SpaceX plan to blow up a launched rocket in 2019 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: TerraHertz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2018, 09:10:57 am
content: This may interest anyone with an opportunity to watch SpaceX launches in person.He mentions at 6:00 that next year SpaceX are going to do an 'in flight abort test' in which they will actuallydetonate the main rocket in-flight, to test a crew capsule safe abort system.So that should be pretty spectacular.No date given yet though. Anyone know any more about it?

author: wasyoungonce
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2018, 09:51:57 am
content: Jeez the ultimate crash test....gonna be costly... if not a little odd.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

author: German_EE
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2018, 09:56:55 am
content: Do the test with a used rocket and the hardware costs will not be too much, but the cleanup costs could be significant.

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2018, 10:36:22 am
content: SpaceX and NASA want to test using the most recent flight hardware, so the Dragon 2 will be the same one used for the upcoming unmanned orbital test flight, and they are planning to use a Block 5 Falcon 9 booster.

author: JoeN
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2018, 06:57:48 pm
content: Quote from: German_EE on December 29, 2018, 09:56:55 amMeh. No hydrazine. International waters. Just let it sink.

author: Neilm
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 01, 2019, 06:20:07 pm
content: There was a SpaceX booster (brand new) that failed and splashed down after CRS16. Elon Musk did say they were hoping to repair it and use it for internal flights. Seems the obvious candidate for the job.

author: calexanian
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 01, 2019, 06:28:42 pm
content: This will be a break up of the vehicle at max Q I believe. There will be little more than bits and pieces left. I would say they would probably just clean up the floating garbage and let the rest will become fish habitat!

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 01, 2019, 06:32:46 pm
content: Quote from: Neilm on January 01, 2019, 06:20:07 pmIr received serious damage when splashing. IMO It won't ever fly again. Probably they'll just reuse grid fins.

author: Neilm
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 02, 2019, 08:14:47 pm
content: Quote from: calexanian on January 01, 2019, 06:28:42 pmThe rocket does not necessarily have to blow up, they can simply trigger the abort systems at the point they want. Blue Origin did a similar test last year and recovered the booster.

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 02, 2019, 09:59:17 pm
content: They could just activate the abort system manually, but having it react to an real explosion just as it would have to in an actual emergency makes for a better test. If you're going that far, might as well do it at MaxQ while you're at it.

author: calexanian
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 03, 2019, 05:53:41 am
content: The FAA draft plan is available online. Due to the hazardous nature of the test there will be no booster second stage or trunk recovery. The booster is expected to break up on its own. Only the capsule of course is expected to survive, and the separation will be during Max Q. They know it can pull away at any other time. Max Q would be the most difficult part. It is specifically said there will be no attempt to land, specific splash down, or reach normal apogee or orbit in the plan. However we all know Mr. Musk’s penchant for showmanship.