Well, "spacecraft separation" is a commonly used phrase, be it a cubesat or some massive, mysterious spy sat, so that's probably why they used that word. And like you said, "spacecraft" could be plural too, so it doesn't really say whether there is one or many."Space vehicle", on the other hand...
If they are using a Heavy, doesn't it seem to mean that there is some one thing that is "heavy"? Would it make any sense to launch multiple lighter satellites on a heavy rather than launch them separately? Has this ever been done?
"Space vehicle", on the other hand...
Quote from: Nick L. on 07/26/2013 04:09 amWell, "spacecraft separation" is a commonly used phrase, be it a cubesat or some massive, mysterious spy sat, so that's probably why they used that word. And like you said, "spacecraft" could be plural too, so it doesn't really say whether there is one or many."Space vehicle", on the other hand... If they are using a Heavy, doesn't it seem to mean that there is some one thing that is "heavy"? Would it make any sense to launch multiple lighter satellites on a heavy rather than launch them separately? Has this ever been done?
As per today's SpaceFlightNow article, "Liftoff will be possible between 10 a.m. and 12 noon local time (1-3 p.m. EDT; 1700-1900 GMT)", still set for Aug 28th.http://spaceflightnow.com/delta/d363/preps/#.UfnUxJK1GSo
Quote from: lazaruslong on 08/01/2013 03:31 amAs per today's SpaceFlightNow article, "Liftoff will be possible between 10 a.m. and 12 noon local time (1-3 p.m. EDT; 1700-1900 GMT)", still set for Aug 28th.http://spaceflightnow.com/delta/d363/preps/#.UfnUxJK1GSoFrom a quick glance at passes on Heavens-Above, the plane of USA-186's orbit seems to cross the launch site during the launch period. I don't know how to compute the exact in-plane time, but it is likely that the launch window won't open until at least about an hour into the period.USA-186 (NROL-20) was the payload of the last Titan launch, conducted from Vandenberg in 2005, and is believed to be the operational satellite in the West plane of the KH-11 system, with USA-129 as its backup. A launch to the west plane would be consistent with the usual pattern of alternating between the planes - USA-224 is in the East plane.
Quote from: William Graham on 08/01/2013 09:04 amQuote from: lazaruslong on 08/01/2013 03:31 amAs per today's SpaceFlightNow article, "Liftoff will be possible between 10 a.m. and 12 noon local time (1-3 p.m. EDT; 1700-1900 GMT)", still set for Aug 28th.http://spaceflightnow.com/delta/d363/preps/#.UfnUxJK1GSoFrom a quick glance at passes on Heavens-Above, the plane of USA-186's orbit seems to cross the launch site during the launch period. I don't know how to compute the exact in-plane time, but it is likely that the launch window won't open until at least about an hour into the period.USA-186 (NROL-20) was the payload of the last Titan launch, conducted from Vandenberg in 2005, and is believed to be the operational satellite in the West plane of the KH-11 system, with USA-129 as its backup. A launch to the west plane would be consistent with the usual pattern of alternating between the planes - USA-224 is in the East plane.Do you believe that it will replace USA-186 as the main satellite with USA-129 being de-orbited and then USA-186 becoming the backup?
USA-161 386 x 392 km, 97.0°
ULA have added a flash page for this launch:http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/Launch.shtml#/42/
I know I am being picky but is there any image of the Digital Space Patch bigger and clearer than the one provided by Spaceflightnow for NROL-65. It is so hard to make out any detail and once it is blown up it becomes blurry. 140x139 pixels doesn't cut it.
Quote from: averagespacejoe on 08/20/2013 09:54 pmI know I am being picky but is there any image of the Digital Space Patch bigger and clearer than the one provided by Spaceflightnow for NROL-65. It is so hard to make out any detail and once it is blown up it becomes blurry. 140x139 pixels doesn't cut it. Better, I hope? Doing this on my phone, so hopefully the attachments come out right.