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\u201cDFI software load and testing was completed with sufficient data gathered to perform system analysis. The Upper Stage Simulator (USS) access door has been installed for flight. Final closeouts for the First Stage Avionics Module (FSAM) are in work.\u201d<\/p>\n
However, during testing late on Wednesday, engineers detected a gaseous nitrogen leak in the TVC accumulator. The pressurized nitrogen was found to be leaking past a seal and into the area of the accumulator containing hydraulic fluid.<\/p>\n
The accumulator is used to absorb hydraulic pressure spikes as the system \u2013 which is used to steer the vehicle \u2013 operates. The accumulator is being removed and replaced on Friday, with retesting taking place through to the weekend.<\/p>\n
![\"A2\"](\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/10\/A212.jpg\" "\\"A2\\"")
\u201cDuring routine surveillance, the team found the First Stage Tilt Thrust Vector Control Actuator hydraulic reservoir sight glass indicating 100 percent when it should be reading 78 percent,\u201d outlined processing information at the time the issue was found.<\/p>\nSpaceX
<\/path>NASA mission updates <\/path>Spaceflight <\/path>\n (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});<\/p>\n
\u201cFurther investigation indicates that the GN2 accumulator may have failed. A replacement accumulator is being built-up as a potential replacement while the team hooks up GSE (Ground Support Equipment) to confirm the GN2 accumulator has failed.\u201d<\/p>\n
Once the suspect hardware was confirmed as failed, engineers carried out its replacement.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Thrust Vector Control (TVC) GN2 Accumulator replacement is complete. The new hardware passed leak checks. TVC actuator has been de-pinned to allow actuator cycling for the hydraulic system re-test over the weekend. The project continues to assess the rollout and launch date for the mission pending successful retest of the TVC system.\u201d<\/p>\n
The delay to rollout is classed as at least 24 hours to Tuesday morning, although the complexity of the system requires the bleeding of the entire TVC hydraulic system for retests, which can sometimes take much longer than expected.<\/p>\n
Recent Ares I-X Articles on NASASpaceflight.com can be found on this link:
\nhttp:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/tag\/ares-i-x\/<\/p>\nAres I-X Range Evalautions and Waiver:<\/p>\n
One of the main challenges in the run up to the launch of Ares I-X has been the requirement to acquire the approval from the Range.<\/p>\n
Given the Eastern Range is hosting the launch of what is a new type of vehicle, the US Air Force 45th Space Wing need to be satisfied that it won\u2019t become a safety threat during its two minute flight to either the public or assets along the Florida coastline.<\/p>\n
![\"A3\"](\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/10\/A39.jpg\" "\\"A3\\"")
A key element to safety is the Flight Termination System (FTS), which would allow for the vehicle to be destroyed by pyrotechnic charges embedded into the first stage, in the event it veered from its planned trajectory.<\/p>\nVibration-loads issues were raised during the stacking of Ares I-X, which have the potential to disrupt the avionics box \u2013 associated with the FTS \u2013 on the vehicle, and subsequently disable the ability for controllers to destroy the vehicle during an off-nominal event.<\/p>\n
Engineers verified the vehicle\u2019s integrity during several stages of stacking to ensure this concern did not hold any potential to become a real risk during flight, while a waiver was called for as part of NASA\u2019s presentation to the Range.<\/p>\n
A large section of one of the several Ares I-X: Launch Readiness Review presentations (all available on L2) overviews the Range requirements and waiver.<\/p>\n
\u201cRange Safety data deliveries to Air Force 45th Space Wing \u2013 NASA\/Langley Research Center (LaRC) is prime (while) Flight Design is providing technical support, including some verification and validation (V&V). Activities are being coordinated through Launch Constellation Range Safety Panel (LCRSP),\u201d noted information in the Ares I-X Flight Design and Dynamics presentation.<\/p>\n
\u201cLaRC is responsible for the Ares I-X test flight and is the primary organization responsible for completing the analysis and products in the Ares I-X Final Flight Data Package (FFDP) for the Air Force. Other NASA centers are assigned to perform V&V of each analysis or product.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"A5\"](\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/10\/A55.jpg\" "\\"A5\\"")
It does appear that Ares I-X \u2013 via simulations at least \u2013 already passed several Range requirements back in the summer, via a set of complex assessment processes.<\/p>\n\u201cFlight Design supported data generation for meeting Range requirements detailed in Air Force Space Command Manual (AFSCPMAN) 91-710, volume 2, for Ares I-X FFDP delivery package,\u201d added the presentation. \u201cAres I-X FFDP Malfunction Turn and Probabilistic Risk Assessment (PRA) products delivered to the 45th Space Wing on May 21, 2000.<\/p>\n
\u201cFlight Design has provided technical support and V&V for the malfunction turn trajectories. Performed V&V and integration of the delivery for the malfunction turn products. Completed reformatting of Malfunction Turn Trajectories in the Range RSTAPE format (LaRC performed V&V).<\/p>\n
\u201cAres I-X FFDP nominal ascent trajectory and flight envelopes (valid for July \u2013 Nov launch) generated by LaRC were delivered to the 45th Space Wing on July 30, 2009.<\/p>\n
\u201cProvided technical support for the flight envelope methodology. Completed reformatting of the trajectory data in the Range RSTAPE format (LaRC performed V&V). Ares I-X FFDP First Stage and Upper re-entry trajectory and footprints (valid for July \u2013 Nov launch) generated by LaRC were delivered August 31, 2009. Completed reformatting of the re-entry trajectories in the Range RSTAPE format (LaRC performed V&V).\u201d<\/p>\n
Further notes confirm that all elements of Range Safety information were provided to the US Air Force 45th Space Wing by August 31, although LaRC were still providing refined debris footprints right up to L-30 days.<\/p>\n
It is also noted in another of the Ares I-X Launch Readiness Review presentations that the actual waiver for the Range was still in draft form and unsigned as of September 30.<\/p>\n
\u201cRange Safety waiver for the Flight Termination System passive components (antennas and couplers) (RS). Draft waiver for AF and NASA range safety review \u2013 Waiver in review,\u201d confirmed one of the presentations.<\/p>\n
![\"A4\"](\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/10\/A46.jpg\" "\\"A4\\"")
The preparation of the final version for signature was scheduled for the \u201cSteering Panel\u201d early this month, though this schedule was classed as \u201cambitious, but doable.\u201d It is likely that confirmation the waiver has been signed will be forthcoming at the Agency level Launch Readiness Review around a week prior to launch.<\/p>\n\u201cThe range has reps at the testing, so they will know as soon as we do,\u201d added the presentation. \u201cRange Safety deliverables (FFDP): Malfunction Turn Trajectories \u2013 Analysis is complete and data delivered on 9\/25. Formal paper signed out on 9\/29. Updated debris footprints (US and FS) are complete and delivered on 9\/28. Formal paper still in work.\u201d<\/p>\n
However, it does appear the Range waiver is not going to be a problem for Ares I-X, providing it launches prior to November 30 \u2013 after which time, further analysis will be required.<\/p>\n
\u201cLaunch slip past November 30th would require regeneration and redelivery of some Range Safety products,\u201d was the only note relating to the Range on the risk assessments and concerns page.<\/p>\n
L2 members<\/em><\/em>: Documentation \u2013 from which the above article has quoted snippets \u2013 is available in full in the related L2 sections, now over 4000 gbs in size.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Engineers have replaced the faulty GN2 accumulator on Ares I-X\u2019s Thrust Vector Control (TVC), ahead of rollout to Pad 39B, currently set to take place on Tuesday or Wednesday morning \u2013 pending successful retests on the replaced hardware over the weekend. Meanwhile, documentation has outlined the extensive \u2013 and ongoing \u2013 work that has been undertaken to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[9203],"class_list":["post-40963","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","tag-ares-i-x"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40963"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=40963"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40963\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=40963"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=40963"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=40963"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}