Today's GRAIL launch attempt has been scrubbed. They will try again on Saturday. The reason given is that they want to allow additional time to review propulsion system data from Thursday’s detanking operation.
** The Official Space Flight Thread - The Space Station and Beyond **
- Thread starter Cosimo
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The new launch attempt will be tomorrow, Saturday September 10. The launch opportunities are at 13:29:45 and 14:08:52 BST (08:29:45 and 09:08:52 EDT).
The good news is that the weather forecast looks much better for tomorrow’s next GRAIL launch attempt with a 60% chance of acceptable conditions. The same holds for Sunday.
Soldato
Quick random question.
Why do most planets appear to be (roughly) scephericle in shape?
Why do most planets appear to be (roughly) scephericle in shape?
Gravity. Gravity works in all directions equally. Therefore when stuff forms from space dust, it is fairly equal.
Soldato
I thought it may have been something like that. Thanks for clearing that up for me.
The postponement today was due to a heater system staying on longer than planned during detanking. Today's management review concluded that no damage had occurred to any components and we are GO for another launch attempt tomorrow at 13:29:45 or 14:08:52 BST (08:29:45 or 09:08:52 EDT).
Soldato
If you look into it further, all of the larger planets and moons are roughly spherical. The smaller stuff become less and less spherical.
Everything "solid" is basically liquid to some extent, so flows like a liquid - if you pour some thick goopy oil on the floor it takes a while to cover the area - but water is much quicker. Rock behaves the same, so eventually it will pool like water.
The bigger planets and stars are mostly made of gasses, so they behave a bit differently and are usually wider at the equator than at the poles. This is because they are fluid and have the same sort of forces as you get when sitting on a roundabout.
Soldato
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-14852534
Production line defect resulting in a blocked fuel duct? Could be worse. Question now being can we check, fix, test it and launch it before Mike Fossum, Satoshi Furukawa and Sergei Volkov have to come home in November?
Production line defect resulting in a blocked fuel duct? Could be worse. Question now being can we check, fix, test it and launch it before Mike Fossum, Satoshi Furukawa and Sergei Volkov have to come home in November?
No change with the forecast with a 60% chance of acceptable conditions for GRAIL launch later today.
Soldato
Simulatorman Superb thread, well done, definitely one I will follow.
Just under an hour to go, safety checks underway and all looking good.
Looking good.
Green but still touch and go with high level winds.
The final poll says GO but still a chance that the weather balloon will give red.
EDIT: Weather gone red. See you back for the 14:08:52 BST attempt.
EDIT: Weather gone red. See you back for the 14:08:52 BST attempt.
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Soldato
Winds now green, fingers crossed
Readiness poll is GO.
Yes, four minute clock is counting down.