Epic round up!I wonder how long they can get closer to the Zuma launch without actually giving it its real name?
Quote from: AndyX on 10/16/2017 06:47 pmEpic round up!I wonder how long they can get closer to the Zuma launch without actually giving it its real name?There's no requirement to divulge its real name at any point before, during, or after launch.
At a guess, it's a backup satellite from a previous mission that could be prepped quickly by Northrop Grumman and launched quickly by SpaceX to take a peek at some hot spot like North Korea or Iran and they don't want to let anything about the specific capabilities out so as to hinder counter measures.
I sincerely doubt this is a military/NRO payload of any sort. It makes absolutely zero sense given what Reddit /u/ASTRALsunder said about it being absolutely crucial for the company's revenue targets. Instead, it points to a small stealth startup working with LEO satellites of some sort, as it is quite literally impossible that NG would be depending on a single launch to satisfy their shareholders.
Quote from: vaporcobra on 10/17/2017 01:02 amI sincerely doubt this is a military/NRO payload of any sort. It makes absolutely zero sense given what Reddit /u/ASTRALsunder said about it being absolutely crucial for the company's revenue targets. Instead, it points to a small stealth startup working with LEO satellites of some sort, as it is quite literally impossible that NG would be depending on a single launch to satisfy their shareholders. I agree wholeheartedly. The information we have points directly to this. That information could be wrong, we shall see soon.
NASASpaceflight.com has confirmed that Northrop Grumman is the payload provider for Zuma through a commercial launch contract with SpaceX for a LEO satellite with a mission type labeled as “government” and a needed launch date range of 1-30 November 2017
Payloads have three levels of restrictions for movement and processing. This one will be top of the scale.
Quote from: Gary NASA on 10/17/2017 03:13 pmPayloads have three levels of restrictions for movement and processing. This one will be top of the scale.Does LC-39A vs SLC-40 have anything to do with that? In other words, is this payload something that couldn't go from SLC-40 and needed to go from 39A prior to the FH work?
Quote from: Craig_VG on 10/17/2017 01:05 amQuote from: vaporcobra on 10/17/2017 01:02 amI sincerely doubt this is a military/NRO payload of any sort. It makes absolutely zero sense given what Reddit /u/ASTRALsunder said about it being absolutely crucial for the company's revenue targets. Instead, it points to a small stealth startup working with LEO satellites of some sort, as it is quite literally impossible that NG would be depending on a single launch to satisfy their shareholders. I agree wholeheartedly. The information we have points directly to this. That information could be wrong, we shall see soon.Payloads have three levels of restrictions for movement and processing. This one will be top of the scale.
Quote from: Gary NASA on 10/17/2017 03:13 pmQuote from: Craig_VG on 10/17/2017 01:05 amQuote from: vaporcobra on 10/17/2017 01:02 amI sincerely doubt this is a military/NRO payload of any sort. It makes absolutely zero sense given what Reddit /u/ASTRALsunder said about it being absolutely crucial for the company's revenue targets. Instead, it points to a small stealth startup working with LEO satellites of some sort, as it is quite literally impossible that NG would be depending on a single launch to satisfy their shareholders. I agree wholeheartedly. The information we have points directly to this. That information could be wrong, we shall see soon.Payloads have three levels of restrictions for movement and processing. This one will be top of the scale.Is there any website/doc that describes the levels of restrictions?
SpaceX’s Patricia Cooper stated at the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee yesterday that within the next few months SpaceX will be launching two test satellites of their new low orbit broadband satellites. She is SpaceX’s Vice President of Satellite Government Affairs. These prototypes will be used to test the viability of use prior to the planned launch of the constellation in the next few years. I submit that these two satellite will be “absolutely crucial for the company's revenue targets”. Zuma.