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SpaceX Vehicles and Missions => SpaceX Falcon Missions Section => Topic started by: woods170 on 02/20/2019 07:16 am

Title: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: woods170 on 02/20/2019 07:16 am
Discussion thread for the NROL-87 mission.

NSF Threads for NROL-87 : Discussion (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=47476.0)
NSF Articles for NROL-87 :

February 2, 2022 on Falcon 9 at 20:27 UTC (12:27pm PST), on new booster 1071 from Vandenberg SFB SLC-4E to SSO (Sun-Synchronous Orbit).

Quote
SpaceX is targeting Wednesday, February 2 for Falcon 9’s launch of NROL-87 to orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The instantaneous launch window is at 12:18 p.m. PST (20:18 UTC), and a backup opportunity is available on February 3 at 12:18 p.m. PST (20:18 UTC).

Following stage separation, Falcon 9’s first stage will land on Landing Zone 4 at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.



https://spacenews.com/air-force-awards-739-million-in-launch-contracts-to-ula-and-spacex/ (https://spacenews.com/air-force-awards-739-million-in-launch-contracts-to-ula-and-spacex/)
Quote from: Sandra Erwin
The U.S. Air Force has divided $739 million in launch contracts between United Launch Alliance and SpaceX for six national security missions slated for 2021-2022. The contracts, awarded under the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program, were announced Tuesday evening by Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center.
SpaceX will receive $297 million  to launch AFSPC-44, NROL-85, and NROL-87.

Earlier discussion on the contract is in the EELV Phase 1A-6 Thread (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=44184.0).
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : NET 2021
Post by: vaporcobra on 02/24/2019 10:41 am
Here's the specific table from the RFP (attachment 5).
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : NET 2021
Post by: soltasto on 02/24/2019 12:37 pm
The corresponding orbit is: 512.7km x 512.7km x 97.4°
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : NET 2021
Post by: Phillipsturtles on 04/28/2020 01:00 pm
Could this launch be the first of the Next Generation Electo-Optical series? The targeted orbit doesn't seem to match with any other existing NRO satellites.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : NET 2021
Post by: Jansen on 11/19/2020 03:18 pm
https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/1149

NET June 2021
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : NET 2021
Post by: Jansen on 05/17/2021 06:48 pm
NET 2022
https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/1149
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : February 2022
Post by: gongora on 06/15/2021 05:03 pm
https://www.nro.gov/News/News-Articles/Article/2658542/nro-returns-to-virginias-space-coast-with-nrol-111/

Quote
NROL-111 is NRO’s final scheduled launch for 2021. In 2022, NRO is scheduled to start the year with two launches from New Zealand in January and February, NROL-162 and NROL-199. Also in February, NROL-87 is scheduled to launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base. Three additional NRO missions are planned for later in 2022.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : February 2022
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 09/08/2021 12:35 am
Cross-post with image attached; launch circa February 2, 2022:
Presented by Col. Melone at today's [September 7] SPRSA meeting
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : February 2022
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 01/10/2022 09:03 pm
Cross-posts:
Mission 1494 from Vandy NET late January with no droneship listed.  NROL-87?  RTLS?

1981-EX-ST-2021 (https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/els/reports/STA_Print.cfm?mode=current&application_seq=112053&RequestTimeout=1000)

<snip>
SFN Launch Schedule (https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/), updated January 10.

Also, NROL-87 is listed in February, no date.

Apparently, plenty of room for a Vandenberg Starlink launch beforehand, if SpaceX desires.



In addition, given the two first stages currently in use at Vandenberg, 1051.12 and 1063.4, I suspect that 1063.4 will be used for the NRO launch; as the NRO is an "external" customer, and 1051 will be the first booster used for the twelfth time.

I therefore suspect 1051.12 will be used for the next Vandenberg Starlink launch (if it's in the near future).



Vandenberg SFB launch schedule for the immediate future:
2022 Launched:
№ – Date - Satellite(s) - Rocket - Launch Site - Time (UTC)

February 2 NET Jun 2021/NLT Dec 2021 NET 2022 Feb ~Feb 2 Feb - NROL-87 - Falcon 9-139 140 (1071.1 L? 1063.4) - Vandenberg SLC-4E - 20:27:36 16:37 to 21:38 19:07-21:38 20:18
(Sun-synchronous orbit satellites: launch at approximately the same time of day year-round)

2022 Scheduled:
№ – Date - Satellite(s) - Rocket - Launch Site - Time (UTC)

NET February 14 NET Sept 2021 Oct 2021 NET Nov 2021 NET Dec 2021 NET Jan 2022 - Starlink 4-11? 2-3 2-TBD TBD (x52 x51? xTBD) (flight TBD/high-inclination flight 3 polar flight 1?) [v1.5 TBD v2.0 L3 L-TBD] - Falcon 9 (1063.4? 1063.4? 1051.12? S) - Vandenberg SLC-4E
(mid-inclination Starlink: launch 20-22 minutes earlier/day)

Changes on November 19th, 2020
Changes on May 17th, 2021
Changes on May 28th, 2021
Changes on June 15th, 2021
Changes on July 23rd, 2021
Changes on July 27th, 2021
Changes on August 15th, 2021
Changes on September 1st, 2021
Changes on September 7th, 2021
Changes on September 11th, 2021
Changes on October 22nd, 2021
Changes on November 5th, 2021
Changes on November 24th, 2021
Changes on December 10th, 2021
Changes on December 14th, 2021
Changes on December 15th, 2021
Changes on December 19th, 2021
Changes on January 7th, 2022
Changes on January 10th, 2022
Changes on January 19th, 2022
Changes on January 22nd, 2022
Changes on January 26th, 2022
Changes on January 27th, 2022
Changes on January 28th, 2022
Changes on February 1st, 2022
Changes on February 2nd, 2022
zubenelgenubi
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : February 2022
Post by: Conexion Espacial on 01/17/2022 06:08 am
In addition, given the two first stages currently in use at Vandenberg, 1051.12 and 1063.4, I suspect that 1063.4 will be used for the NRO launch; as the NRO is an "external" customer, and 1051 will be the first booster used for the twelfth time.

I therefore suspect 1051.12 will be used for the next Vandenberg Starlink launch (if it's in the near future).
I understand that for the NROL-87 mission the B1071 could be used and it would be its first and only launch.
In addition, it was seen that it was going to California 4 weeks ago.
https://twitter.com/bluemoondance74/status/1472740560742010883
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : February 2022
Post by: Rekt1971 on 01/17/2022 10:03 am
In addition, given the two first stages currently in use at Vandenberg, 1051.12 and 1063.4, I suspect that 1063.4 will be used for the NRO launch; as the NRO is an "external" customer, and 1051 will be the first booster used for the twelfth time.

I therefore suspect 1051.12 will be used for the next Vandenberg Starlink launch (if it's in the near future).
I understand that for the NROL-87 mission the B1071 could be used and it would be its first and only launch.
In addition, it was seen that it was going to California 4 weeks ago.
https://twitter.com/bluemoondance74/status/1472740560742010883

Why would it be B1071's only launch?
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : February 2022
Post by: Conexion Espacial on 01/17/2022 03:44 pm
In addition, given the two first stages currently in use at Vandenberg, 1051.12 and 1063.4, I suspect that 1063.4 will be used for the NRO launch; as the NRO is an "external" customer, and 1051 will be the first booster used for the twelfth time.

I therefore suspect 1051.12 will be used for the next Vandenberg Starlink launch (if it's in the near future).
I understand that for the NROL-87 mission the B1071 could be used and it would be its first and only launch.
In addition, it was seen that it was going to California 4 weeks ago.
https://twitter.com/bluemoondance74/status/1472740560742010883 (https://twitter.com/bluemoondance74/status/1472740560742010883)

Why would it be B1071's only launch?
Because for the NROL-87 mission, the booster will not be recovered (regardless of which one is used), the FCC license does not indicate a first stage recovery.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : February 2022
Post by: Josh_from_Canada on 01/17/2022 03:54 pm
Because for the NROL-87 mission, the booster will not be recovered (regardless of which one is used), the FCC license does not indicate a first stage recovery.
No drone ship is listed could imply that it's a RTLS mission. Have previous RTLS missions had first stage recovery listed in the FCC license?
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : February 2022
Post by: Conexion Espacial on 01/17/2022 04:11 pm
Because for the NROL-87 mission, the booster will not be recovered (regardless of which one is used), the FCC license does not indicate a first stage recovery.
No drone ship is listed could imply that it's a RTLS mission. Have previous RTLS missions had first stage recovery listed in the FCC license?
This is the license where recovery is not mentioned:
https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/els/reports/STA_Print.cfm?mode=current&application_seq=112053 (https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/els/reports/STA_Print.cfm?mode=current&application_seq=112053)
This is a license where first stage recovery is mentioned:
https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/els/reports/STA_Print.cfm?mode=current&application_seq=110399 (https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/els/reports/STA_Print.cfm?mode=current&application_seq=110399)
This Sentinel-6A Michael Freilich mission license (https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/els/reports/STA_Print.cfm?mode=current&application_seq=102607) also does not mention a landing, however, the feedback I have received is that for NROL-87 the first stage will not be recovered.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : February 2022
Post by: Skyrocket on 01/17/2022 04:20 pm
Because for the NROL-87 mission, the booster will not be recovered (regardless of which one is used), the FCC license does not indicate a first stage recovery.
No drone ship is listed could imply that it's a RTLS mission. Have previous RTLS missions had first stage recovery listed in the FCC license?

Missions with no droneships still add a note whether "experimental recovery" is included
1845-EX-ST-2021   Mission 1574   FL   Yes (CSG-2?)
1811-EX-ST-2021   Mission 1709   FL   Not Mentioned (O3b mPOWER 4-6?)
1981-EX-ST-2021   Mission 1494   CA   Not Mentioned (NROL-87?)
2038-EX-ST-2021   Mission 1574   FL   Yes (thought to be Transporter 3)



If Mission 1709 is O3b mPOWER 4-6, then it is an expendable mission. This would support the notion, that NROL-87 is also expendable.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : February 2022
Post by: Conexion Espacial on 01/17/2022 04:28 pm
Because for the NROL-87 mission, the booster will not be recovered (regardless of which one is used), the FCC license does not indicate a first stage recovery.
No drone ship is listed could imply that it's a RTLS mission. Have previous RTLS missions had first stage recovery listed in the FCC license?

Missions with no droneships still add a note whether "experimental recovery" is included
1845-EX-ST-2021   Mission 1574   FL   Yes (CSG-2?)
1811-EX-ST-2021   Mission 1709   FL   Not Mentioned (O3b mPOWER 4-6?)
1981-EX-ST-2021   Mission 1494   CA   Not Mentioned (NROL-87?)
2038-EX-ST-2021   Mission 1574   FL   Yes (thought to be Transporter 3)



If Mission 1709 is O3b mPOWER 4-6, then it is an expendable mission. This would support the notion, that NROL-87 is also expendable.
Also, in the post that you replicate where the four missions are, we can confirm that in Transporter-3 the ground landing was used and will be used in the CSG-2 mission.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : February 2022
Post by: Huskymaniac on 01/19/2022 12:49 am
Is Feb 2nd a hard date like DART was or is it a more normal launch where there are frequent windows?
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : February 2022
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 01/19/2022 01:00 am
See up-thread here (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=47476.msg2287147#msg2287147).
February 2 was never a firm date.
Is Feb 2nd a hard date like DART was or is it a more normal launch where there are frequent windows?
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : February 2022
Post by: Conexion Espacial on 01/19/2022 09:29 pm

The launch of the NROL-87 mission is scheduled for February 2 at 16:37 UTC.https://twitter.com/natreconofc/status/1483919831636316160?s=21
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : February 2022
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 01/19/2022 10:23 pm
The launch of the NROL-87 mission is scheduled for February 2 at 16:37 UTC.
Five hours, one minute seems to be a long launch window.  Ah, well.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : February 2022
Post by: AC in NC on 01/20/2022 12:26 am
The launch of the NROL-87 mission is scheduled for February 2 at 16:37 UTC.
Five hours, one minute seems to be a long launch window.  Ah, well.
Would it be going too far to suggest that the wording perhaps doesn't delineate a "launch window" as we typically define that?
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : February 2022
Post by: scr00chy on 01/20/2022 12:28 am
The launch of the NROL-87 mission is scheduled for February 2 at 16:37 UTC.
Five hours, one minute seems to be a long launch window.  Ah, well.
Would it be going too far to suggest that the wording perhaps doesn't delineate a "launch window" as we typically define that?

Yeah, I think we've seen cases in the past where these long windows were narrowed down closer to launch.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022
Post by: ATPTourFan on 01/20/2022 02:07 pm
Especially with NROL missions. They like to keep the actual launch time secret as late as possible.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022
Post by: Ken the Bin on 01/20/2022 05:03 pm
From this week's USCG District 11 Local Notice to Mariners.  Times are PST (UTC-08:00).

Quote from: USCG
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA-VANDENBERG AFB-HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS

Hazardous operations will be conducted from Vandenberg AFB, CA starting at 8:37am on 02 February, 2022 until 1:38pm on 03 February, 2022.
Hazardous operation areas are bounded by the following coordinates:
34-42-00N 120-41-00W
34-41-00N 120-32-00W
34-31-00N 120-26-00W
34-18-00N 120-30-00W
33-40-00N 120-53-00W
32-10-00N 121-24-00W
31-25-00N 121-27-00W
31-07-00N 121-40-00W
31-09-00N 121-55-00W
31-35-00N 121-52-00W
32-17-00N 121-27-00W
34-29-00N 120-46-00W
Mariners are advised to remain clear of these areas for the duration of operations. For more details or comments contact Vandenberg AFB at 805-606-0002.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022
Post by: Alexphysics on 01/20/2022 07:48 pm
From this week's USCG District 11 Local Notice to Mariners.  Times are PST (UTC-08:00).

Quote from: USCG
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA-VANDENBERG AFB-HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS

Hazardous operations will be conducted from Vandenberg AFB, CA starting at 8:37am on 02 February, 2022 until 1:38pm on 03 February, 2022.
Hazardous operation areas are bounded by the following coordinates:
34-42-00N 120-41-00W
34-41-00N 120-32-00W
34-31-00N 120-26-00W
34-18-00N 120-30-00W
33-40-00N 120-53-00W
32-10-00N 121-24-00W
31-25-00N 121-27-00W
31-07-00N 121-40-00W
31-09-00N 121-55-00W
31-35-00N 121-52-00W
32-17-00N 121-27-00W
34-29-00N 120-46-00W
Mariners are advised to remain clear of these areas for the duration of operations. For more details or comments contact Vandenberg AFB at 805-606-0002.

Well it looks pretty much like what we expected. A flight to sun synchronous orbit, likely for observation and doing some good ole spying heh

Could this launch be the first of the Next Generation Electo-Optical series? The targeted orbit doesn't seem to match with any other existing NRO satellites.
[zubenelgenubi: Added quote.]
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022
Post by: gongora on 01/21/2022 08:05 pm
https://twitter.com/NatReconOfc/status/1484601791211786241
Quote
Pretty symbolic, don’t you think? The #NROL87 launch patch features a wild mountain goat standing proud atop a mountain peak remaining watchfully alert. NRO maintains constant vigilance from above in protecting our nation and its citizens.
#space #spacebound #vigilancefromabove
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : February 2022
Post by: Conexion Espacial on 01/22/2022 03:11 pm
In addition, given the two first stages currently in use at Vandenberg, 1051.12 and 1063.4, I suspect that 1063.4 will be used for the NRO launch; as the NRO is an "external" customer, and 1051 will be the first booster used for the twelfth time.

I therefore suspect 1051.12 will be used for the next Vandenberg Starlink launch (if it's in the near future).
I understand that for the NROL-87 mission the B1071 could be used and it would be its first and only launch.
In addition, it was seen that it was going to California 4 weeks ago.
https://twitter.com/bluemoondance74/status/1472740560742010883 (https://twitter.com/bluemoondance74/status/1472740560742010883)

Why would it be B1071's only launch?
Because for the NROL-87 mission, the booster will not be recovered (regardless of which one is used), the FCC license does not indicate a first stage recovery.
NextSpaceFlight (https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/1149) indicates that the Falcon 9 first stage will land in Landing Zone 4.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022
Post by: Huskymaniac on 01/22/2022 07:45 pm
Forecast shows clouds and scattered sprinkles.  If they can't launch on the 2nd, is this the type of mission that will have another window on the 3rd or 4th and so on?

Anyone know what the fog situation has been like lately?
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022
Post by: Ken the Bin on 01/22/2022 08:17 pm
Forecast shows clouds and scattered sprinkles.  If they can't launch on the 2nd, is this the type of mission that will have another window on the 3rd or 4th and so on?

Anyone know what the fog situation has been like lately?

The notice from the USCG covers February 2 and February 3.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022
Post by: Zed_Noir on 01/23/2022 03:15 am
https://twitter.com/NatReconOfc/status/1484601791211786241
Quote
Pretty symbolic, don’t you think? The #NROL87 launch patch features a wild mountain goat standing proud atop a mountain peak remaining watchfully alert. NRO maintains constant vigilance from above in protecting our nation and its citizens.
#space #spacebound #vigilancefromabove

Hmm. Looks too much like the Capella Space company logo in mirror image.  :-\
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022
Post by: Newton_V on 01/23/2022 04:26 am
Picked up some cool swag recently.  Like the logo.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022
Post by: Newton_V on 01/23/2022 04:41 am
This one's better.  Forgot I owned that carving.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 01/23/2022 06:31 pm
Possible first stages for NROL-87:
1063.4 or 1071.1.
No other plausible stages will be/are known to be available.

My >guess< regarding Static Fire or not would be:
NRO/USSF will pay for a Static Fire, especially so if this payload is the long-awaited first replacement of the KH-11's.

Edit: correction

Edit Jan 26: Successful Static Fire.  Booster ID not revealed.

Edit Jan 28: 1071.1 confirmed.

Edit Feb 2: Successful launch and LZ-4 landing.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022
Post by: Spiffles on 01/23/2022 07:28 pm
Possible first stages for Starlink 4-7:
1063.4 or 1071.1.


I'm going to assume you mean NROL-87  ;)
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022
Post by: Jim on 01/23/2022 07:34 pm

My >guess< regarding Static Fire or not would be:
NRO/USSF will pay for a Static Fire, especially so if this payload is the long-awaited first replacement of the KH-11's.

It can’t be that payload
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022
Post by: Yeknom-Ecaps on 01/25/2022 05:40 pm
Is there an image of the logo with a white background? Thanks.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022
Post by: Conexion Espacial on 01/25/2022 07:02 pm
Is there an image of the logo with a white background? Thanks.
How about this?
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022
Post by: vaporcobra on 01/26/2022 02:23 am

My >guess< regarding Static Fire or not would be:
NRO/USSF will pay for a Static Fire, especially so if this payload is the long-awaited first replacement of the KH-11's.

It can’t be that payload

Just for context, I believe Jim means it can't be a Keyhole-class satellite unless it's been redesigned to tolerate horizontal integration. But AFAIK, the latest generation - Block V - started launching on Delta IV Heavy in 2019 and again in 2021 and I've heard nothing about plans for a sixth block upgrade.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 01/26/2022 02:38 am
My >guess< regarding Static Fire or not would be:
NRO/USSF will pay for a Static Fire, especially so if this payload is the long-awaited first replacement of the KH-11's.
It can’t be that payload
Just for context, I believe Jim means it can't be a Keyhole-class satellite unless it's been redesigned to tolerate horizontal integration. But AFAIK, the latest generation - Block V - started launching on Delta IV Heavy in 2019 and again in 2021 and I've heard nothing about plans for a sixth block upgrade.
I seem to recall mention of a successor to the KH-11's, of a new design--so not a KH-11 block 6.  My recollection could very well be faulty.  PT's post up-thread:
Could this launch be the first of the Next Generation Electo-Optical series? The targeted orbit doesn't seem to match with any other existing NRO satellites.

You are correct to mention possible incompatibility with horizontal launch integration.  Unless accommodating such is a feature designed for?

Can any of our experts speak to this?
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022
Post by: Jim on 01/26/2022 02:50 am
There still is a west coast Delta IV Heavy left. 
No long Falcon 9 fairings yet.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022
Post by: ZachS09 on 01/26/2022 07:55 pm
https://twitter.com/spacex/status/1486442301597491200
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 01/26/2022 08:04 pm
Quote from: SpaceX
Static fire test of Falcon 9 complete – targeting February 2 for launch of the NROL-87 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
Anyone who saw the Static Fire and is free to talk: which first stage?

One would not even need to read markings or perform photographic analysis.  1063.4 wears some soot.  1071.1 would be clean as a cyborg baby's bottom. 👶 🤖

Edited
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022
Post by: Ken the Bin on 01/27/2022 03:37 am
From this week's USCG District 11 Local Notice to Mariners.  Times are PST (UTC-08:00).

Quote from: USCG
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA-VANDENBERG AFB-HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS

Hazardous operations will be conducted from Vandenberg AFB, CA starting at 8:37am on 02 February, 2022 until 1:38pm on 03 February, 2022.
Hazardous operation areas are bounded by the following coordinates:
34-42-00N 120-41-00W
34-41-00N 120-32-00W
34-31-00N 120-26-00W
34-18-00N 120-30-00W
33-40-00N 120-53-00W
32-10-00N 121-24-00W
31-25-00N 121-27-00W
31-07-00N 121-40-00W
31-09-00N 121-55-00W
31-35-00N 121-52-00W
32-17-00N 121-27-00W
34-29-00N 120-46-00W
Mariners are advised to remain clear of these areas for the duration of operations. For more details or comments contact Vandenberg AFB at 805-606-0002.

The new USCG District 11 weekly Local Notice to Mariners has a different start time.  The times are PST (UTC-08:00).  So the old start time (see above) was 16:37 UTC.  The new start time (see below) is 19:07 UTC.

Quote from: USCG
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA-VANDENBERG AFB-HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS

Hazardous operations will be conducted from Vandenberg AFB, CA starting at 11:07am on 02 February, 2022 until 1:38pm on 03 February, 2022.
Hazardous operation areas are bounded by the following coordinates:
34-42-00N 120-41-00W
34-41-00N 120-32-00W
34-31-00N 120-26-00W
34-18-00N 120-30-00W
33-40-00N 120-53-00W
32-10-00N 121-24-00W
31-25-00N 121-27-00W
31-07-00N 121-40-00W
31-09-00N 121-55-00W
31-35-00N 121-52-00W
32-17-00N 121-27-00W
34-29-00N 120-46-00W
Mariners are advised to remain clear of these areas for the duration of operations. For more details or comments contact Vandenberg AFB at 805-606-0002.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022
Post by: Conexion Espacial on 01/27/2022 12:25 pm
Quote from: SpaceX
Static fire test of Falcon 9 complete – targeting February 2 for launch of the NROL-87 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
Anyone who saw the Static Fire and is free to talk: which first stage?

One would not even need to read markings or perform photographic analysis.  1063.4 wears some soot.  1071.1 would be clean as a cyborg baby's bottom. 👶 🤖

Edited
I have seen a photo (private) where he looks cleaner than ever and leggs. I don't know if NRO requested it new or it was coinicidence.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022
Post by: Chinakpradhan on 01/27/2022 02:56 pm
Quote from: SpaceX
Static fire test of Falcon 9 complete – targeting February 2 for launch of the NROL-87 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
Anyone who saw the Static Fire and is free to talk: which first stage?

One would not even need to read markings or perform photographic analysis.  1063.4 wears some soot.  1071.1 would be clean as a cyborg baby's bottom. 👶 🤖

Edited
I have seen a photo (private) where he looks cleaner than ever and leggs. I don't know if NRO requested it new or it was coinicidence.
then b1071.1
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022
Post by: Ken the Bin on 01/28/2022 01:42 pm
NGA notice.  Note that it has the same later 19:07 UTC start time to the warning period as in the revised USCG notice.

Quote from: NGA
280731Z JAN 22
NAVAREA XII 45/22(17,18,19).
EASTERN NORTH PACIFIC.
CALIFORNIA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS:
   A. 1907Z TO 2138Z DAILY 02 AND 03 FEB
      IN AREA BOUND BY
      34-42N 120-41W, 34-41N 120-32W,
      34-31N 120-26W, 34-18N 120-30W,
      33-40N 120-53W, 32-10N 121-24W,
      31-25N 121-27W, 31-07N 121-40W,
      31-09N 121-55W, 31-35N 121-52W,
      32-17N 121-27W, 34-29N 120-46W.
   B. 2110Z TO 2249Z DAILY 02 AND 03 FEB
      IN AREAS BOUND BY
      54-00N 144-30W, 50-45N 134-30W,
      29-15N 140-00W, 32-30N 150-30W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 032349Z FEB 22.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022
Post by: Conexion Espacial on 01/28/2022 07:41 pm
Quote from: SpaceX
Static fire test of Falcon 9 complete – targeting February 2 for launch of the NROL-87 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
Anyone who saw the Static Fire and is free to talk: which first stage?

One would not even need to read markings or perform photographic analysis.  1063.4 wears some soot.  1071.1 would be clean as a cyborg baby's bottom. 👶 🤖

Edited
I have seen a photo (private) where he looks cleaner than ever and leggs. I don't know if NRO requested it new or it was coinicidence.
NextSpaceFlight (https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/1149) also states that it is B1071
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:18 UTC)
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 01/28/2022 11:58 pm
NGA notice.  Note that it has the same later 19:07 UTC start time to the warning period as in the revised USCG notice.
<snip>
Launch time is revealed to be within the window, but not at the opening.
Cross-post:
https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/
Update January 28
Quote
Feb. 2 • Falcon 9 • NROL-87
Launch time: 2018 GMT (3:18 p.m. EST; 12:18 p.m. PST)
Launch site: SLC-4E, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:18 UTC)
Post by: Targeteer on 01/30/2022 05:04 pm
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=244051521246546&set=a.164921892492843

National Reconnaissance Office  1m

 ·One of the coolest jobs at the NRO is being Mission Manager of a launch.
In an exclusive interview with #NROL87 Mission Manager Maj. Emily Stanhouse, we take an inside look at the role, the mission, and the hard work it takes to successfully put a payload on orbit.
Stay tuned to hear the interview on the next episode of The Dish podcast airing later this week.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:18 UTC)
Post by: Huskymaniac on 01/30/2022 09:08 pm
On missions like this, are people restricted to vantage points so far away that they can't really experience the launch?
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:18 UTC)
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 01/30/2022 10:58 pm
Here's the NRO Press Kit.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:18 UTC)
Post by: Conexion Espacial on 01/31/2022 06:04 pm
Spaceflight Now says that B1071 will fly another NRO mission later this year, maybe NROL-85?
Quote
It will mark the fourth landing of a Falcon rocket booster at Vandenberg. SpaceX plans to refurbish the booster for another flight later this year for the NRO, an agency spokesperson told Spaceflight Now.
https://spaceflightnow.com/2022/01/31/spacex-preps-for-launch-of-spy-satellite-payload-from-california-this-week/ (https://spaceflightnow.com/2022/01/31/spacex-preps-for-launch-of-spy-satellite-payload-from-california-this-week/)
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:18 UTC)
Post by: Rondaz on 02/01/2022 01:46 am
Departure! NRC Quest is outbound for the Pacific Ocean to recover the fairing during the upcoming NROL-87 mission.

Booster will RTLS to LZ-4.

https://twitter.com/SpaceOffshore/status/1488321661539606532
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:18 UTC)
Post by: Conexion Espacial on 02/01/2022 02:08 pm
https://twitter.com/Raul74Cz/status/1488512517274050560
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:18 UTC)
Post by: dglow on 02/01/2022 03:13 pm
Tomorrow’s forecast looks ideal: zero cloud cover, humidity dropping significantly around noon.

Anyone heading to Lompoc for this?
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:18 UTC)
Post by: jaredhead on 02/01/2022 03:42 pm
I'm going to take the drive up with a camera and a big lens. Will be somewhere in that mishmash of roads west of Lompoc, wherever I can get. I know about the roadblocks, so hopefully I can find a nice spot regardless.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:18 UTC)
Post by: Pheogh on 02/01/2022 03:53 pm
Tomorrow’s forecast looks ideal: zero cloud cover, humidity dropping significantly around noon.

Anyone heading to Lompoc for this?

I am planning on heading from the Bay Area, first Falcon launch first time at Vandenburg. Desperate for recommendations on where is the best place to view from considering usual road blocks. Flying blind here so any recommendations are greatly appreciated.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:18 UTC)
Post by: russianhalo117 on 02/01/2022 03:55 pm
Tomorrow’s forecast looks ideal: zero cloud cover, humidity dropping significantly around noon.

Anyone heading to Lompoc for this?

I am planning on heading from the Bay Area, first Falcon launch first time at Vandenburg. Desperate for recommendations on where is the best place to view from considering usual road blocks. Flying blind here so any recommendations are greatly appreciated.
This dedicated thread will help you: SpaceX Falcon 9 - Vandenberg - Launch Viewing (http://https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=41995.0)
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:18 UTC)
Post by: dglow on 02/01/2022 04:40 pm
Tomorrow’s forecast looks ideal: zero cloud cover, humidity dropping significantly around noon.

Anyone heading to Lompoc for this?

I am planning on heading from the Bay Area, first Falcon launch first time at Vandenburg. Desperate for recommendations on where is the best place to view from considering usual road blocks. Flying blind here so any recommendations are greatly appreciated.
This dedicated thread will help you: SpaceX Falcon 9 - Vandenberg - Launch Viewing (http://https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=41995.0)

That link is broken - fixed here:  SpaceX Falcon 9 - Vandenberg - Launch Viewing (https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=41995.0)
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:18 UTC)
Post by: StarshipTrooper on 02/01/2022 06:55 pm
Is anyone live-streaming this?
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:18 UTC)
Post by: markbike528cbx on 02/01/2022 07:15 pm
Is anyone live-streaming this?
I'm on SpaceX.com at T-5 and nothing shows, so probably not.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:18 UTC)
Post by: Rekt1971 on 02/01/2022 07:16 pm
The launch is tomorrow...
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:18 UTC)
Post by: Conexion Espacial on 02/01/2022 08:49 pm
¡Welcome Falcon 9 B1071!
https://twitter.com/thejackbeyer/status/1488630264599232513 (https://twitter.com/nextspaceflight/status/1488630345922596867)
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:18 UTC)
Post by: wannamoonbase on 02/01/2022 08:51 pm
The launch is tomorrow...

3rd RTLS in a month, that has to make the recovery crews very happy. 

Nothing like a Vandy Landing.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:18 UTC)
Post by: Conexion Espacial on 02/01/2022 10:53 pm
https://twitter.com/sandovalphotos/status/1488629642491674626
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:18 UTC)
Post by: Conexion Espacial on 02/01/2022 11:12 pm
https://twitter.com/w00ki33/status/1488663645999403009
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:18 UTC)
Post by: alugobi on 02/01/2022 11:31 pm
It's too white.  It doesn't look like a rocket.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:18 UTC)
Post by: Rondaz on 02/02/2022 01:29 am
Falcon on the best coast.

https://twitter.com/nextspaceflight/status/1488630285591740417
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:18 UTC)
Post by: Rondaz on 02/02/2022 01:33 am
SpaceX Falcon 9 B1071 is still horizontal as of sunset, ahead of tomorrow’s launch of NROL-87. Here are some additional photos from remote camera setup.

https://twitter.com/thejackbeyer/status/1488680261436915712
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:18 UTC)
Post by: Conexion Espacial on 02/02/2022 06:22 am
SpaceX Livestream
https://youtu.be/bVk8XyjhTKo
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:18 UTC)
Post by: Conexion Espacial on 02/02/2022 06:22 am
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1488774356926824448
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:18 UTC)
Post by: Conexion Espacial on 02/02/2022 06:26 am

NROL-87 information
Quote
SpaceX is targeting Wednesday, February 2 for Falcon 9’s launch of NROL-87 to orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The instantaneous launch window is at 12:18 p.m. PST (20:18 UTC), and a backup opportunity is available on February 3 at 12:18 p.m. PST (20:18 UTC).


Following stage separation, Falcon 9’s first stage will land on Landing Zone 4 at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
https://www.spacex.com/launches/nrol-87/index.html
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:18 UTC)
Post by: Conexion Espacial on 02/02/2022 06:42 am
https://twitter.com/NatReconOfc/status/1488759643266560003
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:18 UTC)
Post by: Conexion Espacial on 02/02/2022 07:18 am
Mission Patch by SpaceX.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:18 UTC)
Post by: Targeteer on 02/02/2022 09:42 am
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=245490364435995&set=a.164921892492843

National Reconnaissance Office 7h  ·
#NROL87 has a lot of "firsts" for NRO. It's our first launch of 2022, first rocket core to be reused in a future launch, and first #SpaceX Falcon 9 under the National Security Space Launch contract.

Hear more from Mission Manager Maj. Emily Stanhouse in our latest #podcast episode on the Dish. 🎧 🛰️ Listen → https://bit.ly/3ghrQFs

https://soundcloud.com/user-553105389/sitting-down-with-nrol-87-mission-manager-maj-emily-stanhouse?fbclid=IwAR3ZwvpBXUPwLeGbney6DVSxpqt_xk_101giR76Iz3FVM75Nlf-6XZvvxvI
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:18 UTC)
Post by: Chinakpradhan on 02/02/2022 11:03 am
The launch is tomorrow...

3rd RTLS in a month, that has to make the recovery crews very happy. 

Nothing like a Vandy Landing.
yes lz-4 is 0.2 mile from slc-4e and LZ-1 and LZ-2 is about 6 mile from SLC-40 and pad 39a
So nothing like that and maybe (may not be) longer boostback burn (I haven't seen Vandy landing)
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:18 UTC)
Post by: EHF-Antenna on 02/02/2022 12:34 pm
Here clean circular mission patch
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:18 UTC)
Post by: 4353 on 02/02/2022 12:45 pm
Trajectory on first revolution.
estimated elset: http://www.satobs.org/seesat/Feb-2022/0007.html
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:18 UTC)
Post by: soltasto on 02/02/2022 05:58 pm
"Press kit" capture with OCR, plus bonus
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:18 UTC)
Post by: Josh_from_Canada on 02/02/2022 06:21 pm
NROL-87 Mission Control Audio
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r43ccMkInZ8
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:18 UTC)
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 02/02/2022 06:37 pm
NSF Stream.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJp6IgEz8Gk
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:18 UTC)
Post by: kdhilliard on 02/02/2022 06:40 pm
New T-0 announced on the Countdown Net:
20:27:26 Z (UTC) -- 12:27:26 Z Local (PST)
Quote
Attention on Countdown 1, this is Launch Director.
Mission Director has implemented a new T-0.
The new T-0 is 20 : 27 : 26 Zulu; That's 12:27 and 26 seconds Local.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 02/02/2022 06:48 pm
T-38 minutes. A short launch poll was performed. Go for launch was given.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 02/02/2022 06:52 pm
T-36 minutes. Go for propellant loading has been given.

NSF stream has started.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 02/02/2022 06:53 pm
T-35 minutes. Launch auto sequence has started, indicating start of propellant loading.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 02/02/2022 07:03 pm
T-25 minutes.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 02/02/2022 07:08 pm
T-20 minute vent, indicating second stage RP-1 loading is complete.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 02/02/2022 07:12 pm
T-16 minutes. Second stage LOX loading should be starting about now.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Rondaz on 02/02/2022 07:13 pm
NROL-87 Mission - Music Playing

https://youtu.be/bVk8XyjhTKo
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 02/02/2022 07:16 pm
SpaceX coverage has started.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 02/02/2022 07:18 pm
Spacecraft is on internal power.

T-10 minutes. NRO video.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 02/02/2022 07:21 pm
T-7 minutes. Engine chill should be starting about now. Showing landing zone 4.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 02/02/2022 07:22 pm
T-6 minutes. Stage 1 RP-1 loading is complete.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 02/02/2022 07:24 pm
T-4 minutes. Strongback retracting. Go for launch given.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 02/02/2022 07:25 pm
T-3 minutes. Stage 1 LOX load is complete.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 02/02/2022 07:26 pm
T-2 minutes.

Stage 2 LOX load complete.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 02/02/2022 07:27 pm
T-1 minute. LD is go for launch. Falcon 9 is in startup.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 02/02/2022 07:28 pm
Liftoff! Go goat!
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 02/02/2022 07:29 pm
T+1 minute.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 02/02/2022 07:30 pm
T+2 minutes.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 02/02/2022 07:31 pm
First stage separation.

T+3 minutes. Fairing separation (not shown).
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 02/02/2022 07:32 pm
T+4 minutes. Going back to launch site.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 02/02/2022 07:33 pm
T+5 minutes.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 02/02/2022 07:34 pm
T+6 minutes.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 02/02/2022 07:35 pm
Entry burn.

T+7 minutes.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 02/02/2022 07:36 pm
Touchdown!
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Steven Pietrobon on 02/02/2022 07:37 pm
Ending coverage at the request of the NRO.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Comga on 02/02/2022 07:40 pm
An interesting piece of ice shed by the first stage during descent.
What is this made of?  Nitrogen?
Edit:  This is a great replication of Galileo’s classic experiment where the heavy and light objects fall at the same rate.
In the near vacuum at 120 km, the multi-ton stage and the featherweight frost ring fall together towards Earth.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 02/02/2022 07:40 pm
Thank you, Steven, for the launch thread live coverage!

Great job, NSF webcasters!

Provisionally Second successful SpaceX launch of a trio!
CSG-2, January 31, from Canaveral SLC-40;

NROL-87, February 2, from Vandenberg SLC-4E;

And coming up tomorrow, Starlink 4-7, from Kennedy LC-39A.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 02/02/2022 07:42 pm
This satellite could be a new kind of electro-optical reconnaissance satellite, but not the direct successor to KH-11.
My >guess< regarding Static Fire or not would be:
NRO/USSF will pay for a Static Fire, especially so if this payload is the long-awaited first replacement of the KH-11's.
It can’t be that payload
Just for context, I believe Jim means it can't be a Keyhole-class satellite unless it's been redesigned to tolerate horizontal integration. But AFAIK, the latest generation - Block V - started launching on Delta IV Heavy in 2019 and again in 2021 and I've heard nothing about plans for a sixth block upgrade.
I seem to recall mention of a successor to the KH-11's, of a new design--so not a KH-11 block 6.  My recollection could very well be faulty.  PT's post up-thread:
Could this launch be the first of the Next Generation Electo-Optical series? The targeted orbit doesn't seem to match with any other existing NRO satellites.

You are correct to mention possible incompatibility with horizontal launch integration.  Unless accommodating such is a feature designed for?

Can any of our experts speak to this?
There still is a west coast Delta IV Heavy left. 
No long Falcon 9 fairings yet.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 02/02/2022 07:51 pm
Fairing separation (not shown).
The ground tracking camera footage likely covered fairing separation, and if so, the exposed satellite on top of the stack.

Of course, ditto for rocketcam footage, if any.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Comga on 02/02/2022 08:11 pm
Fairing separation (not shown).
The ground tracking camera footage likely covered fairing separation, and if so, the exposed satellite on top of the stack.

Of course, ditto for rocketcam footage, if any.

Typical government classified materials call
The satellite, even behind the second stage with its engine plume and 200 km away, still falls under the rule of “No Public Photographs”.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Conexion Espacial on 02/02/2022 08:13 pm
Fairing separation (not shown).
The ground tracking camera footage likely covered fairing separation, and if so, the exposed satellite on top of the stack.

Of course, ditto for rocketcam footage, if any.
Or probably they didn't want to show any of the separation of the fairings being a satellite...you know....military
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: edkyle99 on 02/02/2022 08:23 pm
Second successful SpaceX launch of a trio!
We can't call this a successful launch until NRO says its payload was delivered as expected.  Should be an announcement later today.  May have required a second stage restart, etc.

 - Ed Kyle
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Rondaz on 02/02/2022 08:50 pm
Liftoff and landing of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on the NROL-87 mission out of Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Absolutely beautiful launch! Now we cross out fingers that remote cameras worked.

https://twitter.com/thejackbeyer/status/1488984096458125319
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Rondaz on 02/02/2022 08:51 pm
The launch and landing of SpaceX Falcon 9, successfully completing the NROL-87 Mission out of Vandenberg SFB in California.

https://twitter.com/w00ki33/status/1488987936863371264
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: etudiant on 02/02/2022 08:55 pm
Fairing separation (not shown).
The ground tracking camera footage likely covered fairing separation, and if so, the exposed satellite on top of the stack.

Of course, ditto for rocketcam footage, if any.

Typical government classified materials call
The satellite, even behind the second stage with its engine plume and 200 km away, still falls under the rule of “No Public Photographs”.

The mission patch suggests a vehicle with a wide field of view, low light and motion sensitivity.
Unless the mountain goat is meant to symbolize the ability to leap from plane to plane, like the peaks in the background.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: whitelancer64 on 02/02/2022 09:01 pm
An interesting piece of ice shed by the first stage during descent.
What is this made of?  Nitrogen?
Edit:  This is a great replication of Galileo’s classic experiment where the heavy and light objects fall at the same rate.
In the near vacuum at 120 km, the multi-ton stage and the featherweight frost ring fall together towards Earth.

We have seen these semi-circular pieces of ice on multiple other Falcon 9 launches.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: zubenelgenubi on 02/02/2022 09:08 pm
The mission patch suggests a vehicle with a wide field of view, low light and motion sensitivity.
Unless the mountain goat is meant to symbolize the ability to leap from plane to plane, like the peaks in the background.
Caveat: Patch art analysis has become less illuminating since NRO management started enforcing a directive not to give away too many clues in the artwork.

The mountain goat 🐐 may only be featured because it's a cool wild American animal. 😎

"Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar."

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_DYop-OFDzk
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: edkyle99 on 02/02/2022 09:12 pm
Mission Success.

https://twitter.com/NatReconOfc/status/1488998396778143752?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Conexion Espacial on 02/02/2022 10:27 pm
First official SpaceX images of the launch (taken from the code of the page), in a few hours more and with better quality will be released.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Conexion Espacial on 02/02/2022 10:29 pm
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1489017819190595588
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Conexion Espacial on 02/02/2022 11:12 pm
https://twitter.com/nextspaceflight/status/1489020713935589380
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Conexion Espacial on 02/03/2022 12:26 am
Amazing View!
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1489046664807477251
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: JuaniX on 02/03/2022 02:17 am
From this:
New T-0 announced on the Countdown Net:
20:27:26 Z (UTC) -- 12:27:26 Z Local (PST)
Quote
Attention on Countdown 1, this is Launch Director.
Mission Director has implemented a new T-0.
The new T-0 is 20 : 27 : 26 Zulu; That's 12:27 and 26 seconds Local.

And the official webcast:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=bVk8XyjhTKo

I produced this little table:
T+min:sec      UTC      Event
00:00      20:27:26      Lift-off
01:00      20:28:26      Supersonic
01:10      20:28:36      Max Q (moment of peak mechanical stress on the rocket)
02:24      20:29:50      1st stage main engine cutoff (MECO)
02:27      20:29:53      1st and 2nd stages separate
02:35      20:30:01      2nd stage engine starts
02:36      20:30:02      1st stage boostback burn begins
02:45      20:30:11      Fairing deployment
03:19      20:30:45      1st stage boostback burn complete
06:32      20:33:58      1st stage entry burn begins
06:55      20:34:21      1st stage entry burn complete
07:42      20:35:08      1st stage landing burn begins
08:15      20:35:41      1st stage lands on Landing Zone 4

Cheers!
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Chinakpradhan on 02/03/2022 05:38 am
https://twitter.com/thejackbeyer/status/1489067149335285760?s=20&t=np3kUKoiQuRvUFwCoZkGYg
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Chinakpradhan on 02/03/2022 05:39 am
https://mobile.twitter.com/lavie154/status/1489064250572083208
Taken in different  frame
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Chinakpradhan on 02/03/2022 05:40 am
https://twitter.com/ShorealoneFilms/status/1488987016767279104?s=20&t=np3kUKoiQuRvUFwCoZkGYg
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Chinakpradhan on 02/03/2022 05:43 am
https://mobile.twitter.com/nkknspace/status/1488984034097065984
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Chinakpradhan on 02/03/2022 05:43 am
https://mobile.twitter.com/NatReconOfc/status/1488919196033503237
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Chinakpradhan on 02/03/2022 05:53 am
https://twitter.com/w00ki33/status/1488987936863371264?s=20&t=fW1gb72NKtEiKKlsGVDzpQ
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Chinakpradhan on 02/03/2022 05:53 am
https://twitter.com/w00ki33/status/1489045082925793284?s=20&t=fW1gb72NKtEiKKlsGVDzpQ
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Chinakpradhan on 02/03/2022 09:28 am
https://twitter.com/_TomCross_/status/1489061041237487616?s=20&t=iuT4VVDWfIW2KqySFoFsLw
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Chinakpradhan on 02/03/2022 09:31 am
https://twitter.com/nextspaceflight/status/1489034700882530313?s=20&t=xryqwRJCR1GNRWnpqZOrwA
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: OneSpeed on 02/03/2022 09:42 am
Here is a comparison of the first stage telemetry from the CSG-2 and NROL-87 webcasts.

1. NROL-87 spent much longer in the throttle bucket for Max-Q, perhaps reflecting increased sensitivity to an NROL mission failure.

2. NROL-87 MECO was at 1680m/s, compared to CSG-2 at 1660m/s. This extra velocity lead to increased 'hang time', apogee, and elapsed time to RTLS.

3. Apart from NROL-87, I don't have complete first stage telemetry for any Vandenberg RTLS missions to SSO. However, the recent CSG-2 mission from the Cape was also to SSO, with the additional requirement of doglegs by both stages. The CSG-2 payload was ~2,205kg, so the NROL-87 payload should have been substantially greater than 2,205kg.

4. SAOCOM-1A was another Vandenberg RTLS mission to SSO, with the additional requirement of direct injection to a 625km circular orbit. It delivered 3,000kg, so NROL-87 should also be heavier than 3,000kg.

5. The SHERPA mission from Vandenberg to SSO required a drone ship landing, and the payload was 4,000kg, so the NROL-87 payload should be somewhat less than 4,000kg.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Star One on 02/03/2022 10:40 am
I wonder if this obviously fake aircraft that has suddenly appeared at Area 51 is a calibration target for this mission.

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/44057/mysterious-aircraft-spotted-at-area-51-in-unprecedented-satellite-image
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Rondaz on 02/03/2022 11:09 am
Remote wide angle video shot of SpaceX Falcon 9 - NROL-87 launching and landing w/ high fidelity audio.

https://twitter.com/jdeshetler/status/1489070514530238470
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: LouScheffer on 02/03/2022 01:04 pm
2. NROL-87 MECO was at 1680m/s, compared to CSG-2 at 1660m/s. This extra velocity lead to increased 'hang time', apogee, and elapsed time to RTLS.
The main cause of the extra hang time appears to be a more lofted trajectory, not the difference in cutoff speed.  There are two pieces of evidence:  First, an extra 20 m/s should result in at most 4 extra seconds of hang time (actually less, since the velocity is not all vertical), but the delta in hang time is much longer.  Second, the angle at cutoff is directly shown by the acceleration during the coast between cutoff and boostback.  This is known to be -1G, directed at the Earth, in both cases.  We don't see -1G, though, since we (SpaceX telemetry) are viewing it from an angle.  NROL-87 shows a value closer to -1, meaning it is closer to pure vertical than CSG-2.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Alexphysics on 02/03/2022 01:41 pm
5. The SHERPA mission from Vandenberg to SSO required a drone ship landing, and the payload was 4,000kg, so the NROL-87 payload should be somewhat less than 4,000kg.

That mission needed a droneship but not for performance reasons, the droneship was stationed off shore from Vandenberg so it was almost as if it were an RTLS. They just couldn't do an RTLS because of an NRO launch from Delta IV Heavy's pad south of SLC-4E was already on the pad and the NRO asked to move away from an RTLS.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Conexion Espacial on 02/03/2022 02:01 pm
https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1489252598334984195
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: DeanG1967 on 02/03/2022 02:24 pm
Did I miss the status of fairing recovery?
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: scr00chy on 02/03/2022 03:32 pm
Did I miss the status of fairing recovery?

The ship isn't back in port yet. We won't know the result until then (if someone takes photos, that is).
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Chinakpradhan on 02/03/2022 05:01 pm
https://twitter.com/nextspaceflight/status/1489278443971702790?s=20&t=7Gew-BvjD9kAGhT5Zp5G0g
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: SpaceFinnOriginal on 02/03/2022 05:29 pm
I wonder if this obviously fake aircraft that has suddenly appeared at Area 51 is a calibration target for this mission.

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/44057/mysterious-aircraft-spotted-at-area-51-in-unprecedented-satellite-image

The shape is a bit like SAAB J-35 Draken.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: russianhalo117 on 02/03/2022 05:48 pm
VSFB Footage:

https://youtu.be/4-sXag4q3io
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Chinakpradhan on 02/03/2022 05:59 pm
https://twitter.com/w00ki33/status/1489295078623309825?s=20&t=Xzt-CML8GuVNIIWxsJHn7Q
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Chinakpradhan on 02/03/2022 06:10 pm
https://twitter.com/opbphotos/status/1489064867277328385?s=20&t=Xzt-CML8GuVNIIWxsJHn7Q
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Chinakpradhan on 02/03/2022 06:10 pm
https://twitter.com/opbphotos/status/1489283971250720770?s=20&t=Xzt-CML8GuVNIIWxsJHn7Q
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Conexion Espacial on 02/03/2022 06:28 pm
Other SpaceX images of the launch, more images:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/spacex
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Rondaz on 02/03/2022 11:14 pm
Humans for scale.

https://twitter.com/nextspaceflight/status/1489363154425548806
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Chinakpradhan on 02/04/2022 02:44 am
https://twitter.com/thejackbeyer/status/1489355589708771335?s=20&t=51Iyt2cyxBSWEPtTuzOaLA

Started to refurbish or just a simple imagery of post landing??
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Chinakpradhan on 02/04/2022 02:47 am
https://twitter.com/nextspaceflight/status/1489424612744040449?s=20&t=wtFlMpMmwch3U7ySRbYYYg
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Alexphysics on 02/04/2022 03:29 am
Started to refurbish or just a simple imagery of post landing??

Wdym?
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Chinakpradhan on 02/04/2022 07:47 am
Started to refurbish or just a simple imagery of post landing??

Wdym?
means is it just a image showing booster after landing or is it a image where booster is being  prepared to be taken to Refurbishing facility like the one we got next day after B1052 landing
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Rondaz on 02/04/2022 10:56 am
Compressed 24 hours of remote 4k video into 30 secs. on SpaceX's landing pad for NROL-87 mission.

https://twitter.com/jdeshetler/status/1489451416884105217
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Alexphysics on 02/04/2022 04:50 pm
Started to refurbish or just a simple imagery of post landing??

Wdym?
means is it just a image showing booster after landing or is it a image where booster is being  prepared to be taken to Refurbishing facility like the one we got next day after B1052 landing

It's just a photo of the booster on the landing pad after landing I mean, I'm not sure what the question here could be
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Chris Bergin on 02/04/2022 04:52 pm
This is very cool!

https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1489657773516279812

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gv0SWkVONUQ
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Oersted on 02/04/2022 09:26 pm
Top-notch footage and editing! - That booster separation "right next to" the cloud was something else.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Targeteer on 02/05/2022 12:02 am
https://hamsat1.home.xs4all.nl/tle.tle

USA 326
1 51445U 22009A   22035.50299400  .00000000  00000-0  00000-0 0    06
2 51445  97.9000 136.8017 0023641 203.6002 299.8284 15.19316440    07
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Chinakpradhan on 02/05/2022 05:10 am
Epic pic https://twitter.com/w00ki33/status/1489821361744715777?s=20&t=-7I5dwRcLtzSWZUa2yvjOg
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Rondaz on 02/06/2022 11:43 am
A closer looks at Falcon 9 leg actuation before touching down at Vandenberg SFB following the NROL-87 mission. My remote camera was framed to capture a few frames of the process.

https://twitter.com/w00ki33/status/1490174780229636105
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Rondaz on 02/08/2022 10:48 am
Launch and landing of Falcon 9 during the NROL-87 mission. Easily one of my favorite remote video cameras that I have set so far.

https://twitter.com/nextspaceflight/status/1490850634752348160
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Comga on 02/08/2022 03:49 pm
Launch and landing of Falcon 9 during the NROL-87 mission. Easily one of my favorite remote video cameras that I have set so far.

https://twitter.com/nextspaceflight/status/1490850634752348160 (https://twitter.com/nextspaceflight/status/1490850634752348160)

It’s good we have pretty much retired the expression “hover-slam”.
It neither hovers or slams, but particularly from this distance, it alights, making jet landings look violent by comparison.
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Jdeshetler on 02/08/2022 06:38 pm
https://twitter.com/jdeshetler/status/1489288945196154882
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Rondaz on 02/08/2022 10:46 pm
Falcon 9 coming in hot just before leg deployment and landing. Rummaging through more remote camera captures from the NROL-87 mission out of Vandenberg SFB.

https://twitter.com/w00ki33/status/1490935879723929600
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: russianhalo117 on 02/10/2022 02:31 am
VSFB footage:
https://youtu.be/IpbAA4DzrR8
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: scr00chy on 02/11/2022 12:49 am
Has there been any information about fairing recovery?
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: Conexion Espacial on 03/16/2022 04:34 pm
https://youtu.be/ivIqafxIqA8
Title: Re: SpaceX Falcon 9 : NROL-87 : SLC-4E Vandenberg : 2 February 2022 (20:27 UTC)
Post by: vaporcobra on 04/11/2022 02:54 am
https://youtu.be/ivIqafxIqA8

If this was the highlights video, I think they reuploaded for some reason.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAMLUYP2YZY