Nexus Demo Flight | Dress Rehearsal and Static Fire Test

The inaugural Nexus rocket stands atop Launch Complex-5 for the Wet Dress Rehearsal. Photo by Philippine Pacific Space

The inaugural Philippine Pacific Space (PPS) Nexus rocket rolled out to the Launch Complex (LC)-5 pad at Philippine Space Center on Dec. 28 to undergo an extensive practice countdown.

PPS is preparing to conduct a full launch test, known as a Wet Dress Rehearsal (WDR), to ensure that the new rocket, pad systems, and launch team are ready for the first Nexus mission. The WDR tests the hardware, procedures, and people to reduce the possibility of a delay on launch day.

The rehearsal follows a tightly scripted sequence that includes rolling the Nexus from the Horizontal Integration Facility (HIF) to LC-5, performing the entire countdown operation to fuel the rocket with cryogenic propellant, performing a static fire test, and the returning the vehicle back to the HIF afterwards.

The countdown begins before sunrise, guided by the PPS launch conductor from the Flight Operations Center (FOC), which is about three miles from the pad.

The rocket stages are powered up, avionics tested and final preps to ground systems accomplished. This enables the our launch director to give approval for the fueling process.

The launch team configures Nexus for cryogenic loading of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen into the rocket's tanks using the same procedures that will be used on launch day.

Photo by Philippine Pacific Space

With the rocket filled up, permission will be given to enter terminal count at T-minus 1 minute. The final phase of the countdown pressurizes the rocket, arms various systems and transitions the vehicle to internal power.

At T-minus 0 seconds, static fire test takes center stage. This test involves firing the rocket's engines while it remains firmly grounded, allowing engineers to evaluate the performance of the propulsion system and other critical components. Data collected from this test is instrumental in fine-tuning the rocket's performance and ensuring that it is ready for it's upcoming mission.

The rocket is then safed and cryogenic tanks drained in preparation to return to the HIF.

Once the WDR operations are satisfactorily accomplished, the encapsulated payload will be delivered to the HIF for hoisting atop the launch vehicle to begin combined preparations for launch.

The upcoming Nexus Demonstration Test Flight will feature the launch of Simple Package, a box-like mock payload. This package not only includes special various items but also houses cubesats from different schools in the Philippines, all slated to deploy on a medium Earth orbit. The scheduled launch date is Feb. 1.

Learn more about the Nexus Demo launch