Just posted some nice encapsulation (and thus fairing) shots by Inmarsat:Quote from: FutureSpaceTourist on 05/12/2017 12:02 pmQuote InmarsatVerified account @InmarsatGlobal 23m23 minutes ago@Boeing & Inmarsat satellite teams say goodbye to #I5F4 as it’s encapsulated into the payload fairing in prep for @SpaceX launch on 15 May 🚀https://twitter.com/InmarsatGlobal/status/862994761405386753I couldn't see any obvious signs of fairing recovery equipment, although even if SpaceX are doing a recovery attempt on this mission the pictures may be the wrong fairing half.
Quote InmarsatVerified account @InmarsatGlobal 23m23 minutes ago@Boeing & Inmarsat satellite teams say goodbye to #I5F4 as it’s encapsulated into the payload fairing in prep for @SpaceX launch on 15 May 🚀https://twitter.com/InmarsatGlobal/status/862994761405386753
InmarsatVerified account @InmarsatGlobal 23m23 minutes ago@Boeing & Inmarsat satellite teams say goodbye to #I5F4 as it’s encapsulated into the payload fairing in prep for @SpaceX launch on 15 May 🚀
Quote from: FutureSpaceTourist on 05/13/2017 07:16 amQuote from: RDMM2081 on 05/13/2017 01:36 amI think it's a reasonable assumption, and a question I would love to hear answered if anyone has a source that possibly could confirm or deny.I'm not so sure. We know SpaceX offer discounts for booster re-use but I've not seen any hints that SpaceX are yet reducing their prices for a new booster on the assumption that they'll get some re-use out if it. I'd be surprised if they are as the market for re-use isn't yet proven (although it's looking good). Also an expendable booster is a bit cheaper to make (legs etc aren't free).Hints, eh.Inmarsat's payload is 6mt, thus they pay extra.
Quote from: RDMM2081 on 05/13/2017 01:36 amI think it's a reasonable assumption, and a question I would love to hear answered if anyone has a source that possibly could confirm or deny.I'm not so sure. We know SpaceX offer discounts for booster re-use but I've not seen any hints that SpaceX are yet reducing their prices for a new booster on the assumption that they'll get some re-use out if it. I'd be surprised if they are as the market for re-use isn't yet proven (although it's looking good). Also an expendable booster is a bit cheaper to make (legs etc aren't free).
I think it's a reasonable assumption, and a question I would love to hear answered if anyone has a source that possibly could confirm or deny.
Mary Whenman @marywhenman 3h3 hours agoArrived at the hotel and the launch is being publicised #I5F4
Quote#I5F4 rolling to the pad @InmarsatGlobalhttps://twitter.com/m_ladovaz/status/863740942796193792
#I5F4 rolling to the pad @InmarsatGlobal
Quote from: FutureSpaceTourist on 05/14/2017 01:07 pmQuote#I5F4 rolling to the pad @InmarsatGlobalhttps://twitter.com/m_ladovaz/status/863740942796193792The rocket doesn't look like it's being kept horizontal. Is it an issue of perspective?
Quote from: Comga on 05/14/2017 07:37 pmQuote from: FutureSpaceTourist on 05/14/2017 01:07 pmQuote#I5F4 rolling to the pad @InmarsatGlobalhttps://twitter.com/m_ladovaz/status/863740942796193792The rocket doesn't look like it's being kept horizontal. Is it an issue of perspective?I seem to remember discussion from CRS-10 maybe that the rocket doesn't need to be kept horizontal as it goes up the hill. It can be elevated slightly if needed in order to keep the nose from hitting the ground as it makes its way up, but otherwise it isn't elevated at all to maintain a horizontal orientation while on the incline. It can handle the slight negative loads that occur from being pointed downhill slightly.
I would think that since they are flying the core expendable they wouldnt add the recovery hardware to the fairing either.
Not sure of this has been discussed yet, but it seems that the apogee will be at around 35,786 km. Considering this is SpaceX's largest payload to GTO yet, it will be interesting to see how close it can get to that target, and how that compares to Echostar-23.
Quote from: Dao Angkan on 05/12/2017 10:39 pmInmarsat are paying extra for expendable ... surely that means that SpaceX can't take the piss and add extra weight just to see what happens ... Inmarsat are paying for all the boost they can get.As usual the customer is paying for their payload to be delivered to a particular orbit. If there is any leftover performance in the tank, SpaceX can do whatever they want with it. It's sorta like sending a package FedEx. You pay for it to be delivered on a particular day. What route they take to get it there and what else they do along the way is irrelevant to what you paid for so long as it gets where it's supposed to by the time it is supposed to.
Inmarsat are paying extra for expendable ... surely that means that SpaceX can't take the piss and add extra weight just to see what happens ... Inmarsat are paying for all the boost they can get.
Launch weather forecast, now 90% GO:QuoteLaunch day probability of violating launch weather constraints: 10%Primary concern(s): Cumulus Cloud RuleDelay day probability of violating launch weather constraints: 20%Primary concern(s): Cumulus Cloud Rule, Liftoff Winds
Launch day probability of violating launch weather constraints: 10%Primary concern(s): Cumulus Cloud RuleDelay day probability of violating launch weather constraints: 20%Primary concern(s): Cumulus Cloud Rule, Liftoff Winds
Quote from: FutureSpaceTourist on 05/15/2017 03:41 pmLaunch weather forecast, now 90% GO:QuoteLaunch day probability of violating launch weather constraints: 10%Primary concern(s): Cumulus Cloud RuleDelay day probability of violating launch weather constraints: 20%Primary concern(s): Cumulus Cloud Rule, Liftoff WindsThat's about as good as it gets. Should be a beautiful sunset launch.
Quote from: yokem55 on 05/15/2017 03:47 pmQuote from: FutureSpaceTourist on 05/15/2017 03:41 pmLaunch weather forecast, now 90% GO:QuoteLaunch day probability of violating launch weather constraints: 10%Primary concern(s): Cumulus Cloud RuleDelay day probability of violating launch weather constraints: 20%Primary concern(s): Cumulus Cloud Rule, Liftoff WindsThat's about as good as it gets. Should be a beautiful sunset launch.Like the end of a Western - riding off into the sunset. In exactly the wrong direction.
Isn't local sunset at 8:06 Eastern, we are not hoping for an extended hold are we?
Quote from: Space Ghost 1962 on 05/15/2017 03:52 pmQuote from: yokem55 on 05/15/2017 03:47 pmQuote from: FutureSpaceTourist on 05/15/2017 03:41 pmLaunch weather forecast, now 90% GO:QuoteLaunch day probability of violating launch weather constraints: 10%Primary concern(s): Cumulus Cloud RuleDelay day probability of violating launch weather constraints: 20%Primary concern(s): Cumulus Cloud Rule, Liftoff WindsThat's about as good as it gets. Should be a beautiful sunset launch.Like the end of a Western - riding off into the sunset. In exactly the wrong direction.Isn't local sunset at 8:06 Eastern, we are not hoping for an extended hold are we?