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Does the flight termination system consist of the rocket free-falling into the ground resulting in a fiery explosion?

mertbio 2y ago
By just looking at the video, you can see that they cut the engines after the rocket starts tilting. I guess that’s the flight termination system. Also, it didn't fall into the ground, but into the water.
- pc86 2y ago
  > Also, it didn't fall into the ground, but into the water. Ah yes very important distinction this
  - SR2Z 2y ago
    I cannot tell if you're joking or not, but a rocket crashing into water vs on land is easily the difference between "no big deal" and "property damage + loss of life."
    - piker 2y ago
      See also the V2 Rocket.
belter 2y ago
Normally a flight termination system has explosive charges.
- icegreentea2 2y ago
  For larger rockets this is typical, however smaller rockets often only have a thrust termination system - for example apparently Rocketlab's Electron uses thrust termination.
mrtksn 2y ago
The CEO said that it didn't blew up the pad: https://x.com/danielmetzler/status/1906307777242275881 https://x.com/danielmetzler/status/1906307777242275881 I don't see why would you detonate the rocket if it doesn't pose danger to just fall down. Probably its also easier to collect the debris.
- perihelions 2y ago
  To minimize the shock impact on the ground. This one created a respectable-sized tsunami, https://youtu.be/LlAgenP2RxM?t=116 https://youtu.be/LlAgenP2RxM?t=116
mlindner 2y ago
I've read a lot about this from at least the United States perspective. The rocket wasn't launched from the United States, but the FAA requirements on flight termination is the ceasing of thrust and removing "energy" from the vehicle by rupturing tanks if they pose a danger. The primary thing that's trying to be prevented by flight termination systems is damage/danger to uninvolved parties. So if it's low to the ground simply shutting off the engines is a perfectly fine solution to the issue. If its higher then rupturing the tanks will be needed as it's likely going to land outside the safety area.

By just looking at the video, you can see that they cut the engines after the rocket starts tilting. I guess that’s the flight termination system. Also, it didn't fall into the ground, but into the water.

pc86 2y ago
> Also, it didn't fall into the ground, but into the water. Ah yes very important distinction this
- SR2Z 2y ago
  I cannot tell if you're joking or not, but a rocket crashing into water vs on land is easily the difference between "no big deal" and "property damage + loss of life."
  - piker 2y ago
    See also the V2 Rocket.

belter 2y ago

Normally a flight termination system has explosive charges.

icegreentea2 2y ago
For larger rockets this is typical, however smaller rockets often only have a thrust termination system - for example apparently Rocketlab's Electron uses thrust termination.

mrtksn 2y ago

The CEO said that it didn't blew up the pad: https://x.com/danielmetzler/status/1906307777242275881 https://x.com/danielmetzler/status/1906307777242275881 I don't see why would you detonate the rocket if it doesn't pose danger to just fall down. Probably its also easier to collect the debris.

perihelions 2y ago
To minimize the shock impact on the ground. This one created a respectable-sized tsunami, https://youtu.be/LlAgenP2RxM?t=116 https://youtu.be/LlAgenP2RxM?t=116

mlindner 2y ago

I've read a lot about this from at least the United States perspective. The rocket wasn't launched from the United States, but the FAA requirements on flight termination is the ceasing of thrust and removing "energy" from the vehicle by rupturing tanks if they pose a danger. The primary thing that's trying to be prevented by flight termination systems is damage/danger to uninvolved parties. So if it's low to the ground simply shutting off the engines is a perfectly fine solution to the issue. If its higher then rupturing the tanks will be needed as it's likely going to land outside the safety area.