Flight 4 of Falcon 1

[thomasantony]

As mentioned in my update last month, we do expect to conduct a launch countdown in late September – as scheduled.
Having said that, it is still possible that we encounter an issue that needs to be investigated, which would delay launch until the next available window in late October. If preparations go smoothly, we will conduct a static fire on Saturday and launch sometime between Tuesday and Thursday (California time).
The SpaceX team worked hard to make this launch window, but we also took the time to review data from Flight 3 in detail. In addition to us reviewing the data, we had several outside experts check the data and conclusions. No flight critical problems were found apart from the thrust transient issue.
Flight 5 production is well underway with an expected January completion date, Flight 6 parts are on order and Flight 7 production will begin early next year. We are now in steady state production of Falcon 1 at a rate of one vehicle every four months, which we will probably step up to one vehicle every two to three months in 2010.
—Elon—

Photo: Expedited delivery – SpaceX purchased a C-17 flight from the USAF to fly the Falcon 1 Flight 4 vehicle from Los Angeles International to the Kwajalein Atoll. Image: SpaceX.​

SpaceX’s Falcon 1 Flight 4 on the launch pad at Omelek Island in the Kwajalein Atoll of the Marshall Islands (19 Sep 2008).​

I really hope they get it right this time. apparently they have had guys from outside to check it out too.


~
Thomas
​

 

[JamesG]

That tank and support structure stuff looks awful close to the pad...

 

[astrosammy]

Poor trees... :lol:

 

[Jarvitä]

They're still not done decorating the ocean floor with 20 million USD artificial reefs?

 

[Missioncmdr]

Well, you know what they say: "Third time's the charm." Oh, wait...

 

[Quick_Nick]

and launch sometime between Tuesday and Thursday

Wednesday?

 

[Andy44]

Well, here we go again. Having eaten my share of crow, I am nevertheless hopeful...

 

[Kyle]

Maybe its Fourth time's a charm.

 

[thomasantony]

I wonder whats up with Falcon 9.

 

[simonpro]

I'm gonna refrain from making jokes about this one as I think it might actually work. for the sake of the whole SpaceX company I hope it works, otherwise things will be getting a bit tense, they really need a win.
Good luck, guys!

 

[Kyle]

I'm going to download the falcon 1 for Orbiter just for good luck.

 

[C3PO]

I'm gonna refrain from making jokes about this one as I think it might actually work. for the sake of the whole SpaceX company I hope it works, otherwise things will be getting a bit tense, they really need a win.
Good luck, guys!

:ditto:

 

[Thunder Chicken]

It's somewhat frightening that so little can stand in the way of success on these flights. A corroded nut, a line of control code, etc.. I hope Flight 4 has no fatal issues.

But I can imagine a string of launches where, were it not for the failure of a 2 cent widget, all would be fine. So it is decided to proceed with one more flight, with a new 2 cent widget, but the flight fails because of another 2 cent widget, or 'minor' error in a line of code. It is hard to spend $20 million per launch to troubleshoot things that would take 5 minutes and a few dollars to replace. Elon Musk is a courageous man - there is a mountain of risk, but there is a mountain of reward just beyond it, if he has the financial will behind him to get over the top.

 

[Urwumpe]

Flight 4 will not fail... I don't think that SpaceX will be so unlucky. But I also don't think that the time of failures will be over.

 

[Andy44]

I hope you're right. More than just Musk is on the line here: the future of the private space industry will be greatly influenced by the success or failure of the Falcon rocket family. If Musk can make it work more people will invest in the future and we may see something cool for a change.

 

[Urwumpe]

I hope you're right. More than just Musk is on the line here: the future of the private space industry will be greatly influenced by the success or failure of the Falcon rocket family. If Musk can make it work more people will invest in the future and we may see something cool for a change.

I don't think it depends on Musk. Musk is just the loudest, but sure not the best in the business.

 

[Zatnikitelman]

Maybe, but he is basically the trendsetter here. If people look at private-commercial spaceflight as something wrought with failures and throwing millions at a design that will never work, then you might only get one or two companies crazy enough to try and invest in private-commercial spaceflight. However, if SpaceX succeeds and continues to succeed, then people might not think it's such a crazy idea to try and build their own rockets.

 

[spcefrk]

I wish them a successful launch and good data. Like I said in the Flight 3 thread, it's a hell of a golden goose to chase. Any ideas when specifically the launch will be?

 

[SlyCoopersButt]

I hope they do get off this time. It will be good for everyone including NASA. And yes, I just DL'd a Falcon 1 addon! But I failed to reach orbit 4 times in a row so far:huh:. However I'm not the best launch pilot!

I too wonder when the launch is to be exact. I don't know if it's going to be after I get in bed a hours from now or much later in the afternoon.

 

[simonpro]

It'll probably be evening time today, assuming everything works properly (which it hasn't been so far in this launch campaign).

I've heard a lot of rumors that payload sep is today's big issue, so will be interesting to see how that goes. I'm steadfastly refusing to bet on it this time though, they really need this launch to go to plan.