AgriX | Demo - Flight Test
TLDRDiamond Aerospace successfully launched its inaugural mission, the Agrix, from Cape Canaveral, marking a historic event. The first stage, carrying the second stage, targeted a powered landing in the Atlantic Ocean, while the second stage with its payload continued to orbit. Despite the first stage not fully succeeding, the second stage achieved a nominal orbit insertion, marking a significant milestone for the company and its partners.
Takeaways
- 🚀 The transcript describes the first-ever launch of the Agri rocket by Diamond Aerospace from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
- 🎉 The launch is part of a live webcast, with Aubrey Fitzgerald and Olive Silo serving as hosts, providing updates and insights throughout the event.
- 🌟 The Agri rocket is compared to the legendary Saturn V rocket in height, and its first stage, called the booster, uses 17 Raptor engines for liftoff.
- 🛰️ The second stage of the rocket is equipped with a single Raptor vacuum variant engine, designed to place payloads into any orbit.
- 🚀 The first stage is not intended to be reused during this mission; it is targeted for a powered landing in the Atlantic Ocean, unlike the Falcon 9 which uses parachutes.
- 💡 The rocket uses different fuel from the Falcon 9, with methane and liquid oxygen, instead of kerosene or RP-1, and the oxidizer is the same as used in the Falcon 2.
- 📈 The countdown proceeds smoothly, with all systems and operators reporting 'go' for launch, and no issues or holds reported from Mission Control.
- 🌊 The first stage successfully separates but unfortunately triggers its automatic flight safety (AFS) system, failing to land as planned.
- 🎯 The second stage continues its journey to orbit, successfully deploying its payloads, including PSN HTS, NASA Polaroid, and two Ender sacks into low Earth orbit.
- 👏 The launch is deemed a success for Diamond Aerospace, despite the first stage's landing failure, and the team is already preparing for the next mission.
Q & A
What is the significance of the event being described in the transcript?
-The event is the first-ever launch of the Agri rocket by Diamond Aerospace, marking a historic moment in the company's history.
Who are the main speakers in the transcript?
-The main speakers are Aubrey Fitzgerald, the chief engineer at Diamond Aerospace, and Olive Silo, the space operations engineer.
Where is the launch taking place?
-The launch is taking place at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, a historic site for space launches.
What is the primary mission of the Agri rocket during this launch?
-The primary mission is to send a payload, including PSN HTS, NASA Polaroid sack, and two Ender sacks, into low Earth orbit.
How does the fueling process for the Agri rocket work?
-The rocket is fueled with liquid methane and liquid oxygen. The first stage is loaded with methane and liquid oxygen, while the second stage is loaded with the same propellants. The fueling process takes about 48 minutes to complete for both stages.
What are the key stages of the rocket's ascent as described in the transcript?
-The key stages include Max Q (maximum dynamic pressure), staging (separation of the first and second stages), main engine cut off (MECO), second stage engine start, and the final orbit insertion burn.
What was the outcome of the first stage's attempt at a powered landing in the Atlantic Ocean?
-The first stage did not successfully perform a powered landing in the Atlantic Ocean, and an investigation is planned to understand why the flight termination system (FS) was triggered.
What is the role of the anomaly team during the launch?
-The anomaly team is responsible for addressing any unexpected issues or anomalies that may occur during the launch. They follow specific procedures, such as MLP 1499, to handle such situations.
What was the fate of the second stage and its payload?
-The second stage successfully completed its mission, achieving a nominal orbit and continuing its journey to deploy the payload into Earth's orbit.
What is the significance of the vehicle's size and thrust compared to previous rockets like the Saturn V and SpaceX's Falcon?
-The Agri rocket is taller than the legendary Saturn V and has a thrust that is about half that of SpaceX's Starship. However, it has multiple times more thrust at liftoff than the Falcon 2, indicating a significant increase in power and capability.
What is the next planned launch for Diamond Aerospace?
-The next planned launch is for deploying the L Webb Space Station module into low Earth orbit.
Outlines
🚀 Launch Event Introduction
The first paragraph introduces the live webcast of the first-ever launch of the Agri rocket from Cape Canaveral, where historic Apollo and SpaceX launches took place. It features Aubrey Fitzgerald, the chief engineer at Diamond Aerospace, and Olive Silo, the space operations engineer. They discuss the pre-launch preparations, the Mission Control Center's go/no-go poll, and the terminal count. The first stage of the rocket is compared to the legendary Saturn V rocket, and the decision not to reuse the first stage for this mission is highlighted.
🌐 Pre-Launch Countdown and Vehicle Details
This paragraph delves into the pre-launch countdown, with all operators giving a go for launch. It covers the propellant loading process, which takes approximately 48 minutes for both stages, and the use of different fuels from the previous Jardo Minus 2 rocket. The first stage's 17 Aoxa 2 engines and the combined thrust at liftoff are discussed, as well as the second stage's single Aoxa two vacuum variant engine. The payload on the second stage is mentioned, along with the mission's objectives and the expected challenges. Anomaly procedures and abort instructions are also outlined.
🔥 Engine Ignition and Launch Sequence
The third paragraph focuses on the final moments before launch, detailing the engine chill process and the completion of fuel loading on both stages. The launch countdown continues with no holds, and the first stage is fully loaded with methane and liquid oxygen. The mission control provides updates on the launch sequence, including Max Q, staging, and the second stage engine start. The first stage's boost back burn and the second stage's continued journey to orbit are also mentioned.
🌟 Successful Stage Separation and Anomaly
This paragraph describes the successful stage separation and the main events of the launch, including the first stage's engine cut off and the second stage's engine start. However, an anomaly occurs, prompting the anomaly team to proceed with specific procedures. Despite the first stage not achieving a successful landing, the second stage continues on its trajectory, and the fairing is successfully jettisoned. The mission control confirms the second stage's nominal trajectory and the successful continuation of the mission.
🎉 Mission Accomplishment and Future Plans
The final paragraph celebrates the successful launch of the Agri rocket, despite the first stage's failure to land in the Atlantic Ocean. The second stage successfully shuts down its engine, and the payload is on course for orbit insertion. Diamond Aerospace is congratulated for their hard work, and the investigation into the first stage's failure is mentioned. The webcast concludes with thanks to customers, range government, and supporters worldwide, and a teaser for the next launch event involving the L Webb Space Station module.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Liftoff
💡Stage Separation
💡Booster
💡Raptor Engine
💡Propulsive Landing
💡Payload
💡Flight Control
💡Max Q
💡Orbit Insertion
💡Flight Termination System (AFS)
💡Fairing
Highlights
The first ever launch of the Agri rocket from Cape Canaveral, the historic site of Apollo and SpaceX Falcon launches.
Aubrey Fitzgerald, Chief Engineer at Diamond Aerospace, and Olive Silo, Space Operations Engineer, are leading the live webcast.
The launch is proceeding with a go status from all mission control operators, including mission insurance, DC, GC, CIS, and nav.
The rocket is as tall as the legendary Saturn V rocket, with the first stage being half the size of the Jardo 2 rocket.
The first stage, targeting a powered landing in the Atlantic Ocean, will not be reused in this mission, unlike the Jardo 2 which uses parachutes.
The propellant loading on both stages has begun, with the first stage using liquid methane and liquid oxygen.
The Agri rocket uses different fuel from the Jardo 2, which uses kerosene or RP1, but the same oxidizer as the GE Part 2.
The second stage carries a payload to Earth orbit and is equipped with a fairing that will jettison about a minute after staging.
The mission includes PSN HTS, NASA Polaroid sack, and two Ender sacks as payloads to be sent to low Earth orbit.
The first stage engines are chilled before ignition to ensure proper functioning, and the 17 engines on the booster are tested for gimbal.
The launch countdown proceeds without any holds, indicating a smooth operation with no issues reported from Mission Control.
The first stage successfully completes its fuel load with methane and liquid oxygen, and the second stage's locks load is also complete.
The vehicle experiences Max Q, the highest stress point during ascent, and continues towards space.
Stage separation is confirmed, marking a successful separation of the first and second stages.
The first stage triggers its automatic flight safety (AFS) system, indicating a failure in the planned powered landing.
The second stage continues its journey to orbit, with the fairing successfully jettisoned and the payload visible.
The second stage performs a nominal burn, placing the payload into the intended orbit, despite the first stage's landing failure.
Diamond Aerospace concludes the webcast, celebrating the successful launch and orbit insertion, and acknowledges the support from partners and the global community.
Transcripts
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