Posted on 06/28/2015 5:30:56 AM PDT by lbryce
From the Spaceflightnow.com Facebook page discussion about it.
https://www.facebook.com/spaceflightnow?fref=nf
“First stage continued firing until range safety destroyed it. Video shows Dragon capsule came off intact very early after the event. Possiby deployed a parachute as it passed the back of stage 1 but parachute line disappears a few frames later. Very robust structures for stage 1 to keep working and Dragon to survive intact. One other possibility for failure is the Dragon service module. Frame by frame shows the event occurs at the front of the 2nd stage and base of the service module. It is a white cloud not colored (I.e. not hypergolic fuel) so it may have been a pressurant tank)”
Another comment:
“The only reason I have put a premature second stage engine ignition on the list is that the entire ascent is computer/ software controlled. There could have been a wrong number entered for certain events. It’s what downed a Delta 3 and an Ariane 5 launch...miss entered numbers. Now a misinformed computer could have caused all of the other possible events such as pyro-fasteners, over pressurized second stage tanks etc. We will know more once the press conference happens...and then it might be a week or two.”
“First stage continued firing until range safety destroyed it.
...
I wonder if it could have landed if it weren’t destroyed.
If a parachute line appeared, it would have been the drogue chute.
It appears the second stage fuel tanks ruptured with no ignition, for whatever reason.
Even if the Dragon didn’t have a drogue deploy or the mains it might be tough enough to withstand ocean impact.
Altitude at breakup was above 25 miles (if I have done the math correctly).
That’s a long way down without a chute.
What are the flares up by the nose at T+ 1:15?
Yes, 25 miles is bit up there, but as it descends it slows down due to the increase in the density of the air and drag.
Those are cold gas thrusters and used for course correction.
It’s passing through the sound barrier.
Saw this posted on SpaceX’s website.
Update:
SpaceX and NASA will participate in a news briefing no earlier than 12:30pm ET. The press conference will be streamed live here and on NASA TV at http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/.
I thought thats what they were but didnt know. That looked like some pretty strong firing. I didnt see it live and thought it was gonna come apart right then. Maybe an early sign of trouble.
No it wasn’t. It was passing through the speed of sound. There aren’t cold gas thrusters in the Dragon capsule.
I’ve never seen that degree of correction before on a SpaceX launch. The first stage engines are steerable, so not much course correction should be needed.
I suppose it would depend on terminal velocity and what part of the capsule hit the water first.
Elon tweeted this:
Elon Musk @elonmusk 6m6 minutes ago
“There was an overpressure event in the upper stage liquid oxygen tank. Data suggests counterintuitive cause.”
That means they dont know WTF happened, right?
Gotta luv the space jargon.
Looks like the post-flight news conference has been pushed back to no earlier than 12:50pm EDT.
Maybe the data they are looking at indicates several problems occurring at the same time.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.