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publiusr

Banned

From: Alabama

Registered: 2005-02-24

Posts: 682

Re: Falcon 1 & Falcon 9

They also got Zubins Ares

GCNRevenger

Member

From: Earth

Registered: 2003-10-14

Posts: 6,056

Re: Falcon 1 & Falcon 9

Huh? Ares?

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[i]"The power of accurate observation is often called cynicism by those that do not have it." - George Bernard Shaw[/i]

[i]The glass is at 50% of capacity[/i]

publiusr

Banned

From: Alabama

Registered: 2005-02-24

Posts: 682

Re: Falcon 1 & Falcon 9

Look at the shuttle derived chart here:
http://www.astronautix.com/lvfam/shuttle.htm

Now click on Zubin's Ares and you will get this instead:
http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/ares.htm

So there are three Falcons and two Ares.

GCNRevenger

Member

From: Earth

Registered: 2003-10-14

Posts: 6,056

Re: Falcon 1 & Falcon 9

What are you talking about? There is only one actual Ares design, and has nothing to do with Elon Musk or the Falcon series of rockets.

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[i]"The power of accurate observation is often called cynicism by those that do not have it." - George Bernard Shaw[/i]

[i]The glass is at 50% of capacity[/i]

publiusr

Banned

From: Alabama

Registered: 2005-02-24

Posts: 682

Re: Falcon 1 & Falcon 9

I'm talking about how we see people running out of ideas for names; three Falcons, two Ares, etc.

It could make research confusing for newsmen who cover space stories--and could lead to even worse reporting on space issues. Most newscritters aren't that bright to begin with.

SpaceNut

Administrator

From: New Hampshire

Registered: 2004-07-22

Posts: 29,314

Re: Falcon 1 & Falcon 9

SpaceX sets date

SpaceX has scheduled its first launch of the Falcon I low-cost booster for 31 October from Kwajalein Atoll in the Pacific, carrying the US Air Force Academy’s FalconSat-2 space plasma research satellite into low Earth orbit.

J.J. Moesker

InActive

From: The Netherlands

Registered: 2005-01-27

Posts: 19

Re: Falcon 1 & Falcon 9

FALCON = Force Application Launched from the CONtinental US.

lol, I know, it's definetly a stretch as far as acronyms go.

Isn’t it somewhat ironic that Microcosm, a direct SpaceX competitor, is also developing a launcher under the AF/DARPA FALCON project? Microcosm doesn't get the attention spaceX does, yet they are a pretty big name in de space industry. Not the least due to their publication of 'SMAD' which is somewhat like the space mission engineering bible.

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With both feet on the ground you won't get far.

publiusr

Banned

From: Alabama

Registered: 2005-02-24

Posts: 682

Re: Falcon 1 & Falcon 9

Go figure.

SpaceNut

Administrator

From: New Hampshire

Registered: 2004-07-22

Posts: 29,314

Re: Falcon 1 & Falcon 9

Tunnel 9 Completes Vehicle Testing

The Arnold Engineering Development Center's Tunnel 9 facility in White Oak, Md. is playing a crucial role in the ongoing Falcon program, with the completion of mission-critical testing of the Hypersonic Technology Vehicle 1.
The Falcon initiative is a joint Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and Air Force program. The objective is to develop and demonstrate hypersonic technologies that will enable the capability to execute prompt global reach missions.

The ultimate capability is envisioned to entail a reusable Hypersonic Cruise Vehicle capable of delivering 12,000 pounds of payload a distance of 9,000 nautical miles in less than two hours.

According to DARPA officials, the joint program's goal is to develop and validate in-flight technologies that enable both a near-term (2010) and far-term (2025) capability to execute time-critical, prompt global-reach missions, while at the same time demonstrating affordable and responsive space lift.

Ok so they will suceed in making the x43 project into a functional sprinter to allow for quick bombing runs.

noosfractal

Member

From: Biosphere 1

Registered: 2005-10-04

Posts: 824

Website

Re: Falcon 1 & Falcon 9

SpaceX sets date

SpaceX has scheduled its first launch of the Falcon I low-cost booster for 31 October from Kwajalein Atoll in the Pacific, carrying the US Air Force Academy’s FalconSat-2 space plasma research satellite into low Earth orbit.

October 25, 2005: The target launch date for the Falcon I maiden flight is now late November to early December from our island launch complex in the Kwajalein Atoll.  All systems will be ready for flight by the end of this week with the exception of Merlin qualification, which we are extending by four weeks for added surety.

http://www.spacex.com/updates.php
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Fan of [url=http://www.red-oasis.com/]Red Oasis[/url]

SpaceNut

Administrator

From: New Hampshire

Registered: 2004-07-22

Posts: 29,314

Re: Falcon 1 & Falcon 9

Had seen this in passing but what was the disclosure for the delay of launch.

What Falcon brings to the table once there ships are proven is what the lockheed and Boeing have discontinued in there earlier products in the atlas series and of the delta as well. These old units were costing more for the military in comparison to the newer larger lift units still in production today. Thou IMO the are way to expensive still for any body but the government, military use.

SpaceNut

Administrator

From: New Hampshire

Registered: 2004-07-22

Posts: 29,314

Re: Falcon 1 & Falcon 9

The Darpa falcon small QuickReach satellite booster drop test while it passed under our radar, we did make note of a simular test as done by tspace as ho hum, kind of so what by other members. The military however saw the phase 2A in a different light.

Airlaunch Selected For Contract Continuance By DARPA on Phase 2B of the Falcon program,
Valued at $17.8 million for a one-year effort.

"In Phase 2A, AirLaunch rapidly designed a prototype rocket, integrated a mock-up with an unmodified C-17 aircraft, and successfully executed a drop test of the hardware.

Phase 2B will focus on additional risk reduction and maturing the launch vehicle design and concept of operations."

So why the challenge?

U.S. Air Force challenged nine U.S. competitors to develop a small launch vehicle that can carry small satellites to orbit for no more than $5 million per launch based on a rate of 20 flights per year. In mid-2004, AirLaunch and three other contractors were selected for Phase 2A.

GCNRevenger

Member

From: Earth

Registered: 2003-10-14

Posts: 6,056

Re: Falcon 1 & Falcon 9

Why can't the AltSpacers' seem to do anything besides shoot their mouthes off and drop mockups from airplanes?

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[i]"The power of accurate observation is often called cynicism by those that do not have it." - George Bernard Shaw[/i]

[i]The glass is at 50% of capacity[/i]

noosfractal

Member

From: Biosphere 1

Registered: 2005-10-04

Posts: 824

Website

Re: Falcon 1 & Falcon 9

Why can't the AltSpacers' seem to do anything besides shoot their mouthes off and drop mockups from airplanes?

They're just being careful.  The first launch has to go perfectly or those whose faded laurels were threatened will gleefully tear them apart.

When NASA is axed as part of the current administration's self-immolation, the AltSpacers will be able to hire NASA's best and brightest for 50 cents on the dollar, which should speed things right along 
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Fan of [url=http://www.red-oasis.com/]Red Oasis[/url]

C M Edwards

Member

From: Lake Charles LA USA

Registered: 2002-04-29

Posts: 1,012

Re: Falcon 1 & Falcon 9

When NASA is axed as part of the current administration's self-immolation, the AltSpacers will be able to hire NASA's best and brightest for 50 cents on the dollar, which should speed things right along 
_

One of the great myths of the modern age is that everyone on the government payroll is personally overpaid.

I'm not sure I'd work for someone paying half of what NASA offers for the same job.

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"We go big, or we don't go."  - GCNRevenger

SpaceNut

Administrator

From: New Hampshire

Registered: 2004-07-22

Posts: 29,314

Re: Falcon 1 & Falcon 9

Welcome to the state of NH where you can do just that, with regards to unionized jobs versus other employers that do not have unions in there shops.

noosfractal

Member

From: Biosphere 1

Registered: 2005-10-04

Posts: 824

Website

Re: Falcon 1 & Falcon 9

I'm not sure I'd work for someone paying half of what NASA offers for the same job.

Yes, a lot of talent will be lost which is tragic.  I hope someone is putting together a plan to try and keep the top teams together - although usually the best people leave as soon as they see which way the wind is blowing.
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Fan of [url=http://www.red-oasis.com/]Red Oasis[/url]

publiusr

Banned

From: Alabama

Registered: 2005-02-24

Posts: 682

Re: Falcon 1 & Falcon 9

Why can't the AltSpacers' seem to do anything besides shoot their mouthes off and drop mockups from airplanes?

Because that's all those blowhards know how to do.

noosfractal

Member

From: Biosphere 1

Registered: 2005-10-04

Posts: 824

Website

Re: Falcon 1 & Falcon 9

November 18, 2005: On Friday, November 25 at 1 p.m. (PDT), the Falcon 1 countdown to launch is expected to reach T-Zero.

http://www.spacex.com/updates.php
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noosfractal

Member

From: Biosphere 1

Registered: 2005-10-04

Posts: 824

Website

Re: Falcon 1 & Falcon 9

Current T-Zero for Falcon 1 is 7pm (PST) this evening (Sat Nov 26).

Out of the Cradle is liveblogging the event ...

http://www.outofthecradle.net/archives/ … ging-here/

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Fan of [url=http://www.red-oasis.com/]Red Oasis[/url]

Grypd

Member

From: Scotland, Europe

Registered: 2004-06-07

Posts: 1,879

Re: Falcon 1 & Falcon 9

The launch was scrubbed. This was partly due to problems with the liquid oxygen and bad weather. They had increased the launch window by two hours but it would have been close to the end of this extra window before they where ready to go and the weather was coming in.

The plan is now for a potential sunday launch.

Then again Spacex is being extremely careful about this launch as we all can see it is make or break time for them certainly in what is percieved capability.

Good luck to them.

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Chan eil mi aig a bheil ùidh ann an gleidheadh an status quo; Tha mi airson cur às e.

Rxke

Member

From: Belgium

Registered: 2003-11-03

Posts: 3,669

Re: Falcon 1 & Falcon 9

Scrubbed to somewhere in december.

I guess it was the right thing to do. Don't rush it.

GCNRevenger

Member

From: Earth

Registered: 2003-10-14

Posts: 6,056

Re: Falcon 1 & Falcon 9

They are going to have to fly the thing eventually though

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[i]"The power of accurate observation is often called cynicism by those that do not have it." - George Bernard Shaw[/i]

[i]The glass is at 50% of capacity[/i]

SpaceNut

Administrator

From: New Hampshire

Registered: 2004-07-22

Posts: 29,314

Re: Falcon 1 & Falcon 9

Some would call these little gliches just another learning lesson for the alternate spacer's, while others would see this as just another I told you so in that you can not do rocketry on the cheap.

Propellant problem delays launch of new rocket

As Grypd noted there were a couple of reasons for the scrub. After a series of propellant and computer problems when Controllers found a vent valve was incorrectly set to the vent position, allowing liquid oxygen to boil off and escape. The Lox is used to cool the bottles of helium, which is used for pressurisation of the tanks.

This launch site is sort of problematic in that thou you gain from being close to the equator you loss from the lack it would appear of infrastucture to support this type of rocket design.

The facilities on Kwajalein Atoll enable about 1 tonne of liquid oxygen to be made each day. But this may be insufficient and Space-X may have to wait for additional shipments of liquid oxygen from Hawaii.

“It’s really quite challenging to establish a launch site 5000 miles away [from the US] on an atoll in the Pacific,” Musk told reporters before the launch. The atoll was chosen as it sits near the equator, meaning the rocket receives the maximum benefit from the Earth’s rotation. But Musk noted the difficulty of transporting liquid oxygen, which must be kept at -180°C, in a tropical climate.

Grypd

Member

From: Scotland, Europe

Registered: 2004-06-07

Posts: 1,879

Re: Falcon 1 & Falcon 9

They have been rushing to set up the launch. It is unfortunate that as has been previously noted that they have had to build there own launch site and as such put in all the support infrastructure. They have been under a lot of pressure to ensure that they launch soon if only to have evidence to refute the naysayers. This basically meant that there lauch site was not ready to resupply the rocket when they lost fuel, it had no stores and due to remoteness this could not quickly be replaced.

To ensure this does not happen again means the creation of tankage and other facilities. Not a real problem only construction which again takes time due to distances from supplies and mainland.

The Falcon is still to prove itself but at least they are being professional about it. Naysayers will say it indicates bad management this is ridiculous it simply shows that Rockets are complicated and difficult pieces of hi-tech machinery. Nasa which has launched 1000s of rockets and has a massive standing army still regularily scrubs launches due to technical problems or simple glitches. In short S**t happens.

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Chan eil mi aig a bheil ùidh ann an gleidheadh an status quo; Tha mi airson cur às e.