Did I see the F9 2nd stage nozzle vibrate at about 2Hz at SECO-1? It looked like the bottom of the bell vibrated in an elliptical shape. Did I imagine that? Has this happened before?
$\hskip 3.4 cm$It's just after T+ 09:17
, playing at half speed:
Did I see the F9 2nd stage nozzle vibrate at about 2Hz at SECO-1? It looked like the bottom of the bell vibrated in an elliptical shape. Did I imagine that? Has this happened before?
$\hskip 3.4 cm$It's just after T+ 09:17
, playing at half speed:
This video from the Iridium-2 launch definitely shows a squash-and-stretch oscillation at SECO-1, after 23:45 into the video.
I see a less distinct version of the same oscillation in CRS-11 after 29:00.
The Merlin vacuum engine nozzle is a quite thin shell (getting down to 1/64" thickness according to one member of this SE) and subject to substantial forces from the exhaust; it would be surprising if it didn't vibrate and flutter a bit depending on the throttle state.