Author Topic: SpaceX Falcon 9 : Iridium NEXT Flight 4 : December 22/23, 2017 - UPDATES  (Read 100251 times)

Offline Elthiryel

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A press kit for this mission is finally available!
GO for launch, GO for age of reflight

Offline RocketLover0119

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interesting, this may mean nothing, but on the patch s1 has no legs but has fins....

A press kit for this mission is finally available!
"The Starship has landed"

Offline Flying Beaver

Patch and Press Kit.
Watched B1019 land in person 21/12/2015.

Offline Michael Baylor

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Offline RocketLover0119

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Another pic from reddit user amarkit
"The Starship has landed"

Offline docmordrid

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DM

Online FutureSpaceTourist

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Some shots from shorealone films flickr


Online FutureSpaceTourist

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Photo from SpaceX website

Offline Chris Bergin

William Graham's launch article!

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/12/spacex-2017-campaign-iridium-4-launch/

Including photos from Philip Sloss and Jay L. DeShetler who are there for NSF.
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Offline jacqmans

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L-1 Day Planning Forecast

Western Range Operation Forecast
 W7510
 Issued: 21 Dec 17 / 0600L (1400Z)
 Valid: 22 Dec 17 / 1727L (23/0127Z)
 Vehicle/Payload: Falcon 9/Iridium-4
 Location: VAFB SLC-4

T-0 Forecast: High pressure continues to build into the western CONUS in the wake of yesterday’s cold frontal passage. The impact will be relatively dry northwesterly flow aloft, light surface winds with the loose pressure gradient and no marine layer clouds. Surface winds will be out of the northwest through north from 320-350 at 8-12 knots for T-0. Temperatures will range from 55-60F at T-0. Upper-level winds will be out of the northwest from 330 at 80 knots between 38,000 to 41,000 feet. And finally, the space weather indices for proton and x-ray flux are currently reading at background levels. The overall POV will be 0% with no areas of concern.

24 Hour Scrub Forecast: A weak upper level trough of low pressure will move into central California which will bring an increase in high-level clouds; otherwise, expect similar conditions as the primary day. Surface winds will be out of the northwest through north from 320-350 at 8-12 knots for T-0. Temperatures will increase slightly at 57-62F while max upper-level winds will decrease, remaining out of the northwest from 300 at 60 knots from 38,000 to 41,000 feet. The overall POV will be 0% with no areas of concern.
 Significant Clouds:
 Cirrus
 Coverage
 1/8 ths
 Bases
 28,000 ft
 Tops
 29,000 ft
 Visibility: 7 Miles
 Weather: None
 Wind: 320 - 350 at 8 - 12 knots
 Temperature: 55 - 60° F
 Overall probability of violating weather constraints: 0%
 Area of concern: None
 Overall probability of violating weather constraints for 24 Hour Delay: 0%
 Area of concern: None
Jacques :-)

Online FutureSpaceTourist

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Quote
I took this during last night's pad visit - they have better lights now at pad. We went vertical about 8pm, and everything looks good for tonight's launch. While no landing, I'm told there should still be some good video on the way down to "water landing". #GoIridium-4!

https://twitter.com/IridiumBoss/status/944237612700647424

Offline Craig_VG

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Update, no video on the way down

Quote
My bad. I was wrong about the video, there will NOT be video from the first stage on the way down - focus will be on the second stage through to satellite deployment (MY favorite part...). Sorry to get you all excited about some sort of “splash cam”.  Probably too dark anyway!

https://twitter.com/IridiumBoss/status/944274300730621952

Offline WheelsStop

Something a little new this time with airspace restrictions for this launch.  There is a TFR posted downrange from the launch as an extension to the active warning area (W-537).  This hasn't been the case with any of the earlier Iridium launches this year.  I'll ask the question over on the discussion thread, but is there any difference in launch azimuth this time around?

Offline input~2

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EASTERN NORTH PACIFIC.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING
230027Z TO 230211Z DEC, ALTERNATE
0027Z TO 0211Z DAILY 24 THRU 28 DEC
IN AREA BOUND BY
31-04N 120-48W, 31-04N 120-21W,
30-24N 119-46W, 27-43N 119-44W,
27-33N 120-21W, 27-33N 120-48W,
27-43N 121-12W, 30-24N 121-15W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 280311Z DEC 17.//

Authority: WESTERN RANGE 081844Z DEC 17.

Date: 190939Z DEC 17
Cancel: 28031100 Dec 17

SOUTH PACIFIC.
DNC 06, DNC 29.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS SPACE DEBRIS
230248Z TO 230354Z DEC, ALTERNATE 0248Z TO 0354Z
DAILY 24 THRU 28 DEC IN AREA BOUND BY
27-59S 147-19W, 27-47S 142-12W,
72-32S 131-35W, 73-05S 146-38W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 280454Z DEC 17.//

Authority: WESTERN RANGE 081844Z DEC 17.

Date: 190948Z DEC 17
Cancel: 28045400 Dec 17

Offline input~2

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Something a little new this time with airspace restrictions for this launch.  There is a TFR posted downrange from the launch as an extension to the active warning area (W-537).  This hasn't been the case with any of the earlier Iridium launches this year.  I'll ask the question over on the discussion thread, but is there any difference in launch azimuth this time around?

Apparently a slight azimuth offset as compared with flight 3
« Last Edit: 12/22/2017 08:39 pm by input~2 »

Offline ChrisGebhardt

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Just under 1hr 50mins to go.  Fueling should pick up in just over 35mins.

Offline ChrisGebhardt

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Just under 20mins to the start of fueling now.

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Arriving VAFB; high light cirrus clouds.  All is still go for launch with less that 2 hours to go...

https://twitter.com/iridiumboss/status/944353941600354304

Offline ChrisGebhardt

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Falcon 9 launch director receiving the L-80min launch weather update now.

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