Comments on: The scrub of this week’s Falcon Heavy launch of X-37B https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/the-scrub-of-this-weeks-falcon-heavy-launch-of-x-37b/ Fri, 15 Dec 2023 04:45:47 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 By: Jeff Wright https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/the-scrub-of-this-weeks-falcon-heavy-launch-of-x-37b/#comment-1436880 Fri, 15 Dec 2023 04:45:47 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=101075#comment-1436880 That or they waited for the Chinese space plane to launch first.

They could be rolling it back lights out maybe?

]]> By: geoffc https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/the-scrub-of-this-weeks-falcon-heavy-launch-of-x-37b/#comment-1436845 Thu, 14 Dec 2023 20:46:20 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=101075#comment-1436845 I saw an interesting note about a coming lunar mission, might be delayed, since it needs LC-39A since that is the only pad that fuel the payload, on the pad.

I suspect that the X-37B needs fueling on the pad. Likely it uses hypergolics, since it has such a long mission life, and wonder if it is that GSE that has the issue. This is not a feature they use often, maybe Dragon and a few other payloads.

]]> By: MDN https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/the-scrub-of-this-weeks-falcon-heavy-launch-of-x-37b/#comment-1436831 Thu, 14 Dec 2023 18:06:14 +0000 https://behindtheblack.com/?p=101075#comment-1436831 It could be almost anything. That said it is worth pointing out that Falcon Heavy is itself a relatively new system with less than 10 flights under its belt. Add to that the fact that as I understand it this mission is supposed to boost the X37 to a new and much more ambitious orbital profile and margins that may normally be quite adequate could easily be much less so..

The key rake away to me is that SpaceX is showing the professional discipline required to minimize undue risk. Had only NASA been as careful with the MANNED shuttle program QA both the Challenger and Columbia accidents never would have happened. And given their plan to send humans all the way to lunar orbit on the very first Artemis mission with a fully integrated life support system makes me fear they still lack such discipline.

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