11
$\begingroup$

On the Jason-3 mission, several times the spokeskids said that this is the last time we will hear the T-13 readiness check on a SpaceX webcast.

For example, at 27:23 they say:

...this is going to be the first and last time you are going to hear a readiness poll come on the air for a SpaceX webcast.

They did not say why. Why will they no longer allow us to hear the poll?

$\endgroup$

1 Answer 1

13
$\begingroup$

The go/no go poll is the last major hurdle before the launch. If one of the polled stations says 'no go', the launch will be delayed.

If the rocket is full of subcooled propellant, that delay means the propellant will warm up and start to expand. They want to avoid that, so they decided to move propellant loading to after the go/no go poll, which means the poll ends up at T -30 min, before the webcast begins.

The current version (Falcon 9 v1.2?) uses subcooled propellants. Jason-3 used the last F9 v1.1 rocket, which didn't use subcooled propellants. This meant they could start loading earlier, and have the poll later: having a delay after loading the propellant isn't as critical in this configuration.

$\endgroup$
3
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ Might still hear it on NASA's webcast though? $\endgroup$
    – Nick T
    Jan 17, 2016 at 18:58
  • $\begingroup$ @NickT I think the point Hobbes is making is that there is no more T-13 entering terminal count, poll. Rather it is now at T-30. Thus it is not as I thought that they won't let us hear it, rather it no longer exists, or if you prefer has been moved to a different time. $\endgroup$
    – geoffc
    Jan 17, 2016 at 22:34
  • $\begingroup$ @geoffc I know, it was more of a follow-up as NASA does their webcasts in a different style. $\endgroup$
    – Nick T
    Jan 18, 2016 at 2:15

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.