Falcon 1 Demo 2 launch

The SpaceX Falcon 1 rocket's second Demo launch. The rocket achieved an altitude of 300 kilometers, but it is assumed (as of this writing) that the rocket was lost. Telemetry was lost at T+5:05. Nonetheless, this demo flight achieved 90% of the mission objectives. The first stage successfully separated from the vehicle, the second stage engine fired up in mid flight, and the fairing separated soon after. Note what happens when the first stage separates, as it seems to strike the second stage engine bell, knocking the rocket slightly off course. The second stage bell may have experienced some damage from the impact, as you can see it gets red-hot (which probably shouldn't happen). Also, note that the second stage engine is oscillating wildly toward the end of the video, probably trying to get the vehicle back on course and overcompensating.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• spacex
• falcon
• rocket
• launch
• demo2

[NittanyTiger1]

The 2nd-stage rocket bell glowing red or above is normal, but that tap by the first stage definitely knocked the rocket off course. The 2nd stage rocket tried to compensate and it almost did but probably overcompensated a bit. This along with the strike is probably what caused the oscillations the eventually threw the rocket into a death spiral.

[robotguy]

That was SpaceX's conclusion as well.

[djaekle]

@NittanyTiger1 I don't think the tap had much to do with the rotation. The tap may have started some slosh in the tanks but the engine is most probably chasing the propellant swirl in the tanks. The fix is baffles in the tank and a more robust control system, which would prevent this type of engine motion.

[realsupercopter]

Great video ! Thanks robotguy for uploading and for the precision you wrote with it. I'm pleased to see Falcon 1 is on track for paving the way to falcon 9... to the ISS !

[troytroyus]

Cool!

[Outdoors759]

havnt heard of falcon  must be private company