SpaceX CRS-1 Static Fire: 9/29/12

On September 29, 2012, SpaceX completed a successful static fire test of the Falcon 9 rocket's nine Merlin engines. During this test, SpaceX engineers ran through all countdown processes as if it were launch day. All nine engines fired at full power for two seconds while the rocket was held down to the pad. This is the last major all systems test in preparation for Falcon 9 and Dragon's next mission to the space station, targeted for October 7.

• Category

  Science & Technology

[Eay5paev]

I know some people will say that it's not exiting to see a static burn but I don't mind as far as I'm concerned. Please keep up on giving us updates on your progress like this.

[Michael Johnston]

It was a static fire to test engines, etc. It was flat on top because the Dragon capsule wasn't mounted for the test. I'm guessing it was just a cover to protect the interface.

[MrConservative608]

Read my comment again before asking dumb@ss questions. I am for the private sector. I am saying dumb@ss liberals will be be the dumb@ss problem if a company like SpaceX has an accident where people die, dumb@ss liberals will want to haul SpaceX executives before a dumb@ss US Senate panel to answer dumb@ss questions.

[legohelicopter]

Calling yourself a Republican and not supporting the private sector? Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

[JAD3N]

I guess I spoke too soon. It's almost 29k now.

[MaDeR Levap]

Come on, it is not that bad. 25k for mere static fire test is for me rather good.

[Scott Arnell]

Actually the shuttles could and did do that, they just couldnt light the solids, however the shuttles were all static fired on a stack afew days before each one entered service. Search youtube for shuttle FRF videos.

[LucasKussowski]

SPACEX FTW - WOOT!!! :)

[GlanderBrondurg]

Most other companies test their engines prior to flight, but this is unusual compared to other companies so far as the entire rocket is sent through an entire launch sequence up to and including the engine ignition. Most other companies stop just before ignition.

This works because SpaceX has clamps that hold the rocket onto the pad until the engines are at full thrust and the on-board computers give a green light for launch. The Space Shuttle, for instance, couldn't do that.

[vidgami46]

I know, I just think it looks funny without the faring.

[SquirrelFromGradLife]

What top? The top fairing isn't installed.

[bjcovertaction]

The "snow" is frozen moisture in the air. Falcon 9 uses liquid oxygen as a propellant oxidizer which is a cryogenic (very cold) liquid. When the vehicle tanks are filled with LOx, they get cold enough to condense and, eventually, freeze the water in the humid Florida air. The ice accumulates on the vehicle at first, but eventually sloughs off.

You will see the same phenomenon happening in all vehicles that use cryogenic propellants.