Falcon 9 test "aborted on Spin Start" - next test in 3-4 days

SpaceX has issued a statement about the test firing on Tuesday:

Today SpaceX performed our first Static Fire for the Falcon 9 launch vehicle. We counted down to an T-2 seconds and aborted on Spin Start. Given that this was our first abort event on this pad, we decided to scrub for the day to get a good look at the rocket before trying again. Everything looks great at first glance.

We completed pad preps on time and with good execution. The integrated countdown with the range included holdfire checks, S- band telemetry, C-band, and FTS simulated checks. We completed helium, liquid oxygen (LOX), and fuel loads to within tenths of a percent of T-zero conditions. Tanks pressed nominally and we passed all Terminal count, flight software, and ground software abort checks right down to T-2 seconds. We encountered a problem with the spin start system and aborted nominally.

As part of the abort, we close the pre-valves to isolate the engines from the propellant tank and purge the residual propellants. The brief flames seen on the video are burn off of LOX and kerosene on the pad. The engines did not ignite and there was no engine fire.

We detanked and safed the vehicle and launch pad. Preliminary review shows all other systems required to reach full ignition were within specification. All other pad systems worked nominally. Inspections will be complete tonight. Tomorrow will consist of data review and procedure updates. Commodities will be replenished tomorrow including TEA TEB load, LOX and helium deliveries.

We’ll look to do the next static fire attempt in three or four days.

Update: Stephen Clark elaborates on the SpaceX info about the engine firing test: SpaceX: Falcon 9 engine test aborted before ignition - Spaceflight Now

Posted 03/09/10 | 21:03:05 by TopSpacer | Filed under: Space policy

Comments

The following is my opinion with no additional knowledge of the event beyond what has been published.

My understanding is that they use ground provided helium to spinup the turbo pumps as part of the start process. It sounds like some part of that system did not operate as expected. Clearly they have this system working at kwaj and at their test stand in tx, so it sounds like its probably something specific to the KSC ground support.

Posted by Paul breed at 03/09/10 21:41:00

is "spin start" the turbos?

Posted by dorkmo at 03/09/10 21:45:49

sounds like a good guess by mr. paul breed because the ksc ground people (whether spacex-ksc or ksc-ksc) are probably the least practiced of anyone on the team

just gotta shake the bugs out

Posted by donnie at 03/09/10 23:44:06

Didn't the most likely day for shuttle launches always end up being on a Thursday?

Posted by Tony Rusi at 03/10/10 00:45:35

I'm curious as to why KSC personnel would be involved? The test wasn't conducted at KSC.

Posted by Old Bob at 03/10/10 07:32:07

<i>I'm curious as to why KSC personnel would be involved? The test wasn't conducted at KSC.</i>

Where did the test take place then?

Posted by kayawanee at 03/10/10 08:42:09

"Where did the test take place then?"

Cape Canaveral Air Force Station?

KSC/NASA personnel weren't AFAIK involved in this. Only Range was.

Posted by Gordan at 03/10/10 09:31:08

The test conducted at CCAFS. Complex 40 is on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and not the Kennedy Space Center. Also KSC personnel(non LSP) had no involvement with this launch. Spacex gets its support from the Eastern Range and Cape support contractors, not KSC's.

Posted by me at 03/10/10 09:36:35

My original comment said KSC
in that case I was wrong. In any case what I really meant was the ground equipment in FL is probably to blame. My guess is the same crew that did the TX tests is doing the first launch. So the only variable is really the ground support equipment.

Posted by Paul breed at 03/10/10 11:23:54

Elon "Chemical Ali" There are no infidels at the cape. The rocket will launch on time!

Posted by Joe Blow at 03/10/10 12:14:06

I believe Paul is dead on with his asessment of the situation. Anyway, it is amazing how much Space X has moved into the public eye since the new space policy was introduced by the Obama administration. As Clark said in a later post further up, one might almost feel like some people want to see them fail. Talk about pressure...
Good Luck Elon!

Posted by Elmar_M at 03/10/10 14:54:58

"one might almost feel like some people want to see them fail."

There is no "almost feel like". Some people *really*, *actually* want them to fail.

Posted by Gordan at 03/10/10 15:26:08

Gordan, you are of course right. I guess I went overboard with how carefully I worded what I wanted to express...

Posted by Elmar_M at 03/10/10 16:37:43

would this be what caused the spiral seen in Australia that everyone is calling a UFO?

Posted by mike at 06/04/10 23:37:30

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