During the post-launch CRS-11 presser, Chris G asked Hans K to comment on this upcoming launch, specifically that the second stage would have to loiter for 6 hours before a restart. Hans seemed surprised by that information. Any more info on that? I'm finding no mention of it here or in the updates thread.
Space Systems Loral (SSL), a leading provider of innovative satellites and spacecraft systems, today announced that the BulgariaSat-1 satellite, designed and built for Bulgaria Sat, an affiliate of Bulsatcom, which is a leading telecommunications company and the largest provider of pay-TV services in Bulgaria, has arrived at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, where it will be launched aboard a space-proven Falcon 9 vehicle provided by SpaceX. BulgariaSat-1 will be Bulgaria’s first satellite. SSL is a subsidiary of MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates, Ltd. (TSX:MDA), a global communications and information company.“SSL has a history of working closely with new satellite operators to help them move their businesses forward,” said John Celli, president of SSL. “We are pleased that this first satellite ever built for a company in Bulgaria has safely arrived at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, and look forward to BulgariaSat-1 making history as the second satellite ever to launch on a Falcon 9 that has flown a previous mission. Launch vehicle reuse is an important enabler for the satellite industry.”BulgariaSat-1 will provide high quality Direct-to-Home television and telecommunications services in the Balkans and other European regions. It is equipped with 30 Ku-band BSS transponders to broaden the availability of advanced television services such as high definition television.“BulgariaSat-1 is an essential part of Bulsatcom’s strategy to expand high quality TV and communications offerings to meet customer demand,” said Maxim Zayakov, chief executive officer of Bulgaria Sat. “SSL has been an excellent partner in helping us make our vision a reality and we eagerly await next month’s launch.”Based on the powerful SSL 1300 platform, the satellite is designed to provide service for 15 years or more. The satellite will be the second ever to be launched on a previously flown Falcon 9 rocket.
Looks like the satellite arrived at the Cape at least 3 weeks ago [snipped]
This is a rather light sat for F9 GTO
I wonder if this sat would be light enough for an RTLS on a Block 5...
Quote from: NotOnImpact on 06/05/2017 09:59 pmThe first stage looks downright shiny. Is it a new one afterall? The interstage is definitely used.http://wereportspace.com/2017/06/04/spacex-re-flies-dragon-capsule-crs-11/)You're in the thread for Bulgariasat but you posted a link regarding CRS-11.
The first stage looks downright shiny. Is it a new one afterall? The interstage is definitely used.http://wereportspace.com/2017/06/04/spacex-re-flies-dragon-capsule-crs-11/)
As photographers were picking up their remote cameras outside of Pad 39A, a Beyel Brothers transport rolled past carrying what appears to be the newly painted Falcon 9 core that flew on CRS-8 and SES-10. The grid fins and legs were missing, but the mounting hardware for the legs was visible and covers were installed where the grid fins should have been. It seems hardly accidental that SpaceX arranged for the transport of that historic booster during the time that the media would be at Pad 39A. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has indicated that the core would be on display in Cape Canaveral.
But the rocket on transporter is for BulgariaSat, is it not?
Quote from: IanThePineapple on 06/04/2017 09:05 pmI wonder if this sat would be light enough for an RTLS on a Block 5...Just barely, if at all. I'm estimating the RTLS GTO payload for Block 5 at about 3600 kg.
Quote from: Herb Schaltegger on 06/05/2017 10:29 pmQuote from: NotOnImpact on 06/05/2017 09:59 pmThe first stage looks downright shiny. Is it a new one afterall? The interstage is definitely used.http://wereportspace.com/2017/06/04/spacex-re-flies-dragon-capsule-crs-11/)You're in the thread for Bulgariasat but you posted a link regarding CRS-11.But the rocket on transporter is for BulgariaSat, is it not?
Quote from: fthomassy on 06/05/2017 10:35 pmBut the rocket on transporter is for BulgariaSat, is it not?No, that's the around the Cape transporter. The cross country transporter is different
Maybe they have started doing a basic wash as part of the landing site processing. But this is not going to be the BulgariaSat core, so this should be posted elsewhere.
Quote from: NotOnImpact on 06/05/2017 09:59 pm...http://wereportspace.com/2017/06/04/spacex-re-flies-dragon-capsule-crs-11/)...But this is not going to be the BulgariaSat core, so this should be posted elsewhere.
...http://wereportspace.com/2017/06/04/spacex-re-flies-dragon-capsule-crs-11/)