

3) Point noted, but only to note that it's a non sequitur in this case.

4) This is an area that I think many of us are curious as to how it differed from DC-X, and whether it's sufficient to actually function following an actual reentry from the first simulated SSTO mission.

...That being said, I should point out that what I said was a *joke*. Sorry you missed it, but I claim no responsibility for those who deliberately duck so the gag(s) go over their heads. Or might have emoticons turned off.
Click to expand...

1. Totally wrong. The majority of current spaceflight workers do not know story regarding EOR vs LOR, much less know the acronyms. That decision was made almost a lifetime ago. Most people only know shuttle or one of the ELV's. And growing up, there was only shuttle. There are few to none Apollo workers left and they came on late in the program, much after the LOR decision. Knowledge of spaceflight history is not a prerequisite to work in the industry. A small number of people working planning for SLS/Orion ops (JSC/MSFC) might know and some in Spacex future planning (like Elon). But not people at KSC, JPL, GSFC, ULA, OSC, etc. And this would apply to many on this forum; after all, it isn't sci.space.history. edit. Spacex workers are among the youngest in the business. Few people worship at the altar of everything Apollo anymore. Been diluted by years of other space projects since then.

2. Not true. The LM is case in point. It couldn't land autonomously. And anyways, there isn't going to be a manned version. The Dragon spacecraft is independent of the first stage.

3. No, it means most of the mass is in the base and the effect of its height is negligible, making it unlike the direct ascent Apollo spacecraft

4. It has 20 years of advances in computation power and it isn't trying to be an SSTO. It is a TSTO, that will be completely expendable in the beginning, will transition to fly back of the first stage and later will try recovering the second stage with a powered landing. And if it launches a Dragon, there will be 3 separate landings.

A joke has to be funny to work and understood. I bet less than 10% on this forum know what this is about.
 
Byeman said:
I bet less than 10% on this forum know what this is about.
Click to expand...


...Well, I'll cede this point if you're willing to count yourself in that ~90%, as it's clear you didn't get the joke.


[shakes head in 50% mild amusement]
 
Michel Van said:
it seems that SpaceX run again in trouble
The German Spaceflight expert and author Bernd Leitenberger, got contacted by someone of German insurance institution "Mümcher Ruckversicherung".
According the source claim, that SpaceX REFUSE the Launch Service Provider (LSP) any access to there Falcon rocket and any Data of the Falcon rocket.
LSP is a engineering inspection provide data to the insurance institutions, to evaluate the risk factor of launch system for the insurance premium.
most major rocket manufacture use the servis of LSP in two ways one to get lower insurance premium and second finding problems in design, by someone looking from outside.
Except those two: the Chinese "China Great Wall Industries Corporation" with Long March and SpaceX with Falcon.
SpaceX refused LSP access and provided only the vague official press-papers to them, so "Mümcher Ruckversicherung" refused to insurance spaceX payloads.
According the source, also other Germans insurance institutions refused SpaceX to insurance payload because of this.
This happened just after Falcon 9 engine anomaly on CRS 1 flight.
interesting fact is that SpaceX in july 2013, declared not take any orders for payloads until further notice.
this imply either that need to launch there much delayed payload first or that they to have to guarantor fiscal there self for the payload !
Source in german language
http://www.bernd-leitenberger.de/blog/2013/07/02/spacex-nimmt-keine-startauftrage-mehr-an/
Click to expand...

Thanks for that info. I've been irritated that SpaceX has not provided specifications on their rocket such as the dry mass and propellant mass of the stages. The other commercial launch providers at least in the West do provide this information.
Perhaps when they are launching commercial payloads on a regular basis this information will be released.

Bob Clark
 
Musk Says SpaceX Being “Extremely Paranoid” as It Readies for Falcon 9’s California Debut.
“Ultimately, I think we could see a drop in cost per launch of 25 percent or more, just from reuse of the boost stage,” he said.
By Irene Klotz | Sep. 6, 2013
http://www.spacenews.com/article/launch-report/37094musk-says-spacex-being-%E2%80%9Cextremely-paranoid%E2%80%9D-as-it-readies-for-falcon-9%E2%80%99s
Click to expand...

I wonder if the 25% reduction is a misunderstanding of what he said. In another interview he said the first stage accounts for 3/4ths of the cost.

SpaceX Chief Says Reusable First Stage Will Slash Launch Costs
By Peter B. de Selding | May. 31, 2013
Musk said that a rocket’s first stage accounts for three-quarters of its total price tag, so a vehicle with a reusable first stage can be produced at far less cost — assuming the hardware is fully and rapidly reusable.
http://www.spacenews.com/article/launch-report/35562spacex-chief-says-reusable-first-stage-will-slash-launch-costs
Click to expand...

So if reusability can cut that by a factor of 1/00, that should be large reduction in the total cost. It would appear the total cost should be reduced to be 25% of the original cost, not simply reduced by 25%.

Bob Clark
 

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