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Falcon 9 Flight 1

Falcon 9 Flight 1 in Pictures

Friday, June 18, 2010

Flight sequence for Falcon 9 Flight 1 as it departs from the SpaceX launch pad at Launch Complex 40, Cape Canaveral, Florida on June 4, 2010 with an official liftoff time of 2:45 PM Eastern / 11:45 AM Pacific / 18:45:00 UTC.

Unless otherwise noted, all image credits: SpaceX.

View from the second stage’s aft-facing camera, at T minus 10 seconds, looking down the length of the Falcon 9 rocket,
about 37 meters (120 feet) above the launch pad and main engines. The quick connect panel at left provides propellant,
power and communications to the second stage of the vehicle, and disconnects at liftoff. The code at lower left is UTC time.

At one second prior to liftoff, the nine Merlin 1C main engines reach full power, just before the launch
mount releases the vehicle for flight.

As it departs from the launch pad, the rising Falcon 9 passes the clamps located at the top of the transporter/erector structure.

Pieces of frost fall from the cryogenic liquid oxygen tanks, and look like fireworks when illuminated by the engines’ light.
Small white cylinders to left and right are the tops of two of the four lightning towers that surround and protect the launch pad.

The circular ring road that surrounds the launch site recedes as the rocket climbs.

A condensation shock front surrounds the vehicle as it climbs above a thin deck clouds. Insert has view from the ground
showing the full body condensation wave. Insert image credit: Ben Cooper, launchphotography.com / spaceflightnow.com

Passing the point of Maximum Dynamic Pressure (MaxQ). From this time onwards, the combination of decreasing atmospheric
pressure and increasing velocity will apply less and less force to the vehicle.

The exhaust plume darkens due to decreasing oxygen at this altitude, and expands due to the decreasing atmospheric pressure.

The exhaust plume reaches its maximum size just before first stage shutdown.

After first stage shutdown, the vehicle coasts for a moment before initiating stage separation.

Stage separation begins with the pneumatic pushers pushing the first stage away.

Stage separation exposes the nozzle extension of the second stage Merlin Vacuum engine.

Ignition of the second stage Merlin Vacuum engine.

The Merlin Vacuum fires without visible flame as we cross into the defined edge of space.

As the nozzle extension warms, it softens the adhesive that secures the four segments of the nozzle stiffening ring.
They release and fall away, similar to the event on SpaceX’s Falcon 1.

The vehicle remains on the designated flight path and continues climbing towards orbit.

Continuing to climb, the coast of Florida lies below the clouds at upper right.

Reaching orbital altitude and speed. The gold colored plate at left is the interior portion of the quick disconnect panel.

Upon Second stage Engine Cut Off (SECO), the Falcon 9 and Dragon spacecraft qualification unit reach low earth orbit!
The vehicle sent this final image just moments before loss-of-signal as it passes over the horizon as viewed from the launch site.

First Falcon 9 Test Launch Update

Friday, June 4, 2010

Today, SpaceX’s first Falcon 9 has successfully achieved Earth orbit. This has been a great day for SpaceX and a promising step forward for the US space program, as we make progress towards expanding the human presence in space.

Click here to watch video of the first successful flight of Falcon 9:

SpaceX extends special thanks to all of our long-time supporters, all our NASA, Government, and Commercial customers, and the United States Air Force and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station for their excellent, ongoing support.

Photo Update

Monday, June 7, 2010

Credit: Chris Thompson/SpaceX

Credit: Ben Cooper, launchphotography.com / spaceflightnow.com

Preparations For First Falcon 9 Test Launch

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

SpaceX is now targeting Friday, June 4th for its first test launch attempt of the Falcon 9 launch vehicle.

The primary schedule driver for the first Falcon 9 test launch has been certification of the flight termination system (FTS). The FTS ensures that Air Force Range safety officials can command the destruction of the vehicle should it stray from its designated flight path.

The successful liftoff of the recent GPS satellite launch last Thursday freed up the necessary range resources to process our final documentation, and we are now looking good for final approval of the FTS by this Friday, June 4th, just in time for our first launch attempt.

Today we completed end to end testing of the Falcon 9 as required by the Air Force Range and everything was nominal. Later this evening, we will finish final system connections for the FTS. Tomorrow we plan to rollout in the morning, and erect the vehicle in the afternoon. On Friday, the targeted schedule is as follows:

Friday 4 June 2010

Launch Window Opens: 11:00 AM Eastern / 8:00 AM Pacific / 1500 UTC
Launch window lasts 4 hours. SpaceX has also reserved a second launch day on Saturday 5 June, with the same hours.

As always, weather will play a significant role in our overall launch schedule. The weather experts at the Cape are giving us a 40% chance of “no go” conditions for both days of our window, citing the potential for cumulus clouds and anvil clouds from thunderstorms.

If the weather cooperates, SpaceX will provide a live webcast of the launch events, presently scheduled to begin 20 minutes prior to the opening of the launch window. Click here to visit our webcast page which will also be accessible from our home page the day of launch.

It’s important to note that since this is a test launch, our primary goal is to collect as much data as possible, with success being measured as a percentage of how many flight milestones we are able to complete in this first attempt. It would be a great day if we reach orbital velocity, but still a good day if the first stage functions correctly, even if the second stage malfunctions. It would be a bad day if something happens on the launch pad itself and we’re not able to gain any flight data.

If we have a bad day, it will be disappointing, but one launch does not make or break SpaceX as a company, nor commercial spaceflight as an industry. The Atlas rocket only succeeded on its 13th flight, and today it is the most reliable vehicle in the American fleet, with a record better than Shuttle.

Regardless of the outcome, this first launch attempt represents a key milestone for both SpaceX and the commercial spaceflight industry. Keep in mind the launch dates and times are still subject to change, so please check the webcast page above for updates to this schedule. We appreciate your ongoing support and we hope you will tune in on launch day.

Preparations for First Falcon 9 Launch

Thursday, May 6, 2010

As we continue to progress towards the first Falcon 9 launch from Cape Canaveral, certification of the flight termination system (FTS) and subsequent range availability remain the two primary schedule drivers.

Air Force Range safety requires the FTS system, which allows them to safely end the launch should the vehicle stray from its designated flight corridor. The system consists of a command receiver and an ordnance system designed to split the vehicle's fuel and liquid oxygen tanks in the event of an errant flight.

Static test firing of the Falcon 9 first stage, conducted at SpaceX's launch site, Cape Canaveral, Florida on March 13, 2010.
Credit: SpaceX / Chris Thompson.

SpaceX is working closely with Ensign Bickford to complete testing of the explosive elements of the FTS system, but there are other components, such as the FTS radios, antennas and the transponder that come from other suppliers as well. All of these components must be qualified specifically for our flight environments, so unfortunately, it is not simply a case of buying “off the shelf”.

FTS testing is an iterative process where the number of remaining tests depends on the results of previous tests, making it very difficult to predict a completion date. Once testing is complete, final data is submitted to SpaceX and Air Force Range safety officials for review and acceptance. Much of the range calendar for May is already reserved for other activities, so range availability will be a key factor in identifying a launch date. Fortunately the FTS is the last remaining significant milestone--the vehicle is otherwise ready for flight, so once we complete certification, we will be “all systems go” for launch.

Wet Dress Rehearsal

During our successful wet dress rehearsal (WDR) in late February, we experienced some problems with the thermal protective cork layer that covers the first stage. In some areas subjected to the extreme cold of liquid oxygen (LOX), the cork's bonding adhesive failed and several panels separated from the vehicle. It is important to emphasize that the cork is not needed for ascent and there is no risk to flight even if it all came off. This is for thermal protection on reentry to allow for the possibility of recovery and reuse. While stage recovery is not a primary mission objective on this inaugural launch, it is part of our long-term plans, and we will attempt to recover the first stage on this initial Falcon 9 flight.

After applying a new layer of cork thermal protection using a new adhesive system, we opted to perform a second wet dress rehearsal, as well as an electromagnetic interference (EMI) test. Everything performed well and the new adhesive remained properly bonded. A word of thanks to NASA and our resin supplier for helping our structures team find these effective solutions.

As we ramp up our flight rate, Florida will continue to be SpaceX's fastest growing region. We are entering continuous launch operations mode, meaning we will have over 100 people in Florida on average. That count may go as high as 200 later this year when we start preparing and launching Dragon. We expect our direct employment at the Cape to eventually reach thousands of people; using standard multipliers for indirect regional employment, this could mean in excess of several thousand jobs long term.

Presidential Visit

President Obama honored us with a visit to the SpaceX Falcon 9 launch site at Cape Canaveral on April 15, 2010, just prior to his national speech at Kennedy Space Center describing the administration's new space initiatives.

President Barack Obama and SpaceX CEO and CTO Elon Musk at the SpaceX Falcon 9
launch pad, Cape Canaveral, Florida on April 15, 2010. SpaceX's Leslie Woods Jr. and
NASA Administrator Charles Bolden in background. Credit: Associated Press.

Credit: Associated Press.

Meeting the President at the Falcon 9 launch site, from left: Neil G. Hicks, Florence Li, Brian Mosdell,
President Obama, Leslie Woods Jr., and Elon Musk. Credit: Getty Images.

Several members of our SpaceX team were able to meet the President during his tour of the Falcon 9 launch pad including:

Neil G. Hicks, SpaceX Lead Fluid System Engineer

Neil received his BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Florida and is a Florida Licensed Professional Engineer with 31 years experience. Neil spent 17 years as a NASA shuttle technician on the main engines, 13 years as a launch propulsion engineer involved in design and development of the Delta IV RS-68 rocket engine, and a year designing the Ares I launch pad pneumatic system for NASA. In the two and a half years since joining SpaceX, Neil has lead the team designing, building, and activating the launch pad fluid systems for Falcon 9.

Florence Li, SpaceX Structures Manager

Florence received her BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Delaware, and her MS in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Stanford University. Florence has been with SpaceX almost seven years. She started with structural analysis, testing and launch integration on the first four Falcon 1 rocket launch campaigns, and currently works on Falcon 9 vehicle integration at Cape Canaveral.

Brian Mosdell, SpaceX Director, Florida Launch Operations

Brian received his BS in Aeronautical Engineering from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and brings over 20 years of launch operations experience, including work on the Titan, Delta, and Atlas programs. Brian was the Chief Launch Conductor for ULA prior to joining SpaceX two years ago.

Leslie Woods Jr., SpaceX Compensation and Human Resources Information Systems Manager

Leslie received his BS in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University and has been with SpaceX for nearly five years. His diverse background in engineering, technical sales and recruiting has helped lead SpaceX's growth from 200 employees in 2006 to nearly 1,000 in 2010.

The President impressed us all with his level of understanding, and the nature of his questions. He clearly perceives both the challenges we face, as well as the opportunities for these new initiatives to become powerful economic engines.

Next: Falcon 9 Flight 2 -- The First NASA COTS Launch

Our second Falcon 9 flight, which will be the first launch under the NASA COTS program, will carry our first operational Dragon spacecraft to orbit. If all goes as planned, liftoff should occur a few months after the inaugural Falcon 9 flight.

This “COTS 1” Dragon will perform several orbits of the Earth, followed by reentry and splashdown off the coast of Southern California. We will gather performance data and retire significant amounts of risk on key spacecraft systems, including Draco thrusters, the Dragon communication systems, PICA-X high performance heat shield material, and other critical navigation, reentry, landing and recovery systems.

This first COTS mission will pave the way for the following COTS and CRS flights to demonstrate, and then actually provide, commercial cargo transport to and from the International Space Station in support of its continued growth and operation.

Falcon 9 Flight 2 -- Primary Structures

The largest sections of flight hardware for the second Falcon 9 flight — the 27 meter (89 foot) long first stage tank structure, and the shorter second stage tank — left our Hawthorne, California headquarters some weeks ago and have completed acceptance testing at our Texas Test Facility.

Installing the Falcon 9 Flight 2 second stage tank structure (white cylinder, top) and test interstage
(black cylinder, center) into the structural test stand at our Texas Test Facility. Subsequently, we
filled the stage with cryogenic nitrogen, then pressurized and tested it under a variety of load
conditions, qualifying it for flight. Credit: SpaceX.

We have completed primary fabrication of the carbon-composite interstage structure that join the two stages and houses the second stage's Merlin Vacuum engine during first stage flight. It has already passed structural acceptance testing, and after fitting it out with pneumatic collets, pushers, and other supporting hardware, it will ship to the Cape.

Looking “upwards” through the interstage for Falcon 9 Flight 2, shown undergoing final assembly in California. The four
black containers will house the parachutes that will help return the first stage to Earth after stage separation. Credit: SpaceX.

Falcon 9 Flight 2 -- Propulsion

The nine Merlin 1C first stage engines are undergoing final integration into the thrust structure assembly in Hawthorne, and will be shipped to Texas for mating with the first stage tank.

After integrating the nine Merlin 1C engines into the thrust structure
assembly it will be ready for shipment to Texas. Credit: SpaceX.

Each engine has already passed an individual acceptance test firing in Texas. After mating the nine-engine assembly to the first stage tank structure, it will be fired as a complete stage.

Second stage Merlin Vacuum engine for Falcon 9 Flight 2, preparing to
leave the Hawthorne factory
for Texas. Credit: SpaceX.

Similarly, the Merlin Vacuum engine for the second stage has shipped to Texas for testing at the engine level, to be followed by mating to the second stage tank and test firing as a complete stage.

The Merlin Vacuum engine's large radiatively cooled expansion nozzle for Falcon 9 Flight 2,
ready for final processing. It does not participate in the static test firing,
and will ship directly to the Cape. Credit: SpaceX.

Falcon 9 Flight 2 -- Dragon Spacecraft

Most significantly, the second flight of Falcon 9 will launch the first operational Dragon spacecraft into Earth orbit. After several trips around the Earth to verify its performance, it will reenter and splashdown off the coast of Southern California, to be met by our recovery team.

Mounted to the top of the Falcon 9's second stage, the Dragon spacecraft consists of a trunk section, a separate pressurized capsule section with integral service section around its base, and at the top, an aerodynamic nose cap that the vehicle jettisons after leaving the atmosphere.

Overview of Dragon spacecraft showing (from top) the nose cap, the cargo or crew carrying pressure vessel surrounded
by a service ring which holds propellant tanks, Draco thrusters, parachutes, etc, and trunk section which can
carry unpressurized cargo to orbit.

Draco Thruster Module Testing

Depending on its mission, each Dragon spacecraft will carry as many as 18 Draco thrusters for orbital maneuvering and attitude control. The SpaceX-developed Draco thrusters can generate up to 400 Newtons (90 pounds) of force. They can fire in bursts as short as a few milliseconds for precision maneuvering, or up to many minutes for changing orbital parameters and initiating the return to Earth.

Technicians produce Draco thrusters in the SpaceX Hawthorne propulsion clean room. With up to 18 Dracos per Dragon,
and with 17 Dragon missions currently on our launch manifest, we are manufacturing many thrusters per month. Credit: SpaceX.

Like the Merlin engines, each completed Draco undergoes an acceptance test firing before integration into the Dragon spacecraft. On Dragon, we mount the thrusters in groups of four and five, positioned to provide complete control of the spacecraft's direction of motion (X, Y and Z axis), as well as orientation (roll, pitch and yaw).

The video below shows a test of five Draco thrusters firing in various combinations and durations.

Testing a set of five Draco thrusters, conducted at our Texas Test Facility. Click to play video.

Four Draco thrusters fire to pull the Dragon spacecraft away from its expended trunk section in preparation for reentry. Credit: SpaceX.

Inspecting the first 18 flight Draco thrusters prior to their installation into the “COTS 1” Dragon spacecraft,
scheduled to fly on Falcon 9 Flight 2. Credit: SpaceX.

Dragon Propellant Tank Fabrication

The Dragon spacecraft carries a total of eight spherical titanium propellant tanks — four each for monomethyl hydrazine (MMH) fuel, and nitrogen tetroxide (NTO) oxidizer — the same as used for orbital maneuvering by the Space Shuttle. These propellants have long on-orbit lifetimes, permitting future Dragon flights to remain in space for a year or more. A system of valves provides redundant cross-connection between the propellant tanks for maximum reliability.

Like many other critical components, we found that the optimum path to maximum quality and lowest cost was to bring their production in-house. We take a flat circle of sheet titanium, mount it to a steel mandrel, then slowly rotate it while heating it to glowing, and then form it on to a hemispherical steel tool.

Spin-forming titanium sheet material into hemispheres. With a melting point of 1725 °C (3135 °F), we heat the metal to its plastic deformation point. Then a large metal wheel presses the softened metal around a steel hemisphere. Credit: SpaceX / Roger Gilbertson.

When cool, we remove the titanium hemisphere from the tool and finish it into final form. We then install the interior components, and weld a second hemisphere into place to make the finished spherical tank.

Technicians prepare a titanium hemisphere for installation of the interior components and welding of a second half
to make a complete propellant tank. Credit: SpaceX.

Dragon Trunk Separation Testing

At the end a Dragon mission's orbital phase, the spacecraft's thrusters fire to slow the craft and begin the return to Earth. Then, a set of dual-redundant electrically activated frangible nuts fire to release the trunk and expose the heat shield for reentry.

The trunk and pressurized sections of the Dragon spacecraft join together at six load-bearing mounts. The video below shows a full-scale test of the trunk separation system, using a qualification trunk, and with a steel structure suspended above simulating the Dragon's pressurized section.

Testing a set of pyrotechnic frangible nuts that release the trunk section from the Dragon spacecraft prior to start of reentry.
Click to play high-speed video.

Following separation, Draco thrusters fire to move the Dragon capsule away from the trunk, and reorient it into reentry position.

High Performance PICA-X Heat Shield

On a typical return, Dragon will enter into the Earth's atmosphere at around 7 kilometers per second (15,660 miles per hour), heating the exterior of the spacecraft as high as 2000 degrees Celsius (3632 degrees F).

However, just a few inches of SpaceX's PICA-X (Phenolic Impregnated Carbon Ablator) heat shield material will protect the spacecraft and keep its interior to a comfortable temperature.

Protected by a PICA-X heat shield, the Dragon spacecraft reenters the Earth's atmosphere at around 7 kilometers per second
(15,660 miles per hour), heating the exterior of the spacecraft as high as 2000 degrees Celsius (3620 degrees F). Credit: SpaceX.

Developed with the assistance of NASA, the originator of PICA, the “X” stands for the SpaceX-developed variants of the rigid, lightweight material, which have some improved properties and a greater ease of manufacture. Read more about PICA-X here.

We produce the PICA-X material in-house in large billets, then cut and machine them into separate tiles, each as large as a cafeteria tray, but over 8 cm (3 inches) thick, and weighing only about a kilogram (2.2 pounds) each. During reentry, less than 1 cm (1/2 inch) chars away from the surface of the PICA-X tiles, providing plenty of safety margin.

Inspecting a PICA-X tile prior to attachment to the heat shield assembly. We fabricate each strong,
lightweight tile to an exact shape for a precision fit to the carrier structure and its neighboring tiles. Credit: SpaceX.

Inspecting the carbon-composite carrier structure for the first Dragon spacecraft heat shield, fresh from its mold.
At nearly 4 meters (13 feet) in diameter, the structure supports the PICA-X tiles that protect the spacecraft during reentry. Credit: SpaceX.

Test placement of the flight PICA-X tiles on the first flight Dragon heat shield carrier structure. During reentry the lightweight
tiles withstand temperatures as high as 2000 degrees Celsius (3620 degrees F). Credit: SpaceX / Roger Gilbertson.

We have started final assembly of the first flight heat shield that will protect the Dragon spacecraft on its return. After fabrication and inspection, we attach the PICA-X tiles to the lens-shaped carbon-composite carrier structure, and fill the thermal expansion joints between tiles with a high-performance silicon compound.

From its inception, SpaceX designed the Falcon 9 and Dragon spacecraft to transport and return both cargo and astronauts. With 17 unmanned Dragon missions presently on our launch manifest, the Falcon 9 and Dragon spacecraft will have plenty of flight heritage by the time we carry our first crewmembers to orbit.

Now In Production -- Falcon 9 Flight 3

In addition, we have started production on Falcon 9 Flight 3 hardware and its Dragon spacecraft. We've completed fabrication of all six domes (three for first stage, three for second stage) and have started production of the tank barrel sections. We have the next ten Merlin engines in-process, components for the Dragon spacecraft pressure vessel formed, and many other elements under way.

Hardware for the third Falcon 9 flight in process in our Hawthorne factory, including first and second stage domes,
barrel segments, and Dragon capsule pressure vessel walls. Credit: SpaceX.

Our SpaceX team is nearing 1,000 members, and we're continuing to hire the most sought-after and enterprising engineers and production technicians seeking to make access to space regular, cost-effective and reliable. If you'd like to join our efforts in California, Texas, or Florida, please visit our Careers page.

Stay tuned for more updates as we progress towards the first flight of Falcon 9 and beyond.

Statement from Elon Musk

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Click here for April 15 statement from Elon Musk

Inaugural Falcon 9 / Dragon Flight Hardware Update

Sunday, March 14, 2010

On Saturday, March 13, SpaceX successfully completed a test firing of the inaugural Falcon 9 launch vehicle at Space Launch Complex 40 located at Cape Canaveral. Following a nominal terminal countdown, the launch sequencer commanded ignition of all 9 Merlin first stage engines for a period of 3.5 seconds.

Click image above to view close up video of SpaceX's successful Falcon 9 static fire.

Click image above for wide view video of SpaceX's successful Falcon 9 static fire.

Just prior to engine ignition, the pad water deluge system was activated providing acoustic suppression to keep vibration levels within acceptable limits. The test validated the launch pad propellant and pneumatic systems as well as the ground and flight control software that controls pad and launch vehicle configurations.

This was the final step for the rocket and launch pad before launch itself. We are now waiting for completion of the final set of tests of the flight termination system, specifically the explosives and initiators, and the acceptance of that test documentation by Air Force range safety. As soon as the tests are complete and the Air Force has signed off, we will move forward with launch.

If all goes as hoped, the first countdown attempt may be as soon as next month. It's important to note this is not a prediction of when we will launch, just when we will probably try a countdown. Additional images of SpaceX's successful Falcon 9 static fire below—stay tuned for more updates as we continue to progress towards the first flight of Falcon 9/Dragon.

Inaugural Falcon 9 / Dragon Flight Hardware Update

Thursday, March 11, 2010

On Tuesday, March 9th, SpaceX performed our first Static Fire for the Falcon 9 launch vehicle. We counted down to T-2 seconds and aborted on Spin Start (the process that fires the engines). Given that this was our first abort event on this pad, we decided to scrub for the day get a good look at the rocket before trying again.

The problem was pretty simple: our autostart sequence didn't issue the command to actuate (trigger) the ground side isolation valve to open. The ground side isolation valve releases ground-supplied high pressure helium to start the first stage engine turbopumps spinning at several thousand rpm. That generates enough pressure to start the gas generator, which is a small rocket engine that powers the turbopump. There are no vehicle side valves actuated for spin start (just check valves), so it is an all engines or none situation.

Ignition fluid flowing to the engines creating the green flame shown in this photo.

Ignition fluid (TEA-TEB) flowed nominally to all engines creating the green flame and the main valves opened, but no engines actually started and the system automatically aborted on lack of spin. The fire generated was from flushing the system of fuel and LOX from the open mains. No damage to the vehicle or ground systems and no other anomalies that need to be addressed.

Fire generated from the flushing of fuel and LOX, but no engines actually started.

We tested everything on the vehicle side exhaustively in Texas, but didn't have this iso valve on our test stand there. Definitely a lesson learned to make sure that *everything* is the same between test stand and launch pad on the ground side, not just on the vehicle side.

Despite the abort, 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 Flight Termination System (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 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.

It is important to appreciate that what we are going through right now is the equivalent of “beta testing”. Problems are expected to occur, as they have throughout the development phase. The beta phase only ends when a rocket has done at least one, but arguably two or three consecutive flights to orbit.

Extreme weather at the Cape preventing additional static fire attempts

Right now, we are holding due to extreme weather. It is raining sideways at 46 mph and tornados have been spotted just north of the Cape. If all goes well, we will try the static fire again in the next few days.

Inaugural Falcon 9 / Dragon Flight Hardware Update

Thursday, February 25, 2010

SpaceX's Falcon 9 launch vehicle is now vertical at Space Launch Complex 40, Cape Canaveral! Click the image below to see the time lapse video:

The full flight-ready Falcon 9 launch vehicle with Dragon qualification spacecraft raised to vertical on the launch pad at SLC-40, Cape Canaveral, Florida. Credit: SpaceX.
Click to play video.

Taking the rocket vertical was the most recent milestone in a series of key launch prep activities at the Cape in recent weeks. Prior to this, SpaceX fully integrated all flight hardware, mating the first stage, second stage and Dragon qualification spacecraft in the SpaceX hangar at SLC-40.

Falcon 9 flight hardware undergoing final integration in the hangar at SpaceX's Cape Canaveral launch site in Florida. Components include: Dragon spacecraft qualification unit (l), second stage with Merlin Vacuum engine (ctr), first stage with nine Merlin 1C engines (r). Credit: SpaceX

Falcon 9 launch vehicle and Dragon spacecraft fully integrated in the SpaceX hangar at Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) in Cape Canaveral, FL. Credit: Chris Thompson/SpaceX

We then raised the entire vehicle and placed it on to the mobile transporter. The following days involved connecting the vehicle to the transporter's support systems, including lines for RP-1 fuel, liquid oxygen (LOX), gaseous helium and nitrogen, as well as numerous electrical and data connections.

These attach to the vehicle through three umbilical connectors — two at the base of the first stage on opposite sides, and one at the top of the interstage that supplies the second stage. They remain connected until liftoff, when they detach and pull away from the departing vehicle, just as with the Falcon 1.

Credit: Chris Thompson/SpaceX

After verifying all the connections (leak checking the fluid and gas systems, and continuity checking the electrical systems), the team joined the entire flight-ready Falcon 9 to the launch support system for the first time. The process went very smoothly thanks to the efforts of our hardworking team down at the Cape.

Next, we opened the hangar doors and rolled the entire system out to the launch platform. There, we anchored to the launch mount, and connected the combined transporter/rocket to the ground-based feeds and support. We then conducted another set of system checks to verify those systems — the same set of liquids, gasses, electrical and data.

The full flight-ready Falcon 9 with Dragon qualification spacecraft rolls out of the SpaceX hangar at SLC-40, Cape Canaveral, Florida. Credit: SpaceX.
Click to play video.

Mounted on the mobile transporter, the full flight-ready Falcon 9 with Dragon qualification spacecraft rolls to the launch pad at SLC-40, Cape Canaveral, Florida. Credit: SpaceX.

On the morning of Saturday 20 February, we brought the vehicle to vertical, and began preparations for tanking and static test firing.

The full flight-ready Falcon 9 with Dragon qualification spacecraft stands
on the launch pad at SLC-40, Cape Canaveral, Florida. Credit: SpaceX.

Aerial view of Falcon 9 with Dragon qualification spacecraft on the launch pad at SLC-40,
Cape Canaveral, Florida. Credit: SpaceX.

The full flight-ready Falcon 9 with Dragon qualification spacecraft stands on the launch pad at SLC-40,
Cape Canaveral, Florida. Credit: Chris Thompson/SpaceX.

Coming up next, we prepare the vehicle and launch pad for static firing. During the test firing we will collect data from numerous sensors on and around the vehicle, then review all data thoroughly prior to launch.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to progress towards the first flight of Falcon 9.

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