NASA is attempting the maiden launch of the Orion spacecraft into low-earth orbit this morning out of Cape Canaveral, Fla. for a four-hour flight and re-entry test, but it’s not going so well.
The launch is currently delayed due to a faulty valve:
~35 mins now left in the #Orion launch window…closes at 9:44am ET/14:44 UTC. Still working through a valve issue. pic.twitter.com/gJwBR4avEJ
— NASA (@NASA) December 4, 2014
And Tweeters are offering the scientists and engineers at NASA their advice on how to fix the problem:
https://twitter.com/AlistairHammond/status/540504175327842304
When rocket science fails, just Ctrl+Alt+Delete it, clean the printer head, turn it off and on again, or try setting it to channel 3 #Orion
— Manny J (@manjotjawa) December 4, 2014
#Orion – Turn it off. Wait 3 minutes. Turn it back on again. 😉
— Katherine Birkett (@Kitty_B_Good) December 4, 2014
Hose didn't close for one of the liquid fuels. Someone call IT to turn the whole thing on and off again http://t.co/bZCEwHN0tF #Orion
— Jeff Stevenson (@InformalJeff) December 4, 2014
It would be hilarious if it were that simple, right?
Let’s let Slate’s Phil Plait explain what they’re actually doing, however:
They’re going to cycle the valves in each booster several times, hoping to clear the issue. #Orion
— Phil Plait (@BadAstronomer) December 4, 2014
So yes, it’s the ULA/NASA version of turning it off and back on again. #Orion
— Phil Plait (@BadAstronomer) December 4, 2014
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Oh. So turning it off and on again was the legitimate solution? Ha!
Glad to see NASA is using the tried and tested procedure of "turn it off and turn it back on" #orion
— electronic max (@emax) December 4, 2014
Tech answer to, well, basically everything…turn it off, turn it back on! #Orion
— Will Aikens (@gothfilm1313) December 4, 2014
Wait… is the solution to the Orion launch anomaly just "Turn it off and on again a couple times"?
— gaeel (@_Gaeel_) December 4, 2014
Turn it off and back on. Even in rocket science. #Orion @NASA_Orion
— Jonathan (@Ardua) December 4, 2014
Video from NASA of the reboot:
Fill-&-drain valves on 3 core boosters will be cycled open & closed to see if that solves the problem. Watch http://t.co/yr4qxsIufl #Orion
— NASA (@NASA) December 4, 2014
And there’s still hope that they make the launch by 9:44.
STILL HOLDING: NASA #Orion launch window open until 9:44 AM ET WATCH LIVE HERE: http://t.co/rx0Nw8MzOl
— SPACE.com (@SPACEdotcom) December 4, 2014
Stay tuned…
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