Posted on 12/02/2013 8:28:05 AM PST by Jack Hydrazine
After cleaning and replacing engine components, SpaceX is gearing up for another try to launch a Falcon 9 rocket Monday on a crucial mission to deliver the SES 8 commercial television broadcasting satellite to orbit. Liftoff from Cape Canaveral's Complex 40 launch pad is set for 5:41 p.m. EST/2:41 p.m. PST (2241 GMT), the opening of an 86-minute launch window.
2301 GMT (6:01 p.m. EST)
Re-ignition of the upper stage should occur at about 6:08 p.m. EST (2308 GMT) for a burn of about 71 seconds.
Separation of the SES 8 satellite will come a few minutes later.
We expect an update from SpaceX soon after those milestones are achieved.
It’s a good thing really. One less fat Federal bureaucracy wasting our assets of cash and talent.
SES 8 should have separated by now.
Same here. Missed the big fireworks and got on just in time to see a separation then some minutes of the burn before the video feed ended.
I’m almost 100 miles due west. I saw the wind blown zig-zag of the combustion remains in the sky due east.
2311 GMT (6:11 p.m. EST)
SpaceX says the engine restart was a success. Spacecraft separation is due in a couple of minutes.
2320 GMT (6:20 p.m. EST)
SpaceX and SES are awaiting acquisition of signal from the SES 8 satellite before calling this launch a success. All appears OK, a source says.
In the money!
I blame that danged Jack Hydrazine. T-30 seconds warning. COME ON!!!
2322 GMT (6:22 p.m. EST)
SPACECRAFT SEPARATION! The 6,918-pound SES 8 television broadcasting satellite has been deployed in the correct orbit following tonight’s launch.
The satellite was supposed to be placed in an orbit with a high point above 80,000 kilometers, or 49,709 miles, a low point of 295 kilometers, or 183 miles, and an inclination of 20.75 degrees.
The second burn was supposed to boost SES 8 into a higher orbit and reduce its inclination, moving it closer to its ultimate operating position over the equator and reducing the fuel the satellite needs to complete its mission.
Based on information from SpaceX and sources, it appears the burn did what it was designed to do.
SES 8 is designed to adjust its orbit and settle into position 22,300 miles over the equator within about two weeks of launch. Five burns of the satellite’s on-board liquid-fueled engine are required to lower its apogee, raise its perigee, and change its inclination to move over the equator.
The first orbital maneuver by SES 8 is expected about 39 hours after launch.
We expect more details to be released by SpaceX and SES in the next few hours.
Good going SpaceX!!!
The next launch will be an Atlas 5 this Thursday night, early Friday morning.
Atlas 5 launch set for Thursday night
An Atlas 5 rocket is scheduled to launch a classified satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office on Thursday, and the preliminary forecast shows cold temperatures at the California launch site will be the only weather concern.
Rocket: Atlas 5
Variant: AV-501
Payload: NROL-39
Date: Dec. 6, 2013
Time: 0713 GMT (2:13 a.m. EST; 11:13 p.m. PST/local on 5th)
Site: SLC-3E, Vandenberg AFB, California
http://www.spaceflightnow.com/atlas/av043/status.html
YEppers! My fault fer sure, dude!
Just yanking your chain. Thanks for the heads up.
The next Falcon 9 launch is scheduled for Friday, 20DEC2013.
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the Thaicom 6 communications satellite. Thaicom 6 will provide C-band and Ku-band communications services across Southeast Asia and Africa. The rocket will fly in the Falcon 9 v1.1 configuration with upgraded Merlin 1D engines, stretched fuel tanks, and a payload fairing.
List of upcoming Falcon 9 launches.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Falcon_9_launches
I know! LOL!
Just yanking your chain, too!
Six short years ago Spacex was having trouble launching their first test rocket. Look at them now.
Um, you should know that I can dish it out but I can’t take it.
Amazing what individual, free enterprise capitalism can do for a company!
What’s also amazing is that when they started launching the cost to send anything was $10K/lb with any other launch service.
Today with the Falcon 9 you can send stuff up for $1,864/lb. Elon is shooting for $500/lb. or less in the future.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falcon_9
Launch prices
As of March 2013, Falcon 9 launch prices are $4,109 per kilogram ($1,864/lb) to low-Earth orbit when the launch vehicle is transporting its maximum cargo weight.[49]
Earlier, at an appearance in May 2004 before the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, Elon Musk testified, “Long term plans call for development of a heavy lift product and even a super-heavy, if there is customer demand. [...] Ultimately, I believe $500 per pound ($1100/kg) [of payload delivered to orbit] or less is very achievable.”[72]
SpaceX formally announced plans for the Falcon 9 on September 8, 2005, describing it as being a “fully reusable heavy lift launch vehicle.”[73] A Falcon 9 medium[clarification needed] was described as being capable of launching approximately 21,000 lb (9,500 kg) to low Earth orbit, priced at $27 million per flight ($1286/lb).[74][citation needed]
According to SpaceX in May 2011, a standard Falcon 9 launch will cost $54 million ($1,862/lb), while NASA Dragon cargo missions to the ISS will have an average cost of $133 million.[75]
At a National Press Club luncheon on Thursday, September 29, 2011, Elon Musk stated that fuel and oxygen for the Falcon 9 v1.0 rocket total about $200,000 for the Falcon 9 rocket.[76] The first stage uses 39,000 US gallons (150,000 l; 32,000 imp gal) of liquid oxygen and almost 25,000 US gallons (95,000 l; 21,000 imp gal) of kerosene, while the second stage uses 7,300 US gallons (28,000 l; 6,100 imp gal) of liquid oxygen and 4,600 US gallons (17,000 l; 3,800 imp gal) of kerosene.
You should attend a Greek wedding. They throw lots of plates around! It’ll give you some practice ducking when they come flying at you! LOL!
My nephew got married in a Greek Orthodox church ( the Anderson Olson wedding believe it or not). That is an experience I’ll tell you.
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