SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight #1 Upper Stage Test

A 40 second static firing of the second stage (actual flight stage) of the Falcon 9 rocket. November 15, 2009, SpaceX test site in McGregor, Texas.

Notice the gimbaling of the gas generator nozzle (exhaust seen as dark smoke) starting at T+9 s. This vectorable nozzle will be used for roll control during flight, similar to the first stage of Falcon 1. Also note the engine lacks the screeching startup noise of the first stage Merlins as it uses a different startup method, required for airstart.

Additionally, the Merlin Vacuum or MVac is missing the huge niobium nozzle extension here as that would have caused problems with running the test at sea level pressure.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• spacex
• falcon9
• rocket
• launch
• vehicle
• static
• test
• firing
• texas

[MichaelCox]

What's it's specific impulse and thrust?

[controledamissao]

f*** yeah!