Author Topic: LIVE: Wallops Island Minotaur - TacSat 2 - Dec 16  (Read 45012 times)

Offline dwmzmm

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Re: Wallops Island launch is test of the quick, small
« Reply #20 on: 12/09/2006 04:58 pm »
Looks like we get more accurate/timely up to date info on the space program(s) here better than anywhere else...
Dave, NAR # 21853 SR.

Offline hektor

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Re: Another Wallops Island Minotaur
« Reply #21 on: 12/10/2006 02:23 am »
Same question ? Is there a webcast ?

Online Chris Bergin

RE: Wallops Island launch is test of the quick, small
« Reply #22 on: 12/10/2006 03:10 am »
Well we know this is now clear :)
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Offline yuri_doma

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Offline eeergo

Re: Wallops Island launch is test of the quick, small
« Reply #24 on: 12/11/2006 06:50 am »
However, in Spaceflightnow's Shuttle status report, there is word that they have scrubbed the launch.

http://www.spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts116/status.html (at the 0700GMT Monday remark)
-DaviD-

Offline hektor

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RE: Another Wallops Island Minotaur
« Reply #25 on: 12/11/2006 11:16 am »
Today's launch has been scrubbed.

Offline apollolanding

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Re: Another Wallops Island Minotaur
« Reply #26 on: 12/11/2006 11:38 am »
Thanks hektor for the scrub notice. I' was out this morning looking for the con trail and figured it had scrubbed when I haddn't seen it by 1215z.  Any word on why they scrubbed?

Joe
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Offline Skyrocket

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Re: Another Wallops Island Minotaur
« Reply #27 on: 12/11/2006 11:54 am »
Quote
apollolanding - 11/12/2006  1:21 PM

Any word on why they scrubbed?

Joe

Apparently a software-issue with the TacSat-2 payload

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061211/ap_on_sc/rocket_launch




Offline Radioheaded

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Re: Wallops Island launch is test of the quick, small
« Reply #28 on: 12/11/2006 11:59 am »
Indeed, scrubbed for today.  I was roughly 1/2 hour from WFF, (after 2 1/2 hrs on the road) when I found out :(  Apparently a software glitch with TacStar.  They are saying launch will be no earlier than Wednesday.  (I am hoping for Saturday) :)
I know only enough to know that I don't know....

Offline Radioheaded

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Re: Another Wallops Island Minotaur
« Reply #29 on: 12/11/2006 12:12 pm »
As i  mentioned on Live spaceflight news thread, I was within 30 minutes of WFF when I heard of the scrub.  Sure made for a long boring ride back to Richmond :(
I know only enough to know that I don't know....

Offline apollolanding

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Re: Another Wallops Island Minotaur
« Reply #30 on: 12/11/2006 12:22 pm »
Thank god my wife put the kibosh on me taking a vacation day, packing my three year old, space crazy son, into the truck and driving the 3 hours down.  I'm opting to just watch the con trail from here in southern New Jersey.  You can see orbital launches out of Wallops from here as we're only 100 miles (as the crow flies).
Proud Member of NSF Since 2006-04-10.

Offline Radioheaded

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Re: Another Wallops Island Minotaur
« Reply #31 on: 12/11/2006 12:29 pm »
My wife nearly did the same thing... should've listened ;) I dare say though, If the reschedule when I can make it, I'm just stubborn enough to try it again :)

This time though I'll call the info line MUCH sooner.....
I know only enough to know that I don't know....

Online Chris Bergin

RE: Another Wallops Island Minotaur
« Reply #32 on: 12/11/2006 01:46 pm »
Source info is there's a meeting at 10am local. An announcement at 2pm local.

Software issue with the payload.
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Offline edkyle99

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RE: Wallops Island launch is test of the quick, small
« Reply #33 on: 12/11/2006 02:37 pm »
This Minotaur might not make it off the pad this year now, according to this report.

http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061211/NEWS/61211002/-1/NEWS01

I wonder why this TacSat problem wasn't vetted until the last minute?  Surely this was an issue that was known by someone.

 - Ed Kyle

Offline edkyle99

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RE: Wallops Island launch is test of the quick, small
« Reply #34 on: 12/11/2006 03:23 pm »
Quote
edkyle99 - 11/12/2006  9:20 AM

This Minotaur might not make it off the pad this year now, according to this report.

http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061211/NEWS/61211002/-1/NEWS01

I wonder why this TacSat problem wasn't vetted until the last minute?  Surely this was an issue that was known by someone.

 - Ed Kyle


The following site provides some clues about what the problem might be.  TacSat-2 was built in a hurry using spare parts from a previous, canceled program.  The solar array design appears to have changed a bit during the development effort.

http://directory.eoportal.org/pres_TacSat2Roadrunner.html

 - Ed Kyle

Offline edkyle99

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RE: Wallops Island launch is test of the quick, small
« Reply #35 on: 12/11/2006 04:18 pm »
Quote
edkyle99 - 11/12/2006  10:06 AM

Quote
edkyle99 - 11/12/2006  9:20 AM

This Minotaur might not make it off the pad this year now, according to this report.

http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061211/NEWS/61211002/-1/NEWS01

I wonder why this TacSat problem wasn't vetted until the last minute?  Surely this was an issue that was known by someone.

 - Ed Kyle


The following site provides some clues about what the problem might be.  TacSat-2 was built in a hurry using spare parts from a previous, canceled program.  The solar array design appears to have changed a bit during the development effort.

http://directory.eoportal.org/pres_TacSat2Roadrunner.html

 - Ed Kyle

The orientation of the telescope also changed - by 90 degrees.  Note that the fixed portion (all?) of the solar arrays only get full sun exposure at "noon" during an equator crossing if the telescope is looking down at the Earth.  The original design appears to have been oriented for optimum use in a sun synchronous orbit, with fullest exposure at sunrise/sunset.

In addition, TacSat-2 was originally supposed to be launched on a Falcon 1.  I'm not sure what the originally planned orbit would have been.

 - Ed Kyle

Offline edkyle99

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RE: Another Wallops Island Minotaur
« Reply #36 on: 12/11/2006 08:07 pm »
http://www.wff.nasa.gov/tacsat2/

"LAUNCH UPDATE: 3:30 p.m. 12/11/06:
The TacSat-2/Minotaur 1 launch set for today, Monday, Dec. 11, has been delayed with Thursday [Dec. 14] as the earliest possible launch date while a potential inconsistency in the TacSat-2 spacecraft flight software is being investigated. Analysis is ongoing. Information will be posted as it becomes available."

 - Ed Kyle

Offline Jim

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RE: Wallops Island launch is test of the quick, small
« Reply #37 on: 12/11/2006 08:11 pm »
Quote
edkyle99 - 11/12/2006  10:20 AM

This Minotaur might not make it off the pad this year now, according to this report.

http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061211/NEWS/61211002/-1/NEWS01

I wonder why this TacSat problem wasn't vetted until the last minute?  Surely this was an issue that was known by someone.

 - Ed Kyle

Until spacecraft are no longer in the realm of rocket science, tactical ops is a pipedream.  "Quick callup" is not compatable with the testing required of standard spacecraft.

Offline SpacemanSpiff

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RE: Wallops Island launch is test of the quick, small
« Reply #38 on: 12/11/2006 09:05 pm »
Try to think 'Out of the BOX'; how would you get into the realm of tactical ops?
Well, you would accept a little more risk! And when you go low-cost, then you CAN assume more risk. I can think of a number of ways to get the spacecraft to orbit quickly.
This is a promising project that bears watching, if you have an interest in providing cost-efficient space vehicle services...

My company is interested in working with the provider of the solar array system for this vehicle, MicroSat Systems (their thin-film solar cell arrays could be a great new photovoltaic option). They look to be a very promising small, cost-efficient company. They were the systems integrator for this vehicle as well. I am hoping to see a successful mission.



Offline Jim

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RE: Wallops Island launch is test of the quick, small
« Reply #39 on: 12/11/2006 09:08 pm »
Quote
SpacemanSpiff - 11/12/2006  4:48 PM

Try to think 'Out of the BOX'; how would you get into the realm of tactical ops?
Well, you would accept a little more risk! And when you go low-cost, then you CAN assume more risk. I can think of a number of ways to get the spacecraft to orbit quickly.
This is a promising project that bears watching, if you have an interest in providing cost-efficient space vehicle services...

My company is interested in working with the provider of the solar array system for this vehicle, MicroSat Systems (their thin-film solar cell arrays could be a great new photovoltaic option). They look to be a very promising small, cost-efficient company. They were the systems integrator for this vehicle as well. I am hoping to see a successful mission.



No one wants to accept more risk.    More risk doesn't equate to cost effective.  There is a big difference in tactical and cost effective.

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