SpaceX to the ISS :: New attempt: 3:44am ET

[W4GPL]

1:55am PT/4:55am ET

http://www.spacex.com/webcast/ - Watch it live.

This is the first time the US has used a commercial entity to transport cargo to the ISS.

http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/commercial/cargo/spacex_update_staticfiring.html

[W4GPL]

All is go.. T minus 13 minute.

[W4GPL]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ytCEuuW2_A

[W4GPL]

Maybe next time.

[W4GPL]

Launch aborted .5 seconds after ignition command. Problems with 'engine 5'.. vehicle is safe, another attempt on the 22nd.

[suddenseer]

I watched it live. The countdown was exciting. The rocket shut itself down, the launch was scrubbed. Bummer.

[W4GPL]

This is the future of human US space flight.. it's better to find fault and scrub launches than to let it loose and go kaboom. A successful failure?

[suddenseer]

I saw many night time space shuttle launches from seminole county. Those were awesome.

[W4GPL]

I saw many night time space shuttle launches from seminole county. Those were awesome.Eh? What were you doing in Seminole county?

I spent 1995-2009 in Altamonte Springs/Casselberry..

[ad4mg]

This is the future of human US space flight.. it's better to find fault and scrub launches than to let it loose and go kaboom. A successful failure?

I'd say so. It must a liquid fuel rocket. I think solid fuel engines, once lit, stay lit. Hope the 2nd attempt goes better for them!

[suddenseer]

I did qc work on software for a very boring DLA contractor. I rode around on my low rider the rest of the time. I really hated living there. The 'feel' of the land was so artificial. My ex wife lives in Casselberry. They can have her.

[W4GPL]

http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20120521/SPACE/120521022/SpaceX-heading-toward-3-44-m-Falcon-9-launch?nclick_check=1 - another attempt tonight at 3:44am ET.

[N2RJ]

I hope they succeed. I'm nervous about us hitching a ride on the Soyuz.

[W5GA]

I'd say so. It must a liquid fuel rocket. I think solid fuel engines, once lit, stay lit. Hope the 2nd attempt goes better for them!
Ever try to put out a road flare? Same deal.

[NA4BH]

Did you see in the first launch attempt footage the flash of flame when the fuel lines disconnected from the rocket? That can't be good. If they have a flash over before the storage tanks can seal, I'm thinking about a Pat Travers song.

Crank it up Jimmy !!!!!!!!!!!!!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBf1e6WWWA0

[VE7DCW]

A flashover to the fuel tank and **cringe** the Kaboooom a la Challenger will be assured.......something that would be rather inconvenient ...... :yes:

[NA4BH]

A flashover to the fuel tank and **cringe** the Kaboooom a la Challenger will be assured.......something that would be rather inconvenient ...... :yes:

And on the launch pad to-boot.

[W4GPL]

I'm not a rocket scientist by any stretch of the imagination.. :lol: But my understanding is they have dozens of control mechanisms that allow them to control the fuel source and minimize the risk of 'kaboom'. This thing isn't an Atlas V.. and also, my understanding is that it has a fraction of the fuel because of the immediate launch window -- very little orbital maneuvering is required.

[NA4BH]

That's true. A positive pressure in the tanks might be the cure for a kaboom. But it made me do a WTF when I saw the flash.

[VE7DCW]

That's true. A positive pressure in the tanks might be the cure for a kaboom. But it made me do a WTF when I saw the flash.

Yeah ....you have to wonder what possibly could go wrong..... :lol:

[W4GPL]

I was highly critical of the gov't allowing the space shuttle program to dissolve. I thought it was a major blow to US dominance. But I'm pretty sold on SpaceX -- They seem to have a very simplistic & efficient design that will allow us to continue to reach lower orbit -- for both manned & unmanned cargo flights. I'm very optimistic.

[NA4BH]

Me too.

[W4GPL]

Weather & technical readings are good. Everything is go for launch with 32 minutes remaining. :hyper:

[XE1/N5AL]

T-15 minutes
http://www.spacex.com/webcast/

[W4GPL]

Weeeee! The next stage of American space flight has begun..

[W4GPL]

Solar arrays deployed, and the crowd went wild!

[PA5COR]

Dutch astronaut will lead the cargo to dock with the station LOL, ham radio nutter too...

[ki4itv]

Got up and watched the launch...pretty kewl.
Do kinda wish they launched from one of the private facilities, like out in NM.
You couldn't help but notice the asses unclinch, section by section, in the SpaceX control room.

[WØTKX]

:clap:

BTW, the ashes of a few folks went up in the Dragon, including "Scotty".

[N7YA]

Awesome! Its about time somebody took over and got something done that didnt involve negative shit....im always happy to see this kind of thing!

[kb2vxa]

Yup, so they built a really, really BIG one and the rest is as they say history.

[K7SGJ]

Yup, so they built a really, really BIG one and the rest is as they say history.

Boy, did we ever have fun with those things. I may still have some of the Jetx fuse around somewhere. I know I still got a couple of scars from engine burns.

[kb2vxa]

Fozizzle! My balsa wood racer was fun, we never knew what it would crash into. We were the original Mythbusters when Adam was getting chewed out by Mr. Whipple for squeezing the Charmin.

"I know I still got a couple of scars from engine burns."

A COUPLE of scars? And I thought Glen STH was a slow learner! (;->)