{"id":39829,"date":"2013-06-14T21:25:48","date_gmt":"2013-06-14T13:25:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/testing-times-for-spacexs-new-falcon-9-v-1-1\/"},"modified":"2013-06-14T21:25:48","modified_gmt":"2013-06-14T13:25:48","slug":"testing-times-for-spacexs-new-falcon-9-v-1-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/testing-times-for-spacexs-new-falcon-9-v-1-1\/","title":{"rendered":"Testing times for SpaceX\u2019s new Falcon 9 v.1.1"},"content":{"rendered":"

Engineers at SpaceX\u2019s Rocket Development and Test Facility in McGregor, Texas are continuing to conduct a series of firings of the company\u2019s upgraded Falcon 9 v.1.1 launch vehicle \u2013 which is scheduled to debut this summer. Testing on the core stage \u2013 with its new Merlin 1D engines \u2013 has proven to be challenging, due to a number of aborted firings.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Falcon 9 v1.1:<\/p>\n

SpaceX have successfully flown the Falcon 9 v1.0 \u2013 powered by nine SpaceX Merlin 1C engines arranged in a \u201ctic-tac-toe\u201d pattern \u2013 via the first five F9 launches, including four launches of the Dragon spacecraft \u2013 three of which resulted in a successful mission to the International Space Station (ISS).<\/p>\n

\"PhotoshoppedThe upgraded Falcon 9 v1.1 will utilize a longer first stage, powered by nine Merlin 1D engines arranged in an \u201coctagonal\u201d pattern. The additional performance from the Merlin 1D\u2019s will increase the payload capability to over 29,000 pounds to Low Earth Orbit (LEO).<\/p>\n

(*Falcon 9 V1.0 vs. V1.1 image left is Photoshopped as to what the change in configuration may look like<\/em>*)<\/p>\n

The plan to upgrade the Merlin engine related not only to the vast improvement in performance, but also \u2013 according to SpaceX \u2013 the reliability and manufacturability, with the engines also enabling the company\u2019s aspirations with the fully reusable Falcon 9 (F9-R) and their Falcon Heavy.<\/p>\n

Essentially, the Falcon 9 v1.1 is the same vehicle as the F9-R, minus the landing legs \u2013 currently being tested via the Grasshopper program \u2013 and other modifications that will eventually be installed on the vehicle. UPDATE: The Grasshopper enjoyed a huge 325 meter leap into the air on Friday, before successfully landing after nearly 70 seconds in the air.<\/p>\n

Space Shuttle<\/path>Space Technology<\/path>Aerospace & Defense<\/path>\n

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});<\/p>\n

\"MerlinSpaceX began live testing of the Merlin 1D powerpack in 2011, achieving a full mission duration firing and multiple restarts at target thrust and specific impulse (Isp). During the 2012 series of testing, the engine fired for 185 seconds with 147,000 pounds of thrust, the full duration and power required for a Falcon 9 rocket launch.<\/p>\n

By March of this year, SpaceX announced the completion of a 28-test qualification program, with the Merlin 1D accumulating 1,970 seconds of total test time, the equivalent run time of over 10 full mission durations.<\/p>\n

However, test firings of all nine Merlin 1D\u2019s together on the test stand at McGregor have yet to result in a full first stage burn duration, for various reasons.<\/p>\n

\"(TEA-TEB)According to L2 information, a May 31 attempt to fire the first stage on the test stand was aborted at just after the first-stage ignitor \u2013 a pyrophoric mixture of triethylaluminum-triethylborane (TEA-TEB) \u2013 was initiated. The reason for the abort was due to one of the Merlin 1D\u2019s Gas Generator\u2019s exceeding a conservatively-set limit.<\/p>\n

Following a recalibration of the limitations, another attempt took place the following day (June 1), this time resulting in all nine engines coming to life, before aborting 10 seconds into the test due to an issue with a Gas Generator inlet temperature.<\/p>\n

\"SpaceX'sSpaceX engineers then spent a few days changing out and repairing components damaged in the aborted firing, including three chamber walls. However, it was also noted that eight of the engines are classed as non-flight hardware, and as a result are less robust than the flight version of the Merlin 1D.<\/p>\n

The next test firing resulted in the longest duration burn so far, with the stage firing for a total duration of 112 seconds out of a planned 180 seconds. This time the abort was caused by an over-temperature alarm at the top LOX dome, after the stage \u2013 which is filled with hot helium taken from the engines\u2019 heat exchangers \u2013 was evidently exceeding temperature limitations.<\/p>\n

\"TestSurprisingly, a video was published by SpaceX CEO and Chief Designer Elon Musk, showed the test firing taking place, along with the abort \u2013 mixed in with some choice words from observers within ear shot of the camera, before an edited version of the video was reuploaded.<\/p>\n

While sparks were observed to be coming from the aft during the abort, L2 source information noted they did not originate from the engines, but from the heat shields around the engines and the octaweb structure.<\/p>\n

This was in part related to the thermal environment at the base of the stage, which is more intense during ground testing than it would be during an actual ascent \u2013 the former resulting in a larger recirculation zone.<\/p>\n

See Also<\/h4>\n