[Waspie_Dwarf]

Ares I-X Launch Status Briefing 102609

26 October 2009

Source: NASA Channel - YouTube

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Latest Ares I-X News

The Count Is On!
Tue, 27 Oct 2009 05:46:45 AM GMT

The launch team's "call to stations" came at 12:30 a.m. EDT, and the countdown picked up a half hour later. About 30 team members are operating today from the newly renovated Young-Crippen Firing Room, of Kennedy's Launch Control Center.

The only spoiler for the 8 a.m. liftoff might be the weather. Currently, there only is a 40 percent chance of favorable weather during the window, which extends until noon.

NASA's Launch Blog of the Ares I-X launch begins at 5 a.m. EDT.


Ares I-X Flight Test

Launch Vehicle: Ares I-X
Targeted Launch Date: Oct. 27
Launch Window: 8 a.m. EDT
Launch Pad: 39B
Launch Site: Kennedy Space Center, Fla.


Sunset at Launch Pad 39B at NASA's
Kennedy Space Center in Florida finds
the Ares I-X rocket awaiting the approaching
liftoff of its flight test.
Image credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
› View larger image

NASA's first flight test for the agency's next-generation spacecraft and launch vehicle system, called Ares I-X, will bring NASA one step closer to its exploration goals. The flight test will provide NASA with an early opportunity to test and prove flight characteristics, hardware, facilities and ground operations associated with the Ares I.

Source: NASA - Ares I-X Flight Test

[TALM]

Launch already!!!!!!

I found it funny when they were tugging on that red thing at the top of the rocket with a rope/cord (I missed all the technical date/descriptions).

I pictured MID up on the tower tugging on the rope. Was that you MID?

I hope the mission is without a hitch

[Czero 101]

Launch scrubbed today at 15:20Z due to weather conditions. Time for tomorrow's launch attempt still TBA.




Cz

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Latest Ares I-X News

Launch Team Aims for Second Try Tomorrow
Tue, 27 Oct 2009 03:44:41 PM GMT

The Ares I-X launch team is preparing for a 24-hour turnaround, targeting 8 a.m. on Wednesday as liftoff time for the Ares I-X flight test vehicle.

Tuesday's attempt was plagued by weather issues, even though the vehicle itself was ready to fly. After multiple attempts to reset to new launch times during the 4-hour window, the final scrub came when the weather did not improve as the end of the window neared. Tomorrow's weather improves somewhat, with a 40 percent "no-go."

Wednesday's attempt will have the same 4-hour window that ends at noon, and live coverage will also begin again at 5 a.m. EDT.


Ares I-X Flight Test

Launch Vehicle: Ares I-X
Targeted Launch Date: Oct. 28
Launch Window: 8 a.m. EDT
Launch Pad: 39B
Launch Site: Kennedy Space Center, Fla.


View from the top: At Launch Complex
39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center
in Florida, the Ares I-X rocket awaits liftoff
of its flight test.
Image credit: NASA TV

NASA's first flight test for the agency's next-generation spacecraft and launch vehicle system, called Ares I-X, will bring NASA one step closer to its exploration goals. The flight test will provide NASA with an early opportunity to test and prove flight characteristics, hardware, facilities and ground operations associated with the Ares I.

Source: NASA - Ares I-X Flight Test

[Waspie_Dwarf]

NASA's Ares I-X Launch Rescheduled for Wednesday

The NASA press release is reproduced below:

Oct. 27, 2009

Grey Hautaluoma/Ashley Edwards
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-0668/1756
grey.hautaluoma-1@nasa.gov, ashley.edwards-1@nasa.gov

Amber Philman
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468
amber.n.philman@nasa.gov


RELEASE : 09-251


NASA's Ares I-X Launch Rescheduled for Wednesday


CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA mission managers canceled Tuesday's scheduled launch of the Ares I-X flight test because of weather concerns at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Another launch attempt is targeted for Wednesday. A four-hour launch window opens at 8 a.m. EDT.

The launch was delayed for 24 hours because of winds at the launch pad that exceeded the 20-knot limit and concerns about clouds with moisture that could have caused static build-up on the rocket and led to communication issues. Forecasters predict a 60 percent chance of favorable weather Wednesday.

The Ares I-X is part of a larger flight test program that will provide data for future launch vehicles and give NASA an opportunity to test and prove hardware, facilities and ground operations.

For information about Ares I-X, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/aresIX

To follow Ares I-X on Twitter, visit:

http://www.twitter.com/NASA_Ares_I_X

For information about NASA and agency programs, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov

- end -
___________________________

Source: NASA - Press Release 09-251

[MID]

TALM, on 27 October 2009 - 11:23 AM, said:

Launch already!!!!!!

Patience now!
It's the nature of spaceflight.
Be prepared not to go, and be surprized when you finally do!
Weather went red at T-2:39...right down to the wire there...but we don't want any electrical interference from clouds with ice or moisture in them aloft, and we had some winds aloft issuers as well, so we wait for clear in these cases.

Quote

I found it funny when they were tugging on that red thing at the top of the rocket with a rope/cord (I missed all the technical date/descriptions).

I pictured MID up on the tower tugging on the rope. Was that you MID?

...No TALM, wasn't me (personnel are evacuated at T minus 1 hour), and I sure as hell want no parts of being near that baby when she's live!

I am curious as to what exactly the cover was hanging on.
It's a cover for some developmental data sensors that comes off the apex and is supposed to just get tugged away by the cord you saw. The cover did come off of the ports, but it wouldn't let go of the vehicle.

I think they were planning on just getting back up in there and cutting the thing...doesn't really matter if it hangs on the vehicle for a little bit, so long as the ports are uncovered. It's gonna get torn off of there in short order anyway by the airstream.

Quote

I hope the mission is without a hitch

Me too!

It's a quicky...basically a two minute first stage motor burn to around 25 miles in altitude...and recovery verification on the SRM, but lots and lots of data for verification and further development to be collected.

We'll try again tomorrow morning.

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Ares I-X at the Launch Pad

NASA's Ares I-X rocket is seen on Launch Pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Monday, Oct. 26, 2009. The flight test of Ares I-X, scheduled for today, Oct. 27, 2009, will provide NASA with an early opportunity to test and prove flight characteristics, hardware, facilities and ground operations associated with the Ares I.

Image Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls

Source: NASA - Multimedia - Image of the Day Gallery

[TALM]

Great things happening at NASA indeed!!!! I am stoked for the actual launch!!!!

This post has been edited by TALM: 27 October 2009 - 11:18 PM

[Waspie_Dwarf]

TALM, on 27 October 2009 - 04:23 PM, said:

I found it funny when they were tugging on that red thing at the top of the rocket with a rope/cord (I missed all the technical date/descriptions).

MID, on 27 October 2009 - 10:16 PM, said:

I am curious as to what exactly the cover was hanging on.
It's a cover for some developmental data sensors that comes off the apex and is supposed to just get tugged away by the cord you saw. The cover did come off of the ports, but it wouldn't let go of the vehicle.

For anyone curious as to what TALM and MID are referring to (I know I was) please click the link below:

Technicians Remove Protective Cover from I-X

Nasa coverage of the scrub announcement can be seen by clicking the link below:

Weather Scrubs Launch

This post has been edited by Waspie_Dwarf: 28 October 2009 - 01:34 AM
Reason for edit:: added 2nd video link

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Ares I-X: Countdown 101



The Ares I-X flight test will allow NASA to test the Ares I rocket's flight characteristics, hardware, facilities and ground operations. The sub-orbital mission also will verify modeling methods for future designs.

You can share in the excitement of the live countdown via NASA TV or the Web. Coverage begins three hours prior to liftoff, and you can use the countdown events below to track the prelaunch milestones and learn about the Ares I-X countdown process.

T-6 Hours, 40 Minutes

• Countdown starts.
  
• Ares I-X power-up preps begin.
  
• Weather balloon released from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the first in a series to be released throughout the countdown to evaluate atmospheric conditions such as pressure, humidity, temperature and winds.

T-6 Hours, 30 Minutes

• Ares I-X power-up begins, a process that takes about an hour.

T-5 Hours, 45 Minutes

• Launch Test Director Jeff Spaulding receives a weather briefing from Launch Weather Officer Kathy Winters.

T-4 Hours, 55 Minutes

• First stage igniter and joint heaters are activated.

T-4 Hours, 50 Minutes

• The vehicle's onboard guidance system, the fault tolerant inertial navigation unit (FTINU), begins a system alignment. This takes about an hour.

T-4 Hours, 10 Minutes

• Terminate purge of upper stage simulator and first stage avionics module. Environmental control systems that have been proving cool airflow to these areas will be removed, and closeout panels will be installed.

T-3 Hours, 50 Minutes

• Fault tolerant inertial navigation unit completes alignment and begins navigation testing.
  
• Weather balloon release

T-3 Hour, 40 Minutes

• Prime launch team/Launch Authority Team are on station in Kennedy Space Center's Launch Control Center; the launch support team is on station in Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Hangar AE.
  
• Ground control system (GCS) begins monitoring for commands from the Launch Control Center.

T-3 Hours

• The rocket's flight termination system, located in the first stage's simulated fifth segment, undergoes hold-fire checks. These checks verify the Eastern Range safety personnel are able to stop the countdown if necessary.

T-2 Hours, 45 Minutes

• Eastern Range open-loop test.
  
• Weather balloon release

T-2 Hours, 40 Minutes

• Upper stage access arm retraction begins.
  
• Live coverage begins on NASA TV and nasa.gov.

T-2 Hour, 25 Minutes

• Upper stage access arm ready for vehicle stabilization system disconnect.

T-2 Hour, 15 Minutes

• Rotating service structure is rotated to "park."

T-2 Hour, 10 Minutes

• Launch pad swing arms are unlatched and rotated, signaling the start of work to disconnect the launch pad's vehicle stabilization system.

T-1 Hour, 45 Minutes

• The rocket's C-band beacon transponder is powered up and tested with the range.
  
• Safety personnel begin the process of securing the launch pad.
  
• Weather balloon release

T-1 Hour, 30 Minutes

• Vehicle stabilization system is disconnected and secured for launch.

T-1 Hour, 15 Minutes

• Ground command, control and communication initiates launch commit criteria monitoring. Known as GC3, the system is located inside the mobile launcher platform and is linked with computers in the firing room.

T-1 Hour, 10 Minutes

• Launch Test Director weather brief.
  
• Technician pulls a lanyard to remove the cover providing weather protection to the five-hole probe (5HP) development flight instrumentation.

T-55 Minutes

• The fault tolerant inertial navigation unit begins its final alignment after the VSS is retracted.

T-43 Minutes

• Ares I-X flight termination system is activated and set to "safe."

T-40 Minutes

• Launch Test Director weather brief.
  
• Final status check with solid rocket booster retrieval ships.
  
• Assemble and brief post-launch inspection teams.

T-35 Minutes

• The terminal countdown flight termination system begins its closed loop test.
  
• Weather balloon release

T-20 Minutes

• Final activation of the development flight instrumentation and Tel-4 station.

T-18 Minutes

• Onboard recorders are activated. A single recorder will collect data from operational flight instrumentation (OFI) and development flight instrumentation (DFI) located on the ground and vehicle.

T-4 Minutes and Holding

• Countdown clock pauses for a 20-minute built-in hold, the only planned hold in the Ares I-X countdown.
  
• Launch weather verification
  
• Start launch camera recording, followed by data recording.
  
• Option 910, the computer governing the launch sequence, is configured for launch.
  
• Launch Vehicle Test Conductor polls his team and reports ready to resume count.
  
• Launch Authority Team is polled for launch.
  
• First stage igniter heater power removed.
  
• Launch Test Director Jeff Spaulding conducts final launch status verification.

T-4 Minutes and Counting

• Countdown resumes at T-4 minutes.
  
• Ares I-X flight termination system and solid rocket motors are armed. (T-3 minutes, 30 seconds)

T-3 Minutes

• Fans cooling the first stage avionics module and upper stage simulator are turned off.

T-2 Minutes

• Ares I-X transfers to internal power. (T-1 minute, 59 seconds)
  
• Onboard operational and developmental flight instrumentation recorders are started. (T-1 minute, 54 seconds)
  
• The rocket's flight control system is enabled for launch. (T-1 minute, 40 seconds)
  
• Flight control system switches to internal power and receives the start count from the GCS. (T-1 minute, 20 seconds)

T-1 Minute

• Solid rocket motor joint heaters are deactivated. (T-50 seconds)
  
• Flight control system switches to navigation mode, and inertial and navigation data are verified for accuracy. (T-35 seconds)
  
• Auxiliary power units are started. (T-28 seconds)
  
• Solid rocket motor thrust vector control gimbal test is performed. (T-21 seconds)
  
• Ignition and hold-down bolts are armed. (T-18 seconds)
  
• Ground control system issues commands for sound suppression, opening the valves to flood the mobile launcher platform with water. At its peak, water will flow at a rate of 900,000 gallons per minute. (T-16 minutes)
  
• Launch inhibits are removed and vehicle is armed. (T-10 seconds)

T-0

• Liftoff!
  
• Ares I-X begins a 20-second "fly-away" steering maneuver designed to take the rocket away from the launch tower to minimize damage to the launch pad.

NASA's John F. Kennedy Space Center


Source: NASA - Constellation - Ares I-X Test Flight

[MID]

Great coverage of this Waspie !

[DONTEATUS]

Is that stuff related to STD`s and Space Flight?

[Waspie_Dwarf]

Latest Ares I-X News

The Countdown Begins!
Wed, 28 Oct 2009 05:10:00 AM GMT

The launch team's "call to stations" was 12:30 a.m. EDT, and the countdown picked up on time at 1 a.m.

Liftoff is targeted for 8 a.m. this morning. Currently, there is a 60 percent chance of favorable weather during the window, which extends until noon.

NASA TV coverage and the Launch Blog of the Ares I-X launch begins at 5 a.m. EDT.

NASA mission managers canceled Tuesday's scheduled launch of the Ares I-X flight test because of weather concerns at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.


Ares I-X Flight Test

Launch Vehicle: Ares I-X
Targeted Launch Date: Oct. 28
Launch Window: 8 a.m. EDT
Launch Pad: 39B
Launch Site: Kennedy Space Center, Fla.


View from the top: At Launch Complex
39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center
in Florida, the Ares I-X rocket awaits liftoff
of its flight test.
Image credit: NASA TV

NASA's first flight test for the agency's next-generation spacecraft and launch vehicle system, called Ares I-X, will bring NASA one step closer to its exploration goals. The flight test will provide NASA with an early opportunity to test and prove flight characteristics, hardware, facilities and ground operations associated with the Ares I.

Source: NASA - Ares I-X Flight Test

[Czero 101]

Wow!... What a beautiful launch!

That baby was really haulin' the mail off the pad...

Way to go NASA and everyone involved in the I-X launch




Cz