Author Topic: SpaceX Falcon 9 : GovSat-1 (SES-16) : Jan 31. 2018 - UPDATES  (Read 112588 times)

Offline Chris Bergin

UPDATE thread for GovSat-1 satellite launching on Falcon 9

NSF Threads for GovSat-1 : Discussion / Updates / L2 Coverage January-February
NSF Articles for GovSat-1 :
   [Jan. 26, 2018] SpaceX static fire flight-proven booster for SES-16/GovSat1 mission
   [Jan. 31, 2018]Falcon 9 launches GovSat-1 from SLC-40 – Booster survives water landing

Successful launch on January 31, 2018 at 1625 EST/2125 UTC on reused Falcon 9 (1032.2) from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral.    The first stage landed intact in the ocean after testing a more aggressive landing burn.


First order for the company since the merger?

ORBITAL ATK’S GEOSTAR-3 SATELLITE PLATFORM GAINS TRACTION AMONG WORLD’S TOP SATELLITE OPERATORS
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SES Selects Orbital ATK to Build SES-16/GovSat Satellite for Mid-2017 Delivery
Third GEOStar-3 Spacecraft Ordered Since 2014 Introduction


Dulles, Virginia, 16 February 2015 – Orbital ATK, Inc. (NYSE: OA), a global leader in aerospace and defense technologies, announced today it received a contract to build a communications satellite for LuxGovSat, a newly created joint venture between SES and the Luxembourg government. SES-16/GovSat will be used to provide military satellite bandwidth to governments and institutions. The Luxembourg government has pre-committed to a significant amount of capacity in support of its NATO obligations.

Based on Orbital ATK’s recently introduced GEOStar-3™ satellite platform, SES-16/GovSat is a multi-mission satellite using dedicated military frequencies (X-band and military Ka-band) to provide high-powered and fully steerable spot beams for multiple government-specific missions. It is Orbital ATK’s 40th GEOStar satellite sale, the third GEOStar-3 satellite purchased, and seventh GEOStar satellite to be built for SES.

“SES is one of the world’s most prominent satellite operators and this contract demonstrates a continued confidence in our GEOStar product line. As a customer-focused company known for innovation, reliability and affordability, we are pleased to provide LuxGovSat with a high-quality satellite that will meet expectations in cost, schedule and performance,” said Chris Richmond, VP and GM of the Commercial Satellite Division at Orbital ATK’s Space Systems Group. “Based on our exceptional record of delivering flight-proven satellites on time and on budget, Orbital ATK continues to be a partner that SES and the Government of Luxembourg can count on.”

Orbital ATK’s GEOStar satellite platform can accommodate all types of commercial communications payloads and is compatible with all major commercial launchers. The GEOStar design is optimized for satellite missions requiring up to eight kilowatts of payload power.

The company also offers a hybrid electric propulsion GEOStar-3 design that provides the benefits of higher power/higher payload capability while still maintaining advantageous launch costs.

Martin Halliwell, Chief Technology Officer of SES, commented, “The joint procurement of SES-16/GovSat opens a new chapter in the strategically important government business vertical and in the cooperation between SES and the Luxembourg government. SES-16/GovSat will ensure flexibility for the ever-changing missions of governments and institutions in the security, defense and civil arena and will allow for the deployment of integrated and smart end-to-end managed solutions for these demanding customers.”

SES-16/GovSat will be designed, manufactured and tested at Orbital ATK’s satellite manufacturing facility in Dulles, Virginia. It is slated for delivery in mid-2017. Once in orbit, it will be positioned on the European geostationary orbit arc with coverage areas over Europe, the Middle East and Africa. It will have a service life of 15 years.

Orbital ATK’s Space Systems Group (SSG) is an industry leader in satellite technology and advanced rated space systems providing a broad portfolio of products and services for commercial, military, civil government and international customers. The Group designs, manufactures and operates small to medium-class satellites for communication, imaging, science, human exploration and military operations. SSG also specializes in market-leading integrated thermal control systems, space components that power and enable satellites of all classes, satellite servicing technology and premier technical engineering services to government agencies and laboratories.

 

SES Upcoming Launches
GovSat-1 on SES.com / GovSat-1 on Gunter's Space Page



Other SpaceX resources on NASASpaceflight:
   SpaceX News Articles (Recent)  /   SpaceX News Articles from 2006 (Including numerous exclusive Elon interviews)
   SpaceX Dragon Articles  /  SpaceX Missions Section (with Launch Manifest and info on past and future missions)
   L2 SpaceX Section
« Last Edit: 02/02/2018 01:48 pm by gongora »
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Offline Chris Bergin

https://twitter.com/GovSatLu/status/952892618949758979

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The #GovSat1 satellite will be launched soon at the @NASAKennedy, in Cape Canaveral, stay tuned for more information!
« Last Edit: 01/15/2018 12:19 pm by Chris Bergin »
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Offline Michael Baylor

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Looking forward to @GovSatLu 1st #satellite launch with @SpaceX. Following Zuma mission, our engineering staff have reviewed all relevant launch vehicle flight data following last Falcon-9 launcher mission. We are confident on SpaceX readiness & set for Govsat-1 launch late Jan!

https://twitter.com/SES_Satellites/status/953732417810034688

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New launch license attached.

Note this isn’t specific for GovSat-1, it’s for F9 GTO comms sat launches from LC-40. So GovSat-1 is the first launch it applies to. License is for 5 years, so should reduce future paperwork a bit!

Offline ChrisGebhardt

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Per the 45th Space Wing confirming this morning that they cannot support static fire and launch ops during the U.S. government federation shutdown, it's worth noting that as of this moment, this doesn't significantly impact GovSat/SES-16 on 30 January just yet.  We're 9 days out from that launch (and about 4-5 days out from a needed static fire). 

If the shutdown doesn't drag on, this could still happen as scheduled.  If the shutdown drags on, however...

Offline Raul

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M1389 GovSat-1 Launch Hazard Areas visualization based on issued NOTMAR.

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Airspace closure area & launch hazard area

Offline vaporcobra

Booster is rolling out at LC-40, apparently. Rather bad air/image quality but I do see something that at least vaguely resembles F9 on the TEL.

« Last Edit: 01/25/2018 08:26 pm by vaporcobra »

Offline ZachS09

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Next Falcon 9 launch is set to be expendable. Drone ship's next job will be to catch the center core of the Falcon Heavy.

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/956612001287065601
Liftoff for St. Jude's! Go Dragon, Go Falcon, Godspeed Inspiration4!

Offline Chris Bergin

Static Fire is NET today (although some say likely Saturday), but we still don't have a window.
« Last Edit: 01/26/2018 12:45 pm by Chris Bergin »
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Local observers have #Falcon9 on SLC-40 ahead of static fire (likely today) for the #SES16 #GovSat1 mission on 30 Jan. #SpaceX

https://twitter.com/chrisg_nsf/status/956890956221108224Sorry

Offline Ronsmytheiii

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Static Fire is NET today (although some say likely Saturday), but we still don't have a window.

Ken Kramer posted two pics showing a shadowy out of focus sillouette showing the Falcon 9:

https://twitter.com/ken_kremer/status/956901349291184128

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Launch weather forecast is 80% GO, but upper level winds at 120 kts would be an issue:

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Launch day probability of violating launch weather constraints: 20%
Primary concern(s): Liftoff Winds
   
Delay day probability of violating launch weather constraints: 20%
Primary concern(s): Thick Cloud Layer Rule

Offline Chris Bergin

https://twitter.com/Helodriver2004/status/956920341409992705

@NASASpaceflight the #SpaceX #Falcon9 is vertical on LC-40 minus it's payload fairing for static fire. No venting visible yet.
« Last Edit: 01/26/2018 04:01 pm by Chris Bergin »
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Online Elthiryel

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According to the forecast, launch window has been slightly adjusted, now it's 2125-2346 UTC (was 2123-2337 UTC).
GO for launch, GO for age of reflight

Offline Chris Bergin

Article for the Static Fire:

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/01/spacex-static-fire-ses-16-govsat1-mission/

- by Chris Gebhardt.

Updated per the below confirmation of a good quick look review.
« Last Edit: 01/26/2018 04:36 pm by Chris Bergin »
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Static fire test of Falcon 9 complete—targeting January 30 launch of GovSat-1 from Pad 40 in Florida.
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/956941584259411968

Offline vaporcobra

And the static fire! Looks to be around 6-8 seconds in duration.


Offline Nehkara

I made a gfycat of this static fire.

https://gfycat.com/LongCheerfulFirebelliedtoad

Credit: US Launch Report

The Static Fire was 9.1 seconds long, +/- a tenth of a second.
« Last Edit: 01/26/2018 06:46 pm by Nehkara »

Offline Raul

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Launch weather forecast is 80% GO, but upper level winds at 120 kts would be an issue:

Launch weather forecast is changed to 40% GO.
Quote
Vehicle: Falcon 9 GovSat-1
Issued: 26 Jan 2018/1200 EST(1700 UTC)
Valid: 30 Jan 2018/1625-1846 EST (2125-2346 UTC)

Launch day probability of violating launch weather constraints: 60%
Primary concern(s):   Liftoff Winds
Delay day probability of violating launch weather constraints: 20%
Primary concern(s): Thick Cloud Layer Rule

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