Author Topic: LIVE: Atlas V - X37B Flight 2 - Cape Canaveral - March 5, 2011  (Read 295242 times)

Offline Hunt101

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Distracted by Shuttle? ;)


March 3 (Thursday)

 

1000: Vehicle rollout to Launch Pad:  I will send out pictures afterwards.

 

1230: Remote camera photographers meet at Space X parking lot for escort to SLC-41 to set cameras

 

March 4 (Friday)

 

1430:  45 SW/PA meets unbadged media at SR 3 Pass and ID station across from Air Liquide Plant for escort to KSC press site to view launch

 

Live Broadcast Coverage:  The OTV launch will be carried live beginning 20 minutes prior to T-0. The broadcast will conclude 20 minutes after launch.

 

Webcast: A simulcast of the launch can be viewed at: http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/Multimedia_Webcast.shtml
« Last Edit: 03/05/2011 11:40 am by Chris Bergin »

Offline Hunt101

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Atlas V - X37B Flight 2 - Cape Canaveral - March 4, 2011
« Reply #1 on: 03/02/2011 03:49 am »
Satellite Coordinates:

 

ALL TIMES EASTERN STANDARD TIME

 

MARCH 4, 2011

 

BEGIN TRANSMISSION (BARS AND TONE) – 2:45 P.M.

BROADCAST START – 3:30 P.M.

END TRANSMISSION – 6:00 P.M.

 

SATELLITE – AMC 6

TRANSPONDER – 5C

BAND – C-BAND ANALOG

ORBITAL POSITION – 72 DEGREES W

CARRIER – SES AMERICOM

BANDWIDTH – 36 MHz

UPLINK FREQ – 6025 MHz (Horizontal)

DOWNLINK FREQ – 3800 MHz (Vertical)

 

Weather Forecast

 

Attached is the AV-026 OTV-2 Forecast.  There is no significant change in the

forecast with gusty Ground Winds and Cumulus Clouds the primary concerns.

 

Overall  probability of violating weather constraints:  60%

Primary concern(s):  Ground Winds, Cumulus Clouds

 

Overall probability of violating weather constraints for 24 hour delay:  60%

Primary concern(s):  Ground Winds, Cumulus Clouds

 

Summary:

 

Cold front transits peninsula today with isolated showers and a threat of

thunderstorms.  High pressure builds into the peninsula on Wednesday with the

front stalling in South Florida and the Florida Straits.  Low level moisture

coupled with strengthening Easterly winds introduces a morning isolated

coastal shower threat each day through launch day.  For MLP roll, winds are

expected from the East gusting in the mid 20s (230 feet).  On launch day, the

morning coastal shower threat and tight pressure gradient persist with

Easterly winds gusting in the mid 20s.  The primary concerns for launch day

are gusty Ground Winds and Cumulus Clouds.  In the event of a 24 hour delay,

high pressure retreats to the East with a persistent tight pressure gradient

and breezy Southeasterly winds in advance of the next cold front late Sunday

evening and into the overnight hours Monday morning.  The primary concerns for

a 24 hour delay are gusty Ground Winds and Cumulus Clouds.

Offline Hunt101

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Offline Lukeyson

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Atlas V - X37B Flight 2 - Cape Canaveral - March 4, 2011
« Reply #3 on: 03/02/2011 05:20 am »
Actually, I'm still in town following STS-133. From Australia I had chosen to be here for the whole STS launch window.

So here I am still for OTV-2.

I'm planning on taking a trip out to Playalinda to watch from there. Only problem is, I don't have a Cell phone here so no SMS updates from spaceflightnow, nor will I have an AM radio with me. (One is in the car rental of course, but that will be parked a mile up the beach as I understand it.) It would be nice to know if anyone else is usually out there at the security fence on the beach with launch updates.

I'm not sure what the usual protocol is here. Will we know any time in advance the intended launch time? I know the launch window, I just thought they might pin down the launch time at some point like 24 or 1 hour before the actual launch.

I'd considered paying for a visitor entry to KSCVC and watching it from the Saturn complex too, even though further away, just for the possibility of updates. But then I suspect that the buses stop running sometime before 5pm which means there's a risk of missing the launch if it's going to be late in the window.

ANyone have any advice to offer either way?


Luke

Online edkyle99

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Atlas V - X37B Flight 2 - Cape Canaveral - March 4, 2011
« Reply #4 on: 03/02/2011 02:20 pm »
When would NOTAMs be issued for this launch? 

 - Ed Kyle

Offline kermit

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Atlas V - X37B Flight 2 - Cape Canaveral - March 4, 2011
« Reply #5 on: 03/02/2011 02:26 pm »
Luke, Check with the Canaveral National seashore(321-267-1110), Playalinda has been closed for most Atlas launches lately. I think the Saturn Complex will be your best choice.

Offline Rocket Guy

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Atlas V - X37B Flight 2 - Cape Canaveral - March 4, 2011
« Reply #6 on: 03/02/2011 02:53 pm »
That is not correct, Playalinda has been open for all daytime Atlas launches lately.

Offline Lukeyson

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Atlas V - X37B Flight 2 - Cape Canaveral - March 4, 2011
« Reply #7 on: 03/02/2011 06:34 pm »
If that is the recorded message, I called them last night, and there was no mention of any closure.

Will anyone else be going along to Playalinda?


Lukeyson

Offline Rocket Guy

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Atlas V - X37B Flight 2 - Cape Canaveral - March 4, 2011
« Reply #8 on: 03/02/2011 06:45 pm »
I wouldn't rely on what the visitors center says, I've caught them within hours of launch not knowing anything was even launching. Perhaps if you call while on your way and say "are you open" you'll know whether or not to venture out there.

Best bet is to assume they are open 6am to 6/8pm (depending on time of year). They will probably close for the MSL launch as well.

Offline kermit

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Atlas V - X37B Flight 2 - Cape Canaveral - March 4, 2011
« Reply #9 on: 03/02/2011 06:59 pm »
If that is the recorded message, I called them last night, and there was no mention of any closure.

Will anyone else be going along to Playalinda?


I called that number and the lady says as far as she knows the beach will be open. That number is the Titusville office of the Canaveral NS and during business hours someone usually answers the phone.

Offline jacqmans

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Atlas V - X37B Flight 2 - Cape Canaveral - March 4, 2011
« Reply #10 on: 03/03/2011 03:23 am »
3:39 p.m.: Launch window opens. We expect to release the targeted launch
time Friday morning.

Webcast: The launch can be viewed via Webcast at:
http://www.ulalaunch.com; simulcast
http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/Multimedia_Webcast.shtml.

Weather Forecast, L-2, attached:
There is no significant change in the forecast with gusty Ground Winds and
Cumulus Clouds the primary concerns.
Overall  probability of violating weather constraints:  70%
Primary concern(s):  Ground Winds, Cumulus Clouds

Overall probability of violating weather constraints for 24 hour delay:  60%
Primary concern(s):  Ground Winds, Cumulus Clouds

Summary: High pressure builds into the peninsula today with cold front
stalling in South Florida and the Florida Straits.  Low level moisture
coupled with strengthening Easterly winds introduces a morning isolated
coastal shower threat each day through launch day.  For MLP roll, winds are
expected from the East gusting in the mid to upper 20s (230 feet).  On
launch day, the morning coastal shower threat and tight pressure gradient
persist with Easterly winds gusting in the mid to upper 20s.  The primary
concerns for launch day are gusty Ground Winds and Cumulus Clouds.

In the event of a 24-hour delay, high pressure retreats to the East with a
persistent tight pressure gradient and breezy Southeasterly winds in advance
of the next cold front Sunday evening and into the overnight hours Monday
morning.  The primary concerns for a 24-hour delay are gusty Ground Winds
and Cumulus Clouds.

Note:  Dates and times of all launches are subject to change.
Jacques :-)

Online edkyle99

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Atlas V - X37B Flight 2 - Cape Canaveral - March 4, 2011
« Reply #11 on: 03/03/2011 05:22 pm »
Launch Hazard Area
http://www.patrick.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-061109-038.doc

Restricted Airspace Map
http://www.patrick.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-061115-003.doc

I'm not sure what to make of these.  I don't see a clear indication of a northeast azimuth like that flown during the first X-37B launch.

 - Ed Kyle
« Last Edit: 03/03/2011 05:24 pm by edkyle99 »

Online edkyle99

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Atlas V - X37B Flight 2 - Cape Canaveral - March 4, 2011
« Reply #12 on: 03/03/2011 05:33 pm »
Rollout appears to be approaching.

EDIT - Roll underway beginning at about 1:45 PM Eastern Time.

 - Ed Kyle
« Last Edit: 03/03/2011 05:51 pm by edkyle99 »

Online edkyle99

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Atlas V - X37B Flight 2 - Cape Canaveral - March 4, 2011
« Reply #13 on: 03/03/2011 05:58 pm »
Out of the barn.

 - Ed Kyle

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Atlas V - X37B Flight 2 - Cape Canaveral - March 4, 2011
« Reply #14 on: 03/03/2011 06:00 pm »
Interesting view of the rocket base.

 - Ed Kyle

Offline kevin-rf

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Atlas V - X37B Flight 2 - Cape Canaveral - March 4, 2011
« Reply #15 on: 03/03/2011 06:05 pm »
I'm not sure what to make of these.  I don't see a clear indication of a northeast azimuth like that flown during the first X-37B launch.

 - Ed Kyle

Maybe it has a different mission than the previous launch???
If you're happy and you know it,
It's your med's!

Online edkyle99

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Atlas V - X37B Flight 2 - Cape Canaveral - March 4, 2011
« Reply #16 on: 03/03/2011 06:05 pm »
Moving out.

 - Ed Kyle

Online edkyle99

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Atlas V - X37B Flight 2 - Cape Canaveral - March 4, 2011
« Reply #17 on: 03/03/2011 06:08 pm »
A look at the "train" that accompanies the mobile platform.

 - Ed Kyle

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Atlas V - X37B Flight 2 - Cape Canaveral - March 4, 2011
« Reply #18 on: 03/03/2011 06:09 pm »
AV-026 enters the pad perimeter.

 - Ed Kyle

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Atlas V - X37B Flight 2 - Cape Canaveral - March 4, 2011
« Reply #19 on: 03/03/2011 06:13 pm »
Nearly there.  Only 25 minutes since first motion so far.  A fast train!

 - Ed Kyle

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