Falcon 9 engine restart glitch blamed on thermal conditions
http://www.spaceflightnow.com/falcon9/007/131122engine/#.UpKcjuKPwSo
SpaceX says frozen fluid lines prevented the Falcon 9 rocket’s second stage engine from re-igniting on a Sept. 29 test flight, but engineers are confident extra insulation will resolve the thermal problem on the Falcon 9’s next mission set for liftoff Monday on the company’s first launch to geostationary transfer orbit.
The aborted engine restart on the Falcon 9 test flight was caused when fluid lines for the second stage Merlin engine’s igniter fluid froze after long exposure to cold oxygen, according to Emily Shanklin, a SpaceX spokesperson.
“This never happened on the ground, because ambient air kept the lines warm,” Shanklin said in a statement. “We’ve added insulation and made sure that cold oxygen can’t impinge on the lines.
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