Updates SpaceX Falcon 9 v1.1 with Cassiope, POPACS (x6), CUSat 1&2, September 29, 2013

[Kyle]

I've tried Blender too, I like the interface but I've never investigated it or tried it beyond using it to import/export meshes.

 

[IronRain]

I go with AC3D too as for the lanch, it will happen during my normal workday.. I think I'm going to plan some 'maintanance' work where I have to be behind my computer :lol:

 

[Urwumpe]

Hmmm... well, I am no modeller, but AC3D looks pretty good for the price. A new MS visual studio version costs about 10 times more.

 

[Capt_hensley]

Blender is pretty decent, it does not have a lot of the fancy tools that high-end payware software packages do, but it is by no means ersatz. Turning out quality work is mostly a matter of skill.

Enroll in college, get 3DS Max 2014 for free, drop out after the first week. Or just stay in school and continue to get a new version every year Like I have for the past 6 years. And hey get an education as well...

 

[Pipcard]

Enroll in college, get 3DS Max 2014 for free, drop out after the first week. Or just stay in school and continue to get a new version every year Like I have for the past 6 years. And hey get an education as well...

But the real price is in enrolling (tuition, room & board, etc. costs a lot). And all that just to get a free student version of a high-end 3D modeling software?

 

[Ripley]

I guess we should try to stay more on-topic.

 

[Kyle]

Hot-fire test #2 scheduled for today.

 

[jb860]

Static fire test complete "with all systems green. Launch window open in 10 days"- Elon Musk

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VX4LH0wn9Rs]Next Gen Falcon 9 Static Fire [/ame]

 

[orb]

AmericaSpace: SpaceX Ready to Launch Uprated Falcon 9 v1.1 and CASSIOPE

 

[Cosmic Penguin]

Elon Musk
‏@elonmusk
Falcon 9 launch window is Sunday and Monday, assuming good weather at Vandenberg Air Force Base

Use this link for the webcast on Sunday: http://new.livestream.com/spacex/F9-6

 

[jb860]

Launch window for launch is Sunday and Monday at the air base- Elon Musk

 

[MaverickSawyer]

Wow. Left-right, one-two Falcon (9) Punch!

 

[Cosmic Penguin]

Mission patch for this launch: (one could see that there's a whole lot of wasted space and capacity on this launch.... )

 

[Kyle]

Thread updated to reflect patch.

Air-closures announced for launch, SpaceX LRR expected to announce a Sunday, September 29th launch.

!CARF 09/183 (KZLA A2319/13) ZLA AIRSPACE DCC 2 ROPS AIROP DO-1307 STAGE 1 AND DEBRIS AREA STATIONARY RESERVATION WITHIN AN AREA BNDD BY 3133N/11934W 2848N/11910W 2809N/12000W 2300N/12000W 2300N/12005W 2622N/12104W 3007N/12119W 3133N/12113W SFC-UNL WEF 1309291600-1309291953

!CARF 09/181 (KZLA A2318/13) ZLA AIRSPACE DCC 2 ROPS AIROP DO-1307 DEBRIS DISPERTION AREA STATIONARY RESERVATION WITHIN AN AREA BNDD BY 3445N/12100W 3445N/12034W 3236N/11947W 3133N/11934W 3133N/12113W SFC-UNL WEF 1309291600-1309291930

 

[Kyle]

On the pad.

Launch coverage to be held here:
http://new.livestream.com/spacex/F9-6

---------- Post added at 10:41 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:10 PM ----------

Press kit up!
http://www.spaceflightnow.com/falcon9/006/UpgradedF9DemoMission_PressKit.pdf

 

[Hlynkacg]

I notice that the pad has already been configured to accommodate the 3 core variant.

 

[Kyle]

I notice that the pad has already been configured to accommodate the 3 core variant.

Yup! SLC-40 will soon look similar.

 

[orb]

NASASpaceflight: SpaceX set to debut Falcon 9 v1.1 with Cassiope launch

 

[Kyle]

Fueling underway

---------- Post added at 03:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:38 PM ----------

Alright, here we go everyone! Launch coverage has begun!

 

[N_Molson]

From SpaceflightNow :

1611 GMT (12:11 p.m. EDT; 9:11 a.m. PDT)
The Falcon 9 second stage has flown over the horizon from Vandenberg Air Force Base, putting the rocket in a planned loss of signal period while the upper stage begins maneuvers to release its six satellites passengers, beginning with the Cassiope satellite at T+plus 14 minutes, 15 seconds.

1609 GMT (12:09 p.m. EDT; 9:09 a.m. PDT)
Second stage shutdown confirmed!

1608 GMT (12:08 p.m. EDT; 9:08 a.m. PDT)
T+plus 8 minutes. SpaceX says the first stage engines are reigniting right now to guide the spent rocket to a controlled splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.

About one minute until the second stage Merlin engine is supposed to shut down as the vehicle reaches orbit. The rocket is aiming for an orbit with a low point of about 186 miles, a high point of 932 miles, and an inclination of 80 degrees.

1607 GMT (12:07 p.m. EDT; 9:07 a.m. PDT)
T+plus 7 minutes, 20 seconds. The vehicle remains in a nominal trajectory. Altitude now is 310 kilometers.

1605 GMT (12:05 p.m. EDT; 9:05 a.m. PDT)
T+plus 5 minutes, 20 seconds. Everything reported to be going well with this second stage engine firing. The Merlin vacuum engine uses an ultra-thin niobium nozzle extension for greater efficiency in the upper atmosphere.

Downrange distance is 383 kilometers south of Vandenberg.

1604 GMT (12:04 p.m. EDT; 9:04 a.m. PDT)
T+plus 4 minutes. Flying for the first time, the SpaceX-built payload fairing has separated as planned.

1603 GMT (12:03 p.m. EDT; 9:03 a.m. PDT)
T+plus 3 minutes, 20 seconds. The Falcon 9 first stage engines have cut off, the stages have separated, and the rocket's second stage Merlin vacuum engine has ignited for its approximately six-minute firing to reach orbital velocity.

1602 GMT (12:02 p.m. EDT; 9:02 a.m. PDT)
T+plus 2 minutes. Now soaring at an altitude of more than 20 miles, the Falcon 9 rocket's first stage will shut down and jettison in about one minute. Two engines will be turned off first, followed a few moments later by the remaining seven engines.

1601 GMT (12:01 p.m. EDT; 9:01 a.m. PDT)
T+plus 1 minute. The Falcon 9 rocket is approaching the speed of sound and the phase of maximum aerodynamic pressure.

1600 GMT (12:00 p.m. EDT; 9:00 a.m. PDT)
LIFTOFF of SpaceX's next-generation Falcon 9 rocket, proving new designs for higher performance and improved efficiency while delivering Canada's Cassiope space weather research satellite to orbit