Jump to content

Official Orion Launch Thread - 12-4-14

Tux

By Tux
in Science & Spaceflight

 Share

Recommended Posts

boa3532

boa3532

Posted
Posted

Trust me, you'll see it from Orlando as long as there is no cloud coverage. Downtown Orlando is some 45 miles from the pad. I live about 130 miles away and can see every launch as long as the skies are clear. Enjoy the show!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Lohan2008

Lohan2008

Posted
Posted (edited)
Dec. 4th who is streaming a co-launch of the Orion test flight?

Tux; Europe and China ALSO have their own space programs, it is important to state where the launch will be from.

Exploration Flight Test 1 or EFT-1 (previously known as Orion Flight Test 1 or OFT-1) is the first planned uncrewed test flight of the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle. Set to launch on December 4, 2014 atop a Delta IV Heavy from Space Launch Complex 37B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exploration_Flight_Test_1

Edited by Lohan2008
Link to comment
Share on other sites
DerekL1963

DerekL1963

Posted
Posted
Tux; Europe and China ALSO have their own space programs, it is important to state where the launch will be from.

Well, if the ESA (not Europe) or China had a spacecraft called Orion... I can see why it might be important to state where the launch would be from. But, since they don't, and even if they did it's not scheduled to launch on the 4th of Dec 2014... you're just being pointlessly picky.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
SpaceLaunchSystem

SpaceLaunchSystem

Posted
Posted
Well, if the ESA (not Europe) or China had a spacecraft called Orion... I can see why it might be important to state where the launch would be from. But, since they don't, and even if they did it's not scheduled to launch on the 4th of Dec 2014... you're just being pointlessly picky.

I agree. Neither China nor the ESA have a spacecraft called orion. If they did, it would be highly unlikely that it would ALSO launch dec. 4th.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 2 weeks later...
Soda Popinski

Soda Popinski

Posted
Posted

Here's a cool video of what to expect, link from Universe Today.

http://www.universetoday.com/116785/cool-nasa-animation-beautifully-details-every-step-of-orions-first-launch/

Looks like the animation may have fudged prograde and retrograde burns to make it more intuitive (burning upwards to go up...etc.)

No need to watch it live anymore.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Woopert

Woopert

Posted
Posted (edited)
Wait, WAT?!? They're LAUNCHING the thing? Fo realz?

My head has exploded.

Yes, but it's not the full craft. The Orion launching for EFT-1 has no solar panels and will stay attached to the Delta Cryogenic Second Stage (DCSS) until CM separation. I don't think there's an engine on the SM for this flight, since they don't need one yet. The second stage on the SLS Block I is also very slightly different. The liquid hydrogen tank on the modified DCSS, called the Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage (ICPS) is a bit longer, and I'd imagine they'll add more liquid oxygen as well.

If a problem arises, do you want 7 people inside of a untested spacecraft?

Orion holds 4 people, but still, that would be horrible if a problem happened.

Edited by Woopert
Link to comment
Share on other sites
lajoswinkler

lajoswinkler

Posted
Posted

What the hell is wrong with this rocket's appearance?

Sometimes nice and clean, sometimes ugly, sometimes partially burned black.

delta4h.jpg

d4h_demo_06.jpg

article-2405272-1B826AD0000005DC-501_634x1027.jpg

delta-iv-heavy-vandenberg-01-2011.jpg

I don't suppose it's reusable and they're using beat up tanks all over again, that doesn't have sense. They end in the ocean.

What is going on? :confused::confused::confused:

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Kryten

Kryten

Posted
Posted

Watch some launch videos-there's always a fireball at launch. Delta IV-M has it too, but it's less obvious. There's some hydrogen leakage before launch, and during startup the hydrogen valve opens two seconds before the oxygen to ensure there's enough in the system for cooling.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
YNM

YNM

Posted
Posted (edited)

Most likely that flames from the engines turned upwards during spooling (well, they ignited the engines before releasing it from the pad). When the flame touches the cold tank (cryogenic tank), the burning process becomes imperfect, leaving particulates - or because the tank itself is within the flame so particulates stuck on the tanks. You can see the same effect by putting a knife diagonally over candle flame. Noticed it first on Falcon 9, thought it's due to the fuel. But seeing it looks worse on hydrogen fueled rocket, then it could be the same mechanism...

Edited by YNM
Link to comment
Share on other sites
This thread is quite old. Please consider starting a new thread rather than reviving this one.

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
 Share
Go to topic listing
×
×
  • Create New...