SpacEx - Dragon

[Eric Mc]

The second mission to the ISS was launched ealy this morniobng. So far, everything is going well and the capsule is on target to dock in the next few days.

[maffski]

Looks like they had to shut off one of the engines during the launch ( http://www.spacex.com/press.php?page=20121008 ) but the Falcon 9 is designed to cope with that. They do seem to be doing a good job.

[Eric Mc]

I heard that. The rocket engine shut down automatically. It seems it began to lunch its internals - so a quick shut down was imperative before the whole lot blew up.

There also appears to have been a problem with a satellite deployment - although the Dragon capsule was deployed correctly and is functioning well.

[annodomini2]

Eric Mc said:

I heard that. The rocket engine shut down automatically. It seems it began to lunch its internals - so a quick shut down was imperative before the whole lot blew up.

There also appears to have been a problem with a satellite deployment - although the Dragon capsule was deployed correctly and is functioning well.

The Engine shutdown changed the trajectory and effectively the 2nd stage burn for the Commercial satellite orbit insertion was stopped as the insertion orbit would put it dangerously close to the ISS.

[Eric Mc]

Interesting - thanks.

So this launch has had its problems.

[Caruso]

It failed safely, which is more than can be said of the shuttle.

[Eric Mc]

Absolutely. Although the Shuttle did have failures that didn't result in the loss of the vehicle - including an engine shut down during ascent and an ATO (Abort to Orbit) - which is more or less what happened with this launch.

[MartG]

Dragon approach and docking with the ISS live on NASA TV now

[Eric Mc]

Thank you.

Now watching.