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SpaceX Vehicles and Missions => SpaceX Falcon Missions Section => Topic started by: Chris Bergin on 02/07/2018 02:04 pm

Title: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: Chris Bergin on 02/07/2018 02:04 pm
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)


Quote
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)
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 16, 2018
Post by: Chris Bergin on 02/07/2018 02:06 pm
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.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 17, 2018
Post by: Chris Bergin on 02/09/2018 11:14 pm
New update just now. Back to NET 17th. Still subject to change.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 17, 2018
Post by: Chris Bergin on 02/11/2018 02:35 pm
Falcon 9 booster has been rolled out and is on the pad.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 17, 2018
Post by: Chris Bergin on 02/11/2018 04:35 pm
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))
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 17, 2018
Post by: Chris Bergin on 02/11/2018 06:25 pm
Falcon 9 has fired up, via L2. Wait for SpaceX to confirm a good test after the Quick Look review.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 17, 2018
Post by: Chris Bergin on 02/11/2018 07:29 pm
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.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 17, 2018
Post by: Chris Bergin on 02/12/2018 04:47 pm
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.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 17, 2018
Post by: Raul on 02/14/2018 05:57 am
M1400 Paz Launch Hazard Area (https://goo.gl/L9HXtj) based on issued NOTMAR, together with stage2 debris area.
EDIT: NOTAM included.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 17, 2018
Post by: catdlr on 02/14/2018 09:32 am
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/)

Quote
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.

Quote
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.



Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 17, 2018
Post by: catdlr on 02/15/2018 03:45 am
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.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 17, 2018
Post by: Flying Beaver on 02/16/2018 02:38 am
One day slip.

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/964342882579619841

Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 18, 2018
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 02/16/2018 05:41 am
Quote
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
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 18, 2018
Post by: Elthiryel on 02/16/2018 07:20 am
Press kit and webcast are now available.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-p-PToD2URA
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 18, 2018
Post by: jacqmans on 02/16/2018 03:45 pm
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 18, 2018
Post by: Elthiryel on 02/16/2018 10:26 pm
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).
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 18, 2018
Post by: Elthiryel on 02/16/2018 10:57 pm
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...
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 18, 2018
Post by: Chris Bergin on 02/17/2018 02:04 pm
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)
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 18, 2018
Post by: Chris Bergin on 02/17/2018 04:13 pm
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.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 21, 2018
Post by: Chris Bergin on 02/17/2018 04:55 pm
Rollback....

https://twitter.com/Helodriver2004/status/964919854623997952
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 21, 2018
Post by: Chris Bergin on 02/17/2018 06:02 pm
Official:
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/964937069901447168
Quote
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.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 21, 2018
Post by: Eagandale4114 on 02/17/2018 08:34 pm
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

Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 21, 2018
Post by: catdlr on 02/17/2018 08:41 pm
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.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 21, 2018
Post by: Helodriver on 02/20/2018 03:00 pm
And she is back outside 23 hours before launch on a cold clear morning.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 21, 2018
Post by: Helodriver on 02/20/2018 04:15 pm
And she is up.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 21, 2018
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 02/20/2018 05:33 pm
Launch weather forecast > 90% GO:

Quote
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
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 21, 2018
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 02/20/2018 06:52 pm
Launch license attached, includes:

Quote
... transporting the PAZ satellite and two SpaceX Demo statellites into low Earth orbit.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 21, 2018
Post by: Michael Baylor on 02/20/2018 07:11 pm
Mr. Steven is heading out for the first fairing recovery attempt with Fairing 2.0.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 21, 2018
Post by: vaporcobra on 02/20/2018 07:50 pm
And she's all netted up :)

Photographer's Twitter handle:
@w00ki33
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 21, 2018
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 02/20/2018 08:50 pm
From SpaceX website

Edit: added slightly zoomed in shot also from SpaceX website
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 21, 2018
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 02/20/2018 09:24 pm
Quote
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
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 21, 2018
Post by: Chris Bergin on 02/21/2018 12:19 am
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
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 21, 2018
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 02/21/2018 04:46 am
Another great shot from helodriver, thank you!

Quote
Bright light under the darkening of night. 12 hours to launch.  #SpaceX  #PAZ  @NASASpaceflight

https://twitter.com/helodriver2004/status/966181473459081216
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 21, 2018
Post by: jjyach on 02/21/2018 11:15 am
Countdown at this time is proceding nominally.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 21, 2018
Post by: StuffOfInterest on 02/21/2018 11:30 am
Launch broadcast showing on SpaceX YouTube channel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-p-PToD2URA (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-p-PToD2URA)
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 21, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 02/21/2018 12:04 pm
T-1 hour 13 minutes. The SpaceX launch director should be verifying go for propellant load at this time.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 21, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 02/21/2018 12:07 pm
T-1 hour 10 minutes. RP-1 loading should be starting now.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 21, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/21/2018 12:07 pm
T-70mins. Per the automated sequence, fueling of RP-1 should be underway now.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 21, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/21/2018 12:13 pm
Confirmed.  Fueling has started.  All on track for 06:17 PST (14:17 UTC) launch.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 21, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/21/2018 12:23 pm
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.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 21, 2018
Post by: Michael Baylor on 02/21/2018 12:24 pm
Mr. Steven has been holding this position for a bit now. Looks like the spider is ready!
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 21, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/21/2018 12:25 pm
Flight area clear and ready to proceed with terminal count.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 21, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/21/2018 12:32 pm
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.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 21, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/21/2018 12:35 pm
Range is GO for launch.  Still waiting on ULW data.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 21, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/21/2018 12:37 pm
ECS systems are configured for Stage 1 LOX load.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 21, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/21/2018 12:38 pm
Upper Level Wind loads at "101.8" per the LD.  Team is proceeding per plan into LOX load.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 21, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/21/2018 12:40 pm
Teams polled for technical LOX load constraints.  There are none.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 21, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/21/2018 12:42 pm
T-35mins.  LOX load has started.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 21, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 02/21/2018 12:43 pm
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
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 21, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/21/2018 12:46 pm
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.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 21, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/21/2018 12:50 pm
Interstage ECS is ready for Stage 2 LOX load.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 21, 2018
Post by: pb2000 on 02/21/2018 12:54 pm
Starting to get busy @ ocean ave. Still dark, but a bit of light on the horizon, so might be another good show for socal.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 21, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/21/2018 12:57 pm
T-20 mins.  Technically, everything is still going perfectly.  Waiting on final weather balloon data on Upper Level Winds.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 21, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/21/2018 01:04 pm
SCRUB due to Upper Level Winds.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 21, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/21/2018 01:06 pm
Launch auto-sequence terminated.

Detanking in work.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 21, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/21/2018 01:07 pm
Next opportunity is tomorrow at the same time.  Waiting to here if the plan is a 24hr or 48hr turnaround.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 21, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 02/21/2018 01:07 pm
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
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 21, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/21/2018 01:09 pm
AFTS is safed.  Team proceeding through initial scrub operations to safe the vehicle before detanking commences.

Computers in manual mode.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 21, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/21/2018 01:10 pm
24hr turnaround confirmed.   22 February at 06:17 PST (14:17 UTC) is the new target.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 21, 2018
Post by: pb2000 on 02/21/2018 10:20 pm
Booster lazing about in the noon day sun, after getting a last minute pardon.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 21, 2018
Post by: jjyach on 02/22/2018 11:48 am
Count is still rolling for an attempt today, for just under a hour and a half to go
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 21, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/22/2018 11:50 am
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.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 21, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/22/2018 11:51 am
"Explosive clear zone" is clear and ready to proceed with prop load.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 21, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/22/2018 11:54 am
Technical team is ready to get into prop load.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 21, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/22/2018 11:56 am
T-80mins.  10 minutes away from the start of PR-1 load ops.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 21, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/22/2018 11:58 am
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.)
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 21, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 02/22/2018 12:04 pm
T-1 hour 13 minutes. The SpaceX launch director should be verifying go for propellant load at this time.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 21, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/22/2018 12:06 pm
Propellant loading poll complete.  All technical and weather constraints are GREEN.

Range is tracking one range violator, but they are proceeding with prop load.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 21, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/22/2018 12:07 pm
T-70mins.  RP-1 fueling of the F9 first stage has started.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 21, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/22/2018 12:18 pm
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.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 21, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/22/2018 12:20 pm
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."
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 21, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 02/22/2018 12:20 pm
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
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 21, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/22/2018 12:23 pm
RSO is GREEN at this time.

RANGE is clear!

We have NO CONSTRAINTS at this time for launch.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 21, 2018
Post by: centaurinasa on 02/22/2018 12:29 pm
Quote
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
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/22/2018 12:32 pm
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)
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/22/2018 12:33 pm
ECS systems configured for Stage 1 LOX load.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/22/2018 12:36 pm
Confirming again over the net that the Range is GREEN and GO for launch ahead of LOX load start.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/22/2018 12:39 pm
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.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/22/2018 12:42 pm
T-35mins.  Stage 1 LOX load has started.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/22/2018 12:48 pm
All is quite on the LD loop.  No issues with LOX load or the auto-sequence.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/22/2018 12:52 pm
Stage 2 RP-1 load "closed out" at topping level ahead of Stage 2 LOX load start.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: pb2000 on 02/22/2018 12:54 pm
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.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/22/2018 12:57 pm
Stage 2 LOX load has started.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/22/2018 01:00 pm
Stage 1 & 2 LOX loads both "tracking to targets".
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: Craftyatom on 02/22/2018 01:00 pm
Funky music has started.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 02/22/2018 01:01 pm
Flight Proven funky music has started.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: Chris Bergin on 02/22/2018 01:03 pm
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".
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: IntoTheVoid on 02/22/2018 01:05 pm
Countdown net available on 2nd camera angle again in youtube. Even the funky music is silent.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 02/22/2018 01:06 pm
Coverage has started.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/22/2018 01:07 pm
T-10mins.  All is still well as we head for launch.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 02/22/2018 01:07 pm
T-10 minutes. SpaceX acknowledges that the two Microsats are on board.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 02/22/2018 01:08 pm
T-9 minutes.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/22/2018 01:08 pm
Please note, the webcast is several seconds delayed from real time updates (which is usual).
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: Craftyatom on 02/22/2018 01:09 pm
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.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/22/2018 01:09 pm
Ground TVC pressures coming up.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 02/22/2018 01:09 pm
T-8 minutes.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/22/2018 01:10 pm
T-7mins.  Engine chilldown has begun.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 02/22/2018 01:10 pm
T-7 minutes. Engine chill should be starting now.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/22/2018 01:10 pm
Stage 1 fuel load closed out.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 02/22/2018 01:11 pm
Quote
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
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 02/22/2018 01:11 pm
T-6 minutes. Stage 1 fuel load closed out.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/22/2018 01:12 pm
Stage 1 & 2 tanks pressing for strongback retract.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/22/2018 01:13 pm
T-4mins.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/22/2018 01:13 pm
Strongback retract has started.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 02/22/2018 01:13 pm
T-5 minutes. Pressing for strongback retract.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/22/2018 01:13 pm
Umbilical motions nominal.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 02/22/2018 01:14 pm
T-4 minutes.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/22/2018 01:14 pm
Stage 1 LOX closed out.

Strongback retracted and locked back.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: Craftyatom on 02/22/2018 01:14 pm
First look at the Microsats on the Hosted Webcast!
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/22/2018 01:15 pm
T-2mins
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 02/22/2018 01:15 pm
Microsats.

T-3 minutes.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/22/2018 01:15 pm
Stage 2 LOX load closed out.

RANGE is GREEN.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/22/2018 01:15 pm
F9 on internal power.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/22/2018 01:15 pm
Vehicle in self-align.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 02/22/2018 01:15 pm
T-2 minutes. Range is green.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/22/2018 01:15 pm
Gas loads closed out.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/22/2018 01:16 pm
T-60 SECONDS!!!
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/22/2018 01:16 pm
F9 in startup.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: centaurinasa on 02/22/2018 01:16 pm
Live on Euronews !
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/22/2018 01:16 pm
Team is GO FOR LAUNCH!
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 02/22/2018 01:16 pm
T-1 minute. Falcon 9 is in startup.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/22/2018 01:17 pm
LAUNCH!!!!
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: jjyach on 02/22/2018 01:17 pm
Liftoff!
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/22/2018 01:17 pm
Pitching downrange!
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/22/2018 01:17 pm
Stage 1 propulsion nominal.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 02/22/2018 01:17 pm
Liftoff!
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/22/2018 01:17 pm
power and telemetry nominal.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/22/2018 01:18 pm
F9 supersonic.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/22/2018 01:18 pm
Max=Q.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 02/22/2018 01:18 pm
T+1 minute.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/22/2018 01:18 pm
MVac engine chill has begun.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/22/2018 01:19 pm
First stage engine shutdown... and SEPARATION!
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 02/22/2018 01:19 pm
T+2 minutes.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/22/2018 01:20 pm
Stage 2 IGNITION!
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/22/2018 01:20 pm
Fairing Sep!
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/22/2018 01:20 pm
Stage 2 trajectory nominal.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: Lar on 02/22/2018 01:21 pm
some pics
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 02/22/2018 01:21 pm
First stage separation.

Fairing deploy.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: Chris Bergin on 02/22/2018 01:21 pm
Best I could get of the fairing...
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 02/22/2018 01:22 pm
T+4 minutes. Nice clear day in LA.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: Craftyatom on 02/22/2018 01:22 pm
PAZ and Microsats in their natural habitat.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 02/22/2018 01:22 pm
T+5 minutes.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: Lar on 02/22/2018 01:23 pm
Reminder, from this mission onward, congrats go to the party thread, not here.

https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42585
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 02/22/2018 01:23 pm
T+6 minutes. Will be trying to recover the fairing.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/22/2018 01:23 pm
Stage 2 trajectory still nominal.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 02/22/2018 01:24 pm
T+7 minutes. Second stage trajectory nominal.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 02/22/2018 01:25 pm
T+8 minutes.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/22/2018 01:25 pm
Stage 2 in terminal guidance.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/22/2018 01:26 pm
SECO!!!
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/22/2018 01:26 pm
Good orbit insertion!
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 02/22/2018 01:27 pm
T+9 minutes.

Engine cutoff. Good orbit. Separation in two minutes.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 02/22/2018 01:28 pm
T+10 minutes.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 02/22/2018 01:28 pm
Quote
PAZ launch easily visible from Bay Area

https://twitter.com/DJSnM/status/966679986437472261
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: ChrisGebhardt on 02/22/2018 01:28 pm
PAZ payload deployment!
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 02/22/2018 01:28 pm
Separation!
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: Chris Bergin on 02/22/2018 01:29 pm
PAZ sep.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 02/22/2018 01:29 pm
Wrapping up coverage. Microsat separation is outside of ground coverage.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 02/22/2018 01:30 pm
End of coverage.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: docmordrid on 02/22/2018 01:31 pm
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
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: Lar on 02/22/2018 01:32 pm
S2 venting and a few more to the end.

MANY repeatas of "sorry no deploy of our birds, ... no ground station coverage"
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: AncientU on 02/22/2018 01:33 pm
Quote

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
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 02/22/2018 01:33 pm
Quote
Made it back from space and fairing parafoil just deployed. Now trying to catch it ...

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/966682218411143169
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: gchockry on 02/22/2018 01:58 pm
From SF Bay Area, Scott Manley on Twitter:
Quote
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)
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: pb2000 on 02/22/2018 02:04 pm
From ocean ave.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: flyright on 02/22/2018 02:06 pm
Another look inside the fairing.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: abaddon on 02/22/2018 02:10 pm
SpaceX Replay
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-p-PToD2URA
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 02/22/2018 02:15 pm
Quote
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
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: StuffOfInterest on 02/22/2018 02:43 pm
Fairing floating in the water.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BfgRX-lgIt6/

Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 02/22/2018 02:52 pm
Higher res versions
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: tvg98 on 02/22/2018 02:57 pm
Quote
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)
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 02/22/2018 03:01 pm
Quote
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
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 02/22/2018 03:09 pm
Quote
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:

Quote
Don’t tell anyone, but the wifi password is “martians”
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/966706924124188672

Quote
That was a DM, right?
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/966707038095986688
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: Jdeshetler on 02/22/2018 03:42 pm
Video attached

Closeup
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: camdenpike on 02/22/2018 03:42 pm
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)
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 02/22/2018 03:54 pm
Quote
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
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 02/22/2018 04:33 pm
Some launch photos published by VAFB
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: input~2 on 02/22/2018 04:34 pm
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)
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: catdlr on 02/22/2018 04:58 pm
GOLDEN GATE NATIONAL RECREATION AREA
Falcon 9 Launch over San Francisco


https://youtu.be/y9BAg4bQCN0?t=001

https://youtu.be/y9BAg4bQCN0
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: catdlr on 02/22/2018 04:59 pm
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
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: catdlr on 02/22/2018 05:00 pm
SpaceX Falcon 9 PAZ Mission 2-22-2018 Launch

https://youtu.be/xgceYmERqdQ?t=001

https://youtu.be/xgceYmERqdQ
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: catdlr on 02/22/2018 05:01 pm
SpaceX Falcon 9 launch 2/22/18, CDM, Newport Beach, CA

https://youtu.be/sdofo3f-11Y?t=001

https://youtu.be/sdofo3f-11Y
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: WheelsStop on 02/22/2018 05:13 pm
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.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: catdlr on 02/22/2018 05:22 pm
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."

-----

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.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: Helodriver on 02/22/2018 05:28 pm
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.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 02/22/2018 05:35 pm
Quote
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
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 02/22/2018 06:11 pm
Quote
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
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: vaporcobra on 02/22/2018 06:19 pm
Quote
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.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: Helodriver on 02/22/2018 07:59 pm
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)
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: Craig_VG on 02/22/2018 08:35 pm
Second stage deorbit was seen in Norway:

https://www.nrk.no/nordland/sa-mystisk-lys-over-nord-norge___-hadde-en-tydelig-bevegelse-1.13930492


Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: vaporcobra on 02/23/2018 12:26 am
SpaceX's official launch photos. The liftoff long exposure is an insta-wallpaper...
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: jacqmans on 02/23/2018 06:05 am
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.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 02/23/2018 06:20 am
A couple more shots from SpaceX
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: Lewis007 on 02/23/2018 11:45 am
Paz launch patch
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: cscott on 02/23/2018 02:43 pm
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."
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 02/23/2018 03:42 pm
Quote
Mr. Steven just pulled into the port. Both fairings aboard. #spacex #paz

https://twitter.com/w00ki33/status/967070575603564544

Quote
Or at least one, and part of another it appears?

https://twitter.com/w00ki33/status/967071340883722240

Quote
Pics to come.

https://twitter.com/w00ki33/status/967076201427693568
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 02/23/2018 03:58 pm
Quote
welcome home #mrsteven and #paz #faring #spacex #falcon9

https://twitter.com/shorealonefilms/status/967071937817075712
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: eeergo on 02/23/2018 04:07 pm

Quote
welcome home #mrsteven and #paz #faring #spacex #falcon9


https://twitter.com/shorealonefilms/status/967071937817075712


Quote from: @ShorealoneFilms
and there’s what’s left of the other fairing #mrsteven and #paz #faring #spacex #falcon9
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: vaporcobra on 02/23/2018 05:47 pm
And from Pauline Acalin, to one-up the above... ;)

https://twitter.com/w00ki33
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 02/23/2018 06:07 pm
Article with some more pictures:

Quote
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/
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: vaporcobra on 02/23/2018 06:19 pm
Oh my, have to share a few more. She found a different perspective, and I'm in love with the well-worn fairing ;D
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: SmallKing on 02/24/2018 01:03 am
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
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: Michael Baylor on 02/24/2018 03:14 am
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.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: SmallKing on 02/24/2018 03:42 am
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
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 02/24/2018 05:37 am
A load more fairing photos from shorealone films:

https://flickr.com/photos/81789298@N05/sets/72157690782691332 (https://flickr.com/photos/81789298@N05/sets/72157690782691332)
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 02/24/2018 11:24 am
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)
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 02/27/2018 05:55 am
Quote
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
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: FutureSpaceTourist on 03/18/2018 07:18 pm
VAFB or Mordor?

Quote
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
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: Craig_VG on 03/30/2018 01:30 am
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 
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: vaporcobra on 04/01/2018 08:58 pm
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)_/¯

Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: docmordrid on 04/01/2018 09:54 pm
Has the lease been stealth signed allowing them to use the berth, did they get special permission, or ?
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: gongora on 05/28/2018 04:10 pm
Tweet from INTA (@intespana) (https://twitter.com/intaespana/status/1001001331568627713):
Quote
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
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: vaporcobra on 05/28/2018 07:52 pm
Some notable differences in Tintin A and B.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : PAZ & Microsat 2a/2b : SLC-4E Vandy - UPDATES - Feb 22, 2018
Post by: eeergo on 02/12/2019 01:45 pm
https://twitter.com/pbdes/status/1095293825399042048

First interferometry between Paz and TerraSar-X.