The Air Force is examining several anomalies that occurred during Space Exploration Technologies Corp.’s three civilian space flights as part of its review of billionaire Elon Musk’s quest to launch military satellites.While none of the irregularities caused the missions to fail, the Air Force is reviewing corrective actions as it weighs certification of SpaceX. Musk’s company wants a piece of a $67.6 billion Pentagon program for satellite launches, a market held by a joint venture of Lockheed Martin Corp. (LMT) and Boeing Co. (BA), the government’s top two contractors.
I think there are some folks missing that this is the Air Force looking into these incidents. The Congressional members involved want more details but it seems that the incidents are being investigated by the AF as part of the certification exercise.QuoteThe Air Force is examining several anomalies that occurred during Space Exploration Technologies Corp.’s three civilian space flights as part of its review of billionaire Elon Musk’s quest to launch military satellites.While none of the irregularities caused the missions to fail, the Air Force is reviewing corrective actions as it weighs certification of SpaceX. Musk’s company wants a piece of a $67.6 billion Pentagon program for satellite launches, a market held by a joint venture of Lockheed Martin Corp. (LMT) and Boeing Co. (BA), the government’s top two contractors. There's nothing here to indicate that the Congressional members are the source of the investigation, unless I am missing something.
The most likely source is ULA sending their notes, and talking points, to relevant Senators/Congresspeople, in ULA states. It is basically to discredit SpaceX's previous launches and stall certifications.
Didn't know the launch mount and erector mast can be 180 degrees from each other.
Quote from: Jim on 07/24/2014 04:42 pmDidn't know the launch mount and erector mast can be 180 degrees from each other.I seem to recall a similar picture of the launch mount and erector mast at VAFB after the Cassiope launch.
Quote from: Zed_Noir on 07/24/2014 05:34 pmQuote from: Jim on 07/24/2014 04:42 pmDidn't know the launch mount and erector mast can be 180 degrees from each other.I seem to recall a similar picture of the launch mount and erector mast at VAFB after the Cassiope launch.This one?
"United Launch Alliance’s Delta IV rocket scrubbed a third attempt to deploy a pair of space surveillance satellites and a technology demonstrator for the US Air Force on Friday. With the initial scrubbed via an issue with the ground support equipment environmental control system, the second and third attempts failed to avoid very poor weather over Cape Canaveral. A fourth attempt will take place on Saturday."
Couldn't help but notice how Chris's latest article on the Delta IV launch delay sounds just like SpaceX's."United Launch Alliance’s Delta IV rocket scrubbed a third attempt to deploy a pair of space surveillance satellites and a technology demonstrator for the US Air Force on Friday. With the initial scrubbed via an issue with the ground support equipment environmental control system, the second and third attempts failed to avoid very poor weather over Cape Canaveral. A fourth attempt will take place on Saturday."Just swap the rocket, payload and customer names and this could be the Orbcom OG2 mission.
No, SpaceX only uses one fairing size. This will be the 5th time it is used.
Moved from AsiaSat-8 updates thread:Quote from: Lars_J on 07/29/2014 10:11 pmNo, SpaceX only uses one fairing size. This will be the 5th time it is used.I might be wrong but I read somewhere on this site that there are two or more length options although only one diameter (5.2m, IIRC).
That's actually quite astounding, and gets lost in the noise of "but what about flight rates and launch delays".
Quote from: meekGee on 08/06/2014 12:17 amThat's actually quite astounding, and gets lost in the noise of "but what about flight rates and launch delays".Yes, it gets lost in noise, because actually launching payloads is more important for customer. In this business, low prices is "nice to have".