Author Topic: SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 : KSC 39A : May 11, 2018 : Updates (Read 188622 times)

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #80 on:** 05/10/2018 02:04 pm »

Photo from SpaceX website

Craig_VG · « **Reply #81 on:** 05/10/2018 04:22 pm »

But wait there's more... here's my previous image with double the resolution (70megapixels).

However, if you still want more pixels... check out Brady's 200megapixel photo on L2!

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #82 on:** 05/10/2018 04:51 pm »

Quote

Today at Launch Complex 39A. We have Falcon 9 Block 5. A SpaceX Drone in the sky. Closeups of hardware too. Launch at 4:12pm EDT follow me on Instagram @Teslarati #spacex #falcon9

https://twitter.com/_tomcross_/status/994607052466114561

SpunkyEnigma · « **Reply #83 on:** 05/10/2018 05:40 pm »

Looks like liftoff is now 4:42 EDT

https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/994632986006978560

worldtimedate · « **Reply #84 on:** 05/10/2018 05:52 pm »

SpaceX webcast page still showing the lift off at 4:12 PM EDT.
http://www.spacex.com/webcast

But the SpaceX twitter page has changed the time.

Falcon 9 Block 5 and Bangabandhu Satellite-1 went vertical on Pad 39A in Florida this morning. Now targeting liftoff at 4:42 p.m. EDT, 20:42 UTC – vehicle and payload look good, completing final check outs at the pad.

Countdown :
SpaceX F9 : Bangabandhu-1 Satellite Launch Mission

--- [ --- ]

ChrisGebhardt · « **Reply #85 on:** 05/10/2018 06:36 pm »

Elon telecon hapopening right now for reporters. Updates from that to follow.

ChrisGebhardt · « **Reply #86 on:** 05/10/2018 06:39 pm »

Elon: On track to double launch rate this year from last year.

If all goes to plan this year, SpaceX will launch more missions than any other country this year.

Elon recapping success of SpaceX today.

Once we started landing booster, success rate has been high.

Goals with Block 5
- Really it's the 6th iteration of Falcon 9
- This will be last major version.
- There will be small improvements/minor changes from here for manufacturing and reusability.
- Up to 300 more flights of Falcon 9 Block 5 before retirement.

"Block is s strange word we took from the Russians."

ChrisGebhardt · « **Reply #87 on:** 05/10/2018 06:42 pm »

Elon talking about 10 flights, maintenance, 10 flight, repeat... up to 100 (or more) flights per booster.

24hr reflight of single Block 5 coming as soon as next year.

Block 5 exceeds all NASA requirements for crew. And meets all Air Force requirements.

"Goal is to be most reliable rocket ever built."

ChrisGebhardt · « **Reply #88 on:** 05/10/2018 06:44 pm »

Stage 2 has the Block 5 engine, but will operate like a Block 4 engine on this flight.

ChrisGebhardt · « **Reply #89 on:** 05/10/2018 06:47 pm »

Landing legs has internal latching mechanism that can be activated with ease. Folding the legs after landing is going be much quicker and easier now.

ChrisGebhardt · « **Reply #90 on:** 05/10/2018 06:47 pm »

Titanium grid fins are now standard and what will be used going forward. Can withstand 2,000 degrees F temps.

ChrisGebhardt · « **Reply #91 on:** 05/10/2018 06:50 pm »

Fairing 2.0 is on this vehicle. It will not be recovered on this flight.

ChrisGebhardt · « **Reply #92 on:** 05/10/2018 06:52 pm »

Elon confident that full reusability of the Second Stage is achievable. Will start gathering Stage 2 reentry data on upcoming flights.

ChrisGebhardt · « **Reply #93 on:** 05/10/2018 06:55 pm »

Elon believes that this flight will count toward commercial crew (7 before crew).

ChrisGebhardt · « **Reply #94 on:** 05/10/2018 06:57 pm »

"We expect no unnecessary action taken between flights - just like an aircraft."

Getting it back, retract legs, go to pad, attach Stage 2, attach payload, go to pad, fuel, launch.

ChrisGebhardt · « **Reply #95 on:** 05/10/2018 06:59 pm »

No timeline yet on when this particular booster will refly a 2nd and 3rd time.

We are going be very rigorous in taken this rocket apart and make sure it doesn't need to be taken apart.

Couple months for this rocket to refly.

Late this year, we should start seeing good reflights of 3rd and 4th times.

By end of next year, we should start seeing Block 5s reaching their 10th reflight.

ChrisGebhardt · « **Reply #96 on:** 05/10/2018 07:01 pm »

Human-rated rockets have to be overdesigned by 40% to meet crew safety requirements.

ChrisGebhardt · « **Reply #97 on:** 05/10/2018 07:04 pm »

NEW LAUNCH TIME: 17:47 EDT (2147 GMT).

ChrisGebhardt · « **Reply #98 on:** 05/10/2018 07:10 pm »

About 30-50 Block 5s are planned. Dependent on how many customers demand to launch on a new rocket.

Right now, flight-proven F9s are priced at $50 million USD. New boosters are $60 million USD.

ChrisGebhardt · « **Reply #99 on:** 05/10/2018 07:23 pm »

OK. Elon telecon over. Back to this launch campaign.

In case you missed it, launch has been realigned for 1747 EDT (2147 UTC).