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| Science & Technology |
| SpaceX Falcon-9 Dragon Launch Abort |
| 2012-05-19 |
 Apparently a high pressure signal from the engine #5 combustion chamber led to an automatic shutdown of the launch sequence 1 second from launch of the first commercial attempt to reach the International Space Station. Next launch window is Tuesday morning at the earliest. |
| Posted by:crosspatch |
| #1 From SpaceX May 19, 2012 TodayÂ’s COTS 2 Demonstration launch was aborted half a second before liftoff when the flight computer detected slightly high pressure in the engine 5 combustion chamber. We have discovered root cause and repairs are underway. During rigorous inspections of the engine, SpaceX engineers discovered a faulty check valve on the Merlin engine. We are now in the process of replacing the failed valve. Those repairs should be complete tonight. We will continue to review data on Sunday. If things look good, we will be ready to attempt to launch on Tuesday, May 22nd at 3:44 AM Eastern. |
| Posted by: crosspatch 2012-05-19 19:03 |