NASASpaceFlight.com Forum
SpaceX Vehicles and Missions => SpaceX Falcon Missions Section => Topic started by: Chris Bergin on 02/07/2018 02:04 pm
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UPDATE ONLY Thread for PAZ mission.
PLEASE NOTE. FROM THIS MISSION ON THIS THREAD WILL BE ENTIRELY UPDATES ONLY. POST LAUNCH POSTS OF CONGRATS, USUALLY ALLOWED IN THIS THREAD, WILL BE IN THE PARTY THREAD. ANY NON-UPDATE POST WILL BE DELETED. YOU HAVE BEEN PRE-WARNED ;D
NSF Threads for PAZ : Discussion (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42485.0) / Updates (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=44892.0) / L2 Coverage January-February (http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=44312.0)
NSF Articles for PAZ :
Feb 21, 2018 on reused Falcon 9 (booster 1038.2) from Vandenberg. Launch time reported as 1417 UTC, 0617 PST. First stage may be expended. PAZ is 1400kg and going to a 514-km polar orbit. SpaceX is expected to launch their demonstration satellites, Microsat 2a & 2b (a little under 400kg each, plus dispenser?), for the internet constellation on this flight.
SpaceX satellite threads: SpaceX FCC filing for a 4425 satellite constellation providing Internet service (http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=41634.0) / SpaceX - now a satellite vendor? (http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=36552.0)
Hisdesat, the Spanish government satellite services company, has signed an agreement with U.S. company SpaceX to launch the Earth Observation Radar satellite, PAZ, on board a Falcon 9 rocket. The launch is targeted to take place during the last quarter of 2017, from Space Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. The numerous successes of Falcon 9 have been a driving factor for the election of Hisdesat to launch on board this rocket, which already has the confidence of other great companies.
http://www.hisdesat.es/eng/noticias_notas.php (http://www.hisdesat.es/eng/noticias_notas.php)
Edit to use original press release
Other SpaceX resources on NASASpaceflight:
SpaceX News Articles (Recent) (http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/tag/spacex/)
SpaceX News Articles from 2006 (Including numerous exclusive Elon interviews) (http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=21862.0)
SpaceX Dragon Articles (http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/tag/dragon/)
SpaceX Missions Section (with Launch Manifest and info on past and future missions) (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?board=55.0)
L2 SpaceX Section (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?board=60.0)
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L2 Range has the Static Fire NET Feb 11, for a NET Feb 16 launch date that's now booked.
PS I know Airbus recently went with the 17th and that was how it was looking, but this based on an update today. Let's see how it shakes out....dates are always subject to change, but was worth noting based on the fresh update.
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New update just now. Back to NET 17th. Still subject to change.
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Falcon 9 booster has been rolled out and is on the pad.
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ARTICLE: Falcon 9 readying for static fire at Vandenberg ahead of Paz + Starlink launch - https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/02/falcon-9-static-fire-vandenberg-paz-starlink/
- By Ian Atkinson
(Note: That lead photo is from IR4 - by Philip Sloss for NSF))
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Falcon 9 has fired up, via L2. Wait for SpaceX to confirm a good test after the Quick Look review.
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https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/962784246128558080
@SpaceX
Static fire test of Falcon 9 complete—targeting February 17 launch of PAZ from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
From: 30th Space Wing Public Affairs, www.vandenberg.af.mil
Falcon 9 PAZ scheduled to launch
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - Team Vandenberg is scheduled to launch the PAZ satellite on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex-4 here, Saturday, Feb. 17, at 6:17 a.m. PDT.
Col. Greg Wood, 30th Space Wing vice commander, is the space launch commander.
"The 30th Space Wing is ready to support the first West Coast SpaceX launch of 2018," said Wood. "Each launch marks the culmination of hard work and dedication of Team V. We are excited to support this mission as we continue to provide safe, secure access to polar orbit.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the PAZ satellite for Hisdesat of Madrid, Spain. PAZ carries a radar imaging payload to collect views of Earth for government and commercial customers, along with ship tracking and weather sensors. Multiple smaller secondary payloads will also launch on the Falcon 9 rocket.
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M1400 Paz Launch Hazard Area (https://goo.gl/L9HXtj) based on issued NOTMAR, together with stage2 debris area.
EDIT: NOTAM included.
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SpaceX set to launch first prototype Starlink satellites for global internet
Mentions NSF in the article.
Source: Geekwire (https://www.geekwire.com/2018/spacex-gets-set-launch-first-prototype-starlink-satellites-global-internet-access/)
Documents filed with the Federal Communications Commission indicate that ground stations will be housed at SpaceX facilities in Redmond and Brewster, Wash., as well as at the company’s headquarters in Hawthorne, Calif., and facilities in McGregor and Brownsville in Texas. Another ground station is to be placed at Tesla’s headquarters in Fremont, Calif., which Musk heads as CEO.
SpaceX says it will also be testing satellite communications with receiving terminals built into mobile vans.
SpaceX has kept mum about many of the details relating to Starlink. Outside observers have had to piece together most of the information from required government filings and from insider forums such as NASASpaceflight.com and Reddit r/SpaceX.
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LAUNCH ALERT
Brian Webb
[email protected]
www.spacearchive.info
2018 February 14 (Wednesday) 18:28 PST
----------------------------------------------------------------------
DAWN LAUNCH
by Brian Webb
The February 17 launch of a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg AFB could
provide an interesting light show visible over a wide area.
The rocket is scheduled to lift off at 06:17 PST, the presumed start
of an unspecified launch window, and carry Spain’s Paz earth-imaging
satellite into a nearly-polar orbit. The window may be relatively
short because Paz needs to be precisely positioned in orbit with
respect to other spacecraft to form an earth-observation satellite
constellation.
The current launch time occurs 29 minutes before Vandenberg sunrise.
Weather permitting, the Falcon 9’s bright orange flame should be
visible in western California at least as far away as San Luis Obispo
and Santa Monica.
A computer simulation by Launch Alert contributor Rick Baldridge shows
the rocket will exit the Earth’s shadow and cli the b into sunlight at
T+2 minutes 10 seconds.
That would make the launch especially interesting as the Falcon 9’s
exhaust plume is illuminated by the Sun while suspended in a semi-dark
sky. Such a display could be visible from San Francisco to Baja
California.
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One day slip.
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/964342882579619841
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With the one-day delay to Sunday, launch of Paz + Microsats moves a minute earlier to 6:16am PST (9:16am EST; 1416 GMT).
https://twitter.com/stephenclark1/status/964376929980768259
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Press kit and webcast are now available.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-p-PToD2URA
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The PAZ press kit has been updated with a new launch date. Backup launch opportunity is available on Wednesday (February 21st) at 6:17 AM PST (14:17 UTC).
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And one more thing, there is also a weather forecast, as they finally publish them on the VAFB website!
http://www.vandenberg.af.mil/launch_center/
90% GO for Sunday. Fog and extensive cloud cover with 120 m (400 ft) cloud base are expected, so it may not be the best launch to watch in person...
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Visual rollout confirmed. Photos likely to be forthcoming shortly. She is the first West Coast Sooty (with fun tan lines where the landing legs used to be ;D)
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Well that's awkward. We're now being told there's a delay until the next opportunity (Wednesday) for the Falcon 9 PAZ launch. Someone on Reddit posted an e-mail from SpaceX and alerted me to it, but I've now got it second sourced. But no reason behind it at this time.
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Rollback....
https://twitter.com/Helodriver2004/status/964919854623997952
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Official:
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/964937069901447168
Team at Vandenberg is taking additional time to perform final checkouts of upgraded fairing. Payload and vehicle remain healthy. Due to mission requirements, now targeting February 21 launch of PAZ.
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Updated presskit was just posted here (http://www.spacex.com/sites/spacex/files/paz_press_kit_2.21.pdf).
Current launch date: Feb 21st 14:17 UTC
Backup launch date: Feb 22nd 14:17 UTC
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
From: 30th Space Wing Public Affairs, www.vandenberg.af.mil
Falcon 9 Paz launch delayed
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying a
PAZ payload from Space Launch Co lex-4, is delayed to allow for additional
time to perform final checkouts of the upgraded fairing. The Falcon 9 and
payload remain healthy.
The launch is rescheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 21, at 6:17 a.m. PST.
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And she is back outside 23 hours before launch on a cold clear morning.
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And she is up.
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Launch weather forecast > 90% GO:
Vehicle/Payload: Falcon 9/Paz Demosat
Location: VAFB SLC‐4 ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ T‐0 Forecast: The trough of low pressure continues to move into central California which will be accompanied by mid and high level clouds; however, there will not be any appreciable impacts due to a lack of moisture in the low levels. Surface winds will be out of the north to northeast from 360‐030 at 8‐ 12 knots for T‐0 while temperatures will range between 34‐39F. Upper level winds be out of the west‐ northwest from 290 at 65 knots between 35,000 and 38,000 feet. The overall POV for T‐0 is <10% with the only area of concern being Ground Winds. ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐
Significant Clouds:
Altocumulus
Cirrus ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ Visibility: 7 Miles
Weather: None
Wind: 360‐030at8‐12knots
Temperature: 34 ‐ 39° F ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ Overall probability of violating weather constraints: < 10%
Area of concern: Ground Winds ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐
Coverage: 4/8 ths 3/8 ths
Bases: 12,000 ft 20,000 ft
Tops: 15,000 ft 22,000 ft
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Launch license attached, includes:
... transporting the PAZ satellite and two SpaceX Demo statellites into low Earth orbit.
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Mr. Steven is heading out for the first fairing recovery attempt with Fairing 2.0.
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And she's all netted up :)
Photographer's Twitter handle:
@w00ki33
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From SpaceX website
Edit: added slightly zoomed in shot also from SpaceX website
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Falcon 9 and PAZ are vertical on Space Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Weather is 90% favorable for tomorrow's launch at 6:17 a.m. PST, 14:17 UTC.
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/966075198616363008
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FEATURE ARTICLE: SpaceX Falcon 9 set for PAZ launch with Starlink demo and new fairing -
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/02/spacex-falcon-9-paz-launch-starlink-demo-new-fairing/
- By William Graham
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Another great shot from helodriver, thank you!
Bright light under the darkening of night. 12 hours to launch. #SpaceX #PAZ @NASASpaceflight
https://twitter.com/helodriver2004/status/966181473459081216
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Countdown at this time is proceding nominally.
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Launch broadcast showing on SpaceX YouTube channel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-p-PToD2URA (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-p-PToD2URA)
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T-1 hour 13 minutes. The SpaceX launch director should be verifying go for propellant load at this time.
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T-1 hour 10 minutes. RP-1 loading should be starting now.
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T-70mins. Per the automated sequence, fueling of RP-1 should be underway now.
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Confirmed. Fueling has started. All on track for 06:17 PST (14:17 UTC) launch.
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Upper Level Winds are OVER the limit, and that is a constraint now.
Additional weather balloon data at T-25mins.
Proceeding with fueling for now in case winds subside.
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Mr. Steven has been holding this position for a bit now. Looks like the spider is ready!
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Flight area clear and ready to proceed with terminal count.
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T-45mins. 10 mins away from the start of LOX load.
They will proceed with all fueling and countdown steps as they await the last weather balloon data at T-25mins to see if the Upper Level Winds have calmed down enough to proceed. The LD did not seem hopeful of this.
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Range is GO for launch. Still waiting on ULW data.
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ECS systems are configured for Stage 1 LOX load.
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Upper Level Wind loads at "101.8" per the LD. Team is proceeding per plan into LOX load.
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Teams polled for technical LOX load constraints. There are none.
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T-35mins. LOX load has started.
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SpaceX
Verified account @SpaceX
18s18 seconds ago
T-40 minutes until Falcon 9 launch of PAZ. Pending weather balloon data, launch webcast will go live about 15 minutes before liftoff → http://spacex.com/webcast
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/966307027684225025
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Per most recent weather balloon data from more than 30 mins ago (still waiting on new data), Upper Level Winds were at 101.8% of max allowed. So that's close & why they're proceeding with fueling. If they get below 100%, we'll be OK to launch.
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Interstage ECS is ready for Stage 2 LOX load.
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Starting to get busy @ ocean ave. Still dark, but a bit of light on the horizon, so might be another good show for socal.
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T-20 mins. Technically, everything is still going perfectly. Waiting on final weather balloon data on Upper Level Winds.
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SCRUB due to Upper Level Winds.
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Launch auto-sequence terminated.
Detanking in work.
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Next opportunity is tomorrow at the same time. Waiting to here if the plan is a 24hr or 48hr turnaround.
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SpaceX
Verified account @SpaceX
15s seconds ago
Standing down today due to strong upper level winds. Now targeting launch of PAZ for February 22 at 6:17 a.m. PST from Vandenberg Air Force Base.
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/966313372814749701
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AFTS is safed. Team proceeding through initial scrub operations to safe the vehicle before detanking commences.
Computers in manual mode.
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24hr turnaround confirmed. 22 February at 06:17 PST (14:17 UTC) is the new target.
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Booster lazing about in the noon day sun, after getting a last minute pardon.
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Count is still rolling for an attempt today, for just under a hour and a half to go
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Awaiting word over the LD net on Upper Level Winds and Ground Winds. Per the last published forecast, today's prime concern was ground winds.
Publicly available ground wind data shows very lite winds. Upper Levels Winds look, themselves, within tolerance... but some directional shift as you ascend. Wind sheer might be an issue. Awaiting official word.
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"Explosive clear zone" is clear and ready to proceed with prop load.
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Technical team is ready to get into prop load.
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T-80mins. 10 minutes away from the start of PR-1 load ops.
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Launch team going through countdown abort ops briefing, should an abort be needed today. (Normal briefing over the net at this point in the count.)
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T-1 hour 13 minutes. The SpaceX launch director should be verifying go for propellant load at this time.
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Propellant loading poll complete. All technical and weather constraints are GREEN.
Range is tracking one range violator, but they are proceeding with prop load.
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T-70mins. RP-1 fueling of the F9 first stage has started.
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T-1hr. No issues. Fueling proceeding well. Only item being tracked is a vessel in the Range restricted air/sea space. That is not expected, at this time, to interfere with launch.
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Range just updated the team on a tracking station that is not supporting this launch. This was known in advance and is not an issue as the vehicle is "redundantly tracked during this period."
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SpaceX
Verified account @SpaceX
26s seconds ago
T-60 minutes until Falcon 9 launch of PAZ. Launch webcast will go live about 15 minutes before liftoff → http://spacex.com/webcast
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/966663753897934848
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RSO is GREEN at this time.
RANGE is clear!
We have NO CONSTRAINTS at this time for launch.
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Some statistics on today's launch:
49th launch of a Falcon 9 rocket since 2010
55th launch of Falcon rocket family since 2006
8th Falcon 9 launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base
29th launch of the upgraded Falcon 9
6th upgraded Falcon 9 launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base
1st launch for Hisdesat by SpaceX
1st launch for SpaceX's Starlink broadband network
18th Falcon 9 night launch
3rd Falcon 9 launch of 2018
4th SpaceX launch of 2018
2nd launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base in 2018
https://www.24live.co/live/1b3d37f012d311e88bdcf23c913e9177
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T-45mins and counting. 10 mins away from the start of LOX load. All is proceeding well. No issues that would prevent launch at 06:17 PST (14:17 UTC)
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ECS systems configured for Stage 1 LOX load.
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Confirming again over the net that the Range is GREEN and GO for launch ahead of LOX load start.
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Stage 1 RP-1 fueling stopped at topping target (normal).
All teams asked now to report anything that would constrain the start of LOX load.
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T-35mins. Stage 1 LOX load has started.
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All is quite on the LD loop. No issues with LOX load or the auto-sequence.
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Stage 2 RP-1 load "closed out" at topping level ahead of Stage 2 LOX load start.
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Cold again this morning but Sky's are clear inland, with a bit of cloud out to sea. Based on yesterdays T-0 it should be fairly bright but still well before sunrise at liftoff. Crowd turnout @ ocean ave seems to be just as good as yesterday.
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Stage 2 LOX load has started.
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Stage 1 & 2 LOX loads both "tracking to targets".
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Funky music has started.
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Flight Proven funky music has started.
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As SpaceX FM kicks in. A reminder that we're no longer having the one post of congrats on this update only thread. All non-update posts will be deleted (not least because it's a massive pain to move and merge, especially when busy).
Please use the party thread for congrats posts.
Update only is the way because of the additional elements with SpaceX launches where S/C Sep/Sat calls home as healthy is not the "end of the updates".
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Countdown net available on 2nd camera angle again in youtube. Even the funky music is silent.
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Coverage has started.
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T-10mins. All is still well as we head for launch.
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T-10 minutes. SpaceX acknowledges that the two Microsats are on board.
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T-9 minutes.
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Please note, the webcast is several seconds delayed from real time updates (which is usual).
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SpaceX PA is pronouncing "PAZ" with the Spanish "c/z -> th" - not the way I've been saying it, but makes sense given that it's actually Spanish.
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Ground TVC pressures coming up.
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T-8 minutes.
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T-7mins. Engine chilldown has begun.
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T-7 minutes. Engine chill should be starting now.
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Stage 1 fuel load closed out.
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Going to try to catch the giant fairing (nosecone) of Falcon 9 as it falls back from space at about eight times the speed of sound. It has onboard thrusters and a guidance system to bring it through the atmosphere intact, then releases a parafoil and our ship with basically a giant catcher’s mitt welded on tries to catch it.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BfgHKDNAplx/
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/966676057784020992
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T-6 minutes. Stage 1 fuel load closed out.
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Stage 1 & 2 tanks pressing for strongback retract.
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T-4mins.
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Strongback retract has started.
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T-5 minutes. Pressing for strongback retract.
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Umbilical motions nominal.
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T-4 minutes.
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Stage 1 LOX closed out.
Strongback retracted and locked back.
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First look at the Microsats on the Hosted Webcast!
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T-2mins
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Microsats.
T-3 minutes.
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Stage 2 LOX load closed out.
RANGE is GREEN.
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F9 on internal power.
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Vehicle in self-align.
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T-2 minutes. Range is green.
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Gas loads closed out.
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T-60 SECONDS!!!
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F9 in startup.
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Live on Euronews !
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Team is GO FOR LAUNCH!
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T-1 minute. Falcon 9 is in startup.
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LAUNCH!!!!
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Liftoff!
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Pitching downrange!
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Stage 1 propulsion nominal.
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Liftoff!
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power and telemetry nominal.
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F9 supersonic.
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Max=Q.
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T+1 minute.
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MVac engine chill has begun.
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First stage engine shutdown... and SEPARATION!
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T+2 minutes.
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Stage 2 IGNITION!
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Fairing Sep!
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Stage 2 trajectory nominal.
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some pics
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First stage separation.
Fairing deploy.
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Best I could get of the fairing...
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T+4 minutes. Nice clear day in LA.
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PAZ and Microsats in their natural habitat.
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T+5 minutes.
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Reminder, from this mission onward, congrats go to the party thread, not here.
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585
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T+6 minutes. Will be trying to recover the fairing.
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Stage 2 trajectory still nominal.
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T+7 minutes. Second stage trajectory nominal.
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T+8 minutes.
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Stage 2 in terminal guidance.
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SECO!!!
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Good orbit insertion!
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T+9 minutes.
Engine cutoff. Good orbit. Separation in two minutes.
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T+10 minutes.
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PAZ launch easily visible from Bay Area
https://twitter.com/DJSnM/status/966679986437472261
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PAZ payload deployment!
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Separation!
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PAZ sep.
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Wrapping up coverage. Microsat separation is outside of ground coverage.
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End of coverage.
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Edit/Lar: Reminder all congrats to the party thread. We don't have time to move them, so they might get deleted from here. Don't be mad, just post there
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S2 venting and a few more to the end.
MANY repeatas of "sorry no deploy of our birds, ... no ground station coverage"
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Made it back from space and fairing parafoil just deployed. Now trying to catch it ...
6:32 AM - 22 Feb 2018
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/966682218411143169
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Made it back from space and fairing parafoil just deployed. Now trying to catch it ...
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/966682218411143169
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From SF Bay Area, Scott Manley on Twitter:
And here's a video I took from my house - 230 miles away from the launch site:
https://twitter.com/DJSnM/status/966684485457625090 (https://twitter.com/DJSnM/status/966684485457625090)
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From ocean ave.
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Another look inside the fairing.
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SpaceX Replay
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-p-PToD2URA
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Missed by a few hundred meters, but fairing landed intact in water. Should be able catch it with slightly bigger chutes to slow down descent.
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/966692641533390848
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Fairing floating in the water.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BfgRX-lgIt6/
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Higher res versions
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First two Starlink demo satellites, called Tintin A & B, deployed and communicating to Earth stations
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/966703261699854336 (https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/966703261699854336)
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First two Starlink demo satellites, called Tintin A & B, deployed and communicating to Earth stations
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/966703261699854336 (https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/966703261699854336)
Video attached
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Tintin A & B will attempt to beam “hello world” in about 22 hours when they pass near LA
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/966706193560305664
Edit to add:
Don’t tell anyone, but the wifi password is “martians”
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/966706924124188672
That was a DM, right?
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/966707038095986688
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Video attached
Closeup
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I just moved to Los Angeles last month, so had to take advantage of seeing my first launch, I barely made it to the beach in time to see the rocket coming over the mountains, but I did get MECO, Stage Separation, and Fairing Deployment.
Sorry for the shaky footage, shot by hand on my small Sony mirrorless.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ur3N0SXbz_I (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ur3N0SXbz_I)
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Just congratulated 2 extremely thrilled #PAZ team members in the lobby of my hotel near Vandenberg. Happy client! @elonmusk #spaceX
https://twitter.com/w00ki33/status/966716704188375040
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Some launch photos published by VAFB
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4 objects have been cataloged by USSTRATCOM
2018-020A/43215 in 499 x 518 km x 97.46° (Paz?)
2018-020B/43216 in 495 x 516 km x 97.46° (Tintin A?)
2018-020C/43217 in 497 x 517 km x 97.46° (Tintin B?)
2018-020D/43218 in 211 x 517 km x 97.27 (F9 2nd stage)
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GOLDEN GATE NATIONAL RECREATION AREA
Falcon 9 Launch over San Francisco
https://youtu.be/y9BAg4bQCN0?t=001
https://youtu.be/y9BAg4bQCN0
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SPACEX FALCON 9 rocket launch with PAZ satellite, Vandenburg AFB Feb 22 2018, 0618h
https://youtu.be/q_lCh1X92Js?t=001
https://youtu.be/q_lCh1X92Js
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SpaceX Falcon 9 PAZ Mission 2-22-2018 Launch
https://youtu.be/xgceYmERqdQ?t=001
https://youtu.be/xgceYmERqdQ
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SpaceX Falcon 9 launch 2/22/18, CDM, Newport Beach, CA
https://youtu.be/sdofo3f-11Y?t=001
https://youtu.be/sdofo3f-11Y
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Here are a few still shots from Oxnard this morning. Some nice plumes at staging and later on some steering jets on the fairings. At 15 minutes before local sunrise, the sky was already bright enough to wash out an attempted time exposure.
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The following is a news release from Vandenberg AFB:
From: 30th Space Wing Public Affairs, www.vandenberg.af.mil
FALCON 9 PAZ LAUNCHED FROM VANDENBERG
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - Team Vandenberg successfully launched a
Falcon 9 rocket carrying a PAZ payload from Space Launch Complex-4 here,
Thursday, Feb. 22, at 6:17 a.m. PST.
Col. Greg Wood, 30th Space Wing vice commander, was the space launch
commander.
"This launch was a testament to the hard work of Team Vandenberg, SpaceX and
Spain," said Wood. "I am proud of everyone involved that continues to pave
the way for our nation's access to space."
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LAUNCH OBSERVATION
by Brian Webb
I viewed this morning's launch from a hill approximately 100 miles
east-southeast of the launch pad. Most of my observing during the first stage
burn and the early portion of the second stage burn was done using 10x tripod-
mounted binoculars.
During the first stage burn, the binoculars revealed structure within the rocket's
flame. Through the binoculars, I very clearly saw the actual rocket and noted the
surface of the vehicle appeared to be illuminated by the sun.
After stage 1/2 separation, the binoculars allowed me to see the rocket
appear to break in half and I could see the shape of the spent first stage and
two bright points of light (the halves of the payload fairing) trailing behind second
stage.
Using the unaided eye, I could see multiple points of light. These were the second stage,
first stage, and payload fairing halves. I could also see a tenuous exhaust
plume behind the second stage.
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Still images of liftoff through fairing halves disappearing from view. Shot from Harris Grade Road overlook, about 10 miles NE of the pad. I could have been closer but wanted to be a little offset from looking straight up the exhaust after liftoff. Trajectory was very steep compared to the Iridium launch and led to the exhaust cloud becoming faint rapidly after staging. High altitude lighting illuminated the first stage and fairing halves for many minutes after separation. Puffing jets could be seen from BOTH fairing halves, but more from one than the other. The spent first stage performed a strong venting after separation but I saw no RCS or engine ignitions afterwards.
A video will be uploaded separately.
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Germany's @DLR_de, which is managing early ops for Paz radar sat, said all good after separation from @SpaceX Falcon 9; ground station received telemetry 75 mins after liftoff.
https://twitter.com/pbdes/status/966738328207941632
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Remote camera has been retrieved, wet with morning dew...and WITH images! Awesome launch by SpaceX. @teslarati #SpaceX #Paz #Starlink
https://twitter.com/w00ki33/status/966744328495251456
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Remote camera has been retrieved, wet with morning dew...and WITH images! Awesome launch by SpaceX. @teslarati #SpaceX #Paz #Starlink
https://twitter.com/w00ki33/status/966744328495251456
My favorite from Pauline.
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Link below for video of liftoff through fairing disappearance into the distance and brightening sky.
Manually tracked handheld in 30 degrees F conditions, so a little shaky. Shot from 10mi NE of the launch site for offset from the launch azimuth.
After fairing separation, both halves can be seen emitting gas bursts, while the 1st stage vents and falls away inactive.
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/downloads/l2/PAZ%20Launch.mp4 (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/downloads/l2/PAZ%20Launch.mp4)
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Second stage deorbit was seen in Norway:
https://www.nrk.no/nordland/sa-mystisk-lys-over-nord-norge___-hadde-en-tydelig-bevegelse-1.13930492
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SpaceX's official launch photos. The liftoff long exposure is an insta-wallpaper...
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DLR German Aerospace Center, Corporate Communications, Linder Hoehe, 51147 Koeln, Germany -
Press release, 22 February 2018
PAZ Earth observation satellite successfully launched
The Spanish Earth observation satellite PAZ was successfully launched on 22 February 2018 at 15:17 CET from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, United States, on board a Falcon 9 rocket. Interestingly, PAZ is being positioned on the same orbit as the German TerraSAR-X and TanDEM-X radar satellites. In addition, the PAZ ground segment builds on technologies developed by the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum fuer Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) for the twin satellites. A constellation of three satellites will make images available faster in the future. PAZ is owned by the Spanish aerospace company Hisdesat and was built by Airbus Defence and Space in Madrid, Spain.
Approximately 75 minutes after lift-off, the DLR ground station at Weilheim received the first telemetry data from PAZ, allowing the next phase of the mission to start. During the first five days, DLR's German Space Operations Center (GSOC) will assume control of PAZ and put the satellite through its paces. GSOC will use DLR ground stations in Germany and at the North and South poles to receive data and send commands. Following completion of this Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP), control of the satellite will be handed over to the Spanish space agency (Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Aeroespacial; INTA), which has been tasked with the construction and operation of the ground segment. Regular operations of PAZ will be run from Torrejón de Ardoz, near Madrid.
Ultra-high-resolution images available faster
Drawing upon the technology of the TerraSAR-X and TanDEM-X radar satellites, experts at the DLR site in Oberpfaffenhofen have also developed not only the LEOP operation, but also essential elements of the ground segment for regular flight operations.
For example, the DLR Microwaves and Radar Institute has developed specialised software for operation and calibration of the radar equipment. The system automatically calculates which commands must be sent to the satellite to ensure that the recorded data is of the highest quality according to user requirements. The radar antenna and recordings are calibrated with the help of special algorithms, so that accurate information can be derived from the data. Finally, for quality control purposes, the software verifies whether the resulting images meet the user requirements and permanently monitors the 'health' of the radar instrument.
Another core element of the ground segment is the processor, which generates highly accurate images based on the radar data. The synthetic aperture radar (SAR) processor was developed at the DLR Remote Sensing Technology Institute. PAZ will use it to deliver the same radar products as TerraSAR-X and TanDEM-X, with resolutions ranging from 18 metres to approximately one metre, regardless of the time of day or cloud cover.
Together with the two formation flying satellites TerraSAR-X and TanDEM-X, PAZ can record almost any region of Earth's surface within three days. On average, the satellites can capture a location or repeat a recording within 24 hours. They fly over the same point on the ground with exactly the same geometry every 11 days. With PAZ it will be possible to achieve a higher recording capacity and shorter repetition rates in future – recordings will thus be made available more quickly. During the commissioning phase, which will take place during the first few months of the satellite's life, the developers from Oberpfaffenhofen will be responsible for commissioning the SAR processor, as well as the software for operating and calibrating the instruments.
The PAZ mission is planned to last five and a half years. Designed as a dual-use satellite, it addresses both commercial and government requirements, particularly in terms of civil surveillance tasks and defence and security applications. Hisdesat will use the constellation in conjunction with Airbus Defence and Space.
The future Tandem-L mission
With TerraSAR-X and TanDEM-X, Germany has achieved globally recognised expertise and a unique selling point over decades. To maintain this leadership role in the future, DLR researchers are already working on Tandem-L, a proposal for a highly innovative
radar mission for environmental observation and climate research. The imaging technology of the Tandem-L satellite will set new standards in Earth observation and thus make an effective contribution to addressing major societal challenges – both nationally and internationally. The research policy evaluation of the mission proposal is currently taking place. The decision regarding the realisation of Tandem-L is expected in mid-2018.
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A couple more shots from SpaceX
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Paz launch patch
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That's the patch from the Paz team. We've got a picture of the SpaceX patch for this mission as well.
The Paz patch has the flag of Spain as it's background, with a white peace symbol superimposed: "Paz" is the Spanish word for "peace". The motto at the bottom reads, "Everything appears impossible until it is done."
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Mr. Steven just pulled into the port. Both fairings aboard. #spacex #paz
https://twitter.com/w00ki33/status/967070575603564544
Or at least one, and part of another it appears?
https://twitter.com/w00ki33/status/967071340883722240
Pics to come.
https://twitter.com/w00ki33/status/967076201427693568
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welcome home #mrsteven and #paz #faring #spacex #falcon9
https://twitter.com/shorealonefilms/status/967071937817075712
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welcome home #mrsteven and #paz #faring #spacex #falcon9
https://twitter.com/shorealonefilms/status/967071937817075712
and there’s what’s left of the other fairing #mrsteven and #paz #faring #spacex #falcon9
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And from Pauline Acalin, to one-up the above... ;)
https://twitter.com/w00ki33
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Article with some more pictures:
SpaceX’s recovered fairing spotted sailing into port on Mr Steven
ByEric Ralph
Posted on February 23, 2018
Just 24 hours after gently landing in the ocean, SpaceX recovery technicians have successfully recovered one half of an intact Falcon payload fairing for the first time ever. Photos of the return to Port of San Pedro in Southern California, captured by Teslarati photographer Pauline Acalin, show that the halve recovered is in amazing condition ...
https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-recovered-fairing-spotted-mr-steven-boat/
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Oh my, have to share a few more. She found a different perspective, and I'm in love with the well-worn fairing ;D
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43215 PAZ 2018-020A PAYLOAD TBD 2018-02-22 AFWTR 94.83 97.47 519 502
43216 OBJECT B 2018-020B TBA TBD 2018-02-22 AFWTR 94.80 97.46 517 500
43217 OBJECT C 2018-020C TBA TBD 2018-02-22 AFWTR 94.79 97.47 517 499
43218 OBJECT D 2018-020D TBA TBD 2018-02-22 AFWTR 91.82 97.27 517 211
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43215 PAZ 2018-020A PAYLOAD TBD 2018-02-22 AFWTR 94.83 97.47 519 502
43216 OBJECT B 2018-020B TBA TBD 2018-02-22 AFWTR 94.80 97.46 517 500
43217 OBJECT C 2018-020C TBA TBD 2018-02-22 AFWTR 94.79 97.47 517 499
43218 OBJECT D 2018-020D TBA TBD 2018-02-22 AFWTR 91.82 97.27 517 211
Objects B and C are the Tintin sats. Object D is the second stage which later deorbited.
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43215 PAZ 2018-020A PAYLOAD TBD 2018-02-22 AFWTR 94.83 97.47 519 502
43216 OBJECT B 2018-020B TBA TBD 2018-02-22 AFWTR 94.80 97.46 517 500
43217 OBJECT C 2018-020C TBA TBD 2018-02-22 AFWTR 94.79 97.47 517 499
43218 OBJECT D 2018-020D TBA TBD 2018-02-22 AFWTR 91.82 97.27 517 211
Jonathan McDowell
Verified account
@planet4589
Feb 23
Interesting - TLEs for the second stage are out, showing that after deploying the Tintin sats it made a burn over the Arctic to lower perigee; made one more orbit, fired again on next Arctic pass to complete deorbit into Pacific
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A load more fairing photos from shorealone films:
https://flickr.com/photos/81789298@N05/sets/72157690782691332 (https://flickr.com/photos/81789298@N05/sets/72157690782691332)
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A nice set of PAZ launch photos by Shorealone Films:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/81789298@N05/albums/72157693786579405 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/81789298@N05/albums/72157693786579405)
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Spain's Paz radar satellite has made some small orbit adjustments over the past few days, reducing its sun-sync nodal drift rate from 5 min/year to 1 min/year
https://twitter.com/planet4589/status/968363441760227329
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VAFB or Mordor?
The flaming umbilical and freshly-abandoned pad feel so dystopian. This was few seconds after liftoff during the #PAZ mission. @teslarati #SpaceX #Falcon9
https://twitter.com/w00ki33/status/975447876087132160?s=21
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Satellites have changed parameters since launch, is this due to propulsion or just normal drift?
Tintin A
Perigee: From 500 to 505.3 km
Apogee: From 517 to 525.7 km
Tintin B
Perigee: From 499 to 505.2 km
Apogee: From 517 to 525.0 km
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Not to be one-upped by the fancy new Iridium-5 fairing half, PAZ's recovered fairing has made an appearance at Berth 240 (https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-recovered-fairing-appears-mars-rocket-factory/), SpaceX's prospective BFR factory and recovery facility. It's visibly being scrapped where it sits - all interior components are being removed and stacked on the ground. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
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Has the lease been stealth signed allowing them to use the berth, did they get special permission, or ?
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Tweet from INTA (@intespana) (https://twitter.com/intaespana/status/1001001331568627713):
First images of the PAZ satellite! 🛰️ This way you can see the #Teide 🏔️ from space and @Dubai with its impressive sets of artificial islands 🏝️🕌 from #intaespana We continue working on the setting up of #SatelitePAZ
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Some notable differences in Tintin A and B.
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https://twitter.com/pbdes/status/1095293825399042048
First interferometry between Paz and TerraSar-X.