Does the X-37B use a special fairing as it looks huge, or is it just a size of fairing rarely used?
Need to get that wasp nest away from the camera (assume on the support gantry).Concur on the tie--nothing like a human-rated Atlas (a-hem).
Quote from: kevin-rf on 12/11/2012 05:26 pmWay to go ULA!Is it me, or in the animation does everyone secretly wish they would replace the X-37 mockup with Santa's sleigh?How do you know that wasn't in the payload bay?
Way to go ULA!Is it me, or in the animation does everyone secretly wish they would replace the X-37 mockup with Santa's sleigh?
Well done Atlas & Centaur. It was labeled MECO 1 so at least one more burn (circularization probably) to go, but a beautiful launch, especially the slow slow slow clearing of the tower at just barely over 1:1 thrust-to-weight.I heard two altitude callouts, 265 miles was the first one and I missed the second. He also said the dogleg maneuver had been successfully completed. Don't suppose anyone got the second altitude number or timestamps for either one? Would help for guessing at the final orbit.Also if someone recorded it a screenshot of that 1/2 second during the promo video where they showed a CAD model of the X-37B with something visible in the payload bay would be cool.
Well done Atlas & Centaur. It was labeled MECO 1 so at least one more burn (circularization probably) to go, but a beautiful launch, especially the slow slow slow clearing of the tower at just barely over 1:1 thrust-to-weight.
Quote from: knotnic on 12/11/2012 05:29 pmWell done Atlas & Centaur. It was labeled MECO 1 so at least one more burn (circularization probably) to go, but a beautiful launch, especially the slow slow slow clearing of the tower at just barely over 1:1 thrust-to-weight.I believe the launch phase only needs a single burn to reach the planned orbit. The second burn is used to de-orbit the Centaur (see here for details: http://www.satobs.org/seesat/Dec-2012/0079.html).
I believe the launch phase only needs a single burn to reach the planned orbit. The second burn is used to de-orbit the Centaur...
Would help for guessing at the final orbit.
Quote from: knotnic on 12/11/2012 05:29 pm Would help for guessing at the final orbit.The X-37B has no "final orbit" it can be changed at any time. That's why Red China will be up late nites from now on.
OTV-3 has already been spotted by satellite hobbyists based on Ted Molzcan predictive elements.http://www.satobs.org/seesat/Dec-2012/0087.htmlhttp://www.satobs.org/seesat/Dec-2012/0088.html
Are you sure that's a wasp? I remember very clearly of the very same type of bug attacking a camera at SLC-40 right at liftoff of the 1st F9 2.5 years ago!