“There were a lot of problems”: Ukrainian NASA engineer about the launch of Falcon Heavy

The Ukrainian, who works as a NASA engineer, Andrey Vasilyev said that the team could not say with certainty whether the Falcon Heavy would start.

Photo: facebook / Dorje Batuu

I wrote about this on my page in Facebook.

"Fair. We didn’t know until the very end whether a launch would take place. Falcon Heavy. A couple of hours before the appointed time, at an altitude of 2,5 - 4 miles, the wind strength in the SE direction increased to 21mph, which is a critical feature for a rocket with such a design,” Vasily admits in the post.

The engineer notes about many problems, both at the stage of development and drawings, and at the stage of production and bench testing.

“In particular, the sensors at the collection stage initially showed different indicators at -30 0 and +130 degrees, but should show the same thing. Then, after laser welding, they did not respond at all. Then it was necessary to ensure that they showed the specific indicator in a vacuum. And so that this indicator is within the limits. More - marriage. Less is a waste,” Vasily points out.

Ten thousand engineers, designers, testers across the country worked for five years to make the rocket take off.

“I can speak for myself - I just did my job, without really thinking about how global it could be. I simply came to the laboratory in the morning, put on a protective gown, safety glasses and an antistatic wrist strap, and worked from morning to evening, or day and night, depending on the changes. I saw and realized what this work would turn into much later. I probably really realized this exactly half a minute before the start,” recalls Vasily.

When the rocket launch took place, about 50 people gathered in the Command Center, so there was nothing to breathe.

“Well, we sat there because we have to sit there according to the protocol. The others stood. There were so many people that everyone was like sardines in a barrel. Sarah #McCarthy was practically hanging on my neck. Next to me, on my right shoulder, sat the deputy commander, Colonel Walton. In the corridor there were those who did not have enough space inside,” wrote Vasily.

“And then there was the start. Honestly, it’s hard for me to convey what happened to us. We were only observers, but we sat at our stations and it seemed that we were also participating in the launch control. And when Bowie's music started playing, we cried... The launch was a success. Congratulations to you! Thank you for being with us! Now we need to work further,” Vasily wrote.

Photo: facebook / Dorje Batuu

Space company Ilona Mask SpaceX February 6 Launched carrier rocket Falcon Heavy. She has to deliver her cargo - a personal red electric car Tesla Roadster Ilona Mask - to the heliocentric orbit. The car will fly around the sun under the famous track "S»David Bowie.

Read also on ForumDaily:

SpaceX successfully launched the unique Falcon Heavy launch vehicle. VIDEO

View of SpaceX from the inside: How it works in the company of Ilona Mask

Architect of the Future: Ilon Mask - about life, work, ideas and plans

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.