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The Antares launch was scrubbed at T-12 minutes because one of the the umbilical lines separated prematurely.

April 17, 2013 at 1:53 pm Robert Zimmerman Points of Information

The Antares launch was scrubbed at T-12 minutes because one of the umbilical lines to the rocket separated prematurely.

Update: in a press release Orbital Sciences now says they’ve set the tentative new launch date as no earlier than April 19.

4 comments Antares, capitalism, commercial, competition, engineering, launch abort, Orbital Sciences, scrub, spaceflight

The Friday launch of two NASA satellites designed to study the Van Allen radiation belts was scrubbed at least 24 hours because of the failure of ground tracking equipment needed during launch.

August 24, 2012 at 7:48 am Robert Zimmerman Points of Information

The Friday launch of two NASA satellites designed to study the Van Allen radiation belts was scrubbed at least 24 hours because of the failure of ground tracking equipment needed during launch.

Leave a comment engineering, launch, radiation belts, RBSP, science, scrub, spaceflight, Van Allen belts

SpaceX has reported that they have found the cause of the Falcon 9 launch abort this morning.

May 19, 2012 at 4:46 pm Robert Zimmerman Points of Information

In an email update, SpaceX reports that they have found the cause of the Falcon 9 launch abort this morning.

During rigorous inspections of the engine, SpaceX engineers discovered a faulty check valve on the Merlin engine. We are now in the process of replacing the failed valve. Those repairs should be complete tonight. We will continue to review data on Sunday. If things look good, we will be ready to attempt to launch on Tuesday, May 22nd at 3:44 AM Eastern.

If this is true, than this entire exercise is an unqualified success and illustrates a certain robustness to SpaceX’s engineering on Falcon 9. Their control computer during the launch process spotted the problem before it caused a complete loss of the vehicle and payload. They can now locate the problem, fix it, and proceed with launch.

10 comments abort, capitalism, commercial, competition, engineering, Falcon 9, ISS, launch abort, scrub, spaceflight, SpaceX

Some thoughts on the scrub

May 19, 2012 at 9:33 am Robert Zimmerman Essays And Commentaries

Last night Falcon 9’s computers shut the launch down at T minus zero seconds after sensing a high chamber pressure in one first stage engine.

Two thoughts, one good, one not so good.
» Read more

7 comments abort, capitalism, commercial, competition, engine trouble, engineering, Falcon 9, fuel anomalies, scrub, spaceflight, SpaceX

Falcon 9 aborted its launch tonight at 4:55 am (Eastern) at T minus zero seconds.

May 19, 2012 at 2:03 am Robert Zimmerman Points of Information

No go: Falcon 9 aborted its launch tonight at 4:55 am (Eastern) at T minus zero seconds.

Just after ignition there was a shutdown. They were able to make the vehicle safe, and are trying to figure out what happened. It appears there was a high pressure reading in one engine.

The next opportunity to launch is three days hence, though whether they will go for it then depends on whether they can figure out what caused the shutdown.

Update: More details here.