NASA's Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle

[ffsear]

somthing not closed?

 

[Crispy]

Still looks pretty windy :-/

 

[Crispy]

Doh! Who left the keys in the fuel cap?

 

[2hats]

Problems with (LOX) valves in the core (and left booster).

 

[2hats]

Set of test valve cycles and then proceed to launch if ok.

 

[editor]

*drums fingers

 

[rover07]

Lovely day for it

No sound though???

 

[ricbake]

They've got until 14:44 GMT to get this right to go today - apparently fuel drain valves not registered as properly closed caused this hold

 

[Crispy]

Lovely day for it

No sound though???

There's often long periods of silence in launch coverage.

They're going to cycle the valves 5 times to see if that helps. (aka wiggle it about to loosen it up)

 

[rover07]

I like the ULA box it came in. The postage must be extortionate.

 

[2hats]

I like the ULA box it came in. The postage must be extortionate.

A tad under $46000 per kg.

 

[2hats]

Continuing issues with the port and core drain valves. (e2a: liquid hydrogen fuel this time, rather than the liquid oxygen).

 

[2hats]

The launch window is primarily dictated by requiring good lighting conditions at both the launch site and recovery location (I should add - this is a test flight so they want to observe and record it as best they can). Hence the attempt starting at sunrise at the cape. Another attempt tomorrow should see pretty much the same timings. They might be able to try a third time Friday but then would probably stand down over the weekend. (I don't have the details to hand so am guessing).

 

[2hats]

So they are going to pressurise each core hydrogen tank to see if this helps nudge the valves into position, vent then recycle those valves and hopefully that will persuade them to behave.

 

[2hats]

Winds still a concern.

 

[2hats]

Going to try that again... (pressurise LH2 tanks, vent, cycle valves) - not completely successful the first time around.

 

[Crispy]

It's a good thing they only have to work once

 

[2hats]

1444 launch - so going all the way to the wire...

 

[ffsear]

Last chance

 

[2hats]

Scrub. Launch same time tomorrow.

 

[ffsear]

Its off

 

[ffsear]

Ha, Just realized i spent 5 hours watching this, all for nothing

 

[2hats]

Consolation prize: Ariane 5 launch this evening (see Launches thread).

 

[2hats]

The only splashdown today:

 

[2hats]

The Delta IV-Heavy is being tanked at the moment for another attempt at 1205UTC today (NASA TV commentary starts at 1100UTC today). Weather is only forecast at 40% favourable for launch. If they don't manage it today then Sunday will probably be the next target (the local cryogenic fuel storage facility will have to be topped up and launch crews will need a rest day).

e2a: weather is currently (1000UTC) no-go for launch but is expected to improve within an hour or so.

2e2a: no issues with the spacecraft at this time (1100UTC).

 

[2hats]

Weather is currently go for launch. Wind is stable with a slight drop back from the red line constraint. Expected to increase towards the end of the launch window.

 

[Limejuice]

Fingers crossed.

 

[2hats]

On board cameras powered up and running. Final launch team poll - all go; final 4 minutes of the count coming up.

 

[Limejuice]

4 minute countdown!

 

[2hats]

Everything is go...