Author Topic: LIVE: Minotaur-C - SkySat x6 (S/N 8-13) - October 31, 2017  (Read 95104 times)

Online Galactic Penguin SST

IIRC flights out of VAFB have such telemetry drop outs once in a while (e.g. some of the Delta II flights I watched), but for this one the wait certainly seemed to be longer.  :-X
Astronomy & spaceflight geek penguin. In a relationship w/ Space Shuttle Discovery. Current Priority: Chasing the Chinese Spaceflight Wonder Egg & A Certain Chinese Mars Rover

Offline Ronsmytheiii

  • Moderator
  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 23394
  • Liked: 1879
  • Likes Given: 1023
Re: LIVE: Minotaur-C - SkySat x6 (S/N 8-13) - October 31, 2017
« Reply #241 on: 10/31/2017 09:10 pm »
First contact will be when the Satellites loop around the Earth and pass over Alaska:

http://mstl.atl.calpoly.edu/~bklofas/Presentations/DevelopersWorkshop2016/1_BryanKlofas.pdf

Offline russianhalo117

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8755
  • Liked: 4673
  • Likes Given: 768
Re: LIVE: Minotaur-C - SkySat x6 (S/N 8-13) - October 31, 2017
« Reply #242 on: 10/31/2017 09:13 pm »
First contact will be when the Satellites loop around the Earth and pass over Alaska:

http://mstl.atl.calpoly.edu/~bklofas/Presentations/DevelopersWorkshop2016/1_BryanKlofas.pdf
To be exact, AOS will be via the Alaska Satellite Facility at University of Alaska Fairbanks (https://www.asf.alaska.edu/). Planet and Terra Bella have equipment located on site.
« Last Edit: 10/31/2017 09:16 pm by russianhalo117 »

Offline tmoesser

  • Member
  • Posts: 26
  • Journeyman rocket scientist
  • Northern Utah
  • Liked: 124
  • Likes Given: 23
Re: LIVE: Minotaur-C - SkySat x6 (S/N 8-13) - October 31, 2017
« Reply #243 on: 10/31/2017 09:22 pm »
How bizarre they can’t maintain telemetry over the horizon and we just have a simulation.
TDRS is expensive, and so are floating ground stations.  If the mission doesn't require it, no need charging the customer for service they don't need.

Offline Star One

  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13997
  • UK
  • Liked: 3974
  • Likes Given: 220
Re: LIVE: Minotaur-C - SkySat x6 (S/N 8-13) - October 31, 2017
« Reply #244 on: 10/31/2017 09:26 pm »
How bizarre they can’t maintain telemetry over the horizon and we just have a simulation.
TDRS is expensive, and so are floating ground stations.  If the mission doesn't require it, no need charging the customer for service they don't need.

Maybe I’ve missed something but I don’t remember any such issues with any recent Space X, ULA and even other Orbital launches.

Offline DaveS

  • Shuttle program observer
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8526
  • Sweden
  • Liked: 1199
  • Likes Given: 65
Re: LIVE: Minotaur-C - SkySat x6 (S/N 8-13) - October 31, 2017
« Reply #245 on: 10/31/2017 09:35 pm »
How bizarre they can’t maintain telemetry over the horizon and we just have a simulation.
TDRS is expensive, and so are floating ground stations.  If the mission doesn't require it, no need charging the customer for service they don't need.

Maybe I’ve missed something but I don’t remember any such issues with any recent Space X, ULA and even other Orbital launches.
I believe those are equipped with TDRS transmitters. And with the Minotaur-C being a low-cost launcher, it doesn't have a TDRS transmitter.
"For Sardines, space is no problem!"
-1996 Astronaut class slogan

"We're rolling in the wrong direction but for the right reasons"
-USA engineer about the rollback of Discovery prior to the STS-114 Return To Flight mission

Offline russianhalo117

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8755
  • Liked: 4673
  • Likes Given: 768
Re: LIVE: Minotaur-C - SkySat x6 (S/N 8-13) - October 31, 2017
« Reply #246 on: 10/31/2017 09:41 pm »
How bizarre they can’t maintain telemetry over the horizon and we just have a simulation.
TDRS is expensive, and so are floating ground stations.  If the mission doesn't require it, no need charging the customer for service they don't need.

Maybe I’ve missed something but I don’t remember any such issues with any recent Space X, ULA and even other Orbital launches.
I believe those are equipped with TDRS transmitters. And with the Minotaur-C being a low-cost launcher, it doesn't have a TDRS transmitter.
According to the latest users guide that I have on my computer, TDRS is provided as an optional service.

Online Steven Pietrobon

  • Member
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 39218
  • Adelaide, Australia
    • Steven Pietrobon's Space Archive
  • Liked: 32738
  • Likes Given: 8195
Re: LIVE: Minotaur-C - SkySat x6 (S/N 8-13) - October 31, 2017
« Reply #247 on: 10/31/2017 09:53 pm »
TDRS is expensive, and so are floating ground stations.  If the mission doesn't require it, no need charging the customer for service they don't need.

That philosophy is fine right up until there is a problem with the launch. Then you wish you had the telemetry since knowing when the problem occurred and other information before the anomaly is a big help in working out what the problem is. Without the telemetry you are working completely in the dark.
Akin's Laws of Spacecraft Design #1:  Engineering is done with numbers.  Analysis without numbers is only an opinion.

Online ZachS09

  • Space Savant
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8407
  • Roanoke, TX
  • Liked: 2345
  • Likes Given: 2060
Re: LIVE: Minotaur-C - SkySat x6 (S/N 8-13) - October 31, 2017
« Reply #248 on: 10/31/2017 09:53 pm »
Quick update:

AOS of the SkySat and Flock satellites should occur in about three minutes.
Liftoff for St. Jude's! Go Dragon, Go Falcon, Godspeed Inspiration4!

Online Galactic Penguin SST

Have AOS of the satellites occurred yet?
Astronomy & spaceflight geek penguin. In a relationship w/ Space Shuttle Discovery. Current Priority: Chasing the Chinese Spaceflight Wonder Egg & A Certain Chinese Mars Rover

Online Steven Pietrobon

  • Member
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 39218
  • Adelaide, Australia
    • Steven Pietrobon's Space Archive
  • Liked: 32738
  • Likes Given: 8195
Re: LIVE: Minotaur-C - SkySat x6 (S/N 8-13) - October 31, 2017
« Reply #250 on: 10/31/2017 10:30 pm »
Have AOS of the satellites occurred yet?

We don't know. I'm watching the OA and Planet Labs twitter accounts, but there has been no updates. Contact should have occurred by now though.
« Last Edit: 10/31/2017 10:32 pm by Steven Pietrobon »
Akin's Laws of Spacecraft Design #1:  Engineering is done with numbers.  Analysis without numbers is only an opinion.

Offline Kim Keller

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 970
  • Not OldSpace, Not NewSpace - I'm ALLSpace
  • Location: Wherever the rockets are
  • Liked: 2419
  • Likes Given: 125
Re: LIVE: Minotaur-C - SkySat x6 (S/N 8-13) - October 31, 2017
« Reply #251 on: 10/31/2017 10:35 pm »
Telemetry on sun-synchronous missions out of VAFB is a real problem for solid-fueled vehicles relatively early in flight. The TM antennas are looking almost straight up the rocket's tailpipe, and remember that solid fuel contains a lot of aluminum. It's like a fighter dispensing chaff to throw off a radar guided missile.

Offline Jdeshetler

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 817
  • Silicon Valley, CA
  • Liked: 3673
  • Likes Given: 3551
Re: LIVE: Minotaur-C - SkySat x6 (S/N 8-13) - October 31, 2017
« Reply #252 on: 10/31/2017 10:39 pm »
2.5 miles from the launch site. 

We can’t pick up the remote cameras due to the ongoing fire around the pad.

The helicopter w/ water bucket did went over the pad within few minutes after the launch. However 2 hours have passed and still didn’t get “All Clear” signal yet.
« Last Edit: 10/31/2017 10:43 pm by Jdeshetler »

Offline Helodriver

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1076
  • Liked: 5971
  • Likes Given: 700
Re: LIVE: Minotaur-C - SkySat x6 (S/N 8-13) - October 31, 2017
« Reply #253 on: 10/31/2017 10:43 pm »
Shots of the Minotaur-C launch from the western foothills of the Santa Ynez Mountains on South Vandenberg, one of the few areas with direct visibility to the pad from 8.1 miles away. In the frames can be seen two of the tracking radars as well as the offshore patrol boat enforcing the closed sea area. Other observation locations were slightly closer, but with obscured view as area 576E is down the shoreward slope of the Burton Mesa which makes up a large portion of North Vandenberg. This elevated hillside viewpoint provided a unique perspective of today's launch.

Offline marshal

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 120
  • Liked: 14
  • Likes Given: 7
Re: LIVE: Minotaur-C - SkySat x6 (S/N 8-13) - October 31, 2017
« Reply #254 on: 10/31/2017 10:58 pm »
Gen. Jay Raymond‏ @AFSpaceCC

Congrats @OrbitalATK on the successful #MinotaurC launch!
Thanks @30thSpaceWing & @AF_SMC for your great support. Well done,
team!"

and some pics of the minotaurc launch

http://www.vandenberg.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1359408/vandenberg-launches-a-minotaur-c-rocket/

Online Steven Pietrobon

  • Member
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 39218
  • Adelaide, Australia
    • Steven Pietrobon's Space Archive
  • Liked: 32738
  • Likes Given: 8195
Re: LIVE: Minotaur-C - SkySat x6 (S/N 8-13) - October 31, 2017
« Reply #255 on: 10/31/2017 11:03 pm »
Launch success! Congratulations to Orbital ATK and Planet Labs for the successful launch!

https://twitter.com/OrbitalATK/status/925513283519598594

Orbital ATK‏Verified account @OrbitalATK 52 seconds ago

Our #MinotaurC successfully placed @planetlabs 10 satellites into orbit! Congrats to the entire team! @30thSpaceWing #OrbitalATKDelivers
« Last Edit: 10/31/2017 11:10 pm by Steven Pietrobon »
Akin's Laws of Spacecraft Design #1:  Engineering is done with numbers.  Analysis without numbers is only an opinion.

Offline marshal

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 120
  • Liked: 14
  • Likes Given: 7
Re: LIVE: Minotaur-C - SkySat x6 (S/N 8-13) - October 31, 2017
« Reply #256 on: 10/31/2017 11:04 pm »
 Orbital ATK‏

Our #MinotaurC successfully placed @planetlabs 10 satellites into orbit! Congrats to the entire team! @30thSpaceWing #OrbitalATKDelivers

Offline hartspace

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 320
  • Liked: 297
  • Likes Given: 149
Re: LIVE: Minotaur-C - SkySat x6 (S/N 8-13) - October 31, 2017
« Reply #257 on: 10/31/2017 11:05 pm »
 Planet‏Verified account @planetlabs 2m2 minutes ago

Successful launch & commissioning going as planned. Contact made with Doves & SkySats. Thanks to @orbitalatk & @30thspacewing

Online Steven Pietrobon

  • Member
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 39218
  • Adelaide, Australia
    • Steven Pietrobon's Space Archive
  • Liked: 32738
  • Likes Given: 8195
Re: LIVE: Minotaur-C - SkySat x6 (S/N 8-13) - October 31, 2017
« Reply #258 on: 10/31/2017 11:05 pm »
Report from Planet Labs.

https://twitter.com/planetlabs/status/925513196240113664

Planet‏Verified account @planetlabs 3 minutes ago

Successful launch & commissioning going as planned. Contact made with Doves & SkySats. Thanks to @orbitalatk & @30thspacewing
« Last Edit: 10/31/2017 11:10 pm by Steven Pietrobon »
Akin's Laws of Spacecraft Design #1:  Engineering is done with numbers.  Analysis without numbers is only an opinion.

Offline catdlr

  • Member
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 11190
  • Enthusiast since the Redstones
  • Marina del Rey, California, USA
  • Liked: 8820
  • Likes Given: 7823
Re: LIVE: Minotaur-C - SkySat x6 (S/N 8-13) - October 31, 2017
« Reply #259 on: 10/31/2017 11:05 pm »
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

From: 30th Space Wing Public Affairs, www.vandenberg.af.mil



Vandenberg Launches a Minotaur-C Rocket



VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -  The Orbital ATK Minotaur-C rocket,
carrying 10 small satellites owned by Planet, launched from Space Launch
Complex 576-E here Tuesday, Oct. 31, at 2:37 p.m. PDT.



Col. Greg Wood, 30th Space Wing vice commander, was the space launch
commander.



"This launch was an incredible achievement for Team Vandenberg, Orbital ATK,
and our other launch partners," said Wood. "This Minotaur-C launch marked
the first at Vandenberg in six years and I am very proud of the teamwork
that led to this successful launch. The hard work and dedication of everyone
involved continues to ensure our nation's access to space."
Tony De La Rosa, ...I'm no Feline Dealer!! I move mountains.  but I'm better known for "I think it's highly sexual." Japanese to English Translation.

Tags:
 

Advertisement NovaTech
Advertisement Northrop Grumman
Advertisement
Advertisement Margaritaville Beach Resort South Padre Island
Advertisement Brady Kenniston
Advertisement NextSpaceflight
Advertisement Nathan Barker Photography
0