Jim - 6/8/2006 4:19 AMthey have launched bigger vehicle from there
aero313 - 6/8/2006 9:08 AMQuoteJim - 6/8/2006 4:19 AMthey have launched bigger vehicle from thereWhat, Conestoga? I'm not sure how that compares to a Minuteman II from an environmental standpoint. Prior to that, Scout had been the largest vehicle launched from WFF. On the other hand, WFF and the Virginia Spaceport (now the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport - MARS - as a concession to Barbara Mukulski) have already done the environmental assessments required to launch a Castor 120 sized vehicle from the island. The limiting factor is actually the weight limit on the bridge connecting the island to the mainland. I'm not sure if the MMII motors are being brought in by road or barge, actually.
TitanFan - 14/9/2006 2:16 AMWere these launches transferred from VAFB, or were they always scheduled from there? I remember hearing that there was more launches booked on Minotaur from Vandy.
Jim - 14/9/2006 7:23 AMQuoteTitanFan - 14/9/2006 2:16 AMWere these launches transferred from VAFB, or were they always scheduled from there? I remember hearing that there was more launches booked on Minotaur from Vandy.Not transfers. There are still more scheduled at VAFB
PS. It is not "Vandy"
sammie - 9/12/2006 9:13 AMYou better keep track of the Shuttle launch indeed, this article says that the Minotaur won't fly if the Shuttle is still on the ground by monday.
apollolanding - 11/12/2006 1:21 PMAny word on why they scrubbed?Joe
edkyle99 - 11/12/2006 9:20 AMThis Minotaur might not make it off the pad this year now, according to this report. http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061211/NEWS/61211002/-1/NEWS01I wonder why this TacSat problem wasn't vetted until the last minute? Surely this was an issue that was known by someone. - Ed Kyle
edkyle99 - 11/12/2006 10:06 AMQuoteedkyle99 - 11/12/2006 9:20 AMThis Minotaur might not make it off the pad this year now, according to this report. http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061211/NEWS/61211002/-1/NEWS01I wonder why this TacSat problem wasn't vetted until the last minute? Surely this was an issue that was known by someone. - Ed KyleThe following site provides some clues about what the problem might be. TacSat-2 was built in a hurry using spare parts from a previous, canceled program. The solar array design appears to have changed a bit during the development effort.http://directory.eoportal.org/pres_TacSat2Roadrunner.html - Ed Kyle
edkyle99 - 11/12/2006 10:20 AMThis Minotaur might not make it off the pad this year now, according to this report. http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061211/NEWS/61211002/-1/NEWS01I wonder why this TacSat problem wasn't vetted until the last minute? Surely this was an issue that was known by someone. - Ed Kyle
SpacemanSpiff - 11/12/2006 4:48 PMTry to think 'Out of the BOX'; how would you get into the realm of tactical ops?Well, you would accept a little more risk! And when you go low-cost, then you CAN assume more risk. I can think of a number of ways to get the spacecraft to orbit quickly.This is a promising project that bears watching, if you have an interest in providing cost-efficient space vehicle services...My company is interested in working with the provider of the solar array system for this vehicle, MicroSat Systems (their thin-film solar cell arrays could be a great new photovoltaic option). They look to be a very promising small, cost-efficient company. They were the systems integrator for this vehicle as well. I am hoping to see a successful mission.
Jim - 11/12/2006 2:54 PMQuoteedkyle99 - 11/12/2006 10:20 AMThis Minotaur might not make it off the pad this year now, according to this report. http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061211/NEWS/61211002/-1/NEWS01I wonder why this TacSat problem wasn't vetted until the last minute? Surely this was an issue that was known by someone. - Ed KyleUntil spacecraft are no longer in the realm of rocket science, tactical ops is a pipedream. "Quick callup" is not compatable with the testing required of standard spacecraft.
rocketman007 - 13/12/2006 6:41 PM yes, i agree too, the tacsat programs are a very good resource for real time data to the troops and certainly the concept of responsive space is a good one...t.
rocketman007 - 13/12/2006 6:53 PMJim.. that is certainly one view. I guess that is what UAVs are for huh. LEO birds get about 15 passes a day is all, so they have to be prepared to wait 90 minutes for data. and certainly it all depends on ground station locations. however, tacsat-2 does have the capability to image and then downlink that image all in the same 10-15 minute contact. therefore, it is possible to get semi real time data to the people who need it.
Jim - 13/12/2006 6:06 PMTactical reconsat is a farce, physically impossible
kevin-rf - 13/12/2006 7:39 PMQuoteJim - 13/12/2006 6:06 PMTactical reconsat is a farce, physically impossibleNot if you can make them cheap enough and launch enough of them... If one passed overhead every 15 minutes, you would need 48 birds...
yinzer - 14/12/2006 12:12 AMResponsively launched tactical reconsats do seem rather unlikely. However, I'll just point out that Iridium put something like 100 satellites in orbit for something like 25% of the money that was been spent on the FIA before the entire program was taken away from Boeing and given to Lockheed to start over on. It's not an inherently silly notion.
rfoshaug - 16/12/2006 12:40 PMThat is not a very big rocket.
dutch courage - 16/12/2006 11:57 AMThey are not happy with that NASA plane. The pilot may get a reprimande.
dutch courage - 16/12/2006 12:08 PMAltitude anybody? Looks the are in space.
dutch courage - 16/12/2006 1:08 PMAltitude anybody? Looks they are in space.
Chris Bergin - 16/12/2006 1:13 PMHaving issues with tracking.LOS. But they still have Antigua.
sawtooth - 16/12/2006 12:21 PMPosted by RCC on 2006-12-16 at 07:15:51 ESTThe Minotaur rocket was successfully launched at 7 a.m. today. The TacSat-2 spacecraft has been deployed.(From the wff webpage)
Chris Bergin - 16/12/2006 1:24 PMWell that's good. They sure haven't said anything over the webcast.
uko - 16/12/2006 1:30 PMWas this the worst launch commentary ever or what?
uko - 16/12/2006 6:30 AMWas this the worst launch commentary ever or what?
hektor - 16/12/2006 12:38 PMSo we can assume that TacSat-2, and Genesat-1 are safely in orbit ?
Chris Bergin - 26/12/2006 11:52 PMMaybe the initial "problem" info was related to that, or false.Main thing is it's working, so all is well