This is not a NASA Website. You might learn something. It's YOUR space agency. Get involved. Take it back. Make it work - for YOU.
Commercialization

Video: Next Gen Falcon 9 Launch

By Keith Cowing
NASA Watch
October 16, 2013
Filed under ,

Video of SpaceX Next Gen Falcon 9 Launch
“This video of the Next Gen Falcon 9 Demonstration Flight includes video footage of the first stage re-ignition done as part of a recovery attempt. This Falcon 9 rocket was launched on 29 September and delivered the CASSIOPE, CUSat, DANDE and POPACS satellites to orbit.”

NASA Watch founder, Explorers Club Fellow, ex-NASA, Away Teams, Journalist, Space & Astrobiology, Lapsed climber.

12 responses to “Video: Next Gen Falcon 9 Launch”

  1. Todd Austin says:
    0
    0

    OK, Rocket People, tell us about the exhaust patterns we saw during the relight. I’m curious about the process going on in the initial phases and the interesting pattern of light from the exhaust toward the end of that part of the video.

    • Skinny_Lu says:
      0
      0

      There are couple things I am curious about. The 1st Stage igniters (at T-0) are expended during the first Start-up sequence. Do they have a second set to start back up when coming down? The airborne start plume does looks “spread out”. It may be because the rocket is dropping in the atmosphere and the plume is getting pushed back up towards the camera. You can see the camera lens getting covered with debris….
      Then, how many engines on the second start? I have heard 3 engines are needed to decelerate the spent stage for landing. If that is true, which 3? Again, Space X is doing something no one else has ever done before… Funny how I crave new information about their results. Every little bit of info they release gets me excited and brings a smile to my face. I am always left wanting more!

      • Hug Doug ✓ᵛᵉʳᶦᶠᶦᵉᵈ says:
        0
        0

        The re-ignited engines will indeed have multiple igniters, or some kind of reusable ignition source. this will probably be a feature built into all Merlin 1D engines in the future.

        The first re-start will light 3 engines, yes. the center engine and 2 others, in a line will fire. those 3 will push the rocket back towards the launch site and slow it down somewhat. after that the rocket coasts back to the launch site, slowing to terminal velocity. then there will be a second re-start, of just the center engine, for landing.

        • John Thomas says:
          0
          0

          What attitude control does the 1st stage use to maintain attitude and prevent it from spinning due to air flow during descent? Seems it didn’t completely work this last time.

          • Hug Doug ✓ᵛᵉʳᶦᶠᶦᵉᵈ says:
            0
            0

            there are Draco thrusters on the stage for RCS. the aerodynamic spin overcame the thruster’s abilities to compensate for it, according to SpaceX. there’s been a lot of speculation about what caused the spin and how it might be compensated for. most internet commentators seem to agree that when the stage has landing legs, the drag from those legs will help stabilize the stage.

      • HyperJ says:
        0
        0

        Two restarts:

        #1 – 3 engines (center + opposing pair) burn to reduce speed before entry

        #2 – seconds before impact, the center engine restarts again for final braking

        Apparently the M1D engine still uses TEA-TEB for ignition (not 100%sure), so I guess the 3 engines have some extra loaded.

        • Skinny_Lu says:
          0
          0

          Ok, thanks. Makes sense. I do know the igniters are indeed TEA-TEB, even in the D model. I do have a source who I can ask more details about exactly how & where the igniters are used. I do wonder exactly where the extra cartridges are located and how do they keep them (2nd set and maybe a 3rd set for the center engine?) intact for later use, with all that heat coming off the engines during 1st stage burn.

          • Skinny_Lu says:
            0
            0

            Ok. I just learn a few things about TEA-TAB ignition. This is a LIQUID system. TEA-TAB ignites when it contacts with oxygen. There is a ground system feeding into the engine nozzles for the T-0 start. A separate, on-board system performs the 1st stage re-starts. 2nd stage engine has his own TEA-TAB for ignition.

    • John Thomas says:
      0
      0

      It looks like the thin air present at that altitude is pushing up at the exhaust from the descending stage causing it to flare out more than when it is ascending.

  2. James Lundblad says:
    0
    0

    So when this works, will they be able to return to launch site? Land on a barge?

  3. DTARS says:
    0
    0

    Historic pic for this century

    http://www.spacex.com/sites