ABIS - Hercules Block 3 - Full-up Weight Plus Test by preeder
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Description
Hercules Block 3 - Full-up Weight Plus Test.
To gain its �Certificate of Aero-Space Worthiness�, NASA�s new Hercules super booster needs to perform perfectly for a total of five consecutive test flights.
Flights one and two of the new booster have been used to test its aero-dynamic ability when in flight and its ability to transport hollow interior dummy payloads up to and into low Earth orbit. The next three test flights will be the big ones � the full-up weight plus tests.
After successfully leaving its launch pad riding on its now trademark column of fire and flame the Hercules Super Booster has made its way toward space on the first of the final three flights of its test programme.
Upon reaching the 90 second fuel remaining point the signal has once again been sent from Mission Control which will throttle the booster�s nine engines to 110%. At exactly the same moment the signal has also been sent which fires the series of explosive bolts which hold the test payload to the booster allowing the payload to hurtle onward toward Earth orbit as the boosters nine engines shutdown from lack of fuel.
The payload carried by Hercules this time whilst a dummy one is no small test article. Comprised of shaped reinforced concrete and plated in solid steel sheeting this dummy payload weighs in at a colossal amount and is intended to:-
(A) Test the ability of the Hercules to handle such a weight whilst static in the Vehicle Assembly Building mounted on the crawler,
(B) Handle the weight whilst being transported to the launch pad,
(C) Lift the weight from the launch pad with the additional weight of fuel after the booster has been fuelled on the launch pad,
(D) Fly aerodynamically with such a weighted payload,
(E) Test whether the Hercules can throttle up to 110% before payload deployment with such a heavy payload and,
(F) Deploy the payload successfully into low Earth orbit.
One final factor has been added to the test flight to ensure the Hercules has the ability to lift now, the payloads it is intended to lift in the future, the dummy payload has deliberately been constructed to be 10% heavier than any payloads the booster is intended to lift in the future.
Comments (7)
rbowen
Excellent!
neiwil
It must be great after all the rattle and roar, when everything shutsdown and you're just floating through space. I hope they've thought about what happens, when that giant steel dustbin full of concrete starts descending :)
RG19
Another outstanding installment!!!
SIGMAWORLD
EXCELLENT!
Danny_G
Nice work
crender
Xcellent work!!!!
adrie
Beautiful space image my friend, excellent done.