Author Topic: LIVE: SpaceX Falcon-9 - Thaicom-8 - May 27, 2016 - UPDATES  (Read 213781 times)

Offline jacqmans

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UPDATE THREAD for the Falcon 9 mission with Thaicom-8.

Quote
This mission is currently targeting a launch on May 26, with a launch window of 17:40 through to 19:19 Eastern. The first stage is already inside the SLC-40 HIF, with the Static Fire test currently scheduled for May 22.
(https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/05/latest-recovered-falcon-9-stage-39a-hif/)

--

First Attempt - Scrub.

Delayed to May 27 at 17:39 local. See page 5 for second attempt updates.
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=40182.msg1540224#msg1540224

Static Fire Article:
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/05/spacex-line-up-falcon-9-upcoming-missions/

Launch Day Article:
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/05/falcon-9-thaicom-8-launch/

Resources:

SpaceX News Articles from 2006 (Including numerous exclusive Elon interviews):
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=21862.0

SpaceX News Articles (Recent):
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/tag/spacex/

=--=

SpaceX GENERAL Forum Section:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?board=45.0 - please use this for general questions NOT specific to this mission.

SpaceX MISSIONS Forum Section:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?board=55.0 - this section is for everything specific to SpaceX missions.

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Orbital ATK Delivers Thaicom 8 Commercial Communications Satellite to Launch Site 

Satellite Based on Company’s GEOStar-2™ Platform Scheduled for May Launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida

New Spacecraft to Strengthen Thaicom’s Growing Presence in Commercial Satellite Industry

Dulles, Virginia 29 April 2016 – Orbital ATK, Inc. (NYSE: OA), a global leader in aerospace and defense technologies, today announced that the THAICOM 8 satellite has arrived at its launch site in Cape Canaveral, Florida. THAICOM 8 is the second satellite Orbital ATK has built for Thaicom PLC and is based on the company’s flight-proven GEOStar-2TM platform. The satellite arrived at the launch site after it was shipped on Wednesday, April 27 from the company’s manufacturing facility in Dulles, Virginia.  THAICOM 8 is set to launch in late May aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 vehicle. The satellite will support Thailand’s growing broadcast industry and will provide broadcast and data services to customers in South Asia, Southeast Asia and Africa.

“We built and delivered this high-quality communications satellite for Thaicom PLC two months ahead of schedule, demonstrating our ability to manufacture reliable, affordable and innovative products that exceed expectations for our customer,” said Amer Khouri, Vice President of the Commercial Satellite Business at Orbital ATK. “As one of Asia’s leading satellite operators, we are grateful for Thaicom’s continued confidence and look forward to more successful partnerships in the future.”

Commissioned in 2014, THAICOM 8 was ordered shortly after the company-built THAICOM 6 satellite was launched into orbit in January 2014. The design, manufacturing, integration and testing of THAICOM 8 took place at Orbital ATK’s state-of-the-art satellite manufacturing facility in Dulles, Virginia.

A Ku-band satellite, THAICOM 8’s payload includes 24 active transponders that will deliver broadcast and data services. The Falcon 9 rocket will deliver the satellite into its targeted geosynchronous transfer orbit where it will enter a 30-day testing phase. Following in-orbit activation and after reaching its final orbital slot, Orbital ATK will then turn over control of the satellite to Thaicom to begin normal operations. THAICOM 8’s orbital location will be positioned at 78.5 degrees east longitude and the satellite is designed to operate for more than 15 years.

The THAICOM 8 satellite is the 36th GEOStar spacecraft launched for customers around the world. Orbital ATK is currently producing several commercial satellites that will be delivered and launched for customers over the next several years, including the Al Yah 3, HYLAS 4 and SES-16/GovSat spacecraft. The company has also begun work on the new Mission Extension Vehicle-1 (MEV-1) for the company’s recently announced commercial satellite servicing agreement with Intelsat, S.A.
« Last Edit: 05/28/2016 08:02 am by input~2 »
Jacques :-)

Online FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: SpaceX Falcon-9 - Thaicom-8 - NET June 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #1 on: 04/29/2016 09:20 pm »
Nice photo with the press release.
« Last Edit: 04/29/2016 09:48 pm by Chris Bergin »

Offline Chris Bergin

« Last Edit: 05/25/2016 09:07 am by jacqmans »
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Offline Steven Pietrobon

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Re: SpaceX Falcon-9 - Thaicom-8 - NET May/June 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #3 on: 05/05/2016 07:36 am »
Thaicom 8 brochure from Orbital ATK. Launch mass is < 3200 kg. That should give plenty of margin for a successful first stage landing.
Akin's Laws of Spacecraft Design #1:  Engineering is done with numbers.  Analysis without numbers is only an opinion.

Offline Norm38

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Re: SpaceX Falcon-9 - Thaicom-8 - NET May 26, 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #4 on: 05/17/2016 06:41 pm »
For what it's worth, SpaceX posted yesterday (5/16) on FB that the next F9 launch is "in about 10 days". Indicating the 5/26 date is still on track.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BFe0Fhfl8QW/?taken-by=spacex

Offline tleski

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Re: SpaceX Falcon-9 - Thaicom-8 - NET May 26, 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #5 on: 05/17/2016 11:12 pm »
I have a feeling that Thicom-8 launch may slip. I wish I am wrong but the KSC visitor center removed the launch from their schedule. The link does not work anymore:
https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/events/2016/may/launch-spacex-falcon-9-thaicom-8.aspx
And now they are showing the next launch in 17 days, which is  ULA's NROL-37.

Offline Chris Bergin

Static Fire is May 22 on the last schedule update. Will keep an eye on any changes (as always). We're still at May 26 NET until I'm sent an updated schedule showing a change.

The Range is currently under pre-scheduled maintenance of course. There may be rumors and such in the meantime, but we have the discussion thread for that. A documented change will go in here so that people planning to go to this launch - who usually have this thread on "notification" get to know about it.
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Online catdlr

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Re: SpaceX Falcon-9 - Thaicom-8 - NET May 26, 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #7 on: 05/20/2016 12:10 am »
SpaceX - Thaicom 8 - Fairings Arrive 05-19-2016

USLaunchReport

Published on May 19, 2016
The rainy season has arrived in FL. Spotted the SpaceX fairings headed into Cape Canaveral. We think it is great SpaceX will recover in future, along with manufacturing them.

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.

Offline Kabloona

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Re: SpaceX Falcon-9 - Thaicom-8 - NET May 26, 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #8 on: 05/20/2016 10:09 am »
FCC has approved SpaceX's application for radio transmissions for stage recovery operations. ASDS position for the landing attempt:

28 6 53 N
73 38 32 W

This is 11 nmi ESE of its position for the JCSAT-14 landing, and 10 nmi farther from the Cape.

https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/els/reports/STA_Print.cfm?mode=current&application_seq=71189&RequestTimeout=1000

Edit: corrected distance calculations
« Last Edit: 05/20/2016 10:50 am by Kabloona »

Offline flyright

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Re: SpaceX Falcon-9 - Thaicom-8 - NET May 26, 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #9 on: 05/20/2016 04:41 pm »
Thaicom-8 is back on the KSC Visitor Center Schedule for 5/26/16.
Viewing: "Launch viewing opportunities for THAICOM-8 are available at Apollo/Saturn V Center, LC-39 Observation Gantry and the main visitor complex with bleacher seating and launch commentary."

Offline atsf90east

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Re: SpaceX Falcon-9 - Thaicom-8 - NET May 26, 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #10 on: 05/20/2016 05:46 pm »
I just tried calling the KSCVC to get a viewing ticket for the LC-39 Observation Gantry, and they told me that they can't sell tickets yet because they haven't been notified of the launch time......sigh
Attended Launches: Space Shuttle: STS-85, STS-95, STS-96, STS-103. Falcon 9: Thaicom-8

Offline flyright

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Re: SpaceX Falcon-9 - Thaicom-8 - NET May 26, 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #11 on: 05/20/2016 09:08 pm »
I just tried calling the KSCVC to get a viewing ticket for the LC-39 Observation Gantry, and they told me that they can't sell tickets yet because they haven't been notified of the launch time......sigh

KSCVC info for Thaicom-8 now only includes the bleachers in the Main visitor complex:
"Located at the main visitor complex, viewing adjacent to Space Shuttle AtlantisSM is included in daily admission. The viewing area offers guests a view of the rocket once it clears the tree line. Bleacher seating and live launch commentary are provided. "  :(

Offline nisse

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Re: SpaceX Falcon-9 - Thaicom-8 - NET May 26, 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #12 on: 05/21/2016 06:10 am »
Patrick AFB has the launch Thursday, May 26 at 5:40 p.m. EST (i.e. 6:40 p.m. EDT)
http://www.patrick.af.mil/


Sun sets at 8:12 p.m. EDT
http://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/usa/cape-canaveral
« Last Edit: 05/21/2016 06:15 am by nisse »

Offline pospa

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Re: SpaceX Falcon-9 - Thaicom-8 - NET May 26, 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #13 on: 05/22/2016 09:36 am »
FloridaToday reports static fire might happen on Monday - one day later then expected.
http://www.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/spacex/2016/05/21/spacex-targeting-thursday-afternoon-launch-landing/84616586/

And mission patch.
« Last Edit: 05/22/2016 10:35 am by pospa »

Offline Chris Bergin

Right then, the rule is if you are in the Cape area and see a Falcon 9 sunbathing, post (or take a pic if possible) and post in this update thread, as that would be an update for the Static Fire.

Process is (if they are going for it today) obviously: SLC-40 HIF door open, rollout on the TEL, usually hang around horizontal for a while, then erect vertical. If anyone then catches her venting, they we'll be close as it's the T-30 mins or so prop loading these days.
« Last Edit: 05/23/2016 12:22 pm by Chris Bergin »
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Offline input~2

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Re: SpaceX Falcon-9 - Thaicom-8 - NET May 26, 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #15 on: 05/23/2016 04:42 pm »
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
ROCKETS.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS 262135Z TO 270010Z MAY,
ALTERNATE 272134Z TO 280009Z MAY
IN AREAS BOUND BY:
A. 28-35N 080-36W, 28-37N 080-20W,
28-37N 080-12W, 28-34N 079-54W,
28-31N 079-54W, 28-29N 080-20W,
28-32N 080-36W.
B. 28-26N 076-20W, 28-30N 074-18W,
28-08N 071-16W, 27-47N 071-16W,
27-55N 074-17W, 28-16N 076-20W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 280109Z MAY 16.//

Authority: EASTERN RANGE OP X0415 172011Z MAY 16.

Date: 210940Z MAY 16
Cancel: 28010900 May 16

Online FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: SpaceX Falcon-9 - Thaicom-8 - NET May 26, 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #16 on: 05/23/2016 07:05 pm »
https://twitter.com/flatoday_jdean/status/734784421547651072

Quote
@flatoday_jdean: Weather forecast 90% "go" for 5:40pm Thurs. launch of Falcon 9, Thaicom 8 from Cape Canaveral AFS:

http://on.flatoday.com/27QPH4c

Offline Chris Bergin

Static Fire windows are very long, several hours, to remove any pressure with GSE issues, etc.

As always, it'll be SpaceX confirming the firing if and when it happens. NET Tuesday, see edit:

--

Edit:
Worth pointing to the discussion thread as it's becoming clearer that it's going to be Tuesday for the Static Fire.
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=40256.msg1538331#msg1538331
« Last Edit: 05/24/2016 08:28 am by Chris Bergin »
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Online FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: SpaceX Falcon-9 - Thaicom-8 - NET May 26, 2016 - UPDATES
« Reply #18 on: 05/24/2016 08:27 am »
The 45th have fnally uploaded the weather forecast (attached):

Quote
Launch day probability of violating launch weather constraints: 10%
Primary concern(s): Lift-Off Winds
   
Delay day probability of violating launch weather constraints: 30%
Primary concern(s): Cumulus Cloud Rule, Lift-Off Winds
« Last Edit: 05/24/2016 08:28 am by FutureSpaceTourist »

Offline Chris Bergin

So we're waiting on word of the F9's static fire today...today still allowing for a launch on the 26th.

Orbital ATK has set up a satellite page for this mission - as they built the bird.
http://www.orbitalatk.com/news-room/feature-stories/Thaicom8-Mission-Page/default.aspx?prid=145

Not sure about the launch window they note, as we've seen a latest schedule showing 1740-1940.
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