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SpaceX CRS-3 launch coverage 18/04/2014

sgt_flyer

By sgt_flyer
in Science & Spaceflight

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sgt_flyer

sgt_flyer

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So, here we are again :) SpaceX CRS-3 launch (delayed multiple times already)

the new launch date is planned at 3h25 P.M. EDT (7h25 P.M. GMT) on Friday April 18th.

the launch coverage will begin at 2h15 P.M. EDT (6h15 P.M GMT) on Nasa TV

post launch news conference from Space X is also planned at 5 P.M. EDT (9H P.M. GMT) after the launch.

the mission objectives :

the CRS-3 Dragon is intended to send supplies / equipments to the ISS (docking is scheduled on sunday April 20th, with the rendez-vous / grappling / docking procedure between 5h45 A.M. EDT (9h45 A.M. GMT) and 9h45 A.M. EDT (1h45 P.M. GMT)

in addition to the dragon, the rocket will send up picosatellites and some cubesats as secondary payload.

Finally, and the most important point :

SpaceX will test out the propulsive return capabilities of it's Falcon 1.1 rocket 1st stage (for a test return with ocean splashdown at the end)

the last time SpaceX tested this system, the 1st burn did work well, but the landing burn (just prior to splashdown) did not occur because the fuel had centrifuged inside the tanks, preventing reignition.

since then, SpaceX said they upgraded the stage's reaction control system, to prevent this kind of uncontrolled roll.

all in all, shoud be a very interesting launch to watch :)

a quick overview of the various delays the CRS-3 mission launch already encountered before :

original launch date was supposed to be on september 30th 2013 - it was delayed several times until march 16th 2014 (due to various causes, notably the fact that there would have been no berths avaible on ISS at the times)

the march 16th date was pushed back to march 30th because of various issues, including the contaminated impact shielding blanket. (http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2014/03/spacex-delay-crs-3-mission-two-weeks/)

then there was the Eastern range radar facilities fire on march 26th which pushed back the launch until those facilities were repaired - the launch date was set on April 14th.

finally, on april 14th, a helium valve on the first stage failed a prelaunch diagnostic test - resulting in scrubbing the mission 1h before the launch. (http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2014/04/spacex-nasa-realign-launch-eva-scenarios/

hopefully, all will work out correctly this time :)

Edited by sgt_flyer
rebuilt the post for the Friday Launch
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R0cketC0der

R0cketC0der

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For once, I might actually be a.) home and b.) not asleep for a live rocket launch.

Really curious how the lower stage return will go, too. I hope they show some of it on video.

They said yesterday on NASA tv that it's unlikely that there will be any camera footage of the splashdown, because the recovery ship will be on a safe distance. ;.;

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Streetwind

Streetwind

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Yes, but the lower stage itself has cameras. They transmit live video during the launch. There's no reason it can't transmit live video during the powered descend, assuming they brought some sort of receiver with them on the recovery ship. And seeing as this is an exercise to gather important data, I'd be highly surprised if they didn't have a gazillion data uplinks in place :P

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sojourner

sojourner

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Yes, but the lower stage itself has cameras. They transmit live video during the launch. There's no reason it can't transmit live video during the powered descend, assuming they brought some sort of receiver with them on the recovery ship. And seeing as this is an exercise to gather important data, I'd be highly surprised if they didn't have a gazillion data uplinks in place :P

The stage will be over the horizon from where the uplink is when it attempts touchdown. There won't be any live transmission of the landing. They said during the press conference that they would have to retrieve the data from the rocket after splashdown.

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Red Fang

Red Fang

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Hope they fix it for the next launch window and get some good weather.

[h=3]CRS-3 Update[/h]Today’s launch has been scrubbed due to a Helium leak on Falcon 9’s first stage. A fix will be implemented by the next launch opportunity on Friday April 18, though weather on that date isn’t ideal. Check back here for updates.
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RW-1

RW-1

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Helium Leak in 1st stage.

A SpaceX spokesperson says today's scrub was caused by a helium leak in the Falcon 9 rocket's first stage. SpaceX expects the issue to be fixed in time for a launch attempt Friday, but the weather outlook calls for marginal conditions.There is a 60 percent chance weather will violate weather constraints for Friday's launch opportunity at 3:25 p.m. EDT (1925 GMT).

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sgt_flyer

sgt_flyer

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mmh, seems that the start of the live stream has been pushed from to 2h45 PM EDT (even if it's still stated at 2h15 PM EDT on nasa TV schedule) - the launch time is still scheduled at 3h25 PM EDT.

the weather seems to be still a source of concern

current weather around cape canaveral : http://www.weather.com/weather/hourbyhour/graph/Cape+Canaveral+FL+USFL0066:1:US

more 'live' infos on the launch :

http://new.livestream.com/spacex/events/2833937

1h left before the start of the livestream ! :)

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Jug head

Jug head

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robonaut 2's legs are on this flight. i'll post updates as the launch begins.

update : T-1 hour to launch

update 2 : 40% chance of violation

Update 3 : they just mentioned the real ARM no mention of KSP though

Edited by Jug head
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sgt_flyer

sgt_flyer

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they are launching the opals laser communication system with this launch :)planned capabilities up to 50mb/s of data transfer rate for ISS :) (for the few minutes the ISS will have a LOS on the receiving telescope :))

edit : T-10 mn before launch - final countdown initiated :)

Edited by sgt_flyer
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sgt_flyer

sgt_flyer

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real launch though ;)

seems the falcon 9 1.1 first stage just made it's reentry burn for the return manoeuver

edit : Dragon spacecraft correctly deployed it's solar panels and on it's way to ISS :)

Edited by sgt_flyer
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