Quote from: bstrong on 02/16/2017 06:51 pmI would imagine core allocation comes down to a financial calculation. As I understand it, launch contracts usually include a penalty for the provider for missing the contractual launch date. So, SpaceX likely allocates cores and other constrained resources to whichever site will minimize the total penalties accrued.The penalty minimizing allocation will change as you slip further behind on one pad vs. another and will favor sending cores to a site that is further behind and/or has a larger backlog.I imagine if SES-10 is successful with a reused booster, there will be some arm twisting with some customers to get them to jump queue on a 'flight proven' booster and free up new boosters for others. Ie, wait six months for a new booster at x penalty, or launch in a month with x discount on a flight proven one. That approach could help the manifest for everyone.
I would imagine core allocation comes down to a financial calculation. As I understand it, launch contracts usually include a penalty for the provider for missing the contractual launch date. So, SpaceX likely allocates cores and other constrained resources to whichever site will minimize the total penalties accrued.The penalty minimizing allocation will change as you slip further behind on one pad vs. another and will favor sending cores to a site that is further behind and/or has a larger backlog.
Quote from: yokem55 on 02/16/2017 07:03 pmQuote from: bstrong on 02/16/2017 06:51 pmI would imagine core allocation comes down to a financial calculation. As I understand it, launch contracts usually include a penalty for the provider for missing the contractual launch date. So, SpaceX likely allocates cores and other constrained resources to whichever site will minimize the total penalties accrued.The penalty minimizing allocation will change as you slip further behind on one pad vs. another and will favor sending cores to a site that is further behind and/or has a larger backlog.I imagine if SES-10 is successful with a reused booster, there will be some arm twisting with some customers to get them to jump queue on a 'flight proven' booster and free up new boosters for others. Ie, wait six months for a new booster at x penalty, or launch in a month with x discount on a flight proven one. That approach could help the manifest for everyone.I'm sure one of the last Iridium missions will be reused, possibly the rideshares.
Quote from: IanThePineapple link=topic=42097.msg1642974#msg1642974 date[quote author=wardy89 on 02/16/2017 09:15 pmI'm sure one of the last Iridium missions will be reused, possibly the rideshares.I am not so sure about that the Iridium CEO has said on numerous occasions that all of there launches will be on NEW booster.
I'm sure one of the last Iridium missions will be reused, possibly the rideshares.
Quote from: wardy89 on 02/16/2017 09:15 pmQuote from: IanThePineapple link=topic=42097.msg1642974#msg1642974 date[quote author=wardy89 on 02/16/2017 09:15 pmI'm sure one of the last Iridium missions will be reused, possibly the rideshares.I am not so sure about that the Iridium CEO has said on numerous occasions that all of there launches will be on NEW booster. Reread Ian's post wargy89He said the boosters for the Iridium launches will get reused, not that Iridium will be the launches on the reused ("flight proven") first stages. "Reused" vs "reuse"Edit: or maybe not. Ian?
I said the Iridium missions might [Edit: forgot to add "might " to the original message] use flight-proven boosters, as once the first few reused missions fly they may notice the good reliability and choose to modify the launch contract.
No, but a reused booster isn't available before our new one in June anyway.Being assured we'll be launching every 8 weeks or so starting later this year with new, so not much to jump.
IRDM CEO: SpaceX says rocket-build rhythm improves after June & we shld get quicker rate for our 65 to-be-launched sats on 7 Falcon 9s.
QuoteIRDM CEO: SpaceX says rocket-build rhythm improves after June & we shld get quicker rate for our 65 to-be-launched sats on 7 Falcon 9s.https://twitter.com/pbdes/status/834759735668772864
b: That still leaves me wondering what changed in middle of Feb?
Iridium Corporate Verified account @IridiumComm 4m4 minutes ago#DYK that there is a 4-leaf clover on each #IridiumNEXT launch patch? #SATSuperstition #StPatricksDay
#DYK that there is a 4-leaf clover on each #IridiumNEXT launch patch? #SATSuperstition #StPatricksDay
It's on every SpaceX patch since the first successful Falcon 1 launch IIRC after a string of early failures seemed to suggest some extra luck might be useful. It appeared on the ASDS as well following one of the crash landings which did damage to the barge.
Quote from: cscott on 03/17/2017 04:13 pmIt's on every SpaceX patch since the first successful Falcon 1 launch IIRC after a string of early failures seemed to suggest some extra luck might be useful. It appeared on the ASDS as well following one of the crash landings which did damage to the barge.One of the SpaceX employees seen in the Echostar 23 launch video was wearing a black t-shirt with a large green four-leaf clover with a SpaceX logo in the middle. Seems to be a Corporate Standard.
Any word on if this will be the first attempt to land the first stage at Vandenberg? I'd make the drive out to see that.
I don't think Iridium could make it back to land. Too heavy.
Quote from: KaiFarrimond on 04/02/2017 09:47 pmI don't think Iridium could make it back to land. Too heavy.Iridiuam NEXT satellites are about 450 kg each, IIRC. Ten would be about 4.5 tons. Even adding the deployment system, I'd wager that's less than an ISS-bound Dragon, and they did RTLS on CRS-9 and CRS-10.